Fic: The Boy Next Door: Proclamation, Xander/Spike, BtVS, Prompt - Emancipation

[strickens-girl.livejournal.com]

Written for the tamingthemuse prompt of "Emancipation".


Title: Proclamation
Series: The Boy Next Door
Pairing: Spike/Xander, mentions of Ethan/Giles
Rating: Mature/Adults Only
Prompt: Emancipation
Spoilers: None, all human AU
Warnings: Underage, manipulation, dark!fic, daddy!kink, child abuse, overall dirty!bad!wrongness.
Summary: Xander needs some help but Spike decides to help himself to Xander.
Word Count: 1,315

And, due to the LJ Boldthrough, I am sporting a new disclaimer for this fic, thanks to _sharvie_:

Disclaimer: No childrenz were hurt in teh making of this fanfic! *g*

Previous Parts.

Thanks to _sharvie_ for the lovely banner beneath the cut.






The Boy Next Door: Proclamation


"But I don't understand," Xander whispered for what felt like the hundredth time that night. There were so many complicated terms and legal jargon being thrown around that the young man felt like he was going to drown in the sea of confusion.

The taller of the two police officers - Sergeant Cobb, Xander reminded himself - sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in a gesture that Xander recognized from Giles as frustration and impatience.

"We've explained this already three times," the irritated officer growled before his partner- Officer Wash - stepped closer to Xander, squatting down to put himself at the seated boy's height before he clarified the situation.

"I know this is all very weird, but the law states that you have to live with your parents," Wash explained. "It is they're responsibility to feed, clothe and care for you. Because you're living here, they can be charged with abandonment. We went over there, along with Mrs. Kroeger from Social Services, and explained it to them. They expressed to us that do not wish to go to jail or have any legal troubles over this issue so they asked us to come over here and bring you back home."

"But those people are terrible to him!" Spike shouted, his anger finally boiling over. "They haven't even checked on him since he's been here, for Christ's sake. The things that have happened would make you ill."

The Sergeant took a step forward, all menace and anger. "Do you mean to tell me that this boy has been abused by his parents?"

"Yeah, I mean to tell you…" Spike started to yell until a firm hand reached out to grasp his shoulder tightly. Ethan's face was grim and he shook his head to quiet his son.

"What would happen if it were reported that Xander was being abused?" Ethan asked.

The two officers looked to each other as Officer Wash slowly stood before they took turns speaking.

"A report would have to be made. Then our agency and Social Services would have to come out and interview the family and Alexander."

"We would probably pull school and medical records to determine the extent of the abuse, if any exists."

Xander watched as Spike's hands curled into fists at the accusation the officers made before sighing, "And then..?"

"Then, if the abuse claims are confirmed, Alexander could be removed from the home..."

Then the words Xander had been dreading were spoken.

"...and placed in a foster home."

Numb from the situation, Xander barely heard Spike's growl or Ethan's gasp, even though he knew Giles was cleaning his glasses without even looking.

"Couldn't he just live with us?" Spike asked. "He's been here anyway."

"Not our decision," Wash explained. "Social Services have a very strict policy about who can serve as a foster family. You'd have to apply for an interview and submit to an inspection of your home. It could be weeks before Alexander would be allowed to return."

Despair and defeat crashed down upon Xander. His head dropped with the weight of it as he refused to listen to the remainder of the conversation. He knew it had been too good to be true, things had been perfect. He'd finally had all that he ever wanted and now that dream was being ripped from him.

"Ok," he whispered as he stood, shocking the other men in the room, still deep in conversation. "Let's go."

"Just like that?!" Spike snapped as he jumped up and grabbed Xander by the shoulders, shaking him lightly. "After all this time, you're just going to get up and leave me?"

"I have to go, Spike," the sable-haired boy whispered, tears choking his voice. "What else am I going to do?"

"You know," Sergeant Cobb interjected softly, "Living in your home only means you have to sleep there at night. If you just happen to come next door after school and maybe stay for dinner most nights, that's not against the law. Even if it gets reported, there's nothing we can do about that."

"Perfect," Spike spat before he ran up the stairs at full speed. Xander looked questioningly between the two Englishmen and the pair of police officers, wondering what was wrong with his lover.

Giles and Ethan stepped forward, the librarian rubbing the younger man's back soothingly.

"Don't worry, Xander," he comforted the boy. "We'll figure something out."

"Yeah," Xander whispered, misery and hopelessness coloring his voice. He wanted to trust them, but it all seemed so impossible.

Just then, Spike stumbled down the stairs carrying two duffle bags and Xander's backpack. The sable-haired boy frowned. Spike had run upstairs to pack his things. He was ready to get rid of him.

"Ready to go?" Spike asked, his voice harsh and angry, as he began to head for the door. Xander nodded before hugging both the Englishmen watching the scene before them. When Xander moved to follow him, Spike looked at Ethan and said, "Work this out tonight, Da. I'll see you in the morning and you can tell me what you came up with, right?"

"Where are you going?" Xander asked.

"With you, Pet," Spike whispered, trailing his fingertips through the tear tracks on the boy's wet cheeks. "There might be a law to make you stay in that hellhole they call your house but there ain't no law that says I can't stay there with you."

Xander eyes flew open wide at the declaration. He turned to look at the police officers watching them. Sergeant Cobb smiled widely as Officer Wash declared, "Blondie's right, you know. We can't keep him from staying at your house unless your parents object."

"They won't," Spike growled as he reached down to twine his fingers with Xander's before dragging the boy toward the house next door.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The police had left after ensuring that Xander and Spike were safe and comfortable in the basement they had converted into a private bedroom. It was musty and damp and smelled kind of funny but it was comfortable and the boys didn't need to have any contact with the Harris' unless they chose to do so.

They slept cuddled together on the pull-out bed, Xander muttering fitfully as he was haunted in his dreams. Spike held him close, muttering nonsense words of comfort as he tried to soothe the upset boy. They woke to the sounds of Xander's parents arguing and decided to shower and leave as soon as possible.

Once they were home, Spike stalked into the kitchen. Xander followed more sedately, scared of what the older Englishmen might have discovered. He was most afraid that they hadn't found anything at all.

He froze when he saw Ethan and Giles sitting at the table with a small pile of papers.

"So?" Spike demanded. "What's all this?"

Giles smiled as Ethan pulled out the top sheet before handing it to Spike with a smile. "Court papers for Xander's emancipation."

Spike shouted, "Brilliant!" before settling down at the table to read the paperwork while Xander stood in the doorway, wondering at the joyful expressions on the other men's faces.

"What's the matter, Xander?" Ethan asked finally as he stood and ushered the confused boy to the table, setting his breakfast before him.

"I just don't get it," Xander muttered as he shoved a forkful of flavorful eggs into his mouth. "What's this whole thing got to do with the Civil War and the whole Lincoln speech thing?"

There was a moment of silence before laughter erupted in the room while Xander began to recite the Gettysburg Address in his head.

Tbc...

Author's Note: Ok, before any one comments to tell me this would never happen, it has. A friend of mine was having issues with her 17 year old son. He moved in with his best friend who lived 7 houses down. Everything was working well until the cops showed up at her door and told her that if she didn't bring her son home by the end of the day, they would cite her for abandonment. Sucks but true. Once he turned 18, he moved out and they have been best friends ever since.

And two years ago, my husband's youngest sister was going to be taken out of their mother's home and we had to be interviewed and have a social worker come and inspect our house. Even though she was his sister. And she was 16! Lovely, huh?

Just thought I'd head off the "That would never happen" comments. *g*