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[chose]

The moment Angel had said he wasn't letting him out of his sight, Spike had done every thing in his power to take full advantage of the situation. Getting under Angel's skin had always been one of his very favorite pastimes, and this was quite possibly the most perfect opportunity to do so that he would ever get. He was, for the very first time,

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[scoobys_heart]

So far, Xander hadn't noticed anything odd about today. Sure, he'd woken up with Stacy in his bed when he'd gone to sleep alone, but that was starting to become more common then odd so that didn't count. Besides, it was comforting and he liked it so he wasn't about to say anything otherwise.

Since to him it was just a normal day, free of island hijinks, Xander was wandering down the beach on his way to work. When he saw Buffy, he grinned and waved. Ever since Angel had arrived, he hadn't seen her as much so a chance to see her was great! Helen would forgive for being late anyway. "Hey Buff, what's up? Taking a break from Captain Forehead and his sidekick, Bleach Boy?"

[chose]

Sidekick?

Spike turned on him, eyes narrowed, ready to tear him a new one, when he remembered his situation, remembered all the advantages it afforded him, and he caught himself mid-glare, plastering on a bright smile and chirping, "Hey, Xander!" Sounded 100% authentic, if he did say so himself.

"Oh, you know how it is. Never a moment's peace."

[scoobys_heart]

Xander paused, the look Buffy had turned to him had been slightly terrifying. But then she smiled and everything seemed alright so he let it go. "With those two? I can image. Bleach for Brains baiting Deadboy every chance he gets to the old guy to snap. I don't know how you put up for it." He tried to hide the strained feelings that went through his head. He kinda missed it when his Spike had done that to him. Of course, it had led to a different kind of snapping. In bed. "Anyway, I feel like I never see you! When do I get some quality Buffy time huh?"

[chose]

"Yeah, it's not like he doesn't deserve it," Spike muttered under his breath, before it occurred to him to keep his mouth shut, but then before he could say anything any more damning, he plastered on that sunny smile and said, "How about right now? We're both here, aren't we?"

Truth was, there were a few things about Xander Harris that didn't sit right with him, anymore. This could be the perfect opportunity to set a few things straight.

[scoobys_heart]

Xander frowned. He thought he heard Buffy...then he shook his head. Nah. Buffy was too devoted to Mr Broodypants to encourage Bleach Breathe's behavior.

But it was all quickly ignored in favor of time with his Buffster. "I'm going to be a little late to work, but I think the Boss Lady won't mind when I tell her it's for a good cause." And with that, he offered her his arm.

[chose]

There was an edge to his smile that was unusual on Buffy Summers' face, but he was hoping that the darkness of the evening would be enough cover that the boy wouldn't notice.

Taking the Whelp's arm like a good lady, he said, in a fairly decent approximation of bubbly Buffy-speak, "So, fill me in. What have I missed?"

[scoobys_heart]

It was a good thing Xander didn't notice in the dark because he'd know that smile anywhere. And seeing on Buffy would have given him nightmares.

Xander shrugged. "Not much. Mostly same old, same old. Days with the building crew or in class, nights at the club. You know, I'm the only male dancer left now that Spike's gone?" He paused before asking, "Hey, you remember Stacy? One of the female dancers at the club?"

[chose]

The one with the epic tits... he found himself thinking, but Buffy clearly would never say a thing like that. He wasn't even entirely certain he'd be able to get those words past these lips, which was a good thing, considering how spectacularly it would have blown his cover.

"I think so," he said, his face twisting into a thoughtful pout, "Have I met her?"

[scoobys_heart]

Xander frowned slightly. "Yeah, you met her when you were a bouncer at the club remember?" Then he laughed slightly, though it was sad and a tiny bit bitter considering everything that was happening on the island. "Maybe you were too distracted by me and Spike then."

[chose]

That right there... that was the type of information he wanted to hear. Trying not to perk up too much, he asked, "What about you and m--" he caught himself mid-slip, clearing his throat daintily to cover the mistake, "You and Spike?"

[scoobys_heart]

Thankfully, Xander was too lost in memories to catch the slip, especially of the night Buffy had caught them making out in the dark corner by the steps as they waited for Helen to perform so they could go, both energized from their own earlier performances.

He rolled his eyes, wondering why Buffy was being cruelly dense at the moment. "Oh come on Buffy. That's not funny. I know he's all devoted to you again now but even you couldn't forget that it was me he was devoted to before he decided to dump me out of the blue then up and disappear. Thanks for making me revisit those memories." He frowned again. "What's gotten into you tonight?"

[chose]

Spike froze, jerking them both to a stand-still. Buffy Summers might have been tiny but she was still deceptively strong.

"Devoted to you? Are you out of your bleeding mind?"

So much for not blowing his cover.

[scoobys_heart]

"Okay, Buffy, what the hell is wrong with you..." Xander began angrily before he trailed off with realization. Then his eyes went wide and his face went white in horror.

"SPIKE!?!? What the hell are you doing in Buffy?!"

This was so not good.

[chose]

"It's one of those island things," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand, as if he'd been through dozens of these already and not, in reality, experiencing his very first.

"Back up a bit. I thought I heard you say I was devoted to you."

[scoobys_heart]

"It's one of those island things." Xander parroted back out of reflex.

Then he bit his lip as he struggled with what to say. He didn't really want to tell Spike anything but he knew he had to say something. The part he really didn't want to say was that before Spike had basically dumped him, Xander had thought there might have been more love then devotion going on.

"Yeah you were. Ask anyone at the Catscratch Club. It's not a secret." He said defensively, wishing he didn't feel the need to run and hide.