I would love to see someone come and get Xander after he has started working construction, but before he loses his eye.  Kind of like what you did with Aphrodite's Dress Up Doll, but with Willow being the Evil one and Buffy calling the person to come and get Xander to help him.  I would really love it to end up Speed/Horatio/Xander, my favorite

pairings all together.

Thanks

Calia

Willow locked the basement door and stomped off.  "You can't do that, it's wrong!" she shrieked as she stomped off.  "I'm not going to let him do those things.  It's wrong," she told herself, calming herself down.  "It's very, very wrong."  She met up with Buffy outside.  "Xander's going bad!  He's wrong!"

"About what?"

"About..."  She turned green.  "The stuff he was doing earlier!"  She huffed off again.

Buffy stared at her.  "Why is that she can date a woman and hate gay men?" she asked herself.  "I've never understood that.  I probably never will."  She waited until Willow was gone to head down to Xander's basement, finding him curled up on the bed clutching his ribs.  "Oooh, broken?"  He flinched then moaned and nodded.  "Relax, like I give a damn.  Hell, I slept with Angel and Spike," she reminded him with a small grin.  She tipped his face up.  "You need help."

"I need to get away from her."

"Yup, that could work.  It'll take a few."

"Can we get me somewhere I can hide?" he moaned, making himself sit up.

Buffy considered it then called her mom.  "It's me.  No, I'm not going to be out too late, but we got a sitch."  She got a damp towel and put it over Xander's swollen eye.  "No, like Willow went psycho because Xander was laughing and happily talking with a guy one.  Like I had to break the lock to get into his apartment, mom.  Yeah, like that.  Yeah, that's what he wants to do and we do have a basement."  She smiled.  "Thanks, mom.  Yeah, might stock up on some advil and bandages.  Thank you."  She hung up and helped Xander up, taking him with her across someone's yard since it was a shortcut to her house.  She knew Willow hadn't went home, just back to the dorm for the night.  She walked him into her back yard and paused.  "Let me check and make sure Mom's okay.  I can hear screeching."  He nodded, laying down on the porch swing while she went inside.  "Mom?"  Her mother gave her a tight look.  "What's up?"

"Willow's screeching," she said quietly, looking at her.  "He's bleeding?"

She looked down then licked a bit off.  "No, that's barbeque sauce," she admitted with a grin.  "Can you distract her and I'll get him into the basement? I don't wanna leave him outside for too long."  She nodded, going to do that, while Buffy went to shoo the vampire trying to bite Xander off, or stake him since he tried to help.  She checked the kitchen door then got Xander inside and down into the basement, shutting the door behind her.  She heard footsteps and picked Xander up, carrying him down to the small cot they had down there.  "Shh.  Willow's upstairs," she whispered.  He nodded.  She got him a towel and turned, finding her mother there.  "Willow?"

"Stomped off to find him."

"I want to leave," Xander moaned, looking at her.  "Thank you, Buffy's mom."

"You're welcome."  She moved to look him over, wincing a bit when she heard the ribs grinding.  "Ow, baby.  Do you want the hospital?"

"No.  She's my emergency contact, they'd call her."  He looked at her.  "I want to leave for a bit.  At least until she's rational."  She nodded, giving him a sad smile.  "How bad is it to have a nice night out with a guy if she's dating women?"

"I know, it's not rational," Joyce soothed.  "I'll call someone and have them help you, Xander.  For right now, you rest if you can. Call Buffy's cell if you need anything.  I'll bring you some soup in the morning."  He nodded, letting her pat him into resting.  She stood up and looked at Buffy.  "Treat the stains.  We should be alone."  She headed back up the stairs, going to find her address book.  She knew some people in LA who could help the boy.  And if they couldn't, they had friends who could.

***

Xander blinked up at the man above him a few nights later.  "Angel?"

"Willow asked me to find you.  Said you were badly injured by a demon?"

"Named Willow," he groaned as he sat up.  "She didn't like the person I was chatting and happy with in the bar."

"Which bar?"

"Kyle's."

"Why were you in a gay bar?"  Xander gave him a look.  "Oh.  What was her problem with it?  She's dating a girl."

"Yeah, but she thinks I'm wrong and bad.  Hence the broken ribs," he said, wincing as he moved again.  "I'm leaving.  Can you not tell her?"

"Sure.  I'll tell her you stopped here to get bandaged before leaving town."

"That'll work, thank you."  He stood up, wobbling some, catching himself on Angel's arm.  "Sorry."  He headed up the stairs. He listened, then came back down them.  "She's here?"  He nodded. "Could've warned me."  He went into the bathroom down there.

"Sorry."  He went back up the stairs, shutting and locking the door.  "The scent downstairs had some blood but it looked like he got stitched up or something," he told her.  "You might ask Buffy if he's already left town."

"Damn it!"  She stomped off, going to interrogate her best friend.

Angel looked at Buffy when she came out of hiding.  "Your wash went off while I was down there."

"Thanks.  Willow, yes, we did patch him up.  You did really bad to him."  Willow looked stunned.  "You broke his ribs and stuff, Wills.  For what reason?  If he's bad for having drinks with a guy, what does that make you and Tara?"  She huffed off.  "Reality is calling," she called after her.  "It said your order's ready!"  She looked at Angel.  "Mom knows someone who can help him if we can get his stuff."

Xander snuck out to the living room and sat in front of the comfortable chair so he wouldn't be seen from the window.  "There's three bags in my closet, mostly packed.  Stuff my clothes back into them.  Stuff my tapes and stuff into a box.  Grab the blue lockbox out from under my bed and the green one from the freezer.  Put it all in my car and bring it here?"  She nodded, going to do that.  He looked at Angel.  "Thanks for covering."

"I don't understand that attitude.  I never did, Harris."  He walked off, going to find Willow and keep her occupied.  He found her ranting to another woman who he knew wasn't her girlfriend.  He had spent half a night watching them before showing up. "New member of the group?" he asked.

Willow spun around and glared at him.  "Where did he go?"

He shrugged.  "Not a clue.  I know he called after you left and asked that we send his car somewhere.  Buffy's driving it over so her mom can pack some more bandaids in it and she can drive it down tomorrow."  He looked at the new girl. "You are?"

"Anyanka.  You're Angel."  He nodded.  "Are you and Buffy having orgasms again?"

"No, Willow wanted me to find Xander."

"He's evil!" she shouted.

Anya looked at her, looking confused.  "Xander?  No he's not."

"Yes, he is, and he was cheating on you, Anya."

She blinked.  "Really?"

"No, someone set him up on a blind date to have drinks with a man," Angel told her firmly.  He had recognized the name. "Willow took exception to the guy telling him jokes."

"Hmm.  Well, as long as he didn't *touch* him I can't get my powers back.  Then again, I didn't know he was bi.  If I had, it might've been more interesting in our bedroom."  She shrugged.  "Are we sure he dumped me and left?"

"He had to," Angel said bitterly.  "She broke his ribs.  Buffy's mother had to stitch him up."

"Oh.  That's different."  She saw Buffy driving Xander's car and sighed.  "I'll miss my orgasms but I wonder if this counts as being dumped harshly enough?"  She looked up.  "D'Hoffryn?  Please?" she begged.  "Willow made him dump me."  Nothing.  "Damn it!  I'll have to find some other man to make dump me."  She stomped off. "Thanks a lot Willow!"

She gave her back a horrified look.  "What?"

Angel looked at her.  "She was dating him to make him dump her so she could get her powers back," he said dryly.  "Demons always act in their best interests, Willow.  Didn't you learn that yet?"  He walked off, going to check out the rest of the town.  He turned around to watch Willow throwing a jumping up and down fit in the middle of the sidewalk.  "Someday she'll make a good demon," he decided, going back to his haunting.  He'd have to watch out for her if that happened.

***

Xander drove out of town to meet the guy Joyce was sending him to.  He could help him sell his car and everything else, including making a new identity.  That way she couldn't find him and come try it again.  Because, as far as he was concerned, Sunnydale was a myth except for Buffy and Joyce.  He found him just out of town and got out, slowly, holding his ribs with a wince of pain.  "Hey.  Joyce sent me."

"You're Xander?"  Xander nodded, moving over.  "What happened to you?"

"My best friend gaybashed me then tried to enlist help," he said quietly.  The man shuddered.  "All I was doing was having drinks with him."  He leaned against his car.   "So, as far as I'm concerned, this is all a really good dream from the pain."

"Sure, kid."  He handed over a packet.  "This is yours.  How much stuff do you have in the car?"

"Few bags, two boxes, my pillows and a few blankets."

"Okay."  He went over to look, then at him.  "You brought weapons?"

"Buffy packed for me.  That's Joyce's daughter."

"I met her.  She saved me once."

Xander looked at him.  "I fought with her and Willow.  I'm that Xander."

"Wow.  Okay, here's what we're going to do. Are you on anything?"

"Life."

"Oooh, I'm sorry."

"I'll heal."

"Good.  Okay, take out your old driver's license and that stuff, hand them over.  Replace them with the new stuff.  I've got a footlocker in my trunk, most of that will fit in there, except for one carry-on.  There's a ticket in there to get you out of town and enough cash to get you through a few days.  I'll sell your car for you and then western union it from LA in Joyce's name."

Xander nodded, handing him his library card, his social security card, and his driver's license, replacing two of the three from the envelope.  The cash got put in with his.  He had closed his saving account that morning and stopped to talk to his last boss.  He had taken one look at him and sat down to cut his last check, which he had already gotten cashed.  It hadn't taken any explanation.  He also had a letter of reference.  He had let Buffy clean out his weapon's stash already so she had back all the weapons he was mending for her and the few he had bought.  All he had was a handgun in one of his bags.  "I've got a pistol in one bag."

"You'll have to unload it fully, make sure it's carry safe, then put it in the stuff you're checking.  That's airline rules."  Xander came over to help, wincing at each step.  "She did a number on you."

"Yeah and the funny thing is, she's dating a very nice young woman."  He gave him a look.  "But me having a drink with a guy in a bar is a bad thing."

"No wonder you need to leave.  Why come through me?"

"Willow's a hacker," he said quietly.  "She's done the Pentagon and not gotten caught.  She's not even under surveillance by the FBI for it."  He moaned. "That's why we had to go this route."

"Sure, I understand.  Now, note your new name?"

"Peter Philips."

"Good.  Your birthday?"

He looked.  "March 17th.  Hey, I'm Irish?" he joked.

"Could be," he agreed.  "Memorize that on the way to the airport, kid."  He got the footlocker and they packed it, including the pillow and his CD from the player, plus everything in his glovebox but the manual and the registration.  He found a picture on the visor and put that in there last, then locked it down.  They got it back to his backseat and he put the kid in the passenger's seat.  Then he drove him to the nearby airport.  Later on, he came back for the car to sell it.  It looked fairly new. It'd go for enough.

***

Xander woke up on the plane to someone patting his cheek.  "Huh?" he asked quietly.

"You wouldn't wake up, sir," the stewardess said calmly.  "We had to call the paramedics.  They're on their way.  Are you all right?"

He shook his head.  "Got gay bashed by a lesbian who didn't like me dating guys."

She laughed.  "I'll tell them that, sir."

"S'true," he sighed as he stood up, then he winced and fell back down.  "Am I holding things up?  I can wait inside if I can be helped up."

"Sure."  She got him up, grabbing his bag for him, and walked him out to the terminal, where the airport paramedics were coming.  "He said he got gay bashed."

"My lesbian friend didn't like me having drinks with a guy," he said, hissing and holding his ribs.  They just nodded, making him yelp when they touched his arm.  "Ow."

"Sorry, sir," one said calmly.  "Does he have everything?"  Xander took his bag and held up his ticket stub.  "You can get it later, sir."

"I'm moving."

"Obviously.  That's fine."  They rolled him that way, letting the complaining guy get his trunk of stuff to bring with him.  It would save him later not to have to come back out here.  Plus they could search it for contact information if they had to.  They got him to the hospital and inside.  "He said he was gaybashed by a lesbian friend who didn't like him being gay."

"All I did was have a drink and a few laughs," he complained.  "I'm sorry I passed out that way on the plane. I didn't mean to cause any problems. Just to escape."  That got a smile and they left his trunk in the corner.

The nurses fussed over him, checking his vitals.  "Where does it hurt most?"

"The three broken ribs and the cracked one, plus the bruise on my arm and my face.  For being five-five she's a spunky little bitch, huh?"

"What did she use?"

He looked at her. "You know, I don't know.  I blacked out," he lied.  He couldn't tell her she had picked up a board with magic and beat him with it.  "I look better now, it's been a few days."

"That's fine, sir."  She looked over as the doctor came in.  "Gay bashed, doctor.  Female friend."

"Is she a blackbelt?"  Xander slowly shook his head.  "Really strong?"

"Probably picked up something by the size of the bruises.  I blacked out," he told him.  "I'm not pressing charges.  I passed out from the pain.  I'm sorry."  He tried to sit up but the doctor gently pushed him back down.  "I'll be okay."

"I'm sure you will but we're still taking x-rays and giving you something."

"Sure.  Thank you."   That got a smile.  "I'm moving.  I'm never going back there."

"I noticed the trunk. That's fine, son."  He wrote the orders and the nurse gave him something for the pain, making him grin a goofy little grin.  "It'll be okay.  Miami's good for new residents."  He got him sent for the x-ray and went to make notes in his chart that the boy didn't want to press charges against the person.  Then he went onto the next case.  He came back when the x-rays were read, wincing at some of the breaks on the boy's body.  He walked back in where he was now napping.  He didn't want to wake him but...  He tapped him gently on the forehead until he got blinked at.  Then he held up the x-ray.  "Would you like to explain the multiple injuries beyond what you had?"

Xander looked.  "Huh.  I thought I only broke my arm before."  He shrugged then yelped and curled up around his chest. "No, not really," he groaned, holding onto himself.  "Right now, all I want is a bed, doctor.  Not one here but a bed.  Plus a western union station."

The doctor looked at him.  "I know your drug screen came out without anything in it.  You're what, twenty?"

"Barely," he said, looking at him. "I grew up in a rough place," he said quietly.  "I'm fine and I'm living here now, doc.  Really.  It's not a current worry unless they're broken now?"  That got a head shake.  "Then I'm fine."

"How did you afford to move here?"

"Friend of a friend paid for it."

"I see."  He looked him over, then shook his head.  "Fine.  I should tell someone."

Xander looked at him.  "What're they going to do?  I'm not going to report the gay bashing.  The people there who need to know already know.  The others are all older. It happens."

"Was it your parents?"  Xander gave a half-shrug at that.  "Do you have siblings?"

"No, they stopped their mistakes at me."

"I see."  He frowned.  "I should turn this in.  The statute of limitations hasn't run out yet."

"To them I'm dead," Xander said quietly.  "It does no one any good for you to do that."  He stared him down.  "There's no one there who it'll help. I'm fine."  The doctor frowned at that.  "Or I will be when my ribs heal.  Any of them near to puncturing a lung?"

"Only if you move wrong. Do you have enough money to lay around for a few weeks?"

"I hope so.  I doubt I could do much work like this."

"Fine."  He put the x-ray back into the envelope and wrote him two prescriptions, handing  them to him.  "I'll get your discharge paperwork, Mr. Philips."

"Thank you, doctor."  He got help sitting up then grabbed his shirt to put back on.  Fortunately it was a button-up so no one had cut it off him.  The nurse came in with papers and a wheelchair, letting him sign them.  He managed to get his trunk across the handlebars and went outside.  He got put into a cab with his trunk.  "Moving down here," he said dryly.  "I need somewhere really cheap that does efficiencies.  Please?"  That got a nod and the driver took him to a really rundown motel.  He even got help dragging his trunk up the stairs.  Then he laid down for a nap.

***

Xander walked into the Western Union office he had found, smiling wanly at her.  "Hi, someone should've sent me money last night?"  The form was pointed to so he filled it out, letting her check.  They found it and cashed it out for him, giving him odd looks.  "I'm moving.  Someone had to cash out something for me and send it," he admitted.  "Thank you."  He recounted it and went back to his hotel room, paying for another month.  Then he took his prescriptions to the cheap pharmacy the girl had suggested earlier, going to get them filled.  The darvocet was a heaven blessed thing in his book.  He got a paper and went back to his hotel room with a soda and something light to eat.  He had a small kitchenette here so it was okay.  He had some money leftover and it got hidden in his things still inside the trunk.  Then he sat down to look over the want ads.  He had to work sometime soon.  Even if it wouldn't be this week.

***

Xander looked up from his tenth shift at the convenience store, frowning at the guys walking in. His boss had understood and let him have the non-stocking position for right now.  Apparently he'd had broken ribs in the past.  He saw how the guys were joking around and hesitated over the emergency switch.  Two of the guys came in and one went to browse the beers while the other one went to browse the chips.  They came back with what they wanted.  "I need to see some ID please?" he asked quietly.  They laughed.  "Sorry, guys, I do ID.  If I don't have ID I can't let you have the beer."  One of them snorted and pulled a gun. Xander pulled his and put it on the counter, still in his hand but down.  "And?  You've got one, I've got one, impasse."

"Yo, man, that ain't right!" the one who had brought the beer complained.

"Yay.  I've seen badder than you.  Now, you got cash and ID I'll gladly check you out.  You don't, I get to get pissy."  They huffed out.  He put his gun back up and took the beer back to put it up, only wincing a bit now.  The chips went back onto their shelf too.  He turned and found an officer coming in.  "Yes, officer?"  Another followed.

"Two boys said you pulled a gun on them, sir?"

"After they did."  He came back to the counter. "I asked for ID and they decided the gun was their ID."  He shrugged.  "It didn't escalate past there.  They huffed off."

"Do you have a permit, sir?"

"Did you ask them?" he asked blandly. The officer looked stunned.  "Sorry, guys, I'm from a smaller town.  The cops there asked both sides when they produced guns."  He pulled out his wallet to look through it.  He had one but it was still in his last name.  "I got it off my cousin, I've got his permit on me.  Mine's still in processing," he said, looking at him.  "I'm in the waiting period," he said at their amused looks.  "I can give you his.  I got it in the same package as the gun when I left town."

"Sir, we really need yours."

"Then call the office.  I'm in the system, I'm in the mandatory waiting period," he noted calmly.  "You should be able to find it in the system even with that."  He put down his driver's license, noticing the kids outside were laughing.  "So, are you going to check theirs?"  One of them went out to question them.  He looked at the officer.  "I got gay bashed right before I left," he said quietly.  "That's why my cousin gave me his gun."

The officer nodded, taking it out to look him up in the system.  No records or anything under that name.  He frowned and did it again.  He found the new Florida driver's license.  He found mention that it had been switched from California, but nothing came up on their end.  He came back.  "Sir, your license in California?"

"Who knows what they did with it," he said with a shrug then a wince, holding his still sore ribs.  "Sorry, broken."

"Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine.  It happened before I moved.  I even passed out on the plane."

"I see."  He nodded, handing it back.  "I did find the waiting period notice in your file.  You do know you're not supposed to fight back?  They tend to kill clerks who do?"

"They're little punk bitches and I've seen worse, Officer," Xander said honestly, leaning on the counter.  "If they were serious about it I wouldn't have.  They thought this was a joke."  That got a nod.  "He only pulled it after I asked for ID.   They're stupid little punks who need the street cred from the few months in jail."

"You're from where, sir?"

"Near LA."  He grimaced.  "Saw a few in the past."

"I see."  That got a nod and he handed back the license.  "Stay safer, sir.  I hope I don't have to come back."

"Me too."  He smiled.  "Need a slurpee?"

"No thank you, sir, we can't take presents," he said with a small grin.  "Small town?"

"Definitely.  They emptied the pot many nights for me.  Saved me from having to wash it."  That got a smirk and he walked out with his partner to hassle the kids, who was glaring at Xander.  Xander waved a hand and grinned.  One of them flipped him off and he went back to his reading.

Little did he know that things were now percolating through the system.

***

The officer stopped at his shift commander the next morning, looking at the CSI with him.  "Sir, I had a question."  That got a nod.  "Was California's system down last night?  I got a switched license but I couldn't get a file on his old one from out there."

"Really?" the CSI asked.  "Why not?"

"The system in the car said it couldn't pull one up.  I got his current one."

"Hmm."  The young CSI nodded at that.  "Any hints why?"

"He's just moved down here, sir.  Said he was gaybashed back there.  Said his cousin gave him the gun and his permit but he's in the middle of the waiting period down here where he registered it.  Two punk brats tried to rob him for their beer when he asked for ID."  The commander sighed and shook his head.  "He said he's from a small town.  He apparently pulled his when they did.  The kids ran out and complained to us."  He shrugged.  "He did have broken ribs.  He had the wince/hiss/grab maneuver we've all seen.  You can't fake that sort of pain.  He sounded like he's American.  Had the accent like Smithers down in Traffic.  He's from near LA too."

"Can I have that?  We've had a few people who have gotten IDs with fake ones," the CSI asked.

"Sure, Delko."  He handed it over.  "If it helps.  You think he's one of the terrorists?  He said he's seen worse than the little punks, but then again he said he's from near LA."

"Maybe.  I'll check on it."  That got a nod.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  He seemed like a nice guy.  Pretty calm in the face of danger.  Offered us slurpees."

Eric Delko smirked at that. "Surely you didn't."

"It was right after dinner, of course I didn't."  He grinned and walked off, knowing it was in good hands.

Eric nodded at the commander.  "That all set up?"

"I'll have it finished by tonight," he promised.  That got a nod and he watched the young guy walk off.  "Maybe we did catch another one.  It'd be a coup for the department.  Maybe the FBI would even work with us instead of trying to take things from us."

***

Eric Delko knocked on the hotel room door, looking at the kid.  "We need to talk, sir."

Xander looked at him and moaned. "About the two punk bitches who tried to rob me for beer?"

"That too.  Can I come in?"  Xander got out of the way, shutting the door behind him.  "Sorry, in your sleep cycle?"

"I can't sleep with broken ribs.  No one can."  He sat down and took his painkiller a bit too early but it was nice.  "In a half-hour I'll be giggly, fair warning."

"Sure."  He stared at him.  "How did you get broken ribs?"

"My lesbian friend decided it was wrong that I was having drinks and laughing with a guy in a bar."  He looked at him.  "She's five-five.  I'm guessing I blacked out since I don't know what the hell she hit me with."  He took off his shirt and the guy winced at some of the remaining bruises.  "I passed out on the plane ride.  They took me to the local ER if you need proof."

"Did you press charges?"

"No use in it.  I moved.  It was easier."  He put his feet up.  "Can I get you anything?  I have some sodas and hot water if you wanted something like tea or instant coffee."

"No, thank you."  He stared at him for a moment. "You don't seem surprised."

"My boss already yelled at me for pulling back.  I'm on probation.  I'm figuring it's got something to do with where I'm in the mandatory waiting time?"

"No, actually, we couldn't pull your ID out in California."  The kid moaned.  "As you know, that's a red flag."

"Huh?"

"For terrorists?"

Xander snorted.  "No thanks.  I've seen plenty of bad guys in my day.  If you must know, she's a hacker.  It's possible she took me out of their system."

"She on the FBI list?"

He shrugged, then blinked really hard for a second and forced himself to take a calming breath.  "I need to remember not to do that.  No, as far as we know she's not," he said quietly, looking at him.  "Doesn't mean they catch them all, Detective."  The guy looked amused.  "Your gold shield is very pretty.  I must say, you guys dress better than any of the officers I ran into out there, but how are you wearing a sweater in this heat?  I'm from near the desert and that's insane."

"I'm part Cuban, I'm used to worse."

"Oh.  Sure."  He nodded.  "Sorry I can't help you more, Detective.  For all I know she erased me from out there.  I have not a clue."

"Who's the original owner of the gun?"

"Xander.  My cousin."

"Last name?" he asked patiently.

"Harris."

He nodded, making a note of that.  "You know that was stupid, right?"  He nodded.  "Then why did you do it?"

"They were punks looking for practice and street cred.  If they had seriously wanted to rob me, they wouldn't have went for chips and beer first.  I've been robbed before.  They were punk bitches looking for prison sex for street cred."  The CSI stared at him.  "I'm fairly blunt.  Sorry.  I grew up a bit roughly."

"I can tell.  You a gang member?"

"Nope."

"Are you sure?"

"Yup.  No gangs in my town," he admitted with a small grin.  "Well, we had rumors of a gang using PCP but that was more like a cult than a real gang."  The officer looked amused.  "It was."

"So, a lesbian?"

"Yeah, she got that same issue that some others do.  Lesbians are fine but gay men aren't."  He grimaced. "You should've seen what I looked like the night I was found by another friend.  She and her mother let me hide until I could move."

"How are you affording this place?"

"Sold the old car, cashed out my savings account."

"And if you lose your job?"

"I'm over a month ahead on the rent.  By then I'll be good enough if I have to wait tables.  Maybe I'll go into construction.  I hear it's a growing field down here thanks to the hurricanes."  He stood up and got a soda.  "You sure you don't want one?  Even just to drink on your way back?"

"No, thanks, but that was a cute pointed hint."

Xander looked at him then grinned.  "No one ever said I shouldn't be sleeping."  That got a laugh.  "I should be.  It happens though.  The boss said you could have the videotape if you needed it."

"I'll do that.  Thank you.  Stay where we can find you, Mr. Philips."

"I plan on it."  He let the officer out and went back to bed, letting the pain killer wipe everything else away.

***

Eric got back to the station and ran into his boss.  "I'm not sure if I have something or not, H."

"With what, Eric?"

"We had a convenience store clerk who pulled back last night."  That got an amused look.  "The kids ran off.  They pulled a gun after getting beer and chips."

"So they weren't really going to rob him, just take the beer and run," he agreed.  "And?"

"When they pulled up his license, his last one didn't come up.  Just the new one."

"Interesting.  Anything else?"

"Yeah, the kid was recently gay bashed, he said by a lesbian friend, and he said he's recently moved.  He also claims she's a hacker and could've erased him."

"Stranger things have happened.  Do we have any names we can associate?"

"One.  He said his cousin, a Xander Harris, gave him the gun he used last night," he admitted. "I was going to run him, see if there was anything on him or around him."

"Where is this from?"

"California."

"Hmm.   Keep me informed in case this is someone who's not simply running away from home, Eric."

"Will do, H."  He went to run the name through the computer, blinking at what came up.  "His cousin," he said dryly.  "Yeah."  He read over the file.  It was... oddly blank but it had a large warning that he was known to be part of a group of vigilantes.  "Really?"  He printed it off and called his boss who came back.  "Guess who I talked to today," he said when he showed up.  He held up the file for him.

"Vigilantes.  Even more interesting."  He looked at the names associated.  "Go ahead and run those.  Let's see what we come up with."  He clicked on the associated names, getting their files.  "Suspicion of murder that turned out to be a robot?  Hmm, hacker.  Like he said."

"Which means she's the one who beat him," he said, looking at him.  "He said his lesbian friend beat him and she's a hacker.  That she could've taken him out of the system."  He turned back around. "These aren't official police files, H.  This is their watch list."

"It is."  He shifted closer to read.  "Go back to the blonde's please."  He did that.  "There's a flag on hers?"  He clicked on that link.  "Would that be her mother?"

"Looks like it, and he did say he sold his car."  They shared a look, then they looked over the rest of the files.  If the Feds had raised a flag for the amount of the transfer, why hadn't anyone come to them?  They went back to his.  "I want to talk to him.  Something really wrong is going on."

"Call them first, Eric.  Let's talk to them in person about Mr. Harris."

Eric dialed the phone and put in the code so he could call long distance.  "Hi, this is CSI Delko down in Miami-Dade.  I'm going to put you on speaker."  He put him on speaker.

"What can we do for you?  Miami's a pretty big city compared to Sunnydale."

"Right now, we have one anomaly that may have come from your way.  We have a gun registered to a Mr.  Alexander Harris in the hands of someone who said he was his cousin and who was gay bashed."

The cop on the other side coughed.  "Let me get more private, son."  They were put on hold and he came back a minute later. "Sorry, have an open design out here.  Xander?  That's where he ended up?"

"You know him?" Horatio asked.

"I do.  The kid protected a lot of people until his buddy got him.  Any idea what happened to him?"

"He said he got gay bashed by a lesbian."

"Yeah, we noticed his little friend Willow's been unstable recently.  Anything else?"

"A Miss Joyce Summers sent him a sizeable Western Union transfer," Horatio admitted. "It got flagged by the FBI.  As well as his license not pulling up out here."

"Boys, let me give you some advice.  If that boy is Xander, you leave him alone. You let him do what he needs ta do.  The same as we did.  He's not a terrorist.  He saves lives.  But if those girls of his find him, he's in danger.  Rosenburg will try to fix him the same way she did last time.  We heard they were in a brawl outside one of our gay clubs but we don't handle things out there."

"Out of your jurisdiction?"

"Something like that," he agreed, sounding like he was smiling. "Sunnydale's peculiar.  Xander and his friends helped us. We don't like 'em.  Hate havin' ta deal with 'em.  They lie all the damn time whenever we do because we don't want to know what they had ta do. Love them for doing it for us, because we can't do the stuff they do. But some of the lies are really pitiful."

"Are they going after people your system slipped?" Eric asked.  He was looking very confused.

"Son, I can't go into that.  Around here, that's politics.  Just leave it at the fact that the Harris boy isn't trouble.  He's never been trouble.  Even for the way he grew up he's never been trouble.  In trouble but mostly that was from saving lives.  He and his buddies out here made a hell of a difference.  Xander's the sort you cherish in your town.  Got me here?"

"Yeah, um, but his new ID is in another name?"

"I wouldn't have given Rosenburg a chance to find him if she did what we think she did either.  She's a hacker.  Even the FBI don't know her."

"Thank you, officer," Horatio said.  "Have a good day."

"You too, guys.  I hope you catch some real criminals soon."  He hung up.

Eric hung up on their end and typed in the name of the town, finding it locked.  "What?"

Horatio looked then frowned.  "That's not a good thing.  Try through the judicial links."  They found the other PD listed.  They had their statistics, hours, phone numbers.  The fact it listed hours made both of them look.  "They're only open during the day."

"He said it was a small town but wow," Eric complained.  He and his boss shared a look.  "Do you want me to drop this?  It's going to drive me insane."

Another guy leaned in and blinked.  "I've heard of them.  Huh."  He looked at Horatio.  "Frank brought in your guy, H."

"I'll be right there, Speed.  Come here for a moment."  Speed walked in and looked.  "We have a small quandary.  They're only open during the day?"

"It's said the town's so bad at night the cops can't risk it.  They can't hire for the night shift, they can't keep people if they switch them.  They have someone on call probably for the random human things."  He shrugged.  "Why?"

"Random *human* things?" Eric asked.

Speed turned and typed the town into another database, coming up with the statistics.  "Random *human* things," he said, pointing at their crime numbers.  "We studied them when I was in training since they're such an anomaly.  Why?"

"We have a person who's trail leads back to his cousin, who is there and on their watch list.  He looks just like the guy I questioned today," Eric said.  "Their people said he did what was necessary, he saved lives, they didn't like him for doing it but it was necessary, and to leave him alone.  He wished us a lot of catching real criminals."  He showed him the profile.  "He looks just like the guy I talked to this morning, whose old ID doesn't come up in the California system."

He looked it over then at the two men.  "Ask Alexx."  He walked out.  "Don't forget Frank, Horatio. He's salivating."

"Thank you, Speed," he called, looking at the crime numbers.  "That's higher than Miami's," he noted quietly.  "They have how many people?"

Eric looked that up.  "Ten thousand including the local colleges when they're in session.  About two without."  He looked at him.  Then he shrugged.  "I'm having odd thoughts.  Why ask our ME?"

"I do not know.  We'll ask her together."  He walked off, going to talk to his suspect while he thought about it.  Something was definitely not adding up.   He hoped it wasn't something like spies training to be americans.  He really did.

***

Xander looked up from his dusting when the door jingled, nodding at the officers.  "Hi, guys."  He took another few swipes then went back behind the register.  "I'm only allowed to give you guys free sodas from the fountain stuff.  Sorry."

"That's okay," one offered, getting one and coming over to pay for his candy bar.  "Quiet night?"

"Oh, yeah.  Did I step on the button?"  That got a head shake.  "Good.  I didn't mean to.  It's got a cover and everything but it's still not something I want to do.  You guys have more important things to do than be here."  That got a smile and he rang him up for his candybar, handing him the change and a receipt.  "You have a good night, officer.  Is that all?" he asked the other one.

"That depends, kid.  Did your boss pay us this week?"

Xander shrugged, looking clueless. "You'd have to ask him.  I don't handle that stuff."  He rang him up.  "Three-twelve please."

"I think you're going to be paying me," he said with a smirk.

Xander considered it then shook his head. "I can't open the safe.  The drawer got emptied before I came on shift and I'm not the cooperative type.  So if you two want paid, go talk to my boss."  They laughed.  "Anything else?"

"Give me the register drawer, boy."

"I'm not a boy and no."  He leaned on the register.  "If you don't go I'm going to hit the emergency switch."

"It's under glass."

"Yeah, but I can get it open," Xander pointed out dryly.  "I've worked convenience stores before, guys.  That's why I respect most cops.  Just take the food and go. I'll tell my boss to expect you."

"Give me the register," the second one said, unhooking his gun.  "Now.  Or else I'm bringing you in."

"You do that," he said dryly.  "Won't help you any.  Then the register will be locked."  They heard a click.  "The minute I press this the register locks."

"We have the code."

"You might but the register and the safe will both be locked.  Now, go."  The one officer pulled his gun.  Xander looked at him, staring him down.  "Do you really think I'm scared of that?"  The officer backed off, staring at him.  "Really, boys.  I've seen worse.  Now, if you want to talk about payments, that's my boss.  Not me.  I don't pay protection.  I'm a protector.  Get out."   They took their things and he closed the small flap once they had pulled out.  Then he cleared the register.  He called his boss and pulled the tape for later use.  "Hey, boss, I'm changing the video tape.  Because I had two cops just in here to try to shake me down.  No, I didn't.  I told them if they wanted money to talk to you. No, I didn't hit it, seconds away from it.  Does this thing have audio?  Thanks."  He hung up and went to copy it.  Then he put the original on the boss's desk.  The other went into his bag and he went back to his mild cleaning.  A few hours later another officer came in for a coffee refill. "Hey."  He grinned.  It was the officer from the other night.  He pulled something out and handed it over.  "Can you hand this to the nice detective who came to talk to me?  He might need that."

"Sure.  Which one?"

"Don't remember if he introduced himself.  He said he was half Cuban when I asked him how he could wear a sweater in Miami's heat."

"Oh, Delko.  Sure. They ever get you figured out?"

"The person who bashed me is a hacker," he said with a grin.  "She removed me from the Cali system.  Take it.  I can give any coffee or fountain drink to you guys."  That got a smile and the guy nodded and left.  Xander went back to his work.  It was good to get on the good side of the cops.  His boss stormed in.  "I put it on your desk, boss."

"Thank you, Peter."  He went back there to watch it, groaning.  "Peter!"  He locked the door and went back there. "You've seen worse than a gun in your face?"

"Yeah, I've nearly been killed a few times, boss."  He grinned sweetly.  "It's all part of that past I told you not to ask about.  The one where I got gay bashed."  That got a groan.  "Sorry.  Oh, the last of the coffee got taken by an officer.  I gave him a freebie since it was the bottom of the pot."

"That's fine.  Good idea.  You get these twos names?"

"Um, something Spanish and something Russian."  He shrugged then winced.  "Hey, I'm finally hurting less."  He went back to open the door, smiling at the guy standing there.  "Good evening, sir.  Sorry, the boss needed me in the back room for a minute."

"That's fine," the redhead said, looking at him.  Then he went to get a drink and bring it back.  "Long night?"

"No, just some mild horseplay around here."  He rang him up, smiling when he saw the badge.  "I'm only allowed to give uniforms fountain drinks, sorry, Detective."

"Lieutenant actually."  He stared at him.  "You talked to one of my people the other day."

"The guy in the sweater?"  That got a smirk and a nod.  "My buddy that gay bashed me is a hacker."

"So I heard, Mr. Harris," he said quietly.

"No, that's my cousin," he said, staring at him.  "The same as Sunnydale is my past," he said calmly.

"I see.  I would like to know more about him."

"Hmm.  I don't know that much about what he used to do at night, Lieutenant."  His boss came out.  "It was one of his guys who figured out my gay bashing friend ate my ID in the system, boss.  This is one of the local lieutenants."

"I know.  He's been on the news before.  Lieutenant Caine."

"Mr. Mitchells.  When the officer arrested the two boys who tried to hold him up some questions got asked about his past."

"He have a record?"

"No.  Nor does his cousin.  No, someone took his ID out of the California system.  We wanted more information on the person."

Xander shook his head.  "She saved my life a few times.  I've known her since the first day of school," he said quietly.  "I'm sorry but I can't help you with that.  They should be able to trace her if she did it."

Horatio looked at him.  "That would mean actually catching her."

"Good luck to you, sir, but I am loyal.  Since I can't hack, you can't even call me an accomplice.  Especially since I'm the victim."  He stared at him, watching the amusement in his eyes.  "Sorry, wish I could help you, Lieutenant Caine.  That'll be two dollars even."  They got handed over. "I hope you have a better and less stressful night, Lieutenant.  I do know you don't have to worry about them coming down here unless someone told her."

"I'd hope not. Tell me something, that vigilante group...."

"With a forty percent homicide rate in Sunnydale?  Of course there was.  The police's hands were tied," he agreed then he grinned. "They were slowly running them out of town.  That's why it dropped around when they were in tenth grade, when they started."

"Interesting.  Thank you, Mr. Philips."  He walked out.

Xander looked at him. "Before you ask, yes, Sunnydale had a forty percent homicide rate thanks to this group of kids who believed they were vampires.  Yes, my cousin and his friends were involved and yes I did see some of that and some of the combat action."

"Why?"

"So I didn't die."  He gave him an odd look.  "That's why we all did it.  Really.  Three classes before mine graduated with twelve students when over a hundred started.  Mine was one of the largest with sixty something."  His boss shuddered.  "So no, boss, I've seen stranger and worse."

"So you know that vampires are real?" he joked.

"Yeah, saw them all the time.  Up close and personal a number of times.  It was only the cops that didn't get to be open 24-7."

"That's insane."

"No, they kept dying.  It was so they could keep anyone on the force," he admitted with a small grin.  "One of my buddies nearly got arrested for killing a murdering robot, boss.  Sunnydale was just like that."  His boss went pale.  "My cousin was Harris," he said quietly.  "Hence the questions."

"Are you...."

"With broken ribs?" he asked dryly.  "Or even by myself?"

"That's fine.  Don't stake any in here unless they try to attack."

"Sure.  But I won't promise not to react if I get another mugger."

"Fine, just don't get dead.  I'm not calling back there to tell your cousin."

"I really hope you'll forget most of tonight, boss.  It was Rosenburg who gay bashed me."  He shuddered. "Please. Just forget and move on."  That got a nod and his boss went back to the tape.  He looked out as a bike pulled up outside at the pumps, moving over to turn one on.  "The pumps are prepaid at night, sir.  We do have thugs around here."  He let go of the microphone and moved back to smile at him. "Sorry."

"That's okay.  I need forty on premium."  Xander took the money and nodded, flipping on the switch for him.  "I'll be back for the change."

"Sure."  He went to pump his gas while Xander watched, and as soon as he was done Xander rang him up and had his change waiting.  "There you go, sir.   You have a nice night."

"You too, kid.  Speaking of which.  Do I know you?"

Xander shook his head. "Just moved, sir.  Probably not."

"Oh, okay."  He walked off, heading back to his yellow racing bike.

"Though, if you wanted to I'd introduce myself," he muttered, watching him walk away. "Because that is one nice ass.  Talk about broom and bike butt."   His boss laughed. "Sorry but it is."

"It is.  It's a nice bike and we see his rider all the time."  He looked around the store then back at him.  "You good to stock?"

"Maybe.  Slowly."

"Do the beers."  Xander nodded, going to do that now since he was there. He shook his head, waving at the detective when he left.  He wondered what the lieutenant was doing tonight since he'd seen two of the top people in the crime lab right after each other.

***

Xander groaned when someone tapped on his door, getting up to look at the landlord.  "I'm not behind."

"You're not.  You have a phone call."

"Crap," he muttered, heading out there in his boxers and socks.  "Don't let it close and lock," he called.  He picked up the payphone.  "What?" he moaned.  He scratched his chest.  "Yes you did wake me up this time.  I'm finally able to sleep.  What?"  He listened then nodded.  "Thanks, Joyce.  Love you.  No, I'm okay.  I'm finally almost all healed.  I can sleep now and I'm off the pain killers for my ribs."  He winced at what she said.  "I'll lay low.  Thank you."  He hung up and went back to his room, muttering about stupid people who had checked into his background and Willow had seen.   Hopefully she wouldn't find him in Miami. It was a big city.  He couldn't stand another confrontation with her at the moment.  He snuggled in and got comfortable again, falling back asleep.

The officer watching him took off his headphone, looking at the guy taping it.  "That mean anything to you?"

"No.  Why are we tapping him anyway?" he asked.

"Strange things about his ID.  That's all I know."  He shrugged.  "Delko said so."

"I guess.  You think he's one of those terrorists?"

"Nope.  He's not Muslim.  He doesn't wear the robe thingy."

"That's prejudicial," his partner complained.

"Yeah, well, he still doesn't.  He wears normal jeans and t-shirts most of the time.  He's no more one than my son is."

"No, your son is a terror," he corrected.  His partner swatted him for it. "He is.  Keep him away from my daughter before we're in-laws."

"Definitely."  He went back to watching the kid's room from across the street.  They'd hand that tape to Delko or Caine later.

***

Xander looked up from his cleaning and grinned.  "So we meet again, Lieutenant.  I really should thank you for tipping her off to where I was," he said bitterly.  "What can I overcharge you for tonight?"

The older man looked at him.  "You're in danger?"

"Do you think I got the broken ribs from myself?"

"It could've been a fight."

Xander snickered.  "No offense, Lieutenant, but I was gay bashed by her.  She didn't like that I was having drinks with a guy in a gay bar.  Even though she's with a very nice young woman.  If she comes after me this time, I'm going to be more aware.  Last time I didn't realize what she was going to do.  This time, you'll have a body."  He walked back behind the counter.  "I just put more milk in.  You should check for coldness if that's what you're here for."

"No, I'm here to talk to you."

"I don't care, Lieutenant.  If she comes for me this time I'm going to end up fighting back and it's going to be messy.  You'll have a body, hers or mine."  He stared at him. "I didn't let her last time, I was unconscious before I knew more than a few hits with a board."  He winced at that.  "So no.  Anything else?  Because if I have to run and hide, I'm going to use your name instead."  He smiled sweetly.  But it didn't reach his eyes.  The same bike came back and parked out there, the rider came in. "Did you spring a leak or take a really long ride?"

"Really long ride."  He put down a twenty.  "Hey, H.  Premium again, kid."

"Sure."  He flipped the switches for him.  "Go for it."  That got a smile and he went to pump the gas, while Xander looked at him.  "Do I care that you tipped her off to where I am?   Yeah.  I do.  Do you need anything else, Lieutenant?"

"No, Mr. Harris, I don't."  He stared at him. "That was not my intention."

"Intentions are a great thing but they don't pay medical bills."  He heard it kick off and rang the poor guy up, giving him back his two cents with a grin.  "Need anything else tonight?"

"No, I'm okay.   You all right?  You don't look as happy.  Usually Horatio's not that mean."

"He tipped off the person who gay bashed me to my new location."  That got a hiss and a wince. "Yeah, I've done that for the last month thanks to my broken ribs.  You want him, have him."  That got a nod and the other guy glared at his boss.  "Thank you," he offered once he was outside to pump his own gas.  He shook his head but he was using a card.  He flipped on the switches when it registered then looked at him.  "So, you're an officer?"

"CSI."

Xander smiled.  "So that's like the guys on the Discovery channel instead of the guys on Law and Order?"  That got a smirk and a nod.  "I bet that's fascinating, if a bit icky now and then."

"It can be."  He grinned. "I'm still straight."

"Can't blame me for drooling," he offered with a grin.  The other guy laughed and shook his head, going to get a soda.  He rung him up and handed him his change.  "Have a nice night, CSI guy."

"Speed."

"Speed then.  I'm Peter.  Come in anytime you need to be drooled on."  That got a grin and he headed out.  He took the receipt for the other guy, handing it over. "Have a nice night, Lieutenant."

"I did not mean to bring her down here."

"Yay me," he said dryly.  "She'd better hope they don't need her at home while she's searching for me."  He shrugged and leaned on the counter.  "The world will go to hell.  Then I'll get blamed for running by both of them.  Anything else?"

"No.  I'm sorry."

"Yay.  Have a better night, Lieutenant."  That got a nod and he walked out.  Xander put his head down with a groan, looking up when someone else came in.  "Officer," he said dryly.  "What can I do for you tonight?"

"Your cash drawer."  He heard the click.  "I will shoot you," he warned, pulling his gun.

"You do realize two cops were just in here?"

"Now!" he ordered.  Xander shifted so the camera was seen.  "Yay, like they're going to care," he sneered. He cocked it and Xander opened the register, getting out of the way and stepping on the button.  "What did you do!" he shouted when the register closed on his fingers.

"What I'm supposed to do," he said dryly.  The gun came back and he moved under the trajectory, coming up behind his hand, grabbing his with the near hand and his throat with the other one.  "Don't start."  He handed him over to the lieutenant when he came rushing back.  "He decided he needed to enhance his paycheck."  He let him go and walked back to the register, then pointed at the camera.  "Need the film?  He and someone else were in here the other night."

"I saw.  Thank you for sending me that tape.  Need back into it?"  Xander shook his head. "Are you sure?"

"I'm doubting it's going to be less than few minutes.  If you don't mind, I'm going to use the rest room while you beat him."

"That's fine."  Two cruisers pulled up and officers jumped out.  "Him," he said, handing him over.

"The cashier?" one asked.

"Bathroom."  He looked over as Xander came out with a tape.  "Copied it?"

"Of course."  He got back behind the register, then tapped in the code.  The register opened and he closed the drawer again.  "There, all set for the next influx of business," he said dryly.  The officers all laughed at that.  "Get a fountain drink, guys.  The boss said I could give those or coffee free, but only if I claim it's the bottom of the pot."  They went to do that once the guy was in the car.  He leaned on the counter, waving at his boss when he came in.  "Hey, boss.  The officer came back to try it again."

"You hit the button?  I got a call."

"I did.  Right after he made me open the drawer.  He was in it when I pushed it.  It slammed it on his fingers.  The Lieutenant has the tape and the one from the other night."

"You copied it for him?" he asked, looking horrified.

"I'm a CYA guy, boss.  Not like I'm being blamed for him doing shit."

"Fine.  What's done is done."

"Hey, I told him to go to you if he wanted paid.  I'm not paying protection money.  That's the boss's job," he quipped, getting a grimace.  "I left you the original on the desk."  That got a nod and he went to watch it.  "Thanks, guys."  They smiled and Horatio sealed the tape in a bag with his name on it, handing it over with a quiet word to someone.  That got a nod and they went back to work.  Xander looked at him.  "You are useful for a boss."

"I also do more than paperwork."  He saw Speed pull back in and waved him away, getting a nod.  "He probably heard the call-in too."  He looked at Xander.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine.  I've seen worse."  He looked over as his boss came out, looking horrified.  "What?"

"Rosenburg's coming *here*?"

"Blame him," Xander said, pointing at the lieutenant.  "He looked into my records and it brought her."

"Then I'll expect you to take her out back.  The blood's more easily hosed off."

"Sure. I can do that."  He shrugged and smiled at the new customer.  "Hi."

"Are you open?"

"We are.  The gas pumps are prepaid after dark, everything else is open."  She smiled and went to get what she needed and he looked at the lieutenant.  "Needed anything else, sir?"  Horatio shook his head and walked off. "Have a nice night, Lieutenant."  She came back up and he looked at the wine. Then at the clock.  She moaned. "Boss, is wine available now?"

"No, Harris."

"Sorry, ma'am, only beer after eleven.  Stupid blue laws ya know."  She nodded and went to put it back, coming back with a few beers.  "ID?"  She produced it and he checked it then her, then rang her up and took her debit card to run.  He watched her sign the slip and handed back her ID with her copy, then bagged it up for her.  "Have a nice night, ma'am, and that time limit is eleven and on Sundays."  She nodded and went out, walking off.  He put the slip up and went back to leaning on the counter and reading.  It was nearly an hour later when two punks came running in panting, wearing ski masks, and brandishing shotguns.  "Nice pea shooters," he said, looking at them.  "Late night hunting?"  One growled and pointed it at him.  "I don't read minds, boys.  I'm also not fair game."

"Give me your money, bitch!" the second one shouted.

"Loud, aren't you?" he asked.  "Compensating?"

"Harris," his boss warned.  Xander opened the register, getting out of the way.  A new cruiser came in this time while they were grabbing the money.  He looked at his boss. "It must be you, boss. I never get more than one of these a night," he told him while the officers drug the two kids out.  He looked at the mess on the floor then at the money.  "Eww.  Do I have to pick that up?"  His boss nodded, smirking at him.  "Do we have gloves and spill powder at least?"  They were gotten for him.  "Gee, thanks, really."  He got to work cleaning up the mess and the money that had fallen into the bodily fluids. "Ewww."  One of the officers came back and he looked up at the boss again.  "Ask him, he heard.  I've got to clean this up before someone falls in it and sues us."  He finished putting the money onto the papertowels then cleaned up the rest of the mess with the powder and the remaining towels.  He dropped it into the back wastebasket, the one for the bathroom.  Then he grabbed the mop and the 'wet floor' sign, going to clean it up.  The money could sit there for a few minutes longer. Lieutenant Caine came back and he shrugged.  "Two stupid kids with shotguns.  One pissed at the sight of your boys.  You should be proud.  We laughed at our cops."  He got back to work wringing out the mop to make another pass.

"While you're doing that, do the rest of the floor," the boss called.

"Only if you're going to lift the bucket to drain it, boss.  Remember, I'm still healing from broken ribs," Xander called.  "I'm not spreading someone's piss all over the floors.  That's gross!"  He rolled it back into the bathroom.  "Not like I can lift it, boss.  If you would, I'll gladly do the rest of the floors."  He got an eyeroll and came to drain the bucket, then handed him the hose. "Thanks, boss."  He got back to running new water with bleach.  Then he went back to the front to work on the rest of the floor.  "Problems, Lieutenant?"

"No.  Are you all right?"

"I'm fine.  Do you need to confiscate the money they had and dropped as they fled?"

"We do."  Xander pointed at the wet bills.  "Thank you."  He went to get a baggie for it, leaving a small wet spot on the counter.  Xander came back and got one of his personal stash of lysol wipes to go over the spot, then the rest of the counter, then he went back to mopping. "Are you all right?"

"I'm to the stage where it hurts if I try to do too much but I can sleep finally," Xander admitted.  "So, did he pull my ER report?"

"He did.  Who did the other breaks?"  Xander gave him a look and shrugged. "You don't remember?"

"I remember a compound fracture of my arm.  Nothing else.  So either I wasn't aware it was more than a bruise or it was before I have good memories."  He started across the back.  Another customer peeked in.  "We're still open, just cleaning."  He smiled at her without looking. "It's all right."

"Xander?"

"No, I think you have me confused, ma'am," he said dryly, going back to rewet his mop and wring it out.  He walked around her.  "There's no Xander here, ma'am."  He went back to mopping, ignoring Willow.

"Don't do that!  I know who you are!" she yelled.  "You're my best friend!  I'm sorry, but you're wrong and you had to be fixed."

"Lieutenant, since this is your duty, why don't you take her with you?" he suggested dryly. "Before I press charges for gay bashing."  She growled and stomped toward him.  "The floor is wet.  Boss?"  He came out from talking with the officer, pointing at her.

"Out back.  It's easier to hose the blood off."

"Sure."  He put the mop back and went out the back door.  "I'll be right back," he offered.  He glared at her.  "What the hell do you want?"

"You to come back!  Your place is at home dating skanky and dangerous women!" she yelled.  She saw someone else park and get off his bike.  "What?  You need guards now?"

"No, that's Speed.  He's a regular."  She shrieked, he had no idea why, and came at him with her nails out.  He grabbed her wrists and squeezed, making her shriek for whole different reasons.  "Go away, Willow.  You're not wanted in Miami.  I've already had a crappy night and now I'm going to be moving thanks to you."  He let her go with a push back and headed for the door but she apparently picked up something.

"Freeze, Miami-Dade PD," Speed ordered, pulling his gun.  "Now, miss!"  She dropped whatever she had picked up and Xander looked at him, nodding politely.  "Will you press charges?"

"Only if she doesn't get on a plane and head home," he said with a small shrug.  "If she stays in Miami, yeah.  I will."  He headed back inside, going back to his post.  He used the lysol wipes on his hands.  "Lieutenant, Speed's outside with her."  He hurried back there and Xander went back to mopping.  His boss gave him an odd look.  "All I did was stop her from getting me this time.  They stopped her from picking up something and hitting me again.  I'm fine.  Though I will be buying something to take home tonight."  He stopped mopping to wring it out and come back.  "I said I wouldn't press charges if she left and never came back," he offered quietly.  He went back to finish the last row.

"Go home, kid."

"No thanks.  I'm going to finish my shift."  He looked at him.  "Unless I got fired?"

His boss shook his head.  "No, but you need to make sure she didn't damage your stuff."  Xander nodded, handing him the mop.  He grabbed his backpack and book, making sure it was all in there.  Then he grabbed a bottle out of the cooler and checked himself out, paying for it and heading outside to hike home.  It was only a few blocks and it was a good night for a walk.  It'd help him clear his head.  He put the mop back and went to talk to the officers out back.  "He's gone home."

"I know where that is," she sneered.

"That's fine, ma'am, I'm sure they can arrest you until you're escorted out of the city," he shot back.  "I'm not letting you take my only decent worker."  He went back inside, finding someone new in there. "Hi.  How can I help you tonight?"

"I'd like to have the register if I may," she said, pointing at small gun at him.

"What is this?  Rob this store night?  Officer!"  He and Caine came back in and she moaned.  "Can't you stop her?"

"Close for the night," Horatio ordered. That got a nod and he locked the door once she was outside and in handcuffs.  "The boy?"

"Home.  Walking. Got a bottle of Boones Farm Sangria."

"Thank you.  Which hotel?"  He pointed up the street.  "That's what I thought I was told.  Thank you."  He went back to talk to Willow.   She was down on the ground and in handcuffs while Speed nursed a new bruise.  "You all right?"

"I'm fine.  She took a swing at me.  The kid?"

"Home.  Got something to drink the pain away."

"Sounds good to me," he said sarcastically. "Just look what you made him do.  Officers?"  One came around and he pointed at her. "She hit me.  Mr. Philips said he won't press attempted assault charges if she leaves.  Boss?"

"Up to you, Speed."

"If she leaves today I won't either."  That got a nod and they took her off.  He waited until they were alone.  "How do you get friends like that?"

"I don't know," he admitted quietly.  "Go ask him.  Figure out the rest of this so Eric's not distracted."

"Fine."  He got onto his bike and went to track the kid down.  He found him walking up the stairs to his hotel room so he parked and got off.  "Kid."  He walked up to join him.  "We need to talk."

"No, I need to pack and move so she can't find me again."  He opened his door and looked around.  "She wasn't here yet."  He let him inside and closed the door after him, sitting down in his usual chair, looking at him.  "What did you need to know?"

"How did you get friends like that?"

"First day of school," he said quietly. "Don't wake the neighbor.  She's recently escaped."  That got a nod and he sat on the foot of the bed. "Want one?"

"I'm driving."

Xander nodded, getting up to get a small glass of wine.  It's all he would allow himself tonight.  "For three dollar wine it's not bad."  He sat down again.  "We've been friends forever."

"Then what's her problem?"

"Gay men apparently bother her."

"Why?"

"I don't know since she's dating a really nice young woman."  He took a sip and shrugged, then choked.  "Eww. That was tampered with."  He got up to pour it out but he took the glass from him, putting it down and settling him down.  "I should probably hurl that up."

"Do you know what it was?"

"Drain cleaner."

Speed called the paramedics, getting them nearly immediately.  He found baggies and put the wine one, the contents of the glass in a small container, and the glass in another baggie, following the kid out to the ambulance and to the hospital.  He flashed his badge.  "We were talking. His first sip of this," he said, holding up the container, "he said it was tampered with and said it was probably drain cleaner."  She ran off to run it.  When his boss ran in he handed him the others.  "It's either the glass or the wine."

"I'll test it."  He took them out to his hummer and came back.  "Did she?"

"Someone did."  He looked up when the nurse came back.  "What was it?" he called.

"He's right!"  She whispered it in the doctor's ear, getting a nod and them pulling out what they needed to dilute and disarm the strong chemicals.

Speed looked at him.  "I'll stay."  That got a nod.  "My bike's at his room."

"I'll send Eric over."  He went to make the call, getting him out of bed but oh well.  Eric stopped to get the glass and wine from him, plus a sample of the fluid just in case.  Then he went to process the room. Horatio came back once he had confirmation of officers securing the scene and Eric getting there.  He came back inside.  "His things weren't touched but the neighbor did come out and complain about the noise.  Eric told her what had happened and she made sure it wasn't her husband."

"The kid said she escaped," he said grimly.  The nurse came out and he caught her.  "How is he?"

"He'll be fine.  We got it in time, CSI Speedle.  Lieutenant, he'll be up to questioning soon."

"I know what happened, I was there," Speed admitted.  "We need to make sure he's protected."

She nodded.  "Talk to security, gentlemen."  She walked off, going to put that note in his chart.  She came back. "Did he put it in there?"  Speed shook his head.  "Good."  She went back to make that note as well then tell the doctor they would still want to check on the boy.  She came back ten minutes later.  "We're moving him upstairs for observation, boys.  Go on up."  They nodded, heading up to the observation ward with the boy.   "Aww, they're friends," she said, getting it.  It was a nice thing.

***

Xander blinked as he woke up.  "Damn, I hate hospitals."  Someone next to him laughed.  He looked at the lieutenant.  "Did she?"

"No.  It was the husband of the neighbor.  He got the wrong room."  He leaned forward.  "How do you feel?"

"Like I drank drain cleaner?"  He sat the head of the bed up and gagged, taking the bowl from his hands to get sick into.  "Eww, charcoal," he said between heaves.  The nurse hurried in to help him.  They got him calmed down and stopped, taking the pan away.  He panted and sipped the water one was holding for him, getting a nod.  She smiled and wiped his face off with a damp cloth then left them alone again.  "Sorry."

"I've seen worse," he admitted quietly. He stood up and came over, looking at him.  "I don't want you to worry but we're not sure if she did get onto the plane or not.  The officer didn't escort her to the gate and when I checked they didn't have her boarding pass."  Xander moaned.  "I'm going to put a guard on your door.  You're in no shape to deal with her."

"I wasn't before.  That's why I didn't kick her ass," he said, giving him a look.  "I need to switch hotels."

"Your manager will let you do that."  He pushed back some of the sweaty hair.  "It'll be all right, Xander."

"Quit calling me that."

"That's your name."

"I'm not him anymore.  So just quit."

"Fine.  Peter then."  He gave him a small smile. "Eric said you had good taste in guns."

"He would.  Did they turn down my permit?"  That got a nod. "Because someone checked?"  Another nod.  "Damn it. I need that."

"I know you do and I'm having a word with someone later about it.  For right now it's back in your things."  That got a tired nod and a yawn.  "Go back to sleep.  When you get up there'll be an officer here.  By then we'll know for sure if she got off the plane."

"Yes, Lieutenant."

"Good boy, Peter."  He stroked over his hair, watching him fall asleep.  He walked out, nodding at the nurse. "He's resting."

"That's fine, sir.  It's a nice change from him trying to escape earlier."  An officer came up.  "Is he in danger?"  Horatio nodded. "All right, we'll work around him.  Beside the door, sparky."  He nodded and Horatio had a quiet word with him when he took up his post, getting a nod.  Then he left.  She looked at him.  "Someone fed him drain cleaner.  Tell us if you hear him throwing up again."

"I can do that," he agreed, looking a bit grim.  No wonder Delko had him listening to the kid's room.  He wasn't a dangerous guy, he was in danger.

***

Horatio walked back into work, running into the boil on the inner cheek of his ass, IAB.  "What?"

"You were there when he tried to rob the store?"

"I had just left," he admitted.  "I may have seen him pulling in, I'm not sure.  A few others had also just left."

"Fine.  You and the kid got into a fight why?"

"He's running from a friend who gay bashed him.  I had accidentally let slip where he was.  I was apologizing.  She showed up last night."

"I saw that in the later tape."  He stared at him.  "Where is this boy?"

"In the hospital.  Someone broke into his hotel room and put drain cleaner in his glasses."  That got a horrified look.  "His neighbor was a young woman who had escaped an abusive family. It was one of them.  However we're not sure she left. So I have him under watch."  That got a groan.  "It is safer.  Just in case she shows up to try again.  Since he's nearly sedated thanks to the treatment."  He walked off.  "Is he gone?"

"He is, his partner is from the first tape.  When did you get that?" he called after him.

Horatio stopped to look back at him and smirked.  "The kid sent the tape to Delko without telling the officer what he had."  He walked off again, going to check with them and make that call to the gun permit office.

"I want to know about this boy!"

"He's not an officer or an investigation, Rick."  He waved a hand. He ran into Speed first.  "Did you get any sleep?"

"Thirty minutes.  He okay?"

"He woke up, threw up, went back to sleep.  I told him about her," he admitted.

"Good.  No, she didn't get off the plane."  He handed over the report.  "We have no idea where she is."

"I have an officer on his door."  He walked off again.  "Anything else?"

"We found her fingerprints on his door," Speed called after him.  Horatio came back.  "We think she was in there but I don't know where since most of his stuff was still packed and they undid it last night.  Nothing that shouldn't be in there.  Nothing in the drawers or the bed.  We also repacked the stuff in the drawers and the closet.  All the dishes were tainted.  Eric went to arrest the guy after getting a statement from her."

"Good work," he praised.  "Anything else?"

"Yeah, he's going to run."

"He can't.  We have his wallet," he said dryly, holding it up.  Speed smirked at that.  "What is with his past?"

"Not a clue.  Ask Delko.  He has a better one."

"Fine.  I can do that."  He took the reports with him on his way to his office.  He called Eric.  "Let me know what you have if you're somewhere you can talk."  He got a quick rundown.  Apparently he was driving.  "No, he's woken up and he knows.  He's also insistent that his last life isn't his current one."  He listened and sighed at what Eric had found out.  "So, when he said he had seen worse things...."  He snorted at one thing and Eric pointed out that was what was reported about him.  Not that they had to believe in monsters, but there was a video waiting in his inbox that showed something they should see according to the source of information he had found out there. Then Eric hung up as he parked.  Horatio logged into his email, finding the video.  It was the only large file he had.  He clicked on it to watch it, blinking hard.  He hit the button on his phone, bringing Speed at a jog.  "Watch."  He got out of the way so he could.

"Damn," he said, blinking at that. "What is that?"  He looked closer.  "Costume?"

"Not according to Eric's source."  They shared a look and he let the tape play on.  It shifted to another fight and the kid doing it with two others.  "There's the redhead from last night," he admitted. "Plus the blonde from the file."  They watched, blinking hard as the kids took down something, including something that didn't show up on the film but was apparently strong enough to knock someone down.  "Hmm."

"Vampires too?" Speed hissed.  Horatio gave him an odd look.  "No reflection means no pictures."

"Point.  I hadn't thought of that."  They watched a new fight.  This one was much more brutal.  A very large something was attacking a group of teenagers.  Behind them they could barely make out a banner that said 'congratulations'.  The rest of it was torn.  A minute later, a piece of paper of some sort flipped by.  Horatio paused the tape and backed it up, making it go slower over that section.  "Graduation?"

"His. That's the right year."  He hit the key to make it go forward.  This one had sound and they could hear the kid giving orders.  They could see the very large something take off after the blonde and the kid they both had met defending the others as they fell back.  Then a retreat was sounded by him and they did, then the school exploded.  "Huh."  It shifted to a later fight, showing exactly what Willow had done.  "She's not touching that board, is she?"

"No, she's not," Horatio said quietly.  "It does explain why his x-ray was so bad when he landed."

"It does.  Ow!"  He checked.  "Do we have a date code?"  He found it.  "That's a week before he flew down, Horatio."

"Which was a good reason to pass out on the plane," Calleigh said from behind them, making them both jump and glare at her.  "Sorry."  She smiled.  "Hmm.  Rosenburg.  Harris.  And?"  She looked at them.  "What?"

"You know about this?"

"Yeah, one of the slayers was my cousin.  Her Watcher and husband told us about the team in Sunnydale when I was younger."  She shrugged.  "What about it?"

"That's Peter Philips," Speed said, freezing it and pointing at the kid.

"I know.  I realized that when I saw the film Eric was watching yesterday.  He said he was gay bashed and I figured that's why he was under an assumed name and down here.  Again, and?"

"Rosenburg came back to finish it."

"Hmm.  Well, she's a strong witch but she's got little brains for being a genius.  Definitely no sense.  The only reason she got Xander was because she caught him off guard and picked up the board with magic so he didn't see her doing it."  She shrugged. "Again, and?"

"Can we protect him from her"

"Depends on what she did to him.  I know a Wiccan down here who could remove it if she did something new to him."  That got stereo looks.  "Yes, I do have friends," she said dryly.  "Please, guys.  Really."  She walked off, going to call her friend.  "Hey, it's Calleigh.  I had someone I needed you to check.  Well, because Harris is hiding down here from Rosenburg after she beat the crap out of him," she admitted.  "She came to town last night to finish it off.  No, gay bashing. I know, and that just makes it stupid, but she's twenty, he's twenty.  Who knows what's going through her head.  Nope, he's up at St. Luke's.  Observation.  Someone drain cleanered his plates and stuff," she admitted.  "Thank you."  She smiled.  "Yup.  Let me know.  Thanks."  She hung up and found Horatio lurking nearby.  "She'll go check on him during visiting hours."  She smiled. "I would suggest a better guard, guys.  I really would.  And maybe a call to Giles.  He's gotta be worried sick if he's realized the kid's gone."  She walked off, leaving it there.

"Who?" Horatio asked.

"The old guy in the films, Horatio.  Rupert Giles."

He went to look that name up in the online phone book, calling him.  "Mr. Giles, Horatio Caine, with the Miami-Dade Crime Lab.  We seem to have a small situation.  No, Miss Rosenburg is down here to finish killing Mr. Harris.  Both of whom I'm told you're well acquainted with."  He gave the phone an odd look when he told him Xander had been back there.  "He's been here in Miami for a little over a month, Mr. Giles.  No, a Mrs. Summers helped him I do believe.  As of this moment, we have Miss Rosenburg loose in my city and determined to kill him.  I would like her stopped but to do that I need some information."  He listened to him, making some notes.  "Thank you. If I can find him.  He's hiding.  Thank you, Mr. Giles."  He hung up and closed his eyes, leaning back in the chair.  "No wonder the kid left," he muttered.   Eric walked in and he looked at him.  "What?"

"He's already confessed.  She left me, she didn't have that right.  She's mine.  Blah. Blah.  Blah.  The usual for spousal abusers.  What's going on with Harris?"

"He wants to go by his new name," Horatio told him. "Now I understand why.  Miss Rosenburg did not get on the plane.  Mr. Giles, who was apparently part of the group, didn't know he had been hurt or left."

Eric laughed.  "You're kidding, right?"  Horatio's look made him quit.  "He didn't know he'd been gone over a month!"

"Apparently not.  He tried to convince me he was home until a young woman out there told him he had dumped her when he left due to Willow beating him for being gay."  Eric sat down hard, just staring at him.  "He did say he would try to contact her and then tell us where she is."

"Good.  What about when he gets out?"

"He's going to be in protection, Eric.  That woman is in no way sane."  He sat up again.  "Did you ever figure out what she had done?"

"No.  Did Calleigh?"

"She's apparently called a witch she knows down here to go help him."  Eric grinned at that.  He reran the tape, going to the last one so he could see it.  Eric gaped.  "She's not holding that board."

"She's...  Then how....  Never mind."  He grimaced and walked off.  "Eww."  Speed gave him a long look when he walked into the lab he was in.  "How are we protecting the kid?"

"One of us probably should stay with him."  He considered it.  "Maybe Horatio would be better since he drooled on me."

"On you?" Eric joked.

"Okay, about me."  He smirked.  "He even started to ask me out."

"You should go, Speed.  It might make you happier," Calleigh said from the doorway.  "He's not at the hospital.  He escaped."

"How?"

"The guard got called to help with someone trying to kill their child down in the ER.  He snuck out."

"They don't have security?"

"They do.  They thought he was a patient out for a smoke. He even had a wheelchair."  She felt someone come up behind her and smiled at the boss.  "He escaped."

"Why?"

"Probably so she can't get him."

"We have his things here," Eric reminded her.

"I already told his landlord to have him brought here if he showed up.  That he was a crime victim and we needed a statement, he had managed to make it around an officer. My friend went to visit him and his things, she's bringing them here to meet him.  That way we know if she did more mean things to him."  She smiled and walked off.

"You know, I wouldn't have pictured her knowing anyone on that side," Speed said, looking at Eric, then at Horatio.  "Who's got protection detail tonight, H?  I know the kid's comfortable with me since he tried to drool on me and I interrupted his very nice asking out."

"He asked you out?" Horatio asked, smiling a bit.  "Well, it has been a while since you went out, Speed."

"Still straight, boss."

"Are you claiming tonight?"

Speed shrugged. "I've got a couch.  I'd have to pick up some but I've got a couch."

"That's fine.  We'll put him with you tonight.  If we still need to watch him I'll take tomorrow."  He walked off again, going to find an officer waiting on him with the man in question. "Mr. Philips."

"Lieutenant.  You have my wallet?"

"I have all of your personal effects from last night as evidence," he admitted, walking him off. "You could have stayed and rested."

"No I can't.   Hospitals aren't secure.  Not that you guys will be able to stop her if she's doing things her usual way."  He looked at the room he was led into.  "So I take it she didn't get on the plane?" he asked as he sat down, barely wincing at the cramping his stomach was still doing.

"No, she didn't," he admitted.  He looked at the boy.  "One of my CSI has a friend who's down here and can help you.  We were just talking about how best to protect you."

"Make my identity more real?"

"That is one thing we might try," he agreed.  "For right now we're thinking more along the lines of physical safety."

Xander stared at him then he smirked.  "What got sent to you by who?"

"One of Eric Delko's contacts sent a mixed tape of you fighting.  Including the night you got assaulted," he admitted quietly, watching him shudder. "Including your graduation."  Xander stared at him and he could see the knowledge and power in his eyes now.  "We both saw how she wasn't holding the board when she hit you with it."

Xander nodded. "If I can find a group down here to shield me it'd help me.  I don't know what she did with my things."

"We couldn't find anything that she did or touched, but we did find her fingerprints on your door," he admitted, sitting across from him.  "What do you think is for the best?"

"Me running and hiding in another city."

"That may not stop her."

"But if you stop her and put her in jail then the hellmouth will fall someday soon and the world will go to hell, literally," he said quietly.  "We don't get that decision to make, Lieutenant.  Otherwise I might've pressed charges on her for beating me that way since she probably nearly killed me and locked me in my basement apartment in a way that meant I couldn't get out and get my own help, I had to wait for it to come."  Horatio shuddered at that.  "So, for right now I need to go check out of my hotel room and get my refunded rent.  I need to find a good wiccan or coven who can help shield me and take off whatever she's done, and I need to find a new hiding spot, all before work tonight."

"Your boss doesn't expect you back until the day after tomorrow, Xander.  I told him what happened and the ER gave you an excuse."  Xander blinked at him.  "It was my fault she showed up," he said quietly.  "Also, I talked to Mr. Giles about her."

"Let me guess, he was ranting I was there?"  Horatio's look told him everything.  "Hmm, someone had to tell him I left.  Goodie," he said flatly.  "Anything else I need to get up to speed on?"

"We're going to be protecting you until we can deal with her."

He snorted and looked amused.  "Lieutenant, all she'd need to do something would be the herbs of her faith and a candle.  They do still that in jail," he said with a smirk.  "Then I'd be toast.  I'll call Buffy and tell her to pick her up when she's on that plane.  Even then I'll never be safe.  I can't even guarantee she won't hurt those around me trying to get to me."

"Sunnydale is a long way from Miami, Peter."

"It's not always distance it's what she has of mine.  She had my blood and hair before I left.  She probably took a picture of me that she didn't have before. That, some herbs, a candle or three, a few of the books she's got laying around her dorm room?  Yeah, I'm going to be toast from a long distance source.  With what she had she could've called something to harm me.  The only thing that's saved me so far is that she's trying to fix me.  She still thinks it's my place to go back there and date horrible women for her and Buffy to crack jokes about and to be their gopher."  He stood up. "Any idea where her friend is?"

"On her way here."  He looked at him.  "Let us do what we can.  She's intent on physical harm at the moment."

"That's because she thinks she's my mother now and then," he said with a small shrug.  "You got me a medical excuse?"

"It was the least I can do, Xander."

"Cool.  Let me go find that wiccan and see what we can do about protecting me for real.  I'll show back up here later tonight?"

"You could stay."

"No offense but I doubt the building's good for doing magic in and you'd be smelling herbs for weeks."  He gave him a gentle smile.  "Not that it's usually a bad smell."  He walked out, finding the blonde woman waiting on him.  "Hi," he said cautiously.

"My friend will be here in about ten minutes.  You can wait," she ordered.

"I know.  We'll need to work protections against her doing things like setting me on fire from a distance."

She gave him an odd look. "Okay, I've seen the floating stuff and her work minor healings and things.  But fires?"

He nodded.  "She's damn handy at it too. Comes in handy when you're outnumbered and the things attacking you can be killed by fire."  She gaped.  "If you know who I am, then you know we were both trained by combat, ma'am."

"I do," she agreed quietly.  "Okay.  I'll wait with you."  She walked him outside and onto the steps to wait.  "Are you all right?"

"A few stomach cramps.  Charcoal and I do not get along well."

"Yeah, the last time I got exposed to something and had to have it, it was like my stomach exploded."

"I've already crapped out the lining of mine.  Gotta love drain cleaner for that alone."

"How did you know?"

He grinned.  "I could lie and say it was something innocent, like an accident, but it was a dare when I was eight from my father."  She gaped.  He shrugged and grinned again.  "I'm obviously fine."

"He got you to drink drain cleaner?"

"Yeah, in whiskey.  Couldn't stand the smell and he was determined I was going to drink with him that night."  She let out a small swear.  "I'm twenty, I have no siblings.  They stopped their mistakes with me," he assured her.

She glared at him, hands on her hips.  "There is no way you're a mistake!  If they told you that, then they're the problems!  Doing that to you was wrong!  They should have been put in jail!"

"No laws in Sunnydale except the Mayor and the hellmouth."

"X...Peter, it's still not right!"

"Now they don't have anyone to hurt but each other and the Mayor's gone.  Some day they'll get each other and it'll be solved."  She gaped.  "I take a very practical view of the world, detective.  I escaped by starting to hunt.  That's one of the many reasons I'm good at it."

She walked off and kicked a planter, muttering.

"Sorry!" he offered, shrugging a bit when the officers coming in gave him a dirty look.  "She didn't like my parents."  He saw a very fuel efficient car pull in and nodded politely at the witch getting out.  "Ma'am."

"Xa...." she started, looking awed.  He shook his head quickly.  "I'm Sophia."

He grinned.  "Peter Philips, Sophia. I'm assuming here but the blonde, swearing and muttering detective called you to help me?"  She nodded.  "Good.  Get her calmed down since she went off on my parents, and we'll go see what we can do in the removing and protection stuff."  She blinked.  "I've known her for fifteen years," he said quietly.  "She's needed back at home."

"Sure."  She looked at Calleigh, who was coming back over looking more calm and collected but not totally.  "Are you all right?"

"No."  She pointed at Xander.  "Know him?"

"A bit, by reputation."  She grinned at Xander, then at her friend.  "Will you be all right?"

"I'll be fine."  She gave Xander a careful hug.  "Bring him back here when you're done.  We're protecting him tonight."

"Sure."  She took Xander's hand, looking at him.  "She did lay stuff on you, didn't she?"  He sighed and nodded.  "Then let's go deal with that and put on some protection for you, Mr. Philips.  I'll see you later, Cal.  Drinks?"

"Drinks are good," she agreed, smiling at her friend leading the young man off.  She waited until they were gone then went back inside, going right to her boss.  "He just told me that this wasn't his first exposure to drain cleaner," she said as she walked in.

"He identified it either by taste or smell," Speed agreed.

"His father apparently decided he was going to get drunk with him when he was eight and used drain cleaner to do that in his whiskey."  They both glared at her for that.  "He was ...."  She forced herself to calm down.  "He was like 'doesn't it happen to everyone' about it.  Said they had stopped their mistakes with him and now that the mayor was gone they could off each other and someone would do something."

"We have his ER records from where he passed out on the plane," Speed admitted.  "We could turn them over to the Sunnydale PD."

"He's twenty," Horatio reminded them.  They shrugged. "Statue of limitations?"

"On attempted murder?" she asked. "Even drunks have got to know drain cleaner's bad for you and can kill you."

"Point," he said, smiling at her.  "Get the records from Eric."  She nodded, looking happier when she went to do that.

"The kid might mind," Speed pointed out.

"Whenever abuse was suspected, a report has to be made, Speed. That is the law," he said, smirking at him.  "Even if there's a child outside the age of consent."  That got a nod. "We'll send it back quietly."

"Why didn't they get them for the drain cleaner?"

"I don't know."  He found the number for Sunnydale again and dialed it.  "This is Miami- Dade....  Sure, I'll hold."  He put them on speaker and the same voice as last time came back. "This is Lieutenant Caine with the crime lab," he said.

"I heard your voice last time.  The boy okay?"

"He's fine.  Miss Rosenburg is presently down here."

"Chains.  Iron or lead, boys.  Best and only advice I can give you on that."

"I'll try that when we finally get her," Horatio agreed. "For right now we've got him in protective custody working on some injuries.  No, the reason for the call today was that the young man in question admitted his parents gave him drain cleaner when he was eight?"

"Huh.  Must've been why he was in the ER that week."  You heard the sound of some cracking and shifting.  "To be honest Lieutenant, we're just now clearing up a bad department.  He was one of the ones who got hit by that.  Sunnydale's not like Miami."

"I'm aware, partially, of why.  Someone sent us some film, including his graduation and where Miss Rosenburg beat him."

"Really?  Can we have that?  Because we'll charge her and make her do the work anyway."

"I can forward that to you, along with some very telling x-rays.  He passed out on the flight down and someone did do x-rays of his ribs and things."  Eric leaned in.  "Eric, I need what we got on him, including the medical records."

"Sure, H."  He went to get them and bring them back.  "I've never seen that many breaks.  Not even on someone who got beaten by a mob."

"Interesting," the voice said.  "The boy would hate it if he knew we were having this conversation."

"True," Horatio agreed. "But attempted murder has no time limit and you don't always need victim cooperation."

"I like the way you think, lieutenant.  You're sneaky.  Wanna move out here?  We don't even have a lab.  We send stuff up to the state boys."  Another cracking sound and the sound of a sigh.  "Sorry, my neck.  Wife came home dead last night and tried for me."

"Dead?" Speed said.  "Oh, never mind.  Do you think you can take the x-rays and that report and make it something so it looks like it got reported through the system?"

"Sure.  We got a judge out here who hates the boy and his family for not killin' him.  We can do that."  That got a round of smiles.  "Go ahead and Fed Ex it to me out here.  Me or Paul Hendrix.  Just in case I end up one of the walking dead thanks to the wife.  I'll let him know."

"Can't you do something?"

"Well, I could point the itty, bitty blonde girl at her but that's just mean.  I almost liked her.  Was thinking about a divorce and all but still."

"They can ward the doorways so she can't come in again," Calleigh told him.  "Ask her."

"That I'd be more than happy to do.  Oh, you might warn him, his girl did get returned.  She's not real happy.  He'll understand.  Also, tell him he needs to long distance kick Giles' ass again.  Didn't appear to take the last time."

"We called him to talk to him about Willow," Horatio admitted. "He didn't know the boy was gone.  The girl with him had to tell him."

"That was probably his ex-girlfriend.  Well, hopefully whatever you're doing down there can protect him from her too.  Gotta say, having a vengeance demon here in town again is kinda neat.  She's got a lot of work from where we were forced not to act. Go ahead and send that stuff to me and we'll see what I can do."

"Thank you," Horatio said, shaking his head. "Be safe."

"I do try."  He smirked. "Been here most of my life, Lieutenant.  I've already passed the average age of thirty-two.  Later all."  He hung up.

Horatio looked at Eric, handing it back.  "Get his current medical records as well in case it could help."  That got a nod and he went to do that.  He saw Calleigh looking up the number and hitting the key to dial it.  "Vengeance demons?"

Calleigh opened her mouth.  "Sophie."  She laughed at that.  "No, you need to tell him his ex returned?  The cop out there said he'd know what that meant.  Mentioned vengeance demons."  She heard the quiet words when he took the phone.  "No, we've coordinated with them so something helps you when we finally get her back there.  Well, we do have tape of it and he thinks he can put her on permanent community service," she admitted.  She smiled.  "That might work.  No, he said your ex returned?"  She listened then shuddered.  "Are you going to be okay?"  She smirked.  "That might not matter now, Peter.  Sure.  Thanks."  She hung up.  "They can handle that too but his ex-girlfriend was broken up with a while back.  Before he left.  He said he wrote her a long letter and they've talked since then so she's probably not going to be able to come after him.  She's the one young women call when they're horribly dumped or their husbands mistreat them was how he put it."

A sparkling form appeared in the middle of the room.  "Yes, I am.  No, he's not safe.  He was trying to figure out if he was gay while he was with me," she sniffed.  She looked at her.  "I might leave him alone as long as I get future orgasms.  We'll have to see.  Right now, Willow is a bigger problem.  She can draw on the native energy out there."

"Sophie said something about hellmouths," Calleigh agreed.  "I think they've got it."

"Fine, spoil my fun," she pouted. "Is my orgasm pookie all right?" she asked her.

"Pretty much.  Someone snuck into his place to put drain cleaner on his plates and glasses," she admitted. "He's healing and they're doing spell removal today.  You could go talk to him and make any deals for later sex."

"True."  She smirked at the men around the room, focusing on Speed.  "I almost got called about you once."

"I'm usually very nice to my women."

"She said you loved your work more than her.  Then she decided it was easier to break up."

"Thanks for letting me know, I'll quit dating."

Anya smirked at him then at Eric.  "Strangely enough I haven't been called about you yet.  I'm shocked. Usually I get calls about guys like you the most."  She looked him over then into his eyes.  "Maybe it's because you have skills.  Show me?"

"Sorry, I'm dating someone right now," he told her.  "I don't cheat when I'm seeing someone."

"Pity.  If not, call out for me and I'll gladly let you spoil me," she offered with a cute grin.  She ignored Horatio all together.  She looked at Calleigh again.  "She's by the park, heading that way.  No idea which one.  I haven't had to come to Miami in a while.  Oh, well, tell Xander I love him and he's still an asshole who can't perform well enough.  I mean, only seven orgasms our last night together?  A girl's got more needs than that and he just couldn't keep up.  Plus he was making pitiful paychecks so we were living in a hole."  She looked up.  "Ah, a call.  Later all, tell him I love him."  She faded out with some more sparkles.

"No wonder the boy is gay," Eric said, looking at Speed.  "Are you all right?"

Speed looked at him then at Horatio.  "I'm never seeing another woman again," he said, standing up.  Calleigh gave him a hug.  "At least it was because I was working too much."  He shook his head quickly.  "If he stays, someone's got to introduce the boy to real people who give a damn."

"I'll let him have a few of my exes," Eric promised.

Horatio looked at him.  "Not much better, Eric.  If he stays, we'll watch over him to make sure he finds someone who'll treat him better and who wants to be with him."

Calleigh nodded, looking amused.  "I don't know how she got seven a night."  Speed pinched her.  "Ow!"  She swatted him.  "I don't!"

Horatio coughed, hiding his smile.  "Let's get back to work on the other cases?"  They all went back to work and he considered it.  Because that was making him want to date the boy out of pity.

"Hey, Speed, maybe you should date the kid," Eric teased from down the hall.  Then the sound of a smack.  "Ow!"

"Good, you deserved it."

Horatio smirked and got back to work, letting the back of his head work that over for him.  Because most abuse victims did get stuck into a rut like that one but that was a deeper rut than he'd ever seen before.  He clamped down on the thought that seven orgasms a night was an interesting image.  The kid was just twenty, he didn't need him having those thoughts.

***

Xander came back into the station looking a bit happier and content.  He smiled at Speed. "Hi.  Still can't find her?"

"Not yet.  Did your ex show up there?"

"Yup, made Sophie make me lunch too.  She thought it was unfair that Anya was complaining about only getting seven orgasms a night when she only made it to one."  That got a smirk. He shrugged. "She nagged in public when I couldn't keep up.  What you guys heard was probably nothing compared to what she told the others in the group.  So, did they tell you out in Sunnydale they couldn't charge them?  I realized on the way to her house that the nice blonde detective probably tried to get them turned in."

"No, there's a judge out there who hate them for letting you live and he said he'd see what he could do with the x-ray and other files we have down here," he admitted honestly.  "He also thinks he can get Willow permanent community service."

"Better her than me.  I've staked enough things in my life."  He nodded politely at the guy coming up behind Speed.  "So, what's up tonight?"

"Tonight, you can have my couch.  It'll be safer we think."

"Are you sure?"

"I am.  Because that way I can kill her this time if she tries something like trying to burn you.  We had to get your stuff last night anyway to see what else had been touched so H is bringing it over to my place in a few.  That'll let you take a shower and change clothes.  The couch is comfortable.  I'll make dinner."  Xander blushed and looked down.  "Not a date, but your ex showing up at work did show me that I never want to date another woman again.  How did you put up with her?"

"Believe it or not, she was the best one I dated.  Outside of the money demands and the sex demands?  She didn't try to kill me.  Cordy, my last one, tried a few times and put me down.  Anya only put me down.  All the other women I've dated just tried to kill me."

"Stick with men, Peter," he said, shaking his head.  "Come on.  H?"  He came out of the building and put his sunglasses on.  "You can ride in the hummer since that's where your stuff is.  Did you want anything in particular for dinner?"

"No, I'm okay.  The charcoal nastiness quit happening a few hours ago," he offered with a grin.  "So whatever.  I'm a hoover for food."  That got a grin.  "Thank you for trying to help."

"It's what we do, kid."  He walked him over to Horatio's hummer.  "See, all your stuff.  So, did you get your rent refund?"

"I did and I found a new spot starting in a few days.  Maybe I'll go to construction if I can't stand the store again."  He looked at the lieutenant.  "Hi again."

"Hi."  He smirked at him.  "That is quite an ex you have."

"Yeah, well, she was the best of the lot so far," he admitted.

"He said the others tried to kill him."

Horatio stared at him.  "Tell me you're kidding?"  Xander shook his head.  He sighed and shook his head.

"Don't worry, we don't have many like that and Eric's dated most of them so he can tell you when they're not good," Speed said, patting him on the back.  "Get in."  Xander got into the hummer and Horatio gave him a look.  "See you at home.  I've got to get something to drink.  All I've got is water."  He headed for his bike, finding the detective standing there. "What's up, Frank?"

"Who is that kid?"

Speed sighed.  "His former best friend gay bashed him.  She's now in town and the little lesbian's still hunting for him."  Frank gave him an odd look. "Long, involved story, Frank. Get Eric to tell you most of it.  He started this off."

"Uh-huh.  So who's got him tonight?"

"I do."  He grinned.  "I'm sure he won't touch my books."

"Sure."  He just nodded.  "So the rumors going around that there's an assassin after him?"

"Not quite.  Just a five-five lesbian Wiccan with delusions of fixing him."

Frank cracked a smile at that. "Really?"  He nodded.  "Poor kid."

"His best friend, Frank.  She locked him in a basement so he couldn't get help.  He passed out on the plane ride down from the three broken ribs.  Plus multiple other bruises."  He gaped.  "She picked up a board or something and beat him."  He waved as Horatio pulled out.  "Then his ex showed up today and said he was inferior because she only got seven orgasms most nights.  That on top of where his former neighbor's husband drain cleanered his place by accident?  The kid needs some protection."

"Sure."  He just nodded and stepped away from the bike.  "He'll be okay?"

"I hope so."  He started his bike and put his helmet on. "If not I feel kinda sorry for him."  He backed his bike out of his spot and took off, stopping to get something from the store up the street from his condo.  He nodded at the manager.  "Peter's out of the hospital."

"Good!  Can he come back tomorrow?"

"I hope so.  If not, the day after," he promised, smirking some.  "We've got him in protective custody thanks to the redhead."  That got a laugh.  "We know, he was working on that earlier.  Anyway, he's protected at least for tonight."  He put down the milk.  "Miss him?"

"A lot.  I had to cover his shift last night and tonight."  He checked him out then gave him a look.  "Think you could tell me where so I can send him an amended schedule?"

"Nope.  Sorry.  Can't tell you."  He looked at him.  "Has she been threatening you?"

"No, I haven't seen her since you guys arrested her," he said.

Speed noticed the look in his eyes and put down cash for the milk and soda.  "If you do, call us.  We've got more than enough to arrest her on and they've got warrants at home for her too."  That got a shudder and a nod.  He got his change back and the things were bagged.  He felt something brush a hand over him and turned but nothing was there.  He concentrated, blocking the feeling.  He shook himself and looked at him.  "Interesting.  New air conditioning system?"

"I guess," he said, looking confused.  Speed grinned and took his bags out to the bike, putting them between his chest and the bike.  Then he headed home.  He looked at the kid since he came out to help him.  "Did you know your job has a new air conditioning system?  Also, your boss is looking forward to having you back."

"That's good."  He looked at him and smirked, touching his cheek and looking into his eyes.  "Go away, Willow."  He slapped it hard enough to shock him, which broke her concentration.  "Fastest way to get rid of temporary spells, break their concentration."

"You still going to be safe here?"

"Did you think your address or look at your address?"  Speed shook his head.  "Then we're fine."  He took the bags inside, letting him follow.  "Should I worry about scary tweed outfits coming out of the closet in your off hours?  Because the only person I've ever seen with this many books was Giles."

Speed looked at him oddly. "I have better taste than tweed.  Jeans are more comfortable.  Though, I did hear Horatio talked to Giles."

"I heard."  He gave him a look.  "I called earlier.  He's still claiming he saw me two weeks ago but he's sending me books."  He shrugged and handed over the bags.  "Can I help with anything?"

"Go sit.  Don't touch any of my current books.  Did Horatio stay?"  That got a nod.  "Good.  You could shower."

"I did it at Sophie's and got a new t-shirt and jeans for after we were done," he admitted. "But thank you anyway."

"You're welcome, kid."  He looked at him.  "You know, denying who you are won't keep her away."

"No but it might keep others away from me.  People like Sophie who see me as some sort of hero."

"Did you save people?" Xander shrugged at that.  "That's the definition of a hero, kid.  Sit."  Xander sat at the table to watch him.  "That's why they call cops and firemen heros.  We save lives in the course of normal business."  He looked at him.  "If you did the same thing then you are."

"But...."

"No buts. If you had reasonable people around who were watching out for you they would've told you that before now."  Horatio came out of the bathroom.  "It clog up again?"

"It did."

"The last person put kitty litter down it," he said bitterly.

"Got a snake?" Xander asked.  "And some drain cleaner?"  Speed nodded, getting them from under the sink.  He went up to work on it for him. It was the least he could do.

"At least he's more handy than my apartment manager," Speed sighed, getting back to work.  "I'm doing simple stuff. Baked chicken, new potatoes."  Horatio smiled at that.  "Staying for dinner?"

"I could if you wanted."

Speed put down the brush he was using to brush the chicken breasts.  "He didn't think he was a hero for saving lives."

"Speed, he was clearly abused.  He doesn't see a lot of worth in anything he does," he offered quietly.  "You often have to show these kids that they're making a difference."

"I knew I was.  The amount of vampires in Sunnydale went down," Xander called.  "Doesn't mean I consider it heroic."  He came down.  "Got a rag you absolutely don't want anymore?"  Speed looked then handed him a sock he used for dusting.  "Perfect."  He went back to it.  He needed to scrape the sides of the pipes, not just force open a small section.

Horatio and Speed shared a look.  Speed nodded and went back to cooking.  Horatio knew the sort of problems the young man had and how bad they could get.  He went to watch him, finding him watching the water go down again.  "Did it work?"

"Almost.  We've still got some slowness."  He maneuvered the snake over a bit and started again, smiling when he felt chunks coming off and no more resistence.  He moved it further around the pipe and did it again, then nodded and pulled it out, leaving the sock in there. He flushed it and it went down, sock and all, and the next one too.  "There.  All clean and clear.  Someone may wonder at the sock but with how many kids stuff things down the toilet probably not."  He wound the snake back up and drain cleaner went down the sink just in case.  Then he walked out.  "Done and I'm loosening up the crud in your sink too."  Speed smiled at that.  "I used the sock to scrape the inside of the pipes.  That way you had a few more years before they had to be fixed."

"Thank you, that's very helpful," Speed said, giving him a careful hug.  "I've been stuck for months on that.  Now, what's wrong with my sink?"

"I don't know but it's got a slow drain.  Probably just crud.  In a few I'll go up and run hot water down it to finish the flush."  That got a nod and he washed his hands in the sink, then got to work on the dishes.

"I can do those."

"You're cooking."  He looked at him.  "I can help.  Really.  If I was still with Anya, I'd have cooked, cleaned up, spoiled her, then slept with her for at least five hours before getting up and going to work construction.  This is nothing.  I've had a vacation even with the pain from my ribs."

Horatio gave him a pat on the back.  "It's very helpful, Xander.  He's fussy."  Speed gave him a look.  "You are.  You wouldn't even let me help in the kitchen."

"That's because I'm not sure you can cook, Horatio."  He went back to it.  "Mind chicken?"

"Like I said, I'm a hoover.  Whatever's fine as long as it's not poisonous."

"It's not."  He grinned at him and got back to work.  "So, you worked some fast food?"

"Oh, yeah."  He nodded, getting back to work.  He noticed he had run a rinse sink and shook his head.  "Sorry, old habits."

"Works for me," Speed assured him.  "As long as they're clean."  Xander nodded, going back to it.  "So, how were your last two years in Sunnydale?" he asked after a few minutes of silence.  He always felt like he should be saying something when he had guests.

"Boring.  Mostly.  About seventy jobs in that time until I hit on construction.  I worked at every fast food place in the surrounding areas.  Then we got the construction job and it was better.  Even if we did break in on some ancient remains and I got ghostly syphilis.  Fortunately they took it with them when they moved onto the higher plane."  He shrugged.  "Anya was not amused."

"How long did you date her?" Horatio asked.

"About a year and a half.  I took a roadtrip after high school and she pounced me a few nights after I got back.  She never left after that.  It was good sex.  I was thinking deeper thoughts but then again I started to have doubts about my sexuality so I went on some careful dates.  Very careful because if I cheated and she heard or found out, she'd get her powers back and I'd be a toasty mouse snack for a vampire at best.  At worst, well, she used to tell me a lot about torturing men while we were together.  Reminiscing about the old days and the like."  He shrugged and got to work on the glasses.

"Did she work?" Speed asked as he turned the chicken in the oven.

"For Giles. So she's got some savings built up somewhere.  I know she never spent any of it on anything, she always got me to pay for everything.  I even paid for her pills."

"That's cold," Speed complained, looking at him.

"Yeah but she didn't try to kill me," Xander sighed, giving him a sideways look.  "After a while, you learn to settle for the minorly bad things.  She was decent in bed, even if she did need less energy, and she didn't try to kill me.  I settled."

"Never settle," Horatio offered.  "It'll make you miserable in the long run."

Xander glanced at him. "Experience?"  Horatio hummed and nodded.  "I guess it was okay.  I mean, she didn't try to kill me outside of too much sex."

"Real women spoil you as much as you do them," Speed said, patting him on the back.  "Give me the black pan when you're done?"  Xander nodded, putting that glass down and going to do the pan.  "I could've waited."

"It needed to be done anyway."  He let it soak for a minute while he moved the glasses out of the rinse water and then put the pot in there.  It got fully rinsed and Speed looked at it to make sure, rinsing it again to make sure all the bubbles were gone before filling it with water and putting it onto the stove for the potatoes.  Xander looked at them.  "So, um, are you two together?"

"No," Horatio said, shaking his head.  "Speed's always enjoyed the company of smart women."

"Oh, sorry."

"That's okay," Speed assured him. "After four minutes with your girlfriend earlier I about swore of women."

Xander gave him an impish grin. "Does that mean I could talk you out for a nice dinner at a mediumly nice place?"

"We'll see," he offered with a grin.  "I know a pretty nice salad bar that's kinda quiet and calm most nights."  Xander blushed a bit but smiled and nodded.  "If we survive your friend, Xander."  He opened his mouth.  "You're safe here."

"But I'll forget the new identity."

"It'd be better if you did anyway," he offered.  "She already knows you're here."  Xander sighed and nodded.  "Besides, Miami doesn't have a high demon concentration.  I've never seen one."

"It may be that you ignored it," Xander offered, turning to catch a glass that was falling.  "Sorry."  He blushed and dried it, putting it up with the other glasses, the rest too.   "I wasn't going to let it be broken."

"Chill, Xander.  They're from the dollar store."  Xander gave him an odd look.  "They are. Eric's broke more than one.  Including by using my apartment for a date and breaking a lot of stuff in the strainer."  He came over to help him put things up, smiling at how methodical he was.  "Ever think about a higher, more intense calling?"

"I sucked in school."

"Why?"

"Because school sucked."

"Not all school sucks."  Speed gave him a shoulder squeeze, making him squeak and drop a plate.  "Okay, that one was a bit more expensive but I'm still not mad. My fault," he said, trying to calm him down. "It's all right, Xander.  I promise."  He got the broom and dustpan, putting the pieces into the office.  He could fix it later.  He came out and found the kid on the back porch squeezing the railing.  He walked out there.  "It's all right.  It was an accident and my fault.  I startled you by touching you," he offered.

"I'm clumsy, I know that," he said without looking at him.  "I'm sorry."

"No, don't be.  It was my fault."  He patted him on the back, wondering how in the hell anyone could ever not like this kid and cherish him.  He had only known him for a few days and he could feel himself slipping him into his personal circle of friends.

Xander looked at him.  "I'm a klutz.  I always have been.  Even Giles yells about that.  It's all right."

"You're not a klutz," Speed said firmly.  "You were startled by me touching you.  That's not being a klutz.  That's being startled."  He patted him on the back again.  "Come back inside, Xander."  Xander nodded, coming back inside.  "Thank you."  He jumped when something hit the table, looking at the small box.  "What's that?"

"Hmm.  Magic gram," Xander said, coming over to look at it.  "From Giles and the Magic Box."  He opened it, grinning at the nice letter inside and the check.  "Aww.  He remembered my birthday."

"When is it?" Horatio asked.

"Six months ago."  He got back into the box, looking at the magic books.   He came to something at the bottom, making him grin.  "Buffy sent me a card too."  He looked at it then laughed.  "She wanted to make sure I wouldn't date down here without someone around to make them go away."  He piled everything back into the box, including the check, and put it into his trunk. He looked over the things.  "I was right, she got the picture out of the car."  He shrugged and arranged things, then closed it again, coming back to wash his hands again.  "Maybe I should try for a construction job."

"You could. They pay better," Speed offered.  "You do the magic stuff?"

"Very little.  Mine's more a lack of control when it's around me.  Speaking latin to some of Giles' books makes them burst into flames."  He got back to work on the rest of the dishes.  "You're never home, are you?"

"Not really.  I work a lot.  H is the same way," Speed admitted.  He noticed the kid was calm again.  He and Horatio shared a look.  "Horatio, come get stuff to set the table."  That got a nod and Horatio got between them to grab plates and glasses, going back to the table.  "So, what're you going to do with the check?"

"Start a bank account.  He put it in my old name so I'm guessing I'll have to sign it over to myself or something."

"Be yourself, Xander," Horatio ordered.

Xander looked at him. "Then more of the problems out there will be able to find me and we'll be doing this every few weeks."  Horatio dropped the plate this time.  "Need the broom?"

"Please.  Sorry, Speed."

"It happens," he agreed philosophically.  He watched them clean up the mess, stirring the potatoes.  He checked on the chicken and took it out to rest, turning off the oven.  "How many things do you think will come for you?"

"Depends on if it's things who want me to make Buffy suffer or things who want to hunt me because I'm from there or if they're after me just to kill me, like I've been dating again."

"Let's work on getting you settled somewhere," Speed offered. "Then you can start dating and see that Miami women and Sunnydale women don't have much in common."

"That's true, you probably don't have many mummies that've come back to life and fell in love with you," he admitted.  Both older men stared at him.  "What?  She's gone now.  She wouldn't kill me when I told her she couldn't kill Buffy without killing me and they got her sealed in again.  She was an ancient sacrifice and things happened because she came back to life when the seal got broken."

They both shuddered but got the rest of dinner ready.  "Maybe you should write horror stories," Horatio offered.  "That way you could use what you know."

"Yeah, but it'd be like Goosebumps," he complained.

"Not with your life," Speed assured him, sitting down once he had the food out there.  "Horatio, grab the milk and soda?"  He did that and he pulled Xander down.  "Really.  Stephen King has scary things but you might be worse."  Xander shrugged and blushed a bit at that.  "Try it."

"I sucked in English class."

"You get better with practice and it's practical rules, kid," Speed assured him.

"I'm not that young."

"You're not that old either.  I'm older than you."  He grinned. "More than old enough to be a big brother."

"Sure.  Thanks," he said, looking embarrassed.  Speed patted him on the head, making him flinch.  "Sorry."

"It's all right.  Calm down.  Neither of us are going to hurt you, Xander," Horatio said quietly.  He patted his hand.  "You know we won't."  Xander nodded, relaxing again.  They dug in.  "Good job, Speed."

"Thanks, Horatio.  And thank you, Xander, for doing the dishes.  I had let them get backed up."  Xander blushed and shrugged, eating another bite.  "You think the sink'll be okay?"

"Oops."  He hurried up there to run hot water down the drain to flush the system.  It was working now and it hadn't eaten through the PVC so it was okay.  He came back down.  "The sink's running like it should."  He sat down and took a drink of his milk.  "Sorry."

"A leak?"

"No, I checked.  It didn't eat through it."

"Then you have nothing to be sorry for, you saved me a lot of nagging of my building manager, Xander."  He looked at him.  "The guy was supposed to fix it weeks ago and hadn't.  You saved me a lot of nagging."  Xander grinned at that.  "So eat."  Xander dug in again.  He smiled at him then at Horatio.  "Any word yet?"

"Not yet.  I've checked with them but nothing yet."

"Willow's hiding somewhere with magic stuff around her.  It'd need to be fairly quiet so she's not distracted.  It's got to be a flat, solid surface because of the candles."  He gave him a look.  "She's probably not outside.  Too much noise would distract her."

"Would she stay at a fleabag place like you were?" Speed asked.  Xander shrugged.  "She wouldn't go 'eww bugs' too much?"

"She might've cleaned it up first but she's not really the most dirt-oriented person.  She did chastise me a lot for coming in sweaty after work."

"You worked construction; you're supposed to be sweaty," Speed assured him.

"Doesn't mean she wasn't a girl about it and swatted me for being sweaty.  Anya did the same.  She refused to hug me until I showered and changed."

"Some women are like that," Horatio agreed.  "What about Buffy?"

He snorted.  "Mess up her clothes?"  He shook his head.  "Not happening.  She's not like that unless she's got to kill something and then she went 'eww' all night about it and complained loudly.  So if there was something slimy everything else in town knew where we were and stayed away from us.  Getting her clothes ruined put Buffy in a very bad mood.  The only one who can taunt her about it is Spike."

"Who's he?  Her boyfriend?" Speed asked, eating a bite.

"Vampire we had to save because the government put a chip in his head to make him harmless and unable to hunt humans, but her toy more than boyfriend.  Not like they went on *dates*.  It was more like 'hey, bint, it's a good night, we survived, let's screw' with him.  He said that a few times."  He looked at him and grinned.  "I got babysitting rights now and then.  Tied him up in my recliner while I was trying to sleep."

Horatio moaned.  "You all killed things?"

"How do you think you stop vampires from feeding on people, Lieutenant?"

"I hadn't," he admitted.  "How experienced is Willow and how likely to attack the officers hunting for her?"

"About as much as I am.  She usually used floating spells, it was safer because she wasn't as close to the vampires and she could hit a few before her head started to hurt.  We all started back in tenth grade."  He considered the other part of the question.  "How likely is she to attack?  That depends on if she's rational.  If she's in the middle of something she usually has a barrier of some kind between her and distractions.  Her circle.   A locked door.  Maybe it reinforced by magic.  If they burst in and she was in the middle of something, didn't see who they were because she was only seeing and feeling the magic?  She could conceivably burn someone to a crisp.  She almost got me once when I burst in on her."  Horatio got up to go outside. "That's only if she's actively in the magic though," he called.  He frowned.  "I don't want her to be hurt."

"They won't," Speed assured him. "That's to make sure they're more careful," he explained.  "Because if she kills an officer, she's going to prison down here."  Xander slumped and nodded.  Then he got up to get a book, heading outside to a corner of his small porch.  He found what he was looking for and got to work humming and muttering, looking up at the stars.  Speed joined them with his glass of soda.  "Will that stop her?"  Xander nodded, his voice raising up a half-pitch.  He and Horatio shared a look.  They watched Xander do whatever it was and then he stopped, bowing over the book.  "Can you find her?" Speed asked.

"She's in a hotel.  Nicer room, fairly large.  Bigger than mine was but not a suite."  He looked at them.  "It wasn't a ground floor room but she wasn't that high up.  It looked like things in there were fairly new, not all worn out on the comforters and things."  He concentrated and pointed.  "That way, a few miles away."  He looked at them.  "Please don't hurt her."

"I won't let them," Horatio promised.  He headed out to help the search now that he had some idea.  There were only a few hotels in that radius.  It was away from the usual tourist areas.   He walked into the shift commander's office, finding his map.  He marked Speed's apartment with a thumb and knew how it was oriented.  Then he marked out an area.  "She's somewhere in here."  That got a nod.  "She's not on a ground floor but it's not a very old or trashy place," he offered.  "A bigger and nicer room but not very high off the ground."

"Sounds like Mathilda's place," he admitted.  "A lot of the strange folk like you said she was go there.  Should've went there first."  He called two of his guys to go there.  Horatio left while he was doing that.  He hoped they found her.  The kid had seemed happy and nice, plus he treated his officers who came in for refills nicely.

***

Horatio got the keys to the room Willow was in.  He handed them to the officers.  One of the officers knocked semi-politely.  "Miami-Dade PD, open up," he called.  Nothing.  He opened the door and got out of the way.

"Willow Rosenburg," Horatio said firmly.  She shrieked and threw something at his head.  He ducked and remembered what Xander had said, reaching down to grab her by the hair, which broke her concentration and the lamp fell.  He pulled her up and put her against the wall.  "Handcuffs, now."  They cuffed her and led her off.  "Keep her silent."  He looked around the room.  They had her.  He called Eric and Calleigh.  "We found Rosenburg.  Mathilda's.  Room 237.  Thank you.  I'm heading in with her."  He hung up and went out there.  "We're processing her and returning her to the others who want her," he ordered.

"Sir, that lamp...."

Horatio looked at him and shrugged.  "I have no clue," he admitted.  She started to shriek and struggle in the back seat.  "However you want to think about it, officer."

"Thank you, sir.  So, that stuff is real?"

"Apparently for some.  I'll meet you back in the office.  Do be careful of her."  That got a nod and they got in to drive her off.  They suddenly stopped and both got out, watching as the car was lit on fire but they got her out.  He came over to get her, calling Speed. "I have her. She lit a cruiser on fire."

"Did not!" Willow complained. "That was Xander!"

He looked at her.  "I doubt that.  He's begged all night for us not to hurt you."  They got the cruiser put out with the fire extinguishers they grabbed from the motel office.  He looked down at her again.  "You're going back to Sunnydale, even if I have to deliver you personally."  She sneered and he smirked back.  "Let's go.  Boys, let me know."  That got a nod and he walked her to the hummer.  "You burn this one you're going to prison down here, young lady.  Plus paying the million and a half it costs to replace it."  She settled in at that.   He looked back and she was unconscious.  "Now, that was Xander," he said dryly, going to take her back and call out there. He got her booked in as a running prisoner, which put her in solitary in a watched and safe cell.  Then he went to make arrangements to get her back to her own kind.  Frank walked into his office, looking confused.  "She did it, Frank, I don't know how."

"Sure.  So, a suspect without any matches or anything burned a cruiser?"

Horatio looked at him.  "Ask them about the lamp."

"I heard. What is going on?"

"She did it."  He got back to the paperwork.  "Apparently they can do that where she's from."

"Are we talking like the big mirror thingy that opened a few years back and we got two elves that sneered at us for weeks?"

Horatio put down his pen and took an aspirin.  "I had forgotten about them but no, she's from Sunnydale, out by LA."

"That explains it.  Everyone in LA is weird.  That where that boy is from?"

"That is the lesbian who gay bashed him, Frank," he admitted. "The same way she threw the lamp at us tonight."

"No wonder he needed protection.  So, where is he?"

"With Speed."

"That's one protective person.  We send Alexx over yet?"

"He might run, Frank.  His parents...."  He paused and looked up at him again.  "Calleigh asked if we could get around the statute of limitations to charge them with the evidence we  had, without needing his statement."

"Crap.  Figures."  He sighed. "Think he'll join the department?"

"I don't know, Frank.  He claims he hates school."

"That can be a drawback," he agreed.  He shook his head.  "So, we're doing what with her?"

"Taking her back to her people.  They've promised to keep her out there and away from him."

"Sure.  I hope they can.  He seemed like a nice kid and I saw Calleigh having the urge to baby him like Alexx does Speed."

Horatio reached for the phone, calling Speed.  "Alexx," he said simply, then hung up.  Frank laughed and walked off.  "It'll help him," he called after him.

***

Speed hung up and looked at the phone.  "That was cryptic."  He looked at Xander, who was reading one of the new books, then at the phone, dialing Alexx.  "Hey, it's Speed."  He grinned. "I'm at home with the victim Horatio and I were protecting.  No, the reason was caught and she's safe," he admitted.  Xander sighed in relief.  "I don't think it's a problem but he's here."

"I can head to my new motel room," Xander pointed out, standing up and locking his trunk again.  "That way you can have your house back."

"Sit, kid.  Alexx wanted to come meet you.  Calleigh told her about you."

Xander gave him an odd look.  "No thanks.  Women are scary.  Thank you for protecting me."  He grabbed his things and hiked out, going to find a cab.  Before he tainted another one.

Speed listened to her.  "No, he decided to leave.  We know where he works, Alexx.  Nope, just up the street actually.  So yeah, it'll be fine.  Sure, come on over."  He smiled and hung up, going to clean up the mess from dinner and glue that plate back together again.  Wasn't the first time.  The thing liked to be dropped for some reason.

***

Horatio looked over when Willow woke up.  "One word and I'm sedating you again," he warned quietly.  "You will behave all the way to Sunnydale or else I will give them the sedative."

"You won't keep Xander.  He'll have to come home," she sneered.

He pulled out the needle and injected her arm, watching as she passed back out.  "I warned you.  And yes, we will, Willow.  He's safe with us.  He knows this."  The stewardess looked at him so he capped the needle and put it into the paper bag she held out. "Thank you.  Time for a new sedative."

"We've had other prisoners and medical patients who had the same problem, Lieutenant.  Can I get you more coffee?"

"Thank you," he agreed with a small smile.  She smiled back and got him some more coffee, handing it over after he checked her straps.  She went to make another round of the cabin.  He was a very nice man and he had already stopped one couple from arguing simply by glaring.  It had been very sweet, plus he didn't hit on any of them.  They adored that about him.  They got off in Vegas and she was sad to see them go but also sad that a woman so young had already screwed up that majorly. She had been pretty too.

Horatio smiled at the officers there to help him. "She's sedated."  That got a nod and he was led to the security office, where he checked with Eric.  "It's me.  We're in Las Vegas.  We have an hour layover."  He smiled at the words he heard.  "He did what?"  He snorted.  "That proves what we already knew, Eric.  Everything else all right?  Tell him I'm transporting a prisoner personally due to the dangerous nature of her arrest.  Then point out she's the reason the cruiser caught fire.  Thank you, Eric."  He could hear the spluttering and complaining in the background as he hung up.  He checked Willow's handcuffs, then the belt around her waist, which woke her up some.  "Sleep, Willow," he said softly, making her nod and shift onto her side, but go back to sleep with her hands under her cheek against the wall.   He smoothed down her hair before standing up.  Then he looked at the amused officers.  "She's only dangerous when she's angry."

"That's fine, Lieutenant.  We can watch her if you wanted to make a pit stop and get something to eat," one offered.  That got a nod and he went to do that.

He came back ten minutes later to find them both on the ground and Willow wide awake.  "What did you do?"

"I don't like strange men touching me."  She yawned.  "Quit sedating me.  You won't keep him."

"We will, Miss Rosenburg.  He's safe with us."  He stared her down.  Then he handed her one of his burgers.  "He's very safe and he's got people there who'll watch him for us if necessary.  Plus, we're not going to let him date women who'll kill him."  She snorted at that.  "For all I care, he can date all the men he wants."

"It's still wrong."

"It's no more wrong than you and your girlfriend, Miss Rosenburg," he said firmly.  She glared at him.  "It's the truth.  Get off your high horse."

"Why am I not in jail?"

"Sunnydale has said they need you more and it's a better punishment than putting you into a standard jail cell."  She went pale at that.  "They were talking permanent community service."  She slumped and nodded.  "I've already informed them and Mr. Giles we're on the way."  She swallowed at that.  "Feel free to rant or cry but the first spell I hear, you're going back under.  Especially on the plane."

"Yes, sir," she said meekly.  She looked at him.  "Is...Giles mad?"

He nodded.  "I'd say."  She slumped and nodded, eating her burger listlessly.  He sat down across from her, nudging an officer with his foot.  "Have a good nap?"

"She did...something!"

"I know.  That's why she went sedated most of the trip."  That got a shudder.  "You're released, boys.  I can handle her from here out.  Thank you."  They nodded once his partner was awake and they left them alone.  He looked at her.  "You're lucky they're not making you pay for that cruiser you torched."

"I didn't.  Anya did."  He rolled his eyes.  "Seriously.  She thought it was fitting since I was trying to take her orgasms away from her."  She ate the last bite and chewed.  "Community service?"

"They are very aware of what your group does, Willow," he said, staring at her.  She blushed at that.  "They're also very aware of things that should've been fixed earlier.  Including his family.  You might offer to help with that."

"I've got evidence if they want it," she admitted.  She stared at him.  "You'll protect Xander?"

"I will.  If you try to force it it'll only hurt him," he noted when she had gone quiet for a few minutes.  He felt the magic drop around him.  "Thank you."

"No one wants to protect him."

"There, Miss Rosenburg.  There.  In Miami he's already got people who like him, even if he does have to go by another name to avoid detection."  She swallowed and nodded. "I would suggest you leave him alone.  When you're ready to talk to him again, go back to the place you were before you nearly killed him.  Because he did nearly die at your hands."  She went pale and stared at her hands.  "Am I clear?"

"You are, sir."

"Thank you."  He stood up when the security guards came in.  "Time?"  They nodded.  He helped Willow up, taking his coffee with him.  "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Not a problem, Lieutenant Caine.  Good luck getting this one where she should be."  He glared at her.  "Try not to cause more problems on the plane.  The FBI wouldn't like that."  She sniffled and nodded.  He snorted but led them back to their new plane, letting him on first.  He got her settled and settled in beside her. "Have a good flight, Lieutenant."

"We'll be fine.  Thank you, officers."  They smiled and walked off.  He looked at her.  "We're going straight to the airport by Sunnydale, where you'll be picked up.  Do I need to give you another dosage?"

"I'll behave," she promised quietly, looking at him.  "You're a Lieutenant?"

"I run the dayshift felony crime lab."

"How did you come to find Xander?  I mean, he hates books."

"His ID wasn't as solid as the person who made it wanted it to be.  After he had to pull a gun on a thug...."  She burst out laughing.  "Indeed."

She nodded. "Gotcha.  I can firm that up.  Or erase his old one if I have to."

"I'll leave that up to him.  That would be a felony I'd have to tell the FBI about," he noted calmly.  She nodded at that, looking more serene.  "It would be one way to start making amends."

She looked at him.  "He'll forgive me within a year, Lieutenant.   Xander's like that.  He even forgave his parents.  He hates them but he forgave them.  Life's too short for him not to."  He nodded gravely at that.  "Also, bad things are drawn to Xander.  If he's still working in that store, you should probably sit a car outside it just in case.  When he was doing that in Sunnydale he staked more vampires than any night on patrol.  He took down a good sixteenth of the population when they came in to hassle him."  He quirked an eyebrow up at that.  "Seriously."  He just nodded once.  "Also, don't let him date.  Ever.  Only the dangerous ones are attracted to him."

"Apparently the men he attracts aren't."

"I wouldn't know and I'm blocking that thought out."

"Even if he does end up married to one?"

"Then I'll puke in private," she said honestly.  "Tara's going to beat my ass when I get home, isn't she?"  He shrugged.  "Do me one favor?  Keep the blondes and Buffy's mom off me?"

"If possible.  Assault is still wrong."

She nodded. "Thank you. I'm not scared of much but Joyce is like our mom and Tara's scary when she's an upset witch.  It doesn't happen often but she'll beat me then cry on you."  She looked out the window as more people came in, trying to hide her handcuffs.  "Did you have to bring me like this?"

"You'd prefer the jumpsuit?"

"Well, no," she admitted.  She looked at him again.  "Find Xander some support. That's the most important thing.  Otherwise one of the women after him will kill him."

"One of my officers wants to mother him."

She snorted. "Good luck.  I'm the only mother he admitted to having a few years ago.  I make cookies and he likes that.  He's not used to fussing people like I was."  He shrugged.  "She's got an uphill battle.  Expect her to get frustrated or cry over him."

"She's already turned his parents in for abuse."

"Even better.  He'll still run.  The boy doesn't understand why people like him. Even when we're frustrated at him for screwing things up or being in the way."

"Did you ever think that's why you survived this long?" he countered dryly.  She gave him a horrified look.  "She has contacts in the Watchers' Council.  Ones who don't hear from your Mr. Giles, who didn't realize he wasn't there for over a month when I first called him."  She swallowed.  "We got a very nice report on what the boy can and can't do, plus what he has done."  She went more pale and nodded at that, looking down.  "I think if you actually took the time to contemplate the boy, you'd see that you weren't seeing him as he was, but as you wanted and projected him to be.  He was living down to expectations.  He might've even been very good in school if others hadn't forced him not to be, but part of that is probably from his parents."  She nodded and grimaced.  "Therefore, I think maybe you should take the time and see the reality.  After all, I was told he's saved your life many nights.  He's also went out alone.  He's saved your friends lives.  He planned the battles when you needed them.  He's the one who made the explosives from what I was told."  She went very pale at that and he smirked. "Now, that's a friend I'd count on, not one I'd put down and warn not to let him date."

"Not my fault he draws psycho women.  Seriously, Anya was the best.  Cordelia nearly got us all killed a few times when he cheated on her."

"With you, Miss Rosenburg.  Who started that?"  She blushed.  "So he acted like a teenage boy and got blamed?"  She nodded, hanging her head again.  "I think a good, long look at the reality would have been better than you being put on permanent community service but hopefully you'll have time for that as well."

"I'll, um, try," she sighed once they started to move the plane to the runway.  She looked at him.  "Do you have kids?"  He shook his head.  "You're damn good at chewing hineys."

"Sometimes it's necessary.  The same as the first lesson you learn as an officer is that not everyone is as they appear."  She nodded and slumped some.  "Sit up."  She sat up, wiggling some.  "Thank you."  The stewardess smiled and he smiled back.  "How long is this flight?"

"An hour and a few," she offered.  "Will she need any special care?"

Willow leaned over.  "A straw with my soda?" she asked.  That got a look sent her way. "Sorry.  I screwed up and I beat my best friend for liking guys.  I'm bad.  I know I'm bad."  She went back to watching out the window. "Tara is going to use me as a sacrifice to stop something," she muttered.

Horatio snorted at that. "What makes you think you're a fit one, Miss Rosenburg?"  She burst out crying at that.  He looked at the stewardess again.  "She probably could use a straw."  That got a smile and a nod.  By the time she finally got calmed down she had her soda and he was looking down on the desert.  It was very pretty but not his thing.

Willow pointed.  "We held magic rites there sometimes," she said quietly.  She looked.  "I think that's Joyce's car down there.  Maybe she and Buffy are together and I won't be beaten at the airport."

"I doubt it," he told her.  He got comfortable, waiting while they landed a little bit later. They got to get off last, it was protocol so she couldn't escape in the bustle of people.  He finally unhitched her and got her up, nodding politely at the stewardess.  "Thank you, miss."

"Welcome, Lieutenant.  Have a good time dropping her off."  She started to clean up the small messes they had made.

Horatio walked Willow out, finding a fashionable blonde girl and an officer waiting on them.  "I believe you wanted this back?" he suggested, pulling Willow forward.

"Can I hit her now?" the blonde asked.

"Wait until she's uncuffed, Buffy," the officer ordered.  He looked at Horatio.  "She any trouble?"

"No, he chewed me a new one on the flight from Las Vegas," Willow said, looking down.  "I'm sorry."

"You will be.  Judge Perkins got your case, young lady."  She shuddered.  "Night court even."

She looked at him.  "Does that mean I can carry a stake?"

"I will be," Buffy promised. She looked at the tall redhead beside her friend.  "Who're you?"

"Lieutenant Caine, Miami-Dade crime lab."

She just nodded and looked at Willow.  "Like the Discovery Channel, Buffy. The stuff with forensics."

"Oh. So like magic and chemistry and that stuff put together with what we do?"  Willow nodded at that and she smiled, shaking his hand.  "Thank you for watching out for her for us and bringing her back, Lieutenant."

"You're welcome, Miss Summers.  I should also tell you that we protected your other friend from her."

"Good.  Someone should protect the Xander.  He's always in trouble.  Or he's tripping over something.  Or he's dating some skanky ho who wants to kill him."

"Perhaps some of that is your perception of him?" he suggested.  "After all, I was told he did quite a lot more than that."  She burst out giggling, shaking her head.  "Including make your battle plans and saved your life a few times."  That got her stopped.  He stared at her.  "Sometimes people can project their own inadequacies onto others."

Buffy looked confused.  "We made Xander be the goofball he is," Willow told her.  "Because we didn't appreciate him because he's not powerful or a girl."

"Oh.  Well, maybe.  Mom said the same thing once, but as long as he's safe down there in Miami I won't have to come rescue him and rip up your pretty city."  She smiled sweetly at him.  "Agreed?"

"He'll be as protected as every other resident in Miami is, Miss Summers."

"How did you know who I was?"

"Your profile was linked to his in the police files."

"Oh.  The robot thingy.  Yeah but he was mean and trying to hurt me and my mother.  Couldn't let that happen."  The officer gave her a look.  "The Ted thingy."

"Oh, that.  I came in right after that, Miss Summers.  Lieutenant, would you like to stay long enough to see her sentenced?"

"Please."  He walked out behind them, nudging Buffy to give her the baggage claim ticket.  She beamed and went to get it, coming back with both their things.  He took his with a nod of thanks and she grinned at him and followed along.  Outside they were met by a small blonde woman, wispy and delicate looking.  Who hauled off and slapped Willow hard enough that everyone looked, then she stomped off crying.  "Go," he ordered quietly.  Buffy handed him Willow's bag and went after her. "Your girlfriend?"

Willow rubbed her cheek and nodded. "Yup, that's my Tara.  It was better than I thought.  She didn't stab me or anything.  Or stake me. Or even sic Anya on me."  She got put into the back of the car.  "Buffy, ride with her?"  That got a nod and the two officers got into the front after the bags were put into the trunk. "Um, should he really be in Sunnydale overnight?"

"He'll be fine," the officer assured her.  "We'll make sure he's in a safe location.  Buffy's mother said he could have her spare room."

"Oh, that's fine then."  She settled in, watching the landscape go past.  "Why Judge Perkins?"

"Because he volunteered."

"Oh. Can I ask to have it changed?"

"You'll have access to a lawyer once we're back at the station, Willow," he said patiently. "Not that you're probably not smarter than he is.  Your parents aren't in town either."

She snorted. "Big shock there, Rudy."

"True."  He glanced at the silent officer.  "Her parents are psychologists who travel and give lectures."

"Interesting."  He glanced back at her.  "No wonder you ran around all hours of the night."

"Xander and I raised each other.  In some ways I guess I do still look at him like the little kid I used to fix the scrapes on."  She shifted and curled up in the seat.  "Then again, he's a big boy now.  He's had the sex.  Many times if what Anya was complaining about was true."  Rudy shuddered.  "She did."

"Still.  She was complaining to the detective in the coffeeshop."  He changed roads.  "Sorry, the biker gang ripped it up again."

"I'll sic Buffy on them tonight after we're done," Willow promised.  He smiled at that.   "So, how's the less corrupt PD going?"

"Better," he admitted.  "We still won't run a night shift."  He paused the car and looked back at her.  "Faith?"

"It was an accident," she admitted quietly.  "He popped out while she was fighting.  That's what made her go bad and go help the mayor by hurting others."  He nodded and turned around, going again.  "I hear she's in real jail."

"Good.  She's probably taken over her cellblock and is protecting a bunch of young women for favors."  Horatio looked at him.  "She's like Buffy."

"Oh."  He nodded at that, then looked at the car behind them. "She's either singing or chatting."

Willow looked back and waved, grinning at them, getting one back.  "Chatting.  She's trying to cheer Tara up by telling her about the new sales and her new clothes."  Both men groaned at that.  "Hey, it works for us.  Has since tenth grade."  They pulled into the PD parking lot and she was let out by Horatio, who walked her inside with the officer and their bags behind them.  Horatio took his and Willow's was dropped next to her in the cell, where her handcuffs were taken off with the wrist belt.  Then Horatio signed paperwork.  "Buffy, your mom promised to feed and put him up," she called.  "Keep him safe.  He's one of the guys protecting the Xander."  She nodded and led him off, taking him to see the town since it was a few blocks to walk.  She looked at Tara.  "I'm sorry.  I'm a stupidhead."

Tara nodded.  "That's putting it mildly, Willow.  We'll be talking after you're sentenced later.  Want your lawyer?"

"Please.  Just to get it away from Judge Perkins since he hates me for nearly staking him last year.  And Xander for nearly getting him a few weeks earlier."  That got a nod and she went to find him.  Willow settled in.  It wasn't so bad.  Sunnydale knew they needed her so she wasn't in *too* much trouble.  Hopefully.

***

Horatio watched the town around them. Everyone seemed extremely happy.  It was like a town full of prozac addicts.  He looked at her.  "Is this normal?"

"Yup.  Everyone here passed Denial 101 a long time ago and takes the refresher course ever year," she assured him.  She waved at one woman, who smiled and patted her on the head before going on.  "Only a few will realize you're not native and they'll gossip about you later over ice cream or drinks.  This is Giles' shop.  He wanted to meet you."

"If you want," he agreed, walking in after her.  He nodded politely at Anya, who pouted at him.

"Why did you bring the resistant one here?" Anya complained.  "He's no fun and he won't make me money."

"He drug Willow back from trying to hurt Xander in Miami."

"I tried to burn the car she was in but they got her out," she pouted.  "Giles, Buffy and some resistant guy are here," she complained, pouting at Horatio.  "You can't make Xander more gay," she demanded, stamping her foot.  "I'll never get orgasms from him again if you do and I nearly had his training where I wanted it too."

"Anya, go make tea," Giles ordered, rolling his eyes.  "Lieutenant Caine I presume?"

"I am."  He shook his hand.  "Miss Rosenburg is presently in a cell down at the station."

"That's fine.  She's got an attorney on the way to help her."  He smiled at Buffy.  "Call your mother from the office to warn her."  She nodded and went to do that, taking a piece of candy from the jar on the way. "Come, sit and tell me how our boy is doing."

"He's being too gay and I won't get orgasms," Anya complained. "Even if seven wasn't enough it was still some!"

"Do ignore her," he said quietly, leading him to a nearby reading couch.  "Is Xander well?"

"He's doing much better than when he appeared. His broken ribs and all the other injuries Miss Rosenburg gave him have healed.  His manager at the convenience store is very pleased with his conduct."  Giles smiled at that.  "As far as we can tell he's doing fine."

"Good, very good."  He took his tea from Anya and handed one to Horatio.  "Thank you, Anya.  Could you please do the inventory."

"Can I play with the magically blessed sex toys?"

"Later.  As long as you clean them promptly this time."  She nodded and went to do that.  He rolled his eyes.  "She's formerly demonic and returned again.  Her mind's a bit stuck," he offered.

Horatio sipped his tea, not wanting to comment on that.  "He did get your package," he offered instead.

"Oh, good.  They're all protections and things in case the boy gets into trouble again.  He's dreadful about that.  Never let Xander date.  It's always a problem.  I'd almost assume that's where his wondering about men started."

"He didn't share that with me," Horatio admitted.  "He did say the thoughts started while he was dating Anya."

Giles leaned closer.  "She's enough to make any sane, heterosexual man give up women," he shared then leaned back again.

"I heard that.  Just for that I'm calling Ethan Rayne back," Anya called from somewhere in the back of the store.

"Should you I'm cutting your paycheck by half," he called back.

"Poo.  I never get to have any fun here at home," she complained, stomping off.

"Don't worry, they'll have the high school back up again soon," Buffy called. "Then you'll get all the teenage girls with boyfriends who make them pout."  She followed her to make her calm down and eat some chocolate.

"Every now and then I start to doubt my own sanity," Giles sighed, taking a sip.  "Do drink up.  Joyce won't be free for lunch for a few more minutes, Lieutenant.  A convenience store?  Not construction?  He was doing so well there."

"He's under an assumed name down there.  That way others couldn't track him."

"Ah."  He nodded at that.  "That is understandable.  You never know when something that wants to harm the group will come after him.  It's happened before."  He sighed and took another sip.

Horatio decided that this town didn't deserve Xander then and there.  He had known before but now he would actively try to stop the boy from coming back here ever again.  He sipped his tea, not letting his face show anything of his inner thoughts.  A nice looking woman came in and he nodded politely at her.

"Ah, Joyce.  This is Lieutenant Caine from Miami.  He escorted Willow back."

"Thank you.  Personally I think a hairbrush would help the girl," she offered, smiling and shaking his hand.  "Rupert, if you don't mind, I'll take him home now.  You can have Buffy all you want this afternoon."

"Oh, good.  I do need to do some rearranging. It'll do her good and keep her from worrying too much."

"That's fine.  Call when it's time to go to the hearing."  She kissed him on the cheek. "Buffy, help Rupert today," she called, walking him and his bag out.  She smiled at him.  "Don't worry, you're still sane.  It's them.  That's why I helped the poor thing get away from here."

Horatio smiled at that.  "He's already a credit to Miami, Miss Summers."

"Joyce, please."

"Then call me Horatio, please."

"Of course."  She smiled at him. She pointed at her car.  "So you don't get pinched by the old ladies up the street from me."  That got a smile from him and he slid in.  She looked at him.  "Yes, they ignored the boy horribly.  I heard Rupert being confused about why Xander left.  He called me.  There is some reality in the problems they probably told you.  Do not let the poor thing date.  It's safer on your city.  He does seem to draw the very evil ones most of the time."

"Perhaps that's why he was starting to think about men."

"I'd hope so.  Can't be any worse than the Incan Mummy or the bug woman."  He gave her an odd look. "I'll let you have my journal when we get back. It'll help you understand Xander a bit better."  She drove them home and got them inside.  "Go ahead and raid the refrigerator."

"I ate in Las Vegas."

She gave him a look. "I am the scary mother of this group, Horatio.  Eat."  He smiled and put his things on a chair, going to make a sandwich.  She went to get her journals for him, handing them over.  "There you go, dear."  She patted him on the cheek.  "You'll keep me informed of how Xander is doing?"

"Of course."  He smiled.  Mother hens were everywhere.  It wasn't just Alexx.  "Did he let you mother him?  He ran from our department's mother hen."

She laughed and nodded. "Often.  He used to give me this look like I was doing alien experiments on him. Then again, Willow was basically his only mother."  She patted his cheek again.  "TV's in the living room.  The spare room's the blue one at the top of the stairs, Horatio.  Have a rest and read."  She smiled and picked up her keys, heading back to work.

He settled in the living room with the music on quietly once he had dropped his bag and cleaned up a bit.  He picked up the oldest looking journal to start at the beginning.  Eventually he got up to take photos so he could finish reading it.  He would never get through all of them by the time she got home.  He could blow them up on the computer at home - that way he, Speed, and Calleigh could all read it.  He did remember to call home. "I'm in Sunnydale."  He smiled at Calleigh's questions.  "A lot of warnings not to let him date."  He smiled at her assurance it wasn't a problem.  "Well, Buffy's mother is very nice.  A lot like Alexx.  She ordered me to eat.  I'm in her living room.  Yes, quite nice.  She and I had a talk.  Also, note that his ex Anya burned the cruiser, not Willow.  She was trying to get Willow back for taking her boyfriend away from her.  Yes, her, Calleigh."  He relaxed at Speed's questions.  "Tell him I'm fine and I took pictures of the journals that were given to me."  He listened to him. "Of course I'm being careful.  I'll be home soon.  Yes, late tomorrow.  You can tell Rick to sit and spin for all I care, Calleigh."  She repeated that and he huffed off, he could hear the door breaking when he slammed it. "Bill that to his department to get it fixed."  He smiled and hung up, going back to his reading.  That way Speed could have the pictures first.

***

Xander looked up when Horatio came into his store the night after he got back. "How is she?"

"Fine.  She was ordered to serve ten years doing whatever the town or the police department deemed was necessary or expedient.  No matter which skill they wanted her to use.  Though the judge did warn her not to hack his personal computer again."

"Ah, Perkins."  He nodded.  He put down his book.  "He's a fussy vampire judge."  He grinned at him.  "So, anything else come of it?"

"Joyce let me read some things she wrote about you and the group.  The rest of them...."

Xander laughed.  "So, you ran into Anya and Giles I take it?"

"Indeed.  I do hope you find better and closer friends here in Miami, Xander."

Xander shrugged. "They were all I had, Lieutenant.  It's about what I expected.  At least they cared enough to rescue me from dating."

"You are much more than your dating history, Xander."

"Yeah but if I can crack jokes about it I won't mourn all the people I lost."

"Point."  He looked at him.  "I heard you found a place to sublet?"

"I did.  A sorcerer living here wanted to do some traveling with his imps so he let's letting me rent his place from him.  It's a nice place, still has cable and a few imps who clean, but it's farther away.  I have to invest in a bus pass."  He leaned on the counter.  "It's not too shabby and I have free run of his library if I need it when something comes after me."

"If," Horatio corrected.

Xander snorted. "When, Lieutenant."

"If, Xander.  Think positively."

"I did, then I got really involved with Cordelia.  Kinda took all the good thoughts from me."  He looked over as someone pulled in, grabbing the microphone.  "Speed?"  He pointed.  "He's back."  He flipped on the switches for him.  Once he was finished pumping gas he came in to pay for it and smirked at Horatio.  "He probably felt like Alice."  He gave him his change with a nudge.  "He's seen my new place."

"It's a horrible mausoleum," he complained.  "With a lot of magic books on how to summon things to eat people or you.  But it's cheap."

"It is not," Xander complained.

"It is so."  He looked at his boss again.  "So, Wonderland?"

"Twilight Zone," he complained, shaking his head.  He got a drink and paid for it, leaning his hip against the counter so he could look at him.  "Everyone said not to let him date."

"We found that out last night.  Eric took him out to the club."  Horatio moaned at the look on his face.  The smirk said it all.

"Not my fault the assassin wanted me," Xander complained, going to get the mop and bucket.  He came back out at the door jingle, watching the two guys with guns stare at the two people wearing badges.  "Bad night?" he suggested.  They turned and ran.  He shook his head and went back to filling the bucket up.  Then he brought them out to start on the floors.  "I used to stake the vampires when they came in to try to rob me.  Miami apparently doesn't have so many of those."

"Thankfully," Horatio agreed.

"A few years back we did have some sort of shiny spot that opened and two elves came out," Speed offered.  Xander shuddered.  "You too?"

"Two princesses that Buffy babbled about clothes with.  I about died of estrogen poisoning."  He went back to mopping, nodding at his boss when he came in.  "Speed, go move your bike before someone crashes into it."  That got a nod and he went to drive it in front of the store, next to the crime lab hummer.  Xander came over to flip the switches back off then went back to mopping.  "Hey, boss, if they crash into the pumps, it's not my fault," he called, watching as the out of control car crashed into the pumps and broke three.  His boss came out and stared in horror.  "Hey, I had them turned off.  I turn them off every night unless someone's using them."  That got him a pat on the back and Horatio went to check for injuries.  Xander made the call since Speed was just staring in horror.  Xander hung up and nudged his boss, who went running out there.  He nudged Speed, who reached for his phone. "Already called 911."  He headed out there shaking his head.  "Hey, at least I told you to move it," he muttered, going back to his mopping.  His boss came in and gave him an incredulous look.  "It's gotta look pretty when the news crew comes by to film it, boss."

"Point," he decided weakly, going back to his office.  "Thank you for having those turned off, Harris."

"Boss!"

"Tough!  Deal with it!"  He came out.  "Not like I didn't know."  He went back into his office to call the district manager and tell him.  He came out ten minutes later.  "After the camera crews are gone, we're closed for the night."  Xander nodded at that.  "Sorry about the paycheck, kid."

"Not an issue.  Put it in the Philips name," he sighed.  "I'm still trying to hide."

"Plenty of us know you're here.  Especially with how the two people came in here and collapsed two nights ago and one offered you his house."  He gave him a smug look.  "How many convenience stores in Sunnydale?"

"Including the ten surrounding miles?  Fourteen."  That got an amazed look.  "Hey, the vampires need ice for the blood now and then."  He shrugged and finished moping the front, putting out the sign at the first news crew.  "That was fast.  Must be a slow news night.  Want me to be an idiot on camera, boss?"

"Tell them to talk to me, Mr. Philips."  That got a grin and a nod.  "How'd you know?"

"Funny feeling.  Now and then I get one."  He grinned at the first officer who came in.  "Hi."

"What happened?"

"Fortunately I keep the taps closed when not in use at night.  He came up the street from that way," he said with a subtle point so the cameras outside wouldn't see it.  "He smacked into them.  Fortunately Detective Speedle had moved his bike just before then.  He had been pumping gas."  The officer shuddered at that.  "We were in here chatting when they came up the street and drifted in.  It wasn't a turn, it was definitely a drift.  Oh, we'll stay open while you guys are here then we're closing for a bit."  That got a smile.  "We like you guys."

"Thanks, sir. I'll ask them and make subtle hints about you guys closing after we're gone."  He walked back outside, going to tell his boss to question the other boss. Plus that they'd be losing the store clerk who saw when the officers were ready to go.

Speed looked at him.  "I'll make sure he gets home."  He looked at his bike.  "Poor thing.  Nearly got crashed into by some dead driving guy."  Xander came out with a nudge, handing him a soda and a package of tylenol.  He handed him back a buck and got a grin, going to pay for it.  Then he took the drugs and went back to checking his precious racing bike over.

Horatio shook his head. "That's why I drive a hummer, Speed."

"You've got a scratch, Lieutenant," one of the responding officers told him.  That got a groan.  "I'm sure the autopool can fix it easily enough."

"True."  He got back to work marking off the scene and taking pictures.  Before he started to wonder about Xander some more.

***

Xander flagged down the bike riding past him, watching as it came back.

"I'm free for a vacation," Speed said happily.

"Free is always better than expensive for attractions but don't get too far away."  Speed came down and glared at him.  "Also, if you need to, you can come rest at my place."

"What?"

"You're going to be shot," he said, patting him on the cheek.  "Willow called.  She foresaw it."

"Crap."

"So wear your vest, clean your gun, and make sure your health insurance is okay."  That got a nod.  "But it's in a few days so enjoy."

"Thanks, kid.  I'll try to be safe."

"You don't ride a bike like that to be safe," he teased with a wicked grin.  That got a smirk back.  "So, once you're back on your feet, would you go out with me?  Maybe to that salad place?  Even as a thank you?"

"Sure."  He grinned and winked then put down his visor and sped off again.

Xander grinned and went back inside.  Blackmailing into dates wasn't nice but it got him one with a really nice guy.  Maybe it'd be a sign that the rest of his dating life would pick up.  He went back to mixing the healing potion Willow told him to make.  It would help.  A lot.  Now all he had to do was figure out how to get it into the Lieutenant's pocket. Then again, he'd come in tonight to get his usual drink on the way home....

***

Xander leaned on the counter when Horatio pulled up, giving him a look.  He got a raised eyebrow.  "Milk's a bit warm, you might need to check, Horatio.  Or I'll check for you in a minute."  That got a nod and he went back there.  He checked the others out, noticing he had waited.  Xander pulled his backpack up, holding up the vial once they were alone and Horatio and his diet soda were on the counter.  "This is for Speed.  Willow saw it happening.  If he's injured, you pour this into the wound and it'll keep it from bleeding as much.  It'll give him more time.  It'll also help strengthen the muscles around the hole."

"He's going to get hurt on the job?"

"No, she saw him getting shot on the job."  He went pale at that. He tucked it into his hand.  "Remember it.  Every day. It's good for four months and it's specifically for him.  It's keyed to blood type so it might not work on others at all.  She called to have me make it."

"Thank you," he said quietly.  "Any idea when?"

"Shortly after his vacation ends.  I already told him to wear his vest, clean his gun, those things."

Horatio stared at him. Then he nodded. "I'll make sure it's clean, Xander, and that he's wearing his vest.  Thank you."  He put a hand on his cheek.  "I'll call you if it does happen."

"I told him he could come rest at my place if he needed a minder."

"Thank you."  He paid for his drink and went out, heading over to Speed's.  He wasn't home but he knew where his gun was kept.  He'd clean the damn thing himself if he had to. The vial was in his pocket and would be transferred over every single day until the four months was done.  He found the gun dirty and groaned.  He'd have to spank Speed for this one.  He was going to enjoy it too.  Right after he found out why he wasn't cleaning his gun.

***

Xander listened to the news, watching, nibbling on his bottom lip when they reported an officer had been shot.  They were wheeling him out into an ambulance and running IV lines.  That was a good sign.  So hopefully the potion had worked.  He said a silent prayer that it had helped.  Then he went to clean up the spare room. He wasn't sleeping in the main suite, it creeped him out, but there were a few nice guest suites.  He heard the phone ring and ran down the stairs to answer it.  "It's me."  He listened.  Then he smiled.  "Thank you, Eric.  No, Willow told me to make it and make Horatio carry it.  Thank you.  No, I've got a spare room if he needs one and you guys can come fuss.  Thanks.  Let me know if he wants me to come visit."  He hung up and went back to puttering around the house.   It'd keep him sane until he heard more later.  It also killed time until he got to go to work that night.  His boss gave him an odd look.  "What?" he complained.

"I saw the potion."

"Willow."

"I heard.  Who made it?"  Xander hesitantly raised a hand and he shook his head.  "Good.  People like that one and our lab."  He went back into the office.  "Visiting hours end in an hour, kid."

"I'll go see him tomorrow.  Let his friends be in there tonight."  He logged into the register and put his things down, pulling out his book so he had something to read.  Two hummers pulled in and he swallowed, smiling when Calleigh and Eric came in.  "He's all right?" he asked quietly.

Calleigh walked around and hugged him. "Thank you," she whispered, giving him a hard squeeze.  "Give that to Willow for seeing it too."  She pulled back and wiped her eyes off.  "Sorry but they nearly lost him."  He gave her another hug, letting her cry on his shoulder.  He even pulled a stool over so he could sit and hold her.

Eric went to get a drink from the cooler in the back, bringing one for her too when she stopped.  "So, Willow foresaw it?" he asked quietly.  Xander nodded. "What was that stuff?"

"Something to slow the bleeding and make the muscles around it tense up."

"It helped but the doctors yelled."  He paid for the drinks and handed Calleigh hers.  "Thanks, kid."

"Welcome.  If I hear another one, I'll call."  That got a smile and a nod.  "I use it on paper cuts."  That got a brighter smile.  "Remind him if he needs it I've got a spare room with a fluffy bed.  That way you guys don't have to worry so much about him."

"You want to cuddle him," Calleigh teased.  "This way you'll get to spoil him."  Xander blushed but shrugged.  "I'll tell him, dear.  Go see him tomorrow. He's expecting you."

"Yes, Detective."

"Calleigh, sweetie."

"Peter?"

"Peter then."  She patted him on the head and looked at Eric.  "Did you already pay?"  He nodded.  "Thanks."  She walked out, calmer now.

"She wouldn't cry on me," Eric admitted.  "You okay?"

"I've been shot before.  I know how much it hurts."  Eric gaped in horror.  "Sorry but I have.  It aches like hell for many weeks.  Like a localized version of the broken ribs pain."  He just walked out nodding.  Xander got back to work cleaning up behind the counter.  She had knocked a few things over.  His boss gave him a look.  "What?" he defended.  "I'm thoroughly trained to hold a crying woman."

"Good.  It's a good skill for when you marry."

"I only date evil women.  The next one would take over Miami.  I'll stick with guys, boss."

"Fine, you can fuss over some of them.  You'd make a good wife."  He smirked.  "You can be an hour late tomorrow if you need to."

"Thanks, boss."  His boss nodded and went into the back.  Xander started to work on the stocking part of his job.  He came out of the beer cooler when he heard the door jingle, looking at Horatio.  "Beer?"

"Please."  He came back and got one, heading back to the counter.  He looked him over.  "Calleigh?"  He nodded, not brushing at the wet spot.  "He said to come see him tomorrow afternoon."

"I will," he promised, looking at him.  "Are you okay?"

"It clipped just above his vest," he admitted, leaning on the counter.  "Thank you."

"It's what I do, Lieutenant."  He grinned at him. "Plus maybe I'll have a house guest for a few days and it'll be less quiet."

"Get a cat, Xander."

"I can't.  The cleaning demon would eat it.  He warned me it ate his wolfhound."  Horatio shuddered.  "So it's a choice between silence and a maid or no maid and having to clean but a pet."

"Keep the maid."  He stood up again.  "You'll go?"

"Tomorrow.  When are visiting hours?"

"One."

"Then I'll be there."  That got a smile and Horatio walked out without paying.  Xander gave him a look when he backed out, patting the register.  Horatio came back and paid for his beer, shaking his head. "It happens. You were distracted by my pretty hair," he teased, handing him his change.

Horatio played with a piece.  "It's not bad."  He walked out a bit happier now.

Xander sat down on the stool, considering that.  It had been...nice.  Really nice.  Huh.  Who knew.  He went back to his stocking, making his boss laugh.  "Not like I won't be bored later."

"Do that later, Xander."  He came out to look at him.  "No robberies, I'm impressed."

"We just had three cops in here.  They're waiting to see if there's any more.  Speaking of, the district manager still have a headache?"

"Yup, but he's thankful.  Especially since they didn't damage the sixty grand racing bike the one rides or the million and a half hummer the other one drives.  Then he would've died."  He went back into the office, then came back out when two familiar kids came in.  "Aren't they the ones from that first robbery?"

"Yup.  And hey, I even have my permit on me," he said dryly.  The two kids came in and stared at him.  "We *do* have ID tonight, right boys?"  They swore and stomped off.  "Good.  Works for me."  He settled in to read.  He could stock and mop later.

***

Xander walked up to the nurse's station. "I was told Detective Speedle was up here?" he asked quietly.  "I've got a card for him."  She smiled and pointed. "Thank you."  He walked in and saw him flipping stations.  "Sixty.  Sci-Fi.  Or sixty-three, Food network."  He put the card down on the table in front of him and smiled.  "I knew you'd be okay."

Speed pulled him down to kiss him.  "Your house is still creepy."

"It's not my house," he said, looking dazed.  He blinked then stared at him.  "Damn you're good at that."  Speed just smirked.  "I've been shot before, Speed.  It hurts like broken ribs do.  That way you don't have to worry about books your first day out."

"Sure, Xander."  He smiled at him.  "No cats?"

"The demonic maid would eat them. It ate the owner's wolfhound."

"Oh.  Okay."  He nodded at that and shifted, but Xander came over to adjust his sling for him and it was much more comfortable.  "Thanks."

"Been there, done that.  I had one on my side."  He grinned and smoothed down his hair.  "If you need me all you have to do is call, Speed.  This is home now."  He patted him on the head.  "So get better.  Eric's going to mope.  So will the lieutenant."

"Horatio doesn't mope where others can see," he assured him.

"I'll see.  He still comes in for a diet soda every night."  He grinned.  "The insurance guy was very thankful I told you to move your bike.  The boss said he would've stroked if your bike or the hummer had been hurt when the guy crashed into the pumps."

"Him?  I would've died from the fit I'd be throwing."  He grinned and patted his cheek.  "I hear Alexx chatting.  You might wanna run.  She'll cry on you."

Xander nodded. "Get better.  I put a small piece of chocolate in the card for you."  He winked and walked out, going around Alexx since she was in the middle of the hallway.

"I saw that, Peter."  He stopped and winced, giving her a sheepish look.  She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  "Thank you, baby.  You saved my boy's life with the stuff you use on papercuts."  She let him go and he ran off, looking embarrassed.  "Someone has *got* to take that boy in hand," she complained, walking into Speed's room, finding him sucking on something.  "He bring you a treat?"

"Small piece of candy.  There's nothing on tv."  The nurse came over to check his sling.  "Don't, it feels better."  She nodded and left it at that.  "Thank you.  He's had a few, he adjusted it for me."

"We wanted it in tightly to your chest, Detective."

"I don't care.  It hurts."   She nodded, making note of that.  He looked at Alexx.  "I'm fine."

"Uh-huh.  I can see that."  She kissed him on the forehead and looked him over. "It is a bit loose but not too bad."  She stroked over his forehead. "So, do we like the young one?" she teased.

"He's nice and he saved me, Alexx.  I don't know.  I've only had the one surreal meal with him and then the stops in for gas where he works.  Horatio sees him about every night he's working.  I only see him every few days."  The doctor came in. "It feels better.  It's not making my shoulder joint ache."

The doctor tested it and adjusted one strap, getting a small sigh.  "Better?"  That got a nod.  "Was the other one a doctor?"

"He's a had a few."

"Ah, that sort of experience.  We still need it immobilized so you don't tear the stitches, Detective."

"And I haven't.  I've been a good boy, eating my slop, being bored by the lack of decent tv, and well, one piece of candy he brought me."

"This is a saint for him," Alexx assured the doctor, getting a laugh.  "Need a book?"

"I will kiss you if you bring me a book."  She smiled and went to find him one at the gift shop.  He looked at the doctor.  "How long?"

"At least another week, Mr. Speedle."  Tim pouted at him.  "Perhaps sooner but you'd have to have someone who would take care of you."

"The guy with the papercut solution said he could come stay with him," Eric offered as he walked in.  "He lives in a really nice place too.  Has a guest room so Speed won't have to cuddle."  He handed over the forms.  "From Horatio," he said with a smirk.  "Temporary disability, incident reports, and insurance forms.  Oh, and expect Stetler later tonight since you can have visitors."

"Why?" he asked the nurse.

"Because Miss Woods was going to shoot us if we didn't allow you visitors," she soothed, patting him on the good shoulder.  "We'll help you fill those out, Detective."  She looked at Eric. "Is that all of them?"

"So far.  Horatio's not looking too happy today though."  He and Speed shared a look.  "Something about paddling you black and blue?"  Speed swallowed at that.  "I'm not even going to try to save you.  I'm not that brave and neither is the kid, but Calleigh did go cry on him last night."

"Thanks.  Are you okay?"

"I wasn't shot."

"Point.  Are you okay anyway?"

Eric smirked at him.  "I wore my frustration and worry out, Speed."

"Twins or triplets this time?"

"Twins," he admitted then he laughed and walked off.  "Stetler should be up in a hour or so," he called back.

"Can't I pop a stitch and need emergency surgery?" he begged.  "Please?"

"No," the doctor said.  "Sorry, I did a very good job on you, young man."

"You did.  Thank you."

"You're welcome.  Sleep, he won't wake you up."

"He's internal affairs.  I'll be lucky if he doesn't bring a cattle prod."

"We'll frisk him for harmful things," the nurse promised, finding a pen and pulling a chair over to start helping him with the reports.  "Doctor?"

"We'll see in a few days about when you can go home."

"Thanks, doc."

"You're welcome."  He ran into Alexx.  "He's working on the paperwork someone brought him."

"Wonderful," she said dryly, going in there.  "Who brought that stuff?"

"Eric.  With the warning Stetler's on his way."

Alexx looked at him.  "Let that man upset you while you're in that bed!  I'll see his head in autopsy!"

Speed grinned at that. "Can I watch, maybe see where the soul is missing?"

"Sure, baby.  For now, you do that and rest, I'll sit here and help."  She got some of the paperwork for the insurance claim to start working on for him.

***

Xander looked up as Horatio came in, looking upset.  "Speed not okay?  Did I upset him too much?"

"No, Internal Affairs did," he admitted.  "Speed ended up smacking him and it's not looking good for him."

"Can I have something eat him for you, Lieutenant?"   Horatio laughed at that and looked much happier. "He's in extreme pain and on medications that make his world fuzzy.  He didn't need the stress."

"True, he is," he agreed, smiling at him.  "How was your day?"

"Willow babbled at me for hours on end."

"Ah.  She back in trouble?"

"No, but she and Tara are making up."

"I saw Tara for a few minutes."

"She told me Tara slapped her.  I'm glad she didn't stake her or something but Tara's nice and sweet.  She might be coming down for the next spring break."  Horatio smiled at that.  "That all tonight, Lieutenant?"

"Use my name, Xander, and it is."  He got an odd look. "I use yours."

"True.  What about gas?"

"Gas would be helpful," he agreed, paying for what he had and then going out to put it on the PD card.  Xander smiled, handing over his receipt when he came back.  "Thank you."

"Not a problem."  Two officers came in and he nodded. "Just made the coffee, guys.  The decaf is older."

"That's what sugar's for," one quipped, refilling his mug.  He looked at Xander's boss, who just shrugged and rolled his eyes, going back to his desk.  "Sorry if I got you in trouble."

"With how often you guys are in here to pick up stupid people, I can afford a package of coffee a night," the boss called from the office.

Xander grinned at that.

"Aren't you still on probation, Harris?"

"Yes, boss, but if you fire me I have to go work construction and draw evil people there by my manly and sweaty chest.  Then they might try to take over the city."  The officers all laughed, including Horatio.  "They might.  I've dated some scary women."

"So I got told," Horatio assured him. Xander gave him a horrified look. "Joyce told me."  He put his head down, shaking it.  "Have a good night, Xander."

"Meany," he called after him, pulling up his head so he could ring up their snackfood for dinner.  That got a smile and a wink from one, making him grin.  "See you guys later.  Ooh, look across the parking lot."  They looked and waved and the two guys with the visible shotgun stomped off.  They got into the car, making sure their coffees were secure before going after them since they weren't running.  You could even see the blue lights when they stopped them up the block.  Xander checked the pumps and flicked the switches. "Hey, boss?  It won't shut off."

"What?"

"The pumps won't shut off, boss."

"Crap."  He came out to look at the pump control box, then at him.  "You're not seeing anything, right?"

"No but I always keep them off unless they're in use."  He pointed at one.  "That one seems to have a leak.  It's moving."

"Crap."  He went to check the pump then came back.  "Pull the main breaker."  He went to do that.  The boss went back to check it once that was done, then he called his district person.  Because that was one of the replacement pumps.  He came back in.  "Put a bag over that one."  Xander nodded, taking one to go do that.  He waited and then flipped the main breaker back on, watching as the pump controls reset themselves.  He looked at the numbers and moaned, going to check the gas receipts for the day.  Too many cars had filled up during the day if that was correct.

Xander looked up when he finished ducttaping the bag over the handle and spout, then hung it back up.  It was a pretty night.  He looked around the side of the store, groaning when he saw the two guys with guns.  He called inside.  "Boss, side of the store."  He hung up and checked the others so he wasn't caught inside.  He found another one leaking and put the extra bag he had brought out to put on there.  The other replacement pump, wonderful.  A cop car came back and he pointed at the guys with a nod, getting a nod back.  The cops got out and went to look at the fence between them and the apartment building next door.  The guys took off so they gave chase and Xander went back inside.  "The officers are on a foot chase, boss."

"That's why I'm not a cop," he admitted as he came out, finding the flags being put on the pump controls. "Both premium?"

"Yup.  The other's leaking worse."  That got a moan and he went to notify his guy of that.  Xander looked up to watch the lot for more activity, blinking when one of the guys came back. "Oh, please don't," he begged. "Boss, one's back!  He's getting into the cruiser!"  He groped for the phone, dialing it by feel.  "Hi, this is the Sit-Go on eighth.  One of the guys the officers just went on foot chase after is trying to break into his cruiser.  Do you want me to go stop them?  Thank you."  He walked out there and pulled his gun. "I shoot things for a hobby and I'm a fucking marksman, get away from the cruiser!"

The crook looked up at him.  "What the fuck?" he complained. "You're not supposed to interfere, just scream and beg for your life!"

"I'm from near LA.  Bet me!  Get away from the cruiser!  Now!"  One of the officers came back and the guy dove in.  He looked at the officer. "I tried."

"Thanks, Peter.  Get out of my car!" he ordered, pointing his gun at the non-bulletproof window on the side.  "Now!  Right the hell now!"  The car started and backed up, then they had to duck as the pumps went up in a pretty fireball.  "Hell," he muttered. "I'm going to be filling out forms for weeks."

Xander patted him on the arm.  "Go get a soda.  Is your partner okay?"

He pulled his radio off his shoulder.  "Dispatch, this is Kearns and 151.  One suspect did get into our cruiser and got it started.  We need fire department support since he drove into some pumps."

"They wouldn't shut off or else they'd be able to pull him from the wreckage," Xander offered.  The officer looked at him. "I keep them off so no one can steal gas while I'm stocking.  They wouldn't shut off tonight."  That got a nod and a pat.  His partner came back with the other guy in handcuffs.  "Sit him down, guys."  He put his gun back and went back inside, making his boss sit down.  He hung up the phone and stroked and patted him.  "It's okay.  The suspect did it, boss.  It's not your fault it was leaking and wouldn't turn off. You reported that, remember?"  He went into the office when his boss started to cry, hitting redial.  "Hi, this is Peter Philips on eighth.  No, he's presently crying into the floor.  We had officers who parked to go after the guys with guns on the lot and one got into his cruiser and rammed it back into the pumps.  Yeah, it might be a good idea.  No, he's sobbing into the floor.  Well, the leaking ones were the replacement pumps on the premium hoses," he offered.  He hung up on the new crying, heading back out there.  He knew both officers and got them drinks, getting smiles.  "Least I could do.  Remember, we sell tylenol too for the wrist cramps."  He waved at the shift commander, going to get him a coffee how he liked and handing it over. "I tried to stop him, sir.  Since the officers were on chase I did try to stop him from getting in."

The one sucked a drink in.  "He did, sir.  I came back while he was trying.  I got here and he got inside and backed it into the pumps."  He looked at Xander.  "Why won't they turn off?"

"The two replacement pumps are leaking and it won't turn off with the pump control by the register while one's moving."  That got a nod.  "The main breaker was thrown for a while but only so I could come out and bag two of them."  Calleigh pulled in and he smiled at her.  "He backed it into the leaking pumps."

"How?"

"I didn't want to shoot the car, sorry, Duquesne."

She looked at the fire then at him. "So the suspect stole the cruiser?"

"Even with me and Philips here trying to get him to stop.  My partner and I had been on foot chase when someone called in that they were trying to break into the cruiser.  Philips here came out to try to stop him for us."

"Two of the pumps were leaking. The replacement ones.  Or else they'd be off."  The fire department pulled up and he sighed when he saw the district manager.  "If anyone asks, the boss said we could give you guys the bottom of the pot and free fountain drinks," he reminded them.  That got nods and they all took a drink while they waited for the fire to go out.  "He was behind the counter, sir.  I came out to give a statement."

"Sure.  Thanks, Philips."  He looked then at him.  "Which ones were leaking?"  Xander led him inside to show him the pump control and the flags.  "Both replacement pumps.  I'm going to sue someone."

One of the officers leaned in.  "Is the main breaker to the pumps off?"  Xander went to check, then came out nodding. "Thanks. They think it's leaking."

"Two nozzles of premium were. That's why the pump control box wouldn't shut off and we had to do it at the breaker.  Also, lots and lots less gas when we flipped the switch," he told the boss.  "Bob went to check the gas tallies."

"Good to know.  You having fun working the night shift?"

"Actually, I like working nights.  It's calmer, more peaceful.  I get more things done and ready for the morning rush.  I have to deal with a few drunk assholes but that happens now and then."  He saw one cruiser pull in sloppily and sighed, shaking his head. "Speaking of."  He went out to talk to the shift supervisor, going back to his statement and nodding at the guy, getting a groan.  "Six nights in a row, sir.  Beer."  That got a nod of do it so we can get him and he went to ring him up for the seventh night, his beer, his soda, and his hostess cherry pie.  "Five eleven like usual."

"That's more," he slurred.

"No, it's the same as last night.  Really."  The guy grunted but paid him a ten and he handed him back proper change, getting it thrown back at him. "Thanks but I don't really accept tips.  I'm not a stripper."  He put it carefully into his shirt pocket then handed him the bag with his stuff. "There you go. Are you going to work the scene too?"

"What scene?" he demanded.  Xander pointed at the fire crews and he went purple. "Ooooh, that looks like someone's in trouble since that's a cruiser.  Glad it's not me.  Did I pay you?"

"You did," Xander said patiently.  He got a grin and the guy wobbled out. "You forgot your food," he called.  He came back for the bag, going back to his car.  Then Xander put his head down, shaking it.  "That's the only bad part of this job.  The drunks," he muttered.

The district guy patted him on the back.  "We all have to deal with them now and then, Philips.  It'll be fine.  One of the females out there is going after him since he's walking toward the fire.  Must be a detective."

Xander got up and rushed out there, stopping Calleigh.  "Peters!"  He looked up.  "Fire! Dude, move!  Before it explodes!"  He wobbled back.  "You do not run into a fire, that's a good way to end up in the hospital up the hall from Speed," he growled in her ear, walking the officer back to his boss and handing him over.  "Here, he said he wants to work the scene," he offered then he went back inside. "Duck!"  Something went up and they all ducked.  "Hey, still got it," he said happily.   One of the officers came in for a refill.  "It breached the sewer."

"So we can smell.  Wanna join the department?"

Xander gave him a grin.  "And give up the exciting job I have here?"

"Point.  Plus you don't have to wear a uniform."

"You guys make more to make up for the lack of fun."

"Thanks, Philips."  He walked back out.

The manager looked at him. "The boss said we could give away fountain drinks and the bottom of the coffee pot."

"Sure, it fosters good will.  Especially with as many officers as we get in here for dinner."  He went to check on his manager, seeing him asleep on the couch with a hand over his eyes.  He closed the door and came out.  "Okay, from the top?"  Xander wrote it out and handed him a copy, then went to hand it to the other guys, making him smile.  "Smartass," he said when he came back.

"That way you can give it to the insurance company and the lawyers when you sue them."

"Sure.  Will you testify?"

Xander considered it.  "With one small problem."

"He told me Philips wasn't your real name and you were running from a gay bashing friend."

"Oh, good.  That would be the problem."

"I'll let them know.  Let me call the other guys."  Xander handed over the phone.  "Thanks.  I'll call in the morning shift and tell them they can be a bit late.  We'll probably have to close."  Calleigh came in.  "Detective."

She smiled then glared at Xander.  "Don't grab me!"

"I could smell the methane in here, Calleigh.  It was going to explode and then you'd be on the burn ward."  She was still glaring. "Fine, next time I'll shoot you in the foot so you can join Speed in his room!"

"Fine."  She went to get something to chew on, letting him ring her up.  "Thank you, Xander."

"Welcome.  But you get to tell your boss.  Lieutenant Caine so loves hearing these."

"Don't worry, you'll get to see IAB soon."  She beamed back.  He pointed at the statement in the Shift Supervisor's hand. "That won't cut it for him."

Xander gave her a look.  "I'll have him eaten, okay?"  She walked out laughing. "Why does everyone think I'm kidding when I say that?" he whined.

"Because you're a good guy and good guys don't do that, Philips," the district guy said patiently.  "The crime lab comes in?"

"Speed lives up the street so he gets gas.  The Lieutenant stops in most nights to get something to drink on the way home, usually a soda.  We chat a lot."

"Oh.  Interesting. Sorry to wake you, Paul.  No, actually, you'll want to sit.  No, a suspect that an officer was chasing on foot doubled back, stole his cruiser, and rammed it into the gas pumps here on eighth that wouldn't shut off thanks to the leaking replacements we just put in."  He heard the thump.  "Paul?  Are you okay?"

"You told him to sit," Xander offered, going to get him a cup of coffee.  "Cream?"

"Just two sugars, thanks, Philips."  He handed it over and went to stock the other things, getting a smirk.  "Yeah, it's his shift.  Not his fault, boss.  He even tried to stop the suspect from taking the cruiser.  He did it anyway.  No, he's stocking.  No, store's clean."

"I'll mop when everyone leaves," Xander called. "It's not my fault.  They have more problems when Chad works my shift."

"That is true.  Chad, the afternoon second guy, brings in more problems when he works Xander's shift.  Well, if the pump hadn't been leaking, it'd just be a replacement instead of a fireball.  Yeah, turn on the news. There's channel four, three, and eight that I see."   He smirked when he shrieked.  "That's okay, one very drunk officer tried to walk into the fire to help so he saved one detective's life by stopping her from following and that one's life by getting him to come back."  He waved at the shift guy then the news crews and the suspect in cuffs against the window.  That got a nod and they put him into the spare car and let one of the sober ones drive him back to the station.  He nodded at the unamused man who came in scowling.  "No, Bob's taking a power nap to recover from his headache, Paul.  No, Philips is stocking things.  Sure.  I'll be here.  All night probably."  He hung up.  "Yes, sir, can I help you with something?"

"Who saw what happened?"

"The shift supervisor has my statement in his hand," Xander called from stocking milk inside the cooler.  The door got opened by the unamused looking man and he looked at him.  "He does.  You can have that.  Are you the dick that they said was going to go bother that poor, injured detective Speedle?  He's always in here for gas and sodas.  He's so nice and sweet to us guys.   Much nicer than the drunk officer who nearly walked into the fire."  He stomped out and Xander pushed open the door again. "Can I escape?"

"Go," he agreed, watching the kid come out, log out of the register, then grab his gear and head out the back door.  He heard a gunshot and Xander, an uninjured one, brought the guy in.

"He shot himself in the foot in fear on seeing me."  He walked back out the back door and disappeared into the night.  He was good at that after all.

The district supervisor looked at the officer. "Did he scare you?" he taunted.  He walked him outside. "He saw Philips and shot himself in the foot.  Anyone want him?"  Calleigh raised a hand so he handed him over.  "There you go.  I released him."  He went back inside to count the till and make notes for the owner when he came stomping in past the fire department and officers.  "Hey, Paul."

"Where is Philips?"

"I let him go when the cops came in to scowl at him. He was in a taunting mood and it saves us a little bit of money."

"Point.  Every penny helps.  Bob!" he bellowed.  He came out of the office.  "Run this shit down for me!"

"Sure."  He came out to look at the statement that had been written out. "That."  He went back to his office to lay down again.  He still had a migraine and an upset stomach.  He came out and used his employee discount to get some pepto and some advil capsules plus some milk, then went back to his office again.

The two higher ups sighed and went over the statement together.  It was concise and to the point even if the kid didn't use full sentences.

***

Xander jogged down the stairs to answer the door, smiling brightly. "Speed!"  He gave him a gentle hug and led him inside.  "Do they need you to be watched?"

"Yup, but I can go home later, when Horatio's checked to make sure I'm fine."

Xander snorted and led him up to his room, tucking him into the bed.  "Stay."  He grinned.  "Want some toast?  I'm making toast for breakfast. Or cereal.  I have to get groceries."

"No, I'm good."  He pulled the kid down to sit with him. "You grabbed Calleigh?"

"I had to, the sewer line was about to go too.  She would've went boom with it and been up the hall from you."

"Good point," he admitted, smiling at him. "Rick Stetler is going to have someone hunt you down to get that statement from you."

"He has one.  I wrote one out and gave it to the shift guy."  Speed snickered and shook his head. "I'll behave if he finds me."  He grinned and pushed him back down.  "Rest.  Come down when you're ready to eat."   He bounced up and headed down the stairs, finding someone else knocking. He looked out the peephole then opened the door for Eric.  "Up the stairs, first room on the right."  He headed back to the kitchen, going to finish his toast off and nibble on it.  Eric walked into the kitchen, giving him an odd look.  "What?  It's not like I'm eating taco hell cold for breakfast today."

"No, toast is a good breakfast," he agreed.  He sat across from him.  "Calleigh ranted for two hours that you had grabbed her."

"The sewer line was going to explode."

"She got that part.  You still grabbed her.  She even said you cuddled her."

"I won't do it again."

"Might be a good idea.  She'll thump you.  She thumped me when I stuck up for you."  Xander pouted at that.  "Just apologize."  He pushed the phone over.  "Hit the three until it dials."

Xander did that and listened to the chipper voice. "I'm very sorry I grabbed you, detective. I didn't mean to upset you or make you seem less competent, and I definitely did not mean to make it seem like I was cuddling you.  You're not near dangerous enough to be mine and everyone there knows you're not evil so therefore can't be mine.  No, Peters did run off one woman who was hitting on me with her whip in hand."   He grinned. "I'm sorry.  Forgive me?"  He grinned. "Thank you.  No, he came to chew me out for you.  He's here.  First bedroom upstairs on the right.  Sure."  He hung up.  "She'll be over at lunch.  I'll be buying groceries."

Eric smirked.  "Good idea."  He stood up.  "I'll go bother Speed.  Make out your grocery list and I'll even drop you off."  Xander got to work on that and he went up the stairs, with a stop to let Alexx in.  "He's upstairs."

"The one who saved the drunken idiot?"

"No, he's hiding from the scary women. Speed's upstairs."  She went to see Speed and he checked before closing the door and heading up too.

Xander waited until they were both up there then snuck up the back way to get his wallet then headed out to the store.  He ran into Horatio out front and suddenly felt like he got caught playing hooky from school.  "He's upstairs, first room on the right."

"Thank you, Xander.  Where are you going?"

"Groceries. I don't have any."

"That's fine.  Come right back so you can give that statement for Detective Stetler."

"So I should be jumping a bus to New Jersey maybe?"

"If you do he'd make me hunt you down again."  Xander sighed but nodded, going to catch the bus on the corner and head off to pick up his paycheck and spend some of it at the store.  Horatio walked inside, finding Eric looking amused. "He went grocery shopping."

"I made him apologize to Calleigh again so she'd quit complaining."

"Thank you."  He went up to check on Speed, handing him the book he had gotten from his house for him. "Try to keep the boy out of trouble?"

"Not his fault."

"I know, try anyway."  He smiled and patted him on the head. "How are you, Speed?"

"Better.  Not good enough to spank yet but better."  Alexx glared at him.  "He's going to."

"I am.  Your gun was cleaned by me, Speed.  Would you like to offer an explanation?"

"I don't know.  I cleaned it after I got it back."

"Did you forget again?" Eric demanded. Speed moaned and nodded. "Then you'd better be sending Rosenburg a card, Speed."

"I did."  He gave Horatio a pitiful look. "I'm sorry, H.  I forgot for a few weeks."

"I'm going to put you on a schedule, Speed.  Every single week on Sunday night since you have it off.  That way it's ready for Monday morning."  He paused to answer his phone.  "Caine."  He smirked at the voice.  "No, Xander.  You may not run away from the scary officer with the gun.  Oh, in your face....  The drunk one from last night?  No, put him down gently if you have to put him down but do not get hurt."  He hung up.  "I'll bring him right back."  He headed out to get into his hummer, heading to where Xander worked.  He had heard the guys he got coffee from in the morning talking about the size of the gun in the background.  He walked in and the guy was still pointing the gun at Xander and ranting how he had been put on suspension pending an investigation.  He put his hands on his hips.  "Do you wonder why?" he demanded, glaring at him. The officer glared back.  He moved his jacket out of the way to show his badge and gun.  "Put it down, Peters."

"No!  He's a fairy bitch!"

Xander disarmed him and put him down, kneeling on his throat. "I'm probably bi but I've never had a man, so I can't honestly say with complete certainty that I am bi or not.  I know that men are interesting and nice but I can't say with proof that I'm going to go slutty for the men the way I pleasured my women for hours on end until they gave up and passed out.  Even Anya could only stand four hours of oral sex and that was a shame because I would've done that all night.  Then again, she did complain about only having seven orgasms a night instead of the ten or so she wanted."  He stared down at the purple, gasping face.  "So yes, I'm probably bi, and no, I'm not a fairy. I don't have a wand, I'm not wearing the really pretty and eccentric ball gowns, or the heels, or even the hair they have in Disney films, or well, Tinkerbell's outfit was a fluke but cute for strippers.  Which isn't me.  Tried that, didn't do too well," he told him.

The guy was batting at him.  "What?  Problems with how this bi boy took you down?"  He let out a gasp.  "Oh, air."  He shifted and let him breath and pant for a moment then went back to it.  "Then again, fairies from other cultures get to wear other things. The Japanese versions of fairies get to wear *really* stunning kimonos and they're honored, did you know that?"  He grinned down at him.  "Then again you can start crossing the line to kitsune and other troublesome demons as well because some fairies are like that.  Though Brownies seem to be helpful and most British fairies are really nice, even the elvish ones that they got confused with fairies.  They're kinda neat but it's a bit trying to keep up with them.  Went drinking with one one night.  Wasn't happy the next morning, let me tell you," he said, grinning down at him.  "Then again, I'm pretty good at drinking now.  Don't do it *often* since I had drunks as parents, but I can hold my own.  Unlike you, who can't remember if you paid me or not when you come in drunk."

"Get off him," the officer coming in behind Horatio ordered.

"He pointed a gun in my face.  Why should I?"

"Please," Horatio ordered, coming over to help him up.  "Very nice take down, Peter."

"Thanks, Lieutenant.  You know I love to please others."  The officer on the floor gasped and choked. He looked at the new one.   "Unfortunately when he came in on my shift last night he was so drunk the shift supervisor caught him at it when he tried to walk into the fire.  He's on suspension and he came to show me how displeased he was by pointing a gun in my face."  He watched the guy hack and choke between pants.  "Less smoking, man.  Less smoking.  It's bad for you you know."  He went back to his shopping, putting everything on the counter and paying for it with a grin.  "Hi, Chad."

"Hi, Peter. So, *whet* happened?"

"Two cops came up to chase the two guys with guns who were on the side of the building.  Foot chase since they took off running down the path behind the store.  During that we were checking the leaking pumps.  I went out to bag them and that's when I saw the guys and told the boss. I get back in here and see one of the guys creeping toward the cruiser.  I call, I go out to order him away from it.  With my gun, which is registered.  Then one of the chasing ones comes around the side of the store and joins me.  He dove in, backed it up, and hit the leaking pumps.  Whoosh, instant fireball.  I get them drinks while we call it in.  Bob collapsed in the office with a migraine.  This one pulls in last night before the sewer was breached and wobbled in to get his normal beer and stuff, I check him out, reminding him he had paid when he had to come back to get the stuff again.  The boss said I had to give it to him, even drunk, because the local cops can get us in more trouble if we get mean with them.  I suggested he go help the other officers since he was clearly too drunk to drive.  He headed for the fire.  I had to stop one of the CSI from stopping him because the sewer was going to go within minutes by the stench of the farts.  We got him away from there and all duck when the sewer goes up and apparently the shift supe decided he was *really* drunk and of course since it was a stolen cruiser IAB got here and saw him being too drunk to slur."  He shrugged and took his bags. "Then I asked the district supe and he said I could sneak and go home since I had written a statement out."  He grinned and headed back to the bus stop.

"Hummer," Horatio ordered.

"Are you sure I can't run for the Jersey border?"

"Very.  Hummer now, Peter."  Xander trudged that way.  Horatio got his usual coffee and diet soda, checking out.  "The night officers all like him.  He lets them have free bottom of the pots of coffee and free fountain drinks," he said quietly.  "There's almost always a few nearby for refills."  That got a grin and a nod.  "Thank you.  Is he due back tonight?  He's taking care of Speedle for us today."

"Bob wanted a call about that," he admitted.  "The owner was switching the schedule around some."  That got a nod and Horatio left.  He looked at his coworker, then the officer.  "Want a soda, Officer?"

He smirked at him.  "Suckup."

"Yeah but I want the officers here whenever I get robbed the next time," he said.  "They're always here within two, three minutes when someone comes after Peter."  He smiled at the two boys coming in.  One headed for the beer, the other for the chips.  They came up to the register. "I need to see some ID please?"  They pulled a gun and he pointed at the cop. "With one in here?  Are you really that dumb?"  The officer coughed and the guys glared at him.

Bob came out of the office. "Usually Peter runs them off.  Officer, I'll watch him if you get them."  He pulled out his cuffs and one started to run but found the door behind held shut by Horatio, who only smirked at them. They swore and put down the gun, letting themselves be arrested. "Thank you, Lieutenant.  Tell Peter he's got tonight and tomorrow off.  Regular shift after that."  That got a nod and he went back to the hummer.  He looked at his guys.  "Any officer in a Miami-Dade uniform gets a free fountain drink."  He went back into the office. They made too much money on coffee during the day to give it away that way.

"So, hey, if you want one, get one for the car," Chad offered, making his coworker laugh.  "What?  He'll need one while he's writing reports."

"I probably will."  He drug them outside and put them all into the back of the cruiser, coming back for a soda and heading out again.  He'd have to spread that around.

***

Horatio walked Xander back inside, taking half the groceries.  "We're back."

"What took you so long?" Eric demanded.

"Someone there wanted another statement about what happened last night," Horatio said blandly, following Xander into the kitchen to put things away, then he walked him up to sit with Speed, finding Stetler in there. "You didn't get enough at the hospital?"

"I came to see the other one."  He glared at Xander.  "That was not right to sneak out."

Xander gave him the sweetest and nicest smile.  "Get out of my house before I have you eaten by something horrible with bad breath."  He laughed.  "Perdi!"  The cleaning imp showed up, making him and Alexx scream.  "Out!" he snapped.  He ran and slammed the door behind him. "Perdi, I put new groceries up.   Make sure we don't have that mouse problem?"  It nodded and disappeared, going to kill the thing. He looked at Alexx.  "Sorry, the maid.  It's why I don't have pets."  He smiled again.

"He's a bit warped from Sunnydale," Eric said, getting her sitting down again. "Not nice, Xander."

"He can't charge me with it.  If he starts talking about harmless imps, who's going to believe him?"

"Point," Speed admitted. "Can we borrow him the next time he comes to stalk Horatio?"

"Sure.  I don't make enough of a mess for him."  He sat down across from Alexx. "You okay?"

"Fine, dear. I know they're harmless but still a shock."

"Sorry, Alexx."  He looked at Speed. "I got you cocoa puffs."

"Thanks."  He grinned and patted him on the hand.  "So, what happened?"  Horatio moaned and walked off shaking his head to get his coffee out of the hummer. "That good?"

"Did you see the news last night or this morning?"  Speed and Eric both nodded slowly while Alexx laughed.  "That was my shift and I did try to stop the guy who got into the cruiser and backed them into the leaking pumps.  I really did."

"I believe you," he promised. "I meant today."

"Oh, the officer that Calleigh almost got blown up trying to get out of the fire showed up to protest me getting him suspended for not letting him drive that drunk and suggesting he help with the scene."

"Calleigh...huh?" Speed demanded.

"While the fire was going on apparently one very drunk officer came in to get more beer and stuff," Alexx said, stroking his good arm.  "The guy was so drunk they said he couldn't remember his bag of stuff or if he paid or not.  Threw his change back at Xander, who said something about strippers from the comment I heard."

"I'm not a stripper to throw tips at," he protested.  "I did that a few times on my roadtrip. I sucked at it and only got money thrown at me to get off the stage."

"So, this drunken officer does what?" Speed asked, ignoring that statement for now.  Before his mind went places it probably shouldn't.

"Xander apparently suggests he work the scene so he doesn't get to drive," Eric told him.  "He started to walk *into* the fire because it had to be pointed out to him."  Speed cackled at that.  "Xander has to stop Calleigh, who's trying to stop him, because by this time it's pretty clear the sewer's about to go up.  So he grabs her from behind and stops her, cuddling up to her back to growl in her ear while he calls the other guy back, and gets him to the shift supe, who suspends him pending an investigation.  Then Xander hands out refills and goes back inside."

Speed looked at Xander. "I knew you were a brave, bold man, but that takes balls."

"I apologized for stopping her.  I didn't want her up the hall in the burn unit. I can only imagine the fits Buffy would throw if she got burned from an exploding sewer line."

Horatio turned to cough and laugh in the halls, nodding at that thought.  "That would be loud.  Calleigh's wouldn't be quite as bad," he offered when he came back. "She wouldn't fuss about her clothes or her nails.  Maybe her hair but not her clothes or her nails."

"Oooh, Tara's coming down next spring break," he said proudly. "Maybe with Buffy."

"Sure, we'll help protect you," Speed promised. "Maybe Eric can take Buffy out clubbing one night."

Eric gave him a look.  "Is she at least pretty?"  Xander got up and went to get a picture, bringing it back.  "She is pretty."  He handed it back and shook his head.  "We'll see.  Who's the redhead?"

"Willow."  He put it back and came back to sit down.  "So, I have some groceries. Want grilled cheese for lunch?"

"I should probably go home for lunch."  Alexx burst out laughing and shook her head.  "I can."

"You move, sugar, and I'm spanking you.  I'll let Horatio beg for mercy for you."  She stared him down and he sighed, sinking back into the bed. "Good boy, Speedy."  She patted him on the hair, smoothing it down.  "Now, I should get back.  I'm sure someone's found me a body by now."  She got up and smiled at him. "You behave and I'll check on you tomorrow when I go home."  He nodded.  She patted Xander on the head, weathering the looks she got.  "You'll learn.  I do I to all the boys."

"Women are scary and strange things and only evil ones like me," he said firmly.  "Unless you plan on taking over the city as evil wench of the universe you won't like me too much."  She laughed as she walked out.  "Did she think I was kidding?"

"Probably," Eric said, taking her seat. "So, Speed, what was more important than cleaning your gun?"

"I don't know," he sighed. "I'm sorry, Horatio."

"I know and we will fix this, Speed.  I mean it."  That got a nod and Speed yawned.  "Eric, why don't you head back to work? I'll make sure Xander knows how to care for a gunshot wound."  He saw the odd look. "Just in case."

"Don't get any demon goo in it, it hurts a lot worse."

"That's always a good thing," Eric agreed, getting up to hug Speed.  "Be safe, Buddy, I'll be back tonight."  He headed off again.

Horatio took the seat with a sigh.  "Speed."

"I'm sorry, H."

"I know you are."  He saw Xander sneaking out.  "Xander."  He came back. "While he's with you I will expect you to go over how to clean a gun with Speed again.  Every day if you have to until he can do it in his sleep.  Understood?"

"I know how...."

"Xander, am I clear?"

"Sure, Lieutenant."

"Xander."

"Sorry, Horatio."

"Good boy."  He smiled at him.  Then he looked at Speed.  "You'll listen and heal.  Otherwise they're threatening to move you to IAB.  They said they need a criminalist down there to see who's guilty and who isn't."  He shuddered.  "Exactly.  So you'll do as I say, Tim."

"Yes, Horatio."

"Good."  He smiled then at Xander, who was trying to sneak out again. "You do that very well."  Xander blushed. "I did tell you Joyce let me see her journals, correct?"  Xander moaned at that. "Every single one of them, Xander, and I have photos.  Therefore you're going to be a good boy and watch Speed for us."

"Yes, Horatio."

"Good."  He stood up.  "Now, cuddle him.  He could use the cuddle.  Alexx didn't fuss as much as she should have."  Xander gave Speed a look, getting a shrug, letting Xander crawl in on his good side to cuddle him.  Horatio stomped on the pit of jealousy that sprung up without his consent.  "Even better."  He walked out, going back to the office, sure they would keep each other out of trouble.

Xander looked at him.  "You're very comfy."

"So're you.  I don't want to turn evil though."

"So far I haven't attracted any evil men."

"Even better.  Grilled cheese?"

"I cooked fast food, Speed, not real food."

"True."  He gave him a squeeze and Xander went limp in his arms, making him smile at that.  "I can come help make lunch."

"No you should rest."

"I can cook.  Cooking is restful."

Xander looked at him.  "No it's not.  It's work.  Work is not resting.  Therefore cooking is not resting and you shall rest or they'll make you go back or go to IAB."  He gave it another few heartbeats then got up and went to make grilled cheese sandwiches.  He even brought it up himself instead of letting the imp do it the way she begged.

***

A few hours later Horatio got out of his hummer and carried his kit inside with the evidence from his last crime scene.  He ran into Calleigh out front. "What's wrong?"

"Where's Speed?"

"With Xander."

"Who's upstairs with Stetler."  She blinked at his shocked look.  "He had officers go fetch him since he wasn't a cooperative witness and decided to search into his background again."

"Is it fixed?"

"It is.  I called the number we had out there when I saw him being brought in and they assured me the issues we had before were fixed."  He nodded at that, relaxing some.  "He still had him drug in since he was a witness to the cruiser thing, and got an officer arrested for being DoD, plus how he had to take him down earlier for being drunk on duty."

"I'll check on him."

"He told me to leave the building, Horatio."

"I'm coming in from a scene.  He can't do that."  He went inside, signing back in and heading to log in evidence.

"Get off the floor," Stetler called.  Horatio held up an envelope.  "I'm sure it can wait."

Horatio turned to glare at him. "I'm sure the victims wouldn't say the same, nor their families, Rick."  The man turned red in the face.  "What are you doing to the very helpful civilian?"

"I'm taking a statement."

"Good.  Then you'll need mine from this morning. I went for coffee and found Officer Peters threatening Mr. Philips with a gun.  I also distracted the officer while Mr. Philips got him down onto the ground."  He stared at him.  "I'll be right back, let me log in evidence."  That got an evil glare.  "Deal with it, Rick."

"Are you two seeing each other?"

"Every night for the soda I get on the way home," he quipped back, heading off again.  He nodded subtly at Frank Tripp, who went to lurk and watch.

The kid looked like he was bored.  By the time Horatio got back, Stetler was giving him dirty looks too.  Horatio came back and he pointed.  "Is he always like that?"

"No, he's very helpful and playful with us, Frank."  He knocked and walked in, seeing the exhaustion in Xander's eyes.  "You should be resting since you should probably go in tonight."

"Boss said the schedule was in flux but yeah, I should.  Just in case they decide to move me to a less volatile shift."  He stretched and looked at him. "Do you have anything else?  I'm tired.  I should be sleeping right now since I work nights."

"Are you in a relationship with either Speedle or Caine?" he demanded.

"Friends.  I'm letting Speed stay over so he has someone there to monitor him while he's just out of the hospital.  I see Horatio every night I work because he comes in for a diet soda before going home."  Stetler glared at him.  "If your smutty mind wants to imagine them topping me that's your fantasy.  I'm more than willing to be someone's fantasy guy.  Makes me happy that people want me.  That means I've got a good ego.  Am I actually going onto my knees to suck Horatio's cock every night while he's getting his soda?  No," he snorted. "There's cameras at work."  He stood up.  "Now, he's right, I should be resting and I'm exhausted.  Anything else?"  That got a silent glare. "Then I hope your investigation goes well.  I do know that my manager Bob will gladly give over the night shift tapes so you can tell Officer Peters bought beer six other nights in a row.  Last night was his seventh.  He was too drunk to wobble so yes, I sent him out to the other cops.  That way he wouldn't drive and you guys wouldn't have to explain to someone's family how a highly drunk officer slammed into their relative and killed them."  That got a shudder. "The same as I'm the one who pointed out the fire to him the first time because he was too drunk to notice it and then got him away from it before he got toasty.  Anything else?"  That got a head shake.  "Then I'm heading home.  Horatio, I'll see you when I get back to work."  That got a nod and he walked off muttering under his breath.

Horatio watched as the statement burst into flames, looking impassive.  "Hmm."  He sat down once it was out.  "What did you need to know about this morning?"

"Are you fucking him?"

"One, he's a civilian and over the age of eighteen.  Two, my sex life is none of your business unless it is something illegal.  As point one means it's not, it's not any of your business.  Three, I don't believe that's relevant to what happened this morning."

"You just *happened* to be picking up coffee?"

"No, in the scuffle, Xander's cellphone dialed the last number, which was mine.  He was checking on Speed.  I heard the problem with the officer and I went to make sure it was handled appropriately."  He stared him down.  "Then, I saw Xander take him down.  Very efficiently.  I'm working on getting him to join the department."

"Over my dead body," he sneered.

"That has been known to happen when it's said, Rick," Horatio pointed out.  "Many other officers have said that and then gotten injured in the line of duty.  Speed said that before going into the jewelry store."  That got a gape.  "Now, is there anything I can fill in for you that the tapes didn't?"

"He was babbling about fairies," he sneered.

"He was.  Officer Peters called him one because he's bisexual and never hit on him."  The IAB agent went bright red at that, mostly in anger.  "I do know he has asked a few officers out.  He sees a great many of us since they offer free fountain drinks to officers."  Stetler got up and stomped out.  He looked over Xander's statement, smirking at it.  Then he rewound the tape and played it when Frank came in.  They both got a chuckle out of it.  The kid had out-worded the experienced detective.  He shut it off. "Speed's fine."

"Good.  He staying with someone for a few days?"

"With him."

"Good.  Even better.  He seems like he's seen a bit of combat?"

"He's from near LA, Frank."  He stood up.  "Of course he has."  That got a nod.  "That is a long story that is best told over beers.  I'm off the clock now."

"Me too.  Let's go.  I wanna know what's been going on."

Horatio smiled and nodded, walking out to go out with him for a few hours of relaxation and make him gape in wonder.  Someone had to watch out for the kid when they were all busy after all.

***

Xander leaned into Speed's bedroom before he went back to work three days later.  "I wanted to let you know I'm not going to make you go out with me, Speed.  It was wrong of me to blackmail you into it.  Tara's chewed me a new one so I'm letting you have an honorable way out."  He headed off, going to catch his bus.

Speed considered that, then he pouted.  At least the kid hadn't said it was him.  Whoever this Tara person was needed to be spanked for ruining his plans. Then again he could ask Xander out anyway.....  He smiled and got up, going down to watch some tv.  He hoped the kid had an easy night.  Someone walked in and he looked at him.  "Hi, I'm Speed.  Xander's taking care of me."

The guy just nodded at that. "That's fine.  Where might he be?"

"Headed to work."

"Excellent.  Tell him I'll see him next year.  I'm going to Barbados and then Haiti."  He grabbed a few books out of the library Speed was scared to go into and then left again.  "Be good to him.  Remember, using his virginity as a sacrifice could cause others pain since he's from the hellmouth.  They're never fully innocent because of where they're born."

Speed blinked at that, staring at the door, then shook his head.  He went back to watching the tv, waiting for a news update.

***

Xander pouted when Horatio didn't come in that night, going back to his mopping.  Maybe he was mad at him?  Maybe Speed had told him so he was really mad at him?  He hadn't seen him in a few days since he gave him the opportunity to escape the slug in a suit.  He looked up when a few guys came in.  "Watch out, the floor's wet," he called.  He came back to the register, pushing the mop out of the way.  He looked up at them.  "Cigarettes?"  He saw the gun and opened the register when it was pointed to. "Sure.  Take it."  He hit the button but it didn't close the drawer this time.  Someone must've clipped the wires or turned it off.  One of them drug him into the back room. "Guys, I cooperated.  I'm not going to let you kill me."

"Shut up," he sneered.  He cocked his gun and gave him a shove, blinking when the boy moved and his balls suddenly exploded in pain.

"No, I never shut up."  He grabbed his own gun and walked out. "Out!  Now!" he yelled.  Two of them laughed.  One of them shot him, he wounded him, on purpose, and then went after the others by hand since they weren't openly carrying guns.  He got the last one down when officers rushed in, panting at one. "One's in the back room holding his nuts," he said calmly.  "I had to hit that one," he said, nodding at one.  He put his gun onto the counter. "I cooperated.  I did, I swear I did."

"I know you did, you always do," the officer soothed, radioing in for an ambulance.  "Let me look at your arm, Peter."

"It's just a graze," he said, pulling away. "I've had worse.  Get the one I had to shoot and the others.  Handcuff them together or something.  I'll be fine and here."  He leaned on the counter, watching the one on the floor with the stomach wound.  "I cooperated.  If you hadn't been so stupid you would've taken the money and ran."  Paramedics rushed in. "I had to wound him.  They were going to shoot me."  That got a nod and they got to work on him.  One came over to look at his arm and he pulled away. "I'm fine.  All I need is some neosporin and a bandage."

"Then let me bandage it, sir."  He sighed and took off his shirts with a wince, letting her have his arm.  "It's not that bad."

"I know."  He watched as they rolled the other guy out and Eric walked in.  "I cooperated."

"I know.  Tape?"

Xander pointed with his free hand.  "They were going to shoot me."

"Relax for right now, kid.  Just calm down."  He went to rewind the tape with the officer and watch it.  Then he took it outside to copy it.  He put the original on the desk and put in a clean one when Xander pointed at the stack, getting a nod of thanks.  "You okay?"

"Fine.  I was mopping and they came in together.  I warned them about the floor and noticed they weren't going back to get anything so I came up to get their cigarettes.  We get a lot of gang kids that come in this time of night for smokes.  I saw the gun.  They grunted and pointed.  I opened the drawer, hit the switch, and walked where one pulled me.  One pulled me into the back room.  I pointed out I had cooperated and shooting me was a bad idea. He cocked it and I got him in the balls."  He looked at Eric again, blinking his eyes back into focus.  "I had mine on me and I used it on the guy who shot at me.  After he shot.  I wounded him on purpose.  The others I just took down."

"I saw.  It's all right.  Just stay there.  Need to have that looked at?"

"I'm fine. It's just a graze.  I've had worse," he assured him quietly.  The paramedic looked at him.  "I come from near LA."  That got a nod and she finished tying off the bandage, then made him sign a form that listed his injury on it and said he wasn't going to the hospital.  He signed it and took his copy, then hopped up to sit on the counter beside the gas machine while Eric did everything else.  The officers came back.  "Need my gun?"  That got a nod so he pulled it, emptied it and the one in the chamber, handing it over once he put the bullet back in the clip.  Then he pulled out his permit and handed it over. "I'm not going to be shot for anyone unless the world will end if I don't."

"I agree," one said calmly.

The other stared at him.  "You're too calm."

Xander smirked at him. "I'm from near LA.  Do you think this is the first time I've been shot at?"

"No," he admitted.  He looked at the scars on his chest and arms, then at him.  "Really rough place?"  Xander nodded.  "I'm sorry."

"So am I but my parents stopped their mistakes at me."  He took his permit back once they had noted it down.  He looked at Eric.  "Should I move?"

"No.  I want you there.  It's out of the way.  Call and have the store closed."

Xander grabbed the phone with a grunt and called his boss. "Bob, me.  No, no new explosions, gang thugs.  I had to shoot one back when....  Gee, Bob, I didn't know the world was ending and I was supposedly to stand there and blatantly let them shoot me after I cooperated.  That wasn't in the handbook," he said sarcastically.  "No, I wounded on purpose. I'm a damn good shot, Bob.  Small graze.  I'm fine but CSI Delko wanted the store closed so he could work."  He handed it over.  "'Tis the boss."

"Hey, this is Delko.  No, we had five kids come in to rob him and one of them decided to eliminate him.  We've already seen the security footage and copied it, sir.  That's fine. I'll be here."  He hung up and handed the phone back, shaking his head. "Go back to construction."

"Yeah, maybe I will," he complained, flexing his arm.  They all stared at him. "It's stiff.  That's normal."

"He's worked in other convenience stores," Horatio agreed as he came in.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Lieutenant."  He looked at him. "One of them drug me into the back to shoot me.  Another one fired on me when I came back and his guy didn't.  I wounded him."

"That's better than being dead," he agreed calmly, coming around to look at his arm.  "Graze?"  Xander nodded.  "Need stitches?"

"No, it's fine.  It's only an inch deep. I've had worse and no stitches.  You missed your regular soda run."

"I was headed home to rest.  It's been a bad day," he admitted quietly.  He helped him down.  "Come on, let's go outside to take an official statement, Peter."  Xander nodded, carefully walking around Eric's position.  He got him outside and watched as Xander walked around the side of the building to get sick then came back.  "You all right now?"

"I don't like hurting humans."  He sat down on the curb.  "This is one of those times I wished I smoked.  I could use one."

Horatio shook his head. "It's a bad and expensive habit."

"True."  His boss pulled up and he waved.  "Hi, boss.  It was the pitchfork guys.  Again.  Third time this month."

His boss came over.  "They were going to kill you?"

"Just like they did Chad yesterday morning, for cooperating."  He stared at him.  "By the way, when I hit the button, the drawer didn't close."

"I'll have it checked.  You all right?" He looked at the bandage and the small bits of blood.  "You sure you don't need the ER?"

"It's a graze, boss.  It was from the guy who I had to wound."  He stood up. "I'm fine.  I'm pissed I had to hurt a human being."  That got a nod. "When I got drug back, they were stuffing it into a small bag."  Horatio nodded, going to tell Eric that.  He looked at his boss. "I'm sorry, boss."

"I know you are, Xander.  Sit down and relax.  It's going to get more stressful for a few minutes.  At least you managed to save yourself."

"I'm not the running sort and they would've killed me if I had tried," he said, sitting down again. He saw the guy pulling up.  "I didn't know the guys with the pitchforks were cops."

"They're not.  You're an ongoing investigation."

"Why?  Because I was gay bashed back at home?"  Stetler sneered.  "I've already had a really bad day.  Get out of my face, okay?  I don't need your shit and you still stink like it.  Get out of my face," he ordered a second time when it wasn't followed and all he got was a sneer.  "Lieutenant, can I have permission to stomp on this one?"

"No, Peter," he said, coming out.  "Rick.  No officers in this one.  Why are you here?"

"You're shielding someone who's going under an assumed identity."

Xander stood up and dusted his pants off then looked at him.  "The person who gay bashed me was a hacker.  Not like I was going to give her more chances to do it again."

"Her?" he joked.  "You got beaten up by a girl?" he sneered.

"I'd like to see you go two rounds with the girls I ran with."  That got another sneering laugh.  "Unlike you, I don't often hit girls."  That got a glare and he shrugged. "It was pretty clear to me and I'm still watching Speed.  Of course I heard, Sergeant.  Now, this is a robbery where I had to wound someone or else I would've died.  If you don't like that, then piss up your own ass.  No one touches mine for a very long time."  The sneer came back.  "Aww, what's wrong?  Are you having fantasies about me and the Lieutenant inside again?" he shared.  "Your imagination must be pretty broken considering we're both handsome men and you're still not looking happy.  What's wrong? Can't imagine kinky enough for your own pleasure?"  The guy took a swing and he ducked it then blocked the next two and knocked him down, standing on his chest.  "You through?  You don't come up to combat veterans like that, Stetler.  You just don't.  Especially with witnesses like the officers inside."  He got off him and went back inside, grabbing his backpack so he could get his wallet.  Then he got himself a drink, going to sit outside again and drink it.  Horatio came out.  "He swung at me."

"I heard and saw.  That was not nice."

"It's his shit.  He needs to quit pissing up his own ass and treat his woman better.  Then maybe he'd get some instead of letting the repressed urges for sex turn into violence since he can't get it up.  Maybe I should help her find a strap on for you, Sergeant?"  He stomped off.  "Good."  He took another drink.  Then he looked up, seeing the amused look. "It's clear he hit her because he's inadequate."

"He is.  In every imaginable spectrum."  He squatted down in front of him. "Walk me through this, Xander," he ordered quietly.  Xander pointed.  "What?"

"I was mopping in the bread aisle.  By the bagels.  Just past them since I spotted them and thought about bringing some home since Speed complained about the jelly this morning.  I heard the jingle, I looked up.  I warned them the floors were wet while I gathered up the rest of the fluid off my mop.  I put the mop up on my way around the counter.  When no one moved I asked if they needed cigarettes.  We get a lot of gang kids recently who get some about now.  They're usually pretty polite and joke with me.  I look at one and he's got a gun.  I cooperate without any smart remarks.  I swear I did.  I opened the register, I hit the floor switch, I'm drug back to the stock room. I protest I cooperated but I'm not begging.  I'm not like that," he admitted, taking another drink.  "I heard something muttered, I think.  I hear the gun cock, I turn and I got the guy in the balls with a heel strike.  Heel of my hand since he was trying to force me onto my knees."

He took another drink.  "He ordered me to shut up before I attack so I quipped then that I don't.  I pulled my gun, I came out.  The one guy at the register shoots at me, hitting my arm. I get him in the stomach as he turns to run since he sees mine.  The others didn't have one so I put mine back while I open up a can of Sunnydale-style whoop ass."  He grinned a bit. "I haven't hunted in a while but it was still just as good."  He finished his soda and put it down beside him.  "The officers came in when I was finishing.  They called the paramedics.  I made them handle the guy I shot since all I've got is a graze and it's only going to itch," he finished quietly.  "When Delko got there, he watched the tape first after making sure I was okay.  He took it out to the hummer to do something to it."

"We can copy tapes back there," he admitted.  He stood up.  "We'll need you to make an official one at the station.  Can you do that?"

"Can you keep the piss drinking bastard away from me and my past?"

"I can," he agreed.

"Am I going to be charged?"

"No, Xander.  Probably not.  The only thing they could say is that you could have run."

"The guy back there with me would've shot me, Horatio.  There's nowhere to hide back there and no way I could've made it into the scrub brush before he got up. He came out after I shot and I had to kick him back into the room."  He allowed himself to be helped up.  "I'll gladly go make my statement.  I'm hoping I'm not in trouble."

Bob looked at him.  "If they do the system's broken."

"Yeah, well, last month they charged that girl up in Jacksonville for having to defend herself from the same sort of thing," Xander pointed out.

"Jacksonville isn't Miami," Horatio noted calmly.   He leaned into the store.  "Eric?"  Eric looked over.  "I'm taking him to do his statement."

"Sure, H.  It won't take me too much longer.  Tell him they can't charge him for this."

"I will."  He walked out.  "Bob, please keep that tape separate so it can't be copied over  until we can check the copy."  That got a nod and Eric held it up since it was bagged.  "Good."  He walked out and took Xander back to the station.  Eric would bring his backpack and shirts in.  He got out once they were there, walking Xander inside the officers all gave him horrified looks.

"I had to fight back," Xander told them.  "Sorry, no free drinks tonight, guys.  One of them was going to kill me like they did Chad and I fought back."  He rubbed the back of his neck.  "I'm feeling really naked.  Or like I should be on Cops."

"Eric will bring your shirts and backpack in," Horatio said, leading him up to an interrogation room.   He got the video camera, looking at Xander, who nodded.  Once he had it running and he had checked it he came back, sitting off screen.  "This is Mr. Peter Philips, night clerk at the eighth street Sit-Go convenience store."  Xander waved.  "Don't."

Xander shrugged.  "Sorry, Lieutenant.  It's a stress break."

"I know.  Don't anyway."  He faced him.  "From the top, Peter.  Where were you?"  Xander stated to speak, making diagrams of the store with his hands.  Halfway through someone knocked on the window.  He held up a finger and let him finish.  Then he turned off the tape and walked out.  "What?"

"What happened?"

"He's a convenience store clerk.  Someone pulled a gun on him and he had to fight back to save his own life."

"He couldn't hide or run?"

"Not in that area."

"I know where he worked.  Why did he have a gun?"

Xander leaned out.  "You could come in here and ask me yourself since you're screeching loud enough to rattle the glass.  I'm in a reasonable mood for the moment."  He went back to the table and sat down, looking at him.  "I had a gun because I'm licensed to carry one, including concealed.  I work graveyard at a convenience store.  Of course I carry one nightly.  Half the clerks in the city do.  If my coworker who got killed yesterday morning, probably by the same guys, had one he might've gotten away.  Then again I have self defense training Chad didn't."  The detective looked green.  Xander shifted to sit more forward and lean on the table.  "The truth is, I'm from California.  We have worse people out there.  We have kids who carry derringers to kindergarten.  I had two in my class and I grew up in so white-bread of a town it wasn't funny.  We still had white picket fences and people who didn't lock their doors and we still had two five-year-olds with derringers in my kindergarten class."  The detective moaned at that.   "So, yes, when they drug me back to the stock room and the gun cocked, I did fight back.  There was no way I could've run and reached safety.  I had to fight a hell of a lot and I know how to fight in a street battle."

"You a gang member?"

"Do you see tattoos?"

He looked him over and pointed at one.  "That one could be a laser mark."

Xander looked then at him.  "No, actually it was a sword.  It skimmed the skin.  Sorry."  He shrugged.  The detective gave him a horrified look.  "I even know how to use one.  It came in handy now and then.  I have a beautiful battle axe I had to leave at home when I escaped due to being gay bashed.  By the way, the next time Stetler starts in on me about being beaten by a girl I'm so letting Buffy have him, Lieutenant.  I'm so sick and tired of his ass.  I'm not one of you, Internal Affairs shouldn't be on my ass."

"They shouldn't," he agreed.  "Siccing Buffy on him would be too mean however."

"Let him be beat up by the five-four delicate blonde girl," he snorted.  "Let's see how he likes it."  He looked at the detective again. "Yes, I fought back to save my own life.  One of them shot me," he said, pointing at his bandage.  "I hit him in the stomach.  As I aimed for.  I'm a damn good shot, Detective.  I have been for years.  It was necessary.  I can even do it with a crossbow."  That got another horrified look and shudder.  "Now, I'm sorry if you don't like me defending myself.  The only time I willingly lay my life down is to save the life of my friends or if the world's going to hell.  Neither of those were in that store tonight."  He stood up.  "I'm not going to die for some gang kids to come get maybe a hundred bucks from the register and to shoot me because I cooperated."

"Calm down," Horatio ordered.  Xander flopped back down.  He looked at him.  "Then at Xander.  "He's not a detective, Peter, he's with the District Attorney's office."

Xander waved his injured arm.  "Hi.  Am I being charged?  If not, I need to find a shirt.  It's not polite to walk around half-naked in front of others unless I intend to sleep with them."

"I..."  He cleared his throat.  "I want to see the evidence first."

"We also have security footage," Horatio assured him. "Delko has the scene."  That got a nod and he went to call him.  "Calm down," he said quietly.  "Now."  Xander nodded, curling one knee up so he could cuddle that leg.  "Thank you."  He went to check on things, leaving him in there.  A few officers gave him odd looks.  "It appears one of the local gangs decided to kill him tonight.  They got his coworker last night," he said quietly.

"I remember, I found him," one female officer told him, standing up.  "That kid's a good kid, Lieutenant."

"I know.  I see him almost every night on my way home."  That got a small smile.  "A soda for my drive.  He's also the one watching Speedle.  I wouldn't let him do that if I didn't think he was a decent young man."  He saw Stetler storming that way and glared at him.  Maybe Xander had a point about him being beaten on by Buffy Summers.  He followed him, finding him glaring at Xander.  "You needed something with this civilian?"

"He's not.  He's got a record."

"No I don't."

"Yes, you do."  He put down the sheet in front of Xander.  "Mr. Harris."

Xander looked at it and pointed at the part that said 'prior arrests'.  "Nothing's under that.  That means it's not a prior record.  That means the group I was part of was watched by the cops out there because we were doing part of their jobs for them."  He stood up again.  "Yeah, I did change my name.  Rosenburg's a hacker.  If she found me, which she did, I was going to die this time.  That's why Lieutenant Caine had to hand her back to Sunnydale."  He got an amused look.  "Also why my ex girlfriend decided to torch the cruiser she was in because Willow made me leave Sunnydale.  That's not an arrest record.  That's a statement of watching the group.  There was a higher homicide rate out there than there is in Miami.  What did you expect us to do?  Sit and be killed?  Twiddle our thumbs waiting to be killed maybe?"  He got a horrified look and Xander shrugged.  "I've never hidden that I had to do some fighting out in Sunnydale.  All of Lieutenant Caine's team already knew this.  One of them has even seen a journal by someone about my past exploits.  I'm sorry if you don't like it, but with a forty percent homicide rate and the cops aren't allowed to work at night?  Yeah, we did some patrolling."  Stetler backed up.

"You can even consider me a four year combat veteran, Stetler.  I still never beat my women, even when all the ones I dated were so bad they tried to kill me.  Hell, Willow was my best friend since the first day of school and she still turned on me. You're as much of a bitch as she is.  Doesn't surprise me you turn on your own."  He stared him down, moving closer.  "Did you want me to lay there and die, Stetler?  I don't lay down and die for anyone.  Not unless one of two things is going on.  Since none of my friends were in danger and would be getting out of it by my death, and the world wasn't going to end without it, then no, I'm not going to sit down and let some punk bitches shoot me.  I'm not like that," he finished coldly.  "So unless you plan to charge me with something, I'm going home since it's impolite to be naked in front of people who fantasize about you unless you're offering and I've got better taste than that."

"You're using an assumed name and social security number."

"Duh."  He looked at Horatio.  "How did he make sergeant?"

"I'm not sure," he admitted. "Sit, Xander."  Xander sat back down.  "Yes, Rick, he is here under one.  He's a victim of a violent crime and hiding.  It's not like he's hiding from a criminal past.  I'm not going to let him be arrested for that.  The same as I don't let spouses who've been abused be arrested if they do that."

"He could have done it another way," he said coldly.

"Sure, but one guy still had a gun.  He shot at me."  He pulled his pocket knife out and opened the bandages.  "See?"  He showed him the open spot, making him back away.  "Yeah, that's a real injury."  He undid his pants and moved them to show his hip.  "That was a worse one.  That's why I'm not curled up and crying at the moment."  He did his pants back up and sat back down.  "They were going to kill me.  One of them had me back in the stock room to shoot me.  Had the gun cocked before I did a damn thing.  I cooperated just like I'm supposed to.  Like Chad did last night."  He went pale at that.  "Why wasn't that being investigated?  Hmm?  Officers involved in the Mala Noches?"  He turned and stomped off.  "Don't come back either, bitch, I'm not part of your job!"  He looked at him. "I swear the next time I see him I'm calling something to have him eaten," he growled.

"Calm down," Horatio ordered more firmly.

"No!"

"Now," he said more calmly.

"No, sorry.  Nope, no way.  Am I being charged?"  Horatio shook his head. "Then I'm fucking well going to get my backpack and go home.  Right before I think about moving again."  He stomped off, heading back to the store on the bus.  It dropped him off and he headed for the tape. "Can I have my backpack and shirts yet?" he asked politely.

"Sir?" the officer asked, looking confused.

Xander looked around then pointed at the hummer. "Delko still here?"

"In the office, sir.  Delko?"  He stuck his head out. "He wants his backpack and shirts?"

"Just a minute, kid."  He disappeared then came back out.  "You okay?"

"I'm about to kill Stetler for figuring out I had an older identity and picking one me for being beaten by a girl."  He snatched them. "I may be leaving the state as well."  He hiked off, putting his shirts back on as he walked.

Eric looked at the officer.  "He's the clerk this happened to."

"Oh."  That got a nod.  "Okay.  Shouldn't someone have looked at his arm since it's bleeding?"

"I'll make Speed do it.  He's watching him for us."  He called him. "Me, Speed.  Xander got robbed again and he had to hit one.  No, he's pissed.  Stetler again.  I know he's not a cop.  He sneered at him about being beaten by a girl and other things.  No, but check his arm?  The officer noticed his graze is bleeding and I don't remember seeing any bandages.  Thanks.  I don't know, he took off walking.  I know we're in the bario, Speed.  It'll be fine. This is Xander we're talking about.  Who knows."  He hung up and went back inside.  "Sorry. They picked on Xander and he stomped off."

"I'm surprised that one guy isn't in the hospital with the way he was taunting him," he admitted.  Eric gave him an odd look.  "Yeah, I know.  The same as I know his rep out there.  He was a hunter of bad things, CSI Delko.  He protected this store very well."  That got a nod.  "He's the one who started the free fountain drinks but it has gotten us a lot more business on night shift from the officers.  I like the kid but I'm not sure he's going to be home tomorrow."

"He will be.  Speed still needs some care and he's taking care of him for us."

"The one who got shot?"  That got a nod.  "At least he'll understand.  Is he going to be charged?  That's idiocy."

"Probably not.  It's clearly self defense."  That got a nod.  "The one in Jacksonville they were trying to prove a point with and she still got off."  He got back to work going over the tape.  One of the cameras had been out.

***

Xander stormed in just after dawn and headed up to his room.  He threw his pack on his bed and looked around then let out a groan of frustration since he couldn't scream without waking Speed up.

"Let it out," he ordered from behind him.  Xander let out a shriek and he winced.  "Feel better?"  He came in and looked at his arms, finding the one with the blood trail.  He pushed that sleeve out of the way.  "Didn't go to the ER?"

"It's a graze, Speed."

"It could probably use stitches."

"It'll heal."  He got free of him and looked around again then at him.  "You know what?  Have Calleigh or someone move in here.  The rent's four eighty a month.  He takes care of everything else.  I'm going to go where no one knows or cares who I am."  He pulled the trunk out and got to work packing but Speed stopped him.  "Let go," he said calmly.

Speed gave him a yank back, making him look at him.  "Are you in trouble?"

"Probably and I'm going to have Stetler be eaten."

"Not a bad idea.  I don't think anyone would care."  Xander blinked at that. "What? I'm a practical man for the most part.  He's a pustule on the nose of humanity."  That got a nod and Xander calmed down some.  "Now, what happened?"

"Chad was killed yesterday.  They tried it with me.  I ended up shooting one."  Speed moaned and sat on the bed, staring at him.  "So, as far as I know, all they can charge me with is using a false identity.  It's not like it's anyone's identity that I'm aware of so it's not even identity fraud."

"Actually it could be," Speed admitted.  He pulled him down next to him.  "Stay, Xander.  Stay in with me, we'll see how things fall out."

"I don't want to stay in Miami.  I adore some of you guys.  You're a neat step family and things, but I don't want to breathe the same air as Rick Stetler.  He's going to use me to get you in trouble."

"He can't."  He gave him a hug but Xander stiffened. "Sorry."

"I'm too worked up right now," he said, getting up to pace again. "I'm sorry, I'm not good company at the moment."

"Hey, if I had been nearly killed I wouldn't be either. I growled at people in the hospital the whole time I was there."  Xander nodded, leaning his head against the wall, shaking it some, then bouncing it off a few times.  "They can't charge you.  They can ask where you got it."

"Not a clue.  Someone called someone who called someone for me," he said into the wall.  Someone pounded on the door.  "Oh, what now?" he complained.

"Stay," Speed ordered, going down to get it.  He let Eric in.  "What?"

"I dropped some of the evidence into his backpack."

"It's on the bed in his room," Speed offered.  Eric jogged up the stairs and by the time he was up there he was searching for it.  "What did you drop?"

"The bullet that we pulled out of the wall that hit him."  He found the envelope and held it up to look at it.  "How is it not in there?"  He checked, no holes.

Xander looked up.  "Anya, if this is to get back with me, they're going to arrest me and you'll never get sex again while I'm taking it up the ass in prison," he said sweetly.  The bullet appeared and Eric put it into a clean envelope, marking it the same.  "Anything else you'd like to give back?"  The imp appeared and handed him a letter.  "From?"

"Master," she ground out.

Xander read it over then nodded and looked at her.  "Do you swear eternal fealty to me?  No other master?  No other Lord?  No other Lady?"  The imp whimpered. "If you don't I can't release you and you'll be in this house all by yourself when I leave."

"I swear," she said through clenched teeth. "Even my lords are no longer mine."  She shrieked as pain went through her and Xander cut the thing binding her to this plane, letting her go.

Speed clapped.  "Nice show."

"His."  He handed over the letter.  Then he looked at Eric.  "Stetler's going to use me to get you guys.  Don't let him when I'm gone, okay?"

"If you leave someone will definitely charge you.  It's the rule of the universe," Eric said.  "Talk to Horatio."

"I did last night.  He kept trying to get me to play more faint than I am in front of the putz.  I don't play that way and I can't act that well."  Eric nodded at that.  "Need anything else?"

"You're staying for at least another few days," Speed ordered.  "Then we'll see what happens.  Anyone charging you would be very stupid."  He went to answer the new knocking, finding Calleigh down there.  "Hey."

"Is he all right?  They killed the clerk yesterday who was on his shift."

"No he's mad," he said, letting her up the stairs.  He looked at Horatio when he pulled up.  "He's still thinking hard about leaving."

"It would be a mistake to run," he said grimly, heading up there.  He got him free of Calleigh, looking at him. "If you run it sends the worst signal to them," he said quietly.  "If you don't the only thing they can charge you with is using a false identity to get a job.  Your boss will back you and so will the law.  With the situation you were in others have chosen the same path."  Xander sat, staring at him.  "For now, relax and let us handle it, Xander.  You're making the wrong moves."

"I'm fucking cornered, Horatio.  It's not like I have options.  Well, I guess I could've let myself be killed last night or used the mop instead.  Then I'd probably still be dead."

"No one wants that," Horatio promised, stamping down on the pit of anger he was trying to control.  He had been trying most of the night.  "Let Speed take care of you for a few days.  Half the station knew you were attacked and quite a few figured out why when we had to find Willow for you to be safe."  Xander slumped and covered his face with his hands.  "I know.  It's hard and it's counter to what you've been trained to do."

"No, ya think?" he asked sarcastically.  Calleigh swatted him.  He glared at her and she backed off.  He looked at Horatio, who was looking a bit amused. "I'm not going to go to prison for protecting myself, Horatio.  I'll call something to eat me first."  Horatio nodded at that.  "I won't care if others use it to get away from their horrible fates either."  He stood up again.  "Am I clear here?  I did nothing wrong and some people are still blaming me."

"You're right, you did nothing wrong and no one wants to blame you."

"Yeah, tell that to the slug."

"I would but I'd only hit him."  He made Xander sit down again, getting down into his face.  "Take a nap.  After we rebandage your arm."

"It could use a few stitches," Speed said.

Xander got up and took off his shirts, making Calleigh hiss and turn away.  "No, it doesn't.  I've had worse.  It's like a scrape, only a deep one."  He sat down again, looking at Horatio.  "Am I in trouble?"

"Only if you give up.  If you do, nothing more can be done, Xander."  Xander nodded, looking miserable.  "The evidence supports that it was self-defense."  He looked at Eric.  "Why are you here?"

"The bullet he was shot with got taken by someone and put into his backpack.  The little imp thingy that had been cleaning had it."

"Do we have it back?"  Eric nodded, holding the envelope up. "Good.  Match it now, Eric."  He headed off to do that with Calleigh.  He looked at Speed, who shrugged but looked helpless.  He looked at Xander. "For now, let us handle this.  Let Speed bandage your arm."

"I can."

"Let him anyway."  He made Xander look at him.  "Please?  Let him take care of you for a few days."  Xander nodded, slumping fully.  "Thank you, Xander."  He stroked down his hair.  "Just relax.  We have it handled.  They're clearly guilty.  I saw the copy of the tape myself."  He looked at Speed.  "Are you well enough to?"

"Sure, I can do a lot more than he lets me."  Horatio nodded and left.  Speed looked at him. "Come on, all the bandage stuff is in my room."  Xander nodded, following him, looking defeated.  "Trust H, Xander.  We all do because he's never wrong."

"He's not human?"

"No, he is and he's bee wrong in the past, but not about something this important."  Xander nodded, sitting down on Speed's bed so he could bandage his arm.  "Didn't you guys bandage each other back there?"

"Sometimes.  Not always."  He leaned forward to scrub his face with his hands.  "Sorry.  I'm not good company today."

"I understand why.  I'd be pissed as hell too."

Xander looked back at him.  "The last time he had me down there he asked if I was in a relationship with you or Horatio.  I told him if that was his fantasy fine but to quit sharing."  That got a smirk.  "He's a disgusting, diseased slug, Speed."

"He is.  He hates Horatio because Horatio's brother was an undercover cop when he died.  They thought he was dirty even after they figured out what he was doing."  He finished spreading cream over it and then put the pad on top, then gauze around it.  "You didn't go to the ER?"

"For that?"

"Yeah, for that.  Most people would have been screaming in pain."

"It aches some but I've had worse."

Speed touched the flat scar.  "What's that?"

"Skinned by a sword."  He closed his eyes, enjoying the touch.  The finger hit another one.  "Claw.  Slime demon of some kind."  Another one got touched and he shivered.  "Um, knife. I was, ah, practicing with Buffy and she got me by accident.  Pretty deep too."  He controlled his blush.   Another one was touched.  "That's not a scar area, but you can keep doing that?"  He looked back, seeing the smile.  "I could use the cuddle and comfort."

"I know you could.  Come on, curl up with me."  Xander nodded, curling up on his good side, still fully clothed and so was he.  He could feel the misery and he knew the cause. He hoped Horatio managed it this time.

***

Horatio came out of the Chief's office with Stetler, giving him an evil look.  "Are you satisfied with what I knew about him now?"

"No," he sneered. "I still think you're fucking him."

"No, but he knew to have a cold soda waiting on me when I got there every night," he said coolly.  "We are friends, Rick.  If you weren't so worthless you'd know what those are."  Stetler stomped off and he turned, finding his boss standing there.  "That explained your questions as well?"

"It did.  Is the boy all right?"

"No, he was going to kill Rick earlier today and then flee," he said honestly.  "He very surely stated that if he went to jail for having to defend himself he'd be found dead.  Stetler has destroyed an innocent life that only came here to escape the horrors of his last one."

"I heard your earlier speech, Caine.  Save it."  He stared at him.  "Who is this kid?"

Horatio walked him back into his office.  "In Sunnydale there's apparently something that kills people at an alarming rate."

"I looked up the statistics.  It horrified me.  That and their department only works during the day?"

"They can't keep living officers on at night."  That got a moan.  "You remember those elves a few years back?"

"Unfortunately."  He took an antacid.  "Are you saying this Sunnydale has them?"

"Not exactly but the same sort of problems as brought them here.  That's why so many deaths are there.  There's also rumors of vampires and things."

"So, a slayer's there," he said dryly.  Horatio gave him a look.  "I heard about the girl in LA, Faith."

"She's the other one.  Xander hunted with Buffy.  The one in Sunnydale, and probably some with Faith since I was told she was there by Buffy's mother when I went to drop Miss Rosenburg out there.  Xander hunted things like that for four years."

"So of course he reacted when his life was in danger.  I'm not going to see the boy charged, Horatio, relax."  Horatio frowned but forced himself to look relaxed.  "What's your interest in the boy?"

"Friendship."

The Chief snickered.  "And I'm the God of War, Horatio Caine."  He stood up, staring at him.  "Do you think perhaps you might want the boy as your own to protect and cherish?"  Horatio's eyes went wide and he sucked in a breath.   "That's all the answer I need, son.  What about where he's taking care of Speedle from what I've heard?"  He sat down again.

"I don't know.  Speed's closer to his age."

"Technically, he's closer to yours than the boy's."  Horatio gave him an odd look.  "It's the truth and there's been rumors for years about you and Speedle, Caine.  Then again there's rumors about you and Duquesne too.  That'd be kinda cute.  She'd be girly and giggly again."

"I doubt it."

"She would.  A woman in love is always happy and giggly.  Same as young men are, Horatio.  If you love him, or them, then handle it.  As long as nothing inappropriate happens in the labs.  Am I clear?  I've seen you pushing the envelope plenty of times."

"Crystal, sir, but I don't think it's an option."

The Chief gave him a look.  "Son, don't make me find a crossbow to hit you in the ass.  It'd hurt more than that boy's graze does his soul.  Now, go see the boy, comfort the pair of injured ones you have under your wing.  The boy's got emotional damage on top of that graze.  You said so yourself earlier.  Speedle's probably got some too."

"Yes, sir.  I'll talk about it with them."

"Caine, if you don't come in bouncy and happy within the week I'm giving them both a very unsubtle hint.  You're a miserable bastard.  You deserve the love and affection.  Now, go get it, son."  Horatio smiled at that and left.  "One week," he called after him, making it sound like he had been chewing the boy a new one.  Then he called the District Attorney's office.  "Billie, me.  Yeah, she's fine.  Thanks for asking, my dear."  He smiled. "No, about the Sit-Go robbery last night actually.  No, we have one who defended himself.  I'm hoping we don't get a problem like they had in Jacksonville.  No, the boy's down under an assumed name because he was gay bashed."  He nodded at what she said when she found the briefing sheets.  "That's what we're worried about.  Caine said everything backs the boy's story."  He smiled and relaxed.

"Actually I think if you didn't Caine might just owe you, dear.  Sure, I'll let you get the time to look it over.  No, nothing like that.  The Mala Noches were going to kill him like they had the guy the night before.  This one came armed to work.  Permit and all."  He smiled. "Yeah, he defended himself and got them down before the officers got there.  Impressive from what I heard but Stetler hates the boy because the boy caught him thinking inappropriate things about him.  Smarted off; I heard he's about as bad as Speedle at that.  Sure.  Thanks, dear.  Let me know."  He hung up and relaxing planning his 'help' for Caine.  Because he was a stubborn bastard and wouldn't do what he had ordered him to do.  He'd worry it to death first.  "Flowers?  Candy?  Minor trinkets?  Dinner out?"  He started to make notes. A good romantic dinner was what the head of his crime lab needed.  He was a guy like any other, he just brooded more than most.

***

Speed walked into the lab later that night, finding Horatio holding his head in his office.  "Should I tell him to run to Mexico?"

"Speed?"  He looked up at him, shaking his head. "No, he's fine.  Billie cleared him."

"She's one feisty woman. She probably appreciated it."

"She did."   He leaned back.  "No, I have a headache for a different reason."  Speed came in to work on his shoulders, making him moan in pleasure.  "You shouldn't do that."

"I'm not presently on shift.  You have a headache.  I can count this as therapy."  He grinned down at him.  "What's up?  Which case?  Can I help?"

"Not a case, Speed."  He patted his hands and looked back at him. "Some...rumors have gotten back to me."

"About?"

"Us.  The Chief thinks we're together for some reason."

Speed looked at him.  "Am I putting out 'I'm gay' signals?  First Xander and then him?"

Horatio smiled.  "We think it'll take a man to treasure you the way you should be, Speed."

"And the problem is that you really like Xander," he said wisely.  Horatio sat up, blushing some. "Kinda obvious, Horatio.  You're as much a knight as he is but you don't usually ride to the defense of other knights."  He made him look at him.  "So tell me."

"Not here."

Speed went over and closed the door then came back.  "Go ahead."

"He gave me a week to come in like I had a wonderful date or he was going to meddle."

"Huh."  Speed shrugged.  "Well.  There's worse places to be."  He sat on the edge of the desk facing Horatio.  "What do you want, Horatio?"

"I don't know."  He looked up at him. "You've been one of my best friends for years."

"Uh-huh, and the virginal little pure knight is like watching a younger you if you had grown up differently.  We hit different parts of you."

"You're a bit too smart for your own good."

Speed leaned down.  "He loves to cuddle.  He's a bed hog."  Horatio shivered at that.  "He about strangled me earlier.  But my shoulder doesn't feel quite as bad now."  They shared another look.  "We had that one time, Horatio.  I was drunk and I came onto you."

"You did but I still stopped you at the kiss, Tim."

"I know."  He kissed him again.  "We need to make his first time special.  Very special. Those journals and what you found out about his former life?  It needs to be something to make him want to cry."

"I don't want to see him cry."

"Then bring dinner over tonight.  Start slow and work your way up, boss."  He stood up.  "The only real question is are we fighting over him?"

"I don't want to, Tim."

"I know."  He grinned. "Neither do I.  Why do you think I drank so much that night?"   Horatio gave him a gentle, pleased smile.  "You've got more experience wooing than I do.  Come up with something."

Horatio nodded, watching him walk out.  "Wooing?"  He saw Eric lean in.  "Yes, that was Speed."

"They both okay?"

"Fine but a bit confused."

"Boss, hate to mention this but Calleigh and I were wondering if you were going to start seeing the kid."  He came in at the shocked look.  "Really apparent with the way you rode in on the platinum hummer to save the fair squire in distress.  Ya know?"  Horatio blushed at that.  "So, does that mean you and Speed are over with?"  Horatio gave him an odd look.  "H!  Please tell me you didn't turn him down when I got him nicely worked up and loosened up for you!"

"He was too drunk, Eric."

"And then he chickened out and you graciously forgot it except for really late at night when you were alone," he said dryly, weathering the glare.  "You're a guy, of course you whack off now and then."  He rolled his eyes.  "So, the problem is fighting Speed for him or not?"

"No," he said grimly. "It's the age and what he's used to."

Eric pulled Horatio to his feet.  "Get in your hummer.  Go make brownies.  Speed likes chocolate and Xander loves chocolate.  Go make brownies and bring over something nice to eat.  Work your way up to it.  We know the boy isn't adverse to it.  He nearly came in his pants when you hugged him earlier."  He smiled and patted him on the back, giving him a shove.  "Make them, don't buy them.  Even if they're from a mix.  They'll appreciate them more."  He shook his head at the stupidity of some men.  "No wonder I get half the women in Miami!  The rest of the men are lame and stupid," he said in Spanish, dropping his report on his boss's desk and going to talk to Calleigh and tell her so she could help.  She was a girl, she knew how to woo one of them from the other side.  It could only help Horatio.

Horatio knocked on the door for the third time and Speed opened it, blinking at him.  "Take out?"

"And I made brownies."  He saw the drool start.  "Can I?"  Speed let him in, nodding at that.  "Where is he?"

"Eating cereal.  Xander, Horatio brought over dinner."  Xander peeked out of the kitchen.  "Bring a few plates and some silverware."  He walked him into the good study, where they had a chessboard set up.  "I'm teaching him how to play."

"It's a wonderful skill to have," he agreed, setting things down.  Xander peeked in.  "I'll help him teach you, Xander."  Xander beamed and came in, drooling at the sight of the brownies. "I was in a bit of a baking mood.  From a mix but...."  The boy hugged him and he smiled.  "After I've made sure you eat."  Xander nodded, carefully moving the board out of the way and sitting on the floor across from them.  He even held his plate up to get it filled.  Horatio smiled at that and filled it for him.  Filling Speed's just as much since Alexx would complain if he lost more weight.  Xander looked at him.  "What?"

"Trying to figure out if I should make small talk.  Is this like a date thingy?"

"This is a three-way date," Speed assured him before eating a bite.  The boy just blinked.  "Eat, Xander."  Xander ate a bite with his fingers and Horatio leaned over to pick up something and feed it to him, making him blush.  "Good boy.  Move closer?"  Xander moved closer and Speed fed him a bite, then Horatio one.  "He's incredibly tactile."

"I thought you were straight," Xander said, looking confused.

"With about three exceptions and I've made you one of them," he said, staring back.  Xander swallowed then took off running for the stairs.  "Xander," he called patiently, eating a bite.

"I didn't want to scare him."

Speed sighed as he got up, heading up there.  He found Xander in his room and walked in. "Hey."  He pulled him onto the bed, cuddling with him.  "A few years back, I wanted nothing more than to be Horatio's stress relief.  Unfortunately he thought I was too drunk."  Xander looked at him.  "Really.  He turned me down.  Crushed me horribly," he offered with a small grin.  "Then I went out with a really horribly clingy girl and I about quit dating after that."  He stroked over the bandage on his arm.  "Well, today, Horatio realized how he feels about you, which the rest of us knew a few weeks back.  He's never that regular about always stopping in the same place on the way home.  Then I got jealous."  Xander opened his mouth so he kissed him.  Xander moaned into it so he pulled back and grinned.  "Thanks."  He stroked his cheek.  "I got really jealous.  That's why Horatio put me here so I'd have a chance. It nearly crushed me when you tried to give me a way out of our date."  He took another kiss.  "Then I realized this morning that Horatio was still struggling, that he still wants you. That's why I went in today.  So we could talk."

"But...."

"Shh."  He kissed him silent again, staring at him.  "We talked, Xander.  He and I have been friends for years.  If I hadn't been so stupid I would've been in his suit years ago and making him as happy and bouncy as cuddling with you earlier made me.  So we talked.  I don't want to destroy our friendship.  I still care for him and I'm coming to care for you."  Xander whimpered.  "So yeah, it took a while but Horatio quit being so stubborn and admitted he felt the same way too.  So we decided not to fight and to share, see where it took us.  Because the thought of seeing you every night made Horatio leave the office at a decent hour.  That wasn't me.  That was you long before I got shot.  Then last night we both panicked when we heard there had been a shooting there."  Xander shook his head. "Didn't he run in like there was someone chasing him?"

"I did.  For me," Horatio said from the doorway, coming in to lay behind him, cuddling Speed across Xander.  "I was so worried, Xander."  He kissed the back of his head.  "Between that and how you defended me with the idiot today, and then the chief, who said I was spoiled by the attention, I realized what I wanted.  I was trying to make a decision when Speed walked into my office.  After the talk...."

"But three is wrong."

"Not always," Speed assured him, stroking his arm again.  "Sometimes three is just right."

Xander looked at him.  "She'll really kick my ass over that."

"We'll protect you," Horatio soothed, kissing the back of his head again, getting the same shiver.  "We'll talk about this later.  For now, let's go eat.  Then we can work all this out."  He got up and hauled Xander up, smiling at him.  "Everything looks different on a full stomach."

Xander gave him a sheepish grin.  "I'm not sure I can be full."

"You can be," he promised, giving him a look.  "We'll show you later."  He helped Speed off the bed, letting him get the boy's back this time.  Xander let out a full-body shiver.  "See?"  He smirked.  "For now, food, then later we'll talk about the other things."

"For now a date and later we'll see about the after-dating rituals of CSI and convenience store workers," Speed agreed, getting a look. "Now, let's go eat.  I'm hungry."  Xander nodded and let himself be led down the stairs.  Speed knew Horatio was watching them walk, that was the beauty of being young and pretty.  He grinned at Xander.  "So, you really stripped a few times?"

Horatio moaned but Xander nodded.  "Yup, I was so sucky at it they paid me to get off the stage.  It was while I was roadtripping and my car broke down.  I ended up working in a club washing dishes, cleaning the floors, and occasionally having to fill in when they were really short a dancer."

"Was it exciting?"

"No.  I was bored shitless," Xander admitted grinning at them as he sat down in his spot, shooing the fly off his plate.  The other two took their places and shoed the fly off.  Xander finally got tired of it and smacked it when it landed on his thigh.  It flew off.  He did it again the next time he could, this time on Horatio's leg.  It flew off again.  "What are you?  Duncan McFly of the Clan McFly?"  He finally killed it and went 'ha!' and spit at it.  "Got you, you immortal beast."

Speed just shook his head and laughed.  "You're so bad."

"Well, yeah," he admitted then he grinned.  "I'm the official spirit keeper-upper of Sunnydale.  Willow even made me a t-shirt."

Horatio smiled at that. "You've certainly kept mine up some nights when I stopped in to talk."  He fed Xander a bite, watching him eat it.  Then Speed did.  Then he fed Speed one.  "I'm not facing down Alexx if you lose weight."

"I have an active metabolism.  Ask Xander, he probably has one."

Xander shook his head slowly.  "No, I was working construction, going home, making dinner, occasionally doing some laundry, doing three hours of hunting then four or so hours of Anya pleasing before going to sleep and starting all over again."  They both gaped.  He blushed and shrugged. "I like giving pleasure."

"We'll appreciate that about you," Speed assured him, making him blush brighter.

"Boys," Horatio chastised.  "First we'll have to teach him how to give men great pleasure orally."  Speed shivered and hugged himself at that thought.  "Exactly."  He ate a bite and grinned at Xander.  "Not that certain CSI are that experienced."

Speed looked at him.  "I never told you about him?"

"You did.  You also said you were eighteen when he was paralyzed."

"Horatio, how many times do you think an eighteen-year-old guy can get it up in a day?"  They looked at Xander.  "Well?"

"I was dating the self-esteem dissolving cheerleader and getting gropes in the closets.  I was worse when I was younger."  He stuffed his mouth before he could say anything else.

Horatio looked at Speed. "Go get my laptop?"  He handed him the hummer's keys, watching as he went to get it.  He pulled Xander closer by his waistband, looking at him. "Joyce knew about Faith and Cordelia, Xander."  He went pale. "She also knew what happened."  He gave him a gentle kiss then smiled.  "It doesn't make a bit of difference to us if you were a true virgin or just a renewed one."

"No, in this area I am."

"That's fine. I'll enjoy it.  I always did like the teaching and breaking in process."  He kissed him again.  "You needed better taste in women, and now they can't have you back."

Xander blushed and looked down, then back at him.  "Didn't mean to stare."

"Stare away.  You'll see it better later."

"But Speed's shoulder...."

"Nothing too strenuous is going to happen tonight."  He stroked over his nose with a fingertip.  "That'll be for later on in the week, Xander.  Not tonight. Tonight we'll get to know each other better.  I know a lot more about you than Speed does.  That's why I'm giving him the pictures I took from Joyce's journal."  Xander whimpered. "They didn't appreciate you, Xander.  You know that."  He looked over when someone knocked on the door.  "What?"

"It's me, boys."  Horatio got up to let Alexx and Calleigh in.  They gave him back Speed and the laptop. Alexx smiled and handed him the picnic basket.  "You'll never get Speedy back up to his old weight if you don't make him eat.  How's Xander's arm?"

"He said it's fine," Horatio told her.

"Uh-huh."  She pushed her way inside with Calleigh shrugging behind her.

"Eric said you needed help wooing them," she said as she walked past him.  "Since we're here, Alexx, let's check Speed's shoulder so they can have tomorrow off since Horatio's suspended."

"I'm what?"

"He's what!" Speed demanded hotly.  "Why?"

"Oh, Stetler called the FBI on us," she said with a smirk.  "We've already told them he was a victim of violence and hiding from his attacker.  They thought it was cute too until I played the tape.  Then they realized who it was.  She's on an untouchable list and so is he.  So we're okay but they're doing our lab audit and said you're suspended tomorrow.  Stopped the Chief in the middle of having his secretaries to tell him that.  He said something about giving you a nice day off."  She grinned at him.  "So we'll take ten minutes and then disappear again."  She looked at the chinese food then the pan of brownies, smirking at that.  "Good start," she whispered. "In the basket is other stuff and other food for midnight snacks or cuddling in front of the tv and with books."  She came in to look at Xander's arm.  "Eww."

"I've had worse," he said in a sing-song voice.  Alexx gave him a look so he stood up and let his pants drop, showing her the one on his hip, which made her choke and hug him and him struggle to get free, which tripped him into Speed, but he caught him.  "Sorry."

"S'okay. You make a good lap cuddle.   Move your pants though."  Xander removed his pants and got them out of the food, staring at the scary women, who just looked amused.  "He changed my bandages earlier."

"Hht."  She moved Xander, handing him to Calleigh, who handed him to Horatio, who smiled at him, making him blush.  "Xander, how did you do that?"

He squeaked.  Horatio gave him a squeeze.  "During graduation.  Something got me with a claw or something."

"Uh-huh.  Who treated it?"

"Willow."

Alexx stared at him.  "How far away was the nearest ER?"

"Um, ten blocks?"  He shrugged and shifted away from her.  "Sorry," he said then he took off running into the scary library.

"He'll learn," Speed soothed. "I'm fine, mom."

"You're very handsome in that outfit," she agreed, looking at his shoulder.  "Well, it's not too bad.  He's done good with it.  Xander!"  He peeked around the doorway. "You did a good job with this, baby."  He blinked and nodded slowly.  "That was a compliment, Xander, say thank you, mom."

"I don't like mothers.  But thank you."  He disappeared again.

"I wouldn't much like mothers with his either," Horatio said blandly.  They all stared at him.  "They were there cheering on Willow for nearly killing their son for being gay," he said quietly.

"Did he make pompoms and if he did, did you get a picture so I can humiliate him?" Xander called from the next room.  He peeked around the doorway again. "I'm kinda surprised they didn't buy her a cake and a bottle."  He looked at Speed. "I found a normal people book in there."  Speed grinned and held out a hand so he handed it to Horatio.

"We've already seen it, Xander," Calleigh pointed out.

"Doesn't mean I'm showing it off to you."  He spit. "You didn't appreciate it when I let you cuddle."  He disappeared again.

"Where was I when you got cuddles?" Horatio asked.

"When he stopped me from getting the guy from the fire he cuddled against my back," she said dryly, staring at him.  "Your second boy needs a leash."

"You two do know Horatio and I haven't been together yet?" Speed offered.  They both looked stunned.  "Told you that you were dumping the best thing in your life when you put me to bed by myself," Speed said with a smirk.

"You're serious?" Alexx asked.  They both nodded. She rolled her eyes then swatted Horatio.  "Treat my son better!"

"Yes, Alexx," he said meekly, handing him the book Xander had found.

Speed flipped through it.  "I don't read this language."

"I'm shocked," Calleigh teased.

"Hey, Xander, do you read this language?"

"Yup."

"Good, you can read it to us tonight."  He put it on the couch behind him then moved it when he felt the wet spot.  He looked back. "I don't know what that is but it keeps happening."  He shrugged it off and picked up his plate.  "Shoo, ladies.  We were busy and cuddly."  They smiled and walked out, Alexx trying to hunt down Xander but even she wasn't going to go into the creepy library.   Horatio shut the door and came back, sitting down again.  "They're gone, Xander.  Come back so you can read to us."

Xander peeked around the doorframe.  "Can I have my pants back?  I'm not ready to be nearly naked in front of you guys yet."

"We'll get down to our boxers if you want," Horatio offered.

Speed looked at him, licking his lips.  "That presupposes I'm wearing underwear, Horatio."

"You can get naked.  I've seen it before and you have nothing to be ashamed of, Speed."   Speed blushed at that.  "Come on, Xander."  Xander snuck back in, grabbing his pants to put in his lap.  Horatio smiled at him and took off his jacket and shirt, then undid his belt.  Xander stared but he was so red they thought his heart might be giving him troubles so he paused there.  "Need me to go on?"

"If you want," he offered, sounding awed.  Someone knocked on the door when he moved his zipper down.  "I'll beat them."  He got up and went to look outside then peeked around the door. "Hi, boss.  Let me guess, I got fired?"

"Just a bit, Harris.  Can I come in?"  Xander stepped into view and he blinked.  "Never mind.  What did that curved scar come from?"

He looked, then pointed at it.  "That one?"  He nodded. "Dracula."  His boss shook his head. "Sorry.  I wasn't about to die, boss."

"No, the owner's decided to sell the store," he admitted.  He handed him a check.  "That's your last one and severance pay.  I'll gladly praise you to your next boss, Xander."  That got a grin.  "Be good and have a good shower.  Or whatever."  He glanced at the hummer then grinned and walked off.

Xander closed the door and came back to the other room, finding Horatio standing up and sliding out of his pants.  He blinked, losing all thoughts.  Everything but 'toy'.  He must've said it out loud, Speed was giggling and trying to roll around on the floor.

Horatio pulled him closer to kiss.  "It's your toy if you want but Speed gets just as much playtime," he reminded him.

Xander looked up at him and smiled.  "You'll teach me how to drive stick?"

"As soon as you're ready," he promised with a smile.  "What was that?"

"Oh, that was my last boss telling me the store's being sold and I got fired."  He put the envelope aside and sat down, which put him at the right height.

Speed moved behind him, kneeling there. "Touch it, Xander," he whispered. "He'll make pretty noises."  Xander reached out to touch it, making Horatio groan and arch into his hand.  "Gently.  Like you're petting yourself."  Xander got a bit harder and Horatio had to shift his stance so he didn't fall on top of them.  "Now, pull off and see him wobble," he teased.  He pulled Xander's hand away, watching as Horatio wobbled.  "See, that's the power of liking boys."  He kissed his neck, making him shiver.  He let his hand go again, watching as he petted Horatio and took the opportunity to pet him the same way.  When his stroke changed so did Xander's.  "Good boy," he whispered.  "Play with it like you would a toy.  Grip it firmly and stroke."  He did that to Xander and Xander must've squeezed too hard, Horatio's eyes nearly popped out.  "Gently."

"He is," Horatio moaned.  "Feels good though."  He moved closer, kneeling in front of them.  "There, easier on your arm," he promised, taking a kiss.  Xander moaned and felt the cock in his hand get harder.  He moved down to tease the same ear Speed was whispering into.  "Stroke it, Xander.  Play with the head, just like how you like."  Xander's grip got harder and a bit rougher.  "No, more gently.  I like more gentle.  I'm fragile."  Xander eased up and went more gently. "Thank you."  He nudged Speed's hand aside. "Let him watch this time, Xander.  He learns by watching."  Xander nodded and let Speed move to watch them.  He got Xander onto his back, kissing and touching him.  "Like I am you," he said.  Xander did what he was doing, making him groan and arch up into his hand.  "Shh, let it go, let me pleasure you."

"Need harder," he pleaded.  "Please?  Always too light before."

"I've got you."  He gave him a harder squeeze on the stroke up and Xander stayed gentle. "Good boy.  Now, faster."  He sped up a bit, playing his palm around the head.  Xander went limp under him, making him smile.  "I'll still expect some later."  Xander thumped his head on the floor and a plate was moved by his foot.  Horatio learned this new body's responses.  Xander was stuck so he went a bit harder, making him groan and spread out more.  "Xander, let it go.  I want to see you."

"Can't."

"You can," Speed promised.  "Go ahead, we want to see it, Xander."  Xander shook his head.  "Please?"

Xander groaned, arching his hips up.  "Can't."

"You can," Horatio said more firmly.  Xander whimpered.  He looked at him, he looked desperate.  He did what he was supposed to do, moving his hand.  He moved it back and Xander yelped but it was helping.  He finally did get off, but Horatio's wrist was very sore.  They cuddled around him, letting him pant and come down.

Xander buried his face in Horatio's chest. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be.  I'm sure this had something to do with your last girlfriend, the nymphette," Speed soothed, stroking his back.  Xander nodded.  "She cursed you?"

"She said I couldn't."

"She said you couldn't...."  Horatio said, filling in the rest.  "Until she was satisfied?"

"At least twice," Xander agreed.

Horatio tipped is face up.  "I want you to do it on command, Xander, with just a look.  I don't want you to wait, hardly ever.  Am I clear?"  Xander gave him an awed look.  "Am I?"  Xander nodded. "Good.   Now, prove what you learned."  Xander pushed him onto his back and moved down to do what he had been trained.  Horatio stopped him.  "We're staying at the touching stage, Xander.  Stay there."  Xander nodded, kissing him and doing what Horatio had done to him.  It was a lesson learned very well.   His head thumped on the floor from the pleasure more than once.  When he came down he found Xander looking really pleased with himself and still going.  "One an hour, Xander.  One an hour."  He took his hand and kissed it.  "One an hour."

Xander nodded, grinning at him.  "But it was okay?"

"It was good.  Very good."  He gave him another kiss, seeing the happy smile.  "Now, go get Speed, prove you learned it."  Xander grinned wickedly and attacked Speed, making him yelp but fall back to enjoy it.  He came within minutes and pulled Xander down to stop him.  "That's what I want to see you do, Xander.  Almost every single time.  Unless we put something on you to keep you from going over."   Horatio moved closer to hold both of them.  "Too bad we put all the dinner down."

Xander looked and pulled one plate out from under the couch.  "This one wasn't kicked or anything."  He picked up a fork and licked it off then fed them, smiling and happy to be doing it.

Horatio let him, it was nice to be spoiled for a bit.  They'd have to get Xander back later.

***

Horatio looked at the two offered bedrooms then pointed at the end suite door.  "Why aren't you staying in there?"

"Because it's more creepy than the library," Speed offered.  He looked at Xander. "But we could fix that in a few weeks once you find a new job.  He said he's gone for a year to Barbados and then Haiti."

Xander looked at him.  "When did you see him?"

"When you went to work."

"Oh."  He grimaced.  "He said he'd be gone six months last time and I'm not up to that."

"Okay.  So, small bed in his room or mildly less small bed in mine, H?"

Horatio went to look and blinked, then shut the doors and came back.  "There's blood on the sheets?"

"There is?"  Xander frowned and went to look.  He grimaced as well, sniffing it.  "It's demonic.  No worries."  He came back out, closing the door.  "I don't want to know what he's doing in there as long as it's not human."

"Can you prove it's not human?" Speed asked.

"I haven't heard a scream, have you?"

"No....  Then again, that's why someone brilliant came up with the idea of drugging."

"Lets go to my place, boys," Horatio ordered, breaking into the fight.  Speed gave him a pitiful look.  "You only have a full size bed, Speed."

Speed looked at him.  "How do you know this?"

Horatio gave him a kiss.  "Because I went to clean your gun for you when Xander warned me."  Xander shrank down and headed into his room.  "Pack a small bag, Xander."

"Sure."  He came out and went to pack one for Speed.  He came back out and presented them.

"Good, let's go.  Put on something."  They all went to put on pants and shirts, Horatio leaving his jacket for now.  The went back to his house but he did let Speed run inside to get something.  Then they went back to his place and Xander looked around in appreciation.  "Soon you'll have a place this warm and homey."  He led him upstairs and to the bedroom, letting Xander bounce on the bed.  Both older men smiled at that but stripped down to let him do whatever he wanted to do to them. At least Xander took it easy on Speed but Horatio was limp and sated long before Xander was ready to let them take him back into hand and make him limp with them.  Then he curled up between them, letting them cuddle all they wanted.   Horatio looked over at Speed. "Need something for your shoulder?"

"No, surprisingly I can't feel anything," he said, patting Xander's back.  Xander made an inquisitive noise.  "Just patting.  Stay asleep."  He snuggled up behind him, putting an around Xander's waist and onto Horatio's stomach.  "He's comfortable."

"He is. He's very comfortable, if a bit bouncy."  That got a smile.  "Not that it's a bad thing."  He stroked over Xander's hair and kissed him on the top of the head.  "Should we help him find a new job?"

"No, I think he'll be fine," Speed assured him.  "He's made a lot of contacts and there's always jobs open in Miami.  We might want to see if he wants to learn Spanish."  Horatio smiled at that.  "We left the other book."

"I'll let him read that to you," Horatio promised, smiling at him.  "It'll be your special time."  That got a nod and a grin.  "We'll be good to him."

"We will.  Even when we're working together."  He yawned.  "Do you believe the store's being sold?"

"We passed by it and it was closed."

"I don't think I could do that job if you paid me a lot more than I'm making now.  I doubt he was making money like that."

"No, we talked about that.  He was making six an hour."  Speed moaned.  "The most dangerous jobs are always underpaid.  We are."

"I told him this was a fluke."

"It had better not be a reoccurring problem, Speed."

"I don't think it will, Horatio."

"It had better not."  He took a kiss. "Should we pout about the present house?  He said it's four-eighty a month."

"Which is a good deal but it's very odd and seems dangerous."  Speed nodded.

Xander lifted his head. "But it's got the library in case I need anything."

"Buy a copier and paper," Speed ordered in his ear, making him shift.  "It's creepy."

"It is but it's better than living in a hotel room and I'm nowhere near ready to move in with another person."  He put his head back down.  "I'm going to the wiccan bookstore and begging them for the job.  Maybe they can help me find another spot."

"What did Giles send you?"

"Not that much."

"I don't mean to pry," Speed soothed, stroking his stomach.  "We're trying to get you to a comfortable, safe space, Xander.  One where you don't have to carry a gun to work."

"Not like I'll get mine back."

"Yes, but you could get a new one," Horatio pointed out.

Xander looked up at him.  "Not with a shooting on my record, Horatio.  Even if I'm not charged that's counted as an act of violence.  Unless I go black market and if I plan on doing that while dating you two I'll get into trouble."

"You could. That depends on what you buy."

Xander sighed and got up, going to find his cellphone and call Buffy.  "Hey, it's me. I know it's late but I also know you're up, woman.  No, I was wondering if I could have the weapons back.  Please?"  He grinned.  "Actually, if Giles doesn't want that katana, I'd adore it.  No, I got fired.  Someone came in to rob me.  I ended up getting grazed and I shot him in the stomach before taking down some of his friends.  Yeah, basically."  He grinned.  "Please?  I don't know.  Tara?  Or Giles?  Well, I'm up right now," he offered with a grin for them. "Oooh, big announcement. I may have found a boyfriend.  When I'm more certain.  Because I don't want to jinx it, Buffy.  I don't want to make it go bad just because I told you.  I will.  Tara said she's coming down during spring break.  Wherever I am you two can have a couch."

He smiled.  "Thanks, sweetie.  Yeah, I'm up.  I'm in front of a big, clear section.  Why?"  He raised an eyebrow.  "Really?  I could do that maybe.  For me?"  He beamed.  "Thanks!"  He squealed.  "Love you and her of course and mildly accepting of Willow's right to exist again.  Tell him I said thanks and her too."  He hung up and looked up.  "Whenever you're ready."  Two boxes and a large duffle bag, plus a box landed on top of that, making him beam.  He moved and another box fell there.  "Thank you!" he called.  One more thing floated down and he smiled, taking it to look at.  "Aww.  Willow sent a card."  He handed that to Speed and got into the duffle bag, holding up the axe to cuddle it.  "Mine," he said proudly.

Horatio got up to look at the boxes and in the bag. "What's all this?"

"Some of it's mine.  Some of it's Willow's old hacking stuff.  Some of it's the weapons I've modified.  Ooh, and this," he said, pulling out a katana.  "Ethan Rayne, who is a scummy chaos guy who got me possessed a few times, sent this to him but we've uncursed it and now it's a perfectly normal exceptional sword."  He uncovered it and let him see.  "See?" he said proudly.

"Can you use that?  Or the axe?" Speed asked, sitting up.

Xander looked at him.  "I can use everything but the hacker gear, Speed.  I was her weapon's guy."  He pulled out the crossbow but Horatio took it from him.  "I can use that.  I'm a crack shot with it.  It's mine.  See, my initials are on the handle."

Speed looked at him.  "You're strange, Xander."  Xander pouted at him. "You are!  No one else would be cuddling his battle axe."

"But it's mine."  He came over to kneel on the bed and let him see it.  "See?"

Speed looked it over, stroking down the handle.  "It's well used."

"It is.  I used it a lot.  At least once a week."

Horatio came over to look at the axe, then at him.  "Xander, can we maybe buy some of this off you?  Some of us in the department?" Xander shrugged.  "Because some of that is highly illegal."

"Oops?" he offered, trying for cute and innocent.  Horatio and Speed both looked at him. "Sorry.  What's illegal?"

"The two Russian machine guns for one thing."

"But they're better made than ours."

"It's still illegal."

"I'll hide it and let you borrow it?"

"Xander," Speed sighed.

"Can I just send it home?"

"No," the cops said together.

Horatio gave him a hug.  "We'll let the ballistics department buy it off you for exemplars.  That way they're still stored and in use now and then so they can't be destroyed."  Xander looked more cheerful at that. "Thank you.  Now, put the battle axe down and do not bring another weapon to bed, Xander."

"Yes, Horatio."  He crawled off the end of the bed and put his toys away, checking the other boxes, then he came back to look at his card, smiling at it he put that in one of the boxes.  Then he crawled back into bed to pounce them again.  "It's been an hour, right?" he asked with an impish grin.

"Nearly," Horatio agreed, letting Xander attack him and taste him.  He held his head down, watching him taste him for the first time.  "Suck, Xander."  Xander sucked on the side like he was sucking a hickey on a neck.  "The whole thing."  Xander let that bit of skin go and let the head slip into his mouth.

Speed came down to help him.  "Gently, not too much suction, Xander," he whispered. "Just gently. Play with your tongue and your hand."  Xander stroked the rest.  "Good.  Now let more in and add a bit more suction.  Breathe in as it goes down.  When it reaches the back, swallow."  Xander pulled off choked.  "It's all right.  Go get a piece of ice and eat it on the way back up then try it again."  He went to do that, hopping over the boxes and heading down to the kitchen.  He smiled at him. "It's how I had to fight that gag reflex."  Xander came back crunching the ice as he walked.  "Now, come back to it."  Xander came back to the same spot he had been in, between Horatio's legs.  "Go down."  Xander went back down.  "Now swallow."  Xander went down further and Horatio moaned, banging his head on the pillows.  "See, I knew you could."  He stroked his back.  "Come back up."  Xander came back up panting.  "Breathe in as you go down, out as you come back up."  Xander nodded, going back to it, experimenting for now.

Horatio pulled Xander off after a few minutes.  "Too much," he moaned, kissing him.  "Much too much."

"But I wanna taste, Horatio.  It's my first blowjob."  He wiggled back down and got back to his very enthusiastic blow job.  Horatio could only hold onto the bed.

"No teeth," Speed warned.  Xander quit scraping him and Horatio yelped.  "Teeth?"

"Suction," he begged.  "Too much."  Xander eased off and he came, letting the boy lick it off.  He pulled Xander up when he grinned.  "Very good for a first try.  Next time, less suction. I like things slower and gentler, Xander."  Xander pouted.  "It was good for the first time."  Xander beamed again.  "Attack Speed and let him get you off."  Xander cackled and pounced Speed gently.  Speed wiggled and Horatio had to hold his arm before he flailed.  "Xander, more gently.  Remember, he's still injured."  Xander slowed down and got it better this time.  He watched and it was good.  Xander was very good to him and he got to play and tease him until Xander finally passed out in a puddle on the mattress.  He and Speed kissed over him and they curled up around him.

***

Xander looked up when Calleigh came into Horatio's apartment, waving.  "They sent me the rest of my stuff from Sunnydale."

"Congratulations.  What did they send?"  He pulled up a battle axe with a grin.  "Wow."  She came over to look at it, struggling under the weight.  "You're very strong, Xander."  She handed it back.  "What else did you get sent?"  Xander grinned and led her upstairs to go through the boxes with him.  She saw him petting a few.  "Horatio said I needed to expand the exemplars."  She heard the door closed and leaned out the doorway.  "Eric?"

"No, me," Horatio called.  He came up the stairs.  "I was getting new juice."  He came in and looked at the things spread around.  "They're his babies."

"I can tell.  He's rubbing them."  She picked out the weapons bag to carry a few inches away.  She ended up dragging it but it was okay.  She was a tiny woman.  She knew that. Xander handed Horatio a few boxes to look through then he got to work with the other ones.  Horatio slipped a few things back into the boxes Xander was working on but the rest got taken downstairs.  He came back and Xander gave him a few other things.  He checked the laptops, finding one had listings for books so he brought it back up along with some other stuff.  Calleigh looked at the guns, shaking her head.  She put the swords and things aside.  "Xander?" she asked.  He looked up.  "Did you need all the sharp, pointy things?"

"Yeah.  They kill things. A lot of things."

"Okay."  She went back to separating out the guns from the other weapons, hesitating over a few things.  "What's the red versus the purple rings on the grenades?"

"The purple are garlic gas bombs."  She stared at him.  "I fixed 'em," he said weakly.  "It was helpful.  Vampires don't like garlic.  Not even Dracula."  She just nodded and put those aside specially.  "Ooh, the crossbow has really high tension.  Be careful."

"Sure.  How high?"

"I can go through steel with it."  He pulled it over and drug her outside once he found a carbon tipped bolt, putting it through the fence.  And it did go through the fence and into the brick wall behind it.  He beamed at her. "See?"

"Xander, have either Speed or Horatio said you scare them?"

"Only when I was cuddling the battle axe last night," he offered with a sweet grin and a head tilt.

"Uh-huh."  She took the crossbow back, looking it over. "What did you do to make it this high?"

"I changed the screw and the wire type."  He showed her, making it go higher.  He ran back inside to get another bolt and came over to check the fence, then did it again.  It went through the bricks this time and was only hanging by the fletching.  The neighbor shrieked.  "Sorry, but I checked first, ma'am," he called, going over to get them both.  "Showing off how I adjusted the tension."  He grinned and she went back inside.  He heard the phone inside ring.

"Xander," Horatio called.  "No shooting at the neighbor's fence."  He came out and saw the two new holes.  "You're fixing those."

"Yes, sir."  He drug him over to look at the bricks.  "Should I fix that too?"

Horatio walked him back inside, taking the crossbow from Calleigh. "Behave or you can't play with the swords later."

Xander nodded and went back to sorting and tagging things.  Because he knew what they were and he had the bullets somewhere. "Ah, she put it in the zippered compartments."

Horatio came up the stairs with Speed and Eric.  "How are we doing on the sorting of the weapons into legal and illegal?"

She held one up.  "Garlic gas bomb."

He sighed and nodded, taking it to look over.  "Very good, Xander.  You made these?"

"I took out the explosives and redid them."

"Interesting."  He gathered up the other ones.  "Let me call someone to see if we can use those."

"I can make more," Xander called after him.

"Not until we get clearance, Xander."  He went into the kitchen to pray for patience.  He'd need patience over the next few days.  Eric came in and patted him on the back.  "His past," he said quietly.

"I know.  It'll be okay.  Maybe he can find a job making weapons down here."

Horatio looked at him.  "Don't tempt me, Eric.  I know someone in Rapid Response who could use that garlic bomb."  Eric grinned and handed him his cellphone off the counter.  Horatio sighed and called.  "It's Caine," he said, walking outside.  "No, not a new problem but I do have a very nice young man who is a friend who can make you odd weapons."  He stared at the fence.  "He has a crossbow that can send an arrow through a wood fence and a brick fence.  The garlic gas bombs that look like grenades.  That's what I was wondering.  Home," he sighed. "Thank you."  He hung up and called his computer tech.  "Come to my house, quietly.  Because a hacker has given Mr. Harris things that he cannot use.  If we can, it could help us and I do not know that much about computers."  He hung up and went back inside, going to get some juice for him and the others.  "Xander, cranberry or orange juice?"

"Either's fine."

"Sure."  He carried glasses up to the ones up there helping Xander, then went to let others in.  He pointed at the table in front of the couch.  "Watch out for anything occult.  The person who hacks is a Wiccan."

"What ever happened to first do no harm?"

"She's the one who hurt him," he said quietly.

"Ah.  She doesn't follow the cardinal rule then."  He looked at the axe, then at his boss.  "New decoration?"

"Xander's.  He was cuddling it.  Xander?  Did you leave any of the hacking gear up there?"  He bounced down with a few more things, handing them to him.  "Thank you."  He accepted the hug with a smile.  "I've got someone coming to help Calleigh."

"Okay.  If you think it's best."  He went back upstairs.

The tech shook his head. Then he opened up something and groaned.  "Rosenburg," he growled, going through it.  "Boss, she hacked us recently."

"I took her back to Sunnydale."

"Yay them."  He went through the other things, finding a few things he *wanted*.  He looked at the boss.  "What's my goodie budget this year?"

Horatio smiled.  "Whatever I can talk the Chief into."

"I wouldn't ask today, he's pouting."  He put what he wanted aside and looked at the other stuff, making notes.  Then he handed them over.  "Ask a Fed, boss."  He went to call the senior computer person in the city, telling him that Caine had found him a supply of hacker gear if he wanted, if they had room in the budget.  He took the list back and read off the stuff he hadn't wanted, getting a nod.  He hung up. "Boss, Compy Services loves you and him.  Delia will be here in a few to look at them.  She'll have the checkbook with her."  That got a nod.  "What other stuff are we looking at?"

"Mr. Harris is also from Sunnydale.  He was her weapons person."  He sipped his juice, watching his neighbor look at the holes in her fence.  He walked out onto his back porch.  "He was showing off, he did check first, and he has offered to fix the damage."

"He should!  What was that?"

"He upped the tension too high on his crossbow."

"He hunts with it?"

Horatio looked at her.  "Possibly.  He's a new resident and a friend."

She snorted. "Must go through the deer."  She headed back inside, slamming her back door.

Horatio went to let the person from Rapid Response in.  "Upstairs," he offered.  He shrugged and went up there.  Where he squealed like a little girl a few minutes later.

Xander came down looking confused.  "Have you seen my small black spiral bound book?  It'd look like a diary and it says 'boy' on it?"

"It was in the trunk," he offered.

Xander frowned and concentrated, and it fell into his hand minus a few pages.  He scowled and muttered and those came too.  He flipped through them, walking them up the stairs.  "Here you go."  He grinned.  "That's how I did all those things."  He sat down to check his new sword.  It was going to be his baby, just like his battle axe.  His phone rang.  "It's me."  He listened.  "You said six months.  No, I've got a guest over since he's injured.  Well, he was shot and he needed the help.  I can do that.  It'll take me tonight.  Is that okay?"  He grinned.  "Sure, I can be over to do that.  So, did you go out of time or something?"  He listened.  Then he nodded. "Okay. I'll be right there.  No, dinner."  He hung up and hopped back down the stairs.  "I'll be right back.  The landlord came back and pouted at me."  He saw the keys being held out.  "I can't drive a hummer."  He walked into the kitchen then disappeared.  He beamed at his landlord.  "I just learned that."

"Congratulations.  Now, my maid?"

"She was stealing evidence."  He groaned. "She also brought the letter.  I wasn't about to rip her to shreds for it."  He got to work cleaning up the mess and gathering his and Speed's stuff, including the book.  "Can you give me a lift to Horatio's?"

"Fine.  Who was staying with you?"

"CSI Speedle after he got shot.  Oh, you're out of venom bane. I mixed a healing potion for him and they're out at the store I know."

"That's fine."  He shook his head.  "What happened to him?"

"Shot in the chest."

"It was a good idea then."  He got the boy over there and dropped off with everything, then went back to check his library.  The boy hadn't taken anything but a story book so it was fine.   He had probably been reading it and good guys like him always sent things they borrowed back. Xander came back for the picnic basket and jacket in the living room then disappeared again.  He shook his head, but it was all right.  He checked his potion supplies, they were okay.  He looked up.  "You can borrow my potions books, boy."

"Thank you," drifted back.  "I might do that.  Then again, I took them to a copier place."

That got a laugh and he went to check the kitchen.  He had some groceries, it was nice.  Not what he ate.  He did not eat Cocoa Puffs or Fruity Pebbles.  He bagged everything up and a few other things he found, including an envelope with his name on it, and a few other books he didn't want, including a new potion's book he had been given, then drove it to the same place, handing it to the guy who answered the door.  "He left outrageous food and things.  Plus his last paycheck.  Have fun with him.  Tell him I want the story book back sometime but he can have those others."  He waved a hand and left again.

Eric watched the old guy with the beard walk away, then shook his head and went to put things into Horatio's kitchen.  It got him an odd look from Calleigh.  "Xander's."

"Oh."  She nodded, taking his paycheck up to him, getting a hug for it.  Then he went back to playing with his sword.

"No using it in the house, Xander," Horatio warned.

"Yes, dear."  He blew a kiss and the others laughed but he did go into the backyard to practice with it.  He loved this sword.  That's why he had uncursed it with Giles' help.

Horatio came down the stairs, looking in the refrigerator.  "They brought the groceries?"

"The skinny guy with the beard said he left outrageous food.  Fruity Pebbles would be that."

"I like Fruity Pebbles," Speed called.  "Them and the Cocoa Puffs are mine."  Everyone stared at him. "I'm on painkillers!"

"You eat like you're smoking things," the computer tech joked, giving him a look. "How's the shoulder?"

"Good.  The stitches come out soon and then starts physical therapy."  The SWAT guy came down the stairs.  "Buying stuff off him?"

"If we have the budget.  If not, I might have to confiscate the weapons."

"They're mine, you touch them and I'm using his sword to cut you into pieces," Calleigh said firmly.  He stepped away and nodded at that.  "Thank you."  She looked at Horatio.  "He has good taste."

"He does.  But it's a bit scary, Calleigh."

"I noticed that."  Xander bounced in from the backyard.  "Put that away before you cut someone."  Xander put it back into the sheathe then covered it again. "Thank you.  You make me nervous."

"I kinda got a limb on the tree, Horatio, but I can tie it back up so it'll heal."  He grabbed some twist ties and a few small pieces of string out of his stuff and went to do that.  Because Giles had taught him how to do Bonsai trees once upon a time when he was trying to do them for relaxation.  He looked inside and saw Horatio had his head down and sighed.  He berated himself and decided he'd have to get a room tonight.  Because he was obviously wearing on someone's nerves.  He went back to tying on the branch again and then went back inside.  He looked at Horatio.  "I can find a room in a few hours," he said quietly.

Horatio looked up at him. "You're fine, Xander.  Once we get this settled down it'll be more calm. I haven't had this much excitement in a while."

Xander grinned at that.  "Still, I'll need somewhere to put the sword and stuff."  He plucked a hair off him and then went to get more juice, carrying his sword and axe upstairs to put back into his duffel bag with the stuff Calleigh said he could keep.  Then he went onto the back porch glider swing to call the only herb shop he knew.  "Hi, it's Xander," he said quietly, swinging slowly.  "Is my order in?"  He grinned. "Thanks.  Any occulty type shop that needs a clerk?  I got fired."  He grinned. "Well, I do know," he admitted dryly.  He beamed.  "I'll check there.  It does?"  He drooled.  "Wow.  I was going to see how much their apartments ran and if lending library privileges came with it.  No but I have been concentrating on potions," he offered.  "The old landlord came back early.  Yeah, this is my cell.  Thanks."  He beamed and went back inside to hug Eric.  "Two occult shops need register boys."  He went to get more juice, refilling Horatio's glass, getting a small smile.  "One's the major bookstore and there's apartments above."

"Good.  That might work out well for you if you could get on there."  He smiled at him. "It's very responsible, Xander.  I'm proud."  Xander beamed and went to talk to the guy petting his computer stuff that Willow told him to sell.

***

Xander bounced into the bookstore, all grins and things. "Hi."

"Hi, Xander.  Why are you here today?"

"I heard you needed a shop boy."

The girl blinked at him.  "You got fired at the store?"

"He said he's selling it and I got fired because I had to shoot one of the punks who was going to kill me."

"I'm sorry, baby."  She patted him on the hand, looking at the wound he was showing off.  "That's gotta ache."  He shrugged and put down his sleeve.  "So, what can you do for us?"

"Besides learn more potiony stuff from the books and give practical demonstrations of a lot of weapons?  And maybe fix some for the legit and legal hunters?"

"Well..."  She blinked at him. "You can?"  He nodded.  "Wow.  I didn't know that."

"I did for Buffy all the time.  Not like Giles fixed weapons."

"Good point.  Let's go talk about it in the office."  He nodded and followed her in there, coming out a half hour later happier and employed again.  She smiled at his back.  "He's a credit to the community."  She called the owner. "I just solved the hiring problem.  Fifty bucks a week above rent in the empty apartment upstairs.  I thought it was more than reasonable," she agreed. "Harris.  That Harris, yes, boss.  No, he wanted lending privileges for the potions books too.  He also said that if your weapons needed it he might be able to help you repair them.  He did Buffy's."  She smiled.  "That's his phone number.  He just left.  I told him he was first in my mind but you had to okay it.  That's what his salary demands were and he did say he's in a gay relationship, boss.  Yeah. He can do that.  Well, he *is* Harris, boss.  Apparently someone tried to rob his last place and he ended up shooting them non-fatally to save his own life.  Yeah, that's cool.  That's his number and he's probably on the bus.  He said he doesn't have a car around here yet."  She smiled. "Thanks, boss."  She hung up.  "A *major* coup for the store.  He can even keep posers from getting hurt probably."

***

Xander walked back into Horatio's that night, after the run to the bank, the store, and then out to get some metal polish for his babies.  "I'm back and I'm once again employed with an apartment.  It's part of the salary."  Speed grinned at him.  "The good guy's occult bookstore has apartments above it. I'm making a small salary above rent."  He came into the kitchen to help him, giving him a hug.  "Did I hurt you?"

"Not in the least. Would you like to tell me why you were so bouncy?"

"I didn't do anything."

"Like work?"  Xander nodded.  "What did you call last night?" he asked quietly.  Eric and Calleigh were still around.

Xander grinned.  "A night off of fun."

"I can agree with that," he promised. "Go fix the fences."  Xander nodded, going to grab something from his kit and the bag he had gotten on the way home.  He watched him spackle the wood fence so it looked like a knot in the wood and then replace the broken brick without having to tear down the wall.  Then he came back in and got another hug.  "When do you start?"

"Two days."  He grinned.  "More than enough time to move all that up there and buy groceries. All utilities included."  He grinned and went to brag to the others.  "Horatio?"  He looked up from his computer in his study.  "I'm employed and apartmented again."  That got a brighter smile.  "Are you okay?  We, um..  Good?"

"We're fine, Xander.  It's been a very exciting day and I'm catching up on email."  Xander came in to give him a hug. "Where are you working?"

"The good guy's occult bookstore."  He grinned. "There's apartments upstairs and it's part of my salary."

"Congratulations."  He stroked his cheek.  "Speed suggested that you might think about learning Spanish."

"Horatio, I'm from Southern California.  I already can speak a good bit of Spanish."  That got a smile.  "We're second only to Texas and you guys."

"I forgot what a problem LA had," he soothed, stroking his back. "What was Speed cooking?"

"Not a clue.  I'm doing good when I make burgers and grilled cheese."  That got another smile.  "Can we move my stuff up there tomorrow?"

"We can. Or tonight and then come back here once you figure out what you'll need to get?  That way you can do some looking online?"  Xander shrugged. "Go get your stuff, we'll take the hummer."  Xander nodded, going to gather everything he had put in the closet, bringing it down the stairs and to the hummer, then going back for more.  Horatio watched the second duffel bag.  "Where did that come from?"  Xander shrugged and looked then blushed and showed him, making him blush.  "Anya?"

"Probably."  He put it outside too and then checked the closet, finding his journal in there.  He put it into the trunk and a backpack in there, then they headed over to put things down.  They found it decorated in tapestries, real ones that had been woven, not printed ones, and soft shag carpeting.  It had a ratty old couch and a chair, plus a table in front of the couch.  It had a small tv.  In the bedroom it had a queen sized bed and a bare closet.  Xander got to work while Horatio waited, putting the weapons up and then blessing the space with the stuff left in the kitchen.  Then they went back to his place while Xander made some notes.  Xander smiled at Eric when he came back.  "I need cable."

"Get Dish Network, it's cheaper.  Plus you'd need a phone line anyway."  Xander nodded, going to put that down on his list.  Eric looked at Horatio, who looked amused.  "How bad is it?"

"It's very comfortable if a bit worn out.  The couch needs a slipcover."  Xander added that.  "That can be a good sheet, Xander."  That got a smile and he made that note.  "It's got shag carpeting and has actual tapestries up already.   He put up his favorite weapons as decoration on the walls."  Calleigh smiled at that.

"The best part is I save on bus fare getting to work.  All I have to do is walk down the back stairs," Xander quipped, grinning at them.  "Speed, can I help cook?"

"No.  I'm nearly done, Xander."  He came out to look at the list.  "Lightbulbs, trash bags.  Normal household stuff."  That got added.  He looked at one entry.  "Why do you need a whet stone?"

"My axe needs sharpened."

"Oh."  He went back to the kitchen.  "Someone set the table.  Eric, are you two staying?"

"Probably," Calleigh agreed with a smile.  "Because I'm too lazy to cook for myself."  Xander looked at her.  "It's a long running joke, Xander."

"Okay."  He went back to cleaning up his mess and helped Eric set the table.  They both had to look for stuff, meaning they didn't usually come to hang out at Horatio's.  Which made him happy but he stamped on the bit of jealousy he was having.  He looked at what Speed was doing.  "Real food?"

"Yes, real food."  He turned him around and given a small shove.  "Finishing helping and I'll feed you."  Xander went to do that, making him shake his head.  He dished up food and Horatio brought it out for him, leaving him to run water in the empty pans for later cleanup.  Horatio had a dishwasher, which would make it easier once they got rid of their friends.  He walked out and sat down in his spot, across from Xander, getting a shy smile.  "I'll take you down to the really good thrift shop tomorrow," he offered.  Xander smiled.  "It'll keep me from being bored."  Xander gave him a look.  "It'll also be cheaper for you."

"I know.  Are you bored?"

Horatio coughed.  "There's levels to Speed's boredom, Xander."

"He's missing the lab," Eric agreed.  "He'll try to sneak back in this week."

Speed looked at him.  "I was up there the other night."

"Good for you, you still have to do rehab on your shoulder," Calleigh pointed out.  He groaned.  "They'll restrict you to lab-only duties soon."

"I got around it the last time."

Xander stared at him.  "If you do that and something happens in the field then no one's going to be able to get to you in time."  Speed stared at him.  Xander stared back.  "I stopped Buffy from going out with too bad of wounds too."

"I'm sure you went out with stitches."

"Yeah but not when they limited my movements."

"Fine.  I'll be reasonable for another week or so.  I'll let you take all my attention."  Xander kicked him under the table.  "What?"  Xander just stared at him and he shook his head.  "I won't do stupid things."

"Good, that's my job."  He ate a bite.  "It's good, Speed, thank you."

"Welcome.  No more doing stupid stuff, Xander."

"I could've used the mop instead of my gun."

"That would have been a worse scene for them to clean up," Horatio said firmly.  Xander slumped and nodded.  "It'll be fine, Xander."

"Yes, Horatio."  Horatio made him look at him and smiled.  "I'll be fine."

"You weren't having nightmares last night."

"I'm well past that stage in my life."  He got up and went to the bathroom, making sure they all heard him washing his hands.  That way he didn't have to see the looks they gave each other.  Because Calleigh and Eric had given each other knowing looks when he had chastised his new lover.  Horatio knocked.  "I'm nearly done."  He came out drying his hands.  "Sorry."

"That's all right."  He gave him a smile and a hug.  "Someone's got to beat some sense into Speed."  He made Xander look up at him.  "You don't have nightmares?"

"We lived nightmares, Horatio.  I have very few left."  He stroked his cheek.  "I'm sorry if I overstepped some boundaries."

"You didn't.  They thought it was cute you're making him behave.  Even Alexx can't do that."  He smiled again, giving him a cuddle. "Come eat."  Xander nodded, going back down with him.  "Eric, Xander was even good enough to fix Speed's toilet for him."

"It's been a long standing joke that Speed works so many hours so he has a working toilet to use."  Calleigh poked him. "It was."

"Well, yeah, it was," she admitted, grinning at them.  "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine.  Sudden call of nature.  My stomach's not used to real food."

"I remember that time after college," Eric sighed.  "My mother had to make me eat real food for a week before my stomach quit liking the dorm slop."

Xander made a cross with two fingers.  "College evil.  Go away."

"Sorry," he offered with a grin.  "We had to go for the job."

"I'll stick with manual labor, thanks."  He got back into eating, looking up when Speed kicked him.  So he chewed slower.  Speed continued to stare at him.  "What?  Did I slurp?"

"No," he said, shaking his head.  They'd have to go over non-verbal communication with him too.

"Just kiss him already!" Calleigh sighed. She looked at Eric.  "I know all you men are clueless because you're men and therefore inferior, but work on Speed, okay?  You've got to have absorbed some womanly superiority with all the ones you've dated."

"Sure."  He looked at Speed.  "She said you're inferior and dumb."

"Amazons have a few points and easier sex lives but they still had to go steal guys," Xander told Calleigh, who blushed.  "Especially to open stuck pickle jars.  Even Buffy needed help with that."  She blushed brighter red.  "Besides, if women are so superior then none of you would be working, you'd have harems, you'd be running this country, and unfortunately someone's long-ago plan to take over the world from the bottom isn't working.  You guys need new PR and strategy people so you can take over the world the way you should've back when we all wore furs."

She laughed.  "True, we could use some," she agreed, smirking at him.  "Then again, we do run the country.  Look what happens when the president doesn't get some for a few weeks.  He cheats and gets into trouble."

"Yeah, because he was a dumbass and she was a skank.  Who keeps the dress with nasty crap on it?"

"Gotta agree on that point.  That and he has bad taste," she agreed.

"Don't look at me, all I had around me were skinny, deadly women."  He shrugged.  "I had worse tastes."

"You did," Horatio agreed smugly, smiling at him. "They'll get there someday soon.  Then all of us who're overprotective of our women will end up being harem guardians."

"Favored pets," Calleigh assured him.  "The memos are starting around now, Horatio," she said sweetly.  "Guys like you who go all overprotective will be nicely collared and chained on the foot of our very soft beds to be stroked by at least a foot to keep you calm all day."  She smiled sweetly again.  "So, did you want to be mine, since I've got to do the same thing to Eric and Tripp, or did you want Yelina to hold your leash?"

He gave her an evil look then smirked.  "We'll have to see, won't we?  May the best woman win."

Speed looked at him.  "I don't think it's gonna matter, Horatio."  He looked over at Calleigh.  "What about all the gay guys?"

"Hell, we need shopping buddies.  I can't take Eric bra shopping with me."  Xander shuddered and shrank away from her. "It's all right, I won't ask you."

"Thank you.  Viccy's scares me.  Toothpick women without real breasts, fake women, women who don't eat, and women without imagination.  Eww."

"There's better places."

"Eric, I was a lowly construction worker," Xander complained.  "I didn't make that much."

"Point.  Anya?"

"Yeah.  That's how I know it's a scary and evil place.  The same as most clothing stores are."

Speed nodded at that.  "They can be but every now and then you've got to replace stuff."

"Wal-mart.  They have socks."

Horatio shook his head. "Sometimes you need better things, Xander."

Xander gave him an odd look. "Maybe you do.  All I have to do is fight the sock gremlin.  The occasional underwear gremlin."

"Gremlins?" Eric teased.

"How else do they get holes?" he asked, looking perfectly serious.

"Have you seen one?" Calleigh asked.

"Anya claims she had.  She said it liked how I tasted since it was nibbling on her favorite boxer shorts.  Never, ever let a woman tell you to wear silk boxers while doing construction."  He stuffed his mouth.

"She can't have you back.  Miami is very possessive," Horatio said firmly.

"Does that mean we've got a hellmouth and I've got to stop it too?"

"No but some residents are still highly possessive of what's theirs," Eric assured him. "Calleigh's harem never gets away from her."

"I'm going to shove you in the next dumpster job," she told him.

"Wait until it's one at a taco or other fast food place," Xander offered.  "You'll never get those clothes cleaned."

"True."  She smiled sweetly at Eric, who just slouched down.

"Take it like a man, Eric," Horatio taunted.  "If you can love half the women in Miami, you can deal with Calleigh."

"But she's scary, I don't sleep with scary women." Everyone but Eric and Xander burst out laughing.  Even some people outside started to laugh it sounded like.  "Hey!" he complained.

Xander gave him a sympathetic look.  "Wanna trade scary women stories?  I'll put Cordy up against anything but the Incan mummy or the bug lady."

"Ummm, no thanks.  I think yours are worse," Eric decided.

"Yes, they are, Eric," Horatio agreed.  "Then again, his last one is free."

Xander looked at him.  "Don't do that to him.  He'll never be able to afford rent and things if he dated Anya."

Horatio stroked his cheek, smiling at him. "She can't have you back."

"She wouldn't want me back, I'm working in a low paying job.  Plus she complained constantly about the lack of orgasms."

"We heard, she visited," Calleigh assured him.  Xander gave her a look.  "She did."

"I'm sorry.  I know she's scary and somewhat possessive of me."

"You're ours now," Speed reminded him.

"Is there a vengeance demon over scorned boyfriends?" Eric asked.

Xander nodded and stuffed his mouth.  "His name's Chuck and he's very flamingly gay," he said when he swallowed. "Nice guy but very flaming.  Swishy hand and all.  But a great guy.  Love the guy.  He helped me work on my wardrobe the last time Anya nagged."  He ate another bite.

Horatio patted Xander's arm and gave it a gentle stroke.  "You won't need to call him again, Xander."

"Not even for shopping help?"

"That we can let Eric or Calleigh help you with," Horatio promised.  That got a grin from Eric and a headshake from Xander.  "No?"

"He wears sweaters in the middle of summer in Miami.  He apparently has freon for blood."

"Only if you're a bad guy but H does that so much better," Eric offered.

"No, he's warm and let me cuddle when I was half-asleep earlier.  If I cuddled you I'd get a chill.  No human can wear sweaters like you do."

"Keep it up, I'll introduce you to my sister," he taunted.  "She's the major shopper in the family."

"Eric, you've said Mari's scary.  If scary women are drawn to him I might have to put my foot down when she starts to stalk him," Speed noted lightly.

Eric considered that then shuddered.  "No, momma wouldn't want her to bring him home.  He'd appreciate all the food but no.  Bad thoughts. Oh, so bad thoughts."  Calleigh gave him a hug and so did Xander. "Thank you."  He hung his head, listening to Horatio snicker at him.  "Just think, H, if he and Marisol become really good friends, she'll get to come hit on you more often too."  That stopped the laughter and he grinned at Xander.  "You're not allowed to like my sisters."

"I've always been surrounded by girls."

"So?  You can't like my sister."  He gave his head a gentle shove.  "You can tolerate her, you can help her shop, you can't like her."

"Okay, I won't."  He looked at Horatio.  "What about the guy they're letting you get to fill in Speed's spot until he's back?"

"I found the one I liked earlier today and he might like you," he offered. "He's younger."

"Can I scare him?" Speed asked.

"No, Speed."

"But, Horatio, it's a time honored tradition.  I scared Eric when you first brought home that stray mutt."

Xander looked at him.  "You're not that scary.  If you want to scare him you can bring Anya and introduce her.  She might like him if he's nice."

They all stared at each other and Speed shook his head. That was too mean even for him.

***

Speed looked at Horatio.  It was just them, finally, alone in bed while Xander cleaned up in the bathroom.  It was all gentle and cuddling between them at the moment.  He heard the shower shut off and Xander humming.  "Think one of these days he's going to see us like this and shout 'bonzai' before diving in?" he teased.

"I can see Xander doing that," Horatio agreed.  "Of course, he'll have to replace the bed when the pounce breaks the springs."  Xander peeked out.  "No bouncing on the bed."

"Okay, I wasn't planning on it."  He slid in behind Speed, cuddling his back. "I'm sorry I'm so energetic sometimes."

"Why were you energetic today?"

"I didn't work."

"You moved stuff, you sorted stuff."

"Yeah but that was still day off stuff.  So I'm having a day off of bounciness."  He snuggled in harder. "Are we cuddling in tonight?"

"If that's what you want."

"Please?  I just wanna be *here*, ya know?"

"Yeah, I felt the same possessive jealousy," Speed admitted. "I love Eric but I liked it better when he left tonight."  Horatio looked at them.  "We're allowed to be possessive and jealous of your time, this is still very new and we don't want to share you yet."

"I understand that.  I'm sure I'll be jealous over the time Xander spends with his other friends."

"I have other friends?"

"I'm sure you'll make some."  He stroked over his hair, then Speed's.  "Don't get too scruffy, Xander.  I'll never tell you two apart in the dark."  Xander blushed at that, shaking his head.  "Good."  He let them cuddle up around him, Xander shifting over to get his back.  "So you two are just going shopping tomorrow?"

"Yup.  The thrift store, maybe the dollar store for sheets."

"Wal-mart, I like t-shirt sheets."

"You know Wal-mart closes smaller stores, right?"

"Yeah but it's too convenient to care."  He gave Horatio's stomach a squeeze.  "They were teasing me about getting a familiar."

"That would be up to your landlord, Xander."

"Point."  He smiled when he heard Speed snore, looking over Horatio's shoulder at him.  "He's very pretty like that."

"He is," he agreed. "He's relaxed and he's not scowling."

"I got one of those earlier."

"It happens even to me, Xander."  He patted the arm around him.  "Fall asleep."

"It's still early."

"Having trouble adjusting from night shift?" he teased.

"No, but I'm only used to four hours of sleep a night."  Horatio shifted onto his back to look at him.  "I wasn't getting very much between her, work, and my other duties."

"You should get more sleep.  Sleep helps recharge the brain."

"I was never a long sleeper."   He put his head down on Horatio's chest, yawning a bit.

"You used to wait up until you were sure they passed out?" he suggested, petting over the back of his hair.  Xander looked up at him.  "My father was like that," he admitted quietly.  Xander relaxed and nodded, putting his head back down.  "You're safe and protected here, Xander.  Nothing and no one is getting in here without me throwing fits."  His phone rang and he answered it.  "Caine."  He frowned.  "Xander, call your new boss?"

Xander called her once he found his phone.  "Hey, boss, Horatio said to call you?"  He smirked.  "That's the one Merry gave me the key to.  I noticed that but it didn't have sheets and that's the one she gave me the key to.  I can come move the stuff to the other one if you want."  He nodded. "Sure."  He got up and found clothes, not putting on underwear or socks. "I'll be there in a few.  Yeah, make them go away.  Please?  Thanks."  He hung up.  "I'll be back soon.  Um, unless you want to go to sleep?"

"No, I'll drive you over," Horatio promised, getting up and grabbing something to put on. He walked Xander out to the hummer, smiling at him.  "I'm sure it was a misunderstanding."

"I hope so."  He climbed in and Horatio drove him over, enjoying the silence with him.  They parked behind the other cop car and got out, him looking at the officers he vaguely knew, not one of his regulars. "Guys?"  One of them smirked at him.  "She gave me the key to there."  He walked upstairs, finding the boss. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault.  I need to spank Merry."  She smiled and exchanged keys with him.  "There.  Now let's go get your stuff.  She's still ranting."

"I don't mean to upset anyone."

The woman inside the apartment flung open the door. "What sort of nature person uses swords?" she sneered.

"One from Sunnydale who hunted with the slayer," Xander shot back, giving her a look.  She went pale and stepped back.  "Sorry, Merry gave me this key and I didn't see anything like clothes or sheets that said someone else lived here."

"No, I am moving," she said, forcing herself to be more calm.  "I still have to get my tapestries and stuff."

"Sure, I get that," Xander promised, smiling at her.  "Are you leaving any of the furniture or should I find something cheap and used?"

She looked at him. "You're not violent?"

"Not unless you're attacking me or someone else."

"Oh."  She blinked.  "Okay.  Um, I can move the rest of the stuff tomorrow. I saw you did the blessing?"  Xander nodded, walking in with the boss. "I'm sorry I caused such a stink, boss."

"No, that's okay.  Merry obviously thought you had already moved."  She patted her on the cheek.  "Xander's learning the fine art of potion making."

"Good. It's a good art to have," she agreed more calmly. "It'll take me most of tomorrow."

"That's fine.  I've got to get sheets and stuff."  She smiled at that.  "And a bed if you're taking yours."

"I am and the couch but you can have the old chair.  I think it's about to fall apart."  Xander grinned at that. "Thank you."

"I'm just sorry for the mixup," he soothed, giving her a hug.  She smiled at him. "Moved to a higher paying job?"

"Bank job.  More steady.  The hours can be a bit spotty in the off-months."

"I've been there before.  We worked with Giles at the Magic Box.  It was mostly free labor during the busy times."  She giggled at that.  "I don't mind if you need extra time.  I plan on coming over tomorrow night and staying over then if possible but if you need stuff after that just ask."  She nodded, giving him another gentle hug.  He gave her a squeeze. "It'll be okay."  He looked at the walls.  "Where's my katana?"

"The bedroom.  I needed to take the legs off the old dresser."

Xander pulled back to look at her.  "Hammers are so much easier."

"Sorry."  He grinned and went to help her, bringing his sword back to clean off and put back up.  He'd deal with the blade scratches tomorrow.  "Thank you, Xander."

"You're welcome.  Expect to see me on and off tomorrow as we drop off stuff.  If you need help, let me know."  He grinned and kissed his landlord on the cheek, taking back his old key, making her smile. "I can't forge swords but I'm willing to help with the other stuff."

"I heard.  We'll figure out if you can, dear.  Now, go back to bed.  The redhead is adorable."  He blushed and hurried down the stairs.  She looked at her former worker. "Sorry."

"No, you needed him and he clearly needs you. He's still healing from there."  She smiled.  "I don't have too much more stuff to get."

"Thank you."  She went down to tell the officers what had happened, getting nods and tolerant looks for the hysterical young woman.  They went off, she went home to her husband, and Xander and Horatio went back to bed with a stop for milk Speed's cereal in the morning.

***

Horatio smiled on his way past his boss.  "Still pushing, sir?"

"I am.  I don't see you being happy to be back, Lieutenant."

Horatio looked at him. "I'm always happy to be back but I'm not the cheerleader sort, sir."

"No, but that one boy is," he teased with a smirk.

"Perhaps.  He did date one."  That got a shocked look.  "Anyway, he's moving into a real apartment today with Speed's help."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not.  Personal matters will work themselves out, Chief.  Pushing only makes them go sour faster."  He walked off with an enigmatic smile, nodding at Frank.  "Morning, Frank."

"Morning, Horatio.  Good date?"  Horatio paused to stare at him. He grinned.  "Calleigh was squealing with Alexx a few minutes ago and I overheard."  Horatio moaned.  "I think it's cute you're adding to the one you already had," he teased.

"Frank, I wasn't having a relationship before."

"Yeah you were."  Horatio shook his heading, giving him an amused look.  "You and him weren't...."  Horatio shook his head again.  "Huh.  I've apparently got to work on my deductive skills then."

"Might be good, Frank, but you're not the only one who thought that.  It is an incredibly close friendship."

Calleigh and Alexx came up to them.  "Or at least now it's a lot more friendly of one," she teased.  "When is Xander settling in?"

"Today."

"So we can bring him food tonight?" Alexx suggested.

"Give him another day, Alexx."

"Fine. I can do that. What's Speedy helping him do today?"

"Hit the thrift store and find furniture.  There was a small issue last night when he started to move in that the last person hadn't fully moved out yet."  She smiled at that. "He got called at four this morning."  Why they had called him....  Well, he'd take that up with someone later tonight.  "Do we have anything yet?"

"Not yet.  Let them have the time to try to stump us with how they dump the bodies," Calleigh said with a small grin.  "What does he still need?"

"That depends on what she's leaving.  It was fairly decorated last night."  He headed off to his office to see what was going on in there.  The night shift had apparently been allowed to come in.  He found a reminder email from his boss reminding him he only had five more days or else he'd have to meddle.  A few new pieces of paperwork he got down to.  At least it killed time and it kept his mind off the trouble Speed and Xander could be getting into.  He had to remind himself over and over Xander would watch out and protect Speed for him.  Xander was very overprotective of Speed.  So much so even Eric had seen it and laughed about it last night.  Alexx walked in and he glanced up.  "We have something?"

"No, but how did the picnic go?"

"Better.  Though a bit interrupted."  He looked up.  "We had a good picnic on the rug and teased him a lot.  Then we went back to my place but his landlord came home so he had to go home and pack suddenly."

"I saw the end of that yesterday, Horatio.  How did the rest of the stuff go?"

"How long has everyone thought Speed and I were together?"

"About two years now that everyone's been *certain*."  He groaned and shook his head.  "Not like you date openly."  She smirked at him.  "Yelina thought it was cute."

"She would," he sighed.  "And now?"

"She hasn't met Xander yet.  She's probably the only one who hasn't met Xander yet."  Horatio looked up and prayed.  "Bring him by later today for lunch.  She'll be here and so will your nephew after school.  Remember, he's got to do the interview thing for Civics class."

"Point."  He looked up at her.  "You can ask Speed and see if they'll be free since he's driving today."

"You're letting him?"

"Not like I can stop him, Alexx."

"On his bike?"

"Not with them going shopping.  They rented a car for the day."

"Oh, good."  She went to call Speed and order him to bring the boy by for lunch today so Yelina could meet him and the others could meet him properly.  Then she finally got a call and her meddling was interrupted for a little while.

***

Horatio smiled when Yelina and his nephew, Ray Junior, walked up to where he was.  "How is your report coming?"

"Okay I guess. I need the interview to finish it off.  Then I have one on alternate religions."

"You could ask the young man with Speed.  He works in a Wiccan bookstore. I'm not sure that's his path but he should know quite a lot."  Ray grinned at that and headed to find Speed and this new guy.

"Young man with Speed?" she asked, glancing around. "Horatio, is he cheating on you?"

"We've just barely gotten together and we're all together, Yelina," he said bluntly.  She gaped.  "I don't know why everyone thought I was with him two years ago."  He walked off, heading to lunch with the others.

She followed a few minutes later, watching the young man.  He was goofy and relaxed but there was some tension there. Calleigh was teasing him about a battle axe?  She walked in and got her lunch out of the refrigerator, sitting down across from him. "Hi.  Yelina Salas."

"Xander Harris," he said, shaking her hand with a happy grin.

"He's new to Miami," Speed said, patting Xander on the back.  "Yelina is Horatio's sister- in-law and one of our detectives."

"That's kinda cool.  You should've been there yesterday when I was cleaning out the computers and stuff."

"Then you'd be the reason the Rapid Response commander was so happy this morning," she guessed.  Xander blushed but shrugged.  "What did you do?"

"He turned some grenades into garlic gas bombs.  I heard they're fairly strong and stink all to hell and back," Calleigh offered, "but the people inside ran out."

"That's why I made them."  He grinned and ate a bite of lunch.  "She didn't take the tapestries. Apparently those aren't hers.  But I have a new bed and Speed told me what to get.  Plus a new used couch.  And a sheet to cover the ugly thing."

"I told you to get something comfortable to sit and sleep on.  Ugly can be covered up.  Uncomfortable means you don't get too many visitors."  He grinned at Horatio.  "He fixed the old chair this morning with some nails and things.  We also did a real grocery shopping run so people can teach him how to cook.  Even if I did stick with things in his skill range.  Minute rice.  Rice a roni.  Chicken he can bake.  I had to nag him to buy decent pots too."

Xander looked at him.  "They were really expensive."

"Yes, but you shouldn't have to replace them every year.  Especially not with how little you cook, Xander."

"Point."  He looked up and waved at the guy glaring at him. "What?   Horatio said to bring Speed in for lunch."  Rick stomped off.  He shrugged and looked at Yelina again, grinning at her.  "He does not like me."

"Ignore him.   His opinion's not worth the stress of getting on his good side," Frank offered, smirking at him.  "So, this battle axe of yours?"

"Is very pretty.  It's silver. Pure silver heads and stainless steel handle."  Frank gaped.  "It weighs about thirty pounds."

"You can lift and use it?" Yelina asked.  Xander beamed and nodded.  "Why?"

"I grew up in Sunnydale," he said, staring at her.  Her eyes went wide. "I noticed the accent.  Old rumors down there?"  She nodded, taking a drink.  "Let's just say I was helping out there.  I can use my axe very well.  It's one of my favorite weapons until Giles got that katana and we cleaned it up.  Then I got it."  He grinned.  "It's really cool and a lot lighter when I need something lighter."

"And sharper," Horatio reminded him.  "The girl last night used is to cut the legs off her dresser."

"She wasn't holding it properly but it wasn't that great of wood, Horatio."

"Good point.  It was still very sharp."

"Ooh, I fixed the fences."

"I'm sure she appreciates that, Xander."  He smiled at him.  "What did happen to that crossbow?"

"It's in the bottom of the new dresser, along with the other weapons he couldn't decorate with," Speed offered.

"Oh, good."  He looked at Yelina.  "He was playing with his crossbow to show off and had it on a higher tension setting.  He sent two carbon tipped arrows through my back fence and into the brick wall on the other side."

"Interesting."  She smiled at her son.  "Xander, Raymond has to do a report on alternate religions.  He's in Catholic school."

"Have him come down to the shop.  We've got me, who's a bastardized form of Wicca.  We've got the two true Wiccans who run the shop.  We've got Santeria priestess who comes in fairly regularly.  She's in there whenever I see her.  We have a few Buddhists who come in for incense.  Plus we've got a huge lot of books if any particular path interests him.  We've apparently got a good New Druid coven down here as well."  He nodded at that and Xander wrote out the address for him.  "Go there.  I start work tomorrow.  I'll warn the teacher your class has one so she can point most of the kids that way."  He grinned at Ray.  "Don't worry, I'm not usually scary unless I have to be."

"That's fine.  Someone should be scary around Uncle Horatio.  No one's ever scary for him."  Horatio choked on the water he was sipping.

Yelina looked at her son.  "What do you mean, son?"

"It's kinda clear, mom.  Uncle Horatio's giving him the same sort of looks you gave Dad.  He's giving them to Speed too.  Besides, no one's ever scarily possessive over Uncle Horatio and he deserves someone to be scary and possessive about him.  Everyone should have someone they love that much."  Horatio gave him a hug and he grinned.  "So, was this so Mom and I could meet the new boyfriend?  I mean, we already knew about Speed."

Horatio shook his head.  "The three of us only got together recently, Ray.  I wasn't with Speed before then."

He patted him on the arm.  "Were you stupid?" he asked facetiously.  Horatio burst out laughing when Eric, Calleigh, Speed, and Frank all nodded at that.  "It's good you're finally clear on that, Uncle Horatio."  He hugged him back then got free.  "Don't hug me in public."

"Fine, I won't hug you in public," he soothed, patting him on the back.  "Do you need to have a talk later on about any questions?"

Ray gave him an odd look.  "Uncle Horatio, I like women.  A whole lot.  I don't need to know how two or more guys do things like that.  It'd interrupt my breast fantasies."  Horatio snickered when Yelina choked. "They're amazing, multipurpose organs according to the nuns."

"That they are," Xander sighed.  "I'll make sure you don't date girls like I did."

"Were they that bad?"

"Yes," Eric and Calleigh assured him.  She shuddered.

"Let's just leave it as a few of them tried to kill him," Frank offered.  "By the way, Horatio, I got an annoying email from the redhead it took us two days to capture?"

"Why?"

"That's what I was wondering.  She wanted me to make sure Xander was still okay."  Xander groaned and shook his head.  "Apparently she's still worrying about you."

"She has other things to worry about and he talked with Buffy last night.  She can pass on information," Speed offered.

"Okay, I'll write that back and point out work emails are only for work stuff."  He took a drink of his coffee.   "So, housewarming?"

"He's living above the bookstore, Frank," Horatio offered.

"Um...."  He looked at Xander.  "Is it as creepy as your last place?"

"No, it's fairly warm and inviting," Speed promised.  "There is a back entrance, right?"

"Yeah, but it's locked and I don't have the key to it yet.  We went down it."

"Oh, yeah.  Okay."  He stroked the back of Xander's neck.  "He's all moved in and his boss handed him a book on potions."

"She needs something made for someone," Xander agreed.

"You did good with the ones we've seen," Eric assured him with a smile.  "So, when should we start coming up?"

"Give me a day to finish unpacking everything?"  They all nodded at that.  "Then you guys can come up and see how pretty the battle axe is next to the dragon tapestry."

"No armor?" Yelina teased.

"Armor's really expensive and my last girlfriend sucked money like I do food."  He ate another bite.  "Besides, not totally practical at home."  He shrugged and ate another bite.

A few officers went running past and all the CSI groaned, putting up their food while the detectives went to see what was wrong.  "Xander, please guard Speed and Ray," Horatio ordered as he got up, heading out to follow his people.

Xander watched as more people went running.  "Either someone's fighting or someone's trying to kill themselves," Speed noted.  One of the K-9 people went jogging past with his dog.  "Nope, small escape attempt."  Someone new walked in and Speed nodded at him.  "Hi.  Who're you?"

"Ryan Wolfe.   I'm your helper while you're down and hopefully I'll still have a job when you come back," he said, shaking his hand.  "I heard you were in so I thought I'd come introduce myself."  He shook his hand.  "Family lunch?"

"This is Ray Junior, Yelina Salas' son, and our friend Xander."  Xander waved and ate another chip.  "Apparently something's going on up the hall."

"I saw but they're crowding into holding.  There's no room for another person."  He grinned.  "So how's the arm?"

"I get the stitches out in two more days," he complained.

"It's doing very well.  It's almost fully sealed," Xander told him.  "I changed his bandage while we were out shopping for my new place."

"That's cool."  He sat down with a grin.  "So, Xander, are you an officer?"

Xander giggled and shook his head.  "Nope, sorry.  I'm working in one of the occult bookstores at the moment."

"Faggot," someone called.

"You know, being gay bashed once in my life was enough," Xander said, glaring at the officer.  "Unless you want me to pick up something and show you how it's done, go help."  He sneered.  "Speed, would I get into trouble if I hit him?"

"Probably.  I won't."  He glared at him. "Go away.  You're stinking so much I can't eat."

Ryan looked at him.  "Are you that insecure about your own sexuality that you have to taunt others to prove it?" he asked.   "Because I'm sure we can prove to you that you do want men to bend you over and make it all better."  The officer moved inside. "Oh, please, go ahead and take a swing," Ryan pleaded.  He stood up, the guy took a swing.  Xander got him in the kidneys with a foot and then onto the ground, then went back to his lunch.  "Good work.  Maybe you should be an officer."  He called the shift supervisor.  "Gary and I got into it again.  No, he's presently moaning about the foot to his kidneys he took while trying to make discriminating remarks in the break room to a civilian.  It might be a good idea, yeah."  He hung up and sat back down again.  "Sorry, he's had this issue for a few days now."

"Awww, did the baby man's wet dreams make him go off?" Ray Junior taunted.  His mother gasped from the doorway. "Sorry, mom, he started off with the f word and went from there."  He stuffed his mouth.

"What happened to him?" she demanded.  Xander and Ryan both raised their hands.  "I see."  She looked at Xander.  "Do not set a bad example for my son."

Xander looked at him.  "Only taunt if you can back it up and I'll help your uncle and mom with your self-defense skills."  That got a grin and a nod.  She stomped off.  He grinned at Ryan.  "Good quippage."

"Thank you."  He smirked back.  "Now I know you.  You worked at that damned convenience store."  Ray looked at him.  "They had so many robberies someone must've damned it."

Xander nodded.  "I did.  Now I work at an occult bookstore."  Two bigger officers came in with Stetler.  "He tried to gay bash me again," he said, looking very upset.  "He called me horrible names and I'm having flashbacks now."  He let out another sniffle. "Please take the horrible man away?"  The two officers nodded and drug him out.  "Thank you, officers!"  He looked at Stetler.  "Did you want to meet the woman who did that to me?  You expressed an interest in it."  He stomped off with a growl.  "Thank you.  It's less smelly in here now."  He took a sip of his soda and looked at Speed, who just shook his head with a light moan.  "I could have them."

"I know you could."

"You did?" Ryan asked.

"By a five-foot-five lesbian witch," he agreed.

"I was on the hunt for her.  I helped when we took her down," he admitted with a small grin.  "She did what she did to the lamp?"

"With a board to my ribs and back mostly."

"Ow.  I'm sorry.  The last time someone tried it on me they only used their fists."  Speed blinked at him.  "I don't hide it.  I'm very bi," he said quietly, glancing at Ray Junior.  "That time was a matter of mistaken identity but yeah.  He was too drunk to know who he was going after."

"They all need to put the assholes back in place and quit playing with them," Ray said dryly, finishing his soda.  The adults all stared, then Xander burst out laughing.  "They do."

"Yeah, that's one way of putting it," Speed agreed, shaking his head when Horatio came back in.  "We've met Ryan.  He seems okay, if a bit new."

"We'll mentor him," Horatio assured them.  "Are we all okay?"

"We're just fine, Lieutenant. What did you expect to happen?" Ryan asked with a small grin. "Did we get him?"

"We did get her and she's back in custody.  The officer she got the key from is giving a statement up the hall."  He looked at them again.  "What happened?"

"What makes you think something happened?" his nephew asked.

"You all look much too innocent."  He looked at Speed. "Speed?"

"What?  It wasn't me.  I'm sitting here eating and being a good boy."  He stuffed his mouth again.  Xander did the same.

Yelina stomped back in.  "Did they tell you about the officer who came in and made sexual innuendos around my son?" she demanded.

"No.  Please do," Horatio said.

She gave him an odd look.  "I got here after he was on the floor."

"Xander said he'd help you work on my self-defense skills, Uncle Horatio," Ray said with a grin for him.  "Can we do that this weekend?"

"After he's done working for the day and so am I."  He looked at Xander, then at Ryan.  "Mr. Wolfe?"

"The officer started it.  He's been trying all week.  He won't do it again around your nephew, sir."

"That's not what I'm worried about," he said dryly, staring at him.

"I doubt he's going to do it around Speed or Xander again either," he offered with a grin.

"Damn it, you're as bad as Eric," Speed complained.

Ryan looked at him and shook his head.  "I've heard his reputation.  I can't date like that."

"Good.  Keep that in mind and grow different problems."

"I will."

"He'll make rookie mistakes that'll haunt him for a few years but he'll settle into the job," Xander promised.  "We all do."  That got some nods from Yelina and Speed.  "We need to make sure we mentor him instead of letting him flounder if he has mouth problems like I do."

"It was a good quip," Ray told him with a small grin.

He grinned back.  "Thanks, Ray."

Yelina moaned.  "Come on, Raymond.  Frank's not busy so he can give you that interview for your report."  She helped him clean up and walked him off while Ryan cleaned up the rest of the mess.

Speed watched him.  "They make drugs for that."

"Yes but they left me fuzzy and unable to use my imagination."

"Oh, sure."  He nodded and left it there.  If he was happy with his OCD it could be an asset on the job. "So, bossman, need me this afternoon?"

"No, Ryan's got his first case and he's doing that.  We'll see you when the doctor releases you to work, Speed.  Otherwise I'll have to make Xander watch you."  Speed's eyes went wide at Xander's wicked chuckle.  "So behave."  He looked at Ryan.  "Nearly done?"  He nodded and walked back out with him.

"I'll help you watch out for those two," Ryan said quietly.  "Can we talk Xander into the department?"

"He doesn't want to go to college."

"Pity.  He'd make a great officer or a social worker."

"They're both very wearing and tiring fields, Mr. Wolfe.  I think he wants to enjoy life for a bit."  He gave him a look as he opened the door to their unit.  "Do you have anything yet?"

"I have a few things and that's why I was looking for you, Lieutenant.  Meet me in the garage?"

"That'd be fine."  He headed to get something for his headache then went down with him.

***

Alexx walked around Xander's apartment, looking at the pot on the stove.  "Xander, should I stir this?"

"No, leave it alone.  It has to congeal.  It's not food."

"What is it?"

"A bruise potion."  He came in and got a clean dishcloth then a small bottle out of the fridge.  "Anyone have one?" he asked while he shook the bottle a few times.

"Frank does.  A suspect got him with an elbow.  He's on his way up."  She watched as he poured some onto the cloth and handed it to Frank when he walked in.

"Don't let that get into your eye, just let it rest against your cheek."

"Sure.  What does it do?"

"Draws out the bruise."  He put the bottle back.  "I can't help the black eye part but it'll do the bruise on your cheek."  Frank nodded, sitting down to look around while he did that.  The cold cloth did feel good.  "I put mine in the fridge since the cold seems to help a bit, even though it makes it go bad faster.  But hey, I can always make more every six months."  Alexx gave him a look.  "It works well, Alexx.  Trust me.  I've used it for years.  We all did."  He looked at the pot then covered it and put it aside.  "Don't drink that even though it does have some alcohol in it."

Frank sniffed the cloth.  "Smells like mint."

"If I didn't put in the mint oil at the end, it'd smell like the bit of liquor in it," he admitted with a grin.  "Look up.  That's my axe."  Frank turned to look at it, staring in awe.  He beamed.  "That was one of my first weapons."

Horatio walked in, smiling at Frank.  "Hurting?"

"He said it's a bruise potion."

"It does work well.  He used it on an older one I had and it disappeared within hours."  He came over to hand Xander the bag.  "From your coworkers."

Xander got into it with a grin, putting things in the herb cabinet, then giving him a hug and holding up the key.  "The back door key."

"Good.  Copies?" he asked quietly.

"The next time I get out."

"Thank you."  He smiled as he saw the pot.  "Food?"

"Um, nope.  I didn't expect you guys so soon so everything's still in the fridge.  That's more bruise potion.  Miami's protector needs a new batch."  He wiggled past Alexx to get into the fridge.  "Turn on the oven to broil?"  Horatio did that and he put things into it.  Then he put sodas out onto the small table, plus some bottles of water. "There.  Glasses are above the sink."  He went to check on Frank's bruise, moving the cloth a bit.  "Don't want it in your eye, Frank.  It'll sting."  That got a nod and he patted him on the head, going into the bedroom to change and come out wearing better clothes.  "Sorry, those are my brewing clothes."

"It's all right, sugar, it happens," Alexx promised, smiling at him.  "I like that shirt on you."

"Thank you.  Speed made me get it."  He heard more footsteps and opened the door, smiling at his coworker.  "We're having guests in.  Tell me if I get annoying."

"I will, Xander.  I'm pretty deaf over here.  Did you get the bruise potion done?"

"It's congealing. I've got to mint oil the bottles and then chill it for her.  It's how I like mine.  The chill seems to make the bruise feel better."

"I bet it does.  Does it cut down on the efficiency?"

"Six months instead of a year.  But it smells better and the cold is nice."  He let her have the rest of that bottle.  "The rest is on the stove congealing."

"Go ahead and include one of your bottles and take one of hers so she can compare.  She usually only wants the standard one."  He nodded, going to grab the bottles from the pot of hot water in the sink.  She came in and smiled.  "Hi, I'm Tolly.  I work with Xander and live across the hall."  She came over to watch him, watching as he used the ladle to mix the congealing syrup.  Then he used that and a funnel to put it into the jars.  "Very neatly done," she praised, sealing that one.  "Mint oil?"

"I swish it around the inside of the bottle before I bottle it.  It takes some of the stink."

"Smells like toothpaste," Frank offered.  She came out to look at his cheek, sniffing that cloth, then putting it back.  "It going okay?"

"It's already to the darker stage.  It's going along very well."  He grinned at that.  "It should be gone by later tonight.  Remember, only an hour with it on, Xander."  She came back to help him finish bottling, then added a new bottle of his style into it, taking them down to call their client to tell her it was ready.  It just needed time to cool down and finish congealing in the bottles.

Xander got to work on the dishes, checking the food.  "Someone come save these?" he called.  Alexx came back to take stuff out.  "There's another two pans but they need 425," he said quietly.  She nodded, putting them in once she had the oven adjusted.  He finished scrubbing the pots and put them away, that one going into the herb cabinet.  Speed came in.  "I made more bruise potion."

"I love that stuff."  He checked Frank's cheek.  "It's looking good."  He came in to look, noticing the new pot.  "Making that one specially for that?"

"That way no residue can get into any food.  Especially if I have to do something with poisonous stuff."

"Good idea."  He kissed the back of his neck and held him around the waist, watching as he cleaned the dishes.  "Are you serving?"

"I figured you guys could come figure out what you wanted and serve yourselves."  He grinned at him, then winked and walked him into the bedroom to show him.  "Giles sent it."

"It's pretty."  He stroked his back and came out to look at Horatio.  "Did you see the quilt Giles sent him?"

"I hadn't."  He went to look, smiling at the nice, simple quilt on the bed and the furry thing on it.  "What are you?"

"I'm trying to decide between the mottled shorthair and the black persian," Xander called. Alexx looked at him.  "My familiar."

"Uh-huh."  She went to look at the stuffed animal, bursting out laughing.  "That's cute, Xander."

"Thank you.  Real pets would get fussy while I brewed and kitty fur in fertility potions is a bad thing.  Willow nearly found that out but Tara stopped her."  He went to check on the other food, taking it out.  "Guys, I'm not eating all the nibble-type stuff on my own," he demanded.  They came in to get plates and cups of stuff to drink, going back to the living room to relax and chat.  Xander did turn on the stereo and turned it down, then looked in the fridge.  "I need more milk," he muttered.

"We just got you some," Speed said from behind him.

"I know, I used it in a wash for someone's acne."  He stood up and looked in the freezer, taking the milk out of there and putting it into the fridge to thaw and be recombined. "There, it'll be fine by breakfast."  He turned and smiled at Speed.  "Am I going with you when you get the stitches taken out?"

"No, you've got to work.  I'll go alone and then we'll have dinner that night, Horatio's new case willing."  Xander beamed and Speed grinned back.  "Behave."

"I try so hard," he teased, moving closer.

"Hmm.  Try harder, Xander," Horatio warned as he came in, getting a cuddle from him.  "I like how you switched those two around."

"Now they tell a story."

Horatio looked at the bracelet he was wearing.  "What's that for?"

"To bleed some energy into the store's protections."  Someone knocked. "It's open!"  Calleigh and Eric came in.  "Come up through the store?"

"They told us where the other door is and unlocked it for us."  She kissed him on the cheek and got something to eat, going to look around the small apartment.  "This is nice, Xander."

"Thank you."  He grinned at Eric, pointing at his axe.  "See, I did decorate with it."

"I can see that."  He got something to drink and walked around to look too.  "Stuffed animal?"

"My familiar."  He looked at Horatio. "Are either of you allergic to cats?"

"No, not in the past," he offered. "Speed?"

"Haven't been yet."

"Cool.  Should I get the shorthaired quiet one or the black persian?"  They stared at him.  "It'll give me something to pet when I'm here.  I'm not *that* clingy, guys."

"Good point," Horatio agreed, smiling at him. "Which do you like more?"

"Neither one loves me yet.  So I could pick either one but they're going to pound if I don't."

"Pick whichever one you want."  Horatio smiled at his squeal and heading across the hall.  He came back with two small bundles of fluff and put them down.  Frank stared at the one that decided to walk over him.  Xander went back to get the other stuff and put it under the stereo's table then went back to get something to drink.  When Yelina and Ray Junior came in he had a book in a bag and she stared at the cats.  "They're my familiars," he joked.  Ryan came in and he waved, then grinned. "Food?  Drinks?  No alcohol."  They came over to eat and Ray went to look at the weapons.  "Those are sharp," he warned.

"Uncle Horatio said you nearly cut his tree down for him."  Ray grinned at him.  "Naughty you."

"I was practicing."  He grinned back and looked at the cat on the counter.  "That is a people space.  Get down.  Now."  He hopped down and went to curl up on Yelina's lap, purring at her.  "He loves you."

"I can tell."  She petted him, making him a content cat.  "When did you get him?"

"Oh, about ten minutes ago," Frank joked.  "Xander, can I move this, it's heating."

Xander came out and took it, using a dry spot to wipe off the rest of the potion and the blood it had drawn out.  "It's down to the yellow and green stage, very faint."  Frank got up to look in the bathroom and he put the cloth behind the bottles in the fridge.

"I won't get pity cuddles from the wife tonight," Frank complained.  But he was smiling.

"You still have the black eye, Frank," Xander teased.  "She'll give you plenty of pity cuddles for that and for being beaten up on by someone."

"True."  He let Alexx look at it, then she stared at him.  "Ancient recipe," he teased.

"Very but it works very well," Xander said with a proud grin. "It was the first potion I learned."  He sat down and went back to nibbling.  "So, how was your work today?"

"Good," everyone agreed, relaxing again. They knew Xander was amazing.  This just proved it.

***

Xander looked up at his boss's cough, giving her a clueless look.  "I'm being good."

She held up the furball she had caught in her office.  "I told Tolly to get rid of the evil things."

"The one went to Yelina."  He grabbed his cat and nuzzled him, getting purrs.  "He was bored and he's not evil."

"He is."

"He's not. If he was he'd turn into a girl and try to date me."

She stared for a minute then walked off muttering.  She couldn't refute that argument.  It was too true.  She came back out of the office.  "Send him to Willow or something."

"Yes, ma'am."  He pulled out his cellphone and called Buffy.  "Hi.  My boss doesn't like my familiar."  He pouted while he cuddled his cat.  "Because she claims he's evil."  He smiled.  "A black persian.  He's very cuddly.  I think it's a good pet but she claims he's evil."

"He tried to eat me, he's evil," she called from the office.  "He's throwing off negative energy, Xander."

He looked into the office.  "Are you sure it's not where someone's pregnant?  It feel like a baby spike."  She gaped then went to the bathroom, coming out swearing.  He shrugged.  "Sorry.  Can I keep my familiar?"  He smiled sweetly.

"Fine.  For now."  Xander cheered and told Buffy that then hung up, going to let his pet help him learn potions.

She had some patience.  She knew Buffy and Tara were coming down for spring break in a few months.  The cat could go home with them then.  Especially if she could get them sooner.  It was nearly the fourth of july and she didn't want to wait that long.  "Xander?"  He stuck his head back in.  "Can you please help me do the fireworks this year?"  The look of glee on his face nearly made her cringe.  "Commercial ones are fine," she offered weakly.

He grinned.  "I'll be a good boy, boss.  Just think what would happen if I worked for the other store."

"True, dear.  We can keep you on the side of good and that's an important thing.  Just something nice?  We hold it out at Tolly's family's farm."

"Sure.  Can I bring anything like foodish?"

"Bring your men if you can," she offered with a smile.  He blushed and went back to his reading and plotting.  She took the easy way, getting up to close the door and call his mate.  "Mr. Speedle?  This is Rebecca, down at Xander's work.  We're doing a wonderful July 4th sabbat at one of our coworker's farms.  Dinner, fireworks, that sort of thing.  I'm sure he was but I know how he blushes about you two and doesn't want to inconvenience you.  Of course.  We'd adore having you there and there's no worry about anything.  There's a few lesbian couples and one other gay couple within our circle of friends and our coven.  Thank you," she said with a smile.  "Bringing another guest as long as he's tolerant is fine with us.  The more the merrier for celebrations.  I'll see you then.  No, the evil furball snuck out of his apartment.  He said it can't be evil, he's not dating it."  She giggled at his shocked silence and hung up on it.  After all, the side of good needed Xander but he needed more than one person to keep him on the straight and narrow.  That's why he had two men and had been drawn to work in their store.

***

Speed hung up and shook his head quickly.  "I just got the mental image from Hades."

"Why?" Eric asked, grinning at him.

"Rebecca, Xander's boss, said that his cat is evil.  Xander said it can't be, he's not dating it."  Eric choked and moaned, getting up to walk off and get a new drink.  "Hey, it's out of my head," he said happily.

"Gee, thanks, Speed."  He looked up as Ryan came in.  "What else was going on?"

"Plans for a Sabbat on the fourth.  Fireworks, a picnic, that stuff."  He sipped his soda.  "Do you think Xander's worried about inconveniencing us?"  Ryan nodded at that.  "Why do you think that, Wolfe?"

Ryan gave him a knowing look.  "Because he never asks you for anything, only suggests that you could.  It speaks heavily to an abusive family."  He finished pouring his coffee.  "If the boss isn't in his office, should I leave the report on his desk or wait until he's back?"

"Put it in the blue box on his desk, Ryan," Eric ordered.  He nodded, going to do that.  Eric sat back down.  "Does he?"

"Have an abusive family?  Just slightly," he said bitterly.  "But he's right.  Xander never asks to do anything.  He offers a suggestion now and then but he's got bad timing.  Two of the last ones Horatio's been really exhausted and didn't want to go to the movies.  We'll have to fix that later.  Want to go with us?"

"My mother would freak if I went to a Wiccan ceremony.  She hisses at his store when she walks past."

"Sorry.   Does H have off the fourth?"

"We're all on call."

"Great, so we could probably go out for the picnic and the fireworks."  He finished his lunch and smiled when Calleigh came in.  "Xander's boss offered to let us come out to a Sabbat for the fourth."

"Sorry, I'm going to the main fireworks."

"We'll have some somehow."

She smiled.  "I go every year, Speed."

"Sorry."

"It's okay."  She kissed him on the head.  "Ask Ryan.  You two haven't really talked yet."  She grabbed her water and left again.

"That is true," Eric agreed.

"Yeah, but I'm kinda wary since he's my replacement."

"Only until you come back and then he's your student," Eric pointed out. "Because I'm sucking at teaching him.  He's ambitious and he doesn't listen."

Speed looked at him.  "So he's a smart ass who has ideas?"  Eric nodded.  "So we'll either get along very well or clash."

"He's very jump happy," Eric warned.  He stood up and cleaned up his mess.  "Remind Horatio before he can make any other plans."

"Sure."  He pulled out his phone to text him, getting back an 'on a scene' automatic response.  It'd be saved for later.  He stood up to clean up his mess, noticing Ryan had come back for his lunch. "Done?"

"Cleaned my desk for ten minutes so I thought I'd nibble."  He gave him a small grin.  "How is Xander liking his new job?"

"He thinks it's great.  His boss thinks his cat is evil but he says it's not since he's not dating it."  Ryan giggled at that.  "Listen, we've got a Sabbat thingy on the fourth."

"Out at Tolly's farm this year?"  He grinned.  "I was dating one of the coven back in high school.  I'll go with him if you can't."

"No, I'm not against going, I was going to invite you to come with us."

"Sure.  I'd like that."  He grinned and got his carrot sticks, going back to his desk to nibble for a few minutes while he wiped it down.  At least until a new case came in.  Being new meant he didn't have any cold ones laying around to work on.

Speed went to ask Yelina, who shuddered, and Frank, who shrugged and said his wife's company was throwing a picnic so they were going for the suck-up potential for her career. Then he went to wait outside for Horatio, who didn't look happy.  "You don't want to go?"

"I would like to go.  It'll be a nice, calm, peaceful evening for a change."  He smiled at him.  "What's wrong?"

"Ryan noticed something.  Xander never *asks* us to do anything."

"He does."

"No, he suggests.  He has bad timing too since you're usually tired after the day from hell."  Horatio considered that.  "He's letting us keep him in a closet, Horatio," he said quietly.

"I didn't realize.  Did you want to do something tonight?"

"Movie?"

"I could probably stand that but I might fall asleep.  I've had a few rough nights recently."

"Then come curl up with one of us, Horatio.  You didn't have nightmares with us."  He smiled.  "She said there's going to be a picnic and fireworks."

"Then we'll have to get together and bring something for them to eat."  He smiled.  "Get our boy out of the house tonight.  Come get me when it's time."  Speed nodded, going to find Xander and ask him out tonight.  Horatio went inside to log in evidence and do what he could.  He found Ryan happy and jobless.  "Come help me, Mr. Wolfe."

"Yes, Horatio."  He followed him, finishing his last carrot stick on the way.  "Sorry, nibbling since I was clear.  I put the files into your blue box on your desk."

"That's where I want them," he promised, giving him a look.  "Relax, I'm not going to bite."

"Well, you could but you don't look that goth."  Horatio smiled at that.  "How is Xander?"

"He's good.  Probably working since it's his shift at the moment."

"Before you say it, Speed asked if I wanted to go the fourth Sabbat with you guys.  I can drive and all, I know the way.  I used to date a member of the coven."

"That's fine. I'm sure they'll welcome you back."  He gave him a sideways smile.  "Fireworks?"

"They usually go with some commercial ones but one never knows who's going to help.  A few years back they had a designer do it for them."  That got a smile.  "Maybe Xander can help."

"I'm not sure he knows explosives and fireworks."

"He didn't do the grenade?"

"Well..."  He considered it. "It's still vastly different."

Ryan grinned. "Maybe he'll just help then.  Speaking of, what can I help you with, Lieutenant?"

"I've got soil samples to run plus the new autopsy to go to."

"I can do the samples while you do that."  He went to wash his hands and glove and coat up.  Then he came back to get them and start on the paperwork noting the samples.

***

Horatio smiled as Speed got drug out to dance with the people dancing around the fire and having fun, looking at Ryan.   "Bad breakup?"

"Well, I did call her a fruitcake but no.  I'm not a revel sort, I'm a guard sort."  He smiled and nodded politely at the high priestess.  "That's the real tension," he sighed. "That's my ex."

"Is she holding a grudge?"

"No.  I've been invited out in the past."  He looked at him.   "You should be out there partying with your boys, boss.  Xander needs you just as much as he does Speed," he said quietly.  Horatio gave him an amused look.  "He does.  A trio takes a lot of work and making sure things are fairly even.  Otherwise someone starts to worry that you're not with them, just with the other one and you're humoring his like for him."

"Xander told you that?" he asked.

"Not yet.  He did ask if I thought you and Speed would stay together if something happened to him."  He took another drink.  "Go be with Xander, boss.  He needs to see you like him like you do the other one."

Horatio nodded and went to play with his boy.  It had been a good point.  And something to think about.  Would he and Speed be together if it wasn't for Xander?  Or would he and Xander be together if it wasn't for Speed?  He pulled the boy into his chest, smiling at his laughter.  "Show me?"

"It's all about letting it go and ignoring anyone who might laugh."  He led him in the circle dance they were all doing, taking his hand and grinning at him.  Horatio relaxed and let it go with him, liking these new friends of Xander's.  They seemed very nice.

Ryan looked up as his ex sat down across from him.  "I'm working with Horatio."

"I heard.  Congrats."  He smiled at that.  "You were right.  I was a fruitcake.  I've had a lot of time to study and straighten myself out."

"Then I'm happy if you are."

"Not as much as I was.  Before I was innocent.  Now, not so much."  She took his hand.  "She still bothers you."

"She still worries me. I know I blurt things out now and then," he admitted.  "She'll catch something from me that way and get me in trouble."

"I'm sure Horatio knows this about you, Ryan.  He does study people."  She looked at the trio and smiled then at him.  "Even that one.  He's not thinking yet, and Xander does too much of that."  She stroked his hand.  "Go revel."

"I suck at dancing."

"So?"

"I like playing guard, Marcia.  You go revel.  You're the priestess here."  She smiled and went to do that while he watched the road and the woods.  He did see something come out but Xander glared at it while he danced and it headed off at a dead run.  So he had help guarding them.  He smiled at Tolly as she bounced over and hauled him up.  "I suck at dancing."

"Who cares!"  She drug him out to the fire and danced with him.  "We don't need a guardian tonight, Ryan."  He smiled and let her lead him around the fire.  Dark finished falling and she noticed Xander sneaking off, winking at Speed. "He's helping with the fireworks."

"I should," Horatio offered.

"No, you sit," she ordered, pulling them back to their seats and letting Ryan pant and calm down beside her.  They all watched as the first one went up as a test of the darkness.  Then a few minutes later they heard some very quiet music and more went off.  Slowly, then building up to a higher and faster peak as the song changed.  Horatio and Speed were cuddling.  Almost everyone was cuddling while they watched so she shrugged and cuddled Ryan since he was single.  He grinned at her.  "Xander's doing good," she said quietly.

"He is."  He gave her shoulders a squeeze and they watched as the fireworks built to a higher pitch and then a sudden barrage of colors and sounds, then a few trickling ones trailing back to silence.  They clapped.  It had been well done.  "He did a good job designing that," he praised.

"He did.  I'm not sure where he got the real fireworks but it was a great job."  Speed looked at her.  "The usual guy goes out of state to get it somewhere special.  Xander designed his own I think."

Horatio gave her a look.  "He built them?"  She nodded.  "Interesting."  They went to find their boy, finding him laying back in the grass, covered in the scent of gunpowder, but it was a happy boy they found.  Sated, content.  They laid down with him to cuddle him and make him go off again.  Because he was limp from the orgasm he had let be shown to the others in the fireworks.  "You did great, Xander," he told him as he stroked him.

"Very good show," Speed agreed.

"Did you make them?"  Xander blushed but nodded, giving Horatio a look.  "Let me help you next time. I don't want you to have an accident and I want to watch you do it."  Xander blushed brighter.  "I'm serious.  This is a side of you I never get to see and it is very good."  He took another kiss.

"If you want," he promised, staring at him.  Horatio smiled and kissed him.  "You really liked it?"

"I did," Speed assured him, nuzzling his neck.  "I wanted to stroke him off in front of the others."  Xander moaned and arched up into their hands, making him smile.  "I know Horatio's hand was on my thigh to keep himself from touching me."  Xander shot off at that, going limp in their arms.

"It was very erotic and very good, baby," Horatio assured him, kissing him deeply, then Speed, who smiled at him.  "You did good."  Xander smiled, hugging him.  "Now, let's pounce Speed."  Xander hauled speed between them to play with him.  He got to watch and then Xander came back to him to please him.  So he made him stop so they could show him he was there to be pleased, not to please others.   When they finally made it back to the party half of everyone had went home or up to the farmhouse to spend the night together.  Ryan nodded at them but he was still talking with Tolly so they left after a quick word with the hostess, Xander kissing her on the cheek.  Then they went back to Xander's place to sleep with him and play with the cat since it got demanding and blatantly curled up on Horatio's chest with a glare to pet him.  They had stolen his human so they had to pay the price for that.

***

Xander looked up from his reading when someone coughed, smiling at her.  "Ready to check out?"

"Not yet.  I can't find the toadstool."

"It's out until Tuesday when we get a new shipment from New Jersey.  I can put you on the list to hold some back," he offered, pulling over a notepad.  "How much did you need?"

"Two grams."  He nodded and wrote that down for her.  "Thank you, Xander."  He grinned at her. She put her basket on the counter.  "What are you reading?"

"Oh, a demonic translation of something Hindu, one of the older stories."  He let her see it and she gaped.  "It came in handy at home."  He rang her up.  "Twenty-three-twelve please."  She handed over her debit card and he ran it for her, letting her sign the slip.  He took his book back after he handed her the bags, still grinning.  "It's all about the romance and stuff.  I'm reading it to Speed so I'm getting a bit ahead so I know what I'm reading."

"Interesting.  It's still demonic."

"No, it's in a demonic language.  Some human priests translated a lot of stuff back in the Middle Ages.  Even some of the Watchers.  There's some very intelligent demonic species.  They don't hunt, don't eat people or kitty cats," he said, scooping up his since he was wandering around again, "and they're the ones who do arts and literature.  This is Hummer."  She smiled at that.  "Horatio rolled his eyes when Speed and I named him."  She giggled at that.  "Trust me, I wouldn't bring something demonic in here, for all that my boss thinks the cat is."

"Fine.  I'm sure you can tell the difference."

"Very well."  She nodded and left.  He looked at his cat.  "Where did you escape to last night?"

She came out of the office to look at the cat. "The roof.  I saw him peeking down when I pulled in."  She let the cat sniff her then scratched behind his ears, earning a purr.  He was much happier and less prone to attacking now that he had Xander instead of Tolly.  "Demonic?"  He let her have the book and she looked it over. "It's not demonic."

"It's in a demonic language."

"Oh.  Some people can't tell the difference."  She handed it back.  "You're reading to Speed?"

"He likes books," he said shyly.  "Besides, Horatio falls asleep when I read to him."

"He does have a hard job."  She kissed him on the cheek.  "Be a good boy, Xander."

"I try really hard.  Did she like how I do the bruise potion?"

"She did for some things but she prefers the traditional one.  It lasts longer and she can carry it in the car."

"Point."  She smiled at that.  "We all have different styles. Did she want me to dose her next batch with the mint oil?"

"No, she said the stench reminds her that she got tagged."

"Okay."  She smiled and went back into her office.  He looked at his cat.  "Let's put you upstairs," he said, heading that way.  He came back down and found a guy in a mask with a shotgun there.  He coughed.  "Do you really think we make enough to make it worthwhile for you to rob us?"

"SHUT UP!"

"No.  Sorry."  He walked over and leaned on the counter, blatantly in front of his boss.  "She's not opening the register.  Now, unless you want to be really horribly disfigured for life when I shove that shotgun up your nose and blow the top of your head off, without killing you probably, I'd leave."

"Give me the money!" he demanded.

Xander looked at him.  "I worked in convenience stores, buddy."  He backed up at that.  "Shoo.  Now.  This isn't a place for violence."  The man sneered and cocked the gun.  Xander pulled his new one and pointed it at him.  The man blinked.  "Out. Now.  Right now.  I've had to shoot a Mala Noche, I can do you."  He turned and fled.  Xander put his gun back and looked at his boss. "I hate stupid people.  It wasn't bad enough all the vamps used to come in when I worked the convenience stores in Sunnydale to pick on me?"

She patted him on the back.  "No guns in the store, Xander.  Even though it was appreciated."

"Yes, ma'am."  He went to put it up.  Then he came back down the stairs with a candy bar to nibble on while he went back to his reading.  "Can I brew anything tonight?"

"We haven't gotten any requests but let me check the supplies, Xander."  She went to do that and calm down.  Counting vials of potions would keep her calmer.  She came out.  "I could use some more banishing potion."  He nodded, making a note on the notepad and putting it into the book.  "I noticed we're down on hensbane too."

"Toadstool's been looked for recently."

"Hmm."  She came to look at the list and call her supplier to make sure they were getting enough.  It was time for a great many of them to do the anti-bug protections again and that was a major component.  She got Xander that potion as well so he could study it, getting a grin and a nod.  Then she went back to double that order.  They had already gotten requests for more than that but some would find alternate suppliers by then if they were desperate.  Some people always waited for the last minute and then got the sudden influx of bugs.

Xander looked up as someone came in, smiling at them.  "Hey, Ray.  Skipping?"

"You know it," he complained, coming in.  "My teacher said that places like this don't exist."

"Need pictures?"

"No.  I showed her the phone book ad."  He leaned on the counter, grinning at him.  "But she did want to know if you knew anything about the more traditional alternate religions.  She thought it was odd that I did mine on Wiccans even though I pointed out I knew someone who worked here now."

"So she wants it on what?  Buddhist, Shinto, that sort?"  He nodded.  "Okay.  Um..." he said, thinking.  "Actually I do think we have a few things."  He led him back there, showing him that section.  "Ah, comparative religions on a few spectrums and one on the demonic influences in them, written by a paranoid Christian person.  And this one," he offered, holding it up.  "On the various death rituals as a comparison."

"How much is the comparative one?"

Xander pulled it down.  It was a textbook and it was heavy.  "It says thirty."  He looked at him.  "You can ask the boss if it's on special."  That got a smile and Ray went to talk to her, finding the guy with the shotgun back there.  Xander came out and coughed, shaking his head.  He walked up behind him and took the shotgun from him, opening the breach and shaking out the two shells, then he handed it back. "What part of no violence in the store didn't you get?" he demanded.  "Shoo, little boy.  Now!"  He stepped back.  "Right now.  I'm dating a cop."  He took another step back and Xander sighed, taking off his mask and making his head turn to look at the camera, then he walked him outside and ejected him onto the sidewalk.  He got his shotgun and tossed it back on top of him.  "No violence in this store."  He got up and ran off.  Xander shook his head, heading back inside. "Boss, I got a good frame of his face at least if you needed it."

"I'll let Speed have it later," she promised, handing him the shells.  "Make them safe too."

He looked at them.  "They should be.  You can't hurt anyone with shells unless you hit the gunpowder to make it explode."  He went to put them under the counter in the box of lost and found stuff.  Then he looked at Ray.  "His teacher didn't like us.  We're not mainstream enough."

"It happens now and then," she agreed, looking at the kid.  "You okay?"

"I'm good.  He didn't see me."  He shrugged.  "He said I should ask if the book was on discount."

She smiled.  "I'll let him give it to you for twenty so you can share it with some other kids."  That got a smile and he paid for it then left, heading home on the bus.  "Nice work."

"That one compares a few different areas.  It's a book Willow would've used in a report so his teacher would probably like it more than the 'Comparative Religions for Beginners' with the comics in it."  That got a smile and she went back to her office.  He went back to studying this new potion.  It was a good one.  "Is this a copy for me?"

"No.  Copy it."

He pulled over the notepad and got to work copying it for himself.  He glanced up when the door's bell rang.  "Ethan," he said blandly.  "You do know this is a haven of peace and for those who don't cause chaos?"

"I do."  He came inside.  "I wish no harm.  Just supplies."

"To cause harm?" he asked.

"Well, to cause Ripper and the bratty one out there mental agony."

The owner came out.  "We don't participate in that, sir."

"I realize that but the other place was out of three herbs."

"What are you doing to Giles this time?" Xander complained.  "And please don't let me be possessed again."

Ethan looked at him.  "You were only a side effect."

Xander smirked. "Then I should thank you for the explosives knowledge I have.  Huh?"

Ethan swallowed.  "Oh, dear.  That costume of yours?"  Xander nodded.  "Then I'm rather sorry about that.  Why are you here?"

"Rosenburg."

"What?  Did she curl your hair one too many times?"

"Gaybashed me actually."  Ethan blinked.  "Yeah.  Her, board, my ribs, not fun.  So, what are you doing to Giles this time?"

He stared at him for a moment.  "Nothing that should impact you in this city.  I was merely going to get him back for handing me to the people who tortured me."

Xander considered it then looked at his boss.  "During the Initiative thing Ethan popped up and turned Giles into a demon for a day.  Giles handed him to the Initiative creeps."

"Retribution is the Goddess' job," she said firmly.

"I doubt Janus would punish his own for this," Ethan said dryly, staring at her.  "I only need some herbs.  Nothing else.  Not like you can't tell me someone hasn't used it before for bad things.  Like lust spells."

"Not my fault she was immune and it went wrong," Xander complained.  Ethan stared at him.  "Cordy broke up with me on Valentine's day.  I was a stupid little kid.  I had her cursed and she was the only one not caught.  I learned my lesson the hard way."  His boss stared at him.  "Really, I did."

She moaned and shook her head. "I wondered about that spot in your aura."

"That and Ethan had me possessed and gave me mentally deaging candy."

She sighed.  "Ethan...."

"I promise it won't harm him permanently. He did have me tortured.  He handed me over knowing that they were torturing demons and doing medical experiments on them."  Xander nodded at that.  "Even he knew."

"That's one of the reasons we took them down," Xander agreed.  "They had a friend."  He looked at her.  Then back at Ethan.  "I'm stepping out of this conversation because I'm a bit torn in the center."

"I can see why," she admitted.  "What sort of harm were you planning?"

He handed over his list.  She read it and then gaped in horror at him.  He grinned. "Not the first time I've done it to him, love.  It's almost like a long distance kiss from us only this time it'll be permanent."

Xander glanced at it then at him.  "Willow's on permanent community service, Ethan.  Leave Tara alone."

"I would no more touch that white witch than I would a hot burner," he assured him.  "Or Miss Summers.  I was thinking more... Spike."

"Which would get him turned and then Rupert would come to eat you," Xander pointed out dryly.  "Either that or Giles would become Dru."

Ethan stared at him then suddenly smiled.  "That's a much better idea.  Thank you, lad."  He smiled at him.  "It would repay that torture greatly."

Xander shrugged.  "As long as no permanent harm was done I'll only slip word back to Buffy."

"Thank you."  He smiled at her.  "For that I would need a new crystal and a bit of warts," he muttered as he walked off.

His boss glared at him.  "They would have tortured him," he agreed quietly.  "This is something Giles can fight off.  It won't kill him.  It won't maim him permanently.  Then again, they play back and forth like this all the time.  Giles hands him to the Watchers, they torture him so Ethan comes back with something nasty in repayment.  This time even I flinched a bit," he admitted.  "I knew what they were doing and so did Giles.  They *tortured* people.  Including a werewolf we knew and worked with on the team.  Like cutting parts off and electroshocks and all sorts of neat things to kill, maim, and torture experiments.  They didn't care if they were kids, harmless, thinking beings or anything.  To them they were hostiles."

"I can understand that but it's still not right."

"That's why I'll warn Buffy in about an hour."

She considered it then nodded.  "Very well.  As long as you do warn her."  He nodded.  "Thank you."  She went back to see what Ethan was doing, finding him touching a scar.  She looked at it then at him.  "He told me."

"I heard.  Truly, Ripper does deserve death for that one.  It wasn't his place to have me tortured for four months or to allow them to kill me four times and then bring me back."  She gasped and he looked at her.  "Ripper used to be mine."

She swallowed and nodded.  "Then retribution is your right even though it is at the Goddess' will."  She pointed at something.  "If I was taking what you were thinking correctly, you'll need that."  He smiled and got it down, nodding his thanks.  "Did Xander help in that?"

"No, Spike did.  They had their own problems."

She nodded, going back to the register to ring him up.  That way Xander wouldn't be involved.  She could see the ethical quandary now and she knew he was now starting to think of ethics again.  Back in Sunnydale too much was based on survival to think much about ethics.  It showed that he was reading books in demon languages.  Ethan looked at the book then at the boy.  She nodded.  "He's reading it to his boyfriend."

"Is he at least a reasonable sort?"

"He's a CSI," Xander said proudly, smiling at him.  "Both of them are."

Ethan nodded.  "At least you've escaped."

"I had to.  She was going to kill me."

"Point.  She's not always reasonable."  He took his bags and his change.  "Thank you, lad."

"Ethan, don't put me in the middle again."

"Fine."  He smiled as he walked out, heading back to his flat to go over this new idea.  It was more wicked and fun for him but less deadly for Giles, which was what the boy had asked for.  Much more satisfying as well.

***

Buffy looked up as her phone rang for a text message, looking at it.  "Giles is being hunted by Ethan to repay the torture he got at the hands of the Initiative," she read.  "Oooh.  Ow."  She called Giles.  "It's me.  I just got a text message from Xander.  Ethan's free of the Initiative and apparently they tortured him.  No, Xander said payback for the torture, Giles.  Well, we know they did.  Look what they did to Oz and they only had him a day."  She snorted and hung up on his moan.  "That was pretty mean to hand him over, even if Ethan is a blight and a pimple on our butts."  She went back to her sandwich making, then went to watch her soaps.

***

Xander looked up as Horatio answered his door.  "Are you untired enough to talk to me?"

Horatio let him inside.  "I am.  What's wrong?"

"I'm having heavy thoughts."  He walked in and looked at him.  "I'm not sure if I stuck up for the right side today."

"The robber who came in while my nephew was there?"

"No, that one I'm sure about.  Ethan came in today to get something to do evil things to Giles."  Horatio looked at him and Xander sighed.   He handed over something.  "My journal from the Initiative things.  We knew they were torturing people but Giles still handed him over to them.  I talked him out of having Giles turned and mated to Spike for eternity but I'm not sure I should have stuck up for him because I know I have convenient ethics now and then but we did do the bad thing by handing him over to them.  Because we knew by then that they were torturing the demons they had gathered but they didn't care if they were children or thinking or not.  So we knew they were bad but he still handed Ethan over to them.  So I think we do deserve it just not as bad as Ethan had planned, but I feel like I betrayed them by giving him a mean idea and suggesting a torment instead of a turning."  He looked at him.  "I'm having one of the few times my conscience bites me on the ass."

Horatio gave him a hug.  "Let me read this, Xander.  It may not have been wrong."

"But they're my friends and supported me, Horatio.  I should be loyal to them."

"Yes, but not if they're doing the wrong things," he noted.  "Even if your ethics are a bit skewed due to what you had to do, it's no worse than what mine's come to be over the years."  Xander nodded, sitting down next to him while he read the journal.  It wasn't something that made him happy and he wanted to bomb the town when he was done.  He looked down, seeing Xander staring off into space at the blank tv.  So he shifted and made the boy look at him.  "Retribution is something that happens.  Through the judicial system or through your Goddess, or even in the afterlife if you believe that way," he started quietly.

"I already know I'm going to hell, Horatio.  I killed people."

"I'm not sure vampires would count."

"I shot one of the soldiers," he said quietly.

"That was self defense."

"Thou shall not murder doesn't have an out clause for self defense."

"True," he admitted.  "Then again it's wrong to let others or yourself die for selfish reasons.  I can't believe that self-defense is wrong.   You went in to save your friend and that's a good thing.  In the end it balances out, Xander.  The same as if I had to shoot someone in the line of duty would."

"But they'd be bad guys."

"Trust me, the soldiers weren't clueless, Xander."  He made the boy look into his eyes.  "They could have blown the whistle.  There's plenty of ways for them to have protested their duties and gotten free of it.  If they kept going once they started, they wanted to be there.  Even if they felt trapped, there were things they could have done to get free."

"But that's not always practical."

"True.  Did they turn evidence when it was ended?"

"No one did a trial, Horatio.  They swept it under the carpet."

"I see."  He stroked over his head.  "You cannot be faulted for protecting others, Xander.  Not even if you had to step in to do so by going in to save your friend.  I can't count that against you and I doubt many priests would."  Xander slumped at that and he stroked over his hair and down onto his neck, stroking it gently.  "As for encouraging Ethan to do something lighter?  I find that to be practical and nice instead of doing more harm."  Xander looked up again.  "I do.  You saved his life.  Yet you knew something had to happen."

"But it should happen to Buffy and me too.  We were there. I wasn't helping very much that time but...."

Horatio put a finger over his lips so he stopped talking.  "If he *knew* they were torturing others and he knowingly handed him over to them, then he had to assume that they were going to torture him as well," he said calmly.  "He could have sent him away in other ways.  He could have simply had him sent out of the town.  He didn't.  He handed him over to the people that he *knew* were torturing others.  That makes him an accomplice in his torture."  Xander went limp and looked miserable.  "Even if it was the most expedient thing.  Even if Buffy helped."

"I'm not sure if she knew or not," he admitted, looking down at his hands again.  "Buffy can be pretty clueless when she's dating someone.  It took her weeks to figure out Angel was a vampire even though she's got vampire-sensing cramps."   Horatio tipped his face up again.  "They handed him over to her boyfriend."

"Then Buffy's part in that is debatable, depending on whether or not she knew.  Did Giles?"  Xander slumped and nodded.  "Because you told him?"  Xander nodded.   Horatio swallowed.  "Then he knew he was going to be interrogated at the very least and then probably tortured, Xander.  If Ethan feels the desire to get him back, that's perfectly normal.  The fact you talked him out of killing him was a good thing."

"I warned Buffy," he said quietly.

"Then you've done what you could to make it be stopped in a reasonable time but Ethan needs to do this to regain some of the humanity he lost.  There's no court that would punish him for him.  He can't get satisfaction any other way."  Xander nodded, going limp against his side.  "Sometimes, the world isn't as clear cut ethically as we'd like, Xander.  The system has flaws and sometimes people end up doing it when it fails.  Then they get punished."

"Which is wrong."

"It is."  He looked down at him.  "The same as you had to do what you did to save others.  Even if it was in anger."

"It's just...."

"Sometimes you see the blood on your hands?" he suggested.  Xander looked up at him.  "I've had to kill others before.  We all have those thoughts, Xander."  He stroked over his shoulder and arm since it was available.  Xander soaked up any touches he was given. It was something he liked about the boy.  "Necessity and saving the lives of other people aren't murder.  Sometimes necessity is self defense and sometimes it's a bad thing but it's necessary.  Saving others, if they can't do it themselves or won't do it themselves like in Sunnydale, then it's an act of protection.  The same as an officer shooting someone in the line of duty is."

Xander nodded at that and put his head back down on his shoulder.  "Sometimes I still get the desire to just go clean things up so the normal humans don't have to worry," he admitted.

"I've felt that need.  It's the same desire that drove me to being an officer and eventually into the lab when I found I could make more of a difference that way."  Xander nodded at that, giving his chest a small hug with the arm around it.  "It's not necessarily a bad thing, depending on what you do with it.  If you do something positive for society then it's a good thing.  If you go out to become a vigilante, then I'd have to complain and arrest you."  Xander relaxed more.  He looked down and stroked over his head.  "It'll be all right, Xander," he promised to his sleeping face.  "We'll help you through this.  We've all been through it."  He put the journal down and lifted Xander up, taking him up to bed.  They could both use the rest.  They could keep each other's nightmares away.

***

Speed looked up when Horatio joined him at lunch, taking the journal.  "What's this?"

"The reason Xander was having ethical qualms last night," he admitted.

"Why?"

"Read it."  He sat down, picking up his menu.  "Are you getting it or me?"

"You. They turned down my temporary disability claim."

"Why?"

"I'm not real sure.  Their reasons sounded something along the lines of 'you could've ducked' or something."  Horatio groaned.  "So I'm suing them."  He went back to his reading, flipping the page.  "His handwriting could use some work."

"Not what I wanted you to see," Horatio noted, waving over the waiter.  "Shrimp salad and water?"  That got a nod.

"Sounds good.  Orange dressing on the side," Speed ordered, handing his menu back without looking.  He turned the next page and went back to reading, then looked at Horatio.  "He had ethical qualms?"

"Ethan, someone from out there, got handed over to them by Giles," he said quietly.  "For tormenting him."

"With just the first few pages I could've told you what you would happen."

"He gave Ethan a lesser idea to get back at Giles yesterday.  Then he angsted over it last night."

"As is good for a healthy mind," he agreed, putting the journal down.  "I'll finish it at home when I can scream and rant in peace."

"I had to convince him that protecting one of them by shooting someone who was trying to stop them from saving a friend they had in custody wasn't evil," Horatio said quietly.

"It's like shooting someone in the line of duty."

"I told him that."

Speed went back to reading.  His boy needed him. "You know we can't tell the others about this," he said firmly.  "Alexx would stare in horror and shock too long.  So would Calleigh.  He'd run."

"I know.  But we have to reassure him that he wasn't wrong."

Speed looked over the edge of the journal at him.  "There's no wrong in saving your friend from someone who's torturing them, Horatio.   Even if one of the torturing bastards does get hurt in the rescue."

"I know that and so do you," he reminded him.  "He wasn't so sure.  That and helping Ethan by giving him something less than he wanted to do."

Speed shook his head and went back to reading, even when his food was put down.  He ate automatically, shaking his head every few pages.  He finally had to put it down because Horatio saw his white knuckles and made him.  "I want to hurt them."

"As do I.  It's not our place," Horatio reminded him.  "We've done what we can about that."

"God, H!"

"I know, Speed.  He needs us to show him how normal people are now and then."

"I can do that!"  He finished eating and took the book with him, heading over to the store on his bike.  He walked up the back stairs and into Xander's apartment, putting the journal down.  He even saw the flinch.  "I'm not mad at you.  You did what you had to do."  He made the boy look at him.  "You did the right thing.  Even suggesting something lesser was the right thing."  Xander relaxed and nodded, looking at the stuff in the pot. "What's that?"

"Anti-bug stuff."

"Why?  They make sprays."

"They're dangerous to animals and bad for the environment.  Besides, this lasts for a year."  He got back to work stirring it.  Then he kissed Speed. "Did you read it all?"

"The first ten pages.  Then Horatio made me put it down before I went on a rant in public."  He gave him another hug.  "You did the right thing and we're here for you, Xander.  Even if we're both tired from a long day in the lab."  Xander rested against his chest.  "Can you pull that off the heat?  You need cuddles."

"If I do it could curdle and ruin it.  Then I'd have to get new stuff and the boss would complain."

"How long to finish it?"

"Another hour.  You can help."

"Okay."  He let him go very slowly and watched him work.  Someone tapped on the door so he went to get it.  "Hi, Rebecca.  He's working on the bug stuff."

"That's good."  She came in to look over his shoulder.  "That's a bit thick, Xander. Did you stir it constantly?"

"Speed hugged me," he admitted. "Can I add some purified water?"

"You can try.  That one's a pain to make.  Especially if the toadstools weren't soaked beforehand."

"I did it in the wine like the directions said.  I guess I'll figure it out.  If I can't, I'll get new stuff and start over tonight."  She smiled at that.  "I told him about some of the Sunnydale stuff," he said quietly.

She looked at Speed.  "Are you blaming him for what he did?"

"No.  Not in the least.  Or with Ethan.  I think it was wrong of Ethan to put him in the middle and it was wrong of Giles to give Ethan to them, no matter how expedient it was."  Xander slumped at that.  "The same as him having to hurt someone to get Oz back from them would be a good reason in my book."  Xander looked at him.  "It would be."  Xander nodded and got back to his stirring.  "Sorry if I made him mess up."

"That's all right.  It happens to the best of us. That one is a pain to make," she promised, kissing him on the cheek.  "Watch his brilliance in action.  He could be the next Snape."  Xander blushed and gave her a shy grin for that compliment.  "Just keep going, Xander.  We'll test it later."  He nodded.  "Don't thin it by adding extra wine either.  That'll make it odd."  She left, going back to the store.  The owner was looking over the books.  "I've got Xander making the anti-bug potion, Merry."

"Good.  How is it going?"

"It's a bit thickened.  He's down to the last two ingredients though so it may still come out all right.  Apparently Speed needed a hug during the constant stirring portion."

"That happens now and then.  How have his other ones been?"

"Excellent."  She got a bottle of the bruise potion he made and handed it over. "It lasts only half a year but it feels great and works just as good.  Plus he washes the bottle with mint oil before filling it so it doesn't stink."

"Really?  Just as good?"

"Just as good," she promised.  "He said he'd let anyone test it."

"I'll do that."  She tucked it into her purse.  "The cold must make it feel better."

"It so does," she agreed.  She looked out at the empty store then at her boss.  "He's having a few ethical qualms now that he's not living the life of survival."

"That's typical.  I'm sure his boys can help him," she said with a smile. "Have we paid him this week?"

"We have.  I left it on his table just now since he's not due in today and I needed that made.   We'll test it later to see how it works."

"That's fine then."  She heard the small explosion.  "Sounds like he added the dried mushrooms too soon."

"It always does that to me," she admitted.  "The recipe we have says how may stirs not a set time."

"Point."  She handed over the other paychecks and took the weekly pay sheets, heading back to her home to see if she could still make that, and to test the bruise potion against the old style on a piece of raw meat. An hour later it was just as effective and it did smell so much better!

***

Speed smiled as Horatio came over for dinner, Xander was in the backyard bouncing around.  "He did a good job on the anti-bug potion they had him make today.  Even if it did explode a bit and was too thick.  They said it'd dry to the right consistency."  He handed Horatio a glass of wine.  "Xander?"  He came in and Speed gave him a glass too.  "To celebrate.  We'll all have just the one.  And there's some in the sauce with the meat but the alcohol's gone," he promised.  Xander nodded and sipped his, looking at it.  He grinned. "I know, I went for the nice tasting stuff."  Horatio sipped and smiled.  "I got to watch him stir and add things."

"Maybe he should take up cooking too."

"It's about the same," Xander agreed shyly.  "She said I could be the next Snape."  Horatio gave him a hug and he relaxed against his chest. "I paid the cable guy too since I got paid."

"Good boy, Xander."  He gave him a gentle kiss.  Speed gave him a harder one, getting a moan.  "We should eat then decide what we're doing tonight."

"I was thinking a nice night in and some more teaching Xander," Speed offered.  Xander blushed bright red at that.  "Horatio?"

"That would be a good night," he agreed, kissing Xander again to make him quit blushing.  "There's a lot you haven't tried to do yet with our bodies, Xander."

"Can we, um, break me in tonight?"

"We could if you wanted it and at the right time," Horatio promised, smiling at him.  "How long is your shift tomorrow?"

"Eight hours but I've got a nice stool I can sit on."

"Then we'll be as gentle as we can."  Xander smiled and snuck a kiss, then went to set the table.  Very carefully so he wouldn't break another plate like the last time.  Speed smiled and Horatio took a kiss before going to help him.  "What else did you do today?"

"Just that.  It takes forever and a lot of stirring.  You have to stir it constantly for three thousand strokes."

"Ow," Horatio agreed, moving to rub his shoulders, which made Xander tense but then relax and go limp in his hands.  "Glasses on the table," he ordered quietly.  Xander finished setting it and then let Horatio sit him down in a chair to work on his shoulders and arms.  He heard the moans and smiled at Speed.  "You didn't do this for him earlier?"

"I started to but he had to finish it before I could.  Since it stunk I evacuated him here with the cat for dinner."  He pointed at the little black ball of fur on top of the tv.  "He doesn't listen very well."

"He's a cat, Speed."

"Point."  He glared at the cat and it got up to lazily stretch then hopped down to come see what he was doing.  "Xander, did we bring the food?"

"No.  Oops?"

"I've got tuna," he admitted, finding a can and putting that down for the beast.  It blinked up at him. "Yes, you, eat."  He put down a small bowl of water as well and the thing sniffed the tuna, then at the stove.  "You don't get people food."

"He likes gravy."  He moaned and his cat came over to hop into his lap and knead his thighs.  "Hi, Hummer.  I promise I'm not in pain.  It's a good thing not a bad ouchie."  He stroked the cat anyway, making Horatio smile.

"Don't you dare teach him to come when you moan," Speed ordered.

"He was doing that anyway, Speed."

Speed came over to look at the cat, picking him up by the stomach.  "The boy's not in pain.  We'd never hurt your boy, Hummer.  Calm down and go eat the tuna."  He put him in front of the plate and washed his hands so he could dish up dinner.  He turned and found the cat on top of the microwave, staring at him.  "What?"

"Hummer, that's a people space," Xander said firmly.  The cat hopped down and went back to sniffing the tuna then taking a delicate lick of the juice that had come with it.  He decided he liked that so he licked some more up to chew on, watching the peoples sit down at the table.  He snuck over but a sudden burst of water hit him and made him run back into the kitchen to his own bowl.  He didn't know tables hated cats.  His mother had never told him that!

Speed put the squirt gun aside and dished up food, making Horatio smile.  "I found it on a cat site.  It works."

"It does."  Xander held up his own plate with a smile. "Thank you, Speed."

"Welcome, Xander.  Eat so we can play."  Xander smiled and dug in.  "So, Horatio, how's my lab?"

"Fine.  Ryan's doing very well in there so far.  Even if he is making rookie mistakes."

"He told someone at the revel his brain doesn't always regulate what his mouth says," Xander told them.

"I've already seen that once," Horatio admitted.  "That reporter worries me."

"Him too if he's smart," Speed agreed thoughtfully.  "How do they know each other?"

"Probably back in college since the woman he told at the revel knew him back then and she knew who he was talking about."

"That does make sense," Horatio agreed.  He ate another bite and sipped his wine.  "I like this together, Speed."

"Thank you."  He smiled at Xander.  "I promise there's no alcohol in the meat, Xander.  Only that one glass.  You'll need to be a bit more relaxed later."  Xander nodded and dug in, eating the sauce too.  He reached over to take his hand to hold while he ate, getting a brilliant smile.  "How have things been at the store?"

"Okay I guess.  The same as usual.  We got our quarterly threat from one of the local priests apparently.  Rebecca said I couldn't go threaten him back but she said they turned it over to their lawyers so I guess they've got it."  They both paused to stare at him.  "He's paranoid, talking about heathen this and that."  He shrugged.  "You get odd people like that now and then.  Oooh, and I got to stake two vampires the other night.  We have the invite all peaceful people spell on the door so they managed to get in since they only wanted to steal some supplies and a book.  I couldn't stake them in the store but I did get them outside and it went okay.  They went whoosh as planned within seconds and they dropped the stuff so it didn't disappear with them."  He ate another bite and watched them continue to stare.  "What?  It was a good thing.  Vampires are bad."

"They are," Speed agreed, shaking loose of his thoughts.

"It's the way you talk about it, Xander," Horatio told him.  "Like you were stomping roaches."

"They're about the same.  Roaches carry diseases, vampires are a disease."  The cat hopped into his lap to purr at him.  "Hi, Hummer."  He nuzzled him and smiled. "I'm okay but you're not allowed in the lap when I eat."  He kissed him and put him back onto the floor.  "Go lounge or stare out the window."  The cat went to do that.  "We did remember the litter box, right?"

"We did," Speed agreed, patting him on the hand.  "What did Rebecca think?"

"That it was good that I got the stuff.  The book was like nearly a grand."

"Ow," Speed hissed.  A grand?"

"Nine and a half plus tax."

"Still ow," Speed told him.  "Is it at least a first edition?"

"No, but it's got some really important spells and things.  Like a translation spell and one to find other areas of magic.  Things like that."

"Do they work?" Horatio asked.

"Depends on the belief level and level of power."

"Like any faith then," Horatio agreed.  Xander smiled and nodded.  "Can you do them?"

"Not very well.  I can do very minor things but I'm not the magic guy.  Potion guy but not the magic stuff as much."  He gave him a shy look.  "We had Willow and Tara for that."

"Did you make their potions for them?"

"Tara taught me.  Willow usually liked to mess potions up for not measuring exactly.  Usually not badly enough to really mess the important things up but now and then she got some really odd things from her potions.  One time she turned me into a lizard instead of a dog when she got mad at me."

Both older men blinked at that.  "Did you tell her to do that?" Horatio asked.

"Well, no, but she was mad at me and having PMS.  Women are scary creatures and I couldn't do more than flinch or try to run."

"You do realize that was wrong of her?" Speed asked.  He almost sounded hesitant.

"Yeah, but she's a scary woman.  Especially when she's got PMS."

"Point," Speed agreed.  "Did she do that often?"

"Now and then."  He shrugged. "Tara made her stop after that time."

"I'm liking this Tara.  Can we meet her when she comes down?"

"Sure.  She'll be down during the holidays and if she can right before school starts."

"That's cool."  Speed smiled at him. "Want more?"  Xander nodded so he dished him up some more food, adding some to Horatio's plate too.  "You've had a long day."

"I know but it was a good one. I got to threaten the IRS."

"Would I have to claim what the department gave me?" Xander asked.

Horatio considered that, then shook his head.  "Not as far as I know.  You should check with the IRS for that."  He took his other hand to hold for a few moments.  "You're here now and none of us are going to turn you into things you shouldn't be."

"Being a lizard wasn't so bad.  I basked under her desk light while watching her pace and rant and scream at herself for screwing up.  I'm just glad I'm not Amy.  She got stuck as a rat when she changed to get away from the people with the stakes and the flames."

"Like tied her to the stake?" Speed asked.  That was just too far in his book.  Witchcraft and demons were one thing, witch trials were another.

Xander nodded.  "It was the Hansel and Gretel demon influencing the town.  Joyce formed MOO and went after the witches. They tried to burn Amy, Willow, and Buffy.  Amy prayed to Hecate and got turned into a rat.  She's still a rat on Willow's desk.  So it wasn't so bad.  I got changed back that same day."  Speed leaned over to kiss him, making Xander smile.  "Thank you.  What was that for?"

"For surviving and coming down here," Speed told him.

"It wasn't that bad.  I mean, vampires are icky and all.  So are most demons, especially the insane ones who're high on the power of the area, but it's just like that.  I didn't do anything special."

"Nothing special?" Horatio asked.  "Xander, what did you do during graduation?"

"I led the battle."

"That's special," Speed assured him.  Horatio nodded.  "You saved lives.  That's very special."

"We all did that and I tripped a lot."

"So?"  Speed frowned at him.  "Trust me, Xander.  What you did was even more special than them.  Not every normal, unskilled guy like you were could or would have done what you did there."

"Most of the town didn't even want to see that there was a problem," Horatio reminded him calmly.  "Most of them didn't even want to realize that people had died.  That new people were moving into town to give the vampires and others things to eat.  You did great things out there.  Even if you tripped.  Even if they discounted you."  Xander looked down at that.  He had known they didn't respect him for his sacrifices.  "You did very good things out there."  Xander looked at him again.  "Understand?"

Xander nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome but if they come back for you again I'm going to blow up that whole town."  Xander gave him a shy grin and shook his head.  "Yes I will."

"No you won't.  That would hurt innocent people.  You're not like that."

"You're right, I'm not.  It doesn't mean I won't destroy that town."  Xander giggled and hugged him across the table, then got back to eating.  He even licked the spot of food off his shirt.  Horatio and Speed shared a look.  "I'm very glad I didn't go armed," he mouthed when Xander wasn't looking. The cat jumped up in his lap, making him look at him.  "Hello, Hummer."  He let him lick a bit of sauce off his finger, then the cat purred at him and settled in.  "You shouldn't be on laps at the table," he chastised. "You're going to get sprayed again if you don't run."  The cat stared at him.  "I promise, I'll take good care of your human if you go take a nap somewhere soft."  The cat got put onto the floor and he wandered off, going to find a good spot to watch and nap.  "Good boy, Hummer."  The phone rang.  "I knew it was too good to last."

Speed grabbed it.  "Speedle.  We're all here, Eric, why?"  He listened to the story about the store's break-in and the people burning instantly.  "Xander, would anything in the store make people burst into flames in the entryway?"

"No.  Not unless they were bothered by the holy spot we laid down recently.  Which meant they were probably vampires."  He took the phone.  "What's going on, Eric?"  He listened.  Then he nodded.  "Are they ash or bones?"  He sighed at that.  "Kinda blue tinged skin? Had gills?"  He smirked.  "Knew there were some in town.  They were bothered by the holy spot we laid into the floor, on the mosaic.  That small area is holy ground and it bothers them.  Toss them back into the harbor, they'll regenerate and won't do it again.  Hey, they can feel holy ground.  Even if they were coming for help they would've announced it first and walked around the spot.  That meant they didn't come peacefully.  Sure.  They regenerate with water.  Preferably salt water."

He smiled.  "I don't know, dump some of your bottle of water on them, make sure."  He waited while Eric did that.  Then nodded at what he said.  "Tell her to have them dumped in the harbor, they'll be fine within hours as long as the sharks don't get them.  They're relatives so I doubt they would.  That'll work too.  Then she can ask them what they wanted.  Sure.  I'm here.  Thanks, Eric."  He hung up and his cat came running back to hop into his lap.  "No laps while we're eating," Xander said firmly.  "You're a familiar, you're that smart."  The cat huffed off and went to twine around their ankles. "I'm nearly done."  He finished up and went to play with his cat, making him more satisfied.  Speed handed him his glass of wine so he sipped it slowly while he petted the moving beast.  "I should brush you tomorrow.  Yes I should."

"You can do that here," Speed promised.  "Just pick up all the hair."

"I'll take him up onto the roof so the birds can get the hair if they need it."

"That's a nice idea," Speed agreed, smiling at him. "An easy way to give back to nature."  Horatio nodded since his mouth was full.  "Put your dishes in the kitchen for me?"  Xander smiled and finished his wine, the cat following him into the kitchen.  "That bad?"

"That bad," Horatio agreed.  "Even the ones who liked him were that bad."

"I should go visit," Xander called. "I can take Speed with me for the weekend."

"Not without support you're not," Horatio ordered.  Xander looked at him.  "I'm serious, Xander.  I don't want you hurt.  Willow's still out there."

"I've had worse, just not from my beset friend, Horatio."

Horatio got up to hug him.  "I don't care if you had.  I'm sure the others are dead."  Xander shook his head.  "Except your parents?" he asked quietly.  Xander nodded.  "I understand that stuff, Xander, but we don't want you to go alone and get trapped or get hurt."

"I won't."

"You could."

"Giles said he'd fly me out for a week."  He left out the 'for the next apocalypse' part that Giles had added.

"Then one of us will go with you.  If we can't, I'll send Calleigh.  She'll like the weapons."  Xander grinned slightly at that.  Because they all knew that Calleigh would shoot someone who hurt Xander.  She was very protective of him.  "All right?"  He nodded and gave him a hug.  "Thank you."  He gave him a gentle kiss.  "Play with your little monster until he's worn out so we can go have fun."  Xander blushed but did that while the other two finished eating.  Horatio sat back down and took Speed's hand to hold, getting a grin.  "It'll be fine.  If we can't go with him we'll send Calleigh."

"Can we send Eric too?  He said he needs a vacation."

"He'd try to hit on Buffy.  Probably not the best of ideas," Xander offered.  "She's a bit more dangerous than he's used to."

"Not really," Speed said dryly.  That got a shy smile sent his way and the phone rang again.  He growled into it this time. Calleigh complained.  "What, Calleigh.  No, I thought you were Eric calling back.  Yeah, we heard. He's here.  Why?  Dinner," he said dryly.  "He's here too.  I cooked for both of them."

"It was good too," Xander promised.

Speed smiled.  "She said she wanted leftovers."

"There won't be any," Horatio assured him, finishing his plate and putting his in the kitchen so he could help him wear out his beast.  Because he knew the cat would interrupt at the wrong time.  Especially if he came to make sure Xander was all right each time he moaned.

Speed grinned at them and took a picture with his phone.  "What?"  He listened to her repeat herself. "Tara's here already?  Is she all right?"  Xander looked concerned.  "Sure.  We can go to Xander's but it's kinda stinky," he admitted.  "An anti-bug potion.  Sure.  Give us thirty."  He hung up and looked at them.  "Let's pack up the cat and go back for a while."  Because the cat would destroy something if he was left alone.  He only loved Xander's things.  Especially the weapons.  They each grabbed something and Speed put the tuna into the fridge.  Horatio drove and Xander held his cat under his shirt again.  Hummer didn't like to travel.  He reached across the back seat to stroke his cheek, smiling at him.  "If we didn't have a deadline I'd have Horatio pull over and molest you in here," he whispered in Xander's ear.  Xander grinned at him.  "Maybe later tonight or this weekend?"

"He's on call."

"I'm not this weekend," Horatio noted.  "If you're planning on molesting him, let me find out from Eric how to disable the camera for a bit."

"He did?" Speed laughed.

"He did.  He had sex in the one he had checked out and no one saw it.  They smelled it the next morning and checked the tape.  It had been turned off for three hours."

Xander grinned.  "I might be able to arrange that."  Horatio gave him a long stare at a light. "I might."

"We'll see if you can or not, Xander."  He went on and parked behind the store, letting the boy get out while Speed got the litterbox and Horatio walked in to check on Eric.  "Are they back yet?"

"Mostly.  There's still a few spots and they admitted they wanted to rob the store.  I told his boss what he said and she agreed that they usually did announce themselves.  That's why she didn't call.  One of the neighbors called in the screams."  That got a nod.  "So the pretty blonde girl with Calleigh?"

"Tara."

"Oh."  That got a grin.  "She's cute."

"She's into girls, Eric.  Notably Willow."

"Pity."  He shrugged.  "Anyway...."

"Two things. If he goes back for a few days and we can't, you and Calleigh or she and Frank are going."

"Sure.  We can guard what's yours."  Horatio gave him a look for that.  "The camera wire is the blue one with the green stripe down the side.  Disconnect it from the battery and give it an hour to run out of backup power."  Horatio smirked and walked off.  "I figured Speed would like that," he called after him.  He got back to work finishing up the scene.  He'd file it as someone who hurt themselves.  It'd cause less headaches than 'demon coming in to rob occult store - killed and regenerated' would.

Horatio walked into the apartment smiling at Tara.  "Good evening."

She blushed and looked at him.  "Hi, Mr. Caine."

"Horatio, Tara."

"Horatio then."  She shook his hand delicately then went back to hugging Xander and his familiar.  "He's good for you," she whispered in her friend's ear, getting a blush from him too.  "I'm sorry I'm early."

"I'm not."  He handed her the cat.  "That's Hummer."

She smiled.  "Hi, Hummer."  She petted him gently, earning a purr for her nails. "You're very pretty."  She petted Xander's arm too.  "Can I stay?"

"Sure.  I don't mind.  I've got to work tomorrow but you can hang out in the store with me if you want.  Tomorrow's probably going to be a light day."

"Sure."  She blushed at the two men watching them.  "I'm the nice one, really."

"We heard you were," Speed agreed.  "If he gives in to Giles, one of the team will be coming with him."  She giggled at that.  "We will."

"If you send the playboy I'll have him set up with Buffy.  She knows lots of cute girls at the college."

"He'd probably like that," Horatio agreed. "Xander, would you like to come over this weekend?"

"Sure.  Thanks, guys."

"Not a problem.  We'll be more than happy to cuddle you whenever your friend's off exploring Miami or she's back in Sunnydale.  Friends are too important to miss out on," Speed reminded him, giving him a gentle kiss. Xander smiled at him. "I'll try to save that tuna for the hairy thing."  He winked at Xander blushed bright red. "That too."  He pulled Horatio up with his good arm.  "Come on, H.  We'll head home so they can catch up."  That got a nod and Horatio got a kiss from Xander and a hug from Tara.  She hugged him too.  "Thanks, Tara.  Relax, have some fun on the vacation."  She nodded and they left.  "I've got dirty movies at my house," he teased.

"I'm sure you do," he agreed.  "But I'm far past the age where I watch them."

"Yeah, pull the other one, Horatio," he said with a wicked grin.  "Take me home.  Now.  I reward good men who do good things all day, especially ones that are as socially redeeming as threatening the IRS."  Horatio got him into the hummer and took him back to his place so they could spend the night together.  It was hard juggling working in the lab and a lover, much less two lovers, with Xander's work schedule.   This was the first night they'd been together in a week and Speed was going to make the most of it by driving Horatio insane.

***

Tara hung up and sighed, then shook her head as she walked back into the store.  "Giles needs me before school starts."  Xander pouted.  "I've been here nearly a week," she teased.  "You should be tired of me by now.  It's been five days."

He shook his head.  "Of course I'm not.  It's nice to have friends who understand me."    He smiled at her.  "I fixed the bruise potion."  She flinched at that.  "I would've offered sooner but if you go back with it on you they'll all complain."

"They will," she agreed.  "Thank you, Xander.  Where do you put yours?"

"In the fridge."

She looked at him.  "You changed it?"  He nodded.  She smiled and went to check it out, putting it on the bruises on her arms.  Some gauze and tape was good enough to hold it in place.  She came back down and hugged him.  "It's a good correction.  Doesn't stink as much."

"You can tell them that I spilled mouthwash on you."

She swatted him.  "I'm not like that," she reminded him.

"They'll think it anyway or make up some other story if you don't."

She sighed and shook her head.  "I should protest."

"Yeah but that's just Sunnydale and me together," he reminded her.

"Point.  Not a happy one."  She stroked his cheek.  "Thank you for the warning about Ethan," she said quietly.

"I had to.  Even if I did have ethical qualms."

"What is he going to do?"

"He was going to repay the torture Giles sent him to by casting a lust spell between Giles and Spike."

She shuddered.  "I like Spike but that would be horrible, especially with his chip."

Xander nodded. "But he probably had an idea for that too.  Then again, Giles may end up like someone from Spike's life."

"Understood," she said, giving him another hug.  "It was wrong of us to hand him over, Xander," she agreed quietly.  "We do deserve some punishment."

"I looked for him when we went to find Oz and didn't see him," he admitted.  "He was somewhere else."

She nodded. "I know.  I looked too."  She let him go, stroking his face. "You did the right thing, Xander."  He nodded, finally relaxing about that.  "Now, should I ask Giles if he needs you too?"  He shook his head.  "Are you sure?"

"He'd never admit it," he pointed out.

"True."  She gave him another hug.  "He's sending me tickets for later tonight.  I've got to pick them up at the airport."  He nodded at that, giving her a gentle smile.  "Can I take a bottle of the bruise stuff with me?"

"Sure.  Remember to keep it cold."  She smiled and went to fix that issue, then repack her bags.  She came back down with her two bags and he gave her another hug.  "Be safe and come back at the holidays if you don't want to go home, Tara.  Miami can be home to both of us."  She smiled and nodded, heading out to get a ride to the airport.  Xander sighed and then mentally cursed at her family.  A gentle hand stroked his back.  "Her parents were like mine," he admitted, looking at his coworker Tolly.

"The goddess always provides a sanctuary if we look for it, Xander.  She's found hers in you.  She'll be back."

"If Sunnydale doesn't kill her."

"It won't, not this year."  He looked at her. "We all have to die sometime but her aura is strong."

"It is," he sighed, pouting some.   "Sometimes I really want to destroy Sunnydale."  She gave him a long stare.  "It would help save more lives and end a lot of misery.  The whole town was built as a food farm for the vampires and demons, Tolly.  It'd be saving lives to go bomb the town and then bury the stupid hellmouth under a mountain of dirt."

"Others would come later for the power it radiates," she pointed out.  "The town would eventually be rebuilt."

"Not for decades, at least, if not centuries if we buried it right.  Right now, the remains of the high school are over it and you can dig down deep enough to get it and the seal."  She nodded, letting him go.  "I know, I shouldn't have violent thoughts in the store.  I'd evacuate the people."

"I'm sure you would," she agreed.  "It's still not right to do the town harm."

He looked at her.  "It's not like it'd hurt *people*, Tolly."

"What about the sentient demon races?"

"They'd hear.  I'd even let most of the vamps run for LA.  I'd give a whole day of warning."  She smiled at that.  "I would.  That's more than you usually get with hurricanes."

"It is," she sighed, shaking her head. "Still, it's a bad thought."

He looked at her.  "One that might someday be necessary.  Tara was saying that Giles thinks this next apocalypse is going to be too big to fight without something drastic."

"If you want to, you could probably get time off to go back."  He nodded.  "But it would change you again."

"I know."  He grimaced and went back to his dusting.  "Maybe I'll be a sanctuary where they can run this time."

She stroked his back.  "We will all do as we're called to do, Xander.  Your part will be told or shown to you.  Have some patience."

He looked at her and nodded.  "I will."  She smiled and left him alone while he thought. Then he went to grab the prophecy book to flip through.  He frowned, finding something. He called Giles.  "It's me.  I'm sitting here looking at a prophecy book and it says a hell goddess is coming?"  He listened to him.  "Tara just left, Giles.  I'm having strong 'bomb the city and use the remains to bury the hole under the library for good' feelings."  He listened to him.  "That book, yes.  I do work in an occult bookstore, Giles.  Yeah, that one."  He smiled. "So, have any visions yet?"  He heard the moan and Giles hung up.  He called him back.  "He was going to cast a lust spell between you and Spike," he offered.  "Yes, Giles, he did come here.  Because they tortured him for four months," he said plainly.  "They killed and revived him a few times to see what it'd do to his special skills.  He's got more scars than I do."

He smiled.  "That's what I thought you'd say.  Now, hell goddess named Glory after something called a key?"  He listened to the more comprehensive history lesson.  "Uh-huh.  And she's coming *this* year, Giles."  He nodded.  "Well, she's probably not coming to Miami.  Why would she go anywhere other than there?"  He nodded. "Exactly."  He smirked.  "Let me know, I'll figure out something."  He hung up and put the book back, then went outside to scream and rant at the Gods for doing this to him.  His boss came out to check on him. "It's a damn goddess from hell," he said hotly.  "This year's apocalypse in Sunnydale.  Giles thinks *Willow* can handle this with his help!"  He hung his head then looked at her.  "According to our book, it'll come down to a sacrifice," he said more quietly.

She came out to give him a hug.   "Now is the time to make plans," she reminded him.

"They won't listen to me.  They never did."

"This time make them."

He looked at her.  "They think all I can do is fetch coffee and make lame jokes," he said bitterly.  "They've never listened to me.  Not since Willow learned how to float a pencil.  Not that I think Willow listened to me before Buffy came, she just mostly stared in awe."

"Tell Willow what you've seen, Xander.  Perhaps the necessary things can be stopped."

"How?  It's a timed thing.  We can't stop time."  He looked at her, then shook his head slowly.  "That's an insane plan but thank you, Ethan."  He looked up.  "I'm not magical that way."  He looked at her again then shrugged.  "I do not know what to do this time and before you say it they're not involved in that life.  Horatio agreed with me about bombing the town and then burying it over the hellmouth in a mountain."

She looked at him. "Ending the hellmouth is nearly impossible.  Go research this goddess.  See what you can find out about it."

"I need to research the key.  That's what she's after."

"What sort of key?"

"Giles said it's an interdimensional key of some sort.  He said she tries for it every millennium."

"Then go research that," she agreed.  He nodded, walking off.  "Xander?" she called patiently.

"Going to see my old landlord."  She rolled her eyes.  "He'd have more things than we would."

"Good point."  She watched him jog off to catch the bus coming up the street.  Then she sighed. "Damn it, I like Xander.  I don't want to have to fire him for getting involved in another Sunnydale matter."  She went back inside to call the owner to let her know.  At the very least they could send energy to Tara and Willow. Plus she'd be warned if Xander had to suddenly take time off.

***

Xander looked up from his reading when someone knocked on the door.  "It's open."  The cat walked over to meow at the person coming in.  "Hi, Yelina."

"What are you researching this time?  A new potion?" she teased.

Xander looked up at her.  "There's a hell goddess coming to Sunnydale this year after a sacrifice she wants."

She blinked, then laughed nervously.  "You are kidding, right?"  He shook his head.  "Do things like that often happen there?"  He nodded.  "Oh, dear.  You're serious?"

"Unfortunately.  We're trying to stop it right now."  He stood up. "What's up?  Something happen to Horatio?"

"No, dear.  I came to see if you had any more of that bruise stuff you used on Frank.  Ray got scraped up in soccer today."  He got a new bottle and handed it over.  "Any directions?"

"Only leave it on for an hour, keep it cold.  Use a clean cloth and expect it to pull some of the blood out through the skin.  Might sting some if he's got scrapes and keep it out of bodily orifices but scrapes won't matter."  She smiled and nodded. "It'll be fine, Yelina.  We've handled really bad shit before, we can handle this one."  She nodded and left him to it.  He had an idea and looked up.  "Not a bad one," he agreed quietly.  "Thanks."  He called Giles.  "Is the key human or not?  Because if she needs her blood, do what Ethan did to you for that one day, Giles.  Or have her turned."  He listened to what they knew about who the key was.  "Then turn her demonic or have her tainted toward the demonic.   You know that one demon, the one so beautiful it's decent?  Have her turn into that?  I don't know, ask Anya for a favor?" he suggested.  He smirked.  "That would keep it out of her hands, Giles.  Exactly.  As long as it wasn't something that was going to harm everyone in the family they should be fine.  I know what I'm saying, Giles, and I heard you when you said she was fourteen.  Giles, this is Glorificus we're talking about.  We'll get to bury the hellmouth under a mountain of rubble when she's through with Sunnydale.  Then you can all move."  He held his head.  "If you say so."  He hung up and went back to research what type of demon would be best.  Horatio came over and before he could even knock the cat was howling for attention.  "S'open," he called.

Horatio walked in and took the book from him.  "You scared Yelina?"

He looked at him then grabbed another book and found the section so he could read it. "She's coming after someone in Sunnydale," he said simply.  Horatio sat down while reading, staring at him in horror when he was done.  "My suggestion, taint the poor fourteen-year-old girl so she can't hurt her.  Make the key incapable of being used."

"Can you do that without harming her?"

"Yeah, I can," he agreed.  "Or actually, Anya can.  There's some demons that just *are*, that aren't *bad* or evil.  She can be tainted or turned into a half one.  Most of them even look human. That would protect Dawn and everyone else and I'm sure she wouldn't really mind that instead of having her sister die along with the rest of them. Because Buffy will have to try to protect her but that's a bit too strong for her."

"It would be," he agreed quietly.  "Did you call out there?"

"I did and Giles said that was mean.  That I should come home because you guys were warping me toward the bad side."

Horatio groaned.  "No, I think that's a last resort plan," he admitted.  "It's not something I'd want to consider but..."

"Doing it now means that Glorificus can't even come back.  She'll be brought back within the week.  They don't have time because if she's raised she's stuck here until someone kills her host."

"Host?"

"She's got to be given a host body to reside in."

"Oh."

"It'll be like two people in the same body."

"Oh."  He nodded a bit at that.  "Perhaps you should lay out a better plan. Lay it out fully. Send it over in a logical letter."

"By the time a letter gets there from here it'll be too late."  His phone rang so he looked at it. "Buffy," he answered.  "Yeah, that's my idea.  Because tainting it so the key isn't ...  Buffy, it's in the blood if she's human," he pointed out.  "Then what about something like the Tra'aken?  They're harmless.  They're human looking.  She could be a halfie and it'd still be out of her blood.  That would keep her from being risen, Buffy. The key has to be vulnerable to use for her to be released and put into a host.  The only way to kill her is to kill her host.  No, we're talking like possession with benefits from what I've read.  Actually, I sublet from a wizard down here for a while.  Chaos guy, had imps doing his housework.  Has a huge library.  Well, ask Anya.  She could tell you what would be the downside of anything like that, any vulnerabilities and special considerations.  Have her call in a favor or have Willow and Tara do it, Buffy," he said patiently.

"Why not?  They turned me into a lizard."  He smirked.  "That's right, they can.  They said they made her from you?  Well, if worst comes to worst, you can be turned," he offered.  "Or do the same thing.  There's no saying it can't be a temporary transformation, Buffy.  Bring her back when all this is over with and her use-by date is past by a month or so.  Yes, I would give it some leeway.  Because it's numbered in a calendar that wasn't stable according to Giles' lecture a few years ago about prophecies?  No, you were asleep on Faith."  He nodded. "That year.  Yeah."  He listened.  "That would be the least painful plan.  It would protect your family and her, it would protect the town.  It would take the danger out.  It would keep you from dying by having to take something like Glorificus on.  Technically, I would ask Spike and Anya for their opinions.  Really.  Spike'll suggest something pretty and deadly.  Anya will counter it and can help you find something or someone to help her change over.  If you need more verification, ask Wes, he's with Angel.  He ordered from us the other day.  Sure.  I'm here or at work, dear.  Thanks."  He hung up and put his head over on Horatio's arm.  "I feel dirty."

"You're trying to save lives," he reminded him.  "It won't hurt her."

"Buffy said their mother would never agree."

"She would if it would save her daughters' lives," he pointed out.  He called her himself.  "Joyce, Horatio Caine.  No, he's fine, resting on my arm.  No, about the new apocalypse.  He had an idea but they don't like it.  He doesn't much like it but it would keep her safe we think."  He nodded.  "That's what he was thinking.  If it's in the blood, change the blood."   He smiled.  "That's what he said.  He said something about Tra'aken? I don't follow those things.  He did say to ask Spike and Anya.  No, we've met Anya.  She came down to complain about her lack of sex again today."  He smiled.  "Thank you, dear.  Of course.  We'll be here or he'll be at work and I can find him if you need me to.  Thank you."  He hung up.  "She's going to ask Spike and Anya if this is a workable idea and get their opinions."

Xander lifted his head to look at him. "I still feel dirty for suggesting we sacrifice one."

"What you had planned wouldn't sacrifice her, Xander.  Sacrificing her would be putting her on an altar and bleeding her before this Glorificius was raised.  I'm sure people have done that in the past."  He nodded.  "Then changing her isn't sacrificing her.  It's protecting her.  You suggested she be turned into something non-lethal and harmless."

"I did," he agreed quietly.  "But I still feel dirty."

"I know.  These decisions weigh on the soul.  It's like shooting the hostage to get the person holding them."

"I saw Speed, Horatio."

"Him?"

"The movie."

Horatio smiled. "It was an apt point and a good ploy."  That got a grin back.  "That's basically what you did this time too."  He nodded.  "As long as it won't hurt her then it shouldn't weigh on you.  She might even like it."

"She might," he agreed. "Plus it would save lives."

"It would."  He gave him a cuddle. "If not, they're going to go through hell fighting her."

"Then I'd have to go back."

"No you won't."

"Yeah, I would.  It's my duty."

"Not any longer, Xander.  You protect Miami now," he reminded him gently.  Xander nodded and went back to his cuddle.  "We should nap."

"We should but I'd rather have you take this thought out of my head."

"I'd like that," he agreed, getting up to check on the cat's things. Then he hauled Xander up and into the bathroom so they could shower together.  He knew how much Xander liked water.  He was all for it. It was fun having a slippery Xander in your arm.  It relaxed him too, made him quit thinking about the problems at home.

***

Xander looked up as the phone rang upstairs. Then he looked at his cell.  "I thought I forwraded that."  His phone rang a minute after his other one stopped. "Harris."  He smiled at the woman coming up.  "Find everything okay?"  She nodded and handed over her basket.  "No, I'm at work, Buffy."  He rang her up, having to look up a price. "Is this fig root or lemon root?"

"Fig," she said.

He nodded and put in that code and the weight from the electronic scale next to the register.  "No, I'm still here, Buffy, and I am listening.  Did she rise already?"  He turned around the price and she gaped.  "Hold on."  He put it against his shoulder.  "Fig root comes up as ten bucks an ounce.  Let me get the boss to correct that, okay?"  She nodded.  "Boss?"  She came out.  "Fig root is how much? It came up ten bucks an ounce when I typed in the code."  She came over. "Sorry, Buffy," he explained at her odd look.  He went back to it.  "Okay, boss is fixing a coding issue.  Hit me with it again?"  He listened, then sighed.  "Do it anyway, find her host, Buffy.  That's all you can do.  Buffy, if it's a matter of the world or you and your sister...."  He rolled his eyes.  "Buffy, I'm working.  I'm still in Miami and if I had been out there it'd already have been done.  Even if Giles didn't like it.  That seems to happen every few years, yeah," he agreed dryly.  "Then ask her!" he complained.  "Yes, her, the her involved!  I'm sure we don't want  you to die, Buffy.  I pushed in the code off the sheet, boss.  Fig root."  He found it again and pointed.  She rang it up and it came up again.  "Told ya so."  He shrugged and sat down, watching her correct it manually.  "Buffy, Giles is still human and fallible."

"What's the issue, Xander?" Rebecca asked.

"Glorificus."  The woman on the other side of the counter gasped.  "I'm from Sunnydale," he said with a weak wave.  He listened to her complain.  "I work in an occult bookstore, Buffy.  Of *course* someone around here's gonna have a clue!"  He held his head.  "Buffy, this is the only sound tactical plan that will keep people living or undead depending on the person.  Do you really wanna die this year?" he asked dryly.  He nodded.  "Exactly.  I don't think you can fight a God, Buffy."  He hung up on her protests that she could.  Then he called Giles.  "It's me.  Turn her," he said slowly and clearly. "Buffy thinks she can fight her.  Then you've got to find her host, Giles.  I did read the damn books!  You taught me to read the Latin," he said dryly.  "I emailed the whole of what I found to Willow."  He nodded, grimacing. "It's the only thing that'll keep all of you alive.  That and finding her host, Giles.  Yay," he said patiently.  He held his head.  "Giles.  I'm protecting Miami now.  What good am I against a God?" he demanded.  He looked at his phone then hung up and threw it at a wall.  He glared at his boss. "I have stupid people for friends."

"You do," she agreed calmly.  "Go outside and rant, Xander."  He walked outside and the back door slammed then he yelled and hopped up and down a few times.  Both women winced at that.  "Sorry."

"That's okay.  It's good we've got another protector.  Does he have a girlfriend?"

"Two boyfriends.  I'm about to call them if they're not busy."  That got a smile and she took her cash.  "Thank you for being so patient with him."

"It's all right. Sometimes those things happen when you rely on mechanical things."  She took her bag and left.

Xander came in a few minutes later.  "I need to rant.  I need to rant at someone very badly."

"Go into the office and call Horatio."

"He's at work.  So's Speed. It's his first day back," he said proudly.  "I.. Just..."  He let out a deep breath.  "She came back because the key is available.  Happens every single millennia."  His boss nodded, sitting down.  "The only way to stop her is to stop the blood that's calling out to her and making it possible for her to be brought back.  I suggested they turn her into a halfie, even temporarily.  That's not that mean, right?"

"No, it's a lot less mean than killing her to stop it.  She might be a bit uncomfortable but I doubt it's going to be hated."

"I even suggested something prettier and harmless.  Not a problem there.  We talked to her sister, the slayer.  We talked to her mother.  We talked to Giles.  I sent my suggestions to Willow and they fucking well ignored me," he ranted.  "Now she's back and Giles said he needs me back there to help with the upcoming battle."

"What happens if you had her turned now?"

"We'd have to find Glory's host and kill it to kill or banish her."

"Okay," she said slowly. "Did he volunteer?"

"Probably without knowing what he was doing.  Stupid idiot making a wish level of volunteering."  She nodded.  "Which, ya know, I feel really sorry for whoever has her inside.  I do.  I don't want to harm him.  I really don't.  But she'll stay if we don't.  And then I'm being ignored because I found a way around it."  He nodded quickly.  "Because I'm such an idiot.  I only helped plan graduation and fixed it when Giles' plans left us vulnerable!  I only led the damn battle!  It's not like I don't have a *clue*!"

"Calm down," she ordered.  "I know you know what you're doing.  Everyone else outside Sunnydale does."

His face brightened.  "Angel.  I'll be right back."  He looked at his cellphone.  It was cracked.  He raced up to his apartment and called LA.  "Cordy, put on Wes.  Yes, it's a damn emergency!  Cordelia!" he snapped.  "There's a hell goddess on the hellmouth!"  She handed over the phone.  "Glorificius was raised because Giles didn't listen to me, Wes.  Yes, this is Xander."  He rolled his eyes.  "Wesley," he snapped.  "Who planned graduation?  Then who fixed it so it worked?" he demanded.  He nodded. "Exactly. The only way to stop Glory is to take the blood she's wanting away.  Taint her!  Turn her!  Change her into a demon temporarily by magic!  Whatever!  Also, if she was made of Buffy, you might have to do the same to her but maybe not!  So get to turning, Wes!  Yes, that's the only way.  To get rid of her, you've got to find her host and kill it.  I told them this before she was raised!  Tara was here," he admitted dryly.  "Yeah.  They don't listen to me but they want me back to plan the battles," he said grimly.

"Please.  I sent it to Willow.  Rosewitch at yahoo.  Password is evilkitty the last I knew."  He waited while Wes got into the account and downloaded the research email.  Then he sighed in relief.  "Make Giles listen to you, please!" he begged.  "He won't listen to me.  He thinks I'm an idiot boy again.   Thank you!  No, you don't have to sacrifice her, Wes, just turn her into a demon temporarily.  Ethan can do it.  He did it to Giles."  He grimaced.  "No, Giles turned him over to the Initiative."  Wesley swore at that. "They tortured him for months on end and then he finally escaped.  Now he's after Giles too.  I don't know, but I think he's going to start having visions.  Because I talked him out of making him Spike's eternal bitch, Wes.  Yeah, he was down here a few weeks ago.  Please.  We talked to Joyce.  We talked to Buffy.  So make her beautiful and undeadly.  You can do that.  There's plenty, right?  Then suggest it.  Then see if she can use Buffy's blood and do the same to her if you need to.  Temporarily or not.  If I see him I'll ask him how he did it," he agreed.

"I'm doubting I'll see him.  He knew I was having an ethical moment before.  Thank you, Wesley.  No, I'm in Miami.  Thanks.  Tell Cordy I'm down here but working.  Actually, I packed your order the other day so you should get it today or tomorrow," he offered more happily. "Taunt deadboy for me and mess up her hair."  His 'I'm not that brave' made him snicker.  "Neither am I but I figured you could.  Laters.  Thank you."  He hung up and went back downstairs, resting his head against his boss's shoulder. "Thank you for letting me take an early lunch," he said tiredly.  "Wes may listen to me.  He has the research I sent out there.  He's another watcher so he may listen to him."

She patted him on the back.  "I know it's hard."

He looked at her.  "If they can't I've got to go back for the battle."

"I'll arrange your schedule myself, Xander."  He nodded at that.  "Are you sure this'll work?"

"If she's changed to a demon, she's not human and therefore doesn't have that special key stuff in the blood.  Then they'd have to find her host. That might be a bigger problem."  She nodded.  "I hate that damn town."

"I know," she soothed.  The boss came in.  "He found a solution to the Sunnydale problem and they wouldn't listen to him."

"Like usual but they want me back to do the battle," he said grimly.  He looked at her.  "I'm trying to prevent the need for a battle, boss."

"I understand, Xander.  How?"

"The key is human.  The key's power is in her blood."  The boss looked horrified.  "Turn the key into a demon, even temporarily.  No more key in the blood."  That got a brighter smile.  "She can be pretty, human looking, not deadly to others.  It can be temporary because Ethan did that to Giles.  That's why Giles gave him to the Initiative."  She shuddered at that.  "Exactly.  That's why he was in here to get some stuff to torture Giles and I made him go for something lesser.  That's all they have to do and then find her host to get rid of her.  That's it.  They wouldn't listen to me."

"We'll arrange your work schedule if you have to go back," his boss soothed, patting him on the back.  Speed walked in.  "I heard you went back to work."

"I did.  I came to get pouty for lunch.  What happened?"

"They wouldn't listen to me."

"Did they have another plan?"

"Giles wants me back for the battle."

"That's not a plan," he noted dryly.

"I called Wes to tell him my ideas.  Maybe Giles will listen to him or Angel."  He walked over to give him a hug.  "Want to eat in here with me?  I took some time off to go call Wes."

"I can do that if your boss doesn't mind," he assured him with a smile.  "I got sandwiches in the car."

"Sure," he agreed happily, smiling at him.  "Boss?"

"Eat at the reading table, dear, just clean up any mess you make," the owner said, smiling at him.  They went to the office to give the young lovers some privacy.  Speed came back with the sandwiches and sodas, sitting down next to Xander to talk and eat with him.

***

Horatio watched Xander pace around his living room and got him on the next pass.  "Did they not listen?"  He shook his head.  "Now what?"

"Now I'm depending on Deadboy and Wes to handle things or make him see sense."  He looked at him.  "Otherwise I have to go back for the battle."

"I don't like that idea."

"Neither do I."  He sat down in his lap, getting the cuddle he needed. "My phone's broken, I threw it earlier when Buffy refused to listen."

"That's fine.  I'm sure you can have it fixed."

"I'm not sure my insurance will fix it unless I lie."  Horatio looked at him. "That's fraud, isn't it?"  Horatio nodded.  "Damn."  He chuckled and gave him a squeeze.  "My one back in Sunnydale got replaced six times in a year because of the demon goo that kept getting in it and the ashes.  They didn't like that but the store couldn't deny I didn't do it.  Spike did it once," he admitted.  He snuggled in deeper. "I'm so tired of Sunnydale, Horatio.  Can't we just bomb it after this one?"

"We can," he soothed, stroking his back.  "Or you could not go back."

"Then they could all die and it'd be my fault.  I'd be haunted."

"You don't know that.  They can't know that."

"Spirits won't see reason on those matters. I wasn't there so it was my fault."

"Hmm."  He gave him a squeeze.  "Have you eaten today?"

"Speed and I had lunch at the store."

"I'm sure that was cute," he teased.  Xander blushed and ducked his head, nodding. "Did you like it?"  He nodded, looking at him.  "Good.  I like picnics."

"I would've went out with him to the park or something but I had to take the time off to call Wes."

"I understand.  That happens when you work."  He smoothed down his hair.  "You need a trim."

"Next payday."  He slid off his lap, getting a hurt look. "I'm heavy and your feet will fall asleep."

"I won't mind for a while," he promised, letting Xander curl up next to him again so he could cuddle him that way.  "Did you want to do anything tonight?"

"Worry."

"That's not good for you," he taunted.  "Come on."  He stood up and ignored the pins and needles for now, hauling Xander up with him.  "We'll go to the mall."

"Okay.  Just us?"

"Did you want to invite Speed?"

"No but I thought you might want to invite your nephew."  He smiled shyly at him.  "I think he's pretty cool but he's at that age where mom doesn't understand things."

"Very true. We can do that if you want."  He checked the time.  "Movies?"  Xander shrugged. "I'll treat."

"You'd have to, I lied to the insurance company earlier," he admitted sheepishly.  Horatio rolled his eyes and shook his head but he didn't chastize.  "I won't next time."

"Good.  This time I can forgive."  He called Yelina's house.  "Xander and I are going out to the mall and wanted to know if your son wanted to come with us."  He smiled.  "That's fine.  Maybe we'll run into him.  Thanks, Yelina."  She hung up so he did.  "He's out with his friends but she said that's perpetually cute of us."

"She needs to date," Xander said dryly.  Horatio nodded and took his hand, leading him out to the hummer to go to the mall.  On the way Xander made him pull over and he got out.  Xander snuck out and up the alley with Horatio behind him, hand on his gun.  They ran into a bunch of kids picking on an older, homeless man.

"Raymond Caine!" Horatio snapped, stepping out of the shadows.  His nephew jumped and glared at him, making the other boys laugh.  "In the truck, now!" he ordered.

"No!"

Xander stepped out of the shadows.  "Ray, don't make me beat your friends today."

"You're not too tragically old," one of them sneered.  "Think you can handle us, *sir*?" he taunted.

Xander reached out to grab him by the hair, smacking his forehead into a building.  "Yes, I do."  He glared at the others.  "Next?"  They took off running.  So he squatted down in front of the homeless man.  "Sir, are you all right?  Do you need medical help?" he asked quietly.  The man gave him a scared look.  "You don't have to be scared of me.  I'm Xander.  I'm a protector of Miami.  You don't have to be scared.  Now, should I call someone to help you?"  The man shook his head and mumbled something.  "That's fine. Thank you, sir.  Make sure nothing hurts the stupid one until he can run off.  I didn't do more than bruise his ego and scrape his forehead."  He stood up and put an arm around Ray's shoulder.  "You were watching?"

"I....  I'm not talking about this."

Xander squeezed his arm around the kid's neck.  "Horatio, do I have permission to impart some truths to him?"

"His mother would not like that."

"Yay."  He looked at Ray then walked him further up the alley.  He had hunted here a few times.  He coughed when he found a vampire trying to intimidate the kid he had caught.  "Go grr for them.  They scream really pretty because they're thugs."  The vampire shrugged and did that, making all the boys scream.  Including Ray Junior.  He looked at him. "I hunted creatures like that, Ray.  I was sixteen when I started."  The vampire sneered and spit at him.  Xander let Ray go and kicked at the vampire, then got him pinned and staked.  Then he dusted himself off and looked at him.  He looked at the other kid.  "Vanish.  Now.  Find God."  The kid ran off, leaving a trail of urine behind him.  He looked at Ray again.  "Now.  You wanted to be what sort of thug?"

"How?" he whispered. "Does my mother know?"

"Some.  She recognized where I was from."  He moved closer.  "You don't have to worry about me, Ray.  I only hunt vampires and other hunters.  Now, you have a choice to make.  You can turn out like that pile of dust and continue to taunt and be a bad boy until something bigger eats you.  That's what happened to him.  Most vampires used to be thugs," he shared.  "Or you could change and let your uncle mentor you.  Your mother has no idea what you were doing.  She thought you were out with friends."  Ray swallowed and nodded.  Xander put his arm back around his neck. "Come on, it's not nice to keep Horatio waiting and we're heading to the mall."

"Sure," he agreed.  He looked at his uncle, who gave him a frown.  One of the first ones from him.  He felt really bad.  "I'm sorry, sir.  What I did was wrong. I should have stopped them."  He let Xander lead him back to the hummer.  Horatio followed behind them.  "I think I need to think."

"I think that would be an excellent place to start, Raymond," Horatio agreed quietly.  He let him into the back then Xander into the front, then he walked around to get in and drive.  "How did you see them?"

"I felt the vampire vibe."  He shrugged.  "I have deep shit radar, Horatio."  He looked at Ray.  "Think, Ray.  Come to him in a few days to tell him what you're thinking about."  Ray nodded at that, slumping down some.  "Buckle up too."  He buckled his own belt.  Then he smiled at Horatio.  "Movie?  Or just walking and window shopping?"

"Movie," he decided, heading that way.  "I think we can catch the newest mystery.  If not the disaster movie is out."  Xander shook his head.  "Sorry.  Hmm.  There's a spy movie."

"There's a horror movie but it might squick Ray."

"I've seen it," he admitted quietly.  "How can you go from killing that thing to movies!" he demanded.

"Four years of doing it already, Ray," Xander said simply. "A few times a week."  He looked at him.  "Your uncle is trying very hard to make me calm down to normal people levels.  He's doing a good job. Even if I did lie to the insurance company about how my phone broke today."  Ray let out a surprised smile at that, then he realized and wiped it.  "It's okay to smile at that.  Your uncle did."  Horatio nodded. "Now, do you have a choice for the movie?"

"Anything's fine," he agreed weakly.  "How did you learn to do that?"

"Buffy moved into town and I had a crush on her."  He shifted so he could see him easier.  "Her first night in town we found out that something was strange.  Then my two best friends got taken.  We rescued one and not the other one," he offered quietly.  "I demanded the right to go after the other one with her."

"Was he okay?"

"He was undead," Xander admitted.  "She wouldn't let us go until the daytime.  It was too late by then."  Ray sighed and nodded, hanging his head.  "A few weeks later we met up again when the vampires were planning a huge splatter fest to raise power and blood so their boss could get out of his magical confinement."

"Magic exists?"  Xander concentrated very hard and Ray felt his arm move, making him squeak.  "Okay.  Let it go."  Xander did with an exhalation and his arm flopped back down.  He felt it, nothing odd.  He hadn't done it.  "Wow."

Xander nodded. "I don't have the sort of power to do it very often.  That's after hoarding power for weeks.  I'm better at potions."  Ray nodded slowly at that.  Xander grinned. "My boss thinks I can be the next Snape with some practice."

Ray smiled at that.  "Congrats."

Xander gave him a gentle smile. "I never want you to have to stake your own best friend, Ray.  Nor do I want to have to stake you some day."  Ray lost his smile and went rigid.  Xander nodded.  "Yeah.  My first official staking was the kid I used to play with when we were in diapers," he said quietly.  "That's where those kids are going.  Bullies and those who taunt others get picked at a rate of five-to-one to become newly made minions.  Which are cannon fodder.  Now, consider your future.  If I had to I would stake you to spare your uncle or mother having to do it.  Because most vampires go after their families first."

"Xander," Horatio warned.

"It's the truth, Horatio.  It's an easy first kill.  They've already got an invite and there's a small part in everyone that wants mommy to make things all better."  He looked at Ray again.  "Your choices tonight sucked ass.  Badly.  You still have the opportunity to change them.  Before you end up in that alley threatening a punk kid in a few years, Ray."

"You want to train me?" he squeaked.

"Hell no," Xander said grimly.  "I'm not going to ruin anyone else's childhood.  I had a little enough one before Buffy got there.  I know I slipped way too easily.  The same as I know what'll make those around me slip.  The same as I know the slope you stepped on tonight.  Taunting leads to shoving, leads to hitting, and then hurting.  Once you start to hurt others, you learn you like it.  It's cathartic in some ways.  Then you've got one steep climb out of the outhouse.  Now, hunting is different.  I don't like it but it's necessary.  Even if it does kill my wrists."  He rubbed his newly sore one.  "What I did was necessary.  What you were doing wasn't."

Ray nodded. "I understand.  I just wanted to fit in!"

"Who cares about the opinions of people who need written instructions every day on how to tie their shoes?" Xander complained.  Ray snickered at that. "They're beneath you, Ray. They're using you because you've got connections in your mom and Horatio.  They think you'll shield them.  If they did something really bad, they'd turn on you in a heartbeat to keep themselves out of trouble.  That's not even a good pack.  Pack mentality would protect others within the pack.  That's the sort of pack you want to run with.  Not with idiots who had to have their names on their shirt so they can spell it."

"One had his tattooed on his forearm," Ray admitted with a small sigh.  "I'm sorry, Uncle Horatio."

"We'll talk tonight, Raymond."

"Yes, sir."  He slumped again.  "Is Buffy pretty?"

"Very."  He showed her a picture.  "The blonde is Buffy. The redhead is Willow.  She was my best friend since the first day of school."  Ray handed it back. "She's also the one who gay bashed me.  Buffy's the one who helped me escape."  Ray nodded.  "You want friends who will protect you.  Mine aren't good examples. They all think I need my name tattooed on my arm.  They're wrong."

"They lean on you, they count on you, then they put you down, Xander.  It's much the same situation.  Only they need you for different reasons," Horatio offered.  He pulled into the parking lot and looked at his lover.  "Some of us appreciate you for more than your skills with a stake and how well you can remember coffee orders."  He stroked his cheek.  "We'd miss you if you were gone.  So don't do more stupid things.  No more hunting."

"I don't plan on it, Horatio, but I knew I needed to be there."

"Point.  They probably would've given Ray to him so they could get away."  He smiled gently and kissed him. "Thank you."  Xander smiled back and gave him a hug.  "Good.  Now, let's go inside and get something to nibble while we watch something."  They got out and Horatio locked the hummer before heading inside with the boys.  Xander had his arm around Ray's shoulder, snarking on the teenage girls in front of them who were so stupid it was hurting his head.  Fortunately they were going for shoes, not the movies.

Xander pointed back at them.  "Buffy was one of those before the job got handed to her."

"Poor thing."

"Cordy was like that really.  Still is kinda.  She's my ex."  He shrugged and looked up at the board, then at Ray's watch.  "Can we excuse his curfew tonight?  The new disaster movie is in twenty minutes."

"Sure," Horatio agreed, smiling at him.  It was good that they had distracted each other from the problems.  He and Ray would still be talking tonight or tomorrow.  His nephew needed someone male to be there to explain the stupid urges to him.  Yelina was good but she wasn't a teenage guy.

***

Xander hung up and sighed, looking at his boss. "Buffy's mother just died."

"Go," she agreed.  "Leaving when?"

"Tonight.  I'm going to bankrupt myself getting out there.  Thank you."  He kissed her on the cheek and headed up to pack and change clothes.  He called Speed.  "Buffy's mom died. I'm headed home for the funeral," he said quietly.  "I don't mind, I can go alone.  I'll be okay.  I can't afford to bring anyone else out, Speed."  He nodded.  "Whatever.  I'm headed to the airport now.  Love you both."  He blew a kiss and hung up.  Then he found his suit and put it into his bag carefully.  He zipped it and headed out, waving at the owner.  "Buffy's mom died."

"I heard.  I'm sorry, Xander."

"She was a pseudo mother to the group and she's the one who got to the guy who got me down here."  She gave him a hug.  "Thanks. I'm going to the airport right now."

"I can drive you.  Save you some cash."  He nodded and let her, pulling out his wallet and his emergency credit card and ID before they got there.  He kissed her on the cheek then got out.  "Be safe, Xander.  Remember, I need you to come back to work."

"I'll try," he promised, smiling at her.  He headed inside and found Eric and Calleigh. "I really can't afford to buy tickets for both of you."

"That's fine, we can do it on our own," Calleigh promised, stroking his cheek.  "I'm heading to LA to drop off a casefile anyway."  He nodded, going to get onto the same flight as them.  He was further back in the plane but that was fine with him.  He made it through security and onto the plane, putting his bag underneath the seat in front of him.  Then he settled in to look at the pictures in his wallet.  This was not a happy reunion.

***

Eric looked at the town they pulled into after dark.  "This is pretty nice."

"Not really."  He called Buffy.  "It's me and I brought a friend on the orders of my boyfriends.  Can we crash at your place or is the hotel finally safe?"  He smiled.  "Thanks, Buffy.  On our way past the school now.  Be there soon."  He hung up.  "That was our high school," he said, pointing at it.  Eric hissed and winced.  "It was a pretty explosion."

"I'm sure it was."  He drove on.  "Where do I turn?"

"Two more streets.  Then left."  Eric nodded, doing that.  He pulled into the driveway Xander pointed out and let him get out first.  They were his friends.  He was there to protect Horatio's boyfriend.  The house looked friendly enough.  A blonde woman stepped onto the porch.

"Hey, Buff."

"Xander."  She sniffled and came down to hug him.  "You made it."

"Of course I did. You needed me," he soothed, stroking her back while he gave her a squeeze.  "This is Eric.  Horatio sent him with me so I'd make it back to work in a few days.  There's another officer who had to come out to drop stuff in LA so she'll be up for the funeral tomorrow."  She pulled back and nodded. "Let's go inside before we get pounced."  She nodded, leading them inside.  He looked at Dawn.  He had the altered memories of her.  He hugged her too, letting her sniffle on him.  "Shh.  I'm here.   You can cry on me, Dawnie."  She nodded, starting to cry.  He sat down on the stairs with her.  "Guys, this is Eric.  Horatio sent him," he called.  "Be nice to Eric. Or else!"  He went back to soothing her.

Buffy led him into the living room.  "This is Eric," she introduced, waving a hand at him.  "Horatio sent him so Xander makes it back to work."

"Was he thinking about staying?" Giles asked.

"I think Horatio was worried about the dangers out here.  Being emotional can throw off your ability to protect yourself."

"Another officer?"

"Another CSI too," he agreed with a small grin.  "I'm one of Horatio's team."  He shook his hand.  "Eric Delko."

"I'm Rupert and this is Willow and Tara.  Dawn's apparently latched onto Xander?"  Buffy nodded, sitting down.  "Watch out for the other blond twit.  He's annoying but around."

Xander walked in with Dawn.  "Joyce straightened out his love life, Giles.  Of course Spike's going to be here.  Who else would've fed him cocoa with marshmallows and let him babble about Dru?"

Buffy smiled at that.  "Mom was one of a kind," she agreed.  Dawn sat on the arm of her chair, letting her pat her on the back.  "It'll be okay, Dawn.  I'm still here."

"You are," she agreed, nodding at that.  She looked at the new guy.  "So, does Xander get into a lot of trouble?"

"Not now that he's in the occult bookstore.  When he was working in the convenience store?   He was offering officers free fountain drinks so there would always be someone nearby for when he got robbed.  It was the most cursed store in the city."

Buffy smiled a bit more.  "When he was working at the ones out here all the vampires came in to give him a hard time," Buffy admitted.

"I started to spike the ice with holy water," Xander agreed grimly.  Everyone stared at him.  "It worked."  He shrugged.  "The normal people never noticed."  She smiled at that.

Dawn smiled weakly at him.  "At least you made it out of here."

"I did.  Your mom helped me get out of Sunnydale."  She came over to sit next to him, curling into his side.  "It's all right, Dawnie.  Maybe Buffy can let you come down during the summers to visit me.   Miami's really pretty and has lots and lots of hotties.  Horatio sent Eric to prove it."  She grinned at that and blushed a bit.  "Plus I'll let you wear a mildly skimpy bathing suit to the beach."  She looked up at him, looking happier.

"She's too young for boys," Buffy chastised.

"No she's not," Xander assured her.  "By this summer she'll be fifteen.  Remember what you were doing when you were fifteen?"

She thought back.  "Burning down a school gym."  Eric choked.  "Vampires," she explained.

"I've heard."

"Did Xander tell you stories about him tripping and falling into graves?" Buffy asked him.

"Now and then. He doesn't talk about it much with me.  I'm sure Horatio and Speed hear more."

"I remember Horatio, which one was Speed?  Did we get to see him?" Buffy asked Xander.  He shook his head.

Eric pulled out his wallet. "He's the dark haired smartass against the bike," he offered, handing over a picture.  She looked and smiled, then passed it onto Tara, who smiled and handed it on.  "I remember you were in town."  Tara nodded, blushing and ducking her head some.  "Don't worry, I don't hit on taken women."  She blushed brighter but giggled.

"She's a shy witch," Dawn told him.  "Can I see?"  He handed her the picture when he got it.  "He's cute," she told Xander, smiling at him. "Is he comfy to nap with?"

"Dawn!" Buffy complained.

"Oh, please!  I do know something about the sex and if Xander's happy then of course they're having the sex."  She handed the picture back.

"He's very comfy to nap on but I'm taking that very slowly due to my dating history.  Speaking of, is *she* missing?"  Everyone nodded.  "As in MIA or just somewhere?"

"Working," Willow admitted grimly.

"Oh, she came down to complain about her lack of sex life," Eric assured her. "I assume we're talking Anya?"  Buffy nodded quickly then shuddered.  "She's come down twice now to complain about that issue."

"Where am I when she does this?" Xander asked.

"I think the last time you were napping on Horatio's couch with Hummer."

"Hummer?  A foursome?" Willow squeaked.  "Xander!"

"My familiar, chill!" he complained.  He rolled his eyes.  "No, Willow, I have *two* men.  Not three.  Speed's the one you called me to make the potion for.  He just started back to work or he'd have been here instead of Eric and probably Calleigh tomorrow when she's done with the LAPD."

"She's a nice lady.  Wanted to string his parents up," Eric offered.

"Works for me," Willow agreed, nodding a bit.  She gave Tara a hug. "It's all right. He's a nice guy.  If he's not, I'll turn him into a lizard."  Tara scowled at her.  "I will."

"Y..yo..you won't," she stuttered.

"Or else I'll spank," Xander agreed firmly, staring her down.  She wilted and nodded.  "Thank you.  So, Giles, how's the shop?"

"Doing tolerable.  You're working with Rebecca?"  Xander nodded.  "I see.  It's a good place for you.  She can watch you for us.  Keep you out of trouble."

Xander snickered.  "I don't get into trouble in Miami, Giles.  I'm making her potions for her."

Tara nodded.  "She said he's very good," she agreed quietly.

Xander smiled.  "She said I could be the next Snape."

Dawn patted him on the chest.  "You'd look really funny in the Victorian robes," she assured him.  He grinned at her.  "You would.  Plus you bathe more.  If he did that he'd be hotty material."

"Some people like them sarcastic," he agreed happily. She smiled back.  "So, what are we doing tonight?"

"I was going to wear out some pain and anger on the vamp population," Buffy offered.  "Want to come, Xander?"

"I'll stay and protect Dawn.  It was a long flight."  She nodded and got up, heading out with Willow and Tara.  Giles paused then left before he could say something.

Dawn looked at Eric.  "She's sorry.  It's always been like that," she offered.  "Want something to drink?  Or eat?"

"Only if you eat something too," Eric told her.  "When my grandmother died I didn't eat for nearly a week.  You can eat with me."  She nodded, letting him pull her up and into the kitchen to help her make sandwiches.

Xander looked up.  "I can hear you moving, Spike. It's just us."  He came up out of the basement and he waved at things.  "They didn't listen?' he asked quietly.  That got a head shake.  "Fuck."

"Basically.  We're buggered at the moment."

"Can you tell her host?"

"Maybe.  Think I sniffed 'im out.  Not sure yet."

"Have something hunt it."  That got a nod.  "Something strong.   Just in case."

"Sure.  Can do that.  You back for good?"

"Hell no," he said grimly.  He stood up.  "I love Miami and I've got ties there now," he said  happily.  "Come meet Eric."  He led the way into the kitchen.  "Eric, this is Spike.  Spike, this is Eric, he works with my boyfriends."  Spike's cigarette dropped from his mouth and Dawn had to stomp it out before it burned the rug.

"One's my boss and the other's my best friend so they sent me to guard Xander for them," he said, shaking his hand.  "Want a sandwich?  She needs to eat."

"Nah, not that hungry myself," he admitted, shaking his head and looking at Xander.  "Never expected you for a poofy slut, whelp."

Xander smacked him on the side of the head.  "Keep it up, Spike.  I know where Ethan is now and he nearly punished Giles by making him your bitch for eternity."  Spike's eyes went wide.  "Giles handed him to the Initiative."

"What he's got now is better," Spike said weakly.

Xander nodded.  "I had to stop him from having him turned.  Even if they did kill him.  He's turning him into Dru."

"I've noticed.  He was singing to his teapot the other day," he agreed, starting to smirk again.  "S'not a bad punishment.  He gonna get Red for you?"

"No. Her punishment was already done by the courts, Spike."

"Can I move to Miami with you?" Dawn asked.

"Dawn, I'm living in a one-bedroom apartment," Xander told her.  He considered it.  "If I can arrange it and she doesn't mind.  I'll manage it somehow, even if I do have to go back to hunting vampires so I can frisk them first."  She nodded, going back to her sandwich.  He gave her a hug around the shoulders.  "You'd like Horatio's nephew.  He's your age.  He's nice but he lost his dad a few years back," he said quietly.  "He's struggling with macho crap at the moment but he's a good boy."  She smiled at that and nodded, eating a bigger bite.  "Good girl.  We'll handle whatever happens."  She relaxed and nodded, eating again.

Dawn finished. "Is it really hard to taint me that way?"

"I'm not powerful, Dawn.  I can barely float a pencil.  I'm told it's not.  Ethan did it from Kansas to Giles when he got released."  She nodded at that.  "I tried to get them before she got raised."

"I know."  She gave him a gentle smile, so much like her mother's.  "Giles is an asshole."

"Language," Spike complained. "You're too young for that and Fluffy wouldn't like that."

"Fluffy can bite me," she complained, finishing her dinner and getting up to get some milk.  "She's not thinking logically.  Can it be reversed?"

"Giles' was," Xander said with a small shrug, looking at Spike.  "You've had more experience than I have."

"As far as I know it's not bad," he offered.  "Angel and his crew probably could."  Buffy walked in the back door.  "She asked."

"I heard.  I still don't like it."

"It'll keep me safe and let you kill Glory, Buffy.  Mom wouldn't want one of us to follow."  Xander gave her another hug.  "As long as it's temporary I can deal.  If not, I might be able to deal depending on what it was."

She slumped and nodded. "I'll talk with Wesley."

Xander looked at her.  "I called from the airport.  He's driving Cordy up for the funeral."

"Thank you."  She kissed him on the cheek.  "Any idea on Glory?"  He pointed at Spike.  "He can't...."

"She'd be demonic," Spike noted dryly.  "Could but it'd make me sick.  Could get her pointed out and eaten by something else."

"It's doable," she sighed, shaking her head.  "It feels like cheating."

"Is," Spike agreed.  "But good cheating."

"It's practical instead of making things worse," Xander agreed. "What was Giles' problem?"

"It's evil."  He rolled his eyes, mirrored by her little sister.  "Well, maybe they'll make you pretty and blonde," she teased.

"I'm a beautiful brunette and so was mom," Dawn said firmly, sticking out her tongue.

"She was," Xander agreed.  "The same as your big sister is, she just wanted to be a blonde."  Buffy hit him on the arm. "You are."

"Shut up.  Don't tell those secrets or I'll tell them about Larry asking you to the prom."

"He asked me to more than that, Buffy, and I still turned him down.  Or don't you remember who I took?"

"I do.  She's back in town and pouting about you to Willow."

"Hmm," Xander said grimly.  "I'm thinking about the need to slap me a witch."  Dawn giggled.  "She's more than welcome to come to Miami, Buffy.  I'll do what I can to protect  her and make due for her."  She nodded, giving him a hug.  "Now, she's eating.   Have you?"

"I can't."

"Eat," he ordered, staring into her eyes.  "You do no one any good if you collapse, especially your sister.  Keeping her safe means that you've got to keep yourself up."  She slumped and Eric got up to make her a sandwich too.  "Thanks, Eric."

"If Calleigh were here she'd be cooking up a lot more."

"That's a bint thing," Spike assured him.  He looked at Xander.  "Two blokes?  Two?"  Xander grinned and nodded.  Eric pulled out a picture to show him.  "The other two in the picture?"

"I can't keep up with Xander or his kitten. Or play with the battle axe he decorated with."

"It keeps it handy in case of emergency," Xander said dryly.  He looked.  "The redhead's Horatio.  He's the one who brought Willow back.  The other is Speed."

"His mother named him that?" Buffy asked.

"No, that's his nickname.  He's a Timothy by birth," Eric offered.  "The blonde in that picture is Calleigh. She'll be up tomorrow."  They smiled at her sweet smile. "She's from New Orleans.  She's a great lady."

Dawn looked at him.  "Is she going to come destroy Xander's parents?"

"No, that's my fun," Xander assured her.  "Why?  Are they being annoying?"   All three of the Scoobies nodded.  "Crap.  Why?"

"Not a clue but they've been throwing loud and obnoxious parties for the last few weeks," Buffy offered.  "I know your mom's still alive.  She's been out in town to buy more vodka every few days."

Xander considered it. "Guess the EPT was negative."  They all shuddered.  "That's what the vodka was last time. The good stuff?"  She nodded. "Yeah, the EPT was negative."

"Can I slap some sense into your parents?" Dawn asked him. "Please?"

"They might like that, honey, you can't," Xander told her, making her shudder.  "Sorry but no. That's my fun."  He smiled sweetly.  "Eric, can you stay here and settle in?"  He nodded. "Thanks.  Let's go see the problem people, Buff."  She nodded, escorting him that way.  They looked at the rundown house from the shadows across the street, watching the party going on.  "Hmm.  Wondering who the newbie is."

"Your cousin Earl."

"I don't have a cousin Earl," he sighed.  His mother looked outside and he smirked.  "She saw us."

"Should we leave?"

"No.  It'll be fine."  She threw open the door and glared at them.  "They're not worth running."

"You gonna stand over there or come congratulate us on your new cousin?' she sneered loudly.

"I'm not getting near you and I hope that one doesn't go like my last one," he said, walking onto the sidewalk.  "Having fun?"

"You?" she sneered.

"Yes.  I've found some people who accept me as a good family member.  Better than I got in this shithole."  He smirked at her.  "Happy pitiful existence, mom.  I hope like hell the kid turns out better than anyone in there."  He walked off, taking Buffy's arm to make her walk off.

She patted his hand. "It was brave yet stupid.  You're known for that, Xander," she soothed quietly.  She could feel the shakes.  "We'll call social services in the morning."

"No, we'll do it tonight," he ordered.  He pulled out her phone, dialing 911.  "This is Alexander Harris....  I'm in town for Joyce's funeral, Margaret.  Did anyone realize they've got a kid in the house with them?  Yes, my parents.  And cousins I've never heard of.  Earl?"  He ahhed.  "I thought he died."  He smiled.  "Yeah, I wouldn't want to claim him either.  Yeah, vodka and she said they're celebrating my new cousin.  That means they've got kids in the house.  Margaret, think about it.  Do we have a social worker on tonight?" He smiled.  "Thanks, dear.  I'll see you tomorrow."  He hung up and handed back the phone. "She'll wake her sister up."

"Which one is Margaret?"

"Her sister owns the coffee shop."

"Oh, her!  Yeah, she's a nice lady."  She smiled at him. "So, a Horatio and a Timmy?"

"A Horatio and a Speed.  He hates being called Timmy."  She smiled at that.  He grinned back.  "They're helping me heal a lot of stuff and we're going very slowly but I have free invitations for cuddles."

"Good.  Cuddles are good.  Any other problems since you moved to the Magic Box, Miami edition?"

"Nope.  A few vamps breaking in to get supplies.  Nothing else."

"Boy!" a drunken voice slurred.  They turned, finding Xander's uncle standing there.  "You have no right to be here.  Town shouldn't hold *fags* like you," he sneered.

"I came back for Joyce's funeral.  She was more of a mother to me than anyone else," he said calmly.  "You're drunk and have an open container, Uncle Rory.  Shouldn't you be inside and passed out by now?"  They went on but the man grabbed him.  Xander twisted his wrist, making him scream.  "Do not touch me, you filthy, teenage girl raping drunk," he hissed.  "You are nothing.  You will never be anything.  I am not wasting my energy dealing with you."  He let his hand go and dusted himself off, wiping his shoulder. "Stains?"

"No.  Not that I can see."  She looked at his back.  "Didn't spill either.  Good job."  She stepped over his arm.  "We shouldn't leave him out here."

Xander looked around and went to knock on a door, pointing at his uncle's body. "He tried to grab me, Officer Tom.  I grabbed his wrist and twisted it then sneered.  He should probably be inside somewhere sobbing about being pitiful.  By the way, did you know they had kids in there?"

"I didn't, Xander, but I'll make sure he gets home."

"I'll go with you," Buffy promised.  "You can get yourself home?"

"Of course," Xander agreed, smiling at her. "Thanks.  Don't get too nasty."

"I won't.  Can I play with the handcuffs again, Officer Tom?" she asked cheerfully.

"Sure, Buffy."  He found his and handed them over. "Cuff him with his hands in front while I find shoes."  She nodded, going to do that while Xander walked home.

Xander walked onto the lawn and watched the vampire stare at the house. "She's doing good deeds."  Angel turned. "My uncle tried to sneer and make us dirty.  She's helping him home with Officer Tom."

"That's fine. Are you okay?"

"I'm good.  My boyfriends are very supportive," he agreed happily.  A vampire snarled and pounced until he staked it then dusted himself off.  "Ah, I feel better now.  It's not home unless I had to stake something."  He looked at Angel again. "I'd offer but she'd get pissed at me."

Angel gaped in horror.  "You can't fight," he said slowly and weakly.

"I always could fight, Angel. I was untrained," he corrected. "I learned on the job.  You never saw me as I was.  It skewed your world that a normal guy without many skills could do the job."  He walked into the house. "Angel's here, Spike.  Staked Daphne's little brother on the lawn."  He kissed Dawn on the head.  "Buffy's escorting one drunk uncle home."

"You okay?" Eric asked.

"Yeah.  He's a turd that not even a dog would cover."  He shrugged and went to get some milk, then grimaced at the smell.  "This was expired last year," he complained, pouring it out.

"Mommy was sick for a while," she admitted.

"I'll clean the fridge.  You got rest, Dawn."  She nodded, heading up to her bedroom.  "So, did she tell you embarrassing Anya stories?"

"Some," Eric agreed, smirking at him.  "Then again she also told me some embarrassing Xander stories."  Spike nodded and smirked from his position.  Xander shrugged.  He went back to cleaning out the fridge.  "You can't put that down the disposal."

"Yes I can. It's nearly liquid."  He poured the fish down the drain and turned on the disposal.

"That is very loud," Buffy complained when she walked in.  "What are you doing?"

"You had milk that had more chunks than Harmony's lips after that bad collagen treatment."

"Oh.  Yeah."  He shrugged and went back to it.  "Where's Dawn?"

"Bed," Spike told her.  "You okay?  You smell like a brewery."

"His uncle was way gross," she complained, making an 'eww' face.  "He nearly puked on me and everything, Spike.  I mean, demon goo is one thing and still gross and all but puke?  Drunk guy puke?  Eww!"  She shuddered.  "They should bring him in like that to health classes with a big, huge sign saying 'this is why you don't drink' and let him babble and puke on them!  I'd never have drank the evil beer if I had seen that before."

"Oh, I don't know, caveslayer girl was kinda fun," Xander said dryly.  "How old was the kid?"

"Early teens.  Apparently your other cousin who was supposedly dead just lost all his jobs and is now broke man so he came to see your parents and uncle for a while.  Oh, your mom miscarried."

"Good!  They take the kid?"

"Yeah but he's got that sullen eyes look that reminds me of Angel."

"Yeah, saw him on the lawn.  I staked Daphne's little brother."

"Eeh.  Who cares.  Another vampire bites the dust."  She smiled.  "I should listen to that song while I'm hunting."  She went to see if they had it.

Spike looked at Eric, who was looking horrified. "It's like that around here now and then."  Xander nodded.

"They've helped you a lot," Eric said quietly.  Xander gave him a gentle smile and a nod. "Where am I bunking?"

"Only one guest room," Buffy called.  She came back in.  "We don't have the song."

"Have Willow download it," Xander said.  "I can share a room with him.  I'll take the floor or the chair."

"I know you won't molest me tonight, Xander."  Xander shook his head quickly.  "What, not good enough?" he taunted with a smirk.

"No, I'm taken and according to the rumors I've heard, you and Ryan Wolfe are nearly as close as Speed, Horatio, and I are."  Eric went pale and slowly started to shake his head.  "Some of the patrol guys think that the sore butt the other day was a pair of tattoos for your commitment ceremony."

"No, nononononononono!" he said, shaking his head quickly.  "No, not Ryan!"  He followed Buffy up the stairs still shaking her head.

She patted him on the arm.  "Xander does it to me sometimes too.  It's a Xander thing."  She opened the door.  "Here you go.  You guys can work out how to sleep and stuff.  Bathroom's across the hall and the only one."  She patted him again and went back down to watch Xander clean the fridge.  Angel came to the back door so she let him in.  "Hi, welcome to the house."  He stepped inside.  "Ooh, that's not a happy Angel look, I mean relatively speaking."

"Did he make some sort of demonic deal to be able to fight?"

"No," she said slowly.  Spike started to snicker, shaking his head. "You did, Xander?"

"No, Buffy," he said patiently.  "I learned some stuff.  That's all."

"Oh.  See, he just learned stuff. After all, Giles made him spar with me, even though he lost and got big owwies now and then."

"Boy's better'n you both think because you never wanted to see him," Spike said with a mean smirk.  "You wanted a whelp to hate.  She wanted a puppy, so that was what you saw.  Not like he doesn't have memories from both possessions, peaches."  He sneered at him.  "Not like you ever wanted to see the boy."

"Spike, I'm not coming back to date you," Xander said patiently.  "They'll see what they want to see.  Speed was right, that's basic human nature.  In this case they wanted me to not be as effective so I wasn't to them."  He looked at Angel.  "Just because I can fight doesn't mean I made a deal.  You know they teach classes in that now, right?"  He growled. "Really.  They do."

"Enough," Buffy warned.  "You took classes?"

"That too," he agreed.  "Fortunately Miami doesn't have too many problems since it's me and about three other protectors.  Though I heard they had two elves who came out of a portal a few years back."

"I miss them," Buffy sighed. "I should see if Willow can call them.  They liked Mom."  She went to talk to Willow.  Angel followed shaking his head.

Spike rolled his eyes.  "It happens."

"I know.  You get it because you're chipped.  I get it for being normal.  It happens."  He got back to work.  "Is anyone eating this tofu?  If not it's going now.  It's only got two days left."  Buffy came to get it and squeeze it dry so she could eat it.  He shook his head. "I never understood tofu."  He got back to work on the freezer.  "Poor ice cream has freezer burn but they'll need it."  He left that alone.   Spike grabbed something and went to warm it up in the microwave.  "Not that cup, Spike, that was hers."  He switched mugs and carefully put the other one back.  When he was done he went up to sleep on the floor.  Joyce had always went for comfortable rugs.

***

Calleigh looked around the very pretty town but she knew the reputation so she didn't let it fool her.  She parked downtown and found a coffee shop, stopping to pick up some.

"New in town, sweetie?" the older woman behind the counter asked.

"I'm here to help Xander through the funeral.  Do you know where they'd be?"

"The Magic Box.  'Round the corner," she said, losing some of her smile.  "So, he attacked his uncle?" she asked, trying for casual.

"I don't know, did he?"  She called Eric's phone.  "He attacked his uncle?  The coffee shop."  She looked at her. "Giles needs some tea.  Can I bring him some?"

"Sure.  We keep a tab for Mr. Giles."  She went to brew some.  "Is that the cutie that came in with him last night?"

"It is," she agreed with a smile.  "Eric and I work with Horatio, and Xander's kinda been adopted by our whole CSI team."  She listened to the story. "Oh, thanks, Eric.  Be there soon."  She hung up.  "Apparently his uncle came out to swear at him and tell him he was nothing after Xander found out they had a kid in the house while they were outrageously drunk."

"That figures.  The boy tries so hard to be good but we all knew he'd turn some day.  Turning on that poor Willow...."

Calleigh snorted. "Uh-uh.  Sorry, I saw what she did to him. Can't let that one stand.  Willow beat him black and blue and into broken ribs, dear.  I helped him while he had broken ribs."  The woman looked stunned.  "Yeah.  She beat him, he didn't touch her.  He just walked away from her.  All the way to Miami."

"You're from down there?"

"I work there.  I'm from New Orleans," she offered with a smile.  "We're sister cities."

"I've heard."  She handed over the tea. "You watch out for that boy.  He's dangerous when he wants to be."

"Needs to be, please," Xander ordered as he came in.  "I'm only dangerous when I *need* to be.  Fortunately that's pretty rare in Miami these days."  He stared at her.  "By the way, tell my mother the bitch that yes, I did turn her in for having a kid in the house and they took enough pictures of the damage they did to that kid to put her away for life.  Tell her I hope she enjoys being the block bitch."  He took the tea.  "Giles said he'll get his tab tonight.  Did Buffy order muffins?"  She nodded and got the box.  "Thanks, Sarah.  I talked to Margaret last night when I turned them in."  He grinned and she smiled back, a sweet, motherly smile.  "Just remember not to let my mother drive."  She nodded and he led Calleigh out.  "Go back in an hour and she'll have forgotten I was there."

"Why?"

"That's Sunnydale.  Anything bad is ignored."  He walked her into the shop. "Don't touch *anything*," he warned.  "Eric touched a mineral sample and ended up with rabbit ears for twenty minutes until it wore off."  She giggled.  "I took pictures for Speed," he promised.  He handed Giles his tea.  "Sarah was spreading that I beat my uncle bloody."

"Did you?" he asked dryly.

"I twisted his wrist after he grabbed me and told me I'd never be anything."

"Hmm.  Some people have shallower visions of what anything is I suppose," Giles agreed.

"Of course I do.  I'm happy.  I'm safe.  I'm content.  What the hell more do I need, Giles?"  He stared him down and he looked away.  "By the way, do you have Potions and Hexes?  We can't get the new copy at the store and someone asked me about the new banishing potion in it."  He nodded and got a copy for him. "Thanks.  Paper in the usual place?"

"Of course."

"Thanks."  He went to copy it and read over the notes with it.  He found a few others he copied too.  They would help him.  "Calleigh, where did you park?"

"By the bank."

"Then you're probably safe.  I found out earlier that Uncle Rory is the daytime ambulance driver."

"Ooh," she said, wincing and hissing.  "Poor patients."

"You're telling me," Eric complained as he came out of the back with Dawn. "He tried to run her down."

"You poor thing."  She gave her a one-armed hug. "I'm sorry you lost your mother, sweetie.  Xander said a lot of nice things about her."  She pulled back to look at her.  "You come down to Miami for a vacation and we'll make sure you laugh and you're safe."  She smiled a bit and nodded. "Good girl.  Chin up."  She smiled.  "Then make your sister break."

"I've been trying," she sighed. "She won't."

Xander looked at her and shook his head.  "She won't, guys. If she hasn't by the funeral I'll wade in."  That got a nod.  He went back to copying.  "Giles, does this hair rinse actually work to take annoyance hexes out?"

"Not that I've heard."

"Hmm.  I'll have to experiment then," he said happily, going back to it.  "Speaking of, did Tara show you the new bruise potion?"

"She did.  I must say it feels nicer and smells better.  How long does it last?"

"Half the time."  He looked at him.  "But you're right, it fixed the things we all complained about."  That got a small smirk.  "I did good with that recipe.  Speed thinks I should learn how to cook for real since it's so much like potions."

"You're doing potions?" Dawn asked as she came over to watch him copy stuff.  "Why?"

"Because the store I work in down in Miami sells some made potions.  I just did an anti- bug potion.  Works a lot better than Raid."  She giggled at that.  "It's pain in the shoulder.  Three thousand slow, steady, even strokes in the center."

"I didn't know that one worked," Giles admitted.  Xander looked at him and nodded.  "Really?  I'll have to order some from Rebecca to try it in the back."

"Add some grated lemon peel to the powder before you put it down, Giles.  You've got possessed termites."

"Oh, thank you, Xander."

"Welcome."  He went back to work, smiling at Eric.

"Please don't ask for a copy of the picture," he told Calleigh, who just smiled. "Please?"

"Fat chance.  You wouldn't let me see you in mouse ears so now I get to see you in bunny ears."

"He's still denying the existence of the fluffy tail," Dawn told her with a small smile.

"Dawn!" he complained.

"What?  It was cute.  Cute helps you get more girls."

"I don't have a problem getting girls, Dawn.  I get so many I have to form a line behind my current lady."

"Speed said the guy who played Zorro has nothing on him," Xander agreed.  Calleigh giggled at that, turning away to lean on Eric's shoulder.  "But do show that to Anya, Eric."  He looked up.  "She'll leave you alone."

"Hmm.  True, Anya has a bunny phobia," Dawn agreed.

"Give me the picture please," Eric begged.

Xander looked up. "Anya?" he called.  "Come meet my friends?"  She appeared and smiled at Eric.  He nudged Dawn and handed her the camera.

"Lookie, Anh.  He touched the furry making stone," she said, showing her the picture.  She went pale and backed away from Eric.  "Isn't he *cute*?"

"No, bunnies are evil!  They have twitchy noses and cute tails!  And ears!  Ears are bad!"  She pouted at Xander.  "Meany."

He grinned and nodded.  "But my men like me like this."

She stamped a foot. "When are you going to get over this gay phase so I can have orgasms again?" she demanded.

He looked at her. "I hope I never do.  Horatio and Speed are good to me, Anya.  They love me.  They support me.  Why would I want to do anything to hurt that."  She pouted.  "You'll find someone else."

"But not with your oral fetish," she whined. "Horatio said I can't even watch!"  She stamped a foot again.

"Eww," Dawn said.  "Go buy porn or go watch a whorehouse."

"Dawn!" Giles shouted.

"Not like I don't know that they exist," she said dryly.   "I mean, please!  I know what Sarah does in her off hours, Giles.  Everyone in town does.  One of my classmates works for her.  I'm not four, I'm fourteen. Give me a bit of credit."

"Who is she letting work for her at that age?" Xander complained, frowning.

"My science partner Amanda does her books and I'm guessing some special assignments.  How did you know?"

"First of the month Rory would waste most of his check on her.  She came over for that night."  He shrugged and got back to it.  "Don't let Willow hear that you know about that stuff.  She'll go into feminist outrage."

"If she's underaged, someone should stop that," Calleigh said firmly.

"Amanda volunteered to do her books," Dawn assured her.  "Said it gives her shopping money and gives her accounting class credit."

Eric frowned.  "What makes you think she's working in other ways, Dawn?"

"The two thousand dollar leather outfit she wore to school a few weeks back.  She's not that well off."

"Which Amanda, Dawn?  Larry's little sister or the Shovatz's younger one?"

"Larry's little sister."

"Well, Larry knew what was going on in town and he said a few times the only way his sister was going to make it out of town was on her back," he considered.  "I was hoping she was going to wait though.  I know he was."

Dawn shrugged. "She said she's saving for college and later."

"How can you to discuss that?" Calleigh demanded.

Xander looked at her.  "Around here, fifteen is middle aged, Calleigh.  Being practical, she's got about a sixty percent chance of living to her high school graduation.  In the last two years she's seen about ten percent of her kindergarten classmates die.  Including her brother because he died during graduation.  She'll be lucky to make it out after graduation.  The denial problem with the town hits you harder once you get the diploma.  It's like it's laid on it.  Within ten years her life expectancy chances if she stays drops to about twenty percent from eighteen to twenty-eight and then it goes back up to about forty or fifty percent."  They both looked stunned.  "Sunnydale kids grow up a bit faster.  Even the ones in good homes who don't hunt.  If this is her choice and she doesn't want help out, then that's her choice and there's nothing I can do to stop it.  Because trust me, half the cops in town know where she works.  None of them will touch her but there's a few guys in the next town."

"No pedophiles in town?" Dawn asked him.

"Vampires don't want the competition to take away their future harvest.  They tend to do away with the other predators."  He went back to copying.  "The police station is up the street and to the right, but I do think if you do, she definitely won't make it out of town."

"Unfortunately he's correct," Giles said sadly.  "Though I do not believe this is a discussion we should have around Dawn, Xander."

Xander looked at him.  "She's how old, Giles?  She knows more about the dirty sides of life than you think or her sister thinks.  What she doesn't learn from the other kids she's seen watching us hunt, her sister run away, and all the problems we've had."

"Also the two girls a year younger than me who have kids," Dawn agreed.  "The three druggie bitches on the cheerleading team.  The one serious pothead.  The next generation of the acid family."  Xander snickered.  "I take it you know Merla's family?"

"Her big sister Penelope died in ninth grade.  She went out to watch the stars twinkle at her while she dropped.  She disappeared off the football field.  Her mother decided the good aliens had removed her because she was a proper woman."

"Hmm.  Is that when she started to make her own version?" Dawn asked.  He nodded.  "Cool.  Oh, and our one gang member and one drug dealer in town.  I do watch people, guys.  There's only one club in town so I'm forced to associate if I want to go out.  The nearest mall is like ten miles so I've got to stay in town unless someone drives or we all hitch a ride with the moms.  And hey, my best friend last year got eaten at a sleepover."  Xander looked at her.  "She invited them in.  I told her not to.  She thought they were there to do a panty raid."

Xander shook his head.  "Stupid vampires.  You went where?"

"The closet with a pencil.  Which I had to use," she admitted.  "Buffy doesn't know."  He pointed at Giles.  "He knew.  I came in babbling and freaking out."

"I did that for a while too," he admitted, patting her on the hand.  "If you turn into me I will kick your ass, Dawn."

"I'm trying really hard not to."

"Good.  Try harder."  She nodded, accepting that.  "Good girl."  He got back to work while Calleigh went to share that information with someone.  He looked at Eric.  "You might want to escort her.  Especially if my father's out.  Hate to make her shoot him."  He ran after her.  He sighed and nodded.  "Well, Horatio said he only wanted to evacuate a few people before he blew the town to cover the hellmouth.  Hey, Giles, if we destroyed the town and buried the rubble on top of the hellmouth, how long would that stop it for?"

"Maybe a year before someone tried to unbury it."

"But we could stop those," Dawn reminded him.

"We could but we can't exactly destroy the town."

Xander looked at him. "Let Glory come, Giles.  Watch it go to ashes."  Giles shuddered.  "Spike thinks he can sniff out the host by his or her possession."

"I'll keep that in mind.  I still say it won't work."

"Well, I don't and it's my damn blood so I'm doing it," Dawn said firmly, glaring at him.  "Anya!"  She popped back.  "I want to be changed over."

"Are you sure?  We can't be sure it'll take, Dawn. Or that we can reverse it."

"Ask Ethan, Anya.  He did it to Giles."

"I had forgotten about that."  She took Dawn's hand and took her with her to Miami and Ethan.  Who was now living with Xander's former subletting landlord.  Ethan looked at her.  "Xander suggested we turn her."

"I've heard.  Miss Summers, I'm sorry to hear about your mother."

"Thank you."  She sat down on the footstool he was using. "I don't care if I look human. I want to be safe, Ethan.  I'd like to be able to change back when the danger's gone but I want to be safe.  Mostly human would be good.  Not something that's going to attract everything to hunt me down for food, sex, or fun and games would be nice."  He smiled at that.  "I know you hate us."

"No, precious, I hate Ripper."  He held out a hand.  "Come into the study."  She nodded, taking his hand.  "You as well, Anyanka.  I might need some help."  She nodded, following them.  "What about your sister?"

"We're not sure but please don't make her shoot snot or anything gross?  I'll never hear the end of it and she'll blame Xander because it was his plan."

"I won't.  This is too important.  I like the world as it is."  He closed the study door.

***

Buffy looked up as Ethan and Anya led Dawn up to her side, glaring at Ethan.

//Shut up, Buffy. It was my choice and I made it,// Dawn sent telepathically. //Besides, it's kinda cool.  I know who likes my cute butt now and I still look normal.  But I'll have a small aversion to holy water and holy objects, and vampires won't want to be around me.  We'll have to calm Spike down.//  She felt her sister's acceptance. //Thank you.//   She smiled.  "It's the only way," she said out loud, her voice quiet.  "I'm safer."  Buffy nodded at that, taking her hand to hold.  "Thank you."

"Welcome, Dawnie.  We'll deal."  Dawn looked around then suddenly blushed at Xander.  "Quit perving," she hissed.  "Mommy would be really pissed."  She nodded and blocked out Xander's thoughts of cuddling his boyfriend for comfort.  The minister walked up to start the graveside service.

At the end Xander looked at her.  "Nice choice."  She hugged him. "I am there if you need me, Dawn Summers.  Remember that."  She nodded.  "Good girl.  I love you."  She smiled at him and nodded, turning to take Spike's hand.  He looked at Buffy.  "I love you too, Buffy.  I'm here if you need your knight."

"Spring break?"

"Works for me," he agreed, smiling a bit sadly.  "Make sure you last that long.  I don't think she needs a big brother as much as she does a big sister."  She nodded and gave him a hug then went to walk Dawn off.

Willow backed away from Dawn.  "What..."

"It was my choice, back off," Dawn growled.  "I'm safe now."

"You are, bit.  Most of us won't touch you now," Spike agreed, nodding at Xander.  "Be safe.  I'll come terrorize you after I get this chip out," he said with a dark, evil smirk.  Then he led Dawn off, not letting her look back at the service.

Eric patted Xander on the back.  "Should we stay tonight?"

"No.  I need to hit LA and talk to Wes," he admitted. "Buffy."  She looked and he nodded toward LA.  "Gotta.  Love you.  Call me."

"Get the phone fixed," she taunted.  He nodded and smiled some.  He hugged Tara and whispered in her ear, getting a nod. He nodded at Willow but she pounced him for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  He patted her on the back then they went to follow Buffy to the shop.

Calleigh patted him on the back. "Eric and I have our bags in the cars," she offered.  He nodded, heading with them.   The ride back to LA was quiet in both cars.  Xander had asked them to share one and take the other one.  They hadn't seen a reason not to so they had let him.  He didn't even turn on the radio that they heard before he pulled out. They followed him back to LA and the Hyperion hotel.  They walked in and found Xander talking to a man about their age with dark hair and glasses who was British.  "Xander?"

"Guys. This is Wes.  He had Giles' job for a while.  Poor man.  Right before graduation."  He looked at Wes.  "So she's safe.  Buffy's not, maybe.  Buffy told Giles she was made of her."

"That could complicate her duties."

"Not really.  She's not the first."

"True."  He considered it.  "Any other cautions?"

"Buffy broke earlier," he said quietly.  "Willow had tried for hours and I got up and took her to spar and got her really hard.  She fought back for real after that.  The bruise potion and I are good friends tonight."  That got a smile.  "Did you get the bottle I included?"

"I did and the note.  It's in the refrigerator if you need some."

"Nah.  I've got some in my bag, Wes.  The old style even."  That got a smile.  "Tell me how you like it.  It's the exact same formula only you wash the bottle with mint oil and let it drain out fully before you pour it in then you put it in the fridge instead of a cabinet."

"I'll write that down.  Are you staying overnight?"

"We fly out tomorrow.  Can we bum rooms?"

"Of course.  Angel will be up there all night undoubtedly and I doubt he'd mind."

"Oh, he accused me of taking a dark deal because he saw me actually able to fight."

"That vampire and denial are fast friends," he sighed.  "Oh well.  Ah. I hear Cordelia's piece of junk pulling in."  He saw the wince. "She'll have Gunn with her."

"Cool.  You said nice things about him."  Cordelia walked in complaining about the nasty demon slime in her hair that had mixed with vampire ashes and she'd never get it clean.  "Haven't you learned that lemon juice and a bit of baking soda mixed together fixes that?" he demanded.  She paused then squealed and hugged him.  "Ow.  I had to spar with Buffy, Cordy."

"Anything broken?"

"No."

"Then hug me, duffus!"  He hugged her, giving Gunn a wave behind her back.  She pulled back.  "Who're they?  Did you adopt?" she asked them dryly.

"No, I'm Eric, this is Calleigh, we work with Xander's boyfriends in Miami."

"Okay, rewind and start again at half speed?" she demanded.

Xander coughed. "Willow gaybashed me.  I ran to Miami to get away from her.  Found two guys who love me as much as they do their jobs and you do shoes, and they put up with my bad habits.  They sent these two with me so Sunnydale couldn't keep me.  They're both CSI down in Miami."

She passed out.

"Huh, haven't done that to her since sixth grade when she said that boy parts were green so I showed her."  He shrugged and walked over her to shake Gunn's hand.  "I'm Xander."

"That explains a lot more," he agreed, smirking at him. "So, you know English there?"

"I do.  He had the misfortune to be sent to Sunnydale right before graduation with bad information in one ear, a stupid voice in the other, and no field training.  We were really hard on Wesley."

"No wonder."  Calleigh smiled at him and shook his hand.  "We met the rest of them.  Did you have much problems with Willow?"

"Not really.  The group refused to let me do anything."

"We were all arrogant kids, Wes, even you," Xander reminded him.  That got a nod.  He looked at Gunn again.  "So, are you civilizing the shoeworld princess?"

"She does okay now and then."

"Yeah, she did okay now and then in Sunnydale and then she decided to morph back into a princess between to rip into the group," he said dryly.

"She tried that once, I spanked her," Gunn assured him.

"I should've done that years ago," he sighed, shaking his head.  Cordelia moaned.  "We're going up to bed," he called loudly. "Then we're leaving at dawn."

"Bastard, I'm not getting up that early," she complained, letting Eric help her off the floor.  "You're not one of his boyfriends, right?"

"No, I'm not," he assured her with a grin. "I'm apparently one of the few straight CSI on my shift."  Calleigh hit him on the arm. "Ow!  I am!  You are too."

"Three to two, Eric.  We're in the majority," she pointed out, rolling her eyes.  "I'm Calleigh and he's Eric."  She shook her hand.  "Xander said you two used to date in high school."

"More like grope and snark," she admitted.  "I could tell you some horrifying stories about Xander in school."

"Go ahead," Xander sighed. "Buffy and Dawn did.  They'll tell my boyfriends and it'll make them want to blow up Sunnydale all the more."  She cackled at that and gave him another hug.  "Who's kidding?  Our present idea is to bomb the town and then use it to bury the hellmouth.  It'll be easier to keep track of who's trying to get into it."

"It would be," Wesley said, considering it.  "We'd have to give an evacuation notice."

"I figure a day should be enough," Xander offered.  "It's only got about twelve hundred people and about eight hundred vampires and demons at the moment, right?  Or so Giles estimates."

"I'll work up a good plan to do that," Wesley promised.  "Let me show you three to rooms.  That way the rest of us don't have to listen to war stories from high school."  He led them up to three rooms once they got their bags.  Cordelia followed to talk to Eric.  He came back down to find Angel.  "Xander and his guardians are here."

"That's fine.  Can we find out what sort of dark deal he made?"

"It's called love, Angel," Wesley said simply.  "Do get over your former denial clouding your vision of the boy.  Go mope or whatever."  He waved a hand.  "Shoo!  We've got it for the night and Cordelia is telling them embarrassing stories about the boy."

Xander came back down the stairs.  "All the better to make Horatio let me bomb the town," he said dryly.  "Test me, Angel.  It's the only way you'll ever be satisfied."  Angel went to get a book and came back with it, letting him sit on a chair while he tested him. At the end Angel looked almost defeated.  He stood up and looked at him.  "The sad thing is I could've used the training before I had to get it on the job," he said quietly.  "Next time, less jealousy and desire to put down anyone not marked as special.  More empathy and helping.  That way the next kid like me can get the help he needs when he's still got a soul left.  We're all damn lucky Horatio and Speed found where I hid mine."  He went back to his room.

Gunn looked up from his reading.  "He's right, Angel.  How bad was the kid's home life?"  Angel gave him a stunned look. "I've seen plenty of the kids at the shelter and other places," he reminded him. "Some worse, some better.  How bad was it?"

"Fairly so, drunken parents.  You saw how Cordelia treated him.  It was like that once Buffy showed up and Willow discovered magic," Wesley offered quietly.  "He was a normal man among those with superior training and skills."  Gunn nodded at that and went back to reading. "I tried but the boy wouldn't let me get anywhere near him."

"You have a stick up your butt, Wes.  Of course he didn't.  Boys like that are like injured dogs on the street.  They live on survival reflexes."  He looked at him.  "Next time you'll know."  He nodded.  Angel walked off muttering and cursing.  "Well, the glasses are off now," he complained.  "He'll mope for weeks."

"He doesn't like the boy," Wesley told him. "He was Buffy's friend and shared things that he couldn't with her.  He may respect him more now but that's it."

"For being so old he certainly hasn't learned much about people," Gunn agreed. "Then again, maybe that's why he turned Spike.  To fill in the gap."

Wesley smiled. "That could be," he agreed.  He cleaned up Angel's mess and went to make the notes Xander had given him about the bruise potion.  He did like the new version better.

***

Calleigh tapped on Horatio's door the next night.  "I hate them.  It's not often I hate anyone but I hate that whole town."  He let her inside.  "They were blase about a fourteen- year-old being a hooker, Horatio.  Your boy said that was about their middle age."

"It probably is with their death rate," Horatio agreed. "Did anything happen?"

"Dawn decided to fix her own issue against her sister's wishes.  I don't know what Eric heard but I dropped him off at a club.  His bag's in my trunk and his car's still at home."  He nodded and relaxed. "I really don't know what happened that first night.  Eric hovered over Dawn like a momma cat the whole time we were there.  Her and a blond vampire guy named Spike."  He moaned quietly.  "You heard about him?"

"Some.  I heard what happened to him and how Xander used to torment him by tying him in his recliner all day while he slept."  He crossed his feet.  "Sit."

"I can't.  I'm going to go throttle someone and make them sorry!  They accepted death at twenty as being unavoidable.  The group of his former friends didn't really seem to like him.  If my mother had died, I know you'd be there holding my hand if I needed you to.  Eric would take me out and try to make me have a bit of joy so I could remember the good times and let the grief go for a while.  Speed would give me a hug and let me cry on him.  Alexx would feed me.  Giles acted like it was an imposition.  Buffy couldn't cry until Xander made her spar with him and broke her during it.  Willow and Tara were quiet but not that unusual by what I could see.  Xander was holding his grief in.  Dawn was destroyed but trying to be strong for her sister.  She was a problem waiting to happen.  And it's like they ignored each other.  They told us a lot of stories about how Xander attracted the wrong woman, tripped during a hunt, did something unusual or odd.   They didn't appreciate him.  They saw Dawn like she was a footstool to be passed around among the group.  She tried to cling to her sister but her sister's so deep up her own grief she's not letting it go to help her.  Xander and Eric got Dawn through the day."

He nodded.  "She made Eric cookies for the flight.  She's a strong girl, Horatio, but there's got to be a breaking point.  It's like no one out there gets past the shallow levels of knowing each other.  Even if they did, they can't show it.  And I'm sorry, but they blamed that boy for defending himself when his uncle grabbed him while drunk.  They're letting his drunken uncle be an ambulance driver.  His license was taken six different times for DUI!  That town is screwed up and Xander may be one of the few normal ones!  If Dawn has other relatives I hope they let Buffy know that they'll take her for a while before she turns into some of them.  She has it in her to be a great woman, like I heard her mother was, but not if she stays there.  That town is dangerous!  They all discount your boy and all you can do is nod?"

"I saw that when I went out there."

"That's why you sent us, wasn't it?"

"I thought Xander might need some support."

"No, they all leaned on him.  Giles said that his ambitions were shallow," she spat.  "He answered he had love and he was content.  Giles looked horrified, Horatio!"

"I know, Calleigh.  Where is Xander?"

"Home."  She sat down next to him and he gave her a hug.  "It's like this is a foreign concept in the town," she said miserably.  "I want to shake them and make them wake up."

"I wanted to bomb the town," he offered.  She smiled and relaxed, looking at him.  "Now you understand Xander a bit better."  She nodded.  "Eric went to the club?"  She nodded, resting her head on his shoulder.  "It'll be fine.  You rant to work off steam.  Eric goes to dance and get laid."  She smiled at that.  "I'm sure he's called Speed by now."

"Maybe. I dropped Xander off and he was waiting there on him."  That got a smile.  "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting on you to come rant."  She got up and headed for the door.  "I'd like to hear the stories."

"No you don't.  Especially not Cordelia's.  But the picture of Eric with bunny ears is cute."  She left him alone.

He smiled and got up, heading over to Xander's.  He let himself in, nodding at Tolly when she peeked out.  She made shooing motions then closed her door. He smiled at the cat, picking him up to pet him.  "Good evening, Hummer.  How are you?"  The cat hopped down and went to pace around his bowl.  So Horatio filled it and gave him another pet before heading into the bedroom.  He saw the two of them curled together, Speed asleep. He stripped down to his boxers and climbed in behind him.  "Hi."

"Hi. I'm feeling bad because it was like everyone was shallow."

"That was the stresses of fighting," he soothed.

"I hid mine before. I can't tell if they are or not."  He looked back at him.  "I'll miss Dawn, Horatio, but I'm not going back there.  It's not courage.  Getting out of bed there takes courage.  They all have that, but it's like they don't have any deeper emotions.  Like it's all taken from them."

"Sometimes life can do that," he reminded him. "Remember when you first got down here?"  Xander nodded.  "Did you notice that you've let yourself feel deeper?"

"I felt deeply before. I mourned those that I lost.  Willow was like 'okay, she's gone, it's been a day, let's move on'.  Tara was still grieving but she won't ever let anyone that deep into her soul because she's had a childhood like me."  He shifted back to hold him.  "Cordelia had the same amount of depth as before.  Emergencies, some lesser emotions, and anger at the world for not meeting up to her standards.  And get this, Angel saw me do the same thing he saw dozens of times before and he accused me of making dark deals because I managed to stake a vampire.  I had to prove it to him so he'd quit accusing me of it to the others. Dawn needs to get out of there."

"She does and she will," Horatio soothed, stroking his stomach. "Is she safe?"

"Yeah but they've got to get Glory's host and then see if Buffy's blood helps."  That got a nod against the back of his head with a kiss in his hair.  "I don't know if I'm being shallow because I found them that way or if I was skewed suddenly or what."

Speed lifted his head. "You let yourself open up and they haven't yet, Xander. Think about it like flowers. Some buds never open.  Some open halfway and let you see some of their inner petals.  Some of them open all the way for anyone to come by and look.  Some of them only open under gentle coaxing of someone who understands their natures.  Some of them only open when they're not being watched. Some open and surprise you with their inner colors.  Some don't."

"Cordelia surprised us by helping hunt now and then but she went back to shallow immediately and we almost had to force her to help now and then when it was bad.  In her it wasn't a matter of confidence. She had everything and she knew it.  She was confident that she deserved it.  Even when her father lost it all to the IRS, it didn't affect her that much.  She's still the same Cordelia she was back in eleventh grade.  I almost feel like I went back in time or maybe I sped up for a bit and lived a few extra years.  It was almost exactly like before graduation for everyone else."

Horatio stroked his stomach.  "That happens.  Some people never let themselves reach past who they used to be.  You've been given the opportunity to do that."

"I feel like I should take Dawn and make sure she does whatever I did to get that maturity, but she surprised me.  She decided to go with my plan.  Told her sister off at the funeral too."  That got a smile from Speed. "I'm wondering if Eric's ranting about sorority sisters again.  He said the whole town was like a sorority house he used to know.  Full of shallow princesses who don't look past what color their nails are and if it matches and is fashionable."

"Calleigh dropped him at a club.  He'll work it out on the floor and with some woman in the bathroom," Speed promised, kissing him.  "You should rest.  You have to work early tomorrow too."  Xander nodded, letting them cuddle him.  Speed waited until he was asleep.  "He's never going back there again, Horatio," he ordered quietly.  "They've got others to fill in and it's stress he doesn't need."

"True.  I didn't want to let him go this time but sending them apparently helped. There's a picture of Eric with rabbit ears somewhere."

"Like mouse ears?"  Horatio gave him a look. "You're right, probably not."  He put his head back down on Xander's shoulder, letting him cuddle him.  "How hard is it to bomb a town?"

"Not very," he admitted.  He snuggled in better after he made sure the alarm was set.  "We can make plans for that tomorrow during lunch."  That got a smile and they let Xander soothe them into sleep.

The End.