NC-17
 
 
 

Charley looked up as someone beeped at the front garage door, going over to open it and let the trendy roadster in.  "Uh-huh," she said, looking it over.  "Not very practical but it suits you," she offered.

"It's still a rental, and it pings," Xander said grimly.

"I heard.  You know they've got contracts, right?"

"I'm trying it out to see if I like it."  He slid up to sit on the top of the seat, grinning at her.  "I wanted something a bit dangerous and Throttle agreed with me."

"Yeah, but this isn't dangerous.  This is fifty-year-old-guy-having-a-crisis."  She looked at the car again, shaking her head.  "Not what I'd get for you."  She looked around then shrugged.  "Okay, I've got time.  Let's go to that place Micah suggested."

"I would but they're closed."

"Truly closed or just not open yet?"

"Closed.  As in doors have chains."  He leaned on the windshield, giving her a pitiful look.  "I have no idea where to look."

"I know.  We'll figure it out, Xander.  Give it a few more days and use this one."

"I am, I'm just tired of having these episodes.  I'm starting to wonder if I'm depressed."

"You don't seem depressed," she offered, giving him a pat on the arm.  "They didn't have anything better?"

"No, there's a sales convention in town," he said dryly.  He slid back down.  "You really don't like it?"

"It doesn't suit you, Xander.  It looks like you're cramped in there and you don't look happy."  She kissed him on the cheek, and that's when Vinnie walked in.

"Well, it's a semi-sweet ride, but taking my woman for one won't make it sweeter," he joked.

"It's a rental," Xander complained.  "I can't find what I want."

"If we could get you onto a bike, you'd be happier."

"I'd also be dead the first time I wiped out," Xander pointed out grimly.

"You know, most people go their whole life without crashing," Vinnie said dryly.

"This winter will be my first time driving on snow," Xander said patiently.  Vinnie winced.  "Yes.  So we need something that won't get me killed.  Otherwise you'd have to raise Dawn after you stole her from Buffy."   He got comfortable in his seat and grimaced. "You're right, I hate this thing."  He shrugged and backed out, heading for the site.  He found Merle doing the final paperwork when he walked into the trailer.  "Hey."

"Hey.  How're the ribs?"  He looked up and smirked.  "You don't sound happy to be having the whole week off."

"That's because I'm not.  My SUV exploded." Merle winced.  "Oz made it out alive.  It created a new sinkhole then went up in pretty flames. Apparently he was getting really hot Mexican food."  He sat down in his seat.  "Do I have anything to do?"

"No, you got all your paperwork in for the last job."  He checked his drawer and handed over two envelopes.  "For the guys.  Any other problems?"

"I hate the rental car.  I wanted something that made me look a bit dangerous.  Charley said I looked like an old guy with a midlife crisis."  Merle snickered at that.  "Any idea when we're going to have something to do?  A bored Xander is a dangerous Xander."

"It's going to be at least a week," he offered.  "We haven't gotten final permits yet.  The city's having problems with them since it's next to the new gas project."

"That thing was a worse idea than Limburger," he said grimly.   "How many people have died?"

"About fifty.  At least you had them bring in serious people with a clue, Xander. It could have been much worse."  He gave him a small smirk.  "Go take a vacation."

"From what stress?"

Merle shook his head.  "Xander, you're a wealthy young man.  You should be enjoying that wealth by taking people places and spoiling them.  I'm sure Dawn would love to see somewhere like Montreal for a weekend."

"Maybe," he said, perking up a bit.  "We're going to Six Flags this weekend."

"Good!" Merle agreed.  "Take that white one and force him to ride all those coasters to get it out of his system."  Xander giggled.  "I'm sure he'd love it."

"Meg said if I can't ride them, he'll be riding with her."  He stood up.  "Okay, I'm taking the bros their checks, I'm heading home, and then I'll go pick up Dawn in the rental car."  He heard a crunch and winced, looking outside. "Never mind.  Got a phone?  Mine's in the car."  One was handed over with a tolerant look.  He dialed the local police station he had memorized while checking on the report for the SUV's crash and fiery demise.  "Hi, a huge dump truck just backed over my rental car, I need someone to come out and do a report for the rental agency," he sighed.  "Yeah, this is him," he complained, heading outside once he had hung up.  "Dude, did you not see the 'this is a parking lot' sign?" he yelled. The driver looked out and he pointed at his former car.  "I know it's smaller than my last one, but really!"

"You're not supposed to park there," the driver shouted as he got down.

"That's my assigned spot so I doubt that," Xander said impatiently.  "Do you not know how to use mirrors?  Even I can do better than that and I'm not rated to do trucks this big!"

"No one's supposed to park against that wall!" the driver said snidely.

Xander pointed at the guard, waving him over.  "Who am I?"

"You're Xander, you're the interior crew chief of this site."

"Where is my *assigned* spot?"

"Right where you parked today, Xander. It was assigned to you long before you got here.  That's the Chief's spot."  He looked at the driver.  "You guys aren't even supposed to be in this lot.  This is a parking lot and not part of your path."  He sniffed.  "Are you drunk?"

Xander moaned and walked off, shaking his head toward the cop car pulling up.  "He did it.  That's my assigned spot," he complained.  "The guard can verify that.  He thinks the driver is drunk."

"Thank you, sir.  I like the easy cases."   The cop walked over there to start the paperwork.  Someone at the rental agency was not going to be happy.  "Sir, which agency?"

"Hertz.  Which I do."  He went back into the trailer and went to put his head down on his desk. "Maybe I'll take a nap."

Merle patted him on the back.  "It's all right, Xander.  It happens to the best of us.  That crew will not be happy but I don't care."  They both looked up at a rumbling noise, then ran like hell out of the trailer.  Xander patted himself down and ran back in, grabbing those checks and his keys and wallet, then running back out.  He made it to the gate in time to see the building they had spent so much time building split down the middle and cave into the new hole.  Merle blinked, then moaned and shook his head.  Xander held up Merle's phone with a smirk.  "No, uh-huh.  You call the boss."

"Sure."  He stuck the checks in his back pocket, the rest in his front, and called the top boss, who was a vampire and probably up anyway.  "Hey, boss?  It's Xander.  Yeah, I figured you'd know that.  No, not too great.  Let's see, the SUV went up in a fiery crash while Oz was driving it.  The engine exploded, created a sink hole, then both tanks went up.  My rental car just got sat on by a huge dumptruck from the site next door in the parking lot, and the building the just caved in."  He smirked at Merle.  "Hey I gave you the happier news first.  Yeah, totally.  It opened under the middle.  Hey, umbrellas worked for Angel."  He smirked. "No, I think you have more class than he ever did.  Sure, we'll be here."  He hung up and looked at Merle.  "He's going to get into his specially shielded car and come down.  Did they start moving equipment in?"  Merle nodded and took the phone back to call the people who had wanted the building built.  That way they could sue the city.  Xander looked around.  "Hey, Merle, how did you get here?"

"Cab.  My car's broken," he said grimly.  "I'm having it towed to Charley's tonight.  Or possibly sooner," he said dryly as he came off hold.  "Yeah, it's Merle, down at the building.  No, you won't believe this.  Look out your windows."  Someone apparently did, he pulled the phone away from his ear suddenly.  "Sink hole.  It opened under the center of the building.  Well, at least there weren't people in there."  He nodded.  "Yeah, that'd be a good idea.  Sure, we'll be here.  No, Xander, the interior crew chief, popped in to check on the status of our next job.  Thanks."  He hung up and looked back at the stunned cop.  "Hey, you can give someone else an easy day.  At least the delivery people left."

"True, and Sheila's not here," Xander offered.

"True," Merle agreed.  He looked in there.  "Okay, I'm heading for the trailer to pick out any personal stuff.  Xander?"

"No, I got mine.  I've got a few pictures in the desk if you want. You're lighter than I am and there's already a crack."

"Sure, I'll get your stuff too."  He walked in there cautiously, heading back to the trailer to get everything cleaned up and sorted.  Xander's personal stuff was gotten and so was his, then he left once both desks were cleaned up again.  He handed Xander the third envelope and shook his head, wincing as another piece slid into the hole.  He looked over as Vinnie pulled up, nodding him over. "Hey, how was your morning?" he asked.

"Apparently better than yours," he said, looking from the car to the building and back, then at Xander.  "Good morning?"

"At least I didn't get injured more."  He looked up.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking for lightening bolts."

Merle snickered.  "Sure, kid."  He clapped him on the back and walked off to meet with the person who had just parked and was running toward the building.  "Another sink hole."

"I'll kill that gas board," she shrieked, running inside the fence.  She stopped and started to cry, falling to her knees.  "Oh, God."

Xander walked over and helped her to her feet, giving her a gentle squeeze.  "Make them pay for it all and a million more," he advised.  "Be thankful this wasn't next week and that all the equipment guys were gone."  She looked back at him and nodded, getting free.  "It could have been much worse.  Just like when I fell down the fifty foot hole."

"At least you're okay."

"Yeah, my car was crashed and the building fell but I'm good," he said with a small grin.  "It can be paid off and rebuilt by the insurance company and the lawsuit."

"Oh, it will be," she vowed.  "I've had enough of these things."  She stomped back to her car and got in, calling each and every lawyer she knew to attend to her at her office in less than an hour.  They could take a group field trip.  Then she called the other doctors so they could come too. She looked out at the young man, standing there shaking his head at the building.  "At least he's cute and knows how to handle a woman.  He was being helpful so I won't yell at him for touching me."  She backed out, heading to her office.  By the time she got there, three lawyers were waiting on her and only one wasn't one she had called.  "I'll deal with the city in a few hours," she sneered as she walked past him.  "My office.  Sheila, the new building just collapsed.  Call in Greg and have him see patients.  We've got to do some stuff first and it'll take a few hours."

"Yes, ma'am," her receptionist said promptly, calling the partner in.  "Sir, this is Sheila at the office. No, sir, we've been invaded by lawyers because the new building just fell in.  Yes, sir, that one.  She said to call you in, sir."  She hung up with a smile and looked at the parents.  "It'll only be a few minutes.  He doesn't live that far away," she offered.

"What happened?" one mother asked.

"Probably a sinkhole.  They had to delay the project because of that new gas line."  One kid with a cast on his arm started to cry.  "It's all right.  None of us were in there," she soothed, tossing the mother a tootsie pop.  "There, that can help."

"Can I have one?" one girl asked, smiling at her.  She tossed one to her too.  "Thank you, Miss Sheila, you're very nice."

"I like you too, Sandy.  Give Doctor Greg time to get in here."  She nodded, sitting down with her sucker to enjoy it.

A young, tall, blonde man with messy hair walked in and smiled.  "It's on the news," he said in greeting.  "It's a huge mess and there was a car accident in the parking lot too."  He accepted the first chart.  "Tim?  Let's look at that arm, young man," he said with a gentle smile.  "And hey, it wasn't like your house when it fell in."  The boy nodded, following him back with his mother hurrying after them.

***

Xander got off the bike at the garage, handing Vinnie the envelopes from his pockets.  "Checks."  He walked into the kitchen.  "The rental car got crushed by a dump truck and then the building fell in," he said in greeting.  "Oh, Merle said he's towing his car in tonight."

"That's fine, Xander," Charley said, giving him a gentle hug.  "Are you okay?"

"I want to laugh so bad," he admitted.  "We did a good job, the building fell mostly whole, but when the floor caved it puckered like someone was sucking it in from below."  He flopped down in a chair, taking the other envelope from a smirking Vinnie.  "What?"

"Dirty picture of Dawn?"

Xander looked at the picture then shook his head.  "Beach last year."  He closed the envelope and put his fists on the table, stacked so he could rest his chin on the top one.  "My day's sucked, how has yours been?" he asked sarcastically.

"I haven't had anyone come in yet."

"Bro, you wouldn't believe what was on the tv," Throttle said as he walked in.  He saw Xander.  "You okay?"

"Yeah, I was just there."

"The car wreck in the parking lot was his rental," Charley told him.

"Hopefully it happened after the building fell in?"  Xander shook his head but didn't move it.  "You okay?"

"Fine.  I was in the trailer.  The doctor didn't scream when I gave her a comforting hug either."  He looked at Charley.  "We should hit Six Flags sooner."

"We should," she agreed.  "Just don't destroy the park."  She broke out in giggles.  "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"Not your fault," he admitted, grabbing the phone when it rang.  "Last Chance."  He smirked.  "It wasn't my fault, either of them."  He listened to the patient voice.  "Cool beans.  Sure.  Let me get Meggy."  He hung up.  "You guys are being sent to Six Flags to guard mine and Meg's back, she and you guys are comics from an independent artist who's arranged to hype their line."  He stood up and called Meg and Oz, his old place.  "Hey, me, we're heading to Six Flags and your girl is a comic book heroine."  He smirked.  "Good for her.  Yay.  Let's head.  Sure."  He hung up and looked at Charley, who shook her head. "Fine, bring Dawn when you're done."  He kissed her on the cheek.  "We'll be having fun."  He patted himself down, finding his wallet and keys, which were dropped on the table.   He looked at himself and took off his outer shirt and put it on the back of a chair and picked up his wallet again. "Okay, let's go.  We need to get Modo too."

"We can go?" Vinnie asked.

"Yeah, Max talked to them and they agreed that some independent comic books could be shown off now and then.  So let's go," he said patiently.  He grinned at Charley.  "If we don't go make me happier, I'm stealing a bike so I can go wreck on my own."

"Fat chance," Throttle warned, leaning out the door.  "Modo, we're heading.  Hurry up."

"Coming, bro!" he yelled back.  He and his bike came out the back door.  "Where are we going?"

"To show off at Six Flags," Vinnie whooped, heading for his bike.

Throttle shook his head, taking Xander to his, who had followed Modo out.  "He'll be talking about this for the next three months."

"Yes, he will," Modo agreed patiently.   They followed Vinnie out, heading for the old apartment.  Meg was outside in her fur bikini and Oz was in his usual jeans and t-shirt.  They were in her Honda as soon as they saw them drive past and headed out to take lead since they didn't know where to go.

Throttle leaned back slightly and Xander gave him a squeeze.  "You think you can do the coasters?"

"I can try the first one," he called back.  "We need to find me a new car, again."

"Sure, Xander.  We'll start cruising lots later this week."

"Cool."

Throttle sped up as they hit the interstate, and Xander tightened his arms.  "Relax, I won't let you fall."

"Yeah, but you're not my balance issues," he called back.  "Love you anyway though."

"Thanks."  He smirked as he sped up to move around some slower traffic.  Vinnie was riding over some cars.  Modo was shaking his head and staying right on Meg's tail.  They'd all make it there and Vinnie would be worn out eventually.

***

Dawn got out of the car in the parking lot, looking at Charley, who was shaking her head.

A loud holler of "Aoooooooowwwwwwww!" split the air and something suspiciously white and mouse-shaped went flying.

"Well, we know they're still here," Dawn said dryly, heading for the window.  She smiled and held out a bill.  "Two please."

"Of course, ma'am.  We've got a few independent comic characters in today."

"We know the author," Dawn told her.  "That would be Meg."

"She's the one in the fur bikini, right?"  Dawn nodded, that was probably true.  "She seemed very nice."  She let them have their tickets then watched as they went inside.

Charley looked up at where Vinnie was swinging really high.  "Get down here!"  He did a somersault off the end of the ride and landed in front of her, giving her a hug before running off to find a new thrill.

"So, how long before he calms down?"

"Years," Charley sighed, following the white blur.  He looked like he was vibrating.  They found Xander and Throttle having lunch while Meg and Modo were explaining the Martian Freedom Revolts.  "Hey."

"Hey, get lunch," he said, handing over a twenty.

"Thank you, Xander," Dawn said, heading for the food stalls nearby.  "What do you want, Charley?"

"Something light."  Dawn nodded and came back, handing her a plate of funnel cake.  "Thanks."  She nibbled on the sweet fried dough with powdered sugar, looking around.  "We're taking a break?"

"We though you two would be here about now," Throttle assured her. "It was the only way to get Vinnie to stop."

"He's been posing for pictures all day," Xander agreed dryly.  "He's going to be pinned up on a lot of kids' walls later."

"Fortunately, the first issue is coming out in a few weeks," Throttle admitted.  "They'll be able to slake that thirst."  He wiped his mouth and stole a piece of Charley's cake, nodding.  "I like that."

"So do I, but I had a bad experience. I ate about a pound of that once, then went on a twist- a-whirl."

"Ooooh," Dawn said with a wince, nodding.  "I heard about that."  She looked around.  "Where are we starting?"

"Wherever you want, dear.  Meet us back at the gates at closing time."  She nodded, hurrying up so she could go play.  She even drug Vinnie and Meg off to go on rides with her.

Behind them, Oz and Modo looked at each other and shrugged, following the others.

"They're cute together," Xander chuckled.

"They are," Throttle agreed.  "Where to next?"

"Water park?" he suggested.  Throttle nodded that it was fine with him.  "You're sure?  Nothing against getting really wet?"

"No.  Not as long as we don't catch cold."

"Coooollllll," Xander breathed.

"Yes, I am."

Charley choked.  "Modest too," she groaned.

"It's not bragging if it's true," Xander and Throttle said in unison.  They tossed out their remaining lunch and headed off.

"I'll see you guys later," she called after them.  She finished off most of her cake and then went to find the first group.  Vinnie grabbed her and took her to a different ride, something they could be alone in.  She looked around the tram car, then at him.  He gave her a gentle, undemanding kiss.  "What was that for?"

"For being so sweet and coming early," he offered, kissing her again.  The only other couple in there with them giggled and kissed so he grinned at them.  "She's being stubborn."  He grabbed her and kissed her, dipping her back this time.  Then they docked and he had to let her go, dragging her off to the nearest thrill ride.  The coaster was short, but it was fun and even she screamed.

They rejoined the group a few rides later and he didn't let her sit with Meg like she had wanted. Instead they 'flew' together on the new superman ride.  He noticed Xander was wobbling off when they did and smirked, pointing at him.  "He needs his ears checked."

"He does," Charley agreed.  But she was too happy to care and Throttle had him well in hand, and tail since it was wrapped around Xander's waist while the boy leaned against him.  "He good?"

"Yeah, just dizzy."  He sat them down and patted him on the back, letting the boy calm his stomach.

"I didn't know the cartoon characters got to go on rides," one boy said.

Throttle looked at him and nodded. "Yeah, we're here to hype our new comic book so we get to ride the rides since we had to pay to get in."

"That's cool.  When is it coming out?"

"I heard next month."

"Super cool!  Mommy, I want their comic book!" he yelled as he ran after her.  Throttle saw a guy grab the kid.  "Get off me!"

"Sir, I'd remove yourself from the boy unless you're a relative," Throttle warned. "This is a happy place after all."  The guy was dressed as a maintenance worker, but he looked too well-groomed to be one.  He wasn't even sweaty.  "Kid, yell for your mother."

"Mommy!"

She turned and glared at the man, stamping back to get her son from him. "Security!" she yelled. "This man just grabbed my son."

The man looked around and tried to take off, but Xander and Throttle both pounced him and held him down until the proper people could get there.

"Mommy, that nice man helped me, can we have his comic when it comes out?" the boy asked.

"Of course, son.  Thank you, gentlemen."  She walked off, taking her son with her.  "I think we've had about enough for the day."

"You promised we could do the water park."

"We'll do it tomorrow, son.  It'll be fine."  He nodded, letting her walk him off to the car.

The security guards waved them off and picked up the man. "You don't work here.  Let's go."  He walked the man off, taking him to the office and their tiny holding cell.  "I might buy that comic book, they seem very nice and action oriented."

Xander looked at Throttle.  "Which one now?"

"That depends on your stomach."

"Hmmmm," he said, looking around.  "Let's try that one," he said, pointing at the slingshot ride.  Throttle nodded and they went there, getting into line like polite people.

***

Dawn helped Charley pull the sleepy Vinnie into the garage and onto the couch, then went to help the sleepy Xander from the back of Throttle's bike so he could get off and pick his man up to carry him to bed.  She sighed, grinning at their backs.  "I'll have that some year."

"Yes you will," Modo agreed quietly, patting her on the shoulder as he walked past her. "Let's go to bed."  She nodded, heading that way.  Meg had been carried into their place by Oz so she set the garage's alarm on the way out the door.  She yawned, heading down to her room so she could fall down on her bed, fully clothed, and fall asleep that way.  She didn't even hear Modo coming in to take off her shoes and cover her.  Modo went next door to check but Throttle had Xander stripped and in bed, and was crashed beside him.  He closed their door most of the way then headed up to his bed.  He winced when he saw Vinnie's fish on the floor with nibble marks, but the cats were presently curled up on the hammocks and a couch.  He moved the two in his bed, getting sleepy glares.  "My turn," he told them, climbing in.  They came back and hopped up to nap with him so he supposed it was okay.  He yawned and got comfortable.  It was a nice day for the most part.

***

Throttle woke up to someone tapping him, glaring at the man behind him.  "What?" he growled.

"We had another of you crash.  We wanted to know if you wanted them," Lorne offered.  "She's in the car sleeping."

He groaned, getting up and following him out there in his socks and boxers.  He paused when he saw who it was, then groaned.  "Yeah, we want her.  Modo would be really upset if you did something mean to his momma."

"No, we only picked her and her boxes up, then moved her ship out of harm's way," Lorne offered. "You never told her you moved."  He tapped on the window before opening the door.  "Here you are, ma'am."

"Thank you, young man.  That was very nice of you."  She got out, lifting out the boxes and saw Throttle, who was grinning. "Throttle.  Give me a hug!"  He gave her a hug and took most of the boxes.  "You're not dressed?"

"Momma, it's night," he reminded her.  "We spent most of the day playing.  Come on.  He's in the main room."  He walked her through the building, smiling at her peek into the rooms.  She looked at him. "The guy's mine, the girl's Dawn, his friend's sister.  She wants to work with Lorne."

"Oh, that's good.  Is she sweet?"

"Very.  Most of the time.  Then again she's got a language problem when she gets upset," he shared, leading her up the ramp.  He put the boxes on the couch and picked up the fish, going to flush it.  Vinnie would be pissed but that was fine, he could get another one.  He came out when Modo bellowed, smirking at him hugging his mother.  "Lorne said she landed at the scoreboard.  They moved her ship somewhere."

"It's coming to go out back."

"We've got a garage, momma," he offered.  "How long are you down here for?"

"Not too long, son.  Mars still needs me."  She stroked his cheek.  "I brought you some treats."  She noticed the furry thing.  "Hi, are you sentient?"

"That's debatable but they won't speak," Throttle offered, leaning against a doorway.  "They're cats.  They came with Xander.  That's the Andrew and the Tara cat, she's the mommy and he's one of her babies."

"They're adorable pets," she said, letting one sniff her then petting it gently.  "Very soft."  The other one muscled in, nudging her hand too, making her laugh. "Yes, you're adorable and soft too."

"That would be Andrew," Modo said, sliding out of his hammock and going to look at his presents.  He looked at Throttle, then down at his boxers.  "Having fun?"

"No, just sleeping. I was planning on taking Xander off later this weekend."

"Fine with us, bro.  We don't got nothing ta do until a stinkfish or worse comes back."

"True."  He kissed Modo's mother on the cheek.  "I'll leave you two alone.  We'll be up in a few hours," he said, glancing at the clock.  "Maybe three or four.  Vinnie's next door with Charley girl, crashed on her couch."

"Where did you find this building?" she asked, looking around.

"Xander bought it when he came into some money and we had to move so he fixed it up for us," he said happily.  "We did a lot of the work and so did he."

"Then he's a good boy?"

"That's a matter of opinion," Dawn said as she came up the ramp with a yawn.  "Xander's having nightmares, he woke me up."

"You fell asleep in your school uniform?"

"I was tired!  Vinnie wore me out!"  She smiled at the new woman.  "Hi, I'm Dawn."

"I'm Modo's mother."

"He talks about you a lot and you always sound very wise, like the voice of reasonable experience."  She grinned and hugged her, then looked at the fish bowl and groaned.  "He's going to whine for days."

"He can buy a new one.  Maybe," Throttle said, heading back down the stairs to go back to bed.  Xander wouldn't mind.  He found him thrashing and gently laid beside him, pulling the boy closer.  "Shh, I've got you," he whispered.  "No more nightmares."  Xander relaxed and smacked his lips a few times, then latched onto a nipple.  Throttle opened his mouth and moaned.  "Xander."

"Hmm?"  He quit and snuggled in.  "Night night."

"Night," he said fondly, covering them again.  Xander nuzzled his chest and he shifted back some.  Otherwise he would need to pounce him and Xander was still sore.  He was still sore but he'd pounce with the best of them at the moment.  He felt one leg sneak over his and a familiar feeling weight settle against his cock, rubbing a bit.  He held in his moan as the boy used him to help his dreams along. It was good for him too.  Even asleep the boy had style.  He buried his face in Xander's neck, panting and moaning into it when it got to be too much.   Xander moaned his name, which made him get off.  He smiled.  He moaned his name.  Yes!  Things were definitely looking up!  Maybe they'd go far away for the weekend.  Now if only he didn't have to sneak upstairs later like this.  They really needed a bathroom down there, if only so Dawn couldn't lock them out of the main one.  He'd let Xander know about that in the morning, let him decide where it should go.  He stroked the dark hair, getting sleepy mumbles and a kiss, again with his name.  So Xander was dreaming about cuddling him and he was so happy he'd dance, if it wasn't so unmanly.

He decided he'd let Dawn dance later for him.  She was a girl, they liked to dance.

***

Vinnie woke up at the sound of a car door slamming and looked outside, watching as that Lorne guy left.  He was whistling so apparently it was good news. He yawned and looked at the couch, then at himself.  He took off his bandoliers, putting them on a table, then his boots and jeans joined them.  He started to lay back down but he heard a quiet moan and got up again, heading for Charley's bedroom as quietly as he could.  He listened and she moaned again.  She wasn't in pain, he could tell that.  He sniffed and his tail and ears went stiff.  He nearly moaned at that scent. It was a wonderful scent. It meant she was in heat.  He debated going in there or not.  At least until he heard his name mentioned.  Since she had offered and all....

He snuck inside and paused to look at her.  She was laying on top of the sheets, her eyes scrunched closed, her mouth open, her hands under the red silk outfit.  It was like the blue one but much less demure. This one dipped and gaped in all the right spots.  He took a deeper sniff, then silently snuck closer.  This was the only manly sneaking he considered acceptable.  He knelt beside her on the bed, hesitantly reaching out to touch her.

"Oh, yes!" she moaned, arching up into his fingers.

Well, she had offered.  He climbed up there with her, kissing her deeply, letting his hands roam over her torso.  She flinched and looked up at him so he kissed her again, going back to what he had been doing.  She wasn't protesting.  She was enjoying it by her scent and her skin responses.  He found a tasty treat and focused on the nipple, making her arch up into his mouth.  "I've got you," he whispered between licks.  "All mine now."  He played with the other side while he licked and sucked, earning a few more good moans.  He switched sides and went to work on them.  Finally he kissed her again.  "Not that good?" he asked.

"They're not that good for me," she admitted, moving his hand to a better spot.

"That's not for fingers, that's for mouths," he said with a smirk, going down to taste her.  She arched up and her legs wrapped around his shoulders.  He worked around the soft, red silk for a while, then sat up and pulled them off her, tossing them aside.  He took her top too, sending it onto the floor.  "I liked it, but it's time to go on now."  He went back to what he had been doing, getting much closer now.  He was slurping and enjoying himself too much to stop when she started to wiggle, he just held her down and kept going.  He moaned into her as she got off, rubbing against the bed to get himself off. Next time he'd have to do more, but for now this was good for him.  He got her cleaned up and sat up, looking at her.  She was asleep with the sweetest smile on her face.  He decided to finish himself off in the bathroom and come back afterwards to clean her up.  He pulled the spare blankets out of the closet and laid down beside her, covering them both up.  She snuggled in and he kissed her on the forehead.  "Next time, I'm doing more," he whispered.  She stroked his chest and he grinned. Apparently she wasn't going to mind.

***

Charley woke up and something was different.  She was warm. She was also pinned down and someone was teasing her with his tongue.  Or at least she hoped it was a him. She looked down and found herself naked with Vinnie's head in the right spot.  "When did you come in?"

"Last night, when you were moaning my name."

"That wasn't a dream?" she asked.

He grinned at her. "If you want to consider it that."  He went back to what he was doing, making her arch up suddenly so he'd hit the right spot.  He teased it for a few minutes, then looked up at her.  "Up to you, sweetheart, do I keep going or do we do this for real this time?"

"We didn't...."  He shook his head, grinning up at her.  "Kiss?"  He crawled up her, kissing various spots on the way, then her mouth.  She moaned into it, arching up into his body.  "Please?" she whispered.  "I'm ready."

"Good."  He shimmied out of his boxers and tossed them over the end of the bed, moving into the proper position.  He slowly slid in, encountering a bit of resistence. "Charley?"

"Please," she begged.  "Condoms?"

"We eat through them," he admitted. "It'll be okay, I promise."  She nodded and he slowly pushed in, breaching that spot.  She whimpered but he slid in the rest of the way, stroking her until she calmed down and got back into it.  He kissed her again.  "Just let me know," he offered.  She nodded so he gave a trial thrust, making her moan and arch up into him.  He went back to it, slowly building up until she was clawing his back and arms, and he was going so hard the bed was rocking.   She came and went stiff, then slowly relaxed, a smile on her face.  He worked faster for a few minutes then came, letting out a small growl.  He attacked her mouth, kissing her frantically.  "You don't suck us in like our women do.  This is great!" he panted, continuing on.   He came again and then went limp across her, rolling onto his side to hold her.  "Thank you, Charley."

"Welcome, Vinnie," she said tiredly.  "Suck?"

"Yeah, we swell and Martian women seem to set up some sort of suction, like that machine they advertise in tv to save food by putting it in pouches."  He shrugged and stroked her back.  "It's nothing bad, but it's interesting.  I got much more fun with you because I could move."

"I'll have to remember that."  She tipped her head up and got the kiss she had been wanting.  "I need a nap."

"We both need a nap and a shower," he offered, kissing her again.  "I'll even help you remake the bed."  She grinned at that and rested against his chest.  "Wanna go out tonight?  There's a concert in the park."

"Sure," she agreed tiredly.  "Remind me later so I can shave."

"Why?  A bit of fur doesn't bother me, sweetheart."  He settled in to nap, holding her tightly.   "We're not going to have one of those 'girl' talks later, right?"

"Nope.  I'm taking it as it comes."

"Thank you."  He kissed her again then closed his eyes. "We'll get up soon."  He fell asleep, making her grin and use him as a pillow.  He was very warm, soft, and just hard enough for support. Even if he did snore.

***

Dawn was waiting outside Charley's room when she came out later, handing over the small blister pack of pills and can of rootbeer.  "Didn't figure you wanted to go.  Modo's momma made breakfast at the lair so hurry up and..." she glanced inside, then at her buddy, "clean up.  She seems like the sort to tease."  She grinned and walked off.

"Thanks, Dawn."

"Welcome. You'd do the same for me."  She headed back over there, grinning at Throttle, who had refused to let Xander sit by himself again this morning.  "I got them up.  They're showering."

"Vinnie's taking a *morning* shower?" Modo asked, smirking at Throttle.

"You know what this means, right?"

"We get to tease him to no end?" Modo suggested.

"Just don't do it to Charley or she'll swat you both," Xander said. "I can sit on my own."

"I'm being paranoid after yesterday."

"What happened yesterday?" Dawn asked as she sat down between the two mice.  Modo's mother was on his other side so it was apparently okay.  "How's Switch and the baby?"

"The baby is adorable and has Rimfire wanting one of his own someday. Fortunately not at the moment, but some day."  She patted her son's arm. "How about you, son?"

"Momma, there's no other mice down here and Throttle and Vinnie are taken."

"I can see that," she said, smirking at Throttle.  "Is he comfortable?"

"Barely weighs anything," he assured her.  "I can lift him with my tail."

"And often do onto the back of your bike," Dawn added dryly.  "What happened yesterday?"

"His newest rental car was smashed by a dump truck sitting on it and the building they just completed fell in," Throttle told her.  She winced.  "Fortunately no one was in there.  That's why we headed to the amusement park."

"Where I got hit on by a very persistent woman," Xander told her.  "Apparently she was going to change me back."

"I told her you were happy the way you were and that she was obviously evil and demented," Throttle assured him.  He stroked Xander's back.  "She didn't seem to believe me."

"If she shows up, I'll let Dawn fix her uglier-than-bad-reporters wardrobe issues and we'll just make out in front of her," he said dryly.  "I'm sure she'll stop sometime, or she's a fag hag and she'll get off."

"Xander, this is breakfast," Dawn said patiently.  "That's a lunch discussion."

"Speaking of, aren't you supposed to be having lunch at school about now?" Throttle asked.

"Holiday."

"Yeah, right," Xander snorted.  "Did you call?"

"Of course," she assured him happily.  Vinnie and Charley came in together.  "Morning."

"Morning," Vinnie said, smirking at her.  "Thank you for the timely offer this morning."

"More than happy to help."

"You did what?" Modo asked.

"She got me some medicine to help settle me after yesterday," Charley told him.  Vinnie smirked at her so she hit him on the arm.  "Shut up."

"Sure, Charley."  He pulled food down, handing it over to her first.  "Eat."

"At least she's not in your lap," Dawn teased.

"He'd get into trouble if I let him sit alone," Throttle said blandly.  Then he smirked.  "We're taking this weekend off.  Any emergencies, someone can pretend to be us."

"Meg might want to be me, she vowed I was going into a game," Xander said smugly, grabbing a piece of bacon to nibble on.  Throttle took one last bite and handed him the plate so he could refill it and eat.  "Thanks, dear."

"Welcome, Xander."  He looked at Modo's mother, who was giving him an odd look.  "I take these moods," he reminded her.

"Yes, but Carbine used to try to pull your ears off."  She put more bacon onto Xander's plate.  "You'll probably need it."

Xander beamed and nodded.  "Probably.  Throttle wanted me to put in another shower downstairs."

"A whole bathroom would be nice so we don't have to hike to the garage when Dawn's having a girl moment."

"Hey, I didn't take nearly as long as Meg when she got stuck in that chainmail bikini."

"Why was she wearing one of those?" Modo's mother asked calmly.  "You humans seem to dress mostly like us."

"Meg designs video games and she dresses like her characters to get a feel for it," Vinnie told her with a grin.  "She's worn a fur bikini, a chainmail bikini, goth clothes, and an elf costume for a few days."

"She was allergic to the glue for the ear tips," Xander told him.  "That's why she quit wearing the elf clothes and carrying around the long bow."

"Bow?" Modo's mother asked.

"We're a bit odd, but fun," Dawn assured her. "We're mostly harmless unless you're attacking."

"I saw the weapons."  Everyone pointed at Xander, who coughed and blushed but ate another bite of breakfast.  "Ah.   No wonder the boys like you so much.  Do you bike?"

"I've got balance problems," he told her.  "I sometimes get dizzy riding behind these guys."

"He does," Modo agreed.  "He got sick yesterday."

"That was that ugly woman in the ugly clothes," Xander told him.

"He was dizzy," Throttle corrected.  "He doesn't like to be dizzy.  I think you should see if you can get in this week, Xan."

"I've called and made an appointment, but I can't get in for nearly three weeks.  He's the best guy in the city."

"Fine.  I'll make sure you go."  Throttle stroked his back again.  "Eat faster."

"I said I could sit in my own seat."  He tried to move but a tail went around his waist and pulled back against Throttle's chest.  "You comfy?" he asked with a smirk.  Throttle nodded, smirking back.  "Fine.  Can I eat?"  Throttle handed him the plate.  "Thanks, dad."

"Welcome, brat.   Eat faster and we'll go for a ride before hitting Home Depot."

"Cool beans.  We have to stop at the car rental place too."

"They deliver."

"Yeah, tomorrow."

"We can live with only one shower for another week," Throttle promised.

"Can we put in a full bathroom?" Dawn asked.  "I know we've got a drain outlet down there."

"Actually, one of the smaller rooms has everything necessary.  I was thinking it'd have to happen some day, like if there might be kids or Switch and Stoker had to run down here permanently to get away from Carbine."

"She's a nice girl," Modo's momma protested.

"Bet me," he snorted.  "She hates my cats.  She told me I wasn't good enough to even look at Throttle's bike, much less him.  She told me that she didn't like the layout of the lair."

"She was being mean and vindictive," Modo's momma said reasonably.

"She broke us up, not me," Throttle pointed out.  "By the way, I kicked her tail for that last one, Xander.  I like the design.  We've slept together for so long that it'll take time to adjust to having our own rooms."

"I put Momma in the guest room," Modo offered.

"Good!  I built it that way to make sure you guys had room for others.  Then I figured you guys would break apart and pick rooms."

"We will, some day," Throttle offered, patting him on the back again.  "We should go look at the building when we cash those checks."

"I saw it yesterday, it was a huge crater with pieces hanging on," Vinnie assured him.  "Maybe we can help on the destruction crew."

"Uh-huh.  Merle promised I get to blow up anything we have to destroy," Xander told him.  He smirked at him. "But you can whoop and cheer me on."

"Sure. You did a good job taking down the outside of this one and Limburger tower," Vinnie agreed.

Charley nodded. "You did.  It was impressive how the tower just folded in on itself.  There wasn't hardly any debris outside of the fences."

"Yeah, it was a good job," Modo agreed with a grin.  "What are they doing about those tunnels?"

"They're not digging any more of them," Xander said dryly.  "There's now eighty lawsuits from various people and organizations.  They're a bit pissed at themselves."  He looked at Throttle.  "I've got to hit the insurance company too."

"Sure.  Eat."  Xander dug in, snatching another muffin Dawn had been eyeing.  "Where did you want to go this weekend?"  Xander shrugged.  "No choice?"

"Woods or water?" Xander suggested between bites.  He scraped the plate and got up, taking it into the kitchen to put into the dishwasher.  He turned it on since it was full and went back.  "Okay, to run the dishwasher, you put soap crystals in the little cup, close the door, flip the switch on the handle to lock it, and turn the knob one click."  He gathered up the other dirty plates, taking them into the sink.  He noticed it wasn't running and sighed, getting down to hook the dishwasher into the sink's lines.  "I need my tools!" he yelled.  "We never hooked it up!"

"Coming, Xander," Dawn called back.  She came in a few minutes later with his belt.  "Anything I can do?"

"Yeah, turn off the water and get me a drain bucket."

"Sure."  She handed over a pan and went to do the other thing.  "Water's going off for about twenty minutes, people."  She found the main line knob and turned it off.  'Other way' floated down.  She turned it the other way, and since no one yelled she went back up the stairs.  Modo's mother was watching Xander work.  So she went to pounce on Throttle.  "Can we work on the blocking stuff?"

"Sure.  Go change."  She nodded, going to do that.  He peered into the kitchen, then looked at Modo.  "Why did she come down?"

"Carbine told her we were living in squalor and eating vegetables," he said dryly, smirking at him.  "Momma's getting pushy with Carbine."

"Ah.  Good enough.  You think she cares?"

Modo shook his head.  "Not really.  You're not her kids really so she just wants you to be happy."  He sipped his rootbeer.  "I think Xander's being looked at oddly but otherwise it's all right."

"I'm surprised Stoker didn't warn her," Charley said dryly.

"He probably did," Vinnie said smugly, giving her a nudge.  "Need help today?"

"Probably."  Someone pounded on the door so she went to get it.  The guy standing there had a smoking engine.  "Sorry, let me head over there and open the door for you," she said with a gentle smile.  She walked around, heading in through the back door so she could turn off the alarm.  Then she hit the switch and waved him inside.  "Bring it in, sir.  What happened?"

"I was making a right turn and it started to smoke," he said grimly.  "I don't know why."

"Sure.  Give me ten minutes to poke around.  Go ahead and have a seat and let's see what I can find."  She heard another car and nodded at Meg to go next door.  She nodded and headed over there.

"Friend of yours?" he asked, blinking a few times at the girl's outfit.

"She designs video games and she has to get into character," Charley said with a smile for him. "She's a nice girl."  She got back to work.  "Your fan belt's broken and I'm thinking it's an overheating problem this time."  She came out and got a tool to help remove the belt, holding it up.  "Yeah, we can't even patch this thing, it'll need replaced.  That'll start the fan, which has some burnt wires too."

"A new fan?" he asked hopefully.

"I'm not seeing any other heat damage so I'm going to say yes," she told him.  He smiled at that. "It's still going to be costly."

"Yeah, but it's less costly than a new engine."

"True."  She went to call her parts supplier, getting him to deliver one.  She looked at him.  "Parts will be two hundred dollars."  He nodded.  "Labor will be about an extra hundred and I may be able to get it in tonight."

"Thank you, ma'am.  I'll be back then.  Can I call a cab?"

"Phone's behind you on the wall."  He got up and pulled it down, glancing in the office, then at her.

She groaned and blushed.  "It fell out of a box I was putting in the attic last night.  One of my friends were teasing with it."

"Oh.  That's fine, it's your life."  He called the cab number he knew.  "Hi, I need picked up at the Last Chance garage.  Thank you, that would be fine."  He hung up.  "It'll be a few minutes."

"That's fine."  She got busy taking out the fan, blowing on her fingers when she touched a very hot part.  She hitched the lift's chain around it and lifted it out, putting it on the ground.  "Yeah, that's fully burnt out."  Even he winced at the blackened spots. She checked behind it, nodding.  "I can't see any other damage but you'll probably want to do an oil change soon.  Heat like this can thicken it.  It looks okay now but watch for changes like that."

"Sure.  Did you want to do that?"

"It would add to the price so I always let the customer decide," she said, glancing back at him.  He was smiling at that.  She heard a bike go past and shook her head.  "Those boys."

"It was a red bike if that helps."

"Yeah, that's a Vinnie," she said dryly.  "Was he alone?"

"No.  There was a guy on the back."

"That would be a Xander," she quipped.  He chuckled.  "Xander's a great spoiler so I'm assuming Vinnie's taking him to deal with something like that."  She looked over as a truck pulled up, wincing at the condition of the car attached to the back.  "Hey, Merle."

"Hey, Charley.  I called last night but you were gone."

"Yeah, we took Vinnie to Six Flags so he'd calm down."  He chuckled.  "Did it totally fall in?"

"Yup, and my car fell last week."  He patted it.  "Can you work me in?"

"After this one.  Go ahead and have him park it outside to the right and I'll get the guys to help push it in later."

"Thanks.  I know it's got some body damage but it won't start."

"It fell ten feet, Merle, I'm guessing it's loose or cracked."  He nodded.  "I'll call tonight to let you know."

"Thanks, Charley.  We love you guys.  Where were they going?"

She shrugged.  "Xander and Vinnie?  It could be anywhere."

"Point," he admitted dryly.  He went to tell the tow truck driver where to park his poor car.  Then he left, catching a ride with Modo since he was going out.  "So, what's new?"

"My momma's in.  She upset Xander," he admitted.  "Vinnie stomped off and Xander went with him."

"Yeah, we passed by them.  Where are they headed?"

"Not a clue.  I'll drop you off at home though."  He sped that way, letting Merle off outside his doorway.  Then he turned to go in a different direction.  "Lil' Hoss, can you find him?  Vinnie's upset again."  The bike beeped and sped up, heading in a different direction.  The lake.  "Water?  Vinnie?"   He shook his head.  "Xander."  He sped up, going to calm him down and apologize.  His momma didn't mean what she said, she just didn't understand. Yet.  She would be soon.  He had left Dawn that fight.  He found Xander in the lake and Vinnie leaning against his bike.  "He okay?"

"Nope," Vinnie said simply.  He looked up at him.  "Your mother?"

"Dawn."  He looked out there.  "Xander, she didn't mean it."

"She said it, she meant it," he called back. He dove down and didn't come up for a while.

"Should we go diving to make sure he's okay?" Modo asked after a few minutes.

"Probably," Vinnie sighed, getting up and stripping down, but Xander came back up before he could get his boots off.  "Good breath control."

"Must be that swimming stuff."  Modo got off and walked down there.  "Xander, she didn't mean it," he said more quietly.  Xander stared at him.  "She didn't, Xander.  I know she didn't.  She was shocked and she was reacting. Mars didn't have many aliens on it.  She's probably never seen a mixed couple."

"Well, now she has and it's not exactly what she thought, is it?" he said dryly.  "I'll be out later.  Head home, Modo.  Maybe you can calm her down or stop Dawn from making her cry."

"Yeah, maybe," he agreed.  "You sure?"

Xander nodded.  "Go.  She's your mother.  If anyone can make her see sense, it's you.  Not that I think it's possible, but go for it."  He dove down again.

"Don't do that!" Vinnie shouted.  "You're worrying us."  He looked at Modo.  "Go make her see sense, Bro.  Before Throttle gets into the shouting."  Modo nodded, heading back to their place to try to control the damage.  He heard a bike a few minutes later and looked at Throttle.  "He's still under the water."

"How long?"

Vinnie checked his watch.  "He should be coming up in a second."  Xander broke and came up gasping.  "Quit that!"

"Go home, I've got it," Throttle said calmly. "She's seen sense and is going to be apologizing later."  Vinnie nodded, heading off.  Throttle moved down to the water's edge, looking at his mate.  "Hey."

"Hey.  She still living?"

"Yeah, Dawn kept herself from pulling her hair out."  He leaned on his handlebars.  "You ready to head home?"  Xander shook his head.  "You can't really do much else with as wet as you are."

"I'll be fine.  I'm going to play in the park in the sunshine."

"I can do that."

"No, you can go home," Xander said firmly.

Throttle, remembering that Dawn had told him Xander often pushed people away, shook his head. "Nope, not happenin'.  Come on, we'll go for a ride."

"I'll ruin your leather."

"She'll dry, the same as you will.  Come on.  Don't make me come get you," he said with a smirk.  "Then we'll both be wet and I'll catch a cold.  We wouldn't be able to go to Pennsylvania this weekend."

"We're going to Pennsylvania?" he asked as he came out.  "I was just going to sit and think."

"You don't have any cash on you, or if you do it's wet and so are your cards.  You're soaked.  Besides, I have a headache from Dawn's screeching."

"I'm sorry."

"Not an issue.  It wasn't your thing, it was hers."  He shifted, letting Xander have his usual spot.  "Come on."  Xander grabbed his helmet off the beach and got on behind him, noticing the bike shivered because he started to move.  "No."  He wrapped his tail around him and took off slowly.  Xander didn't need to be covered in sand.  He felt Xander shift.  "Move closer.  It'll help your balance."

"Then you'll be wet."

"I'll dry."  He reached back and yanked him closer, wrapping the arm he had grabbed around him.  "Better.  Cuddle up, it'll help you dry."  Xander moved closer and rested against his back, cheek pressed against his shoulder.  He felt a gentle kiss and grinned.  "Ditto."

"Thanks."

"I like coming for you.  It's what we hero studs do.  We save people, even from themselves."  He patted the arms around him.  "Besides, you're good enough to ride my bike, you're good enough to meet Modo's mother and be yourself.  She'll learn to love you too.  It'll just take a week."

"Hmm, hopefully."  He gave him a squeeze.  "Thank you for helping with my nightmares."

"Not an issue.  You calmed mine, I calmed yours.  It seems they cancel each other out."  He headed into the main park, heading for an open, sunny spot without a lot of people.  His radio crackled to life. "Yeah?" he asked.

"Momma said she's willing to go home if he's that upset," Modo told him.

"Fat chance," Throttle told him.  "Tell her I said that and then go disable her ship."  He clicked off. "She's gone past upset and all the way to 'she'll leave if it upsets you'."

"Fat chance.  Modo needs his momma."

"That's what I told him."  He stopped, letting Xander off at the playground.  It was empty so he parked, getting out to go push him on the swing the boy was sitting on.  Xander squeaked but didn't do more than look at him.  "You looked like you needed a push."

"Yeah, maybe.  But you can't call me kid ever again."

"Not an issue."  He smirked as he pushed him higher.  "Don't jump," he called.

"That would make me ache again."  Xander slowly slowed down, but he was smiling.  "Thanks."

"You're welcome.  It's like nature's blow dryer."  Xander laughed and hugged him, then led him off to walk with him.  This was better.  Much nicer than earlier.

***

Xander walked into his room in the lair and found his laundry neatly folded on his bed.  "Hey, the washer works," he said in awe, changing out of his still-damp clothes into something more dry.  Throttle came in and gave him a hug, making him grin at him.  "Someone did laundry."

"I can see that.  You're wearing one of my t-shirts.  Looks good on you though."  He kissed the back of the boy's neck.  "I got us a small room at a small motel this weekend.  Just us.  No Dawn, no bros, no distractions," he said quietly.  "Is that good for you?"

"It's great for me," he agreed, turning around to hug him.  "Thank you.  You spoil very well."

"I'm trying to," he admitted.  "Just a quiet weekend away.  Just the two of us."  He stole a kiss.

"I'm foreseeing a need to pack very little," Xander teased.

"We're taking the bike so that might be a good idea," Throttle agreed dryly.  He stole one last kiss.  "Come on, let's go."  Xander nodded, pulling on a pair of socks to follow him up the ramp.  They found Modo's mother cleaning.  "You don't have to do that.  That's Dawn's chore," Throttle told her.  She jumped and looked at him.  "It is."

"Maybe but it hadn't been done in days."

"We're mostly guys.  We don't really clean every day."  Xander subtly leaned against Throttle's arm.  "When we're gone this weekend, you can teach Dawn how to be a less girly girl."

"I'm sorry, son."

"I'm hoping it was shock, but I don't care," he told her.  "You're not my mother and I don't have to care."  She nodded, understanding that.  "If you start to like me, that's all you.  I'm not going to move in either way."

"I understand," she agreed.  "I am sorry.  It was momentary stupidity.  I was...shocked.  No one's ever been with anyone other than a mouse around me."

"I get it."  He shrugged.  "It happens.  There weren't many people of other races in the town I grew up in.  I stared for hours at the first African-American man I saw.  He was nice about it after I told him I'd never seen anyone like him before.  I invited him to come back to the town and bring all his friends because we needed people who weren't white bread, semi-normal, and stupid.  He laughed."  Throttle gave him a nudge and a grin.  "I did.  I was stripping at that time too.  He was another dancer at the club."

Throttle shook his head.  "You're so bad some days."

"You stripped?"

"It was a job," Xander said with a shrug. He headed for the kitchen, noticing the dish washer was running and his soda was not in the fridge.  He found one stuffed in the bottom drawer, where he had hidden a few from Vinnie and Dawn.  "We need more soda."

"I doubt it," Throttle told him.  Xander came out of the kitchen.  "You had nearly a case."

"It's gone now," he said dryly.

"Charley stole some," Momma told him.  "She said she was out."

"That's fine, I'll go over to help her later."  He looked at Throttle.  "You know I've got over a week off, right?"  He nodded.  "They still won't hand over the permit for the next job."

"I wouldn't either, not to anything near that gasline project," Momma offered.  "Why is it collapsing?"

"We had to chase someone who was tunneling under the city but that was in another part of the city," Throttle told her.  "It shouldn't be near any of that."

"It's not, but there's an older dig-out from a proposed subway.  They gave it up because it was too dangerous."  He opened his soda, taking his first sip of the day.  "Will it be okay at this place?"

"Yeah, Dawn found it for me.  She said Tara heard about it but never got to go.  It's got woods, a pool, and special rooms for gay couples and for lesbian couples. They've got a separate part for het people."

"So if we like it, we'll recommend atrocity boy take Charley," he said with a smirk.

"It's nice, he was so tired he passed out on her couch."

"He slept on her *couch*?" Momma asked dryly.

"That's where he started," Throttle offered with a smirk.  He pulled Xander closer, kissing him.  "Pack comfortable clothes.  We'll go for a few walks and things."

"Swimming?"

"It might be cold."

"And?"

"You don't have fur, Xander. You can catch cold."

"Hot peppers cure that," he said with a smirk.  He kissed him and got free, heading over to help Charley.  "Hey, need me?"

"No, Vinnie is doing the hauling today."  She looked him over.  "You okay?"

"I'm fine, now."  He took another drink.  "I found an altar under the lake."

"Altar?"  She straightened up and looked at him.  "Altar?"

"Altar.  Carved with runes, flat top, altar."

"Why?"

"I'm guessing they dumped it," he admitted.  "You sure you don't need help?"

"No, I'm fine.  Go play on your computer."  He nodded, going to do that.  She went back to work, shaking her head.  She nearly had the fan put back in and the belt was waiting for her.  She would get to Merle's car shortly.

***

Xander looked up as his plate was put in front of him, then handed it to Throttle.  Momma looked at him.

"Xander doesn't eat hotdogs," Throttle told her.  "He knows what goes into them."

"Ah."  She handed over the special plate Dawn had made.  "Then I suppose she made that for you."  He smiled and dug in, eating quickly.  "Slow down. You'll choke and then what'll Throttle do tonight for fun?"

Throttle blushed.  "Not until this weekend," he muttered.  Xander nudged him, then looked at his plate.  He held it up to him and Xander took a bite, smirking at him.  "Cheese!"  He put it down.  "I thought it tasted funny."

"No they don't," Vinnie told him.

"They taste fine to me," Modo said, staring at Xander.  "They're tofu dogs," he said.  Xander nodded, smirking at him.  "Momma!"

"They were on top of the freezer, boys.  Eat 'em anyway.  If Vinnie can't tell the difference, you can't."

"I can now," he said, putting it aside.  "Dawnie!"

"What?  I didn't make dinner, she wouldn't let me."  She ate a bite of his hotdog, then nodded. "They're better than the meatless hamburgers."

Xander nodded at that.  "Those are gross."  He looked at Throttle. "You've got to eat it.  You have to clean your plate.  Come on, I can eat those."

"Go ahead."

Xander kissed him.  "I reward good boys," he whispered in his ear, making it twitch.

"Then what do the others get?" he asked with a smirk.  "It'd better be good."  Xander nodded, so he finished that one quickly.  He looked at the other one.  Then he looked at Vinnie.  "We should feed Charley girl tonight."

Vinnie snickered. "I say we make Xander eat them since he bought them," he said sweetly.

"I only bought ten," Xander told him.  "How many were fixed?"

"About eighteen," Momma admitted.  They groaned.  "Just eat!  Now, Modo.  You need food to be a big, strong boy and whip tail."  He grumbled but ate.  "Vinnie?"  He whimpered. "Now!  You'll eat it or I'll whip your tail myself."

"If I have to," he whined. He scarfed the last hotdog on his plate, not wanting to taste it.  He didn't care if it was a real one, he was going to get Xander for this.  "Where are you two going this weekend?"

"Pennsylvania," Throttle told him, getting relaxed next to his mate.  Xander was curled next to him and was reading.  "What's that?"  It was held up.  "Star Trek comes in books?"  Xander nodded, going back to reading.  He looked around.  "Where's the Andrew cat?"

"If he's the black one, he ran out earlier," Momma offered.  "I think he found a female."

"He's gay," Modo told her.  "He's always humping his brother."

"Then his momma, Tara cat, gets onto him about it and swats him," Xander agreed as he read.  He saw a tail tip and teased it with his fingertip. "Hi.  How are you today, tail?"  He glanced at Throttle, who was giving him an odd look.  He licked his bottom lip and bit it.  Throttle's tail moved, teasing his neck.  He giggled and ran a finger up the tail.  "Hi."

"Go to your room, you shouldn't do that in front of the child," Momma ordered.

"The child is waiting until she's found more than a quick moment in a closet to go for it.  Don't worry though, Dawn knows more than enough about sex.  Sleeping in the room next to the slutty slayer was very informative.  As was cable and the books that she found in her lesbian aunts' room."  Tara cat glared at her so she gave her a smug look. "Willow sent me to look for that sweater for you."  The cat snorted and laid her head back down. "Don't worry, when I'm ready, it'll be a great date, a long drive, then a nice night in a hotel so I don't have four or five extra-large people breathing down the guy's neck."

"We'll know him long before then, right?" Xander said patiently.

"Oh, hell yeah. When I'm ready, I'll bring him over and show him off.  That'll be weeks before we get down to it.  By then, I'll know a lot more about him too."

"Good.  Just don't get pregnant and don't tell your sister I said that."

"Of course not," she said patiently.  She found her Russian textbook and opened it.   She muttered and then tossed it, getting up to get the ones she wanted to learn.  "I'm switching from Russian to Spanish and Hindi.  Anyone mind?"  No one said anything.  "Good.  Yo, Micah, you mind?"  No answer from a ringing phone so she shrugged.  "Fine.  Then I'm switching tomorrow.  Russian is confusing."  The main phone rang so she went to answer it.  "Yeah?"  She snorted.  "Because I'm confused.  I like Spanish, it makes sense.  Hindi seems easier.  You're kidding."  She groaned.  "It's hard!"  She nodded. "Fine.  That makes two hard classes and I hate physics, you know that, right?"  He said something.  "Fine.  I'll stay in Russian.  Can I study Hindi on the side?"  He must have said yes since she was smiling.  "Does that mean I can take it officially?  That way I can get out of gym.  I don't need it anyway."  She smirked.  "Thanks, Lorne.  Have a good night.  Why are you still in town?"  He said something.  "Oh, okay then.  Yes, I'm going to school tomorrow.  Have a nice night."  She hung up.  "I get out of gym."

"Congrats," Xander agreed.  "I hated dodge ball."

"We don't play that here, it's been outlawed because it's mean."

"Yes, it is," he agreed dryly.  He looked at her.  "Remember to learn how to cook in your languages so you seem like you belong in them."

"Yes, Xander.  Can I go on a trip over there?  Just to improve my language skills?"

"Once you're in college."

"Thanks."  She settled down to take his advice, using the other textbook.  It was a bit before the one she was using and it explained things better.  She'd have to talk to the teacher tomorrow.  She tried the other book's first lesson after the secondary book's first lesson. It was a lot easier.  She'd have to get Lorne a nice present for helping her that way. Even if he did want her to stay in physics for no reason.

Throttle stood up and hauled Xander up.  "Come on.  You can show me this email stuff."

"Sure."  He put down his book and went to teach him how to use the computer.  He'd never do it to Vinnie, he'd break it the first time it froze.  He started it and looked at the picture that was coming up.  "Dawn!  Don't change the wallpaper!"

"Sorry."

He shook his head and changed it back, making Throttle chuckle.  "What?"

"There's a picture of us on there."

Xander changed it to that one, then clicked the 'okay' button.  It loaded and he pulled a chair over.  "Okay, to get online, you have to click on a browser.  Since we've got a cable connection, the internet is always on.  I like Netscape.  Others like Explorer.  I think it's slow but some sites don't work right without it."

"Okay, so it's a decide yourself.  Got it," Throttle agreed, watching as he loaded his email.  "It's online?  Isn't that dangerous?"

"No, dangerous is if you're using a program that downloads it onto your computer.  Then you get viruses and it's nasty.  Online is generally safer.  Just remember, don't download anything you're not sure about and never download from your email unless you're *sure* it's been scanned and it's not a threat.  Most online services have a scanner built in these days."  He waved a hand.  "My email.  Let's see, since last night, there's one from Sarah, one from Meg and Oz, one just from Meg.  One just from Oz, saying that Meg has a virus on her computer, and one from spam."  He deleted that one.  "Spam is like junk mail."  He looked at the one from Oz first.  "Hmm, definitely a virus.  But this was hours after she sent that one.  Okay, I'm going to do something stupid, which you should never do.  I'm going to click on Meg's email.  My anti-virus is up to date but I have this funny feeling it was well before the virus took over. Sometimes I get these feelings and I've learned to trust them."  He opened it and read it, being interrupted by a pop-up window.  "It's Sarah."

Throttle read the screen.  "I know you're there," he muttered.

Xander typed in.  "I am, I'm reading my email.  Is this a hoax from Meg's virus or am I going to be getting very upset soon?"

"Virus?"

"Yeah, Oz sent a message saying she had a virus.  The one before his was from her and it had this nice thing about a hacker and Limburger."

"Not a clue," Throttle read.  "Go ahead and read though, I'll ask someone who's on the other screen."

Xander groaned and typed in a single 'k' and went back to reading.

"Can I?" Throttle asked.

"Sure.  I won't need the keyboard."  He handed the keyboard over.  "Put it on your lap, it'll help."

Throttle did as ordered, letting Xander move the chat window off to the side while he read.  He typed in, "Hi."

"You must be Throttle, sweetie.  You used a capital letter and punctuation.  Most of us online don't cap and a few don't know what a punctuation mark is online."

He snorted and typed in, "yeah, it's me.  I wanted to meet more of Xander's friends.  He never talks about you.  Though, Meg does."

"My dear cousin is a wonderful gossip," Sarah typed back.  "Brb."

"Brb?" he asked.

"Be right back."  Xander switched messages, going to look at Sarah's.  His eyes narrowed then he nodded, moving to the one after that, which was Meg and Oz's.  That one was the virus and he deleted it.  He went back to Sarah's message and reread it, then looked at Throttle.  "Look at what someone very generous did."

Throttle leaned closer, reading.  Then he shook his head.  "Okay, if they insist."  He looked at the chat window, noticing the jumble of letters.  "What did I do?"

"You leaned on the keyboard."  He took it and deleted it.  Then he typed in, "Huh?  Want an explanation, Sarah.  This is not of the happy-making for me."  She sent back something that had clearly been translated.  Xander read it then shook his head.  "You're still going to have a problem with that idea.  Things like IRS Feebs?  Like Micah, because I'm guessing he's not going to be amused much with that."

"We're giving him some of it," she protested.

"Fine, then we'll have to deal with the IRS Feebs too."  His phone rang so he pulled it off the charger.  "Yeah?"  He listened to the quiet male voice that he didn't know on the other end.  "Fine," he agreed.  "Not mine though.  Give it to the others.  I know.  Fine, however, dude, I'm for it then.  I'll let 'em know.  Sure.  Then we thank you.  It'll make our lives more easy."  He smirked.  "Sure.  So, are you Gregori?"  The man chuckled and hung up, so he typed in to Sarah, "tell Gregori he seemed very nice and I'll tell them.  Let me know, 'kay?  I need to know beforehand to make plans."  He closed the program and looked at Throttle, then smirked.  "Go get everyone.  It's a family announcement."  Throttle looked confused but he did that.  Xander clicked on a link in his bookmarks, typing in his password and user name, looking at the balance.  He reloaded it and it changed, so he pulled up a calculator to figure up the difference.  "Decent," he decided.  He closed everything and headed out to the lounge area.  "Charley too," he said patiently.

"She's coming," Vinnie said mildly.  "New threat?" he asked hopefully.

"Not unless you consider gifts from hackers to be threats."

"Only if they're a computer virus," Dawn complained.

"No, this one found some hidden bank accounts," Xander told her.  Charley walked in and he smirked at her.  "You're aware that these three do not have social security numbers?"  She nodded, grimacing at that.  "So that means that when the hackers found Limburger's money, they could only send it to bank accounts that had social security numbers.  Which is you, me, and Dawnie."  She gaped and Vinnie caught her as she sat down.  "Yeah, so we're officially in charge of giving these three big, sweet guys an allowance every week since we don't have the stuff to get them their own accounts.  Some's in yours, some's in mine, and Dawn's got a small savings account that just got some.  We've got to figure out what we're doing."

"Sure," Charley agreed.

"I'm all for giving them their own account under someone's name and giving them ATM cards," Dawn offered.  She grinned at Vinnie.  "This means she'll expect lots of good presents now, buddy boy."

"Not an issue."  He nuzzled her fondly.  She swatted at him, making him chuckle.

"How much?" Throttle asked.

"In my account, it about doubled.  Just under doubled."  Throttle looked impressed.  "They found his hidden accounts.  They're looking for other accounts at the moment."  His phone rang so he went back to get it.  "Yeah?"  He listened to the upset sounding person on the other end.  "I didn't do it!  Don't yell at me!  So, talk to them!  Not a clue, dude.  Not a fricken' clue.  Sarah only IM's me, I never added her as a buddy as a show of respect for her paranoid nature."  He looked at the computer, canceling the screensaver.  "Hold on."  He typed in a message to her, getting one back immediately.  "Okay, slutprincesssmiyu, all one word, on AOHell."  Micah groaned.  "Don't give me that.  So go home and use the computer."  He snorted.  "Yeah, and?  It's not mine.  We're going to transfer it over to them.  Yes, I know they don't.  We were going to set up another account and give them ATM and check writing privileges."

He nodded.  "Sure, I can do that.  Make sure you get them cards and stuff.  Decent," he said happily, walking back into the living room. "It's Micah, he's figuring out how to get you guys your own account."  He listened as Micah typed that in.  "Yeah, no, miyu.  Like the anime."  He snickered.  "No, I didn't take you as one who watched anime.  Cartoons and comics, but not anime."  He leaned against Throttle, listening as he typed.  "Okay, then we need a plan.  Is that workable?"  He nodded.  "Sure.  Two days."  He hung up.  "Two days and everything will be shifted to your own account, he'll have ATM cards and checks for you guys, plus semi-legitimate ID's in case you ever need them.  He said it was about time.  He also said NASA saw a ship heading this way and they're not Martian.  He thinks it's a threat, he's not sure."

Throttle coughed.  "He can do that?"

"He's got the ear of the president.  He's just recently taken Carbine, the prez and the vice prez out to a demon club to give them proof he can't argue with.  The prez spent most of the time staring at Carbine.  Apparently he finally reached over and tweaked her ear so she slapped his hand and growled.  The VP was impressed, they were talking weapons and fuel sources.  I didn't know you guys had oil."

"It's nasty, but I guess it's useful," Vinnie offered.

"Hey, we can't invade you because of it," Charley said wit a smirk.  "So they worked something out?"

"Yeah, they worked something out.  Micah said things were working out well enough.  Micah's in charge of all of that though," he said with a smirk for Throttle.  Who smirked back.  "Between those two, they'll keep things out of the wrong hands."  Everyone nodded at that.  "So, in two days, you guys will have some funds from Limburger's private stock.  Some of it was sent to Micah, some of was sent to you four."

"I don't need it," Charley said quickly.

"I'm guessing it's like a pain and suffering judgement in a civil suit," Dawn told her.  "What about you, Xander?"

"Honey, I came into it late.  I don't need it or deserve it.  They need it *and* deserve it."  He winked.  "Besides, I got Watcher money."

"Yay.  I've got a trust for when I'm twenty-one," Dawn offered.  "Not that much though."

"Ehh, I'm not as loaded as I'd like to be, but I'm not gonna complain about a few mil."  He smirked at Modo's mother. "If I had more, I'd buy an island."

"I can't see you as the ruler of a country," Charley teased.  "That'd be one hedonistic place with a lot of explosions."

"Sounds like my sort of place," Vinnie joked, wrapping an arm around her waist.  "Two days?"

"Yeah, two days."  He looked at Throttle again, he was being quiet.  "You okay with that?"

"I'm good with that actually.  All except the theft."

"He won't need it anymore and it was stolen in the first place," Xander told him.  "Behind most big, old school money families is a crime or crimes," he advised.  "No one said you have to use it if you don't want to, but it was felt you guys deserved it more."

"Take a salary and set up a charity," Dawn suggested.  "Make people happy with it."  She looked at Xander.  "I've got to apply for college soon."

"And?" he asked.

"Fees.  Tuition. That stuff?"

"Your sister is paying," he said dryly.  "If not, I will, but she's paying.  Giles said so."

"Sure."  She beamed at him.  "Anything else?"  He shook his head.  "Then I'm going to adjourn to the hellish halls of homework and the future torture of a wool skirt again tomorrow."  She skipped down to her room.

"She's very lively," Modo's mother offered.

"You're telling me," Xander said flatly, making her chuckle.  "We can both be that way."  He walked over and looked at Modo, catching his eye.  "You gonna be okay?"

"I'm just shocked."

"Good."  He patted him on the head. "Speaking of bed, I'm off for it too.  Laters all.  Vinnie, if you get up first, go get pastries."  He headed down to his room, finding a cat sitting on it staring at him.  "Hey, Joyce."  He scratched her head.  "What's up?"  She purred and rubbed against him, giving him as much love as she could.  "Thanks, love you too."  He glanced outside.  "Do you approve?"  She licked his fingers so he scratched behind her ears.  "I'm taking that as a yes?"  She smirked up at him and headed over to take care of her daughter.  Dawn obviously needed a more feminine touch.

"Hey, mommy."  She came to the door.  "Is that her?"  He nodded.  "You're sure?"

"Yeah, pretty muchly."  He opened his arms, giving her a hug.  "Do you mind?" he whispered.

She pulled back and punched him on the arm, making him moan.  "Hell no and if you do stupid stuff and make him dump you I'm going to kick your white ass, Xander."  She trotted back to her room to talk to her mother.  She had missed her.

Throttle came in and kissed him.  "Now that you've gotten approval, we good?"  Xander nodded, stilling rubbing his arm.  "She's gotten better."

"I noticed.  I think she bruised me," he joked, looking at his arm.  Sure enough, there was a bruise.  He looked up and shook his head. Then he grabbed him and pulled his head down, kissing him.  "Think we can do anything before we get interrupted?"

"No.  Modo said the toilet's still running."

"Dawn, go fix the toilet," Xander called.

"Sure.  The chain needs shortened again."

Xander smirked and kissed him again.  "Come here, little mousey, let's play."

Throttle smirked at him.  "Little?" he taunted, standing up to his full height and taking off his vest.  "Little mice don't come with muscles like these."

"True, they don't.  I'm wondering more about thigh muscles though," he said, moving backward.  He tossed all the clean clothes onto the floor then took off the t-shirt he was borrowing, tossing it onto the other side.  He got to his knees on the bed and undid his jeans, winking a bit.

"Gonna strip for me for real?"

"If you want."  He stood up, moving all of the clothes out of the way.  He moved closer, slowly swaying his hips.  Each movement lowered his zipper a bit more until his pants were gaping.  He ran a finger up Throttle's chest then stole a kiss.  He wiggled and his jeans fell, allowing him to step out of them.  He rubbed against the covered thigh, earning a moan and a grin.  "I think you're overdressed."  He teasingly flicked the tab of his zipper, earning a deeper moan.  He could feel him tightening in there so he got back onto the bed, on his knees, and opened them with his teeth.  Throttle shivered but let him do whatever he wanted.  He felt his jeans slip down and heard the heated moan.

"Hmm, no underwear is good," Xander moaned, leaning over to take his first sniff.  "Manly sweat.  Soft too," he said after stroking his cheek on the left thigh.  He saw Throttle's toes curl and did it again, looking up at him.  He reached up to gently run his palm up the hard length, watching as it swelled around and got longer.  "Nice.  Very nice."  This time his palm added a brief touch of his fingers too.  Throttle was shaking now.  "Did you want me to stop?" he asked, his breath hitting the soft flesh.  The flesh around the hard cock was like velvet, low plush velvet.  He reached out to lick off a drop of fluid with just the tip of his tongue.

Throttle picked up the tease, tossing him onto the bed.  He stepped out of his jeans and looked at the boxers.  "You won't be needing those."  He took them off and tossed them onto the floor.  He stood there, watching the boy shift for his pleasure and enjoyment.  The boy even reached down to stroke himself.  "That's my job."

"It is, but I can do it while you watch," he offered.  He arched up at a harder stroke, moaning a bit.  He licked his hand then went back to it.  He winked and stroked himself slowly.

Throttle got onto the bed and moved the hand, doing it himself.  "Mine."

"If you want it."

"I agree with Dawn.  If you make me dump you, I'm going to kidnap you first and make you change your mind."  He stole a kiss, pulling Xander against his body.  The boy moaned in contact with his body.  "Like furry men?"

"I never used to but your fur is very soft.  It's like a good velvet."  He ran his hand up the tight muscles, making his lover shiver.  "I think I like fur.  At least tan fur over really hard muscles and under leather and jeans."  He stole another kiss then pulled back to rub himself against the soft fur.  He moaned, shifting back to do it again.  "Oh, yeah."

Throttle pinned the boy under him, staring down at him.  "It's yours to stroke and pet."  He stole another kiss.  One of his hands started on the hard cock but Xander stopped him by flipping them over, rubbing them together while he was straddled across his lap.  "You're in a dangerous spot."

"I like danger, but that's for this weekend," he said darkly, leaning down to steal a kiss then go back to rubbing against the soft body.  Throttle arched up against him and Xander  shifted, holding them both together.  He did a few strokes that way then released him and moved to stroke into the area between the soft thigh and the softer cock and balls.  Throttle got the mirror spot on him and it was good.  He came with a hitch in his breath, leaning down to clean up after himself.  He hadn't wanted to make the fur messy.  Throttle pulled him up once he was done, turning him onto his side to finish himself off on Xander's stomach.  Xander tasted it then half-closed his eyes and moaned.  "You taste like bitter chocolate."

"Really?" he asked, taking a kiss.  He ran a finger across Xander's cock and tasted it.  "You're like some meat-flavored cracker."  Xander lunged in to kiss him again, starting to work him again.  "Not yet," he moaned, pulling back.  "Relax, you've got time.  We've got time."

"Not really.  There's never enough time."  He moved down to clean him up.

Throttle gripped the sheets in one hand, Xander's head in the other, and tried so hard not to make him go down on him. "Cheese, Xander!" he moaned.  "More!"

"Some of us need sleep," Dawn called patiently.  "I'm doing a muting charm."  Then suddenly everything was blocked out.

"Wow, I'm starting to like that magic stuff," Throttle said weakly.  Xander lapped up him and he arched up, but Xander only licked the head.  "Please, no more teasing."

"I'm not teasing."  Xander sucked on the head, and Throttle lost the fight with himself, pushing him to go down.  And go down he did.  As far down as he could.  He started to pull back but he felt the swelling start and got stuck.  He finally pulled back, panting.  "Sorry, swelling."

"Sorry, it's a biological response.  The women create suction."

"That's gotta suck, no thrust."  He stroked him, watching as it swelled.  "It done?"  Throttle nodded, still gripping the bed.  So Xander grinned and went back down. All the way down.  Throttle arched up again and Xander pushed his legs together to lay on.  He came up and then went back down slowly, playing his tongue around the whole way down.

"Xander!" Throttle moaned.  "Please, now!"  Xander swallowed while he was all the way down and it was all it took.  Throttle let go, watching as Xander came back up to drink him down.  He went limp, staring at him in awe. "You took it?"

"Of course.  You taste good.  You taste like bitter chocolate and sweat," he said, taking another kiss.  "I could easily get my chocolate fix each and every morning."  He kissed him again.

"I can't do that."

"A hand job would be nice."

"I can do more than that," he promised, heading right for what he wanted.  Xander's taste was so alien but seductive.  He smelled like sweat, manly sweat, and salt, but he had a slightly sweet and a slightly bitter undertaste.  He did the best he could but he knew he wasn't as good as Xander was.  He did make it most of the way down.  He managed to drive him to chanting and rocking his hips, driving him insane.  He paused and looked up.   "Did you want anything else?"

"Please!" he keened, arching up.  "Please, Throttle, please, baby, please!  I didn't tease you!"

Throttle went back down, sucking and slurping the whole way down.  Xander arched up, swearing in a language he didn't know, and let it go.  He swallowed most of it, then cleaned up the rest.  He came back up and Xander cleaned up the few drops on his face.  Throttle pulled him closer, holding him, kissing him gently to calm him back down.  By the time Xander was back down to panting and cuddling, he was nearly asleep but Xander was yawning too.  Xander wormed his way between his head and the shoulder against the bed.  One arm went around his chest, one leg over his hips.  "More dangerous territory," he said tiredly.

"Not tonight, but this weekend," he vowed.  "Even if I have to ride up there with a butt plug so we can stop on the way."  He put a kiss on the side of his neck and then closed his eyes.  "Night.  Love you."

"Night, Xan.  Love you too," he offered gently, stroking his back.  They were both asleep within minutes.  That's why neither of them saw Dawn sneak in with her digital camera and take a few pictures, then close the door and go upload them for Meg.

Her response of "I knew they'd be cute" was enough to make Dawn chuckle, but she left it there.

The End.
 

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