Author: BmblBee
Paring: S/X
Rating: Adult
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the
characters in this story and make no
money off them.
Summary: AU. Xander is a young man
living in an Amish community when he
finds himself confronted by the evil of a
vampire.
STRONG WARNING: although done in a respectful
manner, this story deals with religious issues. If you
find that offensive DO NOT READ.
Xander knelt down at the side of the small buggy.
He could remember the evening three weeks ago
when he had been bringing his mother home from
her church women's meeting that the axel cracked
when they hit a pot hole.
Thank goodness they were almost home and he was
able to walk the horse slowly and prevent any further
damage.
Just three weeks ago. So much had changed.
In the light of the last couple days that night seems
years gone past. He had been so naive then.
A book knowledge of evil but no real sense that it
actually existed. Now he knew that evil personally.
He was, in fact, on a first named basis with it.
"Think you can fix it?"
Xander jumped straight in the air.
He had been so focused on the buggy and
his own thoughts he didn't hear Willow's approach.
Clutching his chest, Xander staggered backward.
"Good grief, Sister. You very nearly scared ten years
off my life. What are you about sneaking up on me like
that?"
Totally unoffended, Willow leaned against the buggy.
"If you saw me coming you would try to run off.
What are you hiding, Brother? I know something is
very wrong. You have been avoiding me. What is it?"
Xander ached with his whole being to tell her. He had
never kept a secret from his sister, especially since she
seemed to know everything anyway.
But this was different.
This was a secret for her safety.
"It is not your concern, Willow. It is something I have
to handle on my own."
"We have never had secrets, Xander, and we won't now.
You will tell me or I will go directly to Father, and for
some reason I know you don't want that."
"NO!"
Xander reached out and gripped her arm.
"Please. Willow. Look all I can tell you is that I am
being tested. It is a test that must come to all young men
my age. The chance to prove my faith. I must do this
alone, and I don't dare fail."
Frowning, Willow placed her hand over Xander's affectionately.
"Brother, God does not send evil to test us. To make us
prove something. You are being deceived. Let me help you.
What has it to do with the barn? Is that why you are
spending so much time there?"
Xander had only lost his temper once with Willow
and that was when they were small children. She had
broken his favorite toy. A wooden wagon and he was
sorely tempted to hit her.
Luckily his Mother had intervened and explained that
God still loved him no matter how many time he messed
up or how make mistakes he made, could he do less for
a sister he loved?
Remembering that, he held his temper. "I will not discuss
this further. You must respect my wish to handle it alone.
The test will be complete in one week. I promise to
explain it to you then. Please Willow, trust me."
"I do trust you Xander, but I warn you, I will not stand by
and allow you to be hurt. You have one week, and I will
be watching."
Willow turned and stomped off toward the house.
Xander smiled as he watched her go.
His smile slipped slightly as he remembered the demon's
words.
Willow, a witch, what nonsense. Yet he said a witch
was not an evil thing and Willow did seem connected
to the earth.
She did often know things that could not be explained.
Xander shook his head to clear his thoughts. He did make
one decision, though. He would not cringe or cower from
the demon.
He would go to him this evening and he wanted some
answers, but this time he would be in charge of the questions.
Once he had made the decision, Xander felt much better.
His task went smoothly and before he realized it the day was
at end.
Wiping the grease off his hands, Xander put away his tools
and set the wheel to the side of the buggy. He was pleased
to find that none of the spokes or rim had been damaged
and with a new axel they would be repaired in no time.
Feeling much more light hearted, Xander headed for home
and supper. For the first time in the last two days he was
hungry enough to eat a horse.
Jacob sat back in his chair and belched. "Excellent supper
Mother. I believe I may just explode."
Jess smiled as she stood to start to clear the table.
"Well I hope not. That would make twice the mess
that Willow and I must clean this evening."
Jacob could only pretend for a moment to be offended
before joining the rest of the family in a good laugh.
Willow and Jess began the clean up and Jacob was
preoccupied with packing his pipe for an evening smoke.
Xander slipped out unnoticed.
Hurrying to the barn he lit and hung a lantern inside the door.
"Show yourself Demon. You want to talk? Well I'm
here to talk."
The voice that spoke to him was directly behind him and
murmured low in his ear.
"Been waiting for you Xander."
Xander tripped as he turned and instinctively tried to back
away. Catching him before he could fall, Spike pulled
him in close and pressed his lips flush against Xander's.
Xander felt as though he had been hit in the head with a shovel.
Part of him was simply amazed that anything else could shock
him considering the situation he had found himself in.
Part of him was overwhelmed with the wonderful feeling
that coursed through his body.
The second part was the one that scared him the most.
"Why did you do that?" Xander wiped his mouth on the
back of his sleeve.
Spike just shrugged. "Dunno. Just felt like it. You have nice
lips you know. All soft and warm. I'll probably have to do it
again sometime."
Xander was beginning to wonder where all that confidence
and resolve were that he came in here with.