Good Nurse

by
Michelle

3 That Afternoon

Spike watched as Xander began to doze and finally drift off to sleep. He knew the boy was sleepy. Had to be. He grinned. Yep. He'd worn the boy out. Spike turned to reach for the radio's on switch, turning the volume down quickly as BUSH came blasting out. He grinned when "comedown" came on.

love and hate get it wrong
she cut me right back down to size
sleep the day let it fade
who was there to take your place
no one knows never will
mostly me but mostly you
what do you say do you do
when it all comes down
I don't want to come back down from this cloud

He snickered to himself and picked up a lock of Xander's hair, sniffing it.

"Bloody hell!" He muttered out loud. "I've gone all soft and mushy over the whelp!" He let go the lock of hair and, instead, began to run his fingers through Xander's hair as he studied the sleeping boy's face.

He was cute. Spike pressed himself closer to Xander's sleeping body.

And snugly, he thought as Xander moved closer to his body and threw an arm across Spike's waist.

Spike smiled.

Well, so what? So bloody what?

Spike liked to cuddle.

Damn it all to hell! Could he help it if he just happened to love to cuddle? He had liked it when he had been alive and he had loved it since his turning. Nothing nicer than snuggling up to a nice, cuddly, body, he thought to himself. Human bodies were a big plus. Warm. Hot, even. All that lovely body heat. Of course, he had usually ended up draining his human snuggle bunnies and leaving their quickly cooling bodies in a ditch or alley somewhere, if now their own homes, but that was beside the point. He felt no desire to kill Xander. And it wasn't the implant at work.

He liked the boy.

He grinned again.

He wanted to turn the boy. Make his his childe. Not just a mindless
minion, but a true childe. Spike had never felt the desire to have a childe before. Too much work. Too much time. Spike preferred the easy come, easy go relationship he had had with the minions he had made in the p Lo Lose one? Oh, well, sod it all, but no big matter, just make another. But he wanted Xander to be his. Bound to him for all time.

And wouldn't that just piss off the slayer to no end?

Spike leaned down and licked across Xander's neck. Right across the spot he'd like to sink his fangs in.

He grinned when Xander moaned and rose to his touch, still sleeping.

But this whole Xander-pet thing was good, too. Spike continued to suck at Xander's neck while the boy slept. He felt Xander's pulse speed up beneath his tongue. His fangs came down and he ran them lightly across the boy's neck. He licked up the small amount of blood that came forth.

Excited, Spike leaned down to rip into Xander's throat.

Pain. Incapacitating pain.

Spike pulled back and clutched at his head.

Bugger!

Chip is still working. Okay. Just checking. Just soddin' checking!

Spike growled as he held his head. Xander didn't wake, but moved toward him and snuggled closer, murmuring soft sounds and rubbing his lips against Spike's chest, as if sensing Spike's distress and pain. Spike sighed and closed his eyes against the pain and the desire to turn the boy. He wrapped his arms around the boy and rested his chin atop Xander's head.

He would turn Xander. He picked up a lock of the boy's hair and began to suck on it.

Thumps came from upstairs. Spike was ready to roll off the bed and under it when he heard, and then recognized, the soft foot falls of the little witch.

He moved closer to and held tighter to Xander.

This could be fun. He closed his eyes and feigned sleep. He still had Xander's hair in his mouth.

"Xander? You down here? It's almost three in the afterno-OHMYGOD!"

"Whazit?" Spike said, sitting up and hiding an evil grin.

"OHMYGOD! SPIKE! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO XANDER?"

"Huh? What? Really. Calm down, witch. You'll wake him!" Spike snickered, grinning at Willow. "And I dare say, the boy needs his rest." Spike leaned down to kiss the top of Xander's head. He looked up to smile at Willow once more. "He really does need some rest. I am afraid I wore the sweet boy out."

Spike watched with glee as Willow turned beet-red. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. He watched her as she swayed a bit and fell flat on her ass on the steps. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth and her eyes bugged out a bit. Spike was loving this.

Okay, then, but, this was fun!

He ran his hand across Xander's chest, stopping to rest his palm over Xander's right nipple, while he stared at the witch with wide, innocent eyes. Or at least trying for wide-eyed innocence.

"What is it, pet? Not another spell gone bad, is it, chit? I do so hate it when your mojo goes wacko." He kissed Xander's slightly parted, sleeping lips. His grin grew wider when Xander puckered and the witch gasped.

Spike watched the witch try to stand and watched the witch fall back down.

"Um. . .no. No bad spell. I, um, I just wanted to talk to Xan-Spike?"

Spike kissed Xander again. "Yes?" He drew away from Xander's head but stuck his tongue out to lick along the outline of the sleeping boy's lips.

A nice show for the witch.

"What are you doing?"

"What'dya mean, witch? Right now? I'm licking Xander. He tastes good. Just before? I was petting Xander. 'Es very pettable. Like a big tomcat. Before that? I was shagging him senseless. 'Es very shaggable, too. I'm afraid I've tired the sweety out." He traced Xander's lips with his tongue once more. "Why? Did you need him for something?" He kissed the boy once more before turning to look at Willow. He smiled. "Or can I help you with something?"
Willow stood quickly. Spike watched her sway a bit. He grinned.

"Umm. . .no! Really! It was nothing! I just wanted to talk to Xander. But you're-he's-umm. . .you guys are busy and I can come back later. Or never. I mean, I'll call next time. Or knock. Or-just tell him to call me, kay?" Willow turned and ran back up the steps.
She slammed the door.

Spike grinned as he watched her run out and then looked back down at Xander. That had been fun. He knew his little Xanpet might be miffed at him later, should the little witch ever get the nerve to tell Xander about it but hell. He knew, better than most, fun had its price. And who knew? Xanpet might be the type to withhold his affections when miffed. Better have fun now. Just in case.

With that thought in his head, he leaned down and swiped his tongue across Xander's nipple. Hard. He grinned when the boy rose up. He began to suckle. He let the distended nipple go and slid his cool, wet tongue across the boy's chest to his other nipple. It too received loving attention.

Spike threw the covers down and off of Xander's body. Spike's hand went down Xander's body, to slide along and then hold Xander's rapidly rising cock. He loved the way Xander responded immediately to his each and every touch. Spike pressed his body closer to Xander's and began to lick at his ear, while he worked at the still sleeping boy's growing erection. Spike smiled and reached into the bedside table, pulling out the bottle of lube he had placed there earlier. He was going to need it. He flicked the bottle open and left it waiting.

He rolled onto Xander and kissed him. He kept his eyes open and watched as Xander's eyes opened to look into his. Glassy with sleep at first, but quickly becoming sharp with wanting.

"Hi, Spike." Xander muttered against his lips.

"'Eh, pet." Spike pulled his lips away from Xander's to speak. "Give us a nice kiss 'ello, then, wont ya, pet?"

"'Kay." Xander nodded his agreement and reached up to press his lips to Spike's mouth.

Spike clutched his hands into Xander's hair. He ground his hardness into Xander's and let his tongue twine with the boy's. Seeking, tasting. Loving. God's below, but this boy tasted good. Spike spent a moment more at the teen's mouth before pulling away and running his tongue down to Xander's neck. He went straight to the fast beating pulse. He ran his tongue back and forth over it, loving the hot slick feel of the boy. He wanted to sink his fangs in. He wanted to tear and render the flesh, wanted Xander's blood to pulse into his waiting mouth. Feel it splash onto his tongue and down his throat. He contented himself with sucking hard and drawing the boys flesh into his mouth.

He felt Xander wrap his legs around his thighs and rise up. Spike reached, blindly, still sucking at Xander's neck, for the bottle of lube. He squirted a good amount onto his fingers. Spike placed his mouth over Xander's as he pushed his tongue and two fingers into him. Xander cried out and pushed up against Spike's invading digits.

"Xan." Spike muttered. He wanted him so bad. Spike wasn't too sure he cared for this desperate need that was gripping him, but he was damn well going to ride it out and enjoy it.

"You want me, don't you, Xanpet?" Spike pushed his fingers in a little deeper before drawing them out quickly and pushing them back in.

He was immensely gratified to hear the boy's gasping, "Yes! God yes, Spike! I want you. Please." Xander placed his mouth back on Spike's pushing his tongue in and swirling it around almost frantically. "Please, Spike." Xander rocked his head back and forth, his mouth still at Spike's. Spike felt him spread his legs wide.

"Don't tease me. Don't." Xander bit Spike's lip hard enough to break the skin and draw blood. Spike withdrew his fingers and quickly ran his lubed fingers over his hard cock. He placed himself at Xander's opening and pushed into the boy hard, fast and deep. He sucked at his own lip for a moment, before going to Xander's open mouth. He slid his tongue in and out of the boy's mouth at the same pace he slid his cock in and out of the boy.

So hot.

So tight and good.

"You feel so good, Xander. I love the way you feel. Take all of me. All of me, pet? More. Take more of me. Yes. You can do it, pet. Just like that. Wrap your legs around me. Your arms. Hold me. Oh, hell, yes. Xander. Yes. Xander. Xander. Xander." Spike wasn't even aware of the hot words he whispered into Xander's ear. Just the feelings. The wonderful feelings, as he continued to pump himself into the hot, willing boy.

"So good. You feel so good, Xan." Spike reached a hand down to grasp Xander's hardness. He began to pump it to the same rhythm he used to slam himself into the boy's hot depths. Spike suckled hard at the boy's pulse while he fucked him. He wanted so badly to bite down. He pumped harder at the boy's cock as he slammed in and out of him. He wanted so badly to turn him. The desire to turn almost overrode the desire to cum. Almost. Spike sped up his thrusts into the boy and his movements at the boy's cock.

"I want you to come for me, Xander. I want you to come with me." He thrust even faster, sucking Xander's earlobe into his mouth and giving into the need to bite down. "Yes!" He cried out when Xander's legs wrapped tighter around his hips and he pushed his ear towards Spike's mouth. "Fuck me Xanpet. Harder! Come on, pet!" Spike lost himself into his rhythm and bit down hard into Xander's earlobe as he came. He vaguely felt Xander's hot cum against his stomach. "That's my Xander. That's my Xanpet." Spike muttered against Xander's neck. He lay heavily on the boy and just rested.

"You liked that, Spike?"

"Um. . .yeah."

"You loved it, Spike?"

"Umm. Yeah, Xanpet. I loved it." Spike nuzzled his mouth along Xander's shoulder.

"Love me?"

"Umm. . .Yes." Spike was ready to drop off to sleep. He felt Xander chuckle beneath his cheek.

His head popped up.

"What did you just say?" Spike demanded. He pulled his head back and away to look into the boys laughing eyes.

Laughing. At him!

Spike snarled.

The boy just gave him a grin. "Nothing." Xander brought a hand up to pat down Spike's unruly hair. "It's okay, Spike." He grinned.

Spike snickered down at him. "Your witch came by, pet. But she could see you were indisposed. Maybe she'll come back later. She did say she'd call, or at least knock first."

Spike gave Xander an evil grin.

Vampire: one. Mortal: nice try.

"Dammit, Spike! What did you *say* to her-"

Spike placed a finger across Xander's lips. "Shh. It's daylight! Sleepy time for vampires!"

Spike yawned widely. "I'm very tired. Night night." Spike snickered and dropped his head down on Xander's chest, falling fast asleep.

4 That Night

Xander came out of the shower mumbling death threats against a certain bleached blonde. Idle ones, sure. But just saying them out loud helped. He snatched a towel and began to dry off.

"Oh, he's so funny! Mr. Funny-ha-ha-man! Jerk!" Xander threw down the towel and began to dress.

"'Your witch came by, pet'" He mimicked, viciously. "Asshole!"

Xander finished dressing and headed back, hoping Spike was still sleeping.

He was. And damn, if he didn't look like a fucking angel, while doing it.

The jerk.

Xander sat down on the bed and began to put on his shoes. He glanced at Spike and smiled. Maybe he had been kidding. Sure. Kidding. Spike would do that. And if not, so what?

He got up and headed towards the stairs. Xander could tell Willow the truth or . . . not.

"What? That Spike is such a kidder!" Xander practiced out loud.
He grinned as he headed up the stairs.

"Oh, yes. That will work. They all know what a kidder I am, pet."

Xander paused mid step. "Shut up, you!" He snipped at the sleeping vampire.

Spike snickered. "And just where are you off to, pet?"

"Work."

"Where?"

"The bar."

"What time are you off?"

Xander sighed. "Donno. I'm closing. So sometime after two." Hey! He was mad! "That okay with you?" He added in a belligerent tone. Oh, yeah. That'll show him.

Another snicker came from the vampire. "I'll be 'round 'fore two, then, pet."

"Yeah, yeah. See you then."

What can I get for, ya?"

"Scotch. Johnnie Walker, black, please."

Xander gave the woman a wide grin. He snatched up two bottles of Bud and passed them out before coming back to her and putting a glass in front of her.

"Make it a double, hon."

Xander gave her another grin, took the shotglass away and replaced it. "Rocks?"

"Bite your tongue, handsome. Sacrilege."

"Excellent." He poured a double shot. "I love you scotch drinkers.
If I have to hear the words 'screaming orgasm' one more time, I'm might be forced to kill some one."

The woman grinned at him. "Surely not!" She took a sip of her drink, smiling engagingly at Xander.

She was attractive in an, 'older woman' sort of way. Kind of ageless,
Xander thought. She had smooth, dark skin and sparkling brown eyes and sharp, high cheekbones. And he had just recently developed a liking for sharp cheekbones. Close cropped dark, wavy, hair. And full lips that went into a dimpled smile. Very nice.

"What if some strange woman in a bar offers to bring you to one?"

"You're right. They can be good words." Xander gave her one of his new found "bartender smiles".

"Beers! We need more beers!"

"Excuse me. Must feed the masses."

She toasted him with her glass. "But of course. They call for you."

"May I get you another?"

"Why yes, you may." She watched him pour her drink and grinned. "You know, you do that very well."

Xander smiled. "Ya think?" He swiped the bar dry, put down a napkin and deposited her double. "Well, it's not exactly brain surgery."

The woman threw back the double and gave him a grin. "Nope. It's not. But all that takes is a good memory and some practice. What you do is good too." She licked her lips and pushed her glass forward. "Hit me again, please."

Xander poured another. "You think so?" He grinned at her. As good as brain surgery?"

"Sure. Why not?" The woman stuck out her hand. "Hi. I'm Carla. Neurosurgeon and Professor of Neuroscience at UCLA." She shook Xander's hand and then downed her drink, slamming the empty glass on the bar. "Or, at least, I used to be. Now I'm just me."

Xander slid down the bar and filled another order before quickly returning to the pretty drunken lady. "So, what? You're a brain surgeon?"

"I am. Well, I was. Like I said, now I'm just me. Bar fly and seducer of young, handsome bartenders." She took another drink and winked at Xander. "But me is a good thing to be. Hit me again, handsome."

Xander poured another shot and looked around the bar. It was quiet. He leaned against the bar and smiled at Carla. "So? Was it the drink?"

Carla laughed. "What? Are you asking me if I'm an alcoholic?"

"No! I . . . . .no! Of course not!" Xander smiled and shook his head. "That would be rude and intrusive as a mere bartender."

"It's okay. Really! Because I am a drunk." She took a sip. "But that's not why I no longer practice." She giggled. "Actually, I'm on an extended leave of absence. No one wanted me to leave. It's quite shameful how much they wanted me to stay on, even though I'm a big ole lush. I just did. The drinking and stuff, well the drinking this much, well that came later."

"Uh huh." He gave her the bartender's-patented 'continue, please' nod.

"I just got tired of fighting death." She downed her drink. "Hit me again, sweety."

"Ya sure?"

"I'm sure. Gimme another. I'm thoroughly enmeshed in my new life of drinking too much and seduction." She wiggled her well-shaped eyebrows and Xander. "I love it."

Xander just gave her his smile and poured her more scotch. "So what happened? Why no more brain surgery? That seems like a job you do for life. A career, if you will."

"You really wanna know?" She leaned a bit over the bar.

"Yep. I really want to know."

"Good! I'll tell you." She took a drink. "Just what is so bad about dead?"

"Whadda you mean?"

"I mean what's wrong with dead? We all have to die, don't we? Of course we do! Why do we keep fighting it? What's so wrong with it? Hell! Do you know what your body starts to do the very minute it gets to peak? When you're fully-grown? When it's all finished developing? Do you?"

"Um...no?"

Carla slapped her hand down on the bar and took another drink. "I'll tell you. It starts to die. It starts to de-gen-er-ate! Oh sure, you can hold it off. . .you can prolong the life. You can do all the right stuff. Eat right and exercise. That's important. But it's not forever. We're all going die. Sooner or later."

"So . . .you decided to stop fighting death? As a doctor you decided this?"

Carla gave him a grin. "Yes! You're cute and smart! I like that in a bartender. Why fight it? We all need to die. Maybe Dave got that tumor because it was time for Dave to die. Maybe cousin Earl had a stroke 'cause it's time for him to die. Don't you think that could be it?" She pushed her empty glass forward and Xander filled it. She took a sip. "I mean, really! We can't, any of us, live forever! We weren't meant to live forever. Maybe my job is to just ease the suffering and let the people die. Humm? Maybe that's all I'm meant to do." She took another sip and giggled. "You know what would be funny?"

"Hold on. Be right back!" Xander grabbed a bussing bucket and made the rounds to the empty tables in record time. He set the bucket in the back and came back to Carla. He poured her more scotch and gave her a smile.

"What? What would be funny, Carla?"

Carla smiled at him, unconcerned with the interruption. She giggled again. "It would be funny if death was great. You know? If death was really great! Like this whole place-maybe this whole world- that was so fucking great. And maybe it is. Maybe death is fan-fucking-tastic! I mean, we don't know. We fight it so hard!
No one wants to die! Oh! No! Anything but death! Don't let me die! Help me, doctor! Stop it doctor!" She took another sip. "Like I'm some kind of superhero magician! Bastards! Die, already, dammit! Just fucking die!" She tossed back the rest of her scotch and motioned for another.

She smiled at Xander. "Don't let me scare, ya hon. I'm just tired. Tired of the whole war against something I can't beat." She took a sip and winked at Xander. "I'd save you in a heartbeat, honey."

"Glad to know it. But, uh, what about the dead?" Xander held his breath. Just how drunk was she? Did she know about the un-dead?

"What? The ghosts?"

Okay. Ghosts are a good starting point. "Yeah. What about them?"

Carla took another sip. "Yeah well, sure. The ghosts. But they never really let themselves die, do they? Don't cross over, or whatever the hell it is they need to do. And it's always some earthly kind of thing that keeps them here, isn't it? 'He murdered me', or 'she cut open the wrong side of my head and I died'. Babies! Get over it!"

Carla giggled at Xander's wide-eyed look. "I'm kidding! With the cutting open the wrong side of the head thing, that is. I never did that."

Xander smiled. "Oh. Of course you are." He started to dry a shot glass. "Um, does that happen often? Cutting the wrong side open?"

"Weeelll . . .it happens, sure. But most times, no one dies from it. I don't recall anyone dying from it. I mean, you cut, you look, you say, 'hey there's nothing here!' You close up, switch the x-ray to right side, and start all over." She took another sip. "No big deal."

Xander smiled and poured her another. He watched as she took a healthy sip.

"So, what of the un-dead. What of them?"

Carla gave him a puzzled look. "What? Like brain-eating zombies? Never met any."

Xander put down the shot glass and picked up another, all casual like. "Nope. Not zombies."

Carla looked around the bar, noticing only those involved in their own thoughts or conversations. She then leaned over the bar towards Xander to whisper loudly. "You mean, like, vampires?"

Xander quirked an eyebrow at her, ala Spike. "Vampires? Ever met any?"

Carla gave him a sly smile. "Maybe. You?"

Xander picked another glass to polish. "Maybe." He hedged. "What if you did meet a vampire? What would you want to say to him?"

"Don't drink my blood?" Carla giggled.

"For real! If you really met a vampire, what would you want to do?"

Carla threw back the rest of her scotch and smiled at Xander. "I'd want to dissect it."

Xander dropped his glass. "I meant, a real breathing-well, okay-walking, talking, vampire. What would you want to do to that?"

"I'd want to dissect it." She took note of Xander's flabbergasted look and grinned. "Hey! I wanted to dissect a real breathing living person when I was in med school. They just wouldn't let me."

"See ya, Xan-man! We'll be back! Love ya, dude!"

Xander waved at the departing patrons. "Yeah! Night guys! Be good, and see ya'll later!" He smiled at their retreating backs. He turned quickly back to Carla.

"What do you mean you'd want to dissect a vampire? Is it part of your whole, 'we all gotta die' campaign?"

"Not really. Besides, vampires aren't supposed die, are they? Not of natural or organic causes, at least, right? Anyway, what else would I want to do to a vampire? The physiology would be fascinating!"

"How about just ask some questions?"

"Kay. That would be good, too." Carla shrugged, bored. She gave Xander a flirtatious smile. "You know, Xander, you're awfully cute. Are you off anytime soon? We can talk more about vampires, and sucking, and things."

Xander just shook his head and smiled at her. "I'm serious."

"I'm serious too! Wanna come to my place?" She reached up and pushed back a lock of Xander's hair from his forehead. Xander batted her hand away and poured her another drink.

"No. Listen. Can you keep an open mind?"

Carla gave a sigh of defeat. "Yes, sure. I'm nothing if not open minded."

Spike walked into the bar and saw red, immediately followed by blinding white, the color of his pain. He clutched his head and backed out, falling to his knees in pain. He took a few deep breaths and tried to calm himself.

He was going to fucking kill that cow and beat Xander to death with her head. Or her arm. Or her fucking leg. Or with what ever soddin' body part he ripped from her first!

No. It's Okay. More deep breaths. Xander is just talking to her, I'm sure. Xander knows he's involved with a sociopath of a vampire. Hell. The whole phsyco-jealously thing is implied with such a relationship, isn't it? No need to give myself a bleedin' migraine. Spike took another deep breath and walked back into the bar.

The twat was still touching his Xanpet! He growled.

Xander heard the growl and lifted his head from beneath Carla's hands. He smiled at Spike.

"Spike! Come here!"

Spike didn't quicken his pace, nor did he take his eyes off the woman as he walked towards his Xander. When he reached the bar he grabbed the back of Xander's head and pulled him across for a kiss. Not a "honey I missed you", kiss. But a "you're mine, and who the fuck are you flirting with?" kiss. He branded the boy as his with his kiss.

"And here he is now!" Xander gasped to Carla when Spike let him go.

"So I see." Carla turned her smile on Spike and offered her hand. "How do you do?"

Spike ignored her hand and looked at Xander with icy rage. "What's, this, then, pet? Flirting? I'm sure I don't like it."

Xander was startled by the look of rage. "Spike?"

"Xander?"

The owner came out from the back of the room, interrupting the emerging drama. "I'm heading out, kid." He tossed some keys to Xander. "Go ahead and lock up." He gave the others a look. "And remember. No service after two! Got it?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Delancy! I'll lock up. And these two are just here to give me a ride home."

"What ever, kid." He gave Xander a smile. "What ever floats yer boat."

"Spike!" Xander said after Mr. Delancy had left. "She's a brain surgeon!"

"Let's go!."

"Hey! Just a minute, you!" Carla jumped down from her barstool to stand face to. . .chest with Spike. She tilted her head back to look him in the eye. "Maybe I can help you, vampire."

Spike cast a disbelieving look towards Xander.

"It's okay! She's given up on life. She's all for death now. Aren't you Carla?"

Carla swayed a bit. "Yep. Death is good. Are you really a vampire, or was the cute bartender just having me on?" She moved to one of the empty tables.

"I wish I could prove to you both that I'm a bloody vampire." Spike said, watching the cow sway towards a table.

"Spike." Xander grinned at him. "Spike. Why do you doubt me? She can help, can't you, Carla?" Xander came around the bar to stand close to Spike.

Carla pulled out a chair and plopped down onto it. "Maybe. Who knows?" She pulled out another chair and motioned Spike into it.

"Have a seat. Let me look."

Spike pushed Xander away, none too gently, and sat down. He ignored the stab of pain the action brought on. Maybe he'd build up immunity to the pain, he thought. Hope springs eternal and all that rot.

Carla leaned forward and sank her hands into Spike's hair, running her hands over his skull.

"Oh!" She stopped and stood. "Here. Right here. Feel this?" She grabbed one of Xander's hands and brought it to rub along a slightly raised ridge on Spikes scalp.

"Yeah. Is this it? Where they put in the chip?"

"Mmm. Maybe. Unless it's just scar tissue from an old wound. But it's a nice, clean scar. Well, Spike? Been hit on the head at this spot?"

Spike gave another growl. "Countless times. Xander? I believe you've hit me there."

"I have not! I may have hit you-Oh. You're kidding. I forgot you're Mr. Funny-ha-ha-man!"

"This may be the spot then!" Carla told them. She sat back down and reached two fingers to rest at Spike's jugular.

"Fascinating." She stated when she felt no pulse. She reached into her boot and pulled out a closed knife. She grabbed Spike's hand and pulled his index finger towards her. She pushed a button on the hilt and a wicked looking blade flipped forth. She cut the pad of Spike's index finger and grinned when blood welled up.

"Fascinating."

"Loopy twat!" Spike snatched his hand away and sucked his bleeding finger into his mouth. "Xander! What would a brain surgeon need with a bloody switchblade?"

Carla giggled and placed the knife back into her boot. "I'm a brain surgeon on leave, vampire. We all carry switchblades. Standard protocol. No need to worry. Sit back and relax."

Spike's eyes flew up to look into those of his lovers. Xander shook his head. "Pay no mind to her, Spike. She's very sarcastic."

"You really are dead, aren't you? Or sorta dead, that is. Can you have sex?"

"Why? Are you offering?"

Carla was startled by the question. "Huh? Me? No! I like the boy!"
She waved her hand towards Xander.

Spike showed her his game face. "Well, too bad! Cause the boy is mine!"

Carla's hands immediately came up to run across Spike's vampiric features. "Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating."

"Have you learned anything by feeling me up, woman?" Spike asked with distaste, pulling away from Carla's groping hands.

Carla smiled. "Why yes, I have. There has been an incision made into the back of your head. And if something was implanted, then it was done below the actual skull and you are really jealous. And you have no reason to be. I did my best to seduce your Xander and no luck. And I'm usually very good at seduction, my dead friend, I'm very good."

"That true, pet?"

"Well, I did feel the scar she's talking about."

"Not that the other! She try to seduce you?"

"Naw."

"Yes I did!"

"Can you help him? Can you get whatever is in there out?" Xander asked, ignoring Spike.

"Well . . .don't see why not. I'd like to know what it is first, though."

Carla brought her hand back to Spike's head to run along the faint scar once more. "I'd sure like to get an MRI though." She looked into Spike's eyes. "Don't suppose you've been through a metal detector recently have you?"

"Why, no. I haven't. Even though I like to start my nights by going through one, I seem to have failed to do so this evening."

"Spike! Can you not try to piss off the brain surgeon before she fixes you?"

Carla turned to Xander. "Well, I do have contacts, you know. And I can get one done. It's just that, if there is metal in the chip, it would just rip itself free of this dead thing's brain to stick to the magnet. But, heck, how bad could that be? That's what you want, right? To get rid of chip? And this dead thing of yours doesn't seem to work on brain power."

"You ever notice how drunks think they are so amusing?" Spike asked no one in particular.

Xander and Carla ignored him. "So, this was some kind of behavior modification experiment, you say, Xan?"

"Xan?" Spike sputtered. Oh, hell yes he was going to kill these two!

Xander patted Spike's head as he laid it on the table, whimpering in pain.

"Yeah. See? He wants to hurt us. And this is what happens."

"And you think this is a bad thing? Seems good to me!"

Xander shook his head. "Naw. Not for Spike. He can't take this much longer, I'm sure." Xander looked at her with moist, pleading eyes.

"I just want him-I want him whole again." He shrugged his shoulders, unable to put into words his feelings.

Carla gave him a smile. "I understand." She stood. "I know I'm nuts to do this, but I will. Give me a call tomorrow." She reached into her purse and pulled out paper and pen. She jotted down her number and handed it to Xander. "Late. Call me late. We'll have to go to my offices in Los Angeles, okay?" She went out the door without a backward glance.

Xander looked down at Spike. "Spike? I really think she's for real. I think she can do this." He told the vampire.

Spike lifted his head. He stood, pushed in his chair in and headed for the exit. "Finish what you have to do, Xander. Lock up and meet me out front." No ice dripped from his words. No heat either. The lack of emotion worried Xander a bit, but he was too excited to worry much. He was going to get Spike fixed! Well- unfixed that is..

"Spike?" Xander ventured into the darkened night.

Spike grabbed his upper arm and began walking, pulling Xander along.

"So what do you think? I know it seems wacky and crazy, but I really think she can do this for you! I talked to her all night. Sure she's a bit nuts, but heck, we need nuts-"

"Shut up, Xanpet. Just walk."

"But Spike! We ne-"

"Shut up and walk." This was said through tightly gritted teeth, Xander knew.

Fine.

He didn't say another word all the time they walked. As they made their way through the streets of Sunnydale, Xander's thoughts whirled with fear and excitement but he didn't utter one word. When they reached his house he remained silent. Down the steps and into the basement, not a sound did he make; when he stood by the bed watching Spike strip he said nothing. When Spike moved to stand before him, naked and hard, and began to remove his clothes he remained silent and still. When Spike wrapped his hand around the back of his neck and led him to and then pushed him face down on to the bed he still held his tongue. When Spike came over him on the bed to straddle his ass he could stay silent no more.

"Spike-"

Spike pushed his head into the bed. "Not. One. Word." Spike sank his hands into Xander's hair, pulling. Not enough to cause pain but enough to be felt. He leaned down and licked Xander's ear. "Pet?"

"Mumph?"
I didn't like that." Spike whispered into Xander's moist ear. He voice was soft and silky, causing shivers to run through Xander's body.

Xander raised his head a bit. When he felt no resistance he began,
"But, Spike, I was only trying-"

Spike pushed his head back down. "Shh, Xanpet. My Xander. I didn't like that." Spike licked Xander's ear again then bit down softly upon it. Spike rubbed his erection against Xander's ass. "In fact, I was a very un'appy vampire to walk in and see that cow touching you." Spike ran soft, wet kisses across the back of Xander's neck

"Yes, but-"

"No talkin', pet." Spike settled his lips between Xander's shoulder blades and began to suckle. After marking the spot with a hickey he moved the kisses down Xander's spine, stopping every inch to place another mark. When he reached Xander's ass, he smiled and placed a large hickey on each cheek. Spike spread Xander's cheeks and placed his cool tongue against Xander's puckered hole. The boy shivered and groaned. Spike pulled away and Xander cried out.

"You may not speak, Xander." When Xander remained silent for the moment, Spike leaned back down and pushed his tongue past the tight ring of muscle. Xander rose against the sweet invasion but said nothing. Spike continued with his ministrations until Xander was wet and open, panting and silently begging, his hips pushing up. Spike rose and placed the head of his cock at Xander's opening. He leaned over until his mouth was once again to Xander's ear. "Whom do you belong to?"

"You!" Xander whimpered, pushing back against Spike's cock.

"Yes!" Spike hissed as he pushed himself into Xander's warm depths. "Mine!" Spike pulled out, leaving only the large head of his cock inside of Xander. "You are mine." He thrust back in hard, causing them both to groan in ecstasy. Spike gave up his pseudo- punishment and drove for pleasure. For himself and for his Xander. He lay fully on the boy's back and reached his hands beneath Xander to take hold of the boy's straining erection and play with one of Xander's nipples as he rode him, hard and fast.

"Mine, mine, mine." Spike chanted into Xander's ear as he rode him and worked at the boy's cock. "Mine." He hissed into Xander's ear when he felt the boy's hot release spurt against his hand. "Mine." He stated as he pushed a finger into Xander's mouth for the boy to lick and suckle. "Mine." He yelled when his own release followed and he spilled himself into Xander's hot depths. "Mine." Spike whispered into Xander's ear when he collapsed, spent upon Xander's back.

"Spike?" Xander asked, tentatively, after a moment of silence.

"Xander?"

"I was only trying to help you. That's all I want to do."

Spike remained silent.

"Spike?"

Tenacious little git, Spike thought. He smiled against Xander's back. "I know, pet." Spike could feel the tension leave the boy's body.

"Xander?"

"Yeah?"

"Once we get this chip out."

"Yeah?"

"Should I walk in and see a scene like I saw this evening, I'm more'n likely to beat you to a bloody pulp and ask questions later. You know that don't you?"

"Yeah. I know."

"Well. Good. We'll call the drunken bint and see what she can do, then, won't we?"

"Yes." Xander said firmly. "We will."