Woah! Xander's inexperience coupled with Spike's disability makes a pretty heady stew to leave simmering there. It's interesting that Spike doesn't seem as dismayed as Xander does. Somehow, Spike as an unselfish lover even at his most evil fits him to a T. Xander's going to have some seriously crazy emotions to work out.

HAve a great trip! i'll be avidly awaiting the next chapter when you return.