[For Xander]

[fangyandgrr]

Spike quite liked his cave. It was sort of like his crypt back home, all cold stone, and because of that it stayed cool most days. Course, on days like today that was less of a selling point, but it was out of the elements, and with a little preparation weathering the cold in it wasn't so terrible either, as he'd long ago discovered. So when the temperature had begun plummeting he'd made a trip to the compound for supplies: a few days' supply of food, some extra layers of clothes, a blanket or two. He'd spent the early afternoon gathering a good stock of wood for a fire and clearing a safe spot on the cave's floor to light it, and by the time the first flurries began swirling in the steady wind, he was all set for a bit of a lie-in, if it came to that. Oh, as IPD he likely ought to be out in it making sure everyone was safe, but he was sure they had enough do-gooders out there freezing their tits off without him.

He settled down in front of the fire with a cup of coffee pilfered from the kitchen and heated in a metal container (also pilfered), lit a fag, and watched the flames dance. This wouldn't be so bad at all, he decided, smiling a little.