Backfire - Spander Files

Spike was by Xander’s side instantly, kneeling in front of the couch, both hands on
Xander’s legs. Giles watched scornfully as Xander gripped one of Spike’s hands.
With crossbow still in hand, but held down to his side, Giles sat down next to
Xander again. “Please tell me,” he said softly, placing a hand on Xander’s forearm.
Xander felt the comfort of the two men who were holding onto him. Two men,
complete opposites, who both loved him in very different ways for very different
reasons. Xander opened and closed his mouth several times. He heard the words in
his head over and over. Rape, pain, blood, death. But he couldn’t actually speak
them out loud. Finally it was Spike who spoke.
“Angelus is back.”
Xander and Giles both looked at him, confused. Spike was looking at the Watcher.
“That bloody soul that you white hats prized so much has flown the coop.”
“What?” This came from Xander. Spike shifted from the floor to the couch, sitting
next to Xander, then positioned them both carefully until Xander was leaning
against the vampire, back to chest. He wrapped his arms around the human and
pulled him as tight as he dared.
“My dear boy. Did you think that was Angel? It’s true that one doesn’t have to be
soulless to commit evil. But your Angel? He’s a puppy. All that soul knew was guilt
and broodiness. Angel’s not capable of rape. Plus, the leaving you alive part, that’s
a signature Angelus move. In his head, killing you would have been kind. What
happened to you was pure evil. Trust me. I know.”
“Rape?” Giles’ voice was small, not even a whisper. Just a breath. His face had
fallen and held a blank expression for several long moments. His grip on the
crossbow was loose and slipping. Then in an instant the Watcher was back and in
fix-it mode. “We have to get you medical attention.”
Xander shook his head violently. “Spike helped. The rest will heal on its own.
Eventually.”