AUTHORS: Salustra and Malea

E-MAILS: Salustra: goddess_salustra@juno.com ; Malea: justmalea@tmail.com

TITLE: As Flame to Smoke, 3/7

RATING: FRAO, Adults only,

PAIRING: Liam/William eventually, none this chapter

SUMMARY: In Answer for Ghostsforge's challenge #13 for Forging_Ghost- While investigating a series of brutal murders, Vice Detective Liam meets, and becomes infatuated with a prostitute called Spike...

Distribution: Various lists, Wierd Romance Yahoo Group- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WierdRomance ;

My livejournal - http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=salustra ; and the website Weird Romances- http://www.salustra.vague-disclaimer.org . Anyplace else is fine, just let us know where it's going.

This chapter- They find out who the killer is.

SPOILERS: None. Completely human AU.

WARNINGS: discussions of porn and violence, pre-slash.

DISCLAIMER: We adore playing with the pretties, but we're just having fun. No money made, don't sue us!

FEEDBACK: Yes please.

Length: 5,375 Words.

Link to worksafe manip by Salustra-

http://weblogimages.com/static/clP476413sF4.jpg

"One sin, I know, another doth provoke.

Murder's as near to lust as flame to smoke."

-William Shakespeare, Pericles

"Spike, come with me please," Liam says gently.

Spike flows up from the chair and walks out with Liam. The other men are looking as they come out, and the din of chatter abruptly ceases at a glance from Liam, but there are still intent stares. Liam finally has enough of it and stops. "You guys got a fucking problem?" he shouts at the other officers. "You got a problem, come on, let's fucking talk about it."

"No problem with you, Liam," Gunn says.

Liam steps toward Gunn. "Then you got no problem with anyone in my protection, do you?" he asks with a growl.

"No problem." Gunn crosses his arm. "We're just looking, Liam. No harm in looking."

Liam grabs Gunn by his collar. "Look somewhere else," he says with a menacing tone.

"You sweet on this hooker, Liam?"

Liam punches Gunn in the face, dropping him as he stalks back over to Spike. He grabs Spike's arm and leads him away from the rest of the officers. Spike's expression is shocked, the defenses dropped for a moment. "You punched him."

"Yeah, well, he deserved it," Liam says, his heart still pounding in his chest. "He runs his mouth off," he says with a shrug, Spike is still shocked as he is dragged along. Liam walks into the photographing room and tells the normal photographer to get out. He jumps slightly at Liam's tone and scurries out. Liam closes the door and takes a couple of calming breaths. He looks back at Spike. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Spike's attitude is gone; he's more like the boy in Liam's kitchen this morning.

Liam shrugs and looks over at Spike. "Being all butch and insane," he says, blushing slightly.

Spike chuckles a little. "It's awright."

"Okay. I just," Liam shakes his head. "I don't know, I didn't like them looking at you like that. You're a person, not a fucking piece of meat."

"To them I am a piece of meat. I gave freebies to half the guys there, one time or another."

"Extreme fuckheads," Liam says firmly. "Come on, let's get this shit done so I can take you back home," he says, not even caring that he sounds possessive.

Spike nods, slipping off the oversized clothes. He shivers a bit in the cool of the room.

Liam touches Spike's face gently, not looking down at his bare body. "You're going to be fine, okay?"

Spike nods. "Awright." He sighs. "M'ready for the pics."

Liam nods and picks up the camera, zooming in close to the bruises and scratches on Spike's smooth body. Spike moves and poses, as he needs to, following Liam's instructions. "I've just got to change the filter and we'll be done. This one will show any bruises that may not have shown up yet," he explains as he clips a filter on the lens, taking broader pictures, blushing as he has to take pictures of all of Spike's body. "All done now," he says, taking the film from the camera.

Spike sighs with relief, pulling his clothes back on. "Thank you, Liam."

Liam keeps his eyes down until Spike speaks, wanting to give him as much privacy as possible. He looks up and gives Spike a questioning look. "For what?"

"Doing this yourself. I know it sounds strange, coming from a hooker, but being naked like this is different."

"I get that," Liam says as he tucks the film into his pocket. "And maybe it sounds strange coming from a cop, but I didn't want you to feel, you know, violated or whatever."

"You're not just a cop to me."

"You're not a hooker at all to me."

There was that soft vulnerability in his eyes again. Spike clears his throat. "So what's next?"

Liam takes a step closer and then shakes his head. He almost kissed Spike. "Um, sketch probably. You know I can do that too, we can just go to my office if you like, or we can go to the sketch room, they've got some computer software there that's pretty good."

"Either one. Up to you."

"What are you most comfortable with?" Liam asks honestly. "I want to make this as painless for you as possible."

"Doesn't matter, long as I'm with you."

"You will be," Liam says with a nod. "Let's go down there, Andrew is good with the computer, I can do a hand sketch and he can do a computer one, it's good to have both. He's a nice guy, not like the other fuckers."

Spike smiles. "Awright, let's go down there."

"Good deal," Liam says, opening the door and leading Spike down to Andrew's lab. "Heyya Andy," he says with a smile.

"Oh, hiiii Liam," Andrew says, looking up, and frowning a little as he sees Spike. "Um, who's your friend?"

"This is Spike, he's here to give us a description for the unsub. I wanted your help to do a computer sketch and I'll draw something," Liam explains.

"Oh, ok." Andrew's expression brightens. "Hey, I've seen you, on the videotapes," he says to Spike.

Spike raises an eyebrow. "Videotapes?"

"Surveillance cameras in the office of the motel," Liam explains softly.

"Oh, yeah, those too," Andrew says. "But I wasn't talking about those."

"What are you talking about?" Liam asks Andrew, his body stiffening.

"The Naughty Choirboy," Andrew replies as Spike flushes and nods, turning his head.

"The Naughty who-what?" Liam asks.

"The Naughty Choirboy. It's this whole series of *totally* hot porn."

Liam clears his throat, blushing slightly. "Yes, well, um, so, sketch?"

"Oh. Yeah, sure, sorry."

Liam pulls a chair out for Spike, sitting him down between himself and Andrew. "So, tell us everything you can remember," he says softly to Spike.

Spike sighs and nods, closing his eyes, starting to describe. Answering their questions, bit by bit. Fleshing out the sketch. Liam looks down at his sketch once it's finished, blinking. "What the fuck?" he says softly. He holds it up and shows it to Spike. "Is this the guy?"

"Yes, that's him."

Liam stands up and looks at the computer screen, comparing his own sketch with the one Andrew has produced. "This has to be right," he says, looking at the similarities between the two.

Andrew looks over at the sketch. "Sure looks like it."

"Print it out and delete it," Liam says firmly. "I'm taking this to the Captain. Don't tell anyone you did this."

Andrew nods. "Okay, Liam, anything for you."

Liam clasps Andrew's shoulder. "Seriously, I owe you one for this." He waits for the print out and then grabs it, leading Spike out of the lab and back to Giles' office.

Spike comes along, half-dragged. "What is it?"

"I'll tell you later," Liam says. "The walls have ears," he explains, knocking on Giles' door.

Wesley walks by. "Captain's gone home, he was here all night, Liam."

"Fuck. Thanks Wesley. I'm heading out. Hey, where's Finn? I thought he'd be all over this," Liam says casually.

"He's on vacation. He had about a month saved up, took it all at once."

Liam nods. "Ahh, I guess I've been so wrapped up in the case I didn't notice till today," he says with a forced smile. "Thanks, I'm out," he says, leading Spike to the car again.

Spike looks bewildered as he's dragged along. "What's going on?" He asks as they get into the car.

Liam starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot. "I know who this guy is," he says softly to Spike. "His name's Riley Finn, he's an officer in our precinct," he explains as gently as possible.

"A cop? Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. He knows where I live. He... he has your card, it was in my wallet."

Liam leans over and laces his fingers with Spike's. "We're going to the Captain's house first. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, I swear it."

Spike squeezes Liam's hand. "I trust you."

"Good," Liam says with a nod, pulling up to Giles' house. He gets out and pulls Spike with him to the door, knocking loudly.

A woman in a thick robe answers the door with a smile. "Liam? What are you doing here, Rupert's asleep right now."

"Joyce, I'm sorry ma'am, I really am. But this is important," Liam says, pulling Spike beside him.

Joyce looks at Spike and smiles. "Come on in, both of you, it's chilly outside and you haven't got a coat on. I'll get Rupert."

"Thank you, Mrs. Giles," Liam says sincerely. He places his hand on the small of Spike's back and follows him inside.

Joyce shows them into the living room. "Make yourselves comfortable, I'll go get him." She walks off down the hall.

Liam nods at her and leads Spike to the couch. "You okay?" he asks, feeling like an idiot but he can't think of anything else to say.

Spike gives a short laugh. "Yeah, just peachy."

"I know, I'm a moron," Liam says, fidgeting with the pictures as he leans his elbows on his knees.

"No, you're fantastic." Spike leans against Liam's shoulder and wraps an arm around his waist.

Liam smiles and places his hand on Spike's knee gently. "Thanks," he says with a shrug.

Captain Giles comes stumbling in, looking bleary, in a worn-looking robe. "This had better be bloody important, O'Donnell."

Liam looks up at Giles and stands. "It is, Captain," he says, handing Giles the sketches.

Giles looks at the sketches, and it takes a moment for them to penetrate. "These from Spike's description?"

"Yes Sir, I did the drawing, Andrew did the computer, we didn't compare until they were completed," Liam says, explaining that they independently came up with the same result.

"Dear Lord. He's been on vacation over a week. About the time we found the first one."

"No shit. He's been planning this," Liam says. "He's planning to do a lot more, I think. Wesley said that he took a month off," he says with a little shudder.

"That is *not* good, O'Donnell. One of our own, I'm going to have to get the whole bloody force on it."

"Yes Sir, that's why I came to you, Andrew gave me his word that he'd keep his lips zipped about it."

"Very good. O'Donnell... you're off this. You take him and get to one of our safe houses. He's the only witness."

"What? That's bullshit! This is my case, Captain! Plus, Finn knows where all our fucking safe houses are!"

"How precisely are you planning to keep him safe and still work the case?"

Liam closes his mouth shut with a clack of his teeth. "Um, I don't know, Sir," he says sheepishly.

"Did you finish processing him or did you bring him here in the middle of it?"

"Photos and sketches are done, Sir, I can get the full statement myself."

"Go back to the station house. Make sure the statement and sketches and all are turned in to Sergeant Moore, my assistant. I trust him with my life. I'll set up a new safe house and get you the details as soon as I can."

Liam nods. He feels better knowing Riley won't be there. "Yes Sir, I'll get it taken care of," he says, looking down at Spike. "I want to be the only one with him at the safe house, I don't know who to trust other than you," he says softly to Giles.

Giles sighs. "I agree. Less people that know, the better."

"Yes Sir, thank you. I'm sorry to wake you, I just didn't think it could wait."

"No, you were right to come." Captain Giles runs his fingers through his hair with a tired sigh. "We have work to do."

"Thank you Sir," Liam says as he holds his hand down to Spike. "We'll go back to the precinct and get everything into Sergeant Moore."

"Very good." The Captain sees them both to the door and out.

Spike is shaking a little as they move back to the car. "This Finn...what's he like?"

Liam opens the door for Spike and walks around to the drivers seat. "You know how you always see on the news where people always say 'Oh, he was so polite, I would have never thought he could do something like this!' right? Well, I'm the one saying that now. He's a good cop, or at least I thought he was."

Spike swallows and nods. "The way he had me tied up... I know why it's so familiar now. It's from one of those videos."

"One of the, um, videos Andrew was talking about?"

Spike nods, wrapping his arms around himself. "Yeah."

Liam nods and something clicks inside his head. Spike was his target all along. He'd always thought of Riley as being completely straight, but obviously he'd seen Spike's videos. Maybe he blames Spike for his feelings toward men. "Look, I'm going to take care of you, okay? I promise you, he won't touch you."

Spike nods again, still shaking. "I'm sorry."

Liam reaches over, wrapping his arm around Spike's shoulders. "For what? You don't have anything to be sorry for, William."

"The others. They're all dead because of those stupid videos."

"William, no. Not at all," Liam says emphatically. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"He tied them up like me, didn't he? Like those stupid videos. It was all about this naughty choirboy, leading priests into sin. Seducing them." Spike is shaking harder. "I was fourteen. I'd just gotten to the city, this man said he was going to put me in pictures. I was really, really bloody stupid."

Liam shakes his head. The description of the videos only solidifies his thoughts about Riley. "William, no offence, but I'm pretty sure there are a lot of videos like that out there," he says softly. "Look at me," he orders softly.

Spike looks up, tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

"None of this is your fault, NONE of it. Finn's obviously a sick fuck and that doesn't have ANYTHING to do with you. He would have found something to fixate on, no matter what it was." Liam leans over and brushes Spike's cheek gently. "NONE of this is your fault."

Spike stares into Liam's eyes. "You really think so?" He asks, his voice breaking.

Liam shakes his head. "I don't think so, I know so," he says, leaning in to kiss Spike's cheek softly.

Spike makes a half-gasp, half-sob, and wraps his arms around Liam's neck.

Liam pulls him close, stroking his back gently. "I'm here, William, I'm here."

Spike holds tight to Liam. "I don't know why you don't despise me, like the others."

"Because I see you. You're a beautiful, wonderful man," Liam says softly.

Spike relaxes his grip a little, gazing up at Liam. "You keep talking like that, you're going to turn my head." He wipes his eyes and makes a little laugh.

Liam smiles and brushes Spike's cheeks. "Is that a bad thing?"

Spike gives a ghost of a smile. "No, no it's not."

"Good," Liam says softly. "Let's get this stuff done so I can take you home."

Spike nods. "Awright. M'ready."

"Are you sure?" Liam asks softly.

Spike sighs. "Yeah. Let's get it over with."

Liam nods and starts the car, driving back to the precinct. He leads Spike into one of the interrogation rooms. "For the statement, we have to do it here, it's recorded," he explains gently.

Spike nods. "Awright. So ask away." He tight and nervous, but he hasn't put his walls back up.

"Tell me any time if you need to take a break, okay? Can I get you anything? A drink, cigarettes, anything before we start?"

"A cig would be good, haven't had any since last night."

"I didn't think about it, I'm sorry," Liam says softly. He walks over to a cabinet and pulls out a pack of Marlboro Lights. "These work for you?"

"Anything, m'not picky."

"All right," Liam says, grabbing a matchbook as well, sitting back down in front of Spike, handing them to him. "Let me know when you're ready," he says.

Spike lights the cigarette, taking a deep drag. He lets out a puff of smoke and a happy sigh. "Fire away."

Liam nods and gives Spike a compassionate look before turning the tape recorder on for the later dictation. "Do you know approximately what time it was when you were approached by the man?"

"Don't wear a watch. Sorry."

"Just approximate, after midnight? Before?" Liam asks.

"Before."

"Thanks. And what did he say to you?"

"He walked up to me like you did, flashing a badge and scaring off a client. Said he was FBI, that they'd taken over the case. He was going to haul me in for questioning."

"And then what happened?" Liam asks gently.

"I got in the car. You don't argue with a badge, not when you're a hooker. When he got me to the motel, I started getting suspicious. He just flashed a smile and said he wanted a freebie first. M'used to that, din't think anything about it. I went it, paid for the room. It wasn't till we got to the room that I knew something was wrong. I tried to get away, but he was a lot bigger and a lot stronger." Spike stops and shudders, taking a drag off the cigarette with shaking fingers.

"It's okay, just take your time," Liam says softly, placing a hand on Spike's arm gently. "What made you sense something was wrong?"

"The room smelled like... antiseptic."

"Like it had been sterilized?" Liam clarifies.

"Yeah. Something like that. It was off, especially for a bondage freak. And I could see the rope ties all set up already."

Liam nods. "I imagine so. What happened then?"

"He pushed me down on the bed. I struggled, I fought. He just kept holding me down with an occasional punch, and tied me one limb at a time. He..." Spike shudders again. "Gagged me, then took out some surgical tools from the drawer on the bedside table. He used one of the bigger knives to cut my clothes off me."

Liam shakes his head in disgust, giving Spike a sympathetic look. "Did he say anything to you through all this that you can remember?"

"No. Quiet the whole time, it was eerie. Then after I was naked, he started talking. Talking about how I was a wicked whore and ungodly and I had to die."

"What was he doing while he was talking? Did he say anything else to you?"

"He was looking at the instruments, and at me. He told me how he was going to flay off my flesh, a bit at a time, so I could never tempt anyone into sin again. Even dead. Then he went into the bathroom and came back. He muttered to himself and then told me he had to go get some blood. He said he wanted to keep me alive as long as possible. Then he left."

"What did you do after he left?"

"Tried to get loose. The knots were very good. Too bloody good. Then you and your partner came busting in."

Liam nods and turns off the tape. "You okay, William?" he asks softly.

Spike nods. He takes another drag off the cigarette. "M'fine." His hands are still shaking.

Liam moves his chair around the table, sitting beside Spike. "Bullshit," he says softly, pulling Spike into a hug.

Spike leans into Liam's body. "I would be dead if you hadn't come for me."

"I did come for you, I always will," Liam says softly against Spike's ear.

Spike sighs. "God, you make me feel so protected."

"Good, you are. I'll never let anything happen to you," Liam vows.

"Thank you." Spike holds on to him. "Can we leave now?"

Liam smiles and stands, still holding Spike to him. "Yeah, let's go get you some clothes and stuff while we wait for Captain to call me."

Spike keeps close to Liam. "You don't have to do that."

"Didn't say I had to, going to do it anyway," Liam says as he opens the door of the room. "Besides, I can probably turn in my receipts for it," he says with a grin.

They drop off everything with Sergeant Moore on the way out, and climb into the car. Spike looks visibly relieved as they walk outside. Liam starts the car and heads toward the mall. "Got any store in particular in mind?" he asks, lacing his fingers with Spike's again.

Spike shakes his head. "I buy most of my clothes either at secondhand store, or at the leather place down in West Hollywood."

"Well, we can go there if you like, but I was thinking something more along the lines of American Eagle or Hollister," Liam teases.

Spike chuckles. "Well whatever you like. You're paying."

Liam smiles. "Well, I am paying, but you'll be getting whatever YOU like."

"Well then whatever store we hit first is fine."

"What kind of stuff do you like to wear?" Liam asks.

Spike sighs. "Before... before I came here... I wore mostly T-shirts and jeans."

"Mmm, I have an idea, I know what you'd look really nice in, I mean, if you care about my input," Liam says softly.

Spike looks over at him. "Sure. What're you thinking?"

"Skater boy jeans," Liam says with a smile. "You know, the ones that are fitted at the waist and hips but are loose cut otherwise?"

Spike nods and grins. "Sounds good."

"I just think you'd look hot in those baggy jeans, but they'd still show off your, um, assets," Liam says as he blushes slightly.

"Assets, huh?" Spike chuckles.

"Yes, um, you know, uhhh..." Liam trails off. "Oh look, there's a Hollister!" he says suddenly, pulling into the parking lot.

Spike grins and climbs out of the car, eyes sparkling.

Liam scrubs his hand over his face and gets out of the car. "Okay, let's shop till we drop. Or, ya know, until you have clothes of your own to wear," he says with a laugh.

Spike goes inside and looks through the clothes, taking in a deep breath. "Haven't been someplace like this since I left..." his voice trails off a bit and he clears his throat. "Anyway. These are nice." He picks out a few pairs of jeans and some T-shirts.

Liam gives him a small smile, noting to himself to ask about that later. "Pick out some more, and do you wear boxers or briefs or anything?" he asks. "Oh, and socks, mine are a little big for you. And maybe another pair of shoes?" he asks with a smile.

"Some boxers would be good, I guess. I normally wear nothing or thongs for working, but boxers would be nice, and I could sleep in them. But you don't need to buy me a bunch of clothes."

Liam steps forward and touches Spike's cheek. "Don't need to, want to, okay? Let me do this for you."

Spike moans softly. "Awright. You don't play fair, you know. Can't say no when you talk to me like that and touch me."

Liam chuckles and shakes his head. "Good to know, I'll keep that in mind." Spike grins and moves off to pick some more clothes. Liam smiles as he sees Spike's casual walk, the walk he likes a lot more than his prowl. "How about this one?" he asks, holding up a black T-shirt with blue print on it. It has a Buddha on the front and says 'Rub Here for Good Luck' on the belly of it.

Spike chuckles. "You just want an excuse to rub my belly."

Liam gives Spike a sassy look. "If I wanted an excuse to rub you, I'd buy you one in my size," he says and then blushes crimson. He can be sexual, but it tends to embarrass him.

Spike grins and licks his lips. "Well maybe you should see if they have one in your size then."

Liam actually squeaks a bit. "Well, if you think I'd look good in it," he says, trying to cover. "I need some new casual clothes anyway."

Spike chuckles. "Might as well. Give me an excuse to rub *your* belly."

Liam shivers slightly and smiles, licking his lips. "All right then," he says, picking up an extra large from the stack. "What else do ya need?"

Spike heads over towards the underwear. "Boxers and socks should do me."

"And shoes," Liam reminds him. He picks up a couple of pairs of silk boxers for himself, he likes the feel of them.

"You like silk?" Spike asks, seeing that.

Liam shrugs. "Sometimes, not for every day wear, but yeah. You?"

"Yeah. Sometimes I'd find some at the secondhand stores."

Liam smiles. "You should get some, then. And actually, you know what, I'm going to get buy enough for a few days at least, that way we don't have to go back to my place before, you know," he says as he walks over and picks up several pairs of jeans and a hand full of T-shirts.

"Awright." Spike picks out a couple of pairs of silk boxers, smiling as he feels the material with his fingers, then some plain cotton ones and some socks. He goes over to the shoes and looks at them, a little overwhelmed at the choices.

Liam walks over to Spike who's staring at the immense wall of shoes and looking intimidated. "Too many choices, huh?"

Spike nods. "Yeah. Just dunno what to get."

"Well, I've always been a fan of Sketchers and Vans, Nikes if I'm being pretentious," Liam says with a smile. "They just tend to be really comfortable and hold up well."

"Sketchers. They've got those funny commercials on TV." Spike reaches up and picks up a dark blue pair, trying them on.

Liam smiles and chuckles. "That they do," he says, looking through the boxes till he finds a pair of Vans in his size. He opens the box and sticks out his tongue. "Grey and banana yellow? Do people actually buy this shit?"

"I imagine someone must." Spike shakes his head. "No accounting for taste."

"You got that right," Liam says, putting the box back. He finds a pair of Sketchers in his size and pulls it down. "Black and silver, that's better."

"Suits you." Spike smiles. He settles on the bench, watching Liam. It's almost, well, normal. Just being here, shopping, discussing sneaker commercials, nothing like the life he's led.

Liam smiles and touches Spike's shoulder softly. "Thanks. Find anything you like?"

"I like these. Blue's my color."

"Matches your eyes," Liam says with a bright smile. "So, shirts, pants, boxers, socks, shoes, silk boxers, anything else we need?"

"Think we're covered. Though if we're not going to your place we should get some toiletries and stuff."

"They should have all of that already there. But it's not a bad idea to pick some up just in case," Liam says, walking up to the check out counter with Spike. He follows along with Liam, carrying the clothes. They check out and head outside, and the phone starts to ring as they get into the car. "Good timing," Liam says, flipping open his phone. "O'Donnell here."

"Got your safe house. Come buy, I'll give you a map and keys."

"Thanks Captain," Liam says sincerely. "Stocked with food and toiletries and the like?"

"Yeah. Standard set-up."

"Excellent, thanks again. We'll be there ASAP," Liam says, flipping the phone shut. "All set up, ready to go home?" he asks Spike, squeezing his hand again.

Spike nods. "Ready as I'll ever be." Liam nods and drives to Giles' house, leading Spike up to the door again.

Captain Giles answers the door, showing them inside. "Here you go. It's not one of ours, so Finn shouldn't know about it. Out in the middle of wine country, well out of town." He hands Liam a map and some keys.

"Sounds perfect. You're going to keep me posted, right?" Liam asks, taking the map and keys.

"Yes. I'll check in with you on your cell."

"I appreciate it, you guys be careful. Once he realizes we're on to him, you guys may be in danger," Liam says, shaking Giles' hand. "All right, we're out."

"You be careful as well. Spike is the whole case."

Liam clenches his jaw a bit. "He's more than a case, Sir, he's a man who's been through a lot of fucked up shit."

The Captain sighs. "I realize that, O'Donnell. What I *meant* is, that if Finn wants get away with this, Spike is going to be his sole target."

"Oh, yeah, sorry," Liam says, feeling a little sheepish. He feels very protective of Spike. "No worries, Cap, Finn won't survive it if he even thinks about showing his face near me."

Giles looks at Liam appraisingly. "Can I speak to you in my office for a moment... alone?"

Liam swallows, that's never a good thing. "Yes Sir," he says, following Giles.

Giles leads him down the hall into his office. "Close the door."

This is definitely not a good thing. Liam nods and closes the door behind him. "What can I help you with, Captain?"

"Is there something going on with you and Spike that I should know about?"

Liam looks at him, confused. "What do you mean, Cap?"

"Scuttlebutt is you punched Gunn for looking at him the wrong way. You seem rather... intense... in your protectiveness of him."

Liam stabs the toe of his shoe into the carpet. "Well, the guys were treating him like a piece of meat or a freak, not the victim. It just pissed me off, it was completely inappropriate behavior from them," he says, hoping Giles doesn't notice he didn't address the second statement.

"Perhaps. But then there's you taking him home with you, and insisting you're the only one that can protect him, and then just now, getting your back up with my remark. Just tell me this, O'Donnell, is he underage?"

Liam blushes. "I swear to you, Captain, nothing has happened. But no, he's seventeen."

Giles lets out a slow breath. "Good. I've seen this happen before with other cops, good cops. It can ruin you, if not career wise, then emotionally. Be careful, O'Donnell."

Liam flops down into a chair. "What do you mean?" he asks.

Giles sighs. "How can I put this delicately? Spike may seem very... innocent. But a boy who's survived on the streets like that is very adept at manipulating people. He has to be. I've seen cops get involved with prostitutes and it seldom ends well."

Liam sighs and nods. "I get what you're saying. But he's different," he holds up his hand as Giles starts to speak, "I know, they all pretend to be different, but I can see it in his eyes. Don't worry, though, not only am I a gentleman, I gave him my word that I wouldn't touch him, so even if he tried to use his body against me, I wouldn't go for it."

"The other end can be just as dangerous. Trying to save him. If it turns out he doesn't want to *be* saved... I've seen cops burn out that way."

Liam thinks about that for a few moments before nodding. "I'll be cautious," he finally says.

"That's all I can ask. I like you, O'Donnell, you're a good cop and a good man. I just wanted to give you the benefit of my experience."

Liam smiles. "Thank you, Sir. Well, you must've done something right to end up with your lovely wife."

"I've been very, very lucky." Giles smiles back at him. "Now, it's time for you to go."

Liam stands and smiles. "Thinking about the wife now, are ya?" he teases.

"Cheek."

Liam laughs and walks back out to the living room. "Thanks again, Sir," he says, motioning to Spike. "Ready to get out of the city?"

Spike smiles and nods, letting out a sigh of relief. He had been worried something was wrong but the laugh reassures him. "Ready." He gets up and comes up to Liam, following him out.

Kerri/Salustra. Slash ho, especially for Spike

My Website- http://www.salustra.vague-disclaimer.org/welcome.html
My RP- http://www.salustra.vague-disclaimer.org/rpinfo.html
My LJ- http://tinyurl.com/bezwy
My Yahoo Group- http://tinyurl.com/a6hud