Backfire - Spander Files

when you go see Spike, could you two stay in? Can you keep him from hunting?
Just for tonight?”
Okay, that was an interesting influx of information. Xander blinked. Then blinked
again. Those three questions sparked so many other questions in Xander’s brain that
he didn’t know where to start.
“What? How? What…what makes you think I’m going to see Spike tonight? I can’t
predict the pull. You know that.”
“Oh, please, Xander. You go see him almost every night. Sometimes for an hour,
sometimes all night. All I’m asking is that you stay at the factory. I’ve got afterparty
plans with Buffy, and I’m not going to be able to follow you tonight.”
“Factory? Follow us? You know Spike’s at the old factory? You follow us?”
“Of course I do. My God, Xander. Did you really think I was that stupid? Did you
really think that I would let Spike get away with murder in my town?”
Xander climbed awkwardly off the mattress and pulled on his clothes. His mind
was swimming. A thick fog had spread across his brain, interfering with the
processing process.
“Do you...do you…have you seen me?”
“Yeah, I’ve seen you. I know that you watch as Spike attacks. And I’ve seen you
hold a couple guys down for him. I’ve heard you say his name softly when he looks
like he’s about to go too far. I know what you do, Xander.”
Xander was shaking. It was the only part of his life in which he still felt a little bit
of fear. And as it turns out, it wasn’t the painful secret he thought it was. He felt his
knees start to buckle. But instead of hitting the ground, he found himself engulfed
in strong vampire arms.
Angel gripped him tight. Tight enough for the shaking to stop. But Xander didn’t
cry. He wouldn’t give Angel the satisfaction of seeing that.