Backfire - Spander Files

Giles stepped aside and Xander took careful steps into the apartment. He heard
Giles sigh out a held breath, then a hand came down gently on Xander’s forearm.
“Dear Lord, what happened?”
“You have to invite Spike in, Giles.”
“Not bloody likely,” the Watcher scoffed.
“Please, just-,” Xander was cut off as Giles guided him slowly toward the couch,
wincing when he was sat down. He turned around and saw Spike still lingering in
the open doorway.
“Xander, you’re shaking. And there’s blood stains on your jeans. What did that
bleached menace do to you?”
“Sod off, Watcher!” Spike cried out. “You think that if I hurt the boy I would have
brought him here?”
“Then what-”
“Can you just invite him in?” Xander heard his own voice sound more desperate
than he expected. “I’ll explain what happened.”
“No, I will not. I’ve never had a vampire in my house, and I sure as bloody hell am
not going to start with Spike. I‘d have Angel in here way before William the
Bloody.”
Xander stiffened at that, and Spike punched the invisible barrier of the entryway.
Giles looked from Xander to Spike and back again. He grasped Xander’s shoulders
and searched his eyes for an explanation. Whatever he found there, Giles’ angry
expression changed to concern. Letting go of Xander, he got up and went to his
weapons chest. Pulling out the crossbow that was sitting on top, the Watcher aimed
it at the vampire.
“Come in, Spike.”