SEIZE THE NIGHT (16/?)
 

Spike felt the pull of his sire as he made his way down the hall. He
stood in the open doorway, his eyes raking over the man that he had once
known better than himself. He saw Angel turn and face him. Smiling, he
leaned against the wooden frame. "She sure is something else."
 

"Yes, she is" Angel said, pride in his voice. He bragged further, "And
she's less than two months old."
 

Spike's eyes widened in astonishment, "That young? What the bloody hell
will she be like in a hundred years?"
 

"I can't wait to find out" Angel said softly.
 

Spike turned his attention to his sire, "Been awhile, mate."
 

"Too long" Angel said, grimacing.
 

"Wasn't me" Spike said, lighting another cigarrette. The action was out
of habit more than need. Somehow smoking eased his nervousness around
Angelus. It also gave him something to do with his hands.
 

"I know" Angel said. "I just couldn't be around you. See what I had made
you into. See the pity in your eyes."
 

"Always about you, isn't it? Bloody wanker. Do you think it was easier
not knowing where you were? The curse wasn't fun, but we could have
dealt. You just didn't give me a chance."
 

"I couldn't deal. How could you?" Angel asked. "It took me eighty years
to get my shit together. I couldn't have you and Dru be my damn
nursemaids during the nightmares and the memories."
 

"Ya didn't say goodbye" Spike said softly. He looked at his sire, his
eyes unreadable. "One night you're in my bed. The next time I see you,
eighty years have passed."
 

"I couldn't" Angel said, looking towards the window. His feelings for
Spike had come back full force at the first sight of the blonde in the
sitting room. Willow had been right to make him deal with them
immediately. He was too good at running from things now. "I loved you."
 

Spike snorted, "So you left. Makes sence Peaches."
 

"I left because of that love. I hate pity. I hated the idea that you
would grow to resent me. You know that I haven't fed on a human since
the night of the curse, don't you?" Angel asked.
 

Spike shrugged, "So? Killing ain't all that fun anymore."
 

"That's not how you thought back then" Angel pointed out.
 

Spike scowled as he threw the butt on the ground. He ground it out and
glared at his sire, "Fine. I understand. I probably would have grown to
despise you. Happy now? You were right and I was wrong. Just like
always."
 

"I'm not happy. Well, I'm happier than I have been in many years. Willow
is good for me. But, I miss you." Angel said honestly.
 

Spike sneered, "Ah, isn't that touching. Must have memorized a bleeding
hallmark card."
 

Angel felt irritation that Spike refused to see his point of view. He
moved quickly, pulling the younger man into his arms. His mouth claimed
his childe's roughly. Spike pushed against him before his hands drew his
sire closer. That was the past. Nothing could change what had happened.
 

Willow smiled from the doorway as she watched her mate kissing Spike.
Liquid shot between her legs as the kiss deepened. She saw Angel's hands
begin to unfasten Spike's shirt and moved into the room for a better
seat. She didn't mind Spike joining them. He was, after all, the other
love in her mate's heart. He was also very good looking. She sat in the
chair and watched the two men begin a game they hadn't played in many
years.
 

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