Who wants to be a Hero?

The Clockwork Vampire Series II

Author:Spirit

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Spike followed the line of the stake up to the shaky fingers that grasped it.

'What the Hell?'

'Shut up! I've had a rotten day and I'm not going to have you killing Angel on top of it!'

Angel rolled over at the noise, his sleeping mind shaken visibly. He'd been having this sweet dream that Spike had come to him, almost innocent, needing him. They'd made love and.there was Spike. In his bed. Naked. With a stake to his heart.

No!

'Cordelia?'

Cordelia blinked as if she'd noticed Angel was there for the first time. Probably has, thought Spike, it's not like she thinks the boss is gay or anything. She's probably harbored a few fantasies about the guy herself. He's hardly vicious on the eyes. Despite the wood against his chest, he found a dreamy smile capturing his lips and fought back hard to suppress it. Let Angel decide how this one goes down, he thought to himself, anything I say is likely to wind up with me becoming next Winter's snow grit.

True to Spike's thoughts, Angel sat up and grasped Cordelia's hand. She shrieked and tried to pull away.

'Oh God! You're him!'

Angelus?

Angel shook his head.

'I'm not evil Cordelia. I just don't want you staking Spike.'

She frowned at that.

'Excuse me but wasn't he into torturing you to death the last time he got this close?'

'I wanted the ring,' muttered Spike.

Cordelia's eyes flitted between the concerned face of Angel and the increasingly relaxed expression on Spike's. It was clear that she was having a hard time figuring out what was going on and Angel looked equally as unwilling to explain. Probably embarrassed thought Spike, his mood falling.

And then - surprise.

'Spike's with me. He's not going to hurt you. He can't.'

'Thanks mate, just tell the world Big Bad's incapable!'

Angel's gaze shifted to that of his lover.

'Do you want her staking you?'

Spike looked down at the wood. She could have killed him whilst he slept and he would never have known until he was dust. She could have done, but the illogical position he was in probably threw her. So she'd hung on. To kill him whilst he was awake?

Not having that.

He shifted so that he was sitting up slightly, feeling the soft graze of wood on his chest, looking at Angel's large hand covering her little one. He wondered why Angel didn't just take the stake away himself, but the big guy didn't like forcing anyone he liked to do anything they didn't want. He hoped that didn't include letting her stake him so that she would feel better.

'Look love, he's right. And you have no idea how much I hate saying that, but I couldn't hurt a fly.'

'You mean that?'

Cordelia's eyes searched his own and Spike caught the real concern for Angel in them. He was quite touched.

'Oh yeah, I mean if I could, I'd be eating your heart out with a Caesar salad, but it's' he gestured vaguely, 'just no go!'

'He can't go grr?' asked Cordelia, miming a vamp out to Angel.

'Oh he can, he just can't bite you.'

'Oh.Ah!' she said and pulled the stake away, letting it fall limply at the side of the bed. Then she grinned.

'So, is this how you treat everyone who's helpless, because our client list would grow sooo big if they know they get to sleep with the boss.'

Spike chuckled as Angel sat there looking embarrassed at Cordelia's perception. He looked bewildered at Spike, wondering how he could lie there and laugh when his unlife had been on the line only moments before. His childe shrugged.

'Well she's right love, only I don't intend sharing this body with anyone.' He said, giving Angel an affectionate slap on his firm ass. Angel' eyebrows shot up, unused to such displays of affection in public.

'Cordelia?'

They all jumped at Doyle's voice in the outer office. Cordelia automatically pulled the outer cover over herself, a left over from childhood. Angel shifted so that the sheets covered most of his pale frame and Spike lay there, grinning as he silently calculated the deductions the little half demon would make when he saw this little tableau. This day is getting more interesting by the minute, he thought.

'Angel?'

Doyle looked left into the kitchen and then turned to see the trio lying in Angel's bed.

'Oh God!' he yelled and went to leave.

'Doyle!' shouted Angel as he got up, pulling the sheet around him, 'Doyle! It isn't what you think!'

'No? You aren't in bed with Cordelia and that.that.that vamp who almost killed you a few weeks ago?'

'I'm not sleeping with Cordelia.'

'Oh, but you are sleeping with.ugh!' he said, in place of his name.

'Spike' said Spike helpfully.

'Thank you! So you are.with him?'

Angel gaped, seeing Doyle's mouth running faster than his brain as usual. He wanted to be able to say yes, that he was with Spike, but what they'd had last night, had been so special, so perfect, he didn't want to knock it down to the black and whites that Doyle was demanding.

Spike apparently felt differently.

'Yeah Peaches, Angel boy's my sweetie. We're getting hitched next year and he's so tongue tied right now, because he's trying to work out how to ask you to be his best man.'

'Spike,' said Angel warningly, unsure that mocking the half-demon was the way to go. He turned back to Doyle. 'Somebody's done something to him and he can't hurt humans anymore.'

'Bloody Hell!' exclaimed Spike, standing up, 'Is there anyone you don't want to tell about my problem?'

'It's a problem?' asked Cordelia.

'Well not from your point of view, obviously,' said Spike, 'but do you have any idea how embarrassing it is, not to be able to perform?'

'Oh yeah,' said Doyle. He glanced up quickly at the surprised expression on Cordelia's face, 'I mean, I've heard about it.from blokes who've.a guy I once knew.I.' he paused, his fast tongue getting away from him, 'So,' he said finally, turning to Spike, 'You can't bite then?'

'Not if I don't want excruciating pain in my head, no.'

'Oh,' Doyle looked up at a very naked Spike and looked away quickly. Cordelia caught his glance and took a good eyeful before she too turned the other cheek. Angel wrapped the sheet around his lover and let the smile touch his lips as the soft skin flexed under his fingers. For all he was aware of today and everything it brought, most of his mind relived the previous night, the feel of Spike's skin under his, the incredible rush of being able to touch. Nothing had come close to the temptation that had lay before him with Spike. Not even Buffy. Because even though he had wanted the Slayer, he had been able to resist.

He couldn't even think of turning Spike down.

Dear God, he was getting hard again!

Spike looked down at him, a faint grin across his face, reading Angel's desire accurately. He'd never been one for angsting and wasn't about to start now, but he knew that his sire felt more comfortable if he was wearing sackcloth and ashes. After Angel's acceptance and passion last night, the way in which he'd welcomed him in and cared for him, Spike didn't care if the whole fell down. For Spike, the future looked rosy. He had his sire back, his lover and for the first time in his painfully long existence, things were going his way.

He wasn't going to let Angel start regretting it now.

If he could only get these two pratts out of here, he'd show angel just how happy he was. Spike could just imagine tripping the sheet from Angel's body, caressing every inch with his tongue, laving that toned flesh as Angel crooned above him. He wanted to worship that body with his own and stop soul boy ever thinking that they'd made a mistake. And Spike would certainly start by taking that hardening cock between his lips and.

Cordelia interrupted him.

'So, you and Spike have been.groiny?'

Doyle flinched and Spike shot him a look. Angel sat down on the bad and looked at his childe. He looked so perfect, his hair slightly ruffled and his face still a little sleepy. He was a beautiful man and he belonged to him, to that home he had built within his ancient heart. And after last night, he belonged to Spike as well. The smile that appeared to be wedged on his mouth widened and Angel realised that he had never felt this happy with Buffy. Had he ever really felt true love before, then?

Love

Spike

I love Spike.

'Yes, Spike and I have been.' he paused at the synonym that Cordelia had used, 'umm.'

'We shagged,' added Spike helpfully.

'What? You've shagged him!' exclaimed Doyle, he paused as Spike threw him yet another "yeah-so?" look and looked at Angel, who looked, for all intents, happy. Doyle didn't think he'd ever seen the big vampire without that brooding expression. And before he and Cordelia had left for Sunnydale, the anguish about the Slayer was so evident that he'd been relieved to get away from his pain. He'd worried that they'd all spend the next few weeks on tiptoes, trying to get away from Angel in a mood.

He hadn't expected this.

Not only was he not in brooding mode, but the reason for his happy disposition was a vampire. Another man. Someone who'd recently been enjoying himself trying to kill him. Another man.

Angel was gay.

But he looked damned happy.

Too happy.

'How come you still have your soul?' asked Cordelia suddenly.

'What?' asked Angel, his thoughts straying elsewhere. Elsewhere being what lay behind the sheet Spike was wrapped in.

'Your soul. I thought if you had a.what was it called?'

'Moment of true happiness.' Uttered Doyle, as if actually thinking about it disturbed him.

'Yeah, right. If you had one of them, I thought you'd lose your soul?'

She looked at the nearly naked vampires and saw Angel's hand resting unconsciously on Spike's thigh.

'You did have a moment of.what am I talking about? Of course you did.' She added with a grin.

'Yeah,' nodded Angel, 'So why do I have my soul?'

Spike threw his arms up in exasperation.

'What does it matter? It didn't happen. Leave it be!'

Angel shook his head.

'I can't. I can't risk it. What if this was a one off? If the next time I turn back and Angelus gets out. I can't do that.'

'Well, the Powers that be haven't sent me one of their migraine specials, so I'd say you weren't at risk just yet,' said Doyle realistically.

'The Powers that be, that's it,' said Angel, deep in thought, 'You have to take me to them Doyle, I have to know.'

'What? Wait,' said the half-demon, 'You don't just go messing with them, you never know what they'll do to you, you could come out of there less of a man than you went in. These aren't things to play around with Angel. You don't just see them on a whim.'

'This isn't a whim,' said the dark vampire, reaching for his clothes. Cordelia held up her hands in an I'm-not-getting-into-this fashion and walked out, Doyle following her close behind, giving the boss the privacy they should have exercised earlier. Spike picked up the boxers he'd worn earlier in the evening and slipped them on, watching Angel carefully as he dressed.

'Don't try and stop me Spike.'

'Never said anything,' the blond replied, 'you don't need me to tell you what a wanker you're being.'

'How can you say that?'

'The trouble with you, is that you don't know when to question something and when to let it ride.'

Angel shook his head.

'I can't risk becoming him again.'

'You weren't all that bothered last night!'

'I was.stupid, I should have thought.'

'Well guess what Peaches, you didn't,' said Spike, easing the vest over his head. 'And you had a great time.'

'Modest?'

'Not about last night, no.'

Spike grabbed hold of Angel and kissed him hard. He could feel his sire's tension once more ready to pop, all his muscles clenched at the prospect of losing his soul. Don't you see, he willed him to notice, don't you understand that you and I can be so much more than enemies. We can have this, be more than we once were. This can work, Angel.

Why won't you see it?

He broke away reluctantly and looked at Angel, his cock hard and ready, needing the release he'd got from him the night before. Angel's eyes reflected his desire, but the pain was back and Spike wondered if it would ever be enough, if he could ever persuade him that happiness was possible.

'I have to go, Spike, I have to know if we can be this way again.'

'And if they say we can't?'

The blue eyes were pleading, needing Angel to say it didn't matter, that he would be his anyway.

That he loved him.

'I'll come straight back,' Angel promised, pulling away.

Spike watched as the tall frame walked out, shoulders once more hunched against a world in which he had no place. As much as he longed to pull him back inside and show him where it could be, Spike sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his feet, wondering how long it would be before Angel would leave him again. He pulled a pack of crumpled cigarettes out of his battered duster and took one out. Lying back on the bed that he had oh so recently shared with his lover, he puffed out smoke, calling to everything he still believed in to bring Angel back. He prayed that Angel would get his answer and that Gods do sometimes listen to the prayers of vampires.
 

*
 

'The Powers that be.well I don't know exactly where they are.' Said Doyle when Angel asked, ushering him along the tunnels. 'But you could ask the Oracles. Not that they'd be all that helpful,' he added, 'they're not known for helping lesser beings.'

'Like vampires?' asked Angel as he stalked the sewer walls.

'Like anyone who's not them,' finished Doyle. 'Just don't blame me if you come back as a frog or something.'

They got to the outer room and Doyle began the ritual that opened the way.

'Do I have to do anything? Say anything?'

'Don't know,' said Doyle, 'I've never seen them, just be polite and be careful.'

The light shone at the far end of the room.

'Go on, through there,' pointed out the half-demon, a look of fear evident on his face. But Angel noted that he was not afraid for himself, but concerned about what they might do to Angel and was grateful.

'I'll be careful,' he reassured and walked through.

There was light and then.

Two figures, a man and a woman, strange and yet familiar, walking toward him.

'Where is your offering?' asked the male.

'A what?' asked Angel, 'Doyle never said anything about.' he paused, seeing the unimpressed expressions and pulled off his watch, 'here.'

'Why have you come?'

'My curse,' began Angel, 'I'm not supposed to be able.'

'And now that you are you complain?' asked the female.

'I'm what,' blinked Angel, 'I'm allowed, what.how did this happen?'

'The witch never intended vengeance in her incantation. If the implication was not there, the will was not done.'

'I don't have a curse?' asked Angel as he struggled to make sense. They talked so fast.

'Your curse is your cause, the reason you fight.'

'You fight for us, for the good fight. But your solitude has weakened you, even the presence of your companions has not tempered your demon side.'

'Spike is no longer an adversary, he may be of some use.'

'You must learn to care for those you protect.'

'Humanity is not something inherent, but a tract to be learnt.'

'He is more human than he knows.'

Angel shook his head, scarcely able to acknowledge the freedom inherent in their words.

'My soul is.?'

'Secure, your penance makes it so. Go now, ask us no more.'

With that he felt himself thrust back through the portal and smashed into Doyle.

'What happened? They wouldn't talk?'

'What?'

'You were only gone a second, look at your watch.'

'Interesting point,' said Angel with a growl, 'Remind me to take a gift next time.'

He got up and dusted himself down, his head still spinning from the Oracles.

'So what did they say? Are you going to turn into bad ass Angel again or what?'

Angel stopped and looked at his friend. The concern there was tangible and he discerned what the Oracles had said. <You must learn to care for those you protect>

I do, thought Angel, I do.

'I'm Angel for now,' he settled on, 'they said because Willow didn't intend the same thing as the Romanies, that my curse was my cause, or something. If the will was not there, it was not done.'

'Willow didn't want you to suffer?'

'Something like that.'

'So, you can be happy?' asked Doyle, a faint grin touching his lips.

I can be happy.

Spike

'I gotta go.'

'What? They just said you could be happy!'

'I know,' said Angel as he moved swiftly back down the tunnels, 'I've got someone I have to tell.'
 

*
 

'So, you can't bite me under any conditions?' asked Cordelia of the semi-clad vampire.

'No.' said Spike flatly.

'Not even if I like, bared my neck for you and said, "Come and bite me"?'

'No,' said Spike, pitching his cigarette and searching for another. Nothing.

'So I could do this,' said Cordelia, standing up and pulling her hair away from her neck, leaning over the now fuming Spike. He could hear the blood flowing, the vein throbbing, the sweet smell of her blood and he.

.Couldn't do it.

'No!' he yelled and stood up, before noticing that the blinds were half undone and sunlight shone in. He growled in pain as his fingers smoked briefly, then sank back down again. 'I need a drink.'

'Oh right,' said Cordelia pleasantly, 'Well, Angel keeps it in there,' she added, pointing to the freezer.

Spike swung open the door hopefully, but only bags of pig's blood stared back at him.

'I meant,' he said carefully so that the silly bint would understand, 'A drink, you know, alcohol?'

'I thought you were a vampire?'

Give me strength!

'I am!'

'Well,' she said with a satisfied smile, 'how am I to know anymore, hmm? Cause you can't bite and you're looking for alcohol, not very vampire things at all.'

Couldn't he take the pain, just this once? Couldn't he just grit his teeth and tear her silly head off?

As she bent down to search through the files, Spike tried to change and attack. He just wanted her to shut up. To stop asking him anything.

He howled at the throbbing that shot through his head.

'Spike?'

The blond vampire turned, his hands firmly pressed against his skull as the terrible pain dissipated. Angel stood there, framed in the doorway looking as horny as Spike had ever seen him.

And he was smiling.

Before Spike could ask anything, his sire turned to the girl.

'Cordelia, I don't want to be disturbed today, I'm going to be busy, so could you tell anyone who calls that I'm unavailable.'

'You're unavailable? Oh,' she looked at Spike, 'Oh, unavailable. Okay. But try to keep it down, I do have to work here after all.'

Spike looked at him, his eyes glued to the vampire that had suddenly taken happy pills, noting how he stood so damn tall. He allowed himself to follow the shape of his body, tracing each line with loving detail, noticing and thrilled at the large lump where his cock usually hung. He could feel a build up of drool at the side of his mouth and grinned massively at the easy expression on his sire's face.

'You coming' asked Angel provocatively.

'As many bloody times as I can,' he answered, licking his lips.

Angel grinned and held his hand out.

'You shouldn't smoke, it's bad for you.'

'Yeah, it'll kill me one of these days.'

'Maybe,' said Angel flirtatiously. 'Maybe I'll just have to tie you up so that you can't get to your smokes.'

Spike chuckled.

'Promises, Peaches?'

An exasperated groan came from Cordelia.

'Just go already!'

'Spike tore the vest over his head and tossed it at her.

'Wash this would you pet?'

With that, he pushed past Angel and strode happily down the stairs. Angel shrugged at the indignant girl and followed, the grin never leaving his face.

As they reached Angel's bedroom, Spike turned to the handsome vampire and grinned.

'So I take they said it was all right?'

'They said I wouldn't lose my soul.'

'See, you should listen to me more often,' said Spike, grasping the front of Angel's coat. 'If you'd have listened to me back in France.'

'Yeah, I know, we wouldn't have eaten that girl with scabies.'

They both mouthed ick noises and laughed.

'So,' asked Spike, 'Do I have to say pretty please?'

Angel shook his head.

'No.'

He bent down and pressed his lips against Spike's, tasting the smoke and blood and passion, a feeling that was so familiar and yet so far away. As his childe's hands slipped up around his neck, he tried to slip his duster off, reminding himself that he didn't have to worry, that he could love Spike, that he could do this without fear.

It was so hard to do though.

But then, so was he.

Sliding his coat off, he felt Spike's arms tighten around his neck, pulling him in for a deeper embrace. God but it felt good to let go with him. Angel kissed back, his tongue thrusting into his childe's mouth, wanting more, eager to possess this creature of the night who was, ironically enough, his soulmate. Only Spike didn't have a soul. As the thought crossed his mind, the slender hips he had been thinking about pressed up against him and the throbbing proof of Spike's desire pressed into him. He doesn't need a soul, Angel mused, he's human enough.

Reaching down to caress his ass, he was overcome by want, picking him up and slinging his well muscled thighs around his own. Spike groaned against his lips and pulled away slightly, resting his forehead against Angel's own.

'I'm not a girl you know.'

Angel grinned and squeezed the firm ass.

'I know.'

'Then why are you holding me like one?'

'Because,' said Angel, nipping lightly at his lover's mouth, 'then you can't piss me off before I do this!' And he rushed him backward onto the bed.

'Whoah!'

Spike crashed down, feeling the older vampire's weight pressed onto him. It felt so good and the pressure against his thigh told him what he already knew. Angel was letting go, was actually managing to enjoy himself.

'You're having fun,' he accused playfully.

'Trying to,' admitted Angel.

'But you know what?'

'What?' kissed Angel, moving his lips toward the sensitive area behind Spike's ear.

'This could be a whole lot more fun without those bloody clothes on!'

Angel sat up, wasting no time in complying with his childe's wishes. He tore the shirt off with uncustomary abandon and ripped his vest off.

'You're ruining your threads there, mate.'

Angel slipped down his chest and nuzzled at a sensitive nipple.

'I don't care.'

'No?'

The dark vampire swirled a tongue around it, eliciting a groan that was far from painful.

'No.'

Angel licked and suckled his way from one nipple to the other, tasting the saltiness and sweat that rose from Spike's body. He used his fingers to match his tongue, playing with each one in turn, his desire rising as his childe undulated beneath him. Angel struggled to shed his pants, cursing the vanity that made him buy them so snug. They slid halfway down his leg, his boxers following suit. He started to nip and lick his way down Spike's belly; his teeth catching on the elastic of the silk boxers he'd given him earlier. If I have my way, he thought to himself, he'll never wear underclothes again.

Make that any clothes, he added with a lust-empowered grin.

Spike groaned at the delicious attention he received and pulled at the wall above his head. He didn't know what was better, feeling Angel making love to him, or being able to watch the pleasure on his sire's face as he did so. It was a close run race, but when Angel snagged the elastic on his pants and started to pull them down, he couldn't help but watch, fascinated at the predatory grin that covered his lover's face.

'That's good.' He managed.

'Really?' said Angel wickedly, easing the silk material over the head of his protuberant cock.

Spike growled softly.

'I can take that as a yes.'

He drew the boxers down and off, leaving them on the floor as he worked his way back up his lover's body. He took his time over the ticklish instep of each foot, making his lover giggle and bite it down as his hard cock bobbed against his belly with every movement. Angel worked his tongue with increasing slowness over the firm thighs, wanting to prolong the moment, wanting Spike to call his name, wanting to be his lover, his only.

He reached the space between his ass and his balls, smiling as Spike's thighs parted to give him easier access. His tongue stretched out and he felt the pulse as the younger vampire twitched. Encouraged, he pressed in harder, feeling Spike's fingertips reach down to caress his naked shoulders. At each long lick, the fingers pulled more desperately, urging him upward to the thick column that throbbed with need. Angel grinned and pulled away, kissing his thighs as he waited for the familiar growl.

'Bloody Hell Angel, suck it!'

Angel nipped on the sensitive area between his legs.

'You didn't say please' he said, adding a firm nip with every word.

'Please, you wanker!' gasped Spike.

Angel stood up, to the dismay of his lover. He pulled off the remainder of his clothes and leant back up to Spike's face.

'Now that wasn't very nice.'

Spike rolled his eyes and reached down to grasp the erection Angel had just pressed against his thigh.

'All right then mate, if you're not going to play fair, then I suggest we share.'

With that, he swung round so that his thigh was pressed against Angel's head, his own cock pushed against his lover's mouth. That was easy, thought Spike with a grin, now all I've got to do is make him use that educated tongue. Hmm, wonder if this helps.

He laid the flat of his tongue along the large length of his sire's cock, tickling the underside of the head lightly, grinning as Angel pushed unconsciously forward. He repeated the act, hearing the sigh, feeling the faintest pressure being applied to his own erection. Experimentally, he ran his tongue around the tip, feeling Angel mimic the action moments later. He groaned, then started long sweeping strokes along the entire length, waiting with bated breath he didn't own, as Angel copied him, sweeping his wide tongue up and around the head, before sinking it's spongy tip into his cool mouth.

Spike groaned heavily and fed the heavy cock into his own mouth, nibbling and sucking his way down until he could feel the ripples in Angel's belly. Lying there, his mouth suckling his sire's cock, his own buried deep in Angel's mouth, Spike wondered how on Earth they were ever going to find time to feed. And then the thought was gone as unbearable pleasure pulsed around his erection, tearing his brain away and thrusting his desire into the front.

Hips bucking madly, Angel caught hold of his childe's smooth ass, pulling him deeper into his throat, wanting Spike to come for him, only for him and he so wanted to hear his name on Spike's lips. He almost grinned as he realised that Spike wasn't likely to be saying anything, but the heat, the desire was so strong and he pushed harder at the welcoming mouth, feeling the onset of orgasm. The cock that throbbed in his mouth twitched and moved faster and he realised to his overwhelming pleasure that he'd made him come again, willingly, happily and there was no fear, no threat of anything but each other. He wanted to scream Spike's name, tell him he loved him, tell him he was his and oh.oh.now!

He wrenched his mouth away, cum coating his throat and dripping from the tip of Spike's spent cock.

'Will!' he yelled and came violently, all other feelings gone, only the knowledge that he loved and loved freely and there was nothing else - a pleasant oblivion for a moment. He was dimly aware of Spike crawling up his body to lie in his arms, stretching out with the little energy available at that instant to love him. Spike cradled his head pleasantly into the crook of Angel's shoulder and smiled, his present erasing the uncertainty of the recent past. They stayed perfectly still for over a minute before the restless vampire sat up.

'Okay,' he said, 'I'm waiting.'

Angel wrinkled his brow.

'For what?'

Spike reached down to Angel's side table and pulled out a pack of cigarettes from the hidden draw.

'How did you.waiting for what?'

Spike grinned and lit one up, taking in a few deep mouthfuls of lung rotting nicotine before turning his face to Angel.

'I'm waiting Peaches,' he continued pleasantly, 'For you to decide that it's all horrible and world threatening and start all that bloody "Oh I don't deserve any happy time" crap that you're so fond of.'

Angel raised an eyebrow.

'You really know how to set a mood.'

Spike puffed some more and Angel saw the frown that belied the grin. He really is worried, thought Angel. He really thinks that I'm going to leave him or worse. I don't have to worry about my soul any more, but I still have to try and make up for everything I did. I'm not going to just leave him, not now, not after all this. And he doesn't know that. Does this ever get easy? Is this what the Oracles meant, when they said I had to learn to be more human?

Am I really so unapproachable?

'See,' said Spike, 'That's the face I was waiting to see.'

Angel sat up and plucked the cigarette from his childe's mouth.

'Hey! I was smok.'

'Spike, the Oracles said I had to be more feeling, more.caring, more.' Angel broke off, unsure how to put it.

'Human?' asked Spike, 'Well you're asking the wrong person if you want lessons in that, mate.'

He moved to get off the bed, but Angel caught his shoulders and brought him face to face.

'I'm not asking for lessons, I'm asking you to stay with me.'

'What, for good?' asked Spike, a little puzzled.

'Yeah,' said Angel, 'What can I say, I miss having you around.'

They both smiled a little at that. Spike ran one hand gently up Angel's face and caressed his hair lightly.

'Are you asking me to be your.I don't know, what's the bloody politically correct term for it this week?'

'Boyfriend,' said Angel with a grin, 'But no, I wasn't. I was asking you to stay here, live with me. Help me.'

Spike looked away, he was a demon after all and saving the very humans he'd rather eat pulled against his worst nature. But it was Angel who'd asked, and he knew he would do almost anything for him.

Especially now.

Ah well.

'Well all right, I'll stay here, but I'm not going out of my way for any wankers who happen to think that walking outside at night is safe.'

'Right.' Said Angel with a relieved smile.

'And I'm not answering the phones with that silly bitch upstairs.'

'Well she manages to mess that up all by herself,' Angel admitted, 'Besides, I can't see you saying, "we help the hopeless".'

'We could eat the hopeless. They are hopeless after all,' suggested Spike. Angel frowned and the younger vampire chuckled. 'Well, it was worth a try. But I am not, repeat, I'm not going to save anyone's life.'

There was a scream from the office.

'Cordelia,' said Angel with a start, pulling his pants on as he ran out.

'Wait, let her deal with it,' said Spike, 'With that bloody tongue of hers, she'd probably talk them to death!'

Angel shook his head.

'I can't let her get hurt.'

'You'll get yourself killed!' shouted Spike.

He ran out, his pants clinging to his well-defined body.

The beautiful body which could provide so much pleasure.

The body which now more or less belonged to Spike.

'Fuck!' muttered Spike before pulling on his boxers and running out after him.
 

*
 

Cordelia shrieked and tried to press her body against the back of the table, unconsciously trying to make herself as small as possible. The big icky demon that had burst through from Angel's office didn't look like any of their regular clients and, despite the weirdness that was often the norm around here, she was scared.

Make that very scared.

'Angel!' she screamed, very aware that this thing was big enough to kill her in one blow. Why had she said she would be fine alone in this office? Why hadn't her career taken off yet, the only other thing she could see doing anything to get her out of Angel's employ. The only thing that could take her away from...

Argh!

Big horrible scary demon types!

'Angel!'

'I'm here.' Said the barely dressed vampire, 'What?' he saw the green creature salivating and looking incredibly deadly, 'Oh, right. Bad client.'

'Yeah, very rude.'

The demon turned to look at the new arrival, its drooling face concentrating on the new threat. Angel started to spin the axe he'd picked up on his way through, absently wondering if it was going to be enough. This thing looked like a born predator, something even his vampiric strength was going to have trouble dealing with. Its face was a permanent growl, the ruby-like stone in the centre of its forehead casting an eerie glow over already fearsome features.

'What do you want?' he asked, wishing he had a better knowledge of these things, wishing he'd read up on more demon types instead of switching back to his favourite book. Wishing he knew how much pain he was going to have to take before he killed this thing.

If he killed this thing.

The demon didn't answer, lunging towards him instead, its size making the vampire seem small. Angel swung with the blade and the thing howled before hitting him hard and knocking him to the floor. He groaned, rolling over to try and get up again.

'What the Hell are you?'

He was briefly aware of a body moving quickly past him and the axe being lifted cleanly out of his hand. He reached out to grip it back, but Spike kicked back at him.

'For fuck's sake Angel stay down!'

There was a vague shattering sound and the demon fell to the floor with a grunt, the fight seemingly taken out of him. It was a moment longer before Angel realised it was dead and that Spike had perched on the edge of his desk, axe in one hand, cleaning cloth in the other.

'What was that?' half cried Cordelia as Angel got up, unsure about the situation.

'Mohra demon,' said casually, trying to keep the smugness out of his voice, 'big ugly and nasty. Takes offence if you break the jewel.'

'Offence?' asked Angel, suspecting he already knew the answer.

'Collapses and dies,' confirmed a cheerful Spike, 'one came after Dru once. Took us weeks before we worked out how to get rid of it.'

He put the now cleaned axe down on the desk and grinned as Cordelia shuddered.

'Is that the crisis cleared up precious,' he asked the girl, 'cause the Boss and I were in the middle of something.'

Cordelia blinked and looked round.

'The window's broken.' She said eventually.

Spike grinned. Hitting that demon had felt so good, brought up the old adrenaline like nothing else he knew. He looked down at Angel's impressive bulk and winked. Well, almost anything else! So he couldn't kill humans anymore. He was still the big bad, was still a force to be reckoned with and he had kicked Mohra ass here, no one could deny that, not even the annoying girl with the big gob. Maybe working with Angel could be more fun than he'd thought. As long as he didn't actually have to rescue anybody, that was. He could feel his cock throbbing hard as he felt his ego return.

Hard as fucking nails!

Right, best not to let it go to waste!

He looked at Angel and saw, along with the slight bewilderment at not being the knight in shining armour, that he was impressed. More than impressed - that bulge in his pants wasn't just a pair of socks for the ladies. He grinned his biggest, cheesiest grin at his sire and hoped it got the message across. Angel seemed to recover some of his wits and got slowly to his feet, noticing the glass on the floor of his office.

'Cordelia, get someone to fix that.'

'Fine, but you're going to have to sweep that mess up,' she said, gesturing to the remains of the demon, 'There's no way I'm going to touch that, eww, dead, loser demon.'

Angel and Spike looked at the sunlight that shone straight onto the corpse. Cordelia followed their gaze and sagged, before opening the closet and pulling out a bin bag.

'Fine, don't pick him up, but I am so not going to explain to anyone why there's a dead guy on the floor. I don't get paid enough for that.'

She laid the bag over the top half of the demon and sat back down at the desk, flicking through the magazine to the page she'd been reading. Spike snorted and went back towards the stairs. Angel caught his arm.

'We can't just leave him there.'

'Why not? He isn't making any trouble now.'

Angel sighed and tried to explain.

'Because you don't leave dead demons on the office floor.'

'Well I'm not getting my arse fried so that Princess doesn't have to trip on her way to make coffee.'

Angel frowned at him, but Spike wasn't about to cave now. Angel might have had a firm hold on his body - and boy, did he want him to have a firm hold on his body, but clean up the supernatural wasn't this vampire's job ANY day of the week.

'Is this some fancy type of floor rug then?'

'Hey Doyle' said Cordelia without looking up.

'Doyle' said Angel; his gaze still locked with Spike's.

'Doyle,' said Spike, the grin on his face widening. 'Be a duck and get rid of the Mohra demon would you?'

Doyle walked in over and lifted the bag. Not pretty.

'What's a Mohra demon?'

'That,' said Cordelia helpfully, 'It's icky, Spike killed it.'

The half-demon let out a laugh.

'On the side of the angels already then?'

Both vampires turned to glare at that and Doyle held his hands up, taking in the battle of wits and semi-naked bodies.

'Mohra demon, right!'

Spike raised an eyebrow and walked back down the stairs. Killing that demon had made him feel really good, made him feel more of a man again and what he wanted now was to feed and fuck and sleep. Getting into the office politics Angel was obviously so involved in was not part of the plan. He could hear him now, asking the little Irishman nicely to tidy it away, making apologies for him. Being sorry about Him!

No one felt sorry about Spike, ever.

He pulled open the freezer and pulled out a bag, tearing it open with his teeth and sloshing it into a mug. He slammed it in the microwave, realised he was drumming his fingers and pushed his hand down flat, annoyed at how irritated he was.

Angel came down the stairs, a patient look on his face.

He's going to be fatherly to me!

Fuck that!

'You know,' began Angel reasonably, 'Doyle isn't bad. You could have been.'

'Nicer to him?' snarled Spike, 'Don't give me that crap, I said I'd live with you, not ponce about and pander to your lackeys. And if you didn't notice, it was me who saved your arse up there!'

'Yeah I know. Thanks,' said Angel, aware that it sounded insufficient.

'Thanks? Right, you just sound sooo grateful!'

He opened the microwave and slugged a huge gulp, yelping at the heat. When Angel reached out to take it off him he pulled away, aware he was acting petty and not caring. He wasn't Angel's pet and the sooner his lover got used to that, the easier it would be on both of them.

'Spike, what do you want me to say, that I'm grateful you killed that thing, because I am, but there's more to do than just save the day.'

'The day? We can't even go out during the day! Why on Earth should we try and save it?'

He slugged the rest of the mug back and sat down at the table, reaching for the pack he'd been smoking earlier and slinging one in his mouth. As he lit up, he was aware of Angel stepping away and pulling his clothes back on.

'Maybe this was a bad idea.'

Spike thought he could actually hear his heart sink.

'Yeah, right.'

'Maybe,' said Angel as he fastened his shirt, 'You should learn to fend for yourself and leave here.'

'You're chucking me out?' said Spike, hiding the hurt, 'Because I wouldn't say please to Doyle?'

Angel paused.

'I'm helping people here. And you don't want any of that.'

I want you, was on Spike's lips, but he refused to let this big bloody Poof know.

'Yeah, you're right, I don't want to help. I'll get my clothes and go.'

He stood up, refusing to let anything he felt appear in his expression. Angel looked so impassive, how could he ever have thought that he could feel anything? He may have a soul, but he doesn't know anything about love. If he did, he'd be, he'd.he'd say something!

Silence.

'Right then, I'll be off,' said Spike.

'Right,' said Angel, looking away, 'You can take supplies if you want.'

'Nah, I'll be fine without you.'

He reached for the dirty jeans and pulled them back on, his heart breaking as he dressed. Angel just stood there; he could have been a bloody statue for all he moved. I was so wrong, thought Spike, he doesn't know how to love, he doesn't want to know. I don't need him. I'll just go.somewhere and start again, beat the crap out of demons, hide this, this thing they did to me and lord it over.

Oh God I hate that I love this bloody bastard!

He stepped toward the door, closing his eyes as he passed Angel. At least he was doing the leaving this time. That made a difference, didn't it?

Yeah, right, just keep believing that, it might actually feel true in a couple of hundred years.

He wasn't prepared for the hand on his shoulder.

He wasn't prepared to hear the almost silent sentence.

'Don't leave me.'

It wasn't really much more than a whisper, but Spike could have heard it if he'd been a world away.

'What was that?'

Angel closed his eyes, fighting the tears that threatened.

'Don't leave me, Will.'

He turned to face his childe and Spike was touched at the anguish he could see. There was pain there and not just his usual angsting about everything he'd done as Angelus. He was in real pain, suffering at the thought of loss. His loss.

Angel wanted him.

But Spike couldn't do this again and again every time he did something that was in his nature. Every time he acted with the demon within, he couldn't be forced to choose. Spike couldn't live with that. He wasn't some unfeeling creature. He knew that in many ways he wasn't like other vampires, he'd always chosen to see his ability to feel as a strength, giving him an insight and bond that they didn't have. Angelus hadn't cared about much more than himself, but Angel could learn - he'd loved the Slayer hadn't he?

'Angel, I.' he paused, trying to spell it out carefully, 'I'm a demon, I can't change that.'

Angel shook his head.

'I know that, but you've always been more than this...this thing that wears our faces. You're more than that.'

He stroked the side of Spike's face tenderly and the younger vampire leaned instinctively against the caress.

'I love you, Will.'

'What?'

Spike's head sprung up at that, checking Angel's face for confirmation. The handsome features reflected his own fear of being unwanted, but there was no sign of teasing or anything else that he'd worried about. Angel smiled faintly.

'Are you going to ask me to repeat everything I tell you?'

'Only the stuff I like hearing, the rest of the time you can be quiet as you like.'

Angel raised an eyebrow.

'The rest of the time?'

Spike grinned, 'Aye, like now.'

He reached up and felt Angel move forward, lips touching with a sweetness that he wouldn't have been able to predict. As Angels' mouth claimed his, his tongue slid inside, the taste of blood evident and he felt Angel slip unconsciously into game face as the life giving nectar slipped down. He could taste the edge of Angel's fangs and groaned as one grazed the edge of his lip, feeling the blood slip out and into his sire's mouth, feeling it slip back and into his own. Angel pushed his own tongue up to Spike's sharp incisor and felt the well of liquid, his sire's own life force flood into his throat.

They were bound beyond anything a mortal could know.

Spike slid his hand up Angel's arms, travelling the muscular pattern under his shirt, aware of the strength that lay beneath the skin. He could feel the silk slipping past his fingers and reached his collar, pulling it away from the vampire's neck, baring the supple skin below it. He could feel Angel's hips pressing into him, his desire stronger than Angel was aware of. Spike pulled his lips back from his sire's kiss, baring fangs that had torn and rendered more people than either could remember. Lips that had brought Angel his greatest pleasure and a hunger that his sire could not deny.

He nodded and Spike groaned as he sank the sharp teeth into Angel's neck, throbbing with his entire length as he felt Angel's fangs bite down a moment later. He could feel the life force flowing easily down his throat, replenishing that which was lost to his lover. The world had been simplified to the connection between the two vampires - the thundering passion which urged a more satisfying release, and the blood, the endless lifeline which sustained them.

Angel withdrew his fangs, Spike's blood warming his lips, warming his body in a way the pig's blood never could. This was more than just an affirmation of bloodline, it was his pledge to Spike, his promise that he accepted the demon and the man. He loved the vampire body and misbegotten soul, knowing that however the future turned, he had to find a place within it for his childe. He could still feel the liquid seeping into Spike's mouth, feeling the throbbing in his cock grow with each suckle at his neck. He groaned, needing more, pulling at his childe's hips, wanting to feel the hardness there naked against his own.

Spike reluctantly forced his mouth away, a deeper need and passion driving him. He panted as Angel pulled at his coat, almost ripping the leather in his urge to strip Spike. They tore at one another, vampire side to the front, wrought by love and desire, a statement against the dark that consumed them both. Buttons rolled, zippers tore and shredded material flew over the room, as Spike and Angel struggled to consummate their passion.

As the last of their clothes was shed, they clung to one another once more, mouths alternately biting and kissing and sucking as they worked their way up and down taut flesh. Spike groaned, wishing he was taller, so that he didn't have to stretch so hard to meet the mouth of his lover. As if he sensed his need, Angel leant back, falling onto the mattress and pulling Spike on top of him. They crashed down hard, oofing and grinning as demon faces shifted, revealing the smooth complexions of their human sides.

Spike slid his thighs over Angel's, letting out a deep moan as his cock rubbed against that of his lover. He could feel the friction as his foreskin brushed against his lover's, knowing that had they been born later, they'd miss this pleasure. It rubbed deliciously as Angel pushed back, both eager for further caresses, for each other. The hunger, never far away was back, only this time, he wanted to feel the stolen warmth of Angel's body.

He groaned as Angel's fingers caressed his lower back. Dru had never touched him there, her focus always on the most obvious. It was probably all her addled mind could cope with. But he urged forward, practically burying his cock into Angel's belly. The dark vampire moaned, feeling the blunt end of Spike's cock pressing in deep, wanting to give his lover some release, needing to have him shout his name out, needing to know he had made him cum.

He shifted, caressing Spike's back and squirming, so that the younger vampire slid backwards, allowing Angel to lift his thighs. He rested the backs of his knees against Spike's shoulders and saw the half-lust driven, half-fearful look on his childe's face. This isn't done, he thought, a sire never offers himself to his childe. It's not the lore. And the last and only time we did this, I left him for over a century.

'I will never leave you again.'

Spike looked down at him, aware Angel had read and understood his thoughts, aware he'd been given the answer he needed. He leant forward; letting Angel's legs slip down so that he could kiss him, bending his mouth to taste the slick warmth of the vampire. He dipped his head toward the healing bite on Angel's neck and sucked hard, drawing both blood and a deep groan from the recumbent vampire. As he sat back up, he drew Angel's legs back onto his shoulders and slid the slick fluid onto his hand, easing the moist fingers against the tender opening.

'Sssss!' hissed Angel as Spike slid the digits inside, feeling the tight muscle straining against the intrusion.

'Like that, pet?' asked Spike through clenched teeth, wanting him open, ready to take in the pulsing cock that ached for release. Angel's only response was to moan and push back against the straining fingers; his eyes closed with the effort. The warmth they could both feel would not last long, staying only as a reminder of the blood they consumed.

Angel groaned and reached for his own cock, wanting to rub against something, needing to feel the pressure on its sensitive ridges. Spike covered his hand with his own, easing the slippery foreskin up and down with a bloody hand. He withdrew the slippery fingers from Angel's ass and pressed his cock against the opening, looking down at his sire, waiting for permission, for the consent that he so badly wanted. Angel's eyes met his and he saw the smile etch out, filling lines that were barely noticeable on his face. More smiles less anguish, thought Spike, I'll get rid of those frown lines if it's the last thing I.

'Oof!'

Angel had pushed upwards, enveloping the painfully hard cock with his body, moving his fingers up and down on the delicate skin beneath his grasp. He moaned, feeling Spike tighten his grasp, the slickness of his fingers causing ripples of pleasure with each movement. He gripped the younger vampire's frame with his knees and used the momentum to start making love to his childe.

'Fuck me!' yelled Spike, as the tight ass within his grasp massaged his cock.

'Thought I was,' murmured Angel with a grin.

He saw Spike roll his eyes and then.

They were both lost, pushing and squeezing and pumping at each other, desperate for release, desperate to make the other cum, to feel the shared pleasure of desire. Angel could feel it's presence, so close, so near and yet there was something else he wanted, needed to hear before he could succumb to the paradise that he knew Spike could give.

'Say my name,' he panted, his lungs functioning in sex as they had once done as a human.

Spike closed his eyes, his control barely available to him at all. He could hear, could feel his lover, but all his senses were taking him to orgasm, knowing that he could and would do this again. That they would have to work through the rest because they belonged together.

That Angel loved him.

That he loved him back.

'Angel...always you.' He managed and screamed with abandon as the surge came, flooding his balls and travelling out from his cock, spreading its pleasure over his entire body. He shuddered three times as the semen shot deep within his lover, before falling forward, the legs slipping from his shoulders, Angel's own cum squishing under his chest as his head lay on Angel's neck. He could smell the wound there easing up and healing.

Angel's arms wrapped round him and he felt his sire's soft lips press against his hair, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on his back. Spike chuckled softly as he realised they'd followed the sweet manner of making up that human's considered the norm. How would most of them feel, he wondered, if they knew two vampires did the same thing?

'What are you laughing about,' murmured Angel, his voice more relaxed than Spike had heard. He shifted so that he could look Angel in the eyes and grinned.

'We're a pair of old poufs, you know that?'

Angel shrugged.

'I don't think I care.'

Spike nibbled his lips softly.

'About anything?'

'Spike,' Angel admonished.

'Fair enough Love, just checking that you weren't going to change your mind again.'

'Never again,' whispered Angel and kissed him.

Spike smiled and then shifted, feeling the stickiness beneath him. Normally he wouldn't care, but it suggested something rather pleasant to the vampire.

'Fancy a shower, Peaches?'

Angel flashed a rare smile.

'Only if you'll scrub my back.'

'Do more than that Love!'

Spike leapt up, giddy for once and suddenly horny again. Angel looked down at the mess and groaned.

'We are going to have to find something else next time, I can't get blood out of these sheets.'

'Next time,' said Spike, flicking a cigarette into his mouth, 'There's going to be a next time?'

He winked at Angel, puffing away cheerfully.

Angel raised an eyebrow, grinned and got to his feet.

'Get in the shower, you.'

Spike blew smoke at him.

'Make me.'

Angel grinned, a predatory look back on his face.

'I was hoping you'd say that.'
 

*
 

The scream sounded pretty happy by both Cordelia and Doyle's standards, but it was still kind of weird to know that the boss was down there having sex with another vampire and a male vampire at that. Although they were both pleased that there was going to be less brooding around the place, getting used to Spike was going to take some doing.

Another yell of delight.

'That's it,' said Cordelia, putting the magazine down, 'We are going to get insulation between his place and the office, or I'm not going to work when they go down there.'

'You work other times then, Princess?'

She leant over and hit him with the magazine.

'That's not fair, I work, I...' she struggled to find something she could claim, 'I make the coffee,' she finished with a grin.

Doyle tilted his head. He'd tasted the stuff she called coffee, and so far, he only drank it when the whiskey had numbed his taste buds enough.

'Well anyway,' she continued when he didn't answer, 'I don't know how he can trust him after all he's tried to do.'

'Love's a funny thing,' admitted Doyle, 'It can hit you when.'

He broke off suddenly as his head started throbbing at an incredible pace. The pain, the intensity was killing him, he grasped around, his body losing control and the vision, the terrible knowledge of danger, that it was close, marching towards a horrific future. The powers that be sent him this gift but, (he screamed within the confines of his head,) why did it have to hurt so damn much?

He fell to the floor; Cordelia holding him tightly as the agony wore off.

'Well,' she said when his shaking stopped, 'What did you see?'

He looked up at her and the pain she saw there was more than just related to his migraine. He was suffering now, something she'd never seen after one of his visions.

'Doyle? What's wrong?'

'I saw them,' he breathed.

'Saw who?'

He looked up at her, his fear evident and scaring her slightly.

'The Scourge.'
 

*
 

'So these demons kill other demons, for fun?'

Doyle shook his head at Spike, wondering if he was asking because he wanted to help Angel, or because they sounded like people he wanted to join.

'They're purists, a race of pure bred demons who destroy anyone who's below them.'

'Meaning what exactly,' asked Angel. He'd never seen Doyle look so scared about any of his visions and whilst he wanted to find out, he couldn't be sure that Spike wouldn't tease the half demon crazy.

'Meaning half-demons, or worse. Big on pedigree. They systematically choose a race and annihilate them.' His head hung down; 'I've seen it happen.'

'They can really do this?'

'Angel, man,' Doyle sighed, 'They're extremist, they don't stop until every last one's dead. They're on a mission from.oh I don't know, they're relentless.'

'Fanatics,' growled Angel.

'Not against fanatics personally.' Said Spike lighting up a fresh cigarette, 'some of them throw good parties.'

'They hate vampires too.'

'Right then' he answered, spitting the cig into the bin, 'Let's go kick their shiny little demon hides.'

Doyle shook his head again, reaching for the bottle of whiskey he secured in Angel's office.

'You can't fight them, there's too many.'

'Look, mate,' said Spike, sneering, 'I've taken down whole villages by myself, I'm not gonna run away like a pansy just because some porcupine head says it's dangerous.'

'Who are they here for?' asked Angel thoughtfully.

'I saw some people hiding. It's gotta be them.'

'Any idea where?'

Doyle nodded.

'It's low rent district. They're scared, man.'

'Let's go,' said Angel and pulled his leather coat on. He looked at Spike, watching as he dressed and wondered if his coming was a good idea. You promised you'd work things out, he reminded himself. Let him come, if they're demons he could actually be helpful. You know he can hurt them and from what Doyle says, we're going to need all the muscle we can get.

He wished the Irishman didn't look so scared.

It was making him nervy.
 

*
 

'God, look at this!' said Spike, 'Even I wouldn't live like this!'

'You didn't have a home until recently,' pointed out Angel, 'These people are hiding.'

'Phuh!' answered the vampire; 'I'd rather be dead than live here.'

'Food's warm,' said Doyle, touching a plate, 'They must have left recently.'

'If they left at all,' said Angel and pulled up the wrinkled rug.

He opened the trap door and there they were, the collection of rag tag demons who Doyle had seen through the blur of a vision. Men, women and children, all huddled under the floor like some heart-rending flashback to the Nazi occupation. It had taken a while to convince them that they were there to help and Spike, lack of compassion not withstanding, had been rather morose about their condition. He didn't like seeing anybody unable to fight back.

Spike prided himself on giving everyone he'd ever eaten a fair run before he'd fed, even though some had only been able to run. It was a good fight he liked, something to sink his teeth, excuse the pun, into. Not this, not hiding away scared. That didn't please him at all. And the silly buggers were just going to let the Scourge run through them all, killing each one in turn and it wouldn't matter to them that they were less than harmless. Doyle confided in them both, (well he told Angel and Spike couldn't help it if his hearing was rather sharp) that when he'd first discovered his roots, he'd been approached by another Brachen demon. Doyle had been confused and defensive, refusing to help. His first vision had been of the Scourge killing the entire clan.

Hence the worry.

It was also bothering them all that they seemed to think that Angel was their 'Promised One'. Spike had snorted when they'd said that, wondering how many times it had been said before. Vampire with a soul he may be, but the only promise Angel could make was the one he was on with Spike. Still, if it kept this daft bunch quiet.

As Spike mooched around in the background, silently urging the Scourge to come and get some, Angel and Doyle made their plans. There was a boat apparently; a way of getting these zombie faced worriers out of the country. He watched as they both angsted for a bit and then stepped outside, the goodwill irritating his temperament. He kept telling himself that he was here to kick ass and for the most part that was true. There wasn't an aspect of his ego that wouldn't love to get into a fierce fight, but he also admitted that he was here to make sure nothing happened to Angel. Being a hero was all very well, but not if it took him away from Spike.

He had promised.

He wouldn't leave.

Bullshit.

He wanted to believe him and he did believe that Angel wouldn't leave him on purpose, not after promising like that, but sticking up for the dregs of society was apt to get him killed and Spike couldn't take that. So, as against his better senses as it was, he was going to have to help him out. He was going to have to, (he cursed himself to the centre of his being as he thought it,) to help the helpless.

Garghhhh!

He started walking the streets, amazed that there was no sign of life at all. It was as though the streets had been deserted especially for this showdown, the Scourge getting centre stage for their homage to Hitler. Personally, Spike thought outright annihilation of any race was stupid. It didn't make any sense. If everyone was dead, you couldn't lord it over them, smug faced and well fed. These demons must be loonies, brainless morons from Hell's finest asylum.

Well at least no one's going to tell me not to beat the shit out of them!

Cordelia showed up and it seemed they had a real plan to get the half-breeds out. Spike was fairly impressed. As Angelus, he'd been crap at making plans, his usual idea being to storm in and let his natural charm call people to his bidding. Of course, despite Angel's good looks, he wasn't exactly brain of the year and they'd had to fight their way out many times. That had been the bit Spike loved of course. Over the last few years and his fights with the Slayer, he'd tried to do the old plan routine, but it was so much more fun getting hands on with the girl. And Angel on occasion.

He loved it.

Angel came out of the decrepit building, walking with purpose. He caught sight of Spike and smiled softly, his lover's face lightening the horror that waited. Doyle was freaked beyond measure and Cordelia was more bothered about whom to send the invoice to. Seeing Spike leaning against the wall, smoke billowing around his head, reassured him that not everything had to end badly. So yeah, he was outside because he wasn't keen on helping people, but he was a Hell of a fighter and his tongue was at least as vicious as his fists. He paused. There was a job Spike could do, if he'd agree.

Spike walked towards him and pitched the cigarette, a grin etched across his angular face. He knows the effect he has on me, Angel thought vaguely, he knows that it wouldn't take much for me to lose sight of what we're doing and just go into one of those buildings over there and just.bend him over.the edge and oh fuck!

'So Peaches, what's the deal?'

Spike talking shop?

Oh man I'm hard. I need, oh God, I need.

Spike grinned.

'Listen love, much as I'd like to take you over there and make use of this,' he said, his hand squeezing the hard cock through Angel's jeans, 'You'd only stop half-way through and start worrying about the world again. So tell me when we go get these arseholes and we'll get to it.'

Angel blinked.

'You want to help?'

Spike frowned briefly.

'Don't think I'm with you on the saving the human race scenario. But these wankers have got the wrong idea.'

He morphed.

'And I'm just the man to point out the error of their ways.'

Angel couldn't help the twitch at the sides of his mouth as he listened to Spike's enthusiasm. Then he hung his head down; knowing it wasn't that easy.

'Spike, we're going to try and get these people out without coming close to the Scourge.'

'Oh what!' yelled Spike. 'You're being a pussy!'

Angel raised an eyebrow.

'Look, we'll fight if we have to, but we need to get them out of here. As soon as we can. Cordelia's getting a boat organized. And I could use your help.'

'My help? What do you want me to do? Help them pack?'

Angel smirked and handed him a piece of paper.

'The harbormaster owes me a favor. Go secure the ship, tell them to have it down as carrying medical waste or something.'

Spike looked suspiciously at the writing.

'And if he doesn't sign on the dotted line?'

Angel leaned in and kissed him.

'Use your imagination.'
 

*
 

'So Angel asked for this?'

'That's right Peaches,' said Spike, his grin at its most pleasant and deadly.

The harbor master, plump and seriously not needing the hassle this peroxide throwback seemed to threaten, shook his head slowly.

'I don't normally do favors.'

Especially for psychos like you he nearly added.

Spike just grinned wider and started to pick at his teeth, his gaze never wavering from the increasingly terrified man.

'I mean, I don't normally do them.you're not going to pay are you?'

Spike took out a cigarette and lit up, waving the match slowly as it went out, enjoying the fear he inspired in this human. Still got it, he thought happily to himself. Using your fists is fun, but you don't need it for this type. Listen to that - his heart's heading for a coronary just with me in the room! His veins are throbbing, mmmm. Got to get me a feed and a fuck after this.

Angel, he grinned, I am going to show you how much you owe me when we get home.

'No, we're not going to pay. In fact, since you know what I am.'

'Barney said Angel bit him.'

Spike shook his head maybe.

'Only if he was hungry, tends to prefer the younger meat, if you know what I mean,' he leered.

The fat man looked confused.

'So you're not.'

'Now me,' Spike continued, 'I just eat when I'm hungry. Matter of fact, I'm feeling a little rumbly in the belly now.'

'What.?' gasped the Harbormaster.

'So if I can't get out of here to grab a bite.'

'Right, medical waste, tonight.' The man said, scribbling rapidly on the paper.

Spike pulled it out of his hands as soon as he was done, blowing dramatically on the ink.

'Thanks Peaches,' he winked, 'be seeing you.'

He walked out of the door, a swing in his step and smoke blowing backwards over his shoulder. Big Bad and horny as hell.

The harbormaster stayed still until he couldn't hear footsteps any longer, then flew to the door and bolted it. Next time Barney could handle his own Psychopaths.
 

*
 

Spike walked back into the district slightly uneasy, his earlier pleasure of terrorizing the sap going as he thought how his standards had dropped. So I terrified one little fat man, big whoop! I couldn't bite him and I miss that, I miss the veins popping under your fangs and everything. He sighed. Almost wish he had resisted, could have used some.pain like nothing else flooding my head. Maybe not.

He could hear footsteps ahead; a regular beat, drumming out a rhythm on the pavement. Sounds familiar, thought Spike, sounds.military.

Shit!

Keeping in the shadows Spike watched as the troupe marched down the burnt out streets, causing the kind of chaos he liked, setting cars on fire and burning out windows. The problem was that they didn't seem to be having any fun doing it and as far as Spike was concerned, it sucked big time. No point playing carnage if you aren't hard as nails and grinning ear to ear.

He followed them silently down the street, wondering if they were going to get to Angel's little squad before they left. Gritting his teeth, he readied himself for some action, determined that they wouldn't get to lay one hand on his lover's butt. Or anywhere else.

Suddenly someone else burst out of a doorway and ran down the street. It dressed like that little half-demon Doyle, but Spike wouldn't put that one down as heroic enough to lead the Scourge astray. Still, he bashed one of them to the floor and ran off down the street. The military types all shouted and gave chase. Terrific, he thought, cat and mouse with demon counterparts.

They reached the holdout where the Lister clan had been hiding, but it seemed silent. He could hear them inside, so self-congratulating and, hah, so in the wrong place. Looked like the others had managed to get the half-demons to safety. So that beggared the question, why was Doyle around?

'Keep looking.'

'For what? For this?'

Angel?

Spike leaned in to see Angel in full vamp out, holding Doyle by the neck, threatening anyone who came near. What the hell are you doing love? He could feel something close to panic settling around him, fear at the danger his sire had put himself in. These weren't exactly the odds Spike liked to play, but if you had to take this many on, you made a plan, you sorted out where your strengths and weaknesses were. He'd.he'd broken the little half-demon's neck and he sounded suspiciously like Angelus.

Not good.

He was acting, surely?

Spike watched them drag Angel backwards, he was laughing at something, sounding more like, well if he was honest, more like himself than either of Angel's incarnations. They were walking off now, leaving Doyle's body on the floor. He waited until the Scourge had left and walked in, bending down to Doyle as one eye opened.

'I don't think I liked that plan.'

'Is he okay?'

Spike turned to see a young Lister demon behind him, worrying about Doyle.

Wonderful, they all inspired such loyalty.

'He's still the same wanker he was before.'

'Thanks Spike,' said Doyle rubbing his neck, 'We should get to the harbor, see if we can get this one on board quickly.'

'Right,' shrugged Spike, 'you do that. I'll go find Angel, see if we can't do some damage.'

He walked out, following the scent of his lover. Doyle called him.

'Spike!'

'What?' he said, impatient and a little worried, not wanting to tell either of these things to Angel's sidekick.

Doyle gave him a troubled smile.

'Be careful.'

Spike chuckled and set off.

Doyle watched until he went round the corner.

'Is he going to be all right?' asked the young Lister.

Doyle couldn't take his eyes away.

'I don't know,' he whispered, 'I think he'd die for him.'
 

*

Spike trucked down the deserted streets, wondering at what moment he'd become bound to Angel. Was it when he'd fed him for the first time, or when he'd betrayed vampire lore to share with him, or after that, long after that when he'd taken him in again, been his sire and eventually, his lover. The past few days had passed so quickly, yet every event was etched in perfect detail into Spike's mind. The pain of hunger, the feeling of helplessness and his decision to come to the only person alive who would help him without making him feel more pathetic.

He could visualize the look on Angel's face when he'd discovered him, the bittersweet tension when he'd pulled his frail form into his arms. He could, if he closed his eyes, which, given the proximity of such nasty boys as the Scourge, wasn't advisable, see the way Angel had shivered as Spike had brushed against him in the shower. It brought a lump to his pants to think of that.

He wished he was there.

Angel stood in the middle of the room, accompanied by the other crazies who formed this Apocalypse gang. He was wearing their uniform and it bothered him more than its coarseness. It was a symbol of what they wanted to be, what they had been and what they would undoubtedly carry on doing after they'd obliterated the Lister clan. He couldn't let that happen. He couldn't stand by and let them destroy another race, as they had so many times before. Standing here, listening to that zealot talk about the purity of Evil, he had never felt so isolated. He'd become what no other vampire had been cursed with, a creature of conscience and regret, constantly striving to atone to his past existence. He was alone, a solitary figure of atonement in his part of the good fight.

Until Spike came along.

Spike didn't give a damn about the good fight, probably wouldn't have done even if he did have a soul, but he was such a force of nature that he rose above the average anyway. He was the first vampire Angel had ever met with the capability to love and he couldn't help but admire that. He was a far stronger man than I was, he mused, wondering if it was because of his nature that Spike had been able to adapt. He loved the violence, anyone could see that, but Angel knew he would be as happy beating the living ha ha daylights out of any demon as he was feeding on humans. And now he couldn't do that either, something had been done to him and he couldn't even touch one without shooting pains in his head.

Look at this lot, cursing away like they actually knew anything, claiming that half-breeds, tainted with humanity weakened them. He had seen more than his share of blood shed, not all at his own hands and what sickened him wasn't the gore, but the insensible reasons they came up with to justify its use. Here he was, standing amongst a crowd of pureblood demons, craving the anarchy of a race, listening to this crap their leader was spouting, not knowing when he should make his move. If he stepped out of line with this lot.he guessed he was stronger than some of them, but there were too many and they would rip him limb from limb before he'd even made an indent on their ranks.

God but he wished he was back in his bed, his arms wrapped round Spike, tucked away from the harmful light of day. When this was over.if he got out of here alive, he was going to spend some time alone with Spike, show him how much he missed him.how much he loved him. I'll make sure that he knows that I won't leave him, that I'll keep my promise. God let me keep my promise.

Spike walked slowly up the side of the room, his eyes glued on his lover and the spazzy hairstyle he wore. Angel looked to have no way out without one of these gits noticing and tearing him down. No one was focussing on Spike at all. They were watching as some poor bugger got fried for being a traitor. He'd sold his information at the highest cost and the rumbling in Spike's belly reminded him that he hadn't eaten today. He bit down on the urge to complain at the waste, but then the human got fried and all from a suspiciously nasty glowing box. Hardly high tech, but apparently effective. A waste, Spike murmured to himself and picked up the two by four, wondering if he could get as far as the front before he was noticed.

'What are you doing here?'

Apparently not.

He swung round; bashing the split skulled demon over the head as the cheer went up over the 'Beacon'. In the general chaos, no one seemed to notice the roar as split skull went down, all too caught up in impending triumph to pay attention. Spike wasn't having that. If you're going to cause injury, you have to be seen! He swung again, the nearest acolytes knocked off centre and noticing the vampire with the big grin. He whacked them both, using the arc of wood to keep anyone from coming too close.

'Come on!' he yelled, 'Come on you wankers!'

He smashed again and again; the wood splitting as others noticed his presence and started to join in the vampire bashing. He could feel feet connect with his ribs, panting as he fought back, feeling the impending crowd closing in, ready to take him down with their sheer size. He didn't care, at least it would give Angel a chance to get away and warn the others. Hold it, was that a nice thought coming through? Fuck that! He was becoming a bloody woos in his old age, thinking of others. He hadn't even done that when he was alive.

Spike fought hard, landing blows where he could, feeling the rush as the demons crumpled at his hands, but it was becoming too much. There were too many and he was going to go down, crushed under this lot of purebloods, destroyed by demons who though he was beneath their worth. The pain intensified and he heard rather than felt, bones snap. His hands flailed, his punches growing weaker as they swamped him. He growled, demon features at the fore as he felt the tugging on his arm, waiting for the limb to be torn away.

Waiting for the end.

'Dammit Spike, just come with me!'

Spike opened his eyes and couldn't see anything, but the grip on his arm was tight and he went with it, sliding out from the hoard as Angel pulled him. He groaned as he felt his shoulder dislocate, wondering why in Hell Angel hadn't used the opportunity to leave. Why he hadn't done what he needed to do. But there was no time to ask, as they were almost on him again and his legs wouldn't work, the beating he'd just taken putting him out of the fight for the moment. Angel grabbed hold of him and pulled him onto the bike, roaring away from the Scourge as he headed for the docks.

There was no time; no time to ask questions and the words he wanted to ask his sire vanished into the wind as they rode.

Doyle and Cordelia were standing on the deck, deep in some discussion about something. Perhaps the little tit had finally mustered up enough courage to ask her out. Anything to get rid of that bunch of pheromones that clogged up the office as he walked around, permanently hard, desperate to shag the yappy bitch. She was a looker, Spike wasn't knocking that, but she was hard on the ears, and Spike liked the sound of his own voice too much for that.

He could feel his strength returning, but the sound behind them was stronger and he knew without looking that the Scourge were behind them. With that bloody beacon thing. Lethal to anyone with human blood apparently, which was just about everyone on the ship. They couldn't let that thing be loaded. Oh great, fighting for good.again!

Angel climbed off the bike, holding Spike to his side. He ran up the gangplank, Spike's recovery swift enough that he didn't hold him back. He waved towards them all, ushering the boat to leave. But the Scourge were so close behind, he yelled to the captain to leave, that the first mate wasn't coming.

Everyone ran.

Leaving Angel and Spike at the head of the gangplank, determined that no one else was going to get past. Spike gestured to him to fix his arm and he winced as it slipped back into place.

'You should have left when I took them on.' Spike yelled above the wind.

'I told you, I'm not leaving you - ever.'

Spike grinned, the pain somehow feeling warmer.

'Right then love, let's send this lot back to Hell.'

'Not Hell,' said Angel, 'they'd enjoy it too much.'

'Somewhere worse then?'

'Yeah.'

'France it is then.'

The soldiers came scurrying up the gangplank, meeting with the agility and strength of the vampires. Tumbling into the rather more vicious commander's melee, they were both forced backwards into the hold.

'Spike, above you!' yelled Angel and he saw it, that damned beacon that could kill them all.

'Right people!' yelled Spike, letting Angel deal with the demon, 'Let's move it! Unless we all want to end up ashtray filling!'

'Can't' screamed Cordelia, yanking on a door, 'They've sealed us in!'

'Fuck,' yelled Spike and ran up towards the railing near the Beacon. Angel dispatched the commander and joined him, Doyle and Cordelia forming a close circuit behind them.

'That thing's going to bloody blow!' said Spike, 'We've got to get it out of here.'

Angel shook his head.

'Can't do that in time, it's counting down as we speak.'

'What does it do' asked Doyle, scared of the answer.

'Its light kills anything with human blood,' said Angel.

'Which includes just about everyone in this entire room. How bloody wonderful!' said Spike reaching for a cigarette.

'Well it's getting brighter,' said Doyle 'and that Doohickey - it's fully armed isn't it?'

'Almost,' said Angel looking into the beam, 'if I can pull the cable out I can still shut it off.'

'Fuck that!' said Spike, the cigarette falling from his mouth, 'You'd kill yourself!'

'There's no other way,' said Angel flatly.

'It's suicide!' said Cordelia, suddenly aware that they might not all be going out of this hold. Hell, none of them might get out.

Angel looked at the indignant face of Spike, reading the concern, the pleading there and smiled sadly. He knew that it was all right, that he would understand. Some things were worth dying for. He turned back to Doyle and squeezed his shoulder.

'It's all right.' He said.

Doyle looked at him blankly, understanding and knowing somehow that this couldn't be. Angel couldn't die. He was too valuable, too important to lose in this battle.

'The good fight, yeah? - You never know until you've been tested. - I get that now.'

He pulled his arm back to deliver a good right hook but they were both barged out of the way as Spike leapt past them, his leather coat flying in the breeze.

'Spike!' Angel yelled, watching his lover land on the lethal thing, 'Get the Hell off there!'

'Sod off you great Poof!' came the reply, 'Human blood, right? I haven't had any of that for weeks!'

Spike bent studiously over the box and felt the light flushing his system. He moved his hands to the cable and started pulling as he felt something pulse through his skin. It seemed to sear his bones and Spike realized that he was more human than he could ever have imagined. He was going to die like this, saving the blasted helpless he despised so much. Saving the only man who mattered to him.

Better make this last act memorable then.

He started to sing, the skin crisping on his fingers as he pulled at the wires. Isn't that ironic, he chuckled to himself - More human than human. He screamed out the words to the first song that came to mind.

'And so I face the final curtain! But more, much more than this, I did it my way!' he yelled above the pain.

Forget Frank, he was going out with Sid every time!

Everything felt so hot, he was burning he swore it and he could actually feel his bones, almost malleable in the white light that corrupted his body. One name beat through his head, through his heart and he hoped like mad that when this thing went dead and his body was gone that the be-souled vampire would remember him. Angel, he moaned as the cables finally started coming apart, God dammit man, I love you!

'Not dying today lover,' came the pant behind him and then firm arms covered his, the cables snapped and the feeling of falling was overwhelming. He felt the floor beneath the body that held him and he closed his eyes, exhaustion flooding his body.

Saved the bloody world was the last amused thought that passed through his head and he let go then, embracing the darkness which called to him.
 

*
 

'And weetabix.'

'Right, weetabix,' wrote down Cordelia, 'is that it, or is there anything else you apparently need to heal?'

Spike bit his lip gently, thinking hard. She'd been super nice to him since they'd returned from the cargo hold and he wasn't going to waste it.

'Jaffa Cakes?' he finished, wondering if they had them in this country.

'What cakes?'

'Relax Princess, I know what he means. We'll get them before the film starts, right?'

Doyle appeared in the doorway, in slightly less worrying clothes than usual. It was obvious that he'd made some attempt to get dressed up and Cordelia looked him over once before shooting him a wide smile and standing up.

'Right,' she said brightly, 'You changing before we go out?'

Spike chuckled at the confused look on the half-demon's face. He paused as the burning sensation in his throat caught and choked him. God but that hurt! He reached forward and picked up the mug in his bandaged hands, wondering how long it would take his vampiric recovery to bring him back from the mess he was. He couldn't remember getting away from the ship, but Cordelia had raved about how impressive he was and he had managed a leer before the pain at the side of his mouth stopped him from bragging.

The Lister demons had gotten away successfully for some supposedly brighter future, somewhere that Spike didn't care about. The only thing that had happened was that they'd decided that his actions made him the chosen one, the savior of their people. Doyle had struggled hard to stop laughing when the bad ass demon had pointed out that a) he wasn't doing it for them, b) he'd kick any of their arses if he saw them again and c) he was the Big Bad, vampire who'd killed thousands and if any of them let one word, just one.Angel had carried him away at that point and they had left, an annoyingly grateful smile on each and every face.

He'd spent the last few days in bed, the other three bringing him what he asked for, which at some times had been suspiciously difficult to get hold of. He'd enjoyed having the sex pistols blasting out, watching Angel's face wince each time. The older vampire's tastes had always been far too serene. Spike hoped after a week or two of Johnny and Sid, he'd at least listen to something that was written this century.

He had quite honestly expected to die. The pain had been so intense and his latent realization of his own humanity had brought with it the knowledge that he would die to save Angel. The others had managed to convince themselves that their was a spark of goodness in him, which, whilst they were bringing him treats, he wasn't going to deny. But Spike knew that if it had been for anyone else, he would have been out of there.

'Okay then, Spike, we're off,' said Cordelia, 'I'll bring everything back in the morning, okay?'

'What, hmmm? Oh right, okay,' he said and then turned his attention back to the video game which was still bearing the sold sticker. If he couldn't actually hurt humans physically, he could always amuse himself by kicking the crap out of these little annoying characters.

'Bye.'

A knee kick, flick flak and yeah! Roundhouse followed by uppercut!

'And he scores!'

The door clicked and Spike looked up, almost surprised that they'd left him alone.

Almost alone.

'You comfortable?'

Angel came through from the kitchen, his bathrobe tied tightly round his waist, a mug in hand. There was a bandage across each arm where he'd pulled Spike free from the Beacon. Concern was etched across his face, but it was pleasant to see for once, because he knew, he absolutely knew that Angel wouldn't leave him. They hadn't really said anything about it, but neither had moved far apart over the last few days. They didn't want to be apart for longer than it took to make toast.

'Yeah, I'm comfortable,' said Spike and grinned, ignoring the tightness round his mouth, 'Come over here.'

He patted down on the side of Angel's bed and stretched over to put the game down. Angel moved toward him, unfastening the robe and letting it slip from his shoulders. He heard Spike growl in a seductive manner and kissed his forehead, thanking whatever forces existed that he hadn't lost him.

'You know,' he said as he pulled back the covers, 'Sooner or later Cordelia is going to decide that she's been grateful enough and you'll have to buy your own snacks.'

Spike shrugged.

'Well then, Peaches, I'll have to sweet talk you into going out and.'

'Oh no!' smiled Angel, slipping down next to Spike. 'You're going to have to learn how to buy things.'

Spike sniffed.

'We're vampires love, we take things.'

'Pay for them,' said Angel, tracing a pattern on the un-bandaged skin by his thigh. Spike groaned and shifted so that he could access more of his rare undamaged skin. Angel grinned and pulled his lover down so that he was lying flat in the bed.

'Take' breathed Spike and Angel bent his head to kiss him.

'If you insist' he murmured and his lips met Spike's, telling him with every caress that he belonged to him, that he would never leave him and that he would walk through the doors of Hell itself to bring him back. Loving this vampire would never be easy, but the connection they had built was growing stronger by the minute. With Cordelia and Doyle seeing him in a different light, the atmosphere around the office had lightened somewhat, even if Spike had growled at not being seen as the Big Bad.

'Mmmm,' murmured Spike as Angel's touch lingered lower, 'that bit needs rubbing better, Peaches.'

'Here?' asked Angel, covering the unblemished skin with his lips, his fingers trailing eagerly around the sensitive flesh.

A firm grasp.

'Oh yeah, there!'

Angel chuckled and turned the lights off.

'Huh, you just don't want to see me.'

'Spike, vampires remember? We see better in the dark?'

'Oh yeah.'

'Hey!'

'Well you don't need THAT sheet, it's warm enough.'

'But I'm naked now!'

Spike grinned in spite of the pain.

'Yeah, I can see.'

'Bad Spike!'

He captured Angel's mouth again; searching fingers stroking the firm body.

'Always bad, Peaches, always.'

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