Contents

Greedy Hedonistic Sluts Society

Why Me!?!

Finalizing The Details.

New Locations to Play in.

Fixing the Inner Workings.

Teaching Wild Children New Lessons.

Calm New Friends.

Finding Him, Fixing Them.

Setting Up House.

Home Again.

The Problem With Being Rich.

Shopping!

Toys for the Puppy and the Human.

New Hobbies and Recuperation.

Stepping Back Into Reality.

Escaping to do Spoiling-Type Things.

Fixing the Itches.

Changes Going On

A Slight Change of the Plan.

Paybacks Are A Bitch

For The Good of All, One Must Suffer

The Waiting Game

Getting the Details Settled

Hangin' With The Furries

That's Who I Want To Be When I Grow Up.

You Don't Touch What's Mine!

Heads A'Talkin'

Bitchslaps to the Insane

GHS Corrupting the World!

Greedy Hedonistic Sluts Society

Xander looked around at his apartment, frowning. He twitched a throw pillow into it's usual spot and grinned at the perfection that had been reached again. He headed for his kitchen, pulling out the carton of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, New York Super Fudge Chunk, and a spoon, heading back to his couch. He took the first bite, moaning as the rich chocolate exploded across his taste buds, taking him back to when he'd been just plain old Xander Harris, normal guy and chocolate was the only pleasure he'd known.

***

Xander looked around Giles' apartment in confusion. Hadn't the former Watcher told them to show up tonight? He checked his watch again, then shrugged, sitting on the couch, picking up a magazine, one of Buffy's - he didn't think Giles or Willow read Cosmo - and flipped to the quiz section. "Are you a hedonist or a painful pleasure person?" he read quietly, picking up a pencil to do the thing.

He looked at the end of the quiz, checking his score for the third time in the last few seconds. "Really? Gee, that sucks."

"What does?" Willow asked as she wandered in, big smile on her face. "Hey, she was wondering where that was." She looked over his shoulder, reading the results and the number he'd written down. "You are a hedonist. You live for pleasure, for the thrill that the sensations of pleasure brings you. Soft clothes, long bathes, sensuous thrills in every part of your life," she read.

He looked at the head resting on his shoulder. "But I'm not. Right?"

"No," she said, sitting on the back of the couch. "You are. They're right about that much, you're just not realizing here." She took the magazine, flipping a few pages back to the clothes. "See, these are for other people." She showed him the couture line of stiff looking tweedy clothes, suits very much like Giles would be wearing if he was their age. She flipped a few more pages to the line of sweaters and soft silk clothes. "These are what you'd pick if you had the money." His eyes only showed confusion as he looked up at her. "You would, trust me on this. You just don't know yourself that well yet." She shrugged, handing him back the magazine and sliding down onto the pillows. "We all have some hedonistic tendencies, we wouldn't have ...sex if we didn't." He nodded for her to go on. "Some of us just have more tendencies than others. We crave the soft clothes, the silky fabrics, the easy life of pleasure."

"That's a teen myth," Oz said as he walked in, tucking his t-shirt in tighter. "No one has that life."

"But they do," Giles told him. "Some people do live the hedonistic ideal." He patted Xander's shoulder. "I've often wondered when you were going to find yourself longing for it." He looked down at the magazine and snorted. "I see that soft-porn is good for something after all." He took it, tossing it in a nearby trashcan. "Now then, I do believe we had a birthday party to plan?"

***

Xander looked at himself in the mirror in his basement later that night, turning around to check himself out. He still couldn't see what they saw but maybe it was worth a try to look for it. "It's not like I'm doing *so* much of anything else," he muttered, going back to his bed. He laid down on the new sheets, which Willow had sent to him from her own private stash of good sheets, admiring their fuzziness by running a hand over them. He closed his eyes, just letting his hand feel for him, letting his bare skin enjoy this new sensation. He shivered as his cock brushed against the flannel, rolling onto his side to stretch and move across the fabric, wiggling this way and that to get the most effect. He started as someone cleared their throat from the stairs, looking at Oz as he walked in. "Sorry, just testing the theory."

"Then you're doing it wrong." He tossed over a ring with small pieces of fabric. "Rub those across your body, see how they feel," he said, moving closer. "She sent me over to help you figure this out."

Xander selected one based on the color, rubbing it across his cheek, almost purring as the cashmere slid across his skin. He switched to a piece of dark blue silk, running the cool length down his neck and across his shoulders. He was panting as he switched to satin, but it didn't feel as good as the silk so he switched back, rubbing it across his chest, his hard nipples, his stomach.

"Just feel it," Oz whispered, sitting beside him on the bed and taking a long scarf out of his pants pocket, running it across the tense body, helping him. He saw the small shudders of pleasure, the silent begging in the dark eyes, and took the hand that reached up to him. "Just let go and flow with the feelings."

The younger man nodded, sinking back into the bed, taking the scarf and playing it across himself now, letting the fringes on the small sides tease his cock as the silk rubbed against his nipples. Letting the silk flow across his lips as he smelled it. He started as he felt the silk encased fingers surround his aching cock, not sure if it was his hand or not anymore but it didn't matter. It worked him hard but slow, oh so slowly, making his eyes roll back in his head, making his throat close when all he wanted to do was scream with the pleasure of it. When he got off, it was the most spectacular orgasm in his life. No one, not any of the women he'd touched in his short life, had ever made him feel like that.

That special.

That sexy.

That great.

Xander opened his eyes and found himself alone with the fabric swatches and the scarf, and a note that was on the other pillow on his bed. He opened it, smiling sleepily at the note from Willow and Oz telling him to go back on his road trip, they'd understand and support him on it.

"Yeah, I can do that," he whispered, curling up with the scarf. "But I'm going to steal something of your's first, my dears, just to check out another theory." He closed his eyes, giving into the lassitude of his body.

***

Xander straightened his cashmere sweater as he sat on his plush leather sofa, licking the back of his ice cream spoon. "They were right," he told the scarf on his table, the same one Oz had given him a year ago. "So very right." He smiled, nibbling on a large chunk of chocolate, staring off into space as he remembered his life back then, just one short year earlier.

***

Xander smiled guiltily at Willow, his car packed behind him. "I, um, you were right," he managed. "But I need to ask a favor. I need your charm. That wasn't..." She took it off, handing it to him with a smile. "I won't hurt it," he promised, kissing her cheek and running back to his car. He slid behind the wheel, pulling away before he could change his mind.

After all, a retightening charm had to be a precious thing when one had a lover like Oz.

***

Xander tipped the bartender, looking around at the mixed club. It was an upscale place, a small oasis of peace in New York. And it had both demons and humans. He could even see a few vamps snacking in a corner, but he wasn't scared. He'd been invited. He sipped his glass of red wine slowly, glancing around to see if anyone was coming up to him. That's why he jumped when the voice came from behind him.

"Relax, you're not going to be eaten. Not unless you want it," was whispered.

He turned around, seeing the seemingly human man smiling at him, looking over his dark blue turtleneck and softly draped pants, his fair skin, his black hair and sparking green eyes. "Okay." He held out a hand. "Xander..."

"Harris. I know. I invited you. Come up to my office, kid." He waved toward a staircase, walking him up it. He opened the door to a lush office, letting him inside. "A friend of yours contacted a few friends of mine and asked me to keep an eye out for you. Devi," he said, shaking his hand.

"Okay." Xander finished his glass, sitting across the desk from him. "Which friend?"

"I don't know, all I know is that I'm supposed to be looking out for you and if you showed up here to maybe give you a few pointers." He smiled gently. "Just finding yourself?" The young man nodded. "So, which side of the fence do you like?" He saw the confusion. "Ah, really just finding yourself." He looked over the well worn clothes, seeing the softness imprinted into them from much wear. "How would you like a small job?"

"Doing?"

"I run a stable of people." He looked at the window and snapped, forming a small window across it. "I want you to join."

"Whoa. Not human?"

"Is that a problem for you?" he asked quietly.

"Only if you're going to do something horrible to me."

"Not all of us are like that."

"They are where I'm from."

"The Hellmouth attracts the ones like that. The rest of us don't go there because we don't want to be around them." The human nodded. "Good, so we over that?" The human nodded again. "Okay, back to business then. I run a stable of people."

"Like to ride?"

Devi laughed, a deep, rich sound. "Yeah, exactly like that." He leaned closer with a small smile. "How would you like to figure out your sexuality and make a lot of money at the same time?" He saw the small blush. "I'm serious here, bottom price is fifteen hundred a job. You'd be protected, safe, in a clean environment. Almost every wish taken care of. You'd also have the right of refusal." He leaned back in his chair again. "I'd let you explore both men and women, though we don't get many of those around here, and your pleasure side. By the end of your contract you'd know all you needed to for when you went home and have made a tidy pile if I'm right about you attracting people like flies."

Xander cleared his throat. "I don't know what to say, I, um, never really thought about that." He looked at the little window again, seeing the happy people laughing. "Are they really that happy doing...that?"

Devi nodded slowly. "No one's there that doesn't want to be there. No drugs, no more than the occasional glass of wine with dinner, which is included in the fees that I take out of your money. You'd earn forty percent of whatever you draw in for clientele, ten percent of my sixty percent cut is actually your housing, clothing, and protection fees."

"And how long..." He looked at the window as some noise started to come through. "I, ah, think you're having a problem."

"Come up with me." He hurried out of the office, heading to an elevator discretely hidden at the end of the hallway.

Xander frowned at the demon tossing people around. He'd seen one before, recently even, so headed straight for the bottle marked holy water and the water pistol in front of it. He tested it against his hand, the one Devi had shaken, and saw the smoke rise so turned it on the demon, right on his face. "Out!" he yelled. "Or I'm giving you more." He hit him again, this time closer to his eye. The demon grumbled something and left, stomping out hard enough to shake the furniture. He dropped the water gun, going over to the first person on the floor, brushing his hair off his forehead to look at him. "Hey, you okay?" The young man nodded, sitting up slowly with his help.

"John, take these two to the hospital. I'll be there in a while," Devi ordered, motioning one of the guards that had just run in over. "I want to know what happened and why!" He watched Xander take care of his injured people and knew the man who had called him had told him the truth. When the injured were gone, he pulled the human into his office, sitting him down in a plush chair. "How'd you know?"

"Ran into one of those five weeks ago. My job was to irritate it with holy water. Doesn't do more than sting them but it's effective in keeping them from beating people too badly." Xander looked over his shoulder at the outer room. "That just made me real unsure."

"Hey, you have the right of refusal on who you see." Devi sipped his drink. "No one touches my kids without my permission and everyone here's real clean. The only thing we can't test for isn't transmittable to humans so you're fine." He shrugged, sipping some more. "I want you, to work," he hurried on at the worried look, "for six weeks. In that time, you'll be introduced to many beings, some human, some not quite human, and you'll learn every facet of your sexuality if you want. You'll be able to explore anything you want." He finished his drink, getting up to put the glass into the sink then turned to look at his perspective employee. "All you have to do is say yes, for six weeks."

"And I'll be protected?"

"From diseases and from unwanted people, yes. From your own head, no." The young man nodded slowly. "You've got to realize you'll be having sex for money, a lot of money but still for money, and that you'll have to deal with that on your own." The human nodded again. "So, is that a yes?"

Xander closed his eyes, thinking hard and fast. "Yeah, that's a yes," he said after a few moments of silence. He opened them to see his new boss smiling. "No trying to keep me?"

"Kid, I don't think you'd be able to do this full time for life." He shrugged, sitting down and pulling a contract out of his drawers. He handed it over. "Read and sign."

Xander did the bravest thing in his life, he signed, stepping onto the path of self-knowledge.

When it was all done, Devi stood up, going over to an intercom box on the wall. "John, come down here for a sec," he called, then walked back to his desk. He patted the young man on the shoulder. "We'll get you set up in a room upstairs. Where's your car keys?" The human looked up at him in alarm. "Kid, in this city, a car is a big sign saying ‘steal me and use me hard or tear me into little pieces'. We have a specially guarded parking garage and we'll put it in there." He squeezed the shoulder, letting go as the door opened. "John, good, you're up. We just had to send Lenny and Willie to the hospital because of a Jhazed demon and this is Xander. Xander, this is John, he'll be training you, and the other John will be your shift's protector." He helped the human up, handing him over. "Tell Bulbous nose out there to go move his car and you take over the shift. I'm going to go to be with the boys." He smiled at Xander. "Take good care of the newby, he's a GHS." With that the half-demon walked out.

John looked at the new kid, looking down his body slowly. "How new are you?" He saw the rampant blush so nodded. "Okay, I can do that." He nodded at the outside. "Come on, I'll put you in the spare room." He turned, his blond, waist-length braid brushing the top of his nearly naked rear as he walked. "How long you here for?"

"Six weeks," Xander said, locked on the braid's movements, making him run into the other man when he stopped. "Um, sorry," he said, backing up but found himself pressed against the wall, being kissed hard. "Wow," he breathed, when he could again, "is that normal?"

"Only for me." John led the young man onto the elevator, brushing his bare honey colored chest against his new co-worker's arm. "Residential section," he said, and the elevator moved.

Xander looked around what would be his room for the next six weeks, smiling at all the soft fabrics. "Gee, it looks like it was made for me."

"No, we get a lot of hedonists in here. The pleasure principle," he said at the confused look. "So, how new are you?" he asked, changing the topic but seeing the rampant blush from earlier start to show again. "No experience?"

"With women, a little," the young man admitted. "None of it real fulfilling." He looked around then down at himself. "I have something in my car I need," he started but the door opened to admit a big demon, no horns but a huge bulbous nose, carrying his bag. "Thanks," he said quietly, taking it and tossing it onto the bed to look inside for his scarf and the charm he'd borrowed off Willow.

"Whoa," John said, picking up the charm. "Where'd you get this? And do they have more?"

"One of my best friends lent it to me," Xander said, taking it back gently, "and I'm not real sure about that." He looked at it. "I was going to try that...this stuff while I was gone so I borrowed it from her." He set it back down on top of the scarf. "You don't have one?"

"No, those retightening charms are rare." John sat down beside him. "So, Xander, what's up with you? Your friend's a Wiccan, you're a hedonist - an inexperienced one but still one - and you carry around a charm to tighten your hole back up. What, exactly, are you doing here?"

"I'm finding myself," he said softly, "as far away from home as I can get." He looked up to see the understanding eyes. "I live near the Hellmouth, that's why that wasn't strange earlier."

"Ah, so you probably help the Slayer chick then, right?" The prostitute smile at the small nod. "Cool. Just remember, we aren't all like that."

"So Devi told me." He looked at him. "Gee, no horns," he noted. "We?"

"We. I'm quarter." He shrugged. "But no one here'll hold it against you that you're purely human." He waved at the closet. "In there's some cool clothes for you to wear when you work, in a few different sizes so something should fit." He looked down the fit body again. "I've got to go to work for a while, why don't you go take a shower or a bath and I'll be up later to show you more of the life you'll be living for the next six weeks." He stood up, tugging on the thin, see through pants he wore, settling them firmly on his hips. "Later, man. Just relax for right now." And he was gone.

Xander lay back on the bed, looking at the swirls of color on the ceiling, shrugging. "Okay, I can do this for six weeks." He got up, heading for the open bathroom door.

***

Xander sighed, putting down the empty carton of ice cream. It was lonely where he was now. He had cut back on his time with the gang since he'd been back, and many things had changed. Only Giles had figured out what he'd done and Oz knew where he was but none of them really knew where he went to when he left them and the problems of fighting behind. He shifted slightly, smirking as the plug he now wore almost constantly rubbed him pleasantly, reminding him of the rest that had changed since that first night almost a year ago.

***

John walked into Xander's bathroom, smiling at the man lounging in the tub. "Enjoying it?"

"Muchly." The human put down his book, looking up at the prostitute. "Busy night?"

"Nah, club closed because the demon you ran off went down there and kicked some people around. Two vamps stopped him." He shrugged. "I still got enough for the night." He saw the small confused look flit across the dark eyes so explained. "We make good money here. My forty percent is enough so that I could go live on Park Avenue in a penthouse and have more than enough to buy cool clothes and live properly. I just like it here now." He knelt beside the tub, bringing his braid around to tease the firm chest with it. "You need to do some toning exercises my friend. Most of our clients like the thin and well built but not overly muscular look." That got a small grin. "I see you've been there?"

"Until last year." Xander grabbed the end of the blond braid, teasing his neck with it. "This is kinda nice."

"Good, because I've got to give you your first cleaning soon. You'll have the late afternoons and evening shift, until around midnight, and I know Devi wants you to start sooner insteada later." He leaned over for another kiss. "So, how experienced are you?"

"Um, a finger," the human admitted quietly, looking down at his chest.

"Your own?" That got a small nod. "Cool, then you got *tons* yet to learn and enjoy." He pulled the young man up and out of the tub, turning him to lean on the padded edge of the sink. "Stay there. Let me get the nozzle attached to the shower." He pulled a hose out of a drawer in the vanity, attaching it to the spigot on the showerhead, then oiled it down before turning back to the new prostitute, who had watched him. "This is the easiest way. You get more pressure but it goes faster. Bend back down." He pushed the young man's back until he was bent over the padded surface, then kicked his feet apart so he had some access. "Deep breath," he said, working the slim hose in. When it was seated to his satisfaction, he reached behind him, turning on the shower and flipping the switch for the hose. He smiled at the small jump then nodded when the moans started. "Like that?"

"Very much," Xander moaned, shifting his feet to get a better purchase on the sink's surface. "Can I do this again?"

"Every time before you go to work and sometimes in between clients." He saw the small smile so reached behind him to flip the hose to off, and withdrew it with the warning, "Clamp those muscles in your pussy tightly so you don't lose any of it." He dropped the hose into the tub, helping the human up and onto the toilet, watching as he eliminated the water. "Good boy," he said, rubbing his small nails through the dark hair, scratching lightly at the human's scalp. For which he earned another moan and a small kiss to his stomach. "You like?"

"Oh, yeah. I like being touched. Lots." He looked up, licking his lips. "Can I do that again?"

"Which? The enema or the kiss?"

"Both."

"Sure." John let Xander's head go, turning to get the hose and found his student/co-worker bent over the sink again by the time he turned back, smiling and shaking his head at the eagerness of the young man. "Okay, in it goes again," he warned, sliding it in. "Clamp around it. Tighter," he said, teasing the hole with a finger. "Don't want to lose any of the feelings, right?" He saw the head shake so turned back on the spigot to the hose, watching as the young man writhed under the assault of it. "Too hot?" he guessed.

"No, good," Xander panted, wiggling to get the water pressure back where it had been hitting. "Very nice," he moaned as it hit that spot again, with a little help from the man he could see in the floor to ceiling mirror across the space. "So very nice."

"Better than chocolate?" John whispered, leaning down to kiss along the indentation of the man's spinal column. "Better than sex with a woman?"

"*So* better than a woman but nothing beats chocolate." He wiggled as he started to feel full. "Um..."

"Shh, just give it a sec more and I'll remove it." He ran a finger down to tease the open hole, seeing the shudders. "Good?"

"Yup. But no more water please." He clenched his muscles as the hose was withdrawn, hurrying to let it out. "Thanks. Liked that lots."

"Cool. Now take a shower and meet me on your bed." John walked out, taking the book with him for something to do. It was almost ten minutes later when the naked, wet, human walked out to get in beside him. "Oops, I'll get you some towels." He smiled as his braid was picked up by the man sitting next to him on the floor, watching as it was teased across his neck again. "I think you like that more than anyone."

"Feels nice," he explained, sitting up and doing it to the hair's owner. "See?" John nodded, sucking in his breath as the warm hand trailed down his chest, over his stomach flat palmed, then down to his erection. "Wow. Built nicely." That got Xander a small chuckle so he bent closer, looking at the cock he was playing with. "Okay?"

"Little harder," John panted, thrusting up now. "Or maybe your mouth?" He saw the raised eyebrow. "Just suck on the head like you would a nipple," he begged, sighing and coming almost immediately as the warm mouth surrounded him. "Thanks," he sighed, snuggling into the bed. "Very good for a virgin."

"Thanks, but I wanted to explore." John chuckled sleepily. "You rest, man, I'm going to get dressed and explore."

"If you go downstairs, expect to be put to work," he mumbled. "Devi's not back yet."

"Oh. Okay." Xander stood up, heading for the large armoire, gasping as he threw open the doors. He touched the soft material that lived in there, looking at the range of colors, pulling out a lilac pair of what looked like pajama bottoms to hold against his body. He shivered as the soft fabric touched him but they were too short so he pulled out a pair of black ones, noting their silk material. Those fit him so he pulled them on and the loose butt-length jacket he found in there, tying it but leaving the lapels gaping some. He turned to find John asleep and smiled, walking over to take his stuff off the bed and cover him with the throw folded across the bottom.

Xander wandered out of his room, smiling at the guard in the hall as he shut his door. "Is Devi back yet?" he asked quietly. The guard, the one with the nose, nodded so he headed for the elevator. "Down please," he said, then gripped the handrail as it went down quickly. "Whoa, good boy," he said, patting a wall.

Devi was laughing as the door opened and he walked out. "Yeah, magic-enhanced elevators can be a little fast." He looked over his newest underling, whistling. "You cleaned up really nicely." He touched the edge of an open lapel, seeing the small shiver. "Like that huh?"

"Oh, yeah. Found out a few other things that I like too." He unconsciously licked his lips. "John's upstairs taking a small nap." He grinned. "So boss, now what?"

"Now, my boy," he saw the small frown. "Trust me, to someone my age, you're all kids. Even some of the vamps that come here are kids." That got a small smile. "Come to my office and talk to me. The club's closed and no one gets up here unless it's open." His mouth opened to say something more as the outer door opened, admitting a dark haired man that *stalked* across the room.

"He's mine," he said with the slightest hint of British accent, frowning at the pimp. "I'll teach him."

"And you are?" Xander asked, looking him over. "Besides really yummy." That got him a small, sexy little smile.

"I'm to be your teacher." He held out a hand. "Adam."

"Xander," he said slowly, looking him over, seeing the body beneath the bulky sweater and jeans. "Um, I'm kinda new..." He looked at Devi, who waved him on. "You sure? I'm talking real new."

"Fine. Go wait on a sofa for me." Adam waited until they were alone to turn to Devi. "You're sure?"

"Hey, he's one of yours. Want to see the film of him and John? And he's a pure hedonist. Not here for the money, only the pleasure." He shrugged. "You know the fees, Methos, you prepared to take the newby on?"

"Yes," he sighed, running a hand down his stomach and into his pocket, "more than prepared. Three days?" Devi nodded, taking the money and quickly counting it. He waved him toward the sitting area. "How bad of one of us is he?"

"Honey, he's made to be a GHS." That made the man smile. "See, I told you, one of yours. He brought *John* off in under a minute of sucking him and enjoyed it. He *loved* his first enema enough to beg for a second. He's a pure hedonist. Have fun with him, oh Master of the Local Chapter."

Adam/Methos smiled walking over to where the young man was nervously fidgeting on one of the couches. "Relax," he said softly, leaning over his shoulder, hands on them to massage lightly. "I'm here to teach you all about what you like." He noted the shiver in response to his voice and the ones for what his hands were doing, so took them off. "Come, to bed with you." He held out a hand, watching the young man get up and walk in front of him, but not leading him. His self-confidence could use some work but Devi had been right, this boy was a Greedy Hedonist Slut, he should know, he was the President of the American branch of the GHS Society.

He closed the door behind them, turning down the lighting to resemble candlelight, watching the young man fiddle with the tie to his jacket. "Take it off. I want to look at you," he said quietly, locking the door behind his back He stalked over to the bed, running a hand down the bare chest, seeing the dark eyes close slowly as his fingers sparked tingles within the demanding flesh. He picked up the soft hand, looking at the lack of calluses. "What do you do at home?"

"No...nothing," he stuttered, unable to catch his breath because of what the fingers were doing to his chest. "I didn't start college so I'm doing menial labor." He grinned as his hand was picked up again, then the palm was licked. "Oh, like that," he said, pressing his hand into the teeth nibbling on it. He opened his eyes as the nice feeling things stopped. "What's wrong?" he asked, rubbing his wet hand over the side of the older man's face, gently soothing him for whatever harm he'd done. "I'm sorry, whatever it was," he said quietly.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong. A little too right actually." Adam pushed the young man back onto the bed, smirking down at him. "How much experience have you had?"

"With a woman? Um, four girlfriends in total. With a guy? Me." He blushed slightly, looking down at his spread out chest.

"No, don't be sorry, you're a natural, that's why I'm here." He lay down beside the young man, running a gentle hand down his chest and stomach. "Tell me about yourself."

"I'm really energetic, and curious. I do some fighting stuff at home but nothing big, major, or heavy." That earned him a small smile. "I'm a dreamer, at times it seems like I really need a keeper to settle me down." He arched up into the finger tracing his ribs. "Oh, need to be touched but I never get it. All my girlfriends have been ‘only me' people who didn't believe in reciprocation unless it was in a sixty-nine thing." He moaned as the finger moved to his nipple. "Oh, like that lots. This was a really good decision."

"And what about when your contract's up?"

"In six weeks, I'll go home and I'll learn to live with who I am there." He turned his head, looking at the deep eyes of the man next to him. "I'm needed back there, if for nothing else than a tension breaker. I promised them I would come back and I will."

"Then what?"

"Then I'll start my new life, let them get used to me or do the whole double identity thing if I absolutely have to, and I'll be happy with myself one way or another."

"And if wherever that is doesn't have what you need?" Adam whispered.

"Then I'll go to LA, or move closer to LA actually. Like I said, I'm needed." He purred under the skilled hand. "So, what are you teaching me first, Adam?"

"First, I want to test your natural skills," he whispered, leaning down to kiss him, hard, possessing, and marveling as the younger man kept up with him. "Very good, let's try again, shall we?" He leaned in for another kiss, slowly exploring the mouth under his, making it last as long as he could, wanting the young prostitute to beg him for more afterwards.

Xander shocked him though, rolling on top of the older man's body, taking control of the kiss, giving him the best that he could, bringing the strong arms up around him to hold him down. "Like this more," he whispered before going back in for another one, groaning as he was squeezed to his teacher's body. Adam pulled back first so he looked down into the bewitching green eyes. "Hi," he said softly, leaning down for another kiss, finding himself on his back and his pants suddenly pulled off by the older man. "Huh?"

"I wanted to look at all of you," he said, running a finger under the waistband of the matching silk boxers. "My, you wear a lot of clothes." Xander silently nodded, watching his eyes. "Would you like to be wearing less?" He nodded again, harder. "Then strip them off for me, Xander," he whispered, removing his finger and leaning down to watch the younger man as he got up to pleasure him visually.

Xander slid his fingers down the ties holding the waistband closed before pulling them, enjoying the fabric touching him. He let the strings go, pulling his hands up to his stomach so he could slip his fingers under the band, lowering it ever so slowly to the ground so he could step out of them, and stood there to let himself be watched.

"Very nice," Adam purred. "Now touch yourself." That got an embarrassed blush. "Please? Show me what you like," he whispered, getting up to pull him closer so he could nibble on a usually tender spot on any man's chest. The young man sighed in his arms, going limp, making him smile. "Ah, I see you like that." He looked up to see the frantic nodding. "Then show me what else you like."

Xander stepped back, rubbing up his neck, teasing his pulse points with the fingers he held out to get licked, drawing the damp skin down with a slight drag. He worked his way back down to his shoulders, teasing along the edges of his collarbone.

"Stop," Adam said, catching his hands. "You don't know how to do this, do you?" The young man shook his head. "Then I'll show you. It would be my pleasure." He smiled sexily. "And yours I'd hope."

"Yup," Xander said, straddling his lap to kiss him again. "But can we go back to this for a second?"

"No, in this job, your client's needs must always come first," he reminded the prostitute. "In six weeks, your needs can come first." The young man started to pout and he rolled them over so he was laying on top of the young man with the firm legs wrapped around his waist now. "No, this is your chosen path and you're going to have to accept it for a while." He saw the small nod. "Now then, we need to teach you how to pleasure yourself and another, the most basic of skills." He climbed off the young man, looking down at him. "Touch your neck again, lightly drag your fingers across your flesh." He smiled as the young man moaned as he followed the instructions. "You're a hedonist," he murmured, leaning down, "enjoy this pleasure, this is your natural habitat, young one." He watched the hand move down to tease the indent in his throat, watching as the other hand came up to play across the imaginary line between the taut nipples. "Very good," Adam praised. "Now touch one of them."

The young man crossed his arms to tug and pinch his nipples, making them harder, making them tender, arching up into the sensations the quiet voice and his hands were giving him. "Now go lower," that slightly accented voice said, making him shiver at it. He moved his hands down, teasing his ribs, playing with the outlines of the bones before moving down to tease his stomach. "Good," was purred in his ear, followed by a small lick. "Now do more, tease yourself, boy."

"Have a name," Xander panted, spreading his legs to play with the inside of his thighs with his nails, scratching lightly at the sensitive flesh. "Oh, more?"

"Yes, do more, Xander," Adam whispered, moving to kiss him as the first finger traced along the head of his cock. "Like that?" he asked, watching him work himself. "Very nice so far."

"Yup," Xander said, arching up into the sensations, starting to stroke himself now. "Need....want," he panted. "Please?"

"Yes, Xander, you may bring yourself off." He watched as the young man came on the strength of his voice alone. "Very nice," Adam purred, kissing him hard. "Now turn those skills on me." He relaxed into the pillows after taking off his sweater, smiling gently at the hesitant touches. "I'm not fragile. I like touches as much as you do. We're much the same," he murmured, pulling the hand up to lick it, placing it back on his nipple. "I can't stand that much foreplay though."

Xander grinned up at him, undoing the older man's jeans and getting up to tug them off him, resting across his thighs to look up the firm body. He grabbed some oil off the bedside table, spreading it on his hands as he went to work massaging the firm flesh. "Okay?" he asked at the first moan.

"Very good, boy, but do more. I'm more than ready for this teasing to end." His voice went up on the last word as one damp finger traced around the muscles in his stomach then down through his pubic hair. He watched the dark head go down to taste him, wondering what was going through the boy's mind, but not caring as the nearly talented tongue ran around him. His eyes rolled back in his head as the inexperienced mouth took him in as deeply as it could, putting firm suction on his cock as the young man figured it out. Adam sighed as the talented mouth tried to go deeper, tried to swallow him, but didn't succeed, so he thrust up lightly. "Just relax your gag reflex and take it in," he whispered. "Just let it happen and swallow."

Xander did as he was told, swallowing when the cock head hit the back of his throat, and internally cheered as it went lower. He worked his way down farther, pulling back to breathe ever few seconds, then tried to take more of this man in. By the time he was done, he had gotten him all the way down, a strange but good feeling that he kept going back to, using his tongue to tease the length how he used to like Cordy to do him.

Adam's small cry made him happy but the first spurt of cum made him very intrigued so he pulled back to taste it, licking over the head as it shot off over his tongue, holding it in his mouth for a few seconds to see if he could taste the difference between this man's and John's. When no more little flows of liquid came out, he went back to his task of licking, moaning as he was pulled up.

"Too much, too soon," Adam told him, curling up around the firm body. "Just give me a few minutes and I'll gladly let you do that again." He smiled at the pleased smile he was given. "Devi was right, you are one of us."

"Us?"

"You don't know?"

"No. Who's us?"

Adam sat up to look down at the young man. "I'm the President of the American Society of Greedy Hedonistic Sluts and I think you're one of us." The deep brown eyes opened in shock but he couldn't tell if it was a pleased or angered reaction. "Well?" he asked after a few seconds of silence.

"I admit to being a hedonist and maybe even a slut, but not greedy," Xander said, pulling the older man back down. "Money's nice but I don't need more than I need to live on comfortably." He rested his head on the firm chest, listening the heartbeat. "Am I really one of you?" he whispered after a few minutes of thought. He felt the nod through the tense muscles. "Okay," he decided. "I think I can live with that title." He looked up to grin. "Can I try again?"

Adam simply waved at his body, letting the prostitute learn what would be his trade for the next six weeks.

***

The seemingly human pimp waved Xander into his office, bringing a box out of his desk. "Sit, kid, got to let you in on something." He patted the well worn wood gently. "We have a way here that's a little different. You know that there are all types of demons?" Xander nodded slowly, getting comfortable in his wine colored pants on the satin covered chair. "Well, we feed a certain type here that needs sperm to live." He smiled at the disgusted look. "It's not that bad, really kid. See, we have this little portal that you put in. When your client shoots off, it sucks it up and uses it for food."

"No nibbling on my tender insides?" Devi shook his head. "So it's safe and everything?"

"Yes, very safe. It needs to be fed at least twice a day but I'm thinkin' you won't have that problem." He handed over the box. "Pick one. We'll put him in before Adam comes to break that last barrier for you tonight."

Xander leaned over, looking at the little swirly-looking round things. "Um, the blue one," he said, pointing. He got a nod so looked around. "Here?"

"Yes, close the door and come over here."

Xander got up, closing the door and pulling the drapes. He nervously played with the ties on his pants as he undid them, letting them drop around his ankles. "How?" The desk's top was patted so he leaned over it like he would the sink, closing his eyes as the rough finger entered him. "Do I do this normally?"

"Yeah, I'll give you the box in a few minutes. You've got to be stretched first," he told him, spraying something from a bottle onto his fingers. "This is the only lube you can use with these portals, the rest is toxic." He slid the finger back in, noting the small shudder. "What's wrong? I'm sure Adam did this to you last night."

"Yeah, he did, but you're like the third person in there and your fingers feel funny." That made his temporary boss laugh. "Glad you think it's funny."

"No, just that you're sensitive enough to have felt the calluses." Devi switched to two fingers. "How far'd he get you?"

"Um, barely two. Said he couldn't get anymore in without starting me off again," Xander shrugged, "whatever that meant." He yelped as he felt the small spark of pleasure. "What was *that*?"

"Your prostate, kid, relax. Got to go up to three to get it in and you can't work without it in there." He pushed a third finger in there, grunting at the tightness. "Relax, kid, or this'll hurt. These portals have firm edges." He withdrew his fingers, picking up the portal, as the door was knocked on. "What?" he yelled.

Adam walked in, smiling at them, especially his student. "Ah, the portal. Would you like me to do that?" Devi shook his head, folding it like a diaphragm and sliding it into the still tight hole. He watched the young prostitute's face as it went from disgust to intense pleasure, watching his lower body wiggle as the thing worked it's way back into him. "Done?" he asked, helping him up. "No, don't bother getting dressed, you need to learn the value of your body anyway." He held out a hand. "Shall we?"

Xander grinned at him, stepping out of his pants. "Sure," he said, taking the hand. He ignored the looks from the other people in the main sitting area as he followed Adam back to the room they'd been using, closing and locking the door behind themselves. "What are we going to do tonight?" he asked, walking up to him and kissing him lightly, rubbing his hands up under the bulky sweater. He squeaked as he was tossed onto the bed, the older man following him down, nipping at his back. "Ohh," he shivered. "Yes."

Adam laughed lightly. "Our last night, my pet. Starting tomorrow, you'll be working to earn your keep." He licked down the showing spinal column. "Then I'll see you in six weeks, on your last night, to see how you've done." He picked up the special bottle of lube, spraying some out on his fingers and sliding the first one in.

"No foreplay?" the young man whined, turning his head to see the small smile. "Okay, but I'm not *that* easy. I'll need at least a hug later." Adam shook his head, rolling his eyes. "Think I'm kidding? Everyone should have at least a cuddle when their cherry's popped."

Adam looked down at the young man. "Well, I do have you for the *whole* night so I suppose I could indulge you this time." He slicked himself up with the damp fingers and slid the head into the prepared opening, watching the young man gasp and his eyes close. "Yes?"

"More," Xander begged, pushing back against the older man, forcing more of the good feeling cock into his hole. He ended up on his knees, riding him slowly as he got accustomed to it. "Yes, please, more?" he panted, begging, head down, eyes closed as he enjoyed this.

The older man's mouth fell open as he started a harder rhythm. "You are a natural," he whispered, pounding into the willing body a few times. He waited out the orgasm, sliding slowly in and out to let him come down from the high, then started again at the small sigh, picking up the pace and the depth, grabbing the firm hips to ride him harder, get deeper into his willing body. The young man babbled for him, relaxing totally under his fingers, and that was the end of it for him. Adam hadn't seen anyone give in to him like that in ages and his body appreciated it enough to feed the portal.

They lay there panting, curled around each other, smiling at the other. "Slut," they said together, looking down at the hardening cocks they were both sprouting.

"Very happy one here," Xander said, kissing him. "Thank you for helping me learn this stuff," he said against the nice lips, nipping them. "Want more though."

Adam laughed, pulling him down on top of him. "Some of us still need time to recover."

***

Xander smiled in fond remembrance of those three days with Adam, and the many visits they'd shared since then, both while he worked for Devi and since then, his mind switching to show him pictures of the other times he had had while working at the brothel.

Not all of it was good but all of it was a learning experience. Even the bad ones.

***

Devi smiled at newest worker as he walked off the elevator. "Come on, we have to go entertain bids for your first night working," the pimp/demon said, waving the human toward the office. Xander blushed slightly but walked the way he was told, sitting across from the desk. "You ready for this, kid?"

"Yeah," Xander said slowly, "I'm just feeling a little unsure."

"You can always back out now," Devi offered. "Last time I'll offer the out from your contract." The human teen looked up at him and shook his head but his eyes showed that he knew things would never be the same after that night. "You sure?" Xander nodded again. "Okay, then we're going to entertain offers for your first service. Would you rather have a human one first?"

"If it would be okay, yeah, please. I'm still not too sure about demons not all being totally bad." Devi frowned. "Hey, our past shapes how we see things and I've been staking vamps for a few years now."

"Good point, kid." Devi leaned back. "Come here." The kid got up, coming over to stand in front of him. "Kid, there are plenty of demons that won't make you hurt them. Remember that and you'll be okay." The teen nodded, looking down. "Do you think I'm going to harm you?" he asked quietly.

"No, but ..."

"I'm the exception rather than the rule." Xander looked up and nodded. "Hey, I can see that. So let's solve your problem." He waved down his body. "Show me what you know."

"I thought..."

"Oh, this isn't more than oral pleasures. I'm not letting your first time go to waste." He touched the charm and smiled. "Where'd you get one of these?"

"It's my best friend's. She gave it to me, for luck." He grinned, leaning down to kiss the half-demon, doing what Adam had taught him about drawing others into his desires. He started to step back but was pulled down to do it again, this time allowing his boss to be the dominant one, taking his role in life for the next six weeks. When he was released, Xander smiled at him. "Okay?"

"Very, but now you still have to prove to yourself that I'm more like John than I am like what you're used to." Devi waved down at his lap. "Just make it quick kid. I have bidders coming in to offer for you in ten minutes."

Xander briefly considered his options then went to his knees, unfastening the pants and opening them so he could get at what he needed to. He pushed his own feelings back, letting his innate nature come forward. Everything he had discovered over the last three days came forward now, showing him that this was right, even if it did squick him some because it was his boss. "Are you using some sort of illusion," he asked quietly before bending to his task.

"Yes, but don't worry about it."

"Wouldn't that defeat the purpose?" Xander asked, looking up. Devi considered then smiled and touched the earing he wore. Now he was light gray-purple, his skin the softest of scales. The demon also was much larger, in all areas. "Are all of you built like this?" he asked, stroking a finger along the hard length.

"Usually. Some of us are built larger than others though," Devi said, his deep voice not changing any. He watched his new worker take a hesitant lick then slowly work his way down him, eyes closed. "No, watch what you're doing."

"I can't do that," Xander mumbled, coming off his boss fully. "It skews my mind."

"Don't you watch when you go down on a woman?" The teen shook his head. "Okay then. Go back to what you were doing, it was all right."

Xander grinned at him, then moved to swallow the half-demon again. He let his mind go, letting himself flow with the action. When the door opened he didn't even hear it or notice the two men now in the room with them.

"Ah, trying out the merchandise? Or are you just giving us a preview?" the first man, clearly a vampire, said. He rubbed over his pale skin, watching him. "He seems to be happy doing that."

"Oh, he is," Devi said with a smile, holding Xander's head down. "He's GHS." The vampire looked impressed. "Broken in by the National Head." The other man, who had taken off his cloak to show himself as almost human, just the addition of shoulder ridge. He looked over the desk, watching the human go at it. "He's only here for six weeks, but this is his first official night of work."

"Hmm, six?" the vampire said, pulling out his wallet.

"Grand maybe." Devi pushed up into his worker's mouth, smiling. "He's well trained. Was a natural when he came in as a virgin three days ago." He felt the small blush around his cock so stroked through the dark hair. "Only one other person in there."

"Eight," the other man said, glaring at the vampire. "You shouldn't have him at all."

"Boys, no fighting in here, this is a neutral zone," Devi reminded them coldly. "And he's fully human. Neither of those figures was good enough." He smiled as another man walked. "Ah, Preston," he told the lithe human. "First nighter. Virgin until last night." He grunted, tugging on the hair as the mouth on him sped up some. "Slow down, kid, it was good." Xander looked up, blinking at him. "Stand up, let them see you." He helped Xander to his feet, turning him and holding him still. "These are my three best bettors. Preston is the man in the gray cashmere. Riasu is the other man, and Blair is the vampire." The teen nodded at them.

"Hmm," Riasu said, considering the flesh before him. "Sixteen? Can't go much higher though."

The vampire waved. "I know about him, have seen his picture. I withdraw from this discussion." He smiled at the prostitute. "Nothing that happens here will ever make it back to the brethren there," he assured, putting back on his hat and wandering out to where the other men were sitting around talking.

Devi looked at Preston, subtly rubbing over the kid's stomach. "So? You want or not?"

"Oh, I want." He watched the young man lean into the warm hand on his flesh and shrugged. "I'll beat whatever Riasu offers. He seems to be worth it."

"Oh, he is," Devi assured him. "He was trained by the National Head of the GHS. Totally innocent before Adam got to him, but with a great natural gift." Preston nodded his blonde hair. "You sure?"

"I'm sure. What was his asking?"

"Um, closer to fifteen."

"Wow," Xander said slowly. "Fifteen hundred?"

"Thousand," Devi told him, patting the tense arm. "First timers are always more expensive." He looked back at Preston. "He's only up to normal things but he's very good at them all."

Preston shrugged, pulling out an envelope to toss over. "Hold that for me." He picked up Xander's hand, stroking over the palm, watching the dark eyes dilate. "GHS?" he asked.

"Yup," Xander said quietly, stepping closer to him. "So I'm yours?"

"For the next few hours." Preston looked the firm body over. "Ready?"

"Got the portal in?" Devi translated.

"Yes, to both questions," Xander said, taking that first all important step toward his first client.

Devi watched them go with a small smile, counting the money.

Xander closed the door behind himself, leaning against it. "What would you like?"

"Strip and get on the bed," Preston said, watching him do it. He watched as the young man seemed to enjoy the feeling of the silk pants coming off him, then watched him as he walked over to the bed. "Fighter?" he asked, taking off his own shirt.

"Yeah, sometimes." Xander stood back up, helping him. "Here, this is all part of the job."

Preston caught his hand, squeezing it gently. "Don't. It's not necessary. We have two hours and I intend to see just how well trained you are, but I don't need someone to take care of me."

"Okay." Xander went back to laying on the bed, stretched out just right to show himself off in the dim light. He watched the scarred chest as it was uncovered in interest. "Talking?"

"If you'd like."

"Well, I'm a talker by nature but if I start then I'll start to ramble."

"Because you're nervous," Preston finished. He finished stripping quickly and moved to sit on the bed too. "Let's start with what you were doing for your boss."

"He was just testing me," Xander said, leaning down to lick over the engorged head of the human looking, if big, cock. He pulled back, licking his lips. "Cinnamon?"

"Don't worry about it, just hurry up."

Xander swallowed the cock, working him as well as he could but following the order to do it quickly. By the time he was all the way down, he could feel the small pulse under the thin skin, telling him it was almost time. He sucked gently, coming back up to use his tongue. He went back down, eyes closed now as he got back into his rhythm, doing as well as he could. He felt the small pulses so swallowed, coming back up after they were all done, licking the little traces remaining off. "How was that?" he asked.

"You need to not ask that question," Preston said, patting the side of the teen's face. "You're supposed to be confidant in your ability to please your customers." He looked down the hard body, noticing how ready he was. "Give me a few minutes to recover and I'll gladly finish breaking you in."

***

Xander shivered. He knew who and what Preston was now and it still bothered him that his first client had been a sorcerer, an evil one. He checked his watch then smiled slowly. It was just about an hour before his massage session started and he needed to put himself into the right state of mind to allow her to work on him.

Of course, many of his experiences had just been strange.

***

It was about the end of his first week working for Devi when he got his summons into the office. "What's up? Am I doing bad?"

Devi shook his head, waving at the chair. "Kid, you've made me more money this week than John did his first one, and he started a bidding war." He leaned back, smiling. "No, we have a special case coming in and I'd like to see what you think about handling it." The prostitute nodded, relaxing. "See, there are some demons that are ... extremely large. Now I know that your charm would help you with that, but this would be an all nighter for you. This particular type of demon needs some extra preparation and you're still real new to this."

"So, what's up with it?"

"It's about as big around as a can of soda, soft." Xander winced. "Yeah, that's why we're talking. Your charm would make you able to work sooner, but I'd still give you a day off."

Xander cleared his throat. "How do you take in something like that?"

Devi smiled. "Well, John likes to be fisted first, but most everyone else just lets their entourage work them up to it. See, this type has a group of five to seven helpers with it. It's not big, but it's very strong and it gathers those that it needs around them to help it do things so the main demon doesn't have to exert itself."

"Like Queen Bees?"

"Yes, very much like that, and since it gathers all sorts of demons, they range in size. Most of the normal pros in the world let these other demons work them slowly up to accepting their boss."

"Would it be a special case or a normal event?"

"A special case, and one other thing you need to know. If you accept this, then you can't back out. Once they've focused on you, they can't refocus on another person until they've finished."

"So even if I can't, I'm stuck?" Devi nodded. "Um, do you have a way for me to observe maybe? Some other source of information?" The pimp laughed, tossing over a tape. "It's not tonight?"

"No, they always have to give us advanced warning so we can prepare a special room for them. Also to take their form of payment."

"Not cash?"

"No, they're Earth demons, live underground and tunnel. They usually bring in jewels instead. But they also pay sizable fees so you'd make a tidy sum to go home with just from them."

"I'm not doing this for the money," Xander reminded him. "What's the catch?"

"If it likes you, they've been known to try and take the pros back with them. We'd keep you safe of course, the other reason you'd get the next day off, but you'd be confined to your room as a precaution. Usually that's an isolated incident, the main demon, a Sarthna demon, has to feel connected to the person it has under them and that usually means just him." The pro winced. "Yeah, well, there are people who would enjoy that."

"Um, what about the other stuff?"

"This one has seven helpers, we've had this Sarthna demon in here before, and he's usually very gentle. Usually it's safe to assume he will be but it's been a while."

"So I could get roughed up some?"

"Yeah, a little. They won't intentionally hit you or anything but there's always the possibility of being hurt with their kind."

"Who would get it if I decide not to?"

"John. He's done it before. Doesn't like to though. Sees the benefit of doing it but hates it."

"How long do I have to watch the tape?"

"Three hours. Go finish your shift by watching it. It's slow and unless someone like Adam comes in and asks for you personally I'm not going to make you work it. You've already made more than the other guys combined."

Xander got up, heading for his room and the VCR.

He had come down a few hours later and handed it back, nodding. Devi smiled and handed him an envelope. "Study this, kid. It's special instructions."

When the demon had come the next night, Xander had done what he had agreed to, and it was definitely a learning experience. Who ever thought that underground demons would like him to make barking noises?

***

Xander looked at the box that had been his tip for that and shook his head. "Never again," he promised himself. And the other three that sat on top of the original one, the last one being his reimbursement for having been kidnapped for sixteen hours after the last time.

He walked into the bedroom, pushing back the heavy tapestries around his four poster bed to smooth the special sheets over the mattress. He looked at the sword that hung above his bed, the present Preston had sent with him.

***

Preston, who Xander had later found out was a sorcerer, and not a good one, showed up one night and had him pulled into Devi's office. "Xander," he said smoothly, his voice chilling in it's intensity, "I would like your permission to have you aide me with a spell." He handed over the sword. "I know you probably know how to use that. It would become yours afterwards."

Xander sat down, looking up at him. "What do you need? I'm more of a stake guy actually."

"Ah, then you are from there. Does Rupert... Never mind, I'm sure he's never mentioned me.

"Oh, yeah, he has. He told me to be careful of you when he found out I had seen you when I called him to tell him I was living." He smiled at the amused grunt the man had given him. "What do you need me to do?"

"I have a spell I have to cast, it's a blood debt. I have to engage in a fight with someone and I need you to use that on me if I become possessed."

Xander looked at Devi, who frowned at the sorcerer. "What do you want here?"

"I'm not sure it's safe, but if you feel it's necessary, I'll allow you to go for the night."

"What are you fighting?" Xander asked the sorcerer. "And how do you know I'll be able to do that?"

"Because I've seen inside of you, and you won't let the demon out into the world." The prostitute nodded slowly. "I have to repay a blood debt from my family. This one killed them, and now it's coming for me. You're the only one on this coast I can ask."

"Fine," Xander said, standing up. "Come get me before then, I'll watch over you." He looked down at the sword. "I'll even use it if I have to." He looked at Devi and nodded upstairs. "Be right back."

Xander had wandered back in after his fight, leaving a very visible trail of blood, and things, behind him as he walked. He fell to his knees on the floor in front of his friend, John, looking up at him and giving his stomach a hug. "It's done," he said before he fell asleep.

Later that night, he found the security tape and watched as Devi had looked at John and grimaced. "Go get him cleaned up and into bed. And yourself too. I'll have someone clean the floor." He had motioned one of the guards over. "Help John." He waited until he was alone in the room, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, kid, I really am." He picked a phone up, hitting a few keys. "We need a cleaning crew up here. No, he's back and fine, but he's also covered in blood." He hung up, going back to his office.

***

Xander smiled. "At least neither one of them will be coming for me." He stepped into the bathroom, picking up a washcloth to wipe off his face with. "Got to remember to tell that story to Giles sometimes. I'd like to get a happy smile from him again." He dropped the cloth, heading back to the living room. He picked up a glass of milk on the way, sitting down to read on his couch.

He still had a few times to think about, and only one other night he really wanted to relive again.

***

Adam had stalked back into the brothel on Xander's last night, just like he had promised. "I see you made it," he said, rubbing over the smooth cheek. "Come, let me go find your boss so I can monopolize you for the rest of the night."

Xander had grinned, sitting on the arm of the couch and waiting. He followed the older man into the room they had used their first three nights together, closing and locking the door. "Hi," he said, stepping into the open arms. They kissed gently. "Thanks."

"You're very welcome." Adam led them to the bed, laying them down on the soft mattress. "Have you made any decisions?"

"Only that I'm not doing this again." That brought out a small smile. "And that you were right. I like the fun side but not the business side."

Adam pulled an envelope out of his jacket. "Then I believe this should be yours." He watched as the younger man tore open the present. "It's a lifetime membership. You've proven yourself to fully be one of us." He kissed the open mouth. "With that, you'll be able to find others like us and find companionship or get advice when you need it."

"A secret fraternity?"

"More or less," Adam admitted. "But we don't have to keep it a secret." He stole a quick kiss before standing up and stripping. "Come now, show me what you've learned." He pulled the thin silk pants off the young man, looking down at his body. "What happened to your stomach?"

"Um, Preston's sword. He got it from me at one point in time." He looked up and shrugged. "I'm fine. It wasn't deep and I lived." He tossed the membership papers aside, opening his arms. "Come, let me pleasure you, Adam, I'd like to show you the full breadth of my knowledge."

They merged, Xander on the bottom the first time, and stayed that way for most of the night.

***

Xander got up from his comfy couch, tugging off his cashmere sweater and tossing it across the back of the couch as he answered the door. "Giles," he said in shock, then looked at the hall. "Where's everyone else?" He let the older man in, checking the hall one last time before closing the door. He turned to see the older man staring at him. "What?" he asked, just a little defensively.

"I hadn't seen you in a while and was wondering if you had died." The older man stepped in, glancing down his student's body. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Huh? No, I mean no." Xander grinned at him. "What's up?"

"Everyone has been wondering if you were still in town and I seem to be the only one that has a clue where you are. Even Willow thought you were still at your parent's home." The younger man snorted at that, leading him to the living room area. "This is a nice place, I wish you'd invited me over before."

"I did, you said no," he said softly, curling up on the couch. "So, what's the real reason for the visit? Big probs or little ones?"

"No, just some news," Giles said, leaning back in the comfortable chair, closing his eyes at the sinful depths enveloping his body. "Xander, do tell me that you've paid for all this."

"Yup, with the money I earned." The younger man saw the confused look then the realization that entered the knowing brown eyes. "Why? What's been going on?"

"Well, Oz showed back up this morning. He was most upset that you hadn't been heard from lately, though we all knew that you were alive. I did give him your address by the way, I was sure you wouldn't mind." The younger man shook his head. "Good. Willow has decided to leave town. She and Tara are transferring to USC, somewhere in LA I'm told, so she'll still be relatively close by."

"She needed the bigger attractions and more open places," Xander said quietly. "I've thought about that myself a few times actually." He looked back up, seeing the absolute understanding. "Guess Sunnydale is a bit of a stretch after London."

"Quite. But one grows accustomed to knowing one's neighbors." Giles sat up, leaning over to touch the young man's leg. "How goes your life?"

"I was at your house yesterday," Xander defended. "It's not like I dropped off the face of the earth or something."

"Ah, but you have. The old Xander left on a roadtrip and this new one came back. It mystified us for a bit and by the time we had gotten comfortable with this new you, you had pulled back because we allowed it to happen. Which I now regret. I miss your enthusiasm as you entered my flat to cure whatever problem was rising."

"I'm still like that, Giles, just a little more sedate and touchy." He looked up with a small smile. "We all change as we find ourselves. Some of us just find out we're totally different than we used to be." That got a small smile. "You know what I did on that trip, and you know what I am, so why didn't you tell them?"

"Because it's none of Buffy's business, same as it's not Willow's though she's trying to emulate you." That got a real, true, smile. "Ah, I'd thought you'd recognize her changes."

"She's been like this her whole life, she's just now coming into it." He looked at the door. "I should call and tell my masseuse to not come."

"I believe that would be wise. I'd like to spend some time with you." He shifted, getting up and moving to the other end of the couch to face the younger man. "Have you decided on how you're going to support yourself in this manner?"

"Yeah, I'll go back to hiding behind a pitiful job. Just as soon as I can handle the double identity thing." He smirked at the raised eyebrow. "College students don't make that much, Giles, and I need cash. And I refuse to go back to what I had been doing except for fun and games, or very rarely at the least." The older man nodded for him to go on. "I liked the money but I need someone who wants to put my pleasure first." Xander broke out in a grin. "I need a sugar daddy."

"Indeed you do," Giles told him quietly, pulling out his wallet. "Most of the people like you have a keeper," the former Watcher said, pulling out a GHS membership card and handing it over. He saw the small smile and took the new one the young man handed him to compare them. "Not much has changed in the GHS Society in twenty years," he noted, looking back up.

He looked at the older man, seeing him react to his body as he moved, something he'd never noticed before. "Why'd you leave?"

"I became a Watcher," he said simply, pulling the young man onto his lap. "Many of us do leave as we get older, but we usually take care of the younger members. Though membership is lifetime." He rubbed down the newly thinned back. "I do like you like this, the tight, skinny body that you used to have. I got quite distressed when you started your senior year as heavy as you were." He looked up into the dark eyes. "My dear boy, I do understand." His other hand came up, rubbing over the firm stomach, playing with the ripples. "And I'm here to help you make the transition back to life easier." He leaned in, stealing a kiss, his breath catching when it was returned fully, hungrily even. "My," he whispered, licking his lips. "Someone taught you well."

"Adam did," Xander said, running a finger over the older man's lips. "Why'd you do that?" He looked up into the understanding eyes. "Do you really want me? Not as a once off or as an occasional thing?"

"No, my boy, I want to become your keeper." He shifted the young man until he was more reclined in his lap, his legs thrown across the arm of the couch, catching the lamp Xander kicked before it fell and setting it out of the way. "You've withdrawn recently and it started to worry me, so I paid more attention when you were around," he said quietly, rubbing over the strong stomach. "You need a keeper, someone to make you get up in the morning and go enjoy the pleasures outside of your body." Xander nodded slowly. "And I intend to do that if you'd let me."

"Why not," he said, stealing another kiss. "But what do you want to do?"

"I want to get you a fitting job and I want to do for you what you need." He captured the hand that was rubbing through his hair. "You're too internally focused. I'm sure that you use that tightening charm many times a day now."

"Every night before I go to bed," Xander said happily. "Like it lots. Even wrote a thank you note to Willow for letting me have it while I was tripping."

Giles smiled at him. "Yes, as will I I'm sure, but what about the pleasures outside of your hideaway? Walking in the sunlight with someone? Playing in some sweet smelling grass? A picnic in the shade as you watch others play." The younger man smiled at him. "Yes, those things. While pleasures of the flesh are all well and good, you still need the pleasures of the mind and the rest of the body." He stroked down the side of the soft cheek. "Would you let me guide you back in that direction?"

"Do I have to give up the other stuff?" Xander asked quietly. Giles shook his head, smiling at him. "No? I can still wear a plug and still tease myself all the time?"

"If you need to, yes, but not all the time. You need to partake of the other pleasures. The oral ones, the physical and mental ones that go with being out in the world. And I'd very much like to help you return to life, I enjoy having you at my side." He stole another kiss, letting the young man back away from him by a few inches. "Xander, I do care for you, much more than you realize, and your past is your past. We've all went through the learning phase, though yours was a bit extreme." He looked around the apartment, furnished and bought with the money the young man had earned with his body. "Would you let me do this for you?"

Xander nodded, laying his head down on the offered shoulder. "I missed you too," he whispered, kissing the dark hair.

They lay cuddled on the couch for a few minutes more, enjoying the simple pleasure of having someone else there to touch them back. Then Giles looked around again. "Stand up," he commanded, following his student up. "Come on, show me around. No one's broken your inner sanctum before."

"Hey, I invited but you were more interested in a demon than my place." He giggled as the tickling fingers attacked his bare chest. "Oh, all right, the tour. But you have to promise not to laugh." The older man nodded so he led him through the few rooms he had, stopping in the extra bedroom he had turned into the home gym and playroom. "This is my sanctuary," he said, pulling the curtain open to show him the toys he'd mounted on the wall at various heights around his exercise equipment. "I get lonely," he admitted.

"No longer," Giles promised him, taking his hand and squeezing it. "No longer shall you need this." He pulled off his own shirt, looking at his student. "Come, I'm sure some actual time with a person would cure your randiness."

"Um, masseuse?"

"Call her off, I'll give you one." He led the young man back to the bedroom, picking him up to toss him on it. "Now then, my little hedonist, call off your helpers for now. We'll work on the practical side of life after a bit." He stripped while his soon-to-be lover made the call, getting onto the four poster bed beside him and pulling the curtains closed. "Who else knows you're here?" he asked as he kissed the young man.

"Adam, who drops by occasionally to check up on me. And Oz, he doesn't know why I moved though." He licked over the tense lips. "How did you know?"

"Because Oz told me." Giles smiled. "We were both going to take you on as our personal pet if you wanted." He saw the small light spark in the dark eyes. "I take it you do like that idea?"

"Oh yeah," Xander said, nodding happily. "I'm GHS to the bone now. Like guys, muchly actually." He started as the curtains around them opened, admitting his friend. "Oz," he sighed, grabbing his chest. "Give a guy a coronary." He grinned at him, patting the bed. "So, are you going to come take care of big, bad, pleasurable me?"

"Yes, I am," he said, climbing in behind the young man. "Both of you since Giles has recently refound his roots." Oz ran a gentle hand down the smooth skin. "But we're going to make sure that everything's okay first of all." He leaned in for a deep, penetrating kiss as he checked his friend and pulled back suddenly when he found the plug. "Why are you opened?"

"Am every day," Xander pouted. "Like to be opened and filled." Both older men moaned. "Hey, I'm new at this pleasure stuff. I *need* it."

Oz nodded and pulled the plug, dropping it outside of the curtains. "Just my luck. Giles is one of you, you're you, and Willow's attempting for a membership in the women's side, but she's not going to make it I think." He nipped his friend's shoulder. "What am I going to do with all the hedonists around me?"

"Fuck us hard?" Giles suggested. "Let someone else handle Willow since she's leaving and just have us?" Oz shook his head. "No?"

"Well, yes but no. She still wants me to help handle her sometimes too." He undid his pants, pulling out his hard cock. "Okay, who wants it first?"

"Me!" Xander said, almost bouncing. "It's been *months* since I had any."

Giles laughed lightly, watching his former student dive down to enjoy what was being offered. He and Oz shared a look, silently agreeing to share the younger man.

It was only a few minutes before Xander pulled back, giving Oz his big pouting eyes. "More?"

"Of course you can have more, what would you like?" Giles asked, stroking down the youngest man's bare back. He smiled at Oz at the purr. "You thought I was spoiled," he noted, nodding at the limp man under his hand.

"Don't move," Xander whimpered. "More back rubs?"

Oz slid over to sit beside Giles, handing him the oil he had grabbed when he had walked in. "Here, move for me, Xander, we'll both work on you." He instantly had a lapful of dark hair and a head that made soft, pleased noises when it was touched. "You really are a hedonist, huh?" he asked rhetorically. Of course the nod he got sent little thrills through his body as the dark hair ended up rubbing against his cock. He took some of the oil from Giles' hand, working over the shoulders, watching as Xander's whole body went totally limp. "Hmm, could get used to having a purring mass under me."

"Anytime you want," Xander whispered, shifting to lick at the cock that had been being brushed by his hair. "I like this."

"I can tell," Giles said, tugging off the youngest man's pants and looking at his body. "Xander, where on earth did you get a cut like that on your buttocks?"

"Um... don't ask."

"Okay," Oz said, looking at Giles, who was now frowning. "But we can guess."

Giles nodded. "That's about what I expected when I called on some of the brotherhood to watch over you."

"Devi said someone had." Xander looked over his shoulder at Giles, letting Oz rest against his forehead. "He said someone had asked him to keep an eye out for me. That's why he offered me a job."

"Devi?" Oz asked.

Xander pulled himself up onto his knees, looking at his friend. "How much have you figured out about my trip?"

"The fact that you made some major money over seven weeks and that there's only one way to do that." Xander nodded, blushing slightly. "So I'm guessing it was a once off? I don't think I could handle..." A warm hand covered his mouth.

"Never again. It was a once off and by the end of the first week, I was kinda sorry I had done it." Oz kissed his hand so he replaced it with his lips. "We were always very careful. Everyone was tested before they were allowed up there. Devi said the only thing they couldn't test for was something that humans couldn't get."

Giles nipped Xander's shoulder. "Oz, I know this place and it's extremely difficult to get in there. But it is a mixed environment." He looked a little worried.

"Yeah, it was, but I didn't like it. Only Adam, who is fully human."

"Preston?" Giles asked quietly.

"Didn't you hear what happened to him?" Xander asked, shifting to pull Giles in for a hug as he pointed out the sword hanging over his bed. "He repaid his blood debt for the demon killing his family. I was his sword bearer." The older man hugged him and Oz nudged his shoulder. "No one there meant as much to me as you two do now."

Oz nodded, leaning in to kiss the back of Giles' neck. "Who's Adam?"

"National President of the GHS Society," Giles said, sitting back up. "He broke you in, or at least that's what the rumor about you is through the organization. That and you were such a natural he almost decided to steal and keep you with the pet he found in Chicago a few years back."

"I've seen him a few times since I left, but the rumors were true about him breaking me in. As for him wanting to steal me? I'm not real sure about that."

"I would if I were him," Oz told Xander, nipping his shoulder. "What else did you do?"

"Um, can we leave that for later?" Xander asked, his eyes pleading then glancing down at Giles.

"Sure," Oz told him, pulling Giles away to hug him too. "Lay on the pillows, Rupert, and watch for now." Giles nodded, going to do as he was told. The werewolf pulled Xander in, kissing him hard. "I will not let you go back to that life. Ever. I am the jealous one and you will not leave without giving me a really good reason." Xander slumped into him, kissing his chest. "I see you like possessive me?"

"Yup, very much. It means that you care." He looked up, his brown eyes meeting the clear green ones. "I'm yours, you've claimed me as such. You and Giles both."

"Good," Oz purred, petting down the youngest man's back. "What did you want?"

"Um, backrub?"

Giles patted his chest. "Come here, I promised you to give you one." He glared at Oz. "Mine," he said softly.

"Both," Xander interceded.

Oz nodded at him then looked at Giles, staring into his eyes. "Since you're mine too, and he's yours, that means he's mine." The oldest man nodded slowly. "Good, Xander, how are you affording the upkeep on this place?"

"I got paid *very* well?" Oz spanked him lightly. "Well, I did. The least I could make was fifteen hundred a job and I got forty percent of that. And I worked six days a week for about nine hours a day. Plus special things. And I have a few presents that I can sell, though I'm still working through what I earned. I'm looking at starting work again soon."

"Good, we want you to appear normal," Oz told him, leaning down to start the backrub again. He leaned next to the youngest man's ear to whisper into it. "We understand, but it won't happen again. We'd like to hear about it though."

"Oz, trust me, no you don't," Xander said quietly. He turned his head to steal a small kiss. "This isn't something that won't change how you look at me."

"Actually, you and I could compare notes, a little anyway," Giles told his youngest lover, smoothing some oil down his back. "Though there was only one demon in my past."

Oz sat back to look at both of them. "Tell me you're kidding."

"I'm afraid not," Giles said quietly, concentrating on what he was doing. "The Society, the GHS brotherhood, has many members who found themselves at a brothel at some time in their lives. Xander started out in one. I was at one for almost two weeks to figure things out, but on the other side of the equation. Actually, that's how I met Ethan." He looked up. "I'm sorry if this disappoints you, Oz, but it happens. We're not tainted because of it. We're no worse than Buffy is for sleeping with some vampires."

"A few," Xander noted. He looked at his lover, his keeper, and grimaced. "That's what I didn't want to tell you. Yes, there were demons there, and half demons, and quarter demons. And humans too, though not too many of those that weren't somehow connected to demons. The man I worked for was actually a half-demon and one of the other guys was a quarter-demon. I learned a whole new appreciation for them. Not all of them are bad, just the ones here."

Oz slumped in on himself. "At least they didn't hurt you."

"Not all demons are bad," Giles told him quietly. "The Hellmouth tends to draw the bad sort to itself so I had to tell you all that. If you had known that some demons are good, you might have hesitated and then perished as a result." He felt the small shudder go through the body on his. "I'm sorry, Xander, I'll switch topics. Though I would like to ask you about your experiences. Maybe you could add a few things to the Chronicles."

"Not really," Xander said, looking at Oz. "I'll understand if you never..." He didn't finish, the other young man's lips found his and they kissed gently while Giles continued his physical pleasuring of his lover. "Okay, guess that was a no."

"As long as it's in the past," Oz said quietly. "And I want to hear about it too."

"Did you meet any noteworthy ones?" Giles asked, his hands moving farther down the bare body on his.

"Sarthna demon, kidnapped me for a few hours. Mostly nothing else noteworthy. I didn't even get in a lot of shopping." He looked up to see the amazed expression. "What's wrong?"

"A Sarthna demon?" He looked at the charm, fingering it gently. "I'm sure you needed this after that creature."

"He was nice and all, but I spent the next day in the tub." Oz snorted so he looked back at him. "Sarthna demons are very large and they have an entourage to make sure that you get to where you can take them."

"Big?" Oz asked, clearly not believing it.

"Big as a can of soda when soft," Giles told him. Oz's mouth hung open. "Yes, that was my feeling on the subject when I first saw one, but it's not all bad. They're known for being gentle."

"Was very actually," Xander noted. "He decided he liked me though and I had to put my foot down and tell him no." He slid out of the bed and came back with his prize boxes, handing them to Oz. "See, these were my tips. The top one was an apology for kidnapping me." He lay back down on Giles' chest, both of them watching the werewolf, and their keeper, open the boxes to look at the stones inside.

Oz whistled then looked up. "You're way rich."

"Kinda. But I haven't touched any of those yet. My forty percent from working was enough to outfit me like this." He waved a hand around the bed, meaning the apartment. Oz nodded slowly. "I actually got told I set a record for a few days, and one didn't have that many people."

Oz set aside the boxes carefully, sliding up to lay beside the couple. "I guess that's okay," he said slowly, "but you really don't want to go back to that?"

"Nope," Xander said happily, stealing a kiss. "Never want to go back. I *like* where I am now." He smiled down at Giles. "Why would I want to go back if I have you guys?"

"I think he's worried about the money issue," Giles said quietly. "Neither of us could afford to upkeep you in so grand a manner as you seem to have become accustomed to."

Xander snorted. "Giles, I have everything I want. I'm not greedy, well, not about money. I like money, like it lots because it means I have choices, but I'm not going to go back there just for the money. I don't *need* anything else."

Oz nodded, smiling gently at them. "We can see that. But that work-out room of yours needs some fixing. It seems to have sprouted all these growths..." He stopped as he was tickled, rolling around on the king-sized bed with the younger man. "Okay, I give," he panted when he ended up on his back again. "You win."

"Really? What did I win?" Xander asked, eyes twinkling as he leaned down for a kiss. "What's my prize, Oz?"

"Hmm, me?"

"Okay." Xander looked up at Giles and nodded. "Really okay. Get the stuff?"

"Stuff?" Giles asked, smiling still.

"Um, lube and stuff?"

"Ah, where might it be?"

"Bedside table, same as everyone else in the world." He looked back down at Oz. "So, oh, keeper ours, what should I do with you?" He wiggled slightly as a hand smoothed over his side. "What can I do to please you?"

"Well, I would like you to answer a few more questions before I crawl inside your body." He allowed the younger man to be taken from him by Giles, sitting up to look at him. "I think we should talk before we engage in anything else."

"You sound so clinical," Xander pouted.

"As he should be," Giles said gently. "He has to ask these questions to ease his own mind."

Xander nodded. "Okay. What do you want to know?"

"How many ... um, besides..." He shook his head.

"I was virginal before I got there and like I said, they tested," Xander said, getting serious as he sat up. "If you want to know how it was almost absolutely safe even without the testing, I could tell you." Giles looked interested. "They had these little portal things that fed some sort of demon that munched on sperm so none of it ever hit the inside of me, it was kinda all sucked up." Oz made a sour face. "No, it wasn't bad. Just a little diaphragm looking thing going up me." He patted his keeper's hand gently. "As for how many, not as many as you think. Our fees were really high and that eliminated a lot of people. My first time on my first night working went for something like sixteen thousand and I got forty percent of everything." Oz's eyebrow went up. "Yeah, so not that many. I had a set clientele list of about twenty or so people, depending on who left. Most of them didn't want to bother with me because I'm a fragile human and they weren't. Devi was always really good about looking out for me and weeding out the offers that he knew I would get hurt with." He smiled, squeezing the werewolf's hand to reassure him. "I've not had that much experience, really, Oz."

"Okay," Oz said finally, leaning in to kiss him. "I can take those answers. Willow did research that said you guys became complete ho's and I wasn't sure if you had."

Xander laughed and shook his head. "There's a difference between being wanton and being a ho. I'm a hedonist, and a slut when given the chance, but I'm not going to go out and fuck whatever moves. Does that ease your mind?"

"Yup, almost totally." Oz shifted closer. "Just one doubt left. What if you get asked to go back for an assignment?"

"Then I'd immediately tell you both and make you decide for me." He pulled the smaller man into his lap, nibbling on his ear. "That wouldn't be just my decision to make anymore. You and Giles would both have a say in the matter."

"Then I think we have a good partnership going," Oz told him, pulling each of the men he would be keeping in closer to kiss gently. "Now then, my little hedonists, what would you like?"

"I'd like to be taken," Giles said with a smile, "as I'm sure Xander would."

"Technically, Xander can go both ways but he prefers to be taken, yes." He gave Oz a sweet grin. "Did you eat a good breakfast?"

"Wheaties." Oz scooted off the willing lap, pushing Xander down on top of Giles again. "Get him ready for me, Rupert, we'll see what we can't do to soothe the savage Xander monster."

"Not a *savage* one," Xander protested until his mouth was filled with Giles' cock. He sucked happily, matching the actions going on below his head. Giles had slipped a lubed finger into his opening, spreading it around, testing to see how much he would still need stretched. He squeezed it, earning a slow, low moan from both older men.

Oz slid a condom down his cock, looking at the hole he would be entering. "Xan? You don't have an allergy to latex, right?" Xander pulled off and nodded at him, giving his covered dick a sad and pouty look. "You are?"

"Yeah, I found that out too. I don't go all the way into 'gonna be dead if not taken to the ER immediately' but I do get hives and have trouble breathing." He motioned toward the drawer. "No-latex versions of those are in there and so's my last test." He finished the offer quietly, knowing this was all about how Oz saw him now. "I'll understand though."

"I don't think you're tainted," Oz said as he pulled off the rubber, tossing it off the bed as he gave the younger man a kiss. "I just wanted to protect myself from the nasty body bugs that come from there."

"I douche every day."

"I'm sure you do," Giles said calmly, stroking over the soft cheek, "but that doesn't always kill all the germs and it's still a bad idea to share orifices like that."

"I'm clean though," Xander said warmly, getting onto his knees to look at them. "I am totally and one hundred percent clean. I'll wait until I go and retest if you'd like."

Oz shook his head. "We weren't worried about diseases, we were worried about things like UTI's that come from the bacteria in that spot. I'd even use a condom with Giles and I know he's not gotten any in recent history."

"I have so," Giles said, tossing a heated look at Oz. He smiled at Xander. "He is correct that other things come from there that could harm us. We're protecting you as much as we are ourselves."

Xander nodded, relaxing. "I know, but I was feeling insulted, like you didn't want to actually *touch* me or anything. That's why I didn't want to tell you about my trip." He looked down at his knees. "Why don't you two have fun, I'm going to go take a shower."

"No," Oz said, stopping him from moving. "I'm not looking at you differently." He pulled the younger man down on top of him, laying back against the pillows. "I don't care what you did on your trip as long as you weren't hurt and you weren't made sick. The condom wasn't a disease precaution, it was to make sure that none of the little germies get me."

"The germies?" Xander asked with the hint of a grin. "You've been playing with Jordy again, haven't you?" Oz nodded, giving him a hug. "I can understand that on a rational level but in my heart, I see something else," he told him quietly. "And I feel really bad for it. For disappointing you guys."

"Actually, I rather expected it," Giles said, curling up next to them so he could wrap an arm around Xander's back and give him a squeeze. "I remember my own experiences quite well and how that was the only way I'd ever learn a thing. Not only did I expect you to do this, I expected you to go that route and not come back for much longer. I thought maybe you'd find the city more exciting than here and leave for good."

"Nah, I'd just move closer to LA, I promised you I'd come back," Xander reminded him. "Adam even asked me and I told him that if I needed more excitement, I'd move a little closer to LA but not out of Sunnydale." He leaned over, stealing a kiss. "I won't allow you to take on the bad guys all by yourself."

Oz cleared his throat. "Someone's knocking on the door."

Xander got up, after a short kiss, and grabbed his robe as he walked out. He smiled at the deliveryman, signing his name in the little box and taking his letter. He sat on the couch, feeling Oz sit beside him and Giles leaning over his shoulder. "Relax guys, it's from Adam." He slit the outer envelope open, catching the small necklace that fell out with the letter, which Oz took to read.

"No way," Oz said, handing it back to Giles, who frowned as he read it.

"May I?" Xander asked, taking the letter and reading the short missive about being in LA in two weeks for a 'special assignment'. He looked at the necklace then at the number across the bottom. "Wonder what this is about?" he muttered as he picked up his phone, dialing it quickly. "Hi, this is Xander Harris," he purred as Adam's secretary answered. "Is he in? No, I got sent a letter..." His smile fell away. "He did? Then what's..." He nodded and hung up. "Adam was in a car wreck, that's the meeting." He carefully folded up the paper, sliding the necklace back inside. "We're being called upon to pick a new National Head." He felt Giles' arms go around him. "Thanks. Adam was really nice to me. He even laughed at my jokes."

"It sounds like he was a great man and he'll be missed," Oz told him quietly, moving to hug him too. "Let us comfort you, Xan, just to cuddle." The younger man nodded and they all got up, heading into the bedroom to lay together.

***

Xander knocked on the suite's door, putting the note that had been left at the front desk for him back into his jacket pocket. His breath caught as he looked up into a familiar pair of green eyes. "Adam," he whispered, walking in quickly and hugging him. "Oh, god, you're all right."

"Not quite," Adam said, his accent a little thicker than usual as he pulled the young man down to sit beside him. "I'm not what you think I am."

"Not human?"

"No, I'm very human, I'm just a... a very long lived one."

Giles cleared his throat from the doorway, closing the door after himself and Oz. "I thought I said I'd come up with you," Oz told Xander, who smiled. "Methos, I don't believe you're still here." He walked over, giving him a hug. "Welcome back."

"That's Adam," Xander said, brow wrinkled. He accepted Oz's pat with a smile. "Are you really living a double life?"

"Of a sort," Adam/Methos said as he sat back down. "You see, I'm an immortal. Most of the higher members of the organization have found out through various means, but I have to occasionally die because I won't ever age."

"So you had a car wreck," Oz said, understanding.

"Not a planned one, no, but yes I did have one. And in it I died again. Unfortunately, I didn't revive until after the authorities had taken me away so I have to pretend to become someone else."

"So, what's up with worrying me," Xander said, punching his arm. "Couldn't you have slipped me a note or a call or something?"

"I did, but there's another reason."

Oz cleared his throat. "Methos, you promised."

"I know," he sighed. "But MacLeod's looking for you again. He's quite upset at how you stole his girlfriend a few years back." He caught Xander's and Giles' confused look. "Oz was my last student, ever."

"But the werewolf thing..." Xander started.

"Oh, it's very real, but no one's sure why it's still infecting him. There were even some who said as soon as he died again it'd clear."

"I hate dying," Oz said firmly. "I'd rather eat people."

Giles cleared his throat. "Oz? You're one of them?" The redhead nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I wasn't sure if you knew about us or not." He walked around the seating area to sit beside Giles, patting his hand. "Yeah, I knew you'd understand, but I didn't want it getting out. I still don't want it getting out. As in never. I'd be hunted just because of who my teacher is."

"Then are you really Oz?"

"Have been since around the sixteen hundreds," Oz told him simply, with a small smile. "I died the first time in 1649, in a brothel at the ripe old age of nineteen. Of a heart attack. And yeah, I've been Daniel Osbourne all my life." He gave Methos an affectionate look. "Fortunately the old guy over there was in the next room and he took me on as a student because the other immie in the brothel came for my head as soon as he felt me wake up."

"That wouldn't have been fair," Methos chided gently. "And you were always my favorite student." He looked him over, then looked at the two men. "How fortunate that you found men that fit your needs."

Oz snickered. "That's putting it mildly. You turned Xander into you." He got blown kisses from both men on the other couch. "But it is interesting that you broke him in for me."

"Ah, yes, are you jealous?"

"Yup, and I should take your head, but I'd miss you too much." Oz got up, coming over to sit in Methos' lap. "Now then, what can we do for you?"

"I'm going to disappear again for a few years. I'm ready for a rest, preferably somewhere that MacLeod can't get to me." He snorted in disgust. "I'm going to leave Xander my things in receivership until my 'nephew' suddenly turns up in a few years." Oz nodded. "I hear he's done well with his own."

"I'm being frugal," Xander said, smiling at Oz. "Does that mean I can have that one vibrator you used..." Oz reached down and tickled him. "Okay, I'll be quiet." He relaxed on the couch and looked at Giles, spreading his legs slightly and teasing his lips with his tongue.

"God save use from a true GHS," Methos said. "Go, have my bed. I'm leaving later tonight anyway." Xander jumped up, rubbing against Giles as he pulled him into the bedroom. He waited until the screams started to look at his student, putting him down beside him. "What are you going to do when the one dies?" he asked quietly.

"I'll teach the one and the other will be a great loss to me," Oz said honestly, his whole face showing sadness. "Unless Giles can find a way to make Xander immie too."

"I doubt he could fight."

"There are other sorts and he could if he were trained," Oz reminded him quietly. "I think Xan would make a wonderful candidate for the Indian type we found. And I have that spell written down somewhere. I've been having my possession keeper look for it since I met him."

"When will you tell Giles?"

"I was planning on waiting until his birthday. Allow him to have the choice. Then I was going to move us all."

"Have you figured out anything yet?"

"Only that vamps can't sense us, and that demons don't usually either." Oz looked toward the bedroom. "They're way too quiet." He looked at his teacher. "But I'm sure you know that."

"I've never had Giles. Though Xander was a rare treat. So many of us these days are really borderline. That boy was made to be someone's concubine." That got a small snort. "You could set up a fiefdom somewhere and take him as your's."

"I'm planning on doing that. I'm working on computer stuff now, graphics manipulation and things, and I'm going to go public soon. I want to move somewhere very quiet and private, with good security." He grunted at the poke to his side. "I am. And I'm not allowing Xander to leave the house again." He smiled at the howl from the bedroom, Giles going off with Xander working him hard and fast. "I'd say neither of them will ever leave the house again."

"That would be nice but what about you," Methos said gently, rubbing down the younger immortal's back. "How are you going to survive?"

"I'm still a musician and I can telecommute to work." He shifted, getting comfortable. "I've got it planned and with Giles being around, I'll have someone at my back, even if you're not there." Methos nodded. "I really have planned this well. Giles is a sorcerer, Xander is my slut, and I'm me."

"Then I won't worry so much about you," Methos said, kissing him. "Just be careful. I'll send you a postcard from wherever."

"You'd better."

"And I'll get my things together for Xander as soon as you go in there with them." He kissed his student, drawing it out. "I'd better be going before too many of us get here and I can't slip out."

"I thought you always had an exit strategy," Oz said quietly, enjoying another kiss. "Stay tonight?" They both shuddered and looked toward the door as another immortal's quickening walked past. "Never mind. Go pack, I'll help you slip out." He headed for the door, opening it cautiously and stepping out. He nodded at the other immortal, hands held out. "I'm not here to fight, my lover's here for the GHS conference. I live in peace with all."

The other immortal grunted, looking him over. "Who was the other one?"

"One like me and he's leaving. He's my student and I'm sending him out to learn about people. He's no threat to you either." Oz started to turn and stopped. "By any chance you don't know if there are more of us do you? I'd like to avoid a fight."

"One, he was down bothering the desk for someone named Adam when I checked in." He shrugged and waved Oz off. "Go be with your lover, I'll be seeing you at the conference. Tell the boss I said hi too."

Methos stuck his head out. "I'm leaving now. Was it MacLeod?" The other immortal nodded as he walked away. "Thank you, Brandon." He grinned at Oz. "My personal trainee a few years back, he's the head of the Chicago branch. Found a very promising candidate a few years back that I stole from him." He pulled his student back inside, shutting the door. "Let's just go now," he purred, brushing over Oz's jaw. "We could be very happy somewhere peaceful."

Giles frowned from his position on the couch, tugging the courtesy robe around his bare body. "I'm sure I could help if you'd let me. A simple disguise or something magical that would leave you after a few hours."

"No, I need to leave before *he* gets up here. He's been most fanatical recently." Methos grabbed his last bag, taking the necklace Xander put around his neck. "Thank you, I'll be back in a few years. You'll be hearing from me often. This room is booked under your name but it's paid for for the entire conference. Oh, and Devi's here for some reason. You might want to introduce him to Oz and warn him you've got a keeper. I've heard he was looking for you for a special assignment." He swore under his breath as he caught the quickening of another immortal. "Seven of us in GHS and now *he* has to show up here." He headed for the second exit. "I'm going now," he said with a wave as he slipped out.

Oz snickered, falling onto the couch beside Xander. "Duncan will either give it up or deal with him as a real person." He turned his head to kiss the younger man, tasting the essence it held still. "Hmm, Giles' flavored. I like those."

"Do tell us what he said first," Giles asked, plainly impatient. "I heard my name mentioned."

"That's a discussion in single groups and for later," Xander said. He gave his keeper an unhappy look. "If you want, I'll duck out and let you two talk now."

"No," Oz said, picking up his hand. "You're not leaving. We'll all go nap after Giles bars the doors from entry except by Adam and we'll go to the conference meeting later tonight. At the formal dinner, you can introduce me to this Devi person and make sure he knows you're off the market."

Giles smiled at him. "I thought as much." He got up, heading for the doors. By the time he was done, both younger men were on the bed, Xander tangled around Oz as usual, and were snoring in tune with each other. "I really should film this some day," he reminded himself as he disrobed and joined his men on the bed.

Why Me!?!

Xander looked over at Devi, his boss, well to be truthful his pimp, and shook his head. He got free of the mob around him, heading for where the demon was sitting, curling up on the footstool in front of him. "Am I supposed to be helping them argue or stopping it?"

"That's up to you. It's going to turn into a bidding war." He raised his glass. "Gentlemen, and other creatures, you're boring my newest worker. Talking about him isn't going to get him any money tonight."

Three of the demons arguing glared at him. "We'll fix that soon enough," one of them, a large, green, mossy demon hissed. He looked at Xander, licking what the human guessed was his lips. "What does he do best?"

"He's not very long in the business," Devi reminded them. He glanced over at the couch, where everyone else was sitting and watching the bidding war. "The rest of you, once this is settled, are more than welcome to bid on another one of my people's services."

"A human in here is rare," the moss demon reminded him. "Thirty."

Another of the prostitutes hissed. "Xander, what did you do to them? That's unheard of until after you've got a rep!"

"Sixty," said the vampire in the group, one who had pulled out of the bidding war earlier that evening. "In American dollars."

Devi smiled at him. "Blair, I didn't think that you wanted him because of what he used to do."

"That was earlier, after hearing Preston's remarks on his first assignment, I'm more than eager to taste this little boy." He smiled at Xander. "Don't worry, I didn't mean that... literally."

Devi looked around at the crowd of demons waiting on Xander. "Of course, he'll have another assignment in an hour," he noted for those that weren't even interested in his other people. He was going to have to be careful or the new guy was going to make a lot of enemies with his other workers. "I'd prefer if this bidding war were wrapped up soon and some of the rest of you went with some of my other people though. This really isn't fair to Xander on his first night." He'd have to explain it to his other workers as new things were always more expensive for the first few days - it was the 'new' factor.

"Seventy," Blair said, staring at Xander, giving him an alluring smile. "For an hour. No funny or rough stuff."

Xander looked at Devi, who nodded. "I guess you win this hour then." He stood up and held out a hand. "Pick a room," he invited, giving him a confident smile. Having someone pay seventy thousand dollars for an hour of your time was very confidence inspiring after all. He must be doing something right. He walked into the room the vampire had chosen and locked the door behind them.

Devi looked at the other demons then at his other boys. "Pick someone else guys, at least for now," he said quietly, going back to his drink.

Xander checked this vampire out. "No biting," he said quietly.

"I don't do that without permission." Blair took off his shirt. "Contrary to the ones that you've run into, young man, not all of us are blood thirsty killers. Some of us are lovers."

Xander grinned at him. "Good. I'm glad I'm not the only one in the room." He dropped his pants and stepped out of them, walking forward to help his client out of the rest of his clothes.

***

Devi looked up as one of his oldest workers walked into the office. "What's up, Peter?" he asked the quarter demon, inviting him to sit down.

"What's with the new guy, Xander? He's taking everyone's clients and he's starting to get a bad rep upstairs. I thought you said he was human."

"He is," Devi said, giving him a reassuring smile. "Peter, were you here when Martin was here?"

"Yeah, and so were a few other of the guys, that's who he's being compared to."

"Well, he's a lot like Martin, only fully human. He's GHS to the bone, of a level that's not commonly seen today." He leaned back in his chair. "Otherwise, I'm not sure why he's so special. I haven't seen this sort of behavior from our clients in years."

Xander tapped on the door. "I may have a partial answer but not a why," he offered, leaning against the door frame. "I, for whatever reason, attract demons." He grimaced at the other pro. "I don't know why, or how, but you can put me in Sunnydale's park and an hour later there's going to be half the demons in town drawn there. Even they don't know why. I've asked a vampire I know and he couldn't figure it out at all. He thought it had to do with me being trapped in a school over a Hellmouth for four years." He shrugged. "I don't know why, but I'd like it to stop too. I got scared earlier."

Peter looked at him. "You're really not demonic? Not in the least little bit?"

"Not as far as I know," Xander told him. "I've looked back through my family records when I first started attracting strange things, and I couldn't find a single entry that wasn't verifiable and human." He gave him a smile. "After attracting a Praying Mantis Science teacher and an animated mummy girl, I looked really hard, but I never came up with anything out of the ordinary."

Devi shook his head. "I knew there was something strange but I never knew what. Now that you've said it, I've heard of it but I'm not sure what it's called. He's right though, Peter, it's just that he smells good to them. Basically, its' a product of his pheromones." He waved Xander in. "Shut the door, kid." Xander did so and leaned against it. "What would you like to see happen?"

"I'd like for everyone to not hate me," he said simply. "Oh, and not to sound like I'm whining but when do I get my first night off? I'm really sore."

"In two days." Devi looked him over. "I'll release you tonight so you can go bathe. Would that help?"

"Maybe. It's not the muscles, it's the..." He blushed. "Well, okay, I guess it is the muscles, but not the external muscles." He looked at Peter, who was staring at him in shock. "What? I'm new to this!"

"Sorry, kid," Peter said, standing up. "If you say you're human, I'll believe you but you'd better watch out. Some of the other guys are *real* pissed at you right now." He left the room, letting Xander have his seat.

Devi watched as Xander sat down as delicately as he could. "You okay?"

"I'm numb and what's not numb is aching," Xander told him quietly. "I don't want to be hated."

"I'm working it out now. We'll cut your hours back each night to give the other guys a chance. I'll move you into a featured spot and that might cure some of it too." He looked the young human over. "Have you taken out your portal yet?"

Xander shook his head. "I'm not sure how, that's why I came in here."

"Easy, you squeeze it out, same as you would anything else up there." Xander blushed again. "Don't tell me that you've never had anything stuck up there." He hit himself on the forehead. "Sorry, I forgot. Okay, shit it out basically. That should remove it. You put it into it's box and put the box into the bathroom, leaving the faucet in the sink running lightly. Leave the box open so some of the vapor can get it. Any other problems?"

"Is there some sort of balm I can put on my ... rear?" he asked, turning pinker.

"Nope. Just time and practice, and some judicious application of warm baths. That's all we can do." He gave him a smile. "You really don't know why you attract them so much?"

"Nope." Xander pushed himself up, using the arms of the chair for leverage. "Not a clue. Can I go bathe now?"

"Sure. You're dismissed for the night. Maybe the other guys can have some clients now."

"I really didn't mean to steal them," Xander said as he opened the door and walked out, heading up to his room. He walked into the bathroom immediately and started his bathing preparations.

***

The next night, Devi was growing tired of watching everyone glare at Xander, so he called him over. "Go upstairs," he ordered. "Go watch TV and relax."

Xander gave him a hurt look. "I don't mean to," he whispered.

"I know, and so do they. I had a talk with them before the shift tonight." He patted Xander on the thigh. "Go upstairs. I'll call you back down if it's someone like Adam." Xander nodded and headed for the elevator. "Guys," he said, standing up to walk over to them, "it really isn't his fault. We don't know why he attracts demons this way."

"We could always have him tested," Peter suggested. "The Doctor's back in town."

Devi nodded. "I heard, but only if the kid agrees of his own free will."

John, the pro that had greeted Xander on his first night to the brothel, got up and walked out of the room, heading up to the living quarters. He found Xander sulking on his bed, looking at a picture. He walked over and took it, putting it beside the bed so he could stare down at the man who was starting to become his friend. "There's a way to figure this out," he told him quietly. "There's a guy in town who can test you for demon taint. He's been here before and he used to be a regular client."

Xander sat up, looking at him. "But I'm not demonic."

"He can also test for blessings and for curses."

"Oh." Xander nodded. "Yeah, I want to figure this out."

John stared at him. "You really don't want this?"

"I don't want to be hated," Xander told him. "I never know what's going on or when this comes out. Some months it's there and some months all the demons ignore me. I've never understood it and if this guy has answers then I'd like to have them too." His voice got a little shrill at the end and he coughed. "Sorry, but this disturbs me." He gave the other man a helpless look. "How do you get your portal out? It took me almost an hour last night."

"I usually reach up and catch the edge of it but you've got to be careful because you can rip it that way. The best way is to shit it out." He shrugged. "I'll go tell Devi that you've agreed."

"I heard," Devi said from the doorway. "You sure, kid?"

"Very," Xander said, looking around John at him. "This bothers me, Devi, it always has. I'm either so totally overlooked that I'm the asset in the fight, or I'm the bait, and I'm tired of it."

"Good. We'll try to get him up here tomorrow. Stay up here tonight. And no, don't take his advice about pulling it out, you'll rip it." He closed the door, after nodding John out. "Sleep, kid, it's probably going to be a rough test tomorrow."

Xander grabbed the picture and laid back down, staring at his friends. He wondered what they were doing.

***

The demon Xander was standing in front of reminded him of a troll. He was small, bumpy, and hadn't done more than grunt yet. He moved where the demon pointed and sat down on the stool, looking at him. "Can you really tell me what's going on?" he asked.

The demon glared at him and pulled on a funny pair of glasses, then he smiled. "Fully human," he pronounced. The other prostitutes groaned en masse. "No spells except for his retightening charm. He's a human Quarth basically." He took the funny glasses off and put them away carefully. "There's no demon anywhere in him, he's one of the tenth of a percent that attracts us. If I could bottle his pheromones, I'd be the richest demon on the plane. His chemicals are Viagra for demons."

"We can't compete against that," John complained.

"Huh?" Xander asked quietly.

"You took basic biology, right, young man?"

Xander nodded. "But I didn't learn very much after the Praying Mantis teacher tried to eat me."

"And you never wondered about this?" Quaran, another of the pros who was Quarth, asked incredulously. Quarth were the official demonic concubines; out of all the sexual demons, they were the only ones that every species was attracted to. They were also the most often kidnapped, but they were usually harmless, their whole purpose in life was pleasure - the giving of it.

"I come from Sunnydale, strange things happen there," Xander shot back.

"Is there any way to mask this?" Devi asked. "This can't be good for him."

"Outside of changing his bodily chemicals or turning him into a vampire, no." The doctor gathered up his things. "Xander, to answer your question, everything secretes hormones. Yours are just keyed towards demons for some reason. If you had grown up anyplace else, you'd already have been taken by a demonic entity and made his sex slave." He watched as the young man turned pale and ran out of the room. "What did I say?"

"He's only here for six weeks," Devi told him. He looked at his guys. "I'm going to put him on special assignment, guys, and I'll cut back on his hours. I know it isn't fair to you, but it's for the best."

Peter shook his head. "That boy's *dangerous*, Devi. To us and to himself. We should give him to someone to keep."

Devi glared at him. "We do not take part in the trading of human flesh for keeps, Peter," he said coldly. He looked back at the doctor. "Can we change his personal scent? He did say that sometimes every demon ignored him."

"Those must be the days he's out of tune with himself." The doctor shrugged. "You might be able to mask it with magic, or some sort of charm maybe, but I can't guarantee that it will work. I just hope he finds a human mate that will be able to protect him. You might want to ask the person that trained him though; if it's the same person I heard it was, he may have an idea from it happening in the Society in the past." He nodded at the other men. "Peter, would you feel free to take me on tonight? I really could use some of this worn out of me before I go see my next patient. Not even I am immune to his scent."

"Sure, Doc," he said, pointing at a room. "Come on." He walked him into the room and shut the door.

Devi tipped his head to the side like he was listening to something. "Who's Willow?"

John shook his head. "The Wiccan who made his charm. She's his best friend." He checked his watch. "You want him on tonight?"

"We'll bring him out later and put him in the special room. We'll let people look at him on video tonight and see if that changes anything." He glanced around. "Go take the sign off the door while I call Adam." He headed for his office, letting John inside before he closed the door. "What?"

"What if we can't fix it? He's cutting into our checks, Devi."

"Then I'll put him into the external dating program. That should help some." Devi sat down behind his desk. "Why are you worried?"

"His innocence is helping this problem. We've got to get him to be less innocent. He's like a virginal siren calling out to our clients."

"We'll fix it. It's not the kid's fault," he reminded John. "As for debauching him, I'm not sure even that would take away his innocence." He looked down at his desk, and the note sitting on it. "I do have a special client coming in and I'll ask him to take it instead of you, but I don't even think a Sarthna encounter will change his innocence. I think that's all part of his package." He looked up to see the desperation. "John, I'll do what I can, but he won't be here that long. Only for six weeks. He's already well into his first week, you can live with it." He pointed at the door. "Go back to work. I'll send Xander shopping tomorrow and talk to him his next night on."

"Yes, sir," John said, trudging back out to the common room.

***

Xander walked into Devi's office, giving him a hesitant smile. "You called?" he asked.

"Yeah, sit, Xander."

Xander swallowed and sat down. "Are they still mad? I can't help it. Even the witch I know doesn't know how to help me fix it."

"I know. That's why I'm sending you shopping tonight. You're going to be going on special assignments." He tossed over a catalog. "You see, we also happen to have an escort service. You'd be expected to learn social graces and manners so you could go out with some of our more affluent clients. There may or may not be sex involved but it wouldn't be done here."

"So the other guys couldn't get pissed at me anymore," Xander said, giving him a faint smile. "Okay, I'd like that. Is it dangerous?"

"We screen pretty well, but there have been a few incidences in the past of clients getting rough since they weren't being monitored. If that happens, then they're banned from here and their names are given out to other establishments like this one. They know this though so they know it's in their best interests to be nice to you guys." Devi looked him over. "I'm going to send someone to guard you and to help you choose clothes. Not that I don't think that you're going to do badly, but just in case. Get clothes that you like. Some formal, some not so formal but more formal than jeans. Oh, and get a pair of leather pants. There's always a need for them sometime." He tossed over an envelope. "I'll have your guard take you to our bank so you can deposit some of that if you'd like. It's best not to let it lie around here."

Xander opened the envelope and his mouth fell open. He nodded at it a few times.

"You get forty percent of everything you earn," Devi reminded him with a smile. "That's from your first night's trade. Part of it anyway, I didn't have that much cash on hand and I haven't been to the bank yet. I'll pay you the rest when everyone else gets paid. You okay?" he asked when he noticed the kid still hadn't taken a breath.

"That's a lot," Xander gasped.

"Yes, it is. That's why it needs to go into the bank," Devi said patiently. He pushed a button on his phone and a very big, tough-looking human walked into the room. "Lyle, I want you to take Xander shopping. He's going to be our newest out-sourcer and special assignment guy." He looked at Xander, who was still staring at the money. "Take him to the bank first, once he comes up for air."

Xander's head shot up. "Huh?"

Lyle picked Xander up and carried him out the door to the special car Devi always used. He set Xander in the back and climbed in next to him, tapping on the divider so the driver would go. "You gonna live?" he growled.

Xander nodded, his eyes still very big. "This is part of my first night's take," Xander said, handing it over. "You hold it. People won't mug you."

Lyle smiled and tucked the money into his pocket. "So, you're the one who attracts demons?" Xander gave him another panicked look as he looked him over. "Don't worry, kid, I'm human, same as you are. I just thought we could have some polite conversation."

Xander relaxed. "Yeah, it looks like it. Even that doctor guy couldn't explain it beyond pheromones. I called home to a witch I know last night and had her explain it to me in small words, but she didn't understand it either. Though she joked about it explaining most of my high school career." He looked out the window. "Where is this bank?"

"We'll go there after you go shopping. That way you don't have to worry about how much you're spending." He looked out the window, then at the guy in front of him. "You're GHS, right? That's the rumor anyway." Xander nodded. "Good, I've told the driver that we're going to a store that sells lots of silk and velvet stuff."

"Devi said I had to get a pair of leather pants."

"I know. We discussed this earlier when he made out your itinerary. Relax, kid, you're in good hands."

"Okay," Xander sighed, getting really comfortable on the leather seats. "I want a couch like this when I get home."

"That shouldn't be too hard. Leather couches are still pretty common in California." He smiled at the frown. "I needed to know, in case someone tried to jump you."

"Yeah, but I only took out the bad guys, the ones who came to the attention of the town. The vampires who were trying to eat the populace. I don't think I ever hurt an innocent demon, one that wasn't bent on destruction."

"Oh, you've hurt some of them, but in the wallet and possibly the heart," Lyle said with a smile. He rubbed across his bald head. "I don't look like a Lyle, do I?"

"No, you look more like a Butch or a Tom. Something a lot more..."

"Manly?" Lyle asked with a smile. "That's part of my charm and good fortune. Everyone underestimates me." He stood up as the car stopped, getting out first and looking around before letting Xander out of the car. He led the way into the store, smiling at one of the sales girls. "My associate needs fancy clothes. Soft, seductive, fancy clothes." She nodded, licking her lips. "We'd like your personal attention," he told her, waving toward the back.

"Of course," she said, hurrying back to clear a spot for them to look at clothes in. "Right this way," she called.

Xander was pulled away from a rack and led back to the back by Lyle.

***

Lyle tapped on Devi's door, giving him a dry, bland look. "Do you know how many people I had to take him away from?" he asked. Devi's mouth opened. "How many times I had to steal him back today?" Devi's mouth opened a little farther. "Do you know how many halfies there are on the NYPD, all of which tried to take him home with them?"

Devi sighed, "Oh, no." His shoulders slumped. "That's why it took you so long?"

"I took him to Madam Qui's for etiquette lessons. She got all the way to Connecticut before I got him back. That's what took me so long."

Devi burst out laughing. "No," he moaned, holding his head. He looked up. "I can't send him out, can I?"

"Not unless you send him with someone like Blair or Preston. No." Lyle walked in and closed the door. "He told me his Wiccan friend can't help him change his scent. She doesn't know how."

Devi shook his head. "I guess he's our special assignment guy then."

"You might want to be careful if you give him to that Sarthna coming in at the end of the week. Xander's gotten everything from pouts, to offers of marriage or being kept, to outright threats when I had to take him back, and those were from the ones who saw him and tried to snatch him, not the ones he actually talked to. One of those decided to commit stupidity and I had a run-in with Blair's minions over him."

"Blair was involved?"

"No, his childe was involved. Blair stepped in and staked him for his arrogance, then gave Xander a brilliant smile and invited him to dinner since it was his night off. He turned him down, telling him it was a momentary shopping thing because he needed indecent clothes." He rubbed across his head again. "He has good tastes, a bit loud but otherwise good. I stuck him with the darker reds and blues, and black. We stuck with velvet, silk, but he's shown a definite taste for cashmere and silk. He's fully kitted out for whatever. We even stopped by the lingerie store so he could pick up some more working outfits. He's got one that's the same color as blood as it spills, and he's got one that's got a single line of red part-way down the front in the same shade, but the rest of the outfit's white. He's killer in both of them, boss."

"Thank you, Lyle. Tell him to come down and I'll let him work for three hours or so, it's been not so busy tonight. Maybe he'll bring in business."

"I'd let him go down to the bar tonight," Lyle suggested. "Let him string for the rest of the guys. He's really worried about how they see him, he wants to be liked by everyone."

"I'm sure he will be. Go tell him to get dressed in clubbing clothes. I've got an idea." He picked up the phone as his personal bodyguard left to go upstairs. "Blair? Yes, it's Devi. I was wondering if you'd like to initiate Xander into the out-sourcing program? No, I think he needs to get out tonight. Yes, standard fee would be fine." He smiled. "Of course. Oh, but I best warn you, the problem you had with your childe wasn't the first one today. No, Lyle told me about the others. Including Madam Qui, who should understand since she's a Quarth. Yes, you'd think that since her species are the official demonic concubines that she wouldn't have reacted like that, but Lyle said she was in Connecticut before he stopped her with the boy." He smiled. "I'm sure you'll take good care of our walking advertisement." He hung up and smiled at Xander as he walked in wearing a pair of velvet drawstring pants and a skin-tight t-shirt, all in black. He checked his footwear, a pair of soft leather boots, and nodded. "Good. Blair, you should remember him from your first night, is taking you out tonight to a club. You're going to be our advertisement and he's going to see if there's a way we can stop you from being kidnapped. He's got a large circle of acquaintances that you'll probably be seeing. Will you be on your best behavior?"

Xander nodded. "I'll do my best. What's expected of me?"

"Nothing more than clubbing, kid. I'm not expecting you to get any tonight. Do you have your portal in, just in case?" Xander nodded. "Good. If he does desire something more, remind him he's going to owe me more money when you get back." He looked over the outfit again. "You've got a good body, but you need toned a little. We'll get you started at the gym tomorrow." He waved a hand. "Go have fun and relax. We'll figure this out." He watched as Xander walked out, smiling at his backside and the lack of pantyline. "Yeah, he'll be a good advertisement." He picked up some of the paperwork on his desk. "Shoot, forgot to ask him. I'll do it tomorrow when the guys start to get frustrated."

***

Xander wobbled into the brothel and smiled at everyone. "Hi," he said, waving.

John snorted. "Got you drunk? Did you remind him about paying more?"

Blair walked in and glared at John. "I know. Unfortunately he's not drunk. Someone tried to kidnap him after injecting him with a foreign substance that I can't identify by taste. Where's Devi?"

"Right here," Devi said as he came off the elevator. "How many people did it take to get him back this time?"

"One. I ate him." Blair smiled at him as he handed over the young man. "You really need to put a locator on him. That was only one of sixteen attempts to take him tonight." He looked over at the other prostitutes, who all looked stunned. "This gift of attraction of his isn't a gift, it's a curse. It makes *all* of us want him. Even you, John." He smiled coldly and turned back to Devi. "I suggest you have him looked at, I couldn't tell what the drug was but it was injected into his arm." He pointed at the bruise. "I got the person as they withdrew the needle but they refused to tell me what it was. He was human though. His boss and I had a few... words." He nodded at Lyle and turned, leaving the brothel.

"Well, well," Lyle said, taking Xander. "Who tried for you this time? More cops?"

"Only a few," Xander slurred, giving him a brilliant smile but sad eyes. "Everyone loves me but no one likes me. I don't know why."

"Take him upstairs," Devi ordered, looking around. "I'll call our doctor in to look at him."

"It's a happy drug," Lyle told him. "Maybe GBH." He picked the young man up and carried him up the stairs. "Where were you when he got you?"

"Bathroom. Had my pants open and everything," Xander said, patting the side of his neck. "You're nice."

"Thank you." Lyle kicked the elevator's door when it didn't open automatically for him.

***

Xander walked down to the office the night after his Sarthna encounter and gave Devi a pitiful look. "That was fun but it wasn't," he complained. "Do I get him again?"

"Yup, if he comes back, he's demanded you if you're still here." He looked up and smiled. "You hit another record last night."

"Not in it for the money," Xander reminded him. He looked down at the outfit he was debuting, the white silk with the faint trail of blood leading down from a drop near his collarbone. "Do you like?"

"Very enticing. I'm sure you'll have Blair all over you again tonight." Xander blushed. "You okay? Did anything funny happen that night?"

"Not that I remember," Xander told him with a shrug. "Of course, for a few minutes I couldn't remember my name. Did Blair really eat the guy?"

"Yup." Devi handed him a check. "I heard you got an account now so I'll pay you this way from now on."

Xander looked at the check and his mouth fell open. "But I only worked three days!"

"Yes, you did." Devi smiled at him. "Kid, you make me a lot of money because of your odd condition, but I promise that I'll try to help you cure it while you're here. Now, let Lyle take you to the bank and then come back and work for the next few hours." He waved his hand, shooing Xander away.

Xander got up and walked out, still looking at his check. He ran into a hard chest and looked up, smiling at Lyle. "Devi said for you to take me to the bank."

"Sure. You going in that?"

"Yeah, I need to go deposit it, not go out and do anything else." He grinned, showing off the check. "I'm not in it for the money, but I'm still happy about this."

"Good," Lyle said, putting his arm around Xander's neck so he could lead him to the car.

***

Devi looked up at the clock then back out at the common room. He picked up the phone and dialed it, but he still wasn't getting an answer from Lyle's cellphone. He slammed down the receiver and walked out into the common area. "Has anyone heard from Lyle?"

John looked up, his mouth open; he'd never seen Devi this upset in the four years he'd been working for him. "He take Xander out?"

Devi nodded. "To the bank an hour before the shift started." He looked toward the door as Lyle walked in, dragging Xander with him.

"But I want to hurt him!" Xander was yelling. "He's *mine*!"

Lyle handed the boy over with a smile. "You might want to get him calmed down," he said quietly, then left the room. Everyone flinched as they heard the punch to the elevator's door as it closed, and a few winced when they saw the dent.

Xander fumed and paced in front of Devi. "They were mine to beat up, why couldn't I have killed them? I can do that. I've done it before with Buffy. I'll gladly do it again without her."

Devi stopped him and forced Xander to look at him, hands on each side of his face. "What happened?" he asked slowly, hoping it would get through. There weren't too many things that could upset Lyle like that.

Xander glared at him after getting free. "You want to know what happened? This time I was ignored." One of the other pros burst out laughing so Xander turned to glare at him, making him flinch. "I was the one they ignored as they decided to come in and rob the bank. So I got to help take them out. Lyle tried to get in their way but he got knocked out and I got to take on sixteen little slithering demons, which I don't remember the name of but I know they can be killed with cold. So I got to save the day and then, *then* the security guard comes up and gets gropey with me. I tell him no and he nods at one of the tellers, who comes out and tries to gas me so they can take me away. By now, Lyle's awake and all, but I'm already in the back of a car and who should save me but one of my old *enemies*! And then, to top it all off, I was taken from *HIM* by someone else! From Spike!" He threw up his hands and started to pace again. "This has gotten out of hand. I can't even walk outside right now. I mean, really, three kidnapping attempts in less than ten minutes is a bit much." He stopped when he ran into Devi, giving him a long look. "You promised me that you'd help fix me, what's going to do that?"

"I'm not sure. I have a call out to Adam and to a bunch of sorcerers, including Preston. They're working on it, Harris. The smell of demons already on you must make it worse somehow, but we're working on it." He pulled Xander in for a short hug, but he was vibrating. "You need to go wear that energy out. Want to take on someone and work them over?"

Xander ran a hand through his hair and nodded. "Make it someone who can take it. I'm not going to be responsible for killing someone when their heart goes or whatever."

"Deal." Devi walked into his office and picked up the phone, bringing in an old client that might need to be worn out.

***

Xander came out of his work room a few hours later perfectly clean. He nodded at his client as he dragged himself away and headed for the office, giving Devi a sweet, but cold smile. "Another?"

Devi stared at him and nodded, pointing at the man sitting still on one of the couches.

Xander walked over and found Adam, and immediately calmed down as he slid into his lap. "Hi. Do you know how to fix me?"

Adam sighed as he rubbed down Xander's back. "Not yet, I'm afraid, but I'm also working on your problem. How are you?"

"Still tense and uptight. I need someone who can wear me out."

Adam smiled at him. "If you insist. Would you be willing to try me?"

Xander slumped. "But I don't want to hurt you. I almost killed the other guy I think."

Adam's smile gentled. "I assure you, young Alexander, that you won't hurt me. I'm a very hardy man." He stood up, letting Xander slide down his body. "Come, I should take care of you now." He walked him into a clean room and locked them in, not caring that everyone was staring at them.

Devi looked at his crew. "And you thought you guys had it rough because some of your clients were going to him? His last one, Malvastrum, just went to the hospital because he was having chest pains." He walked into his office and closed the door, hard.

***

Xander walked into Devi's office the next day after a light tap. "I'm sorry about last night," he said quietly, looking at the carpet. "Is everyone okay?"

"Lyle's fine. He had a few drinks and went to bed." Devi tapped the desk a few times, making Xander look at him. "Do you want me to lie to you?" Xander nodded. "Okay, then everyone's fine." Xander sat down and put his head in his hands. "I know you needed to wear it out," Devi said kindly, "but I still don't know how you did that to Malvastrum."

"Neither do I," Xander admitted. "It was nice, normal, but hard sex, I swear, Devi. I never meant to hurt him." He swallowed. "Is he really not okay or mildly not okay?"

"Really not okay. He died of a heart attack last night. They said that his heart basically exploded as soon as he got to the hospital." Xander turned very pale. "Yeah, he was a good guy."

Xander nodded, he was too choked up to talk. "I did that," he whispered finally. "I did a really bad thing to a nice guy."

Devi came around to give him a hug. "He knew you didn't mean it, kid. Don't stress over it. Next time, though, I'm calling Adam first. He seemed to calm you down right away."

"He understood," Xander said, wiping off his damp cheeks. "Is there some way I could send a card to his family?"

"He didn't have one. He was over nine hundred years old," Devi told him, giving him back his personal space. "He was too old to have been doing that last night in the first place. I should have remembered that." He gave Xander a smile. "Next time, it's going to be a punching bag. No more getting that stressed over all this."

"I can't go out anymore," Xander said quietly. "Not without an armed escort."

Devi snorted. "I noticed. It'll slack off. You're just the new thing. This is only your second week here. Next time though, you're taking a long shower. Preston said that some of this had to do with the demonic stench already on you, that it's building on what you're putting out naturally and making you irresistible. Which means that you should be okay when you go home." He smiled. "It has to get better, right?" He waved at the common room. "Today's your normal day off. Do you really want to work?" Xander shook his head. "Didn't think so. Why don't you go steal John and take him shopping? He needs to go and he knows some good, safe places. I'll send you with Bulbous Nose for a guard. He tends to scare off most people."

Xander nodded and stood up, leaving the office.

Devi sighed as he leaned back. "He'd better scare of most people, I don't think either of us could take him being kidnapped again." He shook his head and made out John's check. He'd pay the guy to take the kid out for the day, and he really did need some new clothes.

***

Xander walked into the office to get his third week's check, not surprised in the least by it. He'd gotten used to having multi-digit checks recently and he appreciated how much he was earning. He had some plans for it when he got home. "Devi, how do I transfer this?" he asked.

"When you go home?" Xander nodded. "One of two ways. You start an account there and have it all transferred, or you carry it with you on your trip back. Or a combination of the two. I'd say a combination would be best. Why? You don't leave for another three weeks."

"I know, but I'm making plans on how to get home now. I think I'm going to take a few detours. Go see Adam now that he's back in Chicago. Maybe see the Northwest; I hear it's really pretty up there."

"Good. You should enjoy yourself before you go home. You still going to help the Slayer chick?"

"Only if she needs me. I appreciate the distinction but I know that we only take out those that are trying to hurt people against their wills. The vamps that are trying to snack on the whole of the populace and all that. Besides, I'm a research guy most of the time, not a fighting guy. I don't do too well in that area."

"As long as you understand that there's a difference, kid," Devi said gruffly.

"Yeah, I do. You nice guys don't come to my Hellmouth and set up shops. The bad guys come to the Hellmouth because I draw them there." He smiled at the snort. "I don't? You mean it's turned itself off again?"

Devi looked up. "At least you can joke about it now. Has it turned off?"

"I didn't get picked at all last night," Xander said, giving him a smile. "It was kinda nice to watch the other guys go get sore."

Devi chuckled. "Yeah, it was for them too." He waved a hand. "Go to work, kid. You can deposit that later."

"Okay." Xander nodded upstairs. "Gonna go hide this." He jogged to the elevator and went up to his room.

***

Xander wandered off shift and up to his room, stopping when he saw how messy it was. He always tried to keep it clean and it had been a lot cleaner earlier. He stepped out and walked out to where the guard was standing, motioning him over. "Someone's trashed my room," he said quietly. "Come help me?"

The demon guard nodded and followed him in, silently calling for Devi to come up.

Xander walked over to where he had hidden his check, pulling out the little hidden drawer, and swore loudly, bringing John.

John whistled. "Man, someone got you good," he said, leaning against the doorway.

"Got my check too," Xander told him, slamming the drawer shut. He looked around. "I'm not even sure what's wearable yet." He looked up. "Do you know anything about this?"

"I didn't hear a thing, but I had my headphones on," John admitted, giving him a small smile. "I'm sure it'll be found. Devi knows almost everything that goes on around here, he has some sort of spell." He got out of Devi's way at the poke to his back. "Hey, boss. Look what someone did to Xander's room."

Devi looked around and nodded. "I think I know who did it, but I was monitoring the bar downstairs when it happened." He held a bag out to Xander. "I had some clothes packed for tonight and I'll move you across the hall. Don't worry, I'll have someone come up and look through everything to make sure I'm right and it'll be your room again tomorrow." He waited until Xander was in his new room to look at John. "Headphones?"

"I wasn't in on it, Devi, and I don't condone it, but I saw what he did. I'm pleading willful ignorance here."

"I know. Let's not hold this against you, all right?" Devi said coolly as he walked down the hall to Peter's room. He tapped on the door and walked in, stepping through the middle of his casting circle to break it. "You can't summon someone to come steal him," he said coldly, grabbing Peter by the hair and pulling him up. "That's not your right." He handed him off to the guard. "Take him down to my office and have Lyle come up here and pack his things. Call Preston's protégé to come take care of this mess." He walked away, taking the check that was in the middle of the altar.

***

Xander tapped on Devi's door and walked in with his portal's box. "I did something bad," he said quietly, setting it down in front of him, "and I'm not sure what."

Devi looked at the portal then closed the lid. "You killed it."

Xander shook his head. "I didn't rip it."

"No, you didn't, but the portal's punctured. Tell me what happened *exactly*, Xander."

Xander swallowed. "I was having trouble getting it out. It keeps flipping upside down and sideways on me whenever I try to push it back out, so I reached up in there, but I didn't scratch it. I was really careful to only touch it around the edges."

Devi looked at it again, then frowned at his worker. "It flipped on you? How?"

"I don't know. I'm guessing it's something like how my ex's tampons would somehow flip string side up and she didn't notice. All I know is that it kept coming out upside down or sideways. I don't know what I did but I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I want to make it right. Can I help make another portal?"

"No." Devi put the box behind him. "Those portals are actually the demon themselves formed into another shape." He looked Xander over. "She never noticed?"

"No, she'd take it out and have to do it manually because the string was now up inside her. It was always right side down when she put it in, but somehow, she moved it."

"I want to check something. Close the door." Xander stood up and did so. "Come over here so I can check the inside of you." Xander slowly walked over and dropped his pants. Devi lubed his finger and stuck it in. "Okay, now squeeze. Not that hard!" He swatted his worker before his finger could break. "Try that again, only gentler, like you would when walking." The human's legs moved and Devi sighed. "Your muscles are some of the best trained I've ever seen. It's like a trick horse in there," he said as he pulled out his finger. He looked at the box, then at Xander, who was redressed and back across the desk from him. "When you walk, you clench your internal muscles and it sucks on the portal." He gave him a disgusted look. "I've *never* seen anyone who could do that unconsciously. Peter used to be able to do it when he first started, but he'd have to concentrate on it."

"This is another one of those things that'll never be understood?" Xander guessed.

"Yeah," Devi said dryly, "it is." He pulled out another portal and handed it over. "Go ask John to take this out for you each night from now until you leave next week. Hopefully, he won't tear it when he goes in for it."

"Yes, sir, I'm really sorry, Devi."

Devi waved it off. As soon as the door closed, he hit his head on the desk a few times. The kid was worth it for all the money he made him but not even Xander Harris should have muscles like that in his body.

Xander walked over to John and leaned down next to his ear. "Devi told me to ask you if you could start taking my portal out at night. My last one kept flipping or turning sideways and getting stuck."

John looked up at him in shock. "It did? How?"

"He called my internal muscles a trick pony," Xander said, sitting on the back of the couch behind him. "I don't know how I did it, but I hurt the last one really bad while taking it out."

John sighed. "You killed a portal?" Xander nodded. "Did that once, during my first week." He patted Xander's thigh. "We'll figure this out tonight. Go put it in, one of your regulars is coming soon."

Xander hopped up and went upstairs to put his new portal in. After all, he couldn't work without it, it ate the sperm.

***

Xander looked around at all the people gathered for his next to last night. Devi had put out invitations for this night instead of tomorrow, on which he only expected Adam. He looked back at Devi as the arguing started again, a mirror to his first night's work. He walked over and sat down in front of his boss. "You never told me if I was supposed to egg them on or not," he reminded him with a smile.

"Egg them on, you'll get more and you'll have to do less."

Xander grinned. "That makes sense." He stood up and walked over to the mob of demons, getting in the middle. "Guys, I'm going to change the bidding," he told them once he had their attention, which wasn't usually hard. "I'm going to start taking bids for the last guy and work my way backwards." He held up a finger at the clapping. "One thing, the last one will actually be the next to last one because I promised my last night to the guy who broke me in."

Blair smiled at him. "That seems very fair." He glanced around. "It would have been fitting if Preston had made it to be here tonight as he was your first."

"Um, he died a few weeks ago," Xander told him quietly. "He got even with the guy who killed his family." He opened his jacket to show the scar across his stomach. "I was his sword-bearer."

"Oh." Blair reached out to touch it. "I had wondered about this mark." He smiled at Xander. "How many of us are you willing to take on?"

Xander did a quick head count and figured it up, he wasn't going to service twenty people tonight, no way in, well, Hell. "Ten," he announced, getting booed for it. "Guys, I'm still tender from last night's celebration," he complained. "Ten. Last one first, highest bid wins that spot."

"I have a hundred thousand," Blair said proudly.

"I have more," another demon hissed at him. "I'm not willing to bet it all on one hour's ride though." He walked away, going to find some cheaper form of entertainment.

Xander shrugged. "Sorry I upset him. Okay, anyone else want to challenge Blair?" Nobody said anything. "Okay, Blair you get last spot." There was muted clapping. "Who's going to be number nine?"

"I've got fifty," a demon said, giving him a smile. "I don't want to go higher, but I'll take wherever that puts me."

Xander looked around. "Anyone going to go higher?" Everyone shook their heads. "Okay, how about forty?" One guy raised his hand. "You want forty?" He nodded. "Forty-one?" The other guy shook his head. "Okay, then you get me for forty-one, Marthem." He smiled and walked off to pay Devi. "Next is you," he said, pointing at the man who was going to bid for ninth. "You said forty, anyone going to challenge him?" No one said anything. "So I guess you got eighth." He smiled as the demon walked off. "Next?"

"Thirty," two demons said at once.

"Thirty-one," one corrected instantly.

The other demon growled at him. "I'll take seventh then," he decided.

"Only if you go past me," another person said as they walked up to the group.

"Riasu," Xander said, giving him a smile. "I didn't think that you liked me."

"I do, but I could never afford you. I figure first will go for a reasonable amount though."

Xander nodded. "Maybe." He went back to the bidding, letting it slowly go down to the non- headache range. At the end of the bidding, he took his first client, Riasu, back to one of the rooms.

Xander walked out after servicing his last client and flopped down beside Devi. "I'm tired," he announced. The other guys all clapped. "Gee, thanks." He smiled at Lyle as he walked in. "Hi. How are you? Still pissed at me?"

"Not at all," Lyle said, pulling a gun, "but I'm wondering what everyone else sees in you so I'm going to find out." He motioned Xander over with the gun. "Come on," he said when he hadn't moved.

Xander looked at Devi, who looked shocked. "Lyle, it's a pheromones thing. My chemicals like to attract demons." He glanced over at John. "Some one even suggested that I change my name to Demonus Flytrap."

Devi snorted. "That's a good one, John."

John smiled at him. "Thanks, boss." He looked up at Lyle. "He won't do a thing for you, you're human."

"Yay," Lyle said, grabbing Xander and pulling him up. He backed out of the room with him, making sure no one followed, though no one looked like they were going to try.

A few seconds later, Xander walked in with the gun dangling from his finger. He handed it over to Devi and sat back down, giving John a smile.

"Okay, I got to ask," one of the guys said, "what'd you do to him?"

Xander smirked. "I kissed him." He reached over to pat John's knee. "See, since the night I had trouble with my portal, John's been training me to use my natural gifts." Devi started to laugh. "Including training my stupid muscles." The guys all looked clueless. "I was turning the portal around as I walked, it ended up upside down and sideways because of the action of my muscles. So John trained them for me. Then he trained me how to pout and beg, and to kiss of course." He wiggled his eyebrows at his boss. "Won't Adam be surprised tomorrow?"

"I'm sure he will," Devi said in between snorts of laugher. "I'm very sure he will." He pushed himself up and went to get a drink. "Guys, you're looking at one of the most lethal GHS in the world right now. He can turn his pout on anyone and get them to do anything for him." He saluted Xander with his glass. "Good job, kid. I can't wait to hear Adam's comments."

One of the guys shook his head. "I can't believe that. How do you train trick muscles like that usefully?"

"Easy," Xander purred, a recent bad habit he had picked up, "and now I can stop them cold." He got up and left the room, heading up to pack. He wouldn't have time once he got through showing Adam what he had learned.

***

Adam's scream of, "What was *that*?" floated out into the common area. John looked at Devi and snickered, leaning on his client for support.

Blair, whom John was leaning on, looked over his shoulder. "Did he show him the trick where he can stop anyone cold?" he asked.

Devi shook his head. "Nope, another one, something oral I believe." He saluted John again, there'd be a nice bonus for that guy this week.

Adam walked out of the room just before dawn and grabbed the water Devi was holding out to him to drink. "God, someone taught that boy some amazing things," he gasped after he finished the second bottle of water. He looked over his shoulder at Xander, who was leaning against the doorway smirking. "I'll get you back someday, imp, remember that. Even those fancy tricks won't save you next time."

Xander strolled over and kissed him, knocking his teacher out cold. He yawned as he looked at Devi. "I'll leave as soon as I take a nap. I'm all packed and everything." He squatted down to tap Adam on the head. "Hi, I'm going to bed now and then I'm going home. You're always welcome in my home, Adam. Remember that." He stood up and strolled to the elevator, going up to rest and recharge so he could start his journey home. He'd found himself and the man he'd found was one he liked and respected, if only for the things he could do now. But he also enjoyed him, it was fun to be him some days. As long as no one got to him on the trip home.

Finalizing The Details.

Xander stepped out of his car and kicked the misbehaving thing. He looked around at the small town he found himself in and sighed. "I doubt they have a car place," he told himself, flagging down a car that was coming toward him. "Hi, my car just quit. Can you call a garage for me?" he asked the man.

"Sure. It's in the next town though."

Xander shrugged. "I kinda figured that since all I saw was a diner. No offense or anything."

The man smiled. "None taken. Want a ride?"

Xander looked back at his car and considered the things that were in it. "Nah, I'll wait with my car. There's some stuff in there I don't want to risk getting stolen. Pictures and stuff."

The man nodded. "Okay. I'll call them at the next payphone." He drove off, his window rolling up.

Xander looked down at himself and made sure that his jeans were done up and he was presentable at least. He wasn't even wearing anything unusual so why had that guy been smirking? He hopped up to sit on the trunk of his car, waiting for his help to arrive. When the cop stopped half an hour later, he gave him a grateful smile. "I asked a guy to call a tow truck for me," he said, not hopping down. "It broke down, again."

The cop looked him over. "You a student or somethin'?"

"On my way home from a roadtrip to find myself." Xander looked down at himself then back at the cop. "Is there something wrong with the way I'm dressed? I've got a few funny looks and I don't know why. I thought jeans were a normal thing."

"Oh, they are," the cop said, licking his lips. "Let me call and see where your truck is." He pulled out his radio and called his dispatcher. "Found the guy that we got told was hanging out on the side of the road, he's waiting on a tow truck. Can you check that for me?" He let the button go and listened to the speaker. "Thanks. Yeah, send them. Nah, it'll be okay. I'll be here." He tossed the radio back in and shut the door, walking over as he looked Xander over again. "You never answered. Are you a college student?"

"I'm holding off that fate for a few more months," he said with an impish grin. "I'm not ready for that fate yet." He tipped his head to the side. "I promise not to get into trouble if you have somewhere else to be."

"Nah, it's a slow day around here." He looked at the house across the street. "Why didn't you ask them to use the phone?"

"I didn't think they were home," Xander said with a shrug. "No cars, no flickering TV through the window. I'm sorry if I scared somebody."

"Nah, you're a stranger and they always bring attention around here." He turned and spit out his gum, smiling at Xander. "So, what's your job like?"

"Not real sure yet," he admitted. "I guess I'll find that out once I get home this week." He popped his neck. "I'm just coming back from seeing the Northwest and New York, and I'm on my way home with a quick stop through LA to get something straightened out."

"Ah, you're in trouble then."

Xander smiled gently at him. "Nope, I've got to find a person and talk to them before I head home. I'm not in trouble and I'm not trouble." He held up a hand. "I promise." He turned up his grin, making the officer smile at him. "See, you like me, so I can't be trouble. You wouldn't like trouble, right?"

The officer snorted then started to chuckle. "No, I wouldn't. You know that this tow's going to cost you a pretty penny, right, kid?"

"Xander," he said, holding out a hand, "and I've got the money. That's why I'm stopping in LA before I head home, to figure out what to do with it. That's also why I didn't let that last guy give me a ride."

They shook hands. "Good idea. I doubt you'd have come back very quickly." He looked Xander's outfit over again, noticing how the soft jeans accentuated everything he had very nicely and his t-shirt was just this side of being a rag. He jumped when a horn blew behind him, turning to glare at the tow truck driver. "Funny," he called, pointing at the car. "This one's for you."

Xander hopped down and walked over to talk to the driver. "I broke down and need towed to a garage?"

"Sure. Next town over okay?"

"Definitely, as long as there's somewhere to stay by there."

"Yup, sure is." He looked the car over. "What's it been doing?"

"It's been stalling. Totally cutting out while I'm doing anything over forty. I managed not to hit a fence this time, which was a good, but I guess I've made a bit of a nuisance of myself." He grinned at the officer. "Thanks for keeping me company. I hope I see you again." He looked at the tow truck, then at his car. "What do I do with my stuff?"

"Leave it for now," the driver said gruffly. "We'll drop you off at a motel and let you check in before we bring this baby to the garage." He got in and pulled up in front of Xander's car, parking and letting out his chain. He got back out and watched as Xander made sure everything was locked and rolled up. "Paranoid little guy, aren't ya?" he quipped.

"Yeah, I kinda am," Xander said, looking around, waving to the nice officer as he drove off. "I've kinda got my best friend's inheritance in the car and I don't want it to get lost."

"Ah. Good reason that is." He got down and hooked the car up to the chain, sliding back out and standing up to brush himself off. "Okay, got your blinkers on?"

"Oh, yeah. This isn't the first time I've had to do this this week." He looked around and stepped closer. "Between you and me, this car sucks badly but it's my uncle's."

"Hey, we'll be right near a place where you can get a cheap one. Lots of college kids where we are, small art college nearby."

"Very cool," Xander said, giving him a smile. "Cash is okay, right?"

"Sure. It's a preferred method of payment the world over." He waved a hand at the cab. "Get in. Let's get this to a good mechanic. Maybe he'll be able to get you home."

"Or at least to LA would be nice," Xander told him as he walked around to get in. He was pretty sure this guy wasn't going to hit on him, which was really nice. He'd had enough of that with the last two tow truck drivers he had had to run into.

***

Xander flopped down onto his bed and looked at his bags, shaking his head. How could he have cracked the block when the stupid car hadn't been running right for days? He sighed and spread out on the squishy mattress, closing his eyes for a few minutes. He'd figure out what to do later, after a nap.

When he woke up, it was about twenty minutes later and someone was jiggling the lock. "It's occupied," he called out, sliding off the bed and grabbing the first thing that came to hand, a lamp. He yanked open the door and stood there, lamp upraised, staring at the cleaning lady. "Um, hi," he said, giving her a smile. "I'm in here."

"So I see," she said, holding out a pile of towels. "You won't want the ones in there, they're ragged." She smiled at him, nodding at the lamp. "Maybe you should put that back where you found it."

He blushed and put the lamp down, taking the towels. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. The owner thought you'd be here for a few days."

Xander snorted. "A few days? The engine block's cracked somehow. Either I send that one home without me or I get a new car."

She leaned closer. "Don't go to the spot next to the garage. There's a better place out by the highway. Much better cars, less beaten up and the like. They even have a few really nice ones."

Xander gave her a hug. "Thank you. I'm going there tomorrow." He pulled back and gave her a smile. "Any idea about where I should eat supper?"

"Well, the Chinese food place is one of those fifty-fifty places. Half of us want to call the Health Department on them and half of us love them. The pizza place is good for the college students, and those who like grease, but your best bet is a little place down the street called Belynda's. She's a good cook, real homemade food, but she's only open for the next hour."

"Do they deliver?" Xander asked.

"No, but if you call in, you could pick it up." She patted the side of his face. "I'd call now, they might close early if they're not busy." She winked and walked away, heading back to the office.

Xander put the towels on the bed and grabbed his wallet, checking to make sure everything he needed was in there already. He opened his smallest bag and pulled out a few dollars, shielding it from the doorway in case anyone was watching him. He grabbed his keys and ran out of the room, but he had to come back for his shoes.

***

Xander looked at the cars and shook his head. Nothing there said him. He wandered to the more expensive side of the lot, earning a frown from the salesman watching him, but he wanted a car that spoke to him about what he now was. He stopped in front of a purple SUV, a custom paint job since it was lavender, to look inside but the coarse seats were something he really didn't want. Besides, he didn't need something that big. He wandered along the other rows, stopping in front of a sedate sedan, an older model Lexus. He shaded his eyes to look through the heavily tinted window, but he couldn't see anything.

"Excuse me, but is that really in your price range?" the salesman asked as he walked over to him.

"Yes," Xander said patiently, "it is. Can you open it and start it?"

The salesman shrugged. "Prove it." Xander glared at him. "I really don't want to waste my time."

Xander made a show of looking around. "Yeah, you have so much to do. I can always take my needs elsewhere. I hear there's a nice place in the next town. I'm sure I can get a ride over there." He waved at the door. "Or you could do two simple things, and if I like this piece of crap, then I'll give you nice, crisp cash and you can have a good day."

The salesman tossed over the keys. "We'll see," he said, looking Xander over.

Xander tossed over his wallet as he got into the car, humming as he slid into the leather seat. "Like this," he noted, starting the engine, smiling at the loud purr it made. "Oh, yeah, like this." He got out and held out a hand. "Pop the hood and let me look and we may have a deal."

The salesman gave him a smile and popped the hood. He knew better than to argue with a guy who had a Platinum card, much less two. He stepped out of the way and let the young man look down inside it, watching him to see if he knew what he was looking for.

"I want to take it over to be checked out," Xander said, looking up at him. "Want to come with me?"

"Sure. Want me to drive?"

"Nah, I want to try this puppy out." Xander slammed the hood and walked back over to get in, revving the engine while he waited for the salesman to join him.

***

Xander got out of his new car and walked over to his door, frowning when he saw it was open. He pushed it open gently, staring at the man who was bending over his bags. "It's wired to explode if you don't have my fingerprints," he said quietly.

The man turned and it was the cop from yesterday.

"Okay, never mind, no explosives after all." He smiled and walked in, shutting the door behind him. "Sorry, but I thought you were trying to steal from me."

"Thieves are usually much less neat about their searching," the officer told him. He cleared his throat. "There's been a question raised about the money you've been spending, kid."

Xander sat down in the little chair next to the bed. "I figured as much when I saw it was you. I told you, it's an inheritance."

"Yes, but you said it was a friend's." He sat on the bed and pushed his baseball cap back. "I want the truth, or we can do this in my office."

Xander shrugged. "Part of that is hers. Part of it's mine. It's all from the same source. The cash is mine and some of the jewelry is hers. What more do you need for me to prove it to you?"

"How about some legal papers? A copy of the will?"

"I can call someone and have them tell you that's what it is," Xander offered. "Would that be good enough?"

The officer thought for a minute then nodded. "Sure. If it's from a reliable source."

Xander got up and went to the phone, pulling out one of the cards in his wallet. "Hey, it's Xander," he said quietly as soon as the other end was picked up. "Yeah, I'm doing okay so far. No kidnapping attempts yet but the car died and there's a question about how I got the money." He looked at the cop. "Yeah, I told him that it was an inheritance, but he's not believing me. Can I get you to talk to him, Blair? Please?" He smiled and handed the phone over, getting out of the officer's way. "He's a nice guy. Very sweet for what he is."

"This is Sheriff Halster. And you are?" He looked back at Xander. "Are you an attorney or something?" He smiled. "Okay then. Did he get the money where he said he did?" He nodded. "Okay, thank you." He hung up. "Nice guy, for a New Yorker." He nodded at the door. "I'm going to go, I'll spread it around that you're okay and all." He nodded and left, closing the door softly behind him.

Xander picked up the phone and hit redial. "Hey, Blair, thanks for that. Yeah, I know, I shouldn't have let myself get into that, but I needed a new car. Mine died." He chuckled. "Really, no kidnapping attempts. Not yet anyway. Of course, I've only run into one guy that might have and he kinda had to disappear. No, he was snacking at a mall, he needed the cloth to procreate." He sat on the dresser, smiling as he looked down at his feet. "Yeah, that was kinda a neat thing. Thanks again. What? Sure, the next time you're in LA, call me and we'll have dinner. What? Nope, I'm out of the business, that was a limited engagement to help me find myself." His smile got sappy. "Yeah, I got a good life ahead of me. Thanks, Blair. Love you too. Be good to poor John, I know he can't keep up with what I did. Oh, you're ready for slow, huh?" he teased. "Well, still, be good to the guy. He deserves it. He stuck up for me." He laughed and hung up, swinging his feet. "Yeah, he's a good vamp." He hopped off and checked his watch, heading out to get some dinner and talk to the mechanic.

***

Xander groaned as he pulled up in front of his chosen new bank and found cop cars. "Gee, this time they didn't even wait for me to get here," he muttered, pulling into a parking spot to wait this out. A cop came over to try and shoo him away, but he gave him a smile. "I'm supposed to be in there right now," he said, pointing at the bank. "I've got a meeting with my new financial advisor."

"Get away," the cop growled. "No civilians."

Xander got out of his car and leaned against the door. "I'm not going to get in the way, I don't have a camera, but I do need to get in there to go to my meeting, so why don't you," he tapped the guy on the chest, giving him a look from under his lashes, "go fix this so I can go make sure everything's fine with everything I just got."

The cop growled and walked away.

Xander looked at the bank, then back at the cops, who were ignoring the fire escape for some reason. He stared at it for a few more minutes, until he was tapped on the shoulder. "Yes?" he asked pleasantly, smiling at the new officer standing behind him. "Hi. I'm supposed to be in there."

"Sir, you need to back away from here now before we arrest you," the officer said harshly.

Xander pointed at the fire escape. "Is there some reason that you're ignoring the stairs into the basement?" He looked at the officer, who looked stunned. "It was recently on a news program and I noticed that there's a door right into the side of the bank, near the back offices. And I'm supposed to be there, I've got a meeting about ten minutes ago with someone in there in one of those offices." He reached into his new car and pulled out his wallet, handing it over to show off the handful of thousand dollar bitlls that it was holding. "That's why I'm here. You're here to stop these guys. We could work together."

The officer handed it back. "That's legit?"

"That's an inheritance that I have no idea what to do with, that's why I'm here," Xander said patiently. He caught sight of one of the people in the bank, one eyebrow going up. "Um, they're peeking at us," he said, pointing.

The officers all turned to look at them and the first one shuddered. "What is that costume of?"

"Not real sure," Xander lied, "but from the look of it's he thinks he's a lizard. Maybe some cold air might slow him down." The officers glared at him. "Sorry," he said, holding up his hands. "I'm going to stay right here until this is all settled so I can get everything set and I can go home where I belong. I can't go home without doing this first, I'll never get back here with most of this intact."

The officers looked at each other and the senior officer nodded, walking away with his junior officer following after a called, "Stay there!"

Xander hopped up onto his trunk and waited this out, hoping that the cops got the clue. Though he wasn't sure if these were the same guys he had run into in New York. At least he wasn't for a few more hours, until the lizard guys demanded that he come in with the food. He groaned as the cops approached him, sliding down to stare at them. "Hey, I'm harmless, I haven't got a gun trained on them," he explained before they could say anything. "You can search me if you want."

He was quickly searched then handed a bullet-proof vest and a big bag of food. "Just go in a few feet and hand it over, then take whichever hostage they give you and back out," the senior officer said.

Xander nodded. "Okay." He shifted the bag and headed for the door, walking inside like he had been told. "Oh, lizard guys," he called out, shaking the bag. "Food!" One of the demons stepped closer to him. "Hey, it is you! You tried to kidnap me in New York. Small world, man." He shook the lizard's hand and broke it, kicking him in the stomach. He smiled at the other three that pointed guns at him. "Like you want to do that," he reminded them. "Those are humans outside, guys, do you really want to do this here?"

The lizards talked among themselves then looked at him. They nodded and pulled Xander in, waving the rest of the hostages out.

"Gee, not what I was hoping for," Xander complained as he was pushed down into a chair. He could hear swearing outside over the loudspeaker, but he knew that it was up to him now. There wasn't any way that those cops would come in and get him if they had found out why the demons had wanted him. He looked up at the one standing next to him. "Um, guys, I'm not working here. I'm on my way home and I'm going to be missed by my vampires." They laughed. "Okay, if you really want to deal with Angelus, go right ahead," he said, shrugging. "You know what people like him are like."

The lizards looked toward one who was staring out the windows. That one grunted something that Xander didn't understand and waved a hand. He was tied up.

"Not nice," Xander complained, trying to get free. "Damn, I hate this." He rocked the chair, getting free because he bent the back too far. "Ha!" He jumped up and grabbed a sprinkler, hanging on. When it came on, he blocked some of the spray to hit the demons in the face, jumping down while most of them were trying to clear their eyes and heading for the door. He smiled at the one in his way, ducking under his lazy grab attempt. "Later," he called out, running out into the arms of the waiting cops. "Cold stuff," he told the cops, staring at them. "Those aren't costumes. They're an experiment."

A few of the cops laughed but one, a blonde female, grabbed a small fire extinguisher and walked over to the door, spraying at the first demon that poked it's arm out. Its screams brought everyone's attention to what she was doing. A few more of the officers grabbed the extinguishers from their cars and followed her lead, going in.

Xander walked over to where the other hostages were. "Who's Mr. Knowles?" he called out. Someone lifted their head and he smiled, walking over to him. "Xander Harris," he said, holding out a hand. His other went through his wet hair to push it back.

***

Xander walked back out to his car, smiling at the officer waiting there, the blonde from earlier. "Nice save," he told her, sliding up to sit on his hood. He liked this car. "What's up? I've already answered the other guys' questions six or eight times each. You got more?"

"No, I've got a different sort of question. How did you know?"

"That they were lizards?" He gave her a beautiful, gentle smile. "Because I almost got taken by them in New York. I used the extinguisher trick myself. Sometimes you have to trust your instincts." He yawned. "Mine are telling me that I need to go take a nap and then get supper. Know a good place? Comfy, nice, but not five star?"

"Yeah, go downtown and hit one of the big chain places. They've usually got a business section that's pretty nice." She got off his car door and waved at it. "Have a nice nap." She stopped and looked back at him. "They said that they came to this coast to get away from you by the way. Their bad luck I guess."

"Yeah, I guess it was." He stretched and yawned. "I plan on getting that nap now. I haven't been kidnapped in weeks." He slid off the hood and got in, heading for where she had said.

***

Xander walked into his new bank the next morning with everything he had gotten while he was working, including the stones he had gotten and his papers from the demon bank in New York. He was shown into Mr. Knowles office immediately and handed everything over. "Let's see what you can do with this for me. I want to keep a bunch of it available right now because I need to get an apartment set up for myself and that sort of problem, but I want it to make baby money for me so I can live off it for a *very* long time."

Mr. Knowles looked up, his bald spot now hidden from Xander's eyes. "I think we can come up with an equitable solution that should allow you to do all that. How much did you want to keep out?" Xander shrugged. "Okay, how about investments. Do you know your risk category?"

Xander leaned closer. "All I know is that suddenly I have a lot of money and I have no idea what to do with it. This is all new to me and I'm stupid."

Mr. Knowles smiled. "I doubt that. No stupid person could make this much money very quickly. Not even if they resorted to selling drugs." His smile faded. "You didn't do that, correct? We'd have to confiscate your money and call the police on you."

Xander shook his head. "No, I became an entertainer for some of it and the rest is an inheritance." He grinned. "My Aunt Devi was a rich old broad, but she was kinda crazy, that's why I have all that stuff in the thick briefcase."

That briefcase was opened and immediately handed back to Xander. "All we can do for that is to put it in a safety deposit box, which would be best done where you live so you have easier access to it." He pulled out the paperwork first, humming as he looked it over. "I've never heard of them. A small bank is it?"

"Very. Kinda exclusive too. My boss got me hooked into it."

"Ah, a credit union setup. I can understand that perfectly well, they tend to have very good interest rates." He put the papers aside and looked in the other briefcase, shuddering when he saw all the bills. "You carried this much across country?" he squeaked.

"No, actually, I had to buy a new car the other day because mine broke down. I think I've spent about twenty grand out of that." He shrugged when he got stared at. "That's all part of the inheritance. My Aunt Devi didn't like banks, she hid things under a loose floorboard under her bed. That and her stones were her retirement fund."

"Ah. I see." He closed the briefcase and put it aside, resting his arms on the desk. "You said that you still have to set up an apartment. Have you figured out what that's going to cost you?"

Xander shook his head. "I've been trying to figure out how to do that before I get back to Sunnydale."

"Now I see why you came to us. Such large investments are best put into national or international banks instead of small local banks. We have more options to invest in." He thought for a second and then nodded. "All right. I'm going to start an account for you here and in two days we'll meet to get the details of your investments settled. Until then, I'm going to give you part of this money, enough for you to get an apartment and furnish it in antiques, if that's your style, but not all of it so you won't be robbed. I'll call your other bank and get the particulars of your account there so you can decide if you want to keep anything in that account also." Xander nodded. "Good, I'm glad that you're letting me handle this."

"Like I said, this is the first time I've ever had real money. It's just better for me to let you handle this." He stood up and looked down inside the briefcase, picking out six of the bundles of cash. "How's that?"

"That should be more than enough." Mr. Knowles stood up and waved at the chair. "Sit, there's a little bit of paperwork we're going to have to do to get all this started, young man." He walked out and came back with a security guard and one of the tellers. "Mr. Harris is transferring funds into our bank." Xander waved. "We need an exact counting of this money and I need you to start the forms to have him start an account with us." The teller nodded and took the briefcase. "Bill," he said, stopping the guard. "I want you to put this in the safe for Mr. Harris until he comes back in two days. The less of a paper trail he has, the safer it will be. It's full of gemstones, an inheritance from an eccentric Aunt, so put it somewhere safe even from all of us." The security guard nodded and left with the heavy case, going over to talk to the vault manager.

Xander coughed. "Thanks for that. I didn't really want to trust my hotel with those and I was getting a little paranoid about having them in such a low security place like my hotel is."

Mr. Knowles nodded. "I can understand that." He pulled out a few forms and started to fill them out, handing each one over to Xander as soon as he had gotten them done as far as he could. "Let's do this part and we'll figure out your next part in a few minutes."

Xander gladly filled out each form, using Giles' address whenever it asked for it. After all, it was stable. It's not like the Watcher was going to be moving soon.

***

Xander tapped on the realtor's door and walked in, giving her his best helpless look. "Do you do apartments?" She smiled and waved at a chair. "Okay, I'm kinda in a bind here," he said quickly as soon as he was seated. "I'm just coming back from a road trip to find myself and I need a place in my hometown, Sunnydale. But I'm not sure what I need, just that I need at least one bedroom and it has to be somewhere kinda quiet."

She smiled. "Why haven't you called someone in Sunnydale?"

"Because I don't know who to call and I'm on a pit stop here for the next few days. Once I hit home, there's nowhere for me to stay. Staying with my parents is definitely out of the question, I'll never spend another night there again."

"All right. We do have some listings up that way. If not, I can always call someone up there to find a place for you. You do know that we charge a fee?" Xander nodded. "Okay then. You looked like a college student to me and they're usually shy of fees."

"Yeah, I'm the right age, but I'm putting off that problem for another year or so. I've got money, but I've got no idea what to do with it."

She smiled. "Then you've definitely come to the right place, Mr..."

"Harris. Xander Harris." He ran his fingers through his dark hair. "Will this take all day? I really need lunch and caffeine. Can I buy you lunch? That would solve a lot of problems."

"I'm afraid I'll need access to my computer." She patted it. "Let me see what we have listed up there. This may be easier than you think." She called up a file and looked it over. "All right. You don't want a house, right?" He shook his head. "A smallish apartment, quiet, at least one bedroom. Well, we have an apartment complex that's run out of this office. It's mostly got business rentals in it so it's partially empty."

"Where is it?" he asked, leaning closer so he could see.

"Out by the industrial park."

"No, uh-huh. That's not a good area of town anymore. There's been a lot of things that have happened out there in the last few years."

"So you're a native of the town?" He nodded. "That might make this easier. Do you know where the Goldenseed Apartments are?"

His face scrunched up as he thought. "Yeah, kinda. It's near the downtown area if I remember right. Is there something open there? I remember it has gates around it and that's all good to me too."

She nodded. "It's three blocks from the downtown shopping district. It does have security, and it's also semi-reasonable for rent. Six hundred a month." Xander whistled. "Yes, I know it's expensive, but you're not going to find a better place to live with their benefits at a lower price."

"I was expecting more. I just spent six weeks in New York working." He pulled out one of the bundles of cash. "How much for, say, five months? Including deposits and all that."

She looked at the cash, then up at him, then back at that. "I see you weren't joking when you said you had the cash." She turned back to her computer and called up the floor plans. "We have no one bedrooms open, but we do have a two-bedroom on the second floor or a three bedroom on the first. Do you have a preference?"

"The second floor, that way I have some view. I will have something other than a fire escape and another building, right?"

"Yes, a small one, it should look out over the empty lot beside it. Your second bedroom will have a window facing that way also. It's smaller but that shouldn't make too much of a difference. It's configured to make a nice home office if you need that sort of thing."

"I'm not sure yet," Xander admitted. "This is all an inheritance." He gave her another helpless look. "How do I furnish it and get it there without breaking myself into little, aching pieces?"

"That's another easy step," she said, giving him a confident smile. She pressed a few keys and a print out came out, then she went over to another program to figure up how much he'd owe her. "Here we are," she said, handing both printouts over. She also handed over a business card. "I like this company for furniture and they do deliver out to Sunnydale, they've done it before. For appliances, TV's and the like, go to Sears and make sure you get a maintenance plan."

Xander counted out the money under her eager eyes and handed it over, taking the picture of his floorplan. "Um, I think I have an antique bed in storage, but I'm not sure where my parents put it. Do I have to call them?"

"That's usually the easiest way, yes," she agreed, printing him out a receipt. "I'll call the apartment manager today and tell her that you've rented it. On the receipt is the address you'll need everything sent to. The apartment comes with all utilities included, except cable and phone. Those you'll have to arrange with the respective companies." He nodded. "Do you know how to do that?" He shook his head. "All right. When you get there, you find out who your local cable people are and you call them, asking them to come hook it up for you. They come out in a few weeks and you pay them, then they start your service. You can even pay them ahead of time if you need to, so don't worry about that, okay, Mr. Harris?"

He nodded and jumped up, reaching across the desk to give her a hug. "You are *so* nice." He smiled one of his special smiles at her and left, making sure he had all of his papers with him, not caring at all that she was now very warm in certain places.

***

Xander walked into the furniture store, much less jumpy now that he had had some food to counteract the coffee this morning. He looked around at all the available stuff and wrinkled his nose. He tried to get one of the salesman's attention but he chose another couple that had just walked in to help instead. So he walked out and headed for the nearest payphone to find another place. "Value City?" he muttered, running his fingers down the listings. "Huh. Maybe I should try there. They sound like they'd have a good selection." He wrote down their address, and one other place that sounded promising, and went back to his car to go find himself some furniture.

He looked around this new showroom and smiled. He liked this place. There was a lot of leather and soft chairs. He sat down in one to try it out and hopped back up when he started to sink. "Huh, not getting that one."

"Well, that's not a popular model," the salesman said as he walked over to him. "I'm Greg."

"Xander." They shook hands. "Okay, truth here. I'm using my inheritance, I like soft, fuzzy things and things that make me feel good, and I've just got a new apartment to furnish." He pulled out the drawing. "This is what it looks like. Help?"

"Of course. Let's try a few styles out and see what suits you best. When are you moving by the way?"

"Two days at the most probably."

"Ah, a rush job. Problems with your family?"

"Just getting back from a roadtrip to find myself but I can't stay with my family. I might be able to stay with a friend for *a* night, but no longer."

"Then I guess we'll have to see what we have in stock." He led Xander upstairs to where the more expensive stuff was.

***

Xander tapped on Mr. Knowles door before walking in, giving him a smile. "Got it all done," he said proudly. "Got an apartment, furnished it, and I still have spending money left to get the phone and everything hooked up."

"Good," he said, giving the young man a smile. "Sit, let's talk dividends and returns."

Xander sat down. "Gee, that didn't quite sound like Greek," he quipped.

Mr. Knowles smiled. "I've got everything planned out, you're in safe investments with medium returns, that's what you get back - that's things like interest, your profit." Xander nodded when he got that last part. "You really don't understand this, do you?"

Xander shook his head. "Not a bit. My last savings account had six cents in it the last time I knew and that was about eight years ago."

"Good, then I can teach you without you having misconceptions. That's a very good thing. Never be afraid to ask for an opinion or help where you're not sure of the meaning of the circumstances you're in." He pushed his monitor over. "This is your new account with us. It has this much money in it, and we'll be putting most of that into safe investments. Things that are insured if something happens to the bank. Got it so far?" Xander nodded. "Good..."

***

Xander accepted his key from the apartment's manager, and he liked this lady instantly. She reminded him a lot of one of the grandmotherly figures on the BET and WB sitcoms. She was kind of wrinkled and had white hair, but you knew she was still feisty and could pound you into the ground the first time you acted up. He followed her up to his apartment and opened his door for the first time, gasping as he saw his furniture already arranged for him. He walked toward the bedroom and smiled as he saw his antique bed, his mother had come through for him after all, then he turned to look at her. "Cool. How do I get cable again? I miss cartoons."

New Locations to Play in.

[[Present Time (about a year after they got together)]]

Oz flipped the chicken breast on the grill attachment to his stove, sniffing the garlic-seasoned meat as it cooked. He smiled as warm, soft arms went around his waist, leaning back into the welcoming body. "When did you get back?" he whispered.

"When Giles brought me," Xander told him, licking over the sweaty neck. "Willow was almost understanding. She cried then bitched, then threw us out but stopped us at the door to apologize and wish us well, offering to host a party whenever we were ready to announce it." His lover nodded absently, shifting the chicken some. "Want help?"

Oz turned to look at the bare body, one eyebrow going up. "When did you have time to shave?"

"When Giles did it for me. He was really upset and worried so I let him shave me. He said he wanted to trim my tan line, but he ended up shaving the whole thing." Xander turned, spreading his cheeks lewdly to show the hairless area between them. "See?"

Giles smiled as he walked in. "Quite an offer there, Oz. He kept me sedate for many days." He stole a kiss on his way to the refrigerator. "Any news on your latest project?"

"Yup, was accepted last night. We got a postcard from Methos too, it's on the table."

"How is the grumpy old one?" Xander asked, hopping up to sit on the counter, earning a swat. "Hey, I'm clean. I used baby wipes and hand sanitizer." He stuck his tongue out. "So clean you could eat off me."

"We could try that," Oz told him, "but I think I have other plans for that area of your body. Now get off the counter." He waited until his lover had done so. "Xander, are you ready for tonight?" he whispered, pulling him closer to kiss him hard and deep. "Are you ready to come across with us?"

"Only if you promise I don't have to cut off heads," Xander whispered, clinging to his lover's body while the other one walked up behind him to hug him also. "I'll gladly do the spell if you want, but I refuse to fight and chop heads."

"Then don't," Oz soothed. He pulled the chicken pieces off the grill before they could burn, setting them aside so he fully appreciate his lover's body. "You smell good," he whispered, "like Giles got you on the way home."

"He did," Xander admitted with a grin, "but it was just the rubbing thing. He wouldn't let me bounce up and down on him in the car. Not even driving and I couldn't get any."

"I thought it best not to shock the driver," Giles reminded him dryly. "What you did get was almost enough to make him run off the road from the distraction." He rubbed a hand down the firm back, down over the swelling buttocks, and one finger inching toward the waiting hole. "We should have supper soon so we can work him over before we do the spell."

"It'll be fine," Xander assured him, turning to kiss and hug him. "I'll make it through and you'll still love me. Even if I do become a bigger slut."

"There is no bigger slut where we're concerned," Oz told him, kissing his neck. "Go put on clothes, naughty, so you can eat." He carried the chicken out to the table, setting it in the middle with the salad. "Come on, I'm hungry. I'll need my energy to make our harem doll beg later." He snickered as he caught sight of the loose harem pants his lover had put on, pulling out his chair for him. "You're asking for a spanking later," he whispered, taking his own seat.

Xander leaned closer to Oz. "Can I?"

"What?"

"May I?"

"May you what?" Giles asked formally. "You really do have to learn to ask for what you want from us."

"I want to feed Oz," Xander said, looking at his senior lover. "Please?"

"Oh, all right." Oz pushed his chair back, grunting as his lap was filled. "Be careful, I still break."

"I won't hurt you," Xander whispered, picking up a piece of chicken to feed to him, drawing it across the soft lips. "I'd never hurt you."

"Oh, you are royally asking for it," Oz told him as his hand found the built in slit, rubbing between the lubed cheeks. "When did you have time to do that?"

"Just now. I used the spray kind you like," Xander said, feeding him another piece, following it up with more kitten licks to clean his lips. "The food tastes almost as good as you do." He picked up a potato wedge, slowly sliding it against the waiting lips, teasing the skin against the waiting bottom lip.

Oz quickly chewed and swallowed. "You deserve to be spanked then taken," he told him. "On your knees. You can eat later."

"I'd rather have you in me," Xander pouted, going to his knees. "I haven't been filled in days." He sighed, unzipping the loose jeans to pull them aside so he could suckle the hard cock. "But if you only want this," he said before going down on him.

Oz leaned back, shifting his hips to give the younger man better access. "Quiet or just get plastic later." He felt the special tongue moves Xander used when he was trying to make up for some bad thing between them so reached down to play with the dark hair. "I'm not mad, you just have inconvenient timing. You need your food for later."

"I need this so I'm calm later," Xander countered after pulling off to kiss the hard, wet flesh gently. "Let's face it, I'm as scared as Giles is and I need soothed and calmed." Oz nodded, standing up and slipping off his jeans. He pulled over the chair they had bought specifically to make love at the table in, sitting down in it's reclined position and patting his lap. Xander climbed on, picking up another piece of food as he slid down the cock he had been sucking. "Thank you," he said quietly, feeding his keeper and showing him how much he meant to him.

Giles pushed back from his spot, coming over to rest between them, catching hold of Xander's penis, sucking on the head as gently as he always did. "I'm worried, but the thought of having you forever is too good," he whispered, looking up. He licked over the damp head, smiling at the small groan. "I will never give you up," he told him firmly, kissing Oz's heart then Xander's. "Now then, be a good boy and I'll give you more later."

Xander nodded, working himself harder on his lover. "Yeah, love you both," he shouted as he came, falling into the waiting arms, silently accepting the plug that was slid into him. "Love you," he told Oz again, kissing him. He sat back up, turning to get a piece of the chicken. "May I feed you?"

"Only if you eat some of it," Oz told him, rubbing down the taut muscles. "I like watching you eat." He sat up, hugging the younger man. "We'll make it through the spell, I promise."

***

Xander lay down on the bed, silently looking up at Giles, who was going to be doing the spell. "Okay?" he asked, looking down his bare body. "Do I need to move?"

"No, Xander, you're fine," Giles said gently. "Are you sure you want to do this now? Once I start I really can't stop, not even to hold you."

Xander shook his head. "But I want to be with you guys."

"We're not leaving," Oz said quietly, leaning down to kiss him. "You still have a long mortal life ahead of you to make this decision. And everything we've done so far will keep, except for the liquid stuff you'd have to drink, which I'm not to sure about anyway." He looked at Giles. "You sure that was the only way?"

"If we want to remain faithful to the spell, yes, I'm afraid it is." He reached over to squeeze Oz's shoulder. "I too would like to put this off. I don't think I'm ready for the problems that may arise, though if Xander wants it to be tonight, then we'll do it tonight."

Xander sat up, shaking his head. "We have time. I'll be pretty for you guys for a few more years, which will give you more time to perfect the spell." He got to his knees, looking at Giles. "Don't be mad?"

"No, love, we're not mad, we were both worried about the spell." He sat down beside his lover, kissing him gently. "So much has changed for us in the last year," he whispered, "and I'd like some time to get used to it before I introduce another change into our lives."

"I'm *so* for that," Xander told him, leaning against his shoulder.

"We all are," Oz said, joining them.

[[Then, six months after they got together]]

Xander paced in Giles' apartment, nervously tugging on his silk shirt. He had come over as soon as he could get off work, the clothing store being generous about emergencies. He jumped as the door opened, turning to look at Willow. "Hey, where are they? Have you seen them?" he asked, grabbing her arms to stop her.

Willow got free of him, brushing her growing red hair off her face. "No, I didn't see them, I'm just answering your summons. What's up?" She pulled him over to the couch, sitting him down. "Now relax and tell me."

"Giles is going to be in big trouble. I heard some guy talking about hurting him badly just because of us."

"Us? You and me us? Or the Scooby us?"

"Not sure," he admitted, getting up to pace. "I don't even know what he looks like, I just overheard him because he was sitting in the booth behind me on my lunch break." She nodded for him to go on, her eyes following his path. "All I know is that this guy sounded *real* bitter about Giles and I have to warn him."

"Why? I'm sure Oz will protect him."

He stopped, opening his mouth to remind her of why people wanted to kill both of them, then remembered that no one had clued her in to the big secret. "Yeah, I guess," he temporized, listening to a deep, purring engine pull up outside. "They're here. Be right back." He jogged out, meeting Oz beside the van and pushing him against it. "Someone was talking about you two today at lunch," he said quietly, "and he wasn't real impressed, kept talking about small quickenings of newbies." Oz shuddered. "Yeah, but I don't know who he is, all I heard was his voice. And he *knew* Giles."

Giles slid out of his seat, walking over to pull Xander off Oz, hugging him tightly. "I'm sure it'll be fine," he said. "No one would hurt me; I've still not come across." He gave Oz a small nod, then started to lead Xander inside. "Now, come tell me all you know, it may help us."

"Will's inside. I panicked when I couldn't find you," Xander admitted, looking up. "I'm sorry, but I didn't tell her everything."

"I'm glad." Giles squeezed him.

Xander finally realized Oz wasn't with them. "No, Oz, no," he said, turning, trying to go after him.

"Shh," Giles whispered, pulling him inside. "He's went somewhere safe to get things that we needed." He pulled him through the door, closing it behind him. "He'll be fine, he's very careful and clever. I'm sure whomever it was won't hurt him." He looked deeply into Xander's warm, chocolate eyes, and melted. "He'll be fine," Giles told him, pulling him in for a hug. "I'm sure of it."

"So am I, but there's always that time we're wrong," Xander told him. "And I keep seeing it happen, just like the last fight I saw." He looked up. "It was way too close, Rupert, and I don't want to think about it actually happening this time."

Willow cleared her throat. "Clue-bus please?"

Giles smiled at her, walking Xander over to sit beside her, touching her newly spiral permed hair. "Willow," he said warmly, pulling her in for a hug. "It's good to see you."

"I came when Xander called. What's up?"

"Homicidal maniacs," Giles assured her, "who have latched onto Oz and myself for no reason. I'm sure Xander shouldn't have worried you."

"No, this is worry material," Willow said, frowning at the former Watcher. "I don't want to lose you any more than he does."

"I know," Giles soothed, "but there really is no reason to worry about me, not this time. I'm sure we'll find whomever this is and stop him, as we always do."

"That's going to be harder with Buffy coming home with me this weekend," Willow pointed out, smoothing down her long, velvet skirt. "Xander and Oz aren't much protection for you."

"I am so," Xander said, frowning. "I protect Giles as well as I do you."

She nodded. "Hon, I've seen you fight," she reminded him.

"No, he's gotten better," Giles chided gently. "He's been taking lessons with some people who do rather well and he's gotten very good at it recently." He patted Xander's shoulder, the most he could since Willow didn't know about them yet. It was an inconvenience to hide things from the female members of the group but they had decided as a group to hide both the relationship, and the fact that Giles was a pre-immortal and her ex was fully immortal from them for their own good. "Why don't you go get Buffy and her things then come back," he suggested. "By the time you come back, we should know more." Willow nodded, getting up and heading out. "My, Xander, you were worried," he whispered, pulling him closer to cuddle. He put the soft hand on his chest after kissing the fingers. "She's still upset with you about not backing her for membership in GHS and making her take the trials as a result."

"Would you have?" he asked, looking up. "I didn't think she had what it took to really be one of us, the desire to have it all, and all the time."

Giles chuckled. "That's very true, Greedy Hedonist Slut's Society is not for the faint of heart or the prudish of nature. Though she did seem to enjoy her trials." Xander snorted, laying his head back on the firm chest. "It's a shame she couldn't pass the trials. Just a few more people and she would have made it in."

"Did you have to?" Xander asked quietly. "I didn't."

"Ah, but we were given membership by someone who had tested us. You had Adam and I had Ethan."

"Yeah, I noticed you and he got a little chummy during the convention." Xander gave him a small frown. "As your official pleasure slave, I'm going to beat his ass if he touches you again." Giles smiled down at him, turning him from mildly attractive to beautiful. "I am. I'm just as possessive about you as Oz is." He rubbed his cheek on the soft cotton shirt the older man wore. "Speaking of which," he said, stiffening. "Someone's fighting outside." He hopped up before he could be stopped, running outside to be stopped by his worst nightmare. Oz was on the ground, looking up at his attacker. Every fiber of his being wanted to scream, to stop it, but he was frozen in place.

Oz looked over at him, giving him a small smile as he pulled a knife from his belt, stabbing his attacker before he could behead him. He stole the sword and cut the man's head off, grimacing. "Hate this part," he whispered, falling back to his knees. He closed his eyes as the first bolt of lightening hit his frail-looking body, his breath catching as each new one came. The last, a long one, had him falling to his hands and knees, eyes still closed.

Xander rushed over, helping him up and moving him inside, knowing Giles would pick up the weapons and the body would be gone in a few minutes. He brought his senior lover into the bathroom, running a sink-full of water to clean him off. He gently wiped off the immortal's face, then his hands, working his way up the strong arms. "Oz," he whispered, "you okay?"

Oz nodded. "Yeah," he sighed, looking up at his lover. "I'm fine. It's good." He stole a kiss, taking control of the washcloth and putting it aside. "Would you wear me out? He had tons of energy."

Xander grinned. "Would I object?" he asked, stripping quickly. He soon stood before his lover, his naked body shining in the dim light. "What would you like, Oz," he whispered, going to his knees in front of his lover of six months. He licked over his healing stomach, kissing the closing cut. "How can I make you feel better?" His head was pressed down against the hard cock, so he started to lick it instead. "Ah, just taking the energy from you." He bathed the hard flesh, trying to tempt the older man to wear him out. "Anything at all you want," he whispered, swallowing him whole, sucking gently on him, just like he knew Oz liked him to do.

"Ah, pets," Giles said as he walked in, giving them both a smile. Xander pulled himself off, looking up at him. "Shouldn't you both be on the bed?"

"Yes," Oz said, pulling Xander up and kicking off his pants in a burst of energy. He towed him into the bedroom, tossing his willing companion on the bed. "Stay," he said, grabbing the bottle of lubricant and slicking himself down. "Ready?" he asked.

Xander nodded. "Just go a little slow. It's been a while since I stretched myself." Oz fell across his back, pushing in quickly, holding him still as he started to give him the hardest ride he had ever gotten. "Oz," he panted, pushing back, giving as good as he got. "Come on, babe, let it out," he whispered, putting his head down on the pillows, bracing himself for Oz so he could go harder.

And he wasn't disappointed. Oz slammed into him, breathing hard, wearing the intense, extra energy out of his system, moaning as he came. "Xander?" he whispered, brushing down his sweaty back. "You okay?"

Xander turned his head and nodded. "All the time. You?"

"Yeah," Oz sighed, pulling out and flopping down to pant. "Thanks."

"No big." Xander slid down to snuggle up to him. "Who was he?"

"Not a bad guy, he just wanted to have a town to himself for once and snapped. He was in LA before." Oz pulled the younger man tighter against him, squeezing him. "I'm sorry, I meant for you to enjoy it too."

"Hey, you needed and I was here. You'll make me beg later. After Will's gone again."

"Willow? She's here?" Oz sat up, looking at the door that had somehow closed itself. "When did she get here?"

"I, um, panicked and called her earlier," Xander admitted. "She was coming up to get Buffy for the weekend anyway so she stopped in to see if there was anything she could do."

Oz pulled himself back so he could sit against the headboard. "Okay. What did you tell her? About me?" Xander shook his head. "No?"

"No, just that I overheard a psychopath talking about killing you and Giles." Oz nodded so he went on. "She still doesn't know about us, or about you. And I wouldn't tell her, Oz, you know that." Xander pulled himself up to look at him. "I won't tell your secret, or Giles'. Both of you are safe with me." He slid out of the bed. "I'm going to go check on Giles." He peeked out the door before heading for the bathroom. When he was cleaned up and dressed again, he walked out to the livingroom, seeing Buffy and Willow both sitting out there. "Where's Giles?" he asked, sitting across from them.

"Better question," Buffy asked. "Where were you?" She gave him her full attention. "And what's with your clothes recently? You're dressing way femme."

"I like soft fabrics, and I was napping off the stress." He looked at Willow, who was frowning. "What?"

"You were napping with Oz?"

"Kinda. On the same bed but not together."

Willow nodded. "Okay." She looked at Buffy. "Told ya so."

"I still say I was right."

Xander looked up as Giles walked in, giving him a desperate look for salvation. The former Watcher came over and sat across from them, looking at the three teens. "Where's Oz?"

"Bedroom, napping," Xander said, getting comfortable. "Would you please tell Buffy that just because I like silk doesn't mean I'm femme."

Giles looked at her and smiled. "He's not. The cooler fabrics just feel better against his skin." She shrugged, relaxing. "What else was going on?" He cleared his throat as Oz walked out. "I just got word, everything's been taken care of about our threat. The man was captured and taken away." Oz nodded, pouring himself some juice. "Though it does seem he shot his mouth off in the center of town a few times."

Xander shuddered. "Wonder who else he told?" He looked over his shoulder at Oz, who was giving him a bland, 'we'll talk later' look, one he was very familiar with. He checked his watch, then nodded. "Oops, gotta go to work." He hopped up, giving Giles a small smile that neither female could see before walking out. "Later," he called from the door. He breathed a sigh of relief, heading up the stairs.

"Hold it," Oz said, walking out after him. "I'll drive you over." He caught up to his lover, turning him around and pushing him back toward the van. "In."

"Yes, sir," Xander said, sliding into the passenger's seat and buckling up. "You know I'd never tell them," he said quietly, not sure who could hear. "I'm not going to."

"I know, it's just post-quickening paranoia." He started the engine. "I don't want to sit in there with them either." He pulled out onto the street, heading into the light traffic going towards Xander's apartment. "If he told someone, we're going to have to move."

"I know," Xander said, slouching some. "I've actually begun looking." He caught the small sideways look so added, "I knew it was too good to last."

"Find anything?" Oz asked as he pulled into Xander's parking spot. "Where's your car?"

"Um, store." Xander slid out, pulling out his keys and unlocking the security gate. He waited until Oz was inside to relock the gate, heading up to his apartment, unlocking the door and heading inside. He made sure it was locked behind him too, turning to lean against it. "I feel safer now," he admitted.

"I noticed." Oz sat down on the sinfully soft couch, patting the cushion beside him. "Come sit." Xander slowly walked over, plopping down beside him. "Didn't I say I didn't want you anywhere near our fights?" he asked quietly, very intense. The younger man nodded, looking down. "Then why were you there?" He tipped the blushing face back up. "Xander, an answer?"

"I couldn't stop myself. I had to be there," he admitted, leaning closer, the warm body not moving so he could comfort himself by making sure he was real. "I just got so scared," he whispered, wrapping an arm around the immortal's stomach, squeezing him gently. "I don't want to lose you and I really don't want to lose Giles."

"So you came out to make sure I was okay," Oz finished. He got a nod for an answer. "You know you can't interfere, so what were you planning on doing?"

"I don't know."

"Want to think it through?"

"Not really."

"Xander," Oz warned. "You can't interfere, those are the rules." He made the young man sit up and look at him. "You can *not* interfere. No matter if you think I'm gonna go, you can't stop the fight and you can't get in between us. You know that." Xander nodded, looking sad. "And, I don't want you to have to witness it if I do lose." He instantly had a lapful of clinging lover, who squeezed every few seconds because he couldn't keep that tight of a grip all the time. "I don't want to think about it either, but it's going to happen sometime, and I don't want you to have to witness that. Either of you." He forced Xander's head back up. "I'd rather not have my final vision be of you watching my head come off."

"I'm going to be there," Xander said firmly, his eyes flashing with pain and anger. "You're not ditching me that easily. And blow the rules. The others don't listen to them, why do you?"

"Because I'm a good guy," Oz reminded him. "You're just going to have to accept and deal."

Xander shook his head, getting up. "No I don't." He headed for his bathroom. "I'm going to take a shower, want to join me?"

"No, I want to talk," Oz said, heading after him. He climbed in behind him, hugging Xander against his chest. "I don't want you there; I don't want you to have to watch," he said, nipping his lover on the shoulder.

"Instead you'd rather have me wonder and worry?"

"Yes, at least you'll be safe."

"Oz, truth, how safe would I be?" Xander turned to face him, running his wet hands down the tense cheeks. "If they know about us, then they'll come after me anyway to use against you. I'm just as safe there as I am waiting at home and worrying myself sick." He kissed him gently. "Now shut up before I bite your tongue for you."

Oz shook his head, leaning forward for a small kiss. "Xander, they'll hurt you if you look like you care during a fight. A lot of the others are cruel and mean, and more would use you against me." He pulled back, licking over the damp lips. "I don't want you hurt and I don't want you to watch the battles."

"Tough." Xander grabbed his soap, turning back into the spray to get clean. He poured some soap out onto his back-brush, shifting so he could get his back. He totally ignored the other man with him, the one who would normally wash his back for him and be pampering him by now. "I'm not going to agree, so you might as well give up."

"Xander, don't make me choose," Oz warned. "You won't like it."

"Oz, I'm not making you choose me over it. I'm telling you I'm not abandoning you over this." He turned, but the immortal was already out of his shower. He jumped out, running after him. "Oz, wait," he said, stopping him at the door, shutting it in Buffy's face. "Don't do this."

"Choice here, Xander, watch or me." He looked him over. "You're dripping."

"Wasn't like you gave me a chance to argue."

"No argument. No watching, no helping, or no me."

"That is *so* unfair," Xander complained. "What am I supposed to do?" He let the other man go, stepping back. "If you really feel that way about my feelings then maybe you should leave. It's obvious you don't care whether or not you come home." He headed back to his bathroom, slamming the door and leaning against it. "God, I sounded like a drama queen," he muttered, getting back in his shower to rinse off.

Oz sat on the back of the chair, looking at the wall separating the bathroom from the livingroom, listening to the younger man finish his bathing. "Why do you do this to me?" he asked the empty room. He turned his head as the door was knocked on, shaking it. He reached over, opening it. "Huh. He's in the shower."

"Obviously," Buffy said, walking in. "What's going on?" She looked over him. "You're wet too," she noticed. "Wanted to share some news?"

"No, I was just trying to explain something to Xander and he wasn't willing to listen." He looked over as the man in question walked out. "Buffy's here."

"Who let her in the security gate?"

"I have Giles' key," she said, holding it up. Xander walked over and took it from her. "Hey, we're friends."

"Friends don't insult each other," Xander reminded her, heading back to his kitchen. "Tea, Oz? Want something, Buffy?"

"Just the normal you to come back."

"Stop it," Oz told her. "He's upset." He stood up. "Got anymore of the iced tea?" A glass was poured for him and set down hard on the counter. "Thanks."

"Welcome." Xander walked out, looking at Buffy. "Why else you here?" he asked as he sat on the couch, curling up in a corner.

"I wanted to ask you what the big was." She shut the door, walking around to sit in the chair. "What's going on with you? And how are you affording this place? I checked here and it was way expensive."

"I earn money," Xander reminded her, licking off his ice cream spoon. "That's the purpose of the job." He pulled some more out. "Why are you invading my calm place?"

"Because you're wigged and I wanted to fix it," she admitted. "What's gotten into you? Suddenly you dress like a girl and you work in a clothes store? Then you drive a nice car and have this place? Doesn't add up to the Xander I know." She looked over his relaxed state. "Are you actually Xander and not something that's taken over his body?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "I can feel something strange in this room."

Xander pulled his tightening charm out of his shirt, waving it around. "It's this, magic. Willow gave it to me." He put it back down his shirt. "Buffy, I'm the same Xander I was before, only now a little more sure of myself and things. This is me, get over it and move on." He finished that bite of ice cream, sticking his spoon in the pint and putting it on the coffeetable. "Anything else to discuss?"

Oz nodded. "Yeah, I think we do." He looked at Buffy. "In aloneness."

She snorted and got up. "I'll expect you to fix him then," she said, walking out, slamming the door behind her.

"I want to move now," Xander said suddenly. "I like having a private place away from the whole fighting thing."

"We have to anyway," Oz reminded him. "I know you want to help, to be beside me, but it's too dangerous," Oz said quietly, leaning a little closer to him. "This is my fear, that they'll come after you for fun and I won't be there to protect you." Xander stole a little kiss. "Thanks."

Xander took the glass, putting it beside his ice cream. "Oz, believe it or not, I can protect myself. You and Giles have both been upping my fighting abilities. And they're not going to come after me. There's no way anyone's that stupid." He let the immortal lean against him. "I love you, Oz, and I'm not going to go along with the plan here. You're not dying alone."

"Xander, you still can't interfere."

"Didn't say I was going to." Oz gave him a look. "Okay, so maybe a scream." Oz snickered. "What?"

"That's what Methos said you'd do. That you'd scream and try to take the other guy's sword with a lecture." He squeezed his lover gently. "I won't be pushy but you're not allowed to come with me. If you do it again, I'm going to withhold sex."

"That's cruel," Xander said, pouting. "It's not my fault I care."

"Point. But you still can't be there."

"So stop the fight and remove me," Xander said, grinning, making Oz snicker.

"I can imagine that. Calling a time out to remove my errant lover and lock him in the van." He looked up. "You're not following me. I'll have Giles find the restraints again."

"Whatever."

[[Present, later that night]]

Giles looked down at the still body lying against his, shaking his head at all the changes the last year and a half had brought to it. "You're quiet, love, what's wrong?"

"Just thinking about stuff," Xander said quietly, looking up at him. "Our last fight."

"Ah, yes, over you going to be with Oz when he fought." Xander nodded, shifting so his face was hidden in the folds of the soft cotton shirt the older man wore. "At least you settled it."

"Yeah, we did," Xander whispered. "And I still go with him." He glanced at the man watching them from the chair across the room. "What's up, Oz?"

"Just thinking. 'Bout how we got here and everything. About Methos too."

"It was nice to see him the last time we did," Xander admitted. "I kinda miss him."

"Me too," Oz said, putting down his book and coming over to sit beside them. "Meth and I are never really that far apart. It's like we have to be together on some cosmic scale." He snorted and shook his head. "That's a weird thought, considering what Methos used to be."

"I looked it up," Xander admitted. Oz gave him a steady, 'oh, really' look. "Yes, I did. I wanted to know. You'd be surprised what some of Giles' books hold."

"Oh, I knew there was a mention of him in there," Giles said, kissing the side of Xander's head. "A not particularly flattering one though."

"He was like that," Oz said simply. He snuggled up against Giles' side. "Remember the rush to find a house?"

"Yup, invasion of Buffy and friends," Xander said, frowning. "I still haven't forgiven her for breaking into my old apartment."

"Thankfully we had moved all of your precious and valuable things somewhere safe," Giles soothed, rubbing down the lightly oiled back.

[[Then, two days after end of last flashback (keep in this time frame for rest of story)]]

Xander stopped and thought as he heard loud music coming from his apartment, his sacred, calm space. He turned around, heading for the manager's office. Giles and Oz wouldn't be listening to Techno in his apartment, and never at that volume. He tapped lightly on the door, smiling at the older, dark skinned woman who ran the building. "Did you let someone into my place?" he asked.

"No, but I was about to go up there and tell you to turn it off."

Xander shook his head. "I'm just getting back from work."

She patted the side of his face, grabbing her phone. "Let me call our security people, kid, and we'll go up and find out." She made a quick call then grabbed her keys, going to unlock the gate and let the two security guards in.

They ran up the stairs first, Xander and the older woman behind them by a few steps. He handed over his keys so the guards didn't have to search for their's, wincing as the noise increased. "Wow," he said, walking inside. "This is so not mine."

The woman patted his hand. "I know. You've always been a good tenant. Never noisy." She walked in before him, frowning at the stopped teens. "Who's bright idea was it to break in and have the party here?"

Xander groaned as Buffy stepped forward, her usual bravado clearly pasted across her face. "He's a friend of mine," she said. "He said we could come up and visit and stuff."

Xander shook his head. "No, I didn't, and how did you get in here since you don't even have a key?" She smiled and pulled one out of her pocket, which was taken from her. "Thank you." He looked at the guards. "Please remove them. I never authorized the party." He moved out of their way, pulling Buffy aside. "I didn't okay this, Buffy, and I don't want it here. If you wanted to throw a party, you should have done it at your house."

"But my sorority sisters wouldn't let me. Said something about finals or something unimportant like that." She waved her hand around then belched. "Oops," she said in a little girl's voice. "Sorry."

Xander waved the smell of rancid beer away from his face, tugging her back over to the guards. "I want her arrested. She's drunk and she's only 19."

The guard smiled cruelly. "Okay, we can do that."

Xander nodded. "Let me call her guardian," he muttered, picking up the phone and hitting the number for Giles' house. "Hey, I just got home and you'll never believe what I saw." A short pause. "No, a drunk Buffy throwing a party at my place. No, I turned her in for underage drinking, want to come help?" He nodded and hung up. "Her guardian will be here in a few minutes. Her mother's out of town again." He looked over his friend then shook his head. "Let me go make sure that's the last of them." He headed for his bedroom, tossing open the curtains and scaring the three kids having sex on his bed. "OUT!" They jumped up and ran out of the bedroom, grabbing their clothes as they went.

One of the guards stuck his head into the room. "Um, your...." He cleared his throat. "Want to come here?"

Xander held up a finger, going to get the whip that had been a present from Devi when he had left, sort of a joke between them; Xander kept saying Devi was a slave driver but his former pimp had insisted that the only dominant between them was Xander. So he had given him a bullwhip, a symbol, he had said, of his dominance. Xander walked out with it, uncoiling it with a fancy- looking move as he walked in and snapping it in the air right above the women scattered around his gym and playroom. "Out," he said gently. "Those aren't for you." One of the women stood up to him and he looked her over. "Babe, you're not my species or my sex. Out." She snapped her fingers and all but a few women got off the toys they had been playing with and followed her out. He turned to look at the other two, giving them a bland look. "Think I was kidding?" They shook their heads and ran out, forgetting their clothes. "Yay," he said, shaking his head. "I'll clean them in a few." He turned to find his building manager looking around the room. "It's for fun," he admitted, helping her back out.

She looked up at him, her green eyes boring into his face. "That better be all it's for." He nodded so she turned to look at Buffy, who was now handcuffed in the chair. "And you, missy, how did you get in here?"

"I had a key made for myself," she said, giving them a defiant look. "We're friends."

"Friends don't do this to each other," Xander said, heading into the kitchen. He pulled out his silverware drawer, shaking his head at the ice cream spilled inside of it. "I'm going to need help cleaning up this," he told himself, grabbing the phone book. He picked up the phone, dialing quickly. "Hi, I know it's after hours, but do you have anyone that could come out tonight or early tomorrow and help me clean up after a break in and party?" He sighed, smiling. "Yeah, Goldenseed Apartments, 254. Xander Harris. Thanks. No, I think one really hard working or two that aren't adverse to post party mess would be enough. Even the usual lady would be good if you could find her." He smiled and hung up. "That's one good thing," he said, turning as he caught sight of Giles walking through the door. He smiled as he saw the disgust on the older man's face, nodding his head at his charge. "She did it. She broke in and threw a party."

Giles slapped Buffy across the back of her head. "We will be talking later," he warned. He looked at the officers. "Do take her away, I'm not sticking up for her. Just tell me when her bail hearing will be."

Buffy gasped. "Giles! You can't let me go to jail! All I did was drink!" She was pulled up. "Xander, tell them it's okay."

"You broke into my house!" he said, outraged. "You're drunk and you broke in and you trashed my place. I should make you clean it all up." She frowned at him. "Yay. Have fun with Bubbaette." He waved as she was dragged out.

Giles walked into the kitchen. "How bad is it?" he asked, rubbing down Xander's arm.

"I can't stay here tonight, but I have to clean up the playroom," Xander said quietly. "I don't want the people I have coming to clean tomorrow seeing that."

Giles nodded. "You can come over to my place. I'll help you remove your toys." He looked at the building manager, a woman he had met with and talked with on a few occasions since he and Xander had gotten together a six months back. "Is everything else all right?"

"Sure," she said, smiling. "Now that I know it wasn't him." She waved at the door. "I'll be up for a while yet if you need me and I'll let the cleaners in tomorrow."

Xander walked over to close the door after her, leaning against it. "I can't believe she did that," he said quietly.

"Buffy has become quite a handful recently," Giles admitted.

"I meant my manager. She didn't even blink at the gym." He shook his head. "Grab the screwdrivers from the drawer under the sink," he said, walking toward his gym and playroom, and the dildos he had screwed up at various heights along the walls for his own satisfaction.

Giles walked in, smiling at him and handing over a bucket. "Here, we'll put them in here so they can be cleaned." He handed off the extra screwdriver. "How many were in here?"

"Seven. Four of which came at one's snap. The other two were together it looked like." Xander undid the first screw, dropping it in the bucket too. "Of course there were people in my bed too." He dropped his screwdriver, heading for the bathroom as a thought struck him. He closed his eyes as he saw the three naked bodies in his bathtub, and turned on the shower - to cold. They all screamed and jumped out, glaring at him. "Out of my house. You weren't invited and you weren't arrested, feel lucky."

"That Buffy chick invited us," one said, rubbing his eyes.

"She wasn't invited," Xander told them, "she's been arrested on breaking and entering. Feel really lucky." They all nodded and gathered their clothes, heading out. "Bye," he called.

"Freak," they called as they slammed the door.

"Yay," Xander said quietly as he walked back to continue his task. "I want to move now."

Giles reached over and patted his shoulder. "I know. We'll find you a new, safer place, far away from her."

***

Oz snorted. "I don't know what you want me to do about it, Xan," he said as he relaxed on Giles' bed with the men just back from their cleaning mission. "Unless you want me to help you look for a place."

"Yeah, that would be nice," Xander said, snuggling into Oz's body. "I just can't stand the thought of being so unsafe there. It's like she violated part of me."

"It was your haven," Giles said softly, rubbing down the young man's back. "We do understand that. We'll gladly help you look for a new place."

"Coolness. It just has to have security."

"Why?" Oz asked, but Giles shook his head at him. "What's not being told to me?"

"One of his former clients wasn't happy that he was leaving," Giles said quietly. "Xander felt threatened by it."

"Ah, okay." He pulled Xander up to look at him. "Did this thing threaten you? Or did he just make general statements?"

"No, he made threats." Xander went limp in the restraining hands, a sure way to make Oz let him go. "Can't I lay down?" he asked after a minute. "I'm tired."

"Sure," Oz soothed, laying him across his body. "We'll find a place where we're all safe and comfy," he whispered, rubbing over the relaxing back. "They won't come for you."

"I know, but I still worry," Xander admitted. "I'm more vulnerable now because I have well known weaknesses."

"Love," Giles said quietly, lying beside them, "no one's expecting you to give yourself up because the world's supply of Hagen Daz is being poisoned. That's just silly."

Xander turned his head and grinned. "Only for you two."

"Good, I believe that's a good reason," Giles said, helping Oz rub down their lover's back. "Now then, my little GHS, what would you like? Since you've had such a rough day, I'd say you deserved a treat."

"This is a treat," Xander admitted, pulling himself up to straddle Oz's lap and look at both of them. "I never get to see you two. I feel like the rent boy you guys hire to come over on a regular schedule." Oz face relaxed and he snorted, worrying Xander horribly. "I do, I feel like the dirty little secret you guys are keeping and it's bothering me." He moved so he was laying on his own. "I don't want to feel like that, but I do."

Oz reached over, grabbing Xander's boxers to pull him closer. "You're not my secret, we just don't get to spend much time together." He gave him a soft kiss. "I'm sorry that you feel that way."

"You guys never come over to stay with me," Xander said quietly. He looked at Giles. "When I get my new place, will you guys come over and stay the night?"

"We've stayed there before," Oz reminded him. "The bed just freaked us out. The curtains felt closed off to me, like I was the last person on earth."

"I was there," Xander reminded him, pulling himself away. He got up and got dressed in the spare outfit he had brought, walking out before either man could say anything to him. He got into his car and went to the only motel Sunnydale offered, getting a room and locking himself in for the night, curled up, safe, and alone.

***

Oz walked into Xander's work, pulling him out from behind the counter and towards the changing rooms. "He'll be back," he called. He waited until they were both inside the room. "What's up? You left in a huff last night."

"You decided I wasn't human." Xander crossed his arms and looked at his lover. "I am, you know, very human, and I do want to be noticed as such."

"I do," Oz assured him, massaging Xander's arms to free them from their angry tension. "It was a slip."

"Slips show what you're really thinking." Xander got away from him. "No, not until you can admit that I'm human." He turned and walked out, going to straighten the clothes on the rack. He felt Oz walk up behind him and stiffened. "Going to do it again?" he whispered.

"No," his lover said quietly. "You're very human and I shouldn't have said that." He touched the slumping shoulder gently. "Forgive me?"

"Yeah, maybe." Xander turned, scowling at his boss. "What? You and your boyfriend broke up yesterday in the underwear section."

She smiled and handed over the phone. "Personal shopping." She glared at Oz.

Xander took the phone, nodding at the chair near the dressing room. "We can talk after I do this or you can come watch me wander around uselessly later."

"Sure," Oz told him, sitting down.

"Hi," Xander said mock-cheerfully into the phone. "Yes, this is he. What can I get for you today? He nodded and walked over to the underwear section. "What size was that again? And did you want cotton or the silky feeling ones? I know, but do you want comfort or fashion?"

***

Xander looked up at the realtor he had asked to find him a new safe place, smiling at him. "You found it for me," he said, handing over the listing he had seen lying on the table. "I want to look at that one."

"With your salary..." the older man started, frowning at him. "I thought you were looking at apartments."

"I was, but this is better. And it's got everything I need." He pulled out his checkbook, smiling. "How much was it?"

"Well, it is for rent," the real estate agent admitted. "We can go out and look at it in a little while if you want." He looked Xander over. "A kid your age should be in college," he said sadly.

"I know, but I sucked at school." He shrugged, looking down at his balance. "Who in town .... never mind, I know who to ask about that problem." He looked back up. "Can we go look?"

"You sure you're going to be able to put up the payments? It's six hundred a month and I don't think you make that much."

Xander flipped around his checkbook, showing the balance off. "Tell you something?" he asked quietly. "I'm independent of my job." The older man smiled and nodded, standing up. "Good, now let's go look at this place. I need to see if it's really all that."

"Oh, it is. I wrote the description myself. It's hard to personify, but the house has a definite personality." He waved toward the outside. "Your car or mine?"

"Mine," he said simply, walking out.

Xander looked around the house in disgust. "This is gross," he said, looking at the paint on the wall. "Where are the fireplaces?" He looked at the agent and shook his head. "No wonder it was hard for you."

The older man smiled, brushing back his white hair. "Very true. But it has potential." He looked out at the electrified fence. "Nothing except Federal Agents ever got through that. And they were nice when they came in to get her out of here."

Xander shook his head. "I'm not that fanatical. Someplace less like a prison would be good."

"I do have one," he said suavely, "but it's not really for rent." He looked over the young man in front of him. "It's a little bit of a fixer upper. The last tenants met an unusual and bloody end but I think you'd like it."

"Where?" he asked, stalking closer, something he had learned from Adam to seem more dominant than he was. The immortal had taught him well in many things, from sex to the image he presented.

"Just a few miles more out of town. Very nice lot with it." He swallowed, shifting nervously as the young man came closer to him. "Um, would you like to go look?" Xander nodded, waving a hand at the open door.

Xander looked around this new place and fell in love with it. It was perfect. It had a large bedroom and two smaller ones on the same floor as the kitchen and living room. It had a second floor that was made for three rooms but had been turned into a single one, complete with mirrors on one wall. It had a big, open room that looked out on the small garden outside through the floor to roof windows. It had a pool and a hot tub/jacuzzi, connected together so they shared the warmed water. It had a basement that someone had liked to play games in, the hooks were still up in the ceiling on and on the walls. And it had a killer tub. He looked at the agent and nodded. "I'll take it. How long do I have to procure the cash?"

"We can start the loan paperwork tomorrow if you wanted," he suggested, looking at his watch.

Xander smiled, just a little wistfully. "Give me three days to liquidate something and I'll give you cash."

"Whatever," the man sighed, heading back out to the car, sure he had just lost the sale by the look on his face.

Xander's smile turned just a little bit sneaky. "Oh, we'll see," he whispered, heading out after him. ***

Xander walked into Angel's office, smiling at his ex. "Where's your boss? He's helping me tonight."

"He'll be up in a minute," she said, not looking up from her romance novel. "What's going on up in your end? Another big bad?"

"No, just a personal matter." He headed into the interior office, not wanting to spend anymore time with Cordelia than he had to, and sat down in the leather desk chair. "Comfy," he whispered, "have to remember this." He looked up as someone cleared their throat. "Angel," he purred, standing up. "Thanks for helping me do this. I have *no* clue where to go." He followed the vampire's eyes as they tracked over Xander's simple outfit of loose but not baggy black silk pants and a skin-tight blood-red velvet t-shirt that showed off his new muscles very well if he did say so himself. "What? Too undressy?" he asked, looking down at himself. "I have other clothes in the car if I need to change. A silk shirt and things that I work in."

Angel's swallow was audible and his face turned just a little darker when he met the dark brown eyes of the mortal. "No, you're fine," he said, nodding towards the door. "Let's go."

Xander walked around the desk, handing over the briefcase. "You take it, I know I'll trip and it'll spill on the sidewalk." He headed out in front of his protector for the evening, smiling at Cordelia as her mouth dropped open. "Later," he called.

Cordelia got up and grabbed Angel's arm to stop him. "What happened to him? That's not Xander. Xander was never that coordinated or cool, or even tasty looking. That Xander was hot and tasty and tasteful. That *can't* be Xander."

"I know," Angel said, "I'll find out and see if he needs more help or not." He set down the briefcase and opened it, closing it quickly. "God, the boy's done something majorly bad," he said quietly, heading out to the dark gray Lexus and sliding in. "How'd you get these?"

"Was a tip," Xander said. He turned to look at the souled vampire and decided to tell the truth. "Angel, I'm a member of GHSS now." The vampire swallowed again, his eyes going very wide. "I met this very interesting half-demon named Devi while I traveled. That's a *tip* and that's part of *one* of them. I'm buying myself somewhere safe and I'm going to try and pull Oz and Giles with me. Is any of this a problem?"

"GHS?" Angel asked, his voice a little tight. His face was somewhere between hopefulness and fear. Xander nodded. "No, no problem." He cleared his throat, bringing his voice back to it's normal range. "I know Devi by the way. I'll tell him you said hi if you want. He's going to be over in a few weeks."

"Sure." He started the purring motor. "I haven't seen him in a few months, not since I got back. We missed each other at the convention" He pulled out into traffic. "Which way?" He didn't get an answer so glanced at his passenger. "Angel?" Still no answer. "Deadboy?"

"Huh? Sorry, just daydreaming. Head for downtown."

Xander looked at the woman examining his tip. "So, they're really good?"

"Very," she purred, looking up at him. "Where did you get them?"

"They were a ... present," Xander admitted. "From a friend." He gave her his most winning smile. "I'm in the process of buying a house and I need the ready cash. Unfortunately, I locked most of mine up in investments." He pouted and she smiled at him, the first he had gotten. "Can you help?"

"As long as I know they're not stolen." She tapped a sheet. "I have to look them up."

"Of course, I understand perfectly," Xander said, nodding. He got up, wandering around the store. "I'm going to browse. I need a new prezzie." Her whispered comment about becoming one for him made him smile as he walked over to where Angel was standing. "Help me find myself a prezzie?" he asked, unconsciously rubbing up and down a leather clad arm. "I need to make myself pretty."

Angel turned and looked at the mortal, eyes very wide. "Pretty?" he asked.

"Yeah, for my lover." He looked up, giving him an innocent look. "I'm not *working* anymore. I only did that for six weeks. I work in a clothing store now and I'm back to a normal existence."

Angel shook his head. "Harris, you are one strange person," he whispered, moving away from him. "I don't even want to think about what you did to earn those."

"Truth?" he whispered, leaning closer. Angel looked at him and nodded, his face very neutral. "Sarthna demon." The vampire shuddered. "He was a nice guy, very gentle with me," Xander said, pouting just a little. "And he liked me so much he tried to kidnap me."

Angel nodded slightly, patting the mortal's shoulder, ignoring his other impulses about the young mortal. "At least Devi saved you." He pointed at something in the case. "Neck, ear, or wrist?"

"Um, wrist would be nice, but only if it's tasteful." He looked at his clothes. "This is kinda me."

"Oh, I know some other members of the society," Angel admitted, licking his lips. "Tasteful and non-noticeable so no one comments? I'd go for the bracelet. You can say it's a present from an ... admirer."

"Well, it is," Xander said, teasing, "I learned how to admire myself while I was *working*." He tapped the vampire's arm lightly. "Which one?"

"That one," Angel suggested, pointing at a ruby tennis bracelet, the rubies rich and deep red. "I like that one," he finished quietly.

"Hmm, okay, we'll see if it fits. I wear that color too." He looked down at his shirt. "Think it'd go?"

"It could," the woman servicing them suggested. "And it's a very nice choice." She pulled the tray it was on out, handing it over and watching as he put it on. "It looks nice on you." She looked at Angel. "Do you like it on him?"

"Very much," Angel said quietly, turning to look out the window.

Xander considered it, then nodded. "Okay, I like this one, but I need something else for daily wear and I need a new watch." He slid his out of his pocket. "This one broke today." She took it from his hand, looking at it. "Can it be fixed?"

"We could send it back to the company and have them fix it," she suggested. "Would that be a problem?"

"Only if I couldn't find a temporary replacement."

"We have many fine watches," she said, waving at another counter. She walked over with him, looking at Angel as they walked. "He doesn't need to approve?"

Xander gave her a sexy little smile. "He's not mine. He's taken up with this absolutely *snarky* woman who thinks she's perfect." He leaned a little closer and let his voice drop some. "She's my ex and I'm so glad it's former."

The saleswoman smiled. "I'm sure you have only the best now."

"Well, we're having a fight, but yeah, usually they are." He winked then looked down at the watches. "Ooh, I like the fabric bands better. I sweat less."

She pulled the tray of them out, handing them over. "I'd pick one that would go with most of your wardrobe. Since your other one is silver, maybe something similar?" She handed him one, watching as he put it against his arm. "But I do agree, you need more everyday wear for jewelry. Something simple yet elegant." He looked up and gave her a bright smile, nodding. "Very good, let me go see what I have over in the other cases. We'll discuss your stones in a moment." She walked away, leaving Xander and Angel, who was walking over to him, alone.

"What do you think?" Xander asked, holding up the watch.

"Will it stand up to your daily wear?"

"Maybe." He put it down and picked up another one, holding it against his wrist then put it back down. He reached over to grab one off the other tray sitting out, holding it up. "I like this one, even if it does have a metal chain."

"It's more practical," Angel said, putting his hands on Xander's shoulders. "What does it look like on?"

Xander bit his lip as he slid it over his wrist and fastened the chain-link bracelet that was the band. "Not bad," he admitted, holding it up. "Pretty good actually." He shivered as the cool hands rubbing his shoulders touched a sensitive spot on his upper back. "Angel, are you trying to take me away from my life?" he asked quietly as he turned. The vampire shook his head. "You know what I am and what that means to me. Why are you teasing me?"

"I'm sorry," Angel said, stepping back. "I was just trying to keep you from buying up the store."

"Nope, I have enough usual stuff, I just wanted to give myself a present because my lover and I are fighting." He turned back to the saleswoman, who was handing him a small, delicate platinum bracelet. "Isn't that a little femme?" he asked, not sure about it. She took it back, handing him a more substantial but still delicate bracelet, watching as he put it against his skin. "This is perfect," he whispered, looking up and giving her the brightest of his smile. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome." She led them back over to where she had been examining the stones. "We do wish that if you need to dump this many stones in the future that you give us a few days notice," she told him, taking her seat.

"I only need about seventy thousand worth. The house isn't that expensive but I need some decorating money." He picked up a medium sized emerald, turning it in the light. "I never noticed that," he said, showing the spot to her. "Wonder what that is."

"It's called an inclusion." She handed him her magnifying eyepiece. "I saw a piece of fossil earlier."

He looked down at the stone and nodded. "Looks like grass."

She smiled. "You have a very good eye. I'm surprised you don't work in the field."

"I thought you had to have training," he said, handing both the stone and the magnifying eyepiece back. She shook her head. "No?"

"Not to sell," she told him. "If you lived nearby, you could even apply to work here, we're presently short a seller and you've *obviously* got good taste." He grinned. "As for your stones, we don't have enough money on hand to buy all of these tonight, or even for the next week, but if all you need is around seventy thousand, we can easily do that." Xander nodded so she sorted some of the stones out. "These are an amazing quality, I would love to know your supplier."

"Like I said, they were a gift. All I know is that he gave me some."

"Do you have a detailed list for your insurer?" she asked, putting the rest of the stones back into the briefcase. Xander gave her a confused look, answered by one of pity on her face. "Bring the whole amount to us and we can appraise them for you and give you a detailed list for your insurance company." He nodded, biting his lip. "Is that a problem?"

"No," he admitted, "I'm just wondering about taxes and how I claim it."

"It's a gift, the person who gave them to you should have paid the tax." He shrugged. "See, you can claim ignorance." She smiled and pulled out a list she had made up earlier. "Okay, I can get these tonight and you'll bring back the whole of your collection for our evaluation?" He nodded, smiling again. "Okay, good. This is about a third over what you need, just over a hundred and twenty thousand. I'll go cut your check if you agree."

Xander looked at the list. "Did you take that emerald?" he asked.

"No, we don't have a need for it, but I do want to ask someone about it. I think I know someone who wants to have a special piece made that might be something that they're looking for, if that's okay."

He nodded, his bottom lip sticking out as he thought. He pushed the list back over. "Okay, I trust you."

She smiled. "Good," she purred, getting up to head into the back with the stones.

Angel picked up the list, closing his eyes as he saw the values listed. "Xander, this is well below retail."

"But they have to make a profit too," he reminded, turning to look up at his protector. "Thank you for brining me. I didn't even think about her suggestion."

"I'd go somewhere else," Angel said, leaning down to get closer so no one would hear them. "Somewhere really reputable. Tell them you inherited them and that you need an insurance estimate and appraisal. This place deals with demons all the time and I don't really trust them."

Xander kissed Angel's cheek. "Thank you for worrying. I'll do that soon. We'll even call so you can come with us." He wiped off the spot of moisture from his lips. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Angel said, backing up when the saleswoman walked back out. He smiled at her. "Does he need to fill out forms?"

"No, we have everything we need." She set off a gas canister in Xander's face and he slumped but Angel punched her, tossing it behind him. "Why?" she asked. "You can't be protecting him. He's obviously one of the bad people. How else does a *mortal* his age get stones like this except through bad deals?"

"He's GHS," Angel said. "Go cut his check, for the real amount, or we're going to go down the street and talk to a reputable place and warn them about you." He flashed his feeding face.

She stood up, nodding, her face showing fear. "If you say so." She hurried into the back, coming back with a short, ugly, knobby demon in tow. "Watch them."

"Don't forget to take his presents off," Angel called after her. He took the check and the briefcase in one hand, sliding the check inside before he picked the mortal up and carried them out to the car. He patted down Xander for his keys, trying to tell himself he wasn't enjoying it too much, even if his hand did linger over the hard length waking up under it. When he found the keys, he walked around and got in, pulling away to head back to his office.

***

Xander set his briefcase and the satchel of money on his table, visually checking to make sure the door was locked. He made a quick tour of his apartment, coming out to find Oz sitting at the table looking at the leftover stones. "Hey," he said, sinking down beside him. "Come to say more mean things?"

"Thought I was going with you," Oz said quietly, looking at the pile of money he had pulled out. "Did you find a place?"

"Yup, second one I looked at. It's perfect. Few miles out of town but still commutable. And I think you'll like it there when you come visit." Oz nodded, pushing the stones around on the table. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"You smell like Angel."

"Of course I do, I asked him to protect me while I went to sell some of the stones off. It's not like I know anyone else who would know." He covered his mouth. "Oz, I'm sorry, I never even realized that you might know."

"Nope, I wouldn't have had a clue," he said, sitting back and managing to look relaxed. "Pretty bracelets," he said, pointing. "Where's your watch?"

"Broken. She's sending it back to them to fix." He shrugged, holding his wrist out. "I wanted a present to cheer me up."

"And I wasn't?"

"I still feel down. You know I'm not going to go screw Angel."

"Point." Oz looked at the bracelets and nodded. "Very pretty and very your style. Looks good."

"Thank you." He leaned in, kissing Oz's cheek. "I thought I had the chain on."

"You did. There's a way around that."

"Even more reason to move," Xander said firmly. He got up, heading for his restocked kitchen. "Want something?"

"Us to not be fighting would be nice," Oz told him. "But some of that tea if you have it."

"Tea it is," Xander said, coming out with two glasses, handing one over as he sat. "As for the fighting, we were working it out earlier but you left."

"There's another immie in town. I felt him."

"Oh, Oz," Xander whispered, taking his hand to hold. "Maybe he's peaceful."

"He is," Oz said as he took a drink. "We had a talk in the alley. How's Cordy?"

"She didn't even look at me."

Angel walked back into his office after taking a long shower, and sat at his desk. His secretary walked in, sitting on it, looking at him. "What?" he asked tiredly.

"What's wrong with Xander? He looked all furry and soft." She gasped and covered her mouth. "Did Oz bite him?"

Angel smiled at her. "No, he's fine. He just found himself. The clothes are a statement of who he is." He patted her knee. "Don't you have an audition?"

"I have to leave in an hour," she reminded him. "So, what did he want you to do for him? Some demon threatening him? Another vampire you had to scare?"

Angel snorted. "No, he needed to liquidate some of his assets."

"Eww, I remember what that was like. Poor guy, fast food must not be working out."

"No, not at all," Angel agreed, looking at the watch he had stolen from the saleswoman, a still very broken piece of jewelry.

Oz snuggled up against Xander on the couch, silently watching tv with him. "Why are we fighting?" he asked during a commercial.

"Because you said I wasn't human."

"Did I?" Oz sat up and looked at him. "What exactly did I say?"

"That my bed made you feel like you were the last person on earth when we were in it." He sipped his tea, keeping his eyes on the tv, until Oz made him look at him.

"That wasn't what I meant. I wasn't saying that I was the only person in the bed, but that I felt cut off from the world." Xander slid into his arms, putting his glass down. "See, big misunderstanding."

"Yeah," Xander sighed, closing his eyes. "It's all cleaned up now and I'm going to go pay the guy tomorrow so I can move. You're still going to come over, right?" When he didn't get an immediate answer, he pulled back, looking up. "What?"

Oz reached for the remote, turning up the tv to show Faith's arrest. "That," he said, pointing.

Xander watched the report. "Hey, another one for the good guys." His face paled as the announcer said she had escaped and that was the only footage that they had of her. "Whoa. She's back in town?"

"Yeah. Was at a really heavily armed house outside of town from what they were saying."

Xander slid back into his lover's body. "I visited there, it's for rent but I didn't like it."

Oz simply nodded, leaning back until Xander was laying on top of him, holding onto him very tightly.

***

Xander smiled and held the door open for Oz since he was carrying the bag with the money in it. "Hi, that house is still available, right?" he asked as he took a seat in front of the real estate agent.

The older man nodded, looking at them. "Of course. Can I help you start the paperwork now?"

"Sure," Oz said, handing over the bag. "I think that's exact but you'll want to count it."

The man smiled sweetly as he took the bag, his smile falling away as he opened it and looked down inside. "Cash," he said weakly. "You have ca...cash." His whole face drained of color as he saw the stacks of green bills, his eyes bulged, and he nervously licked his lips as he considered them.

Xander nodded. "I told you I would. I just had to liquidate an asset." Oz grunted. "Oh, Oz, I made an appointment about the other stuff and I'm supposed to bring them in tomorrow late afternoon. You going to come with me and Angel?"

"Yes," Oz said firmly. He looked at the man turning paler with each bundle of cash he pulled out and put into his drawer. "Is there a problem?"

"No," the agent said quickly, shaking his head as he recounted the cash. "No problem at all. Though the paperwork will still take a few days to complete. The title search and transfer and all."

Xander nodded. "Okay, whatever." He crossed his ankles. "We need a house warming party once we get settled," he said, thinking. "We could even invite Angel and Cordy up from LA."

"We?" Oz choked. Xander looked at him. "You said we."

"I was hoping you'd be more than an occasional visitor," Xander told him, taking his hand. "And I really think you'll like this place. It has good security and everything."

Oz nodded, pulling his hands back. "It sounded like you wanted me to move in."

"I wouldn't mind," Xander said softly, looking down. "But I know you're not ready for that." He got a small kiss to his cheek. "Thanks."

"We'll see."

Xander nodded, turning back to the man counting the money, who was now vampire pale. "Is something wrong?" he asked. "Did I screw up how much it'd be?"

"No," the real estate agent said quickly, putting the money back in the bag. "Just the sight..." He cleared his throat. "There's no problem at all." He gave them a shaky smile, his hands trembling as he handed over the papers in front of him. "Would your...friend like to go look at the house? Just to make sure it lives up to his standards also? You do have the keys I gave you yesterday when we talked about the purchase price, don't you?"

"No, I trust Xander to find us somewhere safe," Oz said calmly. "Is that the right amount?"

"What? Yes, definitely." He nodded frantically, then stopped to smooth down his hair. "If I could just have Mr. Harris sign a few forms we could get the paperwork rolling and he'll own a very nice house." He handed over a pen, watching as the forms were read and signed, the other man reading each one also to make sure everything was filled out. "If there's...there's anything else," he offered, standing when they did, "just let me know." He gave them a smile, waiting until they had left to fall back into his chair, missing it and landing on the floor. "Oh, God, I just sold a house to the mafia," he whispered, closing his eyes. "I'm so dead if anyone finds out that they're here and buying property. I'm an accessory to something now, I should go pray before they decide to come back."

Oz stood outside the office and smiled. "Congrats, he thinks you're a bad guy."

"I am not," Xander said, leaning against his car. "Just picky about my personal safety." He gave his lover a small, sexy little pout. "I think you'll love it, even if you don't like my bed."

"I like your bed, just not the curtains on it," Oz countered. He looked around at the other people on the sidewalk. "We need to be more private. Work?"

"Is good, but not today." Xander pulled the keys out of his skin-tight jeans, tossing them over. "We need to go to the bank to pull those things out so we can take them over tomorrow."

"Why not do that tomorrow in case Buffy comes over again?" Oz suggested, walking around to get in.

Xander slid into his seat, looking over at the immortal. "Because she's in jail serving her thirty days?"

"Good point." Oz started the car, waiting while Xander buckled up and shut his door. "I won't feel comfy with them with us."

"Bank's closed tomorrow, it's some Hallmark holiday."

"Oh." Oz pulled out into traffic, heading for the bank that held Xander's safety deposit box. "Why couldn't you use your money? I thought you said you had some left."

"I do, but I invested it and I didn't want to get penalties and things," Xander said, wiggling to get comfortable. "Why?"

"Because I thought you liked those stones."

"Not that set. It had a bunch of them that I didn't really like, it was the second one out of the pile. And the four or five that I did like I left there. I only took in half of one of the boxes to cash out."

"Okay." Oz pulled up in front of the bank. "I'm coming in with you."

"Or you could just come in me," Xander suggested, shooting him a small grin. "The windows are tinted."

"No," Oz said, patting the side of his face. "Later, slut."

"Meany."

"Which?"

"Not giving me any." Xander got out. Then he hit himself on the forehead. "I sound like Anya."

Oz nodded. "Yup." He was followed inside, heading for a discrete desk off to the side. "Mr. Harris needs into his box," he said quietly. She nodded, pointing at the sign-in form. Xander signed it and Oz followed him inside with her following so they could get into the box. He waited until they were alone to rub up against the tight ass as he walked around the metal table in the middle of the vault. "Did you wear those pants for me or to scare the agent?" he asked quietly.

Xander looked up from his looking over of his pictures, the ones from happier ones in high school. "You, of course. Why would I want to wear them for him? He's not the one I'm trying to make take me hard."

"Did you mind me calling you that?" Xander shook his head. "No? Do you get off on it?" he asked, moving back around to let a hand rub over the growing bulge. "Does being called names get to you, slut?"

Xander shivered. "It's true, I am, so it's not a degrading name. And I've been called worse." He stole a kiss. "Let me do this so we can go? Please?" Oz pushed the box's lid closed. "What?"

"I want your attention."

"You have it, as always." Xander gave him a deep, probing, passionate kiss. "Oz, most of the people like me end up as pampered pets of someone. And that's what I am. It's like a title to me now. Even Adam called me that." Oz nodded for him to go on. "If you want to call me that I'm not going to say anything unless we're in a crowded place or being observed."

"Pet, I like that." Oz looked over the younger man, giving his cock one last pat. "We'll have to talk about that concept. Get your boxes and let's go."

"Ooh, forceful," Xander whispered, pulling the boxes out and checking for leftover stones. Oz picked up a picture to look at. "I removed those because those are more precious to me than these are," he said, putting the wooden boxes down.

Oz put the picture back in the box. "I can see that." He reached over to tap the wet lips. "Put your box back if this is all."

Xander closed the lid and locked it, sliding it back into place and locking the door. He turned and found Oz already walking out with the boxes, so he followed him, signing them out and jogging out to his car. He slid into the passenger's side, buckling up as Oz slammed the trunk. "It closes easy," he reminded.

"Just making sure." Oz turned, kissing Xander hard. "Do you want to become a pet, Xander?" The younger man licked his lips for him. "Doing that means that you're mine. I decide if you work, where you live, and your whole life belongs to me. No breaks for dominant Xander to come out."

Xander licked his lips. "Can I think about it?"

"We'll be talking," Oz assured him, "but I want to check over your investments. I've been doing this a lot longer than you have." He pulled out of the parking lot, heading for Giles' apartment, Xander not having spent a night at home since Buffy had broken in. He carried the boxes inside, putting them on the table. "Sit,"he ordered, heading into the kitchen. "Want to eat?"

"You," Xander whispered as he pulled the boxes over to look at. He never even noticed Oz had walked back out until his face was forcefully turned and his mouth invaded with a cock. He moaned in pleasure, sucking it, using every skill he had ever learned to pleasure his lover. It wasn't too long before Oz was groaning and pushing into his mouth, coming with a throat-tearing howl. Xander licked him clean before zipping his lover back up. "Wow, what was that for? A reward?"

"Maybe," Oz said, heading back into the kitchen. "Want a drink?"

"Yup, you're salty so my mouth is dry." Oz snickered, walking out and handing him a bottle of apple juice. "Thanks." He pointed at one of the stones. "The other emerald..." He looked around for his briefcase, getting up to grab it and bring it back to the table, opening it to show him. "This one has a small fossil in it. It looks like a blade of grass," Xander said, handing it over.

Oz held it up to the light. "I can see something but I can't see details." He handed it back. "Are there any more you really don't want?"

"Not that many really," Xander said, holding up a small handful. "These definitely, I think they're gross and ugly." He looked up, startled, as Giles walked in. "Give a guy a heart attack," he complained.

"I was under the impression that I lived here," Giles said with a smile. "Why did you pull those out of the bank?"

"We're going to take them to be appraised tomorrow," Oz said. "Late afternoon/sunset time so Angel can guard us."

"May I go?" Giles asked, sitting down so he could look at the stones also. "Oh, bloodstone."

"Ewwish," Xander said, handing them over. "I think they're ugly."

"Well, they have a historical precedent," Giles said, "and they can be quite..." He dropped them, picking up a clear stone. "Xander, when did you get this one?"

"Um, it was in with the rest, why?" He looked at it. "I can't tell what it is, it's softer than a diamond using the scale thingy they taught us in science class, but it looks like one."

Giles picked a pen up off the table, using the back to tap the stone. "It's a true bloodstone. You can store some of your blood in it. It's most rare, sorcerers of old used them to store extra energy but most of them were burned during the inquisition." He looked over. "May I have this one?"

"Yup, sure," Xander said, smiling at him. "It's not like I'm going to do that." He licked his lips to get more a taste of Oz. "We paid the real estate agent today. And we were talking about throwing a house warming party."

Giles smiled. "I'm sure we will be. When can you move in? And when can I go look at this mysterious place that you've found?"

"A week or so," Oz said calmly. "He bought it."

Giles frowned at the young man. "Xander, you do have to be careful how you flaunt what you have, otherwise people will start asking uncomfortable questions. No one would expect an unmarried man your age to be buying a house, much less have the cash for one readily. Especially not with your background."

"I paid him in cash. I exchanged some stones in LA with Angel last night and he helped me cash them out." He looked down at the boxes, closing them gently and flipping the locks closed. "I haven't been flaunting it, Giles, really. I just liked this place and it wasn't for rent, but it's perfect and still in commutable distance."

Oz got up. "I'll call and get the keys so we can go out."

Xander pulled them out. "He gave them to me yesterday when I went in to sign some other paperwork." He tossed them at Oz. "Call him and tell him that we're going out though, he has to turn off the security system."

Oz nodded, picking up the phone, putting the keys on the bar. "Go store those somewhere safe, Xan, then we'll go." He dialed from the card he had picked up on the way out, talking quietly while he watched Xander and Giles hide the boxes among the boxes of books that were being moved and examined. He hung up, nodding toward the door. "I'm going to go start the engine, come out when you're done."

Giles waited until they were alone. "Xander, was that wise?" he asked.

"I had to, Giles, I didn't feel safe. And you'll like the place. Very comfy, about fifteen minutes out of town on a good day, and killer security." He stood up, looking at the camouflaged boxes. "Good enough for now?"

"I should hope so," Giles said, tossing a few more books down on top of the boxes. He smiled at his lover. "Come, let's go. Oz seems impatient."

"He wants me to consider being a pet." Giles' smile became fond and sweet. "You?"

"Once, but I didn't have to worry about anything, he was most kind to me." He turned and locked his door, making sure it was locked before heading out to the car.

They drove in silence out to the new house, the radio breaking up the quiet in the car. Xander pulled into the driveway, heading up to the house and stopping the car. "Okay so far?" he asked.

"A most beautiful front," Giles said quietly, looking at the dual story house. He got out and headed for the front door. "Oz, do you have the keys?"

Oz patted down his pockets then shook his head. He took the car keys back from Xander, pulling away. "Be back soon," he called.

Xander nodded and led Giles around to the back of the house, sitting out near the garden. "See, very pretty back here too." He looked over toward the pool and jaccuzi, it being attached to the end of the pool and sharing water with it, both heated. He took off his shirt as he stood up, pulling Giles with him. "Come on, we gotta try that." They stripped as they stood beside the pool, putting their clothes on a convenient bench.

Giles sank down into the warmed water, sighing in relief. "This is pleasant." He looked at the floor to roof windows facing them. "Those will need a special treatment."

"Yup," Xander said, leaning back and closing his eyes. Until someone cleared their throat. He looked up to see a middle aged man with curly brown hair standing here. "Hey, I'm the one buying the house. We're just waiting on the keys."

The neighbor, at least that's what he assumed he was, came over. "You're the Harris guy?" he asked, his voice a little shocked as Xander waved. "But you're really young."

"Yeah, but I feel comfy and safe here." He opened an eye. "Which side do you live on?"

"The Clemson house, the one on the right of yours, has been empty for years," he said, sitting on the edge of the pool so he could look at them. "Are you two..." He coughed. "Together?"

"Yes," Giles said. He looked over the man. "Is that going to be a problem for you? Or the fact that there's another one of us that will be out here often?"

"No," he said quickly, shaking his head. "Not at all. You guys are usually really quiet and polite from what I've heard. Welcome to the neighborhood. When are you moving in?"

"Probably in a week," Xander said, shaking his hand. "I'm Xander, by the way, and this is Rupert Giles."

"Oh, the school's librarian. My daughter went to Sunnydale High for half a year then switched to private school." He stood up. "If you need anything like a list of places that deliver out here, just walk through the bushes. My wife's a stay at home gal." He waved and walked off, heading through the eight foot high bush wall.

Xander looked at Giles. "He seems nice."

"Yes, he does." He checked his watch. "I wonder what's keeping Oz?"

Oz growled as the other immortal walked toward him through the open door, taking stock of his athletic, well over six foot build. His skin was so dark it looked black and his head was bald, his eyes flashing with anger. "What is it with you guys? The Hellmouth drawing us now?"

"Hellmouth?" he asked, stopping and putting down his sword. "There's actually one of those?"

Oz relaxed, letting his sword drop to his side. "Oh, yeah, it lives under the old high school. There's all sorts of bad things here." He picked up a book, showing off it's title of 'Demons of the World'. "My lover does this, that's why I'm here."

"Wow." The other immortal shook his head. "I heard that one of us went insane and came here."

"He did, he's gone, he challenged me." Oz shrugged, dropping the book. He walked closer. "I'm Oz, and I really don't want to fight if I don't have to."

"Me either, it was just a matter of controlling the bad of us." He held out his hand. "Marcus, Oz."

"Cool," he said, shaking it. "Um, I've got to get back to my lovers, we're looking at houses. Just don't walk around at night." He waited until the other immie had walked out to shudder. "I'm not living on the Hellmouth ever again," he swore to himself, heading out and locking the door behind him. "You aren't MacLeod's right?" he called at the man heading up the stairs.

"No, but I know his cousin."

"Good, he's stalking a friend of mine right now." Oz tugged on the door then headed up after him, putting his sword away. "How long you staying? I've been here for close to six years."

"Not that long," Marcus said with a smile. "Go find your lovers, they're the reason we keep going sanely." He walked down the street, leaving peacefully.

Oz nodded, getting back into the car. "Okay." He headed back out to Xander's house, looking around as he pulled through the gate. He heard giggling and splashing as he got out and one of his eyebrows went up, making him head through the house to let his playmates in. He stopped to watch Giles and Xander have a tickle fight in the water, smiling at his all too serious lover having a little fun. He slid open the door, making both of them look at him in shock. "Just me." He sat on the side of the tub, dangling the keys. "Water nymphs?"

"Yup, that's me," Xander said, pulling himself up. "It's a leftover from the almost fishy stuff." He stood up, shaking himself. "So, what do you think so far?"

Oz looked over the taut body. "You need some sun, pull on your clothes and let's go look around, naughty." He stood up, giving Giles a hand out. "Was nice from what I saw."

Xander danced around the big livingroom. "See, and it has a pretty view," he called, pulling Giles with him to the bedrooms. "And big closets and killer tubs and even a security system." He smiled at his lover, licking his lips. "Can't you just imagine our bed in here?"

"Yes, I can," Giles said, looking around. "Very easily." He looked back at Oz, who was examining the closet. "Is this going to be fine with you also?"

"Yeah," Oz said, walking over to kiss each of them, pulling Xander into his arms to nip the back of his neck. "This is great, really."

"It's got an Oz room upstairs," Xander said quietly, leading the way up the stairs to show off the big, open, empty space. "The former owners used to do ballroom dancing and they fixed this up as practice space. But I think this should be Ozspace now."

Oz looked at the room, nodding. "I like it, thank you." He stole a kiss, quickly ending up on his back on the floor. "Slut," he warned.

"Shh, I'm loving you."

"I noticed but even I can get a sore back."

"Good point," Xander said, pulling himself up and then helping Oz up. "Can I have some for being so good when we get home?"

"Yup." Xander did a small happy dance until Oz caught him around the waist, pulling him back into his body. "Stop." Xander turned, stealing a kiss. "Thank you. Behave."

"I am, I'm just happy," Xander said quietly, stealing another kiss. "See?"

"Yeah, I do see," Oz said, kissing him again. "Giles," he said, pulling himself away from the nibbling mouth that moved down to his neck. "Our naughty little slut needs help."

Giles jogged up the stairs. "He does?" He smiled at the picture Xander made, doing his best to seduce Oz into taking him there and then. "So I can tell," he said, walking over to rub down the softly covered back. "Xander, wait until we're home and you can have all you can handle."

Xander pouted at him. "This is going to be home. We should christen it."

"We will the night we move in. We'll do our best that first week to have sex everywhere possible, but it's not yours yet."

"Ours," Xander said, turning to look at him. "All of ours. I want it to be that way."

"Ours then," Giles said soothingly. "And soon I'll join you here, when I can no longer stand life in town." He kissed his lover gently, searching his mouth for unusual tastes. "Ah, I see you had Oz already."

"Once," Xander said, blushing. "At the table. He took me."

"I had to, he was making *comments*," Oz explained. "But I do admit to taking him." He nipped the back of Xander's neck. "Now then, our slut needs to be taken home and worn out so he can quit being so happy."

"I have a right to be happy. This means I've truly moved on from the old me."

"Yes, it does," Giles said sadly. "You have moved on, haven't you? You're not the same Xander I first met."

Xander walked into his other lover's arms, hugging him. "I am, I'm just a little more aware of what I want. And now I understand why my favorite food is chocolate." He grinned at the smile and snort. "Am I really that different?"

"You're happier," Oz noted, hugging the back of Xander. He licked over the back of the young man's neck, ending up with a kiss. "Looking back, I can see you weren't happy."

"And now I am. You guys make me that way." Xander stole a kiss from Giles then turned to get one from Oz. "See?"

"Yeah, we do," Oz said gently, "but you're not the old Xander anymore. He wouldn't have even mentioned sex in front of other people." That got a small blush. "You would have? You never used to like sex in public."

"Cordy had me fulfill a fantasy and take her under the football bleachers."

Oz snickered. "So typical." He looked at his watch. "Let's go home, guys, I want plenty of time to wear Xander out."

"Just one last thing," Xander said, stopping him. "I want you two to come live with me here. I don't want to have to worry about you guys."

"We'll see," Giles told him, giving him a small hug. "For now, I still have to be in town while Buffy is."

"I know," Xander said, looking down. "But you're close enough to be able to help still."

"Fifteen minutes can be a difference," Giles reminded him. "That long can mean the whole town could perish."

"But you'd know before hand and we'd be working on it before then, right?"

"If we could," Oz agreed. "But I see his point. If we don't know about it before hand, there's not a chance we can stop it really even if we're still in the middle of town. And I feel safe here." He turned to look out the floor to roof windows. "We have privacy, I have space, and we have a safety margin."

"We'll start by moving out a little at a time," Giles suggested. Xander nodded, giving him a long, slow kiss.

"Guys," Oz sighed, coming over to pull them apart. "Home, now. Where there's furniture?"

"Yup," Xander said, pulling Oz with him out to the car and helping him into the driver's seat. He walked around, getting into the back, both of them waiting on Giles to come out and join them.

***

Xander looked up from his position tied to the bed, pouting at Oz. "But now I can't touch you," he whined.

"True, but we can do anything to you," Oz reminded him, picking up a long scarf to tease the younger man's taut chest with. He saw the small smile so balled the scarf up. "Not fun?"

"Very fun, just remembering our first night together."

"Ah, yes, *that* scarf. I noticed it was on your table." Oz laid down next to his lover's body, running a hand down the bare chest and stomach. "Did you know I worked you off?"

"No, I was too caught up in it. That was just so...so...so great. Something that I hadn't felt before. That's how I knew you were right." Oz nodded, kissing him lightly. "You just blew my mind, the only thing that would have made it better would have been a kiss and coming to with you there."

"I stayed until you almost came around," Oz said quietly. "I didn't want to hurt Willow." He leaned down for another kiss, placing little licks over the open lips. "You taste good."

"Thank you." Xander looked toward the door as Giles walked in and dropped his robe. "Get it fixed?"

"Yes, Buffy's gone home for the night. I'm still amazed that they let her out so early. Why sentence her to thirty days and let her out after five?" He leaned down to get a kiss from both of them then moved to straddle Xander's hips. "What would you like tonight, our precious little pet?"

"More?" Xander asked, shifting up and rubbing against his lover's pubic area. "Please?"

"Of course, this is simply the first step in turning you into a pet." He leaned down, kissing Xander slowly, his hands coming up to merge with those in the padded handcuffs. "Very soon, you'll want nothing more than to pleasure us."

"That's what I want to do now, but Oz chained me to the bed," Xander told him seriously.

"Ah," Oz said, "but there's a reason for that. Giles, did you know that naughty liked to be called a slut?"

"Well, it is part of the official title." Giles gave his lovers a small smile. "And he was right, many of us do turn into pampered pets of someone." He leaned down to kiss Xander's lips again. "What should we do with you, precious?"

"Take me hard?" Xander suggested with an impish grin. Oz shook his head. "No?" he asked, starting to pout.

"Not your decision." Oz stepped back, stripping efficiently and moving to straddle the young man's chest. "You're just going to have to take it all and accept it." He moved closer, teasing the damp lips with his cock. "Come on, naughty, take it. You can have a reward later if you keep up."

"Oz," Giles said gently, "we need to gentle him into the role, not break him totally. I wouldn't want a broken-spirited Xander as a pet." He shuddered. "Go easy on him, give him what he wants, but make him ask for it."

"Hmm, begging," Oz said thoughtfully as Xander swallowed him. "I can do that." He looked down, thrusting in a little harder. "So, slut, what else would you like that we can make you beg for?" Xander grunted, teasing him with his tongue. "Very good."

"Methos taught me well," Xander said as he pulled back, giving Oz a small grin. "You sure that doesn't freak you badly?"

"Why would it? He taught me the intricacies of sex too." Oz pushed his cock back into the waiting mouth, sliding down as far as he could. "So good at this," he whispered, looking down into the brown eyes. "Make it good and I'll give you a reward."

Giles smiled as he watched them, lying beside Xander's stretched out body on the bed. "So very nice," he said as he rubbed down the taut stomach. Xander wiggled. "Oh, are you ticklish?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Maybe I should take advantage of that."

"Not while he's sucking," Oz reminded. "He'll bite." He looked down, nodding at the younger man to suck him more. "Do it, naughty, prove to us that you deserve a reward."

Xander sucked to the best of his ability, using his tongue and the gentlest pressure of his teeth to get Oz to come faster. He finished up by licking over the hard flesh. "Okay enough?" he asked quietly.

Oz nodded then looked at Giles, who moved down to suck down Xander's cock until he was wet, wiggling, and about ready to beg. "Want more?" he asked quietly, leaning down to nibble on the flushed earlobe.

"Yes," Xander groaned. "Please?"

"What are you?" Giles asked, sliding a lubed finger into the tight, cleaned hole to prepare him for later. "Tell us and I'll gladly take you."

"I'm a pet," Xander murmured, turning his head to capture Oz's lips. "Your pet," he whispered against them when he broke the kiss to breathe.

Oz nodded. "That too." He looked down the body below him at Giles. "Want first or second?"

"First, I believe. It's been a while since I've been in him." He slid into the tight hole in one hard push, earning a small keening wail. "Oh, wasn't that what you want?"

"For *so* long," Xander said, trying to push his hips up to get him deeper. "More, please?"

"Oops, not begging," Oz said, pulling Giles away so they could both look down at him. "Have to beg."

"Oz, Giles, Rupert," he amended, "please, I *need* you both." He gave them his most pitiful look. "Please?" he whispered.

"I do think that's a good start," Giles said, going back to slide into his body. "Ah, how's that?" he asked, moving his own body so Oz could adjust Xander's body by putting a pillow under the young man's hips.

"Yes, thank you, love you," Xander babbled, pushing back as much as he could in the position he was in. He grinned as he felt one of his ankles be released, then snorted when he was rolled onto his side, the free leg being lifted up so Giles could get deeper into him. "Thanks," he said quietly, taking it all and enjoying it.

Oz looked at Giles and nodded, the older man pulling out and letting the immortal replace him quickly. It only took a moment for Xander to end up on his stomach, arms now crossed because of the chains, and Oz rode him hard. "Liking?" he asked.

"Muchly. More?"

"You're not making noise," Oz noted. "Must not be enough." He spanked a rounded cheek gently, smiling at the blush-colored mark he left. "Pretty on you."

"No," Xander said, shifting. "No spanking. At all." He looked over his shoulder when Oz pulled out of him. "No spanking. No physical anything that's pain."

Oz nodded, releasing the chains. "Okay." He sat beside Xander's still and tense body, pulling him in for a hug. "No pain and no spanking. I can do that."

"Then why did you let me go?" Xander asked quietly, looking up into the deep green eyes. "Was I bad? Do I need more practice to be better?"

"No," Oz said, kissing him, licking over his lips to get inside the younger man's mouth to tease him. "Not bad at all, just thought you wouldn't want that."

"Was okay," Xander said, "but I don't want it all the time or for long times."

Giles handed them each a glass of juice from the bedside pitcher he had brought up earlier. "I think we could all use some consideration. Xander's obviously got a few bad associations with pain and possibly with chains, much as I myself have. Oz, you're obviously fairly adventurous. Is there somewhere in the middle? Some possible neutral ground?"

"I'm not giving either of you up," Xander said firmly, squeezing Oz. "No way, well, in Sunnydale." He grinned. "There's plenty of middle stuff we can do. Lots of it even." He looked at Oz. "And pet doesn't mean submissive to me. It means you guys taking care of me and treating me as if I were precious." He stole a quick kiss. "Not the ownership part of petdom, I don't want that part, Oz, I want the taken care of, special creature, all needs met part. If that's okay."

"Very, though I really don't know much about that. I know the other side, the submissive side." He pulled Xander in for a deep, soul-sucking kiss. "But you're ours anyway, slut, so it doesn't matter to me, whichever way you need it is fine."

"Okay," Xander said, melting into the hard body. "I like that idea." He got another kiss, pulling back to look at his lover. "You know, all you ever have to do is ask, I'm always ready to have fun with you or to pleasure you. Or even to spoil you horribly." He licked over the pointed chin, nipping it gently. "And I know very well that I could be a good pet if you wanted me to be."

"You're already a good pet," Oz told him. "Never worry that we're giving you up." He laid the younger man down on the bed, stretching out above him and sliding in between the spread thighs to insert himself. "How's that?" he whispered, moving gently.

"Only if you go deeper," Xander pleaded, pushing back to get what he wanted. "Tease," he accused when the thrusts didn't get any deeper or harder.

"Yup, big one. I want you brainless by the end of tonight." He kept up his shallow, almost forceless thrusts, wanting Xander to truly beg him for more.

Xander pushed Oz back onto his back, giving him enough of a chance to uncurl his legs from under him before he started riding him. "Bad you, teasing your pet," he said with a grin, slamming himself down to get it harder. "Needed more and you were teasing me." He grabbed Oz's hands from around his waist, holding them and entwining their fingers. "Yes, now I don't have to bite, or even scratch."

Oz looked up at his lover, nodding. "Though that can be fun, I'd spank you for real if you bit."

"I know," Xander said, leaning down to give him a kiss. "I'm a good boy." He licked over the swollen lips as he started riding harder, groaning in time with himself. "So good."

"Yeah, you are," Oz admitted. He rolled them over so he was on top again, pounding into the young man as hard as he could. "Better, slut?"

"YES!" Xander screamed, pushing back against him to get more. "Please, Oz, I'll beg, I'll even give you tongue baths. Just please more!" He sobbed as the hard cock in him got deeper and the thrusts got harder, Oz no longer holding back with him. "Thank you," he whispered as he came, after screaming Oz's name.

Oz wiggled a finger in his ear. "Loud," he noted. He stole a kiss and moved. "Rupert, I do believe he's gentled enough for you to handle now." He watched as the older man slid into Xander's limp and relaxed body, until he heard a noise downstairs. He grabbed his sword, sneaking down the stairs to stop whomever was down there. "Buffy," he said coldly, putting the sword to her throat. "Reason to be here?"

"Because Giles told me to come back?" she asked, turning around. She smirked at him. "Gee, someone's loud. You sure you don't want to be back up there with him? After all, I'm sure Giles doesn't need to be with him too."

"What we do is none of your business. What are you doing here? Giles sent you home."

"I just came by to look something up." She held up a book.

Oz saw a small, shiny thing in her hand and snatched the book, making her drop the stones. "Thank you, not yours."

"And who's are they? Giles doesn't have anything like that." She put her hands on her hips. "Huh? Who made the deal to sell themselves to get them?"

"They're an inheritance," Giles said as he walked down the stairs. He looked over her, noting her bulging pockets. "Do please put them back, thank you, and leave." She gave him a shocked look. "You're stealing and you don't understand why I don't want you here?"

She pulled the stones out of her pockets, tossing them at Giles' feet. "There, better now?"

Oz shook his head. "No. You're still here." She snorted so he hit her under the jaw with the heel of his hand. "Go home, Buffy. You're not welcome here."

She took a swing at Oz but he ducked her. "I'm *supposed* to be here, Giles is my *Watcher*. His whole purpose is me."

"No," Giles said, walking the few steps to stand in front of her. "I was your Watcher," he said gently, "and I would ask for a reassignment if you had acted like this while I was assigned to you. Your behavior has gotten atrocious and you need to learn how to act like a human being again." He pointed at the door. "Good bye, Buffy, don't come back until you regain some sense."

She huffed out, slamming the door behind her. Xander looked over the railing at the two men downstairs. "You guys okay?" Oz nodded. "Come on, we'll clean up in the morning. I'll give you guys good backrubs."

Oz nodded, going to relock the door and prop a chair under it so they would at least hear if she got back in. He led Giles up the stairs by the hand, laying him down on the bed to be pampered for a little while. "Shh, she'll come to her normalness soon enough."

"Yeah," Xander said, straddling Giles' back, "she's just going through a phase. The rest of us went through it at sixteen, she just had to hold it back for longer." He took some of the oil Oz handed him, warming it in his hands before smoothing it down the tense muscles. "Just relax for me," he whispered, "we love you and it'll be okay."

Giles nodded, closing his eyes. "I know it will, but I really don't want to tell her mother about this. She was hoping that Buffy would straighten herself out this year." He pillowed his head on his arms, relaxing under the tender hands. "Thank you, dear, this is perfect."

"Hey, you deserve it too," Xander whispered, leaning down to kiss the unoiled back of the older man's neck. "All you ever have to do is ask."

"Thank you."

***

Xander picked up his last three bags from his old apartment, looking around at the empty space. "Well, it's been fun, lots of fun," he told the empty walls, "but we need more space now." He stopped when he saw Oz and Giles at the door. "Hi, just saying goodbye."

"Where's the rest of your stuff?" Oz asked, looking around.

"I hired movers so I didn't have to lift things like couches down stairs." He smiled self- consciously. "This is the last of it."

Giles came in to give him a hug. "I'm sure we'll all be as happy there as we were here." He backed away. "Go put those in your car and we'll check for any lost items."

Xander nodded, going down the stairs with Oz beside him. "Are you mad?" he asked quietly.

"No, though we expected to do a lot of the moving ourselves. That's why I brought the van." He kissed Xander gently before they walked through the external gate. "We'll be happy there."

"I know, I just.... this was my first place, ya know?"

"Yup, I do." Oz opened the gateway, holding it open for the younger man. "Let's go." He leaned against the used Lexus, watching as Xander put the three bags into the trunk. "Did they set up the furniture?"

"Nope, I told them to leave it in the center of the floor, that I'd rearrange it tonight." He slammed the trunk, coming over to lean beside his senior lover. "I'm sorry if I made you think you were moving."

"Nope, just an expectation. You didn't even tell us you were moving."

"I was going to call you from the new place and tell you guys to come out," Xander said with a small grin and a poke to the immortal's side. "I wanted to have it all nice and done for you." They looked up as Giles came down the stairs. "We could go get some of his books and bring them out, though. The bookcases are going to look really bare with just my few."

"I don't remember bookcases," Oz said, looking at Giles, who shrugged. "But we could. He does have tons."

"Then it's settled." Xander pulled out his car keys. "Want me to follow you guys over?"

"No, we'll be fine," Giles said, giving him a small kiss. "We'll be out there in about an hour. It would be nice to be able to see parts of my floor again." He gave him a small smile, waiting until Oz was beside him again and Xander had driven away to look at him. "He wanted to surprise us?"

"He wants to spoil us," Oz told him, looking up. "He's calling it thoughtfulness." He pulled out the van's keys, getting in. "We going to move in with him?"

"I wouldn't mind residing there part of the time but I feel I should keep my apartment for a while longer." He coughed lightly. "You know, if we don't stop his spoiling now, he'll never stop. He'll be broke before he's done and he'll still be struggling to spoil us."

"I know, but this is his house, not ours." Oz backed the van away, pulling out onto the street and heading to Giles' house. "How do we stop him?" he asked as they pulled up outside of the small apartment building.

"I have no idea," Giles admitted. "Though, he's been most thoughtful about his choice of presents." He got out and slammed his door. "Come, lets move some of the books over there, and some of the weapons as well. I could use the space for other things."

"As long as you don't move the record collection."

They walked in, stopping at the site of the small gift wrapped boxes on the table, complete with bows. "Oh, dear," Giles said, walking over to pick up the one with his name on it. He unwrapped it carefully, wincing as he saw the dead animal inside. "A rat. At least the head of it."

Oz picked up his and opened it. "Well, here's the rest," he said, showing it off, and the pencil sticking out of it's end. "What did you want to move?" he asked, looking around.

"The majority of the books, let's leave only the essentials for now," Giles said quickly, putting the boxes down to gather up his things. "He has security and all," he noted.. "It should be fine out there."

***

Oz looked around the livingroom of the new house, checking out the new furniture. "Xander, you're going to be poor soon," he called. His lover came out of the bedroom, shaking his head. "Yes, you will."

"Nope, I bought this all at the same time. It's been in storage." He leaned against the wall. "But I did buy bookcases and stands for your stuff upstairs." Oz nodded, heading up but Xander stopped him with a hand on his arm. "What's wrong?"

"Just a Buffy moment," Oz told him, patting his shoulder. "Need more help?"

"Do you is more of the question."

"Um, no, Giles insists on doing it himself." Oz looked at him. "Help?"

"Bed," Xander said, giving him a small smile. "I can't push it into place." Oz nodded and headed down the short hall to the bedroom. He stepped aside so Oz could see the new drapes around the bed, flimsy and see through. The old ones were hanging from the corners, gathered back like usual curtains.

"Well, those are nice," Oz said, turning to look at his lover, who was chewing on his bottom lip. "And they coordinate." He turned to look at the bed again. "Thank you," he said finally.

Xander walked up behind Oz, wrapping him in his arms and pulling him into his body. "I thought this would make you more comfy if you'd like to spend the night." He looked over his shoulder as he felt Giles walking up behind him. "So? They okay?"

"Yes, quite." He gave Xander a kiss. "Thank you for the weapon stands upstairs. It's no good for them to stay in boxes." He looked at the bed. "Shall we move it into a better spot? I think closer to the windows might be a little better so we can get into the bathroom."

"Please," Xander said. "I can't move the thing, it's ancient and heavy." He nipped Oz's ear. "It's even older than you."

"So I noticed," Oz said, getting out of the hug and walking over. "How did they get it in here?"

"They demanded extra for taking it apart and moving it. But they set it up on top of a huge bulge in the carpet so I had to move it to fix it."

"What was under the carpet?" Giles asked, walking over to where the carpet was pulled back. "Oh, a floor safe."

"Yup, I guess the last couple had a normal bed and it was over it, but I can't do that with this one so I was trying to figure out how to do it."

"Do you have the combo?" Oz asked. "You still need to store your stones."

"The real estate agent has it. He's bringing it out tomorrow." He looked around his room. "I have the equipment to take the bed apart if we want to switch to another room, like the master bedroom. I don't know why they put it in here."

"An easier angle to get into," Oz noted. He checked out the hallway, looking at the room at the end. "I liked the master bedroom. Let's move it in there."

"I had it cleaned," Xander admitted. "The bloodstains were way gross. Even freaked my usual cleaning lady."

Giles nodded. "I can see how it would do that. Do we know what happened to them? In case we have a spirit hanging around."

"Just that they met a gruesome and bloody end. And a messy one from the walls."

Oz nodded. "We should research." Giles nodded. "We'll do it tomorrow. Right after we change the security codes." He grabbed the tools Xander handed him. "How does it come apart?"

"There are bolts under the mattress. The sides come apart, but don't remove the posts because they're a bitch to get back on right."

Giles considered the bed. "That should be fine. We should be able to move them like that."

"They're heavy," Xander warned. "That's really old wood, from when everything looked like sequoia's."

"Yes, they are," Oz said, running a hand over the side of the bed. "Are you sure we can move out today?"

"He said we could, that he has the papers and they'll be here in the morning."

"No heirs of the old couple?"

Xander shook his head. "That's who sold it." He looked out in the hall. "And I think we'll be fine. He said it was ours, we just have to sign the final papers in the morning."

"Okay. But if we have problems..." Oz started.

"Then I'll fix it. And I'll roast the real estate agent over a hot fire." Oz nodded, giving him the hint of a smile. "Okay?"

"Very. Come help. Grab the mattress and pull it into the other room." Xander nodded and pulled the mattress out into the hall.

Giles smiled at Oz. "I'll check with him in the morning," he said quietly. "We'll make sure this goes smoothly."

Xander struggled with the mattress out in the hall, shaking his head. "Not necessary," he whispered. "The guy's a big kitten in my hand." He tugged the mattress harder, getting it moving in the direction he wanted, sweating and panting as he dragged the heavy thing into the master bedroom. He grabbed his lower back and dropped the mattress, panting a little harder until the pain stopped. He picked back up the heavy thing after the pains were gone, sliding it out of the way. Then he leaned against the wall, whimpering as the pain came back. "Ow," he whispered, "Oz."

Oz looked up from unbolting a side of the bed, then looked toward the master bedroom. He dropped his wrench, heading back to where Xander was about ready to collapse in pain. "Hey," he said, lowing him to the mattress. "What's wrong?" Xander grabbed his hands and squeezed. "Giles, help me roll him over." They both winced at the new lump on his back. "Get an ambulance, I'm not moving him."

Giles jogged out to where Oz's jacket and his cellphone were. "Hello," he said after dialing, turning to walk back to the bedroom....

***

Oz looked over at the real estate agent. "You told him he could move out."

"But the family wants a few extra days," he argued quietly, not wanting to argue this man, not after having seen him holding large amounts of money. "I have to respect their wishes too."

"They can come out if they want," Oz said firmly. "We don't mind. We're actually not out there most of the time right now. Mr. Harris is in the hospital."

"Oh, what happened?"

"Ruptured disk from his antique bed. He tried to move it all by himself and it exploded quite grossly in his back."

The other man nodded, giving him a sympathetic look. "I can understand that. I can call the family and arrange for you to meet, maybe give them some set times to come out and look over the house."

Oz nodded. "That would be fine." He wrote his cellphone number down. "Here, this is mine and it's usually with me." He stood up. "Anything else?"

"No, they aren't opposed to the closing as long as they can come out to look around." Oz nodded. "If you could bring the papers to Mr. Harris today, we could get them notarized today and get the official papers back to you tomorrow."

"Good. Give them. He's about to wake up." He took the papers that were handed over. "Witnessed and notarized?"

"I can notarize, that's no problem as long as I can come to the hospital to watch him sign them."

Oz nodded. "Okay. He's in room 512." He turned and walked out of the office, heading to Xander's car and the officer writing a ticket. "I paid the meter," he told her, pulling out the keys.

"I'll check it," she said, handing it over.

Oz nodded, tossing it into the passenger's seat as he got in. "Okay." He stuck the keys in the engine, buckling up and closing the door before starting the car, just in case she got picky about the seatbelt law. He pulled out into the street, heading for city hall to pay it before anything else could happen. It was almost an hour later that a very weary Oz dragged himself into Xander's hospital room. "Hate the clerks at city hall," he noted, sitting down in the chair. He looked up at Giles, who was lying on the bed. "Where's Xan?"

"He's down being x-rayed. He'll be up in a few moments." He looked over at his lover. "What's wrong?"

"A few things. Got a ticket while I was talking to the realtor. That's why I hate city hall. We can sign the papers today but the family wants to come out a few more times to look around."

"I'm sure that would be fine," Giles said gently, moving when the door opened. "Xander," he said, grabbing his hand to hold once he was back in the bed. "How are we?" He gave him a small smile.

"Rotten, they won't give me more pain meds." He pouted at the orderly. "Can't I even have a tylenol? My back *hurts*."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Harris, I'm not over your medications, I'll have a word with the nurses though." He left, giving the other two men small smiles as he walked out.

Xander pulled himself up. "So, what's going on?"

"The family wants to come visit the house a few more times. I told him that's okay," Oz told him.

Xander nodded. "Okay, I can deal with that." They all looked over as the door opened. "Willow," he said, staying calm. "Aren't you a long way from classes?"

"Yup, but I heard and I wanted to come make sure you were really okay." She put down the small bunch of flowers beside him. "What happened?"

"I hurt myself moving," Xander said, relaxing. "What's up on your end of the world?"

"Oh, nothing. Tara and I are still together but we've decided we're more friends than anything else. We've decided to look for others to date." She sat on the side of the bed. "How'd you hurt yourself?"

"I have this big, huge antique bed and I was pushing it around some." He stopped as the door opened, admitting his real estate agent. "Hey, come in and join the party."

"How are you feeling?"

"My back hurts and they won't give me enough drugs," Xander said sourly. "And I don't mind if the family comes out to look at the house a few times. Just give us a little warning."

"Of course. Would tonight be all right with you?"

"Yup, fine," Xander said, nodding. He put another pillow behind his back. "Do you have the stuff I need to sign?"

"Yes, I do," he said, holding a hand out to Oz, who gave him back the papers. "Just sign on the dotted lines and the house is yours."

"House?" Willow squeaked. "How are you affording a house?" She looked at Xander, who was busy reading and signing. "Xander?" She nudged his shoulder. "Xander, house?"

"Yup, house," he said quietly, handing the papers back and taking the last one. He signed it, handing it off to Oz. "A very nice house." He looked at her, seeing the pain in her eyes. "I needed somewhere safe and secure and Buffy ruined my last place for me." She gave him a sad look. "I'll throw a house warming party soon and you'll be coming out," he told her, giving her a hug. "Okay?"

"Yeah, it's okay," she said, scooting a little away from him. "Any other big changes in your life?"

"Not really," Oz said. "Though he's nice enough to put up Giles' book collection." She smiled. "You'd like it, it's very nice out there."

"Where is it?"

Xander held up the paperwork he had been handed back, showing her the address. "There. It's out in the forest's housing development. Nice house, big lot." She nodded.

"It's very pretty actually," Giles said calmly. "Has a pool and a nice little garden. And a nice set of neighbors."

"And a big set of windows," Oz noted. "Very open yet very tight." She nodded again. "You're invited, don't worry. Just don't bring Buffy."

"Oz," Xander warned.

"Hey, she's proven she can't be trusted where your housing is concerned."

"Point," Xander said, nodding. He smiled sweetly at the nurse as she walked in. "Can I at least have tylenol?" She handed him a few pills. "Bless you, you're a saint of goodliness and lack of pain," he said as he took them. He relaxed into the pillows. "I just finished buying my house."

"That's good," she said. She frowned at Willow until she moved. "Just no stress right now."

Oz cleared his throat. "Will he need special equipment when he goes home tomorrow?"

"No, just a nice bed to lay on and a pile of pillows and things to do so he doesn't keep trying to get up."

"I think we can handle that," Giles said, getting up so Willow could have his seat. He looked at the real estate agent. "Is there anything else?"

"No, just checking to make sure we have all the required signatures." He handed over the paperwork. "Here, your copy."

Xander blushed. "That was supposed to be a surprise," he mumbled, his eyes starting to fall closed. "Meany, spoiling it."

"Sorry, Mr. Harris," the real estate agent said, backing away a few steps. "I didn't mean to spoil your surprise. If there's anything else?" Oz shook his head so he left as quickly as possible without appearing to run.

Willow looked at the door. "What's wrong with him?"

"We're not sure," Giles said, smiling at Oz, who had told him all about the agent's theory of them being in the mafia. "He's just in a hurry I believe."

"Oh, okay then." She looked at Xander, watching him fight to stay awake. "Sleep, Xan, I'll come back later." Giles handed her his keys. "Yours?" she asked, confused.

"Where else were you going to spend the day?"

"I thought about making Buffy take me shopping."

"Ah, then please don't allow her in my house," Giles said calmly. "I'm punishing her for her recent behavior problems."

Willow nodded, taking the keys and walking out. "Was that wise?" Oz asked once they were alone.

"Yes, I believe she won't harm anything."

"There's probably still stones on the floor," Oz reminded him.

"I doubt Willow would steal."

"Point."

They both watched the younger man sleep, making sure he was going to be okay.

***

Xander shifted restlessly on his couch. "Don't make me come tuck you back in," Oz warned from his reading chair. Xander stuck his tongue out. "Hey, you could still be in bed."

"No, I couldn't. I'd be driving you insane from there." He smiled at his cleaning woman as she walked past him. "Tell him I'm a nice guy."

"Oh, he is," she said, pushing her dark black hair off her face. "He's very nice and very special." She smiled at him, leaning down to whisper something into his ear. He nodded and grinned. "Very good."

Oz snorted, looking up. "I'm just his jailer for today." She gave him a smile and said something in Spanish as she walked past him. "Yup, he's very special," he agreed. She laughed.

"Can I at least have a book?" Xander asked, flipping onto his side with a grunt.

"No, you can nap."

"But I don't want to nap."

"Nap."

"I'm not tired." He tried a pout, but Oz wasn't even looking at him. "Oz," he whispered, "I need to be worn out so I can sleep." One green eye came over the top of the book. "I do, I can't sleep, I'm not tired."

"Sleep or don't get any later." The cleaning lady giggled from the kitchen. "She agrees."

Xander pouted, giving him big puppy eyes. "Please?" Oz shook his head. "Pretty pwease?"

"No, and no baby talk. I won't sleep with someone who can't talk normally."

"But you love me so it's all good. Right?" Oz nodded, going back to his book. "So can I have a book?"

"No, take a nap," Oz said. He put down his own book. "Xanders need to sleep to recuperate. Otherwise they can't have sex for longer because their backs won't heal and their doctors will forbid it for another two weeks."

Xander instantly closed his eyes, trying hard to get to sleep.

Giles walked in a few minutes later, smiling at the sleeping men. He kissed Oz's cheek, then the soft lips when they met his. "Good morning, Oz, how are we?"

"Shh, he's just fallen asleep." Oz led him into the kitchen, past the cleaning lady on her coffee break. "He's been rotten all morning. And he's begging."

Giles smiled. "He hates being inactive. You knew this was going to be hard."

"I had no idea about the power of his eyes." Giles nodded knowingly. "He's hard."

"Yes, he is." Giles gave him a hug. "I'm sure it'll be fine. We'll pamper him tonight and he'll be more sedate in the morning."

"How did your meeting go?"

"Oh, it went fine. They're still not rebuilding the library yet. Apparently it's not as important as a new gym."

Oz snorted. "It's not that old."

"True, but someone or something poured pig's blood all over the floor so they're tearing it up and replacing it."

"Instead of cleaning it?"

"Quite."

"Stupidity on a Federal scale," Oz quipped. "Let's go move him into bed before he falls off the couch."

"A good idea," the cleaning lady said, "but it's too late. He just did." She smiled at them. "He's an active one."

"Yes, he is," Giles sighed, heading out to help Xander back up and into the bedroom. "Come, precious, let's get you comfortable so we can rest for a bit."

Oz leaned against the refrigerator, looking at the cleaning lady. "A break, finally."

"Aye, his eyes are enough to wear the strongest man down."

"And I'm not him where Xander's concerned," Oz noted, sipping his glass of juice as he headed back to his book. "Just yell quietly if you need something else."

"Of course. I've made a list of things I'll need to clean, it's on the counter." She picked up her jacket. "I'm done for the day, and the week, call me if you need me, I've programmed my phone number into the sixth button on the phone, the one that's marked for me." She smiled at Oz. "Have a good afternoon and good luck with him."

"Thanks, I think we'll need it." He got up to close the door and turn on the security system after she was gone. He walked back to the bedroom, watching Xander suck Giles off gently, still on his back. "Aren't you not supposed to be doing that?"

"He's being restful," Giles admonished. "And it's helping him go back to sleep."

"Point," Oz conceded as he crawled onto the bed, pulling out his own cock to tease the younger man with. "Want more?" Xander lunged up so Oz leaned over to let him have it easier, letting him move back and forth between them. "Ah, pretty," he said when Giles came, grunting lightly at the tender licking that was going on. "More?" he asked, holding his own out. Xander switched to his cock, lapping at the head since it was all he could reach. Oz leaned closer to let him have more, bracing himself against the ornate headboard.

"Anyone home?" a male voice called.

Oz groaned, but Giles was already asleep. "Just a minute." He gave Xander a 'sorry' look and pulled himself back together, going out to meet the unfamiliar man who stood there, bouncing from foot to foot, looking around nervously. "Hi," he said, holding out his hand. "I'm Oz."

"Oh, I thought a Mr. Harris..." He trailed off. "Is it okay if we visit?"

"Sure, Xander's in bed. He ruptured a disk moving his bed."

"Ah, okay." He nodded. "I really needed to get into the safe. There were some documents..."

Oz pulled a box off the bookshelf. "We've cleared it out to put some things in there ourselves. This was everything in there." He handed it over, watching as it was pawed through.

"Um, no birth certificates or pictures?"

"No, but I did hear mention of a safety deposit box," Xander said as he walked out, clutching the wall. He held out a hand from the corner. "Xander Harris."

"Scott." He looked over the very rough looking young man. "Shouldn't you be in bed? You look like you're going to fall over."

"Yes, he should," Oz said firmly. "Bed or the couch. Pick."

"Bed," Xander said, turning and heading back that way. "I heard the box was at the Second National Bank if it helps."

"Yes, it does, thank you," the man called, waving. He escaped the house, leaving them alone.

Oz waited until he heard the car drive off. "I think you scared him."

"Not me, I'm a good boy," Xander moaned as he was laid down again. "Thanks, Oz, you're a good for taking care of me."

"That's what I do," Oz said softly, giving him a kiss. "Relax and sleep, Xan, I'll be in the livingroom." Xander nodded, curling around Giles' still body. Oz walked out to the livingroom, picking back up his book, and becoming engrossed in it again.

***

Oz answered the phone, looking at the wall in disgust. "Yeah?" He shook his head, handing it to Giles. "Angel." He headed to where Xander was trying to make himself a bowl of cereal. "Want help?"

"Nope, got it. Help me back to the couch?"

"Sure." Oz steadied him as they walked, both of them frowning at Giles as he mentioned they were watching Xander because of his back. "No, we're not going," Oz said.

"Go ahead, I can handle it for a day or so," Xander said, sliding down onto the soft cushions. "Maybe you guys could have fun and stuff." Oz growled lightly at him. "What? You've been a good nurse, but even Oz's need time off."

Giles put the phone against his shoulder. "He really does need us to come help him capture the demon in question. There's no way he can do it himself."

"Yup, Cordy's not going to get her hands dirty to catch something slimy." Xander licked his spoon. "I can deal for a day or so."

"This looks to be more like almost a week," Giles said. Oz shook his head. "No?"

"Go," Xander said quietly, looking down. "You guys are needed more there. Demons are more important. And if I get too bad, I can call the cleaning lady. Angel's number is on speeddial and everything."

Giles and Oz shared a look and Oz took the phone. "Angel, Xander's just three days out of surgery, do you really need both of us?" He frowned. "Really. Why?" He grunted. "I guess if we have to. Do we have time to find someone to come spend time with him? No, Cordy is not an option. He has to be helped to bed and stuff."

Xander shook his head. "I can cling to walls."

"Shh," Giles said, wiping a spot of milk off the younger man's chin. "You need help still."

Oz nodded. "Okay, we'll head out tomorrow. I'll try to find him a helper." He hung up, dialing a number he had memorized. "Meth? Me, no big problem. I need a favor. No, Xan's three days out of surgery and I need a watcher for him while we go fight."

"I'm *fine*," Xander said firmly. "You don't need to make Methos come be bored here."

Oz nudged him. "Really? Okay that would be great. You know the way to Sunnydale? Okay, no he's moved. We're out in the forest, in the lone housing development. Number 6802. It's a big gray stone house with a security gate." He nodded and hung up. "He'll try to be here in two days. He was going to come in for a visit anyway."

"I'm fine," Xander said again. Until he was shut up by lips. "Thanks, Oz, but I'll be okay. I'll keep the security on and I'll be okay. I'll even order food each night if you want."

"No, I don't want. I want you to be safe behind the gates." He and Giles shared a look. "And I want you to sleep with my pistol."

"I don't..." Xander was stopped by Giles' hand over his mouth.

"No," Oz said quietly. "I'm not going to worry about someone breaking in when you can't defend yourself. You're keeping it with you."

Xander nodded. "Okay." He handed off his bowl, getting up. "Come on, I should help you pack."

"We can do it, you should be resting," Giles said.

"I'M NOT FEEBLE!" Xander yelled, then clutched the wall. "I'm able to do things for myself, even now."

Oz nodded, staying calm. "I know, but I'd rather be safe than have you fall in the shower or hurt your back again when you roll over in the middle of the night." He pulled Xander back down beside him. "Your doctor said to be careful for a few weeks and we're supposed to worry. Let us."

"But I'm okay, I don't need you to worry that much. I really can handle myself for a few days."

"Xander, you worry about those you care about," Giles reminded him. "We worry greatly about you because you're not up to your usual abilities at the moment. Especially since we can't trust Buffy to look in on you regularly."

"I'll be okay," Xander told him. "I'll call Angel every night and everything. Okay?"

"Of course you will," Oz told him. "But we're still worried." He gave him a small kiss. "See, it's just normal."

"Yeah, you love me so you worry, but I'll be okay, I promise. I won't throw a party or anything."

"That's good to know," Giles said with a smile. "But I didn't want to leave you alone. I feel like I should stay and pamper you a bit longer."

"But he needs you and that's more important."

"Nothing is as important as you unless the world is going to end," Oz said gently, kissing the younger man's cheek. "Okay?"

"Yeah," Xander said, nodding, turning his head to kiss Oz back. "I'll be good and let someone watch over me."

"Thank you." Giles sat on the other side of him, stealing his own kiss. "Now then, we have to plan for things. The cleaning lady said she'd be back when?"

"Next week," Oz said. "She said she put her number back on the speedial too."

"Yup, number six." Xander smiled. "That's the one I have marked for her. Angel is number four. Buffy is number two and the 911 number is the first." Oz nodded. "Willow's is on number eight and the rest are delivery places."

"Good," Giles said, hugging him. "We'll call daily to check in with you so you don't have to worry either."

"We could bring him and put him up in the hotel," Oz suggested, shuddering. "I have a bad feeling."

"As do I," Giles said quietly around Xander. "But I was hoping it was just baseless fear of leaving him alone."

"No, not that," Oz said. He looked at Xander. "Want to come to LA with us?"

"I would, but I think I need to be here, not following you guys into the sewers," Xander said dryly. "You'd never keep me in bed if I went with you."

"But we could make Cordelia come watch you," Giles noted. "I'm sure she would be good company and as you noted, I'm sure she'll not be in the fight."

"No," Xander said, shaking his head. "I'll be good, I promise. Don't threaten me with Cordy."

Oz snorted. "Wasn't a threat." He and Giles shared a look. "Options?"

"None that I can see." Giles pulled Xander closer to him, cuddling him into his side. "There, there, pet, we'll be fine and so will you."

"I know I will, I'm worried about you guys. Angel won't watch out for you like I will."

"You can call and threaten him," Oz promised, then he watched the embarrassed flush. "We'd do the same," he said, laying down in Xander's lap. "We'll all be fine."

***

Xander frowned as he answered the door. "Willow," he said, shaking his head. "What's wrong?" He waved her inside, not making the offer just in case. She walked in, followed by Buffy. "No, not welcome here," he said, trying to shut the door on her.

"Stop it," Willow said calmly. "She's Buffy."

"She trashed my apartment." Willow shook her head. "She was arrested for trashing my apartment."

"That was just a misunderstanding," Willow told him calmly, pulling his weakened body away from the door and the Slayer. "Just relax, we only want to talk to you." He shook his head. "Yes, Xander, we need to talk. You're not being healthy or good."

"I hurt my *back*, Willow, not my head." He was pushed into a chair, grunting at the sharp pain that moved up his back. "Easy. I'm just out of surgery."

Willow patted the side of his face as Buffy administered the sedative before he could stop her. "You'll be fine soon," she promised.

Xander woke up tied to one of the kitchen chairs facing his bed, where Willow was laying. "What's going on?" he asked.

"We just need to correct a few problems you're having," Buffy said from behind him. She walked around to face him, tapping his forehead. "You had me arrested for coming to visit."

"Buffy, you broke into my apartment and trashed it. And you were drunk. None of which are good or friendly." She slapped him lightly. "Yay," he said, his voice dropping in temperature. "You're not welcome at my house, ever. You've proven how bad and Faithlike you can be."

She shook her head and pulled back to punch him in the stomach. "There," he said when he had curled around her first. "That's better."

"Be gentle with him," Willow reminded her. "He is just out of surgery."

"Which he wouldn't have had if he had been right." Buffy looked down at Xander, patting the back of his head. "The sooner you agree you're wrong and bad, the faster you get free and better."

"I'm fine," he said coldly, his head rocking from the slap. "Whore."

Buffy laughed. "See, that's what I heard you were." She sat across his lap. "I looked up what you've become and found out how bad they've tainted you so that we can fix you, Xander. You'll be fine eventually. Just as soon as you give up your old ways."

"Get off," he said, struggling to shift away from her and her lips, which were moving closer. He turned his head but Willow turned it back, forcing him to let Buffy kiss him. He spat in her face, but she laughed. "What? Willow can be gay but I can't?"

"I've figured out that that wasn't me," Willow said formally.

"No, you were brainwashed into doing her will again."

Willow shook her head, giving him a sad look as she pulled his hair to make him look at her. "I was wrong, that *test*," she spat the word, "proved to me what you are. You were just trying to bring me down with you."

"Hey, you asked to be admitted. You took the trials knowing what was going to happen."

"And then you brought Oz and Giles down with you," Willow went on, ignoring him. "You need to be fixed."

Buffy held up a condom. "Let's start with the retraining part."

"I'm allergic to latex," Xander said, trying to get away from her. "I'll die if that touches me."

Buffy made a sour face then laughed. "I bet. People aren't allergic to condoms." She ripped his sweatpants off, quickly rolling it down his limp cock. "See, this is the right way to do it. Then you insert it into a woman who might actually like you."

He spat on her, trying to get his hands free to scratch the thing off. "Willow, benadryll, please," he begged. "You know I have a latex allergy. That's why I had to have the special gloves in science class." He gasped, trying to breath. "Please," he croaked.

"He's faking," Buffy said, shaking out her hair.

Willow shook her head, taking his pulse. "He's not. Get the allergy pills out of my purse. We'll just have to use the other one." Buffy handed it to her with a look of pity and distaste on her face. "Yay, it won't help if he dies." She dug through the contents, coming up with an aluminum packet of allergy medication. She checked the back as she tore it open. "This'll work. Get him some water." She put the little pink pill into his mouth, holding it closed until she could get the water down him. Then she pulled the condom off. "There," she said, dropping her purse beside his chair. "Now let's leave him alone for a while."

Buffy nodded. "Giles has a lot of stuff upstairs. Let's go snoop and see if we have to really fix him." Willow nodded and headed out of the room.

Xander was left tied to the chair, trying hard to fight the sleepiness the little pink pill had caused.

***

Buffy slapped Xander hard, waking him up. "Time to eat," she said, shoving a spoon against his lips. "Come on, got to eat something."

He shook his head, turning away from the oatmeal. "Go suck Willow," he muttered, keeping his teeth closed.

Willow slapped the back of his head. "You have to eat."

"No, I have to be let go." He spit out the oatmeal, all over Buffy's stomach. "Go home, no one wants to hear from you."

"I'm the *Slayer*," Buffy said snidely. "My job is to fix problems."

"I'm not a problem."

"Xander," Willow said, taking the spoon and bowl and pulling his chair closer to the bed so she could sit while she got him to eat. "We're just trying to help you find yourself again. It's obvious that those people have warped you." She spooned up some of the oatmeal, holding it up. "You'll never heal if you don't eat."

"Fuck off," he spat, turning his head, but Buffy grabbed it and held it still. He fought as long as he could, even spitting it back out when he had to open his mouth to breathe. "No."

Willow shook her head. "I know you prefer sugar in yours, but you have to break the bad cycle they put you into. This isn't healthy for you."

"I'm *fine*," he spat, pausing at the deja-vu feeling. "I don't need any help." Buffy punched him from about six inches away, making his ears ring. "Yay, I've seen you do better."

Willow put down the bowl, shifting the ropes around his chest some. "Xander, they harmed you. We're trying to fix you, deprogram you really. They're like a cult and they've sucked you in. And now you're dating men? You used to shy away from the thought of gay men."

"I'm gay, deal with it," he said coldly. "I didn't care when you were dating a woman, why should you care if I date a man?"

"Because you're only hurting them by it," Willow said gently. "Buffy, let me talk to him."

"Fine." She stomped out, closing the door behind her.

"Xander, we just want you to be yourself again. This isn't you." She patted the red marks on his face. "We wouldn't hurt you if you would just admit they're bad people."

"Why? Because they admit part of their nature is pleasure? Not even. I like pleasure and I'm going to keep liking it." Willow shook her head. "I knew I was right to not sponsor you."

She smiled sadly. "Yes, it was the best thing you've done yet. I'm glad I wasn't tainted like you were, but it's up to your friends to help you heal now."

"I'm fine, you're warped. And so's Buffy. Did I forget to mention how she had to be arrested for breaking and entering and drinking?"

"Those were misunderstandings. She thought you gave her permission to come visit. And you know how party rumors spread."

"How can taking the keys from her be a misunderstanding. If I take my keys from your hand and put them away, don't you see that I don't want you to have it?" Willow rolled her eyes. "Get out of my house."

"See, this shouldn't be your house," Willow said, trying to stay calm. "You did bad things to earn it."

"I didn't do anything *bad* to earn the money, Willow, I worked."

"You became a whore, Xander."

"And I *loved* it." He flinched as Buffy kicked him in the back. "Feel better? Or aren't you in trouble for taking part in the love-in at the college a few weeks ago?"

"I got talked into it and I hated myself for it." Buffy plopped down on the bed, dropping the oatmeal off the side of it. "Oops. Guess you'll just have to starve now."

"Whatever. Oz and Giles will be back soon."

"I've heard," Buffy sneered. "Actually, I sent." She looked at Willow. "We have at least a week."

"That should be enough time."

"There's never enough time," Xander said. "I'm not falling for your crap."

"Xander," Willow said, losing her patience and hitting him. "Shut up. No one wants to hear from you. You forgot your place and it's up to us to correct it."

"Feels good to be brainwashed, huh?" he said snidely. "Maybe someone will fix you someday." Buffy kicked his chair over, making him whimper in pain as his back hit the floor, and the spoon. "Ow."

"Yay," Buffy said coldly. "Fix him up so he understands restraint." She crawled up onto the pillows. "Where'd you get the bed?" she asked.

"It was my grandmothers," he gasped, trying to control the pain. "Family heirloom."

"Pity they don't realize what you've done in it," Buffy said, curling up on a pillow. "Though it fits you, very femme."

Xander laughed deadly. "I'm not femme, bitch, I out-butch you." He closed his eyes as the pain got to be too much, passing out.

***

Willow put the phone beside Xander's ear. "Talk to them, tell them you're fine or I'll let Buffy have you again," she said as she took off the mute.

"Oz," Xander groaned. "No, pain in my back. I landed on the floor." Pause. "Stitches? No, the staples are fine. Just a little tear. No, he's not here yet." He turned his head and coughed. "What? No, I'm not okay, but I'll be okay. No, Willow's keeping me company." He could see Buffy plugging something into the light socket and flinched. "Huh? No, well yeah, but no. No, I'm sure Cordy needs you to help her move or whatever." He winced as the whatever touched the back of his neck. "AAAAHH!"

Willow hung up the phone. "Not a good idea, that'll bring Oz. He's very protective of what he considers his."

"He needed it. He was giving them clues." She walked around Xander's slumped form. "No more playing, Xander, it's time for the real work to happen."

"Fuck yourself," he muttered, not looking up. "This'll make sure I never touch a woman again."

"Why would anyone want to touch you?" Buffy asked as she leaned down next to his ear. "I know I never did, and Cordy was still a virgin when she left for LA. And I'm sure Anya left you because you couldn't satisfy her, and I know she had low standards."

Xander growled but didn't say anything, his glare icy as he looked at her. Even after the wires were touched to his chest again.

Willow walked out of the room, leaving them alone.

***

Oz looked at the phone. "Something's wrong. He was screaming." He looked at Giles. "We've got to go home."

"I need you two tonight," Angel reminded them. "You can go home after the spell is done, just a few more hours."

"He was in pain," Oz said quietly. "Too much to be normal. And he was giving funny answers."

"Such as?" Giles asked.

"Saying he had staples. Saying we were helping Cordy move." He rubbed his eyebrow. "I don't know, but we need to get home."

"I can send someone over to look in on him," Angel offered. "They're sure to help him if he needs it."

"Angel, I don't trust your sort of friends," Oz said calmly. "You really don't need me, I'll go back."

"You're the bait," Angel told him, trying to remain calm. "Why I'm not sure, but he likes you."

"It's a Sarthna demon," Giles said tiredly, "they tend to fixate on one subject for long periods of time." He and Oz looked at each other. "You don't think...."

Oz nodded. "Could be. Xander said he was worried about some of his clients tracking him, that's why we have security."

"See, then he's fine, I'm sure he's got it turned on."

Oz shook his head. "The gate control isn't working right."

"He'll be fine," Angel said, leading him to the elevator. "Just a few more hours and you both can go check on him."

***

Xander flinched as Buffy slid the latex condom across his stomach for the third time in an hour. "Not going to happen, slutty."

"Shh," she said, smiling at him. "I just want to see how sensitive you are to it."

"Very. Now get it off me." He winced as it ran across his lips. "I'm so going to let Oz tear you into chunks," he whispered, his throat starting to close a little. He could still breathe, but it was hard to do and took all of his concentration. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see her anymore or the demented look in her eyes. He flinched as the door slammed open, Willow walking back in.

"Don't do that," Willow said. "He'll never get better if he sleeps all the time." She pushed Xander's eyelids up to look into them. "At least he's living." She started to loosen the rope around his chest. Something crashed in the livingroom and both women went to check it out.

Xander wiggled out of the rope, grabbing the phone beside the bed and hitting the memory dial number. "Angel," he gasped. "Help me." He rolled with the punch, hitting his head against the solid side of the bed.

Buffy hung up the phone. "Naughty, Xander, no calling my ex to harm him too." She kicked him over the bandage Willow had put over his cut. "Bad you. You need to be punished." She pulled her foot back again but Willow got between them. "What? He deserves it!"

"Leave him alone, Buffy's, he's in enough pain from you. This isn't helping him."

"He *needs* it. He was going to corrupt Angel!"

"How can he corrupt a vampire! One who's killed so many people that he's lost count." Buffy slapped her. "Truth hurt?" she asked snidely.

Buffy shook her head. "No, but he's obviously started to infect you again. Maybe you should be fixed again too."

Oz walked into the room, growling. "I seriously doubt you can do that," he said, pulling out his knife. He knew Giles was right behind him, and knowing what they did, he didn't worry too much about him. Giles would come back from death, Xander was lying still on the floor and that worried him. "Slutty, how did you get in?"

"Xander let us in," Willow said, trying to get between them. "We're just trying to fix him." Giles slapped her, sending her to the floor. "Giles!"

"Shut up!" He looked at his former charge. "I do believe you've worn out your welcome in this town, Buffy. You need to leave now. Before I send you back to jail."

She snickered. "They won't do anything to me. Not after I tell them why I was fixing him."

"Who's going to believe you," Oz said. He glared at Willow when he caught sight of her inching toward Xander's still body. "You'd better hope he's fine, or you'll be fixed, permanently."

"I didn't hurt him," she whined. "I'm just trying to fix him."

"Do shut up," Giles yelled. Buffy jumped at him, and he caught her with a punch to the middle of her chest.

"Ooh, copping a feel? Maybe you don't need fixed after all."

Giles shook his head. "I do believe fixing you will take more than psychiatric drugs." She screeched and lunged at him again, this time bringing him to the floor to pummel his ribs.

Oz tried to pull her off but Willow was stopping him. He backhanded her, sending her flying into the bed. He pulled Buffy off Giles, unfortunately not before the older man was unconscious from the pain. "Buffy," he said coldly, dropping his knife and taking her on in a real fight. "You're not worth it but they are."

Her eyes narrowed. "Pretty words from the wordless one."

"How about this one? Slut."

"So? Your *boyfriend* is a whore?"

"Not really. Or at least not anymore." She sneered and he hit her, knocking her onto the floor. He was on top of her, holding her down, in an instant. He growled, letting the wolf come a little forward. "Give me one reason not to tear out your throat and enjoy it."

"Don't," Angel said from the doorway. He pulled Oz off, lifting Buffy up to shake her. "She's not worth the nightmares." Oz glared at him. "She's not."

Oz got loose, glaring at Willow as he picked Xander up to put on the bed, checking him over. He sighed when he found the markings that showed physical torture, but nothing more serious. He moved over to Giles' still form, checking his pulse. "Help me get him onto the bed," he said quietly. Angel lifted the former Watcher up and laid him out beside Xander.

"What can I do to help?" Angel offered.

"I need to set his ribs."

"Oz, he should go to the hospital."

Oz looked at him, considering. "No," he said finally. "We'll handle it." He turned back to the bed, where he found Xander clutching Giles and sniffling. "Shh, Xan, we're here, you're safe." He touched the dark hair and got a flinch. "Shh, it's us. They won't hurt you again."

Xander looked up then launched himself at Oz, awkwardly moving with his injuries. "Oz," he whispered, clinging. "We've got to help Giles."

"We need to move his ribs." Xander nodded, moving back to sit on his knees with a wince. "You gonna make it through this?"

"Yeah, it's necessary. I'll curl up later." He wiped off his face, looking at Angel. "Get rid of them. Just dump them somewhere and bury them alive."

"Hey!" Buffy complained. "We were just trying to fix your wrongness."

"I'm perfectly normal," Xander yelled, "you're the one with problems. First you were a snotty bitch then you got worse. Now you just need put out of our misery." He turned back to Giles' body, running careful fingers over the dented ribs. "You're going to have to tell me how."

"Okay, find a handhold along the curve." Xander did it with the first one and nodded. "Now, I want you to pull. Hard. Until it pops back into place."

Xander grunted as he pulled, wincing at the noises the bones were making. "He can't feel this, right?"

"He may later," Oz assured him quietly. "Out, everyone."

Willow tried to pull Oz away. "You're killing him." He shoved her away. "You're going to kill him!"

"No, I'm helping him. You both tried to kill him. Get out of my house. Angel, deal with them. I give you full permission to punish them."

"I will," he assured, pulling both girls with him.

Xander looked at Oz. "He's going to come back, right?" he whispered.

"Yeah, he will," Oz assured him. "But it'll be easier if his ribs are back in the normal place. Then it'll be a few hours or so." He looked up and gave Xander a short, tender kiss. "He'll be fine, will you?"

"Now that they're gone, yeah," he said, looking back down at the non-living body. "We need to hurry," he said, tearing up. Oz reached over to pull him into a hug. "God, Oz, why didn't you come sooner?" he whispered.

"We were stopping your Sarthna buddy from coming after you." He gave him a small squeeze. "Can you wait until after I've done this to look at you?"

"Yeah, he needs it more. That's going to hurt."

Oz nodded, straddling the still body to pull the ribs out of the collapsed lungs and back into place, subtly watching Xander as he got up to head into the bathroom. He did the last one, climbing off to survey his work, then nodded, heading in to where he could hear Xander crying in a corner. "He'll come back," Oz said, getting down to pull him against his body. "I promise. You've seen me do it and so will he."

Xander nodded. "But it hurts."

"I know," Oz soothed. "It hurts me too. I wanted his coming across to be gentler and planned." Xander nodded against his shoulder. "Come on, we've got to take care of you." He felt the body stiffen so he pulled him back to look at him. "Xander, do you need to go to the hospital?" The younger man looked embarrassed. "Yes or no?"

"No, I don't think so, but we'll need a way to cut a lock." Oz looked confused so he showed off the locked leather pouch holding his penis and testicles. "Buffy put it on me to teach me restraint."

"She's a whore," Oz said quietly, touching the lock. "I have a set of lock picks. I'll fix it." He stood up, pulling Xander with him. He took him down to the extra bedroom, laying him on the cool bedding. "Stay here, let me go get the first aid kit." He walked out to find Angel and Methos staring at each other. "Guys, later. Meth, I could use some help please. Grab the first aid kit and go help Xander." Methos nodded and headed for the bathroom while Oz looked at the vampire. "Angel, I want them to learn the error of their ways. They tortured Xander for what he is. They put a penis lock on him."

Angel winced. "I'll make sure she's dealt with." Oz nodded. "Do you want her back afterwards?"

"Ask Giles when he wakes up."

"Oz, he's dead."

"Angel, some of us are immortal." He turned and headed back into the bedroom to check on Giles, over whom Methos was leaning. "He'll be fine. Xander has electrical burns and bruises."

"I'm fine," Xander said from the bathroom. He walked out and crawled in beside Giles' still body. "Methos said it'd be soon because you fixed the injuries."

Oz nodded. "It should be, but you still need some treatment." He took the first aid kit from the older immortal's hand, moving to sit beside Xander's tense body. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Oz, that'll hurt, no matter how gentle you'll be."

"Point, but I'll be gentle." He pulled off the bandage over the incision, wincing as he saw the stuff in it and the torn open stitches. "I'm not so sure you shouldn't go to the hospital."

"I was a doctor," Methos said, looking over him. "Let me. You can hold him."

"You're handy," Xander said, yawning. "I took benadryll. Buffy kept tormenting me with latex condoms."

Oz winced. "You okay?"

"Yeah, it was deliberate but not long." He curled up on top of Oz's chest, closing his eyes. "Sorry."

"It's fine," Oz said, rubbing down the unmarked arms. "Methos, he'll be asleep in a few minutes." The older immortal nodded, shaking some alcohol out onto a sterile pad. "Will it hurt him?"

"Only for a few minutes, but he'll hopefully sleep through it." He leaned down to wipe over the incision.

***

Giles woke up with a gasp, looking around at the bodies clinging to his. He smiled at the man that walked in, nodding at him, mouthing, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Methos said quietly. "I'll be back in a few days to help Oz familiarize you. I'm going to help Angel with the redheaded one who aspired to be one of us." That got a small frown. "She royally screwed with Xander's head. I'm just going to do the same. The only question that remains is do they come back?"

"No," Giles said. "Not at all. I'll call someone to take Buffy back to the Council after her punishment is done."

Methos nodded. "As you see fit. Protect them as I would." He smiled and walked out.

Giles rolled against his men, holding them just as tightly as they were him. "Good night," he whispered, letting the lethergy pull him back into sleep with them.

Fixing the Inner Workings.

(Starts six days after end of ghs2 and no flashbacks)

Xander looked around his house from his position on the couch, frowning. The place didn't feel right to him anymore, not since Angel had had to remove Buffy and Willow from it to save him. He looked up as Oz walked through to the kitchen, sweat glistening on him. "Hey," he called. "Do you think we'll be okay here?"

Oz grabbed a bottle of water, coming back out to sit beside him. "We'll be fine, they're not coming back here again." He brushed through the dark hair, smiling gently. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Oz," Xander said, rolling his eyes. "My back's not hurting really and all the other marks are gone too."

"I know." He put the bottle down, sliding behind the younger man and pulling him onto his lap. "We're very glad you're okay."

"Me too." Xander grinned. "Can I do something?"

"Sure." Oz let him go, watching as Xander carefully got to his knees in front of him, pulling him in for a kiss. "Whatever you want, Xan." That got a sweet smile, and a lick across his lips, the younger man going farther down his body to lick over his sweat-covered chest. "Hmmm."

"Shh," Xander said. "Oz's are quiet." He lapped over the sticky flesh, cleaning it off as gently as he could, then moved the waistband of the sweatpants the immortal was wearing. He licked over Oz's waist and lower, heading down to lave his cock. "Like this part," he whispered, shooting a wicked smile up at his lover before swallowing it whole. Oz groaned, pushing up to get deeper, eyes closing as he bit his lower lip. "Yeah," Xander said, pulling off after making sure he was really wet. He smiled as he straddled the other man's lap, sliding down onto him with a loud moan. "Missed this," he said, getting louder. "Needed you."

Oz opened his eyes, smiling up at the site of Xander taking pleasure from his body. "So I can see." He held his hips still, giving him what he craved, what he wanted, as he got faster and harder. "Not so fragile of a pet now, are we," he whispered as he stole a kiss. Xander shook his head, tossing it back and forth as he was given it harder and deeper, just what he wanted. "Say it, Xander."

"Yes, Oz, I'm a pet!" he yelled, bringing himself off. He slumped into the waiting arms, licking over the renewed sweat. "I'm your pet, Oz," he whispered. "Just yours and Giles." He leaned down to clean up the mess he had left, knowing Oz didn't like to be sticky.

"Yeah, just ours," Oz said, pulling out and carefully laying Xander onto the floor. He pulled the firm thighs up, sliding back into the willing hole again, this time teasing. "And what sort of pet are you?"

"Yours?"

"No, what *sort* of pet."

"Um, a slutty one?"

"A *naughty* one," Oz corrected, going in a little deeper. "A very naughty one that should be in a bed right now."

"But ..." Xander said, giving him a small pout, until he was slammed into, just once. "Okay," he agreed quickly, nodding, making Oz smile at him again. "Oz," he moaned, pushing back to get him deeper again. "More?"

"Shh, I'm giving you what I want this time." He went back to the teasing, shallow, twisting strokes he had been doing, driving Xander insane very quickly. He looked up to see Giles standing in the doorway. "Want some?"

"Yes, but I'm sure I could wait until you've had enough of him yourself." Oz licked his lips. "Now, now, I want some of our pet too." He ran a hand through his sweaty hair, giving his hand a disgusted look. "I'll be in the shower, send him in to me when you're done with him." He headed toward their bedroom.

Oz leaned down to kiss Xander's lips, licking over them. "Hear that? Giles wants you too. I should save some of this for him." Xander shook his head. "No?"

"No, more," Xander asked, giving him big, begging looks. "Please, Oz, I *need* more."

"So do I," Oz said, slamming into him again, but pulling back to the teasing, aching strokes again. "See?"

"OZ!"

"Shh," Oz whispered, "be good and you'll get more." He pulled out, leaning back against the sofa. "Think you're okay enough for doggy style?" He watched as Xander quickly got to his knees, putting his head down. "Yeah, pretty," he whispered, sliding back in. "Not very slick, very much feeling, and very pretty." He started going harder, working in a cycle; he'd go harder with each stroke until he was about ready to ram into Xander's body then he'd start to slowly back away from the peak. By the fifth round, Xander was begging, by the six, babbling, and by the eighth, he was simply making noises of need, his whole body relaxed and into the groove. Oz leaned down, nipping his shoulder gently, and Xander arched back against him, silently begging for it now. That's what it took to for Oz to allow himself to cum, a silent Xander. His howl echoed around them, even as he relaxed over the limp and sweaty back. "Xander," he whispered.

"Oz," Xander whimpered, pushing back against him. "More?"

"Shh, pretty, I'm going to take you to Giles." He pulled himself out of his lover's body, his immortal healing already giving him back his strength, and picked Xander up, carrying him into the Master bathroom. He opened the shower door, setting him inside on his feet, which quickly became his knees. "There, one thoroughly ready to cum Xander," he told Giles, stealing a kiss. "Have fun." He backed out of the shower, leaving them alone.

Giles rinsed the soap from his body, looking over his property. "Hmm, it looks like Oz worked you hard." Xander looked up and grinned, nodding. "Good, now suck me, pet." Xander latched onto him, sucking gently, teasing with his tongue. "Yes, very good. Such a good little GHS now, aren't you?" That got a nod and his cock was allowed deeper into the younger man's throat. "You get pleasure from sucking men off now?"

"Only you," Xander whispered, pulling back to kiss the tip. "What can I do to make you feel good?" He looked up, eyes shining. "I need this," he said at the hesitation. "No one's really given me a time to be myself this way lately."

"Hmm, very true, I had forgotten what the need was like." He pulled the younger man up, turning him toward the wall. "How are we feeling?" he asked as he slipped his wet cock inside, smiling at the cum gracing the tight hole. He spread his body out across the younger man's, pinning him to the wall and working their fingers together as he started to slide in and out hard. "How's this?"

"Don't ask, do," Xander said, pushing back.

"Shh," Oz said, joining them. He waved the tube of lube at Giles, who nodded, stilling and allowing himself to be opened also. As Oz slid in, he pulled Giles back onto his cock, then slammed home, forcing Giles deep into Xander's body, giving him what he needed. "Better?" he asked, licking over the side of Giles' neck as he pounded him.

"Not fragile," Xander complained, pushing back to get it harder and deeper. "Need more."

"Shh," Giles told him. "This is just play time, naughty, you'll get what you need soon." The tense body relaxed into his, allowing him to do what he wanted to him. He moved off-rhythm of Oz's, forcing them to go his way, pounding Xander hard, pushing him into the wall. Oz grunted, nipping his shoulder, and he arched back into him as he pulled out, making long, hard, deep strokes into the mortal's body. "Yes," he gasped, coming hard. He smiled as he felt Xander trembling. "Would you like to cum?" he asked, pulling out to tease the open hole with a finger. He got a frantic nod. "Go get me one of your toys, I want to see you do yourself now. We'll take care of you for a bit longer."

Xander extricated himself, heading out on shaky legs to get into his drawer of toys, coming back with an Oz-sized one already stuck up inside him. "Where?" he asked, looking at them.

"On the bed," Oz told him, "on your back so we can see." Xander nodded, padding back out, and they rinsed off quickly so they could go watch. Xander was now on his back, legs pulled back and his hand moving the dildo gently in and out of him. "Is that what you want?" he whispered into their pet's ear. Xander shook his head. "Then why are you doing it that way?"

"'Cause it hurts my back," he said quietly.

"Damn," Oz said, rolling Xander onto his side and taking the toy from him. "I'm sorry, babe. I forgot about your back. You always seem ready to do anything."

"Was, just a little sore," he whispered into Oz's damp chest. "Can you, this time?"

"Sure, or how about we let Giles?" Xander nodded, turning his head to look at Giles. "Would you like to play with him still or should I?"

"No, I believe it's still my turn." He pushed the plastic cock back inside his lover's body, working it in and out like he wanted to be in there himself, earing a small smile for the gentleness. "Oh, do you like that?"

"Like it all with you two," Xander told him, burying his face in Oz's chest.

Oz looked at Giles, nodding at him to allow Xander to get off. "Okay, pretty, we'll play for a while longer," he said, moving down to suck the hard, dripping cock of their pet, teasing him even as the dildo did. He heard Xander's breath catch and looked up as he nibbled on the head, teasing the slit with his tongue.

Xander ran a hand through his hair, smiling down at him. "You do that very well," he said, pushing in deeper, or trying to. His hips were held still as he was worked over by both men, his eyes closing once everything started to build again, and Oz started to allow him to thrust into his mouth, giving him the suction he needed. "Oz, Giles," he panted, getting free and pushing against both of them, needing to cum now like he hadn't before. He felt the plastic be replaced by something warmer and ached as it got bigger in him, his breath catching as he came. He relaxed into Oz's arms, settling down to be pampered when he noticed that the warm, hard thing was still in him. "Giles?" he asked, turning his head to look.

"I just wanted to see something," Giles said, pushing the bigger, thicker cock back into the younger man. "I always used to enjoy this sort of play." Xander nodded. "Just relax, you look so very nice taking that."

Oz looked over Xander's shoulder at the novelty cock that he had gotten as a joke, then up at Giles. "Really does look pretty." He ran a finger over the tightening charm. "Wonder what this would do if I set it off?" Xander shivered. "Used to do that to Willow, set if off while I was in her."

Giles smiled. "He'll feel it tighten around this, and there will be a little pain, but then he'll feel so full," he whispered. "Xander, are you up to trying that?" The mortal nodded, eyes still closed. "You can tell us to stop at anytime and we will," he reminded, sharing a kiss with Oz as they rolled Xander onto his stomach, supporting his body with some pillows so he was open but not on his knees, just supported and spread out for their delight. Oz bent to lick around the very stretched hole, teasing it even as Giles set off the retightening charm Willow had gifted Xander with before his second roadtrip. The younger man moaned but Oz kept up what he was doing, easing him down into the pleasure again. When Xander was finally relaxed, Giles started moving the dildo, working him gently for a few minutes before starting to get harder and harder, the young man now pushing back against them. "Remember, this is a treat," Giles said, slamming the dildo home as he bit the young man on the ass. Xander came again, relaxing totally into their hands.

Oz looked at Giles. "Works well I think." The older looking man nodded. "Think we should try something else now." He reached down and licked over the bite mark, earning a small push back against his tongue. "Xander, can I try something you don't think you like?" He got a small nod so spanked the young man as the dildo was moved in him again.

Xander went to his knees, his head thrown back. "Oz!" he yelled, pushing back against him. "Please?"

"Never hurt you," Oz assured him, right before swatting him gently again, this time on the other side, right over the bite mark. Xander whimpered, moving his hips a little. "Tell me if you don't want it," he reminded, doing it again, removing the dildo to insert himself, pounding their joint lover hard as he swatted delicately at the tender flesh. The loose feeling hole was fixed by Giles setting off the retightening charm, making him wince as the muscles clenched around him. When they relaxed again, he leaned down to get nearer to Xander's ear. "Naughty, would you like some more?" Xander nodded, beating his head on the mattress. "What would you like?"

"More?" he whispered, pushing back against the cock in him. "Please more? Need more, Oz."

"I know, but what do you need? Do you need me to fuck you? Do you need me to spank you? Or would you like the fake cock to come back? Maybe a tiny one for a while?"

"No, you," Xander said, nodding. "Please you. Just take me."

"I am," Oz soothed, starting to push and pull in and out of the hole again, making Xander go brainless. He looked over at Giles, who was smiling as he stroked himself off. "Let him do that," he told him.

Giles moved so he was under Xander's head, sliding his cock into the waiting mouth. "Hmm, yes, he is a multi-tasker, isn't he?" He smiled as the young man practically attacked his cock, sucking and licking it as best he could. "Good boy," he said, rubbing through his hair. He looked up at Oz. "I think we should give him another reward tonight. We should shave him."

Oz nodded even as he stroked in hard. "Okay." He pulled back out all the way, leaning down to nibble at the entrance to his lover's body. One sharp little nip was all it took and Xander moaned as he got off, his hole struggling to clamp around something. "Hmm, want another?" he asked, easing a finger into him to tease him more. Xander whined around Giles' cock, pushing back against the finger. "No, tell me."

"His mouth is a little full," Giles reminded him. He leaned over and shared a kiss with Oz. "We should be pleasuring him, not ourselves."

"We're doing both," Oz told him, slamming back into Xander and riding him hard and fast. The younger man bucked under him. "Okay?" he asked, brushing a gentle hand down the sweaty back.

"More," he panted, pulling off Giles to look at his other lover over his shoulder. "Just a little more?"

"If you get off before we do this time, you're drinking it," Oz warned, slamming him again, pounding into their mutual pet's body. Xander nodded, turning back around to lick over Giles' cock again. "Such a good pet," Oz cooed, coming inside him, eyes closed and head thrown back from the sight of the willing surrender.

Giles smiled, pulling out of Xander's mouth. "You have a choice, I can continue where I am or I can go take Oz's place. Which would you like?"

"Want to drink you," Xander said, bringing one arm up to tease Giles' inner leg, one finger finding it's way into his ass even as he swallowed the hard cock again. Giles' breath caught and he came, slumping over Xander's still form.

Oz looked up as Xander moved to straddle his chest, eyes half closed in the aftermath of his orgasm. "Want me to suck you?" he asked quietly, both of them looking at Giles as he started to snore. Xander nodded, fisting his cock as he shifted up so Oz could reach him. "You need to ask," he reminded.

"Please, finish me?" he asked, rubbing his cock over the swollen lips. "I'll do you again later."

"You'd do it anyway because you like it," Oz reminded him, getting a wicked grin in response. "Bring it here," he said, sucking the head into his mouth, the younger man moving to hang over his head so he could get a little deeper. Oz grunted as the cock was forced down into his throat, about to protest when he caught sight of Xander's expression. It was just so peaceful, so perfect, that he wanted a camera at that moment, and allowed him to shoot off down his throat, swallowing quickly to get it all. He pulled back to kiss his pet's nose, making him smile. "Love you," he whispered, pushing Xander onto his side and curling up in front of him.

Xander wrapped himself around Oz. "I know, I love you too," he whispered back, falling asleep with a small yawn.

Oz held onto one of the most important things in his life, wondering how he could manage to keep him forever.

***

Oz looked through the box of things he and Methos had gotten when they were in India during the late Middle Ages, right after Oz had come across, frowning at the books and sex manuals he had had stored away for a few hundred years. He felt someone lean over his shoulder so turned his head for a kiss, which Giles gave him. "Hi."

"My, where are those from?" he asked, picking one of the sex manuals up to flip through, quickly blushing and putting it back down. "Not even Xander or I could do some of those things," he remarked, tucking in his t-shirt.

"Methos did at one time," Oz told him. He pulled out a scroll. "I was looking for this." He handed it over. "I want to do it on Xander."

"What will it do?"

"It will gift him with immortality as long as we're alive." He put the contents back in the box then turned to look at his student and lover. "It'll link his personal energy to ours. It won't turn him into us, but it will stop his aging where he is now until we die." Giles frowned as he read over the scroll. "I'm not sure that's the right spell though, there were three scrolls on the altar and we were told to choose by the High Priestess that taught Methos and I the other things in the box. No one tried to stop us from taking it, no fight was given when he chose. I want you to fix it if it isn't and do it if it is."

Giles pulled Oz in for a hug. "I can understand that feeling, I really can, but do you think it's the right thing to do to him? That he would simply allow us to do the spell then tell him later?"

"I was going to ask first," Oz retorted.

"Ask who what?" Xander asked on his way through the living room. "What's that?"

"Stuff I'll give you later," Oz said with a small smile for the bare body. "Going to suntan?"

"Yup, I need it."

"Ah, but we wanted to do something to you first. You'll appreciate it and you'll get a much better tan once we do so."

Xander looked outside then at his lovers. "Today?"

"No, I can wait until tomorrow," Giles said with a small smile. "I'll be out bathing with you then."

Xander leaned down to give him a kiss. "Okay. Just don't let me fall asleep out in the yard." He picked up a book on his way past, taking his glass of tea and his towel out to lay on their half-acre of grass.

Both immortals watched as the nude, lithe body bent over to spread out the towel, giving them an excellent view of what lay between his cheeks. They both sighed as he lay down on his stomach, flipping open his book to read while he got a little color. Oz looked at Giles and nodded. "I want to do it, sooner instead of later."

Giles nodded. "I'll start checking the spell to see if it looks like it's missing anything." He rerolled the scroll, then put it aside. "Are you really going to give him that book?"

"Maybe, it's one of the original copies of the Kama Sutra, and it's illustrated." He dug to get a slim book from the bottom of the box. "This one is for male concubines though," he said with a wicked smile. "I think he'll like this one more."

"Ah," Giles said, taking it to read. He smiled as he flipped through the pages. "I do believe we could train him to do most of this." He looked out at the now sleeping form on the lawn. "We should go wake him before he burns. He'll be miserable later if we don't."

"Good point. Whiny Xander isn't fun." Oz got up, heading out into the backyard to go wake their pet and lover up.

Giles watched as Oz stripped beside the pool, heading out to stand overtop of the young mortal, shadowing him for a few seconds before he went to his knees and plunged inside the hole they had had their pleasure in earlier. He smiled at Xander's yell of pleasure, shaking his head as he got up to get himself something to drink. "I only hope I can keep up with them," he told himself.

Everyone ignored the neighbor's children and their criess of, "Someone's being killed over there and they're *naked*!" They knew the children were just sheltered, they were late teens after all and this was a part of life.

***

Xander tugged futilely at the restraints holding him to the bed. "Come on, guys, I promised not to wiggle."

Oz shook his head. "No, relax and enjoy this. It'll make you tons more sensitive." He spread the shaving gel down the young man's pubic area. "And unless you're good, I'm doing all your body hair."

Xander went limp. "Okay."

Giles leaned down for a kiss. "Was that an 'okay, I wouldn't mind that' or an 'okay, I'll behave'?" he asked.

"Not sure," Xander said, accepting the pillow under his head so he could watch Oz concentrate on spreading the gel between his legs. "You sure we don't need more towels under me?"

"Yeah, we may," Oz said, getting up to get a folded sheet set and another few towels, putting them under Xander's hips to raise them up. "Better?"

"Yup, won't ruin the mattress now." He joined hands with Giles as Oz took out the first razor, closing his eyes. "Okay, I'm ready."

Oz chuckled, swiping the razor through the bowl of water beside the still body then bent down to take the first stroke. "Everyone who gets this done seems to like it," he informed them. "It makes you much more sensitive to us." He rinsed the razor, taking another stroke over the same area, watching the newly exposed skin turn pink, almost like he was blushing. "So very pretty," he murmured, rinsing the razor to take another stroke.

Xander tried to wiggle at the strange sensation, but the restraints did their job well, he couldn't move at all. He looked at Giles, who simply smiled at him. "Help?"

"Of course," he said, picking up a razor. He grabbed the gel and spread it liberally around the young mortal's chest, earning him an attempted wiggle. "I'm sure you don't want us to accidentally nick you, Xander, so I would stay still." He took a stroke over the light covering of hair, grunting as his own bare bottom was pinched. "Yes, Oz?"

"Want to do his legs instead?"

"No, I'll do those in a moment. He doesn't have much hair up here."

"Hey," Xander complained. "It's not my fault I'm not some big, hairy guy."

Oz nodded. "True. It's all hormones." He took one last swipe at the now nude pubic area, then wiped the excess shaving gel off with a washcloth. He took out a new razor, getting the last few hairs before moving lower. "Do not wiggle," he warned. "I'm doing your balls."

"Um," Xander started but the warm hand over his ball sac made him shut up quickly. "Okay, if you feel like it. Just be gentle with me."

"Most of the time," Oz reminded him. "Unless you ask otherwise." Giles laughed at that. "He has asked to have it animal in the past."

"Good point, Oz," Giles said, stealing a kiss as he moved onto Xander's left armpit, easily accessible due to the way the restraint held his arm away from his body. "Should we make him maintain part of this himself?"

"It's hard to shave your own balls," Oz told him. "I wouldn't mind making this a common event."

"The tying me down so I can't move part or the shaving me part?" Xander asked, eyes closed again as he enjoyed the feeling of a warm hand moving his balls around, almost teasing touches of the razor across his most sensitive flesh. Then the razor moved farther back. "I have hair *there*?" he asked, opening his eyes to look at Oz.

"A few. Some people have lots."

"Are those the same people that grow ear hair?" Xander asked, earning a chuckle from both his men.

"Indeed," Giles told him, switching over to the other armpit after wiping the first one clean. "There's a link between growing hair in your ears and in other inappropriate places." He gave his lover a kiss before starting on his other armpit, accidentally nicking him with the razor he held. "Oh, I'm sorry, Xander," he said, leaning down to kiss the area.

"Eww," Xander said, shaking his head. "Armpit kisses?"

"It's an erogenous zone for a lot of people," Oz told him. "And I have a book I want to give you later. Methos got it for me in India." Xander looked interested. "Right before he let someone take me hostage for six years."

"He didn't," Xander said. Oz nodded. "That was mean."

"Yeah, but I guess he figured I'd be safe and it wouldn't last that long. Was interesting being a concubine for six years, but wasn't fun." He tossed the old razor away, turning to grab the scented oil they liked Xander to use on his body. "Okay, just relax while I do this. It's going to feel good." He cupped some of the oil in his hand then plopped it down over the young man's pubic mass, earning a grunt. "Relax." He worked the oil in, watching the semi-hard cock get harder and start to change color as he spread the oil further down his body. "When are you due back at work?" he asked, teasing the open hole with a oily finger.

"Mo..Monday," Xander said, stuttering as he tried to concentrate. "Why?"

"Just wanted to know." Oz slid the finger around the tight cleavage of Xander's cheeks. "I was thinking about making a pseudo-company for my software stuff and I was wondering if you'd like to be the secretary and receptionist."

"Do I get perks?" Xander asked, his voice going up on the last word as two fingers went into his body.

"Yup, and I can even chase you around the desk." Oz looked at Giles, pumping Xander gently. "Think we should let him get off before or after I shave his legs?"

"Let's leave his legs," Giles suggested.

"No, want to be hairless for you guys," Xander panted, looking up at Giles, who smiled at him. "Please? Just to try it?"

"Sure," Oz told him, withdrawing his fingers, and receiving a pout for it. "Hey I need those to shave your legs for you."

"Let Giles," Xander said, giving Oz a small, sexy grin. "Please?"

"No, naughty, you can have that later." He picked up a razor and the can of shaving gel. "Just let me do this quickly and I'll get back to pounding you into the mattress." He spread the gel down one leg, watching as it turned to rich lather. "There, that's about a third of the process," he told him.

"How would you know?" Giles asked, looking up at Oz.

"Um, drag show at school one year," Oz mumbled. "Don't ask." He bent down to get closer to Xander's leg, shaving it in quick little strokes.

"Pictures?" Xander asked, trying to wiggle his leg. "Um, that tickles," he noted.

"Sorry," Oz said. "On both counts. And don't ask Methos either." Xander snapped his fingers, all he could do besides wiggling his toes. "No."

"Could you at least tell me?"

"No, I looked rotten. Never let a playful Methos talk you into anything then let him pick out your wardrobe." He looked up at both of his men. "Life lesson for the day."

Xander grinned. "What would you wear if you were going to do it again?"

"Not."

"Not even as a what-if?"

"No." Oz looked up. "Never going to happen, don't even consider it."

"I could see him in one of those silk suits the women wear today," Giles said but Xander shook his head. "No?"

"Nope, I can see Oz in something slinky and silky. Maybe a nice one of those silk and spandex dresses that the models like to wear. Or one of the more informal cotton/spandex ones, the stretchy ones that you forbid Willow to ever think about." Oz nodded, concentrating on his leg. "Now heels, if he could walk in them, would have to be a little on the high side. Maybe two inch or higher stilettos. I used to fantasize about a woman who wore those and garters for me." He grinned at Giles. "Or maybe a red outfit like what's-her-name wore in My Stepmother's An Alien." Oz snorted. "But in blue or maybe a nice cream instead."

Oz shook his head. "No." He looked up, drawing the word out. "Nnnnooooo. Hear me?" Xander nodded, still grinning. "Not a chance."

"One of the frat's is doing a drag show to raise money for the children's wing of the hospital," Giles told them. Oz glared at him. "I was suggesting we offer Xander's services to them."

"You want to offer them our naughty one?"

"To dress them," Giles explained. "Not to service the poor men. I'm sure he'd scare a great many of them."

"Actually, my shop is donating the clothes so I get to help anyway. My boss said so." He preened under the smiles. "And they're taking town people since a bunch of the jocks pulled out when a coach complained about the activity being unmanly." Oz shook his head. "Not even for little sick kids?" he asked with a small pout, lowering his voice some. "No one would know who you are. The entrant's names are all kept secret."

Oz shook his head. "No."

"Giles?" Xander asked, pouting up at him.

"I'll consider it," he said after looking down into the deep, chocolate brown eyes. "I've done something like that on a dare before but I'm not sure I want to do that again."

"It'll be fun. Lots of confused guys who find out that silk actually feels good."

"Lots of people who figure out that they may like more than that and panic, going off on any perceived gay man around," Oz countered.

"I'll protect you," Xander told him, giving him a smile when he got a frown.

"You already signed one of us up, haven't you," Oz said, looking into his face.

"Me."

"No way in hell," Oz said, sitting back on his feet. "You can't do that, you wouldn't look good."

"I can and I do," Xander said, fully pouting now. "I look very nummy in my outfit. All the women that I work with said so."

Giles shook his head. "Oz, I think we should at least attend, giving our support that way."

"Fine," Oz sighed, shaking his head. "I'll do it. But this is the last time I let you talk me into anything."

"Cool!" Xander said, trying to lift his head up high enough to get a kiss. Oz leaned down, kissing him hard. "Registration closes in two days and shopping is the day before the show."

"I could wear what I did last time," Oz said.

"No," Giles said, shaking his head. "Let Xander dress you, I want to see what he does." He gave his own little pout. Oz rolled his eyes but nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Oz said, picking up a new razor and starting back on the leg he had been shaving. "You doing this again for the show?"

"Yup. And it's not a talent thing. It's a beauty pageant, minus the bikini's." Oz nodded. "All you have to do is look pretty."

"I look horrible in drag," Oz muttered, bending back to his chore.

"No, Snyder looked horrible in drag the year he did it," Xander countered. "He did it a few years ago, was conned into it or so his application said. I got to look through them." He gave them a naughty grin. "Think we could talk Angel into coming back and doing it?"

"NO!" Oz and Giles said together. Oz then got a wholly mischievous look himself. "But I could talk Methos into coming."

Xander giggled. "Participating or showing up?"

"Either one," Oz said, smirking now. "He owes me for doing that for him."

Xander nodded. "Okay, I can get him something to wear if you give me his sizes."

"He's about a size ten," Oz said. "Tall and lanky." He looked up at Xander, grinning. "Can't guess for yourself?"

"I could, but I would have said a size twelve. His shoulders." He shrugged, or tried to. "How much longer?"

"Few minutes, naughty," Oz told him. He started on the other leg, smirking now. "Can't wait to see you do this yourself."

"Done it before," Xander said. "Swimming," he explained at the shocked looks. "Makes you faster."

"Oh, okay then," Oz told him, leaning down to kiss the hairless pubic section right above the young man's cock. "How about here?"

"Tried it once, just that part nothing further back, but I didn't like it then. It itched."

Oz nodded. "Happens like that sometimes." He went back to his shaving, looking up at Giles grabbed the washcloth to clean off Xander's upper body. "Going to make him slippery?"

"No, I don't think we need a slippery Xander," Giles countered. "I think we should shower him then lotion him well so that it soaks in but not oil him tonight. I'll oil him tomorrow when we sunbathe together." He wiped one last spot off then handed it off to Oz. "There you go, want some help?"

"Nope, got about six more passes to make."

"Ooh, passes," Xander said, winking at Giles. "Like those."

"Behave, naughty, or sleep at the foot of the bed."

"Meany," Xander pouted. Oz looked up at him. "I *need* sex to live, Oz, it's who I am."

"I'm sure."

"No, it's quite true," Giles said, after giving Xander a small kiss. "Once a GHS is brought over to the real pleasures in life, he's often not happy unless he's actively having pleasure. In some cases where pleasure was withheld for long periods of time, they have been known to get sick. We just work better on the pleasure principle."

"Meth knew Freud, thought he was a quack," Oz told them. "Used to tell me the guy was a dope-head and never could understand himself, let alone everyone else. And he wasn't real nice to women either." Xander giggled as Oz swiped across the back of his knee. "Sorry."

"S'okay, was a good tickle."

Oz took one last swipe with the razor, taking the cloth to clean the legs off. "There, all done," he said. He nodded at Giles to get the restraints undone and help him get Xander into the shower. "You should wash him off. I'll clean up out here." Giles nodded, leading Xander into the bathroom. Oz waited until he heard the water running to put the special restraints up onto the top railing of the canopy. "Oh, he's going to like this," he murmured, quickly clearing away the remains of their shaving party. He was stripped when they came back out and Xander had his eyes closed. Giles and Oz had talked earlier about teasing Xander unmercifully tonight after shaving him bare and they had agreed that it sounded good in theory.

Giles got Xander lying down and started to work the light lotion into his skin, letting Oz pick up the legs he had just lotioned to put up into the hanging ankle restraints.

"Huh?" Xander asked, looking up at his legs. "Um, guys? What's going on?"

"Well, you said you needed pleasure," Oz told him, leaning down to lick over the bare cock. Xander shivered in response, a good sign. "So we're going to show you some."

"No cuddles?" Xander asked, holding up his arms.

"Later," Oz told him, sliding into the prepared hole. He saw the small squirm. "Hurts?" Xander nodded, giving him a sorry look. "Okay, then we won't until you're all better," he said, releasing the tied ankles. He pulled out, leaning down to kiss the young man. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking about how much we've put your back through today."

"It's okay," Xander said, curling up onto his side with Oz in his arms. "It was a nice thought though. Maybe in the morning?"

"Definitely in the morning," Giles told him, lying behind him and rubbing gently around the newly healed scar. "Let us soothe you for now, Xander," he whispered.

"Okay, would like that." He yawned, quickly covering his mouth so he wouldn't spread his breath around. "Night, loves."

"Night, naughty," Oz said quietly, looking at Giles. He waited until Xander was out, knowing that nothing could wake him up once he was really asleep. "Is he really okay?"

"I'm sure he is, it's probably just a little too much stress from our exertions earlier. We were quite hard on him."

"Yeah, then he had some tylenol and a nap."

"And some more when he got up," Giles added, frowning. "He's been taking more than he wants us to believe."

"I want to take him in for a checkup."

"They did say he may have some residual pain, Oz. That may be all this is."

"Or they could have screwed him royally."

"Or Buffy could have," Giles said with a scowl. "He didn't let us take him anywhere once he had been rescued. Even Methos said he should be examined by someone more up-to-date on the human body."

"Good point, we'll take him in the morning," Oz said with a small yawn. "He's due in then anyway."

Giles simply nodded, gathering them both to him.

***

Xander pouted at Oz as he was pushed back down onto the couch. "But he's got to be wrong, Oz. I couldn't have hurt myself, I didn't do anything."

"Then how did you rip some of your internal stitches?" he asked, waiting for an answer. "And how did you get a pulled muscle in your back? Or even the need to have it realigned?"

"Well, okay, I admit it needed popped," Xander said with a small frown. "Felt really good too."

"I'm glad," Oz told him as he kneeled beside the couch to pull Xander's face into his hands. "We worry about you because we care. And for that reason, you will follow Doctor's orders. I know you couldn't help it before, not with...them, but this time they won't happen and you'll be fine."

"But I want..." He was stopped by a kiss.

"No, Xander," Oz said gently. "No fighting me on this. I want you better so I can pound into you again. We're following orders. You're not going to have any sex, any stretching, and little movement." He got a small, unhappy nod. "I'm sorry, naughty, but you're more important to us than just as a pet. We need you to be healthy."

Xander nodded. "Okay. I'll follow orders. Does that mean I can't lick you guys?"

"Yeah, it does. I don't want to stop when you do that and I can't have you right now." He leaned in for a kiss. "You can have cuddles, all you want."

"Now?" Xander asked pitifully. Oz nodded and got up onto the couch with him, pulling him onto his chest. "Thank you, Oz," he said once he was settled on the nice muscles.

"No big, I like looking after you." He brushed a kiss on top of the dark hair. "Just let us pamper you for a few days, babe, and we'll be back to usual in no time."

"Can I break the one about work if I get my boss to agree to let me help with the drag show?"

"We'll see. We'll take you to talk to her in the morning, okay?" Xander nodded, closing his eyes. "That's right, you rest, Xander, you'll get it all again real soon." He stroked over the hard back, looking up at Giles as he walked in. "He tore a few internal stitches, pulled a muscle and needed realigned." Giles winced. "He's supposed to be laying somewhere and doing nothing."

Giles nodded. "Then we'll make sure he does. Do you think he'd like to still come sunbathe with me?"

"Probably. And getting out of the house would be good for him." Oz kissed Xander again. "Would you like to go lay in the grass with Giles?"

Xander nodded, getting up and stripping, holding onto the back of the couch. "Sure. Just don't let me nap, okay?" Both men nodded. "Thanks." He kissed Giles, heading out to the blanket already spread out for them.

Giles hugged Oz as he pulled him up for a kiss. "It wasn't your fault, he didn't tell you he was in pain until the end."

"Yeah," Oz sighed, sitting back down. "But we should have known he was in pain." He nodded outside. "I'd go help him before those girls next door try to come over and sunbathe with him again. Their mother yelled for hours last time."

"Good point," Giles said with a small smile. "You could come with us."

"Nah, I need to get some work done." He headed upstairs to their practice, magic, and work space. He sat looking out the window while he absently typed, making sure Xander was all right.

***

Oz walked over to where his pet was sitting in a chair helping the show's contestants get dressed. "Hey," he said, brushing through his hair. "You feeling okay?" Xander looked up and nodded with a small grin. "Brought you your meds," he said, handing the bottle over along with a small bag from a local fast food place. "And lunch to take it with."

Xander wrapped an arm around Oz's waist. "Thank you." He looked at the man in the changing room shaking his head. "Try the other one on. That one makes you look fat." He looked really pitiful so Oz stole a look too, earning a swat. "You're not supposed to be helping them."

"Shh, put him in something blue."

"Teal."

"Really?"

"Yup." Xander looked at the man again. "Go put on the teal one. I think you'll like it." The man nodded, heading back into the changing section so he looked up at Oz again. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Oz leaned down to kiss the top of his head. "I'm stealing your car to have it checked out and the oil changed. Call me when you're ready to come home?"

"Yup, will." Xander tipped his head off to the side. "How did you get down here without driving?"

"Easy, Giles is packing another box of books."

"Oh, okay." Xander nodded, turning to smile at the man in the changing room. "Yup, was right, that looks good on you." He waved him out. "Come on, get a female opinion."

Xander's boss, a young blonde woman of about 35 with flawless skin smiled as she walked over, patting the injured man's shoulder. "You're right, it does look good on him." She smirked at Oz. "We just knew that he would do this job well."

"Yeah, Xander's very good at helping others." Oz patted the back of Xander's head gently. "Now if only we could get him to listen to the needs of his own body."

Xander took out the burger, quickly taking a bite so he could take the pain medicines. "Yup, will," he said once he had swallowed. "Don't want to make you mad." He looked up at his boss. "He gave me the most painful look when the doctor told him I was supposed to have been resting. I never want to see that look again."

"I'm glad," Oz said, jingling his keys. "When am I supposed to come in and do this?"

"Later."

"Okay." He nodded and walked out, leaving Xander alone for about an hour.

"He's very protective," his boss said.

"Yup, but he thinks I'm worth protecting." He looked at the new man walking through the door. "You're another contestant?" He nodded. "Cool, come look at this rack of clothes and let's see what'll look good on you."

Oz pulled back up in front of Xander's work, having to force himself out of the car to go inside for his fitting. He handed back the keys silently, looking around. "Everyone else gone?"

"Yup, for the day," Xander said, getting up. He handed over a clothes bag with a small smile. "Come on, this is for you. I picked it out earlier." He led him back into the changing area, helping him inside and out of his t-shirt before Oz knew what was going on.

"Xander," he warned, stepping back. "You're supposed to be resting."

"Horizontally but yeah. Now I'm horizontal again and I'm not being real active." He turned to pull out the dress, turning to hand it off. "I'll go back to my chair if you wear this for me."

Oz nodded, watching him go. "Why do I let myself be talked into things?" he wondered, pulling the cream colored dress over his head. He smoothed the cottony fabric down his body, admiring the way it highlighted his skin and his hair. He put on the shoes in the bag and the wig that matched his hair exactly, if it was a little longer. He walked out, wobbling a little on the small heels, and stood for inspection.

Xander got up, walking around Oz's body. "Hmm, need to fix something," he said, nodding at the prominent erection. He stopped behind him, brushing some of the hair off Oz's shoulder, teasing his neck at the same time. "I like, you?"

"I like," Oz admitted. "Much better than last time." They both looked up as the door opened.

"Ah, Mr. Harris," the older man said as he walked through the door with a smile. He looked at Oz then at Xander. "I see you're going along with the plan well." He gave Oz a slimy smile, but then again he was the new Mayor and was entitled to be slimy.

"Yup. He's the last one to be fitted." He looked at Oz then at the older man. "What do you think?"

"I think you have excellent taste, but that's not exactly what I had in mind." He considered Oz again. "I was thinking more along the lines of usual drag shows. You know, over the top, funny."

Xander nodded. "I've seen one of those, the women had talent and were usually very well dressed. We're not having a talent portion, this is a beauty contest." He looked at the Mayor again. "Do you have a problem with how I'm doing this? My boss approved of each outfit."

"No, no, not at all. I'm just worried that not all the men will be comfortable with being made up so... pretty."

"None of them really minded so far," Xander countered. He nodded Oz into the back. "I'm just doing what I was told to do, which was to make the men look good for the pageant. If you have a problem, I got my orders from my boss, who should be home by now. Would you like me to call her?"

"No, I think it'll be fine, just so long as no one backs out." He started to turn then looked back over Xander's slim body in consideration. "Aren't you supposed to be in it?"

"I am but I can't compete in the actual pageant because I know who everyone is. Don't worry I'm gong to live up to my own expectations. The ladies have been helping me with my own outfit for days now."

The Mayor nodded, walking out. "Just so long as no one drops out because of this."

Xander mouthed the words after he was alone, walking back to where Oz was redressing. "You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, but I can see his point."

"Ah, but I talked to all the men, even took pictures for their wives. So far all of them have agreed with my choices and their wives have supported them. The only one that didn't left before his fitting because his wife was being snarky." He handed Oz his t-shirt, walking back out to his seat. He smiled as his boss walked in. "He get you yet?"

She nodded. "Yeah, and I told him I agreed with you. Otherwise it'd look bad on the store and I wouldn't allow our clothes to be used." She shrugged. "Got the last one done?"

"Yup," Oz said as he walked out. "All done." He handed over the bag. "You did good," he told Xander, nodding at his boss. "He done?"

"Yes, dear, he's done for the day." She watched as they walked out together, shaking her head. "Why can't those two be straight? It'd be so much easier to like them."

Oz smiled as he got in to drive. "I'm fixing dinner tonight so we have to stop at the store. What did you want to eat?"

"Something crunchy or something salty," Xander said, laying his head back against the seat. "Thought it was my turn to cook."

"Nope, I want you to sit and be pretty tonight." Oz pulled up in front of the store and ran inside coming back a few minutes later with a small bag.

Xander shook his head. "I can cook, Oz, really." He turned his head to look at his lover. "I'm not that bad. I've been good all day."

"I know, but I want to cook tonight, I want to spoil you actually." That got a small smile. "Good. Then it's settled, you'll be pretty and I'll spoil for a change."

"You do it all the time," Xander told him, reaching over to brush down his arm. He noticed the car in the driveway and frowned. "Whose here?"

"Not a clue," Oz told him, pulling up into their usual parking spot. "Let's go see if Giles needs us." He got out, coming around to help Xander out of the car and into the house, keeping a firm arm wrapped around his waist until he was settled on the couch. Then Oz headed upstairs, following the voices. "Hi," he said, stopping at the top of the stairs. "What's up?"

"Oh, Oz," Giles said, brushing a hand over his forehead to wipe off the sweat. "Nothing really. This is the last owners son."

Oz looked at the man, considering him against the man he had met last time. "No he's not. The last guy said he was and he was a brunette."

This man blushed. "That's my lover."

"Ah." Oz looked at Giles then nodded back downstairs. "Xander's down there. The Mayor thought he was going to misdress everyone and came to tell him off for making them look good."

Giles shook his head. "The man is a bigot, Oz, we can't let him get to us." He turned to look at the young man again. "As I was telling you, we removed the contents of the safe and handed it over to him."

Oz leaned against the doorframe. "There wasn't much in there. A few letters, one picture of a lawn ornament. A note to someone named John that was in another language." He shrugged. "Didn't you get the box?"

"No." He frowned at them. "Are you sure he was a brunette?"

Xander walked into the room, handing over a glass of tea to Oz. "He was about my height, light brown/almost blond hair, green eyes, about ten pounds heavier than he needed to be." He looked at Giles. "Phone."

"Thank you. Who is it?"

"Wes." Giles hurried down the stairs, leaving them alone. Xander looked the uncomfortable man over. "Can I see some ID?" he asked out of the blue, holding out a hand.

The man pulled his wallet, opened it and shut it. "No, I don't have to."

"Then you'd better leave," Xander told him. "The other man was the house owner's son, the Real Estate agent proved it to me. Since I don't know you and this is now my house, I don't want you here."

"Listen, my parents..."

"ID," Xander said simply. "And we cleaned out the safe for you guys."

"There was another one?" Oz guessed. The other man nodded. "Even if there was, we don't know about it nor do we have the combination." He stepped out of the way, waving down the stairs. "Bye." The other man stormed out. "Problems?"

"Yeah, I saw a picture of the woman's children when I was helping clean the house up, he wasn't in there." Xander turned to look at Oz, grinning a little. "And the agent said there wasn't another safe that there was an appointment to put in another one but it never happened. Everything of their's was in their safety deposit boxes at Second National."

Oz nodded, pulling him in for a hug. "Okay." They headed down the stairs together, Oz making sure Xander didn't fall. They met the neighbor in the livingroom, sitting across from him. "Hi. Problems?"

"Huh? No, not a one. Just wanted to tell you that I fixed my youngest daughter's problem about watching you guys." He smiled at Xander. "Though she's right, you two are the most romantic couple in town."

Xander nodded. "Yeah, Oz spoils me well, but lately it's been my back." He turned slightly and pulled up his shirt to show off the scar. "I screwed a disk up when I was moving my bed." He smiled as he sat normally. "But Oz is a big teddy bear to me."

"Gee, thanks," Oz said dryly. He looked at he neighbor, who was looking a little hurt. "I'd do it normally too, I'm just a little more attentive because of his recent surgery." He looked at Giles as hew walked into the livingroom to sit on the other side of Xander. "Problems?"

"No, not a bit. Wesley just needs to borrow a book and Angel needed to come talk to us for a few moments. I told him to come up tonight, that if it got too late, they could have our spare bedroom." He patted Xander's knee. "How's your back?"

"It's fine," Xander said patiently. "I'm really okay." He shook his head, rolling his eyes. "They are *way* protective of me."

The neighbor smiled. "That's a good thing though. I was that way when my wife and I first married." He stood up. "If you need anything, just holler, we're over there now on vacation." He waved as he walked out the back door, closing it behind him.

Xander looked at Oz. "You do?"

"Yup, I do. I spoil you rotten by allowing you to spoil me." He kissed the top of his head, pulling the younger man down against his chest. "So, what did they really want?"

"I don't have a clue, Angel wouldn't say. Though Wesley did say that he needed a certain book that I have back in town." Oz tossed over the car keys. "Thank you, I'll be back shortly. Don't start supper without me." He got up after one last kiss to Xander's cheek, leaving them alone.

"He worries too much," Xander mumbled into Oz's chest.

"It's the way he is," Oz noted, squeezing him. "Go take a shower? You smell perfumy." Xander nodded, getting up to head into the bedroom while Oz went for the kitchen to prepare food for his men.

***

Angel looked around the house, giving his host looks every now and then. Finally Xander couldn't stand it anymore. "What"?"

"Huh? Just wondering a few things." He stopped them in the upstair's area by putting a hand on his arm. "That demon they had to come help me stop was after you," he said quietly. "It was a Sarthna demon. One who was dying." Xander sat down on the floor, looking up at him. "It wasn't anything contagious it just couldn't find a reason to go on. That's why it was looking for you." Xander nodded. "It wanted me to give you a message but I'm not sure about it."

"Um, good or bad message? A 'hi, you were great but I'm not living anymore and I'm sorry' or a 'you're the reason I'm not living and I can't go on without you' message?"

"Little of both," Angel admitted, sitting beside him. "But also another message. One about a certain stone that you still have. A clear one?"

"It's a true blood stone, that's what Giles said."

"No, not that one. He was talking about a crystal he had put into your safe keeping. I'm supposed to find it and make sure it's safe."

"All the stones that we still have are downstairs," Xander said, getting up. "Come on, I'll show you."

"Well, except a few that Buffy admitted to stealing," Angel modified. Xander frowned at him for it. "Sorry, but she did."

"Her name's not uttered here except by a nostalgic Giles."

"Okay." Angel got up, following him down the stairs and into the spare bedroom where Giles and Wesley were looking through a book.

"Hi, need the safe," Xander told them as he fell to his knees before Giles with a grin. He reached between his legs, working the keypad on the safe then pulled back when it opened. "Just gotta get the stones out for Angel, he wanted to see if we have a particular one." He pulled out the four boxes, handing them over. "That's all that's left."

Giles reached down to pet the young man's hair, smiling at him. "I think we can safely say that we'd like you to make sure that they're going to stay here also."

Xander nodded. "Yeah, I would. Though we may have some trouble with the 'son'," he did the finger quotes. "You know he's going to come back with someone and demand to get into the safe to claim something."

"Then I suggest we have a talk with the realtor in the morning."

Oz walked in. "Just did, he'll fix it by telling the real heirs where the safety deposit boxes are." He sat down on the bed. "Whaddya looking for?" he asked Angel.

"Clear crystal, not the bloodstone, that resonates. The Sarthna demon said he gave it to Xander for safekeeping."

Xander snapped his fingers, opening up one of the boxes and pulling out the velvet lid. "This one?" he asked, handing it over. "He had me put it in there because it made horrible noises with the other stones."

Angel examined it then nodded, handing it back. "That needs to never leave your ownership." He looked up at Giles. "Do you know why?"

"It's ..." He covered his mouth. "My God, he gave him one of those?"

"Yeah," Angel said, getting comfortable. "He did. He also gave me a message for Xander, which I'm still not sure he should have."

"That would be what?"

"That, basically, you were the one that showed him how bad his life had become, and that if he couldn't continue to have you his life had no reason to it, but that he wanted to make sure that you never had to go back to working again." He pulled something out of his pocket.

"Are you sure?" Wesley asked. "That's an awful burden for one so young."

"Yeah, I'm sure," Angel said. "Oz and Giles can help him, neither of them are that young." He handed it off to Oz, who fell backwards on the bed. "I'm leaving it in your care for Xander."

"Yeah, I'll take care of it," Oz said calmly. He sat up, motioning Xander to come sit beside him. "He gave you the deed to his warren." Xander curled up against his stomach. "We'll keep it safe, Xander, don't worry about it."

"Thanks, Oz," Xander said, hugging him. "Anything else, Angel?"

"Just a few things but they can wait." He looked up at Wesley, who looked confused. "Don't think about it too much, Wes, you'll get a headache."

"We have tylenol," Xander offered. "Lots of it."

"Yes, we do," Giles told him, reaching over to ruffle his hair. "Isn't it time for you to take some?"

"Yes sir," Xander said, pulling himself up Oz's body and heading into the kitchen. He didn't notice Angel had followed him out until he turned and found him behind him. "What's up?" he asked, swallowing the last capsule.

"I wanted to know what you did to him that made him feel that all the life in his life was gone when you left. That's what he said about you."

Xander shrugged. "I was working. We talked, through his interpreter, then we got down to business. He came back a few times. Nothing else." He finished off his water. "Why, what did he say?"

"He didn't," Angel said with a frown. "Just that you were the most unselfish person in the world to him and that you made him happy." He looked over the semi-nude body, looking at all the light scars on the young mortal's chest. "You've changed, Harris, and I'm not sure how."

Xander shook his head. "Not really. I found myself, that's about it." He walked around Angel, heading back to the livingroom. "Though it was nice of him to say that."

Oz grunted, looking up from the paperwork. "Just got a call on my cellphone, the guy that was here is coming out with the cops and the real estate agent."

Xander shrugged. "We can prove that all that stuff in there is ours."

"How?"

"The appraisal?" Xander suggested.

"Which is dated about the same time we got the house," Oz reminded him.

"I can say it's mine," Angel said quietly. "That I'm just using your safe. And I'm sure that some other people could vouch for you having it."

Xander nodded, grinning suddenly. "Devi and some of his people could. You said he's supposed to be in town soon."

"He's in LA now," Angel told them. "He was the one who brought me the paperwork." He sat down beside Oz. "Is this going to be a problem?"

"Not really. Xander said he knew who he gave it to." Xander nodded. "Still got the picture?"

"Yup. It's in the spare bedroom. Every time I put it into the box it kept flying out."

"Ah, a haunted house," Giles said as he walked in. "This one?" he asked, handing it over. Xander nodded. "It flew at me."

"Wonder if she can manifest," Xander mused, sitting down in Oz's reading chair. "It'd solve a lot of problems," he added at the frowns. Oz shook his head. "Fine. I'll be good."

"Yes, you will," Giles told him with a small smile. "Please. And don't you think you should be putting on a shirt?"

"No, I'm letting my scars air so they heal faster." He pouted at Giles. "Don't want to wear clothes."

"Then don't," Oz told him. He got up at the knock, taking the picture from Xander's hand. "Officer," he said with a small nod. "This is the man who I gave the box to, the one that the realtor pointed out to the owner." He showed him the picture then looked at the realtor. "This man refused to show us any identification, or give us a reason why he was being such an ass."

The officer looked at the realtor, who nodded. "You?" he asked the man from earlier.

"I'm her son, that man wasn't. That's her supposed family."

Oz shrugged. "He's the one that has it, go bug him."

"What about the safe? I have a right to see inside it."

"Not if her will didn't say so," Oz said dryly. "And only our stuff is in the safe."

"There are *two*!" he yelled.

The realtor cleared his throat. "No, there's one. The other one wasn't put in yet. It was scheduled to be put in a few days after they died." He pulled out some paperwork, handing it over to Oz. "I think this is the last of the papers you need to do anything else. And Officer, they paid for the house, they were kind enough to allow her children to come in and get things and look around, but the couple that used to own this place disowned their children for a reason." He shut his briefcase, looking at Oz. "I'm sorry you had to go through this with Mr. Harris down."

"What's wrong with him?" the son sneered. "Got fucked too hard?"

Xander walked over to the door. "No, I'm post-surgery." He showed off his scar. "Hurt my back trying to move an antique fifteen hundred pound bed." He looked at the officer. "Anything else?"

"No, I think that should be all. The will's due to be probated soon." He looked at the son, frowning. "You can call your lawyer and try to sue the other children but I won't allow you to use us to harass this man. He's always been good." He smiled at Xander then at Oz. "The other cops, the ones who were trying to bother you, won't. They've figured out that you're not doing something illegal after all."

"It was from an inheritance," Xander said smoothly, making the realtor shake his head. "Sorry, we heard rumors about how I paid for this and I thought I should clear it up. I inherited some money, I used it to set myself up well and invested the rest. As he can tell you."

"Yeah, he paid cash for the house," the realtor agreed. "That's what caused those cops to want to bother him. It's not normal to see a formerly very broke young man carrying around close to seventy thousand dollars in cash."

"I'll make sure it's stopped," the officer said quietly. "There's no reason for their pettiness." He nodded toward his car. "I'll give you both a lift back, though I feel like I should drop one of you off in the middle of nowhere."

Xander waved as they left. "That was nice of him." He looked at Oz, who was staring at him. "What?"

"You charmed him?"

"I'm non-threatening."

"Okay, if you say so," Oz said simply as he closed the door and pulled Xander back inside. "Did you take your medicine, naughty?"

"Yes, Oz," Xander said patiently. "My back is fine." He sat down on the couch, cuddling up to Giles' side. "Can you please tell him that I'm fine?"

"You're not, not until the doctor says you are," Giles told him, stroking down his back. "Behave or I shall have to make you sleep out here."

"Meany," Xander said, sitting up on his own. He looked at Wesley, who was staring. "What? That'd be very mean."

Angel nodded. "Truly with what you are." He nudged Wesley's shoulder. "Come on, we should head back."

"You could stay," Xander offered. "We do have the extra bed."

"I think they want to make sure Cordelia hasn't wrecked the office yet," Giles told him. "Though we wouldn't mind if you did stay, we've not been keeping in touch with anyone."

Oz nodded. "Stay."

"Then we'll stay," Angel said, shrugging.

Xander put the extra sheets on the spare bed, smiling at Angel as he looked at the pictures in the room. "Those are copies of the originals. They're in a box in the bank."

"Smart move." Angel turned to look at him. "I still want to know what's so special about you that you could do that to him."

"I'm just me, Deadboy, really. I just make some people happy." Xander walked out of the room, heading back to slip in beside Oz, taking off his robe and sliding against his freshly showered skin. "Hi," he whispered, coming up under the book to steal a kiss. "Can I have cuddles?" One arm went up so Xander curled up under it, wrapping it around his back and chest. "Thank you."

"Welcome." Oz dropped an absent kiss on his head. "Night."

"Not sleepy," Xander mumbled, leaning in to sniff at the warm flesh. "Need more to wear me out."

"Not until the doctor says it's okay," Oz countered, not putting down his book or looking at him.

"I could...."

"No."

"Grumpy."

"Behave or sleep on the couch," Oz reminded him. Xander got away from him, moving to the edge of the bed. "Come back here," Oz sighed, putting his book down. Xander shook his head. "You'll end up cuddled anyway."

"You don't want me to."

"No, I want you to, I just don't want to hurt you."

"Then at least kiss me."

Giles walked over to where Xander was clinging to the edge of the bed, kissing him gently. "We're just trying to make sure that you're not harmed farther. None of us want you to be in pain for the rest of your life so we're taking it easy on you now." He knelt beside the bed to stroke over the soft skin. "I know it's distressing for you but we have to take some precautions so you're not hurt again."

"There's gentle stuff we can do," Xander offered. "I could be gentle or you guys could be gentle."

"Xander," Oz said, rolling to lay against the young man's back, "we can't be that gentle with you. When we're with you, you make us too wild and we're afraid we're going to hurt you. The other morning I never planned on taking you like that, but I did because you allowed it and I needed it. I won't allow you to be hurt again."

"But I won't be. We've been gentle before."

"And we can't be sure we will be this time."

"But I need it." Xander sat up, looking at his men. "This is mean to me, I'm not touched, I'm not rubbed, I'm not even really cuddled because you guys are scared that I'm going to break because I'm not one of you. That is *so* unfair!"

"I'm sorry," Giles told him. "It's not something conscious. It's just a need to protect you."

"I'm *not* fragile. You guys need protecting, I don't. See," he said standing, throwing out his arms. "I'm perfectly able to do this and a lot of other stuff. There's no reason to shut me out."

Oz nodded. "I know but we can't help it, that thing with Buffy made sure that we saw you as very mortal and we have to be careful."

"No you don't," Xander said, grabbing a pillow. "I'm going to go sleep on the couch. Have fun." He walked out, tossing his pillow on the couch and following it down. "Not my fault that you're both that and I'm not," he muttered, getting comfortable. "Not my fault that Buffy and Willow came in to attack me because they didn't like me being me. I didn't ask her to come here and hurt me." He closed his eyes. "Didn't ask Willow to give up everything that we've ever had to side with Buffy in her delusions." He sniffled. "Didn't even ask for all of this. Didn't ask to be ignored or to be kept or anything."

Angel, who had been sitting in a corner looking out on the woods came over and patted Xander's bare back. "We know you didn't, they're just adjusting to things in their minds." He pulled the throw down, covering the still body. "Would you like to know what was done with them?" Xander looked at him and nodded. "Willow went with Oz's friend. He said he was going to show her exactly what you were and make her see how wrong she was. When she came back a few days ago, she was back to her old self. Crying, but normal." He smiled gently. "Buffy got given to him too, and he broke her. All those hangups she had about 'right' and 'wrong' sexual expression got taken out of her. She's in LA now, waiting on her mind to clear up and a chance to apologize."

"I won't listen," Xander said quietly. "She's gone too far this last time." Angel nodded. "She started off making comments then moved to hurting me. How friends is that?"

"It's not," Angel assured him, patting his covered hip, "but she's fixed now and she does want to be forgiven." Xander shrugged. "I'll have her call Giles soon and you can decide then." He got up. "Night, Harris."

"Night, Angel. Thanks."

The vampire blended into the shadows again, heading back to his room. He slid into the bed beside the former Watcher, pulling him in for a hug. "You okay?"

"Yes, though I am concerned about the girls. They weren't really ready to be alone yet."

"They have each other," Angel assured him, squeezing him tightly.

Oz waited until Angel had gone back to bed to go out and talk to Xander himself. He slid out from under Giles' arms, padding out to sit under the young man's feet. "Hey," he whispered.

"Go 'way."

"I can't. I want to sleep next to you."

"No you don't, I'm a toy for you." Xander sniffled. "A broken toy."

"You're not a toy," Oz said, pulling him up to hold him. "And you're not broken. You're still you and still healthy except for the one thing about your back." He brushed through the dark hair. "You're not broken, Xander, you're fine." He kissed him gently. "See?"

Xander reached between them, feeling the softness of Oz's cock. "That says more to me."

"That's a matter of self-control."

"I don't want you to be controlled."

"But I need to be or you'll be hurt. Again." Xander shook his head. "Yeah, you will. You're still kinda fragile."

"I'm *not*!" Xander said as he pulled away from his lover. "I'm not fragile, I'm not in pain, and *I* should be deciding when I can have sex!" He looked at his lover. "Maybe this was a bad idea," he said after a few seconds. "Go back to bed, we'll talk in the morning."

"No, come to be with me," Oz told him, holding out a hand. Xander shook his head. "Don't make me carry you," he warned.

"Or what? You'll go cave Oz? Didn't think you were that *old*." Sarcasm dripped from his voice. "Go to bed, Oz, I'll see you in the morning."

Oz stood up, picking Xander up. "Stop it," he hissed. "There is no need to be snotty because I'm trying to protect you."

"I don't need protecting," Xander told him. "I'm not fragile, nor am I some piece of furniture." Oz set him back onto his feet.

"We're not using you," Oz said after a few seconds of thought. "Not at all. That isn't what this is about."

"Yeah, it is. Nothing about this is about me."

"Not everything has to be about you."

"Stop it," Giles said, walking out to get between them. "Yes, we do use him. Same as he does us, for pleasure. And he's right about a few things, if he's our pet then more things should be about him. Same as a cat." He looked at Oz then at Xander, shaking his head. "I think we should take a small break from living together, allow ourselves time to reflect on this last week or so."

"Giles, did you hear me whine when they came for me?" He got stereo head shakes. "Did you hear me complain about doing anything for you?" Another round of head shakes. "Then why do you think that you need to reflect?" He picked up his pillow, heading up to the upstairs room.

Oz looked at Giles. "We use him?"

"For our pleasure. We never talk to him, nor do we talk to him about things. Not any longer. If this were a normal relationship, he'd be fussed over because of his ordeal and we'd be guilty. Instead, we seem to have gotten angry about it." He looked down. "Or at least I have."

"I have too," Oz admitted. "Want to go snatch him and bring him with us?"

"No, I think I was correct, we all need time to consider the last few days." He kissed Oz slowly, teasing him almost. "I've talked with you about my awakening but not him. You've told me many things about your life so far, but haven't shared any of it with him. He has become property to us, something that is there when we need it."

Oz nodded. "I can see that. Don't mean to do it, but I can see it happening." He sniffed, then jogged up the stairs, taking the knife Xander was drawing designs through the fire in Giles' brazier with. "That's for spells," he said, sitting down across from him. "I'm sorry," he admitted. "I didn't know I was hurting you that way." Xander nodded, not looking at him. "Can we talk?"

"I've said what I needed to," Xander told him quietly. "If you want to talk, use a wall, it's the same thing to you." He picked up a piece of incense, lighting it in the small fire.

"Don't," Giles said, coming up and taking it from him, blowing it out and putting it in the stand. "You don't know what you're doing and it could be dangerous." He pulled Xander into his arms. "I could have had a spell going in here and it might have backlashed on you." Xander shrugged. "Ah, precious, we have no need of you being hurt more."

"I'm not fragile," Xander told them again. "I'm perfectly fine except for a small twinge every now and then."

Oz reached around the fire, pushing Xander's face up so he could look at him. "But we're not sure of that yet. To us, you'll always be fragile because you don't heal instantly."

"I take longer but I do heal."

"Not from things like stab-wounds. Or from botched sergeries. Or even from people hurting you. That's what we're concerned about."

"I'm not two, I can take care of myself."

Oz nodded. "I know. I've seen you do it, but right now you can't. You just had a really serious injury and then were kidnapped and tortured. We need to protect you, for us."

Xander shook his head. "That's stupid."

"I know, but it's the way our minds work."

"Then you need to fix it," Xander said, getting away from Giles and stood up. "I'm going to go visit Methos for a few days." He looked down at them. "I want you guys to have made a few decisions when I get back. Ones that say that I'm not furniture and that I'm not fragile and that I have the right to think and act for myself." He turned, heading down to their bedroom. He was standing in front of his closet, throwing clothes onto a nearby chair to pack in the morning when Oz and Giles walked back in, pulling him into their arms. "Guys," he warned, trying to get free.

"No, you're not leaving us," Oz told him, kissing the side of his neck. "You're right, you're not fragile, furniture, or two. You do have the right to think and act, but we do have the right to protest, same as we would in any other relationship. I'm sorry if we've ignored you, Xander, but your being hurt hurt us just as much."

Xander shook his head, getting free. "You still don't get it." He picked up a suitcase, walking over to the bed to open it. "I'll be back in a week." He folded his clothes neatly, shoving them into the bag. When it was closed, he walked back over to the chair, pulling on the outfit he had left out, stepping into the shoes under the chair. "I'll go tonight, have fun." He grabbed his bag, walking out.

Oz and Giles just stood there, watching him, still in their shock.

***

Xander knocked on Methos' door, holding up the bag of take-out when it was opened. "Breakfast?" he asked quietly.

"Do you know what time it is?" Methos asked him, allowing him inside. He looked over his protégé, shaking his head. "What did Oz do now?"

"He's decided that I'm furniture, fragile, and that I need a keeper/mother/warden instead of a lover." Methos nodded, pointing the way into the kitchen. "Thanks. I'll get a room this afternoon."

The old immortal shook his head. "No you won't, Oz will take my head." He headed after the young man, taking the bag from his fingers to look down inside it. "You know, this stuff will kill you, right?"

"Gotta go sometime," Xander quipped, sitting down. "And I doubt you'll have a heart attack."

"No, it's happened, just took a few seconds to heal." He pulled out the food, stopping to get a kiss from the blond man stumbling towards the coffeepot. "He brought you food," he said, handing over a sandwich.

The blond man grunted, nodding as he took a bite. He poured some coffee, sipping it quickly. "Thanks," he said, blinking to look at him. "Who're you?"

"I'm Xander."

"Oh, yeah, he trained you." He waved. "Ray."

"Cool." Xander looked at his teacher. "I just needed to talk to people who actually knew I could still think."

"I can see that. Oz always has been a little overprotective and clingy when someone he cares for is hurt." He finished off his sandwich, pushing the other one over to him. "Eat."

"Did, that's to split however." Xander waved at the blond man. "He looks like he could use the food."

Ray took it with a smile as he headed out of the kitchen. Methos waited until he heard the shower come on to look at Xander. "What happened?"

"Just a build up of stuff. They were treating me like I was made of glass and ordering me around like I was a child." He slumped a little on the stool. "I just couldn't take it anymore." He felt the hug and relaxed into the strong arms.

"Maybe next time you should tell us this," Oz whispered in his ear. Xander stiffened. "Yeah, you were slower." He allowed his lover to pull back. "Come home."

"No. Not until you can see..."

"I'm sorry, it's just how I am when someone's hurt that I like." He hugged Xander to him again, squeezing him hard. "You're not fragile and you're not a child, I shouldn't have ordered you around." He let him go, looking into his eyes. "Better?"

"Only if you really stop it. I've been hurt before and you didn't overreact."

"You weren't mine then," Oz noted.

"I'm not a possession. I'm *mine*, not yours." Xander stood up. "Maybe that's the fundamental difference here. I'm me, Oz, not a piece of something that you can own. I never gave you my right to free will and I won't."

Oz nodded. "We had this talk before, back when you decided you wouldn't mind becoming our pet. I told you then I wasn't familiar with the non-ownership side."

"Consider him a rather large cat," Methos cut in. "One that's about to rip you apart for trying to put it in a cage." He looked at Xander. "You need petted and cared for, not to be caged and trained, correct?" Xander nodded. "Oz, this is all about how you see him. He's not that girl Stephanie that you saved back in Victorian times."

Oz nodded slowly. "Help me see it?" he asked them both.

"Yeah," Xander said after a few second's pause. "I can do that." He inched closer, instantly being taken into a hug by both of them. "Thanks, Methos."

"No problem. Now I believe we were supposed to come up and visit you this evening."

Oz groaned. "The show." Xander nodded. "Okay, we need to get you back there. Those men will be showing up to get your help in a few hours." Xander gave him a sad look. "Hey, I'm not going to let you down either. But I have your help already." He kissed him. "Methos, come on, you can ride up with us."

"At this ungodly hour?" He looked at the clock. "It's not that far past dawn."

"It's almost ten," Oz retorted. "Go get your pet and let's go."

Xander kissed Oz's forehead. "He was in the shower. Give the guy enough time to get dressed and lotion down for the day."

"Me?" Ray asked as he walked out, looking them over. "Hi."

"Hey, Ray." Oz pulled him in for a hug. "We've got to go back, he forgot about the show. You coming?"

"Yup, just gotta get the old guy here moving." He pinched Methos on the side. "Go get dressed." Methos grumbled all the way back into the rear of the house, but they all saw his smile. Ray hugged Oz hard, squeezing him. "You just gotta consider Xander your dog. You feed him, you walk him, you take care of his needs, and he won't bite. But every dog's different. Some need lots of attention and some are like cats. And some are like him and need talked to and loved fully." He pinched Xander's tit, making him blush. "You gotta strike a balance between the dog and the needs, or else the dog will take over your life or he'll die because he's not being taken care of properly. It's all about how much he needs."

Oz nipped Xander's ear. "This one needs lots of attention and care. It's a good thing he has two owners."

"Not an owner," Xander reminded him. "Caregiver."

"Caregiver," Oz corrected himself. "I like that."

"Good," Xander said, giving them both a small kiss. "Thank you, Ray."

"You're welcome but I know you can do better than that." He pulled Xander in for another kiss, deeply searching his mouth as he held his face still.

"Huh," Oz said, just watching. When they were done, he stole a kiss from both of them. "Nice. Methos still trains well." He looked over his shoulder at the cleared throat. "What?"

"Nothing," Methos grumbled. "Get your own pet." He looked at Xander. "Or are you going to go home again?"

"Oz said he'd try." Oz nodded. "I guess I could go home for now."

Oz grinned, grabbing him to squeeze. "Good, come on, got to make the men pretty."

Methos groaned. "No, you didn't," he complained. Ray quieted him with a kiss and a nuzzle, making him focus on him. "What?"

"I want to go see it. And I want to talk to them some more."

"You want to compare notes and steal more kisses," Methos said with a small smile. "Fine, let's go. We'll follow you."

***

Xander looked at Oz's first place trophy, which was next to Ray's second place one, then grinned at it's owner. "Told you you'd be cute." He giggled as his stomach was attacked by a rough tongue, allowing himself to be pushed onto his back. "Oz!"

"Quiet, naughty," Oz whispered. "I want to ask you something." He sat up, looking down at his sprawled out lover. "Giles and I want to do a spell on you that'll link our energies. It'd basically make you immortal for as long as we lived." He had an armful of Xander instantly, hugging him hard. "Is that a yes?"

"Yeah, I'd like that. I want lots of time with you guys." Xander licked over his neck. "Okay?"

"Very," Oz told him, nipping his flesh. He pulled back. "But I have cured the turning problem."

"Good," Giles said as he walked back in from the pool where he and Ray had been playing in the water while Methos relaxed in the jacuzzi. "Now if only we were sure you had cleared the whole virus from your system."

Oz shook his head. "I can still feel it, it's still there." He looked at Xander, who was blushing. "What, naughty?"

"I just saw Ray attack Methos under the water. It was so sneaky." He grinned. "Are you going to tell him how to do it?"

"I'm not sure," Giles admitted. He leaned down to get a kiss from Xander. "It will take us some time to check out the spell we have but I'm sure you'll both still be young." Xander nodded, grinning up at him. "And we'll get to take care of you for a very long time."

"As long as the gathering doesn't happen in the next few years," Methos reminded them as he walked in with Ray tucked under one arm.

"It won't," Oz said. He looked at Methos, who shook his head. "It won't. Actually, looking through Giles' books, it may not happen at all."

Methos sat down in the chair, looking at them. "At all?"

Oz shook his head, getting up and pulling his pet with him. "Come on, naughty, I want to give you something." He winked as he passed Giles. "A very special book."

Teaching Wild Children New Lessons.

Xander looked through his new book, the one Oz had given him that was a sex manual for new male concubines. He looked up as Giles walked in, carefully setting the book aside as he got to his knees to welcome his lover home. They kissed, each clinging to the other for a few minutes. "Hi," Xander said at last, rubbing his face over the clothed chest.

"Ah, precious," Giles said, laying next to him. "How I missed you today." He hugged him hard then let the young man go. "Would you like to come swim with me?" Xander nodded so they stood up, each shedding their clothes on the way out to the pool in their backyard, Xander diving in and treading water as he watched Giles walk out to meet him at the deep part. "Ah," Giles said, rolling over to float. "This is nice."

"Stop it," Oz called from behind the camera. "This isn't what I wanted." He stood up, frowning at them. "Try natural for a change."

Xander gave his senior lover a wicked grin then pounced on the floating Giles' body, kissing him even as he dunked him, coming up with their legs entwined and wrapped around each other. They continued to kiss as Oz filmed, sensuously rubbing against each other in the warmed water, writhing as the feelings in their lower bodies got more and more intense. Xander came first, pulling back to howl as he did, bringing Giles back down under the water with him.

Giles came to the surface, stroking easily as he helped the young man roll onto his back, smiling at Oz once the quiet snores started. He towed Xander over to the side, pushing him up then pulling himself up to lay beside the pool. He idly stroked himself while looking up at Oz and his camera, spreading the young man's left over essence around his cock as he worked himself. He groaned, "Oz," as he came, allowing his eyes to shut even as his whole body relaxed under the sun on the warm rocks.

Oz put down his camera, straddling Giles' still form to get grab a small kiss, checking the camera to make sure it caught Giles' re-emergence as a member of the GHSS. He leaned down close enough to tease the open lips, licking and nibbling across them as he rubbed his jeans-clad body over the bare, wet one, wanting to get a rise out of him. Giles groaned, lifting his head to catch the willing lips, pulling the rest of the tanned, fit body down on top of his. "Giles," Oz whispered. "Want you."

"And so you shall have me," Giles whispered back, spreading himself out for consumption by his keeper, the man who made sure he lived life even as he enjoyed it to it's fullest. The one who kept both he and Xander. He smiled as he felt his hole opened by the swift push of an oiled cock, relaxing and opening to him, allowing himself to feel as much as he could.

"Hmm," Xander said, coming over to kiss Giles, then to make him suck his cock. "Come on, babe, gotta take it all," he cooed, thrusting in and out of the warm mouth.

"Mine, naughty," Oz warned. He got a pout for it. "No, mine. Wait your turn."

"But I want some of him too," Xander said as he pulled out of Giles' mouth, stealing a kiss from Oz. "That's *so* not fair."

"Wait your turn or don't get any," was Oz's counter to the pout. Xander sat down, watching them. "Thank you."

"Welcome."

Giles pushed back against Oz, shaking his head. "I didn't mind."

"I know but I did." Oz leaned down and kissed his present lover, hard. "Now shh and enjoy."

"Yes, Oz," Giles said, it turning into a moan when the cock in him started to move again, taking him up a grand path to their mutual orgasm a few minutes later.

Xander clapped, looking at Oz. "Can I have some now?"

"We need time to recuperate," Oz reminded him.

Xander got up and walked inside, heading for their bedroom and the toybox next to the bed. He pulled out one of his favorite ones, lubing it quickly and inserting it, kneeling on the bed as he did himself, one hand riding his cock, the other working it in and out in a hard, fast rhythm. He stared down Oz and Giles as they stood in the doorway, looking away from them as he got off and rolling onto his side away from them.

"Xander," Oz said quietly. The young man shook his head. "If you had waited a few minutes." He got another head shake in response and now Xander pulled the afghan over his body, hiding himself.

Giles touched Oz's arm, walking in and laying behind his other lover. "I'm sorry, we didn't mean to not include you. You were next on our agenda."

"Why wasn't I allowed to have fun too?" Xander asked. He rolled to face them. "I get to have fun too, right? So why couldn't I have fun then?"

"Because I wanted it to just be us," Oz answered, coming over to lay on Xander's other side. "We have times that are just you and me." Xander shook his head. "We don't?"

"No, I end up being passed back and forth. And if Giles is like me then he should be allowed to be passed too."

"Point," Oz said, kissing the side of the young man's neck. "Very good point. I didn't realize we didn't have special times together with you." Xander shook his head again, allowing himself to be cuddled again. "Are you done pouting?" Xander nodded. "Would you like to have one of us?"

"No."

"That sounded pouty." Giles smiled at the yawn. "I guess you're a little tired, twice in under an hour must take a lot out of you." Oz glared at him. "What? It does me."

"Xander's allowed to be sleepy. Same as you are. We'll have a special alone time with him later."

"Then he'd still be passed," Giles pointed out, which got a sigh. He blinked then stood up. "I didn't mean to bollix things up by refinding my roots, I'm sorry." Xander pulled him back down, hugging him. "I didn't."

"You're not," Xander told him, "but you're not sharing either. Remember, I'm the same as you are, with the same needs and everything. I need Oz just as much as you do." He stroked down the soft face of his lover. "Same as I do you. I was feeling left out and then you get upset."

Giles settled in beside him. "I was feeling pushed out," he admitted. "Like you and Oz had something special that we didn't."

"You never touch me without him being around," Xander told him, snuggling down into his bare body. "There's never been any Xander/Giles time between us. It's always the three of us or you two."

"Or us," Oz countered.

"No, because then you wear out and you hand me off to Giles." Oz nodded after a second's hesitation. "Let's face it, this isn't equal."

"No, it's not equal," Oz agreed, hugging them both. "And I don't want to hurt either of you. Not sure I can have you both as much as you need but I don't want to hurt you."

"Then let us have each other," Xander told him, grabbing his hand to hold and squeeze. "I should have free access to Giles too."

"Deal," Oz said with a yawn. "Let's nap now, we'll figure this out later."

"Nothing to figure out," Xander told him, turning his head to get a kiss. "We do what feels right when it feels right. No holding back."

Giles smiled at his men. "I believe I could stand that." He pulled Xander closer into his body, squeezing him for a second then wrapping himself around the young man. "Sleep now, naughty, we'll fulfill you later." He and Oz shared a kiss. "And you and he can share some private time while I work."

"Okay," Oz agreed with a yawn.

***

Xander slid to his knees in front of Oz, who was typing and concentrating on the code he was writing, and mouthed gently at the semi-hard cock. When he didn't get a response, he unzipped the jeans with his teeth, licking the uncovered flesh delicately.

"Stop that," Oz warned. "I'm trying to work. I'll play later, when I get this done."

"Sorry," Xander said, getting up and heading back down to his room. He found Giles reading on the bed, some dusty old book. "Is that important?"

"I'm afraid so, Xander. I need to get this spell found." He glanced up. "Why don't you go play in the pool or sunbathe?"

Xander shook his head, heading for the closet. "I'm going shopping," he said as he pulled out clothes, putting them on quickly. He grabbed his watch and his wallet, and a tasteful bracelet on the way out of the bedroom, leaving them alone to their more important pursuits. He grabbed his car keys from the board in the kitchen, heading out to his slightly used dark gray Lexus and got in. He decided on his destination as he pulled through the gate, smiling at his image in the mirror. "Yeah, I need to mend fences with Cordy," he told himself.

***

Oz rolled his chair back from the computer, looking at his watch in disgust. "Hate when I get lost in there," he muttered, heading down the stairs to where he could hear someone moving around in the master bedroom. "Giles?" he asked when he found him on the bed, frowning at the man. "Where's Xander? He asked for some time and then he left."

"He said he was going shopping," Giles said as he turned the page. "Right after he came down."

"That was hours ago." Giles looked up at him, arching one eyebrow up. "It was two or so when I told him later."

Giles looked at their alarm clock, which said 7:15 and blinked. "Where did he go to shop I wonder?" He put down his book, looking up at his lover and teacher as he swung out of the bed. "Is his cellphone here?"

Oz looked at the dresser and shook his head. "Must still be in the car." He looked around the empty room then picked up the phone to call the number. He got an 'out of range' message and frowned again. "He's not in town."

Giles nodded. "Maybe he's went to the mall. Most of the time the local calling plan doesn't work over there. I don't know why he allowed himself to get that plan."

"Because it was cheaper. He didn't think he'd need it that far away." Oz grabbed his wallet and keys. "Want to help me look for him?"

"No, I think we should stay here and wait on him."

"We're talking about Xander here. He may not be back anytime soon, even if he's only over at the mall."

"Good point," Giles said, reaching for the clothes he had discarded earlier and pulling them on. "Let's go check on him, shall we?"

Oz nodded, leading the way out to his new car.

***

Xander looked at the outfit his ex-girlfriend was wearing and shook his head. "Fallen down on fashion?" he asked as he walked through Angel's door. She shrugged, not looking up at him. "Want to come shopping with me? I could use a more feminine opinion." She shook her head but looked up at him. "What's wrong?" he asked, coming over to sit beside her on the desk, brushing back her limp hair. "Are you okay? Sick? Just needing a vacation?"

"I screwed up the most important audition today," she mumbled, sipping her cocoa. "What's with you anyway?"

"Lots of things," Xander said with a small smile. "But I really could use your help and you look like you could use some time off." He kissed her forehead gently. "Go tell Angel we're going shopping. My treat."

"You don't have that sort of money," she said, looking over his outfit. Then she frowned. "How are you affording that stuff?" She fingered his watch and bracelet. "That's not even usual you."

"I'll tell you while we shop. Come on." He nodded toward the outside. "I've got my car."

"Is it that trashy thing you used to own?"

"Nope, a semi-used Lexus." He stood up. "Go tell Angel I'm kidnapping you." She nodded, getting up and heading out of the office while he looked through the magazines sitting on her desk.

Cordelia Chase tapped on her bosses bedroom door, walking in at his grunt. "Okay, what did you do to Xander? He wants to take me shopping and he's willing to pay." He gave her a small nod to go on. "I mean, this is Xander Harris here, not the richest of people or the suavest of them and he wants to shop with me?"

"He's a member of a certain society now and to it image is a lot." Angel shrugged. "Just make sure he's comfortable in what he's wearing. It's part of his life now."

She nodded, then rolled her eyes, heading back up to the office. She caught sight of him reading her Cosmo and blinked. "That's got something tasty on page 260," she told him, watching him flip to that section.

"Little stiff for me. I prefer soft and fuzzy fabrics, things that make me feel good." He dropped the magazine as he stood up, motioning toward the door. "Ready?"

"Yeah, but only if you tell me what's up." She crossed her arms, not moving. "You haven't made a demonic deal, right?"

"Nope, just got a little lucky in the finding myself department." He grinned. "I'll tell you on the way." She nodded and headed out to his car, allowing him to open the doors for her.

***

Giles glanced around the nearly empty parking lot in disgust. "He's not here," he said, turning back to the other immortal. "Where is he?"

"Don't know," Oz said calmly, pulling out his cellphone to try Xander's again. He got a ring this time but no answer. "We're back in his calling range."

"Then he's headed toward LA?" Giles asked, frowning. "Why would he be heading that way?"

"Shopping." Oz got back into his car, shutting the door hard. "We'll yell at him when he gets home." Giles nodded, buckling up after sliding into his own seat.

***

Xander looked at the tasteful display and shook his head, handing Cordy the only dress he liked on the rack. "Here, try this one."

"So you're really like this big, pleasurable ho?" she asked, taking the dress.

"Not anymore. I don't charge." He shrugged at her dirty look. "I'm a hedonist, Cordy, that's it. And I've come into some money to make my life comfy. So I am. Now I'm making up some lost time with you and apologizing all at once."

She nodded, kissing his cheek. "Thank you."

"Welcome," he whispered, giving her a hug. "Now go try that on and let me look for decent things for you. Something that working for Angel won't ruin but won't ruin your image." He headed for the other racks, feeling the fabrics and pulling out those that felt good to him while she went for the changing area.

***

Giles put down the phone, groaning. "He stole Cordelia to go shopping with him."

Oz growled softly. "I will yell. He knows better than to take off like that."

"Well, we weren't exactly interested in what he was doing," Giles reminded him. "It was five hours before we realized he was gone."

"I'm still going to yell. Is Angel going to tell him to call?"

"If he sees him. Xander may well just drop Cordelia off at her apartment and head back. She's not due back at work anytime soon."

"We'll get him when he gets home then."

"Indeed we will," Giles said, sitting next to Oz and hugging him. "I'm sure he's fine."

"He'd better be."

***

Xander laughed as Cordy finished her story about the rotten manager she had contracted with. "Oh, Cordy, I wish you luck." He wiped his eyes as he looked around the restaurant. "Done?" he asked when he noticed her picking at her food. She nodded, waving a waiter over to get a box. Once they were in the car, he looked at her. "I am sorry for all the stuff I put you through."

"It's okay," she said, laying a hand on his arm. "It was before you spoiled me rotten, which I truly needed, and it still is. So, how are Oz and Giles? I hear you're a trio now."

"Yeah, well, we still have some probs to work out but otherwise it's good." He started his car. "Home?"

"Please. I need to drop the clothes into my closet and take a long soak with that yummy smelling bath stuff you bought me." She leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said, giving her a hug. He started the car, pulling out into traffic.

***

Oz got up to pace the livingroom. "Where is he?" he muttered, looking out the front windows then back at the pool area. "And why doesn't he call?"

"He probably forgot," Giles said dryly. He pulled Oz down into his lap, kissing him gently. "I'm sure he's fine, he's just having a little fun by himself."

"He should have at least told you where he was going shopping."

"I don't think he knew himself," Giles soothed. "Though we will yell at him as soon as he walks through the door." Oz nodded, eyes narrowing. "Now relax," he whispered, rubbing over the tense back. "Xander's fine and so are we."

"If you say so." Oz got up, going back to his pacing, glancing at the clock that was about to strike ten.

***

Xander browsed through the specialty section of his favorite sex store, picking up a few things to look more closely at every now and then. He smiled as he caught sight of something he had wanted for a long time, picking it up and carrying it up to his basket at the counter. He handed over his credit card, simply smiling at the man behind the counter when he got an odd look.

He was heading home when he heard his cellphone ring, pulling off the side of the road to answer it. "Harris," he said, tipping his head off to the side as he looked for a pen and paper. "Angel, hi. No, I dropped Cordy at home. She's in a tub right now. I gave her lots of fun bath stuff." He smiled at the disgruntled sound of the vampire's voice. "Okay, I'll call them. Thanks." He hung up, dialing his home number. "Hi, it's me," he told the machine. "I'll be home in about an hour. Cordy and I had a *great* time and we made friends again." He hung up, tossing his cellphone back down into the empty passenger's seat as he pulled back onto the road.

Oz rushed to grab the phone before Xander hung up and growled when he heard the dial tone. "I will spank him," he promised, "and not in a good way either."

Giles sighed. "Maybe we shouldn't yell. We should voice our concern but maybe we should pay some attention to him. He seemed to think we were ignoring him again."

"That doesn't explain him taking off for LA without telling you!" Oz looked up at the clock, frowning at it. "An hour, then I go looking for him and drag his scrawny butt back."

Giles patted his arm. "Think about teaching him a lesson he'll not soon forget in a way he'd understand."

"We should leave and not tell him?"

"No, we should shower him with attention then teach him to tell us where he is if he ever wants to cum."

Oz nodded. "Good point. Go fix the bedroom." He sat down, staring at the door.

***

Xander walked through his door, dropping his bags in the kitchen on his way through. He waved at Oz as he grabbed a bottle of water, leaning against the counter. "Hi," he said when he didn't get an answer.

"Get out here," Oz said quietly, his voice barely carrying into the kitchen. "And bring your new things so I can see what was important enough to worry us like that."

Xander blinked in surprise but picked back up his bags, carrying them out to the couch. "I went and talked with Cordy while we shopped. I told Giles I was going shopping." He dropped his bags again, looking at his senior lover. "What's wrong?"

"What time was it when you left?" Oz asked him.

"Um, about two-thirty, why?" Xander finished off his water, sitting on the coffeetable. "I told Giles I was going shopping."

"We thought you meant here in town or over at the mall." Xander shook his head. "See, that's the problem, you didn't *tell* us you were going to LA."

"But you knew I was shopping and that I usually go to LA to do that. That way we get a little privacy back in our lives."

Oz shook his head. "Not the point."

"Yeah, it is," Xander said, standing up. He grabbed his bags, heading into the bedroom. He nodded at Giles as he dropped his bags in the bottom of his closet, looking at the bed. "You guys have fun?"

"Did you? You worried us sick," Giles said, pulling him over to the bed and sitting him down. "We had no idea where you were."

"I was shopping, which I usually do in LA."

Giles stalked over to the closet, upending the bags to look at the things in them. "Were these really that necessary?"

"What's the big?" Xander asked, standing up. "And I *told* you where I was going. *Now* you yell?"

"You didn't say you were leaving town!" Giles yelled back.

"I shouldn't have to!"

"Stop it," Oz ordered as he walked in. He looked at the scattered things on the floor. "Pick them up, Giles. Xander, strip and get on the bed."

"No."

"Now."

"Bite me." Xander faced off to his lovers. "I was *shopping*. I *always* shop in LA when I go *shopping*. If you two couldn't make the connection that's not my fault." He looked at Giles. "Put them back in the bags or hang them up please. They don't need lint." He turned to look at Oz. "This isn't my bad. I told you where I was going, you didn't make the connection. Not my fault."

"You worried us sick," Oz said quietly, keeping his temper in check. "We didn't know where you were or if you were okay."

"I'm fine, what's up with you?"

"Stop it!" Giles yelled, dropping the clothes back onto the floor. "Xander, you're speaking a different language from us. We were worried because we thought you meant here in town. None of us even thought that you might be heading for LA or anywhere else besides the mall." He walked over to grab the young man's arms. "You can't run off like that, you worried us sick."

"I told you..." He was stopped by Oz putting a hand over his mouth.

"It's not enough. You didn't say LA, you weren't specific, and we don't know that you shop in LA because we don't shop with you." Xander nipped his palm. "Stop that too. We were worried."

"I'm fine," Xander said, backing away from them. He got his arms free, looking at Giles. "It's not my fault you guys don't know where I shop. I tell you these things and you don't listen apparently. This isn't my fault."

"Yeah, it is," Oz said. "You made us worry."

"You could have tried calling."

"I did, you didn't answer," Oz told him.

"More than once?" Oz nodded. "In over ten minutes?" Oz nodded again. "Gee, I had my cellphone in the car, I never got a voicemail message or even a held message." He crossed his arms. "I think that pretty well tells me how worried you really were." He looked them over. "When did you notice I wasn't here?"

"Around seven," Giles admitted, "but you still should have been more specific."

"You guys have been told *how* many times where I like to shop? I mean, we even planned out the next shopping trip together. You guys weren't that worried."

"Yeah, we were," Oz told him, pulling him into a tight squeeze, making him put down his arms. "Neither of us remembered where you like to shop, and yeah, that sucks, but you still didn't tell us where you were headed."

"Should I have to?"

"When you're gone for almost eleven hours, yes," Giles responded. He surrounded Xander from the rear, hugging both he and Oz. "You worried us sick. We went looking for you."

"Oz, what's my favorite place to shop?" Xander asked suddenly, getting away from them by wiggling down and under their arms. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking at them.

"I don't know."

"Gee, but I know you're working on a graphics program to give more detailed pictures from photos that are uploaded when you manipulate them. Giles has been working on three spells, one to link me to you two, one to bind someone so he can't do anything ever again, and one to help make sure the gathering doesn't happen anytime soon."

"I got the point, Xander," Oz growled. "It doesn't make a difference though."

"It should." Xander looked at the bed and shook his head. "I'm going to go shower, I smell like a fragrance counter since I got Cordy a new one. I'm not playing tonight so the straps had better be on one of you." He stripped as he walked toward the bathroom, slamming the door.

"Are we really that horrid to him?" Giles asked, sitting down in the spot Xander had been occupying.

Oz shrugged. "Apparently. Did you know that he knew that much about you?"

"No, not at all." He looked toward the bathroom door. "I think we should ask him." He got up, heading over to the clothes littering the floor. "I'll get this cleaned up while you fix the bedding." Oz nodded, reaching up to remove the restraints from the headboard. He heard Xander talking to himself in the shower and looked at Giles, then back at the door, heading in to be with him. He stripped, getting in behind his lover and pulled him back against his body. "I didn't know, I'm sorry."

"I can see why you were worried," Xander said quietly, "but it hurts, ya know?" He turned to look at Oz, who simply hugged him. "We seem to suck as a couple, Oz, and that really hurts."

"We just need to figure some things out."

"Which we were supposed to do last night."

"So we'll do it tonight instead." He reached up and kissed Xander's cheek. "I want to know, I just realized I didn't when we couldn't find you."

"I guess you've gotten used to not knowing, huh," Xander said, turning back to rinse off his front. "All that time must mean that you've learned how to not spend too much energy on one person because they won't be around as long."

"Every day is precious, Xander, even for me. I don't know when I'm going to lose a challenge." He got hugged hard for that, Xander practically clinging to him. "I should know better than to take you for granted, either of you, but I goofed. I'm sorry."

"Then we'll forget about it," Xander said, hugging him. He handed over the small brush he used to wash himself. "Would you please wash my back?"

"Sure, but only if we talk tonight. I don't like not knowing."

"Sure, Oz, you can ask me questions for as long as I stay awake."

"Good." Oz picked up the unscented soap, lathering up the brush to clean over the tense back. "Just give us more of a clue next time, 'kay?"

"Sure."

Giles smiled as he heard those two work out this latest tiff, finishing with the last piece of clothing he had dropped onto the floor. "Maybe now they'll work it out between them so we can all be happy." He looked at the bags, considering them. "She must have taken him there. He never shops at the Gap."

"Yup," Xander said, lounging in the door. "She made me get her something there then we switched bags." He looked at the younger immortal, if older man, seeing the guilty look on his face. "You knew?"

"I figured out that you were in LA when Oz mentioned that it had been two when you had stormed out of here in a huff. But I do know where you prefer to shop, or at least the brands you like more. I do do the laundry for all of us after all."

Xander nodded. "I prefer the larger department stores and the little resale stores, but which ones?"

"Um, Bergstroms?" Xander shook his head. "No?"

"No, that was a sale." He walked farther out into the room, looking at the pile of bags. "Did you put up the new toys too?"

"There weren't any," Giles said, looking at the pile of bags himself. "I'll go check in the car if you'd like."

"Yeah, I got something for you when I went, it's in the same bag." He turned to look at Oz, who was trying to hug him. "At least he tried."

"Got the point, quit," Oz said, grabbing Xander and pulling him over to the bed. "Where do you like to shop?"

"Lots of little resale shops. They have some of the best clothes. And there's one mall over near where Angel's office is that I like to haunt. I like to shop in a few of the more upscale department stores so I don't look like I shopped at Sears, but mostly I like this little store in that mall. It's not a name brand but they get some of the best things. That's where I get all my velvet shirts." He pointed at the bags. "I have a few in there from there."

Giles walked in carrying a few more bags. "You forgot a few." He handed over the bag from the sex shop, shaking his head. "I do wish you'd let us come help you pick things out. I'd like to go look myself."

"I usually use the online ones," Oz told him. "Haven't been in a real one for ages."

Xander smirked. "I shop at this little straight-guy store. I get the strangest looks from the staff but I almost always find what I really want there." He looked at Oz, shaking his head. "There's so much that's still not available online these days. I looked and couldn't find Giles' prezzie anywhere. Not even the more exclusive places."

"May we see it?" Oz asked, touching the bag.

"Once he's got the other stuff put in the chair, yeah." Xander opened the bag, pulling out the small, brown paper wrapped package, pushing the rest of the bag over toward the end table. "Drop that in the drawer, would you?"

"I want to see what else you managed to get," Oz said, grabbing the bag and upending it. "Huh. Novels?" He picked up the few books, putting them aside. "Lube. Toy to replace the one that doesn't feel comfy to you." He picked up the neon purple package that said 'Underwater Vibrator' giving Xander a look. "Where were you going to use this?"

"In the jacuzzi." He tossed it onto the pile. "I also bought the condoms I can use and a few things for you to play with too." He pointed at the plugs. "I missed mine."

"Then we'll start using them on you again," Oz told him, pushing them all into the bedside drawer. "What did you get Giles?" Xander opened the bag and he smiled as he showed off the slim package inside the bag. "I think he'll like that, he's wanted one recently."

"I know, that's why I got one for him." He rolled back up the top of the bag, handing it to Giles when he laid down beside them. "Here, for you."

Giles unwrapped the leather and silver cock ring, smiling at his lover. "Thank you, it's just like the one I was thinking about." He leaned over, giving Xander a kiss. "But it still doesn't get you clear of the worry we went through."

Oz nodded. "True, but I think maybe we should learn from this instead of just punishing him."

"Hey!"

"Shh," Oz said, rubbing down Xander's side. "It'll be a good punishment, encouragement to be good and tell us exactly where you're going or at least to call and let us know where you are." He leaned in for a kiss. "Giles, put that on, we'll use it tonight." The younger immortal nodded, getting up to take off his clothes and put on the cock ring while they watched. "Xander, strip and come back here." Xander nodded sullenly, getting off the bed and stripping while both men watched, climbing back into the spot he had been in and shutting his eyes. "Now then," Oz said quietly. "You will do what in the future?"

"I'll make sure you understand where I'm going or I'll call," Xander repeated, earning a small kiss for it. "Thank you."

"And we'll do what?" Oz asked Giles.

"We'll try to better understand Xander so we know what he's doing if he forgets to get specific."

"Good," Oz purred, rubbing down Xander's chest. "Now then, for the punishment. Giles, restraints. For both of you eventually." Giles nodded, getting off the bed to get the restraints he had put up a few minutes ago, handing them off to Oz as he got back on the bed, taking his place beside Xander.

"What about your punishment for not knowing?" Xander asked, opening one eye to look at Oz.

"I'm going to punish myself by punishing both of you. By the end we should all be chastised." Xander nodded, closing his eye again and relaxing as his wrists were done up. Giles nodded once they were done up, backing away from the still body. "Lube," Oz said, getting up to strip off his clothes. He waited until the new bottle was put onto the bed to look at it. "Spray?"

"Like it, feels good," Xander told him, looking up at his senior lover. "I've used it before, it works great and it's lots less mess really."

"Okay," Oz said with a shrug. "We'll try this stuff." He sprayed his cock, nodding as it stayed on. "Like it better already. No dripping off." He tossed the bottle to Giles. "Prepare him and yourself." The younger immortal nodded, spreading Xander's legs to open him properly and prepare him for later exertions. When he was done, he moved away from the still body, looking at Oz for the next order. "I said prepare yourself too," he reminded gently, moving in between Xander's legs. "Now then, I'm going to make you regret not telling me. I had lots of plans for tonight." He slid easily into the young man's body, nodding at him. "I like this lube, we'll keep some around. I was going to teach you all about that manual and how to use it." Hard thrust. "Then I was going to let you show me how well you could follow orders." Few teasing thrusts that he knew drove Xander insane. "Then I was going to reward you for waiting." Few more shallow, teasing thrusts then Oz pulled out, pulling Giles over and bending him over Xander's wiggling body. "Stay still," he warned as he slid into this new body, pounding him hard, knowing Giles liked it softer when he wanted a longer ride. He pulled out, listening to both of them groan. "I take it you liked?"

"Yes," they said together.

"Good." Oz spread Giles' thighs, getting back into Xander but unable to get very deeply because of the other immortal's body. Xander moaned as he tried to move so he could get deeper but a limp Giles made that impossible. "What was the lesson again?"

"We will listen to Xander's needs," Giles said, kissing the side of Xander's neck.

"I'll tell you where I'm going," Xander panted, still trying to push harder against Oz and Giles, but making happy noises when Giles moved enough to give him some friction over his cock. "Thanks," he said, closing his eyes. "I thought you knew," he whined.

"We didn't," Oz reminded him. "Will we in the future?"

"YES!" Xander screamed, getting off from Giles' actions.

"Good boy," Oz said warmly, pulling out of Xander's body. "I'll come back to you in a second. Giles, restrain yourself. Now." The older man did so, carefully shifting Xander over so he could relax. "Now, what was your lesson?"

"I'll learn to respect Xander's needs more," he whispered, looking up at his lover. "Same as yours was."

"Good." Oz looked at Xander, who was watching them as he recovered quickly. "Come on, you need to teach him what you need." Xander traded places with him after a small kiss, sliding readily into Giles' body for him. "Very pretty," he whispered, rubbing Xander's back. "Can I have that?"

Xander pulled out of Giles, looking at Oz. "I feel funny when I think about topping you," he admitted. Oz nodded, giving him a hug. "I'll top Giles, but not you. I can even top Methos, but I can't top you. And I don't know why."

"It's a natural thing, you see me as the dominant in a few ways so you can't top me." Oz shrugged. "Could you top me with a toy?"

"Maybe," Xander conceded, sliding back into Giles' body. "Am I supposed to be showing him what I need?"

"Yes," Oz told him, rubbing down the young man's back. "I want you to show him how much you really care for him and what you need from him." He smiled as Xander leaned down, hugging Giles tightly.

"I need cuddles and understanding," Xander told them. "I need to feel like I'm a part of what we're supposed to have instead of something that you only talk to and use when you want to get off. I need to be needed and wanted, guys."

"So you shall be," Giles told him, holding him as best he could. "Oz, could you?" he asked, nodding at Xander.

"Sure," Oz said, hugging Xander for both of them. "Does this rank before or after sex?"

"Before. I can always pleasure myself, but I can't get attention and cuddles and the other stuff I need from a toy." Xander turned his head to look at Oz. "I really can't."

"Then you'll get it from us," he told him, letting him go. "Now pound Giles into the mattress so you can play with me, Xander."

"Sure, Oz, whatever you say." Xander sat back on his feet, sliding slowly in and out of Giles' body, making him grimace. "I'm sorry, I'm out of practice on this end," he apologized as he pulled out, but Oz stopped him, making him reinsert himself. "Oz."

"No, just relax. You used to be great at pounding Giles senseless. And not even I can take care of the needs of two bottoms." Xander nodded, thrusting sluggishly. Oz inserted three fingers into his hole, pumping them to give the young man a rhythm. "Like this, he likes this."

"I know," Xander said, taking the cue to pick up speed a little, giving the younger immortal exactly what he needed and wanted. It wasn't long before Giles shot off, going limp from the aftermath. "Now me," Oz reminded Xander, who was still working their bound lover.

"You?" Xander nodded, waving at the clear area of the bed. "There?"

"If you'd like." Oz released Giles, laying in his spot but not binding himself. "Lube me gently please, it's been a while since I've done this side." Xander nodded, grabbing the lube bottle and sprayed some outside of Oz's hole. "Good," he encouraged. "Now stretch me. I'm practically virginal again."

Xander grinned at that, but he stuck his thumb in Oz's body, rotating it to spread the lube around the soft muscles. He switched to two fingers, spreading them gently to open the tight muscles so he could get in. When he was done, he added more lube to himself and positioned himself, earning a small smile. "I'll try," he said, pushing in slowly, "but I'm not guaranteeing I'm good." Oz nodded, closing his eyes and grabbing the restraints to hold onto while Xander inserted himself. Xander started off on a slow, deep rhythm, making the most of their positions and flexibility, lifting Oz's legs over his shoulders and leaning forward so he could get deeper.

Oz groaned, letting one of the cords go so he could run his fingers through the dark hair of his lover, looking up at him as he was tenderly taken. "I do love you, Xander, and I never want to fight. I just got worried."

"I'm sorry, I thought you knew," Xander said, giving him a small kiss then moving back again so he wasn't smooshing Oz under him. "But I love you too. Both of you."

"I'm glad also," Giles said quietly from his spot watching. He rubbed Xander's back, soothing the tiring muscles. "Would you like me to take over?"

"Nope, I got it," Xander said, picking up his rhythm a little. Oz groaned. "Sorry, but I can't hold you up much longer."

"Then let me," Oz said, pulling away from him and helping Xander onto his back. He slid down the young man's cock again, reaching down to grab his hands to steady himself. "Liking?" he asked at the grin.

"Yup, lots." Xander moved his hands to Oz's hips, pushing up deeper into him. Oz removed his hands after a few moments going back to what he had been doing. "Thought this was your punishment?" Xander asked him, taking control of Oz's body again and rolling the immortal under him again. "You can't lead if it's your punishment."

"Good point." He stole a kiss. "But hurry?"

"Nope, like slow and gentle. You taught me that." Xander grinned, going back to what he had been doing, consciously changing his rhythm every few minutes to drive Oz insane with the waiting. "Liking?"

"Need harder," Oz panted. "Please?"

"What's the lesson?" Xander whispered as he leaned down to grab a kiss.

"I should know and respect you," Oz yelled, Xander pounding him now. "Thank you!" he screamed as he came. He looked up at his lover, still feeling him moving inside him. "More?"

"Yup. You need more. I think you still need to know more about me."

"You've got the stamina of a trained concubine after your first orgasm," Oz noted. "You wear soft and fuzzy clothes because they feel good on your skin. You like platinum instead of silver jewelry so I can never get hurt. Your favorite thing is bracelets. Xander!" he yelled as the pounding strokes became shallow teasing strokes. "Gods, I taught you too well."

"Yup, you did," Xander told him with a smile. "Go on."

"You like to shop in LA so that no one around here knows what you're buying and because no one there knows you and will wonder how you're affording all this." Deep breath as Oz squeezed his eyes shut and the torture continues. "You're a water guy, you love to play in the water, you're tanning..." Small gasp. "You're tanning so the scars go away. Please, babe, more!"

"Shh, Oz, don't I always take care of you?" Xander whispered. "You guys should know that I always take care of you." Oz nodded frantically, then shook his head as the pounding stopped. "Shh, I'll let you cum soon," Xander told him. He looked up at Giles. "You okay?"

"Yes, I didn't quite get the ring tight enough but I'm fine." He stroked over the hard cock he was sprouting. "I've fixed that now."

"Good." Xander leaned down and bit Oz's pec, almost enough to draw blood. "Now then, what was the second thing you needed to learn?" Oz shook his head. "Trust Xander. He's not an idiot and he does know a few things." Oz nodded, unable to speak. "Good," Xander purred, slamming back into Oz, setting off his orgasm.

Oz panted as he came down, looking at Xander. "Wow."

"Thanks, I'm still out of practice." He shrugged, leaning back against the pillows to stroke himself. "I need something now," he said, looking at Giles.

"I noticed," Giles said, moving over to kiss Xander, stroking his cock with both their hands. "May I give it to you?"

"Yeah, you give it to me good." Xander grinned as he was slid into again, sighing at the good feelings it caused. "Like this."

"Good," Oz said, leaning down to hold Xander and kiss him while Giles brought both of them off. He looked up at Giles, seeing his face getting red. "You okay?"

"Yes," he groaned. "Xander just flexed his internal muscles and it's rather tight in there right now." He slammed into the young man, making him buck up under him. "Do it again," he offered. Xander did so he pounded him again. Xander grinned, clenching all the muscles he had, not allowing Giles to move. "You naughty little boy," he said in admiration. "How do you do that?"

"Good training." Xander relaxed, catching Giles as he came down to kiss and hug him. "I've had three great teachers and they're all good in different areas." He licked over Giles' cheek, letting him go. "Now, enough talking, Xander has needs here and he needs them fixed."

Oz chuckled, leaning in to give him a kiss before moving down to play with the hard cock. "I'll help. Even with a cockring Giles won't last long enough." He mouthed the head, just teasing it with his lips, noting the shaking in Giles' tense body. "You need to cum, don't you," he said, rubbing a hand over the sweat-dripping stomach. Giles nodded, making an almost whimpering sound. "Then cum babe, I'll take care of him." Giles screamed as he let the cockring go, falling off to the side as he pulled out, bringing quite a lot of cum with him out of Xander's body. "Shh," Oz said, reaching over to stroke Giles' chest. "Just relax and nap. We'll clean up." Xander looked up at him. "I want that for you, Xander, to achieve that state." The young man nodded. "I want for you to have it every night, but I'm not that good."

"I'm willing to take it when I get it," Xander told him, rolling them onto their sides, stroking down Oz's back as he rubbed against him. "It's a good state to be in, but I don't need it daily. Small pleasures are great to me, Oz, still and probably always." He leaned down to lick over the bite he had done earlier. "Little things like how your lover tastes after a long session. How chocolate tastes when it's the perfect state between warm and cold. How you taste first thing in the morning." He leaned in for another small kiss. "Relax and let it go, Oz, I've got it."

"No, I want to do it for you," Oz said, reaching down to stroke him. He kissed Xander the whole time, making up for lost time. When Xander came with such a soft sigh he looked down, then back up at him. "Content? That was a kitten noise."

"Very content. With a lot of things." Xander snuggled into the older immortal's hard body. "Want me to clean us up?"

"No, I got it," Oz said, giving him one last squeeze before sliding out of the bed. He stopped, looking down at his lovers, then grabbed a plug and his camera, capturing the moment then filling Xander. He headed into the bathroom, coming back out to clean up their mess, taking the extra bottom sheet off the bed so they'd have a smaller wet spot to sleep in.

***

Xander stretched before diving into the pool, groaning as he surfaced and started a few laps. At the cleared throat, he looked up to see Oz standing there. "Hi," he said, stroking over. "What's wrong?"

"Having a bad moment. My computer just crashed." Oz slid into the water and was instantly hugged. "Thanks."

"Poor Oz, do you need a new one or didn't you lose a lot of stuff."

"Oh, I lost tons of stuff. About three hours worth because my automatic backup wasn't engaged for some reason." Oz backed away from his lover's body. "This just screwed my schedule all to hell. Even if I had what I needed right now, I'd still be about a day behind."

"So let's go find you something that you can use today."

Oz shook his head. "Can't. No money from my advance yet."

"Shh, I have money."

"And you also have an almost maxed credit card."

"But I also have another and lots of cash left over from buying the house." Xander frowned at him. "And I just paid my bill in full."

"I saw, but it's registering yet."

"Oh, okay. What about my other one?"

"It's not near full, it's only got about three hundred charged on it." Oz squeezed Xander again. "I'm not letting you spoil me by buying me a computer, Xander, don't even think about it."

"But you could pay me back. And you'd be a lot less far behind."

"Good point." Oz looked around. "I don't want this to be a common thing. Got it?"

"Yup, do." They both looked up as Giles walked out. "Hey, phone?"

"Yes, your bank." Giles handed off the cordless phone, sitting on the edge of the pool. "I heard, I'm sorry about your computer. My playing games didn't harm it, did it?"

"No, not you. I must have toggled the switch by accident earlier today."

"No, she's not allowed to touch *anything* of mine. I don't care if she *is* my mother, it's not hers." He shook his head. "No, I'm not mad at you, just at her. The only three drawees are myself, Daniel Osbourne, and Rupert Giles. My family is not allowed to touch anything of mine, no way in any reality am I sharing with them." Oz patted his arm, giving him a 'sorry' look so Xander shook his head. "No, I won't cosign her loan." Giles tapped him on the shoulder. "Hold on."

"Do that, or give her the loan but make it payable to you and only you, that way if she defaults, you can claim her assests."

"Why would I want that old house?"

"Good point, but it's a reasonable thing to do. Then you could rent it out or whatever. And you could make it a stipulation of the loan that she never bother you for money again."

"Point," Xander admitted grudgingly. He put the phone back to his ear. "Put my mother on. How much did you need?" Small wince. "Why?" He nodded. "Fine, *I* will make you the loan, not the bank. We'll draw up an agreement tomorrow." He hung up, tossing the phone toward the set of chairs next to the pool. "Stupid cow. My father's gambling now."

Oz hugged him. "It'll be okay. And this way, they have to leave you alone." Oz pulled back. "How much did she need?"

"Lots." Xander frowned. "I need to go to the bank anyway. You still want to go computer shopping?"

"You won't be able to..."

"Shh," Xander told him.

"No, I don't think I should. You're about to spend a lot of money to make your parents go away. You can't afford to help me get a new computer. I can fix the one upstairs."

Xander pulled himself out of the pool, heading inside to the desk where they did the bills, pulling out his three-ring binder for his bank account and investments, bringing it back to the pool-side chairs. "Come here, Oz," he said quietly. Oz got out of the water, coming to sit beside him. "This is my last statement, and my last credit card statements, and an accounting of all our bills and my investments." He handed the notebook over. "You said once that you wanted to handle our finances so go ahead."

Oz flipped through the pages, grimacing in a few places but looking very pleased in others. When he was done, he set it aside. "You're doing that very well."

"I swore to never become my parents, to never have to decide which bills to pay some months because of mismanagement." Oz and Giles both hugged him. "Thanks, but I showed you that to make you see you didn't have to worry. I can get both of you out of the cash left over from buying the house. She didn't want that much, just a few thousand."

"Which is lots to your way of thinking," Oz finished. Xander nodded, leaning over to rest his head on Oz's shoulder. "How much do we have left?"

"More than enough?"

"Amount wise."

"Don't know, didn't count it," Xander admitted. "Enough, I know that much, but not how much."

"We should get a precise count before we do this. Just to make sure." Xander nodded, getting up and pulling Oz with him, both of them walking back to the spare bedroom. They sat on the floor in front of the safe, Oz opening it and pulling out the bag with the money, glancing down inside it. "You sure there's a lot here? Looks like a few hundreds."

Xander took the bag, looking down in it. "There *was* money in here." He looked at Oz, frowning. "I haven't spent any of it. Not even touched it since we put it in there."

"Then how did it leave?" Giles asked as he walked inside.

"Two guesses," Oz said, looking at Giles, who frowned. "She's done it before."

"We could call Angel, see if the money turned up with them."

Xander shook his head, reaching around Oz's body for the jewel boxes, which didn't rattle. "It's been since then," he said, holding one up and shaking it.

"We've not had any company since then," Giles commented. "I doubt Methos would steal from us and Ray is a former police officer."

Oz shook his head, looking down inside the safe. "There's an explanation." He got up, heading out of the room, coming back with Giles' most commonly used book. "Try and bring it back."

Giles looked confused then looked down in the safe, smiling as he saw the small portal. "Oh, indeed I shall." He flipped pages, chanting quickly, starting to sweat about as fast. Finally, the safe was refilled with everything that had been lost, plus a few other items like a claw. "Hmm, wonder what that is," he said, picking it up.

"It's a claw," Xander said, taking it to look at. "It looks like the one my Sarthna demon buddy's helper had." He looked at Giles. "Was it a demon?"

"Most definitely." He closed the book. "I suggest you move it. He may well try again."

Oz nodded, grabbing the boxes to start putting the jewels back again. "Don't understand this, what's so important."

Xander got up, touching the stone Angel had told him he had to keep with him. "This one?"

"Or the bloodstone," Giles remarked. "Both are incredibly valuable."

"What are you going to do with that thing," Xander asked him. "You haven't filled it or whatever."

"I was thinking about keeping it for emergencies. Though I could sell it and start my own fortune."

Xander nodded. "Reasonable. You'll need to live for a long time."

"How valuable are they?" Oz asked, handing it to him.

"Very. The last one I heard of, which was a rumor that I thought to be a fairytale, went for about three million."

Xander touched the deed he had to the demon's warren. "I think we should go check this thing out. See if they're down there and then run them off."

"Thereby not putting you on their good side."

"I don't think I am anyway. What did they get for how many years of service? I got his warren for four nights." Xander shrugged. "Seems kinda unfair to me." He looked at Oz, who smiled and nodded. "I'm going to have Angel and Wesley go do it. It'd sound better coming from them than it would me." He picked up the phone, dialing Angel's number. "Hey, is the boss in?" he asked with a smile. "No? How about a nice paid job? No mess involved probably." He laughed. "Cordy, I knew you'd like that." He looked at Oz, who shrugged. "We'll be there tonight. I've got to take Oz computer shopping because his crashed and he lost a lot of stuff." Short pause. "Did you want Giles to come? I can bring him too. I was thinking about treating us to a night off anyway."

Oz shook his head. "No, Xander."

"Shh, we'll drop all that stuff off at the bank, okay?"

Giles nodded. "Yours should be well enough. I can spell the safe also, but it would take me most of the night to make sure everything was sealed from demonic intrusion. Whichever you prefer."

Xander passed on the information, nodding. "Okay, she said Wesley was going to come up and help you because he needed your help." Giles nodded. "Sounds good. We'll come up and take you guys to dinner and discuss what I need your boss to go do." He hung up, looking at Oz. "Take the cash and we'll put the stones in the car. I wanted to talk to someone about them anyway." Oz shook his head but loaded up the boxes. "Display type stuff. And better boxes to put them in. I don't like that they rattle around in those."

"Good point," Oz said, handing Giles the boxes and picking up the now loose cash, putting it back in the bag as he counted. "About twenty-six fifty," he said, looking up.

"More than enough for everything and a nice hotel room tonight," Xander said, grinning. "You sure you want to do this tonight, Giles?"

"It'd be best if you were both out of the house when I did so. I'll keep the gate locked and everything."

Oz nodded. "Okay. Just remember not to let another one of us near here. Methos said he felt one of us at the show."

"Maybe it was that one you ran into," Xander suggested, giving them a hopeful look.

Oz nodded. "Maybe." He stood up. "We need to exchange this so we're not carrying a big bag of cash around." He took the boxes of stones, heading out to the car.

Xander stopped Giles. "Don't fight tonight, no matter what. Okay?"

"I won't, I assure you," Giles told him, hugging him. "I'll not lose my head anytime soon." He kissed his lover gently then let him go. "Go get dressed, naughty one, you can't go to LA dressed like that."

Xander looked down at his bare body. "I can't?" he asked with a grin. "You sure?"

"Yes, I am quite sure. And call when you get there." He gave him another kiss, patting his butt to make him go put on clothes. "I'll talk to you later," he called after him.

"Of course you will. We'll call while we're having sex."

Giles groaned, shaking his head.

Xander looked around the mostly deserted picnic area, frowning. "You're sure?" He knew this spot, it was a spot where a lot of people went to pick up prostitutes and use them.

"Yup, I want you to suck me." He undid his pants, pulling out his cock, watching as Xander's mouth watered. "See, knew you wanted it. You were playing with yourself."

Xander simply nodded, leaning down to lick over the discolored head, getting into his blowjob. Oz tipped the seat back to give him better access, and they both groaned as someone knocked on the window. "Go away," Xander called.

"Boy, get away from him."

Xander looked up, then grimaced. "My father." He straddled Oz's lap, stealing a kiss as he lowered the window. "What? We're not supposed to meet until tomorrow."

"Why are you doing that?"

"Because he's mine?"

"Oh, a rent boy."

"Nope, not quite." Xander looked at Oz, who shrugged. "Dad, this is my lover, Oz. Oz, this is my father, who'll you'll be helping sign paperwork tomorrow."

"Hey," Oz said, subtly rubbing over Xander's back.

"What makes you think I'd take money from you after seeing *that*?" his father sneered.

"You can't get a loan without my credit," Xander said dryly. "But I'll gladly withdraw my offer." He waved and rolled up the darkly tinted windows, kissing Oz again. "Gee, wonder why he was here," he said sarcastically. Xander growled as the window was knocked on again, lowering it slightly. "What?"

"Are you his son?"

"Unfortunately. Why?" he asked the man who was standing beside his father. "He owe you money too?"

"Yes, he does. And he said you were going to pay me off."

Xander nodded. "I'll be giving him a loan tomorrow. Right after he signs paperwork saying he'll pay me back and never bother me for money again."

"Ah, I can wait that long, thank you." He patted Xander's father's face. "You have a good kid. He's saving your life."

"If he was a good kid, he wouldn't be touchin' a man."

"Hey, I'm *not* you," Xander said, putting back up the window. "I want to go somewhere else and do you," he said, getting back into his own seat.

"Understandable." Oz put back up his seat, starting the car. "Want to do it while I drive?"

"Could," Xander said with a naughty grin, leaning down to lick over the deflated cock, quickly bringing it back to full hardness. "Just don't wreck."

"I won't," Oz said patiently, grinning as his lover swallowed him. "Good boy."

"Yup, am one."

***

Giles finished the spell, then turned to test it, smiling as the barrier held. He felt the tingle that meant another immortal and hurried inside, turning on the camera Oz insisted had to go outside the gate, looking at the man who was looking up at the house. "No, you're not getting in," he said quietly. "I promised not to fight tonight." The car drove on but Giles continued to watch the gate, just in case.

Xander looked across the computers available, shrugging. "Whatever you need," he said quietly, turning to look at his lover. "You're the expert here."

Oz nodded, looking at the tags. He stopped in front of one. "How can they call this a computer?"

"It's meant for college students," the salesman said, walking over to them. "Can I help you with something?"

"I'm a programmer, my system crashed a while ago, I need a new one," Oz said, looking around. "I need lots of memory and storage, but graphics are a must since I'm working on that. Has to be adaptable, and easily changeable. And I need it to play music while I'm writing code."

The salesman shook his head. "You don't need something easy, do you? Let me go get our other salesperson, she's a computer programmer herself." He hurried away, coming back with a small, redheaded woman.

"Willow," Xander said quietly, moving slightly closer to Oz.

"Hi guys," she said. She turned to her coworker. "I know them, I can do this." She waited until they were alone, then hugged Xander. "I'm sorry and thank you for having me fixed. My wrong thinking was becoming very bad." She stepped back, holding a hand out to Oz. "Hi."

He shook it. "My computer crashed. I'm looking for a system that will hold my new graphics program."

"Hmm, we don't have anything like that here, but I do have a catalog I can special order from." She led them to a small desk in a corner. "What size do you need?"

"Big," Xander said.

Oz snorted. "True. Multi-Gigs." She flipped through the catalog, coming to rest on a few pages, which she handed over. He read each carefully, then pointed at two on different pages. "I need something that's a cross between those two. The first's speed and storage and the second's extras."

She smiled, pulling out a form. "We can do that. And we can have it shipped to you in 48 hours." She filled it out, letting him look it over and make corrections. "You really need that much storage?"

"Yup."

She nodded, filling out the top portion. "I can fax this in. Will this be store credit plan or credit card?"

"Cash," Xander said, then he smiled at her shocked look. "Sorry, it's what I have on me. I'm saving my cards for other spoiling occasions."

"I'm paying you back," Oz reminded him, brushing a hand over the tense thigh. "Relax."

"Sure." Xander leaned back in the chair, looking at his former friend. "So, what are you doing here?"

"This is my job," she said as she put the form into the fax machine and sent it. "We'll get an answer in a minute." She looked at them. "I am sorry, guys, really. I was thoroughly brainwashed by her and that's the only excuse I can give. Oz's friend sorted me out that weekend and I'm better, but I know you guys are going to be cautious." They both nodded. "I'd like to start rebuilding the friendship though."

Oz looked at Xander, who was clutching the chair arms. "Let's take it slower."

Xander shook his head. "A wise man once told me that I should cherish every day so I will. I'd like that, Willow, I really would. You have our address, right?" She nodded. "We'll start with letters."

She nodded, giving them a smile as the form came through. "They got it, and they'll ship it within 48 hours, priority." She handed it over. "Just take this to the register and they'll ring you up." She held out a hand, which they shook, then watched them leave.

***

Giles grimaced as he felt the other immortal come onto the property, grabbing his sword and going to the door. "I didn't invite you up," he called.

"I'm looking for a certain immortal. Or his students. Heard of Methos?" he asked from across the back lawn.

"No, I'm the student of a man named Adam and his student." He looked the other immortal over. "I'm not ready to fight you yet, please leave."

"It doesn't work that way," he reminded, pulling out his sword.

"No, but you're not supposed to do that around normals either and that's what my neighbors are." That got a grimace. "I'm not fighting, but I will call the police if you don't leave."

"You'd break the rules that way?"

"Certainly. I'm not that old." He shut the door and locked it, picking up the phone and waving it. Then he picked up his cellphone and dialed it. "Hello, this is Rupert Giles...." The man walked away. "I have an intruder on our property, could you please send someone out to look after it? Thank you. Yes, that's us." He hung up, watching the back door, dialing Oz's cellphone absently. "Oz, no, I'm fine. I called the cops to get rid of the intruder. Yes, one of those. I *know* that, but he was yelling across the yard. And he's looking for you and Methos." He nodded and hung up, watching as the police officer walked up to the man's car and asked him to get out, then watching as he was shot. He dialed the station again, getting a 'please hold' message, but picked up his sword as the man started toward him again. "Gods, answer it already. Yes, this is Rupert Giles, no he just shot your officer. I do believe he could use some help. No, he's in the driveway. Yes, the gate is open." He hung up, staring at the man staring back at him. "That wasn't necessary," he said, opening the door. "I'm not who you're looking for."

"Then you should follow the rules of the game better. We don't sic normals on others."

"I told you to leave."

"This isn't holy ground, I don't have to do anything." He sneered, lifting his sword. "Fight or die, choose," he said as he lunged.

Giles sidestepped the blow, kicking the man into the pool. "I told you to leave me alone. There's no one here by that name." He stopped as he felt another immortal walk nearer. "Did you bring help? Isn't that against the rules also?" he sneered. He watched as the immortal got out of the pool, checking for the other one.

"Relax, not fighting, I'm here for the idiot," the redhead said, coming out. "And you're real young, aren't you? You called the cops?"

"I told him to leave. He's looking for a Methos." He looked the man over. "Rupert Giles, Oz's student."

"Richie Ryan, Duncan MacLeod's." He saw the wince. "No, I'm not like him. He still stalking Adam?"

"Oh, yes." They both looked at the other immortal. "I'm not ready to fight yet. If you want him, I'd suggest you take him before the other cops come for their friend."

"I'm going," he hissed, jogging around to his car.

Richie shrugged, turning to look at him. "You're really Oz's student? I didn't think he took students. He's more of the non-combatant type."

"Truly, but we've both been forced to fight in recent years. Before I was turned even." He waved inside. "You can come in as long as you're decent."

Richie smiled. "Housebroken at least. That good enough?"

"Truly." He led the way inside, dropping his sword onto the couch and covering it as more cops pulled up, walking out to meet them. "He left right after that, heading off deeper into the woods. Tall, about six-five maybe, white hair?" Which was everything he wasn't. The officers nodded, watching as their comrade was loaded into an ambulance, letting him go back inside.

"Good job," Richie said, sitting in a chair where the people outside couldn't see him. "So, how's the old man anyway?"

"He's fine. If you mean Methos anyway." He sat down across from him. "Oz is out of town for the night but I could call Methos for you. He's only in LA."

"Hey, I was heading there. I'm actually tracking my teacher and he's heading there." Giles nodded, picking up the phone and dialing, tossing it over as he watched the young seeming man carefully. "Hey, old fart. No, it's Richie. Nope, tracking the teacher, who was heading for LA and you. But I did just watch Oz's student drive off Henderson. No, he wanted you or Oz. No, actually, he called the cops to get him arrested for trespassing because he was starting a shouting match across the lawn, but Henderson shot a cop. Yeah, a cop. No, he's here alone, he said Oz was in town."

"With Xander. They're with Angel," Giles told him.

"He said he's with some guy named Xander, who's with someone named Angel. Oh, okay. You're sure?" His brow wrinkled. "Really?" He looked up at Giles and shrugged. "Okay, I can stay here tonight and watch him. No problem. Just be careful, Mac's gone psycho again." He hung up, dropping the phone on the sidetable. "He ordered me to stay here with you tonight and watch you. Said he would warn Oz."

"I called him to warn him."

"But Methos can give more information about this scumbag. He's been tracking him to make sure he doesn't get close for a few years now." Richie crossed his legs. "So this is the Hellmouth?"

Giles smiled, relaxing. "Not here at this house, but it's in town."

***

Oz looked up as the waiter came back over to him, taking the note he was handed and reading it. He blanched, nodding, then looked at Xander. "I've got to call the old man, be right back." He got up, heading into the bathroom, taking out his cellphone. "Meth, me. Henderson?" he squeaked. "You're sure?" He looked around. "Okay, I'll be careful. Want us to come pick you up on our way back out?" He leaned against a sink. "Really? I'm not fighting him for you. Have Ray shoot him or something." He snorted. "Yeah, that'll work. Stalkers aren't fun. Okay, I'll be careful if you are." He hung up the phone, flinching as someone opened one of the stalls, a tall, dark, brooding man walking out. "Oh, hey, MacLeod. Want me to call him back?"

"No, I want your head." He pulled his sword handle. "Alley, now."

"Nope, not going to happen. I'm not fighting the old guy's battles." Oz shrugged, not moving. "And if you hurt me, I've got friends outside that would gladly rip you apart for fun." The other man laughed. "Hey, not kidding. My pet is very ferocious." He stayed calm, knowing he didn't even have a large knife on him at the moment. "Anything else?"

"I will kill you, Oz."

"Yay. You and a few other people. But I didn't steal her, she came willingly." He waved at the door. "Have fun, I'm doing business."

"Selling people?" he asked snidely.

"Gee, never got into that trade. Marking them maybe, painting them a lot, but never selling them." He looked over the other immortal. "I didn't take her, she came to me because she wanted to leave you. I got her out of the city and set up somewhere comfortable. I didn't even sleep with her." That got a snort. "I didn't, I was sleeping with the old guy, that's why she felt safe with me," he finished dryly. "Now then, I have a very nice GHS boyfriend whom I'm going to go back to playing with over my meal. Have a nice evening." He snapped his fingers. "Oh, Henderson's headed this way, he just tried to take my student on. Yours saved him." He walked out of the bathroom, heading back to his table, pulling out his cellphone. "Bad news, man, Mac just cornered me where I was calling from. Yeah, but I told him about Henderson." He hung up, sitting back down beside Xander. "Sorry, some business."

"Personal or other?" Xander asked, squeezing his hand.

"Other. The one of us that was bothering Giles earlier is one of Meth's oldest enemies. And I just ran into his other in the bathroom after I got off the phone with him." He took a drink of water. "You sure you want to stay tonight, Xander?"

"No, not at all. Want to go bring them with us?"

"Yup, but he said he'd come up soon." They both looked at Angel and Cordy, who were watching them. "Sorry. So, can you take the job and go run them out of the warren?"

"Definitely," Cordy said with a smile.

"I'm sure I can talk to them, maybe even make them leave," Angel said, "but I'll do my best to make them leave you alone."

"Good," Xander said, taking a bite of his pork chop. "That's what I really need. That and to know what it's like."

"It's dark and a hole," Angel said. "He owned the land around it to make sure he was safe and it was a hole."

"Okay," Xander said with a shrug. "That's cool. But how did he get so many different..."

"Those are collectors," Angel told him, looking around. "He'd have buried them all over his warren. That's what they're there for."

"So it's like a dragon's nest?" Xander asked, putting down his fork. "Only buried?"

"Yes," Angel said, nodding. "Just like those."

"Coolness." He looked at Oz, giving him a smile. "We should go take a vacation there when they're gone, see what else is down there."

Oz nodded. "Maybe." He waved the waiter over, holding up his glass. "Can I have another rum and coke?" he asked. The waiter took his glass, walking away. "Sorry, I need it."

"I know," Xander said, rubbing his thigh under the tablecloth. "We'll call him later, make sure he's okay." He looked up as he felt someone staring at him. "Oh, look, Angel, someone's trying to match your brooding record."

The vampire looked at the dark haired man, looking him over. "He'd lose." He turned back to Cordy. "Are you sure you want to come? We'll be underground most of the time and there's probably not a building near there."

She snorted. "I'm sure there's a motel near there. I'll be your backup and supply girl." She ate another bite of her pasta dish. "Besides, I could use the vacation."

Xander nodded. "Truly, you're pale. You could use some sun." He grinned at her. "Just don't overdo it, you don't want wrinkles from sunburns."

"Eww."

***

Xander walked through the kitchen, hearing the doorbell as he started the coffepot with a pat. He headed for the door, blinking in confusion at the man that was standing here. "Oh, hey," he said, letting Methos inside. "How did you get past the gate?"

"It's not hard," he said with a small smile. He handed over the bag of donuts. "Thought I'd reciprocate."

"Big words too early," Xander muttered, nodding toward the bedroom. "Oz is lounging. Where were you for the past two weeks?"

"Hiding. Getting Ray safely away with a friend of his." He headed for the bedroom. "I'll just go pop in."

"Uh-huh," Xander said, nodding as he took his first sip of caffeine.

"METHOS!" Oz screamed. "DON'T DO THAT!

Xander chuckled. "We'll need new sheets for the spare bed," he told himself. "I'm not sharing Oz all the time."

Calm New Friends.

(Takes place after the flash forwards in part 2)

Xander looked up from his position under Oz's hands, grinning at Giles as he walked in. " Hey," he purred, shifting some to get the oiled hands where he wanted them. The older man sat down on the bed beside them. "Want one too?"

"I'd love to have a massage," Giles said, giving each of them a kiss, "but I believe Oz's hands are probably tired by now, he's been working on your back for almost a half-hour."

Oz nodded. "Yup, getting finger cramps." He pushed himself up, giving Xander's rear a swat. "Get up."

Xander rolled over, looking up at his lover. "We could go bother my old masseuse, she was great and did this for a living."

Giles nuzzled Xander's ear. "I think I'd like that. I'm feeling a definite need for pampering." Oz headed for the bathroom shaking his head. "I do," he called after him. "I'm also feeling a definite lack of spoiling right now."

Oz walked out of the bathroom, wiping his hands off on a towel. "We spoiled you the other day," he reminded Giles. "Both of you."

"It was nice of him to dip into his emergency funds to spoil us," Xander said, nodding, giving Giles a big grin. "Get me the book under the phone in the livingroom. I'll call and make us an appointment for today." He pushed himself up. "Oz, why didn't you do what the other guys did and save a lot?"

"I did, but I'm also an artist, which is expensive. Not to mention moving every few years. Guys like Meth have a longer range that they can hide in. I'm perpetually just barely legal." He shrugged at the pout. "I try to not touch what I do have saved up. This is the first life I've touched it in in a while." He strolled over, grabbing the phone and dialing. "Hi," he said softly, "what's going on with my stuff and the inventory?" He hummed. "Really? Okay, so when can I have the inventory?" He nodded and hung up. "I've got some stuff in storage that I really hate so I'm going to get rid of it. My stuff-keeper is dealing with an inventory issue." He handed Xander the phone as Giles walked back in with Xander's personal phone book. "Going to go on a spoiling binge?"

"Yup," Xander said with a small grin. "He needs it." He took the book, flipping to the right page by the letter tabs. He looked at the number then dialed, grunting as he got someone else. "Isn't Missy working there?" He sighed. "I didn't realize that she'd gotten so popular. Can she work in one or two people today? No, I'm spoiling my man. No, this is a client. Xander Harris." He nodded, tapping his fingers. "Hey, Missy. I hear you're doing great stuff." He grinned. "No, I want to spoil one of my men and you're the *only* one who can do it right. Really? Coolness. No, I'm living outside of town now, out in the forest. We'll be there. Yup. That'd be so great. Thanks." He hung up. "Go get dressed, she can slip us into her schedule in about an hour." Giles walked over to the closet. "Oz, are you wanting to come?"

"Nope, but give her a hug for me. Working on your back must have broken her fingers." He slid a hand over the growing muscles. "You're getting very well built again."

"Thanks," Xander said with a light blush as he got up to put on clothes too. "Giles, do you want to go shopping afterwards? I noticed you looking at something of mine and I was going to see if we couldn't find you one."

"I'd like that," Giles said, giving his youngest lover a kiss. "Thank you."

"Always, we're very alike." Xander pulled a shirt over his head, walking over to his drawers in just that to get a pair of jeans. He stopped when he felt a hand rubbing along one of his butt cheeks. "We don't have time to play," he warned. "Not that I'm not sorry for that fact."

Oz stood up behind Xander, pulling the plug out of him. "I was going to remove this for you." He slid himself in. "But now that you mention it, I'll gladly work you over in what little time you have." His hands wrapped around Xander's waist, giving him a good hold while keeping the young man still. "Ah, freshly fucked Xander," he whispered in his ear. "Love to take you when you've been used by us."

Xander shivered. "Oz," he whined, pushing back onto the hard cock. "Need it."

"I know you do," Oz told him, pulling out and pushing back in slowly. "But you need a lot of things more." He pulled out suddenly, pushing Xander over the bed, bending him down at the waist to slide himself back inside him. "There, much better." He slammed back inside his lover's tight body, grunting as the muscles clamped around him. "Not nice," he warned, pulling back out with a grunt and pushing back in harder. "You wanted."

"Do, just teasing," Xander panted, spreading his feet more for better balance. "Come on, you can do better than that." He howled into the bedspread as his body was invaded by the hard cock, eyes closing in relief. "Yeah, Oz, more. Just like that."

"Quiet."

"Yes, Oz."

"Better." Oz swatted him lightly, then looked at Giles, who was standing there with his pants still undone. "Wanted?"

"Yes, definitely, but I wanted to watch you get off first. I seem to have found my old affinity for rimming again."

Oz groaned and came, leaning over Xander's back. "God, that image was good." He slid out, waving at the opened body. "All yours, you have about twenty minutes before you have to leave." He sat down in the chair by the window to watch Giles attack Xander.

Giles got to his knees behind Xander, licking up his crack lightly, earning a groan. "Now, Xander, just relax. You liked this before."

"Giles," Xander whined, pushing back. "Don't talk, do."

Giles chuckled, parting the cheeks and diving into the well prepared hole, licking up everything that Oz had given him, fucking him hard with his tongue. Xander was wiggling by the time he was done. "Ah," he said, pulling back and licking his lips. "Much better." He stood up, sliding into his lover's body. "Very nice. I don't like it as messy in there." He leaned down, licking the back of Xander's neck as he slowly thrust into him. "Come on, love, give it back."

Xander turned his head. "Giles, more." That got a smile and a harder stroke. "Please?"

"What would you like, love?"

"More," Xander said, pushing back against him. "You're being way too gentle with me again."

"Ah, then you want it harder." Giles pushed himself back upright, grabbing the mobile hips to slam into his lover's body, stopping when he moaned loudly. "Wasn't that..." He trailed off when Xander pushed back, kicking one of his feet. "Now, now. None of that." He held him still, just like Xander liked to be, and gave him a hard ride, working him as well as he could. Xander came with a muffled scream into the bed, Giles not far behind when those extremely tight muscles clamped around him. "Ah," he sighed, leaning down to kiss his lover again. "I need a rest."

"Nope, we need to go play and spoil," Xander said, getting free and crawling across the bed. He looked down at his shirt, taking it off once he saw the cum spots on it. "Oh well, need to do laundry again." He walked naked to the closet, pulling out another shirt. He turned to find Oz behind him, letting the older immortal button up his shirt. "Hi," he said, giving him a small kiss. "Thank you."

"How can you have this much energy? Oz asked, running his hands down the young man's arms. "Most men take a nap."

"But I'm not most men, I'm GHS, we live for pleasure. It energizes me. I don't know why." He walked around his senior lover's still form, heading for the dresser to pull out a pair of jeans. "Giles," he called as he pulled on the skin-tight denim. "Come on or no spoiling."

Giles groaned, pushing himself off the bed. "I want his energy," he complained, heading for the closet to get redressed.

***

Xander leaned over where Giles was lying on the massage table, kissing the back of his neck. "You're purring," he whispered, getting a beautiful, peaceful smile for it. He stopped smiling when the older man stiffened, looking around. "What?"

"Someone's here," Giles whispered, sitting up.

"Another one?" the woman doing the massages complained. "That's the second person today who's reacted to someone walking by. What's with you guys today?"

Giles shook his head. "It's nothing. I just need to check it out." He grabbed the towel, wrapping it around his waist and heading for the door. He pushed Xander back when he was going to follow. "Stay." He walked out into the waiting room like he was looking for something, glancing at all the people. His gaze settled on a man slouched in a chair staring at him. "Hello," he said, heading back into the room. The man followed him, making Missy walk out in disgust. "What did you want?"

"Nothing, I just felt you and was wondering." The other man's voice was soft, and softly accented. His whole body radiated relaxation. "Shouldn't you be doing something else?"

"He just wanted to see if..." Xander stopped, glaring at the man. "I know you. My teacher has a picture of you with that guy that's stalking him." He crossed his arms. "Fighting or not?"

"I'd prefer not, but for the record, who was your teacher?"

"He's one of Adam's students," Giles said as he sat on the table. "Who might you be?"

"Russell Nash." He held out a hand. "You?"

"Rupert Giles, I'm Oz's student."

"Ah, then I really don't want to fight. I need to find your teacher."

"I'll call him," Xander said, pulling out his cellphone. "Giles, go back to what you were doing." He walked the other man out into the reception area, smiling at Missy. "Sorry, small conference." She walked back into the room, shaking her head and locking the door so they couldn't get back in. Xander dialed his cellphone, tapping his foot impatiently until Oz answered. "Hey, have an *old* friend here that wants to talk to you. No, Nash, Russell Nash?" He looked at the man. "Um, maybe thirty, sandy brown hair, really uptight at the moment?" He handed over the phone. "Don't upset him, he's writing code." He strolled over to look at the magazines laying on a table.

"Oz?" Nash asked quietly. "Yeah, it's me. No, I need to talk to you about my cousin. He's truly gone now and he's looking for you again." He went stiff. "He is? How?" He snorted then relaxed. "You're sure? Okay. I'll be there," he checked his watch, "say at five? Thanks." He hung up and handed the phone back. "*Adam* taught you? As in the perpetual college student Adam?"

"Yup," Xander said, looking him over. "Gee, you don't look like you're GHS."

Russell Nash smiled gently at him. "No, I'm not, but it's good that he's found his way again." He bowed to him. "I'll be out at your house tonight at five. Oz is going to talk to me then." He walked out of the office, shutting the door gently behind him.

Xander looked around and shrugged. "Okay. Whatever." He snuck over to the massage room's door, tapping lightly. "Can I come back in? I want to watch Giles' face as he melts under your uber-talented fingers."

Missy let him in, checking behind him first. "As long as you don't keep doing stuff like that."

"Me?" he asked innocently, giving her a small grin and a kiss to her cheek. "I'd never upset you, Missy, I depend on your magic fingers too much." He hopped up on the table, lifting Giles' head so it was in his lap. "Comfier," he pronounced. "This is how I get mine at home."

She snickered as she closed the door. "I'm sure he's most attentive to you." She bent back over the older man's back, picking back up her soothing, relaxing motion.

***

Xander leaned over to whisper in the saleswoman's ear, making her smile. "Okay?" She nodded and headed into the back room, coming back out with a tray that she put down in front of where Giles was standing.

Giles picked up the herringbone platinum bracelet, looking at it in the light. "I do like this one," he admitted, "but it's a little expensive for a present, Xander."

Xander wrapped a hand around his lover's waist. "Shut up." Giles looked at him in shock. "I mean it. Do you like it?" He got a nod and a smile. "Then it's yours." He pulled out his wallet with his free hand, putting some money down on the counter. "I think that's all I owe you?"

The sales woman looked at the paperwork under the tray and nodded. "Yup." She gave him a smile. "Would you like it wrapped?"

"No, I'll wear this out."

Xander snorted. "The whole tray's mine, it was being cleaned. Please, in those pretty boxes if you have them. You saw how my bracelets got tangled in the jewelry box." He kissed Giles' cheek. "Don't complain again."

"Xander..."

"Just stop. I mean it." He looked up. "I mean it, Rupert, stop it."

"Xander, you shouldn't..." He stopped when a hand covered his mouth.

"Stop it, I'm more than able to give you one of my own bracelets." He gave him a patient look. "It's not like I bought you some antique Egyptian jewelry, of which I found some killer stuff at an estate sale in LA." He smiled as the saleswoman came back toward them with a handful of boxes. "Thanks, dear. I really don't want to have to fight to put on a bracelet in the morning."

She smiled sweetly at him. "Mr. Harris, we *adore* you here, those three bracelets took four of us almost sixteen hours to figure out how to untangle. We were going to suggest wrapping each individually in a velvet bag." She placed all the pieces of jewelry into the boxes and handed them over. "There you go. Thank you for your timely retrieval." She handed them a receipt. "Oh, and the restoration pieces are almost done too. Give us a few more days to work on the last one and they should be ready for pick up."

He leaned over, kissing her cheek. "Thanks, you're a dear." He turned, taking some of the boxes and sliding them into the bag from his work, they had stopped to pick up something he had ordered through them. "Okay," Xander said, looking around. "Did you want something else?"

"No, I think we've spent enough today," Giles told him, glaring down at him. "To the car, Xander."

Xander waited until they were in the car to look at his older lover. "I didn't spend hardly anything."

"And the 'restoration pieces'?"

"Oh, those I found at the estate sale. They were in bad shape so I got them cheaply. Actually, two are Cordy's, it was cheaper to get them all fixed at the same time." He gave him an expectant look. "What else are you going to complain about?"

"Just how touchy you've been today." He glanced out the window on the driver's side. "I didn't want everyone in town to know that we were together. For a teacher, or even a librarian, its not a good thing to be seen dating a recent graduate of your school. People start to wonder how long it's been going on."

"Giles, chill," Xander whispered, putting a hand on his arm. "No one cares in this town. Sad as it is, that's an unfortunate fact. There are teachers over at the high school that have been openly dating young students for *years* and no one says a word to them." He shifted and grabbed his seat belt. "Home, Giles." He grinned. "I always wanted to say that."

Giles shook his head as he started the car, buckling himself in. "You can be such an enigma some days," he muttered. "One of these days I'll have to figure you out."

Xander leaned over. "I'm complicated so you can never become bored with me," he whispered, rubbing down a jeans-clad thigh. "Home, Rupert, I want to play with you."

Giles shoved the car into gear, turning around to check as he backed out of the parking space a little faster than he had to.

***

Giles opened the front door just as Xander yelled out 'Oz! Damn it, I need more!'. He gave Russell Nash a small, apologetic smile. "Come in," he said, getting out of his way. "Oz will be done shortly."

"I remember what it's like to have a GHS lover, I can wait," he said with a small smile back. "Though it's been a while."

"I have two," Oz said as he strolled out. "And the other would like to make you suffer," he told Giles. "He needs your help now."

Giles smirked and headed for the bedroom, closing the door behind himself.

"Hey, Connor. What's going on with your psycho-cousin this time?" Oz sat down on a couch, looking at the other immortal. "Sit, I won't bite, today."

Connor sat down, looking over Oz's bare body. "You seem much happier now. The last time I saw you, you had this pitiful expression and were all slumped in on yourself. It's good to see you happy, Oz."

"It's good to be happy. I've had three great relationships in the last few years. Right now, I have two men that are driving me insane." The other immortal smiled at that. "So, what's up?"

"I need to talk to you about Mac, and I need to ask about a nasty rumor I heard. Something about the gathering not happening?"

Oz nodded, giving him a serene look. "It's not going to happen according to Giles' books. He found an entry from some Watcher, their version, that said the whole thing was because of some demon and the last one of us would be blessed by him. Well, he's dead so he can't do that, and he can't force the endgame. So no gathering, no final quickening, none of that 'oh, will it be me' stuff."

"You've just ruined some people's dreams. Is there any indication of why we're here?"

"Not a one," he said, sighing and looking toward the bedroom as he heard a crash. "You two okay?"

"Fine," Xander called. "We didn't get a bolt tight enough and a corner fell into the dresser."

Oz got up and ran into the bedroom, picking up the corner and post of the antique bed and putting it back in it's normal place. He checked the bolt then looked down at his lover. "The bolt broke. You guys worked it too hard."

"Funny," Xander said dryly, getting up. "Giles, it's safe to come out of the bathroom now."

"No it's not," he said, handing out a towel. "We have guests, you shouldn't be naked, Xander."

"Why not?" Xander gave in at the stereo frowns, wrapping the towel around his waist. "Better?"

"Much," Oz said. "We need another bolt, guess we'll be sleeping in the guest room tonight." He looked toward the door as Connor strolled in. "Unless you have something that would resemble a 9/16th bolt?"

"Not here, but I have one on my workbench."

"The hardware store," Xander said, snapping his fingers.

"Closed, it's well after five."

"But the hardware store at the mall isn't," Xander said as he grabbed his clothes and started to slide into them. "I'm sure they'd have something." He reached between the pieces of the bed, grabbing the broken bolt. "This size was right?"

"Little loose, need one size bigger," Oz told him. "Tell them it's for an antique bed, they might have a better solution." He set the corner of the bed against the wall where it wouldn't fall and hurt anything. "What else broke?"

"My glass jewelry box," Xander said as he pulled on his shoes. "I'm going to go get the bolt since you guys need to do your sort of peoples stuff." He hopped up, grabbing his wallet and keys from the mess on the dresser. "Oh, and Giles, don't even think about remarking on some of the pieces in the box, they were gifts." He jogged out of the room.

Oz waited until he heard the Lexus drive off before taking a deep breath. "Sex does that to him after the first time. He's a natural concubine." He looked over at Giles, who was examining the remains on top of the dresser. "Want to tell him what you found out about the gathering while I do this?"

"Of course." He held up a long, thin gold rope chain. "Though this doesn't seem to be his style."

"He said they were presents," Oz pointed out, strolling into the bathroom to grab the trashcan from in there. "Out, go talk, I'll clean. Use the room upstairs so our banging the bed back together won't get in the way."

Connor smiled. "Sure you don't want help?"

"Nope, got it. Gonna tease him later about his taste in jewelry." Oz picked up the first piece of glass, tossing it into the can. "Why do we have earrings? Emerald ones?"

"Someone gave them to him," Connor said. "Adam was staying with me for a few days while his place was being sprayed, I still don't see how you lived with the man for almost a century, Oz, and he went on a rant about one of Xander's ... clients giving those to him. There should be a gold bangle bracelet also." He nodded out in the hall. "Shall we?"

"Please. All of my books are upstairs."

Oz picked up more of the glass pieces, pushing the small, delicate pieces of jewelry aside with a shudder. "Why did they give him femme stuff? He's not femme, and he doesn't have pierced ears."

Giles pointed at the extra chair beside Oz's desk. "Sit there, I'll find the book." He knelt before the main bookcase, quickly pulling the one he wanted out to bring over so the other immortal could read it. "Here," he said, flipping to the right page. "You can read Latin, correct?"

"I am that old," Russell Nash agreed with a small smile. He took the book, reading it slowly, his lips moving through most of the words. He ignored the man fidgeting around the space until he sat up, looking at him. "Unless I've read this wrong, we've been fighting for years for no reason."

"No, there was a reason, it was all the demon's doing. Why we continue to fight is beyond me though." Giles pulled a chair over to sit next to him. "There is no reason for us to fight, unless it's to weed the bad and harmful members out of the pack as it were."

"That's a good point. There are some immortals I don't want to tell this to, and most wouldn't believe it anyway. They'd think it was a trick." He looked back down. "What about the final prize? Most everyone's agreed it's a return to mortality."

"It may well have been, but the demon isn't here to grant the wish of whomever wins." Giles pointed behind him. "You're more than welcome to use my library to check things out. I've told Methos, Adam I mean, and he was almost livid. He said he had some methods of checking also so he went to do that. We've not heard from him since."

"He's in town," Russell said quietly, looking out a window. "I've felt him." He looked at the young immortal again. "What are you going to do with this knowledge?"

"I'd like to let some of the others know, let the information leak out to whomever we have that are scholars of the old school. I know some that won't believe it because of the source, but I can prove that they exist, we've fought many of them here."

"Ah, the Hellmouth. How goes the fight with the Chosen One?"

"She's much better now that she's been fixed recently." Giles frowned, looking down at his hands. "She's recently done something most unforgivable to Xander, that's how I came across. We let Adam deal with it for us, more concerned about him as he was just a few days out of surgery." He looked up. "We're working on a spell to link Xander's energies to ours. It'll give him basically immortality, but without our liabilities. We all weren't ready a few weeks ago when we were going to try the spell but we'll be trying it soon."

"You'd be willing to ruin his life that way?"

"He's agreed. And he's already distanced himself from most everyone important in his life at this time. He's only got one friend left, and us, so I doubt he'd be destroyed the way some of us are."

"But it's still a hard transition." Russell leaned back. "You really want him around forever?"

"Truly. I can't imagine my life without him now. Ever since he came into my life, it's had color and depth. If I lost him, it would lose all the life to it." He smiled sadly. "We know how to do it, I've even found an alternate spell, but we're all wary of doing it. We tried once but none of us were ready in case it failed."

"If you do and it works, tell me and Adam, we both know some of us who wish that our loves could stay with us." Russell stood up, looking out the window. "This is a great house. You just need to work on the security."

"It's Xander's and he's having someone come out to strengthen it. Adam broke in once and we've had one other."

"Ah, Henderson." He frowned. "I know you're new to all this, but you can't call the cops on the others."

"I didn't know what else to do. I've only been over for three months, and he was insistent that we fight. If Richie hadn't shown up, I would be in trouble now." He glanced out the front window as he heard a car drive up. "That must be Xander." He stood up. "Would you like some supper, we've not eaten yet."

"Please." Russell followed him downstairs, stopping to watch Oz deal with a police officer. "Is there a problem?"

"Not much of one," Oz said, letting the officer in. "They're saying Giles deliberately lied about the man who shot one of them."

"I told you what I saw," he said, indignant. "If he turned out to be somewhat different, it's not my fault." He looked at Oz. "I was thinking about supper, would you like the chicken you set to thaw or something else?"

"I'm thinking easy and quick. We'll let Xander do stirfry when he gets home." Oz walked around the man standing stiffly in their foyer. "I've almost got all the mess cleaned up from when the bed broke, yell if you need me."

Giles looked at the officer. "I told you what I could. I'm sorry if I didn't notice him well enough."

"No, the description we got from your neighbors was vastly different." He pulled out a sketch, handing it over. "This is the man they saw."

Giles looked over it, keeping the wince at the very accurate picture inside. "It may be, it was sunset and I could have been mistaken." He handed it back. "Maybe I'm not the best judge. I do need my glasses checked and my depth perceptions a bit off."

"If you say so," he said, folding the paper up and putting it back in his shirt pocket. "By any chance you wouldn't know the man, would you?"

"No, he just showed up here one night. I've never seen him before. If it wasn't for my friend stopping over, I would have probably been hurt also."

"Of course." The officer nodded at Russell. "Good day, gentlemen. If we need something more from you, we'll come out." He walked out the door, slamming it behind him.

Russell leaned over. "That's the other reason why we don't call the cops. Things tend to get awkward." He headed for where he could see pots hanging up. "Would you like some help preparing? I've not cooked in months and I miss it."

"Please," Giles said as he walked into the kitchen. He pulled the chicken out of the refrigerator, handing it over with some vegetables. "There, that should be enough for the four of us." The doorbell rang. "Or maybe not. Bring out some more vegetables if you wouldn't mind," he called over his shoulder as he headed for the door. He opened it to find a pleasant looking middle-aged man standing on his steps. "Yes?"

He held up his badge. "I'm looking for a man named Ray Kowalski?"

"He's in Canada," Russell said as he walked out. "His friend sent him up there when he started to get death threats."

"Ray or his *friend*?"

"His friend," Giles told him, waving the detective inside. "I could try and get in contact with his friend and see if he can make him call you."

"I'm his former partner, I just needed to know that he was okay."

Oz walked out, handing over the phone. "Memory nine." He walked into the kitchen. "When Xander gets home, we'll fix the bed."

Giles smiled toward the kitchen then looked at the detective as he listened the phone ring. He hung up and redialed quickly, putting the phone back up to his ear. "Yeah, hi, this is Ray's partner, Ray, and I needed to get in touch with him..." He nodded as a voice came over the line. "Yeah, that's where I am right now. I just need to get in touch with him really badly. No, one of his cases is loose and looking for him." His shoulders slumped. "I tried up there, there wasn't an answer." He nodded and hung up. "Where's the mall?"

"Next town over. If you get on the interstate, it's the next exit and off to the right." Oz walked out of the kitchen. "If you want back roads, just follow this one for three miles then turn left and keep going until you run into the sign. Its' on the left."

The detective nodded. "Thanks. I really don't want this person to find him." He handed back the phone, heading for the door. "If you hear from him, tell him he has to call me or our old boss, immediately. Hanes is out and he's looking for just him this time." He shut the door behind himself and an engine growled to life outside.

"Oops," Oz said, heading back into the kitchen. "Come help me."

"Only if you've washed your hands," Giles told him. "You've been playing with glass that's been Gods only know where."

"Point," Oz said, rinsing off the blade. "But I used the hand santizer and washed them." He stole a kiss. "You worry too much. You won't get sick. Worry about Xander getting sick, he can still do that."

"That's a good point," Russell said quietly, sitting across from where Oz was cutting up peppers. "Will he survive without you both?"

"He will," Xander said as he walked in through the garage door. He handed over a plastic bag. "We have a hack-saw, right?" Oz nodded. "Good, he said this should be a better fit and we could cut it to size." He stole a kiss from Giles and nodded at Russell. "You guys told him?"

"He's one of the ones who should know," Oz pointed out. "He's a very good guy, even if Mac is related to him somehow."

"We're clanmates."

"Gee, that's complicated," Xander said dryly. "Oz, why do try to make things hard to understand?"

"Because I like to watch you think," Oz said, dropping the knife to grab and kiss his lover hard. "Come on, let's go fix the bed. We can let these two cook." He handed the young man the bag while he went for a hacksaw, both eventually heading for the bedroom together.

Russell looked at Giles. "He is an interesting man."

"A very interesting man. He says he's complicated so we don't get complacent." He looked up with a smile, accidentally slicing into his finger. He watched in fascination as his finger knit back together again, his whole face showing amazement. "I never tire of watching that, it's a miraculous sight."

Russell nodded. "Truly, until it's your chest."

***

Russell Nash looked over at Oz from where he sat on the back porch. "He's looking for you again. And he's went from mildly psychotic to fully insane." He toasted Xander's dive with his beer. "What did you do to him?"

"The original time or this last one?" He heard the snort so shifted until he was comfortable. "Mac got a little possessive about one of his lovers way back when. She was one of my models so she came to me to get away from him. Meth and I set her up in a nice house out in the country. Your cousin thinks I not only slept with her but that I stole her from him."

"Ah. You took what was his." Russell shook his head. "He should have gotten over that by now."

"But Meth is another matter all together. And since I'm his student, and Mac's stalking him, I must be bad too. Not to mention I wouldn't play his games the last few times we met, including a few months back in a bathroom during a dinner out."

"Do you ever have an easy life?"

"Yup, have one now except for him."

"Guys, quit being so serious," Xander called from the pool. "Frowns aren't allowed as you watch the sunset." He pulled himself up from the water, his wet, naked, dripping body padding over to where they were sitting. He sat himself in Oz's lap, putting his beer aside first, and gave him a long, drawn out kiss. "There, no more frowns." He hopped up and headed back to his water, diving into the pool on a sharp angle. He came back up looking down the outside of one arm, frowning at it. "Remind me that the pool hurts next time I do that," he called.

"Will," Oz told him, picking back up his beer. He looked over at Russell. "Connor, why else did you come?"

"I came to hide behind the old one for a while. One of my last wife's friends is looking to kill me." He looked down at the mug in his hands. "She died of cancer, Oz, and I miss her, but this friend said I killed her. Even though there's no evidence, even though he's been kicked off the police force, he still thinks I did something to harm her."

Oz reached over to rub his arm. "We're a safe place. You're welcome to stay until you've found another." He looked up as he heard a splash. "Xander, the pool's not deep enough to dive into," he reminded loudly.

"But Oz..."

"No."

"Fine," Xander said as he climbed up the ladder. "It's not that shallow." He walked over, pulling a chair over so he could look at their guest. "Do you want me to leave you guys alone?"

"No, you're fine," Russell said softly. "Just some painful memories."

"We all have some of those," Xander said, getting up. "I'm going to go shower. The spare bed has sheets on it." He strolled back into the house, stopping to kiss Giles where he was reading just inside the sliding doors.

Oz looked over at his friend. "He's unusual, that's why we love him."

"Yeah, if I had someone like him in my life, I'd keep us locked in the house." He finished off his glass of beer. "What're you doing about Mac?"

"I'm not. I'm more worried about Henderson." Oz took a sip of beer. "I'll be facing him first."

"Maybe, but Mac may be facing him before you do. Adam said Mac's been looking for both of them. Something about not taking what was his by right."

"So they're fighting over the old guy's head?" Oz rolled his eyes. "Wonderful. Let's hope that they won't team up to get us both." Oz looked over his shoulder as something in the house crashed. "Sounds like someone heard that. Xander, are you okay?"

"Yeah," floated out of the house. "Phone!"

Oz got off his lounger, wandering into the house to pick up the phone. "Yeah?" He sat down hard. "Are you okay? No, Connor's here with me." He hung up. "Connor, Mac and Henderson teamed up. That was Richie, he and the old guy are trapped together at his place."

"Damn." Russell/Connor walked in, frowning. "We can't interfere."

"We can't leave them," Giles said, standing up. "It supposed to be against the rules to team up."

"Which is what we were planning," Oz pointed out. "I'm going to him, I owe Meth my life too many times. If one of them takes him, they're mine." He stood up and jogged upstairs, coming back with Xander and his sword. "Keep him," he said, shoving him at Connor. "He refuses to stay at home." He kissed each of his men hard, then took Xander's keys, heading out to go fight.

Xander looked up at Russell. "Let me go," he said quietly. The other immortal shook his head. "I need to be there." He struggled but Giles helped hold him. "No, he needs me."

"No, he needs to not have you there," Russell told him. "He can't fight if he has to worry about you."

"And I refuse to let him lose by himself." He got free, staring at the other immortal. "If Oz dies, I'm going to be there. No matter what." He headed for the board with the keys, but Giles stopped him. "No, let go!"

"No, we'll do something else," Giles whispered in his ear. "Come upstairs." He led the now- complacent young man up to his work area upstairs, sitting him across the fire. "We can watch it happen and protect him at the same time." He pulled over a candle that looked melted and reformed. "As long as this burns, he won't be killed." He handed the matches over to Xander. "It's your choice to interfere this time."

Xander didn't hesitate to light the match, simply sticking the fire against the wick to light it. He looked up. "I can't let him go, not without me." Giles nodded, moving closer to him. "I can't do that."

"I know," Giles told him quietly. "I don't think I could make it without him either." He looked over his shoulder as he heard footsteps, nodding at Russell to sit down near them. "He'll be fine. Adam won't let him die anymore than he will Adam. They'll protect each other to the best of their abilities."

"But someone's got to lose."

"And it won't be them," Russell said. "Methos hasn't lived this long to die at the hands of someone like Mac." He reached over to touch the young mortal's shoulder. "I know it's hard but you can't interfere. This isn't something that you can help him with."

"I'll do what I want," Xander said, pulling away. "I won't let him die alone." He stood up, glaring at the other immortal. "You don't know this about us, but we don't let each other down. There is no form of alternate existence where I would leave him alone, not to die alone." He looked down at himself then at Giles. "I'm going. Don't even think about putting me down for a nap with your spells." He jogged down to their room, pulling on the first clothes he came to. He was actually in the car when someone tried to stop him. He fought against the rope that had appeared around his neck, trying to get free. Before he blacked out, he hit the horn, warning everyone inside that something was wrong.

Giles started when he heard the horn, getting up and grabbing a sword. He checked with Russell, but he had grabbed one for himself, and they both walked carefully down the stairs. He felt the other immortal as he walked off the last step, looking around carefully.

"Damn cousins," Connor said. "Mac, get your insane ass out here, now," he called. "I'm not fighting you, I don't want your mind in mine that badly." A dark haired man stepped out of the shadows in the living room. "Oz is gone, Mac, you know that."

"I'm not here for him," the other immortal said softly, his accent much clearer and crisper. "I'm here for you."

"Oh, no," Connor said, backing up. "You're still insane, I refuse to fight against someone who can't remember themselves."

"The challenge is made, Connor, you can't refuse without running away."

"Bet me," Xander muttered, sneaking up behind the dark haired man and smacking the back of his head with a lamp. "He wasn't the one who got me." He turned, looking toward the kitchen. "Where's the other one?"

Giles groaned. "Not him again."

"Yes, me," a voice hissed from down the hall behind the stairs. "You're mine." He looked at Xander. "You can't interfere."

"Bet me." He looked over the man. "I do what I want when I want. This is *my* house, so get out." He lunged, catching the guy by his sword arm and swinging him into the wall.

"He's feisty," Connor said in admiration. "I'd want him around too." He hopped the last few stairs, pulling Xander off the other immortal. "Henderson, it's not good form to attack students. If you attack this one, you'll have all of mine and Methos' after you. Do you really want that?"

The other immortal smiled. "Definitely," he purred. He backhanded Xander before looking up at Giles. "Come on, young one, let's do this and end your miserable life."

Mac got up with a groan. "What are you doing?"

"He's being insane," Oz said as he walked back into the house with Methos and Richie behind him. "Henderson, you're not taking my student, I will fight you instead." He looked at where Xander lay on the floor. "Go lock him in the bedroom. I don't want him to witness this."

Connor picked the unconscious young man up, carrying him into a bedroom and locked him into it. He walked out to find Oz and Henderson dancing around the living room. "He's locked in the bedroom without the big bed." He lunged and caught Mac's blade before it could hit Methos. "No."

"No," Methos said, pulling out his sword. "He's mine. This isn't something I can hide from anymore." He dodged Oz's step back and took a swing at McCleod. "Why do you want me this badly, Mac? What did I do to you beside try to make a friend for a change?"

"You infected me! I can't stop thinking about you and what you've done!" He carelessly lunged and ended up stabbing Henderson in the gut because both Methos and Oz had dodged out of his way. "No."

"Thanks," Oz said, taking a swipe at Henderson's head. He winced as the pounding in the bedroom started. "Xander," he sighed. "Stay!" he yelled.

"Fuck you! Let me out!"

Connor shook his head, picking his clansman up to shake him hard. "Do you feel better? This is the one man that may actually hold the cure to whatever your problems are and you're trying to kill him." He turned and shoved Giles into a closet, locking him in it before he could be brought into it.

"Let me go, Connor, or I'll take you on too."

"Bet me," Oz muttered, his mid-section dodging even as his sword went toward Henderson's head. "Bitch. Die." He threw himself off to the side, slamming through a coffee table and rolling onto his feet again. "I liked that table."

Methos looked at the man his friend was holding firmly by the neck. "I'm not sure what's wrong with him, but I do know he's not behaving normally." He cuffed Mac with his sword's hilt, knocking him out. "We'll figure it out later. I know his Watcher." He turned to find Oz pinned against the wall. "Oz, I know you can do better than that. I'll watch for your cheerleader."

"So used to fighting with him here," Oz panted, kicking Henderson in the stomach and making him move backwards. "Still a bitch." He stopped as the pounding stopped. "Hell." He glared at Henderson. "You're messing up my happily ever after. Go fuck yourself." He had started toward the bedroom when he was jumped, flipping his attacker over his back and onto the floor. He looked up in time to see his worse nightmare, Henderson reaching for Xander. His Xander. Who seemed to have something very black and unusually long. It took Oz a moment to realize it was his gun and silencer, but by that time Henderson was shot through the chest and so was Mac. Connor had escaped with a mild wound to his thigh.

Methos held up his hands. "Xander, you know I wouldn't hurt Oz," he said calmly. The gun was tossed at him and Xander walked past him, heading out into the night, his face blank of everything.

Oz just stood there, numbly looking at the bodies around him. He sat down when he looked at Methos, using Henderson's unmoving back as a seat. "I didn't know he could do that," he muttered, looking at his teacher.

"He loves you," Methos reminded him, squatting down to look at Oz. "I'd go find him." The younger immortal looked at the man he was sitting on. "I'll deal with Henderson and if I lose, Connor can. Go find Xander before he leaves for good."

Oz nodded and hopped up, dropping his sword beside the door as he ran out it. "Xander?" He stopped in the driveway, looking at the cars that were still sitting there. "Xander?" He turned slowly, trying to find him. "Xan? Come on, I'm not mad!" He jogged to the gate, opening it to stand in the middle of the street. "Xander! Please, come back!" His breath caught in his chest. "Please come back?" he said, quieter. He looked around the dark landscape, not seeing him at all. He looked over his shoulder as he heard the quickening start, but he kept standing there, watching for his love to come back. "Xander?" he asked Connor when he walked down to get him. "Please?"

"He'll be back," Connor soothed, leading Oz back up to the house and sitting him on the couch. "I'm sure he'll be back soon." He looked over his shoulder at Methos where he was considering his cousin. "Leave him, we'll fix him."

"Fine," Methos sighed. He sat beside Oz, pulling him in closer. "He'll be back, Oz, I promise." He watched Connor walk toward the closet he had locked Giles in. "We'll find him, young one, I promise," he soothed, letting Oz curl up against him. He looked up at the youngest immortal's confused look. "Xander shot Henderson and Mac then left. He's gone, Oz couldn't find him outside."

Giles rubbed over his face, his shoulders relaxing and falling. "I knew he was going to be difficult about this. He's determined that he's going to be the one with Oz when he loses so that he won't die alone." He sat down on the other side of Oz, touching his lover's hair. "Oz, I'll help you find him."

"Find him?" Oz asked, looking at him. "Before he can leave?"

"I'll try," Giles promised, handing off his sword and heading up to where he cast his spells.

Connor looked at Methos. "We'd better leave."

"The Watchers will be here soon to take Henderson. I'll be in the bedroom then." He looked toward the outside as a car pulled up into the driveway. "If that's them, let me get Oz up and into the bedroom."

Connor looked out the window. "Cops." He turned to find Methos alone on the couch. "Oz?"

"Disappeared," he said with a small smile. "He's lying down." He waved at the door. "Let him in. He committed suicide. He was chasing after Giles, saying he knew things that he wouldn't tell him."

Connor let the police officers in as they made it to the door. "He broke in, yelling about how Rupert knew things that he wasn't sharing. When Giles moved away from him, he cut off his own head."

The cops bent down to look at the headless body. "Okay," the first one said, nodding. He looked up. "With what?"

"His sword," Methos said, pointing at the one laying on the floor. He shook his head. "No, that's Giles', the other one. The saber."

The second officer picked it up for approval. "Okay. We've seen stranger things." He made the call to get people out to come pick up the body. "Give us a few hours, guys."

Methos nodded. "That's fine. We'll be upstairs or in the kitchen." He stood up, looking at Connor. "Can you fix dinner? I want Oz to eat." He walked past the officer. "Mr. Osbourne's napping on the spare bed, he was traumatized by the man cutting his head off in front of him." He headed up the stairs, sitting down to watch Giles finish casting. "Anything?"

"I've found him, but he's moving quickly. He's heading for LA."

Methos picked up the phone, dialing a number he knew by heart. "Joe, it's me. No, I need a young man picked up in LA. No, he's Oz's younger lover. He had a run in with Henderson also. No, I'll email you the details. The police are here." He hung up and turned to look at Oz's computer. "Can you log me into his email account?"

"I can log you into mine," Giles said, getting up to turn on the machine.

***

Xander looked at all the destinations on the train station's board and shrugged. He walked up to the ticket window. "I need to go to Vermont?"

"Which city?" the man behind the window asked.

"Doesn't matter. I just need to escape LA for a while." He was looked at funny. "I had a fight..." He got a sympathetic nod. "Just a nice, small town please. Not a city."

"Sure. Got just the place. My sister lives near there." A ticket popped up. "Seven fifty." Xander slid his credit card over. "Wow, a platinum, we don't see too many of these." He ran the card and handed it back with the slip to be signed a few seconds later. "How many bags?"

"None, I forgot to pack." Xander shook himself. "When does it leave?"

"Tonight at seven."

"I'll have a bag to check then." He took the ticket, folding it and putting it into his pocket. He walked out of the train station, walking past the men in the dark suits who were scanning the crowd.

***

Oz looked up from the table as Connor sat across from him. "Did they find him?"

"They found out he had bought a ticket to Vermont but nothing else. The man who sold it to him wouldn't even say where. They'll have to hack into Amtrak."

"That's not hard, I can do it."

"No, you're not going to be careful enough," Connor said, putting one of his hands on Oz's. "Let us handle it. A few weeks won't matter, Oz, you both need the time to calm down."

"No, I need Xander." Oz stood up, getting free, and headed for the room he kept in Methos' house, locking himself inside. He lay down on the bed, hugging the pillow he had stolen from their bed because it smelled like his love. "Come home, Xander, I need you," he whispered, closing his eyes.

***

Xander stood in the middle of Grand Central Station, frowning at all the activity. He switched the bag to his other hand and walked toward the sign that said 'Taxis', grabbing one to where he needed to go. He looked up at the building he had worked in for six weeks, paying the driver and getting out. He walked into the club, nodding at the bartender he remembered. "Devi?" he mouthed.

"Office," the bartender called back. "He's waiting on you."

Xander nodded, heading up the grand staircase and to the office. He tapped on the door and walked in. "Devi? I need some help to hide." His former boss waved him at a chair. "Oz and I are finished. I did something unthinkable and I need to go hide somewhere that he won't find me." He set everything in his pockets on the table, pausing and putting one of the credit cards back into his pockets. "This is all I left with."

Devi looked at the few things on the table, including the two bracelets. "Okay, we gotta cash you out. Oh, and I have that missing paycheck for you too. That should help." He picked up the train ticket, looking at the destination. "On a layover?"

"Yeah. I checked, I can get back on tomorrow. I told them it was an emergency that I had found out the last stop." Xander sighed and relaxed. "Thanks."

"No problem, kid. We'll fix it so they can't ever find you. Whaddya do?"

"I killed two men who couldn't die so Oz wouldn't fight and die," Xander said, not looking up from his hands.

"Damn, I thought those guys were a myth." Devi leaned back and shrugged. "Okay. That's a small town?" Xander nodded. "Then it'll be easy enough." He lifted his phone, hitting the buttons before he brought it to his ear. "Phil, I need some help down here. No, Xander's had a problem with his mates and he's moving far, far away from them to hide." He smiled as he hung up. "You can stay upstairs tonight if you want. No working involved. John'd even like to see you. He's been lonely since you left."

Xander gave him a weak smile. "Thanks, Devi, I knew I could trust you."

"Usually." The demon pushed everything towards the man that walked in. "Take Xander up to his old room. He's staying for the night and we're going to help him hide himself." The other man nodded, holding the items in one hand and grabbing Xander's arm in the other to carry him up the stairs. "Yeah, he'll be fine. We just gotta get him out of this mope." Devi pulled out a drawer in his desk, looking at the small tray inside. "I'll miss this," he sighed as he shut the drawer again.

Finding Him, Fixing Them.

An old man stepped out of his house next to the one Oz was trying to get into. "He ain't home," the old man called. He shuffled over, stopping on the far side of the driveway that was separating the houses. "He's gettin' groceries. He yours?" He looked Oz over. "The boy needs a keeper. He spent his first week mopin' around before he got himself a job."

Oz nodded. "Where's the store?"

"About six miles down the road on the left, but he'll be home soon."

"Define soon," Oz asked, stepping closer to him.

"Half-hour, hour maybe." He shrugged. "He's not real regular." The old man shuffled over to a bare patch of ground. "Too bad he wasn't here earlier, he'd do good with a garden. Give him a way to work off his energy, that boy's awfully jumpy."

"He's like that," Oz said quietly as he walked to the edge of the cleared area. "He been okay?"

"Nah, he's lonely. Kept tryin' ta fix him up with someone but he only wanted the one he wanted." He glanced up. "I pictured you as a bigger guy. Though he did say you were strong and smart."

"Maybe, but not without him." Oz looked at the plant remains littering the ground. "Tomatoes?"

"Yup, yellow ones. You have a garden?"

"Not recently." Oz looked up as he heard a car coming.

"That's Gladys. His car sounds different." The old man picked up a dried stalk, breaking it up. "What happened between you two? All he said was it was his fault."

"He broke up a fight I was in then ran away. I tried to keep him out of it but he jumped in." Oz kicked a clump of dirt. "He didn't even give me a chance. Not to complain or to thank him."

"Ah. Yeah, the boy'll get in the way. Alex is a do-gooder." One of Oz's eyebrows went up but the old man didn't even look at him. "He wanted a new life."

"Oh." Oz checked the house behind him. "Has he been okay otherwise?"

"Yup. Just lonely." He pulled up another stalk. "What took you so long?"

"I found him three days ago." Oz squatted down to look at the plant remains. "Is there something I need to know?"

"Nah, you'll do fine, just don't let him apologize."

"Well..."

"No," the old man cut him off, looking at him. "It can wait. Don't let him do it now." He smiled as he heard another car. "That's him. Be good ta him, he deserves it."

"And more," Oz agreed as he stood up. He walked over to Xander's house's porch and sat down, watching as the old Blazer pulled into the driveway.

Xander didn't look at his house as he slid out, grabbing a few bags. "I got you the stuff you like," he said as he handed his neighbor the bags. "Rocky Road and a bottle of cherries too." He walked around to the back of his Blazer and found Oz waiting there. "Still need a bell?" He unlocked the gates, opening them and grabbing some bags. "I got them," he said firmly, pushing Oz out of the way when he tried to grab something.

"I know. You've always been competent." Oz grabbed a few bags. "Less trips this way." He looked down at the bag his lover had dropped. "I'll get it, go unlock the door." Xander just stood there. "Xand? Refrigeration helps things."

"Yeah. Yeah, you're right." Xander picked up the remaining bags and headed for his porch.

Oz picked up the dropped bag, walking slowly after his lover. He walked into the house, setting the bags on top of the stove. "Gates are still up." He sat down on a stool beside the stove, waiting for Xander to come back in.

Xander took his time walking out to his truck to close the back. He leaned his head against the glass to take a few deep breaths, his eyes closed to help him calm down.

"You okay, Alex?" his neighbor called.

"Yeah, just inhaling the lingering exhaust," he called back. He looked toward the old man's house. "Did I get everything?"

"Yup, and something extra."

Xander blushed and jogged toward the old man's house, taking back the box. "Sorry." He took the money he was handed. "Thanks." He trudged back to his house and stopped as he opened the door. "Letting me do it all?"

"Didn't think you wanted me to do it," Oz told him quietly.

"Oh." Xander closed the door. "No old guy and Giles?"

"Giles is training with Connor and Meth. Richie's in London doing something for the old guy. Mac's still living, he's chained to Connor's wall." Xander nodded, taking off his jacket and hanging it up. He grabbed a bag, walking the four feet to the fridge and cabinets, silently putting the bag's contents up. "I only found you three days ago," Oz tried.

"Took the first flight?"

"Second, couldn't make the first."

"Oh." Xander grabbed another bag, heading for the freezer. "Why come?"

Oz stood up, walking up behind his lover's stiff body. "I needed you. You're the reason I don't want to lose anymore." He slowly wrapped his arms around the younger man's waist. "You're the first person in a long time that made me want to keep going." He took the milk from the frozen hand, putting it away for him. "I missed you," he said quietly.

"Why? You were tired of me." Xander turned around to look at him. "Oz, you hated me."

"No, I hated how you kept trying to interfere in my fights because most of the people I fight would hurt you too." Oz looked up, seeing the wet eyes. "I could never hate you, Xand, not ever." He leaned forward, resting on the warm shoulder. " I can't think without you," he whispered. "Everything's stopped. No work, no thoughts, no dreams without you."

Xander pushed Oz back with a frown. "I don't need a guilt trip." He grabbed another bag and slammed it into the refrigerator. "I really didn't need this, Oz, not at all. I have enough stress and guilt in my life without guilt for ruining your life."

Oz grabbed Xander, forcefully turning him around. "Wasn't meant to make you feel guilty, it was a statement of need." Oz looked at his hands and let Xander go. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you more." He pulled out his wallet and handed over a card. "My cellphone. When you want me, call." He put back his wallet, heading toward the door. "I'm at the bed and breakfast for a few days." He closed the door behind himself.

Xander slumped in on himself, sitting down on the stool. "Oz, why are you doing this?" After a few seconds he put the card down on top of the microwave and stood up, going back to putting up his groceries.

***

Oz looked at the credit card in his hands, considering staying for another day. He sat up when someone knocked on his door, walking over and throwing it open. "Yes?" he asked the desk clerk on the other side, his disappointment showing.

"A letter was just delivered for you, sir," he said, handing over a pale grey envelope. "Are you staying longer? The manager wanted to know so she could plan room assignments for an upcoming wedding."

Oz shrugged. "One more day I know of. It all depends on him." He slit open the envelope with his nail. "I'll tell you later," he murmured as he shut the door. He sat at the desk to pull out the paper inside. A ticket fell out of the folded, heavy, cream paper. Which when he opened it, only contained a time. "Okay, Xander," he whispered. He grabbed the phone, hitting the zero. "This is Mr. Osbourne." He grinned. "Yeah, it was. Give me two days?" He nodded. "Okay, I can understand that. Is there..." He wrote something down on the back of the paper Xander had sent. "Could you book me a room? Really? Thanks." He hung up, turning to look out the window. He stood up, grabbing his suitcase to pull out some clean clothes.

***

Oz slid into his seat in the theater, not looking at the man beside him. He relaxed as a hand slowly moved over to touch his. "Hi," he whispered as the previews started.

A third of the way through the action movie, a head was laid on his shoulder so Oz tipped his head to press against his love's. By the end of the movie they were cuddled together, Xander resting against Oz's chest and under his arm. As the credits rolled, Oz let the shifting Xander up, staying in his seat. "I have to leave the bed and breakfast tomorrow," Oz said quietly as the lights came back on.

"Why?" Xander asked, staring straight ahead.

"There's a twenty-six person wedding party coming in the day after tomorrow. They booked me at the closest traveling businessman's hotel, the ones with the suites that have kitchens."

"That's almost an hour away." Xander stood up and grabbed his jacket.

Oz stood up, walking out after him, stopping his lover outside the old theater. "It was the closest place." All he got was a nod. "Xander, I'm still going to be here. All you have to do is call." He looked around then checked his watch. "Dinner?"

"Nothing's open, it's after eight," Xander said with a small smile. "If you wanted, you could stay with me."

Oz took Xander's hand and squeezed it. "We still need some careful putting back together." The younger man's face fell. "I'd be too tempted to pick up where we left off without all the talking stuff, and I want to start there."

"And this stuff?"

"Definitely this stuff. I miss going out to do stuff." Oz squeezed his hand again before letting it go. "When you're ready, call and we'll do this again."

Xander nodded. "Dinner? Tomorrow night?"

"Give me a time and place."

Xander gave him a slow, bright smile. "There's a great place down the street. I'll make reservations and call you for when." Oz nodded so Xander started to walk away. "I've got your number."

Oz waited until he was alone to smile. "Yup, you do." He headed for Xander's old car, sliding into the Lexus and turning it on to get heat.

***

Xander tapped his fingers on the table to try and avoid looking at his watch. The maitre'd walked over and handed him the phone. "Oz?"

//Refereeing between Meth and Giles,// he groaned.

Xander snorted. "How much longer?"

//Grab dinner and come see me for dessert? Shut up! I'm already *way* late to be at dinner with Xander!//

Xander sighed. "It's late, Oz."

//I've already paid for dinner so order. I'm sorry. I wanted to be there *so* much.//

"I know," Xander said as he hung up. He looked up to see the understanding look in his waiter's eyes. "He's refereeing between friends and can't get away." He picked up the menu and actually got it open before dropping it. "Just some coffee and that pie that I can smell in the kitchen." His waiter left, leaving him looking out the window.

***

Oz walked into the bookstore Xander worked in, giving his lover a small smile. He walked back into the shelves, browsing through the meager collection but picking up some things that looked interesting. He even found a history book he had been waiting to read for a few years. He stepped up to the counter that served as a check-out, putting down the stack. Three cd's were put on top of them and he didn't question it, just pulled out his wallet.

"Anything else, sir?" the woman working beside Xander asked, giving him a pleased smile.

"Your co-worker for the afternoon." She gasped and Xander's mouth fell open. "I owe him a meal. I got stuck dealing with whiney people when I was supposed to dine with him." Xander shot him a look. "No?"

She nudged Xander with her elbow. "Go with him. Make him buy you that cd you've been wanting."

Oz held up a hand. "If he doesn't want it to be now, I'll gladly wait. Though I have a lunch packed for us in the car."

Xander walked around the counter, silently heading for his car. He waited until Oz was beside him to say anything. "You're way open about us," he complained.

"I'm sorry," Oz said, reaching over to touch the dark hair. "I didn't think you'd mind me being romantic." Xander shook his head. "I'm not?"

"Yeah, it was," Xander sighed, relaxing. "This is just a hold-over from last night. Get it fixed?"

"Giles summoned a demon to prove that they exist to another person the old guy had called in to help with the research. It drank all of Meth's beer."

Xander chuckled. "No wonder. How are they?"

"Fine. They're not mad either, just upset that you ran and hid." Oz's hand slid from the soft hair down to the rough cheek. "You have chapped skin."

"It's been windy." Xander turned in his seat. "You bought two hundred dollars worth of books and a picnic lunch? I'm not that pissed."

"No, but I need something to do when I can't sleep." Oz started the car. "Every time I try, I see how it could have turned out." He shuddered. "Not a pretty dream."

"I'm fine," Xander reassured him, resting his hand on Oz's thigh. "Want to picnic on my rug? It's warmer and my dog's home again."

"Hey, cool." Oz put the car in gear, backing out of the space. "When did you get a dog?"

"I needed something there. She's a good girl, likes to cuddle at night, but she's a mooch."

"Ah, begging. I was going to try that soon."

"You don't have the eyes for it," Xander told him as they pulled into his driveway. He grabbed the bag of books as he hopped out, pulling his keys out as he walked up the three stairs to the porch.

Oz had the two bags with lunch and was almost to the porch when he was run over by a small bundle of fur.

"Rocky! Get your hairy butt back in here!" Xander stood in the door, shooting his dog a glare. "Now!"

Rocky bounced around Oz's ankles, trying to grab the bags or trip him up. "Help?" Oz asked.

Xander walked down to grab the dog, falling onto his knees when his puppy tried to wiggle out of his grasp so he could catch her again. He looked up with a big grin. "We're a lot alike." He stood up, carrying the bundle of fur inside with him. "Come on!"

Oz walked up the three steps, kicking the door shut so Rocky couldn't get out. "Want plates or are containers good enough?"

"Whatever, this is your seduction."

"Nope," Oz said as he dropped the bags onto the stove. "Not a seduction. Simply a date." He looked around the kitchen. "Here?"

"No, living room." He watched Oz set everything out in the middle of the floor, amazed by the care he was showing. He winced as Rocky decided to help but she was simply picked up and put in between Oz's legs, the way he was sitting providing a natural napping depression. Xander sat down across from his lover, watching him closer. "This is nice," he said, looking over the food, almost everything was something he had said was his favorite at one time or another. Oz had even remembered to bring Ho-Ho's and Twinkies. "Wow. Very thorough."

"You deserve no less," Oz reminded him. He picked up a piece of folded paper, handing it over. "But I did bring a present. It's a fax from Giles."

Xander opened the letter and read it slowly, nibbling on the fruit salad that had been put in front of him. He smiled and wiped off his cheeks. "That's sweet."

"I feel the same, he's just better at saying it." Oz looked down at his cheeseburger, unwrapping it to check and make sure it was done right. "I'm willing to wait until you're ready to come home to me, us, Xander." A hand was put on the side of his face and he looked up to find that the young man had moved over to sit beside him. "Did you want me to shift..."

"Shh," Xander said, kissing Oz's cheek. "I do love you, but we do need to talk. I did..." A hand was placed over his mouth so he removed it. "I did and I think I owe you an apology."

"Not even close. You don't owe me anything. You were trying to protect me, even though it broke some rules that I live by." Oz ran the tip of his thumb across Xander's bottom lip. "I love you for interfering and for not wanting me to lose alone, but you can't help me there. With everything else in my life, yes, but not during the fights." He looked into the brown eyes, seeing the understanding there. "When you do things like what you did, it's like cheating. I'm one of the good guys so I'm not supposed to cheat. Surprise them maybe but not cheat."

"I know and I'm..." Oz covered his mouth again.

"There's nothing to apologize for, Xander. I need to apologize for being so hard on you about it and for not sitting down like this to explain the rules to you. I also have to apologize for not treating you how you needed to be treated." He stole a tender, gentle kiss, not really more than a brush of lips. "Eat, dear, I like to watch you do that. You always take such pleasure from the simple things."

"Not anymore," Xander said, looking down at his puppy. "I'm not happy, Oz, and I can't take pleasure from anything."

"Shh, I'm here now. We're working on it and you'll be happy again if I can help it." Xander looked up in shock. "Yeah, I know, that's one of those scary thoughts but I want to have that forever with you and to make sure that you're happy most of it." He picked up a piece of melon from the fruit cup, rubbing it across the younger man's lips before letting his bite into it. "See?"

"You're going to feed me for as long as we live?" Xander asked with a self-conscious grin.

"If you'd like." Oz leaned in to lick over the damp lips. "Whatever you need, I want to be that guy."

"Just like the song?"

"Yup, just like that. Which is why I have some major apologizing to do still."

"This is a good start."

"This is just lunch. Apologies have to be made with long walks to look at flowers and stuff."

"Um, Oz, this is October in Vermont. There's going to be snow soon. No more flowers until May."

"If I have to, I'll wait that long," Oz told him as he picked up a grape, popping it into Xander's mouth with his thumb so he could press against the soft lips.

"No, I don't have that sort of patience. By spring I want to be home again."

"Okay." Oz picked up a chicken wing, dipping it for the young man and lifting it to his lips. "Here, try these, they tasted great in the store."

Xander nibbled on the wing with a smile, grabbing it from the willing fingers to eat. "You need to eat too," he reminded. "I can't enjoy supper if you're not eating."

Oz picked up his burger and took a bite, chewing quickly. "Better?" His hands went back down by his lap.

"Nope, I have *way* too much food and you've only got that." He looked down at his puppy. "And she may be taking it soon." He finished just as Rocky snuck a bite of the burger.

Oz looked down, giving her a bland look. "You wanted it that bad?" He put it down on his leg. "Okay." He grabbed one of the wings. "Can I share?"

"You've always shared very well." Xander leaned over to lick off some of the burger's juice. "Needed a napkin."

"Hmm, you're a better one." Oz groaned as the dog moved in his lap. "How old is she?"

"Just old enough to be given away. Her old mother had three outside of the grocery store to give away a few weeks back. I almost kept all three. There was a red one that was almost the same color as your hair, and a dark one that was almost mine, but I decided the blond one would be safer."

Oz licked his lips and put the bones back into the bag. "I can see how that might have been wiser. Looking at one that had my hair color might have hurt." He took Xander's hand, holding it. "Meth gave me a teddy bear that had hair the same color as yours. Even Giles is refusing to be around me. He says I'm depressing." Xander frowned at him. "He does. Meth took my sword from me and started locking me in the house. He said it's not safe for me to go out. Every time I have someone shows up or Mac gets free and tries to kill me."

"He sent you out without your sword?"

"No, he didn't know I left. He was planning on showing up and dragging you down to Connor's and locking us in together." Oz picked up another wing, nibbling on it. "They're really worried about me, Xander, and I can see why."

"I thought you were being poetic," Xander muttered, pulling Oz's head over to rest against his forehead. "I'm sorry, Oz, I shouldn't have left like that. I just didn't want to have another argument. We'd had so many and we were trying to work it out when that happened." He looked down at the nose trying to get more of the food. "Touch that and have to eat puppychow tonight," he warned. His puppy's nose quickly withdrew back into Oz's lap. "Thank you."

"Gee, she really likes people food."

"She thinks she is a people," Xander said, sitting up. "I want you to come here and stay, Oz. I have extra rooms and you can have one if you want to. No pressure to take up where we left off, just shelter and talking." Oz shook his head but the puppy barked. "See, she agrees with me."

Oz looked down at the big, warm, brown eyes looking up at him. "She has eyes like yours." He looked up and saw the same begging look. "If you're sure..."

"I'm *so* sure," Xander said, leaning over for a kiss. "It just doesn't work if you're there and I'm here. It's hard to talk to you when I can't look at you, I feel funny."

"Then I'll be here," Oz agreed. "I'll go get my stuff tonight." He patted the dog's head. "Rocky?"

"She's part boxer." Xander grinned, wiggling his fingers at Oz's lap. "Aren't we? We're part boxer and part lab with a little retriever."

Oz shook his head. "Mom got out?"

"Yup, and despoiled the neighbor's purebred boxer. But she's a good girl." He reached over to pick up the dog, holding her to his chest just as the door was knocked on. "Um, hold her." He handed the puppy back and stood up, walking around the edge of the couch to get to the door. "Hi, Mr. Philipson. What's up?"

"Just wonderin' if you were okay," Xander's neighbor said. He looked in at Oz, then smiled when he saw where the puppy was sitting. "Gladys called and ordered me to come check on ya, said you were doing immoral things over here."

"I forgot to close the curtains," Xander said, covering his eyes. "Tell her it's my dog but that Oz is going to move into my spare room so we can talk easier and so he doesn't go broke with motel bills."

"Sure, though the woman needs to mind her own business." He nodded at Oz. "See ya soon I have no doubt. Don't let her go in my garden." He turned and limped off the porch. "Snow tonight, Alex, might want to stock up."

"Yes, sir, I will." Xander shut the door, looking at Oz. "Gladys lives in the beige house across corner from us. Her attic window has a telescope that looks into the living room." He waved out the window. "So, still willing?"

"Yup. Not even wanting to think about how much I spent in the last week on rooms."

"Cool." Xander leaned in for another kiss but Oz avoided it. "Not nummy?"

"Yeah, you are, but I wanted to take it slow, one more kiss and Gladys is going to get a floor show." Xander gave him a goofy grin. "What have you been living on?"

"I stopped in New York and had Devi help me to cash out what I had. I maxed out one of my cards with a withdrawal of cash, but it'll be automatically paid out of my checking account," he hurried to assure when he saw the beginning frown.

"Wasn't for that, was for who. Did he try anything?"

"Yeah, but I stopped him." Xander pulled his knees up to put his chin on them. "I'll tell you that story later. 'Kay?"

"Yup, just as long as you're safe." Oz took Xander's hand, rubbing the back of it with his thumb. "We should eat before Rocky gets a lot of people food." He looked down to find the puppy nose deep in the ranch dressing, her fluffy tail in Xander's fruit cocktail. "Or it could be too late."

"Why? We have ranch dressing in the fridge." He picked her up, setting her out of the way with the dressing and the fruit. "I know I'll regret giving her those citrus things later but she loves them." He patted her gently for a second. "She's a great cuddler."

"So are you," Oz told him, shifting so they were sitting side by side. "Are you going back to work today?"

"I should. Don't want to but I should." Xander looked at the impromptu meal. "Not really. I don't think she'll be expecting me back but I'll call and ask anyway." Oz handed over his cellphone. "Got to be expensive."

"Yeah, but you're worth it."

"Gee, I'm worth roaming charges?"

"It's through our long distance people, we don't have any and it's national coverage. The way the guy explained it to me was that it's like our home phone with a calling card."

"Oh." Xander nodded as he dialed. "That's pretty cool. Hi, it's Alex. No, we're talking and eating. Rocky! Get out of the wings!" He smiled. "No, it's cold outside. We're picnicking on my rug with the dog." He nodded and hung up. "I have the rest of the day off but I have to help stock tomorrow night."

"Can I cook?"

"Nope, tomorrow's pay day and I have this rule against cooking on paydays." He picked up a wing and rubbed it across Oz's lips. "You need to eat as much as I do," he reminded. "Nibble for me, babe." Rocky barked. "Not you, him." He looked back to find Oz was eating from his fingers and he had sauce smeared all over his mouth. "Hmm, messy."

Oz pulled back and licked off his lips. "You know what ran through my mind?" Xander shook his head, tipping it off to the side. "The nights that you used to eat in my lap. I missed those days. You always seemed so happy."

"I was," Xander said quietly, finishing off the wing and dropping the bones back into the bag. "I was even happy when we were fighting, I just thought that you wouldn't want me around since I had to help you that way."

Oz pulled Xander into his lap, ignoring the bottle of raspberry sauce that had been knocked over. "I wanted you so much. I don't even remember the next few days. All I remember is begging you to come back." He rubbed over Xander's back and down onto his thighs. "I missed you by seconds I guess, but I stood in the middle of the street and called for you. Connor pulled me back inside."

"Okay, you keep saying Connor."

"Russell Nash? That's his real name."

Xander nodded. "Oh, okay." He laid his head on Oz's shoulder. "I'm sorry I left, I just didn't think you'd want me to stay."

"Leaving is the only thing that you ever have to apologize to me for," Oz whispered, hugging him. He pulled back. "You went back to the old Xander, the one whose never heard of moisturize except from his ex's mouth. This is scary to me too."

"I'm still the same guy, Oz, I just didn't have the energy to take care of myself. Then it started to become easier to go back to the miserable times." He pushed himself off his lover's body, looking at the mess his foot had made. "I'll clean it later if Rocky doesn't."

"I will, it was my mistake."

"No, it was my foot."

"I didn't watch where it was going when I pulled you over so I'll clean it." Oz shook his head. "We're arguing over blame of the small things to keep from the main one. I don't want to do that. I love you, Xander, I want you to come home with me when you're ready. Or we'll move up here."

"My neighbors are liberal, but not that liberal," Xander said with a small smile. "If you want to clean up the mess, go right ahead. The carpet scrubber stuff makes my hands break out and gives me a runny nose."

"Okay, I'll clean it if you clean up lunch." Xander nodded, hopping up to gather up the remains of lunch. "We'll eat it for supper?"

"Could. I have a bag of stuffed potato skins that I can add and some cheese sticks."

"Cool. We'll munch later. Maybe rent a movie and just sit together? " He looked hopeful.

Xander put down the things he had picked up. "Oz, I'm not sending you away. Go get your stuff from the hotel and come back."

"Let me help you clean up?"

"Sure." Xander handed him a pile of styrofoam containers. "Put those in the fridge if you can find room. If not, put them on the stove and I'll clean the fridge."

"Do you need to shop? I could do that on the way back."

Xander nodded. "Okay, get munchie-type stuff. Pizzas and things."

"'Kay," Oz said, nodding. "Um, work?"

"I called off and my car's over there. I'll walk over later and get it. Just go get your stuff and I'll have clean sheets on the bed." He leaned over, wrapping his arms around Oz's neck. "Love you too, but you're worrying. I'm not going to change my mind."

"Thanks." Oz stole a kiss and got free, heading for the kitchen. "This is a nice place."

"The owner's out of state for a year on her job, I'm renting it." Xander brought all the food he could grab from his puppy into the kitchen. "Come on, hurry up." Oz followed, handing him things while he put them up. "Okay, go get your stuff. Get a *few* groceries, and we'll be set for the night. We'll go pick out rentals later." Oz nodded and grabbed a hug. "We'll work it out," he promised. "Oh, your phone?"

"Keep it, Meth's going to call and nag in a while. You can nag him back. Or just don't answer it. Whatever you feel comfortable doing."

"Sure. I'll nag him back," Xander said gently, turning Oz toward the door and grabbing Rocky, who was wiggling in time with her tail. "Not you, he's going to go and come back."

"Yup," Oz said, pulling out his keys. "Be back in about two hours." He walked out, waving over his shoulder. "Two hours," he called again as he got in.

"I won't forget," Xander told Rocky. "Will we? No, we won't forget how long he'll be. We've got to make the house pretty for him." He put her down, heading for the spare room. "I slept in here last night so I should change the sheets." He looked at the nicely made bed and shrugged. "Maybe he'll like me-smelling sheets." He checked the room then ran up the stairs, heading for the bathroom and his unsightly clump of stuff on the sink.

***

Oz looked through the selection of pizzas, searching for one he wanted. "Just getting two for me," he muttered, grabbing two small boxes, "and the rest can be his kind." He grabbed six of the bigger boxes and tossed them into the cart. He started back down the aisle, looking around at the store's offerings. "Wonder if he has real food?" he asked himself, standing in front of the frozen vegetables section. He grabbed a bag of broccoli spears and one of fries, tossing them into the cart, then headed for the cheese section, ending up in the deli when nothing there came up to his standards. "Three pounds of mild cheddar and one of provolone please?" He hummed along with the canned music the store was playing while he waited, taking the packages.

"Anything else?"

"Um, ham. He likes ham. Give me a pound of the smoked ham? And one of the roast beef, that looks perfect." He glanced around, grabbing a bag of rolls that said 'fresh baked' and a roll of bagels that said the same, turning to get the meat. "Thanks." He pushed the cart on, stopping to get both juice and soda, and chips for later, then headed for the checkout. He pulled out his wallet, frowning at it's almost empty state. "Huh." He pulled out a card he usually hid from himself, handing it over to pay for the things he wanted Xander to have. He signed the slip and handed it back, taking his card and putting it up front. He pushed the cart out to the Lexus, frowning up at the snow drifting gracefully down to litter the top of everything. "Got to call home, get something warmer," he reminded himself. "And get some money wired up. Not living on my credit cards, I'll never get them paid off, no matter how long I live." He loaded the groceries into his trunk and slammed it, pushing the cart over to the cart return and hurrying back to his car. "Damn, really cold," he muttered. He started the car, wincing at the grinding noise it made, but backed it out of the parking space, heading for Xander's house.

Xander glanced anxiously out the window through the not-so-gently falling snow, watching for his car and his lover to show up. He smiled when he saw the Lexus pull up, grabbing his jacket and making sure that the gate was up so Rocky couldn't escape as he ran out the door. "Oz, where's your jacket?"

"Timbuktu," he complained, opening the trunk. "And if you think I'm kidding, you're wrong." He grabbed half of the bags and slid the strap for his bag over his shoulder. He jogged toward the house, automatically correcting himself when he slipped on a growing spot of ice. "You need salt," he yelled as he made it inside.

"I know," Xander said, following and closing the door. "Good girl," he said, giving Rocky a smile. "She jumped the gate the other day and headed out. That's why she was at the vet's."

"Ouch. She okay?"

"Yup, she cracked her head a little. They wanted to watch her to make sure she was okay." He looked at all the bags, counting silently. "I said a *few* things."

"Yeah, and I heard the words 'snow' and 'stock up'. So I did." He waved the boxes of pizza, earing a smile. "Just what you like, except two little ones."

"Oz, you should have bought stuff you liked too," Xander reminded, giving him a brilliant smile. "But I'll forgive you because I know what you were thinking." He rubbed down the older man's arm. "The big freezer's out in the spare room. We'll call Methos tonight to get you real clothes before you freeze." He unloaded the rest of the bags, shaking his head at the contents. "We'll be fine," he called.

Oz stuck his head out of the back room, his skin very pink right then. "It's cold enough in here to be a freezer."

"Yup." Xander stuck the drinks into the fridge and shut the door. "Hurry up and you can have Rocky and the warm blankies."

"Wow." Oz walked out, connecting the hook and eye closure to keep the door shut. "Okay?"

"Yup. But you're being way careful of me still. I told you I'm not going to change my mind."

"I know, but ...."

"But you're worried," Xander cut him off. "That's not *your* job, it's *Giles* job. Who, by the way, called to nag today. When he heard my voice he yelled and Methos apparently stole the phone from him. Giles kept yelling at him to give it back." He smiled sweetly. "What did you do to him?"

"That's Methos for ya, he's trying to turn Giles into you so he won't be so lonely. Ray's still in Canada then he's got to go to Chicago for a few weeks." Oz walked closer, looking up at his lover. "I missed you, Xander, I really did."

"Yeah, I missed you too, fussy." He kissed the end of Oz's nose. "Want to get movies?"

"Can I get a little warmer first?"

"Yup, we got an hour before all the really good ones are gone. And the local place is okay about new ones but the older, cultish ones are their specialty."

"Cool." Oz wrapped himself around Xander's chest. "Warm," he sighed, closing his eyes. He felt him stiffen so backed up. "Sorry." He picked up his bag, looking around. "Which room?"

"The one on this floor, next to the living room." Xander followed him into it. "That wasn't about you, that was my body remembering you. It had this sudden urge to toss you to the floor and hop on top of you."

Oz snorted, dropping his bag on the bed. "Xander, even if you had, I would have stopped us. No matter how much my body was thinking the same thing, I would have stopped us. It's not time yet." He held open his arms. "'Nother hug?"

"Sure," Xander said, moving into his arms. "I'm sorry I scared you."

"I can't lose you, Xander, that's the only certain thing in my life."

"I thought your programming was."

"It is but I can't work right now. Every time I open the machine, I blank out and start to see you."

"Mushy," Xander said with a grin and a cheek nibble. "Come on, let's get movies before it gets too bad." He led Oz out to his Blazer, letting him get in first. "This is the sort of thing you need up here. The guy who sold it to me was going to Florida for good." He started the truck, putting it in gear and backing out. "Oh, and my boss thinks you're cute and good for me." He stopped at the chuckle. "What? You are. You make me happy and that's a good."

"Not thinking about that. Do you know the last time I was called cute?"

"Um, when I called you that?"

"You did?"

"Yup, during the pageant." Xander backed onto the street, putting the car into gear and heading back into the main part of town. "I told you you were cute in your dress."

"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. I was thinking the last time I had been called cute was by Willow when she was describing me to Buffy."

"How's she anyway?"

"Will's okay. I've written her a few times, she knows you're taking a vacation." He paused at the snort. "I didn't want everyone to know."

"Good point. Buffy?"

"She's not in town anymore. The Council came to straighten her out for a while. They're shipping her back to Giles this week."

"And she's totally fixed?"

"Supposedly." Oz grabbed the bar as the Blazer slid around a corner. "Easy."

"Sorry. Little bit of ice." Xander drove for a few more minutes in silence before pulling up in front of a shop three doors down from his work. "Gotta love small towns. Everything's compact."

"Yup, and you know everybody."

"Good point. Gladys will know what we rented by tomorrow morning."

"Hmm, no porn then."

"Not here, Oz, not even in the area." He rolled his eyes at the small chuckle. "It's like that here. I have some at home, it's been mailed."

"Cool. Maybe tomorrow, or later tonight?"

"One question, can I, if you feel like letting me, relearn your body? Not doing anything more than touching and maybe cuddling on the couch like teens?"

"Sure," Oz said, giving him a bright smile. "I think we could do that easily. Actually, I would love to just lay there and hold you, never letting go."

"Yeah, me too," Xander said, sliding out of the truck and slamming the door. "Come on."

Oz got out, hurrying up the few stairs to the main sidewalk and inside the video store as fast as he could. "Real cold. Gotta call home and tell them to send me stuff." Xander rubbed down his back, heading for a rack of movies. "Wow," he said as he caught sight of a box, "wanted to see this forever."

"Was cheesy," Xander said, looking at the box. "Have it at home though." He held up a box. "How's this one?"

"Seen it. Was good though." He held up a box with a picture of Sean Connery in armor on it. "Seen this one?"

"The Green Knight? Nope, not yet. Is it good?"

"Kinda, but it's got a switching point that's real obvious in there, you just have to wait it out. That gives us two."

"I've seen the Bond one, so one." He looked at all the nearby shelves then headed for a shadowy corner rack. "Wanna watch Goth stuff?"

"After seeing the real thing for how many years?" Oz asked quietly from behind Xander. "To laugh at?"

"Could. Though I like the last incarnation of Bram Stoker." He picked up the box. "This one. It's a cool movie if you ignore some stuff."

"Cool, still haven't seen that one." He took the box to read the back of it. "Very good sounding. Can we get a comedy too? I really just want to relax with you tonight."

"Sure," Xander said, leading him over to the comedy section. "Police Academy?"

"Yeah, get the series."

"Um, don't have one or three. Got the rest though."

"Sure." Oz picked up a few of the boxes and held them against his chest. "Who's paying?"

"I am, they can't run cards here." Xander walked up to the check-out lane, handing over the boxes they carried and pulled out his card to hand over as well. He smiled at the woman behind the counter. "This is Gladys' daughter, Oz."

"Oh, is that *him*?" Xander nodded. "He doesn't look like he drove you away."

"Cheryl," Xander said, his smile going away, "I left him, not the other way around, and it was over something *I* did, not him." A female someone cleared their throats behind them. "Sorry." He moved closer to the counter so she could get by.

"No problem, just wondering if you needed help to leave him again." She glared at Oz. "No one should have to leave their lovers."

"Shh," Xander whispered, touching her arm. "It wasn't like that. It really wasn't. It wasn't a domestic thing, the only domestic thing we had was bliss. For us, it was just something I did that made me leave. He came for me to make me see I was wrong to leave instead of talking about it." He gave her a brave smile. "Really, there's no domestic violence here, Tara."

"Okay," she said, still glaring at Oz. "But if you need help, you just yell my way." She patted the side of his face. "The people of this town won't put up with spousal abuse."

"Domestic violence," Xander corrected.

"It's the same thing, it shouldn't matter that your spouse is another man."

"Very true," Oz said, holding out a hand. "Xander makes me the happiest man in my life, I would never hurt him. Not for anything in life."

She hummed but shook his hand. "Good. We all like Alex." She grabbed her tape from the counter, giving the woman behind the register a smile. "Later, Cheryl."

"Bye," she called after her. "So, what happened?"

"We were fighting over things like my disappearing for hours on end without leaving a note," Xander said with a small frown at his wallet as he pulled out money to give to her. "Got to go to the ATM after this." He looked over at Oz, who was watching him. "I don't have my other cards."

"I do," Oz said. "They're in my suitcase." He tapped the top of the tapes. "How long do we have them for?"

"It's Friday, so Monday." She pulled a bag out, taking the tapes from her helper and putting them in. "Oh, it looks like we don't have one of them after all."

Xander shrugged. "Okay." He took the bag and his change, waving and giving her a little smile. He sighed once they were both in the Blazer, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. "I hate that about small towns."

"Yeah, but it's a good thing if you were really being hurt."

"Point," Xander conceded as he pulled himself together and started the truck. "Um, how do you drive on really slushy snow?"

"Let me?" Oz asked. He got a nod so he got out and slid around the end of the Blazer, getting in. He checked his passenger as he put the truck in gear, buckling himself up at the last second. He slowly inched out of the parking space, looking behind him. "Tell me if I hit something, okay?"

"Yup, the guy behind us has stopped though." Oz put the Blazer in forward and inched forward slowly. "Huh, so you do it slowly?"

"Well, you don't want to accelerate too quickly. We can turn at this corner, right?"

"Yeah, unless you want to go out by the old school."

"No thanks." Oz flipped on his blinker, turning the sharp corner just as slowly. "It's been a few years since I had to do this too." He sped up a little, still going about ten miles under the speed limit. He stopped and turned the corner so he could get onto the street that would take them back to the main street. He pulled over, looking out the window. "Xander, who's that?" He pointed toward an alley way. "She's not got a jacket either."

"Not sure," he said, unbuckling and getting out. He sloshed across the street, tapping the girl on the shoulder. She jumped and screamed. "Easy, Juli," he said, looking her over. "You locked out or something?"

She nodded. "Something like that."

He looked up. "Listen, I'm willing to let you come use my phone, I live a few blocks away, but not if you're trying to break in."

"I live here," she said, looking up at the lit window. "My mother kicked me out so she could have someone up there. She didn't realize it was snowing."

Xander nodded, pointing toward his Blazer. "Get in. I'll take you to Tara's. We just ran into her at the video store." She gave him a smile and jogged across the street. Xander got back into his seat, looking at his lover. "We have to find the woman that just yelled at you." He looked over his shoulder. "There's a dog blanket back there somewhere. The emergency pack is back at the house to be refilled."

The girl found the blanket and wrapped it around herself. "Thanks, Alex. This is great of you."

"I can't let someone suffer that way." He pointed back out onto the street. "Straight across. Or actually, pass by the grocery store first. I think I saw her car there." Oz nodded, checking behind them and pulling out. He turned onto the main street, heading with more confidence into the store's parking lot. "Watch out, this decline is always slick," Xander warned him as they were about to turn.

Oz slowed back down to a crawl, parking the Blazer next to the store. He watched at Xander got out and ran inside. "So, you go to where he works?"

"Yeah, and he does some volunteer stuff at the teen center too. He's really cool. Are you Giles or Oz?"

"I'm Oz." He held a hand over his shoulder, shaking hers. "We're trying to fix it now."

"Good, he needs someone. The guy's really cute but he needs someone more stable than most of the guys around here." She smiled as he came back out and hopped back in. "Not in there?"

"She had to make a stop then she's heading home." Xander buckled himself back in. "Back onto the main street, where we were headed. She lives down that way."

"Okay," Oz said, restarting the engine and backing out carefully, having to stop so he didn't run over a woman and her children. "Can you see if they're all out of there."

"No," Xander said, sticking his head out of the door to check. "Mrs. Palmer? You forgot one," he yelled. She turned around and whistled, bringing her child and the toy she had dropped. "Thanks." He closed the door. "Now it's clear as far as I can tell." Oz nodded, backing out even slower. By the time they had gotten back onto the street, the young girl's teeth were chattering. "Shh, Juli, it'll be okay." He turned around to look at her. "We'll find her soon. She was heading to the ATM then home." He looked out the window as they slowed down. "Right then straight. Tara's my boss at the teen center and she lives about six houses down from the post office."

"Keep on this street, even past the post office, and go about four houses down," Juli corrected. "She moved to the other house a few days ago. A bunch of us helped her. That street on the left? Get on it. It's the blue house on the right." She blew on her hands and rubbed them together. "Alex, this is killer of you, thanks."

"No big," he said with a smile. "Now if only I had learned to drive on snow."

"I thought they had some of that where you lived."

"It's a few hours away and I never went there while I was driving. I went to the beach and did a lot of interstate stuff, but never into the mountains." He looked at the house they were pulling into. "You sure it's this one?"

"Yeah, this is where we put all her stuff."

Xander shrugged and got out, letting her out of the back and walking her up to the house. He knocked on the door, smiling at the woman who had yelled at Oz in the video store. "Cute house. Found her outside. Her mother kicked her out without a jacket."

"Poor thing," Tara said, letting her into the house. "Come on, Juli, let's get you warm. Thanks, Alex. Be safe."

"I will. You too." He let the screen door close, walking back to the Blazer and sliding in. "She's a good woman, a social worker actually. She just cares a lot."

"Which is a good thing. You could use it," Oz said as he backed out.

"Watch out for dark shapes. There's a lot of cats on this street that run loose."

"Okay." Oz slowed as he saw one dart under his bumper. "Speaking of which."

Xander got out and knelt behind the truck. "Misty, I'm not taking you home. Rocky and you will fight again and your mother will be really pissed." He looked at her tail. "Oz, pull forward a few inches."

"Can't," he said, opening his door, "something just ran under the front."

Tara walked out of her house, putting down a dish and ringing a small triangle. Both cats ran over to the plate, attacking it like they hadn't eaten in days. "Night, guys," she called, waving.

"Night, thanks," Xander called, waving back. He got back into his seat, his door open just long enough to let the cat jump up into his lap. Oz put his head down and shook it. He tried to get her, a very pregnant her, off his lap but she refused to move.

Tara walked over to look at her. "She's pretty. But she doesn't live around here."

Xander nodded. "We'll take her home. If you hear a parent complaining, tell them to yell my way." He looked over at Oz. "Are the back wheels clear?" She checked and grabbed a cat, shooing a few more out, then nodded, giving them another smile. "Thanks. Now, Oz, before more come."

Oz backed out quicker than he had been driving, driving away with a wave. "This town is insane," he told his lover conversationally. "Absolutely insane."

"No, they just like each other," Xander said, petting the cat. "So, no collar. No collar marks on you fur." He checked her eyes. "She's starved, Oz. Fortunately, I have some cat food at home and some nice, comfy blankets for her to sleep on."

"And if she delivers tonight?"

"Then we'll deal with it," Xander said firmly. "It's the least we could do. I'd expect everyone else to do the same for Rocky."

"Good point, and they'd call you too."

"Yup, and if Tara doesn't know who it belongs to, her husband works in city hall in the licensing place." He stroked down her back. "She's obviously a pet, she likes me."

"Do you have litter?"

"Nope, but we got a box and we got some newspapers. Should be okay enough." Xander pointed at their turn off. "Um, Oz?"

"Xander, trust me on this, she needs more than a box and newspapers. Especially if she's going to deliver tonight." He pulled up in front of the other supermarket. "Hand her over for a second." He held the cat, feeling her stomach. "One's turned wrong, she'll go tonight, and we're probably going to need a vet." He handed her back. "Stay." He walked inside, checking to make sure that the cashiers could take cards, and when they couldn't he went to the service desk, making a withdrawal through them. He headed back into the pet aisle, coming out with his arms full, heading for the lone cashier's register. "Hi."

"New animal?"

"Alex just found a pregnant stray that he thinks will deliver tonight. We're just stocking up." He held up a finger, jogging back into the aisle, and came back with a few cans of food. "This too." He watched as she rang him up, handing over his money, and took the bags. He walked carefully back to the Blazer and got back in, after moving the cat from his seat. "Okay, we've got food, litter, and stuff in case we need to take care of the kittens." He shut the door, looking around for her. When he didn't find her, he got out and retrieved her from under the Blazer, handing her over to Xander. "Here, she's in labor. Use the dog blanket to make her comfortable for the next few minutes." He started the truck and headed home.

***

"Wow," Xander said once they had the birthing box all set up and she was comfortable. "How did you know how to do that?"

"Methos was a doctor for the longest time." He reached down to pat Rocky's head, the puppy was watching the cat go through her labor. "She'll be fine but we need to watch over them. She needs to clean them and there shouldn't be that much time between the kittens." He looked at his lover. "She's pretty. What're you going to name her?"

"Miracle." Xander looked up with a guilty grin. "If I can't find her mother."

"Hey, animals need love too." He reached over, rubbing down Xander's face. "Let's give her some privacy. Since she's in the kitchen, we can just check her when we get up for drinks and snacks." He looked at the stove. "How much longer on the pizza you stuck in?"

"Two minutes," Xander said, checking the timer on the microwave. He opened the door. "Yup, two or three." He stood back up, watching as the first kitten appeared, grabbing Oz's arm to hold on as tight as he could. "Look," he whispered, pointing.

Oz nodded. "Good color and easy presentation. That one should be okay." They watched as she cleaned the kitten off. "Good Miracle," he whispered, putting the bowl of water down beside her. "When you need it," he said, backing away since she was growling at him. "Grab dinner and we'll go start a movie." He poured them sodas and walked out to the couch.

Xander walked out a few minutes later, smiling as he handed over the tray. "Second kittens out and being licked clean. He sat down, taking the tray to put between them. "Coolness. Bram?"

"Yup. And this one is a seductive one from what I've heard."

"Very." He looked toward the kitchen as Miracle started to howl. "Um... should we?"

"I'll go look, you stop the tape when the actual movie starts." Oz pushed himself off the overly soft couch, heading back into the kitchen. He flipped on the light over the sink, looking down at the box. "Oh, you're stuck," he said, kneeling and helping her by pushing on her stomach. "There." He sat back, watching as she started to lick that kitten clean even as the next one started to come out. He looked up as Xander walked up behind him, pointing. "Fourth is coming." He watched as that one was born, the mother taking a few deep breaths before going back to her cleaning. He timed the time until the second one was cleaned, frowning. "We'll have to watch that one, it wasn't breathing for a while." The mother looked up and meowed pitifully. "If I could do it for you, I would," he assured her. He reached in, touching her stomach. "One more that's not ready yet. It's not in the canal."

Xander sat on the floor, watching her. "Should we call the vet?"

"Let's let her take some time. Animals can usually do this on their own. Even the problem ones are usually handled by themselves. If she hasn't delivered it in an hour or starts to have problems, we'll call."

"Okay." Xander reached over to pet Rocky, who was nosing one of the kittens. "Hey, you. Gonna be okay with the kittens?"

Miracle growled then started to howl. "Now we call the vet, that's a bad sign," Oz said, watching Xander as he hit the speed dial button on the phone. "Do they do house calls?"

"The female one would, she lives here in town. The other lives in the next town over and probably can't get out since he lives nearly on top of a mountain." He tapped his fingers. "Hi, this is Xander Harris. No, it's not Rocky, she's fine. I found a pregnant cat tonight, she actually jumped into my lap inside my Blazer. She's had four kittens, really quickly, but the last one..." She started to howl again. "Is making her make that noise." He looked toward the box and nodded. "Okay, can you?" He smiled. "Okay. Thanks." He hung up. "She'll be over in a while. She does all the small animal stuff anyway, her partner does the bigger animals." He unlocked the door and sat back down in front of the box. "Hey, Miracle, it's okay, we're getting you some help. Yeah, we are," he said, reaching over to pet her between the ears. She bit him and he hissed, pulling his finger away. "Um..."

"Don't report it, I'm pretty sure she's not rabid. No signs, and we'll keep watch." Oz looked over his shoulder as someone stomped up the stairs. "In here," he called.

A tall, reed-thin woman walked in, tossing back her hood. "Hi, Alex. Who do we have here?"

"I'm calling her Miracle." He got up so she could sit down in his place. "She's howling with the contractions I guess."

"She is," Oz said, looking at the vet, whom he had felt something off. "Oz," he said, holding out a hand. "The third was caught too, I helped push her out like my grandmother taught me."

"Okay, that's good to know." She reached into the box, dodging the jaws. "Yeah, we're just in pain. Who'd she bite? I see blood."

"Me," Alex said, holding up the finger he had been running under water. "Stung too."

"She's just a little thing," the vet said, holding her close to her chest and petting her stomach. "Oh, we're not in any way ready to have this one." She frowned as she kept touching one spot. "She has a mass or something between her kitten and the exit." She looked up at Xander. "Your call."

"Whatever," he said, nodding. "I don't want her to die."

"She still could," Oz said, reaching back to rub down his leg. "She's awfully little to be a mommy cat." He looked up. "If we have to, we can raise the kittens." Xander nodded.

The vet cleared her throat. "I'm agreeing with your friend Oz, Alex, she's not in the best of shape, but if we don't she will die." She looked down. "I'd like to try though. She really jumped up into your lap inside the Blazer?"

"Yeah," Oz said, looking down at the kittens. "We were trying to get clear of the other ones and that one jumped us just as we were almost pulling out."

The vet laughed. "At least we know where you were. I've never seen her around though." She stood up, heading over to the door to look out it. "We're in white out," she sighed. "I can't take her in during this."

"You could use the table as long as you cover it," Xander said. "I'm sure the owner wouldn't mind and I'd clean it really good. It's not been used in forever."

Oz stood up. "Give me the dish towel and I'll clean it so she can drape it." He walked into the dining room, wiping down the wooden square table. He backed away as the vet laid the birthing box on it, walking around to hold it so she could work. "Let me help?"

"Of course. Nurses are always welcome." She opened her bag, pulling out a sterile package and some gloves. "She's not going to be as comfy as she would back at the clinic, I only carry local with me."

It won't hurt her for long," Oz said, touching her chest. "Or at all." The vet swore and grabbed her, putting her down on the table. "Want me to cut or do CPR?"

Xander cleared his throat. "Oz, would it work?" The vet shook her head. "Save the kitten then." He walked back into the living room, taking the box with the other kittens.

Oz looked at the vet and shrugged. "Your call."

"He's right." She pulled on her gloves and grabbed a wrapped scalpel, tearing it open. "Just hold her still, the kitten is moving enough." She cut into the cat's stomach, hissing as blood started to flow out. "She couldn't be saved. That's a rupture." She cut into the uterus, pulling out the kitten to look at. "Take the extra towel in the bag and rub her," she commanded, handing the kitten off to Oz.

Oz sat down in the chair, rubbing her with the towel, blowing on her face. When he wasn't getting a response, he checked to make sure she wasn't paying attention then brought forward a little touch of his quickening, hitting her with the jolt. Which was enough to get her to cough. "Living," he said, rubbing her face off. "Yeah, we'll be fine," he cooed, putting her up to his chest. "What?" he asked when he saw that she was looking at him funny.

"I've only seen one other person do that and I know why. Are you here for him?"

"I'm only here for Alex. I'd like to stay at peace. I don't even have a weapon with me." He handed over the kitten. "He's safe, as are you." She smiled, turning her plain face into a radiant one. "Good. Having said that, I'm not fighting for a long time. Xander's too important to me."

"Good. I'm sure he'll be glad to hear it." She looked down at the kitten. "You are the lucky one here, my boy. He likes animals."

"We both do," Xander said from the door. He was holding one of them. "Oz said this one didn't breath for a while either. She was too busy cleaning off the third one that had been stuck. This one just slid out as an afterthought."

She exchanged kittens with him, looking that one over. "It's too soon to tell but I'm not seeing a problem, Alex." She handed her back. "Your friend can probably tell you how to take care of them. I'll take the mother home with me and we'll bury her tomorrow when we can get back to the office." She wrapped the blanket around the mother's body. "I'm sorry, Alex, she was hemorrhaging internally." Oz handed her her bag. "Thanks. Take good care of them and if you have any problems tonight, call me. It's not like I'm going to sleep." She walked out into the nearly white night.

Oz looked at Xander, who looked lost. "We can do this. Same as she did. Go run a tub of warm water and grab an old washcloth that can get blood on it. I'll start to warm the milk and we'll feed them after they're clean."

Xander nodded heading off to do as he was told.

***

Oz leaned back, lifting his feet up with a grunt. "Yes, Methos, I said that our family has just grown." He smirked as he looked down at the small, furry lumps on his stomach. "No, we didn't adopt. I'm not even sure Xander wants kids." He chuckled. "No, a very pregnant cat jumped in his lap as we were leaving a friend of his' driveway. She delivered here last night." He petted the four furry lumps with a finger, just gently letting them know they weren't alone, like their mother would. "No, she died with the last one inside her. No, there were five but now there are four, including the one I zapped." Oz growled. "Excuse me? I've seen you do it for your horse!" He shook his head, rolling his eyes. "Yay, she already knew. She's a pre-immie." He laughed again, shaking the kittens and getting weak sounds of protest. "Sorry, guys, and girl. What? No, Xander does have a dog though. Half boxer and half lab/retriever mix." He smiled, looking out the window. "No, Rocky's playing on the covered porch so she can bark at the kids running past."

Xander walked into the house, stopping to look at the kittens. "Friends?"

"Methos." He handed off the phone. "Here, he can nag you about how I brought one back." Oz sat up, lifting the bottom of his shirt so the kittens wouldn't have to be picked up. "Yeah, let's go get droppers of milk." He walked into the kitchen, getting the small bowl of milk from the microwave. He tested it with his finger before putting the eye dropper into it, his shirt resting on top of the stove. He picked up one of the kittens, sliding the dropper into his mouth and releasing it slowly. "How was work?" he asked after Xander had hung up. "Oh, forgot to tell him to send me clothes."

"You remember money?"

"Yeah. How'd you know?"

"I saw your wallet last night," Xander reminded him. "It's all in the bank?"

"Yup. In a foreign bank for the most part. I called and it's in transit but it won't be available until tomorrow." He finished getting a second dropper down and switched kittens. "They've been good for me, so far. We've been taking lots of naps. They like my stomach." He looked over at the quiet. "What's wrong?"

"Methos yelled because you're picking up strays."

"He would. Of course, he picked up Connor, me, and Mac. The man knows a lot about strays. That's who most of his wives have been." Oz shrugged. "I like strays. And before you say it," he said when he saw the open mouth, "you're not a stray. Willow was a stray, almost. Most of my strays come to me not the other way around."

"I came to you."

"No, I came to you. You were lounging with Giles when I interrupted if you remember," Oz pointed out as he switched kittens. "Here, rub the two fed ones. They need their stomach's rubbed to help digestion."

"Okay." Xander picked up the first one, rubbing it's stomach as gently as he could. "They're so tiny!"

"Yeah, but so was their mother." He watched as the first one was put back down on his shirt and the next one was picked up to be rubbed. "We doing okay?"

"Yup." Xander put down the second kitten to pick up the one Oz had just put down. "We do this well together."

"I was hoping that we could start doing other things together, talking maybe?"

"Yeah, I'd like that," Xander said, leaning over to kiss Oz's cheek. "Thanks."

"For?"

"For saving that last kitten. For just showing up without warning me. For just being you and liking me."

"Oh, I do more than like you, Xander. Now I understand why Mac drove himself insane over that one woman."

"You know what I've wondered since I heard that you guys are what you are?" Oz shook his head, rubbing the last kitten's stomach himself. "If Dick Clark was one of you."

"Not that I've heard, but I personally think it's some sort of demonic deal. With the music he works with? It'd almost have to be demonic in nature." Xander chuckled, handing back the kitten he was holding. "We've done okay today. I called my stuff-keeper to get my winter clothes, even though my favorite jacket is back at Meth's. They'll be here tomorrow; and I called Methos to tell him that we're talking and to send up my sword."

"Gee, our phone bill's going to be hellacious when we get back." Oz looked at him. "Aren't we going home? Eventually, I mean."

"Yup, as soon as you're ready to leave here," Oz said gently, leaning his head on Xander's shoulder. "I'd get closer but I think I'd drop the kittens."

"We need to get them a bed."

"But it's the warmth and the heartbeat they need," Oz pointed out. "They have special beds for kittens in some places. When I call Meth tonight, I'll ask him to get us one." He kissed the side of his lover's neck.

"Why don't you ever tell me about your old life?" Xander asked, stepping away from him. "You tell Giles all these neat stories and I never hear them."

Oz made sure all the kittens were in his shirt and carried them out to the couch, taking it off and covering them with the rest of the material to make sure they stayed warm. He sat down in the rocking recliner, putting it back a few inches so it wouldn't rock. "Come sit," he said, patting his lap. Xander curled up on top of him, wrapping himself around his lover's torso. "Comfy?" The young man nodded. "What would you like to know? About the time I was forced to be a concubine because Methos thought I'd be safer there? Or about some of my travels? Or some of my art?"

"You said you were an artist, but I've never heard of you before. And I noticed that most people kept names that are close to their own or mean something to them. Like Methos with Adam."

"I'm not that good," Oz murmured, rubbing down Xander's back. "Do you have to go back to work today?"

"Nope, I quit today." Xander stole a kiss. "I liked working there but it's time for me to quit hiding."

"We're here until you're ready to go back home," Oz reminded him. "Only you can say when it's time."

"Where's Giles?"

"In LA with Methos."

"Why'd you let Mac live?"

"He's a good guy usually, Xander. He's just had a bad few years. He got chosen to fight the Millennium demon and even though he won, Ahriman made him think he had killed his own student. Richie was actually in an alternate plane of some sort and was released as soon as Ahriman was gone but Mac still almost went insane when he took Richie's head by accident. Not to mention that it brought flashbacks from when he had a dark quickening and went evil for a while."

"Dark quickening?"

"That's when you've absorbed so much evil quickenings that you turn evil yourself. It starts to fundamentally corrupt you after a while." He kissed his lover's temple gently. "You don't have to worry about that either. I'm not usually fighting. I'm one of the least active members of the whole thing."

"Because you're an artist or because you just respect most everyone."

"A little of both, Xander, to tell the truth, but I also hate fighting. I hate the quickening after I fight, it makes me feel ill to have to take someone else into me and I hate the fact that it changes me somehow."

"That's why Methos fights for you?"

"No, the old guy doesn't usually fight either. Matter of fact, when he and Mac met, he tried to get Mac to take his head so he could fight a particularly strong one of us who was hunting Methos. Mac refused, he's that sort of guy."

"Then why was he coming after you?"

"Ah. That's a long story in itself. See, way back when, when I was about maybe seventy years old, Mac had this lover. He loved her *so* much it hurt him to leave her to go to work each morning. That's about how I feel about you, you know. Anyway, he wasn't that old either. He still had some rough and coarse ways compared to the gentle city flower he was dating. Now, she was one of my models, nothing explicit of course, but I still was given a form to work on. One day, she came to me crying really hard." He took one of Xander's hands in his, entwining their fingers to look at. "She said he was mean and cruel to her, asked us to save her since she knew we knew him. Methos and he hadn't met yet but we knew who he was because we went to scope him out to make sure he wouldn't be coming after us. I agreed and talked the old guy into helping set her up outside of the city in a real house."

"He got jealous?" Xander asked quietly, looking at their hands too.

"More than. He went possessive and swore that I had stolen her. He even brought the authorities into it, so we had her swear that I didn't. Jails back then were a lot worse than they are now."

"But he didn't believe you?"

"No, he said we were lying. Methos was out of town at the time so I didn't have anyone to back me up but her. And once it came out that I was sleeping with Meth, we got run out of town. Mac still didn't believe it though. That's why he's been after me on and off now for almost four hundred years."

"Wow," Xander whispered, looking into Oz's eyes. "Where's Rocky?"

"On the covered porch. She wanted to bark at the kids."

"Oh. Okay. So are you any good?"

"Nope, not at all, but I enjoy it. Each of my lives has had something to do with art."

"Dingoes and your art programs?"

"Yup, that's me."

"What's your best art thing?" Xander asked excitedly.

"Weaving. It's not that hard once you get the hang of it, but you can get very fancy or very simple with it. It's also one of my favorites, though I like painting and taking pictures. I'm just not very good with them."

"And you stay that way so you never get real attention?"

"Also a very good reason." Oz squeezed Xander's hand. "Anything else?"

"Can I tell you something?"

"Of course. Is this about what Devi tried to trick you into?" Xander started and sat up. "Shh, lay back down, Xander, I'm not mad. I mentioned to Methos that you had been in New York so he went snooping for information. Oh, and he has your stuff from Devi's office." He soothed the young man back into his lap with his hands. "He tried to get you to do an assignment?"

"Yeah," Xander sighed, relaxing into the strong arms again. "I woke up in this hotel room, alone, and there was a note and some clothes that I had worn while I was working waiting on me. Devi's note had said this was one of my old clients that wanted a repeat performance. I got dressed, it was the only thing to wear in the whole room. Even the towels had been taken out. I called him and he showed up. I tried to tell him I wasn't going to go back to the life but he said it was just this one thing and we'd all be fine. He was really scared of something and because he was, I was. He led me to this other room and shoved me inside." Xander closed his eyes. "On the bed was this really big, mean looking demon that I had refused to take on one other time. He laughed when he saw my expression and how scared I was. I tried to get out the door but it was locked magically. Well, he got up, and he was big, Oz. Really big. I shrank back against the door, looking him over. He started to talk about how I was his now and how he would make me realize I was supposed to be his forever, or as long as I lived. A really pretty portal opened and I was pushed through."

Oz shifted. "Did he hurt you?"

"No." Xander opened his eyes and gave him a small smile. "I got away from him." He reclosed his eyes and laid his head back on Oz's shoulder. "He had taken me to this harem-like place, only all the people looked really sad and almost dead. He pulled me through the crowd and into this room where he ordered me to strip. I refused and he snapped his fingers. My clothes did this funny wavering thing but didn't disappear. I snorted and acted all tough and stuff so he wouldn't know I was terrified. Anyway, we ended up fighting and I ended up with the controller to the magic collars the people in the harem had been wearing. I released them all and broke the thing. Then I had to run for my life. He got really scary. I ran past this heavy door, so I backtracked and locked myself inside." Xander gave Oz's chest a small, secret smile. "Little did I know that the upper demons were really pissed because that was their controller and he was only supposed to be watching over their pets, not having fun with them. So three of them killed him. I found this out later after I was released from the safe."

"How did you get home?"

"One of the demons recognized me from my description. He tried to make a move and I told him I was taken by Meth, though I called him Adam. He sent me home with a generous tip and some advice. I escaped from the hotel room by calling housekeeping for towels and pleading with the woman that came to help me for part of the haul. She hid me in her cart and took a third of what I had, which was a lot. Then I got into the cab and told the driver to take me three places, waiting each time. He asked for money up front and I showed him one of the stones I had been given. His mouth watered. I told him he could either have one or he could get paid. He took that one, which was small and ratty looking compared to the others. I had him stop to get me some clothes at a small outlet mall type place. While I was there, I called a very shady jewelry store, telling them a story about how I was an abused spouse and how I had taken some of my jewels from my dowry and I needed to cash them out so I could escape. They believed me so I went there and got it all cashed out at way under value. Then I had the driver, who had taken the chance to cash his stone out also, take me to a car lot where I got my Blazer and a map. I followed the map to the place on the train ticket." He opened his eyes to look up. "That's how I ended up here."

"You rented this house how?"

"With the left-over money. Some of it's in the bank, most of it's in the safety deposit box with the forms I got it from the jewelry store. I stayed at the bed and breakfast for a few days and I found the notice in the local paper so I called. She was nice, but kinda hard to please. Asked a lot of questions. I gave her the real reason, minus the gun stuff, and she let me rent the house. I'm supposed to call her when I'm ready to leave."

"Wow."

"Yeah, big wows." Xander nuzzled into Oz's neck. "I kept thinking about what you would do to get out of there."

"I'm not that good of a fighter," Oz told him. "Someone like Mac is much better. I'm one of those that if it happens quickly, I can win. If it turns into a long fight, I'm screwed." He kissed the side of Xander's head. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yup. The other demons didn't touch me at all. They weren't interested in me, only the one that had kidnapped me was. What else did I have, besides two bracelets, in Devi's office?"

"A few credit cards, a small box with your name on it. Devi wasn't in good shape when Meth went for him. He was pretty badly beaten up. He took one look at the old guy and whimpered, running for his office to start handing him things. Oh, and he said there was a big box of stuff too, or was it two boxes of stuff? Not sure, we'll have to ask him. It's in New York at Connor's so we'll get it on the way home."

"What about the kittens?"

"We're taking them with us," Oz said, giving his lover a small smile. "I have to fuss over something and I like them. They're nice so far."

"Can we keep them?"

"One."

"Two? They'll be lonely." Xander gave him begging eyes. "We can give the other two to Methos."

Oz chuckled. "He's not really into cats. They don't like him." He squeezed Xander hard. "I missed doing this stuff with you." He looked at the young man's outfit. "Gee, I recognize that shirt."

Xander looked down at it. "This is the outfit that I left the house in," he said in surprise. "I had no idea that I had put it on." He frowned and looked up. "Maybe this means it's time to start over with that night?"

"I'd like that, Xander, so very much." They shared a kiss. "Hmm, properly lotioned too, must really be ready to accept my apologies."

"If you'll accept mine for running."

"Of course." Oz groaned as the phone rang. "Want to answer that while I check on the kittens?"

Xander slid off his lap, grabbing the phone. "Hello? Um, hold on. Is this one of her children? No, she's out of state on assignment for a year. She and her husband are both there. No, I'm renting the house. Yeah, I have her number. Let me find it." He ruffled through the pile of papers on the wall beside the phone, coming up with it. "Okay, email, phone and address. It's ... yeah, I do. Okay, I'll do that tonight." He smiled and hung up. "I've got to email her tonight."

"Did she give you the addy?"

"Yup. Do you have your laptop? Before I forget?" Oz nodded so Xander headed for his room, going through his bag to pick up the laptop. He stopped when he found the long knife, looking at it. "Oz? I thought you said you came without a weapon?"

"No, I said without my sword, I stole the knife from Connor." Oz leaned against the door. "I never travel anywhere without some sort of weapon, Xander, but Methos has my sword hostage."

"Oh." Xander dropped the knife back into the bag and looked up. "It was just a shock."

"You found it and started to doubt the everything I've said because that one part of the story didn't match?" Oz asked dryly. Xander nodded, not looking at him. "Xander, would I come all the way up here to lie to you?" He walked in to sit beside his lover, pulling him back into his arms. "I'm not going to lie to you, Xander. I can't travel without a weapon, it isn't smart. No, I don't have my main weapon, all I have is that knife." He gave him a light squeeze and let him go. "You can doubt whatever you want, but I'm not lying to you."

"Okay." Xander nodded, rubbing across the laptop that was put into his lap. "Guess we still need to do a lot of talking, huh? I should go beg for my job back."

"Let me support us for a while?" Xander shook his head. "No? Not even for a week or two?"

"Well," he said, looking up then shook his head. "I like taking care of you."

"And I like doing the same. You take good care of me, Xander, but it's time to let me do the noble thing and let me pay."

"Sure." Xander nodded, standing up. "So, can I cook tonight?"

"Or we could do it together. I'll fix your dinner and you can fix mine?" Xander smiled at him. "If you'd like to cook, I'm all for that." He looked toward the door as someone knocked. "Want me to get that?"

"It's probably for you anyway," Xander agreed, walking out of the room with Oz following him. "Or not, that's Gladys." He checked to make sure the dog wasn't around and opened the door, letting her in. "Hey, Gladys. Is there a problem?"

"Oh, I just came to check on Rocky. Saw the vet last night and hoped she wasn't sick again."

"She cracked her head the other day when she jumped the baby gate to get out." He motioned her around the doorway so she could see the four furry lumps on the couch. "Doc Greenwalt came for them last night. Their mom jumped up onto my lap when we were trying to pull away so I brought her home because Tara didn't know her mother. She had problems with the last one and died while they were getting it out. Then one died last night."

"It was the one that hadn't been breathing real well," Oz reminded gently. "She checked the rest of the kittens this morning and said that they were going to be fine."

Xander smiled at his lover. "I know. I'm just worried, they're so *small*."

"Yeah, they are. You keeping them?"

"Probably. Unless the mother's owner shows up before we leave." Xander looked out the window. "Oz, Fed Ex guy, must be your shipment." He got out of his lover's way as he walked out to meet the man, watching to see what was pulled out. "Huh. Just a little envelope? Oh, and a trunk." Xander rolled his eyes. "Whoever must have packed the rest of his clothes." He picked up one of the kittens that was nosing around, holding her so she could be seen. "They're cute, huh?"

"Very. So, when you leaving? I heard you quit."

"A few weeks maybe. Oz and I still have some things to work out and I can't work with them needing so much care." He opened the door so Oz could pull the trunk through it. "Bodies?"

"Multiple," Oz grunted as he drug the heavy trunk through the door. Finally, it was out of the way so Xander could shut the door. "They sent it to Meth and he packed some extra stuff." He sat on the kitchen floor and popped the trunk open, handing the envelope up to Xander. "Yours."

"From?" Xander opened it and smiled, showing off the card inside. "It's from Meth. Oh, and a check from my account in your name." He rolled his eyes at the snort. "I've got to find my cards."

Oz got the last lock popped open and looked down inside, handing an envelope with Xander's name on it to him. "Think that may be them." He pulled aside a familiar fabric wrapped bundle, nodding as he saw his swords, then moved them aside so he could look underneath them. "Clothes too. Thankfully." He looked up, pulling out a shirt with a bow around it. "I think this is for you. I'd never wear that fabric."

Xander touched the stretchy velvet shirt with a smile. He held it against his chest. "Okay." He looked at his neighbor, handing her the kitten. "Can you put her back onto the shirt and make sure she's covered?"

She did so and headed around the trunk for the door. "You boys apparently need some privacy. I just wish I could have changed your mind, Alex."

"I understand," he said with a tolerant nod and smile. "Bye." He waved as she walked away. "She tried to prove to me that I really wanted women by fixing me up with Cheryl's daughter." He locked the door and knelt beside the trunk. "Swords?" Oz handed them to him. "Clothes?" A few things were tossed out onto the floor. "So what was so heavy? That's not a lot of clothes."

"I know." Oz pulled out one of the two boxes lining the bottom of the trunk. "These have your name on them too," he said, putting it between them. "Must be what Meth got when he went to Devi to get information."

Xander carefully opened the first box, looking down inside. He frowned as he pulled out a lump of cloth, unwrapping it. "Wow."

"Um, that's a soul stone," Oz said quietly. "As in it can steal them." He took the stone by the fabric and held it up to the light. "No lights inside, must be empty." He looked inside the box, holding his breath. "Um, presents that you left?"

"Yeah," Xander said in disgust. "Hated this stuff."

"You know, we could just open up a jewelry store with this stuff." He opened the other box, and quickly closed the lid. "We've got to call Connor and have him meet us in New York. We've got to do something about this." He showed the bundles of cash on top of the box. "This sucks."

"Point." Xander picked up one to run his fingers over them. "Gee, movie night?"

"No," Oz said, shaking his head. "Safety deposit box?"

"Is full. I could get a second one." Xander got up and walked over to the phone, pulling out his wallet to grab his bankcard and dial the number on it. "Hi, this is Alex Harris, can I talk to the person whose over safety deposit boxes? No, just an inheritance that I need to stash somewhere." He nodded his head in time with the music. "Hi, yup, this is me. Um," he turned to look at the box. "I'm leaving in a couple of weeks but I just got an inheritance from a relatively insane aunt who believed in cash and only cash? No, like a lot more than would fit in the box I have with you right now, which is full anyway."

Oz searched through the first box. "Both need to go with a few exceptions." He held up a shirt in confusion. "Who gave you that?"

"It was in my suitcase. The contents must have been in there." Xander turned back to the door. "No, like about the size of a case of two-liters. Yeah, I can seal the box, that's not a big problem. No, she had some stones and a lot of cash. No, if I'm coming in, I'm having an escort." He smiled. "Sure. Want to do that here or there?" He nodded and hung up. "She'll be over in a while with one of the security guards, who's an off-duty officer. We need to sort out what's going in."

Oz tipped over the box and started loading the cash and stones back in first. Then went all the boxes of jewelry. Then the second box was tipped over and over half the contents of that box were shoved into the first. Oz looked up when he realized Xander was watching him. "Did you want to keep some of it out?"

"No, I was wondering if you were trying to purge that part of my life from your memory. Keep one of the cash bundles out so we don't have to live off the credit cards." Xander walked into the living room, grabbing the shirt with the kittens on it and coming back in to sit down. "They're awake and nosing around."

"Cool. I'm not trying to purge it, just packing more efficiently. I'm guessing the clothes can stay?" Xander nodded. "Okay. That just leaves the important stuff." He checked through the other stuff then sighed. "Did you have anything else in the house you wanted to add?"

"Nope, everything that's really important to me, you're guarding," Xander said with a goofy grin, getting one from Oz. "You do. You guard my heart and soul."

"As you do mine," Oz said, reaching over to Xander's hand and looking into his eyes. "I wasn't kidding, I haven't been able to sleep, Xander. Every time I tried, I'd get pictures of you. You being happy, you laughing, and of your shot missing and Henderson hitting you again before I could save you."

"I won't do it again," Xander promised, breaking the intense gaze. "You know what? Until that last assignment Devi put me into, I never felt dirty about what I did." He looked at the bundle of cash Oz had pulled out. "Before it was something I had done, just another job. After that time in the hotel, I started to think about it and I feel dirty. Now, it's almost like I have the word 'prostitute' tattooed across my forehead."

"No, you don't," Oz said, kissing the mentioned forehead. "And you're not dirty. You were trying to figure some things out and that's how you did. It was just a job. We've all had jobs that we didn't like, enjoy, and were ashamed of after we left them. I'm not real proud that the old guy *gave* me to someone to protect me. Same as I'm not real proud that the guy talked me into becoming his concubine for six years or that I couldn't get free without Methos coming back for me."

"You really would understand, huh?" Xander said, looking up at him. He gave his lover a weak smile. "Thanks, Oz."

"Anytime, love. But you're not dirty, spoiled, or anything else like that. It was just a job."

"Yeah, it was just a job. The trouble Devi almost got me into wasn't my fault and I'm not dirty. Even though nothing happened."

"If you want to talk about it more, I'm here. Or even Methos, he was taken hostage and used as a sex slave for a number of years." He brushed over Xander's cheek. "Whenever you're ready, I'm here." He pulled back as he saw someone walking up the stairs. "People." He grabbed Rocky and got up, getting the door. "Hey."

"Oh, hi." She smiled and held out a hand. "Sarah. And this is Duke, he's here to escort me back to the bank." She smoothed her skirt out as she sat on the floor, taking Oz's former space. "Oh, they're adorable. How old?" she asked, reaching over to touch the kittens.

"Born last night," Xander said, shifting so Duke could head for the living room. "Couch will suck you into it," he warned.

"Thanks," the guard grunted, sitting down in a chair that let him see them.

Xander shifted back so Oz could sit beside him. He watched as Oz made a bed out of his discarded shirt for the kittens, putting them next to Rocky, who he had laid down first. "Neat. Think she'll lay there for them?"

"She's a female, she might." He rubbed her head. "Good girl. Lick them and keep them warm for us please." Rocky looked up as she licked the nearest kitten. "Good girl. You can have treats later." Oz looked at Sarah, taking stock of her. She was blonde, almost stereotypical in her comically happy look and short, chin-length bob. "So, you're going to store this for us?"

"Yes, we have a special spot in our safe for boxes." She touched the top of the two boxes. "Which one?"

"The one without the clothes," Xander said, checking them. He frowned as he caught sight of clothes in both, picking up the shirt he had accidentally packed on top of the box he wanted to get somewhere safe. "This one," he said as he shoved it closer to her. He picked up the bundle of money on the floor. "My Aunt Devi was a bit eccentric."

"Truly," Oz agreed. "That's her retirement account." He leaned over, putting his head on Xander's shoulder. "Can I?"

"Sure. Be comfy."

Sarah opened her briefcase and pulled out a form and a pen, using the top once it was closed to write on. "Okay, let's make an inventory." She opened the box and sighed as she caught sight of the stone on top. "What's that?" She picked it up by the cloth covering it. "It's really unusual, I've never seen anything like it."

"Aunt Devi used to swear it would steal souls," Oz told her conversationally. "As you can see, she was almost religious in her collecting."

Sarah put down the stone and wrote something on the form. "Yes, I can. Stealing souls?" She looked at them. "Where did she get that?"

"It's a family heirloom and story," Xander said with a self-conscious smile. "Her father got it from his grandfather who dug it up, and dropped dead that night. The local Priest said it had stolen his soul." He shrugged at the laughter. "You know how those stories get started."

"Very true." She pulled out a small box, looking at the jewelry. "My, she had excellent taste." She wrote the contents down, putting it aside. "Um, you might want to check one of the kittens," she said, glancing that way. "She's peeing on your shirt."

Oz shrugged. "They're too young to use litter and their mother would have to live with it. It'll only be until their eyes open in a few weeks."

"It'll wash," Xander agreed, nodding. He looked inside the box. "I think the rest of everything is down under the fabric wrapped bundle, which was the rest of her jewelry collection."

She pulled it out, opening it. "Oh, my." She picked up a sapphire pendant, holding it up in the light. "Wow. I'd kill to have this."

"So would some other people," Oz said dryly. "Including some people we know. That's why you're taking them."

She smiled. "It'll be safe, I promise. Even if we get someone that breaks into the safe, they'd have to get through another door that's time-locked to get to the box. It'll be in the same place we put boxes for the reserve." She made note of the jewelry. "You should have an estimate made of some of these pieces, just to insure them."

"We will once we're at home."

"Or on the way," Oz suggested. "We were going to stop through New York. We could hit one of the big jewelry places."

"Actually, there's a branch of where I got the other stuff appraised somewhere in the city." Xander looked inside the box. "Wow, I didn't really look at the cash before. That's a lot."

Duke grunted. "Don't worry, Alex. It'll be safe with us."

He grinned at the guard. "I know, but it still shocks me." He popped his neck and yawned. "We were up all night with the kittens. Even Rocky didn't get a nap."

Oz kissed the side of Xander's cheek. "You can nap soon. I'll start thinking about how we're getting home. Oh, and the Lexus is still making noises."

"There's a good mechanic over near the school," Sarah said. "Matter of fact, the woman who owns this house's husband works over there. Or he would if he hadn't went with her."

"Yeah, they fixed the Blazer when I first got up here. It was grinding bad."

"Cool, we'll take the Lexus over later." He turned back to watch her count the money. "How much?"

She stopped and made a note. "Sixty thousand so far. Still three bundles to go." She piled the one she held with the others she had counted, picking up the next one. "I'm wondering how she got so much."

"She was a prostitute," Xander said, glancing at Oz. "When she was younger. Then she found the perfect man and stopped for him."

"Oooh," Sarah said, giving them a startled look. "Did she tell you that?"

"It's another part of the family story. She apparently had this really wealthy client that tracked her across the country after she had left to try and get her back. Most of the jewelry came from him."

"What was your uncle?"

"Not real sure. She never talked about him. He died about sixteen months into the marriage and she was alone after that."

"Oh, how sad," she sighed, putting down the bundle of money. "Did she remarry?"

"No, she lived off the interest of her money mostly. But she only had a little bit in the bank, what her client had given her." Oz looked up at Xander. "She was very well off but his death warped her. She was never the same."

"I'd hope she found some happiness," Sarah said, picking up the last bundle to count. "Sixty-six thousand and forty dollars. A very odd amount." She handed over the form and watched them both sign it. She took it back and signed it. "Thanks, Alex. Just give us a few hours notice before you leave."

"We've still got a few weeks," Xander told her. "I'm almost ready to go home but not quite." He squeezed Oz around his shoulders. "We still have some talking to do and the kittens need to be older." He took his copy of the paperwork.

"Very good," Duke said, standing up and walking back in. He took the repacked and sealed box Sarah handed him, hefting it. "Not that heavy. What're you doing with the Blazer?"

"Unless the Lexus is junk, we're probably going to sell it or something." Xander looked up at him. "Do you know someone who'd want it?"

"I wouldn't mind it. My jeep's about to give for good." He walked out, carefully making his way down the steps. "Sarah, watch out, there's some melt on the bottom step," he called back as he headed for the car.

She shook their hands, bending down to touch each of the kitten's heads. "Good luck, Alex. He obviously makes you happy." She stood up and straightened out her skirt, heading out to her car. "Good bye, Alex."

"Later," he called, pushing the door shut without getting up. "That was easy."

Oz looked at the forms. "Yup, very. Money makes the world go round," he reminded. He handed it over. "She even estimated some worths for you."

"Cool." Xander winced. "Why does this stuff happen to me?"

"Maybe you're irresistible to depressed and lonely demons," Oz suggested, standing up and trying to pick up the shirt with the kittens on it. Rocky growled at him. "Okay, you can have them for a while longer. Just tell us when they're ready to be fed." He backed away, right into Xander's rear. "Sorry."

"S'okay." Xander handed over a can of soda. "We've been doing okay, right?"

"Yup. Our sixteen months were really happy and I'm hoping we can go back to that after this." Oz wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him closer to kiss his cheek. "We'll figure it out, Xander, but I am happy with you." He let the younger man go. "If you're not going to be happy, I guess we'll have to work it out."

"I want to be happy," Xander said, shutting the refrigerator door and looking at his lover. "I guess I'm scared of what'll happen next."

"What happens next is that we talk and we fix things. We get you back to the point where you're happy with me and with us, then we head for home."

"Home, it's like this fictional place right now. Like some fairytale castle." He frowned, looking down at the animals. "Will they really be able to make the trip cross country?"

"We'll have to go slowly and make a lot of stops, but if we wait until they're about weaning age then we should be fine." Oz looked down at the kittens. "At least six weeks from now."

"Okay, I think I can be pulled back together by then," Xander said with a nod. "Can you help me get over my fears?"

"Yup, if you help me get over mine."

Xander smiled. "Oz, that's what I'm here for." They shared a kiss, broken only by the sound of a snowball hitting the door and Rocky getting up to protect them. "Gee, fun?"

"Could be. It's been almost sixteen years since I was around snow." He turned them so they could watch the kids play on the lawn, laughing at the mishaps of the snowball fight. Oz looked down as a cold nose hit his foot. "Hey, Rocky, what's up?" She looked at the door and whined. "Ah, time to go out. Want to walk her or me?"

"You walk, I'll warm milk for the kittens." Xander turned and stepped over the spread out shirt, pulling the bowl out of the microwave to test. "This was a brilliant idea, keeping it warm all the time."

"Yup, just gotta remember to make sure it isn't curdling. It's lasting about three warms." Oz pulled on his jacket and pushed into his shoes, grabbing the leash. He grabbed the wiggling puppy, hitching her up and taking her out. "Few droppers at a time," he reminded.

"I know." Xander picked up the first one, putting the dropper into her open mouth. "Lunch, sweetie," he said softly. "Yeah, that's it."

***

Xander looked up from combing his hair, giving Oz a small smile. "I'll be done in a minute." His lover sat down against the heater that made the hall very narrow, watching him. "I'm just combing my hair."

"I know. Just wanted to watch you." Oz looked toward the bedroom. "Rocky all settled in for the night with the kittens?"

"Yup, she's taking good care of them. Maybe... I was thinking about breeding her. She'd have beautiful puppies."

"Sure. If that's what you want." Xander nodded so Oz leaned his head back. "Have you lotioned down yet?"

"Nope. Haven't been."

"Why?"

"It's just easier to not remember that right now." Xander put down his comb and sat down on the toilet seat to look at the immortal. "Why'd you want to come up and watch, Oz?"

"I used to watch you almost every night," Oz reminded him quietly. "You used to sit at your little table and lotion everything slowly, growing hard from it. That's one of the images that stuck in my head." He looked down at his hands. "You probably think it's silly, but I stole your bottle of lotion and used it on the bear Methos got me. It still probably smells like you. Even he and Giles stole it a few times."

Xander nodded and stood up. "Is that all you wanted?"

"I wanted a hug too, but I'd like to watch you lotion yourself," Oz told him, looking back up. "Please?"

"Sure." Xander reached into the medicine cabinet and pulled out a gold bottle. "I switched to this stuff because it smelled like your aftershave." He handed it over to let Oz smell, his heart starting to beat faster when he saw the ecstatic smile his lover got over his face. "You like?"

"I love. This smells like every fantasy I've had of you, Xander." He handed it back. "Please may I watch?"

"Sure. I told you it was okay." Xander sat back down on the toilet, pumping a little of the lotion onto his hand and starting on his right ankle and leg.

Oz watched as Xander worked his way up his leg, then switched to the other side, working his way up that side to his thighs. Xander switched to his arms, starting on his left wrist, working his way slowly up to his shoulder and down onto his chest. Down to his stomach, where he smoothed the lotion in little circles, groaning as he touched himself. Oz blinked as Xander worked his way back up his chest, teasing himself lightly across his pecs and nipples. Then the younger man worked up his neck before hitting his other arm. Xander finished by working over his hands then his feet, making sure to get the lotion in between the digits and into every crevice. By the end, both of them were hard, Xander had his eyes closed and Oz was ready to jump. Xander looked over and gave Oz a smile. "More?" Oz suggested.

"No," Xander said, standing up. He pulled Oz against him, holding him so tightly against his body that he could feel it when Oz breathed. "I want to do more, Oz, it's time." He initiated the kiss, letting his lover deepen it as he wanted to. "Oh, missed this," he panted when he had control of his mouth again. "I feel like myself again. Please?"

"I don't want to rush you..." Oz stopped talking as his mouth was attacked again. "Whatever you're comfy with," he murmured, wrapping his hands in Xander's hair to hold on while he kissed him. "Please?"

"Yes," Xander said, walking them down the hall and pushing Oz into his room. "Come here," he commanded as he got onto the bed. He pulled the immortal's top off, leaning into it to lick over the warm flesh. "Missed how you taste," he whispered, teasing a nipple and moving away from it. Oz groaned, pushing his head back where it had felt best. "Want more?"

"Much more," Oz said, getting onto the bed on his knees. He laid him out so he could taste him, working his tongue over each part of his body, ripping the boxers off when he came to them so nothing could get in his way. "Needed this," he murmured as he started to suck the hard cock, working it with all the skill he had ever learned. "Needed you," he whispered, pulling off and rolling onto his side to pull Xander's head over so he could kiss him.

"Oz," Xander complained, rubbing over his chest. "Wanted more."

"Anything," Oz panted, pushing back against the hand. "Be a willing sex slave for you." He rolled onto his back, spread out. "Do what you want."

"Ooh, an invitation," Xander purred, straddling Oz's chest so he can lean down to kiss him some more, even as his ass was grinding against his lover's cock. "What do you need, Oz," he whispered, moving down to his lover's chin to lick along it.

"Anything," Oz groaned, pushing his hips up to get more. "Like what you're doing. More?"

"Sure." Xander glanced up. "I can tease."

"Yeah, you can," Oz agreed, reaching up to grab Xander by the hair, pulling him up to kiss him again. "Whatever you want," he murmured against the wet lips. "All for you."

Xander pulled back to look down at him. "Really?" Oz nodded. "Anything I want?" Oz nodded again, giving him a little smile. "Even if I just really wanted cuddled?" Oz rolled them over, pulling Xander against his body and held on. "I missed this," he admitted, squeezing hard. "I'm sorry I got you so hard."

"It'll go down," Oz reminded him. "It's more important to me that you're comfy and here." He shifted them up so they were laying on the pillows, getting them under the covers with a few tugs. "There, sleep, babe, I'm here." Xander nodded, burying his face in his chest. "Anything you need," Oz reminded quietly, rubbing down the relaxed back. His own eyes started to close, gently lowering him into a sound sleep.

Until Rocky barked at them from the laundry basket at the end of the bed. Then both men sat up and groaned. "I'll do it," Oz said, sliding out. "You can have the next one." He carried the basket down the stairs and into the kitchen, putting the bowl of milk from the refrigerator into the microwave and turning it on.

Xander lay back against the pillows with a groan. "What is wrong with me?" he muttered. "I've wanted and dreamed about having Oz at my mercy and all I wanted was a cuddle?" He covered his head with the pillow and groaned again, but eventually fell back asleep.

***

Oz strolled into the bookstore behind Xander, heading for the stacks to find something new to read. There really was nothing on cable those days. He had just picked up one book when another customer walked in and tapped Xander on the shoulder, making Oz arch an eyebrow and walk out to stand beside him. He put the book down on the counter, looking at the man in the suit.

"Hey," Xander said, waving at Oz. "You can tell me. This is my lover, we don't usually keep secrets from each other."

"I think it's best we showed you," he said, waving at the door. "Can we?"

"Sure." Xander nodded at his boss, taking his check with a small smile. He glanced at Oz. "Problems with my box."

"Oh." He looked at the book. "Hold that for me, I'll be back in a few." He walked out behind Xander, catching up easily since the bank was across the street and two doors down. He wrapped an arm around Xander's waist, looking at the box that was pulled out for them to view. "Wasn't that full?"

"Was," Xander said with a frown. "Where's the money?" He looked at the man in the suit. "Where did it go? Even the paperwork on how I got it is gone."

"That's not all," he admitted. He opened the small safe door behind him and stepped out of the way. "From the call we got from you, there should be something of yours in there too, am I right?"

Xander nodded and Oz answered. "Box with money and jewelry." He looked at the box again. "Who did it? The only ones who knew about the big box were Sarah and Duke, and Gladys, who saw me pull them out of a trunk I was sent."

The man in the suit frowned. "Sarah and Duke haven't been back to work since they left your house. Did she give you any paperwork at all? I've found what we have from when you rented the box."

Xander nodded slowly. "At home, it's on top of the microwave." He frowned at the box. "She stole it all?"

"Apparently." He shrugged. "We've turned her into the police but we'd like a copy of the inventory."

"I'll go get it," Oz said quietly. He patted Xander's back as his arm slid from around his waist. "Then you can check and make sure she didn't make any withdrawals from your accounts."

Xander shook his head. "I haven't used my one at home from here. There's no way." He looked at the man in the suit, squinting just a little. "One of the stones in the box was dangerous possibly. We've had two deaths associated with it. Has anyone checked their houses?"

The man in the suit shrugged. "I'm not sure. I can call and ask the police. If you need to, we can wire your other account for money."

Oz shook his head. "We can do mine. I have enough ready cash lying around to live off of, more than." He looked at Xander, who was staring at him. "Told you I was having an auction. It was last night. All the money's in my account right now." He walked out of the bank and down the street, heading for the house. He stopped when he saw an unfamiliar car in the driveway, heading slowly up the stairs. An older woman, somewhere in middle age, met him at the door. "Hi." He checked the house. "I'm Oz."

"Oh," she said, opening the door. "We tried to call last night but the line was busy."

"I was monitoring an auction of some of my things," he said with a small shrug. "Xander's at the bank right now, someone stole from him. Um, I just came to get a paper. I'll send him back in a few?"

She nodded. "That'll be fine. Who's kittens?"

"That's a longish story. The mother jumped into his lap and wouldn't let go so we brought her home. She died that night as did one kitten." He looked down at Rocky, who was nosing two other dogs. "That's Rocky, Xand picked her up a few weeks ago." He looked back up at her. "Um, can you give us a day to get things together?"

"That's no problem. I can move your things down to the bedroom by the living room. I know this is a bit sudden." She smiled, reaching over to ruffle his hair. "At least you showed up."

"Yeah, and we're talking again." He grinned, reaching over to grab a paper off the microwave. "I've got to take this back to the bank. Are the kittens okay?"

"Yeah, they're asleep," a male voice called from the living room. He popped his greying head in. "They're cute."

"Thanks." Oz nodded. "We'll be back in about an hour to get the things moved. Most of his stuff in the bank's disappeared. Along with a teller and a guard." Both older people hissed. "Yeah. Oh, and one of your children called the other night. Xander gave them your addy."

"She called," the mother sighed, rolling her eyes. "She's fine. Go do that, we'll talk later." Oz nodded and walked out of the house. "He's nice," she said. "Why couldn't my girls find someone like him?"

"They're not that lucky," the older man said, kissing her cheek. "They're really small."

"The boys are probably hand raising them." She yawned. "I'm going to take a nap. Come get me when they come back." She headed up the stairs, two of the three dogs following, Rocky being one of them. The other, the smaller puppy, laid down beside the kittens to sniff them.

"Don't eat them," he warned the puppy. "They're really fragile."

***

Oz handed off the papers. "Guess who's home," he said to Xander. His lover groaned. "Yup, they were there when I got back. She said we could have the spare room that you put me in."

"Coolness. How much longer until we can move the kittens?"

"Few weeks." He looked at the officer walking in with a box and a small bag that looked like a pillow case riding on top. "His?" he asked, taking the bag as it started to slide.

"All but a few grand of it from the original paperwork." He shoved the box onto the desk and pulled a fabric-wrapped lump out of his pocket. "What is this thing?"

"It's a family heirloom," Xander said with a frown. "It's supposed to steal souls. My grandfather dropped dead the night he uncovered it." He took the lump, looking at it in the light. "See, really pretty lights in it."

The officer shrugged. "If you're sure it's not poisonous." He looked at the bank's man. "They're both comatose but not dead. They're heading up to the hospital right now to be evaluated." He looked at Xander. "Heard you were thinkin' of leaving soon."

"Few weeks," Oz corrected. "We have newborn kittens that can't travel yet. And since the house where we're staying is now filled by the owners, I'm guessing we're going to be moving to an apartment locally." Xander nodded. "You have that planned?"

"I know where a few are, including over the row of stores," he pointed across the street. "Few nice ones up there." He looked inside the bag, nodding. "Looks to be all there." He handed it to the bank's man. "Want to count it for me?"

He snapped his fingers and a teller came over. "Please count the contents of the bag and check the contents of the box against this list," he said, handing over the paperwork. "Thank you, Mary."

She smiled and picked up the bag, followed by the officer who carried the box. "Anytime." They headed for a closed off room, locking themselves in.

Xander shifted in his seat. "I hope they'll be okay."

"I'm sure they will," Oz told him, patting his arm. He looked at the bank's man, looking him over. "Is it safe for him to continue to leave those here? I don't want that much money laying around in an apartment, even if we're going to be home most of the time."

"Of course. We'll lock the box and the money away more securely this time, making sure no one can get to it without my authorization." Mary came out and whispered in his ear. "Thank you. Can you reinventory the box?" She nodded and walked back into the room. "It seems that you're missing about six thousand, just over actually." Xander shrugged. "You're not worried?"

"More than likely, they've spent it in a way that you can't get back. I have enough there to let that ride." He nudged Oz, who grunted. "Don't nap. We can do that in a while." He looked back at the bank's man. "We have newborn kittens. He's been great about getting up to take care of them."

"Ah." He smiled. "I'd heard how the mother jumped up into your lap, Tara's told almost everybody about her. I'm sorry to hear that the mother died."

"So were we," Oz said, yawning. "We should be getting back, is there anything else?"

"Not unless the officers want to take a statement or something." He looked at the one that had walked out behind Mary and was leaning against the wall. "Then I guess you can go."

Oz nodded, standing up and stretching. "Xander, books?"

"Please." He wrapped an arm around Oz's waist and led him out of the bank, heading back over to the bookstore. He picked up the book Oz had left on the counter and pulled out his wallet. The owner came out, giving him a look. "They found it," he said with a shrug. "I'm sure they'll be okay."

"I'd hope so." She took his bill and rang up the book, handing him back the change. "I know you wouldn't have a stone that would kill someone."

"Family legend says it steals souls," Oz explained. "Apparently something was true." He yawned again and shuddered. "You take care of the little people for a while, I'm going to nap." He wandered out of the store, heading across the street.

Xander grinned. "He's been doing most of the kitten care." He followed, remembering to grab the bag, and caught up with Oz beside the railroad tracks. "They're really back?"

"Yup, him, her, two dogs." Oz looked over at his lover. "Want to find us an apartment tomorrow? I'll watch the kittens and read if you would, then we'll move."

"Sure," Xander said, rewrapping himself around Oz's waist. They turned down an alley that ran parallel to the tracks, heading down behind a few houses and an abandoned factory. "The Lexus will be fixed in a few days," he reminded. "We've got to start making plans on how to get home."

"I only have the trunk, and your stuff will probably fit into it. We can put the animals into a big carrier in the back seat and tend to them from there." Oz turned the corner first, pulling Xander next to him so they wouldn't get hit by the car coming towards them. "I'm more concerned about housing right now. And a nap," he conceded at the shy smile he got. "You sure you're going to be okay?"

"Yup. She's got four kids, all just out of the house. Actually, I know her daughter that lives in the area. She's come over to use the washing machine a few times. She's really nice. Very strong willed, but so's her mother." They walked down the street the house was on, cutting a small corner to hit the driveway. "Home again, for now," he whispered, leading Oz up the stairs and into the house. He caught the puppy trying to escape. "Hey, you," he said, bending down to scratch her ears. "How was your trip?"

"Fine," the older man said. He took one look at Oz and pointed toward the bedroom. "I'd put him somewhere softer than the wall." He watched as Xander walked Oz past him and into the bedroom, shaking his head. "At least he's happy," he told the puppy trying to jump into his lap. "What? You're too happy to be home?"

Xander walked back out. "Oz has done most of the kitten care stuff." He looked down at the towel laying beside the heat vent. "Good, you're all okay," he said, picking the towel up to sit them on his lap. "Hungry yet, guys and girl?" He looked up at the amused snort. "The last one was born on the table, but we've cleaned it really well. Doc Greenwalt had to come cut her out." He rubbed over her head, earning a little protesting noise. "I'm sorry. You aren't hungry?"

"Oh, they probably are. What happened to the mother?"

"She had an obstruction. It was snowing really bad when Doc came over, too bad for her to take her into the clinic. Miracle was howling really loudly, I guess it hurt her a lot. Anyway, Doc set up a nice semi-sterile area on the table to remove her, and when she made the first cut, blood just gushed out. Apparently she was hemorrhaging badly and she couldn't be saved. Oz saved the last little one though." He picked her up and kissed her pink head. "Yeah, we're a miracle in our own right, huh, sweetie."

The old man laughed. "You dote on them too much, they need to get some time alone."

"Oh, they will, but they also need a lot of attention right now." He laid her back down on the towel and bunched it up, carrying it into the kitchen. "How's Penny?"

"She's taking a nap, the traveling got her." He stood up, walking in to watch them. "Want help?"

"Can you rub their stomachs gently after I feed them? Oz said they need it to help digestion." He nodded so Xander picked up the first one, sliding the eyedropper into the open mouth and releasing it slowly. "Yeah, there we go," he cooed. "No more hungry tummies for another hour or so." He handed her off. "There's the first."

"Jim," the woman called from upstairs. "Tell him he can come up and get his stuff."

"We're feeding the kittens," he called back. Xander shot him a smile. "Give us five minutes." He looked over his shoulder as she walked in. "It's dinner time." He handed over the little bundle of fur. "See? Very helpless. Just like a baby."

"I think you're looking forward to the grandchild *much* more than I am," she sighed. She sat on the stool, watching as Xander fed them. "She really died?"

"Yup, hemorrhaging. Doc Greenwalt had to go in for the last one, the little pink one." He held her up. "She was stuck behind something, but when she cut into Miracle, she started to bleed really badly. Of course, her heart had just stopped too, or just about at that time."

Oz walked out, kissing the back of Xander's neck. "She's not in pain anymore. She came to you because she knew you'd help." He reached around to rub a finger across a kitten who was yawning's head. "Nap time all around?" he suggested.

"We'll bathe them later," Xander agreed, leaning back against Oz's chest. He had to catch the towel since it was tucked into his belt, catching one kitten before he could roll off the stove. "Careful." Oz helped him get them all settled. "He's very gentle with all of us." Xander looked around as someone started to bark. "Rocky?" She wiggled into the room, barking at them. "Want to watch the kittens for a while?" She barked again. "Okay, we'll set you beside the window and you can nap beside them." He took back the last kitten. "Did we feed all of them?"

"Yeah," Jim said, looking at them. "You'd never guess they're probably going to become lap sized."

"Their mother was about half-lap sized," Oz told him. "She was really young." He picked up the towel, walking the contents out to the bay window beside the tv in the living room, laying the towel down where Rocky was napping. "You watch them for us," he told her with a scratch to the ears, "and you can have a pork chop later. Okay?" She barked and licked his hand. "Good girl." He backed away, looking down at her. "Very good girl." He felt an arm go around his shoulders and looked over to find their landlord looking at them too. "She's been a good girl, but she likes to steal food. Thinks she's a people."

She laughed. "Mine all beg, my youngest one taught them well." She squeezed his shoulder. "Can you come up and get his stuff? I noticed all your stuff was downstairs."

Xander coughed. "I can do that. It'll take me a few minutes." He jogged up the stairs. "Oz, go take your nap."

Oz looked up at her and shrugged. "He likes to take care of me, same as I do him." He got free, walking around her and into the bedroom. "We've got plans to give you back the house tomorrow if possible."

"That's fine," she sighed, sitting down on the couch. She looked at her husband. "Think they'll do okay with them?"

"They should. They both seem to have a good head on their shoulder's." He looked down at the dog. "How they're getting back across the country with four kittens and a dog I'm not sure."

She smiled. "Only you, dear," she said, standing up. "I'm going to go help him pack and change the sheets." She walked up the stairs, smiling at the young man taking things out of a drawer. "That's all you have?"

"Nope, I have some more stuff that was shipped. It's down with the clothes Oz had shipped up since he didn't realize it was going to start snowing soon." He smiled at her. "Just a few more minutes and you can have your bedroom back." He looked at the two dogs on the bed. "They're comfy though, you might have to fight for space."

She smiled at the animals. "Oh, they know better." She picked up a shirt he had tossed. "Velvet?"

"I like fuzzy clothes, they make me feel good." He put down the last of his clothes, sitting down to look at her. "You look worried."

"I am. The pregnant one didn't call last night."

"I talked to her a few days ago, she's on bedrest because the baby tried to come out through her back, her words." She rolled her eyes. "Her doctor told her she was on bedrest and she called down to the bookstore to get something to read. Her husband's around here somewhere. He came in to pick it up."

"I wish she would get someone decent," Penny sighed. "But at least you're getting settled again."

"Yup, I love my Oz, and he feels the same. We still have some talking to do, we've been talking around the subject and easing back into it. We'll have it settled before we leave. The kittens won't be able to really travel for a few more weeks."

"About a month and a half," she said with a nod. "At least you have a plan. I wish you luck, Xander."

"Thanks, Penny." He hugged her. "I'll get out of your hair. I'm sure you want to change the bed or something." He picked up his bag. "We'll find an apartment tomorrow."

"How's your job?"

"Actually, I quit, but I do have a lot of money in the bank." He gave her a self-depreciating smile. "I was only working because I was bored, I didn't need to do it." She patted his arm. "No, really," he said, pulling out the papers the bank had given him. "See?" She looked at it then up at him. "It's an inheritance. I have more at home but I wasn't wanting to touch it." He shrugged again, taking the papers back. "Night. Have a good rest. Yell at us if we keep you up." He walked out of the room and down the stairs, tapping lightly on the door before walking in. "Just me," he whispered, closing and locking the door with the hook-and-eye closure. He laid his bag down and slid onto the bed, and was instantly cuddled. "Wow."

"Missed you," Oz whispered, putting his head on Xander's shoulder. "Sleep?"

"Yeah, we can nap," he whispered, pulling the blankets up over them. "Sleep, babe, I'll watch over you." Oz smiled. "Night, love."

"Night."

***

Xander looked around the apartment. "This is the only one?"

"No, I got another one but it's more expensive." He looked Xander over. "You sure you can afford this? You look like a college student."

"I have funds," he said simply, looking out the windows. "What's the other one like?" They walked across the hall and into a bigger apartment, this one with a balcony and a view of the grocery store. "Wow," he said as he wandered around the two room apartment. He briefly wondered about the room without a window but shrugged it off. "I like this one. How much?"

"Five hundred a month, all utilities included. How long you stayin' for?" the landlord asked.

"About two months, maybe a week less." Xander pulled out his wallet, handing him over the cash. "Security deposit necessary?" he asked when he saw the frown.

"No, not really. How'd a kid like you get so much money?"

"Easy, I inherited it. I had this really insane aunt and it was hers. The rest is over in the bank. Now, we have animals, is that a problem?"

"Nah, as long as they don't spray things. You got cats?"

"Four newborn kittens without a mother." Xander stepped out onto the balcony. "Really like this place."

"The building's for sale," he said with a smile. "You worked downstairs, right? In the bookstore?" Xander nodded, not looking at him. "Heard you quit because you were getting ready to leave."

"We will be, as soon as the kittens are old enough." He turned to look at his landlord. "Where's the nearest rental place? Like a Rent-a-Center?"

"Near the mall, I'd guess," he said, closing his eyes to think. "White River might have one. I have a phone book downstairs, I'll toss it up here for ya." He walked out. "You movin' in today?"

"Yeah, Penny's back. Oz and I can do it in one trip. Where's the parking spaces?"

"In the alley, they're marked, though your boss tends to park in one."

Xander grinned. "I'm sure we can work something out. One of our cars is in the shop."

"Yeah, I saw the fancy lookin' thing. Yours or his?"

"Mine, from at home." Xander turned to look out at the view again. "Keys?"

"I'll have them for ya when you come back." He walked out and shut the door.

Xander smiled. "He'll like it and so will Rocky and the kittens," he told himself, heading out of the apartment, going back to gather what was his.

Setting Up House.

Oz walked into the furniture rental place, looking around at what they offered. "You're sure about this?"

"Well," Xander said, giving his cheek a kiss, "we'll need furniture. Do you really want to buy some for two months?"

"Nope," Oz said, shaking his head. "Just don't like their selection." He stopped at one velvet sitting group, purple with colors shot across like a sunset, sitting down on it. "Like this," he admitted. He looked up. "Very comfy."

"Yup, very," Xander said, sitting next to him. "No tags." He looked over his shoulder as a saleswoman walked towards them. "Hi, we need to furnish an apartment for two months?" She smiled at them. "It has nothing, so we'll need a dining room table, this sitting group, and a bed."

"Microwave," Oz pointed out. "And TV. We have cable, right?"

"Yup, even though you won't use it." Xander gave her a smile. "We can pay now for the whole time."

"You guys up here on business?" she asked, sitting across from them, "and are we going to deliver? Our driver's gone home for the night."

"We'll tip generously," Oz told her. "Our old landlord just got back into town and we were renting her house. Isn't real practical and she'd like it back." That made their saleswoman smile. He leaned forward. "Let's lay it on the line. We're both inheritance kids and money's no object, but we have four newborn kittens we're hand raising. We need sturdy stuff that won't be hurt by them or our puppy." She nodded. "We have to move tonight and if you can convince the driver to come back tonight, I can help him move the stuff up the stairs, and we will be tipping him generously. Can you help us?"

"I'll have to call the driver but otherwise, everything is very doable." She looked at the tag beside her on the table. "Do you want this whole group?"

Oz looked at Xander, who shrugged. "Maybe. Could actually. Then I'll have a place to put the books down." He took Xander's hand. "What sort of beds do you have?"

"We have six in stock, if you could wait, we could get something from the next nearest store in Barre, but I'm guessing you can't."

"Only if they can get it to us tonight," Xander said, squeezing Oz's hand. "We're both exhausted by kitten care, we're napping in shifts."

She smiled, standing up. "Come on, we can make this easy and painless." She walked them over to where the beds were. "I'm guessing you're a couple so you'd like something king sized maybe? We have one."

Xander looked at the four-poster they had, one with just the four uprights and no overhead but it reminded him of his at home. "What size is this?"

"Queen. It's a very popular style." She checked the tag. "It's available if you'd like it." He nodded. "All right. That leaves a table, and you mentioned a microwave and TV?" She waved in the direction. "Shall we?" she asked when the red headed one just stared at the other one.

"I miss my bed," Xander said softly. "I love that thing."

"Cool. Means you're getting more ready to go home." Oz hugged him. "Love you," he whispered.

"Me too," Xander said with a goofy smile. "Let's do this and go home?"

"Sure. Want to cuddle with you." They followed her over to the tables, Oz picking out something that was glass and metal with metal and fabric chairs. "This one," he said. Xander agreed with him. He looked behind the tables at the TV's lining the walls. "The big twenty-seven inch."

"And a VCR," Xander added. He saw something so wandered over, looking at the laptops. "Gee, I didn't know they did these," he said.

Oz walked over. "No. You don't know who's had them. We have my laptop."

"Yeah, but you're working on your program again," Xander pointed out.

"I'll get off when you ask," Oz said, winding an arm around the younger man's waist. "You don't know who's used those or what they did with them," he reminded. "They could be virused or anything."

The saleswoman cleared her throat. "We've had a computer specialist look over them. They're certified to be clean."

Oz nodded. "I'm a programmer and a hacker. Unless your's is, I could probably do things that they wouldn't find." He gave her a small smile. "No insult intended but viruses can be sneaky things that look like your windows files."

She nodded. "If you say so." She pulled over a card. "This is our computer person."

Oz looked at the address and smiled. "I know this person, they'd know." He kissed Xander's cheek. "If you want one, go ahead." Xander hugged him. "You're welcome. Microwave?" he asked the saleswoman, not letting his lover go.

"We have five here. Would you like one of the new ones that can hold up to four plates or is a regular one enough?"

Xander pulled back but kept an arm around Oz's back. "A regular one. It's mostly going to warm milk for the kittens. And occasionally a plate or snack." She nodded, pointing out one near them. "That'd be great. Do we need anything else?" he asked Oz, who shrugged. "Hmm, living room, dining room, bedroom. It has rugs. Bookcases?" he suggested.

"Not needed," Oz told him. "We don't need to unpack the movies that badly."

"We have entertainment centers that have built-in storage. If you're staying for two months, you might want to consider something along those lines."

Oz looked at Xander, who was smiling. "Okay, have to have somewhere to put the TV and VCR anyway." He looked back up at his lover. "We still need to shop."

"Sheets and stuff," Xander agreed. "Groceries at home or here?"

"Depends, do you want to walk or not?"

"Um, home," Xander decided. He pulled out his wallet as the saleswoman rang them up. "How much?"

"For the whole time? Eight hundred and forty-seven dollars before taxes. Do you want to pay..." She stopped as Xander simply pulled out his wallet and handed over nine one hundred dollar bills. "Oh, yes." She put the amount into her computer and printed out their slip while she made them change. She handed it over, watching as they signed and printed out their address. "Thank you, gentlemen. Will you wait while I call our driver?" Oz nodded so she picked up the phone and dialed. "Frank? Yes, we do have a big delivery. Actually, the gentlemen said they'd tip generously." She shook her head. "He's at his son's sporting event."

Oz held out a hand. "Hi. We've had an emergency move. Can you do it later tonight?" He smiled. "No, we're going to tip you and I'll help you carry the stuff up the single flight of stairs. That's reasonable." He handed the phone back. "He said he could do it tonight after supper."

She smiled, putting the phone back up to her ear. "Frank? Yes, that'd be fine. I'll have it marked and their address will be on the counter if I'm not here." She smiled and hung up. "That was nice of him."

"He named his own tip," Oz said with a shrug. "Come on, Xand, let's go get sheets and groceries. Penny must have been driven insane by Rocky barking at the kids by now." He led his lover out of the store. "Did you want something else?" he asked when he saw the frown.

Xander shook his head. "I forgot to pick up the bundle of money on the dresser. I'm almost tapped out."

Oz shook his head and opened his wallet to show him. "I didn't." He climbed into the passenger's seat in the Blazer, buckling himself in. "Shopping?"

"For pillows and blankets," Xander agreed. "T-shirts or flannels?"

"Both? We have two months."

"Good point," Xander said, starting the truck. "Wallyworld?"

"No, real store please. I don't want to wander through Walmart on a weekday afternoon."

"Good point." Xander pulled out of the parking lot, heading out onto the highway. He headed for an on ramp. "We've got to head to West Leb or Barre, choose?"

"Closer," Oz yawned. "Please."

"West Leb, we're halfway there. You have your cell?"

"And she has the number," Oz agreed. He tipped his head back, resting it against the back of the seat. "Wake me when we get there," he said as he fell asleep.

Xander glanced at him, grinning, then headed up the on ramp, getting onto the interstate.

***

Xander climbed back into the Blazer as quietly as he could and shut the door. He put the bags in the back seat, smiling at his lover since he hadn't woken up this time either. He touched Oz's arm. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty, we've got to pick up supper on the way home."

Oz handed over his cellphone. "Call Penny and ask if we can pick something up for her." He sat up and looked at his watch. "We have two hours before we have to meet the deliveryman." He looked at the full backseat. "How many stops did you make?"

"Five." Xander hit the last button, initiating the call. "Hey, Jim, it's Xander. We're in West Leb, do you want us to pick up supper for you guys? Okay." He hung up. "They're eating some of the pizza in the freezer."

"Cool," Oz said, taking the phone back. He patted down his pockets and his wallet was handed back. "You stole it and I didn't realize?"

"Yup, and coped a feel too," Xander said, starting the truck. He opened the door, looking down and grabbed a bag. "Thought I had left something out there," he muttered to himself, tossing it into the backseat.

"Want me to drive?" Oz suggested.

Xander nodded and unbuckled, letting Oz get out so he could slide over. He watched his lover check for more bags, adding one to the pile in the back seat before he got in. "Thanks."

"Welcome. I had a good nap. We're heading for the one marked White River, right?"

"Yup, but we're taking exit four. Then we turn left and head into Randolph." Xander yawned. "Wake me up if you get lost."

"Will," Oz promised, starting the Blazer. He checked behind them and started to back up, stopping when someone screamed. "Guess something's back there." He got out, heading back to look at the dog looking up at him from under the bumper. "You're okay," he said, picking it up and handing it to the woman standing there. "I didn't see it." She nodded, clutching the dog. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just scared." She looked at the animal. "Whose are you?" she asked, looking at the collar. "No tags."

Oz groaned. "Xand? We almost hit a stray dog."

His lover got out and walked around to look at the dog. "Gee, you could almost be Rocky's older sister."

The woman checked. "Male, fixed."

Oz looked at Xander and shrugged. "Your call."

"I can go inside and tell them to call animal control," she offered. "It could belong to someone."

Xander nodded. "That might be for the best." He watched as she walked away, then checked under the Blazer's wheels. "Okay, no more animals. Home?"

"Home," Oz agreed, getting in, watching as Xander slid into his seat. "Ready?" They both buckled up. "Good. Home." Oz had to stop as the dog ran under his wheels again. "Okay, we've got another dog," he decided, opening his door to let it inside. Xander chuckled as it hopped up and settled on top of the bags. "Home," he said firmly, shutting his door and waving at the woman as they drove past her. He headed for the interstate, getting back on and into the right lane.

***

Oz lifted the last table through the door and kicked it shut. "Wow. Very heavy stuff," he complained, then stopped when he saw Xander feeding the kittens. "They okay?"

"No trauma from the move. They didn't even realize, Penny said they were asleep." He looked up. "Ray called. He and Meth are at Connor's and Connor's in LA with Giles. Something about Angel needing him for something." He shrugged. "I invited them up."

"We've got to remind them to bring beer, I haven't seen a single imported one that he'll drink in any of the stores we've been in." He set the table down, sitting on the edge of a chair. "When are they coming?"

"Tomorrow. They've made arrangements to stay at the bed and breakfast. Seems mentioning your name got them a discount." He grinned. "And a request for definite dates." He dodged the noogie attempt. "Easy, I got the little peoples."

Oz slid down beside him, hugging his lover to him. "Yeah, I know." He reached over to pet the kitten's head. "You're really good with little peoples."

"At least I won't have kids to hurt," Xander said, setting the kitten back down beside his littermates.

"If you wanted to sometime, we could adopt," Oz reminded him quietly. "I never really wanted kids so I'll leave that up to you." Xander looked at him as he relaxed into his arms. "I always thought I wouldn't have anything to teach them and that I'd be too distracted to be a father so I never really considered it. Even before I became immie, I never considered it. I knew I didn't like women that much and I didn't want a wife and family to tie me down." He rubbed down Xander's stomach. "I don't think I'd be a good father though."

"I think you'd be a great daddy," Xander said, kissing the underside of Oz's chin. "You're a great dad to the kittens."

"Yeah, but babies need a little more attention for a lot longer. In six weeks, those guys will be almost independent and will want to prove it." Oz snuggled with Xander, watching the cats prowl and nose at each other. "I can't wait until their eyes open, then they can explore." Oz looked around the apartment. "We've got to get the furniture settled. Bed's in place but the living room needs moved around." He tried to get up but Xander wouldn't move. "Comfy?"

"More than usual." Xander kissed the underside of Oz's chin again. "Did you mind the other night?"

"Nope, as long as you were comfy with what happened, then I'm happy, Xander. I'm not going to push you to return to our old relationship. I'm not even going to push you to sleep with me tonight, I can sleep on the couch if you'd rather."

"Nope, I missed my Oz cuddle bear." That got a goofy smile. "I did, that's why I got Rocky, because she cuddled. She was almost scared the first night when I dragged her into the bed with me but she quickly got used to snoring into my stomach."

"She's been doing that to my back when she curls up with me to help me nap," Oz noted. He kissed the top of Xander's head. "How's our stray?"

"Good. But I don't think she'll be staying with us." They both looked at the blonde lump of matted fur curled in the corner. "I was going to trim and groom her tonight."

"Coolness. You do that and I'll arrange furniture." They got up, heading for their separate tasks.

***

Oz opened the door with a grunt, letting his teacher and his teacher's lover inside the apartment. "Watch out for the animals," he warned, heading for the kitchen. He looked toward the balcony, where Rocky had pulled his shirt to lay in front of the balcony doors with the kittens. "Coffee?"

"We brought you some," Methos said, handing over a cardboard container. "How domestic." He smiled at Xander as he walked out, hugging his self-proclaimed favorite student. "You do live," he sighed once he was being held. "I had wondered there for a while."

"I'm fine," Xander mumbled, getting free. "Watch for animals." He dragged himself toward the kitchen, giving the coffee maker a dirty look. "You're empty," he accused. A cup was handed to him so he sipped, moaning in pleasure. "Thanks. Great. Bless you, Meth." He smiled at Ray as he walked into the kitchen with their stray dog. "He refused to leave the Blazer alone," he said, reaching over to scratch his ear. The dog growled so he shrugged. "Okay. Guess he found his person." He sipped more of his coffee, leaning on the counter to watch Methos look at their kittens. "They awake?" he asked.

The old immortal stood up and shook his head. "No, they're soundly sleeping against the dog." He looked at the couple in the kitchen. "How are you getting them home?"

"Car," Oz said dryly. "We have a good one."

"You could probably get permission to bring them on a plane with you," Ray said, rubbing his face in the soft, blond fur. "You're cuddly," he said, giving his lover a smile. "Can we keep him?"

Methos sighed. "We'll see, Ray," he said once the begging eyes came out. Ray gave him a pleased smile and went back to petting the dog.

"We found him in a parking lot at a shopping center," Xander said. "He kept trying to get hit so we opened the door and he jumped in." Oz snorted. "He did."

"Wasn't that," Oz said, sneezing for real this time. "Sorry."

"S'okay," Xander said, putting down his coffee to kiss his lover and hug him closer. "Small fever, maybe you should go back to bed."

"Colds only last for a day with us," Methos told him gently. "He'll be fine by tonight." He looked over his shoulder as Rocky barked. "Yes?"

"That means the kittens are awake," Xander said, opening the refrigerator and pulling out a can of formula. He poured some in the bowl Oz held for him and then watched as it was put into the microwave. When it was done, he took it and the eyedropper, walking out carefully to sit next to the shirt and pet the kittens, picking up the first one to feed them.

"My, he's good at that," Methos said as he walked back into the kitchen. He hugged his student. "How are you two doing?" he asked Oz quietly.

"Good, we've talked a little. About some big stuff and some little stuff. We're slowly getting closer again. By the time the kittens are ready to leave, we should be too." He looked around the apartment. "This is a nice place though. He used to work downstairs in the bookstore." He looked over at Ray. "He really likes you."

"Yeah, dogs usually do." He put the dog down, looking down at the begging eyes. "Let me go sit down and you can hog my lap," he said, walking out to the couch and sitting down. "Where did you get this thing?" he called.

"Rent-a-Center," Xander said absently. He rubbed a distended stomach. "Oz, maybe we should take this one to the vet's again. She's not wanting to eat."

"We'll call later, when they open, and then go in." He walked out, taking the kitten to feel her stomach. "Oops, we need to go to the bathroom really bad." He walked over to the small litter pan they had set up the night before, putting the kitten in it and moving it's paws through the sand-like material. "Yeah, this is where you go potty. Come on," he said, rubbing across the stomach a little harder than normal. The kitten cried but started to go, eventually, getting into the rhythm and stopping crying. Oz helped her tiny paws cover what she had done then took her back to Xander, handing her back. "Try now." He sat down, checking for stray kittens first since they were moving off the shirt in a blind searching. "Give me the litter box," he said. It was pushed over by a foot. "Thanks." He picked up another one, putting it into the litter to let it play. "Never too early to start this." Rocky just looked at him. "Sorry, but this is how cats do it."

Xander chuckled. "She's licking me," he said, showing the kitten that he had resting against his neck.

"She loves you," Methos said dryly, sitting next to them, handing Oz the kitten he had almost sat on. "They think you're their mother."

"Oz has been doing most of the feeding," Xander told him with a smile. "I'm the alternate- mommy." He handed her over, picking up the last one, the one that was trying to suck on one of Rocky's paws. "Not there, silly, here," he said as he picked up a dropper full of milk and stuck it in the kittens mouth. "Hey, sucking reflex. He's lapping."

"Good." Methos took the kitten and the dropper, checking the kitten as he fed it. "Yes, this one should be fine." He looked at the one Oz had helped to go to the bathroom. "I'd watch that one though." He got another dropper of milk, feeding it to the kitten. "My, you're a hungry little beast," he noted as he fed him a third.

"Only the pink one's a girl," Xander told him, taking her to show off. "See?" Methos gave him a smile. "She's our good little girl, she's the one that got stuck." He put her down on the shirt, watching as Rocky licked the kitten. "Good girl. Yeah, you deserve people food for that."

Ray walked over and sat down near them. "Rocky?"

"Yup, she's part boxer." He grinned at Oz. "Her mom got out and despoiled a purebred boxer puppy. She has siblings. One that's my hair color and one that's almost Oz's."

"You really want to get them, don't you," Oz asked, looking at his lover, who gave him a brilliant smile. "Call her old mother. We'll see."

Xander whooped and kissed Oz, hard and possessive, then hopped up to grab the phone. "Hi," he said, carrying it into the hall.

Oz looked at Methos, who was shaking his head. "It makes him happy to take care of things. And me." He looked down at the kitten trying to climb him. "I'm not a jungle-gym," he told her, putting her back on the shirt. "Can't wait until you guys can see," he said, looking at Ray and seeing his smile. "We're not keeping them all," he noted.

"No," Methos said. "One dog's enough." Ray kissed his cheek and rested his head on his lover's shoulder. "Cats don't like me," he complained weakly.

"They'll love you," Xander said as he walked back in. "She found homes for them." He sat down beside his own lover, putting his head on Oz's shoulder to watch the kittens play. "They're way active this morning."

"It's getting closer to when they'll start exploring," Methos told them. Everyone looked at him. "I was a vet for a while, boys, really," he added dryly.

Xander grinned at him. "You've done just about everything, huh?"

"No, I've never done some things, most of which I never had a desire to do. I never became a weaver, no matter how much Oz begged me. I never became a king or an emperor, though I have known a few and advised some of them. I never was a nuclear physicist."

"Eww," Oz said. "I know about that major, lots of math and thinking." He nudged Xander. "I think I'm going to stick with my programing and weaving."

"Coolness. Can you teach me?"

"Sure. Anytime you want." Oz reached down to remove the soft claws from his bare stomach. "Hey, I don't scratch you." He put her back down in front of Rocky. "Play with her stomach." Rocky barked at him. "What?"

"Breakfast," Ray said, getting up. "Where's her stuff?"

"Under the sink," Xander called. "Her bowls are there too." He looked back at the puppy, who was begging. "And nuke a pork chop to break up in her food too, please. She deserves it, she's been so good to the kittens. Yeah, she's going to be a good mommy."

Methos shook his head. "Boys, we still need to go eat. Maybe you two should go get dressed so we can do that."

"Yup," Oz said, removing all the furry bundles from his lap. "Should. Oh, check the entertainment center, I found that history book finally." He stood up, helping Xander. "We'll be right out." They walked into the bedroom, leaving their friends alone.

Xander leaned against Oz's back, watching him look at the meager stuff in the closet. "I want to wear my new shirt," he said, pointing it out. "And my black pants."

"They're in the wash, Rocky shed on them," he reminded, handing over the shirt. "Should I wear the blue one?"

"Nope, wear your jade shirt," Xander said, touching the sleeve, "and your jeans. I'll wear mine and we'll be cute." He pulled down the clothes he wanted and walked over to sit on the bed and get dressed.

Oz watched Xander do a quick lotion down then watched as he pulled on his jeans without underwear. "Gee, my naughty's coming back," he whispered, going to his knees in front of Xander, silently begging for a kiss. "My naughty," he sighed when his mouth was released. "I'm happy that you're back."

Xander gave him a grin. "Happy enough to let me suck you off?"

"If you'd like," Oz agreed, standing up. "Like this?"

"No, lay down on the bed," Xander said, making room for him. He nibbled over Oz's stomach and down into his hair, licking up the topside of the hard cock. "Hmm, Oz flavored, one of my favorites." Oz moaned so he licked over the head again, stopping to tease the opening. "Liked?" Oz nodded quickly. "Want more?" He spread his legs, giving Xander complete access. "That's my good Oz," he whispered before taking the head into his mouth to suckle on. He pulled back to smile then worked his way down farther, coming back up a few times before swallowing him down.

"Yes," Oz hissed, grabbing the blankets Xander had bought for them so he wouldn't grab the dark hair. "Yeah, Xander," he moaned, thrusting up as his lover came down.

Xander pulled off, wiggling a finger at him. "None of that," he whispered against the wet flesh. "What am I?"

"Xander, my Xander."

"And what else?"

"Mine?" Oz asked, raising his head when Xander shook his head. "If I say pet would you stop?" Xander smiled and shook his head. "My pet?"

"Yes, love, I'm your naughty pet." Xander went back down quickly and came back up. "Just remember that, I'm your pet."

"Mine," Oz sighed, lying back down. "My favorite person." He rubbed through the dark hair when the mouth stopped. "What's wrong?"

"Just got a flash," Xander said, sitting up. "I'm sorry, I can't, Oz."

Oz rolled them over, kissing his lover gently. "Not a big. What flash?" Xander shook his head. "Back when you were working?" His lover tried to get out from under him but he held on. "Xander, I could never think of you like that. As far as I'm concerned, that was another Xander. Mine was a chaste little GHS when I met him." He saw the small smile. "You never did that, love, and you never need to worry about it. It didn't taint you. You have full control over my pleasure." The brown eyes focused on him. "Yes, you. Only you can decide if I get pleasure or not. Until you're ready, I just won't have any." He snuggled down, hugging his lover hard. "I don't want you to ever think back on that time, Xand, never again. That wasn't a bad thing and I don't want it to hurt you anymore." He kissed the flesh he was resting on. "You're not any more dirty than you were when we first met or when you first let me into you." He squeezed and felt the small trembles, looking up to find his lover silently leaking tears. "Shh," he said, moving to cradle his lover against his chest. "Shh, love, you don't need to be upset. I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"You understand," Xander whispered, clinging to him. "You really do." He sniffed loudly. "Thank you, Oz. I don't feel so dirty now for wanting to touch you."

"Shh, giving pleasure isn't dirty," Oz told him gently. "That's a lot like taking care of someone, which isn't dirty either. You never have to feel that way with me." He kissed the top of his lover's head. "Xander, I love you and I never want you to hurt."

"He touched me," Xander said. "He told me I was a whore and he touched me."

"The demon?" Xander nodded. "He was wrong."

"But he wasn't," Xander said, sitting up. "He wasn't wrong. That's what I was."

"No, you were more of a courtesan. More of a geisha, you talked as well as gave pleasure. Your form of pleasure is a whole body and mind experience. He was *so* wrong," Oz whispered, clutching Xander. "If he was still alive, I'd go slay him for saying that to you. You're not a whore and you never were. Even if you had wanted to be there, you still wouldn't have been." He pulled back at the light push against his chest. "What?"

"Just wanted to watch you say that."

"You're not a whore, Xander," Oz told him gently, wiping off his cheeks. "No matter what he said, you're not. They don't like what they do and they never feel real pleasure when they're with the ones they love, if they can find one." Oz kissed the tip of his lover's nose. "You're like the fictional story you told the bank people, love. Even if you were a prostitute for a few weeks, you're not a whore, there's a *big* difference." Xander shook his head. "Yeah, there is. Whores are cheap and don't like what they did, they end up hating themselves for what they did. You're not like that. And I hope to God, whichever one is still listening, that you're never going to become like that. Okay?" Xander nodded. "You okay now?"

"Yeah," Xander sighed, rubbing down Oz's chest. "I'm not a whore, and I don't hate myself. I hate him."

"You should. You should even hate Devi for putting you in that position."

"He promised someone that he'd talk one of his guys into allowing themselves to be given. John refused and ran away when he heard about it. No one's sure where he is."

"Huh. We'll try to find him and make sure he's okay," Oz told him gently. "I meant it, Xand, you are in complete control of my pleasure from now on. Until you're ready, I'm not getting any." The younger man looked up at him in shock. "It isn't good for me unless you're fully into it, babe. I don't need it until you're ready to give it." He squeezed Xander again. "Okay?"

"Yeah," Xander said, giving him a gentle kiss. "Can I have you tonight?"

"If you're willing and ready," Oz told him with a small smile. "I'm not going to push you."

"Okay." Xander sat back up, looking down Oz's body. "Can I prove to myself that I'm not..." Oz nodded, waving down his body, so Xander licked over his cock. "I like," he admitted.

"Which means you're GHS, love," Oz reminded hm.

"Yeah, I am, aren't I?" Xander asked, sitting back up. He looked down at his jeans. "These aren't soft."

"Then we'll wear them until they are. Or we'll wash them a few times." Oz held out his arms. "When you're ready to become yourself again, I'm more than ready to accept the change. Whenever you're ready to put back on your soft and fuzzy clothes, just say so and I'll take them out of the trunk."

"Can you ...." Oz got up and pulled the closet door open, simply pulling out some of the clothes that were laying on top and handing them. "Wow," he whispered as he felt the pants. "I forgot how soft these were." He looked up then stood, taking off his jeans and kicking them off. He pulled on the cashmere dress pants, sliding the zipper up with a sigh. "Oh, God, this is good," he said as Oz handed him one of his favorite shirts. "Thank you." He slid into the silk, chilled and warmed at the same time as the fabric brushed against his skin. "Oohh," he shivered. "Nice."

Oz walked closer, kissing his lover gently. "I missed that look on your face, love," he whispered, stealing another kiss. He pulled on his clothes for the day, wrapping himself in his jade shirt last. "Okay?" Xander nodded, giving him a soft smile. "Ready to go face off with the man who taught you pleasure?"

"He's right here," Xander told him, rubbing himself against his lover's body as they kissed again. "He taught me how to enjoy the act, but you've made me enjoy my life." They walked out holding hands and met the other set of lovers on the couch. "Hey, breakfast?" he asked.

Ray looked up and smiled at him. "Yup, breakfast would be good." He patted the dog in his lap's head one last time and stood up. He got whined at so he bent down to kiss him. "Shh, we're going to eat. I'm coming back." He headed for the door, taking Xander with him. "I'm glad I suggested that we pack some of your real clothes for you," he said as they walked out the door.

Oz walked over to where Methos was checking the kittens. "They okay?" He got a nod and helped his teacher stand. "They do well when we leave them alone for an hour or so." They walked out together. "Did you find that demon?"

"Giles found his remains. When he walked into the keeping grounds, he shuddered at the bits and pieces of him. I and Angel were walking behind him, with Joe, Mac, and Connor behind us." He stopped as they reached the Blazer, pulling Oz aside. "They left a lot of stuff. Does Xander want it?"

"You sure it's free?" Methos nodded. "How?"

"Angel said so. He talked to one of them when they showed up. They said it was his for rescuing their pets."

Oz shuddered. "Whatever, just don't tell him. Keep it somewhere safe for him."

Methos nodded. "As we planned. It's already with your things, which have been moved somewhere more accessible. Amanda even agreed to stay out of them after she found out why."

"Ah, and how is our favorite thief?" Oz asked as they finished their stroll to the car.

"Fine, we called on her to help us fix Mac. He's feeling much better. He even believes now that you're not to blame for driving her away. He heard about the kittens and said that it wasn't the same man, so he's agreed that maybe he was hasty then."

Oz smiled. "I told Xander about that, he thought it was sad."

"To love someone that much and have them leave? Yeah, that's sad," Xander said from the backseat. "Bed and breakfast?"

"Could. Is anywhere else open?"

"The place where we were supposed to have dinner that night opens for lunch." He looked at his wrist and frowned. "No watch."

"Forgot to pack it," Ray told him with a small pat. "You'll have it soon enough. Even though that is a nice apartment."

"Is," Oz agreed, pulling out of the parking space. "The building's for sale. There's a smaller one across the hall."

"No," Xander said. "If we're buying a building, I have one in mind." He grinned at Oz's shocked look in the mirror. "What?" he asked innocently. "It's a beautiful old building and just needs some tender care and a few new floor boards."

"Why do I think you've already bought it?" Oz asked, stopping at a stop sign. He turned to look at his lover. "You're going to show it to me, right?"

Xander nodded. "Drive, Oz. Breakfast out there stops early."

Methos smiled at the couple. "I'd like to see this building too. Though, I can see the benefits of owning a building with a bookstore in it." He looked over his shoulder at Xander. "It would be most convenient."

"You already own one," Oz reminded him. "This one is way small and struggling."

"Then you could lower the rent to cover the yearly taxes," Xander pointed out. "They'd probably be really grateful and eventually give us a discount once they could afford it."

"We'll see," Oz said. "Owning property comes with it's own challenges when you're one of us." He stopped at the second sign, looking at his lover in the mirror. "Later?"

"Later," Xander agreed.

"Good," Methos said, clapping his hands together. "Drive, Oz."

"Yes, sir," he said, turning onto the main street since the nice woman had stopped for him. "Oh, look, Gladys." Xander and he waved. "Wonder what else she's told."

"Probably told everyone about that stone stopping the kidnappers," Xander said thoughtfully. "Someone in the grocery store gave me a wide berth the other day."

Oz snorted. "That's all we need. Do you know her?"

"Yeah, it was Juli's mom. Oh, and Tara's putting Juli up for a while." He looked at the former cop next to him. "Her mother had a date and that was the night it started snowing, the night Miracle showed up. We found Juli standing outside under her window with no jacket and about to freeze. Her mother had shoved her out the door without a jacket."

Ray frowned. "Did she get the kid taken away?"

"Not sure. Tara's actually a social worker. I know she's putting Juli up for now."

"Parents like that shouldn't be allowed," Ray muttered, clenching his hands in his lap. "That's just wrong. That kid coulda died out there."

"I almost did and that was just from running to the truck and back from stores," Oz said, then sneezed again. "Damn." Methos handed him a napkin from his pocket. "Thanks."

"Welcome." Methos looked over his shoulder. "Miracle?"

"The kittens' mother. She jumped in my lap as we were trying to leave Tara's after dropping Juli off. She hopped up into the seat where you're sitting now and refused to move from my lap."

"That was a bad night," Oz agreed. He pulled out onto another street, heading for the bed and breakfast. "You sure we're going to be in time?"

"If not, McDonald's was out by the interstate," Ray said, calm again.

Xander leaned over and hugged the former detective. "Ray, I wish you had been around when I was a kid. You would have been one of the few people that I would have told." He sat back up, watching the older man smile slowly. "Never worry about that, if I know, it's not going to happen."

"Either of us," Oz agreed. He smiled as he pulled onto the road that held the bed and breakfast. "Think they'll be surprised to see me?"

"Oz, you stayed for two weeks. You're almost legendary among the workers," Methos told him with a pat to his shoulder.

"Two weeks? I thought there was one."

"I got there the day before I came to see you so I could get up my nerve," Oz said as he pulled into the driveway. "I was there about a week and a half, until that night you invited me to the movies."

"Yeah, you were mushy and let me make the first move," Xander said, reaching around the seat to hug him as they parked in the crowded parking lot. "Must be brunch." He slid out of his seat and closed the door, waiting on everyone else. He groaned as Gladys' car followed them into the driveway. "Gee," he told Oz, wrapping an arm around his lover's waist. "Company?"

"Let's hope not," Ray said. He nodded to her when she hurried past them. "What's up with her?"

"She's the town gossip," Xander told him quietly. "Her telescope looked directly into the place I was renting's living room. She called the neighbor to come 'talk' to me because I was playing with Rocky, who was in Oz's lap while we picnicked." They walked in the door and smiled at the hostess. "Four, for non?"

She smiled and made a mark on the chart under the glass of her podium. "Of course." She led them to a table, waving a hand at it. "Please be seated, your waitress will be out in a minute." She leaned down to whisper in Xander's ear. "The story about your stone is still running around the room, do you want to not be bothered?" He nodded, slipping a bill into her hand. She gave him a bright smile and headed back to her job.

"They heard about the stone," he told the other men. Oz groaned. "We won't be bothered." He smiled as a person he knew walked up to their table. "Hi, Greg, how's school?"

"Pretty good, one more year and I can transfer. Do you know what you want?"

"Not yet," Oz said, picking up his menu. "Is it still breakfast?"

"Yes, Mr. Osbourne, it is. But the ham dish listed in the specials isn't available, we're out of ham." He smiled at Xander. "At least he came."

"Yeah," Xander said, taking Oz's hand. "He did. I'm really happy again." Greg smiled and left them alone. He looked at Ray, who was looking around. "This is what small towns are like, everyone knows everyone else."

"And then some," Methos said quietly. "Oh, quiche, I haven't had that in ages." Oz looked at him over his menu. "I haven't, it's not often I get up for breakfast."

Ray smiled at him and took his hand. "If ya drag me out of bed that early again, I'm going to shoot you, ya know that right?"

"Of course, my dear former cop, I do realize you hate mornings." He kissed the back of his lover's hand. "Now then, find something fattening so Oz can treat us to breakfast."

Ray got free and picked up his menu. "Wow." He pointed something out to his lover. "I want that."

"Good choice. " Methos put down his menu. "Are you two ready?"

"Almost," Xander said, reading over Oz's shoulder. "I want something tasty and fattening but not salty and not pancakes. I don't want to spill syrup on this shirt."

"It'll wash," Oz reminded him. "Get what you want." He handed over the menu, picking up Xander's from his plate.

"I wanted the one you were reading," Xander said with a grin when Oz gave him a dirty look. "It always looks better after you've drooled over it."

Methos rolled his eyes. "Gods, please not more sugar." He patted the back of Xander's hand. "Be mushy later, love. Behave now." Ray slapped his arm. "Ow."

"Leave him alone, he's behaving like himself again and it's cute." He smiled at Xander. "A little too sweet for my tastes, but it's good to see you so happy you radiate."

Xander grinned, blushing a little. "Sorry. I like being mushy sometimes. It just seemed like the right time."

"It is," Oz assured him, kissing his cheek. "Adam doesn't like mush and Ray's one of those tough guys who wasn't raised around mush." He smiled as their waiter came back over. "I'll have the quiche, Xander?"

"Um, I want..." He reopened his menu. "I want the western omelet and don't spare the cheese." He took his menu and Oz's handing them over.

"We both want the breakfast delight," Methos/Adam said, handing back their menus. "And we'd all like coffee."

"Milk for me," Xander said. "It's a tradition."

"Of course," Greg said, writing down their orders. "Oh, Mr. Osbourne, there's a message for you at the front desk." He walked away, heading toward the kitchen.

Oz got up, kissing Xander's head as he walked past. He walked over into the hotel part, smiling at the desk clerk he had paid almost every day during his stay. "You had something for me?"

"Just a small one," she said, handing over a envelope. "It seems that you overpaid us by a day."

"Did I remember to tip?" She nodded. "Huh. Okay, can I put this toward breakfast?"

"Of course." She wrote something out. "Give this to the hostess with the check. Whatever's left she'll have cashed."

He considered it then shook his head. "Put this on Mr. Adam Grayson's account, he's a rotten tipper." He handed back the envelope. "My lover has money on him." He smiled at her and walked back over to find his breakfast waiting on him, minus a large chunk. He looked over at his teacher. "Gee, was the table hungry?" he asked as he sat down.

Xander nodded. "And it burped afterwards." He stole another bite. "Always wondered what that was." He tore into his omelet. "Trouble?"

"No, I just forgot to pick up my security deposit. I told them to put it towards tips." He picked up his fork to take a bite, groaning in pleasure. "We're getting some of this to take home. And the recipe if we can."

Xander grinned. "Already asked, it's in the cookbook they sell." He held up a bite of his omelet. "Here, try." Oz ate from his fork, humming in appreciation. "I love eating out here. They just do everything great."

Methos nodded. "Truly, this is a delight." He smiled at Xander. "Thank you for suggesting this place."

"Welcome."

Ray took another bite of his breakfast sampler and smiled at Xander. "So, whaddya do around here for fun?"

"There's the theater, it has a new movie weekly. There's the library and the bookstore, and cable. Lately, we've been too tired to do anything but take naps. The kittens are demanding."

"I can see that," Ray said. "You looked tired this morning."

"Was. Only got three hours of sleep."

"Maybe Oz should quit forcing you to talk to him," Adam suggested gently.

"Not," Xander said, glaring at him. "He doesn't force me to do anything. Not even to talk. I talk because I want to talk. We cuddle when we talk too." He took Oz's hand. "This tiredness is all the kittens, *Adam*, and nothing more."

"Sorry," he said, bowing slightly. "I had thought that he said you two were having long talks."

"We do, but long is subjective," Oz said. "Long for us is an hour. During which we cuddle."

"And nap, at least the last few times," Xander added with a small grin. "Sorry."

"S'okay, you make a good pillow." Oz kissed the back of Xander's hand. "Eat, you could use the energy."

"Yup, could." Xander grinned and attacked his food. "Eat, Adam."

"Of course." He looked across the table at Oz. "I'm happy if you both are," he said quietly.

"We are," Oz told him with a small smile. "We still have some things to talk about but mostly we're happy again."

"Good," Ray said with a short clap of his hands. "Then after breakfast one of you can show us around town while the other naps."

"Xander knows it better," Oz deferred, eating the last piece of his quiche. "I really like this place. We should come up here on anniversaries." Xander beamed at him. "You'd like?"

"I'd like lots," Xander said, quickly swallowing. "You guys?"

"I think that's a romantic idea," Ray said, smiling at Methos. "I like this place. And they have horses."

"I have missed riding," Adam admitted. "We'll see."

Ray nodded. "Okay, I can beg later."

"Yes, you can," Adam said with a smile. "Tonight?" Ray licked a bite of cheese off his lips. "Good," he purred.

Oz looked at Xander. "And they call us mushy." He reached over to wipe a bit of egg off his lover's lips with his thumb, sucking the morsel into his mouth. "Great."

"Thanks," Xander said with a small blush. He looked down at his empty plate. "I don't remember eating it all."

"If you're hungry, eat," Oz reminded him.

Xander shook his head. "I'm not, I just don't remember eating all that." He smiled at Greg as he put down their check. "Thanks, man. Good luck this semester."

"Thanks, Alex." He walked away.

Oz patted down his pockets, frowning. "Xander, did you bring your wallet?" Xander patted down his pockets and shook his head.

Methos groaned. "I'll pay, but you're buying supper then."

"Fine," Oz agreed. He watched as Methos patted down his pocket. "Forget it in your car?"

"So it seems."

Ray pulled out his, handing over his credit card. "Here, try this one, I just paid it off." Greg came back and took it, coming back a minute later and whispering in Ray's ear. He got up and followed him.

Xander got up and headed out to their car, searching the inside. He found his emergency stash in the glove compartment and put it in his pocket, locking the door and walking back inside. He groaned when he realized he had locked the keys in the truck but continued to walk. He sat down at their table, handing over the money under the table. "Had a stash in the Blazer," he explained. He waved Greg over, letting Oz pay. "Sorry about that."

"No problem, Alex, we know you'd pay us tomorrow when you got into the bank." He smiled and took the cash, walking away with the check.

"Things get around," Oz muttered. "Everything." He looked at Xander, squeezing the hand he was holding on his thigh. "Thanks. That was embarrassing."

"No big," Xander said quietly. "It's not like I don't have it." He looked towards Adam and Ray. "Ready?" He accepted the tray with the change and mints on it. "Thanks, Greg. We may be back for supper." He left the change on the table as a tip and handed out the mints. "Let's go check on the kittens before I show you around."

They all walked out to the Blazer, letting Oz get the doors open with the coat hanger he had borrowed.

***

Xander looked around the almost bare apartment before walking down to his car, sliding into the passenger's seat. "How're they doing back there?" he asked, looking at the kittens and Rocky in their big carrier. "Oh, I'm sorry, guys, but you can't wander around the car. Its' not safe." He visually checked the seat belts. "All secured." He looked at Oz, who was looking up at the back of the building they had just spent the last two months in. "It'll be okay, we're going to go back to our home."

Oz nodded, starting the car. "Yeah, we are. You sure you don't want to drive?"

"Home, Oz," Xander said gently, kissing his cheek. "I want to go home. Our home. I'm ready now."

They left the town with more than they had each come to it with, and together, they drove off to live their lives together.

Home Again.

Giles hopped up as he saw the gray Lexus approach, smiling at the men in it. Oz stepped out and looked at him. "I didn't think it was appropriate to be in there when Xander wasn't," he explained gently. Xander got out and simply hugged him, relaxing into his arms. "I missed you, my boy," he said gently as he rubbed down the soft flesh. "I missed you so much," he whispered in his lover's ear.

Oz hugged Xander from behind, wrapping his arms around Giles as far as he could. "We missed you too, Rupert." He smiled at his astonished look. "What?"

"No one's called me by my given name in years."

"I still may not," Xander said as he pulled back to grin at him. "I still don't like your first name that much."

"I'd think you'd like it a bit more than my middle name," he said with a teasing grin.

"True, but calling you 'Giles' is comfy to me. Can I keep doing it?"

"Of course you may, love," Giles said. He looked in the back seat. "We have pets?"

"Yup." Oz looked at him. "You're allergic, aren't you?"

"Yes, unfortunately, I am." He shrugged. "I'll deal with it. I'm sure they're all loves."

"Little ones," Xander said, getting free to get the carrier. "Oz, door?" he suggested, lugging the big, plastic case toward the door. He breathed in as he crossed the threshold, looking around. "It's all the same."

"Yup. We had the cleaning lady in to clean up after the fight," Oz told him, helping him put the carrier down in front of the sliding doors and wall of windows. They released the carrier's door, watching as first one kitten came out and meowed at them. She wandered right over to the window and looked out, calling to the birds that were out beside the pool.

Xander sat on the floor, smiling as he watched Rocky come out. "It's okay, Rocky, you can explore. This is home." The puppy looked at him and barked, tipping her head off to the side. "Yes, home." He reached over to scratch her ears. "See, comfy stuff." She shook his hand off and ran around the room sniffing everything. After she was done, she howled. That was apparently the sign because the other kittens all came out to help their sister watch the birds.

Giles looked at the animals, silently counting, but Oz laid a hand on his arm. "We're the guardian of the kittens, we hand raised them. We're only keeping two."

Xander nodded. "Right, two." He accepted the furry bundle of kitten into his lap, looking down at her. "Hi, Fluffy."

"Fluffy?" Giles asked with a smile. He squatted down to look at her. "My, you're pink."

"Technically, she's peach," Xander said, handing her over. "This is your third daddy, Giles." He hopped up, heading after Rocky and one of the kittens before they could make it up the stairs. "I closed the door at the top, I don't know what's out up there." He set them both in his lap as he sat back down. "So, guys, do you like the house?"

Oz snorted, sitting beside him. "I'm sure they do. Hey, Percival," he said, scratching the kitten's ear. "I think we're keeping this one and Fluffy, but we'll have to see who they pick as owners. Their mother picked Xander as their guardian so we have to let them pick."

Giles just nodded wisely and let it drop. He could get the story later. He leaned over, kissing Xander's cheek, but he hit his lips at the last second, quickly becoming absorbed in the kiss. Until sharp claws dug into his stomach. "Ow," he complained, looking down. "I am allowed to kiss him, he's mine also." He handed her off, watching as Xander kissed the top of her head. "Are you feeling better?" he asked, rubbing through the dark hair. "I was most worried when you ran away, and it got even worse when I found out that you had become someone else for a while."

"I'm fine," Xander said, leaning into his hand. "I missed the old me too, but Oz taught me that I wasn't bad." He looked at his lover with a big smile. "I love you both," he said, resting his head on Giles' shoulder. He looked down at the insistent cold nose that was trying to find it's way into his bellybutton. "Yes, I love you too, Percival."

"What are the other two's names?" Giles asked, watching as one of them tried to fight a potted plant and the other kept staring out the window.

"Well, George is staring at the birds," Oz said.

"George after the old Bugs Bunny cartoons with the Abominable Snowman who held Daffy Duck and said he'd call him love him and squeeze him and call him George."

Oz snorted. "Or after the stupid one in the other cartoon series, we're still in disagreement about why."

"And the other?" Giles asked with a smile. "The one trying to fight the plant?"

"Don. Actually, Don Quiote," Oz amended. "He thinks everything's a dragon or a windmill, we're not sure which."

"They just all have to be fought," Xander added with a smile. "George and Percival like Oz more and Fluffy and Don like me best." He put Fluffy and Percival down so he could stand up and take off his shirt. "Giles, can I have a backrub?" he asked shyly. "I've missed your hands." He looked at Oz. "That's okay, right?"

"I've had your body for the last two months, I can share," Oz said with a nod. "I'm going to check the fridge and cupboards for food so we know what we'll need." He stood up, heading into the kitchen to do his chores, followed by most of the animals.

Xander led Giles back to their bedroom, smiling at the made bed. "Gee, the cleaning lady was nice," he said as he finished stripping and lay down. He heard snickering and felt a soft weight so turned to find Don sitting on his ass, looking down at him. "Yes?" he asked with a smile. "Did you need something?" The cat meowed at him. "Uh-huh. Why don't you help Oz get food-type stuff?" Don meowed again and lay down, after a few seconds of careful kneading.

Giles smiled then burst out laughing. "My, he's a demanding little one, isn't he?" He sat down beside his lover, stroking over the kitten's head. "I need to get to the human, may I move you? I assure you the bed is most soft and comfortable." He carefully picked up the kitten by the scruff and put him down on the quilt, surrounding him with the throw pillows so he could take his pick. He got up and headed for the bathroom, coming back out with the oil they both preferred for massages, stopping to stare in amazement at the cat, who was now on top of Xander's butt on a pillow. He started to laugh again, leaning against the closet door. "Xander, is there something you'd like to tell me?"

"He's insistent," Xander groaned. "Please?"

"Of course, love, but it may not be as good as usual considering your helper." He looked up as Oz walked in. "I do believe he wanted one also," he said, pointing.

Oz grabbed the instant camera off the dresser and snapped a picture. He laid the picture and the camera aside before coming over to pick up the pillow and kitten, carrying them out of the bedroom. "Have fun. Oh, and the neighbor's over."

"Tell him I said hi," Xander said, waving. He waited until the door was closed to spread his legs. "Please?"

"Of course, Xander. How could I resist such an invitation."

"Um, not that sort of invitation. Oz and I still haven't broken the last sexual barrier yet." Xander turned his head to look at his lover. "I'm waiting on the final one, intercourse. I've gotten past all of it but that."

"Then I'll wait until you're ready. I'm sure you and I can find many things to do for each other besides that one act."

"Cool. I wasn't sure if you'd understand or not."

"Xander, if you're uncomfortable with the act, that's all I need to know," Giles said, kissing the soft back between the tense shoulderblades. "The fact that you're not wanting it is enough to make me not want it with you."

"Thanks," Xander sighed, relaxing again. "Backrub?"

"Of course." Giles poured some oil into his hands, smoothing over the pale skin. "How was Vermont?"

"Cold," Oz said from the door. "Percival liked him. He said he'd ask his wife."

"I thought Percival liked Methos."

"He does, but he jumped up into our neighbor's lap and kissed him. He never did that for Methos. And Percival likes to ignore Methos too. We'll see what happens." Oz started to turn away but Xander held out a hand so he walked over to lay beside him. "Did you need something?" he asked with a kiss.

"Yeah, you," Xander said, shifting so he could lay partially on top of Oz's body. "Comfy." He shifted off as someone knocked on the sliding doors. "Come in," he yelled, making Oz wince. "Sorry. Didn't want to get up." He smiled at their neighbor as he walked over to stand in the doorway. "I'm being spoiled."

The man smiled and shook his head. "I'd say so. She said she really wanted a female cat." He looked hopeful.

"The only female one we have is the peach one that just tried to sneak behind you," Oz said, pointing down the hall. "She's not real stealthy yet."

The other man turned, bending down to pick her up. "What's your name, sweetie?"

"Fluffy. Because she likes to pretend to be a big puffball in the laundry basket." Xander lifted his head. "If she likes you then you can have her. She was the last one so she's really special, just take care of her."

"Oh, I will. My youngest won't do what she did with our last dog and shave her bald. This'll be the little woman's cat." He looked down at her. "I'm going to introduce you to Valerie, let's see what she thinks. She's going to love your coloring though." He waved and walked out. "Oops, I let one of the other guys out."

Oz slid out from under Xander's head and shoulders, walking out to the sliding doors to watch Percival sniff around the pool. "Go ahead, dive in. We'll save you." The cat looked at him then batted the water, losing balance and falling in. He came back up sputtering and his back hair standing up, but swam over to the side and crawled out. "See?" He let him back in, watching as one of the other kittens and Rocky helped her lick herself clean. "That's the pool. When you're bigger, you can go back into it." He looked up at the neighbor. "It works."

He nodded. "Seems to. Looks like you did a good job. Where's the mother?"

"She died having Fluffy. The vet had to cut her out because there was something blocking the way." He wiggled his fingers at the cat. "Don't worry, his wife is nice and if she doesn't like you, you can come back. Don'll even give you purrs and kneads later."

The neighbor smiled and walked away. "Let's go see what the little woman thinks."

Oz shut the door, heading back to where Xander was purring under Giles' skillful fingers. "Do either of you find how he talks about Valerie insulting?"

"Just a little," Xander said, holding up his finger and thumb, wide apart. He looked up and gave Oz a sleepy smile. "I missed this from him. Your fingers are great but his find all the little spots that just wipe me out."

"So I see. Nap if you need it, the flight was a long one and you were taking care of the kittens most of it." He shared a kiss with each of his men, getting up to let the person knocking on the door in. "Yes, officer?" Fluffy was handed over. "What did she do? And are you a neighbor?"

"No, we got a call from the neighbor on the other side of yours about the smell coming from his house." He grimaced as Giles walked out. "Which one of you is the owner?"

"He's taking a nap," Giles said, "but we've been gone for the last few weeks. Xander's been gone for months actually."

"Oh, okay then. We just wanted to ask you some questions about how long it's been since you've seen his wife and kids."

Oz blanched. "He did?" The officer nodded. "Eww. I do know that he always called Valerie his 'little woman'. He was always real degrading about her when he spoke of her."

"He beat her to death," the officer said quietly, making a note in his notebook. "One of the daughter's too. The other we found locked in her room rocking back and forth in a corner." He looked down at the kitten rubbing against him. "Which one are you?"

"Oh, that's Percival. He's our knight in shining armor. He just decided to investigate the pool." Oz picked him up, wrapping the kitten in the bottom of his t-shirt. "Is there anything we can help with?"

"No, I think the girl'll be fine in a few weeks, after getting some care." He closed his notebook. "Have you had any other problems with the girls?"

"Just that they liked to help Xander sunbathe," Giles said dryly. "He liked to do it nude and the girls would either watch or would come help. They occasionally came over to swim in the pool, but their father kept saying he 'fixed' that problem." He looked out the back window. "Which girl was it?"

"The younger one. She's probably going to be fine. The psychiatrist that came to help us said she should be fine with some medication and a lot of sleep."

Giles shook his head. "That's not how you deal with trauma of that scale. You let them talk about it." He looked at Oz, who nodded. "I think we know someone who might be better able to take care of her. May we refer them?"

"I'd say so. The state's going to be getting custody for a while." He looked up as Xander walked out. "Cute kittens."

"Thanks. Their mom picked us to raise them." He scratched Percival's ears. "Pool?"

"Fell in the shallow end." Oz handed him over. "Here."

"Thanks." Xander looked at the officer. "There's a really good shrink in town, Doctor Roberts. Try him. He's not real big on the drug approach but he'll get her talking in no time."

The officer nodded. "I'll suggest that to my wife, she works on the psych floor at General." He waved. "I'll leave you alone to get resettled." He smiled as Percival reached out for him. "Yes, you're very cute. Are they up for adoption?"

"Oh yeah. This is one of four. Three guys and one girl, which you brought back." He looked out as a young girl in a nightgown walked over to stand behind the cop. "Hi, Marigold." Percival reached out to her. "Would you like to hold the kitten?"

She smiled and reached, snatching the cat from Xander's hands. "Kitty," she sighed, rubbing her face against his wet side. "Mine?" She looked up at the officer and hissed at another man that was walking towards her.

"Um, maybe you shouldn't give her that," the other man said. "I don't think she's going to be able to handle it."

"If you didn't drug her so much that she wouldn't be able to work through it she might," Giles suggested dryly. "Marigold, would you like to stay with us while we call Doctor Roberts out?" She nodded. "Okay, go grab a towel and dry him off please." He looked at the officer then inside. "If you'd care to wait, we wouldn't mind." He looked at the man standing outside the door. "If you touch that girl again, I will tell everyone about what I caught you doing six months ago." He shut the door in the shrink's face, leaning against it. The officer just looked at him. "I'm sure you know of that place where cars park and prostitutes are picked up?" The officer nodded, frowning. "She was most young, maybe sixteen if you're being generous and looking only at the makeup she was wearing."

The officer nodded. "Okay. That's a good enough reason. If you had proof, I'd ask for it."

"Go do a raid," Oz suggested, walking out of the hall with a robe. "Here, Marigold, put this on. You've got to be cold." She slipped it on, rubbing her face against the side. "Welcome. Dry him carefully. He's a little spoiled because we hand raised them." He walked into the kitchen. "Want some coffee? Xander just called him. He lives down the street."

"Yes, if you wouldn't mind." Oz shook his head, starting a pot. "Thanks." He turned to watch the young girl carefully petting the cat. "He's good therapy."

"Animals usually are," Giles said, watching her. He smiled at Xander as he walked back out. "Did he say when?" Someone knocked on the door so he opened it. "Yes?"

The other officer nodded that one inside. "They saw him parked with a kid about her age. I thought it best if we called someone else. They suggested Roberts."

"And he's coming?" the second officer asked in shock.

"He's a good guy," Xander defended. "He really cares about his patients. Doesn't drug them into a stupor." He sat down beside Marigold, smiling as she rested against his side. "I think you'll like him, he works with a lot of teens." She looked up at him through her hair. "Yeah, I think you'll be okay." He nodded toward the back door. "See?" He waved, watching the man as he walked inside.

"Ah, Doctor Roberts," Giles said, shaking his hand. He reached down, lunging for the kitten before he could get out. "Don! Get back in here. No, you don't need to take a bath." He walked out, heading after the next kitten to fall into the pool.

Oz snorted then nodded at the couch. "She and Percival seem to have gotten close." He handed over cups of coffee, including one for the doctor. "She's talking but not much. She grabbed Percival from Xander to hold and cuddle."

Xander looked up, giving him a small smile. "Hi." He tapped Marigold on the head. "Marigold, this is Doctor Roberts. Can you say hi?" She looked up and grunted. "Now, none of that. Be nice to him. He saved one of my friend's life at one time."

"I was sorry to hear Jesse had died." He sat down in front of the couch, reaching out a hand, which she batted away. "All right. Would you like to tell me about Percival?"

"He's been hurt," she said, cuddling him. "Really badly hurt."

"Oh, I see." He sipped his coffee, moaning in delight. "I've got to get the name of this blend."

"It's the Harris blend down at the little coffee shop in town," Oz called. "Sorry it's so stale."

"Tastes great," he called back. He smiled at Marigold, holding out a hand again. "Maybe we should get you into something a little warmer."

"His," she said, taking off the robe to hand it back to Xander.

"It's okay. We'll get it sometime soon." He gave her a smile, helping her back into it so she didn't have to let go of the kitten. "We don't mind if Percival goes with her. He seems to have chosen to help her."

"He's an interesting cat," Doctor Roberts said, touching the pink/grey/tan fur. "A very interesting mix." He looked down as another cat invaded his lap. "Let me guess, you're a tunnel cat?"

"Oh, yeah." Xander accepted Don back. "He likes to hide in indents and seats."

"And under blankets," Oz said, looking at the scratches on his arm. He walked over, taking Don. "Percival, be good for her. She's going to need you to hold her a lot." The kitten meowed silently at him. "Good boy." He waved. "Marigold, you can have Percival if you're good and Doctor Roberts says it's all right."

"I think it'd be fine." He stood up, holding out a hand. "Would you like to show Percival his new home in your room?" She nodded, standing up. "Come, let's go take you to my house and we'll get you settled into a room of your own." They walked out the back door, followed by the officers. "Thanks, boys."

"Welcome," Oz and Xander called together.

Giles smiled at his men. "That worked out rather well."

"He treated Jesse one summer. He was having a lot of strange thoughts and feelings and he was really mixed up so I called the local teen hotline because I thought he was going to take a header off his roof one night. They referred me to him and he saw Jesse the next day. It took him about a month of talking, and no drugs, and Jesse was back to his normal self." He pulled Oz down into his lap, letting Don sleep on him instead. "He was a really nice guy, he believed everything I said and everything."

"He deals with teens almost exclusively," Oz said quietly. "He runs a group home for troubled teens out of his own house. He's really decent to them."

Giles sat down beside them, reaching over to pet the cats. "Percival will be greatly loved over there then. He'll probably find a lot of children to help after her."

"I think she's just in shock," Xander said. "She looked like she could heal."

"She probably can," Giles told him. "I'm sure she'll be fine."

"Good." Oz kissed Xander gently, stroking the kitten purring in his lap. "I thought you were napping."

"I was, then I heard what happened. Then Don bit me so I got up and came out." He looked down at the kitten. "He wanted to help her too."

"He's a chivalrous cat," Giles said with a smile. "I'd say you named them both excellently."

Xander laid his head on Giles' shoulder. "Can we go back to what we were doing?"

"In a while," Oz said with a yawn. "I need a nap." Don poked him with a nail. "Yes, we need a nap and you're not going to hog the covers." He got up, heading into the bedroom. "Coming, Xander? Giles?"

They got up and followed him into the bedroom, shutting the door with the kittens on the outside.

***

Xander groaned as Oz licked his nipples, hands clenched firmly in his hair, mouth open in a wordless shout as his lover stroked in and out of his body. Until his wiggling feet were pounced on from outside the blanket. "What the...!"

Oz stopped and looked over his shoulder, groaning. "Don!"

Giles started to laugh, reaching up to bat at the cat, who growled and tried to bite him. "My, you're a hard one to deal with, aren't you?"

"I thought you locked the door," Oz said, looking over at Giles. "Didn't you?"

"I did." He looked over at the door, which was still closed and locked. "I'm not sure how he got in here."

"He likes sleeping in the closet," Xander reminded Oz, pushing the top half of himself up. "Get off me." The cat meowed at him. "Now! I'm having a moment with your father, you don't need to attack us."

Oz groaned, pulling out to pick up the cat and carry him to the door. He unlocked the door, sticking his foot in the opening so none of the other ones could sneak in while he threw Don out. "Later," he said, closing the door. He turned to find Fluffy sitting on top of Xander's back while he hid under the blankets. "How did you get in here?" He walked over, grabbing her to throw out too. When he opened the door this time, all the cats rushed him, jumping over his foot in perfect formation. Even Rocky wandered past him, going to take his usual place on the bed against Xander's stomach. "Oh, no," Oz swore, walking over to grab the three kittens and the puppy, carrying them all back to the door and letting them back out. "Stay for a while longer. We'll let you in later." He shut the door, turning to find Xander looking out at him from under the quilt. "They'll listen."

"Oz, this is why we couldn't do more than cuddle in Vermont." Xander lifted the quilt so Oz could get under it with him. "Remember all the times we got pounced because we are apparently scary blanket monsters?"

Giles snickered. "I would have thought that you might have been warned about that. My former cat used to do that all the time. Even when I just moved in my sleep sometimes."

"Actually our tunneler, Don, likes to sneak in and try to sleep under the blankets with us." Xander kissed each of his men then snuggled down on Oz's chest. "We'll do it right in the morning," he said quietly. "Make a whole ceremony type-thing."

"If you'd like that," Oz told him, rubbing down his back. He looked over at Giles as he felt a hand covering him. "Thought we were going to wait."

"We are. I didn't want to leave you hanging." Xander looked up with a small grin as his hand continued its course of distraction. "Did you want me to make you wait?"

"No," Oz groaned, pushing his hips up against the hand working him. "Not really."

"See, then I'm taking care of you. Just like always." Xander nipped the strong arm wrapped around his shoulders, laying his head on the offered shoulder as his hand slowly worked his lover off. "Gee, no noise?"

Oz shook his head, eyes squeezed tightly shut. "Not going to watch the cat watch us."

Xander and Giles both looked up and groaned as they saw George watching them. "Out." George leaned down to sniff his butt then looked at them again. "Out," Xander repeated. He started to remove his hand from Oz's cock but it was held still by a tightly clamped hand. "If you can live with George, so can I." He closed his eyes, covering his head with the quilt so he didn't have to see the cat either. Oz groaned as something hit the hand working him, shooting off at that moment. "Better?" Xander whispered, licking the shoulder he was laying on.

"Yup, up until that last bat." Oz pulled down the quilt to look at the animals standing on top of Xander's body. "How did you get in?"

Giles smiled, wrapping an arm around Oz's waist. "They're cats, Oz, it's one of the mysteries of the universe." He closed his eyes, waiting to fall asleep.

Xander smiled at Giles then shared a kiss with Oz, making them comfortable. He was just about asleep when he felt a cold nose trying to burrow into the small space between his shoulder and Oz's chest. "Don, not even gonna do that tonight," he muttered, pushing the nose away. For which he got bit. Xander opened an eye, glaring at the kitten. "Do it again and you're getting thrown off the bed."

Oz patted Xander's back, lifting the quilt so the kitten could get down on his stomach, his usual place. He winced as the sharp little claws kneaded his flesh, bucking up to make Don stop, but the kitten just moved lower. "No!" Oz shouted, sitting up. A hand reached down, removing the kitten from between his legs, dropping it off the side of the bed for him. "Thanks, love."

"Welcome," Giles said, snuggling Oz once he was lying down again. "Sleep. All of you." He looked up at the cat sitting on his side, blinking in confusion at the yellow eyes staring into his. "Yes, George?"

"Meow?" George sniffed him then nudged him with his nose.

"Pets are petted in the mornings," Xander mumbled. "No pets now."

Giles reached up, petting the small kitten. "There we go, George." The cat laid down on top of his side, getting comfortable right there.

Fluffy looked at the three men, deciding to take the direct approach. She walked up the pillows behind Xander's head, flopping down on top of Oz's head. She licked the hand that came up to pet her, telling it to go back to sleep. She yawned, looking at Don as he snuck back up onto the bed, swishing her tail at him. He growled lightly, batting Xander's hair, which made him shift. He took that opportunity to dash under the covers, settling down on Oz's stomach again.

Rocky just quietly barked at the kittens and settled down on the foot of the bed. After all, it was big enough so a foot would never get near her. She watched the moving lump under the blankets, putting her head down when it was pounced by George, who then went back to his perch on the older guy's side.

***

Xander looked around the room, a naughty grin on his face. He closed and locked the door, making sure the closet door was closed also just in case Don had decided to sleep in there. He snuck back onto the bed, getting under the covers to lick his way down Oz's chest and stomach. By the time he reached the navel, the body under him was wiggling and a hand was rubbing through his hair. He kissed each of the scratches on the smooth skin, going lower to lick over the hard flesh, ignoring the small bat to his feet, which were wiggling with the song on the radio. He licked over the hard cock, smiling at the groan he got. Then he ever so slowly swallowed it, just steadily moving down as he took more and more in. Oz moaned and grabbed his hair, pulling him back up. "Yes?" he asked with a grin, blinking a big innocent look up at him.

"So naughty," Oz whispered, pulling him up for a kiss. "I love when you wake me up like that. Where's the little people?" He looked over the top of Xander's back, frowning. "Off the bed, Don."

The cat walked up, pushing his nose into Oz's face, nudging noses with him. He sat on top of Xander's head, looking down at them. "Meow?"

"No," Giles groaned, picking up the cat to hold. "I'll keep him, you two have fun."

"But I wanted it to be all three of us," Xander pouted. "That's one of the reasons I waited." He looked up and Oz nodded. "Go throw him in the closet, he'll sleep on the laundry." Giles got up, doing just that, and they all ignored the pitiful noises he was making. "Later," Xander called. "Take a cat nap." The noises stopped and Xander smiled at Giles as he slid back in beside them. "I wanted it to be all of us," he said, reaching over to rub across the taut chest. "Gee, you became really hard recently."

"It's all the practice," Oz told them. "It tends to do that to you." He rolled, trapping Xander between them as he shared a kiss with Giles. "Good morning. We missed this part."

"Me too," Giles said, moving his body closer to press Xander between them while he kissed his other lover, one hand going down to stretch their lover for what they all wanted later. "We should chain him to the bed today. Make sure that he can't get up."

"Really?" Xander asked, nipping Giles' chest. "I could go for that but only if I'm fed and treated well as a captive."

"Of course," Oz told him, reaching down to tease Xander's stomach. "You're always our favorite captive and we always treat you well, don't we?"

"Yup. I just wanted to make sure I could have ice cream this time." He groaned as the doorbell was rung. "Damn people," he muttered as he got up to answer it, remembering his robe at the last moment. "Methos?" He asked in shock as he saw who it was. "What's going on?"

"Ray's in Chicago to testify and you did say to drop by anytime," he reminded as he walked in. He looked at the animals that ran to meet him. "Where's Don and Percival? Surely you haven't gotten rid of them yet."

"No, but Xander's going to spank Don," Oz said as he walked out carrying one of the younger man's shirts. "He was using it as a play toy."

Xander held up his favorite shirt, frowning at the kitten. "Just because you couldn't help us have sex doesn't mean you have to be mean to my clothes. You usually like to sleep on this one." He balled it up and threw it in a corner. "I guess they can make a bed with it. I'll get a new one once I go shopping." Oz gave him a look then the shirt one. "What?"

"I bought you that shirt."

Xander leaned closer, giving him a kiss. "Then we'll go and I'll let you buy me a new one. Okay?" He scratched Don's ears. "If I could fix it, I would, Oz. It had a good life."

"I'll buy you another," Oz agreed. "We'll recycle it to them." He looked at his teacher. "Connor driving you nuts?"

"No, he's asleep in the car. It was the other McCleod." He bent down to wave at Fluffy. "Hello, pink one. How are we this morning?" She yawned and batted his hand away from her ears. "Ah, yes, we always did agree on mornings."

Oz snorted. "Go make coffee, I was letting Xander spoil me with attention."

"Good," Methos purred, rubbing a hand down the folds of Xander's robe. "He needs it."

"Mine," Oz reminded him, handing the cat over and taking back control of Xander, leading him back to the bedroom. He had to stop to free the bed of the remaining kitten and the puppy, but after they were alone the door was locked, they headed back to the bed, Oz picking Xander up to toss him onto it. "There, better," he said, following, possessing the younger man's mouth.

"Much better," Giles purred, rolling over to cuddle them, holding Xander still so Oz could prepare him, remembering quite well that Xander liked to be tied to the bed sometimes. He smiled as Oz slid into their lover, making him moan and arch up. "There, love, is that better?"

Xander nodded, pushing his hips up to meet Oz's strokes. "Want more but it's much better." He shared a kiss with Giles, pulling away from Oz to land on top of his lover's chest. He whimpered as he was filled again, holding onto Giles tightly as Oz rode him hard. "Yes, please? More?" He pushed back against the hands laying on his hips, smiling at the light spank. "Yes, Oz, more!" He got to his hands and knees, pushing back hard, the end of his cock rubbing against Giles' now. Both men groaned.

Giles pushed himself up, grabbing Xander's hips to hold him still while he rubbed against him, aiding Oz in giving him a hard, fulfilling ride. He flinched as the small furry lump hit his chest, simply picking her up to drop her on the floor, tossing a pillow down after here. "There," he said, giving Xander a smile, "all better again." He arched up, giving both of them more friction as Oz slammed in particularly hard. Xander screamed, getting off, going limp in his arms. "There, there, love, all better again," he whispered, licking over the sweaty neck. "Isn't it?"

Xander looked up and grinned, nodding. "Much better." He wiggled his still filled butt at Oz. "Gonna do more?"

"In a minute," Oz said, resting against his back. "I need to calm down or this'll end sooner." He looked down at Giles. "I have to build back up my stamina, I can only go once now."

Giles chuckled, giving him a brilliant smile. "I'm sure we'll fix that for you soon enough." He rubbed down Xander's shoulders, kissing his temple since it was closest. "Now, love, what would you like?"

"More?" Xander asked with an impish grin.

"Ooohh, I think you're getting that," Oz said as he pulled out. "But I think it's Giles' turn." He switched places with his student, holding Xander's limp and sated body as they kicked him back into sexual overdrive, their favorite part of the day. "Yeah," he said, watching the seemingly older man stroke in and out slowly. "Tease him, babe."

"Mean," Xander whispered, wiggling his butt. "Need more."

"And more you shall get, when we're ready." Giles looked at Oz, then they both looked at their lover, each nodding. Giles pulled out, going to grab his book off the dresser, coming back to light the candles around the bed. "We'll always give you more," he said as he lit the last one and raised his hands. He pulled a small silver knife from the book, cutting his palm, then Oz's, then Xander's, making him look up in shock. "Always," he reminded, starting the first round of the chant of the spell to link Xander's personal energy to their's.

Methos smiled as he watched Fluffy reappear from behind the couch, then it just got broader as he heard the magic start. He picked her up, sitting down on the couch to slowly pet her vibrating body. "Yes, they'll be around for a long time, my dear pink one. Yes, they'll make sure your father is around forever. Just like they and I will be." He smiled as Connor walked in, nodding his head at the room where the chanting had just went up in pitch. "It's time."

"If we have to, we'll train Xander also."

"I think he should have some anyway," Methos said, patting the couch beside him. "I made coffee, the boys keep a special blend in the house. It's a bit on the flavored side, some chocolate and a hint of irish cream, but it's an exceptional blend."

"No thanks." Connor wiggled his fingers at the kitten. "How are you this morning?"

"This is Fluffy, because she kept pretending to a ball of fuzz in the laundry." He handed her over. "Here, talk to him. I need coffee for this." He stopped, looking at the bedroom in alarm as Xander screamed. "Oh, dear." He started that way but Connor stopped him. "I should go check on him."

"Methos, even if you love that boy, you cannot go check on him. That's not for us." He winced, dropping the kitten to grab his chest. "Or not," he groaned, watching as Methos fell to the floor grabbing his own chest. "God, they included us?"

"No," Methos said, fighting to stand. "They can't do that. It'll drive him insane." He made it to his feet just as the feelings stopped, clutching the wall. He took a few deep breaths until the pain stopped, glaring at Giles as he walked out. "You bound him to our energies too?"

"It was an accident, I had no idea it would spread." He smiled gently, hugging him. "It's done," he whispered. "It worked." He looked down at Connor, giving him a small smile also. "He'll be ours for as long as we live."

Oz walked out with Xander cuddled against him. "Meth, your promise since he said you were included."

Methos nodded, looking at Xander. "If he should outlive you and Giles both, then I will take care of him if I'm here."

"As will I," Connor said as he stood up. He nodded at Xander. "I won't make you sleep with me though. You'll be an independent person."

"Shoot, hate being one of those." Xander kissed each of them on the cheek. "Thanks guys." He headed for Oz, pushing him into the wall to kiss him hard. "I think you were doing something? You promised to tie me to the bed today."

"Yeah, I did," Oz said, giving him a small smile. "Go find your restraints, I'm not sure where they are." Xander walked back down the hall. "Could you feel it?"

"He feels like a pre-immortal," Connor told him. "You're sure it worked and he's not going to turn if he dies?"

"If he dies is another matter," Giles said softly. "The spell didn't say what would happen. It's not meant for this situation." He looked toward the bedroom. "I'd say at worst, he'd temporarily turn into one of us."

"Then we'll start with the sword drills, same as we did you," Oz told Giles, patting his arm. "Thank you." They shared a kiss then Oz headed back to the bedroom to lock Xander to the bed for the day. "Do we have ice cream?"

"A bit," Giles called. "I went out last night when I couldn't sleep and got some." He smiled as he walked around his other teachers. "Xander's requests are always carefully thought out." He headed into the kitchen. "Can I make you gentlemen breakfast?"

"Found the hole," Oz called, walking out with Fluffy. "There's a hole into the bathroom." Methos pointed at the couch. "Gee, guess we'll have to fix it. Has anyone seen Rocky?"

"She was sitting at the sliding door last I knew," Connor said, walking over to let her in. "How did you get out?"

"We left the garage door open," Giles said, walking past with a filled tray. "I'm going to feed your master, Rocky, would you like to help?" He turned his head and sneezed. "I have to remember to buy some allergy pills." He walked into the bedroom, finding Xander chained to the bed by one of his ankles, a slim chain linking a cuff around his ankle to one of the bedposts. "Ah, good morning, pet." He set the tray next to Xander, watching as Rocky crawled up to look at it. "No, get out of the food, dear."

"Rocky," Xander said, scratching her ears. "She's cuddly." He kissed Giles, picking up a berry to eat, dipping it in the powdered sugar first. "Thank you."

"I knew you'd like this," he said with a smile, taking the berry to nibble on, picking up another one to feed it to his lover. "There, this is how it's supposed to be, love."

"I feel like it," Xander said, giving him a smile. "That's why I do this. I love it when you take care of me because it reminds me how much you love me and how much I trust you."

"Oh, we do," Oz assured him from the doorway, walking in and closing the door. "Meth's suitably detained with the animals." He stole a kiss from Xander. "You really feel more loved like this?"

"It's a reminder that I'm loved. I need that sometimes."

"Then we'll set aside times that we just chain you to the bed." Oz laid down on the other side of Rocky, petting her while he looked over his lover's body. "Maybe I should have let you get partially dressed." He looked toward the closet. "I liked the present you bought the other day."

"The harem pants?" Xander nibbled on the berry Giles was holding for him, his tongue coming out to lick all the juices off his lover's hand and wrist, then he shared the taste. "I'm yours to command, guys, if you want me dressed, tell me."

"Would these be literal ones?" Giles asked Oz.

"These would be some that I had altered to be the real type," Oz said as he got up. He pulled out the blue pants, holding them up. "These are a lot like the ones I wore for six years." He brought them over, showing Giles the fold and the thinness of the material before he undid the ankle cuff, handing them over. "Finish your raspberry and put these on."

Xander nodded, licking the juice off his fingers, moaning as Giles took his hand to do it for him. "Oh, yes," he moaned, getting hard again. "Like it when you do that too." He shivered as he was released, getting up to let Oz help him into the pants. "Oh, like these." He hugged his elder lover, tightly squeezing him. "I should get more pairs of these." He lay back down on the bed, seductively draping himself. "Yes?" He accepted another berry as his ankle was reattached to the chain. "Thank you," he sighed, relaxing.

"Hey, you belong to us," Oz whispered, licking over the ankle he held. "Would you like to start yoga lessons, Xander?" His lover gave him a shy smile, nodding. "Then we'll do that. Methos knows it very well, I'll have him teach you and we'll buy you tapes." He lay back down on the bed, resting his head on the bare stomach, tracing the waistband that ran in a square just above where Xander's pubic hair should be. "I like this waistband on you. The way it comes up to cover your hips but the center dips down so low." He looked up as Giles fed him a berry. "Would you like to have this done also?"

Giles shook his head. "I'm not that much of a concubine, he's much more into that end of the spectrum. I truly don't know how I was accepted into the GHSS some days."

"Easy, you're a very sensual lover," Xander said, wrapping his arms around Giles' neck, nuzzling his lover's forehead with his lips. "When you're in the mood, you're very much one of us, the rest of the time you're just a great lover."

"Ah, thank you, love." Giles gave him a short kiss. "Would you like some coffee?" Xander shook his head. "No?"

"No, I'm feeling really warm at the moment." He looked down at Rocky, who was laying on his legs. "Aren't we, girl?" She looked up and sniffled, panting at him. "See, really warm."

"Meth must have turned on the heater," Oz said, getting up to walk out. "You really don't mind being a concubine some days?" he asked from the doorway.

"I don't think about it like that, I think about it as giving myself to you totally so you know I love you and I know you love me and that I can trust you to keep me." Oz nodded, heading out to turn down the heater.

Giles smiled at him. "You never have to doubt our love, Xander. Not an ounce of it. Even when we're fighting. You don't need to go to these lengths to prove it to us or yourself."

"Yes I do," Xander said, giving him a solemn nod and a grin. "Besides, I like being like this sometimes. Not all the time, but sometimes I really just want to sit beside your feet and treat you like my personal god." He rubbed down the bare chest. "See?"

"Yes, I do," Giles said, taking the hand to hold. "I do see. It's most amazing how you are some days. Sometimes you're this independent little man who demands to be recognized, and sometimes you're like a little kid in a candy store. Then sometimes you're like this. It just amazes me."

"I told you I was complicated so you'd never be complacent," Xander told him, winking. He looked down at Rocky, nodding toward the door. "Out please." She got up and jumped off the bed. "We can nap later," he called after her. He looked up as Methos walked into the room. "Hi."

"Hi." He sat down beside Xander. "Are you having an insecure moment?"

"No, I just feel absolutely loved when I'm like this." He looked down at the chain attached to his ankle. "When I give in like this, I just feel like the most loved and cherished person on earth. My men love me and I'm sure of it then. They take wonderful care of me and I get to take good care of them without having to seem pushy." He grinned at Giles, letting the hand stroking the firm chest fall lower. "See?" he asked at the groan. "This is me."

"Yes, I can see." Methos stood up, taking the tray. "Don't want to ruin the bed, do you." He walked out, shutting the door behind himself.

"You do take care of us, love."

"Giles, you're protesting because I want to serve you. Isn't that silly?" He leaned over, taking a long lick down the center of his chest. "There, now be quiet so I can play."

Oz walked in, smiling at his men. "Good." He shut and locked the door. "Fixed the hole." He walked over to shut the bathroom door, just to make sure, then stripped on his way to the bed. "You know, this means you have no say in what we do to you."

Xander nodded. "I like it like that sometimes." He looked up at Giles, his eyes asking for understanding. "I want to be a cherished kitten of yours."

"Then so you shall be," Giles said softly. "Whenever you're ready." He leaned over to kiss Oz. "He's consented to be this way all day?"

"Until we free him for bed. Even if we let him out, he's still going to be our pleasure slave all day." He reached down to play with the thin material outlining Xander's hard cock. "I like this on you. We're getting you more pairs."

"Whatever you want," Xander moaned, pushing up against his hand.

"Say that again, love," Giles whispered, nipping his neck.

"Whatever you want," Xander whispered, going limp under their hands. "I'm so yours." He saw the look Oz and Giles shared so opened his legs, letting them have total access to his body. "Yes?"

"Very nice," Oz told him. "Never blindly offer," he reminded. "Otherwise you have no idea what you're getting into." He slid a hand between the folds of the material, undoing the single snap holding the crotch together. "You have no idea what I want to do to you for running away."

"I thought we settled this," Xander pouted.

"We did," Oz said, "but I still need to remind you to talk to us."

"You overreacted, you had me locked in a room."

"Point," Oz conceded. "I should still teach you to talk to us. It seems to have not worked the last time, when you went shopping." Xander's eyes opened. "I see you remember." Oz pulled his belt out of his pants, tossing it on the floor, then stood up to take them off, showing how well built he was under the baggy material. "Apparently you don't remember it well enough though. I guess we'll just have to do it again, slower this time." He grabbed the lube, squirting some out onto his fingers to slick down his cock. "Giles, would you please hold his hands?" He knelt on the bed between the spread legs, sliding his cock between the folds of the fabric and into the prepared hole. He moved slowly, inching in and out as teasingly as he could. "What was the lesson?" he whispered, leaning down for a kiss.

"Talk to you," Xander groaned, pushing his hips up, not able to get all the way up because Oz had locked one of his legs around the knee. "Oz," he whimpered, begging. "Please? I'll talk to you, I promise."

"Yes, you will," Oz said, not speeding up. "But you said anything." He gave him a wicked smile. "Been wanting to do this to you for weeks." He pulled all the way out, reaching down to free the swollen cock, leaning down to lick it. "I demand the right to make you beg," Oz told him, "and since you offered, you're mine today."

"Ours," Giles corrected, reaching down to tease the opening to Xander's body. "I do believe we all need to have that lesson, Oz."

"Oh, you will too," Oz said, looking up at him, taking the head of Xander's cock in to suck for a few seconds before sitting back up and sliding in, just resting inside his lover's body. "I'll get it tonight, you'll get it today sometime, but we'll all get it." He looked down at Xander, giving him a brilliant smile. "You look upset, pet."

"I am," Xander said, wiggling his hips. "Wanted teased."

"Oh, that." Oz leaned down to share a kiss, starting his slow tease again. "That?"

"Yeah, that," Xander said with a grin. "You really don't mind me doing this sometimes? Giles seemed really upset about it."

"Xander, I understand those feelings. They're something I'm willing to support in you because they make you happy." Oz stopped stroking to look down at him. "I can never be upset because you want to please all of us by immersing yourself in your hedonist side. Giles does the same thing when he turns back into the little GHS slut that he is." He looked up. "This is Xander immersing himself in his hedonistic side. It's all about pleasure right now."

"Ah. I had hoped it wasn't just a need to make sure we loved him."

"He's equating love with pleasure for the day," Oz said, taking a slow stroke and stopping again, "but otherwise it's the same thing we do when we want to fully be ourselves. Even Methos does this sometimes. Xander just needs to give in to his pleasure side and let go."

"Yup, when you guys give into me for this, it just proves what I know."

"Oh. Well, that I can understand. I had hoped that you weren't proving all of our love by this single day."

"No, this is sometimes a check but mostly it's just me letting go of all my restraint and willpower to hold it in. I can just lay around eating chocolate and feeling pleasure all day. This is who I was meant to be, Giles, and it's really important that I let go sometimes to be me."

"Then you shall. Just never equate how we treat you on these days as our love. We love you all the time, not just when you're under us." Xander nodded. "As long as you know that."

"I do."

Oz kissed each of them. "We all do that sometimes, Rupert, it's a natural reflection of how much we care. If we didn't care, we wouldn't pay any attention to his needs and wants, and it would show."

"I see." He nodded, sliding down to lay beside them. "I can understand and handle that concept." He looked up at Oz. "He really is meant to be a GHS isn't he?"

"Yeah, he is," Oz said, starting to work his lover again. "Fully one. Meth's right, most of the ones today are more like you, to find someone like Xander is really rare these days. He and Ray are the only two I know about in GHS today." He stopped, considering Xander. "If this was back when I was first alive, he would have sold himself to some rich lord to be taken care of as long as he could. Or he would have become a courtesan."

"Or I would have become a prize in a fight," Xander reminded them. "I still want to know why demons like me."

"They just do." Oz leaned down to nip at his neck. "Yes, you could have been taken by one of them and made into a pet for some major demon that was attached to the Catholic Church for a few years." Giles looked shocked. "There's at least one there at all times. Didn't you know that? It's there to serve as an example for those who work against them daily. It's bound and made to teach the incoming priests who will need to know how to deal with them."

"I had no idea. Did you see this?"

"One year, on the way back from India, it got free. All the priests in the city came after the demon, trapping it in a bar across the street from where I had rented a room. They told us all to ignore it, but I knew one of the priests, he was an immie too. I asked and he told me."

"Oh. Well, it certainly does explain a lot." He looked down at Xander, rubbing a hand down his chest. "You've not even complained."

"Why would I? My pleasure is subject to your will. If Oz wants to teach you while he's resting in me, it's fine by me."

Oz leaned down, kissing him again. "Good pet," he murmured, starting to stroke him harder. "Yes, you like to let go, don't you?" Xander nodded. "Are you going to go back to work?"

"Should," Xander panted. "Don't want to."

"I'd say that there's got to be a better job for him," Giles said with a smile. "Maybe at the jewelry store so he could get a discount on new bracelets." Xander nodded, panting as Oz slid in hard just one time. "My, he's working you well today."

Xander groaned, getting his hands free so he could grab Oz's arms. "Please, no more teasing? I'll talk to you, I promise." Oz shook his head. "Please?"

"Shh," Oz said, leaning down to kiss him gently, starting to work him harder. "Just relax and take it, you're so cute like this." Xander shook his head, throwing it back and closing his eyes as Oz went back to his slow tease. Oz smiled at Giles as he suddenly switched tactics, pounding for a few strokes, just long enough to make Xander adjust to the new rhythm and shout in joy, then he went back to the slow pulling out and pushing in, mid-stroke.

Xander wailed, arching up and coming hard all over his lover's chest. "Oz!"

"Shh," Oz whispered, gently soothing him back down from the peak. "Ready?" he asked after Xander was back to panting.

"More?"

"Yes, precious, more." He started a normal rhythm, not too hard or fast, but fast enough to not tease. "You are the most responsive person I've ever had under me," he said gently, switching tactics to a harder rhythm. "How many more?"

"Maybe one," Xander moaned, eyes closed again.

"Look at me," Oz said quietly. Instantly, the brown eyes focused on him. "Thank you." He worked him harder, then gentler, going up and down, making it good for him. "What was the lesson?" he asked, pausing.

"I'll talk to you," Xander said, his voice hoarse and harsh sounding. "Please, Oz, no more teasing."

"No more teasing," Oz agreed, leaning down to kiss him even as he slid most of the way out and slammed in that one single time, setting off Xander's last orgasm. He pulled back to see the sated, sleepy smile. "Rupert, would you like to soothe him into sleep?" Oz asked as he pulled out.

"Please," Giles said, grabbing the oil off the bedside table, watching as their lover was rolled over so he could nap, the firm body limp and not very responsive. "I'm not sure you didn't kill him that time."

"Not," Xander groaned. "Please?"

"Of course, love," Giles said, pouring some of the oil out to rub it over the smooth skin. "There we go, just relax."

"Am," Xander whispered, turning his head so he could look back at them. "I'm totally relaxed and happy now."

"And sated," Oz noted, looking over the hole he had inhabited for the last little while. "Sore?"

"Yup, just a little." Xander groaned as his lower back was worked, directly over the surgical scar from when he had blown a disk in his back. "Yeah, there," he whimpered, closing his eyes.

Giles smiled as the snores started a few seconds later, continuing to work until he was satisfied that Xander could not be sore from being on his back for so long. "I missed him," he said, smiling sadly at Oz. "I wish I had come with you."

"Yeah, but we needed to talk." Oz shared a kiss with him. "Rupert, there were many times we both wanted you there, but we needed to talk separately. It was for the best."

"Yes, it was. Next time, leave more than a note, Oz." He reached over, running a stripe of oil down the older immortal's nose. "Please. You almost worried Methos sick that next morning when he realized you hadn't stolen your sword back."

"I had my long knife and I was okay. There was only one immie in town and he was a vet, who really liked Rocky. He even offered to take her before we moved so we could start over again. Her and the kittens."

Giles shook his head. "I'm glad that they came back with you, even if the kittens do continue to curtail our bedroom activities."

"Got that fixed," Oz said, nodding at the bathroom door. "Even if they get through the hole, the door's closed." He looked down as the body under theirs gasped and wiggled. "Let's get off him, he's been having some nightmares." They sat on either side of the still body, Oz catching Xander when he sat up. "Shh, it's okay. You're safe." Xander looked at him, shaking his head. "No?"

"No, I'm not. Not until we know where Buffy is and if she's fixed."

"She's back in LA," Giles told him. "Angel's taken over her training for a bit, without the Council's knowledge."

"She's not coming for you again," Oz assured him. "I won't let her. We're never leaving you alone again. Okay?" Xander nodded. "Another nightmare about her and Willow?"

"Yeah, I smelled her perfume."

Oz picked up the pillow he had been laying on, sniffing it. "Does smell like her." He tossed it off the bed. "We'll wash it, it'll be okay." He soothed his lover back into his boneless state. "Go back to your nap, Xand, we'll be here in the house." He tucked him back in, smiling at the cute picture he made. "I'll leave the door open?"

"Please. Just in case."

"Sure." Oz got up, going to open the door and the bathroom door, letting all the animals back in, except Rocky, who was sleeping in front of the door. "Yell if you need us, I'm going to go talk to Meth and Giles is going to go shopping."

"I believe Methos was going to do that," Connor yelled from the living room. He walked back to the door, smiling. "Feel more at home?" Xander nodded, giving him a sleepy grin. "Good. I need to borrow Oz for a minute." He pulled Oz out into the living room, letting him see the man who had just shown up and collapsed. "He said it's Mac."

"Richie," Oz said, squatting down to touch the back of his head. "Hey, you in there?" The younger immortal looked up, shaking his head. "What happened?"

"He tied me up, started telling me about how evil you were and about how tainted I was. Had this blonde girl with him."

"Is Angel all right?" Giles asked as he walked out.

"Yeah, he ran away when she tried to attack him. Mac stopped her." He got to his knees, looking at Oz. "He started to talk about people who didn't exist. You, me, Connor. Meth too. I got free but he was headed here."

"I called Methos to warn him," Connor said gently. "He's heading home as fast as he can." He looked back down the hall. "He's working with a normal."

"No, he's working with Buffy," Xander called from the bedroom.

"Indeed," Giles said with a grim frown. "The Slayer and he have gotten together." All the immortals looked up as they felt another one coming closer, and heard the car pulling up the drive.

"Not Methos," Oz said, grabbing his sword from behind the couch, heading over to the door. He opened it, sword held behind the portal just in case it was someone that wasn't a threat. He smiled at the man on the outside. "Marcus," he said, holding out a hand. "What brings you?"

"I needed to talk to Connor. Is he here? I heard he was supposed to be here."

Connor walked out, waving him inside. "You got here just as Mac's about to show up for Oz. What's up?"

"He's not the only insane one. One of the normally good ones of us..." He stopped as he saw Richie. "He's here." He pulled his sword. "Defend yourself."

Richie smiled, standing up and pulling his sword. "If you insist," he said with a cruel smile.

Xander walked to the door, whistling. "Guys." He gave Oz a sorrowful look. "I couldn't stay out of it." He looked at the immortals in the house. "Close the door, Oz." He looked at Richie, walking around him. "You're not being normal, but you've been warped by the Buffy monster, I understand that." He looked at the bald, dark skinned man standing in his doorway. "Marcus, right?" He got a nod. "Who told you he was bad?"

"Mac's student did. His present one."

"Excuse me, Buffy's an immie?" he asked in shock, looking at Oz. "I'm going to have to dodge her for eternity?"

"No," Oz assured him, rubbing down the oiled back. "Take Richie back to the bedroom and let him calm down. We'll settle this." He turned to look at Marcus. "I don't think he's bad, he doesn't look like he's had a dark quickening."

"No," Richie said, shaking the hand off. "I've heard about you, you taint people."

"No, he makes demons want to take care of him then they die because they can't have him," Connor said gently. "Richie, he can't hurt you. He's the same as Methos." He nodded at Giles. "Please take care of him for a while." He turned back to his former student. "Marcus, he's been injured, mentally tainted, by Mac and a young woman who hates Oz's lover with her life."

Marcus put away his sword, bowing to Richie. "If you say so, I'll believe it." He looked at Richie, seeing him as he was. "I'm sorry, I only heard that he was bad and was heading for you."

"No, Mac's heading for me," Oz said. He looked at Connor, then at Xander. "You going to interfere?"

"Not if he doesn't come," Xander said quietly. "If you fight, you go across the street or to the house next door." He sat down on the couch, picking up one of the kittens to cuddle against his neck. "And promise me you'll win."

"Mac's a hard one to beat," Connor told him gently. "But we'll try to keep the fight from happening. Insane ones, such as Mac's become, make it harder to absorb their energies without being changed." He looked over at Oz, who had a firm grip on his sword. "We'll deal with it." He looked up as another immortal walked into the house. "Methos," he said quietly. "How did you sneak past?"

"It's a little trick I learned a few hundred years ago. It only happens after much practice." He put the bags on the counter, looking around. "I called someone to come take Mac and her away. They'll deal with him until he's sane."

"Where?" Oz asked, putting his sword down to help put up the groceries. "Can you fix Richie?"

Methos looked over his shoulder. "Did he torture him or mentally torture him?"

"Mentally," Connor called. "He's been warped."

"That's fine, I'm sure it's easily fixed." He walked out, tipping the young immortal's head up to look in his eyes. "They were wrong, Richie, you've known that for a while now. She's been harmful before to Xander, kidnapping and torturing him. They've become everything you've despised." Richie nodded, leaning against his hand. "Come," he said, pulling him up. "Let's take you back to the spare bedroom and you can tell me all about what they told you. I'll give you the real story."

Oz waited until they were locked in to lean against the counter. He looked up as a warm hand landed on his back, looking into his lover's eyes. "This is bad, Xander," he said quietly. "Thank you though."

"I love you, Oz," he whispered, giving him a hug. "I won't interfere unless you ask me to." He clung to his lover, giving him his strength. "If he shows up, we'll deal."

"Methos called the Watchers to deal with him." He straightened up, looking at Connor and Giles, who were staring out the window. "Breakfast guys?"

"No thanks," Connor said. "Methos fed me early this morning and I'm still full." He smiled at Xander. "I thought you wanted to be chained to the bed for the day."

"He's allowed to get free for a good reason, or to come pay attention to us." He patted Xander's back. "Go sit and cuddle the kittens, precious."

"Yes, Oz." Xander walked out, gathering the cats to sit with him. He looked down the hall. "What's up with Rocky?"

Giles walked that way, picking her up. "Hello," he said when she listlessly licked his face. "I'm not sure. She's very lethargic." He brought her back out to the couch, sitting her beside her master. "Should we call a vet?"

"I have no idea about a good one," Oz said, putting the last thing in the refrigerator. "Connor, can you go check his car to make sure there's nothing else?"

"I think he took yours," Marcus said from the corner reading chair. He smiled when Oz jumped. "Sorry, I needed time to calm down."

"Hey, no big. I'd like to think of my house as a neutral zone," Xander said, giving him a small smile. "So, what do you do?"

"I'm a doctor in San Francisco." He caught Oz's hand as he walked past. "I'm sorry to have brought this into your house. You've always been one of the least fighting among us. If Mac comes, I'd gladly take him on for you."

Oz nodded. "Thanks. But he won't be satisfied unless it's me." He pulled the phone book down to look through it. "Okay, we have three possibles, one in the area." He looked up. "Ayers, Myers, and Henderson."

Xander shuddered. "Not the last one. That name makes me ill."

"Okay." Oz picked up the phone after looking at the ads and dialed. "Hi, this is Daniel Osbourne. We have a puppy, maybe five months at the most, whose gotten suddenly lethargic. She's been playing and helping us hand raise some kittens, who are doing fine, but she's suddenly so tired she's sleeping in the middle of the hall where she'll be stepped on." He handed the phone over to Xander. "Myers. He's down the street."

"Hi, this is Xander Harris." He smiled. "Yes, that's me. Thanks. No, it's Rocky. She's really limp and tired looking and her eyes are really tired looking." He nodded, looking at the clock. "Sure, I or my family can bring her up. No, not that family. I've created my own with my friends." He nodded and hung up. "We have an appointment in an hour. When I was little, my dog went to him." He set the kittens aside. "He said to bring these guys in too, just to make sure it's nothing serious."

"I know where the carrier is," Oz said, getting up to get it. He walked back out, sitting it down in front of the couch to put a new towel inside. "Okay, Rocky, let's go to the vet's. Okay?" She made a small barking noise then almost wagged her tail. "Yeah, let's go," he said, lifting her up to put her inside. "Kittens, in," he called. Fluffy and Don walked in but George just stared at him from a few inches away. "No, George, we have to go to see the vet's. Just like the nice lady who made sure you were okay to fly." The kitten still just looked at him. Then it looked up at Xander and meowed.

Rocky barked and George came running. "Empty nest syndrome?" Marcus suggested with a smile. He watched as the carrier was hitched up. "May I stay for a while and talk to Connor?"

"Yup." Oz looked over Xander's outfit. "You need clothes on and we need your wallet since I emptied mine out last night."

Xander jogged toward the bedroom, coming back after a few minutes, looking around. "Can't find my wallet." Giles handed over his. "But mine had a large amount of cash in it."

"So did mine," Oz said with a shrug. "Was it on the dresser?" Xander shook his head. "Huh." He looked toward the upstairs room, smiling. "I thought I felt her. Rupert, go up and free Amanda from your spell?" He walked out of the room, coming back after a few minutes with their wallets and one of Xander's prize bracelets, hitching it on for him. "Thanks." He looked at the thief. "Amanda, meet Xander. Do it again in my house and die."

She yawned. "What was that?"

"A simple spell to stop people from getting into the books without my permission." He looked at Xander, who blushed.

She nodded. "Oh." She looked around. "Where's Connor?"

"I sent him out to check for more stuff in the car." Oz handed the carrier to Giles, who walked Xander out to his car. "Check it first," he reminded. He walked into a chest, looking at the man he had run into. "What's up?" he asked.

Connor pointed at the far wall of the neighbor's house. "What's that?"

"Gibberish. Probably by the surviving daughter." Oz tipped his head a few different ways. "It's written with a left handed slant and is in really bad handwriting. He killed his wife and other daughter. She has Percival." He headed out to Xander's car, looking down inside the open hood. "Did we find something?"

"Not really," Giles said, holding up a microphone. "Just a minor wiring problem." He slammed the hood, frowning at it. "I checked the car over as thoroughly as I could."

"No bombs," Xander said from the passenger's seat. He never drove when he rode with someone else. "Come on, we'll be late."

"Sure," Oz said, getting in and starting the engine, listening to it purr. "You figure it out and tell us?"

"Of course, though there's only one reason I can think of."

"True, the Watchers do have to gather information somehow."

"Which group?" Xander asked with a yawn. "Their's or Buffy's?"

"Point." Oz backed the car down the drive, backing out of the gate. "Off we go. We'll worry about it later." He turned the car around, heading the other direction. "Hate turning that way," he muttered. "Got to do something about that bush."

"We could trim it," Xander suggested with a grin, putting a hand on Oz's thigh. "Relax, it'll be okay. We're surrounded by friends and family."

Oz relaxed and nodded. "Yeah, we are." He headed off a side road, following the signs. "Almost there," he called when George started to howl.

"Stop it," Xander warned. "No kitty treats otherwise."

The howling stopped as they drove into the parking lot of the veterinary clinic. "Gee, we're here and they stop," Oz muttered, getting out. "What a shock." He lifted the carrier out, bringing it inside followed by Xander. "Does your wallet have money? Mine's awfully thin."

Xander pulled out his wallet, nodding. "Money and cards." He checked the cards and the cash, holding it up. "Few missing but it's in bigger bills."

Oz snorted. "She must have consolidated." He put the carrier up on the desk, smiling at the women behind it. "Hi, Harris?"

"Rocky and kittens?" They nodded. "Okay, have a seat, he'll see you in a minute.

Xander sat down next to Oz, looking at the carrier. "I feel like I'm home now," he said quietly, looking at his lover. "I really do."

"Yeah, you're home," Oz said, taking his hand to squeeze. "We're home."

The vet walked out, smiling at them. "Rocky and kittens?" They handed over the carrier, letting them be brought back to the exam room.

The Problem With Being Rich.

Xander looked up from his position on the bed, smiling at Connor as he walked in with a tray. "Lunch?"

"Light snack," he corrected, sitting down next to the young man on the bed. "I thought since I had sworn to protect you I should get to know you." He looked at the bed, whistling in appreciation. "This is a great antique."

Xander picked up a piece of cheese, nibbling on it. "Yup. Was my grandmother's. It's older than Oz is."

"I do antiques," Connor told him with a smile. "This is excellent craftsmanship. I wonder who did it. Have you ever seen a mark under the mattress?"

"Um, yup," he said, swallowing quickly, "about the same time I blew my back out because of the bed." He rolled to show the scar on his back, his shirt laying on the chair in the corner by the closet. "I tried to move the bed by myself and I hurt it, but then I was tugging the mattress down the hall and I blew a disk."

"That must have hurt."

"Oh, yeah." Xander nodded, picking up a piece of tortilla to smoosh the cheese against. "The surgery was okay though. They were really nice when I told them how I did it, they didn't even laugh." That got a smile. "So, what do you want to know?"

"How about your past? Were you a good student?"

Xander shook his head. "Barely graduated high school. Did some menial work then found out I really needed to go find myself, something I didn't do on my earlier road trip, so I went back out. That's how I ended up meeting Meth."

"Hmm, he told me something about that." He watched as the young man ate another piece of cheese and plain tortilla. "Oz does know what you like to eat."

"He should. I asked to have this for lunch." He leaned closer. "Oz likes to spoil me and I like to indulge him." He sat back up. "What about you? What do you do besides trying to keep your insane cousin out of trouble?"

"Mostly, I own an antique shop in New York. My last wife recently died of cancer and I'm running from one of her coworkers who swears I killed her. He had a bit of crush on her." Connor pulled himself further onto the bed, kicking off his shoes so he could sit comfortably. "You really are a GHS, aren't you?"

"Yup, really and truly. Found that out while I was in New York, working." He looked around the room. "I like my soft, fuzzy things, but I could live without them if I had Oz and Giles. I might even be able to live without Giles, but I'd need Oz." He looked down at the quilt, pushing the food aside. "What else did you want to know?"

"What about your parents?" He got a shrug. "Don't have any?"

"Oh, I do, I gave them money to leave me alone and never come begging at the door." He looked up as Oz walked in. "Hi," he said, holding out his arms, receiving the badly needed hug. "What's wrong? You look like your computer crashed again."

"The program doesn't work. I'm missing a period or something. I'm taking a break before I kick the monitor." He laid down behind his lover, holding him loosely around the waist. "Eat."

"Yes, Oz." Xander picked up another piece of cheese to eat, stopping to kiss him when Oz's head hit his shoulder. "Better?"

"Not yet. Not until the whole tray is empty." He rubbed a hand over Xander's stomach. "See, the grumbly part in here needs to be placated so it'll let me sleep tonight."

"I ate yesterday," Xander said, giving him a silly grin. "My tummy just wanted to talk to Don."

"Oh. Okay." Oz kissed the back of Xander's neck. "Gonna go job hunting?"

"No, I was going to go into the jewelry store and see if my restoration pieces were done." He quickly finished off the rest of the snack. "I found some killer jewelry at an estate sale but it needed some attention."

"When?"

"The day I went shopping with Cordy. Wonder if she's gotten her's yet? She bought two of the pieces she really liked, blew a week's salary on it."

"Wow, must have been very badly in need of work," Connor said. "Can they do that here?"

"There's an art restoration person up at the college, they pay him lots to do that sort of work." Xander slid out of the bed, heading for his shirt. "I think I'll pop in at the bank and make sure that all the stuff from Vermont's been transferred." He pulled the shirt on, buttoning it up as he looked down at his chest. "Wanna come with me?"

"I wouldn't mind," Connor said. "If you wouldn't that is."

"Not at all," Xander said, giving him a smile. "Oz?"

"Nope, got to find that missing period." He got up, stopping to get a small kiss. "Be safe. Don't let Connor drive you too fast."

"I won't," Xander sighed, giving him a comically distressed look. "I promise to be good and not buy up the store." He gave his lover a hug, holding on and squeezing for longer than was necessary. "Be safe," he whispered as he let go. "I want to come home to you."

"Yes, dear," Oz said, walking out. "He worries," he told Connor.

"I'd worry too," Connor told him. "Oz has this way of falling into the middle of trouble."

"Oh, I've seen that. He took up with Willow, one of my best friends in high school, and then turned into a werewolf." Connor stopped, looking at him. "He's fixed now, all safe and everything."

"That was *him*?" Xander nodded. "No wonder you love him, he's done it again." Connor shook his head, walking the few steps to stand beside him. "People that he needs have this way of finding Oz right after he's fallen into trouble." He waved outside. "Shall we?"

"You mean Oz and I found each other because he had fallen into trouble?"

"Definitely. That's how we met." Connor held the door open, watching Xander as he walked out. "Isn't that uncomfortable?" Xander looked over his shoulder, shaking his head. "I could never wear pants like that without underwear."

"I do it all the time," Xander said as he slid into the driver's seat. "I'll take pity on you and not make you drive me around." He checked under the car and then got out to check under the hood, coming out from under the front of the car with Fluffy, whom he went to toss back inside. "Stay," he called, heading back to the car. He checked the engine again, just to make sure, then closed the hood, getting in. He looked in the back seat, groaning. "Don!"

"Just leave him, it's not a hot day and I'm sure he'll be fine. Where's George, I haven't seen him all day."

"He's sitting on top of Meth's chest helping him read. He likes to do that. George pretends to be very dumb, but he's one smart cat." He started the car, listening to the engine for a few minutes. "Needs another tune up." He backed out, stopping suddenly to open the door. "Fluffy!"

Oz walked out and grabbed her, holding her to wave her little paw as they backed out. "Bad," he told her, walking back inside. "It's not like Don snuck in." He waved at the car as it disappeared.

***

Xander looked at the pieces on the velvet tray, frowning. "That doesn't even look nice or normal." He looked at the person behind the counter, frowning at her and her hesitant look. "It looks like you brushed on that gold leaf stuff."

She winced. "His student did it, I knew it wasn't what you wanted." She cleared her throat. "Do you want us to send it back?"

Connor looked at the bracelet, picking it up to look at it in the light. "I know someone who could do this sort of work, he's in New York also. You could have them send it there."

Xander considered him, then nodded. "Okay, can you do that?"

"If you can tell us his name," she said quickly. "We really would hate to lose your business, Mr. Harris." She danced from foot to foot. "We really can't afford to lose your business."

Connor looked around after writing out the name and address, and a short note to his friend. "You do seem to not be doing a lot of business. What's wrong?"

"One of our major clients just died. Her children sent all of her jewelry back to be sold." She gave him a pitiful look. "I'm sorry."

"That's not a problem," Connor assured him. "Where is this stuff?" A case was pointed to so he walked over. "Did they know some of this was fake?"

She jogged over, pulling out the trays. "Which pieces? We never checked them. He demanded we just sell them." She shrugged. "There's no one here that can tell."

Xander walked over, picking up the stones to look at them. "This one," he said, handing it over. "Either it's fake or it's really bad." He glanced up. "You've seen my stones, I've been practicing on them." He picked out a few more to look at, frowning when they looked like they were made of plastic. He tapped the last one on the glass counter, listening the sound it made. "That's real wrong too."

Connor picked up one of the magnifying glasses, checking the rest of the tray quickly. "What they gave you was trash," he said, handing the glass back. He gave her a sorry look. "I hate to say that but I only saw one actual stone on the whole tray. Why doesn't someone here know how to do that?"

"We're mostly out of the art restoration program up at the college," she said quietly. "Usually the boss would do that but he's not been here. His new wife's been taking all of his energy."

Xander shook his head. "It still seems like you should have someone here that knows about jewelry." He looked down at his own bracelet, wincing as he saw the tarnish on it. "Got to clean this later," he muttered, taking it off to put in his pocket.

"We have a sonic cleaner," she said, giving him a hopeful smile. "I've never seen it used."

He took the bracelet out, walking over to join her at the machine, helping her learn how to use it. He tapped his fingers while it worked, then lifted his bracelet out, drying it on a soft cloth next to the machine. "There," he said, showing it to her. "How's that?"

She gave him a brilliant smile. "Would you like to work here?"

Connor patted Xander on the back. "It'd be something you could do a few days a week," he suggested. "You'd get out of the house."

Xander looked around the store. "I could do that. Will you set up an appointment for me with your boss?"

"Sure," she said happily, heading for the phone. She came back a few minutes later, her smile diminished some. "He said he'd be right down. I told him you found out some of those stones are bad." She shrugged. "You have a half hour or so if you want to change or go do something else."

Xander nodded. "I have to stop over at the bank to check on something. I'll be back in a few minutes." He slipped back on his bracelet, heading for the door. "Connor, wanna come with me?" He got a nod and the immortal followed him out of the store. They walked down the street to the bank, walking in and smiling at the woman sitting at the small desk beside the entrance to the safety deposit boxes. "Hi, I'm Xander Harris. I'm expecting the contents of a second box to come in from Vermont, as well as something that should have been put in a safe somewhere?"

She picked up the phone dialing four digits. "Xander Harris is here," she said, hanging up. "Go to the glassed in office, the last one. He'll help you." She smiled at Connor, who nodded. "I thought your mate was different, younger."

"He is, this is a family friend, I'm showing him the town," Xander told her with a gentle smile. "Connor, can you go check on Don? This'll only take me a few minutes." He handed over the keys, walking back to the other office, knocking gently. "Hi, I'm Xander Harris. Is there a problem?" The seat across the desk was waved at. "What's wrong?"

"We've gotten your things, there was just some question as to how someone so young's gotten such a lot of money when we know his parents aren't that well off." He got up to shut the door, sitting back down in his seat. "If you've been doing something illegal, we can't hold your funds here."

Xander relaxed, shaking his head. "I have an aunt who left me some stones. I've sold some of them, that's where the money's come from. In the stuff from my other safety deposit box, there was paperwork for the last sale." A box was put on the table so he went through it, coming up with two of the three pieces of paper. "I'm not sure where the other one is," he said as he handed it over. He nodded at Connor to come in. "He can tell you it was an inheritance, he helped me decide what to do with it."

Connor sat down in the other chair, letting Don poke his head out. "Some woman yelled at me for letting him stay in the car so I brought him with me. He was napping on your seat." He scratched behind the kitten's ears, looking up at the man behind the desk. "It was an inheritance from some crazy, older woman."

Xander nodded. "There's some more in the box too, along with more cash." He stood up, looking inside the box, pulling out the rest of the papers to go through, handing most of them over. "The inventory from the bank up there, the rest of the paperwork of my sale in New York, and in the box I already have is the receipt for some that I did in LA." He sat back down. "Is this a problem?"

"No, it's a most unusual case. We can't hold illegal money here." He tapped his desk a few times then got up, heading out the door. "I'll be back, I have to check with my boss." He closed the door behind him.

Connor gave Xander a bland look. "We could always put it in the safe at home."

"We'll need a bigger safe," Xander said with a groan. "One that's Amanda proof."

"We've taken back everything she stole, minus a few hundred dollars that she spent before Richie caught up with her. How big is the safe under the spare bed?"

"It's a small one. It holds the four boxes of stones and not much else. I'd just feel better if it was somewhere safer, like the bank." He stopped as the man walked back in with a well dressed but cold-looking woman. "Is there some problem with me inheriting?"

"We know your parents," she said, closing the door and leaning against it. "You don't have any rich relatives, Mr. Harris."

He shook his head. "Aunt, as in with quotes. She was slightly insane, had no other family, and doted on me. Aunt Devi was like that. If it'd make you feel more comfortable, I'd gladly withdraw all my money from this bank and put it elsewhere."

"That may be a problem," she said, giving him a cold smile. "If they know your family history, I'm sure they'd refuse to take it too." She picked up the box off the desk, putting it out of his reach. "I think you should go now."

"I think I should call the cops," he said sweetly, glaring at her. "Which would you prefer?"

She shrugged. "Go ahead. I doubt they won't take you in for questioning. A man such as yourself doesn't get rich overnight without doing something wrong."

Xander picked up the phone off the desk, dialing the number marked for an outside line, then the police's main number. "Hi, this is Xander Harris, I need to have an officer come over to the Bank. Yes, the Second National. No, they're refusing to give me the money I had transferred back here. No, it's in a box in front of me." He hung up, sitting back down, waiting. When the officer got there, he handed over the paperwork. "They seem to have a problem with me inheriting."

The officer looked at the paperwork then at the bank's people. "Go get him his stuff before he charges you with Grand Theft." He looked at the two men, smiling at the kitten hiding in Connor's shirt. "You have all the appropriate paperwork. Who'd you inherit from?"

"My Aunt Devi. She wasn't really a member of the family but she was a sorta-aunt who liked me. She didn't have any kids, didn't really believe in banks, and left me all of her retirement fund, a bunch of stones." He smiled gently as another two boxes were carried in by the guards. "Is this my physical account and my safety deposit box also?" She nodded. "Thank you. I'll make sure I never darken your doorstep again." He looked at the officer. "Could I get you to help us take it to the car? I have to stop back in at the jewelry store for a few minutes but then we're going home. I'll buy you lunch and everything." He gave him a hopeful/pathetic look.

"Of course, Mr. Harris. You've always been real good to us." He picked up the box on the desk. "Is this all of it?"

"No, there's another in the safe," the woman said, walking out with one of the guards. "We'll go get it." She walked away, her gait very jerky and stiff. She came back a few minutes later with a box on a roll cart, letting the guards put the other boxes on the cart. "I hope you'll forgive us, Mr. Harris. It's a federal regulation that we have to follow."

He nodded. "Maybe." He followed the cart and the cop out of the bank, letting Connor take rear guard. A few people stopped to look at him but he just smiled at them, walking past them. When they got to the car, Xander pulled some of the money out of one of the boxes, handing the cop a big bill. "Go to wherever and get yourself some lunch, but if you go to Maise's, please order me a big order of the wings and the stuffed mushrooms with cheese?" He nodded, smiling. "Thanks." He looked at Connor as he tucked the rest of the bills in his pocket and closed the trunk. "Ten minutes, I promise." He jogged into the jewelry store, smiling at the man behind the counter. "Sorry. The bank had a problem with inheritances." He shrugged, taking the bag she handed him. "Not going to send it on?"

"Oh, we are. That's something else we had of yours in the back and a refund of your check." She waved at the other man. "He'd like to talk to you if you have a few minutes."

"A few," Xander agreed, walking over to sit in front of him. He smiled as he looked down at the bracelets. "I have one just like that," he said, pointing to an engraved herringbone platinum bracelet, "but mine has symbols on it."

The old man looked him over. "What are you?"

"Highly loved and newly rich?" He gave him a small smile. "I inherited a lot of stones so I've been practicing on them."

"And you want to work here?"

"I think I'd like to try. I think I could do a lot of business for the store, especially since I can usually tell a real stone from a fake one and I have very subtle tastes for my own personal jewelry." He showed off his bracelet. "I also intend to shop here more often now that the whole town knows that I inherited. I had been going to LA to get away from the gossip and questions."

The old man nodded and held out his hand. "Three days a week, one a Saturday, six hours a day. I'll mail you your schedule in the next few days."

Xander took a card out of his wallet, handing it over. "That's my lover's email address and our physical address and phone number. When you need me, I'm usually there." He stood up. "Is there anything else?"

"No, you can fill out your forms when you come back in for your first day." He waved at the door. "You should go, I saw what you loaded in."

"Yeah, and a lot of that was stones." He waved and walked out, remembering his bag at the last second. He slid into the passenger's seat, looking at Connor, who was smiling. "What?"

"Present?"

"Refund and something I had back there." Xander smiled at the cop who walked up beside the car and got into the back, taking the bag he held. "Thanks, man. Oz'll love this." He checked down inside, picking out a wing to munch on. "Home?"

"Definitely. Then we're calling a safe company to come put a real one in," Connor said, starting the car. Which made Don hop out of his shirt and scramble into the back seat. "Thank you." He rubbed a scratch on his chest. "He snuck in," he explained to the officer as he backed out. "Home?" he asked, looking down the street.

"Left," Xander said, pointing. "Then left at the sign two blocks down."

***

Oz watched as the emergency safe installation was completed, letting Xander get the door. "It's locked into the foundation, right?" he asked the man installing it and got a nod. "How do I change combinations?"

"With this switch here," he said, showing him the button to push to get in and change the combination, not watching as the young man did it. "What's with the boxes anyway? We usually don't get such rush jobs."

"Inheritance," Oz said quietly, looking over his shoulder. "The bank didn't like the fact that he was so young and his family was poor, but someone had left him money." Oz set the last number of the six digits, stepping back. "Okay, close it, let's see if it worked." The man pushed the door, watching as it closed and locked. Oz stepped up, pushing in the code he had just decided on, opening the door. "Great. Thanks." He paid the man in cash, waiting until he was gone to change the code again. When he was done, he walked out to sit beside Xander, looking at the woman who screamed 'IRS' to him. "Let me guess," he said dryly, "the bank got you again?"

"The withdrawal," Xander said, handing over the forms. "I was given the stuff as an inheritance. As far as I know, the taxes were paid on them. And I went to H and R Block last time to do my taxes."

The young woman smiled. "I'm sure it was just an oversight." She looked over the forms she had been given, considering one. "I see some taxes were paid when the stones were cashed in, but you don't have a letter or statement of the inheritance tax?"

"As far as I know, she had them under her bed in a few foot lockers. Her will just left me everything in the house." He shrugged. "I had no idea it wasn't paid when the boxes showed up with a letter attached."

Giles walked in, stopping when he saw the young woman. "What's wrong this time? Did the bank try to do something again?"

"The IRS got us for inheritance taxes," Xander said with grimace. "We don't even have a copy of the will."

"No, we don't," Giles said carefully, coming over to sit beside Xander. "How much are we in arrears?"

"It appears close to three million," she said, putting the paperwork down. "In cash."

Xander frowned. "I guess we could cash in more of the stones, but won't that get us in more trouble?"

"A little," she admitted, flipping through the contents of her briefcase. "I have a form somewhere for you to fill out, but I really do need to see a copy of the will."

"I was just sent the boxes," Xander said, biting his lip. "I don't even remember a lawyer being involved. Just a plain envelope that came with the first box." She looked up. "Like I said, she was very strange."

Giles sighed, standing up. "I'll be back in a moment, boys." He brushed through Xander's hair as he walked back to the spare bedroom, grabbing his book off the dresser, stopping to look at Methos. "How do you deal with inheritance taxes?"

Methos sat up, frowning. "I have no idea. I have someone who does that for me." He looked toward the living room. "The IRS is here?"

"Yes, and they're saying we owe them three million and we need a copy of the will." Giles sat down on the end of the bed. "This has not been a good day. Xander got a job and the bank refused to hold his money because they couldn't believe he had inherited it. We had to pay to have a new safe put in, one that basically has torn up a wall in the storage room under the stairs." He looked down at the book. "I need to find something to make them ignore us."

"My, how unethical," Methos whispered, sliding up behind him. "Could you do that?"

"Maybe to her but not to them all," he admitted. "If I could, I already would have." He smiled at the man behind him. "Do you have a suggestion?"

"A small one," Methos said, getting off the bed and pulling on a pair of pants, heading out with Giles behind him. "Is there a problem?" She handed him a form. "What's this?"

"The inheritance taxes he owes."

Methos balled it up. "I'm sure it was paid. Of course, she wasn't from this country, but then again, I'm sure you've taken that into account?"

The woman tipped her head then looked at Xander. "She wasn't?"

"Immigrant. Had a green card, I *think*."

She shook her head, pulling out another form. "That will make a difference. Where were the stones sent from?"

"Her house in LA," Methos said gently, his voice almost a purr. "She was from Central America I think. We were never quite sure where she was from but her accent sounded South American."

She cleared her throat, closing her briefcase. "You guys can't even prove she exists, right?" Methos and Xander shook their heads. "She didn't have anything on record? No forms, past taxes, nothing?" Xander shook his head. "Then how did she get this money?"

"Is it going to be a problem if we say originally she was a prostitute who had a very rich client who chased her across the country?" She shook her head slowly. "She was. He refused to give up, sending her money and presents and stuff." Xander reached into a box, pulling out the big box of jewelry, showing off the sapphire necklace. "She used to tell me this was a present from him."

"Why did she leave?"

"She got married, found a man she wanted that much and moved across the country with him."

"Her client followed, it seems he felt he was in love. He bankrupted his whole family for her." Methos sighed at her head shake. "I'm sorry, now that you know the whole story, you'll have to make you own decision about how much he'll have to pay."

She packed back up her briefcase. "How long ago was this?"

"She was eighty when she died," Xander said sadly, looking down. "She said she was in her late teens. She only did it for six weeks. He forgave her though." He looked up. "I'll leave it up to you, I'm still young and naive enough to trust the government."

She smiled. "Good. We'll call you tomorrow." She tossed a card at him. "If you don't hear from me in three days, call." She walked out, followed by Methos, who took the cats from her car for her.

Methos walked back inside, kicking the door shut. "Where's Don?" he called.

"Up here," Connor called. He walked down, smiling at the gathered men. "What did the IRS want?"

"To steal my money," Xander said, leaning back on the couch between Oz and Giles. "What are we going to do?"

"I think she'll see sense. You may still end up paying something," Methos told him, reaching down to drop the two kittens in his lap. "George was staring up at her engine."

Xander looked down at George. "Dear, engines kill kittens every day." George licked his fingers as he petted his chin. "Okay, we have an understanding?" He got a silent meow. "Thanks." He looked up as someone knocked on the door. "Come in?" he yelled.

Giles nudged his shoulder. "Never say that in this town."

"Sorry, forgot. I'm feeling safe." He looked up at the IRS agent, nodding. "Figured it out?"

"Yes and you're going to be happy. We can't seize the assets because the crime was so long ago, and we can't really tax you on the regular rate. Since it appears she was an illegal alien, we can't really tax the inheritance at all." She handed him over a form. "But my boss said that you still have to pay something."

Xander looked at the figure and nodded. "Okay, and this is the last I'll hear about it?"

"Until tax time," she agreed. "Unless it's all going out of the country."

"Part of it is," Oz told her quietly. "We've just now started to look into that since the local bank was so snotty." He looked at the figure and got up, heading into the room under the stairs where the new safe was. He bypassed the racks of canned vegetables and fruits, opening the safe with the new combination, counting out the money. He closed the safe, making sure that no kittens were in there with him, before heading out to pay the woman so she would go away. "Here. Exact."

She sat down in the chair, looking at the bundle of cash she had been handed. She counted it twice, then swallowed hard, taking a receipt book out of her purse and writing one out for the amount. "Thank you. We appreciate prompt attention." She handed the slip to Oz, wrapping a rubber band around the cash, then stood up, walking back out to her car.

Methos made a quick count of the kittens, heading out to grab George before he could get caught in her engine this time. "How do they get out?" he asked as he tossed the kitten back into Xander's lap. "I haven't seen a hole out there."

"He's the sneaky one," Oz said, taking George to hold. "Go look at another engine and no kitty treats and no sleeping in the bedroom for a month." The kitten gave him a pitiful look. "No."

Xander leaned his head on Oz's shoulder, scratching George's ears. "You have to pick a *good* master, George, not just anyone who comes along."

"Just like your mother did," Oz told him, helping pet the kitten. "Nap?" he suggested. "It's been a long day for you."

"I'd like that," Xander said with a small, private smile just for Oz. "Want to help?" He looked at Giles, giving him the same smile. "Help me nap until supper time?"

"Of course." Giles stood up, taking the kittens to put on the couch, then helped his lover up, walking with him into the bedroom. He closed the door behind them, looking at his lover. "Xander, I heard what you told Connor this morning. It is true?"

Xander walked over to where the older man was standing, looking up at him. "I love you, lots, Rupert, but I feel connected to Oz on some deeper level. It's almost like we've never really gotten that deep. You never really took the time to ask me what I wanted in life and things, and I never asked you because you didn't seen interested in me that way." His face was caressed. "I'm sorry if I hurt you. I want to feel that way about you."

"And so you shall," Giles told him, giving him a small, sweet kiss. "I seem to be remiss in getting to know you on a deeper level. I shall fix that the next time we have the house or the room to ourselves."

"We have it now," Xander said, taking Giles' hand to play with. "Please? I really want to be connect to you that way."

Giles smiled, leading him over to the bed. "After your nap, precious. We'll talk tonight." He lay down with his lover, letting him cuddle up to him. He looked over his shoulder as Methos walked in. "I'm still afraid," he said quietly, giving the sleeping man's head a soft kiss. "I have this great fear of getting closer to him. It's almost like I know I'll lose him just as soon as I come to appreciate what I have in him."

"You won't unless you push him away," Methos told him, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You have to trust sometime. He won't die on you like she did. He won't run away like some others have. He definitely won't turn to the dark because of you. You just have to relax about him."

"I'll try," Giles promised, his eyes starting to get heavy. "Thank you."

"It's what I live to do," Methos said, getting up and leaving them alone. He met Oz in the hall, stopping him. "He's very insecure about you both."

Oz nodded. "I know. We've just got to be careful about how fast we go." He leaned against the wall. "Methos, for the first time, I want someone to stay with me for as long as I live. All the casual lovers I've had have no comparison to my men in there." He looked toward the bedroom door. "I can't live without them. Not like how I didn't want to keep going before, but now I know I'll walk out and challenge someone stupidly to take my head so I can be with them forever."

Methos nodded, giving him a hug. "Love is a many splendored thing but it's also a pain in the arse." He walked toward his room. "I'm going to read with the kittens. You go be with them. They need you more than you need to start on your program again."

Oz nodded, heading into his room. He stripped, crawling in behind Giles to hold him, watching Xander sleep from under his lover's arm. "I need you both in ways that defy words," he whispered. "I'll do anything to keep you."

Xander blinked at him. "Not leaving," he promised, taking the offered hand to hold, going back to sleep, comforted by everything in his life.

Shopping!

Xander looked up as his lover sat down beside him on the couch. "It's funny, it's like the house is empty since Meth and Connor left."

"It is," Giles told him, pulling the young man against his side. "It's nice to be alone again."

"Yeah," Xander said softly, snuggling in. "What are you going to be doing every day?"

"I was going to continue with my research and training. I didn't think you'd mind if I didn't go back to work for a while." Xander shook his head. "What about you? Are you excited about your job?"

"A little. It looks like I may be the most knowledgeable person working there besides the boss. They actually had a whole case of really bad fake stones and the saleswoman couldn't tell the difference between them and real stones. Some were even plastic!" He looked up and smiled. "You're going to spend a lot of time pulling Oz away from his computer, aren't you?"

"If at all humanly possible, I am," Giles agreed with a smile of his own. "I know I'd be taking your place by doing so but..."

Xander put a hand over Giles' mouth, stopping him. "He's *ours*, not just mine. Same as I'm both of yours, not just his."

"That's a good point, Xander," Giles said, giving him a little squeeze. "So, were you surprised that George went home with Methos?"

"A little, but then again, they are a lot alike. George likes to pretend to be very dumb when he's really one very smart kitten. Don's a smart cat but not at all like that."

"I liked George actually," Giles said, looking down at the hands he had just joined. "He always came in to help me sleep."

"That's because you don't make noise. He used to wake us up because we were being too loud." Xander scratched the side of his face on Giles' arm. "This is comfy."

"Indeed, it is." Giles looked around. "Are you bored?"

"Out of my mind."

Giles snorted. "No, you seem quite sane."

They both jumped up when Oz yelled, Xander making it up the stairs first. "What's wrong?" he asked, soothing his lover by hugging himself against the older immortal's back. "What can we do to help?"

"I can't find the missing period." Oz ground his teeth together, turning to look at them. "We need to get out of the house for a while. Want to go shopping?"

Xander nodded and shrugged. "I could do that. I do need a new shirt."

"Yeah, you do," Oz said, leaning his head against Xander's chest and relaxing back into Giles' arms. "I've been through the code twice. I can't find it."

"Save it and we'll go to LA tonight," Xander said quietly. "Come on, save all the nice changes you've made. When we get back, it'll work."

Oz nodded. "Maybe." He lifted his head, looking up. "You sure you can go with me?"

"Yeah, I want to show you my favorite places to shop." Xander gave him a small smile. "I think it's about time you came to live in my world for a while."

Oz nodded. "Okay. I'll shut off the computer."

"Oh, check the email. I'm supposed to be emailed my schedule for work."

"Okay." Oz got free and walked over to shut his program down, logging into his email account. He smiled at the three messages from Willow. "Um, Xander? I think it was today." He checked the date on the computer. "It's Saturday?"

"No, that's tomorrow," Xander said, checking Giles' watch, which had a date function on it. "I have to be in tomorrow?"

"At noon." Oz opened the last one from Willow, reading it quickly and sending her a response. "We've got to stop in and see Willow," he said, straightening up as his computer shut itself down. He looked at his men. "Clothes, guys, now. I can't stand to stay in this house any more."

Xander grinned and turned to run down the stairs, barely missing Rocky. "Hey, girl, we're going to buy you puppy toys." He ran into his room, stopping in front of his closet, considering his clothes, frowning when he pulled out a shirt to find it weighed about three pounds more than it should. "DON!"

Oz strolled in. "Ah, I see he found out how to climb." He took the kitten off the shirt, sitting down on the bed to pet him. "Don't do that, Don, he'll make you go live with Connor."

"I don't know why he didn't go with Connor, he liked him." Xander pulled out another shirt, tossing it on the bed. "He got this one too." He pulled out his second favorite shirt, carefully checking it over before pulling it on. He pulled out a pair of pants, checking them for hairs before he slid into them. He stepped into his shoes, walking over to put on his bracelets. "Okay, ready."

"Yes, and what a sight it was," Oz said, motioning him over to rub across the distended cock. "You look good in that outfit," he said as he looked up and let the kitten lay in his lap. "Very good."

"Oz, if you ruin these clothes, I won't have anything to wear except jeans."

"I like you in jeans, especially those buttonfly ones you were wearing the other day." Oz rubbed a little harder, getting a moan in response. "Are you plugged?"

"No," he groaned. "Not stretched at all." He pushed against the hand. "Oz, this is unfair."

"No, unfair is what's going to happen in the car," Oz told him. Xander's eyes flew open and he looked down at him in shock. "Yes, in the car. I'm going to enjoy you in it on the way there. Giles and I will take turns."

"Oz!"

"Shh, pet, you're all okay," Oz told him, switching places with the young man smoothly. He undid his zipper, sliding his cock into the already drooling mouth. "Yeah, just like that, Xander," he whispered, sliding it in and out a few times.

Giles leaned against the door, watching it all happen. "Oh, my," he said, smiling at Xander as he dove down to try and get the cock deeper into him. "He's being a bit greedy today."

"I started it," Oz said, giving him a smile. "I needed it." He found himself on his back on the floor, his lover having fun with his body. "Oh, Xander," he groaned, pushing up, holding the head down. "Yeah, babe, like that." He let go, watching as it happened. When he shot off, Xander pulled back licking his lips, giving him a satisfied little cat smile. "Liked?"

"Needed," Xander said, sharing a kiss with him. He got up, walking over to share a kiss with his other lover, taking control of his mouth, forcing it to get deeper and hotter.

Giles pulled back panting, looking over his lover's body. "You're in heat, aren't you?" he asked, running a hand down the soft cheek. "I should get the restraints so we can fuck you into next month."

Xander gave him a small smile. "If you'd like." He turned, wiggling his rear just a little. He looked at the cat on the bed, leaning down to get into his face. "Don, do not climb up my clothes again. If you do, you will not be allowed to come back in here for a week." He made the kitten look at him. "Do you understand?" The kitten batted at the hand holding it's chin. "No climbing my clothes." He let the kitten go, turning to see Oz pulling himself up off the floor. "Come on, you guys promised to molest me in the car." Xander pulled a second outfit from the closet, packing a small bag with that and lube, heading out to the garage.

Oz looked at Giles, giving him a brilliant smile. "I'm not bored anymore." He stood up, doing up his pants as he walked toward the large safe in the storage room under the stairs. He opened the safe, taking out some of the money, counting out what he felt was a reasonable amount to carry, then doubled it just in case they needed it. He shut the safe, making sure that none of the kittens were in it, having to reopen it just to make sure. He shut it again, walking away. He heard a pitiful kitten noise so he headed back into the storage room, reopening the safe to let Fluffy out. "You know better. That's a good way to become a dead kitten," he said, picking her up. He kicked Rocky and Don out of the way, closing the door again. He checked to make sure Don was out, then led them out of the room. He closed and locked the door, dropping Fluffy on the stairs, her preferred napping spot. "We'll be home tonight, be good."

Giles was in the kitchen looking at the food and water dishes. Oz snuck up behind him, grabbing him around the waist. "I think we can safely assume that the food should last," he said, pointing at the full bowls. "I've laid out an extra one of water and I've set Rocky's automatic feeder to drop in two hours." He turned, hugging Oz to his chest. "I think they'll be all right."

"I think we need a sitter," Oz said, watching Xander walk out of the back room. "I got money."

"Good, we both do." He dropped Fluffy on the seat in front of the breakfast bar. "She tried to climb in."

"I know. We have to put up a net or something so they can't. Where's Don?"

"Sleeping on the shirts I threw on the bed." Xander looked at Giles. "I feel it too, we should be calling a sitter or something, but they can be alone for a few hours. It's not like we're going to disappear and not come back tonight."

"Even if we did, they probably could handle it," Oz reminded him. "They're supposed to be able to go overnight without human interaction."

"Yeah, but still. It's like they're children or something," Xander said, looking over at Fluffy. "I just don't want to leave them alone for the rest of the evening."

"We'll call and leave messages on the machine for them," Oz told him, patting his arm. "Come on. Before the four o'clock rush toward LA happens."

"Sure." Xander followed him out, looking over his shoulder at his pristine house.

Giles closed the door leading to the garage behind him, blocking the view of Don dragging a shirt out to sleep in front of the sliding doors.

They headed off to LA with the thought, 'how much damage could two kittens and a puppy do to a house?'

***

Xander led the way into his favorite clothes shop, smiling at the woman behind the counter. "Hey." He walked toward the usual section he shopped in but she pointed to another spot, so he followed her instructions. As soon as he got over there, he found a few shirts he liked, handing them to Oz; Giles was off looking through the bookstore. Xander held one up but Oz shook his head. "No? I think it's cute."

"It's femme." Oz picked up one that was under his hand, showing it off. "I like this one, but the way the back's cut makes it look like a girl's shirt."

Xander considered the shirt. "It would make a killer tank top," he said, taking it to hold up to the light. "If I knew how to sew, I'd take it to do that."

"You could learn," Oz suggested lightly. "That way you'd spend less on clothes because you'd be able to get exactly what you wanted in whatever fabric."

Xander smiled at him. "Can you teach me?"

"Sure. I did costumes for a long time." Oz took the shirt, putting it over his arm. Xander went to pick up a basket for him, giving him a small smile. "We shopping that much?"

"Yup, this is my bi-annual shopping trip." Xander walked to another rack, looking at the pants on it. He shook his head, moving through a few more of the nearby racks before stopping in front of one that had leather jackets and pants.

"No," Oz said quietly. "Leather isn't that comfy to everyone."

"This is a resale shop," Xander pointed out, picking up a pair of leather pants that the hanger tag said was in his size. "See?" he asked as he rubbed the midnight blue leather across his lover's wrist. "Soft?"

"Try them on," Oz told him. Xander nodded. "Get what you want, it's your money, but I reserve the right to hide it from you if I want."

Xander held up pair of pants that laced up the front. "Um, why?" he asked, showing them off.

"Early button flies," Oz noted, shifting closer to rub his leg against Xander's behind the curtain of the clothes. "Try them on, you look good in scarlet."

"Okay." Xander dropped them into the basket, heading for the changing room.

The saleswoman didn't even look up from her magazine so Oz picked out a few more things, walking them over to the counter. "You know him real well?"

She looked up, frowning. "Yeah, but it's been a while since we've seen him. There have been a few months when he basically kept us in business." She looked him over. "He yours?"

"Yup," he said with a small smile. "Definitely mine." He nodded toward the dressing room. "I'm taking him some more shirts."

"Just don't be too loud. We know he'll buy it if he stains it." She went back to her magazine.

Oz schooled his shocked look before she could see it. He walked back into the dressing room. "Xander?" His lover opened a door, looking out at him. "Shirts," he said, handing them over. He stepped into the small cubicle, looking over the scarlet leather pants and tight midnight purple velvet tank top Xander wore, considering the outfit. "Need to lace those tighter," he said, undoing the laces to tighten them, starting at the bottom and slowly working his way up. By the time he was done, Xander was holding onto the hook behind him to steady himself. "Like those," Oz admitted. "You?"

"Oh, yeah, but only if you help me put them on." Xander blinked, looking at his lover. "Try me, Oz, now," he commanded, giving him a sexy, confident smile.

Oz went to his knees, undoing the laces and going down on his boyfriend. Xander's hand started to play in his hair so he did his best, sighing as his mouth was filled with a quiet little cry. Oz stood up, licking his lips before sharing a kiss. "Better?"

"Much," Xander said, leaning against the wall. "Want to go?"

"Try the rest on to make sure they fit," Oz reminded him. He stepped back, sitting down on the shoe box-sized seat in the cubicle. "Now."

Xander stripped for his lover, turning so he could see his ass. He pulled on another pair of pants, sliding into them and hissing as he tried to zip them up. "Ow," he complained, taking them off. He hung them over the door, checking the inside to make sure nothing had transferred to them. When he was satisfied, he picked up a pair of velvet drawstring pants, sliding into them with a moan. "Oh, like these."

Oz checked the material. "We can make you more of these. They'd be easy enough." He looked up, seeing the look of pleasure on his lover's face. "Hurry up."

Xander checked the rest of the clothes to make sure they were the right size, a pair of jeans ending up over the door with a shirt that wouldn't fit him either. He changed back into his own clothes, folding the others into the basket and handing it to Oz. "Come on. I want to get a sewing machine." He walked out to the counter, handing over the stuff that hadn't fit, pulling out his wallet.

The saleswoman rang him up then ran his card, frowning. "Gee, it says canceled," she said, handing it back. She watched as Oz pulled his wallet out and handed her cash. "Good. Someone came prepared."

"I did too," Xander said, showing her his wallet as he slid his card back in. He considered the cards. "You know, I got most of these through the bank in Sunnydale. I'm guessing they got upset because they didn't want my money."

"Maybe," Oz said, patting his back. "We can apply for others once we put your money in a bank here in the city." He took the bags, heading out of the store.

She winked at him, showing him the machine. "You deserve it," she whispered, waving.

Xander chuckled, jogging to catch up to Oz. "She lied to make you pay for my stuff." He pointed at the ATM. "I'm going to check my balances. Want to guard my back from the bench?"

"Sure. Giles can find us there." They strolled over, Xander having to sit down and wait while a woman with a two-year old tried to withdraw money while the kid screamed and begged. Finally, he could get to the machine, pulling out the first of his six cards. He ran it through the machine, checking around him as he put in his PIN, hitting the button for his balance. He smiled, taking the card back and sticking in another. Someone cleared their throat behind him. "Just one more and you can have it," he said, looking at the woman behind him. "Just checking my balance." He hit the combination for his PIN again, pushing the button. He nodded as he looked at the balance, ejecting his card and getting out her way. He walked over to sit beside Oz. "We forgot to pay Visa for the plane tickets."

"I sent out a check yesterday," Oz told him, nodding at the man walking toward them. "Giles."

Xander waved him over then got up to confiscate the ATM for a few more cards. By the time he was done, Giles and Oz were deep in a discussion. Xander walked back over to them, sitting beside Oz, giving them an expectant look. "What's up?" he asked when no one told him.

"We were planning the rest of the assault." Giles smiled at him. "Where to go next and all."

"Willow, then pet store, then where?"

"We figured on Willow, then dinner, then pet store," Oz told him, handing over some of the bags. "With the last stop at the fabric outlet store that claims to be open late."

Xander hugged him. "Thank you, Oz."

"Hey, I needed new threads for a weaving project. No big." He stood up, grabbing a few of the remaining bags. "Guys, car. I'm not a pack mule."

Giles took some of the bags, along with his own three from the bookstore, and Xander took the rest. They headed out of the mall, going out to the car. Xander closed the trunk after the last bag was in, turning to find a security officer standing there. "Is there a problem?"

"Someone noticed you were at the ATM a lot, sir. I need to see why."

Oz cleared his throat. "He was checking his credit card balances. Surely other people do that."

"Kids his age don't usually check six cards at once."

Xander pulled out his wallet, showing off the cards. "All mine. Some of us aren't poor college students at my age." When his wallet was handed back, he slid it into his back pocket. "Anything else?"

"No, sir, I'm sorry. We just had to check." He turned, walking back inside.

Xander frowned, sitting on the trunk of his car. "I hate that phrase. First the bank then them."

"It's a precaution, they thought you had lifted the cards and were withdrawing cash from them."

Xander nodded. "I know. Doesn't mean it doesn't suck." He stood up but Giles stopped him, pointing. "Huh? Oh, thanks." He picked up his wallet, sliding it into his front pocket. "Keep forgetting I can't sit on the thing without it crawling." He got into the back seat, watching as Giles got in to drive and Oz got in beside him. "Oh, more molest Xander?"

"No, some cuddle Xander," Oz told him, buckling them both up and leaning his head against Xander's shoulder. "I need to rest."

"Sure, Oz, whatever you need," he said, rubbing down the strong arm. He looked up at Giles. "Do you know where Willow works?"

"Yes, he explained it to me, though I'm not sure how to get there."

"Go left at the light," Xander said, pointing at the light at the entrance. "It's about a mile away on the right."

"Ah. Thank you." He started the car, backing up. He stopped to let some people walk behind them, waving back at the woman who waved at them. He headed out of the mall, following Xander's directions to the big, chain computer store in the next shopping center.

Oz woke up, looking around. "Here already?"

"Yeah," Xander said, rubbing down his arm. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired." Oz yawned, trying to look convincing.

"Oz, if this keeps up, we're going to see your teacher."

"It's probably a side effect of the spell," Giles suggested. "Even I've felt a bit more tired, and if you remember Connor and Methos both napped for the next few days." He saw the pained look cross the young man's face. "Don't worry about it, Xander, you're worth a bit of exhaustion."

"But Oz is more tired than that. He's got like major drain." He considered him, then looked out the window. "Everyone looked up when you walked into the house, right?" Giles nodded. "Can you still feel Oz?"

"No," Giles said in shock. "I can't." He glanced at Oz. "I'll try to fix it tonight."

"We," Xander said, touching his arm. "Together."

"Together," Giles agreed, getting out. "I think I know what it is though. You must have absorbed too much of his energy. Methos did say that if we got very weak, our signatures can become muted."

Oz blinked up at him. "You mean I'm mortal, again?"

"Almost," Xander said, helping him out of the car. "We'll fix it though." He walked between his lovers, subtly letting Oz lean on him. He smiled at one of the salesmen. "Is Willow still working here? We'd like to talk to her."

"She quit the other day," he said with a frown. "Was there something I could help with?"

Oz shook his head. "She was co-authoring a program with me a few years back and I wanted to check with her about it." He looked around. "Do you have any auxiliary hard drives? The sort that can be removed?"

"No, I'm afraid not. We can order it though."

Oz shook his head. "I'll go through the online catalog then." He turned around. "Do you know where she went?"

"No, just that she needed to go help someone." He shrugged. "Sorry."

"That's okay," Xander told him, helping Oz back out of the store.

"Freaks," the salesman muttered, walking away. "Every programmer is one."

Oz smiled as soon as they were outside. "Yup," he said, looking over his shoulder. "We are." He stared at Giles as he stiffened, then looked around, shaking his head as Richie walked up to them. "Question, could you feel me?"

"No, Meth sent me to find you." He steadied Oz, looking him over. "He found the 'but' clause in the spell."

"Ah. Yes, we were just hypothesizing about that."

"Huh?"

"Sorry, he said we were considering the why's," Xander said, waving at the car. "Come on, we've got to go bleed me of Oz's energy."

"No, Meth said he needed an influx, that the spell hinged on him and now he's so drained it may take him a year to heal right."

"Gee, I remember that happening," Oz said, getting free. "I'm feeling better. Let's go." He got into the back of Xander's car, simply looking at Richie as he got in beside him. "Not driving?"

"No, he told me to ride with you. He had someone watching the store," he explained to Xander, whose mouth had just opened. "He knew you'd come looking for your friend."

"Do you know what happened to her?" Giles asked as he started the car and backed out.

"She's helping your friend. The tall, pale one."

"Angel," Oz said quietly. "Must have needed her skills."

"He has Cordy working for him," Xander reminded him. "Willow might just be giving comic relief."

"She's fine," Giles told him. "Cordelia's very serious when she needs to be."

"Good point," Xander admitted. "She was an asset to our group when we needed her and I'm sure she's the same to him." He looked at Oz, who was napping again. "How do we fix it?"

"Methos said it was simple, something about giving him an influx of power."

"Um, unless he's going to take a head, isn't that kinda hard to do?"

"Not really," Giles said as he pulled out onto the main road. "Which way?"

"The other way," Richie said with a small smile. "He's at my house since it's basically a big open room right now."

"Okay." Giles pulled into the right lane, turning around. He had to stop at a stop light, but he took the time to examine his lover. "Are we uncasting it?"

"No, he said there was another way when I asked him that. Something about fruit and apples."

"Not," Oz said, pushing himself up. "I won't let him share his quickening with me again. Last time got strange."

"Oz, if it's that or I have to give back my gift, I will give it back, but that may be the only way."

Giles frowned as he was allowed to start again. "We may not be able to ucast it. The linkage was supposed to be permanent."

"I've always had a weak quickening," Oz muttered, looking out the front window. "I don't fight and I don't take heads. I've been this weak before and Methos transferred some of his quickening over to me."

"This time he's got someone else's, he had to fight last night," Richie said softly. "The other guy was really strong and Meth didn't want to take her head."

"Mac's?" Xander asked, his face wrinkled in worry.

"No," Richie said. "The person who went after Mac's head." He looked out the window. "Methos defended him by killing this person. She wasn't a nice person, but she was a fighter."

Oz nodded. "We'll see. I want to know who."

"It was Shelaine," Richie told him, taking his hand to squeeze.

Oz grimaced. "Psycho thing came back?"

"Yup." He smiled. "Right into Mac's arms at McDonald's last night." Xander shook his head and faced forward, making him look out the window. "Right at the next intersection. No, not this one, the next one," he corrected when Giles turned on the blinker.

"All right," Giles said, switching lanes to get into the one next to the one he needed. "Why is her quickening so strong?"

"Because she's taken six heads in the last three days."

"Ouch," Oz said. "Why?"

"Because she felt like it. She went after newbies." Richie sighed, relaxing. "He's not had a good time trying to deal with it."

"So he's going to inflict Oz with it?" Xander asked. "Won't that hurt him since he's so weak?"

"No," Oz said. "It'll be filtered. All I'll get is the quickening, none of the madness. Meth got all of that."

Giles shook his head, pulling into a parking lot. "Why don't you drive, Richie, I'd like to hold Oz."

"Sure." They switched places, Richie pulling back out onto the street, heading over to a small road. "Shortcut," he said.

"Oh." Giles cradled Oz against his body. "Are you sure this'll be fine? I'd hate to think my spell caused this."

"It didn't," Oz said, looking up. "I was about due for another spell anyway. Every sixty years or so I get a spell where my quickening goes down for some reason. It's been going on since I came to Sunnydale. That's how I was able to be bitten and changed into a werewolf."

Xander turned, holding a hand over the seat, smiling as it was taken. "Oz, I mean it, if you have to, we can take the spell off me and try it again."

"No we can't," Giles said. "You might not live through it." He brushed across Xander's lips. "No more talk like that. We'll fix it."

"I hope so," Richie said quietly, pulling into a driveway. "Here."

Oz opened the door, getting out on his own. He walked up the stairs, stopping about half way to catch his breath, but knocked on the door, catching George as he ran out. "Hi, yes we missed you too." He handed the cat back over. "She really came back?"

"Last night," Methos said with distaste. He waved inside. "Get in here." He looked out, smiling at Xander as he walked up the stairs. "How many times has he offered?"

"Three I think." Oz flopped down on the couch, looking at his teacher as he sat next to him. "How?"

"I'm going to feed you the energy I don't want, you'll get better, then you'll go home."

"How long?" Xander asked as he walked in. "I want to be here with him."

"A few days."

Xander nodded but Oz shook his head. "You have to work tomorrow," Oz reminded him.

"And? I can call and say that you're too sick for me to leave you."

"The whole town knows that there are three of us," Giles told him gently. "You can't use that as an excuse."

"I can if I say you're both sick."

"Xander," Methos cut in, "do you trust me?" He got a confused nod. "I won't leave Oz's side. I'll stay beside him the whole time."

Xander nodded, sitting down next to Oz's quiet form. "I don't want to leave him, it's not that I don't trust you."

"I'll stay if it eases your mind," Giles said. Xander looked at him, giving him a begging look. "We'll call each night, how's that?"

"Yeah, that'll be good." He stood up after giving Oz a kiss. "Call me and I'll come pick you guys up." Oz nodded, squeezing his hand. "Be safe."

"I will. You too." Oz kissed the fingers he held. "Go home, rest for work tomorrow and we'll call once you're home."

Xander nodded, heading out the door. As he walked down to the car, something Willow had once told him came floating back through his mind. "If the will is strong enough," he whispered, "there is a way. Somehow." He got into the car, heading for home.

***

Methos bound his wrist with Oz's, letting Richie place the knife between them. "Let this happen," he said, looking into his student's eyes. "Let my energy heal your lack thereof."

"Same words, different decade," Oz quipped.

Richie pulled the knife, cutting both their palms, binding their hands together. "Let's hope this works."

Xander found the spell he was looking for, running his finger down the ingredients he needed. He gathered them from the nicely marked containers Giles kept, setting up to follow the spell exactly. He smashed the herbs, scattering them around like the diagram in the book, closing his eyes as he added three drops of his blood to the spots where the lines joined. He lit two candles, putting them in the center of the figure with the single white unlit candle. He started to say the words, sprinkling a little of the remaining herbs on the flames before picking them up and lighting the candle in the center.

Then the world went black. His last thought was, 'I knew it was me.'

Oz jerked, eyes closed as he tried to control the pain he always felt. When he started to feel the smooth flow of power into him, they opened, looking at Giles. "He's done something," he panted, "I can feel it."

"Shh," Methos told him, using his free hand to stroke through the sweaty hair. "Worry about getting better so you can yell at him."

Oz nodded, going back to his absorption of the energy he was being given.

***

Xander woke up to Rocky licking his face. He groaned, sitting up, looking at the clock. "Hell, half an hour," he grumbled. He picked up the phone before heading down stairs. "Hi, it's Xander. No, my alarm didn't go off. It's a reminder of my past life but it's not real accurate. No, my puppy just woke me up. I'll be a little late. I still have to take a shower and get dressed." He hung up, walking into his bathroom. He looked in the mirror, wincing as he saw the red lines across his chest. "What is that?" he asked, touching it. He shrugged it off, getting into the shower.

He got out, wiping down the mirror, checking the marks again. He checked his back, shrugging when he saw the same thing there. He walked out, grabbing some of his new clothes to put on, actually putting on underwear this time since his skin felt so sensitive. He grabbed a cup of coffee on the way out the door, blessing the automatic timer function, and headed for work.

***

Oz woke up, looking around the room. He sat up, checking himself. "I'm okay," he said, frowning. "It's never been this fast before."

Giles walked over, sitting beside his feet on the couch. "You said last night Xander did something. Did he cast?"

"Not sure. I felt this slick slide of energy into me, different than the shocks the quickening give." He pulled his feet up, looking down at the blanket. "We should go check on him."

"He has the car," Giles reminded with a smile. A set of keys came flying out of the bedroom, making Oz duck. "Thank you," Giles called, picking them up. "I believe these are for Richie's car. We can call a cab if you're ready."

Oz nodded, standing up as he idly scratched his chest. He pulled his shirt out to look down, shrugging when he didn't see anything. "Call, I want to go yell at him."

"Of course." Giles picked up the phone book, flipping back to the yellow pages. He dialed a number, talking quietly into the phone as he watched Oz walk outside. When he was done, he followed him, walking down to sit beside him on the stairs. "I know he's all right. He's a strong man, Oz."

"Yeah, but this is dangerous. Depending on what he did, the quickening could have backlashed into him and done things to him." He looked down at his chest, staring at the smooth flesh in confusion. "I never get itches there after what we usually do."

"It may be a side effect of Xander's spell," Giles said gently, standing up as the cab pulled into the driveway. They got in, giving the driver the name of the store.

***

Xander grabbed the counter as the room started to warp a little. "Sorry, guess the coffee's worn off." He shook it off, smiling at the couple he was waiting on. "Do you have a picture of your daughter?" One was put down for her. "Hmm." He looked at the bracelets. "What sort of jewelry has she been wearing?"

"Big, bulky things," her mother said, frowning at the picture. "Almost manly in some ways."

Xander nodded slowly, taking a board out from under the glass. "These are technically men's but they're a fairly feminine style, which would be a good compromise. It would say 'we're trying to understand, just help us a little'." He pointed out the gold and silver bracelet. "Which does she prefer?"

"Gold usually. Those are a bit big."

Xander picked one up, putting it against the mother's wrist. "But this one is still very delicate looking. It's not a style that will catch on clothes, it's the same sort I wear." He showed off his bracelet. "It's also small enough to seem like one of the bigger women's pieces."

Her mother considered it then put it back on the velvet tray. "Do you have anything more delicate?"

Xander nodded, leading them down a few feet to a few more bracelets, most of these in female styles. "The twisted ropes will catch on clothes so I would be careful of that depending on her wardrobe."

The father looked, pointing one out. "She used to have one just like that one." It was taken out and handed to him. "Remember when we got her the bracelet for her fourteenth birthday?" The mother nodded, giving him a smile. "Can we bring one back if she doesn't like it?"

"You can," Xander said, nodding. "As long as whomever does it has the slip and the bracelet is in good condition." He walked back over to where the other bracelet was laying. "You want both?"

"Yes," the father said, handing over his credit card. "Please."

"Okay, let me ring you up. Do you want them gift boxed also? We can wrap them or just put them in a nice little bag." He got a nod so punched the amount into the credit card machine, running the card through the system. He came back a few moments later with a slip for him to sign. "There we go," he said, handing back the card, bending to pull out a few boxes. He had to steady himself against the counter as the world started to spin again, but he was back up almost immediately, putting the jewelry into the boxes for them. "I hope she likes them. Remember, if she needs more links or something, we can do that also."

The father nodded, taking the small boxes to put into his pocket. "Thank you, young man. I'm sure she'll love them." He took his wife's arm, leading her out of the store.

Xander flinched as his coworker touched his arm. "Yeah?" he asked tiredly, looking at her. His eyes started to feel heavy. "I'm not feeling so good, but it's okay," he said, just before passing out on top of the display cabinet.

"Sure it is," she said, dialing the local ambulance.

***

Oz walked into the house, immediately heading for the answering machine, absently petting Don as he crawled up into his lap when he sat to listen.

Giles walked in with Fluffy as the message from the hospital started, dropping her and closing the door, not even realizing she was back outside again. "He is?"

"He collapsed," Oz said, standing up. He looked at the kitten clinging to his pants, watching him rapidly start to slide backwards. "We're going to see daddy, you behave." He put Don down on the couch, patting him as he headed for the garage, getting into his own car. As soon as Giles was inside with him, he backed out of the garage, not looking at the peach colored cat playing in the flower bed that Xander had been so very proud of planting before he had left for Vermont. They made sure they closed the gate, heading down to town.

***

Giles looked down at the marks covering Xander's chest, shaking his head. "I have no idea what those are from. The only thing that might cause such marks was in a book I don't think he's ever gotten hold of."

"Oh, I'm sure he's seen it," Oz said, watching the nurse check his monitors and make notes in his chart. "How's he doing?"

"Much better. They thought it was extreme exhaustion at first but now they think it's actually some sort of heart condition." She walked out, leaving them alone.

"It is," Oz said, staring at the man on the bed, "he has too big of one." He looked up at Giles. "Can you fix this?"

"I can try," he said, shaking his head as the hand he was clutching shifted. "I think he's about to wake."

Xander blinked, giving his lovers a weak smile. "Hi." He turned his head to look at Oz. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, but you're not." Oz got up to kiss his cheek. "What did you cast?" he asked quietly, aware of the man in the other bed.

"Nothing," Xander said, looking away from him.

Giles tipped his head back up, making him look at him. "I'll find out once we make it home again. You might as well tell me."

"Just a little thing," Xander whispered, licking his lips. "Water?"

"The nurse said you couldn't have any, you have a test in a few minutes." Oz laid a hand over the strange marks. "I wondered what itched." He backed away as the nurse came back in with an orderly, getting out of their way. "Can we go with him?" She shook her head. "Not at all?"

"Nope, sorry," she said with a shrug. She looked at the man in the other bed, frowning as she nudged him. "Huh. He shouldn't be doing that." She calmly picked up the phone. "Hi, this is 425, we have a dead patient. No, not hooked up to monitors, just thought he was sleeping." She hung up. "He had cancer anyway," she told them, hoping to ease the fear they were showing no doubt.

Xander clutched Giles' hand. "I'm sorry," he said, looking into his eyes. "Really, really sorry. The book's out on the floor, so are the herbs if the cats haven't tracked through it."

Giles nodded. "I'll go check while Oz gets you put into a private room." He walked out with Xander, staying with him until they got to the elevator. He watched as the doors closed, turning to look at Oz. "I'm going to go check, you stay here and get him into a private room."

"I want him transferred," Oz said, looking around. "I don't trust this place."

"Neither do I. Work on that then, I'll be back in a while." He headed for the stairs, letting Oz head for the desk and the nurse behind it.

"Who do I talk to about getting my lover transferred where there's specialists?" She picked up the phone, dialing it for him. "Hi, I'm with Xander Harris. I would rather have him in LA, or somewhere that there's specialists, can we arrange a transfer?" He nodded and hung up. "She'll be up soon." He headed for the windows, looking out them.

***

Xander looked around his new room, nodding in appreciation at the nice decor. "Pretty. Why am I here?"

"They have specialists," Oz said from the chair on the left. "Meth's going to kill you, you know that right?" Xander gave him a pitiful look. "We had it, Xander, you didn't have to almost kill yourself to help."

"But, I was the bad..." Giles stopped him. "I was," he said, dodging out from under the hand. "It was my thing that caused the problems."

"I've had them for the last three years," Oz said softly, "you just drained me a little more than usual." He looked toward the door, around the corner, as it opened. "Doctor or nurse?" he asked the body in white scrubs.

"Doctor," she said, sitting on the end of his bed. "I've looked over what Sunnydale sent and I have to admit, they're idiots."

"The man in the bed next to his died and no one noticed," Giles told her. "We're already well aware of that fact."

She shook her head. "Wouldn't surprise me." She reached down, patting Xander's foot. "I think you'll be fine, Mr. Harris. It doesn't look like your heart was overtaxed. It may just have been a coronary. It's rare at your age, but with some stress it's entirely possible, especially with your cholesterol count." She stood up. "We'll be taking you down for an ultrasound in a few minutes, your men can come with you if they'd like, then we may have a few more to run from there."

Xander nodded. "So I'm going to be okay?"

"As far as I can tell, yes, you'll be fine. This doesn't look like a defective problem, it looks more like a reaction to stress. Have you been having a lot recently?"

"Newborn kittens that we hand raised," Oz said.

"New job," Xander said.

"The resolution to the fight you were having," Giles added.

She nodded, pushing some of her auburn hair behind her ears. "Sounds reasonable to me. I'll get the orderlies up here in about ten minutes." She walked out, leaving them alone.

"Not to mention casting a spell that usually could kill someone as inexperienced as you," Giles said, taking Xander's hand to hold. "Never do it again, Xander, do you understand me?"

"Yes, Giles," he said, giving him a hurt look. "I won't do it again, not even if your life is in danger."

Giles nodded, getting up to kiss him. "I'll heal," he reminded him. "We're not so sure about you." He looked over at Oz. "Do you want to yell at him."

"Won't help," Oz muttered. "He's being noble again." He stood up, coming over to sit on the side of the bed. "Xander, I don't care who's life is in danger, don't do it again, okay?"

Xander nodded. "Okay. I was just trying to help though." Oz kissed him. "I can't lose either of you, I refuse to do that."

"You won't," Oz told him, brushing through his hair. "I wasn't that sick." He leaned down for another kiss as someone knocked on the door. "Yeah?" he yelled, getting off the bed.

Willow walked in, smiling at them. "My former boss said someone that looked like you guys was looking for me." She tipped her head to look at Xander. "What did you do now?"

"He tried to save me by doing a spell," Oz said, looking out the door. "They think he's had a heart attack."

She glared at him. "Xander, that is not a Harris family activity. That's not your thing. Why'd you do something so stupid?"

"I had to save Oz," he said, looking at Giles. "I'm sorry, but I had to."

"Shh," Giles told him, patting his arm. "No matter, it's all fixed and you'll be getting well soon enough." He kissed him, standing back up at the new knock. "Yes?"

The orderly walked backwards into the room, moving the gurney beside Xander's bed. "Who's going?"

"We both are," Oz said. He looked at Willow. "Come back tonight?"

"Sure." She stopped to kiss his cheek. "When you need me, I'm your girl."

Xander looked at her, then at Oz, then at Giles. "I'll understand if you want to catch up, Oz," he said as he was wheeled past.

Oz glared at his lover. "Stop it now, Xander."

Willow shook her head. "Silly, I'm not going to try and take him from you. He loves you." She kissed his forehead. "Get better, I'll bring you magazines tonight."

"Go take care of the kittens?" Xander asked. She nodded. "Thanks."

"Welcome." She stepped out of the way, holding Oz back. "He did what for you?"

"I was really worn down, leaking energy. We, a friend and I, were doing something about it and we sent Xander home because he had to work today. So he cast."

She nodded. "Okay. I'll go take care of the kittens." She took the keys he handed her, tucking them into her purse. "Yell if you need something from there." She walked out, leaving Oz alone in the room.

"I will yell," he vowed, "just as soon as he's able to hear it and not die." He walked out, heading to where Xander and Giles were waiting on the elevator. "Hey," he said, taking Xander's hand. "I thought you knew I wasn't going back to her."

Xander looked down at his body. "Yeah, but I thought..." Oz stopped him by squeezing his hand. "It's just a silly thought, Oz, never mind."

"Good. I'm not going back to her, ever. What we had was good, but what we usually have is just as special to me. No matter how scared you get about things." He squeezed the hand again. "She'll go take care of the kittens and Rocky, and probably take care of any mess you left upstairs."

Xander nodded. "Thanks. Guess I just needed reminded."

"Hey, all you have to do is ask. I'll remind you."

"Not for a few weeks at least," Giles muttered. Xander looked at him. "I doubt you'll be able to have that sort of activity for a while."

The orderly smiled at them. "Months maybe." Xander groaned. "Most people find a way around it though." He smiled at the nurse getting off the elevator. "So, is what I heard about the other hospital you were in true? That they're selling bodies?"

"You can never tell in Sunnydale," Oz said, looking down into his lover's eyes. "Strange things happen there and some of them are really beautiful." Xander smiled at him. "Of course, some of them are just stubborn too."

Xander weakly slapped Oz's arm. "Meany."

"Did I mention names?"

Xander shook his head. "No, not at all. Can you still teach me how to sew?"

"Sure. The day you come home, we'll stop and get a machine and a book since the last one I used was *real* old." Xander smiled at him for that. "And we'll find you a pair of pants to use as a pattern."

"Why not an actual pattern?" Giles asked. "They should have some."

"The style of pants he likes are female mostly." At the frown, he explained, "The pair of pants he found yesterday that he really loved were velvet drawstring pants."

"So find a pattern for drawstring pants and make them in velvet. You should be able to find some for sweat pants or something."

"Good point. We'll look on the way home. My loom'll be in soon."

"So I'll sew, you'll weave, and Giles can wear?"

"Of course I will," Giles told him, leaning down to give him a kiss as the doors opened. "Oops. Sorry." He stepped away from the gurney as it was pushed out of the elevator. "He's going for an ultrasound?"

"Yup," the orderly said, pushing Xander into a darkened room. "The technician will be right in." He waved as he walked out, closing the door.

Xander took both his men's hands, putting them on his stomach. "I love you both, I'm sorry I did that. I was just trying to help."

Oz tipped his chin up. "We know. We love you for your intentions but sometimes I want to yell over their execution." He looked up as a young man walked in. "You're going to do the ultrasound?"

"Yup." He sat down in front of a machine, turning it on. He looked at Xander. "Will one of you please take off the top of his gown?" Giles did it for him, freeing the chest area so he could go back to holding his hand. "So, what was the problem? Just so I know what to really look for?"

"They think I had a small heart attack," Xander said, blinking up at Oz. "We'll be okay though."

"Yeah, we'll be fine," the technician said, dropping some gel onto Xander's chest. "Okay, deep breath if you would," he said as he picked up the wand.

Xander looked at the frozen picture on the screen. "There's really no damage?" His doctor smiled at him, shaking her head. "Then can I go home?"

"We want to keep you overnight for further observation." She brushed a piece of hair off her face. "You'll go home with some strict instructions, young man, and you will follow them."

"Yeah, he will." Oz shifted in the chair. "What about other problems? Weakness and that sort of thing?"

"I want him to lay on the couch or in bed for the next few weeks, and I do mean no activity." She gave Xander a 'look'. "Do you understand?"

"What if I can do it and not get excited? I mean, we've got two kittens that are about ten weeks old, they're enough to get my blood pressure up."

She chuckled. "Mr. Harris, try to keep it to a minimum, all right?" He nodded. "Good. As for work and things? I'd like to evaluate you in six weeks. Can you take that long off?"

"I could do less hours. I work in a jewelry store. It's not real stressful."

"That'd be fine. I'll give you a note for your employer. I also want you to start exercising again. You're in reasonably good shape so it should be easy enough to start with moderate exercise again." She looked at Giles. "Let them take some of the stress, they love you enough to be inconvenienced."

Xander nodded. "I know that now."

She smiled and stood up. "Good. I'll leave you alone, I know we've had requests for visiting hours so people could come see you." She waved and walked out, holding the door so Willow could walk in.

"Hey. The kitten is fine."

"Um, two?"

"One." She shook her head. "There was one skulking around the pool though so maybe that's the other one."

"Fluffy got out," Xander groaned. "Was the one you saw pink?"

"Yeah, she was. She let me pet her and everything. She may have run back inside, I'm not real sure."

Oz nodded. "We'll deal when we get home. Thanks."

"No big. Oh, and I got a call from your boss while I was there. He said to call him when you're able to start working again. He said he was sorry that you had taken so ill."

"There's no damage," Xander said happily.

She leaned down to kiss his cheek. "Good. I'm happy then. But you still shouldn't do stupid stuff again." She patted the top of his head. "Your puppy's very cute. She kept sticking her nose up my skirt."

Giles shook his head with a smile. "She has this fascination with that region of the body. Though I'm glad she's all right."

"Yup. The automatic feeder had just dropped when I walked in. She was a fierce guardian of her bowl but she relented for tummy rubs." She smiled. "What's up with that one kitten? The other one? Your house looked like a war zone."

Xander and Oz both shrugged. "Why?" Xander asked. "How bad?"

"Gee, lets see. Clothes all over the house. Even a sheet. All of them spread out into comfy nap places in the sun. The upstairs looked like a bomb had exploded. Herbs *everywhere* from what you did. The bathroom in your room was filled with water, apparently one of them had figured out how to turn on one of the taps. That's the problem with the handle type knobs." She smiled at Oz. "I found your mouse on the floor, lying ball up. Apparently it was dead."

Oz snorted, shaking his head. "Kittens."

"Oh, and Rocky was trying to bury the kitten in the couch. I nuked one of the microwave meals in the freezer, I hope you didn't mind, and sat to watch the view. Rocky, who's a very interesting puppy, kept trying to hide the kitten under the seats on the couch."

Xander smiled then burst out laughing. "Guess Don drove her nuts." His laughter was dying away as Richie walked in. "Hi."

Richie waved, shaking his head. "Meth's downstairs catching his temper." He looked at Willow. "Richie."

"Willow." They shook hands. "Oh, well, I guess I can come back tomorrow."

"I get to go home tomorrow," Xander told her, waving her over to kiss her cheek. "Be safe and if you need us, yell."

"Yes, Xander. I won't get into trouble with Angel." She waved, walking out.

Richie looked at the man in the bed, his whole face showing he wanted to ask a question. "What did you do?"

"I helped," Xander said, pushing the button to lift the head of the bed up, which Oz took from him after a few seconds. "Hey."

"You need rest. Not to sit up and tell them how stubborn you are." He looked toward the door as Methos walked in. "He's fine, no permanent damage."

"Is that because of the spell or because it didn't hurt him that badly?" he asked smoothly, glaring at the man on the bed. "Do you enjoy taking time off my life?"

"No." Xander gave him puppy eyes. "I didn't mean to worry you. I just wanted to help."

Methos sighed, rolling his eyes. "It's impossible to stay mad at you when you give me that look." He walked over to hug his former student. "Xander, we do know that you want to help, but sometimes you can't. That wasn't about you."

"It was," Oz said. "I felt better as soon as he had done that." He shifted in his chair. "It was the right thing to do but it was still the wrong way."

Methos looked at him, then shook his head. "You're right, we could feel you both again, and Xander like we could that first day."

"Could that be why there's no permanent damage?" Giles suggested. "Our healing being given over to him?"

"Possibly," Methos said. "This is not my area." He stared at the man on the bed, then nodded. "Xander, if you do something like that again, I'm going to show you exactly how mean I can be."

"No you won't," Oz said quietly, getting up to stand between them. "You hurt him, you challenge me."

Methos stepped back. "Oz?" He looked from one to the other. "So be it. Just don't let him do something so stupid again."

"He was trying to help me," Oz said softly. "Love isn't stupid."

Methos patted the side of Oz's face. "It's good that you finally figured that out." He smiled. "Relax, Oz, I love the child like he was my own. Even Connor threatened to come back and spank him for you."

"Not going to happen," Xander said, yawning. "Tired, sorry."

"What else do you expect the day after having a heart attack." Methos walked around Oz to kiss Xander's cheek. "Do not make me this upset again, Xander. It really isn't a pretty sight, I scared Richie this morning when we found out." He looked around the room. "I'd almost expect the animals to be here with you."

"We sent Willow to the house last night to check on them. Fluffy got out. She's wandering around the yard."

"I'll have to go talk to my pink one then, won't I?" Methos said, frowning at Oz over his shoulder. "Unless someone really wants to take care of him alone?"

"No, you can come visit, just as long as you leave sometime." Oz shrugged at Giles incredulous look. "I have three weeks to find that missing period on my program. You still need practice that I can't give you. Let him do it."

"Ah, the Oz method of training." Methos smiled at Giles. "I'd be happy to come help you. I really don't want to have custody of Xander forever because you both lost a fight." Giles nodded. "Good. Then it's settled. We'll go back and watch the kittens tonight."

"Willow has my keys," Oz said. "I think she was going to go back."

"The more the merrier," Richie said. "She's kinda nice."

"Superbrain," Xander offered. "Really lonely, kinda confused about what she really wants in a lover."

Oz hit the button to lower Xander's bed back down. "Nap."

"But I'm not that tired."

"Nap or stay another day."

"Okay." Xander rolled onto his side, cuddling up with his blanket. "Night."

"Good night," Methos said, smiling at Oz. "That is so cruel. Congratulations."

"Thanks." Oz looked at Giles. "You want to stay? I was going to get something to read."

"Of course. I want to watch him sleep." Xander looked up and gave him a small smile. "I may even curl up beside him for a bit."

"It'd help me sleep," Xander said, letting the blankets go to lift up the side next to Giles. "Please? I can't sleep alone."

"Of course," Giles said, sliding in and kicking off his shoes. "Sleep, Xander," he said as he gathered the young man to his chest, "I'll be here when you need me."

"Of course you will. You're always there when I need you." Xander blinked hard, falling asleep slowly as the comfortable familiarity soothed them both.

Richie waited until both men were asleep to look at Oz. "We're going to head over to your place. Need anything?"

"No, he still has his bag in the car that he packed for our shopping trip." Oz got comfortable in the chair. "I'll go pick up a magazine later."

Methos tapped him on the shoulder. "Go do it, we'll wait."

Oz shook his head. "I want to watch them sleep."

"Fine," Methos said with a small smile, backing away when he saw the signs of Oz starting to fall asleep. "I'm sure you could curl up with them if you wanted to." He and Richie walked out as Oz kicked off his shoes and laid down behind Xander, wrapping an arm around them. "We'll see you tomorrow evening."

Oz grunted, already mostly asleep.

Richie stopped at the desk, giving the nurse his best pick-up smile. "They're all asleep together."

She tapped the monitor that now had three heart lines on it. "We noticed. It's a good thing as long as he's comforted."

Richie followed his mentor out of the hospital, heading for their car. "I'm driving," he declared, taking the keys. "I refuse to let you drive me anywhere after yesterday's accident."

"It wasn't that bad," Methos said quietly.

"I *died* in it. Yes it was." Richie slid into the driver's seat, buckling up and starting the car. "Hitch yourself in. This state has a seatbelt law."

"Yes, Richie." Methos rolled his eyes. "Now you can tell which MacLeod trained you."

"Yeah, the better than you version."

"No, the do-gooder/holier than everyone except Darius version."

"No, I think he was more dedicated then Darius was. Darius never got up in the middle of the night to go save someone six thousand miles away."

"Good point."

***

Willow shrieked as the door opened, admitting two men. "Who are you?" She wrapped the towel around herself, clutching it to her chest. She glared at Methos, who simply smiled at her. "I remember you. What are you doing here?"

"We've come out to help take care of Xander while he recuperates. They'll be home tomorrow." Methos showed off the filthy, damp kitten that had come out to meet them. "Someone was playing in the garden after playing in the sprinklers."

Willow snorted, giving the kitten a happy smile. "Guess who gets a bath then. Xander will kill you if you get his clothes muddy."

"No, he'll mildly yell and pout at them," Methos corrected. "He loves these kittens like his own children." He let her down, watching as she headed directly for the hole into the bathroom. "How have you been?"

"Fine," she said, wrapping the towel tighter around herself. "Um, I should go change." She hopped up, having to catch the towel as it fell, running for the bedroom.

Richie looked at Methos. "You know her?"

"She's Oz's ex-girlfriend. She seems to have a lot of relationships that naturally just drift away. She's a nice girl, very smart, but she does have some hang ups about her body and sexuality."

"Hmm," Richie said, heading down the hall. "I think I'm going to go introduce myself." He tapped on the master bedroom's door, walking in as she said he could. "Hi, we didn't get properly introduced, Richie."

"Willow," she said, shaking his hand. She didn't resist as he pulled her into a kiss, just savored it. "Wow, very suave."

"Thanks. My favorite teacher was foreign."

"Aren't we all," Methos said from the hallway. "I'm going to go upstairs, please don't break his bed."

"We won't," Richie said, looking into her eyes. "I'm never that rough and hard." He kissed the back of her hand. "I really find that women that need that aren't the sort I'd like to get to know."

Willow blushed. "I like gentle."

Toys for the Puppy and the Human.

Oz looked over his shoulder at Xander, smiling at the way he was resting in the back seat. "Puppy toys then treat for Xander?" he suggested to Giles, who simply smiled. "Okay. Pet warehouse over on Elemore, then the big fabric outlet place." He backed the car out of the hospital's parking lot, smiling at Xander when he was woken by the motion. "Take a nap, we're going to get puppy toys."

"And kitten toys," Giles said, turning to look at him. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, just a little tired," Xander said with a yawn. "It's like I'm totally healed but my body's wiped because of it." Oz nodded so he asked the question that had been bothering him all day. "Do you get like this when you heal?"

"No, usually if I'm that sick, I come back to life already healed." Oz switched lanes, getting onto the interstate. "Then I take a nap."

Giles shook his head. "I've been wondering if coming back takes some of our life expectancy."

"Not sure," Oz admitted, navigating through the heavy traffic skillfully. "No one's ever said anything about it. I'm guessing that the clumsiest of us just die in the fights faster so no one's ever checked."

"Natural selection?" Giles asked. "A bit old fashioned."

"Rupert, Methos is five thousand and some," Oz reminded him.

"Can't get much more old fashioned than that," Xander quipped.

"Don't say that to him, he'd be crushed. He tries to stay current, he even gave up raping and pillaging a few years ago."

"Now I know you're both feeling better, you're making bad jokes," Giles said, reaching over the seat to take Xander's hand and squeeze it. "I'm so glad you're better."

"Me too," he said with a small grin. "Being that sick sucks."

"Truly," Oz said. "But never again, right?"

"Never again," Xander promised, crossing his heart with a finger. "Not unless you absolutely need me to and only if you say so."

Oz nodded. "Fair enough." He got off on another exit, heading for the big pet warehouse sign. "Nothing that makes noise, okay?"

"But Rocky needs one squeaky toy," Xander pleaded. "Please, Oz?"

"The first squeak or jingle I hear, I'm taking care of the noise."

"But you think Fluffy's cute when she chases your balled up notes."

"Those don't make noise while you're trying to sleep," Oz reminded him. "Let's stick with chew toys and stuff - and food."

"I'll beg," Xander said, giving him the big eyes. "Please?"

"You already are and you're not doing a very good job of it," Oz told him gently, giving him a smile after they had parked. "Xander, those squeaky things are really annoying."

"Please?" He turned up the begging, slouching a little in the seat. "Pretty please, Oz?"

"We'll see," Oz said, shaking his head. "You're usually much better at begging."

"I'm usually not under orders not to fall to my knees and take you in to beg with my mouth," Xander retorted, unbuckling and leaning forward. He whispered something in Oz's ear and got a nod. "Really?"

"If you promise to do that," Oz agreed, getting out of the car. "One, of each." He patted his pocket for Xander's wallet, going back into the car for it. "What is it with this thing?"

"It doesn't like back pockets," Xander told him. "It crawls out of mine all the time." He linked his arm through each of his lover's, walking between them into the store. "Want to start in toys or food?"

"Let's start in food, get the chore done first," Oz said, grabbing a cart that had just been abandoned.

"Big bag of kitty food and big bag of doggy food," Xander said. He smiled at the look he got. "I'll help carry them inside."

"You will not," Giles said softly. "You may not lift for the next few weeks." He pointed down an aisle. "Food."

Oz headed that way, stopping to consider the various puppy formulas. He looked up as Xander walked over with a twenty pound bag of kitten food, frowning at him. "Didn't we just say not to do that?"

"It was all of six feet," Xander said with a naughty grin. "See, now you can get Rocky the perfect puppy food."

Giles read the label, nodding. "Oz, get the same brand, this looks good enough for humans to consume."

Oz snorted. "Eaten dog food, never again, man." He picked up an equally big bag of puppy food, putting it in the cart. He stopped Xander before he could move on. "What did we just agree on?"

"Yes, Oz," Xander said, hugging him for a few seconds. "I'll be good." He took the handle of the cart, starting to push. "Can I do this?"

"Sure, you drive. Toys."

"There are separate aisles for dog and cat toys," Xander noted, looking up at the aisle signs. "Which one first?"

Oz looked up. "Puppy toys then we'll swing through adult ones." He caught up to the young man, putting a hand on his rear as they walked. Giles looked at him, shaking his head. "Just to make sure he's okay," he said.

"I'm sure," Giles said dryly, heading for the rawhide. "Bones or squares?"

"Balls!" Xander said, picking up a few. "Play and chew at the same time."

"Sure," Oz said, giving him a small smile. "Get some of each. They'll last if she doesn't want to play with them. Get a few for the kittens too, the unflavored ones. They'll need to teeth soon."

Giles grabbed some of each shape, loading them into the cart. "That should last a good bit."

"At least a few weeks," Xander countered as he put the chewballs into the cart also. "Toys?"

"Sure," Oz said, waving a hand down the aisle. "Go find some." He rested his head on Giles' shoulder, both of them watching Xander be happy and pick toys for their pets. When he came back with his arms full, Oz checked through them, counting the number of noisy toys. "I thought you said one."

"I did, but they're so *cute*!" he said, showing off a little newspaper that had a headline from their town. "See?"

Oz nodded. "I can fix squeaky toys, remember that." He pushed the cart, heading for the cat toys. "I think Rocky now has enough to last her the month."

Xander nodded. "Yup, she should." He kissed Oz's cheek once they were in the next aisle, mostly alone in it at that. "Thank you for humoring me."

"You're welcome," Oz said, wrapping an arm around his waist and letting Giles push the cart for a while. "You can do this, you know. I'm not ashamed to be seen with you."

Xander hugged him hard, laying his head on the comfortable shoulder. "Okay. Thank you, Oz."

"Boys, there's a limit between porn and cuddling," Giles said with a light blush. "Can we please not cross it in here?"

Xander lifted his head. "Sure. I'm sorry I embarrassed you." He kissed Giles' cheek. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Giles stopped in front of the display for kitten toys, looking at all the options. "Oh, my, most of these have bells."

"Got to be some silent ones," Oz said, picking up some fuzzy mice and some soft catnip toys for them to chew on. He tossed them into the cart, resting against Xander's front while he considered the rest of the display. "Get a few of those mice with the long tails, and one package of balls with bells." Giles did as he was told. "Anything else you think that they'll like?"

"Koosh ball," Xander said, pointing as his arms went around his lover's waist. "Didn't know that they had become kitty toys though. Guess cats like them, they're easy to carry around and must feel funny in their mouth."

"See, quiet toys. Very good choice." One was tossed into the cart and Oz turned them around to look at the display behind them, picking up a few more versions of the standard cat toy, getting various sizes and colors to entice their little monsters of destruction. He looked at the cart, wincing at it's almost fullness. "I think we have enough. We only have Xander's wallet with us."

"Which has cards," Xander pointed out, letting him go. He snuck another package into the cart, earning a head shake from Giles and a tolerant nod from Oz. "Sorry, had to do it."

"Naughty," Oz sighed, grabbing Xander to pull him closer. "Behave or else we're going to let Don sleep with us tonight. I'm sure his cold little nose will not feel good against your chest."

"Okay," he said with a evil grin. "Not even one more big ball?"

"We'll get them one of the small beach-type balls," Giles said, pointing at the display. "They should be big enough to play with ..." He stopped, pointing out something near the top of the shelves. "They make cat beds?"

"You mean besides ours and Xander's clothes?" Oz asked dryly, looking up. "Kitty condos and cat beds. Maybe we should get..." He looked at the big box on the end cap across from them. "Yeah, one of those too," he said, grabbing the box, struggling to get it under the cart. "I don't care if we mail it home, it'll stop the cats from climbing on me when I'm sitting down."

Xander looked over the self-proclaimed 'kitty gym', smiling. "I think they'll like it. I would if I were them. Got some nice hiding places and some great climbing stuff." He pressed the button for assistance, smiling at the teen that showed up. "We need one of the kitty condos and two of the kitty beds please," he said, pointing.

Soon, their cart was really full and they were headed for the check out. Oz checked his pockets, smiling as he came up with the wallet, letting Giles unload the cart while he waited to pay the lady behind the register.

"New cats?" she asked with a smile as she scanned the barcode on the gym set.

"Two kittens, very spoiled kittens, and a puppy." Oz handed her the cash, not even wincing at the amount they had just spent. Xander added a rope at the last minute, making him hand over a few cents in change to cover the extra taxes. "Good thinking," he said, squeezing his hand. "We can tie it to the top."

"I have a small luggage rack up there," Xander reminded him. "It'll hitch to that." He grabbed the full cart, heading out to the car. "Keys?" he called. The trunk was opened via the new keychain helper system Oz had had installed. "Thank you." He lifted a few of the bags, soon getting help from his men, making short work of the gifts they were bringing home.

Xander slid into the back, beside Oz, who was waiting on him, cuddling up to him as soon as he was buckled in. "Hi," he said, kissing his lover's cheek. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Oz checked the rope running across the inside roof of the car. "Should be okay, it's still tight."

"I'm sure we'll hear it if the box falls off," Giles said as he started to back out. "Where is this fabric place, Oz?"

"Partway home. Three exits before ours then off to the left. It's a barn-looking place on a hill overlooking the exit."

"I used to wonder what that was," Xander said, squeezing the hand he stole to hold. "Thank you for indulging me, Oz, I mean it."

"I know. You're still welcome." Oz gave him a light kiss, smiling as Xander melted against him. "Been too long?"

"Yup, much too long without Oz or Giles kisses."

"I think we can fix that," Oz whispered as he leaned in for another one. "He can have you the rest of the trip."

"Okay."

***

Xander looked over all the available machines, wincing at the prices and features shown. "Oz?" he asked helplessly. "What's the difference between a serger and a sewing machine?"

"sergers seal seams," Oz said, handing him a bolt of fabric to test out. "Like?"

Xander smiled, rubbing his hands all over it. "Like it a lot. Can I have some?"

"Of course. But peach skin fabric is for more difficult things."

"Can I have some of that stretchy velvet too?" Oz nodded so he hugged him. "Thank you." He looked at the machines again. "Help?"

A saleswoman walked over, smiling at them. "First timers?"

"Not really," Oz said, "but I'm teaching him. This'll be his machine."

"So he'll need to have the basics and not much else or would you like a top of the line machine that he'll grow into?"

Oz shook his head. "He'll be working with things like velvet and peach skin, maybe some silk someday. He'll need something to handle those and to handle some heavy sewing demands. He wants to make a lot of his wardrobe."

She nodded, walking around the table, coming back with one style which she put down in front of them. "I like this one personally. It's easy enough for a beginner to use but someone who does heavy sewing can use it just as well. It's very sturdy."

"Does it have a serger or will we have to get a separate one?" Xander asked. "I like the idea of finishing seams that way so there's no way they can come undone."

"We can get a separate one," Oz said, looking at the machine. "I used something like this before, must have been an earlier model. Want this one?" He saw Xander's hesitation. "It's up to you."

"I'm trusting you with this since I'm learning," Xander decided, staring at the machine in the center, raised above the rest. "I like that one," he said, pointing.

"That one's not really for beginners," the saleswoman said gently. "Many professionals and people who are deeply into sewing use this machine."

Oz looked at the advertized features. "I like the other one better," he said. "No one needs to have disks to program in embroidery, not with what we're doing anyway." He looked at Xander. "Pick another."

"But it looks sleek."

"But it's got tons of stuff you'll never use and it doesn't have one of the main things you will use. Get the nice, basic machine and if you're that into sewing we can get the fancy one later."

Xander nodded. "Okay." He lifted the first sewing machine's box into their cart, making sure he didn't hit any of the fabric. "Oz, can I go pick out colors?"

"Sure," he said, smiling as his lover ran for the stretch velvets immediately. "We need a serger too," he said quietly. "And some patterns, one for a pair of drawstring pants for him, one for a vest, maybe one for t-shirts."

She nodded. "What sort of fabric was he looking at for those?" Oz pointed at where Xander was holding half a dozen bolts of stretch velvet. "Oh, I see." She bit her lip. "We have two drawstring patterns, one that's cut more as pajama bottoms, the other as more of a sweat pants version." Oz nodded. "The vest is easy enough, as is the t-shirt one. Both of those can be found in the beginner patterns actually."

Oz followed her over to the sergers, considering the machines. "I want the blue one," he said, pointing at the top of the line model. "We'll both be using it." She handed him a box, leading him over to the patterns section, where Giles was looking through books. "Which would you recommend?"

"For the drawstring pants? I'd recommend the pajama bottom ones, they're much less complicated. You'll have to sew over the placard in the front but otherwise they should be fine for a first project." She smiled as Xander walked over laden with fabric. "My, you like that stuff, don't you?"

"I live in it," Xander said, giving her a charming smile. "The closest thing to fur I'll ever have."

She chuckled lightly. "All right. We were just discussing the patterns you'll be needing. Would you like a pattern for more of a sweat pants style drawstring pants or one for more of a pajama style?"

"Pajama ones," Xander decided with a nod. "Then I can make jammies too." He grinned at Oz. "For some people's birthdays."

Oz laughed, hugging him. "Sure. Help her and Giles get you patterns." He looked at Giles, watching as he lifted another pattern out of the drawer. "Are those in the right size?"

"All but one," he said, handing it to the saleswoman. "Do you have that in our size perhaps? I'd like something like that myself."

She shrugged and headed for the filing cabinets, coming back with another package. "Here we go," she said, handing it over. Then she handed over three more. "The others you were asking about."

Xander made a happy noise, pointing at a picture in a book. "Oh, want that one, please Oz?" He picked up the book to show him the loose pants he preferred advertised as a pattern. "Please?"

"Sure," Oz said softly, looking at the pile in the cart. "We're going to be broke when we get home," he reminded.

"No we're not," Xander said, giving him a hug. "Relax, this'll last me for months."

"And then some," Oz said, mentally calculating the cost he was going to be paying. Six dollars a yard for the ten colors of velvet. Ten dollars a yard for the peach skin fabric. Close to seven hundred for sewing machine and serger together. He looked around, seeing the t-shirt material he wanted. "Xand? T-shirt cotton? Get a few grey too."

"Okay." He jogged over, picking up the ones he wanted, making three trips. "Got to get enough for all of us."

Giles shook his head. "Where are we putting all this?"

"There's a very nice room behind the stairs," Oz reminded him. "Lots of natural light, looks out over the yard." Giles shook his head. "That's the room you refused to move furniture into because we'd never get it back out. You didn't want to hit your head repeatedly on the low door frame."

"Oh, that room." Giles nodded. "He'll need a work surface, an ironing board also."

"Have both," Oz assured him. "Come on, Xander, before you buy the rest of the store out."

"Did you get your threads?" Oz shook his head. "Come on, I want to see you weave. You promised to teach me."

"Point," Oz conceded after a few seconds. He liked to see Xander happy. "We'll get the basics today and I'll come back for more when we have money."

"We *have* money, Oz," Xander said, looking at the cart. "Relax."

"We only have your wallet," Oz reminded him. "Which we didn't refill when we were home."

"Then I'll put stuff back," Xander said, nodding. "That's reasonable, right?"

"Of course," the saleswoman said with a smile back at them. "For this amount, we'd even give you a discount."

Xander grinned at her. "See, good stuff, Oz."

"Yup, very good." Oz handed him the cart so he could pick up some threads to start his weaving project with. He dropped the spools into the cart, taking control of it back and heading for the checkout, where Giles was waiting for them. "Thank you for your help."

"I love to see young couples who craft together," she said, waving and heading back to her section of the store.

Xander unloaded the cart, smiling at the shocked woman behind the counter. "Hi. Just starting out."

"How much of each fabric do you need?" she asked, pulling out a pair of scissors. Oz shook his head. "You're taking the whole thing?"

"Yeah, it'll be easier. We don't get this way often." He pulled the wallet out, looking down inside it. "Xander," he said quietly, motioning him over to show him the few bills inside. "See?"

"If we need to, use this," Xander said, handing him the card he had picked out to use. "It's not through home and should be fine."

Giles cleared his throat, pulling out his wallet. "I grabbed Xander's wallet from the house when we left," he said as he handed it over. "At least I thought it was his."

Xander gave him a hug. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Giles told him, patting his back. "Now pay the nice lady so we can go home and sleep. I'm more than ready to hit the house and our animals."

Xander nodded. "Me too, I miss curling up to read with the kittens. This time I can start on the sewing machine book."

"Has a tape," Oz said, pointing at the corner ad on the sewing machine's box. He winced at the price on the register. "She said we could get a discount?"

"I'll have to ask my manager." She pushed a button on the phone, calling her out. Pretty soon, a grandmotherly looking woman walked out, smiling at all them. "Cheryll said they could get a discount?"

"For that amount, yes, they can have ten percent off." She smiled at Xander. "Just starting out?"

He nodded. "Oz is going to teach me." He wrapped an arm around his lover's waist. "Since I have to lie around the house anyway, I'm going to build up my wardrobe."

Oz nodded. "Heart attack three days ago." He rubbed down Xander's back, smiling at the manager for some reason. "Thank you."

"Oh, you're very welcome." She rang in the discount, laughing when Oz still winced. "Yes, this is an expensive habit to start, but an easy one to keep."

"Yeah, I know. I did costumes." Oz opened both wallets, ending up handing over the card. He watched as it was run, nodding as it was accepted. "Good." He looked at his lovers. "We've got to get new cards through somewhere besides our bank since they no longer like us."

"I'll let you pick them," Xander said, giving him a smile as he took the first bag to put into the cart. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Cheryll will be very happy with her bonus. For each new person she starts she gets one." The manager walked away, going to talk to the woman who had helped them, taking a sheet she had been writing on.

"We'll be doing a quick inventory tonight, but if you need us to order you a bolt of something, just call and it'll take us a few days," she told Oz. "Our fabric suppliers are good about special orders." She handed Oz the receipt and the change, both of them watching Xander and Giles load the cart. "I hope he likes to sew."

"I do," Oz said, following them out. "Thanks." She made a noise, waving another bag. "My threads?"

She nodded. "I put them in a separate bag so you wouldn't have to search for them. Sorry."

He waved it off. "It's a good." Oz walked out to the car, watching as the cat things were pushed aside to make room for the new bags. "We're getting Methos to unload the car," he decided, getting into the driver's seat, his little bag going between the seats. Xander and Giles got into the back a few minutes later, and Oz got out to reclose the trunk since the light was still on. He came back, buckling in. "We ready?"

"Unless you can think of something else to do," Giles said. "Supper perhaps."

"Not," Xander said, frowning at him and giving his arm a little nudge. "I'm cooking."

"We're ordering," Oz decided. "You're not going to do anything tonight but sit and look cute. You promised."

Xander nodded. "Okay. Can we sit and look cute in the craft room?"

"Sure," Oz sighed, starting the car. "Home," he said, backing out. "We'll call Maise's."

***

Methos looked out the front window, wincing as he saw how low the Lexus was riding in the back. "Richie?" He heard a giggle so gave up trying to bring the younger immortal from the bedroom and walked out to meet them. He sniffed the food Xander was carrying. "I would have cooked if you had asked."

"It's in payment for helping us unload," Oz said dryly. "Sewing stuff and animal stuff." He caught Fluffy as she ran out, hugging her. "Hey, you, we got you toys."

"Yeah, we did," Xander said, sitting on the front step to hug both Rocky and Don. "We got toys and food and chew toys too." He rubbed down Don's head, smiling at him. "Have you been a good kitten?"

"No," Methos said, taking the animals back into the house, putting them into the spare bedroom and locking them in so they could leave the door open while they unloaded. He walked back out, giving the trunk a helpless look. "Did we buy out both stores?"

"Almost," Oz said, grabbing the serger. "Grab something, fabric goes into the small backroom, toys go into the living room."

"And the big box," Xander said as he untied it, "goes into a corner of the living room so we can put it together for the babies." He came around to grab some of the fabric but Oz took it from him. "They're light." He was handed a bag of toys. "Yes, Oz." He walked inside, starting to unwrap all the kitten toys in the middle of the floor.

"My, you've had a talk it looks like," Methos said as they walked past Xander, bending down to get into the small back room. "I didn't even know this was here."

"Xander found it while they were moving stuff for him. He said he hid in here while the movers got all sweaty with his stuff." He bent back over to get out of the door, which was about four feet high because it was in a half wall under the stairs. "Giles refused to move anything into here."

"It's fully normal inside," Methos said, looking around before bending down to get back out. "Just the door is an inconvenience. It was probably meant for children to play in."

"Maybe. Not going to have that problem though so it's our new craft room." Oz headed back out to the car, wincing as he stepped on a rawhide bone. "Xander, let's keep the toys somewhat consolidated, okay?"

Xander looked up. "I am, that one just moved on it's own." He reached over, picking it up and dropping it in his lap with the rest of the toys. "See? Good me. A few chew things of each type, six of the fuzzy mice, the balls, a few catnip toys, and a few of the squeaky toys. Leaving the rest packed?"

"Sounds excellent," Oz said, bending down to kiss him. "Where's Giles?"

"He's in the bathroom, said something about floating." Xander grinned, stealing a second kiss. "Thank you for spoiling me, even though I did that."

"Hey, I like to spoil you and you seemed to need it." Oz sat down across from him, examining the rawhide ball. "It's going to take Rocky a few days to break into that to start and chew it up."

"Oz," Methos said as he walked back in laden with bags of fabric bolts, "weren't you helping?"

"Yup, just stealing kisses." Oz got up, heading out to grab some more of their things.

Xander smiled at his men as they worked, all his suggestions and offers to help ignored. When everything was inside, and Oz and Methos were collapsed on the couch together, he got up to let the animals out, bringing them all out to set them in front of the new toys, separating them out for them. Everyone laughed as Rocky took off with a catnip toy, then at the kittens who started to play with the rawhide ball.

Giles walked out, patting the two men's arms in sympathy. "I'm sorry, I couldn't get free." He sat on the floor in front of Oz, watching the kittens play. "My, you've decided to break traditions, haven't you?" He picked up one of the fuzzy mice, waving it in front of Don's face. The kitten growled, pouncing on it, stealing it and letting it bounce away. He followed, pouncing on the purple mouse, carrying it away from his sister, who was trying to see what he had.

Xander picked up one of the mice with a long tail, waving it for her. She meowed at it, batting it while it swung. No one was prepared for when she leapt up to grab his hand, chewing on the tail. "Gee, I think they like it," he said with a smile, surrendering the toy to her. He looked over at where Giles was examining the box. "I could help, just sit and hand tools over."

"I'll do it," Richie said as he and Willow walked out, smiling at the newly returned men. "Hi. How you feelin'?"

"Fine, really good," Xander said, giving him a smile. "And Oz spoiled me rotten today." He waved at Willow. "You look happy."

She nodded, leaning down to kiss his forehead. "Yup, am." She sat down beside Fluffy, taking the mouse from her to tease her, until she got a handful of claws. "Oww." She gave the mouse back, rubbing the back of her hand. "I was just going to help you play with it."

Fluffy looked up and nosed her injured hand, giving it a small lick before going back to her playing/pouncing on the mouse.

Xander patted her shoulder. "She *wanted* that mouse, Will, and she's a very stubborn female. Kinda reminds me of you sometimes."

She punched his shoulder. "Behave. I'm not stubborn."

"Of course you are, all women are. That's how they control men," Richie said as he pulled the big box out to look at the information on the side. "I have all these tools in the car."

"We have some," Oz said, pointing at the garage. "Xander, where did you put dinner?"

"On the counter. Um, we didn't..."

"Yeah we did," Oz said. "We got three couple's meals. They can share, we can share the other two, and Methos can have the other box of fatty, good tasting stuff that you can't."

"Not even one cheese stuffed mushroom?"

"Surely he can have one," Methos said.

"The doctor said he needed to reduce his cholesterol level by about ten points. No cheese."

"Please? I'll have a salad tomorrow for lunch to make up for it. He can have part of the other couple's meal, they're really *huge*."

Oz rolled his eyes. "You can have *three*, Xander," he said, patting his lap. Rocky made it up there first, nosing his stomach. "What? Don't want to play?"

"She missed you," Richie said. "We walked in and she just inhabited Meth's lap for a while." He reached over, scratching above her tail. "Yeah, you were a good girl. It took us four hours to clean up after the kittens, but you were a very good girl," he cooed.

Willow looked over at him. "Will you talk to me like that?" He shook his head. "Thank you."

"Welcome." Richie stood up, heading for the outside. "Um, did you buy gardening stuff?"

"No," Xander said. "What happened to my garden? I saw the mess." He saw Fluffy go running to hide. "Never mind, I know what happened to it now." He looked down the hallway. "Was it fun?" She walked out, purring at him. "I guess so."

"She came in filthy when they got here," Willow said. "She had played in the sprinkler or the pool, not sure which, then went to play in the dirt."

"Eww." Xander picked her up, carrying her into the kitchen to help him. He made sure to wash his hands, making sure at least one person in there caught him at it so no one would complain, then pulled down plates, dishing up the food by separating each type of dish onto a few small plates. He loaded the bed/desk trays they had, bringing them out to the living room so everyone could pick out what they wanted. Which left him with the chicken parmesan, the caesar salad, and most of the mushrooms. "Guys, I'm not supposed to be eating most of this."

Oz sat up, looking down at the remaining plates. "Go ahead. Just give me some of the mushrooms." He held out his plate, smiling as all but three were put on it. "Thank you."

"Welcome." Xander sat down in front of Oz's feet, leaning against his legs as he watched Richie read the instructions and eat at the same time. "Are they in English?"

"English, Spanish, and German for some reason." He flipped it over. "And three different Oriental ones."

Methos held out a hand for the sheet, looking at it. "Taiwanese, Chinese, and Japanese." He handed it back. "Doesn't look that hard."

"Yeah it does," Xander said, glancing at the paper as it passed him by. "Looks very complicated."

"Not a tool and party guy?" Richie asked with a small, teasing smile.

"I can do some, but I'm not great at it. You?" He ate one of his mushrooms, savoring it.

Richie waited until the look of absolute bliss faded from the young man's face. "I race motorcycles and cars. I'm a pretty good mechanic now." He opened the box to look down inside. "I hope it has hardware, I don't think anyplace is still open." He smiled as Don came over to investigate, pushing his back foot into the food left on his plate. "Get your own." He put the kitten back down on the floor, starting to pull out the bags of parts. "Yup, hardware."

"This is a how many people job?" Methos asked, nibbling on some spicy wings, dipping them into the sauce Xander had poured for him, or at least he had claimed it.

"Looks like a two person mostly, one to do and one to hold, but when you're putting the parts together, it's going to be a three or four." He looked at the hardware. "At least most of it is replaceable or removable."

"So we can take it apart and move it, or if it breaks we can fix it?" Xander asked, munching through his salad.

"Basically." Richie looked over at his plate. "Hungry?"

"Lunch was whipped potatoes and fish."

"Ah." Richie finished off his food, bringing the parts to a clear space to start assembling them. "Xander, want to help? You can sit and hold."

Xander looked over his shoulder. "Were you going to help me tonight or tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow. That way we can maybe finish something." Oz looked at all the parts. "Yell when you need more help."

"Sure."

Xander brought his plate closer, holding the part he was handed. "Okay?"

"Yup, just keep it straight." Richie looked at the instructions, flipping the page over to get to the English ones, then picked up another piece to attach to it. "Just hold it still."

"Sure."

Methos turned to look at Oz. "You're sure they'll like to play with this hefty piece of wood?"

"Should. The end cap was almost empty of them. I've seen other cats playing with them. It's a climbing spot and a hiding spot all in one."

"And a napping one," Xander said, holding up one of the half-round fleece covered perches. "I'd like to nap on that."

"Yes, but will *they*?" Methos said, pointing at the cats, who were watching, both with mice hanging from their mouths.

"I hope so," Oz muttered. "For five hundred dollars, they had better."

Methos patted his face gently. "The best toys are always free."

Oz snorted. "I know."

***

Xander growled, getting out of the bed to stomp out, taking the squeaky newspaper from Don, heading back into the room and slamming the door as he threw it in a corner.

"Told ya so," Oz whispered, lifting up the covers. "We have to thank Willow for remaking the bed."

"Yup," Xander said as he slid in next to his lover's body, snuggling in. "Can I work you off?"

"As long as your heartrate doesn't rise," Oz reminded him. "Can't get you excited for a few more days."

"Hmm," Xander said, considering the relaxed body, reaching down to surround his lover, his head sliding under the covers.

Oz rolled onto his back, a big smile coming across his face as Xander went down on him. He watched the blanket lump as one smaller lump shifted over to tease Giles, giggling as the older- looking man jumped. "Sorry, he's feeling playful."

Xander lifted the blankets up so he could see his men's faces. "I'm being naughty." The blankets were dropped and he went back to what he had been doing.

Giles smiled at Oz, taking his hand to squeeze and kiss. "I'm glad he's feeling better."

"Me *TOO*," Oz said, his voice going up. "Xander!"

"Shh," drifted up from under the blankets. "I'm having fun."

Giles started to laugh, until the tongue did the same thing to him. "Xander!"

"Yes?"

"What are you doing?" Giles pulled the blankets over his head, going down to get beside him.

Oz shook his head, pulling a free pillow over his face, shaking his head as the laughter started. "Yeah, it's good he's feeling better."

New Hobbies and Recuperation.

Xander leaned back against Oz's body, rubbing down the legs that were wrapped around his as they watched the tape for the sewing machine they had bought the day before. "Okay, so I stretch the fabric lightly as I run it through?"

"Yeah, that way when it stretches you don't get holes." Oz paused the tape. "Do you understand how she was holding it?" Xander nodded, turning his head to look up at him. "Just remember, your fingers don't go near the feet. Give the fabric some room to work, and let the machine do all the work. It'll pull the fabric for you, you're just holding it steady."

"I'm smoothing the wrinkles out and keeping tension?"

"Exactly," Oz said, rewarding him with a kiss. "Later we'll work on the project for Giles, when you're ready to begin."

"I learn much better from a hands-on approach," Xander offered.

"I know, think of the tape as lecture." He started it playing again, turning it off as Methos walked in with his loom. "Thanks."

"Richie did it, not I. He replaced the bolt that broke with a pin." He sat on the floor beside them, not paying attention to the pile of pillows Oz was sitting on. "What's this?"

"Instruction for the sewing machine," Oz said, restarting the tape. "We're going to try a small project today."

Methos shook his head, standing up. "I could never see how you could stand to do crafts all day. As a hobby certainly, but not as a profession."

"It's soothing," Xander told him, tugging on his pants. "Does that mean if I'm good, that I can't make you Christmas presents?"

"No, dear one, if you feel like showing off your skills by making me something I'll gladly accept it and wear it, as long as it's not something orange. Oz did that to me one year."

"Still stored?"

"Yes, it is. You would have thought that the sixties wouldn't have leached the fashion sense out of the world, but apparently it did." He headed for the kitchen. "Should I start lunch?"

"Just muchies and salad for us," Xander called.

"Want a ham sandwich," Oz said.

"Hey."

"I'm not on a diet," Oz reminded, tweaking his ear. "You can have half of one if you'd like."

"No, I promised to eat a salad so I will. With the nice low fat dressing we got me this morning, and with a few of the flour tortillas and some cheese, if that's okay."

"Yeah, that's fine," Oz said, kissing the back of his lover's head. "Very well balanced." He restarted the tape, fast forwarding through the next section on dealing with wools. "Don't think we'll need that anytime soon."

"Nope, not going back up to Vermont until the spring, right?"

"Sure, if you'd like we can take a vacation up there." Oz rubbed over Xander's shoulders, watching the tape for techniques he didn't know about. "When did they start doing that?" he asked, slowing down the action so he could watch it in greater detail. "That doesn't make a bit of sense. Using that sort of stitch won't let it stretch at all. All fabric has some give."

Xander patted his leg. "I'll learn it your way," he soothed. "I don't think we'll be working in leather anytime soon." He took the remote to fast forward. "Unless you want me to make more leather pants."

"No, I think two pairs is enough," Oz said with a smile for Methos as he carried out a tray for them. "Where's the animals?"

"Rocky is outside lounging in the sun with Rupert, Fluffy was helping me check my email, and Don was hiding somewhere." He looked at the kitten gym. "Don?" He walked over, checking the tunnel sections for the kitten. "Not in here." He grunted as something hit the top of his head, lifting down the dirty cat. "What were you into?" he asked, looking over the dirt-covered fur.

"The plant," Xander said, pointing. "He must have jumped." He glared at his kitten. "No plants. Either of you."

"We'll move the plant later," Oz soothed. "He won't ruin it."

"Why not move the gym, you said it's blocking the good light."

"Because that thing weighs a ton, almost literally," Methos said dryly, putting the cat down. "We should bathe you."

"Go right ahead," Oz and Xander said together, then Xander started on his salad, before an inquisitive nose could come help.

"Thank you, Meth," Xander said in between bites. "Really good." He put a piece of onion on the side of the plate. "All except those."

"They're good for you," Methos reminded him, walking past to catch Don and go dump him in the sink. "Come on," he said, getting down onto his knees to look under the couch, tempting the cat out with his fingers. "Come on, you little filthy beast. We have to bathe you."

"He's not a beast," Xander said, sending the old immortal a pout.

"All animals are beasts," Oz reminded him. "Some of them are just more beastly." He smiled as Xander groaned. "What?"

"Bad pun," Xander told him, turning his head to kiss the tempting chin. "Eat, love, so I can lean on you later while I start on that project."

"Sure," Oz said, waving his fingers at Don and Methos as they walked out of the room together. "Have fun."

"Definitely. One of us should need a tranquilizer by the end of it."

Oz paused the tape, listening for the outraged howl, laughing when he heard it. "Guess we know who's going to need the drugs."

Xander snuggled backwards, his meal finished. "Love you," he said softly, turning back on the tape.

***

Xander bounced nervously as Giles opened his present, looking worried as he bit his lip. Giles lifted out the double-sided vest, smiling at it. "You like it?"

"I do like it, Xander." He smiled at the inner velvet surface, a nice contrast to the more solid fabric of the outer surface. "It'll be warm and definitely soothing." He laid it across his lap to look at in greater detail. "Your very first project," he said proudly.

"Try it on," Xander said, helping him stand up. "I wasn't sure if it would fit or not, Oz said he made some adjustments for your chest but I'm not real sure."

Giles took off the vest he was wearing, putting the new one on. "I do like it." He tugged on the bottom, getting the arm holes out of his armpit. "Little tight around the arms but otherwise very nice."

Xander beamed at him, pouncing on him to hug. "Thank you." He ran back to their craft room, sliding in beside Oz's feet. "He liked it, but he said the armholes were too small."

"Okay." He made a note on the pad beside the sewing machine. "We'll fix that on the pattern later." Oz ran his fingers through Xander's hair. "This was a good idea, the program to help me plan patterns is very neat."

"Much easier than drawing them out." Xander laid his head on his lover's leg, closing his eyes. "I'm glad that he liked it."

"I'm sure he would have loved it, no matter what. Even if we had made it from neon purple polyester." Xander shuddered. "Sorry."

"S'okay." Xander looked up. "Can we start on a new pair of pants for me tomorrow?"

"We'll have to work with the pattern first, you said that the mock-up was hanging too low. We'll do that in the morning and then we'll start on it tomorrow night. We'll do both mock-ups' alterations at the same time."

Xander squeezed his eyes shut. "I have to work tomorrow."

"No you're not. I'm not letting you go to work. You don't need the stress." Oz pushed himself back from the computer, saving his design. "Xander, I know you feel the need to work, but not right now. We're still not sure if you're really fine." He saw the small pout so lifted the young man's face up again. "I'm sorry but even if your heart is okay, you still need the rest. No one would expect a normal person to go back to work a week after having a mild heart attack."

Xander nodded, resting his head on Oz's leg again. "I know, but I did good there. Last time I went, I helped a set of parents pick out jewelry for their child, who they were losing hold of."

"I understand that, but you have to take a few more weeks off." He ran his fingers through the dark hair, watching the patterns he created when the hair laid funny. "You need a haircut."

"Just a few hours? Just to keep my job?"

"We'll go in and talk to your boss tomorrow, how's that? He can't fire you for having a heart attack on the job. Unless he's going out of business."

"He may be, lots of his stuff is substandard."

"No," Oz said, seeing the thoughtful look. "You don't need to own a business in Sunnydale. Owning businesses for us is *really* complicated. Much more complicated than owning property."

"Okay. I was just going to save his business, maybe suggest he link up with a major chain."

"Huh. It's a good thought, you could possibly start asking subtle questions to figure out whether or not someone's offered and if he's amenable to an offer."

"More and more lawyerish every day," Xander teased, stealing another kiss. "What's this pattern for?"

"A small throw rug. Just something to get me back in the groove." Oz canceled his screen saver, looking at the pattern. "What do you think?"

"It's got a lot of red. Is it a present or are we going to have to find somewhere that it'll match here?"

"Hmm," Oz said, looking at it. "I was trained in the middle east to do weaving so I usually do their sort of patterns, and they use a lot of red, but you're right. Maybe blue, gray, and tan?"

"I think that'd be very pretty." He pointed out the little black stars. "Are you keeping those?"

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason, just wondering what they stood for."

"It's a dreamscape," Oz told him, pointing out the figures in the center. "They're on a quest to find something, traveling at night so the stars can guide them."

Xander nodded. "Wow." He looked up. "Very wow. I'm highly impressed." He stood up, stealing a kiss. "Oz, can we work on other things too?"

"Like?"

"Well, like curtains since Giles keeps complaining that ours don't let us have privacy."

"Sure, they have patterns for that stuff." Oz ran his fingers through his lover's hair, just enjoying himself. "If you get good enough, we could even start letting you make us all clothes."

Xander looked up at him. "Why are the mock-ups for your stuff so different?"

"Because I'm smaller."

Xander nodded. "Okay, I guess that makes sense. We should all try those things on, just to find problems like armholes."

"Well, the t-shirt one and your pants are both in the right size range and I cut them a size too large so we could make any adjustments we needed. The vest one will need some work, admittedly. But the others should be okay."

"Okay, so let's stay with those. They're easy and making a lot of them is really good practice; and they're things we both know I'll wear, or you and Giles will wear."

"Very good suggestion," Oz said, giving him a small kiss. "Want to help me string my loom?"

"Yeah." Xander stood up, letting Oz move the chair to the table where his loom was set up. "Are we doing the up and downs or the acrosses?"

"The up and downs. We'll weave it across." He picked up the color he wanted for his base, starting to wind it around the nails. "See, you have to keep it kinda tight but not really tight."

"Can you weave fabric and stuff?"

"I could, but I can't make the really delicate ones. Those take very fine threads and I don't like to work with them." He looked over, taking Xander's hand so he could help. "Like this," he said, winding around the opposite side's nail. "Then onto the other side so when we switch, the weaving thread will be trapped in between, alternating lines."

"Wow," Xander said softly, taking over the winding. "This is kinda cool." He looked up with a big grin. "I could like this."

"Me too," Oz said, kissing him for a second. "Oops." He lifted the thread off the nail, putting it around where it was supposed to have been going. "Watch what you're doing, Xander. Attention is a good thing in art."

Xander went back to what he was doing, his tongue sticking out as he wound around each of the nails. When he was done, he held up the loom, showing it off proudly. "Done?"

Oz looked then nodded. "Very well done." He hugged his lover, putting the loom down. "We'll start on the weaving tomorrow after we talk to your boss." He pulled the young man up into his lap, holding him close. "You scared me," he said softly. "I thought I was going to lose you much too soon." He got a gentle squeeze back as Xander turned to straddle his lap. "I really never want to be that worried about you again." He buried his head in his lover's neck. "You know, Methos at one time joked that I should buy an emirate and lock you into my castle. I wish I could do that."

"Me too," Xander said, kissing the shoulder his head was resting on. "I was so scared when I passed out, but I knew that it was my part of the spell that had done that to you because it took so much of my energy."

"Part of that was the casting but I felt you. The energy you sent was smooth and soft, sort of like you are to me. I knew you had done it because it was *so* much like you." They squeezed each other. "I knew it was you and I even told Methos I should yell at you. He told me to do it the next morning."

"I deserved it," Xander admitted, not looking at his lover. "I should have let him handle it, he's done it before."

"Yeah, but it wasn't working as well this time. It took what you did to heal me, Xander, and for that I'm thankful." He stroked over the marks on the man's back. "For these, I'm almost sorry. I feel selfish, like you deserve them and that I deserve to see them, but in some ways I'm really sorry. I never wanted you to be marred that way."

"I'm not, they'll go away," Xander said, pulling back to take off his shirt. "See, almost gone already."

"Yeah, but I'm guessing they won't totally be gone for a very long while." Oz traced over one of the lines with his index finger, focusing on the pattern it created. "I didn't want you to do it, but I needed you to, and for you giving yourself up like that I'm very thankful." He looked up. "But I never want you to do it again, Xander. Not even if it's the only way to save all our lives." He laid a finger over the opening mouth. "I know you don't want to go on without us, but believe me, I'd rather have you alive than know that I was the reason you died, especially if you died trying to save me. I've made Methos promise me, and Connor promise me, and now I'm asking you to promise me, love. Never die trying to save me. If it comes down to it, don't."

Xander shook his head, getting up. "I can't do that." He walked over to one of the windows, looking out at the backyard, watching Rocky play fetch with Giles. "Oz, if you're going to die, I can't just leave you. That's not love."

Oz got up, coming over to stand behind him, wrapping him in his arms. "It'll take strength, but I mean it. I don't want to live knowing that you died to save me."

"Oz, if you were in a burning car, I'd pull you out. If you were in a burning house, I'd run in after you without thinking, my body would react before I could stop it." He turned, hugging him. "Please don't make me make a promise I can't keep," he pleaded softly. "I can't keep that one and you know that."

"I know," Oz sighed, "but it was worth a try."

"Yeah, but this is love, it's worth dying for. All sorts of poets have said so."

Oz nipped Xander's neck, grinning. "Yeah, but they didn't know how I feel right now." Xander pulled back to look at him. "They understated it to such a degree, I don't think they ever knew what love really was."

Xander grinned, shyly putting his head down. "Enough to teach me things?"

"Enough to teach you everything I know and to learn from you," Oz told him, giving him a kiss. "Come on, let's work on the mock-ups for the t-shirts. I want to make love to you, but we can't, not yet."

"But..."

Oz shook his head. "You promised me to follow doctor's orders this time, Xander," he said, turning to walk over to where the polyester templets lay on the long table that housed the sewing machines. "Come try this one." He waited until Xander had the blue polyester over his head to quip, "Be thankful you're not a woman, their clothes take much more work than ours."

Xander's head popped out, grimacing. "Yeah, I'd really not like to have to wear pantyhose daily." He pointed at the neckline. "Way too tight, I didn't think I was going to get my head in there."

"Hmm," Oz said, cutting the inside seam in a few places, taking little triangles out of it. "Better?"

Xander pulled it back over his head then back down. "Still a little tighter than I like. Maybe lowering it might help too."

"Smaller elastic?" Xander nodded. "Okay. How much lower?"

"Maybe an inch?"

Oz considered it. "The neckline'll look stretched out."

"But t-shirts are comfier then."

"Point." Oz grabbed his notepad, making a note on it. "Okay, how about the arm holes?"

Xander lifted his arms up, wincing as one of the seams ripped and the other cut into his armpit. "Much bigger." Xander pulled the shirt off his body, handing it back. "Why can't we take apart one of my t-shirts and use it? One of the ones we all like?"

"Could," Oz conceded. "But I like this process." He grinned, looking out from under his lashes. "This is half the fun of costuming to me. The tailoring it to fit each individual body." He ran a hand down the shirt the young man was wearing. "Which one did you want to cut up?"

"Um, this one would be okay. Or the one I got bleach on the other day."

"That was mine." He looked at the shirt his lover was wearing again. "Matter of fact, didn't you give me this shirt to replace the other one?" Xander shrugged, giving him an innocent look. "It was in the wash if I remember right."

"I wanted to be able to smell you all day," Xander said softly.

"Oh, babe." Oz pulled him in for a hug. "That's why I steal your shirts. You can wear mine anytime you want. Let's go get the one you spilled bleach on, I can tailor it so it's big enough for both you and Giles."

"Giles likes his tighter to show off his chest," Xander said, grinning again. "We should steal one of his and work it out too."

Oz nodded. "Sounds good to me." He headed for the door, pulling Xander with him. "Come on, let's go find shirts to cut up to make patterns."

"Okay."

They headed down the hall, checking to make sure Giles wasn't in the bedroom before going in to search through the t-shirt drawers. Oz came up with one first, showing it off. "This one? It's got a really bad stain."

"He loves that shirt."

Oz looked around the room. "He likes all of his clothes." He stopped as Giles walked in. "Can we steal one of your t-shirts so we can make you more?"

"No." Giles lay down on the bed, watching them. "I have enough shirts, boys. As do you both."

Xander rolled his eyes. "Not even one of the holy ones? T-shirts are a good learning tool for me to practice on."

"You have a pattern," Giles reminded him.

"Yeah, and it's got the same armhole problem as your vest, and a neck problem."

"We can fix those," Oz said, folding the shirt over his arm as he sat down beside his other lover, "but it still won't fit you like these will."

"I don't need more clothes. We have no place to store them anyway. Xander's clothes take up all but one closet, which we share."

"I'll get rid of some of my older clothes if I can get good enough. That way I always have fresh clothes."

Oz looked across Giles' body. "Why are you so grumpy today?"

"Because I feel like something's wrong and I'm not sure what it is."

Oz hugged him. "We're all fine now, you can relax."

Giles shook his head. "It's not that, it's something else that's amiss. Something outside of our family, but I'm not sure what."

"Hmm." Oz looked around. "Another immie friend of ours? Connor maybe? He's been having problems."

"No, none of them." Giles rolled onto his back, stealing the shirt Oz held. "Yes, dears, you can have this one to cut up. I'm sorry I'm so grouchy today." He smiled up at Xander. "How has your learning today went?"

"I strung Oz's loom," Xander said, coming over to lay on top of Giles' stretched out body. "Hi."

"Why do you do that?"

"Because it seems right to do. Like we haven't seen each other in a while, or something's different maybe."

"Ah." Giles hugged him. "Hello, Xander. How are you feeling?"

"The itchy marks are almost gone. Wanna see?"

"No, if I start to look at your body, I won't stop and then I'll be in trouble."

Oz shook his head, getting up. "Come on, want to help us?"

"No, I hate the fitting process. My tailor in London stuck me with enough pins the last time I was home." He smiled at Oz. "Or aren't you fitting like that?"

"Nope, we're going to cut up your shirt at the seams to make a pattern and a mock-up, then we're going to come make you try it on to see where we need to adjust it, then we'll work on getting you new t-shirts."

Giles smiled at him. "When you need me, come get me. Or better yet, bring the mock-up here for me to try on so I don't have to contort myself to get into the craft room. Why they made the door like that for a normal-sized room is beyond me."

Xander kissed him lightly before getting up, grabbing his own shirt for Oz to work with. "We'll be back soon, the mock-ups have less sewing, and we don't do the creative or special stitches on them." He blew a kiss as they walked out, heading back to their craft room.

Giles lay on the bed, looking up at the ceiling, trying to figure out what was wrong. What could possibly be wrong now?

***

Xander presented Giles with the mock-up of his shirt, watching as he put it on. "It fits!" he crowed, dancing around.

"It's a bit tight across the chest," Giles said, looking down. "And a little short."

Oz nodded from the doorway. "We can fix that, but remember, t-shirts will stretch around your chest, and may even make us jealous sometimes." The other immortal smiled at him for that. "Is it comfy otherwise? The neckline, the arms, everything else?"

"I wouldn't mind maybe half an inch more in the chest area," Giles said, taking it off easily. "But otherwise it felt fine. The arms were a bit loose, but it was comfortable."

"Ah, but with cotton, that'll feel a little different." Xander took the mock-up back, folding it carefully. "We'll make one to start and if it's too tight or loose, we'll adjust the pattern again, okay?"

"Yes, that would be excellent." Giles pulled him over for a kiss, gently probing him. "Thank you for the consideration. I don't think any other lover I've had has done anything about the state of my clothes except to complain."

Oz snorted. "We were going to slowly take away all your tweed and give you comfy clothes that we won't get burns from as we snuggle. We weren't going to tell you, but," he said as he walked into the room, "we were going to just sneak in one night and replace it all." Giles pulled him in for a kiss, still clutching Xander. Unfortunately, they were interrupted by the doorbell.

Xander walked out, frowning at the woman on the other side as he walked back to the bedroom. "Who called for psycho girl?"

"Buffy?" Oz said, looking at him in shock. Xander nodded so he went out to see what she wanted. "Yeah?"

"Isn't Giles here? His landlord said he moved..." She smiled as her former Watcher walked out, holding out her arms. "I'm better."

Xander hid behind Oz, looking her over. "How much better?"

"Tons better. They fixed me and my wrong thinking and everything."

Giles nodded. "I'm glad. Have you seen your mother yet?"

"Yes, and she said I had to come see you guys because apologizing is important." She looked at Xander. "I'm sorry, Xander, I really was out of my head when I tortured you."

"And kidnapped, and opened my surgical site, and almost killed me, but okay." He nodded, backing away from the door. "Whatever." He grabbed Rocky, holding her close to his chest. "Rocky, this is Buffy." She growled lightly. "No, she's not coming in. No more women in your space." He looked at her through his lashes, watching her reaction to that statement, then shook his head at the disgust. "Oz, shut the door. I don't need to be killed this time." He headed for the backyard, grabbing the leash on the way. "We're going to go play with the ball." He smiled as Don joined him, letting them both out. "You nap in the sun, babe, we're going to play." He grabbed the ball off one of the lounge chairs, heading out into the large backyard with the dog to work off some stress.

Giles waited until Xander was gone to look at his former charge again. "Buffy, you must accept the fact that we're together."

"Why? I mean, why not be more normal?" She shifted some. "I guess I still have some issues, but I'd like to try and get the group back together again." She gave him a hopeful look. "Please? Even the Council said that you guys were the reason I've been going so long."

Oz shook his head. "I'm going to go save his heart from the puppy." He headed out into the backyard, stopping the ball with his feet, kicking it for Rocky as he pulled Xander closer with the leash. "Come here. You can't run like that." He made the younger man look at him. "You really can't."

"I can," he said, sitting down to pet Rocky, who hadn't chased the ball. "I'm just not supposed to."

"Xander, we don't want to see you sick again," Oz said as he sat beside him, nudging him gently. "You promised to follow orders this time."

"And I would be if I hadn't had an instant flash of memory. Something about my allergy being kicked in on purpose." He flinched as he looked up and saw Buffy standing near them. "Out."

Oz nodded her back some but she didn't move. "Buffy, back up. He's just had a heart attack and he can't take the stress you're giving him."

She squatted down. "Why?"

"Because he was trying to save me," Oz said, standing up and pulling Xander with him. "Let the leash go," he said quietly. "We'll play with the puppy." Xander shook his head. "She won't run, we installed the invisible fence and everything. I promise, she won't run."

"She did this morning. Right out in front of a car." Xander looked down. "I don't want to lose her, she's kinda my guideline right now." He glared at Buffy. "What part of private conversation don't you get?"

"Listen," she said, standing up to look at them, "all I want to do is to apologize and then leave, okay?" She held out a hand, which no one touched. "I'm really sorry."

"So am I," Xander said, walking away from her. He looked down at Rocky, who was looking at her. "Oh, no, you're not going to go home with her."

"Mom's allergic to dogs anyway," she said. She looked down at the puppy. "You have the biggest eyes."

Xander gave Oz a 'help me here' look. "Buffy," Oz said gently. "She doesn't like strangers." Rocky went up to her, licking her hand. He looked at Xander. "Maybe you should trust her this time too."

"Maybe, but I'm not ready for that." He handed over the leash, heading into the house. He walked past Giles, going to lock himself in the craft room.

Giles walked out, going to take the leash. "Maybe you should go, try this again some other time. He really doesn't need the stress at the moment." She nodded, heading back around the house. "I had no idea," Giles said softly, "that he still carried so much pain about that event."

"Wouldn't you?" Oz asked, heading for where he could see Xander siting beside a window. He knocked on the craft room's door, bent over so he could get through the four foot door. "Xander," he called after a few minutes.

"Later, Oz, when I can think straight again," Xander called back. "I'm not going to touch anything."

"I know you won't, I was just going to offer a hug." He sat down in front of the door, letting Fluffy into his lap. "She's out here."

"Buffy?"

"No, Fluffy. Buffy went home."

"Where's Rocky?"

"In our room probably. That's where Giles headed."

Giles stuck his head out of their bedroom, nodding. "She's in here asleep on the bed. She's very tired."

"So am I," Xander said, unlocking the door. "But I'm tired of hiding from people. Why can't we just announce it and blow them off?"

"Because some people are like her," Oz reminded him. "If we do that then we automatically close doors in our faces."

Xander nodded, scooting out to rest his head in Oz's lap. "Thank you."

"No problem, but you're going to have to face her sometime."

"Not now?"

"No, not now. Maybe not even for a while." He looked over as Don and Rocky walked down to join them. "Even they know you're upset. Rocky was just trying to assess the threat."

Xander looked up at him. "Don't say things like that, Oz, she was interested. Same as Fluffy might as well be Meth's cat, she wanted to go home with Buffy."

"She's your dog, it's not going to happen."

"Then she'll be miserable."

"Babe, she's way too spoiled to be miserable." Oz stroked over the wrinkled forehead. "Are you ready to talk about those days now?"

"No?"

Oz gave him a little smile and head shake. "Definite answer please, Xand."

"Not really. I have some things to think through before then." Xander rolled to his stomach, looking at the animals scattered around him. "I'm fine, guys, really."

Oz snorted. "If you were fine, you'd be making a pass right about now."

"Okay, so I'm semi-fine," Xander conceded. "But close enough to still be thinking about it."

"Doctor's orders," Oz said gently, getting up. "I'm going to start on my weaving project, want to watch?" Xander nodded so they scooted through the lowered doorway, settling in front of the windows. Oz threaded his shuttle with the background color. "I used to have this big loom, like the ones they used to do carpets on."

"When?"

"Few hundred years back. We were in a small cabin, far from a town, so it was safe to have permanent things." Oz made the first pass, switching the top row afterwards. "Then some of the villagers about thirty miles away figured it out. They brought out the local Minister, who decided the house should be burned so I would move on because I was obviously some spirit that was hanging around. I ended up running in the middle of night because our closest neighbors warned me. Had to leave the loom though."

"Is the cabin still standing?"

"Not sure," Oz said softly, running another row. "Haven't been back there."

"Would you like to?"

"Maybe, I'm still not real sure about that. I'd like to see if it's still there, but it brings back bad memories. I was pretty lonely, all by myself for about sixty years or so." He put down the loom, hugging Xander. "I kinda miss the quiet and solitude, but I really wanted to be around people. Preferably someone that I didn't have to pretend around."

"Is this like a parable or something?"

Oz smiled, letting him go. "If you'd like it to be. Otherwise, it's just a story."

"She scared me, Oz, really scared me. I mean, she hit me and shocked me, and taunted me, but I guess the closest you could come to it would be for Meth to suddenly go nuts on you." Oz nodded, not picking back up his loom, just focusing on him. "It's almost like I had no frame of reference anymore, everything I knew was right was measured against her and what we've done together."

"Then she came out and hurt you." Xander nodded, shifting a little farther away. "Not going to happen, get back here."

Xander looked up in shock. "Huh?"

"You just moved away." He reached over, dragging Xander back those few inches. "There, much better." He thought for a few seconds. "Did Giles and I change?" The younger man shook his head. "Then not all of your frame of reference was gone."

"But what we had was kinda new and I wasn't trusting in it yet. It was still solidifying, like wet cement before it dries."

Oz smiled. "Are we that hard?"

"No, silly," he said with a small, playful shove, "you're my solid foundation now. The thing that I measure everything against." He stopped, looking out the window. "I just realized it solidified while she had me." He glanced at his lover. "We might not be this close if she and Willow hadn't taken me hostage back then."

"We would be, it'd just have taken us longer. And Giles might still be pre-immie, and we wouldn't have our binding so we can't lose each other." Oz took his hand. "It was a bad thing, but it was a turning point, Xander. Not going to lie to you and say that it wasn't harmful, to you and us, but I will say that we're better now because of her."

Xander nodded, leaning into the touches he was getting. "Yeah, I guess. I might even thank her for it but I'm not ready yet."

"Then don't be ready. You've got time."

"She might not."

"Point, but still." Oz rubbed over the smooth flesh he held, gently soothing his lover back into his calm state. "I'm pretty sure when you're ready she's going to be there."

"She is pre-immie, isn't she?" he asked dryly. Oz nodded. "You didn't tell me why?"

"Would you have?"

"No," he admitted. "But still."

"I've called a female immie I know to come out and tell her. Actually, I called her to see if I was right. Connor couldn't tell and he usually can. Meth couldn't tell and he usually can. Maybe I was picking up on the whole Slayer thing."

Xander shrugged. "Can I be selfish and say I hope not?"

"No, but you can say that you hope not because you don't want her to have to live the life she's been living for the rest of eternity."

"Yeah, nobody deserves that, not even her." Xander leaned over, putting his head against Oz's. "Maybe I'll go find her tomorrow, after I talk to my boss, and forgive her."

"We," Oz reminded him.

"We," Xander agreed. He looked toward the door, where Rocky was standing. "You're not going with her, no way."

"She just saw another injured spirit," Oz said calmly. "She won't leave. All her toys are here."

"Good point," Giles said as he walked in the room, looking around at all the imported things. "My, you've certainly decorated this one usefully." He sat down beside but between them, hugging each of his men. "I just got off the phone with her mother, asking her to smooth things over a bit until Xander's ready to apologize. She didn't even know what had happened, she thought it was over when you had her arrested for breaking in and throwing the party."

Xander shook his head. "No, but I think that was the start of all this." He looked around the room, accepting all the changes that had happened in his life recently. "I'll go forgive her in the morning."

"Thank you," Giles said, kissing his temple. "I really can't leave her to do the job alone." He stood up. "This is rather roomy."

"Yup, it's just the door that's tiny," Xander said, tugging on his pants leg. "But we still like to sit on the floor in here." He looked at Oz. "We should make pillows."

"A very good beginning exercise," Oz said with a head shake. "We'll work on it soon. Let's just stick to one project at a time. No forecasting major things like a roomful of pillows and drapes."

"No, let him do the drapes," Giles said. "We could use some, we have no privacy or coverage from the neighbors."

"Giles, the houses on both side are empty and you can't see the living room from the road. We have plenty of privacy."

Xander looked up and grinned at his men. "I feel like a pirate in the middle of his treasure."

Oz shook his head, picking back up his loom. "You are, babe, really. This is all your treasure and we're your helpless captive crew."

Xander's smile got broader. "Exactly." He hugged and kissed each of his men before going over to his work table to cut out the first pattern for Giles' t-shirt. "Give me an hour or so, this doesn't take that long."

"Remember to make it longer and a little bigger around the chest," Oz reminded. "Bluebeard."

Xander laughed, sitting down in his chair. "I will."

Giles shook his head, walking out of the room. "I'll leave you both to your crafting, I'm going to go read with the animals."

Xander looked over his shoulder. "Shouldn't Rocky have a gym since the kittens have one?"

"No, we don't have a place for it. And dogs don't climb." Oz shook his head. "Work on your project, Xander, or no cuddles tonight."

The younger man bent back down, cutting carefully with the little pizza cutter-looking roller Oz had insisted he learn how to use, tongue being bit as he carefully followed the lines of the mock- up.

Stepping Back Into Reality.

Xander walked into the jewelry store he worked in, smiling and looking down at himself when he got whistled at. "Thanks, but it's just really comfy clothes," he said, picking a piece of lint off his velvet drawstring pants and t-shirt. "Is the boss here?" She nodded and left to get him, Xander pulling a chair over to sit down. He looked outside, watching Oz head for the bank to do something about their credit card situation. When he looked back up, his boss was standing there. He pulled the papers the hospital had given him out of his pocket, handing them over. "I can come back in a few weeks."

His boss sat down across from him, looking over the papers. "I noticed you weren't dressed for work." He looked up. "You really had a heart attack?"

"A mild one. They said there's no permanent damage but I still have to destress for the next few weeks." He crossed his feet, one ankle going over his other knee. "They said it was all the stress I had been going through."

"We saw your mate the day before, he looked kind of ill," the older man said, putting them down. "That the cause?"

"That was the trigger. The cause was us fighting and me running away for a few months, then coming back to problems with the local bank because of my inheritance, and the IRS later that same night." His boss smiled and shook his head. "No one paid the inheritance taxes. All the bank transfers we were doing back from Vermont, then when they withdrew all my money from the one here, caught their attention. So they showed up later the night you hired me."

"Ah." His boss looked around the store. "Two weeks from this upcoming Saturday?"

"Would be great," Xander said, giving him a small smile. "By then, my new hobby should have me tired of home." He stood up. "Do you want copies of the paperwork?" They were handed back. "Thanks."

"It's not like I can make you work while you're under doctor's orders not to."

"True," he said, leaning over to shake his boss' hand. "I noticed someone went through that case."

"Oh, yes we did." He looked over at the other saleswoman. "The matter was turned over to the police since whomever had those pieces made also stole the originals." He waved her on, watching as she brought out a tray. "I want to test you. Sit."

Xander sat back down, looking at the bracelets he was shown. "Rope chains, okay. What about them?"

"I was listening while you sold that couple the two bracelets and I noticed you said something about them catching in clothes."

Xander picked up one of the bracelets, bending it around his wrist. "When they're bent like this, the little wires like to start coming up," he ran his finger over it, stopping when he felt one. "Like in this link here," he said, handing over.

His boss ran his thumb over it, nodding. "So that would catch."

"Yeah, especially if you wear a lot of wool or looser fabrics that it'll have something to catch onto. People who wear things like cotton and silks, smooth fabrics, have less chance of it catching, but the picture they showed me of their daughter had her in a big, baggy sweater. Most of the time, my school pictures were all taken in my favorite outfit." He shrugged. "I assumed."

"Hmm," the boss said, laying it back on the tray. "That's a very good consideration. It would also make sure that the buyer was happy about what they were getting. Any other observations?"

"I only really wear bracelets but I know that all rope chains do that so any that were necklaces would probably do the same thing."

The saleswoman nodded. "I've had three that've done that. You can have them soldered down but it won't keep it from happening and after a while, the chain stops being good enough to wear out."

The boss nodded. "That sounds reasonable. What would you suggest for an older woman? Say forty?"

"What's she like? What does she like to wear? Both of those should tell me what to suggest. Like if she was a jeans and t-shirt girl, I wouldn't recommend cultured pearls unless she needed something like that."

His boss nodded. "You'll go far in this business, kid." He looked outside, smiling at the furry thing looking in door. "I think that's yours, I've never seen it before."

Xander looked over and groaned, going over to let Don into the store, picking him up to hug. "How did you get in the car? I had Oz check." He looked out toward his car, frowning. "Fluffy," he called, making her jump where she was considering the traffic and the little grassy spot in between the lanes. "Now, Fluffy," he called. She turned and trotted over to him, sitting at his feet to look up at him. "Come on, let's go inside." He bent to pick her up but she dodged his hands, running for the ice cream parlor. "Stop, now!" he ordered. A few kids stopped but not the kitten. "Fluffy!"

A woman walking toward him caught her, bringing her back. "Here." She smiled at the two kittens, scratching behind their ears. "Very tiny creatures."

"Thank you. Somehow they snuck into the car."

She smiled. "Mine did that for a while too." She waved and walked on, letting him go back into the jewelry store.

His boss looked at them, shaking his head. "You okay?"

"Yeah, that was my stress limit for the day." Xander sat back down, looking at his kittens. "How do you guys do that without us knowing?"

"They're sneaky like that," the saleswoman said, wiggling her fingers at Fluffy. "You're an odd shade of peach, dear."

Xander held her up to the light. "Yeah, we are." He set her back down in his lap, trying to catch Don as he jumped down. "Um, sorry," he said, heading after his kitten. He stalked the kitten all over the front of the store, ending up falling to his knees to catch him as he ran past. "Ha, got you again."

His boss came over, taking Fluffy from him. "Don't stress over them, it's not worth another heart attack. They were just trying to explore."

"Yeah, but they tend to not be careful when they do that." He looked up from the floor as the door opened, his mouth clicking shut as he stood up. "Hi." He looked at Fluffy. "Behave or no spending time with Adam this next visit." She meowed pitifully at him. "And no more kitty toys for a month." She settled down in the arms holding her.

The saleswoman walked over to the man standing there watching them. "Hello, may we help you?"

"I really just needed to talk to Alex. I saw him in here and took the opportunity." He smiled at her, turning on his charm.

She smiled back, waving. "Please. He was just about to leave."

"Hi," Xander said tightly, wrapping both kittens in the hem of his t-shirt, holding it so they wouldn't get out. "I'm going to go home. Two weeks from Saturday?" He got a nod and a smile. "Thanks."

"You're welcome, Xander. Get better."

"Thanks." He walked outside, followed by the man. "Devi, what are you doing here?" He smiled at a woman walking past. "I'm not coming back, ever."

"I know." He waved around at the parked cars. "Can we? Maybe get some privacy?"

Xander nodded, heading for his car. He slid in, letting the kittens head for the back seat, until Don started to pick a spot in the bags of stuff he and Oz had bought earlier. "Oh, no." He grabbed him, putting him next to the curb. "Go there."

A policeman walking past cleared his throat. "She's not supposed to be doing that and she needs a leash."

Xander gave him a helpless look. "He snuck into the car. It's their new favorite hobby."

The officer nodded. "Just don't let it happen again and at least get them a collar." He pointed at where Fluffy was sitting in the front window. "How'd they do that?"

"Not real sure," Xander said, frowning down at his cat. "This is the third time Don's done it though. We've got to fix this." He picked the kitten up as soon as he was finished, not giving him a chance to run. "Better?" He turned, groaning when he didn't see Fluffy. "Did you see the other one?" The officer smiled, nodding at where she was watching the flowers in the divider.

Xander got out, grabbing her too. "No, you can not cross traffic to play in the flowers." He got back in the car, shutting the door with a wave. Then he turned to look at his former pimp. "Why are you here?"

"To apologize mostly. I'm sorry I misled you that way, kid, but I had to. I had an obligation to those guys and you were the last one."

"So I almost got kidnapped and used against my will." Xander shook his head. "Go away, Devi, I don't need the stress in my life." He patted down his pockets, nodding when he found the paperwork. When the half-demon didn't move, he looked over at him. "Was there something else?"

"Yeah, I was wondering if you'd take a special assignment. In the house and all," he said at the shocked look. "Same as it used to be."

Xander shook his head, closing his eyes. "Unbelievable." He looked over at him. "No."

"It's one of your regulars."

"No, absolutely not." He looked down at his lap as Don crawled into it. "Hi. Feeling repentant?"

Devi smiled. "You have a really good life here, kid, but I need you. Just for the one night so I can reopen the house."

"No," Xander said softly. "Get out. I'm not doing that anymore and I wouldn't go back after the stunt you pulled last time unless I was desperate." He glared at Devi. "There is no way in any kind of hell that I would leave my lovers for the night and come back to work."

Devi nodded. "Okay. I'll tell Ostrack that you won't come back."

Xander frowned. "I hated him anyway, you can tell him I said so." He made sure he had a hold on each kitten. "Goodbye, Devi."

"Bye, kid. I'm sorry." He slid out of the car, leaving him alone.

Xander waited until the door was shut to put his head back down on the steering wheel. "God, why me?" he whispered. He jumped as someone tapped on the window, waving at Buffy's mother as he turned on the engine to roll it down a few inches, enough to talk but not enough for little furry things to escape. He turned off the engine, smiling at her. "Hey, Ms. Summers." Don looked up, heading up to try and get out. "Sorry, they snuck in."

She smiled, tapping the glass. "They're cute." She looked at him. "Are you all right, Xander?"

He wiggled his hand in the air. "I'm a week post mild heart attack but I'm okay. There's no damage," he said to ease her worried look.

"Oh, my. I had no idea." She looked at the kittens again. "How are they?"

"They're okay. They're my stress quota for the day right now, but we're all okay. They just like to hide in places to go explore." She chuckled lightly. "I was going to let Buffy apologize this morning, is she home?"

"Yes, she's sulking on the couch watching cartoons." She rolled her eyes. "I had no idea, Xander. I'm sorry about what she did."

"That's okay. I'm considering it a mental melt-down for a few months." He shrugged. "No big, I'm okay still."

"And Rupert?"

"He's fine too. Matter of fact, he's probably looking for these two since they like to lay with him and help him read." That got another smile. "Do you have our address?"

"Oh, sweetie, I couldn't break into your home to come see him. Just tell him I asked about him and the next time he's in town to come see me at the gallery, we'll have lunch." Xander nodded. "I'm just glad that she didn't permanently hurt either of you." She waved her fingers. "I see Oz, have a good day. I hope you get better." She walked away, stopping to say a few words to Oz too.

Oz slid into the car, grabbing Fluffy before she could escape. "Plants?" he asked, holding her up. "Backseat, now," he ordered. Both kittens ran for the back seat, getting under it. "We okay?" he asked Xander, who was still sitting there.

"Devi showed up." He turned to look at his lover. "He wanted me to come back for a night."

Oz shook his head. "The man doesn't learn apparently." He reached over, stroking down a tense arm. "Relax, I'm not going to let you be hurt."

Xander nodded, starting the car again, making Don howl. "Shh," he called, turning so he could back out. He smiled as his window went up, heading for the residential section where Buffy lived. "What if he tells someone? You know how gossip goes in a small town."

"Yeah, and I don't think he will. No one would believe him."

"Oz, plenty of people would believe him, especially about me. No one really wants to believe in my aunt."

"Ah." Oz nodded. "I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think he's going to be a problem."

"He's setting up shop again."

"Not with you."

"No, and I told him no a few times."

"Good." He rubbed down Xander's thigh. "I'm sure he won't tell anyone. Even if he does, it would probably be a demon, who'd listen to it."

"A lot of people in this town."

Oz shook his head. "You're worrying for no reason, Xander. Stop it, you don't need the stress."

"Yeah, but I just got given it, didn't I?" He pulled over a few houses away from Buffy's, turning to look at his lover. "Listen, I don't want to worry, but I'm about to have to. If he tells, we're in deep trouble. Not only from the IRS, but from the banks and other places. Everyone will turn against us, and the cops won't answer if the town does something."

Oz nodded. "True, but will that happen?"

Xander shrugged. "I don't know. That's what's worrying me." He put his head back against the seat, closing his eyes. "This fear is bad, Oz, really, really bad."

"It's okay," Oz said softly, soothing him by gently rubbing down his arm. "It'll be okay. You won't be in trouble and neither will we."

Xander looked over at him. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because I am. He won't want everyone to know what he is. You each have something to hold over the other."

"Yeah, but..." Xander stopped then nodded. "Yeah, maybe." He looked at his lover, giving him a small smile. "Thanks, Oz."

"No big. But I will give him a warning." He considered his lover. "If you want to go away for a few days until we're sure nothing's going on then you can."

Xander shrugged. "I'm not sure but I don't want to leave you."

"I'm not letting you go alone," Oz told him firmly. "Never again."

Xander grinned. "Where are we going?"

"How about a few day vacation? There's a nice series of auctions in LA in a few days. Want to go?"

"Yeah, maybe." Xander put the car into drive. "Call Giles?"

"Sure." Oz patted his leg. "We'll get your new stones appraised too since we didn't pass through New York."

"Cool." Xander pulled up in front of Buffy's house, blowing the horn. He watched as the curtains opened then shut, nodding as she walked out. "Maise's?"

"Yeah, I want something from there. I'll even let you have some of the mushrooms you like so much, a small order."

"Thanks," Xander said, squeezing his hand. "Watch out for the kittens. They snuck in," he told Buffy as she slid into the back. "We're going to Maise's."

"Okay." She looked confused. "What's up, guys?"

"We're going to go talk," Xander said, turning the car around. "Do you feel one or two sets of feet attacking your ankles?"

"Two. One on each side." She looked down, smiling at the little noses poking out from under the seat. "Hi, guys."

"Fluffy and Don apparently wanted to come with us," Oz said dryly. "They've been doing a lot of that." He patted down his pockets. "Did you bring your wallet?" Xander shook his head. "We'll have to call Giles and tell him to bring us some cash then."

Xander shook his head. "They can take credit cards over the phone." He pulled up in front of their restaurant, parking the car and shutting it off. "Let's sit out on the balcony so I can look down on people."

Oz nodded. "Fine." He slid out, making sure that the kitten that rushed the door couldn't get out. "No, Fluffy."

"You shouldn't lock them in the car," a passing woman said.

Xander looked up, giving her a small smile. "They shouldn't have snuck into the car either." She nodded and kept walking.

Buffy slid out, having to go to her knees to grab Don before he could run under the car and put him back inside, shutting the door before he could escape again. "Those two are really heavily into exploring, huh?" She followed them inside, watching as Xander called home.

"Hey, me. No, we left our wallets." He smiled, handing over the phone. "For our lunch."

The hostess took down the credit card number, punching it in. She shook her head, handing it back.

"Giles? No, apparently the bank is being fussy. Um, try the Am Ex or the doggy one." He smiled, handing it back. This time the hostess nodded, picking up the menus as she hung up. "Thanks. We were kinda stupid this morning. Can we sit outside upstairs?"

"I couldn't find mine this morning," Oz noted. "I think I saw a corner of it under the dresser but I couldn't be sure."

"We'll look when we get home," Xander said, following their hostess up to the balcony. He pulled out Buffy's seat, then Oz's, sitting with his back to the corner. He opened the menu, keeping the drool in. "We need to bring him something too."

"Yeah, we should." Oz put down his menu. "Go ahead and splurge, Xander. You deserve it, you've been very good about your diet for the last few days."

Buffy shook her head. "Why's he on a diet? He's really skinny already."

"He had a heart attack two days before you showed up," Oz said, looking at her. "Order whatever you want. He'll know all the good tasting, fattening stuff though."

"The stuffed mushrooms are great, so are the wings and the overstuffed ravioli." She nodded. "Don't worry about lunch."

"What about us?" she asked quietly.

"I forgive you," Xander said, looking at her. "Mostly because you made me insecure enough to cling to Oz and Giles and we're closer now." She nodded, looking down at the front of her menu. "I'm also willing to consider that time a mental melt-down on your part."

She nodded. "It was. I was having all sorts of problems in school and with Riley and everything. Then I added alcohol on top of it to smooth things out for a while in my head." She glanced back up. "I am sorry, Xander. I had no idea that I was going to do that. If I did, I'd go back and stop me."

"As long as you realize it was wrong," Xander said. She nodded. "Then we're okay." He opened the menu as their waiter approached. "Hey, Marvin. Can I have a *small* order of the cheese stuffed mushrooms? Maybe a half order since I'm not supposed to be having them at all? And a chicken caesar salad with light dressing on the side?"

Oz smiled at him, patting his hand. "Very nice." He flipped open his menu. "Can I have a double order of the mild wings and some ranch dressing. Also some of the shrimp scampi?"

"We don't have any today," Marvin said softly. "Sorry, Mr. Osbourne."

"No big. How about the baked chicken?" Their waiter nodded. "Then I'll have that." He handed over his and Xander's menus, taking his hand. "You can have a few of my wings too." That got him a bright, happy smile. "Buffy?"

"Wow, lots of good stuff." She shrugged. "I'm going to let Xander order for me."

"She'll have the overstuffed ravioli, in cheese or meat, Buffy?"

"Cheese please. Like cheese."

"In cheese, and a small side salad with ..." He looked her over. "French?" She nodded. "On the side. And we'll all have water."

Marvin nodded, leaving them alone.

Xander turned to look over the balcony. "This is the only thing I wish our house had."

"A balcony that looks down at the street?" Oz asked, squeezing his hand. "The kittens are fine."

"They're giving us pitiful looks from the front windshield," Xander said softly. He smiled at the woman who was walking up to them, one of the ones who had persecuted him at the bank. "Yes?" he asked, staying nice.

"Someone overheard you calling your friend that showed up today Devi, wasn't that your aunt?" she asked snidely.

Xander nodded. "He was named after her. He was another of her 'nephews'." He did the air quotes one handed. "Why?"

She shook her head. "I will prove you didn't inherit that money."

"Feel free. Even the IRS knows we inherited that money," Oz told her. He stood up, facing off with her. "We're going to cancel everything we still have through your bank, letting everyone we talk to know that it's because of you. I'd leave us alone before we file a restraining order." She stomped away and he sat down. "There, much nicer."

Marvin walked over, putting down their water glasses. "She's in a royal snit, but thank you for not starting a screaming match."

"No problem," Oz said. "I wouldn't hurt my throat that way."

Marvin smiled, looking at Xander. "The chef wants to know why you don't like his mushrooms anymore."

"Because I had a mild heart attack a few days ago," Xander said softly. "I'm not supposed to be eating them at all."

Marvin covered his mouth. "Oh, Mr. Harris, I'm sorry. Are you okay? Of course you're okay otherwise you'd still be in the hospital."

Oz laid a hand on his arm. "It's okay, it was stress related, he's just supposed to be lowering his cholesterol by ten points in the next month."

Marvin nodded, giving them a smile. "We'd heard you collapsed at work but not why. I hope you feel better and I'll tell him." He hurried away, almost running into another waiter in his haste.

Buffy shook her head. "You're well known everywhere, huh?"

"We take out here at least once a week," Oz told her quietly. "There are just some days that none of us want to cook." He folded his hands together, looking at her. "Why are you so grossed about us?"

"Because it's weird." Buffy shuddered. "Even what Willow had was weird. I just can't handle the thinking about it part."

"So don't," Xander said softly, shrugging. He looked up as Marvin walked over to them, tossing down his napkin after having his ear whispered in. "I'll be right back."

Oz looked at their waiter. "More retaliation from the local bank?"

Marvin nodded. "Yeah. Basically." He shrugged. "He's going to call home and fix it again."

Oz nodded. "Coolness. Giles may be joining us then." The waiter walked away and he went back to watching the town, allowing the silence to grow.

Xander walked back over to them a few minutes later. "They're late getting our payments on the cards again," Xander said. He gave Buffy an apologetic smile. "We've been having problems with the bank because no one believes I inherited my money."

"You did?" she asked, her face wrinkling in confusion. "I thought..."

Oz cleared his throat. "Xander had this kinda-aunt Devi, a very illegal immigrant, who did that." She nodded, getting the hint. "She left him her stone collection, which was her retirement account."

Buffy shook her head. "I saw a few of them, they were really pretty."

"Oh, we have more now," Oz said. "They came up to Vermont while we were up there." He smiled at Giles as he walked over to them. "Hey," he said as he shifted over to let him in. "We were just telling her all about Aunt Devi."

"Ah, good." Giles handed Xander his wallet, then handed Oz a different one. "That's the only other one I could find."

"S'okay. It may be at Richie's. I haven't seen it since then."

"Maybe he'll mail it back," Xander said, giving Buffy a small smile. "As you can see, we're very happy together. They give me all the stability I want and let me spoil them horribly."

She chuckled. "I kinda figured you to be the spoiling type." She smiled at Giles. "We're okay again."

"That pleases me to no end," he told her, squeezing her shoulder. He looked up as Marvin walked up to their table. "Ah, you're on the spot today." He took the menu, looking through it. "Do you have that pasta dish I had last time?" Marvin nodded. "I'll have that with an order of breadsticks and some tea please." He handed it back. "Oh, and an order of breasticks, the mushrooms, and three orders of the wings to take home also. I'm not cooking tonight and it's my turn."

Marvin smiled, walking away. "Sure, anything for you guys, you know that."

Xander pouted at Giles. "I can't have those."

"We'll have it with the fish you liked so much last time, Xander, and you can have a few of the treats."

Oz snorted. "He's getting some of them now."

"But he's eating salads and stuff so it's probably okay for him to have a day of splurginess." She looked at Giles. "Right?"

"Yes, especially since his recent health problems were all stress related." He nudged Xander's foot under the table. "Who is that that's staring at my back?"

"Bank lady that vowed to expose me."

"Ah." He turned and waved. "There, I feel better now." He looked over at Oz. "I had the most interesting time trying to figure out the combination this morning."

"Sorry. I thought I told you."

"You did, I just forgot the last number." He took his hand. "I did figure it out, it just took me a bit."

Oz nodded. "But you're here now." He took Xander's hand, squeezing it. "We're going to sit down this afternoon and figure out where each of your cards came from so we can eliminate any from Second National." Xander nodded. "We'll start to apply for you to have some of the nice secured ones. That way, your money's earning interest and we don't have to worry about that part."

"Can we still go to those auctions? I liked that last one I went to with Cordy."

"Of course," Giles said. "When are they?"

"In a few days, they're the drug and tax seizure auctions. About the same time he's due back in for a checkup."

"Then of course we can. We'll stay in a nice room and we'll do both." He smiled at his lover. "I do want to go in with you for your appointment. I want to hear how well you've been doing."

"I've been doing okay," Xander said, looking down at the car. "They're lounging on the dashboard now." He shook his head as a cop walked toward their car. "They're fine," he called. "They snuck into the car."

The officer looked up at them. "They look dead."

"The window's open, they were just up and playing. They're taking a nap." He pulled out the keys, tossing them down. "I'll be down in a minute." He got up, heading down to check on the kittens, taking the plastic cup the hostess gave him. "Thanks." He walked out to find the officer with an armful of resisting bodies. "Sit or no drinks." Fluffy hopped down, looking up at him, so he put the water into the cupholder, letting her get her drink. "See, so much nicer, Don."

Don growled as he got free, heading for the sidewalk.

"Stop or else," Oz called down.

Don looked up, meowing. He looked at Xander, then up at Oz, meowing again.

"He'll come see you in a few minutes," Xander told his kitten as picked him up, sitting down in the vacant seat to pet him. "You can't go into restaurants, they won't allow it."

The officer cleared his throat. "Where's the other one?"

"Depends, where's the nearest flower bed?" Xander asked as he put Don down in front of the water, closing him back into the car. He frowned as he saw the keys laying on the seat. "Can you get the keys for me? I'll go find her." He looked around, heading for where his kitten was trying to get into some woman's purse. "Excuse me," he said gently, bending down to get her. She hit him across the back of the head, covering her mouth when he came back up with the kitten. "That's okay, I'd hit someone reaching for my wallet too." He showed the kitten off. "She snuck into the car, she was trying to explore your flowers." He waved her paw, heading back to the car. He skillfully caught Don before he could escape again, putting both kittens back into the car. His keys were handed to him. "Thanks."

He walked back into the restaurant, smiling at the hostess. "Thanks for the water. We'll return the cup before we leave."

"Even ones that young need fluid on a hot day."

"They have a new hamster bottle in the car," he told her. "It must be empty. Don keeps sneaking in so we got it for him." He headed up the stairs, smiling at Oz. "Don wanted to come help you eat."

"He knows he's not allowed in laps while people eat," Oz reminded him. He pointed at the young man's plate. "If you eat all the salad, you can have five wings."

Xander sat down, picking up his fork to start in on his salad. "He's a tough diet guy but he's pretty fair about it," he told Buffy. "It's for my own good."

She nodded. "I bet you just ate too much chocolate."

"And pizza, and ice cream," Oz reminded.

Xander nibbled on a carrot. "It's good that they love me."

"Yes, it is," Giles said, giving him a smile as he ate one of his breadsticks. "Of course, the feeling's mutual."

"Yeah, it is," Xander said, giving him a mushy smile. He looked down at the car. "They're back to giving us pitiful looks."

Oz shook his head. "I'm going to start putting them in the spare bedroom with their toys when we leave. Just move their bowls and litter box in there and tossing in some of the toys." He ate another wing, looking at Xander's salad. "Eat."

Xander took a large bite, chewing it. When he was done with that bite, a few of the wings were put on his plate and the cup of dressing was moved closer. He picked one up, tearing into it immediately, happily enjoying the messy treat. When those were done, he went back to his salad, finishing it off. "There," he said, leaning back to wipe his mouth. "Thank you, Oz, you spoil me very well."

Oz nodded, finishing off his last wing. "Yup, we do." He moved out of Marvin's way as he brought up their main dishes, dropping the bare bones down onto Xander's plate before it could be taken away. "Tell him it was great."

"I will." Marvin carefully put their plates in front of them. "So, guys, what's on today's agenda?"

"Credit cards," Oz said. "Fixing the problem the local bank's given us." He looked up with a sly look. "We'll have new ones in a few days."

"Good." He nodded. "You know, there's a play tonight at the college."

Xander looked up. "About what?"

"It's an all-male version of Romeo and Juliet. We went back to the old theater ways."

Giles smiled at him. "I'd like to see that. Are tickets still available?"

"Oh, yeah. The theater's only half bought out." Marvin placed the last plate on the table, in the center with the check.

Xander held up a hand, pulling out his wallet to put some money down, giving their waiter a small smile. "And you can have a nice tip, okay?"

"Thanks, guys, you guys are the greatest." He hurried down to take care of that for them.

"We like to pay at the beginning of the meal," Xander told Buffy. "It just solves the desert problem."

Giles smiled. "I doubt you need any of their double fudge cake, Xander." He looked over at his former charge. "If you'd like, we could get you a piece to go home with."

She shrugged, looking at the plates in front of her. "I'm not so sure I'm going to have any room left, even for supper." She looked up at Xander, giving him a smile. "Very nice ordering."

"You're welcome. Eat." He ate one of his mushrooms, moaning as the cheese floated through his mouth. "Oh, good," he said, wiping the grease off his mouth when Oz looked at him.

"It's good that you enjoy everything," Buffy said, eating some of her ravioli. "Oh." She took another bite almost immediately, not caring that everyone was watching her. "This is good."

Oz nodded, looking at Giles. "It's good that we spoil them."

Giles nodded. "Everyone deserves it sometimes." He ate some of his pasta, looking at Oz's chicken. "Why did you get that?"

"They didn't have any shrimp."

"Ah." Giles ate happily. "I do like eating here."

"If we were closer, they'd have us memorized," Oz quipped.

"I think they do," Xander said, finishing off his last mushroom, grinning at Marvin as he walked back to them with the change, a lot of which ended up back on the plate as a tip. "Tonight at when?"

"Seven."

"Okay," Oz said, nodding. "We'll be there."

Marvin walked away smiling, stuffing his portion of the tip into his pocket.

Giles leaned over the table, looking at his lover. "Xander, that was a most extravagant tip."

"Was not." He grinned. "He deserves it, he's had to put up with the round of 'not that card'." He frowned at the bank woman, who was leaving. "We've got to fix that."

"Fortunately, we still have money in a few accounts that have been spread around," Oz said quietly. "We'll get it fixed today." He scraped his plate, looking over at Buffy. "Need a box?"

"Yeah, this is like three meals for me." She looked up and smiled. "I've been on the poor college student diet again."

Xander nodded. "I've seen Willow trying to live on that too. Oh, she's working with your ex now. We saw her a few days ago."

"And she's got a new honey," Oz reminded. "Not sure if I like that idea though."

"Richie's a nice guy," Xander argued. "She deserves to be happy."

"Yeah, they both do, I'm just not sure about the other stuff."

"Other stuff?" Buffy asked. "Is he like my ex or something similar?"

"No, he races motorcycles," Xander explained. "He's a street kid too, he and Will make an interesting couple really. Oz is just worried that Richie's a little ...."

"Strong," Oz suggested. "Fast? Maybe overwhelming?"

"It could be, but then again, we used to think the same of you," Giles reminded him.

"Point. I just don't want to see her hurt."

"We understand," Xander said, taking his hand. "We know you loved her, we don't want to see her hurt either."

Oz nodded. "I know." He leaned back in his chair, letting their hands dangle between the seats.

***

Oz looked up from the list of Xander's investments and credit cards. "Okay, we've got six problem cards, and one duplicate."

"The duplicate is one from my time in Vermont, from the bank up there."

Giles nodded. "What about the rest of ours?"

"I have one from here in town," Oz admitted, "but most of mine are from national banks. Your's are all from national banks too. So we have to get Xander some new cards and me a new one so we don't have to go through the bank here in town."

Xander put his chin down on the table, looking at the small stack of cards. "I'd like to get mine through some national banks. How?"

"Well, first off, we can get you secured ones, which means that you put money into the accounts, or we can try for unsecured ones. The problem you're going to have is that your income isn't that great, even though you have a lot of money."

"So, we need to get ones where we can talk to someone and explain that he's got money?" Giles suggested. Oz nodded. "There have been advertisements all over the television recently for unsecured cards."

"We could do that," Oz admitted. "His accounts are kinda full, they're all resting at the limit of what the Feds would pay him back if the bank lost it." Xander nodded. "We could leave this until we go to LA, maybe start up another account there."

Xander smiled. "We could transfer some of my money from one account into another."

Giles smiled. "Have you noticed that for the right amount of money, sometimes you can get sterling service?" Oz and Xander both nodded. "Then we'll call and tell them that we're going to open an account, give them the facts, and see what they can do for us."

Oz smiled. "That's a good plan, but Xander has no way to prove he has that much money."

"If we moved money from one account into another, doing a small shuffle, then it should be okay. Also, I have three investments that are getting ready to roll over in the next week through a major bank in LA. I could call them and ask them to open an account with it for this purpose."

Oz nodded. "Very good reasoning. Call that bank and talk to your account manager."

Xander grabbed the phone and his investments book, dialing the number on the top of the last sheet. "Hi, this is Xander Harris." He smiled. "Yeah, I exist. I need to talk to the person in charge of my investments with you?" He tapped his fingers a few times. "Oh, hi. I think I talked with you when I came in to start my accounts?" He smiled. "Yeah, this is me. No, I was just looking over my old credit cards and I noticed that they were from the local bank, not something I really want to deal with." He grimaced. "Oh, I know. They've accused me of the same thing here." He nodded at Oz. "No? Then I'm really happy I called. Okay, no, if you check you'll see I have some of my CD's rolling over in a few days. I wanted to stick some of that in an account when it was available to get new cards from a multi-state bank at least." He held up a finger. "Really? Could I let you talk to the person who's dealing with this for me? No, I'm helpless, he's advising." He handed the phone over to Oz. "For you." He got up, heading over to sit in Giles' lap. "I think it's going to be okay now."

Oz took the phone as he took back the binder. "Hi." He listened for a few seconds then picked up a highlighter, marking a few cd's. "Okay, we have here that they'll be at maturity in three days?" He nodded, switching to a pen to make notes beside the yellow marks. "That sounds reasonable. Can you help us with our card situation?" He looked up and watched Xander kissing Giles. "No, between he and I we have six from there." He nodded. "No, he carries about a thirty dollar over monthly to keep it active, but we pay the rest off monthly. Yeah, you could say they're actively used." He made a new series of notes. "That's a little high on the interest." He chuckled. "Good point. You have three?"

"We have a MasterCard," Xander reminded him.

"True," Oz told him. "I was just reminded we do have an auxiliary MasterCard from a bank where we lived in Vermont." He snorted. "Okay. Can you get in touch with them for us? Thank you. Yeah, drop those into his holding account when it matures, we'll be in LA in four days to start that process." He hung up. "Okay, they've got three options for us. When we're in LA, we'll drop in to finalize the details. We're living off the cash, paying off these cards," he picked up and slowly dropped the small stack, "and we'll let his people help us figure out how to cover up the money." He stopped, noticing no was paying attention, except Don who wasn't supposed to be on the table, because they were kissing. "Guys."

Xander pulled away from Giles, giving him a smile. "I heard. We also need to sit down and count out the cash tonight, do an inventory."

"That's a good idea, love." Giles smiled at them. "We should get a full account of what we have, just to make some plans."

Oz nodded. "I'll do the cash. Xander, start on the stones; Giles, do the rest." He stood up but no one else did. "What?"

"We wanted a kiss," Xander said, puckering up.

Oz tweaked his nose. "After I'm done counting, to bring my head back down."

Xander nodded. "Okay." He climbed off Giles' lap, following Oz to the safe room. "I'll take my part into the craft room."

Oz opened the safe, tugging out boxes and bundles, handing them off. "I'll count in the hall, Giles can have the bedroom."

Xander finished dragging things into the craft room, then smiled suddenly, going for the boxes Oz had gotten him to store his threads in. He sat down in front of the boxes, opening the first cardboard box of stones, sorting them into the nice little compartments.

Oz put the last bill in the last pile, making a mark on his notebook before absently petting the cat helping him, considering how to deal with that much money. "Do we have any rubber bands?" he called.

Giles walked out of the bedroom, heading up the stairs and coming back down with a bag of rubber bands. "How much?" he asked from his position on the stairs? The notebook was handed to him. "These represent tens?"

"Hundreds," Oz said quietly, looking up. "How much should we keep?"

"A good bit, but not that much." He finished walking down, looking at the stacks in shock. "I had no idea," he said quietly.

"Oh, yeah." Oz nodded, opening the bag to pull out a few of the bands. "Do we really need more than a few thousand?"

"I'd think we wouldn't need that much."

Oz picked up a stack of money, recounting it as he separated them out to bind together. "We're keeping four stacks," he decided. "Just in case we need to escape or something."

They both looked up as Xander came out to sit with them. "All separated and counted. I'm confiscating those plastic boxes we got."

Oz looked up. "Is this all the cash?"

"Did you do the boxes from the banks?" Oz shook his head. "Then no." He picked up the money, counting it. "Wow. We're rich. Really, really rich."

"Yeah, you are," Oz said.

"We. I'm sharing," Xander reminded, his voice firm.

"We," Giles soothed. "Xander, it's dangerous to hold so much money loosely."

"Which is why we're investing it in a few days," Xander reminded.

Oz cleared his throat. "I'm in shock. Where's the boxes?"

"In the craft room. I was getting the stones out of them." He watched his lover as he got up to grab the boxes. "Why is he mad?"

"He's not, he's simply stunned. Seeing the numbers on a page is much different than having it piled in front of you."

Oz dragged two boxes out, sitting down again. "No, I still have some shock but there is pissed- offness too. Why didn't you tell me you had all this?"

"You saw my account statements!" Xander complained back. "Most of it's been in the bank sometime."

Oz nodded. "I'm sorry, I never realized. It's okay." He looked around. "Where's the kitten?"

"Fluffy's on the stairs," Xander said, pointing.

"Oh." He stared into Xander's eyes. "How many loose stones?"

"Lots." Xander caved in, slumping in on himself. "I had no idea."

"We'll fix this dilemma," Giles said. "This isn't the problem it seems to be."

"Is if the IRS thinks we lied to them," Xander noted. "She only saw the inventory from Vermont."

"Hmm." Oz shook his head. "We'll deal. There's a pre-immie who handles a lot of our money now, I'll call him tonight. I'll even get him to make some more of mine available."

Xander nodded. "Okay," he said softly. He got up, heading into the craft room to sit down in front of the big container holding the smaller boxes of stones. He didn't look up as Oz joined him. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't." Oz wrapped Xander in his arms. "I'm just shocked." He looked out the window. "Xander?"

"Yeah." He leaned back, resting against his lover's chest.

"These aren't all you have."

"The warren," Xander said dryly, "I remember."

"No, not that." He gave him a gentle squeeze. "When Giles went back to check the holding area, they found...."

"How?" Xander asked.

"Angel found out and told them. He led Giles, Connor, Meth, and a friend of ours to there to make sure no one was back there."

"And?"

"There was a lot of stuff there." The body in his arms stiffened. "They ran into one of the upper demons."

"He gave it to me?"

"For saving their pets. It's in with my stuff. Methos had it sent there."

"All of it?"

"Not sure, but the way Meth was talking, maybe."

"I don't want it."

"I know. Do you want me to send for it so we can factor it in?"

"No, I don't want to look at it."

"Okay. Subject dropped." Oz squeezed him again. "What do you want to do?"

"Not pay taxes?"

"Okay. I'll call Steve, he'll come."

"Will we have to tell him?"

"Not if you don't want to. He doesn't like those questions."

"Okay." They sat cuddled together, watching the sunlight hit the plastic box. "Oz?" Xander asked finally. "I figured out why I'm not happy."

"Us?"

"No, that," he said, nudging the box with his foot. "It's too much and I'm really not happy."

"So give some away."

"But then other people will know."

"Not if you don't tell them it came from you."

"Point." Xander looked up. "I don't know what to do."

"Steve'll help us," Oz said with assurance.

***

Steve Ellison, a smart, handsome, thirtyish man, winced as he looked over the paperwork he had been handed, but gamely started going through it all. By the end, he was impressed, shocked, and incredibly worried. He put down the notebook, looking at the expectant faces. "Wow." He looked at the young man whose all this was. "Do I want to ask how?"

Oz shook his head. "Xander's had a few strings of luck in the past."

"Xander? As in the one your teacher almost kidnapped?" Oz nodded. "Okay. I don't delve into the world of GHS." He shrugged. "We need to fix some things, when's your appointment with your usual financial advisor?"

"Two days. He works in the investment department in the bank that I have my investments in."

"Good. Then we can set up a delayed tax fund through him." Steve sipped the tea that had been given to him when he had sat down at the table, looking the trio over. "Credit cards? I noticed some nice payments to them."

"Getting new ones, the bank here got picky about taking his money," Oz said quietly.

"Okay then. We're going with bigger companies?"

"Yeah, and one back-up MasterCard from a small bank where he has an account." The phone rang so Oz got up to get it, heading into the hall so he could talk in privacy.

"Can you help me hide it so I don't have to look at it?" Xander asked.

"Definitely. I can put it into safe, various term investments that should make you some decent interest." He looked around the common room they were sitting in. "Buying this house was a sound investment, as was dropping all that cash into CD's. I need to know your limit's though."

"Low to medium risk," Oz said as he walked back out, sitting down again. "Tax deferred if possible. At least for the majority. We'll need some readily available. We're going to keep some of the cash here."

Steve picked up the inventory sheet that had been nicely typed and itemized for him, looking at the entry under cash. "I'd say that a few accounts, maybe one or two checking accounts, would be good. Maybe the rest should just be untouchable until they mature, you could easily live off of the interest." He looked up, looking over Xander's outfit of stretch velvet shorts and t-shirt. "Even if he shops the mall clean three times a year."

"He's sewing some of it," Oz noted, taking Xander's hand. "Though we about bought out the fabric store when we first went."

"Yeah, but we won't have to go back for a while," Xander reminded him.

"Good point," Oz said, kissing the back of his hand. "Steve, we're really more worried about the IRS."

"Ah, but here's a loophole you don't know about. They don't really know how many stones you've sold right?"

"Maybe. We showed the woman that showed up about the inheritance taxes the listing from a few other sell-offs," Xander told him. "But she didn't see the ones I did in LA, I don't think at least."

Oz shrugged. "Not real sure about that either." He looked at Steve. "Is that going to help or hurt?"

"A little of both. If someone asks about the cash, just say that you sold off a few more stones. Just an informal person to person sale. You may have to pay a little tax, but I'm not sure how much." He tapped the pile of papers. "When you go in, I'll go with you. He and I will talk on a professional level and get it all straightened out so all you guys have to do is sign the papers."

Xander grinned. "Thanks, man. This is all *way* new to me here and I'm so very lost."

"No big," Oz told him. "So am I." He looked at the businessman. "What about mine? Did you fix that?"

"Yes, I did." He opened his briefcase, handing over some forms. "Sign those and we can start up your new account under this name."

"Are you changing already?" Giles asked, looking at the papers. "I know you were getting nervous about it."

"No, I'm still okay, I'm just keeping track of the birthdays now." Oz signed the few marked spots, taking off each of the post-it flags as he came to them, balling them up. When he was done, he handed them back, looking up. "Anything else?" he asked as he unclicked his pen.

"No, not that I can see," Steve said as he flipped through the papers. "Okay, your alternate identity, Rock Hendrickson, all of his things are all set up again so if you need it, they're there and working. Just call me and I'll switch funds over if I can."

Oz nodded, ignoring the snickering Xander was doing. "And the other?"

"Is still being set up, Oz. Where you died so young it's a lot more difficult to make you a new identity."

"Yeah, but it's more necessary."

"Yes, but the preponderance of electronic media in identity storage makes it real difficult, Xander," Steve said gently. "Way back when, you could move a hundred miles away and just change your name. Now you have to have social security numbers, birth certificates, everything that the normal people have but it all has to pass inspection when it just appears one day in the computer system."

Oz grunted, looking out the window. "I ought to write a program to help us do that."

Xander leaned over, kissing his cheek. "I'm sure if you do it'll be brilliant." He looked over at Steve. "This last week's been really hard on us."

"Yes, it has," Giles said, holding out a hand to take one of Xander's, squeezing it gently. "The week before it was almost as stressful. It will be nice to go to LA and relax by wandering through estate and tax auctions."

Oz nodded. "Yeah, I'd think that would be more relaxing than trying to deal with that money on our own." Someone knocked on the door so he got up to answer it, coming back with a confused frown. "Xander, door."

Xander walked out, frowning at the police officer there. "Yes?"

"Mr. Harris?" He got a nod. "You're under arrest for gambling and for underage relations."

"Whoa," Xander said, holding up a hand. "Are you looking for my father maybe? I'm *Alexander* Harris, not Frank."

The officer looked at the warrant in his hands, giving him a sheepish smile. "This is the only address we have listed for any Harris in town. I'm sorry. Do you know where your father might be?"

"Have you checked his house?" The officer shook his head. "Okay, over on twelfth, off to the left? That street, the brown one on the corner with the bad paint job. He did it himself."

The officer nodded, saluting him with two fingers. "We thank you, sir."

"Oh, and if you find him, I'm not bailing him out. If he starts to whine about it, tell him I said so." He looked him over. "Wear your vest, Officer, really. He's not going to be nice about this. I've already paid off one gambling debt and I've refused to do it again."

The officer nodded. "I'll take that under advisement." He walked back to his car, getting in and driving away.

Xander looked down to find both kittens and the puppy looking outside. "Why aren't you guys running out like usual?"

"Because I put one of the sonic fence markers beside the door," Giles said, walking out. "Are we all right?"

"Yeah, they wanted my father for underage sex and gambling." He pushed the animals back with the side of his foot, closing the door. They headed back to the dining room area, sitting down together. "They wanted my father. Finally caught up with his lecherous behind."

Oz growled lightly. "Why?"

"Underage sex and gambling."

Oz closed his eyes. "You're not paying it off." He looked at his lover. "Right?"

"I'm not even bailing him out of jail." Xander gave Steve a grim smile. "I have the deed to their house anytime I want to collect. I made them a loan to pay off one set of debts, making it payable to me and making a stipulation that they never come to me for money again. They haven't paid on it and they're going to come running this time too." He pointed at the phone as it started to ring. "See?"

Oz reached over, grabbing it. "Hello?" He grimaced, nodding at Xander. "I'm sorry, Ms. Harris. He's not in. Can I take a message?" He made a note on the notebook in front of him, passing it over. "No, he's under doctor's orders to not have stress right now. No, his heart." He pulled the phone away from his ears. "Ms. Harris, really. I'm not lying. He had a mild heart attack."

Xander held out a hand. "Mom?" he asked weakly. "What's going on?" He coughed lightly, not quite turning his head away. "Yeah, it's me. No, I'm recovering from a mild heart attack. I talked the doctors into letting me come home early to rest." He coughed again. "No, I picked up a small cold at the hospital before they transferred me." He glared at the floor. "Really? No, I can't, Mother." He shook his head. "I can't. No, I can't. Because he's a big boy and I can't keep bailing him out." He turned away from the phone and coughed for real.

Oz took back the phone, shaking his head. "Hi. No he's okay. He's lying in bed right now, eyes closed while he concentrates on breathing. No, he can't. Because he's got a multi-thousand dollar hospital bill coming due in a few days." He shrugged. "I'm sorry, but he has to pay that off first." Oz held his forehead with his hand. "Then maybe he shouldn't gamble. Yeah, the officer came out here first but I intercepted him." He snorted. "I really don't care, he's taking care of his own bills first. If your husband owes that much, then tell him to take a plea for jail time, it'll buy him some time and his bookie may calm down in a few years." He hung up. "Okay, that's it." He tossed it down. "Xander, I want you to foreclose on their loan."

"Can't," Xander said softly. "The thing is written so they have four months to make the first payment. It's only been three."

"Okay. As soon as it's up. You can buy them a nice condo somewhere warm to get her away from the scandal but you're not bailing him out."

"I'm not," Xander agreed. "I'm not even considering it. I heard how much he owed."

"That much?" Giles asked.

"More than my hospital bill," Xander told him, looking up and giving him a small kiss. "He owes more than their house is worth this time. Mom said they've come to collect once already, threatening her."

"Then we'll get her moved," Oz said gently. "We'll send her somewhere safe and far from him."

Xander nodded. "I can do that. She's always wanted to go live in the Midwest." He picked up the phone, hitting star-69. "Mom? No, I have a small solution on your part." He grimaced. "No, but I am willing to help you move somewhere else. Just you." He tapped his fingers on the table. "Do you really want to stay for that? Be in danger?" He shook his head. "Mother, marriage doesn't mean that. It means supporting each other, not dying for each other." He nodded. "The Midwest if you'd like. Anywhere in the country. No, I'll set you up and you can do whatever once you get out there. No, same rules apply. No, I won't give you a living allowance. No, you made me work for everything I've ever had, you can do the same. Yes, the offer still stands. Why?" He nodded. "Please." Short pause. "Hi, yeah, this is. I'm trying to convince her to leave town before they come after her again." He groaned. "If she'd be willing to do it, great. Otherwise, I'm willing to help her move." He nodded and hung up. "The officer said that if she would testify about who threatened her, they might be able to get her into Witness Protection."

"Would be nice, she couldn't contact you," Oz noted, reaching over to rub down his lover's arm. "We'll figure it out."

"I know we will. I just don't want to feel guilty about it." He looked up. "After what I've done?" he asked softly. "I'm a hypocrite."

"No, you're not. You could never be one." He reached over, pulling Xander over to sit in his lap. "You'd only be a hypocrite if someone had bailed you out for the same thing and you didn't do it. Your situations are way different, babe."

"A little, but not that much."

Steve stood up. "Maybe I should let you talk alone. Where's the bathroom?"

"Second door in the hall is the spare bedroom. You're welcome to it if you haven't made arrangements," Oz said. "But expect to have furry visitors, they're used to my teacher and Connor staying in there."

Steve smiled. "Just like at home. I keep getting semi-real ones from Jim." He shrugged, walking down the hall.

"Jim?"

"His brother. His mother adopted him when she miscarried the child she had been carrying, not telling his father. Anyway, his brother is special somehow." Oz licked over the side of Xander's neck. "Feeling better now?"

"A little." Xander gave him a gentle kiss. "Thank you, I needed that reassurance."

"You need a lot of reassurance recently," Giles noted, "is there a problem? Are we not giving you enough?"

"No, I'm just kinda feeling off kilter somehow. Like the world's about to tip over and I'm going to be crushed."

"If you are, we can just change your name," Oz said softly. "You're not leaving us, Xander, never again."

"Not even to run away for a vacation in Barbados?" he asked with a weak grin.

"If you go, you're taking at least one of us, and if you go there, you're probably taking Methos with you too. He likes warm places."

"Was that him on the phone?"

"No, it was a threatening phone call from the bookie of the hour. He said you would pay his father's debts."

"Or else?"

"Yeah, or else. I laughed, told him if he came out here for that then I'd give him something to remember your name with. Just like Zorro." Xander grinned at that. "Then I told him that you're not going to pay off any more of his debts, you did it once and that was the limit."

"What did he say?"

"That you were going to be his then."

Giles snorted. "I sincerely doubt that." He looked out in the back yard, watching the trees move. "Is the security system on?"

"If it's not on the fritz again," Xander said, getting up to check it. As he got to the door, someone knocked. He looked through the hole, shaking his head. "Oz, company," he called. He opened the door, looking at Angel and Willow. "Big problems or little ones?"

Willow squeaked as she was forced inside. "Big," she gasped, rubbing the back of her neck.

Oz walked out with his sword, looking at Angel. "Out."

"She's been messing with things she shouldn't," Angel said reasonably, staying outside. "You respelled the door?"

"Every time," Giles said as he walked out. "What has she been doing now?"

"She's been playing with the immortality ideal." He looked at Oz. "That must have been your idea. She's been researching the theory for weeks now."

Oz ran the sword over his leg, not looking down as it healed. "Yeah, it was," he said simply, looking at Willow. "He told you?"

"Yeah, he told me."

Angel cleared his throat. "Oz, what was that?"

"Me being me." He shrugged. "It's not a wolf thing anymore though." He took a knife that Steve handed him as he walked past, cutting Giles' palm, letting the vampire see it healing too. "I told you, you didn't listen." He waved, starting to shut the door.

"Stop," Willow said, getting in the way of the door. "See, I'm not bad."

Angel nodded, looking very confused. "Okay, you're not bad."

"But you're not real living," Richie said from behind Angel, walking forward with his gun drawn. "You tried to hurt my girl."

"Ease off," Oz warned him. "He's a lot faster and more dead than he looks."

"Oh, I know all about him," Richie said, walking around so they could see him. "He hurt Willow."

"I'm fine," she said, walking out to hang onto his arm. "Bullets don't hurt him, just relax. He didn't understand."

"Now I do," Angel said helpfully, spinning to take the gun. Which got him shot. "Ow." He stood back up, looking down at his shirt. "I liked this shirt."

Xander took Oz's sword, putting it against the back of Angel's neck. "Hurt them and you're gone," he warned. "Never hurt my friends." He waved Richie and Willow inside. "Now then, what's this about?" He removed the sword, moving back slowly. "Angel?"

Angel turned to look at him, giving him a sheepish look. "I just misunderstood. I thought Willow was going to cast a spell to make herself immortal."

Richie shook his head. "The only spell we know about is what they did to Xander and we all know it's not that healthy. That's how he ended up in the hospital." He groaned as he heard a camera flash go off. "Be a good thing and find that person."

Angel walked over into the bushes, grabbing the woman hiding there by the back of her neck, holding her up. "You know her?"

"Yeah," Oz said, heading for the phone. "She's an irritation." He dialed the local cop's number. "Hi, could you please come over here? No, you remember how I asked your opinion on that woman? Well, she was just hiding in the bushes taking pictures of the people around here." He nodded and hung up, redialing. "Hi, this is Daniel Osbourne..." Short pause. "Yeah. No, we're having a problem with a stalker. No, we just found her in the bushes." He nodded and hung up. "They'll be right up." He walked out, flipping on the outside light. "Xander, go put that up for me please."

Xander headed back inside, going to hide the sword from the cops. He came back to find Oz exposing her film, her tape recorder's tape strung prettily across the ground. "Gee, got it all?"

"Not," Angel said, handing her over, walking into the bushes to get something else, just as the cops showed up. He hid the tape from the camcorder under his jacket, standing up to hand it to Oz, nodding subtly.

"We want her arrested," Oz said, pushing her toward the cops as he finished exposing the roll of film, and the others he found.

"Not the blue one," she called. "It has personal pictures on it."

Oz stuck it into his pocket. "Then we'll develop them and give them back." He looked at the cops. "She's got some delusion about Xander being a bad guy and things. Came up to us in Maise's, told us she was going to ruin us."

The officers nodded. "Sounds reasonable. You got any other proof?"

"I asked Officer Wilken's opinion on the matter, he should be able to tell you more." He glared at her. "At the very least, we don't want her here."

"We'll see what we can't do. Want to give us the film?" Oz shook his head. "Why not?"

"Because I'm not sure what else is on it, including some possible sexually explicit material." The officer smiled. "My lovers and I were starting to have fun when our friends showed up tonight."

"Okay. For that, we'll gladly let you develop them. Just bring the pictures to us so we can see if there's anything on there we can use against her." Oz nodded. "We really don't need to see you guys going at it though." He led her to the car, putting her in the back. "At least she won't be back tonight."

"Point," Oz said, waving as he walked back inside. "Thanks, guys." He closed the door behind him, reopening it at the soft knock. "Come in, Angel." He closed the door behind him. "You feel better now?"

"Yeah," he said, handing over the tape. "You guys need to make up a cover story if it gets out."

"We're writing a play," Xander said from the couch. He nodded at the plant stand, letting Oz get his own sword. "Steve's gone to bed."

"Fine," Oz said, sitting next to him, curling up against Xander's warm side. "You sure you're okay?"

"Just a mild case of the sniffles." He smiled at Willow. "So, how's things in your end of town?"

"Pretty good," she said, sitting on the floor in front of him. "You? I mean, are you better and everything?"

"Much, and Oz is watching me carefully to make sure I don't have more problems." Someone knocked on the door so he walked over, looking around in confusion. He took the kittens back with a smile. "Thanks, they've been doing that."

"She screamed when they grabbed her ankles, talking about demons." He looked inside the house. "The things she was talking about? Instant healing and everything? What's that about?"

"Oz was telling me a bedtime story. He and our friends were acting out parts of it."

"Oh. Okay then." He nodded, heading back to the car, making sure Xander was still holding both kittens before he closed the door. Then he had to reopen it so the puppy could get out.

"Rocky!"

"Rocky!" Oz yelled. "In here or no pork chops." The puppy came running, hopping up into his lap. "Bad, no sneaking into cars."

Xander closed the door, smiling at the picture his family and friends made. He dropped the kittens off on the newly moved gym system, watching as Don immediately headed for the highest tunnel and Fluffy decided to scratch lightly on the bark-covered pole. "Good, stay there." He walked over, retaking his spot beside Oz. "Good enough?"

"Very good, babe," Oz told him, giving him a small kiss. He caught Willow's disgusted look and shook his head. "You used to do the same thing with Tara."

"Yeah, but we're girls. We're supposed to do things like that." She nudged Richie as his mouth opened. "Don't even say it."

"Sorry," he said with a nasty grin.

Oz shook his head. "Willow, it's the same thing. You and Buffy are just going to have to get over it." He watched as she turned pale. "Yeah, she's back, and better. We talked over lunch earlier this week."

"Coolness," Willow said, giving him a hesitant smile. "Is she home?"

"At her mother's I think. Oh, and your mother was looking for you last I heard."

"I know. I called her today, promised I'd come home for a visit." She looked at Richie. "Want to be introduced to my parents?"

"Depends, is there an option?"

"Small motel," Oz offered. "Steve's in the guest room." Richie shook his head. "The pre-immie Connor identified that handles a lot of our money?"

Richie nodded. "I haven't needed to talk to him yet." He shrugged. "No big."

"Careful planning means that you don't have problems when you have to switch over," Oz told him. "Trust me, it's not fun having to live off your wits with a brand new identity for six months while someone probates your old identity's will."

Richie nodded. "I'll keep that in mind." He hooked an arm around Willow's waist. "I'll take her to her mom's." They stood up, walking out together, talking quietly while glancing at each other to make sure they were listening.

"Ten more weeks," Xander said, waiting until the door was shut to look down at Oz's head. "They won't last longer."

"Maybe less," Giles said, coming over to sit on Xander's other side. "Angel, was there a problem besides her's?" He really didn't like the way the vampire had been staring at Xander. Who knew what he was thinking about.

"No, just that," he said, backing away from them. "I'll call on you guys if we need you." He turned and fled the house, leaving them alone.

Xander grinned. "Gee, I think you scared him." He kissed each of his men, what he could reach of them. "Am I better enough yet to have more than cuddles?"

"When we're in LA," Oz told him, looking up. "We'll work you up to it until then." He ran a hand over the bare thigh. "I like that design. You were right."

"Very comfy," Xander said, shifting so he could undo the strings. "Maybe? Just a little?"

"In LA," Giles reminded him. "Until then, you're still getting cuddled." He wrapped an arm around the soft back. "You still need to start exercising again, Xander."

"I know," he sighed, relaxing. "But it's no fun by myself."

"Do it and get toys," Oz told him, sitting up to look at him, pushing Rocky off onto the couch beside them. "Just like you used to." Xander grinned slowly. "Deal?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Sure, tomorrow. After I spar. It'll be relaxing to me." He ran a hand down the side of Xander's face. "Let's go enjoy your last night of sexual freedom." He pulled Xander up, watching as his shorts slid down. "Very loose," he noted. "Good." He pulled his lover into the bedroom, picking him up to put him on the edge of the bed. "There, very pretty," he whispered, stripping and climbing on top of his lover's still body. "What would you like tonight, babe?"

"For you to scream my name?"

"Sure," Oz said, bending down to kiss him, grunting as he felt the plug entering his body. "Hey." He looked over his shoulder at Giles. "Am I that mean to you?"

"Yes, and tonight you're going to get it back." He slid onto the bed behind them, putting the bottle of lube he had gotten beside them after squirting some out onto his fingers. "You've been a horrible tease all day, Oz, and now you're going to pay for it."

"How have I teased?" Oz asked before going back to his kissing of Xander.

"You're just so naughty looking you inspire it in us," Xander told him, holding his lover's hips still so Giles could ready and enter him. He smiled at Oz's groan. "See? Good. This is a good thing."

"Yeah, it's a good thing," Oz panted, getting up onto his knees to push back against Giles. "Now? Please?"

"In a second, precious, you still need some time to adjust because I wasn't very gentle with you." He reached down, rubbing over the hard cock. "Just give it a few moments."

"Xander, make him hurry up. I promise not to tease you for a few days."

"He's ready," Xander said, getting to his knees to let Oz brace against his body. "Have him."

Giles smiled at his accomplice, pulling back out to push back in, earning a moan. "Not ready after all?"

"Very tender," Oz said, pushing back. "Need more!"

Giles smiled. "I like how he goes primal on us when we do this to him." He added a little more lube to his cock before shoving back in, setting a hard and fast rhythm. "There, precious," he whispered in Oz's ear. "Is that better?"

"More," he growled, bucking backwards, pushing against Xander.

"Ooh, he really wants it," Xander said, giving Giles a naughty grin. "Give it to him for me."

"If you wish." Giles grabbed Oz around the waist, slamming into him, again and again. Pretty soon, they were both dripping with sweat and unable to talk, but Oz wasn't growling anymore. His head was thrown back, neck exposed.

Xander leaned down, licking over the taut neck, thrilling at the small sounds his lovers made. "Ours," he said, pushing his own groin against his lover's letting his friction work for both of them.

Oz shot off with a howl, arching back into Giles' arms, then leaning forward to land on Xander's shoulder, panting into it. "Need you," he said, looking down, pushing the lover under him down so he could finish him off too.

Giles groaned at the sight before him, getting off and covering Oz's back, watching as their lover sucked Xander off, smiling at him. "Feeling better yet?"

"Yeah," Xander said, nodding, pounding his head on the pillow. "Oz!" His head thrashed around for a few more seconds then he got off, going limp under the restraining bodies.

Oz got free of both of them, rolling onto his side, letting Giles hold Xander for a bit. "I needed that," he whispered, rubbing down Giles' back. "Thanks."

"You're very welcome," Giles told him, giving him a small smile. He looked up at Xander, who was still slack-jawed. "Are you all right?" When he didn't get an answer, he crawled up to look down into the open eyes, watching them dilate. "He's still living."

Oz nodded, poking the young man's side, setting off a giggle. "He's fine, just in recovery."

"Been too long," Xander groaned, rolling them over on top of Oz's still body, covering Giles' mouth with his, frantic for more.

Oz wiggled out from under them, shaking his head. "No more, Xander. Not for two more days."

"Need it," he whined, rubbing himself up Giles' body to get a kiss from his other lover. "Please, guys, need it bad. Been way too long."

"Shh," Oz said, holding him. "Soon enough. Just two more days." Xander shook his head. "You can last that long, babe. I promise, it'll be fixed soon."

Xander groaned, pulling away to look down at himself. "Need it now though."

Oz tipped his head back up. "Not yet, we still aren't sure you're all right."

"Oz, give the poor boy something. Just enough to work him off. Don't leave him hanging like that, it's cruel."

"I know but ..." He was attacked by Xander, grunting as his head hit the headboard. "Xander!"

"No, need it," Xander said, moving down Oz's body to lick and suck his way down to where he wanted. "Please?" He looked up as he took the first lick of the rehardening cock. "Need you."

"I know you do," Oz said gently, "but I can't have you yet. You could die from your next heart problem."

"It's not bad," Xander said, looking up again. "It's fine now. It was the spell, not the stress stuff."

"Okay," Oz said. "Giles, you play with him and he can play with me." He stopped Xander's head. "You can have fingers."

"Fine," Xander said quickly, going down as soon as he was free.

Giles smiled at Oz, shaking his head. "If you're sure."

"No, but he's going to do it himself if we don't," Oz reminded, rubbing through the dark hair. "Just two fingers, it should be okay."

Giles nodded, grabbing the bottle of lube from under Oz's hip, pouring some out so he could play in their lover's body. He slid one in, his body thrilling at the groan it produced. "So responsive," he said softly, working a second one in. "Such a greedy little slut."

"Yeah, and we haven't been taking care of those needs," Oz reminded him, pushing up into the warm mouth. "Don't tease, Xander, or Giles'll do it to you."

Xander slurped happily, working his way farther back. "Whatever."

Giles shook his head, working to find Xander's prostate. He found it, sending the small shocks of pleasure through the young man's body. "There, love, just let it go again."

Xander growled into Oz's balls, lifting his head up. "More," he demanded, pushing back against them.

"Oops," Oz said, getting to his knees. "Down, now," he commanded, pushing their lover down, letting him latch back on. He and Giles shared a kiss. "Been much too long."

"True, for both of you though." Giles added in a third finger, smirking at the purr he got. "He's a very unusual man, Oz, we really should pay attention to this need for a few days."

"Oh, he's going to be chained to the bed tomorrow," Oz said, looking down at the head licking him. "More?" He was swallowed again, closing his eyes.

Xander felt himself getting closer to the edge so he nibbled just so on Oz's body, making him groan and shoot off, then let himself go. He relaxed into the fingers in him, back into his usual groove again. When the fingers were withdrawn, he gave Giles an appraising look. "Want me to clean up?"

"Please," Giles said, lying down beside Oz. "I don't think we're in shape to do so at the moment." He closed his eyes, not seeing the bottle of lube being grabbed or the toy from the drawer. He did smile when he felt the warm washcloth the younger man had gotten for them wiping him down. "Thank you."

"I'll be back in a minute," Xander said, heading into the bathroom with his contraband. He locked the door, frowning at the kitten that had come to sit in the bathroom. "Out, Fluffy." She sat down so he got into the shower, closing the door. He lubed the toy well, leaning against the wall as he entered himself, trying to be as silent as possible as he worked himself off again. He jumped as the shower door opened, too deep in his own head to have heard the bathroom door being picked, but sped up, just staring into Oz's eyes as he hit his peak again, going limp in the arms that went around him.

"I know," Oz told him. "We need to pay more attention to you, but we're under orders not to." He dropped the toy into the bathtub, leading Xander out to the bed and tucking him in, wrapping himself around the sated body. "Feel okay?"

"Much better." Xander gave him a small kiss. "I know I broke doctor's orders, but I needed it."

"I know," Oz whispered, squeezing him. "We'll figure out how to do both without sending you crashing back into another heart attack again." He covered the opening mouth with a finger. "Even if it was the spell, you still are susceptible to another one, especially so soon after the first. We just wanted to wait and make sure you were fine."

"I'm sorry I'm worrying you, I just needed it so bad," Xander whispered as he snuggled down into Oz's neck. "I'll listen next time."

"No, we will. We knew you were going to burst the dam soon, we just thought you could wait two more days." Oz looked over at Giles, who rolled to hug Xander from the other side. "Tomorrow, you're going to be chained to the bed."

"Thought you wanted me to exercise?" Xander said through a yawn.

"We do, you'll do it during that time. Incentives and all." Oz kissed each of his men, reaching over to turn off the touch lamps.

Which is why he never saw Fluffy carrying the sex toy out of the bathroom.

Escaping to do Spoiling-Type Things.

Oz's yell woke Xander, making him walk out to the living/dining room and blearily blink his eyes. "Why is there a sex toy on the table?" he asked as he wrapped himself around his lover. "A dirty one at that."

Oz growled at the kittens that hopped up on the table in response to his bellow. "You two are in such trouble."

"Fluffy was in the bathroom," Xander murmured, rubbing his face against Oz's hair.

Giles chuckled as he walked out and saw the kitten's prize. "My, you two snuck in last night, didn't you?" He scratched both of their heads. "You can't punish them for this, it's too late." He smiled as he watched Xander's cuddling antics. "We should take steps to prevent this from happening again. Take the prosthetic back into our room to be cleaned, we'll clean the table in a bit." He headed in to start the coffee maker.

Xander sniffed and lumbered into the kitchen. "Oh, coffee," he said reverently, kissing the pot as he replaced it with his cup. "Blessed be the Aztecs, or whomever discovered you." He quickly switched the pot back, hopping up to sit on the counter and drink.

Oz grunted. "Your butt is on the counter." Xander nodded, taking a deep sniff of the coffee. "Get off or scrub it later." Xander nodded again, taking a drink so Oz took the cup, putting it aside, and pulled Xander off the counter. He handed the cup back before heading out of the kitchen. "Better." He grabbed the cup Giles was fixing on his way past, heading to grab the dirty toy and go clean it.

Xander hopped back up, holding out his cup. "More?" Giles poured him another cup with a smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Giles said as he kissed his lover's cheek. "Get off the counter before Oz catches you."

"Too late," Oz said from the living room.

Xander hopped down and strolled out to sit on Oz's lap, kissing his cheek. "Morning."

"Hi." Oz rubbed over the bare back. "What are we doing today?" He winced as a squeaking started under the couch. "No," he moaned, taking Xander's cup to finish the contents. He put the cup down, looking around to find the source of the squeaking as it continued, getting frustrated when he couldn't find it. "Pack. We're leaving today. We'll get them a sitter." He pushed Xander off his lap, walking him into the bedroom to help the young man pack as the squeaking became a two-part harmony.

***

Oz rang Methos' doorbell, handing over the cage of animals as the door was opened. He grabbed the box of supplies from Xander's hands, shoving that over too. "Thank you for baby-sitting. We're in the Raddison if you need us; doing the seizure auctions and his doctor's appointment." He dragged Xander back to the car.

Xander turned and waved at his babies, giving them a sorry look. "We'll see you soon, guys, be good for your Uncle." He stopped as he was pushed into the car by Oz, cuddling against his lover after he got in too. "Are you sure they'll be fine and not hate us?"

"He used to be a vet," Oz reminded him. "They already know and love him." He hugged Xander gently. "We'll call and check."

"Okay." Xander closed his eyes. "Want to drop in on Cordy?"

"Sure," Oz said softly, holding him tighter.

Methos looked down at the cage as he nudged the door shut with his hip. "What did you do to them?" He bent down, putting the cage on the floor to release the animals inside, then winced as he caught sight of the toy Fluffy was dragging out with her. "Did they give you that?" He shuddered and drew his hand back as he realized it had been recently used, picking up the cat so he could get both of them and headed back toward the bathrooms. "We'll just clean that for you, my pink one, before you drag it around my clean house."

***

Oz stopped beside Xander and his tarp-covered lump, looking around before giving him a kiss. "I didn't need a present," he said, waving the note that Xander had sent to get him over there.

"Yes you do," Xander said with a grin, grabbing the tarp to pull it off. "Ta-da! It reminded me of you."

"It's a bus," Oz said in awe. "A VW bus." He grabbed Xander to kiss him hard. "Thank you, this is incredibly great."

"It kinda reminded me of you," Xander said with a slight blush. "Very calm on the outside, but the newly-put in engine purrs with the same fire you do." He handed over the keys, bow and all.

Oz climbed in and started the engine, his mouth hanging open as it roared to life and the frame started to vibrate as he added gas. "Wow!" He turned off the engine, looking in the back, then started to laugh. "It's a camper, someone tricked it out." He checked again. "In velvet and shag carpet." He pulled Xander up into his lap, hugging him. "I am *way* blown away, Xander. Thank you."

"Welcome." Xander pulled back to look around. "Cordy's here. Her pile of rust just died."

"And?"

"I want to sell her my Lexus. I'm not really a luxury car guy anyway and it's a good car. I'd even be nice and make it cheap for her."

Oz glanced around at the other cars up for auction. "Did you find something you liked better?"

"Yeah. Come on." Xander pulled him down, waiting while he locked the bus back up, then pulled him over to another row, stopping in front of an SUV. "I like this one." He turned to smile. "It has no engine but we can fix that."

Oz shook his head. "No. You can only get one that'll drive itself home." He looked around and waved Cordy over when he saw her frowning at a rusty Horizon.

"Hey," she said, hugging them. "Aren't there supposed to be cheap cars here?"

Oz nodded and Xander gave her a second hug. "I'll sell you my Lexus."

"If you can find something else," Oz reminded, looking the purple Range Rover over again. "Was it the color or the car?"

"The color, but I miss my Blazer a little bit too."

"We can get whatever painted," Oz told him. "We'll look at the next auction section."

Xander nodded. "We have your new one until then."

"After we take it to a mechanic," Oz reminded him. Xander nodded, hugging him tightly. "Go find a car you like, just remember we don't have a car to fit us all."

Xander shrugged. "Okay."

Oz watched them go, his stomach shifting in worry. He knew what sort of car twenty year old men liked and it wasn't a safe little sedan.

***

Giles met his men in their suite, kissing each of them as he sat down and put his bags on the table in front of them. "I found some amazing bargains, how about you two?"

"Xander spoiled himself with *two* cars," Oz said dryly. "One fast one and one practical one."

"And I spoiled him by finding him the perfect vehicle and I'm giving my Lexus to Cordy for ten dollars a month for three years."

Giles shook his head, giving Xander a tolerant look. "That's a bit low for such a car."

"Yeah, but we can afford it." Xander got up to answer the door, signing for their package and tipping the messenger. He walked back over to the couch, but had to answer the door again, taking the keys the hotel worker was holding and giving him a generous tip too. "Thanks." He jogged back to his men, handing Oz the keys. "Credit cards," he sang as he tore into the package. "Oh, pretty ones, and one with a fish." He handed it over to Giles.

Oz looked at the cards over Giles' arm. "Um, wrong name?" he asked, grabbing one to hold it up. He was handed the rest of the package so flipped through them quickly. "The rest are okay, it's just that one."

"What name is it in?" Giles asked. "Harris G. Osbourne?" He looked up at Xander. "Was there something I needed to know?"

Xander bit his lip. "Yeah, but it's not really about really that." Oz nodded. "Steve gave me a second identity in case I needed it. That's it."

"Ah." Giles pulled him down for a hug. "That's fine then." He pulled back. "What sort of fast car did you get?"

"Some foreign sportscar that I liked a lot and a nice, cute sedan."

"One of those that's sculpted for maximum air flow. Pretty recent. The sportscar is about six years old and is in good condition," Oz said, reading the note attached to the keys by the mechanic they had had look over all the vehicles.

"And I spoiled Oz with one too," Xander said with a grin.

"He got me a VW bus," Oz said with a smile. "One of the ones that's been made into a camper. It's something I've been wanting to get after I lost my last one." He rubbed down Xander's side. "He's been good all day."

"Yup, very good." Xander slid into Oz's lap. "Since I've been so good, can I be better?"

"After your appointment tomorrow," Oz reminded, ignoring the pout. "You can have some but not a lot," he conceded. Xander slid to the floor, unzipping both his and Oz's pants. "Do what you want, just be careful about your heart rate." His mouth shut as he was pulled inside the young man's mouth with a wet slurping noise.

Giles relaxed, watching Xander pleasure Oz. "Ah, our slut is happy," he murmured as Oz groaned and shot off. "Would you like more?" he asked as his pants were undone by his lover.

Xander looked up, giving Giles a smile. "I do if you do."

"Then, please, have fun." Giles' eyes closed as the warm tongue attacked him. "Very nice, as usual."

***

Xander blinked as he woke up, smiling at the man standing over his place on the couch. "Hey, Meth. We were going to call tonight." He pulled himself up, looking at the thing that landed in his lap. "Oops, didn't know she had stolen that again."

Oz walked back into the suite with their tray of snacks, smiling at his teacher. "Hey. He bought me a bus."

"Let's not wreck it this time then, shall we? Your pouting lasted almost five years the last time, I'd hate to see it now." He glared at Xander. "Next time, give me some warning."

"We couldn't take it anymore," Oz said as he sat in Xander's lap to feed him one of the little sandwiches. "Oh, hey, she did it again," he said as he picked up the toy and dropped it on the table. "At least someone cleaned it, though she's got to have gross breath by now. She's been playing with it all night."

"That's disgusting," Methos said, glaring at both of them.

"Sorry," Xander and Oz said together.

Methos shook his head. "How many more days do I have to sit for them?"

"Three," Oz told him, blowing a kiss. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Just give me some warning next time. Don's torn up the kitchen and I have no plants left in their pots. I don't even have any books left on the shelves." He looked around. "Where's your third?"

"He had to pick up something," Xander said through a yawn. "He took my new car."

"New car? Did we go buy the whole auction?"

"He had to get a new one, he's selling Cordy his Lexus."

"I wish I had known, I would have offered for it."

"Her pile of rust died," Oz told him, continuing his quest to feed his lover, who was trying to cuddle instead. "It was an instant thing."

"There was a pretty car that didn't sell today," Xander told him from his position against Oz's chest. "Was a little high priced but they're trying again tomorrow." He yawned again. "Want to do supper with us?"

"Only if you come clean my house. They're horrible," he sighed, coming around to sit down behind Oz's still body. "Now I understand why you just handed them over, I feel like that after a few hours. I can only imagine what a whole week alone with them would be like. George is a very calm kitten, he likes to play with mice but he doesn't tear everything up and he doesn't race around the house so fast you can't see him. Or at least he didn't until Fluffy goaded him into it."

Oz shook his head, handing over the sleeping man on his chest. "Hold him while I go to the bathroom and we'll come help you tame them." He headed for the bedroom.

Xander snuggled in, murmuring too quietly to be heard. Methos shook his head but he was smiling down at his lapful.

Oz stood in the doorway watching them. He knew Xander would be taken care of it something happened to him, but now he was sure it would be good care. He headed on to his original destination, closing the door quietly so they wouldn't know he had seen.

***

Xander bent down, petting Rocky's head. "Hey, are you having fun?" She barked at the two kittens zooming past. "Ah, playing Mom again." He sat down and one of the furry blurs landed between his legs. "Hey, Don," he said as he petted the kitten. "Where's your sister?"

"She's upset that you dropped her off like that," Methos said as he sat down, getting a lapful of kitten himself. "See, she's simply filthy again."

"Yeah, but I think that's her natural state." Xander reached over, petting his female kitten's back. "Hey, sweetie, I'm sorry we dropped you off like that, but we had to. You were driving us insane." He blushed as he realized his hand was brushing against the inside of the older man's thigh. "Sorry," he said as he drew his hand away.

"Xander," Methos said gently, making him look at him, "it's nothing that you haven't done before, but I do understand your reticence in this situation." He gave him a small smile. "I wouldn't dream of interrupting Oz's happiness, I'd have to deal with the fall-out."

Oz cleared his throat. "Off him," he said as he sat down across from them. He considered Xander for a few minutes. "Listen, we all know that he's going to end up taking care of you eventually..." He stopped when Xander's mouth opened to reach over and kiss him. "If it happens, we'll understand. Not outside of your protectors though. I may get a little jealous but I'm okay to move on that plane if you are."

Xander handed over the kitten and got up, walking out to his car, locking himself inside. He flinched when someone knocked on the window, flipping them off. "Go away, Oz."

"I would if I were him," Giles said, succeeding in getting the back door open so he could slide in. "I'm sure this was just a misunderstanding."

"No it wasn't, he just offered me to Methos." Xander looked in the mirror. "I thought this was supposed to be different for us."

"It is, love, but he thought you wanted him." Xander shook his head, putting it down on the steering wheel. "If you're honest, you do still have a reaction for him."

"I had a reaction for that movie the other night, doesn't mean I'm going to track down the actors and sleep with them."

"That wasn't what he meant. I'm sure he just meant if you felt like you needed someone besides us."

Xander shook his head. "Doesn't matter." He pulled his keys out. "I'm going to go back to the room, are you coming or not?"

"No, you're not," Giles said, taking the keys. "We'll stay and talk about this like adults."

"Yeah, but I'm apparently just a possession so I'm not going to be included. Anything else?" he asked as Giles stared at him in shock.

"No, you're not leaving," he said gently, looking at the keys in his hand. "Xander, if you were a mere possession, we'd not have wanted you with us for as long as we're together." He glanced back up then got out of the car, walking around to get in beside his lover. "Oz didn't mean it that way, Xander, I know he didn't."

"He *offered* me, Giles, he did," Xander told him gently, making a grab for the keys but not getting them free of the iron fist. "It is my car."

"No, it's our car," Giles corrected. "Come back inside and let us discuss this with you."

Oz opened Giles door and pulled his student out, sitting down to shut them in. "What?"

"You offered me, I'm not a possession." Xander looked at him, seeing the confusion. "I felt like you were my pimp, Oz, get it now?"

Oz shook his head with a groan and closed his eyes. "Xander, that wasn't what I meant."

"That's what you said!"

"No, what I said was that I give you permission to go sleep with the old guy if want to." He opened his eyes to look at his lover. "Nothing else, just permission. I wasn't *offering* you to him and I sure as hell wasn't selling you to him." He reached over but Xander flinched away from him. "Did I just wreck us that badly?"

Xander shrugged. "Not real sure, but I don't want to be touched." He put his head back down on the steering wheel and closed his eyes. "May I please go sulk now."

"No, you can't." Oz reached over slowly, letting Xander move away again if he liked. He rubbed down the tense arm, trying to calm his lover down again. "I know it sounded funny but I've seen how you look at him sometimes, I know how important he is to you and what you've shared." The brown eyes opened. "I would rather have you cheat with him with my knowing than without it."

"I'm not going to cheat," Xander reminded him. "I'm yours and Giles. Or at least I used to be."

Oz growled lightly. "Oh, you're still ours, but Methos is a big part of your past." He leaned over, giving the young man a hug. "I'm sorry I upset you, Xander. I didn't mean to sound like I was offering you to him as a treat."

"But you did."

"No, I was giving permission if you needed to go outside us." He tugged Xander over some so they were both at awkward angles. "Can you honestly say you wouldn't want to sleep with him right now?"

"No, but it's not going to happen."

"Then you never have to use the permission."

Xander looked into his lover's eyes. "Is this some immie thing?"

Oz smiled at him. "No, just a burst of reality that hit me." He patted his lap. "Can we cuddle and talk?"

"This car isn't built for cuddling," Xander said sadly, looking at the sculpted seats. "I got the wrong car."

"Maybe, but I wouldn't mind if you just sat on me for a while." Xander nodded, wiggling his way over to lean against the door and Oz's chest. "Thanks. I know you won't want to cheat, babe, but I also know that sometimes we're not enough." He laid a finger over Xander's mouth. "He can understand you in ways that I can't and that Giles may never."

"Yeah, he does," Xander said, looking down, "but that doesn't mean I'm going to cheat."

"I know that, but sometimes things happen. All I'm saying is that if they do, I'd rather know about it." He rubbed over Xander's chest, gently soothing him. "See it now?"

"Yeah, but this is still strange. I'm not supposed to cheat and neither are you and Giles." He looked up. "I feel like you just put a wedge between us."

"Oh, not at all," Oz said with another smile. "Matter of fact, one of my greatest fantasies includes you and the old guy." He tweaked Xander's stomach. "This is something I've been thinking about for a while now, and even talked to Giles about. We'll both understand if you feel like going to Meth for something that we can't give you. Even I sometimes need something only he can give me."

"You two used to date, huh?"

"It's not uncommon to date your teacher," Oz told him, rubbing down the tense chest. "Relax, babe, I didn't want to offer you to him. Matter of fact, I really don't want him to have you at all if I can't watch."

Xander frowned at him. "Is that your fantasy?"

"No, in it I'm a despot in some South American country. I'm one of the ones that's hard but fair so I'm well liked and everything but I still have almost total control over everything that goes on." He kissed his lover's temple. "Anyway, Meth is being chased by one of the best fighters among us, someone like Connor or Mac, or even someone better, and he comes running to me for sanctuary." Xander snuggled in closer, eyes closing a little as he relaxed. "He's brought in by one of my guards, who I promise a nice bonus to for finding him, and when Methos looks up at me, his mouth falls open, just spilling everything. So I tell him I'll shield him, but only if he does something for me. When he agrees, I lead him back to our suite, opening the door and pushing him inside. He starts to drool as he sees you and you jump on him, wrapping yourself around him to give him a hug."

"What am I wearing?" Xander asked sleepily.

"Your harem pants, the ones that cover you but leave you really exposed. Since you're wrapping yourself around him, the little opening gaps and gives him every opportunity to cop a feel, which he does. I lock the door and clear my throat, waving at the bed. 'Go over there', I tell him, then head for the chair that I use to watch you when you play with yourself for me. Meth lays you on the bed, pulling back long enough to strip you both, then dives down to take control of your kiss."

"He ravishes me?"

"Oh, precious, he does much more than that. See, Methos knows tricks he's never taught *anybody*. The man can drive you insane in a few minutes and he likes to do it for hours on end." He kissed his lover's forehead again. "He uses those to make you wordless, mindless, and limp under his hands, then he starts to work himself inside you." He smiled as he saw Xander's cock get harder under his pants. "He starts this long, slow, teasing stroke, the kind I like to teach you lessons with." The young man groaned. "Then he keeps it going, never changing, never giving you enough, until you're ready to beg but you can't because you have no brains left functioning."

"What do you do?" Xander asked, looking up at Oz. "Do you help?"

"I come over slowly and plug your mouth before you rediscover speech, making you suck me off. Meth just smiles this little smirk of his and picks up speed, pounding you. You're groaning around me now, just doing everything to the best of your abilities. I watch your eyes, waiting until you're just about to shoot off to pull out, then I wince at the scream you let out. Methos kisses you gently, getting off himself, then pulls out to lay beside you, cuddling you to him. I, of course, cuddle the both of you and we all take a nap."

"Wow," Xander whispered, pushing up against the hand on him. "Very wow."

"Yeah, that's the fantasy that got me through missing you when you ran away. I think I became a despot so you could never leave me again." He brushed a hand over the hard cock. "Wanted it?"

"Yeah, I could see me there." Xander brushed down Oz's face, giving him a small smile. "Why do you torture me like this?"

"Because I love you and I don't want you to leave me, especially not over something I can accept you doing, like Methos."

"Ah." Xander sat up, staring into his eyes, then nodded. "If it happens, which it won't, you'll know and be there." He relaxed into the hug he got, nipping the side of Oz's neck. "Can we go take care of this? I'd like to cuddle, at the very least."

"Sure, we'll go take care of you being so hard it hurts." Oz kissed him. "I miss bench seats some days," he sighed as Xander tried to get over into his own seat again so they could get out. "Help?" he called to the person standing outside the car.

Giles and Methos reached in, grabbing Xander to pull him out, holding him steady until he could get his feet under him. Xander kissed each of their cheeks, heading back into the house. "I'm going to the bathroom."

"Lube's in the closet," Methos told Oz with a smile. "Don't make a mess."

Oz pulled Methos' head down, kissing him. "I was right," he said as he followed his lover, not even noticing that Giles wasn't following him. He closed and locked the bathroom door behind himself, leaning against it to watch Xander strip. "Hmm, presents," he murmured, reaching into the closet to find the lube. He ended up walking in there, missing Xander's stroll in behind him, but unable to miss the warm flesh that pressed itself against his back. "Wanted it this way?" he asked as he handed over the tube and a washcloth.

"I have a fantasy too," Xander whispered, shutting the closet door behind them, bringing them into darkness. "I have this fantasy where I'm on my knees on the floor, blindfolded." Oz groaned, leaning back into the hard body as his clothes were taken off. "You talked me into agreeing to serve you for two days and nights, and admittedly I went willingly. So you put me naked on the floor while Meth tied the blindfold on. All I can do is hear the couch squeak and a few quiet words passing between you guys, then you say 'Xander, I want to give you a test.'" He nibbled on the back of Oz's neck as one of his hands went around to prepare himself. "I feel you stand up in front of me, or someone since I can't tell, and I feel a hard cock brushing against my lips. 'Open up, tell us who it is and earn a treat, get it wrong and add a night', you whispered, so I know it's not you. I suck on the cock, tasting it while I pleasure whomever it was. 'Giles', I breathe. I get a pat on the head and a kiss. 'Very good', you tell me, then another cock takes its place. This time though, the tastes are all mixed up. You and he have been playing with each other, spreading your precome over each other to confuse me you naughty boy you." Oz shifted back, rubbing some, starting to hump him. "Then I guess it's you and it's not." Oz groaned. "Methos tells me now I have an extra night of servitude but that I've earned a treat so we're moving me to the bed."

Oz turned, kissing him hard. "Bed?"

"I'm led into our bedroom and my hands are put around one of the bed poles, then handcuffed around it." Oz rubbed against him, kissing and nibbling on his lover's neck. "I'm pulled back some to put me off balance and the next thing I know my plug is being exchanged for a cock. 'Guess', Giles says, from behind me but not close enough to be in me. I concentrate, trying to tell the little differences by rhythm, but I can't. I shrug and get a spank for it. 'Guess', Methos says from in front of me. So I guess you. Then the cock behind me pulls out and another one takes its place. I'm getting more than ready to blow but Giles' voice in my ear tells me I can't. Then I feel a hand work its way around to my stomach and down to grasp me, then I hear this delighted chuckle. 'We'll have to play this game again,' Giles said, so I guess him. He pulls out and a firm, hard cock pushes into me, and that's all I can take."

Oz nodded, turning Xander around, licking down his back as he worked a finger into his lover's body. "Naughty," Oz whispered, sliding into the prepared hole. "So very bad."

"Yup, I am. But this time I know it's you so I push back, silently begging just like you like. You groan and pull my hips back more, making me step back so I'm bent over." He braced himself against the door, shifting so Oz had the best access to him. "I'm pounded, absolutely slammed into. I have to swallow because a cock is put into my mouth and a mouth goes around my cock, making me one very happy boy."

"Xander," Oz groaned, picking up speed. "More?"

"Of course, love. Anyway, you're pounding into me, I'm being very happy, then suddenly everything stops." Oz moaned, shooting off. "You ask me to guess once my mouth is clear, tell me it's worth a week of servitude or a week of treats. So I say you're in me, Giles was in my mouth, and Methos was one of the best blows I've ever had." Oz chuckled, leaning against his back. "You tell me I'm wrong and pull my blindfold off. I whimper as I see Methos behind me and you under me, but you just smile and said, 'Thank you, but you're still going to be ours for the next week and a half."

Oz groaned, shaking his head. "Only you can have fantasies like that." He gently pulled himself out, turning Xander to kiss him. "I never want to fight again, okay?" Xander nodded. "I'm very permissive so if you ask, we can do that."

"Really?" Oz nodded, giving him a hug. "I have all I want though." Oz looked up and smiled. "I really do. Though I might take you up on the offer to gang-bang Meth," he said with a grin.

Oz shook his head, kissing the soft lips. "I'm so there. We'll send Giles out for the night since he wouldn't want in on it." He looked up into the brown eyes, seeing the love shining from them. "No more fights. No more walking out, no more sulking. Deal?"

"Deal," Xander said, sealing it with a kiss.

"You two had to do that in there with my *clean* towels, didn't you?" Methos said from the bathroom in disgust.

Xander giggled, then looked at Oz, who nodded. They walked out, surrounding Methos to kiss him, making him go limp in their arms. "Yup," Xander said, giving Oz a kiss. "We had to."

Oz winked at him. "We've decided we're not going to fight anymore. I'm permissive and he's easy to get along with as long as I don't set unfair rules, so we're not going to fight anymore."

Giles smiled at them from the doorway. "I'm glad then. Have we decided on other things?" he asked with a wave toward Methos.

"Yeah, we might snag him for a night of fun, but we wouldn't make you participate," Oz told him with a smile. Giles nodded, leaving them alone. "Now then, other part, we should go do the talking thing, set some rules."

Xander shook his head. "We have enough rules. We talk to each other instead of yelling or getting upset."

"Deal." Oz nodded taking Xander's hand, leading him into the bedroom, leaving his teacher standing in the middle of the bathroom in confusion.

"What just happened?" Methos asked his bathroom, looking around. He shook his head, heading for where he could hear crashing in the kitchen. "George, you will *not* follow Don's example and eat out of the pot!"

***

Xander sat on the hood of his sports car, watching Oz's bus as it drove into the driveway. He slid down, going over to smile at the animals sitting in the front seat, and get a kiss from his lover. "We need a garage."

"Yup, we do, but we have one," Oz reminded him, pointing.

"I meant a bigger one." He pointed toward the gate. "There's a foundation laid out down there for something, maybe it was for another garage."

"Could be," Oz said, giving him a smile. "Let's get the rotten one and Rocky inside." He grabbed Don and Rocky jumped down to follow them. "I'm glad Fluffy decided to stay and terrorize George for a while, she needed Methos to be happy."

"I have what I need to make me happy," Xander said, giving Oz a kiss. "Come on, the mail must be in a big pile on the other side of the door by now." He pulled out his keys, walking up to the door, but it was unlocked. "Um, Oz," he said, backing away from the open door. "You go in first."

Oz handed off the kitten, hand on the knife he always carried now as he walked inside. "Willow!" he yelled.

Xander walked in and groaned, looking at all the things spread out on the floor. "Wills?" he asked her, kneeling beside where she lay on the blankets spread out on the floor. "Willow?" he said gently, nudging her. When she didn't answer, he checked her pulse, frowning. He lifted her eyelid, groaning. "Turned." He stood up, but she attacked his leg, biting him. "Get off!" he yelled as he shook her off his leg.

Oz pulled her away, sitting her up. "What's going on?"

"Angel had to save my life." She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Sorry, Xander. You smell good."

"Thanks, I think." He sat down across from her, looking her over before he examined his leg. "What's going on? Why are you sleeping out here?"

"Because I couldn't look at your bed anymore," she said, waving a hand toward the hall. "I had to find a neutral place to sleep, somewhere that didn't smell like sex and love and happiness." She looked at Oz. "Where's Giles?"

"He's coming, he had to stop and get supper." He helped her up. "Clean up the mess and we'll talk. He shouldn't be more than five more minutes." She nodded, gathering the blankets and heading for the washer hidden behind the folding doors in the kitchen. "Oh, hell," he muttered, pulling Xander into a hug. "What now?"

Fixing the Itches.

Xander waved at the door guard as he walked past him, his face set in a pissed but determined look that made the guard quickly turn away. As Xander walked into Devi's new house, he nodded at the prostitutes he knew, his expression and determined stride not changing as he headed for the working rooms. "Ostrach?" he called.

"T. . .three," someone stuttered.

"Thank you." Xander walked into the third room, slamming the door behind him. "Welcome to Slayer country, we're going to have a discussion." He pulled his former client off the young man he was working over, dragging him outside, nodding again at the working boys he knew. He slammed the demon into a wall, getting into his face. "You have something of mine," he hissed, "and I want my guardian back."

Ostrach shook his head, his top fin waving. "I don't know anything, I'm new in town, Alex."

"Ostrach, you are such a liar. You knew *everything* within minutes of landing in town. I want Angel back!" He emphasized his demand by pushing him into the wall again. "Now, you can either tell me about him or you can tell the Slayer about her ex." The demon's pale green flesh lost all it's color. "Yes, it's him. Now, I'm *trying* to be reasonable but everyone's withholding sex from me until I find him so it's not going to last."

Ostrach looked down the tight body he knew very well, licking his scaly lips. "Really?" Xander nodded, stepping back and crossing his arms. "You know, they wanted you." Xander frowned so he started to talk faster. "They took the vampire because they knew you liked him. It's a nest of Florthenic demons."

Xander grimaced and spit. "The Jabba-the-hut looking ones?" Ostrach nodded. "Where's the nest?"

"Down . . . down on third. Abandoned warehouse. You'll smell them." He glanced around. "Can I go?"

Xander gave the demon's body a long, slow look, then shifted his stance, seeming to relax as he saw the demon getting harder; he had time to play. "No, you can't. I'm enjoying this." The demon's eyes grew wide. "Actually, I'm getting off on this." The demon moaned and went to his knees. "Oh, are *you* enjoying this?" Ostrach nodded frantically. "Hmm," Xander said as he stroked down to his stomach, "my, that's not what I meant to happen." He used the back of his hand to stroke his cock. "Bummer. For you." Xander shrugged and turned to head back to his car, making sure he wiggled pleasingly as he walked.

"Alex!" Ostrach called, crawling after him. "Please, Alex, anything, just fix it. Please don't leave me hanging. Please?" He stopped as someone stepped into his path.

"Mine," Methos growled. The demon hopped up and ran inside, so scared he peed the whole way. Methos smiled at his students, Oz having walked out to stand behind him. "Xander, that was cruel." He stroked his thumb across Xander's bottom lip. "I'm *very* proud of you."

Oz's eyebrows went up. "Good to know." He looked at his lover. "Let's get Angel, you can tease the other demons too." He put a proprietary hand on Xander's cock. "You going to fix this?" Methos moaned, heading for the car.

"I will," Xander said with a smile. "I'm sure we'll fix it very well." He walked toward the car, making sure Oz got the same show he had given his former client.

Oz adjusted himself before following. "Naughty," he said as he slid behind the wheel, stealing a kiss. "Meth, we staying at your house tonight?"

"If you wish."

"Oh, I do," Xander murmured, relaxing. "I even planned on it." Oz glanced at him so he smiled. "Yes?"

"Nothing," Oz muttered, starting the car.

***

Xander stalked into the demons' lair, giving all the ones he ran across sexy little teasing smiles. "Angel," he whispered as he walked up behind where the vampire was attached to a pole. He pulled a knife and slit the bonds.

"Chain," Angel said, turning to look at him. "You shouldn't have come, they wanted you."

"Oh, I know." Xander shrugged, handing him the knife. "I'll be back." He finished his stroll toward the main chamber, giving the blob of demon on the dias a disgusted look. "Gee, you could have tried asking; I might have come."

The demon mumbled something then he laughed, waving at the human.

"Oh, I don't think so," he said, shaking his head. "You do *not* own me. Not even my keeper owns me." He looked around him at the very uneven odds. "I'd have your minions back off, you don't want to know what I'm capable of."

The demon laughed again, this time falling from his chair.

Xander smiled meanly at him. "You can't *own* someone today, it's against the law, even the demon laws. You have to have their permission to own them, which you do not have." The head demon tossed some coins onto the floor. "Welcome to the twenty-first century, do you need a 'my name is' tag? In today's world, we measure money in the *billions*, I have more than you just offered in my wallet for cat toys." The demons all laughed, except the main one, who glared at them all and mumbled something. He looked the demon over. "You might as well get over it, it isn't happening. You have nothing I can't buy cheaper at the seven-eleven on the corner." He waved him off. "Go back to your own little world, blubber boy, I'm not yours." He turned, then had to stop as a demon got in his way. So he pushed him, glaring at him. "I'm going to leave now, if I do not make it out of here, the Slayer is waiting for me outside." All the demons backed away from him. "Yeah, her, we're *close* friends." He winked at Angel as he caught sight of him, walking over to where he was and wrapping an arm around his waist. "So, had any good one night stands recently?" he asked as he led the vampire outside to his car. Both Oz and Methos were standing up, resting against the side of the car, waiting on them.

Oz shook his head, sliding back in. "I don't even want to know."

"He taunted them," Angel said as he slid into the back, next to Xander. "Totally destroyed the head demon's control." Oz gave them an appraising look from the front passenger's side. "He was in fine form," Angel assured him. "Asked him if he needed a 'my name is' badge, whatever that is."

"He offered me about the equivalent of sixty dollars and I informed him what century he was in," Xander said with a small wave. "That's all. Just played with his head a little." He grinned at his lover, and winked at Methos, who was looking at him in the rearview mirror. "I need to blow off some stress, Oz, can we? When we get to Meth's house."

"Of course you may," Methos purred. "Anytime you want it, you know that." He pulled up in front of Angel's office, letting him get out. "Why are you staying at my place tonight? I had thought that you'd want to be home with your other lover instead of sulking with me."

"Oh, I don't plan on sulking," Xander said huskily, rubbing himself gently. "Sulking isn't in my plans at all."

Oz groaned and covered his eyes. "Xander, please, not in the car. Not this time."

"Why not?" Xander asked with a small, sexy pout. "You usually like to let me play in the car."

"Children, not while I'm driving. I'd have an accident from watching." Methos sped up as he drove onto the interstate. "Home," he muttered, checking his speed and going faster. "Have to make it home first." He subtly reached down and adjusted himself.

***

Xander waited until Oz had locked the bedroom door behind himself, then leaned against it so no one could get past him. "I have *plans* tonight, guys, does anyone have a problem with that?" Oz shook his head, sitting up against the headboard.

Methos swallowed and looked around. "Xander, why am I in here? If you have plans, shouldn't I be being tortured from my room?" He looked around again. "Or better yet, shouldn't you both not be in my room?"

"Nope," Xander said, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. "See, we've decided that you're part of our plans tonight." Oz nodded, smirking at his teacher. "We've been talking about having you for *weeks* now," he said as he pulled off his shirt, tossing it casually on the chair next to the dresser. He kicked off his loafers, then teased his fingers along the buckle of his belt. "Don't you want to be included, just this once?"

Methos nodded, his eyes glued to the hand tugging on the end of the belt. "I may."

"Good," Xander purred, undoing the buckle and tugging the belt free with a snap. He tossed it on top of his shirt before sliding the clasp holding his pants up apart. "I have a surprise for you. Both," he said as he slid the zipper down.

Oz's mouth fell open as he stared at what Xander was wearing. "A skin-colored thong," he said in appreciation. His lover kicked off his pants and walked closer so he could see the fabric it was made from. "From the peachskin?" He looked up to see the nod and the teasing smile, and swallowed hard. "Methos, he's wearing a peachskin thong."

Xander leaned down to whisper in his lover's ear. "A double sided one." He smirked at the cough, walking over to where Methos was standing dumbly, just watching him. "Would you like to help me take it off?" Methos nodded, reaching for him. "No, no, naughty, with your teeth."

"Teeth?" Methos asked, nodding. "I think I have some of those." He fell to his knees, mouthing the hard cock through the soft and slightly fuzzy fabric. "You're wearing that fabric on both sides?" he asked in shock, looking up to see the nod. "How? I couldn't make it into a pair of pants without coming."

"Easy, I'm me." Xander thrust his hips out. "Come on, Methos, do it, baby."

"Yeah, Meth, finish undressing my naughty pet," Oz said from the bed, pulling out a bottle of lube, then shaking it and grabbing a second. "Gonna need this," he told himself, putting them aside.

Methos nibbled his way up to the waistband, earning a happy moan, then smiled as he found the snaps, undoing them with his mouth. "At least you made it easy on me."

"Oh, you're not getting off that easy," Xander told him, spreading his legs to let the material fall. "Put them on, Methos, it's your turn now." The old immortal looked up at him in shock. "Now!" Methos hurried to get undressed, his fingers fumbling with his buttons and zipper.

Oz slid off the bed, coming over to slide the thong on his teacher's body. "You really made it double sided," he said in amazement. He snapped the soft fabric around Methos' crotch, stepping back to enjoy the sight of him wiggling.

"Gods!" Methos said, pulling the thong off. "How did you stand that?" He stood up, panting, his cock standing up fully now. "I couldn't wear that thing for a minute."

Xander shrugged. "Easily." He grabbed Methos' head, pulling him in for a kiss, taking the cloth that Oz handed him so he could tease him some more. "See?" he said as he surrounded the hard cock with the fabric in his hand, making it a warm, furry tunnel.

Methos tried to back away but found himself corralled in by Oz, who had wrapped himself around his back and was gently rocking against his ass. "Why me?" he asked, looking up, relaxing into the torture.

"So good of you to accept," Xander said, pulling totally away from him, nodding at Oz to do the same. "On the bed, old guy, or no more playing with me."

Methos scrambled for the bed, laying stretched out in a way that showed off his whole body. "Better?"

"Nope, you're not in the right position. Oz, fix him."

Oz walked over, grabbing a leg and an arm to flip the older immortal over, pushing his head down into the pillows. "Lube's on the table," he said as he crawled under Methos' head, sticking his cock into the opening mouth. "Good, you do remember this part." He watched as Xander prepared himself and the small dildo. "I feel like I should have popcorn."

"No, it's messy. Don't want to sleep on it." Xander slid the dildo into the waiting hole, smirking at the groan. "See, he's ready." He spread the lube around with the small toy, inching closer until he was ready to start pushing in. He withdrew the toy and positioned himself as fast as he could, leaning over the tense back. "Relax, I'm making you feel virginal again," he said as he started to gently push against the still-tight opening.

Methos groaned and shot off, going limp under Xander.

Oz patted the back of Methos' head, shrugging at Xander. "He's more relaxed now."

"Point," Xander said as he inched his way in, ever so slowly working his way into the semi- prepared body. "Oz, you've got to get some of this, he's very nice."

"I know, had that before. Been a long time, but I have been in there."

"Shut up," Methos growled, pushing back against Xander. "No more teasing, imp, do it!"

"Shh," Xander said, rubbing down the retensed back. "Just relax and let your favorite students prove they learned a lot from you."

Oz chuckled. "Oh, that's so mean."

"Yup." Xander slammed in with a shrug. "He's a tease, he deserved it." He pulled back out, almost all the way, then started to ease back in again. When he noticed the full lips starting to open, he pointed at the dark head. "Close his mouth for me, babe, I need quiet to work in."

"Ooooh," Oz shuddered. "I haven't seen you like this in a while." He shoved his cock back into Methos' mouth. "Last time I didn't sit for a week."

"And a half," Xander noted, giving three good, hard stokes, then barely pulling out, starting on a few shallow, almost rhythmless strokes. "Ah, playing," he sighed, slamming into him again. Methos made a strangled noise. "Oz, babe, he can't breathe."

"Not my fault, he dropped me when you started to tease him again." The doorbell rang so Oz slid off the bed, grabbing the thong to put on. "I'll get it, you have fun. Save me some."

"Sure." Xander leaned down, getting as close to the flushed ear as he could. "You do want him too, right?"

Methos pulled a pillow over his head, simply pushing his hips back so Xander could do what he wanted to him.

Oz opened the door, frowning at the deliveryman on the other side. "What?"

The messenger glanced down at the skin-colored thong as he handed over the clipboard. "Sorry to interrupt but I have to deliver this, it was specific about it being tonight." He swallowed as he watched Oz getting harder. "Um, thanks. Have fun and all," he said, almost throwing the letter at him as he ran for his car.

Oz closed the door, reaching down to hold the torturous fabric away from his cock as he walked back to the bedroom. "Let me say that I agree with Meth, I couldn't wear this for much longer." He unsnapped it, crawling back on the bed to kiss the back of Xander's neck. "He give up yet?"

"Yup, no more protest," Xander said as he lightly slapped Methos' ass. "We're establishing what fun is right now."

"No more, please," Methos groaned. "Oz, make him stop it."

"Xander, you're being mean. You teased him at supper and now you're doing it again. Let the poor man get off so I can have you." He lay down on the bed, spreading himself out. "I'll even ready myself if you hurry him up."

Xander looked over Oz's body then nodded, starting a hard, pounding rhythm into Methos' body, skillfully applying pressure along some very intense points in the old man's back to make him get off.

Methos growled, biting the pillow, as he came, then turned around to glare at Xander. "You'll pay," he whispered as he fell to his stomach.

"Of course I will," Xander said with a grin. "We're all looking forward to it too. Aren't we, Oz?"

Oz nodded. "Yup. Want on top?"

"You know I feel funny about topping you," Xander said, reaching behind himself to pull the plug he had been wearing out, dropping it off the side of the bed. "In me, Oz, now. Teasing him was almost too much fun."

"It was the thong," Oz told him as he pulled Xander down across his waist, lining himself up to slip inside. "Better?" he asked.

"Not yet. Soon, real soon." Xander started his own ride, using small twists on each upstroke, posting hard on his lover's cock. "Oh, like this."

"Me too, but not enough," Oz said, pulling his lover off and tossing him on top of Methos' stretched out body so he could slide in again. "Much better."

"Not on me," he whined.

"Shh," Xander said, licking down the lightly haired spinal indent. "I'm having fun."

"Shh," Oz told them both, pounding into his lover, "or no restraints."

"Oh, gods," Methos complained. He turned to look at his student. "They're in the closet."

"Hmm," Oz said, sliding out to examine them. By the time he came back, Xander was under Methos, who was teasing just as badly as he had been teased, and Xander had his arms in the perfect position to be restrained. "You asked for it," he reminded his lover as he tied his arms to the headboard. "You live with the sore ass."

"Oh, I will," Xander sighed, relaxing as he was entered again, this time by Methos. "Definitely, with pleasure."

Oz nodded, reaching down to slide three fingers into their toy's body, working him even as they worked off the slut he took care of. Methos bit Xander's stomach as he came, laying his head on it to look at Oz. "Out of my way," Oz said, grabbing his cock to wave it in his teacher's face, "or get it instead."

Methos rolled off of Xander, watching as Oz slid into him and started to work him hard. "No teasing?"

"Not this time," Oz told him, holding still while Xander got off. "Remember, our go all night bunny here can last *many* times."

"Ooooh," Xander whimpered. "Please?"

"Of course," Oz and Methos said together, one going to suck on the soft cock, the other starting a short, teasing stroke.

Giles unbuttoned his pants, sliding them down so he could get more comfortable in the tv room. He licked his palm, eyes glued to the security camera as he watched his lovers take on their teacher. "Oh, my," he whispered, starting to work himself off, "I should have asked to get in on that too. I'll remember this the next time Xander offers."

***

Xander looked up from his place in the bathtub, grinning at Methos as he walked in. "Hi, I'm comfy. Want the other side?"

"No, pet, unlike some people, my ass isn't on fire." He knelt beside the tub, picking up the sponge to wipe down the young man's chest. "How do we feel this morning?"

"Ready for more."

Oz shook his head from the doorway. "You sucked my daily quota of sperm already. You'll have to attack Giles later."

"Shoot," Xander said, sliding down further into the water until his cock was sticking out of it so he could play with it. "I wanted more." He pouted at Methos. "I'm sure *you're* not tired."

"Oh, I am," Methos told him, giving him a short kiss. "You're well beyond what I could handle alone." He stood up, looking at Oz. "Who was at the door last night?"

"Delivery person. I scared him off." He shrugged. "Letter's on top of the dresser."

Methos walked out, leaving them alone, shaking his head at the giggling that started. "Children," he muttered, sitting on top of Xander's clothes to tear open the letter, his whole body going pale as he finished it. "Oz," he said quietly, bringing both men. "He left me."

Xander sat on the floor, looking at the letter he had taken from the limp hand. "Ray's going to stay in Chicago, he didn't realize how much he missed his old life." He looked up at Oz, his face getting his determined look again. "We'll just have to fix it then."

"No," Methos said, giving him a kiss. "Let him. He'll come back eventually. The letter said he would." He got up, heading out to the library to cuddle with the puppies that were hiding in there. "He'll come home to both of us," he told Ray's dog. "I promise he will."

Xander looked up at Oz, handing him the letter. "I'm going to meddle. You helping or not?"

"Oh, I'll help. Don't worry." Oz patted his shoulder. "I'm going to spar with Giles. Do something for a while but leave him alone." He walked out of the bedroom, heading down the hall.

Xander shook his head at Oz's yell of, "FLUFFY! THAT'S NOT A KITTEN PLAYTOY!" He looked around then shook his head, getting up and jogging out to get the plug he had worn the night before. "Fluffy, that's just gross. You shouldn't be chewing on that, Oz should." He pinched Oz's ass and winked at Giles as he headed back to the bedroom. "Ignore me, I'm going to go finish my bath."

"Whatever," Oz muttered, glaring at the kitten. "You have plenty of toys, you don't need ours."

Fluffy stood up to stretch against his leg, giving him a silent meow.

Giles winced as he heard Xander's pleased yell. "Doesn't he ever stop?"

"It's cyclical. He won't want it for another day and a half once it's done this time." He stole a kiss. "Come on, want to beat your ass with a sword."

"My, I didn't know you were into such pursuits," Giles said with a smile as he stood up. "Won't that hurt?"

Oz groaned, turning and heading for the practice room. "So bad," he called.

"Xander taught me that one," Giles called, sitting back down. "Come get me when you really want me."

"Now!" Oz called, "or go satisfy the Xander sexmonster."

Giles hopped up and followed. "I do believe that's not possible and I really don't want to experience a heart attack anytime in the near future."

***

Xander finished wrapping the box on the table, turning it over to address it. "What's Chicago's zip code?" he called.

"Why?" Oz called back, walking out to the living room to give his lover a hard look. "Why?"

"Because I need to send something to Ray, his Christmas present." Xander tapped the top of the box. "This way, in case he doesn't want to come home, he still can get it and I won't feel so bad."

"Ah. It's in my address book, go grab it." Oz headed back to the craft room. "I'm almost done with my rug."

"I have six more thongs done," Xander called back, coming back to the table after digging through the bill drawer.

"You're not wearing them," Oz and Giles called together from the back of the house.

"For other-people presents," Xander called back with a smirk. "I'm giving them to Methos."

Oz walked back out. "He's going to get you for that, you know that, right?"

"Of course he will, I'm looking forward to it," Xander said, not looking up, but still smiling. "He should be ready by then." He stood up, grabbing his keys. "Heading out to the post office," he called. "Be back later."

"No playing," Oz reminded him. "You have to work later."

"Whatever," Xander said, heading out to his car and sliding in, starting the car and heading down the driveway. Once he was safely away from the house, he picked up his cellphone, dialing the number he had memorized earlier. He pulled off the road, tapping his wheel. "Hi, Regency Travel? No, I have a problem, I'm getting two friends back together again. . . ."

***

Methos grumbled as he walked to the door, glaring at the man on the other side. "I may love you but I'll kill you for getting me up at five in the morning, whelp."

Xander handed over a cup of coffee and pushed his way inside. "Go get dressed, you have to go somewhere." Methos looked confused. "No, *you* have to go. Oz can't and we got a call for help. I'll explain on the way to the airport, just get dressed and pack for a week." He pulled the immortal into the bedroom, helping him with the tasks, waiting until they were on the way to the airport to explain anything to him. "See, we got a desperate call last night from one of Oz's friends, who's in major trouble, but he can't go. His deadline is in two days and he still can't find the missing period, so you have to go for him." He pulled up in front of the terminal, handing an envelope over to him. "Here's your ticket and the one for the train you'll be meeting him on."

Methos glared at the white paper. "Why a train?"

"Because that's what he said, something about it being safer because there was no privacy. I guess no way to have challenges and stuff." Xander shrugged. "All I know is that you're escorting him to Denver. That's all he asks, is that you escort him, maybe give some brilliant conversation." He got out, walking around to grab the bag he had packed and the older man, walking them both into the terminal and checking him in. "Later," he called, waving as Methos went through security. "I put money in your pocket for more coffee!"

He headed back to his car, smiling the whole way. "We'll just see whose getting broken hearted this time, Ray," he murmured as he got in and drove his sports car away.

***

Methos looked around the sleeper car in confusion. "Why am I here?" he asked, checking his ticket. He shrugged, handing it to the porter, letting him show him where he needed to be. He stopped cold as he saw who else was in the car assigned to him, glaring at the window. "Xander, I will get you for this," he said as he closed the door behind himself. "Ray," he said gently, sitting across from him. "Did the horny one get you here too?"

"Yup," Ray said, leaning back with a smile. "He even sent me some really cool stuff to wear tonight." He pulled the shade and stood up, taking off his clothes to show off the seafoam green, peachskin thong he was wearing. "He said it was my Christmas present. They're really comfy and soft, ya know. He said I should show it to you, then talk."

Methos groaned, holding his head. "Why me? Xander, I will get you for this!" he called to the ceiling.

***

Xander slid back into bed beside Oz, giving his shoulder a little lick. "He's gone," he whispered.

"You didn't," Oz said, rolling over to hug him.

"Yup, I did, I'm interfering, I had to." He grinned, wrapping himself around his lover's body. "I'm sure he'll only be mad for a little while."

"You'd better hope so, he's going to take it out on you. Physically."

"Hmm, really?"

Oz groaned at the interest in Xander's voice, getting free and rolling to his other side. "Not again. You just had some a few hours ago."

"What can I say, you're very nummy," Xander whispered, licking down Oz's back, grabbing the lube on the bedside table with his free hand. "Just relax and enjoy it, Oz, I'm going to make it good."

"It's always good, Xander, but some of us don't need it this often."

"But Giles won't let me jump him, he says I'm abnormal."

"Only in certain things," Oz muttered, accepting the finger entering him.

***

Oz opened the front door, silently waving Willow inside. He followed her into the living room, sitting across from Xander, who was pouting. "So, you called?" he asked her.

"I need some help, guys, I can't stand Angel." She sat on the floor, looking at them. "He's totally a bitch to deal with, all rules and everything." Giles snickered. "Even more than you had in the library, Giles, and it's getting creepy, he's reading my mind."

Oz shook his head. "What did you need from us?"

"I need to leave LA, or at least move to the other side. Richie's been understanding but I freaked him badly and he left, and I don't want to follow him, but I can't stay in LA. If I do, I'll end up staking my Sire and that'll just lead to worse problems."

Oz looked at Xander, who nodded, getting up to get something. He came back, sitting in front of her. "Okay, here's the deal," Xander told her, "we have a building in Vermont. It needs some renovations and we can't be up there to supervise."

"I think I can do that," she said hesitantly. "I don't know anything about construction but okay."

"Okay, and there's one other thing, people up there know me, real well. That's where I ran when we were having problems. It's a small town, much smaller than Sunnydale, so you're going to have to be very careful."

"Okay," she said, nodding. "I can do that. Is there a library?"

"And a bookstore," Xander told her, handing over an envelope. "I've called someone about getting an estimate, it shouldn't take too long to get the work started. In there's the keys and a map of how to get there. We'll send you by train so you can get used to not having any privacy and so you figure out how to feed without the whole world knowing." She nodded. "Good. I'll call my friend up there and have her tell her brother to start work, you'll be bringing up the money and yourself since I can't get free right now. We'll tell her you're running from your boyfriend, who got very old fashioned for a while, something like a vacation from the relationship." She nodded. "We'll even give you enough money to set up with but after that, it's all on you."

She nodded, smiling. "Okay. I can accept that. After the work's done, I can go somewhere more populous and be free, right?" Xander nodded. "Okay. Just tell her I'm setting up on that coast because this one has bad memories for me now."

Oz nodded. "Reasonable. You can look for a job from the house." He looked at Xander. "You're going to have to send up pictures, he never let me see it."

"It's really pretty," Xander told him, getting up to give Oz a hug and curl up in his lap. "Okay?"

"Very okay." Oz rubbed down the soft back. "Okay, Willow?"

She nodded and stood up. "I'll call Amtrak from LA."

"We already have," Xander said. "Ticket's in there. It's for tomorrow. That should give you enough time to settle the blood issue and pack."

She hugged each of them. "I'll write, guys, really." She walked out of the house, closing the door gently.

"One problem solved," Xander said softly. "I wish they were all that easy."

"That wasn't easy, it would have been a lot harder if you hadn't had money," Giles pointed out, coming over to give both of them hugs. "I believe I'm going to practice upstairs." He headed for the big room over the back of the house.

Oz looked into Xander's eyes. "What's up with your hyper-sex needs this time? Usually you do this when you're feeling insecure."

"I feel like Giles is pulling away."

"He's been dancing between us and Methos. I'm not sure what's going on with him, but we can sit him down and talk to him later." Xander nodded, relaxing into him. "Even if he leaves for a while, he'll come back. You're too hard to resist for long."

Xander grinned weakly. "Thanks." He curled up tighter in Oz's lap, snuggling in for a long cuddle. "I think it'll be okay now."

"As long as Buffy doesn't find out that you had to save Angel. I really don't want to hear about that."

Xander chuckled. "I doubt he'll tell her what happened." He picked up the phone as it rang, handing it off to Oz when the voice on the other end started to yell. "For you," he said with a smirk, slipping off the welcoming lap and wiggling into the bedroom. "I'm waiting, Oz," he called as he turned into the hall. "Tell him I said hi."

Oz put the phone to his ear, smirking at the yelling that was still going on. "So, you're staying in Chicago with Ray, right, Methos?"

***

Methos hung up the phone, sighing as he lay back down beside his lover. "Ray, those two are horrid, wretched creatures."

"Of course they are," Ray said soothingly, patting his arm. "Want to see what else Xander gave me for Christmas?" He hopped up, grabbing his bag and opening them, pulling on the soft fabric. "Ta-da," he said, turning around.

"Frogs?"

"And turtles, isn't it cool?"

Methos looked over the cotton pajamas. "Yes, but when was he planning on you wearing them?" He raised one eyebrow. "They won't last that long in here."

"Strip me, babe, let's see how fast you can get me free of them." Ray walked closer, but still made him sit up to get the pajamas off. "Then you can tell me how we're getting the puppies and kitten to Chicago."

"Kittens. Fluffy's decided to come live with George and she still hasn't lost her like of human toys." He purred as he unwrapped the younger man, shaking his head when he came to the sand dollar-colored thong. "How many of these did he make?"

"He made these?" Ray said, looking at the piece of fabric that was handed to him. "Wow, I've got to send him a thank you note then. These are great, I may never wear normal underwear again."

Methos moaned and hid under the blankets in their hotel room in Denver. "I will get you for this, Xander," he muttered. "Some day soon, whelp."

Changes Going On

Xander looked up as Giles walked into the craft room, finishing his seam as fast as he could and putting his newest project aside. "Hey," he said, shifting over to get a hug. "What's wrong?"

Oz looked up from his computer, rolling his chair backwards to sit beside Xander. "Looks like a serious discussion."

"It is, I'm afraid." Giles held one of Xander's hands. "Connor's asked if I wanted to come study under him for a year or so."

Oz nodded. "He's one of the best of us. It would only help you."

Xander blinked. "You're going to leave us for a year?"

"He has to, I can't teach him how to fight," Oz reminded him, wrapping an arm around Xander's shoulders. "He'll call real often and write lots, but Connor can teach him a lot that I can't."

"So he's going to learn how to stay with us for a long time?"

Giles gave him a weak smile. "Actually, Connor's also asked my help to restart his antiques business while I'm there, but I will be coming back, Xander."

"I understand that, but a year is a long time, Giles." Xander crossed his arms, giving Giles a stern look. "I will be getting regular letters and calls?"

"Of course you will, and I'll be home for holidays also."

Oz nodded. "Go if you feel it's best. I'm not upset. Actually, I kinda figured either he or Meth would offer to teach you."

"Methos is a bit perturbed with this family at the moment," Giles reminded with a smile. "It's not permanent, Xander, but I feel I should go, just so that we have one good fighter in the family."

"Then you'll go and I'll be sad and send you thongs to wear." Xander pulled Giles' head down, kissing him. "As long as you come back, I'll understand you having to leave for a while. Centuries with the same person and no vacations from them would drive even you insane." He pinched Giles' nipple through his shirt. "Go pack, we can send you stuff if you need us to."

Giles sighed, giving them both brilliant smiles. "Thank you. I had been worrying about what you'd say when I told you."

"I'm not a tyrant," Xander pointed out. "There aren't any chains between us, Giles, and I won't let you die because you didn't take this chance. Go become a good fighter and then come back to us."

"Thank you, Xander," Giles said, giving him another kiss. "I'll leave in a few days, give you both time to spoil me horribly."

"Oh, we will," Oz told him, nodding. "Go plan." He waited until Giles had left them alone to look at his lover. "You're going to make him a whole new wardrobe, aren't you?"

"Yup," Xander said with a wicked grin. "I already have most of it done. We'll just have to switch bags or something." He shrugged and went back to his sewing machine, whistling softly as he worked on the t-shirt.

"So bad. I'll have to remember this," Oz told him, going back to his computer. "I still can't find it."

"Are you sure it's a period?"

"No, but I can't find the fault."

"Is there something like a 'run' command? Could that be doing it? Your error message gives a really high line number."

"Yeah, it does," Oz said, trying to run his program again, rewriting down the numbers he got messages for. He went back into the code, searching out those lines to find the problem.

***

Giles looked down inside his bag before he finished zipping it, a small smile playing around his mouth as he saw all the new clothes inside in place of his usual ones. He zipped it, turning to look at his lovers, letting them think he hadn't found their presents yet. He opened his arms, letting Xander walk into them, holding him tightly. "I'll be back in a few months, at the first holiday."

"Thanksgiving is in a month," Xander mumbled from Giles' chest, just before biting it.

"Hey!"

"You need something to remember me by," Xander said, looking up with a grin. "Or would you rather have something else to remember me by for the next month?"

"Xander, even if you made me so sore I couldn't sit..." He stopped when he saw the present. "Oh, my," he said, sitting on the bed, carefully tearing it open to take out the outfit inside it. "Oh, my," he said again, holding up the pieces to look at. "This is beautiful work, Xander."

"Thanks," he said, giving Giles a kiss, sitting beside him. "It's a complete outfit, just like you used to wear all the time. I thought you might need something a little more formal and librarian-guy in New York. Maybe for a special dinner or something."

"I'll wear it the day I come home," Giles promised, giving him another kiss. "That'll be the most special occasion I'll have to wear it on." He folded the outfit and put it into his bag, zipping it closed with some effort. "There, I think that's all I should need."

"Sword," Oz said, handing over the wrapped cutlas. "I have a tube to let you carry it on the plane with you. We'll just say it's an antique and it'll be fine. Connor and Methos do it all the time."

"Thank you," Giles said, giving him a sweet smile. "I didn't want to forget that."

"Why are you using a pirate sword?" Xander asked, looking over the cutlas. "It's pretty but I never pictured you as having one of those. More of a broadsword."

"Well, I do have another sword, which I've sent ahead, but this one is lighter and easier to learn to use. It's also easier to conceal than a Claymore."

"Ah." Xander nodded, then shook his head. "Then how does Connor hide his katana?"

"I have no idea," Giles sighed with a faintly wistful look. "I'm sure he'll teach me eventually but I couldn't do it myself. Besides, they also wear long coats all the time, I don't tend to wear trench coats."

"Yet," Oz commented, sitting on Giles' other side. "You're going to call, right?"

"Definitely," Giles said, giving him a hug. "Every night until you get tired of hearing from me or Connor complains that you're pulling me away from my studies."

Xander snorted. "Then I'll just have to yell at him, huh?"

"No, it's important. Connor doesn't take many students on recently and for him to take on Giles means that he's going to be around a long time. Most of his students are in the running to be the last one of us."

"Which is something we don't need to worry about," Giles reminded them.

"Yes you do," Xander told him, "because not everyone knows and most of them don't believe it yet. When they all believe it, then we won't have to worry about fighting."

Oz reached over, touching Xander's knee. "We'll do fine. Don't worry about it."

"I know we will," Xander sighed, lying back on the bed, "but it's in my nature to worry. It's what I'm supposed to be doing."

"That's a very good point, love, but you never have to worry about me," Giles reminded as he lay down next to Xander, rubbing gently over the young man's stomach. "There is nothing that would take me away from you, especially not if they've heard of you, precious." Xander snorted. "They wouldn't dare," Giles said firmly. "Not when it's well known that I'm the student of Connor and Methos."

"Well, you're not known as Methos' student and Connor's not got a large fan base among the bad guys."

"Don't worry him," Giles admonished sternly. "He doesn't need more to worry about."

"No, he doesn't," Oz said, moving to lay beside Xander's other side, cuddling him. "It'll be okay. Connor will take very good care of Giles. He'll even make sure that he eats and naps on time."

Xander nodded. "I can't help but worry though."

"We know, we're just trying to ease it," Oz told him. "Just relax about his leaving, Xander, it'll be fine."

"I'm sure it will," Xander said, looking up into Oz's eyes, "but who will save you when I get too hyper?"

Giles snickered. "I'm sure he's able to run and hide to save himself from you, precious. Never doubt that Oz can take care of himself."

"Maybe," Xander said, winking at Oz. "But I still think he has to run and hide too often, and I'm not *that* mean."

"No, you're not that mean," Giles told him, stealing a kiss. "Now then, I have to finish packing and you have to take your nightly bath to get yourself ready for us."

"Yup," Xander said, getting up and heading into the bathroom.

Oz looked at Giles. "I think I'm more worried than he is."

"I'll be fine," Giles said, pulling Oz in for a hug. "Don't worry about me. Worry about Connor."

"Yeah, we all worry about him," Oz quipped. "He's way too serious for his own good." Oz looked up. "Maybe we should sic Xander on him to make him have fun. Make Xander take him shopping and then make him play with the kittens."

"I fear that would be a bit too much fun for him," Giles said dryly. "I'm sure he'll loosen up around me after a few weeks." He gave his lover another kiss before pulling back. "I really do have to finish packing. I think I've forgotten a good bit of my clothes."

Oz smiled, heading out of the room.

***

Xander waved at the plane as it took off, turning to give Oz a hug. "I didn't want him to go," he said softly.

"I know. He didn't either." Oz wrapped an arm around Xander's shoulders, leading him out to where they were parked, and where their car was being towed. "Hey!" He turned the cop watching the procedure around to glare at him. "What do you think you're doing?"

"This car was seen at a drive by shooting last night," he said, pulling out his cuffs. "Turn around please."

"Uh-huh," Xander said, pulling out his wallet. "We live in Sunnydale and that's *our* car. It hasn't left the house in days." He showed off his address. "He lives with me so I know he couldn't have been there."

The officer looked at his notebook then shook his head. "I need to call in and verify the plate. Stand here." He walked to his car, pulling his radio out, talking into it.

Xander leaned against the trunk, grabbing Oz's hand to hold. "It's okay. I know you weren't there and they do too, it's just a misunderstanding."

"Yeah, it is," the cop said, wiping his forehead off as he walked back over to them. "The plate's the same down to one letter." He gave Oz a small smile. "But you do look like that guy." He waved at the tow-truck driver to release the car.

"Wasn't me, man. I've been in Sunnydale for weeks." He pulled out his keys. "Can we go?"

"Yeah, go ahead." The officer wrote something out, handing it over to him. "If anyone else stops you, give them this." He nodded at Xander. "Take your boy home, he looks upset."

"He's recovering from a heart attack," Oz explained, leading Xander around to his door and helping him into the car. "Thank you," he said as he shut the door and walked around the back of the car to get in. He started the engine, backing out slowly, heading for the exit. "Wow," he said finally. "That was as close as I've been to being arrested since the sixties."

"Protesting?"

"Sex in public," Oz corrected. "Before I crashed my last van." He glanced over at his lover. "Not surprised?"

"After all the times we've had fun in the car?" Xander grinned at him. "I really did get the wrong car for us. I can't bend over and do what I want to you in here."

"It's probably better, especially since the cops are going to be giving us extra attention for a while." Oz turned on his blinker, changing lanes so he could take an exit. "Home," he sighed, speeding up as he hit the interstate.

"Yeah, but it's going to be an unhappy place for a few days," Xander said quietly.

"I know," Oz said, taking one hand off the wheel to pat his thigh briefly. He took their exit, getting onto a secondary highway and slowing down some.

***

Xander laid his head on Oz's thigh, closing his eyes. "Chain me to the bed?" he said in a tiny whisper.

Oz ran his fingers through the dark hair, staring out a window. "Go get your chains, we'll do it out here. I don't want to go into the bedroom yet." He looked down when he felt the head shake. "No?"

"There's nothing out here to chain me to."

"Ah." Oz nodded. "Do you need the physical chains?" Xander nodded. "Bring it out here, we can figure something out. Maybe a pile of pillows on the floor with the end attached to the couch." Xander nodded, getting up and going into their bedroom, coming back with the slim chain. Oz got up, heading over to attach the silver cuff to one of the couch's legs, tossing all the pillows and cushions onto the floor, watching as Xander arranged them and lay down. He knelt beside the still body, snapping the padded cuff loosely around the trim ankle. "Better?" he asked when he got a sigh.

"Very," Xander said, reaching an arm out to pull Oz down with him. "Come lay with me?"

"Sure." Oz let himself be snuggled into, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the warmth and strength of the body on his. "What brought this on?" he whispered.

"I was feeling lonely," Xander admitted, rubbing his cheek on Oz's chest. "And I felt like I had done something wrong that made him go." He looked up. "He hasn't been real with us lately."

"I know. I think he's having doubts about being GHS himself. Some sort of identity crisis."

"Oh." Xander put his head back down. "Does that mean I'm too demanding? He's always making jokes about how much I need."

"Wasn't you, or me," Oz said, rubbing down the soft back. "It's him needing space to think. Lots of things have changed for him and he needs time alone. Connor knew, that's why he offered."

"Oh. Okay." Xander closed his eyes. "Would you mind if I cling?"

"Go right ahead," Oz agreed. "I could use the clinging myself." He wrapped the younger man tighter in his arms, giving him a gentle squeeze. "Feeling better yet?"

"Not really. It's gonna take some time."

"Time we have," Oz reminded him. "Xander, he'll come back. It may take him a while to get everything settled in his mind, but he will come back."

"Eventually?"

"Yeah, eventually." Oz kissed Xander's head. "Rest as long as you want. I'll fix dinner."

"Chicken?"

"Sure." Oz shifted so his weight was off to one side, letting Xander curl up around him. "Rest, love, we've got time," he whispered. "We have enough time left."

***

Oz watched Xander, noticing everything about the younger man as he stood in the doorway. How his shoulders and back were slumped, how his eyes kept scanning a picture of the three of them. How he sighed every few minutes. "It wasn't your fault," he said, stepping into the room, letting Rocky run over to the bed before him. He lay down next to his precious one, pulling him closer. "This wasn't you."

"Yeah it was," Xander said, burying his face in Oz's chest. "I was too demanding and he couldn't take it anymore. All of that on top of everything else he was going through."

"It wasn't you," Oz told him again, trying to stay calm. He had never seen his pet this upset. "He needed to go find out who he was now." He poked gently at the flat stomach. "You're worrying too much. This is all about him."

"Maybe, but I still feel like I failed him somehow, or like I pushed him too hard." Xander shifted so he was staring at Oz's navel. "Why aren't you in the craft room?"

"Because it's really quiet back there without you working on projects." Oz picked up one of the limp hands to stroke. "You know, the only thing he could actually complain about is how often you needed him to take over for me when you wore him out," he teased, smiling at the pleased snort he got. "It's true, he never had a reason to complain about anything else. You're still very passionate with him, and very loving. He had everything he wanted in you, I don't even know why he let me keep you."

"Because I'm a pain to him," Xander said simply. He turned his head so he could look at his lover. "If I was that important to him, I'd be with him right now, right?"

Oz nodded, his mind whirling. "Yeah, but he didn't want you to worry about him and what he was learning. Connor's a master swordsman, and he will beat Giles until he learns the techniques. He didn't want to look dumb in front of you."

"Then why didn't he take you?"

"Jealousy. He didn't want me to be jealous of how good he was getting. It's well known that I can't fight worth a damn."

"Why not?" Xander asked softly. "Is it because you don't want to or because you can't?"

"I can't actually." Oz went back to stroking his lover's hand, trying hard not to let on his dirtiest secret. "I've tried to learn from everyone around me. Even Connor tried to help me learn, but I just can't. I'm not ruthless enough and I don't have the hunting instinct that everyone else has."

"Oh." Xander nodded, putting his head back down, after giving the covered chest a kiss. "What about the wolf? Wouldn't that help?"

"It would, if I could call it up while I fought and still have any sense. I can't do that though."

"Huh." Xander closed his eyes. "We need to call Willow tonight."

"Got an email from her, complete with pictures." He pinched the firm butt. "When were you going to tell me about buying something that fancy?"

"Isn't. Was very pretty and nice. It's a nice place to hide when we need to." Xander nipped at Oz's chest. "Can you please take my mind away for a while?"

"I don't know," Oz teased. "You're thinking too hard for that. I might have to get mean and suck it out."

"Okay," Xander said, rolling onto his back. "I'd like that if you're willing."

"Flip the other way, babe. You know the drill."

"Yup," Xander said with a hint of a smile, more than he had smiled since Giles had left. He wiggled until they were sixty-nined, mouthing the soft cock through Oz's jeans. "Not feeling up to it?" he asked, lowering the zipper so he could get to the flesh he craved.

"I am, I'm just getting a slow start this time." Oz rolled so he was mouthing Xander through his harem pants. "Besides, I thought you wanted comforted."

"I do, but you need it too."

Oz lifted his head, looking into the deep brown eyes. "No, you need the comfort, I just need you." He laid his head on Xander's stomach, teasing the little hairs on the otherwise smooth flesh with his tongue. "I don't want you to be sad, Xander, it's not going to bring him back any sooner. He'll be back soon enough and you need to go back to a normal life again."

"Yeah, I know. I have to start working again tomorrow." Xander closed his eyes, one arm going over top of them. "What are you going to be doing?"

"The people I sold that program to want me to have a final look over it. I'll be doing that." Oz gave the stomach another kiss. "I'll even drive you down and come pick you up if you'd like."

"Yes, please," Xander whispered.

"Okay. We'll keep you as a pet until you're ready to move on." Oz kissed the flesh one last time before sitting up and patting the soft cock under the silk. "Still want some?" Xander shook his head. "I'm here if you need me. I'll be working on the program." He slid out of the bed, heading up the stairs to their office/workout/practice space.

Xander rolled over, careful not to tangle the chain, and grabbed the picture again to stare at. "What did I do wrong?" he asked it.

***

Oz walked into the jewelry store Xander worked in, looking around for his lover. The female nodded at the back so he walked over to her. "It's safe?" he asked.

"He's gone to lunch. What did you need?" She looked down at the case. "We don't have a large selection of things he might wear."

Oz nodded slowly, walking along the case. "That one," he said, pointing at an obsidian piercing stud. "And a new bracelet. He needs spoiled." He walked back over to where she was filling out the forms. "You sure we can do this?"

"Yup, we're used to treats like this. Every Valentines Day, we have people who want their things shipped to their lovers as a surprise." She handed over the slip, going to open the case and pull out what he wanted, making sure before she rung it up. "He'll love these." She held up the piercing stud. "Where does he wear earrings?"

"Nowhere yet, but I'm going to try and get him to change that." Oz signed the credit card slip she handed him, taking his copy and the invoice, and his card, then waved and walked out. He drove around the block a few times, trying to figure out where Xander might be eating, before he went back to the jewelry store. He walked in, smiling at his lover's slumped over form. "Not selling a lot today?" he asked, giving him a hug.

"Not a thing so far." Xander pouted at his coworker as she walked out the door. "She got a sale during lunch, I saw the corner of the slip in the drawer when I grabbed my keys to the case." He sighed, looking down at the engagement rings under his elbows. "Today hasn't been a good day yet."

"When do you get off work?"

"Three hours, why?"

"Because I have to pick up something for later." Oz leaned closer, giving him a quick kiss. "I didn't want to be late picking you up."

"Oh, okay," Xander said, giving his lover a confused look. "Is it a happy thing or not?"

"Dinner for one," Oz said with a slight smile. "And a surprise for the rest." He tweaked Xander's nose. "You be good and I'll be back in time to pick you up." He waved and walked out, heading for their car, a plan forming in his mind.

His naughty little pet needed spoiling and he was just the man to do it.

***

Xander smiled at his lover as he got out of the car. "Thank you, Oz," he said, waiting until the immortal was at his side so he could give him a hug. "For taking care of me and everything."

"I'm not done taking care of you yet," Oz reminded him, walking him into the house, bags firmly in hand. "Go dish up supper," he said, handing over that bag, "and we'll eat it out here. Then you're going to do something for an hour while I set up my surprise." Xander nodded, heading for the kitchen, letting Oz find their animals to tell them they were home. "Where's Rocky?" he called.

"She's been sleeping under the guest bed," Xander called back. He spooned the meals out onto plates, carrying them out to set on the floor, grabbing a few nearby candles to place on the floor between them. He jogged back to the kitchen, coming back with glasses of water and forks, frowning at Don. "Let's sit on that side then," he said, sitting down in front of the plate the kitten had been eating out of. "You shouldn't do that," he scolded, still accepting Don into his lap.

Oz walked out of the bedroom wearing his robe, smiling at the sight his lover and their kitten made. "Hungry?" he asked, sitting down in front of the other plate.

"Yup. Don was." Xander grinned at him. "He's going to nap now."

"Coolness. As long as he doesn't try to join in later." Oz picked up a piece of his food, blowing on it before nibbling on it. "Hmm, not as good as usual. Too hot." He put down his fork, leaning over to get a kiss. "Candles were a nice touch," he complimented.

"Thanks." Xander blushed lightly and looked down at his plate. "What surprise?"

"Ah-ah-ah. Then it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" Oz said, nipping the tip of Xander's nose. "Eat, babe."

"Yes, Oz." Xander ate a bite of his food then grinned and held up the next one, letting Oz eat it off his fork. "I miss eating in your lap."

"Yeah, me too," Oz said, patting his lap. "Come eat, babe."

Xander carefully got up, leaving Don where he was, and plopped down into his lover's lap with a grunt. "Thanks for indulging me."

"Not an indulgence, this is a good thing." Oz ate the bite of food Xander held up for him. "You have to eat too," he reminded, holding up a fork full of the beef dish. "Come on, Xander, eat for me. Please?"

Xander sucked the beef off the fork, licking his lips. "Wow, way spicier than mine," he said, waving a hand over his mouth. "Is it supposed to be that way?"

"Not really. I ordered it mildly-hot instead of my usual super-hot." Oz shrugged, rubbing down Xander's clothed back. "What happened today at work?"

"Well, let's see. I made a sale. A small one, but it's still a sale. Business has been slow, there hasn't been any jewelry holidays recently." He shrugged. "But my boss said I handled the customer very well." He picked up a piece of beef off his own plate and slurped it up. "Um, I got a present from Giles."

"You did?" Oz gave him a hug. "Was it a nice one?"

"Yup, he bought me a new bracelet and an earring for some reason." Xander shrugged, looking down at the plates. "He knows I don't wear them."

"Maybe it was a hint. He could want to mark you as his."

"Yeah, maybe," Xander sighed, going limp under the skillful hands massaging his back. "Thank you."

"For what, babe?"

"For sending me prezzies at work. It was sweet." He looked up and smiled. "I know what's in that store so I knew it couldn't have been Giles."

"I'm sure he wanted to send you a present, he's just been so busy that he couldn't get time to go shopping. You can consider it from both of us if you want." He placed a gentle kiss on the exposed neck. "And I got it for you because I think you'd look hot in one."

"Uh-huh. If you say so. Remember me, anti-pain guy?" He turned his head, giving his lover a kiss. "I'll think about it," he whispered, sliding off the warm lap to kneel in front of him. "What else did you want me to do tonight?"

"Getting back up here and eating would be a good start," Oz said dryly, patting his lap. Xander crawled back into it, head resting on his shoulder. "Aw, babe, come on. You need to eat. What I'm going to do to you later will take calories."

"I just want a cuddle for now," Xander mumbled, sniffing at the warm flesh. "Do you have a fever?"

"Nope, just hot for you." He laughed at the amused snort. "I am. Thinking about what I'm going to do to you tonight has made me *very* warm." He gave his pet a lecherous grin and stole a kiss. "Eat now, surprises are for after dinner."

"If you say so."

***

Xander walked into their bedroom, dropping his towel. "So, what's all this?" he asked, strolling over to the bed, trying to peek through the pulled bed curtains.

"Your surprise, go shower," Oz ordered, running a finger through the sweat built up on his pet's chest. "Have a good workout?"

"Not too bad, missed you." Xander stole a kiss before heading into the bathroom.

Oz pulled back one of the bed's curtains, looking down at the covered box sitting innocently on the bed. "Yeah, you'll do it for him," he told it, patting the top.

***

Xander walked out to find Oz sprawled across the bed, looking at a little pink thing. "What's that?" he asked as he lay down next to him, reaching up to touch it.

"For later," Oz said, dropping it on the bed. "All clean?" He got a nod so rolled over, trapping Xander beneath him. "Good." He tugged the box closer. "Close your eyes until I can get the blindfold on you, babe." He opened the box one handed, pulling out a silk scarf, the same one he had given Xander way back when he was just starting to figure things out. He pushed himself to his knees with a grunt, wrapping the soft material around the younger man's eyes, tying it tightly to make sure it would stay on. "Ready?" he asked.

"Yup." Xander spread his legs, lifting his arms over his head.

"Oh, so you want *chained* huh?" Oz purred as he pulled his lover's favorite restraints out of the box, quickly hitching him to the bed. "So predictable some days," he whispered, leaning down for a kiss. He pulled away before he could be sucked into the warm, willing, desperate mouth, pulling out the bottle of lube and his first surprise. "Relax," he whispered, lubing the egg up very well and slipping it into the already opened hole. He smirked at the moan, waiting until he could see the internal muscles relax from their testing of the invader to turn it on.

Xander jumped, arching up as he howled. "Oz!" He panted, wiggling to get the vibrating egg back against his prostate, grabbing at anything he could of his lover. "Oz, yeah, nice prezzie," he groaned, lifting his hips off the bed as the egg finally hit the right spot.

"Hmm, much too soon for that," Oz murmured, tugging the egg back by it's cord and turning it down. As the shaking got smoother and stopped, he withdrew his first part of the surprise. "Later," he promised as he felt around on the bed for the thing he had been examining. He slid the suction cup over the head of Xander's cock, turning it on to a gentle vibration.. "Relax, precious, build up to it again," he whispered, leaning down for another kiss.

"Feels good," Xander said, grinning. He wiggled around a little. "Is that the thing?"

"Yup. A clitoral stimulator." Oz said as he turned it up, making the younger man moan just once. He started to play with the intensity knob, varying it so Xander never knew what was going to be coming next. He kept it up until he could see his lover starting to sweat and pant, then pulled it off, moving it to tease his balls, letting the gentle vibrations tickle even as it enticed.

Xander shrieked with laughter, wiggling to get away. "No fair, you know those are ticklish."

"Yup," Oz said with a smirk. He moved the device up to the base of the ball sac teasing the barrier of the bag itself. He moved the device when Xander quit moaning, licking it to stick the suction cup over the younger man's hole.

Xander groaned, pushing his hips toward Oz's body repeatedly, trying to get the sensation deeper within him. "Oz," he moaned, reaching a hand up. "Kiss?"

"Sure." He settled himself across the larger body, making sure to turn it into a full-body stroke. They kissed, both of them aware that their cocks were rubbing together.

Xander was now aware of every inch of his body. The long, slow tease combined with the blindfold was driving him insane as his nerve endings got more and more sensitive by the second. He blindly reached for the thing sucking on his hole, trying to get it faster - or whatever - but his hand was stopped and kissed before he could reach the limits of his chain. "Need more," he pleaded. "Please, Oz, I need a lot more."

"I know," Oz whispered in his ear. "And you're going to get it too." He reached around blindly for the egg, switching it on and laying it on the bed while he pulled the teaser off, replacing it with the more versatile piece of equipment. He ran it along the hard cock, then over the tense balls, ending up with it just barely touching the outer ring of Xander's anus. "How's that?" he asked.

"More?" Xander tried to get it where he wanted it but every time he pushed down on it, it moved away from him. "Please no more teasing," he begged. "Need it, please?"

"I know," Oz repeated, letting the egg slide halfway in before tugging it out, fucking the hole with it. Xander came with a muffled sob, burying his head in Oz's neck. "Shh," Oz whispered, putting aside the toy to hold him. "Want undone?"

"No, was good. Great," Xander said, licking the warm flesh. "Was perfect." He blindly sought a kiss and got it.

"Ready to go on?"

"Yeah, very ready," Xander sighed, once again spreading his legs wide.

"Uh-uh-uh-uh-ah," Oz admonished. "Not time for that yet." He pulled out the first of the dildos from the box, sliding it into the slick hole. It wasn't any bigger than his finger, but he knew it would feel good after all that stimulation. And Xander apparently agreed since he clamped down tight on it and tried to ride it. "Yeah, you're ready," he said, getting back up onto his knees so he could wield it easier, and watch. After a few minutes, he switched to another small one, but this one had a knobbed cover on it, adding a different sensation to the sensitive muscles.

"Okay, not quite what I expected," Xander said, wiggling. "Switch, please?"

"Sure, anything, you know that."

"Does that mean I can have that vibraty thing again?" he asked with a mischievous grin.

"Maybe," Oz agreed as he lubed up a slightly larger toy, sliding it in smoothly and letting it lie there. He counted the seconds until Xander tried to get it to move, surprising himself when he got past the minute mark. "Hmm, patient," he noted, sliding it out so he could start the motions again.

"Yup, you taught me that."

"I did?"

Xander nodded. "Yup, 'cause if I wait, you'll always get me off and I'll always feel good and have fun." He lifted his hips up by a few inches. "Can I have more now?"

"Ah, not so patient after all."

"I am too," Xander said, giving him a smirking-pout, but it fell away. "But I still get to ask for things."

"True," Oz said, moving the toy a little harder. "You're still very tight back here. Have you been doing your exercises?" He used his free hand to grab the bottle of lube and pour some over his cock, slicking it up.

"Yup, every day." Xander grinned, then gasped as the toy was suddenly pulled out and he was entered. "Oz! Yeah! Please?" He wiggled when the thrusting stopped, giving him another pout. "Please?"

"In a sec, give me a chance," Oz reminded him. He lifted his one last present out of the box, laying it on Xander's cock. "There," he said, tying the strung-together balls off. "Now we can do this."

"Fuzzy cooshes?"

Oz grinned and leaned down, lapping at the soft lips. "Very good guess. Guess what I'm going to do next," he said, pulling himself back out, then slamming back in, giving himself to Xander the way he wanted it.

Xander moaned, then screamed, then came as Oz hit his prostate, going limp in the understanding arms. "More?" he begged weakly.

"Until I'm done," Oz told him, moving slowly so he wouldn't make his lover sore, well, more than he was going to be later. He slowly built up to his prior rhythm, making sure his lover was enjoying it as much as he was, stealthily unhitching the chains from the bed so he could pull Xander up into his lap and cuddle him. "Comfy?" he whispered, cradling Xander's head against his shoulder.

"Very," Xander murmured, and gave the shoulder a sharp bite. "Hurry up, want cuddles."

"I know, that's why you get me like this last," Oz explained, slowing down again. "We can cuddle and you can have all you can stand." His lover searched out his mouth, dragging lips across his cheek until he found it. Xander whimpered as Oz pulled back to breathe, starting to pick up the rhythm himself. "Good," Oz praised. "Last time?"

"Yeah, last time. Need you and cuddles."

"And shower," Oz reminded, using a free hand to remove the coosh balls and toss them off the bed. "Better?"

"Yeah, want to rub off against you," Xander said, hiding his grin in Oz's shoulder. He sucked on the sensitive spots he had found when they had first gotten together, giving Oz the biggest hickey he could as he got off, biting him at the last second and drawing blood.

"Gee, glad I'm not furry anymore," Oz panted, giving his lover a squeeze. "You'd be spanked then."

"Not tonight, dear, I'm tired."

"Okay." Oz laid Xander back on the bed, pulling out as slowly as he could, hiding his wince from the younger man as he looked at the very red and open hole. "You're gonna be sore," he noted, taking off the blindfold.

"Well worth it. I'll take sore if it means we can do that," Xander yawned, holding up his arms. "Shower later. Snuggle now. Hot water dissolves cum bonds."

"Okay," Oz sighed, pushing the rest of the toys and the box onto the bedside table, reaching down to cover them with the blanket he had saved for now. "You rest, pet, I'm here."

"Yeah, you are," Xander sighed, stealing one last kiss as he fell asleep.

Oz smiled as he stroked the dark, sweaty hair, watching his lover sleep the sleep of the sated and loved.

Until Ray walked in.

"Oh, goody," Ray said dryly, pulling out his cuffs. "You're both here."

"Shh, he's napping," Oz said, giving Xander a squeeze. "He's been upset over Giles going to Connor's."

"Hmm, okay." Ray hitched the handcuffs to them, linking them together. "As soon as he gets up, we're leaving."

"Shh," Xander said, opening his eyes to look at the other GHS member. "What's up?"

"Methos sent me to get you two." He looked over the covered forms. "You can sleep in the car. Go clean up while I get you clothes." He headed for the dressers, listening as the two men walked into the bathroom, giving the clothes a smirk. "Oh, you're gonna pay now," he promised. "And then he's gonna have you and make you pay more." He pulled out two of the peachskin thongs and some soft clothes of Xander's making, putting them aside. Everything else was waiting for them at the train station. Methos had made sure of it. "Here, put these on," he said as the couple walked out, tossing the clothes at them. "And hurry up, we've got a train to catch."

Oz looked at the thong, then at Ray. "Oh, hell, it's payback, isn't it?"

Ray just smiled and nodded, crossing his arms as he watched them dress, snickering as they tried to figure out how to put on shirts over the cuffs.

A Slight Change of the Plan.

Ray closed the sleeper car's door behind him, motioning at the couches. "Strip and sit," he ordered.

"But the ticket guy..." Xander protested.

"Isn't your concern. You're here to pay Meth back for what ya did to him." Xander just grinned. "Oh, you're gonna have a different face on when you get done." He pointed at the couches again. "Strip and sit." He sat on the couch that faced the back of the train, crossing his arms while he watched them figure out how to follow his orders.

"Can we be unlocked?" Oz asked, holding up their joined hands. "It's really embarrassing."

"Uh-huh. That's how Meth felt when he found me in that train car." He considered their hurt expressions and tossed the keys over, watching as the young men followed his orders, facing him. "Good," he purred, crossing his feet. "Now then, we're gonna be on here for another three days, including layovers. Meth said you were mine until then but when ya got to him in Chicago, he wanted ya to be pantin' for it." He smirked at the dismayed look Oz had. "Until then, you're *mine*."

Xander nodded, getting onto his knees on the floor. "Why? Were you upset?"

"Nope, I knew it was gonna happen, and he told me about it late our first night back together." He shrugged. "He did warn you, but you teased him anyway." He looked at Oz's cum-stained thong, shaking his head. "Can't take that either? He has real trouble with the treats Xander makes."

"Not really," Oz sighed, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. "I don't know how Xander does it."

"They're really comfy," Ray said, giving Xander a smile. "Since I know it was all your idea, I'm going to go easy on Oz."

"Uh-uh. He deserves the same thing I get," Xander protested, giving Ray a little pout. "Please?"

"We'll see," Oz told him. "Officially, he's my pet. You have to go through me anyway."

"Not until Meth releases you."

"But I have work," Xander reminded.

"Taken care of. Your boss is really nice." He grinned. "There's nothin' ya can say to get out of this, Xander."

"I wasn't trying to, I was trying to be practical. Why would I want out of a few days of Meth's personal attention?" He grinned up at his friend. "Did you like the jammies?"

"Yup, thought they were cute." He leaned down, kissing Xander deeply, ignoring the man that walked into their compartment. "Yeah?" he asked when he came up for air.

"Tickets?" the conductor squeaked.

Ray handed them over and took back the stubs, waiting until they were alone to go on. "Okay, guys, truth?" Oz nodded. "Meth's got major plans for you two. He *loved* what you did, but he vowed that you're going to wish you had never teased him. Personally, I'd like to have seen that."

"Taped," Oz muttered, looking out the window. "Can I pull this and strip fully, Ray?"

"Yup, sure. Know that's got to be uncomfortable." He waited for Oz to finish stripping off the wet thong, patting his lap. "Come'ere." He pulled the immortal into his lap, licking up the side of his neck. "You were so cute when you couldn't hold it in anymore. Even though the car didn't shimmy that much."

"Thanks," Oz said, grinning at Xander. "I still don't know how you two do it."

"Easily. It's just another pair of underwear to us."

"But Meth can't," Oz pointed out, "and he's GHS too."

"Ah, but he's in a different class of hedonistic slut. Methos is like a concubine, made to live in a pleasured paradise so he can be pampered. Xander and I were meant to be eternally aroused. That's the difference here." Ray patted Oz's naked butt. "Get on the floor with him, Oz. I'd like to see that."

"Oh, dinner," Xander spoke up, looking hopeful. "We eat on here, right?"

"Yes, we're getting dinner served to us up here," Ray told him, leaning down for a kiss. "I'm supposed to be giving you presents. Would you like a present, Xander?" He got an enthusiastic nod. "Good." He reached into the single bag he carried, handing over two velvet bags, one blue and one green. "Oz, green, Xander, yours is the special blue one."

Oz opened his and carefully peered down into the bag, pulling out the three things in it. "Um, silver?" he asked, holding it up to the weak light.

"Platinum. Methos remembered your thing about silver." He looked at Xander, then back at the former werewolf. "You still changin'?"

"Nope, got over that." He slipped the cock ring on, wincing as it fastened tightly. "Too small," he grunted.

"Size isn't really an issue," Xander reminded, tearing into his present. He grinned as he came up with a cock ring, lunging up to hug Ray. "Thanks, I *wanted* one of these." He slipped it on, with a little help from Oz, then peered over to look at the other things Oz had pulled out. "Oh, plugs." He grinned at Ray. "Can I help him put one in?"

"We don't have an enema kit," Ray said, relaxing. "He thought you two would be offended."

"Nope, this is a great early birthday prezzie," Xander said, grinning at both men. He pulled out his other things, turning the bag inside out to make sure that it was really empty. "I thought you said it was special," he pouted. "These are really pretty plugs, but they don't look special."

"It is. Put the blue plug in." He watched as the young man reached behind himself and worked the thing in, smirking as he gasped. "Yeah, it heats itself. It's a prototype made by a friend'a mine." He shrugged. "Put one in, Oz."

"Lube?" A tube was tossed to him. "Um, we can't use this. Xander breaks out in it." He looked over at the plugs the younger man had. "Those aren't latex, right?"

"That one he's got in isn't," Ray said, his smile falling away. "He's allergic?"

"Yup, to the trouble breathing but not immediate death from it stage." Xander touched the other plugs, pulling his hand away from one of them. "That one's latex, right?" he asked, chewing on his fingertip to scratch it. Ray nodded so he pouted. "Can I have one that isn't latex?"

"I don't have another with me," Ray said sadly, leaning over to give him a hug. "I'm sorry, Xander."

"It's all right." He leaned over to get a kiss from Oz, knocking him flat on his back. "Hmm, wanted this," he whispered, grinding his hard cock against his lover's stomach. Until Ray cleared his throat. "I can't do this?"

"Not until I say you can do that."

"Oh. Okay then," he said, sounding very dejected. "I'm sorry."

"S'okay. You can do that later." Ray pulled one more thing out of his bag, handing it over to Oz. "Meth sent that specifically for you so you wouldn't worry about your safety."

Oz unwrapped the big knife, nodding. "I can handle this, as long as we don't get off the train."

"One stop, for six hours. In Vegas." Xander grinned at that. "I'm supposed to take you to your bank, get you money, and let you go do something arousing."

"Shopping?" Xander asked.

"If you'd like."

"Cool. I still have Christmas presents to get. Oh, and I need something nice for Giles too."

"I'm sure he'll love whatever you get him," Oz assured with a pat. He looked at Ray, then nodded at the hall. Ray handed him a pair of pants and they walked out, Oz closing the door behind himself. "This is really bad timing, Ray. Giles just left for Connor's a few days ago. Xander thought it was something he did that made him go. You've got to be careful of him."

"I will. I'll even call my old man tonight and warn him, see if he wants to change plans." He hugged Oz tightly, whispering in his ear. "He wanted you to be embarrassed, but thrilled. Tell me if it gets too much and I'll stop him."

"'Kay," Oz sighed, giving the frail-seeming man a hard hug. "So, how's work?"

"Got back and wouldn't ya know it, had a murder case in front of me within an hour. Benny just brings 'em in, ya know?"

Oz nodded. "I heard that your partner was a bit 'by the book' about things."

"Yeah, very. Actually, he got us involved in a mob thing so I'm supposed to be protecting myself right now by bein' outta the way." He waved back at their sleeper compartment. "In."

"Okay." Oz walked in, smiling as he found Xander playing with all the toys, lining them up after giving each of them a kiss. "Having fun?"

"Yup. Much fun. Can I have more toys when we get to Vegas too?"

"Sure," Ray said, sitting back down. "I'll even allow ya to have fun until dinner. Tonight, you two are being separated by me."

"Oh, cuddle fest," Xander said, grinning up at him.

"This is all a big game to you, isn't it," Oz said dryly.

"Yup," he smirked. "And I'm hoping it's one that I don't want to go home early from."

"I'm sure Meth and Ray will make it a fun game for you," Oz said, patting him on the shoulder. "Want to suck me off now?" Xander dove down, slurping him up. "Thank you," he said, locking gazes with Ray as he was sucked.

***

Ray shook his head as he watched Xander inhaling his supper. "How do ya stay so skinny?"

"Easily. I get a *lot* of exercise," he leered at them. "And then Oz put me back on an exercise regime to help my cholesterol."

"Ah." Ray looked at Oz. "How? We usually hate the gym. It's almost a mark of being GHS."

"Toys," Oz said simply, reaching over to pat Xander's cock. "Eat."

"Can I sit in your lap and feed you?"

"No," Ray said. He patted his lap. "But you could do me. I could use some spoilin'." He glanced at Oz, who nodded. "Come'ere," he said, tugging on Xander's arm to get him over where he wanted him.

"Go ahead," Oz told him quietly. "I'll stop him if you feel uncomfy."

Xander nodded, shifting over to sit sideways in Ray's lap, picking up a forkful of pasta and feeding it to his captor. "You really want me to spoil you?"

"Yeah, I could use some spoilin'." He sucked the offered food off. "Meth's been busy plannin' his treat for you guys so he's been forgettin' I exist again."

"Poor Ray," Xander said, putting down the fork to kiss him. "It's okay. We still love you. And if you need spoiling, then Oz will just have to let me do it for you."

"I'm okay with the idea," Oz said, putting his food up on the couch behind him. "I'm leaving it up to you, Xander. We'll go with your comfortable limits."

"I'm not cheating," he said firmly.

"I know. You're offering comfort. I have every confidence in you not cheating on me." Xander nodded slowly. "I'm still here, and as long as I'm here and agree, it's not cheating, okay?"

Xander nodded and leaned over to hug him. "Thank you, Oz. Love you."

"I love you too. Now spoil Ray good so we can nap."

Ray grinned at him. "If you're sure?"

"Xander and I discussed this before we jumped Meth. I'm very permissive of what he wants. All he has to do is ask. As long as I'm there and he's safe, I'm probably not going to say no unless it becomes chronic or dangerous."

Xander nodded, giving Ray a serious look. "He's very tolerant of my fantasies. We both had one about Methos and you're one of my favorite mental playmates because we're kinda alike."

"Yeah, we are," Ray sighed, hugging the younger man tightly to his chest. "Very alike. So I guess you understand, huh? All the stuff I'm getting from my old guy?"

"Yup. But then again, Methos is scared of liking you because he's going to lose you some day."

"Point," Oz said softly, looking down at his hands. "Meth is very good at hiding what he's feeling, but he's very scared. You're the first one to get this close to him in centuries. He doesn't want to lose you, he thinks he'll pull a Mac and walk out into traffic one day." He glanced up. "It's gonna hurt him when you go so he's minimizing it now by trying to push you away a little."

"So it won't hurt so much when I'm gone," Ray finished soberly, any hint of the fun from earlier gone from all of them now. "Ya know, I'm gonna miss him when he moves on because I'm gettin' old."

"You two should talk about it these fears."

Oz cleared his throat. "Only if he ties Meth to the bed first. He won't admit to it unless you make him. He's never been a sharer."

"Okay, I can do that," Ray said, nodding. "Thanks."

"Welcome. You can do that while we're recovering if you want," Xander said before he leaned over and nipped the pale chin. "You need sun."

"It's October in Chicago, we don't have sun right now. We have wind." He hugged the younger man again, just holding him for now. "Thanks for this and all."

"Anytime," Xander said quietly, simply holding him. After about half an hour of hugging and being hugged, he started to inch one hand toward the plates, making Ray laugh. "Sorry, but I have grumbly gut. I didn't eat that much with Oz earlier tonight either."

"That's his fault, he should have fed you."

"I did, he was more interested in what came afterwards so he didn't eat that much. Neither of us did." Oz grabbed his plate, holding out a piece of burger. "Eat, Xander."

"Okay." He leaned over, taking the bite, licking his lips for his lover's benefit. "Thank you."

"Welcome."

Ray picked up a forkful of spaghetti but it was taken from him, Xander feeding it to him. "No, you agreed to let me be your body slave, so let me do this." He looked over his shoulder, giving Oz a wink. "I'm a very good one. Giles trained me well in that area."

"Yup, very well."

Ray smiled at Xander, rubbing his back. "I've heard you were, but we don't have room for that on here. The shower's the closet." He pointed to the wall beside him. "No room for you to scrub me."

"So? I can still feed you. And I'm sure the ever-smart one, Oz, can figure out how I can spoil you more."

"Hey, this is great, I'm not complainin'," Ray said quickly, taking the offered bite of food. "I haven't been this spoiled since Meth first picked me up. Not even when he was spoilin' both me and that other guy he had to rescue."

Xander's face scrunched up as he thought for a few seconds. "Oh, yeah, Blair." He shrugged. "How's he doing?"

"Meth had to go talk to his lover recently. Seems he didn't understand."

"Oh." Xander looked over at Oz, giving him another smile. "I got lucky. My men understand me." He turned back around, his mouth connecting with Ray's nose. "Oops."

"S'okay, not like you broke it," Ray murmured, leaning in for another kiss. "Your lips are so soft," he whispered, pulling back to run his thumb over them. "You do everything so much better than I do."

"Just differently," Oz said, moving all the plates so he could sit beside them. "You're not even comparable, there's no similarity in styles." He pulled Ray's head around, kissing him too. "And my dear, old teacher had better not be comparing you two either."

"Not to his face," Xander said, frowning at the door. "But I'm guessing he's doing it somehow and Ray's picking it up, right?" Ray nodded. "I'm going to have to have a talk with him. That man shouldn't compare. Everyone's different, with different means of attacking him, he should appreciate what he has."

"He's been too involved recently. He likes to make elaborate plans and carry them out," Oz told him. "I'm sure he'll go back to normal soon, Ray."

"Maybe." He looked down at his hands. "Maybe not though. Even before all this, once he met Xander, I was kinda disappointing to him. It was never the *same* ya know?"

Xander nodded. "Yeah, I know. But I'm not going to take your spot. Meth may be fun for a weekend every few decades, but I couldn't get into him. We wouldn't work."

"He's thinkin' with his dick, not his brain," Ray said, grinning at his friends. "I'm okay, it'll happen. That's one of the reasons I left."

"If you had said something to us, we would have kept him home longer," Xander said, looking at Oz and biting his lip. "I did a bad?"

"No, not really," Oz assured him. "They weren't apart long enough to really miss each other."

"Oh, I missed him, but I've been missin' him for months now." Ray shifted, stretching out and crossing his feet, making Xander clutch him so he wouldn't fall off. "So, bed anyone?"

"Sure, I want first cuddles though."

"I'm in the middle," Ray reminded him.

"Cool, then we can cuddle you." Xander stood up, grabbing the plates, taking a few last bites as he walked out into the hall, handing them over to the first person in uniform he saw. "Thanks, tell them it was good." He walked back into the cabin, unaware of the shock he was creating from his nudity. He stayed out of the way as Oz got the beds pulled out, hopping onto Ray's back as he crawled into the little bed. "My spot," he said, grinning at Oz as he wrapped himself around Ray's back.

"Gonna breathe," Ray promised himself, pushing himself up. "Get off."

"Sorry." But Xander gave him a bright, naughty grin that made Oz groan. "Your side. You like that side best anyway."

"You're too happy," Ray muttered, pulling the sheets over himself, glaring at the young man. "Get in here."

"Yes, sir." Xander slid in, snuggling and shifting until he was comfortably placed halfway over Ray's body. "Ah, perfect," he sighed, closing his eyes.

Ray looked at Oz, giving him a 'help me' look. Oz just shrugged and crawled in too, taking the other side. "I'm sure he won't jump you," Oz said quietly, making Xander look at him. "Remember, he's not that comfy with cuddlers."

"Oh. Want me to back off?"

"Nope, you're fine, now," Ray told him, patting him on the butt. "Nap. I'm supposed to be reprimanding you tonight."

"Huh. Not gonna happen," Xander said, grinning over at Oz. "I think we need to make plans for our layover in Vegas."

"I'll follow your lead," Oz told him. "Just no more fabrics."

"Deal." Xander closed his eyes, sighing softly. "You're comfy. Oz, can we steal him from Meth for a while?"

"No. Then we'd really be in deep." Oz and Ray shared a look and Ray shook his head. "Whenever," Oz reminded him, laying his head down on the offered shoulder. "Always around somewhere."

"I'll remember that."

***

Ray woke up with not one, but two hardness' pressing into him. He tried to wiggle away from one but it got more insistent, actually brushing between the cheeks of his butt. The other was slowly rubbing against his stomach. He opened his eyes to find Xander looking at him, just staring down, and Oz behind him, still asleep. "Whatcha doing?" he whispered.

"Watching you sleep. You get this little kid look. So very innocent and sweet." He leaned down for a kiss. "We have four hours until Vegas. I asked."

"Thanks." Ray shifted closer to Xander, trying to get away from Oz. "What's up with him?"

"He's having puppy dreams about me." He grinned. "Does it a lot some nights. Feel good?"

"Yup, but I'm not takin' what's yours."

"No big. I'm a lot like Oz. If he wants it and I'm there, then it's okay."

"Yeah, but that's still cheatin' for me."

"Meth won't mind," Oz mumbled. "He never does."

"He's shared before?" Xander asked.

"Twice. It was a mutual like thing." He opened his eyes, looking over Ray's shoulder at Xander. "Don't scare him."

"I'm not, I'm giving him permission, same as you gave me."

"I don't want pity," Ray said, trying to get out of the bed without brushing up against them.

"Who said anything about pity?" Xander and Oz said together, then looked at each other and Xander stuck out his tongue.

Ray shook his head. "Next thing ya know, you two will be dressing alike."

"Without the thong," Oz amended. He looked over Ray's body. "Xander and I were both considering getting off at Vegas and kidnapping you back to our place to spoil for a few more weeks."

"I'm sure Meth would be on the first flight out but you'd get some major spoilage before that," Xander offered.

Ray shook his head. "Don't even want to have that fight." He grabbed his robe, heading out into the corridor to find the bathroom.

Xander looked at Oz, who nodded. "So it's cool?"

"As long as he doesn't come to live with us permanently. Though I'm sure Giles might like that. He's a lot less demanding than you are some days."

Xander looked down at his body. "He really doesn't want me, does he?"

"I think he's feeling a little overwhelmed. You're not as easy a lover as he thought you'd be. Actually, you're not as easy-going as I thought either. We were both judging it on the you from high school though."

Xander nodded. "I have changed."

"Which can be scary for your lovers." He tipped Xander's face up so he could look into his eyes. "That's not why he left for Connor's. He went to learn how to fight. Not because of you or me." Xander nodded but he didn't look convinced. "Really, I promise. I even asked and he said so."

"Maybe," Xander sighed, scooting over to cuddle his Ozpillow. "We going to be okay with this whole payback time?"

"Just fine. I'm sure Meth's gonna make you beg for a lot longer than he will me."

"Yeah, maybe," Ray said as he closed the door behind him. "If you're not comfy with the idea, I can get him to change it. A little at least." He and Oz shared a look and Oz shook his head. "Okay then. Take a shower, boys, and we'll get ready to leave this train."

"Clothes?" Xander asked, peeking up at Ray. "We look cute naked but I doubt they'll let us off the train."

"Oh, yeah," Ray said, snapping his fingers. "You can't keep going into the hall naked. The nice guys out there said they were gonna throw ya off the train if ya did it again."

"Sorry," Xander said, giving him a grin. "I never noticed."

"That's what I told them, that's why you're still here." Ray sat on the edge of the bed. "Come on, shower time." He watched as Xander crawled off the bed, putting a hand on Oz's ankle to keep him from moving. "Is he really okay with this?"

"It's kinda an inconvenient time but it's fine with him. Though he does want to kidnap you back home with us for a while."

"I'm not Muttly."

"Who?"

"The dog I got off you guys, his name's Muttly. He's a good little guy. Very comfortable to sit on the couch and nap with."

"Good. I knew you'd give him a good home and spoil him." Oz sat up. "Let me worry about his uncomfortableness, Ray. I know his limits."

"Okay. Tell me when we get near them." He stood up. "Off the bed, gotta make it up. The nice people who do those things won't touch it because they think we had sex." He coughed lightly. "What was that this morning?"

"It's how I like to wake Xander up. Sorry." Oz shrugged. "Didn't realize you weren't him."

"Oh." Ray shrugged, hitting the release for the bed, putting it up after stripping the sheets off it. "There," he said, surveying their compartment. "Xander?" he called, aware that he hadn't heard water running yet.

"Soaping up first. It says we have limited water."

Ray nodded then lifted one of the shades to look out the window. "Yup, getting closer to Vegas." He dropped it, turning to look at Oz. "You both have clothes in the bag, same as I do."

"Okay." Oz reached into the bag, pulling it down to look inside it. "Meth buy these?" he asked, holding up a shirt. Ray nodded, frowning. "The man can't buy me the right size." He pulled out what was obviously Xander's shirt, putting it on. "I'll shower on the next train."

"Cool." Ray grabbed his clothes, pulling them on too.

Xander walked out of the shower cubicle, dripping. "Hey, not taking one too?"

"Next train," Oz told him. He handed Xander the other set of clothes. "Here, for you."

"Thanks." Xander sat on one of the benches, drying himself off so he could start his morning ritual. "Oz, you should at least wash your hair, it looks kinda gross."

Oz sniffed himself and grimaced. "Okay, I'll take a shower now." He stripped and headed into the shower compartment, closing the door behind himself.

Xander looked at Ray, giving him a slow, sexy smile. "Are you going to get a reward?" he breathed. Ray shook his head. "If you let me help you, I'll give you a reward." He stood up, pants on but only partially zipped, and ran a finger down Ray's nose. "Would you let me give you a reward, Ray?"

He swallowed, looking around the small space. "Reward?" he croaked.

"Yup. All you have to do is ..." he leaned closer, brushing a ghost of a kiss against the chapped lips, "let me spoil you and you can have one."

"We only have six hours," Ray said, backing away.

"Not if I don't say so," Xander said, grinning at him. "Which Meth knows."

"Um, he has plans," Ray said, swallowing hard, taking a quick look down the young man's body, face flushing as he noticed the state they were both in. "He won't like it if you change them on him."

"Oh, he knows who's the power person in this group."

"Oz?" Ray guessed.

Oz stuck his head out of the shower. "I spoil Xander horribly by letting him spoil me. And I let him think he's the powerful one among us." He pulled back in. "Don't tease, Xander, it's not nice. You won't get tied to the bed later if you do it any more."

"Yes, Oz," Xander sighed, rolling his eyes. He smirked at Ray. "Yes or no, dear?"

"I'm thinking?"

"Sure, I'll give you until we get off the train." Xander turned to finish dressing. "Oz, hurry up, the train's slowing."

"Coming," Oz called, stepping out of the shower, taking Xander's towel to dry off as fast as he could. "I thought we had four hours."

"Maybe we're early," Ray suggested, sitting down to check for their things. "Guys, where's the handcuffs?" They were handed to him by Oz. "And the presents?"

"In the bottom," Xander said, pointing. "Don't we have clothes for tomorrow?"

"It's in baggage."

"Oh." Xander checked for his things, putting back on his new bracelet and helping Oz into his shirt. "Wondered why I had such a tight t-shirt."

"Because Meth always gets them too small in the chest for me. It's some sort of torture." Oz stepped up onto one of the bunks, checking the top rack to make sure they weren't missing anything, then grabbed their jackets, handing them over. "Coffee?"

"At train prices?" Xander asked. "Even worse than Starbucks." Oz shuddered. "We'll find coffee once we get off the train, okay?" he suggested, rubbing a gentle hand down Oz's arm. "We'll find good coffee and you can have your fix for the day."

Oz nodded, pulling Xander's head down for a kiss. "Good idea. Have it all planned out?"

"Yup. All we need is the bank."

"They should have a branch here, it's a national bank."

"And if not, I stole your wallets and checkbooks from the dresser," Ray said, not looking up as he finished repacking and zipped the bag up. He looked up to see the smiles.

"Which wallets?" Xander asked.

"Um," he started, undoing the bag to pull them out, handing them over. "Who's Harris Giles?"

"His alter ego," Oz said, nodding. He looked at Xander's other wallet, showing him the cash inside it. "You forgot to go shopping?"

"I was planning on making you take me tomorrow."

"Oh." Oz put the wallet into his pocket, patting his jacket down to look at his own wallet. "Yup, all here. Which checkbooks?"

Xander flipped them open, nodding. "My Harris Giles one and one of my free-flowing ones." He closed it. "It's a good thing that I had the shopping stuff all laid out together, huh?"

"Very," Oz said, nodding. "You know, we're only a few hours away from the warren you were left." Xander's face fell. "Just wondering if you wanted to visit it."

"Not today, Oz. Maybe tomorrow before we leave." He pulled Ray up and kissed him, rendering him speechless. "Okay, do you know what I'm thinking?" Oz nodded. "And you agree?"

"That's what planes are for if we get caught." Oz looked down at Ray before stealing his own kiss. "We have to do something about the warren, Angel said people were trying to get into it before."

"Then we'll stop them. Actually, I had Willow put a spell on it before she left. It'll keep anyone not supposed to be in there out. As long as it worked, we should be fine."

"Angel did say that the things was buried very nicely. The casual tourist wouldn't be able to find anything in there." Oz shrugged. "Of course, some of it also ended up in the bank because Cordy tripped over a big pile of stones. That's how they knew people had been in there."

Xander opened the shades and looked out the windows. "I used a contact to get the rest of the things out of there. It's all sitting in a bank. Steve arranged for it to be held for me until I could decide what to do about it." He turned to find his lover looking at him in shock. "What?"

"When?"

"Right before he left. I gave him the name of a contact that was going to call and explained everything to him. I'm not sure where it is, but I think we could get to it soon enough if we had to."

"Cool," Oz said, nodding. "Very good planning, precious." He stepped up behind his lover, pulling him into his arms. "Anything else you've planned?"

"Yup. That was the phone call I made in the car. I knew this was going to happen and, from what you've told me, that our host likes to plan things. I have stuff set up so we can stay for a few days. Of course, you're gonna have to put up with my motel stuff. I wanted to stay at one of those honeymoon places with the round beds." He grinned.

"Hey, more need to cuddle," Ray said, clearing his throat. "What's a warren?"

"A big hole that had things hidden in it," Xander explained.

"Like a rabbit hole, only this one had gems hidden in it. Did they get it all?"

"Most of it. I gave the three demons that did it a choice of six stones each or some cash. Their pick of stones." Xander turned to sit, pulling Oz down with him. "I've been having bad dreams again, Oz. That's what this is all about."

"What sort?" Ray asked, reaching over to pat his knee.

"The sort where Meth has a dark quickening and tries to kidnap me," Xander said, looking out the window again. "In a few he shoots Oz in the street and takes me. You intervene but he still tries to get me. Some, we're tied to the bed when we find out, and it's Mac that saves us by handing Oz a handcuff key. Last night's was like that. We were tied next to each other on the bed and Meth said he was taking me from Oz, so they started to argue. Ray butted in, but Meth made him leave. Mac walked in, seeming to agree with Meth until he left us alone to say goodbyes. Then he gave Oz a key and left us alone, telling us he couldn't fight this battle." He shrugged as arms went around him. "I don't know what all that is, but I fought and he got more insistent."

"Huh," Oz said, looking at Ray. "Not gonna happen. No one's taking you from me."

"Oz, you can't fight him."

"Honey, he's not that good. I've beaten Meth in practice before."

"He's been practicing again," Ray said, shrugging at the dirty looks. "Sorry."

"No big," Xander sighed. "That's just a nightmare. It's not real, Meth doesn't participate in the game."

"I'm here and not leaving," Oz promised, whispering in his ear. "No matter what, I'm not leaving you. *No* one can take you from me." Xander relaxed against him so he went on with his reassurances. "Babe, there are things you don't know about me that I'm going to tell you soon, but not now. There's no way Meth could ever take you from me. No one can or will." Xander turned to face him, giving him a worried expression, so Oz decided to tell him the second reason he never fought anymore. "You know those stories Giles used to read about the berserkers?" Both men nodded. "Well, I've done that three times so far. Once on Meth when he tried to take something of mine from me. It's not going to happen again. It's gotten around really well." He sighed. "Of course, I can only fight really well that way, but everyone needs some sort of handicap, otherwise we'd be supermen."

"The other reason you won't fight?" Xander asked, giving his lover a smile when he nodded. "Okay." He pulled Oz in for a hug, just holding him. "Thank you for telling me."

"Welcome," Oz said, looking over Xander's shoulder at Ray, who relaxed and waved at them.

"Please, I don't mind cuddles." They settled in to wait for the train to stop.

***

Xander pulled Oz behind him into the sex shop, grinning at the man behind the counter. "Where's the non-latex stuff? I have allergies."

"Behind the green counter," he said, pointing. "And no tryin' them out."

"No big," Xander said, shrugging. "I just forgot to bring mine." He walked over, glancing over the pitiful selection but finally picking one out and handing it over to Oz. He then walked over to the lubes and grabbed some of those, heading back to the toys to grab a second and a plug, then dragged Oz to the register. "Thanks," he said, putting them down.

"You must have one of the bad ones," the worker said, adding the things up. "Cash or not?"

"Not," Xander said, handing over one of his credit cards. "My new one, I'm christening it."

Oz cleared his throat. "TMI, babe," he said softly.

"Sorry." Xander turned to look at him, giving him a small smile. "Don't you like me being happy?"

"Yes, but you don't need to tell everyone in town why you're happy."

"Okay, I won't." Xander signed the slip and took his bag, waving as he walked out to their rental car. "Hi," he said, getting in and giving Ray a kiss. "Okay, now to spoil you rotten." He waited until Oz had hitched his seatbelt then backed out, heading for one of the places he had looked up and called while Oz and Ray had breakfast.

***

Ray balked as he was pulled into the spa, but Xander turned and pouted at him, melting his reserve. "You promised," Xander whined. "You said I could spoil you so you could have a reward."

"Just go with it," Oz sighed, pushing Ray's behind. He nodded Xander toward the check-in desk, sitting Ray in one of the waiting chair. "It goes easier if you let him spoil you. It always makes him feel better to spoil others."

"Okay," Ray said, hanging his head. "Don't let him pout at me again."

"Deal," Xander said as he sat beside them. "We're going back in a few minutes. Oz, you watch over Ray while I go get the rest of everything set up. My appointment's not for an hour." He gave them each a breath-stealing kiss then left, breezing out the door as if nothing at all had happened.

Oz shook his head. "I don't want to know."

"Mr. Osbourne? Mr. Kowalski? This way please." She handed them robes and walked them to a changing area. "Please strip and we'll get you set up." She gave them a happy, if a little fuzzy, smile.

Xander smiled at the woman showing him clothes, shaking his head. "No, Ray's a lot like me. He needs soft, spoiling-type clothing. Soft fabrics. Oh, and we need cute underwear."

She nodded, heading back into the racks to find something else for him.

***

Xander smiled at Ray as he walked up to him, leaning down to grab a kiss, putting the damp cloth back over the chapped lips. "All set." He looked at his manicurist. "Are we in the same section?"

"Your massage is first, but he'll be in there with you after his mask is done."

Ray mumbled something.

"Thanks," Xander said, taking the opportunity to run a finger up Ray's leg as he walked past him. He lay down on the bed that was waved to, letting the towel around his hips drape gracefully off his body. "Ah, familiar territory," he sighed, closing his eyes.

The masseuse walked in, smiling at the woman working on Xander's nails. "This is our emergency case?"

"There's three of them. One'll be back with him in a few minutes. He only had three minutes left on his facial." She pared back the cuticles, putting away the orange stick to pick up a buffer. "And he needed it too. That guy with him had *dreadful* skin."

"He's from Chicago. They have wind right now."

"And snow," the masseuse said as she poured some oil onto her hands. "Soft, hard, or whatever?"

"Feels good?" Xander asked, turning his head to look at her. "I'm GHS, I need to feel good."

"Ah. We have a few of you as clients." She went to the sink in the corner of the room and washed her hands, coming back with a bottle. "Any allergies?"

"Latex."

"Good, no gloves then. This will feel great, I promise." She smoothed the warm, almost incense- smelling over his back. "What about your friends?"

"The one getting the facial is. The other's not, but he's mine."

Both women laughed lightly.

Ray was led in and put on the other bed, giving Xander a dirty look. "They squeezed things outta my face."

"Did it need it?" Xander asked, his voice warm with the soothing pleasure he felt.

"Yeah, but still." Ray grabbed the towel. "There are women in here."

"Who do this for a living," Xander said, lifting his head. "Ray, you'd think that Meth never gave you a massage." He saw the sad but embarrassed look away and mentally swore. "It feels good, okay," he said, reaching a hand over to rub the elbow that was sticking out. "I promise, it's good and comfy. Let them do what they need to and we'll be great later."

Ray nodded, relaxing as another masseuse worked on his lower legs. "That's not bad," he admitted.

"Very good or simply okay?"

"Kinda nice."

"Good." Xander rearranged himself, smiling at the woman working on Ray's legs. "He's never been treated to a real massage before, make him a puddle?"

"Of course I will," she said, smiling at him. "Everyone deserves to be pampered once in a while." She moved up to the white thighs, sighing as she felt the texture of the muscles there. "What do you do, honey?"

"Cop," Ray mumbled, face down on his crossed arms.

"Ah." She nodded, looking over at Xander. "You?"

"I work in a jewelry store in a little town outside of LA." He smiled at Oz as he was brought in. "Hey, Ray's getting his first one."

"Cool." Oz stole a kiss then sat on one of the extra chairs in the room. "I'm done. No major overhaul needed this time. Just some moisturizing and stuff." He waved at Ray when he looked up. "Relax and let your other side out. That's what this place is about, Ray. Be the GHS you are."

The woman doing Xander's nails looked at him. "You're a good coach. He a newbie to the Society?"

"Kinda. His lover's been preoccupied recently though." Xander blinked at her. "I'm spoiling him."

"Oh, good for you, baby. He deserves it. He does a hard job and he deserves to be spoiled."

"He's a good detective too," Xander sighed, going limp under the talented hands. "Wow, wanna come live at our house?"

"No thanks, I doubt my puppy would like it," Xander's masseuse said, giving Oz a smile. "She'd miss the desert."

Oz settled in, watching over the men as they lost themselves in their hedonistic sides.

***

Xander opened their motel room door, smiling at what he saw. "Isn't this *great*!" he called, running over to jump on the bed. "Oz, come see!"

Oz walked in with their bags, and the suitcases Ray had brought with him, shaking his head. "This is gross, not great," he corrected. "All we need are guys with 'fro's."

"No one said that being GHS meant that you had to have good taste," Ray muttered, heading for the bathroom. "Gonna use it, anyone care?"

"Hurry up," Xander said, rolling onto his stomach, watching the closing door then looking over at Oz. "Shut the door, babe, got to work up something good."

"Sure." Oz set everything down next to the little table before he walked over to the bed. "Well, we'll have to cuddle again. Half the bed's not big enough to sleep on."

"It's fine," Xander said, patting it. "Perfect for what I want to do." He gave Ray an innocent look as the older man walked out of the bathroom. "Great, huh?"

"Pretty cool," Ray agreed. "There's a heart-shaped tub." He sat on the edge of the bed, nervously twitching. "Guys, what's going on? First Xander spends tons to give me things and now we're in a sex spot."

"This is called spoiling," Oz told him gently. "Xander does this to make himself feel better."

"And after he's done spoiling you, then you get a reward for putting up with me," Xander said, rubbing down Ray's newly loofahed, oiled, and massaged back. "Are you ready for a reward, Ray?"

"I thought that was the reward," Ray said carefully, shifting away from his friends.

"Nope, that was the spoiling," Oz told him, pulling him into his lap for a kiss. "This is the reward. It goes as far as you want, not including sex."

"Um, okay," Ray said slowly. "Why?"

"Because I want Xander to suffer for a little while before he gets sex," Oz told him. Ray nodded, then grinned. "Get it now?"

"Yup." He looked over at Xander, then at the bags they had brought in. "Reward?"

"Yup. Anything from one of Xander's most perfect blows to toys."

"All for me?"

"Yup, all for you," Xander said, sitting up and knee-walking over to hug Ray.

"See, I always thought sex was the spoiling." The couple shook their heads. "Huh, gonna have to have a talk with the old guy then, huh?"

Oz nodded. "I could do it if you wanted."

"Or I could," Xander offered. "I'm sure putting it into GHS terms would make some sort of sense to him. After all, Ray, you were meant to be someone rich's favorite concubine."

"So were you," Oz snorted. "Or their prized possession of a concubine."

"Yup, but Meth prefers the sexual side instead of the absolute pleasure side. He doesn't even eat nummy, silky foods because he doesn't see it," Xander explained. "You and I know that there are a few heavens above chocolate, but not many; he still hasn't figured out that there are other realms of pleasure outside of studying and sex."

"Very true," Ray said, relaxing into the warm bodies surrounding him. "Now what?"

"Now, we give you your reward for letting Xander take out his mothering instincts on you," Oz told him quietly, stealing another kiss and handing him over to Xander. "Be gentle with him. He needs a teacher."

"Oh, I was taught well by Meth in some things. Others I'm learning now."

"Yup, I'm sure you were. After all, Methos taught me sexual pleasure too." He winked at Oz. "It's really bad when you have to daydream to get off with your girlfriend."

"I'd guess," Ray sighed, relaxing as he was laid down on the pillows Oz was arranging. "I didn't have that problem with my wife."

"Wow. You were married?"

"Yup. She was great. Stella was just such a womanly woman. One of those that you wanted to curl up on top of and shelter on." He shrugged. "It's been over for a while though."

"Still getting over her?" Oz suggested, lying down on Ray's free side.

"Yeah, it's been hard to do but I'm workin' on it." He closed his eyes. "I wish she could see me today. This is who she thought I was supposed to be when we married."

"But you were young and no one had taught you anything," Xander said, unbuttoning the silk shirt he had bought his friend. "So she wasn't getting what she thought she should and you were being disappointed because you couldn't please her the way she wanted. And then I bet she turned her passionate nature over to another topic, right?" Ray nodded. "And you had to put all of yours into work so you moved up the command chain." Ray nodded again so Xander started working on his pants. "I bet by then it was all over, huh?"

"Very over," Ray sighed, lifting his hips so his pants could be taken off. "I talked to her a few months ago and told her all about GHS and stuff. She was happy that I found myself finally. It was kinda touchin' and all when she cried." He opened his eyes. "Then she met Methos and got really jealous. Which was kinda nice too." He grinned. "We talked again and we're becomin' friends now."

"Which is the way it should be," Oz told him, leaning down for a kiss. "What sort of limit would you like to set?"

"Um, how far can we go again?"

Xander grinned, getting up to grab the bag from the sex shop, using the opportunity to strip for his men. "All the way up to here," he said, handing the bag over. "I got you some just for you."

Ray misted up. "Wow. This is great," he said, sitting up to open the bag, tearing open the packages to release his new toys. "And lube too!"

"Gonna ask Methos for you," Xander told him as he sat down. "He can't say no. At least not all the time."

"I'm sure you could trick him into saying yes," Oz said thoughtfully. "Maybe doing it while you're sucking him off."

"Guys, I like being a cop."

"Hey, Sunnydale could use another few cops." Xander gave him a bright smile. "Ready?"

"For?"

Oz shook his head, pushing Ray back onto the pillows. "Just relax and enjoy your reward." He felt his hand being gripped so squeezed it. "I'm gonna sit right here, okay?"

"Yup, that's good," Ray said, smiling at him. He blinked hard as he felt a warm tongue lapping his chest, lifting his head to look down so he could watch Xander give him a tongue bath. "Don't do that. I have that nice oil on me."

"Okay." Xander shifted over to a nipple, nibbling and sucking on it, making Ray giggle and move. "Ah, ticklish," Xander sighed. He looked up at Oz, who nodded before leaning down to kiss their friend. Then he went back to his pleasurable torture. Ray deserved his best after all. He moved down the heaving chest, ignoring the giggling going on as he headed for his ultimate goal. He felt something being put down beside his hand so glanced over at it, giving Oz a mental smile as he lubed the small toy up and slipped it in.

Ray arched up and screamed, coming almost immediately, eyes squeezed tightly shut. When he was back to his calm state, he opened his eyes, looking down at Xander, who was licking his lips, and shook his head. "Thanks."

"Not done yet unless you are," Xander told him, starting to move the toy again as he took a long lick up the underside of Ray's cock.

"Oh, damn, you do *that*?"

Oz nodded, leaning down to give Ray a kiss. "His record's five times."

"Wow."

"Yup, and we want that for you," Xander told him, right before he swallowed him down.

Ray's eyes rolled back in his head and he went limp, letting the couple do whatever they wanted to him.

Xander grinned up at Oz before he used everything in his power to make it special for their friend. He was determined to make Methos live up to what he had done to Ray, even if he had to teach Ray how to pout.

***

Ray woke up, blinking hard at the disco ball above his head. He shook his head, rolling over to rest on Oz's chest, snuggling in once he figured out he wasn't going to be asked to move. "Wow, you guys cuddle."

"Yup," Oz said, reaching a hand down to play with the blond hair. "All the time. Xander's in the bathtub if you wanted to join him." He saw the disbelieving look. "He offered."

"Oh." Ray shifted, rubbing himself against the side of Oz's body, getting comfortable. "Maybe in a few minutes. Can I do this?"

"Sure. I'm always up for cuddling." Oz continued his gentle scalp massage, smiling as Xander padded out dripping wet to give them kisses. "You're getting my book wet," he complained.

"Sorry." Xander grinned and held a hand out to Ray. "I have bubbles."

"So I can see," Ray said, running a finger through some that were steadily sliding down the young man's stomach. "Can we cuddle?"

"Mostly. Easiest way would be for you to sit in my lap." Xander grinned at Oz then turned back to Ray. "Come on, at least try it. You can come cuddle Oz again in a few minutes if you don't like it."

Ray nodded, getting up and following him in, smiling at the sunken heart-shaped tub filled with bubbles. He waited for Xander to get back in, admiring the view he got. He carefully climbed down onto the waiting lap, hesitantly putting his full weight on the frail body. "Hit me if I get too heavy."

"You're not heavy," Xander sighed, pulling Ray into his arms and forcing him to cuddle, relaxing by smoothing some of the bubbles up and down his back. "See, relaxing is good." He scooted down so his back was on the padded back of the tub, getting both of them comfortable for a long soak. "This is one of the more basic pleasures. A long, hot bath with bubbles." He placed a soft kiss on the side of Ray's neck. "Just relax and let yourself enjoy it."

"I'm gonna try," Ray said, shifting so he scooted down some, resting his head on Xander's shoulder. "Still okay?"

"Very okay. Just relax. Let the warm water sooth all the tension away," Xander said softly, continuing his backrub. He looked up as Oz walked in, patting the other half of the heart. "Still room if you want to join us."

"Sure," Oz said, stripping down and climbing into the hot water, settling himself into his half of the heart. "This is kinda cool," he admitted. Until he saw the grin. "But we're not getting one at home."

"Aw, come on, Oz," Ray said, looking over at him. "You could use another big tub."

"We could, but it's not going to be one of these." Oz slipped further into the water, closing his eyes. "Wake me when I wrinkle."

"Okay," Xander and Ray said together. They looked at each other and giggled.

"So alike," Xander said as he ran a finger down Ray's nose. "Now all you need to do is learn how to sew."

"Not gonna happen," Ray said, closing his eyes again. "I'm gonna follow Oz's example."

"Go right ahead, I nap in the bathtub all the time." Xander went back to his soothing of the warm skin, gentling Ray to his touch. "Do whatever you want, Ray, we won't mind."

Not long after Ray fell asleep, Xander succumbed to the warmth of the water too.

***

"No, we can't have chocolate for dinner," Oz sighed, covering his face with a pillow. "Get real food."

"But I wanted to do that whole dessert for supper thing that you let me do the last night we were in LA," Xander complained. He lowered himself to lay next to his lover, licking over his exposed cheek. "It'll be good for him. I'll even eat good stuff."

"Yes, you will," Oz said, removing the pillow. "You will stay on your diet tonight. Deal?" Xander nodded. "Then get him dressed and we'll take him somewhere that he can have a six course dessert supper."

"Thank you," Xander said, giving Oz a hug before grabbing a bag of clothes and going into the bathroom to help Ray get dressed. "I made reservations already. No tie, but dress shirt. Yours is in the blue bag," he called as he shut the door.

"Sneaky little naughty pet," Oz complained, getting up to get dressed. "Don't know why I let him do this to me every time we travel."

"Because you love him?" Ray suggested from behind him.

Oz jumped then turned to look him over, nodding. "You look very good." He gave the other man a short kiss then went back to getting dressed. "He does this every time we've traveled, since we got back from Vermont."

Xander walked up behind Oz, wrapping him in his arms. "You got me hooked on romantic dinners," he whispered, licking one pinkening ear. "I'm being nice, I'm paying tonight."

"Good." Oz batted at the hands trying to help him, turning to kiss Xander, pushing him into the wall to do it. "No helping. Go sit and watch." He smiled as his instructions were followed, then turned his back to his lover so he could finish dressing. "How did I get you hooked?"

"Our picnic on the rug," Xander said simply, giving Oz a shrug when he turned to look at him.

"Huh?" Ray asked, sitting beside Xander on the bed.

"It was one of those romantic things he did when we were trying to get back together," Xander explained. "He showed up at my work with a picnic in the trunk. He bought a few books and when my boss asked him if there was anything else he wanted, he said me."

"Okay, that's real sweet," Ray said, smiling at Oz. "Wanna give the old guy lessons?"

"Sure," Oz said, turning back around as he finished buttoning his shirt. "Good enough?"

"Yup." Xander walked over to help tuck the shirt in and Ray started to snicker. "What?" he asked, giving the older man a pout.

"You can't go out like that," Ray said, getting up to stand behind him. "You have to wear underwear, it's one of those rules of polite society."

"I keep telling him that," Oz sighed, shaking his head. "He never wants to hear that part."

"Fine, I'll put some on," Xander sighed, heading for the shopping bags so he could grab a smaller bag and take it into the bathroom. He walked out a few minutes later to find his men waiting on him. "Better?" he asked, turning around.

"A little," Oz said, frowning at the semi-naked rear. "You really want to wear a thong to dinner?"

"Yup, do." Xander pulled up his pants and buttoned them as he headed for the door. "Come on, our reservations are in an hour. We still have to find this place."

"What place?" Ray asked.

"It's one of the great restaurants in one of the bigger casinos."

"No gambling," Oz said firmly.

"I'm not," Xander said, giving him his best innocent look. "They're having a show I wanted to see." He tossed the keys over. "We're going to the strip. The Luxor."

"Why don't I trust that look?" Ray quipped as he got into the back seat.

"I *never* trust that look," Oz said seriously. "Never." He started the car, moving his head out of the way of the automatic seat belt.

***

Xander pulled Oz into the display room, turning to smile at him. "See, I wanted pointers."

"Uh-huh," Oz said, shaking his head. "You can't collect some of these pieces, Xan."

"I know. But if you think about it, that's a perfect thing to keep me solvent for a long time." He pulled his lover over to a case, looking down at the ruby set inside it. "I could get a small collection. If you think it'd be okay."

"Jewels rarely go down in value," Oz said thoughtfully, leading the way around to some of the other display cases. "These are great pieces," he said, stopping to look down at a few tasteful tiaras. "You really want to do something like this?"

"Or work with what we have already," Xander pointed out. Oz nodded slowly. "I could take doing that forever."

"Another good point. Will you wait to discuss this with me once we get back home?"

Xander nodded. "I can do that much. Maybe come to you with a full plan?"

"Which would be great," he said, giving his lover a hug. "Now then, where did you stash Ray?"

"That was the other thing," Xander said softly, pulling Oz out of the traffic flow. "I want to give him lessons. Teach him everything I know."

Oz closed his eyes and shook his head. "You really want Meth to get you, don't you?"

"Excuse me," a man said, walking up to them. "Meth? As in Methos?" He flashed a small, blue tattoo on his wrist. "You know him?"

"He's my teacher," Xander said, backing behind Oz. "He's gone now but I'm staying in touch with him, why?"

"Because I've been looking for the annoying son of a bitch for a few years now," he said with a smile. "Was there someone like me near him?"

Oz nodded. "Yup. Adam. We liked him, right Xander?"

"Yup, liked him a lot."

The man looked him over. "You're Oz, correct?"

"This going in a Chronicle?"

"Not particularly. I'm tracing a rumor about Mr. Pierson and I'd like to get in touch with him."

"Ah." Oz took the business card the man held out. "When I see Adam I'll give it to him. Good enough?" The man nodded. "Good, but you still didn't see me."

"Of course not," the man said, backing away. "Why would I see the man who brought down a tyrant all by himself?" He kept backing away until he was immersed in the traffic flow, escaping with them.

"You did?" Xander asked.

"He tried to take what was mine," Oz said simply. "Come on, I think we need to find Ray and leave. We'll talk when we're safely at the motel."

"Okay." Xander kept hold of one of Oz's beltloops on the way out, not wanting to get separated in the mass of people.

***

"We are so screwed," Xander sighed as he walked through the door, making sure it was closed and locked securely behind them. "What's a Chronicle? Something like what Giles has?"

"There's another version of Watchers, only for immies. They write the story of our lives." Oz lay down on the bed, relaxing and crossing his feet. "That guy was a Watcher. And he's hunting for Meth."

"Did you call him by name in public?" Ray asked.

"We were talking and I called him Meth," Oz explained. "The Watcher came up to us and asked if we were talking about him. Xander said he was his teacher but he had went far, far away."

"Oh. The old guy said I was to ignore any attempts by them to get me to admit that I knew and to act as if the guys needed to be in a mental institution. His words."

"Which is a really good idea and all," Oz said, patting the bed beside him for Ray to lay down and cuddle, "but he knew Adam. Was looking for him too."

"Oh. That's different then." Ray lay down, immediately snuggling. "Should we call?"

"No, but we can email," Xander suggested. "The motel has a public terminal. I have his addy memorized."

"Might be a good idea," Oz agreed. "Go do that, we're going to wait here for you. Don't talk to him if he shows up."

"Okay, but I want to hear about that tyrant," Xander said as he headed for the door. "Card?"

"Pocket," Oz said, reaching in to get it and handing it over. "Do it quick. We'll miss you."

Xander gave them a sappy grin. "Me too." He blew a kiss and walked out, making sure the door was closed behind him by tugging on it.

Oz rolled to hold Ray, giving him a gentle squeeze. "Xander wants to teach you how to be him."

"I'm not so sure I wouldn't get killed for that."

"Nah, the old guy can't resist his pout." Oz yawned.

"How old are you anyway? Meth said something about Rome with you when he was drunk last time."

"Um, we're not having this conversation." Oz looked into the blue eyes, seeing the understanding in there. "I've changed, a lot, since I first came across. It was Meth that decided I should have a new name. A little bit of protection and a lot of hiding." He looked down, eventually hiding his head in the firm chest. "I'm older than you guys think, but I'm not as old as him. And no one but Meth knew that. And one other person, but they'd never hold it against me."

"Oh." Ray's face scrunched up, then he shook his head. "So what's the big deal?"

"Mostly it's what I was." He cleared his throat. "Remember how Meth told you about his dark side?" He felt the nod. "Well, I'm one of the people that helped him recover from it. I was a priest of Dionysus." He looked up. "One of the guardians of his temple."

"Okay, and that was what? Some sort of ceremonial warrior?"

"More like keeper of the priestesses. It was my job to make sure that none of them were attacked and that none of them ever let his secrets slip."

"Okay. So this was a bad thing?"

"Only when I had to enforce a death penalty." Oz sat up, pulling Ray up to rest against him again. "See, the temple I was in was the only one in that town. We were not only the justice there but also the main reason for needing it. I was fighting a long time before the Romans ever came onto the scene. And I didn't want to do it then. My parents had offered me to the temple, even though three different craftsmen had offered for me. I didn't want to be there, but if I didn't follow orders, then the punishment would be applied to whomever I had let off and me."

"Ouch."

"Very ouch. Until one warrior was brought in. He had been traveling, just traveling to get away from his past, and they decided he was the root cause of three supposedly innocent young girls getting pregnant. The fathers together decided he would pay them for the use of the girls, but he didn't have anything on him. So they brought him to the temple. And he was put to good use there."

"And Methos was still sick of the killing?"

"Yup, very sick of the killing. It was him that arranged for us to get away from the temple, and it was him that figured out I was pre-immie. He took us to another temple and asked for sanctuary from the other one. Those other priests were amused but they didn't want to help. So we ran. All the way to India." He smiled at the disco ball. "See, I told Xander the truth about most everything, I just screwed with the timeline a little."

"Why?" Xander asked as he walked in, slamming the door. "Why lie to me?" He stood there, glaring at them. "I thought we were over that stuff."

"We are," Oz said, holding out a hand, "but I had to. See, Oz came to be when I told you. The guy before him wasn't always the best person."

"So you changed your name when you said you came across?"

"No, babe, I finished changing my person." Oz wiggled his fingers. "I left Theodonius far behind and I became Oz. That's when Meth started the rumor of Oz and of Theodonius' death. I literally became a whole new person."

Xander sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his lover. "What were you before?"

"A mercenary for a long time. Someone who royally hated himself so much that he begged Methos to kill him every time they got drunk together. Someone who was so down on himself that it took Methos becoming Death again to stop him." He wiggled his fingers again and Xander took them, giving them a squeeze. "He tried to take something from me, something that I cherished more than life itself. Needless to say, I lost it. The thing that had made me such a good temple guardian and fighter also made me a bitch to be a friend of. When I attacked Methos, I blanked out. He had to slip back into what he had been to survive. Eventually, he killed me." He looked down at Ray, who was watching all this avidly, his eyes very wet. "When I woke up, I was horrified. Methos was still calming down but I escaped. I ran as far and as fast as I could. I went back to where it had all began. Then I broke down." He cleared his throat, his own eyes getting wet now. "Meth found me about sixteen months later. I was starved, disassociative, incoherent, and generally miserable. I *begged* him to make me pay. Instead, he fixed me."

"That's how you became Oz," Xander said softly, leaning down to kiss the pale forehead. "He made you go back to what you had been, all the art stuff, and you became who you are now."

Oz nodded. "Basically. So I am as old as I told you, but my physical body is a few centuries older."

"So no lie, but still not totally truth?" Xander asked. When he got a nod, he sighed. "When were you going to tell me?"

"I kinda hoped never to have to tell you."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not proud of the man I used to be. I am proud of who I became, but that other guy's dead. I don't want to resurrect him. I don't want him to have to come out in this century or to see the light of day again."

"Okay," Xander said, shrugging. "So Oz is still a little over four hundred years old. That's all I need to know." He lay down, snuggling Oz's other side. "Ray, can I teach you how to be me?"

"Sure, if it'd make you feel better."

"Yeah, it would. That way you could turn all the poutiness on Methos so I don't have to yell." Xander stroked down Oz's stomach. "How many people know about this, Oz?"

"There's a student of ours, and Connor's let it be spread around that I'm a berserker, he was there when I went off on Meth the last time. He doesn't know the rest though. Why?"

"Just wondering." Xander sat up. "If the Watcher guy from earlier knew about you, then does anyone know about that other guy?"

"Yeah, but he's listed as dead."

"Oh." Xander grinned. "Good job."

"Thanks. Was all the old one's fault." He puckered his lips, leaning into the kiss he got. "Thank you for not yelling."

"Not yell worthy," Xander told him as he lay back down. "Ray, I want you to show me how you beg. We've got to get you rolling before Meth sends someone for us."

Ray gave him his best begging look, making Xander shake his head. "Not good?"

"Not good enough," Xander corrected. "Very cute but not pitiful enough. You have very expressive eyes, you need to let them show it."

***

Oz opened the door, nodding Richie inside. "I'm impressed, five whole days."

"Yeah, it took him that long to find you." He looked around the room and shuddered. "Ray's idea?"

"Xander's. He always wanted to stay in a place like this. Xander!" he called, opening the door again. "Richie's here!"

Xander jogged up to the door, grinning at him, holding the towel around his waist. "Want to come swim?"

"No, I'm here to pull you three back to Chicago." He looked Ray over as he walked up to the door, frowning at Xander. "The old guy's gonna kill you. He was trying to keep Ray innocent."

"I am innocent," Ray protested, using his newly acquired light pout on the other immortal. "See?"

"Yeah," Richie said, looking down at his feet. "I'm sorry. Meth wants you back in Chicago tonight."

"We modified our train tickets," Xander said, waving at the packed bags. "We'll head out on tomorrow's train, be there in two days."

Richie shook his head. "I'll call and tell him that, but I'm not going to go near him until *after* he's had you three there for a few days."

"Wanna go ta dinner with us?" Ray asked. "I'm sure you'd like this little place. Very sweet. Cozy even."

Richie backed away from him, shaking his head, one hand held up. "Uh-huh, you two aren't sucking me into your world. It's bad enough Meth wanted me to take care of Blair on his trip home. I'm not getting sucked into Xander's version of GHS. I'd never get back into shape."

"Or want to leave," Oz said with a smirk. "Call and tell him we'll be on the train that leaves tomorrow night. You can even hide on the train if you want."

"Yup, because I'm supposed to be putting you on a plane and babysitting you back to Chicago." He looked at Ray, shaking his head. "He thought Xander might have corrupted you and forced you to take this layover."

"Was me," Oz said, patting Richie on the shoulder. "Totally my thing." He looked at Xander, whose bathing suit was now showing. "No kids in the pool, right?" he asked, frowning at the metallic thong the young man was wearing.

"Nope, no kids anywhere in the motel." He grinned, grabbing Ray's towel and running away.

"HEY!" Ray shot off after him, showing off how little of a tan line thongs create.

Richie moaned and grabbed Oz's arm. "How long?" he whispered.

"Not very," Oz assured him. "We finished assimilating him last night. It's a surprise. We did it for Meth's birthday."

Richie snorted, then started to laugh, ending up sitting on the floor, looking up at his friend. "He's gonna kill you, Oz. Flat out torture for this."

"Yeah," Oz said, giving him a smile. "He is, isn't he?"

***

Ray sat on one of the sleeper car's benches, pointing at the other. "Strip, gentlemen. Let's get back into our pre-vacation roles." He smoothed his hands down the very soft jeans, smiling at the woman coming in to take their tickets. "Hi. Xander?"

"Huh?" He looked up from his book, pulling his bookmarks out to hand them over. "This is really good, Oz, thanks for getting it for me."

"Hey, even my champion spoiler needs presents," Oz said, giving him a kiss. He took the ticket stubs back, waiting until they were alone to close the shades and strip down to his underwear. "Not joining in?" he asked.

Ray shook his head, grabbing Xander's book from him as the younger man attacked his lover. "Nope, just watchin'."

Xander knocked Oz to the floor, attacking his mouth. "Want you," he hissed, slithering over the warm body beneath him. "Not going to run this time." He worked his own clothes loose, eyeing the bare, tanned flesh as he mentally mapped out his strategy.

Oz groaned, having seen that look before. He went limp, allowing Xander to give him whatever he wanted.

Xander moved his way down the tanned body, nipping and sucking at all the spots that made Oz howl for him, not stopping even when he heard the compartment door open.

Ray coughed lightly. "Yes?" he asked.

"Nothing," the woman croaked. "Just wanting to know about dinner."

"We'll eat down there," Xander said, lifting his head to smile at her. "Breakfast up here though, okay?"

She nodded and escaped, slamming the door behind her.

Oz sighed, pulling his shirt over to cover his face with it. "Okay, I'm embarrassed."

"No you're not," Xander said, lifting the shirt enough to give him a kiss. "You're an Oz." He winked at Ray, slithering backwards so he could torture his lover to the best of his abilities.

Oz almost levitated off the floor when he felt the nip to his balls. "Hey! Easy!"

"Yeah, he is," Ray said, grinning at Xander, until the younger man lunged up to kiss him. "And so am I," he admitted afterwards. "You're good."

"Yup." Xander gave him his best 'naughty' grin, the one that always made Oz run for a room that locked. Then he turned his attentions back to Oz, going back to torturing him.

"Xander!" Oz shouted, pulling away from him. "No sucking on my balls."

"Why not? You usually like it," Xander complained. He pushed himself up into a kneeling position, giving Oz his best pout. "Please?"

"No, I don't want to tell the whole train what we're doing. *Quiet* sex. Okay?"

Xander nodded, leaning in for another kiss. "I won't let you scream. I promise." He rubbed his cheek down the tense chest and stomach, ending up back in Oz's lap. "Does that mean that I can't suck you off?" he asked, rubbing the dripping cock with his hair and cheek.

"No, you can do that," Oz panted, nodding. He grabbed the edge of the bunk, squeezing his eyes shut as Xander went down on him, biting his lip so he wouldn't scream.

Ray picked up Oz's underwear and balled them up, stuffing them in his mouth for him. "There, better?" Oz gave him a grateful look and nodded, just before he fell backwards, a victim to the teasing and magical Xander fingers.

Xander grinned up at Ray, then did something he promised Oz he'd never do again with his throat. Oz had his usual reaction, his yell loud through the cotton. He looked up at his lover and smirked. "See, quiet," he said, trying to dodge the body that lunged up at him. "Oz!"

Oz spit out his underwear, tickling Xander, arousing him in a way that meant the young GHS wouldn't last beyond his first time. "You're gonna pay," he whispered, right before entering him with a thumb.

Xander choked and coughed, sitting up even as he came. He looked at his lover, kissing him gently. "Thank you."

"Welcome, naughty." Oz removed his thumb, pushing himself up onto the bench. He lay there watching Ray, trying to catch his breath. "Good show?" he asked.

Ray nodded, crossing his legs. "Very. I had no idea you could wreck him like that."

"It's the tickling," Xander said, resting his head against Oz's stomach. "Thank you."

"Still welcome."

"Good." He yawned and blinked a few times. "Can we nap now?"

"Sure," Ray said, getting up to pull out the beds, waving at them. "You guys nap. I'm gonna give Xander's book a try."

"S'good," Xander mumbled, crawling onto the hard mattress and putting his head down, already asleep.

Oz just smirked as he crawled in beside him, managing to cover them both before he fell asleep.

Ray pulled out his cellphone, dialing his home. "Hey, it's me. No, we're on the train. They're nappin'." He smiled, putting his feet up on the bed so he could get comfortable. "Yeah, they told me that. No, I wasn't with them, I was losin' at slots." He snorted. "Whatever. It's my check." He shook his head and hung up, pulling out his handcuffs to lock the two men together. "Sorry, guys, it's orders."

Xander snorted, rolling over to cuddle on Oz.

***

Methos smirked at the three men as they walked in, holding up a pair of handcuffs. "Ray, I hope you don't mind. I'm borrowing some of your equipment."

Xander stepped behind Oz, clutching him around the waist. "Na-uh."

"Shh," Oz said, patting his hands. "You haven't taken a head, recently, right, Meth?"

Methos dropped the handcuffs, staring at them in shock. "What?"

"It's my nightmare," Xander said, putting his chin on Oz's shoulder. "You took me away from my Oz."

"Ah." Methos stood up, coming over to give them both a hug. "No, precious one, I'm not going to try and take you away from your beloved Oz. I don't think that anyone could." He looked into the brown eyes, melting. "Don't you want to be here?"

Xander nodded. "But it was just like my nightmare."

"It's okay," Oz said, pulling Xander in for a hug. "He'll never take you away from me." He kissed Xander's temple. "We'll let you torture us later. Ray, can you handle him for a while until I can get Xander calmed back down?"

Ray nodded, giving his lover a smile. "Sure. Got a lot of things I want to show him." He casually brushed a nipple through his silk shirt. "A whole lotta things."

Methos looked from Ray to Xander and back. "He corrupted you," he said in shock.

Xander lifted his head and shook it. "Uh-uh. I gave him lessons." He had to really hide behind Oz this time, Methos made a grab for him, only stopped by the recently discovered power of the Ray pout.

"No," Methos moaned, putting his hands on top of his head. "Not that. Don't *pout*!"

Xander snickered as he led Oz from the room, closing the door behind them. "It's all okay now."

"I'll get you, Xander," Methos promised loudly. "You *will* pay!"

Paybacks Are A Bitch

Methos snuck into the boy's room, laughing quietly as he tied them to the bed, stepping back before Oz could wake up and kill him for it.

"Let me go, Methos," Oz warned, struggling to get free. "You know how much I hate restraints."

"I know," Methos sighed, coming over to straddle the hard chest, running a finger across Oz's lips, "but I also know how much Xander enjoys them."

"He doesn't enjoy being fully tied down, it brings back bad memories for him." Oz looked up at his teacher. "Are you sure you're not into a dark quickening?" Methos nodded, frowning at him. "Good, then untie us. Xander likes his ankle tied to the bed, and his wrists in the middle of sex. And I still *don't* like restraints." He pulled on one of the soft, springy cords again to prove his point.

"I'll let you go once he's awake." Methos reached over, running a nail down Xander's side.

Xander woke up, figured out that he was tied down, and started to yell obscenities at the top of his lungs while he fought to get free.

"Release him," Oz said, his voice quiet and dangerous. "If he hurts himself, you will not like it."

Methos reached over, undoing the lines from the bed. He caught a flailing arm, kissing the sweaty palm. "Xander, it's me. I have you," he reassured.

The younger man blinked, staring at him. "You tied me up to hurt me?"

"No, precious, I could never hurt you," Methos said as he moved over, shifting so he could lie between the young men. "I will never voluntarily hurt you. Don't you know that?" Xander nodded. "Then why do you worry so?"

"Because everyone else that's tied me up hurts me." He wrapped himself around his friend's body, holding onto him even as Oz entwined their fingers. "Only bad guys tie me up when I don't want it."

"Shh, precious one, I'm not a bad guy, not this century. I wanted you to wake up in your role for the next few days."

Xander pulled back, scowling at him. "And tying me down did that?"

"Not like I had hoped," Methos admitted dryly. He tapped the end of his plaything's nose. "Would you like an ankle chain instead?" Xander nodded. "Then I'll do that. What do you think we should do for Oz?"

"Release him," Oz sighed tiredly. "Before he has to dislocate something?"

"Sorry," Methos said, reaching behind himself and unhitching one of the velcro straps from the bed. "There."

"Thanks." Oz quickly rid himself of the ropes, surrounding his teacher from behind, mimicking Xander's position. "We agreed we were yours, you didn't have to go this far. We're not going to run away unless you pull a one-eighty and hurt someone."

"I'm *not* going to hurt you, either of you. Why do you keep saying that?"

"Because this is strange for you," Xander said, leaning in to nip at the red lips. "You're not acting normal. Normal Methos would just tie my ankle to the bed and smirk at me."

"Ah." Methos slid off the end of the bed, looking down at them. "Would that be something I should plan on doing, and you won't complain?"

"Please?" Xander asked, blinking at him. "I would like that. It's always meant that I was being taken care of."

"Fine, then I'll do that. Until tomorrow, I want you two to stay in this room. No coming to Ray's aide when I fix his pouting problem." Xander muttered something. "What was that?" he asked with a smirk.

"Don't get him too badly for it," Oz said. "It's all my fault."

"And for that, you'll pay. After all, I know who had to give Xander permission to corrupt my innocent one that way." He smirked at them, then headed for the door. "No sex, boys, not until tomorrow. I'll come get you up when it's time."

"Okay," Xander said, yawning. He rolled over, snuggling down onto Oz's chest. "Night, Meth."

"Good night, precious. Oz." He nodded and left, locking the door from the outside.

"Can I have sex?" Xander asked.

"Didn't he say no?" Oz asked, chuckling when he felt the nod. "You really want punished, don't you?"

"Not real sure, but I'm willing to try it," Xander said, pulling his head up to look at his lover. "You okay with that?"

"If that's the way you want this to go, then that's fine with me." Oz wrapped a hand around the hard cock. "Were you really asleep when he tied us up?"

"Yup, and I woke up scared too." Xander put his head back down, letting one of his hands fall to Oz's cock, slowly stroking it to match his own state. "Please?"

"Sure. I can't deny you much, you know that." Oz stopped, having a thought. "Who has Rocky and Don?"

"Buffy's mom. I called her before we left the house." Xander lifted his head, grinning. "She said she's thinking about getting a pet, so she's going to use ours to figure out what to get."

"Ah." Oz rolled his eyes at the kiss to his throat. "Xander, behave."

Methos opened the door. "Xander, stop now or be by yourself tomorrow." The young man in question pouted at him. "No, you *will* follow my rules for the next three days."

"Ray said he'd take me on a tour of the station," Xander said pitifully.

"I'm sure, but if you don't behave, then you won't have earned a treat."

Xander looked down at Oz. "The sex isn't the treat?"

Oz shrugged. "I thought it was." He looked up at Methos. "That wasn't the treat?"

Methos groaned and left them alone with a hastily called, "No sex," as he closed the door.

Xander grinned. "I'm gonna feel this for days," he whispered, sharing a kiss with his lover. "Thank you for playing along just now."

"Always love to see you sore the next morning," Oz quipped, rolling over so he could cradle Xander in his arms. "Sleep, babe. You've got a big day ahead of you."

Xander nodded, falling asleep easily in the comforting arms.

***

Methos smirked as he watched the replay of the tape of what he had just been through, shaking his head as he pulled Ray onto his lap. "Are you sure you want to take the brat with you to work?" he asked, with a convenient ear nibble since it was so close.

"Yup. I wanna show him off. Make everyone think that he's my 'special friend' as you're being called." He saw the hurt look. "Well, you won't let me take you in and show you off."

"I'm not a trophy," Methos sniffed.

"I know," Ray told him, leaning down to give him a proper kiss. "I just want my friends to understand."

"You think they'll understand *Xander*?"

"Well, maybe not, but they're gonna try hard. They like me, most of the time." He looked down at his nails. "What're ya gonna do about them anyway? Xander's askin' for it."

"Oh, he *definitely* is," Methos purred, "and he's going to get every bit of what he deserves." He put Ray back onto his feet with a pat to the rear. "Go get yourself ready for bed, I need to wear some of my anticipation out." That got a fond smile and Ray headed for their bedroom, leaving the doors open. "Oh, yes, he's going to get it," Methos promised quietly. "Every inch of what he deserves."

***

Methos smiled down at his pets as he finished tying Xander's leg to the bed, giving him a gentle shove to wake him up. "Wakey, wakey," he sing-songed.

"Torturer," Oz muttered, rolling over to hide his face in Xander's chest. "Don't let him sing."

"Not funny," Methos complained.

Xander opened his eyes, looking around. "Coffee?"

"I think I have something that might wake you up better," Methos said as he tossed a bag onto the bed. "Ray rightfully reminded me that you were allergic to latex, so I pulled my *special* toys out of storage." He started to unbutton his shirt. "I think you'll like what I picked out for you."

Xander looked at the bag, then at Methos. "No coffee?" he asked pitifully. "I need coffee. Really need to pray to the caffeine gods."

"I think we'll wake you up just fine without any," Methos said, sliding out of the rest of his clothes in seconds flat so he could straddle Xander's inert form. "A kiss, my sweet?" His pet puckered up, kissing him back so hard he forgot what he wanted to do for a minute. "Better? More awake yet?" Xander shook his head. "I'll have to fix that then, won't I?" He moved back down the hard body, picking up a toy to tease him with. He turned the vibrator on low and ran it over the wiggling stomach muscles he was kissing, smiling at the giggling the younger man started before he moved up to the sensitive nipples.

Xander arched off the bed, making little whimpering noises. "Not fair," he complained. "I haven't even had coffee yet."

Methos lifted his head and frowned. "You'd rather have coffee than me?"

"No, I'd rather have coffee so I can *enjoy* you," Xander corrected. "You don't know this, but I am *not* a morning person."

Oz snorted. "You can say that again. Methos, you won't get the reaction you want unless he's had something coffee-like. He used to come in and kiss the pot even before he kissed me."

"I enjoy it more when I'm awake," Xander said, his voice edging on pout.

"Coffee flavored ice cream?" Ray suggested from the door, holding out a bowl with a grin. "Knew we were kinda alike. Think about what I'd be doin' if you'd just woke me up and didn't give me coffee, Meth."

Methos took the bowl with a slight smile. "Yes, I had forgotten what a horrid wretch you could be first thing in the morning." He held the spoon out, feeding Xander slowly and carefully, managing to only drip the ice cream once. Of course, he instantly licked it up, and the surrounding area to make sure it was clean.

Xander moaned, pushing the head down onto his chest, holding him there. "I'm awake now," he decided, smiling at Ray as he took the bowl away. "Thank you."

"Welcome. Behave and I'll bring ya to work with me this afternoon. Have fun, guys."

"Later," Oz called, lifting up a hand to wave. He shifted until he was curled up around a pillow so he could watch, humming in appreciation as the vibrator made it's return to Xander's nipples and he let out a very high-pitched scream of delight. "Gotta remember that," he muttered, smiling at Methos when he got glared at. "What? I'm taking notes."

"Roll over, Oz, or don't get any at all today."

Oz grumbled but rolled away from them, letting them have a bit of privacy. That's when he saw the camera and smirked. Oh, yeah, Xander was going to get it this time.

Methos smirked down at Xander, moving the vibrator before he could get too used to it, teasing the belly button with it. "How's that then?" he asked as he mouthed the sensitive nipples. "A bit better?"

"Want more!" Xander demanded, wiggling to get the vibrator back where he wanted it. "Now!"

Methos raised an eyebrow and the vibrator went away totally. "You don't get to give the orders for a bit, pet," he reminded gently. "This is your only warning. Next time, you're getting gagged." Xander shook his head. "Oh, yes, you will. Would you like me to prove it?"

Xander gave him a pitiful look. "You used to like me getting bossy in bed."

"That was before I had you under my complete control for a few days," Methos reminded him. "Now you're *mine*," he purred.

"Of course I am, but why are you changing the rules without telling me?"

"Because I want you to have to guess at what I'm going to do to you next, precious one," Methos told him as he sat up. "That way, we'll both have fun with what happens to you and nothing will get repetitive."

"Oh, okay then," Xander said with a nod. "Can I have some more?" He grinned, pushing his hips up.

"My, you're pushy all the time, aren't you?" Methos sighed, pulling the vibrator back up to run it across the pouty lips. "However does Oz cope with your strict demands?"

"He has fun while I do," Xander said seriously. "I make sure of it. And I make sure that I don't get too demanding with him." A hint of the former grin came back. "You, on the other hand, I know what you want, and I'm going to be pushy for you 'cause it turns you on."

"That may be correct, normally, but for right now, I want you to beg, Xander." Methos stood up. "I'll be back in a bit, you rest and contemplate."

"You're leaving?" Xander asked, turning on his pout to quarter strength.

"I need to regather myself," Methos told him, giving him a kiss. "I'll be back in a bit. Behave, Oz, or else." He walked out, closing and locking the door behind him.

Oz rolled over, giving Xander a smile before he nodded at the camera. "I'm sure he'll give you what you need soon enough," he whispered, pulling him into his arms. "Just relax and be horny."

"But I'm kinda not," Xander complained. "It's like the switch was moved again." He frowned down at his disinterested cock. "You've got to come back soon, little me. I want to do this."

"It'll happen," Oz assured him, giving him a squeeze. "What would turn you on most right now?"

"I'm not sure."

***

Methos watched the tape, shaking his head. "So something's turned him off?" He tapped his finger against his lips. "We'll just have to see about that." He headed for the kitchen, ready to do battle with Xander's hormones and finicky desires.

***

Xander looked over at the door then down at his uninterested body. "What's wrong with you?" he asked it, sure he would be okay to talk to himself since Methos had dragged Oz away for sword practice. "You'd usually jump at the chance to hop on Meth's tight bod." He sighed, putting his head back down and closing his eyes. "What's wrong with me?"

"Nothin' much," Ray said from the doorway. "Maybe a little guilt or somethin'." He shrugged and walked in, closing the door. "Whazup?"

"Nothing, and I mean that literally." Xander looked over at him. "I don't feel guilty. A little anxious, but that's mostly because of this," he waved a hand down at his lower body. "Why would I feel guilty?"

"Because your other lover doesn't know about this?"

"But Giles knows. He admitted that he knew about our other time, that he watched, before he left us." Xander looked over at the wall, shaking his head. "This isn't guilt, Ray."

"Then what's wrong? You have not one, but three willing men at your beck and call and ya can't get interested?" He sighed. "You are much tougher than I am, my friend." He stood up, grinning down at Xander. "When you're ready, I can unlock you and bring ya ta work with me."

"Do I have time for a shower?"

"Only if ya can do it in under forty-five minutes. Otherwise, no." Ray dangled the key. "Ready?"

"Please? I need to do something to take my mind off my little problem."

Ray unlocked him. "I'm sure you'll find a way ta take your mind off it." He winked and left the room, leaving the door unlocked.

Xander got up, stretching against the bed. He headed into the bathroom, determined to enjoy himself while he was with Ray. He'd even behave.

***

Xander looked over Ray's shoulder at the tape he was watching, his stomach starting to hurt. He tugged on Ray's arm, getting a glare from the detective beside him. "Ray," he whispered urgently. "I think I know him."

Everyone in the room stopped to look at him, even Ray's other, 'unofficial', partner. "You do?" his Captain asked finally.

"Yeah, I think so." He nodded his head toward a corner, then pulled Ray with him when he wasn't being cooperative. "He's one of the minions of one of the guys I used to *work* for."

Ray closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why me?" he sighed.

"You know, you sounded just like my Giles."

"Don't joke about that." Ray scowled at him. "Okay, so which one and how bad of a time am I gonna have of explainin' this?"

"Um, Ostrach. Big guy, got a fin, light greenish skin. As for the human? I'm not real sure's he's all that ... fully."

"Okay," Ray's partner said loudly. "What's goin' on here? Kowalski, would *you* like to tell us about this?"

"Nope." He looked at his captain, then at the office. "May we?" he asked.

His captain gave them a bland look and a nod, leading the way, closing the door behind them. "What's going on? And why is this so secretive?"

"Sir, this is Xander Harris. He's... like me, but he's had a *very* different course of his life."

"Ah. Street kid?" he asked as he took his seat.

"Not exactly. But this guy's boss isn't what you would call human," Xander temporized.

"Bit of an animal? Psychopath?"

"Not quite," Ray said. "Sir, can we please leave this off until we find something to show you? Something that will definitely ruin your whole year?"

"It's that bad?" his captain asked gently.

"Oh, yeah," Xander said, nodding. "Very bad. Where's the..." He grabbed the phone book and looked through the yellow pages, eventually showing Ray one entry. "This one sounds promising. Wanna try there and see if I'm right?"

Ray looked at the name of the club then shrugged. "Why not. Can't hurt to go look. Sir," he said, turning his attention back to his boss, "let Vecchio and me do this one. I know there was a cop shot in that bank, but he and I do have the best solve rate and if Xander's right, then we're gonna have a *big* problem."

"Ah." The captain leaned back in his chair, waving at the door. "Go to it. I want results, or answers, in forty-eight hours or I'm reassigning the case."

Xander nodded. "Okay." He walked out, leaving Ray alone, only to be ambushed by Ray's partners. "He'll tell you, but we've got to go look at a place first. Just in case I'm right." He waited for Ray, giving him a small smile for the glare he was getting. "Want to bring them?"

"Who said you were goin'?" Ray asked as he walked past.

"I don't think you could handle that place," Xander called, jogging after him, pushing Ray into a wall. "Bullets don't work against most them of, Ray. You can't kill them without the proper gear. Let me help."

"Fine," Ray's partner sighed as he walked past them. "I'm drivin'."

Ray looked Xander's outfit over. "You got anything on ya?"

"Always," Xander said with a small smirk. "We're always prepared back at home." He nodded outside. "Coming?"

"Sure." Ray walked Xander down to the car, letting him get in the back with the mountie and his wolf.

***

Xander smiled at the bartender, turning on his lust just a little. "Are you *sure* Ostrach's not here?" he purred. "I'm sure he'd *want* to see me, I was his *favorite* in New York after all."

The bartender looked him over with a leer. "Fine. He's back in the back room. Need a map?"

"Nah." Xander waved and walked toward the back, Ray and his formal partner in tow, the other off playing chess with a mostly human-looking Rashteth demon. Apparently they had those in Canada too, which was surprising since everyone knew they didn't like cold. He stopped them before they crossed through the door. "Ray, is he gonna be okay?"

"Sure," Ray said, waving it off. He nudged his partner, who simply swallowed and nodded. "See?" He pointed down the hall. "We going?"

"Yup." Xander sashayed into the back room, giving all the demons there a bright smile. "Hi, guys," he purred. "Where's Ostrach?"

"In the can," one demon said in a heavy New York accent without looking up from his card game. "Why ya need him?"

"Because he'll *want* to talk to me," Xander told him, tipping the demon's face up. "Won't he?"

The demon nodded and swallowed. "He likes you, lots, kid. You're being dangerous though."

Xander shook his head. "Nope, I've got my bodyguards this time." He smiled, then looked around. "Where's Tiny? I haven't seen him in forever."

"Oh, him, he's back at the lair," another demon said, then he was pelted with things. "Sorry!"

Everyone held their breath as the toilet flushed and Ostrach walked out, his fin waving as he walked. He stopped when he saw Xander, then he looked at the other two humans. "You brought me presents?" he asked with a wave at the cops. "I've already got a few of those, Alex." He smiled and walked over to hug him, pulling a thin blade out of his sleeve as he walked. "No one tells me no," he whispered as he hugged Xander. "Not even you."

Xander blocked the blade by moving, then by pouting when it sliced his shirt. "That was mean. What will my man say?" He blinked, then smiled as he looked around the room. "Guys, I may be on break from the Slayer's side, but I think this is an individual conversation. Why don't you guys go talk to my bodyguards for a few minutes?" Ostrach nodded so they all left, Ray and his partner herding them out into the alley. "Watch out for the pale one, he combusts," Xander called, "and the green one's got explosive parts." He waited until the door was closed to shake his head and sit on the edge of a table. "Ostrach, don't you ever learn? You had one of your men shoot a cop. Do you know how stupid that was? How much attention that will bring you?"

The demon waved his hand in the air. "I didn't order him to do that, it was his own stupidity. He'll be turning himself in tonight."

Xander shook his head. "Not good enough. When a cop gets shot, the rest of them go on a tirade against anyone who knew the guy who did it and Tiny's stupid enough to give them your name too. Actually, you're already *big* on their hit list." He blinked. "Do you really want to end up as the first demon prosecuted in Chicago?"

Ostrach laughed. "My boy, do you really think they'd want to do that? I mean, think of the questions that would have to be asked."

"Yeah, well maybe the world's ready for demons to be found out." He pulled a set of handcuffs out, ones that he had Ray dip in Holy Water. He clipped one around the demon's wrist and the other around his. There was enough burn to stop Ostrach from pulling on them. "I'm sorry, man, but you stepped in the wrong place. I gotta do this, it's my Slayerette duty." He gave a dramatic sigh and hopped off the table, pulling the stunned demon after him into the alley. "Ray?" he called. Ray poked his head around the corner. "I think your boss wants to talk to him." He tugged on the arm but Ostrach wasn't moving. "A little help here?"

"Of course," a dark voice said from behind them in the shadows.

Xander turned, grinning at the vampire standing behind him. "Reggie," he said, holding out an arm to get a hug. "Oh, good to see you." He pulled back to kiss the end of the cold nose. "This isn't about work, this is about him having minions that killed a cop. Don't interfere, all right?"

"Of course not, I have no more wish of being exposed than he does." He watched Ray as he walked back down the alley. "Is your friend...available?"

"Nope, that's Adam's other student. He's been taken in by a great man." He smiled at Ray. "This is Reggie, he was one of the other people I *worked* for."

Ray nodded. "He gettin' inta this?"

"No," Reggie said with a bow. "Not at all. I merely wanted to talk to Xander." He pulled out a knife and grabbed Ostrach, slitting his throat. "I can't let him endanger us all." He sneered at Xander. "You were always too soft. We'll have to take you in hand, Alex."

Ray was pulling Xander back when the shots rang out behind him. He shoved the non-combatant behind a pile of boxes, running to save his partners. "Stay there!" he called over his shoulder.

Xander tried to get the dead weight off his arm, struggling with the cuffs, but he didn't have the keys and the people who did were in trouble of their own.

"Xander," Reggie sing-songed. "We want you back." He snickered. "Just for a few... days. I'm sure you'll have *fun* with us."

"I doubt it," Xander hissed, pulling on his arm, trying to pull his wrist out of the cuffs since he couldn't unhitch them. He struggled to get free, only stopping when some dust floated down over top of the boxes. He cautiously stood up, but didn't see the vampire that he was hiding from. Until he turned his head, then he saw him a little too closely. He tried to get away, but tripped over the dead body. He ended up picking up the demon, who was bigger than he was, and dragging him down the alley to try and get away. He stopped as he heard a scream, turning to find a woman running after him and Reggie gone. "Huh?" was all he got time for before she killed him.

When Xander woke up, it was to a familiar face, but no Ray. He sat up, holding his head with a moan. "Ray?" he asked Amanda.

"He's fine. He took the bodies back to his unit for his boss to see. And he knows where the lair is now so he's going to get the one he needs. He said to tell you that." Amanda looked down from examining her nails. "So, you feel like a pre-immie, but you just died and woke up. I would like an explanation, Xander."

Xander looked down at the cuffs on his wrists, then up at her. "Get me somewhere comfier and we'll talk. Connor can even verify it if Me...Adam won't." He saw the sad look but wasn't really able to interpret it.

She nodded at her female companion to help him up. "Charise, this is Xander. He's a friend of a friend. Xander, I found her recently. I was hoping you'd know what to do with her, or Oz would actually."

He looked her over and his chest started to hurt again. "Are you replacing Buffy or Faith?" he asked quietly. The girl gave him a confused look. "I know all this is new, but there should have been a British guy nearby who told you what was going on." He grabbed her by the arms and shook her lightly. "Was it Buffy or Faith that died? Which Slayer died?"

"Oh," Amanda said, smiling at the girl. "Okay. Got it now." She shrugged. "It must have been Faith. We saw Buffy a few days ago. She was flunking Calculus even though she's sleeping with the teacher. We came through LA and heard her talking to your pale friend when we tried to stop in and see him," she explained at his confused look. "Angel, I think."

"Yeah, that's her ex. She's sleeping with a teacher? And taking Calculus?" Amanda nodded and tossed him the handcuff key, watching as he undid himself. "Okay," he sighed as he rubbed his wrists. "I gotta call Ray and make sure he's all right. And I gotta call Adam, make sure we can bring you over. Is that okay?"

"Sure, why don't we go to a nice place and have lunch. Your treat." She patted him on the side of the face as she took her friend's arm and started down the alley. "At least you didn't get dirty."

"Yeah, that's a miracle," he sighed, following them. "Do you have my wallet?" It was tossed back at him. "Thanks, Charise."

"You're welcome," she said, her speech French-accented. "Can we have chocolate?"

"Of course you can," Amanda said, giving her a short hug. "You can have anything you want." She smiled at Xander. "Can't she?"

"Yeah, but she shouldn't gain weight. It'll make the training harder." He got into the backseat of the car Amanda pointed to, buckling in. "You don't have a cellphone, do you? Mine was confiscated by Ray when he kidnapped us."

"Ah." Amanda handed one over the back of the seat. "Here, don't run up a *huge* bill. I'm sure it's owner wouldn't be pleased."

He snorted and dialed, closing his eyes to make the headache go away. "Hey, Ray. Yeah, I'm fine. How's your boss?" He chuckled. "Amanda, where are we going?" He held up a finger. "Really? Okay, call him and tell him we're coming over. Oh, and tell him to tell Oz we have Faith's replacement with us." He hung up. "We're going to Court Street then four blocks away. Adam wants to see you."

"Oh, goody. Maybe he'll explain all this." She took back the phone, tucking it away in her jacket.

***

"What do you mean they linked you to Oz?" Amanda shrieked. "That isn't possible! Magic doesn't exist!" She threw up her hands and flopped down onto the couch beside her calm student. "Yeah, it does," Oz told her gently. "And so do werewolves. Have some associations there still."

Xander looked at his lover. "Your sense of smell?" Oz nodded and frowned. "I noticed you smelling Ray while we were in Vegas, it just seems like a wolfy thing to do."

Oz chuckled. "I knew if I could smell him, I could find him."

Adam/Methos cleared his throat. "Back to the business at hand. Yes, Amanda, it does exist. And not only is he linked to Giles and Oz, but to Connor and I as well." He gave her a bland little smirk. "It wasn't intended but it did happen."

"Um, then why does he feel pre-immie?" she asked softly. "And what about Connor and what happened to him last night?"

"What happened to Connor?" Oz and Xander asked together.

"He lost a fight," Amanda said. "It's all over the immie network."

Xander hopped up but Oz and Methos caught him, holding him. "No, I have to go! Giles is there! I have to make sure he's all right!"

"Shh," Methos whispered, pressing on a spot on Xander's neck to knock him back out. "Oz, take him into the bedroom and let him rest." He waited until they were alone. "Mac?" he asked.

"No, one of his former friends and present enemies," Amanda said, her face scrunching up. "He came to free Mac but our darling psycho's back in chains again. Joe's got him now."

"What about the other part of their household? Giles was going to train with Connor."

"As far as I know only Connor was fighting with Ethram. Big lightening show from what I heard. Even scared some of the natives."

Methos shook his head. "Don't tell them that, Xander's been having strange reactions recently. Since last night actually. We need to know more before he goes running off to New York."

"I'm going," Oz said as he walked out. He grabbed his jacket, slipping his sword inside it. "Xander ordered me to go. He said he'd stay with you, Adam, but he wanted to make sure Giles was all right."

"Fine. Be back by tomorrow or I'm letting the boy come after you."

Oz stepped closer with a light growl. "You will protect what's mine, Methos. No matter what. You *swore* an oath to protect him." They locked gazes, until Methos looked away first. "Good. Now then, I'm going to New York. Amanda, would you like to come with me? I'm sure we could find Charise a Watcher while we're at it."

"She's not immie, why would she need one?"

"Different branch, same name. Happened a *long* time ago," Methos sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Their only job is to train girls like Charise and Buffy. If Giles is alive, he'd know who to give her to for training." He watched as Amanda and her friend followed Oz out of the apartment, then got up to make Xander something comforting to drink. He carried the cocoa back to the bedroom, tapping lightly on the door before walking in. What he saw almost broke what little heart he had left. Xander was splayed out on his stomach, the chain firmly linked around his ankle. Actually, the chain was starting to cut off the circulation but the boy didn't seem to notice. Methos put the tray down beside the still body and adjusted the chain with a small stroke to the soft skin. "We didn't hear anything about Giles, Xander. I'm sure we would have if he had fought." The boy rolled over, clinging to him and crying. "Shh, it'll be all right. Oz will be back by tomorrow night and we'll know by then."

"Don't let it be true," Xander whispered, wrapping himself around the willing and comforting body.

***

Xander woke up to the feeling of warmth rubbing down his back. He turned his head to find Methos and Ray both rubbing his back and yawned, giving them a slight smile. "Sorry."

"S'okay," Ray told him. "Oh, and the boss said he wanted ta see ya first thing in the morning. I told him you don't do mornin's but he gave me a look." He shrugged and stole a kiss from Methos. "For now, we're gonna pamper you a bit, just like you did me."

Xander nodded, putting his head back down. "Okay." He felt something different on his body so considered the ache then smiled up at Methos. "I think things are starting to get back to normal."

Methos smiled at that. "Well, it would make sense. Of course, if you're linked to Ethram now we may have more problems." He winked. "I'm sure he'll want to try and claim you."

"Not a chance," Ray said harshly. Both men looked at him. "No one's takin' him from Oz."

"Good point," Methos said with a small smile. "I would like to see Ethram taken out for last night though. He never was a *decent* immortal, always too flighty to stay and learn things. Didn't much care for the whys and hows of life either."

"Maybe Giles got him," Ray said. He leaned down, kissing the warm neck. "Oz called ten minutes ago and said he was fine. They're packin' up Connor's stuff right now. I woulda woken ya but he said ta let ya sleep."

"Thanks," Xander said, giving him a hug with his head. "How is he?"

"Fine. Apparently the cops were there buggin' Giles already. They only gave him a few questions. He said ta tell ya to relax and ta help me with the paperwork on those guys. Told me to tell Meth to pamper ya horribly and that you'd be punished once they got back."

Xander sighed and put his head back down. "Okay." He closed his eyes and wiggled his butt. "Can I have more backrubs?"

"Of course you may," Methos told him gently. "Would you like your legs worked on too?"

"Please. They're kinda limp feeling." Xander yawned. "Sorry."

"S'okay. Go back to sleep if that's what ya want ta do," Ray told him. "Do what ya need ta do to make it all better." Xander nodded and went even more limp, quickly falling asleep under both pairs of talented hands. Ray looked over at his lover. "Meth, is he gonna be okay?"

"He'll be fine. Even if Oz was right." He reached over to brush a finger down the side of Ray's face. "He'll understand that Giles will want time to adjust to having taken his first head."

***

Xander tossed down the paper he was trying to figure out and grabbed the phone book. "I am *not* the expert in these matters. Chicago's a big city, they should have a Watcher nearby." He ran his finger down the listings, shaking his head when he didn't find what he wanted. "Ray?" he called, bringing his friend over immediately. "We need to go find an expert. Where's the nearest occult shop?"

Ray coughed. "I don't know." He shrugged and looked around the room but everyone turned away from him. "Okay, apparently no one knows." He shrugged and sat down, looking at the forms. "Why do ya need ta go there?"

"Because there's no way I can fill out some of this. My knowledge isn't that specific, it'll take someone like Giles to do that." He pointed at a line. "I'm not even sure *how* to fill that question out."

"Ooookaaay," he said slowly. "Want to give me a clue here?"

"Yup," Xander said, standing up and grabbing the jacket Ray had given him that morning. "Come on, we've got to go find a store where the people who would know can be found."

"Where are you two going?" Ray's boss called from his office.

Xander stuck his head in. "To go find an occult store and then a Watcher." He grinned. "The real experts, I'm just an expert in training." He waved and left, following Ray down to his car. "He's kinda nice."

"Yeah, he's okay," Ray said. "He think's you're weird though." He smiled at the young man. "He told me earlier that I could turn out like you, but he'd immediately switch me to Vice so my unique talents could be utilized."

Xander snorted. "That'd be mean of him." He pointed down the street. "Okay, we need an ethnic neighborhood probably, or somewhere that people like Giles would hang out."

"Ethnic we can do. Latin okay?"

"Might be the best actually."

***

Xander smiled at the shopkeeper, waiting until he came over to talk to him. "Hi, I'm the student of a Watcher, the British version. I need to find one here in town though since my teacher's in New York right now."

The man smiled and shook his head. "Prove it."

"I'm Xander Harris," he said, holding out a hand. "Lover to Rupert Giles, Slayerette to Buffy Summers."

The man snorted then started to chuckle. "Good enough. What do you need them for?"

"I need them to fill out some forms. A demon named Ostrach was responsible for a cop being shot and I told them what was going on, but now I have *paperwork*," he groaned. "Lots of paperwork, but I don't know how to fill out some of it."

"Ah. So you come running to the Watchers to fix your mistake. That's not very good, boy."

"I know, I expect I'm going to be lectured when we all get home." He gave him a small begging look. "Please? Just put me in touch with one? The Watcher will be able to verify everything I say."

"You GHS boys, all the same," the shopkeeper sighed, reaching for his phone. "I know the student of one. I'll let them decide." He took the phone into the back room and came out with a young woman. "Him."

Xander backed away from her slap. "Sorry! He had a cop shot! What else was I supposed to do?"

She glared at him, then at Ray. "He knows?"

"He lives with an immortal," Ray said. "He knows Giles. He doesn't know how to fill out the paperwork either."

She snickered. "Fine, I'll come help you. Who was it?"

"Ostrach."

She shook her head. "Stupid thing. He was always rushing after things that he craved." She patted the side of Xander's face. "Including you."

"Whoa," Ray said, holding up a hand. "He got attention from the robbery to get Xander to come after him?"

She nodded. "Why else? Ostrach had no impulse control and no need of the money stolen from that bank." She grabbed a bag from under the counter and walked out, waving at the door. "Shall we?"

"Sure." Xander waved her on. "I believe it's still women first, especially the lovely ones?"

She laughed. "Oh, my, GHS to the bone." She winked at Ray. "Take lessons from him, he's a good one, he'll last for a long time." She walked out, heading for their car.

***

Xander stopped at the last table, looking down at the empty sheet. "Who was here?" he called.

"That's the problem," Ray's boss said. "The guy you led us to seems to have gotten up and walked away."

"I told you to take off his fin," Xander pointed out. "That's the only real way to make sure he's dead. Otherwise he could regenerate as long as he has some tissue left up there." He turned to look at Ray, shrugging when he saw everyone looking at him. "What? He told me that."

"I'm sure he did," Ray's boss said, shaking his head as he walked out the door. "Fix this," he called as the door slammed.

Ray groaned. "Xander, you just earned us some more paperwork."

"I'm not *touchin'* this one," Ray's partner called as he walked out. "Have fun. I didn't see any of this." The morgue door slammed behind him.

"Catholic," Ray explained to the woman they now knew as Rosella, the female Watcher in town.

"I've been there, it's a hard transition." She peeled back the next sheet and started on the forms for that demon's body. "These are fairly simple, Xander. Why couldn't you do them?"

"Because I'm more of the action guy. I remember how to kill them but not what they are." He sighed at her incredulous look. "I wasn't always GHS, I used to be Buffy's main backup."

She just nodded and started back on the paperwork.

***

Methos grabbed Xander as he walked through the door, giving him a hard kiss and letting him slide down his body. "How was work?" he asked Ray, leaning over to give him a kiss too.

"Good. How was your day?"

"Very uneventful." Methos switched his grip on Xander's body so he could pull him over to the couch. "Oz will be back tomorrow night. But first, dear one, he wanted me to explain something to you." He looked down at Xander, waiting until he sat to say anything. "Your other lover needs some time to process."

"How long?"

"You're taking this very well," Ray complimented, sitting next to him.

"Hey, seeing a friend die in front of you would be traumatic."

Methos shook his head. "No, love, he took care of Ethram. He took his head right after Connor died."

Xander nodded. "Okay, I can understand that too. How long?"

"He's not sure. Mac's gifted him with permission to use his island near Canada. It's holy ground so he'll be safe. There's a cabin up there and everything," he added to ease the tension the young man was starting to show.

"How long?" Xander asked again.

"He's not sure," Methos repeated, squatting down to get on his level. "Not terribly long, not centuries. Possibly a few months though. Maybe even a year or so if he goes in-depth into who he is. For some, this first battle is something that makes them change who they are, or at least who they show to the world. If he goes that far, it will take him longer, but not all of it will be spent on the island."

Xander slumped. "So he's dumping us to go think and possibly go back to being Ripper?"

"Ripper?" Ray asked.

"It's who he was when he was younger. A lot more carefree, rough, and things." Xander squeezed their hands. "Not your fault, I know that." He took a deep breath. "I'll deal."

"As long as you do," Methos said with a faint smile. "Though I've never known you not to deal with whatever life threw at you."

"Hey, I can do this without Giles, but not without Oz."

"You'll never be without Oz," Methos told him gently. "He's claimed you. You're his prize possession and his favorite thing in the world."

"Yeah, I know," Xander said with his sappiest grin ever.

"Then we may have problems," Ray said quietly. "Ostrach's still free. He walked out of the morgue."

"I told them to take off his fin."

"Yeah, but they won't listen to ya, ya aren't a cop and ya aren't a civilian expert in an approved field." Ray shrugged at Methos' dirty look. "They didn't listen to him at all, until he brought in Rosella."

"Ah, yes, I've met her. Very acerbic."

"She thinks Xander's a cute little boy," Ray told him with a slight grin. "Kept treatin' him like he was six or somethin'."

Xander groaned and hid his face in Methos' shoulder.

"At least she believed him," Methos pointed out, scratching lightly down the firm back. "She could have thrown a fit for what you both did in exposing the otherworldly community."

"Nope, when my boss met her, the first words outta his mouth were 'I don't know you and didn't see you here. Same as those things'." He winked at his lover. "She laughed and told him that was good, then he wouldn't get in her way and she'd be home in time for dinner."

Methos shook his head, laughing. "Good. I'm glad we were able to solve that. And you have the human who actually shot the other officer?" Ray nodded, his good humor falling away. "I'm sorry, love, I didn't mean to make you unhappy." He reached over, giving his lover's face a soft stroke. "What can I do to make it better?"

"Give us dinner and a good diversion?" Ray suggested.

"Of course." Methos gently settled Xander back on the couch. "It's almost ready. Why don't you and he go take a bath together and relax? I'll finish the preparations for tonight."

Ray stood up, pulling Xander with him. "Come on, we're gonna go soak in bubbles."

"He taught you about bubbles?" Methos asked once they were gone. "My, he was trying to corrupt my innocent one, wasn't he." He walked into the kitchen to finish the supper preparations.

***

Xander lifted his head lethargically, grinning at his host. "This is a killer tub, Meth," he complimented. "Really great. Can I stay here?"

"Only if you want to look like a prune." He set the tray down beside the tub, giving each of the men a light kiss. "Ray, would you like to eat in there too?"

"Nah, I drop things in the water." He smiled over at Xander. "He seems to not want to move though. Hasn't moved an inch since he settled in. Must be over that jet that you like." He got to his knees, bracing on the tub behind Xander's head so he could slowly lean down and give his friend a deep kiss. "Ya gotta move. We can't eat in here."

"If you say so," Xander said, lifting his arms up so he could stretch. "Um, I feel good." He gave Ray another kiss, pulling him down onto his lap to do so. "Stay for a few more minutes?" he asked, his fingers trailing down the bubble-covered back, teasing at the crack. "Please?"

"None of that now," Methos chastised. "He's mine. You're *our* pet for the weekend."

"Yeah, but it feels good," Ray complained. "Can't he stay for a few more minutes."

Methos smiled and got comfortable so he could watch and referee. Xander wasn't going to get more than *he* wanted. No matter how well he begged.

Xander went back to his exploration of his friend's mouth, ignoring their audience. If Methos wanted to watch him kiss Ray, well he was kinda used to having an audience with two lovers so it was all good for him. He came up for air, grinning at Ray's 'struck silly' look. "More?" he asked, his voice in that almost-purr of his.

"Yeah, I'd like that," Ray said, leaning forward, putting the hand back where it belonged, teasing him.

"None of that either," Methos told them.

Ray turned his head, resting it on Xander's shoulder. "I can't be teased?"

"He'll like it too much."

"He already did," Ray pointed out. "He's very good with those toys of his."

"Yeah," Xander said with a big grin, "I kinda am, aren't I?" He winked at Ray. "You gave us the perfect things to get him off with when we were in Vegas. Thank you, Methos."

"Oh, you're welcome," Methos said, leaning in for a kiss of his own, "but for right now, I want you to suffer for not telling me where you three were. You may kiss and fondle, but not tease my innocent one."

"Am not," Ray protested.

Methos kissed his cheek, dragging his lips over to the willing, swollen mouth. "Yes, love, you are. Much more innocent than I am, very innocent in fact. Something which I'd like you to stay."

Ray sighed and shook his head. "I'm not that innocent, Meth."

"Yeah, you are," Xander said, turning his head so he was being looked at. "Compared to us, you're very innocent, something that should be cherished for as long as possible." He looked over at his older friend. "Are you mad at me for taking some of it?"

"Just a little, but you didn't take so much as show him what he likes," Methos told him, giving him a kiss. "Come on, out of the bath. I'll bring the food into the bedroom and we'll eat at the table beside the bed. All right?"

"Good for me," Ray told him, grinning again. "Love you."

"I love you too, imp," Methos said, stealing one last kiss as he got up, carrying the tray into the bedroom, where the rest of dinner was waiting anyway. He had planned on having dinner in here, had actually made a few minor adjustments to the room to make dinner more of a sensual feast. He put the tray of hors d'oeuvres down next to the rest of the food and took a sip of his tea, which was infused with special herbs to make everyone want Xander more than they already did, if that was possible. He seated himself, picking up a dumpling to nibble on while he waited for Xander to dry Ray off, smiling as the giggling from the bathroom started. "Boys," he called after five minutes, "it's time for supper."

"In a minute!" Ray called, his voice going up on the last word.

"He's not allowed to do that either," Methos called back. "He can do that later, when *I'm* ready for him to."

Xander led Ray out of the bathroom, giving his host a soft begging look. "Why can't I lick him now?"

"Because I want you to do that later," Methos said gently, patting the pillow on his left. "Ray, on my right, as usual, please." He watched as the young men sat down, picking up one of the appetizers to tease the pouting lips with. "Let's all feed each other, shall we?"

"Sure," Xander said, nibbling on the offered treat. "Umm," he hummed. "You can cook."

"Yup, he can cook," Ray said, taking one of the flat cracker-like things to feed his lover. "Here, Methos."

Methos smiled and ate it, licking the fingers clean. He picked up another piece, feeding it to Ray. "You could feed him too. I wouldn't mind sharing this duty with you."

Ray looked at the rest of the food. "I think you're gonna be feeding both of us. I can't use chopsticks." He grinned and stole a kiss. "It's perfect otherwise."

"Hmm, I can be a body slave during dinner, but afterwards, that will be your job, Ray."

"Good for me," he quipped, groaning when the phone rang. "I'm not on call," he repeated over and over as he got up to answer it. "I'm not on call," he said as he picked up the receiver. "Get over it." He listened, turning to look at Xander and shaking his head. "Nope, he's here. Yes, I'm quite sure he's here. He's naked and being fed. Vecchio, do you think I *care* about your sensitive ears?" He hung up. "Someone that looks kinda like you broke into Rosella's store. They wanted to make sure you weren't there." He came over, sitting behind Xander on the pillows and pulling him into his arms. "Here, this'll be easier on poor Methos. This way he only has to stretch in one direction." He stroked down the firm chest, watching as his lover shifted to his old pillow and picked up another treat to feed them. "Remind me I wanna do this for you some day."

"Gladly," Methos purred. "Anytime you're ready."

Ray just smiled and picked up a treat off the plate being held up by Xander, reaching across the firm body in front of him to feed his lover.

Dinner went on like that, Ray sneaking in little pets of Xander as he was fed, Methos sneaking in little strokes of both of them as he fed them. By the time dinner was finished they were all hard and more than ready to go along with whatever the immortal had planned for them all. Even if Ray's partner had decided to interrupt dinner, only to run away barely not screaming when Xander came to the door naked and ready to jump on someone.

Methos helped Xander up and led him over to the bed, waving at the new leather straps hanging there waiting on him. "Would you like these now or later?" he purred.

"Now?" Xander asked with an impish grin. He crawled up onto the bed, giving a good showing of his backside, and lay down in the exact middle with his arms and legs outstretched. "Please?"

"Of course." He was duly hitched in, and the bonds tested by Xander. "Is that better?" Methos asked him.

"Yeah, it's good," Xander admitted. He smiled at Ray. "Are these yours?"

"Nope, I can't stand being tied down. Been taken hostage too many times."

"I only like it like this," Xander told him. "Vamps did it to me a few times. I got really scared the first time but Giles made it all okay while Oz tied me down. Maybe we can do that for you before I have to leave."

"Maybe," Ray said, smiling at Methos. "Can I try that?"

"Not yet, love. That's part of the innocence that I want to protect." He looked down at his willing captive. "Now then, I do believe someone was going to be punished for spoiling some of that innocence? And for not coming straight here for his punishment." He tapped his chin with his finger. "Oh, yes, and for making me beg. And for giving Ray those horrid thongs."

"But they're comfy," Xander protested.

"Yeah, they are," Ray commented. "And you *like* it when I wear them all day. Especially if I have to chase someone down while I'm wearin' 'em." He smirked at his lover. "Why are ya punishin' him for that?"

"Because he tried to make me wear one also," Methos said. "It doesn't matter, he's got more than enough to be punished for without that particular charge."

Ray nodded. "Point. Ya can get him on that charge some other time."

Methos smiled. "Of course I can." He looked down at Xander, his smile getting a little more predatory. "Can't I?"

Xander swallowed at the intense look he was getting, almost like he was his friend's prey. "If Oz says you can," he said softly.

"Good." Methos leaned down, grabbing a long, deep kiss, waving at Ray behind his back to start doing what he had planned. The detective grabbed the plug lying beside the bed, lubing it quickly and reaching around the bodies to slide it into the waiting cavity. He smiled at the groan, leaning down to lick across the still-damp bellybutton. Xander pushed up into his mouth so he continued to tease him with his tongue, fucking the navel like he wanted to do to his friend later.

Xander tried to grab him, moaning when his arms wouldn't move far enough. "No fair, I can't touch him."

"That's the whole idea, precious, you're at our mercy," Methos reminded him. He tapped the end of the plug, earning another moan. "Oh, does that feel good?"

"Yes, more!" Xander demanded, and immediately all the fingers on him were removed. "Oh, come on!" he protested.

"No ordering," Methos reminded him. "Last warning. Do it again and you'll have to wait for our attention." They locked eyes and Xander nodded, looking away first. "Good boy."

Ray grinned at him. "Thank you for not sayin' that to me."

"You're welcome, my love," Methos said, taking a kiss, maneuvering them so they were directly above Xander's still body. He smiled as he felt a soft touch to his chest. "Yes, did you want something?"

"Yup."

"Hmm, we'll have to give you something then, won't we?" Ray said, leaning down to give him a kiss.

Xander reached one of his bound hands out, encountering another hand that grabbed his, grounding him as he got involved in the kiss. Methos smiled as he watched his lover and his pet, knowing that these two would be perfect together if something happened to him. It was always a good idea to make plans for any possible future. He tugged on the hand he held when they had been kissing too long, bringing them back to the real world. He smiled, leaning down to kiss both panting men, each grinning up at him. "Is that all you want to do tonight?"

"Nope," Ray said, wiggling against the bound body. "I want to make him beg for it." He got up, earning a small pout. "Don't worry, you'll be gettin' it soon enough."

Someone knocked on the door and Methos groaned, heading for it. "Get him ready for us, Ray, let me take care of your partner this time."

"Don't scare him too bad," Ray called, looking down at the body spread out for his enjoyment. "What to do with you now?"

Methos opened the door, glaring at the two men on the other side. "Yes? And for the record, Ray's busy."

Ray's partner cleared his throat. "Yeah, we know, but we gotta talk to the kid."

"He's a little...tied up at the moment." He smiled at the two men's discomfort. "What did you need him for?"

"We got told that everything that happened was to get his attention," Ray's boss said. "We need to know if we need to protect him."

"I assure you, Captain, he's *very* well protected with Ray and I."

"So you're Ray's....'friend'?" Ray's boss asked. "I thought that was who the kid was." He scratched his eyebrow. "Who's he then?"

"He's a friend of ours from a little town outside of LA, and our counselor. We whine to him about each other," Ray said, sticking his head out of the bedroom. "M...Adam's my 'friend' as you so grandly put it." He waved and pulled his head back in. "He knows," he called.

Methos nodded. "We told him that might be the case. His own lover's coming back from New York tonight so he'll have even more guards. Would that please you?"

"Maybe," Ray's partner said quietly. "Of course, with the trouble Ray get's inta, you never know what he'll drag the guy inta."

"Oh, I think he's going to behave. Oz is *very* possessive and protective of Xander. I'm sure nothing will happen to him. And if it does, then they'll have to answer to me and to the person who helps those two out."

Ray's boss stepped inside the apartment and shut his detective out. "What's going on?"

"Hmm?" Methos gave a small, predatory smile. "Xander's agreed to put himself in my custody for this weekend."

"Our," Ray called from the bedroom.

"Our," Methos corrected. "He actually has two men of his own, but he's an awful tease and his lovers agreed with us that we could show him how ... discomforting that can be sometimes." The smile got a little brighter. "Everyone's agreed about what's going to happen. Unfortunately, Oz had to leave for New York on an emergency with their other lover. He'll be back tonight and until then, Xander is ours."

Ray's boss nodded slowly. "As long as he's guarded. You guys got security besides the doorman?"

"Yes, Captain, I would never fail to protect my innocent little Ray."

"Adam!"

"Sorry, dear." His smile turned softer and fonder. "If you really must know, the three of us share a membership in an exclusive organization and Xander was once my student, as was Ray. I take their safety *very* much to heart. No one could get in here, except our friend Amanda, but she's a thief of great renown."

"You know some interesting people," Ray's boss said with a smile. "Make sure he comes in with Ray in the morning. We'll watch him all day." He glanced at the living room and the artwork there. "This yours?"

"Yes, I have a bit of a trust fund. Fortunately Ray loves me despite that."

Ray's boss laughed and opened the door. "That's good of him. Tell the kid he has to come in tomorrow. And his lover if Ray wants to deal with that. We need to talk to them about those things that he brought in and what to do about any of them in the future."

"Ignore them if you can, they tend to keep to themselves. They also tend to police their own numbers and live in a closed environment. They don't tend to bother humans much, unless it's in Xander's hometown."

"Oh. Okay." He waved. "You can come in tomorrow too. I want to talk to you about his care." He walked out, closing the door behind him.

Methos sighed and headed back to the bedroom, smiling at Xander's aching and stiff cock being encased in a cock ring. "Ah, proper precautions. We're all to go in to work with you tomorrow, Ray. Your boss wished us to have fun for tonight." He leaned down, taking a swift lick over the leaking head, smirking at the yell of his name. "Patience, precious. You'll get it soon enough." He sat on the side of the bed, pulling Ray into his lap for some kissing. "I need some of this," he murmured as their lips connected.

Xander watched as they kissed, his need softening but never giving up and going away. It was so tender and caring, what he imagined someone watching him and Oz would see. He smiled at Ray as he looked over at him. "Go on. I like watching you two." He reached out, running his fingertips down the firm arm, as far as he could go. "Kiss him," he suggested.

Methos smiled. "Of course he will, dear, after you get some too." He leaned down with Ray, taking turns bringing him into the kisses. When he got tired of it, Methos shifted Ray up so he could stand and moved down, licking down the soft chest while he watched those two kiss. He stroked over the wiggling stomach, smiling as it was pressed up into his fingers. "Ah, my little hedonists," he sighed. "Such little hedonists."

"Yeah, we kinda are," Ray said with a grin. "Ya gonna help us with this, oh master of hedonists?"

"Of course." Methos leaned down, licking up the top of Xander's bound cock, taking his time as he moved across the head. He smirked as Xander wiggled under him. "Patience, pet."

"Don't wanna have patience," Xander ground out, pushing his hips up. "Please?"

"Hmm, a little begging," Ray noted. "Not quite enough, but it's a start."

"Begging, I can do begging," Xander said quickly. "Would you like to hear me beg?"

Methos and Ray shared a smile then went back to their respective body parts to continue the torture. Ray moved down to the damp chest, slurping up the spit that his lover had left in his hurry to get where he now was. Methos massaged the firm thighs as he nibbled and licked the head of Xander's cock, holding in his smirk at the pleading noises their pet was making only because he needed his lips to tease with. He and his lover looked at each other and smiled again, and Ray reached down to undo the cock ring suddenly, smirking at Methos as he got sprayed with come.

"How's that?" Ray asked. "Better?"

"No," Xander groaned. "I want more!" He wiggled his hips. "Please? I really could use some more."

"I know you could," Methos purred. "What would you like?" He took another lick, cleaning off his lips. "Would you like me to tease you some more?" Xander nodded and shook his head. "Which is it, imp?"

"Both?" he asked softly. "Please? I'm good for another few times."

"Ah, I had forgotten about that particular skill," Methos sighed. "I guess we'll have to do our best to keep up with you." He rehitched the cock ring, bending down to clean the young man up so they could go on.

"Hmm, Xander-flavored," Ray hummed, pulling Methos' head up to kiss him and get a taste. "I like that taste. It's kinda addicting."

"Yes, but you can't keep him, precious," Methos reminded his lover. "He has to go home to Oz." He flinched and looked up as he felt the buzz of another immortal. "The neighbor's home," he whispered, stealing one last kiss before going back to his teasing. He added a new torture, playing with the plug Xander wore.

Xander groaned, trying to lift his hips up to make him do more. "Methos!" he whined. "Don't tease that way. Please?"

"I believe he's ready for more," Methos purred, letting Ray get the lube for him. He removed the plug, handing it off as he accepted the tube. He spread a little of it out, spreading it between the wiggling cheeks. He looked up as he sunk a finger into Xander's body, smiling when he saw the relief. "Feeling better yet?"

"More?" he begged.

"Of course you'll get more, just as soon as we're ready for you to have more," Methos reminded him. "Now, how does that feel?"

"Good. Need a little more though."

"You'll get there," Ray reminded him, giving him a long, deep kiss. He picked up something off the bedside table where all the toys were, looking at the small multi-strand whip curiously. He finally nodded and said, "Uh-huh," and dragged it across Xander's painfully erect nipples. The young man moaned, silently begging with his eyes.

"Oh, my," Methos said, looking up to watch him. "I've never seen him silent before. Do it some more, Ray." He switched to two fingers, watching as Xander writhed under his and Ray's hands.

Ray flicked the soft leather thongs across Xander's chest, adding a little upswing this time, making his friend grab for him. "Yes?" he asked, leaning down for another kiss, swishing the strands down the tight, wiggling stomach.

"Tickles," Xander gasped, bound hands grabbing at Ray, trying to get some relief as he started to shudder. "Please?" he begged softly, almost whispering.

Methos leaned down, licking over the stiff cock as he felt the waves of suppressed orgasm building, smiling as they sent Xander crashing over. He pulled his fingers out, leaning up to hug his young student as he came down. "Shh, we'll let you go soon," he promised.

"Please?" Xander begged, clutching at them. "Please? Ray?"

"Shh, little one, we're workin' on it," Ray told him, brushing the leather strands lower, teasing the hard cock with it.

"Yes!" Xander screamed, pushing up into it. "Please, yes, more!" he babbled.

"I think it's time to move on," Methos said with a grin as he pushed himself back up and checked the hard body over. "Would you like first or last?" he asked, slicking his cock up with lube.

"Second," Ray said, watching as his lover slid into the waiting body. "I want to tease him while you're doin' him." He brought the whip down a little harder across the width of Xander's cock, making the young man scream and come, his come spilling over even though the ring was binding him.

Xander went limp, giving them both beautiful smiles. "Wow," he whispered, his voice a little hoarse sounding. "More Methos?"

"Haven't had enough?" Methos said with a smug smile as he started to move.

"No, just offering. Everyone should feel like I do right now." He thrust his hips up at the man in him. "Come on, I've seen you do better before."

"Yes, you have," Methos sighed, pulling out and waving at Ray. "But you've never seen my little sexual demon before."

Ray scooted around until he could slide in, immediately starting a hard, rocking, pounding rhythm. Xander gave him the most pitiful look so he speeded up, making him smile. "Better yet?" he asked, adding a sideways twist.

"Yeah, getting there again," Xander said with a long wiggle, ending up scooting himself up onto the pillow. "Come on," he pleaded, spreading his legs as far as he could, asking for his lover to give him more.

"Just hold on," Ray panted, using one hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead and the other to grab Xander's cock to help him get off. He matched his rhythms, sliding sloppily in and out, trying to give his best effort.

Until Xander pulled his favorite trick and tightened up on him, forcing him to stop in mid-stroke.

Methos' mouth fell open, reaching down a finger to tease the opening. "Oh, my Gods," he whispered, looking in Ray's eyes. "You can't move?"

"Not an inch," Ray complained. He looked down at Xander. "Not having enough fun?"

"I am too," Xander patted. "Just showing off." He relaxed, letting Ray slip out of him, making him pout. "No more?"

"No, you're gettin' more," Ray promised. "I'm gonna make sure ya can't do that again ta me." He picked up the whip and smacked Xander's butt sideways, between his legs. "Just takin' a break."

Methos shook his head, switching places with him. "Of course you are." He slid in, groaning as he felt the tightness. "Try that again, imp," he dared, starting his rhythm, going as hard and deep as he could. Until Xander did it again. Even Methos had to stop and give the young man admiring looks. "All right, that's enough," he complained, reaching up to twist a nipple, trying to make him let his control go again. Xander just flexed his muscles a little harder. "Imp," he warned, glaring down at him. "I could remove myself."

Xander wrapped his legs around Methos' waist. "Try it," he offered. Then he grinned at the pained expression. "See?"

"Yes, I do." Methos leaned down and bit Xander, right over top of a particularly ticklish spot.

"Hey! No fair!"

Methos smiled as the hole around him relaxed. "All's fair in love and war," he reminded, shoving all the way in. "How did you learn that?"

"Book Oz gave me."

"Oh, he didn't," Methos sighed, making Xander grin and nod. "That one for concubines?" Xander nodded again and his smile got brighter. "What else have you learned from it?"

"All sorts of things," Xander said, winking at Ray. "Untie me and let me show you?"

Ray and Methos looked at each other and Ray shrugged, undoing one of the wrist restraints, letting Methos get the other. Then Ray watched as Xander hopped up and pushed his lover to the bed, climbing on top to shimmy his way down Methos' cock. "Don't even expect me ta do that," Ray muttered, leaning down to give Methos a kiss. "Better yet?"

"Getting there, definitely getting there," Methos agreed. "Tease him, Ray, he still deserves it."

"Oh, yeah. He *needs* ta be teased." Ray picked up the whip, looking down at it. "We're keepin' this one, old guy. I kinda like it."

"Ray, you do not need a penis whip."

"Is that what this is?" He nodded, giving his lover a smile. "I'm keepin' it, or you're buyin' me a new one."

"Fine," Methos sighed, his voice going up as Xander bent backwards while riding him, grabbing his own ankles. "You did read that book, didn't you?" he sighed, tickling the young man to make him get back up. "You were too tight before, that was simply cruel," he said with a pout. "Too tight and forcing me to bend in funny ways. I should spank you for that."

Xander leaned down for a kiss. "Admit it, you liked it," he whispered before sitting back up and going back to his posting. He winked at Ray and clenched his muscles, continuing to ride Methos, making him scream as the friction and pressure continued to build, making him come with a swear. Or at least the younger men guessed it was since it was in a language they didn't understand.

"Get off," Methos panted, grabbing Xander by the waist and helping him off. "So cruel," he said, curling up and giving him a kiss. "Where did you learn that?"

"I drive Oz nuts with it when we have sex in the car." Xander grinned over Methos' shoulder at Ray. "Your turn," he offered, waving him closer. Ray just stood there and smiled at him. "Waiting gives me a chance to recover," he warned.

Ray groaned. "No, ya ain't recoverin' tonight. I'll be damned." He climbed onto the bed, looking the younger man over. "Whaddya want?"

"You in me," Xander said, giving him a sweet, innocent smile.

"Save it, after I saw you do that, you're not that innocent," Ray told him, sliding in, jackhammering the younger man to the best of his abilities. "All that fancy stuff's great for you two but I gotta have the simple stuff."

"Do it to him," Methos suggested.

"I need to be on top," Xander complained, but Ray wouldn't let him move.

"Nope, my show now." He suddenly slowed down, giving Xander a nasty grin. "So, ya wanted more, huh?" he asked, leaning down on the hard chest to listen to the heartbeat. "Ya don't sound too bad in there."

"It was the spell," Xander reminded him.

"Yeah, sure it was," Ray scoffed, pulling out. He teased the open hole with a fingernail, lightly dragging it across the opening and around the stretched tissue. "Unless you admit that you have a weakness, ya ain't gettin' no more."

"But I'm fine," Xander said, giving him a pout. He reached over to the bedside table but Methos intercepted his hands, kissing them. "I'm really fine. Even the doctors say so."

"Yes, but you still have a weakness," Methos reminded him.

"Yeah, I'm mortal," Xander sighed. "I can't do this forever. Just for as long as I stayed linked to Oz and Giles." He looked down at his body, watching Ray continue to tease him. "I really am not weak, not in my heart."

"Yes, you are," Methos said, leaning over to steal a kiss, still holding his hand. "You have much too big of a heart, my precious student. That's a weakness of it's own."

"Yeah, but I need to," Xander protested. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be me."

"Very good point," Methos purred. "But it will get you in trouble."

"Ah, but that's why I have Oz."

"Also a good point," Ray pointed out to his lover.

"Yes, it was. As long as he knows that Oz is the one who can keep him from harm," Methos said, stealing another kiss, "then the secondary lesson has been learned by our little student."

"You mean there was more'n one?" Ray asked, looking confused as he slid a finger into Xander's body. "As opposed to the one that we're supposed to be teaching him, to not tease ya again?"

"Yes, dear one," Methos said, pulling Ray up for a deep kiss. "The other lesson was to make sure that Xander could never leave Oz. A miserable Oz is not a sight I want to behold again and I doubt Xander would be much better under those circumstances." He stroked down the soft cheek he held dearer than most everything in his life. "Ray, Oz and Xander can never be parted. Not if they want to continue to be healthy and happy people. Not even for a week." He gave his lover a soft smile. "If they do, we'll have to interfere again, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to have to teach him this lesson again."

"Oh, I don't know, he's kinda fun to teach," Ray said, looking down at the still body.

Xander lunged up, knocking Ray onto his back and sliding down him. He pulled Methos' head over for a hard kiss. "There's *nothing* that will separate Oz and I again, Methos. *Nothing*. Not even another immortal. Do you understand that?" He stared into the bottomless green eyes, making sure he understood. Methos nodded and pulled back, letting Xander have his fun with Ray. "Good." He braced his hands on the bed, leaning down to tease Ray's lips with the tip of his tongue. "Now then, I believe I was going to show how good I can be?"

"Yeah, sure, go ahead," Ray offered. "Ya can play and then I can get back to what I was doin'."

"I'm sure you will," Xander purred, starting off by using one of his lesser tricks, his finesse of controlling his rectal muscles. Ray smiled up at him and pushed his whole hips up, unseating him. Xander countered by going limp and riding out the wave, ending up twisted across Ray's hips sideways. Ray spluttered and tried to move him back but Xander had other ideas. He stretched his legs out wider, letting Ray get back in deeper and then bent forward, putting his forehead on the mattress.

"Oh, yoga," Methos said admiration. "I'll have to give that a try again. It's been ages since I tried that move."

Ray glared at him. "Do you know what this feels like?"

"Yes," Methos purred. "Quite well. I taught Oz that move."

"Don't share that," Ray groaned. "I don't wanna know that stuff."

"Oh, but it's a good thing," Xander said, relaxing and spinning himself around so that he was facing Ray, stealing a kiss before he went backwards this time, making Ray groan his name. "Yes?" he asked, grabbing Ray's ankles.

"Sit up," Ray ordered, grabbing Xander around the waist and tickling him.

Xander sat up with a squeal, glaring at him. "That was mean. I was being good." Ray continued to tickle him, making him wiggle and writhe, and in doing so, Ray sealed his own orgasm.

"Oh, God, make him stop!" Ray screamed, a very high pitched scream, as he got off.

Methos wiggled a finger in his ear. "Well, I'd say you had fun at least," he smirked. He looked at Xander and shook his head. "Oh, no," he said, backing away from the hungry look he saw on the smiling face. "Play with yourself," he suggested, backing away from his student.

"But that's no fun," Xander pouted, turning it on the person that ran into the room. "Gee, more people? Methos, I agreed to let you get me for teasing, I didn't agree that I wanted to do cops."

"Hey!" Ray protested weakly. He barely lifted his head off the mattress. "Guys, privacy isn't an art form. Get out." The other detective nodded and backed out of the room, closing the door after himself, and they heard him running down the hall. "Gee, guess we have some protection tonight, huh?" Ray said sarcastically.

"Looks that way," Xander agreed, frowning down at himself. "Gee, I was just happy. What happened to you?"

"It couldn't keep up?" Methos suggested dryly, then he jumped up to get away from Xander, who chased him out of the room and into the kitchen, where he was knocked onto the floor and kissed. "Xander," he complained. "This floor is cold."

"Yay," Xander muttered, wiggling against the hard body. "I still need more and you promised to give me a lesson."

Someone cleared their throat and they looked at him. "Bedroom?" Ray's partner asked, trying hard not to look at them.

"Sort of like trespassing, huh?" Xander quipped. "One of those good things in life?" He stood up, walking over to stand in front of the detective, running a finger down his nose. "Ray Vecchio, patron saint of not wanting to know? Gee, and here you are *looking*," he purred. "Did you want to watch?"

Ray's partner shook his head and went pale, jogging out of the apartment to get away from them. "I really hate nosy people," Xander complained. "Come on, old guy, you're supposed to be teaching me, not the other way around." He stood up and helped Methos up, wrapping an arm around his waist. "Now then, what shall you do with me? I've been really naughty."

"Oh, you have been that," Methos agreed with a smirk. "I think I can come up with something to make you beg for mercy."

***

Oz walked into the bedroom he and Xander were sharing, smiling at the man lying limply across the bed. He stripped silently and climbed on between Xander's spread thighs. "You okay?" he asked when he didn't get a response. Then he saw the grin. "Do you have any left?"

"Just enough for you," Xander said, lifting his hips and wiggling them. "Just as long as I don't have to do more than lay here and moan."

"Nope, not more than that," Oz agreed, sliding into the very wet and open hole. "I see they taught you well." He saw the grin get bigger. "Have fun?"

"Oh, yeah, and so did they. But Ray's gonna yell at his boss. We got interrupted."

"Ouch." Oz started a gentle rhythm, lying down on top of his lover's body so he could hug him, keeping it slow and gentle. "Just let me soothe you into sleep," he whispered, nipping the pink ear. "So, did you show off?"

"Yup, and then I got extra punishment for being so naughty." Xander laid his head back down on his crossed arms and closed his eyes. "That feels great, Oz, just what I needed."

"That's what I'm here for," Oz reminded him, "to give you what you need." He kissed the slack cheek, getting off just as his lover started to snore. "Night," he whispered, pulling out, and he got a sleepy mumble in return, making him smile. He covered them both up, making sure Xander was going to be comfortable. At least until he woke up with the consequences of last night.

***

Ray stormed into his boss' office. "How dare you send people into my apartment ta watch what I'm doing!" he yelled, slamming the door. "Do you know how humiliating that was?"

"I'm sorry," he said, staying calm. "We were trying to protect the kid."

Xander walked in and sat down, staring blandly at the man across the desk from him. "We need to get a few things clear. The first being that I'm not a kid. The second being that I can take care of myself. The third should probably be that I already had two people around me that would have protected me with their life, including one of your best officers. As for them *barging* in there, not only was I embarrassed, but I was seriously pissed enough to show exactly how well I can take care of *myself*," he hissed, getting pissed now. "There was no reason to shine light on Ray's offduty romance that way, or on my life. I'll expect it to not happen again. I'd hate to hurt one of your officers." He stood up and walked out, glaring at the men staring at him. "Don't do it again," he warned. "I'm not the nice person I was last night." He sat down beside Ray's desk, looking over his 'unofficial' partner. "Why weren't you there?"

"I told them it was unnecessary, but they thought that you were in much more danger than you were."

"The only danger I was in was from my own teasing," Xander said stiffly, glaring at Ray's real partner until he turned away. "Thank you for showing some respect for my private life." He looked up as he saw Oz walk in, giving him a smile and a wave. "Ray's in with his boss," he said, grabbing Oz around the waist and giving him a hug. "Oh, Benny, this is Oz, he's mine."

"Hello, Constable Benton Fraser," he said, holding out a hand. "I had thought that you and Ray...." Xander shook his head. "If I may ask, is that who the other man is then?"

"Ask me yourself," Ray said as he walked over to them. "Vecchio, you and Branson break inta my apartment like that again, I have permission ta shoot ya or ta make ya even more uncomfortable in your skins." He stared at Xander until he got up, sitting down in his desk chair. "So, Benny, how was your night off?"

"Very soothing. The opera was magnificent and the costumes were fairly accurate."

"Which one?" Methos asked as he walked over to them. "I keep trying to get Ray to go with me, but he refuses. It's been ages since I've went to a nighttime performance."

"Ya can go alone," Ray reminded him with a smile. "I don't want to see a bunch'a folks singing in some foreign language about things I can't understand. Get over it already."

Methos smiled at his lover. "I'll drag you to one yet."

"Make it the consequences of a bet," Oz suggested. "That's how Giles got me to one."

Methos rolled his eyes. "That wouldn't be sneaky enough." He pulled over a free chair, sitting down. "What are we doing today, Ray?"

"We are doing normal paperwork, and Xander and Rosella are dealing with the last of their paperwork. And then, we're goin' home." He smiled as his partner walked over and dropped a folder on his desk. "So, ya get an eyeful?"

"More than I wanted to know, kid." He walked back to his desk, glaring at the other officers.

"Gee, someone put glass in his wheatabix," Xander muttered.

"Yeah, I wonder what happened," Ray joined in, sharing a smile.

Methos shook his head. "Our little one made him confused. Give him a break, Ray."

"Vecchio, Kowalksi, all of you in my office, including your visitors."

"Yes, sir," they called and walked in there. Everyone except Vecchio let Xander sit down first, letting him pick the softest seat in the office.

The Lieutenant gave him a look but Xander simply smiled at him. "We all set?" Everyone nodded. "Good. Vecchio, the door," he prompted, waiting until it was closed to begin. "All right. Your friend that came in had someone come in for the bodies, so they're gone now. We found out that most likely, all this was to get Xander's attention and to get him out into the open." The Lieutenant looked up. "And I did some checking last night. No one told me Mr. Harris was one of the wealthier people in town right now."

"It's not that much," Xander complained, frowning. "I'd really like to not be judged on that. It was an inheritance from a relatively insane almost-aunt." He picked up Oz's hand and held it. "He doesn't hold it against me, why should you."

"Not thinkin' that way, kid," Vecchio sighed. "That means that we have to be more careful of you. That's why we were all there last night." Xander glared at him, making him back up. "Sorry, we thought somethin' was wrong, what with Ray screaming and all."

"Hey, it felt good. Xander was nice enough to let me help teach him not to tease." Ray shrugged. "What else was I supposed ta do? He knows yoga and stuff."

"I don't want to know," the Lieutenant said, holding up a hand. "As far as I'm concerned, we're protecting your...friend because this person could go after your roommate. And since you and Mr. Harris are such good friends, then we have ta protect all of you. Got it?"

"You know, you weren't nearly as formal before," Xander noted. "It's not like I'm going to start pulling out cash and waving it around. I'm very good at being not seen."

"Too good," Oz noted, looking down. "That was one of your major skills when we were younger."

"Be that as it may," Ray's boss said, overriding them, "we have to do this. You're all stuck here today. I hope you brought something to do." He cleared his throat. "Just don't use the broom closet, all right?"

"Broom closet?" Xander asked.

"Long story," Ray told him, smirking at his partner. "Can we go sit in the lounge? I can do paperwork in there and they can watch tv."

"Yeah, sure, just don't make a scene and don't let anyone know. Got it?"

"Sure," Ray said, standing up. "Come on, Xander. We'll go sit ya in front of a tv and make ya watch Oprah. She's our biggest export."

Everyone groaned and left the office.

***

Xander was looking in the jewelry store window, admiring the things inside, when he saw the blur go past him. He turned around in time to see it push Oz into the alleyway, following it as fast as he could. He got there in time to witness Oz being shot and to take the long knife from the demon's hand, growling at him. "Mine!" he screamed, chasing the demon back out onto the street, right past Ray, who grabbed him and pulled him in close. "He shot Oz," he complained, pointing with the knife.

Methos ran for the alleyway, but not before a camera crew that had been taping down the street made it in there. He pushed the cameraman back, glaring at him. "Have some respect for people!" he yelled. He shoved the reporter back, making her fall on her ass. "Get out of here!"

Ray's partner came down the alley at a run, Xander right behind him. He couldn't keep Xander from grabbing the cameraman and spinning him into the wall, or from beating on him and jumping up and down on the camera.

Methos put his jacket over Oz's face and turned, grabbing Xander, holding him as tightly as he could as he cried. "Shh," he whispered. "It will all be all right, Xander, I promise. You know that." Xander looked up at him. "It's all right, I promise." He pulled him back down towards the car, getting in with him. "We'll figure out what to do. All right?"

Xander wiped his eyes. "Oh, God, Methos, it scared me. He was going to cut off his head too." He clung to his friend's body. "I can't do this without Oz. I almost lost him."

"Oz will come back from this," he said quietly. "Remember what he is."

"I almost lost him," Xander said tonelessly, his voice almost a whisper. "I almost lost him and I didn't get to tell him I loved him today because we were in such a rush. I didn't get to give him a kiss or anything." He clawed at the door, trying to get out. "I have to be there."

He grabbed the young man, making him sit still, holding onto him as tightly as he could. "He'll have to go to the morgue," Methos said, pointing at the cops heading down the alleyway with big tackle boxes. "People saw. We'll get him tonight."

"Oh, god, autopsies," Xander said, renewing his struggle to get free.

"You can demand that they not do one," Ray Vecchio said as he slid into the front seat. "What's up?"

"True love," Methos said. "And then the real world breaking in on his grief. We need to go home."

"He has to come fill out paperwork. The cameraman's going to press assault charges."

"He can't do that," Methos said in shock. Ray's partner nodded. "He can?"

"Yup, he can. Even though he's a slime. Ray's already called the boss, who's calling in a few favors over there to make sure the guy knows he better not continue to press charges, but for now, he's under arrest for assault." He glanced around. "What was that thing?"

"That was a hireling," Xander said coldly. "Someone I'm going to have a talk with tonight." He got out and ran over to stop the gurney, opening the bag to give the lifeless Oz a kiss. "Be safe until we come for you," he whispered. He looked up at the people staring at him. "No autopsy." One woman opened her mouth but he pointed a finger at her. "You can't. It's against his religion. If you do, he can't be buried. No autopsies."

"Fine," she said with a shrug. "We know what killed him. We'll just take out the bullet."

"That would be fine," he said stiffly, letting Ray lead him back to the car. "They won't right?" he asked, looking at his friend.

"No, they won't," Ray assured him, getting in back with Methos, settling Xander between them. "Come on, back ta the office, before I go bust up the guy."

"Sure. You just keep him together for now."

"Hey, that's what I do best," Ray said, pulling Xander in closer, sharing a look with Methos that clearly said that he would feel the same way.

***

Xander signed the last form, handing it back to Ray. He looked up as someone walked through the doors.

"You got me fired!" the cameraman screamed, pointing at him. "I'll make sure you rot in jail and that I get *paid*! Everyone will get that tape!"

Xander growled and jumped up faster than Ray could catch him. The cameraman blanched but he wasn't fast enough. Xander landed on him from a flying tackle, knocking his head into the floor, pulling back to hit him repeatedly, cursing his very existence. "Defiler," he hissed, hitting him again, "rotten human being and a defiler." He stopped when he saw the blue tinges in the blood, starting to smirk. "I know what you are," he told him. "And I will make sure that you can't be around people again." He stood up, shoving the half-demon with him and into a filing cabinet. "You won't get near another human for as long as I live!" He shoved him hard, making the demon wince. "Do you work for him too? For the slimy shit Ostrack?" The cameraman shook his head. "Oh, you don't?" Xander shoved him again when he tried to get away. "Why don't I believe you?"

Ray tried to get through the cops that were standing around and watching but they wouldn't let him get to Xander to stop him before something happened.

"I can *slay* you," Xander hissed, getting into his face, pushing on an already bruised chest. "I worked with Buffy and I can slay you and all of your clan."

Ray finally broke through and pulled Xander off him, walking him out into the hall. "Ya can't do that!" he yelled.

"He works for him!" Xander yelled back, gesturing at the squad room.

"You don't know that," Methos said as he walked out. "He could have simply been doing his job incorrectly." He pulled Xander into his arms, giving him a hug. "Shh, precious. Your Oz is safe now. No one can hurt him again." He looked around, then at Ray, who nodded toward a broom closet. "No, I think we'd best stay somewhere more public."

"Break room," Ray suggested, pointing. "I'll bring anything else down there." He walked back in, squatting down beside the still form on the floor. "Man, ya messed up. You did the wrong person." He stood up as the paramedics walked in, letting them get to the half-demon. "He's probably got a few nice bruises but nothin' that won't heal. Right?" The cameraman whimpered but nodded.

Ray's boss waited until everything had settled down to point Ray into his office, slamming the door behind him. "What was that?"

"That was Xander in extreme grief, sir. Oz was his life."

"Oh." He sat down behind the desk. "Where is he now?"

"With my friend in the break room. He knows he did wrong. He couldn't help it. I mean, if that'd been me and that guy came in screamin' like that, I'd have clocked him too."

"Yeah, me too, which is all that's saving him from going to a cell right now. Is our friend out there connected with all this?"

"Nope. Not that he said. Or shook actually. I think Xander broke his jaw." Ray shrugged.

He glanced out his window. "You should warn him that the tape still exists. We can't hold it for long, his station's already down here screaming for it."

"I'm sure it'll be cleared up soon enough." Ray sighed. "We'll deal with the tape if they get it."

Xander tapped on the door. "Where is he? I'd like to apologize for what I did," he said quietly, looking at Ray.

"Hospital. Ya got him good."

"I shouldn't have. M....Adam pointed out that I shouldn't have hit him at all, even when he said ... that."

"I don't think he's gonna press charges after all," Ray said, standing up to hug him. "I think ya scared him too much."

"He just had poor taste, it wasn't his fault. He didn't kill my Oz." He leaned into the comforting touch. "Can I go see him?"

"Sure." Ray got a nod from his boss so he led the younger man down to the morgue, giving the people working a small half-smile. "He's here to identify the shooting earlier."

"Okay," the woman said, motioning them over. She looked at Xander and saw the pain. "We noticed something," she said quietly. "And I've seen it before. It's all okay here." She showed him the empty drawer. "Go home. You look like you could use an ice pack and a hug." She patted Ray on the shoulder. "Take him home, Detective. Now."

"Sure thing," Ray said, walking Xander out. "See?" he whispered. "All okay. Just like he promised."

"But Oz died," Xander protested. "It's not going to be okay. They got it on film."

"Point," Ray agreed grimly, not willing to hurt him any farther by telling him about the police having to release the tape eventually. "We'll figure it out." He led Xander down to his car, only stopping for Methos.

***

Xander lunged as Oz walked into the apartment, holding onto him as if his life depended on it. "You're okay again," he sighed, burying his face in his lover's neck.

"Yup. Just a little sore." Oz drug Xander over to the couch, sitting down and getting a lap full instantly. "Babe, you okay?"

"He clocked the cameraman again," Ray said, holding up a cup from the kitchen. "Want some?"

"Brandy?" Oz asked.

"Of course," Methos said smoothly. "You'll be interested to know that the tape of your dead body made it onto the local news. It seems there's a protest over Xander beating the cameraman." He poured Oz a drink and handed it over, sitting beside them. "What are you going to do now?"

"We're going to have to bury Oz," Xander said, peeking out from his safe place. "We'll have to find some way to claim the body and make it seem like we did the burial thing before we go home."

"You need to go somewhere and wait some of the storm out," Methos added. "Somewhere safe and private."

"You're thinking of that club, right?" Oz asked. "Jace's?"

Methos nodded. "It's absolutely safe. No one can get to him. They'll protect him. And it's not like they haven't done this before. Jace has had more controversy in the last few years than the rest of us combined."

"What about at home?"

"We'll figure that out," Oz assured him. He gave his lover a squeeze. "The ME's seen a few of us before. She had me sign papers saying that a local place claimed my body and is sending it with Xander. All we have to do is to switch my identity and to get on with this."

Ray answered the door, leading his boss back inside. "He heard," he said to avoid the glares. "He asked me."

"Some of us can do things like that," Methos said simply, squeezing Oz's arm.

Ray's boss sat down hard, looking at Oz. "Okay, from the top," he ordered.

Ray sat down in front of him and started to explain, letting Oz take Xander into their bedroom to comfort him.

"So, you're sayin' that these immortals can just up and live again?" Ray's boss sighed, rubbing his numb face.

"Yeah, pretty muchly. It's a handy thing to have around, especially when you're Xander and people want ta snatch ya."

"Yeah, good point," Ray's boss said, standing up. "Now what?"

"Now Xander leaves in a few days to take Oz for burial at a friend's resort in Vegas," Methos said, looking up from his book. "Oz refinds himself and they go find a new life too."

"Or not," Ray reminded. "As long as it don't make national news, they might be safe."

"It's better to be safe than sorry," Methos countered warmly.

"Whatever," Ray's boss said to stop the brewing argument. "What do I have to do?"

"It's all taken care of," Oz said, walking out. "Xander needed a drink." He hugged Ray. "Thanks. You did good." He headed into the kitchen, coming back with a big glass of ice water. "The ME understood, that's all taken care of." He headed for the bedroom again. "Methos, Xander wanted to know what was for supper."

"We're ordering out. None of us feel like cooking."

"Hey!" Ray protested. "I put a chicken in the oven."

"Okay, chicken," Oz said, shutting the door.

Ray smiled at his lover. "It's okay, I've got the mundane stuff. You deal with them." He walked his boss out, coming back to sit in Methos' lap. "I know how he felt," he said as he stole a kiss. "I'd do the same thing."

Methos sighed. "I know, little one, but I don't want to have you worry."

"Yeah, but that's part of life around here." They shared another kiss. "If you think about sparing me that sort of pain by running away, I'm hunting you down and shaving you bald in the middle of an airport," he warned, getting up to finish fixing supper.

"Oh?" Methos smiled at his lover's back. "I guess I shouldn't leave you then." He went back to his book, sure if anyone needed him, they'd come pull him from his research again.

***

Methos looked over at Oz, who was staring out a window. "He'll be fine for the next few days," he promised, patting him on the back. "You made sure he would."

"Yeah, I know," Oz sighed. "I hate to leave him alone right now though. I can only imagine what's going through his mind."

"He'll be fine." Methos smiled. "Oz, if you wanted, we could continue to take care of him through your readjustment." He stopped when he found the knife at his throat, his smile falling away.

"Mine," Oz growled.

"Yours," Methos agreed, backing away from him slowly. "I'm never going to try and take anything away from you again, especially not Xander. I'd never dream of it, Oz. Don't worry about him, we're not like that to each other. He loves you and only you."

Oz looked down at the knife and threw it away, turning to glare out the window. "Sorry," he said finally. "You know what dying does to me."

"Yes, dear Theodonius , I know," Methos said, wrapping him in his arms. "We know all about you reverting to your true identity. Even your love will understand, as soon as you explain it to him."

"I already did," Oz said, looking at the head on his shoulder. "Ray asked while we were in Vegas and Xander overheard. I've got to be careful, Methos, you know how territorial I get."

"Shh, little one, I'll protect you. You're staying until you can control that nasty inner warrior again. I'd never let you harm Xander, not even by fighting in front of him." He let Oz go, giving him a faint smile. "Go meditate, put the beserker away again, my friend."

"Thanks, Meth." He walked into his room, closing the door gently.

"And all will be right in the world again," Methos told himself, going to the bar. He needed a drink now.

***

Xander looked around the entryway of the resort Oz had ordered him to stay at as he walked toward the check-in desk. "Hi, Xander Harris?" he asked, leaning on the counter.

"Yes, sir," the man behind the counter said, punching it in. "Ah, I see." He pushed a button on the phone. "Mademoiselle, your guest has arrived." He hung up and smiled at Xander. "The owner will be with you shortly, sir. If you'd fill out this form?" He handed over a form and a gold pen. "We'll get you settled in immediately."

"Thanks. I'm kinda tired."

"It's not everyday that you see your lover die in front of you," a smooth female voice said from behind them. "Jace," she said, holding out a hand. "Longtime friend of your Oz."

He shook it, giving her a faint smile. "Is everything all right?"

"As far as I know. I've not heard anything from our mutual friend." She smiled at the clerk as Xander handed back the form. "Which room, Robbie?"

"Four-twenty," he said, handing over a key. "His bags were already routed up there."

She took Xander's arm, leading him to the elevators. "Relax," she whispered. "I've known Oz a *long* time, young one. He's as special to me as he is to you." She patted him on the back as she switched sides so she could push the elevator buttons, stopping them between floors. "I have to give you some news," she said, her voice getting a little deeper, until she coughed. "His death did make national news. As did your splendid beating of the cameraman for taping it. He knows this so we're fine. He'll be coming here in disguise in a few days and you'll have a few more days to get used to him that way until you get home. But, my dear Oz also said that I was to keep you busy and try to keep you relatively calm and happy. So I'm sending a list of possible activities up to your room tonight. They'll be things for someone like you to enjoy yourself with, and that will allow you to relax a little more." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Relax, young man. Everything will be fine. He's still living."

"Yeah, he's still living," Xander said with a smile. "So, you knew him way back when? Or since his second coming?"

"Oh, hon, he found me," she said, holding out her hands. "He found me after that nasty witch cut off my willy. After my brothers laughed at poor little me. As if," he snorted. "Aphrodite and her Godly men came to my rescue and turned me into a woman, taught me *everything* I needed to know about it. I've been floating between my dearly not-lamented brother's names since, just to piss them off." She smiled at him. "Oz was even there when I died at a friend's hand the second time. He's the one that trained me for the Game." She started the elevator again. "Trust me, hon, I owe Oz more than you think. If it weren't for him, I would be a confused little person that probably would have died within a few hours of my awakening." She led him off the elevator. "Now then, this is a sanctuary. Built on Holy Ground. There are other immies here but none of them will bother you. Most of the ones here have heard of Oz or know him so they'll leave you alone. They don't want to mess with the little guy after all." She let him into his room with a wink. "You rest, love. I'll see you at supper."

"Thanks, Jace. I'll tell him you said hi."

"Cool." She wiggled her fingers and left him alone, going back to her desk. "At least Oz found his perfect person," she sighed, sitting down and putting up her feet. "I still don't understand how my brother Jace wore high heels all the time. I can't wear them after four hundred years of trying." She wiggled her toes. "Oh, well. Maybe I'll get lucky tonight and another immie will come in."

Xander sat on his bed, pulling out a picture of Oz to put beside it so he could stare at his lover's image while he tried to sleep without his warmth. "I love you," he whispered, touching Oz's face. "Come here soon."

For The Good of All, One Must Suffer

Joxer looked around the town in interest. He had seen the sign but like most of Greece at that time, he couldn't read so he didn't know what he was walking into.

*** Six Years Earlier ***

Ares walked into the Fates' cave, smirking at the Fate that met him. "You summoned?"

"We have problems, God of War," Lachesis, the middle Fate, said, waving him inside.

"What's up? Bandits raiding your temples? Trouble brewing from the family? Xena going to take over the world?" He smirked at the youngest Fate, Clotho, pinching her on the ass as she walked past him. "What can the God of War do for you?"

"He can settle down and listen," Atropos told him harshly. "This isn't about your little pets. Your whole family is going to die and you're going to become mortal."

His mouth fell open and he wiped the smirk off his face. "Okay," he said finally. "How do I stop this?"

"Your family's pride will be it's downfall," Clotho said, waving at the tapestry in front of them.

"A child shall be born and it will be their undoing," Lachesis said, moving closer to him, pointing out one thread. "This is the child's mother's thread."

"That's Xena's."

"Yes, it is. And because they took our words too literally they ended up destroying themselves."

"We have spun off that reality into a separate reality," Atropos put in. "It won't happen here, but only if you and Aphrodite work together to change a mortal."

"Which one? Does he need to die? How messily?"

Clotho patted him on the arm. "No, Ares, this is much harder." She pointed at another thread. "When we changed the future, we changed his future also, but he is the key to making sure that it never happens." She walked around him, pointing out a blackened part of the tapestry. "This is somewhere that Hera has just cursed."

"Oh, *that* town," he groaned. "So, this mortal needs to go there? Why is this my problem?"

"He's one of your warriors, one of your most faithful," Lachesis told him gently. "We cannot steer him there without your help."

"And what's 'Dite's role in this?"

"She'll comfort him after this town takes away his life." Clotho looked him over. "Are you willing to risk the one that could make sure that you survive?"

"Huh?"

"This warrior's prayers are the strongest of all of your warriors. At your weakest moment, it's his prayers that will keep you going."

"Oh." He looked at the strand, shaking his head when he figured out whose it was. "What's going to happen to him?"

"We haven't woven that far yet," Lachesis told him, touching the side of his face. "Can you do this? Intentionally stop Xena from one of the natural urges of her life, change humanity for the better?"

"I don't know," Ares said honestly. "I need time to think, to watch them."

"You have some," Clotho told him, "but not much."

Ares nodded and left, leaving them alone.

"How long?" Atropos asked.

"He'll have six years until it has to happen," Lachesis said, fingering the thread. "He'll come around before then."

"Good. I don't want to be one of the last Gods," Clotho said firmly. She went back to her spinning, sitting in her corner and humming to her threads.

*** Present ***

Joxer sat down at the lone table in the Inn, looking down the long table at the people he shared it with. He nodded at a man watching him, turning to take the mug of water the server was holding. "Thank you," he said, sipping it. "Hey, this isn't water."

"Our water is fouled right now," she told him, giving him a smile. "All we have is wine. Don't worry, we're not charging you for the first glass."

Joxer grinned. "Okay." He continued to sip, staring at the table while he thought.

*** Two Years Earlier ***

"Okay," Ares said as he appeared in a flash of light. "I'll do it. How do I have to change him?"

Clotho looked up from her spinning. "You have to get him to that town and let him make his own way. If he comes back to you, then his life will continue, if not, then he will die shortly afterwards." She picked up a basket, bringing it over to Lachesis. "Here, for the population explosion in a few years."

Ares paced around the tapestry, looking at the glowing threads. "That's all?"

"That's all," Lachesis agreed. "Send him there somehow. Let them decide how to change him." She glanced at him. "Don't worry, he'll come back, probably."

Ares nodded and disappeared as he walked out of the cave, heading to his main temple. He appeared on his throne, motioning one of his favorite priests closer to whisper in his ear. The priest nodded and left, coming back a few minutes later with a scroll and quill.

*** Present ***

Joxer stumbled into his room, kicking the door shut before he fell onto the bed face first, falling into a wine-induced sleep almost instantly.

Downstairs, the men in the room looked at the lone woman in the town. She shook her head, heading into the kitchen. They all looked grim but they knew what they had to do. Hera had demanded it.

***

Joxer woke up tied down and on his back. He looked at the people around him, mouth opening but nothing came out.

One of the men leaned down, patting him on the top of the head. "If you had only made a pass at her."

"It's not respectful," he said finally, allowed to speak. "I was taught it was wrong!"

"Be that as it may," the man told him, "Hera has demanded that you be punished. That we all be punished." He stood back up, looking at the woman as she walked up to the bed. He looked over at the man on the other side of the bed, motioning him to silence the young man again.

The other man put something in Joxer's mouth, rendering him silent. Even when she raised a glowing sword and brought it down between his legs.

***

Joxer woke up, looking up at the leaves of the trees around him. He sat up, moaning in pain, patting himself down. He felt the bandages and whimpered, trying to find anything under them, trying to make sure he was all right. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything under them anymore. He started to cry, wrapping himself in his arms, rocking himself back and forth to comfort himself. That's how the travelers found him. He flinched away from the woman with them, trying to hide behind the men.

"He was in the town," she said finally, nodding at the clearing ahead. "We heard that Hera cursed them."

"I didn't do anything!" he cried, standing up. "I was punished for being polite!" He looked around before limping into the woods, trying to leave who he was behind.

The travelers let him go, not knowing what else to do for him.

Joxer ran as far as he could, eventually falling to his knees and gasping for breath. "Why?" he called. "What did I do that was so wrong!" He lifted his head, crying out to the heavens. "WHY!"

Ares landed beside his warrior, looking him over. "It had to happen," he said, making Joxer look at him. "I'm sorry, Joxer, but there was no other way." He squatted down to get at his level. "I know you don't understand, but you will someday soon." He touched the young man, knocking him out. "I had to." He looked up and glared at the sun overhead. "This sucks, mother, and you're going to pay for this." He disappeared, going to face off with her.

Joxer rolled onto his back, falling back into a healing sleep, the best thing his God could do for him.

***

Ares landed in front of his parents. "Why? Shut up Athena!" he yelled when she tried to interrupt him, sending a firebolt at her. "Why does not hitting on a barmaid deserve punishment, Hera?"

She gave him a bland look. "I don't know."

"Gee, but it's in that town that *you* cursed that he got hurt." He stepped closer. "That's right, one of my warriors fell prey to your curse. By being *polite*," he sneered.

"I left a sign," she said with a wave of her hand.

"Three-quarters of Greece can't read!" he yelled, reminding her of that little fact.

She shrugged. "That's not my concern. Talk to Athena about that."

"What happened?" Aphrodite said, getting everyone's attention.

"Joxer, one of my minor warriors, wandered into that town Hera cursed a few years ago. He was emasculated because he didn't hit on a barmaid. Because he had been taught it was impolite by his mother." He spun on his mother again. "Never again, Hera, or your temples are going to all fall."

"You can't do that," Zeus reminded him harshly, calling a lightening bolt to his hand. "You will apologize!"

"Like Tartarus," Ares countered. "She removes the curse and fixes him or I will make sure that her temples are erased from the face of the mortal realm!" He faded out, sneering at his mother. "This is your fault, Hera. And it will stay that way."

"Maybe you should remove the curse," Zeus said, trying to sound reasonable.

"No, it will stay."

*** Sixteen Months Later ***

Ares watched as his men raided another of Hera's temples, congratulating them as they came out covered in blood. A cheer went up as the walls started to fall and the warriors built a bonfire in front of the ruins.

***

Joxer looked up at the temple in front of him, then down at himself. "This is the last chance," he told himself. "If he can't help, no one can." He walked in, heading into the main area to make a sacrifice. "Cupid," he whispered as he laid the clay statue on the altar. "Help me, please?"

A flash of light went off behind Joxer, making him relax. "Oh, Joxie," a female voice said as warm arms went around him. "I just found out, sweetie."

He turned to find Aphrodite behind him. "You just found out?"

"Ares was yelling something about one of his warriors having been hurt, I didn't know it was you." She flashed out, taking him with her to a private garden. "Sit, love." She stroked through his hair. "What can I do to help?"

"I want to be a man again."

She looked him over. "Joxie, honey, I know this is gonna sound harsh, but why?" She pulled him into a hug when he tried to jump up. "Yeah, I know how it sounded, but do you really want to be a *man*? With all those *man* problems?"

"Yeah," he said, nodding. "Preferably with *man* equipment that works." He pulled back. "You can't?"

"I can't, sweetie, it's been too long." She kissed his cheek. "I can fix you the other way though."

"But I don't want to be a woman," he complained. "I liked being a man."

"Yes, but I can't do that," she reminded him. "I can fix what you have, but I can't make time turn back." She stood up. "Your choice, Joxie."

"Um, yeah," he said, shaking his head. "I don't want to be a woman."

"Okay." She waved a hand, making his scars look better. "I did all I can outside of the offer. Call me if you ever change your mind."

Joxer found himself back in Cupid's temple, looking up at the God of Love, who shrugged. "I can't do anymore than she could," he said, patting Joxer on the shoulder. "Hera's suffering though. Ares didn't like the fact that she defiled his warrior." He sat in his throne, looking the young man over. "I'd take Mom up on the offer. It's probably for the best."

"Yeah, maybe," Joxer sighed, turning and leaving the temple. "Thanks," he called.

"No problem," Cupid said, frowning at his priest. "Are there any more people that have been hurt by that town?"

"No, most of the rest died for trying to sleep with the woman."

"What a crock!" Cupid said hotly, getting up. "That's so unfair!" He looked up. "Mother! Did you hear that?"

"Yeah, baby, mommy did," she said as she appeared. She wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him off to the side, disappearing with him. "Let's go do something about this."

***

Joxer walked into the Inn where his brother had agreed to meet him, sitting across from him. He took the mug of wine, gulping it down. "Another?" he pleaded.

Jett looked his brother over. "You look bad. Who did it?"

"Hera," he said, laughing bitterly. He looked up at his brother. "I'm the reason Ares is fighting with his mother," he said quietly.

His brother stared at him then started to laugh.

"Gee, thanks," Joxer said, standing up. "Good to know that my family is there for me." He tossed down a few coins and grabbed the mug, gulping it down. "Never mind. I don't have a family." He walked out, leaving the town within a few minutes. Once in the woods, he found a few of his friends, people he was trying to ignore. Unfortunately, they saw him first.

"Joxer, come sit," Hercules called, waving him over.

"No thanks. I have to be somewhere by tonight," he said, continuing to walk.

Gabrielle grabbed his arm and pulled him over. "Just a few minutes?"

"I'm not in the mood," he said, pushing her away. He glared at his friends. "Just leave me alone! I don't want to talk to anyone!" He walked away, heading deeper into the woods.

"What's up with him?" Iolaus asked, staring after him.

"I don't know but someone had better find out. That wasn't Joxer," Xena said, standing up, jogging after him. She caught up to him, taking the knife he was staring at. "What happened?" she asked gently, leading him over to a tree to lean him against it. "Tell me what's going on, let me help you, Joxer."

He laughed bitterly. "You can't do that. Not even the Gods can do that anymore." He looked her over. "Go away," he said finally, taking the knife, accidentally cutting her palm. "Just leave me alone." He walked away from her, dodging her attempt to grab him. "Go away, Xena."

"I agree, go away, Xena," Ares said as he appeared. "Joxer. She's paying for it. It's the best anyone can do." He moved closer. "Sis called, said you had talked to her."

"Yeah, but I can't take her solution."

"It may be the only answer," Ares said. "Do you really want to exist in this state?" He waved a hand down the gaunt body. "I'll even make sure that you get training this time, Joxer."

"It's not worth it!" Joxer yelled, glaring at the other people who ran into the clearing. "Go away!"

"No. Ares, why don't you leave him alone," Hercules suggested.

"No," Xena said. "He's not hurting anything. What's going on, Ares?"

"It's none of your business!" Joxer yelled, getting into her face. "Stick to your own life and leave me alone!"

Iolaus looked from Ares to Joxer and back. "It's him, isn't it?" he asked.

Joxer glared at him. "What do you know?"

"Just rumors," he said, trying to sound calm and helpful. "Ares, maybe we should leave you two alone to talk about this."

"No!" Hercules said, trying to push past to get to Joxer.

Ares nodded. "Please." He held out a hand. "Joxer? Would you like to go somewhere more private?"

"Please." He took the God's hand, letting himself be taken away. He looked around the garden, frowning. "Gee, this looks familiar."

"It's the closest private place," Ares said with a shrug. "What do you want me to do, Joxer?" he said after a few minutes of silence.

"I want to be myself again." He looked up. "The same thing I begged for when it happened."

"What I couldn't fix then, I still can't," Ares reminded him. He looked over the body. "What about your meeting earlier?"

"You knew?"

"Just that you prayed for it to go well."

"Yeah, well it didn't. As far as I'm concerned, I don't have a family anymore."

Hera appeared, clicking her tongue. "Young man, family is important." She found a sword at her throat. "Do you really think that you could harm me with that?"

"Do you think I care if I die right now?" Joxer countered, moving closer. "After how you ruined my life, do you really think I care if you burn me to death?"

She shook her head and sighed, flicking her finger and knocking him down.. "If I fix him, would that make you stop, Ares?"

"No," he said diffidently. "You can't fix it either."

"No, but I can take him out of this in between spot."

"He doesn't want to be a woman," Aphrodite said, appearing and lifting Joxer up to hold him.

"He's a mortal, he'll get used to it," Hera told her, waving her hand to gather energy. Until Ares got in her way, stepping between them. "I can't fix this if you stand between us," she said in irritation.

"He doesn't want that, mother."

"He'll adjust." She waved her hand. "Move, Ares."

"No," Aphrodite said, standing up to her, putting Joxer on the bench behind her. "If you do that, something worse can happen."

"If I don't, he'll stay this way and my temples will continue to suffer," Hera reminded her.

"You do it and they'll finish being destroyed and I'll get my half-brother in on the act," Ares said with a sneer. "How do you think he'll react when he finds out what that town's doing?"

"Ares, this is the only way to fix it. The Fates have spoken."

"Then I'd rather be dead," Joxer said, standing up and getting between the Gods protecting him. "If I have to be a woman, I'd rather be dead."

"That can be arranged," Hera reminded him coldly. "You have no say in this matter."

"Gee, just like when it happened!" he yelled, but Ares kept him from getting into her face. "I didn't do anything wrong and yet, I got punished. I got punished in a way that you wouldn't let happen to someone who hurt his own children years ago, and all I did was ignore a woman." He looked her over. "I don't see why we worship you at all, Hera. I sure as Tartarus don't anymore." He stepped back, bowing to the two Gods helping him. "I'll make offering soon." He walked out of the garden, through Cupid's temple, nodding at the man he recognized. He even tried to get away from his brother Jace when he tried to stop him but he wasn't in that great of shape anymore. "Let go," he hissed.

"Joxer. What's wrong?" Jace said, pulling him into an alcove with a bench. He sat his brother down. "Cupid said I needed to come here and see you. What happened?" he cooed, patting his brother on the head. "What can I do for you?"

"Nothing," Joxer said, glaring at him. "There's nothing anyone can do about it."

"Well, we can do something but it's not what he wants," Cupid disagreed with a slight smile. "Joxer, maybe it's for the better."

"No, I don't want that!"

"Fine, dude, just tryin' to help. You want to continue running while I tell him?"

"No, I want to hear him laugh too," Joxer said harshly, looking at his brother. "I'm the reason Ares is destroying Hera's temples."

Jace looked confused. "He is?" He looked up at his God. "Really?"

Cupid nodded. "Hera cast a real unfair curse on a town and since your brother didn't hit on the barmaid, he was ... fixed."

"Oh, yeah, that's a nice way of putting it."

"Hey, I'm tryin' ta be gentle," Cupid warned.

"I'm sorry."

"S'okay. If it were me, I'd be screamin' at everyone too." Cupid looked at his follower, frowning when he saw he was holding in laughter. "Don't do it," he warned. "You won't ever get any again."

Jace sobered himself, turning to look at his brother, but Joxer was gone. "I'm sorry, but the thought of him now leaning my way was funny. Especially since he's always hated me."

Cupid shook his head. "This goes *way* beyond that, Jace. You screwed up majorly this time." He walked away, going back to listen to petitions.

***

Joxer looked at the fire he had built, staring into the flames. "Okay, now what?" he asked himself, staring at the knife that was sitting next to the flames. He had killed an animal with it earlier and it needed cleaned. He heard someone coming but decided he didn't want to be sociable.

Iolaus sat down next to Joxer, handing over a wineskin. "Here, you've probably been using a lot of this."

"Yeah, it kills the pain for a while," Joxer said, taking a sip of the strong wine. "S'good." He waved at the meat. "Eat?"

"Sure. Thanks." Iolaus took a piece of meat, nibbling on it carefully. "So, you okay now?"

"Nope."

"Uh-huh." Iolaus turned to look at his friend. "What are they trying to do? Tell me, let me think about it for a while. Maybe there's another way."

"Unless you can figure out how to restore what she took from me, then there's nothing anyone can do," Joxer said, taking another sip of wine.

"Oh. *That* town." He shook his head, going back to staring into the fire. "What was your crime there?"

"I didn't hit on a barmaid."

"That's a crime?"

"Apparently."

Cupid appeared, handing over a golden goblet to Joxer. "Mom said you have no choice now. The Fates really did say it was going to happen." He sat down across the fire from them. "But I can explain it."

"Please," Iolaus said, nudging the knife away from the fire. "What happened?"

"See, the Fates were weaving one day and they noticed that all the Gods' strings were suddenly missing so they checked. Seems Xena, warrior-ho to my father, was going to have a kid that was going to make all the Gods die, mostly because they heard about it and made sure it happen, but that's the whole pride thing." He looked over at Joxer, who was staring at the knife. "Anyway, they spun that off into a different reality, but to keep it there, some things down here had to change. Joxer was the key to all that."

"So I had to change?" Joxer asked, looking up. Cupid nodded. "Ares said it was necessary but not why."

"Yeah, he wasn't sure what to tell you and all." Cupid shrugged. "Anyway, all that was specified was that you had to go there and you had to fall victim to the curse, whichever way it went."

"And I did," Joxer said with a harsh laugh.

"Yeah, you did," Cupid said, watching as Joxer finished the goblet and passed out. "Dion's wine," he said in explanation. "Anyway, the Fates thought they were being kind when they made it so we couldn't fix it back, only make him go fully the other direction."

"And now?"

"Now, he's going to have to agree. The Fates told Hera that it had to be so in order for her to live. She's hot on the subject right now."

"Why did she curse that town?" Iolaus asked, slumping in on himself. "It doesn't make sense. They were always faithful."

"Oh, they were, but a young boy thought she wasn't very pretty." Cupid glared and the fire shot up. "She cursed the town because of a little kid that didn't like girls, he was in that stage ya know, and he said she was an icky girl."

"That's not real fair," Iolaus pointed out.

"The curse was lifted," Ares said as he appeared, with Strife. "Okay, you've seen him, now what's going on, Strife?" The God of Mischief leaned closer and whispered in his ear. "Oh, no," Ares groaned, holding his head. "He's like that other guy, son, the one Xena found in Athens last year."

"Really?" Cupid looked Joxer over and then shrugged. "Nothin' we can do about it now. What about his brothers?"

"Jett's paying," Strife said coldly.

"Jace ain't happy either," Iolaus pointed out. "Xena has him, she's trying to get information from him."

"Oh, wonderful," Ares said sarcastically. "Why don't we just tell all of Greece?"

"Isn't that the next step?" Joxer asked, pushing himself up. He grinned at Strife. "Hey."

"Hi." Strife knelt in front of him, putting his hands on either side of the young man's head, gently squeezing. "We can do something," he said, looking into his eyes, "but we can't return ya to what ya were. No one can now."

"But I don't want to be a woman."

"So, be a butch amazon," Strife said with a shrug. "Be whatever ya want, but you're gonna die if ya don't let it happen soon. Ya can't keep doing this."

"I know," Joxer sighed, looking into the God's eyes. "Why me?"

"Because the Gods need to exist," Ares said. "What Cupid said was true, I didn't know how to tell you." He pulled Strife off and made Joxer stand. "Your choice, Joxer, but it has to be made. You can die, and so will most of us, starting with Strife. Or you can go with the change and let Aphrodite teach you how to do everything for a while."

"What about you?" Joxer said, giving him a begging look. "Does that mean I can't pray to you?"

"No, it doesn't. All it means is that you'll be taking some time off from learning how to be a warrior. And who knows, you might be a better female warrior. You were always a little on the light side to fight with some of the other men." He wrapped an arm around Joxer's shoulders, sobering him up instantly. "Say yes, and I'll make sure you rival Aphrodite in beauty. If you let Hera do it, I doubt you'll be someone anybody wants to look at. And you have a long future ahead of you."

"Whatever," Joxer sighed.

Iolaus sighed, standing up. "Want me to leave?"

"No!" Joxer said, grabbing him. "Stay. Please?"

"Okay," Iolaus said, nodding. "I'll stay." He looked at Ares and shrugged. "I'll stay out of the way."

"Not an issue," Ares said, joining hands with Cupid and Strife. They put their joined hands on Joxer's forehead, their glows merging and flowing into the young man, changing him. Making him different.

Iolaus' mouth fell open, then he started to smile. He could see that the men were earnest in trying to make up for the horrible incident. Joxer was going to need a bodyguard when they were done, or at least a large stick.

Joxer opened his eyes and looked at them. "I don't feel different." Then he looked down at himself and felt shock for all the changes.

"We had ta change a few external things, but basically, ya've been livin' the life for months now," Strife reminded him. He looked at Cupid. "Your mom's lookin' for ya. Bliss is up visitin'."

"Cool," Cupid said with a grin as he disappeared. "My temple, Iolaus. Tomorrow."

"Yes, sir," Iolaus called, helping Joxer down onto the ground, looking him over. The slim form was now evenly rounded out. The new breasts were small but full, and they begged to be touched. The trim waist flowed down into narrow hips and long legs, making her look perfect. "Joxer?" he asked gently. "How do you feel?"

"Different," she sighed, her voice now smooth and soft, very melodic but low. She looked down at herself again and started to cry, clutching at him.

Ares shook his head. "You do this. Aphrodite will meet him there tomorrow." He handed over a pack. "For her." He disappeared, grabbing Strife at the last minute and pulling the younger god with him.

Iolaus held the newly made woman, comforting her as she got used to her new body.

***

Aphrodite flashed into the temple and wrinkled her nose at the outfit Joxer was wearing. "Oh, yeah, Bro dressed you all right." She waved her hand, changing the simple outfit Joxer had been wearing to something closer to what she would wear. But the young woman looked disturbed so she compromised and gave her a full outfit. "There, better?" she asked.

"Yes, Aphrodite." Joxer looked down. "Thank you for helping me."

"Hey, sweetie," she said, moving over to give him a hug. "You're going to be the best woman ever!" She smiled at Iolaus. "Come back in a few months, sweetcheeks, and we'll show you a whole new woman. You'll get an invite to the unveiling." She took Joxer with her as she disappeared.

Iolaus smiled and shook his head, starting for the Inn where his friends were made to wait.

*** Four Months Later ***

Joxer reappeared in Cupid's temple, smiling confidently at the God sitting on his throne as she bowed to him. "Thank you," she whispered before walking out.

Cupid grinned at his followers. "That's a happy ending. I like those. Bring me more couples who can have those."

Joxer walked out into the town's square, smiling at the man he recognized. He kissed Iolaus on the cheek then gave him a hug. "Hi," she said, putting her head on his shoulder. "Thanks for coming."

"Joxer?" he asked, pushing her back to look at her. "Wow. They did a good job. A great job." He licked his lips. "A really great job."

"Yup. Aphrodite made me see that a few months back." She looked around then held up her beltpouch. "Can you walk me to Ares' main temple? And help me get supplies?"

"Of course," he said quickly. "Herc's in town but I'm sure I can dump him if I have to." He took the belt pouch, jingling it. "We can get supplies with this, and get you something decent to wear when you appear." He nodded towards the stalls, letting her lead the way. "Anything in particular we need?"

"Oh, yeah," she said. "I need clothes. Aphrodite made sure I knew that fact." She looked down at the outfit she was wearing. "I have other stuff, but it's not suitable for traveling."

"Then we'll fix that," Iolaus said, turning her toward a clothing stall. "Do you want to wear pants to travel in or dresses?"

"Both?"

"If you're willing to carry them," he reminded.

"I can do that." Joxer fingered a soft silk piece of fabric. "I learned how to appreciate the finer things, but I'm still aware of what we need to travel with." She pointed at a dress made of a more common fabric. "I want that one and another like it. And two pairs of pants and three shirts," she said, looking at the woman.

"You sure you want pants?" she asked with a smile. "A woman such as yourself shouldn't wear pants."

"We have to travel to Thebes," Iolaus told her. "Pants would keep her out of trouble." He handed over a hat. "Get that too. We can hide your hair in it."

"Thanks. I forgot about that part." Joxer smiled at him. "I knew you were the right one to ask." She handed over the hat, taking her belt pouch to pay for her purchases. She let Iolaus get everything else, then checked into the Inn for the night.

***

Iolaus glared at the early light, but kept walking. "Are you going to rededicate yourself?"

"Yes. I've even learned that I'm much more graceful now. And Cupid said it would be the healthiest thing for me." She shrugged, pushing her braid over her shoulder. "Do you have the other pack?"

"Yeah. What else did you buy?"

"It's been mine," Joxer said, stopping to open the second pack, showing the contents off. "I learned how to use these while I was learning how to be a woman." She strapped on the three daggers. "I learned some sword work then too, but not a lot. They were really good about teaching me everything I needed to know. Well, all but one thing, but most everything."

Iolaus smiled. "Who do you want to train you?"

"I'm not sure yet. I was going to ask for recommendations after I rededicate myself." She started walking again, putting on a carved metal bracelet.

"That's pretty," Iolaus said, picking up her wrist to admire it. He saw the matching necklace. "Parting presents?"

"From Strife. He was really good about showing up to give me lessons with the daggers. He even took me out for my first night on the town." She smiled at her friend. "He was great to me. Apparently I was a thorn in Hera's side so he and I became friends."

"Yeah, but you were cute. It's not often that I get to sit with a cute girl," a voice said from behind them.

Joxer turned and smiled at the God of Mischief. "And it's not often that I got to be that cute girl." She jogged back to him and gave him a hug. "Are you following us?"

"Yup. Ares sent me ta give ya a message. Don't take the normal pass, it's got bandits and Xena right now." He shrugged. "Other'n that? I'm just admirin' the view." He faded out.

"Yeah, he is," Iolaus said, admiring the view he got himself. "Come on. We need to get moving or we'll never get there."

***

Joxer looked at the outfit that had appeared on her bed while she was bathing, smiling at it. "Thanks, 'Dite," she sighed, putting it on. Then she hitched on the cloak over it, using the pin Cupid had given her before she had left. She grabbed her pack, shoving the clothes into it so she could meet her friend outside. She ignored the looks she was getting, sliding her arm around Iolaus' waist as she slid up to him. "Ready?" she asked.

He looked her over, his mouth working but no sound coming out.

"Aphrodite picked it out for me specially for today," she said with a grin. "Come on. We'll be late. I'll have to push through people."

Iolaus nodded, following her to the temple.

Once there, a small bribe to a priest put them up close to the dias, Joxer making sure her new sword was on her side. Ares appeared and everyone clapped, but he looked around and it stopped.

"Who has a petition for me?"

No one wanted to move closer but one young man did, with a helpful push from his father. "I do, Lord Ares. I wish to dedicate myself to you, to earn glory in your name."

Ares looked him over and nodded. "Good," he said with a smirk. "You'll start classes tomorrow. Go say goodbye." He waved his hand and the boy stepped back. "Anyone else?" The crowd got very quiet. "Come on, I'm not that scary. Today," he added as an afterthought.

Joxer cleared her throat and stepped forward, bowing to him. "Lord Ares," she said. "I wish to rededicate myself to you. To learn how to better serve you."

Ares stood up, staring at her. He waved his hand. "Go away." The priests led everyone out, except Iolaus, who punched the one who tried to move him. Ares looked over at him. "I'm not going to hurt her."

"I know, but I promised I'd be here for this."

Joxer smiled at him. "Thanks." She turned back to Ares, giving him a little smile. "I'm ready to try and learn now. Are you going to tell me no?"

"No," Ares said, looking over her again. "You look good. We did a good job with you."

"Ares!" Hercules said as he walked in.

"Stop it," Iolaus warned his best friend. "She wants this."

"Yes, go away," Ares said, walking down to walk around Joxer's still body. "Daggers?"

"Strife taught me. He said that a woman like me had to have some protection."

"Hmm." Ares nodded, looking over the sword. "A decent enough blade."

"I have a better one but I wasn't going to bring a Hephaestian blade into the temple." She shrugged. "Aphrodite picked out the outfit," she said with a wink. "She said that you wouldn't refuse me the chance to prove myself."

"Joxer, you've more than earned it. I'm simply admiring my handiwork." Ares smirked at her. "I accept. Who do you want to teach you?"

"I'm not sure yet. I was going to ask you or your priests for a recommendation."

"Hmm. I'd send you to Chiron, but he's no longer with us. Maybe Milaran. He's proven to be a decent teacher."

"How about Malya?" Iolaus asked. "He's used to teaching little fighters."

"Yeah, he taught you, didn't he?" Ares said, sharing a smile with him. "Thank you for escorting her. Would you like to take her to be trained?"

"She's not going anywhere!" Hercules said firmly. "Father sent me to stop this."

"Yay," Ares said, absently sending a fireball at him. "Go away. Joxer's saving his life too." He held out a hand. "Come. We'll send a message to him. Iolaus, you're more than welcome to stay here until she leaves. I'll have a room prepared for you. Just leash your pet."

Iolaus smiled, waiting until the God and his newest warrior were gone before going over to punch Hercules on the arm. "This happened to stop the Gods from dying," he said. "Joxer was forced to make a great sacrifice to stop it. She deserves our support." He smiled at the priest he had punched. "Can I please put our packs in my room?"

"Of course." He waved down a hall. "Follow me."

Iolaus followed him down the gloomy hallway.

**** Two Years Later ***

Joxer walked into Xena's camp, giving her a smile. "I've got a message," she said, sitting down next to Xena, handing her a scroll. "Aphrodite didn't think that you'd listen to her at the moment."

Xena read the letter and closed her eyes. "They're sure?"

"It's the end of what I had to stop," she said, standing up. "Ares ordered me to stop it personally if I had to."

Gabrielle glared at her. "What's going on?"

"I'm about to become pregnant and if I do, all of the Gods will die and Ares will become mortal. We're going to suffer because he's going to follow us around."

Gabrielle huffed and went back to carving an awkward place down on her staff. "Whatever."

Xena looked at the warrior, smiling as she recognized her, getting a wink in return. "You changed your hair."

"Aphrodite didn't like me cutting it short," Joxer said with a shrug. "She made sure I couldn't do it again." She brushed some of the long strands behind her back again. "I'm going to let you make the decision, Xena. What do you want to do about this?"

"There's only one real answer, isn't there?" She smiled, but at that moment, a group of bandits ran into the camp. "I thought Ares was going to let me do it?" she called, turning to fight the first one.

"We come in the name of Discord," the bandits hissed, lunging at the women. "She refuses to lose what's hers!"

Joxer put up a good fight, showing off her training very well. She even managed to regain her feet after Gabrielle accidentally knocked her over. But the second time, she wasn't quite fast enough. She managed to block the stroke of the sword, but it still cut her, just a little higher, in her armpit instead of her chest.

"Joxer!" Xena called, stabbing the bandit that had gotten her.

"That's Joxer?" Gabrielle asked, knocking one of the bandits unconscious. "No wonder she got tangled up in my feet." She didn't see the backhand from Xena, but she felt it when she woke up a few hours later. By that time, Joxer's body had been buried. Or at least that's what Xena told her.

Strife showed up right after the fight was over, bending down to kiss Joxer's forehead. "Don't worry," he said, not looking up. "She'll wake up." He looked down at her. "I'll expect ya to be one o'the last one o'them," he muttered, brushing some hair off her face. "After all, I helped train ya and all, the least ya can do is make it ta the final twenty." He coughed as he remembered he was being watched.

"She's like that man in Athens? The one that was stoned twice and burned a few times?"

"Yup." Strife stood up. "There's a priest coming, two of 'em. I called 'em ta come train Joxer. Take Gabrielle away and don't tell her." He disappeared.

"Sure," Xena said, nodding. "Whatever." She started to make it look like she was burying the body. She was piling on the last row of stones when a male throat cleared itself behind her. She turned to find a slight, young, redheaded male, and a darker, more dangerous looking male, behind her. "You're the ones Strife called?"

"I guess," the redhead said, bending down to look at the body. "Not too bad. She know how to fight?" He looked up at her, seeing her shock at the sight of his friend. "He's fine, he's my teacher."

"Yeah, she does. Ares made sure of it, personally. So did Strife, Aphrodite, and Cupid."

The young man stood up, holding out a hand. "Theodonius," he said quietly.

"Xena." She shook it. "Your friend?"

"Adamus," he said with a nod. He looked down as Joxer gasped and sat up. "Relax. You're not dead."

"Strife hinted that this was going to happen," she said, rubbing her forehead. "Oh, did someone hit me? My head hasn't felt this bad since the last orgy at 'Dite's."

"Only Gabby," Xena said lightly, pointing at the unconscious woman.

Joxer stood up, smiling at Xena. "What about the letter?"

"I won't," she agreed. "I don't want to be a mother again anyway." She hugged Joxer, patting her hard on the back. "Be good. If you need me, call and I'll be there."

"Same goes for me," Joxer said, wiping off a tear. "Thank you, Xena."

"Hey, you were always a good man...woman," she amended. She looked over at the two waiting men. "You need to go before Gabby wakes up. Be safe."

"Yup, always," Joxer said, giving her a second, harder hug. "Take care of Gabby." She turned, looking at her men. "'Dite said I was getting new teachers soon. Is that you?"

"Yes," Theodonius said, giving her a small smile. "Come on, before your friend wakes up." He held out a hand. "We'll camp close by tonight."

"There are caves about three leagues down the road," Xena told them. "Just watch out for the middle one. It's a favorite living spot of some animals."

The second man smiled at her, and it made him seem to be much more of a philosopher than a warrior. "Thank you. You don't seem surprised."

"I was there when they found out about the man in Athens a few years ago," Xena said quietly. "I stopped it in Ares name, figuring he was one of his since he was fighting when he was caught. Then I watched over him as he healed." She looked the other man over. "He was talking about you."

"He wanted to fight me but ran into someone else instead," Adamus said. "She'll be fine."

"Good. As long as she is, we don't have a problem." Xena bowed to them. "Joxer, be safe. Call if you ever need me."

Joxer smiled. "Strife wouldn't let me be harmed. He likes me." She waved and they started down the road. "Bye, Xena."

"Bye, Joxer," she whispered, watching them go. She turned back to her duty, finishing the unused tomb.

*** Fourteen Hundred Years Later ***

Joxer looked at the land around her. "This will be a sanctuary," she said, looking at her teacher. "This is what I'll do for the other immortals. We should always have a safe place to relax, and with the Inquisition, the Church isn't it anymore."

Theodonius nodded. "Good. I'll stay for a while if you don't mind."

"Sure, if you can paint, you can stay."

"Me?" he asked with a smile. "Of course I can." He looked around the lands. "You going to keep doing this stuff?"

"I like the idea of it. We should all have a safe place. I can fight if I need to, but I won't have to. I'll be providing something we all desperately need. And I can be happy here." She looked at the cold stone walls. "I think this is my purpose in the Game."

"If you say so. I'm kinda glad for the space," Theodonius said with a sigh. "Life's been rough recently. Methos helped me be reborn, but I have to get used to this new me. Even he had to become a new Adam after what just happened," he said conversationally.

"And here you'll have space. You can be the new you, I can piss off my former brothers by using their names. Our old friend Adamus can show up and be whichever version of Adam he wants to be this year. It's a good thing for all of us." She walked into her room, bowing before the small altar in there, lighting the candle. "For my friends: Strife, Ares, 'Dite, Cupid. May you be safe." He sent a silent prayer to each of them then blew out the candle. "May you live peacefully."

The Waiting Game

Jace showed Xander around her resort. She was trying to keep her word to Oz, and trying to make him look a little happier too, but it didn't seem to help. She decided to take him to look at her private collection, something he should appreciate. She stopped by her apartment to pick up the keys to the private area, leading him down a dark and narrow hallway. At the end stood two massive wooden doors, which she pulled open and got out of his way.

"Wow," he sighed, walking inside. "I never thought about doing some of these things with jewels." He turned to look at her with the first smile she had seen on his face. "Where did you get these?"

"I was given them," she said, walking through the doors, but turning to close them. "These were all presents I was given while I was training in Aphrodite's main temple." She waved a hand at the display case nearest her. "Some of these were gifts from the Gods themselves. That blue/green one was if I remember right."

"Wow." Xander leaned closer to look at the ancient sex-toy. "You've taken great care of them, Jace."

"Thanks," she said with a slight blush. "I'm missing two of them, but I'm pretty sure one's in the hands a of neo-christian fanatic who destroyed it because it showed him that he had sexual thoughts. Amanda probably has the other."

"Gee, I think she has a few of my stones too," he said with a frown. "None of the important ones fortunately." He looked around the room, giving it a confused look. "Something doesn't feel right."

"Hmm." She unlocked the doors, leaving one open a little bit, and he smiled at her. "The room's sealed except for the a/c. You were probably feeling the pressure."

He walked back to where she was standing, giving her a light hug. "Thank you for showing me these."

"Hey, you needed to relax. This is something that a GHS like yourself could appreciate," she told him with a smile. "Some of these have never been seen before. Some of them have been shown off as a collection. But some of them," she said, walking over to stand in front of a particular case, "are too precious to let out of my sight." She stroked over the top of the glass.

Xander leaned down to look at the sex toys inside, grinning when he recognized a few of them. "What's that one?" he asked, pointing at a large egg-shaped stone.

"That's something that someone in Persia thought up. You insert the stone and then walk around with it, it moves and wiggles inside you and it's supposed to make you hot."

"Oh." He nodded, still looking confused. "Does it work?"

"Works better with a prostate," she said with a shrug. "It never did anything for me." She looked him over. "Hon, it's not *that* bad of an idea."

Xander shook his head, banishing his concerned face. "I haven't heard from Oz today."

"Ah." She led him out of the room, making sure the doors were locked behind her before leading him to her office. "Sit," she ordered lightly. "Do you think he's in trouble?"

"No. Or at least I hope he's not in trouble."

"Hmm. We could call him," she offered. "I'm sure you know the old guy's number."

"Not really," he sighed, rubbing his face. "I forgot to get it from Ray. I usually email them."

"Okay." She turned on her computer and stood up, letting him have her chair. "Tell him to call the office here." She sat in his seat, watching as he typed out the message - with a lot of hugs and kisses, and a goofy grin on his face - and sent it. "Better?"

"As long as someone's on right now," Xander agreed, giving her a smile. "I want to do something really special for Oz when he shows up."

"Have him claim you," she suggested. "You can get into all sorts of activity that way. Just, do me a favor. Nothing more than a blowjob in the foyer."

He blushed. "I wouldn't..." he started but she laughed. "I don't really get into public places. Oz likes cars but..." his voice drifted off and his blush got deeper.

"Xander, trust me, if you fell to your knees in front of Oz and started, he wouldn't push you away. You might not be able to walk the next morning but it'd probably be worth it to you."

Xander started to smile again, getting a dreamy look. "Yeah, I could do that." He pulled himself out of his thoughts as the phone rang. "Hello?" he asked hesitantly. He grinned. "Oz," he sighed. "I missed you. You haven't called yet." He leaned back, shaking his head at Jace as she tried to leave.

"Tell him I said hi," she said quietly, waving and leaving him alone.

Xander turned his attention back to the phone. "What? No, she was showing off her collection of ancient sex toys." He grinned. "Really great. Oh, and she thinks that Amanda has one of them. But she was really proud of them." He nodded. "I won't, Oz. I'm not bothering her. She came up and dragged me out of my room." He snorted. "I'm not bothering her. She just gave me a great idea for our first night together." One eyebrow went up. "Oz, you know I'm not going to do that. I'm not cheating. I'm not even interested. Though I could probably learn a lot from her." He sighed. "Oz, I'm not going in that direction. She's beautiful, but your brilliance and beauty far outshine her's to me. I could never go after anyone else while there's a chance of you coming back to me." He grinned. "See, I told you it was all okay." He cleared his throat. "So, can I call out your name tonight?" He chuckled. "I'm sure it was loud too." He sat up suddenly. "He did? Is Ray okay? How many pieces is Ostrack in?" He frowned at the desk planner. "I'll tell her. She's already said I'm not allowed off the grounds without someone watching me. Yes, she's real worried that something will come for me." He snorted. "Oz, she's becoming like a sister to me, nothing more. And I promise, I won't get into trouble." His sappy grin came back. "Really? Give them a kiss for me." He laughed. "Tell Meth that I'm not trying to steal his man. Ray wouldn't last very long with us, he'd get homesick and run away." There was a short pause while Oz passed on the message. "So," he said finally. "How long do I have to stay here?" he finished quietly. "I miss our home."

Oz gave him a pleasing answer. "Good. I miss our animals. I called Buffy's mom, she's sending them to me here. I thought three weeks was too long. But even Buffy got to feed Rocky a few times. She said she's not getting a pet, apparently Don got into her kitchen too. She found him spreading flour from a tipped-over canister around the countertop. Buffy joked that the kitten was trying to make biscuits for her." He snickered. "Yeah, but Joyce wasn't at all pleased with our little furry ones. I pick them up tomorrow." He nodded, making a note on a pad next to the phone. "Okay. I can do that. Anything else I can do for you?" His grin got wider. "Really? Okay. Hey, maybe she can think up more great stuff for me to do to you when you get here." He laughed. "You'll just have to wait and see what I have planned for you, dear. Yes, you will. But I could get a digital camera and send you naughty pictures." He snickered. "Okay. I'll do that tonight." He blew a kiss. "Love you too. Call me tonight?" He nodded and hung up, tearing off the paper and putting it in his pocket. "Jace?" he called as he got up, heading for the door, which opened for him. "He's fine. Ray went after Ostrack. He's fine too. Oh, and Methos told Oz to tell me to be good. I'm not supposed to be liking you too much, Oz thinks I'm going to kidnap you and bring you home with us."

"Not a chance," she said, patting the side of his face. She took his arm again, leading him down the hall. "So he's fine?"

"Yup, very fine." He grinned at a man walking past them. "He's not happy that he has to stay there for the next few days, but we'll be okay. I'm supposed to send him a smutty tape tomorrow."

"We have video cameras you can borrow," she offered. "You're not the first lover an immie sent here and then missed terribly," she said in answer to his questioning look. "Or the first one that needed a camera to record their trip."

He smiled at her. "Of course." He spun around, looking at the murals on the walls. "This is a great place, Jace."

"Well, the building used to be a monastery in the old world. We brought it over a few years ago and fixed it up - gave it bigger rooms and things like that. The art comes from one of our resident artists. He's still working on some of the rooms on the third floor. His last job lasted almost three years, and it was a townhouse. Eldon's like that, he likes to feel the area before he paints anything." She shrugged. "I've been doing this for a long time, Xander. It's what I'm good at."

"And it gives you safety and security," he reminded. "Including financial security."

"Oh, very," she agreed with a smile. "Would you like to tour some more?"

"No," he said, blushing again. "I want to go buy a videotape and get one of those cameras."

She waved at the check-in desk. "Go ask. We have all that there. We'll bill your room for the tape."

He waved and jogged over there, leaning over the desk to whisper to the guy behind the counter. Xander soon walked away with a padded case.

***

Xander set up the camera and sat in front of it, trying to think up something special to put on it, not aware that the tape was running. He wanted this tape so hot that it made his lover melt, and preferably made him come get him sooner. He rejected every idea he could think of, they were all things they had done together before. He wanted this tape to be something special, something that would show how much Oz meant to him. He yawned and lay back on the bed, slowly falling asleep as the tape ran.

At the end of the tape, it popped out.

Xander never even heard Jace come in and take the tape from the machine, sealing it into an envelope for him and taking it with her.

***

Xander happily signed the last paper and took his animal carrier out to the car Jace had loaned him. As soon as he was out of the heat, he undid the carrier, looking inside. "Percival?" he asked, just a little shocked. He picked up the cat that had been sent to live in a group home for teens, hugging him. "Oh, I'm glad to see you, brat. Why are you here though?" He kissed the soft fur and put him down, patting his lap so Rocky would climb into it. Of course, Don beat him, standing up on his hind feet to put his front feet on Xander's chest and meowed in his face. "Yes, hello, Don," he said with a grin, petting that kitten too. "Did you have fun with Auntie Joyce?" The kitten headbutted him and then caught sight of his brother's wiggling tail, pouncing it with a ferocious growl. Xander chuckled and picked up his puppy with a grunt, hugging her. "Hello, Rocky," he said, kissing the side of her muzzle. "I heard you were very good." He gave her an extra squeeze before putting her in the seat beside him. "Guys, I'm going to start the car." He put the carrier in front of the passenger's seat, wedging it in tightly with the door open so the animals could run into it and hide if they wanted to. He started the car, his grin getting bigger as Don started to yowl. "Ah, sweet kitty music," he said, putting the car in reverse and backing out of the parking spot.

***

Jace met Xander at the desk, waving at the animals that were once again in their traveling cage. "Are they good little furry monsters?" she asked, scratching the nose that poked between the wires.

"Usually," Xander admitted. "Percival came back to us though. I'm not sure why."

"That might be what this is," Jace said, holding up an envelope. "It came by UPS while you were out." She took the cage while he opened it, setting it on the counter so she could continue to play with the little furry ones.

Xander chuckled and showed it to her. "The little girl Percival went to is better now, good enough to not need the crutch he provided, and none of the other kids in the group home were that injured. And, as it happens, the doctor that runs it's wife is allergic to Percival so we're getting him back." He smiled at the kittens. "Okay. Welcome home, Percy. George and Fluffy are with Methos but one of them may be coming back with Oz. Fluffy wants a vacation from George," he said quietly to her, still smiling. "And Methos won't want to part with his little pink one."

"Pink?" she asked.

"Yup. She was the only girl of the litter and the last one out. Oz helped cut her out and made sure she lived by zapping her." Jace smiled at that. "Then Meth yelled at him. So Oz reminded him about him doing it to a horse."

Jace burst out laughing, clutching the counter. "I was there then," she gasped. She waved one of the bellhops over, pointing at the cage. "Take this to his room please? I'm sure he's tired."

"Yes, ma'am," the bellhop said respectfully, taking the carrier and walking behind Xander as he headed up to his room.

Jace looked at Robbie, her favorite desk clerk, who was giving her a confused look. "You just had to be there," she told him, patting him on the arm. "It was so *cute*!" She smiled at him and headed for her office, locking herself inside to call her teachers. "Your furry people are here," she said in greeting. "Two cats and a puppy? Of course they'll have run of the place, they're *adorable*."

***

Oz hung up the phone and shook his head, leaning back on the couch, into Ray's side. "We got Percival back." He turned to look at the detective, trying hard not to wince at the livid bruises. "You okay?"

"Fine," he sighed, pulling Oz in for a hug. "I don't want to go to work tonight."

"So don't. The doctor practically forbid it," Methos said as he walked past them to answer the summons of the doorbell. He came back a few minutes later with an envelope, which he handed off to Oz. "From the resort. Must be something from Xander."

Oz looked it over and grinned. "He promised to make me a naughty tape." He hopped up, heading for his bedroom. "Yell when it's time for supper."

Methos smiled at his back, sitting down to pull his lover into his arms. "Ah, love," he said, giving his own lover a kiss. "Young love is such a rare treat to witness."

"If I had ta be gone a long time, would ya make me a dirty tape?" Ray asked, looking up at his lover.

"I'd consider it. Those things are getting more and more difficult to send though." He planted a gentle kiss on one of the few unbruised areas Ray had on his face. "I'd try my best."

"Good. Ya'd better," Ray said, snuggling in. "Can you call me off work?"

"Of course, my little one," Methos said, reaching for the phone. He dialed the main number to the station, humming until he was connected. "I need to talk to Lieutenant Welsh," he purred, rubbing down the injured back, avoiding the new stitches. "Hello, this is Ray's friend, Adam. No, he was in a bit of a scuffle last night and isn't in shape to come in tonight." He frowned. "No, I wouldn't call them minor injuries. He's following Doctor's orders. As a matter of fact, I'm refusing to let him off this couch for the next three days that he was ordered to rest." He snorted. "I'm sure, but I doubt he needs to come in so he can pull out the stitches in his back."

Ray snatched the phone. "Lieutenant? Yes, sir. No, sir, not minor. No, sir, more like a six-hour ordeal in the emergency room from a ten minute scuffle." He snickered. "If I come in, I'm bringing my couch with me, and my drugs." He hung up. "He'll be over in about forty minutes to get my excuse." He hopped up and looked around as he heard Oz moan. "What's wrong?" he asked, heading for the other immortal's bedroom door.

Oz opened the door, letting him see the image on the screen. "He was trying to figure out what to put on it when he fell asleep," Oz said quietly. "I have a tape of him sleeping." He sniffled as Xander reached out for someone in his sleep and moaned when no one was there. "He needs me."

"I know, just a few more days," Methos said, hugging him. "Just a few more days, once we're sure it's safe, Oz." He placed a kiss on top of the messy red hair. He smiled at the screen. "I bet he didn't mean to send that."

"Nope, Jace put in a note that said she caught him napping on the security cameras. She went up to turn on the tape and caught it already running. She sent it." Oz looked up at Methos. "I love him," he said softly. "Bad habits and all."

"You'll have plenty of time to wear down the bad habits," Methos assured him, giving him another squeeze. He nodded Ray out of the room and let Oz go, leaving him alone to watch his lover.

Oz sat on the end of the bed again, watching as his lover slept, his chest hurting each time Xander searched for him and didn't find him.

***

Xander smiled at his dinner companion, frowning at the kitten trying to climb down the top of her dress. "Don, you don't need to play with breasts. You're weaned."

Jace snickered. "Of course he does, they're comforting," she said with a bright smile. "So, any luck making that tape?"

Xander glanced around the room. "Not so loud," he protested. He took a sip of water and shook his head. "Not a bit. Every time I think of something, it's something that we've done before."

"Hmm, so you need a new idea." He nodded, giving her a grateful smile. "Well, what about doing something unexpected and a bit on the rough side?"

"Rough?" he asked hesitantly. "I can't really do rough. Strapped down is as rough as I get."

"Well, how about taking a right turn from your usual activities? Something like ...oh, say, bigger prosthetics, or maybe even fisting?"

Xander choked. "I thought that was a myth!"

She shook her head, giving him a sly little grin. "Not at all. I have one lover that I allow to do that to me. It's the most erotic and emotional experience I've had with a lover. They get so *close* to you. It's all about trust and giving control. I'm sure Oz would love it if you did it."

"Me to him?" Xander whispered. "I have problems topping him."

"So what about going the other way? Letting him do a little bit to you? There's no closer sensation while you're having sex than that."

"Yeah, I guess you can't get much closer than that," Xander admitted. "Won't it hurt?"

"Not if you're prepared for it." She took his hand to pat the back of it. "Trust me on this, and I do know Oz very well. This sort of animal claiming is just his thing. What he loves and protects is his and only his. If you give up to his alpha instincts he'll make sure that you two have a night you'll never forget." He nodded slowly. "All you have to do is to give in to his animal side."

He blushed. "That's easier than you think. He's got a very strong animal side now."

"Oh, I heard about that furry business," she said with a wave, dismissing it. "This goes back much farther than that, Xander." She looked around then lowered her voice a little more. "Let me tell you a story. Way back when, right before he became Oz, he had a lover that he loved more than life itself." She smiled sadly. "This lover loved the old guy more though. Our little redheaded friend went nuts when he found her with him. I mean literally went nuts."

"He went beserk?" Xander asked quietly.

She nodded but was giving him an impressed look. "He told you?"

"Yeah. I forced him to when I found out about Oz and everything." He shrugged a little, just a hint of movement. "Is that when he ran off because he almost killed the old guy?"

"Yes, it was," she said, nodding, giving him an even more impressed look. "He told you about that too?"

"Not what it was over, just that Meth tried to take something from him, something that was his."

"Ah. Well, technically, she went willingly, but that's probably how he saw it. But I doubt he told you that he did kill Methos, just not fully. Connor stopped him from taking the old guy's head by showing up." She gave the table a sad little smile. "Oz ran away before Methos woke up. He was so horrified at himself and what he'd done that he became disassociative. He didn't recognize the old guy when he came for him. He actually ran away from us."

"You were there?" he asked in awe.

"Yes. The old guy had stopped in to see if Oz had come to see me. When I heard what had happened, I followed him, demanding the right to go since Oz was technically my teacher. When we found Oz, he was standing looking at a ruined temple, apparently his old one. He looked at us like he didn't know us and he was talking in ancient Greek."

"He retreated to when things were different? Before he met his teacher?"

"More or less," she admitted. "We eventually got him to come away from the table with a story about someone needing his priestly help. Then we knocked him out and worked on curing him while we kept him in our rented villa. It wasn't easy but it wasn't that hard either. He wanted to forget what happened." She shuddered. "He had nightmares for years afterwards, whenever he saw Methos. Eventually, they had to split up for a few years. When they got back together, Oz was as he is now." She leaned back in her seat, removing the kitten paw from inside her bra. "Your father was right about something, you're weaned, you don't need to feel those up anymore."

Xander smiled at his kitten. "Maybe someone should go back up to the room," he suggested. Don glared at him. "Hey, you're the one who snuck out, I should have already sent you back upstairs."

Jace handed him over. "Here. Go put him to bed. I'll let you think on what I said." She smoothly stood up, patting him on the head as she walked past him. "Goodnight, Xander," she purred.

"Night," he called, tipping his head back to watch her. He looked down at the furry form, grabbing him and gathering himself together so they could go upstairs. He had some heavy thoughts to deal with.

***

Methos sighed in relief as he closed the door on Ray's boss. "Ah, freedom," he said as he walked back into the living room, ignoring Oz and Ray cuddling together. "You could call him," he reminded.

"I tried, he's at dinner with Joxer," Oz told him, looking up from his position against Ray's side. "Apparently Xander was tracking a furry escapee when she ran into him and ordered him to come eat with her, kitten and all."

Methos smiled as he sat down. "She's good at keeping panicked lovers calm," he reminded his student. "The woman is positively saintly with the families."

Oz nodded. "Yeah, but I don't want Xander to get too used to that sort of attention. I'm not going to have a lot for him over the next few months."

"I'm sure he'll tell you if you're ignoring him," Ray soothed, stroking through the shorter red hair. "How are you going to do your disguise?"

"Giles is meeting me at O'Hare and he's going to put an illusion on me. Then he's going to head for Vancouver and someone up there that he knows."

"How long will it last?"

"He's figured out how to make it permanently attached to something. I'll give him something I'll have to wear for the next few months and he'll stick it on that. Whenever I wear it, I'll be covered."

"Good," Methos said decisively, standing up. "Ray, you should be going to bed. I'm sure Oz could use the time to think about who he wants to be this time." He helped his lover up, leading him back to their bedroom.

Oz flopped over now that Ray's body wasn't holding him up. He was trying to create his new persona, but he was too busy thinking about his lover sending him that tape. He closed his eyes as he picked up the phone and hit redial. "Xander Harris' room please?" He smiled as he was connected. "Hey, babe. How's the furry ones?"

***

Xander hung up, wiping off his cheeks. "I need you to hurry up," he told the phone, picking up Don to hug. "Yeah, we need the other daddy-type person," Xander told the kitten, kissing the top of it's head. "What should we do now?" His gaze fell on the video camera and a slow, sexy smile started to come out. "I think I know what to do for him now," he whispered, setting the kitten down on the floor. "You guys sit on the window bench and behave while daddy does something special for your other father." He popped a new tape in and turned it on, stepping in front of the camera with his head down as he stripped. "Yes, sir," he sighed, trembling a little as he thought about Oz giving him orders. He could show Oz how much he needed his dominant lover.

***

Jace smiled as she looked up and waved Xander in. "How was your night?"

"Interesting," he said, sitting gently on the bed. "I finally got that tape made for Oz."

"Good. Did you send it yet?"

"I tossed it at the guy behind the desk so I wouldn't chicken out," he said with a light blush. "I hope he likes it."

"I'm sure he will." She pulled her feet off the desk and sat up. "So, what can I do for you today, dear?"

"I need something to do." He looked up. "I'm hyper and I'm bored."

She chuckled. "Well, let's see," she said, picking up a clipboard. "We have a yoga class today. We have the spa treatments, that will kill at least a few hours. You could go shopping, but only with one of our security people." She glanced up, feeling pleased that he didn't complain about the necessity. "We have a small casino here, but nothing like the bigger ones on the strip. We could send you over to one and warn their people to watch out for you."

Xander shook his head. "I always lose when I gamble. That's not real fun."

"Okay, what about some shopping?"

He nodded. "That might be okay. I need to get kitty and puppy food. Steak's great for them but they can't have it every meal. Even if they do beg." He grinned. "I need to take some of the stuff out of the bank though."

"I can have a driver waiting on you in twenty minutes." She looked him over, still seeing the tension. "Want me to watch the little creatures?"

"Would you?" he asked. "I'm not sure I should take them with me and leave them in the car. Not that Don doesn't sneak into ours all the time, but I doubt the driver wants to watch him. He's a demanding little person."

Jace smiled. "Sweetie, trust me, the babies will be fine with me. I've had plenty of pets before."

He hopped up, leaning across the desk to kiss her cheek. "Thanks. I'll get them pretty and leashed and bring them down." He jogged out of the office, leaving her smiling.

"Oh, my, Oz had better watch out," she said quietly. "That energy is going to kill him yet." She looked behind her as she felt the air start to move. "Hi, Strife," she said, opening her arms to get a hug.

"So, the kid's okay?" he asked, tweaking her on the nipple.

"Usually," she purred, leaning into his lean but hard body. "Thank you."

"Hey, I missed ya, and besides, you're my favorite semi-mortal."

***

Xander tapped hesitantly on the door. He could hear voices in there. Jace opened it, half dressed. "Oh, um, maybe I'll take them with me after all," he said, giving her a sheepish look. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

She waved the apology away. "You didn't. If you'd been longer, maybe," she said with a smile. "Hello, darlings," she said, squatting down to look at them. "My, you three look pretty." She took the leashes and led the animals into her office. "I called the front desk, they have a car and a driver waiting on you," she called as she shut the door.

"Thanks!" he called, backing down the hall until he could turn and run away. He really hadn't meant to interrupt her. He hoped her lover wouldn't be pissed at him for it. He smiled at the man behind the counter. "Hi. Sorry about throwing that tape at you before. I really didn't want to change my mind."

He snorted. "That's okay. I've had worse things thrown at me for worse reasons." He waved a big, stocky, bald man over. "Mr. Harris, this is Rodney. He'll be making sure that you make it back to us today." He handed Rodney a set of keys. "You can have the Mercedes. Have a safe trip." He winked at Xander. "Be good."

"Me?" Xander asked innocently, giving the man behind the counter his best evil grin, the same one that made Oz very wary of what he was going to do. "I'm always good," he purred.

"Of course you are," Robbie said, grinning at Rodney. "Have fun."

"Of course." Rodney sighed and followed him out, heading to the car, Xander right behind him once he got outside. "Who's after you, kid?"

"Lots of not-human looking people," Xander admitted. He saw the sideways look. "Just be careful of anyone that looks strange. I'm here because someone tried to kill my lover so they could kidnap me."

"Which is when that cameraman interfered?" the guard asked, starting the car.

"Yup. But he was nice about it, he dropped the assault charges yesterday. I've got to write a letter and thank him for it. That was really decent of him."

"Yeah, it was," Rodney grunted, turning off onto the main strip. "Where to?"

"Bank. The big one over near the fake-Sphinx. I left some money in there when I was here a week ago." The car turned that way, heading for where he needed to go.

***

Oz slipped the new tape in, sitting on the end of his bed. He smiled as his mate came on the screen, but started to growl as he heard and saw what Xander was doing. "Oh, you are going to be so punished for this," he said with a grin. "Going all submissive on me." He looked up as someone tapped on the door. "Come in?"

Methos walked in, watching the tape. "He's asking for it?" he asked.

"Definitely. My mate is about to be claimed." He grinned up at his teacher. "I wonder if Joxer's going to mind me doing him in the hallway."

"Probably. She's open but there are families in the resort." He patted Oz on the shoulder, watching Xander as he crawled up onto the bed, ass to the camera, giving them a begging look. "I want to know how long it took you to wear him out."

"Not long," Oz said firmly. "My naughty little pet has *no* idea what he's just started." Oz shifted, pulling out his cock. "Gonna stay?" he asked after a few more minutes.

"Huh? No, I think I'll go find my lover." Methos walked out and shut the door, wiping away the sweat once he was safely in the hall. "Oh, Xander. You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into," he sighed, heading for his bedroom and his own lover. "Oh, Ray," he called, heading for the bed and pulling out his cock. "Here," he shoved it in Ray's mouth, smiling down at his own pet. "Please?"

Ray pulled back. "The tape that hot?"

"Oh, yes. Poor Xander may not come out the same man."

Ray licked over the hardness, teasing his lover, taking his time to let his own body build up to the same state. He rolled onto his back, inviting his lover to straddle him and make him take it, rubbing his own cock as he swallowed Methos down. It didn't take long, apparently the tape had worked his love up more than he had thought. As soon as Ray swallowed the last bit of cum, he pushed Methos off him and rolled him over, stripping him of his pants as fast as he could so he could have what was his. He was handed the bottle of lube, but he only used a light coating. He knew what his lover liked and he was about to get it. Ray casually prepared Methos' body, then dove in, going slow but firmly forward. He gave his lover a few seconds to rest then was off at his usual jack-hammering speed.

Methos grunted, pushing against the headboard so he wouldn't be pounded into it as he rode out the brief storm of passion. "My," he said when Ray leaned over his back with a soft sigh of completion. "Were you worked up too?"

"Having you need me that way does it to me," Ray mumbled, getting comfortable. "Nap with me?"

"Of course, precious, I could use one now." He wiggled until Ray moved, rolling over to gather the young man into his arms. "We'll nap. Let Oz think up dreaded revenge for the little tease."

"What's on this one?" Ray muttered.

"Xander being submissive and begging."

Ray looked up, giving him a serious look. "You're kidding?" Methos shook his head. "Oh, man. You're right, Xander may not make it through that first night." He put his head back down and snuggled in. "Nap, great one, before I do it again."

Methos' smile lasted well into his nap. That's why he didn't hear Oz calling out in shock at what was going on on that tape.

***

Oz walked into Joxer/Jace's resort and over to the desk, raising one eyebrow at the man that met him there. "Xander," he said, reaching out for his lover. But his lover apparently had other ideas.

Xander had fallen to his knees, rubbing his face against Oz's stomach with a groan of pleasure. "You're here," he said, looking up even as he undid the tight jeans his lover was wearing. He smiled at him right before swallowing him down, making loud, happy slurping noises as he gave his lover his best effort.

Oz grunted, his mind leaving him pretty quickly, all that was left was the animal. He held the teasing mouth still while he pumped into it, showing the man before him who he belonged to, giving him everything and making sure that he liked it. He came with a soft growl and Xander was immediately up and giving him a kiss and snuggling into his body. "Mine," he purred.

"Yours," Xander agreed, sinking his head onto Oz's shoulder. "Always yours." He took the extra key and helped Oz back into his pants, then led him up to their room, deftly keeping Don from going out and exploring some more.

Oz didn't even look around, he stripped his mate and pushed him onto the bed, considering the camera that was still set up. He slid a new tape in and turned it on, pouncing his mate, kissing and stroking him, giving him little nips in strategic places. He flipped him over, doing the same to his back. He slid into the ready hole and started pounding away in an animal, hard, almost punishing rhythm, making sure Xander knew who he belonged to. He came with a howl, grabbing his mate and holding on as tightly as he could. When Oz came back down fully, he eased the hold he had and pulled himself out, going back to his teasing little stroking movements.

Xander writhed under the attention, but there wasn't any way he could get Oz anywhere near his cock. "Please?" he begged.

"Not yet. After I've had my fun," he growled. "You tease. You knew what that second tape was going to do to me."

"Second? I only sent you one."

"Jace got one of you sleeping and sent that one first," Oz told him as he bent down to nibble on the heaving stomach. "Lie still," he warned, grabbing the bag off the bedside table. "Are these for me?"

"Everything that we should need," Xander agreed with a grin. "I went out and bought those especially for you. Just for tonight." He put his arms over his head, grabbing the straps he had put there. "I don't need them," he said quietly as Oz reached up to strap him down, "I can do it without it."

Oz's eyes opened wide. "You know what you're provoking, right?"

"I want you to claim me," Xander said with a mischievous grin. "I've been told that I should have you claim me and I kinda agree."

"Oh, babe," Oz sighed, leaning down for a kiss. "You really want an animal claiming?"

"Yup. I don't want to have to sit for the next few days."

"No problem there," Oz told him, smiling a little. "What you asked for, you're gonna get." He pulled out the bottles of lube and put them aside, along with the condoms. He looked at the two things left in the bag and shook his head. "You won't be needing those for a while." He grabbed a bottle of lube and slicked his fingers up, going down to prepare his lover. "Why did you do that to yourself on the tape?" he whispered as he went directly up to three fingers. "First you teased me horribly, then you fisted yourself. Babe, you're not going to be able to walk for the next week." He added another finger, gently stretching his lover.

"Oz!" Xander said, wiggling back as a nail caught on his prostate. "More?" He spread his legs wider, giving in to the inevitable. "Yours."

"This is only for special times," Oz told him firmly. "No more doing this on a whim, Xander."

"Not unless you want it," Xander agreed, grimacing a little as Oz added his thumb and started to work his way inside. "She was right," he whispered after Oz got all the way inside. "I feel really close to you right now."

"You'd better." Oz slid back and forth a little, more tease than anything, then withdrew his hand. "No more of that. That's for another time." He leaned down to lick over the hard cock, reaching up to set off the tightening charm Xander wore. "Like you tight," he said at the pout.

"Okay." Xander wiggled as one finger started to tickle him, another going back to reopen him. "Meany."

"Shh!" Oz ordered. "No more talking or I use the gag."

"Yes, sir," Xander said, grinning slightly but lowering his eyes.

Oz growled and leapt up, grabbing control of those red lips, diving and digging with his own to show who was in control. "No more," he panted when he pulled back for air.

Xander nodded, pushing his hips up to remind him what was going on.

Oz looked down the ready body, moving back down. He lifted Xander's legs over his shoulders, starting to push in even though the young man wasn't stretched enough. He went slowly but steadily, grinding himself into the younger man's body, making sure he knew his place in their bed. "Oz!" Xander yelled, coming all over his chest.

"Shh," Oz ordered, stopping all movement. When Xander nodded again, he started moving again, finding himself at the end all too quickly. "You're taking it," Oz told him, pulling back out and thrusting back in, ignoring the wince. He knew it'd feel better in a few minutes. "You are mine and no one else's," he reminded.

"Yours!" Xander agreed, screaming the word as Oz shifted angles of attack. He started to pant and try to push back but his hips were lifted farther off the bed, not allowing him to have any leverage. "Please?" he begged.

"When I'm ready," Oz reminded him, thrusting in hard. "All mine, mine to give pleasure to, mine to take from. Mine!" He gave another savage thrust and leaned down, biting Xander on the lip. "Mine!"

"Yours," Xander whispered, lifting one hand to touch the side of his face. "Always yours. Never belonged to anyone else," he reminded. "All yours."

Oz's inner beast calmed down at those words, slowing his hips down. He started a slow, tender rhythm, making it good for both of them. He knew Xander wasn't going to last past this one and he wanted them to come together.

Xander sighed and relaxed, letting Oz do it all for him, showing absolute trust in his mate. Nothing else mattered now that they were back together, not even the kitten sitting on the dresser watching them, who he was trying to ignore.

Oz picked up speed again, not able to wait. He leaned down for a long, drawn-out kiss, letting Xander use his stomach and chest for friction. He came with a soft sigh of his mate's name. Xander bit him on the lip as he came over, muffling his yell in Oz's mouth. "Wow," Oz sighed, letting Xander back down onto the bed.

"Really wow." Xander wiggled until he was lying on Oz's chest. "Later?"

"Can you feel your hole?" Oz asked wryly.

"Nope. But I'm sure that'll change soon." He nipped the firm chest. "Love you."

"Love you too, Xander. Always."

"Good." Xander yawned and closed his eyes, falling off into a gentle sleep with his favorite bed accessory clutched firmly in his arms.

Oz fell asleep with a contented smile on his face. "Mine," was his last word of the day.

Don waited until the humans had quit being so loud before sneaking over to the bed. He had missed his comfy pillow-human. He snuggled in above the one's head but still on the pillow's chest. He meowed at Percy to come snuggle, and his brother did, curling up between the two bodies, hiding his head against the dark haired one's stomach..

Rocky jumped up and laid on the free pillow, getting comfy.

Jace tapped lightly on the door and walked in, turning off the tape. "I love security systems," she said as she stole the tape and put it in an envelope. "I'm sure the old guy meant this when he asked for the tape." She walked back out, letting the couple sleep.

Oz opened his eyes and shook his head. "I'll get it back from Methos in a few days," he told himself, shifting more onto the side facing Xander so he could snuggle but not crush the kittens. "Night, guys. We'll be home soon."

Getting the Details Settled

Oz walked into Xander's yoga class, watching him for a few minutes, waiting until he got into a position he could pull him from. As soon as his lover shifted, he grabbed him and pulled him from the room. "Come on," he said, stopping Xander from arguing. "We've got to do a few things. You getting bendy isn't going to help me any."

"Maybe you should try it," Xander said with a grin, reaching down to pinch Oz on the butt. "You sound like you could use centered and calmed."

"Yeah, but before then, I've got to do a little bit of work. Then I'll be calm." They waved at Jace, who had the gall to blush when Oz stopped to stare at her. "Tape?" he asked.

"Went out already," she said lightly.

"Good. Tell him I want it back." He started to tug again, towing Xander up to their room and locking them in. "Order lunch, and nothing that fattening. I saw your last cholesterol count."

Xander sat down on the bed, wiping off the back of his neck. "Oz, I'm fine. You're here and I'm fine. What's wrong?" he asked as he grabbed his tiny lover and hugged him. "What could possibly be worrying you?"

"The fact that we're going back to the same area," Oz noted. "People there know me."

"Hey, with the strange that happens in Sunnydale? Do you think you're going to become news?"

"Maybe," Oz admitted. "I don't want that."

"So don't. Wear your illusion thingy whenever you go out. No one comes to visit us. And if they do, then I'll tell them you're Oz's cousin."

"That's good," Oz agreed, shifting so he was better placed on Xander's lap. "What about Buffy?"

"We don't see her that much either."

"No, but I'm sure she'll at least show up to tell you how sorry she is." Oz pushed his lover backwards, leaning into his body. So when Xander lay down, he went with him. "I have a new identity all set up, thankfully Steve is more than good at that stuff."

"Is he going to come see us again?"

"Maybe." Oz looked up. "Why?"

"I wanted to know when your new birthday was."

"Same as my old one," Oz sighed, shaking his head.

"Uh-huh. You have to have a different birthday and we have to celebrate it or else people will start to look at you funny. It's things like missed birthdays that make people look for answers."

"Okay, point. Saint Patrick's Day. Happier?"

"Yup. Can I throw you a party?"

"Only if you go home and start working again," Oz said, putting his head back down. "I'm worried because eventually we'll be caught. No matter how good we are at hiding it, we'll get caught."

"Actually, if we hide it, we'll get caught. Hiding anything creates a strain most people can feel. That's why people who are hiding terrible secrets don't feel comfy around people," Xander reminded him. "And a grieving me would want to celebrate happy occasions."

"I hadn't thought of that," Oz admitted, snuggling in closer. "Are you going to be able to handle this?"

"I don't know," Xander said, lifting his head to look down at the man on his stomach. "I can try. If it get's too bad, I'll tell you and we'll take a long trip. If worse comes to worse, you can say that you're a vamp."

"That's not a bad idea," Oz said, looking up. When he saw how close the puffy lips were, he stole a kiss. "That's better."

"We could spread that rumor around, but we'd have to clue Buffy in first. I really don't want to have to kill her for trying to stake you."

"Oh, why not?" Oz asked sarcastically.

"Because she was good to my puppy and I'd hate to reward her for it by ripping out her throat," Xander said simply.

Oz looked up. "I was joking."

"I wasn't."

"Oh." Oz put his head back down and gave the young man a hug. "We could spread that rumor. It might even work. Of course, we'll have to find my watcher and clue them in."

"They'd have to be around you a lot, right?"

"Or at least able to watch over my movements, yeah. Why?"

"Because there hasn't been that many new people into town since Buffy came. Only a few before that. Most of the new people are up at the college."

"Which I'm not at," Oz reminded, then sat up. "So they really couldn't watch me." He looked thoughtful. "Do you have any idea who it is?"

"Nope," Xander sighed, stretching his arms over his head. "Not a clue. But it's a place to start looking."

"Yeah, it is," Oz agreed, giving him a smile. "Okay, so if anyone asks, I'm not exactly human. That would work beautifully in town. Outside of town, I'd have to wear my illusion."

"You should wear it around town too," Xander reminded him. "And keep a low profile."

"I'll start out trying to keep the illusion on and if it comes undone, I'll admit to being not real human," Oz said. "That's a very good plan. I knew I loved you for some reason besides you being so sexy and tough." He leaned in for a kiss but Xander pulled away. "What?"

"You only love me because I'm tough and sexy?" Xander pouted.

"And because you have incredible brains," Oz said with a small smile. "And because I do."

"Okay, that's a good reason," Xander said, grabbing Oz and rolling him under him so he could pin him to the bed while he ravished his love.

"Knock, knock," Jace called as she opened the door and walked in. "Oops, probably should have checked the security cameras first," she said, turning away from them.

"No big," Xander said, rolling off Oz to look down at her. "What's up?"

"Just a few things. One of them being a prezzie from the old guy," she said, turning and giving it to Oz. "He said you forgot it." She smiled at Xander. "And the other is that we intercepted a phone call for you from Giles. Your phone's not working," she explained to ease their heated glares at her, with a not so subtle point at the phone that was lying off the hook. "He said he's fine. He's in Vancouver right now. He loves you both and he'll be home in a few months." She waved and started to walk out but Oz hopped up and stopped her right outside the door. "What?"

"What did he really say?"

"Not much. I told him you both were safe. Seems he had talked to Methos, who told him what this place was. I told him you had finally gotten here and that you were both happy again." She patted his cheek. "Love, he loves you, even if he didn't say it in so many words."

"Did he say he was coming here?" Xander called.

"No, sweetie," she sighed. "He didn't."

Oz nodded. "Thanks. I'll put the phone back on the hook."

"Might be a good idea," she said with a wink. "Are you two going to come eat with me?"

"Nope," Xander said, sticking his head out of the door. "I want to eat supper in Oz's lap."

"Ah. All right then, but I expect to see you both at my table before you leave in two days." She waved and walked away.

"Two days?" Oz asked.

"I want to go home," Xander said firmly. "I miss skinny dipping in my pool. I miss my furniture, and I miss my sewing machine."

"Ah. Okay. I can do that," Oz agreed. He walked into their room and shut the door.

***

Oz sat down across from his student, giving her a serious look. "So, how have you been?" he asked, clutching Xander's hand.

"Relax, teach, I'm not stealing him from you. I may ask if he wants to take part in that nummy charity auction I usually haunt in LA in a few months, but I doubt anything short of some of my lovers will ever make him leave you." She smiled at Xander. "He's scared that you're going to leave him for someone that can understand you better."

"He's going to stop it or you two are going to have dinner by yourselves," Xander said mock- sweetly. "Oz knows I won't leave him." He glared at his lover. "If you need further proof that I'm not leaving you, I'll show you later."

"I saw that little mark on your side," Oz said with a frown. "A tattoo?"

"Yes, dear, of *your* name."

"Peace, gentlemen," Jace broke in. "No more fighting."

"Yes, dear," Xander sighed. "He's being paranoid for no reason. Again."

"He gets like that sometimes," Jace pointed out. "Usually right after something happens. Especially after he dies."

"Yeah, he does," Oz sighed. "I've been trying to put it back in, but I haven't quite been successful yet." He leaned over to hug his lover. "I'm sorry. I know you won't leave me, but sometimes my paranoid side comes out."

"Then tell me and I'll gladly let you mark me as yours," Xander reminded him, looking into his eyes. "It's not like I'm not wearing a few right now."

"Yeah, you are," Oz said with a grin. "Quite a few if I remember right."

"Boys," Jace sighed, leaning back in her chair so she could cross her legs. "Let's not fight on your last night in Sin City."

"Ah, but we'll be back," Xander said, giving her a grin.

"Yeah, we will," Oz agreed, taking Xander's hand to hold.

"We should travel every year," Xander decided, but Oz looked at him. "Maybe?"

"I'll let you convince me when we get home," Oz said as he leaned over to nip at his lover's ear. "Now, be good. Eat something healthy for me and I'll give you treats later, naughty."

Xander looked over his menu. "I want the baked fish with the onion rings," he said, winking at Jace. Oz shook his head. "Their vegetables."

"Fried ones," Oz countered. "Have a real vegetable."

"Broccoli with cheese?"

"No."

"No?"

"You don't need the cheese and it'll probably taste funny with the fish."

"Let him have the onion rings," Jace said, giving them a smile. "I think he deserves it. Besides, it's not like he needs to be careful."

"That's the bonding," Xander said, squeezing Oz's hand.

"He's not a pre?" she asked in surprise.

"Nope." Oz took a drink of water. "Ask Meth the next time you talk to him. He can tell you all about how we partially botched the spell." He grimaced. "And why Xander needs to eat healthily."

"Yes, dear," Xander sighed. "How about you pick out something for me then?"

"I like the fish, and the onion rings would be fine," Oz relented, seeing the disappointed look his lover wore. "They should be subtle enough to go well with the fish."

"We have a decent selection of international food," Jace offered. "Many things on that menu are healthy." She leaned closer to Oz. "You could even get him to eat something Greek or English if you wanted."

"Oh, Indian!" Xander said happily as he looked over the menu. "I always wanted to try some." He held the menu out to Oz. "Pick something subtle for me?"

"Sure." Oz looked over the selection and smiled. "Subtle and not spicy?"

"Do you want to listen to me belch all night?" Xander asked archly.

"No." Oz nodded as he caught sight of something. "We'll have a multi-cultural meal," he decided, putting the menu aside as the waiter came to their table. "We'll have the fruit chutney, very mild, and some of the flat Middle Eastern bread. For the main course, we'll have some Kebbah."

"Beef with a Hindu dish?" Jace asked, raising one perfectly tweezed eyebrow.

"Okay. Maybe the lamb equivalent," Oz said, giving in easily. "With onion rings."

"Very good, sir," the waiter said. "For your companion?"

"We're sharing the meal," Oz told him, squeezing Xander's hand.

"Very well," the waiter said, making a note before turning to his boss. "Ma'am? Oh, and my wife wishes me to bow at your feet for the baby's birthing gifts."

She smiled. "It was only a little thing. I'll have whatever the chef feels like giving me." She handed over their menu's. "And some nice white wine served with appetizers, please."

"Of course." He bowed to them and left.

"We have some wonderful Indian wine that should go well with the chutney."

"Baby present?" Xander asked. "He doesn't look older than I am."

"It's his second child, his first son," Jace told him. "He was married before he came over to study at the local university." She shrugged. "That's the way things are in his country."

"Oh." Xander looked thoughtful. "I never thought about that." He looked over at Oz. "Can we travel for a month every year? I'd like to see and learn about different places."

"We'll see," Oz said, giving him a smile. "We have plenty of time to do all that."

"Not necessarily," a deep voice said as he walked up to the table. "I wish to challenge you."

"This is Holy Ground," Jace said, her voice turning hard. "There are no challenges here. This is a sanctuary." She stood up to get between them. "Leave. Leave my establishment and never come back."

"He endangered us all!" the other immortal complained.

"No, he didn't," Oz said. "I wore a disguise to get here and I'm going to do it at home. It wasn't my fault that the camera crew was down the street."

"How did you get loose?" Jace asked.

"The ME had seen a few of us before. She sprung me." He shrugged. "No one's seen me yet except those people here, most of which already know."

"My wife didn't," he said hotly. "She noticed!"

"I'm sorry," Jace said. "Maybe you should have been honest with her."

"I was going to tell her during this trip. She didn't need the shock though."

Oz shook his head. "This isn't my fault. I'm sorry she found out that way, but it's not my fault she was shocked." He got out of the waiter's way, looking over the food that was put down in front of him. "Mild?" he asked, looking at the peppers in the curry that came with their meal. The plates were switched with a self-conscious smile. "Thanks." He picked up a piece of bread and tore a section off, using it to scoop up some curry and feed it to Xander. "I'm on my way home, no one else knows."

"Home? You're going back where you were?"

Oz touched something in his pocket, then pulled out the earring and put it on, becoming a wiry- looking African American. "Yeah, we are."

"Um, Oz?" Xander asked. "Why did Giles pick that one? You still look like you."

"I'm supposed to be my cousin," Oz reminded him. "There should be some family resemblance."

"Oh. Okay." Xander nibbled on the curry being held out to him again. "This is really good," he said, kissing his lover on the cheek. "Quit showing off," he whispered. "You're scaring him. Magic isn't usual to everyone."

"Point," Oz agreed, handing Xander the bread while he took out the earring. "Better?" he asked.

The man shook his head. "How did you do that?"

"Magic," Jace said. "Something that we seem to have forgotten about." She sat back down, smoothing out her skirt as she recrossed her legs. "Now then, I believe you were going to leave us alone?"

He nodded, backing away. "The challenge still stands," he called. "I'm not going to let the insult to my family go."

"What an ass," Xander said softly. He picked up some of the bread and followed Oz's movements from earlier, feeding Oz this time. "Are you taking it?"

"I could. We could go out into the desert and do it," Oz said. He shook his head after seeing the sad look. "I don't want to, Xander. I promise I won't unless he gets pushy, all right?" His lover gave him a kiss then pulled back and handed him a glass of wine. "Thanks. You still do that very well."

"If we were upstairs, I'd be doing it naked and in your lap," Xander reminded him.

"Boys, not *everything* can be about pleasure. Not even for a GHS like Xander." She sipped at her own wine before taking a bite of her curry. "Oh," she said, waving a hand in front of her mouth. "The chef decided I needed some fire tonight." She sipped some more of her wine. "How's yours?"

"Good," Xander said, smiling at her. "Really hot?" She held out a spoonful of the relish to him, letting him eat it. "Whoa. Way hot," he said, picking up the lone wine glass he and Oz were sharing to drink away the burn. "That's *great*!" he said, handing back the spoon.

"You can have hot curry tomorrow for lunch," Oz told him. "I know a great place in LA. We'll visit there on the way home, get something for you to eat in the car." He took the wine glass back. "Easy with that. You don't drink."

"I'm not going to get drunk," Xander reminded him. "I haven't been in that condition since I was twelve and my father forced me to drink with him to make me a man." He sniffed. "I wonder how his sentencing went."

"We can check online tonight," Oz said, leaning over to hug him. "I'm sure your mother's safely away. You had plans to get her out of town if you needed to."

"Yeah, but she never left a message saying that she needed it," Xander pointed out. "I checked the answering machine every day."

"Well, maybe we'll go home to find out that she robbed us," Oz said lightly, taking a nibble of Jace's curry too. "Oh, really hot. Much hotter than I like."

"I know," she said with a smile. "I remember quite well." She turned her smile on Xander. "Did you tell him about seeing my collection yet?"

"Not that," Oz sighed, putting down the wine glass, making sure it was on his side of the table. "You showed him *those*?"

"Yup," Xander said with a grin. "That's when she gave me the idea for when you walked in."

Oz looked at his student. "Thank you." He picked up some of the chutney, quickly feeding it to Xander to counteract the wine. "Eat, love. I promise to be good if you do."

"I'm always good," Xander said with his best mischievous grin.

"I'm sure," Jace said, chuckling at the dirty look Oz sent her way. "He seems like he behaves very well."

"I'm sure you think so, you two get into the same sort of trouble." Oz continued to feed Xander, ignoring the heated looks the man that had challenged him was sending towards them.

***

Jace caught Xander as he walked past the main desk. "You know you can't go."

"I'm going to sit on the car," he said. "We have an agreement. I won't interfere and he won't try to sneak out and fight without me." He shrugged, getting free. "I refuse to let Oz die alone."

"Which is a very good idea," Oz said, walking up behind them. "Don't worry, I'm tying him to the car." He pulled out his handcuffs, dangling them where Xander couldn't see. "We'll be fine."

She nodded but picked up her own sword. "I'm sure. That's why I'm going as your second." She waved at the door. "Shall we?"

Oz groaned but headed out with Xander beside him. He knew it was futile to argue with her, he never won, not since well before the calendar started to run forward. Not even her other teacher, Adamus, had ever won an argument with her, and the man everyone knew as Adam was much more stubborn than most people on earth.

***

Jace grabbed Xander's hand when Oz suddenly growled and spun around, doing a beautiful back- swing to behead the guy. She backed away, heading for the car, as the quickening started flowing into Oz. "Xander, he's not in there honey, back away," she said quietly.

"Nope. He won't hurt me."

She grabbed his arm, tugging him with her. "He doesn't know you." Oz screamed and came after her so she let go and ran for the safety of the car. "Xander!"

"Mine!" Oz yelled, grabbing Xander.

"Oh, shit!" She locked herself in.

Xander looked at Oz, leaning down to kiss his nose. "I'm yours. Did the mean person say that he was going to steal me?" he asked, his voice soft, gentle, and soothing. "He was wrong. I'm not going anywhere." Oz growled at him. "I'm not. You know that, Oz."

"Not Oz!" he growled, thumping his chest.

"Theodonius," he whispered, clinging to him. "You have me still. He couldn't steal me. Not from you." He hid his face in Oz's neck, sniffing him. "Yours."

"Mine!" Oz said, a little less fiercely this time.

"Yours," Xander agreed, letting go of him and stepping back, looking down. "Your mate," he said.

Oz looked his mate over, giving it a nod. "Mine," he said, reaching over to rub across the flat stomach. "Pretty." Xander smiled at him. "Mine?"

"Yours," Xander agreed, leaning into his touch. "Always yours. No nasty headless guy will ever take you from me." He kissed Oz on the nose. "Okay?"

Oz started to come back, clutching Xander to him as tightly as he could. "Stay?" he whispered. "Just until I refind myself?"

"Of course. I'm not moving. Not even if someone would come and try to challenge you again." He kissed his lover again. "See? You calm down and finish coming back. I'm right here."

"Stay," Oz whispered again, burying his face against Xander. "How long was I gone?"

"Just a few minutes. You weren't fully gone. You still recognized me." Xander started rubbing down his mate's back, his other hand rubbing over the back of Oz's neck. "See, still here. You're still here and that's all that matters." He made sure his baby was soothed and calmed, keeping Oz from looking at the car or at Jace, making sure that he calmed down to the point where he was fully back to being his Oz. Finally, he pulled back. "Ready?" he asked.

"Yeah." Oz looked up, looking at the car. "Did I threaten her?"

"Yup. She tried to get me into the car."

"Ah." Oz nodded, leading Xander back to the backseat. "Sorry, he said Xander was cute and he was going to take him home for his wife to comfort," he said quietly.

"As long as you're back," Jace said, starting the engine. "Xander, that was really risky," she admonished. "Usually he can't tell his friends apart from anyone."

"He didn't get that deep this time," Xander told her. "It was all about that guy trying to take me."

"Which is why he reacted to me," she said flatly. "Okay. Just remember, Oz can't usually control himself during those times."

"He won't hurt me," Xander said firmly. "Not even when he doesn't know me. A part of him will recognize me."

Oz laughed sourly. "Methos used to think the same thing," he sighed, covering his eyes. "Xander, I'm going to agree here. You can't get in there with me. I won't know you." He looked over at the younger man, seeing the anger. "Hey, I haven't recognized my own reflection before. I can revert to the primal state where no one registers as a friend. Or even a mate," he said, picking up Xander's hand to hold. "I don't want to hurt you." Xander started to shake his head so Oz squeezed his hand again. "All I'm saying is to gauge me first. Stand a little ways away and look me over, see if I recognize you. If I don't, then you're in danger too."

"Fine," Xander said coldly, pulling his hand back. "I'll just stand by and watch."

"Basically, that's what you're supposed to be doing," Jace reminded him, turning the car around. "I called my watcher, they're already on their way. Oh, and Joe's in town."

"Goody," Oz said dryly. "Why?"

"Not real sure," Jace said, turning her attention to more pleasant matters, trying her hardest to ignore the cold attitude coming from the young mortal. She even managed it until she parked the car, then she grabbed Xander and pulled him aside. "Listen, kid, I've seen Oz go for Methos' head because he didn't recognize him. I've seen him go for mine and for another student he used to have because he didn't recognize us. No matter how strong your bond may be, he doesn't usually recognize himself. This isn't about your bond, this is about that funny little place in Oz's mind where everyone that exists is an enemy. Even if he loves them more than his life." Xander nodded stiffly so she let him go. "I don't want to have to try and hold Oz together if he kills you, Xander. Neither does Methos. Listen to us in this case."

"You know," Oz said, walking over to them, "he may be the only one that could get through my problem." He wrapped his arm around Jace's waist, looking at Xander with her. "And if I ever hurt him, there wouldn't be anything for you to hold together. Xander is my life." He let her go. "Come on, I need cuddles." He held out a hand and Xander took it, walking away with him.

"I hope I never see that moment," Jace whispered. "I never want to see you that destroyed, teach."

"Me either," a darkly handsome man said from behind her as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. "But it won't happen. That kid's got a major destiny."

"You're sure?" she asked, looking up at her favorite teacher, giving him a tremulous smile. "You're really sure about that, Ares?"

"Definitely. Xander's proof that the Gathering won't happen. We've made sure that Oz will always recognize Xander. Those two need to last for a few more years or so." He gave her waist a squeeze then gave her a sexy little smile. "So, do you have any plans for tonight?"

"Only to send them a treat in apology," she sighed. "How many others of us have you messed with."

"You of all people shouldn't ask that question," he reminded, pinching her rear.

"Point," she said with a smile. "Do you want to walk with me or would you like to wait in my apartment for a few minutes?"

"I'll walk with you, I'd hate to see you get lost," he purred, stroking over her soft skin.

***

Oz opened the door at the hesitant knock, accepting the cart with a nod. He signed the form and let the man leave, rolling it in to sit beside the bed. "Joxer's sorry," he said, sitting down beside Xander. He read his copy of the invoice with a smile. "And I won't ever be able to hurt you in that state. Her first teacher said so." Not that he didn't trust the God of War's word, but his paranoid side wasn't going to let this go.

"I thought you were her first," Xander said, the pillow over his face.

"Not quite. She had a decent amount of training when she came across." He stole the pillow to look down at his mate. "Do you understand what I was saying? The whole point of it all?"

"Yeah, but it sucks."

"Yes, it does, but it's something I don't want to consider happening." He brushed his thumb across Xander's lips. "How could I go on if I hurt you?" he whispered.

Xander sat up and hugged him. "Then I won't get in your way."

"Nope, wrong term. You weren't in the way, Xan, you were in danger. Big difference there. I might not have recognized you. I literally have almost taken Connor's head, and the old guy's too, because they tried to do what you did tonight." He saw the quick nod and look away. "I don't want to come back to myself after hurting you. Especially not with the violence I know I can do in that state. I never wanted you around me in that state." He leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Eat. I'm sure you fidgeted off supper by now."

Xander looked at the tray and shook his head. "Not hungry."

"Being pissed and hurt won't help either of us," Oz reminded him, his voice getting a little harsh. "Pouting about it won't either."

"Oz, if I was pouting, you'd know it," Xander said coldly. "What would you do if I had told you that you weren't important enough to know?"

"That's not what I said," Oz said in exasperation. He stood up, facing his lover. "What I *said* was that in *that* state I wouldn't even recognize *myself*! Not anything at all to do with what we have." Xander opened his mouth. "Not a thing to do with us!" he repeated, trying to make him understand what had went on earlier. "My mind is one of those bad places to be sometimes, Xander, and that's one of those times. When I'm in that state, all I know is that everyone around me is going to kill me. No matter how much I might love them, or how long I've known them." He grabbed the younger man and pulled him up to hug him. "I never want to hurt you. You can never let me hurt you."

"Oz, trust me, you'll never hurt me," Xander said calmly. "Somehow I know that you won't."

Oz pulled back and looked into his eyes. "I'll be damned," he said, dropping Xander onto the bed and heading out of the room at a jog. He ran through the lobby, heading for his student's apartment. "Joxer!" he yelled as he burst through the door. "Strife marked him?" he asked, completely ignoring the fact that she was tied down to the bed or that someone was presently trying to have sex with her.

"Who?" Ares called, grunting as he finished up. "Sorry, I'll make it better for you later." He turned to find Oz staring at him, giving him a panicked look. "Oh, him. A little. He didn't interfere, but he was promised to Strife when he was younger." He shrugged. "We'll stay out of his life if you'd like."

"*Strife* marked him?" Jace/Joxer asked, confused. "I never noticed it."

"You didn't hear his life history," Xander said dryly. "Sorry for my mate's manners." He looked him over. "Let me guess, you aren't this Strife guy, right?" Ares shook his head. "And I'm also going to take a stab at another deduction. You're not demonic?" Ares shook his head again, this time with a smile. "Then you must be...." He passed out as his brain caught up with his thoughts.

"Gee," Strife said as he appeared behind Oz, dodging his attempt to grab him. "I never woulda guessed him for the swoonin' type." He looked up at Joxer and grinned. "Hey, babe!"

She cleared her throat. "Would someone like to tell me what's going on?"

Strife nodded, walking over and touching her forehead quickly, making a little glow happen.

"Oh." She frowned up at him. "Who would've done that?"

"His father said anybody," Strife said with a shrug. He grinned at Oz. "Hey, Theo."

"Bite me," he said, bending down to wake Xander up. "Can you possibly, maybe, keep the chaos out of our lives for a bit?" he asked.

"Sure. But I thought I was." Ares glared at him. "What? Xander interrupted tha demon."

"Point," Ares growled. "This really isn't a spectator sport," he noted.

Oz nodded. "Sorry. Just a moment of shock." He picked Xander up and carried him out to the living room. "Strife, if we may?" he asked, trying to sound polite.

"Sure, I'm bored anyways." He walked out, closing the door behind him, shooting a grin at Jace. "I'll be back," he promised.

"I'm probably still going to be tied to the bed," she sighed, shaking her head as soon as the door was closed. "Sorry, oh great one," she teased.

"I could leave you there," Ares warned as he leaned down to nip at her arms.

Strife looked down at the unconscious body. "I never really figured him for tha passin' out type," he said with a shrug. "Whaddya want?"

"I want to make sure that you're not interfering in his daily life," Oz said, looking up at the God of Mischief. "Please? We have enough problems already."

"Oh, the Oz-man asks for a major favor," Strife crowed. "He who said that I didn't really exist."

"Yeah, and then I met Xander," Oz reminded him. "My life has been in chaos since then because of that."

"Yeah, well, the guy's a great minion," Strife said with a shrug. "I'm not there daily for him, really. He's never asked for it."

"So, all this is from him being marked?" Xander asked softly.

Strife looked down and grinned. "Basically. Your dad offered ya up to any God that would listen to get money. He blew it though."

"Figures," Xander said, sitting up. "So everything so far was all you? The demon brothel, the fights? All of it?"

"Not quite," Strife said, sitting in mid-air. "I didn't make ya go ta New York. Though it was more fun for me." He shrugged at Oz's dirty look. "Mostly, I'm the reason that you're the one that they're drawn too. I've always considered ya to be a sorta-innocent bystander. Though I did send Oz to the Hellmouth. I figured the guy deserves it after all this time."

"Who's over the Game anyway?" Oz asked. "I always thought it was Ares."

"Half. Everyone thought it'd give him too much power. We share it." Strife grinned. "When ya think about it, it make sense."

"Oh, yeah," Oz said, nodding. "Much sense now." His face fell. "Mariam?" he asked quietly.

"Was all her, dude," Strife sighed. "Like I said, I spectate with you guys. The last time I interfered was to bring back that Richie kid." He leered at Xander. "And to watch over you in New York."

"Um, eww," Xander said, raising a hand. "Really eww."

"I meant the last time," Strife said, getting serious. "There's a reason that the maid agreed to help you out, kid."

"Okay, not so eww then," Xander said, giving the God of Mischief a grin. "Thanks for that."

"Welcome."

"Yeah, thanks for that," Oz said, holding out a hand. "For all of it."

"Hey, like I said, you're real welcome. I like you two. You two are one of the most stable relationships in the Game right now. Mac had his shot at sanity and he's apparently lost it. The mercenary girl and her boy are doing okay. I'm interested in keepin' ya guys around for a bit. Oh, and the married guys are having fights again. They went to Methos for advice and he locked them in a room."

"Ostrack?" Xander asked. "Can I please ask that he not be able to grab me again."

"Not an issue," another voice said, though there was no body around for it to have come from.

"Cool," Strife said, looking up. "Thanks, dude."

"Welcome. Get up here. I'm horny and if I have to wait, then you're gonna pay."

"Sure. Comin'!" He winked and disappeared.

Oz helped Xander up and led him out of the apartment, back up to their room, and locked themselves inside. "Wow. They exist?" Xander asked, sitting down. "Gods and people like that exist?"

"Jace was trained by them," Oz mentioned as he sat beside his lover. "They're around but usually quiet about it now." Oz took his lover's hand. "We okay again?"

"Yeah. We're okay," Xander whispered. He looked down at himself. "I wonder what else has happened because of him."

"Strife?"

"No, my father," Xander sighed.

Strife appeared and shook his head. "This is why we don't tell ya about this stuff," he said, slapping Xander lightly, making him forget. "You didn't yell at him but he got the message, dude. Keep him safe or else." He grinned. "I really don't want to hear Jace bitch about losing him too soon. I'd have ta do somethin' ta make her happy again." He disappeared again, after tapping Oz on the top of his head.

Xander shook his head. "Oz?" he asked, looking at the tray beside the bed. "When did we order food?"

"It just showed up. Jace sent it to us," he said, picking up a sweet roll to feed to his lover, ignoring the obvious little tongue marks across the icing. "We still need to pack."

Xander gave him a look but nodded. "Sure."

Oz smiled. "Don't say it out loud," he whispered, stealing a kiss. "He'll come back."

"Okay. I trust you to know best." Xander stole a bite of the roll. "Want to save those for after the chores are done? That way I can feed you?"

"Sure," Oz said, finishing off the roll. He made sure to recover the tray, then looked around for the animals. "Don?" he called.

"Bathroom," Xander said, letting them out. Percival glared at him. "Hey, I'm not the one that decided to get out and explore the resort," Xander told him. "If you had been good, then you wouldn't have been closed in there."

"And Don?" Oz asked, looking around.

"Since he's not in there, he's down at Jace's. I think I saw him before we left for supper. He was stalking her plants."

"He's missing his sister," Oz said knowingly. He got up, going to grab their suitcases so they could get the chore out of the way. He stopped and looked at Xander. "Then who licked the sweet roll?"

Xander picked up the phone and called the front desk. "Hi, this is Xander Harris. Do you know where my runway is?" He grinned. "Thanks. Yeah, sometime in the next hour if you could." He hung up. "The chef was teaching him how to cook. Those were made in Jace's kitchen."

"Okay then," Oz sighed, shaking his head. He looked at the bed as a puffed out kitten appeared. "Let me guess, you tried to get the wiggling toes?" he asked dryly. Don sat down and started to give himself a bath, smoothing out his ruffled fur.

Xander snickered. "Doesn't he always?"

***

Xander looked around their house, his frown growing with each room he checked. "Oz!" he yelled finally. When his lover came running, he pointed at the broken sword on the bed. "Someone was fighting in here."

"It was Giles," he soothed. "Or Richie possibly. Two of the swords from upstairs are missing."

"Which?" Xander asked, turning to give him a hug.

"One of the broadswords, and my light katana." Oz gave Xander a squeeze. "I'll call the old guy tonight and tell him, see if he knows...." He stopped as the phone rang. "Bet that's whoever." He picked up the phone and handed it to Xander.

"Hello?" he asked hesitantly. "Oh, hey, Steve. Yeah." His smile fell away. "Really? What can we do for you, man? We owe you big." He nodded and handed the phone to Oz. "It's Steve. Our money guy's died in a car wreck, he was forced off the road. And it was Richie that was fighting in here, he picked up Steve after he died so they were both here." He headed for the kitchen to fill the pet bowls. "Guys," he called, bringing one of the kittens. "Food!"

Rocky came running, sliding on the tiles in the kitchen.

Hangin' With The Furries

Xander leaned over across the couch and nipped his lover's cheek. "I'm bored," he whispered. "Turn on the TV?"

"Why didn't you get up and turn it on?" Oz asked.

"Because you have the remote?" Xander suggested gently, taking the slim plastic case that was held out to him. "Thanks." He turned on the TV and started to flip through the channels, quickly figuring out that nothing was on. At least nothing that was worth his time to watch. He turned it off and laid down the remote, turning to consider his lover again. "What'ya reading?" he asked quietly, leaning closer again.

"Something that Meth sent me," Oz said, looking up. "Nothing on?"

"Nope."

"Hmm." Oz leaned into the hands that started to rub his arm. "Why won't you let me read this?"

"Because I'm bored," Xander reminded him.

"Ah." Oz shifted closer to Xander. "You do what you want, just let me finish this sometime today, okay?"

"That's no fun," Xander said, going back to his side of the couch. He pouted at Oz, but didn't get a response. "I guess I'll have to go find some trouble to get into," he sighed, getting up. "Come on, guys," he told the kittens. "Let's go find something to do." He took Percival back to their craft room, sitting down with the kitten in front of his sewing machine. He looked at the patterns that were lying around the area and shook his head. "I've done all these," he whined, looking around for something more interesting to do. He saw a pattern he hadn't used yet so picked it up to look at the picture on the front. "Curtains," he sighed. "We don't need curtains." He tossed it aside and looked down at the purring mass inhabiting his lap. "We need something more challenging," he decided. "We should go pattern shopping." He stood up, laying the kitten on his sitting pillows with a pat to his head. "You nap. Daddy's going to go find something interesting to do." He bent down to get through the small doorway, heading into the bedroom to put on something different. He grabbed his wallet as he finished changing, adding it to the pile of things he had to take with him, considering what he had picked out. He had his cellphone so Oz couldn't complain that he wouldn't be able to find him. He had money, and his credit cards for overspending at the fabric store. He could even stop in and get another bag of dog and cat food, and some new toys for his babies. He stuffed his pockets full, wondering why men didn't carry purses. After all, a woman could stuff most of a house into a small purse, men had to make do with what they could stuff into their pockets and their cars. He walked out of the bedroom, stopping to give Oz a kiss on the forehead. "I'm going fabric shopping. I've got my cellphone." He walked away, not waiting for an answer.

"Oh, no you don't," Oz sighed, getting up to follow his lover, taking the keys from the ignition. "You have enough stuff in that craft room for five people. You don't need more fabric."

"Nope, I need more patterns," Xander said, giving him a smile. "I've worked with the ones I have in there so I'm going to look for something new and exciting." Oz shook his head. "No?"

"No." Oz looked down at himself. "Let me get dressed, we'll go together." He got off the car and headed back inside, coming back after a few minutes. "We going to the new place in LA? If so, we need pet food."

"I know," Xander said with a grin as he started the car. "And while we're there, I can look at all the pet stuff." He put the car in reverse and started down the driveway. "Illusion?" he suggested.

Oz put the earring in, tapping it to make sure it was tight. "Got it." He looked around, then in the backseat of the car. "No one sneaked in?"

"Nope. Percy was enjoying my pillows." Xander headed for town. "Maybe we should stop in and see Buffy, she's been wanting to see us. She left six messages yesterday."

"Point. We'll stop there first." Oz leaned back and opened his book, starting to read again. "Tell me when I have to realize she's there."

"'Kay," Xander said, giving him a sideways smile.

***

Buffy looked at the strange man that was sitting in the passenger's seat, then at Xander. "I'm sorry, we heard about Oz on the news," she said, patting him on the shoulder. "How are you and Giles doing?"

"Giles is in New York," Oz said from the front. "He said he needed to process alone." He looked over his shoulder. "Tom," he said, holding out a hand. "Oz's cousin. He left me the software stuff he was working on."

"Okay," Buffy said slowly, shaking his hand. "Buffy. I went to school with him and Xander." She looked at her other friend. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm bored. I'm kinda tired. I escaped everyone long enough to grieve so I'm doing okay," he told her. "What about you? I heard you were having problems in Calculus?"

"How?" she said, then shook her head. "Never mind. You must have talked to Angel. Yeah, I'm having a lot of trouble with it. I've never been good at math, but this is what I have to take for my major." She shrugged. "When are you going to get bit by the college bug, Xander?"

"When life freezes," he told her. "I'm happy where I am, and the local school has nothing for me." He started the car. "We're going to LA to pick up pet food. Can we drop you off somewhere?"

"Depends. Are you two coming back tonight? I need some major time out of town right now. Things are just a little hectic again."

"We can drop you off in LA," Oz told her, "but we can't guarantee that we can bring you back."

"That's why there's a bus," she told him. "I can always get back home tonight, but I don't really have enough to go and come back, not if I want to do more than window shop today."

"Sure," Xander said, pulling away from the curb. "Did you tell your mother?"

"She's the one who suggested I get out of the house," Buffy said grimly. "She really wanted some peace and quiet because my pacing in boredom was getting to her."

"Coolness," Oz said. "We'll drop you off in front of Angel's?"

"Sure. I can go in and grab Cordy to go shopping with." She leaned back, getting comfortable for the long drive. "Thanks for this, guys, really." Xander nodded. The quiet lasted for all of half an hour before she had to say something. "So, Tom. Are you a programmer too? I knew Oz did some hacking, he worked beside another friend of ours, but Oz never mentioned you."

"We're not that tight of a family. And actually, yes, I am." He turned to look at her. "I'm a zen programmer. Everything will come out in code when it's time."

"Oh." She nodded. "Okay." She smiled brightly. "I heard Oz had sold a program just before you guys got taken to Chicago by a friend." Her smile faltered some as she remembered what else had happened on that trip. "Sorry. I was going to ask if he was working on anything else?"

"An identity program," Xander told her. "For people like abused spouses so they could get a new identity faster." Oz looked at him. "He wasn't sure how to really start it, but he knew it needed to be done so he was mentally working it out."

"That would be kinda hard," Oz told him. "You'd have to hack into some major databases and put your program in there."

"But think of all the people that need that sort of thing every day," Buffy pointed out. "Just the abused wives of the world would be helped greatly. And if you could get police-type people to go for it, then it'd help them with witnesses that wanted to hide."

"Yup, my mother could use it," Xander said, turning onto the interstate. "As could a lot of people that just want to hide."

"Which is very gray morally," Oz pointed out. "There's the whole permission thing to consider, not to mention the problem of how much of an identity do you help create. Do you go all the way to new credit rating? Do you stop at new social security number and name? And what will the Feds say about this since you'd be playing in their playground?"

"I guess that's why he was working on it mentally," Xander said, winking at him.

"It would be a great help to some," Oz sighed. "I can see why he was working on it."

"Yup, my Oz was a smart cookie." Xander looked at Buffy in the mirror, seeing her confused look. "What's wrong?"

"You two sound almost like it was you and Oz."

"Tom and Oz are a lot alike," Xander told her. "It's easy to get along with him. It's almost like having my Oz back." He pointed at a store. "We're going to be there," he explained. "We'll swing by Angel's and drop you off, then we're going to go spoil me. I need it." He turned onto another road, heading for the downtown area where Angel had his newest office.

***

Oz looked around the aisles for his lover, stopping and backing up when he saw the edge of a blue velvet shirt disappearing around another corner. He stalked after his errant lover, stopping to watch him play with the animal he was holding. "No," he said firmly. "You already have a puppy and two kittens."

Xander turned and gave him the most beautiful smile. "But it needs a home," he reasoned. "We have a good one." He held out the little cat, pouting at him. "It's on display from the pound. The pound-guy said it only had a week left."

Oz shook his head and groaned. "Xander, think about the animals you already have."

"But this one likes me."

"They all like you," Oz pointed out, moving closer. His chest started to ache as he read the sign saying that this was their last chance for adoption, and he looked at the little animals inside the glass enclosure. "Oh, man," he sighed. He picked up a longhaired cat, looking into its blue eyes. "What are you?" he asked quietly.

"Very pretty for one," Xander said, resting his chin on Oz's shoulder. "We could get both. "We'd need another litter box, but we could do that."

Oz looked down into the helpless, bottomless blue eyes and fell for it. "Fine," he sighed. "We'll adopt these two." He got a kiss on the cheek for accepting the inevitable. "Thanks. Go pick out a litter box while I work on the forms."

"I already did them. I was waiting on you to find me. But I thought you'd go for this one more." He squeezed the kitten he held. "It's adorable."

"It looks starved," Oz said, reaching over to scratch it behind the ears. "We'll get both," he promised, looking into the dark brown eyes.

"Yay!" Xander danced around with the kitten. "We're going to take you home, little Eros."

"Eros?"

"Well, I fell in love with him."

"Whatever," Oz sighed, smiling as he watched his man disappear down an aisle to do some serious shopping for their new pets.

"We have a few dogs also," the pound worker said, holding out a clipboard. "He filled most of it out. We just need your signature."

Oz read over the paperwork and signed his name, trying hard not to look at all the begging faces staring at him. "Oh, man," he sighed. "I'm going to kick myself when I go home." He picked up a puppy just as Xander joined him again. "It's kinda cute," he offered.

"Okay," Xander said, giving everyone a smile. "We'll take them."

Oz's mouth fell open. "Excuse me? We're not taking five dogs and seven more cats home."

"We'll find homes for them," Xander assured him. "We have plenty of friends who could use a dog."

"No," Oz said, trying to stand firm in the face of an uber-pout from the pouting king. "No?" he said, a little weaker. Xander inched up the strength of his pout. "Xander? No?"

"We'll take them," Xander said, grinning at the pound worker. "You just made me a very happy guy." He picked up one of the littlest dogs he'd ever seen, giving it a hug. "Yeah, we're going to be happy at home. We have a big backyard and lots of toys. And we can afford to feed you all until we get you good homes."

The pound worker smiled at Oz, handing him over another form. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. I have seven cats."

Oz shook his head and signed his name. "Now we have eleven, and six dogs."

Xander hurried off to get more carriers so they could take all their new babies home.

***

Xander lugged the last of the carriers inside the house, waiting on Oz to close the door before releasing all the animals. Rocky came out to sniff these new people, glaring at her fathers.

"We're finding them homes," Oz said, sitting down to pet her. He jumped as he felt Xander taking out his earring, giving him a small smile. "Thanks."

"Welcome." Xander picked up Rocky to cuddle. "We're not keeping them all, I promise. We'll help them find good homes." He stopped as two of the cats started to fight. "Stop that!"

Percival glared at him.

"Sorry, but we're finding them homes. They won't all be staying."

Oz got up to answer the door, coming back with a good-humored Richie. "Sit, pick out a pet."

"Nope, I travel too much." Richie moved a carrier, looking inside when a noise issued from it. "Sorry, cat." He set it aside, shaking his head at the menagerie. "You guys are insane."

"We're finding them homes," Xander defended.

"I'm sure." Richie looked at Oz. "I gotta ask this. I was sent to see if you'd accept an apology from someone."

"Who?" Xander asked, pulling up the persian-mixed kitten into his lap to pet.

"Don't worry about it. It's a true apology, but we have to bring him or he'll brood forever."

Oz frowned but nodded. "Sure. We'll be here." He looked down at the wet nose bumping into his hand. "Hi, Rocky. We aren't abandoning you, we've just become an adoption service."

Richie snickered and tried to stand up, but he found a furry weight in his lap. "Oh, such a pretty one," he said, giving the scrawny kitten a smile.

"He only had a week left," Xander said. "He's a lucky little guy."

"Wow." Richie picked the scrawny alley kitten up, looking its tan eyes. He smiled at it, then tucked the kitten into his jacket as he left. "We'll be back later."

Xander grinned at Oz. "See?" He didn't even try to duck the pillow his lover sent at him.

***

Xander finished putting the bow onto the basket, whistling softly as he worked. He considered all the animals sitting around him in the craft room, finally picking up a puppy to put in there with the bag of toys. "Come on, we'll go see your new mommy." He walked out to the living room with the basket, leaning down to give Oz a kiss. "I'm going to go visit Joyce." He headed out to the car, unaware that someone else was following him. At least he was until he almost sat on the little dog. "Oh, sweetie," he cooed, picking it up to hug. "Did you want to travel with us?" She barked so he let the little dog into the car, watching as she snuggled down on the other seat in front of the basket. "Okay, you stay there," he said, closing his door before anyone else could sneak in. He started the car and backed down the driveway, going to give a present to a special woman.

After all, if Joyce could raise Buffy, then she could probably handle a little lap dog.

He pulled up in front of Buffy's mother's house, getting out, letting the extra little dog follow him up to the back door. He tapped on it, smiling at Joyce when she answered. "Here, happy birthday," he said, handing over the basket.

Joyce pulled him inside, giving him an immediate hug. "Oh, you poor boy," she said, kissing him on the forehead. "How are you coping?"

"I'm doing okay," Xander admitted, sitting down, letting the second dog into his lap. "I found a bunch of little people who needed help though so I thought you might like one." He waved at the basket.

Joyce looked down inside, a smile breaking out when she saw the little mutt. She pulled it out to look at it in the light, grinning at Xander. "Where did you find it?"

"The LA pound was holding a drive at the pet store we shop at. These little guys only had about a week to live so we adopted them and are going to find them all good homes." He grinned at her. "I figured, what with Buffy moving out again soon, that you could use a little company."

"But I travel so much these days."

"Yeah, but that one's the perfect size to go with you on the plane. She'll sit in your lap and snuggle you all night if that's what you need."

"I'm sure she will, sweetie, but a dog is a big responsibility."

"So's Buffy," Xander pointed out. "But you did okay with her."

Joyce laughed. "All right. I'll try it. If not, I'll give you back the dog and you can find it another good home." She rubbed noses with the little girl, chuckling when she was barked at for it. "Yes, hello, little one. I'm going to be your new mother." The dog barked again and started to wiggle, it's whole body moving in time with it's tail.

"Um, you might want to let her outside before she has an accident," Xander said, watching as the little puppy was put on her leash and taken out for her first walk in her new backyard.

***

Oz looked out the window, watching Xander drive away, wondering if he should call Joyce and warn her about her incoming present. He decided against it, letting Xander handle all the adoptions was probably for the best. He seemed to know who would work best with which pet. He picked his book back up, using the waiting time for something useful, trying to control his inner demon.

What seemed like a few minutes after Xander left someone rang the doorbell. He got up to answer it, waving the assembled men inside. He punched Methos on the arm before he could say anything about the animals, glaring at him. "Xander's giving them away," he told Ray, who had picked up one of the kittens to cuddle. "All but our original three are up for adoption."

"It's so cute," Ray said, holding the kitten up so Methos could see it.

"We have two of those already," his lover reminded him dryly. "I doubt they'd appreciate having more animals in the house."

"But it's *cute*!" Ray said again, holding the kitten a little better so it was shown off to its best.

"We'll see," Methos sighed, dragging the man in handcuffs in behind him. "Sit, Macleod. Oz?"

Oz grunted and took one of the chairs, watching Richie's jacket wiggle. "Sorry, just watching Sparky."

"Hey, you leave Motocat alone," Richie defended. "We're a lot alike." He sat on the floor, letting the kitten come out to be petted. "And she loves my bike."

"So we noticed," Ray said, grinning at him, holding up the kitten he held. "See?"

"Very cute," Richie said. "Is it a lap kitten or not?"

"Not real sure." Ray set her down in his lap and she curled up, pressing her head up into his hand for immediate attention. "Yup, guess so." He looked around at all the other animals. "Oh, puppies too," he said, grinning mischievously at his lover.

"No," Methos said firmly. "Mutely is enough dog for us."

Oz winked at Ray as soon as Methos' back was turned, pointing out one of the puppies. Ray laughed, hiding it by hugging the kitten to his face. "So," Oz said finally, looking at the man on the couch. "You brought me brood guy? Why?"

"Because he wants to apologize," Methos said, taking the empty end of the couch for himself, giving the dog that jumped into his lap a disgusted look. "We are not taking you home. We have a dog."

"But he likes you," Ray pointed out, unleashing his pout.

"Don't pout!" Methos said, holding up a hand. He looked down at the pitiful expression and felt his heart melt. "Xander did this, didn't he?" he asked.

"They were part of a pound thing at the pet store," Oz told him, getting comfortable. "They only had about a week left to live."

"Oh, my," Mac said, reaching out to touch the dog that was staring at him. "You're a funny one."

"He's not been fixed," Oz warned. "We found him humping a shoe earlier."

"Then they should get along just fine," Richie said. He grinned at the glare he got from his former teacher. "Well, he'll help you attract women."

Mac shook his head, looking up at Oz. "I am sorry. It's been forced into my head that you're not the cruel man I thought you were." He blinked hard when Oz just nodded. "I really do mean it."

"I know. I'm not the 'grab you and hug you' type." Oz looked down at the dog. "I'll forgive you if you take that one with you."

Methos snorted, then started to laugh. "Oz, that's so cruel," he moaned. "What will Xander say?"

"He's off giving Buffy's mom a dog. He won't be saying a thing."

Ray snickered. "Okay then. Mac, do you feel forgiven?"

"No," he said sullenly. "It's like some joke to him."

"No, I know you're sincere, I'm wondering how long this bout of sanity will last," Oz said, waving a hand at the handcuffs. "You've seemed sane before, but you kept trying to take my head for not letting you harm a young woman. Who came to *me*, I might add."

"I know," Duncan said, looking down at his hands. "I knew that then, but I had no idea that I was that bad to her. Joe's made me see what sort of an ass I've been."

"Good. Then we can at least become non-enemies," Oz said with a shrug. "Now, take your dog outside before it has another accident on your leg."

Duncan got up and picked up the dog, taking it outside. He closed the sliding door behind him, watching as his new puppy ran off to go play near the water.

"Oz, I'm worried that you came back here," Methos told him. "How long will it be before someone finds out?"

"Then we tell everyone that I'm not quite human," Oz reminded him. "If worse comes to worse, I can always leave and take Xander with me to do some traveling." He shifted again, letting Rocky up into his lap. "We've been thinking about this, we even argued about coming back here while we were at Jace's. He has some ties here still, we both do. We'll leave in a few years though."

"He'll die, you know," Mac said as he came back in. "They always do. All the good ones are mortal."

"Not Xander," Richie put in.

"He's not an immortal," Methos reminded him. "That's a product of the spell."

"Yeah, I know, but he's still going to be around for as long as Oz is."

"Huh?" Mac asked.

"Giles is a sorcerer," Oz explained. "Methos and I found a spell a long time ago to link someone to our energies. We were never sure if it'd work but we wanted Xander around *so* much that we took that chance. And then it backfired and linked him to Methos."

Methos shrugged. "That wasn't my doing, Oz. I'd not have wanted it if you'd asked me."

"It was an accident," Richie reminded them all. "Same as Xander having to help fix Oz's quickening was afterwards."

"I'd like to not remember that," Oz said. Richie nodded. "Thanks." Oz looked over at Mac, who was trying hard not to laugh. "Let me guess, he doesn't believe in magic?" Mac started to laugh and everyone else nodded. "Ask Amanda. Charise staked him. He came back to life. He's not an orphan."

Mac stopped and looked at him. "Are you sure of that?" Oz nodded. "Absolutely positive he's not adopted?"

"He looks too much like his father," Oz said dryly. "I've met his parents, his mother remembers giving birth to him." He shrugged. "You could have Joe check."

"And he knows about the spell," Richie added.

"True. He was helping Giles research the Gathering not happening." Oz looked down at Rocky. "And Jace's friends said he was going to be around for us too," he said softly.

"We've been talking to Jace's friends?" Methos asked, sitting up. "Did we learn anything?"

"Only who's over the game," he paused, "and that Xander was placed in one of their service by his father. It all makes sense when you know who it is by the way."

"Tell me it's not Cu...." Methos trailed off at the smirk and head shake. "No?" Oz mouthed a word and Methos snorted and started to laugh, eventually clutching his puppy tightly. "Oh, my," he said finally, wiping off his face. "That does make so much sense."

"Truly," Oz said with a smile.

"Huh?" Ray asked.

"I'll tell you later," Methos assured him.

"As long as I get the joke sometime." Ray smiled as another cat came up to him. "You are *so* pretty," he told it as it jumped into his lap.

"No," Methos said firmly.

"I'll take care of 'em," Ray said, clutching both kittens to him.

"Take as many as you want. Please," Oz said with a wave at the animals.

"No, he can't," Methos said. "If he brings home too many more animals we'll have to sleep on the floor. Fluffy has decided that her favorite bed is my pillow and she's willing to fight me over it."

"I'm breakin' them of that habit."

"Safe zone," Oz broke in. "No fighting."

"Sorry," Methos sighed.

Mac looked around. "Magic really exists?" Oz nodded. "Prove it."

Oz shrugged. "I'm the wrong person to ask. You need Giles."

"He's on the island," Richie said. "I left Steve with him."

"He okay?" Oz asked. "He sounded shaky when we heard from him."

"He's fine. He explained it to his family, almost got an ulcer from the worry." Richie shrugged. "It's working out okay so far."

"Good. Tell him to get in touch with me. I need to talk to him about Xander's arrangements." Methos glared at him. "Just to keep track of them. I'm not going to suddenly become domineering."

"As long as you don't," Methos reminded him gently. "Xander wouldn't stand for that and I doubt that I want to get in the middle of that."

"You won't," Oz sighed. "I'm just making sure that he's not overspending and being dangerous with the money."

"That's fine," Ray said. "As long as you're not being too hard on the kid, he'll be happy and stay. If ya ride him too hard about his shoppin' then he'll come running. I told him to."

Oz leaned down to kiss Ray on the head. "I wouldn't worry about it," he said quietly. "Xander's mine and everything's fine."

***

Joyce looked across the table at Xander, who was sipping his cup of coffee. "So, you're really all right now?"

He nodded. "We're doing okay. I mean, Oz's cousin, who's in to take care of his programming stuff and I are fine." He quickly took a sip. "I got to grieve out of the public eye when we buried him at his friend's resort."

"I'm glad." She put down her cup. "Xander, what's going on?" He gave her a panicked look. "I saw you two driving around today. If that's Oz's cousin, I'm going to go jump into the lake on a full moon and skinny dip." She smiled as he shuddered. "You know you can tell me. I'm good at keeping secrets."

Xander put his head down and slowly started talking, confessing everything. He told her all about immortals, about the other branch of the Watchers. About Giles and Oz, and everything going on in his life. By the end, his coffee was ice cold but he felt better.

"I see," she said, standing up to get another cup of coffee, taking his cup as an afterthought. "How long have you known this?"

"Since before we really got together. Before we moved out to the house." He lifted his head, giving her a weak smile. "At least you didn't freak."

"Hon, after finding out about my daughter, this is nothing." She sat down, handing him a fresh cup. "Really. It almost makes sense in a ... strange way." She shook her head. "You're not supposed to tell anyone, are you?" He shook his head. "Then I won't either. But I could help you some. According to the people that greeted me when we came to town, I was the last new person for about three years. And that man owns your job."

He blinked a few times. "That makes sense," he said in awe. "It makes a lot of sense." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Thanks." He got up and headed out, his newest puppy following him. "Later. Happy puppy."

"Bye," she called, smiling at the door. She looked down at the bark, wiggling her fingers at the dog. "Are you hungry? I think he left some food for you." She dug into the basket, pulling out the bag of food and toys. "Oh, he sent me stuff to spoil you." She tossed down a chewy treat as she got up, heading for the cabinet with the dishes. "We'll put you down some food, huh?"

***

Xander ran into the house and jumped into Oz's lap, narrowly missing Rocky. "I know who your watcher is," he said happily.

"Who?" Ray said, reaching up to pinch him.

"My boss!" He wiggled, pulling Rocky up into his lap to pet her. "When I talked to Joyce, she said that the people who greeted her said that the last new person into town was my boss, about three years earlier." Oz nodded. "Which would be when you got here," he said, pinching Oz's chin.

"Huh," Oz said, giving him a smile. "What else did you tell her?" He saw the embarrassed look and nodded. "I expected you to spill it soon," he soothed, rubbing down Xander's back. "It's a big thing and you haven't been able to share it with anyone. And I approve. We could use another responsible person on our side." He stole a kiss. "It's okay," he said, giving him a smile of approval. "It's not like she's not keeping some of the more important secrets in town anyway."

Xander relaxed, laying his head on Oz's shoulder. "I didn't mean to, but I slipped while we were talking. She asked and I panicked."

"It's okay," Methos said, coming over to hug him, but Oz growled at him.

"Down boy," Xander whispered. "He's not stealing me either." Oz nodded, looking down at Rocky. "Hey," Xander whispered, lifting Oz's chin so he could look into his eyes. "I understand, but I don't want him to steal me from you either." He smiled gently. "Work out all the nasty possessive bugs now, babe. We'll eventually calm back down to normal."

Oz grinned, pulling Xander's head closer to kiss him hard. "I'm glad you understand." He licked the tip of Xander's nose. "There. Now go play with your new patterns."

"'Kay." Xander slid off his lap, whistling as he walked down the hall. "I'm going to make more fun clothes," he called. "From that new fabric I got."

"Oooh," Oz sighed, shifting to make more room for his expanding cock. "He bought flimsy fabric," he said in appreciation.

"Like scarves or thinner?" Ray asked, leaning against Oz's leg where he had it thrown over the arm of the chair.

"Thinner," Oz groaned, closing his eyes. "Xander? What sort of fun clothes are you making?"

Mac and Richie got up, heading outside with the animals. "We'll be back in a while," Richie called.

"This sort," Xander said, coming out with the pinned garment. "Give me ten minutes?"

Oz opened his eyes and nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah, babe, I'll give you twenty if you need it." He ran his eyes over the see-through, scarlet fabric, admiring the way it didn't hide anything. "Go sew," he ordered. "Do it fast."

"You play with the other guys," Xander said, turning with a hint of wiggle. He walked back to their craft room.

Methos grabbed Ray and pulled him up. "I think we're going to retire to the spare bedroom. Mac and Richie can camp out upstairs." He pulled his lover back into the bedroom, slamming the door behind them.

Oz slowly stroked his hand over his covered cock. "Come on, Xander," he called after a few minutes. "How many seams does that thing have?"

"One more," floated down the hall. "Damn, too big."

"Yay," Oz said, hopping up to head for his man. "Let me be the judge of that." He grabbed Xander as he walked out of the craft room, looking over the almost covered body. "Um, whoa," he said in appreciation, turning his lover around and bending him over the stairs. "Lube?"

"Plugged," Xander groaned. "Have been since I came back here." He spread his legs. "Do it, Oz, please?"

Oz unzipped his jeans, freeing his hard cock, and undid the velcro that was holding up the back of the pants. He smirked when only Xander's butt was uncovered, but slowly pulled out the plug and tossed it away. He slid in, going as fast as he could, needing to be buried in that hard, tight body. Xander groaned under him and he stroked out, diving in harder. "Yeah," he sighed. "Needed this." He leaned down to get next to Xander's ear. "Did you do this on purpose?" he whispered.

"Yeah, needed it. More," Xander begged. "Please?"

Oz smiled and dove into his lover's body, pushing and pulling as hard as he could, making it go as fast as he could.

"Yes!" Xander yelled, coming across the stairs.

"Good," Oz purred, pulling out. "Go lie on the bed." He pulled Xander up, turning him around to release the wet cock. "Stay like this," he ordered. "I'm going to make bed assignments." He watched his lover walk down the hall, considering the bare, pale ass in front of him. When it disappeared into the bedroom, he went for the back door, opening it to look outside. "Guys, you're camping upstairs. Richie, I expect you to not make a mess and don't stay on my computer all night." He shut the door, going for his lover as fast as he could walk.

Xander, the tease, was lying draped across the bed on his back, one leg up to hide his cock from Oz's direct view. He smiled at his lover and held out his arms. "Coming?" he asked sweetly.

"Oh, you bet."

***

Xander walked into his job, giving his boss a smile. "I'm back," he said, sitting across from him. He looked at the man's wrists and his smile got bigger. "I know what you are," he whispered, leaning closer. "Oz is fine though."

His boss smiled. "Good. I'll make a note of that." He looked his employee over. "Ready to work?"

"I'm not supposed to be here today." He looked down at his outfit. "I could if you needed me though."

"No, come back tomorrow. Regular schedule." He smiled. "And for the records, how did you find Jace's?"

"Very interesting. I plan on going back there a lot." Xander winked. "We all do." He walked to the door. "I'll be in early tomorrow." He was walking to his car when he felt the round thing brush against his back. "Um, yes?" he asked, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk. "I don't have anything on me, man. It's all at home."

"I could care less about what you got at home, boy. I want the one at home with the sword." He nudged him with the gun. "Go for your car. We're taking a drive."

"Man, I'm not one of them." He laughed, making Xander shiver. "What do you really want?"

"I want the immie's head," he whispered. "We'll discuss the terms of him challenging me later." He nudged with the gun again. "Your car."

Xander walked, giving everyone he knew on the street a helpless look. No one stepped in to help of course, but that was just how Sunnydale was.

That's Who I Want To Be When I Grow Up.

Xander watched the movie, tipping his head off to the side as the servants washed the man on the screen. He shivered, knowing that this was supposed to be his destiny. "Oz?" he asked quietly, knowing his husband was working on a new program across their hotel room and didn't want to be bothered. He shifted, the slim platinum chain jingling around his ankle. "Oz?" he asked again.

"What? I told you that you were allowed to get up and go to the bathroom without asking," he said absently, continuing to type.

"I want to be him," Xander said, pointing at the screen. Oz finally looked up, looking rather confused so Xander rewound the DVD to show the whole scene. "I want to be him," he said after they had watched the scene again.

"Why?" Oz asked, coming over to sit next to him. "You want someone to put your clothes on you, wipe your ass, and bathe you all the time?"

"No, just on days like this," Xander said with a faint smile. "But I just feel so *connected* to him. That's the sort of life I was meant to live."

"Ah." Oz shook his head. "Nope, I'm not hiring you a bather. Or an ass wiper. Deal with it, Xander, you're not a prince."

"But I could be," Xander reminded him.

"No," Oz said slowly and clearly. "That demon prince that offered you a spot as his consort wouldn't win against me and he was wise enough to know this. You're not becoming a prince." He pulled his husband's face over, kissing him gently. "Get it out of your head. Coming to America is not the sort of movie I want you watching if you're going to want things like that."

"But I need to be pampered sometimes," Xander countered innocently, egging his Oz on.

"Yes, and I do quite a lot of it," Oz reminded him, getting up and going back to his program. "Turn it off or no bathing together later, and no trip to the spa tomorrow."

"No fair, you promised," Xander pouted, but Oz wasn't looking so his attack had less strength. "Not even someone to throw rose petals at my feet?"

"Roses smell," Oz said dryly. "And the answer is still no."

"But what if...."

"No."

"Oz."

"No."

"Please?"

"Nope, not gonna happen. This isn't the olden days, even GHS like you have to deal with the realities of modern life. You wouldn't be able to pay anyone enough to do those sort of things for you today."

Xander crossed his arms and sulked, letting the movie play so he could finish watching who the Prince was treated. His Oz would give in, or he'd be sorry. One of these days at least.

You Don't Touch What's Mine!

Xander dialed the only number he had memorized for Ray, closing his eyes as he listened to the voice mail message. "Ray?" he asked, his voice quivering with fear. "I'm, um, kinda in trouble. I've been kidnapped and the guy's going to auction me off at the benefit auction tomorrow. He wants my lover to be there to bid on me and then face a challenge." The phone was snatched from his hand. "It's the only way to get hold of my lover," Xander explained as the phone was hung up. "That's our best friend and he'll call him. He's on vacation right now."

"I bet. As long as nothing funny happens, then you might just enjoy tomorrow night."

Xander backed away from him and sat down, crossing his legs. "I doubt it. I'm all for charity but I don't want to do this. Why can't you challenge people the normal way?"

"Because this is more fun," his captor said, running a sweaty finger across the young man's chin, "and it makes the charity a lot of money." He laughed and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him and locking it. "I'll bring you clothes and food in the morning," he called.

"Yay. I doubt it'll be something I'll like." Xander looked around his cell, shaking his head at the bare walls and mattress. "Such a hole," he muttered, going over to take a nap. He knew the guy wouldn't touch him, that wasn't part of the plan.

***

Ray hung up his cellphone and looked at his lover, nodding him toward the outside. Methos followed him, stopping him beside the pool. "There's a message on my voice mail," he said quietly. "Xander's been taken hostage. The guy wants one of you to come get him from the auction."

"Excuse me?" Methos asked, grabbing the phone and dialing it. "What's your code?" he asked.

"My badge number." Ray sat down in one of the loungers, watching his lover listen to the message. "It's the third one."

Methos listened, occasionally pushing a button. Then he took the phone away from his ear and tossed it at the nearest wall. "I'll be *damned*!" he yelled.

"Problems?" Richie asked from the door. "Or did the phone offend you, old fart?"

"No, Xander's captor offended me," Methos hissed.

Oz walked out and glared at his teacher. "Excuse me?"

"Your man's been captured by someone who wants you to bid on him at the auction tomorrow night," Ray explained. "He sounded unhurt but scared.

"I'll kill him," Oz growled, spinning and heading into the house. "No one touches what's mine!"

Methos ran after him, stopping Oz from picking up the sword. "We have a day," he reminded him. "We need to make a plan. You're not going alone," he explained when he saw the anger for stopping him. "If we go together, the guy won't know who to challenge."

Oz started as the fax machine started, walking over to read what was coming out. "Xander was right about my watcher, and he's like Joe," he said, handing over the pages. "We wait?" he asked after a few seconds of thought.

"We wait and we plan," Methos corrected. "There's no way he can get through all of us."

"Yeah, but I get his head," Oz vowed, grabbing a sword and his sharpening stone. "Go away."

"Yes, dear," Methos said, taking the papers and leaving as fast as he could.

***

Jace picked up her phone, frowning as the voice on the other end started to talk. "Really?" she asked, her voice going cold. "No, protect the young man for me. I'll definitely be there tomorrow." She hung up and searched her purse for a certain marker. "Cupid," she whispered. "I need help."

A bright flash of light went off next to her. "Whatcha want, babe?" Strife asked. "Fly boy's busy with a temper tantrum."

"Xander was kidnapped by Marcum."

"He was?" Strife asked, cleaning his nails. "Bummer. But I bet his man'll come get him. Oz is like that. He's even worse now than he was as Theo."

"Yeah, and we'll have to deal with an outraged, and possibly beserked, Oz in public."

"Point." Strife smirked at her "Whatddya need, Joxer?"

"My good sword for one," she said, standing up and walking over to rest against his chest. "A lot of luck to distract Oz on the other."

"Hey, I can get ya the distraction. And your sword's comin'." He disappeared, not minding that she stumbled. "Later."

"Thanks," she called. "As long as the distraction gets there, we'll be fine," she sighed, going back to her desk. She had some things to get done if she was going to be in LA the next night.

***

Oz walked into the theater and glared at the man handing him a program. "When's Harris coming on?" he growled.

"He's second," the man said, swallowing. He saw the other men that were following this angry one and quickly handed them programs too. "Please find your seats, gentlemen, the show's going to begin in twenty minutes."

Methos nodded, giving him a faint smile. "And the Harris boy is up when?"

"Second," he squeaked, running away from his post to go find someone higher in the chain of command. "We've got problems," he gasped. "There's a crowd of angry people for that one guy."

"I know," the boss said, giving him a smile. "They'll handle it. The Harris guy was added at the last minute, we'll deal with it." She turned the boy around and gave him a gentle push. "Go back to your post, Todd. We'll deal with it."

"Yes, ma'am." He walked back to where he was supposed to be, barely missing the man in black leather. He smiled at the woman he knew that was heading for him. "Here ya go, Jace," he said, handing her a booklet. "Who're you here to buy?"

"The Harris boy."

He leaned closer to her. "There's a lot of angry people here for him," he warned.

"I know," she said with a beautiful smile. "I'm here with them." She walked on, going to find those particular men. "Hello," she purred, right into Oz's ear. "I brought more funds and a diversion."

Oz pulled her around, giving her a hug. "We could use one. What do you know about this guy?"

"Marcum? He's scum. This isn't the first time he's done this. He seems to actually care about the charities though. He raises money for them this way and gets his jollies off by challenging the hostage's lover at the same time."

"Wonderful," Methos said dryly.

"Actually, he's not that good," Jace said, straightening her dress. "Ah, Adamus, my old teacher. How are we?"

"Fine," he said, kissing her on the cheek. "How are we? And the resort?"

"We're both fine." She subtly pointed toward another section. "Diversion," she said softly, next to his ear.

Methos looked and started to smile. "Yes, he will be, won't he?" He patted her hand. "Thank you." He patted the seat next to him. "Come sit, dear. Ray's going to sit and hold Oz's hand."

"And sword, I'd hope," she said, sitting down next to him. "Do we know how the boy is?"

"He's fine," Oz said. "Why is Giles here?"

"He's the diversion," she said, waving a hand at him. "We'll get Xander home safely and someone will be able to take his head."

"He's mine," Oz vowed.

"That's good," she said, patting his hand, "but won't you be tied up making sure your baby's all right?"

"Yeah," Oz sighed, holding his head. "I'll want to check him over."

"Then let us do it," Jace said reasonably. "There's enough of us here to finish him off for you."

Oz looked at her then nodded. "If you want to. Just make sure you win."

"I will," she promised, reaching around Methos to squeeze his arm. "Relax, Oz, we've got it covered. Now, how much did you bring?" He glared at her. "Well, this is for a good cause. We could play along with it."

"I don't want to, I want him home, where he belongs."

"And he'll be there," she promised. "But we should pay for him."

"Of course," Methos said smoothly. "What did you have planned?" She whispered in his ear and he nodded. "Very well then." He looked at Oz. "We make a commotion. He won't know who to challenge if we all bid."

"Whatever," Oz agreed, turning his attention back to the stage. "Hurry up. I want to see him."

***

Xander was pushed onto the stage, blinking at the bright lights shining into his eyes. He saw a familiar figure off to his right and tried to look that way but someone was trying to get him to move down the runway. He walked out onto the lower stage, trying hard to look happy, what he'd been told to do. He saw Oz and sighed. Ray had understood.

Oz stood up. "Twenty eight," he said.

"We haven't even described him yet," the announcer remarked. "Don't you want to know what he's like?"

"Thirty," a deeper voice said from the other side of the room, in the shadows.

"Eighty," Methos said, tugging on Oz until he sat down.

"Oh." The announcer looked at Xander, who was smiling now. "Ah. I have eighty. Any other takers?"

"Three hundred," the deep voice from across the room said.

Xander watched as a familiar figure darted over to talk to the man with the deeper voice.

"A thousand," Oz said, sounding bored now.

"A..." The deeper voice went away.

"I have a thousand," the announcer said cheerfully. "Any other bidders?" She paused. "Going once, going twice...."

"Six thousand," Jace called, wiggling her fingers at him.

"Six!" the announcer said cheerfully. "Well, this is going to be a good night after all. Going once?"

"Seven," Oz shouted, giving him a smile. Methos leaned over and said something to Oz. Oz nodded. "And a half. I'm feeling generous."

"Anyone else?" the announcer asked.

The deeper voice said something that sounded like, "There better not be."

"Seven and a half," she said, pounding the gavel on the podium. "Please pay our cashier. He'll meet you in the lobby in a few moments." She watched as a whole section of people got up and left. But Jace stayed. "On to our next number," she said, watching as Xander was led off the stage.

Xander ran into Oz's arms, squeezing him as tight as he could. "You found me."

"Yeah, and you're not leaving the house again." Oz looked around as a buzz started in the back of his head. "Marcum?" he called. A thirtyish man stepped out of the curtains. "Good, we can do this now."

"I believe he's mine," Giles said, walking past Oz. "Take care of Xander for me."

Methos grabbed Giles' arm. "Oz can do this."

"Yes, but I want him," Giles said coldly. "He fucked with my family, he's mine. Oz can guard Xander for now, and if I lose he can have this idiot then." He nodded outside. "Shall we?"

"Of course. If you're his lover. That's who the challenge is for." He looked at Oz. "It looks like it's him."

Xander grabbed Oz's sword and was half-way to the other immortal before Methos stopped him. "They're both his lovers. Giles is the easier fight though," he explained. "I'd go do this now, before I finish this challenge for the both of them. I really do take my guardian's role seriously, you know."

"Let me go!" Xander said, trying to get free.

"Let me have that," Richie said, grabbing the sword from Xander's hand. "We don't want you to hurt yourself." He handed it back to Oz, stepping out of his way. "Yours, man," he said at the light growl.

"Mine," Oz said, looking at Methos.

"Yours," Methos said, quickly letting Xander go.

During this, Giles had slipped outside and he was presently facing off against his opponent. "Regretting your decision?" he asked snidely, lifting his sword.

"Actually, yes," Marcum said with a wry smile. "I had no idea he was so loved."

"Yes, he is," Giles said, lunging across to stab the man before he was ready. "By me also." He looked down at the dark eyes as their life flashed out. "I'll not take you while you're down," he said, sitting on a nearby box to wait for Marcum to wake up. "There's no fun in that."

***

Xander led Oz to the car and curled up on his lap, snuggling in. "Missed you," he whispered.

"Do I get to bloody the remains?" Oz asked.

"No, he didn't hurt me. He was even polite when I sneered at his clothing choices." He looked up. "He didn't touch me at all, Oz, not after he got me into the car and drove me away."

"Then I won't desecrate his grave." Oz squeezed his lover tightly. "No lightening yet," he said, looking around.

"Giles is good," Xander reminded him. He coughed, trying to keep the pain inside. "Why was he here?"

"Because he loves you," Oz reminded, catching sight of his eyes. "Shh, I know it's painful to see him, but he didn't abandon you," he whispered, clutching Xander to him. "Jace had him called and he flew all the way here to see you, babe."

"But he left us," Xander protested.

"And he'll come back when it's time."

"He'll come back or he's not coming back ever," Xander said, crying now. "I hate this."

"Yeah, I hate it when you do that too," Oz sighed, rocking him gently. "Don't cry. He still loves you. He's not ready to come home to us yet though."

"I shouldn't have let him go," Xander said, burying his face in Oz's neck.

Methos slid into the front seat. "Do I need to bring the body to you?" he asked quietly.

"This is all about Giles," Oz explained. "He misses him."

"So much," Xander whispered. "I miss our awkwardness together."

"He'll come back soon, little one," Methos promised, patting Xander's shoulder before sliding out of the car. "He's pulling a Connor," he said as he closed the door.

"Goody," Oz said, smiling cruelly. "Let him die a few times before Giles takes his head."

"Don't let Giles die," Xander said, looking up. "Can we go?"

"No. We'll wait here for him." Oz held the struggling body. "He's playing with his opponent, I doubt he wants you to see him at his most cruel and mean, babe."

"But I need to be there. If I'm there, he won't die."

"He won't die anyway," Oz promised. "Giles is very good. He won't lose to that scum."

Xander sniffled and nodded. "If you say so." He laid his head back down. "Home?"

"As soon as we know how the fight's going to come out," Oz assured him. "And we'll see if we can't get him to come home for the night."

"'Kay."

***

Xander was led to the spot where Giles waited, trying to ignore all the blood that was spilled in the alleyway. "Giles?" he asked quietly, smiling when the older man looked at him. "You're okay?"

"I'm fine," Giles said, giving him a smile. "He'll be up soon." Xander looked into the older man's eyes, seeing the coldness and hatred in them. "He doesn't deserve this," Xander said, laying a hand on Giles' arm. "He was decent to me. He didn't touch me. He didn't even make mean comments back when I insulted him."

Giles shook his head. "He's done this before."

"And he's learned his lesson," Xander pointed out. "Have a real fight this time." He looked into the dark eyes, flinching when he saw the coldness in them. "Rupert, he deserves a chance to fight fairly. You used to believe in that."

"I still do." He sighed and made Xander move away from him. "I'm sorry this upsets you, Xander, but this is the only way."

"Not," Xander said, getting a little hot. "You used to believe in fair play. Why can't you let him have a fair fight?" Giles stared at him, looking shocked. "What? I'm the one he kidnaped! And I'm saying it should be a fair fight. You doing this makes you worse than he is, it's making you a bad guy."

"I wish I could make you understand," Giles sighed, "but he deserves this, if only for all those other people he's done this to." He reached a hand out but Xander didn't take it. "He really does."

"He doesn't deserve to be tortured this way!" Xander looked down at the still body. "Giles, he took good care of me when he had me. Yeah, he screwed up royally by taking me, but he was good to me. He didn't touch me, sure as hell didn't even think about raping me. He fed me, clothed me, made sure I had somewhere decent enough to sleep." He looked at his lover. "This isn't honorable, Rupert. It isn't your way."

"He's going to have to pay for what he's done," Giles said firmly. "I'm sorry if this disturbs you, Xander, but this isn't your concern anymore."

"Gee, and here I thought I was the one who was snatched," he said, his voice icy and biting. He turned away from his lover. "Giles, stop this and come home."

"I'm not ready yet," Giles said, sitting back down.

Xander stopped and turned to look at him. "Come home now or don't come home," he countered. "Ever."

Giles opened his mouth then shut it and shook his head. "I'm not ready to come home and live with you again, Xander. There's still too much I need to figure out before I can feel comfortable sitting in one spot."

Xander shook his head. "You have three days. All you have to do is stay a week." He turned and walked back to the car. "Quit playing with the guy, Rupert, he doesn't deserve it. There's worse ones out there still." He got into the back seat and slammed the door. "Home?" he suggested to Oz, who was behind the wheel.

"He listen to reason?" Ray asked.

"No. And I'm an ass." He caught the look Oz sent him. "I gave him an ultimatum about coming home." Ray groaned. "I said he had to come home for a week. That's not that bad!"

"No, it's not," Oz agreed. "What did he say?"

"He's not ready yet. I gave him three days." He sighed and closed his eyes. "Can we please go home now?"

"Sure," Oz said, starting the car. "Meth drove and he knows I'm taking you and Ray home." He pulled out onto the street, heading for home.

Methos walked out of the shadows near Giles, shaking his head. "You really shouldn't have treated him that way. He was torn up after you left." He waved at the awakening body. "Either kill him or let me do it. And do it fairly. He's right, this isn't you." He walked away.

"Fine," Giles spat. "I thought this was single combat."

"It is," Methos called, "but what you're doing isn't combat, it's torture."

***

Xander sank down onto his bed with a groan. "Oz, what am I doing that's so bad?" he asked quietly. "Why did he want to leave?"

"He thought that he needed time and space to figure himself out," Oz told him, lying beside him and pulling him in for a hug. "He had to have it. We all need it sometime."

"But that wasn't Rupert. He was cold and cruel, and mean," he added as an afterthought. "He was playing with the guy by killing him over and over again."

Oz shook his head. "I don't know what's gotten into him, but he'll come around," he reassured. He started to rub down the tense back. "You need to relax. He'll come home."

"I don't want the man I saw tonight to come home to us," Xander said, lifting his head to look at his lover. "I can't stand the man that was doing the torturing tonight. If Giles comes home like that, then I don't want him."

Oz nodded. "I understand. If it happens, we'll figure something out." He pushed the young man's head back down. "Rest, Xan. I need to hold you."

"I'm here," Xander whispered. "Not leaving."

"Including the house?"

"I have to work," Xander pointed out.

"Not really."

"It'll look funny."

"Not if you're grieving."

"I've been saying that I got all that out in private at Jace's."

"Oh." Oz shuddered. "Okay, but if you go out, expect to have me there with you."

Xander lifted his head to give his lover a kiss and a smile. "You're going to sit in the store and scare off customers?"

"No, but I may sit in the car and read."

"Okay. Just remember your illusion next time." He tapped the empty ear hole. "I'm surprised no one noticed tonight."

"Someone may have," Oz said with a shrug. "I can always be another cousin."

"True." Xander snuggled in. "We'll figure it out when it happens."

Oz picked up the ringing phone, glaring at it. "What?" he snarled. "Angel? What's wrong?" He snorted. "Yeah, I forgot it. Was it really noticeable?" He shook his head and hung up. "Angel noticed that I wasn't wearing my illusion."

"He was there?"

"Yup."

"Wow." Xander grinned. "I guess I do have a lot of protectors. You guys must have scared him when you all showed up."

"I hope so."

"He wasn't being that bad."

"True, but even that little bit of bad was really bad. Think about the other people he's done this to and their families."

Xander nodded. "Yeah, but he's been decent about it. He never laid a hand on me the whole time. Even when he kidnaped me, he only bumped me with the gun."

"It doesn't excuse him from kidnapping you in the first place," Oz reminded him. "He has to pay for it."

"And he has. I doubt that he'd do it again, if Giles would let him live."

"We'll have to see about that," Oz reminded him. "You might not have gotten through to Giles." Oz adjusted his hold on Xander so he could cling a little tighter. "I'm feeling better," he admitted.

"Then why can't I take deep breaths?"

"Because I want to hear you pant?" Oz suggested with a grin.

"Okay." Xander panted for him, grinning up at his lover when he got pinched for it.

"Point. You can stop now. I'll let you go." He barely released his grip.

"Oh, much better," Xander said, putting his head back down. "Do you feel like doing more than cuddling?"

"Not really," Oz admitted. "You?"

"Nope. But I wouldn't mind cuddling with you in the bath."

"Hmmm, hot water and you. Perfect combination." Oz let Xander go. "Go run the bath, no bubbles."

"You don't want me to be slippery?" Xander asked as he got off the bed.

"Nope, I can't hold on as tightly when you're slippery. No oil either. Just some bath crystals. Okay?"

"Yup." Xander headed into the bathroom, bringing Rocky out to the bed. "Here, she was napping in the bathtub." He went back to the bathroom.

"Are you running a temperature?" Oz asked her, feeling her nose. "Still wet and cold."

"She's not sick, she just wanted privacy," floated out over the sound of running water.

"Don't worry, little one," Oz cooed as he scratched her behind the ears, "all the other animals are going to be adopted and pretty soon, we'll have the house to ourselves again." Rocky nuzzled him. "Yeah, we'll be happy then, huh?"

"Sure we will," Xander called.

Oz stood up, letting Rocky have the bed as he undressed. He walked toward the bathroom, smiling as he found the door locked. "Problems?" he called.

"Not ready for you yet," Xander said. A few minutes later, he opened the door, smiling at his lover. "Now we're ready for you," he said, waving Oz inside.

Oz stepped in, stopping so he could take in the sight and smell of the candles placed around the room, craning his neck to see the few on the ledges of the bathtub. The orange and vanilla scents blew over him from the small fan that was running on the counter. The overhead light was turned off and he was helped into the tub, Xander kneeling beside it and picking up a sponge. "I thought I wanted to hold you," he remarked, relaxing into the warm, scented water.

"You did, but I wanted to show you something even better." Xander squeezed the sponge out over Oz's stomach, sending the water flowing down his body. "Just relax and let me serve you, Oz. You'll feel better, I promise."

"Okay," Oz sighed, sinking lower into the water, his head carefully guided onto a pillow. He closed his eyes as the sponge started a slow but steady path across his chest and stomach. He moaned in appreciation as the scents started to calm and soothe him, and his lover started to arouse him. "No more?" he asked when the sponge stopped.

"Just adding some soap," Xander whispered, putting the sponge back down onto Oz's firm body. "You're sweaty."

"I was worried about you," Oz explained. "I've been sweating since yesterday."

"And it shows." Xander let the sponge float off into the water and grabbed a small cup so he could pour water over Oz's head. "Just relax," he whispered. "I want to do this part too."

"Hey, I'm not complainin'," Oz said, scooting down farther. "Wanna use that good smelling shampoo?"

"Of course," Xander said, switching bottles. He poured a little out into his hand and started to work it through Oz's hair. "That okay?" he asked quietly.

"I was thinking about the baby shampoo, but that stuff smells good too." Oz yawned. "Yeah, really good, Xander. Thanks."

"Hey, I love you. And you can't dispute that I'm here with you." He picked up the cup to rinse the shampoo out, laying a washcloth over Oz's eyes. "Gonna rinse," he warned. He poured the water out slowly, working his free hand through the soap until it was all gone. He set aside the cup and picked up the sponge, pouring some more soap onto it and picking up Oz's arm to wash. Oz started to moan again as he worked the sponge in little circles. As he moved down the immortal's body, the groaning got deeper in pitch and Oz's body started to react to the touching. "Just relax," Xander whispered. "I'll take care of that in a few minutes. After you're all clean again." He continued to wash the tensing body, going as slowly as he could.

***

Jace walked out of the shadows at the end of the alley, watching the fight progress. "God, they're both bad," she sighed. She walked closer, glaring at Giles. "Why are you still here?"

Marcum backed away from her. "The rules say single combat."

"Do I look like I'm fighting with you yet?" she asked snidely. "I'm talking to my future student." She turned around and slapped Giles, making him look at her. "Now then, you will fight right or so help me Gods, I will take over and then beat you like you deserve for hurting Xander."

"Why is everyone saying I harmed him!"

"Because the boy was destroyed when you left. He may be GHS but he's not got a lot of self- esteem still. Oz dying a few weeks back didn't help either!" She glared at them both, then shook her head. "Finish this. We're going home."

"I never agreed to become your student."

"Connor made his wishes clear about you, Rupert Giles. You will be coming back with me and learning from me or I will take your head and spare Xander the grief of seeing you lose to someone worse."

Methos clapped from his position on top of the dumpster. "Bravo," he said, sliding down. "Connor sent him to you?"

"I got a letter the other day saying he was coming to me for specialized training." She sniffed, then took a very beautiful backswing at Marcum, taking his head off cleanly. "There, now it's done," she said, stepping away from them as the quickening started.

Methos looked at Giles, who was enraged to say the least. "She's right, she can train you just as well. And maybe, if you're really lucky, she'll talk to Xander for you. They seem to have gotten close while he stayed at her resort." He patted Giles on the back. "At least the boy won't yell at you for playing with your opponent anymore. That really was the height of uncivility. I should know." He walked down the alleyway, stopping to look down at Jace, who was panting in pain. "Would you like a ride? You're filthy now and I doubt you want to take a cab to your hotel."

"Please," she sighed, allowing him to help her up. She looked around for her sword, but she saw his head shake. "Good, then I don't have to clean it, Cupid can do it." She looked over at Giles, wondering if he had noticed the Godly aura that had picked up her sword, something that had been happening since the Middle Ages when she had given the precious sword back so it wouldn't get destroyed. "I'm at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Be there around noon tomorrow and we'll discuss your training and why Connor sent you to me. If you're not there, I'll come hunt you down and drag you back to Xander first." She took Adam's arm and walked away with him, chatting about the decor ideas she had picked up from the famous hotel.

Giles looked at the headless body. "And if I don't want to?" he asked it.

***

Xander picked up the ringing phone, putting it next to Oz's ear - he didn't want to deal with the world right now. Oz made a few noises then pushed the phone away so Xander could hang it up. "Marcum's gone," he said quietly, wrapping his arms around the still body next to him. "Jace got him. She claimed teacher's rights."

"Giles?"

"Is pissed but healthy. Jace grew balls and yelled him down." He rolled into his lover's body. "Connor gave his training to her."

"That's a good?"

"That's actually a great. Jace has a great deal of training. She was very well trained when Meth and I got her as a student. She's kept up and gotten more training from other immies when she could find a peaceful one that would train her."

"Why wouldn't they?"

"A lot of the older, male, immies wouldn't train women. They didn't think that they should be in the game in the first place, that they were a whole lot weaker. The first one Jace asked she ended up taking his head. After that, there's been a few that wouldn't help her but they let it go without a challenge. Of course, there have been a few that have challenged her and then decided she was good enough to pass knowledge on to. We can be odd like that."

"Did you ever teach anyone else?"

"Yes, but I don't want to talk about it."

"Okay." Xander closed his eyes and put his head on Oz' shoulder. "Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about, it's not a bad memory. I was the bad guy then and I didn't do a very good job. He didn't live that long." He gave Xander a squeeze. "He was another small guy like me and he took on a big, football player looking guy - and when you have a six-foot reach, you usually win."

"Why'd he challenge that guy?"

"To prove that he was a better idiot than the last guy that had done it."

"Oh." Xander shook his head. "Not real bright of him."

"Yeah, that's what I keep telling myself. The only thing I really failed him in was not breaking his ego problem before it killed him."

Xander lifted his head. "Wouldn't it have probably killed him anyway? Somewhere down the road?"

"Maybe," Oz agreed, giving him another squeeze. "That's very insightful."

"I'm like that sometimes." Xander put his head back down so he could rest. "Oz, can we start traveling once a year or so? There are so many things that I don't know about."

"Sure," Oz said, rubbing down the soft back. "And if we get caught with the whole undead thing, then we'll go sooner."

"Cool. I'd like to go see India." He glanced up.

"Hey, the guy who held me hostage is dead. We'll be fine." He inserted his thigh between Xander's knees. "What else do you want to see?"

"The pyramids. Some of the great remains of the world." Xander smiled sleepily. "I don't know but I want to see stuff. Do what I should have done on my roadtrip."

"Cool. We'll go see the great ruins of the old world."

"Cool." Xander yawned. "Sorry."

"S'okay. You nap. I'm not moving."

"Good. I'd hate to have to hunt you down and pounce on you for it."

"Sleep, silly, you need it."

"Yes, love." Xander yawned again. "Night."

"Night."

***

Methos got out of bed to answer the summons of the door, glaring at the blonde on the other side. "He's sleeping, come back at a decent hour."

"This is a decent hour," Buffy said, pushing her way inside. "Xander!"

"Quiet," Oz said as he walked out, watching her face and body language closely. "What?" he asked when she froze. "Some of us aren't going to die anytime soon."

"Ya are if ya wake me up again," Ray mumbled as he walked past them. He pushed Buffy out of the way, breaking into her shock.

"You're alive!"

"More or less," Methos quipped. He patted Ray's shoulder when he came back out. "Go back to sleep, pet, I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Need to walk the dogs."

"I'll let them out," Methos assured him. "Go rest."

"XANDER!" Buffy screamed. "Get out here now!"

"Yell in my house like that again and I'm staking you," Oz warned her. He sat down, pulling a pillow over to cover the gap in his robe. "I'm actually the same as I was when we first met."

Xander wandered out and glared at her. "I'm going to get one of the animals to bite you. I finally get to sleep and you do this?"

Buffy pointed at Oz. "And what's that?"

"That's an Oz," Xander said, blinking. Oz patted him on the arm. "Hmm?" he asked, giving him a smile. "What?"

"She wants to know what I'm doing alive," Oz explained.

"So tell her. Maybe it'll make her feel good that one of her Slayerettes will live forever as a non- vamp." He shrugged, heading for the sliding door. "Want to go out, guys?" he called. All the dogs came running. "Thought so." He opened the door and stood there, watching them. "Porter, stop trying to eat the little one!" he yelled, walking out.

Oz raised his hand. "Immortal," he said, giving her a smile. "Since the sixteen hundreds."

She shook her head. "That's not possible. You must be demonic."

"Are you getting Slayer problems?" Xander called. She glared at him. "Well?" She shook her head. "Then shut up unless you brought coffee like a civilized person. Mortimer! Stop that! He doesn't need to be picked on." He walked out to retrieve the little dog that liked to follow him around.

Oz grinned at Methos, who was still standing there. "And this is our wonderful Slayer, teach."

"So I've heard," he said, looking her over. "We've met though."

"What about Giles? Does he believe in this fairytale?"

"Considering you killed him the first time? Probably," Oz noted. She went pale. "Yes, when you hurt him so badly you killed him. He's been like me since then." He shrugged, petting the furry lump that landed in his lap. "Hey, little one."

"We've got to name that dog," Xander said as he walked past. "I'm going to get dressed. Anyone who wants breakfast had better know how to order it."

Methos shook his head. "I'll cook, Xander, you go back to bed."

"Coolness, you're a great man," Xander said, kissing him on the cheek. "I'll get up at a decent hour, save me some somehow please." He leaned down, giving Oz a deep kiss. "Hmm, morning Oz," he whispered. "You going to come back to bed too?"

"Not yet. I'm going to get Buffy calmed down first." He patted Xander's head, waiting until he heard the bedroom door close again to turn his attention back to her. "Now then," he said, his voice going cold. "You barge in here and threaten my lover. You threaten me, and you woke Xander up after we just got him back from a kidnapper. Next time, you can act like a decent human being and call first." He stood up, letting the dog curl up to his chest. "If you have questions, you can ask, politely, or you can come back when you're calm."

Buffy nodded. "Immortal?" she squeaked. "How?"

"I'm human, dear, just born a little different."

"Tell her to ask her mother," Xander called.

"He said to ask your mother," Oz said dryly. "He felt he had to have someone else to confide in."

"So I heard," she said, shaking her head. "Mom got drunk last night and spilled the news to me. Oh, and have you heard from Willow?"

"She's on the east coast working," Oz told her calmly. "Has she told you that Angel was forced to turn her yet?" She went paler. "Not a bad vamp, but she's been pretty good so far. She's watching over a renovation for us." He looked at Methos, who wandered into the kitchen. "Do you want her addy?"

"It depends, did she want me to know about this?"

"Not sure," Oz admitted. "She kinda panicked because she was going to stake her sire so Xan helped her move. It was his idea to help her look on that coast while she worked on the renovations." He sighed, looking down at the dog he held. "We may have to go join her soon. If you know, I'm not sure I can stay in town."

"How... was your cousin you?" He nodded. "Can you keep that illusion on?"

"Most of the time, but Xander's idea of telling everyone I'm not human is our backup plan."

"Which would make sense," she agreed, giving him a slight smile. "Whatever, I won't attack you again." She rubbed across her throat. "Where's Giles?"

"He went to train with another like me. He may be back in the next few days. If not, he may not be back until Xander's not mad at him anymore. It all depends on Giles now."

"And when everyone finds out?"

"Then we're moving," Oz supplied. "Xander wants to travel so I'm going to indulge him."

"What about when he dies?" she asked quietly.

"Everyone's concerned about that," he quipped, giving her a small smile. "It'll be fine. He's linked to our energies. He won't age until I, Giles, and him," he pointed at Methos, "die."

"Oh." She sat down hard in the nearest chair. "How?"

"Giles did the spell," Methos said, bringing her a glass of water. "My part was purely accidental but I've come to relish my role as guardian to the boy." Oz growled at him. "Sorry. I'm not going to move in unless you say it's all right," he justified. "You know me better than that, Oz."

"True," he sighed. "I'm still stressed over the whole kidnapping thing. I swear Xander's not leaving this house without me again."

"Then I'd put on your illusion," Buffy reminded him. "A few people are already starting to wonder about your cousin." She gave him a faint smile. "Can I apologize for overreacting?"

"No, but you could do it later by protecting us. You and your mother know the secret. Willow doesn't and Angel basically knows I'm immie. The rest of the town shouldn't know, and if possible, I'd like a little bit of warning to escape them if they find out."

"No big, I can do that. Actually, Xander's story has a lot of substance in this town. And no one has to know. Maybe soon you'll even be able to be yourself again, once people forget about the whole cameraman thing."

Oz nodded. "Hopefully. Thanks." He nodded at her and went back to the bedroom to lie down with his lover. "India, huh?" he asked when he saw that Xander was awake.

"Yeah, I want to see the Taj Mahal. I think the story behind it's just so...romantic and perfect and stuff."

Oz nodded, laying down and handing off the dog. "Well, there's a little more to the story than that. Historians now are saying that the Khan who built it had a streak of megalomaniac in him and that was his way of saying he was God. Actually, the whole complex resembles a proposed drawing about what the Gardens of Paradise look like."

"It's still a cool story," Xander said. "Even if he was like Napoleon."

"Nope, he didn't want to rule the world. He wanted to be God. Napoleon thought he was the world's ruler, even above God." He kissed his lover's cheek. "We'll go on our next vacation, all right?"

"Yeah, that'd be great," Xander sighed, relaxing into Oz's body. "Do I have to go to work today?"

"Yeah, but I'm going to be there."

"You're going to scare off my customers?"

"Nope, I'm going to sit in the car and read so that I know that no one propositions you."

"Well...." Xander said, hesitating. "There has been this one woman. She's been hitting on me. She even hinted that I needed someone to replace you now that you're gone. I really think she just wants the money."

"She can't have you," Oz reminded him. "And if she tries then I get to have her, right?"

"I'll let you deal with her as long as you don't try to beat her up."

"I'll just scare her by coming back from the dead." Oz kissed him again. "No one can have you, not the greedy, the well meaning, not even the nice ones that only want to coddle and protect you. Not even Methos and Ray."

"Okay," Xander said, giving him a smile. He patted the dog on top of the head. "I wonder what his story is."

"He was probably the lap dog of some older woman or man and they died," Oz said quietly, petting the dog's head. "He's obviously well loved and cared for. He's also a little spoiled. I'd say that he was left outside and the pound got him before he got hurt."

"I hope so. I'd hate it if he was some little kid's or someone like that's dog. I don't want to take someone's baby from them." He kissed the top of the white head. "What do we name you, boy?" The dog barked lightly.

"Muse?" Oz suggested.

"No. Siren?"

"Nope, he doesn't sing." He picked the dog up, looking at his underside. "Her."

"Siren?" Xander suggested again.

"No. She still doesn't sing." He kissed Xander's forehead. "We'll figure it out tonight."

"We're keeping her?"

"Yup. This can be the one you keep. But the rest have to have homes. Even if we send the rest home with Meth and Ray."

"Could," Xander said with an impish grin. "Ray likes a few of them."

"Meth would want to punish you again," Oz warned. Xander snuggled into his body. "Didn't think so."

"Oh, I liked it, but not as much as I like you and how you teach me lessons," Xander whispered. The dog hopped off the bed, going to lay in the chair and not watch them. "Thanks," he called before kissing Oz. "Did you get rid of the Buffy person?"

"Yup. She's agreed to keep the secret and she liked your idea about what I am."

"Cool."

Methos knocked on the door before opening it. "Would either of you like breakfast?"

"No," they said together.

Oz looked at Methos' face. "What?" he asked hesitantly. "You look scared."

"Buffy just found someone across the street with a microphone. She gave me the tape." He tossed it over to Oz. "I think it's best that you go."

"It's not like we're committing insurance fraud," Xander noted. He looked at Oz. "Being not fully human means that you can come back from some injuries, no matter how bad they are." Oz nodded. "Were they the cops?" Methos nodded. "Then invite them in and we'll tell them all about him not being fully human." He sat up, pulling Oz with him. "Come on, we have to make the explanation."

"Oh, I doubt that's going to be a problem," Methos said. "He heard it all." He walked in and leaned against the door. "Apparently they're investigating Xander's source of income."

"Let 'em," Oz grumbled, getting out of the bed. "We'll deal with what we have to."

"We need to move," Xander said quietly, looking at Oz. "Can we?" he whispered.

"If we need to, yeah." Oz smiled at him. "I have just the place set up for us." He tweaked the end of Xander's nose. "Have to have a safe place." He hugged his lover. "Pack, love, we'll go tonight if we have to."

"Thank you, Oz."

"You're going back to *that* house, aren't you?" Methos said in disgust.

"Yup, the fortress of solitude." He slid out of bed, going for the closet himself. "I'll let you help Xander pack. Take Ray with you tonight and go hide. Or you can come with us," he added as an afterthought.

"I'd best go with you," Methos sighed. "Though I have no idea how Ray will take that place. It's very cold and alarming."

"It probably needs love and furry peoples," Xander told him, pushing his way out. "What is this place?"

"Oz's safe house. It's a few hours out of town." Methos stopped the young man to look at him. "What about this house?"

"It'll look fine if I put it up for sale. It's almost expected that I wouldn't want to live where we had." He shrugged and headed for the living room. "Are the animals all outside?"

"Ray has them in our room," Methos told him, stopping Oz from walking past him. "Are you sure?" he asked quietly. "You don't have to do this."

"I want to. I've been planning on taking a weekend and bringing him up there anyway. Why?" He looked the older immortal over. "What happened up there?"

"I sent most of your things up there, including the things we got from that pocket dimension after Xander saved those people from the demon. It's all stored in there."

"Then we'll just have to stay away from that part of the castle, huh?" Oz said with a grin. "I'm going home, Meth, it'll be fine. Xander will love the drafty old place and we'll be together."

"As long as you're going into this knowing that Xander might not understand the meaning of that place."

"It's where I keep my worst and best memories. It's like a big scrapbook for me. He'll understand that, he'll ask a lot of questions about everything, but he'll understand."

"Okay. Remember though, if you need to give him a vacation from the solitude and quiet, then our house is open to him. Especially if he'll come and take care of the animals." Methos walked out of the bedroom, going back to his breakfast.

Oz sighed and leaned against the wall. "As long as he understands, we'll be fine," he whispered. "Please let him understand." He looked up. "Please?" He stood up and walked out, going to help Xander with the packing. "Let's hire a moving and storage place," he suggested as he caught Xander studying the living room furniture. "We can store it until we find a better place for it."

"Okay. I was going to leave the big things though. In case we didn't want to sell the house right away and we needed to come back here."

"Good plan," Oz said, giving him a smile. "As a matter of fact, why don't you pack all the clothes and the contents of the safes and we'll leave tonight."

Xander turned to frown at him. "I'm not leaving my sewing machine or the fabric, Oz."

"I'll buy you new stuff."

"It won't be the same. That was the first big thing that you bought me, well helped me buy, and I want to keep it." He reached out, stroking down Oz's cheek. "Please?"

"Sure," Oz sighed. "I'll let you go get my van out of storage and we'll take that to move everything."

"What about Giles?" Xander whispered.

"We'll wait the three days that you gave him," Oz decided. "And we'll leave him a note saying that we moved all his stuff too. Everyone that we know except Buffy, Angel, and Richie know where this place is."

"Okay." Xander took the step that put him into his lover's arms. "Thank you for doing this for me."

"Welcome, babe. This is a good thing right now. We'll come back to your first house later." He saw the smile. "Hey, I remember what my first one meant to me. This first house is always the most special." He gave him a squeeze. "Now, go start packing and I'll let you get the van later. Okay?"

"What about the cars?"

"Well, we have friends here. We could be mean and ask them to drive them. And even some of the animals."

Someone knocked on the door and Methos walked out to get it, coming back with a man in a rumpled suit. "Our peeper."

Oz frowned at the man. "Why are you making us do this?"

"Hey, we thought that something bad was going on here, something about Mr. Harris being kidnapped."

"That was resolved yesterday," Xander told him. "What are you going to do with the stuff you found out?"

"Not a damn thing," he said with a smile. "This is Sunnydale, boys, all sorts of odd things live here. Though, I do suggest that you spend a bit of time out of town. Let things calm down a bit." He tossed over two tapes. "That's all I have and as far as I'm concerned when your friend found me this morning, she told me that you have been rescued." He nodded at them and turned to go.

"Thank you," Xander called after him.

"Hey, you guys keep the town safe. Be back soon, huh?" He shut the door behind himself.

Oz looked at Xander. "Want to take a vacation to live with me for a while?"

"Sure. But not for too long." He hugged Oz, smiling at Methos as he walked past them. "Thanks for the help last night."

"You're welcome. Though Jace did all of it. She even yelled at Giles for you." Oz groaned. "She was most delicate about it, I promise." He winked at Xander as he disappeared into the hallway. "I'm going to join Ray in bed. Yell when you're ready to need me."

Xander pulled back. "Three days to pack?"

"Three days to pack and get most everything moved up there," Oz agreed. "We can send some stuff by UPS or something."

"Okay. I can deal with that schedule." Xander went back to his cuddling. "After I finish this."

Heads A'Talkin'

Xander looked around the empty house and sighed, following Oz out to his old van. "It's all empty," he said.

"Not quite," Richie said, walking out with some familiar boxes. "You were keeping some stuff in the floor safe." He handed them over. "We'll be up tonight. You guys get settled in and I'll even stop off for dinner."

"Thanks, man," Oz said, leaning around Xander to look at him. "Meth give you the directions?" Richie nodded, flicking his earlobe. "Oh, forgot about that," Oz said as he put back in his illusion- holding earring. "Thanks again." He honked and drove away slowly, letting Xander stare at his house. "We'll be back sometime," he promised. "It's not a leaving for good thing."

"Yeah, but it's still a leaving," Xander sighed, laying his head against the window. "How far is this place?"

"Not far. A little over an hour." Oz turned onto the main road, heading away from town. "Why don't you take a nap?"

"Because then I'll never be able to find my way back there again?" Xander suggested, looking over to give his lover a weak grin. "Or is this some secret and you're going to have to blindfold me soon?"

"Nope, not a secret," Oz said quietly. "I wanted to show it to you before now, just never got around to it." He reached over, taking Xander's hand to squeeze. "Even Giles will be back."

"He couldn't stay," Xander reminded him. "It was awkward and bad."

"I remember." Oz pulled over to the side of the road and pulled Xander into his lap, giving him a hug. "I'm sorry, babe, but he wasn't ready to come back yet. If he had been, he wouldn't have been so antsy the night he was around us." He rubbed down the silk shirt his lover wore. "He tried, which is what you wanted, right?"

"Yeah, I guess." Xander got back into his seat and buckled himself up. "We should go. Meth and Ray are waiting on us."

"Okay. Want to stop and get something on the way? You didn't eat breakfast."

"Sure." Xander laid his head against the glass, watching the road as Oz pulled back onto it.

***

Oz looked at the box Xander was holding in his lap. "What's in that?" he asked finally, pointing at it.

"The jewels that we thought were too dangerous to leave in the safe with everything else." Xander opened the wooden box, showing off the few jewels that were inside. "The humming one and Giles' magic crystals and things."

"Ah." Oz leaned his head on Xander's shoulder. "You haven't even asked a question yet," he said quietly. "Not wondering about anything in here?"

"I'm trying to absorb all this stuff before I do that." He pointed at a head on the wall before them. "What's that though?"

"Not real sure," Oz admitted as he considered the scaly and obviously lizard-like head. "It was here in the house when I bought it."

"Oh. When was that?"

"Sixty-three. I've been in and out of California since then and I liked this spot." He shrugged. "The old owner joked about it being a demon he killed."

"Maybe," Xander said, leaning further into Oz's body. "One never knows."

"We're not on the Hellmouth anymore, Xander," Oz reminded him. "No more demons here. We're very safe."

"Sure. And none live anywhere else like LA, right?" He looked at his lover, seeing the frown, so gave him a kiss on his nose. "Sorry, but they're everywhere, babe. We've got to face that fact."

"They're still not here in this town," Oz said firmly. "Never seen one yet, and I've been back since meeting Buffy."

"Really?"

"Yup. This is where I came to all those times I left town for a few days."

"Wow."

"Kinda. It's my living scrapbook." Oz waved a hand around. "All this means something to me or is a part of what I've been. If I forget, then I'm doomed to become the guy I once was."

"Which would be horrible," Methos said from the chair he had been reading in. "Xander, you would not believe the amount of brooding Oz can do when he sets his mind to it."

"Don't even go there," Oz warned. "I will tell Ray about your trip across Europe in the eighteenth century."

"He's already told me," Ray put in. He looked up, giving Xander a naughty grin. "I made him regret it too, he'll never do it again."

"No, love, no more whoreing trips across Europe for me," Methos sighed, going back to his book. "It's not like I could do that now anyway."

"I heard that," Ray reminded him.

"What?" Methos asked, looking up and giving him a bright smile. "I didn't say anything."

"Of course not." Ray looked over at Xander. "So, what's up with those ones anyway?" he asked, pointing to the box.

"One of them is supposed to be a crystal that sorcerers can store blood and power in," Xander said, holding it up. "This one," he put the first one back and held up another one, "hums. I'm not sure why but it hums in a certain key whenever it gets near other stones." He picked up one of Giles' crystals and the jewel started to hum loudly. "See?"

"Neat," Ray said, giving him a smile. "So, whaddya gonna do with them?"

"I've been told that the humming one can never leave my hands," Xander said as he put them all back safely in the box. "I guess we'll have to find a safe place for it somewhere around here while we're here." He bent down and shoved the box under the couch, giving Ray a grin. "That should do it."

"That oughta do it," Ray agreed. He looked over at his lover. "Why are we all in here?"

"Because Methos doesn't like this house," Oz told him, shifting until he was lying with his head in Xander's lap. "He's actually said he hates this house a few times."

"It's cold and imposing," Methos told his lover. "I hate the way this house makes me feel so small and isolated." He looked at the head over the fireplace. "And there are too many strange things here for me to be comfortable for very long."

"Strange stuff?" Ray asked, looking interested. "Like ghosts and things or other sorta strange?"

"Both," Oz said, looking up at him. "But don't worry about the ghosts, they just walk through the halls sometimes."

"Wow," Xander said, grinning down at him. "Really?" Oz nodded. "Very cool. Did something happen to them here?"

"Nope, they just wander through the halls." Oz shrugged. "Not a clue, man. I've researched and nothing tragic ever happened here. No dead bodies in the house at all before the ghosts."

"So maybe it's something else," Xander suggested. "People out of phase with our reality or something. Like that book with the two planes but one was twisted so it was out of phase with the original one."

"The Anthony series?" Xander nodded. "That would be cool," Ray admitted. "Hey, maybe we can go to that place insteada here."

"No," Methos said semi-firmly. "We're not traveling across dimensions, Ray. You are not to leave this plane."

"Not without you," Ray told him.

"Not at all," Methos said, glaring at him. "Not at all, Ray; repeat that please."

"Yeah, whatever." Ray turned to look at Xander again. "Wonder if there's any hidden rooms."

"Possibly," Oz said, pointing at the fireplace. "There's a big space behind that wall but no reason for it."

"So we gotta find the book or whatever that opens it." Ray smiled at Xander. "Gives us somethin' ta do."

"True," Xander agreed. "We'll go look for it tomorrow?" Ray nodded and picked back up his book. Xander looked around the comfy but formal room. "Where's Richie? He should have been here by now."

"He probably stopped off to get a drink," Methos muttered from his chair.

"He coulda gotten a ticket," Ray suggested. "He was drivin' Xander's sports car."

"He probably stopped off to check on Steve," Oz told them. "I'm sure he's fine."

"He'd better be," Xander said, frowning at the fire. "I don't want to lose any more friends." He looked down at Oz, stroking across his cheek. "We need to go back to Vermont soon too."

"Yup, after our vacation here?"

"Okay." Xander smiled at him. "Relax. This is your house. We'll take a break here for a few weeks."

"Why not stay here longer?" Oz suggested, sitting up to look at his lover. "We could stay a few months."

"Because I like my house too?" Xander suggested gently. "Because I want to go back to Sunnydale sometime?"

"Point," Oz agreed, "but we don't have to set a definite date."

"Yeah, I guess," Xander said, going back to staring at the lizard head.

Methos looked over at Oz and subtly shook his head. Oz nodded and let the subject drop.

***

Xander and Ray wandered through the formal ballroom that separated the formal dining room from the living room. "Who built this house?" Ray asked out loud, looking up at the ceiling. "And who writes all the way up there?" He pointed at the pretty script that flowed across the width of the room.

Xander looked up. "When the song is so beautiful it hurts, you've found the right spot," he read, then shook his head. "Not a clue. Maybe the former owner was into pain and stuff." He followed Ray into the formal dining room and out through the wall of glass, into the unsculpted gardens. "Natural at least," Xander noted as he looked around. "Not too many fussy plants."

"I really don't like formal gardens," Oz said as he walked out of the house.

Ray and Xander shared a look and Ray walked away, leaving them alone. "Oz," Xander said, pulling him into a hug, "why are you stalking me today?" Oz groaned but gave his shoulder a kiss. "No, seriously here. You were waiting on me when I got out of the bathroom, you were following me around earlier as I explored. And now you're following me around the garden. I really don't like being stalked." He let his lover go, looking into his eyes. "Do you think someone's going to steal me from here? With Ray and you here?"

Oz nodded. "Yup." He got free. "Basically." He walked back inside, slamming the sliding door.

Xander looked down and shook his head. "He worries too much," he told himself. He strolled over to where Ray was sniffing an unusual bloom, giving him a grim look. "He's scared someone's going to snatch me."

"It's sweet," Ray pointed out.

"And very annoying. He wouldn't even let me go the bathroom by myself. I found him waiting outside the door." He looked toward the house and caught sight of his lover standing there watching them. "Enough is enough," he decided, but Ray grabbed him. "What?"

"He's feeling vulnerable. This is his treasure, same as your house was to you, and you aren't enjoying it."

"I'd enjoy it a lot more if I didn't feel like everyone was watching me to make sure that I wasn't going to explode or something."

"Point, but ya gotta admit, Oz has a right to worry about ya. After all, who was kidnapped recently?"

"Point, but still!" Xander complained. "I'm not going to suddenly leave him. No one's going to touch me here," he waved his arms around to encompass the house and gardens. "Even if his worst enemy felt like coming for me, he couldn't get in."

"Yes, but he doesn't understand that in his heart. In his brain maybe," Methos said as he joined them, "but in his heart you're fragile, precious, and all too apt to be stolen." He gave Xander a kiss on the cheek and whispered, "I never did get around to telling him about New York and your trials there with the kidnappers."

"No one's going to steal me from here," Xander sighed, rolling his eyes. "I doubt they'd be able to get through the front door with all their body parts."

"That may be so, but that's not how Oz's inner worrier is seeing it happen," Methos reminded him. "He's very possessive and you've proven yourself to be a desirable target for kidnapping. How scared do you think he is right now? And for the record, this house usually calms him down greatly."

"A lot I guess," Xander said. He looked over his shoulder, but Oz was gone. "But it's not right! I'm not going to be stolen here."

"So let him figure that out for himself. Let him be your shadow for a few days, Xander." Methos squeezed the young man around the shoulders. "Let him work it out of his system. Otherwise, you'll wake up some morning with a locator on your body and chained to the bed." He let him go, walking over to give his lover a hug. "You, my dear little innocent one, will stay out of trouble also." He winked at Xander. "And try to keep him out of it too." He left them alone, going back to his seat in the sun.

"Me, trouble?" Xander asked, grinning at Ray.

"Yup, you. You get into a lot of it," Ray reminded him, walking away. "Come on. Maybe we'll be able to sneak away and get ice cream."

"I doubt it," floated over from Methos.

"Sundaes," Oz called from the kitchen.

Xander followed Ray back into the house, going to help Oz with the sundaes.

***

Xander walked around the formal ballroom, looking up at the ceiling, tracing the words mentally. There was something strange about this room and he was determined to figure it out.

"Xan," Ray said as he walked in with the wooden box of Xander's. "Oz said you had to move this." He handed it over. "He's still cleaning and he almost vacuumed it up."

"Okay." Xander tucked the box under his arm and continued to walk around the room. He heard the stones inside the box start to hum and frowned at his friend. "You don't think..." he said quietly.

"Hey, it's a strange stone and it does sing," Ray pointed out. "With you two, I'd bet yes." He held the box while Xander got out his humming crystal, watching as he walked it around the room. He sighed as Xander disappeared through the wall between the last bench on the side next to the living room and the windows. He was just about to call out to Oz when Xander reappeared. "So?" he asked expectantly.

"It's a blank room," Xander said, nodding his head at the wall. "Come on." He grabbed Ray's hand and tugged him through, watching him look around the room.

Ray stopped in front of the fireplace, the only piece of furniture in the room. "You were right, it's empty." He winced as he crystal started to hum again. "Um, Xander, can you not do whatever you're doin'?"

"Sure," Xander said, stepping closer to him, and the humming calmed down. "Guess we know what the words on the ceiling in the ballroom mean," he quipped, giving Ray an uneasy grin. "Wanna find out if it's right?"

"No." He glared at his friend. "Let's go, before Oz finds out you're missin'."

"Oh, come on," Xander whined. "I want to explore. I'll be safe enough with you." He held out a hand and started to pout, complete with begging eyes. "Please, Ray?"

"No," he said, but it was weaker this time.

"Please?" Xander begged. "Then we can come back and tell everyone about what we've seen." He turned up the level of his begging, making the other man wilt. "Please?" he asked quietly.

"Sure." Ray grabbed the box tighter and took Xander's hand, following him around the room. They did find the place where the humming was so high-pitched that it hurt, but none of it really sounded beautiful to either of them.

Xander finally stopped and held the crystal out at a wall, smiling as the pitch of the hum changed, turning into something more musical. "See," he said, grinning at Ray. "Come on, I want to go explore." He pulled his friend through the wall and out into ... the house? "Huh," he said as he looked around. "This is really strange."

"Yup," Ray said, following Xander out through the wall. He noticed something once they were in the next room, a weapon's room as it happened. "The house is backwards!"

"Yeah, it is," Xander said, brow wrinkled in confusion. "Why is it backwards?"

"Don't know, let's go find out why we're here." Ray took the lead, taking Xander's hand to make sure that the younger man couldn't get lost without him knowing about it. They stopped in the living room, staring at the ass end of the dragon whose head was back in the original house. "It ran through a portal and got stuck?" Ray suggested lightly.

"Sounds okay to me," Xander quipped, getting free and walking over to touch the tail wiggling in the breeze. It twitched and he jumped, running back to Ray's side. "It's not dead," he noted. "Really not dead."

"We can feed it when we get home," Ray told him. "Come on, let's go find out what's goin' on here." He dragged Xander away from the disturbing sight and up the stairs.

***

Oz looked up from his book, staring at the ghostly figure in front of him. "Xander!" he yelled, hopping up to try and grab him. His hands passed through the wraith and then it disappeared. "METHOS!"

"What?" came the grumpy reply as the older immortal walked down the hall. "What's happened to your pet this time?"

"He's not here. He was a ghost." Oz pointed at the spot. "Right there. I couldn't touch him."

"I'm sure he's here in the house somewhere," Methos said calmly. "Go search for him, maybe it's some sort of special effect from somewhere." He took a deep breath as Oz ran past him, taking a moment to clear his mind before going to search for his own boyfriend. After all, if Xander was in trouble, Ray was sure to be in it with him.

***

The key crystal led them to the ballroom, and Xander peered hesitantly inside before he allowed Ray to walk in. On the wall, there were mirrors and doors now instead of the benches. "Guess this is the doorway room," Xander said as he walked toward one of the doors.

"Nope," Ray said, catching him. "Not goin' anywhere without me. And we're not gonna go through any portal without one of the fighters with us."

"I can fight," Xander sniffed, looking hurt.

"And I can brawl, but I'm gonna bet a sword'd come in handy if we cross over." He looked at the wall they had come through. "Come on, let's go get Oz," he suggested, trying to pull Xander with him.

"No." Xander got free and glared at his friend. "I can explore without him. I don't get into random trouble if I can help it."

"Bet me."

"I don't." Xander looked around, grinning at the one where someone was staring at them. "That one looks harmless," he suggested, pulling Ray with him. They stepped through the mirror, bumping into the man on the other side. "Sorry."

Ray grunted and looked around. "Xander, no, we have to go home. Oz won't like this!" He used all his weight to tug Xander back through the mirror. He was spun around by his friend so he glared at him. "We are gonna go home now. There is somethin' goin' on here that I can't deal with and I'm not gonna risk you getting lost just because you wanted to have some Oz-free fun!" He dragged Xander back through the wall into the empty room, heading for the corner that they had originally walked through. "This had better be home," he muttered as he pushed Xander through, following behind him. Or at least he tried to. "Um, okay," he said, looking around. "Xander?"

Xander's arm came back through the portal and he grabbed the hand, allowing himself to be pulled through. "Sorry, didn't know this had a clause."

"There's always a clause," Ray reminded him as he dragged Xander back into the main ballroom. He confiscated the stone and went to find someone responsible to give it to. "Methos!" he yelled, running into him in the hall. "Keep this, Xander can't have it, he can not go exploring." He walked past his lover, heading up to their room, muttering the whole way about curiosity and people who didn't *look* like cats.

Xander gave him a small grin. "I wasn't getting into trouble, really I wasn't." He heard footsteps coming down the stairs and winked at Methos, running for the outside.

"Come back here!" Oz called, walking after him. "Running won't save you this time!"

Methos looked down at the stone. "What trouble have you gotten that boy into now?" he muttered, heading back to the kitchen and the meal he was preparing.

***

Oz caught up with Xander just as he put the bowl of meat down in front of the head over the fireplace. "It's dead," he reminded his lover.

"But the other half of him was on the other side and it wasn't," Xander told him, turning and giving him a smile. "It's a great house, Oz, but the other one was opposite and it had *doorways*."

"No." He sat down, patting the cushion beside him. "Now, please," he ordered gently.

Xander sat down on the couch but as far away from Oz as he could. "I didn't get into any trouble."

"Doesn't matter. I don't need you disappearing like that on me."

"But I was good. I even listened to Ray." He didn't mention fighting with the detective about coming back, he knew how that would go. "And the dragon was asleep, not dead. It's tail twitched."

"Ah, beef," the head mumbled in a British accent that would have impressed Giles, inhaling the meat. It looked at Xander. "Can't I have a virgin? Cows taste funny to one such as myself."

"Those are in short supply in this age," Oz told him, going a little pale once he realized what he was talking to.

"Sorry, man, but virgins are more rare than you are," Xander told him as he stood up. "I could continue to feed you, for as long as I'm here anyway." He smiled at the dragon, getting one in return. "Is cow okay? Should it be chicken or something."

"No, beef is preferable if I can't have a succulent virgin." The dragon sighed. "You have the key, don't you?"

"Yup, or at least I guess so since I went to that other house and found your back side."

"Did it look okay?"

"Very. Your tail twitched when I touched it."

"I thought someone had touched me. That's why I came out of my trance." He looked down at the bowl. "Could I have some more please?"

"Sure. How much more would you need?"

"About fifteen of those an hour to be perfectly honest, but just another one tonight would be most generous," the dragon said, snorting a small cloud of smoke at Xander. "For a gatekeeper, you're very unusual."

"It's Oz's house, I just have the key," Xander said quietly as he took the bowl and headed for the kitchen.

"Wait for me," Oz said, hopping up and running after him. He sat down at the bar around the kitchen and put his head down. "I thought this place was normal," he sighed into the tiles. He looked up at his lover. "You are getting rid of that stone, Xander."

"Na-uh. The one who gave it to me said I had to keep it in my possession. I'm not giving it away. And besides," Xander said, bringing the refilled bowl over to him, "it's not like strange stuff doesn't happen everywhere." He walked around the end of the bar and back to the living room, giving the dragon a smile as he watched him eat. "So, how long have you been hanging around here?"

"Only with you around," Oz muttered to Xander's back.

***

Xander snuck into Methos' and Ray's room, grabbing the jewel before anyone woke up. Or so he thought, until he felt someone grab him and follow him through to the blank room. "Hi, Ray," he said, giving him a bright grin. "I was going to check on the dragon's backside for him."

"Uh-huh. Sure ya are," Ray said, looking around. He held out a hand. "Give me the stone."

"Nope. Mine. I was given it." His grin got mischievous. "You could come with me again."

Someone pounded on the wall.

"Let's go," Ray said, making a snatch for the stone, but missing and falling into the fireplace.

Xander looked at the hole Ray had fallen through, biting his lip. "You okay in there?" he called.

"No. Go get someone to pull me up."

Xander walked out and ran into Oz and Methos, giving them embarrassed looks. "Ray fell into the fireplace and he needs some help." He drug the older men through the portal, watching as they helped the detective out of the hole. While they were busy with Ray, Xander stepped slowly backward to the corner, disappearing as fast as he could, hopefully before anyone heard the stone go off. He patted himself on the back as he walked out of the empty room, heading out to explore the rest of the house.

Oz looked over his shoulder then down at Ray. "That's the gateway?"

"To the other house, yeah. It's a gateway itself."

"Ah." Oz stood up, walking over to investigate the corner. "Solid."

"You need the stone to pass through any of the gates," Ray told him, settling himself in Methos' lap. "He said he was going to check on the dragon's butt for him."

"And I believe him too," Oz said darkly, pounding his fist into the wall. "How many keys do you think there are?"

"Probably not many," Methos suggested. "I bet that if you look back through all that junk that the man you bought the house from left, you'd find something about this."

"I should have made him put that stone somewhere safe," Oz muttered as he headed for the entry wall.

"You can't," Ray called, just as Oz ran into the wall. "You need the stone for that too."

Oz growled but sat down to wait, staring at the corner.

Methos hugged Ray close to him, hoping to keep Oz from paying attention to them. He really didn't need to help Oz wear off some of the anger he was feeling. No immortal healed that fast.

***

Xander danced around the rooms, smiling at all the accumulated stuff. Lots of stuff. Swords and shields, armor and pieces of things he couldn't identify, even a few things that he'd bet Giles would be thrilled to see if he could bring them with him. He walked into the ballroom, looking at all the mirrors, smiling as he saw one open. He walked closer, watching the people inside, his eyes narrowing as he saw someone sneaking up behind the guy in the crown with a knife. He grabbed a short sword, the only thing he knew how to use, and lunged through the gateway, piercing the assassin through the stomach. "It's not nice to sneak up on people," he admonished.

"Guards," the man in the crown yelled, bringing a bunch of men running. "Seize them both!"

"Hey, I saved you." Xander glared at the guards. "I'll leave then." He walked back through the gateway, dropping the sword as he walked out of the room. "I have better things to do than to listen to people whine because I saved them," he told himself. He never saw the worried faces trying to get through the gateway.

***

Oz checked his watch again, then growled as Ray sat down next to him. "Where is he?"

"He's wandering the house," Ray reminded him. "He's not dumb enough ta walk through somewhere and get into trouble." He got stared at by both immortals. "He's not. Not without someone there anyway." He shrugged before giving Oz a hug. "He's fine. He's probably found a room full'o stuff and he's busy digging through it." There was no way he was telling Oz about their trip through one of the mirrors, he liked his head where it was.

"I'm going to spank him," Oz said quietly. "And then I'm going to leash him to the bed so he can't do this again." He looked at the fireplace. "No dragon in here?"

"Nope, just the front out there and the back in the other house."

"Methos," Oz said suddenly, sitting up straighter. "I want you to take that stone *far* away from here. Give it to someone you trust and let them keep it."

"It was put into Xander's custody," Methos reminded him gently. "I doubt the demon who did so would appreciate that gesture."

"He's dead," Oz said calmly.

"Yes, but that stone is best placed with someone who knows what it's for. We don't know how many other houses like this there are, or even if the key is specific to this house." Methos moved closer, giving his student a slight smile. "You'd be the best one to keep the jewel from him, Oz. You're the one who he'd respect the 'no' from."

Oz snorted. "He doesn't take orders from me. Or listen to me when I say things like no." He looked around the room again. "You'd think that someone would have brought something in here to do, or read."

"Or a chair," Ray put in. "The floor's cold."

***

Xander dug through the pile of swords and shields, stopping when he came to a box like the ones he had back at Oz's side of the house for jewels. He sat down, carefully so he wouldn't sit on a sword point, and opened it. He smiled when he saw the pendant resting on the velvet, and the bracelet tied up under it. He put the key closer to them but they didn't hum together. He considered the stones for a few minutes then decided to put them on. He whistled as he threw the box aside, going back to his digging. He came up with a pretty sword and tucked it into his belt, he could get someone to teach him how to use it later, and a set of three very unusual daggers, which also went into his belt. He stopped when he reached the mosaic on the floor frowning in exasperation. "Why are there only three daggers. That doesn't make a lot of sense." He got up and picked up his key stone, walking back toward the portal to Oz's house. He left his stone on the floor behind him and slowly reached his hand out toward the wall, whooping when it went through.

***

Oz looked up as he felt the air start to stir, so he was the first one up when the hand came through the wall. Unfortunately, Methos beat him to it. They disappeared together, Methos coming back with Xander after a few minutes. "Your imp," he said, shoving him toward Oz. He handed Ray the key stone. "Keep this until Oz is done with the boy."

"Sure."

"But I was good," Xander protested. "I found a room full of swords and shields, that's where I got these," he patted his new weapons. "And I stopped an assassination. I deserve kudos for that."

Oz growled and pushed Xander toward the wall, not even feeling Ray grabbing him to let him through. He walked his lover up to their room and locked them inside, glaring at Xander. "You shouldn't have done that. I refuse to let you out of this house until I know that you're not going to be kidnapped, killed, or otherwise inconvenienced." He started to pace.

Ray looked at Methos and nodded back the way they had come, both of them going back into the bare room and through the portal.

Xander watched his lover pace and sighed, rolling his eyes. He got in Oz's way, catching him and giving him a kiss. "Shut up." Oz glared at him. "I'm not your slave, I'm your lover, and gee, believe it or not, I do have a brain. I don't naturally get into trouble and I was being good. It's a neat place and I think you'd like to come explore it with me."

"I don't want you going back there, Xander. There's a reason the key was separated from the house and I'm pretty sure that you're proving what it is." He looked at the weapons the younger man was still carrying. "Those are pretty."

"And they were just sitting in a pile on the floor," Xander told him. "I couldn't find another dagger." He touched one, then brought it up for Oz to see. "See, pretty, and it needs to be taken care of. They were just left to rot, Oz, something really bad."

"Yeah, well, it doesn't excuse you going over there without telling anybody."

"If I had told you, would you have let me?"

"No," Oz snorted.

"That's why I didn't tell you." Xander walked back over to the bed and sat on the side of it. "I'd be happy to have you come explore with me though. That is, if you could unbend your security stance long enough to do that."

"Xander," Oz started, then shook his head. "No. I don't want you over there. There's a reason the key was separated from the gateway. I don't want to violate whatever rule that you just broke."

"Yay," Xander said dryly, clapping. "And the Oscar for over-acting goes to..." He waved a hand at Oz. "Feel better now?"

"No. You're taking this way too lightly, Xander." Oz walked out of the room and slammed the door, locking it from the outside. "I'll be back in a minute, I need a beer."

"Pain in my ass," Xander muttered, stripping and getting into bed, making sure all his new toys were carefully hidden from Oz's frustration. He had just covered himself up when Oz came back in carrying a small tray. "Gee, I don't need a beer," he said.

"Not alcohol," Oz said, kicking the door shut. "I talked to your scaly friend and he said they were separated because there's a few dangerous people who have been sent through the portals and no one wanted them to get out because the owner of the house was sympathetic."

"But you need a key to get through a gateway," Xander reminded him.

"A key can be made. Someone almost got out sixty years before I bought the house. That owner went mad when the house forced him to kill the guy and hide his body. He disappeared through the portal and never came back."

"Wow." Xander took his glass of soda, sipping it slowly. "The house protects the gateway?"

"Apparently. The dragon said he almost got through a second gateway but he got stuck. He dropped his stone as he walked through." He reached over and brushed down Xander's face. "I don't want you to get stuck, babe, and I don't want you to get hurt."

Xander put down his glass and took off the pendant, putting it around Oz's neck. "It's a key stone. We need to check it to make sure, but I wasn't touching the big stone when Methos grabbed me."

Oz picked up the stone to look at it. "Why isn't it humming?"

"Because keystones don't hum with each other apparently. I guess that's how we find the other stones." Xander gave him a kiss. "Feel better?"

Oz nodded. "Yeah, now I can come find you, but I still don't want you going over there. Who knows what sort of dangers are over there. Or there could be hidden portals that you might fall through. There's all sorts of dangers that you might not appreciate because you're exploring." He looked around the room. "Where's your sword, I wanted to look at it again."

Xander pointed at the dresser. "In the shirt drawer. I didn't want you to take it away from me so I hid it."

Oz gave him a short kiss. "I'm just going to look at it, babe, not steal it. I'm not that mean."

"Would you teach me to use it?"

"We'll see." Oz got up and retrieved the sword, bringing it back to the bed so he could examine it. "It's a light one," he said, taking a few practice swings. "Obviously some rich boy's first sword." He looked at the carvings, nodding. "A very good one to learn on." He handed it back to Xander, one hand under the blade and the other under the pommel. "I can teach you with that one. The daggers I'm not so good with but otherwise, it's all good." He got a relieved smile. "Why do you insist on worrying me?" Oz asked quietly as he laid down beside Xander, pulling him into his arms. "I had no idea what condition you were in or if you were getting into trouble. I didn't even know if you were going to come back or if we were going to be stuck in there forever."

"You could come with me next time," Xander suggested, letting the sword drop to the floor on top of his clothes. "I'd like to explore that place with you. It's *amazing*!" He got a squeeze and relaxed again. "Please?" he whispered, clinging to his lover's body.

"Fine. We'll go tomorrow." Oz closed his eyes as he was cuddled harder. "Is that what you really wanted?"

"Well, I want you to relax about me more," Xander said, letting him go. "No one's going to steal me again, Oz, I promise."

"You don't..."

"I *do* know that," Xander countered before Oz could finish his protest. "That guy kidnapping me was a fluke. He knew I hung out with an immortal but not which one you were. Even he knew he was an idiot by the end of the first night. If he could have backed out of his plan, he would have sent me home. He called me whiny and spoiled."

Oz snorted. "Only sometimes."

"When it's a good idea," Xander agreed with a grin. "He was so sorry he had kidnapped me he told me so. He was going to apologize to you when you got me back for having a lover like me."

"Oh, that would have gotten him hurt. Wonder why he didn't?"

"Because there were five of you there?"

"Point. We are an intimidating group." Oz pulled Xander back into his arms to hold. "I need to be security minded right now. Can you understand that?"

"Yup, but it doesn't mean I can't protest being put in pillow stuffing."

"True. I would like for you to let me be worried though. I do it very well."

"Yeah, real well. I was suffocated by you stalking me all over the house, Oz. You went way too far."

"I'm sorry, babe, but I needed to feel that you were safe and the only way to do it was to follow you around and be overbearing."

"Why do you do things like that?"

"Because I love you?" Oz suggested mildly.

"Oh." Xander sat up and looked down at him. "You do? This isn't just a case of lust and liking?"

"Well, it's those two but I think the like is starting to mutate. That's why I followed you to Vermont, silly." He lunged up and grabbed Xander, pulling him back down too. "There, much better."

"As long as this grip is a cuddling thing, it's a good, Oz, but don't stifle me. I can't live like that."

"Then I won't," Oz promised gently. "Bop me when I do it."

"Okay."

"Good."

"Cuddles?" Xander asked.

"Of course." Oz gave him a squeeze and then shifted so Xander would be more comfortable. "Better?"

"Yup. Perfect." Xander checked around. "Speaking of purrs, where's the cats and Rocky?"

"Down in the kitchen. They like to look through the glass doors."

"Oh. Cool I guess. I was missing the whole claws in my toes thing."

"Yeah, me too. But they'll be up later to do it and wake us up." Oz yawned. "We'll go explore the day after tomorrow. After we get some more information from the head in the living room."

"I wonder if we could free it."

"No." Oz reached over and turned off the lights. "Night."

"Hmph," Xander grunted, thumping Oz's chest into the shape he wanted to sleep on.

***

Xander looked up at the head he was standing in front of. "Well, what would get you through the portal? Preferably backwards, since you'd make quite a panic."

"I'm the only one here?" the dragon asked.

Xander nodded. "Definitely." He looked around for Oz then leaned closer. "Do you know why there's no furniture in the blank room?"

"Because it would distort the sound waves that the crystal produces and you'd end up somewhere else."

"Oh. Okay."

The dragon shook his head to stretch his scales. "I wish I hadn't dropped my stone. I'd like to be home right now."

"Where did you drop it?"

"In the middle of the portal. It's a blue stone if that helps."

Ray looked up from his lounging on the couch. "Saw that in the fireplace's hole. It's embedded now."

"Ah. Thank you, kind one," the dragon said with a small, curt nod. "Could I trouble you to retrieve it so I could go home?"

"If we can get one thing clear," Xander said, frowning up at him. "If you come through this way, we'd have to kill you before you made it out of the house."

The dragon snorted. "You couldn't. You're not a fighter."

Oz pulled his sword as he walked in. "Looks can be deceiving," he reminded their houseguest.

"Oh." He looked Oz over, noting how comfortable he was with his sword. "You really are a fighter, aren't you?"

"Since long before this house existed," Oz told him solemnly. "If you tried to come back this way, we'd have to kill you. We'd hate to lose such an entertaining being, but we'd do it easily."

Xander smiled at Oz. "How did the key get into the hands of a demon?"

"A what?" the dragon asked, turning his attention back to Xander. "Those are myths."

"Not in this realm," Oz told him. "The one that gave him the key was an underground demon. He dug it up somewhere."

"That must have been my back-up stone," the dragon sighed dramatically. "I could take it with me."

"Nope. Ours," Xander told him, walking away from him before he could get steamed again. "I was told I couldn't give it away."

"But it doesn't belong to you," the dragon tried to reason.

"Yeah, it does. He found it buried and gave it to me for a service I preformed for him." The dragon snorted and he glared at it. "Trust me, you wouldn't have been able to do it for him." He put his hands on his hips. "I refuse to touch that stone unless I get your *word* that you're not coming through this way."

"I may need to so I can turn around," the dragon tried.

"If you can't back up, you're not gettin' out," Ray said, not looking up from his magazine. "Xander, do you think this would look okay on me?" he asked, showing off one of the pictures.

Oz looked at it then at Ray, then shook his head. "Not really. Meth would kill us if we let you get that."

"But it's cute," Ray said, giving him a mild pout. "Okay, it's a little bondagey, but I could live with that."

"Nope. Methos would kill us," Oz told him again, turning back to the dragon's head.

"For what?" Methos asked as he walked in. He looked at the picture his lover was holding up and shook his head, glaring at the much younger man. "If you got something like that, I would feel obligated to teach you a lesson by tearing it off you and making sure that you felt chastised for wearing it in the first place."

"I could do that," Ray said with a grin.

Methos looked over at Oz, and his sword. "Are we airing out the metal?" he asked dryly.

"No, just making sure the dragon knows that he can't come this way."

"All right then," he said, grabbing Ray's foot and pulling. "Come, let's let these two handle the dragon. I'm sure they have it well in hand."

"Yup, get him someplace safe," Xander said over his shoulder. He grinned at Methos. "Can I have a reward later?"

"If you'd like," Methos agreed with a smile.

"See," Xander said, grinning triumphantly at Oz. "He said I deserved one."

"I told you that we'd see," Oz said firmly. He reached out and grabbed Xander's arm, tugging on it. "We'll consider freeing you later tonight, after we've done some checking through a few sources." He walked Xander out, leading him into the kitchen. "So, do we?" he asked.

"I'd say no at this point," Methos said, flipping a perfectly made crepe. "What possible benefit could it have? You could always call Giles at Joxer's and ask his opinion if you wanted, he'd be the perfect person to ask about the portal and freeing the dragon." He slid the crepe out onto a plate and poured batter for a second one. "What sort of filling would you two like?"

"Cheese," Xander suggested. It was pointed to so he went to cut some up. "Oz, can I say that your house is really fun and all, but I like mine better?"

"Sure," Oz agreed, not showing his hurt. "I guess the strange stuff is a little much."

"Nope, your house is *big* and drafty," Xander explained, looking up at his lover. "Our house was nice and small, and intimate. I liked our house. It had comfy furniture that I could cuddle up with you on. It had lots of things that this one doesn't. Including Maise's." He went back to chopping up some cheese. "I like this place, but it's too much for me."

Oz nodded, his face starting to show hurt. "So you want to leave?"

"Well, I'd like to catalog what we've got on the other side, but I'd like to use this as a vacation house." He looked up and saw the hurt look, and then he tried to stick the knife in the cutting board. He yelped as he got his hand.

Oz was beside him instantly, holding his hand under some cool running water. "You didn't have to hurt yourself, I'm not that upset," he said quietly.

"It wasn't that. I was trying to put it down to come talk to you." Xander reached down with his good hand and patted Oz's wet one. "I like your house, but I like *ours* better. I like how small it was. How we had quirky rooms." He leaned over to kiss the immortal's cheek. "I'm sorry if I upset you. I might come to love this house, but not this trip."

"You really want to go back to Sunnydale?" Oz asked. Xander bit his lip as he nodded. "Then we'll go back. But you're right about something, I'd like to catalog what's on the other side of the portal. We might find something useful." He pulled the hand away from the water, looking at the wound that was glowing blue and growing back, but without the usual immortal sparks of quickening. "I'd say you're going to be fine," Oz told him, looking up into his deep brown eyes. "You really don't like my house?"

"It's nice, but it's too formal. I want something simple and little. With a pool." He gave him a shy smile. "I like being in a little space with you."

"Then we'll go back to your house."

"Our house," Xander corrected. "I got it for us. All three of us, but the two of us are good there too." He gave his lover a shy look and held out his arms for a hug.

Oz sighed and stepped into the waiting arms. "I love my house, that's why I bought it."

"Yeah, but think about something. For as long as this house stands, you're going to be the guardian of the gateway. Do you really want to do that for eternity?"

"No." Oz pulled back. "Do you think that's my lethargy to leave?" Xander nodded. "Yeah, it does make sense. I don't want to sell it though."

"So keep it for a few more decades and then sell it. If we have to, I'll help you find another house that you'll love just as much for when you need alone time." He let Oz go. "Or we could find a house we love together and hope that Giles does too."

Oz shook his head. "I want to move back to Sunnydale eventually. Just not at this moment. I'd rather everyone forgot who I was first."

"Oz, it's Sunnydale. Everyone's probably already forgotten. It's not like they remember anything about the ones we lost to the creatures."

"True, but I'd still rather have a little time free of doubting it."

"Okay, we're going to have to stay here for a little while anyway." Xander went back to chopping up his cheese, shooting Oz a small grin. "What are you going to eat today?"

"You," Oz said, pulling Xander away from the chopping block and pinning him to the refrigerator. He latched onto the pouting lips, holding him in place with just his lips. "Did you have an objection?" he asked when he pulled back for breath.

"No objection," Xander panted, pulling Oz back in for a kiss.

Methos looked over at Ray, shaking his head. "Would you like a cheese crepe, dear?" he asked, holding up the plate, but it was snatched from his fingers. "Xander, food and sex don't mix, especially not cheese crepes."

"Yay," Xander said, pulling back to nibble on his lunch. "Great, thanks," he said, tossing the plate back at the immortal as he pulled his lover out of the kitchen, taking a bite as often as he could.

Ray cut off a bite of his lunch and picked it up. "He'll need his strength," he said before taking a bite.

Methos could only agree. He'd felt that energy and drive before. Even if he never did again, he remembered quite vividly what it was like to be with Xander. He flipped his own crepe over, considering what he wanted to fill it with.

***

Xander looked around the house, sighing because everything was boring now. The little girl had left two days ago and now everything was kinda gray. Giles, who had been called by someone to help them deal with her, had left shortly after she had, so he was very bored. He looked over as Oz and Methos walked in with their clipboard. "How's the census going?" he asked, pulling Oz down into his lap to get a kiss.

"Good. We have one room left." Oz stole one last kiss and stood up. "All we have left is the room of swords and we need an extra hand. Up for it?"

"Maybe." Xander took Oz's held out hand. "Okay." He followed Oz through the blank room and the gateway, going to the room of swords and armor. They sat around the room, sorting out each sword by looks and characteristics. Xander passed the swords off to Methos, who recorded their ages or period of make, and if he could their makers. The swords went into holders and were put against the wall.

After about three hours of that, Xander started to look around for something more exciting to do. He caught Methos' amused expression and nodded outside, getting a nod in return, so he escaped. He wandered into the room with all the gateways, looking at the open ones to see what was going on. It was better than reality TV. He sat down in front of one, watching the courtesans work their magic in the obviously tense room. He was inches away from the mirror holding the gateway when Oz walked in and pulled him back. "What?" he asked, not looking up.

"Don't want you crossing." Oz sat down beside him, looking at the same mirror. "Tense situation?"

"Very. There's a war being planned and the Arch-Duke, that guy right there," he pointed at the guy in the funny colored robes and the huge hat, "is trying to gain favor to lead the army." He looked over at Oz. "There's a lot of tension and the courtesans are doing a *great* job with easing the stress."

"Cool. That was their first job description, even before they slept with the proper people." He reached out to touch the cool hand. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just wondering what I would have been doing if I had been born back then." Xander went back to watching the mirror. "Can they see us?"

"Only if we get too close."

Xander nodded, staring at the people. "Would I have been doing that?"

"Maybe," Oz agreed. "It would have depended on where in the social order you were born and who found you before you reached your majority." Oz squeezed his hand. "Relax. You won't have to sleep with anyone you don't want to."

"Oz, why wouldn't I have to? I can run in different circles now, even though I never pushed it. I could be part of the idle rich, playing games with the idiotic sons."

"Nope." Oz scooted closer to him. "As soon as someone found out how you made your money, and they would because they'd look, they'd shun you. You'd end up doing that job." He pointed at the mirror in front of them. "Do you really want that?"

"No," Xander said quietly, "I'd like to have my own life and enjoy it. Can I do that?"

"I don't see why not. What would make you happier?"

"Traveling."

"I said we could," Oz reminded him. "Where would you like to go?"

"There," Xander said, pointing at the mirror.

"No. It's too dangerous."

"So? You can fight. I can fight somewhat. We'd be fine."

"No," Oz repeated. "We can't go through the portals. It's too dangerous."

"I went through one," Xander admitted.

"You did what?" Oz asked, staring at his lover. "Where? Which one?"

"The one over there." Xander pointed at the mirror. "I stopped an assassination. I was good, I came back when something happened."

"Now, Xander," Oz said quietly. "I know you know how dangerous that was. Why did you do that?"

"Because I wanted to stop him from dying. It was the right thing to do."

"No, it wasn't. It was a bad thing. Someone there could have stopped it. You shouldn't go through those. You don't know what'll happen." He squeeze the hand he held again. "If you want to travel, I'll take you anywhere you want, but not through those." He leaned into the warm body. "Do you understand?"

"But I didn't get sick."

"No, but you changed an event in that time line. You don't know what you changed, or how you may have ruined their lives." He looked into the deep eyes but didn't see any understanding in them. "Xander, have you heard of the Grandfather paradox?" The young man shook his head. "If you go back and you kill your grandfather, would you exist?" Xander shook his head. "Then how did you do it?"

"Oh," Xander said after a few seconds thought. "So I could have changed the lives dramatically and started a paradox?"

"Or you could have changed it so much that their lives will never be the same. You don't know what stopping the assassination did to their lives. It could have been planned."

"Planned?"

"I've known some cultures that had planned assassinations to make sure that the ruler didn't get too old or insane. It was planned by the higher-ups but not the people, so the people could riot and get mad at someone."

"Oh." Xander leaned into Oz's body. "Did it work?"

"It did for them. At least for a while, until they were taken over. Did you understand the point?"

"Yup." Xander looked down at his key stone pendant, touching it. "It'd be the same as going back in time and screwing something up there."

"Yeah, it could be," Oz said, pulling his lover into his lap with a grunt. "Nothing's certain when you go through portals like these. You could end up going somewhere other than where the portal shows. You could end up being captured and tortured or sold. Or you might end up somewhere nice and comfy. You can never tell."

"Can we leave here and travel?" Xander asked quietly.

"Definitely. Just tell me where."

"Around?"

"Okay. We'll start on this coast and work our way around?"

"Sure." Xander gave him a hug. "Thank you, Oz."

"Hey, I like to spoil you."

"Hmm, does that mean we can go shopping before we travel?"

"Sure. We'll drop your stuff back at *our* house and then we'll hit LAX and go somewhere."

"Oh, train? I liked the train. As long as we can get a sleeper."

"You'll love the European ones more then. They're a lot different. You get a whole compartment to yourself."

"Cool. Can we?"

"Yup. As soon as we get this done." He stood up, pushing his lover up in front of him. "Come, let's go finish sorting these swords." He looked around but Xander wasn't in the room with him anymore. He slowly turned to the mirror and went pale. "METHOS!" The older immortal came running, sword in hand. "Good, cool. Got to go get him." He took the sword, blocking Ray from coming through with him. "Mine."

"Yeah, but you need stuff," Ray reminded him, holding out a bag. "I grabbed this because I thought he might have gone across."

"I pushed him accidentally," Oz admitted, looking inside the bag. "Oh, jewels. Good, they're currency most anywhere." He jiggled the bag, nodding. "We're doing okay here." He took the sword Methos handed him, handing him his back. "Thanks, guys, we'll be back soon." He stepped through the portal and went directly to his lover's side, knocking two guards out on the way. "Xander," he said quietly as he knelt beside him, smiling when he got looked up at. "You okay?" he asked as he helped him up.

"Yeah, big ouchies on my head," Xander said, rubbing the back of his head. "I think I tripped." He looked around the room. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

"Yeah, we kinda are," Oz said, looking around. He pulled Xander up behind him, switching his sword to the hand he fought best with. "We're peaceful, it was an accident that brought us here." He nodded at the man in the big hat that was coming toward them. "Hi."

"How did you comest here?" he demanded regally.

"Through the portal," Oz said, pointing his sword at it. "We'd like to leave before we have a problem though. We're not supposed to be here."

"Leave them," a bored voice said from behind them.

Xander turned and smiled at the man, who gasped. "Um, am I in trouble for saving you?"

"No, young man, you are not," the King said, walking down to shake his hand. "I thank you for saving me." He smiled at Oz. "Is he your guard?"

"No, he's mine," Oz said, bowing slightly. "Xander, come back here," he ordered, pulling him closer. "We technically guard each other." He held onto the belt loop on the young man's jeans. "We really shouldn't be here."

"If you could find the portal, you are free to leave," the King said, "but we've researched past occurrences of people coming through the portal you speak of and they couldn't return for a few days if they didn't pass back through in under five minutes."

Oz looked at his watch then walked toward where the portal was, dragging Xander with him. They ran into a solid wall of air. "Nope, we're past time. How long?"

"Three days is the usual, though it has been up to thirty." The King clapped his hands. "Music for our new friends." He waved an older woman over. "Mother, this is the man who saved me and his ... what position do you hold within his household?"

"He belongs...."

Oz stopped Xander's explanation with a hand over his mouth. "We're bonded together. I'm his protector and he's mine."

"You're shield brothers?" the mother of the King asked them.

Oz nodded. "Close enough." He held out a hand. "Oz."

Xander grinned at her. "Xander," he said, doing the same.

She shook them both. "I am known as Victoria. Shall I show them to a room?" she asked her son.

"Please, mother. This party is about to end." He walked back to his throne and sat back down, returning to his bored demeanor.

Xander and Oz followed the older woman out of the meeting hall and up a flight of stairs. "He did something bad?" Oz asked quietly after stopping her on the stairs.

She smiled and patted the side of Xander's face. "Whether or not it was bad doesn't matter. What matters now is how well you guard him, young Oz. There are those that already would have him put to death for saving my son." She turned and continued up the stairs. "Come, we'll get you settled for the night and we'll see you in the morning. I'll have my maids bring something more appropriate up for you to wear." She looked at Xander's outfit and shook her head. "Not even the peasants wear cloth that coarse."

"We were sorting swords and armor," Oz explained, walking into their room first. He held out a hand, allowing Xander to come inside. "Could we talk with someone about getting semi- permanent clothes?"

"Tomorrow. I have a seamstress." She looked at the bulge in Oz's pocket. "Did you bring a pet?" she asked, delicately pointing at it.

Oz pulled the bag out and opened it to let her see inside. "No, I stopped to get some supplies otherwise I would have been right behind him."

She smiled brightly at them. "Good. People like you shouldn't toil under some Lord." She left them alone, closing the door behind her.

"I'm sorry," Xander and Oz said together, both waving the other off.

"I pushed you," Oz told him.

"Actually, I kinda took a step forward as you helped me up and got sucked through," Xander admitted with a head scratch as he looked around the room. "I thought I had more clearance to the mirror," he said when he looked back at Oz.

"So, in other words, Fate got us?"

"Yup, pretty muchly," Xander agreed, leaning closer to give him a kiss.

Oz backed away. "Not here. It's not acceptable and we don't want to change their opinions of us." He looked at the bed, then at the floor, shaking his head.

Xander sat on the end of the bed. "Forgive me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't shield brothers be sleeping together? I mean, weren't they basically married?"

"In our realm, yeah. Here? I'm not sure."

Someone tapped on the door and Oz reached over to open it, nodding the servant inside. "Sires, I was asked to come answer a few questions and to make some plans for your morning." He bowed to Xander. "They had thought that the King was mad with grief," he said quietly. "You saved him from the machinations of the Arch-Duke."

Xander smiled kindly at him. "I couldn't do anything less. I basically bumbled into it." The servant smiled. "Are you here to help us or to get information?"

"A little of both," he admitted with a grin of his own, "but mostly to help you. Are you really shield brothers?"

"Yup," Oz said. "We're not sure if it means the same thing here as it does at home though."

"It means men that have pledged to each other..." He saw the nods. "Ah, yes, the other part of the pact. It's not enforced here but it's also not talked about. It's best to keep it out of the common view."

Oz nodded. "That's what I expected. It's not always accepted in our realm either." He looked over at Xander. "What do you need?"

"Bath. I feel sticky from cleaning the swords."

"Did you really come through the gateway?"

"I'm the owner of the gatehouse we were working in," Oz told him quietly. "Xander possesses the keys."

"Wow." He looked around. "Sires, a bath would be most generous of you, but it's not the norm here."

Oz shrugged. "We've been cleaning swords all day, we're sticky and stink of metal polish. Would that be a good enough reason?" The servant nodded. "Good. While we're here, can we at least have two buckets of water a night? I'll warm it up on the hearth if I have to."

"Of course. You bathe every day?"

"It helps keeps sickness away," Xander told him. "We were trained to be this way."

"Oh. That's interesting." He bowed to them. "I'm Andral. Ask for me if you need anything else."

"Clothes in the morning," Xander said, looking at Oz. "Will we get stuff I won't itch in?"

"Probably. Looking at the robes the others were wearing, we should be able to get something decent for you to wear." He looked at the boy. "We'll probably want to go to the market tomorrow to gift our hosts with something. Could that be arranged?"

"Most definitely. Will you require a helper?" he asked, plainly begging.

"Sure. We probably could. We're not familiar with the money system after all," Xander said wisely. "We'll need someone to show us where to exchange what we have for money from here."

Andral nodded swiftly. "I can do that. There's a good money changer in the village." He backed out of the room. "I'll get you your water as soon as possible." He let the door close behind him.

Oz leaned over behind Xander, running a finger up and down his lower back. "You did that very well."

"I've been dreaming about doing something like this since I was a little boy," Xander said, stiffening as the finger hit a sensitive spot. "Don't do that."

"Okay." Oz kissed the spot. "We'll get baths and then go to bed." He sat back up as someone knocked. "Come in?"

A man in an old, mended robe walked in with a tub, followed by Andal. "Your bath, sires," he said, bowing to them. "Will there be anything else?"

"Just save a little of it to drink," Oz told him. "We'll be fine otherwise."

Andal held up the basket that he had taken off his back. "There's a small pitcher in here." He nudged the other servant out and winked, leaving them alone.

Xander walked over to the basket, looking inside it. "Gee, Oz," he said, turning around with the vial of oil that had been inside. "They know what we need."

"Servants can be like that," Oz explained, getting up to put the warmed water into the tub.

***

Methos looked up from his position in front of the mirror, giving his lover a pitiful look. "They're gone."

"I think it's on some sort of rotation," Ray said as he sat down next to him, handing over a plate of food. "Sometimes the mirrors are workin' and sometimes they're not, and sometimes they're on different mirrors. I can't figure out a pattern though."

"It must be some form of alignment problem," Methos said thoughtfully, looking back at the mirror he was guarding. "How long do you think they'll be there?"

"Not real sure, but I found blankets so we can nap down here if ya wanna." Ray reached over to steal a bite of food, grinning when his hand was stopped and kissed. "I only wanted a nibble."

"You have it," he said, handing it back. "I'm not hungry."

"It won't be that long, Methos, I promise," Ray soothed, putting the plate in his lap so he could wrap his lover in his arms. "They'll come back. Oz is too clever to let anything happen to Xander and that boy could bullshit his way outta anything that might hurt Oz."

"True, but I still worry. You know what happens when Oz fights."

"Yeah, but I doubt he's gonna have reason to be fightin' like that over there," Ray said quietly, hoping he was right. "The picture showed a ballroom scene. Sorta like what woulda been held in here."

Methos turned his head, giving Ray a light kiss on the cheek. "I'm lucky to have you, aren't I?"

"Yup, and don't you forget it either; otherwise, I'm gonna teach Mutley to lick you awake every morning."

"No, please, not *dog* drool," Methos sighed dramatically, leaning into the warm body. His hand snuck down to steal a piece of meat, slowing savoring the taste once he fought off Ray's hands.

***

Methos woke up on the third day and blinked as he saw the mirror opening. His gurgled squeal brought Ray instantly awake and sitting up next to him. He smiled as he saw Oz walking up to the portal, waving at him. Oz gave him a faint smile and held out a hand, and the man that took it caused the World's Oldest Immortal to almost faint. Xander stepped through first, turning back to help Oz through, then they both waved. Xander hopped back through to take three bags and then ran back through the portal as it started to close again.

"Whew. Almost didn't make it back," Xander said, grinning at Oz. "Then what would I have done without my fiercest protector?" He ran a fingernail across Oz's chin. "I'm ready to go home and stay there for a while. You?"

"Definitely. Still want to do Europe?" Oz led him over to the blank room, checking to make sure that Xander still had his key stone on, then they walked through, holding hands as usual.

Methos clambered up, narrowly missing Ray's hand, and ran after them. Or at least he tried and ran into the wall. He looked over at Ray, who was pointing at the stone. "Come on, then, let's go see what the imp's been up to."

Xander stuck his head back through the wall. "Get the bags, please? I have prezzies in there for you two." He disappeared again.

Ray stood up and grabbed the bags Xander had dropped after walking through, having to fight the mirror for a strap on one bag. He finally got it free, almost falling on his rear at the same time, and handed two over to his lover, making sure he had the stone in one hand and Methos' hand in the other before they walked across.

"Well?" Methos asked as soon as he walked through the other side's wall. "Where were you?" He looked at Richie, who was standing in the doorway. "When did you get here?"

"Last week."

"We've only been on the other side for three days," Methos protested.

"Time must run funny," Oz muttered as he came up for air. "Xander, babe, give out prezzies so we can go play some more. Now, or no topping."

Xander shivered and grabbed the bags from Ray's hand, pulling him down onto the floor. "We'll write you a report later," he said as he dug, pulling out four wrapped bundles. "Here, these are for you four, they're written on." He grabbed a vial of oil he had pulled out and followed Oz out of the room at a run.

Richie shook his head. "Where'd you guys come from?" he asked, pointing at the wall.

"It's a long story," Ray said quietly, standing up to hold Methos, who was still staring after the couple in shock. "Didn't Xander look great?" he asked Richie, hopping to get Methos snapped out of it.

"Yeah, really great," Richie said, looking behind him and licking his lips. "You wouldn't think that he'd be the leather pants type, especially not that tight. And did he put on muscle since I last saw you guys?" He turned his attention back to find Ray holding Methos back. "What's wrong with the old guy?"

"I'll kill him for corrupting Xander," Methos was growling, trying to get free.

"Gee, looked like the other way around," Richie said, walking in to look at his friend. "You've got to calm down, old fart, it's not good for you to get this excited at your age." He barely had time to wink at Ray before he found himself down on the floor with a pissed off immortal kneeling over his chest. "Yes? Can I help you?" he asked smartly.

"Don't *ever* say that about Xander again," Methos hissed. "I will not allow it!"

"Sure, whatever," Richie said, wiggling and rolling until he got free. "Whatever you say, old fart. Hey, Ray, should I vacate my room for a bit?"

"Nah. Go eat. Or go talk to the dragon. He's usually entertaining."

Richie shook his head once to clear his ears. "Dragon? You mean the head over the fireplace?"

"Yup. If he likes you, he'll talk to you. Oh, and tell him Oz and Xander are back. He'd like to know that since they're thinking about freeing him."

Richie nodded slowly like he wasn't too awfully sure of the detective's sanity. He walked out of the room and went into the living room, coming back a few moments later very pale. "It talks," he said, pointing. "It talks and it's *British*."

"Could be worse," Ray said with a grin, "it could be German, or Russian."

Richie leaned against the wall, not aware that he was slowly sliding down it. "Yeah, I guess." He looked over at Methos. "Wasn't your life uncomplicated and normal a few months ago?"

"Yes, but that was before I met Xander," Methos said dryly. He reached a hand down. "I apologize for attacking you, oh irritating one, but I'm very protective of Xander." Everyone looked up as a shrill scream floated down the hallway. "Even when he makes noises like that one."

"Was that him or Oz?" Ray asked, staring at the ceiling. "Oh, hey, look. The words changed."

"When the blockage is removed the swing will change," Methos read, then shook his head. "No more cryptic than the last one, but then again it didn't appear until he brought Xander here." He wrapped an arm around Ray's waist and led him from the room. "We'll tell them about it later, after we get an account of their time away from us."

"Okay." Ray grinned slyly at him. "Wanna go make some noise of our own? I wanna try it on that bench in the garden."

"Only if you're under me," Methos growled, leaning over to nip him.

"Sure." He pulled his lover out to where a peculiar bench sat, one with holes all through it.

***

Methos tapped on the couple's door, holding up a tray when it popped open, trying hard not to watch Oz's naked rear as he trotted back to the bed. "Ray thought you might need some refueling." He walked over to the bed at the twin grins and laid the tray between them. "There, now where were you and do I have to go clean up a mess?"

"Nope, to the second one," Oz said, looking over at Xander. "Did you catch the name of the country we were in?"

"Nope, I was having too many problems at first and then it became a little less important."

Oz nodded, turning his attention back to Methos. "We're not sure about that one part." He smiled at the groan. "What? We were busy fighting a war and helping the King keep his throne from the guy who killed his family instead of him." He shrugged at the incredulous look, picking up Xander's wandering hand to give the back a kiss. "He's a very good courtesan and political mover. He smoothed over a lot of burnt feelings by being himself."

Methos shook his head and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Oz looked over at Xander. "Think he believed it?"

"Nope. But I can prove it," Xander reminded him, looking down at his chest. "Why did I scar? You don't."

"Yeah, but we like you just the way you are, scars and all." Oz leaned down to lick across the chest-wide scar, a proven ticklish spot on his baby's body. Xander shrieked and wiggled to get away. He looked at the bowl of berries that Xander was threatening him with. "And? You'll have to clean it up and we won't have the bed anymore."

Xander looked at the bowl then at his lover, reaching into it to plop one of the plump blueberries into Oz's mouth. "Then I'll just have to occupy you some other way," he said with a wink.

"Dance for me?"

"Ohhhh," Xander said with a shiver. "I like doing that. Where's the clothes?" He looked around. "We don't have the bags."

"I can fix that," Oz said, stealing a berry as he got out of bed and walked to the door. He opened the door, sticking his head out. "Ray, we need our stuff!" he yelled.

"I could dance for everyone," Xander suggested slyly. "Make poor Methos pant and attack Ray?" He grinned at the head shake. "C'mon, I could teach Ray how to do it. You could even watch the lessons."

Oz wiped off his suddenly sweaty brow. "Yeah, okay. I like that idea." He took the bags, nodding Ray inside. "Xander wants to show off a new skill. He's even offered to teach it to you if you'd like." He looked inside the first bag, tossing it away with a muttered, "Formal clothes." The second got tossed to the naked man on the bed. "Don't ever do it in your leathers though," Oz warned. "I won't be responsible for that." He gave Ray an expectant look.

"Oh, I thought you meant in here." Ray gave Oz a small grin. "Not in here?"

"Nope, we're gonna get you laid *real* well," Xander said as he slid into a pair of pants under the covers. "Go get everyone and we'll be down there in a minute. Not in the living room. I'm not trusting that dragon after the last one we met."

"You met," Oz reminded him. "I only met him at the end of the sword. You were his ..." he coughed, "house guest."

"Yeah, blame me for being kidnapped," Xander said, standing up. He smiled at Ray. "Go get Meth and join us in the dining room?"

"Ball room, there's plenty of room for you in there." Oz opened the door, pushing Ray out of it when he still appeared to be stuck. "You know, maybe you should put on one of the formal robes until we get down there. Don't want Methos to be stuck on the stairs and miss this." He walked over to the first bag, pulling out a light blue robe. "Hmm, mine."

Xander walked over to the third bag, pulling open the top and dumping everything out. He frowned and picked up the broken little vial. "We broke it," he said, holding up the ends. The vial had been a special present from the King's mother, a special oil that the first smell of had driven Oz wild. They had almost scandalized the entire Court and the visiting dignitaries that were there to try and get peace.

"I'm sorry," Oz said, walking over to give him a hug. "What soaked the scent up?"

Xander picked up a blood red robe. "This. I think." He smelled it. "I can't tell."

Oz sniffed and got hard. "Yeah, that's it," he groaned. "Put it on and let me grab some shorts. I'm not going to be able to make it much longer than your first turn." He grabbed a pair of boxers and pulled them on, straining to get it on over his rigid cock. "Okay, let's go. Maybe someone's got a cold drink."

Xander grinned at him as he did the robe up at his navel. "Maybe. Or else you'll be giving people a show too," he said with a wipe down the side of Oz's face. "C'mon. Let's go *tease*."

"This is gonna be good," Oz murmured as he followed the robed body down the stairs. They found everyone in the ballroom and Oz sat down in the empty chair, getting comfortable for this. He'd seen this performance before and it was something. Xander had found another way for his GHSness to come out and it was *good*.

Xander took off his robe, smiling at Ray as Methos almost fell out of his chair. He looked down at his barely covered body, then back at his friends. "What?" he asked innocently. He started to stretch backwards, ending up in a perfect backbend. Oz clapped. "Thanks, babe, but I need to concentrate. I'm going to do the abridged story version instead of one of the parts of the story." He popped back up and twisted, going into his mind where the music was. It's too bad he couldn't have recorded some of it, but where they had been didn't have tape recorders or CD's yet. He started a slow movement of his hips, just barely moving them. Then all of a sudden, he leapt up and came down, moving and swaying to a tune only he and Oz had ever heard. He heard the gasps as he went backwards again, his sweat making the formerly transparent pants clear. He kicked over, slowly doing a handstand, just like his teacher had taught him. He smiled in remembrance of his teacher's joy at finding such a supple body. He continued over, ending up in a split, then bending forward to touch his forehead to his knee. The beat in his mind changed, so he rolled onto his side, kicking up into a feet-splayed stance, his hips moving again as the rhythm start a slow, almost sensuous beat. He moved to stand in front of Oz, swaying gracefully, his arms over his head as his flat stomach rippled. He smiled down at his lover as his cum exploded out of him, turning away from him and going over to dance in front of the other couple.

Methos grabbed Ray's hand and squeezed it as Xander moved over. The dance was almost a belly-dance, but it was much more athletic, made for the male form instead of the female form. The immortal could feel himself grow harder as he got caught up in the hypnotic motion of the young man's hips. He felt his hand squeezed so he stopped leaning forward, but he couldn't take his eyes off the stomach flowing in waves, the sheer coordination that Xander now had. Whoever had taught him this had definitely found Xander his ultimate weapon - his body.

Methos looked over at Ray as Xander flowed backward, giving the tight body an appraisal. "Do you want to learn how to do that?" he asked his lover, who nodded frantically. "I'll let you learn, but you're going to be forbidden to put on a show for anyone else."

"Hey, not an issue," Ray said quietly, eyes stuck on Xander where he had went back into a perfect backbend again, holding it for a long time but still doing the same stomach movements. "I'll never be able to do that," he whispered, pointing.

Methos' breath caught as he saw Xander. He reached out to touch him, but he was too far away. Suddenly, Xander surged to his feet, his whole style changing. His dance now looked more aggressive, more of a fighting style than anything else. The young man came down out of a flying kick, landing in a split, both arms upraised and his wrists crossed. He slowly got to his feet, trudging along behind an imaginary keeper, then he threw himself to the floor. It aroused every protective instinct in Methos' body, he wanted to *hurt* whomever had done this to poor Xander. Then the boy started to dance again.

Slower this time, the moves becoming even more hypnotic. No one could take their eyes off him. Every bit of Xander was swaying now, bringing imaginary people to him, tossing them away after dancing with them. Until one imaginary person made him throw his head back. He danced that way, his arms flung out, his knees bent, little cooing noises coming from his throat.

Methos wasn't aware of the hand on his cock, he was too engrossed in Xander and his story. Very quickly, Xander surged up against his imaginary friend, beating him down onto the floor then dancing over him. He smiled as the grinding actions started again, the dancer moving his hands over his stomach, then he turned and walked away unfulfilled. Xander stood in front of him again, his clothing hiding nothing, his attitude much more aggressive now. And it turned the older immortal on. Xander was showing them his power, his strength, how much he could do for them, but only if he wanted to. He wiggled his way over to Oz, leaning down to kiss him, and they could see that his back was doing the wave-like motions now. Every muscle had been finely trained to serve it's master and he was showing them how good he could be.

Xander straddled Oz's lap, shimmying just for him now. His hips went back to their side-to-side grinding action, his body moving up and down over the lap but never quite touching his lover. Oz groaned and reached out for him, but Xander moved backwards, hopping into a series of back flips, ending up leaning against a wall as he panted. "Whoo!" he shouted, jogging back over to hug Oz. "I didn't lose it!"

"Nope, you didn't lose it," Oz said, pulling him down. "Do some more of that."

Richie broke the mood by coughing and standing up, then he ran from the room.

Oz looked over at Methos, who was ignoring them because of the head in his lap. "Got a problem there," he said quietly, pointing at Ray's erection when he finally got his teacher's attention.

"I'll deal with that in a few moments. Xander, could you teach Ray to do that?"

"Sure!" He grinned. "Anytime. I know fourteen different stories in that dance series and another series too." He looked down at his lover. "He's forbidden me to do those while I'm wearing my leathers though. Just because it caused a little riot and orgy." He lunged down, stroking himself against Oz's cock, making him groan and come again. "There, feel better, babe?" he asked, giving him a kiss.

"Yeah, much," Oz sighed, pulling Xander in for a hug. "The other series is much more sexually oriented. It's the filler stories of the guys he was dancing with." He weakly patted Xander's butt. "I'm ready for a nap, and Methos would like privacy. Bed?"

"Sure. I'll drag Ray down to practice later." Xander got up and pulled Oz with him, helping him up to bed.

"I like how the guy's invigorated by sex," Ray said, pulling off of his sucking duty. "Can I learn both?"

"Yes," Methos moaned, pushing his head back down. "You will."

Ray smiled, he had always enjoyed getting his way. Now he'd have a foolproof way to do it.

***

"Three months!" Ray asked, stepping back from his teacher. "You learned all that in three months?"

"Yup. Well, actually, we were there for three months, I learned it all in under two. I needed something to do after being kidnapped by a dragon and his human." He shrugged at the incredulous look. "It was part of my fight training. Oz agreed I could do it." He waved a hand down his toned, fit, taut body. "I was good at it."

"Obviously. I couldn't *wear* Meth out earlier. Will ya teach me all of it?"

"Sure. Acrobatics, fighting stuff, or the dance stuff first?"

"I'm not too good on the gymnastics stuff, so how about the dancing stuff? Something that I can go upstairs and make my lover pant with maybe?"

"Sure. Where is he anyway?"

"Taking a call from Joe, something about Macleod. I think he got free or somethin'." Ray shrugged when Oz stared at him. "Sorry, go ask the older guy."

"I should," Oz agreed, but he sat down. "I want to watch this though." Methos walked in and sat beside Oz, whispering in his ear. "Son of a bitch," Oz muttered. "I knew his contrite attitude was too good to be true."

"Problems?" Xander asked as he started to stretch. "Should I go get my sword too?"

"No, we're safe in here," Methos told him. "Sword?" He looked at Oz. "You're teaching him how to fight?"

"The dance is a fighting style," Xander told him as he popped back up. "My teacher thought I was going to be pretty good with some more practice."

"He found the perfect means to teach Xander how to fight," Oz explained. "He did much better than I expected in those three months."

"Three months? How much could he have learned?" Methos asked dryly.

"A lot," Oz said in an equal tone. "Much more than I expected but he's able to win a fight against someone."

"Someone of our class or someone of under a year's practice?"

"Both. His teacher was training a King's son, and it was necessary training. Xander learned all he could in between teasing the higher-ups into a better mood."

Xander sighed. "Oz, I was doing what was best for the Kingdom. The war could have been much worse if I hadn't taken up a position in the Court."

"As in Judiciary?" Ray asked.

"No, as in of the King." Xander pointed at the wall. "Go stretch, I don't want to hear you complain about cramps later," he said, doing a dead-on impersonation of his former teacher. He missed that guy sometimes. He shrugged it off and went back to his stretching.

Methos leaned back in his chair, his arm across the back. "Well, I must admit, it looks pretty."

Oz tossed his sword over, he had expected this. "Do the second kata you learned," he ordered.

Xander hefted the familiar weight, starting the swift, graceful movements as soon as he was told what to do. He stopped about half-way through, tossing it back, then pulled one of his daggers out, finishing it with that since this was all close work. This one was all about being less than six inches from your opponent and he didn't trust himself not to stab Ray. He finished to clapping, bowing to Oz and Methos. "Not that hard. Even you learned that one, Oz."

"Yup." Oz put his sword on the chair beside him. "Teach him, he's stretched enough. We want to watch this."

"Yes, please," Methos said, giving his lover a smile. "If you learn something magnificent, I'll gladly give you a reward."

"Oh, you're gonna do that anyway," Ray told him. "Or else you can get up here and do this."

Xander nudged him. "Don't worry about it, he'll be impressed no matter what you do." He smiled at Methos. "After all, he wouldn't want to start to undervalue you again. Would he?"

"No, he wouldn't. One attack of the peachskin thongs was enough," Methos agreed.

"Good," Xander purred, still smiling. He turned to Ray, winking at him. "I'd hate to have to find a worse torture. Though," he stopped to think, "I do have a few tricks I could train Ray to do."

"No," Methos said quickly, "you will *not* corrupt my Ray any farther. Not unless you want to have some more payback, Xander."

"Me?" Xander asked innocently. "Corrupt him?" He grinned at Ray. "Have I *corrupted* you, Ray?"

"Yup, but all in a good way. Let's do this. Before you two get into another play fight."

"Okay. Do this." He took up position on the floor, one arm stretched out over his bent knee. Ray mimicked him. "Now stand slowly." They both did, then Xander had to brush the hair out of his eyes. "Okay, now do this," he instructed after getting back into position, twisting his hips in a circle while barely moving the rest of him. "Follow it with this." He did a sideways step.

Ray did it then got back down on the floor to put it all together. Methos clapped when he was done. "Thanks," he said with a light flush. "That wasn't too hard."

"No, but that's the first part of an invitation dance." Xander did the next few steps, having to stop when Oz rushed the floor and gave him a kiss. "Gee, not part of the program," he murmured as he stole another one. "Naughty you, go sit down."

Oz trudged back to his seat with a leer for his old friend. "He said it was an invitation."

"Yes, but if you continue to rut on the floor, I'll never get to see the whole invitation so I won't be able to respond to it," Methos said, smacking him on the arm. "Sit still and act like the celibate priest you once were."

"Oz was celibate?" Ray asked. "When?"

"When we first met. It was all part of the duty." Methos waved a hand at them. "Continue."

Xander turned Ray away from them so he'd quit blushing. "Okay, now we're going to do something to tack onto it." He slowly did a complicated series of arm movements, all meant to entice a lover to him. "Okay, now do it with me."

Methos watched as Ray did the complicated steps, trying very hard to ignore the hardness starting to spring up. As soon as Ray was done, he hopped up and dragged him from the room. "Only with me," he told him over and over as he pulled the younger man up the stairs, ignoring Ray's smile.

Oz looked at Xander, giving him a few claps. "Yeah, I think that went well. Want to help me go shopping?"

"Clothes or food?" Xander asked as he strolled over to sit in his lover's lap. He stole a light kiss. "I could use some food."

"That's where I was going. Go put on clothes, and not the leathers, and we'll go."

"Okay." Xander got up and sashayed from the room, teasing his lover as only he could.

Oz groaned and followed him up the stairs. They had time.

***

Xander looked around the chip aisle, trying to decide what he wanted for a snack. "I used to miss having these," he said as he touched a bag. "Now it's kinda different some how."

"Yeah, I know. Want ice cream?"

"Oh, I have *so* been craving ice cream." Xander jogged down the aisle, going to grab some ice cream from three aisles over.

In the fruit aisle, Methos' head snapped up as he felt another immortal walk into the store. He handed Ray the tomatoes he was choosing then slowly walked over to where Oz was, hand on his sword as he scanned the thin crowd. Oz was looking around, but gave him a nod. They walked forward together, but just as quickly as it started, it stopped.

Oz ran toward the frozen aisles, searching for Xander. "He's not here," he called, waving Methos over.

"Someone stole him?" Ray asked. "How many times does this happen to the guy?"

Bitchslaps to the Insane

Xander struggled against the handcuffs holding him, stopping occasionally to glare at the back of the head in front of him. "If you think Oz is going to let this go, you are *so* off." The man laughed and sped up, but his voice told Xander who had him. It hadn't been that long since he had been drugged in the store, Oz was probably gathering together everything he'd need to come get him. He'd find him soon.

"Oz won't be coming for *you*, I'm sure. You're mine now, whore."

Xander laughed mirthlessly. "Well, you've managed to lose even more brains, congratulations. Wrong on both counts, McCleod."

"We'll see, but I know what you are."

"Gee, did the voices in your head tell you that lie?" Xander taunted snidely, still struggling with the cold metal around his wrists.

"No, Methos did." McCleod pulled onto the interstate with a squeal of tires and a symphony of honks for changing lanes so fast.

***

Xander bounced on the bed, trying to get his balance after the hard shove he had received.

"Strip," McCleod grunted, pulling off his belt.

"Nope, don't think so," Xander said. He pulled his feet up and crossed them, getting comfortable. "You might as well let me go now, before Oz calls Methos and Jace."

McCleod snorted. "I can beat both of them, even the one I don't know."

Xander shrugged. "Maybe, but I'll still be rescued. And if they don't kill you, I will." He laughed. "Yeah, that might be preferable. That way your insanity won't be passed on." He watched his captor laugh for a few minutes, then shrugged. "Release me and we'll see," he offered.

"No. I don't want to kill you by accident." He pulled keys out of his pocket and reached behind Xander to unlock him. "Let's get these rearranged so you can do your job."

Xander bit the thick neck as hard as he could, tugging against McCleod's pull away, bringing a nice chunk of flesh away in his mouth. He spit it at his captor. "Let me go or you're going to be sorry," he warned coldly.

"Fine," McCleod spat, walking out of the room. He slammed the door and locked it from the outside. "We'll see how you feel in a few hours."

Xander listened to the padlock being locked, taking in his surroundings. It wasn't like he was new to this problem; he had a lot of experience with being kidnapped, though usually he was rescued by now, so he had a fair idea of what he needed to be doing right now to get free. He got comfortable and pulled up everything his fighting teacher had ever told him, hoping to find something to help him now.

***

Within a few hours, Xander was tired of this game. McCleod had shown up three other times to taunt him and to try and get what he wanted, but he hadn't won because Xander could be a stubborn ass when he wanted to be. And he really wanted to be right now. He now knew he was going to have to fight to get out, the only problem was getting free. He rolled his shoulders, trying to get the feeling into them again, but it wasn't working very well. He stopped moving as he heard the padlock being jiggled, then shifted to make it look like he was still comfortable, calm, and prepared to wait this game out. "Oh, good, you're back," he said in a bored tone as the immortal walked into the room. He had learned early on that his ability to act was one of his best non-physical weapons. When he had done his stint as a courtesan across the gateway, it had stood him well.

"You wanna eat, you've got to admit what you are," McCleod said coldly, staring down at his captive, a tray in one hand.

"I freely admit to being Oz's lover and a favorite student of Methos and Oz. Other than that, you're wrong." He got to his knees and used his new-found flexibility to get his handcuffs in front of him - some things worked just like they did in the movies. "Unlock these," he said, staring into the bottomless brown eyes. "Now please," he ordered softly.

McCleod shook his head and backed away from the bed, his whole face showing his contempt and fear of contamination. "No, you stay that way," he said in a thicker than usual accent. He backed out the door and it was relocked.

Xander shrugged and got up to search for something to get the cuffs off. He tried the other door in the room, smiling as he found the bathroom. He used it while he had the opportunity.

***

Oz answered his phone with a growled, "Joe, this had better be you." He handed the phone to Richie. "He wants to talk to someone *calm*." He started to pace, listening to one side of the conversation.

"Hey, Joe. Yeah, I can do that. Where? Oh, yeah, I remember that place. Yeah, it should be me. It started with me, I've got to make him reaccept reality." He hung up and handed the phone back to Oz. "I'll have him back by tomorrow." He was stopped by the sound of two swords being drawn. He didn't even look back at them. "It needs to be me, Oz. McCleod needs it to be me. I'll bring Xander back." He walked out the door, heading for the sports car since he still had the keys to it.

***

Xander sighed as he finally got one wrist free. He worked with the soap and water to get the other off, listening to the footsteps coming closer. The second cuff dropped into the sink as the door opened. Xander turned, killing the water behind his back as McCleod walked into the room. "Hope you don't mind, but I had a big lunch."

McCleod growled as he grabbed him, pushing him back onto the bed. "Are you ready to admit you're a whore yet?"

Xander looked up at him. "You know, if your accent gets much thicker, no one's going to be able to understand you."

"Connor can!"

"Connor's dead, McCleod!" Xander shouted, getting up to get into his face. "My other lover got the guy who got him." He looked into the eyes and shook his head. "Hello, this is reality calling and we would like you to join it." Xander stumbled as he was shoved. "Nope, not gonna happen. I'm challenging you."

McCleod laughed. "Whores can't fight, that's why you have Oz."

Xander crossed his arms and shook his head. "I have Oz to have someone around. I have me to fight. Let's go." He waved a hand at the door. "Whenever you're ready," he said when the immortal didn't move.

McCleod kept laughing. "I only fight my own kind."

Xander held up his healing wrist, letting him see the blue flames racing across his flesh. "I *am* your kind," he said coldly. "I've challenged you. Fight or run?"

McCleod stared at the fire then shook his head. "No, you're not. This is another trick." He left the room but he forgot to put on the padlock this time.

Xander waited until he heard the quick steps heading off then got down to look at the knob. McCleod had made one fatal mistake, he hadn't searched Xander for anything. Not even for his little keychain knife. It would do as a screwdriver if it had to, it had before.

***

Oz looked at Methos and the wall he represented, then down at his sword. "Xander's mine," he repeated for the sixth time. "I should be the one retrieving him."

"If you do that, then you'll have to kill McCleod," Ray said, rolling his eyes at the repetition they were going through.

"Let Richie handle it," Methos added. "This is about him, not Xander. Xander's safe, but you're not. McCleod's insane." Methos grabbed him by the arms. "We don't know how willing he is to break the rules."

"Which means you sent Richie into an ambush," Oz reminded him. He took a breath to look like he was calming down. "Let me go help Richie," he suggested semi-reasonably through clenched teeth. "He won't kill McCleod."

"Nah, he'll torture him instead," Ray put in. "The whole reverse of the mental breakdown process." He looked over his shoulder. "Don't worry, he'll be hurtin' soon enough."

"But he won't *die*!" Oz complained. "He deserves to die!"

"Next time," Methos said calmly, soothing his student. "When he's sane and so are you, then you can challenge him. Not now."

Oz got free. "But he has Xander now!"

"Yes, which is why you can't challenge him yet. Once you have Xander back, *then* you challenge him. Not now, not when your mind is on Xander." Methos pulled him back into his arms, forcing the sword from his hand. "Xander is fine," he said softly. "Once you have him back, I'll help you set up the challenge. I'll even keep Xander safe for you. Now is not the time. You know better than to fight for emotional reasons, Oz, it never ends right."

Oz wrapped his arms around the older immortals's waist. "All right, I'll wait. For two days. If Richie doesn't call, he's mine."

Methos nodded. "Fine. I'll follow if that's what's going to happen. One of us will get him." Oz relaxed in his arms, knowing that it was the truth. "Now, let's sit down and think up horrid names for McCleod."

Oz snorted but followed him over to cuddle between him and Ray on the couch.

***

Xander grabbed the sword off the desk as he snuck into the main room. He barely ducked as McCleod swung backwards at him, but he brought his sword up into the ready position as the immortal turned.

"Still thinking you can fight?" McCleod sneered.

"No, I know I can fight, it's just a different style than yours." He blocked a lunge and swung around to knock the immortal in the back. "Got taught by a King's arms teacher." He dodged the next thrust, stepping back to get into a better position. He thrust as McCleod followed him, nicking him on the inside of his sword arm. "See, not so bad." McCleod growled something unintelligible as he sent a flurry of moves at the young man, all of which were blocked. Xander panted as he stepped away from the last one and took an idle swing at the unprotected side. "I told you if your accent got any thicker no one would be able to understand you. Want to repeat that?"

Duncan's eyes narrowed as he watched his opponent, trying to find a weak spot in his defense. The boy was fast, he would give him that, and flexible because he had just danced out of the way of a lunge. He danced? McCleod reran the move in his mind. The boy was using a dancing fighting style! He might have some luck yet.

Xander knew that he was being watched, he even decided to show off. He knew he had the advantage. McCleod wasn't thinking straight. He'd left too many openings for him, most of which he wasn't going to use. He was looking for a killing blow now. He danced under a thrust and took his shot, a two-handed swing at McCleod's underprotected stomach. His eyes narrowed as his opponent went to one knee, pushing him over with a foot. He mock-thrust down to draw the sword away from where he wanted it to go, then lunged down and stuck the immortal in the chest. "Damn, lung shot," he muttered, watching the immortal die. "Oh, well, he'll still be dead if I leave it there."

He sat down to wait. Oz would be there soon.

***

Richie walked into the store McCleod used to run with his love, Tessa, ignoring the memories coming back to haunt him now so he could deal with the weak life force he could feel in the main room. He slowly moved that way, not wanting to draw attention to himself. It wouldn't be the first time that Mac had brought someone to a fight while insane and he didn't want to be seen if that was the case.

"Unless you're an Oz, I'm going to get you too," Xander called out.

"Just me," Richie said as he walked into the room, sword at his side. "Oz is waiting on you. Methos wouldn't let him come because he was too upset." He looked at the body lying on the floor with the sword sticking out of a lung. "Who got him and freed you?"

"Me," Xander said as he hopped down and checked himself. "Let's go."

Richie frowned. "Let me make a call to have him picked up." He grabbed the phone from Xander's fingers, dialing a number he had memorized a few years ago. "Joe, love ya, guy. No, Xander got him. Nope, nice sword to the lung. Still sticking out of it actually."

"Shoot me, I'm used to staking instead of swords," Xander said as he examined his nails. "Want me to let him wake up?"

"Yeah," Richie said as he hung up. "Me and my teacher need to have a talk."

Xander walked over and grabbed the sword, pulling it out with a grunt. He stepped back as McCleod took a breath. "All yours, I'm going to stretch before I cramp."

"Um, don't. Just don't," Richie said, sounding a little panicked but mostly like he was begging.

"Fine, I'll go in the other room," Xander sighed as he walked away. He closed the door behind him.

Richie put his sword away and held out his arms. "C'mon, got to let you become sane again." He stepped closer, noticing McCleod was watching him. "C'mon, Mac, we've got to get this over with."

McCleod stood up and looked at his former student. "You're another trick," he accused. "Ahriman is back to his old tricks. Why won't you leave me alone?" he yelled, grabbing his head.

"Mac, you can *feel* me, he can't do that." Richie stepped closer, putting his arms down. "Try me, I'm real." He picked up one of Mac's hands and put it on his chest. "See, a heartbeat and everything."

McCleod pulled his hand back as if it were burning. "No, you're not real," he insisted again.

Richie punched him in the face, breaking his nose. "Yeah, I'm not real." He turned as a door opened behind him, smiling at the older man using the cane that walked in. "Hey, Joe. Xander's in the other room, stretching."

Joe nodded at the body curled up on the floor. "What about him? Any change?"

"He's still in denial." Richie shrugged. "Fix it however, I promised to get Xander back to Oz."

"You'd better do that before he shows up. Then come see us to fix Mac." He walked over to where the immortal was sitting and poked him with his cane. "Get up, let's go." Mac looked up at him. "Yes, you, get up so we can go. Richie was nice enough to spare your life so we should probably fix you this time. Before Oz or Methos takes your head for him."

Mac nodded and stood up, looking at Joe's face. "That was Richie? You saw him too? It was really him?"

Joe nodded. "Ahriman sent him to another plane when you thought you took his head." He stepped closer, breaking the personal distance barrier. "We got him back but you were already too far gone to see it was him." He held out a hand. "Come on. Let's go fix you. Richie will come see you in a few days, after he gets Xander back home."

Xander walked out, followed by Richie. "I'm going home," he said, smiling at Joe. "Xander," he said, shaking his hand.

"Joe, he said Connor was dead," McCleod said softly, almost childlike.

"He is," Joe agreed. "Rupert Giles got the guy who did it as soon as the quickening was over." McCleod's face fell. "I'll tell you about it later." He looked Xander over. "You going home?"

"Eventually," Xander said with a wink. He sauntered out, followed by his guard.

Joe shook his head. "Methos trained that boy too well." He grabbed McCleod's arm and led him out to his car. Someone else would come clean up the mess in the store.

***

Oz picked up the phone and dropped it after a second. He ran upstairs and came running back down after a few moments, carrying two bags. He ran out the door, not even stopping to close it after himself.

Methos looked at Ray and shrugged.

"I'd say Xander was safe," Ray noted, going back to his book. "Where do you think they're going?"

"Everywhere," Methos said, reaching for his lover. "We should probably leave soon too." He looked up and saw the dragon smirking at him. "How about now?"

Ray smiled and patted him on the face. "We haven't finished the inventory yet."

"Bugger the inventory," Methos whispered in Ray's ear. "I want to go to our home and ..." He finished off by telling Ray exactly what he was going to do to him as soon as they walked through the door.

Ray hummed and stood up, heading up to their room. "I think I need a demonstration of that," he called down. Methos ran after him, slamming the bedroom door.

GHS Corrupting the World!

Methos opened the box on his coffeetable with his name on it and groaned just one word once he saw the contents, "Xander!"

Ray walked out of the kitchen and sat in his lover's lap. "What happened?" he whispered before stealing a kiss.

"Xander's corrupted the world," he complained, dangling a silk and velvet thong from his finger.

Ray grabbed the note lying on top of the contents and smiled, busting into laughter after reading it then handing it over.

"Oh, even better," Methos said dryly, tossing both items back into the box. "Amanda and Xander have teamed up to corrupt the lingerie industry."

"I think it's really nice of Xander to help out a fledgling designer by sharing his secrets."

"No one outside the Society will wear a peachskin thong," Methos protested. "And some of us still can't wear them."

"Think about people trying to impress their lovers," Ray said, snuggling into his lover's body. "Going to get that special outfit that'll turn both of them on." He licked across the edge of Methos' chin. "Imagine me standing in our bedroom in one of those outfits."

Methos clutched him tightly as he groaned. "Why don't we explore this deeper?" he suggested, standing up and carrying his lover into their bedroom.

Ray walked out and grabbed their box to find something special to wear this time. He stripped and pulled on the silk and peachskin boxers, fuzzy side in. Then he strolled into the bedroom, kicking the door closed behind him.

***

Xander wrapped his legs tighter around Oz's waist as they kissed, letting his lover knock on their friend's door.

Oz kicked at Methos' and Ray's door, his hands busy kneading the firm ass cheeks.

The door opened but neither realized it, they were too involved in their kiss. Methos looked at Ray, who shrugged and grabbed Oz's arm. Methos grabbed Xander, forcefully taking him off Oz's body to get his own kiss.

Ray swallowed Oz's growl as he got a kiss of his own, laughing as he was pulled tighter against his friend's body and given another one.

"I believe someone's happy," Methos panted as he let Xander slide down his body. "Did we have a good trip?"

Oz nodded, resting his head against Ray's chest. "Definitely." He let Ray pull him into the living room and sit him on the couch, taking the package he was given.

"You got us prezzies?" Xander asked as he sat and cuddled into Oz's side. "Gee, all we got you was a copy of all the dances on tape."

Methos' mouth fell open and he started to drool. Ray reached over to wipe the spit off. "All of them?" Methos asked, after swallowing.

"Yup, took us a few tries to get each one," Oz said, now holding Xander's hand. "We had to tie me to a chair during a few, but we got them all."

Xander grinned. "I had to do some of them while he was gone. We even got questioned by the hotel's management while we were in London. I showed them what I was doing and they left us alone." He stroked up Oz's thigh with his free hand. "He's even in a few."

Ray smiled at Oz. "Accident?"

"All but one. That one was planned." Oz plucked the hand off his thigh and held that one too. "Xander, we agreed, no more free shows," he admonished gently.

"No more?" Methos asked, one eyebrow going up.

"I told you about that one report," Ray reminded him. "It could only have been those two that started that love-in in that park in Paris."

"Not quite," Oz said.

"But we joined in," Xander added with his naughty grin showing. "We got arrested in Paris, London, and New Delhi for PDA."

Oz shook his head. "Your forgot almost being stoned in Rome by the little old widows."

"Oh, and that too," Xander said, nodding. "But we only had one demon encounter."

"True," Oz agreed, "and he didn't try to take you, which was nice."

Xander winked at Methos. "It was Blair, the vampire from New York."

"Ah, Blair. How was he?"

"Doing good. He approved of Oz."

"He was very nice to us during our dinner. Did you know that this vamp spent a hundred grand to be my naughty's next-to-last job?"

Methos nodded. "I heard." He smiled at Xander. "Aren't you glad you're out of that business?"

"Very," Xander agreed, leaning closer to Oz. "I'm never going back." Oz patted the hands he held captive. "I'm not."

"Good." Oz let Xander's hands go so he could pull him into his lap. "We've got enough money."

"Good," Xander whispered, cuddling into him. "Never going back."

"Shh," Oz said, stroking him to calm him down. He looked at Methos. "Mac told him you said he'd been a pro."

"He said whore," Xander mumbled into Oz's shoulder.

"I'm not surprised," Methos said stiffly. "He's fully healed now by the way. Joe said he's written you both letters to beg for forgiveness." Oz snorted. "He wants to send them." Oz didn't move or make a sound. "All right, I'll tell Joe no for you." He shifted, moving Ray to his other side. "What did you see on your trip?" he asked, trying to lighten the other couple's mood.

"The Taj Mahal," Xander said, giving him a smile for the effort. "And Paris, London, Rome, Venice."

"We took the train all over Europe," Oz added. "I showed him my cliff in Greece."

Ray smiled. "It sounds romantic."

Methos patted him on the back. "Your next vacation, we'll start traveling." Ray slid off his lap and walked into the bedroom, slamming the door. He got up and followed him, coming back after a few minutes. "Do you have your travel agent's number?" he asked softly.

"It was a 'let's go here' trip," Oz told him. "Someone you want help killing?"

"Nah, I'll handle it," Ray said as he walked back out to join them. "Sorry 'bout that."

"Fine, but if it becomes necessary, *I'll* handle it," Methos reminded him. "No one gets away with that."

Xander looked at Ray. "Can we help?"

"Nah, I'll deal." Ray flopped down and spread across a chair. "It's okay. I can always quit and sue."

Xander nodded. "It'll make it easier for the next guy."

"Or harder," Oz told him. "Backlash."

"No, there's a process in place. I'm already in the system." He looked over his shoulder at Methos. "You doin' supper?"

"Nope, we're taking you out," Oz told him.

"Let's all shower and change while you guys pick a spot." Ray nodded so Xander stood up and pulled Oz with him. "Give us twenty," Xander called from the spare bedroom.

Ray looked at Methos. "You pick the spot while I change too?"

"All right. The Drake?"

"Less fancy," Ray suggested as he stood up. "Nice clothes but no jacket sorta place." He wandered back into their bedroom.

"Diga's it is," Methos muttered, grabbing the phone book.

***

Xander followed the butt in front of him to the bedroom, falling into the bed and grabbing Ray for his teddy bear. Oz looked up at Methos, who nodded, so they climbed in behind their respective, exhausted lovers, not bothering to strip too far.

Methos pulled Ray into his arms, fighting Xander for possession of his lover. He smiled as Oz grabbed Xander, and then they both followed Ray over to him. "Night," Methos whispered.

"Night," Oz said.

"Shh," Ray complained. So Xander kissed him. "Never mind."

Oz stroked through Ray's hair. "You nap, we'll protect you." He met Methos' eyes, seeing the pain in them. "It won't happen again," he whispered. "Another cop won't shoot at him ever again." Ray had let that incident slip over dessert and now they were all pissed about his job.

Methos nodded. "I know." He gave Ray a squeeze.

Xander lifted his head to look at Methos. "It won't. If it does, Ray comes to live with us until he finds a better and safer spot." He got a nod in response. "You too," Xander told him, reaching out to pat him on the face. "Not going to separate you two, not that dumb."

Oz gave Xander a kiss on the back of the neck. "Sleep, Xander. We'll deal with this tomorrow."

Xander nodded and put his head back down. "Night."

"Night," Methos said, reaching out to stroke down the soft cheek.

Oz grabbed his hand to hold. "Relax and sleep," he told him. "I'll take watch tonight."

Methos let himself relax.

***

Xander hopped off Ray's car, giving him a smile. "Oz is forcing me to Jace's tomorrow and I was wondering if you'd like to split a pizza. You too," he offered to Ray's partner.

"Sure, just not now," Ray said, giving him a small smile. "Give us an hour?"

"Okay," Xander said with a shrug. "Where?"

"Place three streets over," Ray's partner Ray suggested.

"I'm not going to a cop place," Ray said firmly. "Mario's, six blocks east." He patted Xander on the arm as he slid into the driver's seat. "One hour."

"I'll be there," Xander agreed, stepping away from the car, waving at it as it drove away. He turned to find Ray's boss standing behind him. "Just here to make an offer of lunch." He walked around him, heading back to their rental. He still had to find a host's gift.

***

Xander handed Ray the present he had picked up for the couple. "For letting us use your spare room. I figured it'd be useful."

Ray sat down and peeled the paper off, smiling at the spice rack and cookbook. "Yeah, we'll use this for supper."

Ray's partner sat down and glanced at the box. "Taking gifts?" he joked.

"For the use of his guest room," Xander replied coldly.

"Hey," Ray said, laying a hand on Xander's arm. "He's okay."

Xander relaxed. "I'm sorry, Detective Vecchio."

"No problem, some of us are very protective of Ray." He whistled, brining over their waitress. "Pizza, right kids?"

Xander nodded. "I ordered one with everything but anchovies, but I left the drinks up to you guys."

"Okay, a beer for me and a soda for Ray here," Vecchio said. "Kid, you get something for yourself?"

Xander smiled. "Yeah, I got it, but can I have a refill, Ursula?" The waitress smiled as she took his cup, giving them an excellent butt wiggle as she walked away.

Ray smiled at his partner. "Xander is on a stop-through on his way home from Europe."

"Yeah, Oz indulged me," Xander said with a sappy grin. "We went all over, not to the commercial places, but everywhere else."

"Anywhere in particular?" Vecchio asked.

"Rome, Venice, London, Paris."

"India," Ray added.

"Yeah, India and Kyoto, Japan too."

"Must be nice to be able to take off like that," Vecchio noted. "How long were you gone?"

"Fourteen months," Ray sighed. "All we got were cute postcards and one phone call telling us to send the animals."

Xander grinned. "That was Oz. We were in London for the second time." He smiled at Ursula as she came back over. "We took the train all over though, so we passed through everywhere else. Thanks," he said as he took his drink.

She leaned down and whispered something

He shook his head. "Nope, not me, but I am taken. Jace is a wonderful woman." Vecchio choked on his beer.

Ray waited until they were alone. "This is an okay place to be us," he said quietly.

Xander winked. "Oz said that I couldn't tell anyone about him that didn't already know."

"Yeah, good idea," Ray said, looking out the window. "It hasn't been that long since you were last here."

"He's got his earring," Xander whispered. "I put it on him this morning." He leaned closer. "Besides, there's a guy outside who's watching us."

Ray nodded. "IA."

"Bastards," Vecchio muttered.

"That's why we're *here*," Ray reminded him. "I don't think Xander wanted to go be ignored by cops."

"True," Xander agreed. He got out of Ursula's way so she could put down their pizza. He pulled out his wallet and showed her the top picture. She gave him a hug and left them alone.

Ray looked over at the picture. "Ah, you, Oz, and Jace. Nice picture."

"Thanks. It was in Bombay, in the market. She was looking for someone who was going to sell her a bunch of fabric and stuff for the resort." Xander showed it to Vecchio, and the people sitting outside watching them.

"I remember," Vecchio said as he served himself. "Eat, we've only got an hour. We can't afford to have a step out of line with them watching."

Ray grabbed a few slices. "Today might be a good day after all," he said after eating his first bite.

***

Methos wiped his hands before grabbing the phone, then he dropped it so he could run for the door.

Xander caught up with him next to the elevator, taking the apron off his host and tossing it back at their door. "What happened and where am I driving you?" Methos stared at him like he had just noticed he was there. "I won't be the one to tell Ray you had an accident."

They stepped onto the elevator and went down to the garage, where they met Oz. He followed them to the rental car, pulling back his keys back out. "Usual hospital?"

Methos nodded as he climbed into the back with Xander. "He needed minor surgery."

Xander let the old man cling to him and take comfort from his body. "I'll take him to Jace's with me," he said softly. "He'll be safe with me."

Oz cleared his throat. "I still have to call her."

"Fine, I'll still take him with me and protect him once we can go."

Oz nodded. "Good." He drove out of the garage, heading for the only hospital he knew.

***

Xander stepped out of Ray's room, blocking the cops from coming in. "Nope, he's asleep. No one other than family." He glared at Vecchio as he walked up. "Go change your shirt before you make Ray panic again," he hissed.

Vecchio looked down at himself and shuddered. "Yeah, I'll go do that." He pulled out his phone and walked away.

Xander looked at Ray's boss. "No, he wants left alone. Not even going in there." He got out of the way so Methos could walk out. "He asleep again?"

"Yes, thankfully. We got him calmed down from this latest nightmare." He looked at Ray's boss. "You knew he was in danger," he said coldly, putting all five thousand years worth of pent-up rage into it. "You did *nothing* to protect him. You will *not* be seeing him until he's ready."

"Adam!" Oz yelled from inside the room.

Methos ran back into the room and Xander stepped in front of the door again. "Go away and come back when he's ready or we'll have you removed." He got out of Vecchio's way, shaking his head at the young woman walking behind him, Vecchio's sister and a helper at the station. "Ray's trying to sleep. Later," he said gently. She nodded and turned, going back to the small waiting area. "Boys," he said, going back to glaring at the cops, "go home."

Ray's boss stepped closer. "I need to get his version of events. We have Vecchio's but it's procedure."

"He's sedated," Oz said as he walked out to stand beside Xander. "Come back tomorrow or wait until then, but you're not going in there without taking our lives." A few of the officers went pale and looked away. "Go home. He's safe with us."

"That's not fair," Vecchio said from behind them.

"Ray's having nightmares about uniforms and the guy who shot him. You're here because he asked for you. They're not wanted." Oz looked at Ray's boss. "Go home or go wait, but no uniforms and no other cops near him until he wakes up."

Xander nodded then flinched as Ray screamed behind him. Vecchio disappeared into the room to go help. "Leave," he said coldly.

One of the hospital's security guards walked over to the group, looking at Xander. "Please move this to the waiting area, you're blocking the halls and upsetting the nurses."

"They were leaving," Xander told him. "The patient has asked for them to leave."

The guard nodded. "And you are?"

"Ray's best friend." He walked into the room and shut the door. "I left it with the security guard," he told Methos as he walked over to the bed. He bent down and kissed Ray on the forehead before giving the older immortal a long hug. "He'll be fine," he promised. "Oz, planning?"

"I called, she's expecting you day after tomorrow." Oz looked over at Methos. "Jace has a doctor on call, he'll be well taken care of."

Methos nodded but he climbed onto the bed and clutched his lover as tightly as he dared.

***

Xander looked around Jace's resort's lobby with a frown. It looked much worse than the last time he had been there. He walked over to the desk and looked around, but no one was here. He rang the bell and a crying woman walked out. Xander hopped the desk to hug Jace, cradling her gently against him. "Tell me who did it?" he asked.

She smiled up at him. "One of the bigger places is pushing me out. They took my staff last week." She wiped off her face. "So, you've come to be safe?"

Xander smiled. "Jace, let me help you deal with this. Oh, this is Ray. I'm not sure if you've met."

Ray wiggled his fingers from the end of his sling. "Hey, Jace."

"Oh, you poor *baby*," she said, coming out to give him a hug. "How's your arm?"

"It's okay. I have my pain killers so it's all okay." He looked over his shoulder as the doors slammed open and sighed, pulling out his badge. "Guys, thugs weren't requested as part of the package deal." He put it in the lead guy's face, who snorted and pushed it away.

"You're out of your jurisdiction." He looked at Jace. "You being reasonable yet?"

She smiled sweetly. "There's nothing reasonable about your boss' offer. Leave my place."

Xander signed Ray and himself in, pulling out his platinum card and laying it on the book. "Guys, we're recuperating. Leave before someone on major drugs loses it." He smiled when they all looked at Ray. "Not him, me."

The thugs walked out, again slamming the doors.

Xander looked at Jace. "Truth, is this your only place?" She shook her head. "Good. Pack your precious things and be prepared to run with Ray if you need to go." He grabbed the keys on the book and headed for the stairs.

Ray followed him. "Xander, what are you gonna do?" he called, watching him walk faster.

***

Xander looked at the man sitting across the desk from him, giving him a slight, but cold, smile. A short talk with a police detective in the local vice unit had led him to this point. The guy trying to push Jace out was deeply in debt for this buy-out. So he was proving his point in a way the man would understand. He was buying the small motel the guy had put up as collateral for the loan. "How much will it cost me to buy out his loan?" His smile was meant to reassure the nervous man, but it only made him twitch worse. "It'll be okay, I'm simply proving a point."

"Yes, but he had *friends*," the bank man whispered.

Xander shrugged. "So do I, just of a different sort. How much?"

"Six...six million."

Xander flipped open his checkbook. "Okay. Who do I make this out to?" He looked up when all he got was silence. "Do I need to call someone, you don't look so well."

The bank man picked up the phone and dialed a number off the form in front of him. "Maybe we can get this settled before you have to write that check," he suggested mildly.

***

Xander walked into Jace's restaurant with an older man beside him. They sat down across from her, and Xander touched her hand. "I think we've reached a solution," he told her.

"Ma'am, I had no idea that this was a refuge for people with a less than...human background." Jace looked at Xander. "My own background is such," he admitted.

"Maybe Xander didn't explain...."

The older man held up a hand. "I did some checking once he told me and I *know* who comes here." He smiled at her, a fatherly look. "I've known a few of you and I applaud you holding a neutral spot for people like you. I'm going to stop my campaign, but I'd like you to think about opening another such resort in Europe. I'd even consider backing you if you did."

Jace relaxed. "I've been looking for the best spot for a few years now. How do you know?"

"A nice woman named Samantha raised me."

Jace nodded. "I knew her. She was a very good woman. I was sorry to hear she had been ambushed."

He nodded. "I like you. We will leave you alone from now on and we will encourage your staff to come back." He stood and bowed to her. "Be safe, old one. I respect you." He patted Xander on the head, giving her another smile. "You have a very strong guardian in him, cherish him." He left the resort.

Jace frowned at Xander. "We are human," she reminded him in her best teaching tone.

"I was going to lie and tell him about the demons." He shrugged. "I know you're human. A very intelligent, gentle, kind, and loving human."

She stood up and kissed his cheek. "You're a good boy, Xander. Stay out of it next time and I won't tell Oz about this." She sauntered away.

"But I was being good!" he called after her. He smiled up at the waiter as he walked over to the table. "Can I have something to eat? Just something light until Ray gets down here?" He nodded and hurried away.

***

Ray looked around the casino Xander had dragged him to after their dinner, shaking his head at the extravagance. "I thought you didn't gamble." He continued to watch Xander playing some strange card game.

"Oz took me to Monte Carlo. I wanted to see how Vegas compared." He put down another hundred dollar chip, taking control of his cards. "He taught me this game. I usually do pretty well." He flipped over his cards and took all the money on the table, flipping a small chip to the dealer before getting up and leading Ray over to the slots. He handed him some chips. "Come on, I'll pick your machine." They stopped a passing chip girl, changing what they had for small coins, then Xander prowled the rows of machines. He finally found two a few seats apart. "I would've given you that other one but there wasn't another good one where I could see you," he explained. He sat down and fed the machine in front of him, smiling when he felt the 'waiting feeling' he had started to pick up on while in Monte Carlo. "Within the hour," he told Ray.

Ray grunted and pulled the lever.

Xander helped Ray gather his winnings into a cup, smiling at the guard walking over to them. "Take him to change that out and bring him back?" he asked the guard. "I'm supposed to be watching him and my machine's going to go off in a few more tries."

The guard nodded and led Ray away, Ray looking over his shoulder at Xander.

Xander pulled his lever again and smiled as he hit a small jackpot, using one of those coins to hit it again. Three more pulls emptied the machine into his hands. He grabbed a cup someone was holding out and got up to follow Ray. Unfortunately, he caught sight of who had given him the cup. "Buffy," he said, hugging her. "What're you doing here!" He stepped back when he realized something about her. She wasn't the same Buffy he had known. He looked her over. "Gee, you changed your style," he noted, taking in the short leopard print skirt and leather bustier. "Not a bad look," he admitted, nodding behind him. "I've got to go find the guy I'm watching."

She smiled at him, licking her lips. "You smell good," she told him, leaning closer to sniff him again. "Very good."

"Shoot," Xander said, backing away from her. "I haven't been away from Oz that long." He backed into a firm body and looked over his shoulder, laughing nervously. "Hey, Spike," he said, sidestepping out of the way. "What's up?"

He looked the human over then nodded Buffy over. "Do you know why he smells this way?" he asked her.

"Oh, I get it," Xander said, running a hand through his hair. "You turned her?"

"No, I was already dying, he found me," she told him flippantly. "Why does he smell like that?"

"Because his body *likes* us," Spike purred, looking Xander over again. "I ran into him a few years ago, but I didn't have him long enough to figure it out."

Xander backed away by another step. "And you won't either. I've got a lover, don't need you. Bye!" He jogged away, heading to the cashier window to go find Ray. He really needed to leave before things got ugly. He shoved his coins at the woman who was behind the cage beside Ray's. "I really need to leave," he told her quickly. "Ray, we've got to leave."

"Why? What happened?"

"Um, something really bad. We've got to get back to Jace's." He glanced around behind him, noticing Spike and Buffy strolling toward them. "See the couple?" Ray looked and nodded. "We don't want to deal with them. They're not quite what they were when they were breathing." He took his cash and tipped the woman, tapping his foot while Ray counted his money. "Come on!" he said, nodding at the door into the resort. "Let's go." He took Ray's good arm and led him away, shadowed by a security guard and the vampires. He smiled at the doorman as they walked out. "Cab?" he begged. "Like now? We really don't want to become lunch."

The doorman whistled and waved, and a cab drove up. He opened the door for them, giving them a smile.

"Jace's resort," he said, handing the guy a business card. "And please don't let the blonds standing in the doorway follow us?"

The cabdriver looked at them then at the blonds, then shrugged when Spike waved. "Sure, but are you sure you want to be in mine?" He flashed his feeding face.

"Are you going to kidnap me or otherwise hurt us?"

"No," he scoffed. "You're safe." He drove away. "Which one was that?"

"That was Spike, childe of Angelus, and Buffy, former Slayer," Xander said quietly. "And I don't want to run into my former friend, no matter how nice she might be." He got a hard look in the mirror. "I live on the Hellmouth and I only kill those that try to thin out the population."

The vampire laughed. "Good. I don't mind hunters like you. I had a hunter the other night, she wanted to kill all of us, even herself."

Xander slumped back in the seat. "Red hair?" The cabdriver nodded. "Damn, Willow."

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Because she and I both used to fight beside Buffy," he said quietly. He shuddered. "At least she's taking on the duty of Buffy. Maybe she'll be able to figure out if she's bad."

Ray touched Xander's arm. "Want to tell me about this too?"

"Back in the room," Xander agreed, giving him a hug. "I promise, they won't get you. Not while I'm living. I don't like Buffy that much, not anymore."

"As long as you don't try to protect me from the facts like Meth does," Ray grumbled. He looked out the window, watching the resorts pass. "Can we go sightseeing tomorrow?"

"Sure," Xander told him, kissing him on the cheek. "When we get up. We'll take one of the resort's cars and run around." He took Ray's good hand and squeezed it. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I was having fun there for a few minutes. I've never won at real gambling before." He grinned at Xander. "What about your other chips?"

"I'll get them cashed out tomorrow," Xander told him. "We'll go back and see if you can't win some more." He handed over some money to the cabdriver, not caring which bill it was. "Keep it," he said when the driver's mouth fell open. "Thanks for the timely save." He pointed at the door. "I'm being paranoid. Please?" The cab pulled up the few feet and Xander let Ray get out first, hurrying him into the resort. "Jace?" he called, sure she was watching the security cameras if she wasn't close by.

"Xander," she said as she walked out of the back room, "you didn't need to yell." She looked them over. "What's wrong? Which immie was it?"

"Vampires," Xander told her. "An old friend." He nodded at Ray. "Can you make sure he gets upstairs while I use the computers?"

"Call the boy," Jace sighed.

"He's not at home," Ray said, pointing at the bodies coming down the stairs. "Guys, are you all right?" he asked, jogging over to get a hug.

"Fine," Oz said, looking Xander over. "Which vamps?"

"Spike turned Buffy," he said, giving him a 'help' look. "And Willow's in town looking for them."

Oz sighed and pulled his lover into his arms. "If Willow can handle it, then we'll let her. She'd have a better feel of it." He sniffed Xander. "Damn, you're emanating again."

"Yup, Buffy told me that, and Spike told her why." Oz pulled him tighter. "Thank you for coming sooner."

"Hey, no big," Oz told him, leading him to the stairs with a wave at Jace. "So, what did you do today?" he asked. He laughed when Xander stiffened. "Besides showing off your money skills."

"Um, she didn't tell you?" Xander asked hesitantly, pulling away slightly.

Oz pulled him closer. "No, but you better."

Methos looked down at Ray, staring into his eyes. "Are you all right also?"

"Yup. My arm's fine. I had someone look at it this afternoon while Xander was gone."

"Oh, where did he go?"

Ray grinned. "He went to strong arm the guy who was trying to force Jace outta business." He winked. "He was raised by a woman named Samantha so he understood and is leaving her alone."

Methos groaned. "Go up to the room, I'll be right up." He patted Ray on the rear. "I promise." He waited until Ray had trudged up the stairs to turn and look at his student. "Samantha's adopted son?" She nodded from behind the desk. "And he promised to leave you alone?"

"He's in his eighties," she told him, looking up. She gave him a smile. "Xander tried to tell him we were a haven for demons but he recognized me somehow. He wants to help me open up a sanctuary in Europe."

Methos shuddered. "As long as he doesn't come back."

"He won't," she said happily, showing him the paper. "He was in a car wreck tonight."

Methos looked at the paper and nodded. "Good. At least you're not in danger anymore." He turned and jogged up the stairs, going to find his lover in the suite they were sharing with the other couple. He found Oz sitting on the couch waiting on him. "You left Xander alone?"

"He's showering. What else happened?"

"It was Samantha's adopted son," Methos said, sitting across from him. "Your mate decided to take matters into his own hand and to fix the problem Jace was having." Oz gave him a serious look. "Of course, the bastard died earlier too. That may complicate matters or not."

"It won't," Ray said as he walked out. "Xander said that the guy told his people, before they came over, to leave Jace alone." He smiled at Oz, waving his injured hand. "Did you need him to go hunting tonight?"

"We're leaving it to Willow," Oz told him. "Did he make sure you won?"

Ray grinned. "He picked out the machine after playing some funny card game. The one those Bond guys plays in the movies."

Oz groaned. "That boy's evil at Baccarat." He looked at Methos. "He's lost *once*. His second game. He tried to second guess himself."

"And I have some strange ability to know when slots are going to hit too," Xander said from their bedroom doorway. He winked at Ray. "You didn't do too bad."

"Nope. I won a couple thousand," Ray said, holding out the money. "Hold that for me?"

Methos took it and looked at the mass. "Congratulations, Ray." He pulled him in for another hug. "Would you like to take a tour with me tomorrow?"

"Sure. Um, Xander..."

"I don't mind," he said, grinning at them. "This should be a vacation for you two. Have fun." He walked into the bedroom and came back with his pants. He started emptying the pockets into Oz's lap, finally taking one last chip that he had hid in his pant's cuff for luck. "I wasn't that bad tonight," he said with a grin.

Oz pawed through the chips and the money. "Xander, you've got to watch out for that. They thought you were cheating the last time you did this." He looked up, seeing the grin. "You had fun, didn't you?"

"Yup," Xander said proudly. He winked at Ray. "Wanna go do it again tomorrow night?"

"Sure," Ray said with a shrug. "If Meth don't mind."

"I think we'd better come with you," Oz told him. "Just so Xander doesn't get into trouble." He grabbed Xander's hand to squeeze. "Not that you'd do it on purpose."

Xander grinned. "Of course not." He looked over at Ray and smiled. "Want me to teach you how to play?"

"No thanks." Ray tugged on Methos' hair. "Coming?" he asked, nodding at the bedroom. "I'm going to take a long, hot bath."

Methos stood up and followed him. "Good night, you two. Please don't keep us up while you punish him, Oz." He closed the door.

Xander gave Oz his best pitiful look. "I don't deserve it," he complained.

"Oh, really?" Oz stood up, walking around the couch, still holding onto Xander's hand to pull him along with him. He stopped to put the money down onto their dresser, then walked Xander into the bathroom. "You didn't go talk to a mobster to get him to ease off Jace?"

Xander shook his head. "I went to the bank to go help her," he said with a grin. "They decided to call in the bad guy to make me see sense."

"Uh-huh. And did you take Ray to a casino somewhere that Jace couldn't watch over you?"

"Yes," he admitted with a grin, "but I was with him. He wasn't ever more than a few feet from me, except when the guard helped him cash out while I was waiting on my machine to hit."

Oz shook his head and pointed at the tub. "Run me some water, naughty. We'll talk about this while enjoying the jets." Xander clapped and bent over to start the tub, while Oz considered the nearly bare rear. "Hmm," he hummed, grabbing the lube off the counter, from where he had put it earlier, and slicked himself up. He pushed Xander over further and pulled out his plug, diving into the waiting hole. "Never let Ray out of your sight," he whispered. "Methos is very paranoid about his darling. Same as I am about you." He pulled out and rammed back in again. "Never."

Xander whimpered and pushed back. "Yes, Oz, I'm sorry, love."

"Good," Oz said, leaning over his back, starting a gentler stroke. "As long as you learn your lesson." He pulled out and climbed into the growing water. "Come on," he said, patting his lap. "You're gonna give us bubbles, babe."

Xander grinned and slid down onto his lover's body, riding him to the best of his abilities.

They were only interrupted by someone screaming from the other room.

***

Methos logged onto his email account and hummed as he saw the spam sitting in it. He decided to go through a few of them, stopping when he saw one with a picture of his Xander on it. "What the *HELL*!" he screamed, bringing Ray from the bathroom.

Ray looked at the message and clicked on the link, frowning when he saw which videos it was. "Oh, they're gonna be pissed," he whispered, backing away from the computer. "Who did it?"

Methos looked over the page. "The same people who sold the Pamela Anderson tape a few years back," he growled. He jumped as his door flew open. "Oz, this wasn't my fault," he said, waving a hand at the computer.

Oz leaned over and read it, his growl getting louder. "I'm going to kill them," he muttered, walking out of the room and slamming the door again.

Xander politely tapped a few minutes later before walking in, leaning down to calmly read the message. "I'll be damned," he said, changing screens to send a message to someone he now knew. He closed that screen after the message had been sent and nodded at the couple. "Forget it," he whispered. "I'm going to calm Oz down." He walked out, gently closing the door behind him.

"Ooh, so glad I'm not on the other side of that," Ray said, going back into the bathroom.

Methos nodded and followed him, making sure his lover was still all right.

***

Xander hung up his phone and smiled at Oz. "Did you know that one of the tapes got stolen and copied in London?" he asked nicely, a sure sign he was pissed.

"No, but I believe it. How many do they have?" He sat down on Xander's lap, kissing him to calm him down. "We'll deal."

"Oh, that's not the best part," Xander said, holding up a finger. "There's a new cult. Based on the dances. Apparently someone bought one and almost killed himself doing it, and saw God."

Oz shook his head, resting his forehead against his lover's forehead. "I don't doubt it. You're worthy of being worshiped."

Xander snorted. "Don't change the subject, Oz."

"I'm not trying to," Oz lied, sliding off his lap. "Want to go take a walk with Jace? She wanted to know."

"Sure. I could use the calming influence." Xander stood up and left the suite, going down to find his friend.

Methos walked out of their bedroom and looked at Oz. "What is he going to do?"

"He's going to try and sue them, and then he's going to hurt someone if he doesn't win." Oz sat down and got comfortable, putting his feet up. "I'm sure we'll hear something by tomorrow." He looked at the door as he heard a thump out in the hall. "Wonder if he hurt his hand again?" he asked the room in general.

"That was me," Ray called. He walked out rubbing his head. "I hit my head on the sink." Methos pulled him over and kissed the top of it. "Thanks." He snuggled into the comforting arms. "So, what'd he do this time?"

"He's started proceedings to sue the guy," Oz said with a shrug. "It's all he can do."

"Maybe something else should be done," Methos said calmly. "Do we have the only copy of all the tapes?"

"Nope. We've got a set in a safety deposit box in LA. We sent the set there after we copied it." Oz sat and listened to the noises in the hallway. "Someone's coming and they're walking funny." He reached under the couch for his back-up sword as someone knocked. "Who is it?" he called, walking over to answer it, sword held to his side.

"Let me in," Xander panted.

Oz opened the door and let him in, checking the hall. "What's wrong?"

"Press," he panted.

"Damn," Methos muttered. "We should change resorts." Everyone looked at him. "Jace won't want the publicity."

"She told me to come hide," Xander told him. He shook his head. "She thought it was for the best if we stayed up here."

"Something's been bugging me," Ray said. "Where's the animals?"

"You didn't leave them, right?" Oz asked.

"No," Methos said. "I think he meant now. We did promise to bring your animals with us."

"Oh. They're coming tomorrow. They had to go to the vet's for a checkup. The airline demanded it when they found out they'd been in Europe and Asia." He patted Xander on the arm. "Go dial the desk so I can talk to Jace." Xander nodded, going to do as he was told.

Oz sat down at the desk and took the phone. "Jace, what's your plan?" He smiled. "That's sweet, but those are people who would eat us alive." He looked at Methos. "Of course. Sure. We'll stay in then. That's not a problem. No, I didn't want Xander to go back out when there were people trying to get him anyway." He hung up. "We're staying. She'll go get anything we need."

"Okay," Ray said with a shrug. "Are we switching rooms?"

"Why?" Methos asked. "They probably know we're up here."

"Point, but this is gonna cause hell at home."

Methos sighed. "I'm sorry, Ray, I never thought about that." He stroked down his face. "We'll call them in a bit, from downstairs, all right?" Ray nodded. "You can explain everything to your boss and let him handle it for you. He's usually on your side."

Ray nodded and sat down on the couch, adjusting his sling so he was more comfortable. "Okay. I'll let you tell him."

Methos nodded, leaning down to give him a hug. "I will if you want. Don't worry about it." He stood up and walked out of the room, going to do as he had promised.

Oz looked over at Ray. "We need games," he joked.

Ray grinned. "We've got games if we want them. Xander could always teach me more of the dances. Let's close the curtains."

Oz nodded and got up to close the curtains. "I'll even let him do something special and wear his leathers." Xander looked up at him. "If you want to, that is."

"I want," Xander said, standing up. "Make sure no one can see through them and shift the furniture. I'll show Ray one of the side dances in the second line of the story, the ones about the times he was a slave." He walked into the room, coming back a few moments later with his leather pants on. He pointed at a spot beside him, turning them away from Oz again so Ray wouldn't be self conscious.

Methos stepped back into the suite and stopped, watching the intricate dance. "I'm lost," he admitted after a few seconds. "Can you start over?"

Ray smiled at him as he moved closer to him. "Sure. Xander?"

"Of course." He stopped and panted. "Oz, I'm out of shape."

"What do you want me to do about it?" Oz asked simply, patting his lap.

Xander straddled the offered legs, giving him a kiss. "You've got to make me work out, babe. I need to be flexible to do this stuff." He stood back up and nodded at Ray. "Ready?"

Ray put down the glass of water he had been gulping and nodded, getting back into place. He started off the first movement, a subtle hip side-to-side movement.

Methos sat down, entranced by the wiggling his lover was doing.

***

Jace knocked on the suite's door, smiling as a disheveled Oz opened the door. "Hi, sweetie," she said, walking inside. "How did he learn that?" she begged, giving him a hug. "And is that what's on the tapes?"

"It's a whole series of dances," Oz told her, leading her over to the couch where everyone but Xander was lying spent and nearly asleep. "He figured out some were stolen from us in London when we dubbed them."

She shivered. "From the little I saw, it was more than enough to outsell that other video they stole." She sat down beside Xander and pulled him against her for a hug. "Sweetie, where did you learn that?"

"Across a barrier," he said quietly, looking at his hands. "Were you spying?"

"Only until I figured out what was going on. I was looking for someone who I think broke into the rooms around yours." She gave him a squeeze. "Can you teach those?"

"Yup," Ray said, waving a hand in the air. "I'm getting the special lessons."

"Which I may not live through," Methos groaned, rolling onto the floor and crawling for the water pitcher Oz was pouring from. "Please?" he begged.

"Shh, or I'll let Xander have you," Oz said, handing him a glass.

Ray lifted his head. "Not."

"Okay, not," Oz agreed.

Ray smiled. "Thank you. Those moments are by arrangement only." He took the glass his lover was drinking from, finishing it off for him. "Babe, you can't have too much or you'll get sick."

Jace snickered. "I got told that about jogging too."

Xander grinned up at her. "I could go do that right now."

Oz groaned. "No. You may get energized by sex, but the rest of us need a nap."

"Desperately," Methos agreed. He looked at his student. "How much did you see?"

"Just the first few moments," she admitted. "I wouldn't mind seeing the whole thing."

Methos shivered. "I haven't seen the whole thing."

"I've seen the abbreviated one," Oz told them, drinking from the pitcher since they were out of glasses. "It started a riot and Xander had to be rescued. And he wasn't wearing his leathers."

Xander winked at Methos. "But I was good."

"Yup, you were good," Oz agreed, sitting down next to him. "Very good. You still are." He wiped off the beads of sweat on Xander's chest. "But you're never preforming in public again," he said slowly and clearly.

Xander grinned. "Not without a lot of bodyguards."

Jace snickered. "I can imagine." She pushed Xander up and stood up. "If you wouldn't mind, I would like to see some more of it, Xander. I promise I'll be good and not kidnap you." She smiled at Oz. "If you say so, I'll even tie myself to a chair."

Oz nodded, staying serious. "I had to."

Methos raised a hand. "I will from now on." He looked at his lover. "Learn the rest," he pleaded.

"Sure. I'll let Xander teach me all of them," Ray agreed with a grin for the other GHS in the room. "Which part next, teach?"

"You can both do a performance for me," Jace offered.

Methos sighed, "Let us get some strength back first, dear. You can see it in a few days."

She giggled and walked out, running into the man she had been looking for. She grabbed him by the chin and looked into his eyes, then dragged him down the stairs by his balls.

Oz walked over and shut the door. "Now what do we do?" he asked.

"Nap and bath, not in that order," Ray suggested, putting his head down on Methos' shoulder since it was nicely sitting in front of him.

"I agree," Methos said, reaching up to pat the head. "We'll be in our room. Have fun wearing him out." He got up, helping Ray up and into their room.

Oz looked down at Xander. "If you need more, you've got toys," he said, limping into the bedroom. "I may never be the same shape again, you stretched me too far," he noted as he closed the door. "I'm stretched out of shape."

Xander grinned and laid back down on the couch, getting comfortable so he could work out the remaining ache.

***

Xander looked across the table at the lawyers for the people who had his tapes, then at the mediator the judge had suggested to keep this out of the press. "I don't care, they *stole* it. It's private property."

"You put it on tape to give away," one of the lawyers said, reading a paper in front of him.

"To *a* friend. There's two copies of the set and I'll be damned if I want those being sold either!"

"Sir, a person in your position of notoriety...."

"Huh?" Xander asked. "I'm not famous. You guys screwed a normal guy this time. I'm not a rock star or an actress."

"Hmm. We have here that you've got another tape out on the market," he said, picking up the paper to read. "That you're an amateur porn star."

Xander snorted. "I'm not and if someone stole something else of mine, I'd like to know about it. These are the only tapes I've ever done anything for." The paper was handed over to him. "Oh, he did it," he grunted. "I'll deal with him later. I know what's going on there. That was made illegally, I never agreed to it." He crossed his hands. "Guys, you messed up this time. I'm not a porn star, I'm not famous, and you guys stole from me." He looked at the mediator. "If I don't get what I want, I'm going to continue to sue them. I have no problems with suing them for all they're worth and then some." He stood up. "You have an offer on the table. All the tapes will be destroyed and this campaign will end. The profits from this stolen merchandise will be turned over to me, and I will find a way to make sure all copies of this tape have been destroyed. If not, I won't agree to anything." He walked out, slamming the door.

The lawyers looked at the mediator. "He isn't being reasonable."

"It's his life," the mediator pointed out with a great deal of distaste. "What went on in his hotel room is not public business as he's not a public figure. I'm going to rule in his favor if you don't come up with some very heavy evidence." A paper was pushed over to him and the mediator read it, then snorted. "I don't care what he used to be, now he's an upstanding citizen who doesn't do that anymore." He pushed it back. "That's not good enough, gentlemen." He stood up and left.

The lawyers looked at each other and shrugged, then at their client. "You screwed yourself this time," the lead one said. "There's no hope this will go your way."

***

Xander got the judgement letter and let Ray open it, hugging Rocky as hard as she would allow. Ray whooped and handed it back to him, so he read it, slowly smiling. "I really won?"

"You really won," Ray agreed, giving him a hug. "Way to go, Xander!"

Xander grinned up at him. "Good. I'm glad we won." He read the judgement. "This is really great."

Ray patted him on the head. "Soak it up, Xander. I'm going to go find the s. o.'s and tell them." He took the letter and left the room, inadvertently bringing a kitten with him. He strolled down to the front desk, smiling at the familiar young man standing there. "Hey, Robbie. Do you know where our significant others are?"

"They're in the gym," he said, pointing at a room across the hall. He looked over the edge of the desk and waved. "Hi, you."

Ray looked down at his cat and frowned. "Fluffy, why did you follow me out? You know you're not supposed to be walking around the resort." He picked her up and tucked her under his arm, going to give his lovers the good news.

Methos picked Ray up and spun him around, ignoring the cat completely.

Oz picked her up as she jumped down, wobbling badly. "Yeah, we'll beat them up later for making you dizzy," he cooed.

Methos looked at him. "Did you just make that disgusting voice at my cat?"

Oz looked up. "Disgusting voice?"

"You cooed!" Ray taunted.

"I don't coo!" Oz said firmly, handing her back. "Treat her better. You made her dizzy." He picked up his sword and cleaned it off. "Are we done for the day?" he asked Methos.

"Not quite," Methos said, pulling Ray into his side. "I want you to be here when I ask Ray something." He looked down at his lover. "I want to do the same spell they did on Xander, Ray. I want you to stay with me permanently."

Ray pulled back and looked at him. "Like forever?" he asked, looking around for an exit. "Um, that's..." He turned green and ran to find a trash can before he stained the carpet.

Methos sat down hard, staring at Oz. "He said no," he whispered.

"No, he's commitment phobic," Oz told him, getting down to calm him down. "Believe me, he didn't say no. You just shocked him." Methos focused on him instead of the area around him. "He didn't say no, you startled him. You went too fast."

Methos swallowed then nodded slowly. He looked over as Ray walked back in, giving him a pained look. "Was that a no?"

Ray got down, kneeling beside his lover, holding his face in his hands. "I'm scared, but I want to be yours."

Oz silently got up and left them alone, going to call Giles. They'd need him.

Table of Contents

Greedy Hedonistic Sluts Society. 2

Why Me!?! 31

Finalizing The Details. 46

New Locations to Play in. 56

Fixing the Inner Workings. 103

Teaching Wild Children New Lessons. 128

Calm New Friends. 150

Finding Him, Fixing Them. 165

Setting Up House. 202

Home Again. 216

The Problem With Being Rich. 236

Shopping! 245

Toys for the Puppy and the Human. 264

New Hobbies and Recuperation. 274

Stepping Back Into Reality. 286

Escaping to do Spoiling-Type Things. 310

Fixing the Itches. 319

Changes Going On. 329

A Slight Change of the Plan. 340

Paybacks Are A Bitch. 363

For The Good of All, One Must Suffer 394

The Waiting Game. 407

Getting the Details Settled. 419

Hangin' With The Furries. 430

That's Who I Want To Be When I Grow Up. 441

You Don't Touch What's Mine! 442

Heads A'Talkin' 457

Bitchslaps to the Insane. 484

GHS Corrupting the World! 489