Spoilers: Takes place after ATS S5, no specific spoilers for Angel. There are spoilers for my Bloodlines series (I can't believe I'm saying that).
This story won't make any sense unless you've read Bloodlines, The Continued Existence through part 29 and Bloodlines, The Choice.
Thanks to Elisabeth and Ghostsforge for their help.
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New York, Present Day
It wasn't like he hadn't suffered a burn a few times, both as a human and vampire. He just had never been doused with gasoline and lit on fire. The smell of gas and burning flesh filled his nostrils, as he began to scream. Panicking, he ran, irrationally thinking he could escape the flames that were consuming him.
"William!" Nic, who was lying on top of Djoser, trying frantically to put out the fire that engulfed his nephew. "Drop to the ground and roll."
But Spike, who was usually in control during a battle, had lost all ability to think or reason. Not hearing his uncle, he just kept running.
Battling a Tzmisce vampire, Angel looked up in horror to see his beloved William lit up like a human torch. Growling with fear for his Childe, he punched with outstretched fingers instead of a fist. Ribs cracked, as his hand pushed through fleshy tissue to grab at the enemy's heart. Yanking it out, he held it up so that the shocked vampire could see his own heart just before dissolving into dust.
Hurling himself in the air, Angel caught Spike and tackled him to the ground. Beating out the flames with hands that soon were blistered and raw, he stared down at the charred body of his Childe and wept.
**
A Ship In The Atlantic Ocean, Early 1900's
"Spike." Dru drawled with wonderment, as she looked over the edge of the ship at the ocean. "The stars are falling."
"No, luv." Spike said patiently. "They're just reflect. . . ." Stopping, he realized that it was pointless to explain that she was just seeing the stars' reflections in the water. "Look up in the sky."
"Ooh." The vampiress was enchanted. There were stars all around her. "We're surrounded by them. There are some many more now to count."
Tuning Drusilla out, Spike took the opportunity to check out the ship and its occupants. Being that it was night, there were few passengers above deck, only the captain and his crew. Sighing, he pondered their immediate problem; who could they eat without causing an alarm? They were on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. No place to hide, and being thrown in the ocean by an angry ship's crew was something that even he, the prince of recklessness, wanted to avoid.
"What's this?" Spike muttered to himself as at that moment about a dozen men, chained together came shuffling up from below deck. "Prisoners." A grin formed on his lips. An answer to his problem. No one would care much if a prisoner, or two, or three would die from an unexplained cause. "Look, pet." He nudged Drusilla. "I think dinner is served." Studying the prisoners, a pretty one caught his eye. Besides his beauty he was also distinguishable by a large tattoo of an 0 on the front of his throat. "How 'bout that one?" He spoke softly in Dru's ear.
Turning around the vampiress stared at the prisoners, particularly the one that Spike had pointed out to her.
"He's fairly young, won't be too tough." Spike was still whispering in Dru's ear. "And you do like an attractive meal."
"He's a king's mistress." Drusilla stated. "We can't eat him."
"King's mistress?" Spike repeated, scratching his head in puzzlement. "No, luv, he's a pris. . . ."
"He's a king's mistress." Dru interrupted. "I want that one." She pointed to a grisly, older man, who was standing behind the pretty one.
"You sure?" He and Drusilla had been on their own for more than five years, and there were times that Spike realized that he was no closer to understanding her than he was when he had first met her at his rebirth. "Because that one looks kind of stringy; he'll get stuck in our teeth. The other one. . . ."
"The other one can't be touched." Dru interrupted again. "If he's touched, bad things will happen. Very bad things."
**
The Artic Circle, Present Day
Crammed in a Snow Cat with his precious Childer, and the rest of his family, Angel thought wistfully back to a time when unlimited resources were at his disposal. They could have flown in on a helicopter, but instead were creeping their way at a tortoise paced, 30 miles per hour through the barrenness of the Artic Circle.
"Are you sure that fucking Judelin didn't send us out on a wild goose chase?" Nic asked irritably. There was nothing like being stuck in a small space with his family for hours on end when he felt like shit. "I can't believe that a powerful, rich demon would have his lair out here in the middle of fucking nowhere."
"From what I understand." Angel spoke evenly, trying to keep the tension level down. They were injured, tired, and close to panic, and it was his duty as High Master to keep control. "Scion likes his privacy."
"Really?" Nic so wanted a cigarette but smoking was forbidden inside the Cat because it caused his nephews to cough. All of them seriously burned, the worst being William, lay unconscious with a couple of them instinctively breathing like humans. "I'm guessing it's because he's got a harem of children for his personal pleasure? Even demon pedophiles have to be careful."
"He is not a pedophile." Angel said firmly. "He took a young human as a slave and lover back in the early 1900's, but that's more-or-less the extent of his. . .his love life."
"Says who?" Pain, lack of nicotine, and his brothers were pushing Nic to the edge. He was spoiling for an argument.
"Says Judelin." Angel sighed, restraining himself from clubbing Nic over the head. "If Scion kept young children for sex, Judelin would not be associating with him."
"Uh-huh." Nic grunted out skeptically. "Judelin is in a war with the Tzmisces for territory and power. Like he's going to picky about his allies' personal lives."
"Judelin has a moral code, and it's to his credit that he has stuck to his principles throughout his long existence."
Nic turned around so he could look Angel in the face. "He's a fucking vampire. Since when do vampires have ethics?"
"According to Judelin, most vampires are souled creatures, so that means that some vampires can and do have morals."
"Oh, and he's the big authority on us now?" Nic continued to argue even though in his own mind, he wasn't sure what he was arguing about.
"He's the oldest vampire in existence." In his usual quiet voice, Damon joined the conversation. "When our Sire still lived, many respected him because of his age, but now we know that our Sire was a youngster compared to Judelin."
"An old fart and an ancient fart." Nic mumbled waspishly as he looked out the window at the frozen wasteland.
A few moments of silence, and when Nic said no more, Angel realized that his brother had vented out most of his frustration and pain. "Listen." He put a hand on Nic's shoulder. "If you're feeling alright, perhaps you can drive for a while. Give Damon a break."
"Sure." Nic agreed. "But before I take the wheel, can I have smoke first?"
**
Regaining consciousness, Spike's whole body was one giant exposed nerve. Burns so severe they destroyed all three layers of skin and had penetrated to the bone and muscle. He managed to slightly open his gummed up eyes and could see himself being lowered into a pool of water. Opening his mouth, weak screams emerged. He wanted to nothing to touch his raw, throbbing body.
"William." Angel's voice whispered in his ear, and Spike, then realized that it was his Sire who held him, and was slowly immersing them both in a pool of water. "It will be alright Childe. Just hang on."
Warm water surrounded him, and surprise struck Spike that it didn't make him hurt more.
"He needs to go all the way in." A voice from behind him spoke, but he was not able to even turn his head and see who it was.
As the water reached his neck, he panicked momentarily and curled his fists tighter into Angel's skin.
More soft words were spoken in his ear. "I've got you my Childe. Don't worry." And then Spike felt himself go entirely under.
**
A day later, Spike woke for a second time still immersed in a pool of water. His excruciating pain had improved to tolerable. Strong arms still around him, he raised his face and saw Djoser, not Angel. "And our Sire?" He twisted to look around, trying not to show any alarm.
"He's talking to Scion and his brother." Nic, who was sitting across the way from him, was in a more cheerful state of mind. The demon's lair was proving to be a restful haven for them
"Scion?" Spike frowned. The name rang a bell in his head; the problem was that his brain was muddled.
"The demon healer who helped you after your run-in with The First." Nic explained. "We're in his lair and are currently," he gestured around at the large pool of water they were sitting in, "being restored to health by his mystical healing waters."
"Mystical healing water?" Spike looked down at the water; his scorched legs stared back at him. "Didn't think such a bloody thing existed." He mumbled as his began taking stock of his surroundings.
"You're finally awake." Hobbling into the room, Damon's Blood-Childe, Eamon was leaning heavily on a beautiful, young man, who had a prominent tattoo on the front of his throat.
"Hey, mate." Spike pulled himself away from Djoser. He felt good enough to sit up on his own. "All ri. . . ." The words died in his throat as he got his first good look at his cousin. Emaciated, the younger vampire's ribs were clearly visible with most of his body covered with blistered, reddened skin.
"Fucking hell!" Spike exclaimed, staring hard at his cousin. "And your hair! What happened. . . ?" Breaking off, a horrified thought occurred to him. Raising a hand, he felt for his own, but there was no glorious mane as he liked to think of his hair, just a stubble.
"Your hair was burnt and falling out in gobs." Djoser explained. "So it was decided to just shave your heads."
"Goddamn Tzmisces." Spike mumbled as he kept feeling his head. "As soon as we're healed, we need to go and kick their arses."
"Right." Nic said with sarcasm. "Because that went so well the first time we tried."
"And you." Mourning the loss of his hair which took precedence over his injuries, Spike stared accusingly at his uncle, who still had his hair, although he had been cut short. "Why isn't your head shaved?"
"Because I wasn't a pea brain who didn't. . . ."
"I've got. . .food for you." Another young, human male entered, carrying a tray with mugs of blood.
"This is the life." Scooting over to the edge Nic took a mug that was handed to him. "Sitting in a magical pool, being waited on. What else could a vampire ask for except. . . ." He winked suggestively at the young man serving them blood.
"Come near me, vampire, and you'll be finding yourself impaled on the pointy end of a stake." He snapped out angrily. "I've known a vampire or two in my time." Giving out the last of the mugs, he stalked out, obviously not wanting to be in their presence any longer than he had to.
"Rejected again." Nic said with false sorrow. "Guess," he held up his right hand, "it's just you and me tonight."
"Like most nights." Spike said with a snicker.
"Don't mind him." The young man with the tattoo sat down on the edge of the pool. "He's not happy here, so that's his normal attitude."
"Here against his will." Spike guessed correctly. "And you." He stared at the young man. "We met before, haven't we?"
"We met in LA a while back. My master healed you then too."
"That's right." Spike sipped his blood. "Your name is O. Hard to forget when you've got it tattooed where everyone can see it."
"Saves having to wear a name tag when you're at a large meeting." Nic commented.
"I was enslaved at the turn of the twentieth century. My captors branded us with numbers, and I was the first, so I was branded with a zero. They put it on the front of my throat because there it would be more painful and would be clearly visible. They always tried their best to be as cruel as possible. When I came to live my master, he decided to rename me O after the tattoo."
"Were your enslavers demons or humans?" Eamon asked.
"Humans." O answered softly. "I've been a slave to a demon master for about one hundred years now, and I have never been treated as harshly by him as I was by. . . ."
"That's it!" Spike interrupted suddenly. "It was on a ship sailing from England to the New World. There was slaves on the ship. I remember you because of the tattoo, and because you were. . . ." Breaking off, he realized that talking about how he had thought O would have make an attractive meal would not go over well with their powerful demon host.
"Because what?" Nic asked as he and everyone else stared at Spike. He had caught their attention.
"You know." Spike shrugged, trying to put on an air of nonchalance. "Cause he's a good looking bloke."
"That's true." Nic gave O a once over. "You're a pretty thing, although my two nephews," he gestured toward Spike and Eamon, "would have given you a run for your money. . .err." He glanced over at his nephews and remembered their present appearance. "A week ago."
Spike and Eamon exchanged surprised looks. "Did you just compliment us?" Spike asked in amazement. "Or am I not hearing right," he put his hand up to check his ears, "cause my ears burnt off in the fire?"
"Yeah, well don't let it go to your heads." Nic finished off his blood. "Because the two of you are far from pretty now."
"Still prettier than you." Spike tossed the insult back, just as Angel, Damon, and a slim man with dark hair and a goatee entered the room.
"So how our are patients doing?" The man's voice was silky smooth, his features saturnine.
"By the looks and the sounds of it everyone is feeling better." Angel gave Spike a cautioning glare. He had heard the last part of the conversation, and although relieved to see Spike up and close to his usual self; he also was afraid of what else would come out of his Childe's mouth in front of one of their demon hosts.
"O." The demon said. "Scion is looking for you." Turning back to Angel and Damon for a moment, he inclined his head slightly. "I'll have more blood brought in, but in the meantime, relax and let yourselves heal some more." With a light touch on O's shoulder, the demon and human exited the room.
"Scion's brother, and I believe, part owner of this place." Angel explained as he stepped into the pool.
"Right." Spike said as he moved over to let his Sire sit by him. "So what's with the Lucifer look?"
**
Lying in bed, Angel's arms wrapped around him, Spike should have been sleeping, but the itching in his now healing skin was driving him to distraction. "Bloody hell." He swore to himself as he tired to squirm around, but his Sire's tight hold on him prevented him from moving much.
Across the room his brother Djoser was sleeping soundly, and in an adjoining room slept his two uncles and cousin. He had managed to wiggle himself on his back where he lie staring at the ceiling, listening for any sounds from the other room. Everything was dead silent, so Spike knew that everyone was fast asleep.
Sighing, he knew that if he stayed in bed tossing and turning, he would eventually wake everyone up. Pressing himself further down into the bed, he dug his heels into the mattress and slid downward, escaping Angel's grasp. Leaving quickly, he headed for the pool. Its mystical waters might help his infernal itching.
Entering the large pool room, he saw that it was not empty. Two figures lie at one end of the pool, one on top of the other, hips moving rhythmically. Considering a moment, Spike wondered if he should leave. Vampires tended to have a relaxed attitude about sex, but he wasn't sure if all demons shared this point of view.
Deciding for once that discretion was his better option, Spike turned to leave, but a flash caught his eye. The man on top, Scion, had transformed himself into his rightful appearance. Mouth hanging open, Spike's feet moved without conscious thought, moving closer to the pair.
Scion's true demon appearance was at least three times the body mass of his human form.
Close to his release, he moved faster and more forceful, causing a groan from the man underneath him, and a wince from Spike. Someone that big had to be difficult to take.
Quietly, Spike entered the pool, his eyes never leaving the demon and his lover. He heard Scion's breathing becoming heavier as he thrust hard and deep, reaching his climax. Spike grimaced as the demon's movements were so powerful, it gave him the impression that O was being impaled.
"Why are you not sleeping?"
The question caught Spike by surprise as he hadn't been sure that Scion was aware of his presence. Looking over at the demon, he was once more looking at a very normal, human face.
"I couldn't sleep. I itch all over, and I didn't want to wake my Sire or the rest of my family."
Not responding for a moment, Scion slowly pulled himself out of O. "Sit down in the water; it will help."
"Figured that." Spike obediently sat down, catching a glimpse of O, who lay, eyes closed, legs still spread. "Hope I didn't bother you." He mumbled, feeling like a cheap voyeur.
Scion didn't bother to answer, just raised an eyebrow at Spike. Pulling O into his arms, he stepped into the pool.
A few moments of quiet passed while Spike sighed in contentment at the relief the waters were giving him. Looking over at Scion, he was the one who broke the silence. "How long are you going to allow us to stay here?"
Holding O gently against his chest, Scion thought a minute before answering. "I believe your Father made a commitment to Judelin, which requires that he return as soon as he can. But you William, may stay a long as you like. O has told me that you amuse him, so I will grant you that."
Startled, Spike wasn't sure if being allowed to stay because he amused the demon's slave was a privilege. "My Sire and family need to go and support Judelin in his battle with the Tzmisces. There's no way I would let them go without me." Despite the fact that he would have liked nothing better than stay in the demon's shelter, there was nothing on earth that would allow him to let his family go off to battle, while he stayed safe.
"I see." Scion stared at him with penetratingly dark eyes. "You have loyalty and courage, young William." He stood up to, O still in his arms. "Which is why my invitation will always be open to you."
Head cocked, Spike watched the demon leave. Looking down at the water, he smiled. A realist, he knew with the turmoil in the vampire world, there would be a lot of torture and death waiting for him, but at least now, he could dream of sanctuary where he didn't have to be afraid, and a pool of water took away his pain.
****
Finis