Xander shifted in the hard plastic seat in the L.A. bus terminal, impatiently waiting for the bus to Sunnydale to arrive. His leg jerked nervously, he wanted to be long gone when Tony woke up. He knew that if the older man found him before he could get on the bus he'd go back with him without a fight. Leaving him sleeping in that bed had been one of the hardest things he'd ever had to do.

Xander couldn't count the number of times he'd almost turned back. Only stubborn pride made him keep going. If they'd met any other way he'd still be cuddled up to that warm chest right now. But to be traded off like some kind of out of date baseball card was more than he could stand. Yeah right Xander, like you'd have ever met Antony DiBlasi. And even if you had, he never would have looked at you twice. Get over yourself Harris, before you start acting like Buffy.

He was more than a little surprised at himself. He'd had sex with a man, and enjoyed it. God, I enjoyed it. If it got any better I'd probably die. Xander felt a slight stirring in his groin, Okay, thinking about sex is bad Harris. Bad, bad, bad. No donuts for you. All of the self recriminations weren't working. He didn't care what anyone thought, he wanted Tony, and he wanted him now.

What the hell am I doing? Have I gone completely insane? He wants me. Maybe not forever, and he wants me to sign a contract, but hell, people did that all the time. Prenuptuals, yep, it's just like a prenuptual. Xander giggled quietly, imaging himself walking down the aisle dressed in white. I seriously need some help. I've lost it. Big time.

Xander watched dazedly as his bus pulled into the lot. He was still staring out the window when it pulled back out and faded from sight. He got up slowly and headed for the door leading out of the terminal and back to Tony. Insanity is a good thing.

The sun was barely peaking up when he hit the sidewalk, he squinted up at it and grinned. If I hurry, I'll make it back in time for breakfast. He headed for the closest taxi, never noticing the black car pulling up beside him. By the time he realized something was wrong, it was too late.

*****

Tony stretched and reached out a hand to Xander. He opened his eyes when his hand encountered cool sheets inside of the warm body he'd been expecting.

He rolled out of bed and pulled his jeans back on. "Xander?" He wandered through the house becoming increasingly worried when there was no sign of the boy. He spotted the paper on his desk and sat down hard when he read the opening line.

Tony,
I know you won't understand this,
but I had to leave. I'm sorry, but believe
me when I say you'll be much better
off without me there. Now my dad and
his friends won't be able to touch you.
I know I shouldn't have, but I took
some money from your wallet. I'll pay
you back when I get a job. Thank you, for everything.
Xander

P.S. Last night, that was for me. I
know about the dreams, I've been
having them for months. I just wanted
something good to remember for a change.


Tony crushed the note in his fist and threw it in the small waste can next to his desk. He glared at it for a moment before retrieving it and carefully smoothing it out. He glanced up at the clock, 8 am. If he hurried he could be in Sunnydale by noon.

He glanced back at the note and a predatory smile crossed his face. There was no way Xander was getting away from him. They were meant to be together. He'd tie him to the bed if he had to, but he wasn't letting him go.

*****

Tony rushed through a shower and pulled on the first thing he got his hands on. The bell rang just as he was reaching for the knob. Whipping it open, he was stunned to see Ben and Hamid standing on the front step.

He backed away from the door and waved the two men inside. "Ben, Hamid. It's nice to see you again. Please, make yourself at home. I have to go out, but I'll be back later. There's food in the kitchen and booze in the bar. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go."

Ben smiled at his friend's hurried manner, "Antony, I do believe there's something you're not telling me. Is there someone new in your life since we last spoke?"

Tony couldn't stop the grin that made the dimples in his cheeks show up, "I took your advice Ben. But now I have to go make sure he doesn't get away from me. You'll meet him later."

He'd almost made it out the door when his cell rang, smothering a curse he answered, "DiBlasi."

Ben didn't know what was being said, but from the murderous look on Antony's face, it wasn't good.

"Mr. DiBlasi, it was come to our attention that a piece of your property has gone missing. We felt obligated to inform you of it's where abouts.

The property in question will be auctioned off tonight at midnight. A car will pick you up at 11 pm and convey you to the auction site. Your invitation will be in the car. Oh, and Mr. DiBlasi, bring a lot of money. There is considerable interest in the property and bidding is liable to be fierce. Good day."

Tony listened to the dead hum for a second before carefully closing the phone and then throwing it as hard as he could against the wall. "Son of a BITCH!!!! DAMMIT TO HELL!!! I'm going to kill that fucker, I swear to God. He's dead."

Ben and Hamid exchanged identical looks of concern at their friend's actions. There was no doubt in their minds that Antony was serious. Deadly serious.

Ben grabbed him by the arm and led him over to the couch. "Hamid, please get him a drink." Hamid immediately headed for the bar and poured Antony a straight shot of bourbon. They both watched as he knocked it back without pausing.

Ben took the glass from the nerveless fingers and gently set in on the table. "Now Antony, what is going on? Maybe we can help."

Tony, still totally furious and not thinking clearly told them everything. About Xander, his father and the bruises. Even about the dreams. He ranted at the top of his lungs for almost an hour before he finally ran out of steam and slumped back on the couch.

He suddenly jumped to his feet and headed for his desk, absently talking to himself, "I have to call the bank, get cash. And a gun. I'm going to shoot whoever has him. And if there's one mark on him anywhere I'll make it as slow and painful as I possibly can."

Ben raised both brows at that comment. He knew he would do the same for Hamid, but surely Antony wouldn't go that far. He said as much and for a second feared for his life at the look Antony gave him.

"Xander is MINE. Even if he weren't, what am I supposed to do? Let him be auctioned off like a piece of cattle? That's not going to happen."

Ben beamed at the finality in Antony's voice, "Yes, my friend, I do believe you have made a good choice in companions. I would do much the same for Hamid. Even in the first days I would have destroyed anyone who tried to take him from me. Now, what can we do to help? And before you refuse our aid, please remember. I am the ruler of a country and Hamid is my attache. We have diplomatic immunity in this country. And I am not above using it to help a friend."

The smile on Hamid's face was equally as chilling as the one on Ben's. Tony relaxed a little, "Thank you. Thank you both. Now, we need a plan."

*****

Frank Harris snatched the phone off of it's cradle and growled into the receiver, "This had better be good."

"Mr. Harris, this is Mr. McDonald. It seems we have a problem."

Harris' face turned white and then red when he heard what had happened. That little bastard. When I get my hands on him he'll wish he'd never been born.

"Mr. Harris, are you listening to me?"

"Yes Sir, Mr. McDonald. I'll be there at midnight. And don't worry sir, I'll make sure my son is more than willing to go with whoever has the highest bid. You have my word on it."

"You'd better be right this time Mr. Harris."

Frank Harris stared up at the ceiling after he'd hung up the phone. The tone in McDonald's voice left no doubt in his mind that if Xander caused any more trouble, he'd be the one to pay for it. And that, he couldn't, wouldn't allow to happen.

*****

McDonald smiled up at his client as she was shown into his office. He came around his desk and led her to a chair. "Ms. Graham, how nice to see you again."

"Mr. McDonald. Tell me, is everything going according to plan?"

"Yes, Ms. Graham. It's all set for midnight tonight."

"Good. I want that bastard to get what he has coming to him."

"Not to worry Ms. Graham. Everything is taken care of."

She smiled sweetly at the lawyer, "Please, call me Staci."

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