Contents

The Flip Side of Miami.

Homecomings

The Wild Life.

A Charmed Life.

The Flip Side of Miami.

Because I got asked.  I always told my list if they nagged and begged, I'd probably write most of what they asked.  A number did.

Warnings: Xander will be engaging in some limited BDSM talk and discussion, NONE GRAPHIC.  He will end up being a Dom!  Also, the ENTIRE SERIES is rated NC-17 for this, a bit of darker violence than the original series, and sex.

Aiden Burns looked at the resurrected man next to her.  "We've got to do it," she said, her Queen's accent fairly thick even though she was now a transplanted Californian.  "Your own visions said we had ta do it."

"We can send him to Miami."

"You lost the coin toss and this way they don't find out for longer that you're back," she offered with a smirk.  "That way I don't have ta watch retribution in action this week."  She gave him a hug.  "Mac'll watch out for him."

"I don't think Mac will understand Xander," Tim Speedle protested.  "At least Eric and Calleigh will understand him in Miami."

"Tough.  Danny and Don'll understand and Mac'll be like a father figure.  Besides, Danny used ta run tough and he'll actually keep the boy from hunting."  Speed grimaced at that.  "Once he finds out."  She smiled at him.  "Now I know what you had planned."

"College."

"I can see him in one of our fifty zillion schools up there," she pointed out. "Please?  Plus ya know he'll have a lot of life to experience up there.  Not like the whole world don't come knockin' at New York's door."

"True," he admitted.  "As I did once."  He sighed and nodded.  "Fine.  You write the letter and we'll figure out how to tell him."

"What were you gonna do if you had won the coin toss?"

"Told him he had to deliver a letter to Horatio."

"Without an explanation?"

"I hinted about the guys I worked with."

She moaned and shook her head, calling Xander.  "C'mere in about an hour, baby."  She hung up and got to work writing the all important introduction letter.  She didn't want to make Xander sound like a gang member or a thug, Mac would hate that.  She couldn't not tell them though because it'd be pretty evident within a day. She scrapped her first try and started one to Mac instead.  He could do the introductions, get Stella to mother her adopted son, and it'd be good.  Xander walked in and she read it over, then signed her name and sealed it.  "C'mere, kiddo."  He walked slowly closer.  "Nothin' bad."

"Bullshit.  The last time you had that look on your face you told Angel you were going to stake his heart by shoving a telephone pole up his ass."

"Well, yeah," she admitted, but she was smiling.  She pulled him closer to sit with her in the comfy easy chair she was in.  "Listen, you know Tim's been having a few visions, right?"  He nodded slowly.  "Well, one said you've gotta be gone this summer, which works out well with your plans, but we gotta make sure you clear the state."

"I can help with whatever it is, Aiden."

"I know that, baby, but they were very clear.  You gotta be long gone."

"Why?"

"Because you'll die," Tim said simply.

"Oh."  He grimaced.  "And?"

"You know I got some friends in New York, right?"  He nodded slowly. "I want you to take them a message.  Can't get much farther away in this country and hey, lots and lots to see and do.  You're going on a roadtrip and that's a great place to learn about other forms of life."  Xander shrugged at that.  "So I'm gonna give you a letter.  You're gonna head up that way.  And if you decide to come back, we'll talk then about what you saw."

"Why wouldn't I?" he asked cautiously.

"I don't know.  You got an acceptance letter to a school up there somewhere in Tim's place," she said dryly. "You might find some decent girls for a change.  You don't know.  New York's like that."

"Uh-huh.  I'm sensing a horrible outcome?"

"Nah, you won't get taken out there," she promised, patting and stroking his back.  "It'll be *fine*, Xander.  But I need you to go tomorrow before the bad shit starts again."

"I can fight."

"Not this time," Tim said, coming over with drinks for them.  "The Powers were specific, Xander.  You have to leave the hellmouth this summer. You have to leave tomorrow."

"If I die, I die!  It's not like I expected to live this long," he complained loudly.

Tim grabbed him by the back of the head, wrapping his fingers in the dark hair.  "You listen to me, Xander.  You are not destined to die here, am I clear?" he asked.  Xander nodded weakly.  "Good.  They said you're not destined to die here.  Therefore you won't."  He kissed him on the forehead as he eased his grip.  "So go with the plans.  You wanted a great roadtrip, New York is where the rest of the world comes to play.  You'll learn shit there that you could usually only learn overseas."  He gave him a gentler smile.  "Can you take the letter for her?"

"Do I get to disappear?"

"You might wanna stay for a few days, just in case my friends wanna be nosy," Aiden offered.  "If you're going for quiet, head to Maine."

Xander sighed and nodded.  "Fine.  What college accepted me?  UC Hellmouth didn't."

Tim snorted. "I applied to a few schools for you, Xander.  You got in to about six of them. They're in my place and wherever you end up I'll send them there.  I'm waiting on the last one."

"Oh."  He considered it.  "I'm getting the bad 'can't come back' feeling."

Tim looked at him.  "You can't."  He held up a hand at the protest.  "The Powers said if you did, you'd die by twenty-three after a debilitating injury, Xander.  You'd be miserable.  You'd end up almost marrying Anya."  He shuddered at that.  "It'll only get worse from here.  Without you here, Buffy won't die saving her family. Willow's future girlfriend won't die and send Willow out on a 'destroy the earth' mission."  His face fell at that.  "It's not that it's you, it's that there's too much power here.  The more power, the worse the threats that come.  You're making her too powerful and it's going to get dangerous for everyone if you stay because you're creating too much good guy energy to put it basically."

"Reaction and action.  Too much light always casts a deeper night," Aiden agreed.

He looked at them.  "Are you sending Willow off?"

"Within a year.  I'm not going to forbid you to write them, help them long distance, but you can't come back."  He gave him a hug.  "Some year soon I'll be with you and so will Aiden, Xander.  As soon as we're released from here, we're going to come live wherever you end up.  So I need you to go find somewhere nice and set up a forward base.  Also, go watch over Aiden's friends for me.  They do stupid shit."

"Yes, daddy," he said quietly.  "Twenty-three?"

"Twenty-three," he agreed.  "After losing an eye and having to fight two gods, Xander."  He shuddered.  "Without you here, they can't come.  There's not enough light here.  Now, with that said, this upcoming school year, there's going to be a big problem but it'll be an Oz and Buffy problem."

"They're going to cheat?"

"No," he said, grimacing.  "I don't think he'd put up with her.  Eww, nasty thoughts."  Aiden and his adopted son both hugged him for that one.  "Thanks, guys.  No, the military knows about demons.  We'll be coming to you for tactical help."  Xander perked up at that.  "You're still going to be helping, just in a different area.  Okay?  But first we need you to go to New York, and when I send you the letters, maybe you'll decide to stay there.  New York's got some demons and some very nice places as well.  I loved going to college in the city."

"I'll think about it.  College isn't exactly something I want to do, Timmy."

"Yay, can't do much except flip burgers without it, baby," Aiden reminded him, smiling at him.  "So you'll take this to Mac, let 'em know how I'm doing?  See the college maybe?"

"Maybe."

"Go see New York.  It's a great city, Xander.  It's the only place you can walk from one neighborhood where it's just like Greece into one where it's just like Pakistan and then go to China a few blocks later."  He smiled a bit at that.  "Okay?"

"Fine, if I have to."  He looked at Tim.  "Where were you going to send me?"

"To see my former coworkers.  Miami's bikini central.  If you're going to find a pretty woman that'll be the place."

"Oh."  He nodded at that and shrugged.  "Fine.  I have to go tomorrow?  I don't have time for a goodbye party?"

"We'll throw one when we come see you," Aiden promised with a grin.  "We'll even hit a strip club, Xander."  He perked up at that.  "'Kay?"

"Fine."  He hugged them both and took the letter once she had sealed it. "I still don't like this.  You can tell the Powers to lick my balls," he said as he walked out to go pack.

Tim shrugged. "I've done that a few times actually.  They're never pleased to hear that."  He snuggled back into her side.  "How long before we can leave?"

"'Nother year I think."  She stroked his hair.  "Poor baby.  You'll be fine and maybe you can come with us.  Xander will need some sense by then.  I'm doubting anyone'll be watching hard enough for the first few months."

"Probably not," Tim agreed with a small sigh.  "What's he gonna do, strip?"

"With Xander?  You never know," she reminded him.  Their adopted son had surprised them in the past.  A number of times. But he'd be fine in New York.

Probably.

***

Xander walked up to the reception desk the instructions Aiden had given him last night had led him to.  "Hi.  I was told to hand this letter to a Detective Mac Taylor.  Is he here somewhere?"

"He's not.  I can hold it and hand it over," she said, holding out a hand.

"She'd kick my ass.  Aiden told me if you tried to take it I was to yell for someone named Flackie or Danny?"  The woman's eyes went wide.  "What?"

"Only one person ever called Detective Flack that, sir.  Can you wait?"

"Of course.  This is my only scheduled activity today."  She smiled and pointed at some chairs so he went to sit and watch the people going past.  He nearly whistled at one woman but she glared at him when she caught him staring.  Some women just didn't want to be appreciated.  He saw a guy with spiky blond/brunette hair come in and she handed him a few messages.  He had seen his picture in Aiden's wallet.  So apparently she knew him.  The receptionist said something and pointed in his direction.  The guy smiled at him so he grinned back.  "Aiden sent me."

"I figured.  Only she ever called Flack that horrible nickname.  Mac'll be back in about an hour.  You wanna go get coffee?"

Xander let out a cackle.  "Only if you want me to destroy the building while I bounce."

"Nah, not really polite," he decided. "Okay, you wait there for the big, tough lookin' guy. Dark, short hair, used ta be military if you can spot 'em."  Xander nodded.  "That's Mac.  She send one to me?"

"To him but I'm sure it's got parts for you."

"Sure.  I'll see you after he does then."  He walked off, pulling out his cellphone to make sure Mac came right back.  Aiden didn't usually send Mac cute young men.  Unless she knew something about Mac that he didn't.

Xander waited and watched more people, including the one pretty one, walk past reading stuff.  "Hopefully I'll never have a job where I have to read all day," he said quietly.  He saw one guy come in and looked at him.  "Detective Mac Taylor?" he asked, hopping up.  The guy looked and nodded.  "Hi, Xander Harris.  The adopto-mom Aiden sent me with a letter for you."

"That's fine.  Let me do one thing then I'll take you to my office, okay?"  Xander nodded and sat down again. "Thanks."  He got his messages and went to log in his evidence then came back out.  Xander hopped back up and followed him to his office, handing over the letter.  He felt it carefully, just in case.

"Dude, I know explosives but I'm not into letter bombs," Xander said dryly.  "They're childish and a desperate cry for a penis enlargement plus a brain wax."

Mac stared at him.  "You're very blunt."

He grinned.  "I learned off Aiden and Timmy."

"Timmy?"

"Tim.  Yeah.  She helped him come back.  She's in Sunnydale."

"Oh.  Where?"

"By LA."

"Oh."  He nodded and opened the letter, reading it through.

//Mac, you might wanna sit down,// she wrote. //The young, bouncy, smartass in front of you is like my son.  You piss him off I'm shoving my foot up your ass and out your ear.  Why he's like my son you'll probably find out within a few weeks if you *talk* to the boy.  And I do mean talk and listen.  Something you only do to Stella usually.// He smiled at that.  //Now that that's out of the way, got a favor to ask and it's a huge one.  Due to the situation out here, Xander can't ever come back.  He'll die at twenty-three if he does.  We know this already by the way.  Before you say a *word* that job you said I'd be good at?  It's on the hellmouth, Mac.  You're watching one of the fighters for the light bounce in front of your desk at the moment.  So we need him ta be mentored.  Find him a good life.  A long life.  Don't be thrown by the boy.  He's as tough as they come but he's got a loving soul and a core of decency.  He's seen too much death and caused a bit of it himself to save others.

//For right now, I want one of you, Danny, or Flack to mentor my boy.  It's damn important that he find a good life.  We're working on getting him accepted to one of the schools out there.  When we're done with our jobs out here we'll be back with him.  We want him alive, undamaged, and healthy, Mac.  Which means you've got to do some watching.  The kid's got reflexes like you.  He likes weapons.  He's damn good with weapons.  Search out his graduation, it was his plan.  He had to modify one on Giles, the older guy out here watching over the team.  He's the one who came up with the explosives, the battle plan, and managed to save most everyone's ass.  Now he needs a life.  He's a combat guy.  He'll probably stay a combat guy unless someone stops him.  Please, someone stop him.  I'll beg and plead in my shortest skirt in front of Messer if you do.  Also, watch the boy for the moment.  See the real Xander, not the bouncy boy, not the hunter, but the core of the boy, Mac.//

Mac looked up, seeing what she had.   He went back to the letter.   //Now, I know you're still grieving.  Messer's probably the best choice but if you try to force it he'll complain and rant.  The boy already felt unloved all his life, he doesn't need that.  Ever.  You have my permission to smack the shit out of him if he does it to my son.  You three doing it together is probably the best choice.  You and he can bond over combat stuff because the boy never sleeps anymore.  Danny can show him good fun and Don'll get him settled down pretty quick.  Also, never, ever let the boy date a woman without doing a background check.  He's so far dated one cheerleader that flayed him with her tongue every day for being human before they made out. A former force of vengeance that was a nympho who tried to kill him, literally, Mac, with sex.  Seven hours later he had to be rescued.  He's dated a few creatures who had to kill.  They like him.  Fair warning.  He dates and you'll probably be sorry.  He might like guys, don't know, never asked and Timmy never said if he asked him or not.  But be good to my boy.  Try to keep him in the city for a while if you can.  If not, make sure he's watched.  I'm serious about this, Mac.  Xander goes on gut and animal instinct most of the time.  He kinda had one possess him for about a week so that's why he growls now and then.  Also watch out for the sharp, pointy things.  Love you and tell the two goofballs to call me.  He's got my number.  Aiden.//

Mac folded it and put it back into the envelope.  "Did you read it?"

"She told me," he said grimly.  "I'm not sure if I want to stay in New York or not.  It's an expensive city to live in."

"It is," he agreed.

"Plus I'm very not thrilled with their plans for college for me."

"Ever think about the military?" Mac asked.

"Yeah and then I realized I look totally sucky in ever uniform ever made.  That they'd probably end up turning me into an assassin once they heard about my past."

"We don't technically train assassins, Xander.  That's the CIA."

"The only difference is that snipers are paid by a different branch of the government, Detective Taylor."  He stared him down.  "I hunted, that's a bit different to me."

"I can see that."  He ignored the prior comments.  "Hunted what?"

"She said to tell you that Sunnydale is like somewhere called Penguin Street?  Does that sound right?"

Mac shuddered.  "I know that area.  So you hunted demons?"

"Demons, vampires, quarterly apocalypses.  It's all kinda routine out there.  I started hunting in the beginning of tenth grade."  He looked at him. "I'm sorry if I just pissed you off."

"In a lot of ways being a sniper is like that.  Only we kill on orders instead of for money."

"True.  That's the other difference."  He gave him a gentle smile.  "She did say to mess up Danny's hair and to make fun of Flackie's suit?"

"Detective Flack likes to wear pastels," he said dryly.  "Only she gets away with that nickname.  As a matter of fact, that's him staring from across the hall.  Danny must've told him since they're both out there."  He looked at Xander again.  "She wanted you to find a mentor."

"I'd like to find a damn life," he said dryly, shrugging.  "The Powers are assholes who said I bring too much power to the light apparently so I had to leave."

"Bigger things will come if you've got more power, Xander.  Like the Army doesn't take on an island country with the full breadth of it's forces."

"I can understand that one."  He sat down and looked at him.  "She did say I should stay to give them information.  Plus her phone number out there."

"That might help.  They've been missing her," he agreed, smiling a bit.  "What about college?"

"The only reason I passed high school was Timmy helping me."

"Oh.  Well, how about something more hands on?  Like a vocational school?  We've got a good few of those in the city."  Xander relaxed at that.  "It's usually a good field and you'd learn a lot within a short amount of time.  It's usually less expensive too."  Xander nodded at that.  "Do you want to meet the other two she sent you to?  I'm not sure why she sent you to me except for the combat trauma you have."

Xander raised an eyebrow.  "That's being nosy."

"I read people for a living, Xander," he said bluntly.  "How many things did you kill?"

"Keeping a kill count is for serial killers.  I was keeping others safe," he said firmly.

"I can understand that.  Do know that you can talk to me about that if you need to.  No matter who mentors you."  Xander nodded at that.  "That's fine then."  He stared at Danny and waved him inside.  They both came in.  "Guys, this is Xander.  He's like Aiden's son."

"She adopted and didn't tell us?" the guy in the mauve suit complained.

Xander looked at him.  "She and Timmy ran my parents out of town when they were going to sell me to a Master in LA who liked to play too hard and kill his toys," he said bluntly.  "Aiden literally made them run for their lives."

"Oh," the guy from earlier said.  "Anything in the letter for us?"

"Her phone number," Xander said.  "I've got it memorized because she's the queen of scatterbrained ho some days and keeps letting the couch eat her phone.  By the way, she called herself that and Timmy agreed."

"Timmy?" the other guy asked.

Xander pulled out a picture.  "That was a few weeks before graduation."

"Whoa, hold on.  That's Tim Speedle," he said, glaring at him.  "How?"

"She said if that question came up Sunnydale is the hellmouth and therefore like somewhere called Penguin Street, only worse."

Don Flack shuddered at that.  "'Nuff said."

Danny looked at him.  "What were you doing there?"

"Saving lives," he said bluntly, standing up.  He wrote out her phone number and handed it over.  "She suggested I stay for the next week so I could tell you guys what she's been doing and how she went 'ick' for hours after staking her first vampire.  I'm going to find somewhere relatively cheap and without too many bugs.  Detective Taylor?"

"That's fine, Xander.  Call me here and let me know where so I can tell the others."  He handed over one of his business cards.  "Have a good rest."

"I'll try."  He shrugged and looked at Don.  "Why did only she get to call you Flackie?"

Don smirked. "Because she's cute and like a little sister.  Even if I did want to bang her now and then."

"I can see why.  She's got a figure and a mouth that makes you think about things bad girls do in the locker rooms during football games.  Then again she said I have a sucky dating life so I should give up women all together and try men."  He shrugged.

Danny looked at him. "They make tapes ta help with the style stuff, kid."

"No, those are for entertainment purposes only.  That's what the legal crap at the beginning says.  I actually read it once."  That got a snicker from him.  "So I'll be around for a week or so if you wanted to talk about Mom.  She said to pinch someone named Stella on the ass?"

"She's the one wearing the white shirt today and the really nice pants," Don told him.

Xander just nodded.  "She glared at me when I stared.  I'm eighteen, I'm like that, so she's just being unfair."  He shrugged.  "I'm off to find a rathole motel.  Any suggestions?"

"There's one ..."  Don took out some paper and handed it to him once he had written down the address.  "Go there.  It's bad but it's not drug whore bad."

"That'll work.  Thank you, Flackie."  He grinned and walked out.

Danny snatched the letter to read.  He blinked at it, just staring.  "Excuse me?" he demanded.  Flack took the letter to read instead.  He looked at Mac.  "So..."

"So," he agreed.  He turned on his computer and looked up the graduation.  It hadn't made any of the papers or national news and from what she had said it should have.  He blinked at it, shaking his head.  "I'll be damned," he said quietly.  "He joked about knowing explosives."  Danny came over to move him and read.  "That's my desk."

"Yeah, yeah.  Whine."  He blinked at that then looked at Flack.  "They blew up their high school because something attacked graduation."

"The letter said he led the defense," Flack agreed, leaning over to read it too.

Stella walked in.  "That's a really great view, Don, but I didn't need to see that you're not wearing underwear today."

"Am so.  I wear tight ones."

"You should quit that before your mother nags you into an early grave for lack of grandkids," Danny teased.  "So, you glared at Aiden's adopted son?"

"Was that the young guy who stared at my boobs?"

"Yup," Don agreed, grinning at her.  He let her have the letter, then he dialed the desk phone, getting her cellphone.  "You didn't tell us you adopted, wench."

"Flackie, I love you, but if my son isn't there he's already in trouble.  Someone obviously can't take advice, Mac.  By the way, Tim says hi and don't tell 'em.  He'll do it."

"Fat chance," Danny said dryly.  "Anything else we should know?"

"Yeah, he's already in trouble.  I know he is."

"He's eighteen and you said he's got a combat history," Mac pointed out.

"Yeah and he uses it, Mac.  He's very used to using it.  Like every single night since the start of tenth grade.  That's three years now."  Mac shuddered at that.  "And let me tell you, Penguin Street has nothin' on this hellmouth.  Even I've staked vampires."

"He said you went ''ick' for hours," Don teased.

"It's messy!  And hell, I had ta go correct the bitches out here that night too.  The slayer's a stupid brat and her best friend's a weird one with delusions of being Glinda the Good Witch only she makes mistakes.  A lot of mistakes.  Now, go hunt down my son."

"I told him ta go to the place by Times Square," Don promised.  "He's going to check in."

"Don, listen to the words coming out of her mouth," a male voice said.  "Killer things and people like our son.  A lot.  They like to date him, they like to try to kill him, and they like to try to have fun with him before they kill him.  It's not only his dating history, it's some of the bastards his original parents gave him to.  The kid's a survivor but he'll get in trouble within minutes.  He's got a mouth on him and he's probably armed.  He's never totally unarmed anymore.  He had to lose his blood innocence at eight to protect himself.  Understood?"

"Understood.  I'll shadow him.  What is he driving?" Don said, shaking his head.

"POS blue convertible boat," Aiden told him.  "Look for the cloud of smoke."

"Definitely," the male voice agreed.

"Yo, Speed, do they know you're back yet?" Danny asked. "Or how you're back yet?"

"Aiden wished me up and I'm telling them soon."

"Uh-huh," he said dryly.  "Too late."

"Crap. You guys always were too nosy for your own sanity.  Go stop the son for right now.  Show him how fun life outside of hunting can be.  Stop him because he will continue to hunt.  Find him a real life.  Please.  I'm working on college things."

"He doesn't want to go," Mac said.  "He said the only reason he passed high school was you."  He'd consider how a dead CSI from Miami was now alive somewhere with vampires later.   He probably didn't want to know.  "I did suggest a vocational school."

"He's got it in him to be a great profiler, Mac," Tim said patiently.  "It'd be the best way to use his hunting skills.  If you don't find him something he can use those skills in, he'll continue to hunt and then die.  At which point the world will start to go to hell."

"Just let it happen," Aiden offered.  "He'll probably like college once he starts.  He never was a great party guy.  He could use some work on the rhythm stuff too.  He'll do fine if he gives it a shot.  Now, protect our kid for us."

"Aiden, why did you send him here?" Stella asked.

"I won the coin toss," she said, sounding smug.  "Oh, Stella, boy's never had a decent mother.  He knows all women want to kill him.  Go easy on the boy the first few times, 'kay?  I'm the first mother he's ever known."

"I'll keep that in mind if he stays.  He didn't seem too sure he wanted to."

"He'll stay for the nightlife," Tim said dryly.  "I know Xander, he will."  Someone pounded on the door near them.  "Gotta go.  That's the boss wondering why we locked ourselves in the bathroom for this conference.   Go save him now, Flack.  Please.  Before it's a real serial killer."

They hung up.

Danny looked at Mac.  "You wanna call Miami or me?"

"I'll call Horatio," he said quietly.  "Give him what we know."  That got a nod.  "Flack, can you shadow the kid tonight?"

"Sure.  I was gonna go out for a drink later.  Think he'd go?"

"With what was said about his parents, I'm going to make an assumption and say they're probably either alcoholics or drug abusers," Mac said, looking at him.  "Only they would *sell* their child into a dangerous situation."

"Gotcha."  He went to find the kid.  Maybe he'd be a good big brother and take him out clubbing tonight.  Before he got mugged or killed by someone.

Danny, Mac, and Stella all shared looks.  "You heard 'er," Danny offered. "We gonna watch out for the kid for her?"

"I can't believe she adopted him," Stella said.

"She probably had to since he said she ran his original ones out of town," Danny said.  He grimaced.  "Worse'n my pops apparently.  Mac?"

"I'll gladly mentor.  You might see if Sheldon might want to help too if we need it."

"I love Doc, he's a great guy and all, but this kid is like one'a mine where I grew up, Mac.  He fought and survived.  Doc's used ta nice guys."

"Point," he admitted.  "I would probably keep him and Lindsey away from each other."

Danny snickered. "Ya think?"  He walked off shaking his head.

Stella looked at him.  "I can play big sister if he needs me to.  I'm not sure it'll help him any."

"If he's never known a mother and he attracts women who want to hurt or kill him, probably not," Mac agreed.  He took the letter back and put it away.  "We'll figure out what he needs when he's been with us for a few days or so."  She nodded, heading out.  He got up to close the office door and then sat down again, dialing the phone.  "Horatio Caine please."  He listened to the transfer/hold music, then smiled. "Horatio, Mac Taylor.  Long time no hear.  No, an odd thing.  Do you remember Penguin Street from when you were up here?"  He smiled at the heard shudder.  "Well, I unknowingly sent Aiden to a place that's like that, called Sunnydale, California.  Yeah, it sounded nice, it's a small town.  They needed a decent detective.  So I encouraged and recommended her.  But it seems that things like Penguin Street happen there all the time.  Including Aiden apparently wishing up someone who had been dead."  He heard the indrawn breath and knew he had caught the hint.  "Her and Tim Speedle's adopted son is up here, she sent him to me to mentor him with Danny and Don Flack.  I do have her phone number.  He wrote it down."  He picked up that paper and read it off.

"That was her cellphone.  Xander said she loses it so he had to memorize it."  He smiled. "I don't know, Horatio.  All I know is that the kid had a picture of Speed and we heard him while we were talking with Aiden about him.  He's there and alive somehow."  The 'not when Alexx hears' made him laugh. "I'll leave that up to you.  He said he was going to call but Danny and I both heard the unsureness of it in his voice so I decided you should hear it from a friend before you die of a heart attack when you hear from him.  Sure.  Call, she was there."  He smiled.  "Good luck, Horatio.   No, they apparently ran this kid's parents out of town for trying to sell him and have him killed.  They're like his parents now.  I'm not sure," he admitted. "You'd have to ask them.  Have a better day, Horatio.  I hope he gets to come home."  He hung up and went over the situation in his mind.  He either hadn't caught the right clues or he was missing an important one.  The boy still seemed off to him for some reason.  He went back to reading up on graduation.  He found another site, a Live Journal site, and went over that one.  Tim's.   He left him a message saying that their dark one was safe and Flack was going to take him out tonight.  He got an email almost instantly that had more information.  That had the clues he needed and it was from Tim.  So apparently Aiden still had some blinders on about the boy.

***

Flack found Xander in a harder core club than he had imagined the boy would've liked, watching him be taught how to dance.  He shook his head with a moan, going out there to help him.  Xander jumped when he touched him.  "Like this," he said patiently, moving his body for him.  Xander got into it and he nodded.  "Better."  Xander grinned and went to dance with others.  Don went to get a drink so he could watch over the kid.  He was definitely drawing them in.  He had a nice, fit body.  A bit skinny but that was something Stella could fix.  He had muscles.  His hands had been calloused in the right spots for weapons work. He watched as the boy answered his phone with a text message, then went back to dancing with his partner.  He wasn't too bad out there.  He nodded at Danny when he came in.  They had decided to come together tonight to watch over the kid.  He pointed at him and Danny moaned, going to dance with the kid and make him do better.  Don grinned, taking a drink of his beer while he watched Danny do better instruction with the kid.  By the end of another set of music, the kid was on fire on the floor.  He was also drawing people that Don would rather arrest and bleach than let touch him.  He caught Danny's eye and nodded at a few, getting a nod.

Danny drug Xander back to the table.  "You drink?"

"Nope."

"That's fine."  He looked at the waitress and she came over.  "He's the DD.  Get him a soda.  Get me a beer?"  She nodded and he paid, watching her walk off. "That's a nice ass," he decided.

Flack looked then nodded.  "Yup.  Is."  He took another drink and looked at the kid. "Doing better, Xander."

"Thanks."  He grinned.  "It's ten bucks extra a night for a room without bugs?"

"Some places," he agreed.

Xander shrugged.  "Stomping on roaches is something I've done before too."

"You know, you could stay for a bit longer," Danny offered.  "The city's like everywhere else on earth crammed together."

"I accidentally ran into the British section earlier.  I was having Watcher flashbacks," he agreed, smiling at him.  "I'm not sure what I want yet, guys.  But you have Aiden's phone number."

"We do.  Is she happy with Timmy?" Danny asked.

"It's a casual, we've seen too much death, let's screw thing with them."  He smiled at the waitress when she came back. "Thank you."

"Welcome, cutey."  She pinched him on the cheek and walked off again once Danny had his beer.

"If I do stay I'm going to have to find a semi-respectable job.  Otherwise I'll never be able to afford rent."

"That would be a downside of living in the city," Flack agreed, thinking about it.  "You could commute a short distance."

"The car's a POS."

"Then sell it and use that to help you with a deposit on a place," Danny offered.

"I guess I could. Of course that means I'd have to find all the crossbow bolts that I've spilled over the years."  He took a sip of his soda and bounced back out there with it when a new song came on.

"Crossbows?" Don asked.

"Guess it works when you're doing vampires," Danny said with a shrug.  "Don't ask me."

"Yeah, me either."  They watched the kid have fun, and watched someone slip something into his drink and the kid drink. Then the kid turn and slap the stupid person and force it down his throat instead.  He even handed him the glass and then went back to dancing.  "He's a thug."

"He's got combat history," Danny corrected.  "He ain't no thug, Don.  There's no way he's a gang member."

"True.  Could be."

"Doubt it."

"Point."  They watched the boy for the rest of the night, just in case.  Which meant they saw the very pale person take him to the bathroom to play with him and him come out alone.  They also saw the person with the pistol in his ribs but the kid laughed and kissed them, then made them cry and huff off.  So he was good at self defense at least.  He could survive in the city.

***

Xander sat on the precinct's front stoop.  Mac had asked him to be here today but he was out for the next hour and a half so he had told Stella he'd be out here.  He was cleaning his nails with a metal nail file when the guy with the gun came up on him.  He looked at it then at him.  "Showing off your new piece?" he suggested blandly.

"No, man!  Give me your wallet."

"Nope.  Sorry."  He stood up.  "Go away, little boy.  Before I have to end another life."  He stared into his eyes.  "I hate it when I have to kill but I'll dance in your blood."  The kid stepped back.  "Also, you've got your safety on.  Besides, anyone can use a gun.  That's why I use a knife, it shows more skills and balls."  He pulled his out and rested it against the kid's throat.  "I can nick you and drain you dry within minutes," he sneered, staring at him.  "Then all that's left is the grieving if you've got anyone do that.  Now, trot home, little boy, before we have to compare pieces.  Because I've seen scarier things that're blond and five foot four than you.  Plus she had a better rack."

"You carry?" he sneered.

Xander switched hands, then pulled out his bigger, flashier gun.  "Yeah, I do."  The kid blinked at it then turn around and ran.  He put it back and snapped the safety strap back over it, then put his knife back too.  He sat down to go back to cleaning his nails.  Stella came out to look at him. "He should be thankful this isn't sharp and pointy too.  I would've hurt the deluded little creature."

"You're armed?" she asked.  "Here?  You're armed here?"

Xander looked confused when he looked at her.  "Yeah. Weapons good.  They save lives.  Why?"  He put up the metal nail file.

"I thought you said that wasn't sharp and pointy."

"It's not sharp."  He let her have it.  "Here, you've got a hangnail."  She looked amused. "Sorry!  I was raised by girls!" he defended.  "They did my hair and all that stuff."

Don walked out and looked at Xander.  "You're armed?  You came armed to a police station?"

"I'm armed while I take a piss, Don.  Yeah, of course I came here armed.  I've got permits for the gun.  Not like I'm going to use it unless I have to.  Mac said I should come over today."

"Why are you always armed?" Stella demanded.

"Because bad things like me.  Like the one I had to nearly gut last night to get away from at work."

"Work?" Don asked.  "You've already found a job?"

"Yeah.  I'm bartending at a club."

"You're eighteen."

"Not like they asked," he said with a shrug.  "I have to pick up my first check tomorrow and do some shopping.  I'm falling down on the club's image.  Do we know a good leather shop for pants?  I don't want to look like a vampire but I need some leather pants."

"What sort of club are you working at?" Don demanded.

"Sidesaddle?" he said, looking confused.  Don and Stella both gaped in horror.  "What?  They protect me!  One of the dom's there showed me how to use his whip too!"  He beamed. "I'm pretty good with it.  It only took a few tries before I had a really good swing," he said proudly.  "I even got asked to help punish one of the waiters who was naughty and tried to take someone else's tips."  He did look very proud at that.

Don moaned. "Okay, we're gonna go talk to Danny, Xander.  Come on."  Xander shrugged and followed.  He and Stella shared a look.  She pulled out her phone to call Mac.  Don walked Xander into the area Danny was working in.  "I want you to put all the weapons on the table.  Even the not-quite-a-weapon stuff, Xander. All of it. We'll protect you for a few minutes but I don't think Danny and Mac understand how armed you are."

Xander looked at him.  "Am I in trouble?  I mean, he had one first."

"You pulled a gun on someone who had one pointed at you?" the dark skinned guy working with Danny asked.

Xander nodded.  "He was a little punk, piss drinking bitch looking for fame and a rep.  I've met scarier things who're five-four in the middle of the night during a sleepover.  She was even wearing one of those green mask thingies to suck out her pores."

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Xander.  I'm Aiden's adopted son.  She sent me here for these two and Mac to try to mentor me.  Apparently my life before was a bit too fucked up."

"Quit swearing in the labs," Danny ordered patiently, looking at him.  "Pick a clear spot, Xander.  Sheldon, put down a cloth or something."  He did that.  "There, put it all there.  Let's see."  Xander shrugged and started with his gun.  Then the knife, which was Crocodile Dundee size.  It was also medically sharp when Don tested it.  "Bandaids are in the box," he said, watching Xander pull off his ankle dagger.  Then his nail file.  Then his small throwing knife off the back of his collar on his overshirt.  Danny looked at him.  "That all?"

"Um..."  He considered it and patted himself down, then pulled up his pantsleg and took the small handcuff key from the sewn on pocket inside it.  Then he smiled. "That's all."

Danny looked.  "Do we have a permit to carry concealed?"

Xander pulled it out to look at it then handed it over.  "Yup."

Sheldon looked at him.  "Are you a relative of Rambo too?"

"No, I talk better," he said with a sweet grin.  That got a snicker from him and Don.  He put Don's bandaid on for him.  "There.  Sorry, should've warned you it was sharp."

"That's okay.  I should've expected it.  Hey, Danny, he's got a job too."

"Doing what?" he asked.

"I'm bartending."  Danny gave him a pointed look. "They didn't ask how old I was.  They wanted to know if I knew anything about weapons and I do.  Especially about battle axes, swords, and crossbows.  It impressed the boss."

"Where are you working?" Danny asked quietly.  Because not too many places in the city liked *swords* and needed a bartender.

"Sidesaddle," Don said, smirking at him from behind Xander's back.  Danny sat down with a moan, holding his face.

"Isn't that a hardcore S&M club?" Sheldon asked, looking confused.

Xander beamed.  "It is.  They're very protective of me there.  One of the dom's even taught me how to use his bullwhip.  After three swings I was pretty decent.  I even got to help punish the waiter who stole tips," he said proudly.

"Congratulations," Sheldon said, smiling back.  "So, where is Aiden?"

"Sunnydale.  I'm a hellmouth baby," he said at Sheldon's horrified look.  He grinned.  "I hunted with the slayer too."

"I understand so much more now.  No wonder she sent you to Mac.  Um, guys, Lindsey."  Xander started to put things back but Danny snatched the gun to look at it, handing it back when he was done, then the knife next.  Each and every piece of equipment got looked at before he could put it back.

"Is he a suspect?" Lindsey asked.

"No, I'm Aiden's adopted son," Xander said.  "Hi."  He looked at Danny.  "Does it pass muster, stepmom?"

Danny smirked at him.  "I will kick your ass for that someday."

"Sure, I'm sure the next time I get the flu you can do that," he teased back with a bright grin.  "Think Mac would help me work on my self-defense now and then?  I'm used to fighting faster things or Buffy."

"He's in the hallway, ask him," Danny offered.

"Mac, will you help me spar now and then?" Xander called.  "The stepmom said to ask you in person."  Danny swatted him. "Ow!  You act like Aiden!  Since she's my mom and Timmy's dad, you've got to be the stepmom!  Or the weird uncle they bring over now and then to put between them and spank for fun but I don't wanna have those thoughts today."

Mac shook his head at the image of Danny in some of Aiden's clothes.  "Sure, Xander, I can do that," he agreed.  "Any particular time?"

"No, tonight I've got to unpack the stuff Giles sent me.  Oh, I found an apartment.  It's a hole and it's about a grand a month hole, but it's an apartment and I've already had someone come do an uninvite spell and put on more locks.  Especially since Giles sent me my battleaxe."

"That should go well with the Desert Eagle on his back and the surgically sharp knife," Danny told Mac, who moaned.  "It's very well done and it's clean."

Xander looked at him. "Of course it is.  I clean all my weapons once a week.  Mac, tell them that I can work at Sidesaddle as a bartender and it's a good job?"

"It's a job," he said.  "You're not old enough."

"He only wanted to know how well I did with weapons."

"I didn't want to know that, Xander.  I'll have to report him."

"If you do then I can't pay the rent, Mac, and I might end up like our waitress Susan, who's other job is out by the mall."

"You can't find a better one?"

"I'm learning from the doms."

"Not what I meant," Mac sighed, coming into the lab.

"Well, I was offered the chance to strip," he offered.  "But I don't think I'd be any good at it."

Mac shook his head quickly.  "No, I meant a real job, Xander."

"Those take college, Mac, and he said he didn't wanna go," Flack reminded him.  "Or possibly a vocational school and they won't start until this fall."

"I'll get you some information on them if you want," Mac offered.

"Okay."  He shrugged.  "I still like my job.  I make good tips."

"I'm sure you do," he agreed, leading him off.  "I can't believe you came armed to a police station, Xander."

"I'm always armed, Mac.  Just because I don't want to be eaten."

"I doubt you'll have to worry about that."

"Yes I do. There was a domme there the other night who wanted to use me and abuse me.  I had to point out I wasn't a sub but she said it didn't much matter, I'd be one by the time she got finished breaking me.  I had to remind her that wasn't the right way to train but she just smiled and said it was with how she did it."  They walked into Mac's office.  "She came back last night too but I was learning how to use a bullwhip."

"Are you any good?"

"Yup, within three swings I got praise from the dom showing me.  He said I had a very natural swing with it."

"Congratulations.  Not that I like that lifestyle or that as a job for you, but it's a skill that could come in handy some day."  He sat down and looked at him.  "I was going to call Aiden and let you talk to her."

"Sure."  Mac dialed and Xander snickered. "She lose the phone again?"

"Speed broke it to keep the friends in Miami from tracking it.  He said he can't leave yet."

"The Powers That Be brought him back there and aren't letting him leave yet," Xander agreed.  "He should be able to leave soon."  He sat down, listening to her grunt and chew.  "Mom, you shouldn't eat on the phone," he chided. "It's not good."

"Hi, baby.  Timmy says hi too."

"Tell Danny I can call him stepmom?"

She cackled.  "I want a picture of his face, Mac."

"I've got one," Sheldon said from the doorway.  "Aiden?"

"Hi, doc.  How's tricks in the morgue?"

"I took your spot.  Me and the new girl and she's not classy like you."

"Oooh.  Messer hit on her yet?"

"Nope," he said dryly.  "They don't get along too well all the time," he admitted, coming in and closing the door.   "So, you're on the hellmouth?"

"You know about this place?"

"Yeah, a little bit.  Are you okay?  Not turned yet or anything?"

"No, I'm helping the slayer out here while Xanny's out there with you guys.  Are you being good, baby?  I heard from Giles that you've got a place and a job."

"I'm working as a bartender at Sidesaddle and one of the doms is giving me lessons now and then," he said proudly.

"If that's what you wanna do," she sighed. "There's money in spanking rich guys who needed a paddle in their youth."  She let out a small squeal.  "Anything else going on?   Timmy just ran past to hide.  He goosed me too."

"I need more leather stuff.  The boss said I'm falling down on the corporate image."

She smiled.  "Go goth, baby.  You look hot as a goth."  He nodded at that.  "Anything else going on?"

"Stella and Flackie are both surprised I had weapons, mom.  Oh, tell Giles I got the shipment."

"Sure.  He said he included a small stipend to start you off in there."

"I saw.  I'm unpacking the swords later."

"Sure, I'll let him know, baby.  Mac, he's always armed.  Even if it's just a pocket knife he's always armed.  I've never seen him unarmed. He even sleeps with a knife under his pillow."

"Sleeping with a gun under it leads to accidents," Xander reminded her.

"It does. I'm happy you remember that lesson from the grocery guy.  Oh, Buffy and Willow said hi and to write them a long letter about the city out there. Timmy finally got the last letter so he'll send them to Mac this week sometime.  Promise me you'll give it a real try, Xander.  Please?  For me?"

"But, mom!"

"Xander."

"I hate school."

"I know but you'll at least need to know how ta manage the money you're making, right?  That's accounting classes.  You can take the profiling stuff, learn how to hunt and track the bad guys before they get you.  That'll use all your instincts."

"I'd have to wear a suit."

"No you don't," Mac promised. "Not unless you work for the FBI."  He leaned closer to the speaker.  "How is Tim?"

"Hiding.  His momma's here looking for him.  He's in the bathroom," she said to someone just away from the speaker.  Apparently the person stomped that way.  They heard Tim scream and go running past. "Timmy, Xander's learning how to spank people for money!" she called.

Mac shook his head. "I'll let you get back to your break, Aiden."

"What break?  This is work around here, Mac.  Most of the deaths here are explained by the word demon.  We copy and past a lot.  Baby, behave and call me later if Giles forgot anything of yours, okay?  Be a good boy and I love you.  So does Timmy if he ever comes out of the broom closet."

"I thought he liked girls."

Aiden giggled. "I'll tell Alexx you said that, baby.  Be a good boy and I'll come up on vacation soon."  She hung up.

Mac looked at Xander.  "She's definitely changed since she moved out there."

"Survival can do that to you," Xander reminded him, standing up. "Needed me for anything else?"

"May I see the swords later, Xander?"

"Sure, but you can't say anything about the other stuff."  Mac gave him a frown.  "Giles is a Watcher, Mac.  His job is to help the slayer kill demony things.  Usually that requires a sword, a crossbow, or a stake.  Not a shotgun.  The Watchers sent them to him anyway so he sent it into my care because he knows I like weapons and I'm good with weapons.  So therefore I get to baby his weapon collection from the Watchers.  I'll register it and all but I have no idea what's in there."

"That's fine.  Do you have display cases and a gun safe?"

Xander frowned.  "Then how'll I get to it when I need it fast, Mac?"

"That's why there's officers," Sheldon reminded him gently.

"Yeah, but the ones on my block are always visiting my upstairs neighbor and making her giggle.  They never hear it when someone breaks in.  Someone broke into her place and they didn't hear it even though she was doing them both in there.  I'd rather have the shotgun.  Thanks though."  He looked at Mac again.  "Would you get dinner?  I don't get paid until tomorrow. All I've got is ho-hos and soda."

"Sure, Xander.  I'll bring over a pizza or something.  Anything in particular?"

Xander shrugged. "Like I care, Mac, I'm eighteen."  He grinned.  "Needed me for anything else?"

"No.  I wanted to check on you, see how you were doing.  You seem to have settled in."  Xander beamed and hugged him across the desk, then punched Sheldon on the arm when he walked out.  "You okay?" he asked at the wince.

"He's got a strong arm," Sheldon offered, looking at his arm. "That'll bruise."  He walked off, going to talk to Danny.  "Do you have any of that liniment in your locker?"

"Yeah, why?"

Xander just hit me on the arm while he was bouncing off."

"Ah.  You know how to pop my lock?" Sheldon nodded.  "Top shelf, all the way in the back."

"Thanks, Danny.  She approved of him calling you the stepmom by the way."  He groaned and covered his face again.  "Mac's going over tonight to help him unpack the weapons from someone named Giles."

"More?" Danny demanded.  Sheldon nodded, going to get the liniment.  Danny stomped off. "Mac, more weapons?"

"Giles sent his former supply cabinet to him since he didn't like them but his agency sent them for his use," Mac said, looking at him.  "He's got a few other swords and at least a shotgun."  Danny gaped.  "I'm going over tonight. Did you want to come?  If so, pick up a pizza if you leave first."

"I don't know where he lives."  Mac handed over the address.  "Thanks.  See you there.  Any type of pizza?"

Mac smiled.  "He said he's eighteen. It didn't matter to him.  I'll eat anything with meat and no sardines."

"Sure, got that covered."  He went back to his lab.  Then he decided to go scream in the bathroom for a minute.  That kid was going to drive him nuts!

***

A few minutes earlier, Tim Speedle looked up and squeaked when he saw the woman standing in the doorway. "I was going to call," he promised.

"I believe that too.  Come here, baby."  He let Alexx hug him, then ducked her slap.  "That won't save you.  Really.  Now, let's pack your things so you can come home."

"I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?" Alexx demanded.

"I can't.  It's complicated.  Ask Aiden."  He pointed at her.  Alexx looked at her.

"Hey, leave me outta this," she said, holding up a hand.  "All I did was wish for help."

"Shrew!" Speed complained. "I'm siccing Buffy on your wardrobe again!"

"Speed, pack," Alexx growled.

"I have to get permission."

"Not even God'll save you now," she vowed.

"Funny you should mention that."  He backed away and started to pray for help.  Willow came in but she just smiled and waved before going to talk to another guy about something.  He took off running.  There wasn't any help coming.  If Xander were there, he'd protect him!

"That won't save you either!" she yelled after him, chasing him down.

Aiden shook her head, answering the phone to talk to Mac and Xander.  Then she pointed at the closet for Alexx's benefit when he managed to allude her.  She sent up her own prayer and heard Timmy yelp, making her smile.  "Get him to tell you the whole story but only after you're outta the town for the night," she called.

"Why do I have to leave?"

"You wanna live?" Aiden asked.

"I can protect her," Speed said, glaring at her.

"Sure, you do that.  Buffy's out of town, remember?"  She smiled sweetly.

"I can do it," Willow called.

"You, little girl, touch that woman and I'm gonna paddle your ass as red as your hair!" Aiden called back.  "That's Timmy's adopted mom!"

"So she's how he did so good with Xander?"  Speed glared at her and she shrank down, looking sheepish.  "You did.  Where is he?"

"New York."  He looked at Alexx, then up.  "I can really leave?"  He felt the restrictions lift and sighed, smiling at her.  "Aiden?"

"I'm leaving within weeks, Timmy.  Get her to safety at least for the day.  We'll figure it out later."  He nodded and let Alexx drag him outside to her rental car and then to his place.  She looked up.  "Thanks for letting him be happy.  Can you maybe help the son too?"  She looked at Willow.  "You, no magicing him again."

"Yes, Aiden," she said, rolling her eyes.  "I'm not like that."

"Bull."

"Fine, mistress meany," she complained.

Aiden smirked.  "That's a sweet compliment, baby.  Let's see how mean I can be."  She shrank down again.  "Now, what's going on?"

"Nothing but some break-ins."

"Uh-huh.  I could use some real work."

"It's my case," the officer said, glaring at her.  "Quit hogging the glory."

"You're the one who tried ta charge Buffy with killing a robot."  He put his head down.  "So, break-ins?"

"Yeah, we think it's on your street tonight."

"I'll be home and shoot someone in the nuts."

"Good.  We like that," she agreed happily, going back to helping the officer with the reports.

Aiden prayed harder this time.  Someone needed some common sense and it sure as hell wasn't her.

***

Mac finally got to Xander's house later that night, after an impromptu meeting.  "Sorry, the Chief wanted to talk."

"That's fine," Xander agreed, letting him inside.  "See I even decorated today."

Mac looked around.  There were small, dim lamps all over the room.  There were a few spots of brightness next to the tv, the stereo, and the bookshelves.  Danny was browsing them.  There was an open cabinet and a large shipping case in front of it.  The walls had been covered in a medium blue fabric, taped at the top with the ceiling draped down to cover it in most spots.  Where it didn't, the duct tape was a nice highlight.  He could almost see the bedroom and it was a lot of darker woods.  He could almost smell paint or stain so apparently Xander had done some of that himself.  He went to browse in there.  Heavier English and Italian pieces dominated the room.  They were good reproductions.  The bed had some curtains behind it.

"I saw that on a decorating show," Xander said proudly.  "It turned out okay."

"It did."  The place was like a warm, safe cave.  It felt cozy instead of stifling.  The kitchen had a beaten up dehydrator and a microwave.  A few plates and glasses.  No pots. "You don't cook?"

"I'm poisonous."

"You can learn," Danny offered.

Xander stared at him then burst out laughing.  "No, I'm being serious.  I poisoned people making brownies from a mix, Danny.  Literally.  I even had someone watching me.  I can make a really good jerky but nothing else that has to be more than warmed up or stuffed in the oven without help."

"How can you make jerky and not be able to make pasta?" Danny asked.

Xander shrugged. "I don't know but I'm dangerous.   I made the mix cookies for Home Ec in eighth grade.  I got excused from it after that."

Mac gave him a pat on the arm.  "You can try to learn if you want, Xander."

"Want some jerky, Mac?"

The little voice in his head started to scream. It was the one that usually told him he was in a sniper's crosshairs.  "I'll take some for later tonight," he offered.  Xander smiled and pulled a few bags out of the fridge.  He pulled out a few of the mild ones and put them into a baggie in his pocket.  "Thanks, Xander.  I'll snack later on tonight while I'm in bed reading."  Xander offered some to Danny, who nibbled one.  He gagged at the strength, wheezing a bit.  Xander hugged him though so he had to calm down.  "Some people aren't used to spices," he offered.

Xander nodded.  "The place I got the recipe said that whole armies marched to Ares and Aphrodite on it."

Danny wiped his eyes.  "It's a bit strong.  Mac, maybe they should feed this to the Marines."

"I've never gotten food poisoning off my own cooking once I started to eat it and it did start puberty once I adjusted," Xander said happily.  He put the bags back and showed Mac his shipping crate.  "These are what I haven't put up yet.  I need another cabinet and Giles said he'd magic one here shortly."

Mac got down to look at the ordinance.  "Why do you have a claymore system?"

"Because it came in handy."

"Oh."  He nodded because thinking about that statement would give him nightmares and went back to searching.  Danny came over to help after getting a drink.  Xander got another piece of pizza and opened up the first cabinet so he could make sure he had it full.  He grabbed another sword to put in there, making Mac moan.  "Xander, that's a great collection.  Can you use all those?"

"Yup," Xander agreed happily.  "I've used most of them in the past."  He let him see.  Mac took one out to take a few practice swings.  "You look good with that. If we have a demony thing you can borrow it, Mac."

"Thanks, Xander."  He put it back carefully and looked at the drawers of handguns. "The Watchers thought he'd need that many?"

"Yeah, in case something happened.  That way he had a full set of combat materials.  Including a book by Sun Tzu and a few manuals on tactics.  Mostly elementary tactics.  Giles is kinda a research Watcher sort.  He knows a whole bunch of demon languages and other languages, but he's not good at the combat stuff.  His idea of a plan is 'we'll trap it here and kill it'.  It never works the basic way he wants it to."  He bounced off to get another piece of pizza then came back once the cabinet thumped into place, making Danny and Mac both jump.  "Sorry, magicgram."  He opened it and giggled at the stuff hanging up. "Thank you, Giles!"  He pulled out the new clothes, and in some cases some older clothes. Then the larger guns got layered in there.  Someone pounded on the door.  "Sorry, moving furniture.  Dropped it," he called.  They stopped and stomped off.  "My supposedly deaf neighbor."

"I've got one of those.  She's ninety," Danny agreed, coming over to help.  He stared at the guns.  "Are those legal, Mac?"

"For the most part."  Xander handed over something.  "What's this?"  He looked.  "Aiden did ballistic workups?"  Xander nodded.  "That was nice of her."

"She said it'd help with the registration stuff."  Mac flipped through it, handing over a few sheets. "Illegal stuff?"

"That's the stuff it's legal for you to own."

"It's a non-display collection. I thought the rules were broader than that," Xander said, getting up to look at the forms he had retrieved earlier.  He handed them to Mac and sorted out the few things he shouldn't have.  The rest went into the folder again and he put it on the kitchen counter by the dehydrator.  Mac got into the rest of the cabinets because there were small drawers.  He held something up and Xander sniffed.  "Tea.  He's British."  Someone else knocked so he went over to answer it, smiling at Don and Stella.  "Hi, come on in."

Stella carried in the pot she had, looking around.  "I like this, Xander.  Nice job."  She put it into the kitchen.  "All you have to do is warm this up and add salt to taste," she promised, smiling at him.  "I didn't figure you'd know how to cook."

"I can make jerky but I'm poisonous in the kitchen besides that," he admitted sheepishly.  "I even got excused from Home Ec for it."

She gave him a hug.  "That's fine then.  I can help you learn things now and then."

Don looked in the cabinets.  "Is that an AK?" he asked quietly.  Mac looked then nodded.  "Isn't that illegal?"

"Giles is a Watcher, they're the guys who help the slayer sorts, and that's what the Council sent him for a supply cabinet," Xander told him.  "I'll be registering it tomorrow, Don."

"Sure, you do that," he agreed.  "You'll have to leave some stuff out."  Mac held up the explosives. "Like that.  Can you use that?"

Xander looked then nodded at him.  He gaped. "We had to for graduation.  Giles gave me the manual on how to make bombs."

"Are these guys on a watch list with the government somewhere?" Danny asked.

"No, they're British white guys with a lot of money who study demons and vampires."

Stella stroked his back a few times.  "It's a good thing Aiden sent you here, Xander.  You'd be stifled in Miami.   Mac, do we have to confiscate anything?"

"If you do I won't have it if I need it."

"If we don't, someone might break in and steal it," Stella countered.

"Nope, I've got my anti-theft system up."

"Is it gonna cause problems?" Don asked.

"I hope not.  It's hooked into the fire alarm so it should go off automatically if there's a fire.  As long as you have a key it's fine."

"Uh-huh," Don said. "Show me, Xander."

"Sure.  Go outside."  Don walked out.  Xander locked the door and flipped two switches, then tapped something on the doorframe three times. "Okay.  Try to break in."  The knob rattled, then Don screamed.  Xander opened it and looked at him.  "Are you okay?"

"It's set a bit high," he complained.

"At least I didn't put on the spray system yet, Don."  He smiled at the landlord when he stomped up he hall.  "Showing off the anti-theft system.  It shocked him."

"Will it shock me?"

"Not if you use your key."

"That's fine then, Harris.  He need an ambulance?"

"No.  Sorry about the thumping earlier, I was moving stuff."

"It happens in your first month."  He looked inside.  "How did you hang the fabric?"

"Duct tape near the ceiling."

"Fine.  If any paint comes down, you fix it or I'll have to charge you for damage."  Xander nodded.  "Good.  Anything else?"

Don handed over his card. "If something happens to him or you can't find him, call us.  I'll have a spare key, right Xander?"  Xander nodded at that.

The landlord looked at the card, then at him, smiling.  "Sure, detective.  Are you going to keep him from burning sage and stuff?"

"I was doing a new house blessing," Xander protested.

"It stunk up the apartment upstairs."

"It's mostly cooking herbs," he offered.

"That's what I told her.  Try to go to bed earlier tonight."

"I'm bartending."

"I know, I said try, kid."  He walked off smiling.  It was good when detectives took an interest in a building.  He could even use the guys to threaten the prostitutes when they forgot to pay him.

Don shut the door and looked at him.  "Okay, I'll agree it's safe.  I'm getting a spare key and so is Mac, just in case, Xander."

"Sure.  They're in the freezer."  Don went to do that. "Not like I'm keeping more than ice cream in there."  He shrugged and came over to help Mac look.  Mac handed him something and he looked at it.  "What? Is it bad already?"

"It's bad to have, Xander."

"Oh, sorry."  He shrugged and put it back into the tupperware container, locking it in that drawer.  "Sometimes I've needed it.  The LANS rocket in the mall was necessary that time too."   He took his new clothes into the bedroom to try on, coming out in a black silk shirt and the black leather pants.  "Do I look vampy or goth?"

"Is there a difference?" Danny asked.

"Vampire goths are just one part of the goth movement," Xander instructed.  He smiled at him.  "Do I look okay to bartend in this?"

"Can you move quickly and move your arms?" Mac asked, looking over at him. He blinked.  Xander was very alluring in that outfit.  "I'd say your tips would increase."  Xander smiled at that and went to try on the leather vest.  He shook his head so the boy took it off and then the shirt, pairing them together.  "I like that for the summer," Mac offered.  Xander beamed and went to hang up the rest, coming out in his jeans and regular t-shirt again.  "Did you tell your boss about that one customer?"

"I did.  He advised me to stay away from her.  That she's killed about four people and you guys hadn't caught her yet."

"I want her picture and what she's done," Don ordered.  "Tomorrow, Xander."

"Yes, Don."  He typed that into his phone and got back an 'okay'.  He sent another on that said Giles had sent him leather and silk stuff.  The boss sent back a smiley face.  It made his night.  "Stella, will that go with pizza?"

"It's soup."

"Then I need bowls."  He looked at his kitchen.  "I've got a few coffeecups if anyone wants to warm some up."  They shook their heads, leaving it for dinner later.  Danny moaned a few minutes later and started to shift, then excused himself to go to the bathroom.  "I did that for a week, that's why it brought on puberty."  Don gave him an odd look, going to check on Danny, coming back with a blush.  "He might have the runs too.  I did.  But afterwards I accidentally ate arsenic once and didn't die, just got a bit sick."  They all stared at him.  "It's my jerky," he told Stella and Don.

"I'll test a piece of mine to make sure it's not dangerous to him," Mac promised.

"I've got the recipe in the kitchen.  That and some breath spray."  He got the one to copy down for Mac and went to hand the other to Danny.  "It's a little bit strong. I let it cook down a few extra minutes."  He left him alone, coming back out.  "Sit or wander, guys.  Don't stand around and stare."

"Sure," Don agreed.  Danny yelped.  "What's wrong now?" he called.

"Breath spray," he called pitifully.  Mac went to get it and came out shaking his head.  Danny came out a few minutes later. "That's just a *bit* strong, Xander?"

Xander looked at him and nodded.  "Yeah."  He went to get the one from his bag for work, letting him taste it.  Danny yelped quieter this time.  "That's how I usually make it.  It works!"

Stella tried some and gagged.  "That's stronger than anything I've ever used before."

"Can it clean a car engine?" Don asked.

Xander nodded. "Probably but why would you want a minty fresh engine?"

Don just nodded and pointed it at some of the fabric on the walls, watching as it bleached out a small circle.  "That's really strong."

"I don't have any scum on my tongue," Danny said, scraping it with his teeth.  "It's ticklish and tender."

"You can taste the stuff in bottled water too," Xander said proudly.  "That and my stink bombs are my two favorite non-jerky things to make."

Don looked at him.  "Stink bombs?" he asked flatly.  "Should I worry?"

"Aiden said I couldn't hit you with them at work.  Or your car.  Tim did say I could hit Horatio with one once, especially if he was with the guy he said was named Eric in their hummer.  Then I should cackle that his hummer's not a surrogate for affection."

"He's very possessive of his hummer," Mac sighed.  "You shouldn't torment him about them, Xander."

"Can I see this stink bomb?" Don asked.

"Only if you take it far away before you open it.  Because it really does stink," Xander warned, getting under the sink to pull one out.  "Here.  Go play far away and don't get any on you.  Throw it and stand upwind."  Don nodded, going outside to do that.  They all heard his 'eeww' from the street.  The others went to look and gagged from up the block.   They all trooped back inside, Don shaking his head. "I told you it stunk."

"Hey, Mac, can he sell that to SWAT?" Danny asked.  "It'd definitely make people flee a building."

"I'll talk to the guy I know over there tomorrow."  He tried some of the breath spray to take the taste out of his mouth.  It worked, even cleared his sinuses.  "Can I bring two in to test them?"  Xander nodded and pointed at the cabinet under the sink.  He went to carefully grab two and take them down to his car.  They and the jerky went into a padded container used for delicate evidence. They were definitely learning something new about Xander these days.  He did look up and ask God if Xander was a benefit of doing good work or a punishment for not doing enough but he didn't get an answer, thankfully.  He went back inside and went back to helping Xander settle in.

***

Xander looked over at his boss when he wandered up to the bar.  "Hi, boss.  Want a coffee?"

"No, that's all right, Xander."  He leaned on the bar.  "I got a special request for a special birthday party.  Can you strip?"

"I never tried.  I've barely got rhythm."

"Would you try?  Craig, the bouncer, used to be a stripper before he threw his back.  He can show you how."  Xander shrugged.  "Go ahead up to the rose room and try it with him.  Craig?"  He came over.  "Can you see if Xander can strip?  I got a special request for a birthday party next week."

"Sure, boss.  Come on, Xander."  He led him upstairs to the rose room, the only one with a pole, to teach him the moves.  He came down two hours later.  "He has some moves but he's not going to dance to things that aren't erotic."

"That's fine.  It's for Dame Ellorey's birthday."

"I'll make sure he's got something ready. Help him pick out music and make up a routine."  He went back to do that, explaining that client to Xander since he hadn't been in since he'd started working with them.

***

Xander bounced into Don the next day, smiling at him.  "I got asked to dance for a special birthday party for one of the grande dames of the group," he said proudly.

"Congrats.  Can you dance?"

"One of the guys at work is showing me.  He said I might have some talent.  Can you take me shopping, Don?  The only place he knew went out of business and I have *no* idea where to go."

Don shrugged. "I have no clue, Xander.  I've dated a few strippers but I didn't take 'em shopping.  They'd have expected me to pay."

"I'm not like that, Don.  I'm a working guy, I can pay for my own clothes."  He patted him on the back.  "You dated hos."

"I did.  I dated so many hos I felt like Santa now and then," he agreed happily.  "We can ask Danny.  I know he dated two strippers."

"Sure.  Would you still go with me?  You dress nicer and the stepmom doesn't like my leather habit."

Don held in his snickers at the return of that pet name.  "Sure.  We can go tomorrow?  I've got it off."

"I don't work until six tomorrow so sure."  They called Danny to see where he was.  He came out with a soda.  "I got asked to dance for a grande dame of the circle's birthday party," he said proudly.

"Can you strip?" he asked.

Xander shrugged. "I'm learning right now from Craig, one of the bouncers.  He said I have potential but I need clothes."

"Myst, down in the Village proper," Danny said with a smirk.  "She does both sex stripper stuff and some trannie stuff too, Don.  Where we found that one lady hiding?"

"Oh, him," he said, nodding. "Pitiful crossdresser.  Still had the beard," Don told him.  Xander shuddered at that. "You wanna come, Danny?"

"Nah.  I'll wait and see it as a final run through."

Xander beamed and hugged him.  "Thanks, Stepmom."  He drug Don off to lunch since that's why he was really there.  He handed over a CD case.  "This is what I'm dancing to.  Craig said it should matter with what I wear but I have *no* idea.  I tuned out Buffy when she went on a clothes babble or rant.  But that should tell you what I have planned at least a little bit.  They said she likes the forties looks on guys.  Clean cut, manly men who wear hats apparently."

"Sure," Don agreed, tucking the CD into his pocket. "I'll listen to it later tonight."  Xander beamed at him for that.  "Did you hear from anyone out there recently?"

"Alexx caught Tim finally.  The Powers That Be let him go.  Aiden's moving again soon but she's not sure where yet.  She'll let me know when she decides.  Right now it's between Seattle and New Mexico."  That got a nod. "She did say she'd be out on vacation by the end of the summer."  Don smiled at that.  "She said Timmy may run up here to hide.  I talked to Willow and she was all 'good, it's safer for you if you stay there and you won't be in the way' about me being here.  Buffy seconded that and Giles agreed it would be better since I'm not one of the special girls club members."

"Maybe they're trying to protect you, heard what Timmy did," he offered.

"Nope, they tried this before.  They don't want me there because I'm not a slayer or a witch."  He grimaced.  "It's like I'm normal so I can't be good enough for them anymore.  Even though I more than keep up with Buffy and Faith together and I did both their jobs a lot more often than they did some weeks.  And hey, I can so do what Willow does but Giles didn't want to see that."  He shrugged and opened the diner's door.  "So I'm having a pitiful moment.  I was happy ignoring it."

Don gave him a one-armed hug.  "They're stupid if they don't appreciate you," Don told him firmly.  He didn't understand how you could dislike or not want Xander around.  He looked at the waitress.  "Two, non.  He's having a pitiful day."  She nodded, leading them to a back booth.  Don let Xander pick his side then took the other.  "When Mac and you sparred he said you were really good.  You had a few rough edges but nothing that horrible."

"I was kinda holding back so I didn't hurt him, Don.  I don't want to hurt him.  He's human.  I don't wanna be like Faith."

"You held back?"

"Remember, I was protecting myself against stronger and faster people than normal humans."

"Good point.  You should show him for real.  Let him gauge how trained you are."

"He said I sucked when he slowed me down further."

"So he probably realized you were holding back some," Don admitted.  "It'll all work out, Xander.  Now, you went to see the college?"

"And it sucks.  I hate college.  The very idea makes me wanna hurl."

"It's not that bad," Don sighed.  "I had ta go for the Academy."

"You did?"

"Yeah, I have an AS."  He shrugged.  "A little two year degree but it was enough when I joined the force."

Xander looked at him.  "Is that like being a jedi?" he asked, looking perfectly serious.  Don burst out laughing.  Xander grinned at him.  "Well?"

"Now and then I'm expected to be that good but not always," he teased back.  "But if they'd give me a light saber I'd learn the flippy stuff if I had to."

"Me too."  He smiled at the menu he was handed.  "Food.  Food should be good.  I stocked up on microwave stuff today.  Plus paid the rent."

"Did you leave any for the shopping you've got to do?"

"Yup.  I had tips on my check."  Don looked at him.  "I did."

"How much was your check?"  Xander checked his wallet, handing over the stub.  Don gaped.  "How?" he squeaked.

"Tips."  He pointed at the top part.  "See?"

Don stared at him in horror.  "You're a *bartender*, right?  That's it?  Nothing in the back rooms, nothing like that?"  Xander shook his head.  "Then how did you get such good tips?"

"Oh, I let the stalker buddy buy me a round or two and tip me.  She's leaving the other guys alone and the boss was happy with it so I'm letting her treat me special for now."

Don moaned.  "Do I have the stuff on her?"

"I told him to send it to you.  Who else would it have went to?"

"I'll check the other guys in my unit and SVU.  They usually get those.  If we have to, can you help us catch her?"

"Sure.  I've played bait many times," he said happily.  That got a head shake.  "I did.  Buffy made me play bait a lot.  What's good here?"

"Nearly everything but I don't like the spaghetti sauce personally.  Danny makes better when he's in the mood."

Xander looked then nodded.  "It's better than school food?"

"Much."

Xander smiled at the waitress.  "Can I have the beef salad, dressing on the side and extra?  Ranch or thick italian?"

"Of course.  Anything to drink?"

"Diet soda.  No ice?"  She nodded, writing that down.  "Don?  Am I getting yours?"

"Only if I get called out."  He looked at her.  "Hey, Margaret.  The usual up today?"

"Fresh meat this morning, Flack."

"Give me that then.  Coffee."  She nodded, writing it down and heading off.  "We eat here a lot at the station."

"I'd guess so since it's only a block away," he agreed, smiling again.  "Our lunch lady at school tried to poison the whole school with arsenic one day because we hated her."

"They arrest her?"

"Well, they *fired* her," he admitted.  "The mayor said that was enough.  His was the only law until he blew up and got blown up."

"He was...."  Xander looked at him.  "The graduation thing?"  Xander nodded.  "The thing in the rubble?"

"Had been him.  He blew up."

"Eww."

"Yeah, it was. But I did good. Mac said my plans were great for only learning from video games and books."

"Good!" Don said, smiling again.  Hey, they all needed to praise the boy more.  "What'd you do last night?"

"Learned from Craig, then I went out to have some fun before bed."

Don blinked.  The waitress brought back their food and put down the check with a wink for Flack.  He grinned.  She sashayed off.  Don looked at Xander.  "That fun was on a dancefloor?"

"At the start."

"Bathroom?"

"No.  I'm not like that most of the time, Don."

"Good.  I like that. It's dangerous, Xander."  He looked at his burger, then ate a bite.  "Even better than usual.  The new cook just learned how not to burn 'em.  Eat."   Xander poured on dressing and dug in.  "You eat like a girl on a diet."

"I am on a diet.  I don't want to bulk up.  I've been doing a lot of exercising too."  He lifted his shirt to show off his abs.  "Even better than they used to be."  Don smiled at that.  "And hey, it can only help at work.  It's easier to swing my swords too."  He ate another bite.

"You practice with them?"

"Every few days.  Otherwise I get out of practice and don't have it when I need it."  He ate another bite, looking at Don.  "Even though it's calm here I've still got to stay in practice."

"Does Mac know you still hunt?"  Xander shrugged and stuffed his mouth again.  Clear avoidance.  Uh-huh.  Well, Mac would know that afternoon.  "You're being careful, right?"

"Of course."  He smiled and sipped his soda.  "Eat.  Before they get mean and call you in."

"Sure."  He ate another bite and nibbled on a fry too.  Then he looked at him.  "So, are you looking at the dancing as a side career?"

"I don't know yet.  That depends on how sucky I am at it.  I was thinking about doing the dom stuff that way."

"That is profitable but legally gray, Xander."

"I'm not going to screw 'em, Don.  Just spank and beat them."

"Oh.  Well..."  He nodded at that.  That made it more legal.  Barely.  But a bit more legal.  His phone went off and he looked at it.  "Hold on."  He answered it.  "Flack. Having lunch with Xander."  The kid made shooing motions and he shook his head.  "Sure, I can meet you at the lab in about thirty.  That's fine.  Thanks, Stella."  He hung up.  "Results that'll get me another catch."

"Congrats."

"Thanks."  He grinned at him.  "Now, about this plan of yours?"

"Not really a plan, just exploring some side options.  Which is what you're supposed to do on a road trip, right?"

"Right," he agreed, nodding at that.  He saw a somewhat familiar face at the counter and frowned.  "I know I know him from somewhere."

Xander looked. "He's used to having a gun on his left side by the way he's sitting.  Is he a cop or a thug?"

"Cop I think."  He shrugged it off. "Plenty of us eat here.  He's probably in another borough."  He looked at Xander's meal, then his, handing over a few of his fries.  "Eat with me, Xander."

"Sure, Don.  I'll do the ten extra situps for them," he said with a smirk.

"I run once a week if you wanna come."

"Maybe."  He nibbled on a fry, using it to sop up some extra dressing.  Don finished his burger.  "When should I pop around tomorrow and where?"

"I'll come pick you up since I'm driving a decent ride."  He grinned at the boy and put down his half of the check, letting Xander get his own.  The kid was stubbornly independent.  The day Danny had picked up a pizza Xander had paid him back the next day. He was more at ease around them but not fully.  It was almost like the boy was still testing his boundaries with them, seeing how high the cage fence went.  Not that they were watching him that carefully.  Which Aiden would probably be mad at.  They got up after Xander left the tip.  "So, any prospects there for dating?"

"Not yet.  She's been pretty well taking most of my attention."

"She?  Oh, yeah, the stalker chick," he agreed, nodding at that.  He walked Xander back to the station.  "What're you doing today?"

"Going home to take a nap and then finish my workout for the day."

"Cabbing or subway?"

Xander looked at him. "I walked, Don."  He gave him a look. "It's only eighteen blocks."

"Uh-huh.  Around here that's nearly a marathon."  Xander patted Don's stomach. "It's still washboard flat, kid," he said with a smirk.  "I get plenty of exercise chasing bad guys."

"Maybe you should make Mac do it.  He's looking a bit like water retention and midol days at the moment."  He grinned and hurried off.

Don shook his head, heading up into the lab.  "Hey, Mac, Xander wanted to know if you're okay," he called as he walked past his office. "He thought you were looking a bit bloated."

"It's the high salt content of his jerky," he called back.  "Simple water retention due to too much salt."

"I'll tell him you said that," he said with a smirk back at him.  "He suggested midol."  He hurried in to help Stella, finding her bent over and giggling. "He did.  He suggested Mac should chase more people down, that he was getting chubby."

"I still do plenty of PT, thanks, Detective Flack.  Please tell him that and that I can still probably beat him."

"Hey, have Danny tell his stepkid that.  He walked up for lunch today."

"He lives like eighty blocks away," Stella complained.

"He said eighteen."

"Only if he cut through some."  He shrugged.  With Xander it was possible.  "Some of those aren't very good neighborhoods."

"I know.  Do you actually think the kid worries about that?"  She shook her head.  "Oh, we're going to go stripper clothes looking for him.  He got asked to dance for a private party through the club he works at."

"Why?" she asked blandly.

"Because they wanted him.  How should I know?"  He shrugged. "He's cute but I didn't think he's stripper material."  She shook her head.  "We'll have to see.  Plus he's thinking about becoming a part-time dom."

"Uh-huh.  Isn't that illegal?"

"Only if he charges for sex."

"It's still gratification."

"It's the new millennia, Stella.  Loosen up," Don ordered. "Or you get ta tell Aiden what her baby boy's been doing."

"Get his stepmother to," she complained.

"Sure, we'll let Danny have that talk with both them," he agreed happily.  "Think Speed's back in Miami yet?"

"I hope so.  They were threatening an assault team if he didn't get drug back."

"So it'll be a while before he can come up to see the kid?"

"Probably," she agreed dryly. "They might storm the city to take him back."

"Or worse, we might have ta send him down there since he's got a stalker."  He called his boss. "Hey, boss, me.  Did we get files from an S&M club on a serial killer?  No?  You sure?  They were supposed ta send it to me and I never got it."  He nodded. "I'll try there, thanks."  He hung up and called the local SVU office, sitting on a stool.  "Hey, this is Flack, out of the twelfth.  Yeah, that's me.  No, not a new case, really.  Kinda.  Someone at Sidesaddle was supposed ta send me a casefile and history on some serial killer chick who's hitting on one of their bartenders.  Yeah, that's what he said.  They had information.  It was supposed to come directly to me.  We thought it might've been rerouted to you since she goes into breaking them down and making them beg for their lives that way.  No, the bartender's dated others who wanted ta kill him.  No, I'm serious.  He's from out near LA and apparently this is just the latest in a long line of women who wanna kill him.  Not a clue why," he admitted, smirking some.

"That sounds like mine.  Came from Sidesaddle.  No, the kid kinda got sent to me, Messer, and Taylor to mentor.  Remember Burns?  She adopted the kid when she moved out there and he asked me to look into her. I'm not sure he'd talk to you guys."  He listened.  "Then he might.  Sure.  Xander Harris."  He heard him typing in something.  "Someone transposed numbers.  Switch the street number and name."  They read it off again.  "That's him.  Thanks. Yeah, he should be heading home.  He's walking back from here.  I know and so does he, but he's trying to get in better shape.  Thanks, man.  Let me know, 'kay?  Yup, that's me.  Thanks."  He hung up.  "They did get it, they've been wanting to know about her for a while now, and they're going to talk to Xander."

"Will he talk to them?" Mac asked.  "Why haven't I heard about this?"

"It's one of the club's clients.  They're hitting on him majorly."  He handed over the paystub he had filched.  "That's his."  Mac stared and whimpered. "Tips from the psycho broad. I'm still wondering who forwarded it."  They shared a look.

"Lindsey?" Stella called, knowing she was somewhere nearby.  She popped her head in and smiled. "Did you forward a casefile to SVU that came in earlier?"

"I did.  It looked like their case and we've gotten mixed up files before."

"No, it was mine," Don assured her.  "The kid Mac's mentoring with us is her next target."  She blushed at that.  "Next time, ask."  She nodded, disappearing again.  He groaned and shook his head.  "Why me?"

"Why you?  Think about Danny," Stella said quietly, patting him on the back.  "Okay, look at this," she said, letting him have the microscope and turning off the lights.

He looked then at her.  "It looks like glow-in-the-dark sperm."

"They're irradiated sea monkeys."

"Excuse me?  Those are sea monkeys?"

"Yup."  She grinned.  "All those packets in the back of comics?  That's what you get, but these have been hit with non-harmful radiation."

"Like at the post office?" Don asked.  "Like what they do to meat?  Like a tanning lamp?"

"Tanning lamps are harmful, Don.  The post office was what I was thinking. I've got a sample being checked to see what sort of radiation and what level it was and a call into the post office to see what they're using.  Also into a biologist to see if it would matter."  The men both nodded.  "We can track the shipment if they went through the mail, guys.  There's only one company that sells sea monkeys."

"Oh, good," Don agreed.  "And if it went through a certain post office we can prove that definitively?"

"And get the identity of our victim from that," she agreed.

"Even better," Mac agreed.  "Keep me informed if they actually answer.  I asked someone at the main switching center and they said they couldn't tell me, even with a warrant."

"We'll see," Stella offered.  "Because this may have been part of the murder weapon."

Mac nodded. "If the Feds come, you tell them."  He walked off, going back to his office to wonder why he had ever wanted sea monkeys as a kid.  Don was doing the same at his desk.

***

Xander walked onto his block, seeing the car parked there and two guys getting out of it. "Hi," he said cautiously. "Did I win a sweepstakes or something?"

"Mr.  Harris?"

"Yup, 'tis me.  Am I thinking too loud again?"

"No," he said, smiling just a bit.  "A folder got forwarded to us by someone in CSI about a sexual serial killer?"

"Yeah, she's tipping me heavily, promising to break me and make me cry, and then teasing me about being a naughty virgin."  He shrugged and looked at the other guy, sizing him up then the other one.  "Come on upstairs."  He let them into the building and up to his apartment, taking the note off the door.  He read it then went to talk to his landlord.  "Did I underpay?"

"By about two hundred since you've got pets."

"No I don't."  The landlord nodded.  Xander shook his head.  "Not that I'm aware of. Unless one snuck in screaming 'adopt me' I don't.  You can come check if you want."  That got a nod and the landlord came up too.  "Guys, have you seen animals....  He looked and opened a cabinet, then stared the landlord down.  "Who has your key?" he asked calmly.  The man gaped at him.  Xander opened the cabinet.  "By the way, I registered them earlier.  They will be found and if they continue to disappear, I'm going to get angry.  Considering I come from hell itself, they had better reappear and so had anything else that got taken.  Since you *had* to have a key or be laying on the floor, and I only made two copies, both of which went to cops, I'd fix it," he growled, stepping closer to him. He ran off.  Xander calmed himself down and shut the door.  "Sorry, apparently we had a break in and I'm going to destroy someone's soul later.  How can I help you guys?  I'm fairly new to this one but I've dated others in the past."

"Really?" the other guy said, taking off his fedora to look at him.  "Care to name names?"

"Ever hear of Anyanka?"

"Unfortunately."

"She was my prom date," Xander said blandly.  That said it all for that guy.  He clearly had a clue.  "I'm one of Buffy's helpers if that clears it up."

"I've heard."

"Huh?" the first guy asked.

"I lived somewhere that was described as being like Penguin Street, only worse, constantly."  He shuddered.  "I lived, hunted, and grew ancient before my time there.  This isn't the first predator after me, Detective..."

"Stabler.  This is John Munch, sorry."

"Not an issue.  I like where I work.  Even the boss is wary of this one but he said you guys were waiting to catch her.  That's why I asked him to send what he knew to Don Flack.  Please sit.  I've got soda and water if you want some.  Or jerky but it's fairly strong."

"No, that's okay," they agreed, sitting down to go over the file with him.  Xander even agreed to get one of them in to talk to the boss that night.  John listened and watched him. At the end John stepped closer to him.

"Why are you here, kid?"

"Aiden and Timmy Speedle adopted me," he said quietly.  "The Powers said I had to leave.  Too much light on the side of good or something and I'd die after two gods went after my former friends."

"You're not keeping in touch?"

"They've decided I'm worthless again and it's better if I'm here and not out there making them feel guilty for being special since I'm not."

"Oh.  That happens.  It's an ego problem that often gets busted."

"And I'll still be here. I'm that sort of loyal."

"The world could use more loyal," he said, patting him on the shoulder.  "You good?  I've heard we've got a new hunter."

"I do what I can on my nights off and after shift. I hate vampires."

"I understand."  He patted him again.  "Guns?"

"Yup."  He handed him the list from earlier.  "If they're not all back by tomorrow I'm going to make a report.  Can I do that with you guys?"

"You can.  They're registered?" Xander nodded.   "Decent.  See us or we'll see you tonight."  That got a nod and a small grin.  "Be safe.  New York is more complicated than Sunnydale.  There's more types of evil here."

"I met the other types before too.  Even Sunnydale has parents that should've been shot. That's why I got adopted at sixteen and a half.  They made my parents run."

"Why?" Elliot asked politely.  Xander took off his shirt and he stared in horror.  "Please tell me that was something else?"

"Some.  Not most of it.  My parents were rabid alcoholics living a very poor life.  The checks ran out all too often.  They only sold me to dangerous people twice.  Aiden and Timmy ran them out when they tried it a third time."  That got a shudder.  "I'm fine.  They got me straightened out a lot."

"But it does explain why you fell," John pointed out.

Xander looked at him.  "I fell long before then, John.  Staking a best friend was worse but I fell a long time ago to protect myself."  That got a nod.  "At least I'm staying on the side of good."

"We like that.  Still, be safe."

Xander nodded so they left.  He put back on his shirt and got comfortable, sitting down to read up on the new type of demon he had run into the night before.  He didn't want to hunt something harmless.

***

Elliot Stabler walked up to Don's desk, coughing to get his attention.  "Got ten?"

"Sure.  Any luck?" he asked, following him to the break room and closing the door.  "What did he tell you?"

"Enough.  John knew him by reputation and about his hunting?"

"Down on Penguin Street."

"I hate that place."

"Xander grew up somewhere like it only more crowded.  What's going on?"

"Did you not see the scars on his chest?"

"He ... no.  I don't think I've ever seen him shirtless.  Why?"  Elliot stared at him.  "That bad?"  That got a nod.  "Damn.  Well I know Aiden wouldn't have threatened his original parents' lives if it wasn't important."

"Good.  He's how old?"

"Almost nineteen I think."

"He can still report them."

"That would require finding them."

"True.  If he does, let us know.  As for the serial killer, I'm going to talk to his boss and a few other clients there tonight. He's bringing me in.  Can he handle that?"

"Aiden sent him to Taylor because he's a combat veteran too," he said bluntly.  "Xander fought for just over three years."  That got a moan.  "I know he's not stopped but we're working on it."  That got a nod.  "He's only been here a little over a month, Stabler."

"I respect the boy.  I saw very clearly how easily he could've changed sides."

"Yup, we saw that too.  Fortunately Aiden and Timmy got him straightened out somewhat.  For now.  The rest is up to us and him."  That got a nod.  "Let me know if you catch him doing stupid shit.  He is only eighteen."

"How is he bartending?"

"The owner was more interested in his weapons knowledge."

"Oh, that way.  Sure.  We've had hints on two of the cases being related before.  I'll go pull up the others and see where we stand.  I'll keep you informed.  Just watch him.  He's too close to the edge."

"I am.  We all are."  That got a nod and he left.  Don went back to his desk to think.  Someone was going to have to do one of those intervention thingies.

***

Stabler ran into Xander outside the club later that night, staring in shock at the boy.  He was definitely not the same boy he was this afternoon.  The leathers were very tight.  The shirt over them was blood red.  Hell, he was straight and wanted him.  He smirked.  "Work persona?"

"Of course."  He walked him to the back door and tapped, letting the guard open it.  "He's here about my stalker bitch, Craig.  Needs to talk to the boss."

"That's fine.  I thought I faxed it to your friends."

"You did but one of them sent it to us because she thought it was our case," Elliot admitted. "Our fax numbers are only one number different."  That got a nod and he was led into the office while Xander got his keys and a few things from his locker, locking up his wallet and house keys.  That was definitely a good idea so no one could make copies of them.  He saw Xander rest a hand on the locker, then watched it glow for a moment.  Then the kid caught him looking and gave him a sheepish grin.  "Sorry."  He shook his head, letting his longer hair fall a bit differently.  He went from seeming dangerous and sexy to plain adorable and cute again.

"Go back to the other one, Xander.  You get more tips," Craig teased.

"Maybe but I saw that one guy.  He always tips me better for being cute and adorable."  He grinned and put the stretchy band with the keys around his wrist, heading out to the bar.  He paused at the dom who was teaching him.  "Hi.  Can I get you anything?"

"Some coffee might be nice."

"I'll make sure we have some made.  Irish or regular?"

"Regular."  Xander smiled and headed behind the bar, nodding at the dayshift guy, who groaned and got off his stool.  "Coffee made?"

"Just now starting to brew, dear."  He gave him a kiss on the cheek. "She's here."

"Good, there's someone here about that mean person."  He winked.  "Have a good night."

"You too, Tim."

Xander flirted with one of the women at the bar, checking everything.  He poured a nice coffee, adding two sugars and a cream because he knew how the guy liked it, delivering it personally.  "Here you go."

"Thanks, Tim."

"Welcome."  He went back behind the bar, leaning on it.  "Can I get you ladies something?" he asked, letting cute and adorable drop for 'beg me for it' for now.

"Would you beg me?" one of the women asked.

"Ah ah.  I'm a dom.  You'd be *me*," he purred, stroking his thumb across her chin.  She shivered. "On your knees," he ordered softly.  She fell, knees spread, hands behind her back.  "Good girl.  Now, what am I making you?"

"A willing sacrifice," she moaned, staring at him, begging him silently.  He smiled and leaned closer, letting her kiss his forehead. "Martini?  One of the cold ones?"

"Any flavor, pretty one?"

"I don't care," she moaned.  He continued to stare at her, making her shiver.  "Apple."

He smiled and got her drink handing it down and taking the bill.  "Crawl back to Daddy."

"Yes, stepdaddy."  She crawled back, drink carefully moved with her.

"Tim, did you make my bitch crawl?" one of the doms called.

"Yes, she was very good and fell right down for me.  Said she wanted to be a sacrifice."

"Someone wants a spanking," the dom said, staring at him.  "Mine."

"Sorry.  I didn't want to poach."  He pouted.  "I'm trying to be a good boy."

"Uh-huh.  You like to see them worked up and begging."

"Begging's always nice, and very pretty."  A few of the other doms laughed but let it go.  He knew who he could play with and who he couldn't.  He never stepped on that rule.  His stalker came over and he smiled at her. "Evening, Gladys."

"How did you know my real name?"

"You told me last week when I poured you into a cab."  He got her the usual and set it in front of her, taking her money.  Then he gave her a cocky smile. "Don't you find begging pretty?"

"I think you'll be very pretty when I make you beg for mercy, Tim."  Xander let more ooze out and she moaned.  "You will be mine."

"If you say so.  Right now I'm keeping some options open."  He crossed his arms over his chest. "Did you need more?"

"No, but I will break you."  She stared at him while she drank.  "Nothing in it?"

"I don't have to lace drinks to make people want me, baby. You should've realized that by now."  He stalked closer and stared at her.  "Do I?  Or aren't you hot and wet right this instant?"  She swallowed another drink.  "Aren't you ready to beg for a tongue, any tongue, to sop it up for you?"  She moaned and shifted her stance so he let his voice drop a little bit deeper and more sexier.  "Or are you the sort that can't get used to oral sex?  That's always a pity.  My favorite women like it for *hours*."  She shivered. "Be a good girl, Gladys."  She stomped off, going to find someone to play with.  She grabbed one guy but he struggled so another dom stepped in.  She drug him off anyway.  Craig and Elliot came out of the office and headed after her.  Xander got a cloth and cleaned up the bar for now.  His boss came over.  "Sorry, went verbal on her."

"I heard.  You nearly made me wanna come."  He patted him on the back.  "You're very good at that."  Xander gave him a shy grin.  "How's the dancing coming?"

"Better.  Don's taking me shopping tomorrow."  He blew a kiss at them. "Don't be a stranger, loves."  The detective gave him a smirk and he shrugged. "If it helps," he mouthed.  He nodded and continued to drag her off.  The other guys stared at him.  "She killed five people.  Not like I'm going to be the next one in line."  That got some nods. "Is the kid okay, Craig?"

"He's fine, Xander. A little bit shaken."

Xander went back there and gave him a hug, making him moan, relax, and get hard again.  Elliot came back for him so he could take his statement but that was all good.  After all, half the other people in the club were having sex at that moment too.  Xander went back behind the bar.  "Hey, boss, I worked out two routines and Craig won't tell me which one he likes better.  I need a second opinion before I show Don the finished product."

"Sure, kid, once you've got the clothes."  Xander beamed and nodded.  He patted him on the back.  "Sell more drinks.  Your tips make me poor."

Xander pouted at a nearby guy, who came over to buy one.  "She was mean to me," he told his other fan.

"She was and she's also dangerous.  There's some information going to that officer about her tastes."  He smiled at him.  "How did you know I was a cop, Tim?"

Xander took his hand to stroke the gun calluses, then showed his own. "You're too dangerous to be a professional shooter.  That left bodyguard, cop, or thug.  You're too nice to be a thug.  Too talkative to be a bodyguard, and you stand and act like Don when you enter a room."  That got a smile.  "So why do you come in here since I've never noticed you playing?"

"I am investigating some one's heir," he admitted, stroking his cheek.  "Because someone has a relative that loves them very much, just from afar."

"I do?"

"You do."

"Why?"

"Because your father was an asshole."

"Could've told you that," Xander snorted.  The man smiled.  "Can I know more?"

"Soon.  We're being very cautious until we see if you settle here or not."  Xander leaned on the bar.  "I know it's hard right now, but it is for the best."

"I know they don't appreciate me."

"No, they don't.  When is Speed coming up?"  Xander looked at him.  "Yes we had someone watching over you back then too."  Xander gave him a look.  "Your father made himself clear and he said it was good that you had good parents now."  The boy relaxed at that.  "For right now, think about it, Xander.  You'll know within a while."  Xander nodded at that.  "Now, he did ask me to ask if you had ever thought about men.  He's not against it, as a matter of fact he's helped a lot of gay men over the years."

Xander gave him a shy, sheepish look. "I decided to figure that out on my roadtrip too," he admitted with a blush.  "Haven't gotten that far yet.  But then again I can't see me sleeping with anyone I know."

"I know, Xander.  It's a confusing time.  As you slowly get to know more about him, it'll be easier."  Xander nodded.  "Do you have a safe place?"

"As long as my landlord puts my guns back.  Or else I'm going to have him eaten."

"That's fine."  He smiled and tipped him.  "You seem pretty okay for tonight so I'll leave you to think.  Just don't lose yourself in the thoughts, young man.  That's dangerous.  Go right home tonight."

"Sure."  He watched him walk out, mentally really confused.  His boss came over when he put the money into his tip jar.  "I have family left.  I had no idea."

"His interview said he worked for a guy who helped gay guys."  He patted him on the back. "You'll figure it out, kid.  Stabler just called.  He said that someone named John said that the entire collection got put back and was added to."

"Oh. Cool."  He nodded and grinned at him.  "My landlord stole my guns."

"Oooh.  Sorry."

"Me too.  But if he hadn't put them back I'd have let someone eat him."  He got a laugh for that.  "I would have."

"You're too much a good guy, Xander."

"Not always," he muttered.  "Sometimes I do the expedient thing."  That got a nod and his boss walked off again.  Someone else came over and Xander smiled at her, going back to sexy and predatory, but missing it a little bit until she kissed him.  "Hmm, dangerous," he warned.

"I know I am.  That's why I like you, Tim.  Can I have a coffee?  My girl needs to wake up a bit more."

"Sure."  He poured her one and exchanged it for money, making her smile when she left him the tip.  He went back to his cleaning.  It was a good feeling at the moment.

***

The day after the performance, Xander bounced up to Don.  "I got a three grand tip!" he squealed, hugging him.

"For what?" he asked, looking cautious.

"She didn't do anything to me," he sighed, rolling his eyes. "She looked and said I was too pure to touch yet."  Don shivered at that.  "She was very nice and all the very nice trannies with her tipped me very well."  He smiled.  "They even openly played with each other while I was dancing."

"So, you got a good tip for not being a slut?"  He saw the blush.  "Ah, she looked there."  Xander nodded.  "You okay with that?"

"I figured I'd think about that stuff during my roadtrip.  That's what they're for."

"It is," he agreed, nodding at that.  Xander hugged him again.  "So, when do I get to see it since I got stuck on the case from hell the night you were gonna show me."

"Tonight if you want.  The boss gave me tonight off," he said proudly.  "He said he couldn't afford me now."  Don snickered at that.  "So if you want to you can come over."

"Sure, I'll bring the other chuckleheads if I can."

"Okay."  He grinned.  "Lunch?"

"Lunch is nice."  They headed out together to the diner, letting Xander pick their seats for them.   It was the slow time so it wasn't too crowded in there.  He saw the guy he thought he knew again, then looked at him.  "Admirer?" he asked, nodding.

Xander looked then shook his head.  "Nope."  He smiled at the waitress. "I did good. I deserve pie for dinner."

"You can have pie if you want but I should nag like a good mother."

"I did a special dance for someone and earned a huge tip," he said proudly.

"Pie it is, sweetie.  Flack?"

"Pie's good.  With ice cream."  She smiled and walked off.  "Don't brag to everyone.  Not everyone likes the lifestyle."

"Yes, Don."

"Good boy."

"Not a dog."

"Sorry."  He grinned at him and got one back.  "So I heard Stabler got her?"

"Yup."

"For another assault?" he prompted.

"I kinda worked her up so she drug someone off who was saying no.  He was in the office."

"It gave him an in," he agreed, smiling at him.  "Good job.  You know, you could do something simple like a PE degree and go to the academy, Xander."

"Don, think about my instincts."

"I think they'd do great on the street."

"I hunt and capture, Don, I don't chase and handcuff.  It's a different thing."

"It could help."

"Don, go hunting with me tonight."

"Okay, I can do that."  Xander smiled and accepted his pie, paying her for it.  She winked and got him his change, getting a nice size tip for it.  Then he dug in.  "Something else bothering you?"

Xander looked at him. "I have more relatives.  One of them sent someone to check up on me."  He ate a bite and looked at him.  "I'm not sure what's going on."

"That's a big thing.  Have you done anything like searching birth records online?"

"Computers and I don't always get along."

"I understand how that goes.  Is it worrying you?"

"No, it's confusing me.  I know... I can feel nothing about it is a danger to me.  But I feel odd now."

"I'd feel kinda odd too," he admitted. "Did he tell you his name?"

"No, just that he's been told he can tell me slowly, so I guess I have time to get used to the idea."  He ate another bite and thought.  "I don't even know where he would've come from.  Which side of the family or anything. As far as I knew I only had the one dirtbag uncle."

"Huh.  We'll have to watch and see, Xander.  It'll be okay.  It doesn't sound like it's a bad thing."  Xander nodded at that.  "We'll figure it out, Xander."  He stroked his hand on the table.  "Now, have you thought about the dating stuff?"

"Yeah but Mom said I couldn't without a chaperone since only deadly people like me," he said with a small pout.  "I'll never get laid again."

Don laughed.  "I know very well you've gotten some in the clubs, Xander."

"No, I let her blow me.  Not the same, Don.  I'm the sort of guy who'll go down on a woman for hours on end."  That got a goofy grin.  "Sue me I like giving oral sex.  My last two girlfriends were very happy with that."

"Most women are," he agreed.  "You could hit on Stella some more."

"She growled at me again."

"Sorry.  What about Monroe?"  Xander gave him a look. "I know, but I heard she's sweet."

"That means she'd hate me, Don.  Besides, not my type."

"Okay.  What about going out somewhere to pick up women?"

"I suck at it."

"So start thinking about the men things."  Xander shuddered.  "Think you could handle that?"

"I don't know what to do about that stuff.  It's not like I've got a clue.  Even with the tapes I bought."

"Well, start by thinking."

"The thinking doesn't bother me it's the vulnerability."

"Sure, I can understand that.  We'll figure it out."

"Would you, um, go out with me the first time I go to a bar like that?"

Don smiled and nodded. "There's a few good mixed clubs.  We'll hit one of them."  Xander relaxed and smiled again.  "You could try for Danny."

"He's nice but he'd be hell to keep up to in bed."

"You're just as bouncy as he is," Don assured him dryly.  Xander gave him a wicked smirk for that.  "You are.  Sheldon teased him that he was your mom the other day."

"I think he'd look really cute pregnant but he's not as far as I know.  My mother used to complain all too often that I was ungrateful and useless for how long she spent in labor with me."

Don patted him on the hand again. "She shows up here, you tell us so we can shoot her, okay?"  Xander nodded and ate another bite of his pie, stealing a bite of Don's ice cream.  "What happened to your diet?" he teased.

"I'm still on it but I worked off a hell of a lot of energy last night being sexy and making them want me."  He grinned and tried to steal another bite but Don smacked him on the head.  "Sorry."  He gave him a sheepish grin.

"Uh-huh."  He ate more so Xander couldn't steal it again.  "Anything else good happening today?"

"Not yet.  I've got the tape of the performance from him.  Craig and I went over it afterwards for places that I could improve some things. He said I did really good."

"Good!  Then we'll watch it tonight and see about maybe going out."  Xander blushed again but nodded.  "Good boy."  He stroked over his hand.  "It'll be okay, Xander."

"I'd like to find someone to date.  It's kinda lonely up here without people around."

"I know.  It happens to the best of us.  We'll see what we can do about getting you more good people around you."  Xander nodded and finished his pie, leaning back.  "You getting lunch?"

"I can."  He checked the check and put down money and a tip, smiling at the waitress.  "That's all yours."  She nodded and took it off.  He looked at Don.  "So, are you done for the day?"

"A few more hours' work," he admitted, scraping his plate.  "I'll be over about eight or so."  Xander nodded. "Should I bring Danny or anyone?"

"Up to you.  Would they mind?"

"Danny might not.  Stella might.  She can be a bit uptight about that now and then."

"I found chocolate cured that when Buffy and Willow did it."

"Could be," he agreed.  He smiled a bit.  "Mac probably wouldn't wanna see it."

"He's the sort chocolate won't cure, Don."

"I know.   I'll see if Danny's busy and if he'll come over.  Now, let's get me back to work before someone wonders if I got snatched again."

"You did?"

"For about an hour," he admitted.  "They were very sorry when Mac found 'em."

"Good!  I'd have killed the bastards."  He got up and Don followed him outside. "The boss wanted to know if I was going to wear the same stuff during the wintertime."

"It does get cold," he agreed patiently.  Xander looked at him. "We get a lot of snow, Xander."

"I've only seen snow once, Don. It made me invisible."

Don patted him on the back.  "You'll learn to hate it by February, like the rest of the city."  They dropped him off and he watched Xander hike down the block.  He went inside to find Danny and Mac.  "Hey, Danny, he wanted to know if you wanted to see the tape of him dancing last night.  He got a really good tip."

"Fifty or a hundred?" he teased.

"Three grand.  She said he was too pure ta play with."  Danny gaped.  "Yeah.  I asked, he said nothing else happened."

"Damn," he said in awe.  "Okay."  He shook his head.  "They taped it?"

"Yup."

"Then I'm there.  What else was going on tonight?"

"He invited me out hunting with him and we're talking about hitting a mixed club so he can see if he might like guys too."

"Sure, I can see that," Danny agreed, nodding a few times.  "You okay with that?"

"I'm fine with it, Messer.  Not like I'm prejudice or somethin'."  He gave him a heated look.  "You might wanna tell Mac.  Xander didn't think he'd wanna see the tape."

"No, I don't think Mac's one for strippers that much," Danny agreed dryly.  "Thanks."

"Welcome.  We had pie for dinner."  He headed back to his desk to get back to work.  His phone rang.  "Flack.  Hi, dad.  No, I can't. I'm busy tonight.  Tomorrow's fine.  I've got it off and everything.  Sure. See you then."  He hung up.  Then he decided to tell his father about Xander.  Maybe he could give him some ideas of how to help the kid find a normal life again.

***

Don stepped away from Xander, watching him work.  Now he knew what Xander meant by 'hunting' and it wasn't pretty.  He had asked Mac what to bring and had been given a mini camera setup.  Oh, boy, was Mac in for a shock.  Xander spun and got one other then dusted himself off and walked back.  "Four less vampires in the city."  He looked at him.  "Even Aiden can stake, Don.  Do you want taught?"

"No.  That's okay.  I'm not that sort of fighter," he said.  Xander shrugged.  "Why don't you dust off more and we'll go club?"  Xander nodded and grinned, finishing dusting himself off.  "Do we wanna try a mixed club?" he suggested.  He casually scratched his back and hit the stop button on the camera pack.

"I wouldn't mind."  He grinned.  "Taking pictures for Mac?"

"Yeah, he had no idea either."

"It happens."  He grinned and helped him remove it, then handed it over.  "There, all for his viewing displeasure.  Mixed club?  Do you think I look okay?"

"You could finish dusting off."  He brushed some ashes off the kid's shoulders and hair, then nodded at the car.  Xander headed that way and Don looked up, saying a silent prayer for the kid still being on the side of good.  If not, they'd have to hunt the kid and put him away.  Because he was clearly dangerous to someone.  Don followed after him, going to take the poor guy to the club.  Maybe getting him laid would help him calm down again.  It helped with Danny when he was having evil thoughts or getting too bouncy.

***

Mac turned off the tape and looked at Don.  "He did that?"

"Yeah, he did that."  He nodded.  "Then we went clubbing and he let himself be hit on by a few people.  Mostly guys.  He's still wobbling on that subject because he thinks it doesn't mean anything and he wants it to.  Which I fully understand and support, don't want the boy to be a ho or anything, but it was good.  He shook loose, had some fun, got to cuddle with a guy. And then we all went home and I tucked him into bed before going to find a church and pray."

"Do you think he's dangerous to normal people?"

"Only if you attack him," Don said dryly.  "Did you see *any* of that while you two sparred last time?"

"Not really."  He grimaced.  "Is he on today or off?"

"Starts at six."

"Call him, I want to go again."  Don nodded, walking off calling Xander.  Mac called Aiden.  "You never told me the boy was some sort of warrior," he said dryly.  He listened to her rant about him not stopping him from hunting.  "I'm trying, Aiden. I had no idea he was doing things like that.  No, he was good.  He got four."  He listened to her explain how he was only really good when people weren't watching.  He sighed, that showed definitely low self esteem.  "No, he's doing okay and I'm going to spar with him again, see if I can figure out where it's coming from.  Sure, I'll keep you informed, Aiden.  Thank you."  He hung and went to change clothes.  He wasn't going to spar with the boy in a suit.  He didn't make enough to replace it at the moment.  He really needed a raise.

***

Xander slinked into the club that night, smiling at the boss.  "Before you say anything I was sparring and got tagged.  It wasn't abuse."

He looked at the black eye and the bruised cheek.  "Any others?"

"Side kinda hurts but not really."  He let him see his side.  "It's not that bad."

"What's the scar next to your bellybutton from, Xander?"

Xander grimaced.  "Don't ask.  Really."  That just got a nod.  "But I am okay to work, it's only a black eye."

"Then go ahead.  Thank you for reassuring me."  Xander nodded and headed out once he had put his wallet and keys in his locker and warded them again. He looked around then at the guy who occasionally followed Xander since he was in.  "Where was he?"

"He and Detective Taylor spar now and then.  Either that or his hunting last night got a bit rambunctious."

"Ah."  He nodded, going back to the office to make a note of it.

Xander looked at his shadow and smiled. "Thanks."

"Welcome.  Which one tagged you?"

"Mac.  The vampires did my side.  You know about that stuff?"

"I do.  Do you hunt all of them?"

"I hate most vampires, especially the smug ass bastards I keep running into, but if they're not hunting I could care less.  I know some do choose not to hunt."

"Good."  He smiled.

"Am I ...related to one?" he asked, looking hesitant.  The other guy nodded. "Like my grandfather's one?"

"He is."

"Wow.  Is he a hunter?"

"No."

"Oh.  Then I'm fine with it and I won't stake him or anything when he's ready to meet me for real."  That got a smile.  "You can tell him that, right? I'm kinda liking this having decent relatives thing."

"I can and I will, young man.  What else did you do today?"

"Laundry."  That got a laugh.  "I did."  He pouted some.  "I also decided to make up another routine in case I get asked to strip again.  Plus I did some work with a sword and my battle axe."  That got another smile.  "Gotta keep in practice, just in case."

"You could quit hunting."

"Yeah but then I'd probably get caught up in the next apocalypse."

"Point."  He glanced and the club, noticing a few people looking at them.  "It's a project name."  That got nods from most of them but one strolled over casually.  "Tim, this man is from the military."

Xander smiled.  "Hi.  I'm from Sunnydale."   The man's eyes went wide. "I heard. My opinion got asked actually."

"I see.  What are you doing about it?"

"I don't know yet.  It depends on what they're doing."

"Understood.  Thank you, Mr. Harris."  Xander arched an eyebrow up.  "We had a file on you."

"Yay me," he said with a sweet smile.  "I dare you to try to drag me there."

"No, we wouldn't think about it."

"Good.  I like that.  It means I don't have to slap my friends for being brats this week."  That got a nod and he walked off.  He looked at the shadowing person again. "You knew?"

"I did.  Your grandfather is told many things, Xander," he said quietly.  "Maybe you should consider not hunting."

"I'll consider it."  That got a smirk.  "I never said it wasn't necessary."

"It is, but it's not your job."

"It is since I jumped in back in tenth grade."

"Your grandfather would like it if you cut back.  He sees a danger to you and you're almost the last of his family.  He worries he'll lose you."

"He could show up so we can talk."

"In due time.  He's still watching you."  Xander nodded that he understood that and moved to pour someone some coffee, taking the money for it and putting the creamer and sugar back onto the bar for them.  "He did say that you did good work but he does worry about the toll this is taking on your soul and your body."

Xander looked at him.  "Does he know everything I did?"  He shook his head.  "Come to me tomorrow, when I'm off.  I've got something he can read."  That got a nod and a smile.  "I don't think it's going to matter sometimes."

"Why do you say that?"

"Did he tell you about Jesse?"

"He did, but then he said he disappeared."

"No, he went whoosh because he was threatening others," he said bluntly.  "The Harvest celebration."  The man shuddered.  "I did that for many days.  So no, I'm not sure if it's going to matter."

"Were any of them human?"

"Not that I know of."

"Then you have the same thoughts that other soldiers who've killed in the line of duty do.  Perhaps you should talk to someone?  Mr. Taylor would understand."

"He was horrified.  Don made a tape last night."

"Ah.  No wonder you two sparred today.  Did you beat him?"

"Until he made me slow down."  He grabbed a cloth and wiped down the bar.  "I wish it was different but it was a long time ago."

"Your family have had priests among them for years, young man.  They can also be talked to.  There's a good one down at St. Patrick's.  He understands combat.  He may not understand your particular war, but he does understand combat."  Xander nodded at that.  "Now, did you enjoy the bar last night?" he asked with a small smile.  Xander blushed and nodded. "Did you find anyone?"

"No, I'm still worried about some things.  Besides, I don't want it to be in a bathroom or something like that.  I want it to mean more than my other time did.  Which definitely makes me sound like a girl, but I was pretty much raised by one."

"It should mean something.  That is something that should be special and holy.  When you're ready, the doubts will cease and you'll have someone there."  Xander nodded.  "Now, relax, calm down.  Think about what will happen when you can't hunt any longer."  Xander shrugged. "You haven't thought that far ahead?"

"I don't make long range plans.  They never work out.  Besides, I didn't expect to live to this age."

"Point.  There are many things out there to look forward to."

"I'll trip over them when the time's right," he assured him with a small smile. "Until then I've got to pay my dry cleaning bill for all the leather I wear in here."  That got a laugh and a nod, and the guy left.  He smiled.  He did feel better.  Even if his head was ringing where he had tripped and hit it on the wall while changing.  He went back to stocking the bar.  It was the quiet hour right now.  The military guy looked at him and he grinned, looking adorable and goofy for a bit.  It paid to be underestimated.  Though he did miss his stalker, his tips weren't as high anymore with her gone to prison.  He smacked himself as soon as he had that greedy thought.  It was certain another one would come in now and he'd have to protect the others.

***

Xander ran into Danny a few days later at the grocery store, smiling and giving him a one- armed hug. "Hi.  Long time no see."

"That's why I'm this way.  Not even Don's seen you, Xander."

"Sorry but work's been a bit hectic.  The day guy got into a small car crash.  Broken leg and ankle.  He can't really work so I've been pulling overtime."  He smiled and nodded, Danny nodded and following him around.  "Did you guys flip a coin?"

"Nah, I pulled early shift today so I got out first."  He looked him over, noticing how he was walking.  "You okay?"

"Fine.  My back's a bit sore.  I ended up having to separate a drunk from his sub last night and he was about twice my weight in muscles and a few inches taller."  Danny nodded at that.  "Any other reason you came over?"

"Yeah, one of your registered weapons came up in a crime."  He handed over the sheet.

"I can check to see if they put it back again," he promised.  "They did my Desert Eagle."  Danny looked at him.  "I left a message with Sheldon since he answered Mac's phone."

"Maybe they should go somewhere more secure, Xander."

"I would but more secure costs more and I'm not saving that much a month yet.  When I do, I'll move somewhere more secure with them.  Until then I've added more protections on the cabinets and another booby trap on the door."

"Good."  He nodded and looked at what Xander was picking up.  "Trying to cook?" he teased.

"No, I put pork chops on a plate and stick them in the microwave," he said, giving him a look.  "All I add is garlic salt."  That got an odd look.  "It works!"

"I'm sure it does."  He continued to follow him around the store.  "Need anything spectacular today?"

"Not really.  Some soda, dinner.  It's my only day off this week because one of the bouncers volunteered when I complained.  I haven't had one in nineteen days."  Danny shuddered at that.  "Not his fault he got hit."

"True, not his fault," Danny agreed.  He patted him on the back.  "You're a good man, Xander."

"I try but every now and then I get this wicked idea," he said with a small grin at him.  "Wanna come over and microwave something?"

"Nah, I've got a date tonight."

"I haven't done that yet."

"You will soon.  As soon as you feel comfortable," he advised, smiling at him.  "It won't be too long now.  Don said you got hit on the last time you two went out together."

"Yeah but that was for fun in the bathroom.  I'd like it to mean *something* more than two and a half minutes of semi-fun."

"I think you get more serious as you grow up," Danny advised.  "I had plenty of quick things when I was your age.  I didn't start really dating until after college."

"Eww."

"I know, you hate school," he sighed.  "Maybe you should try a single year, Xander.  It might be okay."

"I looked at the vocational schools and none of it struck me as something I could do for the rest of my life.  However long or short that may be."

"Is there another stalker?" he asked, hearing the trouble in his voice.  Xander shrugged.  "Was that a yes?  Do you wanna talk about it?"

"No, I talked to John over in SVU about him.  He's seeing if he is trouble.  He did ask me out but I'm wary about dating at the club."

"That could be a problem if he's a regular," he agreed.  "What's tipping you off?"

"He's predatory.  He's always watching me in a way I don't like.  I don't mind the one from my grandfather who's slowly giving me information on him but this guy's raising my hackles and I wanna hiss at him next time."  He frowned then cleared it up. "So he's either looking to be my first two and a half minute thing or he's looking for worse things."

"Could be," he agreed.  "What did John say?"

"Nothing yet.  I'm hoping he left a message on my machine."

"Does this guy know where you live?"

"Only if he followed me home.  I don't think anyone did but that one thug who hangs on the next block."  He shrugged. "It happens.  He hates me.  Thinks I'm a brat.  Called me a brat.  I asked him if that was proper thug terminology and he tried to kick my ass."

"Yeah, not good to smart off to the thugs," Danny agreed patiently.  "You doin' okay otherwise?  Stella still can't figure out how you made something poisonous out of the box of stuffing."

Xander shrugged.  "It's a gift."

Danny nudged him with a small grin.  "Maybe you should consider medical school.  Then you could poison someone and fix 'em up again."

"I'm not smart enough for that," Xander said dryly. "Besides that would be greedy and mean of me, Danny.  I try really hard to be a good boy."  He smiled and kissed him on the cheek.  "Thanks for cheering me up."  He checked out and headed back to his place.

Danny watched him go then got something for dinner tonight.  He was making it so he had to get home.  He'd think and talk to Don in the morning about the kid.  Someone had to help cheer him up.

***

Don looked up when Stabler stormed into his precinct.  "What's going on now?" he demanded.

"Did the kid not listen to us?"

"Last anyone heard he hadn't heard back from you guys.  Why?"

"That bastard who's courting him is a well known serial killer we can't catch, Flack.  John called him and told him to stay away from him and have him banned."

"Xander said he hadn't heard from you guys."

"Yeah, well, John and I went to check and found his apartment door open.  We've got the guy who was playing with his weapons in the car."

"Good!  Where was Xander?"

"We're not sure," he admitted.  Don moaned.  "Should we put out an APB on him?"

"Let me call the others, one of them might now."  He sat down to do that, getting an answer from Sheldon of all people.  He blinked at it.  "Well, hell.  Xander said he rescued himself earlier and dropped him off in their foyer.  Sheldon's got him interrogation four."  Stabler sighed in relief.  "He has no idea where the kid is though."

"Crap."

"We'll switch and then you can have that one."

"Thank you."  He went to get the other guy and tell John.

Don leaned back and called the club.  "It's Flack, is Harris there?"  He listened to him saying that he was working off some anger with a bullwhip and a target dummy.  "Thank you.  Tell him to come here.  Please."  He hung up and got up, heading down there to help the transfer of prisoners. "He's at the club wearing out some anger on a dummy with a bullwhip.  He'll be up soon," he told John, who nodded. "Not talkative?"

"Holding in my anger."

"The kid said he never got a message from you according to what he told Messer."

"So the guy was in his house?"

"Or someone was," Sheldon admitted.  "Xander gave me permission to go take evidence and we're still running a set of fingerprints that had no match to this guy."

"He said his grandfather's got a guy who watches him now and then," Don offered.

"Is his grandfather connected?" Stabler asked.

"Not to that life," he said, shrugging.  "Not a clue.  Ask Xander when he gets here."

Sheldon called fingerprints.  "Do you have a match on the other ones from the Harris apartment yet?"  He took notes, frowning some.  "Thanks."  He hung up.  "One of them belongs to a retired NYPD detective, Don.  Your father was in there?"

"He was?  When?"

"Not a clue. There's another former officer's prints.  I'm assuming that's the watching guy.  He's got a PI's license at the moment.  We've also got two unknowns and this guy."

"Totally unknown?"

"One's still searching, starting with the PD databank."

"Good.  We'll let him know.  The other?"

"Not a clue," Sheldon admitted.  He looked at the two detectives.  "Would you like to go destroy his world now or watch me?"

"You do it," Stabler said.  "I'm still wanting to hit someone."

"That works."  He walked in there and looked at the guy seated at the table.  "So, we just checked on fingerprints," he said dryly.  "Who else has been in there?"

"One of the guys from upstairs comes down every few days."

"Who?" Sheldon asked, sounding polite for the moment.

The guy shrugged.  "Not a clue. He lives up on five or six, somewhere up there."  He waved a hand.  "My uncle thought he was selling it after work."

"No, he's not," Don said as he walked in.  "See, we talked to Xander.  He likes to draw bad guys but no, he's not seeing anyone.  For money or not."  That got a sneer.  "We can watch if you won't give him up.  That'll just add to yours since you stole the kid."

"I did not!  He walked out with me!"

"At gunpoint," Xander said as he walked in.  "Who's this other guy?"

"You shouldn't be in here."

Xander looked at him.  "Bite me, Flack.  He threatened me and if he continues to threaten me I get to kick his ass again.  Did you like being beaten that much?  I am thinking about taking on a sub."  The man jumped up, huffing.  "Now, who was it?"

"That fairy bastard up on six," he sneered.  "You sure he's not your sugar daddy?"

"Fairly so."  He gave him an impassive look.  "I'll tell you this once, bitch.  I'm not the innocent you think I am.  I've had to kill before to protect myself.  Your little innocence thing?  The only thing you can count me for is not having sex with a man.  Now, anything else?"  The guy gaped at him, looking horrified. "The question stands," he said firmly.  "Is there?"  He whimpered and sat down.  "Good.  Now I'm going to get rid of that last bit of innocence."

"My partner would like you," he sneered.

"Everyone likes me.  Apparently I'm tasty.  Or don't I look nummy to you?" he taunted.  The man lunged and Xander snickered.  "That's really pitiful."  He walked out, looking at the other two.  "So you did call?"

"About four days ago, kid," John told him.

"I've got to move," he sighed, shaking his head.  "Thank you for trying."

"You okay?"

Xander gave him an odd look. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"He had you hostage," John pointed out.  Xander shrugged at that.  "That doesn't upset you?"

"Not the first time.  Shit, it's Tuesday, might as well be taken hostage."  He walked off.  "I'm going back to work to wear out more anger."

"Wait.  We need a statement," Elliot ordered.  Xander sighed and trudged back to let them take it from him.  "Thank you, Xander."

"Welcome.  So, I heard you had kids?"

"Three."

"Wow.  No wonder you do so good with someone like me."

Elliot looked at him.  "If my kids were as hurt as you are, someone would have died by now," he said seriously.  "Not only from the abuse at home but the clear abuse you've got from the others in your life and the probable sexual abuse you've had."

"Nothing serious.  More used than abused," he admitted.  "If I ever have kids, I'll send them to you if they get hurt."

"Thanks.  Are you planning on having kids?"

"No, but the Powers That Be hated losing me."  He shrugged. "If it happens it does."

"The who?" Elliot asked.

"They're the ones over my friend Buffy and her people," he said dryly.

"Oh.  That's like a pagan thing, right?"

"Something like that."

"Okay."  He sat the kid down and got to work on his statement.  John came in with Sheldon and a camera later.  "We'll need to take photos, make sure you're not bruised.  Physical evidence always helps."

"Did they tell you where I nearly killed him?"

"They haven't but Sheldon should know, right?"  Sheldon nodded.  "Okay.  Xander, are you bruised anywhere?"

"Yeah but it's not all from that."

"Are you maybe in a bad relationship?" John asked.

"No, I had to go take care of a bastard hunting in the Village last night," he said honestly.  That just got a nod.

"Human?" Elliot asked.

"Wasn't when I got there.  Undead but not human anymore."  Elliot stared.  "Remember, I'm from somewhere like that," he said more gently.  "Basically, anything but the ones on my right shoulder and on my back on the left side, under my armpit and shoulderblade."  He took off his shirt.

Sheldon looked at the new stitches.  "When did you get those?"

Xander looked down, then at him.  "I had them put in four days ago?  Sorry, I forgot."

"Who hurt you?"

"One of the guys at the club got high and stupid.  Pulled a knife.  It wasn't that bad of a scratch.  I easily stitched it."

"You...  You stitched it?" Sheldon asked.  Xander nodded.  "We have ER's, Xander."

"I can't afford a trip to the ER and I can do minor things.  I learned field medicine somewhat, Sheldon.  Giles taught me.  I did my leg last year too."  He showed off that scar.  "I got it a bit puckered but not bad for my third try."

"Let's just take the pictures," John told them.  They nodded and did that while he went to find Flack or someone.  He found Mac first.  "We caught another one thanks to Xander."

"Good.  How is he?  Shaken?"

"No.  He said it's happened before. Then again he also admitted he had to stitch his own stomach about four days ago."

Mac blinked a few times.  "Excuse me?"

"Last room down by interrogation four."

"Sure."  He went to look through the viewing portal, then walked into the room.  "Xander?"  Xander looked at him.  "What happened to your stomach?"

"Someone got too high and went after us with a knife.  I jumped the bar."

"Who stitched you?"

"Me.  I didn't even pucker it this time," he said proudly.

"You could have went to the ER."

"I can't afford the ER, Mac.  In time off or money wise."  He stood up.  "I've got one on my right hip too, Sheldon."  That got a nod and he lowered his pants, letting him take that one.  "I kinda almost had one there.  It was down to the yellow and green stage.  Then he kicked me again."

"I can see the differences," he agreed.  He took one last picture.  "Thank you, Xander.  Are you working tonight?"

"Yeah, I'm working full shift again since Bob's still out."  He shrugged. "Can I go back to wearing out my anger with a bullwhip again?"  They all nodded once.  "Thanks, guys."  He walked out putting on his shirt.

"Xander, how did you get those!" Lindsey yelled.

"Bad people, who do vex me," he called as he continued to walk. He caught a cab back to the club, having to go inside to get his emergency stash of money out of his locker.  Then he called the station.  "Hi, can you please tell CSI Bonasera I left my wallet?  Could she drop it off to me on her way home since I'm on her way?"  He smiled. "This is.  Thanks.  No, I'll be here all night.  Thanks, ma'am."  He hung up and went to grab the bullwhip again, going back to practicing his aim.  This time with the longer whip. The boss ducked under one swing.  "Sorry, boss."

"No, you go ahead. I'm going to let the bouncers in."  He watched him practice.  The whip was being used to good force today.  He winced when the dummy cracked.

"I'll fix that," Xander called, switching hands to practice on the other arm.  It was less precise but still okay.  Craig ducked a blow and grabbed his arm to stop him. "What?"

"Customers are coming."

Xander wiped the leather down then coiled it and put it back on the wall.  "Thanks, boss."  He went to wipe his face off in the bathroom then came out to start coffee and make sure he was stocked for the night.  Stella walked in a few hours later with his wallet.  "Thank you, Stella."

"You're welcome.  Are you okay?"

"I'm fine.  I've been taken before."  She blinked at him.  "What?  You didn't hear about the guy who tried me earlier?"

"No.  I figured you came in to talk about something.  I've noticed you've been thinking hard recently."

"I was thinking about becoming a part-time dom."

"Well, you might do okay at it," she admitted. "You were nearly taken?"  Xander nodded.  "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine.  Not the first time."  He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. "Thanks, Stella, have a great night."

She smiled.  "Sure, Xander.  You too."  She walked out and headed back to her cab, calling Mac on the way.  "I dropped Xander's wallet off for him, like he asked.  He was nearly taken?"  She listened to what had happened.  "He's at work, Mac.  He sounded like it was nothing more than jaywalking."  She nodded.  "We might need to.  I don't know, he looked tired.  Thanks."  She hung up and considered the boy.  She really did want to kill Aiden for giving the boy to them.  They didn't have the time to help him heal like he clearly needed.

***

Xander looked at Danny when he came in at ten that night.  "Hi.  Want a drink?"

"Not really.  Wanna talk to you.  You get a lunch anytime soon?"

"No one to cover," he said with a small shrug.  The boss came over.  "Boss, this is Danny, one of the guys mom handed me to."

"Hi.  You need him for more statements?"

"No, I need ta shake the hell outta him for worrying Stella."

"I told her it was nothing serious."

Danny glared at him. "You were taken by someone who likes ta kill people, Xander.  It's something serious!"

"Not the first time," Xander said and shrugged again.  "I draw people like that now and then for some reason. I don't know why. All the bad guys in Sunnydale came after me now and then too."

"Do you know how?" the boss asked.

"No."  Xander looked at him. "I try to keep it out of here, boss.  You know that."

"I know, relax.  I can't fault you for being a trouble magnet.  Not like you get us robbed.  They all pay their bar tabs and tip you very well."  He patted Xander on the back and saw the wince.  He looked at his back then at him.  "Maybe you should head home, Xander."

"I'm fine. It only hurts when I lift or get touched there."

Danny came around to look too and shook his head. "What caused that?"

"The guy earlier."

Danny looked at his boss.  "Can I have him?"

"He probably should go home with that bad of an injury."  Xander glared at him. "Steven?"  The dom who was training Xander came over.  "Look at his chest and back and see if he's okay to work."

"Sure.  Off with it, Tim."  Xander took off his shirt and he looked him over.  "Those have got to hurt."

"Only when I lift or get touched."

"Go home, Xander.  Take a warm shower and relax.  You've worked more hours than reasonable humans because Bob had that wreck."  The boss nodded and handed Xander back his shirt, giving him to Danny.  "I'll see you tomorrow.  That was impressive work splitting the dummy."  Xander gave him a shy smile.  "Tomorrow, kid."

"Yes, Steven.  Thanks."  He walked into the back, putting back on his shirt and taking out his wallet and keys.  "Well, I do need to move so it's probably not too late to get a paper," he decided, talking to himself.  Danny gave him a squeeze on the arm.  "Quit."

"No.  C'mon.  We'll take you home and get those an ice pack."  He led Xander out to the car he was using tonight, taking him home.  He put him on the couch and got him an ice pack, handing it over. Xander put it on his shoulder. "Now, you wanna talk?"

"I'm fine, Danny.  Really."

"That's not fine, Xander.  That's assault."

"I kicked his ass first."

Danny moaned.  "Okay, let's start there.  You couldn't call, right?"  Xander slowly shook his head.  "You didn't call to bug John and see if he had any news?"

"He's doing important stuff.  I didn't want to take up his time."

"You're catching people with them, Xander.  He can take five and put his feet up."  Xander slumped down at that.  "From now on, do that if you haven't heard back.  Secondly, you scared the *crap* outta Flack earlier!"

"Why?" he asked weakly.

"Because we're supposed ta be watching out for you and no one told him anything."

"I gave the guy to Sheldon."

"Yeah, well, he got yelled at for not tellin' the rest of us too."  He stared him down.  "If this was at home would you be doin' this to Aiden and Speed?"

"They'd expect me to tell them when I was hurt."

"You are and you didn't say anything!" he yelled.

"I did.  They saw the bruises and they don't hurt that much."

Danny dialed his cellphone, listening to the cheerful voice on the other end. "I'm gonna kill your ass, Aiden."

"Hey!  Don't you dare threaten her for sending me here!" Xander ordered, getting up.  "I'm fine!  Really, I am.  I don't know why in the hell you care anyway!"

He handed over the phone at the order.  "You tell 'er."

"Hi, mom."  He listened to her.  "Because another came for me and I turned him in after I had to get myself free. Yeah, one of those.  A few bruises."

"Stitches," Danny noted.

"Those were done four days ago.  I put them in, I remember it very well."  He listened to her.  "I'm fine, mommy, really."  He smiled.  "You are?  I'm hoping to find somewhere a bit more safe.  No, someone keeps breaking in to play with the guns Giles sent me."  He grinned.  "I promise I'm okay, Mommy."

Danny snatched the phone.  "No he's not.  He got sent home from work for the bruises and stuff.  The guy came in here too.   He erased the answering machine messages that were warning him.  He got taken today and Sheldon didn't tell us.  We found out when SVU came up to check on him."  He listened to her.  Then he smirked at Xander.  "She said you're in deep trouble."

"I'm fine!"  He took the phone back. "Aiden, I promise I'm fine.  It's only a few bruises.  Like falling in a grave bruises."  He smiled.  "Thank you!"  He smiled.  "You can?  Where are you now?"  He beamed.  "That would be kinda nice. I'll try to save up to come out really soon.  Love you.  Yup, this is his.  Can you please calm him down?  He's huffing."  He let out a small, gentle smile. "I'll call dad next.  Love you, mom.  Here he is."  He handed over the phone to Danny then sat down to use his calling card to call Miami.  He heard the party.  "Am I interrupting?"  He smiled when the noise was solved by a door slamming in the background.  "I'm okay."

"He's bruised," Danny called. "He's got four stitches he put in himself."  He listened to Aiden.  "Aiden..."  He sighed.  "Fine, we'll talk tomorrow."  He hung up.  "You're still in major shit.  Worrying Flack is bad!"

Xander listened to Tim, smiling some.  "The usual only he broke in to erase the messages on the answering machine so I wouldn't know he was a bad guy.  I kicked his ass, dad."  He smiled at his congratulations.  "No, a few bruises.  He caught me napping on the couch."

"Your bed broken?"

"I was reading!"

"I thought you hated books."

"I might but that doesn't mean I don't need them now and then," Xander said.  "Why are you yelling at me for defending myself and telling Sheldon?  That's what I'm supposed to do.  Right?"  Danny glared.  "Dad, please talk some sense into him.  Even mom couldn't. Are you okay?"  He smiled at the 'my friends are throwing a belated welcome back party' answer.  "Are you having fun?"  He grinned.  "That's cool.  Now, remember, I get to meet any future stepmoms.  Though Danny is trying really hard.  Even though he'd look really bad in Aiden's shirts."  Danny shuddered at that thought.  "I'm fine.  Remember the time I fell into the grave two times ago?  I'm about that bruised.  No, I'm good. Oooh, did I get to tell you about the dancing thing?"  He smiled.  "Sure, I'll find a public library and write you a huge email tomorrow. I miss you too, daddy.  Sure, have Danny."  He handed over the phone.  "Don't take too long.  That's my only phone card."

Danny listened to the rational voice.  "He's seriously bruised and he's got stitches he put in himself."  He looked at Xander.  "Why?"

"Because someone went after their sub with a knife. I hopped the bar."

Danny repeated that.  He nodded and smirked. "You're in deep for not letting someone qualified do it."

"I would've but Willow's back there," he said dryly.  He took the phone back. "I'm fine, Dad.  I promise.  Four.  My stomach.  They're neat, I didn't even pucker them.  Love you too.  Have a good night."  He hung up.  "I'm fine," he said, standing up.  "I'm happy as hell that you guys are concerned but I can handle myself most of the time. If I can't, I'll gladly come tell you and get help.  Now, I'm really damn tired.  I haven't gotten a full night's sleep in weeks thanks to Bob being out.  Are you going to nag like Willow some more?  If so, I'll find the hair dye spell and do yours."  Danny stomped out, slamming the door.  He sat down, curling up on his side, putting the ice pack back against the bruise on his back.  "Maybe I should go to Seattle to join mom or Miami to join Timmy.  It'd be happier then and they appreciate me.  Even if he did interrupt mom having sex."  He let himself drift off, staying there again tonight.

***

Tim hung up and called Aiden.  "Did you get a call?"  She panted a yes.  "Put down your toy, Aiden.  Is he in trouble?  I don't know Danny from more than a few phone conversations.  You tell me."  He listened to her tell him they were fine and she'd call Mac in the morning.  Then Flack.  "Are you sure we shouldn't bring him down here?  I mean, I've got friends and near family that would welcome him.  Tell him it's your ex.  Yay.  Is he any good?"  He snorted.  "Baby, Buffy can do better than that and you heard her say it a few times.  What do we do?  I'm all for hauling his ass down here, Aiden.  He's not happy.  Yeah, I heard that too."  He leaned against a wall, looking at the head peeking in.  "Give me a few more, Calleigh."  She came in to give him a hug.  "It's fine.  Xander had some troubles."

"Who's Xander?"

"He's the kid Aiden and I adopted.  His parents were so bad we ran them out of town."  He gave her a squeeze.  "Aiden says hi."  He listened.  "We've got to get him away from them.  It's clear they don't have a clue, Aiden.  He said he had to rescue himself again.  Please?"  He nodded. "Fine, I'll let him ask, even though Xander doesn't ask.  Ever.  Hell, he came in bleeding that time and didn't ask for more than a washcloth to clean up.  Willow and Giles had to put in twenty-three stitches and he didn't think it was anything."  He sighed and nodded.  "I'll call him tomorrow then.  Thanks, Aiden."  He hung up and looked at her.  "You'd love Xander.  Someone needs to love Xander beyond Aiden and I but you'd think he's the neatest stepson ever."  He gave her a cuddle. "Did they all leave?"

"Eric decided it was an important phone call and was joking about it being a stork."

"No.  The son is almost nineteen."  He pulled out a picture from his wallet, showing her.  "That's the son."  She smiled at that.  "The other two are egotistical brats at this moment."  He took it back and walked out.  "No, Eric, I already adopted a son. He's almost nineteen."  He let them have the picture, looking at his boss, then at Alexx.  "We may have to go rescue him from New York.  Mac and them aren't watching him well enough.  He's still hunting.  He just put in his own stitches again and he said getting kidnaped by a serial killer was nothing."

"I'll call Mac later," Horatio promised, smiling at the picture.  "He looks like a good boy."

"Not always. Now and then but he's got a bad sense of humor, H.  Usually at the most stressful moments.  You guys would love the son.  If things don't work out up there, I'm kidnaping him.  He'll be happier down here and I can keep him from hunting."

"Hunting, like the things that kept trying to get in and eat us when I came to get you?" Alexx demanded, pushing some of her black hair behind her ear.

"Yup, them too."

"Is he stupid?" Alexx demanded.  "He's going out alone?"

"We flipped to see where to send him.  Aiden won.  She sent him to Mac Taylor to have him mentor him.  Next time I'm cheating."  Horatio patted him on the shoulder.  "It's going to get messier, Horatio.  I'm going to go steal him."

"I know some people who can help," he promised.  Speed relaxed.  "He all right?"

"Some bruises that're so bad he got sent home.  The last time I heard from him he was working double shifts as a bartender and part-time dom in training because the other bartender got in an accident."  He sat down.  "Sorry.  Kinda miss the kid.  I had him for two and a half years, ya know?"

"I do, baby," Alexx assured him, giving him a hug.  "I can't believe you made me a grandmother already, Speedy."

"I did but you'd love him after he quit avoiding you.  My boy does not know what a mother is.  Aiden was his first and only."  She looked upset at that.  "So if he comes down be prepared to move slowly."

"I will.  He'll be perfectly fine with me."  She stroked over his hair.  Eric turned back on the music, making her smile.  "There, now we'll get back to the party and plan how to steal him."  That got nods and they all went back to catching up.  Speed had some outrageous stories about what he had been doing during his enforced habitation in Sunnydale.

***

Don Flack walked up to his father.  "Dad."  His father looked up and smiled.  "Got a question for you."  He sat across from him, putting his cup of coffee on the table between them.

"I didn't figure you invited me out for coffee this early in the morning for no reason."

"Yeah, well, it's my late day, dad.  I should be jogging."  He took a sip of his coffee.  "How do you know Xander?"

"Who?"

"Dark hair, young guy, eighteen.  Bartender?"

"Oh, him.  One of my former trainees called about him.  Wanted advice on the kid.  He reads some strange stuff."

"He's from the hellmouth, dad."  His father choked at that.  "It's good you know what that means, I didn't.  Though I did get ta see him hunt."  He took a sip, looking at his father.  "Which partner?"

"Bill.  He was the next-to-last partner I had."  Don nodded at that.  "Were you worried?"

"Your fingerprints came up in his apartment and I wanted ta know why before I went to talk to him."

"Be careful around that boy, son.  He's dangerous."

"Only if you're a bad guy."

His father stared at him.  "Donny, I've seen other kids who've been that badly abused. They're like wild animals.  Yeah, you can tame 'em until they let you pet 'em, but they will still bite if provoked."

"He bit plenty yesterday when some sicko took 'im and he had ta rescue himself."

His father nodded, looking grave.  "Then he's used to being alone and unappreciated.  Are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Not appreciating him."

"I think of him like a stepbrother."

"When was the last time you saw him, Donny?" he asked quietly.

"What?  He complain?"

"I've watched the kid for the last few weeks on and off.  I've seen the pretty CSI you work with now and then, the one your mother hopes gives her grandchildren, take him his wallet.  I've seen you two go ta lunch once in the last three weeks.  I heard he and Messer got into it last night.  It was loud enough to hear outside.  Then he stormed off."  Don slumped at that, leaning back.  "It's not your fault.  You were given him to help tame."

"No, his adopted ma said to help him adjust and to mentor him. I try but the kid doesn't want a life beyond what he's doing."

"How would he know what that's like, Donny?  Did he expect to make it to graduation?"

"He said he didn't expect to live this long," he admitted.

"He suicidal?"

"No.  Not that I can tell."

"You sure?"

"Fairly so.  He's not really depressed.  He's just as bouncy as he was when we first met."

"Who said he wasn't depressed then, son," he said patiently.  "I've seen that kid hunt, I've seen him get hurt.  I saw him work one night from a corner table.  He'll make a pretty good dom some year soon."  He took another drink of his coffee.  "The kid's existing.  He's not happy.  He's probably never felt much love."

"Aiden and Speed do."

"That's wonderful.  That's two out of six billion people.  Most people have more than that or they find and make more love 'em.  Your boy's unsure whether or not he can date."

"His family and friends back there were crap."

"I realize that.  After thirty years on the job I've seen plenty of guys like that.  Usually with really dead eyes sitting across the table from me."

"He's staying good."

"You need to make him quit hunting, son.  You also need to get him somewhere safer."  He stood up.  "Anything else?"

"You gonna adopt him too?"

"No. He'd never put up with me.  I'm an authority figure.  Doing that to him would make him break.  He's always going to stay in control.  He may never trust anyone fully enough to let go, except maybe his adoptive parents."

"Then why do I bother?"

"Because you know he needs it and you can chip it a bit farther.  Maybe help him find someone good who'll make him their life's work to heal.  It's the only way he'll heal, to find someone he trusts and let them work on him.  You're doing good but you're lax."

"I try."

"I know.  But you need to try harder, before his file ends up being your paperwork of the night."   He smiled.  "Now, your mother wanted you over for dinner tonight."

"I think I'm gonna go see Xander."

"He's going to be at work, son.  All he knows is duty and devotion.  He's the sort of loyal that'll let you walk all over him until he breaks."  He walked off.  "Call your mother this afternoon."

"Sure, Pops.  Thanks."  He considered the boy while he drank his coffee. His father had seen more than he had.  If he was right, they weren't helping the kid any.  He called Mac.  "I'm torn."  He smiled.  "Talked to my father, who's been watching him.   How do we get him to stop hunting?"  He listened to Mac consider the point and the one that Xander was using it as a pain outlet.  "Mac, I haven't seen him in weeks really, except when we took the statement.  Danny didn't...." He snorted at how Xander had asked Danny why he cared.  "We're fallin' down on what Aiden asked us ta do, Mac.  Yeah, well, dad had a point. He's not happy.  It might've been better to send him to Miami.  I know."

He sighed.  "Then how do we fix it?"  He nodded.  "My dad suggested setting him up on dates.  He said he's gonna have trust issues even though he's fully loyal."  He nodded.  "That works.  Thanks, Mac."  He hung up and called Xander, getting an irritated grunt.  "Wanna have dinner tonight?"  Xander hung up on him.  "Okay, I'll call back later. Maybe I'll bring you dinner tonight.  His phone rang and he looked at it, groaning as he answered.  "Flack.  I'm near the park, it'll be a few."  He nodded, going to hit his car and find that address.  At least he and Danny could talk while they worked.  Even if he wouldn't get out of work until nearly midnight.  He tracked Xander down but he was making time with a girl on a dancefloor so he left him there, only smiling a bit when the kid caught him.  Xander grinned back and went back to it.  So maybe he wasn't in that hot of water yet.

***

Xander looked over as his watcher came in, smiling at him.  "You've been gone for a while."

"Your grandfather had to do a bit of traveling for work reasons," he admitted. He saw the paper.  "Moving?"

"Yeah.  I keep getting broken into by the landlord's family."  He looked at him. "It's either that or kill them.  Since I nearly shot one this morning when she woke me up, I'd rather move."  He looked at the paper, then tossed it aside. "So, is he okay?"

"He's fine.  How are you doing?"

"A bit nervous.  I'm meeting with Steven later on to talk to him about learning more of the trade.  I got a blowjob at the club last night.  Nothing unusual."  He shrugged.

"Are you happy?"

Xander considered it.  "Relatively speaking.  I've never been *happy* but I'm relatively at peace with myself at the moment."  That got a nod.  "You or Granddad got a place in the city that's safer and low rent you can recommend I look at?  Like a neighborhood sorta place?  I'm not asking for help, just a recommendation."

He considered it.  "There is an apartment here in town that he's not using.  He might let you use it."

Xander shook his head.  "I don't want to mooch. It's not the guy I am."  John came in and he smiled. Then he looked at him.  "Just a general neighborhood?"

"Nowhere's totally safe, Xander, but there's a few.  Depends on how far you want to commute?"

"I've been walking.  I'd take the subway if it ran that late."

He considered it and wrote down an address. "Look around that area.  It's part of Queens but it's good."  Xander smiled and pocketed it.  "My mother lives at that one and she says it's a nice place.  Not too many thugs."

"Thanks."

"Welcome.  Should I tell him anything?"

"I'm doing okay.  My tips are getting slow again, no new serial guys since the last one I rescued myself from."

"Was that the one two days ago?" John asked. "Or the one we knew about before then?"

"I plead the fifth," Xander said, staring him down.  The shadow guy laughed at that.

"He's not kidding," John told him.  "He's helped us arrest about six, seven guys who're hurting others.  Won't tell us how many he's had to rescue himself from beyond that."  He stared Xander down.  "They could be hurting others."

"I sent those notes to Don."

"He never called."  He called his phone.  "Sorry to interrupt, Flack, but have you been getting files from Xander about other guys?"  He blinked, then nodded.  "Find out tomorrow and tell us, okay?"  He hung up and looked at him.  "They haven't been sitting on his desk."

"I sent them to the email address I had for him."

"Huh.  We'll see," he decided, looking at the other guy.  "So, you're here why?"

"He works for my grandfather.  This is John, he's in SVU."

"I've seen and I admire what you do.  I could've never done it while I was on the force," he said, shaking his hand.

"It takes a lot of repression at times," John agreed, smiling at him.  "So, is he being good?"

"Most of the time.  Nothing too terrible.  Normal things for a guy his age and his hunting really."  Xander grimaced at that.  "Xander, you really should stop.  Your grandfather doesn't want to lose you so soon."

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine," John told him.  "You nearly got staked last night."  Xander slumped and went back to his ad looking.  "You at least need a hunting partner, Xander," he said more gently.

"I can't even find someone to date, John, much less a hunting partner."

"Maybe you should try looking in a different place," the watcher said.  "You keep saying you're thinking about boys...."  Xander gave him a look.  "Like he'd care."

"No, I don't care," John told them.  "Though I do take him as it'd better be special to go there," he admitted, looking at Xander, who nodded.  "Go to the more gentle clubs, Xander. Nothing that hard core."

"I don't dance that well."  He went back to his looking at the paper.  "Guys, I love you but if you guys keep down my drink orders the boss'll complain."

"Your new psycho tipped you last night," John reminded him.

Xander snorted.  "He's a lousy tipper.  My first one was tipping me hundreds a night.  He gave me twenty."   He turned the page and circled something.  "That's near there, right?" he asked.  The guy looked and nodded.  Xander grinned and looked at John.  "He said I should look out in Queens."

"That could be a nice spot depending on where you live," he agreed.  "Where is the guy now since you called?"

"The guys took him to the hardcore bondage room when he tried to grab me."  He looked around, spotting a bouncer, nodding him over.

"Another one?" he demanded, glaring at them.

"No, this one works for my grandfather," he said, pointing at one.  "The other is Detective John Munch from SVU.  He's had a few of my stalkers recently."

"Oh.  This way, detective."  John nodded at them and walked after him.  "Is he always that calm?"

"Probably.  Why did this one want him?"

"He said he was too old but his innocence drew him. Usually he'd only go for the only true innocents."

"Which means kids."

"That's what we thought.   Otherwise we would've called Flack, sir."   He tapped then opened the door.  "Steven, Xander's still looking at the paper at the bar."

"It's good he's calm."

John looked at him. "I don't think he's going to panic much about being taken."

"I got that feeling too," he admitted.  "He's carrying pictures of three children, behind them are pictures of them in rather bad positions and one's dead. I know him."

"That's fine. You hit him?"

"Yup."

"Okay.  I'll say it was part of the confinement before I got here."  That got a smile and a pat on the arm from Steven as he walked out.  He took the wallet from the guy's back pocket and looked at the three semi-hidden ones.   He looked down at him. "You're in deep shit.  Just having these pictures is enough to get you tossed in prison.  Assaulting Xander as well?  That's gonna add time."  He pulled out his cuffs and the bartender got him out of the rig he was in.  The guy tried to move but fell down sobbing.  "Next time don't try a dom," he said with a sneer.  He hauled him up, taking the wallet with him.  He nodded at Xander's boss.  "Little kids."

"I heard.  Have him, please."  He handed over a file.  "We don't like pedophiles here."

"Thanks."  He put it in his free hand and walked outside, flagging down the waiting patrol unit.  "To Manhattan SVU," he ordered.  That got a nod.  "Right to my desk."  They drug him off.  "He got into it with a dom," he called.  "He's probably bruised."

"Good!" one of the guys called.  John watched them take off then got into his car to head back as well.  Not like he had anything to do tonight anyway. Playing taunt the predator would make his night.  He always loved taunting predators.  He did call his boss.  "Cragen, John.  Bringing one in.  He'll need pictures taken of his pre-arrest condition.  No, he went after that kid Elliot and I work with.  The doms at the club found hidden pictures in his wallet.  They had him in the rig when I got there."  He smiled.  "Thanks, Cap."  He hung up and sped up just a bit since traffic was only mildly horrible tonight.

***

Xander looked at his boss.  "Am I in trouble?"

"No, he was a member here long before you got here, Xander."  He smiled and patted him on the cheek.  "Now, you've got to be in pain."

"From what?  All he did was grab my throat.  I'm not even hoarse.  Though I do need to talk to Steven so can I have lunch?"

"Go," he said tolerantly, smiling at him.  One of the bartenders came over to fill in.  "He's talking to Steven."

"Steven is telling him about his career potential," the guard agreed.  That got a brighter smile.  "He has a good swing, boss.  I'd hate to be spanked by him."

"Me too.  My mistress would love to get that boy to train."

"He'd never go sub."

"I realize that, but she does train the occasional other dom.  Though they usually get trained as both first, that way they understand how it feels."

The guard looked at him.  "Do you actually think Xander doesn't know what it feels like to be beaten, boss?"

"I figured he did."

"I've seen some of his scars.  He'll break in the wrong way."

"Pity.  That could hold him back in his training.  But maybe someone like Lady Heather could do it."  He considered it then nodded.  "She most likely could.  I'll mention it to Steven in a bit."  He let his bouncer pour drinks for the two female subs coming up, going back to his office.  He appreciated the hell out of Xander.  His psycho patrol brought in a lot of money, even if Xander did occasionally eat one of the cherries for the drinks.  He always paid a few dollars into the till every week for them.  It was nice of the kid.

***

Xander smiled when he heard his dad's voice. "Am I interrupting?" he teased.  "No, big news.  Steven's agreed to finish what training he could.  Yes, him, dad.  No, he said he can only teach me the basics, but he did suggest who I could go see."  He smiled gently at the happy sounds. "I don't know but it's good money, dad, and I'd definitely get to use my old instincts.  Are you going to be mad?"  He relaxed.  "Good.  How's mom?  No, she's changing numbers and I haven't gotten it yet."  He smiled at the sound of his father barking at someone.  "Oooh, should I come down to spank someone?" he teased.  He sat up.  "Then I can let you go, dad.  No, I'm still working doubles.  Call me when you get off.  I walk to work at four.  Thanks, dad."  He hung up and looked around for the guy there to show him the apartment.  He finally found him and headed up after him.  It was incredibly small.  "This is how much a month?"

"A grand.  Plus security and first and last, kid.  Are you even that wealthy?"

"I work, have since my third day in the city," he admitted, looking at him.  He checked the locks on the door.  "Flimsy," he said, frowning some.  "Was it kicked in?"

"Robberies happen."

"I like my stuff more than that.  Were you showing me any others?"

"One up the street."  Xander nodded so they went that way.  "You have stuff to keep safe?"

"I've got a sword collection.  Collector's editions," he said.  The guy blinked at him.  He grinned.  "I can use them all too."

"Do you get a monthly check?"

"No, I'm a dom in training."

"Oh.  Well, the other apartment's not much better.  There was a homicide in it tenant before last," he admitted, letting him see it.  He hoped it didn't meet up to his standards.

Xander looked around, feeling the air currents.  The last owner was still here. "The homicide was two tenants ago?"

"Yeah."

"What happened to the last one?"

"He disappeared.  No one knows why."

Xander touched a wall.  Then he showed the wetness on his hand.  "You've either got a broken pipe or he's in there."  The man groaned.  "I'll leave you alone to check that out.  Thank you for your time."  He walked off, going to look at the other ones.  One of the later ones was nicer.  Barely.  He was in the old section of the city.  These were mostly converted houses.  Long use and abuse of the buildings.  He finally found a decent place but it was outside his salary range.  Well, not this month but later months. He'd have to make at least two hundred more a month to afford it.  He gave the realtor puppy eyes but she shook her head. "I'm making that right now but I'm working doubles.  But this is what I want.  Do you have this somewhere else that's a bit less?  I'd have to make two hundred more a month during my usual months to afford this."

She looked through her offerings.  "I do, but it's not in a great neighborhood."

"I grew up somewhere that had a forty percent homicide rate."

"Then you might like that one," she admitted, leading him out but locking the door behind them. She drove them over to the other building. It was a nice, older neighborhood. "There's a few dealers who work around here and some stickups now and then," she admitted.

"That's okay.  I'm used to worse and I can ignore dealers."  She smiled and nodded, letting him into the building. Again, older.  Nicer too.  They walked up to the apartment and she let him see it.  He ran a hand over the walls and a windowsil, checked the kitchen, grimacing a bit.  It was tiny.  "Do you do much cooking?"

"No, I can't cook.  I'm poisonous, literally."  He smiled at her.  "So I microwave and dehydrate."

"Then you should have plenty of room."  He nodded, going into the other rooms.  She saw that telling smile when he came out.  "Good, let's start the paperwork.  I'll have to do a background check."

"That's fine.  I have nothing to hide."  He settled down with her to work on the paperwork. His background came back clear and his credit report was great, it had almost nothing on it.  He smiled.  "Sorry, I missed the first payment.  It went to the wrong apartment."

"That's fine, it happens.  A young guy your age we'd expect two or three blips and a credit card."

"No, I don't have one of those," he admitted. "I thought about it but I'm not sure I want to do that."  She nodded.  "So, when can I move in?" he asked, handing over the money order he'd gotten that morning out of his last paycheck.  She blinked at it then at him.  He smiled. "I'm working doubles right now.  My fellow bartender broke his leg."

"Ah.  No wonder you can afford to move right now."  She calculated it.  "This'll cover that and your second month too.  We can get you the keys made today.  Do you see anything that needs done?"

"No," Xander admitted.  She smiled and they left, going to make him keys.  Xander made note of the address and headed home.  He had a message on his machine about coming in early.  "Crap."  He sighed and changed clothes, sticking his new keys on his old ring, the new address in his wallet.  Then he left, heading out after he had warded his door.  He bounced into the club almost forty minutes later, having splurged on a cab that took some extra time to get there.  But the cabbie had told him about these companies you could hire to move you.  All he had known was U-Haul.  He walked up to his boss. "I found it."

"Good!"

"What's a moving company do?"

"Just what it sounds like.  You probably can't tell 'em about your weapons though."

"I can crate them back up," he admitted.  "Have Don or someone help me move them."  That got a smirk and a nod.  "Okay, what did you need me for?"

He pointed.  "Look, Bob."

"Hi, Bob. Are you back to working?"

"Part of the time.  Can you afford your new place?"

"Same price as my last one, Bob."  He grinned.  "With an extra bedroom."  That got a knowing look.  "Further out though."  He looked at his boss, digging out the address. "I'm moving there."  His boss looked at it then at him.  "Bad neighborhood?"

"No, but there's a gang that claims that area."

"Boss, I grew up with some pretty rough people.  They're not going to bother me."

"If you say so."  He made a note and handed it back. "There, go to the local grocery store near you and get boxes.  That way you can move over there.  He wants to work a double to make up for the lack of paycheck for six weeks."

"Thanks."  He hugged him and went to do that. He called Don on the way.  "It's me.  I'm moving," he said into the voicemail.  Then he hung up.  Don should call back.  And if not, he'd hire some of those moving guys or go rent a truck.  The grocery store was a goldmine of boxes, more than he needed.  He came back and took his landlord's key from his doorknob, unmagicking it, then handing it back to him.  "I'm moving.  I'll be out by the end of the month."  He slammed the door in his face.  He hated that guy.  He checked his weapons.  Still there. He found one of his neighbors on his bed.  "You're not my type," he called.  The guy squealed and jumped.  Xander looked at him.  "I might like guys but I'm sorry, you're creepy and a stalker.  Get out.  Now."  The man walked out looking like a kicked puppy.  Xander slammed the door again and got down to packing. He still had the shipping crates for the weapons in the closet so that was easy enough.  He saved one last box, taking down the fabric off the walls and folding it carefully.  He'd have to do something with it later.  That went into the last box, even though it overflowed.

He found the phonebook under the phone, which he had left alone, and searched for 'moving companies' in the yellow pages.  He smiled at one that promised same or next day service in most cases.  That was promising.  He called them.  "Hi, my name is Xander and I'm moving from lower Manhattan to queens.  Small one bedroom apartment.  Two armoires are the largest things.  Sure, I'm at home right now and I'm off tonight.  Thanks."  He hung up and waited, going to putter in the kitchen.  Most of that got put into the shopping bags he had stored under the sink.  The stuff in the bathroom got the same treatment.  He brought his last bag of closet stuff out and dropped it on top of the fabric box.  Everything was done but the phone and phone book. Someone knocked so he checked, then opened the door slightly.  "Hi, moving guys?"

"I'm with Star moving," he agreed.  Xander let him in and he looked at the piles of boxes, then the rest of the apartment.  "We can do this tonight," he promised, looking at him.

Xander smiled.  "Thanks.  How much?"

"Three hundred."  Xander handed it and the address over.  "You're moving into Tanglewood territory?"

"I am?"  The guy nodded.  He shrugged. "I grew up by LA.   I'm respectful but I'm not going to put up with shit."

"That's fine, sir.   You have the keys and everything?"  Xander smiled and nodded.  "Then I'd suggest you rent a small car to carry the weapons crates since we're not allowed to by law.  Head over there with the food and we'll be there tonight?"

"Sure.  My present landlord likes to break in."

"I understand.  We'll see you at four?"

"Sure.  I can do that."  He smiled and the guy left.  Xander went to rent a small car to do that.  It would be cheap for the day and took the last of his paycheck but he still had some stored.  Fortunately he did believe in banks.

***

Xander sat on the front stoop that night with his new neighbor, smiling and joking with her.  She was a nice lady, a professional sort, a nurse.  She was a nice lady who had seen him moving in and started to chat.  So they were still talking while she ate dinner.  At least until she saw someone coming up the street.  "Avoid them, Xander.  They're bad guys."

"I'm used to bad guys," he said, looking at her.  He nodded inside and she smiled, heading in.  He looked at the guy who stopped at the bottom of the stairs.  All he had to do was unpack and decorate.  "Evening, guys.  Really pretty tonight, huh?"

"Very.  You new?"

"Yup."

"Hmm.  You know there's local taxes, right?" one of them said, smirking at him.

"No, I hadn't.  The landlord didn't say anything about those."  He shrugged. "If so I'm sure the borough can send me a bill."  He looked at them.  "You guys don't look like you work for the city.  I didn't think you could wear jeans that messy.  By the way, you need to wash some of the blood out of the cuffs, man.  That'll stain."

"How do you know?" he sneered.

"I'm from near LA."  The guys paused at that.  "Small place called Sunnydale.  Has a forty percent homicide rate.  I was part of the city's protection detail."  They backed off at that.  "I'm having a live and let live moment, guys.  Not like I'm going to cause trouble. All I ever see are killers."

That got a nod from one.  "You lookin' for work?"

Xander smirked.  "I'm a bartender and a dom in training.  No."

"A what?" the other guy asked.

Xander stood up and walked down the stairs. "I'm the person who spanks and beats others when they beg," he explained.  That got a laugh. "I make good money at it."  He smiled sweetly.  "Now, I'm still tired and have to unpack.  Please go away?  I don't want to cause trouble."

"Sure.  We'll see you later."

"Probably not.  I work horrible hours."  That got a smirk and they strolled off to the sports bar up the street.  He headed upstairs to grab his calling card and went to the phone on the corner to call his dad.  "Hi, daddy. Are you free to talk?  No, Bob came back and I'm off tonight to move.  I did move.  Queens."  He smiled.  "I emailed it to you."  He laughed.  "That's me.  Well, there's a neighborhood welcoming committee I just saw but otherwise it's nicer, the same price, has an extra bedroom so you or mom could visit.  Or you and mom could visit," he amended with a grin, "and I'm safer.  It's got more locks and a heavier door.  No, only two went missing and Giles is about due to get another supply cabinet I'm sure he'll send.  I do, Dad, but I'm living in a quiet neighborhood."  He smiled.  "Awww.  Is she spoiling you?"  He laughed.  "Good! You deserve it."  He nodded.  "I'm being careful and good, dad.  I kept it at 'I only see killers', 'I spank people for a living', and 'I'm a live and let live sort of guy' during our talk.  I do miss you."  He smiled at him. "Thanks, daddy.  Of course.  You have a nice night and happy spoiling, dad.  Love you too.  I'll have it switched over in two days.  Sure."  He hung up and turned to find someone standing there.  "Yes?  Did I take too long?  I'm done if you want the phone."

"No, I wanted ta talk to you."  He looked him over.  "You spank people for a living?"

"Yeah, I do.  I'm a dom in training."  He grinned a goofy, sweet grin.  "Why?"

"Are you right in the head?"

Xander snorted. "I grew up somewhere that had a forty percent homicide rate.  I was part of the nightly protection patrols.  You tell me."

"You think you could take me?"

"Sure.  I know I can take you."  He pushed him and came out of the phone booth.  "Why would I want to?  I don't want to make trouble."

"You're in my 'hood.  I get to approve new residents."  He moved closer.  Xander pulled his gun, cocked it once it was in the guy's face, and gave him a calm, 'oh well, you're a bug' look that usually only came from serial killers.  He stared in his eyes.  "Do we know you?"

"No.  Like I said I'm from near LA," he said quietly.  "Now, I'm here working legitimately and I'm a nice guy.  I could care less about your gang or their drugs.  All I ask is that you stay away from me and mine.  Most of my acquaintances are cops so that's probably smarter for you in the long run," he said quietly.  "I don't want to have to hurt you.  I get more than enough of that down on Penguin Street when I want to hunt."  He moved the gun and uncocked it.  "Any questions?"  He shook his head.  "Good."  He grinned again.   "All I want is peace and quiet.  No one breaking into my place, and I'll be a perfectly good and nice tenant.  If you make me be a bad tenant, I like bombs.  A lot."  That got a nod and the guy backed up.  "We clear?"

"Yeah...yeah, we are.  You gotta name?"

"Xander."

"Sure."  He headed off.  Xander put his gun back and went back to his stoop, learning his new neighborhood.  Someone new strolled up an hour later.  "You're interrupting my window gazing."  He looked at him.  "I'm getting rather tired of the interruptions to my first night off in two weeks."

"You think you're so hot?"

"I know I'm hot.  After all, serial killers like my ass."

He snorted.  "You can't beat me without the gun."

"Actually, I can."  He stood up.  "You got somewhere more private?"  That got a nod and he followed him to the abandoned building.  He waved him on. "I'm a protector, baby, come get my bi ass if you want it," he taunted.  The other guy sneered.  He lunged, Xander kicked his ass.  Like he would any other soul sucking creature.  When he was done and only mildly bruised, he leaned down.  "Now, like I told your boys, I could care less what you guys do.  Most of the guys I know are cops.  My mother handed me to them to mentor and keep me on the side of good," he said patiently.  "I could care less as long as I don't have to protect someone from you.  As long as you don't break into my place.  As long as you leave me alone."  That got a gurgle and he helped the guy up.  "Sorry, think I broke a rib.  Feel like I punctured your lung?"  He checked him with a frown then shook his head.  "Spit the blood, don't swallow it.  I speak from experience."  He looked at him.  "All I want is left alone.  You don't come near me or my friends, who're, again, mostly cops.  Agreed?"  That got a nod.  "Good.  Then I'm a live and let live guy until someone calls for my help."  He smiled sweetly.  "Want me to tape your ribs?  I'm pretty good with it."

The guy spat the blood from his broken nose.  "Who are you?" he sneered.

"My name is Xander.  I'm a dom in training."  He grinned that same goofy grin.  "I'm from near LA."

"That Sunnydale place, what makes it so special?"

Xander beamed.  "You ever been down to Penguin Street?"

"Only by accident," he said, crossing himself.

"I grew up somewhere they loved to inhabit and hunt.  I protected the town with some friends.  And really, one of them is five-four, blonde, full of ego, and tougher than both of us.  Together.  I haven't had to hunt in a while but I still do now and then.  All I want is peace.  If you can provide that I don't have to tell anyone I know that we had this conversation.  I've had to have this one with vampires in the past."  That got a horrified look.  "Yeah, I'm from the hellmouth, baby."  He patted him on the slightly less bruised cheek.  "Now, go get an ice pack and leave me alone.  Don't break into my place.  All I want is to be left alone."

"Fine," he agreed, spitting again. "You want a job?  I could use a guy like you."

"I'm a protector, dear.  I protect people.  I could never be part of a gang."  He walked away, heading home to soak the clothes.  His new neighbor gave him a horrified look.  "He's going to leave me alone now."

"You hit him?"

"I let him have the first swing.  I'm not as helpless as I seem to be.  For some reason 'nice, innocent, and helpless' vibes flow off me."  She nodded at that.  "Anyway, I dinged his nose and a rib, he only managed two blows and one to my lip.  I'm fine.  We have an understanding.  He was listening when I said I was from near LA."

"You poor thing.  Need an ice pack?"

He smiled. "That's the first thing I made today."  She smiled.  "I'm good at ice packs.  Thanks though, Brenda.  Have a nice night."  She nodded and closed her door.  He went inside his and locked the door behind him.  He'd have to go to his old place tomorrow to clean and paint the few spots where duct tape had removed the paint.

***

Xander watched his landlord move around the place.  It was in better condition than when he had moved in.  It was even *clean*.  Something it hadn't been then.  "So," he said dryly.

"You still put in locks."

"Of course I did.  I was trying to keep you out.  Now, I'll get my security deposit back when?"  The man shook his head.  "Technically, improving the apartment by putting on locks isn't against my lease and if I don't, I'm having you arrested for helping steal two of my guns and letting people into my apartment."  The man laughed.  Xander pulled out his new cellphone and dialed a number.  "Mac, it's Xander.  I can have my old landlord arrested for breaking and entering so often, right?  Especially since he helped his relatives break in multiple times and let two of them steal a few of my guns and a sword?" He smiled.  "Thanks, Mac.  Sure, I'm here.  Flack has the record of what happened.  No, I just moved."  He hung up and looked at him.  "I call him back in ten minutes or he's sending a squad car over.  Flack's been keeping track for me," he said blandly.  "Up to you.  I can get it this way or through the courts."  He shrugged.  "Your choice.  It won't cost me any extra."  The man stomped off and Xander followed once he had gathered his old phone and phone book, doing a last turn. He found the soda he had been drinking in the fridge and drank it on the way down to pick up his security deposit check. "Thanks, man. Have a good day."  He walked out, getting a cab back to his new place.  The squad cars pulled up about ten minutes later.  He had faxed Don a long report/rant about what the old landlord had done.  Xander got out at his new place after paying the guy, smiling as he walked up past the neighbor under him.  "Hi, I'm Xander."  He kissed her on the cheek.  "Sorry, hands are full.  I just moved in above you."

"I heard you moving around up there."  She looked at him.  "Last load?"  He nodded.  "Good boy."  She smiled at him.  "Any pets?"  He shook his head.  "Even better."  She grimaced. "Those thugs are back," she said bitterly.  Xander glared and the guy nodded then backed off.  She looked at him.  "You know him?"

"No but I'm from near LA and we had to have a talk last night," he admitted quietly, looking at her.  "I don't think he's going to come bother people over here again."  She smiled at that.  "Let me know if he does, ma'am.  I'd better go do this."  She nodded and let him in since he couldn't quite dig out his keys.  He smiled and headed upstairs, going to put those things away.  He had paused at the bank to put the check into his account.  It was a good day.  He even had lunch now.

***

Danny was leaning on Xander's railing when he came out.  "You live *here*?" he demanded.

"Yeah, I do."  He grinned.  "Why?  It's pretty safe.  My apartment's nice, you wanna see?"

"It's not a safe neighborhood."

"The local protectors and I already had a talk, Danny.  They know I'm a live and let live guy.  Until someone screams for help."  He glared at the guy coming up to them.  "Yes?" he asked patiently.

"You know this putz?" he sneered, nodding his head at Danny.

"My mother gave me to him to mentor."  He smirked.  "Him and Taylor.  Why?  Did you have a problem with cops, Sonny?"

"You know me?"

"Allinda told me."  That got a snort.  "You need something?"

"How goes the spanking?" he taunted.

Xander pulled out his knife, showing it off.  "My tip last night. A gift from my new sub."  The man backed off.  "I'm a good boy."  He grinned.  "Aren't I?"

"Yeah, he's been an absolute angel," Sonny agreed, backing away again.  "That thing sharp?"

"Yeah, I sharpened it at work last night.  Did a few other knives and a straight razor for someone.  I like sharp and pointy things."

"I heard."  He looked at him and Xander leaned on Danny's shoulder.  "Fine, you picked your side."

Xander strolled closer, making Sonny back up.  "What was that?"

"Nothin'," he said, backing off, holding his ribs.  "Have a nice day at work."

"I do hope so.  Then again I do have the shock system on my door again.  Did your guy like looking at my swords?"

"He did.  I'm not goin' there, just wanted to know."

"Good.  I do tend to get...vindictive."

"I saw your graduation."

Xander beamed.  "I did a good job, didn't I?"  The man nodded and hurried off.  He put the knife back and came back.  "So, wanna see my new place?  I'm mid-decorating but it's nicer and more secure."

"You... you... ah..."  He seemed to be lost.

Xander grinned.  "We had a talk about living and let living.  It's all good.  We have mutual respect for each other's territories."   Danny glared at him. "Until someone asks me for help."

"Uh-huh.  You tell Mac."

"I would but I'm on my way to work.  Bob had to get his cast off today.  Going my way?"

"I am," he admitted.  "Let's go."  Xander beamed and got into the car, letting him drive him back.  "How long ago did you two have the talk?"

"The day I moved in last week."

"Oh.  Why was he holding his side?"

"I broke one of his ribs."  Danny moaned and shook his head.  "He offered me a job but I turned him down.  After that one foray to see why I didn't want broken into they believe me now.  Especially since he obviously did some homework and looked up graduation.   So apparently our truce will hold."

"Good!  It's good.  He's killed people, Xander."

"And I've hunted vampires, Danny.  Not much different in some ways."

Danny just nodded at that.  He couldn't refute that statement. "So, you've got your own sub?"

"I'm learning and taking care of one of Steven's.  He said I'm good at the basics, I need some more finesse and some new techniques.  Pretty soon I'll have to move trainers," he said proudly.  "I'm thinking about asking one of the top Dommes for some teaching time.  She's a great lady and it's her only career.  She's got a small empire."

"Oh.  That's good.  Is the money good in that?"

"Yeah, she makes about ten grand a week."  Danny moaned. "She's also got a website and a domain out there that goes twenty-four seven."

"Wow."

"I'd have to work my way up to that.  I don't want to live with a slave but I wouldn't mind doing something like that.  Taking limited appointments for money while I had my favorites who needed me."

"Good.  That sounds like you're thinkin' ahead," he said, turning onto the bridge to take them back to Manhattan.  He was still mentally shuddering.  "So, phone was disconnected?"

"No, I've got it on limited minutes.  It's only seventeen bucks a month.  I got a cellphone.  I left the new number and address in Don's voicemail."

"I got it off him," he agreed.  "You tell your dad and mom yet?"

"I told Dad and I emailed mom.  She's switching over and having problems with the new phone."

"Oh. Sorry ta hear that."

"Me too."  He grinned at him.  "I'm the same guy I was, Danny."

"No, you're kinda not.  The Xander I first met probably wouldn't have taken on a thug."

"Actually I probably would've done it and encouraged him so I could set up a dominance order."

"Oh."  He shook his head at that.  "I don't understand."

"Some things you might never understand," Xander said gently, patting him on the arm.  "It'll be okay though.   I'm still a nice guy on the side of good."

"Sure.  I'm glad of that.  I still gotta tell Mac."

"Go ahead, maybe he can explain the dominance thing I've got going."

"Could work for me," he agreed, dropping Xander up the block from his club.  "There ya go.  No parking closer."

"I understand.  Have a better afternoon."

"Sure.  You have a good day at work too."  Xander nodded and went into the deli up the street then to the club while he watched.  Then he headed back to work.  "Mac?" he called, finding him in DNA.  "You got two?"

"Sure.  What's wrong?"

"Xander moved into Tanglewood territory."  Mac moaned.  "Oh, no, he scared off Sonny earlier," he said, holding up a finger.  "Apparently they had a talk about dominance and a live and let live truce?"

"He beat him?"

"Sonny was holding a rib, Mac."  That got a mean smirk.  "So they're apparently holding a truce of some sort.  He scared Sonny off me earlier."

"That was nice of him."

"He's got a sub, Mac."

"That's part of where he's working I guess."  Danny shook his head with a moan.  "What's worrying you?"

"I pointed out he wasn't the same guy, he said he would've done it faster before.  To establish a dominance order?"

"He's a very dominant young man, a very alpha male if you will," he explained.

"Yes, Xander is," Sheldon said as he joined them.  "He need those stitches out?"

"I haven't seen his stomach but he and Sassone got into it the night he moved.  Apparently Sonny's gonna leave him alone now."

"Well, Xander can hunt," he agreed.  "Mac said he had a good hand at self-defense too."  Mac nodded.  "Think of it like two lions, Danny.  One's got a pride that he watches over.  Another male moves in, of course he's going to try to send him away, make him part of the pride, or kill him.  If that male defeats him, he could take over the pride."

"He said he turned down Sonny's offer of a job."

"Xander's like that, thankfully," Mac agreed.  "But he established that all he wanted was a little corner of the area for a napping spot and the pride apparently shifted to allow it since he had beat the pack leader."  Sheldon nodded that it was probably right.  "So he'll be fine.  Especially if Sonny's scared of him."

"He backed off pretty well.  Mentioned his graduation too."

"Then he's not as dumb as I thought.  He can look up information online."

"He probably had someone do it for him, Mac," Sheldon offered, patting him on the back.  "He doesn't seem like he'd waste his time doing that."

"Probably not.  So he probably sees Xander as somewhat psychotic and dangerous, but good enough if you leave him alone.  Like the guys who go after Xander really."  Danny slumped at that.  "He'll be fine."

"Good!  It's still dangerous!"

"Only if they clash.  Sonny would have to force Xander to step in," Sheldon reminded him.

"He did tell Sonny they were cool unless he had to protect someone."

"See, then they've worked it out and Xander may actually be safer there because Sassone would tell the others to leave him alone.  Especially if he thinks Xander's a bit unstable and prone to violence."

"Yeah, maybe," he agreed, thinking about it.  "Thanks, guys.  He said this new place was better but he's at work because the other guy had ta get his cast off."

"That's fine, we can stop in on him tomorrow," Mac reminded him with a smile.  Danny nodded and left them there.  He looked at Sheldon.

"I think Sonny will protect him because he knows that Xander will stomp him flatter than a tortilla if he hears Sonny handed him to someone.  So maybe some of the serial killers or whoever that want Xander will stop."

"Maybe," he agreed, finding that a good point.  "At least Sonny's doing something good if he does that."  He walked off.  Maybe he'd go check up on him, make sure Sonny got the point.

Sheldon shook his head and went back to his original trek to DNA.  "Hi.  Have anything for me yet?"

***

Xander looked at the person who worked for his grandfather, who didn't look happy.  "Is he mad at me?" he asked hesitantly.

"He's worried about you," he corrected.  "He's mad at someone else."

"Oh.  Okay.  Why is he worried about me?"

"You beat up on a well known thug and drug trafficker."

"Yeah but all I did was tell him to leave me alone."

"Point.  Which is what's keeping him at worried the thug will do something stupider."

Xander shook his head.  "He had someone look up graduation and he was giving me a look like he thinks I'm like the guys who keep hitting on me."

The older guy smiled at that.  "Now and then, Xander."

"Yay me," he said, staring at him, then he suddenly smirked.  "I'm doing good in my training.  Steven said I'm progressing very nicely."

"Congratulations.  I'll tell him that."  He slid an envelope over.  "He said this was yours for your birthday."

"My birthday's not for another month," he said, wiping off his hands.   The other guy shrugged.  He opened it and gaped, then carefully put the check back.  "Way, way too much."

"Xander, he has the money, he wants you to be safe and comfortable."

"But..."

"If you complain he'll storm off in a snit and it'll take days for the rest of us to calm him down.  He'll yell and scream at me."  Xander slumped at that, giving him a pitiful look. "He said it was yours for your birthday."

"Is he dying?"

"Some year soon," he agreed quietly.  "He has cancer."  Xander opened his mouth.  "We're not sure, it carried over after his sire got to him, and we're keeping it at bay with magic," he said quietly.  "He wanted you to have it."

"I'd rather have a relative who gave a damn."  The man looked stunned.  "Really.  I mean, mom's across the country in Seattle.  Dad's down in Miami.  I'm kinda alone up here and all I really wanted was to get to know him.  I don't want the money.  What would I do with it anyway?  Buy more leather?  I'm good on that.  I'd rather meet him to see if we can get along or not."

He smiled.   "Good.  Take the check anyway.  I'll tell him you want to meet him."  He pulled out the tape recorder and turned it off.  "That way he knows."  He patted him on the head.  "Be a good boy, Xander."

"I try," he said weakly.  The other man smiled and left.  Xander looked around.  "Boss?" he called pitifully.  "Can I borrow a bouncer and hit the bank?"

"Why?  Do we need change?"  He came out of the office and walked over, looking at the envelope in his hand.  He blinked at it, then at him.  "Sure, kid.  Craig?"  He came over to the bar.  "Take him to the bank."

"It's an early birthday present," Xander said weakly, looking at him.

"C'mon.  My car's out back."  Xander nodded, taking it with him.  The letter inside got read over and he sighed.  "What's wrong?"

"He wanted to see what I was going to do with it."

"Well, first of all, pay your rent a month ahead," he ordered.  "Then figure it out."  Xander nodded, looking at the check again.  "That's a good size check."

"Yeah," he agreed.  "I'm hoping it's real."  They pulled into the bank and Xander went inside to let them find his account.  The check was deposited and held so they could make sure it was real, especially since it was so large.  Xander came back out with twenty bucks in ones and got back into the car.  "Thanks."

"Welcome.  You got change?"

"Yeah, I've got to do laundry."

Craig laughed.  "Buy a machine, Xander."

"Then I'd have to move it."  He went back to work thinking about it.  He knew his grandfather worked with some gay rights groups.  That's all he knew about his grandfather though.  He considered it.  There were some things he wanted to do.  He had been promising himself he'd go down to the pound to volunteer at least once a week.  He knew others who needed help.  Including someone Willow knew who was looking for a way to help some people.  He considered it. That would help a lot of kids who weren't lucky enough to have Timmy and Aiden in their lives.  But if his father was involved with gay charities he would probably expect him to be too....  He grabbed a paper to read, pouting while he did it.  The dom he was training with came over. "My grandfather, who I still haven't met yet, gave me an early birthday present," he said quietly, looking at him. "He's looking to see what I do with it."

"What're you going to do?"

"Do you think he'd demand that I go with a gay charity or do you think he'd mind if I did stuff with the pound and person who's looking to set up a new group home?"

"I don't know."

Xander sighed and nodded, slumping some.  "I have it.  Craig said I should pay the rent a month in advance."

"How much did he give you?"

Xander coughed and showed him the deposit slip, getting an appreciative look.  "I don't want to spend all of it, but I....  What if he makes this part of meeting with me?"

"Then you don't need relatives like that," he said, shrugging a bit.  "He wanted to know what *you'd* do with it, Tim.  Not everyone else, not him.  He knows what he'd do with it."

Xander nodded at that.  "Sure.  Thanks, Steven."

"Good."  He smiled.  "Can you unpout enough for another lesson?"

"Only if Bob comes back sometime soon."

"Agreed."  That got a smile and he went to set up in his little corner tonight.  Xander would come over when he had time.  Bob would come back soon.  Bob needed the money now so he'd be back very soon.

***

Xander walked up to the last person he had wanted to talk to, smiling at him.  "Hi."

"Hi. Can I help you?  Need counseling?"

"Actually, I could use some but I'd rather talk to my dad.  He's good at giving me advice," he admitted.  He looked around then sat down.  "My grandfather gave me some money and he wanted me to do some good things with it.  It's not much but I know you see a lot of people who need a little bit of help.  They're kicked out, they're seriously needing help."  He nodded.  "It's not much but I figured you could combine them for whatever was needed or give them out as needed," he said, handing over the small manilla envelope.  "Each one is twenty dollars.  It's to a local super walmart so they can get food, clothes, pet food, whatever."  That got a smile and a nod.  "This is for the guys who need it."

"Just men?"

"Whatever," Xander agreed. "Let some of the queens get better makeup if they need it."  He grinned. "I saw one the other day who had a bad case of the mascara runs from the cheap stuff.  My former friends had that problem now and then."  That got a nod and a smile.  He pushed the envelope closer.  "Here, because they need it."  He got up and walked out.

The man opened it and blinked at the stack of cards, pulling them out. They were in a few designs.  Some puppies, a few happy face balloon, a few kitty ones.  A few that were just Walmart.  He counted them then smiled.  "Hey, boss?" he called, leaning back.  "Come here for a minute?"  His boss came out of the office.  "I just had a very confused looking young man come in and say his grandfather had given him some money to do some good things with."  He shoved it back into the envelope.  "He said it's for the local Super Walmart, they're each twenty dollars.  We should check that to make sure.  He said to give it to the guys or girls who needed it.  Including one queen that needed better mascara.  She had the runs."

He looked inside then at him.  "You're kidding?"  He shook his head.  "Wow."  He sat down to count them, calling the number on the back to check the balances.  He went through each one.  One was blank.  He smiled and set that one aside.  "We can fill that one I think."  That got a smile and a nod.  "For whatever they need?"

"He said he knew some had been kicked out or were in some serious spots. He said he went there so they could get food, pet food, whatever they needed."  That got a smile.  "I asked him if he needed counseling and he said his father would give him better advice."

"He probably could.  He'd know the kid better than we ever could."  He looked in the envelope again.  Then at him.  "Get his name?"

"No."

"We'll put it down as an anonymous donation.  If you see him again, let me know."

"Sure."

One of the people leaned into the office.  "He's a bartender down at one of the S&M clubs. I've seen him in there, he's taking lessons."

"Wow. Who's his grandfather?"  That got a shrug.  "Okay.  Thanks.  Should we send him a letter?"

"You could.  He looked petrified when he was out here.  I'm surprised he didn't drop it and leave."  He smiled and went back to his own office again.

"Well," he said happily, smiling at his employee.  "I'll go log those in.  Get that one filled and bring it in tomorrow."  He headed into the office to do that.  It was a thoughtful gesture.  Not overly generous but enough if you were having an emergency and needed something right then.

***

Xander looked at the man walking into the club, staring at him.  He knew him.  Somehow he knew him.  "Hi."

"Xander," he said quietly.  He looked around, the club was nearly deserted this time of day.  "No other bartender?"

"He'll be in later to take my shift since it's got better tips.  We switched this week."  He leaned on the bar.  "Do I know you?"

"I'm your grandfather."

Xander stared at him.  "Wow," he said finally.  The older man smiled and he knew he was a vampire, that didn't really matter to him at the moment.  "Want to sit?"

"Sure."

"Boss?"  He pointed at him.  "I have to talk to him."

"Another stalker?" he demanded.

"My grandfather."

"Oh!"  He nodded.  "Go ahead, we're dead.  Hop up to get it if someone comes in."

Xander nodded, leading him to a table where he had a good view of the bar but it was out of the way in case someone came in.  "So, you're here."

"I am.  Did you remember to get statements from them so you can claim that on your taxes?"  Xander blushed.  "The letters should be enough," he promised.

"I kinda donated anonymously since I didn't know your name."

"I gave that to you to do what you thought was right, Xander," he promised.

"But why?"

"Because I wanted to see what sort of man you are.  You provided for yourself but not too much, just enough to make sure you had a comfort zone, then you went out and did good things with it.  Where did you put it?"

"Um, the pound.  I like animals.  Kinda feel a kinship with them now and then," he admitted nervously.  "The, um, counseling center up the road a few blocks?  I gave them a lot of twenty dollar gift cards so they can help some of the people who're having an immediate problem."  That got a smile.  "And, um, Willow has a friend who's trying to set up a group home so I gave her some of it so she could buy the building."

"That sounds like you did a good job, Xander.  Relax.  You did what I wanted by not keeping it all.  I'm very proud that you didn't keep it all.  That's all I wanted."

"You didn't want me to go to a gay charity?"

"I was told you were still thinking about that."

"I'd like it to mean more than it did with Faith."  He looked at him then at the bouncer looking behind the bar.  "Coffee's made."  That got a nod and he went to get himself some.  He looked at his grandfather again.  "Are you disappointed in me?  Or dad?"

"Your father, highly. There's a lot of history that you don't know about, Xander."

"Why not?  Did you send dad away?  He was always so bitter."

He tapped the table a few times. "I was married a few times before I was turned," he started quietly.  "I loved all my wives, young man.  They were all very special to me.  But after the third I couldn't stand to love again.  So I went to the priesthood to soothe my ache."

"Dad thought you were selfish," Xander finished.  That got a nod.  "So he stormed off?"

"After trying to make me give him his inheritance early.  He ranted and screamed and threatened that I would not give what was his by right to the Church.  When I told him he'd get it upon my death and no sooner, he stomped off.  I have no idea how he ended up in Sunnydale."

"How did you end up turned?"

He smiled. "This was a while ago, Xander, but I started to have the same doubts you are."

"You had serial killers after you?" he asked, looking confused.  "Is it a family curse?"

"No.  Well, not as far as I can tell.  There's more a family annoyance than a curse but that's after you find a true mate as far as I know.  In this case, the curse is more that we need to have someone very special who understands us.  Then we're annoyed to make sure they're really there for us."

"And your sire was yours," Xander said.  He nodded, looking grim.  "I mean, I don't care. I'm not going to stake you unless you try to eat someone in front me and they're screaming for help.  I'm not just a random hunter anymore.  I learned better.  I really did."

"I know you did.  Calm down."  Xander took a deep breath.  "Good boy."  He smiled, a gentle, fatherly smile.  "My sire showed me that what I wanted wasn't evil and wrong, or as dirty a the Church thought.  He opened me up to a wider life. I had fought this urge throughout my life, not always successfully."  Xander blinked at that.  "Even though I loved my wives, occasionally the lure of the flesh would call out.  I am still but a man."

Xander nodded. "I've had that one."

"Good. Then you do understand."  He stroked his hand.  "My last son, your father, didn't.  Wouldn't really.  He refused to.  He condemned me for that as much as for not giving him his money."

"Which is why he'd go off on anti-gay rants now and then," Xander said wisely. His grandfather nodded.  "Then why wait to meet me?"

"I wasn't about to go to Sunnydale and be driven insane by the power there, Xander."

"You knew," he said quietly.

"I found out later, not when it was happening.  I didn't know he'd had you until you were nine."  Xander went pale at that.  "I heard it through the system and I sent someone to watch and help you where they could.  They're the ones who pointed your location out to Willow and helped her learn what she needed to."  Xander went more pale at that.  "I did demand your father send you to me."

"I heard him say he'd kill me before handing me over."

"He did.  I nearly had him killed and taken away from your mother.  I would have if I didn't have some ethics left. Instead I did what I could."

"Do you know what they did to me?"

He swallowed and nodded. "As I said, I found out afterward, Xander, and I did what I could.  You were nearly taken twice by my operative in that town but someone intervened both times.  Mostly at the urging of the Mayor and the Hellmouth."  Xander slumped again.  "It does love you."

"More than most," he said bitterly, looking at him.

"I know.  I did try.  My operative got killed when you were eleven while he was trying to take you away from them.  The hellmouth sent some vampires his way and had him killed."  Xander slumped at that.  "I sent others but the powers there made them go wrong or hurt them."  He swallowed.  "I had to make due with teaching your friends."

"Did Giles know?"

"No.  He's heard of me.  I'm in his books."

Xander looked at him. "You stayed in the priesthood after you were turned?"  He nodded.  "I've read a bit about you."

"I'm sure you have.  I'm an anomaly, Xander."  Xander looked and had to get up to get someone a drink, still looking confused.  He got a few more then came back. "This is why I wanted to take it slowly. "

"No, I'd rather have it this way.  Even if I'm angry for a few weeks I'll get over it soon enough," Xander told him.  "Drawing it out means I'd go do stupid stuff while I thought."

"That is a concern I have," he agreed, smiling at him.  "I know you're driven to hunting, Xander. I know that you only take on those who're attacking unless they annoy you.  Frankly that one punk annoyed me too."  He got a faint grin at that.  "I want to start a real relationship with you.  I know it will take time and there's hurts on your side from where I couldn't help you, but I don't have that much time left."

"Is this a deathbed penance, clearing your soul of burdens?" Xander asked.  His grandfather looked stunned.  "I've had one person do that before."

"No."  He shook his head.  "No, it's not."  Xander relaxed again at that.  "Who did that?"

"Larry."

"Oh.  I'm sorry you lost him."

"He wasn't mine, Patrick.  He tempted me a lot and he got me to think about it, but I had to put that off due to graduation.  I knew I'd never sleep with him."

"We often do know," he agreed, relaxing again.  "I want to get to know the last of my relatives, Xander."

"I'm the only one?"

"I have one nephew by marriage."

"Oh."  He nodded at that.  "Okay.  I don't want anything."  His grandfather looked stunned.  "If you're here to be my grandfather and my relative, I don't need money.  I make a decent salary.  I'd like a relative.  One who gave a damn would be nice.  But a relative at all is nice.  I don't want to be spoiled or anything like that."

"You're a very stubborn young man," he said dryly.

Xander nodded.  "My father did raise me and told me repeatedly to never take anything from anyone, it always came with strings.  It's about the only good thing I ever got from him, that and how to cure a hangover, so I don't want strings.  All I want is a grandfather."

Patrick smiled and nodded.  "I think we can work on that, but if you do need the help you will ask?"

Xander shook his head. "I'm not like that.  If I have needs, I make sure I take care of them myself.  That way no one can claim I owe them sometime later.  I've got a good apartment and a great job that I love.  I don't need anything else right now."

"A car?"

"Might be nice but I can fix the heap, I think."

"No, you can't," he said, shaking his head.  "It's already been towed."

"I talked to them."  That got a smirk.  "I know, I'm an arrogant bastard but if we're going to be relatives and I'm going to get to know you, I can't have you giving me things.  Except chocolates now and then because I have a very good sweet tooth."

His grandfather considered it.  "As long as you let me help if you do *need* something."  Xander slumped.  "Like if you got ill, you'd let me cover the hospital bills."

Xander considered it then nodded slowly. "I can see that one.  Or if I can't find a job for years on end."  He got up and went to pour the coffee.  "Hi, Steven.  My grandfather came in."  He got him his coffee and a hug then went back.  "Sorry, I'm training with him."

"I heard. Does it make you happy?"

"I think I'm helping them get something that they need when things get to be too much.  I'm a pressure release valve and a way to help them find themselves.  You're disappointed, aren't you?"

"No, grandson, I'm not.  If that makes you happy I have no complaints."  Xander relaxed again.  "Now, I'll let you get back to work for the night."

"You can stay and watch my next lesson if you want."

"No, that should be a private moment.  I am still much too Catholic to be comfortable watching someone be broken."  Xander nodded at that, smiling a bit.  "Do not worry so much, Xander.  It takes years off your life.  Now, be a good boy.  I'll see you next week on your day off."  He stood up and started to walk off.

"Where?" Xander called.

"Your place."

"Sure, Patrick.  Thank you."  He considered it for a few minutes after he had left, then woke up and found Steven sitting across from him.  "My grandfather."

"I heard."  He sipped his coffee.  "You okay?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "I'm confused."

"I'm shocked you didn't stake him, Xander."

"He's not hunting."

"You only go after hunters?"

"Okay, and Petrov but he was an annoying bastard and he was picking on me.  He got around to challenging me."  He slumped some. "I don't enjoy it, Steven, but it's necessary sometimes."

"It is now and then," he agreed.  He finished his coffee.  "Did he give you any strings?"

"No and I told him he couldn't spoil me either.  That I'd rather have a relative than a car."

"Cars are nice but parking is a city-wide problem."  He smiled at him.  "Go make more coffee.  You gave me the bottom of the pot."  Xander nodded and went to do that while he watched him. He was still clearly confused and thinking. "Focus, Xander.  You can't practice your other arts while your mind is not clear."  Xander nodded and worked on calming his thoughts. He'd think about it later.  When Xander had everything set up so Bob could come in and do things, he came over to help Xander learn some new technique and equipment.  He nodded at the owner. "I'm monopolizing his time."

"Bob called, he's on his way in," he agreed.  "You can have Xander when he's here."  That got a nod and Xander went back to the bar to putter and clean.  "How is he doing?"

"He's doing good but he's so alpha he can't learn from the bottom up like most doms do.  I'm a very back-to-basics dom in technique and there's some other things he could learn but he'd best learn it from someone like Lady Heather.  I've written her about him and she's sounded interested if he wants to learn more."

"That's a great honor."

"It is," he agreed. "He'll do fine," he promised, smiling when Bob came in.  "Bad day?"

"Not to horrible.  Hi, Xander.  Go beat someone."  Xander smiled and came back to Steven's side.

"Good, let's go.  We'll go back over the different ways to strap someone in tonight."  Xander nodded and followed him to the room that had all the straps.

The boss shook his head.  "We'll lose him someday but he'll be a credit to the bar," he decided.  He went to check on Bob since he was still looking like he was in pain.

***

Xander finally got to go out to Las Vegas to meet with Lady Heather, who was as pale as most vampiresses he had ever seen.  She looked good in the picture he found with her like that though.  He nodded at the woman who answered the door.  "I'm Xander Harris, here to speak to Lady Heather.  I have an appointment in about a half hour?"  The girl in the bondage gear let him inside with a nod.  She looked at the bag.  "Training reports from my teacher."

"This way," she ordered, leading him up to a sitting room.  "Tea?"

"No thank you. I'm a soda sort but a water would be great.  Thank you."  She smiled.  "I know, I babble.  It happens," he agreed, nodding at that.  She laughed and got him a glass of ice water while before she went to tell her Mistress he was there.  Xander put down his glass and stood up when the pale, black haired lady came in. "Lady Heather, it's an honor to meet one of the Queen Dommes of the US."

She smiled.  "You flatter very well."

"I was raised by girls."

"Ah."  She sat and he waited. "Sit," she said with appreciation.  "I've spoken with Steven a few times about your training."  Xander nodded.  "He did say that there were problems with you learning the traditional way?"  He took off his shirt and she stared in horror at some of the scars.  "That wasn't one of us."  If it was, she'd hunt them down and have them killed by flogging.

He put it back on and sat again. "No, m'lady.  I was one of the protection squad in Sunnydale and before that my parents decided I was a good thing to sell for extra cash."  He brushed some of his hair back.  "Plus I was told to be honest with you.  I was possessed twice, once by a hyena spirit and once by a soldier."

"I've heard of what goes on in Sunnydale.  You're Buffy's Xander?"  He nodded at that, taking a sip of his water.  "Do not be nervous of me, Xander.  There's no need at this point."

He put down his water and smiled.  "I was thinking about doing what you're doing here, only on a lesser scale, Lady Heather.  Keeping those who *need* me, and need what I can give them, and then taking in a few paying clients."  She tipped her head at that. "Steven said I've learned all he could teach me, except not to babble now and then, or bounce, but mostly not to babble."  He saw her smile and calmed himself. "He also sent me out with tapes from the training I've been doing with him.  I've taken some of his harder clients recently with him watching over me."

"Why?"

"They're mostly officers.  They need a stronger arm than he's got and I understand that life a bit better than he said he did.  He does something in an office all day.  They've had situations like I did while hunting or they saw kids who were hurt like I was.  Plus they're usually more stubborn about breaking so it was also a lesson in patience."

"Which is understandable.  May I have the tapes?"  He pulled them out of his bag and the file folder of reports from Steven.  "He said to give me all this?"  He nodded.  "Hmm.  He must think much of you, Xander.  Do you use your natural name?"

"Tim, after my father, the one who saved me."

"Is he alive?"

"In Miami.  My adoptive mother is in Seattle."

"Ah.  You do know that there's a police convention this weekend?"  He smiled at that.  "Going to lunch with him?"

"Yes, m'lady."

"Steven taught you well."

"I had to put up with Buffy with PMS and no chocolate and Willow on a magic high in the same state.  I learned to fear all women because ninety percent of them want to kill me."

She giggled, something she hadn't done in a very long time. "What were you interested in learning, Xander?"

"As much as I can," he admitted.  "But I could only get three weeks off my other job."

"Let me watch this to see where you are now, then we'll see what we can do.  For tonight, go have fun, take your father to dinner.  They're at Camelot."  He nodded at that.  "Are you?"

"Circus Circus.  I'm still fighting my clown phobia and I thought it'd help."

"It's wise man who knows his weaknesses."

"But I don't trust hardly anyone to show them to," he warned.

"I understand.  Many abuse survivors are the same way," she promised. "Go.  Come back tomorrow at eight pm, sharp."

"Yes, m'lady."  He stood up and put his glass back in the sink after dumping it out.  "I thank you for the time you'll spend teaching me."  He kissed her on the cheek then left with his bag.

She smiled.  "He is a charming young man."  She flipped through the file, reading his weekly progress reports.  And the amusing notes about the serial killers who seem to like the young man.  The tapes gave her a very good view of what he could and could not do.  He still needed some patience but that too could be learned.  As could a lighter hand on the paddle.  She almost winced at one person's treatment but he broke after that and Xander went to soothe him.  When he was done Xander asked him if he needed more, staring into his eyes. The man nodded so he chose a different instrument, going to a more slow, methodical approach to breaking him down again. Clearly a bad repression case.  But at the end of the tape he was sobbing and fully releasing it.  He had been good with him.  He was stroking his head and soothing him now.  He wasn't even making a sexual move and when someone did come over to Xander made sure his subject was ready before turning him over to his lover.  That spoke of future skill and having The Touch.

***

Xander peeked around a corner, finding almost no one in the lobby, so he snuck over to the desk.

Homecomings

Xander peeked around a corner, finding almost no one in the lobby, so he snuck over to the desk.  "Hi."  The woman smiled at him.  "My dad's here.  I'm taking him to lunch but he doesn't know that yet."

"I can have him paged, sir."

"Thank you. Tim Speedle, from Miami's lab?"

"Sure."  She paged him and Xander went to stare at the plants until he came out looking confused. She pointed.  "Your lunch date, sir."

Speed walked over there, then smirked.  He knew that back, even though he was in leather. "Xander?"  His son turned and hugged him.  "What are you doing here?"

"I'm in town learning from Lady Heather."  He smiled at him. "I'm off for three weeks for training."

"Wow.  Hold on, you're training for real as a dom?"  Xander nodded.  "Okay, this requires explanation."

"I'm taking you to lunch."

"Supposedly I'm learning.  Let me text someone."  He pulled out his phone to text Calleigh then led him off to the local buffet place.  A lot of food for not a lot of money was good for both their budgets.  They ended up in a booth with him hugging his boy.  His boy needed him, he could tell. The waitress looked at him.  "My son."

She smiled.  "He's adorable."  She put down place settings and left them alone.

Xander pulled back slowly, looking at him.  "They think you're my daddy in that special way probably."

"Do I care? I don't work here."  He kissed him on the forehead.  "Let's get food then we'll talk."  Xander nodded, letting him go so he could load up and come back.  Tim followed, watching how he moved.  He looked confident but there was something in his eyes.  Xander was the prince of acting normal when his life was going to hell so he was sure it was something bad.  They both sat down with their drinks, this time across from each other, then Tim took his first bite.  "Okay, training?"

"I've been working at a club, you know that, right?"  Tim nodded, he knew that, Xander talked about it a lot.  "I told you I'm taking lessons with Steven?"

"You did.  A few months back," he agreed, eating another bite.

"Well, I learned what Steven could give me and then he referred me to one of the grande dames of the US."

"Who is here and Lady Heather," he said, finishing that thought. Xander beamed and nodded. "She accepted you?"

"She did."

"How are you training?"

"From the outside.  I can't do it like normal," he said, looking down and then stuffing his mouth.  Tim kicked him under the table so he looked at him. "I can't and she understands that."

"Good.  It shows she's good at what she does.  Are you, um, planning to open up a playground like that?"

"No. I was planning on having ones that come to me because they *need* me and then taking in a few paying clients to pay the rent."

"That's good," he decided.

"I'm working with the cops who go to Steven.  Sometimes it takes knowing what they're going through."

"Which is a good thing," Tim agreed, smiling at him.  "Excited?"  Xander smiled and nodded.  "I would be too.  So, talked to Aiden?"  He ate another bite.

"Supposedly her phone's not working again but I'm going to send something to eat her present boyfriend because he's a jealous asshole.   She thought I was kidding in my last email."

Tim smirked.  "Send Spike, I heard he's back in Sunnydale."

Xander smirked wickedly.  "Did they get him?"  He nodded. "He can still torment him then."  He grinned at him.  "I met my grandfather, finally!"

"Really?  He okay?"

"Remember Giles going over that book on Father Benis?"  He nodded.  "That's my grandfather."  Tim choked. "He's a pretty nice guy but he doesn't always understand me.  I told him up front he wasn't allowed to spoil me to have strings and he didn't.  He's getting to know me as his grandson instead.  Did you know he supports a lot of gay rights groups?"

"I didn't," he agreed.  "You're not letting him spoil you?"

"Not more than the occasional candy bar."

Tim blinked at that. "I'm glad I don't have the same restriction.  Christmas would be really hard."  Xander blushed at that.  "What did you want for Christmas?"

"A visit?" he asked.  Tim leaned over to hug him again.  "Thanks, dad.  I've even got a spare room."

"I'll see what I can do," he promised, smiling at him. "You could come down."

"Christmas is a busy season for us."

"I guess it would be, all the pain of not having an understanding family and things."  Xander drank some of his soda.  "I do understand, Xander."

"I know.  By the way, I'm going by your name."

"Speed?" he teased.  "You do go fast and bounce."

"Tim."

Speed grinned.  "I can accept that.  It's a good name for you."  He patted his hand, making his son relax and look at him again.  "Anyone nice in your life?"  Xander shook his head quickly.  "No one?  Not even someone nice at the clubs?"

"I'd like it to mean more than that, dad."

"I understand that.  Have you been on any dates?"

"One and it wasn't that great," he sighed, wiping off his mouth so he could look at him.  "I'm so confused sometimes.  I know I don't mind it.  I like watching it, I didn't mind the one person I let have some fun in the bathroom," he finished more quietly since there were families around.  "But I can't..."

"I know," he soothed.  He could see the frustration building.  "What about the cops your present mentors work with?"  Xander's snort of disgust told him all he needed to know.  "Anyone nice?"

"I could like Danny but he treats me like I'm a retarded five-year-old most of the time.  The rest he gives me wary looks.  Sheldon's nice.  Uptight, too nice for me.  He'd never understand and he'll have a nice girl like Stella some year.  If he ever gets off his butt.  Mac's ...really uptight.  He understands some of where I've been but he's kinda very clueless and not watching.  Don's nice, but he's always busy."  He picked up his fork again and ate a listless bite.  "I could crush on him but he's straight.  He has a fond appreciation for Stella's chest."

Tim gave his hand a squeeze.  "It'll work itself out, Xander, and you know you can come to Miami or Seattle with either of us."

"Then I could beat Mom's boyfriend in person.  She might mind that," he said dryly.

"True, she might."  He smiled.  "You could come to Miami.  I've shown them all your picture.  I've bragged about you a lot.  Horatio's probably expecting you to come down some year soon."  Xander blushed at that.  "Plus, not a bad place to set up shop with your idea.  We have a small community and most of the ones we know are only for fun.  I know there's a need in the community, especially at the station."  Xander looked at him.  "And hey, take massage therapy classes, Xander.  You can combine them if you need to.  It'd give you extra income."  Xander smiled at that, nodding.  "That's my boy."  He grinned back.  "I really wanted you to go to Miami instead.  I think you'd have been happier."

Xander shrugged. "They're too busy to babysit me and I'm almost nineteen, Timmy.  It's not the first time I've been ignored."

Tim reached over to smooth back some of Xander's hair.  "I'm not ignoring you, even if I can't answer the phone right away," he reminded him.  "Calleigh got kinda mad when I interrupted her cuddling and crying on my shoulder to talk."

"Sorry."

"You needed it just as much as she did," he pointed out. "You're my boy."  He grinned again.  "Besides, if you'd come down to Miami you could have a grandmother too."

He considered it.  "Maybe after my training," he said quietly.  Tim gave him a look.  "I'm under contract with some of the subs at the moment.  I've got at least six months before the last one runs out."

"I understand."  He pushed that piece of hair back again.  "You need a trim."

"I'm letting it grow."

"It's a mop, at least get it shaped.  It'll grow a bit faster then.  Or so the girls tell me."

Xander nodded. "I heard that too.  Gods, Buffy screwed us up as men."  Tim burst out laughing, nodding at that.  He shrugged. "She did and then I got Willow on top of that.  I can apply a face mask."

"You do, very well," Tim agreed happily. He leaned over to kiss him on the forehead.  "You know Aiden's here too right?"  Xander shook his head.  "Really?  Huh.  Well, she can have you for dinner."

"I've got to report at eight."

"Let me page her."  He went to do that, coming back a minute later.  "She'll be right down.  She was in her room moping."

"Sorry."

"Not an issue, kiddo.  You know I'm there for you."

"So, if I come to Miami will you set me up with nice guys?" he asked, looking hesitant.

"Definitely.  A lot of nice guys until you find one we can both like.  Because he's got to get along with me too."  Xander smiled again.

Aiden walked in and paid her fee, looking around.  Tim waved and she came over, then squealed and pounced Xander to hug.  "Baby!"  She snuggled into his side. "What are you doing in Vegas?"

"I'm here for some training."

"For the bartender stuff?" she asked.

"No, for the dom stuff."

She blinked.  "Okay, that I must've missed," she said dryly.

"I wrote you about it.  Did he delete another one and who would you like to eat him for you?"  He smiled sweetly.  She shivered and backed off some.  "The only one who can spank you is someone I give permission or Dad."  He kissed her on the cheek.  "And I'm very good at spanking, mom.  I'm out here for advanced training for three weeks with Lady Heather."

She stared at him. "I've got to reread those letters better," she complained.   He nodded.  Tim laughed and nodded.  "Huh.  How's New York?"

"I'm going to kick their asses," Tim told her.  "By the way, they're mostly here, Xander."

"They ignore me when I'm in the room, they can do it here while we're having lunch," he said patiently.  He ate another bite and nudged her.  "Food, mommy.  You need food.   You're losing weight and pretty soon people are going to ask if you charge again."  She blushed and went to get food since Tim was laughing.  "Not her fault the vampire thought she was smoking the rock of choice on the streets," he said dryly.  He cleaned his plate and got up to get more, coming back to sit beside his mom and rest his head on her shoulder.

"I love you too, baby.  You're my boy.  I've dumped him but he's being stubborn."

"Ask Willow to borrow Spike," Xander said quietly.  She burst out giggling.  "He would."

"He would.  He so would."  She stroked his cheek.  "Sit up and eat, baby.  Mommy says so."  He sat up and dug in again.  "So, you're training with Lady Heather?"  He nodded.  "Why?"

"The guy I trained with in New York is a basics guy.  He's the guy who does the basics and none of the fancy stuff.  So I'm learning techniques and letting Lady Heather tell me what I need to do with the plan I have.  Then Dad wants me to move to Miami."

She looked at him. "I'll kill them," she said, getting up and storming out, no matter how much the two boys tried to stop her.  "Flack!" she bellowed from the doorway.  "I want you, Taylor, and Meeser in the hall, NOW!"  Danny shuddered at that voice.  "Right the hell now!"  She slammed the door and paced, tapping a foot when they slowly slunk out.  She slapped Mac as hard as she could.  "You fucking well made my son miserable!  I ask you to do one *simple* thing, be a big brother. That takes maybe two hours a week.  What do you do?  My son's in the sex industry!" she yelled.  "I don't care if he is happy being a dom!"  She took a deep breath.  "My son is in a really bad spot right now and I doubt any of you three have seen him in the last two weeks at the very least!"

"Whoa!  I talked to him a few weeks ago," Danny assured her.

"Did Xander complain?" Don asked.

She slapped him this time.  "He's my fucking son, Flack!  I know when my boy's miserable!"  He ducked that one.  Stella came out.  "And you!  How fucking hard is it to show one boy that women aren't evil?  You couldn't set him up with someone nice?"  Stella backed away from her.  "My son's a dom!"

"He is?" Mac asked.  "I thought he was a bartender."

Danny and Don both looked at him.  "We told you he was training that way," Don reminded him.

"I thought it was like dinner theater."

Danny shook his head.  "Nope."  He looked at her. "I've tried but I'm not comfortable around Xander.  He sets off 'I'm a bad person' alerts in my head since he's still hunting."

She smacked all three of them and huffed. "My son should not be hunting.  How hard is it to get him off that?" she asked Mac.

"He said it was necessary," Stella complained.  "Don't hit them again, I'll arrest you."  Aiden smacked her this time.

Danny grabbed one arm, Don grabbed the other.

"Aiden, I've pointed out how dangerous that is," Mac said quietly.  "I can't handcuff the boy and make him not hunt or work.  Even though I had no idea he was doing more than bartending at a questionable club."

"Did you try talking to him about *why*?" she demanded.  "It worked really well for me and Tim!"  She got free and glared at them.  "You two can't spare two hours a week for my son?  Just two damn hours to talk to him, maybe eat with him to make sure he's actually eating *food* instead of hyping the profits of the Hostess company again?  Introduce him to nice folk who might end up friends even if they're not going to date him?  Or should I mention how many people Xander's turned in to Munch at SVU?"

"He has?" Mac asked.  "I know about one."

"Try more like five, Mac," Don offered.

"Try more like nine, Don," Xander said from behind him.  "Mommy, leave them alone.  They work very busy jobs and don't have time for me.  Once my current contracts are up Dad's trying to get me to move to Miami."  She gave him a hug and he snuggled into her arms.  "It's not their fault.  It's the nature of the world," he reminded her.  "Relax for now, mommy.  It's all right for the moment."  She nodded and looked at him.  "Really.  Now, you're only in the same city as I am for a few days," he said quietly.  "Can you blow off later?  I've got to report at eight.  I should shower and change before then."

"I've got a dinner I can skip," she promised.  "I'll help you with a haircut and pick out your clothes."

"Mom," he complained.  "I'm trying to let it grow out, be a bit more goth since that's my chosen working and stripping music."

"You were stripping?"

"A special birthday request," he said proudly.  "I earned a few grand as a tip since I was a pure little boy *that* way."  She smiled at that.  "The trannies really liked me and so did the other three times I did it."  He looked at Mac.  "Sorry but you know she has a temper.  I know you're busy guys."  He walked her off, taking her to safety.

"Are we that bad to him?" Danny asked.

"Xander, why are you in Las Vegas?" Stella called.

"I'm training with Lady Heather for a while."

"Are you coming back?" Don asked.

"Yeah.  In a few weeks."  They disappeared through another door.

"Who's Lady Heather?" Danny asked.

"One of the more famous dommes in the business," Stella said patiently, looking at him.  "You do treat him like he's an extremely stupid five-year-old."

"He does stupid stuff!"

Don rubbed his sore cheek.  "Aiden's been lifting weights.  But she looked good."

"She did," Danny agreed, smirking at him.  "When was the last time you saw him?"

"Um, few days ago I thought.  I stopped by the bar but he was working on someone so I snuck off again.  I figured I'd go out to dinner with him when we got back."

"Before then?" Stella asked.

"Um," Danny said, thinking back.  "The day I found out he threatened Sassone."

"Probably a few days after that," Don admitted.  "I heard he met his grandfather.  Xander left it on my voicemail.  I called him back to pump him for information."  They all looked at Mac.

"He's not that comfortable with me," he said, looking hurt.

Stella looked up and shook her head, then smacked all three of them. "How hard is it to be a big brother to someone?  Sheldon manages it with three kids, you couldn't even manage it with one boy who needed some attention. He wouldn't care as long as it was attention.  With his history, he might've even welcomed bad attention!" she said, glaring at them.  They all looked sheepish.  "If he stays in New York, I'd change.  You've all seen what happens when people feel that they're abandoned and alone in our city."  They all shuddered at that.   "So unless we want to see him dead some day soon, let's fix this, boys.  Now, we've probably got people inside wondering what's going on.  I'd go in there and look calm.  Am I clear?"  They nodded and went that way, she muttered a few choice words at their backs in Greek and followed.  The presenter gave them an odd look. "They're sorry.  They're men and therefore inferior.  Their inadequacies will be addressed once we get home."

"Of course, dear.  The other screaming woman?"

"Is with her son."

"Oh, that's fine then.  I'm sure she can get the notes."  He went back to his slides.

A few of the Miami guys looked over but the New York team was ignoring everyone in favor of nursing hurt feelings.  In two cases hurt cheeks too.

***

Eric Delko, one of Speed's teammates, stopped him, glancing around then back at him.  "Was that about your son?"

He nodded.  "Yeah.  Aiden asked her former teammates to mentor our son."

"Oh.  Failed?"

"Miserably.  Ignored him totally.  She's not too thrilled he's a dom."

"He is?" Eric asked, looking surprised.

Tim smiled.  "Apparently he's a good one too.  I'm trying to talk him into coming down to Miami once he's free of contracts."  He looked at Horatio.  "I need to go visit him soon, H.  They're idiots."

"I'm sure they were just busy, Speed.  We do have a demanding job."

"And I've got a sweet son with a combat history to protect others," he said quietly.  "Who's nineteen.  Who's a serious abuse survivor."  Horatio shuddered.  "Danny keeps thinking that he'll turn into one of the serial killers that like to stalk him.  I think he won't but you never know."

Horatio nodded.  "Then bring him down.  We'll gladly help you.  You know that."

"I do, but I'm still going to go visit him, even if I have to quit."

"If you should try to quit, I'm letting Calleigh and Alexx handcuff you.  They can go snatch your son from his apartment."

"His subs might mind," Eric said dryly.  Horatio gave them both a stunned and almost horrified look.

"I was watching.  Mac didn't know.  He's been training now since about his third week in the city.  He thought he was still just bartending.  Don's tried.  He likes Don, thinks Flack is a great guy.  He said Danny treats him like a retarded five-year-old but Flack tries now and then.  When he's not killing himself with work.  But it's in the eyes with Xander."  He looked at Eric.  "If and when he comes down, we've got to set him up with some nice guys.  Maybe some nice girls but he's thinking in that direction.  For some reason most women he dates end up trying to kill him."

Eric swallowed.  "Okay," he agreed quietly.  "I'll ask the few I know.  I don't know many gay guys."

"You know more than you think," Calleigh assured him.  "Was that about your son?  That sounded like Aiden when you two talked on the speaker in the lab the other day."

"Who called who?" Horatio asked.

"She called my cell and it's got an external speaker," Speed said patiently, giving him a look.  He looked at his girlfriend and smiled.  "It was Aiden. She smacked the hell out of the New York team."  She smiled at that.  "If I can get Xander down, we've got to set him up on some nice dates."

"Girls?"

"Maybe, but most of them want to kill him. He's *real* wary of women.  But he does think he likes guys but he hasn't had any really fulfilling dates."

"It's hard to start over in a city the size of New York," Stella agreed as she joined them.  "I've tried but he's really not comfortable with me, Speed.  Especially not when I tried to fix his cooking problem."

Speed shuddered. "I gave up after a few lessons too.  Don't feel too badly about that failure.  Xander's the only guy I know who can take boxed stuffing mix and make it poisonous."  They all laughed but Stella.

She shook her head. "He's not kidding.  He sent Sheldon and Don to the hospital with a fairly simple, overcooked chicken with a bottled sauce poured over it.  We watched him clean it, take out the insides, open the sauce.  The chicken was so done it was brittle.  They still got food poisoning from it."  She looked at Tim.  "Did you have to test that breath spray or the jerky?"

"That jerky is evil," he said plainly.  "Really evil.  If you can survive the week of runs and being so horny you nearly kill others, you'll live through anything."

Horatio laughed.  "You're kidding, right?"  Speed shook his head.  "Oh please tell me you're kidding," he pleaded.

"I think someone's had enough alcohol," Eric said, taking Horatio's glass from him.  He sniffed it.  "At least it's the good stuff."  He walked off finishing it for him.

Calleigh looked at Stella.  "How bad is he with women?"

"The only time I've heard about a date with a woman he ended up running from her because it was a nice date.  It went great over dinner, she was happy and laughing.  He paid the check, they went out to the car so she could drive herself home while he took a cab.  She pulled a knife and chased him down for not kissing her."

Calleigh moaned.  Speed nodded.  "Most of the women he's dated want to kill him.

"That's insane," Calleigh complained.

"Xander said he's turned nine people over to SVU for being sick bastards," Stella told her.  "That doesn't count the one Don caught stalking him I bet or probably any he got away from and didn't have arrested."

"He's got six months left on his longest contract," Speed said firmly.  "He's coming to Miami."

"Sure."  She gave him a hug.  "I tried, Speed.  I'm an alien to him."

"Any mothering woman would be, except Aiden and she's not the mushy and cuddlesome sort.  Really she did more with the girls while I cuddled Xander and took him in. I wonder if his parents are living."  Stella gave him a look.  He shook his head.  "We ran them out of town before he got sold to a dom who likes to play too hard and break his toys in a permanent manner. LA SVU was looking at him for at least twelve homicides."

"Crap," Stella complained.

"Exactly," Speed agreed.  "We literally ran them out of town begging for their lives.  Then I got Xander homework help because school and he don't get along very well.  But I still want him to try college."

"Maybe he'll take business classes to help his future plans," Stella offered.  Tim smiled at that.  "You'll figure it out but we'll miss the little goofball around the office.  Danny lets him pick on Monroe.  Cuts her ego in half some days."  She kissed him on the cheek. "You've got a very strong son, Speed.  He's a good boy most of the time.  Even if he did beat up on the leader of the Tanglewood gang so he'd be left in peace and not broken into."

"He did what?" Calleigh asked slowly.  Stella nodded.  "Why?"

"Apparently they decided he was an alpha dog in their 'hood," Stella said grimly.  "Danny said he ran into Sassone a few days later and he had broken ribs but he was *real* respectful of Xander.  Looked at him like he was one of the guys he had turned over to SVU.  Also, if you *really* wanna know what's going on with that?  I'd call Munch or Stabler.  They're his overseers for anything like that.  Though he likes the other guys, brought them cookies from what I heard."  She smiled.  "I did try."

"I know you did.  No, he'll never be a bad guy.  If he even thought he was being a bad guy he'd kill himself," Speed assured her.  She nodded at that.  "Sheldon's really helping him?"

"Now and then.  They don't connect on a lot of levels but he's kinda looking at him as an exemplar of what to look for in his other mentoring kids.  He said if one of them ever started to hunt vampires he'd immediately sit them down and talk to them about how it might be necessary but killing them was a very slippery slope."

Speed nodded.  "It can be but it's damn cathartic."  She laughed at that.  "It is."  He gave her a hug.  "Be safe in the big city and watch out for my son as much as you can since you work with the three monkeys."

She laughed.  "Yup, I do.  They're going to have their asses kicked when I get home.  I'm going to tell Sheldon and Flack's boss, who thinks Xander's a very nice young man, even if he is a bit odd.  Then again, Flack's father's met him and seems to like him, but considers him tragically damaged."  She grinned and walked off.

"Huh," Calleigh said, smiling at him.  "At least it could be worse.  He could've slipped down the slope already."

Speed nodded.  "True.  We'll get him down there and things'll be okay," he promised.  "Alexx will love and baby him for *months* because he can't cook."

"Is he moving in?"

"Probably not.  Even back then he had this problem with asking for help when he needs it.  He's one very stubborn young man.  Like I said, he's been working since his third day in the city.  He even told his grandfather he couldn't spoil him with more than candy.  But we do have to shop for the holidays and I do need to arrange for a visit since that's his busy time of the year."

"I guess a dom would see a lot of people who needed to release family issues," she agreed. "Are you comfortable with his occupation choice?"

"No, but it's very Xander."  He smiled and kissed her on the cheek then went to get another drink.  He didn't want to talk to any of the New York crew at the moment and Taylor looked like he was hunting someone.

***

Xander looked at Lady Heather the last night of his training.  "Did I do okay?"

"You did very well, Xander.  I'm giving you full marks."  She stroked his cheek with a soft, gentle smile. The boy brought out the mothering side of him.  "I also like how you've fleshed out your idea.  The massage idea wasn't a bad one."

"Daddy gave it me."

"Good!  It shows he's accepting."

"Concerned, but yeah."  She smiled and nodded at that.  "You really think I could do that?"

"I do, but I think that you should charge a very minimal fee for those who *need* you to help them release it instead of those who just want to play."  He nodded at that wisdom.  "I also think you've got a better touch with whips than I do."  He took her hand to squeeze.  She had just lost her daughter and he had held her while she had cried after she had whipped her killer nearly to death.  The boy understood those urges.  "Now, there is one last thing we should speak of."

"The reason you had me move here?"

She nodded, handing over a folder.  "I had someone local research him for me.  This is not a nice man, Xander."

Xander looked then at her.  "I know him."  She looked stunned.  "He comes to the club I work in back home.  I've got support up there if I need it. He wouldn't be the first one I've turned in.  Do they have anything on him?"

"Just suspected things."  She gave his hand a squeeze.  "Are you sure you want to go back?  You're more than worthy to work here and slowly build your own place."

"I would but I'm only on an excused leave from Steven and his subs.  He had me sign a contract with one of them."

"I understand."  She smiled at him.  "I wish you the best of luck and I hope some day you rival me, Xander."

"I don't want that much," he said with a small grin.  "But thank you."  She smiled.  He kissed her on the cheek.  "Write me if you want, Lady Heather, or if you just need to talk.  I'm used to women babbling at me and a calmer one might be nice."

She looked into his eyes.  His mother had stopped by to tell her some things and she did understand.  "I shall, Xander.  Be at ease at home."

"Are you sure you don't want me here for the funeral?"

"I'll have support."  He nodded and kissed her cheek again before taking the folder with him and heading to pack his bag and go home.  She sighed.  "He's such a sweet boy.  He could've been one of the best men to some woman; a loving and caring father that would've created children who made a difference in the world.  Instead, death taunts and follows him."  She sipped her tea.  "But some day he will be healed."

***

Xander walked into Don's precinct the next morning and put the folder down on his desk, making him look at him.  "He followed me to Vegas and Elliot said it's not a sex crime thing so he said to give that to you.  Besides, they're really busy right now, there's some sort of convention in town."

"I wish them the best of luck finding them all," Don agreed, looking at the folder.  "Who researched him?"

"One of the Las Vegas guys Lady Heather knows."

"Did your training go okay?"

"I learned a lot," he said with a gentle smile.  "It was great to work with her and she helped me understand what I'd need when I went out on my own with the plans I had.  We worked very well together and I was there for her when her daughter was killed."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

He shrugged.  "Neo-nazi bastard," he said blandly.  "Read, please.  He comes into the club and I need to know if I need to taunt him to get evidence or not."

Don looked it over then at him.  "He's an international assassin?"

"As far as they can tell."

"Not good."  He looked up the name in their system, finding him suspected of being involved with three killings but no proof of it.  "Okay, let me get with Mac and them.  Then we'll see what you need to do."  He caught Xander's wrist before he could move.  "I did try."

"I know you did.  It was nice that you came around now and then.  You're a busy guy though and mom imposed."  He shrugged and got free, going to check in and call his boss.  "I'm back in the city.  Am I still employed?"  He smiled.  "Fully.  She gave me the highest marks and I've got a report for Steven coming," he said proudly, walking down the stairs.  "Thanks, boss.  Sure, eight.  Love you too."  He hung up and caught the subway home, smiling at the guys sitting on his steps when he made it there.  "Are you guys watching my place for me or just lounging?"

"Lounging," Sonny said dryly, staring at him.  "You were gone?"

"Las Vegas."

"Lose big?" he snorted.

"Training with Lady Heather.  But no, I won three grand over the whole trip."  He smiled.  "And I did an open pole night and got one hell of a huge tip from one of the casino owners.   I even went out on a decent date because Lady Heather set me up with a very nice person."  He smiled more gently.  "But thanks for asking, Sonny.  Can I pass?"  One of the guys moved. "Thanks.  Why are you guys lounging here?"

"Waiting on your neighbor."

"Which one?  The nurse or the older lady?"

"New guy who moved upstairs."

Xander looked.  "Tall guy, about six-two, dark hair, named George?"  They all nodded. "Aw, crap, he found me here too."  He headed inside, going to check his apartment over.  He came out with his beloved whip.  "Okay, who was in my guns?"  One of the guys handed it over.  "Is it still clean?"

"Yeah, man, sorry.  It was scarier than anything I had at home.  Needed it to prove a point."  He yelped when the whip got him on the back.  "Sorry!"  He ran off.

"Keep your toys out of my toys," Xander told Sonny.  He snapped it to catch the end and walked up the stairs shaking his head.

"He get you?" Sonny called.  His guy nodded, showing him the welt on his back.  "That's gotta sting."

"Boss!" he moaned. "Can't we beat him?"

"You can try, but I doubt you'll get very far," Xander called.  "I hunt for necessity down on the West End."

That got a mass of shudders.

"Told you so," Sonny said dryly.  The new neighbor showed up with a bag.  "So, you're in my neighborhood."  The guy pulled a gun and stuck it in his face.  "Oooh, yay," he said dryly.  "Boys?  He's got a gun," he said with a smirk. They clapped at that.  "You think you're so bad?" he taunted, standing up.

Xander came back down with the whip.  "No, he knows he's so bad; he's reported to be an international assassin.  Hi, George."

"Master Tim." He nodded respectfully.  "I am not stalking you.  I wish to hire you to help me."

"Be an assassin?"

"No, release myself."

"I'm still in training."

"I know.  I would arrange that with the one who watches over you," he promised.  "I'm hoping it'd only be a few weeks worth, but I need it."

Xander considered it.  "I've got to work tonight."  That got a nod and he put the gun up, heading upstairs.  He looked at Sonny, who stared in horror.  "They think he's killed eighteen people," he said quietly.  "He's my first one in two months."  He walked off again, going to call Steven.  This was an ethical dilemma. He'd want to turn him in.  He knew what was confessed to him was supposed to be sacred, but that he wasn't comfortable with. They argued back and forth for nearly an hour but Steven agreed in the end that he did have valid points and should turn it down. He went up to talk to the guy to tell him that, explaining why he was having the difficult thoughts.  He listened then made his counterpoints but Xander knew he'd have to turn him in and that would violate the rules of confession.

***

Xander tapped on Mac's door an hour before he had to go to work.  "Got a few?"

"What's wrong?  A new PTSD episode?" he asked, looking concerned.

"No, an assassin wants me to be his dom."

"Can you get information for us?"

"We're like priests, Mac.  We don't tell what we're told."

He slumped at that.  "Even they tell sometimes if it's bad enough."

He shrugged.  "It's an ethical doubt I still have.  I've told him this and he said he needs to shed it, make his soul lighter before he retires."

"Which means you'd probably be in danger because he told you," Mac said, looking him over.  "You look good in the leather."

"Thanks.  Mom helped me pick them out."  He grinned.  "I won good in Vegas too."  He stepped inside.  "I don't know what I can do, Mac.  This violates every tenet of the faith placed in us.  Don has his folder since Lady Heather found him stalking me out there.  She refused him entry."

"Did you talk to her?"

"She's at her daughter's funeral."

"I'm sorry."  He considered it.  Then he looked at him.  "Even if you heard he had a new target..."

"I couldn't tell but I could prevent it," he admitted.  "Plus I'm not sure he's not looking for this as a way to die.  A final punishment.  I don't know why I think that.  I'm having him come in tonight to talk to Steven with me since I'm still officially not graduated to full dom status."

"Okay, then the harder question is why didn't he go to someone more experienced?"

"I'm known for handling cops and agents," Xander said quietly. "What they come in for I've seen."

"There are cops who are doms.  I know a few, Xander.  Why didn't he go to them?"

"Because they'd have to turn him in?"

"Perhaps. Or perhaps because he knows you're so new and he knew he could get around you, that you're still unsure where the rules have wiggle room.  Murderers who confess often go to very young priests because they strictly adhere to any and every rule.  Unlike the older, family priests who've seen and heard everything and know when to bend that rule."

"I have one of those at the club.  He works with one of the female dommes."  He considered that.  "I'm guessing that's why I referred him back to Steven?"

"Ask yourself this, why did Lady Heather forbid him entrance to her house?  She could have protected you another way if it was just about you."  He nodded at that wisdom.  "Don had the guy's folder?"

"She had one of the guys in Las Vegas, Warrick or something like that, research for her."

"That's fine.  I know him and I can call if we've got questions.  We won't be coming tonight."  Xander relaxed at that.  "Unless you call."

"I'll call if I need to," Xander agreed.  "Thanks, Mac."  He left, walking the last few blocks to the club.  He found Steven waiting on him and drew him back into one of the private rooms to go over his doubts and feelings on the subject, including that Lady Heather had refused him admittance, and what Mac had said.  Steven considered it and went to talk to the guy alone, then he brought Xander into it and reminded him about the confession oaths not to tell anyone anything.  It was a long, heated discussion that got Xander glared at by his boss.  So he went to tell him why, getting a nod of understanding but Xander did go sling drinks when needed.

***

Xander stepped in front of the guy walking down the street later the next evening.  "You should go home, Sonny."

"Why?" he snorted.  "And what're you doin' here, Harris?  This isn't your neighborhood and your pass don't extend near my home."

"I'm saving your ass."

"Why?"

"Because confession is just as sacred to us as it is to priests," he said quietly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Sonny, what's my *job*?" he demanded quietly.

"You spank people.  And?  What?  They confess to you?"

"About things, yeah.  Things that they've done, are planning to do."

He suddenly caught a clue.  "You heard something about me?"  Xander nodded.  "Can you tell me who?"  He shook his head.  "So you're *protecting* me?"

"It's either this or I've got to put you in an institutional setting.  That way I can prevent it.  It's the only way I can do that.  Right now I'm too sore and tired to beat your ass.  I cleaned and worked out earlier with my battle axe.  Been a while."

"Oh."  He blinked and frowned.  "You'd send me to the hospital to keep me from being killed?"

"I don't believe in the random or for-profit killing of humans, Sassone.  I never have.  Hunting out of necessity, sometimes out of frustration.  Never for profit."  That got a surprised look but a nod.  "Now, I can prevent it or not.  I'm one of the good guys though.  So therefore I have to try to prevent it."

"He could've used a sniper rifle."

"Not really."

"So, what?  You want me to hide?"

"Yeah."

"I can handle any little hitter, Harris."

Xander looked at him.  "Not this one.  I can't handle this one.  I can make him beg but I can't stop him.  This is all I'm allowed to do by my oaths.  Now, please, go back inside. If I have to put you in an institution I will."

"You won't," he snorted. "You just said you're tired."

"Hospitals aren't the only institutions, Sonny."  He looked horrified.  "Next time you hold up Mrs. Johnson on the corner, make sure I'm not home and looking out my windows considering if I really need to go out for more milk."  That got an even more horrified look.  "Your choice but it would keep you safe."

"That would stomp on our truce."

"So did your guy breaking in to take two of my guns.  By the way, he can keep the uzi, it's a pitiful weapon."  That got another snort.  "I know every single weapon in the collection, Sonny, including the stuff you never found."

"I found the rocket launcher."

"It's a grenade launcher and that's the least of your worries."  The man backed up a step.  "I'm trying to be a good guy here, Sonny.  Your choice which way I have to do it."

"They gonna stop him?"

"Sonny, it's *confession*.  The only difference is that I don't wear a collar.  I'm not appointed by God to solve problems."

That got a slower nod while he considered it.  "We can handle this."

"Then go back inside."

"If I do that he'll come after me here.  Could endanger my mother."  Xander groaned and shook his head.  "It's specific?"  Xander gave him a look.  "Right, can't tell me."  He did have clues if he was smart enough.  "All right, I'll stay in tonight.  Until I have a business deal but I can change the location of that.  Good enough?"

"Thank you."  He walked off, going back to the club.  He handed the tape to Steven and his boss.  They had both told him what he could and could not do.  Then he went to take some frustration out on one of the dummies.

***

Mac looked up from the microscope when someone coughed.  "Yes, Rosalie?" he asked their receptionist.

"There's a young woman here who has something for you.  She said it's important.  She said it's also highly secret."  He nodded, putting what he was doing on hold for now to follow her.  "Here he is, miss."

"I'm Mac Taylor."

She looked at him.  "Confession is the same for us as for your kind," she said quietly.  "But sometimes things have to happen even if they can't tell."

He considered that.  "I've heard that from both your kind and priests," he agreed, leading her off to the side.  "Xander sent you?"

"Steven sent me," she corrected. "As a trainee, Xander went to him with this matter because it was such a serious breach of faith.  He could be shunned if he told what he heard in confession."

"I understand."

"Instead, it was told to him that he could *prevent* whatever he heard from happening.   That is a tightrope we've worked with before, even if the one you're saving makes you want to scrub yourself with a wire brush."  She handed over the tape.  "Master Steven sends this.  Xander made it earlier when he was preventing.  We send this mostly because it doesn't implicate his client but the one he's saving.  That is more than acceptable to us since he's not a client."

Mac looked at the tape then at her. "I'll do what I can to help him prevent it and to stop this person."  That got a nod.  "Can you tell me if his client was the same one that he gave Don the folder on?"

"I cannot. I didn't see him."  She stood up. "I wish you luck.  There's no love lost for that one on the tape.  We do adore Xander and have no wish to have him shunned."  She nodded and left, looking very confident and self-assured.

Mac went to AV and handed over the tape. "Play that."  He called Flack, letting him hear it.  Then he took the tape and bagged it with a note on the front that it was an anonymous tip and why.  "What do you want to do, Don?"  He nodded at that.  "That was Xander.  Because they hear confession too, Don," he said dryly. "If they didn't keep the same oath, no one would trust them."  He smirked.  "We can do that. The person who dropped it off said it didn't implicate his client, just Sassone. She said she wanted a wire brush to scrub with.  I told her I'd do my best to clean him up.  She couldn't confirm if it was the same client or not.  She said she never saw him.

"Don, it's the same as a priest hearing one.  I know they don't have the same protections but still.  It's about trust, Don.  He can be shunned if he told us what he had learned.  All they're allowed to do is prevent something from happening, not tell someone that it happened."  He nodded.  "That's what I got too.  Go watch his house, I'll meet you when you follow him.  I've got one thing I've got to do first.  No, don't tell Danny.  Tell Stella if she's with you.  I could hear her in the background, Don.  Is she drunk?  Then take her with you.  Xander did threaten to have him arrested," he reminded him dryly.  He hung up and went back to his sample to finish running it, looking over the report.  It didn't help much but it needed to be done, and then he could help catch Sassone at least for another little while.

***

Don walked up to where Xander was working the next afternoon, leaning on the bar across from him.  "Confession?"

Xander looked at him.  "We take an oath, Don.  What I do is about trust and letting people let go of things. The same as priests do.  I take that oath just as seriously as I do the one to protect others, even assholes like my neighbor."

"You don't have the same protections."

"Don, go find one of the dom officers Mac said he knows and talk to him first," he said quietly.  "I cannot tell you anything.  It is against my oath," he said at the glare.  "My oath is my life, Don.  Like your honor is yours."

"I'd have to turn someone in."

"And I worked to stop him.  That's all I'm allowed to do.  Those are the rules.  We all hold them firmly in our hearts, the same as I do the one to protect others.  That's why I went to Mac about ethics and I had a long talk with Steven about ethics.  Not like I want to not tell you but I'm bound by my oath.  My oath says I will not tell anyone anything about anything I learn in a scene or what happens during them.  Not to a court, not to another soul.  Not even to something that doesn't have a soul.  I can't.  You can talk to one of the doms who works in the department, see how they get around that."

"How many people did he kill?"

"Enough."

"How many?"

"I can't tell you, Don."

"I can arrest you for that.  You can be considered an accessory."

"And I'll tell the judge and the DA the same thing, Don.  I can't tell you.  This is confession!  Even if I'm not a priest.  I've heard things that no priest would hear in confession. I can't tell others. That is part of my oath.  Now, go find one of the doms in the PD to explain that if you can't get that!  Please!"

Don glared at him.  "We'll be talking."

"I'm sure you will be."  Don stormed out and Xander slumped turning to bang his head into the wall.

"That's the right thing to do, kid," his boss soothed from the end of the bar. "We've all been frustrated by that in the past."

Xander looked at him.  "Would it be unethical for me to tip Elliot off to someone I overheard in another person's scene?"

He considered that.  "Overheard is still iffy."  He looked at him.  "His kids?"

"His and a few others."

"That I make an exception for.  Will he be back?"

"He's looking for absolution and aversion therapy."

"Then invite him down for a drink the same day."

"Thank you."

"Welcome.  At least they probably understand some more than that one did."

"Don's a very black and white sorta guy," he admitted.  "He lives by the principle of honor, which I understand and I love that principle myself.  Doesn't mean it doesn't frustrate me to no end.  Especially when I know these things and his next three targets and I have no hope in hell of saving two of them who're good guys."

"You can give hints."

"If I did that, they'd know."

"Do it privately.  You can't tell them but you can talk about the ethics with someone like your father or mother."  He stared at him.  Then Xander smirked.  "Would that help?"

"Timmy's been known to have some flexible ethics. I think I should learn that from him," he agreed.  That got a nod.  "Thank you."

"Welcome, kid.  You only got the tough calls because you're so bad."

"I know.  Death and I are like exes."  He got back to work stocking the bar, wincing some.  "Overdid it with the dummy last night."

"You good?"

"Sore.  Really sore."  He looked at him.  "Timmy suggested I take massage therapy classes to help with what I want to do."

"That could be a good sideline," he agreed, smiling.  "We could use one around here.  Feel free to charge to practice for classes."

"Thanks, boss.  Classes are in the mornings starting in a week and a half."  He grinned and got back to work.

***

Don stormed into the SVU floor, glaring at Elliot since he was one of two in there.  The other guy he didn't know.  "We need ta talk."

"Why?  Another one?"

"No.  Confession for them is the same as it is for priests?"

Elliot looked at him.  "Huh?"

"Xander's other job."

"I thought he was still in training."

"Officially but nearly graduated.  Someone apparently came to him seeking absolution and told him shit and he won't tell anyone.  Said confession's the same rule the world over."

Elliot blinked at that.  "It is.  You won't get a good dom to talk about what's went on.  I've had one tell me in general terms what had went on after a sub died later on that night.  That way we could make sure it wasn't what she had done.  It got her shunned."  Don sat down next to his desk, staring at him.  "Who did he take on?"

"Apparently he had a lot of ethical qualms but an assassin."

"The one in the folder?"

"Probably.  He can't confirm or deny that either.  He said he could prevent, which is why he went to save Sassone's mangy ass last night."

"Language!" the captain called.  He came out of his office.  "Flack."

"Cragen.  Small issue.  The mentoring case I have and Elliot gets work from had an assassin in as a client."

"If he's a serious dom you'll never get him to talk.  He can protect, he can prevent, but he'll never tell you."

"The kid's been tortured so I doubt anything would make him break," Elliot agreed.

"He was?" the captain asked.

Don nodded.  "Horrible parents.  Remember Burns?"  That got a smile and a nod.  "She and a guy from Miami adopted Xander after his original parents tried to sell him to some master in LA who kills his subs.  I heard LA SVU has 'em in their sights."

"Cap, I saw his chest with that first killer for the pictures.  He had scars I was afraid to ask about.  Front and back."

The boss nodded.  "You can get around that the same way you do priests, Flack.  They can't outright tell you.  They can hint.  They can suggest.  They can't tell you.  They won't tell you."

"It's not right and they don't have that right by law."

"Trust is everything in their world, Flack.  No one would trust them enough to go to them and we'd have more people committing suicide or homicide," Elliot offered more quietly. "While it sucks in this case, use what he did give you.  He must've hinted if he went to prevent a killing of that thug."

"He did hint.  Not a whole lot and not even Danny could figure it out."

"Bring it here.  Maybe John can help.  He understands that life better than most of us."

"Sure."  He handed over a copy of the tape.  "Mac said he could use the help.  He was clueless too."

"Let me talk to Xander, see where he can hint.  Also talk to Steven.  Since Xander's in training, his teacher has final say on anything, Don.  He had to have watched him."

"Point."  He grimaced as he stood up.  "They really won't talk?"

"They really won't talk.  We can *overhear* things and have in the past from Xander.  He went to Stella before he left for the training in Las Vegas about a cop who came in with claims of rape.  If it's not *his* client he's got some more flexibility but the life has some pretty deeply rooted rules.  It was only twenty years ago you could be locked in a mental ward for liking to be spanked, much less whipped."

"True."  He nodded, calming himself down further.  "So, should I talk to Steven?"

"My hands are tied unless it's something that falls under our speciality."

"No, from what Lady Heather sent back with Xander, if it's the same guy, he's not into that sort of thing.  No kids, no raping, just simple shooting and a few stabbings were thought to be him."  That got a nod.  "Thanks.  Know who Steven is during the day?  I doubt Xander's going by his real name."

"No, he's going by Master Tim," the other guy agreed. "He's got a really good rep but it is said that he will bend the rules to protect others, that's he's got a strong set of 'I will not hear this' about his clients.  Then again, he handles other cops and federal agents because he's been there and he's stronger."  He looked at Don.  "He's one hell of a kid, Flack.  Steven's a stock broker down off Financial Row, one of the smaller places."

"Thanks, man.  Know which one?"  They both shook their heads.  "We can do a computer search.  Thanks."  He headed off to find the other Master and talk to him.  He called Stella.  "What do we know about Xander's teacher Steven?  I heard he was a stock broker at a smaller firm off Financial Row."  He listened to her.  "Can we do a computer search?"  He nodded.  "Works for me.  I'll be back as soon as I can.  Traffic's nasty.  Thanks, Stella."  He hung up and thought about it.  He even detoured out that way to see if he could spot him out for a smoke break or lunch.  No luck but Stella did know who he was by the time he got back there.  She even had a nice, compact warrant for him.  They went together, finding him in his office talking to a client over his headset.  He saw them and pointed at a couch with a frown, going back to his conversation.

Don sat and Stella lounged, looking very casual and comfortable.  The guy finally hung up the phone.  "I heard about the ethical qualm."

"You heard the tape?" he asked, walking over to close his office door.  "Sorry, my secretary's not going to want to hear this.  She's an Evangelical and Fundamentalist Christian."  He pulled a chair around so he could face them.  "I still have to go by the confession oaths, officers."

"Detectives," Stella reminded him. "What would've happened if another officer had overheard it?"

"That's a morally gray area.  In cases of extremely violent or sickening crimes, most of us turn the other way.  Xander draws people like that because he can break those who've seen combat and killed in the line of duty.  He's got a good hand for those who've done what they had to do to survive."  They both nodded at that.  "As I'm sure someone's had to help  him with in the past."

"His dad and mom," Don agreed. He leaned forward.  "We got hints.  I'm sure you heard the same tape we did."  He nodded.  "Can you give us more hints?"

"He's got three last targets before he retires," he said quietly. "It was agreed that Xander could talk to others who knew about flexible and firm ethics in one of the cases.  That they could take whatever hints he decided on and pass on the other one."

"So he's calling Aiden?" Don asked.

Steven smiled.  "I loved Aiden the one time I met her a few years back after a burglary, but no.  I heard how she went off on all of you.  I suspect he's calling his father."  He plucked a piece of lint off his pants and looked at them again.  "I wish I could tell you more.  One was a special request that has not yet been carried out.  The other two are more touchy to him."

"You let him take this on?"

"We all talked about the ethical problems Xander would have.  He did not seem too concerned that Xander would definitely feel the need to hint and prevent some of his jobs.  Xander made very sure to tell him that he was related to officers and that he was one of those who protected others.  That he would definitely feel the need to tell if anything he confessed was too bad."  He shrugged.  "In these situations our hands are tied by our oaths.  We can protect.  We can prevent.  In cases like the child molester who comes in for aversion therapy we tend to arrange circumstances if we feel it is warranted, like if they're going back to their former problems."  Stella nodded at that.  "In this case, it is best handled by Xander because he knows those who can warn and prevent them from going on.  I fear that the client feels that this adds some thrills to his usual hunt."

"Why do serial killers like Xander?" Stella asked.

He looked surprised.  "You haven't seen it?"  She shook her head.  "He could be like them.  He could hunt them actually and it would be a great thing for him."  He smiled.  "But the boy is still very innocent.  He's like the holy angel for them. A pure being who understands them and their desires.  One who understands what their mental issues are doing through them.  Yet he's still *pure* even though he hunts."

"So he's their patron saint."

"And many saints have been objects of lust.  Especially when you're talking about those who let their passionate obsessions rule their lives. Xander is a very sensual boy.  He has in him nearly incomprehensible love.  Even though he's been in places just as bad, if not worse, than most of the killers he hasn't succumbed. He's risen above it to find a way to use the same urges they feel for a force of good.  Something that they can only stare at and wonder at.  Sometimes it does frustrate and anger them, they want to erase the one who might understand and stop them.  Most of the time they want the person who can understand them.  One who can tell them it's all right, can comfort them when the urges get too bad and they feel they have to act out.  Who would never judge them for doing it."

"I hadn't thought about it that way," Stella admitted, looking at him.  "Can you tell us anything else?"  He shook his head.

"Then I really hate ta do this but it's too important this time," Don said, pulling out the warrant.  Steven looked at it then at him.  "I know you make tapes of his training, Master Steven.  I saw him pack them for his first interview with the Mistress in Vegas.  Did he tell you she had to turn him away twice out there?"

"That she had, not how many times."

"She had him switch to living at her house to protect him," Don said quietly, nodding at the door.

"We're going over futures options," he called.  He looked at Don.  "You think this man is a danger to Xander?"

"I do," Stella agreed.  "He's the only one who really knows, isn't he?"  Steven nodded.  "You watched from afar?"

"He mostly whispered.

"Which means Xander's the only witness to what he's doing and done," Don pointed out.  "His life is in danger if this guy is going to retire."

Steven smirked.  "There are those in the city who would protect him.  Including those who want him."

"Yeah, but he's living in the apartment above Xander," Don said bitterly.  "We worry about the kid.  We're supposed to be watching over him."

Steven looked at him.  "A tape was made but it is not pretty.  Xander had to work very hard to break him and I fear the audio track will not give you want you want, Detective."

"You have to comply with the warrant or we can arrest you," Stella reminded him.  He nodded at that.  "They can't blame you for that."

"They wouldn't blame me, they'd blame my student," he told her.  "They can and have shunned others for less, Detective."

"His father wants him in Miami," Don pointed out.

"I know.  He talked with the sub he signed with the other day."  He stood up.  "I am not saying I will not but I need to talk to others first, make sure that my student will be fine."

Don nodded.  "By ten tonight if possible."

"If at all possible.  If not, may I call you?"  Don handed over one of his cards.  "I thank you for trying to understand."

"I grew up Catholic."

He smiled.  "It is much the same but we don't give communion and we mete out the punishment instead of making you do rosaries."

Don nodded, he could understand that one. "I'll expect the call, Steven."

"Of course."  He shook their hands.  "Come back if you want to talk about retirement funds."

"Oh, I could probably use the help," Stella agreed, making him smile and hand her a pamphlet.  "Thanks."  She walked out with Don.  "He's a very nice guy.  I like him."

"He is," Don agreed.  "I can see why Xander trusts him."  They nodded at the scowling secretary, smiling a bit at her to lighten her mood.

Steven sat behind his desk and initiated a conference call.   "Master, we need to talk about my student.  That one."  He smiled.  "He did.  He had qualms and we talked him into it," he sighed.  "I know but I thought it was good.  I was reading the man improperly.  No, I have a warrant in front of me for the tape of his session."  He nodded at that wisdom.  "He does have relatives who are officers," he pointed out.  He smiled.  "That is reasonable. I don't want him shunned.  Heather and I both think he's got real promise."  He smiled at the excellent report he had gotten out of his other people.  "I think we should meet.  I told them by ten or I'd call Detective Flack personally, sir.  Thank you."  He hung up and leaned his head back.  "That is not going to make anyone happy.  Clarice, do I have anther appointment? If not I'm leaving in twenty minutes."

"Going to do more evil things?" she sneered.

He looked at her.  "What I do in my private life has no impact here, Clarice.  I would also remind you that you are the secretary, not the boss."  He stared at her.  "What I do prevents others from harming people or themselves.  Including a few of your brethren.  After all, some priests do flog themselves for absolution of their sins."

"You should all die before you corrupt others."

"I'll consider that your two weeks notice," he agreed firmly.  She stomped off then out of the office once she had packed up her desk.  He called the agency he had gotten her from.  "This is Herrs Insurance and Financial.  Do you think you could send me someone less judgmental?  She just huffed off when she learned I had a private life that disagreed with her religion.  Thank you.  Huffed off.  Exactly.  Thank you, I would appreciate that.  Not tonight. I'm about to leave for the day.  Thank you."  He hung up and went to set all the phones and lock her out of the office.  She didn't have a key, thankfully.

***

Xander picked up his cellphone and settled on his couch.  He had made sure 'George' wasn't upstairs and no one was listening to him at the moment from the front stoop.  "Daddy, do you have about thirty minutes?  Ethical qualms."  He grimaced.  "Dad, I wouldn't call during the day if it wasn't important," he said seriously.  "Because what I do is like what priests do, dad.  I hear confession and help people deal with things."  He listened to him complain.  "Dad, one of my clients was an assassin," he said quietly.  His father walked away from the scene he was working with a word to someone named Eric and Frank.  "Thank you.  Now, I can't tell you everything.  I took an oath.  Because right now I need a lesson in flexible ethics.  Like I said, he's an assassin. He's getting ready to retire."  He shifted position to get more comfortable, listening to his advice. "I'm allowed to talk about it like I would if I were a doctor talking about a patient."  He smiled.  "Exactly.  But he's got a few last obligations before he retires to a good life.  He was looking for absolution."  He listened to him ask why he was calling.

"Because one of them is personal to the family.  One of them isn't but it is someone you know. Perhaps not well, but Lady Heather may know them better.  I'm calling her next, dad.  Exactly."  He smiled, he knew what was going on.  "Which is what worries me.  All of the contracts were specific.  One I've already prevented somewhat.  He's left the city to do the others.  I'm not close enough to protect and prevent down there.  Nor can I tell you who."  He smiled.  "I can tell you it's because the target is very talented, but doesn't seem to do much in public.  I can tell you it's because he's done a lot of stuff in his career, including some things that my client said weren't totally right or fully ethical."  He swallowed.  "I can't be there to protect but I know that flexible ethics are important.  I had to protect one of them up here and my Master agreed that I could have this talk about flexible ethics."  He nodded, listening to him to advise him on the subject.  "That's an option but if I tell, I can and will be shunned.  They've done it before when a Dom had to say something to protect themselves after a death not during the session."

He grinned.  "Thanks, daddy.  I can hint.  They're in your part of the country. Think of what I've said, dad.  Please?  I don't want you to grieve as they've helped others grieve and did grieve themselves."  He nodded.  "I love you and I've done a lot of working on the plan to come down.  Can you come up during the holidays or right after?  Maybe?"  He smiled.  "Thanks, dad.  Love you.  Be safe.  No, it's not you, dad.  Thanks, daddy.  Miss you.  Bye.  Have a better day."  He hung up and called Lady Heather.  "It's Xander, is she able to take a call?"  He smiled.  "Please. Tell her that one who she warned me about wanted my services and Steven talked me into it."  Lady Heather snatched the phone to berate him.  "I know, but I was having ethical qualms so I went to him.  We all three talked, including about how I might be forced to stop him."  He smiled.  "That is why I'm calling, Lady Heather.  I would hate to see you mourn someone out there who has created a lot of good, but isn't who you'd expect to be a target."  He giggled.  "No.  Not one of them but close. Remember, you taught me I could hint broadly."

He considered the implication of her words.  "I have hinted to Timmy.  One was down in his area.  One was up here so I had to protect Sassone."  He heard her shudder.  "He'll come back to him if you guys in the other two cities don't stop him.  One's down with him.  One's in your area.  Definitely one you would not think to be a target but one who would be the main person behind an investigation.  One of the main fields that would have caught my client's identity with the evidence brought in.  Not that one.  One of the ones I didn't really understand.  Yes, from that talk."  He smiled gently at her comfort.  "I know, I'm trying to do what I can.  I'm torn up, Lady Heather.  I mean, I'm a good guy, I have to stop him.  Even if he wants absolution and punishment for what he's done."  He listened to her warning about his personal safety. "I'll be fine, Lady Heather.  Protect yourself.  He was not thrilled that you denied him entrance or sight of me."  He nodded. "I will.  Don's already stormed and stomped on this one.  A tape of the hints were sent to him to help protect the one up here.  I do adore you, Lady Heather.  If I was still liking women I'd fall at your feet until you let me play with your toys, human and not."  She giggled at that.  "I adore you, be safe, m'lady."  He hung up and turned off the tape, bagging it so he could send it to Steven.   It was what he could do.  All he could do.  And it still sucked!

***

Speed hung up and looked at Frank.  "We've got to go back to the labs right now!" he ordered.  "Eric, stay!  You're not the one in danger."  Frank gave him a concerned look.  "The son is a dom."  Frank shuddered.  "He can only give hints but he can prevent or protect."

"Who was his client?" Eric asked.

"He thinks he's an assassin, Eric."

"Oh, hell," Frank moaned.  "He heard something?"

"He heard everything.  He's nearing retirement.  Has a last few jobs.  One around here.  Someone effective but who doesn't seem to do much publically on a scene.  Someone who's so effective that they're hated.  Someone who's been seen to be a little bit pushing of the boundary lines now and then."

Frank's eyes went wide.  "Horatio?"

"I'm thinking so.  Yeah."

"Let's go.  He's back in the lab.  I'll drive."  He drug him to the car and they headed back, lights and sirens on.  "Your boy, he a good guy? You can trust him?"

"I can," Tim agreed.  "He taught me how to hunt and protected me there, Frank.  He's my boy.  Xander loves me just as much as I love him.  If it ever comes down to my son or my girl, my son will win."  He looked at him.  "They hear confession like priests do."

"Hence the hinting," he agreed. "Does Alexx know you adopted?"

"Yeah, I told her during my welcome home party," he said with a grin.  "She wants to meet my boy."  They parked and he hurried inside past the guards.  "Stay there," he ordered.

"Boys, there's a threat to an officer," Frank said as he walked past them. "Stay."  They snapped to attention and stayed on the doors. He made it into the elevator and up to the lab, storming up to Horatio's office.  "Close the windows, Speed."

"You do that, Frank."  He leaned on the desk, staring at Horatio.  "Someone hated you enough to put a contract out on your life."  Horatio leaned back, staring at him.  "Xander called."

"He overheard?"

"A retiring assassin came to him," Frank told him.

"Crap," Horatio muttered.  "Do we know who?"

"Not totally but we know some and you're not the only one. The other one we may know but Lady Heather would know better.  Meaning Las Vegas."

"A tech or not?"

"I don't know," Speed admitted.  "Due to the confession vows he can't *give* us information or evidence."

"He can give us hints.  That's a good hint.  An officer?"

"We might know them so I'm doubting it," Speed pointed out.  "Lady Heather might know them means it's Grissom's shift since he's had some cases out that way and Xander said they helped when her daughter died."

"Who would know more up there?"  Frank asked.

"There's three possibles.  Two in SVU or Flack, or possibly Taylor might have a clue," Speed offered. "But you're still not leaving the office."

"Why do we think it's me?"

"He said it was someone personal to me.  Someone who had helped others grieve and had grieved. Someone who had done some things in a not totally acceptable way.  Someone who didn't seem to do much in public but they were very effective."

"Which leaves out Calleigh and Eric," Frank agreed.  "Or me, Yelina, any of the rest of us, Horatio.  So you're not leaving the office."

"Do we know if he's down here?"

"Xander said he's not at home and assumed he was heading to one of the two targets by what he didn't quite say."

"So it's me or someone in Vegas," he agreed, nodding slowly.  "All right.  Let's call New York, see what Flack knows."  Speed called the number he had looked up, making Horatio smile. "You know it by heart?"

"I was going to check on my boy this week."

"Flack," said a tired voice.

"Don, Speed," he said firmly.  "I need to know about his client.  Xander hinted that one of them was one of us and someone in Vegas who Lady Heather knows."

"Aw, shit," he muttered.  Someone in the background laughed.  "Okay, I'll send you what little we've got."

"Okay.  Any idea if he's coming here or there first?" Frank asked.

"Not yet. I wasn't even aware he was out of the city."

"He's living above Xander," Speed told him.

"That I knew.  Speaking of, we talked to his trainer.  They're moving him into the same category as the cops who do these things.  You did a good job on his moral code."  Speed beamed at that. "He's a good boy, Speed.   Do we have a number for you guys?"

"Mac will," Horatio assured him.  "Send it to us and to Grissom's team."

"They started off the research run because the guy tried ta get to him out there but she kept him away," Don offered.  "I'm thinkin' there's a really pissed Domme out in Vegas."

"Good," Speed agreed.  "Do we have his place bugged?"

"Yeah.  I do," Don agreed dryly.  "He said it's not one of you techs, like you or Mac, but it's in one of the fields he doesn't understand really well.  Apparently they had a talk about it while he was out there."

"So, we should talk to this Lady Heather," Frank said.

"Could help," Don agreed.  "I wish you luck.  She's supposedly a very nice lady but she's got fierce mother bitch syndrome about Xander with the way she was swearing at Steven for encouraging him to take the guy on."  You could almost hear the smirk.  "But Steven did explain why the psychos like him.  He's like a pure version of them.  He understands, he's been there, and he knows what they're thinking, but he's still pure."

"It does explain it," Horatio agreed.  "Thank you, Don.  Please forward whatever you have to whatever number Mac has for me."

"Sure.  Later, guys.  Danny's not lookin' happy while he's storming this way."  He hung up.

Speed dialed another number, smirking at the calm voice on the other end. "This is Tim Speedle, Master Tim's father.  I need to speak to Lady Heather, especially since my son called her just now."

"Master Tim is at home, sir."

"I know.  He just called her and we need to coordinate information on what he hinted at.  Please."

"I'll see if she's receiving calls, sir."  The phone went to music.  Soon a more dulcet female voice came over.

"Timothy?  Xander's father Timothy?"

"I am," Speed agreed.  "We need to know what you know to help protect the one hit he's doing down here, Lady Heather.  By the way, I'm glad my son trusted you and went to you for advanced training.  He sounded very happy about it."

"I was happy to have him.  He's a wonderful young man, Timothy.  A great credit to your care for the last few years of his childhood.   I have warned the supervisor out here about this situation."

"Which tech?" Horatio asked.

"You are?"

"Sorry, ma'am, Horatio Caine."

"Hmm, the head of the labs down there.  You are Timothy's boss?"

"I am."

"Good.  Then let him protect you.  I will send you what little I know.  It was the basics of the profile.  I know out here he's either going for someone in DNA or Trace.  Xander said he didn't understand either of those fields, even when you explained them to him, Timothy, but that's how he let me know who it was."

"A present tech or their past one?" Horatio asked. "Their best DNA tech just joined the field."

"I do hope Gil will think about that.  If not, I'll make sure in a while," she agreed.  "Thank you, Horatio.  If you do get a copy of his scene, I would like a copy as well.  I heard that they had presented a warrant for it so Steven is working very hard at the moment to keep Xander from being shunned."

"He could be?" Horatio asked.

"Yes, for telling what went on, he could very well be.  Some would shun him for merely hinting and preventing.  Officers who are in the field often have that same problem," she admitted.  "If they're wise they'll move him into that category.  He does do very well with officers and agents."

"He said he did because he understood what they were going through.  Is there anything you can confirm for us, Lady Heather?  Like if it is in fact Horatio?"

"If I get a copy of the tape certainly.  If not, when they get one they'll probably be putting out all the standard warnings."

"Can we get his name and a picture of him faxed down?" Horatio asked.  "That way we can see if he's come through the airport?"

"We can do that," she agreed happily.  "I do still have the basic file that Warrick found for me.  He's such a charming boy.  Thank you, gentlemen, and, Timothy, do call your son more often.  He doesn't have many friends up there."

"I know.  I call at least once a week, Lady Heather."

"Good.  I do adore that boy.  He's made some very bad times easier recently.  Have a better day, gentlemen."  She hung up.

"Wow, your boy was training with one of the top dommes in the US?" Frank asked.  Speed smiled and nodded.  "Proud of your boy?" he teased.

"Very.  I'm a bit concerned about him being a dom but yeah, I love my boy and he did a great job to even get her attention.  The fact he came home bouncing and happy because she had given him glowing reviews?  I'm more than pleased and she loved how he handled weapons work."  Frank shuddered.  "My boy has a good hand with a whip.  A real whip."

Horatio smiled.  "Go see if that fax is in yet."  Frank went to do that.  "I can give you a weekend in November but the Chief said all leave for the holidays was already taken and he might have to take days off if we have another crime wave like last year."

"I'll take that and some in January then," he agreed.  Horatio handed over some papers.  "Thanks, Horatio."

"Welcome, Speed.  Use your schedule that week to give yourself an extra day."  That got a smile and Tim signed it, handing it back.  "I'll put this in for you today," he promised.  "Why did he take on an assassin?"

"Steven and the guy talked with Xander.  Steven was his first teacher and he thought it'd be okay."

"He didn't read the guy well?"

"Apparently not."

"That's fine.  We do want a copy of that tape."

"As long as I don't have to watch my son work him over.  I saw him torture a vampire for information Giles needed once.  Not pretty."

"I'll watch it myself with Frank," he agreed.

"Thanks, Horatio."

"Welcome, Speed.  Where's Eric?"

"With the case."  That got a smile.  "We didn't abandon it totally.  I'll call to see if he still needs me and go back if you want."  That got a nod so he went to do that.  "Eric, my man, still need me?"  He smirked.  "No, we warned Horatio he's in danger, talked to the other people who had information, it's being sent down, and now we can protect his stubborn ass.  Need me back there?"  He nodded.  "That's fine.  Bring it to me, Eric.  I'll head up to the lab and be waiting on you."  He hung up and headed that way.  "He's on his way back."

"Good.  Keep me informed."  Horatio walked out, joining Frank at the reception desk.  "He looks familiar."

"That's because he's in the building," Frank said, hurrying off.  "Back to one of the occupied labs, Horatio, and stay there!"  He pulled out his phone.  "It's Tripp, meet me in the halls, we've got a pretend officer."  He hung up and only paused by Yelina's desk. "Go guard Horatio, there's a contract out on him and we think the guy's in here."  He showed her the picture and she nodded, going to find her brother-in-law.  He ran into the patrol supervisor and showed it to him.  "We're pretty sure he's a well known assassin.  Someone warned us he's got one on Caine."

"Last I knew he was downstairs."  They headed to find the guy.

Speed watched all the activity, then sighed and shook his head.  "That was a timely warning.  Horatio?"  He came in. "Stay in here.  Eric's coming right here from his scene."

"Can I see your gun?" he asked.  Speed grimaced but handed it over.  He checked it.  "It's mostly clean."  He handed it back once he had it back to where it should be.

"I cleaned it the other day."

"We'll work on that, Speed."

"If Xander comes down he'll do it for me," he promised.  "Xander likes weapons.  Got a whole bunch from Giles."  Horatio smiled at that.  "Including a grenade launcher.  They've come in handy in the past for the bigger things."

Horatio blinked.  "You are joking?" he asked.

Speed shook his head with a smirk.  Horatio moaned.  "Like I said, he likes weapons.  He cleans all his guns every week. Said he had to go after one of Sonny's goons with a whip for taking one to scare someone with.  He got it back and it was still clean too."

"Why is your son playing with someone like Sonny Sassone?   I heard about him from Mac at the conference."

"Xander accidentally moved into Tanglewood's, his gang's, territory.  The first night they had alpha dog problems and Xander proved he is the bigger bitch.  Beat him black and blue then turned down a job offer.  They've got some mutual respect going but when he was out of town apparently one decided to borrow it for a threat.  Xander said he laid a welt on the guy for it."

"Is your son insane or suicidal?"

Speed considered that.  "He was depressed looking in Vegas," he admitted, looking at him then at Yelina when she walked in.  "You heard?"

"I did.  What is going on?  A contract?"

Tim nodded. "My son's a dom and he had an assassin come up to him for absolution before retirement.  He hinted but we had enough clues to know that Horatio's one of his last few targets.  We got a picture and name from the domme in Las Vegas who protected Xander while he was training with her for a few weeks.  We're getting more information from New York as well."

"He can't simply *tell* us?" she demanded.

"For a dom, what they do is like one of us going to confession," Horatio said simply.  "They can't tell.  They can only hint, Yelina."

She shuddered.  "I don't even want to think about that lifestyle."

"Actually, my boy's very sweet and goofy," Speed said, leaning on the table.  "He's a great kid.  Can't cook worth a damn unless it's poisonous.  Likes weapons.  He's only nineteen but he's good."

She looked at him.  "Your son is nineteen and you let him go to New York alone?"

"Aiden won the coin toss or he'd been down here," he said dryly.  Another CSI walked in.  "Hey, Wolfe."

"Hey, Speed.  What's with the lockdown?"

"My son called in a tip that there's a contract out on Horatio."

"Why?"

"For being so good."

"No, I meant your son calling it in."

"He's going by Master Tim in New York."

Wolfe blinked, then nodded.  "I've heard good things about him from a friend in the life.  They consider him like the cops who do the same job on their down time.  They say he's helped catch a few serial killers."

"Yeah, they like him," Speed agreed.  "He's like a pure version of them because of what he's seen and been through."

Ryan nodded at that.  "I'm so sorry for your son.  I'm sure you helped him a lot."  Speed nodded, smiling some.  "He coming down for a visit soon?  I can introduce him to my friend if you want.  Calleigh said something to someone earlier about setting your son up on dates."

"If he comes down we need to.  He's got the *worst* luck with women.  Any of them he dates want to kill him, especially if he's being a perfect gentleman.  If they have sex it's worse.  I had to rescue him from his prom date because she was a nympho and trying to kill him using sex."  Horatio snickered at that.  "Yeah, well, seven hours after they started he couldn't really drive, Horatio," he said blandly.  Yelina gave him a shocked look.  "Yeah.  Seven hours.  She still wants more of him."  He shrugged. "Anya's not the normal girl."

Ryan nodded.  "Works for me."  Someone opened the door and he pulled his gun.  "And you would be?" he demanded.

"Him," Speed agreed, pulling his own, Horatio doing the same.  Yelina turned and tried to catch him.  He ran out and they all ran after him, but he managed to evade them and Frank when he was alerted.  "Someone call Vegas and get Horatio a protection detail for later," he ordered.  Frank nodded, going to do that.

***

Lady Heather walked into the police station, looking at the receptionist.  "Is Gil Grissom in please?"  She nodded and paged him.  She smiled when he came out.  "Gil, you didn't protect one of them?"  He looked confused.  "It was pointed out to me one of the fields in question had one that left recently?  Though my contact in Miami said he evaded capture there this morning and he may be on a plane at the moment.  We're not sure."

Gil gave her a look.  Then it hit him. "Greg!  Thank you, Lady Heather.  The other two are protected, even though Hodges didn't understand why it might be him."   He went running off to call his errant tech back to the office for his own protection and call the airport security office to pass on the picture and name.  Just in case.

Lady Heather shook her head.  "All men are a bit clueless," she told the other woman, who nodded at that.  She smiled at Catherine as she walked up the hallway with a file.  "Good evening."

"Lady Heather."  She smiled and shook her hand. "What brings you down here?"

"One of the Masters I've recently helped train heard hints of a contract on someone here."

"Do we know who?"

"It's either someone in DNA or Trace.  One of the hints gave me that much."

"What about someone like Greg?"

"That's what I just prompted Gil on.  I had called him earlier."

"No wonder Hodges has all his blinds closed. Thank you."  She smiled.  "I'll make sure Greg's fine."

"Is he the one who stares?"  She nodded.  "Send him to me for the night," Lady Heather instructed. "He will be safe in my house and I believe I can fix that."

"I'll let Gil know," she promised with a wicked grin. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, dear."  She walked off, heading back to her car and driver.  "Home."  He nodded and left.  Gregory was there by the time she got home.  She smiled at him, stroking his cheek.  "Gregory."

"Why did I get called to here? You wouldn't normally get me through Grissom."

"This time, there is someone hunting for you, Gregory.  I told him I would protect you and help you control your little staring problem."

He snorted.  "They don't like it that I'm a heterosexual male with an appetite for sex?  I'm not that old!"

"I know, dear.  Now, to my office, Gregory.  Master Tim was the one who called me about the tip."

"Can we call him?" he asked, smiling at her.

She stroked his cheek again.  "If you're a good boy."  He nodded and walked up the stairs, his hands behind his back.  "Good boy."  He walked into her private rooms at her urging and fell to his knees beside her chair, letting her pour him some tea.  "Here, dear, drink."  She called Xander. "Dear, can you speak for a few minutes?"  She smiled. "Then I'll call back in a half hour.  Thank you, dear."  She hung up.  "He's with someone."

"I wish he had stayed," he said, looking up at her.  "He was good for me."

"He was, even if he was lax in your other training."  He lowered his head again.  "I do not mind, Gregory.  He was exactly what you needed.  Though I have heard he's planning on going to Miami soon and setting up down there."

"Then maybe I'll start taking quarterly trips down there," he agreed quietly, modulating his voice as she had taught him.  She stroked through his hair, making him rest against her hand.  "Thank you, Lady Heather."

"Drink your tea, Gregory.  You could go see him in New York, even though he doesn't have private space set up yet."  He nodded, sipping his tea. "Good boy."  She went back to petting him.  His hair was always soft.  Xander called her back, letting her put it on speaker.  "Master Tim, dear.  I have Gregory here with me."

"Not quite the one he wanted but it was a suggestion made," he offered.  "Hi, Gregory."

"Master Tim," he said, grinning.  "How are you?"

"I'm doing okay.  Not great today.  My electric's down due to a car crash so I was late to work."  He shifted.  "How are you?"

"A bit stressed but what you taught me did help, Master Tim.  Thank you."

"You're welcome, Gregory.  You know where I am if you need to come see me."

"I might take you up on that sometime soon," he promised.  He grinned. "Have you had other problems?"

"No, the community as a whole has decided that it's the same as if I were really a cop."  He smiled, you could hear it in his voice.  "They agreed it was a bad decision to let him come to me as well.  Steven's trainer paddled him I think.  He's not here tonight."

Lady Heather chuckled.  "As I would have if he had been my trainee, Tim.  I spoke with your father and Horatio Caine earlier."

"Good.  Did you like Daddy?"

"He sounded very nice and calm, plus very intelligent."  She smiled at Greg.  "Gregory is in my protection tonight.  He's had a staring problem."

"I know you're supposed to detach yourself from your hormones, but I'm sorry.  If they're shaking it in your face you can't always do that.  Even Don has that problem now and then.  I think that's why Mac gives any prostitute or stripper cases to Stella out here."

"Possibly," Greg agreed quietly. "Catherine gets a lot of that too.  I stared at strippers."

"Hmm."  Xander was silent for a second.  "I know most of them aren't but start counting the germs you could get from them, Greg.  That should keep your dick focused."

"I'll try, Master Tim."

"Good boy, Gregory.  If I was there I'd pet you."

"I am for you.  It does keep him calm and centered," she promised.

"Thank you for protecting him for me, Lady Heather.  Would you like to come out to New York?  I'd let you have my spare room, m'lady."

"That's all right, Xander.  The next time you see me will probably be at our convention next month."

"I didn't register in time," he sighed.  "No rooms left."

"I have an extra one," she promised.  "I'll even try to get Gregory to escort me for it."

"Thank you.  You're a great lady, Lady Heather.  I do adore you so.  Gregory, be a good boy until you see me again and keep a list."

"Yes, sir.  I am."

"Good boy.  Thank you, Lady Heather.  I'd best get back to the bar.  Have a better night."

"You as well," she agreed.  "Good night, Tim."  She hung up and looked at him.  "How very interesting."

"May I call Catherine?"

"You may."  He reached over to dial the phone, putting her on speaker.

"Willows."

"Catherine, Lady Heather again.  We have it narrowed down to two targets.  I have one."

"Hodges is the other," Greg told her.  She gave him a look.  "Sorry for the interruption, Lady Heather.  I like Hodges."

"I'm sure you do."  She went back to petting him.  It did keep him calm and centered.  "You will update Gil?"

"Of course.  He's across the room.  Thank you, Lady Heather, and please keep Greg safe for us.  I'm sure you can teach him many things."

"Why?  Most of what you see is an appreciation for life.  Taking that would ruin him as it has others.  Make them bitter before their time.  Makes them emotionally bereft.  I would not wish that on anyone."

"Good point.  Can you make him quit staring at women?"

"He is a heterosexual young man who is not attached.  He is supposed to stare, though not so obviously."  She gave him a look.

"I try but sometimes the appreciation makes me look too long," he admitted.

"You need your eyes checked. It could be blurry vision.  You have to take longer to focus."

He nodded.  "I've considered that recently.  I have microscope eyes still."  She nodded at that and he tipped his head.  "Please," he mouthed.  She smiled and stroked his hair again, making him sigh in pleasure.

"Pretty girl just walk by, Greg?" Catherine teased.

"I'm with one of the most beautiful, Catherine, I wouldn't have to look any farther than the woman beside me for beauty and grace."  Lady Heather smiled at him for that obvious sucking up.  He shifted positions, getting a nod.  "Thanks, Catherine."  He hung up and took his spankings like a man because he did deserve them for sucking up to her.  Then she went back to petting him, even letting him rest against her thigh to do so.  He sighed in pleasure, coming from that alone.

"You may clean up in a few more minutes," she promised.  "We can wash those for you, Gregory."

"Thank you, Lady Heather."

"You're a good boy but you put unreasonable stresses on yourself and then they expect you to be a robot or unable to accept feelings.  It is not healthy to deny yourself affection or feelings that way."  He nodded.  "Good boy, Greg."  He closed his eyes, letting himself drift and fall into his head.  When someone broke in he was on his feet in an instant to protect her but it was a panicking sub with a medical issue.  They went to deal with it, getting them the proper help while Greg watched over them.  Once the paramedics were gone, she took him back to the office, letting him have some of the scrubs she kept in a closet while his clothes were washed.  She rewarded him for trying to protect him with a good, long pet this time.

***

Don walked up to where Xander was getting his 'morning' fix of coffee, since it was his lunchtime it was a good time to be out and watch people, which Xander did.  He sat next to him.  "You good?"

"Still feeling a bit uncomfortable," he admitted.  He finished his breakfast and tossed the cup out.  "I'm sorry I couldn't outright tell you, Don."

"It got explained better to us but it does suck.  They can charge you for that some day."

"Was he captured?"

"Going after that Hodges guy in Las Vegas."  He looked at him.  "You okay?"

"Um, nope."

"You wanna talk?"

Xander shrugged.  "Just uneasy feelings.  The pre-battle feelings really."  He shifted to look at him.  "So, what's going on in your life?"

"Got a date later this week," he offered with a small grin.

"Congrats.  Doing better than I am," he offered with a small grin.  "She special?"

"Don't know yet.  First date."  That got an understanding nod.  "How's your folks?"

"Aiden's better.  I asked Spike to go threaten her boyfriend.  Spike likes her for being a sassy bitch."  That got a laugh and a nod of appreciation.  "Even though he's mostly harmless he can still scare the crap out of people."

"Good.  It's good she's okay.  Your dad?"

"Talked to him last weekend for something other than work reasons and he was good then. Cooking.  He promised me cookies later this week when he had time to make a huge batch."  That got a grin from the older man.  "Shoot me, I like cookies."

"I like cookies too," Don said with a grin for him.  "It's a good thing to like cookies, means you're still mostly normal."

"I was before, Don."

"Not really."  He looked at him.  He started to say something and then closed his mouth.  Then he opened it again and pulled something out of his pocket.  "This got sent to Danny."  He handed it over.  "I have no idea what that is.  He said it's not a bomb and when they x- rayed it he didn't want to know where it came from."

Xander looked at the envelope.  Still sealed.  Only had a request to pass it on to him on the front.  "Did it magically appear?"

"Sealed inside another envelope."

"Uh-huh."  He lifted a corner of the flap and used it to slit open the end, looking inside.  "It's a check."

"We saw that on the x-ray."

Xander let it slide into his hands, blinking at it.  "It doesn't have a name on it.  Only a bank name."

"It's a cashier's check," Don explained.  "I, personally, would like to know where it came from."

Xander looked at him.  "You think?" he asked, sounding a bit hysterical.  He calmed himself down.  "Don, did you look at the numbers on the check?"  He shook his head.  Xander held it up.  "I'm checking with my grandfather first, but he didn't send me money like this before."  To his own ears he still sounded a bit hysterical.

Apparently Don thought so too because he took the check to look over while his free hand gripped Xander's. "We'll figure it out, Xander."  Xander suddenly got up and sprinted off, going to stop someone walking on the other part of the path.  Don followed more slowly with the check.

"Did he do that?  I told him I didn't want spoiled!" Xander was complaining.  "I don't need it!"

"Hold on!" the guy said, blinking at them.  "Detective."

"I can say the same," he agreed.  He held up the check and the man winced then shook his head.  "Not his grandfather?"

"He'd never hand him a cashier's check," he offered.  "Let me call and see if he knows who sent it, Xander.  For now, put that somewhere safe, Detective Flack."

"Sure."  He put it into his own wallet.  "I'll take you to the bank, kiddo."

"Don, I don't want it!" he complained.  "I don't need spoiled!"

The guy stepped off.  "Father, it's Tom.  Xander just got sent a cashier's check for two million dollars?" he asked quietly.  "No, he's a bit hysterical and thought you might have sent it."

"I don't know anyone else who would!" Xander complained. He took the phone.  "Grandfather, if that was you you *know* I don't want spoiled.  I don't need it!  I really don't need that burden!"  He listened to the calm, rational voice.  "Then who would have!  I don't know anyone who'd just hand me money."  He blinked.  "No, he paid Steven.  Why?"  He shook his head slowly.  "No.  Not that I'm aware of."  He blinked.  "Who?"  He sat down, listening to him.  "Are you sure?  Don's here."  He nodded and handed the phone to Don, then got helped up by the other guy.  "It really wasn't him?"

"If he said it wasn't him it wasn't him, Xander," he said gently.  Xander slumped and nodded.  "Now, let Flack protect you while you take that to the bank."

"Uh-no, it's going to CSI and then the bank," Don told him.  He listened to the calm voice.  "He's still in shock actually."  Xander nodded at that. "Yeah, if you hear anything I'd like to know, just in case it's another psycho after him.  Steven explained why they liked him.  Yeah, that reason."  He nodded.  "Sure.  Thanks."   He hung up and tossed the phone back.  "Call off work on the way to the station, Xander."  Xander nodded and followed him back, stopping to pick up his cellphone since it had fallen out of his pocket while he had been sitting down.  He drove them back to the station, walking him into Mac's office, putting the check down in front of him.  "It wasn't his grandfather."

"Danny said it was a sizeable check."  He looked at them.  "Do we have any idea who sent this?"

"We've either got another psycho asshole or it was the assassin," Don told him.  "Either way, we gotta know, Mac."

"Point.  I'll see if fingerprints can get anything off it."

"He'll still need ta cash it."

"I understand."

"No I don't," Xander said.

Don looked at him.  "It's an emergency fund, Xander.  Use it for that and to set up on your own."  He sat down on Mac's couch, cuddling the boy, petting him gently.  Mac smiled but he did go to see if they could get fingerprints off it. He came back a half-hour later shaking his head.  "Nothing?"

"A partial smudge that's probably the teller," he offered.

"Crap."

"Basically."  He made Xander look at him. "I want you to be very careful tonight, Xander."

"I'm off tonight," he said weakly.  "Don made me call off."

"Good.  Then let Don take you to the bank, deposit most of that, then go home with dinner and a new book.  Call your dad or mom when they're off shift."

"Mom's going to yell."

"Yeah, ya think?" Don suggested. "C'mon.  We'll go do that. Thanks, Mac."

"Welcome, Don."  He watched them walk out then called SVU to give them a head's up. "Stabler or Munch please?"  He smiled.  "John, Mac Taylor.  No, just a head's up.  Xander just got a sizeable cashier's check sent to him anonymously through Danny here at the station.  No, it came here.  Two million.  We couldn't pull a fingerprint and Flack's taking him to have it cashed."  He nodded.  "That's what I was thinking.  I don't think this is his grandfather."  He listened.  "Partial smudge of a fingerprint. No match able to be made.  No, he's got tonight off.  I told him to deposit most of it then go home with dinner and a book.  He's still in shock."  He saw someone he knew walking up the halls.  "Hold on for a second.  We may be getting more information."  He put him on hold.  "Detective."

"His grandfather is not pleased he doubted his word."

"Xander doesn't know anyone else who has money."

"Which is what he realized after he calmed down."  He handed over something.  "Father Benis called in a few favors and found that out.  That's all we know."

Mac looked at it then at him.  "Who would've seen him doing that?"

"Not a clue," he admitted.  "He's apparently trying to show his prowess to woo him.  We don't know who but the motive behind it.  His grandfather asked that someone calm him down."

"Don's got him.  We couldn't pull a fingerprint."  That got a nod.  "Anything else let me know."

"Of course. We like Xander.  He's a very good boy most of the time.  Even if he did bat Sassone on the head when he walked out of his apartment this morning because he was sitting on his stoop.  Then he walked off grinning."

"That's a dangerous game.  I'll tell Don."

"Thank you.  Danny does tend to yell a lot about that subject."

"As I probably would.  Thank you, Detective."

"Not an issue, Taylor."  He left.

Mac took him off hold.  "I'm back.  His grandfather sent more information.  Oh, didn't hear that one.  His grandfather is Father Patrick Benis.  Yeah, that guy.  No, he had been a priest a long time ago.  Yeah, they've barely started to get to know each other and apparently Xander set down a no spoiling rule.  His grandfather wasn't happy that he asked if it was him.  All they know is the motive behind it.  Someone's wooing him that way to show their prowess.  Yeah, like hunting down a fresh kill to present to a potential mate sort of prowess."  He smiled.  "We know it's male.  They found that out.  That he saw him at work, possibly one of the times he stripped for extra money."

He nodded. "Every now and then.  I heard he had a good night in Las Vegas when Lady Heather let him go do one."  He grinned.  "That and I heard he picked up someone who needed his help that same night."  He nodded.  "I will.  Because it was sent anonymously here.  It was sent to Danny so whoever is watching him, John.  Yeah, basically.  Thanks.  Just keep an ear out and let us know if you hear anything.  If it ends up being on your end, I'll call immediately or after I've shot them.  Thanks."  He smiled as he hung up, making notes on his daily log sheet and on his computer files.  "Stella?" he called when he saw her walking past.  She detoured.  "Was that Hawkes?"  She nodded and motioned him in, getting him to come back.  "You know the anonymous letter we got for Xander?"  They both nodded. "It contained a cashier's check for two million dollars.  All we know so far is that the person is wooing him by showing his prowess."

"I can hunt for the pack better than anyone else?" Hawkes suggested. Mac nodded.  "The boy okay?"

"He freaked out.  Called his grandfather to ask if it was him.  Which I heard he didn't like but Father Benis understood that Xander doesn't know anyone else with money.  Although, Sassone keeps hanging out on his front stoop.  He apparently got in a good bat at him this morning for being in the way.  Then he walked off smiling after having his morning dose of semi-violent tendencies."

Stella shook her head. "That's a dangerous game."

"Yeah, but this is Xander," Hawkes reminded her with a smile.  "Did we find anything on the check?"

"Danny found one partial smudge.  It had three lines of detail total."  That got stereo frowns.  "So keep an ear out and someone tell Lindsey in a way that won't create a fit."

"Sure," Stella agreed.  "Why send it to Danny?  If he's watching...."

"Danny went to watch him at work the other night when we got that threat we never told Xander about," Hawkes reminded her.  "Which we think was a hoax or a way to see who was watching over the boy."

"Which would be a reasonable way to do that," she agreed.  That had been their case and Danny had volunteered.  Flack got the creeps looking at the bar and Mac stood out like a sore thumb.  She hadn't wanted to go even though they were very polite to her.  "I'll listen for rumors starting," she agreed.  "Maybe Steven can help him invest."

"I hope someone does," Mac agreed.  "He was still in the slumping, defeated stage when Don brought him in."  He handed over the paperwork.  "That's all I have from Father Benis but they'll tell us if they hear anything."

"Sure," Stella agreed, reading it over as she walked off, Sheldon right behind her so he could take it. "Aiden is going to scream," she realized.  "A lot.  We'll be able to hear her from Seattle."

"I heard you guys ran into her at the convention.  How did she look?"

"Good up until the point she lined those three up and smacked the shit out of 'em for ignoring her boy," she said dryly.  "She even got me once but she got them a few times.  But Xander was cuddling her and calling her mommy and it was good after that.  She is one fierce mother over her boy.  If someone tries to hurt her boy, we'll be run over when she gets here.  We'll have just enough time for her to fly out here to solve it."

Sheldon nodded.  "I'd expect that of her though.  She always had that really fierce temper."

"She does," Stella agreed. "Mac said he couldn't feel that cheek for a few hours."  That got a smile.  They walked into the lab where Danny was working.  "Did you get anything off the envelope?"

"Waiting on DNA," he admitted, looking at them.  "You think it's related to the phone threat?"  That got a nod.  "Could be.  I'll let you know when I do."

"Sure."  She patted him on the back.  "Have you talked to Aiden since then?"

"I have.  She's calmer now that her boy cuddled her to death and sent someone to threaten her last boyfriend.  Apparently her boy sent someone from home up to threaten him on her.  Seemed to work pretty well.  Said she'd miss his fingers but not really anything else since he was a lazy and possessive asshole."  He shrugged.  "Her boy okay?"

"Upset," Stella told him.  "Mac said he was that slumping, defeated stage of shock."

"Sounds about right," Danny agreed. "He'll probably be shopping this weekend."  That got a smirk from Stella.  "I'm not expectin' nothin'," he promised.

"Good.  Let's see what else we can find," Sheldon agreed.  That got a nod and they went to reevaluate what they had with this new information.

***

Xander sat down on his stoop, sucking on his soda that Don had let him get.  He called his mom.  "Mommy, are you busy?" he asked quietly. "No, I'm having a bad day."  He snorted.  "Mom, I don't spank people to have a better day."  He took another drink.  "No, like the someone gave me a check bad day. Two mil."  He nodded.  "Thanks, mommy.  I needed the love."  He leaned against the railing, listening to her rant.  "Mom, we don't know. Grandfather didn't.  I asked his guys first and he's probably upset that I did but I made sure it wasn't him first."  He nodded.  "Mac knows.  They sent it to Danny at the station.  Don brought it to me.  He knew where I went for my morning coffee.  I know it's about noon here, mom.  I do work nights."  He smiled.  "Thanks, mommy.  No, I needed the cuddle.  I would but there's no one here I can cuddle, mommy.  I wish you were too.  I'd get a cuddle between you two and then treat you guys to dinner."  He smiled.  "Thanks, mom. What am I doing about this? Thinking about getting drunk tonight," he offered.  He took another drink.  "Thanks, mommy."  He hung up and debated calling his father but he was working and he didn't want to invade his work hours for the trivial things.  Besides, his dad would worry.  He looked up at the cough.  "What?  It's my stoop," he complained.

"Yay. What's your issue? You have someone say no?" he taunted.

"I need to get drunk and I hate drinking and liquor."  He finished his soda and threw it in a nearby trash can.  Then he looked at him. "Have you heard anything about someone hunting me and sending me money?"

"No," he snorted.  "Someone sent you money?"  Xander nodded. "Like major bucks?  Few thousand?"

"And then some," Xander said bitterly. "Anonymously, to Danny."  That got a laugh.  "Not funny, Sonny.  I tend to draw psychos."  He pouted, looking at the sports bar on the corner then shook his head.  "I hate drinking."

"Why?" he asked tolerantly

"Two drunk asshole parents."

"Oh.  They that bad?"  Xander took off his shirt and Sonny gaped in horror.  "Never mind."  Xander put back on his shirt.  "They alive?"

"Last I knew.  Aiden and Timmy, the ones I call mom and dad, ran them off when I was sixteen."  That got a good nod, an appreciative one.  He looked at him.  "Aiden used to work in the local CSI office with Danny."

"The pouty one?"  Xander grinned and nodded.  "That's your adoptive mother?"  Xander grinned brighter and nodded again.  "Hell, she willing to take another in?  I'd cuddle that."

"I should hit you for saying that about my mother but I'm too fucking tired," Xander complained.

"Aaaah, now you're swearing," he taunted.  "Don't really go with calling her 'mommy'."

Xander looked at him.  "Sonny, I've killed things that made me swear."

"Whatever.  Go upstairs like a good little boy. There's gonna be an issue today."

"If you're doing business on my stairs I'm going to have to complain."

"I'm not, but someone's trying to take over the neighborhood.  They're coming back again."

"Tell me if you need me.  I'd like peace here."  He got up and headed upstairs, dusting off his pants on the way.

Sonny shook his head.  That boy was just wrong in the head to his way of thinking. Who would send him major money?  He sat down and took up his position.  His other boys were around the neighborhood waiting.  Their target car rolled down the street, windows slightly open.  He saw the gun come out and pulled his own to fire if it came to it.  He heard a shot and the guy's tire popped, making him swerve and hit the curb.  He looked up.  "Damn you're good."

"Of course I am."  The window shut.

Sonny looked at them.  "We've got a psycho guy living here," he said smugly.  "He didn't like your plan either."

"What's he gonna do?  Skin me?" the guy getting out demanded.

"Actually, he's one of those guys who beats people for a living so he probably could."  That got a horrified look.  "You're interrupting his ice cream sulk."

"Fuck, he's gay too?  You let that in your neighborhood?"

"He don't cause *me* any trouble," he sneered back. "You?"  He snorted.  "You got nothin' but trouble."  A cop car cruised by, one window down.  "Hey, officer, you wanna remove the scum from my neighborhood?  Before the neighborhood watch group gets him for sellin' drugs here?"  The cops stopped and came back to get the other guys with the openly carried weapons.  His was good, they were on his payroll.  They didn't even say anything about the car so Sonny had it towed to his hidden garage so they could toss it for anything useful then had it given to a chop shop locally.  They'd appreciate it. One less they'd have to steal.  He came back and found Xander outside with his ice cream.  "You still sulking?"

"Yup."

"Go buy shit!  That's what he wants."

"Who said I want him?"

Sonny sneered.  "It's a gift, Xander.  You can use it even if you don't want the guy.  Do what the chicks do."

Xander looked at him.  "You obviously know more shallow women than I do.  I only know one who wouldn't hesitate to take a major gift like that and then refuse the guy."  He ate another bite of ice cream. "They on the payroll?  Those two cops?"

"Not sayin', you'd tell your minders."

"I wanted to make sure they weren't going to cause me more problems," he complained.

"No, I told 'em I had some psycho bastard living here who knows about serial killers because they like him.  They heard about you bein' Taylor's mentoring case."  Xander shrugged at that.  "Is that why you're in my city?"

"Aiden said I had to leave my hellmouth.  She won the coin toss or I'd be in Miami right now soaking up the sun and the bikinis."  He smirked.  "She sent me to Mac, Don, and Danny, plus Stella so I quit dealing with scary bitches who want to kill me."

Sonny snorted. "Yeah, you know a lot different women than I do."

"I'd offer a practical demonstration but I don't have a date tonight," he said dryly. "You should ask your employees about my last date.  She chased me down the street with a knife because I didn't want to sleep with her on the first date."  He ate another bite.

"New York women can be like that," he agreed dryly.  "I'd still spend it."

"I'm having a violent urge to kill and eviscerate him, then stuff the empty body cavity with the cash," Xander admitted.  "I really shouldn't hunt tonight, I'll get in trouble."  He ate another bite, finishing the ice cream.  He tossed that out and licked his spoon off.  "You're a good wall to talk to, Sonny, thanks."  He got up and went back inside.

Sonny shuddered.  He got that mental image very well.  He wasn't that hardcore. If he needed to kill someone he simply beat 'em with a baseball bat.  That boy did freaky things that made cops puke.  No wonder his mom had sent him to *three* cops to watch over him.  He sat down and looked up a number down in Miami through directory assistance, checking the boy's windows.  All closed.  "Hey, is there a Timmy guy there?  No, I just talked to his son and it's a bit worrisome.  I know he's in the lab.  He was in Sunnydale," he offered.  "Yeah, I think he should know something.  Thanks."  He listened to the nice hold music.  The kid's mother apparently needed help this time.

***

Speed hung up.  Then he looked at his phone before handing it to Calleigh.  "Here, hold this before I get another odd call."  He walked off, going to find Horatio.  He found him and Ryan in the office.  "When you're done, I need you for a few."

"It's nothing personal or private," Ryan offered. "I'm filling out paperwork that got eaten."

"Been there, done that, recently even."  He walked inside. "H, I just got a call from the gangster who owns the block Xander lives on.  He said my son wants to kill and eviscerate someone then stuff the money someone sent him into his body cavity."  Horatio moaned at that.  "Apparently someone sent my son a rather large check but Sassone didn't know how large."

"Should we check with New York?" Ryan asked, looking at him.  "Because I heard rumors that someone down here was looking at your son as a tasty addition to his harem if he ever came down.  Then his mistress of the moment smacked him and walked off from the story he was telling."

"How did that one see my son?"

"Lady Heather let him play while in Las Vegas," Ryan said grimly.  "He did an open pole night."  Tim moaned at that, shaking his head.  "Something about predatory instincts, hips of doom, and being a virgin yet so very dirty."  He shrugged.  "Probably that same thing you said drew serial killers to him."

"Could be," Speed agreed, blinking at him.  He definitely was getting a whole new appreciation for this new guy.  "I still got a call from a thug and drug dealer."

Horatio nodded.  "He didn't call you?"

"You complained the last time he did and he heard you, H.  So I'll probably hear it from him later tonight."

"For now, call the CSI up there or Flack," Horatio ordered. "See if he's in danger.  If so you can bring him down sooner."  Speed nodded, going to do that.  "Good thoughts, Mr. Wolfe."

"Thanks, Horatio."  He handed the next form back.  "I'd be worried if some thug called about my kid too."

Horatio nodded.  "That is an odd occurrence but his son is said to be a very nice young man, homicidal urges beside the point."

"Hey, if someone gave me major money, I'd worry too," Ryan pointed out.

"True."  Eric walked past the doorway. "Tell Speed I want updated as soon as he knows what's really going on."

"Sure," Eric agreed, heading to where he could see Speed leaning against the wall listening to someone.  Forehead leaning into the wall, not his usual position for listening to the phone.  He heard a groan.  Sounds like someone wasn't happy. Speed finally hung up with a beep of his phone.  "H said he wanted an update when you knew something."

Speed rolled his head to look at him.  "Someone sent my son an anonymous cashier's check for two million dollars to the cops we have watching him up there.  My son is apparently sulking and angry enough that he scared the gang punk who runs the block he lives on because *he* called *me* directly to say Xander needed help, that he was saying things about evisceration and stuffing the body with money."  Eric moaned.  "So, yeah."  He walked off, leaning in Horatio's office.  "Xander got sent an anonymous cashier's check for two million dollars."  Horatio gasped.  "They sent it to Danny.  Dual envelope, inner one with Xander's  name on it.  No note.  That's why Xander's sulking so bad that Sonny Sassone called me to tell me I needed to come see my son."

"Is he in danger?" Ryan asked.

"They don't have a clue yet.  All that they've been able to figure out is that this is his way of wooing Xander, showing his prowess and ability to care for him.  It's a possibility it's another serial guy, it's possible it's someone else.  I seriously don't know, Ryan.  Right now all I want to do is fly up and protect my son."  He looked at their boss again.  "Oh, Sassone said he suggested Xander spend it, like any girl would, he said Xander refused.  Said he wasn't that shallow."

"I can see it with a little thing, like fifty bucks," Ryan offered. "Especially if it had come with a birthday card or something."

"His birthday was last month, I think," Speed offered.  "Xander refused to let us celebrate it.  But no, no card, no note, nothing."

"Then I wouldn't be touching it either.  I'd be letting it sit in the bank and waiting to see if it bounced."

"Cashier's checks can't bounce," Horatio reminded him.  He looked at Speed.  "Are you on this weekend?"

"I am. If I take off now I won't have time to go up next month."

Horatio nodded.  "Call and see if he'll come down."

"Yeah, I can do that."  He pulled out his phone and looked at it. "Of course I'm out of minutes."  Ryan tossed over his.  "Thanks, Wolfe."

"Not an issue. I'd like to meet your son.  He sounds nice," he offered with a small smile.

"Only sometimes.  Xander can drive you insane at times."  He sat down against the inner wall of the office, dialing from his phone's phonebook.  "Xander?  Are you okay?  I got a call from Sassone and not you?"  He nodded at Horatio.  "He said he didn't want you to get upset, boss."

"It happens sometimes.  This is an emergency," he agreed patiently.

Speed listened to his son tell him what he knew. "Okay.  Is it in the bank?"  He smiled at the 'all but fifty bucks'.  "Good decision."  He snorted at his idea. "Have you been watching cheesy movies again, Xander?  There's no telling if he reads the personals section of the paper and would get the hint you're talking about him, baby. You know that."  He nodded, looking up when someone leaned in over his head.  "No, kiddo, it's all good.  Want to come down for a few days?"  He listened to him look at his schedule.  "When is that?"  He looked at the calendar on his phone.  "Huh.  That's next week.  Really?"  He smiled.  "Sure.  Love you too and be safe, okay?  I don't like that this was done anonymously.  It sounds like the fanclub you were talking about.  Please be safe, baby?"  He grinned.  "Sure, I'll be safe and you come down as scheduled, then we'll look for a place for when you move down here.  Good boy.  Love you too.  Let me know, okay? I don't want to hear it from Sassone again.  Yeah, well, it sent me into a panic.  I'm sure he wouldn't have over this, Xander.  Thanks, baby.  Behave and hug yourself for me until you come down.  Love you."  He hung up and tossed Ryan his phone back.  "All but fifty of it is in the bank. He pulled out enough to get dinner. He's coming down on the eleventh for a four day weekend.  He's going to go beat Sassone for calling me about him.  He's called Aiden and she's still probably throwing a fit, and it'll be okay."

"He was thinking about putting in an ad like in Suddenly Seeking Susan or whatever that movie was called?" Ryan asked.  Speed nodded.  "I can see that one.  Whoever sent me the money, I appreciate the gift but don't know you.  Show yourself or I'm spending it on clothes and calling you Bob or something."

Speed laughed.  "Yeah, that's almost how he put it."  He stood up with some help from Alexx.  "Hi, mom.  Someone sent Xander an anonymous heap of money."

"Why?"

"That's what has us worried, we don't know," Speed told her.

"Is my grandson coming down soon?"

"The eleventh.  He'll be down Thursday through Sunday."  She smiled at that.  "We're going to see if we can find him a spot down here because his last contract ends in February."

"Good!  He needs to be closer.  Those boys up there aren't paying enough attention to him."  She kissed him on the cheek. "Horatio, I found a rune tile inside this one."  He got up to follow her down to the morgue to look at it.  That had been a serial killer a few years ago.

Speed looked at Ryan. "Thanks for the loan."

"Not a problem. That's something you needed to hear from him about.  Is he really okay?"

"Shaky.  He said he shot the tire out on the car of the guy trying to muscle in on Sonny's turf because he didn't want to have to watch a war going on. He wasn't sure if he was amused about Sonny calling me or not by the end but he did want to go down and scare the crap out of him for it.  He was talking about sending his ex to him."  He smirked an evil, wicked smirk.  Ryan shivered at that smirk. "Exactly.  Tell him I'm heading back to the lab."  He headed back that way, a bit more chipper now.

Ryan shivered again.  "That's one homicide I'd cover up," he admitted.  "You don't threaten a guy's kid like that."  He got back to work on the unending forms of torment he was having to fill out again from Personnel.  They had lost his *entire* file somewhere.

***

Xander ran into the sports bar and stopped beside Sonny's table.  "I need help."

"Why?" he asked, looking amused at that.

"My real parents are here with people who want to keep me as a toy."

"What?" he demanded.

"My parents just tried to sell me, Sassone.  Please.  All I need is a break in my path and help to get to one of my minders."  He saw people moving outside and ducked on the other side of him, squatting down. "Please. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important.  Even just help getting onto the subway."

"They sold you?"

"For the fourth time, yeah.  That's why Aiden and Tim ran them out of town.  You know I wouldn't ask."

"I know.  Vito, take him to Manhattan.  Got their numbers?"

"I had my phone on me, I was heading to work.  Thanks."  He got up and went with the guy out the back door to his car.  "Thanks, man."

"That sucks.  How much did they sell you for?"

"This time, about sixty grand apparently."  The guy gaped. "Yeah, well, I haven't had sex with a guy yet."  That just got a nod and he got him into the backseat then got in to drive.  "Thank you."

"Not an issue.  My parents are brutal but not that bad."

"I got rescued the first few times and Timmy and Aiden stopped it the last one," he admitted, dialing Don's number. "Don, me.  Yes it's fucking important, Don!  My real parents showed up with people there to take custody of me since they sold me again!  They said it's the only good thing I could do for them since I can't take care of them in their old age!  Um, mostly because I'm not doing menial labor at the moment.  They think I'm someone's mistress I guess. I don't know.  No, I'm getting a ride out of Queens.  Where am I heading?  I don't have his home number in speed dial, Don!"  He took a calming breath. "Please.  Sonny's letting me have a lift with one of his guys.  Please?  Don, this means my weapons are back with them."  He saw Vito take out his phone.  "Please, Don?  Where?"  He nodded.  "I've got my phone.  My wallet was beside the door, I didn't grab it or my keys.  Please?"  He nodded. "Thanks, man."  He hung up.   "He's in Times Square at the seafood place."

"Sonny said he found your wallet outside."

"I didn't think I had grabbed it but tell him I'll pick it up when I come back.  Thanks."

"Welcome.  Hey, can I poach something for this?"

"Yeah, let me take it off my list in the system."  That got a grin and a smile. The guy kept going, taking him to safety.

***

Don hung up and looked at his date, who looked curious.  "The kid I help mentor, his real parents just showed up causing trouble. He's running here to save his life."  That got a nod.  "Let me call someone over there."  He called Mac.  "It's me.  Xander's real folks showed up with someone they had sold him to.  He had to go to Sassone to get out of the borough and to me.  That's what I said, Mac.  He told me once it wasn't the first time they'd done this to him, Mac.  Please.  No, he escaped but that left them there with his weapons and Sonny up the street and knowing that they're in the open.  Do you really think we saw all of them, Mac?" he asked tolerantly.  "I'm in Times Square, seafood.  On a date," he said dryly.  "Thanks."  He hung up and looked at her then checked his watch.  "From where Xander lives I've got about forty-five," he offered with a smile.

She grinned back.  "Don, you forget I'm a Fed, dear.  I can help."  He beamed at that.  "Tell me what you know?"

"Of course."  He held her hand and they went back to eating while talking about Xander.  He left out all the strange stuff and kept it at 'he's a weapon's collector' for that topic in Xander's life.  When it was nearly time they walked outside after paying the bill, seeing someone walking up the street.  "He let you out?"

"He had to.  They were tracking the car."  He hugged Don.  "I'm sorry I ruined your date, Don."

"I know, Xander. It's not your fault."  Danny and Stella pulled in and got out of one of the official SUV's.  "There, they're gonna take you to the station."  They all heard the gun click and looked toward the group of people standing there.  "Huh, they're stupid.  NYPD."

"FBI," she agreed, producing her ID.  That got some laughs.  "What?"

He looked at her. "You kinda look like a lawyer, ma'am, I'm guessing they don't think you're scary," Xander told her.

"I am with the legal department but I'm just as much an agent as every other one."  She pushed her emergency switch in her purse. She looked at Don.  "Stall."

"Agreed. Xander, behind Danny."  The guns followed him. "You can't have him."

"We can.  We bought and paid for him. He's our property now."

"They haven't had rights to me since I was sixteen," Xander offered.  "They have no right to sell me."

"They do, you're their possession."  One of them stepped forward. "Give me the boy and it'll all end, people.  We can all have desserts and go home happy."

"Fat chance," Xander told him.  "You won't be keeping me even if you manage to get me."  The man laughed.  "The last ones couldn't.  They've done this before, dude. They were stopped then."

"We're better."

"I doubt it.  You're *cleaner* than one but other than that I doubt it."  The man lunged for Xander and Xander fought back.  He didn't care if he did kill the guy.  Danny pulled him back and pointed his gun in the guy's face.  The other guns came up.  Stella stroked his back until someone grabbed Xander from behind, making him squeak.

"Let him go!" Stella ordered.

"No, he's mine."

Xander managed to get an elbow strike in, that loosened the arm around his throat.  Then he kicked his ass until he was unconscious.  "I'm sorry I'm littering today," he told Don.  "I'll gladly pay the fine."  Mac rolled up with a few cruisers and the FBI.  "Wow.  That's impressive."

"It is," she agreed.  "Are you all right, Xander?"

"My knuckles hurt but I'm okay. I've had worse."  He pointed at them.  "My parents sold me to them, Mac.  They may or may not be dead.  Sonny helped me."

"When I sent someone over there, your mother was dead on your floor, your gun safe was open, and Sonny was nowhere to be found," Mac admitted.

"His mother was a whiny, worthless being," the guy in charge stated.  "It was right that my employer got rid of her.  The other?"

"I'll ask Sonny later," Xander promised.  He looked at Mac. "Please."

"Not a problem, Xander.  Officers, escort Mr. Harris to the SUV.  Keep him there."  That got a nod and someone unwisely fired a shot.  They went down and so did the rest of them, fortunately non fatally.  Xander only flinched and kept walking to the SUV.  Shooting him was a waste of money, he knew he was safe.  He got into the far side of the car and looked at them.  "I'm sorry you guys had to deal with this. They've done this sort of thing before to supplement a poor income."

That got a nod from the officers.  "Are you all right?"

"Shooting me means they wasted a lot of money," Xander said quietly.  "Doing so is a last ditch effort.  They were shooting at you guys or Mac."  That got a nod from the officer at the edge of the van. "Are they all right?"

"Detective Taylor has a slight graze to his arm, sir. Nothing too terrible.  None of us went down."  Xander nodded and that, leaning forward to cradle his head in his hands. "It'll be all right."

"No it won't."  He pulled out his phone and dialed a number he had gotten off one of the waitresses at the sports bar.  "Sonny, I don't care if you capped my mother. If you did, I'll buy you an ice cream cone.  You know I don't drink, man.  The head guy, the one with the bald head and the really ugly scarf in place of a tie?"  He nodded.  "He has my father?  Okay.   No, only six of them showed up here.  Watch out for them, okay?  No, we're talking feds and Taylor now too, man.  I don't care.  Thank you for hiding that for me.  Like I care, Sonny," he sighed.  "You helped save my life, I think I can let you steal the shotgun out of the cabinet.  You didn't take my swords, right?  Thanks, man.  I don't care if you did or they did, Sonny.  You know that.  You saved me that deserves a reward.  Thank you."  He hung up and got up, peeking over the hood.  "Mac, my mother is dead, their boss shot her.  Ugly scarf guy has my father and at least three other guards according to Sonny, plus a driver.  My gun safe got cleared out totally.  But not my swords."

"Got it, Xander.  Stay over there."

"Mac, shooting me is wasting their money.  I'm a last resort to shoot."

"Stay over there anyway," Danny ordered.

"Oh, I am."  He leaned on the hood.  "Just give up, dude. I doubt you're American so all they can do is deport you."  The guy gave up making him sigh and shake his head. "I hate stupid people."  One of the officers patted him on the back and he looked back at him.  "Hi."

"Hi."  He went back to watching them.  "They did this before?"

"Three other times.  Once to a guy who said I was still slightly too young so he chained me to a dog house and fed me alpo and called me a puppy.  Once to a guy who thought I'd make a good sacrifice of blood.  Once to a Master in LA that was actually a serial killer, he'd killed all the subs that went to him or he bought.  My adoptive parents kicked their asses for that one and made them go running for their lives before they could do more than accept the money.  I heard and went running to Timmy."  That got another pat.  "I'm good," he sighed.  "I'm too used to this.  This, death, destruction.  Shit, it's almost like Sunnydale at the moment."  Danny came over with Don.  "Are you two okay?"

"We're fine," Danny assured him.  "Who took the guns?"

"I told Sonny if he found them he could keep them as a reward. He saved my ass, I reward saving my ass."

"Okay, I can understand that," Don agreed.  "I need a list of *everything* you had, Xander."

"You saw most of it, all but the grenade launcher and the C-4 Giles sent the other day.  The Watchers sent it to him for some reason and he hates the crap so he forwarded it over to me. Oh, and one new shotgun."  That got some horrified looks.  "My former mentor, Giles, is out in Cali. He's from Britain.  He's part of a radical group of people who believe they're Van Helsing.  So they send him supply runs every few months of stuff he could need to do  that.  Giles likes crossbows, considers guns to be an abomination and a wicked thing when eliminating vampires and demons.  So he sent them to me because he knows I like weapons.  The guy trained me, what can I say."  He shrugged.  "Anyway, I'm keeping his collection.  The grenade launcher was because we ran into something that we could've used it on last year and well, the guns are guns, and the C-4 was because sometimes it's practical."

Don shook his head.  "Your town is so screwed up."

"Well, yeah, but that's why we had the really high death rate."

"Like New York City high?" the officer behind Xander asked.

"No, like double or triple New York City and that's after our protection detail brought it down," Xander admitted, looking back at him.  "I used to be on the Sunnydale protection committee.  I did a lot of patrols at night, officer."  That just got a nod.  "That's another reason they sent Giles supplies so often."

"You do know someone like Sonny Sassone could use it on us, right?"

"Sonny's got someone trying to take over his turf right now," Xander said.  "He's got bigger problems than you guys.  Besides, Sonny knows if he shoots any of the people my adoptive mom sent me to I'll have to get him back.  Sonny and I have a peace treaty at the moment.  A real 'leave me alone or I'm going to make your life a living hell' peace treaty."  Danny stiffened at that, looking at him.  He shrugged.  "You never asked."

"I never did," he agreed smugly.  "You've seen Sonny doing bad shit?"

"That was one of the hints on the tape, Danny."

"We keep Danny outta the loop of anything Tanglewood since his dad ran with Sonny," Don explained.  He looked at him. "The assassin guy was gonna go after him too."

"So you prevented his death and we got sent hints?" the officer asked.  Xander looked at him and nodded.  "That's good for a dom, sir."

"Thank you."  He grinned.  "We had to do that very carefully.  By the way, no one asked the store owner the right questions, Don.  When he goes in for his protection money he steals smokes."

"Oh.  Cool.  I'll keep that in mind," he agreed happily.  "Got your wallet and keys?"  Xander shook his head.  "We can get 'em."

One of the officers who had arrived in the last batch after shots had been fired handed them to Don.  "One of his goons stopped me to hand them over, sir. I was on my way to deliver them to one of the CSI.  He figured he'd be in protective custody."  Xander waved a hand around him, getting a smirk.  "That's about as protective as you can get," he agreed.

"I'd make a joke about all the guys in uniforms but I might get spanked," Xander agreed.  Most of the officers laughed.  "Sorry, guys," he told the others. "I'm known to lighten the mood with bad jokes."

"I'd rather be admired for my mind than my uniform and body," said the guy behind him.

Xander looked at him.  "For that I'd have to date you," he teased.  The guy pinkened.  "Okay.  Let me know."  The guy smirked and walked off, going to help.  He looked at Don, then shrugged. "He seems like a very nice guy."

"He is, I know him," Don agreed.  He patted Xander on the head.  "Okay, let's get this wrapped up, guys," he called.  "Get it back down to CSI doing their thing."  That got nods and they broke off to take the suspects back to Flack's precinct for him.  All the feds, including his date, followed them.  "Danny?"

"I've got Xander."  That got a nod so Don headed back after them.  "C'mon, let's get you back to our station so we can do the statement, Xander."  Xander nodded, letting him walk him back to get him into the SUV.  "Stella, I'm taking him back for his statement."

"Take a cruiser with you," she called. "They're still out there."  That got a nod and they drove off with a cruiser following.  She looked at Mac.  "It could've been a lot worse," she decided.

Mac nodded.  "A lot.  He could be on his way out of the country right now."  That got a nod and they got to work taking evidence and pictures.  They cleared a path from the doorway of the restaurant first, getting an appreciative nod.  "He's sorry, he had to run to Don.  I know he didn't want to cause anyone distress."

"He didn't and it would've been worse if he had been killed or taken," the manager agreed. "What did they want him for?"

Stella looked at him.  "His parents sold him to them."  That got a shudder.  "Exactly."  He nodded and went back inside.  "This is going to be a messy trial.  Especially if all his guns are missing."

He made a non-committal sound and looked over as Lindsey pulled in.  "Dig in."

"I'll start on this side," she agreed, getting to work on the casings over there. "I'm starting my numbering at two hundred, Mac."

"Make a note on your forms," Stella reminded her absently.  That way their casings didn't overlap and cause confusion.  They didn't want any confusion on who did what this time.

***

Xander walked into the Miami-Dade Crime Lab building a week later and smiled at the receptionist.  "Is Timmy Speedle in please?"

"I can have him paged, sir.  Are you a friend?"

"His son."  That got a nod and she paged him.  Xander paced nervously, pouncing him when he saw him watching him. "Daddy."

"Xander."  He gave him a squeeze.  "I like the longer hair.  You're early."  Xander sniffled because he finally felt safe, loved, and not alone for the first time since he had left Las Vegas, and he pulled him into a semi-private room, closing the blinds, letting his son cry on him.  "Shh, baby, daddy's here.  What's wrong?"  Xander gasped and choked out the whole story, making Speed hold him tighter.  "Shh, I'm here, baby.  Daddy's here.  You're all right."  Someone knocked then walked in.  "Not now, Frank."

"The kid okay?"  He handed over the visitor's pass.

"No.  His real parents showed up and tried to sell him again."  Frank just nodded and left them alone. He clipped the pass onto his son's belt loop then went back to hugging him, letting Xander calm down. "Shh, he won't say a word," he soothed.  "I've got you, it's all right, Xander."  Xander slowly calmed down in his arms, going limp against his shoulder for a few minutes.  "I've got you. It's all good, son."  Xander gave him a squeeze.  He got them sitting down, handing Xander some tissues from the drawer.  "Now, what happened?"  Xander laid it all out, even that his admirer had tried to claim him during it, that he had tipped his parents off to where he was so he could ride in and save him.  That Sonny had his guns so Mac wasn't happy with him on that but that they were all dealing.  That they had him come down early due to that, since they thought the guy was still up there.  Speed called Horatio, speaking quietly to him.  Then he hung up and hugged Xander again.  "We'll see what we can do, Xander.  Have you talked to your boss?"  Xander wiped his cheeks and shook his head.  "Or Steven?"

"Don talked to him."  He looked at him. "I don't know why this happens to me, daddy."

"I don't either, son, but we'll talk to your subs, baby.  See if we can get you out of the contracts so you can move down here."  Xander nodded, hugging him again.  Horatio walked inside.  "Did Taylor give you anything?"

"Not yet," he admitted.  "He was out on a scene.  He said he'd call Lindsey to send down their descriptions and his statement."  He stroked over Xander's hair.  "You'll be safe, Xander, and I can let the team help watch you."

"I don't want to keep Timmy off work."

"That's Horatio."

"Hi," he said weakly.  Timmy had talked about him like he was mythical.  "I'm Xander."

"I know."  He smiled. "It's all right.  We're like a family.  As of right now, he's only got a few more hours so you can stay here today, all right?"  Xander nodded. "Good boy.  Then we'll let him take you home and arrange for him to have tomorrow off, that way you have time to set things up and we have time to see how bad this could be if they follow you."  Xander nodded more strongly at that.  "Then we'll see what he can do to help you.  Now, Eric and Alexx are up the halls and I believe they'd want to meet you, young man.  Speed, take him to help him clean up."

"Sure, H.  Thanks."  He helped Xander up and nodded, letting Xander shake Horatio's hand before taking him to the bathroom.   Eric gave him an odd look. "The son's down after an emergency."

"So, ice cream for dinner?" Alexx agreed, peeking into the bathroom.  He swatted her with a frown. "What?  I can see him."

"Let him clean up first, Alexx."  Xander came back out, his face cleaned off and his eyes mostly unpuffy.  "Good boy, Xander.  Xander, this is Alexx Woods, our ME and my part- time mother.  The other is Eric Delko.  I told you about him."

"You said he was a playboy."

"That too."  Eric swatted Speed on the arm.  But he smiled when he shook Xander's hand.  "Now, we've got to get him somewhere to sit."

"Break room?" Alexx offered.  "I should get to know my grandbaby anyway."  She led him off, going to talk to him.

Speed stopped Eric from moving.  "New York sent him down.  His real parents showed up with people they had sold him to."  That got a horrified look.  "We're getting information.  Go haunt H."  That got a nod so he let Eric go.  Speed followed more slowly, letting Xander get used to Alexx.  Even if she was telling embarrassing stories about him.  One that even made him wince.  They ran into Alexx's other son, introducing him to Ryan, who smiled and shook Xander's hand, then patted him on the cheek and said something quietly.  Xander nodded at that, straightening up a bit more.  Then they went into the break room.  He gave Ryan an odd look.  "What did you say?"

"That I'd heard about his career through some people I know down here. That he was supposed to be very good."

"He is.  We've got a team briefing coming after we get things from New York."

"Sure."  He went to find Horatio and see when that would be.  He found him reading things as they came off the fax.  "Speed said we're going to have a team meeting, Horatio?"

Horatio looked at him and nodded.  "We are.  Get everyone, including him and Alexx, into the break room."

"They're there already."  He paged the others with the team meeting code and the word breakroom, heading that way himself.  "Apparently it's now," he offered when he walked in.

"Works for me," Speed agreed. He let Xander rest his head against his shoulder. He said something quietly and Xander squealed, getting up to pounce Calleigh with a babble of sound and happiness for his new stepmom.  Speed grinned at Alexx.  "He learned that from the girls who raised him."

"Obviously."  She smiled at Calleigh, who walked Xander back inside.  "So I see you've met your stepson."

"I have and he's adorable!  I'm just so glad I don't have to change diapers!"  She pinched Xander on the cheek.  "Stay in here, dear.  We don't want the nasty feds who're watching us to say that you did mean things to evidence."

"We're having a team meeting anyway," Ryan told her.

"I saw the page.  Are you the herald today?"

Xander coughed.  "It's kinda about why I'm down here."

"It's more than kinda about why you're down here, it's why you're down here for good," Speed assured him.  "I should've cheated to get you down here sooner.  I should've rigged the coin toss."  Xander gave him a hug. "I know, baby, but you were lonely and they didn't watch out for you the way I would."

"They're busy and I'm not their family," he said quietly.

"True.  You're not.  Which is why you're staying down here.  Where I can watch over your shoulder, make sure you eat properly, and watch out for the dating problem you have."  Xander blushed.  "Find someone nice?"

"One of the officers asked me out," he said, looking at him.

"Good!  Was it a good date?"

"He's a bit more muscle than I am.  We could be buddies though.  Maybe even buddies with benefits, but not if you want me to stay."  He stared into his eyes.

Speed cleared his throat. "You are staying, Xander," he said firmly.  "No arguments.  I'll even talk to your subs about either coming down here or letting you out of your contracts."  Xander nodded and went back to resting his head on his shoulder.  He stroked his back.  "I know, it's been a bad few days," he soothed.

"Normally I'm not this cuddly unless I'm dating someone," he announced at the fond looks.  "I've just had a really shitty week."

"He has," Calleigh agreed, sitting down on Speed's other side.  "So, what's going on?"

"Oh, it's going to be unpretty," Speed assured her.  She just nodded.  Horatio walked in. "We're all here but Frank, H.  He's in court."

"I'll brief him later.  I'm sure we've all met Xander, correct?"  He waved listlessly.  "I know it's been a bad week, Xander.  You're safe in Miami."

"You don't have serial killers?"

"Not too many," Calleigh promised.  "Why?  Do they like you?" she teased.

"Ya think?" Speed snorted.  "He got how many arrested through SVU?"

"Seven sexual predators and four more normal ones.  Plus a pedophile who was coming into the club for aversion therapy.  I called one of them to come in and overhear that time because he was starting to slip.  They caught him the next day picking up the kid from school."  He yawned.  "Sorry."

"It's all right," Horatio assured him.  "That's not counting the person who gave him presents and called his parents so he could save him."  He put down the papers, including the copies of the drawings.  "These are the people who are still in the wind who came to steal Xander."

"One's got his last name?" the other female in the room noted.  "Brother?"

"Father," Xander said grimly.  She gave him a horrified look.

"It wasn't the first time, Yelina.  That's why Aiden and I adopted him after we made his parents run for their life," Speed said firmly.  "Is the person who sent him the check in jail?"

"He was given bail, he claims he didn't know what they'd do with the information," Horatio offered, tossing that one onto the pile.  "I'm not sure which one I consider more dangerous."

"The guys who chased me from Queens to Manhattan pulled guns on Don Flack and a fed he was out on a date with," Xander said, sitting up so he could go back into crisis mode.  "They actually tried to shoot at Mac Taylor when he ordered me removed from the scene after I beat the guy who sent me that check."

That got nods all around and they read his statement.  Horatio looked at him.  "We'll do our best to protect you, Xander," he reminded him.

"I'm okay at protecting myself but I don't like having to run to anyone for help.  I didn't want to run to Sonny to get me out of the neighborhood but I couldn't find another way quickly."  He looked at his dad.  "I told my landlord what had happened. I'm not getting back my security deposit but I put everything else in storage.  So I can actually afford to move if we can get me out of my contracts."

"I'll call your boss myself a bit later," Speed promised, patting him on the back.  "Calm down."

"What about that check?" Ryan asked.  Xander gave him an odd look.  "He was out of minutes so he used my phone to call you that day."

"I don't want to use it."

"I understand that but it could help and he is a moron.  He should pay for you getting away from him," Calleigh assured him.  Horatio nodded that he agreed.

"Check?" Yelina asked.

"In the statement is that last gentleman," Horatio offered.  "He sent Xander an anonymous check for two million dollars and then sent his parents information on him so he could step in and save him."  She gave him a horrified look.  He looked at Xander.  "Use it, Xander.  It serves him right."  Xander nodded at that.  "It'll also mean you can set up a studio down here if you need to."

"I might like that," he agreed.  He looked at Speed, who shrugged. "It wouldn't make you uncomfy?"

"Nope.  You're happy being a dom, I like it when you're happy.  Hell, we can even spread the word around since you were helping officers in the life back in New York."  Xander gave him a small smile for that.  "Good boy.  Let us handle this, okay?  You handle it if they come up to you and we're not there."  Xander nodded, going back to resting against his shoulder.  Frank stomped in. "Better late than never."

"Yeah, well, got stopped by the Chief wondering what the hell was going on."  Ryan handed him the statements next.  He sat down hard, reading it.  "Holy shit," he said in awe, looking at Xander, who nodded.  "Damn, kid."

"It happens," Speed reminded him.  He looked at him.  "Did you know your grandfather is down here right now?"  He shook his head. "He is.  He got back here a few days ago."

"I'll check in with him tomorrow.  While you're at work so Horatio doesn't get scowled at by the guy outside."

Horatio looked then snorted.  "He's Internal Affair's, Xander.  Ignore him."  That got a nod and they went back to the briefing.  Ryan had the day after next off anyway so he agreed to take Xander that day, just in case.  After that, the whole PD would know so they'd have general protection orders out for him.  Speed had to go wrap up a few things then he came to get Xander and let him follow him home since he had rented a car. Horatio looked at Alexx when she came up to watch them drive off. "He'll be an interesting addition to the family."

"He will be, but my grandson's very hurt," she sighed, shaking her head. "He has a grandfather?  A natural one I mean?"

"Patrick Benis," he said dryly, looking at her. "His father walked away."

"Pity Father Benis didn't take that boy."

"I'm sure he tried, Alexx.  I do know he watches the boy because he sent me information on him."  That got a smirk from her.  He nodded and smirked back.  "Quite a lot.  We do need to set him up with some nice women.  The last female he dated chased him down the street with a knife because he wouldn't sleep with her on a first date."  He walked off, heading back to his office.

"That woman needed drugs then," she complained.

***

Xander looked at his grandfather when he walked into his study.  "Hi."  He got up and gave him a hug, getting a cooler reception.  "What?" he asked, looking pitiful.  He sat down again.  "I'm trying to be good, grandfather."

"You doubted I would break my word?"

"I wasn't sure it wasn't like the last one."

"Well, I suppose you haven't had too many who have kept their word, Xander, but I always do."

"Good to know.  You're the only one I knew who might've sent me the money.  Not like Cordelia would or Angel would.  Not that I think either of them have that sort of funds.  That's owning a pro ball team money."

His grandfather looked amused.  "You need more than that to own one of those, grandson."

"Yeah, but you'd have to have that sort of money to throw away two mil that way."

"True."  He smiled.  "I could have done that but I do not.  I'm honoring your wishes."

"Thank you."  That got a nod.  "Anyway," he sighed after the odd emotional moment, making his grandfather laugh. "Daddy wants me to move down here full time."

"I would wish that on you.  It would be better for you.  You would be less lonely and perhaps find someone nice?"

"I liked the last guy I dated but we'd only be friends."  He shrugged.  "Like I said, I'm waiting on it to mean something."

"I can agree with that.  Especially with what happened with Faith," he assured him.  "It should mean something, Xander."  Xander relaxed again.  "Now, what steps are you taking to move down here?"

"Well, today I'm calling my subs in a few hours.  We're going to talk to them together, let them and my boss know what happened.  My trainer knows and he agreed it was for the best.  He gave them minimal information last night so I wouldn't get sworn at today.  Then Timmy and I are having dinner."

"Good.  That's a reasonable course for today.  Then you'd be looking for somewhere to live?"

"I am. Though tonight I'm calling Lady Heather.  She's a neat auntie sort and she's going to throw a fit when she hears.  I should tell her before she hears through the grapevine.  I went to her about the check too.  After mom and everyone.  She said I should leave it in the bank too.  Horatio and Timmy think I should spend the hell out of it.  Sorry, forgot not to swear."

"In that case, I'd swear," he assured him with a slight smile.  "Where were you planning on looking?"

"I have no idea.  Timmy was going to help me look online tonight and then I was going to have Ryan go with me to look at them.  He'd know where there were problems coming soon because he was in patrol recently."

"I heard.  He's said to have a small oral problem, as in his mouth runs now and then, but he's said to be a great officer and a good CSI."  Xander nodded at that.  "What's this I heard about your weapons?"

"I had to go to Sonny to get me out of harm's way that night."

"Ah.  And he went to break into your place to stop some of the issues."

"I agreed, I could care less. That's a fitting reward for saving me that way and they're all in the system but the grenade launcher and two other things, plus the C-4 but Mac knows about them now too."  That got a smirk.  "He does."

"Which is good and keeping you out of it," he agreed.  "It is a good plan, Xander."

"Thanks, Grandfather."  He smiled.  "Now what?"

"Now, we see what we can make of our relationship down here."  He heard the door open. "Ah, Ethan."  He saw his grandson stiffen.  "Do not do that, Xander.  He is here to help me."

"As long as I don't get possessed again," he said bitterly.  "Or anything else."  He stared Ethan down, making him shudder.  "You're helping him?"

"He has a small lump and I'm helping make it smaller."

"I guess that's all right then."

"Thank you, Alexander."  Xander shuddered at his full name.  "Sorry.  Are you all right?  I'd heard that you had problems."

"Someone told Giles?"

"I told him, grandson," his grandfather said, rolling his eyes.  "Someone should tell Rupert but I have not yet."

"All he'll do is laugh and so will the girls," Xander said bitterly.  He stood up.  "I'll let you have your treatment, Grandfather."  He kissed him on the cheek then glared at Ethan.  "Protect him for me, please."  He walked out, taking his rental car back to his father's place. He walked in and headed right for a hug. "He's working with Ethan on a personal problem," he complained.  Speed simply cuddled him until he was ready to be let go of.

Father Benis smiled at Ethan.  "The stronger emotions are for the young," he pointed out.

"I remember," he agreed with a small smile. "So are set opinions.  Let me prepare, Patrick."

"Thank you, Ethan."  He smiled at him and the young man kissed him on the cheek before going to get ready for his next treatment. He sighed and waved in his head of security who was lurking in the halls.  "Make sure he's all right.  Send Timmy Speedle anywhere that my grandson might like to live.  He's still very confused and hurt."

"He is but he still accused you of going back on your word."

"He's never had anyone who kept theirs, Pat."  He stroked his cheek.  "I promise, it wasn't an insult.  He knew it wasn't anyone else he knew and it was a reasonable assumption if you don't know that some people keep their word."

"Whatever.  I'll help him but I don't like the kid for that alone."

"He's never had anyone until Mr. Speedle who gave a damn about him.  Besides, it could have been me.  I had been thinking about asking him to do some more donating."  The guy grimaced.  "Really.  It wasn't an insult.  Who else would have sent him two million dollars?"

"Your sire."

"He doesn't know he's still alive," he pointed out with a smile.  That got a nod and a grimace.  "Most of that was anger because he wasn't sure I hadn't kept it.  He doesn't realize that most everyone else has the same sort of ethics he has.  My grandson is fiercely loyal.  It would have hurt him greatly had it been from me. As he pointed out, not everyone could throw away two million dollars."

"He didn't call after that one."

"He did twice," he assured him happily.  "Once to apologize later that night.  Once after he was nearly stolen to tell me he was all right."

"He was what?"

"The person who sent it tipped off his parents.  They got with someone to sell him again," he said simply.  "Xander had to go to Sassone to save his life.  Though, Sonny did take a bit of advantage of him by taking his weapons.  Xander called it a reward for saving him."

The guy moaned. "I'll have someone in the detail watch him closer, Patrick."  He patted him on the head.  "Should it be someone who can deal with demons or is he not hunting?"

"I don't know.  He hasn't in about a month up there but there hadn't been any problems. He did promise he wasn't doing it indiscriminately any longer."  That got a nod and he went to make that detail choice and send them after the kid.  After all, the PD had their own problems coming.  Patrick settled into his chair.  His grandson was very much like him in some ways.  It made him proud but sometimes the boy was hell to deal with.  "Maybe I should take him with me to the gay marriage fundraiser," he mused.  "No, he's uncomfortable around people.  I'll wait a bit on that, do it before I release this shell."  He got up and went to find Ethan, see if he was ready yet.

***

Xander looked at Ryan when he came in.  "Want to go house looking with me today?"

"It's easier to protect you when you're in one place."

"It'll be harder to find me and my grandfather has a guy sitting on the house."

"I saw.  I called it in and Horatio said that's who he worked for."  He came over to look at his list.  "That one's not in a good neighborhood, Xander."

"They said it's being rebuilt. I don't mind that it's ethnically diverse."

"No, but they'd mind you.  Last year they ran a single mother off the block for being a single mother and sleeping with a guy.  Called her a prostitute and tried to have CPS come too."  He nodded, crossing that one and one on the second page off.  Ryan looked over the rest.  "I think that one's on the verge of being sold to a retailer.  Do you need somewhere that big?"

"No.  I need a nice place with a few extra rooms. I was thinking a house but they're all outrageously expensive."

"They can be."  He smiled at him.  "I would suggest somewhere downtown. Easier to get to and get help if needed."  That got a nod. "Plus closer to grocery shopping and things.  Tell Speed we're going and I'll show you where I think is a nice place."  Xander called him as he went to find his shoes, wallet, and the key Tim had given him.  Ryan grinned.  Xander was a nice guy.  He could definitely call the kid a friend.  He came back nodding but still without the key.  He found it for him and Xander grinned.  "Most people use the same spots to put things."

"Good to know."  He locked the door behind him with the key, just to make sure it was the right one, then followed him down to the car, waving at the guy watching them.  He slid in and buckled up, then patted himself down again to make sure he had everything.  Ryan gave him an amused look.  "Sorry, sometimes I think I left things at home."

"It happens to the best of us," he promised.  He backed out of his parking spot and headed for an area downtown that was coming back into fashion.  It had a few rundown buildings and some nicer ones being rebuilt.  A lot of artists lived in the area.  A few musicians.  Xander fell in love with one of the three story buildings and he called the realtor to see how much it went for.  He nodded at that amount, handing the phone over.  Xander babbled at him as he looked through the dirty windows.  The realtor came down to talk to Xander, not  minding what he was planning on doing at all.  He had some good plans and the building was in good shape by the last appraisal that had been done.  All it needed was paint, furniture, and some equipment for Xander's work and hobbies.  Xander called his grandfather to babble at him from his own phone, tossing Ryan back his when he realized the number wasn't in there.  His grandfather sounded amused but pleased for him.

***

Xander looked at Speed later that night, pouncing him to hug him.  "I found it."

"Great!  How much?"

"About fifty thousand more than I have at the moment," he said grimly. "I can get a loan, the realtor already applied for me and got back an 'okay' light.   So I can sign papers tomorrow and then...."  Someone knocked on the door so he went to let them in.  "Hi, Horatio."  He went back to hugging his father. "So I'll have the money to move my stuff down here and decorate appropriately. I should be able to pay that off within three years with how my salary was running from that stuff in New York.  Plus the massage stuff on the side."  He beamed.  "Oh, I called my subs earlier with Ryan sitting in the other room.  I used your phone but my phone card, and we all talked about it and they agreed New York wasn't safe for me.  Then I called Mom and she squealed and was happy and bouncy until someone pinched her then she slugged them but that's okay because she kissed it and made the booboos better.  She promised she'd be down for the holidays," he finished proudly.  "Grandfather likes it too.  He said it's a good looking place according to his guard.  He called it thin but long.  So I can sign papers tomorrow but they wanted someone to sign it with me.  Not the loan but the paperwork, the deeds and stuff, who was local."

"I can do that," he agreed, grinning at the torrent of words he was getting.  He kissed him on the forehead.  "Did you get dinner or am I cooking?"

"Can you cook?  Or I mean I can cook."

"You're not allowed in the kitchen," he reminded him, turning him around and handing him to Horatio.  "Tell him while I go check the fridge."

"You pulled down the roast and is Ryan staying?  I said if you didn't mind he could since he found the spot."

"Wolfe, are you staying for dinner?" he called.

"I can if you want.  But if you want privacy I can bug out," he called from the study. He came out. "You've got one impressive library, Speed.  Can I borrow this one?" He held it up.

"Sure.  Make sure you don't damage it or anything."

"Thanks.  The library branch I go to has me on a waiting list for it."  He went to sit down and read while Xander babbled at Horatio, who was smiling.  "Need help in the kitchen?"

"H can help me," he promised. "I'm not sure you're not as poisonous as Xander is."  Horatio smiled at that, shaking his head after he gave Xander a hug and went to help him.

Xander flopped down on the couch, sighing a bit. "I'm a happy boy."

"I can tell.  What about the stuff you'll need?  Like the tables for the massage stuff and the stuff for the other rooms?"

"Lady Heather said she knew a great place to get it," he said proudly.  "She gave me a catalog.  That's right, I have to call her."  He went to do that, finding his phone card still in the office.  He calmed himself, she shouldn't have to listen to him babble.  He dialed her house, getting an out of service response. He tried it again.  Then he frowned and called her cellphone.  That got the same one.  So he did something he probably shouldn't.  He called his favorite sub out there.  "Is Lady Heather all right, Gregory?  I tried the house and her cell and it says it's out of order."  He listened to what had been going on, growling some.  "Does she need me?  I can be there tomorrow.  I'm sure your team can.  No, I'm signing on my new place tomorrow.  Yes, down in Miami."  He smiled.

"Whenever you feel you need me, Gregory," he promised.  "Is she able to travel?  Then send her down here, Gregory.  I'll watch over her.  She's like a favorite aunt or stepmom or something.  Please."  His phone was handed over.  "You worried me," he said gently.  He smiled when she whispered his name.  "Are you all right, Lady Heather?  Should I come out?  Gregory said no but I'm a worrywart."  He smiled.  "Of course you can.  I'm signing on it tomorrow.  You're more than welcome to help me decorate."  He beamed.  "Are you sure?  Of course I'd run to your defense.  You're like my favorite aunt or a stepmom or something.  Okay, well, I can agree to those feelings too but you're still a great woman and I would never dare think to impose them on you because you're like a light in my life.

"I know, I'm mushy.  I'm having a good and bouncy day.  One of the guys who works with dad found me the *perfect* place, Lady Heather.  Yup.  Smallish but it'll do for me and what I have planned.  A lot of artists live there.  Not too expensive.  I had to take out a very small mortgage.  Like fifty G's.  Yeah, really tiny one.  That's more than enough to decorate, get my stuff moved down here if I don't go back to do it personally, and pay off the first two month's bills just in case I have a slow start."  He smiled.  "I know, that's what I had planned. I do adore you, Lady Heather, you know that.  Then come down and help me decorate when it's safe to do so.  Horatio says Miami's a pretty safe city.  He's in the other room.  Horatio?  Timmy?"  He put her on speaker.  "There you go, Lady Heather. They're both walking in."

"Boys, I hate to impose but my house was brutally attacked earlier," Lady Heather said, sounding calm. "The very sweet officers out here want me to go somewhere safer and Tim has suggested I could come help him decorate and paint.  Would you mind terribly taking on my protection as well?"

"Do they know who did it?" Horatio asked.

"We do," she agreed. "I had death threats for a week before they tried to set the house on fire tonight."  She took a drink of something.  "I don't want to impose, I'm bringing some of my staff down and we'd be at a hotel, but Tim said it was safer down there."

"It is," Speed agreed.  "He loves you like he does his mother, Lady Heather.  He's got the same look on his face at the moment."

"Come down and we'll help protect you," Horatio promised.

"Thank you, boys.  I'll probably be bringing one of their officers with me, just to brief you and for the first few days.  He and Master Tim know each other from when he came out for training.  I'll make arrangements tonight and email the poor bouncy one there."  Xander giggled at that.  "A happy day is a blessed thing, Tim.  Enjoy it."

"I will, Lady Heather, and you be safe.  If that psycho comes after you again, let me know and I'll fly out to escort you."

"I'll be perfectly safe, dear.  I promise I will be.  You know some of the ones out here are very protective."

"I do and I'll reward him for protecting you," he promised.  She chuckled, and it was a happy and pleased sound.  "Come help me paint, Lady Heather. I welcome your input."

"Of course, dear.  I'll see you in a few days."  She hung up.

Xander hung up on their end.  "Someone tried to burn her house down with people in it."

"You go by Tim?" Horatio asked, looking pleased.

"He is my daddy."

"He is.  It's a good, strong name, Xander."  He smiled and went back to the kitchen.

"You could use the help picking out paint colors," Speed agreed.  Xander nodded at that and grinned.  "Good.  Who do you know out there?"

"I met most of them because her daughter was killed," he said, losing his smile.  "I came back the day before her daughter's funeral.  I would've stayed but she said she could do it without me."

"Sure.  I like that you got adopted by her.  She's got to be protective of you," he said, smiling some.  "Want corn or potatoes?"

Xander shrugged.  "Both?"

"That works."  He grinned.  "Play online, Xander."  He went back to the kitchen.  "He's going to play online for a bit."

"That's fine.  Most boys his age do," Horatio agreed, smiling at him.  "You do know his career threw Yelina for a loop?"

"Oh, yeah.  She still looked confused earlier."  That got a nod.  "Does she mind?"

"No.  She didn't think that we had officers who went that way."

"Horatio, my boy hunted the bad things that hide in the shadows for about four years.  He can understand officers when they're torn up over having to kill in the line of duty."  That got a nod. "Plus he understands about stresses too.  He said he'd take some limited paying clients but the ones who *needed* him got special rates.  Those who were playing got to pay more."

"That's reasonable," he agreed.  "Has he connected with the local community?"

"He got an introduction called in early last night and then snuck out last night to go introduce himself.  He said he met one of the cops who's in the life last night and they spent a long time talking.  The guy apparently liked his idea and agreed to reference him since he had some good reports from Steven and Lady Heather both."  That got a smile.  "I like that she adopted him."

"I do as well.  From what I've heard she seems nice."  Speed looked at him.  "Ray dabbled in his youth."

"Ah.  That explains a lot."  He grinned and handed over the can of corn. "He's a hungry boy."

"At that age so was I."  He got to work warming that up while Speed made mashed potatoes.  The roast was checked and then pulled out to rest for a few minutes.  It was a good dinner.  Xander came in to give Speed a hug and set the table without being asked.  Though they could both hear his stomach rumbling.  "Missed lunch?" Horatio teased.

"No, I had lunch but that was *hours* ago."

"I was a bottomless pit at your age too, Xander," Horatio promised.  Xander grinned shyly and finished setting the table, then went back to his online chatting.

"If that's Willow tell her you're fine so she doesn't worry," Tim called.

"I already did, daddy."

"Good.  We don't need a worried, frustrated witch in Miami this week."  He shook his head at the very bad thought.

"Witch?" Horatio asked casually.

"Yeah, the branch floating, candle lighting, smug ass, makes mistakes one from Sunnydale who is his best friend," he said dryly. "We don't need her to come down and fuss, or worse, come down with Buffy to fuss.  They both discounted Xander horribly when he was at home. I wanted to swat that girl about every other day.  Fortunately Aiden handled the girls and I got my boy. He's a lot more fun and he doesn't make those sort of mistakes."  Xander peeked in.  "Yes, you.  I'm glad I decided to take you in."  Xander came in to give him a hug, getting a smile. "Mushy, I'm going to tell Aiden."  Xander blushed and went back to the computer to go back to chatting.  "Do not invite her down.  I doubt she'd like your career."

"She hates it, she's throwing a fit about it to Giles and Tara," Xander called back.

"Who's Tara?" Ryan called.

"The witch she replaced Oz with when he left to get better control over his inner fuzzy nature," Xander called back.  "She's supposed to be a very nice, sweet girl.  Very shy, parents just slightly better than mine."

"Tara's more than welcome to come down but she's got to leave fussy and cranky behind," Speed called.  Xander let out a cackle.  "Willow didn't like that idea?"  He walked that way, seeing Xander typing quickly.  He came over to read over his shoulder.  "Basically yeah."  He took control of the keyboard and sent Xander's message, then put in that it was him and he was stealing Xander for dinner now but that she could have him back later.  But that he did like Xander's career choices.  It suited him and he was happy.  If she didn't then she obviously wasn't much of a friend and maybe she should go correct that before he sent Aiden back to Sunnydale for the weekend.  Her 'eep' was typed and they probably all heard it mentally.  She said she'd think and do some research then come back to talk to him after he had dinner.  He signed them off and pulled Xander up, looking at him.  "She can stay at home."

"I think she and Ryan would be really good together."

Speed blinked a few times.  "Don't wish that on him."  He walked his son out to the table.  "Water, tea, or soda?"  He looked at his son.  "Never mind.  Milk it is."  He went to get him some milk, making Horatio laugh.  He got tea, Ryan took a soda, something he rarely did.  "Watch out for him, he wants to set you up to meet Willow."

"He babbled about her today," Ryan admitted with a shy grin.  "He said she was shy, smart, brilliant really, and made mistakes because she didn't have a lot of self confidence."

"Now and then it's over confidence," Speed warned.  "But yeah.  Shallow now and then too.  There for a while she didn't look beyond what was in her life to see how she was hurting everyone around her."  Xander gave him a look.  "She didn't.  Or don't you remember having to catch the Buffy to have her change her back from the puppy dog?"

"I do," he agreed.  "Spike would've loved that story."

"Probably true," he agreed dryly.  He dished up food for him and his son then handed stuff on.  "Eat.  Don't make me mimic Alexx tonight."  They all smiled and dug in.

***

Xander met Lady Heather as she came out of the terminal, smiling at her and opening the door to her rented limo.  "Here you go, Lady Heather."

"You don't look like a driver," Greg teased.

Xander kissed him on the side of the head.  "I'm not.  I'm bouncy and waiting for my stuff to be found in the warehouse I put it in."  He let them get in then followed last, shutting the door.  Gregory immediately went to his knees in front of him.  "Good boy, Gregory.  We'll go to the hotel to check in then to the station so you and she can brief Daddy and Horatio."  He smiled at him.  "Have you been good?"

"Mostly," he admitted, handing over his list.  He handed over a sealed letter.  "That's from Grissom.  He said it was clear I needed help."

Xander read that one first, then handed it to Lady Heather with an eye-roll.  He read the list of sins, nodding at them.  Mostly minor losing control issues.  Some temper at traffic. Some ogling women and men.  One major one.  "You hesitated when you had to pull your gun at a scene?" he asked, looking at Greg.

Gregory nodded, looking at him.  "I'm not comfortable with it, Master Tim.  It's like an alien appendage some days.  Someone stuck it onto me.  It's my evil hand."

Xander stroked over his head.  "We'll work on that.  Your boss and I will have a talk," he promised, smiling gently at him.  "If you want."  He nodded at that. "I will not dismiss you to his care unless you wish it and only with someone Lady Heather trusts watching over you at first."

"Agreed.  I don't want him to help me that way," he admitted.

"That's fine, we'll work it out, Gregory."  He went back to petting him.  "Lady Heather, I'll be borrowing a room for a few minutes to go over his punishments with him."  She smiled and nodded.  "I'm staying with Dad until I get stuff moved down.  I'm still contemplating having someone move me or going up and renting a truck."

"I'd help if I have the time," Greg promised, smiling at him.  Xander grinned back.  "Not sucking up, it's good to be with you.  You help me even when I'm plain, old Greg Sanders."

"I do my best for my boys," Xander assured him, going back to petting him.  All the way to the hotel and then Greg went back to the upstanding CSI and watched their backs on the way in.  Xander nodded at the person behind the desk.  "I'm escorting Lady Heather."  That got a nod and she pulled up their reservations.  Lady Heather took care of signing them in and then they went upstairs.  He borrowed a bedroom to talk to Gregory and spank him for the minor offenses.  The major one they'd have to work on and he'd be working with Greg on his visualizations.  His bouncy nature that his boss complained about was a zest for life and the latent ADHD Greg carried over from childhood.  To him it went along with a genius level intelligence.  The same as babbling did. Once he was done with his corrections and Greg acknowledged his instructions they went back out, Greg going back to his knees in the car.  "We need to work on his focusing techniques," he told her.  "Do you think mental imagery?  He had problems with that before."

"Sometimes the work it takes to put one into place helps cure the problem," she offered.  "I know the mantra has worked for less tense situations.  Traffic has been enough to even make me swear though and his case load is enough to make sane, simple men beg."

Xander nodded.  "Dad has one of those too."  He looked at Greg.  "We'll work on that while we paint tomorrow.  I have color palettes for your consideration, Lady Heather."

"Are they your favorites?"

"Two are, one isn't.  Dad liked that one though.  He said it reminded him of a few really good spas in town."

"Then we'll have to see, Tim."  She smiled at him. "What about your equipment?"

"I can get that in any color to coordinate with the paint and carpets or tiles.  I'll get that ordered once you help me make sure it's not horrible looking."  She nodded at that.  "I am using the place you suggested.  They have some really nice deals right now if I go with the first or the third palettes."

"Good."  She smiled as they pulled into the driveway of the station.  "We're here."  Greg got up and opened the door, letting the two masters out and walked behind them.

Xander grinned at the receptionist.  "Horatio's expecting her.  This is Lady Heather and CSI Sanders out of Las Vegas."

"He left instructions to take them to his office, Xander.  Go ahead up."  She made them sign in and gave them all visitor's passes before paging him.  The boy walked him up there. It was making Speed very happy to have him down here.  He smiled a lot more and scowled at everyone a lot less.  She saw him scowling when he came in.  "CSI Sanders and Lady Heather are here, Speed.  In Horatio's office."

"Thanks, Marianne.  Someone tried to burn her out so she's down for some vacation and recuperation time.  CSI Sanders?"  She handed over the sign-in sheet.  "Oh, him.  I didn't know he went into the field."  He handed it back and went to check on them, nodding at Lady Heather.  "Nice to finally put a face to the name, ma'am."

"Timothy," she said, smiling at him.  "It is nice to finally meet such a good man to my favorite trainee."  She shook his hand and Speed looked at Xander, who was standing guard.  "He's very protective of me."

"It's a good trait of his.  I encourage that one," he agreed.  "It's what makes him want to help others."

"He does very good at that," Greg agreed.  "Hi, Greg Sanders."

"Tim Speedle.  Last I heard you were in DNA."

"I switched."

"It's a good field," he agreed, smiling at him. "Good luck in the field."

"I think I'm doing okay, even if Grissom does accuse me of being bouncy and hyper."

"You have ADHD, Greg," Xander said patiently.  "Of course you're bouncy and hyper.  It's the same reason I am."  He shook his head.  "Apparently Mr. Grissom is more uptight than Mac was."

Speed laughed and nodded. "Yeah, kinda.  Behave, guys, Horatio's escaping a meeting to come see you in a few minutes."  He left them there, closing the door partway.

Horatio knocked then came in a few minutes later.  "Good afternoon, Lady Heather.  Greg."  He shook hands and smiled at Xander.  "You could take Greg to the break room if you wanted."

"That's okay, I'm carrying notes from what we have so far," Greg offered, handing over the other envelope he had carried down.  "That's what the lab had as of when we left this morning, Lieutenant Caine."

"Horatio, Greg."

"Horatio then," he said with a grin.  "Anything I can do to help I will.  Grissom gave me until Saturday before I had to come back."

"That was nice of him."  He looked over the notes, then looked at him.  "No evidence on the death threats?"

"Small fingerprints, no match in the system that we could find.  Saliva made a partial match to another case but it's a huge family.  At least fifty members and you know the restrictions on the system."

"I do.  It's usually a good thing that we can't search for close family ties but occasionally very frustrating."  That got a nod.  "Anything not included?"

"Hodges was taking a long look at the accelerant.  He was having to break it down in an unusual way to find out what it was. That should be done by tonight. Hodges promised to call me first while he presents it to Grissom.  By then we'll have more on the family as well."

"That's fine.  Why don't you get a soda, Greg?  Take Xander with you."  He nodded and walked out, Xander behind him.  He smiled when Xander closed the door.  "I take it Grissom knows about them?"

"He sent Gregory to him this time because he believes Xander could help him calm down."

"They make drugs for that but you can end up fuzzy feeling or so I'm told."

"He does calm down with gentle application of caffeine.  Grissom cut off his coffee habit recently."

"Ah, his own fault then."

"You dabble?"

"My brother did.  I've dabbled a few times in a personal relationship but nothing like what Xander does."

"Many do," she agreed, smiling some.  "I see a lot of that and Xander is going to make them pay more than the real clients, or so I'm told."

"That was what he was outlining the other night at dinner when Ryan asked him."  She smiled at that.  "What can I do to make you safer, Lady Heather?"

"We believe that having me down here should be enough.  I did bring my secretary and two of my submissives with me.  One of them is a former officer. He was injured on the job.  Not critically but enough that he couldn't go back.  The other will only call me his Goddess."  That got another shy smile from him.  "How is Xander doing?"

"Well enough.  His father's a bit worried that he hasn't wanted to go out to enjoy the nightlife."

"He's not much of a partier.  He still loathes those who drink around him," she agreed quietly.  "He does need someone very special, including someone that can let him let go now and then without making him feel like he *has* to or forcing him to.  He's had too much on his shoulders already. Gregory is good for him for that reason as well.  He makes Xander laugh and be the goofy little boy his father loves more often."  He nodded.  She stood up.  "I thank you for your help, Lieutenant."

"Horatio, please," he offered.  He handed over one of his cards.  "Should something happen, call me immediately, Lady Heather.  I'll nag the lab out there for more information."

"Agreed.  You'll keep me informed?"

"Of course.  Is this your first set?"

"Now and then I get the typical letters from priests ordering me to repent or go to Hell for eternity for being a wicked and evil woman because I have a mind I use and a strong will."

He smirked.  "You won't get that much down here.  All the judgmental ones leave for the summer because they believe Miami is part of hell during it."  She laughed at that, smiling at him.  "Let me see you outside, Lady Heather.  Are you going to keep Xander for the day?  I'll tell his father if you are."

"He was going to go over his decorating ideas with me."

"You obviously have good taste.  Speed glared at his very bright hawaiian shirt this morning."

"Ah, those," she sighed.  "I've seen a good few of those.  Xander is definitely not a Puritan."  He chuckled and she smiled. "He's not."

"Thankfully not," he agreed.  He helped her up and out to her car, watching the two boys fuss over her.  He doubted many men fussed over that woman like she was fragile and delicate.  Even though she wasn't it showed their love and respect for her.  He waved and they headed off.

Frank looked over as he came out.  "That was Lady Heather?"

"It was, Frank.  You notice Xander wasn't bouncy and he was a lot different?"

"I saw.  So apparently he's got an on switch for the job."

Horatio looked at him.  "Or for crises according to Speed. They should be all right but we do need to nag the lab out there tonight."

"That's good.  I'd hate to see what Speed's boy pulled outta his butt to protect that woman."  He handed over a folder.  "This got emailed to me earlier about what he did in Sunnydale."

Horatio walked inside reading it, frowning at some things.  No wonder the boy came off as a combat veteran and didn't like people.  He was wary about getting closer to them.  He looked over at Frank since he was following him.  "Who sent this?"

"One of Father Benis's people.  I don't know why."

"Xander's his only grandson, Frank."

"'Scuse me?"

"He is Patrick Benis' only grandson.  He's been trying to get him away from his family for years from what he told me when he showed up at my door last night."  He closed the file.  "That is something to consider," he agreed.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Is the boy gay too?"

"Bi," Ryan said as he walked past them.  "Just figuring out which side he wants.  I asked before you ask if I have good gaydar, Frank."  He handed Horatio a folder then kept walking.  "Proofread and everything, H."

"Thank you, Mr. Wolfe.  Also, CSI Sanders is down from Las Vegas' labs.  He's about as new as you are if you two wanted to meet.  Xander's hanging out with him."

Ryan grinned.  "Thanks, boss. I'll see if they want to go somewhere calm tonight."  He walked off happier.

"Maybe those two would make a good couple," Frank suggested.

Horatio looked at him and shook his head.  "Xander's not neat enough for Mr. Wolfe's tastes, even if his tastes ran that way. Which I don't think they do.  They're friends and friends are always good, Frank."

"True."  He smirked.  "How soon before the boy's shop opens?  I got asked about his massage talents."

"They're saying two weeks to paint and get things in."  That got a nod and Frank went to tell someone that.  Horatio went back to his office, considering the odd pair of friends.  Perhaps Xander would be good for Ryan, make him less wary of people but more cautious about what he did around them.

***

Xander walked up to his old house, looking at Sonny.  "Is anything up there?"

"Nope.  Even the stuff we couldn't use we put into the storage place for you," he said dryly.  "So, how're the bikinis?"

"Nice," he agreed with a grin. "I can put a telescope on the house and watch a lot of them from the roof if I'm not busy."  That got a knowing smirk.  "I still like guys since most women would want to kill me, Sonny.  What did you put back?"

"The grenade launcher.  It's heavy as hell and really hard to hide."

"I've noticed that. Then again, I use magic for that."  Sonny gaped.  Xander smirked evilly.  "Came in handy where I was, Sonny.   You sure it's all there?  I seem to be missing some clothes."

"Nah, they're there.  The movers you hired to pack up everything carried it all out.  Even the ratty old couch."

"That might be going to Goodwill," he admitted.  "Thanks.  Have a happy life, Sonny."

"You're gonna need help moving that."

"Are your guys so hard up for money they're willing to help me move?"

Sonny shrugged. "I've got stuff I could deliver down there."

"No drugs in my stuff, Sonny.  I'd hate to have to beat you."  Sonny snorted.  "Again."  That got a light glare.  Xander glared back.  "Drugs or not drugs?"

"Weapons actually."  He shifted.  "So, you do know you can't pull what you did with me with the boys down there?"

"Actually I can and have.  Why?  Worried about me?"

"You're still insane, Harris, but they've got worse down there.  People I don't wanna mess with and Taylor can't touch."

"Huh?"

"The Mala Noches."

"Oh, heard of them," he sighed, grimacing.  "Still trying to decide what to do about them."

"Yeah, well, they green lighted the lab."  Xander glared at that, but it wasn't really aimed at him.  "Yeah, they've got an open hit out on that whole lab of your *daddy's*.  Do they know you call him that?"

Xander smacked him on the head.  "Shut up, Sonny.  Just give the information and I'll even be nice and *pay* your guys to move my shit so you can sneak my weapons back into my stuff."

Sonny snickered.  "I still don't like you."

"Sonny, for all I care, you can fall to your knees and offer to blow me too," Xander said dryly.  "I still wouldn't date you.  You're too much muscles and not enough brains.  Bragging will get you in trouble and be your downfall some year."  Sonny shrugged. "I'm hoping you've got a backup plan so you can run your gang from prison."

"They won't touch me."

"We'll see."  He looked at him.  "Where's the swords?"

"In special storage.  That may be where those clothes are.  You sure?  My boys can do it and even set it up for you."

Xander shrugged. "I can pay something reasonable but not a whole hell of a lot.  Real estate is really expensive down there."

"I heard about how much that check really was."

"Yeah and it's still mostly gone from the house I bought."  Sonny winced at that.  "Downtown.  Nice location."

"Sure.  How much you thinkin'?"

"A grand?"

"Two."

"One and a half?"

"Two or else I'll add on milage."

"Two's good," he decided, holding out a hand.  "They need extra to rent the truck?"

"We've got one."

"Thanks."  He handed over one of his new business cards.  "That's home and work."

"Decent.  Be there within four days."

"Thanks.  I'm off to say bye to everyone."

"They're out on Staten Island at the moment."

Xander grinned.  "Good to know."  He headed back to the subway, going to take a few last rides on it.  He hated the subway but it was a nice enough thing he guessed.  He even got them all lunch so they could sit down and spend a few last minutes until someone came down to visit him.  Because he knew they'd want the beach some day.

***

Xander snuck into the warehouse down in Miami.  He was back a day before he had expected to be but that was all part of his plans at the moment.  He didn't like his father or his father's friends to be in danger.  He summoned the two things and watched them go do him the huge favor of eating the bad guys for him.  They were hungry and the two predators would take them as snacks to go.  Nothing would touch their bodies but they'd be gone.  Xander smiled and waved at one, marking him to be left alone as a messenger.  "I hate it when people bother my family and to me, you guys are nothing but snacks.  I've dealt with things like them for my entire life.  I'm not scared of you.  Now, if you're good boys and agree to leave the MDPD crime lab alone, I might send them off."  That got a babbling, backing away person.  "I'd make the call, dear.  You're the only one I'm going to save except the two little kids."  He glared at one of the demons moving toward her.  "She's too young," he said in the most common demon language.

"She's a whore," the man spat.

Xander looked at him then at the one who was mostly living. "Leave him instead.  Take this one."  That demon rushed over to get the idiot and spared the other guy's life.  He squatted down to get into his face.  "You go after Caine's lab or his people or their families and I come back with worse.  Am I clear?" he asked quietly.  The man moaned and nodded. "Let the others know the light has changed and traffic is honking for them to move on.  After all, I've seen worse and I know worse.  You're just snack food to them."  That got another nod.  He looked back when a hand touched his shoulder, glaring at the demon.  "What?"

"The two girls?"

"Are just kids."

"The ones in the back."

"Leave 'em."  That got a nod and he walked out, releasing the compulsion spell Ethan had put on them.  "Out of Miami, boys.  Now.  Miami is mine to protect now."  That got a nod and they left the city, lumbering off to catch a ride somehow.  Or eat a ride and go he guessed.  There was the demon underground around here too.  He walked off, heading to clean up, burn his old clothes, then go home for the night.

Timmy didn't really need to know about this.  He just wanted to make sure he was safe.  He was not losing his family.

The girls ran into the back to get the others, leaving the injured one there to call for help.  His brethren were not going to like this.  They stayed out of the strange bruja stuff.  This was going to make a meeting happen.  His head fell back down with a thump when he got finished talking.  He passed out but he knew he'd wake up.  Unlike those around him.

***

Alexx looked at Horatio the next morning.  "They're all dead of nothing I can find," she told him, looking at the scene.  "There was signs that something burst in here and did something, that someone escaped.  All I can tell you so far is that they're *all* Mala Noche members.  Every last one of them, Horatio."

He nodded at that.  "Get them back there, Alexx.  I want to know if they tested a gas on their people or what."

"I'm going but I'm doubting it.  Most of them would've fallen down looking more tortured.  Two of them are *smiling*, Horatio!"

"I understand, Alexx.  See what you can do."  She nodded, gathering up the next body and taking it out to the van.  Horatio looked around, spotting Speed looking at something.  "A clue?"

"A scale," he said, holding it up.  Horatio looked at it then at him.  "And if what happened is what I think what happened this isn't from that.  Eric, look for something blue and scale- like please?"

"Sure," he called. "I found stuff saying they had girls here.  There's tampons in the bathroom."

"The Mala Noches are usually just men," Horatio said thoughtfully.  Frank and Yelina walked in so he waved them over.  "Anything from the neighbors?"

"No neighbors," Yelina offered.  "Not even homeless.  They've all been run out."

"They did a good job making this a deserted wasteland, Horatio," Frank agreed.  "There's one ATM the next block up but it didn't catch anything unusual.  I sat with the manager while he sped through it.  I got a copy in case I missed something on the fast forward."  He handed it over then he looked around.  "How many bodies?"

"Sixteen," he said grimly.  "Alexx can't find an overt cause."  Speed came over, whispering in his ear, getting a nod.  "Check on that for me, Speed.  Let me know."

"Thanks, H."  He went to do that, leaving them to gather evidence.  If he was right, his son had some explaining to do.  He found the only demon bar he knew of in town, walking inside.  A few of them looked then gave him horrified whimpers.  "I only want information."  The bartender waved him over.  "Something attacked the Mala Noches last night."

"I heard.  Heard they had an open contract on you too, a green light."  Speed blinked at that.  He nodded.  "I heard it was a rival gang who didn't ignore them but you'd be right they tempted a few of the higher predators that way.  Last I heard they were heading for the border."

"Who ordered it?"

"Don't know," he admitted.  Speed pulled out a picture and held it up.  "Harris. He's in town too?"  Speed nodded.  "Wow."

"He's known as Master Tim."

"Oh, that's *him*!" he said, nodding, looking appreciative.  "He called late last night from a New York number saying he didn't care if something happened but he was down here and he would only hunt those who hurt others.  Haven't seen him in here, Speedle."  Speed gave him an odd look.  "The underground did hear about you and the pouty one helping out there."  He smirked.  "If you see him soon let him know he's welcome to come talk to me in person as long as he's peaceful and stays only hunting the hunters."

"He's due in today sometime.  What sort of demons?"

"Higher predators.  Soul eaters."

"No wonder the bodies weren't touched.  Would they leave someone living?"

"Depends on who ordered it, doesn't it?" he suggested.  That got a nod and Speed left.  He relaxed.  That had almost been bad.  Someone was going to get spanked. "Maybe he'll let his boy do it since he's a dom," he said fondly.  A few of the demons laughed.  "That Master Tim guy, that's Harris," he announced.  "Speedle's still keeping him as his son."  A few took drinks but some of the more violent patrons decided a vacation was in order.  More would come in, they always did, and the less violent species cost him less in property damage so it was all good to him.

***

A few weeks after the massacre, Horatio walked into Xander's home.  He coughed.  Xander leaned out of the kitchen. "No clients?"

"Not for another hour.  What's wrong?  Something happen to daddy?"

"No," he said, heading back there.  He paused to look at the sealed room.  He tapped on the obviously reinforced door. "What is this?"

"The weapons storage room.  I reinforced it myself," he said proudly.  "It's got a tv and a hookup to the security system as well, plus a phone for when I'm in there cleaning weapons."

"May I see?"

"No because you'll arrest me.  Giles got sent another supply package so he sent it down to me.  He heard what happened with the stuff he'd sent me before."  He ate a bite of sandwich. "If it's not daddy, what's wrong, Horatio?"

"Xander, did you order the soul eaters to come eat them to protect us?" he asked bluntly.

Xander chewed the present bite in his mouth.  "No comment," he said then he ate another one.

"Not good enough.  Your father is upset that it could be you."

"It wasn't just me.  Nor was it my idea.  I did tell them who to leave alone.  I wasn't about to let them eat the little kids they had in there as prostitutes."  He finished his sandwich and looked at him as he chewed.  "Horatio, I don't care if they were human.  Most of them weren't, they were halfies, and they were violent.  I've stated all along I only go after the hunters.  There's no way in hell I'm letting them hurt dad or anyone he cares for.  But no, I did not order it, I did not pay them for it, and I only went along to make sure they ate legitimate targets."

"Xander, that is a very dangerous thing," he warned quietly.

"Do you think hunting wasn't?" he asked bitterly. Horatio shook his head. "It will never happen again, Horatio, but I wasn't about to stop them from helping keep my father safe."

"Who?"

"I'm not going to tell you that."  Horatio moved closer.  "I know it's wrong to be happy that they're gone, Horatio, but I made sure they left those kids alone, the two girls in the back too, and one witness.  I was not the impetus for it but I wasn't going to tell them no.  I'm sorry if that bothers you or makes you hate me.  All I ask is that you don't tell dad.  If he finds out he does and he'll come to me."

"He thinks you ordered it.  That's why he hasn't been over."

Xander nodded. "I realize that. The same as I hope he realizes I didn't ask them to do that."

"You watched them...."

"Having their souls ripped out was a lot more kind than letting them be shot, Horatio.  It's a more humane death than I would have wanted since they were targeting you and Eric recently."  Horatio stepped back at that.  "I'm sorry if you're pissed at me," he said, his voice low, quiet, deadly.  "I'm sorry if you're disappointed in me.  I'm damn sorry I upset daddy but I'm not going to watch anyone else I give a damn about die.  I've had enough of that already."

"Everyone dies, Xander."

"Then he can die of old age, Horatio.  Of natural causes.  Not of jealousy or anger because they got caught doing something bad and got pissed that you took their toy away."

"The hit was on me, Xander."

"No, it wasn't.  It was to destroy the whole lab while you had to watch.  Then you."   Horatio flinched at that. "I'm sorry if you're upset, but I went along with the only plan I knew would protect everyone.  Including you.  Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get into a better frame of mind.  I've got an older lady coming in for help with her arthritis.  I need to be more gentle with her."  Horatio nodded.  "Tell him I'm sorry, Horatio," he said quietly as he walked off. He walked into his gun vault and got to work on one of them to calm himself down again.  He saw his client walk up to the door, smiling at her.  He put everything up and wiped off his hands as he went to let her in.  "Mrs. Fabber.  Welcome to my studio."  He helped her inside and handed her a small gown.  "This is for your modesty.  It's thin enough I can work through it but thick enough so your modesty is protected."

"It's washed?"

"It's washed and sterilized after each wear, ma'am.  Let me go clean up.  I was just cleaning up something and have some chemicals on my hand."  She nodded so he left her in the room, closing the door behind him for her modesty. Then he went into the kitchen to wash his hands with the good soap.  He came back when she called, wiping off his hands.  He even helped her onto the table, covering her lap with a sheet since she was on her stomach.  "There we go.  I've got three scents of oils and a selection of music.  Would you like something classical, instrumental, new agey?  Pick and it's yours," he offered with a small smile.

"Classical.  Do you have any Dvorak?"

He looked and nodded. "I have one on a mixed CD," he admitted, letting her see the case.  She nodded that it was fine and he started on the first selection of his, then he let her sniff the oils, warming the one she wanted.  He had chosen these because the oil would heat and soak into the very thin, special fabric.  It would be like a heat wrap as well.  She wiggled some and he got another spot.  "If you want, I can open it just enough to get your lower back, Mrs. Fabber."

"That would be fine, Tim."

He smiled and did that, being very proper with her.  She was nearly sixty-eight, she wouldn't appreciate anything but him being professional.  By the time he had done the aching parts, she was nearly asleep.  "You still have time left.  Would you like me to do your feet or hands?" he asked quietly.  She nodded, letting him have a hand.  He worked it gently for her, making her purr and smile, then fall the rest of the way asleep.  When the timer went off, he checked her.  Fully asleep.  He covered her with the sheet and locked the door behind himself.  That way his next client wouldn't bother her until she was ready to wake up. His next one was knocking on the door and he went to let her in.  "Sorry, I was in with my last client and didn't hear."

"That's fine," Yelina promised, smiling at him. "Are you ready for me?"

"Of course.  I have my last client sleeping in her room but she's locked in."

"That's always a nice thing."  She let him lead her to one of the rooms, looking at the gown and shaking her head.  "I'm not that modest."

"If you're sure.  There's a sheet on the table.  I'm doing your shoulders, right?"

"Shoulders and back," she agreed with a small smile.

"Then get undressed at least down to your waist and push that down some, then lay on your back for now.  I'll do your shoulders first then have you turn over."  She nodded and he left her alone.  He tapped gently on the other door but didn't hear her wake up so he went to restart the dryer to make sure everything in the used dryer was really dry.  He noticed someone coming up the stairs and went to see them. "Hi.  This is by appointment only.  Can I schedule you one?"

"I'm with the Health Department."

"Sure.  I've got one client sleeping in her room after a massage and one getting ready to go in but you can look around."  He let him inside.  "Feel free.  I do massages down here."

"I heard what else you do, sir."

"I do that on the second floor and I don't sell that sort of release," he said firmly.

"Good to know.  May I see your sanitary facilities?"

"Sure, I just restarted the dryer on the present load."  He tapped on Yelina's door.  "It'll be another minute, Detective.  The Health Department just pulled a surprise inspection."  He saw the look at the locked, reinforced door.  "My gun safe."  That got a nod and they looked around the bottom floor while he went to work on Yelina's shoulders and back.  When he came out with her done, he found him waiting and looking around the waiting area.  "Do I meet inspection?"

"You probably should do the dishes in your personal sink."

"I know.  I forgot last night.  I'm going to do them when I'm done tonight."

"That's the only problem I saw.  You have fabric gowns?"  Xander nodded.  "They're all washed?"

"And sterilized.  Sheets as well."  That got a nod and his clean bill of inspection was handed over.  "I thank you."

"You're welcome.  That locked room?"

"My first client this afternoon.  She fell asleep."  That got a smirk and he left after Yelina came out and paid him.  Xander hung up the new certificate and went to change Yelina's room out, then went to knock on the door, hearing her moving around.  "Mrs. Fabber, I locked you in there so you could finish your nap, ma'am.  Whenever you're ready to go, the switch is on the doorknob."  He walked off, going to find his sweeper to run around the entryway.  He saw his father come up the stairs and opened the door.  "You're in luck, I'm free for an hour," he said happily.  Mrs. Fabber came out and paid him, kissing him on the cheek.  "Should I set up a return appointment, Mrs. Fabber?"

"Please, Tim.  Say in two weeks?"

"However often you feel is necessary," he agreed.  "I'm not pushy that way."  He looked in his book.  "I've got an opening on Wednesday of that week?"  He let her see.  "Say, eleven?"

"That would interrupt my lunch date."

"Hmm.  I've got that afternoon blocked off for someone else's special treatment.  How about that Thursday?  Or Tuesday?" he offered, pointing at the open spot.  "Say two?"

"That would be fine, Tim.  Do you take Medicare?  I have a friend who could use the help if you do."

"I've been looking into it but it's going to be at least a month before I can get all the paperwork and approvals done."

She smiled.  "Do let me know when you do, Tim.  You're such a nice boy and you have such good hands."  She patted him on the cheek and left, closing the door behind her.

Xander looked at his father, then penciled her in.  He closed the book and looked at him.  "I'm sorry you're mad at me. I didn't order it."

"I know."

"You do?"

"You're not like that, Xander.  I do want to know who did."  Xander shook his head, heading back to the kitchen.  "Xander, you know what they did."

Xander looked at him. "Who do you think made sure they didn't touch those girls?  Especially the two underage ones?"  Speed looked horrified.  "Then they left.  I made sure of it.  I wasn't about to let them go free, Dad."

Tim sighed and rubbed his face.  "Xander, this is wrong," he said, looking at him. "Just as wrong as what they did."

"They weren't..."

"I don't care!"

Xander sat down at the table, slumped down.  "I'm sorry I'm an embarrassment to you now, Speed."

Tim shook his head but gave him a hug. "You're not but what you watched them do was wrong," he whispered in his ear. "It's just as bad as what they did to others."  Xander looked at him.  "Why?  That's what I want to know?"

"So I don't have to watch anyone else I give a damn about die."

Speed pulled back and looked at him. "That's..."  He blinked a few times then looked at his son again, seeing the guilty look.  "We'll be talking tonight."

"I've got a client tonight until probably ten, he's hard to break according to him," Xander said quietly.

Speed nodded. "I've got tomorrow off."  He walked out, heading out to go think and talk to Horatio.  Because he wasn't sure if he was upset or just sad.

Xander put himself back into a better frame of mind, going to clean up the other room.  He had a third one but he shouldn't have to use it this week.  Maybe not at all.  Because if his dad was that upset with him then he might be leaving and heading somewhere no one knew him.

***

Speed was much calmer when he let himself into Xander's front door.  He heard someone crying and snuck up the stairs.  Xander saw him and nodded him to go up to his apartment, so he did.  Xander went back to soothing the sobbing guy in his arms.  When the guy got himself back together and Xander and he had talked for a few, the guy left and Xander came upstairs, heading to get a glass of juice from the fridge.  He handed Tim a beer.  "I need this?"

"You look like you need it and you're the only person I can stand drinking something like that around me," he said quietly.  He headed to his couch and flopped down, looking at him.  "You're going to yell?"

"I should yell.  I should be disappointed because you went there."  He took a drink then sat down at his feet.  "Then I realize who had done it.  Where is Ethan?"

"Helping Grandfather."  He took another drink of his juice.

"Did you get sick?"

"After having to kill people I grew up with, ones who teased me about my first zit being so huge?"

"True."  He took another drink then looked around before looking back at him.  "It will not happen again?"  Xander shook his head.  "Even if I'm in danger?"

"I'll handle it differently.  I'm not losing you."

"You sound just like every single one of the psychos who like you," he pointed out.  Xander threw his glass then got up to take a walk.  Speed waited, he'd be back.  He finished his beer, cleaned up the mess against the wall, and even did the dishes for him.  Xander came back an hour later looking defeated.  "You okay?"

"You're right."

"I know I am.  I've had to arrest a few of them over the years."  He pulled Xander closer, looking at him while he rested his back against the sink.  "Are you thinking again?"

"Are you mad?"

"Furious.  But calm.  It's a change from earlier.  Now, I think we should talk and if that's your doorbell it had better be someone who just died."

Xander jogged down the stairs, opening it to find Ryan, who looked horrified.  "What happened?"  He pulled him inside, looking him over.  "Are you all right?"

Ryan shook his head.  "No."  Xander gave him a hug but he struggled.  "No, not now.  Is Speed here?"

"All the way upstairs.  Did something happen?"

"At the lab."  He walked up the stairs with a scowl in place.  He found Speed doing the last few glasses.  "We just got broken into and they stole drug evidence."

"Coming."  He looked at Xander.  "Tomorrow."

"I'll be here, but you know why, Dad."

"I know.  I still don't like it."

"I don't either.  It was better anyway."

"That's cold."

"Yay.  I learned cold at a lot of hands."

"You did.  Not at mine though and I will not accept that."

"It won't happen again."

"Good."

"Something happen during a session?"

Speed looked at him then at Xander, then back at him.  "He knows what ate those Mala Noche guys."

"Hmm.  So that means it's demonic and that's why there was no markings on the body?"  Xander nodded.  "Souls?"  Xander nodded again.  "Then I guess the two that were smiling thought it was better than the hell they deserved.  If you need to talk, you can come to me."

"Thanks, Ryan.  I'm fine."  That got a nod and they headed out together after Speed gave him a hug.  It did make him feel better.  His dad didn't hate him.  That was a good thing.  Though he did write out a letter of confession to Lady Heather.  She'd hate him.  He explained everything in it, every little thing.  Then he sent it to her, walking out to put it into the box.  After he was done he went to lay down.  He hated what he had done but it had been necessary.

***

Tim walked into Xander's place the next morning, startling a few of the women in the waiting area.  "Sorry, I'm Tim's dad.  Is he not working on someone?"

"He had someone come in crying so he's holding her," one of the ladies said with a gentle smile.  "We can wait five or six minutes on that.  We assumed it was his girlfriend."

"Actually I think it was one of the detectives I work with but let me check."  He went to find them upstairs, finding her calming down.  "Hey," he said, making her flinch.  "Quit.  I'll do this.  You've got three women waiting."  Xander nodded, slipping out to go deal with his clients.  He sat down next to her.  "I'm comfy if you need to rest on me."

"It's just a bad day," she admitted, looking at him.  He nodded.  "How would you understand?"

"It wasn't exactly a great day the day I got brought back.  I yelled at Aiden for hours."

"How did you come back?  We didn't believe the federal investigation story in the least."

He looked at her.  "Some time in the future you should reconsider that story but for right now, Aiden did it.  She begged, prayed, and pleaded for help dealing with the issues on her new job.  She had no idea the majority of the job was to find a better reason for the high homicide rate than vampires."  She gave him an odd look.  He nodded. "Sunnydale is like that bar Tentacles is.  Only it's got more of them all over the town."

"Then Xander...  And you...."  He nodded.  "Why?"

"In my case, self protection and protection of the kid.  In his, because he jumped in to save a friend and got stuck there," he admitted quietly, giving her a squeeze around the shoulders.  "Graduation made me realize why I never wanted to join the military.  That was one hellish battle.  Kinda literally," he said with a wry grin.  "Explains the grenade launcher too."

She gave him a horrified look.  "He doesn't."

"He does.  Somewhere.  His former mentor sent it to him just in case he needed it in New York."

"I'm sure they would have loved that," she said sarcastically.  She wiggled free and he let her go.  "What did you mean earlier?"

"I can't tell you."

She gave him a heated look.  "I would tell me anyway."

"I can't tell you, Yelina.  I'm not allowed and they'll make me go back there for good if I start to tell you."

"They?"

"This discussion goes better over nachos and beer," Xander said from the stairs.  "Someone just asked about my grenade launcher?"

"Oops.  Sorry."  Xander closed the door, walking off shaking his head, going to explain that he was hiding it from the kook who had mentored him in high school so he couldn't use it and of course someone in the PD knew, both the people upstairs were officers so they both knew now.  His father even knew the guy who had given it to him.  They decided that was fine since he was such a nice boy.

Speed heard the doorbell and came down to get it, waving off Xander.  "I've got it."  Xander went back to his client.  He opened the door, looking at the raven haired woman in the conservative suit and sunglasses standing on the other side.  "Lady Heather.  He's in with a massage client at the moment.  Would you care to wait upstairs?"

"Please."  She walked him up there, nodding at Yelina.  "I need to borrow him.  Are you done with him for a bit?" she asked politely.

"I was only using him to cry on," she admitted.

"It is cathartic.  I make many people do that."  Yelina blushed so she pulled Speed upstairs and closed the door.  "I got the most distressing letter from your son."

"He confessed what happened with the Mala Noches who died?"  She nodded.  "Did he do it?"

She stared at him then let him read it.  "I'm not sure if I should be distressed or not."

"I am, you can be," he offered, sitting down to read it, frowning at the opening paragraph.  "That sounds like he'd write to Aiden."

"I do love him, Speed.  He is like a son to me.  That, however, was a very bad choice."

He looked at her. "He's deathly afraid of losing anyone else."  She nodded, understanding that.  "Especially me."

"I realize that.  Keep reading."  She waved a hand then sat down.

He went back to the letter, turning the page slowly.  It was not making him a happy father.  He got to the end and folded it up, handing it back to her.  "He didn't feel he could tell me."

"That's because he knew he'd disappoint you.  He was hoping I could talk him out of doing something stupid."

"We were going to be finishing that talk today anyway," he offered.  She nodded that it should happen.  "I don't know what to do, Lady Heather.  I know why.  I understand why.  I feel the same.  Hell, if he does lose me or Aiden, or you, or any of the rest of those he considers family, he'll break.  Permanently."

"He's not that fragile."

"To others," he said. "He's got some great armor but the body underneath is still pretty fleshy and he's still bruised from Sunnydale and the guys in New York not having the time to help him now and then."  He considered it.  "He's healing from combat trauma as well."

"What do you think will help him?"

"Time."

"We may not have it.  Not with the tone of that letter."

"He won't do it again," he assured her. "He promised me."

"Did he lie to you?"

"Not yet.  He never said it wasn't his idea."  She nodded at that.  "But he did say he didn't do the charms on them or anything else."

"Which is backed up by this letter."  She sighed. "I should be disappointed and furious."

"You should but you said yourself a while back when we first talked that Xander needed to heal.  This is all part of that."

"It is and they weren't the nicest of people."

"He said some weren't people."

"They probably weren't," she admitted.  "I'm worried he'll go wrong, Timothy."

"He won't.  I know he won't.  I'm working on it.  If you want to help me then you're more than welcome."

"Did he include Gregory?"

"I don't know," Speed admitted. "You'd have to ask Greg."

"Point."  She pulled out her phone and called him.  "Yes, I do know what time it is, Gregory."  He snapped more awake at the sound of her voice.  "The plan with the Mala Noche...."  She listened to him tell her what had been his idea originally that Xander had fleshed out.  "We will be talking about this when I get home, Gregory.  Yes, you.  Because it did.  Yes, it did."  She heard the moan of pain.  "There were reasons behind it however. So for right now, we'll deal with it and then we'll talk."  She hung up and looked at him.  "He got the idea watching a movie."

"It wasn't a bad one.  It was a peaceful one at least."  She gave him a frown.  "You've seen others who've seen too much combat."

"I have.  I didn't think he'd seen that much."  Speed nodded.  "He hides it very well."

"Of course he does.  None of the girls there gave a damn about him!  Aiden and I gave him his first parental hugs."

"You're noisy!" Xander shouted up the stairs.  Then he went back to work.

He frowned then took a calming breath, making her laugh.  "I know.  I'm just as concerned as you are.  I'll handle this."  She nodded, standing up.  "If I have to, I'll send him back to you for you to help him."

"I can't break him," she admitted quietly.  "He trusts me, he loves me like his mother, but there's been too much trauma there."

Speed nodded. "Then teach me."

"You'll ruin what trust you have between you.  That is not a father/son relationship."

He slumped some.  "I don't know who to ask.  He's not making close friends with mine."

"Which is what is needed. A true friend would stop him.  They'd see the pain he was in and stop it before it got deep enough.  In this case, he will have to break to rebuild it."  He shook his head.  "Yes, he will."

"No, he can't.  They couldn't break him.  The one time he did break, Willow did it and he was apparently silent for a month."  She shuddered at that image. "She told me once she had broken him but she meant the other way," he said quietly. "He's not been totally right since Buffy came and then what original made family he had got ripped from him.  First by him having to stake one and then by the other one finding a talent and growing an ego the size of a redwood."

"I see."  She considered it.  "Then there is a way, but you must love him with everything, Speed.  He must feel it and let down every guard he has."

He nodded. "If I can."

"You may be the only one who can.  He loves and trusts you.  He feels uncomfortable enough with me to not show me that he has that deep of a vulnerable side. I saw some and some combat trauma but not the depth you're speaking of."

"Yeah, well, it wasn't that bad before he went to New York," he admitted.  She nodded at that.  "Being virtually alone up there probably wasn't real healthy for him."  She shook her head. "You think?"

"I know."  She stroked his cheek.  "I will keep this in mind but if he has promised he will not do it again I believe him."

"I think his exact phrase was that he'd do it differently if he had to protect me next time."

She smiled. "Of course. We protect what is precious to us.  Some more than most."  She left, heading back to her hotel.

Speed sat down, waiting on Xander to be done for the day.  According to his appointment book he was done after the three older women.  Xander finally came up the stairs and he patted the couch beside him.  Xander gave him a very cautious look.  "I want to talk to you and cuddle at the same time.  It's better that way."

"Why don't you just chew me out now?" he demanded.

"Because I'm not going to."  Xander slumped.  "You're looking for punishment?"  Xander looked up and nodded.  "Then at least you know you did the wrong thing.  Now, come here."  Xander came closer and slowly sat down next to him, slowly cuddling into his side like usual.  Speed just held him, making him relax.  "I'm pissed, but I understand why, Xander.  I read what you sent Lady Heather."  He stiffened at that.  "She's worried too. She said you never let her that deeply into your soul."  He made the boy look at him.  "Well, I was deeper at least."  He kissed him on the forehead and settled in to hold him until his son fidgeted.  But he kept holding onto him.  Xander struggled to get up.  "Nope. It's time you realize I'm here and I'm the parent.  It's my job to take care of you, not the other way around."  Xander fidgeted some more so he pulled him into his lap. "I'm still here. It's just us."

"Your phone's vibrating."

"It's done that a few times," he admitted, shifting to pull it out but still not letting go of Xander.  "The stepmom."  He flipped it open. "I'm holding the son."  He listened to her complain.  "That was tonight?"  He groaned.  "I'll be home in about forty minutes then."  He hung up and looked at him.  "Next time, longer."  Xander shook his head. "Oh yeah."

"I know this technique now."

"Good, then you realize what I'm doing and you won't make me put you in a diaper and force you to regress."  He kissed him on the cheek and let him go.  "Lock up for the night, Xander.  I'll be back tomorrow.  My day off got shifted."  Xander whimpered.  "Not like you've got a booking tomorrow.  Right?"  Xander shook his head slowly.  "Good."  He got him off his lap and stood up.  "I still love you," he promised, making his son look at him.  "Even when you do things to protect me I still love you.  Understand?"

"No," he said weakly.

"Then I'll explain it better tomorrow.  Tonight, sleep.  I'm going to turn on your alarm."  He headed down to let himself out, locking the door behind him once he had set the alarm.  Then he headed home for their special dinner together, hoping she wasn't going to skin him.  Because Calleigh probably could.

Xander got some ice cream from the freezer and sat down to nibble on it, considering what had happened. He was fighting the instinct to run.  He was having to and that was telling. He had never run from Timmy before.  He wasn't threatening him or trying to hurt him.  So apparently he had some issues he needed to work out.  He heard the knock on the door and groaned, getting up to answer it, hoping it wasn't someone who needed him.  He found Horatio.  "Timmy said to lock up for the night."

"I agree, you should," he assured him as he walked in.  He looked at him. "Are you all right?"

"More or less.  Confused.  Why?  Did something happen to him?  I know he went home...."

Horatio held up a hand.  "Nothing's happened to Speed, Xander.  I promise you he's fine."  He locked the door.  "Come on, let's go talk."

"About?"

"What happened to those gang members."

"No."

"Tough."  He turned him around and gave him a nudge.  "Wherever you feel comfortable but we will be having this talk without Speed or anyone else hearing.  Because you will explain this to me.  Or else I will be arresting you."  Xander shrugged at that.  "Now."  Xander trudged up the stairs, letting him into his apartment.  He looked around.  It was comfortably shabby.  Not highly decorated, organized, or clean.  Unlike his work areas.  He sat down and Xander sat across from him. "Whose idea was this?"

"Mine."

"Really?  Greg seemed to think differently."  Xander flinched at that. "He said he got the idea from a movie?"

Xander looked at him.  "I reformatted the plan so it'd work, Horatio.  Is that what you wanted to hear?  That I was there to make sure they didn't eat anyone who wasn't a threat and kept them off the few kids there."

"Not particularly.  I want to know *why* it happened, Xander, not how.  I can figure out how.  I grew up in New York and I know the demonic section as well.  I had my patrol circuit down there for a long time."  Xander slumped at that.  "Now, tell me.  Think of it as confession.  If you do tell me I can't do anything."

Xander looked at him.  "You can't anyway.  There's no way you can charge me for opening a door for two demons."

"Two?"

"Two," he sighed. He leaned back, looking at him.  "I'm not going to break, Horatio.  I can't.  Not anymore."

"You can but it takes a much different method and I think your triggers are emotional.  You hold them fairly close to yourself, Xander."  He leaned forward to stare at him.  "Let me guess, Speed was holding you, making you let it go?"  Xander nodded slowly. "That's pretty textbook.  I want you to let it out, not let it go.  Let it out so it can't harm Speed.  Because this could easily hurt him."  Xander's shoulders fell a fraction lower.  He frowned.  "You have to let it out, Xander.  Treat me like a wall.  Let it all out and tell me.  I can handle anything.  I've seen worse in my life."

"I had to stake people I grew up with."

"I saw.  Your grandfather sent me a file.  You can see it if you want."  Xander shook his head. "He knows a lot more than you may think."

Xander looked at him. "He maybe knows a third.  I've seen that file.  Willow sent it to me.  She hacked your home computer the other day to check on Timmy."

"I see.  That's very...nice of her I would suppose."

"She wasn't snooping, just looking for things on Timmy.  She's worried about him."

Horatio looked at the boy and smirked just the tiniest bit.  "That's one of the better redirections I've ever seen, Xander.  Good job."  He shrugged at that and leaned back in his chair.  "You need to let it out."

"I did to Lady Heather."

"You didn't.  You confessed this episode."  He shifted closer.  "You said he only saw a third?"

"His guy couldn't have seen it all.  Hell, I don't remember it all sometimes."

"There's been too many vampires?"

"Now and then."

"That is combat fatigue."

"I know that. I've read a lot on that subject, Horatio."

"Good.  Then you know what you need to do.  You need to let it out.  Tell me.  It won't go any further than this room."  He pulled out a bug sweeper, handing it over. "You can check if you want."

"I found the two earlier."  He handed it back.  "Lady Heather wouldn't do that and neither would Speed."

"True."  He got up and pulled Xander up, making him look at him.  "Tell me," he ordered quietly, staring him down.  "Now, Xander.  I need to know and you need to let it go before you turn into one of those that like you for real."  Xander swallowed hard.  "Tell me."  Xander broke free and went to be sick.  "That's a good sign," he offered, following once he had gotten him a glass of water.  He helped the boy clean up then sat in there with him.  The boy looked at him and asked a question so quiet he almost didn't hear it.  "Yes, I read the full file and I saw the gaps.  When did you hurt your first person?"

"The second time I was sold.  Willow got the first.  Jesse helped her."

Horatio nodded.  "It was always in self-defense, right?"  Xander looked at him, an earnest, open look, and nodded.  "Then what about this time?"

"I was protecting Timmy."

"That's not just your job, Xander.  That's my job and Eric's job and Calleigh's job.  We all have that job.  It's not just your duty."

"He's my daddy."

"He is.  That doesn't mean it's just *your* duty."  Xander leaned his head against the sink and Horatio pulled him closer, making him rest against his shoulder.  "I'm as impartial of a judge as you'll get, Xander.  I've had to kill in the line of duty and to protect others. I've done things I shouldn't, as you probably heard from the assassin.  There is nothing you can tell me that would shock me."

"Not even the hyena that I've got inside me?"

"I've seen similar cases," he offered.

"Does this mean you trust me to do the same?"

"If I need this sort of thing or your other services I will come to you.  I know you can be discreet."  Xander nodded and got up, getting him something.  "I want you to tell me."

"You need to read that first."

"Is it a disclaimer?"

"I thought bad jokes was my forte."

"Point," Horatio admitted, settling in to read it.  He looked at the boy when he was done with the few pages, then pulled him against him again. "I understand how survival trauma goes, Xander.  Did no one ever think to talk to you about it?"

"They made Willow give me back before I got to that point," he admitted quietly, picking at his shirt.  Horatio took his hands to make him quit it.  He looked up at him. "I'm not dating you."

"That's probably a good thing at the moment.  That means I'm impersonal enough to let go on."  Xander sighed.  "Now."  Xander started to speak, slowly, starting back when he was younger.  He even got to the point where he was pointing at the scars as he went over that story.  They stayed against the old tub, Horatio listening to him go on about the things he had seen and done.  Everything that he could remember.  Every issue with his parents.  The staking problems he used to have.  How hunting turned into catharsis.  How graduation went and made him puke for days afterward.  What went on in New York and how lonely he was.  How it wasn't quite as bad down here because Speed saw him a lot more often.  By dawn, Xander was yawning but it was all out.  Now Horatio pulled him closer to hold him, making him give up and let it go for a while on his shoulder.  "Shh," he soothed, stroking his back.  "I do understand.  I've been in some of those dark places, Xander."

"If you tell me to find religion I'm biting you," he said into his shoulder.

Horatio chuckled.  "No, I don't think religion is your answer."  He patted him on the back.  "I think some time with Speed will be but he's still in for leave in a few weeks." Xander looked at him.  "How does your schedule look?"

"More packed.  Holidays are good for us."

"Good."  He patted him on the back.  "The next time you need the same help, you can come to me," he repeated, stroking over his nearly shoulder-length hair.  "What do you look like with it shorter?"

"Geeky."

Horatio laughed and held him tighter.  "I know you feel better.  Ready to try Speed's method again?"  Xander yawned and shook his head.  "He'll be over soon since I gave him the day off."

"I think the stepmom wanted him somewhat today."

"No, she has to work.  So they're about ready to get up."  He heard the doorbell and the slight groan.  "Go see who it is."

Xander got up and went downstairs, finding Ryan standing there.  "Dad's not here," he said when he got the door open and the alarm off.

"I know that, I was looking for Horatio. We just got called to a scene."

"Have you slept yet?" Xander demanded.

"No, but I can after that's done.  I'll hopefully have time for a short nap."

Xander pulled him inside and shook his head, pointing.  "All the way upstairs, last room on the right, Ryan."

"I need to go."

"You'll crash and hurt someone.  Horatio?"  He came down the stairs, perfectly straightened out, only one small damp spot left to show what had went on.  "He hasn't slept yet and there's a new scene."

"We think it's the guy who did the break-in," Ryan told him.

"I'll go and take Eric," he promised.  "You go sleep.  Before you hurt someone."  Ryan opened his mouth.  "Now."  Ryan nodded and trudged up the stairs.  "Thank you, Mr. Wolfe."  He looked at Xander.  "The next time you need to talk, come to me yourself, Xander.  You're a big boy."

"Yes, Horatio."

"Good.  Call Lady Heather after your father leaves.  She's probably worried sick."  He left, heading to the scene once he called into Dispatch that it was his.  Then he spent a few minutes to shudder in private.  No one should have to see most of those things.  Yet Xander still had a mostly sunny and bouncy nature.  It was amazing how he had survived.  He headed for the crime scene, calling Eric to meet him there.  He was hoping it was the janitor who had broken into the drug seizure locker during night shift.  He wanted this cleaned up.

Speed showed up a few hours later looking well rested.  He found his son asleep on the couch and someone snoring in the guest room.  Then he looked at Xander.  "You talked to Ryan?"

"Talked to Horatio," Xander muttered, glaring at him.  "Just got to sleep, daddy."

"Good."  He sat him up, laid down under him, and let Xander crash on top of his chest.  Xander snuggled in and let himself be held. It took longer for him to resist.  It must've been a good talk, and by noon, Xander was ready to explode from the lack of being able to move but Speed simply kissed him on the head with a quiet 'I love you, son' and Xander broke for him.  "Shh, I've got you." Ryan slipped past them and out the door, locking the knob lock on the way out.  "It's good that you find Horatio close enough to talk to but unfamiliar enough not to coddle you.  It's good you trusted someone," he soothed, patting him.  Xander said something.  "I wouldn't mind.  I know Horatio won't tell me."  Xander settled in to tell him the same things, all of it, even the stuff he already knew.  Speed just held onto  him, making sure his boy knew he loved and trusted him.  It was a day well spent.  At the end, Xander was limp and tired again, but it was good for them.  Speed made him get up and go grocery shopping because he was out of food and he had to hit the bank because he hadn't deposited the day before's intake.  They came back and found the mail had already run, giving Xander a letter from his grandfather.  Speed read it then looked at him.  "Think he knows?"

"Maybe.  He seems to have a really good information network and Ethan does work with him."

"Good.  I've been wanting to meet your grandfather."  He called the number on it.  "It's Tim Speedle.  It good to come out now even if we're in jeans and t-shirts?  Because he's my son and his grandfather can blow me if he doesn't like it," he said dryly.  Xander moaned and shook his head.  "Yeah, that's what I said."

"Daddy."

"Quit."  A quiet voice in the background agreed it was fine, he wasn't doing anything that would require formal clothes.  "We'll be right out as soon as we put up the groceries then."  He hung up and went to do that with his son, giving him another hug.  You couldn't go wrong with tactile contact with Xander.  They got everything put up and a sandwich into each of them on the way over in Xander's car.  Xander didn't like riding his bike with him, said it made him think uncomfortable thoughts about him.  He could understand that but that would change soon if he had his way.  They parked and he got out, putting an arm around Xander's shoulders as he walked him inside.   "His grandfather requested a Godfather-like meeting?"

The guard snickered. "We like you, Detective Speedle.  Drawing room, Xander."

"Thanks."  He gave them a shy grin and headed in there, pausing to hug Ethan.  "Thank you."

"What did I do to deserve that?"

"We made him tell us," Speed told him.  Ethan went pale.  "It's a hard thing but I do understand.  I don't like, but I understand.  And of course if you two ever do it again I'm taking human trophies."  Ethan nodded at that.  "Good."  He let Xander walk him into the drawing room, nodding politely at the guards in there.  "I'm not that scary."

"No, you aren't," his grandfather agreed, smiling at how they sat down, Xander against his father's side.  "It's good you have some support, young man."

"Either you're marrying me off or you're pissed."

"I am a tad bit upset you're not letting me help you with your new endeavor.  Why else would I be pissed?"  Xander gave him a look.  "Much as your father does, I understand why that happened.  I also know it will not happen again."  Xander shook his head.  "Good.  I'm sure there's many better ways of protecting your family."  He coughed and wiped his mouth off.  Ethan came in to look at him.  "I'm fine for another few hours."  He looked at Xander.  "No, I wanted to know if you'd go to a fundraiser for me."

Xander shook his head quickly.  "Hell no!  Polite society?  They'd hate me.  I don't have manners, I'm not one of them, and hey, not exactly a rich kid," Xander complained.  "I couldn't pull that off if I was possessed by an actor, grandfather."  He laughed at that.  "I can't!"

"No more possessions," Speed ordered, frowning at Ethan.

"I only torment Ripper."

"Buffy as a seventeenth century airhead was cute," Xander agreed.  "It certainly tormented him and me if I remember right.  The 'oh I broke a nail' and 'get me a water, boy' were not quite as cute."

"That was a special power raising and if I had known you'd have been there I wouldn't have let you buy anything."  Patrick looked at him.  "Halloween a few years back."

"It gave me pretty memories of explosives and things," Xander assured him with a small grin.  "Grandfather, they'd never accept me.  Even if I had the grand dame of local society on my arm they'd never accept me.  Especially if they found out about my jobs."

"Would you give up your jobs if I needed you to go to those things for me?"

"No.  My work makes me happy and helps others," he said simply.  "I help heal a lot of very hurt souls."

His grandfather's guards all frowned at that.  "With massage?" Ethan asked dryly.

"I'm a dom, Ethan.  The massage is just a hobby that makes me money."

"Oh."  He straightened up.  "Are you any good?"

"He's very good, he got personal training time from Lady Heather," Speed told him.  "She's one of the top dommes in the country.  He does a lot of work with officers and agents, plus other men who need him."

"Is it sexual?" his grandfather asked.

"No.  I don't offer that release.  If they get off during it then their bodies obviously needed it but I'm there to offer them the release of their anger, frustration, and rage at themselves for things like having to fire in the line of duty."

"The same things that scar your soul," his grandfather said wisely.  Xander nodded.  "Do you work with gay men?"

"I don't care what they have sex with," Xander said with a shrug.  "I don't date my subs or my massage clients.  It's a firm rule with me."  That got a smile.  "It creates conflicts.  You get to know them in the wrong ways and it can muddy helping them."

"Good point," he said, looking happier.  "What about a gay fundraiser?"

"I could handle that but I'm still no good in social settings."

"I can have you tutored."

"Half the gay community doesn't like us," Xander pointed out.

"I have seen that," he agreed.  "I would take you with me."

"Then I can do that as long as I don't have anything going on that night.  You should've told me and I'd have brought my appointment book."

"It's tomorrow night at nine?"

Xander considered it.  "I think I've got a late client."  He called his house and found Calleigh there.  "We're out at my grandfather's for a few minutes.  Can you flip open my book and see what I've got tomorrow evening?  He wants me to go to a gay fundraiser with him."  She did that for him and read it off.  "For Thursday?"  She amended it.  "It is Wednesday, right?"  Everyone nodded.

"She's just tired," Speed assured him, kissing him on the head.  "Hi, Calleigh."

"She said hi back and my last one leaves at eight.  Maybe.  That means he's a hard one to break," he admitted.  "Yeah, that side.  Thanks, Calleigh.  Soon.  Why?"  He considered it.  "No, I can't.  Because Giles gets sent stuff by the Watchers and he sends anything that's not a crossbow to me anymore.  Considering our last real battle we had a giant snake demon to blow up....  Actually, I know I've got claymores.  They came in yesterday.  Why?"  He grinned.  "Sometime as long as I'm not arrested for it?  I'll show you the handguns and rifles."  He nodded.  "I can do that tonight if you want.  Most of it was already put into the system.  Of course I registered the legal stuff.  Thanks, Calleigh.  Be home in about an hour or so."  He blew a kiss and hung up.  "Unless you wanted to have dinner?"

"Unlike Spike I don't need others to see me feed, grandson," he said tolerantly.

"What is with the cereal in the blood?" Xander asked.  "Willow said Spike's chipped and he did that the whole time he was in Giles' bathtub."

"I'm not sure if it was to gross you out or if perhaps a bit of Druscilla's insanity wore off on him," he admitted.

"That is kinda nasty," one of his guards noted, grimacing some.  Xander nodded, making him smile.  "Willow upset?"

"A lot.  Claims he's a punishment sent from the Powers for Buffy being such a good girl."

"That is an entirely different matter," his grandfather said dryly.  Xander slunk down some.  "I'm not mad at you, grandson."

Speed looked at him.  "Even he's got to realize that sometimes you've got to hunt."

"I hope so."

"I do," Patrick agreed, smiling gently.  "Now, you will need proper attire."

"A suit?" Speed asked. "I saw one in there."

"Stella said I had to get one for dates," Xander defended. "I look and feel like a dork."

"You're not a dork, son," Speed said patiently.  "We'll try it on tonight, make sure it's pressed and things."  Xander nodded at that.  He looked at Patrick.  "If you had given him some warning we could've taken him shopping."

"I didn't want him to fret over going."

"Too late for that," Xander admitted.

"Maybe you'll find someone nice to date," the guard offered.

"That might be nice," Xander agreed, warming up to it some.  "How long is it going to last?"

"A few hours.  Nothing too strenuous, Grandson."  Xander nodded at that.  "Good. Louis?"  He came in with a box.  "As I was saying earlier, you'll need proper attire and I did arrange for it.  I do have a very good tailor who can take your measurements across the room."

"Wow."

"Indeed."  Xander smiled and took the present, opening it to look at the dark suit.  "It should look good on you, Xander."  Xander smiled at him.  "Good boy.  Be careful with that and keep it in the box tonight.  Let it hang for a few hours tomorrow to take out any fold marks."

"Yes, sir."  He carefully put the cover back on and handed it to Speed.  "Should I plan on finding something to put my hair up in a pony tail?"

"Probably," he agreed.  "You did grow it a bit longer than I'm used to."

"It goes better with my work persona."

"Ah.  That's fine then.  You do have dress shoes?"  Xander nodded.  "And dark socks?"  Xander nodded again. "Excellent.  Now, Timothy."

"Speed."

"Speed then," he promised with a smile.  "How is my grandson?"

"Doing better today."

"Excellent.  I let his guard have the day off and I had been worried he was ill."

"No, he's fine," Speed assured him.  "We spent all day on his couch."

"Excellent."  He smiled at them.  "I was told Lieutenant Caine stayed over last night?"

"To talk, Granddad.  He's not like that," Xander said.

"You'd be surprised," Speed corrected.  "Horatio likes people, he doesn't really go on gender."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Oh."  He shrugged. "He still wouldn't be interested in me.  He came over to help you with me last night."

"He wouldn't have been there if it was just for me," Speed assured him.  "You're family now, get used to it, kiddo.  Before Eric lets his sisters and mother pounce you."

"Eric said he's not telling his mother what I do."

"Probably a good idea.  She's very Catholic and wouldn't understand the second floor at all."  He smoothed down some of his hair. "You need to condition that mess of hair."  Xander nodded, resting against his side again.  He looked at the doting grandfather.  "Any other commandments or offers?"  He smiled and shook his head.  "Then this one needs to go eat dinner with us."

"Thank you for the suit, grandfather.  Am I being picked up or should I meet you somewhere?"

"I'll pick you up, Xander.  Be ready at nine if possible."  Xander nodded and grabbed the box, walking it carefully outside. Speed nodded as well and headed after his boy.  "So very fragile of spirit," he sighed.

The guard looked at him.  "He's a survivor, but I do doubt that the local party people will like him, Father."  The vampire priest looked up at him.  "He deals in common things.  They hate people who work or do common things. Plus he's nervous around women and the society circles are full of old biddies who can't keep their nose out of your business."

"That may be but he is my only heir," he pointed out.

"You have a nephew."

"I do but he would be as uncomfortable as that one would be."  He looked at him.  "Someone has to continue to do the good works I started."

"Not like they won't, Father," he argued.  "Set up the trusts now so it gives them an allowance and a donation allowance.  Xander is bi.  He would help the gay charities you do.  Even if he did donate a lot to the pound and the PD.  Don would be the same way."

"True. I'll work on that with Gordon later tonight," he promised.  "Start getting him used to the idea tomorrow."

"Father, your sire called, that's why I came in," Ethan offered, handing over the message.  "I told him you were meeting with a new child for the family.  He was amused that you're still taking them in, even at your stage of illness."

"He would be.  He would adore Xander, spoil him horribly before trying to turn him."

"The boy would stake himself," Ethan told him quietly.  "He's seen how brutal a vampire him could be and beyond that one brutal act, he'll never do it again. It didn't suit him and he's been sick ever since then.  That is why Speedle and Caine stepped in to help him. Caine is close enough to be a confidant but distant enough to not make him uncomfortable about their relationship."

Patrick nodded at that.  "It does make sense.  When did he see a vampire version of himself?"

"When Miss Chase made her wish.  They saw and Miss Rosenburg's vampire self came through to tell them stories about their Puppy Angel."

"Oh, dear," he sighed. "I hadn't heard much about that."

Ethan just nodded. "I'll nick the Watcher's diary then?"

"Please, Ethan.  Rupert could use a bit more torment to come back to himself."  That got a wicked smile and he went to do that.  He looked at his guard.  "You think they would?"

"I know Xander would be nervous but I do think if you set it up that way they'd gladly do that for you.  Xander donated all but his monthly expenses for a single month when you offered him the chance," he reminded him. "Even if he did drop the cards and run basically."

"He donated anonymously as well," Patrick agreed, considering it.  "Gordon?" he called.  His barrister came in and knelt in front of him, making him smile.  "You act like I'm my grandson."

"No, your grandson is physically stronger than you at the moment," he teased back.  He smiled.  "What did you need, Patrick?"

"I need to start work on what will happen when I die."

"I've already looked into some ideas.  Do we want to look at a foundation situation or a trust situation?"

"I was thinking a trust that had a donation allowance and a personal allowance," the guard offered.

"Xander could handle that.  Could Don Flack?"

"I don't know," Patrick admitted.  "I haven't really talked to him since he was a lad in my science class."  That got smiles.  "Back then he wouldn't have minded."  He looked at them.  "What is Xander's present financial status?"

"He'll make this month's mortgage payment," one of them offered.

"He took out a mortgage?"  The guard nodded.  "A large one?"

"Fifty thousand.  He used the rest of his savings for everything else."

"He didn't come to ask," he said sadly.

"It's a wise man who doesn't borrow money from his family," Gordon advised.  "It causes issues later on."  That got a nod and a wry look from the vampire.  "He wants to prove he can do it on his own, Patrick.  That's not a bad attitude for a boy."

"No, it's not," he agreed, happier now.  "Go buy out his mortgage somehow."  That got a nod from Gordon.  "Offer him easier terms and no early repayment penalties.  That way he won't have to worry about thin months for a while.  Then we'll see if he'd like one tomorrow night so he can do a bit more decorating."

"He brought down everything from New York," the guard promised.  "Including more weapons."

"It is very nice of Rupert to send them to him," he agreed dryly.  "Ethan, do tell Rupert that the weapons in New York got stolen," he called.

"I already have," he called back from the kitchen.

"Excellent."  He smiled at his boys.  "Now, let's get to work so they're not forced to bear with unreasonable demands when I succumb. Or my sire if I can help it.  I'd hate to see him staked."

"Angel seems to think it's better if he's alive.  They've met twice and Angel keeps walking away shaking his head," Ethan said as he came back. "I should pop around and let him know that you're Xander's grandfather.  Watch him freak out."

"On your next trip out there, Ethan," he chided.

"Yes, Patrick.  I was going to head out tonight to grab the diaries by magic and then stop in to taunt Ripper so I can easily taunt him at the same time."

"Go and come back safely, my son.  Watch out for those commandos."

"Should they get me I will leave," he promised. The phone rang and he was closest.  "Patrick....  Speedle?  You're still getting visions?" he demanded.  He nodded once.  "Then I shan't, but I will go taunt Angel.  LA is close enough for what I need to do.  Thank you."  He hung up.  "Should I go taunt Ripper this time I'll end up being taken by the soldiers.  He's still having visions from the Powers."

"Poor man," the guard said with a wince.

"Definitely," Gordon agreed.  He looked at Patrick.  "Want dinner?"

"I am a bit hungry but my sire called."

"You can talk after you eat, Patrick.  Now, nibble away," he offered, moving his hair out of the way.  Patrick smiled and leaned forward to take some of the needed blood.  Never enough to hurt his boys but enough to live on.  Then he let it digest for an hour before he called his sire.

***

Xander walked in and handed Speed the ringing phone.  "It's an LA number."

"What?" Speed demanded.  He listened to Cordelia.  "No, he let it ring for a few.  He's hungry, Cordy."  Xander waved.  "He said hi."  He smirked.  "Excuse me?"  He shuddered.  "No, not really this thing, why?"  He nodded slowly.  "Well, you can watch while Angel freaks out in a few days probably."

"Tell her Ethan says hi too," Xander called.

"He said Ethan Rayne said hi too."  He listened to her freak and slam the phone down.  So he hung up.  She'd call back.  He followed Xander into the downstairs kitchen, finding Calleigh looking at the gun locker door.  "It's got a key."

"I know but I can't find it."

Xander walked over and pulled it out of a drawer, unlocking the door or her.  "Stay out of the second one."

"What's in there?"  He just smiled. "Never mind, I probably don't want to know, do I?"  He shook his head.  "Okay then."  She looked around then back at Xander.  "It's a great collection if you're going to be an anti-government person."

Xander looked then at her.  "Giles sent more today," he said happily, coming in to look it over.  "Speed, give me your gun?"  Speed handed it over with a smile.  "Thanks."  He looked down it then at him. "Not too bad."

"I have trouble with that."

"None of us are perfect," Xander reminded him.  He sat down to clean his gun for him, then handed it back with a grin and a wink.  "I'll charge you cookies."

"Cookies I can do."  He went to snoop in the kitchen down here then went up to make some. His boy deserved some cookies.

Calleigh smiled at him. "Thanks.  I could use some cookies too."

"Cookies are wonderful things."  He looked at the new one and frowned.  "Hmm, to replace the piece of crap sniper rifle.  Not terrible."  He put that case away and looked at the other stuff.   Calleigh peeked behind the second door and squeaked.  He looked then looked at her. "I told you so."

"But...  That's...  Xander!"

"Sorry.  I didn't buy it."

She whimpered and walked off shaking her head.

He looked again, smiling at the second grenade launcher.  The other was still under the loose panel in the floor boards.  He'd have to make more room down there for this one.  But the pretty new swords were very nice. Horatio came over and leaned in the doorway.  "Calleigh get upset?"

"A bit.  Who sends you this stuff?"

"The Watcher's Council through Giles.  He's the Watcher over the current Slayer, Buffy."

"Buffy?  Your friend Buffy?"  Xander looked at him and nodded.  He shook his head.  "No wonder you get the nice weapons."

"I've got to put up the new grenade launcher."

"I see."  He looked in that other room, going in there to look at the swords and the few things piled in the middle of the floor.  He felt the loose panel and looked down there as well, then put it back and came back out.  "I don't like you having explosives."

"I can use them."

"That's what I'm afraid of," he said patiently.  Xander gave him a heated look.  "You have about sixty pounds, Xander."

"You can have half if you need it."

"You'll call if you have the urge to use it?"  Xander nodded.  "Good."  He smiled.  "You need more room in the floor."

"I know.  I can do that and it won't matter too much.  Or I could put it in the closet I left in there."  That got a nod so Xander went to put it in there with the bazooka he already had.  Horatio looked and moaned.  "What?  It was a welcome to Miami gift from the guy who runs Tentacles.  He collects weapons too."  He grinned and put the other big, heavy thing in there, checking to see what it was.  "Huh.  He put my stuff I left out there in here.  Hey, dad?"  He drug the bag out, finding Ryan in the other room.  "My old clothes."  Speed came down the stairs.  "Can you drop this on my bed?  Giles sent the stuff I left out there."

"Sure.  Calleigh, go get the suit from his car too please?"  She nodded, going to do that while Speed drug the bag up the stairs.  There was no way that was just clothes, but it also had his books and tapes.  Fortunately it all packed very nicely into a duffle bag.  It was sad when your whole life could do that.  Calleigh came in petting the suit.  "His grandfather wants to take him out tomorrow night to a gay fundraiser."

"It's a nice suit."  She put it in the closet, looking at what else was in there.  Then she looked at the old stuff.  "Your son needs some help."

"I know but fashion is individual," he reminded her, going to check on the first batch of cookies.  He was letting the dough sit while he warmed up the oven.  He scooped out the first lumps of dough and stuck them in, not seeing a second pan so the next set had to wait. Then he went back to putting up Xander's things.

"Xander, do you wear anything but hawaiian shirts and leather?" Calleigh called.

"No," he called back.

Horatio shook his head.  "You need help with that, Xander."

"I like my clothes.  I look good and professional."

"Most of the time you probably do but now and then you have to look a bit more like the rest of us do when we look professional," he offered.

"Granddad bought me a suit.  Calleigh said it's nice.  Stella made me buy one too."

"Good."  He patted him on the back.  "You could still do a bit of shopping."

"Once I've sent in the mortgage payments," he offered. "And done all the utilities."  That got a nod and he went up to look while Xander went back to puttering with his guns.  Ryan came back.  "Cookies done?"

"Not yet.  I stole this one out of the fridge."  Xander grinned at that.  "So, you really like weapons?"  Xander smiled and nodded.  "Wow."  He nodded back.  "This is a nice collection.  Do you get to request?"

"Nope.  But if Giles said he needed something to defeat a something going on they might send it to him.  Even though they supposedly fired him.  The next girl isn't ready yet so they're trying to keep Buffy around for a while."

"Uh-huh.  Sounds kinda brutal."

"Well, yeah."   Someone pounded on the door.  "Crap."  He shooed him out and relocked that door, going to let Frank in.  "Am I hosting the party?  Daddy's making cookies."

"Cookies are good," he agreed.  "I've got Eric in the car and he wrenched his back."

"Bring him in, I can give him a few free minutes."  Frank smiled and went to do that, helping Eric inside since he was stuck bent over.  "Hmm, popped funny?  First room, Frank.  Put him on the table while I wash my hands.  I was cleaning the new weapons Giles sent."  He went to do that.  He came back to find Eric on his stomach.  "Got a scent you like?"

"I don't care," he moaned.

"Want strawberries?  I've got a lot of that."  That got a shrug.  So he got to work on his back once he got his shirt off him.

Calleigh nearly jumped when she heard the moans through the speaker next to her on the couch.  "Who is that?"

"Eric," Speed said.  "You hit the switch with your elbow."  Frank came up the stairs.  "What happened to Delko this time?"

"Popped his back funny I guess.  The boy promised cookies?"  Speed pointed at the cooling rack, letting him steal two.  "Thanks, guys."  He headed out again, smiling and happy.  He had done his good deed for the week.

Calleigh smiled.  "We work with some sweet deprived people."

"We do," Ryan agreed.  "I stole one from the fridge."  She swatted him but she was smiling.  "So, Speed, I got an email from Willow today?  She was threatening me to take better care of her Xander-shaped friend.  Didn't mention you at all."

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Speed said dryly.  Horatio came out of the bedroom looking embarrassed.  "Did you find his porn stash?" he taunted.  "Poor H."

"I did find it and it wasn't what embarrassed me."  He held up a very graphic picture and letter stapled to it.  "Anya?"

"His ex.  The prom date."  Calleigh moaned.  She had heard that story.  "What's she want?"

"Him back for more sex."

"Ah, the orgasms.  She never calls it sex, it's always about the orgasms."

"It's good she doesn't have a problem getting off but that's a bit much," Calleigh complained.  Horatio handed over the letter and she went bright red after the first paragraph.  "That poor boy.  He dated someone like this?"

"Keep reading.  She'll tell him how she tortured someone new soon enough."  He checked on the next round of cookies, letting Horatio steal some with a head shake.  His whole team needed more sweets.  They all heard another loud moan from Eric over the speaker and a quiet voice, then he slowly drifted off.  They heard a door shut and then Xander came up the stairs, coming over to wash off his hands.  "How did he throw his back?"

"Getting into one of the hummers.  It popped wrong.  He's napping and the door's locked so no one can go take pictures."  He gave his father a look.  "Because I know you have one of me napping after my prom."

"I do, you looked cute in my t-shirt.  It's the wallpaper on my computer."  He smirked and held up a cookie.  Xander opened his mouth so he could have it while he finished cleaning off the oil.   He smiled and checked this new pan of them, taking them out to let them cool off while he scooped out the last of the batter.  When he was done Xander stole the bowl to get it cleaner with his fingers, sitting down to share it with Calleigh, who smiled and got her own out.

The two men shared a look then took pictures of them with their phones, but even if they complained it was too cute to give up.

***

Xander bounced down the stairs the next morning, finding Horatio knocking.  "I don't have you in my books but I have room if you wanted me to work on your shoulders, Horatio."

He smile slightly.  "I could use that now and then but I came confiscate some of the things in your closet."

"Why?"

"Because it's dangerous and you have too much moisture around your plastique."

"I'm buying a big bucket of baking soda tonight."

"Damp rid, Xander."  Xander nodded at that and let him have whatever he needed, making sure he didn't take it all, then he patted him on the back.  "Could you do my shoulders?"

"Sure. But I'd still have to make you pay."

"How about we trade favors?  You continue to clean Speed's guns for him.  I'll play wall when you need to talk.  I'll even keep Yelina from complaining too loudly about your other job.  And you give me ten minutes a week?"

"I can manage that.  Not like I didn't intend to clean his gun for him when I did the others anyway.  I do all mine once a week."  He got Horatio sitting in one of the massage chairs.  "Off with the jacket and shirt, Horatio.  Let's see what I can do with his stress knot that's making you hunch over today."  Horatio nodded, sliding out of his jacket and handing it off.  Xander hung it up on a hanger, which he appreciated.  Then his shirt went over the bar.  It wouldn't wrinkle that way so it was fine.  "Any particular scent of oil?"

"Not strawberry.  Your father's been teasing Eric all day about smelling like a teenage girl."  Xander giggled and let him sniff one, making him moan.  That one was a musk and it went well with his cologne so he nodded.  He felt warm, slippery hands a minute later and moaned for different reasons.  "I'm getting people gift certificates for Christmas," he moaned, holding onto the headrest of the chair.  Xander coaxed his arms back down and he did up his neck, then down the center of his back, digging into the knot he carried in his shoulders. Horatio nearly came when it released, but he had some control.  He did pant some and felt Xander stroke the nape of his neck. "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Want me to work on your gun hand?  It's been tingling from a cramp according to dad."  He pulled over a small rolling stool and sat down, working on that arm,  feeling the writer's cramp up near his elbow.  It released and he worked on the pins and needles, making Horatio one happy man.  He put his hand down and patted him on the back.  "I've still got to clean in here after Eric yesterday so nap if you want to," he said quietly, moving to get the cloths off the table for the wash and then spray and wipe down the tables.  Horatio stood up and stretched up and Xander came over to work on one knotted area.  "That's a lump, Horatio."

"It's a scar," he admitted, turning to look at him.  "I got shot there."

"Ah.  I have a few that bunch up when I stretch too."   He smiled.  "I cleaned Dad's gun for him last night."

"Thank you."  He slid back on his shirt while Xander finished cleaning and then the chair as well.   He watched as the boy went to start a load of wash, making him smile. "You don't wait until it's full?"

"It is full. My last client's is in there too."  He came back after folding some and putting them into the sterilizer.  "If you need it, call me to come to the office.  I might make house calls but you'd definitely have to pay for those," he offered with a cheeky grin.

"I should be mean and send Rick Stetler to you but he's an asshole."

"I heard stepmom going off on him last night."  Horatio nodded.  "Hell, I hit the right spots on Eric, I could probably do his."

"Just don't do it to Yelina," he warned.

"I noticed she was a bit uptight and I never try, it's just where Eric was in pain."  He shrugged.  "A lot of people get that reaction.  We were told in classes not to giggle at it."  Horatio smiled, walking out shaking his head.  But he wasn't hunched in today and he could feel his right hand so it was good.  He checked his book.  He felt like he was missing something on that page.  He hoped he hadn't forgotten to schedule someone in. If so, his grandfather was going to be upset when he canceled at the last minute.  He went back to puttering and cleaning the downstairs.  He did not want to look like a slob to any of his clients.  Bad word of mouth when he was just getting started was suicide on his business.  When he was done he carried one of the speakers upstairs to check on the second floor.  He'd only used it a few times but that was fine.  He closed that door, made sure it wasn't going to get barged into.  Then his apartment door as well.  Then he went back down in time to intercept his newest one since she was parking and getting out of her car.  He smiled as he let her in.  "Hi, Mrs. Fabber."

"Hello, Tim. Usual room?"

"I just cleaned it so it may smell like chemicals.  Let's put you in the second room today."  He took her arm and walked her that way, having to get things out of the sterilizer for her. "Here you go, just out of the sterilizer so it's a bit warm."  She nodded and he left to let her change.  When she called he came back and found her favorite oil, the strawberry one, and got to work on her back.

"Ooh, dear, a bit firm today."

"Sorry, Mrs. Fabber.  I was just working on a guy's shoulders."  He eased off and she relaxed again, letting him do whatever he needed to do to make her quit aching for a while longer. By the end she was napping again so he recovered her and left her in there with the door locked.  He knew about how long she napped now and he tuned the speaker on his hip so he could keep track of her.  He didn't have another client for an hour so he did the windows, listening to her snore.  Then it stopped.  He put down things and took off his plastic gloves, going to tap on the door.  "Mrs. Fabber?"  No answer.  Still no snoring.  "Mrs. Fabber?" he called a bit louder.  Still no answer.  He got the key and peeked in on her.  She was completely still.  He checked her pulse then dialed for an ambulance while he started CPR.

"This is 13568 Artisan.  I had a client die during a nap.  I'm doing CPR.  Now please."  He hung up and went back to it.  An officer rushed in.  "Here."  He came in to take over.  "She was napping after a massage."  That got a nod and they got her breathing again, which was a relief.  The paramedics rushed in.  "It was maybe three minutes when I heard her stop snoring," he offered.  That got a nod and they checked her over before loading her.  He handed them her carefully folded clothes and cane.  "That's hers.  Keep the gown, I've got more."  They nodded and took her with them.  Xander looked at the officer.  "Come on, I've got good anti-bacterial soaps."  They went to clean off their hands and he sat down with him.  "She has arthritis.  I was working on her back and then her ankles today.  She usually falls asleep, has every other time I've seen her, all three of them, so I lock her in and let her nap.  It's only fair."

"You offer *massages* or massages."

"Even when I'm being a dom I don't sell that release, officer."  That got a startled look.  "I'm also Master Tim."

"Oh!  You're Speedle's son."  He nodded.  "Okay, so you're offering massage therapy services."

"Yeah.  All my dom stuff is on the second floor.  Anyway, she was napping, I have a speaker on my belt," he said, handing it over.  "I have it tuned to in there since she was my only client at the moment.  I went to do some windows while she napped.  She usually naps for about a half hour.  I always lock the door when I leave anyone napping, just so they can't be bothered."  That got a nod and a small smirk.  "It's only courteous."

"It is.  So you heard over the speaker that she quit breathing?"

"Snoring. She has this really quiet snore.  So I went to make sure she was getting up. I know she has a lunch date today at the Palms."  That got written down.  "I knocked, she didn't answer.  I tried it again a bit louder and she didn't answer, so I went to get the key since I wasn't hearing anything.  She was still so I checked her pulse then started CPR while I called."

"That's fine, Mr. Harris.  You've seen her four times now?"  He nodded.  "Good.  I know it's not your fault.  Some people have sleep apnea and she was older."

"I'm very sure I wouldn't have impacted her breathing with what I was doing.  She's a bit fragile.  Last time she told me she had pneumonia last winter.  That's when they moved down here permanently."

"That's fine, son.  Let's go make sure she didn't leave anything."  That got a nod and he did that, then he headed to the Palms to find her friends.  They'd know who to contact about her being in the hospital.

Xander sat down on his front stairs, calling his dad.  "Daddy, Mrs. Fabber coded on the table while she napped," he said quietly.  "No, we got her restarted. She's at the ER.  I don't know.  She was snoring one minute and then not."  He nodded.  "Thank you.  I needed the long-distance hug.  No, I'll be okay.  We got her restarted.  No, I know it wasn't my fault.  I barely worked on her shoulders because she was walking like her hip was out of place.  I concentrated on her lower back today.  Already has.  Yeah, she'll hopefully be fine.  I told them about her lunch date so her friends could help the officer find her family.  No, I don't take more than cells in case I have to cancel.  He didn't ask and I didn't think to offer."  He nodded.  "Thanks, dad.  I needed the comfort."  He hung up and sipped his soda, looking at his curious neighbor.

"My last client died during a nap after I worked on her back.  I got her restarted.  Thankfully I've got speakers."  She nodded at that and gave him a hug then went back to her pottery painting.  Xander checked himself for paint but he was clean.  He went back to doing windows.  He'd check on her later. Give the hospital time to work on her and put her in a room.  He did call Lady Heather.  "I'm sorry you're disappointed in me.  No, I'm not okay.  I had one nice older lady fall asleep for a nap and then code during it," he said grimly.  "No, we got her restarted.  Yeah, an officer got here pretty quick after I called it in.  No, just sulking."  She said something wise.  "He did, Lady Heather.  I'm sorry I disappointed you that way," he said quietly.  He hung his head.  "I know.  Thank you, Lady Heather."  He hung up and felt really miserable now.  She hadn't chastised him at all.

***

Lady Heather walked into Xander's home later that afternoon, looking at him.  "No clients?"

"I'm between for the next hour and a half."  She gave him a hug and he sank into her arms.  "I'm sorry."

"Shh, Xander.  I understand why you did it and I realize that it was probably the easiest death they could have had."  She stroked over his hair, sitting down next to him in the living room to soothe and comfort him, even if he did work on her hands for her while they talked.  It was good for the boy to finish getting it out and he did give good hand massages.  At the end he was totally limp and she gave him another hug, getting clung to.  "Shh," she whispered.  He nodded and settled himself again.  She smiled at him.  "Even doms occasionally need to let go, Xander.  We get so much piled on us that we have to let it go now and then."  She smoothed his hair off his face. "We take on the weight the others can't bear.  Just as therapists need to have someone who they can go to, so do you, and I am proud that you think of me like a stepmother and close enough to come to me."  He nodded.  "As I feel the ability to let you protect me now and then.  Even though I'm not fragile."

"All good women should be spoiled and treated like they're special, fragile, and delicate."  She smiled at that.  "You're not mad?"

"No, sweetie.  I'm not mad.  I'm not even disappointed anymore.  You told me why.  I understand what happened to them and I realize why you did it.  It's important for you to forgive yourself now.  If you carry it around it will taint what you can do to help others."  He nodded.  "Good boy.  That's my Xander."  She stroked over his hair again.   "Now.  Gregory has to come back in a week.  I will expect you two to behave together from now on."  Xander nodded.  "Good boy.  I have talked to him and we had a long talk to make sure he still feels comfortable with you.  If not...."

"I'll drive him back to you immediately."

"Good boy.  That's the dom I trained." Xander smiled at him.  "Now, pull yourself back together, dear.  I know it's hard but now's the time to be yourself again.  There's no more need for confession."  Xander nodded, relaxing and letting that settle into his mind so he could let it go.  "Good."  He smiled back at her this time.  "Good boy."   She went back to petting him, waving the officer inside when she noticed him listening.  "Come in, dear."

"Confession?" he asked.

"I knew what attacked those Mala Noche guys."

"Oh.  You told someone, right?"  Xander nodded.  "Then let it go, they were scum.  It was probably a nicer death than they'd have gotten on the streets."  He looked at him.  "Mr. Fabber wanted to speak to you.  I didn't have one of your cards."  Xander got one from the holder on the table in front of him and handed it over. "Thank you."

"Is she all right?"

"Just fine.  They said it was a heart attack.  It happens.  I don't think he's upset with you."

"He could still try to sue him."

"Not really.  There's no real way for him to have caused a heart attack, right?"

"Well, yes, but I didn't use that technique on her. She's too frail for pressure points."

"Then you don't have a problem," he assured him.  He smiled and took the card back to the husband and to do one last final check.  "Sir, he's still torn up and asked how your wife was."

"What did he do to her?"

"Nothing that he hasn't done to others.  He said she's visited him four times total."  He gave him a look.  "He said that she's too fragile for anything that would have caused a heart attack so unless she had a blood clot that she didn't tell him about there's no real way for him to have known.  He did get her restarted."

That got a nod.  "He home?"

"He is. Talking with a woman to calm himself down."

"Thanks."

"Welcome, Mr. Fabber.  Talk with the doctors before you start accusing.  It might make you feel better but it'll destroy him."  He left, going to file his report on this situation. Not like he could have prevented the heart attack.  Mr. Fabber went to see his wife's doctor, see if the masseuse could have prevented this.  He got back a 'no' and shown where the blood clot had moved.  He hadn't known she had one even if she had.  Her medical records said she knew.  The doctor showed him the path it would've taken.  It was in her upper thigh so unless he had worked on those, and his wife never would let anyone that near to her private spaces, he hadn't been responsible. Just bad luck on his part.  So he didn't mind when the flowers came in with the young man.  And he was young.  Xander nodded at him and murmured a quiet apology, which he accepted graciously with the flowers, and let him go speak to his wife while he watched.  She patted him on the hand and told him to quit being stupid.  Told him all he needed to know, she'd gut him if he went after that boy anyway.

***

Xander came down the stairs at the knock, letting his grandfather in.  "Be a few more."  He went back upstairs to clean up the mess he had made with his last client.  He had been nearly impossible to break but he had broken.  He was watching him clean from the couch in the corner.  "My grandfather's here to take me to something tonight."

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No, you don't have to."  He came over to squat in front of him.  "If you need quiet to think, you can have the couch until I get back in a few hours.  You're an officer, I'll trust you not to steal anything," he said with a wink and a smile.  He got one back.  He stroked over his hair.  "It's all right, Jamie.  Just rest and think."

"I can't quit thinking."

"Then think on this.  He had a gun.  He would have used it on you.  Would you rather have  left your family alone and unguarded, barely able to get by while they grieved, or lost him?"

"Him," he agreed quietly.  He looked at the doorway and Xander pushed it closed.  He looked at him again.  "Thank you."

"It's what I do.  That's why I charge guys like you who need it a lot less than I do the people who just want to play."  That got a shy smile. "Okay?"  He nodded and gave him a hug.  "Now, let's spread another round of the numbing cream on.  That way your wife doesn't worry when you can't sit for the next day and a bit."

"Yes, Master Tim."  He flipped onto his stomach and Xander applied the numbing cream, making him hiss a few times but it did work very well.   He was able to sit up a few minutes later.  He hugged him.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Jamie.  Come back as often as you need me.  This is why I joined the field.  It wasn't for the great money making potential."  That got a small grin.  "Go home and hold your wife.  Don't try for anything else, just hold her tonight.  If she's still worried that you can't do more than that, tell her you had to hit someone in the line of duty and you're working with a therapist at the moment.  That it'll take a few more weeks but you're working through it.  Explain it to her if you have to.  If she's the woman you married who loves you enough to run away with you, like you told me she did, then she'll at least try to understand."  He nodded and Xander gave him another hug. "There you go.  I would suggest you take tomorrow off and soak.  I was a bit harsh."

"You had to be but I can do that.  Thank you."  He got up slowly and Xander helped him into his clothes like he was a child.  Nothing inappropriate.  Nothing sexual at all.  That's why he had come to him.  He gave him one last hug and went to call a cab so he could go home.  He did feel better after just the first session.  He went home to his wife and took her up to soak in the tub with her now.  His back and ass were stinging even with the cream.  He sat with her cuddled in his lap and told her what had happened, and she did soothe him, though she didn't like the idea of him going back.  He pointed out it had helped and he  was seeing if he needed another appointment.  He'd definitely have to schedule a day off afterward.  He had been told it might be a good idea before this one. She babied all the belt marks and the bruises for him, making him one happy guy that was able to very gentle and slowly do more than cuddle with her that night.  It had helped him a lot to let it out.

Xander finished cleaning his instruments then went up to shower.  "Sorry, he was a bit harder to break and he needed the extra time."  He slid into the shower that was running, working on getting clean and pretty.  He got out and went to get his suit out of the closet, drying off his hair on the way.  It went into a ponytail at the base of his neck, that's how Calleigh suggested he wear it tonight, and then the suit went on after he put on deodorant.  He came out and his grandfather smiled at his choice of shirt.  "It goes, right?"

"It does," he agreed.  He stood up.  "That was fast.  Cologne?"

Xander went back to do that, coming out smelling like one of his oils.  It was a good scent.  That got a smile and they left together, Xander locking his doors and turning on the alarm.  Then he skipped out to the limo and headed out for the event.  He almost looked like a bodyguard for his grandfather for most of the night.  But he didn't have a panic attack and flee.  It was a good thing.  At the end of the night, his grandfather took him out for ice cream, making him smile at that move.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Xander."  He sat across from him.  "How did you like it?"

"They scare the hell out of me."

"I noticed you hovering protectively behind my shoulder," he said dryly.  "They must think you're very protective of me."

"Of course I am.  You're fragile."

"I am not."

"Bullshit.  Otherwise you wouldn't need Ethan."  He ate another bite and looked at him, getting a laugh.

"True, I will concede that point.  Still, you could have talked with others."

"None of them made me feel very comfortable but that one guy and he was taken so I couldn't flirt."

"True."  He patted his hand.  "We'll see what we can do, grandson."

"Ryan's trying to set me up on a blind date."

"Are you going to go?"

"I like Ryan and I think he's got nice taste."  He smiled shyly and stuffed his mouth.

"Do we perhaps like Ryan?"

"He's straight."

"Pity.  It can often be that way for crushes."

"No, he's a friend, not a crush.  We'd never put up with each other in bed.  I'm much more bouncy than he is."

"Of course."  He smiled and stroked his cheek.  "Until then, what shall we do?"

"Well, I've got a pretty full book tomorrow so I'm waiting to see how much backlash there is since I had a client who had a heart attack today during her usual post-massage nap."  That got a nod.  "And how much you get because one of the guys there did recognize me in my other persona."  He ate a bite.  "I know that what I do isn't highly welcomed in the community."

"Yes but a great deal of people have bragged about your hands.  I believe even that nice Lieutenant Caine did."  Xander blushed at that name.  "Ah.  A crush perhaps?"

"Maybe.  He's a nice guy.  But if I did that then I'd lose my confidant."

"Perhaps. But there's a special bond between those who are intimate.  You could perhaps be more free with him then."  Xander shook his head. "You think not?"

"No, I know not.  I'm one protective person about whoever I date.  I'd end up growling at someone who bothered him.  Who is across the way."

His grandfather looked then shrugged at his grandson.  "What can he say?  That you're out with me to have ice cream?"

"True.  Not like most everyone doesn't know I'm bi there."  He ate another bite and stole some of his grandfather's, getting an indulgent smirk.  "You're not eating it."

"Fine."  He dug in, enjoying the simple sundae.  Xander did make him enjoy many things.  "You do know you have one other relative?  I should have told you that by now."

"Besides my still living sperm donor?  Yeah.  But you never told me who."

"You're still mad at him?"

"He brought people up to sell me to them.  I'm going to kill him myself if I see him.  There's also Uncle Rory though I never knew which side of the family he was on."

"He was your father's lover.  He couldn't get rid of him and his wife laughed at the urges he succumbed to now and then."  He ate a bite of ice cream.  "He hated that part of himself.  It's part of what made him drink."

"Then he's an idiot," Xander said firmly.  "Especially with you being there telling him it's okay?  He's an idiot."

"True.  He was.  He walked away from everything that was his."

"Even a bigger idiot, he moved to Sunnydale."  He stuffed his mouth and his grandfather snickered.  "Tell me your sire encouraged that?"

"He did.  He wanted me to kill the boy.  I waited to see if he would give me any grandchildren.  You nearly had a big sister but she died when your mother was only six months along."  He stroked his cheek with a gentle smile.  "Then they had you and I tried from day one to rescue you, Xander."  Xander nodded at that.  "Now, you do have...  Hmm, how best to put this.  My second wife's family has a few members left in direct lineage.  Her brother and his family still live."

"So I've got a cousin?"

"I guess that's as close as you could probably quantify it. It's not a real relationship to you but you would probably see it that way since it's Don Flack's family."  Xander dropped his spoon. "Ah, the other crush," he said wisely. "There's no impediment to that, Xander.  There's no real relationship."

"Yeah, there's a roadblock to that.  He likes enlarged pectoral regions."

"Well, that is a point."  He smiled and patted his hand.  "Eat, dear."

"Only if you do. I feel like a pig."  His grandfather ate another bite so Xander ate a few while he thought.  "Does Don know?"

"Not yet.  I was going to travel up to see him."

"Bring him down.  He could use the vacation," he offered.  "He can even borrow my spare bedroom."

"I'll let him know that," he promised, smiling at him.  "Now, we have to talk on something else."  Xander moaned and put down his spoon.  "I am dying, Xander."

"I know that.  I hate that.  I don't want your money."

He nodded.  "As I knew you would say but someone has to continue to do my good works.  We're presently debating a trust situation over a foundation being created to follow up with what I have been doing for decades."

"A foundation means a lot of work, Grandfather. I like you a lot, and I probably could say I love you like a relative, but I'm not giving up my career for you."

"As I thought it was going to go. A trust would pay you part of your inheritance and then make you donate some of it to worthy causes."

"You didn't like the pound after all?"

He smiled.  "I did.  I encourage you to continue to donate to them, Xander.  But also to some gay charities."

"Of course."  He ate a bite of his grandfather's sundae for him since his was only the chocolate sauce in the bottom of the dish and scraping it out would be undignified.  "What if you set up one of your guys to run a scholarship grant thingy?"

"That is one option I do like," he agreed.  "That and other donations.  Though most of the people who work around me are ill as well, Xander.  Gordon, the one who does all my legal issues, has lung cancer.  Most of them won't last past when I do."

Xander looked at him.  "Is your sire still alive?  I got a suspicious birthday card at home."

"He is," he agreed.  "He seems to enjoy annoying Angel now and then.  By the way, Ethan told Angel that I was your grandfather.  He said the digital video of him... I think he called it freaking out, was quite amusing."  Xander smirked at that, looking just a bit wicked.  "So I'm sure it's gotten back to your Mr. Giles."

"Probably.  I'm surprised I haven't had a request to interview you yet."

"I'm surprised he hasn't asked you to stake me."

"He'd send Buffy."

"No, she's with her Uncle in Oregon this week."

"I wonder if Mom knows since she's in Seattle."

"She's stopping in to see her overnight on the way back."

"Good.  You know, I haven't told mom about your unique status.  Just that you're around."

"Your mother would also freak out."

"Yeah, that's probably putting it mildly.  Then again she wanted to cut dad into cocktail weenie chunks, stick toothpicks in the chunks, and give snacks to the vampires one night when she heard he was going to sell me that time."

"Did she know about the last one?"

"I called to tell her I was fine, not why I was fine.  We had a general talk about that."

"Hmm.  Interesting.  They weren't sure which way you went.  They're leaving Seattle this week from what I heard."

"Tell daddy and Horatio.  Please?"

"I shall pass that on, Xander."  He patted his hand and pushed his ice cream over.  Xander handed him back his spoon so they shared it with a set of grins at each other.  "Your mother is a very fierce woman."

"She is.  She's also a loud woman."

"True.  She is loud as well," he agreed, smiling at him.  "But that is a good thing now and then."

"It is."  He ate one last bite and pushed it back, making him eat the rest.  "That's the only mooching I'm doing, Grandfather."

"I have to leave it to someone, grandson."

"Charity?"

"Some of it will be.  This way my good deeds go on for many years instead of just a few years."  Xander nodded at that.  "But do watch out for your step-grandfather.  He is a pain in my arse."

"Is he the reason I have the suspicious birthday card?"

"I know I didn't send it, but I was looking for something special."  He looked at him. "I could pay off your mortgage."

"No, if I had wanted that I would've come gotten it through you instead of the bank," he said plainly.  That got an understanding nod.  "I want to make it on my own."

"I know you do.  I suspect the check inside the card is more than enough to pay it off though."

"Yay," he sighed.  "Well, dad'll be pleased.  He wanted me to get some real people clothes as he called them."  That got a chuckle.  "He said I look very good in leather but he wants to see me in stuff to go clubbing with him in."

"You should go and bring that delightful lieutenant in with you both and that one playboy.   Now that is one man who would make a fine vampire."

Xander looked at him.  "No woman would ever be safe."  His grandfather giggled so hard he started to cough, but he waved off the waitress and his guards to help calm him back down.  "Sorry."

"No, it was true," he promised, patting his hand.  "That is a scary image."  He smiled and stroked his cheek.  "Let me pay the check then I'll drop you at home.  It's late and you probably have early clients."

"I quit scheduling anyone before ten."

That got a nod and they paid the check, he let Xander leave the tip, then they drove him home.  He kissed him on the forehead. "Be well tonight, Xander.  Sleep sweetly."

"You too, grandfather."  He slid out and went inside, waving from the doorway before he shut the door.  The limo went home so he could go to bed and Xander sat down to look at the birthday card.  Inside was indeed enough money to make him go shopping.  He put it into his desk with the day's receipts.  He had decided not to charge Mrs. Fabber.  She had nearly died and that was crass of him to remind her of that. Then he checked the rest of the house and went upstairs to hang the suit carefully up in his closet and go to bed.

***

Speed looked up at the courier from Father Benis.  "What's up?"

"I'm to deliver this to your supervisor, Detective."

"He's on a scene.  Can I take it?"

"It is about what brought your son down early."  Speed snatched it and opened it, getting a smile.  "Sign?"  He scribbled his name on the form.  "Thank you.  Father Benis also said his sire sent your son a birthday gift."  He left.

"Does that mean it's this week?  He won't let me celebrate it with him."

"Tuesday," he called.  "He'll be nineteen.  Father Benis was most amused at the magically hidden date."

"Thanks."  He walked off reading this new information.  His homicide was completely forgotten.  He pulled out his phone to call Aiden.  "The mother fucker who his parents sold him to this time and his father were in your city and you didn't stop them?" he demanded in the middle of the hall.  "Hell yes!  You didn't hear?"  He groaned, holding his head.  "No, Flack and them handled it then sent him down here for his own protection.  He's set up shop here in Miami.  Yeah, that sort too.  Massage stuff too.  Yeah, come down for a vacation and bring Flack.  There's a note included saying his grandfather wanted to see him.  That's a longer discussion, Aiden, and we should have it in person.  Thanks.  You can have my spare room.  Love you too."  He hung up and called Horatio.  "Patrick Benis sent information saying the people who nearly took Xander and his father were just in Seattle after Las Vegas and are now down here," he said in greeting.  Horatio said he'd be right back so he hung up and went to make copies for everyone who needed it.  Including candid photos.  Whoever had done the sketches had a good eye.  He finished stapling them as Eric and Calleigh came in.  Ryan was with Horatio.  "Good, they're on their way down here in two days according to Patrick."  He handed over the copies.  "Including photos his people got."

"Thank you, does Aiden know?"

"I called and told her.  She had no idea it had happened."

"He didn't want to worry her," Ryan told him. "The same as you only found out when they sent him down here."  He handed over the note to get Don down.  "Think that's your job."  Speed looked then nodded, walking off to call him.  "Hmm.  Looks like they had a hand in Lady Heather's problem too," Ryan noted.

"It does," Horatio agreed.  Ryan called her in for a short conference.  Then he went to fax his copies of things to Greg.  Just in case it would help solve anything out that way.  He smiled when Lady Heather was escorted in, giving her his copy so she could read it.

She sat down and then looked at him. "You think it is so?"

"I think it is so and I'm going to inquire if they took fingerprints somehow or not."

"Thank you.  Who are these dead people?"

"One's Xander's father.  Xander told you about that guy who sent him the check?" Eric asked.  She nodded at that.  "Well, he called his parents and they decided to sell him again."

"Again?" she asked weakly.

"Fourth time overall," Speed said as he came back with some water for her.  "We saved him from the third.  That supposed master in LA."  That got a low growl.  He nodded.  "We made them run for their lives when they tried for him then."

"Good.  This time?"

"They brought them out on the information check guy provided so he could step in and rescue Xander," Eric told her.  "According to the NYPD reports, his mother was shot by them after Xander managed to evade initial capture and went to Sassone to get out of Queens and to Don Flack."

"Then they figured he was being sent away for his safety and figured he had just been at my house.  They found something objectionable because my slaves aren't like theirs so they burned my house down?" she suggested.  They all nodded.  "I would like a few moments with them."

"If they live they'll have to go back to Vegas for the arson charges," Horatio assured her. That got a mean and wicked smirk from her.  "You'd have to arrange that with Gregory and Grissom."

"True."  She nodded.  "He's coming down to escort me back.  He'll be in tonight."

"Xander's got a full appointment book today," Speed warned, "but he's more than welcome to make him feel better after his client yesterday had a heart attack."

"I'll let him know that."  She looked at Horatio.  "We'll get them coming off the plane?"

"If possible.  I do not want to use the boy as bait."

"Good.  Though he is apparently very good at it.  Buffy used him as such."

"All too often," Speed agreed.  "She's heading to see Aiden or Aiden would already be on a plane down here.  She's probably yelling at Xander already."

"Good."  She stood up, handing that back. "Thank you, gentlemen, for keeping me in the loop."

Horatio gave her a shoulder squeeze.  "I always let the victims know what is going on," he said gently.  She nodded at that, kissing him on the cheek before allowing herself to be escorted out.

"That is one hell of a woman," Eric said.

"Yes, but she needs someone who can share her attentions and affections.  I don't share, Eric," Horatio reminded him.  "Let's get on this, people.  I want them coming off the plane if the FBI doesn't stop them from flying."  They nodded and went to work on it.  He debated sending a copy to Xander, but he would be fiercely protective of Lady Heather for this and probably shoot them or something.  So he'd let Speed tell him later.  He looked up as someone walked into his office. "Yes, Rick?"  A picture was held up of Xander obviously talking to someone who wasn't in the picture even though they were in a booth.  "An ice cream date?  That's sweet for a first date."

"Who was the old man who never showed up?  He showed up in some of the digital ones and not this one?"  He handed over another picture.  "Speedle's son is fleecing old men now?"

Horatio cleared his throat.  "That's his grandfather, Rick.  That's Patrick Benis."  Rick looked horrified.  "Xander's father walked away from his family when his father joined the priesthood after he lost his third wife.  Patrick has been watching over and trying to gain custody of Xander since the day he was born.  He introduced himself to Xander when he got sent to New York.  They've been getting to know each other since then.  As for why that one picture didn't turn out, I do not know," he admitted.  Well, he did have an idea.  He had counted up the years on Patrick Benis when Speed had told him.  There was no way that man was still human.  The lack of pictures and the fact he was said to always have cold hands meant vampire to him. "His grandfather is dying at the moment."

"So they went out for ice cream?"

Ryan leaned in.  "They're on a private plane.  They're on their way down but someone tipped them off. They've changed headings to land outside of Miami.  They'll probably drive in from across the state line or something."

"Do you know this man, Officer Wolfe?" he demanded, holding up the second picture.

"Yeah, that's Father Benis, Xander's grandfather.  Speed said something about him taking Xander to a fundraiser last night to show him off.  I'm guessing that was afterward."  He shrugged.

"The only fundraiser last night was for gay marriage," Stetler sneered.

"Which his grandfather is known for championing," Ryan pointed out.  "Father Benis is big in giving to gay charities.  He is gay, one of his former children was by a speech he's given in the past.  He was killed in the fifties I believe.  If I remember right."  He shrugged.  "Xander's a kid from his third marriage, not his first."

"I see.  How did you know?"

"I asked Xander.  That's what wise people do when they want to know about Xander."

"I don't like that inference."

"It's the truth.  He can still hide things from Speed.  Asking the boy himself is the wisest course of action.  Horatio, I put a guard on his house."

"Thank you.  Did he ask why?"

"No, he came out and told them to be less obvious about it and that he did know.  He asked his grandfather to tell you guys."  He shrugged and walked away again.

"Get back here," Stetler demanded.

"I have work to do.  There's people who need me to find out who killed or hurt their relatives, Stetler."  He waved a hand.

Horatio smothered his smirk.  That was a very good comeback.  He was proud of his newest officer.  He looked at Rick, looking perfectly calm and straight.  "Anything else, Rick?  It's not unusual for young men to spend time with their grandfather.  It was good that they sent us the information on what was going on so we could protect his grandson."

"Is that boy gay?"

"Ask him that.  I didn't feel the need to."

Rick sneered.  "If he is...."

"Speedle is not his natural father," he reminded him.  "He's a very loving soul and if you should create problems for his son I would hate to see the outcome, Rick."  He stomped off.  He called Speed.  "Rick just wanted to know if your son was gay," he said blandly.  "No, Speed, I don't think he wants to date him," he said dryly, hearing him say a very loud prayer for that.  "I thought I should warn you.  He caught Patrick and his grandson out last night."  He smiled and hung up on the swearing.

***

Eric gave Speed an odd look.  "Maybe I should drive," he suggested when Speed started to pray.  When the swearing started, he made Speed pull over and let him drive.  Before the other guy spontaneously combusted.  "What's going on?"

"Stetler wanted to know if my son was gay.  Came up to Horatio with pictures of Patrick and Xander out last night."

"Not like we care.  The whole station knows he's bi.  With the way gossip goes, the whole PD knows your son's bi by now."

"I don't want it to hurt any of his clients."

"It won't.  I think I'm the only one he's ever gotten off."

"We heard," he agreed. "Calleigh turned on the monitor system and heard you groan and snore."

"I'm not embarrassed.  It felt good!"

"I'm sure it did.  It does when he works on my back too.  Though Horatio did come in really happy when he worked that lump out of his shoulders."  Eric laughed at that.  "He did."

"He did," he agreed.  "Where were we heading?"

"Airport to get their amended flight plan if we can."  That got a nod and he headed that way, taking the right exit.  "I'm just happy Stetler wasn't asking to see if he could ask him out."

"Eww."

"That's why I prayed.  I'd have to let Aiden have him if that would happen."  Eric shuddered.  "Exactly. She didn't know what happened in New York."

"I'm sure most of Seattle does now," he offered.

"Hmm.  Yup."  He called Calleigh.  "Aiden's coming down to check on Xander and I offered her the spare room.  If you're going to complain, get it out now. She didn't know that Xander nearly got taken."  He listened to her calm voice.  "No, we're not like that," he sighed.  "She's like an ex, Calleigh.  Really.  Probably as close as you'll ever get to an ex- wife for me.  Thanks."  He smiled as he hung up.  "She'll go talk to Alexx and throw her fits quietly.

"Even better.  I'm hoping it doesn't come down to gun play between them."

"You and me both," he sighed.  "They should get along okay.  Aiden's really blunt.  Calleigh will ask and she'll answer it happened a few times but nothing else. No strings."

"Just making sure you were alive?"

"Yeah.  How did you know about Sunnydale?"

"Mom used to tell us stories about this Boca del Inferno place.  Really nasty bedtimes stories."

"Yeah, that's Sunnydale's other name."  They pulled into the airport and got out, heading inside.  The guards gave them wary looks.  "Not here for anyone yet."  That got a nod and they were escorted to the private terminal.  Transit cops were very protective of their turf.

***

Xander smiled at his newest client, who was staring at the officers sitting outside.  "Someone who threatened me back in New York is coming down to do it again," he assured her.  "That's for my protection."

"Oh, good."  She let him lead her back to her room and get something out of the sterilizer for her.  "Thank you, Tim."

"Welcome, Miss Constance."  He left her alone to get changed, looking at the officer walking in.  "Hi."

"Hi.  You're gay?"

"Bi but I date women who want to kill me.  Therefore I don't often date women."

"Ah.  Well, at least I know you're not going to do anything to me."  Xander shook his head. "Do you have time?"

"Not until lunch, which is in about an hour.  I've got a client in for a full body massage."  That got a smile.  "Go ahead and sit, Jamie."  He nodded and went to sit and wait. He went to wash his hands and then throw in another load of wash since he was so busy.  Then he went back to check on his client.  "Sorry.  Another one came in and I had to schedule him."

"You are bisexual?"

"I am.  I've dated two men, casually, and four women less than casually but they all wanted to kill me."  She tittered at that.  "Seriously.  My father had to save me from the last one.  She sent me a letter and naked picture recently to entice me back."  She giggled at that.  "Really.  I'd never date any of my clients.  I have ethics and I did her back once so she falls into that category."  She relaxed and let him work on her shoulders to start.  He heard a thump.  "Jamie?" he called.

"Me," Greg called back.

"Working."

"I can see that.  I'll head upstairs."

"Sure."  He went back to his massage.  "Sorry, a very good friend from Las Vegas."

"Like the dark haired lady?"

"I trained with her," he admitted.  "I love that woman. She's like a mother in a lot of ways."  He slowly moved down her back.  "Too much tennis again?"

"Actually, too much husband," she said dryly.  "He wanted me to be bendable.  I am thirty-three."

"You're still very young, Miss Constance.  He was having flashbacks to his teenage years and brought you with him."

"I wasn't that flexible at that age either."  He giggled at that.  "I wasn't."

"I'm sure you're toning it down," he teased. She looked back at him.  He gave her a knowing look.  "We were all naughty as teenagers."

"We were.  I had a lot of fun back then too."  She smiled and went back to letting him work out all her pain and muscle cramps.  "Only two men?"

"I'm still moving slowly with that."

"I saw your picture in the paper today.  You were out with Father Benis?"

"He's my grandfather," he said quietly.  "He wanted me to go.  I'm not real comfortable in that sort of setting but he wanted me to be shown off.  He nagged because everyone thought I was his bodyguard."  She giggled and shifted, so he got that cramp too.  She moaned.  "Let it go, Miss Constance.  I've got plenty of time to work out all the sins and naughty things he made you do yesterday."

"It was fun."

"It always is until the next morning."  She giggled and nodded.  When he got done with her, he went to check on Jamie, giving him a hug.  He let Constance pay him and scheduled her next appointment for her, then let her out and locked the door once she was gone.  He sat down beside Jamie again, letting him tell him how his last night had went.  Xander gave him another hug and told him to come see him in a few weeks to make sure he was still okay.  That got a sweet smile and he nodded, heading back to his day off of resting his poor, sore ass.   He had broken it so it was good for him.  Xander bounced upstairs, going to see Greg.  "Greg."  Greg grinned at him.  "No uncomfy feelings?"

"Not yet." Xander came over to hug him, letting him sink into his arms.  "I missed you and I know why you did it."  He kissed him on the cheek and went to his knees, letting Xander pet him. "You should eat."

"I should."  He made a sandwich and sat down to pet Greg while he ate his lunch.  Then he went down to switch out laundry and start a second load for the day. Greg came down to sit with him in the kitchen, just out of sight of the door, getting his pets and attention he needed.  It was good and any doubts he had left vanished with the single touch of Xander's hand.  He was not going to be going back to Lady Heather's tonight.  Xander looked at him, staring at him.  "I still don't date my clients, Greg.  It screws with the relationship we have," he said gently.  Greg pouted.  "It would."

"It would but we can be casual."

"Actually, with what you need, a sexual relationship would be about as good for you.  The casual sex you were doing isn't good for you but a real relationship would be just as good as this."

"I know."  He checked the porch then moved closer to rest his head on Xander's leg.  He got more affection.  "Maybe you're just an ideal."

"I probably am but it's all right. If you weren't my client I'd be honored to let you be my first," he said quietly.  Greg looked up at him.  "Really."  That got a smile.  "For now, you need this, not the other stuff since I'm not in Las Vegas and you're not down here."  Greg nodded, relaxing again. "Over the next few months we'll see if that's what we want to happen since you'll be so far away."

"It'll give us time for rational thought and contemplation or wet dreams."  Xander moaned at that.  Greg snickered and Xander swatted him, making him grin.  "Sorry."

"Behave, Gregory, or I'm spanking," he warned.

"Yes, Master Tim."  Someone tapped on the door and he let Xander go, sitting in the chair instead while he went to get the door. "Want me to switch laundry around since the dryer's nearly done?"

"Please."  He smiled at his first afternoon client.  "Hi.  Welcome to my house."  He got out of the way so she could walk in.

"Your lover?"

"Best friend.  I was working on his neck for a minute."

"Ah."  She followed him into the clean room he had.  She checked everything over and felt that the clothes were still warm when he handed them over.  "Sterilizer?"  He nodded, smiling a bit.  "Thank you, Tim."  He walked out, letting her dress in peace.  He had to clean the other two rooms again.  She decided against the gown and laid down on her stomach for him.  He tapped.  "I'm ready."

He walked in and smiled at her.  "I had to toss in some new laundry.  Would you like music?"  She shook her head.  "All right, I have a few different oils.  Is there any scent you prefer?"

"Something subtle."  He let her sniff two and she liked the last one so he got to work on her shoulders with it.  She moaned and spread her legs, hoping to hint, but he didn't take it.  "Do you sell other services?"

"Not really."

"I've heard you're a dom after hours."

"I am.  I'm of the therapy school of being a dom."  He kept going, ignoring her pointed body hints.  He did not want that reputation.  She pouted at him.  "I don't sleep with my clients, ma'am.  This is all I offer."

She nodded but sighed. "Pity. You could make a lot of money doing the other."

"I don't need more money.  I do fairly well right now for just starting out."  He finished her arms and then moved to her legs, making sure to keep the sheet between him and her so he didn't have to look at her.  He looked at her.   "Greg, can you call Speed and tell him that I need a good dinner tonight?" he called.  He heard an assenting noise.  "Sorry, my boyfriend promised to make dinner tonight and I need to remind him."

"So you are gay?"  He nodded.  "Then your best friend?"

"Is a CSI out of Las Vegas that I met while training with Lady Heather."

"Oh.  Interesting."  She pouted some and declined to set a second appointment when she was done but she did tip him.  He shrugged.  It wasn't worth it.

He made a note in his book next to her name. He kept a special list of the ones who propositioned him.  He walked back into the kitchen, finding Greg folding things to put into the sterilizer.  "I need a wedding ring or something."

"It'd drive them more insane and you can't really put up a sign saying you're taken either," he said dryly, smirking at him.  "I'm sure others get the same thing."

"Maybe.  Did you call Speed?"

"I did, he said Aiden's coming down in two days.  She'll be on his couch.  He said he was making a casserole and you could come over if you got hungry."  Xander grinned.  "I told him she came in wearing fuck me heels and he groaned and said he'd ask Eric how to deter them."  He nodded at the door.  "'Nother customer."

Xander went to let her in and into one of the very clean rooms, going to get something out of the sterilizer for her.  Then he went to clean up the last room while she changed.  He had it down to a rhythm now.  When he was done she was naked on her back and he handed her the sheet then turned around.  "Sorry, ma'am, I don't sell that sort of release."

"Pity."  She ran a hand up his back.

"My boyfriend would mind."

"I might like to watch that."  He glanced back at her and she covered herself, flipping over. "As I said, a pity."

"I'll let him know but he's very private and an officer.  He'd be very disappointed in me."  She nodded and let him work on her back.  She did make another appointment and tipped him.  It went into his locked drawer.  He checked his book.  He had a whole half hour to himself.  So he went to spend it with Greg.  "It didn't deter her."

"It won't always.  Some of them like watching gay porn," he soothed, patting his back.  "Just think, some day you're going to have a conflict with an emergency case our way."

"Half of them know today since someone last night recognized me."  That got a hug from Greg. "Thanks."  He settled down just out of sight and went back to taking care of Greg's needs.  Greg was the only man he knew who could get off from being petted. "Did my letter get to your boss?"

"It did.  He immediately handed me a cup of coffee while he was reading."  He grinned.  "He had Catherine set me up with someone nice as well.  What did you tell him?"

"That you focused better when you were in a relationship.  Nothing about this."  That got a grin. "You didn't read it?"

"I did, but I thought maybe some of it was Dom code or something."

"I never got that handbook."  Greg pinched him so he pinched him back, giving him a look.  Greg wilted but grinned.  "You're playful today.  I'll have to bring you home for dinner and then spank you later."

"Please?"

"We'll see.  It's not a punishment if you *ask* for it."

"Sure."  He understood that and Xander let him get away with a lot of stuff he shouldn't. Including letting him cut out his caffeine down so he could be bouncy and fun again.  Xander's next client came in and he went to clean up the other room while she was changing.  This time it was an older lady and Xander gave him a helpless look when he came out so apparently he was hot looking in today's outfit.  They did make his butt look nice.  The shirt set off his dark hair and barely tanned skin.  Then again, he was nearly wet from the petting he was getting so it was just a day to want the Xander.  She was his last one and Xander cleaned up after she had made her next appointment.  The last load of wash got started and then he took Greg up to the second floor, strapping him onto a spanking bench.  He was good at spanking and Greg was trying to kick by the fifth stroke.  By the eighth he was willing to confess to anything and by the tenth he came and went limp, letting Xander soothe the cream over his ass and take him to go soak in the tub on that floor.  Xander cleaned up his mess while he soaked, then he got out and came up to be petted some more, only wearing boxers now.  Xander didn't care what his body did but he wanted honest reactions out of him.  A few more pets and he was hard again, shifting on his knees.  Xander's hand stopped until he stilled himself.  Then he went back to his petting.  Greg rested against his leg.  That got a small smile and Xander tugged on his hair, making him moan.  "Please?"

"You're not usually one for those touches, Greg, and you know ...."

"I know.  Please?  Just a backrub?"

"It would probably help you."  He stroked over his shoulders.  "In front of me."

Greg shifted over between his feet.  He tipped his head forward and let Xander do whatever wicked things to his neck and shoulders.   He got off again but Xander kept going, making him let go and fall into his mind.  "Pictures in the waiting area," he mumbled.

"Hmm, that could be a subtle way.  Me and daddy?"  Greg nodded.  "Good idea."  He pressed harder on one spot and Greg moaned. "That was a treat."

"It definitely is.  Thank you, Master."

"You're special to me, Greg."

"You know there are subs that do get slept with," he offered.

"I know.  But you still live in Las Vegas."  Greg smiled at that.  "Besides, I thought you liked women."

"I like beauty and you make me see more of it than even the prettiest woman."

Xander smiled and kissed him on the head.  "Thank you for that very sweet compliment."  Someone knocked on the door.  "Give me a minute.  Go clean up and take a short nap."  Greg nodded while he went down to get the door.  "Lady Heather.  I'm sorry if you needed Greg."

"No, he needed you more."  She kissed him on the cheek, looking around then at him.  "How was business today?"

"Good.  I got hit on by two younger women and one mature one.  I was about to go buy a wedding ring."  She smiled at that.  He led her into the kitchen down there to talk to her about what Greg was asking for, getting her advice.  She told him how those relationships usually worked.  He nodded and made mental notes.  Then she went up to talk to Greg, see what he really wanted. It would give him something to think about when they went home the next day. When they came back down, Xander was hanging up a picture of him and Speed in the living room.  "Very subtle, Xander."

"I'm hoping it helps.  One didn't want to take that answer.  She wanted to watch."

"Some women like to watch two men together, the same as some men like to watch two women together."  He nodded at that.  "Now, this is my last night in town and we should have dinner.  Go change."

"Clothes clothes or a suit?" Xander asked.  "I have two now."

"I saw."  She smiled and stroked his cheek.  "Suit.  Wear the one Stella made you buy, Xander.  That way no one can say anything about you wearing the same one two days in a row.  I'll even let you stop at the bank."  He nodded and hurried up to get changed.  She looked over Gregory's clothes and he went to change as well, making her smile.  Her boy had Greg well in hand, even if the leash was a bit lax now and then.  She saw him counting and adding up the take when she went to check on her driver and the officers watching the house. "That was a nice payment.  Someone wanted to play that badly?"

"My grandfather's sire," he admitted.  "It was my birthday present from him."

"Ah."  She nodded and looked at him. "Do you mind that?"

"I don't know yet.  I heard Ethan told him and Angel freaked out when he heard who my grandfather is.  His sire enjoys baiting Angel, which is a really fun pastime."  She smiled at that.  "It is."  He put everything into an envelope with the deposit slip he was working on.  "Gregory?"  He came trotting down the stairs fussing with his hair. "Set the alarm."  Greg did that since he walked out last.  They went to the bank, where he got an odd look from the teller.  "Birthday present," he said with a shrug.  She just nodded and marked it for deposit only.  He took the receipt and headed off with it in his wallet.  Then they went to a nice dinner with Greg telling stupid criminal stories and Xander joking about some of the ones who had come after him in New York, making Lady Heather chuckle all through dinner.  When he got back, he walked into a surprise party, making him nearly cry.  "Daddy?"

"Of course I did, dumbass.  You didn't let me celebrate it back in Sunnydale but you're in Miami now.  There's whole different party rules down here."  He pulled him in to hug him. "Stella has nice taste in suits," he teased.  He brought him over to the cake, letting him make a wish and blow out the candles.  One stayed lit but he puffed that out and everyone clapped.  "Good boy."  He grinned at the other two.  "You two can come help.  Greg, get her another chair."  He did that and Lady Heather kissed him on the cheek for that kindness.  "You're a might-as-well-be mom to him," Speed said dryly.  "You can help celebrate his birthday with us.  Even though it was Tuesday."  He cut her a piece of cake right after Xander's and served her, then got everyone else.  Eric turned on some music.

A neighbor trying to paint came over to complain but got sucked into the party.  She didn't mind and Greg hit on her all night. Xander waved him off so he walked off to talk to her in more private than everyone watching them flirt.  Aiden came in during it and she was welcomed by Tim, introduced to everyone, handed her son for a hug, and then fed cake.  She was accepted very easily too.  The only one who wasn't was the person who came to the door to gather Xander.  He got a few guns in his face.  The officers outside got cake to take back with them when they came up to save his life by arresting him.  It was a pretty good party overall.

***

Greg nearly danced into work the next night.  Grissom handed over the pot of coffee without a look at Greg when he heard he was dancing.  "I'm a happy boy.  I met a very nice woman in Miami.  She lives next to Master Tim and she's a painter."

"Houses?"

"Still-lifes at the moment.  Sometimes animals to make the rent."  That got a smile from his boss.  "She pets very well."

"Good to know.  Any new notes?"

"No.  We had a great time.  We celebrated his birthday last night.  I helped drop Lady Heather off at her house since it was finished.  I also helped Master Tim drive off some very pushy women who wanted him to do more than massage their backs."   He walked off with his coffee, going back to professional Greg instead of fun Greg.  He did have a lot to think about because he knew if he decided to go to Master Tim for that he'd basically be doing whatever he wanted him to, no matter who was around.  Not that Xander would have sex with him in public to show him off but it was a consideration.  Plus he wasn't sure if he wanted to have a guy that way.  He wasn't sure Xander could bottom for him if he was still his sub.  He went to get his things out of his locker, running into Catherine.  "How is your friend?"

"Still recovering from how she threw her back dancing with you," she teased.  "How was Miami?"

"Master Tim's birthday party was last night," he said with a smile.  "Lady Heather took us out to dinner and then his father threw a surprise party when we got back.  I met a very nice painter who is his next door neighbor."

"You were careful, right?"  Greg nodded at that, giving her a look.  "Good."  She smiled at him.  "Did you get a massage too?"

"He did indulge me and do my shoulders.  He's got some very good hands."

"I bet. I saw him when he gave that demonstration of 'whip meets idiot' that day."  Greg smirked at that.  "He's very strong."

"He is.  He's got a sword habit."  She laughed at that.  "He does.  He's from Sunnydale. It came in handy.  He's got a few of them at the house."  She looked stunned.  He nodded.

"Oh, my.  That's where I know him from!"

Greg grinned and nodded.  "Yup.  Oh, Lady Heather's setting up the house tonight. It was finished and liveable when we dropped her off."

"Good.  Anything I should know?"

"I'm good.  We talked for a long time while I was out there."

"Even better. If you go that way I won't say a word, Greg."

"I don't need to be spanked, that's a punishment," he reminded her dryly.  "I need tactile contact."

She came over to pet him, using her nails just a bit.  He shivered and let her, tipping his head so she wouldn't have to reach as far up.  "I'll keep that in mind for how it calms you down.  Drink more coffee."   He nodded and finished the cup of coffee, then grabbed his things to get his first scene of the night or go work on his evidence from his last one.  She smiled.  That was an interesting reaction and it was clearly trained into him.  "Lady Heather's nails must feel great to him," she said quietly, finishing her nightly pre-work ritual.  Then she went to get her own scene.  Grissom had Greg tonight. She had Warrick, and Nick had Sarah so it was fine for the night.  Theirs was a pretty standard robbery of a liquor store so it was going to be a light night.

***

Xander smiled at his mom when she woke up the next morning.  "Hi, mommy."

"Hi, baby."  She kissed him on the cheek. "Am I in the waiting room?"

"Yup but I never schedule anyone before ten.  So you've got about an hour to get up, shower, eat, that stuff."  She smiled and he helped her up, spanking her to get her on her way up the stairs.  She gave him a look and he just smirked.  "I'm good at spanking."

"So I've heard."  She went upstairs, letting him clean up after the party last night.  She came down to him vacuuming.  "Anyone coming today?"

"I open the door at ten.  I don't have anyone scheduled until this afternoon."  She smiled and led him back to the kitchen, making him finish his cleaning in there.  They did the dishes together and put them up, then she went to finish the vacuuming.  He came out to straighten up the waiting room again then checked all the rooms. A bit of cleaning on the tables so they were sanitized for today.  Then he went to cuddle his mother and talk to her in the waiting room.  One of his neighbors leaned in.  "She's my mom."

"Oh, hi, Tim's mom."  She waved and smiled.  "Tim, dear, can I get you to open something?"  He nodded so she brought in the jar of fluff.  "It stuck again.  I even tried the warm water trick."  It took two tries but he got it open and grinned as he handed it back. "Thanks.  Is Greg coming back soon?"

"Probably within a couple of months," he offered.  "I can give you his work address so you can write him a note."

"I have it," she admitted with a small blush, going home.  She waved at the woman pulling up.  "Just needed him to open a jar for me.  He's talking with his mother."

"That's fine, dear.  He's a very strong young man."  She walked up the few stairs and Xander bounced up to let her in.  "Tim."

"Mrs. Fabber.  How are you doing?"

"I'm doing wonderfully, dear.  I'm sorry you didn't know about the clot."  She patted him on the cheek and handed him a check. "There you go.  For my last session."  He handed it back.  "No, I insist."

"It's crass of me to make you pay when you nearly died."

"I know and you didn't ask, I'm doing it anyway.  So take it."

"Say thank you, baby," Aiden ordered.

"My mom."

"I heard."  She smiled and waved at her.  "He's a great boy.  He's a real credit to your raising, miss.  He saved my life."

"He's good at that," she agreed happily.  "Take it, baby."

He nodded and did that.  "When you're stronger and if you want to come back, I'll be here," he promised her.

"Thank you, Tim.  Now, walk me back down?"

"Of course."  He walked her back down to her car and husband, nodding politely at him.  "There you go, Mrs. Fabber.  I hope you get a lot better very fast."

"Thank you, dear."  She smiled as they took off.

He walked back inside.  "It wasn't necessary."

"It's closure for her," she pointed out.  He slid it into the drawer and came back to cuddle her.  "How many do you have this afternoon?"

"Two.  Both young women."  He looked up at the picture of him and Speed then at her.  "Think it'll help?" he asked quietly.  She shook her head.  "Shoot."

She kissed him on the cheek. "They want you because you're pretty, Xander.  You know that."  She checked his book. The person coming up the stairs wasn't scheduled.  "A dom client?"

"No, one of my massage ones."  He got up to let her in.  "Hi, Miss Constance.  This is my mother, Aiden Burns."

"Hello, dear.  Your son has very good hands.  Tim, do you have an open spot?"

"Sure.  I'm free right now if Mom would wait?"  Aiden nodded.  She got up to fuss with the other pictures he had out, rearranging them.  "I was thinking about adding some more but I didn't want to make it too crowded, mom."

"I can figure this part out, baby.  You go help the nice woman."  The other woman smiled and let Xander lead her to an open and clean room.  She did turn on the monitor very low, listening to her ask about the guy in the picture.  The 'his boyfriend' told her all she needed to know about her.  When the moaning got so loud she didn't need the monitor she rolled her eyes but Xander came out a few minutes later to wash his hands and put a new set of materials into the sterilizer.  She came out dressed and flushed and paid him, then left, heading home.  "That's going to come back on you."

"I didn't touch her that way," he assured her.  "She knows that.  I made that clear yesterday."  She nodded at that, giving him a hug.  He went back to clean the room then came back to cuddle and talk some more.

***

Horatio walked up to Xander's door, tapping gently.  He leaned out of one of the rooms then nodded him inside.  Horatio walked in and sat down while Xander went back to his present patient.  She walked out satisfied and Aiden peeked out of the kitchen at him.  "Were you here earlier?"

"Did that skank that hit on him say something?"  He nodded.  "What?"

"She told her husband that the orgasm the gay masseuse gave her was better than his.  It turned into a domestic dispute when she presented the divorce papers."

"He said he doesn't do that."

"I know he doesn't do that.  I wanted to let him know," he told her.  "We all know Xander does not touch his clients that way."

"True."  Xander came out and pulled off the gloves he was wearing, going to wash off his hands.  His client came out and paid him with a smile and a stroke to his cheek, leaving a nice tip, then left.  Xander went to clean her room one the money was in the drawer then came back out.  "Baby, she said something."

"I figured she would.  She told me she was divorcing her husband today."  He grimaced. "I'm putting up a big picture of me and daddy and then I'm going to make a sign saying I do not date my clients. "

Horatio handed over a piece of paper. "Word it that way so it's subtle.  Eric worked that out earlier while he was waiting to testify.  You should expect to be called in their divorce."  Xander moaned at that, shaking his head. "It'll be fine, Xander."

"I don't need those rumors."

"I know.  But they'll come in and then possibly keep coming when they figure out you're not like that but you're still so good."  She kissed him on the cheek. "Also put up a sign in all the rooms saying that audio recordings are taken in the treatment rooms to prevent any hint of impropriety.  Put a small sign up here about that as well."

"That's a good idea," Horatio agreed.

Xander smiled and wrote that down.  "Wanna go sign shopping, mom?"

"Please.  It almost sounded like a porno in there.  Thankfully I know you're not like that."

"Some women only need to sneeze," he said dryly.  "Some need a lot of starting off."

"Very true," Horatio agreed, smiling at him.  "Can I borrow you for my arm?"

"Sure, but I want you to get that pinched nerve looked at this time."

"Agreed."  Xander sat him down once he was out of his jacket and had rolled up his sleeve.  He released the built-up feelings from the cramps in his forearm.  He got his arm all the way to limp and sated and it was good.  "Thank you."

"Welcome, Horatio.  That arm is important, it protect dad and the others."  He smiled at him.  "Now, make an appointment to have someone look at the cause of the cramping."

"Yes, dear."  He got up and put back on his jacket, heading out with a smile for Aiden.

"I could use some of that some days.  Especially after a day of reports."  She put up a sign saying Xander would be back in an hour since he was clear, and then they went to look for signs.  They even had some already made up for doctor's offices and things.  It was nice. They installed them in easily seen places.  Two in each treatment room, three in the waiting area, just in case someone was dense.  She even got to tease him about flirting with one of the cute guys at the supply store.  Xander did blush very prettily.

***

Xander bounced into the station with lunch for Speed.  "Is Speed in?"

"He's out at the moment but Calleigh and Horatio are," the receptionist offered.

"Cool.  I can give his lunch to them."  That got a smile and she paged Calleigh.  "Hi, stepmom."  He kissed her on the cheek.  "Lunch for daddy.  I wanted to know about the holiday stuff."

"He's cooking.  You can come over," she assured him.

"I didn't think I was cooking. I'm not even allowed to make jelly toast in dad's kitchen."  That got a smile from her.  "I was wondering if I was included in the Secret Santa thing the lab had going or if I should just buy individual presents."

"You were included and you get the last name," she said, handing over the slip out of her pocket.  He looked then at her.  She peeked and smiled.  "It's not an easy one to buy."

"I've got one picked out already."

"Good."  She smiled at him.  "What are you doing for Solstice since Tim said you were moderately pagan?"

"The usual.  I've found one of the places here and they've got a planned big celebration so I'm going to that."  She smiled at that.  "You could come."

"I can't.  I'm on that night.  Earlier that afternoon we're doing the present exchange."  Xander nodded.  "So you can bring it in then and the other ones you'll be buying."

"Sure."  He beamed and hugged her. "Thanks.  Are we hitting a buffet for Thanksgiving next week?"

"We probably are since we're both on call that day."   He nodded.  "You can come.  My father will be.  He'll coo at you."

"I'm not sure if Grandfather is or not.  I thought I'd check with you first, see if you do it in  the afternoon or evening."

"Afternoon both of them."  He nodded.  "Ham for Christmas."

"Sure. I like ham."  He grinned.  "Thanks."  He headed out and went to talk to his grandfather since this was his planned day off.  He pulled up and saw the wary looks by the guards.  "What?"

"Detective Flack's here."

"I told him he could have my spare room."  He walked inside and kissed his grandfather on the cheek.  "Thanksgiving and Christmas?  Calleigh and Speed are doing a buffet for Thanksgiving and lunch for Christmas.  I'm doing a local Solstice thing for Solstice.  So did you want me over that morning or that night?"

He smiled.  "Morning would be good.  You could even come over in your pajamas," he teased.

"I don't wear jammies, Grandfather.  I'd get a ticket for driving naked."  His grandfather burst out laughing.  "I'll see you then.  Don, are you going to be here or should I mail you guys' things?"

"Um, not like I mind," he said weakly.  "As far as I know I'll be home."

"Okay."  He gave him a hug.  "If you need it I've got a spare room.  You can hang out and watch my cable or go scope bikinis."  That got a smile and he bounced out, heading home to do his own laundry for a change instead of the working laundry.

"He is very hyper and bouncy today."

"He probably loves the holidays," Don told him.

"Now," Patrick agreed.

"Now," Don agreed.  "So, why did you call?"

"A bit of family history, Don."

"I'm confused."

"You should be.  I married your aunt.  Your father's sister."

"He said he was the baby of the family."

"He was.  He was only about six when I married her."

"Oh."  He considered that, then looked at him.  "That means you're like an uncle, huh?"  He nodded. "Why didn't you tell me when I had you in class?"

"Because it would have bothered you back then, Don.  You needed me more as a mentor than as an uncle.  Besides, I left a few months after you took my science class."

"Oh.  Good point."  He sipped his coffee.  "Then I'm related to the bouncy ball of boy?"

Patrick laughed and nodded. "Technically not but in my and his mind yes.  He's only found out recently as well."

"Sure."  He took another drink then looked at him. "Why tell me this now?"

"Because I'm dying, Don.  I have been for years."

"Okay, point of order.  You've got to be about a hundred and twenty and you only look about sixty.  So therefore I'm thinking some Xander-ish stuff is going on."

"I was turned right before I left New York," he admitted.  "I still served in the church, just places without holy relics."  Don nodded slowly at that.  "I had a large lump of cancer then and it's somehow still growing a bit every year.  I'm not expecting to make it more than two years."

"So this gives me the chance to get to know you too and be there for Xander if he needs me."

"Exactly, and me also to get to know you as well.  My sire left me relatively well off.  I've been helping a lot of charitable organizations over the years."

"Ah, and you don't think Xander will?"

"No, I know he will but you are also a relative, Don, and entitled to some of that."

"Do not make me tell my pops."

"Oh, no, Don. He hates me.  He always has.  Your aunt died of a fever while we were traveling.  He hated me for that."

"He had hero worship for his big sister."

"Exactly."  He smiled gently.  "I did love her."

"Thanks.  So."  He got comfortable again. "You need someone to follow in your footsteps?"

"I do now and then.  I can count on Xander to do that sometimes and you as well.  I do know you supporting gay charities could make you uncomfortable at work."  He snorted and shrugged.  "Good."  He smiled.  "Then let's use this precious time to get to know each other a bit better.  That way if you have questions you can ask."

"Sounds good.  What about the bouncy ball of boy?"

"If you want to stay in his spare room, I wouldn't protest.  I do have one here for you as well."  That got a grin.  "I know this house is imposing and a bit creepy. You wouldn't be the first to ask if I was a relative of the Adam's family.  My sire bought it for me and gave it to me."

"Are you two like married but estranged?"

"At the moment.  He got tired of me looking out for others and not myself.  So he went on a vacation to LA.  He's presently bothering Xander's former coworker Angel and driving him to distraction."  That got a smirk.  "He did throw quite an impressive fit when Ethan told him."

"I'm sure he did.  Xander said he was uptight."  He grinned.  "Okay.  So we're related. I can stand that.  Might break the crush the boy had on me."

"It has.  Though he could use a good love in his life."

"Not many would be willing to share him with his subs," Don said wisely.

"True.  I think that will work itself out rather well some day soon."  That got a grin. "He does need love.  He'll find it eventually."  That got a nod.  "My grandson is fairly open if you know where to look to read him."

"Speed said it was all in his eyes."

"It often is."  He sipped his own tea.  "So, how is work this last week?"

"Hectic.  I had to clear up a lot of paperwork to take this week of vacation."

"As usually happens.  How is Stella?  She is a charming young woman. Were I still human and able to, I would have wooed her until she blushed and gave in."

Don grinned at that.  "She's a great lady," he agreed.  "Too tough for my tastes now and then."

"It does happen."  He took another sip.  "I believe we've strayed into that area that Xander calls strange emotional territory."

Don snickered and nodded. "Definitely."

***

Xander looked up from his laundry when someone knocked on the door and walked in. "By the washer," he called.  Eric came back dragging Horatio.  "Was he a bad boy?"

"Yes."  He handed him over.  "Keep him here for the day.  Someone just tried to shoot him in front of the station."  He stomped out again.

"I didn't know he had drama queen tendencies," Xander said.  Horatio snickered at that.  "Are you all right?  Should I pull out the first aid kit?"

"I'm fine, Xander.  They needed me out of the way so they decided you were safer to be around."

"That's fine."  He smiled at him.  "You can help me decide what I'm getting for dad for the holidays."

"If you want.  Need help?  I'm good with laundry."

"I'm having odd thoughts about you and my underwear," he said, blushing a bit.  Horatio laughed.  "So, who was it this time?"

"We're not sure."

"Hmm."  He called out to his grandfather. "Do I have another stalker?"  He nodded, grimacing.  "Sure. Thanks. Are you sure it's the guy from LA?  Thank you."  He hung up. "The guy that Speed ran off my parents for is out here."

Horatio called him, sitting down to talk to him while Xander finished folding his clothes. "Speed, Horatio.  That is where I am but Xander asked for information on new stalkers for some reason.  His grandfather said the one you ran his parents off because of was out here looking for him?"  He smiled.  "That works for me, Speed.  I can help him do laundry and get dinner."  He heard the vehement answer that Xander was not allowed to cook.  Ever.  He poisoned people.  "I'm sure he's not that bad."

"All I can make is jerky and breath spray," Xander admitted.  He shrugged. "I'm poisonous.  I've given Mac a piece of fudge I made to interrogate someone with."

Horatio looked at him.  "Is that where Mr. Wolfe got that piece of candy?"  Xander just beamed.  "I see.  We'll have to see if that's a workable plan, Xander."  The boy finished his current dryer load and put in the stuff from the washer. "You can't wash that, Xander.  It's not washable."  He plucked the shirt out. "Silk is not machine washable."  He got up to sort through the rest, letting him do whatever with it.  Those went into the dry cleaning bag with his leather stuff.  He listened to Speed.  "No, I won't let him cook if you're that adamant."  Xander handed him a small bag of jerky.  He pulled out a piece to nibble, his eyes going wide.  "Let me know, keep me informed," he ordered then he hung up.  "This is a bit strong."

"It's what makes me so tough and it brought on puberty," he said happily, carrying the basket up the stairs.  He came back down to turn on the alarm then lock the doors. "There, we should be safe."

"You should sort the laundry better, Xander."

Xander looked at him.  "I wash it all on cold.  That way nothing runs."

"That isn't really healthy for them.  Proper laundering keeps them looking better for longer."

"If you say so.  That's how my mother did laundry."  He shrugged.  "It worked."  He ate a piece of jerky then went back upstairs.  "TV's up here, Horatio."

"Good point."  He nibbled on another piece, feeling it taking effect.  "I should have known when he said it brought on puberty."  He cleared his throat.  "Xander, can I look at your other practice area?"

"Sure."  He came down and opened that door, letting him into that waiting area.  "This is for calming down time and in case they bring their spouses."  He opened a room.  "This is for when I need to use something like a switch or a riding crop.  I don't need the clearance that I would for a whip but the straps can be configured however I need them.  Some people need handcuffs, some don't need any, some need to be held in place because they need that feeling."  He led him across the hall.  "This is for spanking.  The bench is padded," he said proudly. "If the client needs it I can add a bit of torture by sliding on the washable furry cover."  He let him feel that, liking the smile he got.  "It feels good to lay on."  That got a nod.  He led him to the other small room on the floor.  "This is for when I need to do obedience training.  It's also got the bathroom in case I need to do enemas or they need to shower or soak afterward."  He let him see the huge old cast iron tub.  "It's a great tub.  I need that one upstairs."

Horatio pointed at the sign. "Do they actually clean it when they're done?"

"Unless they want to visit the spanking room?  Yeah."  That got a smile and he led him to the large room across the hall.  "A few of the people I deal with need sensation.  They need to feel that someone's there, holding them, or that they're not really encased in ice.  This way I can give them tactility without a lot of inappropriate touching.  The furry thing has velcro and a few buckling straps so I can wrap them in it.  It can also go on the bed so I can strap them down and give it to them that way, or have them on it and use other instruments on them.  But for real whipping, because I've had a few who needed the punishment, I've got the cuffs by the covered window in the hall.  It gives me better room for the whip I like."  He let him see it and stroke the leather.

"It's very soft."  He smiled at him. "I bet that stings."

"Oh, you have no idea," he agreed.  "But some people need to be punished.  That's what they come here for.  Some come for affection, they feel that they have to be forced to accept it because of the way they were taught to be men."  He let him out and walked him upstairs to his apartment.  He closed the door behind them.  "It's good for them and every person needs something different."

"What about what you need, Xander?"

"I'm doing okay," he admitted.  "I haven't had anyone down here that made me doubt my ethical standpoint.  I've had one who decided he was better after one session.  He was nearly impossible to break but it helped him.  His wife is helping him further and he's supposed to see me in a few days to make sure it's still going okay.  A lot of what I do is listening to them, give them what they need, not what they want."  Horatio nodded at that.  "But I'm still doing okay.  I'm not feeling overloaded or anything.  I've had a few hectic days but that's a good thing."

"It is," he agreed, smiling at him.  "Have you thought about taking on a personal submissive?"

"I have.  That requires a lot of attention, especially since I'm doing both jobs.  There's also a doubt that I can give them all the attention they need.  I feel I might be more lax on them because I'm basically dating them as well."

"There is that issue. But it would give you someone here to protect you and watch over you."

"The only one I've thought about isn't here, Horatio."

He nodded.  "He was happy."

"I don't talk..."

Horatio held up a hand. "I understand.  I wouldn't either."  He shifted, crossing his feet.  "Are you happy doing this?"

"It's okay.  I needed to arrange my schedule now and then.  I'm realizing I'm not allowed to have lazy days anymore.  That does suck now and then but I'm okay.  I arranged it so I don't take anyone until ten, that gives me personal time.  My sub clients usually come in after hours and they usually leave by ten.  Again, personal time and time to clean things up for the next day.  I get one day off a week."

"We get two."

Xander looked at him.  "I still have to pay a mortgage, Horatio.  I can't do that yet.  I do give myself one easier day a week, usually only one or two people.  I always give myself a lunch hour. So I'm good most of the time."

"Good.  Is it what you expected?"

"A lot more work.  I paid a quarterly visit to the IRS my last free morning and found out what I needed to do for them.  I'm looking at how I would take credit cards instead of checks and cash.  That seems like a really complicated and expensive system."

"It can be," Horatio agreed.  "What about your personal life?"   Xander blushed at that. "No recent dates?"

"One.  Not great.  We didn't mesh well at all.  He wanted me to be flighty and really gay, not myself.  He wanted the hand-swishy stereotype."

"Everyone wants something different," Horatio agreed.  "You'll have to find someone who's willing to share your attention with your clients."

"Maybe," he agreed.  "Grandfather's trying to set me up with one of his guys who's not sick."

"Sick?"

"Apparently a few of the guys on his payroll are sick too.  The guy who does his legal stuff, Gordon, has lung cancer.  Don's out there today talking to him."

"Why?"

He smiled at the older man.  "Because Grandfather married Don's daddy's big sister as his second wife."

"Ah.  So you two are related."

"Which means I now feel funny about some of my former wet dreams," he agreed dryly.  "I guess that happens to everyone," he admitted when Horatio gave him a small, knowing smirk.

"It can.  Some of us haven't had those in years."

Xander looked at him.  "Why not?  Did you quit imagining or do you feel totally satisfied?  If it's not one of those two you're deprived, depressed, and settled for less than you should."

"I don't feel that way."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes.  Older men do get by with less."

Xander snorted. "One of my clients is sixty-seven, Horatio, and he has some of the best reactions of all of them.  He brings his wife in to play."  Horatio blushed at that. "You not having those at your age means you've settled for less and you feel that you'll never have it again."

"How did you know I had someone special before?"

"The way you grieve.  Daddy told me how it was when you lost your brother."  Horatio gave him a startled look.  "You only miss it when you've had it.  I didn't cry at a single funeral except Jesse's in the entire time I was in Sunnydale, until I got dad and mom."

"That is a very wise statement... but I don't think this is a topic I want to share."

"Sure.  I understand that."

"Do you have anyone special in mind?"  Xander shook his head.  "Not at all?"

"Nope.  Not at all."

"Why not?"

"Because I haven't dated that often.  If I wanted to go back to women, I could settle and take Anya back.  That's how I know what settling feels like and how it robs you of even having wet dreams.  Though she mostly wore mine out of me."  Horatio sighed at that.  "It wasn't a good relationship, Horatio.  She was always talking about how she used to torture bad men then expected cuddles and sex."

"You were with her after prom?"

"Yup, until I left.  She never got to the point where she nearly killed me again, but yeah, we saw each other casually a few times.  I know what I like on women but I haven't gotten close enough to a guy I *like* to know what I like from men yet.  I'm still learning."

Horatio studied him for a few minutes.  "I think you'd be surprised at how similar it can be.  I always found I liked the same thing no matter who was with me."

"Then I guess that oral fixation I have is going to continue," he said with a shy smile.

"I saw the letter and picture from Anya."

"I'm sorry you had to be scared that way."

Horatio laughed. "I've seen worse, Xander."

"You dated a vengeance demon too?"

"No," he admitted. "She was?"  He nodded.  "You're not kidding?" he asked more hesitantly.

"Nope, we accidentally stranded her as a human.  She was vengeance over women scorned.  Hence the torturing men stories that she told right before sex.  I learned a lot about torture from her.  Some women have very good imaginations," he offered.  "Especially if their men cheat."

"I've seen the byproducts of that," he admitted.  "Usually in a simple homicide."

Xander shrugged.  "She said she had fun doing it for centuries.  She was eleven hundred and some when she turned human again."  Horatio gaped.  "Yeah, so it was fun for her.  She was a viking bint as Spike put it.  Has a bunny phobia."

"A bunny phobia?  The scary woman is scared of soft, fluffy things?"  Xander grinned and nodded.  "Any of them I should know about on you?"

"I'm still working on my clown phobia. I was scared by one when I was younger but I've been working on it."

"Good.  What about the others?"

"Willow's got a thing against frogs."

"Interesting.  Doesn't she have to use them now and then?"

"She either tries to substitute or makes Buffy or Giles do it for her.  She conveniently got sick on her tray in biology class, and mine."

"Good job."

"Thanks, got me an automatic A for that lesson.  Kept me from flunking it barely.  School and I are not good friends."

"Some of that is how you learn and some is probably that it wasn't interesting to you," he offered.

"No, all school sucks."

Horatio smiled.  "I'm sure it could be taught to you in ways that would keep your attention."

"Not even Anya using sex games to help me with history worked, Horatio."  That got another small blush.  "It didn't."

"Perhaps that was the person doing it or what she was teaching you."

"Maybe.  I'm still glad I'm not a lizard and Willow hasn't changed me into anything in a while."

"Are you dabbling?"

"Now and then.  I'm not powerful.  I never have been," he assured him.  "I can do a mean protection spell but nothing else really."

"That's more than acceptable."

"You?"

"No comment."

"Ah, I'm sensing the stupidity of youth explanation," Xander said with a wicked grin.  "Let me guess, you, Ethan, and Ripper used to cast spells together naked in Central Park?"  Horatio went bright red and actually stuttered.  "Before you ask if I read your journal, I read Giles'.   Willow found it and sent it to me the other day when she found your name in it.  She thought it was interesting how lives connected."

"Did you tell anyone?"

"No, I told her it was your brother, who was now dead, not you.  That you had said he was using your identity.  I still haven't told her Ethan's down here and doing good things."  He shifted closer. "It's okay, Horatio.  Not like I care.  I had Wonder Wicca who made a lot of   mistakes because she wasn't paying enough attention.  I'm damn lucky I didn't end up pregnant."  Horatio coughed at that, trying to hide his smile.  "She tried once but she screwed up the potion.  She's really not good at those."

That got a full blown laugh.  He could almost see Speed's face if Xander suddenly had gotten pregnant.  Aiden's was nearly as bad.  "I can just imagine the fit Speed would throw."

"The Powers sent him a vision and he came to distract her so it wouldn't work."

"Good!  I'd hate to see you pregnant, Xander."  Xander blushed at that.  "Eric would moan for days."

"Knowing how Willow does things, I'd be having my own little brother."  That got a smile.  "She taunted me a few times that I should take Speed that way instead of as my dad.  Speed smacked her once good enough that even Giles complained, then Aiden lit into her for a few minutes.  She was very sorry she suggested I should shag my daddy."

Horatio gave him a hug.  "I agree, he does better as your father than as your lover."  Xander cuddled into him, getting comfortable.  He looked down, looking amused.  "Comfy?"

"Tired."  He yawned.  "Long day.  Should I get you something nice or a gift certificate to work on your arms for the holidays?"

"Whatever you want.  Did you get my name in the drawing?"  Xander shook his head.  "Who did you get?"

"Eric."

"He's usually difficult to buy for."

"He loves food.  I'm getting him food."  That got a smile.  "Trying to decide on spicy food or not."

"Spicy is nice now and then.  Though your jerky was outrageous."  Xander handed over the small spray bottle from the table. "What's this?"

"Breath spray.  I like it."  Horatio sprayed some and got up to rinse his mouth out, leaving Xander half on the couch.  "It's not that strong.  The heat cut it down a lot.  That's really weak, Horatio."

"It's not, Xander.  That's like fire in my mouth."  He rinsed and spit again.  "Do you use hot peppers?"

"No.  Mint."

Horatio wiped the tears off.  "Are you sure?"

"Yeah.  Can I give Eric some of that for the holidays?  Or some of my jerky?"

"Give him some of the jerky.  With the reactions I've had he'll be pleased."

"Well, it can give you the runs for a week or so when you first start to eat it but the other side effects are great.  It's how I kept up with Anya for seven hours."

"Seven hours?" he demanded, nearly forgetting he had no coating on his tongue for a minute.  "How?"

"Four of that was my oral fixation."  Horatio gaped in horror.  "Really.  Is your mouth okay?  You look like you were crying."

"Do you use this in scenes?"

"No.  Why?  Think I should?  Greg likes it."

Horatio came back to give him a hug because he was clearly a bit demented.  "I should go give this to Speed to use in interrogation."

"He has some at home.  Or Ryan had some.  He said he wanted to test it and the stuff I use as a bug spray."

Horatio sat down again, shaking his head.  "I could taste the tap water."

Xander nodded. "It's strong enough that I occasionally forget to brush my teeth."  Horatio gave him another hug.  "You hug nearly as nice as dad does."

"Thank you but I'm making sure you're not going to pollute anyone else with naughty ideas, Xander."

"Sure, Horatio.  I'll accept the cuddles anyway."  He yawned.  "I'm still tired.  Sorry if I fall asleep on you.  You're very comfy."

"It's fine, Xander."  The boy fell asleep once he got comfortable, and Horatio watched him. He looked so innocent.  He heard the first moan and blushed. His name sounded good being moaned like that.

"Horatio," Xander moaned, drawing it out. "Ooh, right there.  No, casual is fine but I want cuddles and if you want you can take me out.  If not, I'll wait."  He arched up his hips, straining against something.  "But you promised to show me," he whined.  He moaned his name again, then came with a sigh of pleasure.  "More?  I could handle more."  Horatio slid out from under him and went to the bathroom.  He could feel the effects of the jerky coming back very well.  The moaning going on about two fingers being too big was just a benefit this time.

***

Speed got woken up by the phone six weeks later, which he hated, so he growled into it.  He paused when he heard the fireman.  "What do you mean my son's house was on fire?" he demanded, sitting up. "Is Xander all right?"  He climbed out of bed, finding his jeans from last night. "I'll be right down.  Is he still there or at the ER?  No, send him.  Right now.  Xander has a serial killer after him."  He hung up and blew a kiss at Calleigh once he found his shirt, hurrying out to his bike.  The ride there was short and fast, making stopping a bit of a problem since there was now a wet road, but he managed to make it looked planned.  "What the hell happened?" he shouted.

"Sir, do you live here?" one of the fireman asked.

"He's my son.  It's my son's house.  Where is Xander?  Did you take him yet?"  He found his badge still clipped to his belt and showed it.  That got him led to the fire chief.  "Chief."

"Speedle."  He shook his hand.  "Your son often sleep like the dead?"

"No.  Any idea what happened?"

"Can't tell for positive yet.  You know about that second floor?"

"My son was a dom and did massages as a hobby that paid better."

"Oh.  Okay then."

"He worked with a lot of cops who needed it after things like shootings.  He was non-sexual about it."

"Oh, one of them."  That made him happier.  "Okay. That makes a bit more sense.  As far as we can tell, the fire started in the back of the house.  Near the washer and dryer.  We'll be looking at that area first.  Your boy would not wake up though.  He looked bruised too."  He saw a car pull up and someone familiar get out. "Isn't he a prosecutor?"

"Xander's grandfather is Father Benis.  Gordon works for him."  He waved him over, getting him escorted.  "Was Xander out hunting earlier?"

"No," Gordon sighed.  "You need to check with the FBI.  One of them is out and they wanted revenge for shutting down their multi-billion dollar operation."

"What sort of operation?" the fire chief asked.

"His original parents sold him to someone," Speed said.  That got a knowing look.  "He got away and it got them busted."

"Okay.  We'll let you know when I know.  He went to Dade Memorial."

"I'm headed there," Speed promised, going for his bike. "Call me.  Or call Horatio."

"Will do, Speedle."  He looked at Gordon.  "The kid looked bruised."

"Doesn't surprise me," he admitted.  That got a nod.  "I'll ask Father Benis if he's heard anything.  Let me know as well?"  He handed over his card. "His grandfather is very worried because the boy draws bad trouble."

"Of course."  That got a nod and Gordon walked off.  He looked at his boys.   "Back to work.  Save what you can."  He doubted much would be saved.  The fire was on the second floor when they got there.

***

Speed walked into the ER, showing his badge.  "My son got brought in from his house fire?"

"Name?"

"Alexander Harris.  Dark hair, was shoulder length the last time I saw him.  I was told he was bruised.  About twenty?"  The nurse nodded and disappeared, coming back with a doctor.  "Doc, how's my boy?"

"He is your son?"

"I adopted him. I have authority to treat," he offered.  "It's at home but I have it.  He's my boy."

"I'm not supposed to..."

"Xander hates hospitals.  He will walk out of this place if you don't let me near him.  He has in the past.  All those scars were his original parents."  She shuddered at that.  "Now, where is my boy."

"I really do need the paperwork, sir."

"Xander!" he called.

"Daddy!  There's a woman in here trying to stab me!"  They made it to his room in time to hear a smack of flesh hitting flesh, then a woman got pushed out of the room.  Xander came out too, holding the bleeding part in his arm.  "I need to go home."

"Xander, the house was on fire," Speed said.  Xander blinked at him.  "Come on, let them look you over.  We'll see what you remember."

"Daddy?"

"Shh, I've got you. Come on."  He gave him a cuddle and led him back in there, letting the nurse bandage the bleeding spot where he had pulled his IV.  "Now, tell me, Xander.  Who bruised you?"  Xander frowned.  "The ones on your face, baby.  Who did it?"

"I ... don't know."  He looked around, spotting something shiny and chrome, so he went to look.  He stared.  "Damn.  Someone did good.  I can't feel them."  He touched his cheek.  "Or that.  Was there cream on my face?"  The doctor checked the chart then nodded.  "It's probably the lidocaine cream I use after I spank someone."  Speed helped him back onto the table.  "The house was on fire?"  Speed nodded.  "Why?"

"They're still putting it out, Xander.  We're working on that right now.  We're trying to figure out if the bruises are related to the fire."

"I'd hope so."  Someone new came in and he hissed.  "Out, bitch. I don't know you."

"I'm CSI Melina Charges with the crime lab, sir.  Speedle?"

"This is my son, Xander."

"Did you know your son was charging for sex?"

"Lady, I'm a dom, I don't charge for sex.  Big fucking difference there.  Learn it, before you insult someone who has a weapon.  Daddy, I want her gone."

"Go," he ordered.  "We'll take it.  Most of the dayshift lab knows Xander is a dom and that he doesn't sell sex.  Thank you anyway and tell your supervisor I said so."

"You can't just..."  Xander lunged and she screamed, running out.

"Nice feint, baby," Speed offered, calling the supe's office.  "It's Speedle.  I'm going to kill Charges.  She just accused my son of being a whore.  He's a dom.  Yeah, she still doesn't know the difference.  So fix her because Xander nearly killed her just now.  That's fine, the dayshift lab can do the investigation even if I have to do it myself, Doc.  I mean it.  Yeah and we actually like my son.  Am I clear?  She comes back and I'm going to kill her this time. Thank you for your cooperation."  He hung up and called Horatio. "I'm going to be late.  Xander's in the ER after he was beaten and his house burned.  I've also threatened Charges for saying he's a whore.  Anything else you need for a preliminary?  Yeah, I said I'm taking it over.  Yay."  He hung up on him too. "He said I'm too personally involved."

"I'll be okay, daddy.  I just need to sulk."

"Right now, I need to process you."  A nurse got him a kit and he smiled. "Knew stashing those here would help.  Thanks."  Ryan walked in while he was working on samples from Xander's hair, still yawning. "I can do this, Wolfe."

"Horatio growled and said you're going to be a father, not a CSI.  So I'm on the fire and his assault.  Now, give."  He put on a pair of gloves and stepped into his place. "Xander, do you remember anything?" he asked while he worked.

"No.  Not tonight.  I remember going to bed about ten.  I didn't have anyone in tonight and I had a full schedule tomorrow.  Damn it, my book."

"Was downstairs so it's probably gone," Speed agreed quietly.

"My pictures and things?"

"They were working on saving the top floor," Ryan soothed.  "So you went to bed around ten?"  Xander nodded.  "What were you watching when you went to bed?"

"A commercial for a really crappy Letterman. Something about snakes and some twiggy starlet without much sense."

Ryan frowned at him. "Tonight he had Regis on, Xander."

"He did?"

"Yeah.  He had a dumb blonde on last night."  He looked at him. "What night is it?"

"Um, Wednesday?"

"Try it's going into Friday, Xander. You're missing a day."  He got back to work.  "Did we collect anything off his face?"

"I swabbed since he can't feel them. He thinks it could be the lidocaine cream he uses as a dom."

"Could be.  I know it works well.  He used some on a scrape I got helping him move something one day."  Xander nodded at that.  "Okay.  Just sit still, let me work, okay?"  Xander nodded.  "Good.  Have you gotten any death threats recently?"

"Grandfather said that the guy from LA was out here."

"He's still here somewhere," Speed agreed. "We're still hunting for him."

"Guy from LA?" Ryan asked.

"The one I ran his parents off because of, Wolfe," Speed growled.

"I didn't get that briefing," he offered.  "I have heard that story.  What about any others?"

"Gordon said something about checking with the FBI.  He said one of the guys from the ones recently got out.  The ones we helped shut down."

"Huh.  I'll check into that next."  Two muscular guys walked in.  "Boys," he said dryly.

"We're here to guard Master Tim for his grandfather," one said, nodding at Xander.

Xander smiled. "Thanks, guys.  How bad does my house look?"

"You'll probably be able to save some personal effects depending on where they were in the house," the other offered.  "Your bedroom was totally gone."

"What about my weapon's room?  It had bullets and things.  Plus some explosives."

"We know.  It's safe," he agreed.  "Lieutenant Caine warned them about that when he heard.  He sent us."

"Horatio knew?" Speed asked.  The first one nodded.  "Okay.  When he's discharged, he'll be going back to my place."

"Sure," they agreed.  "Easier there than here."  They watched while Ryan finished up then they checked Xander out and took him home so Ryan could get a more coherent statement while they waited for the fire chief to let them know something. The two officers sat outside the house, watching it in case.

Speed got Xander settled into a bed and called the number he had in Las Vegas.  "Lady Heather please?  Tim Speedle.  Yes, it's important.  Tell her Xander's fine and to not watch the news."  He waited while that message was passed on.  Then she came on demanding to know what was going on.  "All we know so far is that Xander is missing a day, he's bruised.  We think they put the lidocaine cream onto his face after they bruised him, then he was inside the house when it started to burn.  We're waiting on information.  No, he's in my spare room.  He would but his phone was there, Lady Heather.  We are.  I've already yelled at one person who believed he was selling sex instead of spankings.  The case is my team's or else I'm going to kill.  Repeatedly.  Wolfe does until I can muscle my way in.  Of course I'll keep you informed.  You're like a mother to my boy so you'll know when we know anything.

"He'll be fine.  We're trying to figure that out but I thought I should tell you before you caught it on the news or something.  Yeah, with him being a dom it could.  Or there is a hint that one of the guys from that people-buying ring is out of custody for whatever reason.  So be safe, please?  It'd hurt him a lot more if you got hurt too."  He smiled. "I'm doing that next, Lady Heather.  You be safe.  Have a better night.  Tell Greg."  He hung up and called Aiden, she was working nights.  "He's okay.  Just a bit bruised.  We're not sure if the bruising is related to the fire yet or not.  Yes, our son.  His whole house probably. My team does because I said I was going to kill when Charges said he was selling his time."  He smiled.  "Thanks.  I'll let you know.  We're still debating that.  Sure.  Let the others know he's okay in case they hear somehow.  Love you too, Aiden.  Be safe."  He hung up and shook his head, calling to leave a message for Flack.  "He's fine.  The house may be totaled but Xander's fine.  We're working on the case right now.  If anyone needs an update call me."  He hung up on him and went to check on Xander, then went to the lab to help Ryan. It'd be hours before they could get into the house.

***

Calleigh squeaked when she saw Xander in the bathroom, holding her chest.  "Xander?"  He looked so confused.  "What are you doing here?"

"I don't know.  When did I get bruised?"

She came in to look.  "You are bruised.  Go lay on the couch after you put on more than a towel and I'll call Speed, see if he's got an answer."  She played with the shorter hair.  "Someone chopped that too.  Go put on something."

"Do I have clothes here?"

She shrugged. "You can wear his sweats.  He won't mind."  She went to get him some and handed them over, then went to the kitchen to start coffee while she called.  "Why is Xander here?  No, he doesn't remember either.  Or why he's bruised.  Well, I gave him your Notre Dame sweats," she offered.  "He wasn't sure he had clothes here."  She slammed down the coffee canister. "Excuse me!"   She listened, then huffed once.  "Then someone's going to pay.  No, he'll be fine. Tell Horatio I'll be in soon."  She hung up and went to look at Xander since he was on the couch.  "You have guards on the door.  Do you remember anything about a fire?"  He slowly shook his head.  "Okay, you rest.  There's guards.  I'm going to head in to see what's going on.  Speed said he's called everyone so don't worry about that, just watch cartoons."  Xander nodded and flipped onto his side with a hiss. She saw why, he had some first degree burns on his side and back.  "Ow."  She went to take a very fast shower then dressed and headed in to work.  She could drive through somewhere for coffee.  She also drove by his house.  It was nearly totaled, all but a rectangle of metal and it looked like part of his living room.  She growled, gripping her steering wheel tighter as she sped on.  Someone was going to pay.  She got out, slamming her door, and headed inside.  "Who am I killing?" she demanded when she saw Horatio.

"For right now, we need you to go clear out Xander's artillery closet, Calleigh," he said calmly.  "Was it still standing?"  She nodded.  "Good, then go do that and see if you can get anything of his personal belongings out of there as well.  Eric is going to work the case with Ryan.  You go handle the guns he's got.  You have my permission to clear the scene.  Got it?"  She nodded at that and went to find Eric and go with him once she had some safe carry boxes.  "Look under the floors," he called after her.  "He's got large things stored there and in the closet."  She waved a hand.  He turned and found his annoyance, Stetler, standing there.  "What?"

"Speedle's son has guns?"

"He's keeping a collection away from a very strange man who believes that crossbows are better.  Apparently his friends sent him the guns and Xander got given them to hold for him."

"I see.  How much is illegal?"

"Don't ask," he said dryly.  "He registered what he could.  It's not like he was selling them."

"Was he selling anything else?" he asked bluntly.

"As Xander often says, he doesn't sell that sort of release," Speed said from behind him.  "He's a dom, not a pro.  He doesn't spank them for pleasure, he spanks them because they need to release the tension in their lives.  He has more clients that get off from the massages he gives than that."  Stetler raised an eyebrow.  "Normal ones.  It's not that sort of thing either. My son's a good boy, thank you."

"Then why was he working underage at a bar?"

"The owner didn't ask how old he was."

"Isn't that illegal?"

"So?  This isn't New York and they knew."  He shrugged.  "Any other stupid questions?"  The man sneered but he left.  "Got to do something about that," he mused.  "Maybe I'll let his grandfather have him eaten."

"Why give a vampire indigestion?" Horatio offered.  "Is he all right?"

"I called to talk to him.  Last night's basically a dream to him, H.  He's still not sure what's going on."

"Did they say he had a head injury?"

"I kinda hustled him out of there for his own protection but they didn't say anything to me after Xander tried to kill the nurse."

"I find nurses bring nice things, like pain killers," Ryan said as he walked over to them.  "Why did Xander try to kill her?"

"She was about to stick him with a needle, he didn't know her.  He has a real good understanding of how women are evil.  Most of them want to kill him and Xander hates hospitals anyway.  You'll never get him to stay in a hospital."

"Some of those scars should've required surgical intervention," Horatio said.

"Willow," Speed told him.  "She played nurse out of the textbooks."

"Maybe some day she'll come down so we can thank her," Ryan said.  "I'd miss Xander if I didn't have him to feed me jerky."  He swatted Speed with the folder.  "The stuff on his face was a lidocaine based cream.  It did come up as a numbing agent."  He showed it to him.

"That's the stuff he uses.  Lady Heather told him to get that or so he said."

"So, not uncommon if you're in the life.  There was a reason for his whiteout though, turn the page."  Speed did and growled.  "That was the swab from his ear, where we found the big spot of it.  Somehow they mixed drugs into the cream or they intentionally spilled some on him."

"Or it was transfer from their hands," Speed reminded him.

"The next page is his blood tox, Speed, not at those levels.  That wasn't an accidental exposure.  Someone wanted your boy to die in that fire."  Speed flipped through the rest then handed it back. "I'm sorry."

"No, I know damn well Xander doesn't do drugs," he said.  "I know *damn* well he doesn't."

"No, he isn't.  I did yank a few hairs last night and I had them put in for chemical testing and it's not showing up anything but aspirin and advil."  Speed relaxed. "So it wasn't your boy and at that level, they wanted him to die in the fire or before the fire.  He's a strong young guy but I'd want someone to look at his heart soon."

"I'll need copies of that when I force him to the doctor's in the next week or so."  Ryan nodded.  "H?"

"Go be with your son, Speed.   I want you there."

"I need to be here."

Ryan patted him on the back.  "Go there and I'll call.  The only thing that's going to stop me from calling is a quick nap while things process from the blast site.  Okay?  Go be with your son.  He needs you and he shouldn't be left alone.  God only knows who could try for him again."  Speed nodded, heading out to ride home.  "I hate to make him panic," Ryan said once they were alone.

"It's a normal urge to want to help but in this case Xander needs him there more than here. Anything else I should see?"

"Yeah, a few of the pictures of Xander's back.  I took subdermal imaging as well."  He pulled those out and handed them over.  "I'm not so sure those weren't there before."

"That is a bite mark, Mr. Wolfe."

"It is and it's only two fangs and a bridge.  So if he wasn't hunting then it could be about his old life."

"It may be," he agreed.  "Let me call his grandfather.  He would know.  I'm sure they have some way of telling."

"If that's why he was drugged...."

"It is an assumption."  He went to do that.  "Father Benis please," he ordered when the phone was answered.  "Horatio Caine."  He waited while it was handed over.  "Father, while we were doing bruise checks on Xander last night at the hospital, Mr. Wolfe found a subdermal bruise that hadn't come up yet.  No, I need to ask you about some fang marks on your grandson's side."  He sat down, listening to him.  "No, not there.  It's on his other side, just under that scar that makes everyone shudder when they see it.  There.  Subdermal.  Yes, that sort of bruising.  With a bridge of top teeth between at the time.  We know he was drugged and I do not know if you can tell who did it by scent or something."  He listened.  "That would help us in the investigation.  No, he's missing a day.  He has no idea who beat him and with the amount of drugs that were found in his system he may never know without forensic proof.  I'm worried it's about his old life."  He smiled.  "We've just managed to get Speed to quit hovering and go home to his son.  Whatever way you can, sir.  It may not be admissible but it would give us more information and if it was related we may have to do something more drastic."  He nodded.  "Thank you.  Please let me know."  He hung up and closed his eyes for a minute.   It had been a short night leading into a long day.

***

Speed answered the quick knock, letting the cloaked man inside.  "Patrick."

"Speed.  My grandson?"

"Napping on the couch."  He went to close curtains for him making Xander look at him funny.  "Your grandfather's here."

"Oh.  Ow.  You didn't have to come out in the daytime."   He started to sit up but Speed pushed him back down and handed him the juice again, making Patrick laugh.  "He's being fussy."

"Yeah, well, they tried to OD you, kiddo.  Expect worse when my doctor looks at you.  Or Alexx."  He got out of the way, watching as the vampire sniffed him, especially one spot on his side, then stood up suddenly.  "Um, important?" he asked.

"He was bitten recently but someone tried to cover it up.  Xander, did that witchly friend of yours put a covering illusion on you?  One to hide bruises?"

"Is that still going?"  Patrick nodded.  "Oh.  Sorry.  Um, I thought it broke years ago when she nearly died redoing Angel's soul spell."  He concentrated and it fell.

"Huh, our subdermal camera can catch under illusions. I'll have to remember that."  He called Ryan.  "He had a slight illusion on him to cover bruises and when it fell it looks just like the subdermal photos.  Yeah, exactly, so come take some new ones."  He hung up and looked at that spot.  "Someone bit you, kiddo."  Xander looked and frowned.  "Whoever got one hell of a kick off your blood."

"They did.  It's fairly recent.  Not a scent I know.   It's within the last six hours as well."

"So they carried me home?" Xander asked.

"Or they were there right at the end," Speed agreed.  He looked at Patrick.  "You may not make him a princess in a tower.  He can stay here."

"I can protect him better.  I do have guards."

"And your house is creepy even by my standards, which got lowered back in Sunnydale."

"He could go visit my sire.  He wanted to see Xander."

"I'm not being turned.  I saw what sort of vampire I'd be and I'm a major bad guy who likes torture," Xander said patiently. "I refuse."  His grandfather looked at him. "I knew it was a possibility before then but I also know what violence lurks in me.  I know it very well, Grandfather.  I'd make Angel's old rep look nice."  That got a sad look and a nod.  "So no turning the Xander.  Unless I get really sick while I'm still young and pretty."

"That I can agree to," he promised, kissing him on the forehead. "Do you need anything?"

"My house back?" he said pitifully.  He got a hug.  "I'm still processing."

"Of course you are.  You have a lot to think about, Xander.  Including restarting or not."  He stroked his cheek.  "If not, you'd have to think about what you wanted to do."

Speed coughed.  "We'll figure that out when we figure out if he's safe," Speed promised. "You still can't make him a princess in a tower."

"I will not make him Rapunzel," he promised.  "But I will set another guard on him and I will be taking care of the mortgage he had. That way the insurance can go for other things."  Xander pouted at that.  "It is never enough to cover the loss.  You will let me spoil you."

"Yes, Grandfather," he said weakly.  "A little bit."

"That's fine, Xander.  Now, tell me who you got insurance through?"

"Nationwide."

"That's fine, we'll call them today."  Xander nodded.  "Good boy."  He hugged him again.  "Do you need anything?"

"The African drummers out of my head."

"That I cannot do but perhaps Speed has something for that?"

"I've got a call into my doc about giving him tylenol with what had been given to him," Speed promised.  That got a nod and Patrick pulled back up the hood of his cloak then ran for his car.  Speed sat down under Xander's feet, stroking his ankles.  "This sucks."

"It does.  I don't want to be scared."

"I don't want it for you," he agreed.  "I'm sorry Miami was sucking this week."

"It's been good all the others."  The phone rang and he tossed it over.

"Speedle."  He listened. "No, he didn't take it.  He was kidnaped and beaten.  It was given to him during that and before they stuck him back in his house and set it on fire.  Yeah, that's my boy.  Yeah, he was a dom.  He's got a good pain tolerance too but he's in bad pain."  Someone knocked.  "Who is it?" he called.

"Eric."

"S'open."  He went back to listening.  "That's what I was concerned about.  Tylenol okay?"  He nodded and smiled.  "That'll work.  Thank you, doc."  He hung up.  "Tylenol is okay and that's it.  Drink a hell of a lot more juice."  He got up to let Eric in. "I said come in."

"I was staring at the guy watching the house.  Know him?"  Speed looked and nodded.  "From?"

"His grandfather.  Xander, he put Thomas back on you again."  He drug Eric inside.  "Anything good yet?"

"Yup.  We found the accellerant.  They poured gas into the dryer's wiring and turned it on."  Speed shuddered.  "They doused most of the kitchen with gas too, just to make sure.  There were some things left," he told Xander, coming over to look at him.  "Ow, you look worse now."

"Willow had a small charm hiding bruises for me."

"But the subdermal camera caught most of it," Speed offered.

"I'll have to remember that.  Part of your apartment is okay, Xander.  Part of it isn't.  Most of your bedroom is gone, but there's a special locked area that's still standing?"  Xander sat up and hissed, grabbing his ribs. "Broken?"

"Bruised.  There should have been two.  The other was in my desk. I asked Ethan to put that on the drawer that had pictures.  The other was special stuff I wanted to keep from Sunnydale and Lady Heather.  Plus the one on the guns."

"Calleigh's cooing in pleasure over those," Eric assured him.  "The fire chief is very impressed with the collection you got sent.  By the way, grenade launchers?"

"Came in handy in the past."

"I don't wanna know, do I?"  Xander shook his head.  "Good, I'll leave it there. Calleigh's told everyone that you donated your collection to the MDPD since it wasn't safe to leave it there. Anything you *really* want to keep?"

"All my swords."

"Can they go into storage?" Speed asked.  Xander nodded at that, then held his head.  "Okay, back down, bright boy."  Xander laid back down with a groan.  "Let me get you some tylenol then we've got a doctor's appointment at two."  He looked at Eric.  "There's a good storage spot...."

"Wiltshire.  Half the guns were over there in the massive security section.  I'll give you and Ryan the codes so you can put my babies over there."

"Sure.  She's still confiscating most of the weapons that were there.  Especially the illegal things and the explosives."  Xander nodded and shrugged a bit.  "You sure?"

"The Watchers will send Giles more and he hates guns.  They'll come out to me."

"Oh.  Okay."  He looked at Speed when he came back out of the bathroom.  "Calleigh took all the clothes she could find to the cleaner's.  They said he could come pick through the wreckage later today.  Let them watch it for at least another hour."

"We can do that after the doctor's," Speed agreed.  Xander nodded and took his tylenol with more juice.  "I'll get boxes."  He stroked over Xander's hair.  "Then we're getting you a haircut.  You look like they took pinking shears to your hair."

"They might have," Xander offered. "I have no idea.  Do we have any idea on *why*?"

"Working on that right now, Xander," Eric promised.  "My mother wanted to meet you too.  She's in 'poor baby' mode so watch out for cooked things."

"He can't cook, Eric.  He's not allowed to cook."

"All my jerky was there."

"And you're not making it in the house either," Speed assured him.  He stroked through his hair.  "Anything good?"

"A bit.  The neighbor, the one who's a dancer, saw someone last night while she was practicing in the back yard.  She thought she saw him carrying a big duffle bag.  I'm thinkin' you were in that."

"Yay me," Xander said miserably.  Eric gave him a gentle pat on the head. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."  He looked at Speed.  "Horatio got to break on Stetler a bit ago. He came back sneering again and Horatio let him have it because he's a bit cranky that this happened to Xander."

"He can have my whip if he wants it," Xander offered.

"That's a suggestion I'd like to see him take," Eric teased, grinning at him. "I'm heading back now.  I'll call Calleigh about the storage area."  Xander grabbed some paper and wrote out the instructions then a note authorizing them to get into his storage area.  He handed it over.  "I can do that.  Thanks, Xander."

"No, thank you, guys."  He waved and slipped down some more. "I'm going to nap now."

"Finish your juice."  Xander gulped the rest and put the glass on the table before going to his side to fall asleep.  He walked Eric outside, nodding Ryan to go ahead in.  "He's just now starting to nap."

"Sure."  Ryan closed the door behind him.

"Anything more concrete?"

"Not yet.  We're trying, Speed. We want to solve this."  Speed nodded and clapped him on the back, going in to watch Ryan take the not very pretty pictures, while Eric went back to the house to tell Calleigh about the storage area.  She handed over the swords to him and a few other things that she didn't need and that weren't damaged.  The rest was in boxes in the back of her hummer.  "Did you check under the floor?"

"I did and I'm going to be impressed with those Watcher people.  They send some nice stuff but they also have some bad taste.  I don't know why they sent the old style of crossbow instead of the new one but they did."  She held up one.

"Easier to hunt vampires probably," Eric said with a small shrug.  "Xander said they all believed in hunting vampires."

"Oh.  I guess."  She shrugged and got back to work. "I like his collection."

"I liked his collection and he offered H use of one of his whips to use on Stetler."

She giggled and swatted at him. "That's an image I'd like to see.  Horatio with a long tailed whip beside him and suddenly hitting someone from the office."

"He probably could with a bit of work.  Flicking Frank when he was goofing off and staring at Valera?"  She giggled at that, leaning on a bazooka.  "He had one of those?"

"Yup, he had one of these.  Put this in my hummer for me?"  He nodded, taking it out there then came back to get the rest of the swords and other sharp, pointy weapons. She was still working when Eric had left and still there when Xander and Speed came over on his bike.  "Should he be riding that with a head injury?"

"No, but it's comforting right now," Speed offered, following Xander inside.  "You get all the swords out?"

"Yup, and a few of the prettier handguns," she offered.  Xander gave her a hug.  "Poor baby."  She patted him on the back. "It'll be okay, Xander.  We'll help you rebuild and things."  He nodded, pouting a bit.  "Go ahead and look around.  Almost everything down here was trashed."  He nodded and went to open up another doorway she hadn't gotten to yet, handing her something and taking two cases out to put by the door.  "How are you getting that home?"

"Storage," Xander told her. He came back and got his battle axe.  "Didn't fit in the other cabinet."  He put that on top of the cases.  Then he went to check his desk.  It was in cinders but the metal locked drawer was easily freed.  And picked open with Calleigh's pointed nail file from her kit. He looked at the burned money.

"You can send that to the Treasury and they'll send back however much was in there."  Xander nodded, putting that down by the door too.  He went back to look in the kitchen, nothing was left.  Not even the clothes in the washer that had been wet.  They carefully walked up the stairs to the second floor.  It was better but still mostly gone.  He heard Xander sigh and patted him on the back.  "You can still do the work, Xander."  He nodded and went to look around, gathering what he could.  The special furry cover for the spanking bench wasn't hurt. Most of the straps were burnt but his equipment cabinet in the last bedroom wasn't.  That was nearly untouched.  So Speed got an armful of those things while Xander carried down another.  Though one went on his shoulder.

He checked the rest of the floor then headed upstairs.  The specially shielded drawer in his desk up there was pulled out and handed over.  The pictures he had lying around were mostly okay, some were a bit warped but they could dry out.  The pictures on the walls were mostly gone though.  Xander found a suitcase in the closet and got to work on the smaller things, like cleaning supplies for his leather stuff and more of the lidocaine cream.  His jerky from the fridge and his stored up supply in the cabinets.  His socks and underwear from the dresser.  His favorite sheet set.  His stuff from the bathroom was burned but it had been on the other side of the house anyway.  "It'll be okay. We can replace that stuff," Speed reminded him gently.

"I know."  He looked under his bed, pulling out a slightly charred bag.  "My Star Trek tapes."  They got taken too.  Then Xander got into the shielded closet area, packing the plastic tubs in there down to the doorway.  Calleigh got him a plastic bag for the other whips and things but the one still stayed on his shoulder.  He went back up and got the few hanging things.  Then he dug around under his dresser, finding his emergency pack.  That came out charred but the stuff inside still seemed okay.  He'd have to test the cheap laptop to make sure.  He found his other one and handed those over with the other clothes, then he went to forage in the spare bedroom.  "Should I bring the stuff in my bedside table?"

"Sure," Speed agreed, putting the hanging things into the bag with the whips and stuff for now.  Xander came out and put the lube, condoms, hair gel, and lotion in there then went back to get some other things.  His spare shampoo and conditioner from the spare bathroom. He checked carefully, no clothes in there.  His bedroom got one last look over and he found his wallet and phone, both a bit wet and singed around the edges but it'd be fine.  He took his keys too, because he had things on there that he'd still need.  Then he came back out.  "We done?"  Xander nodded, taking his fair share of the stuff to haul, even though he was dizzy.  Ryan was waiting on him so his hummer and the guard's trunk got filled up with the stuff for storage.  Xander had to come back for a last few things that went into the back seat, but the pile he had made was gone now.  "Check for pictures, Calleigh, just in case we missed any," Speed called then he left her there.

"Sure. I'll do that after I'm done here.  Sometime tomorrow."  She looked around. "Maybe.  If I'm lucky."

***

Xander walked up to where Horatio was enjoying the outside, handing him the whip that had been over his shoulder. "It's the one I learned on."  Horatio smiled and took it to look over.  "They said you could use it.  Once you get really good with that one I'll give you my four foot one so you can hit someone from the doorway."  Horatio laughed at that.  "Do we have anything new?"

"Not a lot, Xander.  How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts.  I'm starting to think beheading is a good option for me."

"It's not," he chided.  He stroked over his head.  "Be a good boy and go home. I'll take good care of this one."

"Most of the others are in my storage area."

"Leather has a way of making it through a fire," he agreed, smiling gently at him.  "Let Speed baby you, Xander.  I know Calleigh's still cooing over your collection."

"She's barely half done, Horatio."

"I'll go help her," he promised.  "Once I put this in my desk."  Xander heard someone saying something about him and took the whip back, snapping it at them.  They yelped and Horatio glared.  "Yes, he was that sort of dom.  One of the real ones, gentlemen."  They fled, one rubbing the new welt on his thigh.  "That was mean."

"I'm in a bitchy mood.  I'm allowed," Xander said, handing it back.  He glared at Frank.  "Don't you yell either."

"I'm not, they deserved it, they're idiots."  He shrugged.  "You okay?"

"Headache.  Grumpy.  The doctor said that was me coming down.  We all know I don't touch drugs, right?"

"We did a hair test to make sure of that and how long ago it had been given, Xander."  Xander relaxed.  "Go rest.  Let us handle it."  Xander nodded and trudged back to the bike, getting on behind Speed and holding on.  They smiled when he nuzzled his father's back with his cheek and Speed only smiled at him for it before taking off.  "It's good he loves Speed."

"It is," Frank agreed.  "You gonna use that on me?"

"Only if I catch you outside my door staring into DNA again, Frank."  He walked back inside to his stunned look.  He uncoiled it, feeling the weight in the handle to balance it.  It did make it easier to swing.  The snap was pleasing as well.  Especially with the person who yelped. "Sorry, it was a present from Xander.  Just trying it out, didn't realize it was quite that long."  He walked off having a slightly better day now.  He hadn't realized how cathartic beating someone could be.

Stetler rubbed the spot on his lower back, glaring at Horatio.  "I'll see you written up for that."

"It was an accident," Yelina chastised.  "It's not like Horatio uses a whip normally."

Frank came in.  "He said if Horatio got really good with that one he'd let him have his four foot whip."  Yelina snickered at that.  "The boy got good equipment.  He knew his business well.  That thing wasn't even singed from what I saw."

"I'm sure Lady Heather will be proud of him," she agreed happily.  "Is he all right?"

"Cranky.  Headache.  Coming down from where they drugged him.  Horatio's headed out to help with the weapon's collection he was watching over for someone else. That's what that metal room was.  I know Delko got suckered into moving the boy's sword collection earlier.  But you missed it.  Speed's got him on the bike and Xander's cuddled right up to his daddy's back, nuzzling and all."  She went 'aww' and smiled. "Yeah, they're a cute dad and son.  Speed's got momma bear syndrome though."

"He should!  There's how many possible people?"

"Four last I knew."

"Three," Horatio said as he walked past him. "Unless one teamed up from the dead.  His father was found dead in New York last night according to Mac.  Going to help with the weapon's cataloging.  Want to help?"

"Sure, I wouldn't mind."  He followed because it got him out of paperwork for a while longer.

She smiled at them.  "So transparent," she muttered.  She looked at Rick. "Are you all right or do you need an ice pack?"

"I'm fine," he growled, stomping off.

She shook her head.  "Drama queen."  Then she got back to work.  She didn't know what she saw in that man.

The Wild Life.

Xander looked up when Horatio was let in the next day, waving listlessly.  "Hi, Horatio."

"Good morning, Xander.  Can I borrow Speed for a few minutes?"

"You can make him go to work if you want.  He's pacing without something to do."

"The Chief and I agreed, we want him right here.  Especially since we have two leads."  Speed stiffened and looked at him.  He pulled him into the kitchen to talk to him and Xander had to wince at the sound of breaking glass.  Horatio came out a moment later and sat on the table in front of Xander.  "Right now, we do know that you were bitten," he said quietly. "We do know, through your grandfather, that it had something to do with your old life.  Someone out there who wanted you that badly.  We also know that your grandfather's sire intervened.  He's not in town at the moment but Patrick did say he was coming back tonight so you'll probably meet him soon.  We do know that his sire's right hand man was the one who killed the vampire who tried to eat you but they staked him and took you back to the house because they decided it was too dangerous."

"Is this demonic?"

"No, this was stupid humans not stupid demons," he promised.  Xander relaxed at that, it meant the system could get them.  "We also know that there was a mole in the department."

"Yours?"

"There is one in mine but they haven't said anything about you.  I'm talking the bigger, general department."

"One of the patrol guys, Xander," Speed said from the kitchen doorway.

"But I'm nice to them."

"You are," Speed agreed.  "But he's probably on the take."

"It's possible," Horatio agreed.  He looked at Xander again.  "We do not know who the mole is nor do we know who it leads back to but we do have a few leads on who the mole is."

"So we know who saved me and we know why I got put back in the house and why it was set on fire but you don't know who did the demanding, beating, drugging, and putting back?"

"Yet," Horatio cautioned.

"Yet," Xander agreed.  Horatio smiled and patted him on the shoulder.  "So am I in real danger?  Because Grandfather wanted me to go to some spa somewhere in Georgia.  He was going to sweettalk your boss into sending one of you guys with me until Speed stopped him."

"Too late for that," he admitted.  "Since we can't narrow it down to one threat out of three...."

"I thought we had four," Speed said.

Horatio looked at him and shook his head, then looked at Xander. "Your father had been let go by the FBI for some reason but he's since been found dead, Xander."

"Can I have a party?"

"If you want."  That got a grin and a matching one from Horatio.  "Good boy.  That does only leave a few threats."

"Or an outside threat that didn't like me tainting cops by beating them to make them let it go," he noted.  "A few of the officers don't like me, Horatio."

"That is true but I've pretty much ruled out it being an officer.  One of them would've beaten you and left you laying somewhere.  Maybe burned your house with you in it but probably not beaten you first.  The fact that those two went together and drugging was added on top means it's probably not an officer."  Xander nodded.  "Now, I'm still trying to remind the Chief I need all my people but if I don't, we can send you with either Eric or Ryan.  I'll need Speed here."

"I wouldn't mind."

"Good. Then we'll figure that out."  He patted him again.  "Are you feeling better?"

"Some.  We're sure I didn't start the fire, right?"

"No, I don't think you poured gasoline in your dryer then started it," Speed told him. Xander looked confused.  "He's still having a bit of short term memory issues, H."

"Which would be a good reason to send him to the spa, so he could heal around a good, peaceful place."  Xander shrugged.  "You don't like that idea?"

"What do you do at a spa?"

"Point.  Would you rather go see Lady Heather?"

"I wouldn't mind going to Vegas again but I don't want to bother her or upset her house."

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind," Speed told him. "I can call her, Xander."

"Do you need Speed back?  Like I said, he's pacing and fussing.  He's creepily approaching Willow levels of fussing and I'm starting to wonder if his hair's going to suddenly change colors closer to yours."

"I know he is.  All good parents would be.  The main worry is that if you're here they can try again.  That's why we thought getting you out of town for a few days might help."  Xander nodded at that, understanding that idea.  "So, can we count on you to help?"

"I could go visit Las Vegas," he agreed quietly.  "I could use some fun in the casinos."

"Good boy.  We'll call Lady Heather and let her make the arrangements for you.  That way she can make sure you're not going to interrupt her house."  He stroked over his head.  "We'll be listening and it won't take that long, Xander."  He nodded.  "Good boy."  He kissed him on the forehead, then smiled.  "Try not to cause Grissom too much trouble and don't make Greg call off work."

"I won't."

"Good."  He stood up and looked at Speed.  "Let's do that?"

"Sure," he agreed, going to find his cellphone and call Lady Heather right then.  "It's Speed, is she still awake?  No, he's still okay, we're having problems finding the root cause of the threat and we were thinking a vacation might help him heal better."  He was handed over once someone got Lady Heather up.  "Sorry to wake you."  She said something gracious.  "We're evacuating Xander so they're more easily exposed and he's safer while he heals.  I can do that but he didn't want to disrupt your house so he wanted to stay out there and nearby but not make you baby him.  That's what he was saying, yeah."  He smirked at his son.  "She said you're not an imposition."

"I am because I'm still cranky," Xander reminded him.

"He said he's still cranky from the slight head injury and the drugging they did, Lady Heather. Yeah, that's what he was thinking.  Close enough for you to pay attention to him and mother him if you wanted but not close enough that you'd have to interrupt or change your schedule for him.  Exactly.  Besides, he could use some fun and I'm sure Greg wouldn't mind having him out there for a few days."  He smiled.  "That'll work. You can make them or we can make them.  Either way, Lady Heather.  I'm at home and he says I'm fussy.  Thanks."  He hung up.  "She'll call in a very minor favor and get you preferential treatment out to her plus a decent hotel room somewhere other than one of Sam Braun's hotels.  She'll also tell Greg but she wanted a full file on what we have, Horatio."

"Agreed.  She can protect him very well."  They smiled at Xander, who sighed and got up to go pack the new clothes he had bought. "I'll tell his grandfather since he is pacing," Horatio said quietly.

"Oh, I was earlier," he promised.  Horatio smiled and nodded. "I know, I'm a good Dad."

"You're an excellent father, Speed.  Much better than I'd be.  I'd have killed someone by now."  He left, going back to the office to check on things, fax that over, and call Patrick.

***

Xander stepped off the private plane with a yawn, looking at his pseudo-Mom.  He walked into her arms and hugged her. "I'm here."

"You're here and safe," she promised, giving him a squeeze.  "My poor boy."  She led him to her limo and got him inside, then took the folder he had carried from Horatio.  "Thank you.  You should rest."

"I'll rest tonight."

"That's fine, Xander.  As long as you do rest tonight."  She gave him a look and got a nod.  "Tired?"

"Head still hurts from where they drugged me."  He laid down and put his head in her lap, getting petted.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Xander.  You know you're my favorite student in quite a while."  She went over the folder, nodding at what they had.  "I'm sorry about your father."

"I'm going to throw a party while I'm out here."

"Of course. If that's how you want to remember him."

"Ding dong the bastard's dead?"

"Sounds like a theme to me," she agreed, going back to her petting.  She got to the end of the file and put it beside her. "I'll make sure Grissom has this personally, Xander."  He yawned and nodded, making her smile.  "I've got you set up in a very nice room for the next two weeks.  That should give them ample time to find out who did these horrible things."

"Most of the whips and things survived because they were in the cabinet," he said quietly.  "Some of my clothes.  I had the weapons shielded thankfully.  Or else the whole neighborhood would've went up.  I'm not sure if I want to restart or not though."

"That is something you'll figure out, my son."  She smiled at him.  "I remember your hair being this short before."

"They took pinking shears to it."

"Pity but hair does grow."  He nodded and yawned again. "Did you know your grandfather's sire was in town?"

"Nope but I didn't really expect him not to try to see me since he was only in LA."

"He's in town but I doubt you have to worry too much about him tonight. Tonight he'll lurk and watch over you.  Tomorrow night he might take you to dinner or something."

"Maybe.  Could be nice as long as he doesn't want to turn me.  I saw what I would be as a vampire and I wasn't pretty.  I tortured."

"We all have that side of us under the right circumstances, Xander."  He nodded and let himself drift off while her nails worked through his hair and over his scalp.  She smiled down at him.  When she had dropped him off she called Grissom's cellphone.  "Come to me and bring Greg," she ordered.  "I have information from Miami that you'll need.  It shouldn't take long."  She hung up and they went home, barely beating those two there.  She did hug Greg.  "Master Tim is at the Bellagio," she whispered in his ear, getting a nod.  "To my office, gentlemen."  She led the way and then handed over the file Horatio had sent. "Xander is the adopted son of Timothy Speedle."

"He's also your last student," Grissom agreed, looking at her.  The file did have a picture in it of his bruises.  "Is he all right?"

"Slight head injury that's leading to a bit of fuzziness on recently discussions.  His body's still healing from the beating and drugging he took."  Greg growled at that. "Right now he's resting at the Bellagio."

"I see."  He went through it then looked at her.  "Do we think they could follow him?"

"Yes."

"Do we think it's the same people that made him do the end-run with Sonny's help?" Greg asked.

"No, they're either in Federal custody or dead.  Including his father, Gregory.  He was recently found dead in New York."

"Couldn't have happened to a nicer person," Greg told her.  She smiled and nodded that she agreed.  "How is he really?"

"Tired, edgy.  His body's not liking the drugs they pumped him full of but he's healing."

"I'll go see him tomorrow."

"That would be fine," she agreed.  "He did ask about you.  I would suggest you let him nap tonight, Gregory.  He proclaimed he's been a bit cranky."

"I will, Lady Heather."

"Good boy."  He smiled and tipped his head, getting a few pets.  She smiled at Gil, who looked amused.  "It does help him think."

"I'll remember that and let Hodges pet him in the lab."  Greg growled.  "Sorry."  He went back to the folder, then looked at her.  "Do they have a suspect?"

"Two.  Horatio said to call him, they were chasing one down while he flew out."

"I'll do that then.  Thank you, Lady Heather."  He stood up and Greg got to his feet as well, kissing her on the cheek.  Gil smiled.  "I'll make sure he's got a night off to go play with Master Tim while he's here."

"Xander has quite a lot of affection for young Gregory.  They're very close friends."

"I applaud it. It can only help focus Greg.  He was always focused when he was out here before."  That got a grin from Greg.  "I'll let you two play.  Just don't tell me what you do and don't let it get back to the others."  He nodded at her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome and I want a copy back."

"Of course.  I'll have your secretary copy it for me."  She smiled and nodded, then they left. He looked at Greg once they had their copy and were back in their SUV.  "You don't like Hodges that way?"

"We're friends, not like that."

"Oh.  Sorry."

"That's okay, just don't sic Sarah on me."

"I don't think she should know that you fall to your knees for Lady Heather. She's not very comfortable with this whole idea and she's extremely uncomfortable around Master Tim."  He started the SUV and drove off.  "You get petted?"

"I'm a very tactile person, Grissom.  I'm not dating so I need it somehow.  Or else I start to bounce even worse."

"We'll have to set you up on better dates then.  Once Master Tim's gone."  Greg shifted at that.  "I don't care, Greg.  I don't care what sort of relationship you have with him.  I'm not the one who'd pick on you for whatever you two did in private.  That might be Nick but I'm not sure.  I don't know if he's ever dealt with an officer who was bi in the past.  I know Master Tim made him a bit uncomfortable."

"That's because he's combat trained and Nick can sense the predator vibes.  He froze like a bunny rabbit next to a snake."

"He did," he agreed. "That is a good observation and analogy.  What about Warrick?"

"He's a 'whatever works for you, just don't ask me to watch' guy.  He probably doesn't get into handcuffs with his ladies unless they get pushy."

"Quite possibly.  Any observations on Catherine?"

"She's been through her wild phase and she's not going back.  Her words."

Grissom smiled at that.  "That's probably a good thing considering where her past led her."  He pulled back into the station.  "Let's brief the team and Brass."

"Sure."  They headed inside, comfortable that Greg had his things and Grissom respected that boundary but he'd probably use it if Greg got out of hand some year.  Greg went to get Brass while Grissom got the others.  He leaned in Brass's office. "Grissom's doing a short briefing you should hear too."

"Why?"

"Master Tim's back in town healing from where his house got burned with him in it after he was beaten and drugged."

"On my way," he sighed, pouring some more coffee and following.  They were the last ones in there.  "The kid okay?"

"He'll be fine."  Grissom looked at his team.  "Lady Heather called to give us a file from Miami.  Her student Master Tim was beaten, drugged, then put into his house before it was set on fire.  He's out here healing.  This is what they know so far and we'll be checking later to see if they've got any new leads in case they come out here looking for him."  He passed down the folder and watched their reactions.  Brass liked the kid, respected him for the obvious training and protective nature he had, but he was a bit wary that his mental state could slip.  The others...pretty much as Greg had said.  "He's where, Greg?"

"Bellagio napping tonight."

"So you're going to hang with him tomorrow night if you've got the night off?" Catherine asked.  "I know you two are friends."

"We are and I'm going to be hanging with him as often as I can," he agreed, grinning at her.  "I like Master Tim.  He's a nice guy who respects me for my mind."  That got a snort from Nick.  "He does."

"He likes you for more than that, Greggo," Nick said patiently.

"Yeah, but he's still wobbling on that subject.  I asked."  Nick shivered at that.  "Anyway.  Lady Heather said he's got some fuzzy mental issues with recent conversations.  So probably a good head injury in there as well."

"That's a lot of drugs," Warrick offered when he got it.  "He okay?"

"Coming down.  I'm sure they wouldn't have sent him if he wasn't all right," Grissom reminded him.  "Remember, he's also CSI Speedle's adopted son."

"The whole lab down there is like a family and I'm betting even the nice ones are swearing about this," Greg offered.  Grissom nodded.

"Calleigh's probably ready to peel paint with her tongue," Catherine agreed.

Greg smiled.  "I got an email from Ryan down there.  He gave Horatio one of the whips that survived the fire.  Had to use it on an officer who couldn't tell the difference between a dom and a prostitute but he gave it to Horatio, who tried it out in the halls and got their IAB guy Stetler."  Grissom smothered a laugh at that.

"Is he going to cause problems?" Brass asked.

"I think that was an accidentally on purpose," Catherine offered.  "Eric was complaining the guy was so far up Horatio's jockeys for no reason he couldn't even sit without making Stetler squeak."  That got more laughs from Grissom and from Brass too.  "Exactly.  Probably some longing there that he's repressing."

"Well, maybe the boy'll help him with that," Warrick said as he passed the file down to Sarah and Catherine.  "He need a protection detail?  Because I volunteer Greg.  He's going to be there anyway."

"Not at this point but we should be aware that this is going on.  She said they told her they had it narrowed down to two leads.  I'm not sure how or who yet."

"I'm sure we'll get an update tomorrow at the latest," Brass offered, taking the file to look over.  "That's a lot of drugs," he agreed.

"Ryan said it had been in the lidocaine cream that's commonly used after spankings and things," Greg offered. "They found it covering the bruises on his face."

"So it got mixed in specially?" Brass asked.  Greg nodded.  "Interesting.  Anything else?"

"It's not about how he nearly got sold the last time.  They're all in federal custody but his father, who was recently found dead."

"Excuse me, sold?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah, sold.  His parents decided to sell him," Greg told her.  "Showed up on his doorstep with his new owners while he was still in New York.  Sold him for about sixty grand.  He managed to get away and get to the people his adoptive parents had watching him in New York, who were with the Feds for dinner for some reason, and they saved him from being taken.  It's kinda an interesting story that even involves thugs."

"Thugs?" Warrick asked with a smile.  "Like rapper thugs?"  That sounded like the boy they had all met when he protectively hovered over Lady Heather while they had been investigating her daughter's death.

"Like gangster, runs drugs, used to own the neighborhood he lived in thugs, Warrick.  Thugs thugs.  Original thugs not new style thugs with rhythm."

Warrick moaned.  "He went to a thug for help?" Nick asked.

"Yeah, he had a peace treaty with him.  They had a real 'don't bother me and I won't make your life a living hell' agreement according to him."

Brass looked at him.  "I'm going to not nominate you for any protection detail.  You're a bit too close, Sanders."

"We're friends."

"That's great. But you'd react on that instead of on your training."

"He's the one who worked on my gun training when I hesitated," he said dryly.  "Not like I had to do much shooting at the DNA before, Brass."

"Oh.  Never mind."  He handed the folder back.  "How likely is it that they'll follow?"

"We're not sure yet.  It depends on the root cause," Grissom offered.  "I know Lady Heather had those maternal stress lines again."  Greg nodded.  "I can almost guarantee you he will be fighting back if someone comes but in his current state he's probably got a headache and he's cranky."

"Self proclaimed cranky," Greg reminded him.

"True, she did say that."

"I hope they catch him soon.  The kid was polite but kinda odd," Sarah offered.

Greg looked at her. "You worked in California, right?"  She nodded.  "He's from Sunnydale."  She shuddered.  "Exactly.  He was part of their protection detail."

"Gotcha.  Okay, so he's clear on self-protection probably.  We can deal with that.  Are we going to ask a unit to swing by there more often?"  Brass nodded. "That's fine then. Let me know if you need me to help."  The others nodded.  "Any other new business?"

"Lady Heather got a death threat," Greg said, handing over the envelope she had handed him while he was being petted. He slid it down to Grissom.  "She slipped it to me.  I think she may think that her office is bugged."

"That kid is going to go off on someone," Warrick said.  "He treats Lady Heather like his mother."

"No, ya think?" Greg asked dryly.  "Just think, Master Tim's nearly a marksman, likes and knows how to use explosives, and likes artillery."  They all shuddered. "Calleigh is still probably removing the guns from his former house.  He had a guarded, shielded, and metal encased gun vault."

"Define artillery?" Brass asked.

"He let me see what Giles got sent and passed on.  He had a grenade launcher. An old bazooka.  About ten rifles, at least ten pounds of explosives, mostly plastic explosives but I think I saw a small box that was marked TNT.  Not to mention all the stuff he had in storage away from the house, all the handguns, and the sword collection."  Brass's jaw dropped.  "Maybe Bobby should ask Calleigh if she's got any castoffs.  Xander's usually really nice about that stuff.  I know he donated anything she could save to the department as exemplars."

"Did any other houses go up?" Catherine asked.

"No, that's why it was encased in metal and very heavily shielded.  His email to me said his next one was going underground if he had the choice."

"Bobby?" Grissom called.  He came out of his lab and walked into the break room.  "Call Calleigh down in Miami if you want any of the things they got out of Master Tim's weapons collection.  When his house exploded they found a few things that were probably less than legal."

"I know he had the new Smith and Wesson you were looking at," Greg offered, looking back at him with a grin.  "He sent me a picture of him petting it.  He coos at his and cleans them all once a week."

"Thanks, guys, and it's not even my birthday."

"Get us an update too," Warrick ordered.  That got a nod and he went to call down there.  "He pets his guns?"

"Yeah, he calls his swords his babies.  He likes weapons.  He said they've been better to him than his former habit with women.  They wanted to kill him."

Nick just nodded.  "He is joking?"

"No.  His prom date used to torture men and nearly killed him after seven hours of sex.  Speed had to rescue him."  Catherine giggled.  "That came from Speed.  He dated someone named Anyanka?"  Sarah and Catherine both flinched at that name.  "That was his prom date.  So no, not kidding.  But hey, ya know, he turned in a lot of sexual predators and serial killers to SVU while he was in New York.  They all like him."

"Crap," Nick said in awe.

"He's worse than you are," Warrick said, patting him on the back.  "We won't let you two go anywhere alone, Nickie.  Don't worry."  Nick turned and hit him on the arm, making him laugh.  "We'll send Greg with you two."

Bobby came back up with a list he had printed out.  "She said I can have anything without a star next to it," he offered, handing it to Grissom.  "I'd need a bigger cabinet."

Grissom looked then at Greg.  "How did he get a World War II era machine gun?"

"Giles.  The Watchers sent it to Giles since he was a field operative and Giles hates things that came later than crossbows."

"Are they terrorists?" Bobby asked.

"No, they're stated mission is to rid the world of vampires," Greg told him.  "That's how he got the guns, the explosives, all that stuff."  Bobby and a few others blinked at that.  "They're British.  They've been together since about the date of writing.  They all hunt vampires and demons."

"So, Master Tim was guarding them for him because he's a crank?" Catherine asked.

"Giles used to mentor him, he knew he liked weapons so he let him have them."

"Uh-huh.  Does Master Tim hunt vampires?"

"He survived Sunnydale," Sarah said quietly.  "There's no telling what he used to hunt."  Bobby nodded at that. "You've heard?"

"Oh, yeah.  I interviewed for a position in their department.  It went to some woman named Burns?"

"Master Tim's adoptive mother," Greg told him. "She's in Seattle now.  She and Tim Speedle adopted him.  She's the one who hit all the guys from New York during the convention."

"That's one spitfire I could appreciate," Bobby offered.  "Introduce me, Greg?"

"Sure.  Next time we're all in the same area."  That got a smile.  "Did she include the artillery?"

"No, she said that was illegal to own so she had to put that in for destruction or testing to see the destruction radius.  She's hoping for the former.  In which case can I go help, Grissom?"

"Sure."  He handed it back.  "Get what you can, Bobby."  That got a sweet grin and a nod.  "Greg, ask Master Tim if he'd be willing to donate more to the department directly next time."

"Sure.  I have *no* idea what he's got in storage."  That got some shudders from Brass. "He's a great guy."

"Yeah, but I just foresaw Sam Braun getting in his face again."

"Poor Rampart," Nick agreed.

"Well, in Vegas, destruction is just another show," Warrick reminded them.  "We done?"  Grissom nodded.  "Thanks for the head's up, boss."  He headed out to the morgue, Nick behind him.  Catherine and Sarah headed to their respective labs.

Greg looked at Grissom.  "I'm open, do I have anything?"

"Go with Brass on his next one."  That got a nod and Brass nodded to.  They went to work on paperwork until something came in while Grissom relaxed for a minute.  Someone in Miami needed to look over the boy's shoulder more carefully. He wasn't even twenty yet!

***

Xander looked at the bellhop the next morning.  "Where's the desk?"  It got pointed at.  "Thanks."  He headed that way.  "Any messages for Harris, or Master Tim?"  She looked stunned and he grinned.  "I'm recuperating."

"There are two messages for you, Master Tim."  She handed them over.  One was a simple message and one was an envelope.  "Also there was a young man who called a few times but didn't want to disturb you."

"Greg?"

"Bobby?"

"The LVPD lab's ballistics tech.  He probably wants into the weapon's collection.  Thank you."  He walked off reading the simple message from Lady Heather that she'd see him later tonight to have him checked over for medical things by her personal doctor.  He smiled at that and opened the other one.  Inside was a heavy sheet of paper, very fine. You could barely feel the pattern of the fibers used to make it.  On it was a simple message.

//This is so you look decent when I take you out to dinner tonight, Grandson.  Seven.  The nice steak place inside your hotel.  Be dressed appropriately.  Your Grandsire.//

Xander looked at the card, then around.  "Huh."  He walked back to the desk.  "Can you run this and see how much is on it?"

She ran it and looked at him.  "Ten thousand, sir."

"Thank you.  Shopping?  My grandfather's husband wants to meet me for dinner at the steak place?"

She smiled and pointed at a sign.  "Go through there, sir. You should be able to find something suitable.  I would suggest a suit."

"Thank you, miss."  He walked that way, tucking the messages into his front pocket on one side and the card into the other.  He looked at the shops, frowning.  He didn't do upscale very well.  He did find a toss-away cellphone machine and inserted the card to get a decent amount of minutes.  Then he called Lady Heather. "This is my temporary cell number," he reported.  "That's correct.  Thank you.  Tell her I've got dinner with my grandfather's sire tonight at seven. I'll be over directly after that if she still wants me to come over tonight.  Thank you, Hillary."  He hung up and called Greg's phone from memory, getting him.

"Where am I going shopping?  Just under ten grand.  No, Grandfather's sire wants to have dinner and then Lady Heather wants to see me.  That's what I was thinking.  Oh, if you hear from Bobby, I'm awake, this is my temporary number; yes, Calleigh can wade through my collection in the storage area.  I'm sure Eric can get her into it. Yes he can help her.  I liked Bobby when you introduced us.  Just don't let him take everything."  He smiled. "That's a good idea.  If you want.  I won't make you take me shopping, Gregory."  He smiled.  "Then I'm at the Bellagio and I can meet you out front after I get some coffee, dear."  He hung up and went that way, slipping back into his life very easily.  Even if he was sore at the moment. "I hate being burned," he complained to himself as he walked.  One of the guards looked at him.  "My house was set on fire with me in it."

"Lady Heather told us, Master Tim.  Did you need a car?"

"No, I have a friend locally who's coming to take me somewhere to shop."  He smiled.  "But thank you."

"You're welcome.  Have a good day, sir."

"You as well."  He popped in for coffee and walked out to find Greg waiting.  "Were you in the parking lot?" he teased.  Greg nodded.  "You should've called to come up, Greg.  I would've let you watch my cable for a while."

"I'll remember that.  So, major shopping?"  Xander handed over both notes.  "Hmm.  Suit.  I know a good place and it'll be stylish."  He drove them off, taking the coffee Xander handed him.  "Thanks."

"Welcome."  He settled into the seat and buckled up.  "Any new news from Miami?"

"There was a small update but no, not yet," he admitted.  "We'll know soon."

"Good. I don't want to have to go hurt someone."

Greg pulled over to look at him.  "I'm not sure I want to go into that topic."

Xander stroked his cheek.  "It was my decision, Greg.  Not yours.  You tossed out an idea not knowing I would use it.  You had no idea that I had fought for years to protect others and that I had flexible ethics when my family was involved."  Greg nodded, accepting that.  "It is not your fault.  It is fully my fault and I admit it was my fault and my wrong.  It was fully my bad."  Greg smiled at that, relaxing again.  "Okay?"  Greg nodded.  "Good.  Now, I look like a dork in suits."

Greg grinned.  "We can make sure you don't.  Even I have *one* I don't quite look like a dork in."  He drove them off again, taking him to where he had gotten his favorite suit.  He played with his hair. "I hate this."

"I liked it shorter, spikier, and messier," Xander agreed.  "Then again, I've got to do something about mine.  I couldn't stand to sit up that long for the last few days."

"We can do that after we get you a suit," Greg promised, leading him inside.  The salesman smiled at them.  "This is Lady Heather's student Master Tim.  He's having a special dinner tonight and needs to look less than dorky."

"Of course.  This way, Master Tim."  He led him to the more dark, serious suits.  Two were picked out for him and he tried them on.  He looked at Greg, who wobbled.  "They are on special this week," he offered.

Xander looked at him himself, then nodded.  "I look fine," he decided.

"You do look hot," Greg agreed.  "Maybe others will fall at your feet."  Xander gave him a telling look.  "Outside of the demesne."  He grinned sweetly.  "Get them, Master Tim."

"Fine, how much?"

"We're running a sale this week, sir.  Two full suits for seven hundred in that line."  Xander looked impressed and nodded, handing over the card.  It got run and they fitted them to him.  That let them look at accessories, including a new wallet and watch.  The fitter brought them out to let him try them on.  Xander nodded that they fit so they were bagged up.  "Have a good dinner tonight, sir."

"Thank you."  He smiled and led Greg out with the bags.  "Thank you for the help, Gregory."

"Welcome," he said with an impish grin.  He got them into the car and headed off.  "Wear the green one tonight?"

"I'll think about it."

"You looked hotter in it."

"Hmm.  I'll take your word.  I still think I'm ugly now and then."

Greg reached over to hold his hand.  "You're not."  He gave his hand a squeeze. "Now, you should have lunch.  It's nearly lunch time."  He pulled them into somewhere and got out with him, taking him inside.  "Two for non."  That got a nod and they were shown to a table, where Xander nearly squealed in delight over the selections on the menu.  "I thought you'd like it here."  Xander smiled at him and ordered a lot of food.  He hadn't eaten really well for the last few days.  He also paid for both their meals.  "Do we need to do more shopping?"

"I did some.  Jeans and t-shirts mostly since I think I'm going to be living out of a hotel room for a few weeks."

"Why?"

"Because Dad can't have sex with me in the house."

"Point," Greg admitted.  "I'm sure you'll find somewhere nice pretty soon, Xander."  Xander smiled at him.  "Am I allowed?"

"We're not working with you.  It's allowed," he agreed quietly.  Greg beamed and dug into his lunch.  "I wonder why he wants to meet me.  I mean, he's stalked me a bit but he's my grandfather's sire.  He's been annoying Angel for weeks."

"You said once Angel-taunting was a fun game," Greg reminded him.

"It is.  Deadboy is a fun toy."   He ate a bite and considered it.  "You sure the green instead of the dark red?"

"I liked you better in the green.  The red made you look just a hair more sinister."  That got a smile and a small blush.  "Which I know you're not.  You're usually a very good boy."

"I try so hard," Xander agreed with a wink and a grin.  He'd let Greg help him dress later.  It was a good and fun time for the rest of the afternoon.  Greg talked him into riding some coasters with him at the indoor amusement park after his haircut.

***

Xander walked up to the front of the restaurant, checking himself over.  He looked at the hostess.  "My grandfather's husband is supposed to meet me at seven.  I'm not sure what name he put it under."

"What's yours?"

"Harris.  Or Master Tim."

"It is here under Harris," he agreed, smiling at him.  "This way, sir."  She led him that way, leaving him at a table near a middle aged looking man in a dark suit.

Xander looked at him.  "I expected you to be older," he said in greeting.

The older man looked at him.  "Sit, Xander."  Xander sat down.  "Grandfather's husband?"

"Not like I can say sire around normal people."

"Good point."  He looked him over. "You look good in that. Armani?"

"A small shop Greg knew," he admitted.  "Much less costly and I look better."

"You do."  He looked him over again then into his eyes.  "How's your head?"

"Hurts some.  Not as bad today."

"Good."  He smiled and sipped his wine.  "Get whatever you want."

"I'm going to assume you're having a very rare steak?" he teased.

"I am."  He smirked at him.  "You are greatly like your grandfather.  That's where the smartass gene came from."

"He said I'm as stubborn as he is too."

"Good.  It's a good thing.  It leads to survival."  He reached over to stroke down one of the inky, soft spikes that Greg had styled his shorter hair into.  "You finally got a trim?"

"Greg made me."

"Good.  I like this Greg.  Your mate?"

Xander shook his head.  "I'm not sure about that yet."

"Hmm.  What about what I could give you?" he asked quietly.

Xander looked at him, then sipped his wine, putting the glass aside.  He looked at him again.  "I saw what I would be like if I was turned," he said quietly.  "I was one of the banes of the universe."

"I heard."  He saluted him.  "That is not necessarily the way you'd go.  That could have been who turned you.  His children were known for their brutality.  I am not."

"Or it could be the spirits that like me," he quipped lightly since the waitress was coming over.  "Can I have a t-bone medium?"  She nodded, writing that down.  "Salad to start so I don't make a pig of myself."

"Of course, sir.  Potato?"

"No thank you.  I had fries for lunch."  She nodded and took his menu, turning to the other man.

"I'll have the same cut, very rare.  Just this side of mooing."

"Potatoes?"

"No thank you.  Bring me some bread to nibble."

"Sticks, rolls, or we do have breaded cheese, onions, or crab meat sticks."

"Sticks please."  She nodded and left.  He looked at him. "You have good taste."

"Lady Heather taught me."  That got a smile.  "She's like another Mom to me."

"She has good taste."  He rearranged another spike of hair.  "I heard that you don't want to be spoiled?"

"If you're going to be in my life, I want you to be there just because you want to be there for me.  Not to spoil me, not to carry on the line, none of that.  The same as Grandfather wasn't allowed to spoil me at first."

"Good. I like that attitude.  I also like how you told him off about helping you start your shop."

"I wanted to make it on my own, not because Granddad was behind me, but because they liked *me*."

"I agree.  That's a good attitude to take, though you do take it a bit too far.  He pouted for weeks that you'd only let him buy you a candy bar."

Xander shrugged. "I'm sorry but it skews how I see people.  Think about my father, Grandsire.  Think about what he told me about strings."

"I heard a few times."  He gave him a gentle smile.  "It is a reasonable attitude with what occurred between them, Xander.  I'd hope we wouldn't have that war with you?"

"I haven't demanded anything but some attention.  I don't intend on it.  Did he pay off my mortgage?  I thought I had insurance specifically for that.  Timmy said the agent said something about it being paid off."

"You did.  He actually bought your mortgage when he heard you took out one.  You were paying him directly.  The insurance you carried for it paid off the rest for you and then you carried separate on the building and your business equipment."  Xander nodded at that.  "So you should be hearing from them sometime soon."

"Gordon had me sign forms letting them go to Daddy while I was recovering out here."

"Good.  That shows some sense.  I always liked Gordon."  He took another sip of his wine while their appetizers were brought, getting a nod.  The waitress smiled and walked off again.  He looked at him.  "Unfortunately we do feel that now is the time to break some of your stated wishes, Xander.  Right now you need the help to get back on your feet."

Xander slumped back against the back of his seat.  "I'm not sure if I want to restart, Grandsire.  I had a few problems."

"Someone wanting you to pay protection?"

"No, women hitting on me."  That got a smile. "I'm sure you've heard about my disastrous love life.  I think that's why I've been so hesitant and careful since I switched batting hands."

"Possibly."  He ate a piece of bred.  "Eat."  Xander poured on the dressing and dug in, still frowning a bit. "What would you do instead?  The life of the idle rich would drive you insane."

"I don't know.  I'm still considering my options.  I was going to give myself time to heal and grieve then make that decision.  I'm still having some tingling in my right hand.  That's my whip hand and I don't know why."

"Probably a pinched nerve.  Mention that to your stepmother tonight."

"I planned on it.  I still don't want spoiled but I'll let you two help me find a house.  Not buy it but help me find a house."  That got a smile.  "If I do go back to both jobs I'm going to schedule myself less clients.  Where I had compressed them to a few days a week I was overloaded.  If someone ran long I missed a meal."  He ate another bite and leaned back again. "You're still taunting Angel?"

"Of course.  He's great fun.  Him and that law firm he's presently batting at like a cub playing with his mother."  He ate another bite and gave him a look.  "I am glad you don't hunt any longer, Xander."

"Unless it's necessary," he corrected.

"Of course."  He smiled at him.  "Then all bets are off and your grandfather would send guards with you."  He saw a woman staring at them and stared back.  She looked away coyly.  "I've never understood why some women want to watch two men," he said dryly.

"I figure it's the same desire some men have for lesbians."

"True."  He looked at him again.  "You'll let us buy you a house?"

"No..." he said slowly, then smirked. "I'll let you help me *find* a house.  I'll let you guys give me a loan that I'll pay back for whatever the insurance doesn't cover.  I will not let you two buy me a house."

"Too late," he said dryly.  "It's safe.  He'll be showing it to your parents and family down there tonight."  He grinned.  "Don agreed it was a good idea."  Xander moaned and shook his head.  "I don't care, Grandson."  He fed him a bite of breadstick.  "I don't care if you did eat your weight at lunch.  Eat."  Xander dug in again.  "You'll be allowed to pay him back if you insist, though he will pout.  Greatly."  He tipped Xander's face up.  "He knows you need a safe spot, Xander.  This is your safe spot.  That way you have time to figure out what you want to do. You could even try college for a year."

"Eww."

"I know.  Though it does come in handy."  He stroked his cheek.  "Eat."

"I am.  You're nagging," Xander teased back.  He ate another bite.  "Where is the house?"

"I'm not exactly certain.  I know you'll have a pool and a view of the ocean.  Other than that I have no clue."  Xander gaped.  "Really."  He shrugged.  "My tastes run more to European castle designs.  His tastes run more toward his time's version of 'home'.  Angel's apparently run toward mausoleums.  The idiot boy bought an abandoned hotel.  By the way, your ex is fine so far."

"I got an email complaining that she's getting visions now.  I put her and Speed together to talk about them."  He chuckled at that.  "Dad still swears at them."

"As do I now and then when your grandfather gets them."  He smiled when their steaks came, watching his grandson clean his first plate then dig into the steak.  He did coax Xander into finishing his single glass of wine as well.  He was proud of the boy but he would have to overcome that one hurdle around partying people, especially in Miami.

***

Lady Heather stormed into the police station the next morning.  "Where is Grissom?" she demanded coolly.

"Home?" the receptionist suggested.

"No, he's not."  She paged him and he came out looking confused.  "Where is my boy, Grissom?"

He blinked.  "Last time I heard he and Greg were going to go out after they saw you last night.  Didn't they?"

"No!"

"Okay.  Have you called his hotel?"

"They *giggled* and said *she* doesn't want to be disturbed."

"Uh-huh.  All right, I'll send ...."  She glared. "I'll take someone over to check on him, Lady Heather."

The receptionist cleared her throat and handed over a message. "The nice sounding man said to give you that tonight, Mr. Grissom.  Since you're talking about Master Tim it might be relevant."

"Thank you."  He read the short note then handed it to her.  "I do believe he got into trouble."  She growled and snapped her fingers, motioning him to follow her.  Which he did because he knew she would pull him out by his ear, if not something more delicate.  They made it back to the hotel and she stomped up to the boy's room, pounding on the door.  One of the guards came up and Gil pulled his ID out, shaking his head.  "This is Lady Heather."

"Did no one call you guys about the woman who committed suicide?" he asked hesitantly.  She turned to glare at him.   "Okay.  From the top then.  Master Tim is a very nice young man.  He had dinner last night and his grandfather...."

"Grandsire, Grandfather's husband sort of," Grissom told him.  Greg had babbled that at him while he was waiting on Xander to be checked over.

"Oh, okay.  Well, he gave him some wine.  Apparently your boy doesn't drink, Lady Heather?"  She shook her head, her lips pursed.  "Well, when he came back from visiting you, your car dropped him off with the other young man and they apparently went to the Club Rome."  She moaned.  "I'm not sure what happened but we suspected he was mightily drunk when each of the young men came in with a different woman.  That was at about nine this morning.  The one with Master Tim was flashing a very nice ring.  Then his Grandsire came in through the VIP entrance and headed up here.  We have film of her leaving the suite and running off the top of the rooftop gardens.  She left a suicide note and your son was still snoring greatly.  His Grandsire said he had forgotten the boy didn't drink and he had been drugged during a kidnaping?"

"He has no tolerance for alcohol and it probably reacted to the last drugs in his system," Grissom offered, thinking about it.  "Are the two young men all right?"  The guard nodded.  "The other young woman?"

"She was led off for a statement about the first woman and she pulled an officer's gun in the lobby to shoot herself," he admitted.  "She did that when she saw the men walking in wearing FBI jackets."  Grissom looked amused at that.  "They said something about assassins?  They came up to interrogate your young men, Lady Heather, but they were unconscious by that time and Master Tim's grandsire nearly threw one through an unbreakable window so they said they'd be back tonight."

"Thank you," she said more calmly.  "That does explain the phone call I got earlier.  Would you please let us in?  His grandsire sleeps like the dead."

"Of course."  He let them in and got out of the way after a quick look around.  Everything was still fairly neat and clean.  There was a woman's dress over the back of a chair but no other obvious signs of a party.  "They're probably in the bedroom."  She stormed that way, slamming the door open.

Grissom looked at him.  "I'd like an official report to send home with him in case this has repercussions.  Would you mind?"

"Not at all, sir.  I can get that for you by dinner tonight.  Will you be here or at the station?"

"I'll be at the lab.  Send it to me.  I'm the graveyard supervisor."

"Of course."  He bowed and backed out, heading to tell his boss that.

Grissom walked in and shut the door, walking around the slumbering vampire in the corner.  He leaned into the bedroom, smiling at the cuteness of the two boys curled together  like puppies.  "Are they all right?"

"Fine.  Or so it appears.  They won't wake up."

"If it reacted strongly enough to make him that uncautious, he's going to have a hangover, Lady Heather."

"True."  She frowned and went out to kick the vampire until he growled and woke up.  "What happened to Xander?" she demanded.

"You know how we should never let him date women?"  She grimaced but nodded.  "I wasn't watching close enough.  She slipped liquor into his fruity mixed virgin drink at the club.  Both of them.  Very strong liquor.  She decided he was a good cover for the moment to get her away from the FBI."  He yawned. "Her student decided to pick Greg since they were clearly together and they wouldn't care.  So they got married at eight-forty-eight this morning."  She gaped in horror, Grissom had to catch her before she fell down.  "Exactly.  An assassin and her student.  The FBI was tracking them and I'm sure you heard about what happened in the lobby.  The one who ran off the roof knew I knew who and what she was.  She was not pleased when I called the FBI on her.  I'm sure they're going to be growling at Xander later; the same as I'm sure he'll growl back.  I had forgotten he *never* drinks.  Ever."

"He was also drugged during the ordeal the other day," Grissom offered.  "What sort of drunk was he?"

"A bit hyper but fun and bouncy.  He and Greg had a lot of fun while they were being fed liquor without realizing it.  It was not their fault, Lady Heather."  She snorted. "It was not.  I will intercede and talk to the FBI so you don't have to."  She nodded at that.  "He's fine and I was at fault.  His grandfather is going to smack me around for ages for this."

Xander leaned in the doorway of the bedroom, giving them a bleary look.  "We'll talk about why I have fuzzy memories later.  Right now, I have a headache.  I want to be beheaded.  It's very early, very bright, and if this is a migraine I hope it comes with a stroke.  Please be a bit more quiet before I snap and shoot at people."  He closed the bedroom door, going to curl up with Greg some more.

Lady Heather rolled her eyes.  "I will be telling Timothy about this debacle and your place in it," she informed him.

"I would expect nothing less," he assured her.  "Except maybe to be spanked until I confessed myself."

"No, in that case I would make you tell Horatio and let Horatio punish you in front of Timothy," she assured him.  She shot him a scathing look then went to baby her boys.  They needed her.

Grissom looked at him.  "Run," he advised.  "After you talk to the FBI."

"I'll be back in Miami."  He got up and headed out to go the darker routes back to his own hotel.

***

Don Flack opened up the morning paper the next morning and blinked at the headline.  Not great.  So he went to news that usually cheered him up.  The odd news.   He smiled at the first story.  The second made him chuckle. The third made him choke.  He read it again, slower this time.  He called his uncle.  "Patrick, please tell me that's not about Xander in the New York Times?" he begged.  The 'I can't do that, but my sire is a dead man when I see him' didn't cheer him up any.  "You have to warn them not to read the papers."  He got hung up while his uncle was laughing.  "Oh, God."  He called Mac.  "Did you read the Times?"  He got another groan and hung up on.  He called back.  "That was Xander!"  He nodded.  "The oddly enough third story?  That was Xander.  Yeah, someone needs to make sure they don't read it in Miami.  Lady Heather's got to be throwing fits."  He hung up and called Horatio.  "Do not let Speed read the Times today," he said slowly and clearly.

***

Horatio looked at his phone then at his computer.  "Why, Don?  Is it something I should stock up on aspirin about?"  He logged onto the Times' server and did a name search, because only one person could be in the Times in their little family, finding a news story that did not make him happy.  "Don?" he asked quietly.  "Am I seeing what I think I am?"  The 'yes' made his stomach knot. "Thank you for the warning."  He hung up and printed it off, then he paged Eric.  "Keep Speed out of the office today," he ordered when Eric leaned in.

"Um, too late, H.  He's already seen the Times.  He's already dented his locker, your locker, Calleigh's locker, and even she can't calm him down so she handcuffed him to the railing in the shower.  Did Xander really marry an assassin?"

"He did and apparently Gregory married her apprentice."  He gave him a look.  "I think I need to wear off some energy."

"Sure, you and the whip have fun," he agreed, closing the door on his way out.  He went to check on Speed, finding Frank trying to calm him down.  "It won't work.  His boy got married in Las Vegas, then she died."

"No, his grandsire got him drunk, didn't watch him later when she slipped him more liquor because my boy does... not... drink," Speed growled.  "She loaded him up to use him as a cover, and when his grandsire found out he called the FBI.  She ran off the building and her apprentice grabbed an officer's gun so she could commit suicide.  I'm going to kill his grandsire then I'm going to spank Xander for being stupid!  Right after I get Greg!  Now let me out of these!"

"Hell no," Frank said, backing up slowly.  "He's gotta be fine."

Eric nodded.  "He would be.  Someone called Horatio so he found the story."  Speed growled more.  "Want the whip?  Horatio's probably getting his couch again."  The growl got louder.  "Okay, we're going to let you calm down some more," he agreed, backing out with Frank.

Calleigh looked at them.  "He still growling?"

"He is," Eric agreed.

"I'm going to run the other way when someone lets him free."

"What's going on?"  Ryan asked as he came in smiling.  "Ooh, did something happen?  A hummer get crashed?"

"No, Xander married an assassin who got him very drunk out in Vegas," Calleigh said. "Greg Sanders married her assistant.  They're both fine and both assassins committed suicide when his grandsire called the FBI."

"Does this mean that...."  He paused then winced and shook his head.  "If he's married to an assassin, does that mean he's her *legal* husband?  As in all her files will be his to hand over?  All that stuff?"  Everyone stared at him.  "Yeah, that's why I was wincing."

"He'll do the right thing," Eric reminded him.

"Which assassin?" Ryan asked.

"Um, Lady Death?" Calleigh said.  "Her and her apprentice?"

Ryan started to giggle. "Oh, shit, he's not going to be dealing with the Feds, but he has very good tastes.  She was a beautiful little spider.  But she's wanted by Interpol."  He walked off giggling.

"Aw, crap," Frank said, shaking his head.  "Hey, Horatio?"  A glass door broke.  "I think he heard."

Calleigh looked up then nodded. "Yeah, that was his office door.  Though he's got someone in there."  They all turned to look as Rick Stetler ran out covering his back as best he could with his hands.  They all clapped at that.  Horatio came out to glare at hem.  "Did you hear who she was?"

"No, who?"

"Lady Death."

Horatio just nodded and smacked the whip into the glass wall behind him.  "Anyone want to borrow this?  It's incredibly freeing."

"No thanks.  But I'm staying far out of range today," Frank offered with a grin.  "Wolfe walked off giggling."

"He would," Horatio said dryly.  "Mr. Wolfe?"

Ryan came out of Trace.  "No way in hell am I getting near you, Horatio, but she supposedly had some very pretty real estate that's probably now Xander's.  Plus Interpol will be showing up sometime soon to get him to let them into her things like her black book and files.  Can I go to Greece with him?"

"No, Mr. Wolfe.  Speed can go to Greece with him."

"Hey!" Calleigh complained.  "I should get to go if he does!  He's my stepson!"

Eric nudged her with an elbow.  "With your luck, Xander will find a hottie there and make you watch him flirt and date him."

She looked at him.  "As long as it's not a woman, I wouldn't care!"

Ryan giggled again.  "What?" Frank Tripp demanded.  "You're high?"

"No, I did a report on her back in my criminology classes."  He went to pull it up off his home computer by remote then printed it out and brought it back.  "Everything Interpol knew on her.  Maybe Eric can go to Russia to that house since he speaks the language?"

"Not funny, Mr. Wolfe."

Eric glanced through it then looked at him.  "H, it's worse than that."  He handed it up to him then ran for cover.  Horatio read it and growled.  "Now we know why Ryan was giggling."

"We do," Calleigh agreed.  "Run and hide, Ryan."  He jogged off.  She looked at Frank.  "Horatio, I'll let you give that to Speed.  I'm getting with Bobby out in Vegas about the rest of the stuff Xander had in storage."

Eric snickered. "I just dumped most of it in there.  You'll have to climb over the swords, Calleigh."

"He said we could borrow them."

"You should call him, maybe he'll give you his wife's stuff."

"Maybe," Horatio agreed. "Go do something useful for society, people."  They scattered and he went back to torture his couch some more. He had a sudden evil thought and got the small box of treats Xander had given him.  He put on a nice 'I'm sorry I whipped you by accident' note and sent it with a wary looking officer down to IAB.  Then he cackled and went to get to work.

"Horatio, the Chief said you're to put the whip up," Frank called from his desk.  "At home."

"It's in my desk."

"He said at home."

"I need to bring it with me when I go help Xander clean out the explosives he's got in storage, Frank," he said as he walked past him.  Frank whimpered.  "Calleigh?"

"Yes, Horatio?" she called from her desk.

"You wanted in the storage area?"

"Sure."  She came out with the instructions Xander had written out for Eric.  "Let's go."  She smiled.

"We need to see if he's going to hand over anything from his new wife."

"We should.  Why are you happy suddenly?" she asked.

Horatio just smiled.  "I passed on some treats I got sent."

"Oh, God, you fed someone Xander's cooking," Speed said from behind them.  Horatio just smirked at him.  "H, I'm all for being mean to Stetler, but that's evil.  Do you need a vacation?"

"Yes."

"Hey, you can go to Greece with Xander," he offered.  "I'll be the dutiful escort."  Calleigh glared at him. "We'll take a joint team.  You and Bobby.  Me and Horatio. Giggle boy and Greg?"

"Sounds good," Horatio agreed.  He was still in a happy yet slightly evil mood. He could share some of his future vacation with others.  He heard a cleared throat and turned, finding someone with an FBI suit on.  "What?"

"Mr. Harris?"

"Is my son," Speed said patiently.  "He's still in Las Vegas recovering."

"We heard that," the agent agreed, smiling.  "We'd like to take over that investigation?"

"Got the whip, H?" Speed asked.  Horatio untucked it from his back beltline and handed it over.  Speed used it on him, driving him off.  "You leave my son the fuck alone!" he yelled as he ran off.  "We handle Xander!  Us, New York, and Vegas!  Or else I'm siccing Aiden on you!"

Calleigh took the whip. "Thank you, dear.  Saved me from having to break bad.  Let's let Frank hold that for a while, okay?"  She handed it to Frank.  "Let's go look at his storage area and then we'll talk about Greece."  She walked off trying to keep a positive mental image.  The men around here were going insane.  Xander was never going to be allowed to date another woman again because bad things happened when he did.  She knew it was related.  It wasn't the boy's fault, it was the woman's fault.  That's what was wrong, evil women.  Fortunately she was a good woman so she wasn't affected.  She only wanted to mother the poor kid.  Like Lady Heather did.  "Do we think I'd make a good domme?"

Speed shook his head.  "No.  You hate to see blood or people in pain, Calleigh."

"Oh, okay.  I was just thinking it was the fault of evil women but good women all seem to want to mother Xander.  Me, Aiden, Stella, Lady Heather.  Alexx."

"Don't make that comparison in front of Alexx," Speed warned, shaking his head. "If you do, let us run."  He patted her on the back.  "So, the storage area or are we calling Xander first?"

"Let's call him first," Calleigh suggested.  She pulled out her phone to call out to the hotel.  She had looked it up when she found out where they were sticking him.  "Hi, Mr.  Harris's room please?  Yes, Master Tim's.  I'm his stepmother, sweetie.  He'll take the call.  Please."  She waited while it was put through. "Lady Heather.  Is he awake?"  She smiled.  "No, we were wondering about what he was going to do about his wife's things.  Like any weapons she might have and we're pretty sure the FBI will want to get into her files.  That's what we were thinking.  Ryan did a report on her in his classes.  Yeah, a few houses, some weapons, other things.  Which is why we were wanting to know.  Oh, let him know we're going to go to his storage area."  She said that to someone and she heard Xander whining.  "Tough.  With the stuff we found in his house? We're going to go clean out the illegal stuff.  I'm sure he does.  Because we found about thirty pounds of explosives and three grenade launchers."  She smiled when she yelled at him.  He relented.  "Now, we were going to make plans to go with him to look at his new house in Greece to see what things are there.  So have him call us later after he's done with the suits."  She smiled. "Oh, tell him his gift of candy to Horatio was used.  So was his whip today.  His Daddy had to be handcuffed to a shower railing until he calmed down."

"He made the Times," Horatio said blandly.

"He made the New York Times."  She giggled.  "I figured it was someone other than you or Greg's friends that put it in there.  Sure, we'll talk tonight.  No, I've decided it's the fault of bad women.  That's why Xander is never allowed to date another woman again unless she's a good woman and the women around him have met her, vetted her, done a background check, and then chaperone them the first two times.  Except for if they get together for sex."  She grinned.  "That works for me too.  Sure.  Thanks, Lady Heather."  She hung up.  "Xander said we could take the illegal stuff Giles sent him to hold for him.  We are not to touch his swords. We'll talk later after she's done teaching certain agents manners. But she did like the idea of a group outing."  She smiled sweetly.  "Who's driving?"

"I am," Horatio ordered. "You and Speed can argue about taking another one."

"I'm riding with you, H.  She's scary," he complained as he followed the boss out.

Horatio looked at him. "You're living with her," he noted once they were alone in the elevator. "Greece?"

"Greece, Russia, works for me.  Sounds like a vacation."

"Me too.  Maybe we can get Eric to teach us some phrases if he can't come."

"Maybe," he agreed.  "You know, Stella speaks Greek."

"She does.  Danny speaks Italian according to Xander."  That got a grin.  "We'll have to see where she's got stuff. We'll have to act quickly before any of her associates hear and try to stop us from getting it to the propr hands."  They walked outside to his hummer.  "Where are we heading?"

"The art and antique storage area."

"That is very secure."  He slid in to drive and put on his sunglasses before sliding in the key.  "I believe that is an FBI agent."

"Too bad the whip's inside."  He rolled down the window.  "We're talking with Xander tonight," he called.  "Until then, go away.  We'll work out how to get the proper materials to the right hands."

"You sure?"

"He's my son!  If he's going to Greece, I'm going with him!"

"Fine," he complained.

"It'll be a joint CSI venture," he said smugly.  That got a grumble.  "Now, you can either disappear or I can go get the whip again."  He jogged off.  "Good."  He rolled back up the window as Horatio backed out of his parking spot.  "We need another on in the office."

"He had some nice riding crops."

"Yeah, but a whip can go a longer distance," he said plainly.  "I know he's got a nice six foot one somewhere."

"Hmm.  That would be a nice gift for the office. I can see Yelina using it as well to reduce her stress."

"Yeah but I want to be far, far away," Speed reminded him.

"Me as well, Speed."  He pulled onto the street and headed off.  When they got there they had to wait on Calleigh to get them into the storage cell.  After seven layers of security they looked at the mess.  "Eric did just toss things."  Speed waded in and started to straighten up the swords and bags.  They finally made it to the guns and Calleigh sighed in defeat.  "Almost nothing," Horatio agreed.

"Um, guys, are we not seeing the gap behind the cabinets?" Speed asked.  Horatio stepped back then smirked, helping him move one.  They stared at the stash back there.  "Hmm.  Giles is in deep shit when I find him next time.  Let's make sure this is his only one."  He went to talk to the site's manager just in case Xander had another one.  It wasn't in the same pod but they had the same passcodes.  He let Calleigh handle that one while they got into the other one.  Horatio nearly swooned.  "My boy is very bad," he said, shaking his head.

Horatio nodded.  "He is.  I don't have that much room in the hummer."

"We can get a U-Haul."

"I'll get a truck."  He walked outside to call since he couldn't get a signal.  "Robin, Horatio.  No, I'm good.  Small issue.  You know about Speedle's son?"  He smiled. "That one, yes.  Well, in his former town there is a higher than average death rate and they had a protection society out there. Which got fed weapons by a group in Britain, but Xander was watching over the weapons because the person in charge was hunting vampires. Exactly.  So he's been hoarding everything the man sent him, including some explosives.  Yes.  I could use a truck," he sighed.  "No, no bombs.  He can, the same person taught him, but he's not.  He did agree that we could clean out his storage areas because it was getting to be a bit much to store safely.  Probably worried about a break-in."  He looked inside then nodded.  "We need a truck."  He smiled.  "That's where we are.  Thank you."   He hung up and walked back inside.  "Someone had tipped them off that there were explosives here.  I told her about Giles hunting vampires and Xander keeping the weapons away from him."

"Good.  I think we should keep all weapons away from Giles.  And Spike."  He dove in to help Calleigh sort things out.  The new head of the bomb squad walked in and gasped.  "I know Giles.  It's good to keep weapons from Giles.  He really does think he's hunting vampires.  So we've kept it away from Giles.  Xander takes very good care of it but with the fire we had a lot of stuff we didn't realize Giles had sent him."

"I'd hope so."  She was led to the other room and moaned.  "I've got a truck coming. He's handing it over?"  Horatio nodded.  "Where is he?"

He looked at her.  "Did you read the New York Times today?"  She whimpered. "The third odd news story was Xander."

"That poor boy."

"We're going to go ransack her houses with him," Calleigh said brightly.  She looked.  "Damn."

Speed ducked and stared at her, making sure she wasn't going to hit him this time.  He slowly relaxed.  "It was necessary at times out there.  It was the desert and there were snakes," he explained.

Robin just shook her head and let her boys come in to get it, letting Horatio sign the paperwork.  "We'll get rid of this for him.  Next time this Giles guy sends him explosives, have him call you, you call us, and we'll destroy it immediately."  He nodded. "Thank you."

"At least he put it here and not someplace where there's only a padlock," Speed offered.

"True.  I like this boy.  Can he use the swords?"  Speed nodded.  "Same guy?"  Speed nodded again.  "Understood.  What about the other one?"

"Oh, I'm taking that," Calleigh said brightly.  "Giles sent him artillery."  She let her see and just got a nod and Robin walking away to finish loading up the explosives.  When they were alone she looked at the men.  "Xander is a pack rat.  Has anyone else noticed that?"  Speed nodded. "What is with all the jerky?"

"He makes it.  It's one of the few things he can make well," Speed offered. "But it is some evil stuff.  You will have the runs for about a week but afterward you can even eat his cooking."

"That's not the only side-effect," Horatio muttered.

Calleigh pulled a piece out of a bag marked 'mild' and nibbled, then she grabbed her water.  "That's mild?"

"Yeah, spicy has dried and ground peppers added to the sauce," he agreed.  He timed it.  "I'll ride back with her," he offered.

Horatio gave him a look.  "She can wait until we've unloaded things into the locker."  He nodded and got back to work loading what they were taking into the hummers.  Horatio shook his head.  But he did take another piece.  Last time had been...interesting.

They got back and Horatio waved as Calleigh and Speed went out for lunch.  Eric came out to join him, giving him an odd look.  "Where are they going?"

"Lunch.  You should try some of Xander's jerky, Eric."

"Is this like a cult thing?"

"After a week of eating it and your stomach protesting you can even eat Xander's cooking."  Eric shuddered.  "It does have some interesting side effects."  He walked off to have some private time in his office.  He didn't like the lower digestive system side effects but he could get to like the other one.  Even if Ryan did try to interrupt his working on his control.

***

Lady Heather slammed the door behind the stupid little man she had just dealt with.  "There, it's done."

"Thank you," Xander said weakly.  "She had things where?"

"I'm still waiting on the file but according to Ryan's reports: Greece, Russia, and Brazil."

"Hmm."  He nodded and closed his eyes again. "If drunks have hangovers like this, why don't they quit drinking?"

"They drink more to cure the hangover," Greg said, sounding sleepy.  "You okay?"

"No."

"Me either."  He looked at Lady Heather. "I'm sorry."

"You will be."

"Yes, ma'am.  Can it wait until I'm not going to get sick on whoever paddles me?"

She grimaced and nodded. "That would be for the best."  She sat down.  "Boys, there has been talk about who will go with Xander to what place to see what needs to be turned over and what can be given to the different departments, plus what Xander would like to keep."

"Stella can go to Greece with us.  I can see the point of having someone who spoke the native language," Xander agreed, looking at her, eyes only half open.  "If I had realized I had more than that glass of wine with dinner I would have stopped myself and Greg."

"I know you would have.  Now you know."

"Yup and I'm not liking it."  He ran to get sick again.  Greg joined him a minute later, sickened by the noise.

She sighed and ordered them something subtle for lunch.  Fruit soup should calm their poor stomachs and heads.

Greg came out and rested his head against her knee, on his knees, looking miserable. "I'm so sorry, Lady Heather," he whispered. "I couldn't taste it either. By the time I felt tipsy I'd had about four drinks and was impaired."

"That may mitigate some of the punishment," she admitted.

"Can we see what they gave us?  I've never had a hangover this bad.  I've had moonshine that nearly killed me and it wasn't this bad."  He licked his lips.  "Please?"

"Grissom gathered the contents of your stomach to have run after you got sick the first time," she admitted. She called him.  "Do we know what they were fed yesterday?"  She listened, then shuddered.  "No wonder they're so ill.  Thank you, Gil.  We are talking about who will accompany them to see their new estates and to hand over things to the proper people.  I've heard Greece, Russia, and Brazil mentioned," she offered.  "She did have a lot of weapons as well."  She smiled.  "I think they would be willing to split that with you and some of the people in New York, Gil.  Perhaps you three should get together to talk when we have their files."  She smiled.  "That's fine.  No, I'm having a very light fruit soup sent up."  Greg ran to be sick again.  "Thank you."  She hung up. "Boys, that was ninety percent alcohol they fed you," she called. "Made off wine dregs."

"Eww," Xander called.  "I'm never drinking again."

"Good idea," she agreed quietly.  Two files were shoved under the door so she went to gather them.  They would make some light reading and Patrick did have some fantastic sources he could call on for information.

***

Horatio initiated the three-way call.  "Boys, we do have a situation that is best handled by us before the FBI gets their greedy little paws into it," he announced.

"Xander is more than willing to let others come with him and share among the three labs," Grissom assured him.

"Okay, apparently I'm behind on some news.  What did Xander do this time?" Mac asked, sounding tolerantly fond.

"Didn't read the paper this morning, Mac?" Horatio asked.  Mac moaned.  "Did we ever find out who put it in there?"

"His grandfather's sire," Grissom said.  "He admitted it to Lady Heather when he came back with the FBI in tow.  Xander let her handle it and only nodded and moaned at them because he's still hung over after a day and a half."  He cleared his throat.  "Okay, we have the files out here.  There are houses in Rio, that's a condo.  There's a house in Russia, on the Black sea.  There's a house in Cypriot.  That's her main residence.  There's also small apartments in Istanbul and Paris and she's rented something in Asia but they said that's only a warehouse and the locals are insistent they're busting that.  It says she's got a variety of weapons on her record, including some archaic.  She had about a hundred and fifty kills to her name."

"Which assassin was this?" Mac asked.

"Lady Death," Grissom said.  "Plus her apprentice, who loved guns apparently."

"Okay, so we need to hit Xander's new houses, clear out the weapons and files, then do something with them?" Mac offered.

"Basically but there is no way we're letting Xander go out on his own.  His father and I agreed on this already.  It was suggested that we go in teams due to her having people who would also want those things.  Especially since it made the Times."

"So, a guard to do the files and a ballistics tech to do the weapons?" Mac suggested.

"A guard on Xander," Grissom ordered.  "He's still a bit wobbly from that head injury, Horatio, and the fermented wine dregs didn't help.  His blood alcohol was .233 when we got to them."

"Fortunately he's got alcoholic parents," Horatio offered.  "All right, so Xander, a guard, a  CSI for the files, and a ballistics person?  What about the native languages?"

"Xander agreed if there was a house in Greece they could bring Stella to translate. Which means we can work that into the plan as either his guard or the CSI doing the files," Grissom offered.

"I'd almost want pairs for safety reason," Mac offered.  "Xander and a guard, two CSI guards if we could handle it, and then a ballistics tech?  I'd take one of those spots, I know mine won't want to go."

"Calleigh is demanding to go on one of them," Horatio assured them.

"Bobby's all but drooled when she asked him," Grissom said, sounding like he was smiling.  "Okay, Xander and Greg.  That way they can watch each other's backs and I only have to worry about Nick drawing trouble.  Horatio, you do one of the file runs, take the one in Greece with Stella, take either Calleigh or Bobby."

"I'll take Calleigh and Speed...  Are you sure Greg wants to come?"

"No.  But he should go.  Why?"

"Speed wants to go."

"Hmm.  Well...  Who's going to be left in the lab?"

"Ryan and Eric," he admitted.  "Speed?"  He leaned in.  "Did you have your heart set on Greece?"  He shrugged.  "Does she have her heart set on Greece?"  He nodded.  "Do you have your heart set on going with her to one of them?"

"I don't mind but she might.  Cal?"  She came out of DNA, looking up at him.  "We're setting teams."

"You're going to need a few extra hands in Cypriot," she told him.  "That's her main file area and I'm going to look at her weapons storage area.  She lives on a tip of the island or something, and she's got an underground bunker for weapons."

"Okay."  He looked at Horatio.  "Send me to Cypriot with Xander, she'll do ballistics...."

"Stella since she speaks the language," Horatio agreed.  "That should be enough."

"I'd hope," Speed agreed.

"Then send Xander and Greg to Brazil," Grissom said.  "I'll send Bobby down there with them just in case.  Then who gets Russia?"

"I do," Mac offered. "I'll take Russia as the ballistics person.  We can have Eric since I heard he speaks it?" he asked.

"He does, his father's Russian," Horatio agreed.  "I'll take guard that time."

"Perk of the job?" Speed taunted.

"Of course.  Did you want to visit the Black Sea?"

"Not really.  Let Greg go."  He shrugged and walked off.

"That is the idea and it would keep them both out of trouble," Grissom agreed.  "By the way, his grandfather's sire is babying both boys now.  He likes Greg.  Said he'd turn him in a heartbeat if he asked."

"I'd hate to see Greg as a nearly immortal being," Horatio offered.  "He'd bounce us all for eternity."  Mac snickered at that.  "All right, so that's the plan so far.  Any other little houses?  Should we hit the apartments maybe?"

"I'll send Don and Danny to one," Mac offered.

"I can send Warrick and Catherine to one," Grissom agreed.  "She'd love Paris."

"Danny would think it was mushy but he might like Istanbul," Mac agreed.  "Okay, now all we need is official permission."

"The FBI has stated as long as they get the proper files they'll let us handle it and they conferenced in Interpol to make sure we weren't going to have fits.  They're going to let the one and a half hour marriage be seen as legal so they have access to the information," Grissom told them.  "They're more than happy to watch our backs and let us do the grunt work."

"Of course they are.  It keeps their boys and girls working on their things," Horatio agreed. "How long should it take to clear out a house?"

"A week?"  Mac suggested.  "That's not too long and if we had to have an extra few days we could arrange for the weekend for travel time anyway."

"True.  I like that idea. If we get done early that would give us a reasonable amount of time lounging around as well."

"Also true," Mac agreed, sounding happy.  "Grissom, can you be without Greg for that long?"

"That would be fine. It's better if he's doing this and he will learn from working with other CSIs.  That's the way Greg is.  Plus the vacation would do him good anyway."

"Good," Horatio agreed.  "Mac, let me know if you have problems or sic the FBI on your boss."

"Agreed.  Have fun with that."

Horatio chuckled.  "I have one of Xander's whips in the office.   He gave it to me as a present.  It is very cathartic."  The other two supervisors chuckled at that, both sounding like they were having their own evil moment.  "Have a good night, guys."  He hung up and called his boss.  "Sir, did you read the New York Times today?"  He leaned back.  "Xander, Speedle's son, was the third oddly enough story."  He waited while he looked at that one then groaned.  "Exactly, and the FBI is getting pushy to get into her things since she committed suicide.  Since he'll have spouse's rights, they're letting him go empty the houses under CSI control.  Because Lady Heather and Grissom made them like it, sir.  No, we do have a plan worked out.

"It'd mean I'd lose some people for a week and probably both weekends.  No, the main house is in Cypriot, including the main armory.  So the plan is that Speedle, Duquesne, and I would go to that one with one of the CSIs out of New York who speaks Greek.  We're planning on a week plus travel time.  Then the other two CSI teams that Xander's worked with would do support for the other houses but I'd be going to the one in Russia with him because we didn't have another good guard to watch him.  She was an assassin, Chief.  Exactly, and that's part of why we worry about Xander.  No, he doesn't drink and Grissom said she fed them wine dregs somehow.  Badly hungover, yes, sir.  Lady Heather is presently hovering."

He smiled.  "Well, I could decide to be nice and only take the whip to my couch from now on."  He laughed at the implication that he had poisoned him.  "No, Xander gave those to me and I know he'd never poison me, sir.  He likes me."  He smirked.  "Is he all right?"  He nodded.  That proved that Xander's cooking was poisonous.  "No, it was some homemade treats he made me.  He doesn't usually cook.  That would be acceptable.  No, spread out.  The first and the third.  That would be all the time we'd have.  Las Vegas is sending their ballistics tech for the one in Brazil and Mac Taylor is going to the third house with us since it's in Russia and we don't know what sort of situation we may run into.  Of course, sir.

"Thank you.  We're not sure why she picked him but Xander has had a bad habit of dating dangerous women.  That's why we're encouraging him to go from bi to fully gay, sir.  It's just safer for the boy."  He smirked.  "Thank you, sir, and I will have a nice time in Cyrpiot, plus send you reports as needed.  Of course. That's why we only planned a week, sir.  Enough time to do that and it doesn't look like a gratuitous vacation.  I think we can figure something out about the airfare, yes.  Thank you, sir."  He hung up then he called Xander's grandfather.  "I need a favor," he said in greeting.  "I didn't know you worked for him, Gordon."  He smirked.  "Xander got married to an assassin for an hour and a half before she committed suicide.  Yes, that incident.  No, the FBI wants her files.  We three CSI departments believe Xander will never travel alone again."

Gordon told Patrick that, who agreed.  "But the Chief said he won't pay for airfare.  Might you ask Fredro, your medical consultant, if we can borrow his plane?"  He smiled.  "Thank you, Gordon.  I'll be here or at home.  No, we have it worked out.  He'll have a guard, there'll be CSI going to do the files as well as guard him, separately, and a ballistics person as well since she liked weapons.  I'll be here. Thank you.  Cypriot, Brazil, Russia by the Black Sea.  Someone from each city.  We can handle airfare to a central location."  He smiled.  "That would work.  Apartments in Istanbul and Paris are going to the other two teams."  He nodded.  "Those would better leave from New York.  However you think best, I'll let you ask Ethan for me.  Just let me know soon because she's got to have people who would want into her files and weapons.  Thank you, Gordon."  He hung up and relaxed.  It was a good thing he knew Ethan and had plenty of blackmail material on him.

***

Mac looked at his gathered team, plus Flack, the next morning.  "All right, there is a bit of news.  Who did not read the Times yesterday and realize that one oddly enough story was Xander?"  Lindsey raised her hand.  "It was.  The FBI and Interpol are going to push for Xander's rights so we can get into their files.  We have worked out who's going to which house.   As it is, Stella, you will be going with the group to Cypriot since you speak Greek.  You can work the files while Speedle watches his boy.  You'll have Horatio with you since that's the main house she used.  Duquesne will be there to do ballistics.  Going to Brazil will be Greg Sanders as guard, Bobby Dawson out of Las Vegas as ballistics, and he decided he'd send Hawkes as their file person.  You can have Greg help you if you need it, if not, have a happy vacation.  Going to Russia is me, Eric Delko, and Horatio with Xander.  There's also two apartments to be ransacked, Danny and Don are going to Istanbul and Grissom's sending Warrick and Catherine to Paris," he announced.  "Sorry, Lindsey, if there was another one you could go."

"That's fine, I don't like to travel that much.  How long are you going for?"

"We figured each spot should take about a week.  Cypriot is the main one so it may take the associated weekends.  Horatio's arranging for travel details through a friend that has a private plane."

"Who did he marry?" Don asked.

"Lady Death.  Sanders got hitched to her apprentice," Danny said dryly.  "Talked to Ryan, who's still probably giggling over this being such a Xander thing to do."

"It is," Mac agreed.  "Anyone disputing where they're going?"  No one said a word.  "Do remember to pack sunscreen.  Stella, Horatio said at the early morning follow-up we did that yours is on the tip of an island.  I don't know if it matters or not to you."

"I like the sea," she agreed, shrugging.  "A paid working vacation to the Mediterranean? Try to make me not go, Mac."

"Danny, Don, any qualms?"

"Istanbul need shots?" Don asked.

"I don't know, the health department would. I suggest you all make that call today."

"I'll do that," Hawkes assured them.  That got smiles.  "Anything else?"  That got a head shake.  "I'll be going to look over her files?"

"Looking for evidence, memoirs, other locations.  Yes."

"Okay, I can do that.  If we get done early I get at least a day on the beach, right?"

"You do," Mac agreed, smiling at him, "but you're still going armed, just in case."

"Understandable really," Danny agreed.  "When are we going?"

"Starting this weekend.  Cypriot team goes late Friday night so you can sleep on the plane.  Brazil goes when they get back.  They'll be landing in Miami the Sunday of the next weekend so we'll need to get you down there, Hawkes.  When they drop you guys off, it'll be up here and the Russian trip will leave from New York, then we'll come back and Danny and Don leave, then they come back after four days, sorry it's only an apartment."  Danny waved it off.  "Then the last group to Paris goes and comes back to Vegas since that's who's going."

"So I need a plane ticket to Miami for that Sunday, right?"  Mac nodded.  "Got it covered, Mac."

"I can probably get you reimbursed."

"For a free trip to Brazil?" Hawkes snorted.  "I can fly coach and make it even cheaper."  Mac smiled at that.  "Do I have that Saturday on?"

"I don't know yet.  I haven't finished the schedules."

"Allow for jetlag, I always get it," Stella reminded him.

"I know.  I will.  Anything else?"

"I keep thinking 'Aiden warned us not to let the boy date'," Danny offered.  "Now we know why."

Don hit him on the arm.  "Dumbass.  For that you should make sure Aiden knows."

"Oh, no, I'm not that brave nor am I wearing armor.  Xander can tell his own mother he married an assassin for almost two hours."

"Maybe that's why someone put it in the Times," Lindsey suggested.

They all considered that then nodded.  That had probably been a wise move on their part. It meant Aiden stayed out of hitting distance.

***

Xander looked at the passport in his hands then at his grandsire. "You got me a passport?"

"You'll need one and I had it a while back when I heard you were going on a road trip."  He smiled.  "I thought I might casually bump into you, explain some things, see if you wanted to go to Europe with me."

"Wow."  He looked at it again then at his grandsire again.  "I still don't like you guys spoiling me with a house."

"I know, Grandson."  He patted him on the head.  "We'll talk after you get back from Russia."  Xander beamed at that.  "Be a good boy overseas?"

"Of course."  He grinned. "I heard Greg's going?"

"Your father will be meeting you in Cypriot. As will Horatio and Calleigh, plus that very pretty Stella. You know, if your grandfather wasn't so sick you might've had a fourth grandmother."

Xander shivered. "I like Stella but she nags."

"I know.  He likes them fiery.  Don's aunt was a harridan."  He stroked over his hair.  "Now, make us proud, Grandson."

"Of course."

"No picking up foreign women."

"I won't."

"No picking up women at all," Greg said from his corner of the room.

"Daddy will watch over us."

"He's only going to Cypriot.  Greg will be your escort at the other places."  Xander pouted. "He does have to work, Xander."

"I know.  But I can tell him all about it and take a lot of pictures when I'm not helping you guys work."

"You can," Greg agreed.  "So, I'm hitting Brazil with that group and then Russia?"

"Yes, and the Russian group is top heavy," he warned.  "Mac Taylor is going as ballistics support and Horatio is going as the official files person."

"That's fine.  I can learn from them," Greg promised.  "We'll be good boys."

"Good."  He smiled.  "Then you should both be attired better."  They groaned.  "Go shopping, boys."

"I have clothes to crawl around in and the two suits," Xander pointed out. "What more do I need?  They'll expect tourists to be in jeans."

"Go get some pretty new leathers, Xander."

He wobbled then nodded and looked at Greg, who shrugged and went with him.  He leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose.  He'd have a few hours of peace from the pheromones floating off those two. He wondered if Xander knew Greg wanted him...  The boy did read others very well so he probably did he decided.  Brazil could be romantic so maybe Gregory would make his move.  Finally!

***

Grissom looked at his team that night.  "All right, due to the aborted marriage of Master Tim's, we're going to be allowed to help him hand over evidence on his dead wife."

"They were married how long?" Nick joked.

"An hour and a half," Bobby joked. "Almost a record by Vegas standards."

"That's so cold, guys," Warrick complained.  "She got them so drunk they were numb."

"Hodges ran the stuff from their stomach.  Ninety percent alcohol," Bobby told him.  They all groaned and Nick held his stomach.  "Master Tim doesn't drink.  He had alcoholic parents according to Greg.  He doesn't even have the occasional beer with wings, guys."

"Greg said it acted slow enough that he didn't taste or feel it until the fourth drink and by then it was too late," Grissom agreed.  "But that's not why we're here.  The hangover is now gone, after two days.  They're both fine, and we're going to be helping with the cleaning effort.  Team two is going to Brazil not this Sunday coming but the one after that.  You'll need to get to Miami and the Chief said he'd reimburse you for airfare, Bobby.  You and Greg both.  Arrange it however.  You'll meet the plane down there and go to Brazil to her second usual house and weapons storage.  We have no idea what's down there or how massive it is."  That got nods.  "You'll be going with CSI Hawkes out of New York and Greg is going as Master Tim's guard.  He'll help either of you who need it and he can learn anything he wants from Hawkes.  Just make sure Xander does not go out alone.  Ever."  That got a nod.  "You're the lighter group really.  The third group going to Russia is Mac Taylor and Horatio Caine with Eric Delko since he speaks the language."

"Works for me," Bobby agreed. "I should pack shorts for how long?"

"A week."  He looked at Catherine.  "The Brazil trip gets back, the Russia trip goes, the four day excursion to the apartment in Istanbul goes, then comes to pick you and Warrick up for four days looting her apartment in Paris, Catherine."

"Can't," Warrick said.  "I can't leave the country, Gris."

"Why not?" Nick asked.

"They have my passport blocked due to that deal Grissom made for me with the judge."

"Oh."  He grimaced.  "Still?"  Warrick nodded.  "Okay.  Catherine would you like to take me, Sarah, or Nick?  We don't want you alone in case there's trouble.  We're fairly certain there'll be people who'll want into her things."

"Four days in Paris?" she teased.  Grissom smirked and nodded. "Sarah?"

"No thanks.  I don't like traveling that much."

"Okay.  Nick?"

"I wouldn't mind.  Four days?"  Grissom nodded.  "At least I've got a passport."  He looked at Bobby then back at Grissom. "We don't get ballistics?"

"We don't think there are any but there might be files.  Four days was seen to be enough time to clean it out and at least get one night out."  That got a nod. "The plane will be picking you up here and dropping you back here."

"Are we going with the spouse?" Nick asked.

"No.  He's not hitting either apartment.  Just the three main houses. By then he'll know what needs to be done and he can sign paperwork to sell them or whatever."  That got nods.  "Yours should be safer but I can't be certain."

"Our badges and paperwork from the FBI means we can carry our guns legally," Catherine reminded him.

"Which you'll have.  The FBI and Interpol have agreed with Lady Heather.  It's better if we do it this way.  It'll be done more quietly.  It'll look like Xander's spoiling his family."

"Xander?" Bobby asked.

"That's Master Tim's real name," Catherine told him.  He nodded at that.  "Okay, and Greg is where?"

"Greg is with him.  I want someone guarding them and his grandsire is doing it."

"Grandsire?" Catherine asked.

"Do you want the easy or the harder explanation?"

"Harder," Warrick said, looking at him.

"His grandfather was turned.  It's his sire.  The easy one is that it's his grandfather's husband."

"Ah.  I'll take the second," Nick said, getting up.  "We good?"  That got nods.  "Bobby, you might need shots."

"Got 'em already.  Greg gave me a head's up."  He smirked at them, looking very smug.  "I'll be thinking of you around all the beautiful women."

"Hope you have time for the pretty girls in skimpy bikinis," Catherine joked.

"Oh, no, the reason Greg is going is to make sure the boy doesn't defend us himself," Bobby promised with a small chuckle.  "Because he would."

"He'd drive you guys nuts trying to help," Nick taunted.

"Hey, he's got a good hand with the weapons and an eye for beauty.  I wouldn't mind if we could talk the boy into the ballistics lab."

Grissom shuddered and walked off shaking his head at the thought of Xander, bouncy, happy, sleeping with Greg Xander, in his ballistics lab.

"Am I getting anyone anything but postcards?  If so, let me know," Nick ordered as he headed off to his first case of the night.

"Me too," Catherine agreed.

"I'm cheap, people so don't expect anything bigger than a t-shirt," Bobby offered. "I don't make that much."  He headed back to his lab.

"Maybe he'll bring Grissom back some new bugs," Warrick said, heading out to his case.

Sarah shook her head.  "Eww.  Poor Bobby.  A week with him and Greg?"  She went to work as well after she got a bottle of water.

***

Yelina looked at Horatio during his briefing on the trips.  "Do any of them speak Portugese?"

"Bobby speaks Spanish."

"Depending on where she lives in the city that might not be enough," she warned.

"Did you want to go, Yelina?"

"I wouldn't mind and it might do my son some good to have a short vacation."

"I'll see if I can add you."  She smiled at that.  "You're right, it might do Ray Junior good to do some traveling."

"Xander's usually a pretty level-headed kid, so he'd help watch out for him," Speed agreed.

"As long as my son didn't learn to use a whip," Yelina said dryly.

"No, I don't think he'd like it very much," Horatio offered.  She smiled at that.  Frank pouted.  "What, Frank?"

"I can't go?"

"If we find another one you and Lindsey Monroe out of New York are tops on the list to go, with Ryan right behind you."

"Actually, I speak Portugese," Ryan offered. "And Spanish."

"That is not in your file, Mr. Wolfe."

"Nor will it be because I like to keep those things hidden since I'm only on the third book."

"We could use it now and then," Eric said impatiently.

"When it came up I'd have volunteered, Eric."

"Fine.  Did you want to go to Brazil?"

"No."  That got a smile from Yelina.  "I don't need the vacation and I'm not one for beaches that way."  That got a nod.  "But I can be on the list depending on where the other   one is. I'll even go with Montana."

Horatio gave him an amused look.  "You correspond with who up there?"

"Danny.  Danny, Greg, and I all email each other all the time."  He looked at Frank.  "Expect at least one rendition of 'we don't have that in Montana' from her if you go with her."

"I'll keep that in mind.  Off the farm?"

"She's a good tech, but she and Danny do not get along all that well."

"I'll keep that in mind too.  Any hint of other spots, Horatio?"

"There's a warehouse in Asia but the locals are demanding the right to bust it themselves.  They don't like the FBI or Interpol."

"Sure.  If you can, I wouldn't mind a beachy sort of paradise."

"I'll see what I can do, Frank."  He looked at Yelina.  "You'll be leaving from here.  I'll hitch the plane back up to New York to leave for the Russia trip."

"Of course.  Do you need shots?"

"Not that I'm aware of but I'll be calling someone in the health department today, as should everyone else who is going somewhere."  That got nods and the meeting broke up. "Mr. Wolfe."  He stayed back and looked at him.  "You don't want to go to Brazil?"

"I hear it's beautiful but no.  Bikinis aren't my thing.  If they were I'd be scoping the beach all day every day, Horatio."  He gave him a look.  "I prefer the mind and personality over the package."  He walked off again.  He decided he wasn't jealous.  Though he might have liked to go to Istanbul or Paris.  That was more his sort of vacation.

Horatio shook his head. "Next crossover we get to New York, he is going with me," he decided.  He'd probably love working with Stella.  His phone rang and he opened it.  "Caine."  He listened then moaned.  "Was that *Greg's* idea, Lady Heather?"  He hummed.  "I'd prefer spanking.  No, I want Xander to behave out there and rest, not go out and have wicked and illicit fun.  Also, have you looked at his arm?  Speed said he mentioned he was having problems with one of them.  Of course.  How bad was it?"  He sat down, shaking his head.  "Thank you for letting me know, Lady Heather.  I'll tell Speed."  He hung up.  "Speed!" he called.  He came jogging back.  "Lady Heather lost the boys last night but said they were just fine.  Greg and Xander decided to hit a strip club, a gay one."

"Okay," Speed said slowly.  "I know he did a few turns on the pole in New York for extra cash."

Horatio nodded.  "This time too.   Got hit on a lot.  Got flirted with a lot.  Greg had to pull him away from another woman who was making his hackles rise.  Greg told her he had Nick's female fanclub radar and that one was nearly the president."  Speed sat down again, looking at him, hands on the table, together so tightly the knuckles were white.  "He called Grissom to ask if they knew anything about her.  She tried to take your son hostage and Xander spanked her there in the club.  She gave herself up and confessed everything when he was done with her."

"Another one?" he asked tiredly.

"No, not like that.  She was the more traditional black widow.  She thought he was very well off from his stripping career.  She was looking for good sex for a while."

Speed nodded at that.  "From what I've heard she'd have died in bed."

"No, she tried to charm Brass but Xander swatted her again. She's still fixated on him.  But she did confess and couldn't walk right when he was done with her. Lady Heather said he was still quite impressive and Greg was even a bit warm when he was done with her."

"I don't mind him and Greg. I like Greg.  Greg's a nice guy."  He shook his head.  "Is she going to haunt him?"

"As far as I know she's still alive."

"Not that way, Horatio."

"We do not know but Grissom has sicced Catherine on her to make her see sense.  That's how we found out she was going for sex this time and not wealth."

"Okay then.  Is he in trouble for the public spanking?"

"No, he got tipped quite a lot for the floor show.  Apparently you have a very nice present coming according to Lady Heather.  Greg helped him pick it out."

"Sure."  He just nodded at that and got up, heading up to the roof to rant in peace.

Frank leaned in.  "Chief's coming.  What happened now?"

"The boys slipped their leash and went to a strip club."

"They're young men. They do that.  Hopefully a gay one?"  Horatio nodded.  "Good!  That way he can't pick up any more evil women!"

"Greg talked him into doing another open pole competition, which he won.  He got propositioned by one of the women and ended up going back into Master mode because she was a black widow looking for sex instead of wealth this round, Frank."  Frank moaned. "Apparently the floor show of him spanking her and making her confess was highly thought of.  So Speed has a present coming from all the tips he got after that."

"Speed's where?"

"Roof probably.  She said Xander is heading to New York to do the initial paperwork with Interpol at the Greek embassy.  I should warn Mac."

"That's mean, Horatio.  Warn them."  He walked off shaking his head.  That boy was a bit wild.  Someone needed to put a leash on him.

Horatio called Mac and found his phone busy.  So maybe Lady Heather was warning him. The Chief walked in and he went over the travel arrangements.  It would mean the least amount of reimbursement for all of them.

***

Xander snuck up behind Don Flack carefully, winking at one guy who stared at him. Then he pounced him to hug.  "Lunch, Uncle Don?" he teased.

Don got free and looked at him. "You're supposed to be in Las Vegas."

"I brought some of it with me.  We're doing paperwork with the Greek embassy.  Want lunch?"

"Sure."  He checked his watch. "It's only ten."

"You've got a busy afternoon with meetings."

"Good point.  Hey, boss, going to lunch," he called.  She gave him a look and he pointed at Xander.  "He said I have meetings all afternoon."

"You do?"

Xander looked at him and nodded. "He does.  Grandfather's on the way up to talk about the stuff he's doing locally for charity.  He said he cleared it with your boss."

"He can't do it tonight?" Don complained.

"No.  Ethan's working on him tonight.  Or else I'd have a dinner date too."  Don snorted but walked off with him, sending a text message to warn someone in CSI.  Then another one when they got to the restaurant.  Just in case.  Xander gave him a knowing look.  "I'm being good and I'll be at the Greek embassy all afternoon, Don."

"Good.  Where are you staying?"

"Grandfather's place.  He insisted after I had to spank the black widow last night and make her confess."  Don shivered at that image.  "In the middle of the strip club Greg and I went to."

"Someone let you two out alone?" he demanded, sitting down when the hostess pointed at their table.  He got up and walked over to their real one, that one had food already.

"It was a gay strip club."

"Good!  We like you dating men, Xander. It's safer."  Xander snorted but put his napkin over his lap and they looked at the menus.  "You're getting it, right?"  Xander put the card his grandsire had given him on the table.  "Okay."  He looked at it. "That's a nice balance," he said when he saw the post-it stuck to the back.  Xander took it back and put it into his shirt pocket.  "Patrick?"

"Grandsire."

"I haven't met him."

"You will be this week sometime.  Probably once Granddad's gone," he admitted.  "He's avoiding being swatted for not watching Greg and I play that first night."

Don nodded. "I'm going to add my own," he assured him.  "What did they give you?"

"This really strong wine dregs stuff.  Not a clue otherwise."  Stella came in and joined them.  He kissed her on the cheek.  "I can get yours too, dear.  Are you going to the Greek embassy with me?"

"Should I?"

"I hope I don't need a chaperone."

"You do, Xander," Don assured him.  "Where is this place?"

"Upper East Side."

"Okay."

"We'll have the address by tonight," Stella assured him.  Xander gave her a look.  "Just in case, Xander."

"Fine.  Did the lady I had to spank last night get out?"

"Not with her kill count," she snorted.  "Danny got an email from Greg this morning," she told Don.  "He won the open pole competition."

"Then he's definitely getting lunch," Don said happily.

"Most of it went to a present for Daddy," he defended.  "The rest went for chocolates for Mom."

"That's sweet," Stella promised, smiling at him.  Someone walked by them and dropped an envelope beside Xander but kept walking.  "Huh.  I didn't know you were in covert intelligence."  The other man snickered at that but he paid his bill and left.

Xander opened it.  "The address, keys, and another gift card for some reason," he admitted, looking at it.  "Huh."  He shrugged and put it inside the same shirt pocket.  Stella took the envelope to look over, noting the address into her phone.  Mac sent back a 'got it' and she put the envelope back.  "Gee, thanks, guys."

"Suck it up," Don ordered.  "So, gay strip club and an open pole night?"

"I met Greg after Lady Heather suggested I go have fun one night and I ended up trying my hand because the ones doing that one were kinda pitiful."  He grinned. "I won that one too," he said proudly.  "Greg was watching."  That got twin smiles.  "Anyway, Grandsire said to go have fun last night so we did.  We went to the same place and Greg talked me into it, with the owner asking too.  So I did and I won, then she came over and started to make eyes at me."

"Greg's email said he had bad woman sensing radar thanks to Nick out there," Stella told Don.

"Yup.  So he pinged her on his 'dar and called his boss, who looked her up and told him what she was wanted for.  He sent Brass, who is kinda grumpy but a pretty decent guy.  Greg told me and I led her on a bit but she was being stubborn so I mentioned I'm a Master and she giggled and said I could spank her anytime.  So I did.  I broke her then made her kneel and confess everything to Brass.  He was very appreciative of the paperwork I gave him."  He smiled sweetly.  "She still tipped me and then the other patrons tipped me for the floor show which was why Mom got chocolate and Daddy got the new present."  He ducked behind his menu again.

Don and Stella shared looks then Don shook his head quickly.  "So, lunch," she agreed.  "Um, what's good here, Don?  I haven't eaten here in a while."

"The..."  Hawkes came in.  "We doing your lunch too?"

"You are because Sonny's outside," he said quietly.  Xander looked at him.  "You don't have the same truce anymore, Xander."

"Let him try shit," he snorted. He got back to his menu reading.  "Hmm. Number eight?  I skipped breakfast," he said at the looks sent at his menu.

"That would be a filling breakfast," Don agreed.  The waitress came over so he gave Hawkes his menu.  "Number two, coffee."

"I'll have the same, no mayo, and a diet soda, no ice," Stella ordered.

"I'll have the chicken caesar salad, dressing on the side," Hawkes offered.  "Water with lemon."

Xander looked at her and smiled.  "Number eight, regular soda."  He handed his menu over and she smiled back before walking off.  He looked at them.  "So, are we going to have some fun as well as work?  I can help with the ballistics stuff."

"I'm sure you will be," Stella agreed.  "Where is Greg?"

"He had to work tonight.  Grandsire sent me out here by myself."

"I've been thinking, Xander.  Why don't you let Patrick give you a bodyguard?"

"I don't need one."  The three cops all snickered and nodded.  "I don't," he pouted.  "I'm being good most of the time. I never get into trouble at home."

"So, a bodyguard when you're on vacation?" Hawkes suggested.  "That might be nice. It'd give you someone to talk to if you're out alone."

"What, can't I get away from you?" Sonny demanded when he paused by the table.

Xander looked at him.  "I had to register my record setting quick marriage, Sonny.  Sorry.  Then I'm heading to Greece so you'll have New York to yourself again."  Sonny snorted.

"That story in the Times was him," Hawkes said.  Sonny laughed louder at that, walking off laughing.  "Record setting?"

"It was.  I beat the old record by five minutes and that one was a homicide.  For a quickie marriage where the bride committed suicide I beat it by nearly a day.  Greg's went later or he'd have it."

"They keep track of those things out there?" Stella demanded.

Xander nodded.  "Yup.  Someone does.  I got presented a certificate and everything."  Don hung his head, shaking it.  "I was married for one hour and thirty-three minutes."

Hawkes patted him on the back.  "Some day you'll have a real relationship."

"I know.  I'm wondering who got to laugh out in Sunnydale.  I haven't heard anyone out there screaming about it yet.  I should brag to Cordy tonight."

Stella shook her head.  "Don't, Xander. Please."  She patted his hand. "We'll be able to hear the screaming without the phone."  Their lunches came with the check, a blatant hint that someone was worried about them.  Stella adjusted her jacket to show her badge and the waitress relaxed.  She looked at him.  "So, stocked up on sunscreen?"

"Of course.  My moisturizer has it in there already."  Don gave him an odd look. "I was raised by girls.  I can still do a pretty good face masque too."

"I'm sure you can.  At least you had two years of Speed being a guy around you."

"I did.  Which is why I can help him fix his bike's engine," he said proudly. "Stella, if we get any time off you're more than welcome to come tramping around with me.  Daddy and stepmom are probably going to be doing a lot of couply things if there's not a lot of work."

"Sure.  That way you're not allowed out alone."  He groaned.  "Really, dear. Before another one comes."

He looked at her.  "I'm not going to the Masters convention in Monaco."

"Why not?"

"No room at the inn.  I always hear about them too late."

"There's got to be a newsletter or something," Don teased.

"I know.  But they started taking reservations last year.  I've decided to go to next year's."  That got a smile. "It's on a cruise ship."  Hawkes smiled at that.  "Lady Heather isn't going to that one so I'll be on my own there."

"I'm sure we can get you someone to go with you," Don promised.  He dug in, eating heartily.  Even though it was early he was hungry.  "When did Patrick say this about the meeting?"

"Last night when he was yelling at Grandsire for letting us out by ourselves."

"About what?"

"About what you're going to be doing while he pulls back from life a bit for a while."

"Oh, okay.  What about yours?"

"I told him I'd donate wherever he wanted me to but I still don't want his money.  I'd rather have him.   He just sighed and walked off shaking his head.  Grandsire said he was pouting about not letting him help me when I started my business down there."

"Well, he probably expected you to ask his opinion or something," Stella offered.

"Grandsire said I'm a lot like Grandfather," he admitted.  "Just as stubborn and independent."  Don smiled at that.  "He said that was a good thing but it drove him nuts."

Don nodded. "Patrick said he found you a new house."  Xander grimaced at that. "Have you seen it?"  He shook his head.  "Then let him help you decorate it, Xander.  Use the insurance to buy the stuff but let him help you pick it out.  He'd probably like that and it's good, quality time in a not-really-shopping way."  Xander let a gentle, soft smile out at that.  "Plus he could spoil you with a lamp or something."  That got a nod. "How long are you going to be home for?"

"Two whole days before we fly to Cypriot."

"Wow," Hawkes said.  "Does your new place have any furniture?"

"I got told there's a very good king size bed but otherwise no.  No bedframe or anything."

"So you can have him help you," Don agreed.  "He'd probably like that."  Xander grinned.  "Plus you could let your Dad help you arrange it."

"True.  I can.  Plus throw a welcome home party when we get back."  That got nods and smiles.  "Good idea, Don, thank you."

"Welcome.  Do I get a pat on the head?"

Xander grinned.  "I might have to charge you for that," he taunted. "Anyone who comes to me for playing gets charged."  Don snickered and leaned back, shaking his head.  "I did."

"I'm sure you did," he agreed.  "You never were a dom who went after the people who did it for fun."

"Nope, I see it as therapy.  Though I did help two different couples conceive," he said proudly.  "They needed the extra 'oomph' to make it happen because they were being bland and nothing was coming of it."  He ate another bite when Stella choked.  "I didn't watch."

"Good!"  She sipped her soda.

Hawkes smiled at him.  "I always found the different reasons people went toward an alternate like that instead of the traditional paths to be interesting."

"A lot of what I did was basically therapy, Sheldon.  The only difference is that people came to me because they couldn't admit that they had these issues without someone making them.  I also did a lot of tactile therapy.  A lot of the guys I worked with had that deficiency but couldn't admit that to a wife or anyone.  Or they were single and not getting enough so it was making them depressed or edgy.  I had this great furry blanket that I could wrap them in and hold them there if they needed it.   Or I could use it in conjunction with other methods."

He nodded. "Tactile expression is one of the first we learn but men often are robbed of it by the societal expectations of what it means to be a man."

"Huh?" Don asked.

"Men don't cuddle," Stella translated.

"Oh.  I do."  He shrugged.  "Women like it, it feels nice, gets me more dates.  I like cuddling but I can do without the chick flicks."  He ate another bite and Sheldon nodded at that.

"A lot of what I did was satisfying that need that some of my clients didn't have," Xander told him. "Or that they couldn't admit that they needed."

"I can see how that could be handy," Don agreed, nodding some.  He ate another bite. "I don't know about you guys but I've got a limited lunch."

Stella checked her watch then looked at him.  "All I have to do is take Xander to the Greek Embassy."

Hawkes smiled.  "I'm ducking out for mine."  He ate another bite.  "I got the early call this morning."  Xander patted him on the back.  "Not your fault."

"No but it still sucks.  I hate it when Dad had those."  He got back to eating so he wouldn't hold them up. There'd be time to chat with Don and everyone over their upcoming things.

***

Xander landed at the airport and smiled at the man there to meet him. "Hi, Gordon.  How's Grandfather?"

"He's good.  A bit tired today."

"Shoot.  I was going to ask if he wanted to help me pick out stuff for the house."  Gordon looked stunned.  "I'm not going to let him buy it for me, but help me pick it out.  I like his favorite chair."

Gordon smiled.  "That is a very good idea, Xander, and it might get him out of the house tonight.  I've already told your father I'm bringing you out there tonight and he can have you tomorrow since he'll have you for the next eleven days."  He helped him get his two bags and led him out to the limo.  The boy got in and settled in.  The bags got put into the trunk.  Your father adored his new jacket."

"I thought he might and it's a good use of those tips," he said happily.  "I got Mom some chocolate."

"I'm sure she enjoyed it."

"She called up moaning and whimpering but did say thank you," he agreed happily.  Gordon smiled at that.  "Is he really badly tired or just headachy tired?"

"Mostly headache tired.  The Mayor is being pushy."

"Can I fire my bazooka up his ass?"

"No.  I wish but no.  He'll be elected out of office this time."  He winked at him and the driver took off, taking them to the house out by Star Island.  "I like your hair like that."

"Greg helped me get a haircut.  Grandsire played with it during dinner, he kept arranging the spikes."  That got a smile.  "I try harder to be good at home."

"I know you do."  He gave him a pat.  "What were you thinking about for the decorating scheme?"

"I like semi-goth but not fully goth.  I like wood.  I like his favorite chair he sits in when we talk."

"I didn't think you'd be that traditional in your styles."

"Does that mean my new house is all glass and chrome?"

"No, it's a house, Xander.  Not a modern showpiece.  If it helps, Horatio thought it was very homey."  Xander relaxed. "Your father was out in the everglades on a case so we let Horatio make the final decision."  That got a shy smile.  "Ah, the crush lives on."

"Wouldn't you crush on that man?"

Gordon groaned and shifted, nodding.  "I did when I first met him a few years back," he admitted.  "He's very strong and very alive."

"It's like a pulse that floats out of him and draws you," Xander agreed. "Plus that hair."  Gordon smiled at him. "I'm allowed."

"I know you are," he promised.  "He's a bit older than you but he's also steady.  He'd stop that wild vacation problem of yours."

"I'm only nineteen."

"I know you are.  But when you hit twenty you'll have to settle down," he teased.

Xander snorted. "Right!  I'm sure you've seen that phenomenon called Spring Break?"  Gordon snickered and nodded.  "Some of them are nearly ancient at twenty-five."

"They are," he agreed.  "They're making the most of their fading youth."  The older man gave him a hug.  "We do enjoy you, Xander.  Never change."

"Then I wouldn't be a Xander."

"Point."  He smiled at him and messed up his hair but Xander fixed it again.  "Fine, you be a bit vain."

"A good dom is always in control, even when things around him are in shambles and he only wants to cry," he retorted.  "Even if it's all an act."

"Good."  He handed over two envelopes from his briefcase.  "The insurance money after it paid off the rest of the mortgage."

"Can we deposit it?"

"Those are the deposit tickets, Xander.  Your father and I put it into your account for you.  Also here."  He handed over a new checkbook and debit card. "Those are yours."  Xander smiled and hugged him.  "We knew the other stuff got burned."

"It did," he sighed.  "Were they mad at my storage areas?"

"I think Horatio went home to have a headache that night," he offered.  "Calleigh had some fun with the Russian made guns."

"I like them.  They're good."

"They are," he agreed.  They pulled through the gate and into the driveway and he hung back to watch the boy work.

Xander walked into the house, finding his grandfather in his study.  He walked up to him and gave him a hug.  "Would you go furniture shopping with me?"  His grandfather gave him a stunned look.  "You can't spoil me by buying everything but I wanted your opinion when I got stuck."  He gave him a hopeful smile.  "I like your meeting chair."

"I would be delighted.  Do you want to eat first?"

"I nibbled on the plane and I had a good lunch," he promised happily.  His grandfather went to change clothes and came out to meet him at the car.  "Gordon, are you coming?"

"No, I'll let this be your personal time together," he said, smiling at him. Patrick caught the hint and smiled back.  "Paul, take them were we got his last chair."  That got a nod and the car rolled off.  "Let's hope Xander lets him have some input."

"Can we stop to look at the new house first?  That way I know where I'm putting the master bedroom?"  That got a smile and a nod, his grandfather taking his hand to hold.  "Grandsire said a few times I was just like you."

"Had there been gay strip clubs in my day I probably would have went but I never had good rhythm."  Xander blushed at that. "Did you have fun?"  Xander nodded. "Good.  Teased them all?"

"Of course," he agreed happily.  "With just enough dom thrown in to make them beg too."  His grandfather laughed but started to cough.  "Are you sure you can go tonight?  We can wait."

"I can go tonight, Xander.  It's fine."  He smiled at him.  "It was dust. I haven't used them that much in a while."  Xander grinned at him.  "You aren't planning on going to the event in Monaco?"

"I heard about it too late. There's no open rooms.  I'm going next year, it'll be on a cruise."

"Good.  Traveling is always good for a soul."

"Grandsire got me a passport.  He said he had planned on running into me on my roadtrip then telling me about this stuff before going to Europe and inviting me."

"He probably would have," he agreed. "You two got along well?"

"He said we're so much alike it's like a memory some days, only I wear more leather and have better hair."  His grandfather smiled at him. "He did.  He said I'm just as stubborn and pushy when I want something."

"You are," he agreed.  They pulled into a small gate.  "It's not a huge house, Xander."

"Which I didn't want."

"Good."  He smiled at him.  "You're not going to complain?"

"I did plenty of that at Greg but he pointed out you were finding me a new safe haven.  Which I do appreciate. I could always use one of those."  That got a smile.  "But I should probably pay you back."

"It'll be fine, Grandson.  It was nearly nothing compared to what I spend a year in clothes."  Xander nodded, accepting that.  It did make him feel better.  The same as the small lie Patrick had told salved his own pride.  It wasn't a cheap house but it wasn't the grand mansion he had wanted to give his only grandson.  The way his face lit up was a great gift however.  Xander just smiled and stared at his house.  He went to open the door, letting Patrick undo the alarm.  Then they toured the empty rooms.  He could see the decorating going on in his mind and how he stared at the view out the master bedroom's window.  "You don't have beach access up here," he said quietly.  "You could probably tramp down to one though."

"The view of the water is better than the beach," he said, turning to hug him as hard as he could.  "I love it."  That got a squeeze.  "Thank you, Grandfather."

"You're welcome, Xander.  Now, let's get you something to sleep on when you come back."  They did the last few bedrooms then left to go furniture shopping.  Xander picked out the first few things without his help.  He was almost frustrated but he knew his grandson wanted him with him today.  He had asked.  He saw why when Xander got stuck after the first few easy things.  He did not have an eye for beauty yet.  He gently steered him over to a bed.  It was a pine four poster bed.  Xander looked back at him.  "You'll want to grace the view, Xander, not detract from it."

"What about for that second bedroom?  It looks out on the trees."

"It does," he agreed happily.  Xander led him by the wrist to the two he had been frustrated by but his grandfather pulled him away from the grand metal creations to a simpler metal one.  It still had scrollwork but it wasn't as heavy feeling and looking.  Xander looked at him.  "You'll need it to be lighter so you can appreciate the view."

"I was going to put the bed scooted more toward the bathroom on the other side."

"That's the dressing area."

"Okay, the sink place."  His grandfather nodded.  "Then put a sitting area in front of the windows.  I wasn't sure a couch would be high enough though.  I can't really see putting a hammock there."

"You can put one of those off the porch, Xander.  Did you not see that those windows opened?"  He nodded.  "The bottom part that's the wall also swings out."  Xander gave him an awed look.  He smiled.  "That way you don't block any of the view."

Xander nodded and pointed at an iron and wood bed.  It was simple but it had the scrollwork and design that was drawing Xander.  They picked a coordinating dresser in a neutral shade of wood.  The seating area was harder.  Nothing was very comfortable in the styles he liked so he led the boy to a set of more modern sitting areas.  It had slashes of colors through the dark blue fabric but it looked comfortable.  Xander sat down and it was good by his smile. "This or the single chair?"

"Get the love seat, Xander.  That way you have room to cuddle when you finally find someone special," he said.  Xander grinned at that and they went on to find the rest for the other bedrooms and the study downstairs.  He noticed he wasn't leaving himself somewhere to work from home.  "Not going to restart?"

"I'm still considering it.  I'm still having problems with my right hand.  My last two fingers are nearly numb after whatever they did to me."  He looked down then at him.  "Besides, I want some privacy this time. Last time I had a client that decided to snoop while waiting on her turn and I wanted to spank her for going into my personal apartment.  If I do, I'll rent somewhere closer to the center of town."  That got a nod and a smile.  "It'll cost more but I'll be happier and safer there than inviting them into my home.  Last time I got hit on by so many women, Grandfather."

"I know, dear.  I heard those complaints."  He patted him on the back. "Do we want a table?"

"Maybe for outside.  I can't see the point of having a formal dining room inside.  It's not like I'd use it.  I can use that space if I take on someone personal and private to my service."

"Good point."  He led him to the outdoor furniture, not liking his choice but Xander added some very soft pillows onto it.  It made it comfortable again.  They checked out with their lists and it came up a bit more than he wanted to spend so Patrick smiled and got the few finishing touches, like lamps and bookcases.  The special touches that made it a home instead of a showplace. Xander gave him a shy smile and he smiled back.  "You did need it, Grandson.  Also, I saw a statue I think would go well somewhere else.  Can I use that as my welcoming gift?"

"You don't have to."

"I know."  He gave them the address.  "The master bedroom already has mattresses for that bedframe.  Use the ones in there."  That got a nod.  "Call that number and I'll have someone come let you in.  Come along, Xander."  He led him off, taking him to look at the statue he had seen.  It was a beautifully done brass male figurine.  The living room had brass colored accents in the lamps and mirrors they had chosen so it would go very nicely.  He smiled at his grandson's blush at the very graphic and anatomically correct figure.  "For among the books.  We can nestle it among the candles as well.  When they're lit for ambiance it'll look wonderful, almost like it's moving."

"As long as it doesn't move if it's not supposed to.  I did steal some of Giles' books."

"I heard his rant, Grandson."  He pointed at the figure and the clerk came over to get it, letting him look it over.  "Hmm, even a bit rare.  One of five hundred made.  Not an antique yet but it could be in a few generations."

"That would require someone around me having kids."

"Someone will some year," he advised, smiling at him. "Perhaps even you."

"That would mean I'd have to break the vow not to touch another woman."

"True, but we'll see what happens."  He handed it back.  "Wrap it for him please."  That got a nod and he handed over his credit card.  The clerk ran it and let him sign the slip then he took the stout box it had been wrapped and put in.  "There.  Now, who are you going to get to help you arrange things?"

"Daddy but you can help and suggest."

"I'd like that."  He smiled at him.  "Come along, Cook is waiting dinner by now probably."  Xander gave him a sheepish look.  "She does worry since she can see every muscle in your body, Grandson."   He took him back to his house for the night and let Gordon put the statue safely aside so it could be put into the house.  "We'll have a small decorating party when he gets back from seeing his former spouse's things," he offered, handing over his notes of where things went.  "Let them in and do whatever but we'll be rearranging."

"Of course, Patrick."  He smiled at Xander, who grinned back.  "You eat dinner.  You're too thin.  How are you going to find a good man being that thin?"

"I was kinda hoping he'd be drawn to my muscles and see past them to what little brains I had."  His grandfather swatted him.  "I know I'm not really smart."

"Just because you and books aren't the best of friends does not mean you're not smart, Xander."  His grandfather led him into the dining room where they had a proper dinner waiting on them.  Plus his sire.  "You snuck back in?" he asked dryly.

"Of course I did.  It's my house."  He smiled at Xander.  "I will never let you have alcohol again."

"I didn't have any at the club."

"You didn't?"  Xander shook his head.  "How did you move like that without it?"

"I found out long ago strong sugars and coke work funny in my system. It's nearly the same as a happy high."  He grinned and sat down, smiling at his grandfather.  "Are you saying grace since I don't?"

"I am."  He said his own and his sire bowed his head.  Xander stayed silent out of respect, which got him smiled at.  "Cook?"  She bustled out with dinner for them.  Smaller portions for the vampires but a real one for Xander, who smiled and patted her on the arm before digging in.  "He took me shopping for the house, let me help guide some of his tastes.  He decorates more like you than me.  Older looking woods, some metal accents. Heavier pieces but with softness in the cushions."

"Good.  I look forward to seeing how it comes together."  Xander grinned at him.  "My own welcoming gift will be there by then."

"You guys bought me the house.  I don't need more.  I'll be spoiled."

"So?" his grandsire asked.  "You'd rather I go spoil Angel with it?"  Xander dropped his fork and nearly fell onto the floor while he cackled.  He smirked at his childe.  "I think he likes that idea."

"You and your picking nature," he sighed, shaking his head.  "Leave the poor, deluded boy alone, Raphael."

"I'm sorry but King Angst, Mr.-I-have-a-soul-so-therefore-I-must-torture-others-by- angsting-over-my-past-deeds is very much in need of a swift kick, Patrick."

Xander nodded.  "He is.  He was jealous of me because I got to romp and play with Buffy in school.  Did he know about that out clause on the soul spell?"  Raphael nodded, smirking at him. "Huh, and he's old enough to know what happy feels like or should be anyway.  So *why* did he lose it for Buffy's seventeenth birthday and why did I end up having to send him to hell?"

"Literally?" Patrick asked, nearly dropping his own fork.

"Buffy couldn't defeat him, he was opening a portal that would eat the world, it could only be closed by his blood.  Willow said she was going to resoul him and I never told her because I knew she'd never stop him.  He apparently got it back long enough for a longing look at Buffy before she had to stab him to close the portal with his body in it.  Then she ran away over what she had done."

"Hmm.  I should ask him about that," Raphael noted. "That would be good for your research, Patrick."

"I can go ask him myself," he said dryly.

"Just don't let him know I'm here," Xander sighed. "He'll growl and call me useless some more."

"A useless boy could not have changed Giles' battle plans, gotten others involved when they had no real desire to be there, and then led the battle during graduation and won," his grandfather said firmly.  "Get that out of your mind, Xander.  He was very wrong about you."

"I know that and you know that, but his opinion will never change.  His, Spike's, Giles', Buffy's."

"Then they're not worth the stress," his grandsire said simply.  "I had someone watching the Watcher when you revealed that we're family.  I got to see his two day tirade on tape and then his drinking binge when he worried that we'd go attack his little darling slayer."

"But you're not like that," Xander pointed out.

"I know that.  In case you hadn't noticed, the world has a lot more vampires than the ones who're driven insane by your former town or those who are power hungry like Angelus was when he was younger.  All of the Master's lines were brutal beasts," his grandsire instructed.  "Not all of us are."

"Dracula is an arrogant bastard," Patrick reminded him blandly.  "That is the sin most of us do have.  Arrogance in thinking that we have the right to immortality with the demon that resides in us."

"Then what about someone like Spike?" Xander asked.  "He's coldly a killer and enjoys it, but he took care of Dru for decades when she was weak and trapped in her visions.  She was so looney she thought I was her kitten.  His young life wasn't filled with that sort of lust for power and blood, not until he was turned."

"And tortured," Raphael cautioned.  "Angel and Druscilla saw something in him that spoke to them, said he could be like them.  That is why they turned the mildly gentle boy instead of simply eating him. Then they tortured him to get the Spike you see today.  He was always fiercely passionate about what was his."  Xander stared at him.  "You see it now with Druscilla.  Vampires are generally the same as they were in life, only our ethics have been skewed by the thing that enlivens us and the fact that we have to feed on others to live.  Before you mention it, Angelus is a very weak vampire for feeding on animals.  I could beat him easily but I choose not to because *someone's* got to get him help before he becomes the poster boy for vampires everywhere. The fact that some who were evil were turned, like Angelus was, means that someone has bad taste in children."

"He was?"

"He was very brutal in his young life," Raphael agreed.  "I know one who knew how he tormented the village under his father's rule.  How he raped many young women who didn't desire him.  How he killed one for it.  The demon that inhabits him simply fed on those urges to make him Angelus.  The soul spell simply removed that a step more so he had to think about what he had done.  It gave him a conscience.  Or else all those people who hunt others who adore you are soulless as well," he finished.

"Actually I think a few were," Xander told him.

"A soul is like the good angel on your shoulder, reminding you that it's not always wise to do things," Patrick told him.  "People can ignore it or break that voice.  Personally I think a few of them broke their souls.  They may have pieces but they're battered and bloody somewhere inside them.  Where we were both men of thought and reason, we kept most of that.  It gives us the chance to think and to realize that most vampires drink three pints and kill a body.  I can live on one and keep them alive."

"As can I," Raphael agreed.  "I can supplement when I feel tired or weak.  There are always volunteers, Xander.  Who do you think started the goth craze?  There have always been those willing to come across or volunteer.  I was one once."  He smiled and sipped his wine.  "Eat, before you waste away in Greece."

"Or Brazil or Russia," Xander teased.  "I'm going to have to sell those places so I don't have to pay taxes on them."

"Keep one for vacations," his grandfather instructed.  "That way you have a safe haven to go to outside of the US."

"None of those places are places I'd consider for a safe haven.  Athens, Rome, well, maybe not Rome, but parts of Italy, but not Cypriot.  I had to look that up on the map."

"You feel more in touch with the ancient rites," his grandfather agreed.  "Those places would speak to you.  Cypriot is also ancient, Grandson."

"Yeah, but it doesn't resonate.  Florence and Venice do when I see pictures of them. It's like they hum to me.  There's a small town outside of Rome that did when I saw it on tv during a travel special.  They were visiting their markets on their way through."

"Egypt?" his grandsire asked.  Xander shook his head.  "Not at all?"

"I get a shiver of dread almost.  Maybe it's because being gay was banned and you could be killed for it."

"It's possible. Or it's possible that the Greek versions of the faith resonate better with your soul," Patrick offered.  "Have you ever met a Greek Orthodox priest?"

"I have.  He and I had a similar talk and he said there's some of the old ways still alive in the villages where he came from, just cloaked in new terms."  That got a nod.  "He said I'd probably feel torn about Istanbul, but at home in the old parts of the city."

"Perhaps," his grandsire admitted.  "There is that apartment."

"Danny and Don are going to clean it out."

"That doesn't mean you can't visit," Patrick said dryly.

"I think we've all proven vacations are bad for Xanders."  He ate another bite without having to be told to.

"I think it will depend on who is with you," his grandfather offered.  "Your father is not quite the party animal that Greg is.  He enjoys his nights out but not the same way or as often."  Xander nodded at that.  "Though that Delko boy would make a fantastic bottom slut if he'd turn."

"I don't want to have that thought about Eric."

"Sorry."  Both vampires smiled at the boy.  Raphael took another sip of his wine. "We have got to find you a decent boyfriend, Grandson. Greg is nice.  Very sweet," he told Patrick.

"I met him."

"I watched him baby Xander and Xander baby him.  It would definitely be a relationship of mutual care and affection."  Xander blushed at that.  "But I think now and then Xander needs someone who can give him a firmer, guiding hand."

"That's a debate I'm still having with myself," Xander told him.  "That and if I can actually have sex with a guy."

"You can and you will enjoy it," Patrick assured him. "I have seen many young men who want but are unsure.  Most of them turn out to be enthusiastic about it, especially being on the bottom.  They find it freeing to not be the one giving all the orders."

"That's what worries me about Greg.  Our other relationship.  I don't want to confuse the two or have to draw firm lines or even abuse the privileges I get when I'm helping him."

"That can be a tricky slope.  He would end up your slave instead of your boyfriend," Patrick agreed.

"But isn't most of what Greg really needs tactile contact and affection?" Raphael asked.  "I noticed both you and Lady Heather petting the young man."  Xander nodded. "Then he would get the same from you while dating, yes?"

"But there's still that prior relationship and the boundaries we had to draw because of that.  If he has other issues, I'd have to go back to that and it would blur and probably hurt a real relationship with him.  Again making him my permanent sub instead of my lover."

"True," Patrick agreed.  "It could happen.  You would have to be very careful not to cross that line."

"And me, being raised by girls, I want to follow the fairytale and drown in it, not wade in slowly and carefully, inch by inch."

Raphael smiled.  "Then you could always try your hand for Horatio.  He is very much your type and he would gladly let you be as wild as you wanted at home.  You could tease him in public.  You could do anything you wanted to that man and he would soak it in.  But you wouldn't get to tease others."

Xander nodded. "Maybe I need to talk them into a trio with me," he sighed.

Patrick smiled at his sire.  "May I have some of your time tonight?"

"I was thinking the same thing.  That is a very warmth inducing mental image."

"No mental porn about your grandson," Xander teased.

"Fine.  We'll put someone else in there.  Delko?"

"He would do," Patrick agreed, smiling back.

Xander finished his dinner. "I'm going to call Daddy and make sure he's okay."

"They're having sex tonight, son."

"Okay."  He headed off to his room, letting them have some privacy while he had an intense mental fantasy about that trio as well.  Though he'd want to be in the middle.  He could just imagine those hands....  He shivered and went to take a warm shower so the water could mask some of the noise he'd be making.

***

Xander smiled as Horatio got onto the plane last, waving at the seat near him.  "This way I can talk to someone since Daddy's reading again."

"If you want," he agreed.  He buckled himself in, nodding at the stewardess that came with the private flight.  "Have you gotten to see the new house yet?"

"I have and you picked the perfect choice.  Thank you, Horatio."

"The other was larger and more impersonal," he offered but he was smiling.  The look on the boy's face told him all he needed to know.  "When are you throwing an open house?"

"When we all get back, Daddy, Grandfather, and I are going to spend a night arranging things at the house and then I'll have one."  Speed looked over the top of his book at him. "Please?  It'll all be there, it'll be shifting stuff at the most."

"I don't mind.  It's a good way to spend time making the house more yourself than some professional decorator's wet dream."  He went back to his book.  "Patrick told me he took you furniture shopping."

"No, I drug him with me.  He bought me a statue for the house and a few lamps since the insurance didn't cover everything that I liked."  Speed grinned at him. "I still have the no spoiling rule."

"I like that rule.  It lets you get closer to them without expecting anything on either side."  He smiled at Horatio.  "We'll cater the welcoming party," he promised.

"Did the guy you gave my cookies to get sick?" he asked.

"Violently, for a week," Speed agreed dryly.  "But it was Stetler so that's all right."  He weathered Calleigh's swat to his arm. "It is."  He smiled at her.  "You did pack that bikini, right?"  She nodded.  "Good.  I'm sure we can manage one day in the sun."

"I had a question.  How are we getting the guns back into the US without the FBI throwing fits?" Stella asked.

Xander looked at her.  "I said so."  She gave him a dirty look.  "Really.  That and I told them I'm donating them to various departments. I'm a gun collector, and I'm in the New York and Miami systems as a collector.  Speaking of, I've got to move the swords back to my study and a few in the living room."

"How are you going to decorate with swords, Xander?"

"They're pretty," he said with a shrug.  "They can be hung up, leaned here and there, things like that."  She nodded once at that. "It's a guy thing to play with swords, Calleigh."

"I realized the phallic nature of them, Xander.  Kinda hard not to."  He giggled at that.  "What about your gun collection?"

"Basement."

"We will be checking for more input by Mr. Giles and his explosives collection," Horatio warned.

"Can't I have some?"

"Some is not the seventy-five pounds of explosives we removed from your second storage area, Xander," Horatio assured him.

"Oops."

"Uh-huh."  He gave him a look.  "I did call to talk to him with Speed's help."

"Yeah, he said a few of those he had no idea about.  Getting it directly from the Council?" Speed asked.

"Um, no, but I was translating some things into demon for someone.  That one I was keeping it out of the hands of kooks who'd use it on someone."

"Uh-huh," Calleigh said, giving him a look.  "Who?"

"The guy who runs Tentacles."

"The demon bar?" Speed asked.  Xander nodded. "Why does he have weapons?  He's a peaceful demon."

"He's got a fascination for older weapons. That's where I got the WW II machine gun.  He loves military and ancient weapons.  He offered me a catapult.  Had to turn him down, no place for it."

Horatio stroked over Xander's hair, hearing the quiet groan under the roar of the jet's engines as they started to taxi out. "We'll talk about your growing collection, Xander.  Make sure you won't get into trouble for it."

"He said I absolutely could not have his new LANS system."

"You have nowhere to store it," Horatio agreed.  He quit petting him and saw the look in his eyes.  "You should rest.  It's a long flight and you're going to have a stressful month."

Xander smiled. "I'm used to stressful months.  Oh, Daddy, someone told Sonny.  He sent me a 'so sorry you got married' card."

Speed snorted. "Did you tell Danny?"

"I didn't but Greg did.  Greg claims he's the president of my fanclub.  He, Ryan, and Danny are the only official members so far."

"I love you enough to be a fan of you," he promised, smiling at him. "But you're never going to be allowed out alone ever again, Xander."

"I wasn't alone."

"Yeah and someone's already spanked Greg for the open pole suggestion," Speed promised.

"But I was good and he was enjoying me being pretty up there."

Speed gave him a look, shifting as the plane took off.  "Do we perhaps like Greg *that* way?" he asked.  Xander shrugged but ducked his head.  "The only one?"

"No, there's a few choices that I can get loud about," he admitted.

"We'll talk later in the bedroom.  For now, try to rest.  It's going to be a long month and traveling is almost always tiring.  Not to mention dealing with officials and relators."

"What happens if I like one of the houses?"

"You can get somewhere close by without the same connotations," Calleigh reminded him.  "Also probably cheaper to cover the taxes."

"Maybe.  I'm more drawn to Greece and some of the ancient areas out that way.  I got told by the other areas I like I might like Old Istanbul."

"You might," Speed agreed.  "We'll have them take pictures of the apartments and the views so you can see if you like those."  Xander smiled and nodded. "Now, curl up on Horatio's shoulder and talk to him about why that jerky of yours is evil."

Xander looked at him.  "It's not, even though it makes Daddy horny.  The marinade is a really good muscle relaxant too.  I used to use it for the really stubborn cramps on us three."  Horatio smiled at that. "You stink a lot but it's a great muscle rub."

"I wouldn't mind trying that sometime.  How is your hand?"

"I've still got tingles in the last two fingers on my right hand.  Since that's my whip hand I'm not sure if I can be as precise as I was. I was known as a technician with whips and instruments.  I did a lot of that and tactile breaking."

"You specialize?" Horatio asked.

"We all do in our way.  Some people are better at obedience training.  Some with training their people like dogs.  Some of us won't get into the hardcore instrument play.  Some of them do it for more sexual reasons.  Some of them like doing it for dinner theater S&M like in some of the show clubs.  There's one in New York where you can actually put on a stage act during dinner.  Steven got asked by one of his subs to do that so I got to help," he said proudly.  "We choreographed it.  We named it.  We picked out music for the background."  That got a smile.  "He called it 'Training The Next Generation' and had himself giving me orders and teaching me a new technique on his sub."

"Interesting.  Did the sub like that?"

"He had a lot of fun.  Steven was one who was more...involved with his subs than I am.  His were submissives to him.  I see mine more as clients.  I do breaking so they can let whatever it is go.  I break them basically."  That got a nod.  "Steven got into sex play now and then.  A lot more gratification play than I ever did.  Though I did help two couples conceive.  They came in to play that way because the normal way wasn't doing it for them."

"On which side?"

"One of each.  One of them was a younger woman and the guy wasn't quite as impressive as he used to be so she wanted to tie him down and make him beg for it.  He liked that idea.  I had to work him up to what they wanted to do but I did and she did conceive that last session.  They also paid me a grand a session for that privilege."  Horatio gaped.  "My real clients, the ones who *needed* me only paid fifty.  What you'd pay a therapist.  That one that I had to get really rough on to make him break it was the only one he needed.  He felt that he got what he deserved and his wife was able to help him with the rest while she babied his welts.  It worked well for them."  They finally leveled out and Xander tipped his seat back, getting a smile from Horatio.  "I've had guys who have been punishing themselves for years.  Those ones were in my phone and I've already sent messages to them that I'd be back for them but not for the general public once I settled back in.  Them I can trust to come out to the house and not break my peace and privacy.  I'll use the dining room for that since I can't see the need for an indoor table with the back porch I have."  That got another gentle smile.  "I did get a table for outside.  Plus a new cabinet for the dining room so I can hide all that stuff from casual snoopers during parties and things."

"That might be a good idea.  Alexx is still not comfortable with that idea, Xander," Calleigh warned.

"I know.  She'd probably be really unhappy that one of my clients was African-American as well but he's been doing this for years.  He knew exactly what he needed from me and I gave it to him plus a bit extra to expand his boundaries.  He might be retiring from it soon because he said he's getting better."  That got a smile.  "I never flaunt the life in front of others."

"Half of Las Vegas called you Master Tim," she reminded him.

"Half of Las Vegas knew me as that before, Calleigh.  I separate my private and work lives.  Lady Heather introduced me as Master Tim everywhere we went so they'd get used to me.  Only one person asked me if Tim was my real name and I told them it was in tribute to Dad.  They said that was sweet and left it there because they know you don't ask a dom his real name unless you're a friend."

"So friends can call you Xander but to those who don't know you're Master Tim," Speed agreed.  "One of the officers asked me if you were a Junior."  Xander grinned.  "I told him no, your thing was more languages than science."

"Science is scary."

"It's not," Horatio offered.

"He and science didn't get along well in school," Tim assured him.  "I had to walk him through it and it didn't help that much."

"I still like the story about how he passed Biology with a D-minus because he had to be given an automatic A for Willow puking on his frog," Stella teased.  Xander nodded.  Speed snickered at that.  "He said she had a frog phobia."

"Still has," Speed agreed. "Remember him talking about Anya?"  She nodded. "Psycho nympho has a phobia of bunnies. Claim's they're furry and have twitchy noses that're more demonic than her."

"Your prom date is strange," Calleigh told Xander.  Who nodded.  "How is she doing?"

"Still pouting that she can't teach the new boyfriend to give oral sex for hours."  Horatio coughed at that and Stella blushed.  "Sorry, I am an oral guy.  I like my mouth.  That's why I babble."

"Someone kiss you to stop you yet?" Stella teased.

"If you did that would make you evil and then Calleigh would have to shove you out of the plane for trying to kill us all," he said, looking totally serious.  "Then Mac would spank me."

"Probably true," she agreed, nodding at that.  "Horatio, if he starts to babble you get to kiss him."

"If he wants," he taunted back.  He noticed how Xander reacted.  He knew exactly what the boy was thinking.  That one afternoon he had fallen asleep on him had been very educational.  "So, did you have any nice dates with Greg while you were out there?"

"It's always fun with Greg but I've got other worries if we start dating," he offered. "I've talked to Greg about them," he said when his father looked over.  He knew his grandfathers wouldn't say anything to anyone, except maybe to talk to Greg about his thoughts on this, but he had told him he had talked to his grandfathers about that stuff.  He agreed another ear would be good and gave him permission to talk to either his father or Horatio but not around everyone else.  After all, Greg was talking to Lady Heather about it.  "I've got a few people I've thought about asking but it might get awkward with either one," he admitted.  "But they're too unique to say I can find it elsewhere at the club.  Oh, Speed, you might tell Eric that both grandfathers think he'd be cute as a bottom boy."

Speed coughed at that and Calleigh blushed.  "I'm so going to tease him when I see him next time."

"The really odd thing was, Grandfathers and I were talking and somehow I suggested the dreaded threesome idea so I wouldn't have to go through these doubts and issues and they decided to switch me with him for their own personal thoughts."

Speed unbuckled and got up, pulling his son to the bedroom in the back of the plane, shutting them in.  He got them settled onto the bed, cuddling up with his son.  "Who do you like?" he demanded.

Xander played with his shirt button.  "Greg.  But there's the problem where I almost thought about a long-term sub contract with him.  And, um, someone in the other room but Grandfather *really* likes Stella.  Grandsire said that she'd be the perfect woman for him if he was younger."

Speed made him look at him. "You like Horatio?"  Xander swallowed and nodded.  He considered it.  "That'd be one fiery match but he'd protect you and he'd finally have someone to protect him."  He looked at him again.  "You'd make him play and quit working himself to death, plus make him happier. I can definitely see him like that."  He smiled at him.  "That's one big step to take though. That would be two alphas together."

Xander nodded. "Which is one of the thoughts I have.  But I want to do what Willow did, Daddy.  I want to drown in love.  I can't do that with Greg.  I'd have to step so carefully so we wouldn't ruin the other relationship if he needed it."

"True.  That would be some careful tapdancing until you got into a pattern and then that might get boring for both of you."  He stroked through his hair. "I like this look he got you."  He smiled at him.  "I think you and Horatio would be a killer match, Xander.  But are you willing to be the weaker one for him?"

"He got me to break when you couldn't, Daddy."

"I know.  I knew then."  He stroked over his hair again then looked into his eyes.  "I think you and Horatio would be good for more than in the bedrooms.  I think he'd be able to hold you together if something happened to one of us.  Greg would hold on, be a buoy in the water for you.  Horatio's like an anchor."  He smiled.  "Though you're right, that threesome, hotter with you than Eric."  Xander blushed bright red and hid his face in his father's shoulder.  "I know.  It's almost a scary thought.  You haven't gotten past kissing, have you?"  He shook his head, not removing it.  "Well, maybe we can do something about that."

"Daddy, please.  He wouldn't like me.  I'm not smart.  I'm dumb muscle, not like him."

"You ever put yourself down again and I'm spanking you," Speed warned.  Someone tapped on the door.  "What?"  The stewardess leaned in.  "We're just talking.  My son's got a few decisions he's thinking about.  Like college."  She nodded and left them alone.  He looked at him.  "I have a solution to that.  Try for languages.  It is a thing you can do."  Xander frowned at him. "It's not homework intensive in the major.  You like languages.  It does have a future as a translator and things.  The other crap we'd help you with.  I'd like it if you went for something like a profiler but that's a lot of school and you can minor in it or physical therapy if you wanted. That would build on your massage licenses."  Xander looked interested.  "It would also prove how smart you really are, son."  Xander relaxed against him again.  "Will you try it for a year?  Keep your private clients but try school?"  Xander nodded, yawning against him.  "I know, I'm comfy.  Can I hint at Horatio?"  Xander shook his head quickly.  "Please?  If he knows he can think about it."

"The day someone shot at him Eric drug him over and I think I had one of those noisy dreams Mom teased me about with him there."

"About Greg?"

"Um, nope."

"Oooh.  Well then at least he knows.  He hasn't shown one way or the other has he?"  Xander shook his head.  "What did Patrick say?"

"They liked the threesome idea."

"It is very hot," Horatio agreed as he came in.  He locked the door behind him.  He came over to sit on the foot of the bed.  "I also knew what you were thinking before then, Xander.  You stare."

"Sorry."

"I'm not."

"Me either," Speed offered.  "Horatio, you'd finally have someone who got possessive over you, who wanted to protect you just as much as you protected them.  You'd quit working yourself to death and go live life.  It'd be good for you."

"It might but I'm still old enough to be his father."

"Not really," Xander admitted.

"Yeah he is, I know how old he is," Speed assured him.  "If he had you in high school."  Horatio gave him a look.  "Really."

"College, Speed.  I didn't get held back."

"Sorry."  He grinned.  He shifted but Xander clung to him. "I'm going to give you two a chance to talk.  This is one of those things you have to talk about.  Girls are right about that much."  He slid out of the clutching grasp and looked at Horatio. "If you two do and you hurt my son, I'm having you eaten.  I'll have Willow help me."  He got a nod and left them alone, letting Horatio lock the door behind him.

Horatio came back to the bed and sat on the foot of it again. "I'm still too old for you, Xander."

"Not really."

"Yes, really," he countered.  "But I do see a lot of traits that I do like."

"Um...."

"I know you haven't had any practical experience. Which is one of the reasons I'm so wary."

"Have you?"

"Once or twice."

"Am I the sort you might like?"

"Yes," he said, smiling at him.  "Quite a lot.  Though I do have some reservations and Greg is one of them.  I'm fairly possessive.  I'm not sure I can share you with someone so close to you that way. Your clients I wouldn't care about. I know that's not sexual for you but I do know that you were thinking about that step with Greg and probably could slip very easily into it but you'd never be able to go back to your old relationship."

"I joked during dinner my first night back that the perfect answer is a threesome."

Horatio smiled but he shook his head. "Not my thing, Xander.  Not really. What's mine is mine.  All mine.  I'm very possessive.  Which is why I still need to think and you still need to think because you would be mine and I would be topping you most of the time."  Xander shivered at that and his breathing quickened.  "Most nights."  He watched his reactions.   "Days off as well.  You'd be mine."

"Would you move in?"

"I might think about.  I have my house and you have yours.  We'd have to work on that."

"I want to keep mine, Horatio.  It means a lot to me that he bought it for me."

"Which is something I appreciate, Xander. You take people you love very deeply into you.  Which is why you have to be careful.  My family means everything to me.  I would and have killed to protect my family."  Xander nodded, staring into his eyes.  "We're very alike in that way, Xander, but I'm not sure I could handle having a concubine who came down a few times a year for a week of getting cuddled and petted.  So I have to think and you have to think."  He smiled and stroked over his hand, watching his body jump to attention at that.  "While we're doing this it'll give us a good chance to get to know each other as more than 'Speed's son the dom who cracks bad jokes' and 'Daddy's friend'."

"Do you think it's odd I call him Daddy?  Sonny picked on me."

"Sonny's an asshole and his opinion only means something to those he's hired.  I doubt his mother even takes him seriously."  Xander relaxed at that.  "It's clear that you're clinging to Speed so you can't lose him.  When you're starving and you suddenly get food, the first person who tries to take it will get hurt.  That's natural to every species, Xander."

"He told you about her?"

"He did."  He shifted closer. "I've seen similar before."

"Is that how you knew Ethan well enough to blackmail his plane out of him?"  Horatio nodded.  "Did you?"

"I did.  Mine wasn't quite as accidental."  He smiled at him.  "I was dabbling. I was a stupid, young teenager looking for a way out of my family and gangs never held any lure for me."  He stroked his hand again, watching his whole body twitch.  "When Greg touches you do you get the same feeling?"

"I get warmth, like a blanket on a cool desert night," he admitted quietly.  They hit a patch of turbulence and he clutched onto him. "I hate that."

"Shh, I'm here," he soothed. "We will not crash."  Xander relaxed slowly but he did relax.  "What do you feel when I touch you?"

"Protection but also there's a live current.  I think that's your latent magic and mine though."  He shrugged.  "That's more theoretical than I ever really got.  Willow told me about power attraction."

"No I think this goes deeper.  That's why people are drawn to Ethan."  Xander relaxed at that and he realized the boy had worried about that.  "I do like you for your very quick mind, Xander.  In some ways seeing you is like a mirror of myself.  In some ways it's like seeing a bright burst of light for the future.  If we did, we'd probably spend some time fighting.  And making love.  Sometimes even on the same day."  Xander blushed but he didn't seem too bothered by that.  "But you do have to be aware I have never had that sort of casual relationship you dreamed about.  That is not the man I am."  Xander nodded. "Then why did you dream about it?"

"Probably the only way I could have you," he mumbled.

"Well, you're worthy to be a guilty secret but I don't keep those.  Too many people go looking for them and then I have to take the time to deal with them.  It gets annoying when Rick tries to get that far up my ass."  That got a small smirk.  "It does."  He patted him on the hand again.  "For right now, we both have to think.  Both of us about Greg at the moment, then we can talk some more."

"Can I talk to Lady Heather and Daddy?"

"All you want," he promised.  "I think you should talk to them.  They've been around the relationship dance a few more times than either of us."

"Would you talk to her too?  I know Greg is."

"I can.  Though I think she knows what I have doubts about.  She reads people very well.  So do you.  That is one skill you do have.  That's how you get them to break."

"You got me to."

"I remember.  You needed it.  I will be there if you need me.  You're already family, Xander."  Xander moved closer slowly, letting him hug the boy.  "We'll figure it out.  We'll be together in Russia with Mac," he soothed.  "We'll spend some of that time talking amongst us."  Xander nodded and Horatio gave him a squeeze.  The boy was still clinging.   It was a warm feeling.  He had to shift and Xander wrapped his legs around his waist.  "Not on a plane, Xander.  Not today."  Xander nodded, putting his face in his shoulder to sniff.  "When you were out there did you and Greg sleep together?"

"While we were both drunk and then hung over we curled up in the same bed," he admitted quietly.  "He makes a nice pillow.  He's very cuddly in his sleep."  Horatio smiled at that.  "Do you cuddle?"

"Often.  Not all the time like Greg seems to need but often."  Xander looked at him.  "We'll work it out."  Xander nodded. "Good boy."  Xander's head tipped a bit up, staring into his eyes.  So he did it back.  He could read him so easily now.  He gave him the kiss he was wanting and Xander moaned against him, shifting on his lap to be in a better position for him.  Horatio pulled back and looked at him again.  "You will make a very happy bottom," he said quietly.  "We'll figure it out."  Xander nodded, going back to his cuddle.  Horatio smiled.  "Did you need this?"

"Please.  Just for a few more minutes.  Otherwise I'll have to get noisy in the bathroom."

"Noisy?" he teased.  "Louder than the jet?"

"According to Mom, yeah."  Horatio chuckled and gave him a squeeze.  Someone tapped.  "Getting a hug."

"Let me in," Speed ordered.  Xander concentrated and the door opened.  "Thanks."  He looked at them then at the door.  "No magic on the plane.  We don't know what Ethan's cast on here."

"Ethan's more attuned to the ground and blood.  Like I am water."  He went back to his cuddle.  "He's just as good as you are for a cuddle."

Speed smiled and came over to get his back, which made Horatio smile. "I told the girls you two were talking about the Greg stuff.  They've sworn not to say anything."

"Thank you," Xander said.

"He looks good like that," Speed offered to Horatio.

"He's comfortable in my lap too.  He's better than a cat."  Xander giggled at that. "We do have to talk about Greg."

"You do," he agreed. "With Greg."  He looked at them then at Horatio again.  "I don't think it's the problem you think it is, Horatio.  The same as I don't think it is for Xander.  I think Greg will easily fall back into the mindset if he needs that but what Greg needs is a lot more affection."  He stroked over Xander's hair.  "Like what he gets from us."  He looked at Xander, seeing the sated smile on his sleeping face.  He looked at Horatio, who glanced down.  "He's done that to me a few times.  It's because it's so rare it's special to him.  He never sleeps well unless he's being held."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Then keep in mind that Greg wouldn't take him from you.  Greg would join him with you.  Greg would get the middle spot on the bed."  He shrugged.  "That way he got more than enough cuddles.  By the way, he's as good at giving them as he is receiving and even you, Horatio Caine, could use one now and then.  Now, let's put him down and then we'll go rejoin the nosy creatures in the other room."

"Noisy dreams?" he teased.

"Aiden caught him masturbating once.  She teased him mercilessly about how loud he was.  She eventually had to back it off to just noisy because he was so embarrassed he couldn't face down anyone else because he thought they heard him."

"I've never met anyone that loud."

"Oh, he can be.  I still like how he was embarrassed when he told me about the you/Eric/Greg threesome that Patrick and his sire went off on so they wouldn't have to see him."

Horatio shivered.  "I like Eric but not that much.  He'd miss women."

"He might."  They unwound Xander and put him to bed.  "We'll have to listen for nightmares."  Horatio looked at him. "He's had some violent ones since he started being able to dream, Horatio.  Now and then he's got screaming, fighting, ends up hurting himself to get away ones that you can't seem to wake him from.  Those he never gets when he's napping with you.  He woke Calleigh one night, which is nearly impossible."

"Is that how she got the bruise?"

"Yeah, he flailed.  She's fine.  She got me up and I laid down next to him and held him.  It usually works.  That's why Aiden sent him to Mac, so he could work on the PTSD issues."

"Understood.  We all have those."

"Yours make you wake up sweating and screaming my name, Horatio. His make him see the world going to hell."

"He told me all of it, Speed."

"Good. Then maybe we won't have one today. Traveling always makes him uneasy."  He got up and they left Xander in there. Horatio put his jacket over Xander's chest, giving him a partial blanket and letting him be surrounded by scent.

***

Horatio looked at the villa in front of them.  It was still whole.  It was a beautiful place.  It was the sort of place most people thought about retiring to.  It had gorgeous views.  It was soothing to him.  Xander looked at him and smiled. "It's nice here."

"It's also not too far from a real city, Vasilikos, and we're on the safer side of the island," Speed offered. "But the village was nice and relatively close."

"It is but not quite my style."  He smiled.  "Too sculpted.  Too rigid."  He headed up to the door with her keys that had been in her purse.  It took him a few tries but he got them into the house.  He waved a hand, letting them walk in first.  Horatio went first, hand on his gun just in case.  When he came back the rest of them came in.  "Okay.  According to rumors she's got a bunker under the house," Xander told Calleigh.  "Her office is probably facing that way," he offered, pointing to the horizon.  "She said she liked sunsets instead of sunrises.  She was 'another day done and it's all good' person instead of 'another night gone and the sun will banish the shadows for a while' person."  That got a nod and Speed went to check the cabinets to see what they'd need to pick up to eat.  Since Xander wasn't allowed anywhere near the kitchen.  Xander found the tv and turned it on, then down.  "Someone was deaf," he complained.  He flipped and kept flipping.  "Man, I didn't know they had satellites that had over six hundred stations yet," he complained.  "Hey, naked hockey."  He blinked. "Aren't they cold?  Daddy, where do they play naked hockey?" he called.

Speed came in to look, tipping his head to get a better look. "Yeah, that's real skin, not skin colored fabric.  She jiggles just right.  Damn.  Aren't they cold?" he asked finally.  Then he felt really old suddenly.  That 'put on a sweater I'm cold' feeling was not for someone his age.

"You'd think so but no one's blue or shivering.  Stella?"  She came in and groaned, walking off. "Where do they play naked hockey?"

"Tape that for Don, he likes hockey," she called.

Xander looked at the TIVO and got it turned on and programmed to get the current show and the other ones of it.  Then his favorite ones.  "Hey, they got Brit TV."

Speed patted his back.  "Sure, kid.  You tape them and we'll take the tapes home."  He walked off, going to find Calleigh and Horatio.  "He found naked hockey."

"Field or ice?" Calleigh asked.

"Ice."

"Aren't they cold little men with no teeth?"

"Women and no, apparently not.  No goosebumps you could see and you can *see*."  She went to look, then came back shaking her head.  "See?"

"I did.  That's odd.  Naked women playing ice hockey.  Huh.  I wonder if we can get that in the states for Eric."

"Eric would definitely pay fifty dollars for one match," Horatio agreed.

"Eric would pay to be their trainer," Speed reminded him.  "Even if he did have to learn how to play hockey."  They heard Xander's squeal and hurried out, finding it being him on the tv.  "Whoa.  Son?  Explanations?"

"Not a clue, Daddy."  He read the information section. "Huh, club tapes from strip clubs around the world."  He flipped back to the picture.  "I didn't do too bad."

"No, you didn't," Speed admitted. "Shitload better than I can."

"Me too," Calleigh agreed.  She walked off before she could have bad thoughts about her stepson.  "Stella, they found a station that shows strip club tapes and we saw one of Xander's few times on the pole."  She went to watch the last song's worth.  "Speed, do we need groceries?  If so, take him with you."

"Sure."  He hauled Xander up and outside to their car to go to the market.  "You really did look good."

"It was fun teasing them," he said with a wicked grin.  "I like being a tease."

"You certainly are," he agreed, backing out and heading to town.

"Daddy, wrong side of the road," Xander reminded him. "Left side!"

"Oh, yeah."  He switched back to like it was at home.  "I keep forgetting that part of Europe drives British."

"You've been here before?"

"Once for six weeks on a study abroad thing.  I went to England."  He grinned and sped off, heading down into the village to get some food.  Plus to watch Xander get his first taste of other cultures.  Xander was examining everything and buying little gifts for everyone already.  Including something cutesy for Ryan that he would probably giggle at.  They had a lot of fun and stayed a lot longer than they should.  They came back to find Stella staring and waiting on them.  "We went shopping."

"That's fine.  I need food after that show.  No wonder he won the open pole competition.  They were running back to back winners from the club.  He had three in there."

"Three?" Speed asked.  Xander nodded.  "How many were this last trip?"

"One.  The other two were while I was training.  My last night I won my second one."  He grinned as he helped carry things into the house.

"It was good too, he made the whole room beg," Stella told him.  "Including someone on the Most Wanted list.  I called in the tip already."  That got a smirk.  "He does attract them."

"He does," he agreed, carrying more fruits into the house.  "I'm making fruit and meat tonight. If you object the nearest fast food place was twelve miles past the village.  Xander asked about coffee."  Horatio laughed from somewhere in the house.  "He did."

"No, she saw Xander."  He came out with a picture that was printed off.  It showed him in his leathers.  It was the picture from Lady Heather's site.

"We did find the all strip club channel," Xander said with a small shrug.

"Obviously."  He gave him a look and then went back to his searching.  "She knew Xander before they met and married," Horatio called.  "She had him bookmarked four times."  He came out with another picture and Speed blinked at that one of Xander shirtless and his leather pants undone and starting to slip down his hips.  You could see pubic hair starting to come out of the opening. "That was one of the ones bookmarked.

Speed held it up for Xander, who shrugged.  "Well, he looks very well built in that," Stella decided.  "Anything else on her computer, Horatio?"

"A lot.  Plus the filing cabinets.  Calleigh, how is the bunker?"

"Can't get in yet.  There's a keypad."

Xander let her lead him down there and did something to the wires, letting it open.  He grinned.  "The things you learn when someone locks themselves in a pressurized chamber."  He peeked in and 'ooohed', heading in.  "Toys!" he squealed, opening cabinets.  "Can I keep whatever you guys don't want?  She has a really neat rifle."

"No," Horatio called, coming down to join the two staring people.  They all looked at the guns, even Speed, who noticed the other door.  Horatio looked at Speed's back because he opened it and froze.  He blinked.  "Oh, dear," he sighed.

Xander looked over Speed's shoulder, then let out an ear-piercing squeal and ran to hug the tank.  "TOYS!"

"Um, should we call the Greek military?" Stella asked.

"There's the Akrotiri UK base on the other side of us," Speed offered.  "We're about halfway between it and Vasilikos."  He went to call their FBI contact from the kitchen while he went back to preparing dinner.  "No, Xander, that is one toy you can't keep," he called when he was on hold.  He smiled when the voice complained. "Sorry, Xander just found a tank," he said.  "No, not like gas tank.  Like tank!  Like Tank Girl tank.  Yes, like Patton tank.  Only more recent than that I think.  Has Army on it and serial numbers."  He nodded.  "That's what we were wondering.  Well, there is the UK base nearby," he offered.  "Or the Greek authorities."  He shrugged.  "Whatever you guys want.  Xander may not bring a tank back to Miami."

"What about the jet?" Xander called from the basement stairs.  "Can we keep the jet?"

"You're not licensed to fly an F-18," Stella called. "Someone call Mac!"

"Stella wanted us to call Mac since there's also a combat jet," Speed said.  "Whatever you guys want.  Xander can't keep the jet or bring the tank to Miami.  Actually he has pretty good hand/eye coordination," he admitted.  "He probably could learn how to fly it."

"NO!" Horatio yelled.  "He may not bring an F-18 to Miami."

"Meany," Xander called.  Horatio apparently glared at him because he slunk off.  Then he squealed a few minutes later.  "WE CAN GIVE ETHAN BACK HIS PLANE!"

Speed moaned.  "Who do you want to come get this stuff?" he asked.  "We'll be here.  Send someone.  Thank you."  He hung up.  "We're getting someone from NCIS."

"Which is?" Stella asked.

"Naval Criminal Investigative Services," Horatio told her.  He shook his head until Xander bounced up the stairs and drug him back down to look at the things in the further part of the hanger. "How did she get a tank down here?" he complained.  Xander opened the hanger door.  "They'd still have to airlift it."  Xander hit the other button and a ramp moved out from the cliff face.  "I see."  He retracted it and walked off to look at the private jet.  It was just as nice as the one they were borrowing. A bit bigger.  He found another door and walked in, whimpering at the gold in there.  "Oh no.  This is going to get messy," he complained, closing the door and walking out, hitting the button to close the hanger door. "Speed, are you still on with our contact?"

"Mac."  He handed over the phone.

"Mac, Horatio.  Tell someone she got paid in gold."  He hung up and went to find the stash of aspirin.  Every assassin had to have *some* somewhere.  He found it in the master bedroom and took three then paused to look around.  The sunken bathtub faced a moving wall.  He opened them and saw it facing the same view as the office.  It was a beautiful view.  Speed came in and looked then at him.  "You two take this room."

"Thanks."  He grinned and went to tell Calleigh that.  She came in to see.  Horatio got out of the way, letting her have it.  Tim showed her the view and she cooed, starting the tub.  He slammed the door shut.

Horatio went out to the kitchen.  "Speed and Calleigh are soaking out the jet lag."

"Works for me," Stella agreed.  "There's two bedrooms left."  Xander shrugged.  "I'm not sleeping with you, Xander."  She patted him on the head.  "You might get attached."  She went to pick her room.

Xander looked at Horatio.  "I can sleep on the couch."

"So can I."

"Flip you for it?"

Horatio looked at him.  "We'll figure that out later."  Xander nodded and headed for the kitchen.  "Ah!"  He stopped him and turned him around.  "Go write down the make, model, and serial number of every single handgun downstairs for Calleigh."   Xander bounced to the office to find pen and paper then went down there to do that and check them for cleaning or not.  Horatio went to deal with dinner.   Until someone in a pressed uniform came to the door and nearly saluted him.  "Officer."

"Sir!"

"Lieutenant Caine," he introduced dryly.  "Xander?" he called.  He bounced back up the stairs and saluted the guy back, getting a nod.  "This is the spouse of the former owner."

"I got briefed, sir.  I was asked to check on what you have."

"Okay," Xander agreed, taking his hand and leading him down there.  He let him pause to look at the guns, then showed him the artillery.  "Calleigh is ballistics in Miami and we're talking with New York's felony crime lab and Las Vegas's too."

"Good!" he agreed in his cute Australian accent.  He walked into the next area and moaned.  "How did she get a tank in here?"

"There's a hanger door and an extendable ramp."

"Oh, good."  He climbed up to look in the cockpit.  "Fully here and lists as armed," he complained, going up to look into the tank.  "This too."  He came out of the tank and looked at him.  "Any other surprises?"  Horatio nodded at the other door so he walked through and squeaked.  "Of course she had to be paid in gold."  He walked out to call his boss.  "Sir. Fully armed and able to work tank and F-18.  Yes, sir.  Some artillery but we have competent ballistics persons from the US here.  Sir, remember that report that made you laugh about the assassin?  I'm at her house with her last spouse, sir.  Yes, sir.  That case, sir.  Thank you, sir.  I'll let them know, sir."  He hung up and pushed in a long distance number.  "Sir, Sergeant Major Chris Toffers, sir.  Yes, sir.  Cyprus, Akrotiri Base Sir.  By Vasilisok presently.  You were alerted to an assassin who has weapons she should not?  Sir, did you or anyone on your team read the New York Times a few weeks back about a female assassin marrying someone then committing suicide an hour and a half later?"

"One hour and thirty-three minutes," Xander offered.  He took the phone.  "Hi, this is Xander Harris.  Lady Death married me right before she jumped off the top of that hotel.  Yeah, that's what we're doing.  I don't know why she wanted the fully armed tank and F- 18 but they're really pretty and I'm told I'm not allowed to bring them back to Miami so if you guys want this, come get it before we leave in a week.  If not, we can let the nice guy with the really cute accent take it."  He grinned.  "Hey, I've got enough to do dealing with the my height pile of gold bars in the other room and sightseeing since this is my first time overseas.  No, we've got CSI here to deal with the files and the guns.  Duquesne. From Miami.  You can come ask us in person if you want.  I don't know, there's another door."  He jogged over to the one he had spotted behind the tank and opened it slowly, finding a light switch.  He held up the phone when the agent saw and let out a low moan of longing.  Then he hung up.

"Hey, Horatio, you might want to come look at the big drums of stuff marked TATP and the big blob of plastique on top of it.  Or else I am!"  He walked in to look at it, then hummed.  "Get me some wire cutters please?"  The guy frowned at him.  "Now!" he snapped.  The man went to look.  He came back with a pair.  "Huh."  He looked again, walking around it. "Okay, two choices.  Let's chase this.  Hmm, battery, computer.  Battery then computer," he decided.  He cut one and the Sergeant Major squealed again.  He gave him a look.  "Yes, I've played with these before."  He looked at the other one then cut it, then pulled the detonator cap.  He walked off, handing it to Horatio, who apparently didn't hear him by the look on his face.  "I yelled," he offered.  "You might want to check that computer down there considering it's connected to a mainframe like I haven't seen in years since Willow accidentally let a demon onto the internet and it inhabited one to come after her because she was his perfect mate."  He walked off again.  "Bomb's gone," he called.  "Big huge computer thingy downstairs."

Horatio stuck the knife he was using in the cutting board and went to look, coming back a minute later.  "Good work, Xander.  Next time, yell louder!" he ordered.  He went outside to calm himself down and trace the last wire he had found from the computer that had been drilled out here.  He stomped on the switch in the driveway and all the alarms in the house quit reading them and went to 'safe' mode.  He went back inside.  "We missed a trigger on the alarm system," he called. "It's safe now."

Speed came out in a towel.  "Who disarmed the bomb?" he asked.  Horatio pointed at Xander.  "I know my son is not cooking."

"I'm chopping it's not the same," he defended.

Speed walked out and pulled Xander, knife and all, about of the kitchen.  "Thank you, son.  How big of a bomb?"

"Made the military guy moan."  He smiled.  "And there's a big computer thingy down there too."

"Thingy like a mainframe?"

"Remember the story about the demon Willow released on the internet?"

"Yes, unfortunately."

"One of those thingies."

"The demon or the mainframe?"

"Mainframe," Horatio offered.  "New IBM blade servers.  Probably holds more information than we can crunch in a year."  He came out to get the knife from Xander and check what he had been doing then got back to cooking.

"Cute towel, Speed, I didn't realize you were that furry," Stella said as she came back out, clearly redressed.  "Bomb?"

"There's a pressure plate in the driveway to render the alarms safe," Horatio said blandly.  "Yes, he disarmed the bomb."

"We're talking the military guy right?" she asked hopefully.

"No," Speed and Horatio sighed in unison, Speed shaking his head. "Plastique?"  Xander nodded.  "Show me."  Xander led him down there by the wrist, finding the Sergeant Major leaning out the hanger door panting for fresh air.  "Go get a drink, officer."  He leaned in the room with the bomb. "Damn," he said in awe.  "Okay.  What's under the trap door?"

Xander shrugged and went to check then giggled.  "Money," he said, holding some up.  "Did you get to see the pretty room?"

"No, I didn't.  Show me."  Xander drug him across the hanger, past the private jet, which got a small moan, and into the end storage cavern.  He blinked at the pile of gold.  "I'm getting a *great* present this year, Xander."

"Okay."  He hugged him.  "I love you, Daddy, and you'd get one anyway."  He checked around and found another smaller door.  "Huh, a window."  He opened it and found a bird's nest.  "Carrier pigeons?"

"Possibly.  We'll find a way to track it."

"Put one of those GPS thingies on it."

"We might be able to do that," he agreed.  He went back upstairs shaking his head. "We found carrier pigeons, bearer bonds, currency in many different country's colors, and the officer is presently mid panic attack out the hanger door."  He drug Calleigh off.  "We'll need a computer tech here, Horatio."

Horatio called back the last number on the cellphone.  "Who am I speaking with?  This is Lieutenant Caine from Miami.  I'm with Mr. Harris.  Because we just found a very new server right behind a bomb and on top of a lot of international currency," he said blandly.  "IBM blade server.  Looked like serial wired to me.  No, we disarmed the bomb.  I don't know.  Xander's talking to CSI Bonasera out of New York about tracking the carrier pigeons.  Xander, the flat, black boxes in the server.  How many were there?"

"I think ten.  Want me to go check?"

"That's all right.  There were three mainframe looking cases?"

"Yup and they each had the bottom two spots open.  There was one other spot in one that was open about midway and one in the top left spot in the series."

"He said there's two open spots on each case and two additional ones.  That might help, yes.  Carrier pigeons?"

"Can we put a GPS thingy on them and see where they go?"

"We can," Horatio agreed. "That would be a good way to teach you how to use that system, Xander."  He listened.  "That would be more than acceptable, Agent Gibbs.  We look forward to your assistance.  Do you want me to feed the officer who's having a panic attack or should he go back to base and come back with you?  We're halfway between the base on the side pointing toward Egypt and Italy and Vasilikos.  That's fine, trace this phone if you need to."  He smiled.  "Even better.  Yes, she's in the bath.  They've found a great many things and he's agreed to donate anything he can to our three departments.  Of course she'll share.  She'll pout but she'll share.  We know there's another two houses but we're not sure what's in them yet.  We're doing those over the next two weeks and then the minor apartments we know about the week and a half after that.  Of course we can keep you in the loop.  Why did the FBI hand it over?  Ah, Abby.  I've heard of her.  That would be more than acceptable.  We'll be here, at least one of us.  Thank you, Agent Gibbs."  He hung up.  "Sergeant Major, NCIS is flying to your base tonight," he called.  "Go back there and lead them back out here."

"Yes, sir," he agreed, jogging up the stairs.  "I closed the hanger door but another pigeon flew in and landed in front of me so I took the note," he offered, handing it over.  "With flight times they'll probably be here early tomorrow morning our time, sir."

"That's fine, we can handle that."  He nodded and left.  Horatio looked at the note. "Hmm.  Looks like a love letter.  We'll have to track them," he agreed, putting the note aside. Xander went to dig around in the office, coming out with a pair of pliers and his own phone.  "What are you doing?"

"We can track a phone GPS chip, right?"

"We can."

"I can always get a better phone," he said with a grin.  "This is a nice one but I'm running out of room for new numbers.  Besides, I'm sure we can get it back or I can replace the chip."  He dug it out and handed it over with a bright grin.  "Send back a note saying she's at home."

"I can do that."  He looked at the note, then at the chip and the basement door.  "We'll send it when we heard from them again.  He can wait a few hours. It's getting late."

"Okay.  Can I help?"

"No.  Out of the kitchen, Xander."  Xander went back to watching the strip club channel and trying out some of the moves he was seeing.  Horatio watched, then smiled.  He could see the merit of the boy practicing, even if he never got to do them in public.

***

Gibbs walked into the door like he owned the place.  Xander looked at him and plainly cocked the gun in front of him.  "You gonna use that, kid?"

"Unless you identify yourself and then I'll fuck the hole," he said plainly.  "You are?"

"Special Agent Gibbs, NCIS."

"Oh, okay.  Next time knock.  I'm tracking where the carrier pigeon is going right now since we got a note from one last night."  He looked then smiled.  "Hey, it's in Istanbul."  The female with them came over to see and typed in something.  "We have an apartment there that we're going to be looking at in a few weeks," he told her with a grin.  She smiled back. "I'm Xander."

"I'm Abby," she said, shaking his hand with a bright smile.  "The only federally sanctioned goth lab tech."

"I lived in Sunnydale.  You're normal to me."  She hugged him and he beamed at the others.  "Let go before you go evil.  Most of the other women who like me did."  She nodded, understanding that.  "Okay, let's go see the tank and the plane."  He led them downstairs.  Tony whimpered.  "There's an extendable ramp but I'm not sure how far out it goes or if it can be maneuvered up or down for easier offloading."

"Sure," he agreed weakly.  Xander opened the hanger door for him.  "Okay.  Even better."

"McGee, check out this server while I go over these."

"The guy with the cute accent and really hot ass said they were fully armed and in working order but Horatio won't let me try them out."  That got a snicker from the younger guy in the back.  "He did.  He said I couldn't bring them back to Miami either.  You're McGee?"  He nodded.  "This way."  He let him into the room with the bomb and the server.  "Yes, it's disarmed."

"Then what's the countdown on the laptop?"

Xander looked then smiled and nodded at the door. "That one.  The door will automatically close in ten minutes," he called.  "I guess that's her version of a garage remote."  He waved a hand.  "International currency under the bomb.  Do whatever you want.  We're all working upstairs once the others get back from the local town office.  Horatio wanted to ask a few questions."

"CSI can be like that," he agreed.  "I'll work on this, Xander.  Thank you."

"Welcome."  He grinned and went to nod the other guy the private jet, watching him sigh in pleasure. "It's mine now. I've got to learn how to fly apparently."  He opened up the other door to show him the carrier pigeons.  "We got one last night with a 'where are you' message.  We sent back a 'I'm home but sore and injured, the story was a cover' response and my phone's GPS chip."

"Which is what Abby's tracking," he finished, smiling at him. "Good job."

"Thank you.  Is she single?"

He shook his head.  "No.  Especially not if she'll turn evil."  Xander grumbled but walked off.  "What are you going to do with the gold, Mr. Harris?"

"Start up an evil empire and get a cat," he called back as he headed back up the stairs to go back to cleaning the weapons.  Abby gave him an odd look.  "It's soothing to clean them."

"It is."  They looked up when someone came in.  "Hi."  She smiled. "I'm Abby from NCIS."  She shook hands.

"The others are downstairs.  The Gibbs guy is in the tank, the guy who didn't give me his name is looking at the gold, pigeons, and the private plane.  The McGee guy is in the server and bomb room.  The pigeon landed in Istanbul."

"Where in Istanbul?" Horatio asked.

"I'm narrowing it down now," Abby offered, going back to that.  "Looks like....  Huh. The old prison."  She let him see.  Then she smiled at the female members.  "Can I help?"

"Sure.  We've got to go through the stuff in the office to gather information for handover anyway," Stella agreed.  "That's Horatio's and my project.  Speed's Xander's adoptive father.  Calleigh's our ballistics expert on this leg of the trip."

"Cool.  I'm Abby, I'm our lab tech.  Downstairs is Tony, Timmy, and Gibbs. Gibbs is the grumpy one.  The Sergeant Major gave us a map."

"That's fine," Stella agreed, showing her the office. "This is what we're working with.  We know there's some that are password protected and we can't get into them."

"I can try and McGee is *really* good with those."

"Even better," Stella agreed.

"MCGEE!" she yelled.  "PASSWORDS!"  He came jogging up the stairs and came to look, then typed in something, linking them to a site online.  She accessed it for him once he was gone and the passwords got cracked for them.  "Thank you, Tim."

"Welcome, Abby.  Can I have a glass of water?" he asked.  Xander handed him the glass and got out of the way.  "Any in the fridge?"

"Yes, but Timmy spanks nearly as hard as I do if I touch anything in the kitchen," he offered. "I'm poisonous."

"Really?" he asked with a grin.  "That's a talent."

"It's useful in interrogation too," Stella agreed from behind him. "I fed a suspect one of his cookies and they begged for mercy and medical attention.  Oh, Xander, Mac used that technique on Sonny.  He broke very prettily and then Mac gave him some of your breath spray.  He's very sorry.  Mac told him he had gotten it off of you but you didn't know."  She got the water pitcher out to pour him some. "Out of the kitchen, Xander, before you taint something.  Take Speed to look at the grounds and take pictures for the others."

"Sure."  He drug his father outside to do that.

"He's his adoptive father so he's here to guard Xander."  She saw Horatio finishing the gun Xander had been working on and putting it back together.  "He said it was calming."

"It is," Horatio agreed.  "I find it very calming."  He marked the list on the table, looking it over.  "He's done twenty out of the eighty-three handguns we've found.  Are there extra panels behind the ones in the open?"  Stella shook her head. "That's fine.  Calleigh, let's start sorting out the guns into 'going with us' and 'being handed over'."  She nodded, going to do that now.  "Abby, she's running a test on patterns of destruction from various types of artillery in an urban setting if you wanted to help."  She smiled and went to do that. "We're hoping for a database," he told Stella.

"It's a good idea.  We could use it now and then."  She sipped her own water.  "Want the filing cabinets or are you going to do that?"

"I will... come help you until Gbbs is ready to deal with how we're getting things out of there."  He stood up.  "Just imagine if Mac had been here?"

"He would've yelled at Xander for disarming the bomb," she told him.  "He thinks the kid's a bit strange, partially trained, and tragically has combat fatigue at his age."

"All true but he's got a different sort of training out of necessity."  He leaned in the basement doorway.  "When you're ready to talk about how we're moving those, I'm in the office, Gibbs."

"Sure.  There's a switch for evacuation procedures?"  Horatio came down the stairs to look at it.  They looked at each other then pushed it.

"The server's downloading to a site online, boss," McGee yelled.

"So's up here," Abby yelled.

"We found the road," DiNozzo told him, coming out of the other room.  He pulled on the dividing doorway, moving the wall as it collapsed back into a set of panels.  "Road.  We can get the tank out that way."

"Bomb's still inactive as far as I can tell," McGee called.  Horatio went that way just in case.  He came out of there.  "The money tray just lifted up, boss.  It's in a trunk."

"Trunk, like old fashioned, take them to college footlockers?" Tony suggested.  He nodded.  "What's under the cash?"

"Bearer bonds. Other papers I'm not sure about."

"Sure," Tony agreed. "How long was Lady Death in the business?"

"Since she was twelve according to the FBI," Gibbs noted.  "She was thought to be forty when she died."

Horatio came out.  "Las Vegas estimated her age at forty-three due to the changes in her body and bones.  Thank you for finding that, it makes our job a lot easier.  We need to find any mentions of other houses and what she's keeping in Brazil and Russia."

"I speak Russian," Gibbs offered.

"One of my officers is part Cuban and part Russian.  He's coming with us.  Mac Taylor is coming as our ballistics person and I'm going as Xander's guard."

"Is he careless or that untrained?"

"Neither.  He's a trouble magnet," Horatio said, shaking his head.  "She found him after he had done an open pole night during his dominant training in Las Vegas.  Apparently they get an all strip club channel on the dish here.  It's just down the dial from the one that shows naked women playing ice hockey."  Tony opened his mouth.  "Seriously.  Fully naked, ice hockey.  Not even thongs."

"I want that dish," Tony complained.  His boss popped him one on the head.  "I'm a normal guy," Tony complained.

"Xander's TIVOing them all as presents for the CSI going with us to Russia," he said blandly.  "I'm sure you can have a copy too."

"Thanks."  Gibbs gave him a look.  "What?"

"Don't you see enough naked women in a year?"

"Yeah, and?  I've never seen them playing hockey."

"Hey, my video's on," Xander called happily.

"What video?" Tony asked.

Horatio moaned.  "The all strip club channel shows tapes of open pole night winners.  He's won three. There'll be this one, skip three, another one, then one in about four month's worth of routines."  Tony went to go watch it with the ladies.  He looked at Gibbs.  "So far Xander has turned in one pedophile who was going where he was bartending and doing his beginning dominant training because he wasn't doing very well with his aversion therapy and seven serial killers to SVU in New York, plus two other regular killers who fixated on him and wanted him.  Xander is from Sunnydale," he said quietly.  "He was there during graduation."

"I googled his name for a quick background check.  That how he could disarm the bomb?"

"It is, it's also where his interest in weapons came from.  It's also why he can use a sword just as well as he can the whips he prefers on his other job."

"He's a full Dom?"

"He finished his training with Lady Heather and she's a very nice lady.  Thinks of him like an extra son," Horatio agreed quietly.

"That's a resume," Gibbs agreed, sipping his coffee.  "Trouble magnet?"

"Yes.  All those killers?  He was only in New York from late May to early October, Gibbs."

"That's impressive even for a trouble magnet," he decided.  "Sure, we can handle that.  Need more help guarding him?"

"No, we're doing one guard for Xander.  One CSI after this run to do the files, and one ballistics person to do any weapons we might find.  Then two CSI going to the smaller apartments we know about."

"I know someone who would love this house," he admitted.

"He said he doesn't want it."

"I'll let them know.  What about the jet?"

"I'm not sure," he admitted.  "Xander was thinking it'd be a nice thing to have around.  I'm thinking it's an expensive toy to have.  But then again there is the gold in the other room if it's not confiscated."

"Shouldn't be.  What did the Greek government say?"

"Not a lot when we went in to talk to them earlier.  The FBI contacted them when they figured out who had married Xander for an hour and thirty-three minutes before realizing they were going to get her and committing suicide.  He went to talk to their embassy in New York about this stuff.  They got him visas and things so he could come clean out his wife's possessions, even knowing who she was.  He assured them all the information was going to go to all our departments, the FBI, and Interpol, plus them if they wanted copies.  We told them we found artillery and were talking with the base and you about them.  They said to let them know.  I mentioned finding some gold bars and they shrugged.  That was in their version of the State Department however."

"I'll make sure it's safe for the kid," Gibbs assured him. "Where's the other two?"

"Rio and on the Black Sea.  It's a small resort town."  He went to get their plans and show it to him.  "Here."

"I've been there. It's a nice town.  Very quiet.  Like the village we passed through.  They notice non-natives. Where did the GPS chip go?"

"It went to Istanbul.  To the prison," Horatio told him.  "Or so they were saying a few minutes ago."

"Okay, we'll find out who."  He went to make that call.  "Your plans went very high up," he said twenty minutes later, coming back down the stairs.  "Everyone is very happy with this plan, even the Greeks. They said he comes from money?"

"More or less.  His grandfather is Patrick Benis," Horatio said quietly.  "But the boy just met him this summer due to his father being an asshole."

"That can happen.  He's not too spoiled."

"He won't let them buy him things.  When he first met them he told them they couldn't buy him more than a candy bar."  That got a smile.  "He has this thing about owing others."

"Sure, I get that. Send the kid and his father out to do something touristy while the two computer geeks hack into the system and we go over any problems in the plans.  You know Taylor?"

"I do.  He's running New York's felony lab."

"He's a good man.  He'll enjoy the spa town too."  That got a smile.  "He will."  They called Mac to go over the plan, updating him to what they had found.  Xander came down to get the footlocker and catalog it in his room, but Speed drug him off to see the other nearby villages like the tourists they were.

***

Horatio turned Xander over to Greg's care at the private airfield.  "The last two days were a vacation and he's well rested," he promised.  "But bouncy.  Fair warning.  Xander, the other plane?"

"They're flying back on it and it'll be landing in Miami tomorrow morning," Xander reminded him.  He smiled at Greg.  "I've got pictures."  Greg sat down next to him. "It had a gorgeous view, Greg.  The master suite had a tub with sliding walls so you could look out on the ocean.  It was fantastic.  Daddy and Calleigh are *so* relaxed.  The nice guys at NCIS helped us tons.  We've got the stuff for the labs on this plane and the stuff I'm personally keeping on my new one."

"She had a plane?"

"She also had a tank and an F-18," Horatio told him. "She had two sports cars with emergency bags.  She had eighty-three handguns and enough artillery to hold a small war, Greg.  Plus a lover in Istanbul in the maximum security prison over there."

"She was carrier pigeoning him," Xander said with a grin. "His earlier mug shots looked kinda like me."  He smiled at Horatio.  "Can you have my stuff put into my basement?"

"I can and will, Xander.  Behave in Brazil and call us every night so Speed knows you're okay."

"Yes, Horatio."  He smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be a good boy, I promise."

"Good.  You'll have an FBI agent shadowing you in case we have someone to try to break in like we did yesterday."  He left, going down to his hummer and Frank after he gave the orders for the cargo and signed the forms for his people to take control of things.  He had a word with the airport handler's head guy.  "Mr. Harris has another flight coming in tomorrow of things he wanted to keep.  It is high security as well.  A lot of it is money he found in his former wife's home.  I'll be here personally to ride escort with some of my officers.  Same starting point."  That got a nod and he made a note.  "Thank you."  He walked off, finding Frank watching things, hands on his hips, gun holster unlatched.  "You would not believe what her house was like, Frank."

"That bad?"

"We had to call in assistance for the computer system.  She had a tank, an F-18, and a private jet.  We'll have to do this again tomorrow and put things in Xander's basement.  Most of it came to us but he wanted a few things, like the pile of gold bars.  Some of the money, an urn."

"Pile of gold bars?" he asked quietly.

"She had been doing this for nearly thirty years, Frank.  She earned it.  She had over two hundred kills to her name, mostly for political reasons.  She earned all of it."  Frank just nodded.  "So, tomorrow night we get to do this again with Xander's new plane.  It'll be going into his basement."

"Sure," he agreed. "We can do that.  Wolfe, do not drop that!" he called.

"I'm not!" he called back, sounding cranky.  He put it into the truck.  "It's not like it's loaded."

"No, thankfully it's not," Calleigh agreed as she joined them with her own boxes.  "Okay, we've got two sealed crates, so, Ryan, get in there and stack them against the front wall."  He got in to do that, moving things back into a more orderly pile to make room.  "Higher, Ryan, big crates."  He nodded, doing that.  "Already broken down for us, Vegas, and New York," she told Frank proudly. "Ours are the singles. Speed's handcuffed to the computer files."  That got a nod and they escorted Speed off the plane, letting him hug Xander and make him promise to behave for Greg and Horatio and bring back something nice for them from Brazil and Russia, plus to call every night.  Then he was walked out.  Two FBI agents walked out to uncuff him from his briefcase and get their copies out, then handed over the sealed copies to Frank since he was in charge of the off-loading and staging here. It got put into the back with Ryan and his gun, handcuffed to his wrist.  Stella walked over with her lists for the FBI of what everyone was getting, getting nods for their copy; that too went to Ryan.

"Miller time," Speed called, waving.  He waved at the plane and Xander grinned and waved from the door.  The next team loaded and they taxied off since the refueling truck had been working from the other side.

Frank checked the manifest against what they got.  "Calleigh, all the guns boxed and things?"

"All but the one on me, Frank.  Xander gave it to me personally, it's mine.  You pry it from my fingers when you freeze me with liquid nitro and then break my hand."  She got into the front of the truck, nodding to the driver once the door was closed by Frank and locked by Frank, who had the only key.  Speed waved at them too and she waved back.  "Dinner?"

"Tomorrow."

"Sure."  The truck moved off and the others rode guard on them all the way back to the station, where Stella took control of the stuff for New York and Warrick took control of the stuff for Vegas since Bobby was now at 50,000 feet heading for Brazil.  They got escorted back to the main airport since the station had been a more central location than the going directly there and safer too to unload the truck at.  The others flew back with their sealed, wrapped, and marked crates and the rest of them went to settle in for the night and tell Frank how it had went.

***

Bobby looked at the house in Brazil, then at Xander.  "Are we sure it's safe?"

"No but I can go check."

"Ah!" Greg said, stopping him.  "Lady Heather said I am to keep you from doing anything stupid, Xander."

"This is what I'm trained to do, Greggy."  He grinned and got free, heading casually across the street.  He saw the two guys who were watching him and smiled.  He pulled out the keys and the same one from Cyprus fit this lock too.  "Good job, dear.  Glad I married your stupid ass."  He found the pressure switch and stepped on it then turned on the lights. "I'm home," he called.  "This is now my house.  If you're in it, I'm going to shoot you."  One of the guys from outside came rushing in and he beat him then looked out at the other and smiled.  "Did you want to try too, sweetie?  Or don't you think you can beat this gay man?"  The man growled and lunged and Xander's new, very nicely conditioned whip he had been working on the whole flight down, and back from Cyprus, snapped out to get him.  "Mine, bitch."  The man ran off yelping for help.

"Good.  All clear.  Let me check the basement for the usual bomb.  Be right back."  He went to check on that and found it was off but he disabled it anyway.  He could probably use the practice.  Then he skipped back out.  "Clear."  They came inside.  "Office was that way," he said, pointing toward the sunset.  "Toys are in the basement. There's an attic so there's no telling what's up there.  I'll head there first.  Then I'll go help with the toys."  He left.  "By the way, I can't cook.  Speed forbid me to cook a long time ago.  They all say I'm poisonous."  He headed up to the attic to look at things in there, finding that's where her money stash was.  He came down and went downstairs, going to find the evacuation switch.  He prowled around the basement, finding all the neat toys she had hidden down here.  Bolos. Guns.  Knives.  A home-made lance.  Another car.  He petted the hood of the nondescript car and found the switch on the other side.  "Watch out!" he called, hitting the switch.  Then he went to move the cash up there to the trunk of the car.  Bobby whistled at all the guns that were exposed.  Xander grinned at him.  "Toys."

"Very many toys.  I love you, man."

"Cool.  Wanna go on a date tonight?"

"I'm still straight, Xander.  I meant brotherly love.  But you can take Greg."

"Sure.  Greg, wanna go out tonight or are we gonna be busy?"

"Work tonight, play tomorrow, or the bosses will kill us," Greg called back. "Then we'll go watch the beach and have dinner."

"Okay.  Want help cataloging, Bobby?"

"Sure, I could use that."  Greg brought down paper and pens, then went back to downloading the computer.  Stella had gotten detailed instructions on what to do from the agents they had worked with in Cyprus.  "How was Cypriot?" Bobby asked.

"Good.  We were on the Greek side so they called it Cyprus.  Beautiful house. Did you see the pictures on the plane?"

"I did.  That was an amazing view."  Xander grinned and nodded.  "What am I going home to?"

"Oh, about this many for each city.  Warrick went home with a detailed list.  Including those that had serial numbers.  I cleaned them all before we packed them in the safe boxes."

"Thanks.  That'll save me some time.  Is it computerized?"

"No, the system was screwy out there once we hit the evacuation list.  I got to type it up."

"That's fine. I can borrow a secretary to input it and the ballistics codes."

"Sure."  He grinned and got back to work. "She keeps putting them up dirty.  How stupid was she?  Poor baby," he told the gun in his hands.

"Maybe it let her know which one she used.  After all, they're not sorted by size or anything.  Could be by jobs."

"Could be.  The other place had gold bars."

"Really cool," Bobby agreed.

Xander smiled and nodded.  "Yup.  I am definitely throwing down for Christmas next month," he said happily. "Daddy is getting one killer present."

"Guys!" Greg called.  That was not a call for help, it was a call for *help*.

Xander opened a drawer and found bullets and preloaded magazines.  He checked it, check the guns, then walked up the stairs slapping the clip in.  "Hi, who are you?"

"Detective Favares.  You?"

"The former owner's temporary last husband."  He looked confused.  "Talk with Director Atmale I think his name was?  The former owner married me.  She wasn't a nice woman so we're cleaning up after her and giving all her files to Interpol."  The detective laughed.  "Your issue.  Agent Bobby?" he called loudly.  The FBI agent rushed in.  "I'm not sure whether he doesn't have a clue or he's on the take.  You deal with it.  I'm playing with the toys."

"More tanks?"

"No, not that I've seen.  There might be another basement level.  Let them know I hit the switch like last time."

"Sure, kid.  That encrypted it again?"

"Agent McGee at NCIS is working on that."

"Even better.  He's one of the brighter eggheads we've got."  He led the detective off to talk with his partner while he got him cleared through the official channels down there.  He came back a minute later.  "How long for clean up?"

"Two days at the most with the level of guns unless I find a new basement level."

"Probably not here.  High water table on this end of town, kid," the agent offered.  The detective was walked back in.  "He clean?"

"He is.  He wasn't told.  The guy with the whip marks ran to him for protection."

"Honey, I'm the bi one.  If he's that big a princess, why is he in the business he's in?  Hell, I've done worse to that to my clients as a dom!"

"He has," Greg agreed.  "I've seen him do worse than that to a client who needed it.  He's a dom of the therapy school."

The detective looked at him.  "I'm sorry the boy bothered you."

"So am I, but I got to try my new whip out," he said with a grin. "I just got it in Cyprus."  He let him see it.  "I conditioned it on the plane so it might be a bit deeper due to the stiffness."

"That's fine," he agreed.  "The woman who lived here married you?"

"Yeah, apparently she tracked me because I did an open pole night during some training time I took in Las Vegas.  Did you know that Europe had an all strip club channel?  And one that had naked women playing regulation ice hockey?"  He looked amused but shook his head.  "Apparently the stripper channel was showing open pole winners and she saw me, and I kinda looked like her lover, who is in prison in Istanbul, she was sending carrier pigeon notes to him.  But she tracked me down and had me for all of an hour and thirty- three minutes before the FBI was called and she ran off the top of the hotel. Her apprentice grabbed an officer's gun to commit suicide in the lobby.  I don't know what she was expecting.  She got me so drunk I was limp and she had to carry me to bed."

"You and me both," Greg agreed dryly.  "Do we know if her apprentice had anything?"

"Not really," Xander offered. "But I did tell Speed you were entitled to ten percent of what I got."  Greg nodded and shrugged at that.  "Greg, we found a pile of gold bars as tall as I am and as long as the kitchen," he said patiently.  Greg squeaked, eyes wide.  "Plus cash."

"Oh.   My.  God," Greg breathed.  "That'd be like winning the lottery."  Xander nodded and beamed. "We need to do dinner tomorrow night," he decided, going to brag to Bobby and then Hawkes in the office.

Xander looked at the agents and detective.  "Once we've got everything cleaned, we'll seal it, guard it, and then go in pairs on vacation for the rest of the week.  But I'm more than willing to kill anyone who breaks in here.  Should I call you directly?"

The detective laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "That is a good joke, sir.  We will help you guard the house."  He left with the agents to set up a patrol schedule for them.

Xander shrugged and went to help.  "Stella left her laptop on the plane for this reason," Xander told Bobby.  "That way you can coordinate with the others to see who wants what.  The first one was split pretty evenly with Calleigh doling out what she knew she had already and could get hold of.  So you guys break this up however you decide.  That way   no one gets the pouts."  That got a nod and they pulled it out to get to work on that.  Xander went to look at the furnishings, picking out a lamp he really liked.  And then a vase.  It was pretty and would go great as a present for Yelina.  They went into the trunk of the car too.  Greg gave him a knowing look.  "Keeping them out of the way."

"Good.  How much are we thinking?"

Xander shrugged. "I was going to ask Grandfather and Grandsire to help me break it down into real cash.  Then we'd split it that way and spoil others for the holidays."

"Good."  He beamed and went back to the kitchen to deal with that stuff.  "Does anyone but Xander want to cook?"

"I will," Hawkes agreed.  "The download's running so I can start on something."  He came out to wash his hands and get to work.  The fridge and freezer got looked over.  Then the cabinets.  "We need some fresh stuff."

"We can go," Xander agreed happily. Greg grinned at him.  "We can."  He went to get some cash out of the stuff in the trunk of the car, then came back up, handing most of it to Greg.  "I'm going to go browse.  Dad and I did some of that."

"Sure."  They walked out together, waving at the agents.  "Going for food."

"Behave, boys.  I mean it," Agent Bobby called.  He watched them go.  They were very cute together.

***

Xander watched as the new changeover happened in New York.  They had some beautiful pictures of Brazil for Mac and Horatio.  Greg was still asleep in his seat.  "The vase and the luggage is mine," he called. "Plus the blue bag is Greg's and should stay on."  That got a nod from Eric and he put that one back.  Then they checked the hold.  Xander came down to check the suitcases, handing them to Speed since he was there.  "Those are heading for home and the vase and the lamp too.  The vase is the present."  He gave him a cuddle.  "I'm having so much fun, Daddy."  He beamed.  "Greg agreed with my ten percent idea. Put all that into the basement and I love you."  He rushed back onto the plane when he saw Horatio looking impatient.  "Sorry."

"It's all right, Xander. I don't blame you for getting a cuddle.  Did you remember to not send off your personal clothes?"  Xander looked hesitant.  "Which suitcase was the original one?"

"The clothes got packed around the money.  I'll buy more."  He smiled.  "It's a tourist area I can probably find t-shirts and jeans."

"Probably," Mac agreed.  "Horatio, Eric?"  Horatio looked at Eric and he came jogging over with his bag and Xander's adjusted bag.  "Did Speed pack?" he teased.

"Yup.  He knew Xander would do something like pack the presents into his suitcase."  He sat down on a reclining seat facing the door and buckled up.  "So, how was Cypriot and Brazil?"  Horatio sat on Xander's other side and Mac got the couch.  Xander handed over the pictures.  "Okay, that's a great view," he offered, handing them to Mac as they started to taxi off.  "What did you bring me?"

"A lot."

"Cool."

"But my fanclub and relatives get the better presents."

"I'll pick on Ryan until he gives me something."

"You can have some of my jerky," Xander offered.

Eric gave him a look.  "Speed warned me about that stuff."

"I nearly ripped myself apart when I had some," Horatio told him.  "My control was nearly shattered."  Greg let out a loud snore and he gave him a fond look.  "Did you wear him out, Xander?"

"Yup," he said proudly.

"Are you two....." Mac started to ask.

"He's very close to me but we've got things we've got to work out first if we're going that way.  But he is a great friend and a lot of fun to be with, and hang out with, plus he ended up cuddling.  He cuddles *very* well.  He's like your blanket."  Mac smiled at that and he looked at Horatio.  "We did a lot of talking."

"Good."  He teased some of the spiky hair.  "I see he played with your hair on the trip up."

"He got bored over Panama, then fell asleep over the country below Mexico."

"I'm impressed he can sleep through takeoff," Eric complained.  Mac smiled at him.  "I know, you were probably trained to."  Mac nodded.  "Have we had any problems?" he asked, starting on the pictures again.

"We were mildly annoyed at the forefront in Brazil.  A minor street gang thingy that the apprentice was sleeping with.  Well, she was sleeping with most of the gang I guess.  They were not impressed with us.  Especially when I got to use my new whip on one.  He went to whine to the cops.  The agents got it straightened out and they didn't come back."

"Good," Mac agreed, looking at him.  "Did Hawkes go in first or did Greg?"

"Um.  No."

"I didn't think Bobby was field trained," Eric noted.  "Calleigh didn't say that."

Horatio looked at Xander.  "Unlike your father I will spank you," he promised.

"Greg can't.  I'm actually trained to hunt, Horatio.  I did what I'm trained to.  I cleared the house, beat the two bad guys, then let them go play and helped catalog the guns."

"We'll be talking," Horatio promised.

"Next time this happens we'll send a guard specifically for that purpose," Mac agreed.  "I'll check with Hawkes to see how well it went."

"I am trained to hunt," Xander repeated. Greg snuffled and curled up against his arm, nuzzling his neck.  "Thank you, Greg.  It's good someone believes I'm capable."

"I believe you're very capable, Xander," Horatio assured him. "I have since before you disamed the bomb, gave me a situation report on that room, and then pretended to be dumb again."  He looked at Mac.  "Four barrels of TATP with a wad, not formed, a wad of plastique on top.  Xander yells and I don't hear him so he disarms it in front of a British Sergeant Major.  Who nearly passed out.  Then he comes up to tell me about the computer thingies. When he told the others he left out that they were mainframes, just leaving it at computer thingies."

"Dad knew what I was talking about."

"I'm glad you taught him how to hunt and protected him that way, Xander, but you two nearly have your own language now," Horatio reminded him.  "He probably got more from thingy than I did."

Xander looked at him. "You'll learn.  He did from exposure.  So did Mom."

"What are you getting Aiden for the holidays?" Mac asked.

"That depends on if I can get the cash changed to American and the gold changed out or not."

"If you can't?"

"I'm going to take the last of the gift cards Grandsire gave me and use them on a new necklace.  She needs sparkly things.  By the way, she's coming down for Solstice, Horatio.  Grandfather invited Don down too.  Suggested he should bring Stella since he's got a small crush on her."

"If she wouldn't kill me I'd have one too," Eric agreed.  "She's one hell of a woman."

"She is," Mac agreed. "She's still mine, Eric."  He looked at Xander.  "Did your grandfather mention anyone else?"

"Grandsire offered me a new video camera if I could get Eric between Greg and Horatio for even a still picture while they were in bathing suits."

Eric gave him a look then shook his head.  "No thanks.  I like Horatio, I respect him a lot, I love him like a brother, but that's a thought I don't need."

"Oh, I don't know.  That would be one *interesting* bed," Mac offered.

Horatio shook his head.  "I agree with Eric's sentiments, Mac.  I have much different plans in mind.  Thank you anyway."  He looked at Xander. "Your grandsire has a very filthy mind."

"I think that's where I get mine from," Xander said, then he grinned. They hit turbulence and he grabbed Horatio's arm, digging in his claws to hold on, and the other hand was on Greg's thigh.  "I hate turbulence."

"Calm down," Horatio soothed, moving his hand down to his hand instead of his arm.  "Calm down, Xander.  I've got you.  It's just bumpy air.  We won't crash," he soothed, reaching over his other hand to pet him.  "It's okay."  Xander slowly relaxed and Greg kept snoring into Xander's neck.   "I'll have to tell Grissom Greg can sleep through this."  Xander giggled a bit but he did relax and let go of his grip on Greg's thigh and loosened his grip on Horatio's hand.

Eric and Mac shared a smile at the very cute couple to be and Xander's other friend that they would work out amongst themselves.

***

Xander woke up his first morning in his own home and smiled when he saw who was waking him.  "Hi," he said quietly, pulling Speed down to cuddle him.  "You smell good."

"Thank you.  So do you."  He sniffed him.  "Borrowed Greg's aftershave again?"  Xander hummed and nodded.  "Want to go over the stuff in the basement?"

"Is Calleigh missing something?"

"No.  But I thought you might want to move the stuff for decoration up here and then take a count of what we have in money and stuff."  Xander nodded and yawned again.  "Jet lag?"  Xander shook his head.  "Are you sure?"

"Took the Greg cure and slept on the plane back."  He snuggled into his father's side.  "Are you off today?"  Speed nodded.  "Good.  Be a snooze alarm?"  Speed bopped him on the top of the head. "Not that way."

"Go shower and I'll make pancakes."  Xander got up for that and headed into his shower, yelling at the cold water.  "Ooops, I'll go turn on the hot water heater."  He went to do that, giggling the whole way down to the basement.  He looked around.  Some of the cases of gold was missing.  He called once he had the hot water heated.  "Gordon, did someone move stuff from Xander's basement?"  He nodded.  "That's what we were going to do today.  No, his former wife had that in her emergency funds."  He smiled.  "Thank you for trying to spare him but bring it back.  We're going to be helping him cash that and some foreign currency out.  Of course we're here.  No, I just lit the hot water heater.  We're up and here.  Send it back with one of the non-flammable people, Gordon.  Thanks."  He hung up and went back up there, finding Xander under his blankets, earning as mile. "Give it twenty."

"Wake me up again."

"Sure.  The rest of the stuff will be back.  Your grandsire was worried it was from a psycho stalker so it's in their basement."

"Greg gets ten percent."

"Sure."  He went to the kitchen to start on the batter.  That way it could rest for a few minutes while he went to get Xander back up.  Xander trudged into the shower and he went back to start making light, fluffy pancakes for his boy.  And him, he hadn't eaten yet.  Someone knocked on the door so he went to answer it, looking at the gun in his face then at the person behind it.  "You would be?"

"I want what was hers."

"She married Xander.  Go away."

"Who?" he demanded.

"Okay, are you here about the assassin or some other woman?"

"The raven haired Goddess!  She will be mine!  I know this unworthy little worm has her blackmailed into being with him!"

"Um, you do know that Lady Heather is a very famous dominatrix?" he asked, making the man cackle. "Okay, your thing.  Master Tim?"  A whip came down the stairs and the man shrieked while Speed got out of the way.  "He says that you're blackmailing Lady Heather into being with you?"

"She's like my mother, dude, get over it!" he shouted, snapping it at him again.  The man took off running but Xander pounced and beat him until Speed went out to stop him and handcuff the guy.  Xander panted, glaring at him, getting in one last kick.  "You'd better learn, bitch.  Lady Heather is like my fucking mother.  You are not worthy of her magnificence.  You are not worthy to breathe the same air!"  A patrol car slowly pulled in.  "Get this filth off my lawn before I flay him," he growled.

"Um, sure," the driver agreed, nodding, coming over to get the poor guy on the ground.  "You are?"

"The owner," Speed said, giving Xander a hug.  He got an odd look. "This is my boy."

"Like boy toy?" the other officer asked.

"Like son, moron," Speed said dryly, glaring at him.

"OOOOH!  That's your son!  Wow.  The last time I saw him he was wearing leather, not nothing."  Xander snorted and glared at him.  "Sorry, didn't mean to look, Master Tim."  He helped the guy into the backseat.  "He did what?"

"Pointed the gun in the doorway at me and demanded I hand over the raven haired beauty Xander was clearly blackmailing to sleep with him."  The driver looked confused. "Lady Heather. The domme out of Las Vegas."

"I remember her.  She was very nice," the driver agreed.  "The bruises?"

"Was before I cuffed him," Speed assured them. "He threatened me and Lady Heather, who is like my son's mother.  He's also just now getting up."

"I didn't figure your son ran around naked in front of you," the passenger officer assured him.  "So, he put a gun in your face?"  Speed nodded.  "Just knocked on the door?"

"Yeah.  Knocked on the door.  Demanded I give him what was hers.  I thought he was talking about the assassin's stuff."  He shrugged.  "Turns out he was talking about Lady Heather's love."

"Sure," the driver agreed.  "We'll let you take his statement or something."  They got in and took him away.  Caine could straighten out any irregularities.

Speed waved at the truck coming in.  "Put it back in the basement," he ordered, turning Xander around to give him a shove.  "Go shower while I cook."  He went to check his pancakes.  Fortunately he didn't have one in the pan but it needed to be cooled down for a few minutes. He watched the stuff be put back and waved at Gordon when he came in.  "They were that worried?" He nodded.  "Okay.  Ten percent of that goes to Greg."

"If that's what he wants."  He looked at Xander when he came down in a short robe and boxers.  "How were your trips?  Your grandfather wanted a call for you to tell him everything."

Xander smiled and hugged him. "I can babble at him while we work on the inventory."  One was handed over.  "Cool.  Did he cash out any of it on us?"

"No, he thought he'd wait for you to contact him about it and talk about your plans."

"Cash it out, give ten percent to Greg since apparently the apprentice didn't have anything of her own in that stuff, and then buy Christmas presents."

"Good plans," Speed agreed happily.  "What is Aiden getting?"

"Sparkly stuff.  She deserves sparkly stuff."

"She does," Speed agreed, bringing over the two plates.  "There's some batter left if you want some, Gordon."

"That's all right, Speed. I've been up for hours now.  You two have a good day and his grandfather is coming over tonight to help you two arrange furniture.  Should he bring anything?"

"Food," Speed offered.  "Chinese or Mexican, Xander?"

"I don't care.  Just not fish."

"Chinese then," Gordon agreed, patting Xander on the head.  "You have very soft hair today."  He went to check their progress then left behind them.

"You didn't send him the audio files of me babbling about Brazil and Russia?"

"I did but I think he wants to see you talk about it," Speed offered.  Xander beamed and got up to get the syrup and butter.  It was necessary for pancakes, as necessary as the milk Speed poured for them both.

***

Horatio looked at the agent who walked into his office.  "Did we forget to make copies of something for you?"

"Not as far as I'm aware."  He sat down in front of Horatio, who put down his pen.  If an FBI agent sat down in front of you and was smiling, he wanted something bad.  "In the spirit of the cooperation we've recently enjoyed we wanted to know if you would like to help us bust someone else who is a threat to Mr. Harris's life."

"Why do you need our help?"

"I'm sure by now you've heard what happened when he was sixteen?"  Horatio growled.  "I see you have and you know that he's left Miami.  He's headed to the event in Monaco.  All we need you to do is watch him, get proof positive of his ID for us, and then back us up when we come in to arrest him at the end of the convention or at the airport."

"Xander checked, there weren't any rooms left at the conference."

"There aren't, but Lady Heather does have a room she won't be using and we know she has a soft spot for Mr. Harris."

"She trained him," Horatio agreed quietly.  "Would this get him shunned?"

"I'd hope not."

"I'd hope not too."

"I wasn't aware he had set up shop again."

"He still has private clients, Agent...."

"Oh, sorry, Special Agent Antoine McCleary."  He smiled. "You could discuss this with her.  We trust her to be discreet with as many secrets as she hears on a daily basis.  This would protect Mr. Harris even further and he is the one who should be shunned because of his conduct."

"Something like that would lead to everyone knowing."

"Which might look bad on him but we think he's recently killed at least another two people.  That would bring him to at least fifteen bodies, Lieutenant. I know we're all on the same side and Mr. Harris's safety is one of those things your team especially takes care of."

"I will talk with Mr. Harris and Lady Heather on your behalf.  They may hand him over after punishing him."

"If not, we would feel it fully fair that Mr. Harris' boyfriend, CSI Sanders, went with you two if you felt comfortable having him there.  It's a small carrot; they must miss each other a lot."

"I'll talk with them and let you know."

"Thank you, that's all I ask."  He smiled and shook his hand then left.

Horatio called Lady Heather first.  "This is Horatio Caine, is she still out there?  I just got asked to intervene with another master's capture."  He listened to the news she was on her flight to Monaco.  And he groaned.  "Thank you.  Please, at first contact, tell her to call me immediately.  I need to know what to do."  He nodded.  "Agreed."  He hung up and looked up another precinct's number.  "Can I speak to Officer Dawsburg please?  Lieutenant Caine in Criminalistics."  He waited while he was paged.  "I need to ask you a question on procedure.  No, I have police procedure.  This is Master Tim procedure.  Please. I'll be in my office barring a catastrophe."  He hung up and considered it.  Xander had wanted to go but he would not risk having him shunned by some of the first people who had accepted every bit of him without reservation.  Besides, could he handle having Greg play Xander's submissive?  Having the three of them in the same room had been making everyone sweat in Russia, even Mac.  When someone knocked he looked up and waved him in.  "Close and lock it please."

He did that. Then he looked at him.  "What happened?"

"There was an Agent McCleary here to talk about the serial killer out of LA who you probably got briefed on."

"I nearly spit blood from biting my tongue on the curses.  They wanted you to do what?" he asked, getting the point.

"Take Master Tim to Monaco and use the convention to get a positive ID on him then help in his arrest."

"That is some dangerous territory," he warned.  "But that's why I'm here, isn't it?"  Horatio nodded.  He rubbed over his brownish-purple skin and bald head.  "Hell, that's a quandary.  "I could possibly get away with it.  Your guy's boy?  He's listed in the same category but not.  Did you talk to Lady Heather?"

"She's on a plane headed to Monaco at the moment.  He also suggested we could stay with her."

"You two wouldn't be the first set of masters to show up out of the blue and pay for admittance but beg a couch, Lieutenant.  Especially with the fire and everything. That's still shaky ground though."

"That's what I'm worried about.  I do not want him shunned.  The same as I do not want to force her to help us."

"Most of us are seriously upset that this guy is calling himself a master, Lieutenant.  He's not, he's a killer.  He's nearly a thrill killer.  He gets off on it."  That got a nod.  "I may play and get off if my playmates do but not like that."

"I know," Horatio agreed.  "You're about as senior as I know though."  His phone rang.  "Caine.  Not now, Frank.  Yes, I'm serious.  Why?"  He listened then groaned.  "Not at the moment.  We don't know yet."  He hung up.  "He's back."

"Feebs like him are like roaches.  They should be stomped on until they die or go away.  They certainly ruin any party.  You know what?  I know the guy who trained me isn't on a plane today.  Let me call him.  Let's see what he says."

"Utmost secrecy."

"Of course.  I'll make that clear."  He walked outside to make the call.  "This is Dawsburg, I need to speak to Master Barry please.  Tell him it's an ethical question and the confession vows apply."  He listened to the music while his sub handed over the phone.  "Sir.  It is.  You've heard of that thrill killer in LA?"  He smiled. "Yes, sir, the one that Master Tim nearly got sold to as a young thing.  He's in Monaco and the FBI want to confirm his identity and arrest him there.  No, sir.  Master Tim is down here.  Because his father works in Caine's crimelab.  Yeah, Speedle.  I'm thinking they were thinking about sending Caine and Master Tim to Lady Heather but we can't talk to her because she's somewhere on a plane and this could get Master Tim shunned.  Caine doesn't want that either."   He smiled.  "Exactly.  He probably couldn't get a room.  I know I couldn't."  He leaned against the railing.  "Which is why the confession vows have to apply in this case.  If he heard, he'd leave or he'd try for Master Tim and would end up losing.  No, what I was thinking was the retribution laws," he admitted.  That got an evil cackle.

"You know that they are.  He's seen like I am, an officer on the side of good.  I heard about the guy he got in Brazil.  He was protecting his sub Gregory.  Who would probably be out there too since it is Lady Heather they'd be imposing on."  He smiled.  "Can you?  I know you're not one to break the vows at all but hints would probably save his skin from being shunned or flayed."  He nodded. "I'll let Caine know.  Actually I think he'd make an intensely focused one but he could never do it for more than one or two subs.  Master Tim has put word around that his special clients, the ones who he didn't really charge for sessions, are still welcome to his house and his help.  The others he's not sure about.  Then I agree and I'll tell him.  You'll let me know in a bit?"  He smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Master Barry.  You have a good weekend with her."  He hung up and went back inside, glaring at the agent until he scurried away and forced Duquesne with him.  "That's a brave man to pull her out of here that way."

"Very," Horatio agreed.  "Do we know anything?"

"We do.  Master Barry has been doing this since about electricity started. He did some of Lady Heather's training in her very early days," he offered.  "There is an ancient law, a law of retribution.  He can claim that on the man.  Now, Master Barry doesn't hint, ever.  He's never broken a confession vow before, but he will hint this time that it's about retribution in this case.  You need to get in touch with Lady Heather and make sure she's got an open couch."

"I've already put in a polite request to call us as soon as humanly possible."

"Good.  Then get Master Tim dolled up.  He'll need to come off the plane looking like he's there for a purpose, Caine.  You and Gregory as well if you're going."

"It was offered to us.  I'm not sure if they've talked to his bosses yet."

"Whatever. Getting there late is fine in this case.  It'll show you're not there for more than the shopping and this purpose."  His phone rang and he heard the noise from the other end.  "Want me to step out?"

"No.  Lady Heather.  A situation was handed to me for my approval.  The person who nearly bought Xander when he was sixteen will be in Monaco.  FBI.  They were suggesting Xander and I, and Gregory if we wanted him as backup."  He nodded.  "They also suggested you should have a spare couch."  He smiled at her assurance she always booked extra space because giving it out equaled favors.  "I've been speaking with a senior person in the area here.  That's what he was suggesting," he agreed.  He nodded.  "Do you think Grissom would mind?  Because I think we could use your counsel on other matters as well, Lady Heather.  That one, yes."  She chuckled at that.  "I do not want him shunned.  At all.  You were the first group to unconditionally accept who he is.  Even Speed had some reservations about him being a dom.  I do not want him shunned for doing the right thing in this case."  He nodded at her wise words.  "Then you'll see me sometime tomorrow.  Thank you."  He hung up.  "She's agreed with your plan."  That got a smile.  "Thank you for your assistance."

"Not an issue, Lieutenant.  We like Master Tim.  He makes your whole team grin at some of the stupid shit that boy gets into.  How were the assassin's houses?"

"Beautiful, facing the sunset, filled with weapons."  He laughed. "One had a tank."  That got a louder laugh and he walked off.  "Send him in if you see him."

"Of course.  If the great one left anything but pieces."  Calleigh gave him a look.  "Where's the roach?  I mean Fed."

"Break room."  She pointed.  "You done?"

"Almost but it's gonna be a long weekend."

"Yay," she said flatly. "Another house from the assassin?"

"Not that one."  He went into the breakroom and found Wolfe and the agent staring at each other.  "Caine's ready for him.  Might wanna give Speedle a head's up that they're going to be called in soon."

"Why?" Ryan demanded.

"Long story," he told him.

"Aw, crap, that guy from LA?" he demanded.  The dom looked impressed.  "We all thought Xander was going to find a way to go to Monaco from Russia."  The fed jogged off.  "They want him to help capture him?"  The officer nodded.  "Looks like I'm on this weekend after all."

"No you're not, you're grumpy, go do something to be less grumpy," Calleigh called. "Before I have Xander spank you."

Ryan smirked at her.  "I'm a member of his fanclub."

She looked at him. "I'm his stepmother. I trump yours.  The only ones higher than me are Horatio, Speed, and Greg."

"Interesting," Ryan offered.

"Very but no comment."

"Sure."  He walked off, going to eavesdrop but Eric made him go away too.

***

Greg looked up from his late scene with Grissom and Nick when the agents ducked under the tape.  "Hold it or else I'm going to shoot you all," he ordered.  "You do not mess up our crime scenes without a damn good reason!"

Grissom looked at him.  But Nick said what they were both thinking. "Are you channeling Master Tim again?"

"Yes."  He took a picture of what he was looking at.  "Well?" he demanded.  One of them looked before carefully moving closer to him.  "I'm still waiting," he said as he took another picture.

"The person who Master Tim was nearly sold to and killed by is heading to Monaco.  We'd need someone who could back him up and make sure we have a positive identification.  It would be you and Lieutenant Caine from Miami with him.  You were the carrot."  Greg's camera lowered and he looked at him. "You would be leaving tonight sometime probably."  The camera nearly got dropped.  "Lady Heather has already agreed to back up the plans.  We'll need you to help get a positive identification and then back up the arrest when we make it."

Grissom looked at him.  "Why Greg?"

"He and Master Tim are known to be close.  It was clear while they were traveling under FBI guidance recently.  Lieutenant Caine has the experience to back you both up and to make the boy calm down and not hurt others if something should go wrong. Plus, as I said, he was the carrot."

Grissom looked at him. "This would take how long, our Sheriff has already agreed, and he'd be on your payroll for this?"

"The conference or whatever lasts for the next four days.  He could fly out to Miami tonight to meet them there and then fly over from there.  We're talking to him first but   your Sheriff will agree or we'll cut your funding, and if we must pay for his salary during this time we can do that."

"You're making promises?" Nick asked.

"He's killed at least fifteen people.  Vulnerable people. We're trying to get him into custody without more lives being lost, including his if they punish him and then hand him to us.  Master Tim would be the one who could demand the group punish him or simply hand him over to us to be arrested.  He's the best person for this job.  It was noted who had the best handle on how he worked and how close CSI Sanders and he were during the trip."  Nick gave Greg an appraising look.

"Not like that, pervert," Greg said, frowning back at Nick.  Then he looked at the agent.  "Has anyone cleared this with Master Tim yet?  You will never get him to do anything he doesn't want to do.  He out-stubborned Taylor during the Russian part of the trip about going outside when we came under attack by some local mafia guys."  Grissom let out a small moan at that.  "We were safe but he wanted to go see the water and Mac thought it was a bad idea.  He still won after a lot of complaining loudly on Mac's part."  He looked at the agent again.  "Get permission from Master Tim and then my boss.  Then come to me."  That got a nod and he carefully walked off the scene and headed to do that.

***

Horatio stopped by Xander's house, going down into the basement to find the boys working on the piles of money and things.  "We need to talk."

"Another house?" Speed asked as he counted.

"The one that you saved him from is in Monaco this weekend."  Speed glared at him and Xander jumped up.  "Before you ask, I did warn Lady Heather, Xander.  I found out when the FBI came to me."

"So they want me to go in and help capture him?"

"Help us make a positive ID and the aid in the capture.  Apparently there is right of retribution in the old codes.  You survived him so you could claim that and have him handed over if you can prove what he's done."  Xander slowly nodded.  "They want you, me, and Greg to go.  We'd have FBI support the whole time, like we did in Brazil."

"As opposed to the one on the take in Russia?"  Horatio nodded.  "Would I get in trouble?"

"Not if you went for this reason. If you went solely to arrest him, yes.  You'd be breaking silence.  If you go in this way it won't get you in trouble.  It's a very old rule but you're his only living victim."

"I'd need to do what?"

"We'd have to get Greg here.  You'd have to come off the plane being Master Tim.  I'd be your backup and we'd discuss that on the flight over.  In this case we can be late to the event and Lady Heather has already said she has a couch we can borrow."

Xander considered the implications. "Why can't they get a positive ID without me?"

"That I do not know.  They didn't feel free enough to enlighten me on that issue.  I checked with a local officer who's been around the local scene for years and he called his mentor, who was one of Lady Heather's early teachers, plus talked with her.  The both agreed this was the only way it could be done."

Xander looked at him.  "Are we going to spend time talking to Lady Heather?"

"We will," Horatio agreed.  "I think it would clarify some thoughts on a few things."  Xander smiled at that. "We'd leave tonight, Xander.  Could you handle that?"  Xander nodded.  "Would you like me to tell them yes?"

"I can't let him go on hurting others.  I will need the file to have Lady Heather help me present it to the higher people in Europe."

"Agreed."  He went to make that call from the kitchen and came back nodding. "It's been set up.  We'll be on your plane but they'll provide a pilot.  Greg will be out later tonight. We'll fly overnight so we can sleep on the plane and get there early tomorrow."

"Okay," Speed agreed.  "That'll work with our schedule today too."  Xander smiled at him.   "When you get back I'll expect things to be less insane."

"Yes, Daddy."   He sat down next to Speed again, hugging his arm.  "We can do that, Horatio, and I do have stuff."

"That's good.  Let me know when the flight is and what I should pack."

"Wear your suits.  It's all comfort with yourself and attitude."  Horatio smiled at that and walked out, leaving them alone.  Xander shifted over, cuddling into his father's side.  "Why do they like me again?"

"You're like an innocence they can't touch even though you came from the same sort of place that spawned most of them."

"Then explain her," he said, waving a hand at the stuff.

Speed looked at him and said very slowly and clearly, "Evil women love you Xander."

"Point."  He got back to his counting.  "Are you sure this is all there was?"

"This is the same amount of cases.  I checked."  He looked at him. "What about the stuff from the third house?"

"Huh."  He called Mac.  "Did you take home the stuff from the third house that I brought back for me?  Yeah, that case.  Please.  I don't care if you have it changed out, Mac.  I trust you.  Thanks.  Oh, I'm copying Don's presents and sending out present packages this afternoon."  He hung up and looked at him.  "It went home with him."

"That happens I guess.  At least I know where to go to get the foreign currency converted."  He heard the doorbell and sighed.  "What do you want to be that's some interfering Fed?" he complained as he got up and headed upstairs.  The federal agent on the other side he knew and was irritated by, and his stunned look just capped it off.  "Yes, this is my son's house.  What did you need, Agent Insufferable?"

"Um, foreign currency?  Someone in the FBI said you brought a lot back?"

"My son was the one in the New York Times story with the assassin."

"So you went to clean out her stashes?"  He nodded.  "Can I make sure it's real?"

"Sure."  He let him in.  "Kitchen and then basement.  We were going to cash it out and change it back so Xander could buy really great holiday presents."

"How...I thought you died."

"The magic of Sunnydale, Agent Elliot."

"Oh.  Okay."  He found the basement stairs and went down them.  "Sir, I'm Agent Elliot with the Treasury.  One of my contacts in the FBI said you had brought home a lot of currency and we wanted to make sure it wasn't counterfeit before you tried to cash it out.  Can I check it for you?"

Xander looked at Speed, who shrugged.  "He's a decent enough agent but he pants after Calleigh's ass."

Xander looked at him. "You like my stepmom?"

"Um...  I do but if she's taken I'll gladly back off."  Xander shrugged and let him have their list.  "Thank you, sir.  What's in the cases?"  Xander reached back and flipped open the one behind him.  He whimpered. "That should be in a reserve somewhere I'm sure."

"She got paid in gold bars," Speed said.  "The FBI said she started at twelve, according to the birth certificate we found she was forty-seven.  Do the math."

"Oooh damn," he whispered.  "They're all gold?"  Xander and Speed both nodded, opening them.  "That can glut the market and drive the price down.  That's way too much to dump at once, boys."

"That's why I was going to take him to someone respectable and let them handle the buyback," Speed assured him.  "Unless you want to set that up for fair weight value?  Or more, we don't mind more."

The agent looked at him.  "She always said you were her favorite smartass."  Speed just smirked back.  "I can arrange that.  It'll take me a day.  Do we have guards around here?"

"My grandfather's got guards and I'm leaving again really late tonight to go do something for the other suits," Xander told him.

"I'm also going to sit a few agents in your driveway, sir.  They won't come inside or anything but they'll be here in case your grandfather's guards fall asleep or something."

"Okay.  I'll be with CSI Sanders and Horatio Caine all weekend but Daddy will be here and you can have him do anything that needs to be done.  Him or any of the full CSI on his shift."

"I'll remember that."  He got to work on the forms in his briefcase, noting serial numbers and amount, then he checked for forgeries.  "Is this all there was of the foreign currency?"

"There's some stuff I can't identify in the bottom of the footlocker behind you. Under the bearer bonds," Speed offered. "Not a clue."  He looked at Xander.  "Ready for more soda?"  Xander grinned and handed over his glass.  "Yo, Agent Inscrutable, you want some soda or water?"

"Some water would be nice, thank you," he offered, watching him walk up the stairs.  "How long were you married to her?"

"An hour and thirty-three minutes of being very drunk.  Since I do not drink the little cocktail of wine dregs and whatever else was in there hit me very hard."

"At least you're cooperating."

"You guys came to me to suggest I could give over that stuff and keep the other stuff."  He heard the phone ring.  "Is that McGee?"

"It is," Speed called back.  "He's got it unecrypted finally.  You and Horatio can do the bank stuff while you're over there.  He's faxing Horatio copies of all the bank account information.  Where did you put the stupid marriage license?"

"In the bag Mac has."

"Sure."  He came down the stairs. "They had her current contracts list and her future profile on some jobs, plus all her past ones.  Plus some nice information files on some people."

"Cool.  Wonder if they'll sell the jet and tank to someone else?"

"Probably," Speed admitted.  He noticed the fed looking at him.  "She had a tank and an F-18."

He shook his head.  "That got handed to a responsible agent?"

"Gibbs," Speed said.  "NCIS."

"We all know Gibbs," he assured him.  "He's very upstanding.  He's also made some agents want to commit suicide after dealing with him."  He went back to his notating and counting.  While he worked he pulled out his cellphone to call his home base.  "Sir, it's Agent Elliot.  Yes, sir.  No, sir, I'm with Mr. Harris.  Yes, sir, him.  No, so far all the ones I've seen have been legitimate.  You may want to send someone to CSI Taylor in New York because apparently there was a mixup with the suitcases and some of it ended up there.  Also, sir, he's got a Federal Reserve level of gold bars down here that he's going to cash out.  No, sir, not donate to the US, cash out.  That's fine, sir."  He hung up and shook his head.  "My superior is an idiot," he muttered, calling another agent.  "It's Peter.  Come to Miami, bring two good guards for a reserve level of gold bars.  We need to start the cashing out process.  The guy who married Lady Death.  Yeah, that case.  Why?  Tell your girlfriend to remind him that Mr. Harris is not donating it.  He wants fair cash value, Steven.  Thank you."  He leaned back to look into a case.  "Standard large bars.  All stamped US Gold.  Yup, with serial numbers.  We can do that. Mr. Harris is very interested in cooperating.  Thank you."  He hung up.  "My boss is very sorry in advance."

"That's okay.  As long as they don't steal them if they're not stolen," Xander told him.

"Of course.  If he tried that, I'll sic Horatio on him," he promised.  Speed snickered at that.  "I heard he's got an in with a few of the dom and dommes in the area."  Speed pointed at his son.  "You are?"

"I'm also known as Master Tim."

"Ohhhh," he said, nodding.  "I've heard a little bit about you.  One of my fellow agents goes to Lady Heather for stress relief and he said she was training you.  That you were a technician with weapons."  Xander nodded.  "Good.  I hope you have a long career."  He got back to work.  Someone pounded on the door.  "That's not my people, we're more polite."

Xander got up and jogged up the stairs, letting his grandsire in.  "It's daytime what are you doing out!" he complained, looking him over.  "You're smoking, get into the kitchen.  It's not in direct sunlight."  He went that way.  "Want some water?"

"No thank you."  He looked at him.  "You didn't call?"

"I fell into bed last night."

"Ah."  He gave him a hug.  "Your grandfather will be up later this afternoon, when it is expected to rain."  He stroked his cheek with a smile.  "Let's go see what you found."

"All the guns went to Calleigh since they decided that they were probably used in a crime."  He led him down the stairs.  "Grandsire, have you met Daddy yet?"

"I haven't.  Timothy."

"Speed, please," he offered, holding out a hand.  "Bit bright out for you isn't it?"

"I had a cloak for the short run from the car."  He looked in the open cases then at his grandson.  "Interesting investment.  Was she paid in them?"  They both nodded.  "Then one was probably per job."

"I'd figure she had kept the international cash for ease of doing jobs.  The bearer bonds probably about the same. The stuff underneath the bearer bonds I have no idea about."  The agent went to look and turned pale.  "What?"

"The material separating layers is two sheets of currency grade paper," he moaned, holding one up to the light.  "French on this one."  He put it back and dug down past the two layers of bearer bonds with coupons.  He looked at the shredded newspaper and carefully dug around, coming up with something.  A very pretty sapphire.  Xander cooed and took it to look at, letting the other two see it.  "May I suggest that you put this trunk in a bank?"

"Was going to do that tomorrow," Tim promised. "Once we got the loose currency cashed out."

"What currency do I need in Monaco?"

"American is probably good," Agent Elliot said, getting back to it.  He looked at the other man.  "So, you're his grandfather?"

"Grandsire.  Husband to his grandfather."  He looked at the stone.  "That is very pretty, Xander, and smuggled inside a body."  Xander grimaced and handed it over. "It's been washed a few times but I can smell very acutely you know."  He smiled at him.  He held it up to the light.  "It's very clear.  Very high quality.  Indian if I'm not mistaken."  Speed took it to look through.  Then he nodded. "You know gems?"

"Like Eric knows cars.  I can tell a lab created one."  He handed it back to his son.  "Give Aiden some of those for her sparklies this year."  Xander beamed at that idea, going to carefully empty the footlocker out.  He looked at his grandsire.  "You needed to check on him?"

"Patrick woke up having a nightmare.  He couldn't be sure it wasn't a vision," he sighed.  "He saw someone breaking in here."  They all heard a gun cock and then it got put down next to Speed by Xander, who went back to emptying things.

Speed looked at his son.  "I know you weren't a Boy Scout so you take 'always be prepared' to a level that even Taylor calls paranoid, Xander, but is that necessary?"

"If it's a vision, maybe."  He tossed his grandsire the hand grenade he found.  "That was already in here. All I did was close the trunk up."

His grandsire looked at it and sniffed it.  "It's still good."

"Calleigh said she had good taste in guns."

"Bobby said the same thing," Xander agreed.  "I still think it's cute how he did a happy dance the second night in Brazil when he got the list of what she had broken off for him."

"They're coming down for the artillery destruction tests next month," Speed reminded him.

"That's kinda cool.  It can be like a mini convention."  He grinned and got back to work.  They heard the door open at the top of the stairs and Xander looked up there.  "Hi, guys.  What're you doing down here, Gibbs?"

Raphael gasped.  "It was you he had the vision about."

"Vision?"

"My Grandfather.  I doubt he's going to invade.  He's the guy who came to get the plane and the tank, Grandsire."  Agent Elliot let out a small moan at that.  "So, what's up, Gibbs?  I heard McGee got it so it's readable."

"He did.  She had an information file on you, kid."

"Like she was stalking me or like she was pumping people for information?"

"You tell me."  He handed it over.  Xander sat on the stairs to read it, then looked at him, shaking his head.  "No what?"

"Not me, Gibbs.  I was born and raised in Sunnydale.  This..."  He looked at his grandsire.  "Are we sure Grandfather's first son didn't have any kids?"

"He was allergic to women.  Why?"  Xander held up the picture of the kid who looked almost like him.  "Hmm."  He came over to get it and look closer.  "I've seen him."  He considered it then nodded.  "This is one of Flack's cousins," he admitted, handing it back. "Did she mix you two up?"

"The file's a jumble of information."  They sat down to sort it out together.  Xander looked at some of his.  "Is this as extensive as Grandfather's?"

"I think that is your grandfather's file on you, Grandson."  He called home.  "Patrick, it's me.  The one you saw is Special Agent Gibbs, NCIS.  Was your file on Xander hacked sometime recently?  It's got things in here that only you would've cared about.  Hmm, the size and weight of the circumcision tissue?"   He nodded as he went to check.  Then he looked at Gibbs. "This is Patrick's file on Xander.  The other is Donny's cousin Jeremy.  Did you have one on him?"  He smiled.  "Thank you, Patrick."  He hung up.  "He didn't have a file on Jeremy but as far as we know he died a few years ago."

Xander shook his head.  "This one lists him in Beirut last year, Grandsire."  He let them see it.

"So it does," he agreed.  "Interesting.  We'll definitely check within the family, Agent Gibbs.  We do tend to obey the laws as they apply most of the time."

"Thank you."  He took the separated contents to look over, nodding at it.  "He was competition."

"Or a possible apprentice," Xander said.  "Her apprentice Geneva's file in the first house was fairly extensive too."

"Interesting.  Thank you, Xander, and you, sir."  He looked at Elliot.  "Is it bad?"

"Not so far.  In case my boss becomes stupid is your team in town?  Mr. Harris got asked to help the FBI with something so he's leaving again tonight."

"What now?" Gibbs asked, looking amused.

"The master that I nearly got sold to when I was sixteen is at the convention in Monaco.  They want me to go with Greg and Horatio to see if we can make a positive ID before he kills more than the fifteen they can link him to."

"Twenty-seven," Raphael said grimly.  "I will send them the file I've been collecting."

"Thanks."  Xander gave him a hug.  "It means I get to go to my first dom's convention," he said happily.  "After Daddy and I have a furniture arranging party with Grandfather tonight."  That got a smile and Raphael called home to remind his childe of that party and told him to bring the information files they had gathered on that list of names he was working up.

"Are you in intelligence?" Gibbs asked him.  The older man held out his hand.  Gibbs felt the chill of the skin and the lack of pulse and drew back.  "I know what you are."

"He's not going to eat you.  He's my grandfather's sire," Xander said, grinning at him.  "He's a pretty decent guy, even if he does try to spoil me."

He patted him on the back.  "A bit of spoiling now and then is good for you," he soothed.  "Even if you don't want to be spoiled."

"I can't imagine myself as Cordelia."

"You can be that sarcastic now and then but you get that from me," Speed offered with a small grin.  "It's odd but it works with where he's from, Gibbs."

"That's not a problem to me.  Have fun dealing with that when you get back."

"Daddy can if something comes up while I'm gone and I'll be back in about five days.  Well, I think it ends in four but if we have to do banking stuff....."

"It might take that extra day in Geneva," Gibbs agreed.  "You might want to start a checking account here, kid."

"I thought I had one."

"It got shut down due to overdraft," Gibbs told him.

"I didn't write any checks."

"We'll take care of it out of the stuff from today, Xander," Speed promised.  Xander nodded, pouting at that.  "Then you'll have a nice, healthy one."  He stroked over his hair.  "It's almost strange to see it flat," he teased.

Xander grinned back.  "I'm wondering if this was something I did or not."

"You were using your debit card in Russia," Speed pointed out.

Xander got up to call his bank, see what had happened.  He came back a few minutes later.  "Translation error.  I paid a lot more for stuff than I thought."

"Because the conversion was different there than here," Agent Elliot told him.  "With the way the value of currency can fluctuate it can change within an hour.  That's why you should always convert at a credible institution and not use a debit card overseas."

"I'll remember that this time.  But they did say I can pay off the three hundred dollars I overspent and then go back to the same account."  Speed nodded at that.  "I told them I'd do that today."

"That's fine.  We might even be able to convert that there."

"What bank?"

"First National."

"No.  Go to the bank of Flagler, the big one.  They're tied directly into our system," Agent Elliot said.  He looked at him.  "Let them broker the sale of the gold as well."  They nodded at that.  "Are you keeping all this?"

"Ten percent goes to Greg Sanders since he ended up married to her apprentice but she didn't have anything that we could find."

"She had an apartment," Gibbs told him.  "I've already told him.  It's in Seattle.  He's calling someone named Aiden to help him with that."  That got a grin from both boys.  "You know her?"

"She's my Mom," Xander agreed.

"Used to work with Taylor," Speed offered.

"Then that'll be fine.  What happened in Brazil?"

"She, Geneva, the apprentice lady, was sleeping with about half a street gang."

"At least they learned better after that one day.  You really took a whip to one?"  Xander nodded, grinning at him.  "Less lethal than it could have been.  Where did the hand grenade come from?"  Xander pointed at the trunk.  "Let's make sure there's no more.  I can drop those off with Calleigh too, kid."

"You never let me have the fun toys," he complained.  "No rocket launchers, no combat jets, no explosives."  They went over with Raphael and Speed to dig through the rest of the footlocker.  "Ooh, ring explosives."  Gibbs popped him on the head like he did his team.  "Hey!  I'm not a sub!  I spank I don't get spanked."

Gibbs snickered. "I'll remember that, kid."  The kid did grow on you.  He could see why he had a very fierce defensive unit in the local CSI team.

***

Xander walked back into the house shaking his head.  "I hate banks," he told his grandfather, giving him a cuddle.  "I'm never using anything but cash when I travel again.  Screwing up the conversion rate is enough to make me not want to travel again."  That got a smile. "I did."

"I saw.  How did it go?"

"Not as much as we had hoped for," Speed admitted.  "But we did have Agent Elliot bring down the bearer bonds and the gold for them.  They bought it for the bank's reserve."

"I still say I would've gotten a better price going to a pawn shop," Xander complained.  He sat down and made his grandfather sit with him to cuddle him.  "Though the look on their faces when I said that in front of them was comical."

"It was," Speed agreed.  "Thanks for helping me arrange furniture."

"Not an issue, boys.  We're just tweaking the placement?"

Xander looked around.  "I'm not sure I want the living room facing this way.  It feels like my back's open to an attack.  Plus we've got to put up the books and the statue you got me, Granddad, and then the stuff I carted back from all over everywhere."  Speed stroked through his hair.  "Thanks, Daddy."

"You can be worried about going to Monaco, Xander.  We understand.  No one is going to sneak into the house to cut your head off. Though I would shift it slightly off center to take advantage of the corner pieces you got."   They got up to try it and ended up back where it was but the chairs switched around.  Then they went to move the table outside to a better spot to eat and watch nature from. This new view was half water and half trees but it was in a good position.  The hammock got put up as well, making Speed smile.  They went to the bedrooms, finding only the main bedroom had a mattress.  "Oops," Speed offered.  "Got anything left on those gift cards?"

"Yeah.  You wanna pick out beds?  The blue bedroom's yours when you come over."  Speed gave him a hug and a kiss on the temple.  Xander snuggled in.  "What am I going to do about my hand, Daddy?"

"I think you've just pinched a nerve, Xander. It'll be okay," he promised, patting him on the back.  "I'll make Eric go bed shopping since he's complaining he needs a new mattress set."

"Did he wear his out already?" Patrick teased.

Speed grinned back. "He said no when I asked him and looked really huffy."  That got a giggle from Xander.  "It's probably at least five years old.  Too much bouncing."  That got a nod.  "Either that or I'll make Wolfe go for you, Xander.  He's going to need something calming to do."  They went to look at the master bedroom, shifting the couch around just a bit and the tv, plus pulling the bed away from the couch.  Then had to adjust the tv again.  But it worked that way.  Then they went to break into the storage stuff Patrick had sent over from Xander's storage areas.  Speed looked at the magic books then at Xander.  "Why?"

"Translation fees."

"This is from the same owner of the demon bar who gave you the bazooka?"  Xander beamed and nodded.  "Let's be careful what he gives you, Xander.  I know that at least two of those have death magic."

"I know.  It's keeping it out of other's hands.  I was going to put the magic books into the locked cabinet but you said no."

"I was wrong."  They shifted them over and his science fiction and fantasy back to that shelf.  The rest of the weapons went into the locking room in the basement.   "What are you translating for Toby?"

"Popular fiction into demon languages."

Speed shook his head at that.  He had never understood that community.  He probably never would. "No magic around me, okay?"

"Of course not. I can barely open a locked door, Daddy.  Or float the remote control.  Useful things."

"Even better."  He gave him another kiss on the temple.  "Let's finish up and order dinner."  Xander nodded and they went to do that.  When it got there, they settled in outside in the twilight to eat and relax.  "The next major thing you've got to worry about is a car.  The busses don't come out here," he said at Xander's look.

"My last one died in New York. I sold it for scrap."

"Probably the best thing it was suited for," Patrick agreed.  He ate a bite of noodles.  "Which would you prefer, Xander?"

"I like riding behind Daddy," he admitted.  Speed grinned.  "I'm not sure if I want a bike of my own or not.  Cars are a bit more practical. You can put stuff into them."

"True," Speed agreed.  "Think about it while you're in Monaco."

"If I get my own bike, could I still ride behind you?"

"Now and then," he agreed, smiling at him.

"Then I'll think about it while I'm in Monaco.  Speaking of, I've got to get dressed in about two hours.  We leave at eleven.  Am I keeping the plane?"

"Might be handy," Speed offered. "But expensive."

"But for my people and my sire, it would be helpful," Patrick said casually.  Xander blinked at him.  "Really, it would.  That way I could kick him out again when he annoyed me.  He's been missing his Angel taunting trips."

Xander grinned. "Angel taunting is a fun hobby," he agreed.

Speed nodded.  "The delusional vampire?  Oh, yeah.  Even Wolfe would taunt him."  He ate another bite.  "I think we should move the table a foot back toward the door, Xander."  They got up and did that then he smiled.  "Better.  More room to move around and you can see more water from this end."

"Works for me," Xander agreed happily. "I made up the present packs today while we were out selling off the foreign stuff," he told his grandfather.  "I saw my guard so I gave him yours, Granddad."

"That's fine, Xander."  He smiled at him.  "Did I get tapes of the naked hockey game too?"

"No but I can make you a copy if you want."

"That's all right."  He smiled. "Perhaps you should see if you could get that dish moved over here."

"It'll be over in two days," Xander said happily.  Speed choked.  "Sorry, I found the maker and I called them.  They agreed to move her dish over here and I could get the American equivalents where available."

"Sure," Speed agreed, sipping his water to clear his throat.  "No staying up all night on the strip club channel, Xander."

"Yes, Dad."

"Good. "

"Or the game show network.  At least it's an amusing waste of time in the middle of the night," Patrick offered.

"I like the cooking channel but they fuzz out about four or so and go to infomercials until about ten the next morning."

"Not like you'll get to try out cooking, Xander," Speed said firmly.  "We'll keep you at the 'just add water and boil' level of cooking.  That way you can't poison yourself."  He ate another bite, looking at Patrick. "Did he tell you yet that Mac was using some of his food for interrogation purposes?"

"He hadn't," he said with a smile at his grandson.  "That bad?"

Speed went to get the jerky he had put up, handing over a piece. "That's mild."  Patrick nibbled a bite and choked, gulping his water. "Wait half an hour then tell him how much you like it."

"I'm not sure it works on vampires," Xander said quietly.  "It's the spices and I don't think it'd circulate the same way, Dad."

Patrick moaned and clutched the table.  "That's the only thing he makes very well," Speed told him.  He looked at Xander.  "I think it works even better on them."

"It might."  He looked at his grandfather.  "That stuff brought on puberty for me."

"I can see why," he said, finally finding some control.  He stood up.  "It also seems to bring on a need for blood so I should go."  He hugged Xander.  "Be good in Monaco and call me when you get back, Grandson.  I love you."  Xander nodded.  "You be safe as well, Speed.  Let me know if you need anything while he's gone."

"Calleigh said I can't eat any more of that then pounce her."

Patrick wiped off some sweat.  "I can see why.  I'll see you later, boys."  He hurried out to his car, letting his driver take the fast way home.  He ran into his sire in the entryway, and he was dressed to go out.  "Is it important?"

"Not really.  I was going to take in a show.  Why?"

"I ate some of Xander's jerky."  He kissed him, driving him back into a wall, then bit him hard, making him hiss.  "Sire, please," he begged.

"Of course, my childe."  He led him back to their room and they had a lot of loud, noisy, messy fun that night.

***

Xander exited the plane first and looked back, helping Greg off the last step with Horatio behind him.  "Cars?  Or did we forget?  You do have the file, right?"

"I do," Horatio agreed.  "Calm down, Xander," he said quietly, giving him a gentle smile. "They need fingerprints and DNA."   He walked out beside Xander, with Greg on his other side, slightly behind Xander's hip.  They rented a car and drove out to the resort after Xander cashed out the money he had on him.  The drive was a pleasant one.  They were heading into the hills around the crown city of the small country.  It was a beautiful drive and Greg took a lot of pictures when he could.  Horatio would get copies if they turned out all right.  If not, he'd take them on the way back and share with Greg.  They parked at the resort, getting out and took up the same positions.

Xander walked up to the registration desk.  "Master Tim," he said.  "Out of New York and Miami.  Trained with Lady Heather."

"I have your registration packet fax here, sir," the woman at the desk offered, pulling it out.  She looked at it then at him.  "There was a question about the concerns section?"

"I wish to meet with someone over that.  But first I have to find Lady Heather."

"She's in the bar, sir.  Sign in please?"

"You're Master Tim?" a male voice said.  Xander looked back and nodded. "You're said to be a whip man."

"I am," he agreed, finishing his signing in. "This is Horatio Caine and my Gregory."  Name tags were made for them.  He turned to look at the man.  "What?  Want me to prove it?"

"Please."  He held out his own.

Xander felt it. "Unweighted end.  Do you stand off balance?"

"Some," he admitted.

"Very fine leather," he assured him.  "Well conditioned but you left some of the oil in the braid by the handle.  Do we have a weighted one?  I prefer them.  It gives me an easier swing."

"I can find one."

"Use mine," one woman said, handing hers over.

He felt it.  "Pliable, lightweight.  Lightly weighted handle, perfect for your slighter figure.  I can use this one."  He judged the length then did a practice snap of it.  He moved the one man, then looked around.  "Is she taken?" he asked, pointing at one woman in a collar.

"That's Reggie's girl.  Reggie?" he called.  "We're going to use your girl as a test for this one."

"That's fine."  He looked at him.  "That's too light, boy.  Try mine."

Xander handed the whip back to the owner and took that one. "Hmm, weighted about like  mine.  But other sided, canted off to the right.  Are you left handed?"  He nodded and smirked.  "I'm Master Tim, Lady Heather's student, sir."

"I'm Paul.  This charming young woman is Lady Emmanuelle."

"Greetings, m'lady.  Behind me are my escort Horatio and my boy Gregory."

"You don't have him collared?"

"I don't feel the need to.  He knows where he belongs."  He smiled at Greg, who grinned back.  "Good boy."  He snapped the whip out and his target squeaked because he had hit the opening of her outfit just right and it had popped open.  That got a clap.  He nodded and handed it back to the owner.  "Thank you for the lending."

"Not an issue.  Are you all right, dear?"

"Just scared, sir.  Am I marked?"  He looked and shook his head. That got another round of applause.  Xander nodded at her and took Horatio's arm, letting Greg have his free side.  "Who was he?" she asked quietly.

"That is Master Tim, Lady Heather's last student," he said quietly.

"I heard he's here for a reason, Master."

"As have I.  I'm hoping it comes before the group."  He watched him go, watching how his 'escort' walked.  "Hmm.  An officer," he said quietly.  "Must be something particularly bad."

"On the contrary," Emmanuelle said.  "It's said his father is one and Master Tim is put into that same category."

"I had forgotten that.  Then it must be really bad."  That got a nod from both women. "It'll be fun to watch I'm sure."  They went to watch.

Xander walked up to Lady Heather and kissed her on the cheek.  "My queen."

"Tim, you are a horrible flirt," she teased back, smiling at him.  "What are you doing here?" she asked.  She had to officially since she was his sponsor.

"The matter we spoke of that happened when I was sixteen.  He's here. I bring it before my elders."

"Good.  That shows reason.  I see you brought Gregory with you."  Gregory bowed to her then went to his knees beside her, letting her pet him.  "Good boy, Gregory.  Horatio, no hug?"

"Lady Heather," he said, smiling before he hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.  "Miami has been boring since you went home."

"With this one?  Not from what I've heard," she teased.

"I wasn't in Miami for that," Xander teased back, giving her a small smirk.  "May I please borrow a couch?"

"Of course you may, dear.  Now, give me a proper greeting."  He gave her a long hug and a kiss on the ear.  "Thank you, my boy.  Let's go up to my suite for a few minutes so I can look at what you have."  They nodded and Gregory got up, following like he was her guard, Tim beside her and Horatio behind Tim.  Once they were inside, Greg got a cuddle from her as well and she sat down with the file, letting Greg sit at her feet to get petted. "Xander, another one of my former students is here.  You and Santiago should meet."

"Of course. I heard a lot about him from some of the people who work for you, Lady Heather."

She smiled at that.  "The file is very thick."

"That's partially the FBI file and partially the one my grandsire compiled," Xander offered, sitting on her free side.  Horatio sat down next to Greg.  "Greg, you can talk freely with us here."

"I know.  Horatio?"  He got a gentle smile. "Do you pet?"

"I pet very well, Greg.  Would you like some?"  He nodded hesitantly and Horatio stroked through the soft, dark blond hair.  Greg moaned and leaned into his hand.  "Good?"

"Very," he groaned.  "Nearly as good as Lady Heather's nails."

"No coming, Greg," Lady Heather instructed.  She smiled when he complied.  "Good boy."  She went back to reading, letting Horatio have him.  Right now those three needed to deal with each other.  "May I take this to the seniors?"

"Of course," Xander agreed.  "They wanted my aid in making sure it was him.  Which means fingerprints and DNA samples.  Then they wanted him.  I can easily use the Codes to ask them to hand him over."

"That may be acceptable in this case," she admitted, standing up.  Her long skirt slid back down her stockings.  "I'll be right back, boys.  Talk while I'm gone."  She left them alone, heading to the meeting area.  She found one of the seniors and waited patiently for him to acknowledge her.

"Don't just stand there, Lady Heather.  We've heard the boy came for a reason."

"He was nearly sold to this one when he was sixteen," she said quietly, handing over the file.  "The authorities want him and Tim wants him punished as well.  He would be willing to see him turned over to them if that is the will of the Senior advisors."

"Who compiled this?"

"Partially his Grandsire, Raphael.  Partially the FBI.  He's went after my boy a few times.   He worries Horatio terribly since he has tried to take root in Miami but they can't convict him of anything.  The prosecutors are saying there's not enough evidence."

He snorted and handed it back.  "I will ask them to convene tonight after dinner.  Bring the boy back."  He looked her over then into her eyes.  "He was nearly sold to him by who?"

"His original parents.  Fortunately two officers in his town adopted him.  One is Horatio's second in command.  The other is in Seattle."

"He has signed a contract with Gregory?"

"There's some issues that the three of them are working out, Master Andrew.  All three have been talking to me and I'm going to use this time to make them see what they really want out of this relationship."

"Would the very stern redhead accept Gregory's place?"

"That's one issue."

"Hmm.  Good luck to you, Lady Heather.  I've heard Master Tim needs a keeper now and then."  He gave her a look.  "Stripping?"

"Gregory's idea," she admitted, rolling her eyes.  "He is only twenty," she pointed out.  He smiled.  "He has a long life ahead of him if we can get him protected from the evils that women do around him.  I think I'm one of five that he knows who don't want to kill him, just mother him."

"The boy could probably use it.  I'll see you directly after dinner, young lady."

"Yes, Master Andrew.  I'll bring it back then."

"What did they want?  Since I know someone put the boy up to this?"

"Him.  However we hand him over they can't complain.  They do want samples of his fingerprints and DNA to make sure it's the right person."

"Reasonable.  I'll see you after dinner."  She nodded, going back to her suite while he found another member of the advisory panel with his eyes and nodded him over.  He came strolling over.  "The pretender is here?"

"In the bar.  He heard Master Tim was here and wants him badly.  They sent him to retrieve him?"  That got a nod.  "He's bringing it to us?"

"Through Lady Heather."

"She's a good influence and in this case it's the right thing to do."

"Twenty-seven bodies," he said quietly.

"Then it's definitely the right thing to do.  After dinner?"

"Agreed.  That's when it told her we'd meet with her and the boy."

"Excellent.  I saw him prove himself with the whip when he signed in.  I must say, he has good taste.  I would gladly hold and cherish both of his toys."  He walked off, going back to his chatting about how to attract new ones to the life for real, not those who wanted dinner theater or to play.

***

Lady Heather walked in and found Xander looking at his boys while Horatio and Greg talked.  "You should be with them."

"They need to talk as well," Xander said, looking at her.  "Are we a go?"

"After dinner."  She sat down and he sank into her side, earning a smile.  "Tired from the flight, precious?"

"A bit.  Greg and I slept most of the way over."  He yawned. "It's just that you're so comfy to nap on, Lady Heather.  Do you think I should give Mom the loose jewels I found in my wife's things or go buy her pretty, sparkly things?"

"I think you should give her a choice," she admitted.  "Jewelry tastes vary by person.  I can't see her wearing what I do."  Xander shook his head quickly, making her smile.  "The same as I can't see her wearing delicate jewelry either."

"Good point.  Whichever she doesn't want I'll give to the stepmom."

"That is an excellent idea, Xander."  She stroked through his hair. "I heard my package of presents was sent."

He looked up.  "That way you have something to look forward to on your first night back from your vacation."  She smiled at that.  "I always need a motivator after I take a few days off."

"I probably will," she agreed, patting him on the head.  She looked at Horatio, who looked like he was explaining something to Gregory.  "Horatio, darling, one point to consider.  He would be yours when he was there."

"I'm not sure I'd be comfortable sharing him with others when he was at home.  I do get jealous and guard what is mine."  He looked at her.  He and Greg both smiled and Greg took a picture of the mother/son duo.  "I want a copy of that, Greg."  That got a nod and a grin.  "The concerns I have are some of the same Xander has.  How it will change their relationship is still the biggest."

"That is a valid point but adding you into his life won't change their relationship, only what part of the bed he sleeps on."  Greg blushed.  "I know, you'd prefer between them?"

"Now and then but Xander's still unsure if he can be topped."

"Xander has more bottom in him than most people give him credit for," Horatio assured him. She looked down at the first quiet snore, then smiled at him.  Greg took another picture.  "Just because Xander doesn't know how good it feels doesn't mean he won't be having both of us any way we please, Greg.  I'm still not sure that my being with him would suit your needs, because you do need him."

"I can go to Lady Heather when I have needs out in Las Vegas."

"Yes, but part of your needs is a lot of affection," Horatio reminded him.  "I wouldn't want to keep you from dating at home but I would feel the desire to."

Greg looked at him. "Then limit me, Horatio," he said quietly.  "Yes, it'll change what Xander and I have.  I don't want to be there all the time.  I don't have time to date."  Horatio gave him a gentle squeeze, earning a moan.  "You feel like safety and security.  With him I get this naughty thrill of danger with that, with you I just feel safe."

"Which is good," Lady Heather agreed.  "That is how it should feel when you find home, Gregory.  What about when you touch Xander, Horatio?"

He searched for the right phrase. "It's like that last burst of warmth and light as the sun goes down."

"You're not that old."

"I'm over twice his age, Lady Heather."

"So?  Who said love is wrong at your age?"  He blushed at that, ducking his head some.  "Come here, Horatio."  He came over.  "Can you protect Xander like he needs?  Take care of him, watch his back, give him what he needs and wants in a mate?"  Horatio nodded.  "Can you accept that Gregory has much the same needs but needs the structure as well?"  He nodded again.  "Can you accept that you can do it for both of them?"

"I can but I'm still Catholic and parts of my mind and soul are screaming at me."

"Xander is a reward for a life well lived, Horatio.  If you ever treat him any other way I will show you the error of your ways.  Greg is like a winning lottery ticket."  He smiled at that.  "They would be good for you.  You could stand to learn to love again and to let your circle of love grow.  Now, the room on the right is yours, boys.  Go in there."  She let Horatio pick Xander up and carry him in there with Greg behind him. "Be very careful of him, Gregory.  Xander is still in the first blush of experimentation."

"I know, Lady Heather.  We'll have to see who gets him first."  He smiled and closed the door, going to cuddle up with Xander so Horatio could watch them.  He seemed like he'd like that.  "He is very cuddly, Horatio," Greg tempted.

"You both are, Gregory."  Greg shivered.  "Or are you only Gregory to him?"

"With him that means I'm there with him for some treatment from Master Tim.  With you I'm not sure yet."

"Which is why we won't rush this."  He leaned down to kiss him, then Xander's head, making him wake up some.  "Take a short nap, Xander.  I've got you."  Xander nodded and snuggled back into Greg's side, rubbing himself gently against his thigh.  Greg   moaned and stiffened up. "Not in your clothes, boys.  That's nasty for whoever has to clean them."  Greg undid his pants and started to wiggle out of them, getting a smile from Horatio for it. "Xander, strip down," he ordered.  "You can't have those sort of dreams in those pants."

"Can, meant for it," he complained but his eyes were closed.  Greg poked him and he glared at him.  "Quit."

"Out of the pants, Master Tim. That way we can appreciate the view."  Xander blushed but got up and stripped himself down to his briefs, letting them see anything they wanted.

Horatio looked over his body.  "I do not like that many scars on a body, Xander, but you and I have talked about that."  He pulled him closer, looking at him.  "Do you want to see, Xander?  Is Lady Heather right?"

"I nearly rubbed myself against you while I was cuddling on the way to Cyprus," he said quietly.  "I couldn't with Daddy in there."

Horatio smiled.  "It's best we take this a bit slow, Xander."  He stroked over his back and down to his rear, pulling their hips into contact.  "I want to hear the grand total of what you've seen and know about gay sex, Xander.  Before we go any further."

"No nap?"

"No, we can nap.  But we will be talking tonight."  Xander nodded and snuggled back into Greg's side, staring up at him.  Horatio stared back.  "What?"

"Your turn," Greg said quietly.  "Please?"  He took off his shirt and put it on top of his pants.

"If I must."  He let his jacket slide off and then untucked his shirt, unbuttoning it for them, enjoying the staring going on.  That joined his jacket on the back of the chair.  Then he sat down to take off his shoes and socks.  Those went under the chair.   Then he stood up to undo his belt and pants.  Someone knocked.  Greg moaned.  "Hold that thought."  He went to answer it, finding it being Lady Heather. "I was going to put them down for a nap, did you need them?"

"No, I was checking since it was so quiet."  She looked him over, then those two on the bed.  "They are very pretty together, Horatio. Opposites in some ways and bookends in another."  She stroked his shoulder.  "Did you think on the practical matters?"

"We're not there yet."

"Good.  There is a supply cabinet in the play area."   She smiled at him and winked.  "Including the necessary condoms and lubricant."  She strolled off.  "I'm going to retire for my own nap.  I doubt you'll wake me up since I'm on this side of the suite."  She closed her door.

Horatio closed theirs and smiled at his boys, letting down his zipper and taking off his pants.  They both stared and Xander swallowed.  "What?"

"You're a little bit furry.  Greg's really smooth," Xander said, holding up a hand.  "Come to bed and help me nap?"

"If you want." He came over, laying behind Xander's back.  He stroked up his arm, then covered them up since it was cool in the room.  Xander smiled shyly at him.  "Rest if you want.  I'm going to touch you and Greg to get used to you."  That got a nod and Horatio started with Xander's chest since it was facing away from him.  It also let him brush the back of his hand against Greg's chest.  He shifted against Xander's back.  "What have you done with a man, Xander?"

"Kissed.  I kissed one of my dates and Greg once.  I've cuddled with more clothes on with Greg when I had the hangover."  Horatio made a quiet purring noise.  "I've had dinner."

"What have you seen?" Horatio asked in his ear.

"Two men going at it in the back of a club. They were kissing and groping. I got caught staring and they invited me over but I blushed and stammered out that I was trying to figure out which way I liked it better so I was watching to see which one got me hotter.  They put on a good show of groping for me.  I kissed both of them I guess.  Nothing intense, just soft, gentle, virgin kisses."  He shifted and Horatio's hand moved down to his stomach.  "During my first time on stage, the client asked me to bend over and stand with my feet wide apart so he could look at my hole.  He said I was too pure for his party to do more than look at," he confessed.  Greg moaned at that.  "I told you about that."

"You did.  Did the drag queen touch?"

"Just ran a finger over the outside of me."

Horatio groaned at that. "Did it feel good?"  Xander nodded quickly, leaning his head against Horatio's shoulder.  "Good boy, Xander.  Relax and let me explore you. What else have you watched?"

"There was a trio in one of the clubs. Two guys kissing and their bitch on his knees blowing one."  He moaned when the hand hit a spot that felt good.  Horatio stayed to tease it for a few minutes.  "That was interesting to watch. They treated him like he was only there to watch them do that.  One of them offered to let me take their bitch's place.  They didn't like me watching.  I said I could try but I didn't know what to do. They said they didn't have the energy to break in virgins and told me to go find another daddy figure."

"Am I?" Horatio asked in his ear, getting a quick head shake.  "Good.  Because I'm not taking Speed's place in your life."  That got a smile from both young men.  "What else have you seen?"

"A few tapes.  One got seriously kinky."

"So you do like to watch?"

"Now and then.  Mom said I got too noisy when it was just my imagination."  He tensed up when Horatio's hand moved lower and let out a deep moan.  "You're teasing me.  I'm the tease."

"You are.  You tease me all the time," Horatio promised him. His hand moved back up and Xander pouted.  "I'll go back to it, Xander. Right now I'm learning how you respond to my touches."  Xander put his hand back down where it had been.  "I felt that.  Right now I want to find all the spots that make you moan."

"All over.  I'm very tactilly sensitive."

"He's nearly as bad as I am sometimes," Greg admitted.

"When I first met Aiden she tried to pat me on the back and I moved away from her," Xander admitted, looking down so he wouldn't have to see their pity.  "She taught me what a hug was and Timmy made me learn to cuddle."

"Then you're an exceptional student at that art," Greg assured him, kissing him.  Xander gave him a shy smile.  "You are.  You're a champion cuddler."  He snuggled back in against his front, learning and touching Xander's chest as well.  Someone knocked on the door.  "Can I bark?"

"No," Horatio ordered.  "You can get the door however."

"Make me think with a hard-on, Horatio," he complained.  But he did as ordered, finding a taller man on the other side.  "Lady Heather's taking a nap."

"I heard.  I came to meet my fellow student."  He looked him over.  "Tell him I will see him at dinner."

"Of course, Master Santiago.  We'll be there."

"Thank you."  He walked off.

Greg closed the dinner. "We'll be seeing Santiago at dinner."  He dove back in, making Xander wiggle and laugh and then pin him to the bed.  "I'm a naughty boy."

"If you are, I'll have to spank you," Xander warned.  Greg whimpered.  "Will this be enough for you, Gregory?"

"It will," he promised.  "If not, we'll figure out something new."  He stroked over Xander's cheek and Xander leaned down to kiss him.  A bit hesitantly at first then deeper, with tongues playing and being sucked on.  They both heard Horatio moan and Xander broke off to kiss him.  Horatio reclaimed Xander to hold and play with for now, letting Greg have his back and touching rights.  Greg moved down to kiss his neck and shoulders. "You taste good when you sweat, Xander," he promised.  He slid off his underwear and wrestled the others' off them so they had better room to play.

Horatio pulled back to look at him.  "His ass is mine the first time, Greg."

Greg wobbled then his need to be under someone came out and made him nod.  "If you want, Horatio.  How far are we going today?"

"Today I'm going to reenact one dream I've heard."  Xander sucked in a breath.  "I believe I was teaching you how to touch and suckle on me, Xander."

"Oooh," he moaned, moving down to look at him closer.

"Gently," Horatio warned. Xander looked up and nodded, looking at what was soon going to be his.  "Touch it, Xander," he encouraged after a few minutes of Xander staring at him.  One hesitant finger came up to tease his head.  He shivered and got harder.  "You can use more than a fingertip."  Xander shifted and went back to the light, teasing contact.  "Use more than a fingertip, Xander."  Xander leaned forward and licked him.  That earned a deep, satisfied moan.  "Move your hips up here, Xander."

"That's gross."

"No, that way I can touch you at the same time."  Xander shook his head.  "Xander, it doesn't matter if you fart or whatever you're worried about."  Xander moved his hips up to let him play.  He started and Xander forgot what he was doing.  He stopped.  "Go back to it."  Xander went back to what he was doing.  "No teeth."  Xander tried.  "Shift position, no teeth, Xander."  Xander shifted back down to lay between his legs.  "Fine.   You can't do two things at once yet."  He played a hand through the dark hair.  "Further down," he said with a gentle pressure on the head.  Xander went down.  "Just like that.  Breathe in as you go down.  Swallow when you start to gag."  Xander did that, going down further then he came back up.  "Again, play with what you're not sucking on."  Xander did that.  "Good boy," he said, patting his hair.  "Now go down all the way next time."  Xander went down and swallowed, making him moan.  He came up after a short pause. "Good.  That's very good, Xander.  Do it again."  Xander went back down, making Greg moan.  "Teeth, Xander.  No teeth, please. And a bit more suction.  Not that much," he said with a wince. Xander eased off on his poor organ but went back to playing and learning.

"He's very oral," Greg whispered.  "He and Lady Heather used to talk about how he had pleased his girlfriends."  He stroked over Horatio's stomach.  "Can I help him?"

"He's doing fine, Greg.  Xander, suction," he moaned, arching up. "Faster is all right," he offered a few minutes later.  Xander kept on going slowly and steadily.  Horatio arched up again, nearly choking him.  But he changed directions and went with it.  "Faster, Xander. I like it harder and faster."  Xander looked up at him, licking over the tip of his cock.  "Please?"

"I'm exploring and learning, Horatio.  Let me learn."  He went back to it but he did go a bit faster and added a bit more suction, making Horatio happier.

Horatio went back to playing with Greg.  He was getting closer.  "Xander, I want you to swallow," he ordered.  Xander paused to look up at him.  "All that you can.  It'll be good for you."

"Sure.  I'm all for learning about it.  I cleaned up my women."  He went back down and went back to playing.  He watched Horatio tease Greg's nipples.  "He's got a sensitive spot just above the scar on his right side."  He swallowed Horatio and sucked harder, making him nearly yelp, then he eased up and went up, then went back down, trying to swallow while he had it down his throat.  Horatio came and he pulled back to taste it and play with some of it, swallowing the rest.  Horatio pulled him up to kiss.  Xander ended up straddled on his lap, spread across his chest.  He moaned when he pulled back.

"My turn," Horatio said smoothly, pulling Xander up a bit higher. "Some day soon you'll be in that position for a different reason," he said, teasing his ass. "Has anyone touched this, Xander?"

"The trannie queen teased it with a finger and it tickled."

"Tickled good or funny feeling?" he asked, doing the same.

"Odd, but I want to wiggle."  He did wiggle and a fingertip slid in barely. He took another kiss.  "That feels very big."

"It will but there's bigger things that will fit with some preparation."  He got to work teasing and learning Xander's responses, letting Greg watch for now.  He was moaning and writhing under the simplest of touches.  "I think someone needs more tactile attention." he soothed.  Xander yelped when he scraped him with his teeth. "That's why no teeth, Xander."  Xander nodded frantically, his hips thrusting up when Horatio pulled back.  "Easy, calm down."   He licked a finger and slid it into Xander's passage, making him go limp under him and come.  "I thought you'd make a good bottom," he teased, cleaning him up.

"Please more?" he begged, sounding breathless.

"Do you like this?"  Xander nodded frantically.  "You know, in some clubs, bottom boys get blown and then taken immediately afterward," he teased.

"Can you?"

"Not tonight, Xander.  It'll take some time to stretch you out so you don't get hurt."

"Hurt?"

"It'll hurt for a few minutes but then it'll feel good," Greg promised, coming over to stroke Xander's back while Horatio pulled out the first finger.  He held it up and Xander gave him a look.  "Get it wet."

"It was...."

"Then just spit, Xander. That's a thought to deal with another time."  Xander spit on the fingers and this time Horatio slid in two.

"That kinda feels full and a bit tight."  He wiggled his hips and Horatio slowly moved it for him.  "Still really full."

"That's why we're taking time to get you used to larger things back there," Horatio agreed.  He slowly played and found that one special spot.  Xander yelped loudly then went limp across his body.  "Feel good?" he asked a bit smugly.

"Do more or I'm biting," Xander said, his cheek pressed against Horatio's chest. He got spanked.  "Ow!  Meany.  No spanking in bed.  I will not be spanked."  He wiggled off the fingers and found the lube, going back to play with himself.  He moaned and groaned, watching Horatio play with himself and Greg go down to help him.  It got him nearly as hot as his fingers did.

"I think you like to watch," Horatio told him.  Xander smirked and went back to playing with himself.  Horatio grabbed him and pulled him over Greg's back, going back to playing with him.  Xander went limp, letting him do whatever he wanted.  Greg had to wiggle free so he could breathe but Horatio smiled and let him play with the hardening cock.  "Good boy, Xander.  You too, Greg.  Very nice technique."  Greg grinned and went down on him, stroking Horatio.  "Good boys.  Very nice."  Xander kissed him and moved up, straddling his lap again.  "Some day soon, Xander.  When two fingers only makes you ache for more, not just ache."  Xander kissed him again.

"Can you put it in me this time?" he begged.  "Just press it so you shoot inside?"

"I'll see what I can do but it'll hurt if I do that right now."  He shifted Xander down, thrusting between his cheeks, letting him get used to that feeling.  He wiggled, trying to get it where the fingers were, but Horatio held him firm.  "Relax, let me do it," he ordered. He was starting to get closer, staring at his young lover.  "How did it feel earlier?"

"Good.  Right.  Good in my mouth," he said, sitting up to let him rub in a better place.  Horatio moaned and shifted so his tip was barely pressing where his fingers were.  Xander pushed back some.  "Please?"

"Shh, let me," he warned.  Greg came down to lick him.  Horatio jerked and pressed in a bit more.  Xander winced but he came and some of it did make it inside to help his fingers.  He spread them, working on stretching him.  Xander came with a moan and went limp across his chest again.  Greg cleaned them both up but Xander wiggled away from his tongue.  "We'll work on that some other time, Greg."

"Sure."  He came to lick up what Xander had spilled, then whimpered softly.  Horatio pulled him over.  "Xander, would you like to finish Greg off?  Show him how good you learned on me."  Xander leaned over to plaster his face in Greg's crotch, playing and teasing him until he came.  Then he petted him gently until Greg fell asleep.  "Good job," Horatio praised quietly.  He petted Xander, getting a head tip but nothing else.  "I want to treat you nicely," he soothed.

"I know."

"Nothing close to spanking?"  Xander shook his head.  "Not even a squeeze?"

"Squeezing is fine.  Spanking is not.  It is a trigger and you're lucky I didn't leave," he said quietly, looking at him.  "It's one of the things I will walk away for, Horatio."

"I understand. We all have things we won't do.  Would you try things?"

"Now and then.  I am still learning."

Horatio smiled. "Good.  Then get used to your ass being my playground, Xander.  I'm going to do everything in it.  Am I clear?"  Xander shivered but put his head back down.  "Good."  He smiled and tugged on Greg's arm so he cuddled up to his side with an arm over Xander's back.  "There, better."  Xander nodded.  "You are cuddly?"

"I'm more cuddly than Greg.  He likes to be petted, I like to be held."

"I like both.  It'll be fine and we'll work it out."  Xander nodded, going limp across him.  He smiled and continued to stroke through Greg's hair and over Xander's back.  Greg woke up and looked at him.  "Sleep, Greg.  We've got a few more minutes before we have to get up."

"Should shower.  It's rude to go to dinner smelling like sex.  It's like an invitation."  He kissed Xander on the throat, getting a sleepy smile.  "Thank you."

"I like petting you."

"I meant the blow job, Xan..."  He shook his head.  "Sorry."

"When I'm not actively working on you I'm Xander, Greg."  Greg relaxed.  "Good boy."  He kissed him again.  "Go shower."  Greg went to shower.  "We should do the same."

"If I take a shower with you, I'm going to be eating you until you scream and walk funny,"  Horatio warned.  Xander shivered.  "Go shower with Greg.  Time to spend time with him."  Xander got up and went to shower with Greg.  Horatio basked in the afterglow.  He had one very creative and willing lover that he could teach anything he wanted him to do.  He had one part-time lover who knew what to do and enjoyed doing it in exchange for petting.   The only problem he could see was that the two got into trouble together.  The female giggling going on in the bathroom showed him that.  He got up and went in there, finding Lady Heather giggling at the boys while they kissed and groped.  "They're pretty together."

"They are.  I need Xander back as Master Tim, Horatio."  She smiled and stroked his cheek. "If you hurt my boys, I will kill you as only a Dominatrix can," she said quietly.  He nodded, accepting that.  "Then I'll let Grissom help me hide your body.  Boys!  The rest of us need the bathroom."  Xander reached out to pull her in, making her shriek.  "Xander!"

He grinned.  "You said you needed it and we don't mind if you do your hair while I play with Greg."  He turned his back on her and went back to playing and teasing Greg.

She shook her head but took the opportunity to shower off her nap and freshen up.  Horatio was nice enough to leave so she had privacy.  "Boys, that was not polite," she chided gently.

Xander blew a kiss back at her.  "It was not.  I'm not watching you shower, m'lady.  Neither is Greg.  We're being very polite, but they only gave us one shower."  She swatted at him so he turned and gave her a hug and a kiss on the neck.  "Did you know how amazing playing with your ass feels?" he whispered.

"Actually, I do."  She smiled at him.  "Go back to Gregory, Xander."  He turned and went back to molesting his boy.  She smiled but shook her head.  "So it was good?"

"He only got him up to two fingers today but he has an *amazing* mouth, Lady Heather," Greg told her.  "He has a mouth that drew my cum out like it was magnetized to his tongue.  It was sin and pleasure.  Like your nails in my hair."  She turned and gave them a joint hug.  "Thank you."  He rested his cheek on Xander's shoulder.  "I'll try to be good for them but I'll be seeing you when I'm at home.  Horatio is possessive and so is Xander."

"I welcome you back openly, Gregory.  You know that."  She stroked over his hair.  "I'm nearly done.  Get cleaned up."  Xander fell to his knees to bring Greg off, making her smile.  "Ah.  I knew he'd make a great bottom."  She winked at Greg before doing one last rinse.  "Enjoy, dears.  Supper is in forty minutes and Horatio still has to clean as well."  Greg yelped two minutes later and the occupants traded places.

***

Xander walked out of the dining room, smiling at the trio of men staring at him.  "Sirs."

"Master Tim."

"Yes, sir."  He looked at him.  "I didn't know who was on the advisory panel."

"I'm not.  I'm the trainee of one."  Xander nodded at that information.  "Tell me of this one."

"I'll do what I can.  Fortunately I had two people who saved me and now mean the world to me as my *real* parents."

"He didn't have you?"

"Aiden found that my parents had accepted money for my ass to be killed.  Literally.  She ran them out of town and had a friend run him out.  My parents ran for their lives from her.  It says something when an officer is going to commit homicide.  Justifiable homicide."

"That's fine."  He led them out of the way.  "How did you know what he does?"

"Timmy and Aiden were the detectives in Sunnydale.  He called the people in LA while she paced.  What he found out made her go after my parents for me."  He lifted his chin a bit.  "At that time we knew he had killed at least six people pretending to be a dom.  We know that he started with a cane on their buttocks, he moved to a bastinado on their back, and then up to a share cropper's whip.  At that time they only said whip but I looked at the files and it was a share cropper's whip by size and depth of the cut.  He's not a technician with it, he went for brute strength.  After he got done with the first round, he took a long break, usually had dinner he taunted them with according to the one who made it through to the initial surgery.  Then he went back after he had regained his strength.  Starting with rape.  Then he went back to beating them with blunt instruments, ending with repeated blows to the back of his victim's head until their skull fractured and split open," he finished grimly.

"Tim found that out, Aiden went after my parents, who knew, they searched for the most brutal they could find to get rid of me, and she went after him but the LAPD was onto him and she was convinced to let them handle it.  They nearly got him on trying to buy me but they wouldn't let me testify.  Now he's done it to others, dirtying the name I wear proudly.  I'll be *damned* if I'm going to be associated with a man who's killed twenty-seven people in such a brutal method."  He paced.  "I started out my training with a lot of misconceptions.  There for a time, I thought he had just went a bit too far.  Even seeing the files I thought this was about violence.  Then my first teacher, Steven, showed me that I was there to help people.  Occasionally to let some people play but mostly to help people.  I've learned to honor this name.  I've learned to love who I am.  Going to Lady Heather was one of the *best* decision of my life."  He paused to look at them.

"It gave me a stepmother that I can go to with any questions, ethical or not.  Sexual or not.  She helped me figure shit out about myself that I hadn't even thought was possible.  Then I came to Miami due to my parents trying to sell me again.  He followed and tried for me again.  I'm not sure he wasn't behind the beating I took that ended up with me being put back into my house and it being set on fire."  They shuddered.  "I'm *damn* lucky I'm still here.  I only got mild first degree burns from that but it took nearly *everything* in my life.  Including the business I had started.  Including some peace of mine of myself and my clients.  And he's still coming after me.  He sent me a letter of interest of working with me sometime.  The next day apparently he found out who I was and he sent the MDPD crime lab, my father works there, a death threat against me.  Dad never told me but I know.  I heard some of the other officers. The same as I know that he had something to do the fire because he sent me a box of matches while I was in Las Vegas."  That got a shudder from one of the others.  "He's still coming after me.  I'm the one who got away from him.  And I'll be *damned* if I'm going to wear the same title as a murderer like him!"

"Yet you hunted," the man who was questioning him noted.

"I did what was necessary to save lives," he said simply.  "Until you've lived in a town where a quarter of the population will die in one year due to a creature that's the demonic cousin of a roach, until you've watched your best friends die, you don't know what you'll do when they come after you."

"How many kills did you have?"

"They weren't human and I don't keep a kill count or any souvenirs.   I did what I did to save lives.  Not for fun.  Not for pleasure.  Because it sure as hell wasn't a pleasure.  I will admit I went after a few of them for stress relief.  They were still hunting people who had no clue what they were."

"They were human."

"Before they got eaten.  Then they made the decision to hunt."

"They hunt to live."

"Really?  Then would you like to explain how some of them don't hunt?  Angel doesn't hunt.  Spike can't hunt anymore.  They survive very well without hunting. Including using volunteers.  My Grandfather and Grandsire don't hunt and they're doing just fine without killing."  That got a step back.  "That's right, I'm Patrick Benis' grandson.  Just found out when I was in New York," he said with a proud grin.  "I love my Grandfather. He nibbles on some of his staff now and then.  They do it voluntarily.  They're not hurt. For that matter, most vampires don't drink all that much blood.  They drink enough to kill them but that's because they like it.  They're doing evil things.  Hell, some of them have tried to end the world!  I helped stop them too!"

"Calm down," Lady Heather ordered from behind him.

"I'm sorry.  My emotions are high when I'm accused of being a mass murderer for hunting vampires and keeping people safe."   He calmed himself.   "I don't care if you don't like what I did to save lives.  I don't know you.  I don't care about your opinion on my life.  I don't care if you don't like that I take a therapy standpoint on how I help my clients instead of playing with them sexually.  I could care less if you like this guy.  I'm not going to let my own safety be compromised.  If he comes after me after this, I'm going to protect myself and my family.  I'll be very upset with myself.  I'll punish myself for years for it, but I won't be killed by him.  If he comes after my parents, I'll have him then too."  That got a solemn nod.

"I'm sorry if you hate me.  I don't care though.  You live over here and I don't.  I have a life I'm content with.  I have clients that I have helped.  I have clients I'm still helping and I'm going to continue to help.  They need me.  No one needs that man.  No one wants that man.  I doubt any of his people agreed to be killed in such a brutal way.  I know I sure as hell didn't when my parents tried to sell me to him and I still sure as hell don't want to be killed that way now that he's coming after me for getting away from him.  For that matter, all I ask is that you help us determine if it is indeed him and then hand him over to the proper people.  I'm not asking you to get your hands dirty or anything.  Just shun the bastard."  He felt her stroke his back and stepped back.  "Where am we going?" he asked her.

"The main meeting room," she said.  "Thank you for letting him vent."

"I think it is a good cause," the questioning one noted.  "He makes good points.  Even if he is still emotional."

"I'm nearly twenty.  Strong emotions and opinions are for the young," Xander said, shrugging.

"True.  Come."  He led the way in there.  Two of the men behind him took seats.  The other one walked in from another door.  "This is Lady Heather and her student, Master Tim."

"Do you have a real name, young man?"

"Alexander Harris."

"Thank you.  Your name means?"

"I honor my adoptive father."

"That is a good thing to do.  Does he accept your new life?"

"He was wary but he understands that I'm not the sort who does this for shits, giggles, and sexual gratification.  If I fell into any of those categories he'd be complaining daily.  Since I see what I do as therapy and healing, he accepts and admires how I help others."

That got a smile.  "Do you discriminate against those who use it for sexual gratification?"

"I'm all for it as long as it's not kids, pets, or dead people."  That got a laugh.  "As long as they consent I have no right to say how anyone has sex as long as they're not kids, pets, or dead people."  He shrugged.  "Why should I care?  They'll take no for an answer if they come to me."

"True."  The man who hadn't heard listened to the tape the other two had made, then looked at him.  "You have some very good points, young man.  Do you wish him to be punished?"

"They think they have enough evidence to punish him legally.  If they didn't, I would say yes.  I would help with it myself.  I have their file if you need it."

"I have looked it over.  The others?"  They nodded so Lady Heather presented it.  "You do grace us with beauty, Lady Heather."

"Thank you, sir."

"You're very welcome.   How runs your house?"

"Very well since I had to rebuild."  That got a curious look.  "The last people Master Tim's parents sold him to took offense at my affection for the boy and decided to punish my house by trying to burn it."

"The allegation that this one had something to do with the fire.  Can we prove that?" one of them asked.

"You'd have to ask my escort, Horatio.  He heads the crime lab down in Miami."

"Have him and your toy found and brought in."  Xander gave him a dry look. "He is not?"

"He is not.   I don't have toys.  I have never had toys," he said quietly.  "I'm too old to play with toys now."

"Your parents are where, young man?"

"Dead," Lady Heather sighed.  "His mother was killed by the last slavers who wanted him and his father was killed by them in Las Vegas.  Unfortunately before we could meet."  Xander gave her a gentle hug.  "Thank you, dear."

"They weren't worth the sweat you'd give out whipping them," he reminded her.  "I have good parents.  They saved and adopted me."

She smiled. "You do.  Aiden is a very strong woman."

"Would she make a good dom?" the one on the left asked.

"Only with vocal commands.  She is very fiery," Lady Heather said while Xander giggled and shook his head. "His temper can be a lot like hers at times."  Horatio and Gregory came in together.  "They asked a question about his possible involvement in the fire."

"We think it is likely though most of the leads have gone cold," Horatio admitted.  "We do know he was involved in the beating. The fire later was to cover it up so it is a logical conclusion.  We know he did hire vampires to help him.  His grandsire helped get him free of them but he was taken before he could prevent it."

"Thank you.  You have proof of that?"  Horatio nodded and handed over a diskette.  They ran it and looked over the information then nodded.  They talked quietly.  Then they took their seats again.  "We will not help you."  Xander opened his mouth and he held up a hand.  "We will also not help him.  We want proof that this is the same person before any decision on his shunning or handing over can be made."

"With all due respect," Greg said.  "Horatio and I are both crime scene investigators, sir.  We can compare his fingerprints and DNA to the one on file with the evidence the FBI has.  That would take less than a day if they can get it to a decent lab.  If you could have him confined to his rooms and let us take his fingerprints and hair samples it can be done easily enough.  There's a local Interpol office that would probably help."

They considered that then nodded.  "We will have him confined and let you take what you need to confirm his identity," the one in the middle decided.

"Thank you," Horatio agreed. "Where might he be?"

"In the other room," the one on the right offered dryly.  "We had him held and listening so he could share his side when the time came."

"As is proper," Xander agreed. "Everyone should have the right to speak in their own behalf."  That got a smile from them.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Master Tim," the one in the middle agreed.  "You are continuing to see clients?"

"I am.  The ones who needed me before.  I'm still debating on restarting the massage and general dom business I used to run out of my old house.  My grandparents bought me a new one even though I asked them not to spoil me."  That got a smile.  "Thank you."  He bowed.  "Do you need Lady Heather or can we take her to chat while they take whatever they need?"

"You can have her, young man.  Go have fun. This is your first convention."  Xander smiled and led her out to go see what was going on.  "Do be gentle, gentlemen."

"Of course," Horatio agreed.  He led Greg into the other room.  "We'll need some ink and paper, plus a small plastic bag and tweezers," Horatio ordered.  That got a nod from one of the guards, who produced a scene kit. "Even better."  Greg got the DNA samples while he took the fingerprints.  Then Horatio called the number in the file. "It's Caine.  I have fingerprints and DNA from your suspect.  I can do that.  Get us a lab."  He hung up and nodded.  "Greg?"  He nodded and they left to meet with their contact and be taken to the lab they were borrowing.  He shook hands with the head of the lab.  "Thank you for your indulgence."

"Serial killers who travel for pleasure annoy us all," she agreed. "What did you need?"

"We have hair samples for DNA and fingerprints," Horatio offered. "This is Gregory Sanders, he works under Gil Grissom in Las Vegas.  He was his DNA tech for five years."

"I've heard of you and your lab, Mr. Sanders," she offered, shaking his hand.  He smiled back.  "This way."  She let them to the various areas.

Horatio gave the fingerprint tech a polite nod and bent down to do a visual comparison.  He stood up.  "Greg?"  He came in.  "How many DNA samples did we have?"

"Four.  He had three helpers at one point in time."  He came in to look through the file. "They gave you the wrong set."

"Then we'll run it through AFIS," Horatio offered.  The tech got out of the way, letting him run it through the system.  He got a hit off immigration in the US and off, "Ah, I love the LAPD.  They're on the ball this time.  It's a match."  He printed both matches out and put them with the file and the original fingerprints.  He nodded again. "Thank you for the borrowing."  He went to find Greg, finding him spinning the solution.  "We have a match to the main person."

"The others are dead so I'd hope so," Greg admitted.  The sample finished the first part and he worked on preparing it for the machine.  Horatio watched him work then smiled when the computer spit out an answer.  They compared it and he nodded.  "Match," he agreed.  They turned and found the head of the lab waiting.  "We have a match," he agreed.

"Good.  Can we help apprehend this person?"

Horatio smiled. "He's at the dom's convention."  She shuddered in horror, looking sick. "I don't think we'll have a problem with that issue."  She nodded and bowed.  They shook her hand and were taken back to the hotel.  They presented their findings over breakfast to the table holding the advisors.  "A perfect match."

That got a mass nod.  "Then we will hand him over tonight.  After an opportunity for him to confess and for your boy to have closure."

"I can't complain as long as he can stand trial."

"Agreed.  Have them come back tonight at midnight."  Horatio went to tell their ride that, getting a nod.

***

Don Flack looked up as Mac walked into his squadroom with a package.  "Aww, it's not even my birthday," he teased.

"From the trips, Xander's presents."  He handed it over.  Don dug in, smiling at the good coffee and chocolates that were on top, then down further to the smaller things, all making him grin at the goofy nature of the kid.  One had a hand-written note attached. "He found it in Russia.  It's folk magic to help you attract a good woman."

"I'll have to use that later."  He held up the DVD's.  "Any idea?"

"Some," he admitted. "Play the one listed as hockey."  Don put it into his computer and let it run, then gaped.  He patted him on the back.  "We found it on her satellite dish."

"Wow," he said.  "Best of both worlds.  I love hockey."

"Danny said he'd learn to love it more if they played that over here."

"That would definitely revive the game," he agreed, shaking his head and stopping the show.  "Wow.  That's one present I love."

"He figured you might."  He smirked.  "There's another candy bar in there.  He said he dropped his while he was working on them at the shipping place."  Don nodded, coming up with the half eaten, folded over candybar.  "So I guess that's yours too."

"Been long enough there's no germs," he agreed, unwrapping it to have it while he repacked his presents.  "Where is the little goofball with a whip?"

"It's Monday so Geneva working on the bank accounts.  They got to go to Monaco for the dom's convention because that one guy had been there."

"Which one guy?"

"The one who nearly ended up having him when he was sixteen."

"Oh, *that* guy.  He's being turned over?"

"Apparently.  He went to ask the higher doms to turn him over."

"Wonder what shape he'll be in."

"Not a clue but I'm glad I don't have to deal with the case," Mac offered, clapping him on the back.  "Stella's still giggling that he made all the men copies of the hockey matches."

"There's more than one?"

"Apparently it's a small league."  He walked off, heading back to his office.

"Yeah, they probably can't get too many women to play naked hockey," he agreed, still grinning.  He fingered the doll to help him get a good woman and put it back into the box too.  The guy who sat across from him gave him a look.  "Remember Xander?"  That got a nod and a slight grin.  "Remember the story in the Times that made me groan?"  That got a brighter grin. "That was Xander too.  They went to clean out her places.  Apparently somewhere in Europe there's a women's naked ice hockey league.  He made me copies of the matches."

The other guy laughed.  "Best of both worlds indeed.  Must be their version of our roller derby girls."  He shook his head but he was still smiling.  "Aren't they cold?"  Don dug out the DVD and restarted it, waving him over. "No, apparently they aren't," he admitted.  "That's...  That's real skin. You don't jiggle like that when you're wearing skin colored cloth."  They both winced at a bit of unkind hair pulling.  "Ow.  That's really real."

"It is," Don agreed, grinning at him. "Xander's email said he found some freaky stuff on her satellite dish."

"I wonder if I can get that added to my package."  One of the female detectives came over. "Xander found this match off a European station and sent it to Flack."

She watched.  Then she snorted.  "Exhibition games?"

"No, there's apparently a whole small league," Don told her. "Mac said so."

"Well, they have naked news so why not.  Don't let Bonasera see that."

"She was with him when he found this.  She's probably already seen it.  Xander said they only had the dish in Cyprus."

"Oh. So, really European," she agreed, patting him on the back.  "Turn it off, that's Monroe."

Don looked at her.  "You get to see that hockey league Xander found?"

"Yes, but most girls I know aren't stupid enough to play ice hockey naked, Don.  Want a suspect or are you too involved in the match?"

"No, I can work."  He turned it off but left the disc in there.  He'd have a good lunch later on. He took the file to look at it.  "Thanks, Monroe."

"Welcome.  I saw Danny watching one while supposedly doing paperwork.  Stella had to take it from him."

Don snorted.  "Yeah, like that'll work.  It'll be fine and we'll all take them home tonight."

"Pity.  Hawkes wanted to see Danny's."

"Danny's got a DVD player and a nice screen at home.  He can invite him over."

"I don't think Danny's that sort of guy," she said.

Don just stared at her for a moment.  "Not like it matters to most guys who's in the room for a good game."

"Pig," she said, walking off shaking her head.

He shrugged and got back to work, for now.  Lunch time was coming though and he'd have some good fun.

***

Eric found his package on his desk and looked at it.  "Did we scan these?"

"It's presents from Xander," Ryan yelled from somewhere.  "From the trip.  Watch out for the DVDs."

"Cool."  He unwrapped it and smiled at the package that was nearly identical to Don Flack's.  He did take one of the DVD's to the AV lab to see what it was.  Calleigh moaned when she saw it in his hand.  "What?"

"I know what's on it.  Watch it at home, Eric, not at work."

"Why?" he asked with a teasing grin.  "Is it sex tapes?"

She popped him on the arm.  "No!  Well, not quite.  Depending on which one that is, possibly.  I think one of the hockey matches did evolve into an orgy."  He grimaced.  "Women's hockey league, Eric."  He brightened at that. "Naked women's ice hockey league."  He looked stunned.  "I'm not kidding.  Really."  Eric took his DVD into AV and turned it on, watching the boy strip.  She giggled. "I remember the look on our faces when we saw him do that."

Ryan leaned in.  "Huh.  I thought the hockey matches were good."

"They were, good games at least," Calleigh assured him.  "But Xander found a channel that showed amateur open pole night winners.  He had three on there.  He's bragging."

"With moves like that I'd brag too," the AV tech said weakly.  "Think he gives lessons?"

"No," Eric said dryly.  "Ask Speed.  He taught him some."  He shook his head, fast forwarding to a ...hockey match.  All the guys stared at that one.  "Oh, damn," Eric said quietly.  "That's not a costume."

"No, it's not," Calleigh said, walking off shaking her head.  "Frank, don't watch the DVD's at your desk," she called when she walked past the room he was in.  Since it was their break room it was probably okay.

"Why not?" he said, coming out.

"Go check in AV."  He went that way and stared from the doorway. She giggled.  "Wait until Yelina sees you boys."  She found her and nodded, motioning her to be quiet while they snuck up on their menfolk.

She stared then looked at Calleigh.  "That's a regulation sport?"

"Apparently there's a small league.  They showed it on their speciality sports channel along with horse jumping and curling."

She whimpered and walked in to turn it off.  "This is not one of those movie houses where you get to be perverted in public.  Quit or I'm telling Horatio on all of you."  She glared and they slunk off, Eric taking the DVD back with him.   She glared at the tech.

"It was Eric's.  He slid it in and let us watch."

"That did not come out well, Cooper," Ryan taunted, walking off grinning.  "I warned him to be careful of the DVDs."

"How many hours of hockey matches were there?" Frank asked him.

"Six.  I got to deliver the local ones since Speed's off today and I'm a member of the Xander fanclub."

"Do I have any?"

"I think not of the hockey matches or of him stripping.  I don't think he thought you'd like that."

"Can I copy yours?"

"Sure.  Or Eric's since he's got the full set here."  Eric nodded at that.

"Not here you're not," Calleigh complained. "You can take them somewhere to have them copied, just like Xander did."

"Yes, ma'am," Ryan agreed, grinning at her.  "I wasn't going to use county property to copy a hockey game."  She walked off. "I was going to let Cooper do it," he said quietly, making Frank giggle as he walked off.  Cooper leaned out of his lab.  "Can you?"

"Once she's gone on a call.  Give me the things."  He ducked back inside since Yelina was coming back.  She was clearly having outraged feminist feelings at the moment.  He didn't want to make her more mad at the male species.

Ryan walked off, going back to work. He glanced around when he saw Eric in a lab by himself.  "Cooper will copy," he mouthed, getting a nod and a smirk.  "Once she's gone."  He went to Trace to get to work.  Calleigh got the second call of the day but Eric had already slipped Cooper the DVDs so he copied it efficiently, making a few copies for some friends too.  They'd probably pay him for them.

***

Xander sat Greg down once they were in the air, cuddling up with him. "Okay, this is what got found at the banks," he said.  Greg read it over.  "That's what you're getting because I paid the taxes. So you don't have to."  Greg smiled at that.  "They were not happy to do it but there were complications that they didn't want to deal with over government authority and things.  They didn't have wills and no one was going to probate the estates so they had to give in when the Greek government said I had ultimate authority over her estate.  Then the FBI helped and one of the doms who was in banking helped and long, involved issue while you went to play on the lake."  Greg looked at him.  "I didn't think you'd mind me paying the taxes before giving you your cut.  That way you don't have to and it got paid at a lower rate with yours in it because she was just over the boundary of higher tax class.  They said there were a few safety deposit boxes and they're sending those to Miami after they gather them.  So anything in them money wise and I'll pay the taxes and give you your cut all at once."

"I don't mind you paying the estate taxes or whatever over there, Xander.  That's not an issue," he promised.  It was still more than enough!  "What about the gold and stuff?"

"That check Daddy has."  That got a smile.  "He said he couriered it to your boss and he's holding it for you.  It's a cashier's check so it's good and all that."

Greg nodded, giving him a hug. "Thank you, Xander."

"You're welcome, Greg."  He kissed him gently. "Will you be good in Las Vegas until you can come back?"

Greg grinned. "I'll be a good boy.  Besides, Grissom likes that I come to you to calm me down.  He will aid and abet me getting down to Miami as often as I can."  That got a smile from Horatio, who was reading.  "Thank you, guys."

"You're welcome, precious," Xander said, giving him a cuddle. It had to last him for at least a few months probably.

Horatio gave them fond looks.  "Behave, boys.  We don't want to join the Mile High Club."

"Yes we do," Greg said with a wicked grin.

Horatio rolled his eyes.  "Greg."

"What?  Think about how hot he'll get from the plane's vibrations, Horatio."  Horatio relented and let them lead him to the back bedroom, where Xander went onto his back immediately.

"Please?  Isn't it time?"

"It is," he agreed, stripping himself.  "Get up and strip for me, Xander."  Xander got up and sensually stripped for him, teasing him, then teasing Greg for his pleasure.  Horatio growled but it was all good.  When he was done he pulled him into his lap. "I should make you do it this way so you have to do it yourself," he growled in his ear.

"I want to watch you take me the first time.  Then I'll use you like the toy you are," Xander teased, smiling wickedly at him.  Horatio moaned and Xander crawled up the bed to play with Greg, wiggling his butt in the air while he sucked and laved on him until he was aching and begging.  Horatio grabbed the lube and started the preparation of the moving hole.  Xander still had problems concentrating when he was doing it but Greg didn't seem to mind.  Then he pulled Xander off and flipped him over, looking down at him.  "I'm sure," Xander assured him.  "Please?"

"If this is the position you want this first time."  He pushed his feet up and Xander put them onto his shoulders, giving him free access. "Ready?"  Xander nodded and Horatio started to slide in.  "Deep breath," he soothed.  Greg came over to whisper in his ear and distract him from the pain of the first few minutes. Horatio was finally all the way inside and Xander keened, arching up.  "Let your body adjust."

"No!  Now!  Want more now!"

"You...are a pushy bottom," he teased, doing what Xander had done to him his first blow job.  Slowly in and then back out, then back in, a slow, gentle, rocking motion.  Xander was going insane.  Greg was grinning until Xander flipped them over and shifted his legs so he could ride him.  "See, I knew you'd like to do yourself on me, Xander."  He held onto his hips, just steadying him so far.  But Xander was lost.  His face told the whole story.  He was loving this and there was no going back to women for him.  Greg came down to mouth the head of Xander's bouncing cock, getting a high pitched squeal and Xander came. Horatio rolled them back over once Greg had cleaned him up, going back to teasing and playing with him. He still had some time before he came and he wanted Xander to have one last good one so he could sleep the rest of the trip.  That was the real beauty of being Xander's age, quick recoveries.  He felt Greg tease his balls and looked back at him.  "Be gentle."

"I'm always gentle."  He grinned and played a sucking bite mark on his ass cheek, then went to lick his balls.  Horatio moaned and sped up, watching as Xander started to thrust back and keen again.  It wasn't long before they both came and then Greg came over to get his.  They both pleasured him, making him come then sleep with Xander curled around him.  Horatio curled around Greg's back, protecting him, one arm over Xander's stomach and side as well. The sheet barely got pulled up before they all fell asleep.

The pilot had to come wake them up for landing but that was all right.  That's why people had private jets.

***

Speed looked at Horatio as he walked in Tuesday morning. "I see you don't have jet lag."

"Slept on the plane," he admitted, smirking at him.  "Your boy is fine."

"I know he is.  We've already talked."  He looked him over then into his eyes. "I will have things done to you that will make your soul cry blood tears if you hurt my son, Horatio Caine.  Am I clear?"  Horatio nodded.  "Good.  Other than that I like you two together, with Greg."  He grinned.  "Also, Stetler's looking for you about this bit of traveling.  Apparently he doesn't like that the FBI borrowed you and that we got files on some of her subjects."

"Pity.  The Chief?"

"Loves you.  You know that."  He grinned.  "He doesn't like the fact that Eric's present got copied a few times and some bought off Cooper, but he's letting you handle that."  Horatio let out a small moan.  "Aww, did the son make you sore?" he teased.

"Not yet but sometime soon," he said with a smile, heading to his office.  "Cooper?" he called as he walked.  He slunk out of AV and joined him.  "Were we using the DVDs we bought you for the lab?"

"No, Horatio, my own private ones.  I wouldn't use the lab's DVD's to copy those.  They're marked."  That got a knowing smirk.  "They are!"

"I know that.  How many copies of the hockey matches did you make?"

"Ten," he said weakly.  "And I made it so they can't be copied off the later copies."  Horatio gave him a long look.  "I did."

"I'm sure you did.  Did you do it during work hours?"

"All I did was stick it in the machine and change dics now and then.  I didn't take work time to do more than that.  Not longer than a smoke break over all, Horatio."

"I should write you up for this."

"It won't happen again," he pleaded.

"No, it won't," he agreed firmly.  "Am I clear?"  His tech nodded and scurried back to the lab.  He headed up to his office, finding Stetler had been listening.  "I'll put a note in his file that we had talked about off-duty copying of materials."  He sat down to look through his messages.  "What did you want, Rick?"

"There's no way that wasn't staged."

Horatio looked at him. "It's a small league in Eastern Europe.  Xander's getting the satellite dish from her house in Cyprus if you don't believe me.  I'm sure the season's still going on."  That got a furious look.  "They're young men.  Of course they wanted to watch naked women doing those things.  The same as plenty of young men watch the roller derby girls in New York, Rick.  That sort of entertainment is meant for young men.  Or weren't you interested too?  I know one of the tapes was an all strip club channel showing open pole winners.  Xander won three and was on there.  I think Eric has copies of those, if not I know Speed does.  I can have him make you a private copy?"  Rick stomped off.  "Let me know," he called after him, smirking at the empty doorway.  Ryan leaned in.  "No new presents from Monaco or Geneva."

"I wasn't expecting any, Horatio, but Greg did send a very smug email about going home."  He walked in a folder.  "That was left for you yesterday.  They wouldn't give it to anyone but Eric or Speed.  Eric gave it to me since he'll be in late today."

"I remember him saying that."  He flipped it open and nodded.  "That's fine.  Thank you, Mr. Wolfe."

"Welcome.  Can I help with it?"

"Did you read it?"

"No."

"Then probably not. What is Xander doing today?"

"Going grocery shopping."  Horatio shuddered so he smiled.  "For his own personal use, Horatio."

"Thankfully.  Thank you, Mr. Wolfe."

"Welcome."  He headed back down to his lab.

Horatio read over the folder.  Someone wanted him badly.  They'd have to get him then, just not how they expected or wanted.

***

Greg walked into the office, smiling at the guys.  "I'm just running an errand," he said, holding up a hand.  "I didn't have the time to shop in Monaco but I did get some pretty pictures on the way in and the way out then in Geneva.  Grissom?"

"His office pretending to be the Godfather," Nick said with a small grin.  "Geneva too?"

"Yeah, we had to deal with the spouses' bank accounts and safety deposit boxes too.  Be right back."  He headed back to the office, waving at Hodges.  "I'll be back with pictures in a few."  He leaned into Grissom's office.  "I hear my inheritance is in here, Godfather?"

Grissom snorted. "He thinks I'm brooding."  He pulled out an envelope and held it up then out to him.  "You're buying breakfast."

"Sure.  I'm good for that if I can get it cashed."  He looked inside and purred.  "That looks prettier in this form than on the forms Xander had."  He grinned after he had tucked in the flap again.  "We did the bank accounts yesterday so one more coming probably."

"That's fine, Greg.  Something like that you can't be too careful. Take someone to guard you on the way to the bank."  Greg nodded. "Come back with pictures."

"Thanks, Grissom."  He grinned.  "Before you ask, we worked out the difficulties, except for me being here and them down in Miami.  So it's still good."

"Good.  Get coffee while you're out.  Your stash got found by Brass."

"Then he can take me to the bank and the photo shop, huh?"  He went to find him, finding him in his office.  "Since you drank my coffee, you're driving me to the bank."

"Why?" he asked with a small smirk.  Greg let him see the amount of the check.  He stared at him, wheezing some.  "How?" he managed to get out.

"Spouse.  It's setting a bad precedent, Brass. I might become a black widow in reverse.  But can I have a ride to the bank and the photo shop?"  He nodded and made sure he had his gun with him, walking out behind him.  "Grissom said I'm buying breakfast," he said as he walked past the break room.

"Why?" Catherine called.

"Spouse's money."

"Ooooh," Sarah taunted.  "A few grand?"  He let her see the check and she went pale.

"One of three.  But thanks for asking."  He smiled.  "I'll try really hard to pick my next spouse better."  Brass gave him a nudge so he continued on to the outside and to Brass's car.  Brass got in to drive.  "The one in the Luxor, please."  That got a nod.  "The photos are there too."

"Sure."  He drove that way, shaking his head. "You have two more coming?"

"When they were ransacking her house in Cyprus they found a stash of gold bars and international currency. Since we couldn't find a lot of stuff that was my former wife's Xander said he'd give me ten percent of any money recovered.  This is the first one from that stuff.  There's one from the bank accounts and one from the sale of the houses."

"You know, for a screw-up marriage, you did pretty well."

"Thanks, Brass," he said with a bright grin.  "Just wait though."

"Are you and Master Tim... close still?" he asked after a few more intersections had went past.

"We are.  We worked out the issues we were having about getting closer.  He's a great kisser.  How much detail do you want?  Because I mean, he's with someone down there and I'm theirs now."

"That's enough for my poor mind to make an educated guess."

Greg grinned.  "We spent most of the weekend when we had alone time breaking him in.  He'd never had a guy before.  Gods, he's good, Brass."

"Way too much information," he noted.  "Before I wreck us, Sanders."

"Sorry, Brass."  They pulled in and he went in to his bank branch, smiling at them.  "Hola, beautiful ones."   He kissed his usual teller on the cheek.  "Remember my marriage?"  She nodded. "Well, first of three," he offered, signing the check and handing it over. "I need about one-fifty of it."

She looked at it then at him. "Thousand?"

"Hundred.  I owe my team breakfast."  She smiled and nodded, putting in the deposit for him. He put the money into his pocket and took the slip, winking at her. "See you in a few days."  He skipped into the photo shop, seeing Brass had already picked them up.  "How much do I owe you?"

"Nothing.  They were already paid for by Lady Heather."  He pointed.  Greg looked then squealed and went to respectfully pounce her for a hug. He shook his head and followed with the packets of pictures.  He held up the one of her cuddling Master Tim.

"I know.  There's another one where he's nearly asleep on me," she said with a smile. "Captain Brass, how are you?"

"I'm okay, Lady Heather.  Greg, you're embarrassing the nice lady."

"No, he's a good boy.  I expect my good boys to fall to their knees wherever they see me.  Even in the grocery store."  She gave him one last pet then tugged on his hair so he stood up.  "Good boy, Gregory.  Now, go back to work."

"Did I tell you they found my former spouse's apartment in Seattle?"

"You hadn't but you mentioned you were going out there to see Aiden."  He nodded.  "I want you to have a good trip, Gregory.  Now, go back to work, dear."  He nodded and Brass followed with a smile for her.  She smiled at their backs.  "Gregory definitely needs more coffee."  She had some sent to work for him and the others, then went back on her errands.  She needed a new silk shirt.

***

Grissom handed Greg the coffee when he came back in.  "Lady Heather sent it."

"Oops."

"He fell to his knees so she could pet him in the middle of the Luxor's lobby," Brass told him.

"Of course he did. All her loyal people would."  He looked at Greg.  "You kept out enough for breakfast?"  Greg nodded. "Good.  Go put it in my desk.  We've got a bad case that just came in and you're going to wade through it with me."

"Sure."  He went to do that, letting Catherine lock the drawer for him.  Then he went to get his scene kit, a coverall, and hip waders.  He met Grissom at the truck, still managing to sip his coffee.  "Okay.  Where are we going?"

"The dam."

"Ooh, not sludge?"

"Yes, sludge.  There was a body found in the debris pile on the edge of one side."  That got a nod and Greg put things into the back then let Grissom drive while he finished his coffee.  "In the middle of the Luxor, Greg?"

"It's Lady Heather.  I'm going to fall to my knees even if by doing so it means everyone in the john has a try at my mouth, Grissom."

"Good point.  Next time you're wearing your LVPD Crime Lab t-shirt be a bit more discreet."

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you, Greg."  He drove off, letting Greg wade into the water when they got there.  He needed to come back to reality and some cold water would help that.

"Grissom, we've got floating needles," he called, backing out.  "No way in hell.  I don't know what's in them and these aren't puncture proof. We can use a scoop, man."  He checked his waders, nothing was stuck in them yet.

"That's a reasonable precaution."  He got a large fish net out of the back and used it to gather the mass of needles.  "What are they doing here?"

"Someone probably dumped their used box," he complained.  He checked himself again.  No holes.  There was no water leaking in.

"Calm down, Greg.  You didn't get stuck.  You'd know if you had," he said calmly.  Greg looked at him.  "Calm down."  Greg calmed himself and nodded.  "I take it your new relationship with Master Tim is good?"

"Very," he agreed quietly, taking the net to get the next set after taking a picture of them. "He and Horatio have decided to make a go of it and Horatio and I worked out the differences.  So I'm theirs."  He smiled when he remembered Horatio pounding into him last night before he had flown home.  "Horatio is very possessive of what's his.  Master Tim decided he loved being a bottom slut.  His words.  We used the personal and private times during all that to work on that since he hadn't been with a guy before."  He pointed.  "That's another body, right?"

"It is," he agreed.  He called it in.  They needed a boat to reach her, especially with randomly floating needles in the water.  Then he called the health department. A US Parks Service truck with a boat came up.  He pointed.  "We've got a more distant body and a lot of needles in the water," he told him.  "We've fished out thirteen so far."

"There's more coming," Greg noted. "Could they be throwing them in right now?"

"Take the boat, boys, I'll go check," the ranger ordered.  Grissom undid the trailer hitch and he pulled out in the truck.  Greg documented the needles and then fished them out into the box they were using as a make-shift sharp's container.  "Whoever fishes these out we'll need pierce-proof gloves."

"We have a pair in Hodges' lab," he reminded him.  They maneuvered the small floating raft into the water and used the small motor to get it nearer to the body. "Well, looks like a bad night, Greg."

"It does."  He took more pictures of what they could see.  "How do you want to pull her out?"

"Fish out the needle next to her."  Greg did that and put the net across the back of the boat.  They shifted carefully and slid the body onto the small platform, Greg moving back to counterbalance them so they didn't tip. Grissom slowly slid to the middle. "Okay, see any more?"  Greg nodded and pointed at something.  "That's not human."

"We can't leave it in the water.  What about a lasso?"

"Nick's not here."

"He can be and we'll need the better gloves anyway, Grissom."

"Good idea.  Call him."

Greg made the call.  "Nick, join us in the debris pit on the water side of the dam.  We've got a dead moose in the water and a shitload of needles.  We've pulled out seventeen I think.  Yeah, with those gloves if you're at the office.  Thanks."  He hung up.  "He'll be out as soon as he can grab them.  Hodges was using them as microwave mitts again."   He steered the boat carefully back and let the ranger help them onto the bank.  "Anything?"

"Tire tracks.  The back end of a Honda. I got a partial plate written in the truck."  He pointed.  "Is that another one?"

"Moose it looked like," Grissom offered.  "One of our boys was a Texas boy.  He can rope."

"Better than me.  I came from Salt Lake City."  The ME's van trundled up.  Greg held up a hand and it stopped.  "Problems?"

"Needle box," Greg said, pointing at it.  "Besides, they'll never get that thing back up the slope."  Nick pulled up too and he handed over the boat's tiller.  "All yours, big guy."  He pointed.  "That's your trophy."

"Aw, man," he complained. "Are those needles?"  Grissom nodded and went out with him to fish them out and add them to the tally.  "What is going on?"

"I'm going to find out," he promised.  He pulled out his phone. "LVPD Air Support," he requested.

"Air Support," came back over the walkie talkie feature.

"This is Grissom.  We're at the lake side of the dam, debris pit side.  We've got someone dumping needles into the water.  We need a fly over to see if we can catch them."

"Gotcha, Grissom.  Do it now.  Debris pit side?"

"Affirmative."

"Roger.  ETA ten minutes."

He hung up and Grissom put his phone back while Nick got the rope around the animal's neck and they slowly towed it back to the bank as well.  The ranger took that.  "We'll want a necropsy to see what killed it, Ranger."

"'Course you do.  'Specially with all the needles and stuff."  He heard a helicopter flying over and looked up.  It was doing a low fly.  It spotlit up the bank and he smiled. "Love you guys."  He headed back in his truck.  Nick drove behind him.

Grissom looked at the ME.  "Do all standard swabs.  With the amount of needles we've found tonight it could've been anything that hit her."

"Of course," David agreed, smiling at him.  "Nick had the gloves in his truck."  That got a nod from Greg.  "So, I hear you won the lottery?"

"My sorta spouse for a whole hour and forty-six minutes.  International assassin's apprentice."  David gaped and Greg nodded.  "Yeah.  So we did.  Master Tim married her teacher so he got the greater majority but he gave me ten percent and whatever of hers that we could prove.  I almost wanted the house in Brazil but it wasn't in a great neighborhood."  That got a head shake.  "The pictures from Cyprus were beautiful and the house in Russia was in a great spa town.   Did Catherine say anything about the apartment in Paris?"

"Not a great view.  Part of the lower class section of town so it looked on more buildings and a small college.  She thinks the medical school but she wasn't sure. They downloaded the computers, rifled the filing cabinets, and then had a lot of great food."  That got smiles.

"I sent what they brought back around to the right people," Grissom assured him. He caught Greg when he started to slide on the mud.  "Careful, Greg.  There's still some needles in the water."  Greg moved and they got to work on the body.  "Can we tell anything?"

"A few things," David admitted. "She's got a hole in the back of her head."  Nick and the Ranger finally came back.  "Get 'em?"

"Yup.  Got her.  She claims the bodies aren't hers but the office she works with dumps needles here all the time.  She thinks they might've weighted them."

"I can dive or you can dive," Greg reminded him. "David said this one got shot in the head. The other looked like strangulation."

"Probably two different cases then," Nick agreed.  "You're getting breakfast, right?"  Greg nodded.  "Okay, let me get the dive team out here.  Grissom, you called the Health Department?"

"I did.  I expected news vans to be out here by now since this is the source of the drinking water. Nick, go ahead and use the gloves to do the needle box."

"Sure."  He got the metal coated gloves out of his truck and came over to work them into the foam Greg got him from his official SUV.  Casting foam would work in this case. Nick looked at the pile.  "Damn it.  Remind me to boil water for a bath later, okay?"

"We have filters at the office," Greg reminded him.

Grissom looked at the water.  "I'm not going to trust that this time."  A Health Department van pulled in and he waved them closer.  He pointed at the box.  "The person they caught doing it said her office has been dumping needles here for a while."

"She thought the others were weighted," Nick told her.  "I've got twenty-three here."  He put the last one in and closed the top of the box, taping it up. "I sent her back in a squad car, ma'am."

"Please find the others.  What's with the animal?"

"It was dead in the water," Greg told her.  "So were the people."  She shuddered.   "We'll need unpierceable diving suits, Nick."

"I know.  I'm not sure if we have any."  He looked at the Ranger, who shrugged and called his boss. He finally nodded.  "Divers who're qualified or just the suit?"

"Suit.  Diver's off."

"Sure, what size?" Nick asked.

"Either of you could probably fit.  He's a bit pudgy."  They helped the ME carry the bodies up to the van and then put the moose into the back of his truck.  The boat stayed and another Ranger's van showed up.  "That should be them.  We need lights?"

"Please.  The dam lights should be enough," Grissom agreed.  "David, page me when you're ready to tell me something."  That got a nod and he drove the bodies off.  Nick got out the heavy, dual layered diving suit to look at it.  "That's smaller than either of you."  That got a nod and Greg said a silent 'thank you' for that.  He looked at him.  "Quit."

"I'd go in, you know that, but all those needles make me nervous."  Nick nodded at that.  "Is Sarah trained?"

"No," Grissom said, shaking his head.  "Is Archie?"

"I don't remember."  Greg called him.  "Archie, my man.  Can you dive?  Yeah, like evidence collection under a lot of water beside the dam.  Actually, you'll be in a safe suit, man.  Needles in the water."  He heard him splutter and pour out something.  "Tap water, Archie?  You know better.  Call out and see if anyone can.  Yeah, it's about four inches shorter than I am.  Thanks."  He hung up.  "He can't and he was drinking tap water.  He might need a new keyboard."  That got a sigh and a nod from Grissom.  "Sorry."

"No, it's all right.  He had to know."  His phone rang.  "Grissom.  No, Brass.  We're still here.  Because we had needles dumped in the water.  Why?"  He listened.  "She had a sister?"  He looked at Greg.  "You have a sister-in-law."

"Not according to her FBI profile."

"He said the FBI said she didn't so have her produce proof and wait.  We need a diver.  The only safe suit is about four inches shorter than Greg.  Needles in the water, Brass.  Thanks."  He hung up.  "He'll check too."  His phone rang and he got it.  "Grissom."  He listened then nodded.  "We're by the debris pit, lake side of the dam.  Thanks.  That's us.  Evidence collection.  Don't worry, we'll teach you how to use the underwater camera."  He smiled.  "That works, hurry out."  He hung up.  "We have one female who can dive and has dove out here.  That's probably going to be a bit big on her."  That got a smile from his boys.  "Ranger, did you want to stay?"

"Oh, yeah.  Anything that goes on out here we're supposed to watch it."  That got a nod.

"I can wait or not. I will need a report and what was on the needles, gentlemen," the health department agent said.  That got a nod from Greg.  "Thank you.  We'll put out a temporary boil water order due to the moose being found in the water."  She left, going back to the office to write that up and call her superior to put that out.

A cruiser pulled up and a young woman came out with her hair already up in a ponytail.   She was in bike shorts and a t-shirt.  "Thank you."

"Welcome, sir.  I thought it best to have a driver on the way back just in case.  What's going on?"  Greg pointed at the few needles in the water. "Crap."

"We've got twenty three already sealed," Nick said, handing her the gloves.  "Can you use an underwater camera?"

"I can and I can stuff things into a mesh bag."  She put on the wet suit and winced. "It's heavy but that's a good thing.  Oxygen tanks?"  They were shown to her so she could check them.  "I'll need a replacement if this is going to take over forty-five, gentlemen."

"I can get you some, ma'am," the ranger agreed.

"Officer, young man."

"Sorry, officer."  She smiled and put on the heavy hood and face mask.  The tanks were hooked in and she held up a thumb before attaching the mesh bag to her waist.  She put on the gloves, took the cameras and went down to search along the bottom of the debris pit and then along the bottom of the dam.   Nick drove the platform out for her.  The ranger got them another set of tanks and he came back in to get them, then flashed a light down, blinking it on and off until she came up.  She lifted up her mask.  "I've got another body, cutey, and the needles aren't really free floating."

"Weighted?" Nick asked, helping her change out her tanks.  She nodded and tested it.  "Okay, take as many pictures as you can then put the weights up here and let the body drift up.  I've got a rope if we need to tow it up.  Flash a light up."  He handed over another waterproof flashlight, getting a nod.  She put down her mask and went back down to do that.  "More bodies!" he yelled.  That got a nod from Grissom, who called it in.  "Weighted!"  The weights were slung onto the platform and she grabbed the rope.  He gently pulled it up and then towed it back into the bank.  Greg and Grissom got it out, Greg coming back for the weights, then he went back out.  He found her back up there.  "Only the one?"

"I can't cut the other.  It's steel cable.  I've got all the needles I could find."  She put that bag onto the platform.  She put another weight too.  "That was down there, figured the body came free and you guy shouldn't leave it in the water anyway.  What do you want me to do with the cable?"  She let him have the camera.

He pointed at a loop.  "Can you get that one free?"

"I tested it, it moves," she agreed.  That got a nod.  "Do that and tow it in?"  He nodded again.  "Okay.  This should be the last one. It's the only one I can see. There's a few floating needles left and a dog."

"Bring it up. I don't want that in my bathing and drinking water."

"Agreed."  She put back down her face mask and descended again.  The rope got a tug and he pulled on it.  The body came up with her guiding it.  He gently towed it in with her guarding it since it was so old.  They got it there and she handed up the dog, then came out.  "Okay, that leaves a few needles, they'll float this way?"  The ranger nodded. "You guys might want to do a small water dump. You've got a current down there for some reason."  She sat down to take off the gear, handing it over and Nick got the gloves again.  "Too bad we don't have to do this too often."

"Move to Miami.  They've got a whole crew of divers," Greg offered, grinning at her. "It's just as warm but they have humidity."

"I'll keep that in mind.  Need me for more?"

"Just write a quick report for us," Nick ordered.  "She nodded. Drop it by CSI."

"Can do.  Been fun, bosses.  Later."  She let her partner drive her back.  "They're nice guys.  Not nerdy at all."

"Some are, some aren't," he agreed.

Greg grinned at Grissom.  "He's right. Sarah would've thrown a fit."

"Quite possibly.  She's not comfortable in confined spaces or diving."  He looked at Nick.  "Thanks for the dog."

"I don't want that in my water.  The spare weight came from down there.  She thought the body might've floated free.  She couldn't get the cable on the last body to come free so it's still down there."

"That's fine," the Ranger agreed.  "Our boys'll be going down tomorrow I'm sure."  That got a smile from them. "Send you any and all needles?"  Grissom nodded. "Got it, sir.  Let me know when we can turn off the dam lights.  Some of the neighbors get whiny about 'em."

"Let us get these bodies out of here and they can be dimmed again," Greg told him.  "Since none of these guys were dumped here."  That got a nod and he called that to his supervisors, who told him the ME's van was on its way back.

David pulled in.  "I love the clean-up events," he said when he got out.  "Ooh, older ones."

"Very," Nick agreed. "She's fragile. The other one not so much."

"Sure, we've got her on a bag, we can lift her on that."  They managed to wiggle a bag around them and then into the van.  Then Grissom, Nick, and Greg headed back to get cleaned up and check for any new pinpricks.  They split up.  Greg went to process the needless.  Nick went to do the photos, and Grissom headed to autopsy.

***

Xander woke up to a gentle nudge, blinking at the man standing there, then his clock.  "It's already night?"

"You took a long nap," he teased, helping him up.  "Come along.  Your housewarming gift is here."  Xander put back on clothes.  He sniffed him.  "Hmm, finally consummated that.  About time, Grandson."

"Grandsire!" he complained.

He laughed. "Sorry but among us there's no scent secrets anyway."  He led the boy down and outside, opening the garage door.  He watched his face go to awe, then disbelief, then almost hurt.  "You don't like it?"

"I think Daddy was looking for a bike for me."

"I'll call him."  He did that.  "Timothy.  Raphael.  We finally got his housewarming gift in.  No, he doesn't want to upset you since we bought him a car."  He rolled his eyes.  "You still may.  He'll use it."

Xander took the phone.  "He bought me a jaguar.  A new jag, Daddy."  He smiled at the complaining.  "I might still but can I continue to ride behind you?  I like riding behind you.  It's comfortable."  He smiled gently. "Of course we will.  The garage is big enough and I do have the money," he agreed.  He walked inside to look at it. "It has every single option available, even seat heaters."  He looked at his grandsire.  "Seat warmers?"

"It was a tester model."

"He said it was a showroom model," he offered. "Yeah, I'm up.  Come over and see and we'll talk about a bike.  I promise.  Really?"  He listened to him describe it.  "Hmm. Sounds fast.  Think I could get Horatio on it?"  He grinned.  "Greg definitely.  Sure.  I'm up.  Love you, tell him I'm thinking and maybe."  He hung up and tossed the phone back then got in to start it.  It did purr nearly as good as its name.  Speed pulled in so he turned it off and headed out to hug him.  "You know I love riding behind you best," he whispered during the hug. "I get to cuddle more that way."  Speed gave him a sappy smile.  "Come see?"

"I am."   He put down his kickstand and got off, looking at Raphael.  "What happened to not spoiling him?"

"Patrick is still ill, Speed, and he won't last another decade.  This is the only spoiling we're doing this year."  Xander gave him a hurt look. "What?   You wanted more?" he teased.

"I'd rather have Grandfather."

"You shall for a while yet, Xander."  He stroked his cheek.  "Now, let your father take you for a ride."  Xander drug him in there to let him try out his car and go up and down the road then park again.  He smiled at the bouncy boy.  He was truly happy.  Even if he and Patrick couldn't understand how he could love both men.

Speed looked at his son.  "Thank him then we'll go watch a movie since your dish came and got hooked up while you slept."  Xander squealed and ran over to hug his grandsire, making him catch him with an 'oomph' of sound.  He shook his head.  Xander babbled something and he laughed, then patted him on the head and let him run inside.  Speed walked over.  "So why are you really spoiling him?" he asked quietly.

"Beyond Patrick, our staff, and him we have no family," he said quietly.  "I was estranged from Patrick for quite a while before he told me Xander had left Sunnydale.  We still partially are."

"So you're having survivor's guilt early?"

"Something like that.  I'm tired of watching those I made my family die, Speed.  Can you understand that?"  He nodded.  He patted him on the cheek.  "Xander is with a very possessive man.  There will probably be no issue around to tempt me to stay.  It's painful to lose your children, even our way."

"I can understand. I've seen others who have lost their children and then themselves."

Raphael nodded.  "Patrick is my last child.  Would that Xander wanted it I'd turn but he doesn't and he's adamant that he doesn't.  I'm not sure that life is worth living with Patrick gone.  Xander will hold me for a while but not forever."

"It won't work!" Xander called from the house. "I think I screwed it up.  Daddy, Grandsire!  Help!!"

"Coming," Raphael called.  He looked at Speed.  "What will happen will but there is much that could be done between now and then.  Do you think Eric would consent to being turned?"

"Ask him," he said with a small grin.  "He might. You never know with Eric."  That got a smile.  "Come on before he hunts us down.  Spoil less and spend more time, Raphael.  That's what he wants, not the money."

"When Patrick goes so will most of our staff," he admitted as they walked.  "They love and follow him as if he were his God.  I don't want the things I gave him.  Donny can only handle so much and so can Xander.  We're still trying to work that out."  He patted him on the back.  "We will do what we need to."  They walked into the house and went to help him with the converter boxes.  Speed switched the wires and it worked, making Xander bounce over to hug him.   He went to do the one in the bedrooms as well.  He came back to find Raphael watching naked hockey with Xander. He smiled and used the digital camera Xander had splurged and gotten on the trip to take a picture.  Then he called Eric.  "He's got the dish and naked hockey is on.  Who's playing?"

"Armenia and their mostly unshaved armpits and Egypt with their attempt at modesty with body paint," Xander called.

"Armenia and Egypt, Eric.  Sure, bring dinner."  He hung up and came over to lounge and watch, letting his son curl up against his side and pull his grandsire over after a few minutes.  Eric came in with fried chicken, handing over the bucket and sitting down at the other end of the couch so he couldn't be pulled into the group cuddle.  Though he did take a picture.  "Egypt has the body paint," Speed offered.  "Thanks for the chicken."

"Welcome," he said, staring in awe.

Frank came in with a veggie tray and put it on the coffee table then moved a chair so he could see it better.  "Which one's which?"

"Egypt has the body paint.  Armenia must be playing on the name with all the unshaved pits."

"After a few years of marriage you learn to ignore those things," Frank admitted, taking some chicken when it got passed down, eating it absently.   Horatio walked in and kissed Xander on the head.  That got a look from Eric and Frank.  "'Bout time, Caine."  They went back to the game.  "Anytime you want me to housesit, just let me know, Xander."

"Sure, Frank."  He grinned at his grandsire.  "It kept me amused while they were working in Cyprus."

"As it does me and I haven't had a woman in many years."

Xander nodded.  "I'm going for that record too."  Horatio gave his hair a gentle tug so he smiled back at him. "Did Grandfather ask you about grandchildren?"

"He did and I told him we'd have to wait to see in a few years."

Raphael looked at him.  "He doesn't have a few years, Horatio."

He considered it.  "We'll see in six months.  Once we're sure the relationship is solid."  That got a nod.  They made room for him on the couch.  Raphael gave him an indulgent smile when he got between his grandson and him.  It was his place after all.  A lover always trumped a grandfather.

Xander looked down at him.  "If you pout and sulk because I'm happy I'll spank you."   His grandsire burst out laughing.  "Really."  He went back to cuddle, letting Horatio cuddle him this way for now.  It let him hold Horatio instead of the other way around and he was relaxed and comfortable in his arms. Which was a good sign.  He whispered in his ear.  "Can we be noisy later?"  Horatio smiled and winked at him then went back to watching.

"Hey, H, what did you bring for dinner?" Eric asked.

"I didn't come for the game, Eric.  I came for other reasons."

"And I repeat, it's about time," Frank said once a commercial came on.  Cooper came in with food and put it down, taking the other chair.

"Didn't you have a date tonight?" Speed asked.

"Yeah, so did Ryan.  We left them together since they were lesbians anyway.  He's picking up juice and ice cream."  Ryan came and put boxes of juice in front of everyone then sat on the floor between Cooper and Speed.  Horatio grabbed a spare couch pillow and tossed it down at him.  He caught it and hugged it between his chest and knees while he watched.

"You wouldn't think Egypt could play good hockey, being in the desert and all," Raphael offered.

Speed snickered. "I don't think they're paying attention to the *game*, Raphael."

Ryan started and looked at him.  "Xander's Grandsire.  Hi.  Ryan Wolfe."  He shook his hand.  "The one who probably didn't introduce himself is Cooper, our AV tech.  I'm sure you've seen Frank and Eric."

"I have.  I was contemplating a new child to give me something to go on for."  Xander reached over to take his hand to hold.  "I know you're still here, Xander.  I'll go on for a bit longer."

"Better be a bit."

"It will be."  He smiled at Horatio. "I don't meant to be groping you."

"I know."  They went back to watching the naked women skate.

***

"I need the dish they had in Cyprus," Greg complained to the others over breakfast.

"More than we have?" Warrick asked.

"Did you get the gift package, Grissom?"  Greg asked.

"I did.  I'm not sure why I got DVD's of hockey though."

"One of the speciality sports stations shows naked women's hockey."  Catherine choked at that.  "It's apparently a small league over there.  Xander taped all the games."

Sarah kept herself from saying anything until she didn't want to spit.  "Field?  I hope?"

"Ice, and fully naked.  Nothing but helmets and mouth guards.  Not g-strings.  Nothing.  There's a player from Belgrade that Xander said enjoys getting penalties for yanking hair."  She winced at that.

"They don't shave them?" Warrick asked.  Greg shook his head.  "Huh.  They shave everything else, right?"

"Pretty much.  The Armenian team apparently plays on their names so they don't shave their armpits. They were betting on the finals in Monaco.  Had pictures up in the resort's bookie area."

Catherine finally managed to swallow without choking.  "Prove it."

"I've got the present box in the car," Gil told her.  She got out and went to watch in Warrick's dashboard DVD player.  She came back in looking stunned.  "Was it?"

"Oh, yeah.  Not fabric colored like flesh.  Real flesh.  Fully naked except for skates, helmets, and mouth guards."  Sarah shook her head. "Why don't we hear about that sport?  Vegas usually gets all the good ones."

"I don't know," Greg admitted.  "He also got an open pole channel. Winning open pole performances from around the world.  They had a full day's worth while they were there. Xander said all three of his were on there."  They all gaped and he beamed and nodded. "Yup. He showed me the DVD's in Brazil."

"Compared to that, Paris was kinda boring," Nick admitted.  Catherine nodded.

"Paris has two teams.  One's a private brothel sponsored team. The other one is the city team."  They all moaned at that.  Brass came in.  "Hey, Cap, we got you food."

"Thanks, Greg.  Um, she's got a birth certificate."

"She changed her name when she was twenty-two according to the FBI."  He went out to his car to get the information file he had gotten from Horatio, bringing it back to hand it over. "Warrick, Catherine left it playing."  All the guys headed out to watch, Nick coming back with a blush.  Warrick was shaking his head.  The other guys just looked happy.  "It's up to Grissom if he copies it for you guys."

"Grissom, man, we love you," Warrick said, putting an arm around his shoulders.  "How much do you want a DVD?"

"We'll see how much it costs me," he offered dryly.  He removed the arm.  "Eat, boys.  You need your strength for tonight."  They all got back to eating.

Brass hung up his phone after reading a part of the file to someone.  He waved it. "Can I?"

"Sure, for now."

"That's fine.  I'm not sure who she really is."

"Could've been her girlfriend. She was a bit promiscuous.  She was sleeping with half a gang down in Brazil."

"I wouldn't expect her to be *moral* being an assassin but a street gang?"

"Yeah, half of them," Greg agreed happily.  He stuffed his mouth.  "Food?"

"In a few."  He went to put the file into his car and then came back. "She stomped off.  When are you heading after her stuff?"

"Aiden is expecting me my next weekend off, which should be next weekend, Grissom?"  He nodded.  "It shouldn't take more than the two days," he promised with a grin. "It's just a small apartment.  Aiden's scoped it and she said it's a little three bedroom."

"Does that mean Bobby can have more weapons?" Nick teased.

"Yeah, more than happily unless Aiden's department wants them since they'd be local."  He grinned at Hodges when he came in with Bobby and the others.  "Pull over chairs, guys."

"Any more presents coming?" Archie asked.

"You can ask Grissom if he'll copy the naked hockey tapes," Greg offered.

"I heard about that and saw the tapes in Brazil," Bobby said happily.  "You've got one hell of a boy there, Greg."  Greg just grinned back.  "We talked guns for two days.  The locals wanted to know if we were gunrunners after we talked about tactical weapons over dinner out.  We nearly got arrested when Xander's mouth came out."

"Yeah, Danny said he had a few of those troubles," Greg admitted sheepishly.  "Speed's a smartass.  He gets it from him."  That got some laughs.  "Did I have a report waiting on me?"

"Many of them," Hodges agreed.  "The Health Department's report is ready, Grissom."  He looked at him.  "Naked hockey?"

"Ice hockey," Warrick agreed.

"Some of the girls at home would be horrified but kick their butts," Nick assured them.

Greg patted him on the arm.  "Keep telling yourself that, Nick.  A few of the women that hit on the team in Russia made some of your good ol' girls look like wimps."  Warrick snickered.  "Sorry but two decided to prove to Mac that they were delicate and proper women by bench pressing me.  One did.  One could only lift me around the waist.  Her friends called her a weak woman without the strength to be a proper wife.  Horatio had to step in to stop them from kidnaping us and they came away thinking we were mafia.  A whole new set of women came to hit on us instead, these ones wanted paid."

"The first weren't working girls?" Sarah asked.

"No, they were teenage girls in a small tourist town on the Black Sea without a lot of hopes of getting away from there.  American tourists looked very glamorous.  The pros were really aggressive though.  Wouldn't leave Xander alone until he kissed one and made her beg at his feet.  He told them all about his other work.  They decided that was fine, they didn't like them that much."  That got a small smirk from Grissom.  "Horatio glared for a whole day at that."

"I'm sure he did," Bobby agreed.  "Things get worked out okay?"  Greg smiled and nodded.  "All around?" he pressed.

"Everything, all the way around," Greg agreed.  "We finished fixing it during the sudden trip to Monaco to catch the serial guy out of LA and Miami.  I wonder what he's going to do with the plane," he said, considering it. "I'll have to write him later."  That got a lot of smiles.  "He's planning on coming back up here in a few months to check on Lady Heather. He got her holiday gift while there."  That got some smiles.  "She'll *love* it," he promised.  "You can tell he dated some demanding women before."

"I heard about his last few," Catherine told him.  Greg nodded.  "Is his prom date still around?"

"Somewhere.  Not a clue where."  He shrugged and dug in again, then drank some of his coffee. He patted himself down then looked at Catherine. "You were supposed to remind me."  She got up and went to make a quiet call.  One of the day shift guys got Greg's wallet out of Grissom's desk and brought it over.  Greg smiled.  "Thanks, man."

"Welcome, Sanders.  What's going on?"

"We're celebrating my aborted marriage."

"Ah.  Pity, man."  He patted him on the shoulder and left.

Greg grinned at Catherine.  "Most of the stuff I bought for souvenirs is coming as holiday presents.  Xander helped me a lot with that.  It kept him out of trouble."  Bobby snickered.  "We were being good," he pouted at him, but he ended up snickering.  "If and when he comes back, he's not allowed to go out anywhere by himself, guys.  Xander draws more trouble than Nick does."

"Hey!"

Sarah looked at him. "Is that possible?" she teased.  Nick frowned at her.  "You do draw some."

"While we were in Brazil, Xander and Greg nearly got taken three times," Bobby offered.

"Three?" Grissom asked. "I heard about two."

Greg smiled sweetly.  "You won't be hearing about the third.  There's a pact of secrecy about it, Grissom.  Isn't there, Bobby?"

"Yup.  Hawkes and I agreed no one else needed to know about that."  Everyone stared at him.  "Guys, I don't need that nightmare," he said simply. Greg waved a hand.  "Anyone see Octopussy?  The Bond movie?"  Everyone but Sarah nodded.  "Xander basically ran into them.  He was out at the clubs teasing Greg while Hawkes and I watched their backs."

"They wanted to see why the last assassin wanted us," Greg agreed.  He sipped some of his coffee.

Nick shook his head.  "They almost took you back to their harem?" he asked.

"No, they almost took Xander back.  I was considered his toy.  They weren't going to play with me, just him.  He made the mistake of telling them that his oral streak wasn't just for *any* woman.  We ended up with them for about four hours?"  Bobby nodded, groaning a bit.  "Xander showed one of them how to use a whip properly.  I sat and watched, talking to a few of them.  They were very nice but their mistress and teacher of the academy had to approve of them sleeping with us first.  The Feds got there first."

"Thankfully we decided to put a tracker on both of you," Bobby agreed.  "Yours wasn't coming in, Greg."

"I'm going to have one implanted before he comes back to visit."  He looked at Nick.  "They're nice, small, and there's a few that can also track back to a computerized medical record.  It's the human version of a pet ID chip."

"That's not a bad idea," Catherine admitted.  "I'm going to look at that for Lindsey, just in case."  They all nodded at that.  "How deep does it go?"

"I don't know yet.  One of the Feds mentioned it to Xander and gave him a pamphlet on the flight back."  He ate his last bite and leaned back, finishing his coffee. "They're not so sure he doesn't have another admirer in Miami at the moment. After all, he had about twelve in New York the summer he was there."

Grissom held his head.  "He's not moving here, right?"

"Only coming in to visit me and Lady Heather, Grissom," he soothed, reaching over to pat him on the back.

"Thank you, Greg."  He looked at him.  The young CSI's phone rang.  "Work?"

"No."  He answered it.  "It's me."  He smiled.  "Hi, Eric.  What's wrong?"  He listened.  "Find out how much it was and if I can get one put in out here at my apartment?"  He smiled.  "I wouldn't mind tapes of the rest of the season.  No, having a happy marriage/so sorry she killed herself breakfast with the team."  Warrick laughed at that.  "Everything okay?  Because the Feds thought that Xander might still be drawing stupid people with money?"  He smiled at the assurance Horatio had it well in hand.  "Then of course I would.  Sure.  I haven't decided yet.  Thanks, man.  Love you too."  He hung up.  "Grissom, Speed's sending out the check for the rest of my share of the gold and currency today by courier.  He'll let Horatio know about any threats. I've got to see if I can get that dish out here."

"Are you gonna buy a house?" Warrick asked.

"I'm considering.  I'm not sure yet."  He shrugged.  "It's a lot of responsibility.  Almost like another job if it needs work."  That got a nod from Nick.  "So I'm thinking.  I'll probably  move somewhere large enough to set up a real library area," he offered happily.  "You guys can help with that too."  Everyone shook their heads.  "Shoot.  I was going to order pizza that day," he promised.  Everyone still shook their heads.  "Fine.  I'll figure that out later.  Xander's listed the properties with an auction company in New York since no local realtor wanted to deal with them due to their last owners.  I'm wondering if we resold the F-18 and tank already," he said, thinking out loud.

Bobby moaned.  "She had a *tank*?"

"In Cyprus," Greg agreed with a smile.  "Along with the bars of gold she got paid in.  As tall as Xander and about as wide as your lab, Bobby."  Bobby moaned again.  "So that check'll be okay and then the real estate check."  He looked at Grissom.  "He's already paid all the taxes for me too."

"That was good of him," Catherine agreed.  "You'll still have to claim it this year on your taxes."

"Yeah but I don't have to pay the estate or inheritance or whatever taxes.  They were kinda high and all through the Greek government."  That got nods.  "So, we'll see how the real estate auction goes," he finished with a sigh.

"Greg, are you going to sell your old heap?" Hodges asked.  "I need a new one.  Mine's about to blow up."

"I am once I get the second check," he promised with a smile.  "Yeah, you can buy mine."  That got a small nod.  "You know, it could've been worse.  There was a starlet and porn star who was in town that same weekend."  They all shuddered at that. "Hey, Archie, Grissom's thinking about copying his naked hockey matches for the others."

"I can do it four bucks a disc," he offered.  All the other men pulled out their wallets to pay him.  "How many discs originally?"

"Six full ones," Bobby told him.  "Three full of hockey matches, there's some more on the stripping one, and then a few Brit shows Xander liked."  He made notes on his napkin and then put the money and napkin into his back pocket.  "Is the season still going?"

"Yeah, Eric said they had all went over to Xander's to watch the Armenia vs Egypt game last night."  They all moaned.  "Apparently Egypt plays in body paint."

"If he's copying the new games I can copy those too," Archie promised.

"I'll see if he is," Greg promised. "He took those off her TIVO."

"That's fine.  It's easily copied.  I'll need the originals, Gris."

"All but the one in my car is in his gift package from Xander," Warrick told him.

"Sure.  I can do that today probably."  They all smiled.  It was a good, profitable hobby for a young AV tech.

***

Xander looked up when the officer came up to write him a ticket.  "Was I speeding?" he asked sheepishly.   That got a nod and a frown.  "Sorry?"

"You were going about ten miles over the speed limit, sir."

"My grandsire just bought it for me last night.  First time I drove it."  He took the ticket with a shrug.  "Sorry.  I'm heading to the DMV anyway so I'll pay it."  That got a nod and the officer walked off.  Xander looked at his speedometer.  "You're getting me in trouble."  He pulled out carefully and tried to not speed this time.  He had to pull over because there was a car chase.  He did not want to be hit by anyone.  He saw something get tossed out and looked around, then got out to look.  He pulled out his twinkies, using the plastic to pick up the gun.  Then he carried it back to the car. It went onto the other seat.  He called his Dad.  "Daddy, it's me.  I nearly got creamed by what looked like Ryan in a car chase with three cruisers.  They threw a gun and I picked it up.  Plastic from the twinkies I'm having," he promised.  "I didn't touch it.  I'm still in the same place I was."  He looked around.  "In front of Farvella's Five and Dime?"   He smiled.  "Yup.  Nope, got a speeding ticket."  He looked in his mirror. "Hmm.  There's an officer pulling up behind me.  1312.  Yup."  He looked at the officer when he came over.  "I'm on the phone with my father."

"Is that a gun, sir?"

Xander handed over the phone. "It got thrown from the car chase.  Dad's sending someone to pick it up."

"Sir?" he asked into the phone.  He blinked.  "Sure, CSI Speedle.  I don't have any bags but he's got a twinkie wrapper on the trigger guard."  He smiled.  "I can do that."  He hung up and handed it back.  "He's muttering."

"I didn't want someone else to pick it up since Ryan was just chasing the guy who threw it."

"I understand. Did you know your dealer's tag is expired?"

"No," he said, looking at his last ticket then at him.  "The last guy didn't say that.  My grandsire just bought it for me last night.  I'm sorry. I'm heading to the DMV.  I really am."

"That's fine.  They can get you another one."  He smiled as the hummer came back. "Him, sir."

"Of course him.  Xander," Ryan said patiently.

"I saw him toss it."

"I saw him toss something."

"It was a revolver, sir.  He used a twinkie wrapper to pick it up."

"That'll work and the cream probably won't do anything *really* bad to any fingerprints."  He came over to gather it, looking it over.  "Not too bad."  He smiled.  "Next time, call first and then pick it up."

"There were kids in the park, Ryan," he said, pointing.

He looked then nodded. "That's fine.  Thank you, Xander.  Go to the DMV, your tag's expired."

"I'm going there now."  That got a nod and both the officers waved as he pulled out.

"He's a good kid," Ryan said.  He just had to smile.

"He seems like it.  Already got a speeding ticket too."

"He's twenty.  Of course he did."  That got a smile and the officer went back to his car while Ryan went to see if anything else had gotten thrown out of the car the cruisers and he had lost.  The gun was bagged and so was the pill bottle he found.  It might not be related but better to not leave it out there.  He headed back to the office, handing Eric the gun once he had logged it in.  "Xander picked it up with a twinkie wrapper."

"I was wondering what the white stuff was," he admitted.

"I'm not sure anyone knows what the stuff in the center of the twinkie is," he noted dryly. Eric smirked at that and nodded. "Anyway, he said he saw it be thrown during the car chase.  He used the wrapper to pick it up."

"Where was the wrapper before then?"

"Didn't ask.  If we have to, we can weed out his pants pockets or whatever."  That got a nod and Eric got to work carefully removing the wrapper and extra creamy filling.  "I found a pill bottle in the same general area but I can't be sure if it's related or not."  He put it down. "Page me?"

"Of course.  Go away."  Ryan nodded and left.  Eric got back to work after a look at the pill bottle.  It had a refill left for a narcotic.  Someone would find a way around the system to get the drugs if he had left it.

Ryan ran into Horatio.  "He saw a gun being tossed."

"Who?"

"Xander."  Horatio shook his head.  "He did good.  He used a twinkie wrapper to pick it up."

"Good," he agreed, looking at him.  "Where was he going?"

"DMV.  His tags are expired already."

"I'll keep that in mind."  He smiled at him. "Anything else?"

"He already got a speeding ticket."

"The engine on his car is very powerful," Horatio agreed.  "That was a showroom model with all the extras."  Speed went jogging past.  "What happened?" he yelled.

"Calleigh!"  They went chasing after him, finding her holding her hand.  "What happened?"

"Misfire," she said, still holding her wrist.  Ryan got Alexx coming while the two guys got her up and over to a sink.  "It didn't seem blocked.  I don't know what happened."

"I'll look," Horatio promised, going to do that.  "It's got a thin piece of dark plastic," he said, frowning at it.  "It's pierced but it was probably enough to make it misfire that way."

"It's all right," Speed assured her.  "Just some powder burns it looks like."  Alexx came in.  "Misfire injury."

"They happen."  She took Calleigh's hand away from him and rinsed it again, looking it over. "Not too bad.  Some bandages and cream for a few days, sugar," she soothed, handling that for her.

Horatio carefully cleaned out the area after taking pictures then put it back.  "Go ahead and go home.  It's fairly late in the afternoon anyway, Calleigh."  She nodded, letting Speed walk her to help her with her locker.  That was her writing hand.  He looked at Ryan.  "Your suspect?"

"Lost him with the cruisers. One of the cruisers rearended a bus that didn't move fast enough."  Horatio moaned.  "No injuries but I lost him moving around the wreck and the other cruisers stayed to handle the wreck."

"As they should," he agreed.  "We'll get him again, Ryan."

"I'm hoping Eric finds something underneath the creamy filling."

Horatio let out a small smile.  "Sugar can turn into a glue that will hold fingerprints," he admitted.  He went to check on Eric.  "Calleigh's fine."

"What happened?" he asked, frowning at him.

"Misfire.  There was a thin piece of dark plastic that she didn't see and it caused some powder discharge."

"Ow.  She home?"  He nodded.  "That's fine.  I'm still cleaning off icing.  Xander needs to lick his wrappers better."  Horatio shivered at that.  "I don't need to know, H.  Really."  He grinned as he got back to work.  "The same as you don't want to hear about mine."

"True.  Thank you for that.  Let me know as well."

"Sure.  How did he lose him?"

"One of the cruisers hit a bus."

"Oh."  He nodded.  "That'll do it," he agreed, then shook his head quickly.  He let out a small sigh and went back to removing twinkie cream.  "We'll need to check Xander's pockets to see what fibers we can rule out."

"Of course.  I'll have Speed do that when he heads over tonight."

"You're leaving him alone tonight?"

"I have dinner with Yelina and my nephew."

"Telling him?" Eric teased.

He shook his head.  "I'm telling her tonight."

"Good luck with that," Eric encouraged.  "Really, H."

Horatio walked out shaking his head but he wasn't unhappy.

***

Horatio looked at his sister-in-law, sipping his wine.  "Yelina.  I think we should talk a bit while Ray clears the table."  His nephew groaned and started on that. "I'm in a relationship," he admitted quietly.  She smiled at that. "With Speed's son."  Her glass broke on the table.  "I thought I should tell you before you heard rumors."

She stared at him, then cleaned up the mess her glass had made, sweeping it onto her plate.  Her son came back out to look at her, one eyebrow going up.  "I'm all right."

"You sure?  You hate glass shards."

"I know, it was a mild shock, that's all."  She smiled at him and he nodded, taking the plate and going to get her a sponge.  She looked at him.  "Really?"  He nodded.  "Why?  Or since when?"

"I knew that there was something before the fire," he admitted quietly.  "We worked it out officially during the trip and then in Monaco."  He finished his wine and took his plate and glass into the kitchen, coming back out to help his nephew clear the rest of the food.  She joined them a few minutes later, rinsing off the sponge.  Then she looked at him.  "Before you ask, he is keeping his private clients, the ones who *need* him."

"The second floor ones?"  He nodded.  "Why?"

"What he does for them is like therapy," he admitted quietly, looking at her.  "One of the things we had to work out was Gregory Sanders.  He came to him for a few other reasons and was the other object of his affection.  He still is.  We've figured out that I'm just as good at what he needs as Xander is.  He lives in Las Vegas still however."  She frowned at that. "I'm not asking you to be glad, Yelina, just to accept for now and take the time to think."

She nodded.  "I will."  He relaxed at that. "What does Speed think?"

"He thinks we're good together," he admitted with a small smile.  "Xander makes me play more often and I'm a steadying influence that holds Xander when he needs it.  His past isn't pretty."

"I figured as much with what little I've heard."  She looked at her son, who snorted.  "What?"

"Mom, if Uncle Horatio is with a guy, that's perfectly fine with me.  It's not like he's going to pick some scuzzy bastard who'll hit on me.  Or you."

"You've seen pictures of Speed's son, correct?" Horatio asked.  Ray grinned and nodded.  "I'm with him, Ray."

"Cool.  He's a nice guy.  Speed said he's a goofy guy.  Is he still a dom?"  Horatio nodded.  "Just not for everyone?"

"When he's doing that he sees what he does as therapy," he explained.

"I don't see how anyone can have fun being spanked or whipped," Ray said with a shrug.  "It's none of my business if you help him do that or not, Uncle Horatio.  As long as he treats you well and makes you happy."

"He is so far," he admitted. "It's still very new, Ray.  But I do thank you."

"Welcome.  Are we keeping this secret from the stupid bastard my mother was dating?"

"Ray!" his mother complained.

"Ray, Rick Stetler is all that and more, but that language is not appropriate," Horatio chastised gently.  Ray shrugged.  "No, at this time he does not know, Ray.  Nor am I looking forward to when he does find out.  I'm not sure which one of us will end up hitting  him when he starts to make cracks but I'm sure one of us will end up suspended for a few days over it."

"Probably," Yelina said dryly.  "This Gregory?"

"The CSI who came with Lady Heather?" Ray asked.  Horatio nodded.  "He's one of Xander's subs?"

"He is.  He's now both of ours," he admitted.  "I could come to care greatly for Greg but those two are very close.  They're trouble buddies."

"Every young guy needs a trouble buddy," Ray agreed.  "Can we meet him?"

She looked at him.  "We'll see."

Ray snorted and looked at Horatio. "When's the usual team and family dinner to introduce new boyfriends and girlfriends and is Speed going to announce he's in one?"

"Everyone knows.  It's not a subtle secret by any means," Horatio agreed, smiling at him. "As for the dinner?  He's doing a housewarming in a few days.  You and your mother are both invited to that.  We will not be letting him turn on the satellite dish to anything other than music stations."

"Why?" Yelina asked.

"Last night a few of the boys in the lab came over to watch the newest game in the hockey season," he said blandly.  She rolled her eyes and went to the fridge to pull out some ice cream.  He looked at his nephew.  "You don't care?"

"Why should I care?  As long as he keeps making you happy I'm good with it.  You could use someone to make you happy again, Uncle Horatio."  He gave him a hug.  "Can I have the blue flowered bowl?"

His mother gave him a look.  "No.  You don't need that much ice cream."  She handed him a normal one and he went out to sit in the living room.  She handed one to Horatio.  "Thank you for telling me in private."

"I'm sure the rumors were going to start soon, plus you are family," he said with a gentle smile.  "Do you mind?"

"I don't know what to think yet," she admitted.  He nodded, taking his ice cream to go talk to Ray about school and things.

She added extra ice cream to her bowl, then licked off the spoon. She was going to have a lot to think about tonight in her hot bath. She went to join the boys, sitting in her usual chair to put her feet up.

***

Yelina found Speed at her crime scene the next day with Ryan.  She looked at Ryan.  "I'm going to do the possible ways they got here," Ryan offered.

Speed looked at her. "I could've used him, Yelina.  We could've talked over dinner."

"No, this is more private."  She looked at him.  "You don't mind Horatio and your son?"

"No.  For the simple reason that Xander likes him a lot and is protective over him."  She smiled a bit at that picture.  "He'll hover over Horatio like he does Lady Heather and me.  Xander cares very deeply about both of them."

"I heard."

He shrugged.  "It works and if Horatio gets another stick up his ass Greg will win him for good."  She nodded at that.  "He's not a bad kid, Yelina.  He's a good boy.  He's a naughty boy but he's a good boy."  She let out a small smile again.  "It's all right.  You can grin, we do."  She grinned at that.  "Just watch them.  He hovers and protects Horatio the same way Horatio does to him.  If you put Greg and Horatio together, without the science, you get Xander.   It's a beautiful thing."  She nodded and he got down to work.  "You can come back, Ryan."

"I would but this guy with the gun said I can't," he called a minute later.

Speed hit his emergency switch and got up, going that way with Yelina. "Freeze, MDPD."

The guy with the gun on Ryan glared at him.  "You," he sneered.  "You corrupted that which was pure by showing him *love*," he spat, pointing the gun at him instead.

Speed thought quickly.  "Someone had to show the boy love.  He deserves love and affection.  Didn't make him any less dangerous."  The man continued to sneer.  Speed was having the life flashing feeling and saw him tense so he ducked and someone shot him.

"Shit," Ryan said in awe.

Yelina checked Speed. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."  He stood up and looked over himself, then at the guy.  "Okay, who did that!" he called.  No one came forward.  Another hummer and cruisers pulled up.

"We have an unknown shooter who just took out our hostage-taking stupid person!" Ryan called, pointing.  "That way!"  They went to look.  Horatio came over to check on them.  "He didn't like that we showed Xander affection and treated him like family.  That we were tainting him from his patron saint."  He sat down, looking at them.  "I want a drink."

Speed nodded.  "Me too."  He nodded again, looking at Horatio. "I got the life flashing before my eyes feeling and I ducked out of the way.  Someone shot him before he could hit me."

"It's all right.  We'll find out who," Horatio soothed, checking him over.  "I want you and Ryan back at the station."

"We just started on our scene," Ryan said, standing up.  "Send Speed back, Horatio.  I'll stay to do this."   Horatio looked at him.  "He went from me to Speed, boss.  He accused him of tainting and ruining Xander by showing him affection."

"That's fine, Ryan.  I can agree to that.  Speed, go sit in my hummer."  He nodded, heading that way with Yelina guarding him.  "Why didn't you push your button?"

"It's in my pocket and my hands were caught in the open.  He was ranting about Xander being his patron saint and angel."  The officers came back with a bagged rifle, holding it up.  "They found the weapon."  Horatio looked then nodded.  Ryan swallowed. "I'm going to go back to our body."  Horatio gave him a look.  "Has to be done."  He headed that way, looking at the path.  It was the easiest way for the body to have gotten here. He found some evidence and had to come back for his camera to take pictures of it.  He found a few more officers were assigned than normal but it didn't make him feel that much safer.  Even the realization that the sniper could've gotten him if he wanted him didn't make him feel that much better.

Horatio watched Ryan work for a few minutes then went to check on Speed. "You okay?"

"I'm down to nauseous and worried.  I called Patrick and he said all his security guys were there with him, Horatio.  That Raphael was heading out for a few more days of Angel taunting."  That got a nod.  "I called and woke Xander up.  His car's garaged until he gets his new tags."  That got a faster nod.  "Then who in the hell shot him?"

"Hopefully the rifle will give us some leads," he offered.  "Do you want to work the scene?"

"I'm wondering if there's a cult to Xander."

"Not as far as I've heard. Did Patrick seem very calm?"  He nodded. "Then I'll see if he knows."  He patted him on the shoulder.  "You can work it or go back with me."

"No offense, Horatio, but I'm going back with whoever's heading back first."  That got a nod and Speed slid out with his case, going to hitch a ride back to the office.  They even let him carry the gun in to ballistics and Calleigh.  "Someone shot the guy who was holding me at gunpoint with this rifle, we think," he told her.  She dropped the one she was working on.  He bent down to scoop it back up.  "He started with Ryan, then switched to me for showing Xander love and affection.  Said he was his patron saint."  She sat down, staring at him.  "Then someone shot him, sniper shot."  She took the rifle to start on fingerprints for him.  "It's all right."

"Any idea on the shooter?"

"Not a clue.  He was gone by the time our backup appeared.  Those emergency switches give us a three minute ETA. They got there just after the guy was shot."

"I'll remember that."  She came over to hug him. "Are you all right?"

"Just a bit dirty from where I ducked."  He gave her a cuddle back, relaxing finally.  "Thanks."

"Welcome."  She pulled back to look at him.  "Did Patrick's guys do it?"

"No, I called him first and he said all their guys were out there getting assignments since Raphael was going to LA for a few days.  I called Xander and woke him up.  Told him I just wanted to check on him.  He gave me a sleepy sounding happy boy babble about good dreams and started to snore before I hung up."  She nodded, relaxing some.  "He had Ryan first."  She gave him another squeeze.  "Thanks.  I'm okay.  Just process that, okay?  I want to know who I have to thank."  She nodded, going to reglove and change lab coats, then get back to work.  He sat and watched her work.  Though he did flinch when Frank walked in.  "Don't sneak up on me for a while."

"Sorry.  What happened?"

"Some sick bastard had him and Ryan hostage," Calleigh said, looking at him.  "He didn't like them showing Xander love."

"Then a sniper got him right before cruisers got there," Speed said, looking at him. "That's the sniper's rifle we think."

Frank patted him on the back. "The usual suspects?"

"No," he said, shaking his head. "I woke Xander up.  Patrick had all his guys at home going over the week's duty roster."  That got a nod.

"It's still got a serial number," Calleigh offered.  She ran it through the system.  "Huh.  It's one of the ones Xander went missing in New York."  They both stiffened at that and she called Horatio.  "It's me.  The serial number comes back to one of the guns that was listed as stolen from Xander in New York.  Yeah, the serial number is listed as stolen off collector Alexander Harris during Federal Case...  And a number."  She looked that up and nodded. "The kidnaping case," she agreed.  "So that means that the stupid people who tried to buy him had it or Sassone."  He said something.  "I'm finding a few in unusual places.  Cleaning ones instead," she agreed.  "Nothing on the trigger or ammo that I could find, Horatio.   Thanks."  She hung up and printed off the report.  "The plot thickens."

Speed nodded.  "I'll wake up the kid if we need it."

"Horatio probably already has," Frank pointed out.  He patted him on the back again.  "So we have three possibles then, right?  One of Sassone's gang, one of the slavers, or someone who got the gun off them?"

She nodded.  "Yeah.  I'm calling Mac."  She found her number for Stella and called her.  "Stella, it's Calleigh down in Miami.  No, we're all good, well mostly all good.  We had someone shoot the guy who was holding Speed and Ryan hostage with one of the rifles that you guys had to mark as stolen from Xander.  No, he was in bed."  She nodded.  "Yeah, Speed woke him up.  Patrick's guys were all at the house.  Not a clue," she admitted.  "I'm finding cleaning one and I would be surprised if they weren't Xander's.  Of course I am.  That rifle, yeah."  She said something to Mac, who growled something.  "Okay.  So most of Sonny's guys are in jail.  Then how did it get down here?  And who would've shot the guy who was holding Speed and Ryan hostage?"  She nodded. "Exactly.  No, Speed said he woke him up.  Got sleepy babble then Xander went back to snoring in his ear.  Yeah, if you can.  Thanks."  She hung up.  "They have *no* idea what Sonny did with most of the guns."

"Charming," Speed told her blandly.  He pulled out his phone and called Xander again, getting a yawn.  "It's me.  Wake up and come see me at work.  Because one of your former guns was the one that was used to shoot the guy who had me hostage, son.  Yeah, one of those.  Thanks.  No, if you don't have the tags, cab."  He hung up and looked at her.  "Lift the prints."  She nodded, going to do that.  Eric came in to help hold it for her.  "Did you hear?"

"Yeah.  That's freaky.  Where's Xander?"

"On his way in.  It turns out this is one of the guns that got stolen off him in New York when he had to escape the slavers," she told him.  Eric blinked at that.  "Yeah, exactly."

"This is getting twisted," Frank offered.

"Ya think?" Speed asked sarcastically.  "I'm starting to wonder if he has a cult of psychopaths, Frank."

"Calm down.  Your son's like teflon in this, Speed."  He looked over as Horatio came in.  "The boy's coming in."

"Good.  Was he not asleep?"

"It was his gun that was stolen in New York," Calleigh reminded him. "I called Stella, she'll try to see where Sonny dumped them but she's not sure it'll do any good."

"It may not."  He came over to look at the fingerprints.  "They all look similar but let's run them."

"Xander's got his in the system as a firearms collector," Speed offered. "Plus for his new license."

"That works," Eric agreed, heading to fingerprints with them.  "Busy?" he asked as he walked in.

"Kinda.  Why?"

"You heard about Xander's former gun collection in New York?"

"That it got stolen when his parents tried to sell him."

"One of the rifles ended up saving Speed's life.  These are the prints from it."  He handed them over.  "None on the trigger."

"Crap."  She started them on her secondary running system, letting them run separately.  "Stock comes up Sonny Sassone."  She put that one aside with that report.  The next few came up Xander.  Then one came up unknown.  "The one from inside the barrel.  Unknown."  She handed it over with that report and the enlarged view.  Then she handed over the other piles.  He smiled and nodded.  "Is he coming in?"

"Yeah, Speed called to tell him.  Thanks."  He met Horatio and Ryan in the halls.  "Some Xander's, one of Sassone's, and one of an unknown inside the barrel."

Horatio looked at the labels.  "All in places he'd have to use to clean it, aren't they?"  Eric nodded.  "Was he at home?"

"Speed said he got sleepy babble then new snores," Eric offered.  "You can't think Xander did this, H."

"I don't but I think someone wants us to."

Ryan coughed.  "Up the street from him is a speed trap.  Everyone but the middle of the night is caught there.  Let's check to see if they got his car for the expired tags."

"Very good idea," Horatio agreed.  "Who's doing it?"

"Pierce.  They got me the other day," Eric admitted.  "They're mean too.  Not even my badge got me out of mine and I was two miles over the limit, H."  He went to call them, get their ticket log.  Plus the neighbor's gate video for the last day.  Just in case.

***

Xander walked into the station, finding Speed pacing and waiting on him.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine.  You went out for a cheeseburger?"

"And fries.  I was craving fries.  Excuse me for being a late teen, Dad.  It was two in the morning and I knew the speed trap was down by then."

"No, that's fine.  Come on.  Sign him in," he ordered.  The receptionist did that and handed over a badge.  He got them into the elevator and looked at him.  "Your prints were still on the gun."

"Then no one cleaned it?"

"Maybe not."  They came off and found Horatio waiting on them.  "He went out for a burger and fries last night."

"I heard."  He frowned a bit.  "We found someone watching his gate but I'm not sure who it is," he admitted, leading Xander back to AV to show him that picture.

Xander walked up to the screen.  "No color?"

"No," Cooper told him.

"Hmm.  I'm no good at identifying cars.  I know Paul and Thomas use the purple one when they watch me.  Steve and the rest of the guys usually use the rust colored one. Both of them are newer sedans, the ones with shortened trunks."  A picture was pulled up.  "That's the rust colored one.  It's got the thing on the mirror."

"Okay," Horatio agreed.  "Is the other one in that style?"

"Yeah. Only it's a medium purple.  A bit darker than Barney purple."

"Good to know," Speed agreed. "Do you recognize the person?"

He looked again and shook his head. "Not from this angle."

"Then let's try some AV magic," Cooper offered, finding a good side-view of the guy's face.  He enlarged it and mirrored it.  Xander started to frown.  "What?"

"I...  Scars.  He's got one and I don't know who he is but I saw him when I was getting milk the other night, again after the speed trap went down so I didn't get busted for the tags."  He frowned and traced a line.  "Scar was here looking at him.  I remember thinking that had to hurt about as much as the dual one on my side."

"Can you say if it was a straight one, curved?" Speed prompted.

"I was at the Piggly Wiggly by your place.  It was last Wednesday at about four in the morning."  Speed nodded, going to make that call.  He shrugged at Horatio's look.  "I don't like shopping around a lot of people.  I always feel like I'm being measured."  He went back to the image.  "He had," he shut his eyes.  "Kinda lighter brown hair, kinda shaggy.  Like if Mac's grew out and he didn't get a haircut for two months."  He opened his eyes and found hair styles going past.  "No, shorter."  It was shortened.  "Not that organized.  Like a military crew cut grown out."  Horatio selected another one.  "Like that only just a bit more wild and pointy.  He still had some strands that were short enough to spike on their own.  Bad cowlick like I have in the back."  That got a nod and Horatio adjusted it, getting a bright smile.  "Like that."  He looked again.  "He had green eyes I think."  They were popped in.  "I remember he stared at me for a few minutes and I got caught.  He had a stare like Gibbs did when he caught me fondling the handgun, Horatio."  That got a nod.  "Then I ducked into the ice cream and he walked past me."

"Any scent memory?" Cooper asked.

Xander sat down, closing his eyes again.  Then he slowly shook his head. "No.  Store smells.  They were working on the floor a few aisles over in the pasta.  He didn't smell dirty or nasty to me," he offered. "But if there was cologne I didn't smell it."

"That's more than we had, Xander," Horatio promised.  Speed came back nodding.  "We can get the tape?"

"We can.  I told Dispatch to have a guy bring it in."  He looked at the picture.  "I saw him recently."

"Were you at Piggly Wiggly at four for dairy goodness too?" Xander asked.

"Actually I was out at Walmart for a new t-shirt.  My last few got eaten in the washer.  It was about two in the morning.  He was staring at me."

"Okay, does that look accurate?" Horatio asked.

"Yeah.  Only his hair was more pointy.  More wild, like after you let go of the light socket or the balls that do the static discharge.  When it's deflating from the static."

"That's what I remember too," Xander agreed. "But I didn't get a dangerous feeling. I got the measuring feeling and I got a feeling like he approved.  I didn't get the feeling that he was dangerous to me or in general," he offered.  "And hey, I can read dangerous people."

"You can," Horatio agreed.

"He almost...  It was like when Ryan met me.  That sort of measuring and coming up to standards he had set."  Horatio nodded at that.  "Could he be former military or an officer?  I get that a lot more from them than I do the normal person.  They more look at the package and my crotch."  He sat up.  "I was breaking in the new blue leathers that day, Dad.  I wore them to the store because they were on the couch in the bedroom.  He didn't look at my ass.  At all.  My arms, my chest, my back, my hair, but not my ass.  He looked at my hands too.  That's when I caught him staring."

"You're right, when he stared he didn't check me out either," he admitted, looking confused.  "That's not a usual thing for me."

"Hmm."  Horatio looked at the picture.  "Can we run it through the face recognition in the DMV?" he ordered.

"I am on another screen, no matches yet, Horatio," Cooper offered.

Ryan walked in and stared.  "I know him."  They all stared at him.  "I don't know where but he pinged."

"Store?" Speed offered.  "Staring guy?"

"No.  I don't remember the people who check me out at the store.  I ignore people when I shop."  He frowned then shook his head.  "Not an officer.  College maybe?"

"I'll start it through their database too," Cooper promised.  Something beeped a few minutes later. He smirked at Ryan.  "Thou are right, sir."  He put it up beside the other picture. "Washed out of the academy in Ryan's class."

Ryan looked then nodded and grinned suddenly.  "He started having screaming nightmares one night.  Woke the whole dorm.  We had one of those situations where you borrowed cadets to go looking for stuff in the park.  He didn't find anything but he started to have screaming nightmares. After four days he asked to be dismissed."

"Maybe he was having visions," Xander offered with a small shrug.

"Most of us don't scream at them and they don't exclusively come at night."

"He had one when he fell asleep in class one day," Ryan admitted. "During a test.  Made us all jump.  Teacher nearly beat him to death for it."

"Okay, that means we can get a name and information on him," Horatio said.  "I want that as soon as we get it, Cooper."

"On it, boss."  He smiled.  "Good job, Xander."

"I'm used to watching people.  People are dangerous.  Speaking of, Dad, I may need to head back to Sunnydale."

"Fuck no," he said firmly.  "I don't care if they are facing down a military group."  Xander raised an eyebrow.  "I heard from Willow.  She wanted to know if you could plan things from a distance."

"I can if I have tapes and schematics and things," he agreed.

"You have tactical abilities?" Horatio asked.

"I told you I changed Giles' plans for graduation, Horatio. Then I led the battle."   He stood up and smoothed his shirt down.  "I'll call Willow.  Do we need a new set of fingerprints to compare to?"

"No.  We need to know who the unknown print came from but I want you here," Horatio warned.  Xander nodded and let Speed take him to the breakroom.

"You're not to go back, ever, Xander.  The Powers said so," he hissed as they walked.  "Ever.  Never ever."

"I heard, Dad, but chill!  They need me."

Speed grabbed his head then his arm.  "No."  He took a few calming breaths.  Then he looked at him.  "If you do they're going to use you as an experiment to get Buffy."

"Can I plan from a distance?" he asked, looking concerned.  "And should I warn someone?"

"Warn someone," he agreed.  "They found Spike again."

Xander nodded, dialing his cell.  "Buffy, me.  Yeah, not now.  They found Spike again.  The Initiative, Buffy.  They have Spike again.  Is that... Oz?"  He frowned.  "Buffy, evacuate him now!  And send me the diagrams you have.  Buffy, we know that they torture others.  Put Oz on."  She hung up.  He called Willow's phone, getting Tara.  "Get Oz out of town now, Tara," he ordered, heading for the parking lot.  "Right now!  Because the Initiative will get him.  They have Spike again.  Now!  Tell Wills to send me the schematics and things.  Thanks."  He hung up and looked up.  "Yo, not letting them keep my friends," he said grimly.  "Even if I do get caught too."  Then he stared out at the trees.  His phone rang a few minutes later. "Harris.  Oz, get out of Sunnydale.  Because the Initiative are a group of torturing military bastards!  Now!  Right now!  Before they get you!  I don't care, Oz, and my Grandfather's heard that they don't care if you're harmless or not.  They've taken kiddie and harmless demons.  Get out of Sunnydale.  Go see Angel and Wes.  Now!  My grandsire's out there.  Go take refuge with him."

He considered it.  "Go to Angel, tell him you need to see Raphael, Father Benis's sire.  The one who taunts him.  Him.  Yeah.  Now.  Right now!  Because they're onto your ass probably, Oz.  Now.  Right now."  His simple 'going' made him relax.  "Tell them to send me schematics and I'll help them get Spike free.  Yeah.  I'm still in Miami and the Powers said I'm not allowed back.  That's why Timmy sent me away, man.  Thanks.  Yeah.  I'll call Grandfather and have him pass it on.  Be safe, Oz, and don't stop even if it is a cop.  You don't who's involved and Buffy was dating one last I knew.  Yeah, Riley.  Farmboy as Spike called him.  Be safe."  He hung up and called his grandfather.  "Is Grandsire out there yet?  Because the Initiative has Spike again," he sighed, starting to pace.  "No, I'm having Oz evacuate to Angel and having him ask to go to him.  If they have Spike what're they going to do to a were?" he asked quietly.

"Exactly.  We know they're torturing freaks.  Yeah, well, I need schematics if we're going to free Spike.  Because I wouldn't leave Angel with them, Grandfather.  They're torturing freaks.  Period.  It's wrong to leave anything, even the most harmful things, with them.  Send it to me.  I'm at the station.  No, the guy who shot the guy who was holding Ryan and Daddy hostage used one of my guns from New York," he admitted.  "So I'm here.  Thanks."  He hung up.   Then he looked up.  "Your move sucked," he told the Powers.  He went to find the bag he had given his father.  "My emergency laptop, do you have it?"  That got a slow nod. "I need it.  Oz was back in town.  They have Spike again.  They're not keeping him.  I wouldn't leave my worst enemy or Angel to them.  Oz is going to Grandsire through Angel."  He called the number he had for Cordelia.  "It's me.  Not happy.  Quit bouncing."  She did.  "Oz is coming.  I ordered him out of Sunnydale, Cordy.  It's important he get to Raphael.  The vampire who taunts Angel like I did.  Yeah, the one who taunted him about me.  Because the Initiative is military and they're torturing freaks who did that chip thingy to Spike.  Tell Angel they have Spike again.  I need information and I can plan that," he assured her.

"Get it to me and make sure Oz gets to my grandsire.  Yeah, he turned my Grandfather and I like the guy.  He's nice," he agreed with a smile.  He listened to her babble.  "Yeah, that's me.  No, my father walked away because my grandfather joined the Church out of grief, Cordy.  He saw his inheritance slipping away.  Why he ended up in Sunnydale is still a mystery no one understands.  Yeah, they're really nice.   They love and protect me, Cordy.  Make sure Oz gets to him.  Thanks.  Tell Angel that they have Spike again.  Buffy's got her head so far up Riley's ass that she can't see that they're torturing those they're chipping and experimenting on.  He just left so driving distance.  If not, let me know.  Immediately.  Got it?"  He smiled.  "Miss you too.  No, I'm doing pretty good here in Miami."  He smiled. "I've got a boyfriend," he offered.  She gasped.  "Yeah.  He's a great guy.  Daddy's down here and his team loves me.  Sure.  I've got a spare room and a satellite dish," he said proudly.  "Plus a massage license."  He grinned.  "Sure, Cordy.  Talk to you soon.  Pass those on.  Grandsire should be landing just at dark.  Take care of Oz for me, 'kay?  Thanks."  He hung up and sent up a silent prayer that Oz would be okay.

"He'll be fine," Ryan said from behind him.

Xander looked at him. "Not if they get him.  They're doing experiments that would've made Nazi's shudder, Ryan."  He looked out across the parking lot again, then called Willow back. "I've got the emergency laptop.  Make sure Oz makes it out of town."  He smiled. "Good.  No, I sent him to Angel and then to a contact I have out there through him.  He'll be safe.  Timmy said I can't, Willow.  Ever.  Give me the plans.  Where are they?  The frat house?"  He frowned and considered it.  "Underground?"  He nodded.  "Get me the plans.  Then hack 'em, Willow.  Like I care if they're the military.  Yay me.  I'll let someone I met through Daddy know.  Yeah, Miami's good and I just talked to Cordy to warn her Oz was incoming and needing refuge.  Willow, think," he demanded patiently.  "Can you really leave Spike to them?  Or anyone?"

He nodded.  "Exactly.  Send me shit, Wills.  I've got a contact that helped with my very brief wife's stuff since she was an assassin.  Didn't read the New York Times?" he joked then hung up.  He took the laptop from Ryan's hand.  He found the emails coming in and forwarded them with a note to Abby.  Then he called her.  "Look in your inbox.  The stuff I sent you is from Sunnydale.  It's a multi-military group operation that's torturing others.  Some of it is hacked but they're about to get stomped.  Sure.  I'm in Miami and being pissed at them.  They went after cohorts and friends. Thanks, Abby."  He hung up and got to work, drawing on the paper Speed got him.  He ended up with his back against the building working on the plans.  Then he suddenly smirked and sent back a detailed email to Willow.  She sent back an 'okay, got it' and something new, which he forwarded without having to read it.  It was video files from their system.  She had marked it that way.  She was a great hacker and someone was going to be pissed.   He looked up at Ryan with an evil smirk.  "I should find a music file of _Another One Bites The Dust_ to play."

"That's overconfident," Ryan warned.

"Not this time.  They don't expect Buffy to turn. She's dating one of them and being programmed more gently. It'll go."  He stood up and got his notes, heading inside to hand them to Horatio. "Just in case it becomes necessary for Gibbs."

"Why?"

"The Initiative struck again," he said simply.  "They were going to get Oz, they have Spike."  He walked off, going to get himself a soda and some snack cake goodness from the machines while he waited on more information.  He deserved it.

***

Abby looked at the files, patting her phone until she heard a familiar growl.  "My lab, now," she demanded.  "I just got stuff from Xander you *have* to see, Gibbs."  She hung up just as blindly and got back to work.  She was unzipping the video files when he came in so she ran the first one.  Then she went to get sick.

"What is that?" Gibbs demanded.  She waved a hand at her computer so he looked at the other emails.  He called down to Miami.  "Caine, what is that the boy sent?"  The phone got handed to Speedle, who told him.  He groaned and sucked in a breath to calm himself.  "No, it's bad.  What did he do?"  He nodded slowly, then he smirked.  "He can plan battles and disarm bombs?"  He heard the quiet 'he planned graduation' and nodded.  "That wasn't too bad.  Who do they have going in?"  He nodded at the small number quoted.  "They're trained?"  His 'not like you are' didn't make him happy.  "I'll be there tonight.  Tell them to hold off."  He hung up and watched another one while he called his boss.  "Come to Abby's lab.  Now, yes, that was an order," he said grimly.  He hung up and stared.  Then he looked at the other stuff the boy had sent.  Another file came in from a different source.  "Who's that?"

She came over once she had quit gargling water.  "The source code for the first ones," she admitted, opening that email.  The 'who are you' got answered very simply as "NCIS, Xander helped us with an assassin recently and we like him'.   They got back an immediate request for a video chat.  She clicked it on.  "Hi.  I'm Abby.  This is Gibbs.  He's a team leader at NCIS."

The redheaded girl looked at them.  "Military cops?"  Abby nodded.  "Why?"

"Xander sent us the stuff you sent him."

"Why?"

"He trusts us," Tony said as he walked in.  "Miss Rosenburg.  He mentioned you a few times.  What's going on?"

"He's uber-worried about the Initiative stuff."

Tony typed that into a database then looked at her. "I would be too.  They're NSA and Pentagon sponsored.  Who do they have?"

"Spike," she complained. "They already put a chip into his head that made it so he can't hurt humans."

"Spike's a what?" Abby asked.

"Vampire," she admitted.  "We have a lot of them out here."  Abby smiled at that.  "This is the hellmouth, sweetie.  Why did Xander tell you?"

"Because we can clean it up," Tony said simply.  "Do you think you can wait for backup?"

"No.  We're not so sure Oz made it out of town.  Xander got *real* frantic to get him out of here and, well, Buffy's dating one of their team leaders."  Someone else walked in.  "Do you trust him?"

"Usually," Gibbs agreed.  He reran the tapes they had.  The director went pale. He pointed at Tony's screen.  "It'll take us a few hours.  Do you have more than you and her?"

"Giles."

He squeezed his eyes shut.  "The guy who sent Xander all his guns because he didn't like them?"  She nodded.  "What did his plans say?"

"Get Angel's crew up here for the assault.  That'll take a few hours."

"Do that.  We'll be there by tonight, Willow.  Until then, lay low.  Especially if they know you're onto them."

"We all knew Buffy was being led by them.  You're sure?"

"I'm sure," Tony agreed.  "People like this often make others disappear in unpleasant ways."

"Sure."  She hung up and looked at the girl beside her.  "Go.  Now."  She nodded, picking up her backpack and heading off to do some shopping somewhere more crowded and a bit farther away.  Willow went over the plans, calling Giles to come see her.  "I've got Xander plans for extracting Spike," she offered.  "Please.  Call Wes.  That was the first point he made.  We'll need help and we've got other help coming tonight."  She hung up and downloaded it, printing it and leaving it somewhere Giles would look.  That's why she didn't resist too much when they came for her.  "You'll never get away with this."  They tasered her and she managed to scream.  Security wasn't going to take on commandos though.

***

Xander got the alert from Buffy and groaned.  "Mother fuckers," he hissed, glaring at the screen.  He sent back one to look in her usual spots.  He had sent extraction details.  She sent back an 'okay'.   He looked at Eric.  "She didn't even apologize for her bad taste in men.  Or knowing that they're torturing the vampire she has a protection pact with."  He called LA.  "Cordy, me.  They took Wills.  Do you need a copy of the plan and did Oz get there?"  He nodded. "Good.  No, he's not.  Her girlfriend Tara is hopefully hiding.  She's a gentle witch.  Exactly.  Now, Cordy.  Buffy's going in after her and she's been up their ass far enough to lick their prostates.  Yeah, her boyfriend," he said grimly.  "Thanks, Princess.  Do you need the plans?"  He smiled.  "That works.  Good job.  Have fun back in Hell. The Powers forbid me to come back.  They told Timmy.  Thanks, Princess."  He hung up and put his head down.  "I need to be there."

"You can't," Eric reminded him more gently.

Xander looked at him.  "I'm still needed."

"Gibbs is going," he pointed out.

He called Abby.  "It's me.  They have Willow.  Yeah, the redhead.  I figured she did.  They have her now.  Buffy's got the plans.  Cordelia has the plans too.  She forwarded them to her.  Agreed.  Watch out for their love of strange things.  If he finds something large, blue, and scaley, do not let it out until they leave.  They eat souls.  Otherwise let out the hounds as a distraction and means of dealing with them.  Thanks.  Of course I am.  I'm not allowed back by heavenly decree, Abby," he said grimly. "Otherwise I'd be on a plane.  Be at ease, it'll be fixed one way or another."  He hung up and went back to his watching his email.  He sent one to Gordon to update him, getting one back saying he'd tell his grandfather and warn Raphael to watch for Oz for him.

***

Xander was woken up that night by Speed, who stared at him.  "Sunnydale?"

"College just fell in," he said quietly, sitting next to him.  "Gibbs and everyone got out fine.  They got Willow and Tara out."  That got a gentle smile.  "Oz did make it to LA.  Your grandsire loves Oz.  Calls him neat.  Up there with Eric for him."  That got a happier smile.  "Everyone's fine, even Spike.  Gibbs got there in time to extract the first team."  Xander curled up on his chest so he stroked through his hair.  "They got statements from Willow and are sending her down here for recovery time."  That got a nod against his chest and another yawn.  He smiled and continued to pet his son, watching him fall asleep.  "Good job, Xander," he praised when he was out.  "Very good work.  Gibbs thought your plans were great."  Xander smiled in his sleep and wiggled so he was straddling his leg and squeezing his lower chest, with a head on his shoulder.  He called Calleigh, then took a picture to send to her.  She sent back an 'okay, I won't wait up' text and hung up.  He petted his son until he fell asleep too.

That's how Willow found them in the morning, her giggle woke them. "You're so cute!" she cooed, pinching him on the cheek.  "Someone named Horatio called and said you have to be in by ten so you get the late shift today."  Speed checked his watch then nodded.  "Poke him, I usually do.  By the way, I'm keeping the picture."

"I want a copy and so will a few others," he offered.  He stroked over the back of Xander's neck, getting an unhappy grunt.  "Xander?" he called quietly.

"Poke him, Timmy."

"That's mean, Willow.  I'm not mean to my boy."  Xander lifted his head to blink at him, looking very confused.  "You did good, everyone got saved in time, and Gibbs said your plans rocked," he offered quietly, stroking over his hair.  "Willow's here."  Xander grunted again and put his head back down.  "I've got to shower and change soon, Xander," he pointed out patiently.

"I've got clothes you can borrow.  Even clean undies in the package," he mumbled into his chest.  He felt someone else climbing in.  "That had better be Greggy or Horatio."

"No, it's Willow."

"Eww, girl.  Out of bed, girl!  Out!"

"Fine, I'll go start breakfast, sleepy," she teased, then headed down there after another picture.  She found someone knocking on the door and went to look.  "Hi, who're you?"

"Better question, does Xander know there's a woman in his house?" Ryan asked.

"I'm Willow.  Gibbs sent me down for R&R."

"Oh.  Okay.  Speed, your bike's wet!" he called.  Speed came jogging down the stairs, making him get out of the way.  "It rained last night."

"I couldn't get the garage open," he complained, taking off his shirt to wipe it down.

Xander came down the stairs and grunted at him.  "Ryan, Willow.  Willow, Ryan.  He's nice.  I approve.  Date him," he grunted, heading for the pool.

"Eat," Ryan called.  "Now!"

"But, Mom!"

"Tough, eat."  Xander trudged into the kitchen to make himself some cereal.  "Make some cereal for Speed too, Xander."  He came out and handed over his bowl then went back.   He handed it to Speed, who grinned.  "He was heading for the pool."

"I'm sure he was.  He does most days."  He ate his breakfast while he checked his baby over.  Then he took his cereal inside to take a shower and bum clothes.  He came back down with damp hair, his sunglasses on, and a pair of Xander's tighter jeans, plus one of his silk dress shirts with a dark t-shirt underneath.  "Only type he has and I have court," he complained.  "Xander, I'll come over for dinner tonight," he called.  "Do not attempt to do more than order."

"Yes, Daddy."

"Good boy.  I've got your black dress shirt."

"Not like I wear it."

"Good."  He climbed onto his bike and put on his helmet, heading to work.

Ryan looked at Willow.  "So, you're his friend Willow?"  She smiled and let him inside the house.  "I took Speed's place on the team until he came back."

"That's kinda cool.  I'm more of a techno geek than a science geek."  She led him into the kitchen, finding Xander stretching and still naked. "Can't you wear clothes?" she complained.

He spit at her. "My house, wench."  He headed out to the pool, diving in to do some laps.  It was better than soda or coffee for him.

Ryan grinned at her. "At least he doesn't do it in public pools."  She giggled and swatted him on the arm.  "I was told to come get a report from him about how Sunnydale went down."

"I can do that.  I did for Gibbs and his cutey Tony last night."

"Sure."  He led her to the office so he could use the recorder in there.

"So, who are Horatio and Greggy?"

"Um, Horatio is our boss and Xander's boyfriend.  Greggy is ...  Well I guess he's Xander's sub or secondary boyfriend.  I'm not sure of their dynamic.  It's good for them all.  It makes them happy."  She went bright red and eeped.  "He's happy, Willow.  After he married an assassin for an hour and a half, it's better for him."

"Assassin?" she squeaked.  He nodded.  She moaned and sat down.  "That is such a Xander thing to do."

He grinned.  "He and Greg were given some very evil alcohol they couldn't detect. It was her idea."  He smiled when Horatio walked in. "Speed just left after borrowing clothes.  Xander's naked in the pool, Horatio."

"That's fine.  He does it most mornings.  Miss Rosenburg I presume?"

"Doctor Livingston?" she joked, holding out a hand.

"No, that's our boss," Ryan teased her back.  "I was going to get a statement on what went on."

"That's fine.  Go with Eric to find the shooter and have a talk with him, Mr. Wolfe."

"Agreed."  He stood up.  "It was nice meeting you, Willow.  Maybe he'll bring you for lunch later."  He smiled and headed out.

She looked at him.  "Do I have to have the shovel talk with you?"

"Unlike others, I have no intention of hurting Xander, Willow," he said quietly.  She flinched at that.  "Am I going to have to have the shovel talk with you?" he asked, smirking some.

"No," she said, starting to pout.  "I'm down on vacation."

"That's fine.  Xander could use some fun.  I know he has a job interview tomorrow."  She nodded at that.  "Good girl.  Now, let's go over what happened out there.  Just in case it becomes pertinent."  She nodded and handed over the letter Gibbs had given her.  "Thank you."  He sat down to read it, nodding at a few points. "Buffy?"

"The Gibbs guy suggested Xander spank her.  I didn't know Xander spanked people."

"He's a fully trained Dom, Willow," he said blandly, looking at her.  "He's a very good one who does therapy for his clients."  She slumped at that but let out a small shudder.  "There's nothing sexual about what he does."  Xander wandered in and gave him a deep, loving kiss.  "Good morning to you too.  Go dry off.  You're dripping."  Xander nodded and went to do that.  He smiled at her.  "He is one very special young man."

"Then who's Greggy?  He said I had better be you or him when I gave him a hug."

"Greg...  Well, the easy answer is that Greg is our other lover but he lives in Las Vegas."  He smiled when Xander peeked in. "Yes, that's Willow."

"Hey, Wills.  Sorry, sleep puttering."  He disappeared and came down showered and changed into jeans and a t-shirt.  He smiled at Horatio.  "I'm sorry I made Daddy late."

"That's fine.  I figured you would and Ryan took the early call this morning."

"He seems to do a lot of that, Horatio."  He sat in his lap.  "Why doesn't Eric?"

"Because getting Eric up in the mornings is nearly as hard as getting you up," he said with a fond smile.  "His women tend to get possessive."

"Oh.  Okay.  I thought you were being unfair to Ryan."

He considered it.  "He does take more than his fair share," he admitted. "I'll try to make sure it becomes more even."  Xander smiled and teased his shirt buttons.  He swatted at the hand. "You still have company."

Xander looked at her.  "This is Horatio.  I gave up evil women for him."  She giggled at that. "I did."  He looked at his lover again.  "Are you on this weekend or off?"

"Off, but you have that job interview tomorrow.  Which means you should find something appropriate to wear."

"I have the suits I got in Vegas, Horatio. I'll be fine.  I just need a different shirt to wear with it."  He stole another kiss. "Should I make coffee while you two talk?"

"I'm fine.  Willow, need some coffee?"

"I never eat or drink anything Xander makes," she said seriously.  "If you do, more power to you and you're obviously strong enough to keep Xander safe."

"Is Spike okay?" Xander asked.

She nodded. "He'll be fine.  They were using subsonics to drive him batty again.  They had just pulled him out to do more 'what happens if I do this to you' experiments when we broke in.  He backed us up and told us what to release and then Gibbs got there about an hour later as an official type person and shut their hineys down."  She smiled proudly.  "He's a good hunter."

"He's a former Marine," Xander told her.  "He should be."

"Good.  Even if he did want to spank Buffy."

"Not such a *bad* idea," he admitted.  "Did Daddy say Oz got to my grandsire safely?"

"He did; Raphael called and told me he loves Oz," Horatio soothed, patting his back.  "No cuddling in front of her, she's embarrassed," he said quietly.  Xander slid off his lap and into his own chair.  He smiled at him.  "He said he's offering Oz a job handling his LA business interests and the Angel taunting for him."

"He could use that sort of stability," Xander agreed, smiling at him.  "Grandsire's neat but I think I get my scatterbrained tendencies from him too."

"Patrick said that came from your grandmother," Horatio reminded him.  Xander grinned.  "I know.  Sometimes he's like your grandmother."

"Patrick giggled at that," he agreed happily.  "Grandsire huffed and promised to send me coal for the holidays. Oooh, I have to finish my holiday shopping."

"Well, you said you needed a new shirt," Horatio offered. "Are your new plates in yet?"  Xander shrugged but went to check the mail.  He looked at her, seeing the fond, yet slightly sad smile.  "He's happy, Willow."

"I want my Xander back," she pouted.

"Speed said he can't go back to Sunnydale."

"Damn it.  Stupid Powers," she muttered.  She frowned.  "I guess we'll just have to move down here to watch over him then, huh?" she decided.

"We have a whole lab full of people who watch over Xander with us," he offered.  She gave him a look.  "We do."

"If you did, he wouldn't have been married."

"He was in Las Vegas at the time."

"No wonder," she said grimly.  Xander came in with the box from the DMV.  "License plates?"  He nodded, breaking them open to show Horatio, who snickered at the 'CaneBoy' plate.  She looked and rolled her eyes.  "I doubt they want to know that much, Xander."

"His last name is Caine," he told her.

"Oh."  She shook her head. "You're being cutesy and you used to gag at me when I did it."

"Yeah, and?"  He shrugged.  He smiled at Horatio.  "So we'll go shopping.  Should I bring her for lunch?"

"You could.  Or an early dinner.  Remember, the Solstice exchange is in a few days," he warned.

"I know.  I have to go pick up the presents I ordered and things.  Which means I'm going to be broke until I sell those houses.  They go on the third I think."  He shrugged and hauled Willow up.  "Love you, Horatio.  Be safe today."  He blew a kiss and led her out to the garage.

"That's a jag," she said in awe.

He looked at her and nodded. "Yup.  Grandsire bought it for me.  It was a tester model so it's got every single perk in existence, even seat warmers," he said proudly.  He slid his new plate on and hitched it in place.  Then the front one.  Then he went inside to get his wallet, keys, and special bank book and card from the office, stealing another kiss.  "I'll be good today but what am I getting you and Daddy for dinner?"

"Whatever you want, Xander.  Not Cuban food please.  My stomach's a bit upset."  Xander smiled and kissed him again, making his vision gray out for a few minutes.  When he opened them he found a set of keys in front of him hanging off a miniature whip.  They went into his pocket with a smile and the letter went back to the office with him.  He saw Willow staring at the hummer when he got in, nodding at her.  He didn't care what she thought of the hummers.

***

Xander got finished with the last present being wrapped and brought them out to the car again, Willow trailing with her lemonade.  "Sorry."

"That's okay.  It's good to let the charity wrappers do it for you."  She smiled.  "So, how are you liking Miami?"

"It's neat.  It's warm.  It's friendlier than New York was.  They were always too busy up there to pay attention to me."  He grinned.  "Which they might be for dinner too.  We might have to wait."

"I don't mind.  Are you sure we should just show up at the station?"

"I bring Daddy lunch all the time."

She looked at him.  "You're still calling Timmy Dad?"

"Most of the time.  Ooh, you'll get to meet the stepmom too.  She works with them."  He smiled. "You'll like Calleigh.  She's a bit like me.  She's from New Orleans.  I wish I could introduce you to Lady Heather."

"You know a Lady?  Like lives with a knight?"

"No, like the domme who trained me.  She's like a stepmom too."

"Whoa," she said, holding up a hand. "You really spank people?"  He nodded, looking at her.  "Why?" she demanded a bit loudly.

"Because I help them let go of the traumas they're holding onto," he explained quietly.  "I do therapy with my clients, Willow.  Officers who had to shoot in the line of duty and those things.  I help them let it go and process, then move on with their lives.  I love being a dom.  It all clicked for me when I started working in a bar in New York and I learned what it was about.  It's all consensual.  I'm not one of the ones that it gets sexual for.  Can you open the car door?"  She got the backseat open and leaned on the side, staring at him.  "I like my life.  I'm sorry if you can't accept it.  I'm happy with it."   He closed the door once everything was on the seat.  "Did I have anything else to pick up?"

"Shirt."

"I go somewhere else for that and a good place to pick up dinner is near there."  He walked around and got in to drive, letting her in.  He drove them that way, parking and locking the car, plus turning on the alarm.  Then he led her inside. "Hi. I need a new shirt to go with a dark green suit."  That got a nod.  "It's stylish but not too hip and I have a job interview tomorrow."

"Of course.  Tie as well?"

"Eww."

He smiled.  "What sort of position are you going for?"

"Masseuse at a club."  That got a nod and he led him to some lighter green ones and then a few darker ones.  He pointed at one.  "That's the suit's color."  That got a nod and he was measured then one was handed over.  "Should I go with black?  I mean, all the same shade?"

"Masseuses at clubs are there to blend into the background," he offered. "They're not there to be flashy and showy.  People come to spas to relax and relieve themselves of life for a bit."

Xander nodded and picked out the light green one then the black one. "I've got a red suit too."  That got a smile.  "Thanks."  He checked the sizes and put the black one back then pulled out another one.  "There.  I think this should do it.  I don't need a tie, right?"

"No, I probably wouldn't.  Not for that sort of position."  He led them to the register.  "Now, if it was in a bank...."  That got a smile and a head shake.  His card declined so Xander sighed and handed over the other one.  That went through.  "Busy day shopping?" he asked.

"Very.  Presents."  That got a smile and a nod and the bag of shirts once he had signed the slip.  Then they left.  He looked at Willow.  Then at his wallet. "Well, dinner's going to be cheap."  He put the shirts into the back seat and locked it again, heading down to the restaurant.  He got dinner for them all and came out with Willow carrying the second bag.  He got them into the car, letting her have it all, and drove to the station, finding the others standing outside.  He got out.  "Am I late?"

"Right on time," Frank said with a smile.  "Get enough for me?"

"Probably.  As long as Eric isn't a bottomless pit today."

"We can get a pizza too," Ryan said as he came over to help carry.  "Willow, so we meet again."

"We do.  I've been following shopping boy.  He proved today that he learned how to shop from Buffy."

"No, I ordered it all online and then had to pick it up," he defended.  He dug into the presents and arranged them, coming out with two bags of stuff.  Those he carried up to Horatio.  "Can I stash the presents in your office so I can't forget them?"

"If you want," he promised, smiling at him. "Should I keep Speed from peeking?"

"His is at home," he said with a grin.  "So is Mom's and stepmom's."  That got a smile and a nod.  They carried them inside, Ryan showing Willow to the breakroom so they could set out dinner and order a pizza to cover any gaps and fussy eaters today.  Xander glanced around then snuck a kiss.  "I was a good boy even if I am broke until the third."

"I'm sure it'll be fine and you'll get the job tomorrow," Horatio soothed.  "Did you remember a new shirt?"

"I did but I'm not sure if I should wear the same color, lighter green, or black tomorrow."  They walked back down there together, him pouncing Calleigh to hug her from behind.  "Your present and Dad's present are at the house with Mom's."  She smiled at that. "So you have to come over that night or I'll bring it over to dinner."

"Sure."  She took his arm to walk him that way with a smile for Horatio.  "We're adding onto the lab?" she asked, catching Willow and Ryan talking about computer gear.

"No, I'm Willow."  She shook her hand then stared at her.  "So you're his stepmom?"  She smiled and nodded.  "That's fine.  At least you're not an evil woman I have to beat with a shovel."

"No, not today. Xander gives very good presents so I won't have to turn into a big grump."  She smiled at him.  "How did the picking up go?"

"Fine.  I had to borrow shirt money from Grandfather."

"Not like he'll pout since it's for your interview," she reminded him.

"Doesn't mean I like having to do that."

"I know."  She gave him a hug.  "Let's sit and eat.  Eric!"  He came out of his lab.  "Food?  Dinner?"

"Ten," he called, heading back inside.

Speed came out a few minutes later and strolled in.  He kissed Xander on the head.  "Everyone likes me in your jeans and shirt."

"Including me," Calleigh agreed, smiling at Xander. "He'll give it back in a few weeks."

"I got a new black dress shirt so he can have that one," he promised.  "The jeans I might need back but he can have the undies."

"That's fine," she promised, smiling at him.  Then at him.  "Did you get to see Willow was in?"

"I did, she woke us up this morning.  How did the shopping go?" he asked her.

"Okay.  I guess.  I followed him like I do Buffy when she shops."

"I only had to pick up," Xander defended again. "Otherwise we'd still be at the mall. Fortunately I found a lot of stuff overseas when I went."

"You...went overseas?" Willow asked, looking confused.

"Someone had to clean out the wife's stuff and hand it to Interpol and the FBI."  He looked at Speed.  "We did send Greg that check, right?"  He nodded.  He sighed and smiled. "Good.  Because I'm broke again."  Speed patted him on the back. "But I have everything I might need for the next little while.  Including gas because I filled up the car first."

"Good."  He smiled down at Calleigh. "She took a picture of him curled up on my stomach to sleep."

"Awww.  I want a copy."

"Sure," she agreed, looking a bit confused again.  "You guys all like the Xander?"  Everyone in there nodded and smiled at her.  "Wow.  That's kinda odd."

"We're family," Ryan told her.  "Of course we like Xander.  He's Speed's son and he gives us a non-boring life sometimes.  He married an assassin, he's got a small cult to him.  Someone sent him a ruby necklace today."  Xander whimpered. "Not a clue why, Xander."

"Who?"

"That we're still tracing," Eric offered as he came in with it.  He opened it and let him see, then Xander let out a low moan.  "It's beautiful."

"It is.  If I didn't have something for Lady Heather's present I'd use that."  He hit himself on the head. "I still have to send hers out I think."

"You sent it with Greg's," Speed soothed.  "Quit stressing."  Xander relaxed and nodded. "You can call Greg to make sure he got both theirs."  Xander smiled and nodded.  "And whatever you got Bobby."

"More hockey tapes."  That got some laughs and Eric closed the lid.  "Any idea who sent it  yet?"

"The store won't say.  It was done anonymously.  We're not sure if it's your small cult or not."

"Cult?" Speed asked.

"Uh, yeah," Ryan admitted. "The staring guy started one.  Apparently he's the messiah here to preserve and protect life.  He also helps them purge their sins by self beating and things.  They sucked another young dom in to help them purge themselves to be worthy."  Xander slunk down.  "But that does explain the staring guy and he was the one who shot the guy who had me and Speed hostage at the scene," he offered.

"Good," Xander said weakly.  "What about the rest?  Are they going to snap?"

"Horatio talked to them," Ryan offered.  "I'm not sure.  Horatio?"

He came in. "Sorry, had to talk to my nephew.  What's going on?"  He saw the necklace box.  "Anything yet, Eric?"

"Store said it was an anonymous cash purchase.  They gave up video to see if we could figure it out.  He was wearing sunglasses and a hoodie."  He shrugged.  "We're trying, H."

"That's fine.  Ryan?"

"He wanted to know if the cult was going to snap."

"No.  They've decided that a life of devotion is a quiet life and they're very happily doing that on the other side of the city from you, Xander."  Xander relaxed and nodded, making him smile. "It'll be fine.  Which suit are you wearing?"

"My green one."

"What color shirts did you get?" Willow asked.

"Um, a lighter green in the same mix of blue and yellow.  Like when you move the bar in the composer program up sort of lighter shade.  A black one and one that's the same shade.  The guy at the store suggested that."

"We'll see which one works tonight," Horatio promised with a smile.  That got a grin back because that meant he was getting sex tonight.  He was a happy boy!  "Thank you for dinner, Xander."

"Welcome.  Eat, people.  Don't make me call Grandma."

"Alexx is doing her last autopsy and then she'll be up," Ryan promised.  "I already paged her."  He got the paper plates and they dished out the food, then Eric went to get the pizza to fill up the rest of the plates.  Yelina, Ray Junior, and Alexx all came in later and got the rest, making everyone happy.

Willow looked at him.  "So, you're a CSI like Timmy?"

"I am," he agreed happily.  "I'm in the same area too.  My speciality is Trace."

"Okay."  She ate a bite then looked at him.  "Is it hard?"

"Not really.  A lot of science.  Police work.  You have to go to the academy."  She nodded at that.  "I was in patrol until got here.  Calleigh too."  She nodded at that since her mouth was full.  "It's a good and rewarding field.  What are you majoring in?"

"Apparently Buffy's sex life."  She shrugged.  "I'm in the humanities at the moment but I still love my computer stuff.  I just do it for stress relief anymore.  Then again I may have to transfer schools since the battle caved in half the campus."  She ate another bite.

"It was that large?" Xander asked. "I thought it went into the forest."

"It did but she had tunnels leading to the humanities building and the science building, plus the main entry under Lowell House.  So the stupid frat boys who Buffy likes are gone but they imploded their base after Gibbs shut them down and we were gotten out.  All the guys in Lowell are gone.  Half the teachers were employed by them so Gibbs has them in interrogation and probably heading for arrest.  Someone in the Pentagon is not going to be happy.  Especially since I sent a very nice 'don't come back to Sunnydale again' message to someone really high up."  She smiled sweetly then ate another bite of pizza.

Xander snickered. "I'm sure he'll yell about that, but yay."  He shrugged and dug in again.  "How's everyone else?"

"Buffy's Mom's okay.  Giles is still drinking a bit too often," she admitted.  "The store's going okay right now though.  He just bought the Magic Box.  Anya is working for him.  She found her second love, money.  Ranks right up there with orgasms for her."  Yelina moaned. "Sorry but that's how she talks about it."

"Oh, she so does," Xander agreed.  "You should see the letter she sent me."

"She was asking Spike if she was too subtle, Xander.  We heard it already."  He shrugged and dug back in, making her shake her head, looking at Yelina.  "You have to experience Anya to get used to her."

"I'm sure Eric's dated women like that," she said dryly.

"A few," Eric agreed with a grin.

"Yeah, like half your black book," Speed taunted.  Eric spit at him.  "You have nearly as bad of taste in women as Xander does, Eric.  Turn gay.  Please?"

"Grandsire wanted to know if he'd be his next childe," Xander offered with a grin.

"My mother would not approve and would sic my sisters on him.  That's a torture no one deserves," he retorted, smirking at him.  "You know, I almost missed the picking on me while you were gone."

Speed smirked back.  "If you weren't the manwhore CSI you wouldn't have to hear it, Eric."

"Who's calling him that this time?" Calleigh complained.  Yelina let out another moan.  "It's only about the third time," she offered.  She grinned at Ray.  "He's a bit of a dating connoisseur.  If you need a number, he's got half of Miami's somewhere."

Yelina laughed but shook her head.  "Ray's not ready for that yet.  When he is, I'm going to tell him why doing what Eric does is wrong for a nice Catholic boy like him."

Xander looked at his stepnephew and grinned.  "Could be worse.  You could date women like I did."

"I heard Cyprus was pretty."

"It was," Xander agreed happily. "So was Rio.  So was Russia.  Doesn't mean I'd wish the ones that came before the assassin on anyone.  Well, maybe Anya.  Hey, Eric, Anya wants a nice guy who can give her as much sex as she wants.  You seem to have a good handle on that.  Can I set you up?"

"No thanks.  Read her letter.  She sounds a bit unstable."

"It's where she wasn't normal for a few years," Willow assured him.  Ryan snickered.  "I take it you've heard?"

"I've seen her at work in the past," he admitted.  "That's why nothing that Xander can tell me about your former town surprises me."

"My former town?" she asked.

He looked at her.  "You said you'd have to move to keep an eye on him."

"I did, didn't I?"  She looked at Xander, who shrugged. "I should transfer down here with Tara, mister, just to make sure you're not being naughty."

"No, when I want to be naughty I put on good clothes and go tease everyone by doing an open pole night at a gay strip club," he assured her, sounding like it was an everyday thing.

"Isn't that how you attracted the assassin?" Yelina asked when Willow just gaped.

"Um, yeah," he sighed.  "She saw my one when I was out training and got a little tiny bit fixated because I looked a lot like her lover, who's still in a Turkish prison for life.  They were carrier pigeoning back and forth."  Willow let out a small squeak.  "What?"

"You're kidding right?" she asked, nodding a bit.  He shook his head.  "Then you're taking this gay thing a bit far!  I mean, this whole story is so preposterous it can only happen in a book, Xander!  Besides, you can't dance at all!  Therefore you can't strip and why would an assassin like you?  I mean I know bad girls like you but an assassin?"

"No, it happened, Willow," Speed assured her.  "All of it."  She whimpered and started to shake her head. "Really.  And he dances better than I do sometimes now."

"Don and Danny helped with my lack of rhythm when I first got to New York."

"Good.  At least they were watching over you sometime."  He ate another bite of pizza.

Willow whimpered.  "Then I definitely can't move down here.  You'll taint Tara and she's a nice witch.  If you taint her she won't be the same gentle witch I love and I can't have that because then she'll be a grumpy or a fangirl witch and I might not like her that much."

Ryan patted her on the back. "I promise, he hasn't tainted anyone yet, Willow."

"But he has because you don't think it's strange he married an assassin and now he's dating a Horatio... and a Greg."  She gave him a pitiful look.  "He's already warped you all."

"That just means he'll fit in Sunnydale better," Calleigh teased.

Speed nodded. "He probably could."  He finished his dinner and looked at her.  "Willow, I promise, we were already like this before I brought Xander down here from New York.  We've even seen a lot worse than Xander."

"Mostly dead," Yelina admitted, "but we have."

Speed nodded.  "We're going to avoid that problem with Xander for a very long time."

"I feel the exact same way about you, Daddy," Xander assured him with a sweet smile.

"Good.  Then neither one of us will do stupid shit anymore," he agreed happily.  Calleigh looked at him.  "What?"

"Does that mean you won't go out with Eric anymore?"

"No but I'll quit letting him make me dance with his castoffs."

"That might be a good idea, yes," she agreed dryly, smirking at him.

"Ooh, someone's getting spanked in the non-fun ways," Xander teased.  "I just got a new paddle, stepmom.  Need it?"

"No, honey, I've got other things I can do to make sure he learns that lesson."  She smiled sweetly at him.  "Of course, Horatio went into the room full of your cult of psychopaths today without backup."

"Really?" Xander asked, looking at Horatio.  "I thought it was my job in this 'ship to do stupid stuff, dear."

"It is.  I knew they wouldn't hurt me.  I was keeping you pure."

"Hmm.  We'll see later when you help me pick out a shirt?"

"I can do that," he promised with a smile.  He smiled at Willow.  "See, we've calmed Xander down a bit."

She snickered. "No you haven't.  He's still just as bad as before.  I'll have to give Tara the Xander crash course before we come down."

Xander looked at her.  "Willow, dear," he said patiently.  "Don't make me spank you."

"You wouldn't," she said, glaring at him.  He raised an eyebrow and she saw it in his eyes.  He would and he'd use those new skills on her poor body.  "I'm still sore from yesterday."

"Then we should get you home so you can rest," he soothed, patting her on the back. "Should I tape tonight's hockey game?"  Everyone nodded at that.  "Okay.  It's a regional final match.  This one feeds into the match for the Iron Curtain versus Free World match which is the finals in four weeks."  All the guys and Calleigh smiled at that.  "Then we'll have to see what they put in place of naked hockey.  Oh, Eric, the same channel is showing Miss Nude for this year.  Am I taping it?"

"Please," he agreed.

"Sure.  Anyone else?"

"We can make copies off his," Ryan assured him with a grin.  "Anything good in curling?"

"I don't know.  I feel asleep halfway through the last match.  Greg and I were talking during it and he had a rough day.  His first day back and they had to clean a body out of the lake behind the dam.  They found floating needles, a few more bodies, and a moose.  Plus a dead dog that had been sunk."

"Ow, that's going to be a tough case," Speed complained.  "Someone dumped a moose too?"  Xander nodded.  "Why?"

"They're not sure.  The bodies were all from various sources.  He said they found four. But they did get the person who was dumping needles in the lake. They got a very hard slap on the wrist and lost their medical license for endangering so many lives. Since she testified against her bosses, they closed the clinic too.  Most of them lost theirs for at least a little while too."  That got some smiles.  "He had to use the morgue showers for three days because they had filters."

"I don't blame the boy," Alexx assured him, smiling at him. "Good choices for dinner, Xander."  He beamed back.  She smiled at Willow. "I'm sure you'll get used to a happy Xander soon enough, sugar.  He's always like this."  She smiled at Speed.  "You go right home and sleep tonight."

"I slept last night.  Xander curled up on me after I told him what happened."

"He did," Calleigh sighed. "I go the cutest photo sent to me of Xander using him as a body pillow."  She pulled out her phone and found it, showing it to her, getting an 'awwww'.  From the others too.

Horatio looked at him.  "You make a good pillow."

"I do and a great father."  Xander beamed and nodded.  "But I think tonight it's your turn to baby my boy so I'll head home.  Calleigh, done?"

"Nearly."  She finished up and got up to hug and kiss their boy on the cheek.  "Be a good boy, Xander.  I'll see you in a few days."  He nodded and they left.  "I had to take a cab this morning," she said as they walked out.  "Can I have a ride home?"

He smirked.  "Of course you can.  You know you're more than welcome to ride on my bike whenever you want, Calleigh."  She hugged his arm as they left for the night.

Eric shook his head.  "They're so cute and high school sometimes."

"It's good to cuddle up to his back during a ride," Xander told him.  "I find it very soothing and comforting."

"We saw after the fire," Frank assured him with a grin.  "You looked adorable riding behind your father."  Xander blushed a bit but grinned.  "Okay, Miss Rosenburg, will you be okay at his house tonight?"

"Sure.  I can sleep through most anything now.  I had the skanky, loud, ho for my first dorm roommate before we found out Buffy's was a Celine Dion listening demon and banished her.  Then I got to listen to her and Riley."  Eric snickered at that.  "Not quite as loud."

"Probably not," he agreed.  "You'll like the dorms down here.  They just built some new ones that're a lot nicer than the last few."  She smiled at that.  He cleaned up his mess. "I'm heading out for a night in the clubs."

"Be safe, use condoms," Willow told him.

"Every single time," he assured her.  He headed out with a stroll/strut that made the other men shake their heads.

"That boy's gonna have it fall off some day," Frank complained.

"Only if Xander's ex gets hold of him," Willow said dryly, smirking at him. "I can call if you think he deserves it."

Xander pulled her into his lap and spanked her a few times. "Bad witch!"  He sat her back down and glared at her.  "We do not pick on Eric because he's a bit of a slut.  He's a guy, a lot of us are like that as long as you women say 'let's go to the bathroom'.  No calling Anya."

"Yes, Xander," she said weakly, staring at him.  "You really do spank hard."

"Of course I do.  Be thankful the whip's in the office," he said dryly.

"They made Horatio take it home," Frank told him with a grin.

Xander looked at him.  "I got a new one if you want one of the others for the office."

"I kept getting in trouble.  Every time I was using the couch to wear out stress, Rick Stetler  happened to be around," he said blandly.

"Hmm.  Isn't he the one you apologized to by sending him my cookies?"

"I did."

"That poor man," Willow sighed, shaking her head.  "We all know not to let Xander cook, right?"  They all nodded.  "Oh, good."

"His jerky isn't too bad," Ryan offered. "After that first week. I still can't use his breath spray though."

"I used it in interrogation," Frank said proudly.  "Worked like a charm."

"Mac got told to quit using it," Xander told him.  "The judge up there called it cruel and unusual punishment and nearly threw out his confession."  He looked at Horatio. "Did we ever figure out the gun thing?"

"We did.  He stole them off Sonny's crew," he admitted. "Since they were yours they're keeping them in a shrine.  I did make note of what they had to the violent crimes and anti- terrorism task force.  Plus to the bomb squad."  Xander grinned at that.  "Ready?   I'll follow you two home."

"Sure."  He cleaned up his mess.  "Willow, want to stay and talk to Yelina and her son or Ryan or Frank?"

"I'm sure I'll see more of them soon," she offered, heading off once she had cleaned up her mess and the tables.

"Look, a woman you could appreciate," Frank teased at Ryan.

Ryan looked at him. "She's definitely smart and pretty enough, she likes to clean somewhat, but she's taken, Frank.  I don't poach."

"That may change. Her girlfriend might not want to move," Yelina offered.

"Did she have a boyfriend before?" Ray asked.

Ryan nodded.  "I heard about him from Xander.  He was a guitarist.  Fairly quiet."  He finished his dinner.  "Until she's not taken I still don't poach."  He shrugged and cleaned up his mess and the other's messes.  Ray had to grab his plate and got a smile.  "Sorry, I'm a cleaning person."  He left, going to change out and head home.

Yelina smiled at her son. "Things will calm down soon.  She'll get used to her new friend."

"I hope so.  She seemed a bit panicked until he spanked her."  He finished his dinner and tossed out the plate and plastic fork.  "Should we go home or do you need to finish shopping?"

"Did you finish yours?"

"I'm still debating on Uncle Horatio's present," he admitted.

"Then we'll go see what you were thinking about," she offered, taking him off with a smile at Frank.

Frank shook his head but he was smiling.

***

Xander got help carrying in the presents while Horatio got the shirts, then he led Willow up to her room.  "Don't touch the TIVO.  It's set up for the guys."  He led Horatio to his room then went to his office and came back up with an envelope.  He put it inside his jacket pocket.  "For the present exchange."  He smiled.  "So I can't forget."

"I know you won't."

"I usually do."  He took a kiss. "At least one present."  He took a kiss and stroked through Horatio's hair, over the back of his neck.  "Let's look at the suit?"

"We can do that," he assured him, sliding out of his jacket and shirt, then pants and shoes.  His socks came off last while Xander pulled out his suit and arranged it. "Is that a stain?"

Xander looked then frowned.  "I don't know why it would be.  I didn't spill anything on it."  He looked at the shirt next to it and pulled it out, tossing it toward the laundry.  "That had something on it."  He sighed and pulled out his other one.  "The black shirt?"

"You probably should," he agreed. "Can you get by without the jacket?  If so you could wear the other one."

Xander shook his head.  "I shouldn't."  He put it and the black shirt together somewhere safe.  "It'll look bad to the future bosses."  He strolled over, pulling off his t-shirt.  Then he shimmied out of his jeans and kicked off his sneakers.  "You are just as comfortable to sleep on as Dad is and you know you are more than welcome to stay over anytime you want, Horatio."  That got a smile and a nod.  "You can watch my water, nap in the hammock, watch dirty shows on my tv, anything you want."

"I know.  I had plans to stay over the holidays."  Xander beamed at that and he felt his heart warm.  "You'd like that?" he teased.  Xander nodded and leaned into his chest, ducking his head to nuzzle and kiss his throat.  He tipped his head back.  "Want the couch or the bed?"

"Couch.  Open the doors."  He led him over there, tossing the clothes off it, Speed's, into the wash with a sheepish grin.  "Sorry.  I'm not Ryan."

"I never expected you to be," he promised, opening the doors fully so they could see the sunset over the water.  Then he laid down on the couch, letting Xander get on top tonight.  "I do have to work tomorrow so nothing too energetic."

"Yes, Horatio."  He moved down his chest, licking, sucking, nibbling on the skin, even if it wasn't a spot that usually make him moan.   He left little sucking marks all along his torso and down onto his thighs, then found his treat.  Horatio moaned, spreading his legs for him.  "I'm being a good boy."

"Can I play, Xander?"

Xander looked up at him.  "Depends on what sort of play."

"I want to teach you about rimming."  He grimaced and shook his head.  "When I stay over, would you let me try it?"

"We'll see."  He went back to his playing.

Horatio arched up, biting his bottom lip.  "It's just as pleasurable as that is.  You'll definitely like it.  It's another way to stretch you out for later play."

"But it's still my ass."

"If you want I'd clean it first."

Xander leaned on his stomach, his cock under his chin, looking at him.  "Do you like that?"  Horatio nodded. "Is it your version of my oral fetish?"

"It is."

"Then I'll let you try as long as you stay over at least one night."

"I had plans of that whole week," he promised, pulling him up to kiss him, pressing up against him, letting Xander thrust down to tease him. He even got the teasing grin.  "Some day soon you'll see why I love it so much."  He kissed him and Xander moaned and thrust down against him.  "I want to take you tonight."

"I thought you said nothing too long," he teased, playing with his nipples.

"I did but I suddenly want to bury myself in you."  He sat up and Xander wrapped himself around his waist.  "I was going to get us up and take us to the bed."

Xander got off him and rested against the arm of the couch, wiggling his butt.  Horatio went to get the lube, coming back to prepare him.

Willow looked out from her room when the noise really started.  She huffed.  Then she sighed.  She was a guest, she couldn't tell Xander to shut up and that it was wrong to be that noisy.  She snuck down to the phone to call Timmy.  "What do I do with Xander?  No, he's loud."  She held up the phone when the moans got louder than it had been then put it back against her ear.  "No. I can't go tell them to stop whatever they're doing, Timmy."  He suggested something.  "Are you sure?  Thank you.  Of course I'll leave a note."  She hung up and left the note then grabbed her bag and headed down to meet him at the gate.

***

Willow ran into Ryan the next day and she was still blushing.  "I should find a hotel."

"Why?" he asked.   He nibbled on his fried veggie spears.

"Because they're loud and it's wrong," she said, looking defeated.  "Love is supposed to be quiet and soft and gentle.  Not noisy!  Xander's noisier now than he was the time Aiden picked on him.  I swear you could hear them outside.  And it's not supposed to be like that."

He looked at her for a minute, just chewing. Then he shook his head.  "Sometimes lovemaking is gentle and soft.  Sometimes it's not.  Some people don't do gentle and soft.  The fact that Xander got noisy just means he liked it.  The same as Calleigh getting noisy probably meant the same."

"Speed bellows.  Xander sounded like a bad porn soundtrack and Horatio's nearly as noisy and I still don't think it should be like that."

"That's because you dated gentle people, Willow.  Sometimes you get loud and fast because it's almost a need to touch them right then.  Or it's because they do more than lay there and take it.  I'm sure Xander and Horatio have a very active, exciting sex life that means they both get loud on occasion.  The same as I'm sure Speed and Calleigh are very satisfied with what they have.  I know he makes Horatio nearly dance in joy.  He came in this morning smiling and happy.  He was nearly humming."  He patted her on the hand. "Just because it's gentle and soft with Tara doesn't mean it's wrong that they get loud and noisy and make the bed rattle."

"I didn't hear the bed.  I couldn't hear it over those two.  Those two I heard outside.  It sounded like bathroom sex in a cheap club."

"But even that can be good."  He smiled gently at her.  "Trust me, I've had a few girlfriends.  With them they still got to be loud sometimes."  Eric sat down.  "But if you want, you can have my couch, Willow.  That way you don't have to be so embarrassed."

"Get too loud?" Eric teased.  She blushed bright red and nodded.  "Just means it was good."

"She's with a gentle, shy young woman, Eric."

He shrugged. "It's always good when they moan and wiggle.  It means you're doing it right."  He stole a veggie spear.  "We have the afternoon watch on the cult of Xander."

"I know that.  It time?  I thought we had an hour for lunch."

"We do.  You get done with court early?"

Ryan smirked.  "Took a deal halfway through mine.  We had a two minute recess because the judge got sick.  He begged."

Eric grinned.  "I love the sound of begging.  Especially in court."  Willow squeaked.  "Sorry.  Forgot you're a nice girl, like my sisters.  I can ask my Mom if you can have her spare room."

"I've got a good couch, she can borrow it," Ryan promised.  "That way she doesn't get fussed over by your mother."  Eric grinned at that. "She feed you again?  You're not stealing half my lunch this time."  Willow snuck one of his veggie spears.  "Trying to keep me from getting fat?"

"I'm sure you have plenty of ways of managing your weight."

"Well, yeah."   He grinned.  "Come on, I can finish in the car."  Eric took the rest of his lunch.  He took half of it back and walked her off nibbling.  "All I ask is that you don't make a mess.  I'm a bit OCD."

She gave him a pat on the arm.   "I understand.  My parents are shrinks."

"Thanks."  He drove her over and let her in, then headed back to the stakeout to take his spot.  Eric joined him with Speed.  "Three of us?"

"I'm going in to talk to them in a few.  I got invited," Speed offered.  "Have you guys seen Willow?"

"She said something about squeaky noises and bellows," Ryan told him.  Speed shrugged. "She's on my couch."

"Hey, it was good.  I'm not going to be quiet just because she's a prude."

"She's only known gentle lovers," Ryan protested patiently.  "Not like Tara sounds like a beast in bed."

"True, but you don't have to be a beast to get loud," Eric reminded her.  "I've never been that rough on anyone and most of my women get loud.  Some more than others."

Ryan looked at him.  "I have this feeling it's different when it's a shy young woman and that one.  She was talking like cuddling was their sex."

"Possibly," Speed agreed.  "Tara's supposed to be a very sweet young wiccan.  From down in Calleigh's country."  He got up.  "We clear?"  Eric and Ryan both checked then nodded. "Then wish me luck."  He got out and headed over there, looking at the two men who met him at the gate.  "You wanted to talk to me?"

"You are our Saint's father."

"Adoptive but yes."

"Adoptive?" one asked.

"His original one is dead after the last time he tried to sell him to someone," he said blandly.  "When he was sixteen he tried it for the third time so his adoptive mother and I ran them out of town.  Before we killed them for hurting the boy again."

That got a smile.  "Which must be why he's still pure," the other agreed, letting him inside and escorting him. "This is his adoptive father.  He saved our Master Tim from his biological parents, those who hurt them."

Speed's phone rang and he looked at the number then flipped it open.  "Bad timing," he said blandly.  He listened to him.  "No.  No.  I'm telling Horatio.  No.  Argue with me and I'm strapping you down myself."  He listened to him make sense, for once.  Then he sighed.  "No!  And I mean no!"  He hung up.  The he looked at them.  "We're going to have a long talk before you guys get anywhere near my boy."  They nodded, sitting around him.  He almost felt like he was in some demented kindergarten speaking to the class.  "What did you want with my son?"

"We wish to learn how to be pure from him," he offered.

Speed looked at him.  "What makes you think he still is?  He's had to protect himself in the past.  He had to stab someone in the past to protect himself."  Xander walked in.  "I said no."

"Dad, this is too important this time," Xander said calmly, walking in.  "Besides, I can protect myself and you better than you can protect yourself."  He gave him a look then looked at him. "He's right.  I lost my blood innocence at twelve.  I had to so I wouldn't die."  They all nodded.  "What makes you think I'm still pure?"

"We would be killing for pleasure," one told him.

Xander nodded. "I hunted vampires for stress relief."  They all stared.  "Dad made me stop."

"But you have renewed your blood innocence?" one asked.

Xander nodded. "I have. After I made a very bad decision.  Dad helped me and so did Horatio.  You might say love healed me."  He gave them a gentle smile.  Then he sat down beside his father.  "What keeps me pure now is knowing that Dad, Horatio, and a lot of others would be very disappointed in me for slipping back into my old life.  I had help climbing out and getting help is the most important thing.  Now, I know very well that no one will ever be able to help you from outside.  I know there's not a shrink in this realm that can help you get over whatever traumas you have.  There is help from each other.  There's help if you find someone special, someone who's willing to understand, to be there for you. That's what helped me."  He smiled at them.

"The best thing you can do now is help each other. You guys appreciate what you've been through better than anyone else ever.  You guys know what it's like to go through torture, mental, physical, and possibly sexual.  You guys know what it's like to be blamed for shit that you have no way of helping.  I got yelled at once for crying when I scraped my knee.  I was four."  That got some nods.  "But the best thing that can heal you is each other and finding a reason to stay pure.  For some, they find it in a person.  I did.  Some, like my grandfather, found it in religion.  Some found it in a reason to stay on the outside so they could finish their research or help others.  You have to find your reason and work on your healing.  No one, not even me and my Dad, can make you or do more than listen to you.  And if Dad does it, he might have to arrest you if it was really bad."

"You still use violence," one said softly.

"I use limited violence in ways I had never used before to help others who need the release.  I do what I do as a form of therapy, helping those who need to let go of things.  Or the ones who have a desperate need for tactile contact that they're not getting.  I never used what I do now before.  That's one of the reasons I don't slip.  Though I am told I'm a very hard dom to be under now and then.  When I break someone they break fully.  I don't let them get away with a halfway point.  Again, something Lady Heather helped me see and ease off some."

That got some nods and a few smiles.  "Would you take us on as clients?" one asked.

Xander looked at him. "If I did that, you would be broken before me.  You would be confessing everything you've ever done or been through to me.  I would make you face every single thing you've ever done or been through," he said honestly. That got a shiver.  "Now, I can recommend someone who would go more gently and slowly if you feel you need that sort of treatment.  I know a few others who have.  Lady Heather has two right now who go to her for that sort of thing.  I know there's an officer locally who would do that.  I will caution you to put everything under confession vows.  That way they can't turn you in.  But if we catch you slipping we'd have to find a way to prevent you from hurting someone."  That got nods.  "Am I clear?"  That got nods.

"Then I can gladly suggest that you go to a certain place tonight at, oh, around eight and talk to a man named Dawsburg.  He's a great officer, he's been in the life for years now.  He knows almost everyone locally and he's pretty good at making personality matches.  You'll have to be very honest with him.  Tell him you're coming to get over past traumas, that you feel the need to act out and that you're trying to prevent it.  Tell him what you feel  you can without compromising his own vows as an officer and let him help you find someone."  That got some nods and a few smiles.  "But going to a dom isn't for everyone.  I know that and so do all of you.  So, once you find your reason to stay clean, it'll get easier."

"It always gets easier when you find your reason," Speed agreed.  He petted through his son's hair.  "I do not want you guys to drag Xander down.  That's why I didn't want him here," he said, staring down at his son.

"I'm not going to ignore someone who needs help, Dad.  I'm not like that."  He stood up.  "I've never been able to ignore someone in pain.  Not back in Sunnydale, not here."

"Point."  He looked at him. "I'm still yelling tonight."

"Sure.  You have that right, Daddy."

"Good."  He smirked.  "Out.  Now."  Xander nodded and waved, heading out.  He looked at them.  "Figure out what does it for you guys.  That is the best advice any shrink, me, Horatio, my son, anyone can give you.  Once you have a reason it gets easier.  Okay?"  They nodded.  "Any other questions?"

"Are they good to him?" one asked timidly.

"Who?"

"His boys."

Speed nodded. "Very.  They're very good to him.  Though I think one will be helping me yell at him later they're very good to him.  I like them together."  That got a small smile from him. "Anything else?"  No one said anything.  "Okay, then two things.  Four of the things in that shrine of yours are illegal.  As in we can arrest you for having them in here. Second, we're going to be watching to make sure none of you slip at the moment. Okay?"  That got nods and he pointed at the four things in the center.  "Those go to Calleigh.  Today.  Or else we'll have to get a warrant since I did see them.  Have a good day and think, guys."  He walked out, going to find his son, who was talking with Horatio.  Who didn't look too pleased but he looked like he understood.  "I'm going to spank you until you scream and beg for mercy."

"Dad," he started.

"I know why you did it.  I know it was a good thing that you did do it. You still risked yourself in a way that is going to give me gray hair." Xander hugged him and he hugged him back.  "I refuse to see you in danger, son.  Ever.  Am I clear?"

"Yes, Daddy, but sometimes you have to so you can help others."

Speed pulled back to look at him.  "We could've brought you in a few days from now, when we're sure it was safer.  Plus, I can protect us just as well as you can."

"Yes, Daddy," he agreed quietly, sinking back into his body.  He sighed and shook his head, just patting and holding him.  "I'm sorry."

"I know.  You went back into action mode and it's giving me and H gray hairs."

"I understand why he did it today," Horatio admitted. "I do wish he had been armed."  He got a sheepish look from Xander.  "They could have hurt you both very badly, Xander. I want that just as little as I want your father hurt again.  Am I clear?"  Xander nodded, giving him a hug. "Thank you.   Now, go find Willow and do something less constructive for humanity."

"She's hiding at Ryan's.  Apparently we both got too noisy for her puritan's soul," Speed offered.

Xander looked up with an impish grin. "Did you get noisy too?" he teased. "Mom never said you were where I got the noisy tendencies from."

Speed spanked him and walked off shaking his head. "Make my son sane if you can, Horatio.  He's slipping back into the bad parts of his mind."

Horatio smirked at him.  "That is where you get it from.  Calleigh complained about being deaf the other morning to Alexx."  Xander giggled. "Would you like to come to my place tonight for dinner?"

"I'm eating with Grandfather but you can come out.  Then we can go make out on your couch."

Horatio considered it then nodded.  "I could go with that," he decided, smiling at him.  "Interview?"

"Crap!"  He rushed off, going to head home and change.

Horatio went to check on his boys, smiling and shaking his head. "He's heading for his interview," he told Speed.

"I forgot about that."

"So did he.  Then again he claims he'd forget presents if they weren't strategically placed.  Speaking of, weren't you supposed to pick up his mother?"

"Crap!"  He rushed off for his hummer.

"Like father like son," Ryan said, smiling just a bit.  Eric just swatted him and shook his head.  "Willow can have my couch, Horatio."

"Thank you.  Apparently she wasn't very comfortable with Xander last night."

"We heard," Eric assured him. "So, how noisy were you?"

Horatio looked at him.  "I heard about your near miss of a ticket last night, Eric."

"Never mind."

"Public intox?" Ryan teased.

"No, sex in the fountain in the park," Horatio said dryly.  "I thought you would've learned the last time, Eric.  When Ryan nearly busted you."  Ryan cackled and nodded.  Eric gave him a horrified look.  "Didn't realize it was him?"

"No," he squeaked.

"At least she was pretty, man.  It could've been much worse."  He went back to listening.  "They're debating calling Father Benis in to talk to them."

"That is not such a bad idea," Horatio admitted. "He's used to mentoring people and it would give him something to look forward to, other than spoiling Xander and Don."  He heard someone moving outside the van and looked out. "Yes?"

"Would you know how to contact Father Benis, Lieutenant Caine, sir?"

"I would.  I have his personal number in my phone.  I can tell you it'll only be at night that he can come out."  That got a nod and a small grin.  "You know?"

"We do.  A few of us would like to talk to him."

"Then I'll gladly call him and have him come down.  Probably not tonight, he has dinner with Xander tonight."  That got a smile and a nod, then he scurried back inside.  He called out to the house.  "Gordon, Horatio.  The cult to Xander...."  He had to wait through the choking. "Yes there is.  They would like to talk to Father Benis about things that could help them heal from their assorted traumas and keep straight.  I think it would be good for him and them," he admitted.  "Yes, that one, Thomas.  They did.  Xander walked in today after they had asked to speak with his father.  They've already had a small talk about that."  He smiled at the assertion his grandfather would be having another one tonight.  "Also, he invited me out before we went back to my house to walk on the beach tonight.  Would I be an imposition?"  He smiled.  "Thank you.  Of course I'll try to be there on time.  He just rushed off for his interview and Speed rushed off to pick up Aiden.  He's in a hummer.  Thank you, Thomas."  He hung up.  "I have a dinner date, gentlemen.  Let us know if you need time away from Willow, Ryan."  He nodded at that and smiled a bit.  "Then again, you could be very good for her."  He walked away, heading back to the office for the rest of the day, hopefully.

***

Speed found Aiden waiting and kissed her on the cheek.  "Sorry, talking to the cult of Xander."

"Excuse me?" she asked dryly.  "Oh, Flack's down.  His grandfather's guys just grabbed him and left, leaving me here."

"Sorry."  He got her into the hummer and back onto the road again. "Did he tell you about the guy who shot the guy who was holding us hostage?"

"Yeah," she said slowly.  "Why?"

"He was the founder of the cult to Xander.  They consider him pure and wanted to be like him."

"Oh."  She just nodded then thumped her head on the headrest.  "They okay?"

"He and I both talked to them today.  Which means he's probably going to be late to his interview today."  She shook her head at that.  "He's interviewing with a spa.  Less overhead."

"True."  She looked over at him.  "You good?"

"I'm extremely good.  Are you staying with me or Xander?"

"The son."

"Okay.  Fair warning, he and Horatio have been getting noisy recently.  Willow had to get rescued from the happy noises and then claimed I was too noisy so she's hiding at Wolfe's on his couch."

"You were never that noisy to me," she said dryly, shrugging a bit.  "It good?"

"Very."  He grinned.  "Made me a happy boy this morning.  Horatio came in humming."

"'Bout time."

"Those three worked it out while they were in Monaco getting the guy who we saved him from."

"Monaco?"  She looked at him.  "Okay, I got lost at Russia.  Where in that group of trips was Monaco?"

"The dom's convention."

"Oh, he did babble a bit about that being neat and he had his new whips shipped back or something."

"Yup, should be here soon.  Last I knew it was in Customs."  She nodded at that. He turned onto the road for Xander's house.  "He told you his grandfather bought him a new house?"

"He did.  Is it nice?"

"Very and he needs to cut the grass," Tim admitted.  "His grandsire bought him a car.  It's a showroom model so it's even got seat heaters."  She moaned at that.  "He complained but they wanted him to be safe.  He said that's all the spoiling they're allowed this year and next."

"I'd say."

He pulled over and looked at her.  "He doesn't want them to spoil him, Aiden. He's been very firm on that.  He does love them though and they knew he needed a safe haven, somewhere to call his own.  Plus, busses don't come out here so the car was practical.  Even though I wanted him to get a bike.  He said he still might get a bike, he's not sure yet. He said he likes riding behind me more than riding itself."  She grinned at that.  "He cuddles."

"Of course he does.  So, he worked out the thing with Horatio and the Greg thing?"

"Greg is theirs."  She stared.  "Seriously.  He's still in Vegas though so he's only theirs when he can get enough time off to come down and be theirs.  It's kinda cute.  Greg likes to be petted."

She whimpered.  "I knew I should've invited myself along on those trips."

"Probably," he agreed with a grin. "Cyprus was beautiful.  He's got pictures somewhere."

"Sure.  He be home tonight?"

"No, he and Horatio were making plans for dinner with his grandfather then a long cuddle and stuff at Horatio's tonight.  Horatio apparently stayed over last night at his place."  That got a small smile.  "Which was why Willow needed saved from the noise.  Oh, don't touch the TIVO or Eric will skin you if you hurt his naked hockey matches."  He went on while she laughed. "Not kidding.  There's a small European league.  They're in the championship part of the season."  She stared in horror.  "Really.  One of the semi's is tomorrow so most of the guys are coming over to watch it after the present exchange."  That got a whimper and a head shake.  "The rules state they have to bring food or else Xander will be forced to cook.  So you'll get to laugh at all the drooling idiot men."  He pulled into the gate and got out to open it, then got back in to drive through.  He dropped her off, giving her his key.  "That's mine and I want it back."

"Of course."  She looked at the house then the lawn then back at the house.  "It's pretty."

"It is," he agreed.  "He had his grandfather's help picking out the furniture but it's all his style.  Get comfy. The blue room next to his is mine whenever I'm in.  If the noise of gay sex is going to bother you I'd take the one on the end of the hall.  Because Xander enjoys being on the bottom.  He's a pouty, begging bottom boy."  She blushed at that and went inside with her bag.  He left, having to close the gate on his way out, but it was a nice day for the short trip.  He texted Xander's cell, letting him know she was there.  Then he went inside.  He found a happy Horatio.  "Good news?"

"He got the job. He left you a message on your voicemail at home."  That got a smile.  "Aiden in?"

"Her and Don Flack.  So it'll be a family dinner tonight."

"That's fine.  I don't mind in the least.  Did you warn her about Willow?"

"I did and why she's on Ryan's couch," he agreed happily.  "He didn't tell her about more than the dom's convention.  Oh, isn't his shopping due in soon?"

"Today actually.  I had it sent to my house since he wasn't sure of his address.  My neighbor accepted it earlier."  He walked off, still happy and smiling.  Even when he ran into Rick Stetler.  "Pretty day, isn't it?"

"No," he sneered.  "Are you really sleeping with Speedle's son?"

"Ask him yourself, Rick.  I'm secure enough in my manhood that I don't have to brag."  He walked off, still smiling but a bit happier for other reasons now.

Speed snickered, walking off back to his lab.

***

Xander walked into his house.  "Mom?"

"Upstairs, baby."  He jogged up the stairs and pounced her for a hug.  "Good interview?" she teased.

"Happy you're here but yes.  I have the job, I start the twenty-seventh."  He hugged her tighter, making her squeak.  "Come see the house?"

"I have been but I left the dining room alone when I saw the leather you're treating."  He nodded, leading her out back to let her look.  "It's a beautiful view, baby."  She sat down in the hammock and he curled up beside her, giving her a cuddle.  "Good boy."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Welcome.  Don's down."

"I know.  We're having dinner tonight.  Then I'll get to see him again on Christmas morning.  You two can hang out while I'm puttering and at the gift exchange tomorrow if you don't want to come.  Of course, you're more than welcome to come up Christmas morning too."

"I might do that one."  She stroked over his back.  "I need to switch jobs."

"That happens sometimes."  He looked over as someone came in through the house.  "Steal Grandad's keys?" he asked.

"Yup," Don agreed, smiling and taking a picture of them.  "You look comfy."

"She gives good cuddles."  He grinned.  "Was Grandad upset that I had to use the emergency card for three shirts?"

"No. Didn't say a thing about it.  Interview?  I noticed the suit."  He nodded.  "Then don't worry about it."

"I don't want to seem like I'm imposing or asking to be spoiled."

"It's a shirt, Xander. I doubt he minded."  He patted him on the head then Aiden, getting bitten.  He yelped and waved his hand.  "You're mean."

"I'm being good," she said with a grin.  "So, how's my city?"

"Good.  About the same as normal.  We've got some guy up there picking off bike messengers recently.  Otherwise pretty normal."  She smiled at that and he drug a chair over, enjoying the view. "I like this, Xander."

"Thank you.  The grandparents have good taste."

"They do."  He looked at him. "You let them buy you a house and you're angsting over a few shirts?"

"They bought the house after the fire and told me about it while I was recuperating.  I did complain but they said I needed somewhere safe and they were right.  Now I'm safe and it's good."  He shrugged a bit, which made the hammock move.  "I bought the shirts with the emergency card."

"I used mine for beer and wings the other night and he said it was a good decision to take Danny out since he was sulking."  He put his feet up on the edge of the hammock.  "So, what's up for this afternoon?"

"Resting," Xander said with a yawn.   "I was up kinda late last night."

"Speed said you got noisy," she teased.

He looked at her.  "Yes, I did," he agreed with a bright grin.  "I enjoyed the hell out of it even if Willow thought being noisy was wrong."  He put his head back down on her shoulder and got comfortable again.  "I should change."

"You probably should," she agreed.  He groaned and got up, ducking under the hammock and heading inside.  She looked at him.  "Your Dad didn't mind?"

"Ma didn't.  Dad threw a fit and Ma about smacked him with the frying pan again.  Solved that fight really quickly."  Xander came out in a pair of sweat shorts and a t-shirt, climbing back in over Aiden.  "Comfy?" he teased.

"If you had cuddled her when you had the chance you'd know she's a great cuddle and a very comfy pillow," Xander said smartly, smirking at him.

"Next time I'm offered I'll have to take her up on the offer of cuddles or getting noisy."  Aiden blushed at that.  "I remember we were both drunk."  She nodded at that.  "So, kiddo, pictures?"

"Office," he said with a yawn.  Don got up to find them, coming back with a stack of them.

Aiden poked him on the side. "Don't you dare have a dream on me that makes you hard, son.  I don't need to know that much about gay sex."  He nodded and snuggled in better.  "Good boy, you nap," she soothed, stroking through his hair.  By the time Don got back he was fully out.

Don sat down with the first ones.  "So, what did he tell you about her?"

"Almost nothing.  That it happened, nothing else."

"Well, he had good taste.  She was a pretty snake."  He held up a few pictures.  "She had good taste in weapons too."

"Guns aren't my thing."  Someone knocked.  "'Round back!" she bellowed.  Xander shifted and snuffled but stayed asleep.

"Awww," Calleigh said as she walked around the house.  "That's adorable."  She smiled at  her.  "I came to see if you wanted our spare room after all but I guess you can handle him getting noisy."

"Ask me in the morning, I might take you up on that," she offered back with a smile.

"I heard they'll be at Horatio's tonight."

"That's fine then."  She stroked over her son's head, then wiggled free.  "Don, let him nap on you so I can talk to the new wife and see what the man gets into down here."

"Sure."  She got free and he climbed up and Xander frowned but flipped over and rested his back against him. "Just me, kiddo.  Didn't expect you to wanna cuddle me anyway."  Xander grunted but fell back asleep.  Calleigh giggled and nodded, taking Aiden inside to tell Stupid Speed stories and cute Daddy Speed stories. Plus to hear what he got into in Sunnydale.

***

Horatio made it to dinner and found Don there, smiling at him.  "I heard you were in," he offered, shaking his hand.  "Are sure I'm not an imposition?"

"No, Patrick's feeling puny and wants his family around anyway."

"I swear to fucking God, Grandfather, just take a damn pint and eat!" Xander yelled from the kitchen. "I am not having your ass die today.  I am not ready to lose you yet so bite someone!"

"He's had a migraine so hasn't been able to feed recently," Don offered.

"I doubt him yelling is helping."

"No, I sent him in there to make him eat."

"Put that down, Xander."

"You either take a few sips off me or I'm cutting my arm and making you lick it to save my damn life."

Horatio and Don went that way, finding Xander with a knife.  "Xander.  Please?"

"He's being stubborn and he'll die from this," he pouted, giving him the pouting, just kicked his puppy for loving him look.

Horatio gave him a hug and let Don take him out.  He sat in front of him.  "Patrick, I won't go into hysterics the way Xander will, but it's clear you do need to eat.  You look like Bella Ligousi."  That got a weak snort.  "Now, you are more than welcome to some of mine. I know very well you won't take that much."

"I could."

"You won't.  I have every confidence that you won't.  Besides, I know if you ate Xander it'd be like...  Never mind.  Bad analogy.  Nibble on me.  Do you prefer necks or wrists?"  He leaned over to kiss him on the forehead then guided his head closer so he could feed on him, making Horatio sigh at the feeling of being bitten.  It wasn't too bad.  Patrick pulled back and he was a bit dizzy.  "There, now don't you feel better?"  He nodded, wiping his mouth.

Gordon knocked then came in.  "Good, someone got you to see sense."  He handed over a glass.  "Drink it all.  It's a blood bag.  Drink!"  He tapped a foot, staring at him.  He did gulp it.  "Thank you!"  He rolled his eyes.  "You nearly made Xander panic that you were leaving him already.  Don't do that to the boy or me!"  He huffed off.

Horatio smiled.  "We all have a bit of drama queen in us."

Patrick laughed.  "I know they do it because they love me.  Even when they do overreact."

"Good.  Now that you've fed, take a token amount from Xander after dinner," Horatio ordered.  "It'll make him feel better."  He stood and helped Patrick up.  "Come on, he'll be pouting at Don and it's not the season for that."

"No, it's not.  It's the season for family.  I will spend at least this Christmas with my entire family."  He looked at him. "You are my grandson's mate.  There is no imposition for family, Horatio."  He walked off with him beside him, not quite hovering but there if he needed him.  "Thank you, Grandson."

Xander hugged him.  Then he looked at him.  "If you ever quit feeding again I'm dropping a feeding tube.  You're not ready to die yet.  You still haven't found someone who can spank others for you."

Horatio smiled and Don took a picture.  "Gotta say, you do look better, Patrick."

He patted Xander until he let go. "I do feel a bit better.  I might even have more after dinner, boys."  He smiled. "Are we ready?"

"If you are."  They walked inside, Patrick getting the head of the table, Xander his left, Don his right, Horatio properly on Xander's other side.  Don smiled at the cute couple after Grace was said. "So, Xander, what's your schedule like?"

"Tomorrow's the PD present exchange.   I'm going to the Solstice celebration they're holding in the park after that. I'm here Christmas morning, then Calleigh and Dad are doing lunch so I'll be there."  He looked at Horatio.  "Are you on?"

"We're all on-call but I don't expect anyone to actually be in the office, not even Ryan."  That got a small smile. "I usually hit one of the buffets since Yelina doesn't really like to cook big, traditional meals like that.  We usually go for lunch."

"You are more than welcome to come pick Xander up and come here," Patrick offered gently.  "You are his mate, Horatio."  That got a small blush.  "The same as I know how   you soothe that which inhabits my grandson."  He looked at him, seeing the shocked look.  "It takes someone very special to appreciate my boy.  You do have it in you to do that."  He smiled at Don.  "Do you have *any* prospects?"

"I've been on a few dates but nothing great."

"You'll find someone, Don.  You have a lot of love to offer the right person."

"Sorry, Uncle Patrick, but it'll be a girl."

"I know.  Perhaps you should try for Stella?"

"I can't poach the one thing that could make Mac happy.  If she ever gets around to smackin' him on the head."

"Grief can change your life," he sighed, nodding.  Xander squeezed his hand and he smiled at him.  "Then again it can lead to good things."  His sire stomped in. "You came back?"

"Of course I came back.  I heard you hadn't eaten in days and it's the holidays!  Dumbass!"  He kissed Xander on the head.  "I like your friend Oz.  He's very neat.  He's going to be my assistant Angel taunter."  Xander giggled at that, turning to give him a hug.  "Good boy."  He looked at his childe.  "I see someone made you see sense today."

"I had another of those migraines."

"I heard."  He sat down and leaned to the left.  "Cook, may I have something too?" he called.  She hurried out with a plate, a glass, and a hug for him, then went back to the kitchen.  "Thank you, dear."  He dug in and smiled at Don.  "Yes, I'm his sire."

"Xander's said some nice stuff about you."

"Good.  Is he still complaining about me spoiling him with a car?"

"No," Xander said with a pout. "I haven't done that since the first week.  I do love my car."

"I knew you would."  He smiled at him. "No mother?"

"She's eating with Calleigh and Speed tonight," Horatio offered.

"They already warned her he wouldn't be home tonight," Don admitted.

"That's true.  We did have plans to go walk on my beach."  Xander smiled at him. "After dinner and some time with your grandparents."

Xander nodded and looked at his grandfather. "I'm sorry I used the emergency card for my new shirts for my job interview."

He waved a hand.  "I wanted you to look nice, Xander.  If you absolutely feel you must you can pay it back when those houses sell.  Because I'm sure they will."  Xander smiled and nodded, digging in.  "Did you get the job?"

"I did. I start on the twenty-seventh."  That got a smile from everyone there.  "They give us  uniforms and offer reimbursement if I want to back to learn more styles."

"Excellent," Raphael agreed.  "Where is this spa?"

"By the yacht club."

"Hmm, the small, square building where they're doing all the planting?"  Xander nodded.  "Are you going on salary or customer by customer?"

"Customer by customer but he said I wasn't responsible for advertising, that they would. It's still pretty new so I'm not anticipating great paychecks for a while but it looks like it could get off the ground."  That got some nods and a smile from Horatio.  "If not, Dad wanted me in school for language stuff."

"You're already picking up Spanish," Horatio reminded him.  "Plus you do know Latin already.  It shouldn't be that hard of a transition."

"You can get degrees in Latin?" Xander asked.  Everyone at the table nodded. "What would you do with it?"

"Translating stuff in the Church or other old things," Don admitted.  "Not a lot of call for it."  That got a nod.  "But you could take Latin as your minor since you can already read it so well."

"It also formed the base of the Romance Languages," Raphael admitted.  "Which does include Spanish."  That got a smile.  "I think some college would be good for you and we could help you through your other mandatories."

"There's not that many for language degrees," Horatio said.  "Speed's been looking at the ones offered at the local University and the smaller colleges.  He thinks the University would be the better choice.  They also offer a few of the Asian languages, Xander."

"Really?  So I could do anime without the dubbing?"

"You could," he agreed, smiling at him.  "I'm pretty sure they've got an anime society on campus."  Xander smiled at that.  "I think some schooling would do you well as well."  He stroked over his hair.  "Growing it out again?"

"Contemplating it."

"Cut it," Horatio ordered, smiling at him.  "I like the short hair."  Xander blushed but nodded and gave his hand a squeeze.  "Now, eat.  I know you didn't get much lunch today before you went to talk to your cult."   He looked at Patrick, who was giving him a horrified look.  "Some of them did want to talk to you as well, Patrick.  He told them that the best way to stay pure was to find something to make you want to stay clean for."

"I wouldn't mind," he admitted.

"Then you'd better eat more," Xander ordered.   His grandfather gave him a look.  Xander stared back.  "I'm not saying that they'd try to hurt you but a few might.  I'm not sure that they're all very accepting of gays.  A few of them didn't look all too thrilled when someone mentioned Horatio and Greg.  I will not have you hurt or else I'll have to hurt them."  He stared at him.  "And we both know I can do it."

"I do," he agreed, sipping his blood.  "I will agree to talk to them when I'm feeling a bit stronger, Grandson."  Xander smiled.  "Even though you are pushy."

Xander beamed and nodded.  "Thank you."  He dug in again while Don laughed.

"Family's supposed to look out for you," Don reminded him.

"You'd expect to watch over him and nag him if he was having migraines and not eating," Horatio agreed.  "He's doing the same to you."

"I don't need to be babied."

Xander looked at him.  "Daddy says everyone needs babied now and then.  I learned long ago comfort was a universal need.  You're still part of the universe and if I've got to be a bully to make sure you stay part of the universe for a bit longer I will."  His grandfather smiled at that.

His Grandsire burst out laughing.  "He is exactly like you, Patrick.  Exactly.   You are not going to win this argument so I would simply give in and take a few sips off the grandson as well to make him feel better."

"I will after he's eaten."  Xander got up and sat in his lap, giving him a hug and tipping his  neck off to the side.  He moaned and bit in, taking just a little bit.  He pulled back and cleaned him off, then patted him on the back. "Thank you, Xander. It's a very special gift."  Xander gave him another cuddle, making him smile and feel warm and fuzzy things again.  He patted him.  "Enough mush.  Go cuddle your man, dear."   He moved back to his seat and Patrick finished his mug of blood.  He looked at him, realizing what had happened.  "That jerky," he said.

Xander nodded. "I had some for breakfast, Grandfather.  I usually do."  He smiled.  "Should I go eat more?"

Patrick groaned and got up.  "You boys talk, let me go get some more."  He went to nibble on someone else, hoping to dilute it before it got too bad.

"Thank you, boys," Raphael said with a smile.  "I should send some of that to Angel."

Xander looked at him then gave him an evil, wicked smirk.  "I already did.  Along with a note saying it helped my grandfather stay strong even though he was living out of baggies too."  Raphael burst out laughing. "It does."

"It provokes blood lust so it does," he agreed.  "Though I'm not sure who would shag that boy for the other lusts it inspires."  He saluted him with his wineglass.  "You get the sneaky genes from me, Grandson.  Now, how did you get here today?"

"Stepmom dropped me off.  We have plans of going to walk on Horatio's beach in the morning and he can stop by my gate on the way in tomorrow since it's on his way."

"It is if I take the back way in," Horatio agreed.  "That way usually leads to less traffic."  He smiled at him.  "No gas?"

"No, preserving the gas for my first day of work."

"You've totally emptied your bank account?"

"I think I have twenty left, which was why the shirts wouldn't run.  Then again, I ordered everything a while ago and I'm not sure where it all went," he said, frowning a bit.

"We can look at that for you, Grandson," Patrick said as he came back.  He looked very healthy and full.  "That was mean, boys."

Xander grinned. "But you feel better, right?"

"I do," he admitted.  "Thank you, Grandson."  He smiled.  "There was a questionable withdrawal from your account and I'm still tracking it down."

Horatio cleared his throat.  "There may also be a small problem.  Someone sent him a very  nice ruby necklace at the station.  Today he got a diamond rolex."  Xander gaped at him. "To Speed again."  Xander just blinked and he nodded. "Same store.  Same guy in a hoodie.  We can't be sure who it was or why he's doing it."

"Well, maybe he'll come in for a massage," Xander offered, shrugging a bit.  "I'm not looking to upgrade my boyfriend to a limitless wallet, Horatio.   You're not getting rid of me that easily.  If you try I'm going to Vegas to pout to Lady Heather and let her beat your ass."

"I would never think about pushing you away," Horatio soothed, squeezing his hand.

"Well, we know the person's got too much money," Don offered.

"Yeah and he doesn't really expect to see it back either," Xander agreed. "A diamond rolex is how much?"

"That one was about fourteen thousand," Horatio told him. "After taxes."

"Hmm.  So not as bad as the guy who sent me two million...."  He looked at his grandparents.  "I had the house insured for more than that."  They all looked stunned. "I had it insured for replacement value.  There's no way the stuff we bought for the house came up to three quarters of a million dollars.  Nor could I have spent that much.  I like things but not that much!"

"I'll have Gordon go over your accounts tomorrow and find out where it went, Xander," Patrick soothed.

"I'll let him borrow Willow," he offered. "Oh, Giles isn't getting weapons from the Watchers anymore.  I don't know why," he said blandly, "but that's okay because I'm still translating stuff for Toby."

"Aiden and I went to look in the basement," Don agreed.

"We'll have to stack the magic books on their sides to have enough room soon," Xander admitted.  He smiled at them.  "I've been busy translating some of the Stephen King collection into the two most common demon languages," he said proudly.  That got some smiles from his grandsire.  "I read one of the shorter ones to them, the one with the princes and the poison.  They went into a breeding orgy.  Toby was quite impressed."

"How much are those magic books worth?" Don asked.

"Depends on who you ask," Patrick said, looking at his grandson.  "He has things in there that someone would kill for."

"Ethan's still doing the potty dance about that one book," he agreed happily.  "I'm considering giving it to Giles for the holidays."  That got some snickers from his grandsire but Patrick looked horrified. "What?  Then they'd have to talk."

"You can't let that book go to the hellmouth, Xander, it might activate the demon trapped in it."

"Pity.  Don't want to do that again.  The last time it wasn't a great thing when Willow put a demon on the internet."  Don snickered at that.  "She did and it thought she was his perfect mate so he animated some mainframes and came after her.  Miss Calendar quit nagging Giles to put his books on the computer after that."  Patrick did laugh at that one.  "But yeah, if you say I can't send that to Sunnydale I might consider putting it back in the open."

"Ethan would adore you if you would," Patrick offered.

"Ethan already adores me.  I told him where Giles keeps his journal."  That got another round of laughs from Raphael.  "Hey, gotta help the path of love since I've got some now," he said happily, smiling at Horatio.  "He's been teasing and tormenting Giles for years to get him back."

"I've heard," he admitted, smiling at him. He kissed him.  "Be a good boy, Xander.  No more tormenting tonight."

"Okay."  He dug in and finished his dinner.  "Granddad, need more?"

"No, Xander, I'm fine now."  He smiled at him, shaking his head.  "The next time I can't bring myself to feed I know what to do."

"You're getting some for Christmas too," Xander assured him happily.  He looked at Horatio.  "The stuff from Geneva?"

"Should be in about when you start work," he admitted.  "They've finally cut through all the red tape to hand those over to you two.  I know that'll make Greg happy since he said the apprentice's apartment looked like a disco brothel with guns."  That got some snickers.  "Or so he said."

"No, it did. He sent pictures," Xander offered.  "She had a disco ball for lights."  Don snickered at that, dropping his fork so he could laugh.  "Guess that's why she was wearing silver lame in the wedding video."  He ate another bite.  "Warrick invited me back to Vegas, he said they've been bored."

"No," Horatio said firmly.  "Not without bringing someone to watch over you two."

"Send Eric?" Raphael teased.  "That way his mother would quit nagging about him getting married?"

"I told Eric he had to quit using Xander as a cover," Horatio assured him. "But if you two still want him...."

"The things I could've done for that boy if I was younger," Patrick sighed, shaking his head.

"Don't you mean to him?" Xander teased.

"That too," Raphael agreed. "But we definitely would have dressed the poor thing."

"Ooh, you missed it.  His father had to borrow clothes, Sire.  Came out wearing some of Xander's jeans, which were a bit tight, and his black silk shirt."  He got up to get the picture, letting him see it.  It had Speed on his bike at the station, stopped but not quite getting off. Raphael smiled at that picture.  "I sent that one to Angel so he'd have a picture of the family members."

Raphael smiled at him.  "That's so sweet of you. I got one of Xander swimming that I gave him."

"If Angel comes out here to try to take me I get to stake him, right?  Buffy or no Buffy?"  They all nodded at that.  "Good.  Just don't let Oz get fixated."

"He went 'huh, naked Xander is hot' and put it back," Raphael assured him.  "You will adore Oz, Patrick."  That got a smile.  "I'll bring him back after the holidays since he said he wanted to spend them with a few friends.  Plus Cordelia."

"Ah, the beauteous Miss Chase.  How is she?" he asked, sipping another glass of blood when it was brought in to him.

"Turned.  She nearly died and asked Angel.  Wesley snapped him out of it in time so he did turn her."

"Oh, good."  He took another drink. Then he put it aside.  "Thank you, boys," he called.

"Welcome," Gordon called.

Horatio smiled.  "They do adore you, Patrick.  Just like your grandson does."

"Yes, and they're just as pushy but more subtle."

"They had lives that led to subtle.  I didn't," Xander said with a shrug.  "I learned to be blunt and then Mommy made sure I knew what blunt really was."

"Yeah, Aiden could be a bit blunt," Don teased.

Xander looked at him.  "I nearly couldn't have sex after Mom got onto my case about being noisy one night.  She was saying people down the block heard and things.  Dad had to spank her.  Still took me days."

Horatio smoothed back some of his boy's hair.  "It'll be fine, Xander.  I like it when you get noisy for me."  Xander blushed but smiled.  "Finish up."  Xander went back to eating and he finished up as well.  He looked at Patrick, who smiled and made a 'shoo' motion. "We'll see you on Christmas morning, gentlemen."

Xander hugged them all.  "Behave and don't do things I wouldn't."

"I'm wondering if he thinks we're that kinky," Raphael said.

Don looked at him. "He's still learning," he pointed out.

"True.  Shows good future promise."  Patrick finished his glass of blood.  "Don, excuse us, but I think the jerky has had the usual side effects."

"Did it to me too.  This time don't call Danny's name, please."  That got a smile and a wink, and he drug his childe up the stairs to take care of him.  He had to let him now.  He could kiss Horatio for that small plan of his.

***

Horatio walked Xander back inside the house after their long walk on his beach, suddenly nervous.  He hadn't really done a lot with his house over the years.  Xander smiled though and it was good.  He knew his decorating style was more modern than Xander's tastes, but that seemed to be okay. Though he didn't like his uncomfortable reading chair he definitely was lounging on his couch now.  Horatio strolled over, taking a kiss.  "Want something to drink?"

"Yes, but you're still clothed."

Horatio snickered.  "That's a horrible pickup line, Xander."

"So? It's still true. Having hin nibble made me want you."  He pulled him down for another kiss, letting Horatio stretch out across him.  "There, better."

"I felt a bit vulnerable too," he promised, taking a kiss.

"He bit me on that same spot you like to nip," he teased.  Horatio moaned before kissing the new mark, then his lips again.  "Please?"

"Of course."  He smiled down at him.  "Want to try a few new things tonight?"

Xander looked at him.  "Like what?"

"I was thinking about cleaning you out so I could have you bareback."

"Isn't that unsafe?"

"I know you're tested regularly.  I'm clean and I know I'm clean.  Cleaning you out takes care of the threat of a UTI.  That should take care of things."

Xander looked at him, playing with his shirt.  "Those tests can miss things for months, Horatio, and I don't want anything I might have accidentally gotten exposed to at work to hurt you."

"Hmm.  Did you get exposed?"  He shrugged.  "You don't know?"

"No, I don't.  There was some blood and come floating around the bar in New York, plus Lady Heather's place.  I don't know if I got any of it on me and it might've soaked in.  I know tests were mandatory but they can miss stuff for sometimes a year."  Horatio growled at that.  "That's why I get tested every few months."

Horatio looked down at him.  "Have you ever gotten anything like that?"

"Um, once, from Anya.  It cleared up after a week of pills.  Something bacterial.  She was kinda a ho."

"Hmm.  Nothing since then?"  Xander shook his head.  "You get tested how often?"

"Every two months."

Horatio looked at him.  "You are a worrywart."

"I don't want to end up hurting you or ruining this because I managed to get exposed to nasty things on the job."

"I can agree with that, Xander, but you're worrying for nothing."  He took another kiss. "I want you to be mine tonight.  Fully mine.  You don't have anything and I can show you my last fifteen tests if you want."  Xander shook his head.  "You sure?"  He nodded.  "Then we're good?"

"I still don't want to take that small chance," he said quietly.

Horatio stared down at him.  "We'll go get new tests tomorrow," he decided.  "Both of us. If it is clear...."

"You can come over on Christmas and it'll be part of your present," he teased with a small grin.

"I would like that present," he agreed, kissing him.  "Would you still let me clean you out tonight?"

"Will it hurt?"

"No.  Does it hurt when you did it to others?"

"They all said I got the water too warm."

"I won't do that."  He got up and pulled Xander into the bedroom, then into the bathroom from there.  He got everything ready and sat down, putting Xander across his lap once he was naked.  He gently inserted the plug and stroked Xander's back while he let the water into him.  "Just relax.  It'll feel good in a few minutes. Just relax for me."  He continued to stroke his back while Xander shifted and wiggled through the enema.  He got him up to release it and let Xander play with him while he did that.  He realized that he couldn't concentrate on letting it out while he was sucking him and pulled back.  Xander pouted.  "Let it out, Xander.  It'll still be here after another round."  Xander pouted but blushed and he smiled.  "It's a natural function and I want to watch you, Xander."

"I feel like I'm potty training."

He leaned down to whisper in his ear.  "I'm training you to like it and later my tongue," he whispered.  Xander shivered and more came out.  "Good boy.  Keep going and we'll do another round, Xander."  He finally helped clean him up and then let Xander back over his lap, shivering at the soft skin of Xander's chest hitting his thighs, feeling the hair scratching him.  He reran the bag and made sure it was the right temperature then inserted the hose and plug again. Xander slid off his lap and went on all fours, making him turn around so he could have his cock again.  Horatio let him do whatever he wanted.  Xander was happy and it meant he'd get to have some fun with him.  He tipped Xander's face up when the bag was done.  "I don't usually get more than one a night."

"You will," Xander promised.  He winked and went back to it while the water sat.

Horatio moaned and let him.  Maybe he'd feel very young tonight and get two tonight.  If not, he was definitely going to make sure Xander passed out from other sorts of pleasures.  His worrywart nature be damned!  Xander let out a small whimper so he helped him up and removed the plug, letting him release the water.  "Let me go unmake the bed.  I'll be right back.  Wait for me."  Xander nodded quickly so he went to untuck the bed and make it more sex friendly.  After all, he had plain cotton white sheets on the bed.  Not that sexy.

"Horatio, I don't care if they're disney sheets," Xander called, making Horatio laugh.  "Come help me."

"Coming, Xander."

"Soon."

"That's promising," he agreed, coming in to help him get rid of the rest of the water and clean up.  He got them into the shower and slowly washed each other.  The suds felt great against his tenderized skin.  All he needed was a bit of incentive and Xander was going to be lapping up what he was putting out.  "Can I?" he whispered, kissing him.  "Please?"

Xander looked at him.  "Can you what?"

"Get my Christmas present early."  He turned Xander around to wash his back.  "Relax for me, Xander."  Xander leaned against the wall but he had to move him so he wasn't in direct line of the spray.  "Don't want to drown," he whispered in his ear, then he went to his knees, kissing gently.  Xander pulled away.  "Relax.  It's clean, remember."  Xander was still tense but he didn't pull away from him.  It only took a few minutes for his sex kitten to relax under his tongue and kneading hands.  Xander was pushing back a few minutes later, and it was great.  He was keening and begging, his hips thrusting on his tongue, making him one happy guy.  He finally got done and kissed the back of his neck.  He found the oil he had put in there a few weeks back, using it to slick himself up and slide inside the slightly stretched hole.  Xander moaned and clutched at the tiles, trying for a handhold, anything to help him hold on.  "You're so tight and you taste good," Horatio moaned in his ear, working himself harder and faster.  Xander whimpered, thrusting back at him.  "Let it go, Xander.  I want to see you let it go and come for me."  Xander came and he had to follow, panting against his back, stroking his boy's stomach while they both calmed down.  He had to turn off the water because they were shivering.  Then he went back to cuddling his boy.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Brush your teeth?"

Horatio laughed.  "I can accept that request.  You liked it?"

"I did. It felt incredible, like you were ...."  He shook his head. "I can't explain it."

"It's a very intimate act and I do like to play that way."  He kissed him on the back of the neck again.  "Every part of you is mine, Xander.  Everything of yours I want to see you give me."  Xander leaned back against him. "This is between us.  Greg gets the other stuff but I'm only going to do this with you," he assured him.  One of Xander's arms went around his neck.  "Bed?"

"Can't walk yet."

"Why not?"

"Don't want to let you out of me."

"Hmm.  If I can get it back up I'll be back in there soon."  Xander shifted and he fell out, earning a small pout.  "I am older, Xander."

"It'll come back.  I have faith it will."  He turned to cuddle him.  "Bed?"

"Bed is good."  He got them out and dried off, stopping to brush his teeth as asked.  Xander smiled and kissed him once he came out, going to stroke and tease him some more.  And damned if his body forgot the meaning of the words 'recovery time' because he was going to react soon. He could feel himself coming up again.  He watched as Xander went onto his knees beside him.  It was a picture to make him growl and the possession he carried growl in pleasure. He moved over to drape himself across Xander's back.  "Are you sure?" he whispered.

"You said I'm yours.  If you don't prove it my hyena will make me claim you this way, Horatio."  Horatio growled and nipped him on the back of the neck.  He slid back into him, trying for slow and deep but he got lost when Xander wiggled and pushed back against him.  It was a short battle for dominance but he won and Xander's panting got harder and more rough with each stroke.  He started to pound into him, biting him on the neck again.  Xander yelped and tipped his head back, making him purr. It was good.  It was great!  Xander was his!  He came and felt Xander whimper so he finished him off with a quick stroke or two.  Xander collapsed under him, and he followed to hold him. "I'm yours," Xander whispered.  "All yours."

"All mine," Horatio agreed, stroking his stomach.  He flipped them onto their sides, spooning with him.  Even after he slid out of his body he continued to cuddle him.  He looked at the bite marks. "Can you wear a turtleneck tomorrow?"

Xander gently slid around until he was facing him.  "No.  Don't own any."  He took a kiss. He wiggled some and looked at him. "I thought we agreed on condoms until we did another test."

"You're a worrywart," he reminded him.  "I know nothing's going to hurt me."  He took a kiss and pulled him closer to cuddle and hold.  "You're mine."

"What possessed you?" he asked quietly.

"A tiger."

Xander purred.  "Pretty kitty."  Horatio pinched him, making him yelp.  "They are.  Hyenas aren't pretty.  They're kinda straggly and ugly."

"They are not.  They're very dynamic and great hunters.  They're also very strong pack animals."

"I know that now.  I was the pack leader."  Horatio looked at him.  "Yes, I know that means I got possessed by a female spirit."

Horatio smiled.  "That doesn't bother me.  But you're still my girlfriend."  Xander spanked him and he grinned.  "Now, now.  None of that in bed unless I get to do the same and you said no spanking."

"Can't take that, sorry," he admitted quietly.

"We all carry traumas, Xander.  Yours are just a bit deeper than some other's.  It doesn't matter to me and you only have to set a boundary."  He kissed him.  "Now, you are going to need to nap.  That way you can be awake for the celebration tomorrow."

"Can I have you in the morning?"

"If you wanted to.  As long as I'm still able to work tomorrow."  Xander looked at him.  "I do bottom on occasion.  You're more than welcome to flip me over now and then.  As long as I can still work without a lot of pain."

"I won't be that mean to you," Xander promised with a small smile.  "After all, I can still sit."

"I'll fix that later," Horatio promised.  He got a wicked smirk back.  "I will."  Xander grabbed one of the baby wipes off the bedside table to clean him off then went down to pleasure him again. "Xander, I haven't gotten hard three times in one night since I was your age," he groaned.  Xander just sucked harder and he felt the miracle of miracles happen.  He pushed up.  "I should make you unable to stand," he warned.  Xander nipped him on the thigh and he flipped him back over, diving back into his body with his tongue.  He wanted his boy to be insane when he took him.  Xander was wiggling and making begging noises.  Of course he heard someone knock and growled.  "Go the hell away!" he called.  "Before I find my gun and badge!"  The knocking stopped and he heard a car back out and go away.  He slid himself into his boy's body, making him whimper.  "You wanted to be unable to sit?" he teased, pushing in harder.  He was going to give Xander the ride of his life for teasing him that way.  Even if he did die of it.  Because him having three in one night was unheard of.   Xander wiggled and called and squealed and then screamed and went limp.  Horatio let himself come and cuddled up to him again, pulling the sheet over them and wiggling them back so Xander didn't have to sleep in the wet spot all night. It was nice of him, Xander would appreciate that in the morning.

***

Ryan walked in and found Willow napping on her side on his couch.  He found a single bowl, spoon, and cup out but otherwise things were clean and it looked like she had fallen asleep mid-dinner.  He cleared up the small mess and went to read in his bedroom for a while.  He heard her wake up. "I put your leftovers in the fridge," he called.

"Sorry."

"That's okay.  I wasn't going to make you starve."  She peeked in.  "We're doing the gift exchange tomorrow.  Did you want to come?"

"I wouldn't mind."  She came in and sat on the foot of his bed, looking around.  "This is much less Old World than Xander's house."

"It is.  Xander has very artistic tastes and I went for cleaner lines."  He smiled.  "Did you call Speed?"

"I did.  He claims I'm a Puritan."

"He said that earlier," he agreed. "Right before going to talk to the cult that's been built around Xander."  She gaped.  He nodded.  "They're worshiping him because he's not a serial killer and they could be."

"Oh."  She just nodded.  "Women?"

"No, men.  I haven't seen any women during the stakeouts yet."

"Is the whole world gay and I'm just missing it?"

He shook his head. "No.  Then again...."

She pouted.  "Tara won't transfer out here. She wants to go to New York."

"We have a few friends in the lab up here.  Including Xander's cousin, somehow, who's a detective."  She gaped.  "Don Flack.  Patrick married his father's sister as his second wife and Xander comes from his third marriage."

"Wow.  So maybe I can get him to watch over Tara?"

"You can ask. They watched over Xander a little bit for Aiden.  Bring her down for the holidays and introduce them."

"I could do that."  She blinked at him.  "She still broke up with me."

"That happens to the best of us, Willow."

"Which I'm not always."

He looked at her.  "Every human being makes mistakes.  Sometimes worse than others."

"I used to ignore Xander because I could do magic."

He gave her an understanding look.  "Sometimes growing up means you have to move outside of your former comfort zone."

She sighed and nodded.  "I nearly cheated on Oz with Xander because of that.  We had smoochies.  He was not happy with me."

"It happens," he reminded her.  "Everyone makes stupid mistakes in their youth."

"Even you?"

"Even me.  Even Horatio."

"Oh."  She looked at him.  "Did you turn your best friend into a dog and the other into a lizard?"

"No," he admitted, smiling a bit.  "I was never into the magic stuff.  I did date my best friend's girlfriend and lost his friendship.  I cheated at a few card games and a few role playing games to get back at him because she came to me not the other way around.  I dated a reporter and now I can't seem to learn to shut up in front of her."  She smiled a bit at that.  "It's not too bad but it caused a lot of panic.  Which was pretty bad."  She nodded, giving him a hug.  "It'll work out, Willow.  Life has a way of working out to the benefit of someone."

"Yeah, but Sunnydale people aren't often the someone."  She pulled back with a small blush.  "I don't mean to whine to you when you're just back from work.  Can I make you dinner for letting me crash?"

"I'm good on dinner.  I grabbed a burger on the way home because it was so late tonight.  We're trying to get clear for the holidays.  We're all on-call Christmas day but we don't have to appear unless there's a scene."  She looked at him.  "Arguments over turkeys and hams often lead to bodies in the parks and water.  What about your old holiday plans?"

"My parents are in Germany I think.  Either that or they're in Baltimore."  She shrugged.  "We had Buffy fixing Thanksgiving and it wasn't too bad but Giles hovered a lot.  We had a small problem with former Native Americans and I think my problem with the holiday may have brought them, but we managed it and they're at peace and Anya quit having ghostly VD."  He looked stunned. "Things are like that in Sunnydale."

"Stay," he ordered.

She blinked at him.  "Someone's got to watch over Xander.  Timmy's letting him run wild.  Stripping?"

"I saw the tapes of it.  He's not bad."  He smiled at her.  "Stay anyway.  I think you'll like Miami.  We're pretty laid back down here."  She shrugged and nodded. "Plus there's some great colleges.  You might even be able to get in for this upcoming semester."

"I can live on my trust fund.  Grandma left me a small one.  I've been living off that and my parent's contribution for a while now."

"When was the last time you saw them?"

"Um, graduation.  Why?"

"Before then?"

"I don't know.  I think prom.  They considered it a right of passage so they had to be there so I wouldn't be screwed up for life."

"Before then?"

"Summer holidays I think.  They were traveling to promote the newest book and doing the college lecture circuit."

"Ah."  He nodded.  "Can we have some of Xander's psychos go hurt them for you?"

She giggled and swatted at him.  "They just ignored me, Ryan.  Nothing at all like Xander's parents.  Though I did learn a lot going on his rescues.  I'm wondering if it's that ambiguity from his grandfather that draws the psychos."

"No, they said it's because he's like a pure version of what they are," he said quietly.  "Even if he has fought and hunted and other things."  She stared at him.  "Somehow sixteen Mala Noche members got eaten by something that ate souls."

"Oh."  She nodded slowly. "At least it was a nice death.  Much better than being eaten by vampires."  She shrugged. "I'm sure he didn't plan it.  He's not that good."

He patted her on the head. "He planned the one that got you sent down here."

"He did," she realized.  She slumped.  "I'm doing it again, aren't I?"

"It seems that a lot of people underestimate Xander," he said quietly.  "I know every now and then he even manages to surprise his father, like today when he walked in to talk to his cult against orders."

"Xander hates to see people in pain."  She looked at him.  "I suck as a friend."

"You can make that up to him."

"I can," she agreed, straightening up.  "Thanks, Ryan.  I didn't want to unload on you but you have this 'confess to me' air that makes it really easy to talk to you.  I bet it's a great help on the job."  She gave him a hug and went back to her couch.  "Are you sure I can't make you something to eat?  I'm a really good cook and I make excellent cookies."

He smiled.  "Cookies are nice.  Go ahead and make some for the gift exchange tomorrow if I've got the stuff."

She looked then sighed.  "Not exactly but I do at home."  She found a candle and went into the bathroom to pull stuff from her home.  And Giles' house because he had her cookbook and spellbook.  She had combined them. She looked.  "I thought I had chocolate chips."  She concentrated again and a new bag plopped down next to her.  "I hope that came from home," she sighed, looking at them.  Then she shrugged.  Not like she could put them back.  She went out to make cookies, making him look out at her.  "What?"

"I know I didn't have walnuts."

She smiled.  "I did at home."  She went back to finding her recipes.  "Hmm.  Did he unsort my book?"  She found her phone and called him.  "Do you have my recipe and spell book?  I got my plain spell book when I summoned it."  She listened to him chastize her. "I'm making cookies for the gift exchange at the station where Timmy works, Giles.  No, but Xander's down here.  No, I'm on Ryan's couch. He works with Timmy.  Because Xander was getting really noisy with his boyfriend last night and Timmy got just as noisy with his girlfriend today."  She could hear the blush, she swore she could.  "So can I have the other books and my vanilla extract?  I forgot that."

"Second cabinet next to the stove," he called.

"Thanks, Ryan.  Never mind, just my recipe and spell book please."  She smiled.  "I don't know.  Ryan thinks I could get on down here, Giles.  Because Timmy let Xander strip a few times.  He's got a cult of psychos to him who think he's pure.  Plus, he's dating a redheaded guy named Horatio and somehow there's a guy named Greg in there."  He hung up and her book appeared a few minutes later.  "Thank you," she called, flipping through it to find her favorite cookie recipes.  He came out to look, looking at the one on the other page then at her.  "It comes in handy and potions is like cooking," she said as she washed her hands and got to work.

"I'm sure it is," he agreed.  Even though the recipe was deadly if ingested.  "You're not supposed to drink that one, right?"

"No.  That you throw on certain types of demons and they bubble up and scream like the wicked witch as they melt.  Makes a gooey mess like grilled cheese," she said happily.  "Buffy keeps getting it on her shoes.  Makes her an unhappy woman but she gets to shoe shop and drag me along so it's better then."  She checked her recipe and added in the vanilla extract she found.

He sat down to watch her.  She wasn't making a great mess.  It was nice.  Plus the cookies were good when she handed him one. He was having strange, warm and fuzzy thoughts about the very strange young woman in his kitchen.  She didn't even complain when he came in to do the dishes and she made a second type of cookies around him, stopping to give him a hug during it.  He had to control these thoughts.  He wasn't like Eric, he would not molest a guest while she slept on his couch.  Even if she did make excellent cookies and then went to bed in a long t-shirt and a pair of men's boxer shorts after everything was cleaned up and wrapped for the next day.  He went to his own bed, stripping down to much the same outfit.  He heard her sniffle a few hours later and got up to check on her.  She was crying in her sleep.  He came out to stroke over her hair and she calmed down, but grabbed his hand.  "Willow, you're having a nightmare," he said quietly.  She didn't wake up.  So he patted her with his free hand.  She pounced.  He found himself pinned to the floor by a small redhead.  He went for the harder torture, tickling her.  That made her wake up.  "Hi.   You were having nightmares and I came out to wake you."

"Oops, I'm sorry."  She got off him and helped him up.  "I didn't mean to pounce."

"It's all right.  Are you okay?  Want to talk?"

"You have to work tomorrow."

"I know I do.  I can spare an hour.  I'll sleep in instead of going for a run."  She stared at him.  "What?  Don't think I jog?"

"Are you one of the stupid joggers who runs in the snow with shorts on?"

"No snow in Miami, Willow.  There hasn't been any since a freak storm in the fifties."  She blushed at that.  "But no, I wouldn't be."  She gave him a small smile.  "Want to talk?"

"No, I'll be okay."  She kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Ryan.  I'm sorry I pounced you."

"Not every day I have someone as small and delicate as you knock me down."

"Which is a shame."

"Well, yeah, but Eric takes all the women in town.  They'd never settle for me after him."

She pinched him hard on the arm. "That is not the way to think, Mister.  Not every woman likes him.  I'd never go for a man like him.  I like my boys nerdy."  She tapped a foot.  "You get that thought right out of your head, Ryan.  All he is is a slut.   You're a better man and plenty of women realize that."

He gave her a gentle smile. "Thanks."

"Welcome.  Now, you should be in bed.  All I have to do is talk to the college tomorrow.  You have to chase down people who do bad things."  She pulled him back into his bedroom and tucked him in.  Then she kissed him on the forehead.  "Have good dreams, Ryan.  Win the lottery or something since dreams can come true."  She went back to the couch.

He listened to her settle in.  "That is some woman," he said quietly, turning onto his other side.  She had tucked him in just right.  Not too tight or too loose.  He could get used to having her on the couch since she didn't make a big mess.

***

Speed looked at Xander when he came in with the presents he had stored in the office.  He watched him walk, then he smirked.  "Hmm.  Was it good?" he teased.

"Very," he said, blushing some.  "Hi, Daddy."  He gave him a one-armed hug.

Speed gave him a squeeze and noticed the bruising. "He was a bit rough."

"He claimed me," he said quietly, glancing around to make sure they were alone.  "It was good," he said with a slightly manic grin.

"Then I won't do more than tease you because you probably can't sit."

"Not really comfortably."  He put his presents under the tree.  "Yours and Calleigh's are still at home along with Mom's.  Horatio has his."  He looked. "I forgot Yelina's.  I knew I was going to forget one."  Speed nudged it closer with a foot.  "Oh, good."  He sighed and put it under there. "Did I forget someone?"

"You're stressing, Xander.  They'll love them.  Did you remember something for Ray Junior?" he asked.  Xander nodded.  "Then you didn't forget anyone."  He patted him on the non-bruised side.  "Sit, or try to sit.  Should I get you a pillow?"

"Not funny, Daddy.  I'm sure the stepmom has days she can't sit too."

"Yes and then Eric gets to pick on her."  He gave Eric a smug look when he came in.  Ryan walked in with Willow and the cookies.  "Hey, the cookie fairy arrived."

"Yes it did and they're very good, even if her cookbook is a bit scary," Ryan agreed, helping her lay them out.

"Combined it with your spell book?" Xander asked her.  She nodded, grinning and handing him a cookie.  "Thanks, Wills."

"Welcome.  I'm officially transferred down here.  UC Hellmouth sent down my transcripts so they got me admitted and everything.  They expected a lot of us to flee the UC system after the campus fell in.  They said with my grades I'm good to go and my trust pays for my classes so I don't have to worry about financial aid.  So I'm starting here in January."  That got a few claps from Speed.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Where are your parents?"

"Either Germany or Baltimore.  Not a clue.  I'd have to check their site to see where they're lecturing this week."

"What do your parents do?" Eric asked.

"They're shrinks," Xander told him.

"They wrote a book on dealing with gifted children when I was younger," Willow filled in.  "They're lecturing shrinks now, going around to talk about educational things and how to manage a spirited, gifted child."

"Yet they let you run all over town at all hours and then they basically left you an orphan at fifteen," Speed said dryly.

She shrugged. "Their premise that we geniuses mature faster was one of the big points in their last book.  I pointed out the fallacies of their argument but they said I wasn't that trained in their field yet.  When I was I could write my own to counter them."

"Switch to science or pre-med," Speed ordered patiently.  Aiden was led in with Don.  "Hey."

"Hey.  We saw Xander's presents at home."  She looked at him.  "I wasn't going to wait, baby."

"I understand.  That's fine.  Did he find his at Granddad's?"

"I can wait," Don promised with a grin.  "I did copy down the newest hockey matches and sent DVD's to Danny, Greg, and have Eric's copy."  He handed it over.  "There, now you can copy it since the TIVO was full."  Eric grinned at him and gave him a manly, back slapping hug.

They all watched as Aiden came over to hug her boy.  Then when she noticed the bruises.  "Was he hungry?" she teased.

"It was good, Mommy."

"I'm sure it was.  Need a pillow, baby?" she teased.

"Mom!  Don't pick on him in front of his team," he complained.  "Please?"

"I won't.  Sure you don't need a pillow?"

"No."  He gave her another hug.

"You might want earplugs," Willow offered.  "I didn't even hear anything that noisy in the dorms."

She laughed and came over to hug her.  "It's all right, Willow.  Some day soon you'll find someone who makes you make high pitched, squealy noises of delight too."

"Why would they make me make Buffy shoe shopping noises?" she asked.  Speed and Xander both cackled at that.  "She does."

"She does," Xander agreed.   "It depends on the emotion. I was never this loud with Anya, Willow."

She blushed. "Didn't need those details, thank you. Really.  Don't need to know how two guys have the sex.  Figuring out how two girls have the sex was a lot of fun but don't need to know about gay guys.  What's on the DVD, Eric?"

"Oh, Xander found a naked hockey league in Europe."

"Gay?" she asked timidly.

"No, naked women," Ryan promised, smiling at her.  "Cooper, he got the new matches!" he called.

"He may not copy them in the lab," Calleigh called back.  She walked in with her presents. "Hey, the cookie fairy arrived.  Thank you whoever stopped to pick up cookies."

Willow pouted.  "I baked cookies.  I make very good cookies."

"Good.  I like cookies too," she agreed, smiling at her.

"Are you related to my ex Tara?"

"Not that I know of.  Is she from New Orleans?"

"A bit up the state but you look a lot like her.  You're blonde, cute, tiny, and sweet."  She pouted.  "She's moving to New York."

"I'll make sure she's all right, Willow," Don promised.  "Send her to me and I'll introduce her to some nice folks."

"She's really shy," Willow warned.

"That's okay.  Stella could use a new cub to growl over and Sheldon will help her be a good girl and do the good girl things.  He's like that.  He's a former doctor."  She smiled at that. "Now he's a CSI."

"Why?" she asked.

"We're not really sure," he admitted. "But he likes it."   He shrugged.  "Got pictures?"  She nodded and pulled one out.  "Wow, she does kinda look like Calleigh."

She looked and frowned.  "I know the guy next to her. He's my cousin and we're all shunning his stupid hind end for being an asshole."

"Yup," Willow agreed.  "They told her she was a demon and had to come home to take care of them to hide it.  We kicked his butt good."

"Good!  Wait until I tell my Momma!  Her Daddy's gonna get his hind end killed this time. My mother believes in shotguns for abusive parents and spouses."  Horatio gave her a look when he walked in. "I just found out her recent ex Tara is one of my cousins."

"Interesting how the world works that way."

"Mac says everything's connected," Don offered, shaking his hand.  "I'm butting in since Grandfather's doing something strange with his medical person Ethan and Aiden wanted her present now."

Willow looked at Xander.  "Ethan as in the Ethan plague?"

"He's making sure Grandfather survives for a bit longer and I'll like him for that much alone," Xander said firmly.  "Do not hurt the Ethan until my grandfather dies, Willow."

"Okay," she said slowly, shifting away some.  "What's wrong with him?"

"Some sort of tumor that carried over and still grows a bit each year somehow," Don told her.  "Ethan's helping drain it."

"Oh.  Then I won't bother Ethan as long as he doesn't do mean things around me or to me," she decided, smiling again.  "After all, I got to see his last two stunts."

Speed snickered.  "You didn't like Buffy as the seventeenth century spoiled rich girl?"

"Well, no, not really, but I guess she liked shoes even more since then."  Xander nodded at that.  "I'm sorry we dragged you to the mall and made you help us shop, Xander.  I promise I won't do it down here and make you go bra shopping again.  Or ask for opinions  on clothes or bathing suits or anything."  He looked up and said a quiet 'thank you' which made her laugh.  "Behave, Mister.  I still have to decorate my new dorm room.  I can drag you to do that since it won't be clothes."

He looked at her. "Go live in that really nice motel by the college, Willow.  They're used to students and you'll get cable.  I heard the local campus doesn't."

"Really?"

"Have to pay extra for it," Eric told her.

"Oh."  She nodded. "Then maybe I will.  How expensive is it?"

"About the same as your dorm room," Ryan said, smiling at her.  "I lived there a semester.  It's not too bad.  Especially if you go to the converted one on the other side of campus. They've even got a spa in there."

"Maybe you should work there, baby," Aiden offered.

"College students never tip," Xander said, looking at her. "Sorry.  Rich women tip even if they do hit on you."

She snorted.  "You can fix that easily enough, baby.  I promise you can.  A few more hickeys...."  Speed smacked her on the head.  "Ow!"

"Quit picking on our boy.  I'm happy he's finally found someone *nice* and *decent* to see.  Or would you rather have him date and then marry another assassin?  Maybe have baby assassins with her?"

"Yeah, then I like this new guy too.  I think he's a cutie and he's very upstanding and honorable.  I like that about him.  Doesn't mean I can't pick on him for being noisy and having hickeys."

"Hickeys?" Eric asked.  "Really?  I thought that was more my style than yours, H."  He smirked at him.  "I should tell Frank."

"Eric, remember, I like high powered weapons and picking on my boy means that all your women will get to baby you when I shoot you in the ankle," Xander reminded him, staring him down.  "I'm sure three-quarters of Miami's women will come rushing to baby you."  He backed down at that. "Pick on Horatio about other things."

"Yeah, we can pick on him about the hickey on his throat," Calleigh teased.

"He sucks in his sleep," Aiden and Speed said in unison.  Everyone laughed.

"He does," Willow agreed.  "Every now and then he does. Sleeping in the same room as Xander is an invitation to be cuddled and sucked on.  He sleepwalks when he's having nightmares and goes to find someone to cuddle.  Then he sucks like a vampire.  Spike thought it was cute the time he pinned Buffy to the couch to do it to her."

"Spike would," Xander said dryly.  "Let's not talk about that, she-who-meows-and-goes- into-heat-some-nights, okay?"

"Oops.  Sorry, I'll quit picking on you, Xander."  She smiled at him. "Buffy said I didn't do that all semester."

"That's good.  How much of the semester did she actually spend in her room?"  She blushed harder.  "Thought so. I should ask Tara."

"No, please don't," she begged.  "She claims I set off Miss Kitty Fantastico's first heat."

"You have a cat?" Ryan asked.

"No, we had a cat but Tara's claiming custody of the kitty," she said with a small frown.  "I had fish."

He gave her a gentle hug.  "It'll be fine.  We can get you new fish or a new cat if the place allows it."  He patted her on the head and they turned back to the group.  "She's starting down here this semester."

Most everyone clapped at that.  Speed looked at her.  "Majoring in?"

"Computers at the moment."

"Good," he agreed.  He smiled at Aiden. "See, you were a good influence."

She huffed. "I wanted her to be a future CSI."

"I couldn't take the uniform. I look bad in uniforms," Willow assured her.  "Plus, you know, the whole *rules* thing now and then still gets to me."

Aiden sighed but nodded. "I can accept that.  Are we having other food?  If not, I'm calling for pizzas."

"You can pay for part of them since I already did," Horatio promised.  "We're only waiting on Yelina and my nephew, then Frank."  That got some smiles.  "Frank's in court."

Xander looked at Speed.  "Do you think I got the right thing for Frank?"

Speed giggled.  "Yup.  I do."  He reached over to stroke through his hair.  "Thank you for trimming it."

"I got asked to," he admitted with a small blush.  That got some smiles from the group.  "So, Eric, you have how many dates for New Years?"

"Just one.  Someone new."

"Going with the theory that whatever you're doing at midnight you'll be doing all year?" Ryan teased.  "You'll have to start dating retirees soon."  Eric glared at him but he grinned.

"Leave some for the rest of the guys," Willow agreed.  "After all, Ryan's very sweet and should have a good woman."

He looked at her.  "Then you date him.   You're too young for me."

"I'd never date a promiscuous guy like you anyway, Eric.  I might like the taste of the other girls on your lips."  The others laughed at that and she smiled sweetly. "But Ryan does need a sweet, nice girl."

"I don't do sweet and nice girls.  He can have all he wants," he assured her, leaning back in his chair.

"Doesn't your mother complain about that?" Calleigh teased.

"Yes but she wants to adopt Xander so she's hoping for grandkids from him."

"Um, you haven't told her I'm with a guy?" Xander asked.

"Yes but she's praying that there's hope."

"Sure, the next time someone drugs me I'll try for one, Eric, just to soothe her ache for grandkids," Xander joked, smirking at him.

"I would hate to have to kill whoever did that to you," Horatio said, looking at his boyfriend.

"I wouldn't doubt it.  Not like it'd happen voluntarily."

"Point.  No more going out with Greg alone, Xander.  You two get into too much trouble."

"Not when we're down here.  We need someone out in Las Vegas to watch us have fun and Lady Heather's too busy to watch us be hot on the floors."

"Hmm."  Horatio looked at him. "The next time you go out for a visit I'll send Ryan or someone with you."

"I was going out my weekend off in February," Xander offered.  Horatio smiled at that.  "You can come if you've got it off."

"I'll see what I can do to synch our schedules that way."  He stroked through his hair. "Thank you for getting a trim."

"Welcome."  He leaned on the table so he could snatch another cookie, then handed it to him.  "She makes good cookies."

He nibbled and nodded.  "They are good, Willow.  Thank you."  She beamed at that praise. "Since you're moving down perhaps you can move into one of those places this week.  That way you have a place to call your own."

"I was going to look tomorrow."

Ryan looked at her. "The big white building that looks like a hotel.  It's cheapish, about the same as the dorm, has a caf, pool, spa, hair dresser, free cable, internet, and local calls, and it's basically the same as a hotel room with a mini bar kitchen."

"That might be nice as long as I could import my microwave and toaster oven.  Fortunately my dorm was protected."  That got a smile. "Most of my stuff was in Tara's room anyway. The other dorm room fell in so Giles has to replace some of Buffy's weapons."  She looked at Xander.  "Giles was not happy that you had the fire and had to turn over yours."

"Not his fault someone drugged him, beat him, then put him back into his house before setting it on fire," Speed told her.  "You can quote me to the alcoholic."

"I will."  She pulled out her phone to call him. "It's me," she said happily.  "No, I'm transferring down to Miami, Giles.  Well, I have found Xander.  He's sitting across the room from me.  He's doing very well and his boyfriend is very nice.  Aiden and Timmy are both here because they're doing the department's secret santa thing."  She listened.  "No, Timmy said he was drugged, beaten, then put back in the house before they set it on fire, Giles.  I don't think he had a choice in giving up the weapons that time."  Calleigh shook her head.  "His stepmom said no."

Horatio took the phone. "Mr. Giles.  Horatio Caine.  Yes, Xander's Horatio.  Actually, Speed works for me," he said dryly.  "To clear up any misconception, the house was too damaged and we did force Xander to give up all the projectile weapons we found after the fire.  That did include the things he got for translating at one of the local bars and other things.  Yes, exactly.  We're very lucky the whole neighborhood didn't go up with how bad the fire was.  Completely destroyed his house.  No, he still has the storage area but his grandfather helped him find a new place."

"Which is nice, Giles, it has a lawn," Willow said, taking the phone back. "He's got a really pretty house down here with a lawn and views of trees and water, Giles.  Yup, fully decorated.  Looks kinda old worldy but that's okay.  It suits him and his satellite dish gets naked hockey games.  No, women's hockey, Giles. He's gay but that's just icky."  She smiled at him.  "No, he's happy being gay.  He's running a bit wild because Timmy let him strip a few times but ...  Well, actually I heard that's how he married the assassin, Giles.  Yeah, her. Which one?"

"Lady Death," Ryan said.

"Ryan said Lady Death.  No, Ryan works with Timmy and Xander's stepmom Calleigh, who plays with guns all day for a living and Eric, who's a playboy and part-time slut like Anya is, only he's cleaner and doesn't talk about it like she does, and then there's Horatio who runs the lab.  Yeah, the redhead in Timmy's picture.  Giles, if you keep drinking you'll die before you get a chance to be mean to Ethan."

"Actually, Ethan said to wish him a Happy Christmas if we spoke to him," Xander offered.  "Tell him Oz is happy with my grandsire."

"Xander said Ethan said Happy Christmas and that Oz is happy with his Grandsire."  She looked at him. "Grandsire?"

"Grandfather's sire.  Or as we joke, Grandpa's husband," Xander offered.

"Oh.  Yeah, Father Benis's sire, Giles.  He's apparently met him and they've got a joking and friendly relationship too.  He called him his grandfather's husband.  Yes, Xander is very gay, Giles.  I promise he is.  Giles, he *matches*.  He's gay," she told him.  "Gayer than I am gay, Giles.  I mean he *really* matches.  Even his shoes go with the outfit and they're sneakers."

"I do that and I'm not gay," Eric complained.

"Yes, honey, but you're a lot like Anya only you don't call it orgasms instead of the sex and you don't talk about it constantly.  Like every few minutes complaining that no one else has Xander's oral fetish complaining.  It's only talking about money that makes her stop talking about the sex."

Xander nodded.  "Definitely," he agreed.  "Sorry she can't find a guy with wisdom teeth coming in."  He shrugged. "Tell her to date another high school senior.  That way she can have that sort of stamina.  Richer's probably a senior by now, right?  He had good stamina and a good rep with the ladies the last I knew."

"He aid to tell Anya to find Gary Richer and date him," she told him.  "He's a senior this year, Giles.  He said it'll be about the same for her.  The same stamina too and she won't have to talk about it anymore.  Just brag like she did with Xander and complain that he wouldn't do some things to her.  Oh, Giles, when I was at Xander's, I found magic books."

"They're fees for translating, I'm keeping them out of the public eye, Willow.  No, you may not borrow them."

"He said he's hiding them and he got them for some translating work.  Translating what?"

"One of the demon bars has a few literary clients.  I translate popular fiction into the two most common demon languages."

"Ohhhh.  Think I could help?"

"Don't know.  I'll ask the next time I go in next month."  She nodded and went back to babbling at Giles about how gay he was.  He shook his head and looked at Ryan.  "Make her shut up?" he mouthed.  Ryan gave him a look.  "Please?"  He nodded toward the hall and where Stetler was hovering and listening.  Ryan got up and whispered in her ear.  She glared at him and he was a lizard.  "You might wanna get him a bright lamp, guys.  I remember being cold when she did that to me."  Calleigh rushed to pick him up while Horatio pulled her to the lab to make her undo it.   He looked at Speed, who was groaning and shaking his head.  "Love you, Daddy."

"Love you too, kiddo."  He pulled Xander closer to give him a hug.  "I'm glad I adopted you and let Aiden have her."  Aiden smacked him on the arm and went to yell at her girl.  "I never want daughters," he complained.  Xander grinned at him and kissed him on the forehead then handed him a cookie.  "She'll be making guilt cookies tonight, Ryan.  Watch out for the liquor she'll use."

"I can help her with that," Xander said sweetly and innocently.

Everyone stared at him then burst out laughing. But they all shook their heads.  He wasn't going to be allowed.

They came back and dug into the pizzas and the presents.  "Remember, I got most of yours overseas and a few locally," Xander warned.  Aiden slid over hers and Calleigh's presents she had brought in from his house.  "Mommy, you have a choice.  You can have this one or some of the stuff I got off the former wife.  They're loose though so you'd have to do something with them probably."

She looked at him.  "I'm not sure if I should worry or not."

"It's mean to give someone a present they have to spend money on," Don complained.

"I'm not sure she would like it," Xander told him.  He looked at her.  "Up to you, Mom."

"I'll take this one.  Give the other to the stepmom."

"That was the idea."  He got checked her package and then Calleigh's, handing them over.  "Ladies.  Daddy, yours is still in the garage."  He got a look from Speed.  "What?" he asked innocently.

"What did you do?" he asked.  He pulled Xander into his lap, ignoring the wince and hiss.  "Tell me."  Xander whispered in his ear and he gaped in awe.  "You got me a what?"

"I did."  He kissed him on the forehead with a grin.  "I planned for it to go with the jacket.  It's hanging in the garage with leather conditioner on it to soften it up so you can have them tonight and take stepmom for a ride because she's about to squeal and pounce."  He got out of the way and smiled at Horatio.  "Did you forget yours?"

"No, it's in my pocket," he admitted, pulling his out to look at it.  He smiled at the free pass to do whatever he wanted for one whole night to Xander. Plus the free massage coupons for his new place.  He smiled at him.  "Thank you."  He put them back and Xander grinned at him. "Pass out the others since you're up and bouncy."

"Feeding him chocolate does that," Willow said, looking at him. "You'll learn.  That and serious sugars and regular coke together make him high and fuzzy feeling."

"Yeah, I use that when I strip," he admitted, handing out the other presents.  Eric got two.  He beamed. "I drew your name."

Ryan opened his and smiled, laughing at the book on home remedies and cleaning solutions.  "Thanks, Xander.  I'll like this."  He flipped through it.  "Hey, they've got an herbal bleach in here."

"They do," Xander agreed. "I thought you might like that better than clorox. You can make it by the drum and it smells better."

"Thank you."  He kissed him on the cheek.  "I do like it."  Calleigh was still staring at hers.  "What did she get?"

Speed looked then at her.  "Some of the loose jewels that we found in the trunk of bearer bonds."

Aiden opened hers and stared then squealed and pounced her boy.  "I love the sparkly stuff."

"You should have stuff that sparkles like you do.  Let go before Don takes a picture."  She let go and let him put it on her.  Don took a picture of that.  "It looks good on you, Mommy."

"It does."  She smiled and beamed at the others.  "My son's great."  She looked at Calleigh's then nodded.  "I chose good.  I like diamonds better than rubies and emeralds."  Calleigh looked at them and burst out crying, hugging Xander. "Awww."

"It's all right. You deserve sparkly things too.  You can do whatever you want with them, Stepmom."  He patted her on the back, then pulled back to look at her.  "I let Mom have first pick because she's Mom."

"I love them. Thank you."  She wiped off her cheeks and hugged him again then kissed him on the cheek.  "What did Lady Heather get?"

"We found some heavier bronze and opal, plus some heavier silver and obsidian jewelry in Russia," Eric told her.  "She got those."  That got a grin from both his local moms.  "What about Alexx's?"

"She's out sick today so I had someone send hers over.  I had my former neighbor paint her kids for her."  That got sweet smiles.  "She was saying she needed more pictures."  He handed over the rest of them.  "There, all but the one in the back of the tree I can't reach without toppling it."  Willow stared and it floated out.  "Oooh, mine?"  He sat down to look at it, smiling at the new whip.  "Thanks, guys."

"Welcome," everyone agreed, smiling when he moved off to try it.

"Damn," Willow said, then covered her mouth and blushed. "Sorry, didn't mean to swear."

"No, he's known for having a good hand with them," Eric agreed.  "We had to ask Speed what he still had after the fire."

"I never had one this long but it's wonderful," Xander said happily, stroking it.  "It's even already softened and conditioned."  He hugged everyone then sat down, only wincing a bit.  "I love you guys."  That got a mass of smiles for him.

***

Lady Heather looked up as Greg walked in with two boxes and sat at her feet.  "What are these?"

"Yours and my presents from Xander," he said, handing her hers.  He smiled.  "We all thought that it would be perfect for you when he found those in the Russian house.  Mine I have no clue."

She smiled and opened hers, touching the jewelry.  "These are beautiful. She may've had a blackened soul but she had wonderful taste."  She picked up one of the bronze and obsidian ones, holding it against her throat.  "That is beautiful work."

"That one has a tracking chip in it," he admitted. "So does the opal and silver choker.  Grissom put them in."  She smiled and stroked through his hair.  "Can I open mine?  It's been driving me insane."

"You may."

He opened his and smiled at the photo album.  It was pictures of them on the trips and it was perfect for him.  At the end was the second check and he smiled, squealing a bit when he showed her.  "The bank accounts and things."  She smiled at that and he let her see all the pictures, going over where they were taken.  One he decided to have copies made and put into his locker.  It was just the perfect gift for when he missed Xander.

A Charmed Life.

Horatio looked up as Speed walked into his office.  "Get a call from Las Vegas saying he had landed?"

"I've already gotten that one and another one.  Apparently today was Greg's first time being taken hostage and he was clearly drunk when he came to pick Xander up.   So Xander's tucking him into bed and he teased me by saying that he might need someone to bail him out."

"I told him before he left there had better not be any assassins this time or anyone else that might try to claim him.  Or else he was not going to be sitting for his first week home."

"Oh, he knows."  He grinned.  "Grissom's watching over them, Horatio.  You know that."

"I do.  Thankfully I trust the man."

"Hopefully he'll be able to keep up with the hyper twins," Speed added.  That got a nod and a look of understanding.  "They'll be *fine*, Horatio."

"They had better be or I'm spanking both of them."

"Lady Heather would help."

"True, she would."  He smiled at that thought.  "Want some of your own?"

"Nah, I've got Calleigh waiting," he teased, heading down to ride home and tease her by playing traffic tag.

Horatio shook his head.  "That boy is going to drive me insane."

"Too late," a familiar voice said from the doorway.

"Not quite there yet, Rick.  Did you need something?" he asked patiently, looking over at him.

"Awww, are you missing your toy?" he taunted.

"Not yet.  I may in a few days.  Right now he's playing with Greg."  That got a blanche.  "Anything else?" he asked casually.

"The boy is clearly not legal."

"Want to see his birth certificate?" Willow asked from behind him.  He flinched and got out of her way.  "Horatio, sweetie, can I repossess Ryan?  I kinda need him to change the lightbulbs since they won't stay on for me and he has some sort of lightbulb touch that means they won't blow on him.  Even the maintenance guy can't figure it out."

"He should be at home."

"But he's not.  I know he doesn't have a date tonight.  That's tomorrow.  Today's Tuesday, right?"  He nodded. "Then yeah, that's tomorrow."

"Have you tried texting him?"

"I have and I got back some strange gobbledygook crap."  She handed over her phone.  "Looks like code but I have a headache so I'm too sore to decode it."

He looked then at her.  "That is not a good sign but he's with Eric."

"Why?"

"Apparently they're being held hostage."  She rolled her eyes.  "It's not his fault."

"No, it's your boy's fault.  Him being best friends with Xander is rubbing off on him!"  She frowned and found his map and her necklace, taking them out to find her poor, idiot friend.  She pointed at where the necklace was pointing.  "They're there."

"Thank you, Willow."  He handed back her phone and went to work on the rescue.  "Taunt again later, Rick.  I have work to do."

"You're calling for backup."

"If I need it."

Willow looked at him.  "You guys get backup?  Damn, I wish we had that in Sunnydale."  She walked off shaking her head.

Rick glared at her back.

"I can feel that and you can be a lizard again," she noted.  He hurried off.  "Thank you," she said sweetly.

***

Horatio ran into Raphael outside the empty club.  "Here for Eric or Ryan?"

"Ryan.  Xander said to please watch him because one of his personal stalkers wanted to talk to him."

"He and Eric are both in there."

"I know.  We're lucky it's not Timothy or Calleigh."  He listened then reached in and grabbed someone, vamping out to bite him.  He dropped his barely living body onto the ground and stepped over him.  "Ah, I haven't had a full meal in a while.  Hello, boys.  Horatio's with me.  Anyone else here? I can eat you too!" he offered cheerfully.  Someone else went running but they were stopped by the backup out back.  He looked at Horatio.  "That's not playing fair."

"I never play fair when there's lives at stake."  He came in to release them, undoing the gags.  "Are we all right, gentlemen?"

"A bit creeped out," Ryan admitted.

"He...  You...  You ate him and he was demanding information on Xander and sex and you ate him!"

Raphael plugged Eric's mouth with the gag and helped him up.  "I'll take the poor boy home, Horatio."

"As long as you promise to guard him.  I know you won't do anything he won't like."  Eric gave him a horrified look but he was walked out.  He looked at Ryan.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine.  Just weirded out because he wanted information on Xander's sexual habits.  Stuff apparently someone thought I'd know."  He shrugged.  "Should've taken you, Horatio."

"Let's get you checked out and then Willow can watch over you tonight."  He nodded and let Horatio lead him out to the ambulance.  They had taken Eric from Xander's grandsire, which was making him pout.  Raphael wasn't looking too pleased either. Horatio let them check Ryan over for a few minutes and then it was all better so they could go to their various destinations.  Which in his case meant laundry and contemplating what he was going to do to Xander when he got into trouble this time.

***

Lady Heather sighed when she saw the man walking into her house.  "What did they get into already?"

"Nothing yet," Warrick offered.  "Greg's a bit upset and drunk since he got taken hostage today.  Your boy was tucking him into bed."  That got a smile.  "We don't think that'll last very long but for now it is.  We were wondering what you were doing so we could add to it.  Grissom would be here but he told me to watch the hyper twins."

She smiled and shook her head.  "That name does suit them," she agreed dryly.  "However, I believe they plan on being good this time.  So unless someone comes up and makes them be naughty, like last time, we should be all right."  He gave her a look. "Really."

"They weren't good last time."

"They were given things against their will.  They had no idea they were being fed alcohol.  Xander especially since he doesn't drink."

"Ever?"

"Ever.  I think his grandsire's gotten him to do a glass of wine with a steak once.  That same night."  He moaned at that and she nodded.  "Never.  All they should need is a chaperone.  After all, Xander is only nineteen and Gregory is still very full of life."

"I didn't know you were such a big fan of understatements, Lady Heather."

She gave him a scathing look.  "To understand Gregory all you have to do is watch him and talk to him.  Xander did.  I have.  Grissom does now and then."  He nodded, looking down.  "Much better.  Now, all they should need is a chaperone and I would be surprised if his grandfather or grandsire didn't provide one."  He smiled a bit at that.  "Better?"

"Much.  Thank you.  Let us know if you hear they're in trouble."

"Of course."   She made shooing motions.   "Go do something else, Warrick."  He nodded and left, smiling just a bit.  She shook her head.  The boys were bad but not that bad.

***

Eric leaned into Horatio's office.  "Speed's staring at a suspicious box."  Horatio got up and came down to the lab to see.  "Okay, he's here," Eric noted.

"Got this in the mail today, overnighted," Speed offered, sliding it down. "I had it x-rayed already. They thought it was sweet."  He looked at him.  "Xander's Valentines Day present."

Horatio smiled and opened it, then blushed and hid the collar inside the chocolates, which had been opened.  One of them was missing.  It hadn't even been replaced.  He looked at Speed.  "One's missing?"

"Quality control on Xander's part," he said with a smirk.  "He said he's the only one who likes the gooey caramel he smashed on Greg's stomach to lick off."   Horatio held in his moan at that and got a grin for it.  "Note's on top, Horatio."  He read it and blushed.

Ryan leaned in.  "Is it another present like the one I got sent at home?"

"Xander's to him for Valentine's Day.  What did you get?" Eric asked.

"A studded diamond collar for Xander."  They all stared at him so he brought the box in and put it down so they could see it.  "Apparently whoever is sending these thinks that Xander goes to Lady Heather's for a very different reason."

"Can we trace the shop?" Speed asked, pulling on some gloves so he could pull it out to look at it. "Silver backed.  Designed after an antique style, back when women wore collars to hide the flea collars they wore.  Hmm.  Maker's mark."  He put it under a microscope to look, then put it onto a screen while he ran it.  "English made," he noted.  "Royal jewelers. Might be a commission piece so we might finally get something on the gifter."

"The store's in New York or Las Vegas," Ryan told them.  "I already called to check. I took pictures at home and emailed them to Danny."

"Then let me call Mac so he has permission to ask for us," Horatio offered, calling up there, walking off with his present.  "Mac, Horatio.  Fairly decent.  Only one homicide this week so far," he said happily.  "Tell Danny he's got an email from Ryan that includes pictures of the anonymous present Ryan got sent for Xander.  We don't know, Mac.  No one has any idea.  We know it's not his grandfather or grandsire.  No, they don't have a store locally.  It's got a royal jeweler's mark from England and the only two stores Ryan could find were in your city and Las Vegas.  Which is where Xander is vacationing with Greg at the moment.  No, not the first."  He walked into his office and shut the door, sitting down to pick up his first chocolate.  The moan made Mac laugh.  "Sorry, Xander sent me chocolates for Valentine's Day and they're very nice, even if he did steal one to eat off Greg's stomach.  Can he?  Thank you.  No, we've had a ruby necklace, a diamond rolex, and a Harry Winston bracelet.  The necklace was very feminine.  This time it's a diamond collar.  Which was what Ryan thought.  They still sent this one to Ryan instead of Speed though.  The others went to Speed here at the station.  Thank you.  Of course I'll be here all day.  Thanks, Mac."  He hung up and ate another piece, moaning at that.  Xander had *wonderful* taste in chocolates.

***

Valera snuck down to the other lab.  She was their main DNA tech and her office was under Horatio's.  "Eric?"  He smiled at her.  "Am I going to need to help cover up the homicide Xander's going to be doing?  If so, I'd rather not be part of a conspiracy."  She looked a bit worried.

"Why would he?" he asked.

"Horatio's moaning like he's got someone in his office," she said hesitantly, looking apologetic.

"Xander sent him some very excellent chocolates for Valentines Day, Valera," Speed said from behind her.  She smiled at him.  "It's all right.  It's not another person.  It's H's sweet tooth that he tries so hard to hide."  He grinned.  "But I will pick on him and tell him we can hear him down here."  She giggled and headed off with a wave.  He considered it then called an office number.  "Did you hear the noise coming from Caine's office?" he asked then hung up.  He motioned Eric out, watching as Rick Stetler snuck up on his office to listen.  Then he pounded.

"I will shoot you, Rick."

"You cannot have that boy of yours in here," he said, walking inside.  He yelped and ran out bright red.

Horatio came out and looked down, smirking at them.  "Does that mean you want me to share?"

"Wouldn't mind a piece," Speed offered, "but you made other ladies blush, H.  Besides, if you eat too much you can't do what he did to Greg with them."

"I've got some coming for that.  Come get a piece."  They came up to get a piece of candy and he glared at Speed when he stole two.  "Fine, give one to Calleigh."  He winked and went to feed it to her, teasing her with it.  She finally got it by biting him on the wrist and stealing it, moaning.

"Better watch out, Stetler tried to break H and Xander up for him making that noise," he teased, smiling at her.

"That is so good.  We need to know where he got that from."

"I do know where he got it from and their website," he said smugly.  She stared at him with puppy eyes.  "What do I get for it?"

She considered it. "I'll do the dishes tonight?"  He licked his lips and leaned against a table, giving her a look. "Fine, I'll wear that outfit you like and go out with you afterwards."  He whispered it in her ear, making her nod and write it down.  "I'll be good with it."

"Why?  Xander wasn't.  He stole a piece out of the box and his note said it was quality control tested by being smashed onto Greg's stomach and licked off."  She blushed but giggled and swatted at him.  "Xander got sent a diamond collar through Ryan."

"Interesting.  The same one who sent you stuff for him?"

"Not a clue yet."  He winked and walked out, going to look over the collar some more, see if he could find any DNA or anything on it. He wanted to talk to the person who was blowing their wad on his son.

***

Xander looked at Lady Heather's assistant, getting a smile and a wink.  "How's her schedule tonight?"

"Clear tonight and tomorrow night, Master Tim.  Did you need help with Gregory?"

"No.  I think we're going to kidnap her."  He walked in and hauled his pseudo-mother up out of her chair.  "Hi, Grissom.  Can I borrow her?"

"Go ahead, Master Tim.  She could use some fun."

"Oh, I have plans," he said with a wicked grin.  He picked her up and carried her out to the car, where Greg opened the door for him.

"Boys," she said, glaring at them.  They gave her sweet and innocent smiles.  "I was having tea."

"He agreed you could use some fun," Xander told her, kissing her on the cheek.  "You haven't let go in a while, Lady Heather.  Therefore you shall before you mope yourself into an early grave."  He kissed her on the cheek.  "Fun is part of recovering from the grief, m'lady.  Let us show you fun."  He got her buckled in and walked around while Greg got into the back.  "Good boy, Gregory."  He drove the rental SUV off, taking them to a very naughty club he knew of in the goth scene.  Then he got out and looked at himself.  He took off his overshirt, showing off his tank-top tucked into his just the right sort of tight dress pants.  Greg did the same.  Then they got her out and up to the door.  "Let me in," Xander said, staring the bouncer down.  "Before I have to spank."  The man shivered and opened the heavy oak door, letting him escort her in.  He looked at her.  "I know you can dance but would you prefer to warm up by watching?" he asked in her ear.

She looked at him.  "I don't dance like that, Xander."

"Bullshit."  He led her out there and they pinned her between them, making her dance.  "I do this to mommy too," he promised. She smiled and let them help her relax for the night.  It was freeing to let go and no one here was more than awed by their presence.  She gave subtle nods to a few of her usual clients but the boys hogged her so she was safe all night.  By the time the club closed she was sweaty and warm in all the right places.  Xander smiled at her and let her back into the SUV so he could take her home, walking her right to her door.  "Go have fun, m'lady.  She wouldn't want you to sulk for eternity and you're a strong, vital, young woman who has needs.  You can't forget yourself or you lose the spark that made you so special to myself and others."  He kissed her on the forehead.  "Don't molest Grissom too hard, m'lady.  Make him squeal and do some yourself."  He smiled at her and skipped back to the car, going out to a dirtier club with Greg.

She watched them go, shaking her head.  "I'll have to spank him for the kidnaping but it was a nice night," she decided, heading inside.  She found Gil still there.  "You waited?"

He looked at the handcuff on his wrist, then at her.  "He was sneakier than I thought."

"Are those Gregory's?" she teased.

"Probably."  She got him released and smiled at him.  "Did you have a good night out?"

"I had a wonderful time, Gil.  The boys protected me and made sure I let go of many things."  He smiled at that.  "Would you like some more tea?"

"I've had a lot of tea, but you look like you could use your ankles being worked on."  She  nodded and let him massage her feet and ankles for her.  And whatever happened later no one would speak of because they knew better.

***

Don kicked back and called down to Miami.  "Horatio, got the information you wanted, somewhat.  The collar was a special order.  No, Danny's hopping on a sprained ankle so Mac sent me.  Didn't figure you'd mind, cousin-in-law," he teased.  He snickered.  "Good!  Every guy needs good chocolates.  From the same source?"  He nodded, making notes.  "Okay, well, I can tell you it was a special commission piece.  It was paid for in another necklace that she sold them to do whatever they wanted with.  Yeah, a she sort not a he sort.  Don't know.  The original necklace was gaudy and old according to the lady at the store.  They broke it up into many new necklaces and rings.  Now, there's two stones from it that went into the collar.  They're on the clasp she said.  She said she came in with the general idea and the guy designed it off an older style from way back when.  They were instructed to send it down to an address in Miami when it was done.  It was commissioned about four months ago. She does remember this woman had a strong Russian accent, which may mean she's got something to do with the Lady Death stuff or not, not sure.

"They didn't take much information for the trade.  What they did take was mostly unverifiable.  Address led back to a building that recently got destroyed.  Name doesn't come up in the computers under a search, DMV or not.  Social security number doesn't come up as valid.  So not sure at all, Horatio.  We can but it'll be at least a week.  Monroe's on vacation somewhere and Danny's hopping around.  Yeah, well, suspect ran and pushed him down a flight of stairs so she could get away from us arresting her for killing someone.  He's lucky it's only sprained.  Small concussion but he's fine.  I'm sure he could.  I don't know.  You'd have to ask Mac and he's at a nasty and brutal triple at the moment.  Yeah, if I hear anything I will.  Thanks, and let me know if you find anything about the other one.  Patrick was hellishly worried but he wasn't letting Xander see that.  He doesn't want to worry his boy, ya know?"  He smiled.  "That's fine.  Thanks, Horatio, and enjoy the chocolates once you have them tested."  He hung up. Then he looked around.  "What?" he called.  "I can feel you watching."  His father walked out of the break room.  "I was tracing information down for the Miami crime lab.  More coffee made, dad?"

"A bit left," he offered.  Don got up to get it and came back.  "Can I help?"

"If you want to," he offered, handing over the pictures he had copied out of Danny's email.  "Someone sent Xander that.  We're not sure if it's the same person who's been sending him other things.  Horatio just got sent a big box of Godiva from someone who's not Xander as well.  Ryan's email to Danny said that he's gotten a ruby necklace and a diamond rolex in the past from one source, plus a Harry Winston bracelet from another anonymous source.  All of them were sent to the CSI who adopted him.  This one got sent to a different guy in the labs, but he's part of Xander's fanclub."

"Fanclub?" he asked.

"Yeah, there's techs from here, there, and Vegas who've formed a fanclub for Xander.  He's a neat guy, dad.  I should've gotten to know him better up here.  Him and his boys are a lot of fun."

"He decided on boys?"

"He decided on the head of the crime lab down there and one of his other guys named Greg out of Las Vegas, who's a CSI out there."

His father shook his head.  "Do they mind?"

"Nah, Horatio's got pack alpha syndrome over them."  He smirked.  "Xander even behaves for him most of the time."  That got a knowing look.  "Hey, Caine's the man.  I wanna have his stamina in ten years.  Just watching Xander grocery shop is tiring.  He keeps up with him doing real shopping and things."  He shrugged.  "So he's a God ta me, dad.  Oh, Uncle Patrick has a *massive* crush on Bonasera," he said just loudly enough for her to hear when she walked in.

"He's a nice old guy, Don, but it'd end tragically if he tried to nibble."  She came over to look and whistled.  "That is a pretty piece of hardware."

"Sent to Xander."

"Excuse me?" she asked, looking at him. "That's what Danny said got sent to Ryan?  I was expecting a single strand collar, like studded leather.  Not a five row, pure diamond collar."

"Yeah, this was what got sent.  Only limited information and I've already told Horatio.  He also got sent some Godiva earlier."

She just nodded. "Xander?"

He smirked. "Nah, Xander sent moan-inducing chocolate from Vegas."

"I want some of that," she sighed.  He pulled out his small box and handed it over. "Why did he send you some?"

"So I'd know where to hit if I ever found myself a real woman."

She smiled and took a piece, nibbling on it.  She did moan and nearly swooned.  "I need stock in this company."  She noted the name and went to look them up online.

Don offered his father a piece.  He shook his head.  "Your mother might think I was cheating on her, son.  Want dinner?"

"Wouldn't mind but I really should clear up some paperwork backlog," he admitted, glancing toward the office. His boss was gone for the day.  He shrugged and grabbed his coat, following him out with that information the pictures locked back in his desk drawer.  But the chocolates went with him.  "So, how's mom?"

"Better.  How's Patrick?"

"He's got really pernicious cancer, Dad.  We're on a countdown," he said glumly.  "I like the old guy.  He's a sweet old guy. He's got fierce bitch syndrome about his staff and family.  Did you know he took in a lot of younger gay guys to mentor them when they were ready to die?"

"I did," he admitted, looking over at him as they drove off.  "I still can't see him that way, Donny."

"I know, dad, and so does he. He said he understands fully why you can't put up with him, even now.  He said he's not upset about it."  His father nodded.  "But he would like to talk to you about what'll go on when he dies.  I'm thinking he's going to give most of it to Xander."

"You're helping."

"I am and I'm planning on honoring his wishes about the donations and stuff but Xander's his direct heir and he dotes on him, dad.  Xander's a really a sweet guy and he's had some bad knocks."

"I've heard."

Don looked at him. "Are you working for Patrick?"

"Not directly but one of his guys has me doing some research now and then."

Don nodded, pulling into a parking spot.  Someone behind him honked so he put his light on top of the car.  They wisely moved on.  The light came back in once he was parked and he looked at his dad.  "I hate stupid drivers."

"Stupid people get licenses, son. It's a fact of life.  Be thankful you're not in traffic anymore."

"Oh, I am," he assured him.  He looked at him.  "I don't care if Patrick doesn't leave me anything, dad.  He knows that."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I am.  I'm good with that.  Xander's a good kid and he'll do what Patrick is.  He'll baby someone who needs it, he'll do the good things for people, he is gay and Patrick dotes on him.  He's his grandson.  I'm more impressed that he's telling me all sorts of stories about my aunt.  Did she really prank you for three years running?"

"On my birthday," he sighed, shaking his head. "She was a horrible prankster.  Sent me dead mice one year hitched to a small Cinderella carriage."

Don smirked.  "Did you have a disney fetish?" he taunted.  His father swatted him but he just smirked.  "Yeah, he told me."  He got out and they went inside the bar.   "Have you seen Xander since he went down there?" he asked once they were seated.  "He's happy.  Speed's a good dad to him.  Just the right amount of coddling and snark to make him be a better boy."

"He causing trouble?"

"No, but people keep sending him stuff and it's freaking him out.  He's kinda floaty about it sometimes.  It's that 'someone likes me enough to send me expensive stuff' feeling but Speed keeps him from getting a big head.  Before his cult gets him for it."

"Cult?" his father asked.

"Yeah, there's a group of people who could be our next serial killer plague but they decided Xander's still pure so they can be too."  The waitress came over.  "Beer us?"

"I can do that," she agreed, winking at him.

"He's still single," Flack Senior offered.

"I'm not or I might fix that for him for at least a night."  She walked off to get them beers and came back to let Flack Junior pay for it.  "Thanks, cutey."

"Welcome, Pam.  Hey, got a guy question."  She came back.  "One of the guys I know down in Miami.  You remember Xander, right?  Geeky young guy I brought in that once?"

"Yeah, looked real uncomfortable with the drunken idiots," she said, nodding at the trio in the corner.  "What about him?"

"Someone's sending him really expensive presents."

"Define expensive?  Are we talking fifty dollar boxes of chocolates?"

"Well, someone sent his boyfriend about a hundred in Godiva but I'm taking diamond rolex and Harry Winston bracelet."

She blinked.  "Nice to have if you can get it.  Do we know who?"  He shook his head.  She canted her weight off to the side.  "Okay, so he's got this person sending him *really* expensive presents and we don't know who?"

He shook his head.  "Nope.  We know there might be more than one but nope."

"I'd put a watch on the boy.  That sounds a lot like a stalker or some psycho.  If I was getting that, I'd worry.  My girlfriends would hear and so would all the guys in here.  If I got sent an anonymous diamond rolex, I'd stand up on the bar and announce it and then announce that I had no idea who in the hell it was and watch who would protect me."

He smiled.  "That's what I thought but they sent it to his adoptive father at the station. He's a CSI."

"So he's playing headgames," she snorted.  "Guard that boy!"

"I will.  Thanks.  Needed that."  She smiled and patted him on the head before leaving.  He looked at his dad.  "She has good common sense ideas."

"She does," he agreed before taking a drink.  "That's a good plan."

"He's in Vegas playing with Greg and Lady Heather."

"Can't get much more protective than his personal sub and a domme that's world famous for being a hardass to be under."

"No, Xander's worse," Don assured him.  "I had one guy who I used him to threaten.  He begged not to have him hurt him again.  I pointed out that he was a son of cops down in Miami and Seattle.  He decided confession was better for him."  He took a sip of his beer then grimaced.  "Pam, this tastes like dishwater," he called.  His father laughed and she came back, giving him a look.  "Did I get the bottom of the keg?"

"Top of the new one.  Sorry."  She went to rerun his beer, bringing it back.  "He's sorry too."

"Eh, it happens."  He smiled at her.  "Thanks, Pam."

"So, is the Xander guy free?"

"Boyfriend.  Cute older guy who's a senior CSI in his dad's department."

"Pity.  He still wearing the leather?"

"All the time," Don said with a grin.  She smirked and walked off.  "So, anyway, why the beer request, dad?"

"A letter from your uncle," he said, handing it over to him. "He said you shouldn't have it until he died."

"Uh-huh."  He looked at it then put it inside his jacket pocket.  "I'll find out when it's time.  That way I can't throw fits."

"You sure you don't wanna look?"

"Yeah.  I'm not in this family for the money, dad.  If I was, I would've dated Christie back in school and went into banking like she wanted."  He took another drink.  "So no, I'll wait  until he actually passes on.  Which had better be in a damn long time or else the boy will do something stupid and try to bring him back."  He took another drink.  "With Willow down in Miami now there's no telling what'll happen."

"She can do that?"

"She's from the same town and they had to do that stuff."  He leaned back.  "Doc?"  He waved him over.  He smiled and came over. "This is my dad and I've got a job just for you in a few months."

Hawkes sat down.  "Is this like helping you move?  Because I can but I can't drive the truck."

"No, this is like Xander's best friend's newly former girlfriend is coming up here.  She's sweet, shy, from down South, and we're talking stutters she's so shy, is coming up here to college."

"Okay.  Is she Black?"

"No.  She's actually one of Calleigh Duquesne's distant cousins.  But she's very shy and very polite.  I'd scare the crap out of her.  Mac would scare the crap out of Tara."

"But I'm a nice guy and I can help her around for the first little while.  Which college is she heading to?"

"The all girl's one."  He handed over the picture he had gotten from Willow.  "She's starting this summer.  She's finishing this semester at what's left of UC Sunnydale. Then she'll be up.  The blonde is Tara."

"She's pretty."  He looked at him.  "So, a new kid to mentor?"

"Yeah but she's *real* shy.  Her parents were mentally about as bad as Xander's.  Told her she was a demon, she'd turn that way on this last birthday so therefore she'd have to come home ta take care of the menfolk."  Hawkes growled at that.  "Exactly.  Now, she does like girls and she's the sweetest, most gentle thing ever according to Patrick's information.  She stutters because she's so shy.  We're making up screwing up so bad not watching Xander by watching Tara for Xander.  She's got less combat history but she's seen some of the same stuff and she is a practicing Wiccan."

"Okay.  She'll be out in May?"

"Middle of May Willow said."  He took another drink.  "She suggested we start writing to her now.  Let her get to know us and things.  That way she feels she's got someone around that she can be comfortable around."

"Shyness like that can be crippling in a city like New York, I can do that."  He flipped over the picture.  "Her email address and physical one?"

"Yup.  At the shop out there.  She'll check to make sure she gets it.  Giles is going funny right now when he heard Xander was fairly gay and a dom."

"Sure."  He grinned.  "She sounds nice."

"She is.  She's the sorta sweet that makes guys like Danny stare in awe.  The sorta sweet that Monroe wishes she was."

"Even better.  I'll write to her tonight, Don."  He grinned.  "We all helping?"

"I figure you and Stella will be best.  Stella could use a new cub and she'll mother the girl ta death.  You're a nice guy, very gentle and all that.  So it'll go.  We'll be there or at least I will.  Danny probably will.  He'll probably warn a lot of the guys around her to back off.  Patrick thinks he'll have poppa bear syndrome over the little one."

"That might be nice," he agreed. "Thanks, Don."  He got up and headed back to email her tonight from his desk so the others could hear she was coming in.

"I didn't know anyone was that sweet," his father noted.

"Yeah, they can be.  Xander is unless there's a crisis.  Willow can be but her parents basically let her raise herself so she's got some funny issues.  She was complaining that Speed, Xander's adoptive dad, wouldn't let her turn their IAB asshole into a lizard again."  His father choked and he looked at him.  "Exactly," he said with a smirk.

"You know..."

"Of course I do.  I saw Uncle Patrick smack her down once for trying Xander."  He gave him a look.  "Him and his sire are *real* protective over their boy, but they keep tryin' ta get Eric Delko to turn with 'em."  He finished his beer.  "So, how's Mom?"

"Good.  Sulking a bit.  Has a doctor's appointment in a few days for some reason."  He shrugged. "But she's good.  Wondering when you'll settle down."

"When I find a nice girl.  I'm lookin' but there's four million of 'em in the city, dad, and it's damn hard to find a decent one who'll put up with me.  Oh, hey, am I copying the new naked hockey matches for you?  Season just ended so I'm getting the new DVD in a few days from Xander."

He looked at him.  "Naked hockey?"

"Yeah, the rest of the world has a small naked, women's ice hockey league, dad. They were betting millions on the final match.  Big shock, but Denmark won."  His father stared at him.  "Xander's temporary wife, Lady Death, had this great satellite dish at her house in Cyprus so he stole that back to his.  They show it over there."

"Naked hockey?"

"Yeah, fully naked.  Well, some teams use body paint and the Armenian team plays on their names by not shaving their pits but yeah, naked. Fully naked."  His father stared at him. "Hand to God, dad.  I've got the last half of the season at home if you wanna see."

"I doubt God would like naked hockey, son."

"You never know, dad.  He might like the Italian team.  They're all really pretty."  His father drank his beer, shaking his head. "So, am I copying the last few matches for you?"

"Your mother would kill me, son.  It'd be a very messy scene."

"Well, yeah, maybe."  He shrugged. "Be something for poker night though."

"The guys might like that," he agreed.  "Better than the usual porn they get."

"Let's hit the house and I'll make you copies."  That got a nod and they paid their tabs and left.  His father did stare at the DVD of the game then at his son, then groaned and took his copy before heading back to his house.  Don settled in to watch the last match over.  It was better than porn for him.  It combined both his loves: women and hockey.

***

Tara looked at her email when it beeped, reloading it.  She read the header and frowned but clicked on the link that said 'Willow wanted you to know someone in New York when you transferred out here' and read the short email introducing him, along with the picture that it linked to.  She smiled and wrote him back.  He did sound like a nice guy.  An officer was going to be a good person to know in a new city and he was a doctor and a CSI.  She got back another one from him with a lot more information and it made her grin a bit. Then she ducked her head and went back to writing to him.  Someone cleared their throat behind her so she said she'd talk to him in a few days then logged off and gathered her things to go back to her dorm room.  Where she called Willow to talk to her.  "Thank you."

//For what?//

"For making him write me."

//Who?//

"Sheldon, out of the NYPD?"

//Oh, him.  Timmy knows a bunch of people up there and Xander was up there for a while.  He said New York's a really huge city and it's easy to feel lost and alone so we thought you should know someone up there.  They said Sheldon's a really sweet guy.  Very smart.  He used to be a surgeon then went to being an ME and now he's a CSI but he's a really nice guy.  He's smart and Calleigh said he's funny in a good way.  Not dirty or anything.  Plus he can introduce you to the others.  Xander said that he works with Stella, you heard his message about her.  She's still saying he should be able to cook and she's a great motherly figure.  Plus the others.//

"It's nice I'll know someone."

//Which is what we wanted, sweetie.  Sheldon's a very sweet, nice guy from what I heard.  He's also supposed to be nearly as geeky as I am.// Tara giggled at that.  //So, how is Sunnydale?//

"Quiet.  Most of the bad things left when the base went.  Buffy's been bored and her mother's saying she's not allowed to shop any more this semester."  That got a laugh from Willow.  "How's Miami?"

//Warm and pretty.  It's all about the warm and pretty down here,// she admitted. //I've got a few good friends in the lab and Ryan's kinda mentoring me.  Goddess, Tara, he's sweet.  He's got OCD and he's so sweet and gentle.  Plus he laughs at my jokes.//

"Maybe you should try something," she offered gently.  "You liked boys before.  He might be girl enough for you."

//Oh, he definitely is,// she agreed, moaning a bit.  //But he's got a really demanding job and he's got a lot of stress and things.  Xander's working on his shoulders all the time but he's off having fun in Las Vegas this week.  He sent his boyfriend chocolates that made him make Buffy noises.// Tara giggled at that. //He did!  He sent it to the station too!//   You could faintly hear a knock.  //Hold on.  Hi, Ryan.// The sound of a kiss.

"I'll let you have smoochies, Willow.  I'll call tomorrow," Tara said, then hung up with a giggle.  It was good Willow was moving on.

***

Willow looked at her phone.  "I'm not having smoochies, Tara.  Tara?"  She pouted and hung up her cell phone. "Sorry."

"That's okay.  Did someone up there write her?"

"Sheldon did."

"He's a good choice from what I heard," he admitted, smiling at her.  "I was wondering if you wanted to go out and have dinner with me tonight."  Willow stared at him and he blinked.  "Not like that."  She relaxed and sighed but nodded.   "I mean...."

"No, it's good.  I can do that.  I have enough to do laundry and dinner as long as it's not more than ten bucks.  Or else I have to call my parents."

"Okay."  He smiled.  "When is he coming back?"

"I noticed the hump you had.  Sit down, Ryan.  Let's see if I can help."  He sat down and she closed the door, then got to work on his lump of stress.  He always hunched when he was stressed.  "Bad case?"

"Kids," he admitted.  "Ended up being accidental."

"I'm sorry."

"So are the parents and I just wanted to look at them and tell them to grow up because they weren't paying attention at all."  He sighed and relaxed under her hands.  "You do that pretty good."

"Thank you."  She smiled and ruffled his hair then went back to it.  "Did the houses sell for Xander?"

"They did.  I think someone covert wanted the house in Cyprus with all the things in it."  He looked back at her and grinned.  "The pictures I saw were beautiful."

"They were," she agreed.  "Doesn't mean he needs that."

"Which was why he sold them and let the lease go on the apartments."

She nodded and went back to his neck, making him moan.  She blushed at that very manly sound but went back to it.  "So, um, dinner?" she asked, slapping herself for the squeakiness of her voice.

He looked back at her.  "I'd never hit on a woman, Willow."

"Which is why you're still single."

"I figure the right woman will fall into my lap."  He gave her a small grin.  "Then again I got bothered by Erica again today too."

"Why?"

"I don't know.  I was kinda hoping you'd be my cover tonight since she's all but stalking me at the moment."

"Sure, I can do that but we should make it seem like a date," she teased.  "Otherwise she'll think you adopted me."

"You're not that young," he reminded her.

"I'm nine years younger than you."

He looked back at her. "Maturity wise you're not."  He got free of her hands and stood up.  "Go get pretty and I'll even treat."

"It wasn't a hint, it was a tease," she said with a blush, not looking at him.  He tipped her face up.  "It wasn't."

"I know.  You're not like Eric's women."  She shook her head, losing her blush.  "Go get pretty anyway.  I could use some fun tonight to let go."  She nodded and went into her bedroom to find something to put on.  She came out in a longer skirt and a tank top.  "That's cute."

"Thank you.  I can't see how women can wear the tiny skirts.  These are so much more comfortable."

"They are."  He handed her the phone and keys, getting a smile as she packed them into her purse. "Where do you want to eat?"

"Somewhere with meat.  I went vegetarian for Tara and I've been craving cow."

"We can do that."  He walked her out and let her lock the door behind them.  Then he led her down to the car.  They backed out and headed off, watching Speed and Calleigh out for a ride.  "Awww."

"They are so cute," she agreed, smiling at the picture.  "She treats him like he's precious."

"She lost him once," Ryan sighed.

"Death is part of life, Ryan."  She looked at him.  "For everybody.  I've had a lot of times when I didn't think I'd be able to turn in my homework the next day.  Green light."  He went on, staying quiet.  "It's something that happens.  Sometimes more often than others."  His hand found hers for a squeeze, then he went back to driving.  "Okay, enough with the depressing.  There's almost no vampires in Miami.  They're all scared to death of me so we're good."

"They are?"  She nodded.  "Why?"

"Xander fell back to hunting the hunters.  I've done the same thing but he doesn't even patrol. I do now and then."

"We know that's dangerous, right?" he prompted.  She nodded.  "Then why do it?"

"Because it's necessary to keep them down."

He pulled into a parking lot and parked then looked at her. "I think we've got a pretty small community here and they've always been pretty small.  I don't know why but they've been in good balance.  I don't think you need to patrol and I think we'd miss you if you got eaten one night, Willow."  She blinked at him.  "Really."  He pushed some of her hair back over her shoulder.  "So quit before I have to work your scene some day, okay?"  She nodded, staring at him.  "Good."  He smiled.  "Now, how about Indian pig and Turkish cow?"

"Turkish cow?"

"It's great."  He got out and walked around to let her out, seeing Erica watching.  He walked her inside and nodded at the hostess.  "Just us.  Not on the Hindu side."  That got a nod and they were seated in the other section.  "That way you can have cow and no one will mind.  It's a great split spot."

"I can see that."  She sat on the pillows and looked around.  "This is beautifully done."

"It is," he agreed, smiling at her.  "The story goes that the owners are in-laws and wanted to go into business but the Hindu side couldn't defile his heritage or beliefs by serving cow and the other ones wanted to serve Middle Eastern cuisine.  They're originally British I think.  So they compromised by doing a split place like you see in those Hibachi places."  She smiled at him.  "Menu," he said, handing her one.  He looked at his and she let out a happy noise.  "It's great food.  I eat here a lot."

She lowered the menu.  "You are much cooler than anyone but Xander suspects."

He grinned.  "I hate being typecast," he said with a small, wicked grin.  "Look at the sampler platters. They're huge but they've got a lot of stuff."

She looked and blinked then looked at him.  "That could feed a whole frat house."

"It could and probably has in the past.  I like number three but it's up to you."

She looked at it then at him.  "You eat tofu?"

"No, I consider that garnish and I eat the other stuff."

She giggled and looked then at him.  "How about number five?  Most of the same stuff and a bit cheaper so whatever you're craving that's not on there can be gotten separately."

He looked and nodded.  "That does have most of it, all but the shrimp."

"That's something I miss.  Tara was allergic," she sighed, shaking her head.  "I'm used to conference food."

He patted her on the hand.  "It's all right.  We'll let Speed kill your parents if and when they show up and then we'll throw a big party."  She smiled at him.  "How about number seven?"  She looked then nodded at that.  "Can we share it or are you starved?" he teased.

She blushed.  "I don't think I've ever been that hungry.  Not since my parents decided to show me what deprivation was."

"Excuse me?"

"They decided I was spoiled when I was eight so we lived on what amounts to minimum wage and what poor people get for food stamps for three months.  I still can't stand spam.  Though the weekend without wasn't that fun."

"Did they do this too?" he asked.  She shook her head.  "I'm so going to help Speed."

"Why?  It's not worth it, Ryan."

"No, they're probably not but if they come down, we'll let Horatio help us."  He smiled. "I'm sure Xander can give him about twenty good reasons."

"All he has to do is bat his big, brown eyes and his boy'll fall," she promised dryly.

"I think it's the other way around," Ryan offered.  Their waitress came back. "We'd like to share platter seven.  Tea for me.  Soda or water, Willow?"

"Water please," she said, handing back her menu.

"Of course."  She took their menus and left.

He smiled.  "She's in here."

She blushed and looked at him under her lashes, then giggled.  "I can't imagine what you'd do if you borrowed Speed's bike for a ride," she teased.

He blushed.  "I can ride.  I learned in the academy," he admitted. "I've borrowed one for a few hours but it's never been the lifestyle I wanted."  Erica was led past their table and sat behind them.  "Crap," he muttered.  She smiled at him and it was like his whole ball of stress quit.  "Can I have another neck rub later?"

"Of course."  She smiled at the waitress when she brought their drinks.  "Bathroom?" she hissed.  That got a nod and Willow smiled at him.  "Give me two minutes?"

"Of course.  I'll be here."  She got up and went that way, taking her purse with her.  He knew what that meant and that was fine with him.  She came back with slightly damp hands and sat down again.  "Out of towels?"

"Sanitizer afterward."  She smiled at him.  "So, should we pick on Horatio about his chocolate habit?"

He snickered.  "That would be mean.  I'm wondering what trouble he's getting into this time."

"I got an email from him.  He and Greg went to pick up someone named Lady Heather and take her out for the night.  They went to some goth club and made her have fun after they kidnaped her from her office."

"Lady Heather is a very nice woman who is like another stepmother for Xander.  She finished his dom training."  She looked stunned.  "She's a very nice woman.  She had to come down here to hide after someone torched her house.  Xander dotes on her more than he does Aiden when she's in range.  Greg is, well, Greg.  He's the one he was out with when he got given the alcohol by that assassin that he ended up marrying.  Greg married her apprentice."

"Wow," she said, blinking at him.  "So the stuff from Cyprus...."

"Was hers. Apparently she saw him doing a few open poles for fun out there and got fixated.  He looks a lot like her lover, who's in a Turkish prison, and she got seriously fixated enough to give him some really strong alcohol that was kinda subtle.  Greg said he didn't taste it or anything but he was seriously impaired by the fourth drink; he said it hit him all at once.  Then they kept having fun with the boys and got the marriage license first thing the next morning, married them, took them back to the hotel, and Raphael found out so he called the FBI, which made her jump off the top of the hotel and her apprentice kill herself with an officer's gun."  He sipped his tea again.  "Then they got to go on many trips."

"Wow."

"Very."  He smiled at her.  "It wasn't his fault, no matter how much the others complain."

"He did the pole thingy.  It was."

"That was Greg's idea."

"Still," she said, staring at him. "Xander has *always* drawn bad girls.  There's never been a bad girl who didn't love the Xander."  She patted him on the hand.  "But it'll be fine, you're not like that and I doubt you can have that taint passed on to you."  He chuckled and shook his head.  "Good.  Because I'd hate to have to turn bad now."

He smiled. "I'm sure you've got a bit of vixen hidden under all that brain," he teased.

"Maybe," she agreed coyly.  She sipped her water and glanced at Erica.  "She looks like she's going to kill me."

"She won't.  She's narcissistic.  She'd have to tape it.  Her cameraman would stop her."  She giggled and swatted at his arm.  "He would."  Their food was brought and he nodded.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  She left, going to check on her other tables.

They reached for the same thing and he blushed a bit.  "Sorry, ladies first."

She picked it up and fed it to him.  "Your choice."  He smiled but he did chew.  She picked out what she wanted and nibbled delicately.  "No dishes tonight."

"Which is kinda nice.  That herbal bleach works very well on them too.  I used it to clean the oven the other day.  Worked wonders."

She smiled at him.  "Less cleaning, more thinking, Ryan," she said gently.  "Find something else to make you quit cleaning."

He blushed at that.  "I haven't found anything to take my mind off cleaning in a while."

"I'm sure you will sometime soon.  There'll be some girl or something that'll take the place of cleaning."

He looked at her.  "She'd have to be very special, Willow.  Cleaning is almost soothing to me sometimes."  He ate a bite of food.

"Xander does the same thing when he cleans his guns."

He nodded.  "It's the same sort of soothing.  The same actions, the same strokes over the same surfaces.  It's familiar and calming. You get a sense of transcendence almost.  Each stroke is familiar and something you've done before.  It lets you just let go.  Even if your nerves aren't screaming about dirt and germs and things," he admitted.

She smiled and touched his hand.  "You're not as bad as you could be.  Otherwise you could never eat out, never have anyone touch you, and wouldn't have let me sleep on your couch for two days."

"True.  Then again you didn't make too much of a mess," he teased. "Only a few shed hairs."

"You still looked cute vacuuming in the apron too," she teased back.  He blushed at that and she fed him another bite.  "Eat. You've had a stressful day, Ryan.  All I had was calculus and biology two."

"That's still a lot of course work."

"Yes, but mental work is always easier than physically crawling on your knees to find small pieces of evidence.  Not that I don't like watching you guys work."

"Don't tell me you were watching Eric's butt when he was on campus."

"No!"  She blushed.  "That wasn't where I was looking," she said quietly, looking down.

He grinned at her.  "Surely you're not going after what's Xander's."

"Nope.  Not that sorta gay.  Or bi or whatever."

He chuckled and fed her a bite of food.  "There, helps with the embarrassment."

"It does," she agreed once she had swallowed.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Try the cow.  You wanted cow and you've been eating breaded mushrooms."  She dug into that, even feeding him a bite, which made him smile.  "Thank you, kind lady."

"You're welcome, my very shiny knight," she teased back.  He laughed but ate a bite on his own.  She looked behind them at a familiar voice.  "Hmm, Eric brings chicks here."

"It's a good place for that," he agreed.  He glanced behind him and rolled his eyes when Eric looked over, then teased Willow's wrist.  Eric just smirked. "Mind if they join us?"

"Not in the least.  As long as she doesn't make me gag."

"She shouldn't.  It's his sister."  He waved them over and Eric and Marisol came over.  "They can join us."  The waitress nodded and got drink orders while they shifted over.  "Hi, Marisol."

"Hi, Mr. Wolfe."

"Ryan, please. This is Willow.  She's Xander's best friend and transferred down to go to college when her campus fell in."

"Hi."  They shook hands and she smiled at her brother.  "He said I needed to go out to have some fun tonight."

"You did," Eric agreed.

"Fun can be addictive and stress relieving," Willow agreed.  She looked at Eric.  "I needed cow, I've been craving cow since I broke up with Tara.  I went Vegan for her."

"How is she going to handle New York?" Eric asked.

"She'll do okay.  Sheldon in the lab up there wrote her.  I heard from her earlier."  She smiled at Marisol.  "I am bi but I pick for personality.  That's why I'd never hit on your brother."  She giggled at that.  "I'm kinda surprised your mother hasn't bought him a wife yet and handcuffed him to her."

"Momma's got a touch of romantic in her," Marisol promised with a smile.  "But if he gets much older she might."

"Not funny," Eric complained.  "Can we dig in?"  Ryan nodded, shifting the food their way.  The waitress had brought forks with their drink orders so he selected something and dug in.  "I've always liked this place."

"Me too.  It's calming and I always manage to get here when they have fights in the kitchen," Ryan agreed.  "So I get the entertainment too."  Eric laughed.  "I do.  I take a lot of dates here."

"You date?" Eric asked.

Willow pinched him.  "Any woman would be more than grateful to get a decent man like Ryan is.  Especially because he likes how I cook and make cookies."

Marisol smiled. "Perhaps we're switching back?" she teased.

"I don't know.  I haven't really thought about it.  I like Ryan, he's a great guy, and he lets me work on his stress knots, but I don't know."  She caught her eye and glanced back at Erica, then back.  Marisol smiled, catching the hint.  "We'll have to see what he comes up with tonight."

"Changing that stupid lightbulb of yours again.  She has one that keeps blowing and no one knows why," Ryan told Eric.

"Not even maintenance?"

"No," Willow sighed, eating another bite of cow.  "No one knows why.  But hey, I don't have any collections like Xander does."

"No, that's a good thing," Ryan agreed.

"Though Calleigh gave her funny looks when she said she didn't like weapons," Eric offered.

"It's a woman's prerogative to be softer and not like weapons," Marisol reminded him.  "The same as it is if she likes them like Calleigh does."

"Have you met Xander yet?" Ryan asked her.

"He won't let me."

"Ah.  Well, I'm sure you will soon enough, like the picnic."

"I'm not sure Xander's the one I want her to become friends with."

"He could probably use a shopping buddy," Willow reminded him.

Eric gave her a look.   "No.  No shopping with Xander and my very innocent sister, especially not while people are still sending him expensive presents anonymously."

Ryan's phone rang once then quit.  He looked at it, then at Eric.  "That was strange."

"Wrong number?" Willow suggested.

"Um, no," he said, showing her the one that came up on caller ID.  Xander's.

Eric called Horatio.  Willow took the phone and her PDA, logging into her system.  "H, me.  Ryan got a strange call from Xander.  One ring and then it hung up.  Willow's doing something to his phone."

"International call or he's in the air."  She held up the number.  "That's where he is.  GPS chip.  I made sure it was reinstalled before he left."

"Willow got into his GPS chip and it's got a code."  He read the numbers off.  "That's what she got.  Yeah.  Thanks, H."  He hung up.  "He'll deal and we'll see.  Let's eat."  They ate and headed back to the station.  Eric found Horatio outside.  "Anything?"

"A lot and the FBI has it.  Someone took him from his hotel room.  They'll get them when they land."  He looked at Willow.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Any idea why?"

He nodded.  "A few.  We think it's the person who bought the rolex and the original necklace."  He shifted some.  "Go home, people.   He's fine and they're on it.  He'll be fine."  They nodded.

Willow looked at him.  "Will you be okay?"

"I'm fine, Willow," he promised, smiling at her.  "Greg was the one who found the break- in when he went to pick him up."  That got a nod and they went back to their cars.  He smiled at how close Ryan and Willow were.  A good lover would make him finish relaxing.  Speed pulled up on his bike.  "He's fine."

"I doubt it."

"He's fine, Speed.  They think it's the person who bought the rolex by what we've been able to find out.  The FBI is extracting him off the plane."

Speed leaned on his handlebars, staring at him.  "They *stole* him?"  Horatio nodded.  "Why?"

"For the same reason they sent him expensive presents," Willow called.  "They're psychos and want him to be theirs."  She looked at him.  "Why do you think I updated his GPS chip to the illegal one in his phone?"  She smiled sweetly.  "Used only by military strike teams," she said happily.  She got into Ryan's car with his help.  "Thank you.  Want me to work on that knot?"

"I wouldn't mind."  He walked around and got in to drive her back to her place and let her work on his neck.  She set him in her desk chair and moved him so she could get to him easier, even getting some oil.  "Should I take off my shirt?"

"Probably.  Unless you want to explain the oil to your dry cleaner," she teased.

"My dry cleaner would think I got it in a club."  He took off his sweater vest and shirt, folding them in his lap.

Willow looked at him.  He was well-built.  He was also very tanned in some spots.  "You can tell you wear t-shirts all the time, unlike Eric, who wears long shirts."  She oiled her hands, then got to work on the tense shoulders and neck muscles.  The moans he was letting out were getting to her and she knew that.  She could feel it and it was good.  She hadn't felt like this in the past.  Tara had been gentle and Oz had been sweet, but now she knew why Xander had hickeys.  Ryan winced and she eased off.  "Sorry," she whispered, going back to the other side to work on the knot from there.  He let out a groan that made her whimper.  He caught her hand over his shoulder, looking back at her.  "Sorry."

"It's a natural reaction."  He pulled her around and into his lap.  "I do like you."  She smiled at that. "But I'm not sure you realize how hard it is to be with one of us, Willow."

"Shut up, Ryan."  She kissed him a bit hesitantly but he kissed back and it was good.  "I know about the long hours, the stressful cases, and all that.  We watched Timmy work cases back in Sunnydale and I've seen how you can tear yourself up."  She stroked over his cheek.  "You have no idea what I've seen and done though."

He kissed her again.  "You'd be surprised at what I've figured out about what you guys did."  He stroked her chin then kissed her again, standing her back up.  He stood up to look at her.  "I've seen you in hunting mode," he said quietly, looking down at her.  "I've seen you when you didn't know I was watching.  I've seen you stake something and walk off talking on the phone."  He rested his hand against her cheek.  "You'll have to give that up.  That would not be negotiable.  In emergencies is different," he said when she opened her mouth.  "The same as it is for Xander.  Horatio's already put his foot down.  You can unbalance the community and then we'll have problems," he said quietly.  "Besides the fact that I'd worry whether or not you were coming home."

She considered it then hugged him.  "I can see that happening."  He relaxed.  "What about..."

He kissed her and smiled.  "No more accidents.  It's time to cut back to using it for *good* again, Willow.  Like the ones that Xander helps at the shop when they need him to lift stuff."  She nodded at that. "Can we come to an agreement?"  She nodded.  He smiled and she leaned against him.  "Thank you."  He kissed her again.  "Now, I am not a guy who sleeps with a woman on the first date."

"Shut up, Ryan."

He chuckled.  "I saw the trip to the bathroom, Willow," he whispered in her ear. "I can wait until it's done."

"I was only checking. It's due next week."

"Sure."  He kissed her again, then looked at her.  "Which means we have to pause to run out for some stuff."  She blushed at that and opened something handing it to him.  "Where did we get this?"

"It was part of the move-in package.  They gave us all a box of condoms, lube, and advil, plus some mints and ten free bucks for laundry on our security cards."

He smiled.  "I knew you'd like living here."  She swatted him but he picked her up to let her wrap herself around him.  "I will be gentle."  He walked her into the bedroom and shut the door with a foot, going to teach her why everyone else got loud.

***

Horatio watched Ryan walk in the next morning.  "He's fine."

"Good.  So's Willow."

Horatio raised an eyebrow and took off his sunglasses to look at him.  "Really?"  Ryan blushed.  "I see.  Are you ...content?"

"Very," he admitted, looking at him. "It's strange."

"I know.  I've had those same thoughts."  He looked at him and smiled.  "She'll be good for you, Ryan.  Just watch how she reacts for a bit.  Xander said she's very much one to throw herself into things but she'll never ask you your opinion on anything.  Xander doesn't with me either."

"That's something that I almost expect with her parents," he admitted.  "So, if they come to town, can I have help with the homicide?"

Horatio hummed and nodded.  "As long as I get the same if his uncle comes."

"Agreed.  Happily."  They shook on it and he went inside.  "Morning," he called as he walked past ballistics.

Eric and Calleigh both looked at him.  "Uh-huh," Eric said with a smirk.  She elbowed him in the stomach, making him grunt.  "It's pretty clear."

"It's sweet," she said with a smile.  "We can't pick on him for finding a nice girl."

He looked at her.  "That nice girl is Willow."

"Really?"  She grinned brighter.  "Well, at least he can understand her babble when she's excited."  She smiled at Ryan when he came back.  "How was your night?"

He looked at them, then he smirked.  "No comment.  Eric, no smutty thoughts either.  She's calling your sister to go shopping when her next check comes in."  Eric moaned.  He smiled sweetly at Calleigh.  "But yes, I don't mind babbling, and yes, she's floating around today, and she's probably studying for her calc 2 exam at the moment so don't bother her."

Speed looked at him as he walked out reading a file.  Then he snorted and shook his head, patting him on the back.  "Repeat after me, 'put that down, do not use the magic on that, take a breath and repeat'."  Then he walked on.  "You'll need to memorize those phrases.  Aiden trained her to respond to them."

"She's not a dog."

"She's a very pretty young woman but she acts before thinking," Speed assured him, still walking.  "And she babbles worse than Danny."

Ryan nodded. "She does when she's excited."  He shrugged and went on.  "No picking on her, guys.  She's still sweet and very nice."

"Sure," Eric agreed.  "Lunch?"  She elbowed him again and walked back into ballistics. "It's only fair!"

"We didn't threaten Xander," she reminded him.

"That's because Xander would laugh and do worse to us," he complained, following her.

Speed leaned out of the lab he was in.  "I wouldn't advise it anyway, Eric.  On either of them.  Willow was the Xander protection society for a long time."  He went back to work knowing Eric was shuddering in horror.

***

Xander blinked at the man above him.  "Who're you?" he asked, sounding groggy.  He snapped up.  "Greg?"

"He's fine, Mr. Harris, but we found out who sent you the rolex," the man said patiently.  "Nurse, is he all right to talk?" he called.

Xander looked at him.  "Ask me not her."

"You were drugged, kid."

"I realize there was at least a sedative. What happened?"

"The person who sent you the rolex decided to take you as a prize."

"Uh-huh.  Why?"

"He saw you strip?"

Xander thumped his head on the pillow. "I've stripped maybe nine times. This is the second one that did this."  The guy looked interested.  "Lady Death married me for an hour an a half because of it."

"Oh, you're *him*," he said, nodding.  He smiled. "You haven't even asked who I am yet."

"You're wearing a dark blue, conservative, itchy wool suit and a tie with spots.  I'd say...FBI?"  He nodded at that, looking appreciative.  "After the quickie marriage and her suicide I saw a few of you guys.   Plus Lady Heather taught me how to spot you guys and I worked with some agents as a dom," he said quietly.

"Interesting.  By the way, you're in New York."

"I saw the buildings."  He looked at him. "Is he dead or under arrest?"

"Dead.  He tried to take a flight attendant hostage and someone got him for it."

"Hmm.  Has anyone told my dad where I am?"

"No....  You have living relatives?"

"I have an adoptive father and mother.  Phone?"  It was handed over.  "Hit nine and dial the Manhattan Felony lab's number please?"  He did that after looking at his notes.  "Hi, Patrice, it's Xander.  Tell whoever's over it I'm awake, I have a headache, and I'm checking myself out in an hour.  I'll try to stay at Grandfather's house again.  Thanks."  He handed the phone back and it was hung up.  "Nurse?" he called.  "I'm leaving."

"No you're not."

Xander sat up and looked out there.  "Bet me," he told her.  He looked at the agent.  "Do I have clothes?"

"You do.  Your grandfather sent you a bag."  He handed it over.  "He said you're to stay in here."

"Yay," he said blandly. "I hate hospitals.  Hospitals kill people where I'm from."  He looked inside the bag, smiling at the wallet and the address written out.  He looked at the gown then the IV then at the guy.  "I'm going to pull this and get changed.  If you wanna talk or watch, I don't care."  He looked out again.  "I'm yanking this IV."

"No you're not."  He did and closed the line off then carried it out there to present it to her.  "What are you doing!"

"Leaving," he said, staring at her.  "I hate hospitals.  Hospitals kill people where I'm from.  I'm not staying.  Now, can I have a bandaid?"  She took his arm to patch up the hole.  Then he trudged back and changed clothes.  He slid into the jeans and moaned.  "Ooh, new."  He he slid into the shirt and sighed happily.  "Better."  He sat down to put on his shoes and socks, then grabbed the jacket out of the bag.  The wallet and keys went into his pockets.  The address in the other side.  His new phone into that pocket too. Then he sighed in pleasure.  "Much happier now.  I'm going," he called.  He looked at the agent.  "I have no idea what was going on. I ordered room service.  I went to answer the door to get my cheeseburger and onion rings.  The next thing I knew I was on a plane and trying to dial a phone but the stewardess snatched it from me.  Then I was knocked back out by the big, fat guy next to me."

"I know what plane that was," he agreed.  The nurse came in with papers and a wheelchair.  "Some young men can't stand to be fussed over," he reminded her.

"I know.  My own's like that.  I smacked him around too."

He looked at her.  "I'm a fully trained dom, nurse.  I doubt you're going to be doing the smacking."  She blushed at that.  "Thank you."  He smiled.  "I'm sorry I'm such a nuisance and I snored so loud."  He signed his name and they wheeled him out.  He found Mac waiting outside.  "Hola."

"Hi.  Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"I'm going to hide at Grandfather's."

"Come on.  Agent Whitts?"

"We have everything we need to know.  We wanted to know what he knew."

Xander looked at him.  "I'm not that bright."  Mac smacked him on the shoulder.  "Ow!  Meany!"  He glared at him.  "I'm not.  I can't compare to Willow's brains."  He looked at the agent again.  "I have no clue what is going on.  They've kept me out of that investigation so I wouldn't get upset by it.  Please, feel free to come borrow a few whips if you need them."

"No, I'm sure we have other, more socially acceptable, methods."

Xander looked at him.  "Had he managed to keep me, I would've used one on him," he said bluntly.  "Then broken him and made him bring me back to Miami."  He got into the SUV.  "Let Horatio know whatever I need to know.  Or Daddy."

Mac looked at him.  "CSI Speedle adopted him," he said at the confused look.

"I'll keep that in mind, sir, thank you."

"Welcome.  Have a better day."  That got a smile and he went back to the office while Mac looked at the address and took Xander over there.  "You should've stayed," he said.

"I hate being fussed over.  I loathe it.  I would kill if someone fussed over me."

Mac looked at him.  "Some of us do prefer to hide but you still should be in the hospital."

"I didn't go when I got drugged before the fire.  I can nap off a strong sedative anywhere, Mac," he said tiredly, looking at him.  "I'm sorry I'm such a pain."

"I'm a guy who hides too, Xander, but Stella always manages to find me."

"I don't care if someone checks on me just don't let them fuss.  Is daddy okay?"

"They're fine.  They were trying to get up here but their Chief wouldn't let them take the time off.  Speed threw a fit that would do Danny or any drag queen proud.  Horatio's promise of retribution went unsaid but clearly heard.  They went and retrieved Ryan when he had to call off sick one day, which made Willow very cranky."

"'Bout time," Xander agreed happily.  "I knew they'd go well together."

Mac smiled at him.  "They agreed we could watch over you until you could get home.  I'm not sure when that'll be.  I do know that they've been trying to reassure Greg and Lady Heather."

Xander pulled out his phone and found Greg's number already programmed.  "I'm awake now."  Greg babbled at him and he smiled.  "I'm okay.  I ordered room service and apparently they didn't like me having a cheeseburger with my onion rings, Greg.  I'm fine.  She's my next call so I can talk longer to daddy and them.  I'm okay.  I just left the hospital and I'm fine."  He smiled.  "A long nap but otherwise I'm good.  Okay?"  He smiled.  "Good boy, Greg.  Sure, next time you get to come to Miami."  He chuckled.  "It'll be safer anyway.  Everyone's scared of upsetting Horatio down there.  Sure.  Love you too.  Laters."  He hung up and called Lady Heather.  "Sonya, it's Master Tim.  I'm fine.  Tell her I'm fine and this is the number I can be reached at but I'm sleeping off the last effects of the sedative, all right?"  He smiled.  "Thank you, Sonya.  Give her my love and tell her I'm fine.  That they got upset that I ordered a cheeseburger with my onion rings or something.  Then have her vent about stupid people who want what isn't theirs.  Of course I'll call tonight. After I take a long nap.  Give her my love.  Hug her for me, Sonya.  I'm sure it would shock her and that is an order."  He smiled.  "Laters."  He hung up and called Ryan's phone. "I'm out, I'm heading for a nap, but I'll call dad.  Is he busy?"  He nodded.  "Figures.  I'll do that, Ryan.  I promise."  He hung up and looked at Mac.  "Ryan let out that sigh of relief."

"Why did you call Ryan?"

"I'd been bothering him about something for the last two weeks.  His was the only number I remembered off the top of my head.  Everyone else I have on speed dial."  Mac smiled at that and parked.  "Thanks, Mac."

"Welcome, Xander."  He watched him walk up to the brownstone and get the key in the lock but it didn't work.  Someone opened the door and Xander said something, so they pointed at the next house up.  The boy grinned and shrugged, saying something that included the word 'hospital' and went over there.  This time the key worked and the boy waved before slipping inside and closing the door.

Xander laid down on the nearest couch and dialed his father's phone.  "Hi, daddy," he said, putting him on speaker while he took off his shoes.

"I'm on a scene, kiddo."

"I know so I'll make it short."  He smiled.  "I'm fine.  I'm out of the hospital.  I'm at granddad's place.  Mac dropped me off after I got out."

"Checked out or were released?" he asked.

"No comment.  I'm fine, just need a nap."  He yawned and laid down, moving the phone closer. "I could be mean and ask you to tell me a bedtime story."

"I'm sure Horatio would like that but I'll do that when you get home, okay?"  Xander made an assenting noise.  "Want to talk to Horatio?"

"Gonna nap," Xander said, half-asleep now.  "Tell him love him.  Hug him for me.  Talk to him later."  He yawned.  "Love you."

"Love you too.  You nap, Xander."  He heard the snore and hung up, looking at Horatio.  "He's fine.  He's asleep on his grandfather's couch up there."

"Did he check himself out?  Mac's text message said he did."

Speed nodded.  "His answer was no comment.  Yeah, he checked himself out.  He hates to be fussed over.  Will drive you nuts if you get sick but he hates to be fussed over.  He said he'd call when he woke up."  That got a smile and a nod.

"It's good the boy's all right," Alexx said, looking at them.  "We should fuss."

"He'll hide," Speed warned.  "We've got to get the FBI to let him come back down here."

"They will be letting him go in the next few days," Horatio advised.  "They said so.  Or else I'm going to sic Willow on them again."  Speed snickered at that.  He looked at him.  "She would complain very well for all of us."

"She will," Speed agreed, getting back to work. "He said he'll want a bedtime story later.  Said he wasn't mean enough to make me think one up right now."

"I'm sure we can find him a good one," Horatio promised, getting back to work.  "Alexx, is that a bullet hole or a stab wound?"

"I can't tell.  It looks like a bullethole, same shape, but I can't feel the bullet yet.  I'll let you know."  She got done with her preliminary and they bundled the body up so they could leave.

Horatio and Speed shared a look then Speed called Greg.  "He's fine, Greg," he soothed. "He's asleep on his grandfather's couch and he's doing good.  It'll be okay.  No, it wasn't about that.  It was the stupid asshole who sent him the rolex.  Yeah, that thing.  Apparently he wanted more," he said dryly.  "We'll handle it and it'll be fine.  Just take a deep breath then hit the wall.  I promise, he'll be home in a few days and you can come down soon.  We'll bribe Grissom with bug samples or something."  Greg laughed at that.  "Relax for now."  He hung up and got back to work.  "He's still worried."

"Of course he is.  Xander got stolen when he was supposed to be watching him."

"It's not his fault he had to go to work, Horatio.  Really.  Worry more that the guy took skin samples and is going to clone him or something."  He grabbed his head and bent down then looked at him.  "Want a stepdaughter?"

Horatio walked off calling the FBI agent who had called him. "It's Caine.  They had a doctor there to take DNA samples?  Because we heard covert intelligence saying that he did," he said bluntly.  "Exactly.  I would, thank you."  He hung up and looked up.  "I don't mind if he has children but not this way please?"  He got back to work.

***

Raphael hung up with his contact and looked at Patrick.  "He was going to impregnate his wife with Xander's seed.  That way he could have another generation of him."

"Interesting.  Did it work?"

"Horatio's trying to stop it.  He is very young and having a child with someone he respects would be easier.  This way he'd take the child away from the mother and cut her off completely."  He looked at his childe.  "We could offer a hefty reward for a surrogate.  Pick someone upstanding yet pretty?"

"I don't like that idea.  It's almost like buying children."

"The alternative is to drug or get him royally drunk and make him cheat on Horatio and Gregory."

"I like that idea less.  I've always held the sanctity of marriage."  He looked at his sire, putting down his book.  "Who did you have in mind?"

"Monroe?"

"No.  I will not have a grandchild that opinionated.  I'm sorry but no.  Besides, their child would look strange with her ears."  He considered it.  "One of the Delko daughters?  Marisol is unattached and might welcome the chance."

"She's also ill."

"Point."  He considered it.  "I saw the most stunning young woman the other day but again, we'd have to make him cheat.  How about that nice Tara?"

"No... I'm foreseeing a gentle relationship with a person who will surprise her," Raphael said dryly.  "She's in for a world of change in New York."

"She is but she'll have better guardians.  After all, watching her is easier than watching our grandson."  He sighed.  "Lady Heather?"

"That would be one pale, dark haired child," his sire joked.  "But beautiful, Patrick.  What about your goddess?"

"She would never consent.  Nor would her hovering, overprotective man allow it.  Though I do believe they're about to get a wakeup call soon.  They always forget the loud one it seems like."  He considered it, looking at him. "Do we want the child to be dark haired and would he really care if it was biracial?"

"He wouldn't.  I wouldn't. You would," Raphael reminded him.

"I don't but I've seen all too many of those relationships split at the seams from the stresses of society.  For all I care the baby could be half Asian or something."  He sat up.  "There is one I've seen recently.  We even know her."  His sire looked amused at that.  "The one in the store.  Her."

He considered it.  "She'd have a fiery temper."

"No son?"

"Perhaps but he'd be just like Eric probably."  Patrick pouted.  "If there was any of our people I wouldn't care.  She's outside our influence."

"Buffy?"

"No.  I want not even a hint of a chance that the child may end up a slayer."  He looked at his childe.  "Besides, we should probably ask the boy first.  Before we go taking in a waif and getting her cleaned up."

"True, but we could agree on someone who looked like her?"

"I could.  I would prefer someone more mild mannered than that harridan.  But I could agree."  That got a smile.  "It would be a beautiful child and his seed is strong."

"From what we hear it is," he agreed. "Especially with the amount of that jerky he eats."  He slowly smirked.  "What about one of the society brats?"

"He'd be in for a fight and would have to go public as your grandson and heir.  It would cause problems with the bubble headed idiots in this state."

"I forgot," he sighed. He picked up his book and dialed his grandson, getting a sleepy, complaining voice.  "Xander, are you all right?"

"Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"I'm old, grandson, I don't need much sleep," his grandsire offered.  "There is news if you're awake enough to hear it."

"Hmm?" he asked.

"We heard one of the people with him was a doctor.  That he was planning on making one of his wives bear your child so he'd have a second generation of you."

"Gonna kill him," Xander said with a yawn.  "No kids until I'm twenty-three and Grandfather has to make it to the christening at least. Or else no kids ever."  He hung up and went back to sleep.

"He'll be twenty this year," Raphael agreed.  Patrick looked at him.  "It might happen."

"It won't, sire.  We both know that's being hopelessly optimistic.  I'll be lucky if I see his twenty-second birthday."  He sighed a bit.  "We'll have to provide for a grandchild anyway."

"I don't think that will be a problem," he promised, smiling at him.  "He will be disappointed if you die sooner."

"He's trying very hard to give me incentive to stay around but Ethan can only hold it off for so long," he pointed out. "Even he's saying probably less than a year.  Gordon?"  He walked in.  "The man who had Xander apparently had a doctor who was going to implant his wife with his child."

"I'll make sure it doesn't happen," he promised.

"We wouldn't *mind*," Raphael offered dryly. "But he might under the circumstances."

Gordon looked at them.  "Xander will have one.  Ask Timothy to ask the Powers with who."  He left, going to work on that issue. He had contacts in Interpol who could help.

Patrick reached for the phone but his sire gave him a look.  "Fine, you call."

"The Powers are touchy."  He called a number out in LA.  "Oz.  Is Cordelia there with you?  Please.  No, just a question to see if I can get an answer.  Really?  Timothy doesn't have that issue.  Then again, isn't she turned?"  He smiled and the phone was handed over.  "Cordelia, I need you to send a thought to the annoying people who give you a headache.  We need to know if Xander is going to have a child with someone *decent* or not.  If not we'll have to arrange for them to be taken and things."  He listened to her groan in pain and what she said, then what she growled when it was done.  "I thank you, dear one.  Have a better afternoon and do not pick on Oz, he might bite you."  He hung up.  "There will be a daughter. There may be a son.  The daughter will come from a better source than presently.  Though, they did tell her it was still open to interpretation."

"Hmm.  Drag queen?"

"Perhaps," he offered with a smile.  "We'll have to see."  Patrick let out a low growl.  "You'll live to see your first grandchild, they said so."

"Good!"  He went back to his reading.  He only hoped they were right.

***

Xander heard the phone ring and groaned, patting it until the noise quit.  "What?" he grumbled.

"Your grandsire just asked Cordelia about visions," Oz said in greeting.  "There'll be grandkids some year."

"As long as my head quits hurting I can do that soon.  Taunt the dark twinkie for me.  Later.  Gotta nap."  He hung up and went back to sleep, dreaming some very odd thoughts about shopping in Wal-Mart for babies.  It was probably the only thing they didn't sell but he hated to shop.  Picking out a baby from the shelves of them would take longer than Buffy deciding on which pair of black pumps she wanted.

Oz hung up and looked at her.  "He came up with a new one."  Cordelia looked at him.  "Dark Twinkie."

She considered it.  "Well, he is pale, creamy goodness wrapped by dark cheesecake.  Go for it."  She went back to nursing her headache.

Oz walked up the stairs, nodding at Wes.  "Where's the Dark Twinkie?"

Wesley Wyndham-Pryce stared at him, then he burst out laughing.  "I do like that name actually.  He's in bed.  As Cordelia should be."

"Vision.  Xander's grandkids."

"Ah.  Well, at least we've got warning for when they try to take over the world."  He walked off to make note of that and to see if he could get an account from her. Just in case.   After all, Xander's children could possibly take over the world in that special, bad way.

Oz smirked and went to make signs.  That way Angel got the joke.  He was liking working for Xander's grandsire.  It was neat.  Plus he got all the good gossip.  His ex's new hottie was pretty damn cute.

***

Xander woke up to pounding, not sure that it wasn't in his head.  He groaned and got up to glare at whoever was waking him up.  "What?" he growled.

"Doing a credible impersonation of Uncle Raphael when he's just gotten up," Don said with a smirk.  "Dinner?" he asked, holding up the bag.  Xander turned pale and ran off to find a bathroom.  "Ah, ye old sedative heave."  He walked in and put the food down then went to find him a glass of something bubbly to drink.  Xander tottered in a few minutes later.  "It's the sedatives they gave you.  They do it to me every time."

Xander finished his soda and looked at him.  "Another good reason to hate hospitals.  Food?"

"Living room."  He walked him back that way, visually checking the door to make sure it was locked.  Then he joined Xander on the couch.  "Anything good happen while you napped?"

"Someone said he was trying to make baby Xander's.  I'm hoping someone stopped him."  He dug into the bag and came out with a sandwich.  "Mine?"

"Whichever you want but that's got mayo on it."  Xander traded it out and leaned back to nibble the other one while Don got his.

"Thanks to that call I got strange dreams of shopping for babies at Wal-Mart."

"You can get baby stuff there," Don assured him.  "I have for showers and stuff at the office."

"No, going shopping for the actual babies at Wal-Mart."

"Yeah, that's a bit freaky.  What section were they in?"

"Automotive for some reason.  Right between them and sporting goods."  He ate a bite.  "I guess it's because they take so much work."  He shrugged and ate another one.  "How's things in Miami?  I need to fly home tomorrow."

"Can't."

"Why?"

"FBI wants you in New York until they're clear on what's going on."  Xander gave him an odd look.  He pinched him, getting a single nod.  "It's another reason that Horatio is not a happy camper and your house is now clean."  Xander ducked his head at that.  "I don't mind you guys.  You're cute together."  He smirked.  "I should have someone that cute someday."

"Tara?"

"I thought she liked girls."

"She might but you're enough man to turn any lesbian straight," he teased.

"Yeah, we'll see.  She's coming out for spring break to look at the school and see if she wants ta live on campus or off."  He looked at him.  "Speaking of, didn't Speed want you in school?"

"For languages and we're still talking about it thankfully.  He knows I'm stupid."  Don swatted him.  "Ow!  Be nicer!"

"You're not stupid.  Just because books aren't your thing doesn't make you stupid.  It makes you street smart and sometimes that's better'n books anyway.  So no more putting yourself down or I'm writing Lady Heather."

"Yes, Don," he said, looking at him.  "I'm having deja vu."

"Which one had this talk with you?"

"Grandsire."

"Yeah, the old boy's kinky but he's got a sharp tongue when you've screwed up.  He got onto the guy with the dog about his rose bushes."

"We have dogs?"

"They have dogs."

"I never see any dogs," he said with a pout.

"They've got a K-9 guard.  You've never seen her?"  Xander shook his head.  "She's some freaky great dane/labrador/whatever mixture that's huge, not so slobbery, and is smarter than a few cops I know.  She's a great dog.  Loves to play fetch."  Xander grinned.  "Her name's Holly."

"I'll have to look for her."

Don grinned. "You could always go to the pound."

"Yeah but I'm trying hard not to spend all my money."

"What about your job?"

"He sucks at advertising so I've had to do that to get *any* clients in.  I didn't have one for the first month."  He ate another bite and finished his sandwich then got up to get more soda for him and Don.  Then he sat back down.  "I need a different job."

"Probably true. There's gotta be openings."

"There's plenty but they're all snotty people places and I hate being treated like the garden  gnomes.  Besides, the women who go there hit on the staff all the time and I don't like it.  They think it's their right to be serviced that way too."

"You could always reopen."

"I know," he sighed.  "Or take over the spa I work for and do it right.  My boss is a moron."  Don nodded.  "Met him?"  He nodded.  "I'm sorry.  The only problem with that plan is that I have no idea how to run a business."

"They make classes for that too.  You were doing okay with your own."

"I was stuck in a sea of paperwork.  Did you know there were a lot of fees for licenses and things?"

"I hadn't."

"There are.  Plus you have the fees for allowing people to use credit cards.  Higher ones for debit cards depending on the original bank.  The forms to take a medical card are nearly as thick as the bible with the instruction booklet.  It was wearing on my nerves.  It'd be easier if I just opened up as a dom again.  Less regulation, more cash, higher fees. I was getting a hundred an hour for my dom fees for those who played, more for the special things.  I was only getting fifty for a massage.  And my dom clients respected me a lot more."

"Then go into business like Lady Heather is, Xander.  The world's big enough for you both."

"I'd have to move back to New York.  Miami doesn't have that big of a community and no need for a play club.  We have one and they're doing crappy business."

Don looked at him.  "Is that stupid people in charge syndrome or is it because it's a crappy club?"

"A bit of both."

"Then maybe instead of the spa you should do that, Xander."  Xander blinked at him.  "Really.  Make some rooms for the internet stuff.  Pay Willow ta help.  She could probably use a part-time paycheck.  And if she's too big a prude, she'll know who to ask.  Make some areas play areas and some areas private areas, for those who need the therapy.  Put a front out for the dinner theater, showy sort of S&M like you did that time with Steven, and then make it nicer so people want to hang out in there and watch."

"That's not a bad idea.  I wonder if Horatio would mind."

"Probably not. You'd be running the place and you told Patrick he didn't mind your normal clients."

"True."  He considered it.  "I wonder how much it would cost to run a month."

"Probably not that much," Don offered. "Bartender, a few waiters, cleaning and those supplies?"  He shrugged. "Rental fees for the back rooms.  User fees if you put up a website. Hell, attach a normal club up front.  Those always make money out the ass."

"Not a bad idea," Xander admitted, watching the ideas go through his mind.  Don nudged him and he shook his head.  "Sorry.  I'd have to get Eric to help advise me on what a good club should be or it'd end up being a goth club.  For the rooms I'd have to have a hall monitor, someone who knew CPR.  Just in case."

"They're pretty easy to find though."  He reached over to pick a piece of lettuce off his shirt and feed it to him.  "The head feel better?"

"Thank you."

"Welcome."  He grinned.  "Now, the two ancient worrywarts in Florida wanted a call.  The female worrywart and your male worrywart in Vegas wanted a call, and so does your personal worrywart in Miami."

Xander grinned and nodded.  "My cell?"

"Ehh, use the house phone at least to call Patrick."  Xander looked at it then at him.  "Do it, not like he'll complain."

"He should."

"He won't.  I'll make sure you don't fall asleep during the call this time."

Xander smiled and picked up the regular phone, dialing the number marked 'main house'.  Oz picked up. "Huh, I thought main house would've went to Miami.  How's my former bitch?"  He grinned.  "That's cool.  No, I'm just now waking up.  Sure, I'll do that.  Thanks, Oz.  Come down and visit sometime."  He hung up and hit the number from memory, getting the study phone.  "Ha!  Figured it out.  Why the 'main house' goes to the LA number I don't know."  His grandfather explained it.  "Oh, didn't think about that."  His grandfather chuckled.  "I'm awake, Don fed me, and I'm okay now.   How much longer before I can come home?"  He grinned.  "Grandad, I can't leave work that long.  Yeah, I know.  Any idea if he sent the other stuff too?  Actually I do have DVD's of me stripping.  Because she got the all strip club channel and it was showing open pole winners?" he offered.  "In the DVD present package was one.  I know at least Eric got a copy.  I'm pretty sure Ryan has one too since he mentioned I looked better than he ever could in those burgundy leathers I used to have."  He listened to him call out to someone.  "Tell everyone I'm okay and I'm going to play with Holly when I come back.  Yes, the dog.  You never told me you had a dog."

He grinned. "Well, you didn't.  I would've come over a lot more often to play with the dog, Grandad."  He chuckled.  "Yes I would have.  Willow would too."  He grinned.  "I'm being a good boy.  For now.  So, why can't I fly home tomorrow?"  He moaned.  "That's mean.  No, Don told me to use the house phone to call you.  I was going to use my cell for the others, I promise."  He grinned at Don.  "He said you're in trouble if this is a huge phone bill.  He doesn't have long distance on this phone."  Don rolled his eyes.  He listened to his grandfather tell him something.  "Yeah, I heard someone say that earlier.  That's why I had the funny dream of shopping for babies at Wal-mart.  Between automotive and sporting goods."  His grandfather laughed so hard he choked.  "Tell Gordon I'm sorry and I'll be home soon, Granddad.  Love you and pat the kinky, hovering, goofball grandsire too.  Oz said he was, that's why."  He grinned as he hung up.  "They're okay.  No one got stolen recently or anything."  He put down the house phone and picked up his, finding all  his numbers in there.  "Hmm."

He started with Greg.  "Okay, I'm awake."  His 'I'm at work' didn't sound happy.  "I'm sorry.  Then I'll call tomorrow while you should be asleep," he teased.  Greg must've smiled at that, someone asked him why he was smiling and he snapped at them for it.  "Be a good boy, Greggy, and tell them you're running away to Miami."  He did that and everyone decided that was a bad idea.  Nick offered chains even.  "Only I get to chain you up and spank you," he reminded him.  Greg retorted that.  "No, tell them I'm in New York and I'm okay.  The sedatives are gone and I'm going to have to get remarried to pay off the cellphone bill this month."  Greg reported that faithfully, watching as they all demanded he do it there.  "I'll tell Don you guys said that.   Don, they said if I get married again I have to do it here instead of seeing if Sam Braun still wanted my ass."  Greg said something smart and they all groaned.  Xander cackled. "What a good idea, Greggy!"

Don took the phone.  "Xander is only allowed to marry the guys he's in a relationship with at this moment," he said firmly.  "No one else.  Ever.  Am I clear, Greg?  Good.  Now, be a good boy and get back to work.  He's still got to call Lady Heather and the other worrywarts.  You too."  He hung up and handed back the phone then gave Xander a hug.  "He said to give that to you since you're such a naughty boy."

"I am not."

"Are too.  Call Lady Heather next."

"I really am going to have to marry someone expensive to pay off the phone bill."  He dialed her anyway.  "Hi, Sonya.  Did you tell her I said to?"  He grinned.  "That's fine, put her on if she's free."  Lady Heather came on.  "I told Sonya to hug you for me, Lady Heather.  Because you probably needed a hug.  Hugs are elemental comfort after all."  He grinned at her assertion she hugged very nicely and that she'd remember that for future hugs, but it had still shocked her.  "I'm fine.  The sedatives are gone.  Uncle Don's fed me a sandwich from the deli.  Yeah I'm in New York.  The FBI won't let me leave."  He grinned.  "I know.  But all I did was order a cheeseburger and onion rings.  I don't know why they didn't like my cheeseburger.  It's not like I put pineapples on it or anything."  He heard the frustrated sigh.  "I know, I'm using humor to raise the tension bar," he agreed. "That's the sort of guy I am though.  No, but I did just joke to Greg that I'd have to get married again to pay the cellphone bill," he teased.  "Think Braun's still interested?"  Her shocked silence then sudden cackling told him all he needed to know.   He grinned.  "See, told you I was fine.  No, I wasn't hit in the head, m'lady," he promised.  "I'm a good boy.  Even if Don did suggest I open up a club down in Miami for the dom stuff."

He sipped his soda.  "Soda, Lady Heather.  I probably should but the bubbles feel nice right now."  He grinned. "Love you too, Lady Heather.  I'm being a good boy and I called Greg first.  Of course.  You be a good girl too.  No being too naughty without me being there to see.  Of course I'm coming back sometime soon.  Or else I'd have to have your house moved with you in it and Greg moved.  That's the only way they're keeping me out of Las Vegas.  Oh, did anyone pack up my hotel and cash out my winnings?"  He grinned.  "Thanks, Lady Heather.  Love you."  He blew a kiss and hung up, calling his father.  The panting made clear what he was doing.  "Am I getting a new baby brother or sister finally?  Well, Granddad does want great-grandkids," he joked.  "I'm fine and I'll let you get back to having her make squealy noises some more, daddy.  Laters."  He hung up and called Horatio, who was also panting.  "Oooh, is that because of me?" he asked, getting up and going into another room.  "Well, I did kinda interrupt dad and stepmom."  He listened to what Horatio was saying and got very warm.  "Twist it to the right, Horatio.  Like I would."  That got a moan and Horatio groaned his name a minute later.  "Good boy.  Now, finish your run and go home to think about me because I'm stuck in New York.  The FBI won't let me leave."

He smiled.  "You could come up for a few days.  I'd sneak back but they might freak if I did that."  He grinned.  "I'd like that," he agreed happily.  "Of course.  Love you too, Horatio.  Don fed me a sandwich already and I've been being a good boy, even if Granddad's warning that he had a doctor with him did make me have strange dreams.  Going baby shopping at Wal-mart.  No, not in the frozen food.  By automotive."  He heard the laugh.  "Between there and sporting goods.  I guess it's because they take so much work and then they have to spend a lot of time in sporting goods.  Not a clue otherwise.  Then again, I did just ask Dad if he was giving me a baby brother or sister since I caught him mid groan."  He smiled.  "I wouldn't mind some day.  I think I told him twenty-three earlier and he had to make it to the christening."  That got a happy sounding 'I can agree to that'.  "So I'll be back home as soon as I can and I'll try not to cause Mac any problems, but if I get too stressed I'll head out to the clubs and try to bring someone with me.  You could run at my place you know."  He grinned.  "I know, half the fun of running at the park is who you run into.  Let me know if anything happens.  Love you.  Have a happy jog and no more cramps."  He hung up and went back there.  "He was having runner's cramps."

"I get those too," Don agreed. "You okay?"

"I wanna sneak back."

"You can't.  They've got you banned from flying for a few more days.  Just in case."  He stood up.  "You good?"  Xander beamed and nodded. "You be okay tonight alone?  If not I can stay over."

"Don't you have a naked and willing woman waiting on you somewhere?"

"Well, I could," he admitted.  "Haven't called her yet."  He grinned. "You sure?"

"I'm sure.  I'm a big boy.  I managed to live all by myself here for a while."  Don smirked and patted him on the back before leaving.  "Thanks for dinner, Don."

"Welcome, Xander."  He jogged down the steps feeling a lot better now.  He called Mac.  "Xander's up and awake.  He's called everyone.  Joked about interrupting Speed having sex.  Cured Horatio's muscle cramps.  Teased Lady Heather and Greg.  Said he'd have to marry someone rich to pay the phone bill.  Promised he'd only go out with chaperones while he was here."  He grinned at that last 'good idea'.  "So it's all good and he ordered me to go find a pretty woman.  So I'm off to do that for now.  Yeah, it's fine.  He's probably going to settle in again.  No, not bouncy but he'll have a headache in a few hours anyway. Sure.  Later, Mac."  He hung up and found the number he had been wanting to call.  "Christie, hey, Don Flack.  Yeah.  I managed to get off early tonight and wanted to know if you wanted ta do somethin'?  I don't care.  Just anything."  He grinned.  "I can do that and I'm even in the right borough at the moment," he agreed.  "Sure.  I can meet you there."  He looked down at himself.  "Still in a suit, why?"  He nodded.  "Fine, I'll go change.  Even though I'm wearing my dark blue one."  That got a 'fine, come in that' order. "Thanks, see you soon."  He got into the car once he had hung up and headed for the club she wanted to hit.  It was a good night for a date.

***

A few days later Xander answered his phone.  "It's me."  He listened to the shy female voice.  "Tara?"  He smiled. "Yup, I'm a Xander person.  What's up?"  He nodded. "Actually I am in New York at the moment.  The FBI won't let me leave.  Still.  Ooooh, early spring break?"  He grinned.  "Not that classes ever ran very well before, Tara, honey.  They had a minor in surfing and we didn't even have a beach nearby that you could surf from."  He grinned.  "I can do that.  Sure.  Where are you?"  He nodded.  "I'll be right there.  You just wait for me somewhere safe, okay?  It'll take me about an hour I think. Sure.  Get a burger and sit down.  Be there soon."  He hung up and called Danny while he

hunted for his shoes.  "Did Sheldon have an accident or something?"  He grimaced at the 'yes'.  "No wonder he didn't pick up Tara.  I said I'd do it when she called me just now."  He checked his wallet. "I can do that and bring her over if you'll get lunch."  'Tomorrow's payday' made him reevaluate that plan.  "Hmm. Well.  That's fine, I'll subway back with her if I can.  To the station, yes.  No, don't yell at him.  It's not his fault he had a wreck.  I'll see you guys soon."  He hung up and headed for the nearest subway stop, heading out to the airport she had mentioned.  It was a long ride but okay.  He found her waiting by the security station and smiled.  "Can I take you away from this very loud place?" he teased.

She blushed and looked at him.  "Xaa...Xander?"

"Yup, tis me," he said proudly.  "Just like her pictures, huh?"  She nodded quickly but ducked her head.  "No, don't do that. I don't mind shy.  I was shy before too.  Is that all your brought?"  She nodded.  "Then let's go.  Check your purse just in case."  She did.  "Good.  Now put the important stuff down your shirt or something so no one can mug you.  The subways can be like that now and then."  She ducked into a bathroom while he held her bag, and then they left together, heading back down.  He even took her arm so she could shelter against him.  "I called Danny, he works with Sheldon, and he said Sheldon was in a wreck last night on a scene.  A car clipped him.  So he's probably on good painkillers and that's why he wasn't here."

"He okay?" she asked quietly.

"Probably."  He smiled at her. "I promised I'd stop by and introduce you to everyone.  Then we can go to where I'm staying and you can have a guest room since it's my grandfather's house and if he minds I'll growl."  She giggled, patting him on the arm.  "I will.  I'm good at it."  They headed that way on the subway, her luggage between his feet, just in case.  He pinched the guy he caught trying to lift her purse, giving him a look.  "If I caught you, I'm going to tell the transit cop."  He hurried off.  He shook his head and looked at her.  "Some very naughty people ride the subway."  She nodded.  "But where you're going is a lot safer and very pretty I heard."  She smiled at that.  They got off at the right stop and he walked her up the street, nodding at some of the guys he knew.  All of who looked stunned.  "This is Tara," he introduced to one.  "She's moving up here to go to college and Sheldon's looking out for her."

"Doc said he had a friend coming up to go to school, but not that she was that pretty," he offered.  Tara blushed hotly and hid her face.  "Awww.  That's cute."  He patted her on the head.  "They're all inside somewhere, Xander.  Even Flack."

"Cool, thanks."  He grinned at her.  "You are cute."  She looked at him.  "You are.  They don't see too much of cute around here.  Too many fake women who try for beautiful and end up looking plastic."  He shrugged.  "Or at least that's who I keep running into."  He walked her into the CSI side and smiled at the receptionist.  "This is Tara."

"Doc said he was supposed to pick you up today but I guess they've got him stoned on the painkillers."  She gave her a hug.  "Welcome to New York, sweetie.  Give me the suitcase and go find the others.  Mac's in his office."

"That's cool."  He grinned as he handed it over.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  She smiled at Tara, who gave her a shy grin back.  "Awww.  She's so cute," she cooed once she was gone.  She called Flack's desk.  "There's such a cute thing here.  Tara."  She laughed.  "Of course she is.  Shy and cute.  Sure.  They're headed for Mac's office."  She hung up and arranged the suitcase better so it wasn't in her way.

Xander heard someone shouting 'stop now' and looked at her then carefully put her out of the way.  "Which one?" he called.

"Guy in front!" Danny panted.  Xander pounced him and Danny grinned.  "Thanks, Xander."  He hauled him up.  "Stupid asshole."  He drug him off once he had him in cuffs.  "Mac's still in his office."  He paused then looked at the blonde in the corner.  "It's not always like this.  He got scared of Monroe."  He grinned.  "I'm Danny."

"T..t...tara," she stuttered.

He beamed at her and she relaxed some.  "It's good to put a better face to the emails, Tara. You let Xander help you settle in tonight and we'll do lunch tomorrow or somethin', 'kay?"

"Okay," she agreed.

He grinned and smacked the guy on the head.  "You nearly ran her over.  You proud?  You don't run over the sweet people, others get upset."

Xander took her hand again, pulling her away from the wall.  "Isolated incident," he promised with a grin.  She gave him a small one back.  "I'm sure you learned about that technique too."  She nodded.  "That's kinda cool."  He led her up to Mac's office, tapping on the door since he saw Stella in there too.  "Bad timing?"

"No, good timing.  I'm nagging him about lunch," she offered.  "Who's this?  A girlfriend with Horatio and Greg, Xander?"  Tara went fuschia.  "Ah, you're Tara," she said, pulling her inside.  "Hi.  I'm Stella, this is Mac.  He runs this insanity."

"Hi," she said weakly, waving at him.

He smiled at her.  "There's no need to be nervous, Tara.  I'm a nice guy."

"And if he growls at you I have a new riding crop at home that I can break in," Xander assured him with a grin.  She stared at him, looking stunned.  "I'm a dom, sweetie, I can do that."  Then he grinned brighter.  "Huh, Stella."

"He can.  He's a great dom."  She smiled at her.  "Did Sheldon forget?"  She nodded quickly.  "Awww, it's all right.  They gave him some pretty strong painkillers because a car clipped him on the leg.  Before you ask, he's perfectly fine, just really bruised."  She gave her a hug around the shoulders.  "You, young lady, are tiny."  Tara blushed again.  "You are.  You need to eat more."  She looked at Mac.  "I'm taking these two to lunch.  You mind?"

"I can come along," he promised, getting up.  Don strolled in.  "Wondering where you were."

"Got stopped helping Danny.  He had a suspect that got away."

"Again?" Xander asked.

"Yeah, he considers Monroe to be evil so he keeps trying to run from her.  This time he got the table stuck in the doorway."  He looked at Xander.  "Pounced him for him?"  Xander beamed and nodded.  "Good!  Pouncing's good!"  He smiled and held out a hand.  "Hi, Tara.  I'm Don.  I'm kinda a cousin to Xander through his grandfather and my uncle.  He calls me Uncle Don though."

"He's a good uncle," Xander assured her.  "He keeps trying to keep me out of trouble."

"Willow told me to watch out for you and trouble," she teased.  Don giggled and took her arm to walk her out.  "Stella..."

"I know where she's headed.  Only one place around here has a good buffet that Xander can eat himself sick at."

"Which is good because I still haven't gotten my stuff from my hotel room and no one will tell me if they found my wallet or not," Xander complained as he followed.  "Coming, Mac, or do I have to find a leash?"

"I'm coming.  Give me a minute," he called, shaking his head and calling Sheldon.  "Sheldon, it's Mac.  We have Tara so don't stress.  Xander has her."  He hung up and followed.

Xander looked at the person at the table in front of him then smacked him on the back of the head as he walked past, smirking at him.  "Heard you were inside, thought I'd welcome you back out by giving you something you probably remember fondly," he teased.

"Harris," Vito, one of Sonny's guys, said, staring at him.  "Why are you here?"

"The feds won't let me leave."

"You're messed up in something federal?" he asked, looking stunned.

"No, they kinda took me off a plane for my own good because the guy kidnaping me had sedated me," he admitted.  That got an even more horrified look.  "So I'm here until they let me go.  This is my bestest buddy Tara.  She's from my town too."

"Pleasure, ma'am," he said respectfully, getting a small giggle for that.  "Sorry, I know you're not that old but he scares me so I'm always respectful."

Xander grinned.  "At least you didn't get messed up with my cult."  He led Tara on to their table with a wave.  "Have fun, Vito."

"Yeah, you too," he said weakly.  He sat down and stared at the other guys.  "That's the same guy who had the truce with Sonny."  That got nods.  They remembered him.  They wouldn't go near him or her now.

Xander helped Tara into her seat with a grin.  "There, now they won't bother you either.  Though I probably should go taunt Sonny some more."  He sat down and smiled at Stella, who gave him a look back.   "I'm trying to be good."

"Try harder," Don ordered.  "Please.  Before someone comes after you again."

"That only happens on vacation and I'm not on vacation.  Though, Grandfather wanted a clean, new tape of me stripping to see what it is that draws them to me."  He looked at Stella.  "He saw me when I was up here and got fixated."

"Charming.  No.  No stripping, Xander.  Be a good boy."  She looked at the waitress when she came over.  "We've got another one coming and we all want the buffet."  She nodded, going to write that down.  "Anything we should be aware of, Tara?"

"No shellfish on me please."

"Okay, we can do that."

"I can leave off the prawns this time," Don assured her with a grin.  They got up and he followed behind her up there.  Someone tried the old bump and grab technique but he batted him on the head.  "Leave the lady alone."  The guy scurried off.  "Sorry about him. Some guys, ya know?"  She smiled and nodded, digging into the vegetable dishes.  "Willow said she went Vegan for you.  Mind if we eat meat?"

"You do important things all day, you should," she said quietly, adding a small grin at the end.

Don felt his stomach tense and nodded.  "Thanks."  He patted her on the back.  "They've got tofu at that end. I stay away from there though."  She went that way to look while he loaded up on beef.  Because he had to remind himself she liked girls.  Xander gave him a knowing look and he shrugged a bit.  He'd understand, he was a guy.  Stella went up to get her food and Xander followed, digging in heartily.  "Did you not get breakfast?"

"I only got up an hour ago."

"Why were you up so late last night?" Don asked patiently.  "Not in the clubs, right?"

"No, I was talking to the person who won't let me go home.  I was in the clubs the night before then."  Don and Stella both gave him horrified looks. "What?"

"By yourself?" Stella asked.  Mac came in and got the buffet too, heading to fill up.

"No, I was with Danny."

They all smiled and relaxed, Don nodded.  "Good choice, and he did help you find a better sense of rhythm."

"And I got him a really nice girl bagged too.  Then I went back to where I used to work and hung out there for a while."  That got more relaxed people.  "Guys, I did handle myself okay when I lived here."

"You did," Mac agreed as he sat down between Tara and Stella.  "Hi."

"Don't squirt her with the shellfish, Mac.  She's allergic," Stella ordered.

"Sorry."  He moved them away from her and ate them first.

"I..it...it's okay."

Don patted her on the back.  "You don't have ta worry about Mac, Tara.  He's only mean to the bad guys.  Like I am."  He grinned at her.   "I promise, we're nice guys, you don't have to be shy around us, and it's all good.  After all, we put up with Xander when he was confused, you're nicer, sweeter, and prettier."  She blushed but smiled shyly at him and dug into her food.

Stella looked at him.  "Well said," she agreed, grinning at him.  Don shrugged one-sidedly.  "Don't you have dinner with your folks tonight?"

"Uh-huh.  Mom's gonna rant."

"She's coming back to stay with me," Xander promised.  Don stared at him. "I'm sure Granddad and Grandsire won't mind."

"Just thinking she's probably the first girl in that house in nearly forever."  He ate a bite and shrugged.  "But that's good.  It's a safe neighborhood, nearer to the college.  All good points.  Doc's up the road from you guys by about seven or eight blocks."  Danny and Sheldon walked in, Sheldon limping.  "Speaking of Doc and Stubborn."  They came over to join them, getting chairs from free tables and making everyone shift.  "Tara, this is Danny.  I'm sure you saw him earlier when Xander pounced someone for him.  The other is Sheldon."

"I'm sorry I forgot, Tara.  It was the meds they gave me.  I just woke up."

"It's okay," she said quietly.  He smiled at that.  "Food?"

"Food's good here," Danny agreed.  He looked around.  "Shellfish allergy?" Tara raised her hand slowly. "I can handle that. I'll get the prawns later ta go home with."  He grinned and went to do that.  Sheldon let Xander help him stand up and went to do the same, patting her on the back.

Tara smiled at Xander.  "This was a good idea," she said quietly.

"It was.  These guys watched out for me when I first got up here.  Aiden said so."  She giggled at that. "They're good at it and Stella makes a good big sister.  She even tried to teach me to cook."  Tara's eyes went wide so he looked behind him at the person standing there.  "Hey."  He grinned.  "Are you bothering my little sister?"  The man shook his head and left.  He looked at her again.  "Don't worry about him, sweetie.  He won't bother you, whoever he is."

"One of the mop up guys," she said quietly.

Xander smirked.  "You refer him back to Spike."

She stared in horror.  "That's mean."

Xander beamed. "Thank you.  Think Willow would approve or cackle?"  She giggled and swatted at him but went back to eating.  He looked at the guy.  "Be right back."  He walked over on pretext of getting more food.  "Please leave Miss Maclay alone," he said quietly.

"We want to know things about the assault."

"Then ask the others who were there.  Willow's down in Miami.  Buffy's still at home."

"Neither one planned it."

"True, they're not me," he said dryly, staring him down.  The man flinched.  "Am I clear on why you leave the nice, sweet, delicate, and gentle young woman alone?  For good?"  He nodded.  "Thank you.  She doesn't need this sort of stress in her life.  If you want to know things, ask those who were there."

"Agreed.  How did you learn how to plan?"

"Halloween my tenth grade year," he said blandly, heading to the buffet now.  He came back. "Why?"

"Graduation?"

"No comment."

"We'd like...."

"Then ask Willow why."

"We know why."  He stood up and looked at him.  "We know exactly why, including the remains we helped cart away, sir."

"Then you know why and you know how."  That got a nod. "Was there some doubt it wasn't necessary?"

"No.  We figured it was.  You?"

"I modified what others thought because theirs wouldn't work."

"Oh.  Good job, sir."

"Thank you."  He went back to his seat.  "Military?" he asked her.  She nodded.  He shrugged.  "They wanted to know about graduation too."

"It happens," Tara agreed quietly.

"Yeah, if I had to hide, I'd let someone turn me then go hide in Africa or something."  She smiled at that and he looked at her again.  "I'm a practical guy, Tara.  And a weapon's person," he offered with a grin.

"So she said."  She ate another dainty bite.

"Eat like a real woman, Tara.  We're used ta Stella slurping and stuff," Danny promised, eating a big bite.

"I don't slurp."

"Only when you're eating egg drop soup," Mac said loyally.

Don leaned over.  "Ignore those three, they secretly want each other and they're clueless, even though they're all great CSI," he whispered in her ear, making her smile at him.  "Want more?  I can go up and get more if you want escorted."

"I'm a big girl."  She got up and went up there to get more food.  It wasn't too far away from safety.  Because Don did make her feel safe and tingly.  Warm almost.  She had no idea why she felt that way since he was a boy.  The others played and joked while Don and Xander talked to her and Sheldon fell asleep at the table.  She'd tease him about it later but it was okay with her.  She'd been hurt before too.  She understood the allure of pain killers when you had bruises.

On the way home, Xander looked at her.  "You know, sometimes that urge hits you even if you don't think your body's getting the right signals," he offered.  "Don's a sweet guy as long as you're not a bad guy, but you'll have a lot of time watching him angst over cases because he still gives a damn."  She gave him a shocked look and he smiled.  "I read people for a living, Tara.  He had the same grin I had after I first kissed Horatio.  It's all good to us.  Sometimes your heart makes exceptions to what your brain thinks you want.  He's a good man who'll be a great guy for you if you want to try that.  He's also the sort that it won't get awkward if you try it once and it doesn't work out."  He let her into the house and stared at the cloaked figure in front of him. "Does this mean I can go home?" he teased his grandsire.

"No, not yet.  We decided you should have a minder, Xander.  Who is this?"

"This is Tara.  Formerly Willow's Tara.  She's moving up here and Sheldon got clipped by a car so he's on painkillers.  I was going to let her have the other guest room."  Tara started to stutter.

Raphael smiled at her.  "Welcome to our home, Tara."  He gave her a gentle hug.  "Now, upstairs and to the left, dear."

"That's mine.  She can have the one that looks out on the backyard."  He grinned and walked up there, putting her into her room.  "I know, he's a vampire.  He's a nice guy and he won't hurt us."  She smiled and relaxed. "He's my grandfather's sire.  He's a nice guy but watch out for kinky thoughts now and then."  She blushed at that but nodded.  "Come down when you're ready.  Take a nap if you need to.  I'm going to see if they can let me go home yet."  She nodded and he went back down there to call the FBI agent locally.  "When can I go home?" he whined.  "Because I'm missing my sex and my boyfriend, not to mention my other friends and my father."  He groaned.  "I don't care!"  His grandsire took the phone from him and walked off with it to talk to him. Tara snuck back downstairs so he nodded her in and turned on the tv, changing it off the porn station he had been watching.  "Sorry."

She looked at him.  "You have a boyfriend?"

"Actually I have two boyfriends. I have a Horatio in Miami and we have a Greg to pet and love when he comes in from Las Vegas.  That's where I was when I got kidnaped."  She smiled at that.  "Greg's kinda like me, only smart and blond.  Horatio's really honorable and straight guy most of the time.  He's heading the crime lab down there and Timmy works for him."

"Willow told me about Timmy."  She took his hand to hold.  "You really think..."  His grandsire came back.

"Tell her that sometimes even gay folk get the urgings for the other side."

"They do.  Patrick, his grandfather, and I work with a lot of gay groups and charities, Tara.  Patrick's taken in a lot of very confused young men over the years.  If you feel an urging toward the nice Doctor Hawkes it's perfectly natural."

"Don," Xander told him.

His grandsire's face lit up with his smile.  "We were hoping he'd meet someone nice," he promised, giving her a cuddle.  "If you two like each other it would be more than we could ever dream of happening.  Donny deserves something sweet and special that makes him a happy boy."  He bounced out, going to call his childe.

"See?" Xander offered, grinning at her.  She pinched him.  "I'm a good matchmaker.  I set Willow and Ryan together.  I had to give Ryan a nudge too.  He wanted to be honorable."  She blushed and nodded, leaning against his arm.  "Let it happen naturally, Tara.  It's sweet and so are you.  Don needs more sweetness in his life."  He stroked over her hair.  "It's all good to us in the family.  Grandpa's husband agrees."  She giggled and pointed at the tv.  "Yup, that's Don in SuperStud mode as Danny teases."  They watched him chasing someone down to bust them.  He also took his chinese food back from them.  "Aww, they took his takeout.  Taking food from him is bad."

She giggled at that and settled in to watch her new city.  She was going to like it here.  She would never be bored again or have to smell blood breath.

***

Patrick nearly danced into the station that night, stopping to hug Calleigh.  "My other boy has found a decent woman to adore."

"Really?  Don?"  He nodded and smiled.  "Give, who?" she demanded.

"Tara."

"Willow's Tara?"  He nodded and grinned.  "Does she feel the same?"

"We think so.  Sire said she blushed and giggled over him arresting someone on the news. He called it adorably cute even if she is a bit confused about why she switched suddenly."

"He's a good man," Speed said as he joined them.  "He'll be good for her and very protective of her.  Plus his mother will quit nagging."

"You might wanna pass on that my mother went after her father with a shotgun," Calleigh told Patrick.  "For being such a hind end to his baby girl."  That got a wicked smirk.  "Tell her to write me too."

"I will."

"How's Xander?"

"Going insane from the boredom but I sent Sire up to watch him."

"Making up for where he didn't in Vegas the first time?" Speed asked dryly.  He got a nod for that.  "Good.  H is in his office sulking."

"I think I can fix that."  He smiled and went up there.  "My boy is a wonderful matchmaker," he said as he walked in.  Horatio smiled at him for that news.  "He set up Donny with a great, sweet, and gentle young lady, who I think you've heard Willow babble about."  That got an even bigger smile.  He looked at him.  "How much do you want to go to New York, Horatio?"  He moved closer.  "I can help you."

"You would?"

"I would."  He smirked at him.  "But it'll cost you."

"Whatever the price is," he agreed.  Patrick lunged over and bit him, savaging his throat a bit.  He moaned and nearly passed out.

Patrick pulled back and patted him on the head.  "There, now there's no problem with you taking a few days off, grandson-in-law."  He turned and found Ryan watching.  "He needs to be up there."

"He does.  Go."  Patrick smiled at him.  "Tara and Don?" he called after him.

"Tara and Don.  They're both in the first blush but Xander is a wonderful matchmaker."

"Can't argue with that.  He set me up."  He called Alexx.  "Horatio's collapsed over his desk, I need you up here now, Alexx," he demanded, acting panicked, heading in to help take care of him. The bite clearly looked worse than it was and Horatio blinked at him. He winked back.  "Alexx is coming, Horatio, just hold on for a bit longer," he said, finding some clean paper towels and pressing it to the wound.  She came running in with a guard.  "Here."  He stepped back and let her have it.

"What bit you?" she demanded.

"I don't know," he murmured, looking like he was going to pass back out.

"Boys, search for something that bit him."  They went to do that while one called for the paramedics.  She looked at the wound.  "Not a lot of blood, good work, Ryan."

"Thanks, Alexx.  We all worry about Horatio."

She looked at him.  "I know why.  We'll get him stitched up tonight and it'll be fine," she promised.  Paramedics rushed in with Frank.  "It's all right, Frank.  He got bitten by something.  He's lost some blood and there's minor damage."

"In here?  Something bit him on the throat in here?" he demanded.  Ryan looked at him and nodded and he knew.  He just *knew*.  "Get him out of here, boys.  Can't have him bleeding in the lab or anything."  They nodded and took him out.  He closed the door once they were gone.  "Give, you two."

"I recognized what it was, not who it was."

"Patrick was just here," Ryan said quietly.  He grinned and they both nodded and grinned back.  "It'll be fine."

"Good!" Frank agreed.  "Hate to see him if he retired.  He'd be cranky all the time then."  He let them out.  He found the others waiting. "Looks like an animal bite, folks.  Let's look in our areas for it and be really careful until we have word it's been caught."  That got nods and they went to do that.  Frank assigned the guys who needed the easy night the best search areas and the ones who deserved the punishment the rafters, beams, and ventilation system.  That was only fair after all.

***

Horatio looked up when the curtains opened, expecting the person who would be doing his stitches.  "Chief," he said grimly.  "Sorry."

"You got *bitten*?"  Horatio moved the temporary bandage to let him see, making him shudder. "That's gross.  Cover that."  Horatio did that.  "They're saying you can't be on shift for the next few days due to blood loss."

"I'll try to keep myself out of trouble."

"They also said you can't fly," he said smartly.

"I'll be fine, sir. I haven't had a day off in a few weeks anyway."  He stared him down.

"How did a vicious animal get into your labs?"

"I don't know.  I know I've complained about the same hole that let the alligator into the station last summer."  That got a shudder.  "It's still open so maybe there."

"Delko checked that and he only found snakes this year."  Horatio gave him a look.  "Fine, if you really had to go to New York, you can now."

"Thank you, sir.  I've already made arrangements with Xander's grandfather."

"Whatever.  If I find out you did this on purpose you will be in trouble, Caine."

Willow walked in and looked at him.  "Do not stress him out!"  She stomped a foot and glared.  "He does not need this!  His boy's in trouble and you're nagging!  How dare you!"  He backed out under verbal assault.  "It's not like Horatio hasn't nearly given his life *many* times to this department.  It's clear he's one of your best people, yet you still treat him like you would a slave back before the Civil War and I will not have him that upset, Mister, so you'd better back the hell down!" she finished in her finest ranting style.  "Am I clear!"

"You are?" he asked her.

"Ryan Wolfe's girlfriend, Willow, best friend to Xander.  And I will not have you upsetting his boy!"  She stomped a foot again.  "Ever!  Or else I will make you suffer in ways that only I can and believe me I majored in it back in Sunnydale!"  He backed off another few steps.  "Horatio will be back when the doctors say.  Not one day before!  You treat him worse than a slave because you don't care when he doesn't eat!  I will not have this!"

"Calm down," Ryan said, coming over to stop her.  "Sorry, Chief, but she's worried about him."  He walked her off, taking her into the room.  Where she smiled and kissed him.  "Less ranting, dear."

"Fine."  She looked at Horatio.  "He set my Tara up with a boy?"

"Apparently they've both had similar feelings and Xander does read people very well, Willow," he admitted.  He looked at her.  "Most of that is my own doing."

"Just because you didn't have a reason to go home at night before and now you do doesn't mean he should expect the same superhuman efforts as before, Horatio.  It's not right or healthy for you.  If he doesn't quit I'll have to do something *really* mean and nasty to him.  Now," she said, kissing him on the forehead.  "Pass that on to my Xander buddy and you be safe in New York.  I want a postcard since I've never been."  She smiled. "But if they get married we can go up for the wedding," she teased.  "Tell Tara I love her and if he makes her happy I'll gladly have the shovel talk with him for her and everything.  And buy Xander some chocolate.  It'll help."  She let Ryan walk her out, glaring at the chief since he was still there.  "Going to clip his collar back over the stitches?"

"Young lady...."

She rounded on him and started on him in Spanish, making a few people around them laugh.  But he was backing away quickly and heading outside at a run by the end.  "And stay out!  He's still not your slave!" she yelled.  She frowned.  "People like him put me in a bad mood."

Ryan smiled at her. "I bought some new ice cream."

"I like ice cream," she decided, smiling at him and letting him lead her off.

Eric shuddered from where he was waiting.  "I thought my mother was bad."

"She'd have appreciated that and cheered her on," Speed agreed.  Eric smacked him on the arm.  "She would have.  Your sister's would've gotten pompoms for her."  They looked at the nurse.  "Can we go see Horatio now?"  She nodded so they went to check on him and tell him they'd have the lab, to go be safe and happy for a few days off in New York. Plus Speed gave him a letter he had been writing earlier for his boy.  Since he didn't have email access and had a huge phone bill this month, it was cheaper this way.

***

Horatio walked into the CSI station and looked at the receptionist.  "Is Mac or Stella in please?"

"Stella is, sir.  Can I tell her who you are?"

"Horatio.  She'll know."  She nodded and called while he looked at the things hanging up on the walls.  He heard a squeal and caught Stella, smiling at her.  "I got bitten by something."

"Ow."  She looked under the bandage. "That looks painful."

"Patrick," he said with a smirk.  She smirked back. "Where is my boy?"

"Sulking."  She looked at their receptionist. "Patrice, page Mac and tell him I'm taking Horatio to Xander."

"No you're not," Danny called.  "I need you here for that suspect we've got coming in.  Don can take him."  They shared a look and an evil smirk.

"Patrick was dancing down the halls that those two like each other," Horatio agreed.

"His dad hasn't yet but probably soon," Danny agreed. He paged Don and he came down, all smiles and happy when he saw Horatio.  "We've got that arsonist coming in so can you take him to his boy?"

"Sure, I can do that."  He nodded Horatio to follow.  "No bags?"

"They weren't at the house.  I tried there first."

"Tara's looking at her school with him playing escort," he admitted.   He called Xander's phone.  "I need a location for you, young man.  'Cause you just got a present delivered."  He listened then nodded. "Be there in thirty.  If you're not there, go to the library.  I know where that is."  He hung up and looked at him.  "They're in the dorm so he's lounging downstairs while she looks."

"That's more than reasonable," he agreed, smiling at him.  "Has he been good?"

"Mostly.  A lot more bored than usual.  We were expecting him to sneak off soon and cause us hell but he's been decent about keeping it hidden so far.  A few times to the club he used to work at and things," he said at the curious look. "A night out at the clubs with Danny."  He changed lanes and honked at a small car when he passed it.  "Dad."  Horatio smiled at that.  "Did someone tell them...."

"That you have the most major crush on Tara?  Yes.  Patrick was practically dancing and singing about how happy he was that you had taken up with a nice, sweet girl like her."

"She's still kinda confused," he admitted.  "She's only liked girls before."

"Sometimes it happens anyway, Don.  You'll be good for her or else Willow has threatened to come up and beat you with a shovel for her.  She said to tell you that and that she'd be up for the wedding."

Don blushed a bit and coughed to clear his throat.  "Moving a lot faster than I am, Horatio."

"I know.  So does she.  Remember, Tara drowns in love, Don.  The same as Willow does."  He smiled at her.  "But I have heard a lot about her in the last few hours.  Willow sent numerous emails about her to me so I could pass them onto you."

He smiled.  "It's good that she likes me too."

"She does and she's happy with Ryan.  She finally understands that noisy sex is good sex.  She didn't before, claimed it was all supposed to be quiet and cuddly."

"I can see Tara being like that.  I wouldn't expect her to get loud."  He pulled onto the campus and parked, letting him out.  "Yo, boy genius," he said dryly.  Tara saw him and blushed bright red.  He grinned back.  "Tara, this is his Horatio."  Xander just stared so she gave him a nudge.  Xander launched himself at him and kissed him until Horatio had to lean against the side of the car.  He smiled and walked her around so she didn't have to watch.  "He'll be able to speak in a while.  If I have to write out a ticket for public sex, I will tell Speed," he called.  She giggled at that and he grinned at her, noticing the other car pulling in.  "Huh, another visitor here to see you.  Hi, Dad."

"Donny."  He smiled at the young woman clutching his arm.  "I'm not mean, miss."

"This is Tara, dad.  Tara, this is my father, the grump."

She swatted him with a small frown but shook his father's hand.  "Ni..nice to meet you."

"Don't be nervous about me, Tara.  I'm not the mean one. That's his mother now and then."

"Ma's a saint," Flack snorted.

"Only because she gave birth to you, son.  I nearly turned her in for spousal abuse the other night when I got a call out after dinner."  Tara gaped.  "His mother's a bit like Danny now and then."

"But that can be nice and Don's nice too."  She blushed bright red.  "Sorry."

Don smiled at her.  "I like you too, Tara.  It's all good."  He kissed her on the forehead.  "Willow even sent a shovel talk with Horatio."

She looked back at them.  Xander was cuddling now like he wasn't ever going to let go.  "Really?"

"Really.  Hey, Horatio, come meet my dad and Tara."  Xander drug him over there, making them all smile.  "And you too," he agreed. "Dad, this is Horatio Caine, he's Xander's and he runs the lab down in Miami."

"Nice to meet you, Horatio."  He shook his hand and looked at Xander. "You look content finally."

"Am," he agreed, grinning at Tara.  "Tara, this is my honey, Horatio."  She waved at him.

"I've heard a lot of nice things about you from Willow, Tara.  Including a lot of emails I was told to show Don."  She blushed and whimpered.  "But I'll let you edit them first."  She smiled and gave him a hug but went back to clinging to Don's hand.  He looked at Xander, then at Tara.  "Are you done on your tour?"  She nodded.  "Then we should have lunch.  Want to come along, Mr. Flack?"

"I could like that, son," he agreed, smiling at Tara.  "You don't worry about his Ma," he ordered.  "You leave her to me.  You just be your nice, sweet self when he brings you over for dinner tonight."

"Dad," Don whined.  "We've just met."

Don Senior looked at his son.  "If you're that stupid, I'm having your badge taken and melted, son."  He looked at Tara again, taking her hand to walk her back to his car.  "Come along, dear.  You can ride with me so those two can cuddle and Don can drive them to IHOP?"

"Works for me," Don agreed, shaking his head once they were gone.  "So, that was my dad."

Xander looked at him.  "Her father had her convinced she was a demon who would fully manifest on her last birthday, so therefore she had to go home and hide so they could be taken care of," he said quietly.  "Your father's just what she needs."

"Calleigh said her mother went after her cousin with a shotgun for that," Horatio offered.  "We should go before he starts telling embarrassing stories."

"Too late."  Don got them into the car and headed after his father, considering it.  No wonder she was so shy and delicate.  But he liked that about her and she'd be safe with him. "He still alive, Horatio?"

"As of what Calleigh said, yes.  So far."

"Then I'll watch out for her."  He pulled in and parked, smiling back at how Xander was snuggled into his side.  "He has a lot of trouble sleeping alone."  He looked at Horatio.  "Do we need to have the shovel talk with you?"

"No.  Speed and I have already had the talk about how he'd run me over multiple times before I died."

"Good!  I like that about his dad."  He got out and they followed after a quick kiss.  "Awww, you're cute together," he said as he walked inside.  "My dad and a tiny, waifish blonde girl?"  She pointed and he headed that way.  He got next to Tara and Xander got her other side, clearly protecting her.  Don smiled at that then at her.  "What did he tell you?" he asked since she was grinning a bit evilly.

"About you going naked for three weeks because you refused to let anyone dress you."

"I did," he agreed.  "Felt damn good too from what little I remember.  Scared my grandmother to death when I pounced her like that.  I ended up wearing her hat and nothing else that day."  His father moaned and nodded.  She giggled and he grinned at her.  "You don't have to be scared of my mother."  He had noticed the extra seat and knew what it meant.  "What did the doctor say?"

"More tests."

"Why?"

"Not sure yet," he admitted.  "But she's got a mammagram today.  We'll have to see, son."  He stood up and so did the other guys when she came over.  "Dear.  You've heard me talk about Patrick's grandson, this is Xander, his boyfriend Horatio, who is a CSI down in Miami, and that is Tara, who is a friend of Xander's who's just transferring into the city."

She smiled at them.  "Sit, boys."  She sat and looked at Xander.  "I can see the resemblance to the wedding picture of his sister."

"Thank you.  Most of the time I hope I can live up to his expectations."

"You don't have a problem doing it usually," Horatio offered, getting a brilliant smile.  He handed over something.  "From Speed."

Xander opened it and read it, sniffling a bit then hugging him.  "I need to get him a good present."

"You do," he agreed, patting him on the back with a smile.  "He said it was cheaper than your phone bill."  Xander laughed and nodded.  "Are we going to have to pitch in?"

"Grandsire said I could sell the stupid rolex to pay for it since it was his fault."  He smiled at him.  "Thank you for coming up.  Now, what happened to your throat?"

"I got bitten."

"By?"

"A rabid helpful person."  Xander just grinned at that.  "Who also wants you back in town."  He stroked some of his hair off his forehead. "You didn't spike it up today?"

"I had to be drug out of bed."

"We'll see if we can fix that problem tonight, Xander."  Xander smiled and blushed a bit but hugged his arm.  He smiled at Tara, making her smile back. "Relax.  I would never hurt anything that was dear to Xander.  He'd pout at me."  She grinned and nodded, ducking her head.

"Dear, which college?" Don's mother asked.

"The....the o..one up the street."

"The all girls' school, Ma," Don offered.  He glared at his father for this then at his mother, who just smiled.

"Switch places with me, dear.  I went there back in the day and I can tell her all about the campus."  They switched places and she got to know the shy, charming young woman her son was clearly smitten with.  At one question the young man guarding her glared at her so she backed off that topic but it went very well. The pancakes were still decent and she had quiet stuttering around them.  It did warm her and she invited Tara personally to dinner, even if she couldn't drag her son from work.  Don promised he'd bring her out and said to not make meatloaf, please, earning a swat from her.  Tara blushed at that and said anything was fine as long as it wasn't shellfish since she was allergic.  She added a please at the end and her heart melted.  She kissed her on the cheek and smiled at her son on the way out.  "You be a good boy today, Donny.  Be careful on the job.  Not even a papercut."

"Yes, Ma.  I'll try."  He kissed her on the cheek and grinned at her.

"I approve, baby.  A lot."  She patted down some errant hairs.  "Get a trim too, dear."  She let her husband walk her off to their car.

"I thought Alexx nagged," Horatio teased him.

"She does," Xander agreed. "She wanted me to grow it again."  He looked at Tara.  "Home to do some laundry or to the small shop that we saw?"  She stammered.  "Shopping it is.  As long as Horatio brought my actual wallet?"  He handed it over.  "I love you even more," he promised, then he had to run back inside to get his letter.  He came back out and let Don drive them to the store.  "Thanks, Uncle Don."

"Welcome, kiddo.  Behave.  Let Horatio spoil you tonight, okay?"  That got a smile and he grinned at Tara.  "She won't expect anything fancy, Tara.  Just be your usual pretty and charming self."  She blushed bright red and hurried inside.  He grinned at Xander. "Protect her for me today."

"With my life," he agreed, heading inside with Horatio.  "We're her committee."

The saleswoman smiled.  "What is she doing?"

"Having her second meal with her future in-laws," Horatio offered.  Tara squeaked and he gave her a hug.  "It's all right, Tara.  They adored you. They wanted nothing more than to cuddle you right at the table."

Xander nodded.  "They did.  I was watching his mother and she had serious cuddle vibes.  That's why I cuddled into Horatio, so she couldn't get me too."  She swatted him. "Let's see.  You like long and delicate."   He led her back to the section she'd shop in, making her smile at one and hold it out. "That is beautiful."  It was a white dress with small blue flowers.  "I like that.  Horatio?"

"I like that too.  Go try it on, Tara."  She went to do that and he looked at Xander.  "You learned well at Willow's knee."

"Buffy's.  I was her 'does this bra make me look bigger' committee for some reason.  I spent hours being drug around behind her at the mall," he sighed, looking at him.  Horatio smiled and kissed him again.  "Thank you."

"Aww," the salesgirl said. "You have good taste."

"We have a friend who's a shopping person."  He looked at Tara's room.  "Tara, is it eating you?"

"No.  Um...."

He sighed and looked at the ceiling.  Then he looked around and found something else, something darker.  "Here, try this with your gold corset vest tonight, sweetie."

"Thank you."

"I learned what that was from Willow, dear.  Then I learned to be scared when Cordelia got hers."  She came out in it, looking shy. "I like that."

"It could use something to lighten it.  What color is this vest?"

"Red and gold," Xander told him.

"That would do that.  I like that."  She smiled and went back to bring out the white one and he handed it back. "You'll need that for the next one."  She eeped.  He smiled.  "It's not like they won't invite you over again."

"I've got to go back to school in a few days."

"So?  You'll be back this summer," Xander reminded her.  "Trust me, summer in New York is hot and humid.  You'll need the white dress."  He paid for them both, getting a wink from the salesgirl. "Thank you."  He led her back up the street.  It was only a few blocks back to the house.  He looked at her.  "When we get home you can hog the bathroom.  Grandsire won't be up for a few hours probably, unless he's missing being nuzzled by grandfather.  You can soak, do the conditioning treatments, all that stuff so you look even more stunning tonight."  She nodded and he let them inside. "We're back," he called quietly.  No need to yell with vampire hearing.

His grandsire came out of the study, smiling at Horatio.  "I thought I smelled you come in earlier, grandson-in-law."   He looked at Tara. "You go hog the bathroom, dear.  I'm handling Xander's checking account again."

"Why can't I?"

"Because you thought they took two thousand dollars as a fee."

"That's what they said," he complained, handing over the dresses and going to help him.

Horatio gave her a nudge.  "Go get prettier, Tara.  Don should get off at five."  She nodded and went to do that.  He went to help Xander with his banking issue. He hated his bank.  "I still say you should let me turn them into the Treasury, Xander.  I know a semi-decent agent.  I can call him."

"I don't want to get the innocent ones in trouble and they'll have problems getting other bank jobs."

"Not necessarily."  He kissed him and went out back to make the call.  "Agent Elliot, Horatio Caine.  No, not a social call. There is a banking institution that is taking unnatural interest in Mr. Harris' accounts and charging him fees for existing and not spending money.  Yes, I'm asking that someone investigate it.  I do see malfeasance but I can't prove it.  You can."  He smiled.  "That bank, yes.  He would be more than open to allowing you access to his records.  I can make a call and let his father help you.  He has power of attorney while he's out of the city.  Thank you."  He hung up and called Speed.  "Incoming Treasury agent over your son's bank."  He smiled. "We're fine.  I'm going to take a nap with him in the next few minutes, Speed.  I promise, we're being good."  He hung up and went to steal Xander from his grandsire so they could go take a long, loud nap, and then actually sleep for a bit.

***

Don smiled at Tara when he saw how she's dressed.  "You really didn't have to dress up that much."

"I did.  Xander made me get it."

"Xander has great taste."  He helped her into the car.  "I almost feel like you're going out to a play or something."

She blushed.  "I always wear long skirts."

"They look gorgeous on you," he agreed.  "It's just that dress is a bit fancy, that's all.  Don't let my dad pick on you."  She looked at him.  "He'll try and I'll swat him," he promised.  She smiled at that and let him drive them off.  He realized he felt like a teenager for the first time since he was one, and a virgin one at that.  He grinned at her again.  "Are you getting odd feelings?"

"I feel like a geeky teenager."

"Me too.  Which is wrong.  They're my parents.  They already like you too."  He shrugged.  "We'll get over it.  What did Uncle Raphael say?"

"Not a lot.  I looked nice.  He did my hair."  Don snickered.  "He did.  He said he used to have a daughter."

Don nodded. "I heard.  He lost her just before he brought Uncle Patrick over.  Actually I think he's had a few daughters over the centuries.  I think he's mid-sixteen hundreds or something.  Never asked really."

"He's a nice old coot, but who's Eric?"

"Delko.  Works with Speed and Horatio down in Miami.  Playboy like you wouldn't believe.  You should ask Willow about him."  She looked down at that.  "Hey, she's happy, she wants you to be happy, and if you break the friendship as well as the relationship you're both gonna miss out on stuff.  Like her babbling to you about how hot Ryan is instead of doing it to Xander.  Caught her doing it the other day but when he walked in she abruptly changed subjects apparently.  She was checking her plans for something."

"She will.  She checked plans for things with me with Buffy."  She smiled at him.   "You're very easy to talk to."

He grinned. "It's how my mind's more action oriented."  She slapped his hand.  "Ow!  No abusing me.  I'll tell my mother on you."

She burst out in giggles.  "We're going from teenager to the playground?" she teased.

"Apparently.  Then again, my mother is the scary one of the family.  Most kids it's 'wait until your father gets home'.  In our family is was dad warning me I'd better run from mom and hide until she quit remembering me."  He grinned at her when they had to stop for a stoplight.  "Relax. She liked you earlier.  She'll like you tonight.  We'll have a nice dinner.  Dad'll ask you nosy questions on your opinion of some law enforcement stuff.  Then we'll go for a drive to take you back to the three male chaperones you've got and it'll be nice."

She nodded.  "As long as we don't make Xander worry.  Raphael said making Xander worry was a bad thing."

"Xander is a worrier by nature but he's also a fusser.  I feel *really* sorry for his father or boyfriends when they get sick for the first time.  I really do."

She smiled.  "I like to fuss."

"Yeah but he's the sort to make you stay in bed, smother you with attention when you want to hide, and then won't let you return the favor.  You'd let someone fuss over you.  Right?"

"Maybe."

"You would.  I'm sure you would."  He took her hand again while they drove over a bridge.  "At least it's a nice night for a drive, even if my family does live *way* out towards the middle of nowhere, for the city."

"I live back in the bayou country, Don.  This is a city.  Big difference."

He smiled at her then winked.  "We've got woods around here somewhere.  You just gotta drive for about an hour to get to 'em."  He kept going and going and going until they finally reached his parent's place.  He looked at her.  "Deep breath.  Don't blush, ignore my father if he says anything about the opera."  She blushed.  "Don't blush," he teased.

"Donny, no making out in the car!  You're not sixteen anymore!" his father yelled from the doorway.

Don got out and walked around to let her out.  "Wasn't planning on it, dad.  I was reminding her you weren't scary to anyone but the neighbor's cat."

"I scared criminals for years, boy."

Don looked at him.  "She's scarier than you are, dad, and she dated a scarier woman before that."  He smiled at her.  "See?"

"Well, you look nice, Tara.  A bit fancy."

"Xander insisted."

"The boy's got good taste in what you look adorable in," he agreed, letting them into the house.  "Nancy, they're here."

"I heard you bellow, Don.  Quit giving the neighbors information," she called, coming out of the kitchen.  "You didn't have to dress up so much, Tara."  She blushed and nodded. "Ah.  It's a womanly thing, isn't it?"  She nodded quickly.  "Well, all women deserve the right to look fabulous at any given time and you do so therefore it's to the benefit of my son, the stupid one who managed to get scraped up earlier catching someone when he jumped off a fire escape."

"Ma!"

"Donny!" Tara said quietly.  "You could've been hurt."

"He was gonna get away."  He gave her a sheepish look and a shrug.  "I only got a little scrape."

"If I have to baby you and fuss over you for being injured, I'll get Xander to help me."

"I'll try to be better," he promised, grinning at her.  "Now, go help Ma so dad can't embarrass you at all."  She nodded and went to help.  He looked at his father.  "She likes long skirts and I like that about her."

"She's adorable in it.  The boy has good taste in women's clothes."

"He dated some evil women, dad.  Remember me going to Istanbul?  It was to take care of his temporary wife's crap.  He married an assassin for an hour and a half," he said proudly.  His father moaned. "Lady Death."

"Tell me you're kidding?"

"Nah.  She got him royally drunk without him realizing it and did it to him.  Got fixated on his hips of doom."  His father went back into the living room shaking his head.  He snickered and followed to torment him more.  "So, dad, you doin' anything these days but making Ma huff at you for always being around?"

"Took up golf.  It's a nice walk with limited violence now and then."

Don nodded.  "Danny does that now and then too.  We had a case that had urban golf players."  His father looked at him.  "Really.  They use the natural contours of the city to play golf."

"At least a pothole is easier to hit."

"Nah, we're talking culvert holes and things.  Potholes are like sandtraps.  So's traffic."

"You mean they play on the streets?"

"Yeah.  On the sidewalks, alleys, off buildings, wherever.  Guy got it for taunting another player for being out of rehab and havin' the shakes.  Got spray insulation down his throat."

"Eww.  That's a nasty way to die," he admitted.  He shook his head.  "I can just see someone shooting a golf shot in the middle of Madison Avenue at rush hour.  Then trotting to follow his ball."

"Basically.  But hey, it's gotta add thrill back to the game."

Tara came out with drinks and Don Senior smiled at her.  "Want to watch the game with us, Tara?"

"Football is an excuse for gay-themed violent affection."  Don Senior gaped in horror.  Don Junior just snickered.  "It is.  All the patting, postions, and things."  She blushed and retreated.

"I wonder how she'd take your naked hockey games," he said finally.

"Don't know.  I figure Xander's already told her."

"He has and it's cute but porn.  No porn around me.  I'm a nice girl."

"She definitely is," Senior agreed, toasting his son.  "Finally!"

"I've dated other nice girls.  Not quite that nice but some other nice girls.  They couldn't put up with the job."

"Your mother used to be a meter maid.  That's how we met," he admitted, sipping his coffee. Tara peeked around the corner of the door.  "You can come in.  It's not a bother."

"Nancy wanted to know if you wanted mashed potatoes or mashed potatoes with sprinkle cheese."

"Mashed and put the cheese on the table so whoever wants it can add it."  She nodded and disappeared again. "I like her."

"You and me both," Don agreed happily, sipping his water.  "Ma, need help?"

"Not yet, Donny."

"Sure, let us know, Ma."  He looked at his father.  "Uncle Raphael did her hair."

"It's cute.  Who's he?"

"Patrick's sire."

"Oh.  The one the boy calls Grandsire."  He nodded at that, taking another drink.  "He happy with his boy being up?"

"Didn't see him.  She was waiting outside and he was lurking inside."

"Hmm.  So his boy's napping?"

"Quite possibly.  When Xander gets excited he's like a blur of bouncy ball of boy."

"I saw that before he went to Las Vegas the first time."  He sipped his coffee and heard the giggling.  "You two aren't planning mayhem we boys'll have to stop, right?"

"No, dear," his wife called.   "Come help carry, Donny.  I made a roast."

He got up and went to help.  "Love you too, Ma."  He kissed her on the cheek and carried stuff out with Tara's help, smiling at her.  "She spoils me."

"She said she did."

He grinned. "She still gives me chocolate for the holidays too."

Tara smiled.  "Chocolate is always a welcome addition."  She walked past him, heading to the bathroom.  Then she came out to come help again.

"Dad, did you call the misbegotten missing link?" he called.

"No, Donny, your sister is halfway across the city so she can't pick on or nag your new girlfriend," he offered.

"Thanks, dad, knew you loved me."  His mother swatted him.  "Ow!  She is!"

"Behave.  Your sister's not that bad."

"She's the reason I didn't get married at seventeen, Ma."

"I remember.  I paid her a hefty reward for it, Donny."  Then she smiled and patted his cheek. "I like this one much better, dear."  She went back to cleaning up the mess and running some dish water for later.  "Take out the gravy, Tara.  We're all done in here."  She nodded, doing that carefully, and then let Donny sit her down in her seat.  She smiled.  She liked this girl!  Even if she did want to find whoever had hurt her and beat them senseless, she still liked her. She came out and took her usual spot, putting her apron over the chair behind her.  "There we are.  Don!"  He came in after turning off the game.  "Thank you.  I don't wait dinner for football."  She looked at her son.  "Or hockey."

"Sorry, Ma.  Xander found it in Cyprus."

"Figures.  Does his boyfriend mind?"

"Half the lab comes over to watch it on his tv so I doubt it," he admitted.  He took Tara's hand and bowed his head while his father said grace, Tara saying her own.  Then he smiled at her. "Family rituals."

"Every family has some according to my sociology professor."  He smiled at her.  "Did you go to college?"

"I have an AS, had to for the academy," Don agreed.  "I went to NYU though, nothing fancy."  She smiled a bit at that.  "My sister got most of the brains but I got the other good traits.  Like being pretty."  Both women swatted him and his father chuckled. "You said it first."

"I did.  Especially when you wear pink, son.  We thought for about two years that we'd have to make you date a drag queen to get a daughter-in-law."

"I work with drama queens, ain't that enough?" he complained.

"No," his mother said happily.  "Then again I like Tara more than any other girl we've met, Donny.  She's very sweet and nice.  So, what do you do out in Sunnydale for fun, Tara?"

"I help Mr. Giles in his store, the Magic Box.  Buffy drags me along to help her shop.  I listen to Anya complain about her lack of a boyfriend.  She can protest very loudly sometimes."

"This would be the same Anyanka that Xander said was his prom date and his dad had to save him from?" Don asked.  She nodded, blushing a bit.  "I saw her letter to him.  Complains is a bit mild, Tara. Vulgarly brags and whines about it is better."  She nodded, ducking her head to eat.

"Anyanka?  The one who comes to help dumped girlfriends?" Don Senior asked.  His son nodded.  "She's there?"

"She's presently stuck as human," Tara admitted.  "That's why they had the prom thing and why she's making up for those many years."  He just nodded.  "She's decent enough but she has skewed desires in life."

"She's a Springer show waiting ta happen," Don agreed.  "Heard Xander talking to her the other day and him trying to keep himself okay while she complained that she wasn't saving any money on her pitiful salary and her present boyfriend was inadequate."  He dug in and ate another bite, then added some gravy to his roast.  "Dad's off the blood pressure medicine?" he teased his mother.

His father nodded.  "I am, finally!  So I can have salt again.  It's my fault, dear."   He smiled at Tara.  "So, do you have to go back or can you email your reports from here?"

"I have to go back in a few days for classes."

He looked at her. "You'll be safe while you're gone?"

"As safe as I can and I'll tell Buffy to protect me a lot more."

"Good," Don Junior agreed.  "I've heard about Buffy.  She good still?"

"She's doing okay.  Giles has been taunting her about gay things recently.  She threw a fuming hissy about not wanting to hear that.  He pointed at the group's picture so she huffed off but she was better after some bra shopping. Then she decided Xander dating boys was better because no more evil women."

"No they still like him and now so do evil men," Don Senior sighed.  "It was a guy who kidnaped him recently, Tara."

"Really?"  He nodded.  "Wow.  Did Horatio spank them?  He swore up and down he was going to hurt whoever hurt Xander."

"The feds in bad suits have 'im," Don offered with a small grin.  "He can't get to him yet.  When he does.... well, I heard he's nearly as good with Xander's whips as Xander is."  She blushed at that.  "Some people need that.  Fortunately I'm not one," he assured her.  She grinned a bit at that.  "I don't go beyond recreational spanking and wanting to spank Monroe now and then."

His father coughed to hide his laughter.  "She's a bit set in her ways."

"She mopes at Mac, dad.  Plus she's set in her ways.  She doesn't even like the carriages in central park.  Calls them showthings and real horses are better than them.  Danny walked off at that and went to the other side of the crime scene before he went off."

"Maybe she's missing home," Tara offered quietly.  "Trying to draw some of it to her."

"I'm not sure if she's sure she knows what she's doing.  Danny was complaining about her running funny tests the other day.  But Stella said it was a good lead."  He shrugged.  "I'm not the egghead but working with the others is easier.  Did you get to talk with Doc in person?"  She nodded, smiling at him.  "Good!  I like Doc.  He's a great guy.  Wish more guys were like him really.  I'd be more bored at work."

She stroked his hand.  "It's a sad fact but anyone can be prompted into doing bad things for the right price," she said quietly, staring at him.  "Some people the price is anger.  Some it's pain.  Some it's desire."

"True.  Doc's price would be higher.  He's passionate about things but when he gets mad he gets cold and clinical.  The one guy I know Doc threatened for making racial allegations and slurs he said he was going to eviscerate him and then named organs with their proper latin names."  She smiled at that.  "He looked so confused while Doc threatened him."

"Willow went through cold to bouncy in a bad way," she offered.  "She wanted to get Aiden and Timmy for making Xander leave Sunnydale."

"Timmy said he needed to and look, he's happy, and now so is she.  The same as I hope you will be."

"That wasn't home," she assured him.  "Just a stop where I found Willow and the others."  Her purse chirped and she sighed.  "Speaking of, she always knows when I mention her name."  She looked at the number.  "Mm, Buffy.  Excuse me for a minute."  She got up and went into the kitchen.  "Not now, Buffy."  She listened to her.  "I don't know.  Ask Cordelia what shoes go with the brown suede outfit.  Well, yeah, you do kinda look like a pony in it but I wouldn't say a horse.  No, I'm with Don's family.  Yes, as in *with his family*, Buffy.  Wear the loafers.  I like loafers."  She smiled.  "Bye.  Write you later."  She hung up and came back.  "Sorry, Buffy's having a shoe crisis.  Cordelia said her favorite outfit made her look like a horse."  She settled herself back in and turned her phone off, then tucked it back into her bag.  "It's off now."

"At least it wasn't a real emergency," Nancy offered.

"For Buffy that was," she admitted with a shy smile.  "But then again it's been quiet and there's been no crises recently either.  So she's went back into girl mode again."  She smiled at Don.  "She said I have to bring a picture of you back so she can pick on me about the hotness but she thinks you're a girl."

"She can drool on me all she wants, Tara, but I don't go for anything but sweet, gentle, and nice."  He smiled at her bright, hot blush.  "I don't.  That's why my parents waited so long for this dinner and we're having roast."  She giggled and dug in, eating the small piece he had given her.

"You're a vegetarian, aren't you?" Nancy sighed.

"I can eat meat tonight.  It's good for me sometimes."

She smiled.  "Next time we'll have something better, Tara."

"I still have to leave in a few days."

"But then you'll be back in two months," Don reminded her. "Sooner if there's any sorta danger because I'll kidnap and blackmail Mac until he helps me bring you back safely."  She gave him a sideways look with a small smile.  "You could drop out this semester."

"They'll quit paying for it."

"Sweetie, your campus isn't safe," Don senior noted patiently.  "Another building fell in today."  She gave him a horrified look.  "They said it was the music building."

"My dorm's next to that."

"Then we'll ask Buffy to pack up your stuff and see if Patrick and Raphael will let you stay at their place until you can move onto campus this summer," Don said firmly.  She blinked at him.  "Really.  I can ask.  Horatio said Uncle Patrick was nearly dancing that you were so nice and all that."  She sniffled and he hugged her.  "Shh. Let me arrange it, sweetie."  She nodded and he went to call Xander.  "Hey, me.  The building next to her dorm fell in, Xander.  Can you have her stuff packed by whoever's out there and sent out?"  He winced.  "Tara, can Willow have your cat since I'm allergic?"

She sniffled and nodded.  "Ryan will like Miss Kitty Fantastico."

"She said Willow could have the cat, Xander.  Thanks.  Also, ask the hovering one if she can stay there until she can move on campus?  If not, I know I've got a spare room."

"Absolutely not!  Not until you're married, Don!" his mother shouted.

"But Ma don't like that idea," he finished with a small smirk for her, then he stuck his tongue out.  "Raphael said she could stay there all she wanted, including through school but they pop up now and then."

"I don't mind," she said, looking stunned.

"Cool.  She said that'd be great, Uncle Raph.  Thanks."   He hung up.  "Xander's calling Buffy to get her to pack your room for you and send it out with Giles' help.  Somehow."  She blinked at that. "I guess you don't have as much stuff as he thinks others do."

"I don't, not really.  I should talk to Buffy."

"It'll do her good to do some honest work, give her something to complain about," Don senior told her.  "Even if she does have another job on the side.  Give Anya another reason to complain too."  She blushed and nodded.  "Good girl."  He smiled.  "Sorry if we're railroading you but we don't want Don to lose you yet.  He'd go do stupid things and get shot again."

"I wasn't doing stupid stuff the last time I got shot."  She blinked at him.  "Hold-up, it was five years ago, I was still in patrol," he promised.  "These days I get more scrapes from stopping running perps."  She relaxed and nodded.  "I'm sure you've seen some injuries."

She nodded.  "None of Xander's.  He was gone when I got there, but I have seen some from Buffy.  Willow taunted her about channeling Xander because she nearly got staked herself one night."  She stroked his cheek.  "If you get that badly hurt I'd hate to have to bring you back to life and piss off the Goddess, but Willow will help me."  He smiled a blinding smile that did funny things to her inside and then kissed her, making his mother sigh and his father nod in appreciation.  "Don, there's people around," she squeaked.

"They're family.  They don't mind if I kiss you."  He did it again and she pulled back, giving him a look.  "I know, slowly."  She nodded.  "Because you're a good girl and good girls should be appreciated."  He stroked over her cheek with the back of his knuckles.  "It'll be okay and we'll go as slowly as you need us to, Tara."  She smiled and nodded, taking his hand to hold while they ate.  "You two, no wedding plans for at least a year.  Let her get comfortable in the city and with us."

"Of course, son," his father said with a smile.  "I don't think in wedding plans.  That's your mother."  She swatted him.  "It is."

"I'm not the one who was squealing when his daughter announced she was engaged."

"She's finally met a man who'll civilize her.  Of course I squealed.  Means Donny can quit hiding from her until she gets pregnant."  Tara eeped and shrunk down some.  "We're not demanding, Tara.  She can give us plenty."  He grinned at her.  "If you feel like having a few, we won't mind, but we won't be too pushy or nag too often."

"Dad," he warned.

"Sorry, son.  Laying it out now."

"I like kids, but not until after I graduate," she promised.

"Works for us," Nancy agreed firmly.  "It's how it should be, Tara."  She smiled at that.  "Now, sit up and eat, dear.  Make Don eat your roast since he's hungry."  She did that and got more of the vegetables, digging in.  "I'll tell our daughter tomorrow so you can hide from her until we make her realize she may not embarrass you or else we'll spank her this time."

"Can I have Xander spank her if she tries?" Don asked.   His son stared at him, looking awed.  "What?  He's gotta be good and it never worked when I did it."

"Sure, dad, we'll ask Xander to make sure she can't bother Tara," Don Junior agreed happily, grinning at her.  "He'd agree."

"He would and Horatio would probably help.  He's got Xander wrapped around his finger."

"Yeah but they're cute," Don assured her.  "Him and Greg?  Bookends.  Greg's a bit older and a bit blonder, he's twenty-eight or so I think, but bookends.   Horatio is a strong man to put up with all that bouncy boyness."  She blushed and pinched him but went back to eating.  She had to push a piece of fallen hair behind her ear but he helped her put it back into the small bun she was wearing.  "There, closer to perfect again."   She smiled.  "No woman's perfect and those who try turn out like Martha and hate themselves."

She giggled and shook her head, feed him a bite of his dinner.  "You're silly from hunger.  Eat."

"I'm eating," he agreed, finishing off her slice of roast and getting more.  He'd need energy later to keep himself from pouncing her.

His parents looked on and smiled at the cuteness of them.

***

Xander hung up on Don and called Sunnydale. "Hi, Anya, put Buffy on please?  Because Tara needs something and she just called.  Please.  I know, Anya.  Sorry he got turned but yay.  Anya, I'm with two guys now.  No, Anya, I'm never going back to women.  Sorry but I like my men.  Thanks."  She hung up on him and he sighed, dialing the number again.  The third time Giles answered it.  "It's me.  Anya's mad I won't come back to her.  Tara's worried about her dorm, Giles.  Plus she's moving up here now.  Can you have her stuff packed tonight and sent over?  Well, I'm in New York at the moment.  We're at a club but Uncle Raphael is at home.  I'll be there later and so will she.  No, she said Willow has to have the cat since Don's allergic.  Don Flack.  The nephew of Grandpa's second wife?" he suggested.  "Yeah, he's a nice guy.  Great guy.  Loved him when he watched over me. He treats her like a national treasure and he'd go ballistic if anyone hurt her.  Willow sent Horatio with the shovel talk.  I've already made myself very clear that I will kill him if he hurts her.  He simply pouted at me for assuming he could."

He smiled.  "He's a nice guy.  Third generation cop.  Homicide.  He works with Sheldon.  Anytime she heard about someone named Flack, it's him."  He grinned.  "Yeah.  She's with his parents and him having dinner, Giles.  Exactly."  He grinned at Horatio when he came back with drinks. "That would be fine but they said the building next to her dorm fell in earlier so she's seriously worried.  So have Buffy do it.  She could use the exercise.  Let Anya help so she can complain about something other than sex and money.  Well, her nails and getting sweaty for non sex reasons probably."  Horatio moaned. "That was Horatio, gotta go, Giles.  Laters."  He hung up and looked at him. "He'll do it tonight.  He said he'd send it via magic gram so we'll get her stuff tonight and Willow will get her cat tonight too.  I know she doesn't have much stuff with how small the dorms are."

"We should probably warn Ryan.  His OCD might not like a cat."

"They're living separately the last time I knew," Xander said, giving him a look.

"He finally took the hint and they're together but she's still living next to the campus."

"Then it'll be fine."  He stole a kiss with a smile.  "Dance with me?"

"I can't do that sort, Xander."

"Yes you can."  He took his drink with him, leading Horatio out onto the floor to tease and tempt him. It was a gay dance club, they could do that.  He finally snuggled his back into Horatio's chest to encourage him to go along with him.  It worked much better and Horatio got into the groove with him.  Which was nice and let him tease others by teasing Horatio, meaning he got his teasing fix for the month.  He glared at one guy who tried to steal him and he left but another one who just wanted to admire them came over to help him tease, getting a gentle growl in his ear from Horatio.  So he'd be getting claimed later too!  He was definitely a happy boy now!

***

Giles hung up and looked at the two girls in his shop.  "Tara's moving to New York due to her dorm being about to fall in.  Buffy, we need to pack her up immediately."

"Sure, Giles.  What about her cat?  Miss Kitty hates me."

"I'll be going with you.  Anya, you as well.  We can close up early tonight."

"Why?  We won't make as much money that way.  Can't it wait until after we've closed?"

"It'll be dreadfully late out there by then, Anya.  Remember, New York is in another time zone."  He closed up the shop and followed Buffy out to his car.  He knew she didn't have much in her room.  Half of that was probably Willow's.  They checked in with the dorm's security.  "Miss Maclay is moving due to the safety factor," he said quietly.  "We're here to pack her things."

"That's fine.  Her cat's been meowing for days now."  He looked at him.  "Which she should not have."

"Sorry," Buffy offered. "She's a bred and pure wiccan.  Of course she has a cat."  That got a shrug so they went up there to pack her up. The cat decided to love her so she got to sit down and pet her for a bit before putting her into her carrier. "You are going to see Mommy Willow, Miss Kitty.  Because Tara's new girlfriend is allergic."

"Boyfriend," Giles admitted.

"What?"  She looked, staring at him.  "Boyfriend?  Our Tara?"

"Our Tara.  He's a third generation policeman, he's apparently very nice, and distantly related to Xander," he admitted, handing over one of her two footlockers.  "Do her dresser please, Buffy.  I'd rather not deal with the clothes."

"Sure."  She got into her drawers to pack things for her.  "Wow, a boyfriend.  Can we look him up online?"

"We can," Giles agreed happily.  "We have his name and I'm sure he's been in the papers at least once.  Xander said he was a very nice chap.  Said Willow sent Horatio with the shovel talk."  That got a small grin.  "Apparently Xander's still stuck in New York."

"Is this like can't afford a ticket?"

"No, this is the FBI won't let him leave until they've cleared up the kidnaping."  He grimaced and got to work in her closet.  He decided to let her have all the magic books she had in there, another hallmark of living with Willow.  The cat started to howl.  "Do quit, Miss Kitty.  You'll be free very soon, dear."  Buffy opened a can of wet foot and stuck it into the carrier with her.  It worked and she was happy again.  "Thank you, Buffy."  They felt a tremble and looked at each other.  Then they hurried up.  By the time they were done, all three of Tara's trunks were packed.  Her computer was boxed up.  Buffy got to carrying things down the stairs while he got the last trunk and the cat.  She came back for the computer, doing a last search of the room.  Then she left and turned in Tara's spare key so she could get her deposit back.  They went over it, it was good enough.  Everything got taken back to the store, where Anya was still working.  "All right.  Let's send the cat first," he offered.  "To Miami with you, beast."  He drew the circle he'd need and found the spell, using Willow's magic books as his focus point.  He sent the cat that way, leaving the door of the cage there.  "Well, I doubt her magic books were in the lounge," he decided.  They got to work on the other things, sending them to where they could feel Tara's protection amulet.  The three trunks and computer landed in her room in the house and they were done, smiling at each other.  "We'll give the college her forwarding address tomorrow."

"I can drop it off," Buffy promised. That got a nod and Anya wrote it out.  "Is that the New York one?"

"That's Willow's."  She went back to her counting money, it always kept her calm.  She knew the time for her to leave was coming soon.  She could feel it.  Everyone else had.

Giles, being able to sense trouble now, looked at her.  "Not to Miami or New York," he warned quietly.  She pouted but nodded.  She'd go somewhere else.  At least it would keep her from spending all her money going shopping with Buffy.

***

Ryan blinked awake from his nap, staring at the thing that smelled like tunafish on his chest, which was staring at him.  "How did you get in here?" he asked quietly, reaching up a finger to let her sniff.  She rubbed her cheek on it so he petted her.  "Hi.  Who're you?"  He sat up slowly and she stared at him.  "Are you Willow?"  The cat meowed.  "No.   Okay, did Willow change you into a cat?  Are you maybe Eric?"  The cat hissed.  "Don't blame you there.  Huh."  He got up to put down water for her, it was the least he could do.  Then he called Willow.  "There is a black and white cat who woke me up from my nap," he said in greeting.  He listened.  Then he looked down.  "Miss Kitty?"  She blinked up at him. "Mommy will be over soon," he promised, smiling and petting her.  "She's fine so far, Willow.  Very loving."  He hung up and got down to petting her.  He noticed she had used the carrier as a litter box, which was fine with him.  Less mess for him to have to clean up.  They could get her another one.  He looked at the books she had let him hold for three days, she was trying to prove to herself that she didn't need the magic.  It was a big step for her addiction.

He called Xander.  "I have Miss Kitty here.  Why?"  He listened to the story about Tara and Don, and Don being allergic to cats.  "That makes sense. So they packed up her cat why?"  The story went on and he turned on the news to see that another building on the campus was being evacuated.  "Huh.  The music hall went earlier and now they're saying Lendle Hall is going?  Ah, the dorm!  Gotcha."  He nodded and sat down to watch it while the cat came over to sit in his lap.  "Hi, Miss Kitty.  Want to talk to the Xander?"  She meowed at the phone then settled into his lap.  "She's a good cat.  No, I don't mind.  As long as she doesn't pee on things or make too big of a mess, Xander.  Of course she needed to come to her other mommy."  Someone knocked.  "It's open," he called.  Eric leaned in.  "Even for you.  I've got Xander on the phone."

"How's Horatio's throat?"

"Eric wants to know how his throat is."  He smiled.  "Tasty."  Eric shook his head at that and stared at the cat.  "Willow and Tara's cat, Miss Kitty Fantastico."

He decided not to say anything about the very girlish name that the two girls had given the poor beast.  "Ah."  He nodded and sat down.  The cat stared at him but stayed in her comfy spot.  "I won't try to pet you, cat.  I like dogs better."  The cat settled down again.

Ryan smiled.  "Sure, you two have fun, Xander.  Be a good boy.  Come back soon."  He hung up and looked at him.  "What's up?"

"Wanted to know if you wanted to have a guy's night."

"Having single people dilemmas?" he taunted.

"Basically.  Speed had to skid his bike earlier because he nearly got hit by a minivan.  She's babying his leg for him and talking about helping him repaint the damage.  I'd ask Cooper but last time he made an ass out of himself."

Ryan shrugged.  "I don't care.  She's got classes tonight. She won't be out until nine."

"That's fine.  It's prime hour to arrive," he promised.  Someone tapped on the door.  "S'open," he called.  Willow walked in and gave him an odd look.  "Asking if he wanted to go out tonight without you girls."

"Oh."  She nodded.  "That's fine."  She looked at her cat.  "I talked to my security guard, he said if he heard the cat he was going to shoot her."

"Then she can stay.  She doesn't pee on the bed or anything, right?"

"No.  She's not a temperamental cat in the least."  She sat down beside him, petting her kitten. "Do you like the Ryan?  Can you stay with the Ryan while I find us a better place that won't go boom and explode like my present one?"  The cat gave her a silent meow.  "Once I find one, you can come live with me again.  Until then you have to stay here for a few days."  She went back to petting her until Ryan shifted and handed her the cat, making her blush.  "Sorry.  Why is she down here?"  He turned up the news and she blinked.  "Wow.  The destruction is spreading a lot."  He nodded.  "Oops."  She shrugged. "With any luck most of the town will die soon so there's less vampires there."  He gave her a hug around the shoulders and she looked up at him. "What?  She liked someone?"

"Xander said she's having THE dinner with Don's parents," he said happily.  She beamed at that and wiggled a bit. "They were moving her stuff up to New York earlier. That's why the cat got sent, he's allergic."

"Oh.  That's fine then.  I'm sure she can find something furry that he'll like to pet too."

"Maybe he'll be a bit furry so she can pet him," Eric offered.

Willow looked at him. "I don't think she could take a really hairy guy since she's only had two women," she admitted.  "I don't think the other one was a yeti like you are."

He laughed and shook his head.  "Thanks, but I shave it now and then."

"Good.  Bet your drains are a mess."  She went back to petting her cat, then looked at him. "Can I stay to nuzzle her?"

"Sure."  He kissed her on the forehead.  "Call Speed.  He had to skid his bike earlier."

"I heard.  Calleigh called to see what was in the green tin of stuff I use on our scrapes."  She snuggled into the couch with the cat while Ryan went to take a shower and get ready to go out with Eric.  "Behave with him, Eric, and play nicely.  No handing him skanks.  I will get upset."

"Sure, Willow.  I won't let him dance with anyone too nasty or anything."   He looked at her.  "Marisol's at home if you wanted to call her over to talk about the cat and Tara."

"I don't think she'd understand losing someone like Tara."  She looked at him. "Unless she's had one of those soft, gentle loves that makes you want to float?  And occasionally makes you float when her magic goes off while she sleeps?"

"No, not that I know of," he admitted.  "She's more a passionate whirlwind, like I am."  He shrugged and he looked Ryan over.  "Change the shirt."

"Wear the green one, Ry," she said quietly, smiling at him.  He went to change into it and they left.  She smiled at her cat.  "Did you like the Ryan?  He's the new daddy, Miss Kitty.  We'll all like the Ryan.  He's a nice guy.  Yes he is."  She watched as the news reported her former dorm started to slide in.  Then she shrugged and called Giles.  "It's me.  Is everyone okay?"  She smiled.  "Good.  No, I'm sitting here petting Miss Kitty on Ryan's couch.  I can't at my present spot but I can move."  She smiled.  "Exactly.  It'll mean I won't have that stupid lightbulb problem anymore.  He said it was fine for a few days but we've got to get her a litter box."  She smiled.  "Thanks, Giles.  Miss you too.  How's Xander?  I know he's stuck in New York until the suits let him go.  Sure.  I can do that.  No, they're probably off being noisy."  She heard the splutter.  "Well, they are his boyfriends, Giles, of course they're having the sex.  That's how I met Ryan, escaping the noisy sex lives of him and Timmy."  She smiled and hung up, going back to cuddling her cat.  "We have got to get you proper food and litter, Miss Kitty.  Let me go do that.  You behave in Ryan's place until I get back."

She got up and took his spare key off the hook by the door. Then she locked the door and headed out for cat supplies.  On the way she decided to call her parents.  "Hi, Mom.  No, I'm okay.  Worried about the sparking going on in my ceiling.  No, I think I have to move actually.  Because I have a light that no one's sure why it keeps blowing and they won't allow my cat.  No, mother, I'm not giving up my cat.  Tough, mother.  No, I'm okay except for the upcoming moving thing.  I'm sure.  Well, my old dorm fell in and I only got a few things out of there when I got sent down here to recuperate.  Because I was there when the first part fell in, mom.  Yeah, me.  Was right in the middle of it.  Bruises, a small concussion.  Nothing too bad for me.  They sent me to Xander.  No, he's down here."  She pulled over.  "Mother, before you say a *word* you failed Xander miserably.  Am I clear?  And I'm the one who rescued him when his parents tried to sell him.

"The reason I'm so mature is because I had to stab someone to get him free when I was ten.  So no, don't go there.  You failed him and you failed me by not seeing it, mom.  So yes, I'm still friends with Xander and staying friends with Xander and his boyfriend.  Anything else?  If not I'll email you my new address.  By the way, where is the rest of my trust?  Because I'm eighteen and I never got it, Mom.  Yeah, you check on that, Mom.  I'll be here in Miami getting a great education with a wonderful boyfriend and people around who consider me family."  She hung up and took a deep breath, then pulled back into traffic to handle the necessary things.  Before she lost her temper and her control on her magic.  Her mother had always underestimated her.   Then again, she was the subject of three different books.  Maybe she should write her own but Xander would get pissed with her if she did. She didn't want him to spank her again.  It had hurt last time!

***

Xander woke up warm and comfy, but he was still being poked.  He swatted at the hand, glaring at it.  "What?" he asked quietly.

"Willow mother's on the phone."

"Tell her I'm busy being a dom and watch her shriek."  That got a look and he sighed, taking the phone.  "What?" he complained. "I'm in New York, Willow's mom.  It's two in the morning out here."  He listened to her babble just like her daughter. "Yeah, she did.  She was saving me from the guy who had me put into a dog house and was feeding me alpo.  What did you want her to do, let me die?"  He snorted. "That's rich but no.  I'm not.  I'm in a very satisfying relationship with a very nice man.  I've got a career I adore.  Without your daughter and her medical skills I'd be dead.  She stitched me up plenty of times.  I don't know where you were," he retorted when she demanded to know where she was.  "No one was ever sure where you were.  Welcome to reality.  You failed your child and you failed to realize that your child was helping save my life.  Even when you were there you ignored the bruises I walked around with.  Why do you care now?"  He looked at the phone then her.

"Mrs. Rosenburg, get a grip.  If she has kids, I doubt you're going to be seeing them.  If you do, I'll be there with a whip to make sure you can't do what you did to yours.  Now, is there anything else?  You woke me up after some fantastic sex with my man."  He snorted.  "No, I'm very sure it's not a phase.  Been married actually.  Didn't like it.  Women suck.  As you prove.  I know very well I was your control subject.  Willow read your books to Jesse and I.  No, he died at sixteen of a horribly violent act.  She was there.  She was nearly killed the same night because someone tried to kidnap her.  By the way, that week we think you were in Phoenix."  He hung up on her and tossed his phone onto the beside table. Then he groaned and called Willow's phone.  "I chewed your mother a new one and told her to find reality since she called me at two," he told her voicemail.  "If this upsets you, yay."  He hung up again and went back to cuddling.  Horatio was better than a fussy woman any day of the week.  His grandsire tucked them back in and he gave him a sleepy grunt, then snuggled deeper under Horatio's shoulder, letting himself fall back asleep while warm, comfortable, and held.

Raphael took a picture then left.  He was sure Oz would like to hear that one. Maybe he'd even like to add to it.  A bit of torment went a long way.  He also sent the audio file to Patrick.  Their grandson was a strong man.

***

Xander walked out of the park with Horatio beside him, smiling when Stella parked and got out in front of them. "Are we causing trouble?"

"No, but the person who was being chased by the guy with the knife did.  She turned and got him back when he wouldn't stop."  She smiled at them. "You two are so cute."

"Thank you," Xander said proudly.

Horatio coughed. "I've got to go back tomorrow."

"I'm sneaking back with you," Xander promised.  "I like New York but I miss my house."  That got a smile.  "Sorry but I do.  I miss my house."

"That would be good," Horatio promised, smiling at him.  "I'm sure we can put our foot down about it."

"You'd better start now," Stella offered.  "They were just bothering Mac."  She headed to get to her scene.

Horatio looked at Xander, who just nodded.  They caught a cab back there and headed inside, Horatio having to take off his sunglasses.  "Is Mac finished being bothered by the Feds or can we go yell at them as well?"

"They're still up there, Lieutenant Caine."

"Good."  He smiled and walked Xander that way, walking in behind the non-speaking Fed who kept coming with the one over Xander's kidnaping case - who nearly babbled as much as Willow most of the time.  He coughed.  "To settle this matter, Xander and I are going home tomorrow. Together.  I'm sorry if you don't like this."

"I personally don't care and someone had better be sucking up to my boss," Xander told them, looking at them.  "I like New York, it's a great city.  But Miami's home and all my family is down there.  I'm going home tomorrow with my boyfriend.  Any objections?"

"We still don't know who two of the present givers were," the non-speaking agent told him, looking at him.

"Which is great but I'm better protected down there. I have family down there.  Including my grandfather.  Doesn't mean they're going to try the same thing.  They could just want me to spank them or something.  For right now, I've got to rebuild my life.  I've probably been fired.  Actually I'm pretty sure I got fired by now.  Not that it's such a great loss but it is a loss.  I have a house that's been locked up except when guys come over to watch European sports on my dish. This isn't the first person who sent me money, guys.  Really."  That got a nod from the non-speaking agent.  "Also, down there, I have family in the lab.  They know how to watch me without making someone take days off.  Mac doesn't quite have that down yet and he'll have an easier time watching Tara for Don."  Mac gaped.  "You didn't realize that?"  He shook his head.  "Yeah, Mac, they had THE dinner the other night," he offered with a grin.  "By the way, are you always this clueless when someone wants you?  I ask because even I can smell the rutting scents coming off some people in the lab.  Just a hint."  He looked at the agents again, then smiled sweetly. "I love you guys and thank you for helping stop that one and the possible child.  But now I need to go home.  I'm needed at home.  My father ended up having to skid his bike.  His bike is next to me in his affection.  I consider it a little brother because it's younger than me."  That got nods.  "We good?"

"We'll be fine with that as long as Lieutenant Caine has a very good way of keeping track of you after hours."  Xander held up their joined hands and he blushed.  "That'll do perfectly, Mr. Harris.  I thank you for your cooperation and so did the Treasury when they straightened out your bank.  The embezzlers are now stopped very well.  I'm told those funds have been returned."

"Cool.  So I can get groceries to replace whatever the guys ate."  He looked at Horatio.  "Move in for a week or so?"

"I think I could do that," he agreed, smiling at him.  "Mac?"

"Have fun, kids.  You deserve to have some fun."  They smiled and left, heading back to the house to pack.  "See, I told you there wasn't going to be a problem if they went home."

Danny leaned in.  "Did I hear more problems?"

"Less problems.  Xander's heading home with Horatio tomorrow."

"Good!  He needs ta be home.  Miami's his city now."  He grinned. "Stella called, her scene was an NYU film school shoot."  He walked off.

"I hate them," Mac muttered.  "Okay, guys.  Anything else we can help you with?"

"You filed a subsidiary report about his stolen weapon's collection?"

"Apparently there's a group of people who feel they could easily become serial killers down there but they're watching Xander to see how to stay pure.  They took them off Sassone."

"Ooohkay," the silent agent said, then he smacked his lips.  "Good enough.  Anything else I should be aware of before I head down there?"

"They're all *very* protective of the boy down there.  He can't get into the same sort of trouble as he does up here."

"Good to know.  We intercepted a gift being sent to Lieutenant Caine earlier from a young male socialite.  He wanted to know if he'd take him instead of his current toy."

"I doubt it.  I'm expecting marriage announcements out of that relationship."  That got a nod and they left his office, leaving him to think.  Maybe he was clueless about someone wanting him in the lab.  He looked outside.  "Sheldon?"  He walked in.  "Get the door?"  He closed the door.  "Xander just said that there's a few people in the labs who show an unhealthy interest in me?  I've never noticed it."

"Well, Lindsey's got a crush but I'm assuming he's talking about two others."  Mac sat up.  "You really don't see them staring at you?  Mothering you?  Hanging on your every word?"  He smirked at the horrified look.  "I would do something about that, Mac, preferably before Danny snaps and kidnaps you because Stella will help him."  He stood up. "Anything else?" he asked happily.

"Did you know Don and Tara are an item?  Xander said they had THE dinner with his folks the other night."

"I did.  It suits her.  She blushes in a good way around him and he's very protective and possessive over her in the right way.  They'll make a stunning couple for many years to come if God is kind."

Mac nodded, smiling at that.  "Sometimes he can be."

"Yes, but sometimes he gives you a second chance, Mac.  Because they love you even when you're grieving and moping.  So get off your butt before I tell Lindsey you like her."  He walked out, leaving him shaking his head and laughing.

Once he calmed down he considered his two suitors.  Neither was very open.  Well, Danny showed a lot of emotion around him but that one.  Stella was constantly mothering him when he needed it.  He smiled and a slightly devious plan came to mind so they could talk about it.  He saw Stella walk past his office.  "Film scene?"

"Yes.  Stupid brats forgot to file their permits."

"Did you cite them?"

"Of course.  You okay?"

"Xander's going home tomorrow. He'll leave Tara there so she and Don can continue to see each other."  She smiled at that.  "I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner tomorrow?"

"I wouldn't care.  Pizza and a game?"

"Dinner on my roof."

"Works for me."  She smiled and walked off.  She saw Danny watching and shrugged.  She knew about his crush and was all for it.  Mac would do him good and he'd be less tortured. She wondered who had clued in Mac.  Neither of them had been able to.  She heard Mac call Danny's name and smirked.  "Good," she decided.  "About time.  Stubborn asshole finally got a clue."  She went to put up her case and get back to work.  Danny snuck in later.  "Dinner, his rooftop?" she asked, seeing his happy look.

"Doc was just in there."

"Good!  That's good."  She smiled and nodded.  "I can get him something nice for finally making him catch a clue."

"Yeah, me too.  I was almost worried about Monroe."  He shrugged and dove back into his work in the next lab. They had worked out their feelings about this subject last year.  They knew what the other wanted.

"Hmm, means I don't have to kidnap him and make Danny help me," she decided, even happier.  Kidnapings were always so messy.

***

Xander walked into his house and sighed.  "I'm home!  Finally!"  He heard a laugh.  "The last time I knew the furniture didn't laugh."

"It still doesn't," his grandfather called.  Xander pounced him to give him a cuddle.  "I missed you as well, Xander."  He smiled at Horatio.  "I'll be here, go get some suits."  He nodded and took a kiss before doing that.  "Sit, Xander."  Xander sat, looking at him.  "You called the Treasury?"

"No, Horatio called the Treasury."

"Oh, good."  He relaxed and smiled at him.  "I was still gathering information for charges to be filed."

"Cool.  I'll bet it helped them a lot.  I think he got tired of the wait."

"He probably did," he agreed, smiling more gently at him.  "How is Tara?"

"Beautifully in love with her man.  Her man is wonderful and that's all she needs. They all think they're very adorable together.  Buffy even sent her some of her old outfits that she didn't want so she'd have fun clothes too.  Especially this one suede outfit that Cordy told her made her look like a horse."  He laughed at that. "Grandsire is up there babying her.  He said he's missing having a daughter."

"The easiest way to solve that would be to give us a great-grandchild," he offered.

Xander stared at him.  "I'm nineteen and still finding myself, Granddad.  I'd hurt a kid."

"You could never do that, Xander."  He smiled at him.  "I know you couldn't."  He patted his hand.  "Promise me you will some year soon?"

"Of course I will some year soon, as soon as Horatio's ready. Or if one comes by accident.  I won't stop one from coming into being but I'm not going to push for it this week.  There's too much danger and I don't want to hurt the little thing."

"Good point," he agreed, smiling at him.  "We'll see what happens."

"What about that doctor?"

"He did take a sample.  It wasn't found. I'm not sure where it is, Xander."  He nodded and sighed.  "We're working on tracking it."

"Thank you."  He smiled.  "Now, happier things.  Can I look for a new job?"

"You'll have to."

"Good!  I like that."  He beamed.  "Can I come play with the dog tomorrow while Horatio's at work?"

He smiled.  "If you want.  As long as you come in to greet me as well."  Xander gave him another hug and got up to look in his fridge, finding a case of soda and some sliced cheese.  "It was rotten."

"I figured it would be but if they put that back I can go grocery shopping," he said happily.

"You can.  It went back yesterday, Xander."  He beamed and came back to cuddle him until Horatio got there.  Then he offered dinner and he was too comfortable to pass it up.

***

Willow looked at Ryan over dinner, then smiled at her cat when she came over to see what they were doing.  "That is impolite, Miss Kitty."  She meowed.  Ryan tossed her a treat.  "Ah, you give in to begging."

"Of course I do. What had you swearing at Xander the other night?"  He ate a bite of dinner.

"I called my mother to update her and try to get the rest of my trust fund out of her sooner instead of later.  I've been working on that now for months.  I stupidly mentioned Xander and she told me I needed to break that attachment so I gave her a bit of truth."  She sipped her water.  "Then she got his number and called him, waking him up so he was cranky, and he gave her a lot more truth.  He told me on my voicemeail.  Then mom called back at five that next morning to dispute what he had said so I had to have an over-my-minutes conversation with my mother about abuse since she's so clueless.  I backed it up with many pictures I've taken over the years and told her we did report it and they did nothing, the same as she did nothing when she was there.  I reamed her good and she ended up crying that I was turning on her, which got my father into it.  I told him what was going on in under two minutes and he agreed I was good for Xander, they had messed up, but there was nothing they could do about it now except make sure that he never had children.  I pointed out the error of that suggestion and also pointed out mother was holding the rest of my trust away from me and she had a week to hand it over or I was going to sue them.  So I found the phone book and a lawyer's name and when I was making my appointment."

"Did it show up?"

"Last night," she admitted.  "They also called the local guys in the PD to watch out for Xander because of the horrible abuse he suffered."

"I saw the end of that.  One of the guys came up to Eric to ask him.  Thought he'd be more neutral about than Speed."  He ate another bite.  "He assured him that Xander wasn't homicidal, wasn't going to abuse any kids if he and his boyfriend decided to have one, and he's a good guy to have around.   So the officer relaxed about it."

"Good.  I'd hate to see Xander turn violent if someone ever touched his kids."

"You think he wants kids?"

"I do.  Xander's got a lot of love in him and I think Patrick wants him to carry on the family name too."  That got a small smirk.  "It might even be part of the will, I know my parents have put one in there that they had to approve of whoever I finally married.  I told her about you and she snorted and said I could do better.  I told her it was you or some biker chick and she about threw a fit about phases.  I pointed out I had been in a serious, could've been married if it was legal, homosexual relationship and she ranted for a good thirty minutes about it.  Pity but I don't care about their opinions.  I haven't since I was six and I realized they were inconsistent and boring."  He squeezed her hand.  "Sorry to dump that on you."

"No, this is all part of healing after how badly they screwed you up," he promised.  "I'm sure Tara heard."

"Tara met and wasn't impressed.  She actually pulled me away from them.  Kissed her in front of them too."  She smirked at him. "My father said she was pretty."

"She is.  She's also one very special girl."  She smiled at that.  "Doesn't mean I like her doing that.  Your mother needs her license taken away."

"Oh, she gives good enough advice.  My father's in practice, she writes books."

"So does Doctor Phil, doesn't mean it's always a good thing."

"True," she agreed dryly.  "The scary thing is that I've found her book on a syllabus."  He shuddered.  "I also contacted that teacher to note that, for a shrink, she was an abusive mother and her book contained wild suppositions that had no basis in the reality of what I, her test subject, had gone through. I even laid out the inaccuracies in the book for him.  I found out later he added a second one to contrast that one but he kept it on there because it did have some limited good advice, just not a whole lot."

"Eat," he ordered.  She dug in and he treated the cat again, getting a happy friend who took it to the couch to lay down and eat.  "We need to get her hairball medicine."

"It's on top of the fridge."

"Oh."  He looked then nodded.  "Thanks."  He smiled at her.  "You thought of everything."

"I did and she wanted me to give up my cat too."  Her phone rang.  "Oops, sorry."  She looked.   "That's...  My house?"  She answered it.  "This is Willow."  She blinked.  "Okay.  Was it the funky light that keeps blowing?"  She frowned.  "Did anything of mine survive?  Thank you. I'll be right there."   She hung up.  "The fusebox in the closet you didn't like blew."  He groaned. "Burned too."  She finished dinner and so did he, grabbing his keys.  "It's going to be a while, you don't have to come."

"Yes I do.  Or else you don't have a good way to get whatever's left back here so you can sleep on the couch."  She smiled at him and they headed out together.  The cat snuck over to check the table but they hadn't left more than juice on the plates.  Which was fine with her.  It tasted good.

Willow walked into her building, staring at the security guard.  "What happened?"

"The fusebox in your closet arced and started a fire, Miss Rosenburg."

"We've complained how many times about electrical problems?"  He shuddered.  "Where's the manager?"

"Your place."

"Thank you."  She walked up that way, shaking her head.  She found him staring at the mess in her closet.  "At least one electrical thing in this place worked."  He glared at her.  "I've complained nineteen times in the last three months about the lightbulb that keeps blowing and fizzling and about that fuse box arcing and you did nothing."  A fireman looked over.  "I have.  It's on file. I can give you the name of the handyman they keep sending."

Ryan pulled his badge.  "Any signs of foul play?"

"No, shoddy wiring," the fireman told him.  "I'm the arson investigator."  Willow smiled.  "Miss Rosenburg I'm presuming?"

"I am.  Did anything of mine survive?"

"Some."  He pointed at the majority of the room.  "Your bedroom was mostly smoked and wet down.  We know where the fire started."  He led her back there, letting her see.  "There's been a certified electrician?"

"Once and he came in complaining about the wiring.  Since then there's been a handyman named Paul, who is a great guy and admitted he had no idea what was going on.  He said he's referred it to the manager a few times.  I know the light in the kitchen blows and fizzles."  She led him out there, turning it on.  After two minutes it blew with a scorching smell and a fizzle. "See?"

"I do."  He frowned and got up there to look.  "There's bare wires up here."  He came back down and went back to open the fusebox.  "That light's not on here?"

"No, it's wired into the apartment above me.  That one's my bedroom and living room and my neighbor's bathroom I think."  She leaned out to look at the guard coming in.  "Which neighbor is without their bathroom?"  He pointed.  "Thanks. The guys next door over there," she said with a point of her own.  "I have complained.  It's on file and Ryan has been here with most of them.  He's made some complaints. It's a great facility but they needed to update the wiring a long time ago."

"They did," he agreed.  "Okay, let's see if we can get you packed.  Officer Wolfe?"  He came in.  "Help her pack up.  She can't stay here and I'm going to have a contractor come in to check the wiring."

"The electrician was from DJ and Sons," Ryan said quietly.  "He said they needed to and turned them in for building code violations."  That got a nod and he went to look them up and call from the living room.  Ryan looked at her.  "Let's pack things."  She looked around then concentrated and things started to float into her suitcases and trunks.  He went to pack the living room the normal way.  Then he called Eric to go get them a small trailer for the night if he could.  He came over to get his keys and get it, looking around with a sigh.  "Wiring.  Fire in the fuse box.  Bare wires in that light."  That got a nod before he left.  Then he came back with his keys.  "Thanks, man."

"Welcome.  It's even one of the enclosed ones since it's supposed to rain tonight."  He looked at Willow as she carried stuff out.  "Need help?"

"I could but Patrick probably won't eat someone for me."

He smiled.  "You never know."

"True."  She looked at the manager.  "I will be reimbursed for what I lost or I will sue.  The same as I will be getting this month's rent back or I will sue."  He snickered.  "Bet me I can't.  I've already had an appointment with a lawyer about this in case it would happen."  He looked stunned.  "My parents are shrinks, I'm not some backwoods little girl with no education.  I could've went to Harvard and I turned it down.  Am I clear?"  He nodded.  "Good, then you can send them to my boyfriend, Officer Wolfe here."  He swallowed at that when Ryan looked over.  "Or else I'm going to destroy you in court because you're endangering lives and safety.  I'll have this whole building shut down very quickly."  He backed up.  "So I'll be expecting the check to be postmarked tomorrow at the latest."  He fled.  "Thank you for your cooperation."  She looked at the guard, who shrugged.  "I feel really sorry for you because you work for him."

"Most of the time it's fun.  I get to stare at a bunch of girls in bikinis at the pool.  Need help?"

"Could use it," Ryan offered.  "Thank you.  Plus a copy of the complaints she filed."  Willow pulled out a drawer and handed them to the investigator, who just smiled at that.  "Good job."

"I'm not the random, average stupid person, Ryan. Of course I made copies after the third one."  She went back to hefting things out of the bedroom, checking the drawers.  She had to get a shopping bag for her undies but that was fine.  She packed the kitchen.  "Well, honey, at least you're getting a lot of food since I just went grocery shopping."

"That's fine.  I've got a lot of room because I could use the shopping."  He got finished with her books and started to heft things down with the guard's help.  A few of the other ones came to help too, including a few of the guys.  "You guys need to watch out for more fires. Willow's wires were bare," he told one guy, who shuddered.  "Fire in her closet."

"We'll watch, sir.  I've had a few complaints of my own."  That got a nod and she came down with another box.  Everything else was gotten, her backpack and briefcase coming down last.  The manager had the check for her and she nodded that it was enough, heading home with him. The kid went to tell others what had happened.  They all needed to be careful.  Especially with as many of them had electronics in this building.  No one wanted their x-box to die in a fire.

Ryan got her settled onto his couch after they had the food upstairs with her backpack, briefcase, and some clothes for the next two days.  Then he settled in to comfort her.  She wasn't a happy person by any means.  She snuggled into his arms and even initiated the kissing tonight.  It was good.  The cat enjoyed the comfy sleeping spot they had made since he fell asleep on top of her on the couch.

***

Horatio looked up when Ryan came dragging in rubbing his back. "Bad night?" he asked.

"Willow's place caught on fire."

"Is she all right?"

"We were having dinner but the fuse box in her closet went.  They found bare wires in the ceiling and things.  So all her stuff is at my place and so is she."

"Xander does have a spare room," he noted.

"Yeah, but that's imposing and she doesn't want to listen to him spank someone since one of his clients is coming in tonight according to her."  Horatio nodded at that.  "She can have my couch, Horatio."

He looked at him.  "Looks like you both slept on the couch, Mr. Wolfe."  He blushed but shrugged a bit sheepishly.  "Are you fit for duty today?"

"I can't help lift a sumo wrestler but I'll be fine.  If not, I'll take lunch and go pay your boyfriend to work on my back for me."   That got a smile.  "Sorry I'm a bit late."

"It happens.  It's an excusable reason.  Go work."  He nodded, going to do that.  He made a note on his desk calender about hours.  Just in case.  They wanted him to keep better track of it.

Speed looked at Ryan. "Bad night?"

"Her apartment went up."

"She okay?"

"She was with me but her closet was trashed.  Fortunately the automatic sprinkler system was the only thing that was working electronically. She's doing laundry today."

"It'll be okay then.  Fall asleep on top?" he asked, seeing how he was standing.

"On the couch with her."

"Poor baby.  I won't send you out with Eric then.  Go help Calleigh with her case."  That got a nod and he called her on the way to get his stuff.  Speed went back to work.  Horatio leaned out of his office, staring down at him.  "Hey, you made it in," he said dryly.

"I've been catching up on the paperwork you neglected."

"Shit happens, H.  Ryan's going to help Calleigh.  Eric's out on a call.  You have that budget meeting in an hour, which means I don't have to fill in, so I'm going to go work on my own case.  Thanks for being in."  He walked off smirking.

Horatio shook his head and got back to work.  Speed was an asshole sometimes.

***

Xander looked at the place he used to work then sighed and walked in shaking his head.  "I know, the FBI kept me in New York. I'm here to pick up my last check since he *finally* got me clients."  She found it and handed it over.  "Thank you."

"Why did the FBI keep you?" the receptionist asked.

"I was nearly stolen from Las Vegas.  They found me seriously drugged on a plane."  She cooed.  "So I'm back but I'm supposedly under surveillance."  He grimaced.  "It happens.  Can I go clean out my locker?"  It was handed over in one of their gym bags. "Thanks."  He grinned.  "Anything in there I should know about?"

"The guard who did it kept your watch."

"What watch?"

"The pretty one you had in there."

"Uh-huh.  Besides that being theft, the person who stole me kept sending me gifts, like a rolex."  She went pale.  "So no, he can't have it.  It's evidence and they'll arrest him if they catch him with it.  Tell him to drop it to me in the mail with whatever box or wrapping it was in please.  I'll try to hold off Dad."  She nodded, calling him.  "Thanks, Marie."  He walked out with his things, heading back to his car.  He found the owner looking at it.  "What?"

"How did you afford a Jag that nice on your pitiful salary?"

"I've had it for a while now.  I had it before my interview, Craig."  He looked at him.  "I should warn you that the FBI is looking at whoever kidnaped me because they sent me presents.  They're going to be coming for any I got sent here.  So the watch that I got told the guard took should probably reappear and so should anything else that got stolen out of my locker."  His boss glared at him.  He stared back.  "That doesn't work on me.  It's the only friendly warning you'll get."

"You could've advertised."

"I did.  You ran off my clients. You didn't advertise so I had to.  You still canceled some of my clients without telling me.  Not like I had booking problems and I'll not have them wherever I go next."

"I won't give you a reference."

"Don't need it, Craig.  I've got plenty of personal ones."  He smirked and got in, heading back to the house.  He did call the local school of massage to get a list of their openings, and what classes they had going on right now.  He called one of them directly to apply for that opening and get an interview.  It was a nice place and even Yelina liked going there.  Gordon walked in while he was arranging times for an interview, getting a nod of recognition.  He finally hung up with a date and time set and looked at him.  "What's up?"

"Your dry cleaning?"

"Oops.  Knew I forgot to do something while I was out.  Thank you."

"Welcome."  He smiled at him.  "What are your plans now?"

"Well, I just set up an interview somewhere.  I got an idea from Don while I was up there about opening up an S&M club.  I'm still working on it, Gordon.  Why?  Did Granddad need help with something?  I was going to come out to play with the dog later."

He smiled.  "No, he's got everything down to a science and art now, Xander.  He was wondering what you were going to do about the lack of job."  He pointed at the paper in front of him, getting a smile.  "Good.  I would get a better suit than your two however."  That got a sigh.  "Some of the spas would expect you to be a bit less chic and a bit more classically impressive."

Xander nodded at that.  "I'll find where Horatio goes and go tomorrow."  That got a smile.  "I'm trying to be good."

"You're doing it very well.  Have you called Greg back?"

"Last night.  When my new minutes started."  That got a laugh.  "I called them about my bill and man!"

"I heard.  We saw it online."

"He tracks my bills for me?"

"Now and then we peek."

Xander shook his head.  "I've got it handled, really."

"I know.  Tell me about this club idea?"

"Don was thinking like where I used to work, but with a stage show.  We'd let cameras be on the stage.  Have two back hallways to rent rooms in.  One that was also broadcast online and one that wasn't. That way we could cater to both sides.  No showing anyone in the audience, only the few rooms.  Make it a bit classier than Max's."

"That might not work.  There's not a high demand for it down here."

"I know which is why I'm still thinking about it," he admitted.  "My private clients I see here anyway.  I don't take on the other guys at the moment."  That got a smile and a nod. "Max has referred someone to me and I'm meeting them tonight for their first session but otherwise nothing else at the moment.  I know he's stumbling on that issue himself now and then.  But I also thought about fronting it with a club club.  A bi club but a club."  That got another smile.  "That would make more money."

"It would.  Especially if you had a good hook.  It'd also be a lot of work."

"I know, which is another reason I'm hesitating.  I know where I'd put it.  There's a beautiful building down on Seacrest."  That got a smile.  "They said it used to be a club.  Fix that one up for the club itself and do the rest upstairs."

"That might be nice," he agreed. "There's also a club that could use some financial help if you were thinking about investments."

"I haven't even contemplated more than stuff I've got in CDs and things right now, Gordon.  Does it look promising?"

"It does.  They need some to remodel and are offering five percent returns for the year.  I can put them in touch with you if you'd like."

"Please.  Gay club or bi club?"

"Straight club.  Delko goes there a lot," he admitted.  Xander smiled at that.  "I don't think any of the gay clubs are remodeling but I'll check if you want."

"If you wouldn't mind.  I wouldn't mind that sort of investment."  That got a smile.  "Not like I don't need safe places to play too."

"True.  Though your favorite is a bi place."

"I know," he agreed with a grin.  "That's why I picked it."  That got an answering smile.  "Blue suit or black?"

"Black.  It's classic and you can dress it up with the shirts you already have or look like an undertaker or mafia hitman with the black shirt."  Xander chuckled at that.  "Now, what else are you doing today?"

"Making sure all my stuff's clean for the session tonight mostly.  Doing a few laps in the pool.  They're due out at four so we're done by the time Horatio gets home."

"Good boy."  He smiled.  "I'll let you know about that club.  I put the dry cleaning upstairs, Xander. Expect your grandsire or grandfather probably in two days for dinner."

"I've got a late client that night.  Horatio's going to have to hide if he's here."

"I'll let them know."  That got a nod and he left, going to fill in Patrick on what he said.  He still didn't like him being a dom but he accepted it and that he was helping people in his own way.

***

Xander snuggled up to Horatio after dinner.  "Gordon said I need a different suit for my next interview."

"Why?"

"He said I should be a bit more conservative."

Horatio looked at him and smiled.  "So I take it you have another job interview?"  Xander smiled and nodded. "Well, I can give you where I go and who to ask for, but Speed's got tomorrow off."

"Daddy would break out in hives."

"Then do the other shopping you need afterward, Xander.  You said you needed more underwear."

"I do.  I have moths," he said, looking totally serious.  Horatio poked him on the side so he slid on top of him to look down at him.  "I arranged for my interview in a few days' time and I paid the four hundred dollar phone bill."  That got a hiss.  "It's okay.  It had to happen but I won't be getting kidnaped again this year."  Horatio smiled and nodded.  "I called Greggy again and he was sulking that he can't get time off until next month, then he plans on coming down here."

"I could like that," Horatio agreed, grabbing his boy's hips to shift them.  "No feeling in my feet."

"Sorry."

"That's all right.  I don't mind you on top," he teased, stroking his hands up Xander's sides.  "When is he coming down?"

"He sent you an email with the details."

"I'll get it tomorrow and make sure I schedule my rare days off with them."  Xander smiled before taking a kiss.  He pulled back.  "Any other news?"

"I've got a late client coming in two nights from now."

"How late?"

"Seven."

"How long should it last?"

"Probably until nine or so.  You can be here, but I would ask that you maintain confidentiality or hide."

"I can do both," he promised, smiling at him.  "Did you warn him?"

"I did and he understood.  He didn't think you'd say anything but he's still pretty jumpy."  He took another kiss.  "My new client is okay.  She broke pretty fast and she needed the stress relief.  So we got her set up and she was pretty decent at it.  She had been in a sub relationship but her master got married and his new wife hated the lifestyle so made him quit under threat of filing false rape charges on her behalf."  That got a grimace.  "So she moved and came down here.  She's looking for a new one but I'm the stress relief so I'll see her once a week in the afternoons.  I'll arrange it around my future schedule."  That got a nod.  "Most of the guys I can arrange around my future schedule."  That got a smile.  "I don't mind them coming here.  None of them hit on me.  Mike screens everyone he sends my way and I know they're not going to steal stuff.  Not like my massage clients."

"You could work part time as a massage therapist and the same as a dom, which is what you're doing right now."

"I can't expect them to pay the house taxes and insurance or my car insurance, Horatio.  I don't want to keep dipping into my savings either.  I'd like to live off my salary and I can do that if I work about three-quarter's time at a spa and keep my present level of clients."

"Would you get to save any?"

"A little.  Not that much."  He took another kiss.  "Which is what I'm hoping for.  About thirty hours a week as a masseuse and then my private clients.  Maybe taking a few new classes on the side since the local school offers techniques I've never heard of."  Horatio smiled at that.  "I like that sort of education."

"You're good at it too," he promised, shifting Xander's hips again so they were rubbing against each other.  "You're great at massages, Xander."

"Do you need one?" he teased.

"I wouldn't mind."  Xander stood up so he flipped over and let Xander sit on his rear to do his back, making him moan when his favorite oil came out of the drawer.  The massage made him hard and needy but it was good.

"Stetler again?"

"Stetler again," he agreed.

"Can't I just kick him or something?"

"No, dear."

"Fine."  He got back to work on his back, making Horatio moan in a higher key, then almost growl a few minutes later.   Horatio was limp under his fingers when he leaned down to nibble on his earlobe, getting a weak growl.  "My poor mate.  Are you tired?"  Horatio shook his head.  "Really?"  He got up and walked around to where Horatio could see him without moving.  He took off his pants and bent over to pick them up.  That's when Horatio pounced, dragging him back onto the bed.  The plug got tossed and Horatio possessed what was his, making him clutch and hold onto his shoulders.

"Not tired in the least, Xander," he promised as he thrust in harder and faster.  Xander's noises were getting him there faster than the sex was.  He loved the noises that he made.  He panted in his ear.  "Louder, Xander."  Xander let it out, giving him all the noises he wanted.  He finally came and relaxed on his shoulder.  "Thank you.  I'm much less tense now."  Xander pinched him on the butt.  Shaking his head when he looked at him.  "I am."

"I can tell.  You also kicked the sheets."  Horatio moaned but got them to cover them up, going back to his comfortable spot on Xander's shoulder.  Xander cuddled him, adoring this.  "I need to replace some of my tactile therapy stuff."

"Expensive?" Horatio asked quietly.

"Depends on which one I do.  The furry tube was a bit but not with how much I used it.  I also need to have someone look at the washer.  It's making burning smells."

"You got a maintenance contract."

"I know.  I'll call them tomorrow.  Reminding myself.  Plus to replace it with washable stuff."

"Soft stretch velvet," Horatio offered quietly.  "On a washable, stiffer backing."  Xander looked at him.  "To replace the furry tube."  He looked up.  "It's washable."

"It would be.  I'll look."  He kissed him.  "That's a very good idea."  Horatio smiled.  "Should I bring you and dad lunch tomorrow?"

"We both have court tomorrow so we'll be gone all day.  Otherwise I would say yes."  Xander smiled.  "You could hang out with Speed.  He's only got a short testimony in the morning.  Then he can help you shop for a new suit."

"Sure."  Xander squeezed him. "Love you."

"Love you too, Xander.  Nap now.  Time for a nap."  Xander snuggled in better to hold him, making him smile.  He loved his goofy little python.  "I'm not a lemon."  Xander eased up on his grip, making him more comfortable.  Still very cuddled but not as tightly.  He fell asleep after Xander, feeling him sucking on his neck. He did it most nights anymore so he was never going to get rid of the bruise.  Which wasn't a bad thought. It was better than a ring in his book.  Even if Eric did pick on him about it.

***

Xander found Speed coming out of the courthouse and beeped to bring him over.  "Gordon said I needed a better suit to interview in. Something more conservative."  Speed shuddered.  "I know but I also have to find something hot for clubbing too, daddy.  Wanna help?"

"Sure, I'll help.  Even if I do have to go into a suit shop."

"Horatio gave me his."

"That's fine.  Want to ride on my bike?"

"The bags?"

"So?  We'll drop them off after we've got a few."  That got a smile and Xander found a garage for his precious car for the day, getting out and turning on his alarm.  Speed pulled up on his bike.  "We can drop it back here just as easily," he agreed.  Xander took the spare helmet out of his trunk and got onto the back.  They headed off for a short ride, just enjoying the time together for now.  Xander pointed so he went into the suit shop's parking lot.  He looked at him.  "Conservative?"

"Gordon said it'd be a good idea."

"That's fine."  He got off and they went inside.  "My boy needs something for interviews."

"That's fine, sir."

"Horatio said I should ask for Paul."

"He's in the back," he said with a smile.  "With the lab or interviewing with the lab?"

"I'm with the lab," Speed admitted.  That got an understanding smile and Horatio's fitter came out.  "Hey.  Horatio sent my boy Xander to you."

"He was in here the other day picking up a new one and said one of them would look good on you," he admitted, leading him that way.  "What purpose is the suit going for?"

"Interviews," Xander admitted.  "We were thinking black since I've got a dark green and a dark red one.  If it matters I'm going for massage positions."

"So probably not a tie but you should probably get one just in case," he offered.  "For other things like dinners."  He stopped at one.  "This is the one Horatio was saying would look good on you and it would."  He held up the tan one and Xander looked at himself in the mirror.

"He does have good taste," Speed offered.  "But for interviews?"

"That might not be such a bad idea.  Most spas are looking for relaxing people who can blend into the background."  He took that one and led them to a few dark suits, finding one in Xander's approximate size.  "There's this option.  It's a bit hipper and stylish.   Definitely not a cut Horatio would wear but it might suit him."  He let him hold it up and Speed shook his head.  "Hmm.  Let's look a bit more classically then," he offered, putting that one back.  He went back to the same rack and pulled off another one, handing it over.  "More toward high powered rich person than boardroom or Horatio's usual style."

Speed wobbled on that one.  "The tan one looked like it'd look better.  Also, he's got some good arm muscles on him when he flexes."

Xander looked at him.  "I'm also a dom."

That got a smile and a nod, getting a different cut of the same suit.  This time the jacket did seem to suit his build better. "That one's the one you should try on."  He had to get a bigger size for the tan one but he did try them on.  "They would both look splendid on you."

"Does he really need four suits?" Speed asked.

Xander called his grandfather.  "Tan or black for my new interview suit?  They both look okay.  Because then I'd have four suits and I'd never get around to wearing them all, Granddad."  He looked at himself in the mirror then at his father.  "He wants me to get both."

"A black suit is useful for other things," Speed admitted.  "Whatever you want, Xander.  It's your money."  Xander looked hesitant then he hung up the phone, nodding.  "How did he talk you into it?" he asked, seeing the look in his eyes.

"Funerals."

"That's mean.  He and I need to have a long talk about him guilt-tripping you again."

"Dad."

"I know but it's not right, Xander."  He gave him a hug, looking at him.  "I like this one better," he offered.

"I look like a Watcher."

Speed looked at him.  "Which isn't always a bad thing for a job interview and we can dress it up with a better shirt.  Your black one or the lighter green one would dress this up nicely." Xander nodded, accepting that.  "Get them both."  Xander sighed and nodded, letting the guy ring him up so they could get them fitted.  It'd take a day before he could pick them up but that was fine.  They headed out to go underwear shopping, which was more fun and less stuffy.  Xander kept taunting him with a thong.  He nearly chased him around the store with it.  They ended up getting some funny looks so they checked out with their stuff and dropped it back at the car before heading to find Horatio for lunch.  The small outdoor cafe was near the courthouse and had good sandwiches.  It wasn't a big hardship for lunch.  "Patrick made him get two suits.  Including the one you thought would look good on him."

"The other can be for special dinners," Horatio said, smiling at his boy.  "Will it be ready in time for your interview?"

"Barely."  That got a smile.  "If she doesn't reschedule again.  She's done it twice now.  Apparently management is scheduling frivolous meetings or something.  So we'll see how it goes.  If not, I'm going to go take a six-week class on a new style."  That got a smile from his father.  "The school down here offers a few things I've never heard of."

"That's fine. I like you in school, Xander.  Even if it is only massage school.  It's good for you and makes you happy."  He smiled at that.  "Besides, you'd be bored."

"True."  He dug into his sandwich when it came, looking at his lover.  "I've got that client tonight."

"I remember.  Did you need to pick up anything for that?"

"Someone to look at the washer.  They can't get out until tomorrow.  I also need to hit a fabric shop."  That got a smile.  "I figured out how to recreate the furry tube.  I can use something washable on a stiffer leather backing but have the washable part be removable by snaps or something."

"That could work," Speed agreed.  "Can you get that made?"

"There's a few seamstresses in town.  It's not that hard to do," he admitted.  "It'd look like a quilt with buckles on the leather side."  That got some smiles.  "I should get a real table to put in there but I haven't yet.  My new massage table's been doing special duties."

"Sometimes that's what you need," Speed agreed.  "What about other stuff?"

Xander glanced around then at him.  "I need to pick up some new oils and latex gloves, plus some new lube."  That got a nod from Speed.  "Other than that I should be okay."  They watched as a hummer went screaming past with lights and sirens on.  "Was that Eric or Ryan?"

"Eric," Speed said.  "He's more loose in pursuit.  Wolfe's tighter in his moves."  He dug in, eating heartily.  "Anything else we need?"

"Only if you're going to take me out to the Bondage Emporium, dad."

"Interesting image," he admitted.  "Why?"  His phone rang.  "What's up, Calleigh?"  He listened and smiled.  "Actually I've been taking the son shopping on the bike."  He looked at Xander.  "Someone told her I was stepping out on her with someone small and tiny."

"I am not."

"From a distance you can't tell," Horatio admitted.  "Ask her what Eric was doing."

"H wants to know what Eric's doing since he just rolled past us in pursuit."  He listened then nodded once.  "Okay.  I don't think that's an issue.  No, I've got to take him a few more places.  Because we're having fun now that we're not in H's suit shop.  Yes, dear, it had unicorns blessing each suit and elves weaving it.  It was that mythical," he taunted.  He smirked at Horatio, shaking his head.  "She wanted to know if it was like a mythical realm."

"Yes."

"He said so too."  He grinned.  "That's fine.  I'll see you for supper.  Xan's got someone coming in tonight so I'll be home and I promise I won't pick up anything that would embarrass you."  He smiled and hung up on her 'you'd better not' before she got to the couch threat.  "Okay, where to next?"

"The oil shop I usually come out with a box of stuff," Xander admitted.  "We could take the car for that so you don't get in trouble."

"I'm not in trouble.  She wanted to know who I was out for a ride with.  She thought it was Willow."  Xander shook his head.  "I know, she'd never ride with me.  She's scared of bikes being dangerous."  He looked at Ryan as he walked over.  "Court?"

"Sucks," he agreed.  "Horatio, I got called in suddenly to the plea bargain for Ohama."

"That's fine, Ryan.  Go back when you can."  That got a nod and he strolled off again.  "What happened?"

"Eric's sister collapsed.  He went to be with her."

"I can excuse the lights in this traffic for that," he agreed quietly.  "She all right?"

"We're not sure what's wrong with her.  Eric won't tell me," Speed admitted.

"I'll talk to him tonight," Horatio promised.

Xander coughed and looked at them.  "They found a lump," he said quietly.  "She's been in treatment."  He ate another bite.

"He told you?"

"I made him tell me after he snapped at Willow."

"Thanks, kiddo.  Now we know how to help him at least."

"Don't baby him, dad.  He's trying to keep things normal."

"Of course he is," Horatio agreed.  "But I can twitch his schedule now and then if he needs it.  Give him longer lunches when he needs to be with her or pick her up.  Let him make up more hours after shift and things."  That got a gentle smile.  "My team is like my family.  Eric will have the support he needs, even if he's too stubborn to ask."

Speed looked at him.  "Pot, kettle," he said dryly.  Horatio glared back.  Speed stared him down.  "You and my boy both have that issue, Horatio Caine.  I'd like that streak fixed as well.  Before I tell him about someone shooting at the hummer and why."

"Ryan told me he was fine but not why.  I figured someone had taken a shot during a capture," Xander offered.  "Then I found the graze and made him tell me."  He grinned at his father.  "I'm fine though. Thanks, daddy."

Speed looked at him. "No you're not.  You don't know the concept of backup, son.  I'd like that to be fixed when things start to go wrong the next time, okay?"

"I ordered a cheeseburger with my onion rings.  Chill."

"Not that one. That one was understandable.  You did try to get help and the stew took the phone from your hands before you were resedated.  Did she get fired?"  He nodded.  "Good.  When it's normal things, you can ask.  Like how your former boss stole stuff out of your locker to hock so he could stay in business."

"It's his own fault."

"It is," Speed agreed.  "But we did find the three things he sold and your new watch came to the station today from the guard, along with a single stud earring."  He grinned.

"That's fine.  I told them it was going to be evidence."

"It is and we've found another one who sent you stuff.  I think Ryan went to talk to them about it since a similar motive was used in the kidnaping attempt."  Horatio shuddered.  "Heard anything yet?"

"No, not yet, but there's a process server staring at us."  He looked back, quirking up an eyebrow.  "Us?" he mouthed.  That got a nod.  He nodded him over.  He came over with a folded wad of papers.  "Summons to appear in court?"

"Not exactly."  He looked at Xander.  "Mr. Alexander Harris?"  He nodded.  "You've been served, sir."  He handed over the papers and made him sign his clipboard.  "Thank you for being reasonable, sir."  He headed off, going back to his lunch.  He did bring back one for Speed, who sighed and took it then signed.  "You as well, sir."

Speed looked at his.  "Hmm.  Ohama is suing the department for mental stress.  Wolfe will have one soon.  What's yours, kiddo?"

Xander looked at him.  "Someone suing me for not dying in the fire."  He handed it over with a look.  "I need a lawyer."

"Probably should," he agreed.  "That's so comical it's hysterical."  He looked around then nodded at someone.  "Him.  Craig Todds.  Todds," he called, making him look.  "Can we have a few?"  That got a nod and he came over.  "This is my son, Xander."

"Pleasure to meet you.  I've had to depose your father a few times.  New case you're passing on?"  Speed handed over the summons and he looked at it then at him.  "You're joking?"  Xander shook his head.  "You got served with this?"  That got a nod.  He looked at him. "You look familiar."

"You probably saw me when my grandfather pulled me out for a charity event," Xander said quietly.  "They beat and drugged me before putting me back in the fire.  Can they do that?"

"No.  They can't sue you for surviving the assault they did."  He handed it back and one of his cards.  "Bring that to me tomorrow morning, young man."

"I have a job interview at noon."

"I'm pretty free tomorrow."   That got a smile and a nod.  "Good boy."  He went back to his table to tell the lawyers with him about that.  They all looked horrified.  A few of them were personal injury lawyers, but they still had more ethics than that!

"C'mon, kiddo, we'll go finish your shopping," Speed promised, getting a smile from his son.  "We'll figure this out."  Both summons were handed to Horatio and they left.  They headed for the Bondage Emporium first.  He knew they'd deliver if his son fell in love with something really huge, like the furry tubes they had out there.  Unfortunately one didn't come undone and the one that did wasn't washable so he decided against those and decided on some new straps instead and some new leather cleaner and softener.  He found a few scents of oil he liked and some new lube and condoms, then he checked out.  "I didn't think straps were that expensive."

"They are if you're talking about working materials.  Those will give me about every configuration I need and they'll probably last a good five to ten years with how I use mine and take care of them.  I clean them more often than I probably should but I do that for my client's benefit," he said with a small shrug.  The cashier gave him a funny look. "I'm Master Tim."

"Ooooh.  I've heard about you," he said, smiling at him.  "Replacing some of the stuff from the fire?"  Xander nodded, taking his receipt.  "We've just got in a new catalog."

Xander took a copy with a smile and a nod.  Speed got one bag, he got the other and they went to drop them off in the car before going to the oil shop in it.  The bike could sit in his parking spot for now.   Xander was paying parking fees and it was a good garage.  Speed watched as Xander tested the oil scents, coming up with his usual five and a few others he hadn't used yet.  Plus an oil-based lube.  "Condoms?" Speed asked quietly.

Xander looked at him. "Yell at my boys."  He moaned.  "I pointed that out but now and then Horatio gets picky."  He shrugged and picked up the gloves he used and a few other things, then brought the basket up to the counter.  "These this time."

"Working again?" she asked.

"I've got an interview but I can do it for the family until then.  Plus I'm thinking about taking another class I haven't had yet."  She smiled and handed over a catalog from the local school.  "Thanks."

"Welcome, Tim."  She handed him the small box.  "There you go.  Have a good interview."

"Thanks.  Can you maybe kinda warn people off my last place?  He canceled my appointments without consulting me."  She nodded at that.  "Thank you, Holly."  He walked it out to the car and put it carefully in the back seat.  "Okay.  Home?"

"Home's good.  Let me go get my bike."  That got a nod and they went to do that, so he followed him home to help him put things up.  Then he headed back to his house before his client could get there, finding Calleigh cooking.  He washed his hands and jumped in to help.  "We're done."

"Good.  Did you get anything?"

"Some new underwear."  He smiled.  "Which I managed to leave at Xander's.  He'll send H in with them tomorrow probably."  She grinned at that.  "I was a good boy.  I didn't pick up anything at Bondage Emporium or the massage shop."  She gave him an odd look.  "He was replacing the straps he lost and needed more oils and gloves."

"Oh."  She blinked.  "I'll never understand that."

"Some people need it and some don't," he soothed, kissing the back of her neck.  "He has good taste.  He bypassed the lesser leather and went for the good stuff that'll work for whatever he needs.  Expensive too."

"I bet.  The whip we all pitched in on was nearly two hundred."

Speed nodded.  "The straps were about three.  The good working equipment is always more," he said.  "The same as any old maglight will do but ours are a lot more expensive."

"True.  I hadn't put it in that perspective."  She smiled at him.  "You missed it."

"What did I miss?"

"Poor Ryan, Willow stole all his boxers."  He smirked at that.  "He's too polite to take them back and she sleeps in them according to him so he doesn't want to take them back."

"They need to move in together for good," Speed pointed out.

"I'm thinking your stepdaughter's evil plan is going that way.  She's moving into a two bedroom place tonight.  It's a nice place too.  She's subletting.  The original guy is deployed.  He was a banker.  So she's got a really nice place near the school and he was talking about it all day."

He smiled at her.  "Then she'll invite him to use her new spare room and pounce him, finally!"

"Oh, I think they've had a pouncing relationship already," she promised, smiling at him.  "I caught her muttering about days."

"If she is pregnant I'm going to spank her and then let Xander do it," he vowed. "She's smarter than that and so is he."

"I'm pretty sure she's not," she promised.  "She's not showing any of the other signs but Ryan has apartment envy."  Speed grinned at that.  "Then again he still has dish envy over the son's dish."

"I have dish envy over his dish," he admitted.  She smiled at that. "I do!  Where else can I get a show on rare books out of England?"  She chuckled and swatted at him but let him flip the meat for her while she drained the vegetables.  "He has an interview tomorrow at noon and two suits to choose from before then.  Patrick talked him into getting both of the ones he liked.  Then we went to do the more fun shopping and have lunch with Horatio."  He paused.  "He was wearing underwear when he came over at lunch to tell us Ohama had taken a deal."

"I made him go buy some and called Willow to point out she had to give some of it back.  He and Eric had a very awkward talk about how to get things back from the women who steal your clothes because I made them."

"Eric just buys new t-shirts and underwear," Speed said with a shrug. "Unless it was a favorite so did I."  She gave him a look.  "I did."  He smiled at the door when someone knocked, going to get it.  "Horatio."  The bag got handed over.  "I expected it tomorrow."

"His client showed up at the same time I did so Xander asked me to deliver it and pick up some soda for later."  He shook his head.  "What was the problem with Ryan?  I was talking with Eric and he mentioned it."

"Willow is a boxer thief."

"Ah.  Well, he's not the first to go commando in the lab.  I believe that was you, Speed," he said dryly.

"Not my fault she kept them and kicked me out of bed at five in the morning.  Then you called for a scene, H.  What did you expect?"  That got an amused look. "Calleigh made him get more and talked with Willow.  So he'll have a brand new bag of them on his bed by tonight."

"That's fine."  He walked off shaking his head.  His boys were amusing to watch at times. He still didn't want to know why Speed had thongs in the bag.  It was bad enough when Xander wore one.  He dutifully picked up soda on the way back to Xander's and settled in to read on the couch, the door mostly closed so no one would have to worry about him seeing them.  Even if some of the sounds from the dining room did make him wince and hiss in sympathy.  Damn the officer wasn't going to be able to sit tomorrow.  He hoped he called off.

***

Ryan flopped down on his bed and the cat jumped up to nuzzle him.  "Did we forget to move you?"  She licked his fingers so he cleaned her ears for her.  "Thank you, Miss Kitty."  She got down and went to rub against a bag.  "What is that?  Did the mommy send a present and you?"  He looked and then blushed.  She had bought him new boxers.  Some with cartoons on them.  Some plain ones.  There was a note saying she was sorry she had stolen his other ones and it wasn't fair to make him wash them after she had worn them so she bought him new ones.  He laid down again, petting the cat while he called.  "I wouldn't have minded if you simply washed them, Willow.  Who called?"  He smiled.  He'd have to spank Calleigh tomorrow.  "No, I don't mind that you borrowed some.  I'll let you switch out some of these for some of my old ones even," he promised.

The cat meowed.  "Yup, we forgot about her."  He went back to petting her.  "She's laying on my stomach being delightful at the moment.  How are you settling in?"  He smiled.  "That sounds nice.  Sure, I'll come over for dinner tomorrow after you're off class and I'm off work.  That's fine, Willow.  Yup, she misses you already."  The cat nudged him so he looked at her.  "Sneaking up to talk too?"  He put the phone near her ear, letting her mommy tell her to take care of him for tonight and he could bring her home in the morning on his way to work.  The cat meowed and went back to loving him.  "I like you too, Miss Kitty."  He listened to her.  "She's being comforting.  Sure, I'm here."  He smiled.  "I'll see you on the way in tomorrow morning, Willow.  Sure.  Be safe and sleep well tonight.  No nightmares."  He hung up and went back to petting his comforter.  She was nearly as comforting as having Willow in bed with him was.

***

Speed looked over Ryan the next morning.  "Well at least you managed to steal some back."

"She bought me new ones to make up for the old ones, but I told her she could wash some of them and bring them back so she could have the Smurf ones."

"Smurf?"

"Yeah, little, happy, blue people that were like animated prozac?"  Speed snickered.  "At least it wasn't the Strawberry Shortcake ones.  She kept those."

Speed snickered.  "That's so like her."  He looked at him and saw the indecision.  "Have a sudden need to have your apartment sprayed," he offered quietly.  "Go sleep on her couch."

"I feel like I'm drowning," he admitted.

"Welcome to love," Calleigh said, giving him a hug before walking around him.  "You can escort Xander to Vegas next time."  She grinned.  "But we get to throw the party."

Ryan grinned at that.  "I'm not sure she ...."

"Yeah, she does," Calleigh assured him.  "Willow's not an easy girl.  She's not a first date girl.  If you've gotten to see her in her jammies, you're as high as you're going."

"She bought him Smurf boxers."

"I remember buying you My Little Pony," she said happily, smiling at him.  "Then you got scared."

"I did.  The thought of you buying me underwear scared me," he agreed.

"Oh, I don't know why.  Not with the thongs the son made you get," she teased.

"He swears up and down they're comfortable.  So far they're not too bad except when I'm riding."  She blushed and walked off.   "Go be more like Horatio and Xander," he said quietly.  "Take her to Vegas tonight.  You've got tomorrow off.  Take a sick day."  Ryan blushed at that.  "Really.  Before she turns into Calleigh."

"I won't tell her you said that," he said with a small grin. "But I'll consider it."

"Do that.  It'll give us a reason to throw a party."  That got a nod and he walked off.  Speed checked his watch.  "Horatio's still late."  He saw the hummer pull in and Horatio get out in a suit he knew wasn't his before.  He leaned out.  "Did you break into storage or something?" he called.

"Something like that.  Raphael was over last night after his session left."

"More spoiling?"

"He brought over the presents that had been sent to Patrick for them to gain permission to woo Xander.  Including bribes to me to let him go."

"Interesting."  He checked the tag.  "Couture.  Cute."  He smirked at him. "Ryan managed to find boxers.  Willow even bought him Smurf ones."

"Are we going to see the same amount of angst and freaking out that you did when Calleigh bought you My Little Pony ones?" he teased.

"Probably not.  He's got that drowning in love feeling," he said with a small smirk.

"Good."  He looked at him.  "Should we have another talk about going commando?"

"I'm trying out the new thong.  The son was right, they don't feel that bad after the first hour, except when I'm bent over on the bike."  He walked off happier.

Horatio shook his head.  "I did not need that much information, Speed," he called.  He went to find Ryan, finding him thinking and not working.  "Focus, Mr. Wolfe."  He jumped.  "The victims deserve your total focus.  Or else you'll have to find a way to focus yourself and then come back to them."

"Um, I'm nearly done with this case."

Horatio looked at the sand sample.  "That's not native."

"It's volcanic sand from Hawaii."

"Hmm.  On the victim's body?"  He nodded.  "Was there any indication of some locally?"

"No and only one of them had been to Hawaii recently," he admitted.  "But it's not enough to convict."

"Then talk to them," he said bluntly.  "Once you can focus."  Ryan opened his mouth.  "Remember, you do have a date tonight and tomorrow off."  Ryan swallowed and nodded.  "And sick time if you need it."  He smirked at him.  "Solve this one first."

"Sure.  Thanks, Horatio."

"Welcome, Ryan.  She's a very special girl."

"She is."  He blushed.  "She's just so...great and special and she loves me and...."

Horatio held up a hand.  "You're bordering on where Speed, Eric, and I would have to go 'ahh, that's adorable', Ryan," he said dryly.  "Quit before I'm forced to coo."  That got a snicker and a nod, and Ryan got back to work.  Then he suddenly called Xander to borrow something of his while Horatio left to go to his office.  He found Stetler in there.  "Yes?" he asked dryly.  "What need did you have to be in my office today?"

"I'm investigating a report that you're in an illegal relationship with a boy who's not legal, Horatio."

"Xander is legal and he's the only boy I'm in a relationship with."

"What about Sanders?" he asked with a sneer.

"Greg is not a boy and that relationship is none of your business either," he said bluntly.  "Now, get out of my office unless you have a search warrant?"  He smirked as he walked out.  Horatio waited until he was gone to check his desk.  He found something in the second drawer on the left side and it nearly turned his stomach.  He paged Speed and Eric.  "Get in here."  They came in.  "Get gloves, process my desk."  He showed them why and Speed went to get a kit, looking grim.

"I know it's not yours, H, but who was in here?" Eric asked.

"Stetler."

"If we can, we'll nail him," he promised.  Speed came back with evidence collection gear and came in to get the pictures out of the desk, plus to dust for fingerprints.  "Did he touch anything else?"

"I don't know.  He claims he was in here searching for evidence of me being in an illegal relationship with a boy who wasn't legal."

"Yet, the pictures are of females," Speed said grimly.  "Photo paper.  It was printed off the internet."  He bagged them and they went over the whole office.  Even if it did look odd.  "Was he wearing gloves?"

"No, and the door was closed when I came in," Horatio admitted.

"That's fine.  It wouldn't have totally wiped his," Eric promised.  "Go talk to the Chief now, Horatio."  That got a nod and he headed that way.  "That's low."

"Very," Speed agreed.  Calleigh leaned in.  "Out.  Someone planted evidence in H's desk."

"Of?"

"Child porn," Eric said grimly.

She glared.  "Who?"

"Still working on that," Speed pointed out.  "Keep it quiet."

"Of course."  She went to listen to the gossip going on.  It wouldn't do any good to plant it if there weren't rumors so someone went looking.

***

Speed walked into the Chief's office, tapping on his main office door.  "Got ten?"

"Of course, Speedle.  Do you have something?"

"Yeah, the six pictures were all logged as evidence in another case," he admitted.  He put that log down.  "They used Horatio's login from a different office.  They didn't know about the ID tags on the system."  That got a smile.  "I can prove who downloaded them and where they came from.  I can't prove who put them in there because that's not who he found in his office."

"Where does the ID code come from?"

"The same officer who was charged.  His computer was confiscated when it was found on his work system.  I can't find out where it is.  The ID tag would be with the computer unfortunately."

"But that does release Horatio of it."

"It's not in our control," he admitted.  "It'll clear him but there'll be doubts until we find out who planted it and expose them publically within the station."

"I can see the point of that.  That would tarnish our reputation but it would hurt your boss more if it was less public."  Speed nodded.  "Do what you have to do."

"He did tell you IAB was in his office?"

"He did and that he's made other hints about your son."

"He has," he agreed.  "I'm not sure if he's approached my son or not."

"We should find out."

"We should but Xander's not one to ask for help."  That got a nod.  "So I'm not sure what the hell to do about that question."

"Send Delko or Wolfe.  He's got a good relationship with them."

"Point.  I was going to hint about watching out for future ones."

"Good.  Keep me informed."  He took that sheet.  "The only copy?"

"Nope.  Not by any means.  Delko has a copy, Horatio has a copy, and so does Calleigh."

"Even better.  Thank you, Speedle."

"Not a problem, Chief.  I figured an update was due before you had to pull damage control."  He left.  "Taking a few off," he called back as he walked.  He walked outside and nodded at Horatio.  "I'm going to talk to my son."

"Agreed."  He watched Speed walk down to the hummer that was his for the day and head out.  This was pissing him off.  He looked over as his boss came out.  "Can I bring the whip back?" he asked bluntly.

"Let you boy do it, Horatio.  He can let you sub in when his arms are tired."  He smiled at him.  "I know it wasn't yours. You have very good tastes in what's yours."  He walked off, heading to talk to someone about this situation. It was going to be very messy for someone and that someone was probably not Caine.

***

Xander opened up the door at the knock.  "Too many unpaid parking tickets?" he asked when he saw his father's official look and the hummer behind him. "Or did something happen?"

"Someone planted kiddie porn in Horatio's desk."  He walked inside.  "We think that same someone has at least approached you once."

"Depends on the identity of that someone.  I've been approached a few times recently.  Mostly by women.  Once by IAB assholes with delusions of me charging for it."

"Really?"  Xander nodded. "You didn't tell Horatio?"

"He asked how much I charged and I told him he didn't have that big of a need for therapy yet and he'd hate being whipped and caned until he broke so it didn't matter.  Then I stared him down and pointed out I didn't charge for any other sort of time."

"Was that the only one?"

"No.  He accused me of sleeping with you and Horatio both."  He looked at him.  "Are we sure?"

"We are."

Xander sighed and nodded, leading him into the office.  "I have automatic taping on the house, Dad.  No one else knows that and I flush the system every morning unless I have to save down something.  There's a video system in the dining room as well.  That way I have it on tape if something happens."  He got into his computer and pulled something up.  Then he saved down the three encounters onto a CD.  "That should play in the hummer," he offered, handing it over.  "I'll make myself more accessible if you need me to."

"No, I don't want him anywhere near you."

"To prove that he's doing this, you'll need me to," he reminded him quietly.  Speed nodded.  He leaned back and opened a cabinet, pulling out a small box and then another drawer and a small sticker looking thing.  He opened the box and pulled out a platinum watch. "This was given to me by someone who wanted more than my time.  Patrick turned her down but she said to keep it, just in case I changed my mind.  It's a gift for my boyfriend."  He put the sticker onto the back and made sure it made good contact, then he held it up.  "That is a listening device," he said quietly.

"Thank you, son."  He took it and the box.  "I'll make sure your boyfriend has the new bling."

Xander grinned.  "Good.  I'll make sure to wear one if I have to."  That got a nod and he left.  Xander purged the conversation they had just had then he went back to tidying up.  He had to sweep the house and cut the grass.  Of course, he needed a mower too.   He went online to look at what type he could get, then decided a riding mower wouldn't be flexible enough around his bushes so he had to use a dreaded push mower and weedeater.  He went to do that and get the new washer since his had quit working.  Home Depot was great for that.  He even managed a new grill.  And they delivered!

***

Speed walked up to Horatio and held up the box.  "From you boy."

"What's the occasion?" Ryan teased.

Speed looked around, they were outside.  He smiled at him.  "Because someone wanted him and he didn't want the watch."  He took it out and held it up so Horatio could see it.  "He said you could use some bling."

Ryan whistled and took it to look over, finding the bug, then he looked at Speed, who quirked an eyebrow up.  "This is nice."  He handed it to Horatio so he could see the bug, getting a smile and a nod.  "Your boy spoils you worse than Willow spoils me."

"But Xander would never buy him Smurf boxers," Speed agreed happily.  "He has different tastes."

"That's all right, I was going to bring over my lawnmower later."

"He was mowing when I went past there on a case," Eric said as he came out to join them.  "That is a nice watch."  He took it to look over, finding the bug.  "That'll go well with the suit too, H."  Horatio put it on and made sure it was fitting right.  "That's very nice.  Where did the boy buy it?"

"Someone gave it to him and refused to take it back.  Told Patrick to let him see it so he'd reconsider having her."

"Ah.  One of those," Eric said dryly. "You got another one at the desk.  That's why I'm looking for you."  Speed went to get it, bringing back out the box.  "That's big."

Speed opened the end and looked then slid out the shoebox.  He gaped in horror.  "Oh, hell."  He looked around.  "Someone page Alexx please?"  Ryan looked then did that.  He put the box down on the stairs while Eric handed over his camera before getting bags. Alexx came jogging out.  "Long dead," he offered, taking one last picture of the open box.  He moved so she could see, watching her turn green.  "Someone loves Xander."

"In the wrong way!" she said, taking the box carefully.  "Someone needs to protect that boy!"  She walked off the former penis and balls, plus heart.

"I hate to say it, but has anyone heard from Greg today?" Ryan asked quietly.  Horatio pulled out his phone to call him.  He smiled when it connected and Ryan relaxed.  "Good."

"Warn him Willow's going to be out there soon," Speed offered, going over the wrapping paper.  Plain brown paper.  Looked like they had taken apart a paper bag. "We'll figure it out."

"I hope soon."  He walked off talking to Greg, letting him know what was going on and touching base with him.  He hadn't talked to him in a day or so.

Speed looked at Ryan.  "Scoot."  He nodded toward the parking lot.

"I'm still deciding."

"Wolfe, your woman could die in a freak accident tomorrow," he pointed out.  Ryan went pale.  "Still decision time?"

He nodded, walking off looking numb.  He found Willow and drug her into his arms for a kiss, making her moan and clutch his neck.  He walked her off and headed to borrow Xander and Patrick's jet to take her off for some serious time alone.

Horatio came back and looked around.  "Ryan?"

"Left after I reminded him she could die tomorrow," he said, looking at Horatio.

"Were it legal I would, Speed."

"Good."  He looked at the wrapping paper then back at him.   "You do realize that there's a change coming, right?  That I'm not the only way someone can suddenly reappear from the dead?"

Horatio stiffened and looked at him.  "Another vision?"

"Something I saw before I came back.  Preparing you now for the bad shocks later."

"Thank you.  I'll keep that in mind."

"Please.  We don't need you to spaz at that time, Horatio.  And yes, before you ask, he cleaned my gun for me last night."

"Thank you."  He went back inside.

"That is a nice watch," Calleigh said in awe.  She looked it over and found the bug.  "Ooh, present?" she asked with a smile.

"Someone sent it to Xander to make him consider them and their affections.  He's lending it to me today to go with the new suits I got sent as a bribe to let him go."

"You are adorable in couture," she teased.  She looked at the back.  "Small engraving, but I think we can consider it cute."  She handed it back with a wink and a grin.  Then she went to find a monitor that would pick up the bug.  They didn't have one but Xander had one that got delivered from the local spy shop when she called.  It even had a tape player already enclosed.

***

Greg stormed into the office, going right to the office.  "When is my time down there?"

"Two weeks, why?" Grissom asked.

"Because someone decided to plant child porn in Horatio's desk to discredit him."

"Then maybe you should consider moving it back, Greg."  He looked stunned. "They can use your relationship for the same thing," he said quietly.  "It's been done out here before."

"No. He said it's not about that.  They're after Xander."  He sighed and nodded.  "Can I move it up?"

"Not really.  We arranged it so you'd have that weekend off and then take an extra three days.  You'd have to cancel the old leave and then reschedule the time this week."  Greg sighed.  "Have you called Xander?"

"Yeah.  He gave Horatio a bug that was on a watch he got sent.  They think they know who and they're taking every precaution but I want to be down there."

"I know, Greg.  I understand that," he agreed.  He smiled at him.  "Go tell Lady Heather so she doesn't hear about it some other way."  He nodded.  "Also, I got a head's up.  Ryan Wolfe is coming out tonight?"

Greg smiled.  "He's dragging his girlfriend.  He wanted to know the best place to go for the wedding.  He's marrying Xander's friend Willow."  He relaxed some.  "I'll go tell Lady Heather if you'll give me a few hours."

"Of course.  Go."  He nodded and left.  Grissom smiled.  They'd have to make sure Ryan and his girlfriend Willow didn't get into the same sort of trouble that Xander did.

Greg walked into Lady Heather's a half hour later, looking at her secretary.  "Is she busy?  I've got news from Miami she needs to hear.  Not a tragedy but a warning."

"She is with a client," the secretary admitted.  She wrote out a message and let him sign it.  Then she sent it off with a page.  "Sit, Gregory."

"I didn't expect anything else."  He sat down properly, no matter how much he wanted to pace.  Her last client left and he stood up when she came back.  "Grissom agreed I should warn you as well."

"Was someone injured?"

He stepped closer so he could whisper in her ear.   "Someone planted kiddie porn in Horatio's desk to discredit him. They're thinking it's the IAB guy who keeps bothering him."  Then he stepped back to a respectful distance, looking at her.  "We thought you should hear that before it got back to you in rumors."

She nodded. "I appreciate knowing that.  I know he's not like that."

"But if it is to discredit him, they think he's aiming for Master Tim," he said quietly.

"Oh, dear.  What's happened now?"

He smiled.  "He said he sent you an email about the stuff Raphael and Patrick got given for him?"

"I did get one, yes," she admitted.  She pursed her lips then nodded. "That would set that individual off and his other problems would make him uncautious," she agreed finally. "They're handling it effectively?"

"He sent Horatio a watch he had been given, only slightly modified," he offered with a small grin.  She smiled back.  "His team has the investigation.  Also, did you hear that someone is trying to sue him for surviving the fire and assault?"

"I hadn't.  Who is trying?"

"One of the suspects but the DA down there still won't charge him with it."

"Interesting.  Why?"

"She hates Horatio."

"Ah.  Personal reasons."  She nodded.  "Where did we get this information from?"

"Speed."

"The father had to tell you?"

"I asked, Xander said he laughed it off and has a lawyer for it.  He said there's no way they can win so he didn't want to worry either of us."

"Excellent.  Anything else I should hear?"

"I'm still going down in two weeks if you wanted me to carry a letter for you, Lady Heather."

She smiled and nodded.  "I can write one by then," she promised, stroking his cheek. "Finish calming down, Gregory, then head back to work."

"Yes, Lady Heather."  He kissed her on the cheek.  "Have a good night."  He left, going to get some better coffee and some chocolate.  He was on the Xander diet for calming down at the moment.  It made him feel closer to him since he had been taken from him.

"It sounds like I need to call my student," she mused as she walked into her office.  "Do I have anyone else?"

"Newbie coming in at ten, Lady Heather."

"That's fine.  Page me when they get here."  She sat down to call down there.  "Xander, dear, what is going on?"  He rambled on about everything that had went on while he said he was getting dressed to go out with Speed and Eric since Horatio had went home by himself that night.  She 'tsk'd a few times at the whole story.  "You are being safe and careful?"  She smiled at that.  "Then I wish you much happiness.  Gregory told me, dear.  I know you didn't want to worry me.  I'm not worried.  I'm worried about the presents that've been given over but nothing else.  Hmm, I haven't heard anything on that family," she admitted.  "I'll see if anyone knows anything.  Of course, dear.  You be safe tonight and be happy.  That's my boy."  She smiled and hung up, cheered up by him immensely.  He always made her smile.  If she were more evil she would probably be stalking him as well.  But she wasn't evil so she only wanted to mother her poor student.  She called her other one.

"Emil Santiago, have you talked to your fellow student?" she asked quietly.  "Actually, yes, there is a reason he could use your contacts.  He was stolen from here the last time he came out.  Some Middle Eastern man who was also trying to take a semen sample," she admitted, making him laugh.  "Exactly.  We haven't heard anything more since they got him back.  I was wondering if any of your contacts had."  She smiled and made notes.  "Thank you, dear.  Actually, I'm more worried about where the sample he took ended up."  She smiled and chuckled.  "Please, if you find anything.  Myself or him.  He's still taking private clients and is making plans for future ones," she admitted.  "He's not sure he wants to restart it or not.  He had personal problems with some of his massage clients.  Of course he would."  She smiled.  "Thank you, dear.  No, he's going out tonight with his father and another of his coworkers.  That's why," she agreed, making notes.  "Thank you, Emil.  You have a good night and be safe."  She hung up and relaxed before getting up to write Xander an email. That way he had information and he knew that others were looking for more for him.

***

Speed watched his son from where he was dancing then caught Eric's eye with his partner's twin.  They got drug further into the crowd and he looked at her.  "He's my son."

"I didn't think you were that old."

"He's adopted."

"Then you're a great guy but he can handle it.  Or else you would've went somewhere softer and fluffier."  She saw his look.  "He'll be fine!" she said acidly.

He glared and she stomped off.  "Whatever, not worth the stress," he called after her.  He checked where his son was, he was dancing so it was clear.  He made eye contact and got a smile so he joined him.  "Hey, kid."

"Hey, Dad."  The people around them look.  "He's my daddy."  He leaned against his chest in a hug and they all smiled and moved closer.  He winked at his father.  "I'm being good."

"I'm sure you are."  He moved in rhythm.  His son was definitely good.  Eric got free of his slut and came over to join them.  Eric was drug away a few minutes later and Speed got separated from Xander again too.  He saw Xander undoing his button-up shirt to get down to his tank-top and they all apparently liked that.  His shirt got stolen but he pouted so he got it back.  They all appreciated his abs when he put the shirt into his beltline and went back to it.  He got turned around by his current partner and lost track of Xander but he saw Eric looking over in worry.  Then his boy was there tugging on his arm and nodding.  They headed out, him having to dodge his partner.  Eric got hit on all the way out.  Xander's shy boy grin got him a few numbers too.   Speed played chaperone outside and then into the Jag.  "You good?"

"I'm fine," he agreed, taking off his wire and putting it into the glovebox since Eric had wanted to drive.

"I didn't see him," Eric said.

"You were trying to get into the twin's pants.  He left when Speed got free."

"Anything bad?" Speed asked.

"Nope, not that bad.  I'll give it to Horatio in the morning."  That got smiles.  "By the way, I tanked my interview.  She got a phone call in the center of it and forgot who I was.  By the end I got a 'whatever' and a look of 'why are you bothering me' so I left three-quarters of the way through."

"They're being bought at the moment," Eric offered.

"It was still rude."

"Point.  It was."  They pulled into the driveway and headed inside, Eric going to his favorite channel to see what was on, and when it ended up being regular hockey he hit the TIVO to see what was saved down for him and copy some of it.  "Hey, Miss Nude World."  He settled in with the bag of popcorn Xander made him while father and son went upstairs to talk.

Xander sat down on his loveseat, curling up with his father once he had opened the doors so they could see the view.  "I'm not liking this guy."

"Neither do I, kiddo.  I think it's repressed lust personally."  He heard the loud beep and looked around. "Your phone?"

Xander got up to search for it, coming out with the bomb he was pulling wires off of. "Nope.  We should probably call someone and check the rest of the house."  He went to do that, finding another one in his office and his computer being compromised.  So he slid in something that Willow had done for him and countered it, fixing his system until someone more competent could get to it.  Officers came rushing in.  "They're both disarmed and in here," he called. They came rushing in.  "Someone was trying to destroy my computer too."  He handed over both bombs.  "I don't think they've got a backup."

"We'll make sure, sir."  They headed outside with them and brought in the dogs to do another search, just in case.

Someone else came in to look over his shoulder.  "What are you doing?" Cooper asked.

"Using something Willow created to undo the damage and retrieve the files they were trying to erase.  Dad, go check the dining room?" he called.

"Already did," Speed admitted, walking in.  "They got the computer too?"  He nodded.  "Huh.  There's blood in there.  Eric's test from his kit said it's not human.  It's probably easily cleaned."

"Good.  Go ahead and do whatever."

"I need the keyboard."

"No you don't. They dialed in."  He looked at them.  "It stopped the countdown when I removed the ethernet plug."

"Good," Cooper agreed. "Can I get in there?"  Xander got out of the way and let him play with it.  "Wow."

"Yeah, well, I had Willow's help creating it."  He looked at his father.  "Let's go see if anything's missing."  They went that way and he looked around.  "Yup.  I had two whips and the new straps out to soften."  He looked around.  "There's the straps but I don't see the two new whips I got in Monaco."

"I do," Speed said, pointing at one.  "That one?"  He looked at the chandelier and nodded.  "What's the other?"

"A new cat-o-nine tails."

Speed walked in carefully and found it hiding beside the cabinet Xander used to store things, getting a nod.  He opened it and winced.  "They all need cleaned."

"I was going to do it anyway."  Speed held up one, letting it drip.  "I put papers in there, the stuff Grandsire gave me."  Speed looked and shook his head.  "It was who had given me things."  He went back to the office and found it in the filing cabinet but it had bloody fingerprints.  "Someone wen through my filing cabinet!" he called.  Eric came in and moved him.  "That file was in the dining room in the cabinet."

"Sure.  Out.  Where do you keep your files on your clients?"  Xander shook his head.  "You don't keep files?"

"Not paper files."  He walked over to the safe, taking the gloves Eric handed him so he could open it.  He showed him the DVD holder.  "That's my files on my clients. All sessions are taped and then downloaded off the system afterward.  I dump everything non-pertinent daily after breakfast."

"Is that what the audio file blinking at me is?" Cooper asked.

"Depends, when was it?"

"Um, yesterday.  When you gave Horatio the watch."

"No, that's where I put a bug on his watch.  Check the backups.  It automatically backs it up whenever I hit the alarm and I did that on the way out.  I have audio recording sensors everywhere but the dining room, which has video sensors to record sessions."  Cooper looked at him.  "I have to in case someone else who gives me presents comes in, DC."

"Good point.  You dump it daily?"

"Yeah, everything I don't want to keep I dump after breakfast."

"Cool."  He let Xander come over and log him into that system.  "Sweet," he said in awe.

"Yes, I am.  That's why so many people want me," he teased.  Cooper snickered at that, and that's when the bomb squad guys came back in.  "Anything else?"

"Any idea who did this yet?"

"I'm wondering if it's the same guys who burned his first house," Cooper admitted.

"I've heard a couple of other doms have had threats and fires," Xander admitted.  Eric looked at him.  "We thought you guys knew.  Arson squad has at least three that I've heard of."

"Then why the bombs?" the bomb squad guy asked.

"Because I survived and moved on to reopen for my private clients," Xander offered.  "I'm Master Tim if it matters."  That got a gape and one guy nodded that he knew that.  "I'm also Speed's adopted son."

"So they're really screwing with the wrong person," Cooper said happily.  "We have video, Eric.  Good quality, high resolution video with excellent audio pickups."

"Of course.  Why not spring for the best to keep my ass safe and to go over any scenes?" Xander said dryly.  "Thank you guys for the help.  Want some sodas or something?  I've got bottles of water if you want."

"That's okay, sir.  How did you know how to disarm the bombs?" one guy asked.

"Back in Sunnydale...."

"'Nuff said, heard about it," the guy who nodded noted.  "Giles taught you?" he sighed.  Xander nodded.  "You're the reason we got the destruction load of explosives from a secure storage site?"

"I was.  Horatio was a bit horrified that I was keeping it away from him.  Was that from here?"  They all looked confused.  "I'm still keeping stuff from Giles' hand."  He went down to the basement, those two following him.  He dug into his supply bunker down there, then came out.  "Not from my stash at least."  He closed and locked it again.  "I can't see anything else missing either."  That got smiles and the one guy walked off shaking his head.  "You know Giles?" he asked.

"My wife's a second daughter and ran away after spitting at her father," he admitted.  "I've heard."

Xander nodded. "Willow's marrying Ryan Wolfe tonight we think."  That got a smile and he went to tell his wife that.

"Please have Lieutenant Caine keep an eye on your collection?" the head guy said quietly.

"I do.  I have it all indexed.  I know every single piece in there, Captain.  I clean them all weekly."  He saw the glance at Speed's back and smiled.  "His and Horatio's too.  I go through my collection every single week."  That got a nod and he left.  He went to peek into the dining room.  "Should I call Horatio?"

"I'll tell him later," he promised. "Go help Cooper putter on the computer."  He nodded, going to do that.   Eric walked in.  "Anything else missing?"

"It was in the filing cabinet with a bloody fingerprint.  I've pulled some others out of the office.  Cooper is in lust over his surveillance system."

"He needs it, Eric, and he does dump it every single morning if it's not important."  He held up a disc with his name on it.  "That's when you were drunk and hitting on Calleigh and then him.  He said we could show it during your thirtieth birthday party."

"Gee, thanks."  He went to make sure that's what it was and Xander gave him a hug for finding it.  "My thirtieth?"

"Of course.  You've got to celebrate the slide into the second third of your life."  He went back to the kitchen.  "Anyone need water or anything?  I promise not to cook but we have cookies because Willow was worried."

"Let us get done first," Speed called.  He shook his head.

"You have an email from Lady Heather, Xander," Cooper called.  He squealed and bounced back.  "You know, you don't usually seem that gay," he teased with a bright grin.

"I can still kick all three of your asses, Cooper, plus be gay."  He moved him and sat down to read it, grinning.  "Hey, Daddy, the sperm sample the guy who kidnaped me took has disappeared into the ether.  Someone's still trying to make you a grandfather."  He heard the moan and googled his name.  "Hmm.  Blog entry!" he called.  "They're naming my supposed clients."  He clicked on a link to send a new comment and typed in very carefully in proper English that those were people who had sent his grandfather presents for him, not the people he acted as doms for.  Then he thanked them for making it easier for the MDPD to catch them for the fires they had set.  Cooper shook his head took off the part about the fires, leaving it at 'catch them'.  Then he sent it.  "How many do you need for a good trace?"

"Keep going," he ordered, calling in.  "Reload it, see if they've answered.  Hey, it's DC.  I'm here at Speed's son's house.  Someone planted bombs and trashed his work area again.  They've found a list of names of people who sent him presents and put it up as a list of his clients."  He read off the livejournal address and nodded.  "Reload it again, Xander."

"New message.  They don't believe me," he sighed, typing in a new comment.  He looked and Cooper nodded.  "Sending it."

"He sent his, they responded within minutes.  You there?"  He nodded. "Reload it they just answered back and she needs another one."  Xander read it and laughed then typed in a slightly ruder comment about their intelligence being less than the average monkey's and did he care if they exposed the people who sent him presents to woo him?  If they wanted everyone to know who sent him a platinum rolex, that was their business.  They could deal with the person who sent it when they sued them.  He sent that one.  "He sent it."  He smirked.  "Gotcha.  Trap it, keep it, flag it for me please.  Thank you.  Bombs, broke in, ripped shit up," he said grimly.  "Tried to take out his computer.  Didn't count on the surveillance system he's got installed," he said happily.  "Thanks."  He hung up.  "Download all the retrieved surveillance files."  Xander gave him a look.  "Please."

"I can't give you session information, Cooper.  I work under a confession vow."

"Okay, how about everything but that."  Xander shrugged and downloaded the audio only files and today's video files.  "That's the rest of the house?"

"For the last two months, since we installed it."

"Great, Xander.  Thank you."  He patted him on the back and gathered the other files he needed, then bagged them and headed out to the hummer.  Eric was putting in bags and envelopes of things.  "Got what I needed and I think Mirna has a clue," he admitted.  "She sounded a bit shocked at the contents of that page."  He looked at him.  "But she did trap and flag the site and I'm headed back to make sure.  I've got the audio only files for the rest of the house.  That way I didn't compromise any sessions."

"That's fine.  Let me know, okay?"

"Of course, Eric."  Speed came out with his few things.  "That's all you have?"

"It's all the same animal blood.  We can hose it out easier."  He handed over his camera.  "Here you go.  I'll tell H in the morning."  That got a nod and they headed back together.   He went inside.  "We'll have to wait until tomorrow to clean up the mess."

"If I must."

"Yeah, you must, but that's okay.  I can help."  That got a small smile.  "Anything good?"

"Yeah, they answered back that they wished I had blown up."  That got a smirk.  "So I asked if there were bombs planted since nothing went off.  They answered that there had been three."

"Bomb squad found one on the back porch," he admitted.  He called Eric. "Tell Cooper to save down the site as soon as he gets in.  They just admitted to planting bombs as well."  He hung up and pulled Xander up, letting him settle into his lap to cuddle.  "I've never dug into your system."

"Willow upgraded me and did the surveillance stuff."

He looked through the system. "It's a good job."  He went back to giving him a cuddle, reading the email from Lady Heather when he brought it up.  "Huh."  He forwarded it to the agent over his kidnaping and then went back to his cuddle.   His son needed a better day.  He hadn't even had the good hitting on in the club.

***

Speed walked into Horatio's office.  "The last time I knew this was your day off."

"It still is," he admitted.  He laid the reports and pictures on his desk.  "That was Xander's last night.  He's fine.  I woke up curled up with him again."

Horatio looked through it and then back at him.  "Everyone's fine?"

"He's just fine."  Xander strolled in.  "But I brought him in with the tape of last night at the club."  Xander handed it over with an evil smirk then stepped back.  "Plus, the idiots stole the present list off him thinking it was his client list.  They put it on live journal.  We got them to implicate themselves in it and the attempted bombing.  Cooper had it traced."

"I wondered why he looked so happy."

"He probably listened to Ryan being drunk and babbling about Willow the other night," Xander offered.  "Either that or they decided to listen to the audio-only recording from the living room the night before when I got mushy."

"Probably that one knowing Cooper," he decided.  He called down there.  "Do you have a user for me?"  The clip was played.  "No he's listening to Eric babble about Miss Nude World contestants.  Do we have who did it, Cooper?"  He smiled.  "Thank you."  He hung up.  "There's a small morality group on campus who is claiming credit apparently."

"Pity for them."  Speed looked at Xander.  "You might want to listen to the tape, H.  He won't let me."

Horatio pulled out some headphones and listened to it then looked at his very young lover.  "Not bad."

"Thank you.  Probably not good enough."

"You might be surprised," Horatio admitted.  He looked at the other information when Cooper brought that in.  He looked at him.  "Good work."

"Thank you."

"Dump any of the audio files that aren't pertinent and do not save down any of the personal ones or else I will get the one of you watching the last hockey match," he said firmly, staring him down.

"Yes, Horatio."  He shifted.  "Anything else?  Because he was cooing at something yesterday."

"They brought the dog over," Xander pouted.  "Holly's very cute.  She's Grandfather's guard dog."

Cooper looked at him.  "Have I mentioned recently how odd you are, Xander?"

Xander beamed.  "Yeah, and?  Do I care what others think?  I went through that wringer with Cordy, Buffy, and Willow.  I gave up."

He laughed, walking out.  "At least Willow doesn't sound so bad."

"She's not, now," Speed admitted.  "So?"

"Fingerprints match the name on the ISP registration," Horatio offered.  "Who had the scene?"

"Me and Eric."

"I'll send Eric to get them.  See if they're related to the suit about the fire or the fire itself."  They nodded.  "Xander, keep doing that, all right?"  He nodded.  "Good job everyone."  They all went off, Xander and Speed to enjoy an afternoon doing father and son things.

Eric walked in. "They going for a ride?"

"They said father and son things the other day, nothing else," Horatio admitted, handing over the evidence.  "You have their blessing to have fun and find out if they were part of the original fire or the suit."

"What about the tape from the club?"  Horatio rewound it and let it listen to it, getting an evil smirk. "Have fun with that."

"Oh, I plan on it."  He got up and went to have a copy made, which made Cooper wince and look sickened.  "Exactly, Mr. Cooper."

"Have fun, Horatio, man."  He handed it over once he had a copy and watched him walk out. Then he shuddered.  "Only fools go up against that man about his family," he reminded himself, getting back to work on his next case.   Then he called Ryan.  "Where are you?" he demanded.  He got hung up on.  "Hmm.  Fiery new wife.  Have to get an appropriate gift for the wedding party."

***

Horatio walked into a small office about an hour later, then put the tape down in front of Rick.  "So, you went up to my boyfriend last night?" he asked.  He looked stunned.  "Xander, due to the fire and the present giving situation, is always wired on my orders, Rick.  He doesn't know where it is either.  He doesn't know that he is wired.  Strangely enough I decided to check the feed this morning," he said with an evil smirk that made the other man shudder.  "I believe you know what I heard."  He started the cleaned up copy of him hitting on him and telling him that Horatio was only in it for the ass.  That he'd have to make some decisions to keep Horatio out of his sights.  "You're wrong, Rick.  Xander is mine.  Fully mine.  He will be staying mine.  Forever if I have my way.  Now, you were bothering my boyfriend in a bar after, suspiciously enough, photos were planted in my desk.  This does not look good, Rick.  Would you like to offer an explanation about any of this before I go to the Chief or your boss?"

"No."

"That's fine.  Leonard?"  The head of Internal Affair's came in.  "I believe you have the original of this tape?"

"I do and it's very interesting with the planting of those photos.  By the way, what did you find, Horatio?"

"Fingerprints from the officer they were confiscated from.  We're still trying to figure out where your department put his computer."

"The Feds took it," he admitted.  "If I had it I'd do that."  He looked at his guy.  "Would you like to give *me* an explanation?"

"No.  I didn't do anything but hit on his boyfriend."

"You were in my office right before those pictures were found," he pointed out.

"That's circumstantial."

"True," Horatio agreed.  "And while it could have been that officer, I think someone would've noticed him going into my office with all the glass walls we have in the labs," Horatio said blandly.  "I asked and looked at our surveillance tapes.  It was either you or magic for ten hours before then, Rick.  The janitor was the only other one in there."  That got a shrug.   "So, we should talk."

"I'm not talking to you.  I may answer to my boss, but not to you, Horatio."

"You will, Rick."  He looked at the head of Internal Affairs again.  "This will be handled?"

"If I can find proof.  I will make sure he doesn't go near your boyfriends again."

"Thank you."

"Not denying it?" Rick sneered.

Horatio looked at him. "Technically, Greg is Xander's.  We share."  That got a horrified look.  "Anything else?"  He slowly shook his head.  "Good."  He walked out smirking.

"You know, they have a saying in Patrol about when Horatio Caine walks into your office," he said, slamming the door shut.  "I'm finding it's true, Stetler.  Now, you *will* answer my questions or I will have your badge."

"Fine.  I still didn't plant the pictures.  It's not a bad idea but I didn't do it.  I answered a tip saying that they had found them there."

"From?"

"Anonymous to the tip line."

"I've checked. There wasn't one."

"My personal tip line."  He dialed into his voicemail and let him listen to the message.  "It's clouded by an audio scrambler," he admitted.  "I went to check on it."

"The proper procedure..."

"He's teflon!"

"I don't care!" he snapped back.  Rick settled down again.  "I'm very aware of your problems, Rick.  I want you to stay away from the lab.  Anything with that lab goes through Ian or Phil."

"Fine."  He handed over his files and copied the ones off his computer, handing them over.  "Take them and deal with his boyfriend."

"His boyfriend is nineteen."

"He's selling his time."

"Being a dom doesn't mean he's selling his time, Stetler.  It means he enjoys beating people so they cry."  He looked stunned.  "Look it up online.  Not all of it is sexual in nature.  The boy's said often enough he takes in officers and agents who need therapy after things like shootings.  He gives them the absolution they need.  Get off your high horse."

"Then what is he doing with Speedle?"

"That's his adoptive father.  He saved the kid's life."

"He's always curled up with him."

"He's a tactile person," he said with a scathing look at him.  "I'm sure Caine spends a lot of time holding him too.  Probably to keep him from bouncing.  The fact that they're so cute it's nauseating doesn't make it illegal, just a reason for a lot of ginger ale and soda crackers."  He walked off to go over the evidence again.  It wasn't enough to fire him but more than enough to put him on a watch list and probation.

Rick glared at the door, planning his next move.  His secretary came in with his lunch bag.  "I didn't bring lunch."

"It was delivered for you, sir.  I've already ran the drug and poison test.  It's clear."  She walked off, heading back to her desk.

He checked the sandwich and bag of chips.  They looked fine, even if it was a BLT.  He dug  in, eating while he thought.  He was still planning when he started to feel a bit sick and he knew.  He just *knew* who had made the sandwich.  The rumors said that the kid could ruin anything he cooked.  He went to make himself get sick before he spent another night in the ER with food poisoning.  He could only hope it was in time.  Then he went to call his boss about this to let him get Horatio or Speedle.  His secretary brought in a note later saying what he had been given.  He ended up driving himself to the hospital while the crime lab took care of the wrapper and the rest of the poisoned food.  Someone was after him for going after the kid!  How dare they!

***

Xander flipped open his phone to answer the text cheep he got.  He nudged his father and handed over the phone then went back to watching the movie.  If someone had decided to poison Stetler on his behalf, okay.  Horatio might be in a cuddly mood later.   His father typed back a message and sent it, then got into the menu to mute the screen's lights since they were in a movie.  Eric wrote back a new one and he nudged Xander, showing it to him.  Xander looked at him and he nodded.  He rolled his eyes but went back to cuddling on his father's shoulder while they watched the sappy movie that no one else in the lab would believe they were at. The next text message got handed over immediately and he shrugged at his odd look.

Speed looked at the one that said Greg loved him and he was ready for him when he came down.  Then he sent one back saying he and Xander were in the movies but he'd let Xander pick him up in that case instead of someone from the lab and they'd leave him alone for dinner that night.  He was sure Greg was bright red but oh well.  He handed it back after flipping back to the last message.  Xander frowned at him but wrote one saying he was more than happy with that and he had the whole house cleaned and spiffy so they didn't have to do anything but cuddle.  Then he sent it with a grin.

***

Greg read the response to the message Warrick sent, then hit him on the arm.  "It went to his father, idiot."  The second one came in and he grinned, then held it up so he could read it.  "That's my man."  He tucked it away and went to shower and change.

Warrick shook his head.  "You have it so bad, Greg."

"Yeah, but I've got a reason.  Have you seen my boys?"

"I have seen them both now and they're cute.  Not my type but cute."  Nick walked in.  "I sent a text message to his boy and got one back from his father."

"Got the wrong ID?" Nick teased. "You're usually so much more careful, Warrick."

"No, Xander and Speed are out doing dad and kid things today," Greg called from the showers.  "They're at the movies.  Since someone was trying to bomb his house last night he probably thought it was about the case and handed it over."

"Excuse me, bombed?" Nick asked, walking into the showers.  "What are you doing?"

"Getting some privacy.  I got a text from Lady Heather earlier about something."  He went back to reading it then looked at him.  "Xander's not going to be happy.  The guy who kidnaped him left his estate to him and his future child so he would have to take care of her mother, his wife."  He forwarded that to Horatio and Patrick.  Then his phone rang.  "Sanders."  He smiled.  "Hi, Patrick.  Yeah, that's what Lady Heather sent.  He is?"  He perked up.  "That's kinda cool.  I can do that.  How's Tara?"  He beamed.  "Great news!"  He wiggled some.  "Cool.  I'll see him there in a few, man.  No, I'm just getting off.  No, I pulled a triple," he sighed. "I'm going home.  I'm exhausted. I'm coffee'd out.  I'm going home after a quick stop out there if he wants to see me.  Thanks.  I sent it to you and Horatio.  Xander's in the movies with Speed today."  He grinned. "Sure."  He hung up. "Patrick's fuming," he said.  "But Raphael is out here."  He got up and came out to get cleaned up, then he grabbed his jacket and walked out.  Grissom gave him an odd look. "I'm just now getting back with Warrick and Nick," he protested.  "No way in hell, Grissom. I just pulled a triple."

"Greg," he said patiently.

"You're the one who sent us out to search for the body in the middle of the dessert.  I have a sunburn.  I can't take any more coffee, and I'm cabbing home so I can crash.  With a possible stop at Lady Heather's since Xander's Grandsire is out here."

"I still need you here."

"Then you'd better invent a machine to wake my ass up, Grissom.  I haven't slept in nearly thirty-six hours."  That got a grimace.  "So I'm going home now.  Night."  He walked off, shaking his head.  "I'm not a robot who runs on coffee," he said when Catherine gave him a dirty look.  "I just got back for the desert looking for the body.  I've been in my vest for the last twenty-six hours.  Tough!"

"Sure, Greg."  She watched him go.  Then she ran into Grissom watching him.  "He did sleep in your office, Grissom."

"Point," he said, frowning some.  "He still smarted off too."

"Well, if you can't get more coffee into him, he's going to."  He gave her a look.  "Don't try."

"Fine."  He walked back, finding Warrick crashed in the breakroom.  "You too?"

"I'll have Lady Heather beat your ass for Greg and I if you wake me before I've had at least two hours, Gris.  I'm just as exhausted as Greg is and I'm hoping he's not driving," he said blandly, keeping his eyes closed.  "Go nag Nick.  He came in late last night because he slept in."

"Fine.  Nick, I need a report."

He looked at him.  "You've got to be joking."  Grissom frowned.  He sighed and followed. "We found bodies but not the one they said.  We went over it a few times, Grissom.  Not a body dog or the ground sensing radar worked.  I'm sorry, man, but it was a bad tip and I'm just as toasted as Greg is from the sun, even with sunscreen."  Someone put something cold on his neck, making him yelp.  "Sara!"

"Aloe gel.  Helps me.  Greg's car is still in the lot?"  She handed him the tube from the fridge.

He went back to putting it on his neck, face, and arms.  "Greg slept here the last time he slept," Nick reminded her.  "He hasn't seen his home in two days and he only got a few minutes sleep then.  Let Warrick sleep too."

"Sure.  So is it my turn?"  Grissom nodded.  "That's fine.  Have we tried switching the map numbers around?"

"That puts it in the Florida Keys," Grissom told her.

"Well, Greg's going down there," she offered.  "Send him early.  It'll give him a few extra days and let him sleep and be less grumpy."

He smiled.  "That's a generous thought."

"I'm tired of seeing him do his coffee dance while he waits for it to brew," she said with a small grin.  "Please?"

Nick handed her back the aloe gel.  "You'd rather see him without it?  He turns more hyper and goes into 'destruction is cool' mode."

"No, I'd rather Grissom quit forcing coffee on him every three minutes so he'd find a balance.  Or that whatever Lady Heather does to him is done nightly so he's happy and less bouncy."

"Mostly they talk about Xander," Grissom told her.

"And I so believe that.  Not like I care.  Really."  She walked off shaking her head.  "Warrick, any chance they're down in the Keys?"

"If so, Greg can go early.  Let me sleep or else," he ordered.

"Sure."  She put back the aloe gel then got her bottle of water before leaving him alone.  She knew that sort of tired and Warrick could get mean when he first woke up.

Grissom sat down to call Horatio.  "I have an interesting case.  We have a murderer who gave us coordinates on a map.  It's one of those maps where each side is numbered the same.  The FBI decided it was in our backyard with the way he gave it.  We can't find it anywhere.  But if we don't, then it's down in the Florida Keys."  He smiled.  "I can fax down what we have, let you talk the people down there who'd know.  Thank you, Horatio.  If so it was suggested we abuse Greg by making him come down to work and withhold his play time."  He smiled.  "Sara actually.  He's been hyper recently.  Thank you.  I'll fax it down immediately."  He hung up and turned to fax that down there.  Then he looked at Nick.  "We'll see."

"Good because I'm not going back out there without a tent.  We were so far out in the dessert even the snakes weren't there."  He got up and stretched. "Speaking of abuse and home.  Heading there myself."  He headed out, choosing to drive.  He was still mostly lucid so it was fine.  He wasn't quite as tired as Greg.  No one could sleep on Grissom's couch and get any real rest.   It had been days since Greg got real sleep.

***

Horatio looked up with a smile when Greg came off the plane, hopping on his crutches.  "Did you drive yourself?"

"No, the cab got hit," he admitted.  He gave him a hug.  "Did our body end up down here?"

"Three years ago and they convicted someone.  Threw the Feds for a loop."  He helped him gather his bag and then took him out to the hummer.  "How bad is your leg?"

"Twisted my knee.  I'm not allowed to stand or work for a week," he admitted, looking at him. "Happens against my planned vacation time and the Sheriff was very happy he didn't have to allow me a vacation as well.  Just injury time. So I'm on injury leave and under orders from Grissom to let your Alexx look at it before I come back to see if I'm ready to work yet."

"I see."  He smiled and kissed him.  "We'll figure it out, Greg."  He drove him out to Xander's, letting him appreciate the views before they went inside.  "We're here."

"With someone," Xander called, sounding like he was panting.  Then the crack of a whip.  Someone yelled.

Horatio looked at him.  "I usually wait in the living room."  He let him into there, letting him lay down and babying him for a few minutes.  Xander came in dripping sweat.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm in hour three," he admitted, taking a kiss.  "He won't break."

Greg looked at him. "Hold him," he said quietly.  Xander smiled and kissed him again then went to do that.

"Hey, none of that gay shit!"

"Shut up!  It's not.  My boyfriend's hiding in the living room."  A few minutes later they heard the guy start to bawl and Xander coo at him, letting him soothe all the hurts and make him feel better.  The guy finally wandered out feeling better after a long talk and Xander went into the office to do something then came out to get a cuddle.

"Shower, sweaty," Greg teased.  "I want to see you clean and pure for me."  Xander gave him a look.  "Please?  Since I'm injured?"  He nodded, cuddling up to Horatio and making him sweaty too.  Then they went to change and shower, leaving Greg to smile and wait on his turn.  After all, Horatio had to go to work.  Xander came back in alone once Horatio was gone and babied his knee, then him, then cuddled and kissed and cooed over him.  It made him feel a lot better about being in a cab accident.

A few hours later Eric peeked in.  "Can we copy off the TIVO?"  Xander nodded.  "Thanks."  He came in and slipped in a new DVD.  "Hey, Greg."

"Hey, Eric.  How's Miami?"

"Decent since we got the supposed morality group out of the area and in jail.  That also stopped the suit since the judge laughed it out of court when he found out what had happened."  Xander smiled at that.  "He wondered where you were by the way."

"I told my lawyer that I had a sudden appointment and he agreed it was fine.  That it wasn't that unusual with the preliminary things.  I heard it got dismissed.  He suggested I should sue the guy back.  The judge made him pay court costs too."  He grinned and hugged Greg tighter, getting a smile.  "What are you copying off?"

"Miss Nude World."  He grinned.  "It takes two spots.  They played the second half a few hours later."  He finally got everything copied off and walked off.  "Thanks, man.  I'll remind Cooper and everyone to leave you alone.  Ryan and Willow finally reappeared.  He had a doctor's excuse for his back injury."  He slammed the door.

"Is that the same Willow who thought being noisy during sex was bad?"  Xander nodded. "Uh-huh.  Okay."  He shrugged and snuggled in better.  Xander petted him gently, making him moan and get hard.  "I'm under orders not to strain my knee more, Xander," he complained.

"How is you coming from my hands straining your knee?" he teased.  His other hand went down to tease Greg's cock in the same rhythm.  Greg came from that and went limp, a sated smile on his face.  "Good boy.  Now, you nap and I'll be in the office downloading that session."  Greg nodded, yawning a bit.  He covered him up and went into the office to deal with that and put it into the safe.  Just in case something bad happened.  Then he went to clean his stuff while Greg finished napping.  He was really exhausted.  Horatio snuck home and he smiled, kissing him, but he didn't look happy.  "What?"

"Bad day," he admitted.  He kissed him harder.  "We need to talk without Greg."

"He's napping on the couch.  We can go out back or upstairs, no audio taping in either one."  Horatio led him outside and out toward the edge of the property, which had a small cliff.  "You're not going to throw me over, right?"

"No, I'm not."  He gave him a chiding look.

"Just checking. You looked funny when you came in."

"That's because the man who kidnaped you left you his estate with the instruction to watch out for his wife and your child together."  Xander stared at him.  "That's where the sample was intended for."

"I heard that part.  Was it?"

"As far as the courts can tell, no."  Xander relaxed.  "But we still don't know where it is."

"Okay.  And?  What do we do about his will since that's not valid?"

"It is valid, Xander.  The judges over there ruled it valid," he said gently.  Xander shook his head.  "Yes, even though there's no child it's valid.  Your Grandsire sent over an attorney to handle it and protest, plus make sure she wasn't pregnant.  He tried but they decided it was an evil obsession and gave the wife what he had said and gave you everything else."  Xander sat down, staring at him.  Horatio pulled him up.  "That's muddy."  He kissed him.  "This changes nothing, Xander.  They're coming over tonight to talk about that.  They wanted you warned beforehand so you could throw fits."

He pulled back. "Why?"

"I don't know.  No one's sure since he's dead."

"It wasn't my decision to kill him."

"It wasn't but it was considered safer since he did have a stewardess hostage."  He stroked his cheek with a smile.  "It changes nothing between us, Xander.  She'll be tested again in two months to make sure."  Xander slumped and nodded.  "Even if there is, it changes nothing and Raphael's attorney said that they could take the child from her.  He suggested that more of the inheritance would do that since she was being used as well."  Xander looked at him.  "What?"

"They kept it from me," he said quietly.

"We only found out the day of the bomb scare," he said quietly.  "Lady Heather found out somehow and told us.  We've only known since then.  We didn't want you to stress and throw fits."

"If I had known I could've went over to protest myself."

"Doing that would've meant his family could've taken you hostage instead.  We were trying to protect you and keep you from being too stressed.  You have enough issues to deal with here with your clients, the problems with the present givers, and those things."  Xander shook his head, walking off.  "It wasn't that we didn't trust you."

"Yes it was.  I'm not fucking helpless, Horatio," he yelled, heading to go work with his whips for a while.  He needed more target work and a spot on the wall was as good of one as any.

Horatio leaned in the doorway.  "Want me to stand there instead?"

"Yes."  He hit the spot again.  "I'm still not helpless.  Keeping me in the dark means that more people can do the same damn thing.  How am I supposed to protect myself without knowing that there's a threat?"  He hit the spot again.  "I'm not retarded.  I may not be that smart but I'm not too stupid to deal with my own money and other situations.  I'm actually very good at handling stress.  No matter what you and my grandparents think."  He hit the spot again with a small grunt of effort.  "I'd rather know."

"I know you would."  He walked in and caught the whip, using it to pull Xander closer so he could look at him.  "We only found out a few days ago.  We've been trying to handle it and see what was really going on before telling you.  You plan better when you have all the information, not from the first alert," he said gently.  Xander glared at him.  "I'm sorry.  We should have told you."  Xander nodded, continuing to stare at him.  He sighed and nodded.  "You have a right to be angry with us.  We will all sit down and talk about this later, but for right now we need you to get rid of the stress.  Patrick's been so upset he's been slipping again."  Xander slumped and kicked him in the shin.  "Ow!"

"Don't try to guilt trip me with him, Horatio."  He grabbed something else and went back to work on the spot.

Horatio grimaced.  "I'm not."  He grabbed that one, getting a small welt on his shoulder.  "Quit!"  He made him look at him.  "It's the truth, not a guilt trip.  He has been so upset about this that Gordon called me to warn me he didn't look that good today."  He made Xander look at him.  "It was wrong of us to keep you out of the loop."

"Ya think?"

"Sarcasm isn't helping."  Xander growled.  "No.  Calm down."  Xander tried to kick him again but he got him against a wall and held him there by his arms.  He rested his hips against Xander's to keep him there.  "Quit."  Xander glared.  "You're not being reasonable, Xander.  We didn't intend to keep you out of the loop for good.  We thought we had months until yesterday when the judge made a ruling at the preliminary hearing.  It should have taken months, not days.  We were going to tell you today anyway, after the preliminary hearing. He was trying to get it thrown out and see if there was a child on the way before he came to you with facts, not suppositions.  We are trying to protect you."  Xander went limp but he didn't let him go.  "I know you're more than capable to handle your own affairs.  I have known that.  The same as your grandfather is going to be pissed at himself for not telling you sooner.  From what Gordon said, your grandsire growled at him all night for not telling you.  Now, I know Lady Heather said that there was a hint of something in his will but nothing like this.  We were trying to find facts for you and then come to you."  Xander shook his head. "Yes, we were.  If we were only trying to keep it from you we wouldn't have ever told you but we knew we were going to talk to you after the preliminary and once we found out if there's a child."

"You could have warned me.  She did."

"She did.  If I had known it was going to happen this fast, I would have told you days ago. I thought, we all thought, we had at least a month to figure out what to do about this.  I'm sorry we didn't come to you sooner.  I wish we had but we thought we had time to figure out some more details."

"Let me go."

"No.  Not until you're calm."

"Let me go now, Horatio."

Horatio let his wrists go but stayed just as close to him.  "I'm sorry," he said, staring into the brown eyes.  He could see the anger.  "It wasn't because we thought you couldn't handle it."  His bitter snort let him know what he thought about that.  He kissed him and ran his fingers through his hair.  "I don't usually keep things from you."

"You and Grandfather have been doing a lot of stuff with my bank accounts.  Peeking in on them and things."

"We were worried when the odd fees started and you suddenly went broke, Xander.  It turns out we were right."

"You could have come to me.  You didn't."

"I did."

"No, you said you were calling someone and did.  You didn't ask if I was monitoring it, if I had talked to anyone.  You assumed.  Both of you assumed."

"I did.  Was I wrong in assuming?"

"Yeah.  You were.  He already had the case because I had called him before Christmas to see if something was a correct and allowable fee."  He sighed and nodded.  "You and both of them underestimate me horrible.  I'm not that stupid!"  He gave him a shove but Horatio pinned him to the wall again.  "Let me go."

"Not until we can talk like adults, Xander.  You have every right to be mad but to attack me is wrong."

"You're the one pinning me to the wall!  I want to walk off because I don't like to fight.  You're not letting me."  Horatio got out of the way.  "Thank you!"  He stomped off again, going down to the basement and slamming the door.

Greg leaned in.  "You just did the same thing that Buffy and Willow did when they decided they were too special for him to help them," he said quietly.  Horatio nodded.  "You just ripped his soul apart, Horatio.  Being up here won't help."

"What will?"  He looked at him.

"I don't know.  I know it had better never happen again or else he can move to Vegas permanently with me.  Now, you have some serious groveling to do.  I would do it sooner instead of later and I would be ready to be screamed at.  I'll call the two old farts and tell them how badly they just fucked up too."

"No, he has the right to yell at them."

"If he does and something happens, he'll never forgive himself."

"I know."  He went to knock on the basement door.  No answer so he walked down there and sat on the bottom stair, watching Xander clean the rifle.  "I...am an asshole."  Xander made an assenting noise. "I didn't mean to upset you this way, Xander.  I truly did not think this would upset you this much.  I certainly did not mean to follow a path that was tromped down by your friends before."  The cleaning rod was slammed down and his boy glared at him.  "I did not," he said quietly, staring at him. "I only wanted you to have enough facts so we could make a decision about that.  Together."

"I can't do that if I don't know what's going on."

"That's why we were coming over tonight.  We asked you to keep tonight clear for this a few days ago."

"I remember wondering why.  You said family stuff."

"I did and it is," he reminded him.  He stood up and came over but Xander backed away from him.  "I don't want to hurt you, Xander.  I didn't upstairs and I didn't mean to," he said, looking miserable.  "That was not my intention, just to keep myself unbruised.  That was what I was doing."  Xander still didn't come any closer.  He backed up.  "I'm sorry."

Xander looked at him.  "Doesn't mean it doesn't happen, Horatio," he said quietly.  "This isn't the first time you've tried to protect me that way."

"It is."

"It isn't."

He thought back.  "I warned you about Rick.  I warned you about things that were going on.  When the presents started coming I warned you about that.  We've always warned you."

"Really?"  He moved closer.  "Then why was it *Dad* who told me?"

"Because he thought it'd be better coming from him.  We didn't want you to panic.  Eric and I did."  Xander snorted at that.  "Really.  We were very worried that what happened would happen."  He moved closer.  Xander had that wary look.  "I did not mean to hurt you, nor did I intend to make you scared of me."

"I'm not scared of you."

"Then why are you backing away from me?" he asked quietly.

"Because I'm scared of what I want to do to you."

Horatio sighed.  "You're right.  You should take me up there and use me as the target for some practice.  I broke the trust we had built."  Xander nodded.  "I did not mean to though.  You have to believe me."

"No, I don't."

"Xander," he said, looking at him.

"You *knew* I can handle things."

"I did.  I also thought that Lady Heather had given you more of a warning than she did."

"You got into my email?" he demanded.

"No, we called her to update her before we came out to tell you that it had spiraled out of control," he admitted.  "She demanded we update her."

"I'm pretty sure she meant *after* me."

"Actually she knew more than we did.  She's the one who told us and assumed you knew."  He moved closer again.  "Forgive me sometime this year?"

"We'll see."  He got back to work, shrugging off the hands trying to hold him.  "Not now."

"Please?"

"Why do I want to make anyone else feel better!"

"Because you feel better when you're fussing over someone," Greg said from the stairs. "There's two sorry looking people who just walked in and since they're older, white guys I had to let them.  Want help?"

"I'm cleaning my guns.  Come make Horatio wait with them."

"Sure.  Horatio?"  Horatio nodded, giving Xander a pat on the back before leaving.  He limped down the stairs but Xander came up and glared before slamming the door. "Want to talk?" he asked when he finally sat down on the bottom stair.

"No."

"They didn't do it because they thought you couldn't handle it."

"You knew too?"

"Just what Lady Heather wrote you," he admitted. "She sent me the same email."  Xander slumped.  "It'll be okay.  They didn't want to hurt you, Xander.  They really didn't."  He stood up and limped over, giving him a hug.  "I promise they didn't do it to hurt you.  Remember, two of them like to protect you and the other one loves you enough to want to join them when they protect you."

"I've handled hell, I can handle this."

"You can," he agreed. "I didn't say I agreed with them."  He made Xander look at him.  "They were stupid."  He nodded, cuddling him.  "Shh, I'm here.  We can spank Horatio later."  Xander shook his head.  "No?"

"I kicked him.  I wanted to hit him."

"I wanted to hit him," Greg said patiently, stroking his back.   "I would've hit him if he had  pinned me to the wall that way."  Xander looked at him.  "I peeked to see if I should break it up after he said ow."  Xander nodded and went back to cuddling him.  "I know that you've seen violence so often that you're scared you'll turn that way," he offered quietly.  "It's not in you to abuse your lover, Xander.  It never has been."

"It has."

"It hasn't.  I know it hasn't.  Even with all the violence you've seen and done, it isn't."  Xander looked at him.  "It's not.  I know it's not."  He stroked his cheek.  "Trust me here, it's not. Or else you'd have done in the Mala Noches yourself," he offered quietly.

"Wanted to."

"I know."

Xander slumped.  "How did you know?"

"Because, like you, I read people for a living.  You were trying to protect your family from harm. The same as they're trying to do now.  Protection of those who don't need it leads to people having hurt feelings at the very least."  He stroked his back.  "Now, let's go talk to them.  They all feel miserable.  Your grandfather looked like a black and white charcoal drawing."  Xander looked at him.  "Really."  He led him back up the stairs, following behind him.

"Xander," Raphael said, looking at him.  "We were..."

Xander held up a hand.  "Stop right there.  As I told Horatio, I'm not that stupid or that helpless."  He looked stunned.  "You obviously thought it was one of the two.  Whichever it is, I'm not.  I'm more than capable of making a rational decision about what's coming at me if I'm aware of it.  If I'm not aware I can't do that.  You kept it from me either because you thought I was too stupid or too weak to deal with it.  I don't care which one it is, but I'm not and I will not accept this again."  He sat down, staring at him.  "I don't care what you really think of me, Raphael.  I could care less most of the time what anyone thinks of me.  You were my family and then you turned on me.  The same pit Horatio's in, so are you two and you've got one hell of a climb making it up to me.  Considering you're down there with Willow, have fun finding a ladder.  I am not weak," he spat.  "I'm also not that stupid!"  He stomped off, heading up to his room then out and to the garage, heading out.

Greg sat down and put his foot up on the extra seat next to him.  "You three have done the exact same thing those girls did to him.  You're damn lucky Speed isn't here yet."

"We were trying to find facts...." Raphael said.

Patrick held up a hand.  "If you had done this to me I would've walked away, Sire.  You and I both know that.  The boy would react like I would," he said quietly, looking at Greg.  "You're not going after him?"

"He doesn't want me to.  If I'm right he's headed for someone to wear out the stress.  He could be heading to a bar to get really drunk, because this is one of the few times he'd actually drink, when his whole life just got taken out from under him, or he's heading to Speed."  Horatio pulled out his phone. "Don't you dare," he warned. "Give him an hour and then show up to talk to him.  Do not call.  Because if he doesn't go there, Speed will panic and then he'll have to calm him down too then you'll have him mad about that."  He shifted and looked at Patrick.  "You knew better when you kept looking over his shoulder to make sure he was paying his phone bill."  He slumped at that.

"That's us trying to take care of him," Raphael complained.

"Xander is one independent person," Horatio agreed, looking at him.  "He hates to be babied.  That's why he set the no spoiling rule."  That got a horrified look.  "We've all been guilty of that in the last few months.  Xander is a planner and a worrier.  He's independent and we made him think that he's so weak and helpless that we're humoring him.  Like telling a child we're going to the park when you're taking him for shots."

"Which he's had plenty of because those girls treated him like he was useless and weak too," Patrick said.  Greg nodded.  "You heard?"

"From him.  I asked.  Something only Horatio's done.  See, we've talked about you guys.  Every now and then it's a nice thing.  The house was great, he loves it, it was meant to give him safety and comfort.  Checking to make sure he paid his phone and car insurance bills?  Trying to keep the fact that people were coming after him until it got a level that pissed even Eric off?"  Horatio looked at him.  "Speed said so when he told me."  He looked at Patrick again. "Do you trust your grandson to have some sense or not?  Because he feels you don't.  That maybe you're trying to make up for past mistakes with his father or trying to use him to rebuild an empire, not sure where that came from but that's what he said.  Xander's not you.  He's not cultured, he's not suave, he's not book smart.  Xander can plan a battle but not understand chess and how it relates.  He's a lot more like Don without the civilizing influences Don had.  Remember, Xander was raised by Willow and Jesse.  The one he had to kill and the one who later turned her back on him.  You're trying to remold him and he doesn't fit.  He never will.  He'll never fit into the social scene you run in."

"Why can't he tell me this?" Patrick asked.

"He's scared to death of losing his only living relative," Greg said firmly.  "Not what you have, not the money, you.  He's said it all along, he wants you, not the things you can give him."  He nodded, slumping some.  "The same as he wanted it from your sire when he showed an interest.  You guys treating him like this makes him feel like he's weak, has to run to mommy to be protected.  Now, at this moment he feels betrayed and like he's just ruined everything good in his life by standing up for himself.  The only saving grace is that Speed didn't know.  Otherwise he'd be floating and tetherless at the moment.  You'd better pray he went to Speed."  Raphael pulled out his phone and walked off to make a call, coming back with a nod.  "Good.  Then I would go in prepared to mend a lot of fences.  It's going to take some time."

"Some of us don't have that sort of time," Patrick reminded him.

"You have at least six months left, Patrick, yes you do," Horatio assured him.  "The same as I've got to find the same ladder.  Xander may joke and play around with Willow but even she realizes now she doesn't understand him anymore.  She hasn't in years.  Ryan understands him better and he's helping her rebuild their relationship."  He stood up.  "I'm going to Speed's."

"Expect an angry father," Greg warned.

"I know.  Are you two coming?" he asked Patrick.  Who stood up and nodded. "Thank you.  And thank you as well, Greg."  He kissed him. "We'll be back late.  Go up to bed when you're ready and we'll climb in around you."  He nodded and smiled.  They headed off together.   Horatio drove himself but thought the entire way over.  Maybe he had always seen the vulnerable side of Xander and projected it?  No, he saw it but he wasn't paying attention to it.  Xander was a very fierce protector for himself and those around him.  It was like a castle around him at times.  There were a few vulnerabilities but he may have blocked off one for good.  If not, maybe, just maybe, he could find his way back inside.   Because he was fairly depressed himself at the moment.  He parked at Speed's and got out, heading upstairs.  He tapped and Speed answered the door, already glaring.  "Is he here?" he asked quietly.

"Not that you're going to see him, but yes he is."  He closed the door with them on the outside.  "What the hell happened?"

"We were going to come over tonight to tell him about the will."

"What will?  I barely got that while he was crying on me."  Horatio looked devastated.  "Give. All of it.  Or else you will never see my son again.  I'll help him move to Las Vegas to be with Greg."

"The person who kidnaped him left him everything in his will, him and his future child."

"We heard a hint that it might be that way," he admitted.  "Lady Heather said that."

"Raphael sent someone over to find out the facts and to deal with it, trying to get it to be thrown out because he had kidnaped Xander.  The judge decided to let it stand at a preliminary hearing and upheld it.  We thought we had months to deal with this and help him make plans.  He did it suddenly.  I came to tell Xander today."

"Making him feel weak, helpless, and like you think he's too mentally deficient to handle anything."  He punched him.  "You ever hurt my son that way again and I will show you what my son taught me about weapons.  Am I clear, Horatio?"

"Very."  He got up and dabbed at his lip.  "Can I apologize?"

"I'd grovel and keep groveling well past when you can't feel your feet anymore."  He glared at the two vampires.  "I'm not that happy with you either.  Unfortunately I don't hit people who're that sick."  Patrick flinched.  "You've nearly destroyed all that Xander thought he had built.  I hope like hell you're happy."

"We're here to apologize," Raphael said quietly.  "May we?"

"I'm not sure yet."  He walked inside and slammed the door.  "Calleigh, is he okay?"

"No."  She came out of the bedroom.  "They here?"  He nodded, grimacing and flexing his hand. "Feel good?"

"Very.  Knocked Horatio down."  He glared at the door then at her.  "I don't know if we should let them try," he said, not trying to hide it.  Xander came to the bedroom door. "The three idiots are here.  Do you want to talk to them?"  Xander shook his head.  "Will you at least let them apologize so they don't do stupid shit tonight?  Then they can go, you can think and stay here, they can head home."

"Greg's down," Xander said quietly.

"I forgot about that.  Well, I can put up with Greg for the night.  Calleigh?"  She shrugged.  "Son?"  Xander sat down, shrugging.  "Fine. I'll let them apologize then shoo them off.  Then we'll get Greg over here."  He went to let them in.  "Make it fast and make it good then go home.   You're giving him time to think tonight."

"Greg's at home waiting on him," Horatio offered as he came in.  He knelt in front of him.  "I'm sorry."  Xander looked at him and he could tell by the look in his eyes he was on seriously shaky ground.  "You know I would never intentionally hurt you, Xander.  I've never seen you as weak and helpless.  A bit vulnerable emotionally but not weak or helpless."  He took his hands to hold.  "You know that."  Xander shrugged but nodded. "Then you have to believe this wasn't intentional."

"I'm not sure if it matters."

"I understand.  That's something we'll have to repair.  If you'll give me the chance?"  Xander shrugged again. "I want one, Xander."

"I know.  I'm not sure it matters."

"It does."

"If it didn't you wouldn't even let us apologize," Raphael said quietly, sitting on one of his sides. "You're stubborn and independent like Patrick and we made a fatal error trying to find facts before giving it to you.  We're too used to dealing with people who work for us, who see the smaller picture instead of the centuries that we've both had to plan for."  Xander looked at him.  "Your boy didn't want to worry you.  I made him see you'd worry. If anyone's at fault it's not Horatio or Patrick, it's me, Xander."  Xander just stared at him.  "It is."

"Maybe."

"They knew that the more facts we had the better we could watch you plan things with our input.  Both of them worry about your soul, I worried more about you doing something stupid that would lead to future problems.  Like them capturing you and making the child come to be if it wasn't already.  That's why I sent someone over to handle it for you. That was my decision and I made Patrick accept it."

"I saw the sense in the idea of finding facts and coming to him," Patrick corrected, looking at him.  "He's an idiot, Xander, but we all had a part in it."  Xander looked at him.  "Now,  you should not blame Horatio.  We kept him in the dark mostly too.  We were going to tell you everything all at once so we could untangle this mess that's going on.  The same as I had this sort of mess once and I realized that taking on one or two of them and not planning for the whole only made it worse."  Horatio looked at him. "For about four years after I found Sire everyone in existence seemed to be attracted to me.  I got stupid presents from a lot of folks I had no clue existed."  Xander nodded at that.  "He got even more for me.  Offers to take me in, baby me, mother me, marry me.  I got obscene gifts that made even a widower like me blush.  That seems to happen to the good members of the family when they've found love.  It's like we glow and others desire it from us. That and we seem to be the hottest thing ever once we're taken."  Xander shifted some.  "The fact it took two of them didn't change things any."  He sat down on his free side.  "It was our idiocy to not tell you what was going on, Xander.  I was leaning on experience and not letting you show that you could handle it.  The thing with the phone bill and your insurance I was trying to find a way I could slip in a bit of spoiling, not looking over your shoulder."

"The bank?"

"I wasn't too sure you were keeping track of it.  The only time you mentioned it was to say you were suddenly broke."

"By then I'd already checked and filed a complaint about the bank."

"Good!  Makes me sure you're more than able to handle it when someone tries to do you wrong."  He smoothed down his hair.  "I was stupid.  Sometimes when people are book smart they aren't too people smart. Fortunately Greg kicked us all good."  He gave him a gentle, soft smile.  "Please don't be mad at us?"

"I don't know yet," he admitted.  "I can't just say it's all good suddenly."

"I understand.  You need time to process and think," Horatio agreed.  "That's why I came over before they did, to give you that time, not to make you hate us."

"Who hit you?" Xander asked him.

"Speed."

"Oh."  He just nodded.   "Can I think now?"  They nodded and the two vampires gave him a hug while Horatio tried for a kiss but ended up kissing his forehead instead.  "Night."

"Call me when you're ready to talk, Xander," Horatio said quietly.  He closed the door behind them and headed back to curl up with Greg.  He had screwed up and he needed comfort.  Even if Greg would kick him all night for not being Xander.

Speed sat down beside Xander, cuddling him.  "It'll work out okay.  They were serious about being assholes."  Xander nodded, resting against his side.  "Want to hit the guest room?"

"I should go to a hotel."

"No.  I don't want you alone tonight," Speed ordered.  Xander gave him a hurt look. "You'll want to talk in the middle of the night or you'll have nightmares that'll need a cuddle.  I want you here, where you can talk to me and cuddle me."  Xander nodded, sinking back into his side.  "Now, do you want to stay out here or go to bed and think in there?"

"I'll think out here.  It's softer."

"Sure."  Calleigh went to get him a blanket and pillow. "There you go, Xander.  You crawl in next to Speed if you need him tonight.  I won't hog him tonight," she promised, stroking through his hair.  Then she went back to their room.  "Night, baby."

"I'll be in soon."  He got Xander settled and his shoes off, then tucked in.  "If you need me, come get me.  I'm going to be grumpy tomorrow anyway."  Xander let out a small smile at that.  "Yes, I hit him.  It felt good.  I should tell Eric and Ryan so they both hit him too."  He messed up the dark hair.  "Try to rest and think, Xander.  You need the sleep."  Xander nodded so he went to get into bed.

"Me and Alexx, then Eric and Ryan."

"Sure, we can form the line to spank him that way," he promised.  "I'll call Aiden and she'll come make it a party.  Maybe we'll invite Don down."

"Don's going to be hurt for him too."

"Yeah, I guess," he sighed.  "Maybe.  I don't know Don well enough to know how he'll react."  He gave her a cuddle. He had thought someone was dying with the way Xander was acting earlier.  "If worst comes to worst, we'll let him move to Las Vegas or entice Greg to move down here," he said quietly.  She smiled at that and stroked his cheek.  "I like Greg.  He makes Xander have fun."  He snuggled in better, hearing his son moving around toward the bathroom. Then he went back to the couch, then they listened to him get up and pace. Then he left and Speed sighed but she kept him from moving. "I should follow him."

"If he wanted you to follow him he would've said something.  He'll be fine. He's survived worse than Miami in the middle of the evening."  He nodded and relaxed again, at least until she fell asleep. Then he got up and went to find his son.  The hotel he expected.  He wouldn't feel like his house was home and his safety anymore.  He'd feel like it was a bribe.  Finding him in the bar was less expected.  He sat down next to him, then looked at him.  "It won't make it hurt any less in the morning."

"But I'll be able to sleep tonight."

"Bring Greg here."  Xander looked at him.  "Bring Greg here."  Xander nodded, texting him.  "Now, let's go talk if you want to talk."

"I don't.  I want to quit thinking for a while.  I want it to feel safe again."

"I know."  He patted him on the back.  "I know how that feels very well.  Remember what I told you about New York?"  He nodded, looking at him.  "I felt the same way then for many months.  Only my parents are crappier than anyone but yours."  Xander nodded at that, putting the drink back down.

The bartender came back.  "One of the women down the bar wanted to know if she could buy you one," he said quietly.

Xander looked at him.  "No thanks," Speed said.  "He's had one of those catastrophic relationship issues tonight."

"Twelve stepper?"

"Nope, my son," Speed offered.  He paid for the drink and pulled Xander up, going to pay for Greg's cab and take him upstairs.  "Make him not feel it, Greg."

"I can do that."  He looked at Xander, getting a hesitant hug.  "Shh.  I'm here. We'll figure this out tomorrow."  He walked Xander past the desk, getting a few reproving looks.  "What?" he demanded at one.  She looked away.  "There, there, baby.  Come on."  Xander nodded, letting him handle it.  He got them up into his room and inside, getting him stripped down and into bed.  He laid beside him and just cuddled.  Xander needed held the same way he did sometimes. This was definitely a night for it.

Speed headed home, crawling back in with Calleigh, who rolled over to cuddle him. He decided to text Horatio to let him know where Greg was.  It was as far as he was going for him.  Horatio had to climb his own way out of that pit.  He had warned him not to hurt his boy.  The only thing saving him from being run over multiple times until he died was his poor bike would suffer and Xander still wanted him for some reason.  Well, he needed new shocks anyway he supposed.  So as soon as Xander gave up on him he was a goner.

***

Horatio walked into the hotel the next morning, looking at the desk clerk.  "Has Mr. Harris checked out yet?" he asked calmly.

"No, sir, he and his boyfriend have decided to stay for an extra day."

"Thank you."  He headed up that way.

"Sir, they asked not to be disturbed."

"They're expecting me."  He headed up in the elevator, getting off on the right floor.  He followed the signs to the right room and knocked, looking down until it was opened by Greg.  "You should be sitting."

"Not like he's going to answer the door at the moment."  He stared at him. "Xander, it's Horatio."  Xander let out a moan.  He frowned but let him inside.  Then he went to sit down and put his leg up like a good boy.

Horatio sat down on Xander's free side, reaching out but pulling away before he made contact. He wanted to lay down to cuddle him but he knew he wasn't welcome at the moment.  "Can we talk?" he asked finally.  Xander moved the sheet off his head and looked at him.  "Please?"  Xander nodded.  He stared for a few minutes longer then he took his hand to hold.  It was physical contact but not enough to make him mad again.  "I, um, I did not mean to do this to us, Xander.  I had no intention of hurting you."

"You said that already," he said hoarsely.

Horatio looked at him, seeing how miserable he looked.  It looked like he had been crying again. He kissed him gently.  "This is not what I intended.  I intended to give you some warning so you could rant about the stupidity of the legal system and then we could make plans," he said gently.  "I had no intention or even a thought that it'd make you feel helpless or weak.  I don't want that.  I like you being strong, slightly sarcastic, and loving.  I like you how you usually are.  I'm honored when you feel you can let me know when you're feeling vulnerable but I never meant to make you feel that way.  I love you the way you are.  The only thing I want to change is how badly you do laundry and some eating habits."  Xander looked at him.  "Things like cookies for lunch."  Xander shrugged at that.  "I did not mean to hurt you."

"I know.  You still did."

"But it was not what I wanted."  Xander nodded at that.  "I knew about the road to hell and the cobblestones it's paved with, but I didn't want to add another brick to it."

"I understand."

"Then will you talk to me?"

"We are."

"We're not.  I'm groveling and you're still looking miserable."  He tipped his face back up.  "I'll let you kick me again if it'll make you feel better but it'll be the last time you ever land one on me."

"You wouldn't let go."

"I wasn't so sure you weren't going to hurt someone, Xander.  I wanted you to listen to me and calm down, not get madder."  Xander stared into his eyes.  "Come home?"

"I'm not sure it is home."

"It is home.  If it was their home it'd be decorated differently and the dining room would have a table instead of chains and straps."  That got a small, weak smile.  "We both went a bit off the deep end," he offered.  "Now, can we talk?"

"Want me to leave?" Greg asked.  "I can hop out to find breakfast."

"No, stay," Horatio ordered.  "We were going to go over it with all of us together."  He looked at Xander.  "If you want him here."

"He's part of us."

"True, he is."  He took another gentle kiss, getting a small smile but a gentle push off him.  "Sorry."

"No, it was good but cuddling isn't for now."

"True."  He cuddled his boy and felt him relax against him like he usually did.  "Thank you."

"We've still got to fix this because it will never happen again."

"It won't.  I'll come to you immediately."

"Thank you."

"Welcome.  It was a mistake not to last time."  Xander looked at him.  "It was.  We should have come to you to tell you that someone was being sent to gather information and test for the possible child."  Xander relaxed and nodded at that.  He kissed him on the top of the head.  "Next time we will.  All of us."  He looked down at him.  "We still have to talk to your grandparents."

"Why?"

"Because you'll be miserable if you don't and blame yourself for not making it right if one of them dies," Greg said gently.  Xander slumped at that and nodded.  "So, they know what the problem is.  They've had all night to think about it.  We'll go talk to them today."

"They won't let me in."

"They will."

"They won't.  I called Gordon.  He told me not to try today."

"That will not be allowed.  We need to make this right, not let it fester."  Horatio stood up and pulled Xander up.  "Shower and change, baby.  We'll go talk to them and make sure they realize that they won't do it again."  Xander nodded and went that way, dragging Greg with him, making him smile.  They came out and dug into the bag Greg had packed, finding he had packed Xander leathers for today.  A pair that made him look very hot and he always looked very confident in.  Xander smiled at that subtle boost, sitting down to do his hair as well.

***

Gordon got in their way.  "I will not allow you to upset them, Xander."

"They upset me!  Hello!  I'm the one they decided was too stupid to deal with the shit in my own life," he said coldly.  "Get the fuck out of my way, Gordon.  Now!"  He moved closer.  "Right now."  He shuddered and moved.  "Thank you.  Study, or where?" he asked.

"They're in bed."

"Even better.   It's not a formal setting like usual."  He headed up the stairs, his boys behind him.  One of the guards tried to stop him so he nicely punched him out.  "This is not my fault.  We'll be talking and then I'll leave.  Not like I'm going to stake them."  He pounded on the door then walked in, finding his grandsire reaching for a crossbow.  "Shoot me, I dare you," he warned.  He looked stunned.  He sat on the foot of the bed.  "I am not weak, helpless, or that stupid.  Have we finally gotten that clue?"

"I do," he said.  "You also have a lot of balls to wake us up."

"Shut up.  I'm not letting this fester.  It was your fucking decision."  He went limp.  He looked at his grandfather, waking him more gently.  "Need a perk? Greg, can he take a nibble off you, baby?"

"Sure.  Never been fed off of."  He let Xander tenderly slice into his forearm and then he made Patrick drink it, getting a small smile of thanks.  "Not too bad.  Xander bites."  He shrugged.

"It's only fair.  Horatio bites me now and then," he offered. He looked at his grandparents.  "Have we figured out what we did wrong?"

"I have," Patrick agreed quietly.  "You don't need the same sort of guidance you normally would at your age.  Your life has made you a bit harder and even more stubborn."  Xander nodded.  "I will still be spoiling you."

"Spoiling is for toys, Grandfather. I'm not your toy.  I'm your grandson.  Treat me like you would have your kids."  He sat up and Xander helped him.  "You didn't spoil my sperm donor.  At all.  Did you?"  He shook his head.  "Then why spoil me?  Because I'm the last in the family?"  That got a nod.  "Then it's even more important that you don't spoil me and you spend time with me.  Spoiling me makes me like the brats Horatio has to get for running someone over or DUI.  I don't want to be some spoiled rich brat of a society ho.  It's not who I am.  I'm an action guy, not a rich kid.  I was never a rich kid.  We lived in enough poverty that even the other free lunch kids felt sorry for us."  He nodded at that.  "So spend *time* with me.  Spending money on me gives me things I can break when I get mad.  Spending time is something I can tell to the kids if I ever have any.  I'm probably not ever going to point at something and say 'my grandfather bought me that and some day it'll be yours' but I may say 'yeah, my grandfather taught me how to do this and now I'm showing you'.  That's the sort of man I am."

"I can see that," he said, giving him a small smile.  "Does this mean we're forgiven?"

"On probation," he said firmly.  "You fucked up majorly.  You nearly made me go drink for the second time ever in my life.  Intentionally going to drink."  That got a hurt look and a nod.  "Do you understand why?"

"I do.  I'm sorry.  We did not mean to hurt you."

"No the real hurt was you guys told my lover to keep it from me and created a situation where I had almost no support.  You guys had better be *damn* lucky I found Dad at home last night."  They both nodded at that.  "Good.  Now we can start rebuilding back to where we were before last night and I found out you were keeping things from me for my own good."  He looked at his grandsire.  "You as well."

"I don't think that's fair."

"At the moment, I don't care," Xander told him honestly.  He looked hurt.  "You've always tried to find a way into my affections with things.  I could care less about things!  I'm not Cordelia, Grandsire.  I never want to be like her.  If I ever turn that greedy I want shot!  Really.  If you want to baby someone, baby Tara.  She's going to be your niece soon.  She could use the positive affection.  She could use all the love she can soak up.  I want attention, not things.  I could care less if you could buy me a new car every single day for three years.  What would I do with them?"  He nodded at that.  "I know it's easier and less emotional for you if you just spoil me, but I don't want that.  If you want to be in my life I want your time.  I want you attention.  I want your affection and your love.  I sure as hell don't need your money.  I'm comfortable, that's all I need.  That's all anyone needs.  Now, those are my rules.  I'm going to stick to them.  The same as Horatio can't spoil me, Greg can't spoil me.  Mom and Dad can't spoil me.  Lady Heather can't spoil me.  You two can't spoil me either."

Patrick nodded. "I can live by those rules, Xander, but some day what is mine will be yours."

"Then I'll deal with it," he admitted.  "I'm still not going to suddenly become some society brat with an anti-depressant habit.  Because I'd need one to go to a lot of society events.  I'll do all the good works you want.  That's not an issue with me.  I already volunteer at the pound at least one day a month."

"They're animals," his grandsire noted patiently.  "He works with people."

Xander looked at him. "I find animals easier to get along with.  They go on instinct and training.  There's no messy issues of violence in their past, no wondering if they're going to be the next one to try to kill you.  If they were trained to be violent we can fix that.  I can't do that with a human.  I can also tell a vicious animal before I can a vicious human.  Animals are easier for me to get along with because I was never trained to be around people.  The only people I've been around constantly either wanted to hurt me or ended up hurting me."  He looked down at that.  "That doesn't mean I don't donate to a lot of people oriented charities.  I do.  I have been since I got money.  It's just that animals are easier for me."

"I understand.  Some day some of this will be yours."

"Then I'll handle it and Horatio and Greg will help me," he said firmly.  "Horatio likes people and they both understand people more than I do.  The only people I understand are hurt ones.  People like my cult.  I had no idea that normal people were like Timmy.  I thought he was abnormal until Aiden told me that the ones in my life were abnormal."  He stared at him.  "Have you ever worked with someone as hurt as I was?"  They both shook their heads.  "Wonderful.  Well, for most of us, we expect to be bitten by life.  Rainbows themselves are mythical, much less the pot of gold at the end."  They both stared at him.  He stared back.  "We all know the violence that I've seen has tainted me.  The same as we all know that I'm capable of some extreme acts of violence to protect those I deem worthy of protection."

"They may not know," Horatio said quietly.  He looked at them.  "He kept the soul eaters from eating everyone at the Mala Noche hideout."  They both looked horrified.  "Because he heard they were after the lab and his father."

"And you," Greg reminded him.

"And me," he agreed, smiling at him.  Then he looked at them again.  "We've made sure it won't happen but like a dog that was beaten once too often, he's very wary of people.  What we did nearly broke him of all trust."

"I didn't hear a thing about that," Raphael said, looking at his childe.

"I heard he was there," he admitted.  "Not why."

Xander shrugged.  "They were going to kill Daddy and Horatio.  All the friends who seemed to want to stick up for me.  Since then Horatio's made me see how wrong that was and helped me."

Patrick sighed.  "Will it happen again?"

"Is there going to be another streetgang that's threatening my whole family?" he retorted.  He shook his head.  "Then no.  Should someone come up to us on the street and threaten one of us will I react?  Yes.  I will.  Quickly and decisively as I was taught while hunting.  That is my training.  To hunt, protect, and protect myself last.  Now, I'm still healing. Horatio is incredibly gentle with me when I get violent urges.  Lady Heather realized that the violence that had been done to me before was so dissimilar to what I do as a dom that there's no interference and I can't get lost in it.  She saw what my soul looked like even back then and loves me in spite of it."

"She calls you her little dark angel when you're not around," Greg said quietly. "Sometimes protecting others takes violence."

"Sometimes but not always and it took me a while to make that distinction," Xander agreed.

"What was the only time you've went to the bottle?" Gordon asked from the doorway.

Xander looked at him.  "The night I realized I was hunting out of frustration and liked it," he said honestly.  That got a nod.  "You notice I don't do that anymore either?  Horatio and Timmy have helped me tons to heal.  I still don't want things from them.  While they're around, I want their time.  I want their affection if they want to stay in my life.  If not, then that's their decision.  I can't make that decision for them but I'm still not going to let them treat me like I'm weak, helpless, or stupid."  He looked at the two vampires.  "That is the only thing I want while you two are alive.  For all I give a damn the entire estate can go to Don and Tara.  They'll do just as much good work as I will."  He stood up.  "Now, if you want to be my grandparents I'm going home.  If you don't then I guess I understand that."  He walked out with Greg, Horatio guarding him.  He nodded at the guard. "Sorry."

"No, you had to straighten that mess out," he admitted, rubbing his jaw.

"Gordon thinks I'm going to hurt people too," he shared.  "I'm over that phase of my life."  He walked on, helping Greg out to the hummer.  Then back to the house since they had packed up the hotel room.  Xander went to walk in the woods, looking around.  Horatio got Greg settled in for a nap with his pain killers, because he was being stubborn again, then went to find him.  "If they don't want me to be their grandchild I should probably move," he admitted quietly. "Give them back the house."

"I doubt it'll come to that, Xander," he promised, giving him a hug.  Xander turned to hold him, burying his face in his shoulder.  "Shh, I have you," he soothed, watching the water, letting him calm himself back down while he comforted him.  "It had to be said.  They'll understand that and now they'll understand you a bit better."

"I made myself sound like a rabid dog."

"You're not and I know you're not."  He soothed him, feeling his body react.  "Not out in the open.  You don't know who could be watching."

"I don't care."

"Shh.  We'll go help Greg nap," he promised, walking him back inside.  "If you have to, you can move in with me and rent somewhere in town to hold your sessions."

"I think I've got enough money left to buy somewhere more modest," he admitted.  He heard the doorbell and went to answer it.  "What's up, Eric?"

"Are you all right?  Speed's in a pissy mood and he said it was related to you."

"Yeah, I just found out everyone's keeping shit from me that I needed to know."

"Am I?"

"No, I meant my grandparents and Horatio.  We had a major fight last night."

"It happens.  Everything okay?  Horatio called off suddenly today."

"He's babying Greg's twisted and sprained knee in the other room.  We're rebuilding things," he admitted.  Eric nodded at that.  "Long and involved story, Eric," he sighed.  "Don't worry about it.  Don't tell Willow, she'll storm over there and try to stake them."  That got a small smile.  "Need Horatio?"

"No, I think you need him more.  We'll check in with him tonight before we go home to give him updates.  Go take a nap, you look exhausted."

"I went to face them down a few minutes ago.  But thanks."  He smiled and shut the door, heading back inside.  "Eric said they'd check in later for updates."

"That's reasonable.  Come sit with Greg."  Xander cuddled up with Greg, letting himself be held while Horatio guarded them and stroked over his head and shoulders.  They all waited and neither of his grandparents came over that night or called.  The next morning Horatio called Gordon on his way to work.  "Xander wanted to know if they wanted him to move.  He can move in with me and rent somewhere to deal with his clients."  He heard the shocked silence.  "What?"  He listened to the stuttering.  "Gordon, make sense.  You're a former prosecutor and I'm not being scary today."  He hung up on more stuttering and headed in.  Xander had Greg for the day and he had vacation time he was taking starting the next day so he had to show up today as well.  It'd look bad.  His boss met him in his office.  "Yes, sir?"

"What happened?"

"We were keeping information from Xander about something that impacted him and nearly drove him off the edge of reason due to it.  It took most of yesterday to mend the hole I dug myself."

"So you called off because your boyfriend was upset?" he asked dryly.

Horatio looked at him.  "This is not common knowledge but Xander's parents were extremely abusive.  The incident in New York was the fourth time they tried to sell him.  Speed and Aiden saved him the third time they tried."  He looked horrified.  "I was mending the hole in the well of trust.  Before it all leaked out.  His grandparents have their own to mend."

"So it was pretty necessary then," he decided.  Horatio nodded.  "Are you still needing the vacation time?"

"I do.  Our other boy is down on vacation."  That got a stunned look.  "You didn't hear Rick ranting about Gregory?"  He nodded.  "That's our boy.  He's down on injury leave and a planned vacation from Las Vegas' lab."

"Oh," he said weakly.  "So he's taking care of Xander today?"

"Letting Xander fuss over him.  Xander fusses very well.  I've already been warned I had better never get truly sick."  That got a smile.  "Anything else?"

"No, not that I can complain about.  Not like you don't have the time saved you need to use."  He walked off smiling.  He ran into Speed in the hallway.  "Horatio's back."

"I saw.  I'm still trying to decide if I want to hit him again or not."  That got a nod and he walked off before he got in the way of his temper.  Speed walked up to his office to hand over some evidence.  "The stupid machine needs calibrated again.  Do I need to go buy new shocks?"

"No," he said, smiling at him.  "We've worked it out."

"Good.  What about the two stubborn old men?"

"They didn't come over last night after Xander went to talk to them.  I'm not sure what's going on there but I did ask Gordon if they wanted him to move."

"I hope not.  Your yard won't hold the dish very well."  Horatio smiled at that.  "Or you two could buy a nice place together."  He shrugged.  "It's an idea.  Anything I should know about?"

"Greg's knee is both twisted and sprained.  Grissom wanted Alexx to look at it before he came back.  He'll trust her judgement on Greg going back to work."

"I'll let her know.  We are never going to make my son run crying to me again, right?  Because I wasn't sure if someone was dead or not when he saw me and couldn't speak, then suddenly teared up."

"It will never happen again, Speed.  I realize what I did wrong and I know I'm still on probation with him."

"Good.  Then I'll hold off getting new shocks on the bike."  He walked off, heading back down to work on the machine that had slipped calibration again.  The third time this month.  They really needed to figure out why and fix it.

Horatio looked at the results and groaned, calling the person for machine contracts.  "This is Horatio Caine in the Miami Felony Lab.  We have a machine that keeps slipping calibration and now it's giving us ridiculous results.  Thank you, that would be fine."  He hung up and went to tell Speed to leave it alone for now.  It'd be worked on by the professionals tonight after their shift.

***

Xander flipped through the online real estate listings, looking at Greg.  "Think I qualify for a mortgage?"

"Probably not since you're not working."

"Point."  He sighed and went back to looking.  "Real estate is damn expensive down here."

"It is," Greg agreed, wincing at some of it.  "That's higher than we have in Seven Hills."

"Yeah.  My first place took most of that huge check."  He slumped.  "I wonder if I can liquidate this new stuff and use it to buy a new house."

"Probably.  From what little I know all you had to do was take care of your daughter, and therefore the wife he had bearing her."

"If I have a child on the way that way, the mother won't be keeping it," Xander promised.  "Think I'll make a good dad?"

"I think you'll make an excellent father.  One who drives the other parents nuts because you're so hands-on.  You'll be the Martha of fatherhood."  That got a happy smile. "You don't have to worry about your past coming out, Xander."

"I do."

"You don't.  You said it yourself.  You don't need the violence and it's not as much a part of you now as it was because he's helped you heal."

"You helped too."

"I did but he did the hard part."  He gave him a kiss.  "Now, let's find something nearly as nice as you have now.  Just in case, okay?"  Xander nodded and upped his upper limit.  "Oooh, what's that one?"

"An estate," he said dryly, looking at it.  "I could put one hell of a dungeon out there," he said happily.  He called Horatio while he got the address off the site. "Hey, it's us.  How far from daddy is Runfield?"  He smiled.  "Because there's a very nice house out that way with a huge amount of lawn.  We could put the dungeon in the auxiliary garage.  Yeah, there."  He smiled at Greg.  "It was drug seizure land and the last person got tired of the view."  He listened to him.  "Just outside of it but if I'm truly getting that stuff from the will I can use some of that to get the loan I'd need and pay it off with that."  He listened to his idea.  "Are you sure?  I mean, you have your house, Horatio.  No it's comfy but I'd still need somewhere to practice."  He nodded.  "True.  I'd still rather have somewhere closer to home.  That way I didn't have to drive after a bad scene with someone.  Because a few of them have made me want to cry for some of my clients," he admitted.  "Yeah, there.  Three hundred thou.  I've got two hundred thousand in the bank," he admitted.  "Especially if I'm getting that.  I can liquidate some of it and give them that for the last bit.  I don't know.  Say put down one and a half, get a loan for the rest?  That way we had living, decorating, and gas money?"  He smiled.  "If you want. I wouldn't care."  He beamed.  "Is it a modern house?  Shoot.  No, I don't like modern as much as you do.  No, yours is warmer than I usually find most modern places but you also decorate with other colors.  I'm more comfortable with elements."

Greg took the phone.  "Some people feel more at home with wood and bronze than they metal and glass, Horatio.  Actually, I feel at home in junky college apartments," he admitted.  "I'm a lived-in sorta guy.  Yup, both your houses are a bit too decorated for me," he teased.  "But I managed to survive because the inhabitants are so special to me."  He grinned at Xander's 'aww'.  "He's being mushy too.  No, we haven't heard anything.  On your computer.  Yup.  Thanks, Horatio.  See you tonight."  He hung up.  "He said he'd do some searching of his own during lunch and that we'd compare tonight.  So mark this one so we can come back to it."  He nodded, doing that so they could move on.  "Isn't that your house?"

Xander looked.  "No, up the street from my house.  I'm 518.  That's 533."  He shrugged. "Around that big corner."

"Oh."  They went back to looking.  It was a nice house but it was on what passed for a hill around Miami.

***

Gordon stomped into Horatio's office.  "He's not moving."

"I'll let him know that."  He looked at him.  "Why are you mad?"

"That boy of yours *assumed* they did it on purpose."

"We did," Horatio agreed.  "We were going to collect facts and then bring it to him so he wouldn't get as upset."  Gordon slumped at that.   "Xander expected them to come talk to him last night."

"Patrick stayed in bed all day with a headache.  He's presently beating himself up in guilt.  I'm sure you understand what that feels like."

"I do," he agreed quietly.  "We all shared some in that matter."

Gordon frowned at him.  "You two looked fine."

"I groveled for hours, Gordon, and I'm still on probation with him.  Xander trusts very hard and I broke that.  I acknowledged that and what I had been trying to do.  Though he did find that one estate that almost became his on the real estate listings.  They called to mention it earlier."

He sighed and shook his head.  "Patrick said he's not moving.  He's still his grandson even if he was a remorseless killer, which he doesn't believe he is. Tell him he was too ill to come last night."

Horatio dialed his desk phone.  "Xander, it's me.  I have Gordon here.  No, he said Patrick guilted himself into a headache last night.  That's why he didn't come over.  He said you're not moving."  He smiled.  "We'll talk about building a small dungeon for you off to the side of the driveway, yes.  Are you two being good?"  The answer of 'we're playing on the beach' made him smile. "Did my neighbors mind?"  He heard the answer and nodded. "We'll straighten them out later.  No, I've never been ashamed," he promised.  "Good.  You two play and have Greg make dinner tonight.  I'm tired of takeout."  He smiled and hung up.  "Thank you.  It made him very happy."

"He seriously doesn't want to inherit?"

"He said he didn't care what happened after his grandfather died.  He wants a grandfather, not a pile of money."

"Oh.  Well, tough."

"Whatever," Horatio agreed.  "That was his other usual answer."  He smiled.  "He's fairly sentimental.  Gets along better with dogs and children."

"I've been noticing that."  He sat down.  "We're down to two options for when Patrick dies, Horatio.  A foundation, which would take some energy and cooperation to run, or a dual trust to make sure that certain obligations are being met.  Patrick always did plan ahead," he noted dryly at his former colleague's odd look.  "Scholarships mostly."

"Have you talked to Don?"

"He's said about the same thing, that and with his life it'd be one hell of a burden now and then."

"It could be.  I don't know what Xander would want and I'm not going to depress him again today by asking.  You might ask Ryan, he might know."

"I'll consider that.  We've asked Tara and she burst into tears and hugged Sire."

Horatio smiled.  "She is a very gentle young woman."

"She definitely is and Patrick's trying to talk her into a lavish wedding but she feels embarrassed."

"Then the best option is a dual wedding," Ryan offered from the doorway.  "Do one in private, one in public.  Saw it on a sitcom somewhere," he said when Horatio looked amused.  "Speed said he needed you in the lab but he wasn't about to come up here so he wouldn't pop someone in the face."

"What happened now?"

"Same issue.  It just misidentified sand as salt.  Which means we're going to have to quality control all of night shift's again."

"I've talked to them, they've been using alternate methods."

"He said we'd have to."

"Fine, I'll be right there.  Thank you, Ryan."

"Patrick would probably be happy as long as he got to relive his dream wedding with Tara playing the part of his wife.  Still, it's her wedding day and Don's a decorated officer.  She's terminally shy and doesn't want to be the center of attention.  Don's got friends, colleagues, and his father's friends and colleagues."

"He wanted to hold it in St. Patrick's Cathedral," Gordon offered.

"Tara would die of embarrassment."

"Probably true," he sighed, standing up.  "I'll remind him of that, see if Sire can calm him down."

"Let us talk to Tara first.  Maybe she's got a dream wedding."

"Maybe," he agreed, smiling at him.  "I know Don took her magic herb shopping recently."

"That's a whole other ceremony," he agreed.  Gordon smiled at that.  "Ask Willow after we talk to her."

"Sure.  I'll give you a few days before he nags her to help him."

"Thanks.  Horatio?"

"I'll be right there."  They both heard something glass break.  "Wall?"

"Door.  Eric," he said blandly.  "Out of DNA."  They went to check on it while Gordon went to call Willow about the issue going on with Tara.

***

Sheldon sat down at the table Tara was at, smiling at her.  "Hi, Tara.  What's up?"

"I, um, needed to talk to someone."

"Problems with Don?"  She shook her head quickly, but grinned a bit.  "Okay.  Um, can I have a salad," he ordered.  "I'll splurge and go with Ranch today."  The waitress nodded and took Tara's salad order too.  "Not a problem but a question?"

She blushed bright red.  "Sheldon, I don't know how to...  Well.... anything....."  She trailed off and glanced around then back at him.  "I won't make him happy."

"You already make him very happy," he assured her.  "And I am in no way prepared to give this talk to girls.  Given it to a few of my boys."  She giggled at that.  "I know, they're all cute little guys.  I always pick the cute and smart little guys to mentor because that's what I was."  She swatted at his hand but grinned.   "Hmm."  Their salads came and he smiled at the waitress, letting her walk off.  "Well, there's a few good answers I can give you.  You could try it out.  I'm sure that's what you did with your first girlfriend."

"But I felt so dirty," she said quietly, rearranging her salad until she took a bite.  She was really hungry.  She looked at him once she had swallowed.  "I want to know what to expect before, you know?"

"I do.  It's a reasonable fear too," he assured her, patting her on the hand.  "I've just never given it from this side before.  I'm assuming here but you ruled out asking Stella?"

"She'd tell him."

"All right, then let's start with books.  Or with what Willow told you?"

"She said it wasn't much different, only more like icky toys."

"It can be."  He ate a bite and thought.  "Okay, first thing, the first few days will hurt a bit.  You know about the barrier and all that?"  She nodded.  "Well, if it's still intact, it'll hurt a bit then, there'll be a bit of blood, which is why some marriage traditions call for showing off the wedding night sheet," he offered. She blushed at that.  "They do."  He ate another bite.  "The next point is that Don's smart enough to know to be gentle with you.  Even then you'll probably be a bit sore in the hips for the first couple of times.  Unless you do a lot of horseback riding?"

"Not in years," she admitted.

"Well, it'll feel about the same as it did then for your hips and you'll be about as sore as your first time on a bicycle from what I understand."  She nodded at that.  "Speaking as a doctor, I would have a checkup first and maybe go on something to make sure there's no children for a while."

She nodded but looked a bit upset.  "I'm not sure how that would affect my magic."

"You know, I'm not sure what to tell you about that subject, I've never studied it," he admitted.  "Mac either that I know of.  We could have someone ask Patrick or someone."

"I can't ask Xander," she begged.

"Okay, I can do that."  He called down there.  "Xander, simple question that you may not have the answer to but you'd know who to ask.  Witches and birth control?" he asked quietly.  He nodded.  "Thanks."  He hung up. "He'll ask someone who'd know and call you back tonight with notes."  She smiled at that.  "The best thing that first time is to let Don know you're still a bit embarrassed but let him lead you.  Don's had a few other girlfriends so he knows what he's doing.  He should know how to make it very gentle that first time as well."  She nodded, staring at him.  "He'll help you through it, make you giggle a few times.  Let you learn all about him at first.  I'm very sure he won't do anything that you're uncomfortable with or anything like that.  Okay?"  She nodded and smiled so he patted her hand.  "Good girl, Tara.  You could also read some books."

"I have but I never got good, descriptive things that would help me."

"Yeah, I didn't think you'd go into the erotica section to go find something.  Romance novels generally don't have too much of a good description either."  He gave her hand a squeeze.  "Now, if you have questions on mechanics, you can ask Stella and tell her not to tell Don.  She will.  I can't tell you exactly what it'll feel like since I've never been a girl."

"You would've made a good girl."

"Thanks."  He grinned and dug in. "Come on, let's eat."

"Sure.  I'm hungry."  He smiled at her.  "I'm still taking two of my classes and I had a test to do last night so I could send it back."

"I always nibbled when I did those or wrote papers.  Drove the library staff nuts because I always had green peppers."  She giggled and dug back in, smiling and happy.

***

Xander hung up and looked at Greg, then dialed Ethan.  "It's me.  Put it down.  I need technical information for someone else."  He grumbled but did put whatever he was doing down.  "A mostly pure young witch wants to know about birth control and her powers.  No,  you cannot tell them that Tara's thinking about it.  She's so scared right now she had Sheldon ask for her.  Not like she can go to Don's mom or Monroe," he said dryly.  "Or Willow probably.  Yeah, that's what she's worried about.  Ethan, she's so pure she only uses pads."  He nodded.  "Please.  I said I'd call her back sometime tonight and leave it on her voicemail."  He smiled.  "Thank you.  Please don't tell them?  She'll be too embarrassed to do anything with the information.  Thank you."  He hung up and went back to cuddling.  "Tara and Don are *very* serious."  That got a smile and Horatio came out onto his back porch.  "Someone either left early or is taking a long lunch."  They both smiled at him and he came down to cuddle both his boys, letting them curl up on his stomach.  It shocked the neighbors horribly but oh well. "Sheldon just called for Tara so she could get good information on birth control and her powers."

"Excellent news.  Patrick's trying to get her to have a huge wedding."

"Don will still have to vow in front of the Goddess."

"Which I'm sure he will.  As I, or we, will for you some day soon," he agreed, smiling at him.  "Your father is no longer mad at me but now he's mad at a machine."

"Should I go buy him cookies?"

"We can get tube cookies and make those," Greg offered.  "All that needs is a spoon to cut and plop onto a sheet and some don't even need that."

Xander grinned. "I could like that."  He looked up.  "Can we borrow your oven and cookie sheet?"

"You may," he agreed, smiling at them.  They smiled back and he kissed them both.  "I'm only home for lunch."

"Then you'd better eat. We don't want you passing out from hunger at a scene," Greg said, teasing his stomach.  Horatio smiled at him but let it go.  "So, did you want me or Xander for lunch?" he tried again.  Xander had teased him all morning by being pouty and macho about things.

"Hmm.  That is a decision that will take a long time to make."  They got up and drug him inside the house, dusting off the sand on the porch so he wouldn't have to clean it up.  Then they stripped inside the door so they could get each other's backs better.  Horatio took random swipes and got random kisses, and it was wonderful when he had Greg for lunch and Xander had him orally.  After a short nap, he left them curled together on the bed and got dressed, heading back to work.  He found Speed outside glaring at the building.  "Did Eric shove you out and tell them to keep you out?"

"He told me to either go for a ride or go pick up Xander and take a drive," he said dryly.  "Then he said Calleigh was out on a scene but should be coming back in a few minutes."

"No sex in the office, Speed.  If I can't you can't."

Speed smirked at him.  "How was my boy?"

"He's very good and so was Greg."

"You're a stronger man than I am.  I'd have been tempted to stay home."

"I was but if I did I couldn't go on vacation tomorrow."

"I hate you."

Horatio smiled as he walked inside.  "Go for a drive, Speed."

"Fine.  Pick you up anything?"

"No, I've got everything I need at the moment."

"I should spike his tires for being that giddy," he muttered as he headed for his bike.  Calleigh pulled him and he gave her a look. "Eric said you should cheer me up since I was swearing at the machine again."

"I'll swat him in a few.  Go for a ride, Speed.  Bring me back a sandwich?"  He nodded and smirked just a bit.  "A real one?"

"Sure."  He started his bike and headed off, heading to drive around for a few minutes.  It did calm him down.  On it he decided Eric needed a real woman in his life because sex with Calleigh was a different sort of calm than going for a drive.  If Eric didn't know that then he was obviously doing something wrong.  Then he decided it was probably because he had so much sex in his car he automatically associated it.  He remembered her lunch right before heading back and turned off to do that then came back to give her lunch and to go back to work.

***

Sheldon leaned into where Stella and Monroe were working.  "Can I borrow you for a minute, Stella?"

"Sure."  She came out and smiled at Don since he was lurking.  "You, shoo, go away.  We'll page you."

"Fine," he pouted.  "I wanted to know how lunch went since Sheldon went with Tara."

"It went very well, we talked about a few things, including your pushy uncle who wants a huge wedding in the middle of St. Patrick's cathedral."

"I don't know that many people.  When it's time it'll be something small, nice, intimate.  I'm not inviting three quarters of the station because she doesn't have that many people to go for her side.  It'll look bad and make her unhappy."

"True.  But for now, shoo."

"Fine," he pouted.  "You guys talked about me, didn't you?"

"Yes and she said you have wonderful hands.  That's one of the first things she noticed about you."  Don looked at his hands, then shrugged and grinned, heading off.  He looked at her.  "She also had some delicate, female questions," he said quietly.  "But she was afraid you'd tell the lurking one."

"Well, I can if she wants me to."

"She might need the talk, yeah.  I had to call Xander to see if there was a birth control that wouldn't screw with what she can do."

"I forgot all about that.  Huh.  Okay, well, I'm sure he knows who to ask."   She shrugged. "Where is she?"

"Studying at home.  I told her to take it easy, let Don lead that time, explore as much as she wanted and he could stand, that he was good enough to her to let her."  She smiled at that.  "Told her that it'd make her a bit sore.  She used to ride horses a lot so I reminded her of the hip pain and that stuff."

"What about the first pain?"

"I told her it was like the first time she rode a bicycle."

"Not really.  Mine was more like the first time I sprained something.  There is a really good book and I can point it out for you."  He smiled.  "I think it's cute she asked you to give her that talk."

"I've had to give it to a few of my mentorees in the past, but they've all been boys," he admitted.  "Can I have the name of the book?"

"I've got a copy at home for a friend's kids.  I'll let her borrow it."

He relaxed and smiled.  "You know, where she dotes on Mac like an elderly uncle, I can almost see her going to him for that talk."

"He would've blushed so brightly he would've been a lightbulb for hours," she said happily.  She looked around.  "Do we know if Don is going to be that careful?"

"I'm headed to talk to him next.  Even though she didn't come to you because she thought you'd tell him, I think it's probably more practical and kind."

"Good!"  She smiled and patted him on the shoulder.  "You'll have it down pat for when you finally have kids, Sheldon."

"No, that's the threatening speech," he reminded her.  He went to find Don, finding him trying to eavesdrop.  "Quit."

"What did you two talk about?"

He coughed and pulled him away from everyone.  "Hip pains and back pains and embarrassment over not knowing what to do after the first kiss."

Don blinked.  "Really?"  He nodded.  "Wow.  Why didn't she come to Stella?"

"She'd tell you.  Which means you can't let on that I did tell you."

"My poor little bird.  Um, we're getting her what she wants, right?"  He nodded.  "Good.  'Cause can't say I'm ready for her to be ready for that step for some reason."

"I doubt it'll be tonight, Don."

"Point.  I've got to bone up on technique."

"Just relax, let her experiment, go as slow as she wants."

"Good point.  I still don't like hurting her."

"Then don't.  Make it good for a while then do it.  Or ask Danny how he does.  He's been complaining for weeks that his last three were virgins."

"Good point."  He went to ask him under strictest guy secrecy.  The last time he'd had a virgin in bed with him he'd been one himself.  That was a long time ago.  Fortunately Danny dated younger women who acted like cheerleaders.  He found him in the locker room and looked at him.  "I need a guy talk."

"Why?" he asked with a small smirk.  "Tara do something confusing?"

"Well, about half the time yeah, but that's just because of the magic stuff.  She was saying thanks for her cornflakes one ingredient at a time the other day."  He shrugged and looked around to make sure they were still alone then sat down next to him.  "Tara's only had girls."  Danny moaned.  "Two girls from what she said.  The last time I had anyone that pure, I was one myself."

"Go slow, make it good before then, then build it back up once they're okay."

"That's it?"

"Yup.  Unless she wants to suffer up front or do it totally unprepared.  Also, hot bath afterward, pamper her silly."  Don beamed at that.  "So, any particular time?"  He shook his head.  "Not planned, huh?"

"No.  She needed ta talk to Doc."  Danny gave him a funny look.  "Stella would tease and tell me."

"Just let her do whatever she wants so you don't scare her.  Build up to it slowly, Don.  Let her make the first move."

"She was kinda taking my hand out of her hair and down onto her back the other night."

"Then use that.  That's what she wants.  She'll definitely let you know."  That got a grin.  "Better?"

"Much.  Thanks.  Any idea what a Wiccan wedding is like?"

"Not a clue," he admitted. "But there's a semi-decent bookstore down off Broadway that might have a reference book."  That got a beam and he went to look up the address.  He shook his head, but he was smiling.  "How in the hell did he not have any virgins since then?" he muttered. "I've gotta master that trick soon."  He still wasn't happy that Mac had told him and Stella that he could not date them while they worked with him.  Stella came in.  "Hey."

"Kidnaping?"

"Kidnaping?"  He looked at her. "Huh?"  She looked at him then gave a pointed look at a certain locker then back at him.  "Oh!  Not a bad idea."  She smiled.  "When?"

"Sunday?  Least busy day."

"True.  Get him going home Saturday night?"

"Could work," she agreed. "Then we pounce the boy until he begs?"

"Works for me," he agreed happily.  She grinned and headed off to make plans while not telling Lindsey anything.  He'd follow he lead because she was more evil and devious than he was.  It was only right after all.

***

Xander leaned out of the kitchen when someone knocked on the door.  "Who is it?"  Someone pounded so he went to open it, finding Patrick there.  "Get in here before you roast."  He pulled him inside and glared at his guard.  Who slunk back to the car.  Patrick took off his cloak.  "You could've waited."

"I didn't want to or else I would have sent Sire away again."  He followed Xander back to the kitchen, staying out of the light.  "Should you be in here?"

"No mixing required," Greg promised with a smile.  "All we have to do is open, plop, and cook."  He plopped the rest of that tray and Xander stuck them in the oven, checking the first sheet.  "Hmm.  Not quite, Xander."  He closed the oven door and turned Xander around, holding him, which got them a smile.  "I know, I'm adorable," he teased.

"You two are adorable together," he agreed, smiling at him.  "If you try to move I'll be quite upset."

"Okay.  Are you okay?  Gordon told Horatio you had worked yourself into a headache."

"It was part guilt and part keeping myself from hitting my sire.  The same as my early trip today is."  He shifted and yelped when the sun hit him.  "No shades?"

"I think the only place with them is the office."  They went to check rooms.  "The office had lots of shady spots."  They headed that way, Greg bringing the timer with him.  "Sorry."

"That's all right.  Horatio needs the sun to remind him that not everything is in shadows in life."  He stroked his cheek.  "I will work to mend this break."  Xander smiled and hugged him.  "Thank you, Grandson.  You as well, Gregory, since you helped so much last night."  Greg smiled and shrugged but he got a hug as well.  "There, now that we're done with the mush.  Is Horatio out on a scene?"

"Meeting I think," Xander offered, sending him a text message.  He got back a simple yes.  "Yup, he's in a meeting."  He looked at him.  "Is there a kid?"

"Not that I'm aware of.  Sire's legal helper had her checked and her identity checked so she couldn't switch.  We'll test her again in two months to make sure."

"That makes sense," Xander agreed.  The phone rang so he answered it.  "Caine's house.  Hi, Ray.  Greg and I are here making cookies with my grandfather.  Of course you can come over!  Tell your mom you're coming over to have dinner with us.  We don't mind.  Right, Greg?"

"Not a problem with me," he promised.  "He can help us time cookies."

"They're just about perfect," Patrick said.  "At least the first sheet is."  Greg smiled and went to take them out.

"We're taking tube cookies out for dad so that's not a problem, Ray. Sure, we're at his house.  Come on over.  We can handle giving you access to him later and hide to talk.  I'm sure.  Ray, quit.  Come here now."  He smiled.  "Good boy.  See you soon."  He hung up and looked at his grandfather.  "I don't care if he knows or not either.  His mom knows about us."  That got a smile.  "He told her specially."

"That's always good when you have women with fiery tempers that way.  Anyway, he has the exact estate in his briefcase but he's being grumpy.  I do know that there's some cash and some other assets.  As well as a pair of gold castration clippers and a few other things."  Xander handed over the phone so he called home.  "Gordon, it's me.  Can you get the list of the estate off the grumpier vampire and fax it to Horatio's house?  Thank you.  I'm here with Xander and Greg.  Horatio's nephew is on his way over as well."  He smiled at that.  "Thank you, Gordon."  He hung up.  "He'll have to trick it away from him but we'll have it soon."

"That's cool."  Someone knocked and Greg got it.  "I can help."

"Talk to your grandfather.  I've got the cookies."  He grinned at the kid standing there.  "You must be Ray.  I'm Greg."  He waved at Yelina.  "I'm Greg," he called.  She pursed her lips and left.  He shrugged as he shut the door.  "He's talking to his grandfather about someone who wanted him badly enough to kidnap him."

"I heard he was.  Is he okay?  Or is this a new one?"

"No, the last one left him things in his will."

"That's trashy," he said dryly, following him into the kitchen.  "Ah, tube cookies.  They are the bane of every teenager's diet," he sighed.

"Mine too," Greg agreed, grinning at him.  "But we got them for Speed.  He's got a machine that won't work and he's been swearing at it."  That got a giggle.  "Okay, check the last two pans while I pry these off and onto a cooling sheet."  He slid them off and onto the chilled wax paper he had pulled out of the freezer, forming neat rows so they could be boxed up later.  He loaded up the next set of trays from the next tube and container of the ones with squares you didn't have to cut.  Those got put into the oven by Ray.  Xander snuck in and stole two, heading back to the office with a grin for them.  He even shared one with his grandfather.  Greg and Ray shared a smile.  It was kinda cute.  Xander let out a low, deep moan.   "Good backrub?" he called.

"He left me emerald handcuffs and gold castration clampy things, Greg."

"Why?"

"I don't know but I have a house in the Middle East.  One of those places where they have princes and women can't drive."

"Wonderful.  Can you give it to the wife?"

"She refused to take it," Patrick admitted, coming in to steal two more for himself, then two for the boy.  "We'll have enough for Speed, right?" he asked with a smile.

"We do," he agreed.  Patrick went back to the office.  Cookies solved everything. The will came off the fax as well so his sire must be up to dealing with people again.  He went over the legalese with Xander, going over each thing so he could cross it off.  It still left an alarmingly long list.  But they bundled it into a plain envelope and sent it to Horatio tucked in among the cookies.  Then they sat down to talk and get to know each other better.  Greg nudged Ray and nodded out back so they went back there.  "He's dying," he said quietly.  "They just had their first fight about spoiling Xander."

"It happens.  It's kinda cute to see those two plotting world dominance."

Greg smiled.  "The scary thing is Xander could do that."  That got a giggle.  "Really."  He grinned at him.  "Let me guess, you want to know about me?"

"Could help, yeah."

"Okay.  I'm a former DNA tech and now level one CSI out of Las Vegas."

"So you work in the same field.  Interesting.  Do you two babble at Xander in science?"

"No, he doesn't get science very well," he admitted.  "Xander gets people and sometimes languages, not science."  That got a smile.  "But he is a killer massage tech.  The last time I got a quickie on my shoulders, I about napped there in the kitchen of the first house."

"What happened to his first house?"

"Someone attacked him and then put him into it before setting it on fire.  They found him before it got out of hand fortunately."

"Wow."  Greg nodded.  "But he's okay, right?"

"He's fine.  He came out to see me for some recuperation time and see if we were going to be together or if it was him and Horatio, and that's when he ended up marrying the assassin.  I married her apprentice.  Then we took all those trips."  Ray grinned at that.  "That's when we worked things out between us and I ended up their fluffy cuddle toy."

Ray snickered. "If you were just a toy Uncle Horatio wouldn't let you get his kitchen dirty."

"Maybe, but he's cute and nice."  Ray smirked at that. "I know, I've got it bad.  I deserve it for being such a genius bastard on my shift now and then."  Ray nodded at that. "Before you ask, we haven't even started working on the Las Vegas/Miami issue yet."

"Pity.  I know he smiles about Xander a lot and you whenever he talks about you.  Mom had the *big* bowl of ice cream after he told us."

"Xander's age and me being there?"

Ray nodded.  "Yeah, mom's a bit traditional about that stuff.  She wasn't too sure about the gay stuff either.  Especially with what Xander does in his other job."

Greg looked at him.  "That's actually how I met Xander."

"You seem way too normal to like being whipped."

Greg considered him.  "Fuck it.  You'll probably find out anyway.  I have tactility issues."

"You don't like being touched?"

"No, I'm too deprived.  Xander gives great pets."  Ray stared.  Greg nodded.  "Really.  Being a dom isn't all about the pain.  He does a lot of comfort and a lot of therapy with his clients.  In my case I needed something I wasn't getting and Lady Heather used me to teach him the various tactile methods.  It works well with the massage classes sometimes."  Ray let out a softer grin at that.  "So I spend a long time getting petted."

"That's actually kinda cool," he admitted.  "All I heard was my mother complaining that Xander gave Uncle Horatio a whip and he had used it on Stetler."

"Xander's a technician with his whips.  I've seen him pop open types of buttons and snaps with one."  That got an awed look.  "It's not that hard, just takes practice, but if we taught you your mother would probably scream."

"Probably," he agreed.  Xander came out and Patrick hovered in the doorway.  "You can come out too."

"No he can't.  He goes whoosh in the sun," Xander admitted.  He looked up. "Yup, no canopy or anything, Grandfather.  So you guys come join us in the living room when you get done pumping him for information, Ray."

"He let a vampire into the house?" Ray asked, looking a bit worried.

"It's his grandfather and he doesn't hunt," Greg said firmly.  "They've even had dinner together before, Ray.  Calm down."  He nodded, calming down at that.  "It's important that they spend time together.  Patrick's going to be lucky to last another two years," he said quietly.  Ray relaxed at that. "It's all right."   He smiled.  "His grandsire is a bit more picky but that's fine."  That got a curious look.  "His sire.  Or as Xander jokes, his grandfather's husband."   That got a small smirk.  "That is Father Patrick Benis."

"The guy who does all the gay rights stuff?"  Greg nodded.  "Wow.  Wonder if I can use him to interview for Civics class."

"You can ask," Xander called.

"Sure.  Better one than Frank will be."  He looked at Greg, who smiled and made shooing motions.  So he went in to talk to him about the assignment and see if he could interview him.  It would be different than everyone else in class's for sure.  Greg stayed to soak up a bit more sun then went inside to cuddle Xander and tease him by nipping his ear or neck.  At least until Horatio got home and then they went to tease him while he changed and he helped him cook dinner.

Xander got up to answer the door. "Hi, Grandsire."  He nodded.  "Wanna come in?"

"That is why I came out," he noted patiently.  He stepped inside at the grin.  "Have you went over the will?"

"Grandfather and I did and then we sent it to Horatio because we both had a headache at the thought of the gold clamps."  He looked outside.  "That's Ray's mommy.  Horatio, Yelina's here."  He smiled and kissed her on the cheek.  "Yelina, this is my Grandsire, Grandpa's husband, Raphael."

"Charmed, ma'am."  He shook her hand with a smile.

Xander drug her into the kitchen.  "This is my grandfather, Patrick Benis, and my other third, Greggy."

Greg gave him a look.  "You're the only one who gets away with calling me that."  He stole a kiss then Horatio got his own.  "Greedy," he teased.

"Of course I am.  You still live in Las Vegas."  He smiled at Yelina.  "We can add some for you if you want to stay."

"That's all right," she said with a smile for the cuteness that was Xander being bouncy and in love.  "I wanted to know if Raymond was done?"

"Nope, Uncle Horatio just got home.  I've been talking with Xander and his grandfather all afternoon.  I even did the Civics assignment."

"Good!  I'll tell Frank he's off the hook this year."  She stroked his cheek with a smile.  "You want to stay for dinner?"

"I do and you can too," he reminded her.

"I'm going to go soak in the tub since you'll be here."

"Sure, mom.  I'm sure I can get a ride home from someone."  She nodded and kissed him on the cheek.  "Mom!"

"Tough, son.  Suck it up."

"Some day you'll miss that," Raphael agreed.

"Not at fifteen."

"Point."  He smiled at Yelina.  "Are you sure you don't want to stay?"

"I'm sure.  It'll be nice having the house to myself tonight."

"I could start to date, mom."

"No way in hell, son."  He rolled his eyes but she patted him on the shoulder. "I'm not ready for that step yet."  She kissed Horatio on the cheek.  "I'll let him ask you whatever he wanted to.  Send him home when he's done."  He nodded, smiling at her.  "Have a good dinner, Horatio."  She walked out, the 'husband' escorting her just in case.  Maybe their manners would rub off on Ray and Xander.  It was charming to see such old world manners again.  She waved before backing down the driveway and heading home to a long bath.

Raphael walked back in.  "She is a charming young woman."

Xander looked at him.  "I thought you wanted Eric to be your next childe," he teased.

"I still do but he's being stubborn."  He shrugged.  "She would make a good daughter."

Patrick looked at him.  Then he shook his head without saying anything and went back to helping Xander set the table.  He looked at his grandson. "If you ever wonder what your grandmother was like, she was just like him.  That's what attracted me to him."

Xander giggled.  "I'll keep that in mind."  He gave him a hug and went back to get glasses.  Patrick fussed things into perfect alignment.  Then he went to snatch a bite of dinner to preview.  Greg and Horatio both swatted him.  "I'm starved."

"We'll be done in about ten minutes."  They all filed out, leaving uncle and nephew.  "What's going on, Ray?"

"I need advice on women."

"No man will ever understand a woman," he offered, looking at him.  "Even the ones who change into women don't understand real women."  That got a grin.  "At least you don't have Xander's luck with women.  He only drew evil women."

"I've heard."  He glanced out there then at him.  "Can we have the talk soon?"

"Of course.  We can do that tonight, Ray, and then you can come back with later questions."

"Thank you.  She's being a bit touchy about my age again."

"She's a mother and you're growing up.  She'll cry tonight and then she'll be more open to it."  Ray nodded, carrying out the salad.  Raphael came in.  "I don't have any blood in the fridge."

"That's fine, Horatio.  I nibbled before I got here. Patrick will feed when I get home or I'll make him eat off Xander again."  That got a smile from Greg when he came in.  "We are babying Patrick."

"He hates it but he understands and tolerates it," Greg assured him.  "As Xander proved, he will run and hide from fussing."  That got a small chuckle.  "I wouldn't care if you guys needed another nibble."

"I'm fine.  I nibbled on one of the guards before I came over."  Greg nodded and went to talk to Patrick, nagging him until he did.

"That is wickedly cool," Ray decided.

Xander gave him a wicked smirk.  "Hey, Horatio, can I feed Ray some of my jerky?"

"No," he moaned.  "Please don't."

Xander shrugged and grinned at his grandfather.  "Need more?"

"Before I leave, Xander."

"I haven't had any in days."

"We'll see before I leave."  He stroked his cheek. "I had some last night to cure my headache."  The rest of dinner was brought out and he let Greg help him up.  They settled in and Raphael said grace tonight, then they dug in, Ray putting food on his plate.  "I don't need that much, Ray.  Really."

"Yes you do.  It'll help you feel better."  That got a smile but he did nod and dig in to eat.  "So, Uncle Horatio, can I vet the new girlfriend through you before I introduce her to mom?"

"Of course, Ray.  That might be a wiser course anyway," he noted dryly, sipping some of his water.  Someone knocked on the door so he got up to get it, looking at the man on the other side.  "Yes?"  The gun got pulled out.  "You do realize I'm an officer?"

Xander snuck over and grabbed the whip off the couch then got the guy in the throat with it.  He gurgled and backed up.  "Do not *touch* my man!  I'd fucking well beg!  Now!"  The man fell to his knees crying.  "Drop the fucking gun!"  It fell out of his hands and the man stared at him.  "Mine," he growled.

"He has a good growl for not being turned," Patrick told his sire.

"He does, but he is just as possessive as you ever were," Raphael admitted.  "Should someone call someone?"

"I'm dialing Eric," Greg promised.  "Eric, Greg Sanders.  We're at Horatio's and Xander's got some guy on his knees begging for mercy after he pointed a gun at Horatio.  Yeah, thanks.  No, don't bother Yelina.  She's soaking in the bath and her son's here.  Thanks."  He hung up.  "Eric's coming, guys."  He ate another bite and looked at Ray.  Then at Xander.  "What did he want?"

"Xander," Horatio said blandly.  Xander frowned at him.  "He did."

"He did not!"

Horatio looked at the man on the ground.  "Why did you come to threaten me tonight?"  He pointed at Xander. "Did you want him or want me to break up with him?"

"Him," he said weakly.  He looked at Xander.  "Do you spank hard?"  Xander nodded. "Oh," he said weakly.  "Very, very hard?"

"I'm a dom of the breaking and therapy school.  I'd have you crying and begging to confess within a few minutes."

"Oh.  That's good.  I don't want you then.  Can I have the blond or the young guy instead?"

"The young one is my nephew, and the other is mine as well," Horatio said firmly, staring down at him, hands on his hips.  "No, you may not have them."

"Oh.  Sorry."  Eric pulled in with a cruiser behind him.  He knee-walked over to him.  "I don't want him after all.  He'd spank too hard."

"Sure, I can understand that.  It takes one hell of a man to be with Xander.  Let the nice officers help you up so you can tell us why you thought you wanted him in the first place."  He nodded, knee-walking over to them.  They helped him up and into the back of the cruiser.  "Gun?"   Horatio pointed at it.  "Thanks, Horatio.  Lets me break a questionable date tonight."  He bagged the gun and looked at the whip.  "Interesting."

"The mark on his throat," Horatio admitted.

"Guys, Master Tim got him on the throat, that's what that mark is."

One of the officers looked over.  "Of course he did.  He's also babbling that he spanks too hard for his tastes."   He nodded at Horatio.  "With your leave, Lieutenant?"

"Go," he agreed.  "He's interrupting dinner."

"Sure, sir."  They took him off while Eric took a fast statement for his plea hearing.  Because he would be taking a plea if he was smart.

"Did daddy like the cookies?"

"He did.  He tested one first to make sure it was okay but then he hogged them and wouldn't even let Willow have any when she came in."  He grinned.  "Speaking of, the wedding party is this weekend?"  That got a happy squeal from Xander and a hug.  "Thanks.  Get off before I quit liking girls."

"It's not contagious," he taunted, but he went back to dinner.

"No but wanting him seems to be," he said dryly.  "Had one of these at the station after you left.  Interrupted Speed's cookie spree.  Which allowed Willow to steal one.  He spanked her then handed her back to her husband after we had the other guy in custody.  Stetler was chuckling a lot at him."

"An officer?"  Eric nodded.  "I see.  Let him have fun with that since he propositioned him as well."  He smiled.  "Anything else?"

"Not yet."

"Then I am off for the next four days, Eric.  Have fun and keep me informed."  That got a nod and he took the gun and statement off.   He walked back inside.  "Speed did like the cookies and Willow stole one.  He spanked her and handed her back to her new husband."

Raphael smiled.  "I'm sure he can soothe her and help her make more cookies."  He sipped his water, smiling at Ray.  "It's not contagious."

"I'd hope not.  I like girls.  I'd hate to steal Xander from Uncle Horatio."  His uncle patted him on the head before sitting down.  "I could.  We could play video games."

"Ah, but I am the Master of the x-box among my peers," Greg promised with an evil smirk.  "We should test you to see if you're worthy to play games with me.  Especially since Xander doesn't play very well."

Ray grinned.  "Sure, Greg."

"You should see his turban," Raphael told him.  "It's very cute."

"It is the Turban of Greatness," Greg teased him.

"I'm sure it is," Horatio agreed, smiling at his playful mate.  He took Xander's hand to hold, making him smile at him.  "We will handle all of this, Xander."

"For the first four years after I claimed my boy every single person in existence seemed to want him more than their lives," Raphael sighed, shaking his head.  "We don't know why but when members of his family find their true mate it happens.  According to the older wives tales it only happens when they find a true mate and it's to make sure the relationship is strong enough to face anything.  His started right after I turned him."

"We're not married yet," Xander admitted.  "He did claim me."  Horatio coughed and blushed just a bit.  "Sorry.  Forget I said that, Ray."

"Not like I care.  It's good you're that serious about him, Xander.  Or else I'd have to kill you."  That got a smile and a nod.  "As long as we're clear.  He's had enough pain."

"We all have," Xander said, looking at him.  "I understand the pain he's had and he understands mine, Ray.  It's not a playing relationship.  Even if Greg does call himself a toy now and then.  I spank him for that."  Greg slunk down some.  "Sit up."  Greg sat up.  He looked at him.  "If any of us is a toy it's me."

"You are not a toy," Horatio said plainly.

"Does that mean you're our toy?" Greg teased.

Horatio looked at him.  "I can spank you too, Greg."  Greg just beamed.  "We don't have toys in this relationship."  Xander gave him a curious look.  "Your mind is in the wrong state, Xander.  Less smut, more dinner."

"Smut later," Ray agreed with a grin for him.  "After I'm gone and so your grandparents don't have to listen to it."

"He gets it from him," Patrick said, nodding at his sire.  Ray cackled at that.

"He does," he agreed happily.  He looked at his grandson.  "I'm glad I could pass on that trait, dear."

Xander blew a kiss.  "All I needed was worthy people to bring it out.  Horatio is more than worthy of every great smutty thought and Greg helps me make new ones."  Both vampires laughed at that. "They do."  He kissed Greg, making him quit blushing with what he whispered in his ear.  Then he kissed Horatio, making him smile.  "Now, let's eat.  I need strength for being the toy tonight."  Everyone dug in.  "Do I have to do anything about the will?  Or can I just sit here and look pretty?"

"You can sit there and look pretty but there'll be a few forms to sign eventually," Raphael admitted.  "Especially if you sell the house."  He looked at him.  "In two months we'll go check the wife supposedly implanted again, just in case.  As well as most of her female relatives just in case someone switched it."  That got a nod.  "She said she didn't want the house but this would've made sure she was settled and taken care of until she could remarry."

"I have no problem giving her some of it so she can take care of herself," Xander assured him.  "But if she's having my kid, it's mine."

"Agreed," Horatio assured him.  "We can fight for custody in that case."  Xander grinned at him.  "You'll be a great father, Xander.  I do hope not yet, but someday you'll be a great father."  He sipped his water when Xander gave him a smile that made him choke up.  "Eat.  You'll need your strength to help me do dishes."

"We ran the cookie sheets through the dishwasher," Greg promised.  That got a smile.  "We can do the same with the rest of the dishes."  That got a nod and they got down to eating again.  At the end, Xander and Greg went to do the dishes while Horatio and his nephew had The Talk.  The vampires soaked up the happiness and went back over the will when the two boys came out.

***

Horatio looked at the letter in front of him and sighed, opening it.  He hated formal missives from Gordon.  Especially on his first day back at work.  The last one had been about the presents and so was this one.  "Speed?" he called.  He walked in and he handed it over.  "Another one."

"Can we stop them?"

"Please, try to."  That got a nod and Speed went to pull up fatherly authority.  Horatio and Speed both realized that Xander was incredibly flattered by the attention but it was bothering them.  He was sure it was bothering Xander on some level but right now he was feeling flattered.  Speed came back with a note and left again, not looking happy.  He looked at it.  "They wanted to give it to *me* so I'd give up Xander," he said blandly.  He called Gordon.  "No one can have him.  I am very possessive."  He smiled.  "That's fine.  If they can scare people off I'm more than happy to let them.  Thank you, Gordon."  He hung up and got back to work, at least until he heard the scream.  Then he rushed out and found one of the women screaming at the giant spider in the middle of the floor.  He called Greg and took a picture to send it over.  He looked at the answer.  "It's poisonous.  Get a cage for it."  Eric went running and Speed nudged it with a foot to head into the cage.  Eric slammed it closed and held it at arm's length.  "Put it somewhere safe.  Greg's sending the picture to Grissom to see if he knows where it came from."  They all looked at him. "Grissom is an entomologist, people.  He'd know."  They nodded and the spider carefully went into a lab and got closed in there.  Then he relaxed.  "Search for more. Just in case."

"Sure, we'll go get the patrol guys on the shit list this week," Speed agreed.  Ryan frowned at him. "Ended up there a lot, Wolfe?"

"No, but that's mean.  One of the permanent members has a spider phobia."

"Then he'll get some good desensitization therapy in today.  You and Eric go look at the hole in the foundation."

"No way in hell I'm getting in there with the snakes," Eric complained.  "I'll get bit!"

"Then put on some waders and go look," Horatio ordered.  He went to call the Chief.  "That hole is getting annoying.  It's getting fixed when?"  He nodded.  "No, not another alligator, a poisonous spider this time.  They're going to check on the snakes."  He smiled.  "Thank you, sir."  He hung up and they went to check for more infestations.  Ryan ran away from one of them, which it turned out was a baby alligator.

Speed caught it by the tail and held it out so it couldn't bite him.  "Let me guess, you wanted Delko but he's not in his diving suit?" he taunted as he walked it off to put it somewhere safer, in that same lab.  If it ate the spider, oh well in his book.

Horatio shook his head, heading to the next lab over.  He found the spider webs but no spiders he could see.  He checked the ventilation ducts and there were a few disturbed webs in there.  He moaned and went to get someone to check the shafts for snakes.  Animal control ended up coming in but Greg said any and all bugs would be going with him to Vegas to a world-renowned entomologist.  They decided that was fine.

***

Greg came off the plane with the three multi-compartment cages, smiling at the stewardess who had helped him.  "Thank you."

"Welcome, CSI Sanders.  I hope the bug guy likes the new samples."  She waved then shuddered.

Greg headed for baggage claim.  His bag went over his shoulder.  The cages were carefully carried out.  He stopped to call Grissom from a courtesy phone.  "Am I cabbing back with your new samples from Miami or are you going to come pick me and them up?"  He smiled.  "Yeah, they had an infestation in the lab down there thanks to a hole in the foundation and someone malicious."  He smiled.  "That's fine but you're paying for any extra for the cab fare to the office."  He hung up and switched hands, then headed out to the cab stand.  The cabbies all gave him horrified stares.  "They're samples for the crime lab," he said.  "I'm one of the CSI under the Bugman."  One of them nodded and let him into the back.  He counted and checked them all.  "Try for a smooth ride if you can?  They're still traumatized by the flight from Miami."

"Sure, sir."  He let Greg get in the other side and took off, hoping for a smooth ride.  He didn't want any of them to come open in his cab.  He accepted the fee and tip from him, giving him a receipt gladly.  Then he watched him go inside with another shudder.

"Do not back into me," Greg snapped at Sara, who turned and shuddered.  "The Miami crime lab has a hole in the foundation and some nice mother decided to get rid of her son's pets in their foundation.  Fortunately the snakes ate the rest of the poisonous spiders.  Grab my bag for me?"  She took his bag carefully and put it behind the reception desk.  "Gris in his office?"

"Break room."

"Sure."  He walked them that way and coughed when Hodges came out.  "Poisonous."  They all got out of his way after that.  "Grissom?" he called.  He came out of the fridge.  "Courtesy of the Miami-Dade crime lab and the mother who got rid of her son's collection in their foundation.  The snakes that got in through the same hole and the baby alligator that got dumped ate the other fifty.  But you have seven new spiders."  He put them down on the table.  "They're a bit traumatized from the flight but I put a warm pack around their cages to keep them from dying in the air conditioning."

"Did you feed them yet?"

"I couldn't find any crickets so they're probably starved."  That got a nod and he helped him carry the three cases into the office.  "That's as close as we could come for a carrying case.  I'm hoping the one on the end isn't dead."

"I don't know yet," he admitted.  He got down some empty cages and started with that one.  It attacked the cricket he slid in so he smiled. "Playing possum."  They transferred them over and one had died but that was okay with him.  He had a good collection of dead bugs too.  "Was the mother charged?"

"It was discussed but they decided it was malicious but not illegal.  Now, her dumping the baby alligator... that she got charged with."  That got a smile. "They have snakes in their ventilation system so they're off for a few days while they search them all out and make the building so cold it's making them lethargic."

"We need to check our foundation again," he agreed, smiling at him. "Great job, Greg.  Ready for work?"

"Alexx said only slow work and if my knee starts to ache to put it back up for the next week but yeah."

"That's fine."  He smiled, going back to his new friends.  He got them more crickets and a few meal worms.  It was much appreciated by them.  "Anything else happen?"

"Oh, yeah," he sighed.  He sat down and glanced outside then at him.  "The guy who kidnaped Xander left him almost everything in his will with a demand to take care of the wife he had planned on inseminating with his seed.  So I spent a few days calming him down.  He's torn between flattered and creeped out.  He's doing fine and Horatio's doing mean things to him today since he's got the day off.  He's making him go buy more clothes."  That got a small smile.  "I met Horatio's family and they're pretty nice.  Still feeling a bit weird about the trio thing but that's okay and his nephew's really cool.  I spent a whole day and the night before helping him play playstation games, much to his mother's displeasure since he skipped that day.  She was amused that I explained some of the physics in the game to him.  It got him a higher score," he said at the amused look.  "Xander's back at home.  The night I got down there he ended up with a bad fight with his grandparents and Horatio over that inheritance.  They hadn't told him."  That got a small shudder.  "Yeah, basically.  But it got solved the next two days and it was nicer after that.  His grandsire is still coming back to LA for a while so he'll probably stop through and take me to dinner my next night off.  Or my next lunch hour if I finally get one."  That got a nod.  "So we're good, they're good, and Patrick insists that he had the same thing happen, it's a family curse.  It'll last about four years."

"It'll be something they'll have to get over together," Grissom assured him.

"Yeah, we will but it'll be okay.  Xander's instituted a rating scale of stupid people wanting him.  By the way, he wanted to make sure Braun didn't want him to be Catherine's stepfather anymore."

"Not that I've heard," he admitted.  "I hope not.  Then again he'd probably beat him into better manners."  He went back to playing with his new friends. "Anything else happen?"

"We found out Xander is not poisonous if we make tube cookies.  He can add water and stir, but nothing more complicated.  We went over a lot of foods to make sure he could make something that wasn't takeout, then we went shopping."

"He's poisonous?"

"We don't know how but while he was in New York, Xander put a chicken in the oven with bottled sauce over it.  Overcooked it so far it was nearly crunchy.  Someone still got sick off it."  That got an amazed look.  Greg nodded.  "He's got a jerky that he can make but it's very spicy.  It'll wreck your stomach for a week and make you so horny you'd go hump a cactus to get relief.  Literally.  He fed a piece to a guy down there and he went to hump one of the decorative cactuses in one of the malls later that night because his girlfriend sent him away.  He said it's what makes him so strong and able to eat his own cooking.  I have a bag if you want some."  He smiled sweetly.  "If not he suggested I feed some to Warrick for trying to pick on me with that text message that night."

"That's mean, Greg."

"No, that was his breath spray."  He pulled some out of his pocket and handed it over.  Grissom tested some then gulped his water.  "New York's lab was told to quit using it in interrogations to make people confess.  We haven't and neither has Miami yet.  That's for Catherine or Brass," he said with a sweet smile.

"This is a breath spray?"

"Yup.  The humidity and heat makes it a bit weaker sooner.  That's the weak version."  He pulled out the other one.  "You want the real one?"

"I can't feel my tongue as is, Greg.  He uses this?"

"Multiple times a day," he agreed with a small smirk.  "All thanks to his jerky."

Grissom put the bottle carefully aside.  "I'll give that to Brass."   He scraped his tongue on his teeth.  "I still can't feel it."  Greg handed over the other one and he shook his head.  "It might cause permanent damage."

"You'll be able to taste all those little hidden flavors in wine, Gris."  He stood up.  "Other than that, I was a good boy.  We did some mild book shopping with Speed yesterday and Speed confiscated the magic books he got for translating stuff into demon for a bar owner.  I got to look over his weapon's collection and so did Horatio.  Though he did moan.  A lot."  Someone behind him laughed so he looked back.  "Xander's weapons collection."

"I'm sure it's pretty," Catherine agreed.

Greg smiled.  "Xander sent you his breath spray to use when you absolutely need to break someone and make them beg."

"Why?"

"It's fairly strong," Gil offered, still trying to scrape his tongue.  "I don't have any more coating on my tongue."  She gave him an odd look.  "Really."  He held out one.

"That's the stronger one," Greg warned.  He handed her the weaker one.  "Go ahead.  I use it."  He used the pure one and Grissom whimpered.  "I ate Xander's jerky," he said happily.  Catherine sprayed her mouth and gagged, going to get a drink from the water fountain.  He waved and followed, leaning on the wall.  "New York got told it was cruel and unusual punishment both.  We don't have that yet."

She looked at him.  "That's very strong."

He smiled and nodded.  "And just think about a suspect who wants water."  She stood up to stare at him.  "That's how they were using it, instead of giving them water."

"That is mean.  I don't have any feeling in my tongue."

"That's the weaker one."  He held up the new bottle.  "That's a new batch and I have some of his jerky in my bag if you wanted some."

"Is it dangerous?"

"Your stomach might protest for a week about some of the spices.  It's fairly strong.  It's the reason Xander can eat his own cooking."  She shuddered at that.  "Makes for a great night of sex though."

"I'll keep that in mind," she promised.  "Who gets these?"

"You and Brass."  He grinned.  "I'm under orders to make Warrick eat some of the jerky for the text message thing.  Even Horatio agreed that was only fair."

She patted him on the cheek.  "He's on a scene.  Get him when he comes back."  She went to give them to Brass.  "Spray some on your finger and taste this."  He did that and gagged at the original formula.  "That's the stronger one.  Xander, Master Tim, sent it for interrogations.  New York got told it was cruel and unusual punishment, both, and were made to stop using it in place of giving someone water.  I still can't feel my tongue after using the weaker stuff.  Grissom's still scraping his and playing with the bugs Greg brought him back."

"Did the rest of us get presents?"

"He brought some of Xander's jerky back," she offered.  "It's a bit strong though.  Apparently it's got some foreign and fairly rare spices."

"That might not be so bad."  He sipped his coffee and looked at it.  "I can taste the staleness."

She nodded.  "He told Grissom he could taste wine."

"I'm sure he can."  He looked at her.  "I know a few people I'd like to use that on."

She patted one.  "This one's weaker."

"Good to know."  He put a pen mark on the cap then put them into his drawer. "Thank him for me."

"Already did, Jim.  Grissom got six new spiders."

"Why?"

"A mother dumped her son's collection in the hole in the Miami lab's foundation," Greg said from the doorway.  "Want some jerky, Brass?"

"Not until I can't taste the staleness of the coffee."

"Sure."  He grinned and headed out, his kit in hand.  "Heading to help Warrick and Nick," he told Sara.  He winked at the receptionist.  "I'll be back for that later.  Just hold it for now please."

"Sure."  She smiled.  "Is there anything in there that should worry me?"

"Only the jerky.  Let me have that bag."  She smiled and handed it over.  "Thanks, dear."  He walked out, tucking it into his inner vest pocket.  He headed out to their scene, signing in and walking on.  "I'm back.  I brought homemade jerky."

"Any good?" Nick asked absently.

"Yeah, but a bit strong. He uses Indian spices."  Nick looked back at him.  "He does."

"In jerky?"

"Regular beef jerky but yeah.  Xander makes it.  It's the one thing he makes very well.  Said it's what makes him stronger."

"Got any on you?  I missed dinner," Warrick complained.

"Yup.  In my vest.  He said I could share."  He put the bag on top of Warrick's case lid. "Where do you need me, boys?"

"Have you had coffee?" Nick asked.

"I had great sex three times earlier today.  I won't need coffee until tomorrow, Nick."  That got a smile and Nick let him have his spot of carpet to search for anything odd.  They went to take a twenty minute break for dinner since he was there.  Greg smiled at the wince as Nick bit into some but Warrick ate it.

"Tastes like some Thai food I had one night on a date," he offered.  He finished that piece and a bottle of water.  Then he came back.  Nick saved half his piece for later.  It was good but a bit strong, as advertised.  Thirty minutes later Warrick was ready to go find a bathroom for multiple reasons.  He looked at Nick.  "Finish our dinner break?"

"I've found some metal shavings," Greg offered.  "Is that what we're looking for or is it the blood drops I trimmed out?"

"Both," Nick decided.  "You keep going, Greg, we'll take those back to the station."

"Watch out, they sent some new specimens for Grissom."

"Sure," Warrick agreed, putting the jerky back into Greg's kit and hurrying off with what they had gathered.  Nick went into the first bathroom he saw.  Warrick went to the locker room once he had evidence logged in.  Then he went to clean himself up.  Because that stuff was mean.  His poor body didn't know if it wanted to screw something or have the runs.  Having them together was a bad thing and he knew that.  Even if he didn't have much of a choice in having both.

When Nick got finished he took his remaining piece to Hodges and frowned at him.  "Find out what's in this and if it's drugged or anything please?"

"Sure."  He separated out a sample and ran it though the system.  Then he smiled.  "I've seen this recipe online.  It says whole armies marched to Ares and Aphrodite on it."  Nick moaned at that, stomping off to complain Greg was being mean.  "Who had this?"

"Greg!  Master Tim gave it to him."

"No wonder he's so tough," he said, liking that.  "I'll have to try some."  He printed off the report for Nick, watching him stomp off trying to ignore the hard-on he had.   He read up on some of the spices.  The side effects were manageable since he didn't go into the field.  He was near the bathroom so it'd be okay.  When Greg came back, he leaned out of his lab.  "Can I have some of Master Tim's jerky?"

"You sure?"

"Nick had me analyze it and I've seen the recipe online, Sanders."  Greg handed over the bag.  "Thanks."  He nibbled a piece and sipped some water.  It wasn't too bad.  When he came back he got another piece for later with a smile.  "Tell him good job and thank him for me."

"Sure."  He smiled and walked off nibbling his own piece.  Xander had done a good thing.

***

Xander snuggled into Horatio's arms, looking up at him.  "Greg's safely back and he fed Warrrick some of my jerky for sending that text message."  Horatio gave him a look.  "It's all right."

"I'm sure it is."  He kissed him.  "I should take all the mean and dirty thoughts out of your mind, Xander."

"You can try but you do give me some dirty, nasty thoughts," he purred, kissing him and playing with his chest hair.  Horatio pinned him under him and went to work driving him insane with desire so he'd have to beg.  It was a great night!

Table of Contents

The Flip Side of Miami. 2

Homecomings. 70

The Wild Life. 189

A Charmed Life. 362