Shattered

Author:   FieryDemise & AngelSpike69

Pairing:   Angel/Spike

Summary:   Through pain, Spike and Angel forge a new bond.

Spoilers:   AtS Season 5

Warnings:   Abuse, NonCon Sex, BDSM, Torture, Blood, Knife Play, and a bit of Het

Disclaimer: All Characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. We're just taking them out for a bit of slap and tickle.

Distribution: Loving Angel LJ, Loving Angel Fic Archive, Soulmates, and Beyond Canon. If you want it, just ask for it. We'll give it you. We're quite easy.

Author's Notes #1: Story is based on Challenge #130 issued by Ghostsforge at the Forging_Ghost Yahoo Group.

Author's Notes #2: We aren't ashamed and fully admit that we are now full-fledge feedback whores, so please feed us.

Feedback: FieryDemise and AngelSpike69

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~Part: 1~

Sunday Night - An Apartment in Los Angeles

She watched him from the doorway of her bedroom. What a sight he was, she thought to herself. She keeps quiet, letting him think that she's finished for the night. Little does he know she's only just beginning. The night is early, and there's still much more fun to be had.

She contemplated all she'd accomplished so far tonight. She recalled his reaction to the chains and manacles attached to her bed when she led him into her room earlier that night. He was so willing that she didn't even have to ask. He seemed familiar with what to do. He took himself over to the bed, stripped off his clothes, climbed up onto the bed, fastened the manacles around his ankles and one wrist. She had to go over and help him get the other wrist into the empty manacle. There was no hesitation on his part. She was a bit disappointed that he didn't put up much of a fight.

He watched her as she strolled over to the dresser and opened the top drawer where she kept her 'toys'. She remembered how she gagged him. Couldn't have him disturbing the neighbors.that would have been rude. By having him gagged, she did miss the screams she so loved to hear. It was necessary. She loved her new apartment and had no desire to move, so she willingly made a few concessions.

Next came the cock ring - he had control, she had to give him that, but there was no point in taking the chance of him coming too soon. After all, it would be inconsiderate of him to seek release before she did. Maybe she wouldn't let him come at all. It wouldn't be the first time. Perhaps she'd make him wear it for a few days. Now that was an idea. The thought of him being forced to wear the cock ring all day made her remember the delicious look of dread on his face when she had pulled out the whip. She had become quite adept at using it with him as her canvas. I love the designs I can make on his body, she thought. Her eyes traced the patterns the whip had made on his body earlier tonight. The crisscross patterns on his chest and stomach; the welts on his legs, and let's not forget the particular attention she had paid to his cock.

She hugged herself tightly as the memory danced chills across her body. Shaking off the exquisite memory, she thought, okay enough reminiscing, time to get the show back on the road, but where to start? Her hand fell to caress the silk blindfold as she pulled it from the dresser drawer. She saw no need for him to see what she had planned for him. The element of surprise was always best.

Turning back towards the bed, she showed him the blindfold. "Ready to start again baby? I know you're curious about what I have up my sleeve and I admit, I have more surprises for you," she told him as she sauntered over toward the bed. Climbing onto the bed, she crawled along his body straddling his chest, bending over to place the blindfold across his eyes.

"Baby, lift your head a bit so I can tie this in the back. Yes, just like that, that's a good boy," she cooed.

He obeyed her immediately, wondering what more she had in store for him tonight. Whatever she had planned, he knew that he'd have no choice but to lie there and take it. When the blindfold was tied securely, she pushed his head back down on the pillows, none too gently.

"What do you think of the blindfold, baby? I think it's a great addition to our little games. Don't you agree?"

He tried to say something, but she couldn't understand him with the gag in his mouth. She leaned over him, hard nipples brushing against his chest. "Are you trying to tell me something sweetie? You need to speak a little louder.oh wait, you can't." she said with a giggle, "you've got something in your mouth. You want me to remove it don't you? Well, I don't think so. You are too noisy when we play, and I can't have you disturbing the neighbors again. I don't want to get kicked out of this lovely apartment you got for me, which by the way was really sweet of you. Whatever you have to say can just wait until I'm finished playing."

"So what shall we do next?" She tapped one short nail thoughtfully against her lips. "Hmmmmm.let me think a minute. Oh I know." she said as she reached over to the nightstand for the solid silver knife that was lying there. With the knife in hand, she scooted up a bit so she could put the silver blade against his forehead. With just enough pressure to break the skin, she dragged it across his forehead, down over his temple, slicing open his face a bit here and there. She felt him wince, so she slapped his face hard.

"There'll be none of that or I won't be responsible for the damage, baby. I really don't want to mar that handsome face of yours.much."

She returned to dragging the blade down across his cheek, putting a bit more pressure on it. He barely moved. "Better, that's a good boy.now make sure you stay real still for me."

He could only nod obediently. God, how he wished she would remove the gag. It had been in place for hours and was becoming quite uncomfortable. He tried pushing it out with his tongue with little success. His lips had started to bleed from being stretched to accommodate the gag. The blood was trickling down the sides of his mouth, matting his hair to his neck.

She caught him trying to remove the gag, and it didn't please her at all. But she did admit to herself that he has been a good boy tonight, so maybe she'd remove it.

"Since you've been good tonight, how about I remove the gag?" He nodded his head yes. She continued, "Only if you promise to keep quiet." He nodded again vigorously.

God, how he wants this thing out of his mouth, he'd promise her anything. Do anything to have this over with. It's not like she actually expected him to say anything. In fact, she really didn't like him to talk at all. She said the sound of his voice distracted her. So he waited patiently for her to untie the gag and remove it.

*SMACK!!*  *SMACK!!*  *SMACK!!**  She slapped him across the face so hard, he saw bright spots.

"Look what you made me do." She said sweetly. "I see I have your attention now. Thinking too much, that's what your problem is. You don't think baby. I do the thinking. You just lie there and let me play."

"I offer to do something nice for you, and what do you do? You cause me to get mad at you. I've decided not to remove the gag after all. I like it better when you can't speak."

What else was I to expect, he thought bitterly. It's going to be another long night, best she gets on with it. The sooner she finishes, the faster I can leave. I just hope she removes this cock ring and doesn't expect me to wear it home again.

Picking up the knife to resume her knife play, she slips the tip into the center of his chest. The blade is too sharp, it slices into his flesh deeper than she expected. Fuck it; I'm not going to worry about it, she thinks. It's his fault anyway. Letting his mind wander and not keeping all his attention on me and what I'm doing. I'll teach him to ignore me, a mistake he'll learn not to make again.

Resigned to the fact that he would spend the rest of the night gagged, he let his thoughts drift to how this arrangement had gotten started. Things began simply enough. One night after a movie she had asked him if they could try something new. Something different. He had said yes. He didn't like to disappoint her if he could help it. Besides she was a very creative lover, especially when she got her way. She didn't have lots of experience but she never lacked for enthusiasm. He was looking forward to her surprise. When they returned to the apartment, she practically ran to the bedroom, dragging him along with her. He slowed her down with a kiss, lips locked as they stumbled down the hall to the bedroom door. When they reached the door, he was greeted to a sight that danced down the length of his sudden erection. A wicked smiled ghosted across his face, as he removed his shirt. Smiling, she shut the door behind them.

His mind came screaming back to the present, as a dull ache exploded in his chest. Once she had the blade buried deep enough, she ran it down his chest, toward his ribs. She scooted back toward his hips to give her more room to work. She dragged the serrated blade down toward his navel, and then suddenly stopped. Resting on the back of her thighs, she stared, fascinated by the trail of red opening up in front of her. Then she pulled the knife out and licked the blade. She returned to his chest, attacking his nipples and pressing the sharp tip until the skin split. She circled the sensitive point, etching patterns around the hardening nub. She did this to both nipples repeatedly until his chest was a gory mess.

She dragged the blade, slick with his blood, down past his swollen cock, making sure not to touch it. He'd been disobedient, so no pleasure for him. After passing over his cock, she settled down onto his thigh. With him spread-eagle, there was no way she could straddle both his legs. She continued bringing the blade down farther, pausing when she reached the base of his cock.

The hot embers of pain echoed in his mind, like a scream. God, I'm tired, it feels like she's never going to stop. This hurts so much. Panting around the ball gag, his cracked lips smeared red from his blood; he realized that she'd stopped.

Why did she stop? Oh! Please don't let her drag the knife across my dick. Don't think I'll be able to keep quiet if she does that, even with this gag in my mouth. Then it will only get worse. But no worse than I deserve.

With the pain still crawling through his body, he meekly lifted his head attempting to see what she was doing, forgetting that he was wearing the blindfold. The slight movement caused his muscles to protest; his body trembled from the strain of trying to remain still. Please, please, oh please don't, he pleaded in his mind. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt her finally pulling the knife out. Thank God!!

She watched his face, holding the knife still at the base of his cock, and noticed the sigh of relief when she removed the blade.

"Oh my poor baby. Did you really think that I would damage something that plays such an important role in our little games? You really should have more faith in me, lover. What good would you be to me without that wonderful cock of yours? But your face.I like it best when it's bruised. I want everyone to see the damage." The blows began as open handed slaps, gentle like; then rapidly changed to closed fists.

He suffered in silence. He felt his nose start to swell, the soft tissue around his eyes closing shut. God, I hate it when she gets like this, he thought, feeling the cartilage in his nose crack. Choking on a mouthful of blood, he struggled to stay conscious and hoped it would soon be over.

The room was filled with the sounds of her harsh pants and the dull thud of fists against flesh. The blows finally came to a halt; the coppery aroma of blood filled the room. "You stay still. There's so much blood, I'm just going to reposition myself a bit. Don't worry I'm done with the knife.and my fists. As much as I like using both, I have something else I want to try. Something new. Can't have you getting bored now can I?"

He felt the pressure leave his thigh as she lifted herself up, but before he could hope that maybe she was over her mood, he felt her plunge her soaking wet pussy onto his engorged cock. What should have normally felt good just hurt like hell. She had kept him in this state for too long, his erection ached and throbbed excruciatingly.

"Oh baby, that feels so good," she murmured, as her body moved on top of him. He felt her body shift to the right, reaching for something on the bed, all the while still riding his shaft.

"Sweetie, I have a surprise for you," she said, her voice thick with desire and anticipation. "I went shopping today and got something special for you. I think you'll really enjoy it. I know I plan to. But if you don't, then we'll just have to break you in until you do."

"Want momma to show you what I have for you? I could show you, but to do that, I'd have to remove the blindfold, and that would spoil the surprise. We can't have that. What's the best way to show you your new present? I guess the only way is just to use it."

By now, he realized that she was facing away from him, his cock still embedded in her pussy. Why the hell is she facing the other way, he wondered?

He felt her hand travelling up his thigh toward his balls, nails digging into the flesh. He couldn't help wincing. She didn't seem to notice, as intent as she was on her mission. She ran her fingers over his balls, grabbing and squeezing them painfully. He could feel the fingers of her other hand as they moved toward his ass. She separated his cheeks and he felt her trying to push something in.

Suddenly he felt himself tear badly. Pain like he'd never imagined spread up his spine as she plunged her new present deep inside him. He lay there; tears coursing down his cheeks. He felt himself rip violently as she pushed the dildo in and out; matching the furious pace she was fucking his numb cock. He felt blood start to trickle out of his ass. He was helpless; unable to stop her.

"Oh baby, look.I'm fucking you while you are fucking me. Didn't I tell you this would be fun and that you'd like your new present? God, I could do this all night."

"You like being fucked don't you, lover? See how easy it goes in and out. I knew you were a slut and would enjoy being fucked. I can feel how hard it makes you. No slow and gentle for my baby. I know you like it hard and rough, just like I do. We are so perfect together. I know you are thinking the same. We should have been doing this sooner. Look at all the time we've wasted."

"I just love fucking you like this. Definitely plan to do it more often," she said as she continued the relentless thrusts on his cock and in his ass. "Oh yes, not gonna be much longer, I love fucking your cock." He started thrashing on the bed as much as the restraints would allow, willing her to stop this torture. "Why fight me? You know how much I love this cock.now hold still while I come."

She suddenly slammed down on his shaft one last time with such force he couldn't help but let out a strangled cry of pain. At the same time, she shoved the dildo into his ass all the way up to the hilt. He felt her walls start to quiver as she squeezed him hard, letting out a piercing howl as she came.

Instantly she crawled off of him, but did not remove the dildo from his ass. He felt her climb up his body and reach behind his head to untie the blindfold and gag. Thank God for the small things. Once she had removed them, she saw the glazed look in his eyes. She smacked him hard a few more times to get his attention. Once his eyes refocused, she moved down between his legs, gripping the dildo in her hand. Feeling her pulling it out, all he can think is that at least it's over for now.

She watched him as she started pulling the dildo out, and registered the look of relief that crossed his face. Just as the dildo was almost out, she shoved it back in hard. She pulled it out again and shoved it back in harder. He couldn't help but scream at the abuse his torn and bleeding anus was taking again and again.

She looked up at him with an angry look on her face. "I thought I told you to be quiet. Can't you just follow the simplest instructions?" she said through clenched teeth.

She grabbed his cock, showing no mercy to the state it was in. She started fisting it while still thrusting the dildo in and out of his bleeding ass. She increased the pace, twisting it with each jab, causing him to wince in pain.

"Stop! . Please just stop!" he screamed totally defeated. "Please, I beg of you!"

But she didn't stop. She continued her ministrations on his cock, now so swollen and engorged that the cock ring was biting into his flesh. She continued forcing the dildo into his raw abused ass. As she gave it one good last push, she bent over his cock, swallowing it to the back of her throat and bit down hard.

With one last blood-curdling scream, Angel passed out. Nina raised her head and looked at him with a cruel smile on her face.

~Part: 2~

** Monday Morning - Angel's Office at Wolfram & Hart **

Wesley checked his watch, looked up, and saw Gunn, Fred, and Spike sitting around the table.  He looked down at his watch again; tapping on the crystal, to make sure it was working.  He looked up once again and asked, "What time do you have, Gunn?"

Gunn glanced at his watch.  "I have 9:00."

"That's what I thought.  Did Angel tell any of you he was going to be late this morning?"

"I haven't even seen him since we left the office Friday night," Fred answered.  "What about you all?  Has anyone seen him since Friday night?"

"I was in court all day Friday," Gunn replied.  He looked at Spike.  "What about you?  You see him at all this weekend?"

Spike didn't hear Gunn's question, so intent was he on the magazine in front of him.  "SPIKE!!"  Gunn yelled at the blonde vampire.

"What!!" Spike shouted back raising his head from what he was reading.

"Do you know where Angel is?  Did you see him at all this weekend?" Wesley patiently queried.

"I'm not his babysitter.  He's a big boy.  I'm sure he just got waylaid by that bint he's been seeing . what's her name . that werewolf girl ."

"You mean Nina?" Fred inquired.

"Yea, that's her name . Nina.  They probably had a wild weekend.  Well as wild as Angel allows himself to get these days," Spike replied with a smirk.

"Maybe someone should go upstairs and check on him.  Make sure he's there.  Maybe he stayed at Nina's this weekend.  Anyone know her number?" Gunn asked.

Just then they heard the penthouse elevator ding its arrival.  Everyone looked up to see a very beat up Angel walk gingerly out of the elevator.

"Angel . are you okay?" Fred asked worriedly.

"What happened to you man?  You look like you've been run over by a Mack truck," Gunn questioned, astonished by Angel's appearance.

"Angel ." Wesley began.

"Not now guys.  I'm fine.  Just had a rough night last night."

Spike stared at Angel suspiciously.  Something's not right here, Spike thought to himself.

Angel looked at his friends, seeing their worried faces.

"Look, I got restless last night and had a lot of excess energy.  So I went out .did a bit of patrolling.  It's been a while since I've done that.  Just felt a need to get out and get some fresh air."  Angel ran his hand through his hair and continued.  "I ran into a gang of demons causing some problems, but I took care of it."

"Looks like they took care of you instead mate." Spike remarked.  Something's wrong here, but can't put my finger on it.  Something just doesn't smell right.

"You should have come to us.  We'd have been more than willing to go out and help you.  You know that." Wesley stated.  "It seems that more and more lately, you've been coming into the office awfully bruised.  You can't always handle everything on your own.  It's okay to ask for help.  You know that."

"I know guys, but it was late.  I handled it.  I'll keep you all in mind next time I get an itch okay?"

"Okay," everyone replied.  Everyone, but Spike.  Angel noticed this and sighed.  He knew that Spike wasn't going to be as easily fooled as the others.

"Angel, you don't look well.  Why don't you go upstairs and go back to bed.  We can postpone our weekly meeting until later when you are feeling better.  There wasn't much to discuss anyway." Wesley told Angel.

"No, I'm fine.  There's nothing wrong that a little bit of blood won't fix."

Spike snorted and opened his mouth to say something.  Just then Angel's intercom buzzed.  Angel sat down gingerly in his chair, wincing, and pressed the button.  "Yes Harmony?  Looking up, he realized that Spike saw him wince.  Angel just shook his head.

"Hey boss, Nina's out here wanting to see you.  Should I send her in?"

Angel put a smile on his face and replied, "Sure Harmony.  Send her in."

He spoke to his friends, "Guys, can we continue this later?"

"Sure," they all said in unison.  As they headed to the door, it opened and in breezed Nina, with the biggest smile on her face.  She walked over to Angel, bent over and gave him a big kiss on the lips.  Spike observed that Angel pulled back slightly before giving in.

Okay, now I know something ain't right.  Just got to figure out what it is, Spike thought.   He looked over at the others to see if they saw what he did, but they had already left the office.

Nina looked up after kissing Angel and asked, "Hi Spike.  How was your weekend?"

"Nothing special.  Looks like you two had a great weekend by the smile on your face."

"Oh it was great.  We had so much fun."  She stared directly at Angel and continued, "We'll definitely have to do it again.  Don't you think so, sweetie?"

Spike swore that Angel got even paler at Nina's words.  He watched as Nina lowered herself in Angel's lap.  Now he was sure of it.  He saw Angel flinch.  What the hell is going on?  That is so not like Angel.  He looks like he's actually afraid of Nina.  Spike continued watching Angel and Nina.  He saw Nina wiggling in Angel's lap and noticed Angel biting down on his lower lip hard.  Biting down so hard in fact, he actually smelled blood as Angel pierced his own lip.

"Spike?" Nina asked, "I have some things I need to discuss with Angel before class.  You mind giving us a minute?"

Spike peered at Angel.  He was sure he saw Angel begging with his eyes for him not to go.

"Spike! . Spike!" Nina repeated more loudly.  "I just need five minutes with Angel then he's all yours for a hard day's worth of work.  But remember, I get him back at 5:00," she giggled.

"Uh . sure." Spike answered looking at Angel.  "I'll be back in a few to continue our conversation.  Okay?"

"Fine." Angel answered.

Spike turned and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him but not going any farther than Harmony's desk.

"Harm, notice anything different about Angel?"

"Bossy?  Well he has been a bit intense lately, more so than usual.  Considering that he's getting some on a regular basis, you'd think the guy would lighten up a bit.  But it's still 'Harmony get my blood,' 'Harmony, did you remember to cancel my 3:00?'  Like I don't have enough to worry about, now he wants me to pick up his blood for him.  I mean give me a ."

"Harmony!  Focus . back up to the part about you picking up Angel's blood.  Why is he having you do that?  I know for certain he could have the finest pig or otter blood flown in if he wanted."

"Oh, did I mention blood, never mind. That's not important."  Harmony quickly moved to shuffle the papers on her desk.  "Look Spike, I have to take this down to the copy center, we can talk later."

Of course Spike wasn't going to be fooled that easily.  He sidled up to Harmony, flashing his best smile.  "Harm, you don't have to worry about me saying anything, it'll be our little secret."  He ran a black tipped fingernail down her arm in slow circles.  Harmony gave him a look . of blank disinterest.  Spike was a little taken aback, but he recovered quickly.  Always worked before, he thought.

"Spike that so doesn't work anymore.  I've been reading Cosmo and like, all the experts say not to fall for your ex again.  I'm so over you."  She flounced away in a swirl of pink lace and heels.

Spike suppressed a smile.  Any other time bothering Harmony would have been fun, but this was serious.  He knew something was wrong with Angel, and Nina had everything to do with it.  He couldn't go to Angel's friends because they obviously didn't seem to know him or his habits very well.  The fact that none of them found it strange that for the past few months Angel had come to work bloody, bruised, and even sporting broken ribs once, really bothered Spike.  Yet every time someone mentioned that Angel should take back up, he politely declined.  It was easy to attribute his reticence to stubbornness, but this was going beyond even Angel's legendary pig-headedness.  Someone was . abusing Angel.  As hard as that was for Spike to fathom, it was the only thing that made sense.  The look in his eyes the moment Nina entered the office, until Spike left had screamed fear.  Spike could smell it on him  and something else too.  The scent was definitely blood and human--but not quite.  The human element was tainted with animal.  Spike stood at Harmony's desk trying to piece the puzzle together, only lifting his head when he heard Angel's office door open.  That's when the smell of fresh blood practically knocked him on his ass.  It was thick, coppery and very sweet, human blood.  But underneath there was a pungent, almost earthy odor.  Spike wrinkled his nose as the scent wafted tantalizingly out of reach.  When he shook his head to clear the aroma, he picked up another underlying scent.  This one was very familiar and filled with anguish.  This was Angel's smell; he would recognize that scent anywhere.  However, the slick fear that accompanied the aroma of blood was unfamiliar.

Nina walked past Spike giving him a huge grin and a wave.  Spike wasted no time in going into Angel's office, shutting the door behind him.

"What the fuck is going on Angel?  I can smell her blood and yours out in the hall.  Are you feeding from her?"

Angel looked beyond tired.  His face was paler than usual as he sat slumped behind his desk.  Spike immediately stopped questioning him and came to stand closer.  When Angel finally glanced up, his eyes were misted with tears.  Bloody hell!  Spike thought to himself.  He's crying.  It has to be something major to make the bastard cry.  Spike had never dealt with this side of Angel before and didn't know how to handle it.  So he just waited silently for him to speak.

"Spike.there's nothing going on that I can't handle.  It's just that Nina and I are having . problems.  You know how stubborn I can be and how I tend to brood.  I'm surprised we've lasted this long with my constant king of pain routine."  Angel trailed off to stare vacantly out the window saying nothing more.  Spike went to stand in front of him, snapping his fingers.  "Hey, Angel.  Angel.  Look at me."  When Angel didn't respond, Spike grabbed his arms, slapping him lightly across the face.  Unexpectedly Angel slumped forward in the chair and slid to the floor.

Spike was immediately on the floor, kneeling beside Angel, attempting to revive him.  "Angel . Angel!  Come on man wake up.  What the hell is wrong with you?  Come on Angel!"  Spike was very worried now.  He tried slapping Angel again, only harder, but still no response.

"Okay, what'll I do now?  Do I go get help?  Fred maybe?  No, Angel wouldn't want that.  I'll take him up to his apartment."  Spike said to himself frantically.

Spike carefully put one arm under Angel's head and his other arm underneath his knees. He staggered a bit, then stood, making sure he had Angel securely in his arms.  "Hell, but he's light.  He's lost a lot of weight.  I know for sure he's normally heavier than this." Once he was certain he had Angel safely in his arms, he trudged toward the elevator that would take him and his precious bundle to the Penthouse.

During the ride, Spike couldn't help but study Angel closely.  The extent of the bruises and cuts on his face was unbelievable.  It actually looked like someone took a knife to his face, but he couldn't believe Angel would allow that.  Sure, as Angelus he loved a good spot of torture, but Angelus was usually the one performing the torture.  No one tortured Angelus, except for Darla.  Spike couldn't imagine any situation in which Angel would willingly allow anyone to do this to him.  There was much more going on here and he was determined to get to the bottom of it once and for all.

Once upstairs, he headed to Angel's bedroom and laid him gently on the bed.  Stepping back, he looked at Angel, not sure what to do next.  It was hard for him to accept that the damaged man lying there, unmoving in the bed, was Angel.  "What do I do now?"  Spike mumbled to himself.  "I've never seen him this bad before. Fainting?  That's not like Angel.  I need to find out what's going on, but first I have to take care of Angel.  Guess the next thing is to see the extent of his injuries."

Spike stepped back to the bed and sat down.  He couldn't help himself; he touched Angel's face, running his fingers lightly across the bruises and cuts.  They were still fresh and blood welled up to the surface even at his light touch.  "Damn Angel, what's going on with you?  If you were in trouble, why didn't you talk to them . me?"

Spike moved to unbutton Angel's shirt, carefully pulling it open, only to suck in a shocked breath at what he saw.  Not only were there small red welts from what looked like a whip covering his entire chest, he also had a vicious, jagged scar running the length of his torso ending at his thigh.  "Oh God Angel.  How could you let someone do this to you?"

Spike gently pulled Angel up so he could take off his shirt.  As he was removing it, he also saw similar injuries to Angel's back.  Once the shirt was off, he laid Angel back down gently.  That was when he noticed the rawness of his wrists.  Only one thing could cause that - manacles.  Spike cursed out loud, running his hands through his hair, sighing to himself.

He moved down toward the end of the bed, and tugged off Angel's pants.  Purplish bruises and whip marks covered Angel's legs and cock.  As bad as that was, it was nothing compared to what he saw next that made him hiss in pain.  Embedded into the flesh of his organ was a cock ring.  His cock was so engorged it was a livid shade of purple.

"Jesus Christ.  What the hell's going on?  I don't understand."  Spike got up and went into the bathroom to get some first aid supplies and a wet cloth.  He set the supplies on the nightstand and began to clean Angel up as best as he could.  "How the hell am I going to get that cock ring off?"

Spike took the scissors that were in the first aid kit and carefully cut the restrictive material from Angel's body.  Spike sat there, staring at the swollen, angry organ.  An occasional twitch made Angel's cock move against his thigh.  A steady stream of pre-cum leaked from the tip.  "He's going to wake up in more pain than when he had the cock ring on if he doesn't cum," Spike thought.  He shrugged his shoulders, "What the hell, somebody has to do it.  Wouldn't be the first time that Angel was wanked off."   He called Angel, shaking him a few times but there was no response.  When he was certain Angel wouldn't wake up, he gripped Angel's cock in his hand and gently stroked it.  It didn't take Angel long to orgasm.   A small tremor ran the length of Angel's cock.  Spike could feel the intense vibration in the palm of his hand.  A small sigh escaped from Angel.  Spike released him and drew the covers up over him.

Once that was done, he went into Angel's kitchen to get some blood.  Angel was too thin.  "Why hadn't anyone noticed the weight loss?  I know Harm is getting his blood, but why isn't it healing him?  Why does it look like he hasn't fed in a while?"  So many questions, yet no answers.

Coming back into the bedroom, he again sat next to Angel.  He raised his head and put the mug of warm blood next to Angel's mouth -- nothing, no reaction at all.  How was he going to feed Angel?  He laid him back down and dipped his finger into the mug.  With his finger covered in blood, he opened Angel's mouth with his other hand and placed his finger in Angel's mouth -- again nothing.

"Come on Angel.  You're not being very cooperative here mate.  You need the blood.  Please."  There was nothing but silence to Spike's plea.  Next he tried to pour some blood into Angel's mouth, massaging his throat to help it go down.  After doing this for about five minutes, there was still no reaction.  The blood was uselessly spilling out the corners of his mouth.

Spike was frustrated and even more worried; Angel shouldn't be unconscious this long.  With the extent of his injuries, it was obvious the animal blood wasn't helping.  "I wonder ." Spike murmured while bringing his wrist up to his mouth, opening it up with his fangs.  He placed his wrist down to Angel's mouth, hoping that this would cause a reaction.  He had to get some blood into Angel.  Maybe my blood will help, he hoped desperately to himself.

Spike sat there for a few minutes, wrist to Angel's mouth - the older vampire was still unresponsive.  "Come one Angel.  Please drink, luv."  He wasn't aware that in his fear he had reverted to calling Angel 'luv.'  "Please.  You have to drink."  Spike was just about to pull his wrist away, defeated, when he felt a small tug.  He looked at Angel and realized that he was coming around and starting to feed.

"That's it luv.  Take what I'm offering you."  He felt Angel sucking harder.  Angel grasped Spike's arm, clutching his wrist tighter against his mouth.  Feeding like someone who hasn't fed in months.

After about 10 minutes, Spike gently tried to pull his wrist away.  "That's enough for now Angel.  Come on let go luv," voicing the endearment once again.

Gazing down at Angel, Spike noticed that his eyes were now open; sad brown eyes stared up at him in confusion.

"Spike, what happened?  What's going on?

Spike practically growled out an answer. "I don't exactly know, but I intend to find out.  You're going to tell me Angel, right now!  Because we're not leaving here until you do!

~Part: 3~

"You can't keep me here against my will and I'm not talking about this with you Spike."  Angel moved to sit up on the bed, and immediately fell back. Spike's blood had helped to revive him, but he was still too weak to go anywhere.  Frustrated, he dropped down onto the bed, placing his arm over his eyes.  He was stuck here with Spike whether he wanted to be or not.

"Are you just going to stand there staring at me?  There's nothing to talk about.  I told you I've been going out at night patrolling.  I haven't gone out patrolling since I came here, and I wanted to prove I could still do it."  He stopped talking, closed his eyes and turned his back to Spike. "I'm tired, I want to go to sleep."  Spike knew that it was true that Angel was exhausted, but nothing else he said made any sense. Since Angel wasn't going to tell him anything, Spike decided to find out on his own.

He dimmed the lights and left Angel sleeping.  He went straight to Wesley's office.  If anyone would know what to do it would be Wesley.  Wesley's door was open.  Spike walked in, sat down and started talking.

"Angel's lying about how he got his injuries."

"Well, hello to you to Spike.  What can I do for you?"

"I just told you, Angel . injuries .  lying.  What are we going to do about it?"

"Yes, I see.  What evidence do you have to support this theory?" The former Watcher inquired.

"Not a theory mate, it's fact.  Something is going on with him and that wolf-girl."

"Nina?  Everything seems to be going just fine.  In fact this is the first time we've seen Angel so enamored with a young lady, since.I.I don't think you have reason to worry."

"Look, I'm telling you what I know.  Angel is in trouble and the git is too pig-headed to ask for help.  I know Angel."

"As do I Spike, and I don't think you have cause to worry," Wesley responded calmly.

"Right.  This bloody place has separated you all from your brains and the lot of you can't see it.  Are you truly that blind?  Angel is in trouble." He stood and headed for the door.  Wesley stopped him before he reached the door.

"Okay, I'm listening.  I've never seen you this upset when it comes to Angel."

"Well, don't get used to it.  Any idea what makes Nina different from other werewolves?"

"She's a rare species -- Lycanthropus Exterus -- undocumented in North America until now.  Biped, longer canines, greater arm span ."

"I know that.  Do you have any recent information?  I mean, she's been coming to the office every full moon.  Isn't there a chart, blood samples, something?" Spike asked impatiently.

"I wouldn't know.  I've left all of that for Angel to deal with."

"What about Fred?"

"I doubt she can tell you anything more than I have.  What do you know Spike?"

"Angel hasn't been feeding as often as he should."  He wasn't about to admit to Wesley that Nina was forcing Angel to drink from her.

When Spike didn't continue, Wesley asked, "Is that all?  Angel's been known to forgo feeding before with no ill effects."

"No, that's not all.  I can tell ... feel that there's more going on between them.  Just trust me on this."  Spike finally said.  He'd decided in that second he wouldn't mention the abuse, at least not yet.

Wesley eyed Spike carefully.  Since Spike had become corporeal, he and Angel had done nothing but argue, usually pulling him into whatever disagreement they were having.  But this felt different.  There was more going on than what Spike was willing to admit, of that Wesley was certain.  If Spike was hiding something because he thought it would be harmful to Angel in some way, then things were dire indeed.

"I'll speak with Fred and look into what we can find out about Nina's werewolf breed.  You take care of Angel."  Wesley picked up the receiver to dial Fred, the meeting clearly over.  Spike stood and left the office.

Spike was on his way back to Angel's apartment, when a thought occurred to him.  He changed directions, going to Harmony's desk.  Harmony was talking to the mail clerk when he arrived.  She obviously didn't want to talk with Spike because her conversation was becoming more inane the longer he stood there.  Finally realizing that Spike wasn't going to leave before the mail clerk, Harmony wrapped up her conversation.  She glared at him

"I'm not talking to you anymore about Angel and his blood habits.  You can't trick me either."

"Shut up Harm, I'm not here for that.  If Nina calls or comes by, tell her that Angel is out on a case and won't be back until tomorrow.  Can you remember to do that Harm without messing up?"

"Sure, Nina calls, Angel's not in."  She smiled, pleased with herself.

Spike felt that she could handle this and left to go talk to Angel.  When he reached the apartment, the lights were still dimmed and Angel was curled up in a fetal position in the middle of the bed.  He was shaking a little and murmuring in his sleep.  Spike took off his duster, threw it in a chair and came to sit on the edge of the bed.  He studied Angel's face, which was drawn and haggard, but healing.  In the short time Spike had been gone, Angel's bruises had started to heal.  Spike's blood was helping.  Getting the ponce to drink more blood was going to be a problem, stubborn bastard, Spike thought.  He reached out a hand and gently touched Angel's shoulder. The contact, though soft, startled Angel awake.  He bolted upright, eyes wide with shock and scuttled to the head of the bed.  His back pressed against the headboard, a look of trapped fear in his eyes.  Spike's hand hung in mid-air. Not, sure of what to do, he began to talk softly to Angel.

"It's okay, Angel.  It's me Spike.  I just wanted to check on you and see how you were doing."  Spike was worried.  There was no recognition in Angel's eyes.  He must not be fully awake, thought Spike.  He tried again. "Are you hungry?  Want me to get you some blood?"  Angel still sat, body curled in a tight ball, staring through Spike.  "Fuck!"

Spike angrily stood up and started to pace the floor.  He went to his duster, pulled out his cigarettes and lit up.  By Spike's third cigarette, Angel had calmed down enough to move away from the headboard. He sat with his feet hanging over the side of the bed.  He watched Spike pace back and forth; smoke trailing after him.  Spike didn't say anything.  I'll wait until he's ready to talk, Spike thought.

Spike waited a long time.  Angel sat unmoving on the side of the bed for hours, not saying a word.  The silence was starting to drive Spike crazy, but he could be just as stubborn as Angel.  Spike chanced a look at Angel, and found the older vampire staring angrily at him.  Spike glared back. Finally Angel spoke.

"You're wasting your time Spike.  I'm not confessing to something that doesn't exist simply because you have it in your head that there's a problem between Nina and me. What you think, is not my concern."

"Are you daft?  I took off your bloody clothes.  I saw the bruises.  Who do you think you're fooling?  You may have that faithful lot downstairs deluded, what with the I'm getting back to basics crap, but you can't fool me.  I know you better than anyone in this place."  Spike had stood up in his anger to confront Angel face to face. Angel flinched at the close contact.

"Look at you for God's sake, you're flinching!  You need help Angel!"

"I don't need your help."  Angel whispered.

Spike had had enough.  He grabbed Angel's shoulders and began violently shaking him.  Angel didn't try to stop Spike or defend himself.  He just let Spike shake him until he got tired.  Panting, Spike let go of Angel and sat on the bed beside him.  This time Angel didn't flinch, but he wouldn't look at Spike either.  After a long silence, Spike finally spoke.

"I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have done that, but you can piss me off so much."

"That's what she always says, I piss her off and that's why she does it."

Spike hung his head in shame.  "Look, I didn't -- that's not what I meant. I know you and I aren't exactly friends, but I can't stand by while you do this to yourself.  I went to Wesley."

Angel suddenly stood up. "You did what?!  You had no right to go to my friends." He swayed and then toppled back to the bed, exhausted.

"I'm not going to argue with you.  I did what I felt needed doing."

Angel let out a sigh, resting his head in his hands. "You're right, things aren't going well with Nina.  She's become more violent; in wolf form she's more intense, stronger.  But the biggest change has been to her human side. After we became intimate, she wanted to experiment.  But lately she's becoming more dangerous, especially since I returned from Italy.  I've tried discussing the changes in her personality, but she never wants to talk about it.  Me being me, I leave her alone."

Once these first words had left Angel's mouth, he wouldn't stop talking.  He told Spike how everything had begun and how at first he didn't mind the violence.  This he admitted sheepishly.  Leave it to Angel not to be able to admit he liked the thrill of hurt and the smell of blood, Spike sighed to himself.  Angel talked non-stop for an hour.  Spike was amazed he had this much to say and to him of all people.  Not wanting to interrupt him, Spike sat silently on the bed listening.  When Angel came to a pause in the story, Spike jumped in with the question he had been holding back for the better part of two hours.

"Do you love her?"

"No.  I'm more sure of that now than I was before."  Angel admitted.

"So, why are you letting her abuse you like this?"

"Its complicated Spike, you wouldn't understand."

"Oh, try me.  You have no idea what Buffy ." Angel looked at him ".yes, what Buffy was like once her friends brought her back.  I allowed her to treat me like shit because that's how I felt.  I was so desperate for the dance, I even chose Buffy over Drusilla.  Thought I was being all noble when I did it.  I was trying to be something I wasn't, so I allowed her to beat her rage and desperation into me.   Thought I deserved to be abused because that was how love was.  I had to burn in order to feel it ... hurt.  That was the only way . that's how I knew it was love.  I was wrong.   So is this Angel, and you know it."

"You don't understand.  I deserve to be treated this way.  Angel stood up fast, wrapping his arms around his body as if he were cold.

Angel walked to the window and stood there gazing at the sun as it began to set. Keeping his back to Spike, he finally he whispered. "I . I killed my son and brought my friends into this hell.  Nina can never punish me enough."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harmony was wrapping up a few last minute things before heading home.  She'd checked Angel's phone messages, and left the next day's schedule ... in case he planned to work.  The office had been quiet and Harmony hadn't seen Angel all day.  Well it was quiet once Nina stopped calling.  She wouldn't take Harmony's word that Angel was out working on a case.  She kept insisting that was impossible.  No matter how many times Harmony told her that Spike had said Angel was out on a case, Nina just couldn't be convinced. Harmony looked up then to see the elevator doors open and Nina walking towards Angel's office.  Harmony ran from behind her desk to block the way.

"Hey, you can't go in there.  I told you on the phone that Angel was busy."

"No, you told me Spike said Angel was on a case."  She practically spat out Spike's name.

"Yeah, the two of them are on a case until tomorrow."

"Harmony, move out of my way."  Nina practically growled.

Harmony hesitated for one moment at the threat in Nina's voice and missed the fist that crashed into her face, knocking her head back against the door.  Harmony slid to the floor unconscious, as Nina stepped over her prone body and went inside.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"What are you on about, you killed your son?  I think you're brain is a bit scrambled there mate.  Remember . you . vampire . can't make babies."

"Believe me, I have a son and he is the reason I made the deal with Wolfram & Hart."

"Okay, I'm confused here.  Care to start at the beginning and maybe catch me up."

"Back in 2000, I discovered that Wolfram & Hart had brought Darla back .as human.  It was their plan to bring me over to their side.  Long story short, it didn't work.  I fired my friends to protect them from my darkness.  I lost the will to do anything except confront Darla.  They found Dru and brought her to LA.  She resired Darla.

"Drusilla ... sired Darla."  Spike shook his head, trying to wrap his brain around his crazy vampire family tree.  Losing himself for a moment at the thought of Dru, he nodded at Angel to continue.

"I slept with Darla, hoping that would take my soul.  It didn't work.  But somehow, it did result in her becoming pregnant.  She showed up nine months later, fully pregnant."

Angel looked at Spike, who was listening in shocked silence at his story.

"The baby was human, Spike, and it had a soul.  Can you imagine how astonished I was to find that out?  The baby's soul was affecting Darla.  It was like she was souled as well.  But being a vampire and essentially dead, she couldn't support the pregnancy; the baby was dying.  She staked herself so our son could live."

"This is just too . I don't know what to say."

"Wait, it gets better.  Holtz, a vampire hunter Darla and I tormented in the past, was here.  Wolfram & Hart wanted Connor.  Every demon clan wanted him. In a standoff, to keep him alive, I let Holtz take him to Quor-toth, a hell dimension.  I tried everything I could to get him back but nothing worked.  What I didn't know is that Connor was looking for me as well and when he found his way back to this dimension, he was seventeen-years old.  I lost all those years.  By that time Holtz had poisoned his mind and raised him to despise me.  He tried to kill me last year.  He put me in a metal coffin and sunk me to the bottom of the ocean.  I was down there for three months until Wesley found me and brought me back."

Angel turned around from the window and looked at Spike with tears streaming down his face.

"You have to understand.  Connor was so far gone with hate and despair that I couldn't get through to him.  So I made a deal with Wolfram & Hart.  I accepted their offer to run the L.A. office and in return they gave Connor the life I couldn't give him.  They reworked his memories.  Gave him a family.  I've seen him.  He's so happy now.  I couldn't give him a normal life or make him that happy.  But in doing this, I am the only one who remembers Connor existed.  The others have no idea.  I'm not sure to what extent their memories have been reworked, but I'm the only one that truly knows what happened during the past few years.

Spiked opened his mouth to ask Angel a question, but was interrupted by the sound of the elevator doors opening.  He looked back at Angel, "Stay here. I'll take care of it."

Spiked walked out of the bedroom, to see Nina marching towards him out of the elevator.

Spike could feel the anger radiating from her, despite the smile on her face.

"Hey Spike, is Angel around?  He and I have plans tonight."

"He didn't mention that the two of you had plans tonight."

"Well I remember telling you that I'd be back at 5:00."  She looked at her watch.  "I know I'm a little late, but I got held up downstairs.  For some reason, Harmony wouldn't let me upstairs.  You know anything about that?"

"Yeah?  I told her not to let you up.  Angel's not himself, so it would better if you'd just leave."

"He seemed fine this morning when I left him.  What's wrong with him?"  Nina asked, a worried look on her face.

"Oh, I think you know exactly what's wrong with him.  I'm not letting you within two feet of Angel.  So you can turn your ass around and piss off."

"What right do you have in keeping me away from Angel?  I'm his girlfriend. So who better than I should nurse him back to full health, if he's not well as you say?"

"I don't think so wolf-girl."  Spike replied tersely, arms hanging loosely at his side, ready for a fight.

"Well, shouldn't it be Angel's decision on who he'd rather have take care of him?"

"I thought I told you, you aren't getting anywhere near him, bitch!"  Spike started towards Nina, grabbing her by the arm and dragging her toward the elevator.

Nina planted her feet and wrenched her arm out of Spike's grasp.  "I don't think so Spike," she snarled as she stormed towards Angel's bedroom.

When she got to the door, she saw Angel standing by the window, his forehead pressed against the glass.

"Hey darling.  Spike told me you weren't feeling well.  Anything I can do for you?"  She asked sweetly.

Angel turned around slowly unconsciously shaking his head no.  He knew that Spike wouldn't be able to get Nina to leave.  Angel backed to the corner with a look of panic in his eyes.

"I'm fine Nina.  Really.  Just had a hard day." Angel replied, a nervous tremor in his voice

"Well, why don't I send Spike on his way and I'll stay the night and take care of you?"

"Already told you, bitch.  You're not getting near Angel."  Spike growled, coming up behind Nina.

He tried to grab her again, but she was fast and evaded his grasp.

"And how do you suppose you'll stop me?" She angrily taunted.

"Angel, come on mate.  Tell her you want her to leave."  Spiked looked over to Angel, who was now down on his haunches, hugging himself rocking back and forth.

"Look at him!  Obvious to me he doesn't want you here."  Spike strode past Nina, trying to get to Angel to make sure he was okay.

With his back to Nina, Spike didn't see her pick up the marble statue that was on Angel's dresser.  She brought it down hard on Spike's head again and again, and again.  Blood splattered the wall as the younger vampire collapsed to the floor in front of a cowering Angel.

Angel looked up, small specks of Spike's blood covering his face, watching Nina approach, rage in her eyes as she discarded the bloody statue.

"Well, that takes care of Spike, now you.  Come on Angel, get up.  We're leaving!"

Overwhelmed by pain, Angel didn't respond.  Furious, Nina grabbed his arm, and jerked him to his feet.

"You would do well to do as I say, Angel.  Now let's go!"  She dragged him to his closet, pulled out one of his shirts and a pair of pants, and threw them at him.  "Quick put these on."  Angel dressed unconsciously; his eyes glazed; his face blank.  Impatiently Nina hauled him to the elevator and shoved him in.

~Part: 4~

Spike came to in full vamp face. He placed a tentative hand to the back of his head, his fingers coming away bloody. "Fuck! The bitch nearly caved my head in!" He shouted to an empty room. Of course Nina and Angel were gone. Angel's sour scent still clung to the air, the sickening smell of fear nearly suffocating him. If he hurried he might be able to catch Nina before she did anymore damage. The thought of seeing her again gave Spike an extra shot of adrenaline.  He sprinted for the elevator, violent thoughts of Nina making his stride sure and quick. Spike couldn't wait to show her what true carnage was really like.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Nina dragged Angel behind her, his feet slapping the pavement. She marched to the Viper, pushed him against the passenger door, unlocked it and shoved her captive inside. She slammed the door, barely missing his fingers. He watched through tinted glass as she stalked to the driver's side, snatched open the door, threw her purse at him and got in. She sat, white knuckles clutching the steering wheel; head hung low, breathing through her nose. Angel closed his eyes and leaned his head against the window.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Wesley hadn't heard from Spike since they had spoken earlier in the day. He hadn't been idle. As promised, he'd spent the time researching Nina's breed of werewolf. He hadn't told Fred the actual reason for the research. He would only say that Angel had requested they compare Nina's recent test with Dr Royce's initial findings. Fred had been more than happy to help; she liked Nina and wanted to see Angel reasonably happy. Wesley rubbed tired eyes. He had read the same paragraph for the fifth time, yet the data remained the same. Wesley couldn't help thinking that if Angel had allowed Dr. Royce to properly fill them in; they could have taken the necessary precautions. He let out a frustrated sigh. Damn that man could be so stubborn; he thought.especially when it came to saving a soul. A litany of names and faces passed through Wesley's mind, all with only one thing in common, they had needed help. And Angel was there. Now the protector needed saving and Wesley wasn't going to let him down. He picked up the papers and began reading for the sixth time.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Harmony got groggily to her feet. Her head hurt and her nose felt mushy. Nina had quickly replaced the IT Technician at the top of Harmony's 'to bite list'. She arranged her clothes and gingerly felt her nose. Angel had been right to worry about keeping psycho-pup away from his blood supply, she might have tried to poison him or pee in it or something.

Fred rounded the corner to see Harmony slowly getting to her feet and ran to help her up. "Are you alright?" Fred asked, concern showing on her face.

"I was minding my own business, trying to do like Spike asked and not let Nina in to see Angel, when she went all wolfy and punched me in the face. Is my nose broken?" Harmony whined.

"That doesn't make any sense. Nina can't go 'wolfy', it's not a full moon yet and besides, why would she attack you?" Before Harmony could answer, Fred fired off another question. "Wait, why would Spike tell you not to let Nina see Angel? They're dating." She said the last like that should explain everything.

Just then a worried looking Wesley approached them. "I've been trying to reach you. I think I may have uncovered a rather disturbing element to Nina's lycanthropy."

Harmony looked on puzzled. "I thought Nina was a werewolf?"

They ignored her and walked back to Wesley's office. Once inside, Wesley shut the door and went over to his desk. Note pads filled with Wesley's close script littered the floor.

"I think Angel may be in danger," he began.

"Danger?"

"Yes, from Nina."

"Does this have anything to do with the research we did earlier?" Fred asked.

Wesley nodded and bent over to retrieve a note pad from the floor by his chair. "I didn't mention my suspicions earlier because I didn't want to give you cause to worry. I wanted to be absolutely sure of the facts."

"Thanks Wesley, but I'm a big girl and can handle the truth." Fred said simply.

"Of course." Wesley's face was tight with emotions.

"Well, I think we should start worrying now." At Wesley's look of confusion, Fred filled him in on what Harmony had told her.

As Wesley listened, his mind whispered that they were too late. He remembered all the times Angel had come into the office hurt and bruised to the point it was uncomfortable to look at him. It had been right under his nose, and he hadn't recognized the signs; Angel disappearing for days at a time and no one, hearing from him; leaving them no way to contact him. Then he would just turn up on Monday morning with a lie on his lips. Why hadn't I noticed before now? Wesley questioned himself. It was this place, of that Wesley was certain. Things were different here between them. Everyone knew Angel and Nina were a couple, yet they hadn't actually seen them together in months. Wesley was loath to admit this aloud, but if Spike hadn't expressed concern for Angel, he might still be none the wiser.

"Wesley! Is everything alright?" Fred was worried, Wesley had that look he got whenever he discovered he had made a mistake but didn't want to admit to it.

"I think it's safe to assume Nina may have Angel. We'll need everyone else here now. You find Spike and I'll phone Lorne and Gunn." Wesley said without answering her question.

Five minutes later Lorne and Gunn walked into Wesley's office. Wesley glanced up from his paperwork and was about to fill them in when Fred barged through the door.

"I think you all need to come see this." She was a little breathless.

"Whatever it is, it can wait." Wesley replied tersely. The ex-Watcher reclaimed the role of boss with ease.

Fred held her ground and didn't fall into old patterns. "No, I don't think it can wait. We need to go to Angel's apartment now. Things don't look good and I couldn't find Spike anywhere."

Gunn turned to stare at Wesley. "Is this why you called us here in a panic? You can't find Spike? He's probably off somewhere arguing with Angel about who's better -- The Stones or The Beatles." Gunn rolled his eyes dismissively.

Wesley glanced at Gunn, hackles rising and a vague feeling of antagonism drifting through his mind. "I wasn't panicked; concern for Angel's well being would be more to the point." Wesley sniffed.

"Guys, I hate to put a stop to the return of the bickering years--like we really need a repeat of that--but maybe we should go and see what Fred is talking about. You know just a suggestion."

"Very well." Wesley replied stiffly.

"Fine." Gunn responded. He had time to wonder briefly where had that slight hostility come from?

Fred led them to the penthouse. When the elevator doors opened, at first nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But as they made their way into the bedroom, the air felt oppressive. The few times they had actually visited Angel the apartment hadn't normally felt this way. Angel could brood like no one else, but nothing like this. They felt on edge, as if they were walking into a crime scene. Each of them took careful, light steps without realizing it. Something had happened here and recently. Wesley moved to the open closet. It looked like someone had grabbed anything from the hangers and dropped whatever else wasn't needed. Angel was meticulous with his surroundings and clothing. Wesley stepped out of the closet to look at the others. "This isn't like Angel; he wouldn't just leave without telling us first." Wesley couldn't place the sense of dread that had settled over him, but he had a sudden strong feeling of déjá vu.

"Well in case nobody's noticed, Angel hasn't exactly been himself lately."

They all turned to stare at Lorne. "Oh, don't give me that look. I can't be the only one who's noticed how the mystery cases keep popping up and no one but Angel knows anything about them.come on!"

Of course Lorne was right. Since they had arrived at W&H it had become more difficult to stay in touch. Each one of them had become absorbed by the shiny new toy that was W&H. Need information on Chaos demons? Speak into a wordless book and presto! The words appeared, showing you all you ever wanted to know about Chaos demons. Lorne schmoozing with stars, Gunn's brain upgrades to LA Law type smarts, and Fred's labs with every gadget imaginable and some not yet created. All that and more at their disposal. Yet somewhere along the way they had lost the one thing they had before, that W&H couldn't give them -- friendship. By not seeing the signs of a struggle, had they let Angel down? Wesley spotted the bloody statue in the far corner by the window. He picked it up, turning the heavy marble in his hands. A speck of red caught his eye and he squatted to look at the dry splotches of blood on the wall. A light touch brought Wesley out of his observations and he turned to see Fred staring at him with worried brown eyes. Wesley swallowed. "I think someone's been hurt Angel might have been hurt."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Spike reached the garage minutes after the Viper sped away. He wasted no time in ripping open the door of the Trans-Am, hopping in and racing off after Angel and Nina. The screech of tires echoed off the walls. Spike drove blindly following Angel's faint scent; he had no idea where he was going. He only knew that he had to find Angel before Nina took him somewhere he wouldn't be able to follow. He could barely track Angel's scent as it was and it didn't help that they hadn't spent much time together in over a century. The tenuous connection they had recently developed was all he had to work with. Spike hoped that was enough.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Wesley decided it was time to tell the others what was going on. "Spike came to see me today; he was concerned for Angel's safety. He thought Angel was lying about how he came by his injuries. He was also convinced Nina was responsible." Before the questions could start, Wesley held up his hands. "Before we go through a chorus of who Nina? first hear me out. "We all know that Nina's breed of werewolf has never before been documented in North America. The man who bit her had become a loner, shunning his family and friends until the violence escalated and he couldn't take it any longer Dr. Royce said there were certain physical characteristics that made Nina different from other breeds of werewolves. What he didn't mention was that there are cellular differences as well. This particular breed is prone to bouts of violence and paranoia. They experience graphic hallucinations during the initial stages of the change and crave blood even during human form. If Nina has tasted blood more than once, she may have triggered the second stage of mutation."

"Mutation?" Gunn asked.

"Yes, one that if not caught in time will leave Nina in wolf form, permanently."

"Well Nina's only attacked someone that one time and he kinda had it coming to him, trying to eat her and all." Fred responded.

"Yes, I'm aware of that incident, but that may not have been the last time."

"So you're saying all this time Nina has been eating people?" Gunn sounded skeptical.

"Yeah, color me confused because she's been here with Angel every month. When would she have had the time?"

"Yes, she has been here every month during the full moon." Wesley paused. "But what happens during the other days when she's not here under supervision?" In the heavy silence Wesley continued. "I believe Nina has started to kill while human."

No one said anything for several seconds and then everyone started to speak at once. Wesley let them talk until the shock started to die down. Fred was the first to speak. "We need to find Angel and Spike."

"I agree. We can worry about the mutation once we know where they are."

"I have a feeling wherever Nina is-" The phone rang loudly from the desk cutting off what Lorne was about to say. Wesley picked up on the second ring.

"Hello.yes Spike--hold on I'm putting you on speaker." Wesley pressed the speaker button and Spike's clipped voice blared out from the phone. He was upset, but underneath that was fear.

"Repeat what you told me, so everyone can hear."

"Look, I'm chasing after Nina now, she has Angel and I don't know what the girl is up to, but I think she's gone crazy. She attacked me in Angel's apartment and when I came to they were gone."

"She got Harmony too." Fred chimed in.

"Bloody hell! Do we know anything yet about dog-girl?"

Wesley eyed the others. "Yes and you were right, she is the cause of Angel's injuries."

The room suddenly filled with the sounds of Spike cursing, he continued until his voice was hoarse from swearing so loud.

"Spike listen to me, Nina is very dangerous. She is experiencing a change in her lycanthropy that makes her more violent, paranoid and capable of killing while human." Wesley advised.

"Shit. What are we going to do? Angel's scent is growing fainter by the minute and if that continues, I won't be able to find him."

"Spike we have W&H at our disposal. We'll do everything to find Angel." Fred soothed. She hadn't heard him this forlorn since he was incorporeal.

"Thanks luv. But you didn't see the fear in Angel's eyes. I've never seen him like this before. Never. I'll check back in later." The line went dead.

Angel's friends sat motionless, worry etched into their faces. None of them were certain where to search for answers on what to do next.

Gunn broke the silence. "We can't let the Senior Partners find out about this. There must be some magic we can use to block them from learning about Angel's forced absence. Between the three of us, we can take care of things. Tell Harmony to take a vacation until this blows over." Gunn stopped talking, he had run out of ideas, but it was a start.

"I know a few people who owe me some favors and wouldn't mind sticking it to W&H." Lorne offered.

"Good. Fred, see if you can extrapolate a cure or something to halt the spread of the mutation."

"Right. What are you going to do?"

"I'm placing a call to Buffy."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Blood seeped into Angel's eyes from the cut on his forehead. Nina had slammed him into the wall, opening barely healed gashes. When had she gotten so strong? Angel wondered. He sagged against the cold concrete and watched through blurry eyes as Nina stalked toward him, her wolf face playing peek-a-boo with her human face. Angel thought he was hallucinating and was grateful once he blacked out.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Later had turned into a week before they heard from Spike again. Wesley came into the office one night before leaving to stop by Fred's place and there he was sprawled in one of Wesley's chairs. He looked haggard, a bit too thin and very hungry. Wesley knew he craved more than just simple sustenance. Spike hungered for revenge. He had failed to locate Angel.

Wesley had done no better. Buffy had refused to speak with him, putting Andrew on the phone instead. Wesley had hung up in disgust after five minutes of his blather. The boy was worse than even he had been at the height of his prissiness. In the week that Angel had been gone things were tense, but nothing they hadn't been able to handle. Lorne had come through with a sorcerer capable of working a powerful glamour to make it seem that Angel was occasionally still in the office. The glamour required copious amounts of human blood, which Wesley, Gunn and Fred had been supplying without complaint for a week. They had performed the spell at Fred's place, not willing to risk the chance Marcus might find out and report back to the Senior Partners.

Wesley was glad to see that Spike had returned because maybe he would be able to get an answer from Buffy. Wesley had only needed one. Time to piss off the already angry vampire, Wesley thought wryly to himself.

"Spike, I'm surprised to see you here. I'd given up on you ever calling us back."

"Don't give me your lip Watcher."

"Ex-Watcher."

"Whatever. I couldn't stop searching for Angel, especially after I picked up his scent outside of Death Valley.  I followed like a bloodhound until I reached a dead end. I had been tracking the scent of Angel's bloody shirt which dog-girl discarded." Spike clenched his jaw and swore bitterly. Wesley walked over to Spike and briefly placed a light hand to his shoulder. The contact felt soothing to the frustrated, vampire after spending a week chasing phantom smells of Angel.

"So what have you lot been up to while I was gone? Any leads?"

"Well we worked out a few things that would be best discussed later. The protection spell I placed on my office the moment we arrived at W&H is about to expire. Don't mention Angel again. Meet me at Fred's tonight at 8:00." He ushered Spike out and closed the door behind them.

Spike arrived at 7:00. He couldn't take the strain of waiting any longer. When he knocked everyone was already there. Fred hugged him tightly, Gunn slapped his back in a manly fashion and Lorne shoved a blue concoction in his hand. The azure liquid tasted like whiskey but looked like Kool-Aide. It burned, in a good way going down. Wesley was sitting at Fred's dining table, papers spread across the surface. Now that Spike had a chance to really see him, Wesley looked exhausted as well as manic. In fact everyone looked weary and beaten. The strain was getting to all of them. Wesley wasted no time with why they were there.

"Spike, I called Buffy while you were gone and she refused to help us find Angel. You have to persuade her."

Spike let out a bitter laugh. "Last time Buffy saw me, I was on fire. Now you want me to call her out of the blue to say Angel needs help when I haven't called to tell her I'm bloody alive!"

"Technically." Lorne stopped talking when Spike shot blue daggers in his direction.

"I understand your concerns Spike, but understand mine. Angel has been missing for a solid week. I fear the more time that goes by the worse his chances of surviving. I'm not concerned how you convince her to talk to you, just do it now and let's get on with it." Wesley picked up his scotch and drained the glass in one swallow.

The phone call was short, and nowhere near sweet. Spike hadn't known what to expect, but it wasn't this. He and Buffy had made amends at the end, becoming friends. But it seemed Spike was now guilty by association. Buffy was never a grey kind of girl, the picture had to either be black or white, good or evil, but never both. That was one of the reasons he and Angel loved her, that stubborn inability to compromise what she believed in. Buffy would have never accepted a deal to work at W&H and she certainly wouldn't have chosen to stay as Spike was doing. In the end she had been glad to hear from him, but not surprised that he was alive. Translation -- Andrew had told her about Spike even though he had told the little ponce to keep quiet. She wondered why he hadn't called to tell her himself. He wondered why she hadn't called once she found out. Silence. Spike asked her for the information Wesley thought he needed. Buffy had apologized, said she couldn't help, and reminded him that Angel, and anyone who continued to stand by him, worked for the enemy and hung up. Spike had destroyed the table. Later after he had calmed down, he promised Fred another one.

A few minutes later the phone rang, it was for Spike. They stood in Fred's dining room listening to the one-sided conversation waiting for another outburst. It never came. Before the call ended, Spike said, "Thanks Lil'Bit, um, yeah," he nodded his head, "you haven't been that for a long while now. I miss you too luv and thank you." Spike wistfully hung up the phone and turned to the group. "I know where we can find Oz."

~Part: 5~

"She changed her mind and gave you the information?"  Gunn questioned skeptically.

Spike removed his hand from the receiver; he was staring at a point past Gunn's left shoulder.  Finally his eyes settled to look at Gunn.  "Not Buffy.  Dawn -- her sister."

"Well, I don't care who it was, at least someone in that family was willing to help Angel."  Fred sniffed.

"Don't be like that pet.  Buffy still cares, quite a lot, but she won't compromise herself for anyone.  There is no grey in Buffy's world, only black and white.  Right now Angel is firmly in the black...and now so am I."  Spike finished softly.

Wesley, always able to keep his mind on what needed to be done, called their attention back to the problem.  "Yes, well, we don't have time to reminiscence about Buffy Summers' moral standards.  We need to contact Oz and ask for his help in tracking Nina and Angel."

"Right as always Watcher."

"Please, I implore you, stop calling me that.  I haven't been a Watcher for many years now."  Wesley walked briskly to the kitchen and rinsed his glass in the sink.  The talk of Buffy reminded him of a time he had struggled to put behind him.  While he had physically moved away from the bumbling mess he once was, he hadn't quite managed to completely leave that Wesley buried.  There were still times, when, if he weren't alert that the old Wesley would rise to the surface, muddying his careful control.  Wesley didn't want now to be one of those times.

Spike, who knew intimately a thing or two about trying to recreate oneself, still couldn't let Wesley go without having the last word.  Truth was he respected Wesley and admired how much he obviously cared for Angel.  "Yeah, well I haven't been human in forever, but that doesn't change what I once was."  Wesley turned from the sink at the light teasing in Spike's voice.  Spike winked.

"So, share the details.  What did Dawn tell you about finding this Oz person?"  Lorne asked.

"From what Dawn told me, the last time Willow heard from him, he was back in Tibet. That was a few months ago.  They're not exactly sure where he is now.  But it's as good a place as any to start.  Do we have an office in that area?"  Spike finished, looking at Wesley.

"I believe we do," Wesley answered.  "I'll make contact with the Tibetan Branch and see what they can find out for us."

"We need to get Oz here now.  Tell them how important this is, but best not to let on why we need the information."

"Good point Spike.  We can't risk this information getting back to the Senior Partners.  For all we know, they may have had a hand in this.  I'll place some calls and update you all when I have more definitive answers."

"Did anyone check out where dog-girl's living?"  Spike asked.

"Up until about a month ago Nina lived with her sister, Jill, and niece Amanda.  I spoke with Jill, or at least tried to anyway.  She didn't want to talk to me, but Amanda told me that Nina moved out a few months ago, and that Nina's boyfriend Angel had gotten her an apartment over by the university.  Amanda gave me Nina's address and phone number.  I knew it would be a waste of time, but I called anyway. There was no answer.  All I got was her voicemail."  Fred shrugged.  "So either she's not answering or she's not there."

"Wouldn't make sense for her to take him there.  She had to figure that would be the first place we'd check once we discovered Angel was missing."  Gunn added.

"Maybe we should head over there anyway and have a look around.  We might be able to find something that would tell us where she's taken Angel."  Spike suggested.

"Good idea.  We could wait until Wesley makes his calls, then head over.  How long do you think you'll be?"  Fred asked.

"Should only take me an hour or so to make the contacts.  Why don't we plan to meet back here." Wesley looked at his watch.  ".in about two hours?"

"Good.  That's settled.  I'm gonna head back to Angel's apartment and have another look around to see if I missed something."  Spike said as he headed toward the door.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike slipped inside the apartment and felt the air settle heavily around him, like he was passing through a cemetery at night.  Best to get those thoughts out of your head, he chastised himself.  He hadn't wanted the others to know how upset the phone conversation with Buffy had made him.  Well, splintering the table into pieces hadn't exactly helped.  This wasn't the way things should be.  You don't burn up to save the world to have the woman you love not want to speak to you any longer, he mused.  Nothing seemed to be going the way it ought to.  Angel going missing had put a strain on everyone.  It amazed Spike how Angel had managed to surround himself with so many loyal people who loved him.  It didn't matter who they were, the Mick, Cordelia, and now this crew; they all loved and respected him.  The brooding git had friends, something Angel probably never had before.  I wonder if the poof even realizes just how much they all care for him?  Spike didn't want to include himself on that list, but he did in his own way care for Angel.  He was the only family Spike had left.  God knows where Dru is!  Spike wouldn't stand for anyone doing Angel harm, unless he was the one dishing it out.  Spike smirked at that thought and headed for Angel's bedroom; the search of the living room had turned up nothing. Spike hadn't expected to still see signs of a struggle, but the immaculate condition of the bedroom seemed eerie and wrong somehow.  It felt like Angel had never existed.

Spike walked over to the window, images of Angel cowering in the corner still fresh in his head.  The tense vampire hunched down to inspect the spot where his blood had splattered the walls.  The blood had been cleaned and the marble statue had been removed.  A week later and Spike was still asking himself why in the hell he turned his back on Nina in the first place.  He'd had a week to come up with an answer, but couldn't yet deal with what he discovered about himself.  Each time his mind passed over the question, like a tongue worrying a loose tooth, he would force himself to think about something else.  Angel had been so out of it, he looked as if he was going to jump out the window. Spike's only thought was to calm him down. That one moment of concern had cost him Angel.  Spike wasn't quite ready to admit that the thought of losing Angel scared him.

Suddenly feeling foolish for running his fingers across the wall, Spike stood and stalked over to the nightstand next to Angel's bed.  He opened the drawers, looking through the meager items Angel kept there.  Spike hadn't really expected to find anything useful, Angel didn't really live here; this was only where he laid his head.  Spike suspected Angel would never call W&H home. Nothing in this place spoke of the vampire who lived there.  Angel's presence was completely masked behind a wall of. Spike searched for the right word, but could only come up with newness.  This felt like a show room at a furniture store, great lightning and butter smooth leather, but nothing of age or quality.  This was an empty shell waiting to be filled.  Spike thought back to the first office Angel had in LA; now that had felt like a home, even to him. Back then Angel had been a confident and arrogant bastard.  The younger vampire preferred that Angel to the empty imposter that had taken his place.  Nervous fingers drummed against a lean thigh as Spike thought of where he should check next.  He knew from his days of haunting Angel that the only other place the ponce frequented was his office.  Spike headed for the elevator.

When the elevator doors opened to Angel's office, Spike went straight to his desk.  He sat down in the chair and started rifling through the papers scattered on it.  Finding nothing that would help him, he went through Angel's in and out boxes. Nothing there either.dammit!  Come on Angel, you had to have left us a clue. You were the only one who knew that Nina was becoming more unstable, Spike thought angrily. If Angel had been worried enough to have Harmony get his blood, then he had to have left them something to go on in case things got out of control, Spike reasoned.  He moved to the drawers in Angel's desk, pulling everything out of the files.  Nothing.  Spike let out a growl of frustration.  Everywhere he turned was another dead end.  He spun the chair around so he faced the credenza.  He searched each drawer only to come up empty again.  "Bloody fucking hell!"  Spike roared to the empty room.  He was down to the last drawer. Got to be something in there, he thought desperately.  Spike reached for the handle, only to find it locked.

Spike broke the lock and slid the drawer open.  He removed the papers and turned back to the desk; knowing that if Angel locked it, then there had to be something of value inside.  He rummaged quickly through the papers, but there was nothing there that told him where Angel was.  When he neared the bottom of the stack something caught his eye; the paper type was different.  The edge of what looked like parchment was sticking out.  He flipped the pages over and realized they weren't business papers at all, but drawings -- drawings of him.some from their earlier days and some more recent.  What the fuck?!

Looking at the yellowed pages of the older drawings, he realized they were some that Angelus had done when he first joined the family.  I can't believe he kept these.  Spike thought back to the many times he had actually sat for Angelus, but these were of him doing everyday things.  He continued going through them, coming across a few drawings from when they were both in Sunnydale, and newer ones that were done after he made his appearance in L.A. a few months ago.  Spike just stared at the drawings before him. He couldn't help himself, and reached out a hand to lightly trace the lines of the pencil.  Didn't think Angel still drew, Spike thought, especially not pictures of me.

There were ten in all.  Sketches of Spike while he slept, laughed, fought, and made love to Dru.  Angel had watched him far more than he knew.  The last sketch was of Spike after he had returned from fighting with Angel for the cup.  Angel had perfectly captured the smug righteousness that Spike had felt after besting Angel.  Spike's face floated ghost-like from the gloom surrounding him, each cut and bruise standing out in stark contrast on his face. Written along the bottom in Angel's elegant script were these words -- There are two ways of spreading light:  to be the candle or the mirror that reflects.    Spike recognized the words - Wharton. Leave it to Angel, the pretentious git.  Obviously losing to Spike had bothered Angel, but Spike's comment that Angel never really knew him because he was "too busy" trying to see his own reflection, seemed to make the most impact.  Spike didn't know how he felt about that, but he would think about it later.  He took the sketches and reverently placed them back where they belonged.  Spike sensed Marcus before he lifted his head to see him watching from the doorway.

Spike was on his feet in seconds. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question."  Marcus replied, adjusting the sleeves on his jacket.

"I'm welcomed here, you on the other hand, not so much."  Spike walked around the desk to stand in front of Marcus.

"I came to see Angel.  Is he here?"

"No, out with that wolf-girl, Nina.  Not exactly a lie, Spike thought.

"I see.  He seems to be doing that a lot lately, spending time with Nina.  Hope all of that time spent together doesn't result in another appearance from Angelus.  Would hate to see that happen.  Do tell Angel I stopped by."  Marcus turned and glided smoothly out of the office.

Spike let out a growl, trying to suppress the urge to go after him and punch the hulking idiot in the face.  Dammit where the hell could Angel be?  Spike headed for the door; maybe Wesley and the others had a better go at it than he had.

When he arrived at Fred's place, Wesley was just putting the phone down.  "Any luck?"

"Yes, I was fortunate enough to speak to someone in the Tibetan Office of W&H, who was able to give me a status report.  I don't think my questions raised any suspicions, especially not after the two of you paid an unexpected visit to the office in Italy.  Seems Angel has a reputation of being unpredictable, who would have guessed?"

"Wesley, get on with it."  Spike snarled.

"Yes, right.  Oz is very well known in the area for controlling his werewolf urges during full moons.  He's listed as staying at a Tibetan monastery at the base of the Himalayas.  W&H haven't had any dealings with him so far.  He leads a quiet existence, and the monks allow him to teach classes at the monastery.  What those classes are, my contact wasn't certain.  We can have a jet ready in an hour."

"Won't taking the company jet to Tibet rouse suspicions?"  Gunn asked.

"Might, but what do you suppose we do Charlie boy?" Spike snarked.

"We could use a spell to reach Oz."  Lorne looked around at the others.

"Yeah, but we'd still have to send the jet to pick him up."  Fred reminded everyone.

"And someone would still need to go to meet him and bring him back here.  You know, someone that knows him.  Wes?"  Gunn added.

"I was thinking the same thing.  I seem to be the logical choice.  Now about the spell."

Fred interrupted, "We don't want to use someone in-house.  Lorne, you still have contacts that could help us out with a spell like this, right?"

"Sure do sweet pea, I know someone who might help us."  Lorne answered.

"Good, you get in touch with him Lorne.  Wes, you tell them to have the jet on standby.  Gunn and Fred.you're with me.  We'll head over to Nina's apartment and have a look around, and hopefully we'll find something that will lead us to Angel."  Spike said authoritatively.

Everyone looked at Spike, surprised.  "What?"  Spike asked.

"Nothing."  Fred replied smiling.  "Just not used to seeing you this way, that's all."

"Yeah, I get that.  Angel and I may not be the best of mates, but we're family.  If anyone is gonna take him out, it'll be me."  Spike replied, smirking.  "We also may not have much time to pull this off.  Marcus paid us a visit while I was in Angel's office.  Said he wanted to know where Angel was.  Told him he was with Nina.  Not exactly a lie, but I'm not sure how long that'll hold him off.  So we need to make this fast boys and girls."

Before they could leave to carry out their designated assignments, the phone rang.

"Hey wait, give me a second to get that. It might be important"  Fred ran to answer the phone.

"Hello...yeah he's here, hold on a second.  Spike it's for you."

Spike took the receiver from Fred.  "Yeah -- well Red didn't expect to hear from you."  Spike sounded genuinely surprised.

"Uh, yeah Wesley's right here," the blonde vampire turned to look at Wesley.  "You want to speak to him?"  He nodded and continued listening, "Oh, I see, channeling that kind of power are we.  Okay, hold on."  He placed his hand over the mouthpiece, "She said for everybody to stand back."  Spike placed the receiver on the counter and went to stand with the others.  The air started to pulsate and grow hot.  A bright reddish light emanated from the moss green receiver.  They didn't bother to shield their eyes because the light wasn't blinding.  It surrounded them, brushing warm tendrils against their skin.  Spike and Wesley shared a glance, the warmth felt very familiar.  Fred was the first to greet Willow.

"Hey, you."  Fred smiled. "We haven't seen you since you re-ensouled Angel."

Spike quirked an eyebrow at Gunn, "Long story, we'll fill you in sometime."

The light changed to a deeper red and Willow's voice filled the room.  "Yeah, a lot's changed since then.  Angel's the CEO of hell and all this with a soul.  Wesley, good to see you -- well not exactly see you see you -- but you now what I mean.  And some things haven't changed...still sporting the stubbly look."

Wesley's hands immediately went to his face.  He smiled and said, "Good to see you too Willow."

The light turned -- if it could be described as doing that -- towards Spike.  "Last place I expected to see you."

"Likewise.  Not to look a gift horse in the mouth and all that, but does Buffy know you're doing this?"

The light danced closer to Spike's face.  "I told Buffy what I planned to do.  I like Angel, when he's not evil and all, and if I can help him, I will.  Plus, you helped save our lives Spike.  Feel like we owe you one."

"Thanks Red."

"I'm sure you don't have a lot of time, so I'll be quick.  When Dawn asked me where Oz was and why, I thought it would be better if I contacted him first.  We've kept in touch, so no hard feelings and all.  He always liked Angel you know, one monosyllabic creature of the night to another.  Said that he was more than happy to help.  Well, he didn't exactly say all of that, you know Oz, not big with the talking.  He was surprised to hear you were in LA again Spike and not trying to kill Angel, but help him."

"Yeah, well, like you said a lot has changed since then."

Bright fuchsia spots swirled to mix with the red.  "Right."  Willow said it like she knew a secret.  "Oz is on his way to LA now.  He should arrive by tomorrow.  The light slowly turned a soft pink as Willow's voice began to fade.  "Tell Angel 'hi' for me when you find him."  The light winked out and the room was restored to deep shadows.

"Well Watcher, looks like you ain't taking that trip after all."

"Spike, how many times do I have to tell you."

"Yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah.Get over it."  Spike grinned and winked at Wesley.  "Looks like we don't need that spell either."

Willow's visit had rejuvenated the tired group.  They all felt it, but no one wanted to give voice to the feeling that had overcome them--hope.  This was the first time since Angel had disappeared, that any of them had relaxed.  Everyone was too afraid, that if they didn't think of Angel every minute that their efforts would be jinxed.  No one would give up searching for him, but it hadn't been easy not knowing what was happening to their friend.  "What are we going to do with Oz once he gets into town?  I don't think he should be alone.  How about he stays with you Wesley, since you know him best?"  Fred suggested.

"That's fine."  Wesley chuckled dryly.  "Although I hope Oz doesn't still hold it against me about wanting to trade Willow for the box that would have destroyed the Mayor."  The others looked at Wesley, utterly confused.  "Nevermind.  That was another lifetime."

"Right.  Okay, let's head over to Nina's." Gunn said.

They walked out of Fred's apartment, their steps a touch lighter and headed to the cars waiting for them.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

** Abandoned building on the outskirts of Sunnydale **

Angel came to and glanced around the dark room; he was alone.  He tested the chains that held him suspended from the ceiling, leaving his feet barely touching the floor.  Realizing that he was too weak to get free on his own, he slumped dejectedly.

How long have I been here?  He wondered to himself.  He thought back and figured that it had to be about a week.  He was glad that Nina had given him a respite from the pain and torture that she had been inflicting on him the entire time.  The weary vampire sighed and thought back to when they had first arrived here.

** Flashback **

Nina pulled him from the car and dragged him into the building.  Once inside, she opened the door to the basement and threw him down the stairs.  He felt his ribs crack as he tumbled head over heels.  When he reached the bottom, he tried to get up, but realized that his leg had been broken by the fall.  He reached down with shaky hands and pulled his pant leg up to reveal the bone protruding through the skin.  He collapsed back to the ground and just lay there, wanting desperately to flee; knowing he couldn't.  All he could do was just lie there and wait for Nina to reach him.

When she finally reached the bottom of the stairs, where he was crumbled awkwardly, she ordered him to get up.  When he didn't move, she placed good solid kicks to his head and ribs, breaking a few more.  She grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the middle of the room.  She raised the arm she had in her grasp and attached the chain that was hanging there.  Then she reached for the other chain and clamped it to Angel's other arm.  Once he was secured, she hoisted him up so that he was upright and his toes just barely touched the floor.  Angel grimaced as he felt himself being pulled up and the strain it put on his already damaged ribs.  He tried to keep as much weight off his broken leg as possible.

The next few days were a blur for Angel.  All he could remember was pain like he'd never felt before.  There wasn't an area of his body that Nina hadn't touched.  She could have given Darla a run for her money that was for sure.  Angel tried to put up a fight as best as he could, but he was too weak from blood loss and lack of feeding.

** End of Flashback **

Thoughts of feeding made him realize he hadn't fed since Spike forced him to.  He didn't remember Nina feeding him at all.  With the lack of blood, he wasn't healing fast enough.  Many times he felt like just giving up.  The only thought that kept him going was Spike.  He knew that Spike would find him eventually.  He just hoped it would be in time.  He wasn't sure how much longer he could hold out.

Nina stood watching him writhe in the darkness, finally going still and hanging limp in his restraints. Part of her felt detached from what was happening.  The other half reveled in the destruction she was causing.  If anyone had asked her why she was doing this, she wouldn't have been able to give a reason. Things had gotten out of control and she hadn't known how to stop; now she didn't care.  The changes had started around the time Angel unexpectedly left for Italy.  She'd gone to the office looking for him, only to be told that he was in Italy--visiting Buffy.  At first this hadn't bothered her because Angel had been very open about his feelings for Buffy.  He had been very good about that lately, making an effort to talk and express what was going on instead of internalizing things like he always did.  She appreciated his earnestness, especially since she had dated too many guys that lied about everything.  But then her feelings had suddenly changed to hurt and confusion.  When Angel returned they had discussed the visit, he even confessed to her that not seeing Buffy had hurt him.   She had appreciated the moment, but it still made her feel unimportant somehow.  She wasn't in love with Angel, that much she knew, but she did care for him. Nina also knew that Angel wasn't in love with her. Their time together was something that he enjoyed, but he wasn't consumed with her. That was actually fine with Nina, since becoming a werewolf, she no longer felt the urge to be consumed by anything.

The disease had matured her faster than living ever could.  Having Angel to discuss the changes in her life was a godsend.  Who better to understand than a 251-year-old vampire, who was once evil?  On one visit to the office, she had done a little gossiping with Harmony and found out about Angel's past escapades.  Yes, he had a lot to atone for, but now he was a good man.  So why are you doing this to him?  That question continued to nag her each day that she left him there exposed, and starving.  She had even tired of abusing him, preferring to take her pleasures in watching him whimper and cry in the dark.  Where was the strong vampire she had been so attracted to -- the one that had saved her?  It seemed like once she discovered his kinks, he had become a different person.  It was almost as if he felt he deserved to be punished.  At first she had dismissed the thought as too esoteric; her attempt at reaching where there was nothing to grab.  But as time went on and she had increased the torture, he hadn't protested.  Not once.  He silently accepted everything she had in her to give.  Nina knew Angel was big on brooding about his past, but this felt different somehow.  He seemed to be worrying about more recent transgressions.  Of course she had no proof of this and hadn't tried to find any, but that was the feeling she got.

So the abuse had carried on until it was the only way they communicated with one another.  The beast inside of her enjoyed bringing him low because no one did low better than Angel.  Those sad brown eyes misting with unshed tears when she had done or said something particularly cruel, always managed to make her wet.  A tingling sensation would spread out over her body and she would squeeze her legs together in anticipation.  Her body was attuned to Angel's pain, the sound of him pleading hoarsely in the dark was better than any kiss could ever be.  No foreplay was needed when Angel was in despair.  By the time it occurred to her that there was something seriously wrong, she found herself standing naked in an alley, a small blonde prostitute hanging limply from her hands.  The blonde's throat had been ripped out and Nina was covered in her blood.  She panicked, threw the woman down and ran.  Nina never mentioned the incident to Angel.

Angel looked up and saw Nina standing there, just looking at him.  He found her stare unnerving.  It felt like she was looking through him.  Angel resisted the urge to turn around and see if anything was behind him.

Nina walked towards him and he started to tremble.  "What's wrong Angel?  Don't tell me you're afraid of little old me.  Angelus must be thrashing furiously at your whimpering."  This can't be the mighty Angelus can it?"

When Angel didn't answer, she continued, "Where is the Angel who moaned in pleasure when I bound his hands and eyes in silk?  Who hardened whenever I nipped at his chest and thighs?  This can't be the mighty Angelus; the strong, perverted vampire who could strike terror in human and demon alike?  Torture was your gift.  You kept your female victims alive for months, using them for your special brand of sadistic sex, draining them into unconsciousness, laughing when they begged you for death.  And Spike, you didn't always hate him did you?  You instructed him in the rules of Sire/Childe sex.  Some writings seem to imply that you eventually preferred him to Darla and Drusilla.  I didn't know you were into M&M darling.  Such a pity, we missed all those opportunities to explore that together.  I know quite a few guys who would love a chance at someone as sweet and delicious as you."

Nina grasped his face, forcing him to look at her.  Furious that he kept his eyes closed, she slapped him hard, smiling evilly.  "Spike must have enjoyed all you taught him Angel.  I read that he searched for you after you left them.  Drusilla found him weeks later, despondent and starving.  He would have died if she hadn't dragged him home."  She pushed Angel's body backwards stretching his arms further in the shackles, making him cry out.  "Why aren't you happy with what I'm doing to you?  Angelus would be.  Why don't you let him out to play again?  He would be more fun than you are.  If you could do all those nasty things with Spike for days on end, why can't you have that passion for me?"  Nina smacked Angel's bruised and bloodied face viciously.  "You're mine now lover.  Spike will never have you again."

She raised her arm and Angel flinched back.  She smiled as she ran her fingers across his brow, down his cheek, resting them under his chin.  She gently raised his face so he could look at her.  When she had his attention, she leaned in for a kiss.  When Angel didn't respond, she forced his mouth open and continued kissing him, waiting for him to kiss her back.  Angel's mouth remained still; she stood back a bit staring at him.  All she saw when she looked at him was a vacant, far-away look in his eyes.

This made her angry, so she slapped him hard.  When there was still no reaction, she continued slapping him brutally, again and again, with her hand soon forming a fist.  Angel's head snapped sideways back and forth with the force she used.  When he looked at her again, he was in full vamp face, growling loudly.

"There you are.there's my baby."  She said with a sultry grin on her face.  "Thought you had decided to check out on me."

She ran her hands up his arms stretched above his head.  She stopped for a minute when she reached his raw, bruised wrists.  She took a firm grip of his damaged wrists and squeezed them hard.  So hard, she felt the bones begin to crack under the pressure she was exerting.  Angel roared in agony.  Nina smiled.

She brought her hands down slowly to play with his nipples. Nina bent forward and took one into her mouth, laving it with her tongue.  She watched Angel as she did this.  He was still in game face, but he showed no other reaction.  The yellow of his eyes stared vacantly at something just past Nina's right shoulder.  I see we're back to him not giving me his undivided attention.  I'll have to fix that, she thought.  She returned to his nipple and angrily bit down on it, almost biting it off.  Blood flowed freely from the wound she inflicted.  This got his attention, Angel moaned again, louder.  His eyes blinked furiously as he tried to focus.  Much better.  She suckled him greedily for a while, the blood leaving a bittersweet taste in her mouth.  While she drank from him, her hands roamed down farther in anticipation of reaching his cock.  Once her hands brushed against his crotch, Nina let out a loud groan against the wound on his chest.  She sucked faster as her hands fumbled to remover his pants.  Angel hissed in pain, when the material slid down his broken leg.  Nina couldn't wait to feel her hand wrapped around his shaft.  She suddenly lifted her mouth from Angel's chest and looked down at the soft organ in disbelief.  She tilted her head to the side and started stroking it.nothing.  Anger flared white hot through her.  She continued her stroking, but there was nothing, no reaction at all.  It was still as soft and limp as when she had first walked into the room.  With each stroke she became angrier and angrier.  Finally, she stood up.

"What's the hell wrong with you?  She yelled at him.

"Hun.hungry.  Need blood."  Angel managed to get out of his raw throat.

"Well you wouldn't be so hungry if you'd just take what I offered you."

"Not going to feed from you.  Not again."

"Suit yourself because that's all you're going to get.  It's your choice."

"No." Angel said, standing his ground defiantly.

"Well you can just go hungry then."  The click of Nina's heels echoed off the walls as she stormed away from him.

Angel slumped forward in relief that she was leaving and that he was relatively unscathed this time.

Nina stopped as she smelled his relief at her departure flood through him.  She turned around and walked over to the corner of the room to a box she had sitting there.

Angel was so weakened from blood loss and starvation that he didn't recognize that he had made a costly mistake.  When Angel realized she was still in the room, he looked at her warily.  His eyes traveled to the box and what she took out of it.a large whip.

"No.please," he begged.  "No more."

"Yes, more.my darling.  You won't take what I offer you.  You won't give me what I need, then you'll be punished."

She cracked the whip in the air a few times as she stalked towards him.  Each crack of the whip made him flinch in anticipation. He could already feel the biting sting on his tender flesh, but he couldn't take his eyes off her other hand.  Nina's surprises always came in pairs, one that was grand and obvious; and the other to make the pain last long after she was gone.  When she opened her hand, nestled in the palm was a large black dildo.  She stopped behind him and laid the whip carelessly over one of his shoulders.  His skin felt as if it was trying to crawl from his body.  If it was possible, he wanted to follow.  With her hand, she parted his cheeks and shoved the dildo all the way in with no gentleness or preparation.  Angel screamed as he felt his raw and barely healed hole tear once again.  He felt the blood pour out of him as she continued pushing it in viciously.  Once she had the toy all the way in, she removed the adhesive tape from her pocket and secured the dildo in place.  Nina made sure to use enough so it wouldn't slide out.

The once powerful body jerked in the restraints as Nina applied more pressure.  Angel had retreated inside himself; he couldn't spare too much thought about what was happening to his body.  He knew that if she continued at this pace and didn't let him feed, he would bleed out in the next few days.  Angel tried unsuccessfully to suppress his next thought, but his mind betrayed him. An image of Spike's worried face floated behind his closed eyes, along with his silent, desperate mantra for the last week, please, please let Spike find me.

Unaware of what was going on in Angel's mind, Nina trailed the whip along his shoulder.  She gripped the handle of the whip and proceeded to lay open Angel's back.  Soon there was not an unmarked place on his back, so she continued lashing his ass and legs.  When that was done, she moved around to the front of him and resumed flaying the flesh from his neck down to his ankles, not even missing his once precious cock and balls.

This went on for hours; her hands were cramping from holding the whip for so long.  By the time she stopped, Angel was unconscious, his head lolled sickeningly to the side.  Nina threw the bloody whip into the corner and stalked angrily from the room, leaving Angel hanging there.  He'll recover soon enough, and then we'll start again, she thought to herself.

She went into the other room and stripped off her blood-spattered clothes.  She brought the blouse up to her face and sniffed.  It smelled of Angel.  It made her wet as her tongue snaked out and licked at the blood soaked into the material.  If Angel wouldn't give her what she wanted, then she'd go out and find someone who would.

An hour later when she was showered and dressed, Nina stopped by the room where she was holding Angel.  Looking in, she saw that he was still unconscious.  She walked over to inspect the damage to his limp, naked body.  He was still bleeding from the various teeth and claw marks she had made earlier in the day.  That blood was mingling with the fresh wounds she had made with the whip.  She inhaled sharply.

She ran her finger through one of the bleeding wounds, withdrawing the bloody digit and putting it in her mouth.  Her eyes rolled back into her head as she twirled her tongue around her finger, licking the delicious substance from it.  She repeated her actions several times, sometimes wiping her hands through the gory mess of his chest and cramming them into her mouth to suck each finger clean.  When that wasn't enough, Nina bent down and licked directly from the open wounds.  She panted heavily against Angel's skin as she fed.  Several long minutes later, Nina could make out each jagged line the whip had made on Angel's chest; she had licked most of the blood off.  She stepped away from his body and retreated into the darkness of the room to wash the evidence of her insanity from her face.  Nina bent her head to avoid the mirror hanging against the wall, choosing instead to watch the basin fill quickly with pinkish red water.  When she was finished, she pulled a small compact from the small purse on her shoulder.  After making sure there was no left over blood anywhere on her face, she reapplied her lipstick and snapped the case closed.  Nina spared Angel one last casual glance, before she walked out of the room, humming happily to herself.

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