“Fleur!”

Xander winced at the shrill voice calling out for him. It figured that just as soon as he got knee-deep in fertilizer, Lavinia would want to talk to him. Sighing, he scraped off what he could and walked to the edge of the patio.

“You don’t want me coming inside, Mrs. Astor,” Xander yelled back.

Lavinia stepped out the door, not bothering to suppress a smirk at his state. “You’ve got a point there, Fleur. But what the hell are you thinking? I’ve got a dinner party next week and you’re dumping shit in my yard!”

“It’ll be fine by then, Mrs. Astor. I promise,” Xander replied, smiling gamely.

She snorted, but didn’t complain. “Fine, and why don’t you bring in some of those pretty flowers by the pond?”

Xander laughed after she walked back inside. The lady was a trip, to be sure. On the one hand, she exuded old-school Southern charm, while on the other hand she exhibited all the cutthroat coldness that had made her an excellent lawyer in New England. Still chuckling, he returned to his work, spreading organic fertilizer underneath the many shrubs, flowers and trees in the garden.

He’d spent the last eight months building the garden from the ground up. During autumn and winter he’d planned and schemed. He’d also dug up nearly two-thirds of what had been planted there, replacing dying, straggly or just plain ugly stuff with better choices. Once the weather was right, he redid the lawn itself, as well as the pond. Finally the place was looking like it should. It would be a few years before the smaller plants caught up and filled out, but that didn’t matter at all.

For some of the larger work he’d contracted with a local landscaping company. After they’d finished helping him with the heavy stuff, he asked Lavinia why she didn’t just hire one of those companies to do all the garden work. After all, they were professionals and quite popular with some of her peers. She’d replied that she preferred someone who worked only for her—who didn’t make a commission on any particular thing, and who wouldn’t go around to her neighbors gossiping about what she did or didn’t do. Some of the ‘bluehairs’ she liked to harp on were quite competitive about everything. Lavinia wanted a garden she enjoyed—not one that everyone felt envious of.

Xander intended for both to occur. The old lady engendered a lot of loyalty in her staff, mostly because she didn’t really treat them like staff at all. Xander and the others were more like her siblings and children. They were even invited (required) to eat supper in the main house, at the dining room table, with Lavinia about three times per week. It wasn’t a show of magnanimity on her part; she simply liked having someone to gossip with over a meal, and the hired help was, according to her, better company than most of her peers.

It was no wonder all of those vaunted peers found her so…interesting. She was a little bit of every eccentric old lady Xander had ever seen in the movies. At least she didn’t have a poodle that she pampered and that tore up the garden.

The dinner party, though, had Xander a bit worried. Lavinia had asked him to attend—serve drinks and whatnot, she’d said—for extra pay, of course. That meant getting fitted for a ‘dinner jacket,’ which meant tuxedo to Xander. He wasn’t sure he was cut out to mingle with society types, but what the hell. The last tux he’d worn had been rented, so actually owning one (well, sort of) was a thrill in and of itself.

•••

Xander shifted on his feet and opened the front door again. He’d been placed there by Lavinia to greet the arriving guests and hold the door for them. So far he’d counted more than a hundred people, all dressed to the nines and preening unmercifully. He was sure the diamond merchants in New York couldn’t compete with the sheer volume of gemstones in the house right now.

His attention was caught by a classic Aston Martin convertible pulling into the drive. Matthew, the chauffeur turned valet, raced to open the door and get a chance to drive it, even if only to park it safely away from the road. Xander resumed playing footman and reached for the door, only to stop when he saw who got out of the car.

Spike.

Oh shit. Xander stared as the immaculately groomed vampire turned and recognized him. Spike’s stony face didn’t show any emotion as he swept through the door, disappearing into the growing crowd inside. Well.

Xander switched to automatic, greeting and holding the door for guests until Matthew told him he could go inside and do something else. All the guests had arrived. Xander did so, going into the kitchen to see if Steve needed any help. The chef had everything under control, however, so Xander wandered back outside, into the garden. He was worried that the guests would trample and destroy all his hard work. For the moment, though, nothing seemed to be suffering overly much.

He was attuned to Lavinia’s voice, so it wasn’t difficult to pick up his name when she said it. “Daisy, if you like what’s happened to the garden, you simply have to meet Fleur! Fleur? Where are you? I saw you walk out here.”

Xander cringed slightly at the nickname. Lavinia wanted to introduce him to some old lady, who would make great fun of him being Fleur to her Daisy. Ugh. He looked around frantically, but realized he’d never make it to his apartment before she found him. Sighing in resignation, he went in search of his oddball employer.

“Mrs. Astor?” Xander said tiredly.

Lavinia turned around in a swirl of gray chiffon. “Fleur! Come, meet Daisy!”

Xander turned slightly to greet Lavinia’s friend…Spike.

Daisy?

Spike?

“Daisy?” Xander said blankly.

“Fleur?” Spike replied flatly.

“Daisy, this is my gardener, Fleur. Doesn’t he do just the most exquisite work?” Lavinia said, watching the two men stare at each other.

“Bloody gorgeous, darling,” Spike said absently. “So, Fleur, just what did you do with that little cesspool? It’s marvelous.” Lavinia, thinking that the two would wander off to discuss the landscaping, drifted away to sooth another guest.

“Um…I…” Xander stuttered, watching Spike twirl a champagne glass around in his fingers.

Spike smiled softly. The boy was still confused by him. Xander was quite possibly the only person in Charleston who didn’t fear him, at least a little. Mostly, the human wanted to stake him for calling the cops—it was obvious by the growing ire Spike could see in the boy’s eyes. Of course, nearly running him down that night hadn’t helped any.

“How long have you been working with Lavinia?” Spike asked casually, directing them toward a less crowded part of the garden.

“Eight months or so. How do you know her?” Xander asked warily.

Spike grinned. “Master of Charleston, luv. I know everybody.”

Oh. He dimly recalled Spike mentioning that a long time ago, but he hadn’t thought much of it. After all, Spike had considered himself the Master of Sunnydale, and what had that gotten him? “You drive a Subaru, Spike.”

“And Lavinia eats cheese whiz on saltine crackers,” Spike replied lightly. “Your point?”

“You live in a middle class neighborhood, Spike,” Xander said, trying to quiz out what was going on.

Spike rolled his eyes. “Property over here is a hot commodity. You can’t just waltz in and buy something.”

“Why are you here, Spike?” Xander asked.

“Lavinia invited me, of course. She’s a lovely girl,” Spike answered.

“You can’t hurt her,” Xander said. Spike rolled his eyes.

“I don’t intend to hurt her, or anyone, Xander. Lay off the slaying, would you? Besides, it just isn’t done for the hired help to threaten the guests,” Spike said dryly before wandering off to find something to eat. Xander was left staring into the now-clear pond, wondering what hallucinogenic plant he’d been inadvertently eating for the past year.

The rest of the evening was uneventful by Xander’s standards. He spent most of it watching Spike be a debonair gentleman, charming his fellow guests and generally being a nice guy. His behavior only made Xander feel worse about how he’d treated Spike.

It wasn’t until Xander was helping Steve collect the various chafing dishes laid out that Lavinia spoke to him again. She pulled him away from cleanup, leading him into her office.

“So, Fleur, you know Daisy?” Xander thought her question sounded like something from a James Bond knockoff movie.

“Um, yeah. Spike and I go back,” Xander said evasively.

“I see. He has recently purchased a more…appropriate residence nearby. I recommended he try to hire you away from me, at least temporarily,” Lavinia stated. “While normally I disapprove of my help running around like that, Daisy is a special friend.”

“Oh,” Xander replied. She wanted him to work for Spike?

“You don’t have to, of course, but do keep an open mind. He pays very well, I’ve heard, for services rendered,” Lavinia said with a wink. She escorted him out of the office and went to bed, leaving Xander to wonder just what that last comment meant.

•••

Two weeks to the day later, Xander found himself standing at Spike’s front door, wondering what the hell he was thinking. In the interim period between Lavinia’s party and this morning, his employer had finagled and cajoled until he agreed to work for Spike just to shut her up. She, with his approval, hired someone to manage the upkeep of her own garden so that Xander could focus on Spike’s.

Xander had spent a great deal of time trying to determine why Spike would agree to hire him. The only thing he could think of was that Spike was going to kill him in his sleep. Part of the employment agreement was an apartment above the carriage house, much like his agreement with Lavinia. Xander wasn’t sure he really wanted to be that near Spike all the time.

When the door opened, Spike was right there—not a butler as Xander had anticipated. “Morning, Fleur,” Spike said with a grin.

“Xander,” Xander corrected. He hated that nickname. “Unless you want me calling you Daisy all the time.”

“Doesn’t bother me, Xan, what you call me,” Spike said, leading him through the house. It was obviously in a state of refurbishment, but other people were strangely absent. Spike stopped when they reached the door to the garden. “Through there.”

Xander opened the door and stepped outside. Spike wouldn’t be accompanying him there, since the sun still shone brightly. “What do you want, Spike?”

Spike quirked an eyebrow. “Whatever you’ve got, Xander,” he said, making Xander blush. He’d walked right into that.

Xander ignored the vampire and walked around the garden, making note of where things were. It was in somewhat better shape than Lavinia’s, although it was a bit more neglected. A couple of hours later, he returned to the house. Spike was directing a pair of newly arrived painters in the dining room.

“If you paint it that color, I’ll kill you,” Spike said shortly, pointing to the burnt sienna paint one man had on his brush. “The color I chose was definitely not that.” The men shrugged and closed off the paint. They didn’t have any more with them, so the painting wouldn’t take place until tomorrow at the earliest.

“Well?” Spike said to Xander.

“Ah…You need a lot, not as much as Mrs. Astor, but a lot,” Xander replied.

“Fine. I’ve got accounts all over town. Do whatever you want. If I hate it, well…” Spike said jokingly.

“Uh huh. I’ll be going then. See you around,” Xander said, practically running out of the house.

Xander moved his stuff into the new apartment, noting how his stuff seemed to grow. What had been a few boxes and bags last year was almost more than his car could hold today. At least he hadn’t amassed any furniture.

•••

“So, pet, how goes the gardening?”

Xander jumped straight in the air. Spike had snuck right up behind him, whispering in his ear.

“Damn it, Spike! The gardening is fine. It would be finer if you didn’t bother me!” Xander said angrily. The vampire had taken to surprising him whenever he could—in the basement, under the enormous live oaks that dominated the garden, or in the kitchen. It was beginning to unnerve him.

Spike grinned. The boy was so predictable. His anger at Xander’s unkind words had faded long ago, so now he tormented the boy for fun, mostly sneaking up on him and flirting unmercifully. He may have stopped being supremely evil, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have fun now and then.

“As you wish, Fleur,” Spike said softly, backing away. Xander blushed at the nickname. It didn’t matter that Spike didn’t care that his own nickname from Lavinia was Daisy, being called ‘flower’ bothered Xander to no end. “Don’t be late for supper.”

Xander swore as Spike disappeared back into the house. Just yesterday, Spike had conned him into joining the vampire for dinner. Now it looked like there was no way to back out of it.

Spike had been more than kind to him since hiring him on for the outdoor work. No trace of his former hatred remained, but Xander still couldn’t relax. There were times when he was sure Spike was staring at him, or following him around. And, of course, Spike flirted with him. Xander was sure that Spike was doing that to make him uncomfortable. It was working, too.

Xander quickly finished setting the flowers he was working on and went to his apartment to get cleaned up. Maybe he’d trip and break his neck on the stairs.

•••

When Xander arrived for dinner, he found the dining room covered with candles. Flowers spilled over the table, which was set for two. Damn Spike, he was sure the vampire had mentioned having other guests. Xander really didn’t want to have to stay with Spike all evening by himself.

“Have a seat,” Spike said from the doorway. Xander twitched but did as he was instructed. Spike followed suit and sat across from Xander. He was a study in cultured elegance.

Gone were the ragged jeans and t-shirts. In their place were equally dark but elegant clothes in flowing silks. The change didn’t make Xander feel any more comfortable. Spike served him a glass of wine before pouring a glass for himself, smirking when Xander grimaced at the taste. He’d never developed a taste for the stuff, especially since his limited experience with wine was limited to Pete’s wine, the Saturday vintage.

“So, how is my garden doing, Xander?” Spike asked slowly, presenting Xander with his meal.

Xander thought for a moment before answering. “It’s alright. You’ve got slugs, though, and I’m having to do a lot of crawling to get them all.”

Spike laughed. “I’m sure all fours is a flattering position for you, Xander, so don’t fret.”

Xander choked on his dinner. He really should have expected that crack. “Um, you know it, Spike.”

Spike just quirked an eyebrow appraisingly. “And the flowers?”

“They’re fine. Did you look over the list I left for you?” Xander replied, happy they were on a safer topic.

“Indeed I did. You seem to have a particular fondness for orchids,” Spike said evenly.

Xander smiled. “They’re some of my favorites, and some varieties can actually survive here—if you take really good care of them. Lots of cuddling and nurturing.”

“I’m sure you have just the right kind of soft touch to make them come alive, Xander. But do you really want that many different kinds? It seems a bit…inconstant,” Spike said thoughtfully.

“I can’t really get enough of them, but if you’d prefer a continuous showing of the same variety, it would definitely have a striking effect, particularly as the season progresses,” Xander said happily. At least in this conversation he could hold his own. “And they could still be wintered safely in the little greenhouse you’ve got, so you can enjoy them whenever you like.”

“Oh, I do love a captive audience, don’t you?” Spike said softly. “I am glad you so love orchids, as they’re definitely one of my favorites as well. I could just eat them up, Fleur.”

Xander’s nose wrinkled at the nickname. He really wished she’d given him something a little less…girly. Fleur?

Dinner was soon finished and Xander made his excuses. Spike just smirked and let him go. The next morning, Xander found a package propped outside his door. The note read, “Xander, since you show such an avid interest in handling orchids, I felt that these texts would prove invaluable.”

Xander opened the paper wrapping. The first book was an impressive compendium of orchid information, from history to care. He carried it inside and flopped down on the settee, already addicted. He did spare a moment to glance at the other book, his jaw hitting the floor as he read, “Gay Kama Sutra.”

“What the fuck?” Xander shouted, looking at the thing from where he tossed it on the coffee table. Setting the orchid book down, he ran out of his apartment and back to the main house. When he got there, the new butler blocked his path.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Harris, but he is resting at the moment.”

“Resting my ass! Let me by!” Xander said, trying to push the butler out of the way.

“Xander, what brings you inside?” Spike called from the stairs. Xander looked up to see an obviously naked vampire lounging against the stair rail.

“You jackass! What’s with the book? That’s harassment!” Xander screeched.

“Really? I thought both went right along with your interests,” Spike returned.

“In orchids? How does that figure, you idiot?” Xander shot back.

Spike tisked. “Read one, figure out the other, Xander. You’re a bright boy.” Spike turned around and disappeared back into the depths of the house, uncaring of who might see him unclothed.

Xander glared at the butler but left as well.

•••

Xander saw little of Spike for the next three weeks. The vampire wasn’t avoiding him; instead, Xander was working from sunup to sundown, and disappearing as soon as it was dark enough for Spike to emerge. It suited Xander just fine. He wasn’t comfortable with Spike’s incessant flirting. It disturbed him to no end, and made him long for Lavinia’s house, where at least no one tried to bother him like that.

Finally, though, he had to go face Spike again. There were purchases large enough the vampire had to sign off on them. He found Spike in his office, pouring over quarterly taxes. It had been a great shock to learn that Spike owned not only the seedy Waffle House, but a weird, off-the-wall bookstore and several other businesses as well. Oh well, Spike had to get the money from somewhere.

“I need help, Spike,” Xander said.

Spike’s brow rose noticeably. “Took you long enough to admit it, Xander.”

Xander snorted. “Whatever. Sign off on this stuff, would you?”

Spike looked over the papers before signing them. “So, how’s the reading?”

Xander winced. He’d eventually figured out what Spike was insinuating with the books. How was Xander supposed to know what orchid meant? “Fine, although I’m going to get rid of the other one.”

“Oh,” Spike said thoughtfully. “The children’s book drive starts next week. I’ll make sure so send the little one around to the back door so you can give it to him properly.”

Xander choked at the innuendo. “You’re a sick bastard, Spike.”

Spike smiled. “Of course, dear.”

“You know, Spike, whatever you’re trying to do isn’t working. I’m not going to quit, or leave town, or go crying back to Lavinia,” Xander said hotly.

Spike got up and walked around the desk. “Who said I wanted to do any of those things, pet?” He remarked softly.

“Then what’s the purpose of this shit?” Xander asked.

“Oh, I just want to see you screaming and panting in my bed, begging for it,” Spike murmured. “Just you, naked and sweaty; crying because you want it so bad.”

“Gah,” Xander said, gulping. “That’s probably harassment.”

“Probably, nothing. It’s definitely harassment, and you love it, Xander,” Spike said in return.

“Um, nope, and getting out of here now,” Xander replied, fairly running out of the office.

“That was far, far too easy,” Spike said as he left, a smirk forming on his face.

•••

Xander ducked back under the hood of his rain slicker as he ran back outside to fetch another load of plants. He’d just set out some planters when news of a hurricane had come in, so he was out gathering them into a secure place. Meanwhile, the rain and winds had kicked up almost instantaneously, howling through the trees. It was an impressive sight, one Xander would be much happier to witness were he not out in it.

A shadowy figure caught his attention, and he was shocked to see Spike outside with him, easily carrying in the heaviest items Xander wished to rescue. He didn’t question the vampire’s activities but was instead grateful for the help.

Once all the plants were inside, Xander slumped against the wall, breathing heavily. “You should stay at the main house tonight, Xander. No telling what’s gonna happen out here,” Spike said calmly.

Xander considered it for a minute, and then nodded. Now was not the time to be arguing with Spike about where it was most appropriate for him to stay. All the other house staff had gone home, so it was just Xander that Spike had to worry about.

Inside the house, Spike gave Xander towels and directed him toward a bathroom before disappearing to dry off himself. When he emerged, he found the vampire in the kitchen, warming up blood.

“Want something to eat, luv?” Spike said, nodding toward the refrigerator. Xander poked around, finally settling on a sandwich.

“How long will this last?” Xander asked around bites.

Spike shrugged. “Dunno, but the forecast isn’t pleasant. It could take another day or more to blow over.”

Xander swore. That wasn’t good. It meant flooding, lightening, and Spike’s company. As though to stress that point, the storm chose that moment to kill the power. “Shit.”

Spike raised an eyebrow but said nothing, simply finishing off his dinner. The lack of power meant little to him, after all. “Come on, we’ll start a fire somewhere.”

Xander followed Spike; taking the hurricane lantern he was handed. Spike led him upstairs, into a sort of lounge area. The vampire lit a fire in the fireplace and pulled a couple of chairs closer to it. Xander sank down gratefully, the fire driving away a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. “So, what now?” He asked the vampire.

Spike grinned evilly. “We wait out the storm. I’m sure we can think up something to do with our time.”

Xander rolled his eyes. “Come off it, Spike. It’s not gonna happen.”

“I’d rather come on something, but if you insist…” Spike murmured, sinking down onto the floor next to Xander.

“You’d think that after all those years you’d come up with better—“ Xander’s rant was interrupted by Spike running his tongue along the arch of his left foot.

Spike was pleased by Xander’s reaction. The boy was easily played, and this night was going to be a masterpiece.

“Um, Spike? Let’s not do that, ok?” Xander said, although he made no effort to move. Spike ignored him and nipped his way along one leg, almost up to the knee, pushing Xander’s loose trousers up along the way.

Xander began to squirm, partly to get away but mostly because he was turned on. Having Spike touch him was icky, he told himself, so he should get away right now. Before he could, though, he found himself face to face with the vampire.

“So, did you learn anything from the books before you gave them away to the little boy?” Spike asked playfully, gently pressing himself along Xander. The boy tried to get away but only succeeded in arching himself into the vampire, showing both of them that he was, in fact, aroused by the situation.

“Um, not liking this, Spike. Guy here,” Xander said pleadingly.

“I noticed, and you do, Xander. Hard…to hide,” Spike murmured, rubbing one hand along Xander’s erection. This was much more fun than he’d anticipated.

Xander opened his mouth to protest, only to find it captured by Spike. The vampire kissed with frightening intensity, claiming Xander in a nearly brutal fashion. He whined softly, helpless to fight the much stronger and more forceful vampire. He wasn’t sure how long the kiss went on, but the next thing he noticed was that he was lying on a bed, minus his shirt. Spike was straddling him, running his hands up and down Xander’s arms to wake him.

“Sorry, luv. Forgot all about that needing-to-breathe thing,” Spike said apologetically. Xander tried to buck him off, making both of them groan. “Do that again, Xander.”

Xander didn’t comply right away, but his attempts to get away were effectively identical. Giving up on physical force, he tried words. “I don’t want this, Spike. Let me go. This isn’t right, not even for you.”

Spike stopped and looked down at him. “Hmm…maybe you’re right. Ask me again in five minutes.”

Before Xander could protest, Spike renewed his assault. Xander found himself licked, bit and sucked all over. Just when he thought he knew what Spike was going to do next, the vampire did something else.

Xander let out a high-pitched squeak when Spike’s mouth found his erection. The cool, wet sensation was riveting and Xander nearly came then and there. He couldn’t get used to the feeling—it was glorious but very strange, and ultimately exciting. A tickling caress on his balls by one of Spike’s free hands set him off and he climaxed harshly into Spike’s mouth.

When he came to, he found Spike peering into his face. “Still don’t want it?” Xander just stared at the vampire. Huh? Don’t want what?

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Spike said. Xander was confused. Had he spoken aloud? Want what? What had he just agreed to? “Don’t go anywhere, Xander. We’re just getting started.”