Note: As far as I know there's not a Playground Entertainment. If there is, I'm sorry and can I have a catalog? Also, there are a few turnings at the end of this. If you need to consider this a death warning, please do so. They come back though.

Having Fun While Dealing With The Practicalities Of Life.
by Voracity

Xander looked out over the crowd, trying to keep his balls down where they were supposed to be instead of moving back up into his body. He stepped off onto the stage and nervously followed the music, but even he knew he wasn't doing very good. But hey, it was his first and only time stripping and you had to try everything once, right? Wasn't that why he was on his road trip?

He knew that out in the crowd were men looking to hire dancers for a bigger club, one of the other dancers had told him that he really wanted to get hired. He just hoped he wasn't boring the poor guys to death.

Off stage, in a dark corner, two men sat together and considered the boy on stage. They looked at each other and shrugged. "He's cute," the first one said. "He'd do pictures really well."

"But is he going to be able to handle himself?" the second asked. "He looks like he's self- conscious and shy." He considered the boy again. "But, if we could get him to go farther, all the way to videos, then I'm sure he'd do okay. He's much better looking than the fifteen we have in our stable." He licked his lips as the boy awkwardly got to his knees on the floor. "Much better."

"So we'll offer him a job?" the first man asked.

"Sure. And that one dancer too. After all, he's good enough. He could work daytime maybe." He shrugged. "Maybe with some experience in a better place, he'll get better."

"Let's hope so."

***

Xander looked up in shock as the strangers approached, him, standing up and tipping over his chair. "Um, and you are?" he asked.

"Relax, kid, we're here to offer you a job, not to kill you," the first man from outside said. "I'm John and this is Mark. We work for Playground Entertainment." He handed over a business card.

"We think you have potential," Mark said. "One of the few here today that did."

"The guy I was filling in for could do a whole lot better but he couldn't make it to work tonight."

"Yeah, but we want you," John said. "Can we take you out for a burger or somethin'?"

"Um, yeah, I guess," Xander said, looking around at the real dancers for help, all of whom nodded. "Yeah, we can do that."

"Good. Get dressed and meet us out front. We'll clear it with your boss." They walked out of the dressing room after having a word with one of the other dancers, the guy who had went on before Xander.

Xander sat down in the chair someone thoughtfully righted for him. "Wow. What was that?"

"That was an offer to do something more profitable," one of the dancers whispered to him. "Do it, boy."

Xander shook himself and smiled. "Thanks, Dragon." He looked in the mirror and went back to wiping off his makeup. He really didn't want to go out into the real world with lipstick on.

***

"So you want me to do pictures?" he asked, sounding a little surprised. "Me?"

"Yeah, you, kid. You're young, you're good looking, and you could do pictures very easily. Let's face it though, you can't dance."

"I was filling in for a guy that was out," Xander said, still dazed. "Will these be like," he swallowed, "nude?"

"Of course," John said with a smile. "What, are you ashamed of your body?"

"I'm nineteen. Aren't I supposed to be?"

"Well, yeah, but you can get around that. So, whaddya say?" Mark asked. "Can we schedule you?"

Xander considered why he was stuck in town with no money and then thought about the offer in front of him. He had decided at the beginning of the summer to focus on the practicalities of life instead of the fairytales of how life could be, and this would definitely be a test of that. "How much?" he asked.

"Two hundred to do the shoot, five if they go well," John said.

"All right. I think I can do that."

"Good. Now, which way do you swing?"

"Swing?"

"Do you like girls or guys?" Mark asked.

"You were a sheltered kid, weren't you?" John asked, patting his hand in sympathy.

"N..no, I was busy doing other things. Helping my best friends...., nearly flunking out of high school, um, things." He shook himself. "I like girls. I've even dated a few."

"Good. Then we'll do something to appeal to them," John said, taking out a notebook and writing something down, which he handed to Xander. "Be there at noon tomorrow. Just wear whatever, we'll provide you with a costume."

"I get to wear clothes?" Xander squeaked.

"A few, this time," Mark said with a small smirk. "Just show up, kid. We'll do it quickly and you can go home and take a shower." He stood up, his partner with him. "Later."

"Bye," Xander called, looking down at the address. "Pictures?"

***

Xander looked around the sets that were already together as he walked toward the men that had hired him yesterday. "Um, hi?" he asked, raising a hand to wave.

"Good, you're here. Go get into your costume," Mark said, pointing toward a metal clothes rack. "It's got your name on it."

Xander walked over to the rack, searching the tags on the hangers for his name. He pulled off a pair of skin-tight jeans and a mesh shirt. And a thong. He looked around for somewhere he could change but there wasn't one. One of the people standing around smiled at him so he stepped behind the rack to get redressed. He came out tugging at the jeans, there were just a little tighter than he was used to.

"Get over here, kid," Mark called, pointing at a pole. "Lean against that," he ordered when Xander came closer. "Look confident and sexy."

Xander walked over to it and leaned his back against it, bringing one foot up to rest flat against the pole, and looked up at the man with the camera, giving it a grin.

"Good!" Mark shouted, walking away. "Keep it up."

Xander nodded, looking at the cameraman. "Now what?"

"Turn around, rub against the pole," the cameraman said, moving around Xander, frowning as he gripped the pole. "Not a stripper?" he asked snidely.

"Only for one night."

"Like this," a guy dressed in a blue thong said, walking around to face Xander and wrapping himself around the pole, giving the cameraman a sexy smile.

Xander waited until he had the pole to himself then mimicked the position but it felt wrong so he shifted again. Now he had both his arms above his head, his head resting on them, and his hips were barely in contact with the pole.

"Yeah, that's it," the cameraman said, giving him a bigger smile. "Do what feels right, kid. Make love to your man."

"Girl," Xander corrected, sliding around the back of the pole to rest his cheek against it, his hips straddling it. "Okay?"

"Smile, babe," the other model said. "Give them a hint of a grin."

Xander grinned shyly.

"Oh, perfect," the cameraman sighed. "Just like that. Be that guy and we'll get out of here before one."

Xander swung himself around, ending up with one leg wrapped around the pole and his arms back over his head.

"Now turn and do that again," the cameraman said, grabbing another camera from his assistant. He continued to snap pictures, letting the young man decide what he wanted to do, occasionally sending out an order for him to 'smile' or to 'give him a sexy look', but otherwise the boy was doing great. He stopped, looking his newest model over. "Good. You can go. Pick up your check with the guy at the door," he said, giving him a smile. "I hope I see you again soon."

"Depends on the money," Xander mumbled as he walked past him, shooting him a grin. "Thanks."

"Hey, you did it all yourself." The cameraman waved the next guy over, pointing at the bed set. "Get down and let's do this. The promo pictures have to be done today, Jonny."

Xander got dressed and walked back around the rolling clothes cart, stopping to stare at the man on the bed. Someone nudged him so he started moving again, heading for the door. He stopped to pick up his check and walked out into the sunlight.

***

Xander looked over his newly fixed and paid for car, patting it on the hood. "Old boy, just one more night and we'll be back on the road again." Someone cleared their throat behind him and he spun to find his boss standing on the back step. "Just admiring having a car again," he explained, heading inside to do the dishes.

"Not why I was looking for you, kid," he said, stopping Xander as he passed by him. "Your new friends are outside looking for you. Seems they have another check with your name on it and a contract." He smiled at the uncomfortable shift. "It's not much different than what you did up on stage, only you can't see the guys as they whack off to ya." He let Xander go. "Go out to the front and talk with them."

"Okay," Xander said, heading out into the bar area, making sure his clothes weren't too stained with splashed water and left-over food. He sat across from John, taking the check he pushed over to look at it. "Wow," he said, giving them a smile. "Why so much?"

"It was accepted into a pictoral magazine," Mark said with a shrug. "We'd like you to do more for us. Same pay rate and everything," he said quickly when he saw the head shake.

"I was planning on leaving tomorrow," Xander explained. "I'm supposed to be roadtripping to find myself. I live in Sunnydale," he said with a small apologetic look, "and I have to be back in about a month and a half."

"Oh." Mark gave him a sad look. "Pity. We could have gotten you into your first film this year, made you a grand a day."

"A...a grand?" Xander squeaked. "For what?"

"For doing a woman," John said dryly, sipping his drink. "You said that's how you swing."

"Yeah, that is," Xander agreed. He looked down at the check. "How long would shooting take this time?"

"We can do it in four days," Mark offered. "Same rate. Same photographer. A little more graphic this time."

"Nude?" Xander whispered.

"Only if you think you could hold a stiffie," John said, giving him a smile. "If you can do that, then yes, nude, and we'd pay you more."

Xander nodded before he could stop himself, staring at the check. "Oh, god," he whispered. "They're going to find out."

"Who?" Mark asked.

"My friends. I may never hear the end of this."

"You can always back out," John reminded him. "Those other pictures are where they probably won't see them, but you're right. They will find out."

"You're going to have to deal with that reality," Mark agreed. "Can you still do it?"

"Yeah, I can. I doubt Willow will be doing porn anytime soon. She's not like that."

"Cool. Is that a yes?"

"Yeah, that's a yes." He glanced around and leaned closer. "What was my boss talking about? Contract?"

"We wanted to sign you up to work with us exclusively."

"Oh." Xander leaned back, resting against the padded backrest. "It won't state that I have to do something that I don't want to?"

"You can read it," John said, passing it over. "Very simple, just a standard 'you're ours' contract."

"No souls involved?" Xander joked. Both men looked unamused. "Sorry." He read it and nodded, grabbing a pen off Mark's shirt to sign it. "If I do anything, it'll be for you guys." He handed the pen and the contract back. "Anything else I need to do?"

"Go put the check somewhere safe," Mark suggested dryly. "You wouldn't want it to get wet." He stood up, nodding John to go ahead. "You made the right decision, kid, really. We won't hurt you." He walked away, leaving Xander at the table.

A few minutes later, Xander's boss walked past. "Taking your break now, Harris?" he asked.

"Yeah," he said as he stood up. "I have to go put my check somewhere safe. I don't want it to get wet while I do the dishes." He headed for the door and outside, opting to walk the few blocks to the motel so he could clear his head.

*** a week later ***

Xander looked at the pictures in the book on the desk in front of him, jumping when the door opened. "Hey," he said. "You called?"

"Yup," Mark said as he sat down behind his desk. "You like the portfolio?"

"I was wondering where I stood in that lineup," he admitted. "Most of those guys are way older and hairier."

"Yes, but there's always a place for fresh-faced young men like yourself." He crossed his hands on the desk. "I called you in because we have a problem. We have a movie coming up and one of the stars can't perform anymore." He saw the startled blink so went on. "It's a male/female story so you'd be in familiar territory. You'd have a small part. No acting, you're just going to be a number."

"A number?"

"She's doing a locker room and you're going to be one of the guys. That is, if you want that half grand for a half-day's work." He smiled. "Imagine what a half grand could do for you, kid."

"Um, name's Xander," he said, shaking his head. "Not that it matters." He coughed. "What exactly would I have to do? D..do her? Or lick?"

"No, she's going to suck you down."

"Oh." He closed his eyes. "Half a day for that?"

"We may need a few takes since you're so new," Mark said easily. "Does this mean I can count you in?"

Xander tapped his fingers on his thigh, thinking about what he could use that money for. He was going to need rent money until he could find a job once he got home. He really could use a few major things once he got there too. And maybe that money would come in handy while he was still in town. "Is my face going to be shown?"

"Briefly."

"And this is all straight?"

"Yup."

"Why do I feel like there's something you aren't telling me?"

"Well, I could tell you that this tape will have a wider audience than your pictures did, which by the way are selling like hotcakes." He smiled. "Or I could tell you that you might want to think about it longer. That feeling could even be your conscious telling you that this is a very slippery slope."

"Is it?"

"For some. Some people like the money that this work brings in and aren't ashamed of their bodies. For some of our stars, they live off the income they make with the movies and the pictures."

"Really?" he asked. "They make that much?"

"The bigger following you have, the more you can make. Some of the highest profile women make up to ten grand a day. Most men don't make it up that high, but you could make a good amount within a year or so. That is, if you wanted to start now."

"Um, okay," Xander decided, blinking at him. "When?"

"Today." He waved at the door. "Go get your jock strap and your socks and shoes. We need to shoot this scene today." Mark waited until Xander was gone to pick up the phone. "I got our extra," he said once the other side was picked up. "Yeah, that new guy. Did the boss really like him that much? Even knowing where he's from?" He shrugged and hung up. "Whatever," he sighed, filling something out on a form. "Whatever the Big Guy wants, he gets. The illusion spell will hold for him too."

***

Xander stepped up to the woman straddling the bench and shoved his cock in her mouth, closing his eyes as her tongue started to work him. She was good, better than anyone he'd ever let touch him. His eyes started to roll back in his head as he came, letting her push him out so they could get the 'money' shot, as it had been explained to him. He stepped out of the way, panting hard. "Wow," he whispered. "She's good."

One of the assistants pulled him off the set and out of the way. "You weren't supposed to speak," he whispered, leading Xander to a shower. "Clean yourself up and get your check."

Xander nodded, doing as he was told. He was unaware of the camera watching him, or of the eyes looking at him from the dark, as he enjoyed his body. He moaned lightly as he scrubbed over his now-sensitive nipples and down his stomach, avoiding his cock for now. He knew that if he touched it, he'd want more. He turned to get his back wet, working the soap down his arms, bending over to get it down his legs, turning so he could soap his back to the best of his abilities. He heard footsteps so he rinsed off as fast as he could and grabbed a towel off the pile, wrapping it around himself so he could go find his clothes.

Mark stepped out of the shadows as Xander disappeared into them, turning off the camera and taking the tape. He headed for his office, tape clutched firmly in his hands. What the boss wanted, he got.

***

Xander counted the money sitting in front of him on the bed, amazed. "Wow," he said finally, grinning at his image in the mirror. "I've never had this much all at once before." He picked up the ringing phone. "Hi?" he asked cheerfully. "Oh, hey, Mark. What's up? Was there a problem with my shoot?" He nodded. "Really?" His grin got bigger. "That's good though, right?" His smile fell away. "Really?" He nodded. "Are you *sure* you want me? I can't act. I'm not sure I could even do this all by myself." He sighed and nodded. "Okay. I'll be there tomorrow. Yeah, go ahead and send me the script." He hung up, hanging his head. "I am so dead if they find out about this," he sighed. "Giles will never get over it. We'll have to bury him from a heart attack."

He stopped and picked up the phone, dialing the former Watcher's house. "Giles?" he asked quietly. "Are you okay?" His smile came back. "No, I'm not having visions suddenly. I just had a thought that worried me and I wanted to make sure I was being paranoid." He laughed. "Really? That's cool." He got up to answer the door, taking the book that was handed to him with a nod. "Thanks," he said, closing the door. "What? No, just a small delivery. Nope, not a pizza. So, how's things on the Hellmouth?"

*** a month later ***

Xander looked across the desk at his boss, giving him a worried look. "I have to go home soon," he reminded. "I'm already a week later than I thought I'd be."

"Hey, not a problem, kid," Mark said with a smile. "We're only a few hours away. If you'd like, you could continue to do some odd jobs for us now and then."

"Really? More pictures or films?" Xander asked, blushing. "Do people actually buy them?"

"Yeah, you want to see the sales figures for the first one?" Mark asked, holding out a folder. "It's just been released so anything past a week is projection."

Xander looked at the figures and shook his head. "Who'd want to see me?"

"A lot of people," Mark said dryly. "I could be making a fortune off you, kid. Especially if you agreed to do a bi film, even once. You'd make a lot more," he said when Xander blanched.

"I really don't think I need more money," Xander said quickly.

"Ah. Afraid that you'll like it?" Xander glared at him. "Sorry. Just wanted to know." He shrugged. "So, can I get you to continue your contract to include more movies once you're home?"

"Um, maybe," Xander said quietly, looking away from his boss. "I kinda like doing them."

"Then why won't you let us put you in a guy-on-guy film? You wouldn't have to bottom. For you, it'd be about the same." Xander started to open his mouth. "Before you say anything, look at this picture," he said, tossing over a eight-by-ten glossy. "That's the bottom. He's very experienced, very gentle with virgins."

"I thought you said..."

"To the whole thing, not to you being on the bottom," Mark sighed. "See, you've got me in a bit of a jam here, kid. The boy's agreed, but he specifically requested to act opposite you in this one."

"Why?"

"You're still stuck on the 'someone likes to look at me' thing, aren't you?" Mark said dryly. "Trust me, Xander, a *lot* of people like to look at you. This is something that you're *good* at. You could make a lot of money doing this for us. And who knows, maybe you'll even like it a little."

"Yeah, that's the problem," Xander muttered, handing the picture back. "How long will it take?" he asked finally, giving into the pressure of the stare he was being subjected to.

"You'll be staring in half of the movie with him. It shouldn't take more than a day or two to shoot. We can shoot tonight if you want," he offered with a smile. "I noticed that you like to give yourself no chance to back out so I called Regin and told him we're doing it tonight."

Xander looked down at himself. "You promise I won't bottom?"

"The closest you'll get to bottoming is when he blows you. Maybe a finger," he corrected. "He likes to play a little when he sucks. All you have to do is be masterful."

Xander closed his eyes and nodded. "But no more. At least not for a few months."

"Hey, fine by me. We don't want to glut the market with you." He smiled. "Just go out to wardrobe and get ready, Harris. Let me handle all the details."

Xander got up and trudged out, heading for the wardrobe area and the man working with the clothes. Why couldn't he have been offered that job, it'd be making his head hurt less.

***

Xander sat down on his motel room bed with a tired sigh. This was his last night and a complimentary copy of his first movie had been waiting on him at the office when he went in to remind them of that fact. He considered watching it but tossed it toward his packed suitcase. He didn't want to watch himself have sex. Right now, he didn't want to watch anyone having sex. Actually, he really didn't want to know that sex existed anymore when he got down to what he was feeling.

He got up to go take a shower, hoping this time the slimy feeling would go away. As he stood under the warm water with his eyes closed, the scene from earlier that night came back to him. The thin back, the frail body. The guy Regin had looked a lot like a woman. He could still feel the warm fingers as they ran over his chest. He shuddered and got out, heading back to the bed.

"Maybe something a little more female would help me shake that," Xander told himself. He grabbed the tape and popped it into the machine, leaning back on the bed to watch as it ran. But what he saw made him get suddenly very tense and angry.

The woman on the screen now had blue skin. Very light blue skin. And plastic-looking strands in her hair. He shook his head, fast forwarding to when the guys started to come into the locker room. A few of them looked human to him. Including him. The rest varied in appearance. He grabbed his jeans and the card that was inside, the one Regin had given him earlier with an invitation to come watch him dance. He looked at the name of the club and winced.

There was no getting around it now.

He had been doing demon porn.

He was so dead when he got home and the gang found out.

Xander got dressed to go out. He had a man he needed to see.

***

Xander slid into the booth across from his boss and glared at him. "You lied to me," he said quietly, his voice cold. "Why?"

"Because we didn't think that you'd be comfortable with it," Mark said, waving a hand around the club the studio owned. "With what you've told me of your background, I doubt that you'd be comfortable with any of us and none of us wanted to end up dead."

Xander hissed, "I'm not like that," and glanced around, feeling people watching me. "You should have told me." He put the money down on the table and started to get up but a warm body beside him forced him back down. "Move, Regin, I don't want to be here."

"Yay," he said, sitting down and forcing Xander to scoot over so he wouldn't sit on him. "You know, your fit's really pretty, but it's not got a reason. We didn't force you to continue."

"No, but you lied to me," he said hotly, "that's even worse." He stood up and got up on the table to get around the demon stripper. "I don't want that, ever." He walked away.

Mark caught up to him as he was getting into his car, slamming Xander against the side of the car. "You had no right to do that in there," he said quietly. "I want an apology."

"You lied to me and you want an apology?" Xander asked.

"You're real short-sighted, aren't ya?" Mark asked, letting him go and taking a step back. "This wasn't about us lying to you, this was about you liking what you did." Xander glared at him. "Admit it, you liked it."

"I might have," Xander agreed, "but I can't do anything where I'm being lied to, especially not with what I was!" He glared at the few customers that were staring at them. "Go away, we're allowed to fight in private," he called out. He turned back to find Mark looking him over. "If you had told me the truth, I might have agreed to work for you anyway, at least the pictures, but I'll never come back now." He reopened his car door and was sliding in when an envelope hit his lap. "What's this?"

"Your contract. You can tear it up if you want."

Xander pulled out a lighter and lit the envelope on fire, tossing it out onto the gravel. "There, we're through," he said as he shut the door.

"You're nineteen and you found something that you like, but you're going to throw it away on an ideal that only you hold," Mark said snidely. "That's real grown up."

Xander rolled down his window. "Unlike some people, all the ones I know happen to like honesty in the people they work with."

Mark ran a hand through his hair. "All right, I should have told you that we deal with demons a lot, but that doesn't mean that you have to be such a drama queen about this, kid. We didn't mean harm, we were trying to keep you from some very nasty mental buggers."

"Then you should have told me and let me make that decision on my own," Xander said simply as he started the car. "Bye."

"Wait," Mark called, running to where Xander had stopped the car. "Come to the office tomorrow and talk to me, maybe there's a way we can work something out, all right? We'll change your contract. We'll even let you have control over what type of movies you'll work in." He started to look desperate, his boss would kill him if he let Harris get away.

Xander bit his lip and looked at his hands. "I don't know," he said quietly. "I'm leaving tomorrow."

"I know, but let's not end this on horrible terms, okay? Let's end this amiably and then you can go home. Come to us as soon as you leave the motel, I'll be at the studio in my office." He dropped the money back in Xander's lap. "I can't take this back, you earned it," he said quietly. "Besides, it'd screw with our accounting. Take it and make yourself happy for a night, get all this out of your system before you come in tomorrow and we'll talk." He backed away from the car, watching as the kid drove off.

Regin walked out and laid a hand on Mark's shoulder. "Think he'll come back?"

"He'd better, the boss isn't going to want to let him go. He likes the human for some reason."

"He's always liked that human. He's had a picture of him on his office wall for a few months now." He steered his boss back into the club, leading him back to his table.

***

Xander was lying stretched out on his bed in the motel room, arguing with himself. "I know I'm hormonal right now," he told himself, "but they shouldn't have lied to me."

His mind supplied the other side of the argument. //But you wouldn't have found out that you liked that if you hadn't done it, and that wouldn't have happened without them lying. You'd still be nineteen and horny but you wouldn't have close to two grand to go home with.//

"Yes, but I don't want that money. They *lied* to me," he told himself, rolling onto his stomach, looking at the phone. "I can't call home and ask for advice, can I?"

//With your friends? Doubt it. They'd stake you so fast because they thought you were now bad. You know how everyone there feels about sex. You're going to be bad until they get used to the idea, even if you went home now.//

"If I keep going, then it's just going to get worse." He reached out and touched the phone, but he didn't pick it up. "I'm already in deep," he reminded himself. "They're expecting me any day now."

//So what's a few more days to end this contract on a good note?// his mind asked him.

"Gee, a lot more trouble?" Xander noted.

//Not really. He said that you could dictate what you wanted to do. And besides, you could really use the money. You're nineteen, a bundle of walking hormones, and you found a way to satisfy them while making decent money. What's so wrong with that?//

"Besides the death factor when I get home?"

//Like it's not going to happen anyway?// his mind supplied. //You're dead no matter what. You should talk to him about sticking to pictures. Or to male/female stuff maybe. Not that we don't like guys, but I'm still not sure about what happened earlier tonight. Didn't like that slimy feeling at all.//

"Yeah, me either," Xander said, picking up the phone and dialing Giles' house. "Hey, me, Giles," he said quietly. "Yes, I know what time it is, sorry. I need to tell you that I'm going to be a few days later than I thought. What? Yes that was the reason I'm calling so late, I didn't want you to worry." He snorted and hung up. "That guy needs a vacation. He's real uptight today for some reason." He rolled onto his back and looked up at the dead bugs in the overhead light's shade. "I can sympathize with them," he told himself. "I was pulled in like a moth to a flame too."

//Those are flies and a roach, and there's no flame,// his mind reminded him. //You were pulled to doing this because your body was getting something that it needed from what you were doing. You were satisfying a primal urge while you were working. There are people out there that like looking at us,// his mind said happily. //That means people want us! That means that more people would like to have sex with us!//

"Is sex the only thing you think about?" Xander muttered as he rolled onto his side. "There's more to life than physical gratification."

//Not for guys our age,// his mind countered. //For us, it's all about the hormones and how often we can satisfy them. Admit it, we were in the bathroom satisfying ourselves as soon as we got back from that first photo shoot.// Xander grunted. //After the second, we got really happy and watched a movie with naked women in it to get even more happy with our hormones.//

"Yeah, but now it's different, they lied to us," Xander reminded him.

Someone pounded on the door. "Who else is in there?" the manager called out.

Xander slid off the bed and walked over, opening the door so he could look at the whole of the room. "I'm arguing with myself," he said quietly. "Is something wrong with a guy arguing with himself over the path his life's about to take?"

The manager backed away from him, giving him a hard look for his slightly hysterical sounding voice. "No, not at all. Just heard you talking to someone and wanted to make sure that you didn't sneak someone else in while not paying for it." He walked away, heading back to the office.

Xander closed the door and slumped down in the cheap chair next to the little round table in front of the window. "Okay," he sighed, rubbing across his face. "Now what?"

//Now we go and we talk to the man. He seems really nice, the lying aside. Maybe he's serious about giving us a straight chance at doing stuff.//

"Yeah, maybe," Xander sighed. He got up and crawled back into the bed, covering himself up. "No offense, self, but I'm not going to make you happy tonight. I'm not in the mood."

//Hey, you made me happier enough earlier. Now you can sleep and we'll get happy together again in the morning.// His mind shut up after that, letting Xander go to sleep.

***

Xander looked at the empty warehouse behind the guard. "But he said he'd be here."

"They'll be back later," the guard said gruffly. "You can get whatever you want then. Come back around dark." He moved so Xander couldn't force his way through the door. "Scram," he said when Xander kept trying to look inside. "Now, or I'm going to have you banned from the lot."

Xander walked away, his hands in his pockets, heading for his car. He got in and drove away, heading for a nearby restaurant. He could sit and eat, and read, for a while. Around four, he came back to the lot and the guard let him inside with a nod. "Thanks," he said as he walked past him, heading up the stairs. "Gee," he said in the office's doorway, "did you pack up because of me?"

"Nope. It's a security measure, but it's not because of you. Most of us live together on another plane for safety reasons. The fans and all that." Mark waved at the seat across from him. "Sit, kid, let's deal."

Xander sat down and looked around the office nervously. "So, um, what's left?" he asked finally.

"Well, the boss, the guy who pays me, said he wants you to keep working. Seems he likes your stuff."

"Is he the one that wanted me to do," he coughed, "men?" The last word came out as a squeak.

"Yeah," Mark said grimly, "that was him. He'll ease off that subject if you'd stay though."

"Why?"

"Because you make him a lot of money." Mark leaned back and touched the pendant he wore, tapping it a few times. "I'm human, kid, relax," he said after watching Xander for a few seconds. "No need to panic right now."

"Will there be later?"

"Not as far as I know." Mark shrugged. "With your life the way it is, I'm sure there's probably a good one though. I imagine you've had a hard life these last few years."

"Asked someone?"

"Yup. We had to once we found out who you really were. Not that we're going to hold it against you, we've seen some of the trouble that's went to Sunnydale to try and play with the power there. Most of us aren't like that, but we've seen those that are before. Truth?" Xander nodded. "I like you, kid, you're a good guy who's been trying to save a lot of people from a lot of pain. In my book, that's a good thing, something I wouldn't mind doing myself if I could fight. Around here, that's not going to make you that popular, but most of the demons around here have seen those that went to Sunnydale in the past. Matter of fact, we have a guy here whose best friend went to the demon nuthatch up that way."

"Demon nuthatch?" Xander asked.

"Yeah, there's a sanatarium up by Sunnydale for demons. Seems to be fitting with the way the power fluxes around there drive us nuts after a few days." He smiled. "But, enough of that. We don't hold it against you, and the boss would like you to continue to work for us. Even if you do have to go home. Even if all you did were stills, we'd like to have you continue to work for us." He reached into his desk and pulled out a contract, flipping it over in front of Xander's still form and leaning closer. "This is what he's willing to offer you, Xander. Look it over carefully and let me know tonight?"

"I've checked out of the motel this afternoon," he mumbled as he picked it up to read it. "Someone's willing to come to Sunnydale to help me shoot stills?"

"About twice a year we go up there to hit the forest for scenery and to grab pictures of some houses and things to use in the films' intros." He shrugged. "It's a safe place for us to head to right now. Though, I've heard that's about to change. Seems your little friend has some competition coming into her town."

"Buffy'll be thrilled about that," Xander said sarcastically. He put the contract down and pointed at one of the clauses. "This one says that I'd end up doing at least one bi film before my time was up."

"Yeah, that's in there, but it's meant to be a true bi film. You could both be doing a girl or somethin'." He grinned. "Surely you wouldn't object to that."

"Maybe not," Xander said, hesitantly giving him back a grin, "and don't call me Shirley."

Mark snorted and leaned back again, laughing. "Okay, so you're up to it in the comedy arena. How about in this one?"

"I don't know," Xander said, putting down the contract so he could stare at it.

"We could even get one of the guys to teach you how to dance so you could strip," Mark offered. He smiled kindly at the shudder. "Not into showing it off?"

"I do a lot better when I know I'm not being watched by someone with their hand down their pants." Xander looked up and then went back to the contract. "Only when I'm at home?"

"Or sooner if you needed the money or somethin' like that," Mark agreed. "That basically says that you'll come to us three times a year to do something for us. Whether it's stills or movies, that's up to you right now. We may have to ask you to do a movie at a later date to keep interest in you, but for right now, we could stick with stills. Especially if you'd be willing to do action stills."

"You mean with someone?" Xander squeaked.

"Yup, with someone." Mark pulled a notebook down from behind his head and handed it over. "Like those," he said quietly, watching as Xander looked through them, his smile coming back as he saw the young man's reaction to the pictures. "You'd have the choice of men or women to do those with. We'd be doing some individual ones also. You were recently put onto the website and you've been drawing a lot of hits for just being cute."

Xander handed the book back and leaned back himself, letting his jeans rest a little more loosely across his waist. "Okay," he said, nodding. "I think I can handle that."

"If you can't, then we can break the contract. We don't want an unwilling worker here."

Xander grinned at him. "That's good to know. So, why did you lie then?"

"Because we thought you'd be freaked out. It was the boss' idea, I had to go along with it."

"Who's this boss guy you keep talking about?"

"Not a clue. All I get are phone calls."

"Hmm, not sure I want to be one of Charlie's Angels," Xander mumbled as he pulled out a pen and signed his name on the contract. "Now what?"

"Now, you decide if you want to make a few more bucks to go home with or not."

"Okay." Xander closed his eyes and had another talk with the little voice in his mind, coming up with a smile. "Stills?"

"Sure. Action or not?"

"Um, I could leave that up to you, maybe?" Xander suggested.

Mark smiled at him. "Have no fear, you'll know what they are and if you can handle it, you'll even see them without the illusion spell going." He pushed a button on his phone. "Hey, boss," he said once his phone rang and he had picked it up, "Xander's agreed to stay on and would like to do some still shots. Yeah, he's asked that we try it without the illusion spell first." He looked over at Xander, who was sweating. "We may have to resort to it afterwards though, just in case he can't preform."

Xander nodded. "Yeah, maybe that'd be best. If I met the people and then they all hid so I didn't know which was which?"

"Sure." Mark tipped his head to the side. "Did you hear that? Great. Set it up and we'll be down in a few." He hung up. "He's getting a few of the guys down here and we'll do a few action ones." He stood up and clapped his hands. "Let's go."

Xander followed him down the stairs to the main studio area, looking at the single set. "No filming tonight?"

"Not until tonight. We have a vampire piece going tonight. Nice guy, we had to save him a few days ago from that new group I was telling you about." He pointed at the single outfit on the wardrobe stand. "Go get dressed. The photographer will be here soon and we'd best be ready, we're waking him up."

Xander hurried over to get dressed in the spangly thong that was sitting there, smiling at the word written across the front of it. "Stud, huh," he said quietly as he slipped into it and adjusted himself. He walked back around the wall and found six guys standing there. Well, five demons and a human. He walked over and shook each one's hand, giving him a smile. He came to the human and looked him over. "That's not an illusion, right?"

"Nope," he said gruffly. "Mark ordered us to go without them this time." He looked down the line. "So, can you get it up with these guys? I promise, we're all very gentle bottoms."

Xander looked down the line again, thinking about each one in sexual terms and shook his head. "Maybe, I'm not sure yet. If not, are the illusions hard to put on?"

"Nope, it's on the whole building," Mark said as he walked over to him. He looked at the thong and licked his lips slowly. "That's what was over there?"

"Yeah," Xander said, but when he looked, there was another bag sitting on a hanger. "Or at least it was."

"Okay. Go change into the other one, maybe it's more tasteful. We're not doing disco porn today." Mark looked at the lone human. "So?" he asked once Xander was out of ear-shot.

"I'd keep the illusions on all of us," he said, looking down the line. "Make it so he has to consider each of us to be me."

"All right, we'll do that," Mark agreed, walking over to a knob on the wall of the set. He turned it, then looked back at the guys as he adjusted it a little more. "There, how's that?"

Xander snorted. "They all look the same," he pointed out as he walked over to the bed. "Is this so I won't have bad heads?"

"Yup," Mark said, sitting down beside him and patting him on the knee. "Listen, kid, you don't have to do this today if you don't want to. I'll understand if you want some time to get used to us."

"No, I need to go home today, or tomorrow really. I'll want to take a bath tonight. Guess I'm going to have to find a Motel Six."

"There's a nice motel the next exit up. It's not a Hilton, but it's good enough. It doesn't even have bugs."

"Good, I think I'll take that advice," Xander said, smiling at him. He looked at the first man walking over. "How do you want to do this?"

"We usually do a combination of still and video to get just the right shot," Mark said, standing up. "Where's the photographer?" he called out.

"Here," a harsh voice croaked, walking out of the shadows. "Becoming human." He looked at Xander. "Or something close enough to it." He lifted his camera. "Mark, you got the videocamera set up?"

Mark nodded and stepped away from the bed. "Yeah, all ready to go. Xander, you're sure?"

"Yeah," he said, taking a deep breath. "I'm sure." He stood up and held his arms out. "How do you want to do this?"

The photographer looked him over. "First, let's do a sucking shot, just to get you ready for the rest." He pointed at one of the men and then at the bed. "Get over there, this is your thing."

The demon walked over and knelt between Xander's feet, giving him a smile before he started to suck on the thick cock.

Xander relaxed into the warm arms behind him, his mind losing control of his body very quickly.

***

Willow logged onto the demon porn site, frowning as she saw all the types of demons that they didn't have pictures of. She knew Giles was looking for pictures of some of these so she had volunteered to go looking for them on the web. This was the best lead yet. She frowned as she saw a link. "Human?" she muttered, clicking on it. "Hunter Dark? What a cheesy name he...." She stopped as the picture finished uploading, her mouth hanging open. She logged off and yanked her modem connection, dialing Giles' as fast as she could. "Giles, me, no, we've got a big, *humongous* problem. No, it's Xander!" She checked to make sure that her roommate wasn't awake yet, then bent forward and lowered her voice. "No, I was looking up pictures for you, of the demons you don't have, and I found his on a demon site." She nodded and hung up, plugging back in her modem and redialing. She needed this picture to prove it to him when he came over later and they'd need more information to save Xander before he could hurt them.

"Oh, hey, porn," her roommate said with a yawn. "Maybe you aren't so stiff after all." She walked out, heading for the floor's bathroom.

Willow opened another window and started a search for the name Hunter Dark. Now she knew who had chosen such a cheesy name.

***

Xander drove back into town, looking around for obvious changes. He stopped and got out at the park, noticing that Giles' car was parked a few spots away. He walked to where he could hear fighting, thinking of making a grand entrance by saving the day. He found himself pulled away by a nice young demon who was looking very scared. "Hey," he said, patting him on the arm. "It's okay. She won't hurt you if you're not a bad guy."

"Yes, she will," Buffy said from behind him. "That goes for all demons, Xander, you should know that by now."

Xander turned and found her twirling a stake between her fingers. "Gee, this isn't the welcome home I was expecting," he quipped, looking past her at Giles. "Hey. I'm back." He held out his arms, letting the demon run away.

Buffy glared at him, her eyes narrowing. "Yeah, so we see. Of course, we've seen a lot of you recently, *Xander*." She smiled cruelly. "Or should I call you Hunter?"

He blushed. "I was making money so I could come back. It wasn't anything big." He knew this fight was coming, but five minutes after hitting town? Wasn't that a bit early for his luck to run out?

"Yeah, so we noticed," she said, taking a step closer to him. "So, what are you anyway? You don't feel like a vamp, but you've definitely got that old demon smell to you now."

Xander glared at her. "I'm not anything more than I was when we graduated," he said coldly. "You can believe me or not, but I'm still plain, old Xander."

"We'd like to," Giles said quietly, "but those pictures do make us think otherwise." He looked his former helper over. "Why didn't you tell me that you were in such great trouble that you had to do something so disgusting to get out of it?"

"My car broke down," Xander told him. "I told you about that. Without it, I wasn't coming back."

"Maybe that's for the best," Buffy said, throwing the stake underhanded at him.

Xander looked down at where it had buried itself in his stomach and then fell over, hand covering the shallow wound. He didn't get to see a few of the demons running out of the woods to protect him, nor did he see the fight that knocked Buffy out. He did feel the arms lifting him, but he wasn't aware of much else.

***

Xander woke up in a very bright white room and pushed himself up to look around. He rubbed across the thick pad of bandages on his stomach and glanced out the window, but it was covered with something that looked like the mylar sheeting on the space shuttle. He searched for a call button, but there wasn't one, so he decided to wait. He turned on the tv, hoping the noise would bring someone, but all he could get was porn. That's when he figured out who was taking care of him. He looked over as the door opened, giving his boss a bland look. "Who saved me from her?" he asked after the older man had sat down.

"A few fans. How you feelin'?"

"Good enough." Xander pulled his legs up under him. "How did they know to bring me to you?"

"They thought about it for a day or so and then asked someone's opinion. They told the kids to call the studio and we accepted delivery of you. Of course, they got a reward. Their parents weren't happy when they'd found out what their children had been watching of course, but that's all part of life." He shrugged. "As soon as we can spring you, we've got you set up with an apartment for a few days. We've called your former boss and told him exactly what went on, he's going to come down and talk to you a few days after you've gotten out."

"He was *not* happy," Xander told him. "Called me disgusting if I remember right. I'd like to send those guys a card though. Do you have their addressees?"

"Yeah, I got 'em. I'll give them to you once you're able to walk out on your own."

Xander cleared his throat. "Who's paying for the apartment?"

"It's a corporate apartment, one that we keep a lease on for emergencies and meetings, important things like that. I got permission from my boss to put you up for a few weeks, until this is all sorted out or we've got you settled into a place of your own." Xander nodded. "Any more questions?"

"How long?"

"Another day. Oh, that guy that we saved a few weeks back? He says he knows you. Says he's your manager?"

Xander snorted. "I doubt it. What's he look like?"

"Bleach blond, British. Very not uptight."

"Spike?" Xander asked in shock. "The last time he saw me, he tried to eat me."

"Yeah, well, those guys that took him, whatever they did to him cured him of that problem. We can't remove or fix what they did. No demon we've talked to can."

"Huh." Xander shook his head. "I don't know what to tell you, I haven't been home in a while so I don't know what they did to him, but I do know Spike somewhat. He's got this loony girlfriend named Dru. He made a deal with us to get her out of town if he helped us with something."

"Ah. That explains it then. He said you'd understand being hurt this way." Mark stood up. "You rest and we'll spring you tomorrow night, I'll have Spike with me so you two can talk and straighten out his greed." He walked out, making sure the door closed softly behind him.

Xander snuggled back down under the thin blanket, considering the new information he had. Then his eye was caught by something up on the tv. Him. It was one of his movies. His first one. He frowned as he watched himself, shaking his head at the poor performance. Hopefully, his later ones were better.

***

Xander looked over at the door as it opened and his boss walked in, and he hopped up to give him a hug. "No more oatmeal," he said happily. He looked around his boss' massive shoulders at the vampire standing behind him. "Spike, right?"

Spike nodded. "Yeah, mate, it's me. So, we've got some business to discuss, huh?"

Xander shook his head. "Nope, not really. You hate me, I'm not real fond of you. What makes you think we have business?"

Mark cleared his throat. "Let's get you sprung, kid, and you two can discuss this at the apartment. Spike's across the hall from you." He nodded at the door, letting Xander lead the way, but he stopped Spike by grabbing his shoulder. "You do not hurt that kid, got me?"

Spike nodded. "I've got me orders, we'll be peachy." He followed Xander out and down to the car, keeping a silent eye on him. He even tried to follow Xander into his apartment but he ran into the barrier.

"Sorry," Xander said, looking him over. "Why are you really here?" he asked, pulling a chair over to sit in front of the doorway. "Unless I like your answers, you're stuck."

"The pouf sent me," Spike growled. "After he'd found out what happened to me, he sent me to watch over you because the Watcher git called him."

"Ah. Pouf?" Spike glared at him. "Oh, Angel. Okay, got that part. Why? And why you?"

"Why? With this life, you're gonna need it," Spike said hotly. "You've no idea what you're into."

"Actually, yeah, I do," Xander said, standing up. "You can tell Angel that I really don't need his help." He looked Spike over. "What're you going to do if I let you in?"

Spike thumped himself on the head. "I can't bite, this bleedin' thing is in there too tight."

"Bad poetry too?" Xander waved a hand. "Come in. I need to sit and watch TV with someone." He walked over to the couch and sat down with a groan. "Yeah, those things in my stomach feel better now."

Spike looked down at Xander's stomach. "What things?"

"No stitches?" He lifted his shirt to look at the bandage, then carefully peeled back one side to show off his stitches. "These," he said, showing the vampire.

"How'd you get those? No one told me you'd been attacked." He sat down beside the kid. "Who did it?"

"Buffy. She threw a stake at me because she decided I was a demon." He got up and looked at the papers lying on the table, grinning when he saw one full of addresses. "Cool, I need to send 'thank you for saving me' cards."

"I'll get you some tonight. You're not allowed out yet." Xander just stared at him. "Well, you're not. I got told to protect you, not to let you wander around."

"Tough," Xander said, sitting back down. "Why is Angel worried?"

"The witch called him too."

"Ah, that explains it. Willow can work anyone into an overprotective frenzy. Why?"

"Because she knows what you're doing," Spike said dryly. "She knows some of these sorts are into pain and blood and the like."

"Yay, I'm protected on the set."

"But not from the fans," Spike said, tapping him on the forehead. "And not from the enemies either."

Xander shrugged. "Whatever. Are you going to stare at me while I watch TV?"

"Nope. Gonna go eat. You stay in here and we'll be fine."

Xander waved, then got up to close the door. Which reopened almost immediately. He reclosed it and locked it this time, making sure that Spike couldn't just walk in anytime he wanted. It was bad enough to have a guardian angel, but to have a guardian vampire?

***

Xander looked across the table at Giles, and Angel who had come along for some reason, giving them a bland look. "Gee, and here I thought being staked was bad," he said dryly. They were on his territory so he was more comfortable, but this was getting to be insane. Giles and Angel acting like his fathers?

Giles looked embarrassed. "I've talked to Buffy about that, Xander. She said to tell you she's sorry."

"And a bad shot," Xander said, rubbing his stomach. "Bottom line it for me, guys, I have something I can do today to make some more money."

"Is that what this is about?" Angel asked him, looking around the white room they had been taken to. "That's all it is to you?"

"Yup, it's a job," Xander said with a shrug. "I get paid really well for letting out my natural urges." He looked at Giles, who was looking even more embarrassed. "Don't even," he said quietly. "I know you know what sex is and that you remember being my age. This way, I'm wearing out my hormones in a semi-acceptable manner."

"You're being paid to have sex," Angel pointed out.

"Yeah, I'm being paid a lot to have sex," Xander agreed. "About a thousand a day sort of getting paid." Giles' mouth hung open. "And you wondered why I'm staying? Where else can I make that sort of money?"

"Xander, it's not right," Giles said quietly, reaching over to touch their fingertips together. "It's not right and it's not healthy."

"It's probably a lot more healthy than working at another fast food job," Xander said seriously. "How many times do I have to cut myself, or burn myself, before it gets too bad, Giles? How many more times do I have to suffer and agonize over being able to make rent when I get back? This way, I don't have to do that. I've got a nice nest egg set up and I can find a reasonable apartment as soon as I hit town. If you guys don't want me to come back, or to help you, then I won't. I'll find a job here in LA and work from there."

Angel shook his head. "Xander, you don't know these people. They're going to hurt you."

"Like Buffy didn't?" he asked snidely, standing up and pulling up his shirt to show off the stitches. "She *staked* me, Angel. I'm having more doubts about going back home than I do about working here. At least here, I've got an honesty clause in my contract." He looked at Giles. "And for that matter, there's a few very nice demons around here, Giles. Ones that actually seem to give a damn how I'm doing. Unlike some of my friends who never even wondered what I was doing or where I was."

"We did wonder," Giles protested. "You never bothered to tell me."

"When I called, did you *ask*?" Xander asked.

Giles sighed. "No, I didn't. Now I wish I had." He glanced around the room. "Xander, this isn't healthy for you. You don't know what they'll do with you once your contract's up."

"They're letting me go," Xander said simply with a shrug. "Same as they said they would. And I've made sure of it. Whoever's over my boss put it in writing for me." Giles nodded and Xander leaned closer. "Tell me now, Giles. Do I come home or not?"

"Yes, please, come home," Giles said with a smile. "Buffy's sorry for what she did and Willow's worried herself sick over what you've been doing." He glanced around. "Will you have to come back?"

"My contract states that I have to come back three times this year. Whenever I want. I owe them at least another film, and at least another set of stills." He grinned. "I found something that I'm good at and that I can make money doing, Giles. It's not that bad."

"It is," Giles hissed. "It's very bad, Xander." He saw the boy's expression hardening so he changed the subject. "I would like to know when you're coming home, just so I can arrange a party or something."

"I'll be home in three days," Xander told him. "I'll probably take most of that first day to find an apartment though, and maybe a job."

"That would be fine. If you need it, you could come sleep on my couch for a few days," Giles reminded him as he stood up. "I'll be watching out for you. Come directly to my place when you get back, just for my piece of mind," he explained at the tired sigh. "I'll promise not to nag you when you get back, all right?"

Xander nodded. "That would be nice," he agreed with a smile. He stood up and the door opened. "Later?"

"Three days," Giles reminded him. He and Angel left, but not without a backwards look.

Xander walked out into the main studio and grabbed his outfit for this new movie. "Oh, a cowboy," he said, looking at the jeans and chaps. "How do these go on?" he asked the wardrobe demon.

The demon came over and looked him over. "First are the underwear, then jeans, then chaps. I'll help you put those on."

Xander walked over to the changing area to get changed.

***

Xander tapped on Giles' door, giving him a look over. "Gee, nothing changed in three days," he noted, walking in past him. Spike had left him the night before to go back to Angel's so he had blessed silence on the way home, time to think about what he was going to do. He really hated disappointing Giles, but he liked what he was doing and he was good at it. His sales were phenomenal.

Giles led the way to the table, sitting down and waving Xander to sit. "The girls will be over in a few hours if you want to wait."

"No thanks. Like I said, I need an apartment and a job." He sat down, looking at his mentor. "If you're really that upset about it, I'm sorry, but I was good at it, Giles."

"Did they let you out of you contract?" Xander shook his head. "Oh, you used the past tense and all...." He let the sentence dry up. "Well, have you decided what you're doing here, while you're here that is?"

"Yup. I'm going to pretend to be someone else." He stood up. "I'll come back later, when you've relaxed again." He left, going back to his car, which Buffy was leaning against. "You yelled?" he said, moving around to get in.

"I'm sorry, Xander. I should have known that you hadn't been turned." She watched him move. "You really did *that*?"

"Yup, and I made about a thousand dollars a day to do that." He smiled gently at her confused look. "I'm going to find an apartment. I'll be back here later." He slid into the front seat and started the car, giving her plenty of time to move away before he pulled off.

Buffy watched him go, then turned to go inside. She needed a new perspective before she hurt one of the most important friendships in her life again. She met Willow at the door, both of them going in together. They looked at Giles. He shrugged. "We'll be figuring this out later, together," Giles told them. "We'll make sure that he isn't hurt."

"What if he's right and he's not being hurt, just being gross?" Buffy asked. "And I've got to say, that's gross."

"Someone has to do the job," Willow said philosophically. "I never thought I'd know a porn star, and I really never expected it to be *Xander*."

Buffy sighed. "I never expected to need to know anything about that industry, and I really never expected demons to need it." She shuddered. "That's just a wrong thought."

"But he might not have seen the demons," Willow pointed out. "Giles said that when he was there, he didn't see any demons. They may have some sort of cloaking spell." Giles nodded. "They did?"

"Yes, they did. Angel felt it also and Spike told him how they did it." He shuffled some papers on the table. "We'll have to accept what he's done, but we'll have to be subtle when we encourage him to not go back."

"Doesn't he have a contract?" Willow asked.

"Yes, but I need to see it to find out the penalties." He smiled at her. "Willow, we will save him from this fate. This horrible fate," he sighed.

Buffy shrugged. "I'm seeing it as his choice. He didn't have to do any of those." She looked at Giles. "Did he?"

Giles frowned at her. "I'm not so sure of that, Buffy. Demons can be tricky. He might not have had any intention of doing them, but now they've got him convinced that he likes doing it."

"He said he made a grand a day," Buffy said, her brow wrinkling. "They get paid that much?"

Willow nodded. "I saw an interview a few weeks ago on Comedy Central with a major female star, Jenna something or other. She gets ten grand a day for some of her movies, plus she strips on her downtime and said she makes about a grand a day in tips doing that." Buffy's mouth hung open. "Yeah, so a grand isn't bad. Especially when you look and you find out that Xander's got some following going. There aren't that many humans in demon porn," she told Giles, looking very innocent. "It's amazing what you can find on the internet."

"I see," he said carefully. "Xander has a ... a following?" He blushed. "How large?"

"Very large," Willow said, pulling a folded piece of paper out of his pocket. "I found the production company's webpage and this was the ad for Xander's page. He's got one of his own now," she said proudly as it was handed over.

Giles adjusted his glasses as he read, blinking a few times. "I...I'm still not sure that he went about this of his own free will," he said quickly, handing it back. "We'll have to watch out for him for a little while, make sure that he's readjusting himself." He looked up at Buffy. "Have you seen any new activity on the demon front?"

"Just a few very young ones crowing about the thank you letters they had gotten from him," she said dryly. "Apparently they're the ones who saved him from us."

"Ah. Young, you say?"

"Very. Small by their species standard. Squeaky instead of gravely voiced." She shrugged. "They were happy and not causing trouble. They were reading each other's letters out loud. Xander was really grateful."

"I would be too," Willow muttered. Giles glared at her. "What? I'd be thankful to the people who saved me from dying too."

Buffy nodded. "I would be too. I apologized." She shrugged. "Want to go find him tonight? He said he's finding an apartment."

"Okay," Willow said, nodding. "Where?"

"Why don't you ask him?" Xander said from the doorway. "Do you know that we're in a housing slump? There's twelve apartments in town that are open right now. The realtor jumped up and down in joy when I walked in and found me what I wanted right off out of the listings." He looked at Giles, who looked embarrassed. "You're allowed to come look at my new place if you want, I just needed my key to the storage spot we all got after graduation." Buffy pulled out her keyring and held up one before tossing them at him. "Thanks. Want to help me move?"

"Sure," Willow said happily. She walked over to him. "Can you tell me what it was like?" she whispered.

"It's acting like you're interested," he said with a shrug. "Nothing big." He looked at Giles. "You're allowed to come over also." He nodded toward the car. "Buffy, coming?"

"No, I'd better stay and..." She picked up a book, "Do a little research." She sat down and started to flip through it.

Xander walked away, going back to his car. "Are you really disgusted with me?" he asked once he had slid in beside her. She shook her head but she was blushing. "Willow?"

"Well, I was kinda shocked. You never seemed like you'd like *that*," she told him, reaching over to pat him on the arm. "But if it makes you happy, then I'm happy for you." She smiled. "This is me, tolerant and supporting girl."

He snickered. "I can see that. Don't worry, I'm ending my contract after this year. Just so I don't have to listen to the lectures," he sighed as he started the car. He did a u-turn in the street and headed to the storage place he and the girls had rented after graduation.

***

Xander put up the last book and looked around his small place. It was a nice, modest place, something he could keep up when he had to work for real. He flopped down on his Goodwill couch and put his feet up on the Salvation Army coffeetable/hassock. "Well, I'm here," he told himself, pulling out his new cellphone, his single indulgence. It was prepaid, but that was okay. No monthly bills. Not too much paperwork to trace. And his bosses had his new number. He put it aside and pulled out his contract, reading it again. "Yeah, one more movie, one more set of stills, and one of something else." He tossed it aside. "I'll go do that in a month or so. That'll give me enough time to get settled in and for Giles to not have me tailed." Someone knocked on the door and he got up to get it, staring at the vampire on the other side. "What do you want, Angel," he said, getting out of the way. "Get in here."

Angel walked in and looked at the new place. "Nice," he complimented, going to sit down. "I got a call from your bosses today," he said quietly, looking at Xander's tired expression. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, I just came back and moved in yesterday. Plus, I'm being watched and *encouraged* by Giles."

Angel snorted. "I can understand that." He pulled an envelope out of his pocket. "They didn't know where you were and they didn't have the monthly sales checks when you called earlier. They asked me nicely and since I needed to come and check on something, I said I'd bring it. This is yours."

Xander sat down and opened the envelope, smiling at the check inside. He pulled it out to show it off, making the vampire smile. He jumped as the door was knocked on, and Angel got up and headed for the bathroom. Xander got up to answer it, showing Willow his check. "Monthly sales check," he said happily.

Her mouth fell open. "Man, you make *money*," she complained. "No real job gives you that sort of cash." She walked in and looked around. "This is nice." She saw his blush and glanced around again, picking up the fallen piece of paper, looking it over. "I'd get him out of here," she warned. "Buffy's coming and so is Giles. Oh, and hide the check. You can show Buffy later."

He nodded and went into the bathroom, coming back with Angel, who left while he went to hide the check. He came back out as Willow was letting Buffy and Giles in, giving them a smile. "Hey, welcome to my house," he said, waving his hands around. "Sit, enjoy my cableless state. Anyone want a soda? I didn't really do any grocery shopping yet."

"Please," Willow said, pulling Buffy down onto the couch with her. She whispered something in her ear, getting a surprised look. "Yeah," she said with a nod. "Really."

Buffy blinked up at Xander. "Really?"

"Really what?" he asked. She pulled him down and whispered in his ear. He nodded. "Yup, really. I have it in the bedroom if you want to see it." He handed Giles a bottle of water. "Here you go, now that my official hosting duties are over, what's the big going on this time?"

"Nothing much," Giles said quietly. "I know that Angel sent Spike to watch over you and we were wondering if you'd found out anything else about his condition."

"I found out a few things. It's a computer-type chip, hardwired from what Angel told him. The person Angel sent him to said it's possible it's not removable, it's in a bad spot for that." He sat on the arm of the couch. "Other than that, Spike spent most of the time grumbling about me fulfilling part of my contract. I had to do some stills," he said with a shrug. "For the movie case."

Buffy shuddered. "Can we not talk about that part?" she asked. "It's really strange thinking about you and a demon doing *that*"

"They were really nice to me," Xander told her. "Everyone tried to make me feel really comfortable." He looked at Giles again. "I did get asked to do a fully human one if that'd make you feel better."

Giles frowned. "Not really. There should be some other way for you to make money, Xander."

"There is," he agreed, "but not that kind of money. Most jobs don't pay you that much, Giles. It'd be nice to have some money saved for when things start to fall apart. Or if I get injured again." He frowned. "I don't know what you're complaining about, I'm sure you know someone who's done it for their lover and a camera."

Giles' frown turned into a glare. "Yes, but that would have been private, Xander, not being shown about the world."

"Gee, there wasn't anyone else in the room except a cameraman and the lights girl when I was filming, and I'm not sure who's buying them." He looked down at Buffy. "It really surprised me when the first still pictures I did sold any at all. But they did. They sold very well."

"And you gradually worked your way up from there?" Willow asked.

He nodded, taking a sip of his soda. "A bit part, which I wasn't really sure of, but then I figured out that I kinda enjoyed it so I let them supposedly 'talk' me into doing another one. Now I have five films under my belt and a few pictures floating around somewhere." He finished off his soda and stood up. "I've got chips if someone's hungry."

"No thanks," Buffy said, looking over her shoulder at him, then glaring at Giles. "See, he's not being forced."

"Far from it," Giles agreed, "he's been sucked into the business. He'll never get free now."

Xander snorted. "Giles, I can quit as soon as my contract's up. I may not want to because of the money issue, but I could quit. Look at it this way, most of the other stars are stripping the rest of the time. I'm not doing that." He came out and sat in the other chair, the uncomfortable, squishy one.

"Did you?" Willow asked.

Xander frowned at her. "Let's not talk about that, okay?" He stuffed a chip into his mouth and munched, looking at Giles. "It could be worse, and you have no right to judge me," he reminded the older man. "I am what I am, and this is something I'm good at."

"Yes, as are most men," Giles said firmly. "How will this affect you on patrol?"

"Gee, Giles, the vampires that worked for the studio weren't in these sort of films," he said dryly. "And I doubt any of my coworkers are going to be coming up here and rampaging. No conflict of interest. As a matter of fact, my bosses know that I'm from here, they connected me immediately with the description of the Slayer's male helper." He ate another chip. "They've known since I told them that first night that I was from Sunnydale." He rolled up the bag and put it aside. "Will, did you know that we're known about? There are stories and rumors about the both of us because we've been seen with Buffy."

"Wow," she said, smiling at him. "Am I the brilliant witch?"

"Something like that," he agreed. "You're considered very scary because no one's ever worn you out in a fight. No one's challenged you yet so you're more of an unknown quality. I, on the other hand, am looked at funny and feared. It seems that no one can figure out why a human would help the Slayer when he doesn't have any special abilities. So there are rumors that I'm something else, and that I have special powers but that I've never used them because I haven't had to yet. It seems that we're not getting the really bad ones here right now. Some of the guys at the studio asked me if I was really human because they had heard the rumors and wondered. They were really scared that I was something that would hurt them really badly, but they were also the ones who told me that we only get the weenies of the demon world."

Buffy snorted. "Good. I'd hate to see some of them if we're only getting the middle people right now."

"Yup. See, we're a big anomaly, so the really big guys are being cautious. The really little guys are scared so they don't come."

"So we're getting the middle level guys, because they're trying to gain stature," Willow finished, smiling at Buffy. "See, it is going to be all right."

Xander nodded. "Yup. The Ascension thing was the worst that's probably going to come here, unless the Hellmouth gets too succulent for someone."

"Ah," Giles said, relaxing. "That is an interesting piece of information. What happens if someone bigger comes though and you and Willow are proven to be mostly normal humans?"

"Hey," Willow complained.

"Sorry, dear, but you are mostly normal. There are more powerful witches in the world."

"Yeah, but are most of them really as good as she is?" Xander pointed out. "Willow's got this whole innocence thing going for her, and by being a major white hat, she's got some things that other witches don't. I asked," he told her, reaching over to pat her on the hand. "Together, we're very scary."

"And apart, we're toast," Buffy told him. He nodded. "Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Are you going to be okay with patrolling, really okay with it?"

"Like I said, Buffy, I only take out the bad guys. I told my boss that. He understood, he said they wouldn't come here because they didn't want to be associated with the ones who would come here and try to take over the town." He looked at Giles again. "See, no interest conflict going on."

Giles nodded. "If you say so. When do you have to go back?"

"I don't have a set time," Xander admitted. "Whenever I want to. I need to give them a few weeks warning, but otherwise, I could roadtrip for a few days and do it then. Maybe take a weekend here and there."

"Any luck on the mundane job front?" Willow asked, breaking into the staring contest.

"I registered with the job people," Xander told her. "They're setting me up with someone to talk to tomorrow. Hopefully, it'll only be a week or so before I have something." He got comfortable. "Hopefully, we'll have something other than fast food within a few days."

"Good," Buffy said, giving him a smile. "Let us know so we can show up and cheer you on," she said, standing up. "I'd better go patrol, those camo idiots could show up anywhere." She left, taking Willow with her.

Giles frowned at Xander. "You are much too proud of using your body that way," he complained.

"Giles, I topped. There wasn't that much using of my body." He swung his leg up over the arm of the chair. "I promise, it's nothing that major. If you'd like, after this contract is up, I'll try to do only human ones." He ate another chip.

Giles frowned at him. "That isn't much comfort." He stood up. "You need to find something more worthwhile than using your body for the gratification of others." He walked out, slamming the door.

Xander sighed and grabbed his cellphone, dialing his favorite pizza place. "Hi, I need to make an order for delivery," he said once it was answered.

***

Xander walked back into his apartment and dropped his keys onto the table, flopping down onto the couch. He flung one arm over his eyes, and pulled out his cellphone, answering the message he had gotten earlier. "Hey, it's me," he said quietly, listening to the calm voice on the other end. "Really? No, it's fine. My boss is an ass." He snickered. "I have no doubt. No, we've got a no cellphone rule at the site." He looked down at himself. "Not right now, I need a shower." He laughed. "Sure, this weekend should be okay. If not, I'll call by Friday." He hung up and got up to go take a shower. When he came out, Buffy was sitting on his couch with a note.

"Found this attached to your door," she said, handing it over. "And I got a call for you."

He read the note and grimaced. "Okay, I'll have to go down to my landlord's apartment in a few minutes." He adjusted the towel around his hips. "Can I get dressed first?" She nodded, leaning back to wait for him.

Xander walked into the bedroom and pulled on a pair of sweat pants, then came out to sit next to her. "What's wrong?"

"Angel called," she told him, grimacing. "He said that if you're going to go work again, then he wants to send Spike with you, just to watch over you."

Xander frowned. "Why? I thought Spike had proved that I'm perfectly safe with them."

"Maybe, but he's worried about something." She shrugged. "He has someone who has visions and he's sending Spike with you. That's all he said."

"Okay. Where do I meet Spike? I'm going this weekend."

She licked her lips. "Um, he's coming back here tonight. Angel arranged for him to stay with Giles for a few days."

"Ah. Okay. You can tell Giles that we'll be leaving Friday about dusk." She nodded and he stood up. "I'll walk you out since I have to go down that way too." They walked out together, Xander leaving his door open slightly so he didn't have to find his keys.

***

Xander looked up as Spike appeared at his door, nodding. "Come in," he said, once he had swallowed. "I'm not leaving for another day."

"Yeah, but the Watcher git's an ass. Pure ass today." He moved in, looking around the small place. "You're doin' good pretendin' to be normal."

"I am normal," Xander pointed out. "I have a strange job that I almost enjoy." He put down the plate and pulled a foot up under him. "Sit, tell me why Angel really sent you."

"His buddy had a vision and here I am," he said lacklusterly. "Seems you're to be double-crossed this time."

"Ah. Oh, well." He shrugged. "Whatever. You can come with me but you can't interrupt like you were doing with the pictures."

"Fine," Spike said quickly. Angel had made very clear what would happen to him if something happened to this boy. "So, you gonna do another man one?"

"Yup, I get to be the neighbor. I get half the movie and the husband gets the other half. For a few scenes I'm tied down and forced to watch as he reclaims his mate." He pointed at the script. "It's there if you want to read it."

Spike picked it up and flipped through it. "Which're you?"

"The guy who he's watching through the window." Xander got up to take his plate into the kitchen. "Need anything?"

"Got any blood?" Spike asked.

"Um, no." Xander looked at him. "Sorry. How's the chip thing going?"

"It sucks," Spike said, flipping pages. "Hey, I might actually watch this one."

Xander snorted. "You mean you saw the other ones?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm a big fan," Spike said dryly, grinning at him. "This is a punishment for me too," he reminded him.

"Yeah, but mine's a punishment for being good at it," Xander told him. He looked down at his body. "You think my boss is going to mind that I've gained some muscle?"

"Nah, you fit the part better now." Spike tossed the script down. "Harris, I need to tell you somethin' important. Get over here."

Xander grabbed a soda and came over, sitting down across from him. "What's up?"

"There's another reason Angel sent me. He wanted you to be marked." He rubbed across his neck. "See, most demons will respect a smell marking."

"And that would be done how?" Xander asked.

"Not that hard," Spike muttered. "Just a small nick to your body. I get me scent all over it and anyone who wants to hurt you knows that they have to go through me, and Angel."

"Ah. Is it going to hurt, or scar?"

"Nope, not even close. Little mark."

"Ah. And what's the catch?"

"It could cause the others there to not want to touch you."

Xander leaned back and thought about it. "Is there any other way to do it?"

"I'm not shaggin' you," Spike growled. "You're not like that."

"True," Xander agreed. "I'm not going in that direction." He looked at his hands. "Where would you have to do it?"

"Your neck, or nearby. The closer to your chest we get, the more it speaks of a relationship." He spat. "Angel wanted me to do your upper shoulder area."

"So that's the catch," Xander said, nodding. "Okay. Where do you want to do it?"

"I don't want to do it," Spike told him. "I've been ordered to do it." He leaned in, touching the line of Xander's collarbone. "There, I think, but we've got the chip to worry about."

"Not if I nick myself," Xander pointed out.

"It's got to be a bite." Spike sat back up and looked at him. "That means I can't hurt you."

"So, don't," Xander said, sitting up and pulling off his shirt. Spike whistled. "What?" He looked down at the few scars he had gotten. "Those are from work."

"I know," Spike said, looking over the hard chest and flat stomach. "Just admirin' the view." He leaned in and sucked on the spot on Xander's shoulder, letting one of his fangs come down to slide across the soft, warm flesh. The boy pushed up into him so he slowly slid the fang in, sidestepping the chip because it wasn't hurting Xander any. He had figured this out weeks ago, though he never had told his sire. It was an interesting thing to note, but Harris' blood tasted very sweet to him, almost perfectly what he wanted to feed on. He sucked and laved on the small incision, then pulled back and licked his lips. "There, now you smell like a vampire's lover."

Xander laughed. "I think that's another film." He picked up his soda and took a drink. "Nothing else?"

"Nope. Nothin' else. Oh, but Angel did tell me that this mark shouldn't keep you from being able to work, as long as I'm there. Seems, the last time he marked someone, he let them sleep with someone else while he watched and it cured the jealousy problem."

"Jealousy problem?" Xander asked.

"Yeah, if it were for real, then I'd be gettin' jealous over your job. The whole 'someone's touchin' what's mine' mindset. Since it's not for real, you're safe from that."

"Oh. Who did Angel mark last?"

"He didn't say," Spike said, looking away.

Xander shrugged it off and got up to get himself something to nibble on. "I've got to go over the script again."

"Want some help?" Spike leered.

"Sure, you want under me so I can really practice?" he flung back, leering in his own right.

Then they started to laugh. This was a comfortable thing that had cropped up during the week they had been forced together the last time. He came back to the living room with a small bowl of popcorn and sat down on the couch, curling up to finish reading the script. He didn't want there to be any surprises waiting for him.

***

"So anyway," Xander said as he and Spike walked into the studio, moving around a group of vampires who were huddled around a man with a digital camera, "I told my boss I was helping a friend move across the country and that she was giving me a grand for helping her and a plane ticket back. He bought it. I'm free until Tuesday." He smiled as Mark, his boss, walked up to him and shook his hand. "I'm free until Tuesday," he told him. "And I even memorized the script this time."

Mark smiled at that. "Great, Xander. Right this way, you're shooting on the auxiliary stage today." He glanced at Spike, then sniffed around Xander. "You two are together?"

"We're becoming more together," Xander told him, putting an arm around Spike's shoulders. "My friends insisted that I have a bodyguard. You wouldn't *believe* what happened last week on patrol." He grinned at Spike. "We've just kinda hit it off. The marking was a bit premature, but Spike's really possessive." He looked at his boss again. "That won't be a problem, right?"

"No, not at all," Mark said quickly, leading them to the other stage. He flipped on the lights, lighting the small living room set. "Here we are, guys. This is where your movie will be shot. Spike, there's a place behind the film team where you can sit and watch," he said nervously. He cleared his throat, looking Spike over. "You're not going to kill anyone for touching him, right?"

"Don't plan on it," Spike said with good humor. "I'll only attack if someone hurts my mate here." He pinched Xander on the rear, making him jump. "If he wants to shag another bloke, as long as I watch it'll be fine."

Mark relaxed. "Good. I'm happy about that. All right, your costar is incredibly late. We're not quite sure where he is actually. Last we heard, he was on his way, but that was over an hour ago." He shrugged. "That gives you time to get dressed in peace and...." he glanced at Spike, "aloneness." He glanced around again. "I'm going to go try to call your costar. Get yourself ready." He ran off.

Xander looked over at Spike. "You scared him," he said dryly, heading for the wardrobe rack. He frowned at the clothes banded together as his. "Mark!" he called. His boss came running back. "I'm supposed to be the neighbor," he pointed out, pulling down the jeans and flannel shirt. "This is the househusband's clothes."

"Crap," Mark sighed, coming over to get it straightened out. He sighed when he saw the other names. "I think we've got a problem. Just sit down and we'll get it straightened out." He ran off, going to call his casting director, who was not going to be happy about any of this. He came back a few minutes later and found the new couple sitting on the couch reading the set's magazines. "The casting director said it was a horrible screwup and that he's sorry. He changed cast in that movie because we've got a new guy in and this was what he signed up to do." He swallowed. "Would you mind doing one with the vampires? They've just lost their Master figure."

Xander shook his head seconds after Spike growled.

"Well, then, how about a bi picture with another guy and a woman? It'll be Regin, and it's mostly like your last one with him. He's being offered by his wife because this is a fantasy of his. Regin's supposed to be playing a virgin while you'll be an experienced swinger. You'll screw her, you'll do him, and then you're done. You'll get top billing for this one, which means that your check will go up by about five hundred a day."

Xander shrugged. "Sure, as long as I'm on top of the male pairing." He glanced at Spike, who was frowning. "Regin was the guy I did my first male-on-male picture with," he explained. "Really nice guy, understood why I was upset when I found out everyone had lied and everything."

Spike shrugged. "Fine with me, mate, as long as I get to watch."

"Great," Mark said, smiling at them. "You'll be shooting upstairs on the main stage. Regin's fuming right now about his costar so we'll go up and tell him it's now you. Come on." He headed back through the studio, going for a small, round stairway and heading up, the couple following him. "Regin, good news," he said happily. He stopped when he saw the gun. "Um, is this a bad time?"

"This is *my* film!" the demon snarled. "You're not giving it to that new pretty boy."

Xander pushed his way up. "No, he's giving it to me, not some pretty boy." He looked the demon over. "Spike, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't his kind allergic to lead?" Spike grunted so Xander picked up a statue that had been decorating the set. "This is lead, right?" he asked Mark, who nodded. Xander glared at the demon. "I could kill you. I do lots of that at home in case you hadn't heard."

The demon stared at him in shock. "You'd kill me? A snuff film?"

"Eww," Xander noted. "No, just outright kill you. No filming involved." He smiled cruelly. "I kinda like Rgein and I'm more than willing to hurt you so you don't hurt him." He bounced the statue in his hand. "So, what's it going to be?"

The demon dropped the gun and stormed off, Spike following him discretely so he wouldn't be coming back.

Xander put down the statue and looked Regin over. "Well, you look like hell," he said in greeting.

"You're from where?" Regin asked.

"He's the guy from Sunnydale," Mark said tiredly. "Though he was right, Tyler had gotten unstable."

Xander shrugged and put down the statue. "A little threat works wonders." He smiled at his proposed costar. "Mark's offered me the part of the wise swinger if you want me here."

Regin laughed. "All right, as long as you don't try to stake me." He sniffed and frowned. "Who claimed you?"

"Spike," Xander called, bringing his watcher walking back out of the shadows. "Regin, this is Spike. We've kinda hit it off. He's fine about all this as long as he's here."

Regin looked Spike over, licking his lips. "Damn, I've never met a vampire I wanted to fuck before," he said, walking over to get a closer look at Spike. "If you could talk your *friend* into bottoming, we could do a *great* threesome piece."

Spike snorted. "Won't let me near that area," he said, smiling at the other actor. "But I'm game for a go if you are, mate."

"Excellent!" Mark cried. "I'll see what I can do. Regin, anyone else you'd accept for a third?"

"Um, Charles?" he asked with an impish grin. "He swings both ways." He turned the grin on Spike. "You'll like him, he's mostly human, some sort of water demon in his past."

Spike shrugged. "Works for me." He smiled at Xander. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Hey, have fun," Xander offered. "Want me to stay and watch?"

Mark chuckled. "If you want, you can watch from the film booth. Charles only allows himself to be used on the main stage." He gave Regin a hopeful look. "Is this a yes for Xander on this story?"

"Sure. I liked bottoming for him last time, he hit all the right spots in a decent way. No wasted movements, no trying to be cute and try stuff, just good, hard fucking with easy angles. I'm all for working with Xander again."

Xander smiled. "Cool. Can I get a copy of the script to read through?"

"There's one on the table," Mark said as he went for the phone. "Ty, me. Yeah, Harris has been moved to Regin's film. His costar threatened him."

"He went for a fly," Spike said with a smile. "We have an understanding."

Mark swallowed. "Harris' boyfriend gave him a lesson in manners. Yeah, that's the one. Really?" he asked, looking at Spike. "Does your Sire know you're here?"

"He's the one who told me I needed to be in the room," Spike told him. "Why?"

"He called the studio and wanted us to call him if you showed up."

Xander groaned and shook his head. "Angel's really too overprotective for his own good," he told Mark. "He thinks Spike's going to get me into trouble." He grabbed the script and looked through it, nodding once he came to his scenes, reading them through once quickly. "It all looks good to me," he told Mark. "I'm in."

Mark smiled again. "Harris has read and agreed. Yeah, that's fine with me." He hung up. "We've got to shoot you tomorrow, the vampires want up here." He shrugged. "They're too picky but they make us a lot of money. We can even get them into the human market because some of them have a vampire fetish." Spike laughed at that. "Yeah, so you two need to find a motel for the night and be back here tomorrow around sunset. Their film's only going to take tonight."

Spike walked over and pulled Xander up, making him head for the stairs. "Good by us, mate. He's got his phone." He nodded at Regin. "Just tell me when and we'll shag with this other bloke." He got Xander safely past the group of vampires, all of which looked at him like he was the best chocolate in the world, and out to the car. "Didn't want you hangin' around with them hungry," he said as he slipped into the passenger's seat. Xander had promised to stake him and go screw Angel if he tried to drive.

"They're going to do a snuff film," Xander said in his favorite 'eww' voice.

"No, they're gonna turn someone durin' theirs. Heard 'em talkin' about it." Spike settled in as Xander pulled off the lot. "Thought about what you wanna do when your contract's up?"

"I was thinking about switching over to only human ones, why?" Xander hit the on-ramp for the interstate and headed for the nearest good motel. "Did *Angel* say something about that too?"

"Nah, said nothin' about anything. Vision boy said somethin' about you bein' turned or someat." Xander glanced at him. "That's why I'm here, mate, to keep you human."

"I guess that's cool," Xander said, pulling off at the next exit and heading for the Howard Johnson. "This okay with you? They've got a decent restaurant inside the motel. No need to go out tomorrow."

"Fine with me," Spike agreed, settling back in his seat. "This doesn't worry you?"

"No, being turned isn't my biggest fear. I've faced down that one before," Xander said quietly as he pulled into the parking lot. "Being turned is actually one of the better ways I can see my life ending. Honestly, I've met with many demons that I'd like to become one of a lot less than vampires."

Spike grunted. "Good point. Bein' turned isn't all *that* bad. The demon's a bitch if you don't get along well, but I doubt you'd have that problem."

"No, demons and I seem to get along pretty well," Xander joked as he got out to go register them.

Spike thought about it and decided that the boy was right. There were a lot of demons that were worse than vampires. Many of them could even turn the boy into their species. Maybe this wasn't such a bad job after all.

***

Xander stepped away from Regin's body as the downstairs studio erupted into screams. He watched as Spike, a security guard, and the cameraman all ran down to go see what was going on, but he sat down next to Regin knowing that they were safer up there.

"Not going?" Regin asked quietly, rolling onto his side on the bed.

"Nope. Spike was informed that I was *not* to fight while I was here," Xander told him. "Only in self-defense." He sat up straighter as he heard footsteps on the metal stairs, reaching under the bed for the stake he had placed there just in case. No one had said anything to him about it, especially not with vampires doing a film downstairs. Last night hadn't quite gone as planned apparently so they still had some filming left to do. When he saw an unfamiliar head, he groaned but got ready for the onslaught. "Spike," he called, launching himself towards the unknown person. And then the person dusted, as did the one behind him. The third was a bit harder, but now there were people fighting behind them, and Xander could probably keep them on the stairs. The fourth and fifth ones were dusted after some serious fighting, but the sixth one bowled him over unexpectedly. He managed to kick him off and get away with only a small, heavily bleeding bite to the throat. Miraculously, Spike appeared and that vampire went poof too, but Xander was too busy trying to stop the bleeding on his throat to notice that the fight was over with. He jumped when Spike grabbed him and pulled him up, but quickly realized who it was at the light growl. "He got me," Xander said quietly. His hand was moved and someone had gauze waiting. Another someone was handing him a bottle of water and telling him to drink. But the accented voice in front of him was swearing. "Is it bad?" Xander asked weakly.

"Pretty bad," Spike said, leading Xander over to lay on the bed, holding down the gauze himself. "He needs sewn," he told one of the hovering people. That one ran to the phone to call for help. Pretty soon, an ambulance was there and Xander was loaded into it, Spike right behind him. Away they went to a human hospital.

Mark looked down at the piles of ashes and sighed. "Oh, fuck. How are we going to finish that film now?" he asked. He looked around, then snapped his fingers. "We can do a transition scene on the computer using the security tapes, bring in a few other vamps to take the girl's body away." He went to go pitch it to his boss, who would probably agree with him this time. At least as long as Harris wasn't too badly hurt; he still liked the kid for whatever reason.

***

Xander woke up in a nice, normal hospital bed, but he didn't fell very good. "Spike?" he groaned.

Spike walked over and looked down at him. "Shh," he said, brushing some of the hair off the kid's face. "You lost a lot of blood."

"How much?"

"Nearly too much." He grimaced. "I called the Watcher git, he'll be up tomorrow. He's not happy with us either."

"Yay," Xander said weakly. "Am I going to make it?" He checked his own pulse, unimpressed with the number he was getting. "Am I dead yet?"

Spike snorted but he did smile somewhat. "Not yet. Close, but not quite." He turned on the TV, letting the boy see what day it was by the entertainment/news show that was currently on.

"That's Sixty Minutes. It's Sunday? I missed a day?"

"You got fed blood all day yesterday," Angel said as he walked in. "What happened?"

"Vampires downstairs doin' a turnin' got frisky, set a trap for me and the guards. Seems they wanted Xander for somethin'. He stopped most of 'em, but the last one got 'im." He and his sire shared a look. Then they looked down at Xander. "You gonna be okay for a few? We want to track down the rest of their pack and get them too, teach 'em a lesson like."

Xander waved a hand. "Go for it," he said lightly. "Who's going to be guarding me?"

"Vision boy is outside," Spike said as he started for the door. "Comin'?" he asked when Angel wasn't right behind him.

"In a second, I want to talk to Xander." Angel waited until they were alone. "Were you serious?" he asked quietly. "About being turned?"

"I figure being turned isn't the worst that could happen to me and vampires aren't the worst that I could become," Xander said simply, turning onto his side, the one with the IV needle in the arm. "There's more species of demons that can turn others into them than vampires and most of them seem worse to me. At least vampires are partially sane, able to talk and hang out, and can occasionally be rather good at what they do." He shrugged. "There's worse out there."

Angel nodded, giving him a smile. "I understand. If it comes down to it, do you want to be turned?"

Xander swallowed as he thought. "I have no idea," he said quietly. "Death is something I'd like to put off thinking about more in-depth. To be honest, there are days when I'd say yes and days when I'd walk out into the sun if I were."

"And today?" Angel pressed.

"Today," Xander sighed. "I'd gladly accept it as long as this weakness went away."

Angel leaned closer. "Xander, you lost all but two pints of blood in your body. They've replaced as much as they dared to, you're due to get more later tonight. Hang on for a bit, okay?"

"Sure," Xander said with a weak smile. "Go get the other vamps for me. Tell 'em I'm not impressed and their dicks were really little."

"Deal," Angel agreed, heading out to join Spike. They had some serious fighting to do that night.

Xander pushed his call button and gave the nurse a weak grin too. "Can I feel better sooner?" he asked. "I hate hospitals."

He smiled at his patient. "I'll tell the doctors you said so, maybe he'll start the next transfusion early." He checked all the monitors and made notes on the readings, then went back to the desk to make the call.

Xander relaxed, knowing he needed his strength for when Giles got there to yell at him. He fell asleep thinking about running away to some warm island someplace. Somewhere without vampires and Watchers who would want to skin him alive. He was sure he could do porn in an island setting, his bosses would probably love the change of scenery - he always liked a little change in his porn.

***

Xander woke up with a bag of blood attached to the needle in his arm and Spike back beside his bed. "Get 'em?" he asked, feeling a little bit stronger.

"All of 'em," Spike agreed. "Even their Master. Caught 'em off guard." He hiked his feet up onto the bed and crossed them. "How you feelin'?"

"Better," Xander admitted. "Stronger. I guess I needed those last few pints of blood." He looked at the bag. "That's a funny sticker."

"Private stock," Spike said quickly. "Angel arranged it for you." He tossed over a book. "Sent this too. Thought you might like it. Your boss called too, said he was sorry about all this mess."

"That's pretty cool of him," Xander said as he started to flip through the book. "What's this? Research?"

"Yeah. Give it to the Watcher when he gets in tomorrow." Spike shifted some. "Nurse said you'd be out day after tomorrow. Got the stuff from the motel when we went out and settled up with them. We'll be back in the corporate apartment for a few days, until they need it again."

"Thanks," Xander said, giving him a grin. "Anything else I need to know about you being my manager?" Spike's mouth fell open. "Well, you've been acting like it, and you did proclaim yourself to be it when I was in the hospital last time."

"That was the poof's doin'," Spike said quietly. "Wouldn't mind though. Pay much?"

Xander laughed. "Sure. Five percent."

"Ten and you've got a deal," Spike argued, smiling now.

"Nope. Sorry. Can't go over five. I've got expensive habits to maintain. I've got a cellphone to raise and a quickly growing music collection that's sprouting daily."

Spike did laugh at that. "All right, five it is then. Cash." Xander nodded. "Good, glad that's settled."

"And no plans on moving in with me either." He grinned at the snort. "Spike, this is making me feel funny," Xander noted, looking at the emptying bag again.

"Funny how?"

"Just funny, tingly maybe."

Spike shrugged. "Transfusion was after my time, whelp. Not a clue if this is normal. Want the nurse?" He mentally hoped that the boy didn't. The real bag of blood was sitting empty in the trash and this new blood was quickly doing it's job. In just a few more minutes, Xander would be the first recipient of a pint of vampire virus-laced blood. Angel had arranged for it, had helped him draw the blood, agreeing with him about the importance of not messing up this turning. It seems Angel wanted Xander to be a vampire someday too. This slow feeding him of blood from a vampire would ensure that Xander was one strong vampire from the moment of his death.

"No, no nurse," Xander said, relaxing. "I guess it's normal, I've never needed blood before." He shrugged. "It'll be over soon." He started to flip through the book again, falling asleep while reading a particularly boring passage about knights and what they did with their horses while on crusades and quests.

Spike sat back and waited. Soon enough.

***

Xander walked onto the sound stage, looking around at the emptiness. "Mark?" he called, looking up.

"Xander," Mark called from his office, coming down to give him a hug. "You all right?" He looked him over, but didn't say anything about his smell. Spike had let him in on this. "You look much better."

"All the blood they gave me worked pretty well I guess." Xander looked around for the stairs, but they were gone. "Remodeling?"

"Somewhat," Mark agreed, leading him into the office. "Listen, Xander, I know that you're not going to be able to do this movie. Would you like me to put it off for a few months? Or do you want out of your contract? My boss said I could do that if you didn't sue us in Demonic Court."

Xander snorted. "That's okay, Mark. I feel fine. Give me a month and we'll do the flick. Okay?" Mark nodded, looking happy. "Anything I can do right now? I kinda have some medical bills I have to pay and you wouldn't *believe* how much blood costs."

Mark smiled. "We've taken care of the majority of the bills, Xander. But if you really want to, we could do some more stills of you. Even an action shot or two if you're up to it. Did the doctor say anything about straining yourself?"

"Definitely, but I feel great. Actually, I don't think I've ever felt better." He glanced around. "With who?"

"Um, I'd have to check and see who was up," Mark said, reaching for the phone. "Or we could do a few with Spike if you wanted."

Xander shrugged. "I don't care. Spike wouldn't care. If it makes you happy, he can suck me off all he wants."

Mark laughed. "Good boy. Where is he?"

"Outside getting a smoke. Spike!" Xander yelled.

"What?" Spike said, walking quickly onto the sound stage. "Where are you now?"

"Up here," Mark called. "In the office. Want to do some action stills with Xander?"

Spike grinned up at the door. "Sure, mate. Which way?"

Xander got up and came out of the office. "I only top, Spike," Xander pointed out dryly. Then he smiled. "But I'll gladly let you suck me. I seem to be a bit horny at the moment."

Spike grumbled some but he would go with the plan. Sex was sex after all, and sex with Xander was quickly becoming something he'd like to think about. "Where?" he asked as he took off his duster.

"There's a bedroom set just around the corner," Mark told him, coming out with a contract for him to sign. "Just sign on the dotted line on the fourth page," he said with a smile. As soon as the contract was complete, he went to find a cameraman with a digital camera and let the two young men be alone for a few minutes.

"You don't feel weird?" Spike asked quietly as he followed Xander to the bedroom set.

"Nope, just really horny for whatever reason," Xander told him. He shrugged at the intense look. "Don't ask me, maybe I have some sort of getting out of the hospital fetish. Every time I get out, I seem to get more and more horny. This time it's just more intense and I need to deal with it now." He unzipped his pants. "I didn't figure you'd mind, everything I've read out of Giles' library says vampires are usually ready to have sex and they're indiscriminate."

Spike laughed. "Too true for most of us, and no, I don't mind," he said as he finished stripping, his clothes going in a pile on the floor, Xander's joining them a few moments later. "How long does this take?"

"Depends on how long he can keep it up," Mark said as he walked over to them. He looked over Spike's body, nodding because he liked what he saw. "You'll do great, Spike. Just relax. Have you done this before? Sucked a man I mean. You didn't do that in the short film John shot of you."

"Sure," Spike said with a wave of his hand. "Did Angelus every few nights for fun. His fun, but I learned how to do it right."

"Angelus?" Mark asked with a swallow. "You're *that* Spike?"

"And Angel is really Angelus with a soul," Xander told him. "He's a PI now from what I understand. Firmly a good guy for the moment."

Mark just nodded and went to make sure the video camera was vampire compliant. "He won't mind, right?"

"Nah, he always said I was a show-off," Spike said smartly. Xander laughed and punched him on the arm. "Hey, no fair, can't hit you back." He pounced Xander, sucking his semi-erect cock down fairly quickly.

Mark caught it all on tape, and hoped that the photographer would get there soon. They needed some stills of this and stills usually came out better if not pulled off a tape. The photographer finally showed up in time to catch Xander's orgasm, and grunted when Spike started to do more to him. Mark continued to shoot as one of Spike's hands drifted downward, seeking the virginal spot. Xander groaned and removed the hand, but when it came back a few minutes later, he was too far gone to protest. "First time film?" he whispered hopefully. This would sell! Especially among Xander's adamant followers. Private sex films always sold really well.

Xander yelled as Spike breached him, panting out the pain. "I'm going to kill you," he said hoarsely.

Spike leaned down and kissed him. "You needed this, whelp. Let it go and I'll explain later." He started to move and the anger become pleasure, and finally Xander got off again, with just as loud of a scream as before.

Mark shut off the video camera and went to take the tape up to processing. This was a gem he wasn't going to wait to put out. The photographer followed him up to use the computers, knowing that Mark would want this as soon as possible.

"Why?" Xander complained. "I didn't want to bottom."

"You can't be a virgin anymore," Spike said quietly. "You got some vampire blood and if you're a virgin when you die, then you'll stay one if you turn." Xander's mouth opened. "Angel wasn't sure if it was enough but there's a chance."

"That's why he asked?"

Spike nodded, leaving out the part that the vampire blood had happened *after* Angel had asked. "Yeah." He pulled out and used a corner of the sheet to wipe off. "We could give you more, but then it'd be certain."

Xander sat up with a wince and thought about it. "So I'm going to be a vampire when I die?" Spike shrugged. "How much of a chance?"

"About eighty right now," Spike admitted. Angel hadn't been sure that the blood transfusion would work as well this way. "That's why I needed to do that. Know someone who was a virgin, Dru was. Each time you had to break her in again. Don't want to see anyone go through that every few days."

Xander swallowed. "Now that I'm not a virgin, what happens?"

"You'll never be that tight again and overdosing on cheese won't be quite as painful for you," Spike said with a cheeky grin. "The more it happens, the looser you'll be. All up to you though."

Xander thought about it. "Spike, I like what I do for a living, but I don't want to bottom. I feel nasty at the moment." He stood up, looking at the faint traces of blood on the sheet. "You tore me?" he asked in shock.

"Nah, usually there's a little bit the first time." Spike got to his knees. "You're not mad?"

"No, I had been thinking about that side of the equation ever since I did my first man-on-man flick," Xander admitted. "I thought I'd try it once to see what it was like. Now that I know, I'm not expanding my horizons any for my job." Spike smiled at that. "And don't you even look smug," Xander warned, pointing a finger at him. "I may have been open to the theory, but you pushed ahead when you knew I didn't want to do that."

Spike shrugged, bringing back his usual cheeky but calm mask. "As I said, whelp, it was for your own good. I could have let you stay like that for eternity."

Xander swallowed hard and shook his head. "Then I guess I should thank you." He glanced around but they were alone. "Now what? Was this work or pleasure for you, Spike?"

"Both," Spike said succinctly. "You?"

"Both," Xander said quietly. "And I'm confused."

"That's normal, pet," Spike said with a grin. "Do you regret it though is the real question."

Xander shook his head. "Not at all. C'mon let's go back to the motel and veg. We'll order dinner in." He went for his clothes, moving kinda slowly and carefully. He missed Spike's smirk.

***

Xander smiled as Giles walked into his motel room, sitting up from where he was resting on the bed. "Hey, Giles, back again?" he asked. He had left the door open when the manager had called up to warn him that Giles had pulled in.

"Yes, I think I should be here for this," Giles said, shutting the door and sitting down at the small rickety table the motel provided. "Xander, are you still working for these people?"

"For the rest of my contract," Xander agreed. "One more movie and another set of stills, which I'm doing tomorrow in a cleared studio. They were very upset that I was hurt by those vampires. Which I'm sure you know Angel and Spike went to take care of." Giles nodded. "They've been very good about paying for my hospital bills and everything, all they wanted was for me to finish my contract." He scooted around, making sure the blanket was covering his nudity. He and Spike had had some fun last night and he was still naked from it. "What's the big concern about?" "Xander, they let those vampires on the set," Giles reminded him.

"No, they were working on a set downstairs from the one I was working on." Giles looked shocked. "The place is pretty cool. There's two main studios and three auxiliary ones. We were in the top main one and they were downstairs. I got most of the attackers myself because of the stairwell but that last one got through and got me." He touched the small bandage on his neck. "You know the rest I'm sure."

Giles shook his head. "Still, it's dangerous, Xander. You could catch something or be attacked again."

"Which is why I only work when the stage is completely empty," Xander pointed out. "Mark made some very nice security arrangements for me as part of the 'I won't sue them' arrangement. That's one oft hem."

Giles just nodded. "I see," he said finally. "And Spike?" he asked, looking at the other bed and its occupant.

"We're good," Xander admitted. "He explained a lot to me about what might happen because I got some of the vampire's blood." Giles frowned. "Just a little apparently, but he said that it might not be enough to turn me after I'm dead." He shrugged. "I'm taking a practical approach to it at the moment."

"How much did you get?" Giles asked.

"Not a clue, I was kinda out of it, Giles," Xander said dryly. "Spike told me that I lost all but two pints of my own blood."

"I see," Giles said again. "No side effects? No light or smell sensitivity?"

"Nope," Xander said happily. "None of that. I've been out almost every single day for lunch."

"That's good," Giles said, giving him a fond smile. "When are you coming home? Your employer called me to check on you."

"I'll be back at work next Monday," Xander told him. "We'll be back in town the weekend before that. Expect us sometime late Saturday or early Sunday if I can get Spike into the trunk."

Giles nodded and stood up. "That's fine then. Do call if you have any more problems." He made Xander look up at him. "We'll be discussing this blood problem when you get home, Xander," he said quietly. "I will be monitoring you for changes." Then he left.

Xander laid back on the bed, relaxing again. That could have gone much worse. "He didn't yell," he told himself. "He could have but he didn't. That's a good sign." He scooted down again. He had to be on the set tonight to watch Spike and Regin go at it with this other demon. Maybe Mark would be cool and let him do a few more action stills even, he was horny again.

***

Xander looked up as Mark walked into the office, smiling at him. "Going good?" he asked at the pleased look he was getting.

"Kid, you've made us a hell of a lot of money," Mark told him. "I have your final check, outside of royalties for that one personal film, ready and waiting on you. You sure you want to turn to exclusively human films?"

"I don't know," Xander told him. "I do know that I might be back here someday. I think I'd like to come back after experiencing the human side of the business. Who knows, maybe I'll be dissatisfied over there."

Mark nodded. "That's fine, we'll gladly take you back anytime, Xander." He passed over an envelope, a business card, and a smaller envelope. "Open the larger one once you get home, all right?" Xander nodded, shoving them all into his pockets. "Good. I'm not happy to see you go, but if you're wanting to come back, just call us and we'll have a script to you by the end of that day." They shook hands and Xander left, going out to his car and Spike, who he had allowed to drive them this time.

"So?" Spike asked as he started the car and pulled out onto the street.

"I can go back if I ever want to," Xander said, opening the envelope that held his check. "I should be able to live on this for at least a year," he said happily. He tucked it away in his wallet along with the business card, and then opened the other envelope, which contained a letter. He scanned it and stopped at the bottom signature, going back to read it more carefully. "Oh, shit," he whispered, "Giles is going to kill someone."

"Why?" Spike asked, glancing at the letter. "Bad news?"

"Ethan Rayne runs the studio. He's personally invited me back to work for them again."

Spike pulled off the road and grabbed the letter to read, frowning at the simple contents. "I'll be damned if he's gonna star with you," he growled.

"Possessive much?" Xander asked, snatching the letter back and putting it back into his pocket. "Home, Spike, I want to give this to Giles."

"Sure, but first I've got to give you something," Spike said, opening the glove box and pulling out a small brown leather case. "Here, from the poof," he said with disgust as he got back onto the road again.

Xander opened it, sighing when he saw the prophecy. He read it, then nodded. "I figured as much," he said as he put it back and back into the glovebox. "When did he find out?"

"When he first saw you. That's why he had to make sure," Spike said quietly. He glanced over. "You're not mad?" he asked as he sped up to go faster than the idiots on the interstate.

"Nope, not at all," Xander told him. "Like I told you, there's worse things than becoming a vampire. If I'm meant to become a Master some day, then I guess it'll happen somehow." He shrugged. "I'll worry about it later, when practicalities turn to emotional things."

Spike reached over and patted Xander, missing his leg and hitting him on the crotch. "Don't worry, pet, the prophecy said you'd have a mate to help you. I intend to be there now that I know."

"Um, Spike, chip?" Xander asked. "You can't turn me."

"Who says I'm gonna keep it?" Spike asked with his usual naughty grin. He sped up some more, flipping off a cop as they roared past her.

Xander groaned, tightening his seat belt when the blue lights came on. "Just don't kill me yet," he noted as he grabbed the door's handlebar.

Spike laughed and pushed the car to go faster, trying to dodge the cop.

***

Xander looked up as Spike walked into their apartment with his latest script. "Anything decent this time?" he asked in a bored tone of voice. "Everything seems to be the same plotline. I like different plotlines sometimes."

Spike tossed it over. "Not a chance this time," he said as he sat down beside Xander, nuzzling his neck. "You ready for tonight?" he whispered.

"Yeah, I'm ready," Xander said, stealing a kiss and going to grab his steak from the frying pan. "What's involved in this ritual?"

"My blood, taken from my body, going into your body." Spike got comfortable, watching his future childe eat. "Not much different than when you were sick last year."

Xander nodded, sitting down and cutting off a piece to eat it. "So a needle?" he asked before taking a bite.

"Could be. Or I could just bleed into an open gash," Spike said with a smile. "Have to be a good sized one though."

"That won't look good on camera," Xander pointed out. "I'd scar." He ate another bite. "Then what?"

"Well, then I was thinkin' about shaggin' you silly," Spike said, grabbing the plate and putting it down so he could take it's place in Xander's lap. They shared a steak-flavored kiss. "Rare?" he asked.

"Medium, that's what I like." Xander gripped Spike's butt and pulled the cheeks apart. "You sure you want to get me started? I've built up a lot of stamina." Spike grinned at that. "Okay, you asked for it. Go get ready for me," he said with a spank, grabbing his plate as soon as Spike was out of his way. "Want to go shopping with me this weekend?" Xander called. "I'm building my 'after' wardrobe and there's a big sale at the mall." Then he ate another bite of steak. He was really craving it at the moment.

"Sure," Spike called back. He came out of the bedroom naked as Xander finished his last bite, and tossed the plate away, taking his lover back with him. He liked this side effect of giving Xander his blood. He slowly stripped his lover, teasing him through the cloth. "Did you get a chance to look at the small one on the bottom?" he asked as he removed the sweatpants. "Mark sent it over."

"Really?" Xander asked, allowing himself to be shoved onto the bed, enjoying the small bouncing he was doing. "What's it about?"

Spike grinned and looked over the hard body. "Seems they've got a newbie, cute little geek sort, who wants his cherry popped on film." Xander licked his lips. "See, he walks into the studio's front entrance and walks up to the receptionist." He stroked across his stomach. "Says, 'I want to be a porn star and I'm a virgin'. She laughs and tells him to strip. He does, slowly but he gets there. Embarrassed enough to cover himself still, but forces himself to move his hands away from the merchandise. She looks him over and sends him back to the casting director, who nods when he sees the boy. 'I'm a virgin', the boy says proudly." Spike moved over to lay on top of Xander, starting to tease his neck. "The casting director laughs and asks him why he's waited and the boy says he wants to do it on film for the whole world to see. Said he's played with himself but nothing more. Casting director picks up the phone and calls you out of the waiting room." He nipped Xander's left nipple hard, earning a moan and a push up of the young mortal's cock as he sucked on it. "Casting director tells you that the boy wants to do a first time film so you sit down in an extra chair and pull the guy down over your lap." Xander moaned a little more at that so Spike switched nipples to torment. "You check his hole and agree he's a virgin, still pretty tight too. You swat him on the arse and the boy moans and shifts. So you put him back on his feet and look him over. 'Sure,' you say, 'Spike'll love him'." That got a grin and Spike's hand moved down to tease the leaking cock. "You bring him out to the studio and toss him onto a bed, calling for me and a camera crew to come help you. You smile down at him, telling him you've popped a few cherries and he'll be just fine with you." Then you get out of my way while I go and investigate him by rimming him good." Xander went limp as he came. "And then you push me outta the way," Spike moaned as he gathered up the come and used it to lube himself. Xander had agreed to let him top him every now and then, and today was going to be one of those days.

Spike slicked himself down quickly, bending down to play with the limp cock, bringing it back up rather quickly. "Then you check for the cameraman, who nods, and you pop him abruptly," he said as he slid into the loose hole. Xander whimpered and shifted, opening himself up to Spike. "The boy thrashes and moans so you tell me to plug his mouth so you can concentrate on making this good. I do and we share a kiss as we fuck him from each end." Xander started to moan and thrash himself. "Finally, you come and pull out, your seed drippin' outta his hole. I come around and take over your place and you start playin' with my nipples. Soon enough, I come and the boy lays there limply. We clean the poor git off and then Mark comes up with a contract and tells him he'll take him on if he wants, or the boy can have the tape and run."

"Does he sign?" Xander panted as he thrust up, trying to get the cool cock deeper into him. "Come on, Spike, I like it when you tell me stories during sex. You know that. More!"

Spike grinned evilly and pulled back some, using more shallow thrusts now. "Really, never coulda guessed," he said.

Xander groaned and flipped them over, starting to ride Spike. "Did he sign?"

"Yes, pet, he signed and demanded to bottom for the both of us again anytime it could be worked in. Said he'd never thought it could be like that."

"YES!" Xander yelled as he came. He leaned across Spike's chest, panting to try and catch his breath. "That's really the script?"

Spike nodded, starting to thrust again, he needed to get off now. "Really happened to accordin' to the note Mark sent. Said they're waitin' on us this weekend even."

Xander grinned as he squeezed his internal muscles, making Spike swear and come. "Okay," he said with a naughty grin. "My other contract has an out for specialty films that they won't cover." He rolled to the side, resting his head on Spike's chest. "I'll do it if you will."

"I said I would," Spike said with a slight shrug. "It's all the same to me. Boy can't be much worse than some I've had in my life." He patted Xander on the head. "We should shower. We stink."

Xander laughed. "No, you think?" he asked as he forced himself to get up and go get clean. Angel was going to be there tonight when Xander got his last injection of vampire blood, and while the older vampire hadn't said anything about him and Spike, Xander didn't want to shove it in his face. Spike joined him after a few minutes and Xander proved that he deserved the award in the living room that proclaimed him the best deep throater at his present studio.

***

Angel watched over the two men lying on the marble slabs, nervously pacing around the confining crypt. He knew that if they were caught, they were all dead. Other vampires wouldn't want him to be doing this, even for a prophecy, which most didn't believe in anyway. Buffy would have all their heads, and then take the ones on their shoulders, especially Xander's. The camo guys wouldn't be quite so difficult to get rid of, or so he thought, but he really didn't want to test that hypothesis. He knew in intimate details what they had done to Spike and he wasn't ready to risk having it done to him. He sighed as the bag of blood finished draining, going to disconnect it. Spike popped awake and looked up at him. "Just nerves," he said quietly.

"Damn, now I know why I'm so horny," Xander complained. He glared at Spike. "Do you *always* feel like this?"

"Nope, but there are days when we can't quite control it well enough," Angel said with a fatherly smile at the mortal. The crypt's door flung inward and all three turned to look at the demons standing there.

"Huh," Xander said as he slid off the marble slab. "Are they stakers or metal pokers?"

"Metal," Spike told him, grabbing his jacket and tossing one of his prized metal stakes over to Xander and another to his Sire. "Here. These'll do."

Angel smiled at him. "Thanks." He rushed forward, Spike right behind him, both of them trying to protect Xander. Neither of them wanted him to die just yet. As the demon died, it gasped out something in its own language. Angel looked over at Spike, who shrugged, then they both looked at Xander.

"What?" Xander asked cautiously.

"The demon said he was sent because you were making Playground too much money," Spike told him, pulling a cigarette out of his mashed pack to light it. He inhaled. "Seems there's a studio war, pet, and you're the prime target."

"Oh, just great," Xander said, looking disgusted. He tossed Spike his spike and picked up a few rocks, tossing them at the walls of the crypt. "Why does this shit happen to me?" he yelled, working through his anger.

Angel and Spike waited, and once Xander was done they got him out to the car and back to his apartment. "Xander, you have to stay calm about this," Angel said quietly. "Spike will protect you. You know that."

Xander frowned at him. "I know," he said patiently, "but this is the sort of thing that happens to me. First it was fans while I was on patrol, who got my autograph and then went after Buffy, making her less than happy with me I might add. Now it's this? And what exactly is this anyway?" He looked over at Spike. "Did you understand what he said?"

"He said that his clan would avenge his death and that the contract against Playground would be fulfilled." Spike shrugged and finished his last drag of his cigarette, putting it out on the windowsill. "I'm gonna call and warn them."

"No, I will," Angel said. "You're not going anywhere without Xander."

"Um, I still work during the day," Xander pointed out. "Granted, I work with sharp objects, but still. Spike can't exactly go to the construction site with me."

Angel frowned at him. "I thought you'd be making enough money doing the films."

"I do," Xander said as he flopped down onto the couch and stretched out. "But the construction gig is a good cover for my landlord and I get a great workout. I'm basically getting paid to stay in really good shape, which helps with the films." He smiled. "It all works out okay. I only work there part time really, well okay maybe nearly full time," he amended at Spike's glare. "But I'm good at it and it's something I can put on a resume if I should ever need one. I doubt most employers will want to hear about my porn star days and think it's a good experience for their potential job."

"Good point," Angel agreed, looking at Spike. "I'll call the rest of the gang?" he offered.

"Damn well better not," Spike snorted. "Watcher's ready to have the whelp committed because he's still doin' his job." He grabbed the cellphone and dialed Mark's number. "Hey, it's Spike," he said, walking into the bedroom.

Angel sat down under Xander's feet, letting them rest in his lap. He was almost a childe now, it was allowable to be less formal with him. "I know this is going to be tough, but can you take some time off work?"

"Sure. My boss finally found out what I really do for a living and he called me on it." Xander shrugged. "I told him the truth about why I was working there and he laughed, but he's pretty cool about me needing time off to go to my real job. He thinks it's a 'kicker', whatever that means. I'll call him later and tell him I got called in to do an emergency sub."

Angel nodded and patted Xander's feet. "Good. I can take care of you two better if you're not here. All my contacts are in LA." He looked at the bedroom as Spike walked out. "They want him in?"

"Yeah, they want him in," Spike agreed, tossing Xander the cellphone. "You have voicemail from them. They already knew."

Xander shrugged and dialed his construction gig boss. "Hey, it's Harris," he said, then he smiled. "Well, gee, if you insist I *could* take a week or so off, yeah. Why?" He laughed. "Good one. Sure, I'll have my cellphone with me and whenever the site's back up and running just yell my way." He hung up. "The crew's over budget so I just got cut. He was going to tell me tomorrow." He put the phone down on the table and looked at Spike again. "So, is this horniness just the vampire thing?"

"Probably," Angel said, getting out of the way. He smiled tolerantly as Xander jumped Spike, excusing himself before he had to see more of Xander than he already had in some of those movies. Which were very educational in some regards. He got a flash of Spike being bent over as he walked out and turned to close the door, but shook it off. He had to go warn Buffy. He owed her.

In the living room, Spike happily sucked his lover's cock. He knew this sort of need and it was always better after taking the edge off. Once Xander came, he lifted the mortal up and carried him into the bedroom to really get down to it. He found himself face down on the bed before he knew it, but surrendered gracefully. He'd have time to pay the boy back, after he was turned. The first feed always made you ready to do anything to satisfy the sexual hunger.

***

Xander walked into the studio and stopped when everyone turned to look at him. "What?" he asked. Mark rushed over and hugged him. "Gee, thanks," he said dryly. "What was that for?"

"For surviving. Spike told me about the demon that came after you."

"Which he and Angel took care of for me," Xander agreed, following him into the group of other porn stars. "So, big meeting?"

"Just going over the new security measures," John said, giving him a smile. "How are you at fighting really?"

"I'm better at rear defense. I can't fight *that* great, but almost nothing gets past me that's trying to run away or to come help. I'm also an endgame fighter, if it has to be done, I'm the guy."

John nodded. "That's what I thought. Okay, if something happens, do you have any weapons?"

"Spike has a full compliment in his coat. Stakes, holy water, spikes, couple of daggers."

"And where is he?" Regin asked, looking around. "You're hardly ever without your vampire shadow."

"He's outside grabbing one last smoke," Xander said, giving him a hug. "You're looking better."

"Thanks. No headaches from primadonnas usually does that to me." He smiled at John. "We even came to an understanding. I work under Mark."

"Cool with me," Mark agreed. "Xander, would you be willing to do that film I sent you?"

"Sure, but I forgot the script at home. That and the one for the human porn thing." He shuddered. "Which was so without any point. I like my porn with *some* sort of storyline."

The other stars laughed, and their tension eased.

Mark pointed at the map of the studio. "We've arranged some of the doors so they're now locked. Only the main door," he pointed at it, "opens from the outside. Everything else is almost the same but there's alarms now on the other doors."

"What about the windows?" Xander asked.

"Most of them are boarded up anyway, we didn't need the sunlight to conflict with the lighting." He glanced around. "I think the windows should be all right. We've also hired more bodyguards, including a few vampire ones for at night." Xander nodded at that, listening intently. "They've already heard that a denizen of Sunnydale is here so you might want to watch out, they're not fond of your friend on general principles."

Spike strolled in and grabbed Xander by the waist, pulling him into his side. "Saw the new guards. Do we know about this other studio?"

Mark swallowed. "We do. They're run by someone who's very unscrupulous. The guy's been known to turn on his stars and hand them over to be taken care of after they stopped selling big." Someone groaned. "We don't like them and we don't do business with them, but we will accept any refugees from their studio. That's why they're so pissed at us right now. They finally noticed that three of our stars used to be theirs and that they escaped. This is all about territory for them and for us a matter of survival."

"What about the owner?" Xander asked quietly. "Where's he? England again?"

"No, he's in town. He promised he wasn't going to run this time," John told him, looking him over. "You know Ethan?"

"We've...run into Ethan before," Xander said with a grim look. "He usually cuts when things start to get dangerous for him. If he's willing to stay, maybe he could find a way to use his magic against them from a distance."

"Magic exists?" one demon snorted. "Are you sure about that, Xander?"

"Yup, very sure," Xander told him. "One of my best friends is a witch, a very powerful witch." He looked at Mark. "I could call her. She's cool with me being here, even if our mentor isn't."

Mark nodded. "Keep in touch with her, just in case," he suggested. "A little help never hurt anyone." He looked at the map again. "Other than that, we're only using the two main studios for the moment. Any questions?"

Spike grunted. "What about those security blokes, where are they gonna be while we're workin'?"

"They'll be wandering around but not on the sets," John told him. "Will that be a problem for anyone?" A few of the stars raised their hands. "Okay, then we'll work on getting you guys on the secondary set and closing it off. We'll have them at the doorway." He smiled at Spike. "Thanks."

"Not a problem, but I figure some have gotten accustomed to only having five people or so there." He looked at Regin, then back at Mark. "This club a'yours. What about it?"

Mark slapped himself on the head. "I hadn't thought about that." He looked at John, who shrugged. "We'll be calling the boss tonight and asking him. Anything else caught your attention?" "Yeah, one thing," Spike said, looking over his shoulder. "One'a them ain't right out there. Doesn't smell right."

John grunted. "We noticed. He's staying somewhere that he can't really open any access to the studio. We're paying a lot of attention to the new guards, Spike, don't worry about it." He looked at Xander. "Your witch friend, will she come if you call?"

"She'd go to Hell for me if I called her from there," Xander said simply. "Giles might come if called, but he's still very anti-me-working-here. If he did come, he'd probably try and attack Ethan because he's kinda an arch-nemesis sort. Those two hate each other." Xander scratched the back of his neck and looked around. "Something's not right."

"Portal opened," one of the other stars said quietly. "Outside."

"Go back to the realm," Mark ordered, and most everyone disappeared, leaving him, John, Xander, Spike, and Regin. "You too," Mark ordered Regin. "You can't fight, I know damn well you can't."

Regin sighed and shook his head. "I can too fight. My kind are all fighters."

"Not this time," Spike told him. "Go sit in the office." He shoved the slight demon toward that way, watching as he went. "When did he start on drugs?" he asked as he handed Xander a stake and one of his beloved spikes. "Smells like coke."

"Yay us," Xander sighed, moving to flank Spike. He stopped long enough to pull out his cellphone and dial Willow's dorm room. "Hey, it's me. We're under attack by someone with a portal." He smiled. "Thanks, Will. Yeah, I promise to come home in one piece." He hung up. "She'll start flanking the place with magic to close the portal. She's got some sort of magical tracer on me."

The first demons rushed through the door and stopped when they saw the four pitiful people on the other side, laughing at them. Then Spike roared and ran forward to take them on, Xander right behind him. They attacked the few demons, and one vampire, fiercely, sending them back outside. Then they joined up with the guards and fought the demons coming through the portal. Which started to shrink as a second wave came through it. Xander crowed and used a spike-filled fist to backhand the vampire. He spun and caught up to the next demon, kicking him in the stomach then stabbing him with the stake, and when that didn't work with the spike. The demon screamed in agony, his voice joining those of Spike's victims. Together, they made an incredible team. But Xander was still only a human being. He was backhanded by a larger demon and went flying into a wall. Spike yelled as he heard the crack of Xander hitting the wall and took out the demon that had killed him, all the while sending a silent prayer up that the blood transfusions had worked.

A few minutes later, Xander opened his eyes. He shook his head to clear it, then looked around the chaos that was the fight. He got up, straightening out his left shoulder, and jumped back into the fight. Spike was pinned down. Most of the guards were dead. Mark and John were backed up against the door. Xander ran through the crowd of waiting demons, staking and spiking them with an unholy glee. "I was right, this wasn't so bad after all," he told Spike once the demon on him had died and he had helped the other vampire back to his feet.

Spike stared at him in shock. "It worked?" he asked quietly.

"Yup, it worked!" Xander yelled, arms raised up. He turned and looked at the demons, who all moved away from them. "I *am* a Master Vampire," he called.

"You're a fledge," a demon called back.

"I'm a child of prophecy," Xander called back, lunging at him and killing him quickly. He spit on his corpse and looked around, but the other demons were trying to run back through the closed portal. Xander and Spike took them out together, side by side like it was meant to be. At the end, Xander stood looking at Spike. "Am I really a fledge?" he asked quietly, surveying the carnage.

"Somewhere in between, pet," Spike said, giving him a fond look. "Knew it'd work." He turned to look at Mark and John, who were both looking stunned. "Better get 'em inside, pet. Let me deal with this." He headed over to drag the first demon, starting a pile. All the while, he hummed a happy song. It had been a good day.

Xander got Mark and John back inside and into their office, smiling at Regin. "Hey. You do smell like coke," he noted, then he shrugged. "If that's how you deal," he said, giving his bosses a fond smile. "You guys gonna live?"

"You weren't bitten," John said.

"I got given a lot of vampire blood through transfusion," Xander told them. "Just got a pint yesterday."

Mark shook his head and nudged his partner. "Spike told me about it. It's all right, John. There's a prophecy about a Master with the will and desire to kill but also the desire for the fleshier pleasures. Everyone was sure it was him." He looked Xander over again. "Are you really comfortable in those clothes? Most vampires seem to want to crawl into leather as soon as they're turned."

"I'll do that later," Xander said with a wave of his hand. "I've got a whole box full of 'after I get turned' clothes sitting at home." He sat on the edge of the desk, watching Regin, who was looking very nervous. "Something you wanted to say."

"I'm sorry," Regin whispered. He looked at the bosses. "I didn't mean to betray you."

Mark shrugged. "We knew it was coming, just not which way it was coming from. At least all you guys are safe." He looked over Xander again, then licked his lips. "I suppose you want a new contract?"

"No, I'm good with the one I have," Xander told him. "But I'm opting out of my other one. I doubt they'd understand," he said with a wink as Spike came through the doorway. "All gone?"

"Merry bonfire outside," Spike said happily, pulling Xander over for a kiss. "Got a surprise for you pet. You'll have to feed tonight."

Xander smiled. "Okay," he said. "I've read that the first feed is usually the most pleasurable experience in a young vampire's life." He looked over at Mark, then back at Spike. "Are we going to feed me here?"

"Nah, pet, I was gonna do it at the hotel. We could do it here, I suppose," he said with mock innocence. He *wanted* a tape to taunt Xander with when they were older. Then he stopped and sniffed. "Poof's here."

"Oh, Angel," Xander called, sliding further into Spike's arms as his Grandsire walked up the stairs to the office. "Hi!" he said, waving.

"Already?" Angel asked Spike, who nodded. "During the fight?" He looked around the office. "Or I suppose there was a fight with the remains of the bodies outside." He looked at Xander, checking him out. "You'll need to hold your shoulder in place for a few hours, boy."

Xander stuck his tongue out at him. "Not my Sire," he pointed out happily. Spike put his shoulder back into place for him, making him grunt. "Ow!" He slapped Spike on the chest. "Meany. Just for that, I should go out and hunt by myself."

"Oh, no you don't," Spike informed him. "No childe of mine is going to hunt alone. Not with a bloody Slayer in the world. Not until he can defend himself." He took back the stake and the spike from the desk and hid them in his coat again. "There, all snug," he said, patting the outside of the pocket. "We're gonna go find someone to feed off of," he informed everyone.

"We've got someone who'd *love* to be turned," John offered.

Angel growled at him. "He might be the one in the prophecy, but he's too young to turn anyone."

Spike looked at Xander. "You sure you want an eternity of him, pet?" he asked as he led Xander from the room. "We'll be back in a few," he told Mark. He winked at him behind Xander's back.

Angel sighed and rested against the door. "Those two will be the death of me yet."

Mark laughed. "But they're *fun*," he said, standing up to grab the ringing phone. "Hey, boss, did you come through okay?" he asked. He laughed again. "No, but Harris was turned. No, he and Spike went to go pick out their food for the night. They're comin' back." His eyes lit up. "Really? We've never seen that before. Sure, I'll get it set up. I think Spike wanted it filmed anyway." Angel growled again, this time lower and deeper in his chest. "Oh, and his Sire's here." He handed over the phone and walked away, John following him.

"Ethan," Angel said in his best 'disgusted' voice. "Yes, I do know. Is that all he is to you?" he demanded. "Well, he's my family and no, you can't do that to him!" He moaned. "Really?" He wet his lips. "I see. Well, if Spike said so. It is his childe, but still, I should protest. I know Harris doesn't understand what he's gotten into. Yes, I know he'll see, but still...." He sighed. "Fine. I'll leave it up to Harris, though you'll have to get his permission to sell that tape. First feeds are often very private moments." He hung up and looked at the young star curled up in the chair. "What?" he asked.

"Do you really feel the need to be expanded and filled?" Regin asked quietly.

"Yes." He looked the boy over. "You're not going to be turned, you wouldn't come across. Your kind don't."

"No, I was wondering if I could get in on this first feed business." He smiled. "I'm thinking it's going to be fun for someone."

Angel shook his head and walked away. He wasn't even going to get into this with the boy. He had no idea what Xander was going to go through after he first fed.

***

Spike brought the young man closer to Xander, teasing the chained body. "Want him, Xander?" he said with an evil smile.

"Spike, I'm *hungry*," Xander complained. "I fought really good earlier and I'm hungry. I need food." He pouted, making Spike wish that he'd never hurt the boy again. The food was handed over and the young human whimpered as Xander's bound hands caressed his stomach. "Shh," Xander whispered to him. "I'll make it good, I promise." He gave the human a sexy grin. "I was like you until earlier." He sniffed at the bare throat, then licked up it, ending up in a deep kiss.

"Just do what feels natural, pet," Spike encouraged, sitting down next to the bed. His part in this was coming up. He watched as Xander seduced the human, made him admit that he *wanted* to be fucked by a man, and then by a vampire. The poor little human had never had a man before, Spike had purposefully chosen a virgin because it made the post-feeding feelings much more intense and he wanted to push all of Xander's limits.

Xander made the human beg, then he took him slowly, drawing out the seduction. He whispered to the human under him, urging him to become demanding and beg to be bitten and brought over. He told the boy he'd take care of him if he wanted, and that anything he wanted would be his. The boy finally screamed that he wanted Xander to bite him, and Xander did. As he felt the hot blood flood his mouth, he moaned and sucked harder, starting to thrust in time with his gulps. He came in the weakening body, making the boy moan as he came too. Then he ripped into his finger and had the poor boy suck on it. "Drink and let me do this every night," Xander told him. "Every night being fucked like this. No more waiting for a woman, just pure pleasure." The boy suckled his finger greedily, taking what he offered.

"Now, pet, you're too young for that," Spike admonished, but he was proud. The world had never seen a vampire as strong as Xander before, and it was going to be a good night. He waited until the poor human died, then shoved him off the bed, roughly flipping Xander onto his back. He stared down into the amber eyes, smiling when he saw the need start. "Feelin' full, pet?" he asked wickedly. He ran a finger down the bare chest, scraping lightly across the shaved skin. "Somehin' I can do about that?" This was the point where the vampire's existence would be mapped out. To give him pain would make him want the pain for the rest of his undead existence. To give him pleasure would make him take pleasure in his kills. To give him real pleasure would make Xander become the vampire in the prophecy, the start of a new line that was more interested in the pleasure that could be had than the killing. That's what Spike wanted, to make Xander more of a pleasure killer than a psychotic killer like he was. The boy had a good start judging from his first kill's reaction.

"I want you," Xander begged, holding up his chained arms. "Please, Spike, in me. Now!" he sobbed, the feelings rushing through him invigorating him and making him ache with the need to be filled. "Please!"

"If you want," Spike agreed, stripping himself quickly and climbing onto the bed. He teased the flexing hole. "Naughty boy, Xander. No teasin' now." He chuckled at the needy whine he got in response as he got to his knees, bringing Xander's hips up so he could invade his body. He started thrusting harder and harder, but the need wasn't going to be soothed with that simple of a action. He pulled out suddenly, and Xander shrieked. "Pet, calm yourself. I know what you need," Spike told him, starting to play in the relaxed hole. He knew what the boy wanted, it was the same thing he had wanted when he had been turned so many years past. Soon he was up to four fingers and Xander was moaning in pleasure again, every few words a plead for more. Spike gave him more, sliding his hand into the still-warm body. Xander writhed under him, but he could see that the need in his eyes wasn't near sated. Spike pushed in further, grabbing some lube for his arm to make it easier. Pain was not something that Harris was going to be able to deal with and this would all be over with too soon if he felt bad. Spike pushed past the second sphincter, moving deeper into the body. The boy arched up and his Sire grabbed his cock to suck on, making him soar through the neediness. Xander came for the second time with a scream of pleasure, his voice breaking on the last note. Spike started to move farther up, teasing the soft tissues now, and Xander begged him quietly to keep going.

Spike pushed in as far as he could, then started to thrust with his whole arm, watching as Xander's body came off the bed and the boy started to babble at him in strange almost-words, all asking for more. Spike slowed down as he heard a familiar footstep and looked over his shoulder as Angel and Willow walked into the light. "What?" he snarled. "We're busy."

Willow gasped as she saw what they were doing, one hand going up to her chest. "Is it like that for all of you?" she asked, begging Spike with her eyes to not hurt Xander.

Spike snarled at Angel. "This isn't for you."

"I know," Angel said, smiling at his childe. "She wanted to be here when he woke up." He looked down the taunt body, then at his childe. "You're going to work him until he's debauched?"

Spike nodded. Then he smiled. "Of course. Gotta fulfill the prophecy, mate."

"Good." Angel sat down in the chair Spike had used earlier, pulling Willow down onto his lap. "I claim the right to watch, and she's willing."

Xander thrashed and pushed hard against Spike's arm, bringing his attention back to him. "Whatever," he snarled. "I need more!"

Spike smiled and started to thrust again, slowly pulling out. "Don't worry, pet, you'll get more." He pulled most of the way out and went back to playing with only a few of his fingers, then he slid into the moist hole with his cock again, fucking him hard like he needed. Xander screamed as he came again, then he lay limply on the bed. Spike pulled a dagger out from under the pillow and sliced open his neck, watching as Xander eyed it. "Want it?" he teased, waving the blade under his childe's chin. Xander lunged up and sucked the blade clean, then whimpered pleasingly for more. "Then get up here," Spike encouraged. He held the boy by the balls, knowing the Sire's blood was an aphrodisiac. They waited while Xander's body reacted, then Spike flipped him onto his stomach, taking the boy from behind. "You will listen to me in all things," he hissed into Xander's ear as he pounded into him. "Swear it."

"I swear I'll listen," Xander said, still sounding like he was begging. "Not enough, Spike, please!"

Spike smiled and kissed the pale neck. "Of course, love. Give me a few." He got off the bed and went to get a few of the toys he had hidden just out of sight. He came back to find Willow straddling Angel's lap and his Sire's hand up her skirt. "Gonna do her here?" he asked as he produced the biggest dildo he could find. He slammed it into his childe's body, making him groan in acceptance. "I am your Lord and Master," Spike told him. "Swear it."

"You're my personal God!" Xander yelled, getting off one last time. He must have passed out.

Spike smiled as he withdrew the dildo and finished himself off in the willing body. "Mine!" he screamed as he came, biting Xander again to mark him.

"Yes!" Willow yelled, coming from the sight and from the fingers.

Angel leaned forward and bit her gently on the neck, sucking her blood. "Want that, Willow?" he asked her, leaving her barely alive. "I can stop." His fingers continued their dance.

"Angel," she moaned.

"She's not his," Spike pointed out as he undid Xander and got him settled under the blankets. "I won't let him."

"Spike, the prophecy was about *three* vampires with pleasure in mind for their victims," Angel said with a smile. "Giles said she was one."

"I'm one?" she asked, grabbing Angel's fingers to lick them. She bit into one, taking her destiny into her own hands.

Angel smacked her across the face and took his fingers from her mouth. "Not unless I say," he warned.

"And another Aurilieus child comes to be," Spike said dryly. "Take her somewhere else. Doubt my nummy'd want to watch you fuck her as she goes off." He climbed in with Xander, holding him tightly. "He's the one in the prophecy. I know he is."

Angel nodded. "I agreed. As did Giles when I finally showed it to him earlier." He smiled. "Then he looked at Willow and handed her to me, asking that I take good care of her." He stood up, bringing his new toy to find another bed.

"This way, please," Mark said happily, leading them to the other set. "May we film her first feeding too?"

Angel smiled at him. "Only if she agrees. Willow, would you like that?" he asked, teasing her breast.

She fell to her knees and weakly sucked at his cock, showing him what she wanted. She bit him again, making him yell in pain, but it was too late, she was going to turn. She died with a smile on her face and blood running from her lips. "Mine," she whispered as she died.

Mark snapped his fingers and a cameraman ran over to help them.

"What did..." Xander grimaced. "I don't remember anything past eating that kid."

"He's gonna turn too," Spike said with a shrug. "Him and Willow." Xander sat up at that. "Angel was the last vampire in the prophecy, mate, and she's the second." Xander looked at the wall, looking sad. "She'll be fine. We'll raise her right, debauch her thoroughly." He pinched Xander. "You still hungry?"

"No," Xander said sullenly. "What's going to happen to her?"

"She'll be fine. We'll adopt her." Spike pulled Xander into his arms. "The prophecy said that the second would be found and sacrificed by her love to the third, the one with the crime of starting the new line." He shrugged. "That's her and him."

"You're not sad?"

"No," Spike laughed. "He tried to take you from me, Xander. You're mine and we'll prove it."

Mark walked over, sniffling lightly. "Guys, that was beautiful," he said quietly. "I've got someone here that's willing to feed the two new fledges." He looked Xander over. "Is he still considered a fledge?"

"He's a Master in training," Spike corrected with an evil grin. "How'd it look?"

"Great," Mark said, smiling at Xander. "No editing needed, but I'll let you decide."

"I want to see it first," Xander said, frowning at his lover. "You planned all this."

"Yup. Even gave Angel the drug to loosen him back to normal myself," he said happily. "Wouldn't have worked otherwise." He shrugged at the dirty look. "It wouldn't have mattered, she'd have been turned anyway. This way, she's like you, not like him."

Xander suddenly kissed Spike, shutting him up. "What do we do with them now?"

"Now, pet, we've got to feed them. The fledge'll want some and then he'll be ready for you to train." Xander grimaced. "I told you not to turn him but you did anyway. And Red'll be awake in a few hours. She had to take the blood she wanted herself, Angel wasn't offerin'."

Xander shook himself. "Then what?"

"Then we find a good place to live," Spike said, tapping Xander on the nose. "And then you start learnin' all you can about makin' people want you enough to beg for you to kill them." He gave him a kiss and hopped out of bed, going to gather up the two new vampires and put them together in a bed, wanting to see what Willow would do. He came back and found Xander asleep. He climbed in beside him, getting comfortable. "The world moves on," he whispered. "You should read the rest of the prophecy, Xander."

"I did," Xander whispered, turning over to hug him. "Thank you, Spike."

"Welcome. But for what?"

"I thought about it, Willow would enjoy it this way." He looked up. "What about Buffy?"

"Pet, didn't you read the *whole* thing?" Xander shook his head. "Not past the separation?" Xander nodded and Spike grinned. "Well, we've got to correct that. For you, pet, you're destined to overtake another few families of us vamps and fix them gone." He kissed his mate. "And in between, we'll make pretty films."

Xander smiled. "Okay. I like that idea. I kinda like the demon too, he's really good about telling me what I should do." He bit Spike hard on the chest. "Said I should do that to you."

Spike laughed and pinned his childe under him, taking advantage of his prior exertions to slip into the ready body. "Did he now? What else did he tell you to do?"

"Well, he said something about doing more films. And he said I could start drawing people to me soon." He suddenly grinned. "And he said that I get to do this a lot more often now."

"Ummm, sounds good, pet," Spike said, starting to slake his own need. Turning someone always made him more horny than usual.

Epilogue: Six months later.

Willow waved as Xander and Spike left, then turned to look around her new apartment. She walked into the back room, where she already had a willing servant in Xander's first fledgling, and someone rang the bell. She walked out to answer the summons of the door, smiling at the man standing on the other side. "Yes?" she asked, pushing forward the 'need' like Spike had taught her. The man was snared and her pizza was free after all.

***

Xander slid into the warm body in front of him, licking up the thin backbone of his costar. His film career had picked up since he had turned. He took a quick nip of blood from the demon and sent him over the edge, screaming in pleasure. Xander pulled the limp body up and started again. This film was all about teaching someone their limits. Now if only Spike would hurry up. He had missed his cue. The director yelled 'cut' and Xander groaned, pulling out. He glared at his sire as he walked up, then pointed at the limp body. "He'll be out for hours," he complained.

Spike smiled at him. "So?" He bent down and examined the hard cock. Then he stood back up. "Should do somethin' about that, pet." He smirked at the director and walked away, Xander growling as he followed him. "I got you somethin'," Spike said once Xander had pinned him and had started to fuck him. "Got you a prezzie."

"Prezzie?" Xander asked, panting as he started to move faster. "What sort of prezzie?" He came, biting Spike's shoulder to mute the howl so he wouldn't mess up someone else's soundtrack. He relaxed against the pale back, wrapping his arms around the thin waist. "Is this like the Ethan prezzie you gave me last month? The one who signed over the studio to you in return for having a few hours of my time?"

"No, not like that, pet, more like a new childe. One just for you. Found him all but sellin' himself for vampire bait earlier. Come see?" Xander nodded and pulled out, following the naked Spike out to Spike's new van. The door opened and a smallish man looked up from the furs in the back, smiling at them. "He wanted to come to us, pet. I didn't force this one."

Xander bent down to examine his new childe, then nodded. "Thank you, Spike. Tonight?"

"Please," Oz begged. "I can't take the wolf anymore. Willow refused."

Xander shrugged. "She's having a tough time dealing with the remnants of Sunnydale's problems." He tugged Oz up and looked him over. "You need a shower."

"Just do it before I turn tomorrow, please," he begged.

Xander looked him over. "Oz, are you blind?"

"Partially. I took a baseball bat to the head last month. I can't control it, Xander," he whispered. "Please. As a friend. Stop me?"

"I will," Xander soothed. He let Spike help him get his new childe into their special room in the studio, getting Oz immediately into a shower. He turned to look at his Sire. "Will his sight return?" he asked quietly.

"He said it has been," Spike said with a shrug. "He'll be fine. One like you, or a cross between us."

"No! I want to end this, not make it worse!" Oz complained.

Xander turned to look at him. "But it won't be, Oz," he soothed, getting into the shower with him. "I promise it'll all be okay again," he whispered, biting into the wet neck. Oz went limp as he accepted his fate.

"Feed 'im a good bit, pet," Spike advised as he went to make the bed. This was going to be a busy night for both of them. A third vampire in the new line and a new first feeding to attend to. Spike went off to find them a willing victim, he knew Oz wouldn't accept anyone else and there was always one hanging around trying to catch Xander's eye. It seems word was out that Xander was *the* person to see for a world ending orgasm that wouldn't make you mind dying so much. "Ah-ha," he whispered as he saw the little blonde hanging around outside the studio. "You lookin' for someone?" he asked casually as he walked up to her.

She saw his nudity first, then swallowed and looked up at him. "You," she whispered. "You know where he is?"

"He's inside and lookin' for someone. You'll do," he said, bringing her back inside.. He helped her get ready, then led her to the bed where Xander and Oz were lying together. "Not done yet?" he asked.

"Oh, we are," Xander said, running a possessive hand down Oz's stomach. "He turned quickly." The woman moaned and Xander smiled at her, bringing his own 'need' forward. She got free of Spike's hand and dove onto the bed between them, more than willing to let them do whatever.

"See, she does want it," Xander told Oz as he teased the woman. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Melody," she moaned, accepting Oz's fingers into her. She yelped as she was entered, but Xander soothed it all away, making her fly as she slowly died.

Oz pulled back and licked his lips. "I was wrong," he offered quietly. "This isn't the same."

"No, it's not," Spike said, shoving the dead body off the bed and climbing in behind Oz. He clamped on the chains then used the remote to start the digital camera that was hooked up to Xander's personal computer.

"And another generation is born," Xander whispered to Spike as Oz clawed at his stomach. "Shh," he soothed, moving down to play with the tight hole. "He's a virgin," he said in shock.

"Only topped," Oz complained. "Please, now, Xander! I'll beg."

"And you do it very prettily," Xander agreed with a grin as he popped Oz's cherry, starting off small.

Spike watched his mate and childe go at it. This was the life. Willing victims, plenty of sex, all the practicalities taken care of without having to step foot outside of the studio.

THE END.