Xander in Miami by Draconia










Chapter one

Xander ducked under the weapon that was heading for his head, he spun with his axe before kicking up at another 
vampire that was attacking him. He spun flicking his bloody fringe out of his vision, kicking another in the knee 
making him go down giving one of the younger slayers enough time to stake him before moving on to another 
attacker.

Pain shot through his left shoulder, as he left arm became useless from the pain, he gripped his axe harder in his 
right spinning to decapitate the grinning vampire with a gun.

Just as quickly as the attack had started it stopped leaving the group of eight breathing hard.

“Any one down?” Xander called sliding his axe one handed into its carrier on his back.

“Bruises, a few cuts and one broken wrist.” One of the girls called back as they slowly took stock of their injuries.

“Back to base, get injuries seen too.”  He ordered, as he scanned the area, holding his left arm to his stomach 
keeping the weight off his shoulder. Only once he was sure the girls were seen too did he tend to himself.

Giles pulled the bullet from his shoulder and Dawn stitched it closed along with the long deep cup on his forehead.

“Xander you aren’t going to be able to go on patrol or train like this.” Giles held up his hand when Xander went to 
protest. “I know we’ve all done it all before, but before we didn’t have a choice.” He sighed. “Now we have more than
 enough people to cover for injuries so everyone has a chance to heal properly. Go take that vacation you’ve been 
dreaming about, it’s going to be at least two months including therapy before you’ll be up to full speed.” Xander 
sunk a little in to his chair as Dawn glared at him. “You’re well over due a vacation Xander you haven’t had one in 
nearly two years, instead you’ve made sure that everyone else has gotten one, which we’ve all appreciated but now 
it’s your turn.” He handed him a sealed envelope. “Take three months and recharge fully, be selfish for once Xander 
and look after yourself.” Giles ordered before kindly pushing him out of his office, tucking the envelope into his jacket
 before slamming the door.

Glaring at the closed door Xander made his way through the house, packed a duffle bag, before showering and 
changed into clean clothes, bandaged the stitches, pulled on an old sling and made sure he had everything. He even 
tucked the sealed envelope into his bag before he left the large house.

He tossed his duffle bag into his car and drove, sliding on his sunnies when the sun rose. He drove for hours heading 
east before he stopped for food, petrol and a room to sleep and think so he could decide what to do.

His wounds throbbed along with his bruises and his nightmares kept him from sleeping. He glanced at the envelope 
he’d pulled out earlier and finally opened it.

Inside was a letter and two checks.

‘Xander, I thank you for taking care of everything over the last few years while we’ve been selfish and ignored the 
important things. One check is to repay everything you’ve paid out of your own money for the mortgage if it is short, 
be angry and tell me and I’ll fix that. The second is your pay for training the girls. I know that you’ve never asked but
 now that we’ve got the money you deserve it so you can have things. May I suggest replacing your clothes and 
getting a new car? Another check will be placed directly into your account in a few weeks when the last of the money 
from the former council has been cleared.

Take care, come back when you are ready. Take time to think things through, recharge. If you decide not to come 
back or want a transfer to somewhere else let me know.
Giles.’


He stared blankly at the checks. His work check was nearly a hundred thousand, three years of back pay. The mortgage
 check was close to two hundred thousand. He’d been paying it himself since they had bought the house four years 
ago, from his own pay checks for his construction work.

He shook his head, he’d never said anything bar once when they had first started out in Cleveland. Giles had waved 
it off as unimportant as they had been researching for a battle at the time.

He could have been selfish and thought fuck it and not paid it at all like they weren’t let them all get kicked out, 
while he had been snug in his apartment but his own conscience had bitten him for it.

Unable to sleep he made his way to a bank instead to put them into an account, locked so only he could get into 
them. A few months ago Willow had stolen a lot of money out of his account to go shopping on, money he’d been 
saving up to help the others with, he’d thrown a major fit at her and locked his accounts, putting passwords and pin 
numbers on them that she’d never guess and put an order on them that only he would be able to access them, no one
 else even if they had a written note from him to withdraw the money, he’d have to do it in person and give the 
codes.

He paid a little extra to get one check cleared right away so he had some funds and a card so he could access it. 

He returned to his hotel, cleared out his car and took it to a used car dealer and sold it. He browsed in the town for 
three days before he bought a two year old four door cab truck.


**


He lay staring at the ceiling unable to get more than four hours a night, he was still trying to decide where to go, 
he’d need some where he felt safe to completely relax and recover when a memory hit him.


“If you need me, call, I’ll be there. If you ever need to forget that you are the strong one for awhile Alex, come to 
me.” Calloused fingers carded through his hair. The male voice was soft and gentle but held an order in its tone.

“Any time?” Alex asked in a soft hesitant voice.

“Any time, day, night, tomorrow, next month, next year or years down the track, I’ll be there for you.” He promised,
 soft dry lips pressed against his forehead.

“And how do I find you Rio?” Alex asked, still sprawled on the couch, head in the man’s lap. “I’m not stupid enough 
to think that the name you are using is your real name.”

“I’ll be in Miami waiting for you, just ask for the red head that you don’t piss off in crime.” He assured him, fingers 
massaging his sculp. “When asked who calls just tell them that you are the Citizen Soldier looking for the red head 
that crime hates to piss off.”

Alex looked up at him tensing, his brown eyes wide in panic.

“Hush, yes I saw you in the alley. You deal with what we can’t and would rather ignore.” Lips pressed again his 
forehead again. “Come to me when you need me.” His blue eyes closed for a moment. “I hope that you would never 
get that bad but I will be there, I’ll shelter you until you can take your burdens once again.”

“Thank you.” Alex closed his eyes, relaxing again.



Xander’s snapped open and looked around his room carefully before realising that the sun was up. He showered, 
changed his bandages, dressed, checked out and drove.


His destination Miami.



**


It took him five days to drive to Miami and settled into a cheap motel before hunting down a internet cafe, trying to 
figure out how to find his friend he’d met so many years ago, He typed in what he knew in the Miami people finder 
site he’d found, while on another tab he looked up the song he needed that reminded him of what Rio had called 
him.

After an hour he had a place to look. Rio was a police officer, so he looked up the police site and found the email 
address and a phone number for his office.

He sent the email with the song attached and sent it so he’d get a confirmation email saying that it had been 
received and opened.

Knowing that it would probably be awhile he went shopping for a laptop so he could check his email and keep in 
contact with the others from his room.




**






Horatio cleared the last of his paper work with an internal relieved sigh and moved to check his email before he signed 
out for the day.

He frowned when he came across an email that he didn’t know the sender of but it was the subject line that caught
 his attention.

Subject: My Rio.

“Interesting.” He murmured before he opened it and his frowned deepened when there was nothing inside but an 
attachment. A window opened saying that the sender wanted a recept sent saying he’d received it, he clicked yes 
and then opened the file.

Music started to play for a moment before the words began.

Beyond the boundaries of your city's lights
stand the Heroes waiting for your cries
so many times you did not bring this on yourself
when that moment finally comes
I'll be there to Help...

On that day
when you need your Brothers and Sisters to care
I'll be right here
Citizen Soldiers
holding the Light for the ones that we Guide from the Dark of Despair
Standing on Guard for the ones that We've Sheltered
We'll always be ready
Cuz' We will always be There...

From in we hear the people crying in the streets
for when their starving for a meal to eat
for when they need simply need a place to make their beds
right here underneath My Wing
you can rest your head

On that day
when you need your Brothers and Sisters to care
I'll be right here
Citizen Soldiers
holding the Light for the ones that we Guide from the Dark of Despair
Standing on Guard for the ones that We've Sheltered
We'll always be ready
Cuz' We will always be There...

Hope and Pray
that you never need Me
but rest assured
I will not let you down
I walk beside you
but you may not see Me
the strongest among you
may not wear a Crown...

On that day
when you need your Brothers and Sisters to care
I'll be right here

On that day
when you don't have the strength for the burden you Bear
I'll be right here...

Citizen Soldiers
holding the light for the ones that we guide from the Dark of Despair
Standing on Guard for the ones that We've Sheltered
We'll always be ready
Cause We will always be
There...


Horatio closed his eyes as the song played, memories playing across his mind. When it finished he opened them, 
tapped his fingers on the desk for a moment thinking. Things must have gotten bad for Alex to finally contact him,
 but he was glad that the young man was still alive.

He replied to the message giving him his address and a time to show up, saying that he’d cook dinner, and that if he
 didn’t get the message in time tomorrow was his day off, he could come around any time, he’d be waiting.

He closed down his computer and logged out for the night and headed home after a quick detour to the shops to grab
a few groceries so he could cook a good meal and settled back to wait.


**








Chapter 2

Xander tapped impatiently on his knee as he loaded a few extra programs he’d bought for his laptop and then huffed 
as the machine rebooted, he checked everything before logging on to check his email and smiled when he saw the 
recept and the reply.

‘Come to my place and I’ll cook you a good meal at six. Knowing you, you haven’t had a good meal in awhile and could
 use one. Glad to know that you are still alive. Rio.’

The message was written under an address.

He glanced down at himself and his baggy clothes that were all that he had left clean from his old lot and then at the
 shopping bags he’d brought home with his laptop before pulling out clean new clothes and changed.

The jeans were black and tight while still giving him freedom of movement, a black sleeveless singlet and a dark royal
 blue dress shirt, pulled on his boots and worn leather jacket as he glanced at the clock. He looked the address up on 
the computer before logging off, grabbing his keys and wallet and headed out.

He took note of where a few shopping centres were as he drove through the streets glancing at the directions he’d 
written down. He slowed down as he turned on to the right street and began looking at the house numbers and 
snorted as he parked out the front of a nice modest looking two story house and a silver hummer parked in the drive 
way.

He slid out of the cab, locking the door and turning on the alarm looking up and down the street before heading for 
the front door and rang the door bell.

He fidgeted for a moment wondering if this had been a good idea, staring down at his boots. His shoulder protested 
the shrug he gave himself and rested his hand on it, gently massaging it and looked up as the door opened.

He looked older, a few more deeper lines in his face but otherwise Rio looked exactly the same as he did all those 
years ago.

“Hey Rio.” He gave a weak smile, knowing that the stitches on his forehead and blackened eye and cheek made him 
look a mess.

“Alex, come in.” He motioned for him to enter and closed and locked the door behind him. “Jacket.” He requested, 
gesturing to the hooks on the wall.

“Right.” He eased it off carefully and hung it up before getting a good look at the room across from the entry way.
 It was a sparsely furnished lounge room, TV, DVD player, a small collection of movies and on the far wall was a 
large book shelf crammed full of books. He looked back at Rio and ducked his head as he realised that he’d been 
levelled with an intense stare.

“How old are they?” He asked softly, tipping his chin up so he could look at the eye and stitches better.

“About a week, ducked when I should have weaved.” He shrugged and winced, hand going back to his shoulder.

“Dislocated?” He asked leading him through to the dining table two rooms away.

“Gunshot, damn vamp.” He grumbled. “Be weeks before I can start looking for another job.” He tensed as arms went 
around him for a moment before he relaxed and lent into the hug, resting his head on his shoulder. “Got sent on 
vacation, almost literally kicked out of the house.”

“You look like you need it, Alex.” Rio sighed “Your eyes.” He explained when Alex looked up at him in confusion. “They
 are dull, full of exhaustion, pain and loneliness.” He kissed his forehead. “Just like they were all those years ago.” 
He gestured for him to sit. “Soda, coffee?” He offered checking the oven.

“Coffee would be great thanks.” Xander nodded, leaning back in the seat.

“Was it that hard tracking me down?” He asked making up two mugs and set them down on the table with a milk and
 sugar. “Help yourself.”

“Took me about an hour searching through the net, then the PD site.” He shook his head. “Once I saw the picture 
there was no doubt.” He smiled, adding sugar and took a sip, wrapping his hands around the warm mug. “Wasn’t that 
surprised that you were an officer, even back then. I knew you were some sort of official just didn’t know which 
branch.”

“And how could you tell?” Horatio raised an eyebrow at him.

“The way you moved, kept aware of your surroundings, and always watched the predators.” He replied easily. “First 
time I saw that I thought you were military.” He eyed the man for a moment. “That week, what made you insist and 
push for a night with me? I was fuming when the owner ordered me to go to that room for a ‘private dance’.”

“Mainly the look in your eyes, that and what I saw the night before. I was curious, you weren’t like the other dancers, 
you knew what was going on around you and you knew without a doubt who was dangerous and who was safe to 
dance close to.” He explained sitting down across from him as he spoke. “You are a fighter for the innocent and fight 
for those who can’t.” He gave a small smirk. “You reminded me of myself, always ready to protect others, even if it
 puts yourself in the line of fire.”

“Yeah, you know what they called me?” Xander agreed sipping more of the caffeinated goodness. 

“What?” He raised his eyebrow.

“The White Knight, ‘cause I jumped in, even when it was too dangerous, too deadly, I fought anyway. I didn’t have 
the training, I didn’t have any special skills to help but I did it anyway.” He sighed. “I was also seen as the comic 
relief, the donut boy and the Zeppo.” He snorted. “The useless one, the one who was worth nothing and did nothing.
 Didn’t matter how many times I helped out or saved lives that’s how they saw me...still do some times.”

“Then why stay?” Rio frowned.

“Because there was no one else to take my place. They might not have known it but they needed me and I needed to
 belong, I needed to do it.” He shrugged and grimaced. “Gotta stop doing that.”

“Did you get a hospital to look at it? The stitches up top look a little tight.” He frowned thinking over everything he 
had been told.

“Nope, home base touch up. Can’t go to the hospital, they’d have to report a bullet, we can’t afford to have people 
asking questions and stepping into something they don’t understand and won’t want to understand.” He shook his 
head. “over the counter pain killers and antibiotics does the job, I know enough to take them out by myself, can 
even stitch myself up if it’s somewhere I can reach.”

“Alex.” Horatio gave him a concerned look. “What if there was damage they couldn’t see? Or caused more pulling 
it out?”

“Can’t risk it.” He shook his head stubbornly. “What we do is too important to risk exposure, can you imagine the 
mass panic? The wrong identity mob killings? We can’t risk that.”

“I can understand that but surely you could come up with a suitable lie that would have police believe you. You were 
mugged while shopping, mugged while out taking a walk anything was better than that.” He pointed at his shoulder.

“As long as I can move my fingers, lift heavy things and can still feel my fingers it’s a good job.” Xander shook his
 head.

“Would you let me get someone qualified to look at it? Will you trust me that far?” Horatio asked after a moment 
of careful thinking. “Stitches done wrong can cause more problems.”

“If you are that concerned I can always go see a real doctor, I don’t want you to get into trouble trying to protect 
me.” He said quietly.

“That is what friends do, Alex. They help each other and go to great lengths to make sure you stay safe and 
healthy.” Horatio gave him a pointed look and sighed at the stubborn look. “Much like you would protect other’s 
Alex, I will help you the same way, I am very protective of my friends and those I consider family.”

“Like I do.” Alex said softly.

“Very much so.” Horatio agreed. “Will you let me protect you like I promised? Until you are fully healed?” He turned 
his intense stare on to the young man, watching as he shifted in his seat looking uncomfortable and hesitant.

“It is a lot to ask of me, considering I don’t know how.” Alex’s grip on his mug tightened to the point his knuckles 
went white.

“Much of it is like it was back then when I would visit, Alex. Talking about things that are troubling you, relaxing 
enough to sleep knowing that someone else will watch for danger, provide good food and medical attention and a 
safe place to stay.” He spoke evenly, calmly while inside he was seething, the boy still didn’t know how to trust, 
how to let others help or let others protect him when he was injured. Just what sort of friends did he have that no 
one ever taught him? He already knew that he didn’t have the best of childhoods, he’d seen the scars across his
 back. “Just like you let me before, it’s the same thing Alex, except this time we’re not staying at your place, we’ll 
be here.” He stood as his oven timer went off and served up the Lasagne he’d made pretty much from scratch from
 a recipe that Speed had taught him. He put the plate in front of the now young man. “Think about it while we eat,
 that’s all I’m asking for now.”

They ate in silence for awhile, Xander was thinking hard over everything that had been said and what had been left 
unsaid. Rio had always been easy for him to read, he knew that he was seething with anger inside most likely at his
 friends about his inability to trust, even an old friend. He also knew that he was concerned about his injuries, not 
just because he had them but the lack of professional care. 

That warmed a part of Xander that had been cold for so long, most likely since the last time they had met up. It was 
why he’d looked the man up after all, so he wouldn’t have to be strong, so he wouldn’t have to lie, even to himself,
 so Rio could stand guard so he could finally rest.

He frowned into his half eaten meal, but could he still let go? Could he stand down after all this time? It had been 
just over five years since they had last met up and Rio had chipped away at his walls...could he do it again? Could 
he chip away at the thicker, higher walls enough that he could pull them down?

Could he...would he get them down before he collapsed from exhaustion caused by his injuries and nightmares?

He raised his eyes from his plate and locked with intense blue eyes, he knew that his eyes were begging, pleading 
for help but he couldn’t ask, his stupid pride and everything he’d learnt had taught him never to ask.

“Good, I’ll call my friend in the morning thought if she recommends that you get it look at properly I’ll make you 
go.” He warned. “You can stay in the spare room, you can get your things in the morning. I only ask while you are 
here that you pick up after yourself. And warn me if you are going to be gone for more than a day if you need some 
alone time.” Alex nodded in agreement. “You will more than likely meet my co-workers who I consider my family, 
they can be a little pushy for information, just tell them to back off or to ask me.”

“What about board?” Alex asked quietly as he finished off his meal.

“One fifty for food and bills a week, I know you don’t like charity or living free so we’ll do it that way.” Horatio 
agreed. “You can continue to call me Rio if you wish or use my full name Horatio, I don’t mind either way.”

Alex smiled at the curious look Horatio was giving him. “Xander, is what I prefer.”

“Alex is your real name?” He asked in surprise.

“Alexander.” He nodded. “Though I don’t mind you calling me Alex, it reminds me of a time that I was safe with
 you.”

“Then we will see how things go.” Horatio collected the dirty plates and placed them in the dish washer along with 
the mugs and handed Alex a can of soda. He lead him to the lounge and sank down on the couch gesturing for him 
to get comfy and smiled as Alex laid down with his head on his thigh, and began running his fingers through his hair.

“Tell me about your friends?” Alex asked after a moment of silence enjoying the calming effect the fingers through his 
hair had.

As Horatio spoke about his family and friends he smiled in delight as Alex relaxed just as he used to, a limp body 
completely relaxed, trusting him to guard him for this moment.

He knew they still had a long way to go before Alex or rather Xander would trust him completely once more, but it 
would be worth it, just to see him  healthy once more and not the walking shell of a man that was barely holding 
on to life.





**










Chapter 3


Xander checked his hotel room to double check that he hadn’t left anything behind before checking out and loading 
his truck with is new suitcase for all the new clothes that he’d bought the day before. 

He stretched carefully before sliding in behind the wheel moaning a little in relief as muscles that had been knotted
 for so long were now loose after spending a night talking and relaxing with Rio.

He carefully pulled in the morning traffic with a small smile he hadn’t been this relaxed in years, and this was only 
after one night. He tilted his head a little as he wondered how he’d been feeling in a few weeks if this kept up.

He pulled into the drive beside Horatio’s hummer and looked at the car parked behind it with a small frown, wondering
 who was visiting. He sighed as he grabbed his suitcase as he remembered Rio was going to call his doctor friend to 
look over his wounds today.

He paused after he’d closed the door behind him locking it again listening. The house was quiet.

“Rio?” He called setting his suitcase down in the dining room looking around.

“Out back.” Came the reply and he relaxed his muscles heading out the back door smiling as he spotted Rio and a 
African American woman sitting at a  small outside table drinking coffee. “Xander this is Alexx Woods she’s our ME, 
Doctor and mother hen.” He introduced the woman. “Alexx this is Xander, we met a long time ago, he’s here for a 
vacation.”

“Nice to meet you Dr Woods.” Xander nodded giving her a small lopsided smile.

“Alexx is fine Xander.” She assured him with a kind smile. “You alright, you’re holding yourself strange.” Her smile 
faded taking in his stance.

“Xander.” Horatio gave him a look when he hesitated. “We talked about this last night.”

“Doesn’t make it any easier, Rio.” Xander sighed. “I picked up my suitcase in the wrong hand, I think I popped a 
stitch.”

“In the kitchen let me have a look.” Alexx ordered standing, guiding Xander in front of her. “Sit.” She wasn’t that 
surprised that Horatio had followed them in. “Where?”

Xander gave her an uneasy look, glanced at Horatio before unbuttoning his shirt and pulled it off, really wishing 
he’d remembered to put an under shirt back on after his morning shower and looked out the window as his shoulder 
was gently prodded.

“These are really tight, I’m surprised you haven’t torn more Sugar.” She noted. “Not infected, but I’ll have to take 
them out, you’re skin is starting heal over them.” She tapped his chin getting him to look at her, taking in the fading
 black eye and then the other stitches. “Yeah they’ll all have to come out, they’re too tight but they’ve healed enough
 that if you take it easy for a few more days they shouldn’t tear open.”

“Can you do them or do I have to drag him to a doctor?” Horatio asked leaning against the wall.

“I can do them, it’s not a problem Horatio.” She assured him, grabbing her doctors bag and pulled on a pair of gloved
 and carefully began picking the stitches apart after giving him a local. “There you go sugar, keep them clean and no 
heavy lifting or if you tear it open you’re going to the doctors to get it restitched.”

“Thank you, Alexx.” Xander gave her a large goofy smile.

“You still taking antibiotics?” She asked cleaning up the small mess she’d made.

“Yes, ma’am. Over the counter ones, I know they’re weak but they do the job.” He nodded pulling his shirt back on. 
“For some reason the stronger ones make me sick so I go with what works.”

“Fair enough.” She turned to Horatio once she’d repacked her back. “And the other’s meet him when?”

“Soon, Alexx, I want to give him a chance to settle in first.” He tilted his head watching as Xander slipped out of the
 kitchen and into the hall. “How soon do you think he’ll be able to start looking for work? He gets into trouble fast 
when he is bored.”

“Three weeks at the earliest, Horatio you know that, while the wound maybe healed next week he’s going to have to
 work slowly to rework his shoulder, nothing heavy for at least two weeks. What sort of work was he looking at 
getting?”

“He’s a construction worker.” He shrugged.

“No, no way not for at least a month.” She glared at him. 

“That’s what I thought.” He nodded in agreement. “We’re just going to have to find something to keep him going until
 he can start work again.”

“And how exactly did he get that badly beaten and shot? Considering you called me to look him over and not take him
 to a GP.”

“He didn’t report it before he left home, he got a friend to stitch him up before he left.” He sighed. “he came here to 
recover and recharge, he knows he’s safe here, if he went anywhere else he wouldn’t be able to fully relax to heal.” He
 looked at her. “And that’s all I can say, besides that it’s not illegal and he’s not a criminal.”

“I didn’t think he was, Horatio. He’s just shy and jumpy, I saw those old scars.”

“Then say no more.” He gave her a pointed look.

“You helped him out didn’t you?” She asked quietly.

“At one point yes, I didn’t know the whole story or I would have helped him more, he wouldn’t let me.” He nodded.
 “Tell the others no snooping please, if he gets too nervous or thinks he’s being hounded he’ll run and that’s not 
what he needs right now.”

“I’ll do that sugar.” She nodded and let herself out of the house.

“If I ran you’d find me.” Xander spoke up stepping out of the downstairs spare room leaning against the door frame.

“I would, I’d calm you down and bring you back when you were ready.” He agreed with a small smile. “I’ll need any 
cell or pager numbers you have so I can get a hold of you when I need to.”

“Don’t have either, I’m going shopping for them Monday.” Xander shook his head. “Just my email address at the 
moment, I’ll give them to you as soon as I have them, even if I have to email them to you.”

“Good. Settled in?” He nodded towards the room.

“For now, I’m making a shopping list of what to grab when I go out Monday.” He nodded, he looked off to the side 
hesitating a little. “How soon can I start exercising my arm?”

“Not for another week at least, slow gentle movements at first, no heavy lifting.” Horatio gave him a stern look. 
“I know you probably don’t like being idle but for your arm to heal it’s going to need it. When it starts to ache wear 
the sling, it will help. After next week you can start gentle exercises until you are sure that your arm can take it.” His
 look turned to a small glare. “And you are in no pain, even if you don’t admit it to someone, if you are in pain, you
 don’t do it.”

“Yes Rio.” Xander gave a small nod but a tiny smile played on his lips and his eyes sparkled knowing that someone
 cared and would more than likely give him a good paddling if he didn’t look after himself.

“The question then becomes what are we going to do while you can’t do your usual work?” Horatio mused watching 
him closely. “From your stories I don’t think letting you get bored is a good thing, trouble seems to find all too easily
 when you get restless.”

“True.” Xander chuckled. “To be honest it will be a few days before that happens. I’m still too tired to get bored.” He
 sighed, rubbing his wounded shoulder lightly. “Even when I get sleep it doesn’t last long, last night was the first 
decent night I’ve had in a long time.”

“I gathered that, when you fell asleep at eight while we were talking.” Horatio nodded in agreement, moving to the 
lounge and sank into the couch, Xander joining him a few moments later. “And you slept a good twelve hours, it will
 take awhile before the exhaustion disappears, as long as you get regular sleep.” He studied Xander for a moment. 
“What about a vocational course at one of the collages? Hands on learning something that has interested you in the 
past but never had the time to try? You have at least a month before you can even think about going back to 
construction work if not a little longer.”

“That...” He paused tilting his head to really think it over aborting his protests. “That could be a good idea, give me 
something to do with my hands until I can do my usual things.” He frowned a little. “Now what to do?”

“All the local vocation collages have lists of classes online, you could look them up and see what catches your 
attention.” Horatio suggested. “I can write out a list of the good ones that are dangerous to get to if you’d like.”

“Might be a plan.” Xander nodded slowly, then he shifted a little. “So who do you think would be the next one of 
your family to show up?”

“Hmm most likely Speed, he’s been out of town on vacation for the last two weeks. He’ll stop by when he gets back
 to find out what’s been going on, and then when he returns to work he’ll fill the others in when they ask.” Horatio 
replied without much hesitation.

“So besides protective what is Speed like?” Xander asked curling up in the corner of the couch, tucking his legs 
underneath his body. “We only covered, Alexx, Calleigh and Eric last night.”

“He’s sarcastic, serious, can be a lot of fun at times, and loves to speed around on his bike, giving me heart attacks 
when I know he’s on the road.” He smiled slightly as he spoke before he sighed. “He hates guns, hates that he has to
 carry one, and tries to ignore his as much as he can. It’s gotten him in to trouble a few times while his gun has
 jammed on him when he needed it the most.” He felt a hand squeeze his shoulder. “Last time nearly cost him his 
life, missed his heart by three inches. It scared the hell out of all of us that we nearly lost him. After the first time 
I should have made sure that he was cleaning his gun, I knew how much he hated it...” He shook his head. “But I 
didn’t, I decided that he’d most likely learnt his lesson the first time and after giving him a gun cleaning kit, I left 
it to him.”

“Some people don’t like guns, but familiarity with them, knowing how they come apart and pull back together, how 
to shoot and clean it helps, more so if someone helps out, gets you in to a pattern.” Xander told him with a small 
shrug. “That’s how I learnt, every Saturday morning with the cartoons I cleaned my weapons, made sure they were 
all still in good condition, if they weren’t I’d fix them. Because no one else was there, I’d talk to myself while do it, 
going through the week before, making notes on what could have gone better, what needed to be changed...” He 
grimaced a little at the last part.

“You’ve always been alone haven’t you? When it comes to planning and fixing things?” Horatio asked reaching out 
and running his fingers through Xander’s hair.

“Since our second year together, yeah.” He nodded. “The others think it’s only been recently that I’ve been watching 
their backs making sure everything was good, and the head man apologised for the recent jibes and lack of attention 
I’ve gotten from them but...” He sighed. “It doesn’t make up for the last seven or so years of hurt.”

“Maybe not but at least this time he noticed enough to realise that you needed to get away before you snapped.” 
Horatio pointed out. “He probably knew that he wouldn’t be able to help you considering what has been going on over
 the last few years...or if I’m really unkind, didn’t want to have to deal with it himself.”

“Probably both.” He sighed. “Monday is going to be busy, gotta go shopping for things I need and go over my 
accounts and figure out just how much the head man owes me or if he’s paid it off.” He pulled a face. “Find 
something to do with all the money I’m getting too before I get heavily taxed for it.”

“How much are we talking here?” Horatio frowned.
“Well he owed back mortgage that I paid out of my money, I gotta check and make sure there isn’t anything left, 
which of that he’s paid 200,000. Plus three years back pay on wages, of which he’s paid 100,000, and I spent twelve 
grand on a new car, three on the new computer, five hundred on clothes, so that leaves me with just under two 
eighty.” Xander calculated thinking. “He said there is another wages check coming in a few weeks, don’t know how 
much though. And that doesn’t count the money I already had saved up.”

“I’m guessing that you don’t get hazard pay.” Horatio asked mildly.

“No one does, what we do is too dangerous. The others get a living allowance, which covers clothes, shoes and an 
apartment if they don’t want to live at base, or if they are living on base they get a schooling allowance to learn 
during the day.” He shook his head as he explained. “Room and food is supplied along with weapons that we might 
need”

“Are they trained?” He asked his frown deepening.

“The others supply the hand to hand training while I did the weapons training and repairs. I hope they find someone 
good to replace me until I go back...” He look away staring at the TV for a moment. “If I go back.”

“Do they know you are thinking about retiring?”

“Boss man does.” He nodded. “He told me to think hard while I was gone to really consider it at all angles. He’d said 
if I wanted I could transfer somewhere else to continue on there and he’d make arrangements.”

“I know that Miami has a small population, most of them are friendly or at least not causing us any trouble.” Horatio 
shrugged. “Consider it as he suggested Xander.”

“I will be.” He agreed. “Everyday life is dangerous enough without the added strangeness of what we do.”

“It is.” Horatio agreed with a small smile.













Chapter 4


Xander frowned as he cleaned the piece of metal in his hands, his eyes flickering over the coffee table in front of him 
that was covered in gun pieces and clean and greasy cloths.

He’d been with Horatio for four days already, done quite a bit of shopping to flesh out his clothes and gotten a few 
things that would keep him occupied while he was unable to heavy work. Mainly sketch books, a few chunks of good 
wood and a really good knife so he could do some carving.

Once Horatio was sure Xander was going to be occupied while he was at work, he’d left him to his own devices, along
 with a thick pile of pamphlets on vocational schools in the area and the different topics they offered.

At first he’d felt weird being in the house on his own, it was too quiet. In the end he’d put the TV on to make some 
noise and found that it helped him relax while he cleaned. 

He shook his head, it wasn’t even his gun, which he admitted could use a clean. Horatio had given it to him, saying 
it was an old one that he hadn’t used in awhile. After looking it over he’d doubted that it was Horatio’s, even if it was 
an old unused gun the man would still clean it. And the gun was cringe worthy, there was no way that it was going to
 fire even if the barrel was cleaned.

His hands paused as he faintly heard the front door open and close again and looked at the clock. Horatio wasn’t due
 home for hours yet, but had warned that some of his co-workers or even Speed might drop by if he was back.

“H?” A deep dark voice called out.

“He’s at work.” Xander called back as he carefully put the cleaned gun back together and slid the clip in to place.

“And you are?” A scruffy looking man with a three day old beard and wild short curly black hair asked standing in the
 door way stiffly.

“Xander.” He looked him over carefully. “You must be Speed, Horatio said you’d drop by when you got back.”

“And you are here why?” He frowned.

“Horatio said I could.” Xander shrugged as he pulled his own gun apart to look it over with ease.

“Never seen you before.” He growled.

“That would be because we’ve never met and it’s my first time in Miami.” Xander ignored the tension coming from 
Speed, he knew that all of Rio’s friends would be protective of him and would make sure he wasn’t using him. After 
all that was what good friends did. He winced as his shoulder twinged and rubbed at it as he put the gun down.

“He’d never mentioned you.”

“Not by name probably no, we met while he was in an undercover op a few years ago.” Xander agreed. “Never really
 kept in contact but he helped me out, I had a standing invitation to look him up if I ever came out this way.”

Speed studied the young man for a moment. “You’re the young dancer he helped out five, six years ago...” He frowned
 thinking. “Alex.”

“He told you then.” Xander gave a faint smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Only me, he needed to talk.” He lent against the door frame. “He never did think that he’d see you again, he hoped
 that one day when you’d gotten away that you would look him up.”

“Took me seven years but I finally had the time and the opportunity to do so.” He nodded leaning back in the couch
 for a moment before bending forward and held up the gun he’d already cleaned. “This yours?”

Speed came forward, taking the gun and looked it over carefully before nodding slowly. “How did you get it?”

“Horatio gave it to me, saying it was an old one of his and it probably needed a clean.” He sighed. “He doesn’t strike
 me as the type of person to let a gun get dirty, even if it is old and unused.” He looked up at Speed. “You don’t like
 them do you?”

“No, I don’t, not with what I see every day.” He shook his head and set the gun down. “But I know it’s necessary for
 the job.” He grimaced. “Just got to remember to clean the damn thing.”

“Set a routine, it’s what I do. Something that you have to do every week, watch a favourite program once a week, 
clean the gun, make a good meal, clean the gun. Clean the kitchen, clean the gun...something that you don’t forget 
and link cleaning your gun with it.” Xander suggested as he picked up his gun again and gave it a quick clean before
 putting it back together and slid it back into his bag that was sitting at his feet. “It’s a mentality that you have to 
either learn because you need it or you already have it or you never will have it and shouldn’t be in the protector job.”

“Blunt thing aren’t you.” Speed glared at him.

“Sometimes subtlety gets people dead.” He shrugged. “They either listen or they don’t, that’s their choice. Just as 
it is yours.” He cleaned up the small mess he’d made before pulling a dagger out of his boot and began sharpening it.

“What are you my own personal guardian angel?” Speed glared harder.

“I’m nowhere innocent enough to be a guardian angel.” Xander snorted with a smirk. “Guardian Devil maybe, but no 
angel. I’m too blunt and rude to be that innocent.”

“No arguments there.” Speed snorted. “He at the lab?”

“Most likely at scene by now or at the lab, could call him and find out which.” Xander pointed out.

“Phone got destroyed.” He shrugged.

“Then you better get a new one for when you go back to work.” Xander pointed out as he tested the blade before he
 kept sharpening it. 

“Hmm.” He stared at Xander for a long moment before he turned and walked out of the house.

“Not great for a first meeting but not bad either.” Xander murmured to himself, tilting his head as he heard a 
motorbike start and then roar down the street. “Maybe he will think for awhile...just like me.”




**



Xander finished his meal, placing his dirty dishes in the dishwasher before turning to the silent Horatio who seemed 
to be brooding on something.

“I’m gonna head out for some clubs tonight, get some of my bounciness out on the dance floor before I go insane 
with boredom and redecorate you house.” He announced suddenly heading for his room to change without waiting 
for a reply. He dressed in almost skin tight black jeans, a black tank top which he covered with a dark navy blue 
button down shirt and slid on a leather jacket. He checked to make sure that he had some money in his pockets, 
his cell and car keys before he left the room.

“When do you think you’ll be back?” Horatio asked standing in a door way that lead to the kitchen.

“Late, probably not until after one, no later than four.” He shrugged heading for the door.

“Did I give you the spare keys?”

“Yes, Rio you did.” He flashed a small smile at the man who seemed annoyed yet relieved. “If you need me to stay 
out later call.” He waved a hand lazily and hurried out snickering at the sputtering behind him.

He drove the area he’d dubbed club central in his mind, looking around as he parked. It was early, nearly eight at 
night, most clubs wouldn’t really start bouncing for hours yet.

He walked the street for half an hour before he found a movie theatre and got a ticket to see a random movie just 
to pass the time. 
He wasn’t even sure what he saw when he left, having taken a nap somewhere near the beginning of the movie,
 recharging his batteries for a long night of dancing and teasing.




**




Xander swore as he stepped out of the fourth club of the night. Dawn was kissing the horizon, he was hours late 
getting back. He pulled out his cell as he jogged for his truck and swore again as he realised the cell was dead. 
He hurried back to Horatio’s so the man wouldn’t worry, while mentally running what was in the fridge to see if he 
could make himself a nice greasy bacon and egg sandwich for breakfast.

He frowned when he pulled in to the drive to find Horatio’s hummer gone and let himself in, turning off the alarm 
and headed straight to his room and plugged his cell in to charge and checked for messages.

‘Alex, call me as soon as you get this message.’ Rio’s concerned voice came through message bank, it had come in 
at twenty past four.

Xander set his cell down and looked around before finding the house phone and dialled Horatio’s cell from memory 
while walking into the kitchen and pulled out the bacon, bread and pouted when he realised there was no eggs.

‘Caine.’

“It’s me, sorry for the worry, Rio.” He apologised pulling a pan out and set it on the stove, letting it heat up before
 adding the bacon.

‘Are you alright? Your cell went right to voice mail.’

“Yeah sorry, my cell went flat and I lost track of time, I’m only just in the door now. I take it you’re on a scene?”

‘I am, I’ll have to get you a watch so you can keep track of time that way. Did you have fun?’

Xander looked at the phone in surprise, Rio was working on an active scene, so why did he want to talk? “I did, 
still a little hyped from it. I’m about to eat then I’ll crash. Every okay on your end? You don’t usually take personal 
calls while working, Rio.”

‘I’m...’ He broke off and took a deep breath. ‘I’m trying to keep my temper, we’ve been here half an hour and no 
back up has arrived yet to help keep the area secure.’ Xander could hear his teeth grinding. ‘I’ve already called it 
in twice.’

“Does it feel off, Rio?” Xander stiffened at that. “You know your scenes Rio, does it feel right?”

‘No, but we’ve gotten everything we need, we’re about to head.’

“Check the cars first, Rio.” Xander barked. “Have someone stand watch while the other checks the hummers, under, 
over and in.”

’Alex?’ Rio’s voice was tense. ‘What caught your attention, old friend?’

“New York had a similar scene ten weeks ago, so did Cleveland, LA and a few others, they all lost cops and CSI’s 
to bombs after a fake scene.” Xander forced out.

‘On it.’ The cell was still on and slid into a pocket. ‘Eric, keep a sharp eye out while I check the hummers.’

‘What’s up H?’

‘Remember New York a few weeks ago about faked scenes?’

‘Oh I hope not.’ Eric groaned.

There was silence for awhile just scuffling and a few metallic bangs that were normal for someone searching a car 
carefully.

‘I think I am going to enjoy yelling at the chief today, Eric call the bomb squad.’ Material scrapped around the cell
 before Horatio’s voice came back calm and clear. ‘You have a good memory Alex. Eric after you’ve called the squad
 call Calleigh to come pick up our gear and get it logged in back at the lab.’

‘Sure H.’

“You going to be home for dinner? Or should I make you some lunch?” Xander asked with a small smirk.

‘Depends on how badly the Chief reacts to my temper. I’ll let you know, gotta go.’  The cell disconnected, just as 
the faint call of Eric’s voice called out.

‘Squads here.’

“Hmm wouldn’t want to get on his bad side today, that’s just asking for it.” Xander snorted hanging up to finish 
making his breakfast, so he could head to bed.




**




Xander groaned as he rolled over in his bed and glared at the clock. Only two hours had passed and he still hadn’t 
been able to sleep, doze yes, sleep no. He sighed before dragging himself out of bed, changed into sweat pants and
 a singlet and after a quick test of his shoulder grabbed a collapsible metal staff from his bag and headed outside.

He started off with slow simple katas, letting his mind slowly calm to the point that he was aware of everything 
around him and how his body was reacting. He waited until his body was completely in sync with his mind before 
he grabbed the staff and extended it before he began serious training.

He started with simple staff spins, jabs and thrusts to see how his shoulder was healing before he even thought 
about adding jumps, kicks, spins and flips.

He felt some one watching him towards the end of his routine but didn’t feel any danger so he continued ignoring 
the presence until he had finished and cooled down before turning to look at the back door to see Speed leaning 
against the railing that surrounded the back patio.

“Speed.” He acknowledged him before moving forward to grab the towel that he’d left on the patio table a few days 
back and began mopping up the sweat.

“You’re a puzzle you know that?” Speed inquired bluntly.

“Only to most people.” Xander snorted. “They don’t like to look beneath the surface and think that is all there is.”

“That is never all there is.” Speed snorted in return.

“I know that, you know that but they don’t.” He shrugged. “So what brings you back to speak with me?” He tilted 
his head, curious. He watched as Speed looked away for awhile before speaking.

“I don’t know where to start.” He said quietly. “I don’t want to disappoint H again, worst feeling in the world that is.”

“It is.” Xander agreed, knowing what he was talking about without the actual topic being spoken. “Alright to start, 
do you know how to take your gun apart and clean it?”

“I do, I just don’t like it.” He grumbled.

“You don’t have to.” He walked into the house and headed straight for the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water 
and gulped down half before he set it down. “So it’s the routine that you need...” He studied Speed for a moment, 
ignoring his minds unhelpful words about how handsome and strong Speed actually looked. “What are three things 
you do every week without fail?” He asked finally.

“Long bike ride to relax, cook a large amount of food to freeze to get me through the week and sit down with a good
 book.” He replied instantly. “Usually all on the same day.”

“Good, just add cleaning your gun to that. Cook, clean gun, do your ride to wind down from that, then read your 
book.” Xander replied. “For awhile you should keep it on a list on your fridge or some where you look while cooking 
so you remember, over time it will become habit...” He grinned. “Even when you don’t have a gun to clean, just 
remember to clean it after every time you use it as well.” His eyes narrowed. “You’ll also have to test it, say go to 
a range once a week if you haven’t had to use your gun, just to make sure that it’s in working order.”

“So if it does fail I’ll know before I need it.” Speed saw the point and nodded slowly. “Once a week?” He 
looked...pained.

“No less than once a fortnight, it will help keep you trained too.” Xander nodded, sipping at the rest of his water. 
“I apologise for being so blunt yesterday, especially since we hadn’t met.”

“While it was shocking and rude you got the point across which I think that was your aim.” Speed gave him a slightly
 amused look.

“It was. Rio has told me a lot about his team over the last week, you and Alexx are the only ones I’ve met so far. 
He cares about each and every one of you that it really pains him when one of you gets injured or in trouble.” He 
nodded finishing off his water and tossed the bottle into the bin.

“why do you call him Rio?” Speed frowned.

“It was the name he was using back then, it was how I got to know him.” He shrugged. “Just like he still calls me 
Alex every now and then. It’s habit.”

“So you aren’t really an Alex then?” Speed raised an eyebrow.

“My real name yes, but I go by Xander.” He grinned. “We were both using parts of our real name. Risky yes but 
that’s the way of it sometimes.” He pulled the towel from around his neck. “When do you return to work?”

“Another two weeks, I’m still going through PT.” His eyes flicked to Xander’s wounded shoulder. “Should you have 
been doing that?”

“Probably not.” Xander grinned. “If it hurt I would have stopped just like I promised Rio.” He grimaced. “I got another
 two weeks myself before I should even be thinking about doing that according to Alexx and Horatio both.” He smirked
 a little at Speed’s blink. “Though Horatio did say that if it didn’t hurt I could so...” He shrugged.

“I’m guessing Alexx doesn’t know about that?” Speed smirked.

“No, if she knew, she would probably rip us both a new one.” Xander shuddered. “I tend to go a little insane if I 
don’t keep busy. So we came to a nice compromise.”

“What do think will happen when she finds out?” Speed chuckled.

“I’m hoping that I wouldn’t have to find out.” Xander grinned bouncing a little on the balls of his feet.

“Have you even slept yet?” Speed frowned, finally noticing the faint circles around his eyes.

“No, I tried to but I couldn’t.” Xander shook his head. “I was still wired, still am.” He grimaced. “Not really sure 
why, I mean I’ve been up for just over twenty four hours,  done eight hours of dancing and three hours of training 
I should be nothing but a puddle of goo on the floor.” He frowned.

“From what I’ve seen of your training you are, a fighter, a good one, so maybe there is something...I don’t know 
nagging at you? Something that won’t let you rest?” Speed suggested with a small frown of his own. “All of our team
 get that way, when something sets off our bad shit radar.” He leaned against the bench. “Like Horatio this morning
 he knew something was wrong but he didn’t know what.”

“I don’t think so, if it was something like that I always know that there is danger nearby, that is nothing like this.” 
He shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It feels familiar, I know it is familiar” He growled. “I’ve been 
feeling it since I got here...it’s not just safety and protection this place gives out there is something more...”

“Then you will figure it out in time.” Speed shrugged. “It’s probably one of those things that will hit you like a sledge
 hammer and you will feel foolish for not noticing or recognising it before, but it won’t come while you are trying to 
figure it out.”

“More than likely, it always seems to work that way.” Xander groaned. “I already noted it in my journal so when it 
does hit me I’ll bang my head against a wall at how blatantly obvious it was.”

“Usually.” Speed snorted with a small grin of his own.

“So for now...” Xander moved and grabbed a note pad and made a quick list. “Here put that on your fridge so you’ll 
see it when you do your relaxing time, if it will help, tell Horatio the day and about the time you’ll start so he can 
remind you.” He handed the note to him which was a list. 

Cook; Clean and check gun; Go for ride; eat and enjoy a good book.

“Thanks.” He folded it and slid it in to a pocket, staring down at the bench for a moment. “Would you do that?” He 
asked quietly.

“Give me the number and the day and I’ll call.” Xander agreed softly.

Speed nodded taking the pad, jotting down a number, day and time before handing it back.

“Thanks.” Speed said seriously before turning to leave.

“If you ever need to talk...”

Speed just nodded before he left.















Chapter 5

After lunch Xander was growling at himself as he paced around the lounge room, he was still wired, he’d tried twice
 to sleep and failed. He’d tried everything he knew that worked to calm himself down enough to sleep and failed every
 single time.

As he paced he ran everything through his mind that he found calming and came to a sudden stop when one came to
 him that he hadn’t tried. He looked around the house for a moment, before he wrote out a note in case Horatio came
 back before he did, called a cab, grabbed his wallet, keys, his now fully charged phone and pulled on his shoes and 
hurried out when the cabbie honked his horn.

“Where to?” He asked as he reversed out of the drive way.

“Do you know a good motorbike dealer?” Xander asked pulling the seat belt around his body before looking at the 
thoughtful cabbie.

“I know a few, do you know what you want?” He inquired heading off to one that he knew.

“Something fast, smooth and has good fuel economy.” He shrugged. “I don’t really know much about bikes, just that
 I like riding them.”

“Well the salesmen here will be able to help you.” The cabbie nodded driving through the city until he pulled out the
 front of a motorbike sales yard. “That will be twenty six even.”

“Thanks.” Xander handed over thirty. “Keep the change, might not be much but it all adds up after a while.” He smiled
 slightly before he unclipped his seat belt and slid out of the cab and began looking around the bikes in the yard, 
looking for something that called out to him.

“Can I help you, sir?” A sales man came out and joined him. “Or just looking?”

“I’m looking for something fast, smooth, good fuel economy, not bulky or loud.” Xander replied turning to face the
 man. “Long rides are good for me.” He looked over the bikes nearby. “A friend has a Ducati and it looks like it runs
 nice.”

“Ducati does, good on fuel too, most are sleek, fast and mostly quiet.” The sales man nodded leading him to a group
 of bikes on the other side of the lot. “All of these are Ducati’s, from a few older models to the newest that just came
 off the line a few weeks ago.”

Xander looked over a few of them before he sat down on a red one, shifting a little to get comfortable getting the feel
 of the bike, before trying an older model.

“Are they all good on fuel?”

“I’ll admit that the older ones can eat a lot of fuel. What price range are you looking at?”

“Nothing more than 25,000, that’s my max out point. I’d rather one under fifteen.” Xander shrugged.

“Hmm.” The sales man looked around the bikes and then pointed to one. “It’s a good bike, fast sleek, only comes in
 red or black though.”

“What type is it?”

“It’s a Ducati ST4 ABS. Got good fuel economy, good speed, quieter than some bikes on the market.” He told Xander.

“Price?”

“Eight and a half thousand.”

“good price.” Xander grinned before considering the bike.

“You have your bike licence?” The man asked.

“Yeah, it’s about six months from being renewed.” Xander nodded, sitting on the bike to get a feel for it. “Hmm I like
 it, it there a bike shop nearby so I can buy gear?”

“Six blocks down.” He pointed in the direction of the shop nodding.

“Take check?” Xander grinned lighting up his face.

“Can do.” The man nodded with a chuckle. “You want to sign up for insurance and everything while you are here?”

“Better.”  Xander laughed getting off the bike. “You got a black one in stock?”

“I’ll have to check.” The man looked over the bikes already there, there were only red ones in that model. “I think
 there is a black one in side.” 

Xander followed the man inside and looked over the black model and nodded before following him to his small office 
getting the paper work started.

An hour later Xander left the DMV with new plates on his bike, his fees paid and headed for the bike accessory shop.
 He bought, a set of helmets that had radios so pairs could talk with in a kilometre of each other, and could have a 
cell phone linked in and an mp3 player hooked in, two leather jackets, wax so he could wax the bike after it was 
washed and saddle bags so he could carry things with him.

Once done he headed for a gas station and filled the tank, hooked his cell into his helmet while he waited to pay
 before he took off for a long ride.



**



Xander returned feeling calm, centred and tired after sunset, dinner in his saddle bags.

He parked beside his pick up, out of the way of Horatio’s hummer that was already parked but the engine still pinging,
 showing that he hadn’t been home long. He carried his helmet and dinner inside, setting his helmet and keys on the 
hallway table, hung up his jacket listening as he moved to the kitchen table.

The faint sounds of a shower going told him that Horatio was in the shower. He grabbed a fork out of the kitchen and 
sat down to eat. Half way through he got up and pulled a soda out of the fridge before digging back in.

He looked up as Horatio came in dressed in track pants and a t-shirt, his blue eyes were shadowed and ringed with 
dark smudges. Probably much like his own were.

“Have you slept yet?” Horatio asked with a frown taking in Xander’s state.

“Nope, couldn’t, so I went out to work it out of my system.” Xander shook his head and pushed two cartons of Chinese
 towards the man. “Eat, looks like you missed lunch.”

“I did, I spent the rest of the afternoon arguing with the chief.” He sighed sitting down after getting himself a fork 
and sat down, digging in. “well more arguing with the others, but I finally got my budget expanded, enough that I 
can update and get two new hummers or replace three hummers and get two new techs so we can hopefully cut down
 on overtime.” He gave a smug happy small smirk. “Plus we got the update grant for the lab, we can finally replace all
 the old machines with new and fix a few small things.”

“A day well done then.” Xander nodded looking pleased for him. 

“I heard a bike, was Speed here?” He asked looking around.

“Umm, he was earlier in the day, but the bike you heard was probably mine.” He shifted slightly in his seat as he 
felt Horatio’s strong gaze on him. “It helps me unwind when I’m really wired so I went out and bought one and took 
a long ride.” He quirked a wry smile. “If I am lucky I might be able to sleep tonight.”

“How long have you been up?” Horatio asked tilting his head a little looking a little concerned. 

“I’ve been up since eight yesterday.” He sighed. “Over thirty hours, I tried a few times to sleep after I got home this 
morning but it didn’t happen.” Shaking his head. “Don’t know the cause but I was really wired.”

“Do you still feel the same?” Horatio asked quietly.

“Not as bad no.” He shook his head slowly. “I get like this every now and then, it can take me up to five days to 
settle down again, we never found the cause, if I keep active while on them I don’t have many problems, being idle 
is bad.” He finished his meal and threw the empty containers in the bin. “If I can’t sleep tonight I’ll head out for 
awhile so I don’t interrupt your sleep.”

“What’s the shortest that this has lasted?” Horatio asked getting up to get himself a coffee.

“Three days. If this is a short one I’ll crash tomorrow night at the earliest.” He shrugged. “It happens a few times a 
year...” He paused thinking and blinked a few times.

“What? It looks like you just realised something.” Horatio asked looking intrigued.

“It only happens when I’m single.” He frowned, “I might have to dig through my old journals and see if I can pick 
something up, might find a cause.” He shrugged it off.

“What do you usually do to wear yourself out?”

“Long rides usually work, but mostly I worked on my construction sites, it was something that had to be done 
anyway.” He shrugged it off, gulping down the last few mouthfuls of his soda. “That or I practice my self defence, 
I did that earlier, see how my shoulder could handle it.”

“Did you stop when it hurt?” Horatio gave him an intense look.

“I changed what I was doing when it did,” He nodded, meeting his eyes easily. “Speed caught me doing it, it wasn’t 
as intense I usually do it.” He assured him with a small smile. “It didn’t really hurt just twinged a little, when it did I 
eased up and changed my routine.”

“Good, knowing your body as well as you do, when do you think you’ll start looking for work? It’s been what? A 
week?”

“Nearly two.” Xander nodded. “I should be able to go back to my normal work outs and looking for work at the end 
of next week, if I’m lucky it should only take me a week or two to get work, by then even your medic won’t scold 
me, if I get something earlier I’ll start part time if I can.”

“Good, no one likes it when Alexx nags them for not looking after themselves.” He gave a small smile. “How was 
Speed? When I saw him earlier he was really quiet and hesitant.”

“He’ll be fine Rio.” Xander assured him. “He’s probably as bored as I am right now.”

“Has he talked to you?”

“He has.” Xander nodded, not adding anything else and quirked a lip when he saw the understanding look Horatio 
gave him.

“Good, then I will leave it there, as long as he talking to someone.” He inclined his head. 

“Think he would like to join me in a long ride if I offered to take him?”

“Only if he’s on his own bike.” Horatio smirked. “He’s as possessive of his bike as I am about my lab and hummer.”

“Fair enough.” Xander grinned. “Do you ride?”

“Very rarely.” Horatio shook his head.

“Do you enjoy it when you do go?” Xander asked tilting his head.

“It was very relaxing, I usually go when Speed asks after a long hard case to wind down.” He sipped at his coffee,
 wrapping his hands around the warm mug. “I find it’s one of the rare times I stop thinking.”

“That is why we do it.” Xander pointed out to him. “It’s freedom from thought, concentrating on nothing but the road 
ahead of you, at least that’s why I go.” He smiled leaning back on his seat feeling a peaceful look settle in place. “It’s
 even better when you ride behind someone.”

“I only ever see that look on your face after we’ve talked awhile with your head in my lap.” Horatio noted with a 
surprised but please look on his face.

“That is why I talk when you ask, it is the same feeling. Knowing that someone else will watch my back and will help 
me when needed or asked.” Xander agreed. “Over the years I’ve learnt that I can only rely on myself to truly watch my
 back and make sure that I am protected along with anyone else with me. But with you, I learnt that I don’t have to 
always be aware of everything around me, that you are more than capable of watching for dangers, so I can relax.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He smiled slightly before finishing his coffee. “How long do you crash after one of these wired 
hours?”

“Twelve to twenty four hours unless something bad is happening.” Xander shrugged. “If you find me crashed out 
somewhere just cover me up with a blanket and leave me to sleep...don’t try and wake me.” He winced. “It could get
 messy and painful, unless it’s an emergency.”

“I will then. I’m guessing that creeping around is a bad thing too?”

“Yeah, just go one about your day normally, I know what you sound like and smell like so I shouldn’t react, if you 
see me tensing in sleep just tell me to be at ease.” He nodded, drawing invisible patterns on the table as he spoke.
 “And let me know when you want me to look for my own place, I should have the last of my money at the end of the
 month.” He gave him a look. “I know that I’m welcome here as long as I want to be here, and I will be until I find a 
place that I like.”

“That is fine, Alex. Have you called your boss so he knows you’re alright?”

“I sent an email letting him know that I’m slowly unwinding and gave him the figures that he owes me. He wrote back
 and told me very firmly that I’m not to tell him where I am or a phone number so they can’t call me back for 
unnecessary things, but to email him again if I decide to stay.”

“And if some emergency comes up?” Horatio frowned.

“For that they can easily find me.” He shrugged. “So by the end of the month I’ll have all my back pay and money 
owed for other things, so if I wanted to I could probably buy a nice house out right or a really good one with a small 
mortgage, or rent one, haven’t decided yet.” 

“Well whatever you decide let me know, I know a few good real estate agents wether to rent or buy.” He nodded 
before studying him for a moment. “You are wide awake aren’t you?”

“Bouncing.” Xander agreed with a sigh. “The ride was good, I saw a lot of the city, I might take another one.” He 
stood and tossed his empty can in the bin. “Want to join? A quick spin, then I can bring you back and go for a longer 
one, looks like you could do with a half an hour of non thinkage.” Xander offered. “I’m going to text Speed and see if 
he wants to go.” He pulled out his phone to do that when he saw the thoughtful look on Horatio’s face. He grinned 
when he got a smiley face of agreement from Speed and looked at Horatio and raised an eyebrow.

“Sure, let me change.” He said finally rising to do just that.

Xander pulled on his jacket and grinned when Horatio joined him in thick jeans, t-shirt and leather jacket, a helmet 
under his arm ready to go.

“Speed will join us here, I’ll let him lead as he knows where all the bad places are.” Xander said as he stepped out 
of the house letting Horatio lock up behind them.

“Did you get a plain helmet?” Horatio asked coming to look over his bike. “Nice.”

“Thanks.” Xander grinned. “No, I got a pair of companion helmets, it can hook in cells, mp3 players and you can 
change frequency so you can chat with a group on the same channel.”

“Speed and I are on seventy nine usually.” Horatio nodded. 

“Mines on one zero one point four, in case you ever need it.” Xander bounced a little on the balls of his feet while 
they waited for Speed. “You going to go with Speed?”

“I am.” He flashed a small smile. “When I know how well you ride, one day I might join you.”

“That’s fair enough.” Xander laughed and waved as Speed pulled in, pulling on his helmet after changing the channel 
so he was on the same as them and settled into place as Horatio easily climbed on to the back of Speed’s bike and 
started his engine, backing it up until he was in line with Speed. “I’ll follow you two, I don’t know all the bad areas 
yet.”

“How long you want to ride?” Speed’s voice came clearly over his speaker. “H, probably won’t want more than an 
hour.”

“Not sure yet, if you two want to call it a night and I still need to ride then I’ll head further out before returning.” He
 shrugged as they pulled on to the street, slowly picking up speed. 

“You got GPS if you get lost?” Horatio asked, looking comfortable behind Speed and easily turning with him.

“I do, I got my cell and it’s fully charges, I also got my pager, which the number for is on your fridge with my email, 
cell and voice mail too, in case it’s needed.” Xander told them, riding beside them when the traffic allowed it.

“I’ll transfer them to my address book so no one else gets them.” Horatio agreed.

“I got his number and pager already, when I was over earlier.” Speed told them and they could hear the grin on his 
face. “I thought it might be a good idea with him staying with you, and you lose track of him.”

“Good thinking, sometimes I can be hard to track down, which is why I have a pager and voicemail.” Xander chuckled. 
“we just going through the main city?”

“Thought I’d show you the sites, good places to dance, eat, have fun.” Speed agreed as they turned on to a new 
street. “Around here you are better off following, most of these idiots swerve a lot and don’t look.”

“Got it.” Xander agreed dropping back so he was following them easily through the streets, taking mental notes on 
the different places they were both telling him about. He smiled when he saw that Horatio was totally relaxed against
 Speed’s back, the tense shoulders were loose and he was chuckling and laughing freely with them after twenty 
minutes of speeding through the streets.

He watched their body language through the ride, asking questions as they went and wondered if they were lovers, 
would be lovers or just really close friends. Their body language spoke of a really close friendship, trust and love, but 
that didn’t mean that they were in bed together. It could be like himself and Rio, a mentorship, a father figure and 
friend.

“Xander, we’re heading back home, you coming with us?” Horatio asked an hour and half later.

“I think I might refill the tank and ride a bit longer.” Xander replied as they stopped at a traffic light. “GPS for truck 
and bike are on the fridge too if you can’t get me any other way.” He added. “The way I’m bouncing I’ll probably be 
another couple of hours.”

“Alright, come home when you are ready.” He agreed, with concern bleeding through a little.

“I’ll be fine, Rio, if I get into trouble I’ll call.” He promised.

“You do that.” Horatio said sternly before Speed peeled away heading home.



**



Xander sighed as he finally pulled in to the driveway at four am and parked beside his pickup, smiling tiredly when he 
noticed that Speed’s bike was still there. He entered the house quietly, locking the door behind him, set his keys and
helmet on the table where they would see it and relax knowing he was home safe and sound.

Hearing a noise he peeked into the lounge and saw Speed sprawled comfortably on the pull out sofa bed, sleeping 
soundly. Shaking his head he headed for his own bed, stripping down to his boxers and slid into bed getting 
comfortable, and let out a small sigh of pleasure as his body and mind quickly shut down ready for some sleep.



**



Xander woke slowly, just enjoying the simple pleasure at waking up slowly, before stumbling out of bed, rummaged
 through his clothes for something clean to wear before he hit the shower.

Clean and dressed he walked bare foot into the kitchen, still a little groggy and headed straight for the already perked
 coffee pot, that he’d bought his second day in the house. Pouring himself a cup, eyes half lidded he sipped at it,
 humming a little as the caffeine hit him.

Hearing a snicker he cracked an eye a little more open and glared at Speed who was in the middle of making something
 that looked complicated on the bench behind him. He frowned a little as he realised that his instincts hadn’t warned
 him that the man was there, and realised that they had but they had marked him as a non-threat, safe, protector, as 
much as they had with Horatio. He hummed again with the next mouthful wondering when exactly they had done that, 
considering that he didn’t really know him and had only met up with a few times, but something inside had done so.

“How long did I sleep?” He murmured into his cup.

“Not sure what time you got in, but you slept through yesterday completely, it’s just after eight in the morning.” Speed
 said in amused voice. “You even slept through the neighbours fall out, all the yelling and screaming and doors 
slamming.”

“Hmm, good sleep.” Xander chuckled waking up a little more. “Got in around four in the morning, finally tired enough 
to sleep, was out like a log.”

“We noticed.” Speed snorted going back to what he was doing, he noticed that Speed’s shoulders were a little tense.

“What?” Xander asked half way through his coffee.

“Do you know you purr in your sleep?” Speed asked after a moment.

“Huh?” Xander’s head came up, his mug set down firmly on the bench turning to lean next to Speed. “I was what?”

“You were purring in your sleep, in a very happy, content way. H just raised an eyebrow when we first heard it, it 
rumbled right through your door.” He put down what he’d been chopping, wiping his hands on a tea towel and leaned 
on the bench next to him. “Every now and then you’d give this quiet little happy yip.”

“Huh.” Xander frowned a little tilting his head thinking about it. “Strange, I don’t think that’s happened in a long 
while.”

“Xander.” Speed pushed off the bench to stand in front of him. “People don’t purr in their sleep when they are happy, 
at least not to the extent you were, sounded like a bloody cat.”

“some people talk or walk in their sleep, Speed, okay so I purr, it’s just a quirk.” Xander shrugged. “It’s no stranger to 
me then getting up in the middle of the night to eat a tub of ice cream in your sleep, before scrubbing down the 
kitchen and returning to bed with no clue what you’d done. I’m used to strange things, they happen a lot where I’m 
from.” He poured himself another coffee. “It does explain a few things though.”

“Like what?” Speed frowned, crossing his hands over his chest.

“The feeling I was telling you about the other day. If I was near a wall I’d be banging my head on it, like I said I 
would be.” He shook his head in amusement. “So not used to feeling it that I forgot what it was.”

“What?” He grumbled.

“Safety, protection.” 

“You pointed those out and you said it was something more.” Speed growled.

“The feeling that I couldn’t pinpoint was affection, happiness to see me, you know all those positive feelings.” Xander
 shrugged blowing on his coffee to cool it down a little.

“Do I need to hunt down your friends and hurt them?” Speed demanded scowling. “I should if you didn’t know what 
those things felt like.”

“It’s been awhile.” Xander admitted softly, staring into his mug.

“damn you need better friends, Xander.” Speed shook his head.

“I’m hoping that I do now.” Xander looked up to catch Speed staring at him with a small smile on his lips.

“You do.” Speed agreed before turning back to what he had been preparing.

“So if I slept through yesterday, which means today is Friday, right?” He asked before gulping down half his coffee.

“Yes, H asked me to make a large lunch for the team for when they get here, the lab is shut down for the day and the 
team got the day off when someone put mice and snakes in the ventilation.” Speed nodded.

“So what are you making?” Xander asked nodding to the large bowl in front of Speed full of mince.

“Home made burgers, the meat needs to stand for a bit before cooking.” He shrugged. “Probably didn’t have to start 
this early but I was restless.”

Xander knew why, when his brain connected that it was Friday. Speed had to clean his gun and check it over.

“What time are they coming?” He asked causally.

“After one.” He shrugged sticking clear wrap over the bowl and stuck it in the fridge.

“Want to get it over with?” Xander asked finishing his coffee. “Half hour in the range, half hour to clean it, still gives
 you plenty of time to go for a ride to relax before you gotta be back here.” He pointed out. “The range will also tell 
you how your shoulder is healing, if it can stand the recoil.”

“Point.” He sighed softly as he washed his hands. “I did notice that you changed the subject from your quirks as you 
put it.”

“Maybe when I know you a little better I’ll share.” Xander shrugged. “Not even Rio knows all of it, just the bare 
basics.” He washed out his mug when Speed was done. “How’s your shoulder after that long ride?”

“slept on it funny.” He admitted rubbing his shoulder gently. 

“Truck or you can ride behind me.” He offered, drying the mug and put it away.

“Truck, it’ll be sore after the range.” Speed shook his head. “I won’t be able to hang on properly. “You going to do one
 of yours?”

“Yeah, now that I got my licence changed to Miami.” He nodded, eyeing Speed for a moment. “We can leave the range 
time until next week if you want.”

“If I do that I’ll keep putting it off.” Speed shook his head.

“Fair enough, let me get my gun and spare bullets, then you can direct me to the range...you have your gun here 
right?”

“Yeah H gave it back to me yesterday, gave me this look that I couldn’t figure out too before he headed for work.” 
He frowned as he followed Xander out to the truck once he returned with his gun. “I can’t figure out if it was his,
 ‘don’t disappoint me again’ look, or his ‘I don’t know if I just did the right thing’ look.” He sighed as they got into the
 truck and he in putted the directions into the GPS unit. “It was probably both, since that was the second time my gun
 jammed, while on a scene.” He admitted staring out the window staring at the scenery as Xander concentrated on the
 road. “I know I’ll be on probation when I get back, I’ll be lucky to be allowed out of the lab, it will be a miracle if they
 let me keep my gun, then I really won’t be allowed on scenes.” He knocked his head a few times on the window. 
“And I wouldn’t blame them one bit.”

“Then you do your best not to screw up a third time, you’re already on the right way there. The trust maybe severely 
dented and battered but if they rag you too much tell Rio and tell them to back off.” Xander glanced at him for a 
moment before focusing on the road again. “Twice is more than enough to be incentive to learn better and practice 
your ass off even if you hate it with a passion, just so you don’t get dead.”

Something in Xander’s voice made Speed look at him and saw the sad, grim look on his face. “Experience?” He asked 
quietly.

“Not like you, but yeah it nearly got me dead a few times before I buckled under and learnt, even behind people’s 
backs because they thought I couldn’t do it. It took them years to learn differently, even when it was right in front of 
their faces and smacked them in the head a few times. Things got better for awhile after that....” He sighed pulling 
into a parking lot and parked turning the engine off. “Didn’t last long though.”

“I really need to beat your friends.” Speed scowled.

“Yeah well now they have to do without me, and will realised how much exactly I did and how much harder they are 
going to have to work without me there.” Xander smirked meanly.

“Don’t get me wrong, Xander but it sounds like you were in a gang.” Speed pointed out cautiously.

“As if Horatio would taken in a gang member.” Xander snorted. “No, I guess the best way to put it without you having 
any background or understand of what we did, is that we were a vigilante group and home protection of our town. Our 
town was so bad that not even the cops wanted anything to do with it, our yearly death rate was high, too high.” He 
explained getting out of the truck and followed Speed in, both had to show ID and gun licences before being allowed
 to sign in and headed for the range. He glanced at Speed who was frowned, not much liking his answer. “Speed just 
remember that nothing is what it appears, people lie, it doesn’t matter the reason but they do and there is always 
something bigger to what you are seeing.”

“I take it that one day you’ll explain that?” Speed grumbled setting up in a vacant lane.

“To be honest I hope that I never have to, especially here in Miami. It’s one of the smaller reasons I came here, what
 I’ve had to deal with over the last few years, isn’t here.” Xander gave him a look. “Just drop it for now, not in public, 
not where you can be overheard, most will think you crazy enough to throw you in the loony bin.”

“Sure.” Speed shook his head and shrugged it off, checking his gun, the clip carefully before clicking it all back 
together, put on the glasses and earmuffs, took aim and fired, trying not to flinch. He widened his stance when he 
felt a foot nudge his own feet and fired again, his grip on the gun was adjusted slightly and found it more comfortable 
and fired again.

Xander nodded to himself when he saw that Speed had it, and was doing much better he slid into his own lane and 
set everything up. Instead of kill shots he aimed for maim and disable, legs and arms. He emptied his gun twice and 
kept the sheets to show Horatio if he ever got curious enough to ask to see them and went back to watching Speed.

He wasn’t a bad shot, more than enough to pass his gun licence again if he had to. He lent against the edge of the 
cubical watching as he emptied three clips, marking each paper after he’d changed them over so he knew which order 
he’d done them in.

Once done, they exited the range, Speed bought three new clips to replace the ones he’d used and a new gun cleaning 
kit and let Xander take him back home. They sat down together in the lounge room and cleaned their guns thoroughly,
 he even let Xander check his over when he was done.

“How old it is?” Xander asked handing it back.

“A few years, think I need a new one?” Speed asked wiping it down, checked the clip and bullets before he put it back
 together.

“Soon yeah, the firing pin is staring to wear down. You’ve got a ballistics tech on your team right?”

“Yeah, Calleigh.” Speed nodded.

“Get her to check it over, she’ll tell you whether you just need to replace that part or get a whole new gun.” Xander 
told him cleaning up the mess they’d made and put his gun away. “How’s your shoulder? Good enough for a ride?”

“Yeah, should be fine.” He nodded.

“You want me to join? It don’t bother me none if you want to go alone.” Xander asked looking at him.

“Not this time.”

“Me time is always good.” Xander smiled. “I got laundry to do, before Horatio starts complaining about my smelly 
clothes stinking up his house.”

“Thanks.” Speed gave him a small smile before he headed out for his ride.

“Not a problem.” Xander said softly to an empty house before he went to do that laundry that was starting to pile up
 in his room.






Chapter 6


Finished with his laundry, Xander went through the fridge to check on his stock of soda and then the cupboards for his
 snacks, and wrote out a quick shopping list of things he was running out of, left a note for Speed and Horatio that 
he’d gone out for a bit and hit the mall.

He bought a few more clothes, mainly stuff he could wear while working or working out, a few more sturdy shoes, a 
few books that caught his interest while he was browsing, movies that he’d been meaning to see that were on special, 
then did his food shopping for the week, making sure that he had enough money left over to give Horatio for rent and 
bills.

Done he stopped in at the bank to get a statement and blinked at the jump it had made in the last two weeks.

“Can you check where this came from?” He asked, he had already gotten three hundred thousand from Giles before 
he’d left and spent nearly thirty of it, but that didn’t explain where the extra five hundred thousand had come from. 
Sure Giles had still owed him money, a further five hundred thousand for the mortgage, surely he hadn’t been owed 
four hundred thousand in back wages.

“Sure.” She nodded typing away for a moment. “One hundred of it came from a personal account Mr R Giles, the rest 
came from a business account, it’s noted here as Back wages, back sick leave, bonus, services rendered...” She tapped
 a few more keys. “Oh a years back pay for construction work and materials is still coming, the check is waiting to 
clear.” She shook her head. “The boss put a note that all workers are to check their email before they even think about
 complaining, apparently a few workers have asked about the large amount.” She shook her head in amusement. “They
 must have for him to put a note in the actual account.”

“so I’ve still got more coming on top of this?” He pointed to his statement.

“Yes, sir, I can’t see how much until the check clears properly, it only got posted today, it’s not completely in the 
system yet.” She nodded.

“Oh.” Xander blinked a few times. “Oh...Thank you.” He folded his statement and walked out shaking his head. He sat
 in his truck for a few moments trying to wrap his mind around it. “Guess I could buy a house here if I wanted to now, 
a good one.” He looked at his truck clock. “Just after eleven, really need that watch,” He muttered as he turned over 
the engine and headed back to the mall to get the watch and a new pair of sunnies and browsed through a few real 
estate agencies that he found there, getting house prices for places around the area that Horatio lived in. He liked 
that area, and close to the beach too, nice and private.

He knew that they wouldn’t be cheap, he figured he’d be lucky to be able to afford one even with most of it on a 
mortgage. He found three that he liked, without look at the price, one was a very much a fixer upper, he’d have to 
look it over before he even thought about buying it seriously. He looked over the flyers for the price and couldn’t find 
one and looked around for an agent.

“Can I help you?” A nicely dressed woman in her early forties asked walking up to him.

“I was looking for prices, I wanted to see how much they were before I got ahead of myself.” He smiled a little 
sheepishly. “I like this area, I’m staying with a friend at the moment, while I looked for a place.”

“It shouldn’t be a problem.” She gave him a friendly smile and lead him to her desk and typed in the reference numbers.
 “The fixer upper isn’t ours but the company is having problems selling it so they sent it to everyone.”

“Is it structurally sound?” Xander asked leaning on the desk.

“It is, if you want I can make an appointment for you to see it.” She offered. “It’s going rather cheap, because of the 
damage. It’s only three hundred thousand.” She tapped a few keys. “No, they just reduced it again, the owners want 
to get rid of it, it’s down to two twenty.”

“I’ll take a look.” Xander nodded in agreement. “What about the other two?”

“This one, the five bedroom two bathroom one is going for five hundred, it’s got a bit of storm damage from the last
 hurricane that came through here. The four by two is also damaged, it’s on a small plot going for four eighty.” She told
 him looking. “Both were just reduced.”

“I’ll look at all three if I can, I’m thinking one to buy and one to rent out after.”

“Sure let me see when they are open.” She nodded, calling the agents overseeing the three houses. “The five by two 
is open today until two, you can just drop in there, it’s not open again until Wednesday next week, the four by two is 
open tomorrow nine until midday,” She wrote down the times for him. “The fixer upper, the agent can take you 
whenever you want to see it, I got him on hold.”

“Near midday.” He murmured looking at his watch. “I can see it today.” He said thoughtfully. “I can meet him there 
when he’s got time, then I can go see the other open today.”

“Not a problem.” She took the agent off hold. “He can see it today whenever you want.” She told him, listening for a 
moment then looked at him. “Can you meet him in twenty minutes?”

“Not a problem.” He smiled.

“That’s fine John, sure good luck.” She chuckled and hung up. “The agent is John Newman.” She handed him the flyers 
with the prices and times and days they were open, along with the next time they were open. “Good luck.” 

“Thanks.” He grinned taking the papers and headed for the first house.

He parked fifteen minutes later and looked at the outside of the house and the overrun garden. “Garden definitely 
needs work.” He rolled his eyes and looked around the street to figure out how far he was from Horatio’s place. “About 
three streets, not bad.” He looked over the front of the house until the agent joined him ten minutes later.

“Sorry I’m late, traffic.” He apologised. “I’m John Newman.”

“It’s fine, Xander.” He turned back to the house. “So what is wrong with it?”

“The roof needs to be redone completely. You can’t see it from the front but the back has a tarp over it to keep the 
worst of the rain out, the back two rooms are exposed.” He unlocked the front door and led him through the house.

It was a nice house, a nice simple three bedroom one bathroom, single floor home. It was the games room, laundry and
 study that were exposed with no roof. Xander checked the walls, floor and support beams carefully.

“It’s the cost of replacing the roof that put people off, the construction company quoted one thirty to do it.” Xander 
snorted in disgust. “What?”

“It shouldn’t cost more than ninety to do, that’s including the wiring and materials.” He shook his head. “I’m a 
construction worker. I could do it myself over a few months for sixty.” He looked around again. “Anything wrong with 
the kitchen?”

“No, the house is only four years old, the old one was knocked down and rebuilt, so it’s all new.” He shook his head, 
starting to look hopeful. “It’s been on the market for two years and no one wants to buy it even at its low price, 
because it needs work.”

“Best place to have.” Xander grinned. “I did it with my old place...which I should probably sell.” He added thoughtfully.
 “how much tax, your fees and all that?”

“All up it would be close to two forty.”

“Add in the construction needed it will be three hundred.” He looked around again. “Has potential.” He looked through 
a few cupboards and looked out into the back yard, which was just a porch, a small bit of grass, washing line, a small
 waist high fence surrounding it, with a gate in the back leading to the edge of the beach. “I know you’re still in 
hurricane season, when does it end?”

“Another month or so.”

“So not much point in starting right away then.” Xander shook his head. “Wait until it is all over, and then start.”

“Be better to do that.” The agent agreed.

“How much longer are they willing to wait? I got some money I’m waiting to clear, and I want to think about it over 
night.” He asked. “I got two more to look at today and tomorrow, and I want two, at this point in time it’s this place 
and another, but it’s going to take me at least three days to work it all out.” 

“That shouldn’t be a problem.” He smiled looking a little relieved.

“Give me your card, and I’ll call in three days at the latest, tomorrow afternoon at the earliest.” He assured him, taking 
the offered card. “You want the bank to do the money or do you do check?”

“I’ll ask but we prefer the bank do it.” He replied leading Xander out of the house and locked it back up again, paused 
to scowl at a car that cruised by, Xander caught a dark skinned man of if he had to guess Cuban descent before he 
turned onto another street.

“Problems in the neighbourhood?” Xander asked looking after the car.

“Personal problem, one I’ll be reporting to the police again.” His scowl deepened. “It’s nothing to worry about.”

“I’ll give you a call as soon as I know, Monday afternoon at the latest.” He promised heading to his car and watched 
the agent take off. “Personal problem my ass.” Xander shook his head and headed for the next house open.

He looked it over with five other people who were interested, the damage wasn’t too bad, just some water damage at 
the back of the house, in his opinion it could be easily fixed for a bit of money. In the end after having looked it all 
over he decided that it really was too big, those rooms had been huge. The agent looked at him with a raised eyebrow
 and he shook his head.

“The damage?” She asked sighing.

“No that’s easily fixed with enough time and money and the right people, it’s too big for what I want.” He shook his 
head before he left. He headed back to Horatio’s just after one. “Hope I’m not going to crash the party.” He murmured
 pulling in eyeing the four cars, none which had stolen his position. He turned off the engine and slid out of the truck 
and paused staring at the car on the far end, it was the same one that had passed him at the first house. 
“Interesting.” He murmured before heading to the door and unlocked it with his keys, before heading back to his car to
 grab his shopping, which he stored in his bedroom for now, he could put it away later when everyone had gone home.

 He tossed his jacket on the bed, the house listing in his back pocket, he wanted to go over them with Horatio and 
Speed for advice before he really committed his mind to it, and living in this area Horatio would be able to tell him if 
they were good areas.

“Horatio where is Alex, I thought he’d be here?” He heard the ME of the lab ask as he closed his door behind him, if he
 recalled right her name was Alexx as well.

“He went out to grab a few things.” Speed answered. “He might have gone for a long drive, he was gone when I got 
back at eleven.”

“If he’s much longer I’ll call.” Horatio assured her.

“No need, I just got back.” Xander said as he walked into the kitchen, smiling at the three in the kitchen. “No need to
 go drag my ass back, Rio.”

“I should hope not.” Horatio smiled. “Good day?”

“Not bad so far.” He shrugged.

“How is your shoulder, Alex?” Alexx asked looking at him. “You really should still have it in a sling.”

“It’s been two weeks, it’s fine, I’m slowly getting it back to normal again.” He assured her with a smile. “Trust me if it 
aches or hurts I stop what I am doing.”

“Have you had lunch?” Speed asked looking at him.

“No, you said you were making burgers, homemade burgers are always better than take away ones.” He grinned, 
bouncing a little on the spot. “I never turn down home cooked meal unless I’m sick.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Speed chuckled as he finished setting the last of the salads needed up on the bench, the buns 
were already cut and ready to be loaded, and the patties were already cooked. “Okay it’s already to be taken out.”

Every one grabbed a few bowls or plates and carried them out.

“Guys this is Alex, he’s staying with me until he can find a place of his own. Alex this is Calleigh, Eric Delko, and Ryan
 Wolfe, he’s new to the team.” He introduced everyone as they got up to help themselves.

“So what do you do Alex?” Ryan asked sitting back down at the picnic table that had been moved closer to the house.

“Usually construction, I’m here on vacation, thinking about staying.” He replied putting his burger together.

“You aren’t working until I get another look at that shoulder.” Alexx glared at him, with a scowl. “I’ll take a look before
 I go.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Xander ducked his head shyly, taking a seat on the other side of Speed.

“What happened? If you don’t mind us asking.” Eric asked, looking wary.

“Got mugged.” He shrugged. “Jerk shot me.”

“I’m just glad those bruised have faded, you looked horrible.” Alexx shook her head.

“That was after a week, they were gone three days later.” Xander shrugged before biting into his burger and had to bite
 back a moan at how good it tasted. “Speed I’m going to kidnap you and hand cuff you to my kitchen when I get one, 
just to let you know.” He warned, taking another bite.

“Thanks for the compliment.” Speed chuckled. “And no you can’t, H will scowl at you if you do I’m sure the others will 
come rescue me too.”

“Hey I’ll share, just promise I can have one good meal a week and I won’t.” He assured him with a happy grin.

“I’m sure I can do something.” Speed smirked. “When was the last time you had a good home cooked meal?” He asked 
shaking his head.

“About five, six years ago.” He shrugged. “I can’t cook, neither could the ones I lived with, before that was a best 
friend’s mother until she died.” He looked down at his burger with a sad look, before he shook it off. “When Andrew 
started with us he took over the cooking, he’s not bad, better than the rest of us, but you have to be damn quick to 
get something before everyone else gets it all.” He saw the curious looks. “I worked part time construction and part 
time as a defence teacher at a boarding school, I like to keep busy.”

“Hard to do when recovering from an injury.” Calleigh noted with a small smile.

“It is, but I’ve done well trying to be idle so I could heal.” He nodded slightly taking another bite, licking a bit of sauce
 of his fingers, before reaching for one of the cans of soda on the table already. “Stealing my soda Horatio?” He gave 
him a mock evil glare.

“I bought more.” Horatio smirked a little.

“Hmm, so did I, guess I won’t need any for awhile then.” He chuckled. “It’s why I went out, my soda and junk food 
stashes were low.”

“Now you have plenty.” Speed snorted. “H bought a twenty four pack.”

“It was on special.” He shrugged, his face hidden behind half a burger.

A pinging beeping noise was made and they all reached to check their phones, each one shaking their head saying it 
wasn’t theirs. Xander frowned as he pulled out his pager and pressed a button frowning at the number, it wasn’t one
 he recognised, and only two people had the number. He looked at Horatio his frown deepening. 

“You give any one my number?”

“I wouldn’t without your permission.” He shook his head. “Think it’s your boss?”

“No for that he’d call.” He shook his head. “It’s not a Miami number or a number I know.” It beeped again and he 
glared at it as the same number popped up. “Excuse me, please.” He got up and went to his room, and pulled out a 
disposable phone out of a draw, it was an old model with no GPS chip and the number blocked and dialled the number.

“Epps.” An annoyed male voice nearly snapped.

“This is Harris returning your page, how you get the number it’s not listed.” He asked, sounding annoyed himself.

“I got it from one of the girls, they said you’re the only one not in middle of something right now.”

“That would be because I am on enforced sick leave and on vacation. No one has that number bar two and they are 
here with me.” He growled in frustration. “What do you need? Considering I am on the other side of the country right 
now.”

“Damn, I was told you were here in LA.” He cursed. “Do you know anyone nearby with your contacts?”

“Try Angel, he’s still lurking around LA somewhere, he’s still got a few on his crew.” He rattled off a number after 
checking his other phone. “That’s the last number that we had for him, just be aware that he can’t go out in sunlight 
but he is one of the good guys.” He paused thinking. “If you can’t get him look for Charles Gunn, if they can’t help you
 he’d be able to direct you to someone who can.” He sighed. “Do you have a name of who gave you the number?”

“Dawn I think was the name, thanks for the help.”

“No problem, but forget that number unless it’s an emergency, and I mean that LA is about to sink or explode. I’m 
retiring.”

“Understood.” With that the connection was cut.

“Dawn.” He growled dialling another number.

“SWIC, Andrew speaking, how may I direct your call?” A chirpy hyper male voice answered the phone.

“Andrew, look at the phone listings and tell me the contacts listed for me.” He told the hyper geek in a growl. “And 
don’t you dear say my name.” He listened as his pager, cell, email and even Horatio’s home number were rattled off. 
“That last number is a private number and belongs to a high ranking cop, Andrew scrub it, all of them bar the email.” 
He growled dangerously. “I didn’t give any one my number, no one, not even Giles he told me not too. I’m on enforced
 leave, on vacation. You hear me?”

“Yeah I hear you.” He groaned fixing it. “This is the only copy.”

“Good, I want to know how the hell you got those numbers, I didn’t give them so you should not have them...at all.” 
He kicked his draws with a loud thump. “If you say Willow, I’m agreeing to put her up on charges for hacking into 
Federal files.”

“According to the files in the system it was her.” Andrew gulped.

“Put me through to Giles.” He said taking slow calming breaths.

“A moment.”

“Giles.” His voice was calm, and a light clink told him that he was having his lunch time tea.

“Giles, get a hold of your selfish little witch bitch.” Xander growled deep in his throat.

“Xander?” Giles asked startled. “Oh dear what has she done this time?”

“She hacked my files Giles along with a Federal Cop to get my numbers which I have given to two people down here 
and no one else...Explain that to me as my number was on the contact list that I just had Andrew fix?” He said in a 
frosty calm voice. “I got a call from the FBI in LA Giles saying that they got the number from there! This is the last 
time Giles, fix it before I turn her in.”

“Last time?” Giles asked weakly.

“The last time she hacked my bank accounts and stole ALL my money, saying she needed it for shoe shopping! I had 
sixteen checks bounce, we nearly lost the school! FIX IT.” He yelled. “Or I will.”

“Of course, did you leave a file for me for when this eventually happened?” He asked in a weary voice.

“Bottom draw, taped to the underside of it, it was current up to when I left.” He growled. “Everything and everyone.”

“Did she put it all back?” He asked, he heard a draw open.

“All bar eight thousand, she’d already spent it, she supposed to be paying me back next month, if she doesn’t the FBI 
get her for hacking and theft, it’s automatic and she can’t stop it as it’s recorded on fifteen separate systems so she 
can’t hack it or magic it away.” Xander’s hands were clenched around the phone. “My accounts were triple locked, not 
even the top hacker in the FBI could get into them and they are twice as good as Willow.”

“I’ll deal with it Xander.”

“You better ‘cause if you don’t and I don’t, the federal cop will, nothing I say will stop him.” He warned. “He likes his 
privacy.”

“Understood. I’ll send you an email when it’s done.” He assured him sound very unhappy himself. “Go and calm 
down...before you accidently set something on fire like you did last time you lost your temper...”

“GILES! WILLOW’S HUT JUST WENT UP IN FLAMES!” Buffy’s frantic voice yelled.

“Never mind.” He sighed. “Go cool down, I’ll deal with it.” With that he hung up.

With a yell of pent up frustration and anger he threw the phone at the wardrobe and watched as it cracked the wood 
and the phone shattered into pieces and growled loudly when his door opened and Horatio stepped in closing it behind
 him and just waited patiently.

A half whimpering whine came out of his throat and slid to his knees, shoulders shaking with tears that wouldn’t
 come.

Only then did Horatio move and knelt in front of him before pulling him into a tight hug, murmuring in his ear, that it 
would be alright, he had his back and he’d watch for danger. No one was going to get to him or any of the others.

Xander felt himself calming enough to shed a few tears.

“Go and change and do your kata’s on the beach until you calm down enough to think clearly.” Horatio kissed his 
forehead releasing him a little while later. “No one will disturb you.”

Xander nodded listlessly and got up to change while Horatio left him in peace. He walked out in track pants and a 
tank top, following Horatio out, not noticing the look or ‘Don’t say anything’ that he gave the others as he walked past
 them all and onto the beach.



**



Horatio watched from his seat at the picnic table as Xander moved at first jerkily with the long stout stick he was using
 as a weapon for a good half an hour before his movements flowed gracefully and the look of determination and anger 
had faded from his face, leaving a peaceful look on his face.

“I’m still waiting to see what you want me to see.” Alexx said in confusion breaking him out of his contemplation.

“Look at his face and the way his body is moving Alexx.” Speed pointed to Xander. “He doesn’t understand mothering 
or coddling that we get from you, I’m guessing the only mother figure he had was the best friend’s mother that he 
mentioned before.”

“He looks at peace now.” Ryan noted turning to watch for a moment before turning back to his drink, and snagged a 
chip from the basket that Speed had put out for those who wanted to nibble after lunch.

“It’s how he calms down if he is too stressed out or angry to drive.” Horatio said softly.

“How long you known him?” Eric asked watching the boy.

“I met him eight years ago on an undercover op., his car broke down and he had no money, so he was working to get 
money to get it fixed.” He took a drink watching the boy. “At first we thought he was the one we were after, or another
 agent undercover, he was very watchful on what was going on around him, he was either a predator or like I was a 
hunter. I watched him for a week before I approached him, I befriended him when I was sure he had nothing to do with
 why I was there. He actually helped me catch the predator we were after, I helped him get home.” He turned his sights
 to his team. “I told him if he ever needed a safe haven to relax completely and not worry what was going on around 
him then to track me down and I’d watch his back for him so he could recharge.” He sighed. “A week ago I got an email
 from him, letting me know that he was in town and needed to recover.”

“So he’s a cop?” Calleigh asked with a small frown.

“He’s worked with a few departments and the FBI, but he’s a civilian. He’s a rare breed you only see a few times in a 
lifetime, he’s a hunter, a natural profiler really, no training, no supervision, life has taught him everything he needs to
 know.” He shrugged. “He had a really bad childhood and life, he’s made the best out of what he’s been given.” He 
eyed them all. “If he tells you something about his life, just listen, don’t judge, don’t jump to conclusions because you
 will be wrong and don’t spread it about, if you’re worried about what you’ve been told or heard then come to me.”

“You remember earlier I was telling you about someone looking at the Beach house we’ve been trying to get a warrant 
on?” Eric asked. “We’ve been trying to see who will buy it?”

“Yes, no one seems to want it.” Horatio nodded. “With the lack of evidence we have we have no grounds for a 
warrant.”

“Your boy there was looking at it earlier today, if he buys it do think he would let us in it before he does anything to 
it?” Eric nodded towards Xander.

“If I ask.” Horatio nodded. “Say nothing for now, if and when he buys it I’ll ask. He’ll probably talk to me or Speed 
about it before he does anything.”

“With the owner’s permission it admissible in court right?” Ryan asked to make sure.

“It is.” Speed nodded. “We would have pooled money to buy it to get what we need but we were told firmly that no 
one on the police force could to be admissible in court.” He snorted. “Though the judge slyly told us that if we got a 
friend not on the force to do it then he wasn’t going to throw it out of court. We just couldn’t get anyone to buy it.”

“So if he’s been here a week why is this the first time we’ve heard about it?” Calleigh asked. “And when did you two 
meet him?”

“I met him when Horatio called me to check his stitches, his second day here, I had to pull them because the wound 
was sealed. He was a right mess.” Alexx sighed shaking her head.

“Why didn’t he go to a doctor?” Ryan frowned.

“He never reported it.” Horatio shrugged. “His friends patched him up for protecting them.” He shook his head. 
“Patched him up and sent him on vacation, he hasn’t had one in three years or more.”

“It showed.” Alexx snorted.

“And you Speed?” Eric raised an eyebrow.

“Met him when I came back from vacation.” He shrugged. “Came over and he was sitting in the lounge room cleaning 
his gun telling me that H was at work if I needed him.” He shook his head. “Didn’t seem at all alarmed that a stranger
 had just walked into the house like I owned it.”

“I told him about you and that you had a key.” Horatio shrugged with a small smile. “The last time you guys were over 
he was out, and I did tell you last week that I had a guest that would be staying for awhile.” He pointed out. “That’s 
why I’ve been trying to get us home on time the first few days, he was a mess and needed help and a willing ear.”

“I wonder what happened, that was not a happy yell or crash.” Calleigh murmured.

“From what I heard, one of his friends did something again and he told on her, he’d had enough, covering her ass.” 
Horatio scowled. “I know that he threatened to get a federal cop involved, meaning me. I think he was more upset 
that someone had done something that involved me or my privacy.”

“I heard federal cop, private number, not listed and hack.” Ryan offered quietly. “On my way to the bathroom.”

“So someone hacked my records for my number?” Horatio’s scowl deepened. “If they did then the FBI know about it by 
now.”

“So either way they are in a lot of trouble. I did hear him order whoever was on the phone to scrub the numbers.” Ryan 
nodded. “Wonder if he will tell you who?”

“I think I already know who.” Horatio grimaced. “His best friend since kindy. She’d a hacker, a good one, as far as he 
knows she never been caught, he did say that she has a warrant with her name on just waiting until the end of next 
month, that if she didn’t do what she’d been told to by the judge then it would be launched and she’ll be arrested.” He
 smirked. “By the FBI with a long list of crimes, since they’ve been tracking her since they caught a trace of her a few 
years ago.”

“So he’s been protecting her?” Calleigh raised an eyebrow.

“Both he and the judge wanted to give her a chance to clean up her act. I’m guessing from that tantrum she hasn’t 
learned...if she’s unlucky the warrant will be served early.” Horatio sighed. “He saw her as a sister, that he’d walk 
through fire for and into hell for. He’s just been pushed too far, he’s still got morals and knows right from wrong.”

“But he can still be dangerous when threatened.” Ryan added. “Just like any of us are, or any one we care about or 
protect.”

“He is more so dangerous, than us Mr Wolfe, where we would mostly threaten he would either find a way to make it 
happen or do it himself. He is a fierce protector and from what I managed to get from his files a few years ago, he has
 very high friends in the FBI and a lot of others in lower positions, I’m not sure how or why but he does.” He shook his 
head. “I doubt he would use it unless it was vital to his or someone very close to him survival.”

“Would that include reputation?” Eric raised an eyebrow.

“Why do you ask?” Speed frowned.

“Rick Stetler was pulled into a meeting with the Chief, two other higher ups and three FBI agents, this morning before 
you made it to work.” Ryan replied shrugged.

“How do you know that he wasn’t there to give fake dirk on us?” Calleigh frowned.

“I heard one of them demand that he explain himself why he was dragging good officers names through the mud when 
they had done no wrong and then continue to drag them down after they had been cleared in every way possible and 
stalking them.” Ryan reported.

“I’m sure that neither of us have even mentioned Stetler to him at all or even mentioned his name in passing or 
grumbling about him since before he got here.” Speed shook his head.

“No, I don’t think it was him, he has been dogging another group of officers for the last few months along with us. 
One has family in Homeland, two have family or close friends in other high up agencies.” Horatio shook his head. “I 
saw some Feds up last week talking to them, and I’ve seen Stetler being followed.”

“Since we are talking gossip and rumour.” Eric straightened up leaning on the table. “The General has left Miami, his 
entire family with him, three days ago, and a number of gangs have gone quiet or shipped out as well.”

“They only go to ground when something bigger than them hits town and that means we’ve got trouble coming.” Speed
 sighed grimacing.

“Have you heard why?” Horatio inquired leaning back in his chair.

“Something about the mouth of hell, it’s a myth told to frighten children back home, Mama used to tell us that if we 
were bad that demons would take us.” Eric shrugged. 

“It is something that we should keep an eye on either way.” Horatio mused. “I’m sure everyone would appreciate the 
down time.” He looked around the table. “For now enjoy the rest of your day off, if we are lucky we can return to work 
tomorrow, we’ll be paged later on today whether we can return tomorrow or not.” He watched as the other left leaving 
him, Alexx and Speed to watch Xander.

“How long you going to leave him out there?” Alexx asked finishing her drink, getting up to help Speed clear up.

“He’ll come in when he calm and centred and not ready to go after his friend.” Horatio shrugged picking up a few 
plates himself. “That way he won’t blow again in a few hours.” He turned to watch him for a few moments. “It’ll 
probably be awhile, I can ask if he will let you check him before you go if you want.” He offered.

“He’s not moving awkwardly and he’s not compensating for strain.” She considered it watching him carefully. “No he 
should be fine if he is doing that well, if it aches later give him a heat pack, if it is still bothering him tomorrow take 
him to a doctor and get him checked out properly.” She shook her head. “Some people do heal a lot faster than others, 
from what an average person goes through he’s about a week ahead of them.”

“I’ll let him know.” Horatio nodded as he continued to help clean up.






Chapter 7

When Xander finally came in a few hours later he headed straight for the shower and changed into clean clothes. He 
joined Horatio in the kitchen, taking the sandwich that was handed to him.

“Sorry to crash the party.” Xander apologised half way through his meal.

“It was fine, Xander, these things happen.” Horatio told him with a small smile. “It is usually those closest to us who
 know how to make our tempers flare high and hot.” He sipped at his coffee. “What did they do?”

“Someone hacked my files to get my numbers, including your home, private number.” He sighed rubbing at his 
forehead. “Then put them all on the contact list. I had them all scrubbed then let my temper fly at my boss, he wasn’t 
impressed or happy with what they had done. He said he’d deal with it, when his temper rises he’s very unforgiving, 
especially when they are going to bring a lot of trouble down on everyone else for being nosy.” He shook his head. “I’m
 not sure what is going to happen now to them, they’ve had a lot of chances with everyone and this was most likely 
the last straw.” He finished his sandwich, getting up and rinsed the plate and got himself a cup of coffee. “I’m not 
really sure I can bring myself to care right now.”

“Then don’t. Wait awhile for your mind to straighten itself out.” Horatio advised. “Maybe in time you will manage to 
feel something other than anger and disappointment.”

“I doubt it.” Xander sighed leaning against the bench. “It’s the main things I’ve been feeling towards most of my closes
t friends for a long time. Yet another reason why I didn’t really protest the enforced vacation, I really needed to get 
away from it all.” He snorted bitterly. “I haven’t even seen my two best friends in nearly two years, or heard from them,
 I sent them emails every week letting them know what was going on at home and I never got a reply.” He sighed. 
“Speed’s right I really need better friends.”

“You are well on the way to that here already.” Horatio assured him with a smile. “How is your shoulder after all that 
exercise?”

“It’s fine right now, it might be aching tomorrow though.” He shrugged. “There was something I wanted to ask and get 
your advice on when everyone was gone.” He put his mug down and went to his room to get the broachers and smiled 
slightly when he saw that Horatio had moved with their drinks to the lounge room and already settled on the couch.
 He sat down handing the papers to Horatio and picked his mug back up. “I’ve seriously been thinking about staying 
here in Miami since my third day, every time I went out to roam I’d look at the different estates that I drove through, 
seeing what caught my notice.” He explained at the curious look that Horatio gave him after looking at the three papers.
“I like this area, maybe because it’s so close to the beach and a quiet area.”

“I can tell you that this whole area is usually a very safe and quiet place, once in awhile we get noisy neighbours and 
a few bad eggs that try and hide in amongst the quiet ones.” Horatio nodded in understanding looking at the papers.
 “Which ones have you seen?”

“This one and this one.” He pointed to the two he had seen. “The five by two was really nice for such a low price but it
 was way too big for me, I’d rattle around in there.” He lent into the back of the couch. “I want to get one to live in 
and one to fix up and rent out.”

“What did you think of this one? I know it’s badly damaged and the owner’s are really starting to despair that they 
won’t be able to sell it.” He asked and raised an eyebrow at the amused look that Xander gave him.

“I’ll ask later.” He promised. “It’s a nice place, shouldn’t take that long for me to get it fixed up.”

“I know a friend tried to buy it last year but the cost quoted to fix it up made her back out.” He shook his head. “Over 
a hundred thousand to fix it.”

“Rio, I can do it in a few weeks by myself for probably under sixty, a crew doing it shouldn’t cost more than eighty 
even a top of the range company.” Xander shook his head. “Either that or the companies out here charge outrageous 
prices.”

“Have you got enough money to buy two and pay all the fees and taxes?” Horatio asked thinking over what he’d been
 told.

“I got enough.” He nodded. “Where is this one? I want to go see it tomorrow.” He asked pointing to the four by two. 
“I didn’t recognise the street name.”

“It’s a block that way.” Horatio pointed in the direction of the house. “It’s the street with all the bright yellow and blue
 roses on it.”

“Right, the one I pass every time I go out into the city.” Xander said in amusement.

“That one yes.” Horatio chuckled. “If I remember correctly it’s at the back in the middle of the cul-de-sac.”

“Sounds like it’s in a good place.” Xander smiled slightly cradling his coffee in his hands.

“You got enough after you buy them, and fix them up to buy furniture?” Horatio asked lifting a hand to ran his fingers 
through Xander’s hair and smiled slightly as Xander relaxed further into the couch without upsetting his drink.

“A bit, I’ll send for my stuff still in Cleveland if I need to, once I am sure that I really want to stay I’ll let Giles know,
 and he can sell my apartment there, he’s got the paperwork to do it for me.” He pulled a face. “I don’t think it would 
be wise to go back and do it myself at the moment.”

“No I doubt it would be.” Horatio agreed. “Did any other houses catch your attention while you were browsing?”

“Not really.” He shook his head. “I went through four different real estates and only found those three. For now they 
are enough for what I want, once I have them I’ll decide which one I want to live in and which one to rent out.” He 
shrugged, sipping at his coffee.

They sat in silence for a little while, finishing their drinks and set the mugs down on the table, then Xander changed 
his position, his head on Horatio’s thigh, with Horatio’s fingers carding through his hair, enjoying the peace and care 
he felt coming from the man.

“So what did you think of the rest of the team? What you saw of them at any rate.” Horatio asked a little while later, 
his fingers still moving through the thick silky hair. He knew the best way to get Xander’s honest opinion on a person’s
 state of mind after meeting them was when he was relaxed to the point he didn’t really think about what he was 
saying, unless there was something about the person that confused him that he had to work it out.

“Calleigh will go with the flow of what is going on around her. She’ll listen to everyone’s opinion before making up her
 own mind, she won’t judge straight away, not until she has all the facts.” Xander said quietly staring at the blank TV 
as he spoke. “Eric is suspicious and tends to jump the gun and draw conclusions too fast on occasion...but there is 
something else there too.” He frowned a little before he smiled slightly as Horatio smoothed it away with his fingers.
 “I don’t think he likes Ryan Wolfe, there is hostility there. I caught a few glares he threw at him, though I don’t think
 that Ryan did. You’ll have to keep an eye on them when ever those two work together, they will clash and fight.”

“And Mr Wolfe?” He asked when Xander and been silent for awhile.

“Ryan Wolfe is eager to please and wants to prove to the team and you that you haven’t made a mistake letting him 
try. He’s hoping that he will have proved himself by the time Speed gets back.” He thought about it for a moment. “He 
won’t need supervision to do his work, just someone to check his conclusions once he has a handle on things, he’ll 
work best with a firm hand but praise him when he has done a good job.” He smiled slightly. “Much like myself. He 
knows that he is new and that he is standing in for a good friend of the team and he will expect to be on the shit list
 for a while but he will only take it for so long.” He warned, he went silent for a moment. “Has he got a problem or 
just nervous around all of you? He was fidgeting a lot, like he was itching to do something?” He asked after a moment.

“He has mild OCD, I’ve made a few allowances for it, but it mainly kicks in when he sees a mess or makes one he has
 to clean it, thoroughly.” Horatio explained. “He tried to mainly take it out on his guns, his own place and tries hard to 
keep it out of the lab.” He gave a slightly crooked smile. “Doesn’t always work when he spills something but he is 
trying not to let it rule him.”

“Hmm, then add that to everything else he will do everything his way, he will probably bowl over a few people to get 
it done, don’t change things on him suddenly, it will set his OCD off.” Xander advised. “People with OCD don’t react 
well to change, especially if it is sudden and unexpected.”

“That I do know.” He agreed. “Are you going to go out tonight?”

“No, not tonight. I’ll catch up with my email and do something calm for the night and tomorrow I’ll go and check out 
the other house.” He shook his head slightly so not to dislodge the fingers in his hair. “Who is cooking tonight? I think
 we’ve had take out every night since I got here.”

“Speed left a casserole in the fridge for us.” He smiled. “We just have to reheat it when we get hungry.” He patted his
 shoulder. “I’ll reheat it in an hour and we can have an early dinner.”

“Sounds good.” Xander agreed sitting up. “I’ll go and check my email then.” He gave Horatio a happy grin before he 
nearly bounced to his room, while Horatio chuckled at his sudden activeness.



**



Xander walked through the front door of the four by two, twenty minutes after it opened and began to explore after 
giving the real estate agent a small smile. The bedrooms were all a good size, that even when they were filled with 
furniture they wouldn’t looked cramped, he didn’t like the kitchen, it was very lopsided but he figured he could change
 that if he bought it. He found the storm damage on the back patio, the wood had broken in a few places and he could
 tell that the back sliding door had been replaced. He looked up as the agent joined him.

“Is this the only storm damage?” He asked pointing to the deck.

“The roof has a few spots that needs replacing, and the floor boards inside the door are warped.” She shook her 
head. “The inspector thinks this wall...” she pointed to the wall near the door. “Also has water damage, he said 
though if the plaster dried it should be fine but to get the new owner to double check it.” She watched him as he 
looked around a little more. “Are you interested? I’ve had this place open every week and lately no one seems to 
come by.”

“I am.” He nodded, checking the over the last few rooms. “It’s going for four eighty?”

“Four seventy, the owners just reduced it.” She shook her head. “They want it sold.”

“So fees and tax it would be four ninety?” He asked tilting his head.

“Yes.” She nodded blinking a few times in surprise.

He walked back to the backdoor and looked over the back yard, it was nice, lawn was green, there was even a modest
 size shed against the left side of the fence, a small garden at the very back but otherwise it was all lawn.

“I can work with this.” He decided nodding and turned back to face her. “I’ll happily put an offer in at the asking price.”

“Sure.” She led him to a small table that was near the kitchen and had him fill out some paper work for the offer taking
 his details. “I’ll call in a few days if there is a counter offer or if they go with yours.” She told him happily after he 
signed everything.

“I look forward to hearing from you.” He grinned back and left. As he drove he called John Newman telling him that he
 had decided to take the house and when would be a good time to do the offer paper work. He had to smile at the 
relief that came across on the other man’s voice when he said he was at the office and they could do it right away if 
he was ready. He double checked the address with the man and said he would be right there.

Half an hour later the papers were all signed and he was again told he would be called in a few days if the offer was 
accepted.

It left him with nothing to do and it wasn’t even half past ten in the morning. Not wanting to really go anywhere he 
headed back home and pulled a few blocks of wood that he had bought at the beginning of the week along with carving
 knives and settled down on the patio to carve, listening to the waves as he let his hands carve, while his mind drifted.

 
**


The sound of the back door opening pulled him out of his thoughts, breaking his meditation and looked over his 
shoulder to see Rio step out carrying two mugs of steaming mugs and sat down beside him and set a mug close to
 him, set his own down and leaned on his knees, hands clasped between his knees staring out at the ocean.

Xander dusted off his pants and set the mostly finished piece of carved wood aside and set his knife aside, wiping his
 hands on a rag that hung on his shoulder. He glanced at Rio again before picking up his mug and sniffed at it before 
a small pleased smile lit up his face and sipped at the extra sweet hot chocolate. He just held it warming his hands, 
letting it relax him a little more, he knew that Rio wanted to talk and this was their usual beverage of choice for 
serious discussions, that would tread in to territory that he had previously marked as unapproachable. 

“And today’s nerve racking topic that will most likely have us both uncomfortable is?” He asked softly, turning his eyes
 to the waves.

“You told me once if I could get up the nerve to ask that you would tell me why you seem so animal like, why you 
scream predator when you get lost in your dancing.” Rio replied looking down at his hands. “The reason I ask Alex, is 
because it is coming out more often, especially when you sleep.”

“You need to know if it is a danger to you or your friends.” Xander nodded in understanding and snorted softly. “You 
should really take it as a compliment, it doesn’t usually come out like that unless I am in serious danger or extremely 
relaxed.” He smiled at the raised eyebrow. “Since I know that I am not in danger here, I have let most of my barriers 
down, Rio. This is the most open to any one that I’ve been since I was sixteen, if one of my old friends turned up I 
doubt they would know what to make of me, none of them have seen this side of me in such a long time that they’ve 
probably forgotten.”

“So all this shows how much you trust me?” Rio raised both eyebrows this time looking a little surprised and relieved.

“Pretty much.” Xander chuckled. “I very rarely let that side out of me unless I’m hunting, I’ll admit that sometimes it 
comes out during clubbing but that is mainly because of all the other predators out there as well.”

“And what exactly is it?” Rio asked picking up his mug and just held it.

“A possession.” Xander sighed. “When I was sixteen, a few months after I found out about the strange crap that runs
 around at night. A Zoo keeper wanted to be possessed or as he thought it, blessed by a Hyena. I went to help out a 
kid who was being bullied and got caught in the spell with four others.” He stared into his mug for a long moment. “I
 had no control over what was happening, all I could do was watch, hear and feel. When the others figured out what 
had happened they rounded us all up, back at the zoo and managed to evict the Hyena’s from us.” He took a deep 
breath. “At least that’s what we all thought at the time, I pretended that I didn’t remember because I was 
embarrassed about some of the things that I did, only Giles knew differently. Months went by and nothing seemed 
odd, everything was back to normal, then over time I noticed that when hunting, especially on my own my senses 
were heightened, I was a little stronger, faster, and I always knew where my friends were nearby with just a sniff.” 
He sipped at his hot chocolate and stared back at the waves as the sun began to down. “But when we were hunting 
in a group I didn’t have the extras, it didn’t take me long to realise that it was hiding from them, didn’t want to be 
noticed. I did my own research, the Alpha Hyena had managed to stay or at least a part of it did and it really had 
been too long to remove, it had integrated with my own psyche by that point.”

“You hunted to keep your territory and pack safe.” Rio nodded slowly in understanding.

“I kept it hidden for a long time, until it was completely under my control.” He looked over at Rio and let his eyes 
flash green for a moment. “I used it as much as we used other weapons to keep everyone safe, it knows a predator on
 sight, even if they looked completely harmless, a few moves is all it takes to tell.”

“The others never knew?” Rio asked quietly.

“Dawn, Buffy’s sister has seen me hunt on my own, she knows that I’m slightly better than what the others see, so 
does Giles...” He pulled a face. “The only ones who don’t know how good I am on a hunt are Buffy and Willow, it never
 came out around them, the others just but it down to experience and training.” He sighed. “I think Giles always 
suspected, that a lot was different after that.”

“But no one actually asked.” Rio understood.

“No, just you and Speed.” He smiled a little bitterly.

“Can she take over?” Rio asked looking a mix between concerned and curious.

“Only if I keep her caged for a long time.” He shrugged. “You know about Hyena packs?”

“I did a study in high school.” Rio smiled slightly. “Why would you keep her caged?”

“Sometimes when pack is in danger and we’re around people who have no clue I have to keep her from reacting, the 
only real place I can let go is to club, most people think that the glowing eyes are contacts, there has been times 
where I haven’t been able to get out.” He stared at his mug for a moment before taking a few mouthfuls.

“What happened when she got out?” Rio raised an eyebrow.

“She took us hunting, took out all our frustrations out on the vamps and demons, patched us up when we got hurt and
 returned to base to sleep again.” He shrugged. “I only found out because of the wounds, bruises and someone asked 
if I had a good hunt.”

“You don’t remember?” Rio frowned not liking the sound of that.

“I do now, if she takes control it takes me a few hours to remember.” He nodded. “I had to talk to her about it, I had 
to know what she’d done so I knew how to cover my own ass. She always tells me when she’s gone out...” He shook 
his head. “She leaves a note before we leave my room, and when she returns she tells me if it was a good hunt or 
not.” He sighed. “We are both very content here, Rio, we’re happy, safe and protected,”

“And the purring and yipping?” Rio smirked.

“She’s happy and content to stay in.” Xander gave him a shy smile.

“Good to know.” Rio chuckled lightly, shaking his head, stared at the waves crashing for a few moments. “Have you 
been hunting since you got here? Either of you?”

“Once, a few young fledglings got out of hand at a club.” He nodded. “Most know that I won’t attack unless they are 
actively hunting in front of me, or causing trouble, to the point that they are being noticed.” He snorted. “I got thanks
 from one of the Masters in town, it saved him from having to step in and deal with it. They don’t like being noticed by
 officials.” He gulped down a bit more of his drink. “Miami is mostly a peaceful city on the demon front, they know that
 I am in town and will deal with any major upset that comes up if I have too and they know that I won’t be happy if I 
do have to step in.”

“Good to know.” Rio nodded leaning back in his seat, focusing on his own drink for a moment. “Are you going to stay? 
Or are you going to fix up a few places, rent them out and head back?”

“I’m still thinking about it, but I am leaning towards staying. I like it here, I could easily make this city my home, I 
think I could easily make a few friends that would make it worthwhile staying.” He smiled at Rio. “I’ve already started 
with you and Speed...”

“Would we become your pack?” Rio asked locking his eyes on Xander’s.

“Very easily.” Xander nodded. “I was thinking about giving it another week, see if these houses come through and if I 
get them I’ll talk to Giles about moving here and retiring from the everyday hunting, deal with only the major stuff, 
settle down to a normal life and job.”

“I’m not just going to come home one day soon and find you gone am I?” Rio asked looking curious.

“No, I’d give you some warning.” Xander shook his head. “Whether it’s for a few days or moving out, I’d leave a note 
or voice mail letting you know what was going on.”

“Good.” He finished his drink.

“So what is Speed making?” Xander asked as he finished off his own drink and set the empty mug down and smiled at 
the surprised look Rio shot at him. “I can hear him in the kitchen, I could hear him muttering while we were talking.”

“Sorry.” Rio sighed.

“He has a right to know since he is around so often and is a close friend to you, but next time I’ll decide whether 
anyone else is to be told or not.” Xander sighed. “If I didn’t trust you or him as much as I do I wouldn’t have talked 
until he was gone.”

“Understood.” He nodded slowly. “He’s making Lasagne from scratch.”

“Hmm, homemade food, nothing better to eat.” Xander grinned at him.




**





Chapter 8

Xander sighed as he closed his journal and tucked it away again amongst his clothes, before moving to stare out his 
window for a few moments watching the sun go down, letting his mind settle once more from the memories that he’d 
brought up to write down.

Shaking his head he headed for the shower to clean up and changed into clubbing clothes. He needed to get out of the
 house, to stop thinking for a little while, he’d been holed up in his room for the last three days trying to sort
 everything out in his mind.  Dealing with what Willow had done, telling Rio and Speed about his hyena possession 
and what it meant to him and others around him.

He exited his room, grabbing his truck keys, wallet, phone, pager and jacket, and left a note on the kitchen table for 
Rio letting him know that he’d be out for most of the night and didn’t know when he’d get back but he’d call later.

He found a heavy Goth club and lost himself to the throbbing music, dancing along and with other partners as they 
came and left. He didn’t care who he danced with, male, female, a few Vampires, more than a few half breeds, he 
turned down a few offers to join them in the bathroom or the few private areas where dancers could get a little relief.

It was after midnight when he caught the scent of someone familiar on his way from the bar, and glanced around and 
stared for a few moments at a male pair dancing, the pheromones coming off them was thick and snorted. It 
explained a few things that he hadn’t been able to place in his mind when he had been doing the review for Rio. It 
explained the tension between the two very well. He turned to leave Eric and Ryan to it, he would keep it to himself 
unless Rio asked and it was causing problems for them on the job.

He rejoined the floor just as the DJ changed from heavy to pounding that it throbbed through the floor and body. He 
lost himself in the rhythm and the gyrating bodies around him



**



He left once the club closed for the night, not all that surprised to see the sun was already up above the horizon and 
headed for the nearest open cafe to get himself something to eat and a large cup of coffee.

While he waited for his meal he checked his pager and phone for messages, he had a text message from Speed’s 
phone and smiled at the ‘Have fun, text when you get in to crash, food in fridge. Speed.’ It had come in at ten last 
night, which told him that Rio had once again had Speed over.

He tucked into his bacon and eggs when it arrived, thinking. He wasn’t sure that Speed and Rio were just work buddies,
 but he hadn’t seen anything that pointed to a hidden relationship yet. Nothing that couldn’t be explained by a really 
close friendship at any rate.

He paused mid sip of coffee when it finally hit him. That feeling that He and Speed had been talking about nearly a 
week ago, he’d finally figured it out. He let out a small groan and resisted dropping his head to the table and banging 
it a few times. Just like he said he would when he finally worked it out.

He was very much attracted to both men and his hyena approved.

He set his coffee down and rubbed at his face before leaning on his palm and staring out the window, frowning. 

He could deal with the attraction, but did he want to risk the budding friendship he had going with both of them? What
 would it do with the friendship that he had with Rio? Would he be able to still confide in the man if he began a sexual
 relationship with him? Could he risk the rejection? And if they were together would they even want him? Ask him to 
join in? If they weren’t together who would he set his sights on?

He sighed shaking his head turning his attention back to his food, he would just have to wait and see how things 
worked out. He would just have to hope that he didn’t become self conscious or awkward around them now.

Feeling restless he paid for his meal and headed for the nearest mall to browse, at nine he got a call from the female 
real estate person saying the owners had accepted his offer and the paper work was going through while she was 
talking to him. Once the bank had dealt with his money she’d call back so he could pick up the keys.

With a new bounce in his step to restrain himself from dancing in the middle of the shop he headed for the magazine
 section to pick a few kitchen remodelling catalogues, house design and headed for the nearest wood hardware shop 
to check out prices on everything he needed, before driving around to get comparisons on the prices.

After lunch Newman called saying everything had gone through and he could pick up his keys and house title anytime.

Thrilled he headed straight for the real estate agency, signed the house title, which he got a copy of, keys for all the 
locks and left a very happy and relieved agent behind that it was no long his problem.

He stopped by the bank to make sure that it had gone through, considering that he had expected to have to wait a 
few weeks before he got the paperwork and keys. That house had already gone through, two days ago, twenty four 
hours after signing the paper work, apparently the owners wanted a rush on it and no one was really going to complain.
 The other house he was told was in process of being taken out of his account.

That left him with just over two hundred thousand, as he had some checks waiting to clear, but when they did he’d 
have over five hundred thousand. More than enough to fix up both places and get some furniture to his own tastes.

He went home to go over all the different prices while munching on cold stew, when his conversation with Rio about 
the house hit him. He pulled his phone and texted him. 

‘Home safe. Call when free, not urgent.’

Done with his meal he headed to his bedroom and opened up his laptop to send an email to Giles, asking him to pack 
up his apartment and put it in storage he was going to be gone awhile and could he find the paperwork he’d signed 
awhile back so he could sell the apartment and put the money in his account. He’d call in a few months and let him 
know if he was coming back or not.

He pulled out his journal and added that he’d gotten both houses, wrote down a few ideas that he had before he put 
it away and headed back to the kitchen, with paper and pencils and began sketching out what he wanted to change in 
the second house kitchen, there was no way he was leaving it the way it was.

He phone ringing startled him out of his plans and grunted into the phone, still sketching.

“H asked me to call, what’s up?” Speed asked sounding distracted.

“Tell him the house he was interested in was sold.” He replied, squinting at the sketch he’d done. “He can come see 
me about it when he wants to go look at it, since you are calling I’m guessing he’s a bit busy right now.”

“Okay...I can tell him.” Speed said slowly sounding confused. “Hang on.” His voice became muffled. “Alex said the 
house you were interested in sold and you can see him when you are ready to see it. Mean anything to you?”

“Has he got the house title and keys?” Rio’s voice was calm.

“I do.” Xander replied without waiting for Speed to relay.

“He does.” Speed repeated.

“Get Eric and your kit, you can help out on this one, give me twenty to call the judge, I’ll meet you at my place.”

“You get that?” Speed asked.

“Got it.” Xander agreed, erasing a line and putting in another. “I’ll be waiting.” He hung up and looked at the sketch 
with a critical eye, before starting another. Once he got back into the other house he would look over the sketches and
 the kitchen to see which one would look best.

He looked up when he heard the front door open and smiled tiredly as Rio, Eric and Speed trooped in and pointed to a 
small pile of paper work and keys on the end of the table.

“Have you slept yet?” Speed glared at the younger man.

“Nope, just coming down from my clubbing high.” He shook his head. “Was going to head as soon as you got what you
 needed.”

“What hour are you in?” Rio asked with a small sigh.

Xander looked over his shoulder at the clock then tilted his head as be calculated the time he’d been up. “Seventy 
eight hours, since I couldn’t sleep I spent the time working things out, writing a few people and then blew off steam 
for twelve hours at a club.” He shrugged. “You know how I get.”

“I do, but you’ve slept maybe what three days since you got here, and you’ve been here at least ten days.” Rio shook 
his head at him.

“Been like this for years Rio, it’s not going to change over a few weeks. It’s going to take me years to change it all 
around again.” Xander pointed out.

“True.” He sighed. “I have a paper for you to sign, judges orders. Just saying that you give us permission to search the 
house and grounds top to bottom.” He slid over a folded piece of paper.

Xander opened it and read it over, signed it and dated it before handing it back. “You got someone who can read blue 
prints? Make sure everything fits where it is supposed to?”

“I do.” Rio nodded taking the legal paper and tucked it into his jacket pocket. “We may have to tear into some walls.”

“Easily fixed.” Xander shrugged. “Just don’t tear down the whole house, let me know if you need a construction guy to 
check it over.”

“Will do. Thanks.” Rio nodded.

“I liked the house, otherwise I wouldn’t have bought it.” Xander waved it off. “Now I’m gonna get cleaned up and hit 
the bed, wake me if you need me.” He waved as he headed for his room, grabbing clean clothes and showered. He 
stood under the hot spray until his shoulders relaxed before getting out, dried off, dressed in track pants and singlet 
before he closed his curtains and fell into bed.



**



He woke twenty six hours later, showered, dressed and went hunting for that week’s news paper and began looking 
for jobs. He knew if stayed idle much longer he was going to go nuts.

He looked up as Horatio came home and gave him a small smile and went back to his browsing.

“We’re finished with the house.” Rio handed him the keys and the paperwork he’d been given. “Thanks for letting us 
go over it.”

“You find what you were looking for?” He asked setting them on the table.

“We did.” He nodded. 

“Good, then I can fix up the damage until I can find a job.” He grimaced and closed the paper. “Not much going right
 now, you would think that being Hurricane season companies would be looking for extra workers, but apparently not 
this week.”

“They usually hire a month before season starts so everyone is trained up before hand.” Rio commented. “Or they start
 hiring a few months after the season ends, they rarely hire during.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He sighed. “Guess it will give me a chance to get the houses back into shape.” He shook his 
head. “How bad is the damage?”

“A small section of wall that covered up a door, it hid a basement.” Rio replied getting himself a coffee. “It was dry 
wall, the surrounding area probably just needs a few touch ups and a new coat of paint.”

“Sounds easy enough.” He leaned back in his seat. “I’ll take a look tomorrow, then I can start ordering supplies.” He 
tapped his fingers. “Then I’ll have to remember to insure it, so I don’t have to pay out of pocket if something 
happens.”

“Probably a good idea.” Rio agreed.

“Before I forget again...” He hopped up and rummaged through his room for his wallet and returned handing over some
 cash. “This weeks rent, thought I better give it to you before I accidently spend it on something else.” He looked 
through his wallet. “Need to grab some more spending money too,” He sat back down. “I think I need to go over my 
accounts and split them up, so I know what I can spend on the houses to get them in good condition and a savings 
account or something.”

“Might be a good idea.” Rio agreed. “How much has your boss got left to pay?”

“Umm, I think he’s still got a few payments left, but last time I looked which was a few days ago he’d paid off just 
over half, most of which went on those houses.” Xander shrugged. “I’m not that good at keeping track of my money, 
unless I suddenly don’t have any.”

“Might want to keep a close watch on your money now that you have a lot to keep track of.” Rio advised. “If you want
 you can grab some statements of all your accounts and I’ll help you sort it all out.” He offered. “Figure out which 
accounts you want to split your money into.”

“That might be an idea.” Xander nodded slowly, before he looked at the clock. “Why are you home early? It’s just after
 three.”

“Chief told me to go home before I lost my temper at the Federal officers doing a quality check on the lab.” He 
sighed. “It’s normal, it’s just to make sure all the grants we’ve gotten or getting are going to the right place, but they
 are damn annoying.”

“Oh, okay, I can run down the bank and get a current statement on all my accounts.” He nodded.

“You’ve got time before they close.” He studied Xander for a moment. “Everything okay? You seem a little distracted.”

“Just thinking about half a dozen different things.” Xander shrugged, putting away a few things, before grabbing his 
keys. “I’ll be back soon.” He said as he left.

He returned half an hour later and settled down at the kitchen table with Rio and a note book to take notes on.

“Alright this is my main account that everything has been going into.” He handed over a dozen sheets of paper.

“Nice balance.” Rio blinked at the last and final balance on the last page. “Is there more coming?”

“Umm...” He looked at it counting it over. “Another hundred thousand and the eight thousand that Willow needs to 
repay in the next two weeks.” He nodded.

“Just over eight hundred thousand, that leaves you more than enough to play with, so how are thinking about splitting 
it up?” Rio asked setting the papers to the side.

“I was thinking, three hundred thousand in one account for the houses, for repairs and renovations and what’s left can
 be used for taxes and what not.” Xander said writing that out.

“Alright that still leaves you with five.” Rio nodded agreeing.

“Put another two in a savings account that I can only access through the bank, maybe invest some of that.” He handed 
over the statement for that account. “Most of that is from when we last met, what I didn’t spend on getting the car 
fixed and getting home.”

“Forty eight thousand...how much did you make during those months there?” Rio asked curious.

“About that much, I spent six getting the car fixed and going home, what I managed to save over the last few years I 
always put some into that account so no one could touch it, including me.” He explained. “I’ve had to dip into it a few 
times over the years but I always tried to put it back.”

“Good idea, so you’re thinking of putting two hundred thousand in there?”

“Yeah maybe more.” Xander nodded. “Put one into checking, just in case, I can’t use my credit card for something, 
that’s only got a two thousand limit.”

“That still leaves you with two hundred thousand...” He looked over the different statements. “My advice would be to 
put everything in credit once you have everything for the houses set up, water, electricity, phone, net, cell...all bills 
that way you won’t have to worry about them for awhile and can focus on other things.”

“I like that idea.” Xander grinned noting that idea down. “I’ve already paid this year’s land taxes.” He noted as he 
checked his house titles for the houses that he’d bought. “I can always put more on them and try and keep them in 
credit for awhile.”

“It would be a better idea, I try and do that, that way when the bill comes once a year I don’t have a heart attack.”
 Rio chuckled.

“So I’ve still got to get the utilities in my name for both places, would I do that at city hall or elsewhere?”

“You can get them done there.” Rio nodded in agreement. “Make sure you take all your ID and the titles with you, 
they will file them for you.”

“Good.” He wrote out what he wanted and then looked at it.

300,000 for new account for working on houses and bills.

100,000 for checking account.

200,000 for no access savings/emergency account.

“That still leaves over two hundred thousand in my saving account.” He grimaced. “I can always put more in my 
emergency fund, leave myself with fifty thousand in my main account.”

“Okay, let’s see, how much is in there right now...” Rio picked up the right statement. “Let’s see, currently there is 
over seven hundred....take out the six that you want to put elsewhere, add the money coming so it leaves you  with 
two in your main account.” He went over it to make sure. “So if you put another one in your emergency funds, pay all 
your bills in credit and then put everything else either in your work fund leaving yourself with fifty thousand.”

“Okay.” He wrote that out. “How much in credit should I put everything do you think?”

“Well, pick which house you are going to actually live in and them turn everything on, the one you are renting only 
turn on that water, gas, and power.” Rio suggested. “Average bills are around the two hundred mark with someone 
living there, so if you pay them all up front at say seven hundred each, see how long that lasts, then you can add to 
them accordingly.”

“Is trash collection counted in the house taxes?” Xander asked.

“Yes, it is.” He nodded. “Another thing to look at is full insurance coverage for your bike and truck, that way if somethin
g happens to one of them you are covered enough to get a replacement, along with any health insurance you have.”

“Already have full insurance on the bike, including replacement, did that when I bought it, but only for a year.” Xander 
nodded making a note to pay his insurance for a few years if they would let him. “Looks like I’m going to busy 
tomorrow.” He looked at the clock. “I could get some of this done now, bank doesn’t close until five.”

“Restless already?” Rio shook his head in amusement.

“I’m used to being flat out all the time, as much as I’ve enjoy the last two weeks of being idle and recovering I like to
 get things done as soon as I know they have to be done.” Xander shrugged gathering everything up. “Plus I don’t like
 all that money just sitting there, makes me feel unsettled.”

“Don’t forget to go to IRS too, to report your money income too, or they are going to get mean.” Rio warned. “City hall
 closes at five as well.” He added

“I’ll do that tomorrow.” Xander nodded and headed out again.



**



When done with the bank, he headed to city hall to get everything transferred into his name and paid everything in 
credit as soon as it was on the system. 

Still finding that he had a bit of time before five, he tracked down his insurance company to see if he could pay for a 
few years and get full coverage on his truck. He managed to get full coverage easily enough but couldn’t pay more than
 a year in advance.

A little frustrated he drove around until he found the IRS building so he knew where it was and note the times so he 
could come back tomorrow and was surprised that they were open late, they weren’t due to close for another hour so 
he took his statements in with him to see if he could get it done then.

An hour later he walked out with his accounts a little lighter then when he’d gone in, not that surprised that he’d had 
to pay a rather large tax amount for all the money he’d received over the last two weeks, but he thought that thirty 
thousand was a bit much in a large chunk.

He was relieved that he couldn’t have to do it again until next year.

Errands done he went home.

During the drive he wondered if he should tell Rio about his realised feelings for him and Speed. He knew that there 
was a chance that it could strain the friendship he had with both men if he did tell, but apparently Rio had already 
noticed that something was wrong, during that half hour he’d spent with Xander, and he knew that if it continued Rio 
was going to worry.

He didn’t think he could talk to Speed about it, they weren’t that close and he was uncomfortable about talking about
 something so personal with him, especially if it was going to damage what friendship that they had already built.

He parked next to the hummer and headed in putting the paperwork away and found Rio sitting on the couch reading.

 He hesitated just out of view for a moment, chewing on his lower lip, before he screwed up his courage and joined 
him on the couch, it wasn’t like he had anyone else that he could talk to and ask for advice.

He sat curled up in one corner, watching as Rio put the book aside, watching him.

“What’s bothering you, Alex? I haven’t seen you this worked up about something since our first private dance.” Rio 
asked in concern.

“You know how something has been bothering me since I first showed up?” Xander asked, picking at his nails as he 
spoke.

“Yes.” Rio nodded.

“Well I figured it out the other day, and now I don’t know what to do about it. I don’t know how to react or how others
 are going to react, when told.” He admitted quietly. “I’m just getting settled here and I don’t want to make 
things...uncomfortable for anyone.”

“Alex you are starting to ramble.” Rio gave him an amused look. “How about we start with what you figured out?”

Xander squirmed in his seat for a minute and sighed. “I’m attracted to you and Speed.” He picked at his pants. “And 
not just in a platonic you are my friends way.”

“I see.” Rio stared at him steadily for a moment. “You’re afraid that it will interfere with the friendship you have built
 up with us both?”

“Yeah, it’s strong than usual because the hyena likes you both as well and I don’t know what kind of friendship you 
two have, most people I can tell, the hyena is really helpful at helping me sort that out but you two...well I can’t tell 
if it is just a really close friendship or you two are really good at hiding...” He flushed a little in embarrassment. “I 
don’t want to get in the way of that, whichever it is.”

“Speed and I have always been close friends, on occasion we have slept together, but not in awhile.” Rio answered
 him calmly, settling back into his seat. “We have on some occasions even taken a third in with us over the years. You 
wouldn’t get in the way of that, if it did happen. We still see other people.” 

“I don’t know what to do, Rio.”

“Well, there is a few options, you can ignore it and hope that you don’t strain the friendships you already have by being
 awkward about your feelings, you tell us both and we’ll see what happens.” Rio suggested. “It is all up to you, how, 
when, where, and how fast, that is all up to you.” He smiled slightly. “I won’t turn you away Alex, whether it’s a 
relationship you want or if you just want to explore.”

“That’s one less worry then.” He gave him a weak smile.

“The one thing I want to know is how your hyena is going to act, knowing that...we have other partners at times.” Rio
 raised an eyebrow at him. “While we could become exclusive, we at this moment won’t start out that way.”

Xander tilted his head slightly thinking about that. “As long as I understand that, she will have to put up with it, as 
long as we both know that from the beginning then it shouldn’t be a problem...though she does get possessive and 
protective at time, to those she likes and marks as pack...never found anyone before that she wanted to mark as a 
mate.”

“She thinks we could be potential mates?” Rio asked in surprise.

“Yeah, you both protect the pack very well, your current pack and territory, which is Miami and your team.” Xander 
nodded slowly. “You’ve taken me in, helped me, protected me, you and Speed have both done that. That makes you
 pack in her eyes until you go too far...which is what Willow did, she got cast out of the pack a few years ago.”

“Hmm, I think it is something that we will all have to discuss, as uncomfortable and embarrassing as it may be for 
you.” Rio nodded in understanding. “Anything we should avoid being marked as a mate unless we are absolutely sure? 
For future reference.”

“Don’t bite my neck, kissing and licking is fine but don’t bite, that’s mate territory. That’s the only big no no, that I
 know of, she might come out a bit during sex, which like all other times is noted by a slight glow in the eyes and a 
creepy little laugh, the purring is nothing to worry about, it when she growls that you should worry.”

“Noted.” Rio nodded. “For now are you happy to just see how things go naturally?”

“Yeah...does your team know?” He nodded.

“No, they only know that Speed and I are close, probably more father and son, which we are at times, it’s just that 
sometimes it slips into lover category.” He shook his head.

“Then I’ll make sure not to expose you.” Xander inclined his head. “How do I tell Speed? I know he was a little freaked
 about the whole hyena thing.”

“More freaked that it could and did happen, not because it’s still there or in you.” Rio assured him. “As to telling him, 
well, you two are usually rather blunt with each other, go with that.” He smiled slightly. “He usually prefers blunt to 
beating around the bush. He has tomorrow off, call him and meet up with him somewhere and talk.”

“He won’t be...” Xander trailed off.

“No, Alex, he’ll probably be a little flustered, and flattered, he’ll go away and think it all over and then give you an
 answer at a later time.” Rio reassured him. “Just remember to tell him that I’m included in this and what I’ve said, 
or tell him to talk to me and I’ll go over it with him.”

“Thanks.” His smile was a little stronger and shifted in his seat.

“Come here.” He held out his arm and smiled as Xander, settled down in his usual position on his thigh and ran his 
fingers through his hair. “We’ll get it all sorted out in time, Alex. Even if we do go down that road, I’ll always be here 
to talk to you, just like always.” He watched as the hand that had, had a tight grip on his pants loosen as Xander 
relaxed, glad that he had guessed right at what had been worrying him. “If we do, we do, if we don’t, we don’t. No 
hard feelings.”

“I can work with that.” Xander murmured, letting his eyes drift shut to enjoy the petting.



**