Bored!!
 

Xander looked up when Greg came into the study, grinning at him.  "How was surfing?"

"Good."  He sat down. "I'm bored.  You?"

"I would be but Danny's making me balance my checkbook."  He frowned and went back to his receipts.  It took ten more minutes before he threw the pen and stood up.  "Shopping?"

"Shopping's nice."  He looked at himself. "Let me change."

"Sure."  Xander went to do the same thing, coming out wearing real clothes.  He grinned at Greg's more laid back style.  "Ready?"

"Wallet and things?"

Xander nodded, going back to get them, coming back out with his wallet, watch, and phone.  "Okay, now I'm ready."  They headed out to his corvette.  Greg got radio privileges while he drove them.  "Higher end, lower end, jeans?" he asked.

"Let's stay lower end today.  I'm not really comfortable going into the higher end stores."  Xander nodded and turned onto a new street, taking them to a mall.  Greg smiled at that.  "This is cool. I haven't been in a mall in ages."  They parked and got out, heading inside.  Xander hit an ATM, maxing out his draw limit on two cards, handing Greg all the money.  "Sure, I'll be the keeper today."  Xander beamed at that and they went into the first store, the music store.  Their styles didn't agree with each other but it was still fun.  They came out and into a fight.

"No!"

"Yes!" the other teenager yelled back.

"No, it's creepy and nasty!"

Xander caught the hand trying to lift his wallet, squeezing it until the kid screamed.  He looked at him.  "Trying to lift my wallet is very stupid," he said, handing him to the security guard.  "He was trying lift my wallet. I only squeezed."

"He was," Greg agreed.  He patted himself down then the boy down, finding Xander's wallet.  "See?"  The guard just stared at him.  "I'm a former CSI."

"Is that like a fed?"

"No, that's like the crime scene cops," Xander told him.

"OH!"  He nodded, getting it now.  "Okay.  Thank you, gentlemen.  Where are the two girls who were his distraction?"

Xander pointed.  "Sword shop."  That got a nod and he sent his fellow guards in to get them while he and Greg went to look at clothes.  "We should get you a sword.  It's the family activity."

Greg smiled.  "Then I could learn those dances that way."  That got a smile and they went to do that before dumping the first round of bags in the trunk.  They heard the kids going at it again up the mall and headed that way, Greg coughing loudly.  They splintered off and ran.  "Good reflexes," he praised.

"Very."  He looked at the person who had the hand on his ass.  "Only do that if you mean it, baby."  She gasped and backed off.  "Really.  I'm not that pettable."  She ran off in a third direction.  "Good."

"Theft, the fun family business," Greg quipped, heading off to get a snack then find more stuff for Xander to do.  Because they were still bored.  They even went into the computer program store, finding an accounting software package that didn't look *too* hard to use.  By the time they were done it was only three.  They had another snack.  Greg looked across his sundae.  "Still bored?"

"Hell yes," he moaned.  Greg nodded that he was too.  "Higher end shopping?  Leather?"

"Leather's nice but I look dorky in leather."  He ate another bite.  "Hair appointment?  Spa time?"

"Tomorrow and tomorrow."

"Crap."  They both ate another bite.  "Higher end shopping for holiday gifts and stuff?"

"Already done," Xander sighed. "I'm *seriously* bored."

"Yeah, me too," he admitted.  He finished his sundae and stole one of Xander's fries.  "Well, that leaves two alternatives.  Getting into trouble or finding something to do."

"They're the same," Calleigh said as she walked up to them, giving them a look.  "Neither of you answer your phones?"

They patted themselves down and groaned.  "Lost them," Greg said, shrugging.  "We stopped the pickpockets from getting our wallets."

"It was probably petting woman," Xander complained.  He shifted and let her sit next to him.  "We're bored."

"I can tell.  Why don't you two visit the bookstore or the local college."  Xander burst out laughing.  "I know, you and books don't get along well," she sighed. "Greg might find a class he wants to take."

"Nothing I haven't taken before," he complained.  "I'm going to start being one of the society's research chemists starting next month," he said.  Xander beamed at him.  "It'll be pretty cool.  I'll have a small building downtown to terrorize with my chemistry experiments."  He ate another stolen fry.  Xander pushed the plate over.  "We really do have to find something to do on the boring days."

"Well, today you both need new phones," she offered.  They nodded at that and pointed behind them at the phone store.  They both had plans through the same place.  She sighed.  "You two could do something with the safety deposit boxes."

"The guy I like knows who to come to," Xander reminded her.  "Besides, I don't have hardly any at home.  Only in my packs for traveling money.  We could do that," he told Greg.  "Go realm traveling."

"No," Calleigh said firmly.  "Not without Ryan.  You know better, Xander."  He pouted at her.  "Tough. You still need a protector for when you're asleep and things.  Greg can't use a sword yet."  Greg nodded she was right.  "See?  Today get new phones, talk to your jewelry guy.  Go do the laundry in your packs. Get things to spoil the furry ones."

"Beauty already has a sapphire collar," he told her. "George has rubies."

She looked at him.  "Why?"

"Because they were in my way."

"How much did you pay to have them made?"

"I brought stuff into my jewelry guy and one of the ferrets.  I paid him another stone."  He shrugged.  "Not like I care."

"Point," she said weakly.  "The next group dinner is Friday."

"I know.  I've already got food.  Plus all the laundry's finally done."

"You could ask the jewelry guy if there were classes on gem evaluation," Greg offered.  "That way you wouldn't have to go to someone else."

"Maybe.  The guy in New York said it was a degree."

That got stereo nods.  "Go riding," Calleigh suggested.

"We could," Greg agreed. "Would Ryan mind?"  Xander nodded.  "He does?"

"Yup, he pouted because the last time I wore her out on the day he wanted to ride her. It's his usual day."  He sipped his soda.  "Does your new lab need anything?" he asked Greg.

"No, the society's giving me everything I'll need," he admitted.  "I'm testing substances to find other things that we're all allergic to."

Xander nodded at that, finishing his soda. "Then I'm still bored."

"Me too," Greg sighed.

"Guys, you two are pitiful.  Get new phones, take the new stuff home, teach Greg more of the dance stuff."

"I already know them," Greg told her.  "I got a sword so I can learn that part."

"Good.  It's handy."  She got up.  "Take him to refill your kit, Greg.  We might need you to sub in for vacation times."  Greg brightened at that and nodded.  "See, now go get new phones and call Danny.  He's paranoid."  She walked off, going to get a snack and head back to work.

They gathered up their trash and headed to get new phones.  It didn't take that long and the forms to replace theirs were pretty easy.  Then they headed out to find the supply shop for stuff Greg would need.  He found a spy shop first and went in there, finding some of it.  The rest was found at a Police Supply store downtown.  Xander had a ball in the spy store, making Greg grin when he explained what some things were for.  They walked out with a lot of the stock.  Then they went to the other place, finding the rest of what Greg needed.  That had more sour salesmen but that was fine.  Greg showed his old ID.  "I'm moving down here and I might need to temp in for Caine," he offered.  That got a nod and he headed back to start picking up stuff he had wanted.  Xander looked over his shoulder.  "Fingerprint powders.  Different types for different surfaces."

"Oh."  He looked at him.  "Get whatever you need.  I'm in a spoiling mood."  Greg moaned and got a new case to start filling.  He didn't need a second case but it was nice!  By the time he got done, he had cleaned their section out too.  He had stuff for any sort of scene, even an underwater one.  He rolled the case back to the register, weathering the amused looks.  "I'm in a spoiling mood," Xander defended, scowling at him. "Greggy's my buddy and part-time protector."

"You're that Harris guy," he said, staring him down.  Xander beamed and nodded.  "Why are you picking up another part-time CSI as a protector?"

"Because his department treated him bad and Greg's my friend," he said patiently.  "Did Horatio and them need anything?"

He considered it. "It would be unethical for me to make you buy them stuff," he decided. Xander pouted and put down his unlimited card, making him moan.  He rang Greg up and then the twelve gift cards the boy put down.  Greg picked up a nearby catalog.  "You're going to set up a home lab?"

"I'm doing research chemistry on the side."  He flipped through it while the card ran.  This one always seemed to take forever. Xander took the catalog and oohed over stuff.  "No, Xander."

Xander blinked at him, giving him the puppy eyed look.  "They could use it and it'll make Miami safer for me."

"It would," he agreed, mentally starting to cave. "You can ask Speed if they need anything."  Xander beamed and nodded.  "Maybe you can use some of the safety deposit box to do that."

"I can," he agreed happily.  He waved the catalog and got a nod so he tucked it into his bag that he was carrying.  He was being helpful.  Greg looked at his new case, then at the guy, who smirked and nodded that he had rung it up too.  "Yes, you needed it. Your other one was tiny.  This can be your storage closet, Greg."  Greg sighed and picked up the really heavy new storage case and brought it out to the car.  Plus the other two bags Xander had left.  He would never run out of things again.  Including lab coats.  Xander pointed at a uniform supply place and he shook his head.  "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Greg promised. "I have plenty of lab coats and I wear normal clothes when I work."  Xander nodded and drove them to the station, separating out bags there in the parking lot.  He watched while Xander went inside, shaking his head at the amused looking officers.  "He's bored," he called quietly. "He found the spy and CSI gear shops."  That got a moan from Frank as he walked past him.  "He's got a catalog, Frank.  Warn Horatio?"

"Oh, I'm sure he's already hearing the babble by now.  How about you?"

"He helped me restock my kit and get stuff to put in the closet in case I run out."  Frank just smirked.  "He did."  He got out and found the bag with the gift cards, texting that to Xander.  He came jogging out and got them, going back inside.  He grinned.  "I suggested he use some of the safety deposit box if Horatio needed something from the catalog."

"Good job.  We still have to clean out his stashes, Sanders.  Help him with that and nark?"

"Sure," he agreed.  Eric walked Xander out and put him back behind the wheel of the car.  "Was he being bad?"

"He was tempting us to let him buy us stuff."  He looked at the new case, then at Greg.  "You'll never be able to carry that at a scene."

"It's his storage closet," Xander defended.

"It is," Greg agreed, letting him into it so he could see that stuff and the stuff from the spy shop.  Eric moaned and walked off, going to tell Horatio what he had done this time.  Xander looked at him and shrugged. "If he's jealous all he has to do is ask."

"You're a dangerous man to know," Frank said as he headed back inside. "Be good and go home, boys."

"Yes, daddy," they called in unison, then giggled when he frowned at them.  Xander drove them home, going to put stuff up.

Greg looked at him.  "Frank said you still had storage areas you needed to clean out?"

"Oops."  He considered it then nodded.  "I do.  We can do that.  It'll take a few hours so start dinner?"  Greg nodded, going to start dinner so all they had to do was reheat stuff.  Then Xander changed into tight jeans, making Greg look.  "Change."  Greg went to put on more comfortable clothes, getting a nod.  He and Xander headed out again after a quick play session with the dogs.

***

Danny parked behind the corvette later that night, looking at how low the trunk was.  "Xander?" he called, heading for the house.  "What's in your trunk?"

"A bag," he called.

"Of what?  A body?" he complained. He walked into the kitchen and got ambushed by Greg, who hid behind him.  "Did he pounce you?" he asked dryly.

"Worse, he spoiled me and then we went to clean out his other hidden areas. There were two I had to wear blindfolds while we drove there and there's a boat."

"It's only a rental boat," Xander defended.  Danny whimpered.  "I'll turn it back in once I've got everything off it," he promised, stealing a kiss.  "We made dinner."

"I can smell that."  He walked in to sniff the casserole.  "That'll be good.  Go drag the other stuff inside and let's see how you did on the checkbook."  Xander gave him a sheepish look.  "Xander."

"I got stuck and frustrated," he defended.

"We bought a new money management program to help him with that," Greg offered.  Danny gave him an odd look.  "We went to the mall."

"Oh, crap," he sighed, heading into his room to find all the bags on the bed.  "Xander, if you buy more clothes you have to clean out the closets," he complained.

"It's mostly not clothes," Xander called before walking in and kissing him again.  "Besides, it's mostly clothes for you and Don."  He beamed proudly and walked off again.  "Come eat."

Danny looked up and said a silent prayer for patience to Cupid, then he went to get dinner.  "Drag the bags into the practice room, like usual," he ordered.  Xander nodded, going out to do that with the dogs' help.  Danny ate, watching the few things float in.  "Are they too heavy to lift?"

"Yup," Greg agreed.  "There were only four bags in the trunk, Danny.  We made seven stops and most of it was in smaller things that went inside one of the larger bags."  Danny stuffed his mouth before he could say anything.  "Frank suggested we go clean those areas out."

"I want to see the boat."

"I want to see the boat.  I was blindfolded."

"Where else did you two go?"  Greg gave him a look.  "Seriously."  Greg looked toward the practice area, then pulled out a list and handed it over. "Thanks."   He tucked it into his shirt pocket.  The other two bags got floated in.  "How many spots do you two have to visit tomorrow?"

"Two or three."

"Can we take the boat out?" Greg called.

"I don't know how to drive the boat.  I'm renting it off the owner."

"I can drive a small boat," Greg offered. "I did it on Lake Meade."  Xander bounced back and hugged him then went back to fussing and hiding the four bags.  He looked at Danny.  "We should check the boat first."

"We should.  Just in case it's got drugs or something on it."  He finished up his first serving and went to get more, checking the corvette.  "You left the trunk up."

"Hubert's in there sniffing."

Danny went out to rescue the dragon, finding him pawing at something. "What's that, boy?"  He used his pocket knife to scrape it up since it looked like gum.  Then he looked at the house.  "Xander!"  He came to the door.  "Come here, dear."  He came over.  Danny held up the putty.  "What's this?"

"I don't know.  It was in one of the bags."  He took his dragon back and closed the trunk, then went back inside.  "Come eat.  Don won't be home for an hour."

Danny called his boss.  "Horatio, me.  Xander came home with stuff that looked like putty on one of his newly hidden bags.  Can I borrow your hummer for a few?"  He smirked.  "I'm not sure.  That's why I want to check."  He grinned.  "Thanks, boss."  He hung up and leaned inside, accepting his soda.  "I'm going to analyze this.  Just in case it's not good if it gets too warm or anything."

"Sure.  It's not explosives."

"It could be something new, Xander."  He headed to Horatio's getting into the back of the hummer there in his driveway.  Speed came out.  "Frank suggested they go to the hidden spots," he said in a sing-song voice.  "Also, there's a boat he's renting.  The good thing is that Greg suggested Xander use some of the safety deposit boxes if the lab needed anything."

"It's very tempting," Speed moaned.  "Very, very tempting."  He looked at the test results.  "Huh.  Is it in the bag or on the bag?"

"He said in."  They shared a look.  "Hey, boss?"  Horatio came to the door with a dish towel over one shoulder. "You wanna see this one?" he asked with a smirk.  Horatio came out to look at the report then he moaned.  "He said it was in one of the bags."

"We'll be out in an hour, Danny."  He headed back inside, slamming the door.

"This was more of the poker stuff, right?" Speed asked.

"I hope so. Otherwise I get to scream and throw a fit, right?"  Speed nodded, patting him on the back.  "Should we go see the boat tonight?"

"No, let's hit the house tonight and then we'll go see the boat Friday night."

Danny nodded, heading back home.  He found Don already there and eating.  "Xander, this is from the former poker stuff, right?"

"Yeah," he said cautiously, taking a step back.

"Freeze," Don ordered.  Xander gave him a pitiful look.  "It came from who and where?"

"Um...."

Greg leaned out of the study.  "Don't ask me, I don't have a clue."

"It's stuff someone, someone human, gave me," Xander said cautiously, backing up another step.

Danny caught him. "I ask because that stuff was an explosive."  Xander moaned at that, shaking his head.  "Horatio's going to come over in a while to make sure it's all safe.  Friday, we're going to go look at the boat you're renting.  Maybe take it out."

"I can't sail."

"That's something I wouldn't care if you took lessons in," Danny offered.  "It's a skill that could come in handy some day."  Xander beamed at that.  "Thinking about that?"

"Yup.  I've been gaining courage to take it out on the water and praying the Coast Guard wouldn't pull me over for not having a license."

Don gave him a kiss on the cheek.  "Good dinner."  Xander beamed.  "You and Greg, if he wants, can both take the lessons, Xander.  It could come in really handy some year."  Xander nodded, going to find people who gave lessons in the phone book.  He looked at Danny.  "Explosives?"

"Really old plastic explosives."

"Should I make Mac a plate too?" Xander called from the living room.  The dragon belched.  "Eww!  Outside!"  The dragon shuffled outside, going to puke and eat it again on the lawn.  Xander came in to get the kitty/ferret litter scooper to pick up the mess.  "He's sorry."

"It happens to all animals sometime," Don said prosaically.  "Can we see this stuff before they get here?"

"Are you sure?  That way they could hold you down if you got upset," Xander quipped.

"Xander, baby, already upset," Don assured him with a smile.  "Show us.  They'll be here soon I'm sure."  Xander sighed and took them into the practice room, moving the tarp covering the bags so they could dig into them.

Danny looked at it and the weapons, shaking his head.  "Nope, sorry."

"I can use a gun."

"No.  Some of those are illegal."

"Sorry," Xander said, looking sheepish.  "I need to get the stuff out of the one bag."

"Go ahead," Greg agreed as he walked in with Mac, Horatio, and Speed.

"Mac, I made dinner with Greg's help."

"That's okay, Xander.  Stella cooked. Thank you anyway."  They walked him away, sitting him in Greg's lap.  "Let us look and see what's legal."

Speed looked at him.  "Poker?"

"New admirer," Don said dryly.  "Xander, do we have his name?"

"One of the poker buddies I accidentally hormoned. I protested."

"I know you did," Horatio agreed. "I had one of those a few years back, Xander.  Relax, it's all right. We're not blaming you unless you bought them."

"I didn't but I did ask if I could have his AK rifle."  Horatio shrugged at that, getting into the bags.  He and Mac handled the explosives while the others counted weapons and stuff in the pockets of the bags.

Don held up a key.  "What's this to?"

"The boat," Xander told him. "It's a pretty boat."

"We'll see, Xander."  Xander nodded, snuggling back into Greg's arms.  "Good boy.  Greg?"

"I'm fine with being cuddled. He's a great cuddle."  He smiled at Xander, getting one back.  "Should we tell them about the teenagers at the mall?"

"We had to replace our phones. We got semi-mugged.  We stopped them from taking our wallets but didn't realize about the phones."

"It happens, boys," Mac promised.  He motioned Xander over.  "Did you *ask* for the explosives?"

"No, I mentioned how pretty they were."  He dug into a bag and held up a rifle. "I did ask for this one.  I wanted to know if he'd sell it to me."

"I hate to say it but those are useful presents," Greg offered. "Especially if we ever have to take him back, guys."

"There's a note in the bag of explosives that says he expected Xander to have to hand them over, they were old and he needed to get rid of it since it was going to be unstable within a few years," Horatio told Mac.  "I found another one in one of the bags of weapons saying that he needed to dump them and what better way than to give them to Xander since he'd have to hand them over."  Xander pouted.

"That means they were probably used in a crime," Don complained.  Xander wilted at that.  "The rest?"

Horatio and Mac shared a look.  "They are useful presents," Mac decided.  Horatio nodded at that.  "You'll have to put up a gun safe, Xander.  Just to keep them safe.  The dragon could probably fire one by accident."

"I can put them in the useful presents vault until I can find one," Xander agreed happily.  "Do you guys need to see the boat?  I'm renting it off one of the poker buddies you guys didn't arrest."

"Did Spot hit on any drug scents?" Speed asked patiently.

"I haven't brought the dogs," he admitted.  "That's why I wanted to know."

"Bring the dogs and Greg," Horatio ordered.  "If they do hit, call on one of us directly, Xander."  Xander nodded.  "Thank you."  He gave him a hug.  "Also for the presents.  It was a very useful one.  Mac, yours are in my desk."

"What sort of presents did he find?"

"We went to refill my kit," Greg told him.  "We went to the spy shop and the CSI shelf in the Officer Supply place."

"We have gift certificates," Horatio told him, getting a smile and hug from Xander.  "He was even naughty enough to tempt us by bringing in a catalog."  Mac moaned at that.

"Eric drug him off before I could be really tempted," Speed agreed.

"Greg suggested that if you did need anything I could use the stuff in the safety deposit boxes to afford it."

"That might work," Speed agreed, but his mate swatted him.  "Sorry, I'm being greedy.  I'll help you heft and tote, Xander."

"I can do it magically.  They're really heavy and I'm not sure which closet has room."  He floated them up with some concentration and down into the basement.

Danny looked at Greg.  "We have closets down there?  I thought we only had sex toys and beds, plus the pool with sex toys."  They heard a thump and Xander swear, so they all went down there.  Danny found the room Xander was putting the things back into the closet in.  "What's that stuff?"

"Stuff in storage."  He closed the closet and floated the bag to the other bedroom, stuffing them in the top of the closet in there.  He turned and found Danny and Don behind him.  "What?"

"Where did this stuff come from?"

"Across the realms," he said, looking confused.  "Mostly.  A few of them are Don's."

"Mine?" Don asked.

Xander nodded and led him back to the first bedroom, pulling out a few things and handing them over. "They came for you and you said to put them in the closet.   So I did."  He shrugged and went back to looking at the other closets down there.  He had to go upstairs to get the keys to the vault door, but he came back down to open it and check in there.  Just in case any demons had deposited or tried to take stuff out.  He heard the gasp and turned, finding Frank there.  "What?" he asked, pouting again.  He finished puttering and came out, going to get one of the bags of guns, putting it in there.  He backed out and locked it again, going to put the keys back before he lost them again. He came back down the stairs and found Horatio waiting on him.  "I'm being good," he defended at his amused look.  "I am!  I swear I am!"

"I know you are, Xander.  Now, not all of that stuff came from the other realms, did it?"  Xander nodded.  "All of that stuff came from the other realms?"

"Yeah, all four trips."

"Four?" he asked.  He smiled.  "I knew about two.  You didn't tell us about the other two?"

"Ryan didn't?"

"No, he didn't, Xander."  He moved closer and put an arm around his shoulders, walking him to where the others were peering in the closets.  "He said they all came from the other realm trips.  All four of them."

"Four?  Really?" Don asked, pulling out his phone.  "Delko, please drag Wolfe here by his short and curlies?  Because we've only heard funny stories from two realm trips and apparently there's been four?"  He heard what Ryan muttered.  "Wolfe," he said, staying pleasant.  "Here.  Now.  Right now."  He hung up and looked at his boyfriend.  "Four?"

"Four.  I didn't bring back anything from the others."

"Others?" Danny asked. "Not even a story for us?"

"Some of them were during the trip Ryan and I took so I could learn how to dance."

"Uh-huh," Don said, staring at him.  "When did we get closets down here?"

"When I begged Cupid to put them in?" he asked hesitantly.  Horatio's arm kept him from moving and Speed hugged him from behind.  "I'm being good!"

"You are," he agreed, "but we wanted more funny travel stories."

"Oh.  Well, Ryan said he'd tell you those this time."

"Yeah, but he didn't," Danny said. "Do we know what's in here?"

"We'll do a survey tomorrow," Greg offered.  "It'll keep us from getting bored again."  Xander got free and got it from the vault once he had the keys again, handing it over with a smile.  Then he went to put the keys back.

"Hold it, I want those," Don called.  Xander gave him an odd look.  "I want to see what's in there, Xander."

"No you don't."

"Yeah, I do."  He took the keys and went to get into the vault, whimpering.  "Xander?" he called weakly.  Horatio walked him in there and looked at the small case of jewels.  "What ever happened to the safety deposit box?"

"It's full."

Horatio looked at him.  "I think he's worried about home invasion, Xander."

"That's why I had the vault put in for the mildly expensive stuff."

"Where's the really expensive stuff?" Speed asked, realizing the slip he had made.

"In the other house?"

"The farm or across the realm in the other house?" Horatio pressed.

"Um, both?"  He hugged Horatio.  "I had a hidden house put out in the woods in case we need to hide someone and they can't come here."  He smiled.  "It's out in the woods and there's no direct road."

"It's a good idea, Xander.  If I need it, I'll come get the keys."  Xander smiled at that.  "Now, let's see some of the stunning stuff."

"Ryan will complain.  He whined the last time he caught me cleaning one."

"I want to see," Danny said, giving him a kiss.  "Just so I know what someone thinks you're worth because I know you're worth more."

Xander laughed.  "You're sucking up so bad."

Don poked Xander on the back. "Don't mean it's not a good reason.  Show us."  Xander nodded and got them out of the vault, locking it again.  Then he led them into the mirror house, leading them down to the basement down there, where everything else was stored.

Horatio looked around but it was Speed who asked what everyone was thinking.  "Is this separate stuff or is it mirrored from the other house?"

"No, it's the stuff that wouldn't fit over there."  He opened this vault and let them see, then went to look in one of the closets, then in a sealed room's slit.  He felt Greg come up behind him and let him see, hearing the light whimper.  "They wanted to see."

"Yeah, they did.  I'm going to get Ryan."  He went back to the other house and found Eric looking around.  "We're in the other house."  He grabbed Ryan.  "The room with the slit?" he hissed.  Ryan shrugged.  He walked him down there.  "Come on, Eric."

"Why do I have to come?"

"Because I'll need your help," Ryan admitted as he was drug off.  Horatio gave him a look.  "Yell at him!"

"I was being good," Xander defended.  "You said you were going to tell them more funny traveling stories. You didn't."

"That's because it's only funny when the whole family is sitting around and joking," Ryan said, thinking fast.  Eric and Frank both gave him a look. "It was."

"It was," Frank agreed, smirking at him.  "So what's all the stuff in the closet?"

"Stuff he found shopping in another realm."  Greg led him to the room he had found Xander looking in and he shrugged. "I have no idea. Xander, where did this thing come from?"

"Strife said it was given to me," he called.  He came out to get the keys from the vault door.  Then he unlocked that one so Ryan could see.  "It's pretty."

"It's...."  Ryan walked out and closed the door, locking it again.  "Hey, boss?" he called as he walked out.  Horatio met him in the hallway next to the pool.  He handed over the key.  "He said Strife gave him that."

"Four trips across realms?" Danny asked quietly.

"Four?"  He considered it at the horrified looks.  "Well, if we count the divergences we took while we were on that one realm, eight, ten.  Something like that.  Four of them he went shopping on."  They all stared at him.   "He was safe and I walked him around the bazaars.  Really.  He was very safe with me."

Frank looked at Xander.  "How many times have you went without Ryan?"  Xander had to count and think. It was enough to make them all, including Ryan, moan.

"Xander, didn't we agree I'd go with you?" Ryan prompted.

"I went with Star a few times."

"Star?" Danny asked.

"He's a buddy of Jesse's."

"Ahhhhhhhhh," Speed said, looking at Horatio, who shrugged.  "Have you met him?"

"No, I haven't.  Jesse seemed very nice."  He looked at Xander, hands on his hips.  "Xander?"

"Strife?  How many times have I went places without Ryan?" he called.

"Eighteen, twenty times," he called back patiently. "Only twice off realm."

"See, no problems."  Xander smiled.

"Lord Strife?" Horatio called patiently.  "How many times has Xander went off without anyone with him?"  No answer.  "Please, Lord Strife?"

"Sorry, had ta count," he admitted as he appeared.  "He's been off planet maybe twenty, thirty-two times."

"Thirty-two times," Danny said.

"Alone?" Horatio asked.

"Not always.  Star and Ryan went a few times."  He grinned at Xander.  "Did you remember the eggs?"  Xander nodded and drug him to the closet to dig them out, making him smile.  "Thanks, babe."  He kissed him on the forehead.  "Tell them.  The rush I'm getting at the moment is enough to make others worry," he whispered.

Xander gave him a look.  "I'm being good."

Strife shivered and tensed up, then hissed and let it out.  "Ohhh, babe, I love havin' you as mine," he purred, kissing him for real.

Cupid appeared. "Boys?" he asked dryly.  Xander grinned at him.  "Yes, I got a great jolt from you, Xander.  The same as he's high on the energy.  Tell them or I'll give them the film of it."  He took Strife and his eggs off.  A few minutes later someone that sounded like him shouted 'EEWWWWWWWWWW!  THAT'S SICK, STRIFE!  THAT'S FOOD!'.

Xander giggled and bounced out there.  "He asked me to pick those up."

"I'm sure he did," Danny agreed, smirking at him.

Ryan looked at him then dropped into the language they had learned when they had been taken with Horatio.  "Xander," he growled, moving closer.  "Confession is all that's going to save you from me dragging your ass in front of Ares and making him make you confess just like last time."  He moved closer when Xander just smiled.  "Xander," he said more patiently.  "You may be Strife's high priest, but even Strife has to answer to Ares and Ares is my Lord and Master.  If you don't tell me I'm going to have to try to get him here to ask you."  He grabbed him.  "Strifeling, tell us," he said, staring into his eyes.  "Or else I call and have him make you confess."

"I've taken small day trips to look and watch," he said in the same language.  "I went armed, I was good."

"How many?"

"Twenty times maybe."  Ares appeared.  "Lord Ares."

He stared at him, then at Horatio, then at Ryan.  Then back at Xander.  "Tell them.  That is an order."  He stroked Xander's hair down.  "Strifeling, I like that.  It suits you."  He smirked.  "Tell them about the temple hopping too, Strifeling."  He disappeared.

Xander glared at Ryan.  "I hate you."

"I'll remember that the next time I'm buried so far up your ass all you can do is scream," he taunted back.  "It's dangerous.  You knew that.  Even if you are armed it's still dangerous.  Anyone could've taken you and we wouldn't have been able to get you back.  Then what would've happened?"  Xander sighed and nodded.  So Ryan gave him a hug.  "Shh, I'm here.  We understand that you're bored senseless.  We're trying to find ways to help you.  Okay?"  Xander nodded.  "Good.  Now tell them.  Not just me and Horatio."

"Yes, Ryan."  He cleared his throat. "I got ordered to tell you guys about the temple hopping I've been doing.  I've been visiting some of Strife's temples to give him a boost now and then when I'm bored," he admitted in English.  Danny whimpered.  "Sorry."

"How many trips have you made without someone there to watch your back?" Greg asked.

"Twenty-five."

Greg kissed him.  "I'll start going with you once I'm up to it in my self-defense lessons, Xander."  Xander beamed at that.  "Now, tell them."

Xander led them to the piles of pillows next toe the pool and told them about the temples he had visited.  His boys all cuddled around him and Danny stared at Greg before pulling him closer too.  "You're allowed," Danny told him.

Don looked at Greg, then shrugged.  "Xander needs a buddy and you're a good one.  Even more fun than Ryan because he's a bit uptight now and then," he shared with a grin. Greg relaxed at that. "If you and he wanna do stuff, that's between you and he.  We've had a list of approved playmates for him for a while now, Greg.  We're realistic."

Greg grinned at Xander, who leaned down to kiss him again.  "Sure."  Xander beamed.  "Does that mean I can crash in the big bed now and then?"

"Sure," Danny agreed.  "You can help Xander cuddle Don."  Don smirked at him.  "You do cuddle more than anyone but Xander."

"Well, yeah, but I'm comfy."

"You make a great pillow," Xander promised with a grin. "Ooh, that means I can show you how to use the pool."  Speed moaned and put his head down to shake it and hide his blush.  "Tomorrow, when Frank's not here so he doesn't get to see that stuff."

"Thanks, Kid," Frank agreed, glancing at the pool then at him.  "So, no kidnaping attacks there?"

"Ten, twelve thousand," Strife called, sounding a bit tired.  "Still a rush for me."  He appeared and curled up behind Greg.  "We'll work on your self defense," he promised, giving him a squeeze. "My boy there needs more cuddles now and then.  You'll be his day boy and they can be his night boys.  How 'bout that?" he offered.

"I might like that," Greg agreed.  "But I could get cuddles?"

"You can have all the cuddles you want," Don agreed.  "However much we can give you and however far we decide on."  Greg nodded and gave him a hug.

"You're cute," Danny teased, fluffing Greg's hair.  "So, temple hopping and realm hopping?  What did you bring home?  Because there's some shit in those closets I have no idea what it is."  Xander went to get the lists and the more interesting stuff to show them.

***

Greg looked at the sword in his hand then at Xander and Ryan.  "I really have to use a sword?"

"And a gun," Ryan agreed, waving him on.  "Come on, Greg.  Time to use those dancing lessons to better use."  Greg nodded and he lunged, and his body found the movement comfortable.  Greg beamed and did what the dance had taught him, making Ryan smirk and nod.

Xander giggled and lunged over to help Greg, since it was his style of fighting too.  That way Ryan could watch and figure out to fight against him.

Ares appeared nearby, staying invisible.  He wanted to know how to counter what Xander could do as well and Ryan was the perfect puppet to experiment with.  Especially since Ryan was more used to Xander's style from all the practicing they had done.  He sipped his mead, watching them teach Greg how to use the sword they had found for him.  It was a cheap knock-off but it would hold up to anything except a battle.  The benefits of modern metals.  He smirked when Ryan moaned at something the boys were doing.  It was hot.  Then Xander ducked and spun, winking at him before attacking Ryan again, making him growl and defend himself.  Ryan smirked evilly and got back into it while Greg got a rest.

"I'll never be that good," Greg complained, shaking his head.  But they were hot.  He was getting hard just watching them.  Ryan finally won one and got Xander onto his back, his arms pinned by Ryan's knees, his hands and sword free.  "Finally!" Greg joked, patting him on the back.

"It only took me six months," he agreed, smirking at Xander.  "Now, what did I win?"  Xander thrust up against him, making him moan and tip his head back, coming hard.  "That's a good start, Xander, but I deserve more."

Xander pulled him down to kiss.  "You do and I'll even let you braid my hair, dear."

"That's your reward if you win."

"Ryan, please, even I want to wrap myself in his hair and stroke myself off in it," Greg complained.  "Remember, you guys have that whole pool in the basement to play in and wash that out of his hair."  Ryan got up and hauled Xander to his feet, dragging Greg with them.  "I...."

"Hush, to the winner go the spoils and this time I was the winner.  You can have one end of the pool while I tease this slut."

"Hey!" Xander complained but he was smirking. "That's hedonistic slut, thank you."

Ryan smirked at him.  "Don't worry, I won't forget that side."

Ares saluted them with his glass and disappeared.  Now he knew how to counter it.  The guard they kept wasn't always firm against their bodies.  Ryan had missed a few opportunities but they would've been kill shots.  He wouldn't do that to Xander, especially not in front of Greg, so that was reasonable.  The way he had chosen had been very... entertaining anyway.  He went to get himself off by watching the boys play and them teach Greg where everything was. They were very cute together.  Especially how Greg blushed now and then.

Strife appeared next to him to watch too, smirking in appreciation of how Ryan was treating his priest.  Because Ryan was very forceful but just enough of that was heat and passion to make it interesting. He sent a thought to Cupid, bringing him and a lounging sofa.  They enlarged the portal and Strife went to curl up with Cupid, pleasuring each other while they watched.

Ares could only shake his head.  Yes, Xander was a family activity.

TBC...

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