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Ghost in the Machine	By : JLH Category: > Spike(William)/Xander > Spike(William)/Xander Views: 2769 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Don’t own the Buffy fandom or characters nor make any money from stories etc, and bow down to their original creators Joss, et al., of the Buffy/Angel verse... seriously don't make money off this! What else can I say??

Chapter List
- 1-Ghost in the Machine
- 2-Part 2
- 3-Part 3
- 4-Part 4
- 5-Part 5
- 6-Part 6
- 7-Part 7
- 8-Part 8
- 9-Part 9
- 10-Part 10
- 11-Part 11
- 12-Part 12
- 13-Part 13
- 14-Part 14
- 15-Part 15
- 16-Part 16
- 17-Part 17
- 18-Part 18
- 19-Part 19
- 20-Part 20
- 21-Part 21
- 22-Part 22
- 23-Part 23
- 24-Part 24
- 25-Part 25
- 26-Chapter 26
- 27-27
- 28-Chapters 28 _ 29
- 29-Chapter 30
- 30-Chapter 31
- 31-Part 32
- 32-Part 33
- 33-Part 34
- 34-Part 35
- 27
- 28
- 29
Part 28
The following day saw Xander and Spike (aka William) travelling to Heathrow driven by Matti.
Much back slapping hugs and farewells ensued and the two took off to Geneva.
Xander was still a little put off by Spike's 'new look' but the smile was the same, as was his charming of the female attendants on the plane... and the male ones, if Xander was not mistaken!
Their arrival in Geneva and consequent ushering into a waiting limosine, was followed by a welcome worthy of only the rich at the Angleterre (five star) hotel established in 1872 was something Xander had not expected.
Spike was welcomed as would be a long time aged patron, and as it turned out that was not far from the truth. Xander's' wiggins' arching up when the *Head* Concierge ushered them to their suite.
Jean-Paul was obviously of mixed heritage, demon being a case in point. Middle-aged in appearance, he deferred to the former vampire then inquired about politely about William's needs whilst in their care; was informed that Xander was the 'significant other'; and nodded politely as the request for absolute privacy was acknowledged with a knowing look.
His wife was also part demon and, as it happened, part human wiccan, so he had been informed of the W&H threat, and been instructed by Spike ahead of time, so understood that there was absolute discretion involved with their visit. It would be no problem. He was used to the high paying customers and the need for silence.
The last time the young Mr Aurelius had visited, he had been both polite and generous regards Jean-Paul and his team of attendants' efforts at a 'very difficult time'.
The thanks on departure was expressed by a whole case of Bollinger delivered for the staff to partake, and a bottle of Château De Beaulon cognac for Jean-Paul's personal enjoyment, plus an enormous bunch of flowers for his dear wife... So it was apparent that apart from 'William's' magical signature, this was *no* normal, pretentious or 'stingy rich-boy' guest. He suspected royalty (of either human or demon origin) and was more than happy to treat William the same. His recent (and obviously deliberate) change of appearance was unsurprising, as many of their celebrity guests chose that as a foil for the waiting photographers, but his friend was somewhat of a mystery.
Jean-Paul sent a text to his wife, Ellamine, who very swiftly answered. "Artiste of the moment, sculptor, several possessions, lives and works at coven in UK. Former resident of US."
Jean-Paul suspected there was more but ceased communications. William had been most specific during his last visit.
There was something, or someone, trying to trace his movements and/or get their hands on his familial money. This was just *not* going to happen. His wife and he had also worked so hard to 'fly under the radar' and understood what that meant for a couple who apparently were just starting out - albeit with a lovely 'dowry' but still...
He forewent texting in favor of simply asking his wife as she came in the front door of their apartment, "Can you ward William Aurelius' suite?"
His statuesque wife stood back on her four inch heels for a moment, processed the name, then threw her head back, eyes going black, and called upon the power of Gaia. A flash later and Ellamine stood straight and smiled at her life partner, "So that's done... Where's my ‘after spell’ champagne?"
Jean-Paul grinned, loved her a little more and was more than happy to oblige. Post spell, they settled in front of the television to watch parts of the recorded Monte Carlo F1, and parts of a rather average police/CSI episode (depending who had the controls!)
………………
Lilah was standing in the London offices of Wolfram and Hart, fuming prior to the meeting with the overly confident Sarah and the rather depressed looking reinstated Watcher (courtesy of W&H) Mr Giles, so began the conversation with a curt “Good Morning” then began to drive her point.
“ I assumed that we would have the new statue by now… though it seems this Mr Harris was injured in some ‘hilarious’ accident and so we must put our plans back some months. Mister Giles, what do you know of this?”
Giles sat forward on the rather uncomfortable settee then answered, “He had an unfortunate accident in the workshop, and has consequently had several digits removed. His recovery, however, is progressing.”
The aging Watcher was becoming more and more guarded in his answers as he began to assume there was more afoot than met the eye, so added quickly, “ I am assured that he is taking a short break from his work to recover and recuperate.”
Lilah was quick to push in, “With his new squeeze. Yes we all know that! So what will it take to compel him to finish his next piece? Hmm?? Money? A permanent commission? You are the expert here Mr Giles. Apart from the new ‘boy’, what spins his dial? I happen to know he is not short of money, or investment prowess – and yes we *have* all the figures.”
“I… I’m not sure. But if he has given his word then I can only assume you will have your sculpture.”
Sarah jumped in, “It is reported that Mr Harris has departed for a sojourn in Europe for a week or two, destination unknown, and though we have yet to determine for how long and where, we do have an indication that his intent is for a period of rest and accessing some remedial therapy to assist his use of the injured hand. “
Lilah was still angry, and therefore persistent, “So, Sarah, I surmise you*still* cannot give me the ‘where or what’ is going on!”
Sarah had the courtesy to look contrite, “No Ma’am, but we will.”
“And who are ‘we’? The wizards? The covens? The seers?” Lilah stood from her desk, the extra five inches of heel on her designer shoes giving the required impact.
“You have three days to report back. And if nothing comes of it, you, Mr Giles may well find yourself ousted from the Watchers’ Council if you fail to use your influence to give the Senior Partners at W & H what it dearly desires. And take that as a warning. I am sure you need the Watchers position for now, your previous misdemeanors wiped, and of course, our generous contribution to your retirement fund, needs to be *all* taken into consideration… Ripper.”
Lilah then turned to Sarah, who paled, “As for you, my dear, there is a section of W & H that specializes in ‘donations’. So if you intend to donate your body parts only *after* your demise, then I suggest you apply yourself.”
…………………..
Xander and ‘William’ spent their first night relaxing in what Xander would have described as a ‘palatial’ suite -two rooms plus a wonderfully appointed bathroom with spa. They ordered in and spent a great deal of their time petting, safe in the knowledge that a) apparently Spike owned the hotel, and b) that it was warded against any malicious surveillance on the part of Wolfram and Hart.
The following day was equally amazing to Xander. After a fitful breakfast, he was ushered into a private limousine by Jean-Paul , and then was stunned at the Swiss Bank of Spike/the Aurelian’s choosing, when Spike negotiated in perfect Swiss/German that he become a silent signatory to what amounted to a fortune – even only on the computer readout.
After the appropriate paperwork (double signed and witnessed) was complete, Spike led him to the ‘family vault’, explained each piece and its current worth, then had him vow never to disclose the contents, or their value. There was no question, it was literally millions of dollars worth, and Xander felt humbled to be the ‘second in line’ to protecting it.
After their successful venture to the bank, the two took in the sights of Geneva via the extended car, and on foot, in daylight, as Spike was keen to point out. His beautiful partner still coming to terms with his somewhat human status and immunity to sunlight.
Jean- Paul had taken the liberty of arranging dinner at a fashionable restaurant, so one of their stops was to acquaint Xander with the concept of ‘high end clothes shopping’.
By the time they returned to the hotel to change and head out once more, Jean-Paul was grinning widely at ‘William’. His partner was certainly a looker.
As they passed the desk on the way to the car, however, Spike paused and asked, “Any news of Dru?”
The reply was both succinct and jubilant, “She is apparently on her way to Paris, sir.”
It was enough for now and ‘William’ joined his friend in the car.
………………
Part 29
Dinner was a triumph, and Spike could hardly take his eyes off Xander for long enough to remember to eat as Xander recounted their day of adventure with such enthusiasm that he positively glowed. Spike was also happy that his partner addressed him as William and omitted any details of their financial transactions, only alluding to the fact with an effusive description of the foyer of the bank, which even Spike had to admit was impressive.
Of the three outfits purchased for his ‘significant other’ on their little shopping adventure, Xander had chosen to wear the dark grey fitted pants, white silk button down shirt and the ‘chinese collar’ style, mid length black jacket with fine red detailing that literally spelt *expensive*. The 1kt diamond earring in his right lobe and gold bracelet on his left wrist were utterly appropriate, and the new haircut (still ‘fashionably long’ but now styled perfectly) completed the look. The eye patch was still in place, but for the first time in public, Xander had chosen not to wear the modified glove on his damaged right hand.
Spike worried at the semi-embarrassed smile from his partner as Xander discretely put down his utensils and placed the hand in his lap whenever approached by the waiter, who seemed to continually interrupt the meal with very polite, but what Spike considered, ‘over attention’.
In the end, however, Spike had to admit enjoying every moment of the meal, particularly the look of pure joy on Xander’s face as the ‘dessert’ cart was presented and liquor coffees provided.
His own human experience of eating human food was still new. He was pleased that the portions were moderate to small, but the repast wonderful. He finally asked for a pen and sent a beautifully scribed note to the head chef with their thanks as they sipped their coffees.
Xander was amazed as the Chef d’ Jour, in full formal uniform, approached the table just as they were about to leave and thanked ‘Monsieur Aurelius’ for his compliment, and invited them to dine again ‘very soon’ in rather broken English.
Spike answered in fluent French, “Comment avons-nous osé pas ? Votre restaurant est venu fortement - recommandé par un ami, Jean-Paul, et nous n'ont pas été déçus. Veuillez féliciter également votre personnel, comme je sais que nous avons seulement deux ans de vos wagon-restaurants ce soir. Chaque cours a été spectaculaire.”
The head chef seemed most pleased, ordered a round of Cognac for the table, and departed. But a rather puzzled Xander had to ask, in a whisper, “What did you write, OK and say?! Missed the French classes at school, but he seemed pretty pleased.”
Spike leant over and just as conspiratorially, “Let him know on the note who I was, and simply told the bloke when he was here, that Jean-Paul had recommended here; that the meal was terrific; and he and his staff should be congratulated. ‘S only polite. Even Angelus would have done that… well and eaten that bloody waiter, but still…”
Xander sat perfectly still for a moment, then leant over to take Spike’s hand with his good one, “I keep forgetting to tell you how amazing you are! And I keep forgetting how much history you carry with you. Also I keep forgetting to remind myself how extraordinarily well you are dealing with the whole ‘human/demon’ thing… but most of all, I keep forgetting to tell you how much I love you… And I *really* do.” He rubbed the back of Spike’s hand gently with his thumb, “I really, honestly do… William Aurelius… I love you.”
Spike stared for a moment into the almost teary chocolate colored eye, then sniffed hard, cocked his head a little and let his now brunette locks that had fallen loose from their tie, cover one of his *green* eyes, and smiled back at the sincere gent who had restored him, “Yeah well that kind of makes two of us mate.”
He kissed the back of Xander’s hand then released them and grabbed his glass of Cognac, “So come on… Drink up, cause I reckon there’s a spa back at the hotel’s got our name on it. And tomorrow gotta book us some tickets to Paris.”
Xander looked a little perplexed at the last statement, “Paris?”
“Gonna find Dru and sort this mess once and for all.”
“How will we find her… I mean, Paris is huge and even if we do…”
“Trust me Pet, still got the demon remember? Hers will call to mine and can’t be too hard from there.”
Xander frowned and stared into his half finished coffee, then added with a further measure of concern, ”But you’re human now S..William, what if she decides to eat you… or me?”
“Dru’s may be a little addled in the noggin but not to the point of that. She always sees things, and I reckon she wouldn’t have come away from her Chaos squeeze…” at that point in the quiet conversation, Xander could have sworn that Spike almost spat on the floor, then looked up with begging eyes and in a near whisper said, “Just want to keep her *and you* safe.”
Xander simply nodded. Drinks were finished, the bill paid by Spike and the adjourned to the hotel where Spike immediately went online, booked the tickets to Paris and hand wrote a thank you to Jean-Paul in anticipation of their departure around lunchtime the next day. He had intended they would stay for a few more days, but getting to Dru *before* she ate too many of the Paris inhabitants and drew attention to herself was of utmost importance. Anyway, if all went well, he knew they would be back to Geneva… often.
………………
Sarah was desperate, particularly as she discovered via the coven, that Xander had gone ‘abroad with a friend’ for a two week holiday. The details were vague at best, nevertheless she rang the Wolfram and Hart offices in London, Paris, Rome and Berlin, in the hope their ‘tendrils’ might track down something – even if it was only to do with ‘the friend’ who had obviously distracted Mr Harris from the task of carving the statue for the company.
A day later she was presented with a CTV image of Xander and an unknown dark headed male entering Heathrow’s British Airway’s Courtesy Lounge. The picture was entirely unhelpful regards identifying the dark haired ‘friend’ but from other information, they were travelling business class to Switzerland.
She was in the process of typing furiously to report her findings to Lilah when her phone ‘pinged’ twice in quick succession indicating text messages.
“Schweiz - Subject of interest- location of stay not found. Reason for visit – unknown.”
And the second, “Schweiz - Subject of interest, on the move to Paris. Will track. ‘Friend’ still unknown.”
For Sarah it was something, and somewhat of a relief.
Lilah had been gripping the beautifully constructed red Oregon pine table hard enough to make splinters as the phone went off in her meeting with the ‘stupid girl’ but was happy enough with the results to smile (something that did not reach her eyes) as her underling Sarah promised tracking Mr Harris via their Paris office. Lilah could not put a finger on it, but there was something about the recently maimed sculptor that did not ‘add up’.
She knew his Hellmouth background and had done the research regarding various possessions, liaisons, and long time assistance to the Sunnydale slayer, then his time in Africa and move to the coven. And yet this man was somewhat of a mystery. What was his agenda? Why had he carved the image of Spike given that all her ‘intel’ had found that he hated vampires generally, and particularly William the Bloody? In the end she had little option but to decide that he was a ‘closet gay’(given that he had numerous failed female relationships) and that the representation was little more than a crush on a long dead vampire whom he had hosted in his apartment on two different occasions for an extended period of time.
But there was hope for him yet… and it seemed as though he had committed to carving the image of the illusive paramour of the same vampire – the ex partner (and useful tool of W&H) Drusilla. It was only a matter of time now. His injuries were real, and with a new squeeze there was leverage.
She could wait, and wondered how they could push , just a little, using his new ‘friend’ (whoever he was) as the prompt.
………………
Their trip to Paris was a swift and delightful one. He and Spike had hardly been in the air twenty minutes before the seatbelt sign illuminated again to indicate their landing.
Upon arrival, they were ushered through customs swiftly. Spike had a (coven produced) European passport and Xander a permanent work visa for the European Union so the processing was very straight forward.
They ensconced themselves in yet another extraordinary ‘William Aurelius’ owned boutique hotel, not too far from the Louvre. Once again the manager was part demon and the hotel well warded. It was a relief as both men were aware that Wolfram and Hart had an office in the city and would be tracking them if they could.
Exquisitely appointed, their room was, again, the picture of pure luxury with a small balcony opening onto the pretty Paris scene. Xander noted the heavy curtains and wondered for a moment before realizing that his ‘William’ had probably stayed there in his vampire years. Spike saw the object of his gaze and guessed the reason. He reached for then squeezed Xander’s good hand as they put down their luggage.
“Bought it in the sixties, Dru used to love Paris at night.”
Xander simply nodded and said a very quiet, “Oh.”
Spike frowned for a moment, “Look… If you don’t like the décor I can change it pronto, own the bloody place after all.”
Xander turned, kissed his partner and quickly added, “Don’t change a thing. I was just… well thinking I guess… Thinking not always of the good.”
“’S fine Pet. But you do know we are staying here, in this city, to find Dru, and she loved this hotel. Figured this was just the spot to wait then we start lookin’.”
Xander frowned, “And what if she doesn’t come here? How are we going to do that? I mean… And you’re human now and so am I! If she’s still killing then… what if she decides to…”
Just at that moment, the phone in the suite rang. Spike swiftly retrieved the handset and several “Hmmm, yes, alright”s occurred.
Xander looked curious, and worried all at once. Spike placed the phone back in its cradle and simply said, “Number one problem solved Pet. She’s downstairs.”
- 27
- 28
- 29
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Ghost in the Machine