Prompt 80 - The made man - BtVS

[thismaz]

I'm still not getting all my LJ notifications, so if I haven't answered a comment of yours, please give me a nudge.

 Title: The made man
 Fandom: BtVS
 Prompt: 80 - Rule Number Seven
 At: tamingthemuse
 Rating: Older Teen
 Summary: Part 19 of my pre-season one story.
 Word Count: 3,245
 Comments: Are greatly appreciated, loved and cherished.
 Previous parts:
 In reverse order, in tags here
 In my memories.
 Or, starting here with links to the next, at the end of each chapter.
 Disclaimer: here.
Now beta'd by the wonderful laazikaat

Warning (highlight the white area to see the warning text):

Vamp Xander story and more character death in this chapter.

19. The made man

Sunday

"Rule one?" Spike asked.

"Keep an eye on Angelus."

"Two?"

"Lay low. Don't attract attention."

"Right! Number three?"

"Don't go leading anyone back to the house."

"Four?

"Keep the house clean."

"Yeah, I don't want to be bringing Dru back to bodies all over the place." He glared at Xander. "Okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, okay. Sheesh."

Spike's mouth twisted into a reluctant smile, but his voice stayed firm. "Five?" he asked.

"Make sure to be in at least an hour before dawn. I can't believe I've got a curfew."

"Oi, less cheek, or I'll ground you too." Xander looked up, but relaxed again when he saw that Spike was still smiling. "Six?" Spike continued.

Nodding his head from side to side, like a toy dog in the back window of a car, Xander adopted a sing song voice. "If Angelus comes round, be polite and accommodating." Spike's sharp clip round the ear made him continue more sulkily. "Not that he will. He's hardly left his den for the last three nights."

"He might. And if he does, it'll be because he can't resist you, so play along and give him anything he wants, okay?"

"Yeah, okay. Be nice to Angelus. Check!"

Spike put an arm around Xander and gave him a hug. "Good boy. Seven?"

Xander bowed his head into Spike's shoulder wracking his brains, fruitlessly, until it clicked. He looked up sharply. "Hey! There isn't a seven," he said indignantly.

Spike laughed and dropped a kiss on Xander's forehead. "You're right, there isn't." He turned to pick up his duster, swinging it around as he expertly inserted his left arm into its sleeve.

He was arrested as his other arm groped for the opening to the right sleeve by Xander's next words: "But you are coming back, right?"

Turning around, he regarded his childe. "Don't be such a needy blighter, " he ordered as he shoved his arm in and pulled the coat over his shoulders. As he twitched the collar straight he obviously saw that that wasn't enough to reassure Xander, because he sighed again. "Yes, I'm coming back. Angelus is here. Dru needs him. I'm coming back. Satisfied?"

Happy again, Xander launched himself at his sire, jumping into his arms, wrapping his legs around Spike's hips and his arms around Spike's neck. Spike staggered under the impact, but he was laughing too. "Alright, calm down. I'll not leave you. I'm not like some fly-by-nights, who'll desert their kin on a whim." He kissed Xander again, on the mouth this time. Xander tried to continue the kiss, but Spike pulled away, slackening the grip of his arms, so Xander slipped back down to stand in front of him. "I'll be two nights. Three, max. Then I'll introduce you to your grandsire. You just behave yourself, while I'm gone. Okay?"

"Okay." Xander fingered the lapel of Spike's duster. "This is a really cool coat. Can I have one?"

Taking a step back, Spike glanced down at himself. "Yeah, leather does give a bloke a bit of an edge." He raised his left hand, stroking it down Xander's cheek. "Tell you what: when we get back, we'll go out, just you and me. And we'll find you one and get it for you." His voice became sterner. "But only if you're good. I'm trusting you here, okay?"

With a sense of pride, Xander nodded eagerly. "Okay. I promise. I'll be good." Off Spike's look, he added, "And careful. Good and careful. Careful and good. Promise."

He tried to ignore the sinking sensation he felt, as he stood at the window watching Spike pull the gate closed behind him.


Thursday evening

Pacing the length of the living room, back and forth, casting regular glances at the window, Xander wasn't sure if he was worried, or fuming with anger. 'Two nights, he said! Three at most! But even if Sunday doesn't count, he should've been back yesterday!' Just to be certain, he ticked the nights off on his fingers. 'Sunday night to get there. Monday to sort out whatever he needed to sort out. That's one. Tuesday to get back. Or Wednesday, if whatever his business was took longer than one night. He should be back! So where is he?' Another glare at the window; it looked darker. He checked the alarm clock he'd brought out from the bedroom. Yes! 'Finally!' Rushing over to the door, he pulled it open and looked out. Suddenly cautious, he edged out onto the porch. He'd never left the house quite this early before, but he'd not slept well and had woken long before the alarm had told him he must. Plus, he was starving, having finished off the woman Spike left for him, the night before, so certain that Spike would be back when he got home from keeping watch over Angelus' movements.

It had been a boring week. He'd done as he was told - set the alarm for seven o'clock each evening, to give himself plenty of time to wash and eat before making his way, as soon as it was dark, to the rooftop across the street from Angelus' apartment building. Each evening it had been a relief when Angelus got his lazy ass in gear and came out, because lying on a roof top for hours on end, watching the entrance to the garage and the manhole that was Angelus' access to the sewers, just inside it, was not Xander's idea of fun. Not that trailing around town after the guy was much better. Angelus wasn't doing anything, just wandering around, not even killing things and certainly not hunting. On Tuesday night there had been that slight excitement, when he chased a few kids away from the park, but it didn't amount to anything. He didn't get into any fights. Which, when Xander thought about it afresh was probably a relief, because he was pretty sure Spike would expect him to go to the rescue and he wasn't too sure how good he'd be at that whole deal, since he didn't know how well he could fight yet. He felt stronger than he remembered Xander being and it was true he could jump higher and run for longer, but facing other vampires, who also had those abilities and had had time to practice with them? No, maybe it was as well Angelus was doing no more than skulking around the graveyards and peering into crypts.

But right now he was starving, because last night he'd allowed himself a bigger meal than usual. He'd even remembered rule four and taken the body out and dumped it, before heading over to Angelus' place. Craning his neck he checked the sky beyond the porch. 'Yep, safe enough. Time to find something to eat, before another night of one sided tag. And if Spike wasn't coming back... Xander shook himself, he'd be back! He'd promised! But it was a bit of a thrill, to be actually going out on a hunt by himself.

Walking down towards Crawford Street, Xander pondered hunting grounds. The Bronze seemed like the best bet. He'd blend in there and be more likely to see someone who thought they knew him. Not that Xander had ever had any luck with the girls. He considered that memory. Not that he'd ever tried. Bronze it was then. And Angelus' apartment was nearby, so it wouldn't even be a detour, not really.

He didn't have any money on him to pay the cover charge, so he took up position near a dark loading bay and a pile of empty pallets, about a hundred yards from the club and nearer to the entrance to the alley. Leaning up against the wall, as if he was waiting for someone, he watched the evening's party goers straggle passed. A group of girls walked by, giggling, and didn't even spare him a glance, but he needed someone on their own if he was to do this right. Spike hadn't had much time to teach him how to hunt, but he knew enough to know that a human scream was nearly as effective a weapon as a stake. He shifted slightly as the sound of a single pair of footsteps reached him and turned his head towards the mouth of the alley. Male, slim, young. Xander strained his eyes as he slowly stood upright. 'Ah, yes. Now what was his name? Wayne? Warren? Scott? Yes, that was it, Scott Hope.' Stepping away from the wall and into the middle of the path, Xander hunched his shoulders. "Hey, man," he called, swinging his hand in a half formed wave. "Umm, you're Scott, right?"

His target slowed down, but continued to walk towards the club, and Xander. "Yeah?" he replied, cautiously. "Do I know you?"

"Xander. We had English together last year."

"Oh, oh yeah, sure, Xander." Scott's shoulders relaxed and Xander grinned inwardly at the advantage his host's looser status gave him. Being underestimated could be useful. Scott had stopped a few feet from him and was looking at him questioningly.

"Oh umm, listen, I was just wondering..." Xander edged a little closer, causing Scott to take an unthinking step back towards the loading bay. "I was wondering..."

Scott continued to back away. He seemed to have picked up some sense of threat because he looked up and down the alley, searching. "There's no one there," Xander said. "Just us."

"What are you talking about?" Scott asked, his voice sounding slightly strangled, so it came out higher than before. "Are you coming on to me?" he asked, trying to smile, to pass it off as a joke if that proved necessary.

Xander shook his head. "Nah, you are so not my type." He gave a small sniff and felt a smile begin to stretch his lips. "But it seems like I might be yours. What do you say?" he asked, edging them both back further towards the shadows.

"What are you doing?" Scott's voice was now beginning to rise in volume too, as alarm coloured it.

Xander lifted his arms and rammed his hands into Scott's chest, causing him to fly back and crash into the pallets, from where he bounced off to collapse to the ground on his back. "Huh!" Xander said, staring down at his hands, then up at the body lying awkwardly sprawled on the floor. "Cool." He pounced on his meal, before Scott could even think about getting back on his feet. Pinning him down with the weight of his body, Xander grabbed a handful of hair and pulled Scott's head back, exposing his neck, and bit. Scott gave one strangled scream and his legs thrashed, but Xander shifted his weight back and clamped his feet down over Scott's ankles. From there it was easy. Scott's right hand grasped at Xander's hair, while the other groped blindly around on the ground next to him, as Xander sealed his lips around the wound and began to suck.

It didn't take long, first the struggling grew weaker, then, gradually, the heart began to falter, until it too stopped. Shortly after that even Xander's powerful throat muscles couldn't drag any more goodness from the body and he pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. He was glutted on the power of his first full meal. Life coursed through him and he felt like his body should be glowing with the strength of it.

He looked down at his chest, just to make sure. No glow, but there was a pretty big bloodstain on his t-shirt. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and that came away stained too. Thinking quickly, he rolled the body over and stripped it of the leather jacket it was wearing. Not as good as Spike's coat, but good enough for now. Using the hem of Scott's shirt, Xander wiped most of the blood from his mouth, then he got to his feet, pulled the jacket on, zipped it up and bent to drag the body further into the darkness of the loading bay. Finally satisfied that it wouldn't be found immediately, he wandered out into the alley again. 'Better get over to Angelus',' he thought, 'for another exciting night of follow the ancestor.'

He had just turned into Main Street when a voice called out to him, "Hey! Xander!" He looked around and saw Jesse waving at him as he sprinted across the road. He came to a halt, right in front of Xander, bouncing slightly with suppressed excitement. "Watcha' doing?" he asked. "Ya heading to the Bronze?"

"Er, no, I just left." What an amazing coincidence, bumping into Jesse, right now. A plan began to form in Xander's brain.

Jesse's face twisted, "Man," he asked. "What the fuck happened to you? You get a bloody nose?" He smirked slightly. "Did ya step on Larry's foot, or, uh, spill his drink?" He looked past Xander, towards the alley. "Are they following you?"

Xander tugged at the collar of his jacket and Jesse's eyes widened. "That's blood on your shirt. Oh, dude, are you really hurt? Come on, we've gotta get outta here. I'm gonna take you to the hospital." He reached out to grab Xander as Xander feinted a stagger.

Allowing his left arm to be hauled over Jesse's shoulder, Xander murmured, "Home. Just get me home."

"No, man, Hospital! Just hang in there, okay? I'll get you there. How bad is it? That looks like a lotta blood."

"It's just a small cut. Won't even need stitches. I just need to wash up and put a plaster on it. I'm okay."

"You are not okay, on an epic scale. Come on. This way. Lean on me."

Calculating the best route, Xander submitted. "Okay. Hospital. Through Matthew's, yeah? It's quicker."

They set off, Xander allowing Jesse to take his weight. "Sure thing. Just hang on in there," Jesse begged. Shifting the grip he had on Xander's left hand, he grunted. "You still with me, man? You're hand's kinda cold and clammy, don't go into shock, okay. 'Cause I really don't know what I should do." Xander gave a pained grunt and Jesse steered them through the gates of St Matthew's cemetery.

Once they were well inside the gates, out of sight of the road, Xander straightened up, pulling away from Jesse. "I am so glad I bumped into you," he said, taking advantage of Jesse's surprise to grab him and pull him into his arms.

Remembering how well it had worked on his dinner, Xander hooked a foot around Jesse's leg and pushed forward, tripping them both so they fell, with him landing on top, forcing the air out of Jesse's lungs with a pained 'Umph!" He struck, before Jesse could draw another breath to protest, sinking his fangs into Jesse's neck. There was no tearing hunger this time, so he was able to take more care, concentrating on the change in suction needed as Jesse's heart did less of the work for him. Once Jesse stopped trying to fight, he pulled away, tore into his own wrist and forced the bleeding wound against Jesse's mouth. Jesse choked once, swallowed and then his lips closed around the cut and he began to suck. Xander thought about what Spike had told him about his own turning and dipped his head back to Jesse's neck, to complete the process.

It seemed to take longer to kill Jesse than it did to drain Scott dry, but eventually his body went limp and his mouth fell away from Xander's wrist. Xander rolled off him and looked around as he got back to his feet. The next question was, where to take him? Home was the obvious answer, but how to get there? Briefly Xander wondered if he hadn't been a bit impatient. He could probably have lured Jesse back to the house, if he'd been thinking more clearly. Well, there was no point in regrets, he crouched down and hauled Jesse's body over his shoulder, like a sack of potatoes, and set off through the cemetery, away from the hospital and towards the woods which would bring him out at the top of Crawford Street, from where he could probably cut through some of the wide grounds of the big houses, onto Torres. He suddenly realised he was really tired. Thank fuck, he'd managed to find a good meal before trying this. It might not have worked otherwise.

Friday evening

Xander sat on the floor next to Jesse's body, laid out on the same rug he'd woken on, just over a week ago. It was early evening and Xander considered going and getting a meal from the girl he'd got stored in the pantry. Getting her had meant going out again last night, but once he'd got Jesse back to the house and into his bed, he'd realised that the turning had taken more out of him than he'd realised and he'd had to go back out to hunt again. He'd grabbed the first human he saw, jumping out of the trees and knocking her over the head with a rock, bringing her back and tying her up, before taking enough to keep her unconscious.

For once it had actually been a relief to find that Spike still hadn't come home while he was out. And he still wasn't back, but that wasn't what was stopping Xander leaving now. There was a feeling stirring in his gut and he wondered if Spike had felt this too. Whether Spike had sat vigil over him, for the three days he said it took for Xander to wake. He stroked his hand through Jesse's hair and bent down, taking the slack lips in a gentle kiss. Now they could be together. Now Jesse wouldn't reject him, wouldn't stiffen up and roll away when Xander wanted to kiss him. Now he could have Jesse, like Spike had him. He could love him and hold him and teach him how to feed and Spike could teach them both how to hunt. And if Spike's sire didn't let Spike come back, then Xander would still have Jesse. They could learn together.

He rolled back onto his butt in surprise, as the lips under his moved, staring in awe as Jesse's body jerked, twitched and sat upright, like a wooden board hinged in the middle. Jesse looked around, his eyes glowing yellow in the dim light of the room. "Xander?" he asked, then more hesitantly, "Sire?"

"Wow," Xander exclaimed. "You're awake. Already. I thought it was supposed to take days."

Jesse's expression became smug. "You did, did you?" he asked. "I was always faster than you, man."

"I don't care," Xander interrupted, before Jesse could say anything in his confusion, that Xander would have to pick him up on. "I'm just glad to see it worked." He leant forward to kiss Jesse again, but Jesse turned his head, looking around the room and Xander's lips collided with his cheek.

"Faster, smarter and stronger," Jesse mused. "Where are we anyway?"

Nonplussed Xander replied, while he tried to get a handle on the conversation, "Torres Heights."

"Off Crawford?"

"Yeah."

"Great! That's where Cordelia lives." Jesse jumped to his feet and crossed to the door, turning with his hand on the knob. "Thanks, buddy," he said as he pulled the door open and stepped out. "I feel great!" And he walked out into the night, leaving Xander still sitting on the floor, too shocked to move.

Continued here.

Comments

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

Oh man. Sire is going to be pissed because Xander just screwed up royally. So, wait for Spike to come back or go to Angelus for help. Decisions, decisions. Oh Xander, you're worse than your sire for making plans!

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*g* Yeah, I can't see Spike being very pleased.
So, wait for Spike to come back or go to Angelus for help.
I doubt it would even occur to Xander to go to Angel. The advantage I have, is, I know that there may well be a third option. However, we'll both need to wait until next Saturday, before I manage to write it.
Thanks for reading and commenting.

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor baby, even as a member of the undead, he still gets the fuzzy end of the lollipop when it comes to Jesse. Pets him - cautiously, ‘cause he is still a dangerous serial killer!

I love the characterisation of Xander is still so him and yet not.
"I can't believe I've got a curfew."

"But you are coming back, right?"

So determinedly an independent teenager and yet as Spike says, still so needy and unsure. Perfect

"Okay. I promise. I'll be good." Off Spike's look, he added, "And careful. Good and careful. Careful and good. Promise."

Why is it at the end of that line, my brain filled in – “and a fanatical devotion to the Pope.” *g*

Another lovely chapter, hon. I can’t wait for Sire to get back and find out what his impulsive childe has been up to!

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Yeah, poor Xander. But Jesse becoming the adoring childe, was never an option. As he said to human Xander in episode 2, The Harvest - You're like a shadow to me now. And he really didn't like not getting Cordy, when Luke took over the Bronze.

In a way it's Spike's fault Xander went and turned him - he shouldn't have stayed away so long. *thinks* Doubt Spike will see it that way though. *g*

Why is it at the end of that line, my brain filled in – "and a fanatical devotion to the Pope."
Well, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition, that's for sure. *grins back*

[charlies_dragon]

Oh Xander *hugs warily* Why do all the crappy ends of the deal always seem to be what he gets? Loved that this chapter's from the newly vamped Xanders' POV, even if he does end up with the short and smelly end of the deal occasionaly *g*

charlies_dragon

(BTW, you made me go and make a Xander icon just for this fic!)

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

He's not particularly lucky at times, is he. Or not particularly wise. Or maybe he just didn't know what he was doing. I was thinking about when Darla was trying to chat up that dumb vampire in the bar in AtS s2, in an attempt to get turned. She said it was simple, but he obviously didn't know what to do. Plus, here I have built in the whole thing about needing consent, which Xander obviously didn't know about.
I'm so glad you liked. Thank you.
And that is a very pretty icon.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Sounds like rules 7 should have been, "And don't sire any of your little friends."

Poor Xander, rejected again and Spike is going to be mad when he gets back. Not to mention Angel went unwatched for two nights. Somebody's in trouble. :)

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*laughs* Yes, it should have been. I guess Spike just didn't think of it (which considering what he did with his mother,...)
Hmmm, I think you're right, I don't think Spike will be very happy.
Thank you.

[laazikaat.livejournal.com]

Oh that was such a good chapter! Poor Xan! He had it all worked out, right up to the moment it all went wrong. Poor baby *pats Xan*

Spike is going to be soooooo cross with him

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much.
Yeah, he had it all worked out. Unfortunately, he didn't know what he was doing, so... yeah, I think we can be pretty sure that Spike will not be happy.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Well, that was a ride and no mistake!

It started so simply, just a few little rules, just a little angst over Spike's late return. So simple. Running out of food was bad. Needing to hunt, not great. The kill by the Bronze, oh boy.

Turning Jesse? Catastrophe... or potentially in any case. Fledges. What can you do with them? Particularly if you leave them unattended. Now this is the sort of mistake I anticipate from Spike. *g*

Spike will be upset, I suspect. Angel will be... what? I can't even fathom, but this is a ridiculously entrapping story! Great job, hon, even better for my having had to wait to read it. :)

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Hi hon.
Now this is the sort of mistake I anticipate from Spike.
Well, it was sort of based on what happened when William turned his mother. *g* Like sire, like childe. I think Spike's mistake was telling him there was no rule seven, it meant everything else was allowed.
Yeah, Spike won't be happy. Angel.... well I'm staying mum on Angel.
Thank you, I'm so pleased you enjoyed.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

I think Spike's mistake was telling him there was no rule seven, it meant everything else was allowed.

*laughs* Well, there is that...

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*shakes head sorrowfully* Well, what can you say? 'Kids!' *g*

[dangerous-47.livejournal.com]

Haha.

Hey, there isn't a rule number 7. lol

[nikytti.livejournal.com]

Well f^ck! that didn't work out right. Now what's he supposed to do? This is so different, I'm not quite sure what to expect. Howeever, whatever it is, it'll be good I can tell. But Xander better figure something out quick, if he doesn't want his friend dead or anything else bad to happen.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

No, it really didn't. Like I said earlier, this was partly about playing with the idea of what turning means and what it involves.
*g* You know by now what happened when Spike got back. Thank you for your lovely comment.