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Souls Standing By.	By : JanetNoga Category: AtS AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 3824 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Angel: The Series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
Warnings and disclaimers: See prologue please.

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� Oh my god,
Xander? �

Xander offered
the father figure he had missed a hesitant smile, � Hi, Giles. �

A moment later he
was getting a tight hug from the older British man on his front steps, as if
the man was afraid that if he let Xander go the boy would disappear again.

� Oh, Xander,
where have you been, my boy? � Giles asked with a choking voice.

� I-I�m sorry,
Giles, � Xander replied, rapidly blinking his eyes against the tears.

� Don�t ever do
that again, Xander, you mean too much to us and to me as a son. Maybe if I had
been still been around� �

� G-man, I tried
to do what I shouldn�t have five years ago with Willow still around. In the
state I was in, it wouldn�t have made any difference who was here and who
wasn�t. And I�m so sorry, � Xander whispered in a harsh voice, trying hard not
to cry on this man�s doorstep.

� It�s all right,
Xander, it�s all right, � Giles whispered. The boy hadn�t said it directly, but
the former watcher knew that Xander had tried to kill himself. And he thanked
whoever or whatever that had saved him. He felt the boy give into the tears he
was trying to hold back and stood there at his door to give Xander a few
moments.

� Please, won�t
you all come in off my front steps, � Giles said, not removing his arm from
around Xander until the boy was inside and after Spike had shut the door once
they had all gathered into his living room.

� Xander and
Wesley tell us that some demons are going to try and reopen the hell mouth
again even though it�s been sealed, � Willow told her father figure.

Giles gave a
tired sigh. Again? � Well, I guess that�s to be expected if these demons think
they�re powerful enough, � he said, � How many and just what kind of demons are
we talking about? �

� Around a
thousand or so, but perhaps a friend of a friend of ours can provide for us
with more information. As to what kind, just an assortment really from what
we�ve established, nothing a slayer couldn�t handle, but that your average
human would have difficulty with. Wes and I have found that when enough of
these dudes gather into large groups, they can be quite a handful, � Xander
said, � We�re thinking the whole reopen the hell mouth started when some misinformed
demons thought it would be a guaranteed way of getting their hands on superior
strength and power. �

He frowned at the
looks his friends were giving him. � What?
�

� It�s just� You
sound like you�ve done this before, � Willow remarked. � Wow, I haven�t heard
Xander so �take led� since that Halloween incident. �

Xander chuckled.
� Sorry, I guess you�re much more used to Xander-Harris-as excellent-back-up
kind of dude. See, Wes and I, well, we�re what you�d call rouge demon hunters
working for The Powers That Be. Like Angel, just worldly instead of handling
one city, we go where Slayers and Champions cannot or are not and with it being
just the two of us, I�ve learned to think, plan ahead using tact rather then
rushing in as back up. I�ve had to, � he said.

� Well, I can
understand The Powers of whatever- �

� Powers That Be,
Buffy and I wouldn�t dismiss them just because you�ve never heard of them, �
Xander remarked.

� Fine. I can
understand the Powers picking Wesley to work for Them, him being a former
watcher, but what�s so special about you? � She finished with a bit of a sneer.

� Ya know, I�m
guessing you never thought much of me rather then just your donut boy or the
occasional muscle if needed, � Xander frowned.

� You shouldn�t
right off the whelp so easily, slayer. From what I�ve heard, while he�s got no
slayer strength or witchy powers, he�s escaped the hell mouth with only a
broken arm. I�ve heard you died more then once, witnessed one meself, � Spike
put in, � Xander�s got a nice pair of brass ones to stick around for as long as
he had, seen him take a hit from a demon or fledgling and stay upright. Can see
why the Powers chose him. �

Xander gave Spike
a grin of thanks. Yes, that�s right, he and Spike had been on the path
towards becoming friends. � What�s �special� about me now is that I�m one the
few humans who can manifest their soul beast and use them to combat the forces
of evil and all that super hero shi- ah, dribble, � he explained, catching himself at the end not wanting to swear in front of Dawn. Everyone else, but the women knew what he was talking about and it showed on their faces. Well, Wesley knew, but he lacked the raised eyebrows or shocked
expressions.

Giles managed to
pick his chin off the floor. � S-soul beast? � He gapped.

� What�s a soul
beast? Someone tell me? Tellmetellmetellme! � Dawn pleaded. It sounded really
cool.

� Well, you know
when you get hit with a rush of adrenaline sometimes or sometimes you feel
yourself getting lost in a more primal instinct or emotion? That�s your soul
beast acting up. They can be the driving force behind you at times when you
need that extra boost to keep going, like in the middle of a race or if you�re
saving a life. It doesn�t happen very often, but some humans are able to become
aware of their soul beasts and sometimes manifest them to physical form. �

� In my case, my
soul beast was more active probably because of where I lived and I�m of
of those special cases. When I-I tried to kill myself, my soul beast saved my
life. If it hadn�t been for the Powers That Be, I could have fallen into the
wrong hands because soul beasts are also very accessible to magic. The human
doesn�t have to learn any wards or spells; it just comes via by soul beast. �

� Xander tried to
kill himself because of what Anya and I did? But I thought he left her at the
altar because he wasn�t in love with her anymore, so why would he try to kill
himself? � Spike was shocked. He had always assumed that Xander had left
Sunnydale for any other reasons, but not because he had tried to kill himself.

No wonder Wesley
was so hostile towards him. Xandner must had really been in love with Anya and
probably about to apologize and explain everything to her on the night he had
seen the two of them shagging. God, and he was just making friends with the
whelp too at the time�

No, no, no! A
suicidal Xander wasn�t something Spike could handle. Xander Harris had always
been made of stronger stuff then that. The boy had faced evil every day, taking
all kinds of blows, the growing dismissal of his friends and family and still
sticking around because he loved them, no questions asked, starting to trust
and make friends with a vampire, but wanting to kill himself over Anya? It
didn�t make sense, especially now when Xander hadn�t even bothered to ask about
his ex- fianc� since he had gotten here. Spike thought over that night in question, trying to figure out what could have possibly led Xander to such a state?

� And that�s why
the Powers assigned Xander to become my partner. Well, one of the reasons as to
why, � Wesley added giving Spike a quick glance. The expression on the vamp�s
face showed a look of remorse, puzzlement even. Was Spike actually sorry for what he had done to
his friend? He should be, Wesley thought.

He couldn�t
understand why that if Spike and Xander were becoming friends, why Spike would
shag Anya so soon after the unfortunate break up? He sighed, that was something
for Spike to explain to Xander.

� On the topic,
Slayers are the only humans said not to have soul beasts because they aren�t
expected to live for very long and well, something to do with their strength.
Spike, c�mere, � Xander was saying, oblivious to the vampire�s inner turmoil.

� Wot? � Spike
asked, almost hesitantly, looking for a stake in the boy�s hand. Not that he
would blame Xander for finally staking his arse. He yelped and snapped into
game face when the young man simply pinched him when he finally came over.

� Now this, �
Xander said, tapping the blond vamp�s ridges, � is the physical result of when
a human is turned and their soul beast merges with the demon to stay behind and
protect its human�s earthy body. If the vampire is dusted, the soul beast will
reunite with the person�s soul. �

' Wow, his skin is really soft and smooth, even with the bumps. And it's not so cold either, kinda lukewarm or jut about as warm as the air. Actually, his ridges are kinda cool, like one of those predatory big cats on TV, ' Xander thought absently.

Neither of them
really knowing it, Xander had been stroking Spike�s ridges and the vampire was
softly purring under the attention.

� Xan, can we see
your soul beast? � Dawn asked. She couldn�t help, but smile at how Spike looked
like a big cat being petted. He was even purring, cool!

� Yes, I�m rather
curious as to what one looks like, � Giles remarked.

� Not here. It�s
too cramped for Duke, � Xander said. He pulled his hand away, checking his
watch much to Spike�s disappointment, � we�ve gotta go on patrol anyway, and Wes
and I need to check up on a few things so how �bout I bring forth Duke outside?
Besides, I need to feed him anyway. �

� Feed? � Willow
asked.

� Duke has a
particular taste for demons, � Xander said off handed. At both Angel and
Spike�s alarmed look, he added, � Don�t worry, I�ll tell him not to eat you. �

* - * - *

Wesley was
smiling. There was something remarkable about the way Duke would dramatically
manifest himself. Though he resided within his partner�s body and soul, both
Xander and Duke were very different characters. The group had journeyed to one
of the deserted after-the-sun-had-set parks where the soul beast would have
more room to come forth rather then being cramped in Giles� flat.

Xander removed
his leather biker jacket, it was a warm night anyway, and Willow noticed a
rather unusual armband tribal toed oed in metallic-like indigo ink around his
right upper arm. Her friend closed his eyes and placed a hand to his heart. The
wind picked up, almost like a storm was coming. Within that wind they heard a
howl, like a wolf�s howl, but somehow different. Xander exhaled a sigh, though
quiet it echoed loudly in the air, and his body became very relaxed. A wash of
comfort and safe guard eloped him. A soft glowing light appeared the same
coloring as Xander�s tattoo and a large shape began to take place.

Everyone watched eagerly as the shape grew and molded itself until a vapory animal the size of a school bus. Done, it stood upright on four legs peering at the gathering of humans and demons.

� Is it a wolf? �
Dawn asked.

� Kinda looks
that way, � Buffy replied, awed a little too. It was an impressive sight.

� Actually Duke�s
half wolf and half fox. He tells me it has something to do with my personality,
� Xander replied, stroking the beast�s nuzzle having nudged his way into the
young man�s arms for attention. The deep rumbling purring spoke of a touch of
cat to the mixed animal creature.

Duke turned and
peered at the two vampires near by. Both swallowed at the smirk that spread
over its jaw, like it was thinking of snacking on the two of them.

� Duke, no eating
Angel or Spike, � Xander instructed his soul beast.

� Too bloody
right, � Spike remarked.

Duke seemed to
pout, golden eyes turning puppy like onto his human.

� Don�t think
that look is gonna work on me, Duke, I taught you that look. Xander Harris has
mastered the puppy eyes look, � he smirked, � besides, on this hell mouth there
will be plenty of demons and fledglings for you to snack on. You can glutton
yourself on the thousands we�re gonna face soon. �

Duke�s spirits
seemed to rise at that thought. He turned back to the two vampires who had
caused so much grief and trouble for his human in the past. Still, that didn�t
mean he couldn�t get back at them in another way.

� Whelp, I don�t
like the way yer mutt is eyeing me, � Spike said.

Mutt?! Duke
growled to himself, but then smiled. Gathering as much slobber as he could, he
bent down and gave the blond vampire a very long, thorough lick. At Spike�s cry
of outrage, he turned and gave Angel the same treatment. He then sat on his
hind legs to look at his handy work.

� M-my hair! �
Angel cried reaching up to touch the gelled locks and his hands came back
covered in soul beast slobber.

� What �bout your
bloody hair! My duster is soaked in beast slobber! � Spike�s voice ended on a
rather high note.

Anyone in the
group who had the faintest trace of humor broke down at the sight of two slobber
soaked vampires. Tara and Wesley�s knees gave out, and he was laughing so hard
he was crying!

�
Oh-god-Spike-I�m-so-sorry! � Xander managed in between laughs.

� Yeah, yeah,
guess I deserved it for shagging the ex demon bird and when you tried to kill
yerself over her, � Spike muttered.

Xander sobered up
for a moment. � I didn�t try to kill myself over her, � he said quietly not
really thinking about it. Shit! He hadn�t meant to admit that to Spike! With
the others laughing, they hadn�t heard luckily.

� N-no? But I
always thought� But if you didn�t- �

� Spike, please
let it go. I accepted the fact that I couldn�t marry Anya because while I loved
her, I wasn�t in love with her, and she must have not been in love with me if
she slept with you so soon after wards, � Xander said, � I was gonna explain to
her, apologize, and then maybe work up the courage to tell the person I did
love that I loved them. �

� But we were
becoming friends by then, Xander, and I shouldn�t have shagged her. Being used
by the slayer was enough, � Spike replied. He wondered who it was that Xander
was really in love with and if he stilled loved that person?

He recalled those
sad, broken eyes staring at the two of them on the table in the shop. If it
wasn�t Anya that Xander had looked so betrayed, so wounded at, and they had
been the only two in the shop that day, then who�

Wide eyed, Spike
looked at Xander with understanding dawning in his blue-blue eyes.

As if he knew
that Spike knew Xander backed up and turned away.

� Xander� �

� Shut up, Spike,
� the young man replied. Duke nudged Xander�s back and the boy allowed his soul
beast to distract him.

� Oh, my god, he
was in love with me!? �

There was
something going on between his childe and Xander, Angel thought to himself. A
sudden look of understanding in Spike�s eyes, like he had just learned
something important and now Xander wouldn�t even look at him. Angel briefly
wondered if it had something to do with the tragedy that had almost taken the
young man�s life before his attention was focused on Wesley.

His former team
member and friend hadn�t changed in five years, looking the same age he had
when Wesley had left L.A. five years ago. Had it something to do with the
Powers That Be? He discreetly inhaled the air around his friend. Wesley stilled
used the lavender linen water and gave thought to that untouched empty glass
bottle of lavender linen water where the contents had finally dried up over
time. God, he really missed Wesley. Even when he hadn�t wanted to admit it at
the time, Angel had missed him during those days when he had tried to salvage a
connection between him and his son. Angel had missed the man�s presence, his
inner strength, even his eagerness to aid and assist others from able research
to simply running an errand. More then that, he had missed the man who loved
his friends, who loved Angel or had loved him.

Angel really
loved Wesley, that�s why the whole incident involving his son had hurt him so
much. But in the end despite trying to fix things to a fraction of what they
had been, the Powers That Be had seen it fit to take Wesley away from him and
the man had gone willingly. Many a times Angel had tried to follow after Wesley
to bring him back, but the Powers always had interfered. Either sending a
vision to Cordy or finding some way to keep him in California. Now that he and
Wesley were on the hell mouth together, was it a message from the Powers that
he could finally seek out the man?

Would Wesley even
want to be seeked?

Still, it was
wonderful to have heard Wesley laughing again, even at his expense.

tbc
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Souls Standing By.