Fic: There is No Bad Here, Giles/Xander, 1/1

[strickens-girl.livejournal.com]

Here is my entry for summer_of_giles. It's a little rewrite of "Band Candy" with Xander sticking his nose right where Ripper wants it. *evil grin*

Title: There is No Bad Here
Pairing: Giles/Xander
Rating: Mature/Adults Only
Spoilers: BtVS Season Three, episode 6, "Band Candy"
Warnings: Underage (Xander is 17), bondage, dub-con, overt snarkiness.
Word Count: 5,345
Author's Note: Some of the dialogue may sound familiar since it taken directly from the episode "Band Candy". I hope it all works. Also, the title is a line uttered by Xander while enjoying chocolately goodness.
Author's Note 2: Special thanks to Steph for the quick beta. I did a little tweaking since then, so any further errors are my own.



There is No Bad Here


Xander trailed Buffy on the way to Giles' apartment. The Slayer had been wigging ever since the Watcher had bailed on detention duty and he had decided to accompany her in the hopes that he could act as a buffer for Buffy…or something like that. It had made sense to the sable-haired boy when he'd made the suggestion after Ms. Barton had let them skip out on detention.

Buffy had gone right into the apartment without knocking and Xander followed tentatively. He took in the sight of Giles crouched down thumbing through his collection of ancient albums and Buffy's mom perched on the couch. It was a little unsettling.

Giles and Mrs. Summer's talked over each other as they told Buffy about summit meetings and schedules and responsibilities. It all made Xander's head spin with the weirdness.

Then weirdness took a spin into the bizarre as Mrs. Summers turned to Buffy and said, "We’ve got more work to do here, honey. Why don't you and Xander just give us a little more time? Um…take the car, and, um, Mr. Giles can drive me home."

Both Xander and Buffy explained, "What?!"

Buffy continued babbling, shaking her head, "Excuse me, I meant what?!?"

"Keys," Joyce repeated, holding out the keys to her car. "Take them."

"You don't have to tell me twice," Buffy said, snatching the keys out of her mother's outstretched hand. "Well, actually you did but…bye!"

"Bye honey. Drive careful," Mrs. Summers called out to her daughter's retreating back.

Then bizarre took a turn straight into the Twilight Zone because Xander could have sworn that Giles was checking him out, complete with a wink and a leer. Twilight Zone time for sure.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Xander's knuckles were white as he held onto the handle above his head for dear life. He'd never been so terrified in his entire life and considering he'd faced down a pissed off Angelus said a lot. The brakes slammed and he thanked the gods that he had decided to strap on his seatbelt.

He watched as Willow bounded out of her house and Xander willingly gave up his seat to cower in the back. With a squeal of tires, Buffy took off.

Xander gave a quick explanation of how Buffy became mobile before he was thrown across the backseat when they zipped around a corner much faster than the boy thought possible anywhere other than in Nascar.

After he'd picked himself up off the backseat floor, he clicked his seatbelt in place before holding on tightly once again.

"Tell me again how it happened," Willow asked, worry coloring her voice.

"Told my mom I wanted to treated more like a grownup, and voila," Buffy smiled, rather pleased with herself, "driviness."

The Jeep slid around a corner and Willow looked back Xander and the two friends laughed nervously at each other as Buffy continued.

"Also, I think she wanted me otherwhere. Considering my mom and Giles are planning my future, I think it's easier for them to live my life if I'm not actually there."

Willow nodded as she turned back around. "Do you know that you have the parking brake on?"

"Uh huh," Buffy muttered as she reached over and released the brake. Xander just shook his head in disbelief.

Willow glanced back once more before asking, "Are you sure about the Bronze? I mean, the SATs are tomorrow."

Buffy danced in her seat. "I can study at the Bronze. A little dancing, a little cross-multiplying." She smiled at the girl next her wickedly. "You know what we need?" Then she was gone, her head dipping down to change the radio stations as the redheaded girl leaned over to grab the wheel.

Both Willow and Xander shouted loudly, "Eyes on the road! Eyes on the road!"

When Buffy straightened up and grabbed the wheel again, Xander leaned forward. "You know what, Buff, I think I'm going to take a rain check on the whole Bronze thing right now. I was thinking I might go and check on Giles. He was acting kinda wonky before."

"Are you sure, Xander?" Buffy asked, nearly turning all the way around to look at the boy in the backseat. "You'll miss all the fun."

In the front seat, Willow screamed before grabbing the steering wheel again. "Yeah," the redheaded girl murmured sarcastically, "Who'd want to miss out on all this fun?"

"I'm sure," Xander answered, patented Zeppo smile firmly in place. "I'll catch up with you guys after I make sure that the G-Man is not possessed or infected or something."

"Only if you insist," Buffy chirped happily before taking the wheel back and slamming on the brakes. Xander quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and hopped out the Jeep before slamming the door shut. He turned to wave and Willow silently pleaded with the boy with sad green eyes.

"Are you sure you don't need any back up or anything, Xander?" she asked hopefully.

"Nope," the sable haired boy answered. "I'm just going to check on Giles? What's the worst that could happen?"

He kept waving as the Jeep pulled away with a squeal. As he turned to walk to the librarian's apartment, he wondered if Willow would ever forgive him for bailing on her, assuming she survived Buffy's driving.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As he approached the apartment, Xander slowed his pace. His plan had been so simple: go check on the Watcher, once his safety was confirmed, Xander would go find Cordelia for some touchie-feelie time. That way he could assuage his conscious and avoid dying a fiery death due to Slayer driving.

But as he raised his hand to knock, Xander heard noises on the other side of the door. Pressing his ear to the wood, the boy recognized the sound of music – old music – but music none the less. Something with heavy guitar and drums that Xander didn't expect Giles to know much less like. And there was laughter. Giggly, silly laugher. This was not right.

And then Xander smelled it. Smoke! Worried that the Watcher might be in trouble, Xander began to pound on the door.

"Yeah!" he heard from the other side of the door. Quickly, he threw open the door and stormed inside. "Giles, I’m sorry but I thought you might be..." he stopped short, "…smoking?"

Mrs. Summers snorted before laughing at the boy staring at them in shock. "You came busting in here because you thought we were smoking? Lame."

"No," Xander grumbled impatiently. "I did not run in here because I thought you were smoking. I thought you were in trouble and I am not lame."

The older woman snorted again before taking a drag off her cigarette. "Whatever."

The boy turned to look at the Watcher, surprised to see the man out of his normal tweed. It was…different. Weird. He didn't know what to think. Then they locked eyes. Giles' green eyes seemed so intense, staring into Xander's darker hazel eyes, searching for something. Finally, one corner of Giles' lips curled up into smirk.

"Why don't you take a walk, Joyce?" the librarian suggested.

"I don't wanna," Mrs. Summers pouted. "I wanna stay here with you."

Xander was amazed at how much the older woman resembled her own daughter. It was of the abnormally freakish variety. At least now Xander knew where Buffy got it from.

Even more shocking was the growl from Giles.

"Take a walk, go the Bronze, I don't give a toss you silly bint. Just sod off!"

"Fine!" the upset woman snapped before grabbing her purse and storming to the door. Chalk up one more thing that Buffy got from her mom.

The door slammed with a resounding thump and after a long, awkward silence Xander smiled at Giles. "So G-Man, what are you listening to? Sounds familiar. Maybe something Oz was playing once?"

Giles nodded as he stepped closer to Xander, inching closer to the mantle, his fingertips dragging over the worn wood. "It's classic, Xander. Something every good boy should know, pet."

Xander shook his head slowly. "I don't get it, Giles. Something's just not of the right. I mean, what's up with the attitude and the smoking and the whole you sounding like Spike thing? It's really wiggins-worthy."

Giles chuckled as he reached into a small jar, cupping the contents in his clenched fist. "Ya' don't like it, Xan?" the Watcher practically purred.

"It's just…weird, G-Man," the boy explained.

"I've asked ya' plenty of times not to call me that."

"But everybody needs a nickname, so what am I supposed to call you?"

His hazel eyes widened as the older man moved in close, his green eyes sparkling with something dark and predatory. It wasn't until the librarian lifted his hand up to Xander's face and smirked, "Call me Ripper," before blowing a handful of dust in the shocked boy's face, did Xander realize he was in serious trouble. With a gasp, Xander sucked in the dust and before he could respond, the world went black.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

His nose itched. Just a tiny tingle of an itch, but enough that it was annoying the hell out of Xander. He tried to scratch it but his arms refused to move. Sighing, he wondered how both his arms fell asleep so he tried to swift to get the blood flowing to his limbs again.

But he couldn't move his arms. Or his legs.

This was bad.

Slowly, he remembered dust and manic green eyes and a sinful smirk. His eyes snapped open and the first thing he saw was faded blue jeans and scuffed boots. As his eyes traveled upward, he was shocked to see a tight white t-shirt stretched over a surprisingly muscular chest before staring into wickedly sparking green eyes.

Ripper.

"Nice of you to join the party, pet," the smirking man whispered as he reached down to thread his fingers through Xander's sable curls. "I was beginning to worry you'd miss all the fun."

"Fun. Right." Xander blinked several times hoping he'd wake from this very odd dream. He tried to pinch himself and when his hands wouldn't move, he suddenly realized why. Strong ropes snaked around his body, holding him captive as he knelt in the middle of Giles' apartment.

Then long, strong fingers moved down from his hair to brush over his bare shoulders.

Xander started at thought.

Bare shoulders. As in, shoulders that were bare.

Slowly, he looked down, taking in the intricate design of the rope twisting over his body in beautiful pattern, the light hue of the cord contrasting with his tanned skin.

All his tanned skin.

Oh no.

"Oh yes," Ripper purred, leaning in close. Xander hadn't even realized that he'd spoken out loud. "How long have you been thinking about this, Xander? Been waiting for ages, haven't you?"

"N-n-no," Xander stammered, his cheeks flushed brightly.

"Don't lie, pet," Ripper whispered as he leaned in close, their noses practically touching. "You might say no but your body is saying something else."

Green eyes glanced down and Xander's followed until he was staring at his own rock hard erection.

"Great, just great," the boy groaned as he tried to will his traitorous erection away. "It-it doesn't mean anything, I swear. It's just hormones and…"

"Don't try the linoleum line with me, boy," Ripper whispered, his fingertips running over strips of skin not bound tight. "I know better."

"But…"

"Not to worry, Xander," the older man said before standing up to his full height. Xander stared up at him in awe. He felt so small from his position on his knees, staring up at the man looming over him. "Just let Ripper here take care of you."

The nervous boy watched in awe as the zip of the faded blue jeans was slowly lowered right before his eyes. His tongue darted out to lick his dry lips and he heard a deep groan from above. Ripper smirked and winked at the shocked boy before reaching inside the too tight denim to pull out his impressive length. Xander gasped lightly at the sight of it. It was pretty imposing, large and angry red, the tip slick as it peeked out from the foreskin.

Ripper stepped forward, eradicating the distance between them before Xander had a chance to close his mouth to trace the boy's parted lips with moist tip. A musky bitterness burst across his tongue and Xander moaned lightly. Suddenly, he felt the spongy tip pressing inside and he swirled his tongue around the head and beneath the foreskin before sucking gently. He felt Ripper buck into him, the man's hips jerking helplessly as he sworn under his breath.

Before he could do any more, Xander's mouth was empty and he whimpered at the loss.

"I knew you'd be a natural," Ripper panted, sounding out of breath. "Such a good little cocksucker. But that's not what I want right now, pet. Know what I want?"

"To untie me and go help Buffy figure out what's going on?"

The laughter was instant and hearty. Xander had never heard the Watcher laugh like that, sounding so completely carefree and happy. It brought a smile to his face despite himself. At least until Ripper moved behind him and began to manhandle him so he was bent over, his face pressing into the cushions of the couch.

"Nice try, pet," Ripper whispered into his ear as he leaned hard against the boy's back. "I want you, Xander. All of you."

Xander shuddered as he felt fingertips skimming over his skin, just barely touching, learning every dip and curve not covered in rope. Lips and tongue joined in and Xander moaned at the sensation. It was a heady feeling being the center of the Watcher's attention. For so long Xander had longed to have Giles see him, really see him. Not just look at him like the screw up or the errand boy, but as someone who deserved his time.

He gasped as slick fingertips slid down the crevice of his ass, cool and searching. They circled his entranced before pressing against the ring of muscle. Pushing his head against the cushions, Xander arched back on the digits as they penetrated him, teasing him until he was writhing beneath the librarian's hands.

"Please, Giles," he begged before receiving a sharp, stinging slap on his ass.

"Say it," the Watcher growled.

"Ripper," Xander cried, "Please Ripper. Need you."

"Anything for you, pet."

Then Xander felt something hard and blunt pressing against him, larger than he thought possible, before he was breeched and Ripper was panting hard against his back.

"Fuck," Ripper cursed.

"Yes," Xander cried, bucking back against the man filling him.

Ripper pulled out slightly before pushing back in, achingly slow. Xander whined and tried to buck back, but strong hands held him still. Ripper made him wait, made him take what he was willing to give until finally, the older man gave in and began to thrust harder, taking the boy with abandon.

Xander writhed against the couch beneath him, trying to find some purchase, but his hands were still tied tightly behind his back and his fingers clenched and unclenched uselessly. Finally, Ripper took pity on him and reached around, fisting Xander's dripping cock in time with his harsh thrusts. Just a few harsh pulls on his hardness and Xander was crying out, back arching, as he came hard, spilling over the Watcher's hand.

He felt a sharp sting in his neck and he realized that Ripper had bit him as he came, marking the boy with his blunt teeth. Xander wondered how he was going to explain that as his world went dark once again.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


His nose itched. He squirmed slightly; frustrated that he couldn’t scratch until he couldn’t take it anymore. His hand flew up and hit him right between the eyes.

“Ow,” he complained quietly as he heard a soft, deep chuckle from the other side of the room.

“What was that?” Ripper asked, not even bothering to suppress his laughter.

“I thought I was still tied up,” Xander grumbled as he fought to sit up. “What? You decided bondage Friday was over?”

The Englishman laughed harder at that, staring down at the boy sprawled on the couch. “Bondage Fridays,” he choked out. “That’s brilliant.”

Xander smiled at the praise, his cheeks flushing red. When Ripper smirked at him, the green eyes dragging over him like a caress, he remembered his lack of clothing and sat up abruptly.

“No need to be shy, pet,” Ripper leered. “Not like I didn’t look my fill while you were out.”

Xander felt the blush burning down his neck and chest when Ripper stepped closer, brushing his lips against the boy’s ear. “Let's go out. Have some fun. Tear things up a bit."

“How about the Bronze?” Xander suggested, hoping to get the Watcher to Buffy and Willow so the wiggyness could be analyzed and fixed. Unfortunately, Ripper wasn’t willing to play along.

“Not bloody likely. That place is dead.”

“Well, as much as going out sounds like a fun having time, I think my sudden case of nudity would make that not so much with the fun.”

Ripper chuckled that evil deep baritone that was starting to go straight to Xander’s cock as he reached back onto the mantle to pull down a candy bar from the stack piled there. Ripping open the wrapper, the Watcher shoved a large piece of chocolate in his mouth before handing a chunk to Xander. The boy took it greedily, nearly moaning at the sweet melty goodness.

“Well,” Ripper finally mumbled around his mouthful of chocolate, “I suppose we’d better do something about that.”

As he moved toward the couch, Xander noticed the pile of shredded fabric lying by the fireplace that had once resembled his clothing. “Is that…was that? My clothes!?!”

The Englishman had the decency to look uncomfortable for a moment before crossing his arms over his t-shirt clad chest. “What do you expect?” he asked indignantly. “You weighed a ton once you were out and besides, that shirt was a crime against humanity.”

“Hey!” Xander complained, “I like that shirt.”

Ripper just stared. “Put these on.”

Xander caught the pile of clothes as they struck him in the chest. Jeans and t-shirt. He could do this – except Ripper apparently thought he was a little tiny kid because they seemed tight. Really tight.

“They don’t fit,” Xander complained as he shoved his feet into his shoes.

“Trust me,” Ripper practically purred as he grabbed the boy’s arm and pulled him bodily toward the door, “They fit just fine.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As they wandered the streets, Xander tried to think of something – anything – to say to get Giles back to being Giles.

"Must be exciting being from England," he ventured.

"Not particularly," Ripper drawled. "You cold?"

"Not particularly," Xander shot back. He had his arms wrapped around his chest, the tightness of the t-shirt making him feel self-conscious.

They were heading downtown and Ripper stopped directly in front of the pet store. Xander waited for him to move when suddenly the Watcher smirked and Xander knew something was up. Before he could try to distract the Englishman, Ripper had reached over and grabbed a garbage can before hefting the metal can through the large glass window.

"Ripper!" Xander yelled, mortified. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Getting you a present, pet."

A present. Xander smiled lightly. Giles had never given him a present before, so he figured he'd let Ripper. At least until the librarian presented him with a large black studded leather dog collar.

"Oh no," Xander protested. "No way. Not going to happen."

"Come on, pet. It'll make you look so pretty. Just for me?"

Xander wanted to say no but he couldn't deny the man when he looked at him that way. He sighed as he felt strong fingers trace the length of his neck before Ripper wrapping the collar around his neck, fastening the heavy metal buckle. Once the collar was in place, Ripper leaned down to place a gentle kiss on the boy's passion swollen lips.

Suddenly behind him, Xander heard a loud, "Hold it!"

He shook his head as Ripper pushed him aside and stalking toward the trembling cop. "Ooo…Copper's got a gun. You'll never use it, though, man."

"Will so," the cop shot back and Xander just rolled his eyes. The boy could just tell this was not going to end well.

"Ripper, be careful," the boy pled, worried about damaging Buffy's Watcher. She'd pound Xander into dust for sure.

Xander stood by, horrified, as he watched Ripper first distract and then beat up the cop. Soon, the Englishman was turning to Xander, sticking the gun into the back of his pants.

"Told him he'd never use it."

Xander snorted, trying to hold in his laughter. In a flash, Ripper had a hand around his neck. The boy jumped and considered struggling. Instead, he sighed as Ripper's mouth covered his own, the warm tongue dipping deep inside, tasting of chocolate and cigarettes. He felt himself being pushed back until he felt the warmth of the police car's hood against his back.

He decided it felt pretty good.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Xander and Ripper walked up to the warehouse just as they heard Buffy shriek, "Mom, look at your car. Look at that dent the size of New Brunswick. I did that."

Both men turned to look at the damage Buffy was talking about. Xander gasped, sure that the Buffster was about to be busted for a time close to ever. Instead, Mrs. Summers cried, "Oh my god! What was I thinking when I bought the geek machine?"

Ripper started laughing and Buffy noticed him for the first time. She walked over to the two of them, her face a mask of outrage.

"What have you been doing?" she demanded. "There is weirdness going on and you're just now getting here? Don't you think I need you here or around or something. Someone has to be looking stuff up and finding me something to kill."

"What do you care what I do?" Ripper yelled in her face.

"You listen to me…" Buffy started.

"No!" Ripper threw back, "You listen to me. I'm your Watcher so you'll do what I tell you. Now sod off!"

Buffy glared at the Englishman in her face and Xander thought she just might punch him.

"Buffy," Xander interrupted. "Is that your mom?"

"Yeah," the Slayer answered, still staring at her Watcher.

"And is she sucking face with...?"

"Yeah, that's Dr. Hoffer."

"And isn't he..?"

"Her gynecologist? Yeah."

Both teenagers shuddered but Ripper just chuckled as he pulled out another cigarette. As he lit up, Buffy turned to regard Xander for the first time.

"Xander?" she asked as she cocked her head to one side in a decent cocker spaniel impersonation. "Are you wearing a dog collar?"

Xander blinked and tried to come up with some sort of an explanation. All he managed was a very non-manly squeak.

The Slayer stepped closer.

"And is that a hickey?"

Xander slapped a hand to his neck, hoping he was hiding the livid mark he knew was there.

"That does it," Buffy huffed as she turned and ran toward entrance of the warehouse. Ripper reached over, grabbed Xander's hand and dragged him along, following the Slayer inside. They began to search for some answers when they suddenly saw Ethan Rayne talking on the phone.

"Yeah, I've been out there," the Englishman said into the phone. "Town's wide open. You guys can go anytime."

Buffy stepped up right behind him. "Ethan Rayne."

The man on the phone turned to face her, his eyes going wide at the sight of them.

"You might want to hurry."

"Ethan," Ripper growled.

"Ripper," Ethan greeted before turning and running away full tilt.

Xander watched as first Buffy, then Ripper, took off after the Chaos Mage.

"Have fun storming the castle," Xander waved after them as he sat down on one of the conveyor belts and opened a box of candy bars. Ripping one open, he began to eat as he waited for the Slayer and the Watcher to come back his way.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Xander sat back, watching as Buffy talked on the phone to Willow while Ripper stood guard over Ethan. It was a little scary watching Ripper pointing a gun at the man on the floor. Xander knew better than to think that Ethan might be defenseless but it was still unnerving. It was so un-Giles-y. It was very John McClane-y, which, Xander had to admit, was kinda hot.

Just thinking about Giles being all super testosterone guy was doing very bad things to Xander not-so iron clad control. Lately, Xander's control had been very jello-clad, especially with Ripper bending over in those tight jeans and…

Xander's mind had wandered for a while and he was shocked to see Buffy and Giles in a stand-off.

"Giles, give me the gun," the Slayer demanded. When Giles didn't immediately comply, she pressed further. "Giles…Now!"

The two stared at each other for a moment before Giles finally relented and handed over his weapon.

Buffy turned her attention back to Willow on the phone and Ripper moved back toward Xander, leaning his hip on the conveyor belt next to the boy. They moved so they were pressed against each other as they both watched over the Mage on the floor.

Suddenly, the Slayer slammed down the phone, her face drained of all color.

That meant bad.

Very bad.

Possibly very, very bad.

"Come on," she said, her voice tight.

"Well, what about him?" Xander asked, nodding toward the man on the floor.

"Uh," Buffy replied, looking around, "See if you guys can find something to tie him up with."

"Um…" Xander hedged as he reached into his back pocket to pull out the handcuffs he'd taken off the unconscious police officer.

Buffy glared at him as she snagged them from his fingers.

"Never tell me."

Ripper just laughed.

Once Buffy and Ripper had left to go and save the day, Xander stared down at the man handcuffed to the table beneath him. Ethan stared at him, taking him in. Finally, the Mage's lips curled up in a smirk reminiscent of Ripper.

"I see Ripper's marked you already," Ethan stated.

"What?" Xander asked, his hand reaching up to touch the collar around his neck.

"Already been there," Ethan practically purred as he leaned in closer. "Ripper has a thing for tall, dark and handsome."

Xander stared at the man in shock. When Ethan winked at him, the boy jumped up from his seat on the table and began rummaging around for some more candy. Chocolate, he needed chocolate and lots of it. Hearing the sound of metal clattering to the ground, Xander turned around to see Ethan smiling at him.

As Xander took a deep breath to yell for help, the Chaos Mage lifted his hand to blow some dust in his face. As the room began to go dark, Xander wondered why someone had decided to throw a "half off Xander roofie powder" sale the week of the cursed candy sale.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Monday at school was an adventure. The school had been vandalized – poorly – but vandalized none the less. It seemed that the city at large was ignoring the whole incident. Which meant there was no need to come up with some flimsy excuse to cover for the weirdness since no one was admitting to the weirdness in the first place.

Xander had watched Giles the entire day, looking for some hint, some glimmer that Ripper was still there, that he remembered. But there was nothing.

Nothing except the fact that Giles refused to make eye contact with Xander no matter how hard the boy tried to catch the Watcher's eye.

After an entire day of frustration, the boy decided he'd had enough.

He had a plan.

One that hinged on hope and speculation and possible humiliation, but a plan all the same.

Standing at the door to the Watcher's apartment, Xander waited, wondering if Giles had heard him. He thought maybe he should knock again.

All of a sudden the door flew open and Giles stood there looking a little shaken.

"Oh, Xander," the Englishman gasped staring at the boy on his doorstep. "Is everything alright? Did Buffy send you?"

"Everything's fine, Giles," Xander answered, smiling slightly. "Can I come in?"

"Oh, yes, certainly," the Watcher said quickly stepping aside. "You'll have to pardon me, Xander. I'm a little out of sorts today."

"That's ok, Giles," Xander replied as he walked into the living room, setting his bag down on the small wooden coffee table. "You had a rough weekend, didn't you, Ripper?"

The Watcher froze. After a moment, he whispered, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"No?" Xander pressed. "Then why did you just look at the huge monkey bite you gave me on Friday?"

Lips in a tight line, Giles breathed heavily in and out through his nose as he stared at the boy before him. Finally he asked, "What do you want?"

"What?"

"What do you want?" the Watcher repeated. "The same thing I did for you when you had the hyena possession? We'll pretend we don't remember anything and the girls will never have to know."

"Nope," Xander smirked. By the look on the older man's face, Xander knew that Giles thought he wanted to tease and torture him. The boy tossed the Watcher his bag.

"What is this?" Giles demanded, "Blackmail material?"

"Just look inside."

The librarian opened the bag and stared at the contents within. Slowly, he reached inside to pull out the leather collar.

"You kept it."

"There's something else in there too."

The smirk that covered the Watcher's face was brilliant as he reached in and pulled out two Milkbar chocolate bars.

"What can I say," Xander whispered, "I'm a hoarder. I hoard. I have three boxes of these at home under my bed."

"You sure about this?"

"Just promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"Don't blow anymore of the 'Xander knock-out powder' in my face. I'm tried of waking up unconscious."

Giles laughed, honest and open.

"Promise."

~~~~~The End~~~~~