The Promise

By Esmeralda

Part Sixteen

Spike awoke from a series of deeply gratifying dreams in which he had despatched his 'dear brother' in various gory and entertaining ways. Time to turn fantasy into fact. He opened his eyes.....and found he was face to face with the half-breed. Startled, Spike jerked back.

Angel's voice whispered softly behind his head. "Easy. It's okay."

Spike tried to orientate himself. It would seem that at some point during the night he'd traded places with his Sire. He now occupied the middle of the bed, Angel lay to his left, the young half-demon to his right; curled up warmly against his body. Spike didn't know whether to be alarmed or pleased that his Sire's lover was using him as a snuggle bunny.

"Er...Angel?"

"Hmm?"

Angel didn't sound concerned, but then he probably didn't know where Doyle had his hand.

"Do you want to..erm..move?"

"Why?"

"Well...er..." Spike floundered.

"Don't move," a sleepy voice murmured. "I'm comfy."

Spike froze. Did the young man know it was him and not Angel that he was pressed up against. "Er, mate?" No reply. "Doyle?"

"I think thatz the first time you've used my name," Doyle mumbled.

Spike's eyebrows rose slightly. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," said Doyle. Green eyes opened, gazing cat-like through half-lids.

Transfixed, Spike stared back. "Oh," he said intelligently.

Doyle shrugged, causing his hand to move slightly. "I don't mind," he said, "I don't always use yours."

"He calls you Blondie," Angel supplied helpfully.

Spike was beginning to wonder if he'd actually woken up. "Why am I here?" he asked.

"Do you mean in the deeply metaphysical sense, or the 'why am I in the middle of the bed' sense?" Doyle asked, liquid eyes opening wide.

Spike gave him an uncertain look. "That last one."

Doyle gave another small shrug and Spike bit back a whimper as warm fingers brushed his skin.

"I got up," Doyle explained. "When I came back you two had shifted about. It was easier to get in at the side of you."

"Oh. Right." Put like that it made sense. Though Spike was still uncertain about that hand. "I'm gettin' up," he announced to no one in particular. He shot forward, realised he was starkers, and fell back. "Where's my stuff?" he growled. Angel waved a hand toward the chair in the corner of the room. Spike scowled. For some reason he felt unhappy about the idea of Doyle seeing him 'au-natural'. "Bollocks," he muttered heatedly. Without a word, Angel got up, retrieved Spike's pants, and passed them to him.

The older vampire slipped on his robe. "I'm going to see if there have been any recent killings that I can link to Penn. He has set patterns, he must be hunting somewhere close by. If we can get a fix on the area, I might be able to narrow down, find the place he's staying in."

Spike's mouth twisted. "Yeah, fancy old hotels. Our boy likes to hang out in style."

"You guys haven't known him for a while, "Doyle pointed out. "He might have changed his MO."

Angel shook his head. Spike gave a snort of humourless laughter. "Change ain't exactly his thing. He hasn't got the balls to try anything new. He'll be doing the same soddin' things he's always done. He's a boring pissant."

Doyle looked askance at Angel who tilted his head slightly in agreement. Doyle sighed. "Right. Well I'll ring round again, see if he's stirred up anything. Something in particular I should be askin' about?"

"Victims with crosses carved on their faces," said Angel flatly.

Doyle winced and nodded. Throwing aside the blankets he stumbled out of bed; apparently unconcerned about his own unclad state.

Spike's gaze unwillingly followed the young man as he exited the room. He stiffened when he realised Angel was watching him watching Doyle.

Angel just smiled an odd, unreadable little smile. "Get dressed, Spike. We have work to do."

--------------------

Hours of phone calls and several weeks worth of newspapers turned up nothing. Doyle pointed out that if there had been any recent weird killings the police would probably hush up the freakier details while they tried to catch the killer.

"Fuck," said Spike. "Demon boy has a point."

"*Demon boy?*" said Doyle pointedly.

Spike ignored him. His emotions were running high. Yellow-gold eyes and razor edged teeth testified to his agitated state. Right now he was unable to maintain his human guise and he didn't try to. The loss of control didn't concern him so much as the lack of action did. He wanted Penn. He wanted that arrogant bastard to scream and beg and suffer while he did him....slowly.

Worryingly, even more than he wanted Penn, he wanted Xander. Somehow hate, revenge, and the need to kill had become secondary to his need for the boy. Spike found the sensation vaguely unsettling. The phone interrupted his unhappy musing.

Doyle answered it. He grabbed a pencil and a scrap of paper and scribbled something down. After a minute or so he said a brisk 'thanks man' and looked at the others. They regarded him expectantly. Doyle shook his head.

"Sorry fellas, no news on psycho boy." He handed the paper to Angel. "It seems there was some trouble down one of the clubs we were at the other night. Some guy got into a fight-"

"-that's not exactly uncommon," Angel cut in.

"No," said Doyle. "Excepting he was fighting some tiny wee scrap of a lass apparently - and she was dusting the floor with him until the cops were called and she took off."

"You think she's not human?"

"Well the guy she was beating on is no wimp it seems. My source knows him. He's a regular down his gym. He lives in the apartment above. That's the address."

Angel looked at the piece of paper in his hand and sighed heavily. "We better see if we can sort this now."

"*What?!*" Gold eyes blazed with anger.

Angel faced his Childe calmly. "Penn knows where you are. He'll come for you. You know that. We're not getting anywhere searching for him and I still have a job to do."

"Oh yeah, I was forgetting you're the nancy boy champion of the fuckin' hopeless," Spike snarled. He leapt to his feet and thrust his face into Angel's. "You go and do your fuckin' civic duty, mate. Me, I don't care if the tosser's having his throat torn out by the fuckin' fairy queen."

"Duly noted," said Angel flatly, dark eyes narrowing in annoyance. "Can I trust you to stay here until we get back?" Spike looked away without answering. "*Will*," Angel snapped.

"Yess," Spike hissed. "I'll stay." He dropped back into his seat, arms folded, face sullen.

Angel's expression softened. "We'll get him, Will. I promise you. We'll get him." Golden eyes settled on him thoughtfully; after a moment Spike nodded. As he made to go past his Childe Angel paused, resting a hand on Spike's shoulder. Spike turned his head slightly, rubbing his face against it. Angel stroked a finger along Spike's cheek and walked on.

Doyle observed the silent exchange and then followed his lover into the sewer tunnels.

Part Seveteen

As the evening drew in and darkness fell Xander finally received the visitors he'd been impatiently waiting for. His expression brightened - equal parts delight and relief - as the door swung open and his lover strolled into the room.

"Spike!"

The vampire was at his side in a heartbeat; cool fingers cupped his face, tilting it upward. Whatever Spike saw in Xander's slightly flushed features seemed to satisfy him. The corners of his mouth curled up and he leaned forward, kissing the youth with tender passion.

Angel stood in the doorway. He smiled as he beheld the lovers' reunion and stepped outside to give them a moment alone.

Spike stretched himself out along the bed. "You look better, pet."

Xander gave a wry half-smile. "Considering how I looked that's not too difficult." He regretted his levity instantly as Spike's eyes darkened in grief and anger, gold shimmering across the blue. "Hey, I'm okay," he assured his lover. "No permanent damage done."

Spike stared at him silently then looked away. "I wouldn't have let you go," he muttered.

At first Xander didn't understand what the vampire meant. Then he did. He responded with a soft, "Oh." If he'd been beyond the point of saving Spike would have turned him. Xander filed this startling little revelation away in his mind. He reached for his lover's hand. "I....I'd understand. I mean...if you ever had to...." his voice trailed off.

Xander knew what he was agreeing to. Part of his mind was screaming. The rest was strangely calm. He was sort of giving Spike his approval to turn him, should the situation arise again. Gold-blue eyes regarded him with a steady, unblinking gaze.

Spike slowly brought Xander's hand up to his lips and kissed the open palm.

Xander remained troubled. "Would you prefer it, you know, if I was?"

Spike ran his tongue across the crease of Xander's palm. "No," he said simply.

Xander heard the truth in his lover's voice and relaxed.

Spike sat up, a feral smile curving his lips. "I've got something for you pet. Something that'll make you strong again." He regarded the saline drip in disgust. "Better than this crap."

Xander felt a tingle of anticipation as he watched Spike draw up his sleeve.

The vampire turned his body to block the view from the door. His face shimmered. Gold eyes fixed on Xander's face as Spike raised his forearm and tore into it with his fangs; rivulets of scarlet ran down toward his sleeve. Spike turned the bloody limb to face Xander. "Drink," he whispered, "Drink and grow strong, my love."

Xander didn't hesitate. Grasping the proffered arm with both hands he brought it to his mouth, pressing his lips over the scarlet slashes. Rich copper heat flowed across his tongue, slipping slickly down his throat into his belly; filling him with desire and a deep, gnawing hunger. He drew upon the wound, worrying the torn flesh with blunt teeth. He felt dizzy, faint......Hard with longing.

Spike hissed softly, head thrown back, eyes half-closed in rapture. "That's enough," he said finally. The vampire seemed as reluctant as Xander to break the connection, but he pushed the boy back gently. Xander whimpered, licking his lips desperately to steal back the last of his lover's blood.

"Better?"

"Hmm," Xander murmured happily. Better didn't cover it - nowhere near. His entire body was humming with a delicious sharp tingle that stretched from his toes to the top of his head.

Spike licked his arm, cleaning off the remaining blood, before pushing his sleeve down over the lightly oozing wound.

There was a gentle knock, the door opened and Angel and Doyle entered. Both smelled the fresh blood and saw the faint traces of red glistening on Xander's lips. Neither said a word.

"Hey," said Xander, smiling at them both. He looked at Doyle, his eyes darkened in concern. "You alright?"

Doyle nodded. "I've got a pretty hard head."

Xander looked relieved.

It was Doyle's turn to look anxious. "I'm sorry-" he began.

"-for what?" Xander asked. "The way I see it you took a dent in the head looking out for me. No apologies needed."

Doyle smiled. "Thanks."

Xander felt somewhat embarrassed by all the concern being projected his way. "So, how's things in the real world?" he asked casually.

Angel shrugged. "We solved the case."

"Yeah?" Xander pushed himself up the bed a little. Spike fussed with his pillows. "What was it?"

Angel hid a smile at the sight of his Childe playing nurse. "Eregger demon."

"And that would be?" Xander asked.

"They're usually non-threatening," said Angel.

"I sense a big 'but' coming," said Xander.

"They mate for life," Angel explained. "Some guy unknowingly accepted a first date."

"Little Miss Eregger demon wasn't too happy when this guy turned down the next one. Seems she thought they were 'mated'," said Doyle grinning. "She tailed him to some club and kicked the crap out of him. This is despite him being two foot taller and real fond of lifting the old weights."

Xander sniggered. "Ouch, that must have got muscle boy right in his ego. What did you do?"

"We had words," said Angel. "Explained to the Eregger that she hadn't lost face since it was a human she'd consorted with and therefore it pretty much didn't count. We sent her home and told her to pick out a nice beau from amongst her own kind."

Xander sank back against the pillows smiling. Despite the infusion of Spike's blood the drugs in his system were trying to drag him back to sleep. He was battling to keep his eyes open.

Angel noticed. "We'd better go. You need to rest. The nurse said they're releasing you tomorrow. Doyle will come by and pick you up."

Xander mumbled a sleepy protest. He didn't want them to leave.

Spike was more vociferous. "I'm staying."

Angel sighed, he didn't want to get into all this again. Spike was volatile at the best of times...and this was not the best of times. He could perfectly understand Spike's desire to stay close to his lover. He also knew how wired Spike was right now. It was too risky to leave Spike here for long. There was a very real danger that a careless word from some doctor could lead to a severe case of broken neck.

He addressed his glowering Childe. "Xander will be home tomorrow. Right now we have other matters to take care of." Angel was loath to mention Penn's name in front of Xander, but he saw him stiffen and knew the boy had understood.

Spike had also caught his meaning. The younger vampire's head snapped up, eyes glittering with hate.

Xander grabbed his lover's hand and hung on to it for a moment. "Be careful," he urged.

Spike answered the boy with a hard kiss that left Xander flushed and dazed looking.

The others settled for slightly more restrained goodbyes.

As they reached the door Xander called after them. "Hey wait on a sec, I just remembered something." They stopped and he continued. "There was some creepy cop lady here this morning, asking all kinds of questions. I'm not sure, but I don't think she was buying the 'killer dog' angle. She seemed-"he shrugged "-she seemed to think it was some kind of human-like creature."

Angel and Doyle both tensed. "Did she give you a name?" Angel asked.

"Yeah," Xander's brow wrinkled in thought. "Lackly...Lockly... Something like that."

"Lockley," said Angel.

Xander heard the certainty in the vampire's voice. "You know her?"

Angel nodded. "What did you tell her?"

"Nothing," said Xander. "I ran the 'sorry I don't remember a thing officer' routine, but I don't think she bought it any more than the dog story. She said she'd come by tomorrow."

Angel seemed to think about this. "Okay," he said after a moment. "Doyle will try and pull you out of here before she shows. If he's late just stick to the 'not remembering' story until he gets here."

"Right," said Xander worriedly.

Angel tried to reassure him. "It'll be fine. Just get some rest."

Xander looked unconvinced, but his eyelids were already closing.

Spike waited until they were outside the room before he turned on his Sire. "Who's this Lockley cow?"

Doyle and Angel exchanged looks. Spike pursed his lips impatiently. "She's a Detective," Angel explained. "We...we've had some dealings with her before."

"What sort of dealings?"

"Her father was involved in something. He was in over his head. A couple of vampires took him out. She...she knows."

Gold-blue eyes narrowed. "She knows he was done in by vampires?"

Angel nodded reluctantly.

"-and she's still alive because?" Spike sneered. "Don't tell me - your soddin' nancy soul." His lip curled up in disgust. "Let me guess, *you* gave her the heads up. You didn't happen to pass on any other helpful hints while you were at it, did you. Like say....how to kill us?"

Angel's silence spoke quite eloquently and Spike swore. "Bleedin' great. That's just peachy."

"Kate's a good cop," Angel defended. "She deserved to know the truth."

"Oh *Kate* is it," said Spike sarcastically. "What? You're waiting for her to come around and see what a great guy you really are." He shook his head. "Never happen, mate. If our kind killed her darling daddy she's got herself a pretty axe to grind. The only thing she's gonna want you for is testing the blade."

"Look," Angel snapped. "She's not the problem here. She doesn't know what's going on and she won't. We take Penn out and this ends here. Agreed?" He faced them both.

Doyle nodded. "Agreed."

Spike thrust his hands into his pockets. "Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you. Her kind are nothing but fuckin' trouble. Better we kill her now before she sticks her nose in any deeper." At Angel's dark look he shrugged. "Right, I've said my piece. Fair enough. Just don't expect me to get all 'hand-holdy' with her."

Angel didn't foresee this as a problem, since he had no intention of letting Kate and his Childe ever meet.

The three of them entered the lift in a less than companionable silence. Spike leaned back, holding onto the waist high rail. When it stopped and the doors opened he practically launched himself forward.

They got as far as the lobby when Angel stopped. He frowned, his expression puzzled. Then it cleared.

"What?" Doyle asked nervously.

Spike took one look at his Sire's face and his features shifted. He spun back around the way they'd come and tore down the corridor, leaping effortlessly over a gurney blocking his way.

"Angel?"

Angel was already moving after his Childe. Doyle caught the words 'He's here' as the vampire raced away.

"Oh god," Doyle's face drained of colour, "Xander."

Part Eighteen

"Wakey, wakey. Rise and shine."

Xander opened his eyes groggily in response to the summons. They immediately widened in shock as they focused on the figure leaning over him. Before he could cry out a hand was pressed over his mouth.

"Not a peep, little one. You call any of those pretty nurses in here and I'll paint the walls in their blood. Understand?"

Xander nodded mutely.

"Good. Now I'm going to take my hand away, and you're going to be a good boy and keep your mouth shut." The vampire slowly pulled his hand back. Xander automatically wet his lips; watching Penn with wide, frantic eyes. Penn smiled unpleasantly. "Right. Let's you and I take a little stroll shall we." He gestured toward the side of the bed. A wheelchair lay in readiness.

Xander couldn't control a flinch as the vampire yanked the blankets back and reached for him. However, he had no weapon to hand and he didn't doubt for a minute the sincerity of Penn's threat. With this in mind he allowed the vampire to lift him up and place him in the chair. Penn tucked a blanket around his shivering body.

"Wouldn't want you to catch a chill now, would we," said the vampire mockingly.

Xander bit back a retort; playing the part of defenceless, terrified victim. While it didn't require much in the way of acting ability, he was alert and ready to take this son-of-a-bitch out should an opportunitypresent itself.

Penn disengaged the brake and wheeled Xander out of the room. "Remember," he warned, "one word and you'll have a lot of dead nurses on your conscience."

Xander stared straight ahead, lips compressed, body rigid. The vampire leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "It's a nice night. How about we take in the stars." Chuckling softly he drew back.

Sick with fear Xander watched the hospital wards roll by. People wandered past in perfect ignorance. It took every bit of willpower he possessed not to shout out to them. <Help me> he screamed silently. <Oh god help me>. Should he try to run? His legs felt fatally flimsy, he doubted they would even hold him up right. If he did run what would Penn do? Would he act on his threat and slay some innocent bystander? Xander knew he couldn't take the chance. No one should have to die because of him.

A commotion somewhere far behind him made him twitch as he fought the desire to turn and look. He heard a scream and a crash. Penn seemed to step up the pace slightly. They reached the end of the corridor and stopped in front of the service elevator. Penn produced a key card from his pocket and swiped the lock. Xander's horrified gaze took in the blood smearing the plastic - no doubt traces of the poor smuck it had belonged to.

The elevator doors slid open almost instantly. Penn turned the chair to steer him in and Xander sneaked a sideways glance. He stiffened. Hurtling around the end of the corridor was the source of that distant commotion ~ Spike. His lover was charging toward them, shoving people left and right, leather duster flapping like a distressed bird.

"SPI-" The lift doors slammed shut on Xander's cry. He tried to stand. Penn slammed him back down.

"Move again and I'll snap your neck," the vampire promised.

Xander stayed still, but his eyes gleamed. He looked up at his captor and couldn't quite conceal a malicious smile. <Oh are you ever gonna get yours> he thought evilly.

Spike was coming for him. He'd seen the look on his lover's face. This promised to be bloody. A tingly shiver trickled down his spine ~ part fear....part pleasure. Yeah, vampire ways, he was learning all right. He could already smell the blood.

Part Nineteen

Spike slid to a halt outside the elevator. With a savage growl he punched the outer door; the metal buckled from the impact. Angel arrived at his side a heartbeat later. The older vampire touched the crumpled door.

"He's going up," he said simply, already moving past his Childe toward the stairwell.

Spike turned to follow - just as security arrived. He ignored their shouts and tore after his Sire.

--------------------

Moments later the pair emerged out onto the flat roof - turning at once toward the sound of a panicked, pounding heart. They stiffened, gold eyes narrowing in rage and hate.

Penn stood casually beside the edge; one hand resting on the back of the wheelchair. He'd set it on the low wall surrounding the roof. The wheels barely touched the brickwork. Most of the chair, and its terrified occupant, were suspended over the shadowy concrete below.

Angel and Spike could clearly see Xander's fingers, bleached white as they clenched the chair sides. The boy was barely holding himself in the sharply tilted seat. He was pushing back, but weak and tired his body was already trembling with the effort.

Spike started forward.

Penn raised his free hand to wave him back. "Ah, ah, little brother. One step more and we see if this sweet child can fly as well as fuck."

Spike stopped. He growled low in the back of his throat, features filled with loathing.

"S-Spike," Xander called out, clearly terrified.

Vampiric features twisted even further in impotent fury. "I thought you wanted to fight," Spike snarled. "What's the matter *brother*, you don't have the bottle to meet me one on one?"

Penn's face tightened. "As I recall it, *I'm* not the one who used to hide behind that mad bitches petticoats." He smiled. "How is dear Drusilla? I must say I was surprised to find you with this," he wobbled the chair - Xander moaned softly. "I thought you'd be fucking her by now. What's the matter, couldn't get it up for the fairer sex?"

Penn reached forward with his free hand and grabbed Xander's hair, dragging his head back. "I wonder do you do him, or does he fuck you?" He looked into Xander's wide frightened eyes. "What do you say, hmm? Does sweet William still lie down and take it like a bitch?"

Spike gave a strangled snarl and strained forward.

A quiet voice carried across the rooftop. "Let the boy go."

Penn finally seemed to notice the figure standing in the shadows just behind Spike. "You brought a friend?" He laughed. "Who's skirts are you cowering behind now?"

The figure stepped around from behind Spike. "Hello, Penn."

Yellow eyes widened. "A-Angelus?"

"Let the boy go," Angel repeated softly.

"Let him go?" Penn echoed in disbelief. "You're taking *his* side."

"No, I'm stating mine," said Angel flatly. "The boy is under my protection. Release him to me *now*."

Penn stared, an uncertain look crossed his face. Clearly he was unsettled by his Sire's unexpected appearance. "The b-boy is yours?...but I, but I thought-"

"-you don't think," said Angel harshly. "You never did." He took another step, his hand reaching beneath his coat. "Don't make me have to repeat myself."

Spike struggled to remain motionless as his Sire stalked closer, step by agonising step. He was watching Penn when he saw the vampire's expression shift. It was the barest flicker - a choice considered - a decision made. Yellow eyes hardened. Spike heard his own voice, as though from very far off, a useless scream of protest.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Penn's fingers uncurled from the back of the chair and it instantly began to topple forward. Xander let out a frightened yell as he went over the edge. Angel leapt the remaining few feet; at the same time he drew something from under his coat - a grappling hook. He fired it at the chair.

It hit the wheel and opened, entangling itself between the spokes. The chair bucked violently as it was stopped from falling any further by the slender wire...and the vampire clinging to it. Angel slid forward to the edge and jammed himself against the wall. The chair hung down the side of the building, swinging awkwardly like a broken pendulum.

Xander should have fallen. The manoeuvre he pulled off was outside the realm of pure dumb luck....yet somehow he'd done it. As he flipped forward he performed a sort of crazy somersault and managed to catch hold of the bottom of the chair. He clung to it desperately, trying very hard *not* to look at the 'certain messy death' below his dangling feet.

Spike's forward momentum was intercepted by Penn and the two vampires were immediately drawn into battle. It quickly spiralled into a display of inhuman savagery. Hisses and growls spliced the night air as they slammed one another back and forth across the rooftop. Hands furled into fists or raking claws as they punched and tore at each other's flesh.

Angel tried to ignore the ferocious struggle as he turned his attentions to the boy suspended below him. "Xander? Xander, I can't reach you. If I try and pull you up it could catch on the edge and knock you loose. You're going to have to climb up the chair. Can you hear me? Climb up the chair, Xander!"

Xander didn't waste desperately needed oxygen trying to answer. The words drifted down to him and he closed his eyes. He couldn't do this.

"Xander, please. Come on."

The near-frantic concern in Angel's voice jolted him out of his frozen panic. Slowly, he began to inch his way upward, reaching for a hand hold above his head. His fingers slipped uselessly across the chair seat, but he caught the side bar and tried to tug himself up. The chair swung alarmingly as he moved, crashing against the side of the building. He waited until it stopped its dizzy twisting before trying again.

Gradually, bit by bit, he worked his way up. His arms ached with the effort of supporting his body and his head felt tight and muzzy. Angel's voice coaxed him onward.

"Come on, Xander. That's it. Just a little more and I can reach you."

Xander reached the 'top' of the chair. He reached for the roof - it was still more than a foot above his outstretched fingers.

"I....I...c-can't..." he gasped. Tears blurred his eyes. The wind whipped around him making the chair sway even more. His sweating hand struggled to keep a grip on the metal. "A-Ang..gel.."

"Listen to me Xander. Listen to me *very* carefully. You're going to have to let go of the chair and jump for the roof."

Xander's sudden rush of fear must have hit the vampire like a wave because Angel continued hastily, "Listen you *can* do it. Remember what I said about you and Spike being mated? How it means there's a link between you? Well there's more to it than that. You can do this. You have to believe me Xander!" The vampire could hear the boy's ragged breathing. He could also hear the minute groans and creaks of the chair as the wheel spokes began to twist and fracture. "Xander!"

Xander stared numbly at the crumbling edge of the roof wall. There was no way it was humanly possible for him to leap up to it from his position. He thought of what Spike had said - how being a consort had certain 'privileges'....Did it include acts of death defying stupidity?

Without taking the time to think any further - and thus talk himself out of it - Xander pushed himself upward. He didn't exactly fly but he did reach the rooftop, snatching at it with frantic fingers. A fraction of a second later the chair fell as it was released and strong hands were lifting him up onto the roof.

Trembling violently he collapsed into Angel's waiting arms. A long coat was wrapped around his shivering body and Xander clutched it to him as he turned to face the snarling, spitting combatants. His heart slammed against his rib cage as he watched his lover struggle to defeat the creature that had brought them both so much pain.

<....it seems I gave him a taste for it.....> The vampire's mocking voice seemed to whisper inside his head as lost memories returned. Xander stiffened. <Kill him, Spike. Kill the bastard. Rip his fucking heart out> Xander chanted silently. He could feel the tension in Angel's body and it frightened him.

The older vampire apparently wasn't certain of this battle's outcome. Xander pinned his lover with his gaze and willed him to win. <Kill him, Spike. Kill him for us both.>

--------------------

The apprehension of the two observers was matched by one of the combatants. Penn was beginning to realise he had seriously underestimated his 'little brother'. Gone was the gutter rat he had taunted and beaten.

This was a very different sweet William.......

This was Spike ~ a master vampire in his own right, possessing more than a century of experience. Added to the passage of time were the occasions Spike had partaken of his Sire's blood; an act which awarded him further strength and power.

Oh, yeah. He was different all right.....and he was kicking Penn's arse.

He threw the unrepentant Puritan into the roof door. It broke apart and a jagged shard of wood embedded itself in the vampire's leg. Spike smiled nastily - he had a plan. Penn stumbled forward from of the doorway, but before he could yank the splinter out, Spike barrelled into him. The younger vampire grabbed hold of his protagonist, turning and slamming him into the side of the roof opening. Then he reached for the metal 'push bar' on the shattered door.

Ripping it free of the wood he drove it into Penn's belly with a crow of delight. It sank through soft tissue and bone and into the brickwork; pinning Penn to the wall like a grotesque insect. Spike twisted the end making it near impossible for the vampire to free himself. Suspended above the roof Penn shrieked, flame-yellow eyes glaring hatefully at his attacker.

Spike stood back and admired his handiwork. He adopted a casual, almost jaunty air as he bent down to retrieve another piece of wood. "You know, I prefer rail road spikes myself, but I guess we'll just have to improvise." He darted forward, ramming the wooden shard through Penn's arm.

Penn hissed and snarled, twisting uselessly. "I'm going to-"

"-to what?" Spike asked. "Die horribly and painfully? All ready got it in hand, mate, but thanks for the pointer." He stood on another bit of wood sending it spinning upward. He caught it easily and approached the other vampire with a thoughtful expression. "Let me see, eenie, meanie, miny...*mo*!" He thrust the sharp wooden spike into Penn's groin. Blood spurted out, black against the vampire's dark pants.

Penn's shriek faded into a dull moan. Spike grabbed his hair and slammed his head back against the wall. "Now don't go fainting on me yet 'big brother'. You'll spoil all my fun." Gold eyes focused on him dully.

"That's better," said Spike. "I mean, *I* lasted all night. The least you can do is repay in kind."

"P-Piss..off..." Penn hissed.

Spike's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You know, I *really* don't care for the way you're looking at me, *brother*. I'll have to do something about that." He ignored the vampire as he rifled through Penn's pockets. He withdrew a small, shiny object.

"Now *this* takes me back," said Spike holding the object up. He turned to face his companions who remained crouched beside the low wall. "Do you remember, Angel. The fun we had with this little thing." He slipped the harpy knife onto his finger and gazed at it admiringly. "Such a tiny, little thing," he crooned, "yet so deadly."

He whirled around faster than the eye could follow and slashed the blade across Penn's right eye. The vampire bucked and howled but Spike simply grabbed his head and held him steady as he pushed the point slowly into the left eye.

He stepped back, watching the bloody trails trickling down Penn's cheeks with rapt delight. Spike's smile widened as he came forward again. He held Penn's head up as he scrawled 'brother' across the vampire's forehead in scarlet letters. He then grabbed the vampire's face with both hands and placed a mocking kiss on Penn's brow, smearing his lips across the blood.

"Time to end this, 'big brother'," he whispered.

Spike looked around for a likely piece off wood. Finding nothing to take his fancy he tore off a side of the door-frame. He held the metre long piece like a spear. "Xander!"

The boy jerked in Angel's grasp.

"Come here," Spike called.

Xander stood and crossed the rooftop to his lover. Angel shadowed him in case the boy's wobbly legs failed him.

"Closer, pet."

Xander moved into the circle of his lover's arms. Spike pressed up against him, their faces cheek to cheek.

"Together, pet?" Spike asked softly.

Brown eyes hardened. "Together," Xander repeated in agreement.

Two pairs of hand clutched the wood. Penn's expression was one of dawning horror. "*Angelus*!"

"Goodbye, Penn," said Angel softly. He couldn't quite prevent a wince as the two lovers drove the wood forward and his eldest Childe's tortured expression dissolved into ashes and dust.

Spike pried his lover's hands off the wood and threw it away. Then he turned Xander toward him and pulled him even closer, burying his face in the boy's soft hair. Xander's legs wobbled and he crumpled. As he dropped, Spike went down with him, cradling his lover, cushioning his descent.

Angel crouched beside them.

"He's really gone?" Xander whispered.

"Yeah, he's gone," said Spike.

"Good," said Xander and promptly fainted.

Spike stood up, holding the boy against his chest. "We leave now."

They walked to the other side of the roof. Another building stood nearby; its flat roof thirty feet or so below. "Go down," said Angel. "I'll find Doyle."

Spike leapt off the edge, landing with cat-like ease; carefully holding onto the precious burden in his arms. He jumped again onto another lower sloped roof. Once more and he touched earth. Keeping to the shadows he hurried away.

Angel watched his Childe's safe descent and then ran back to the roof opening. He shifted quickly into his human guise. Dark eyes caught momentarily on the dust blowing gently around his feet. Then he turned away and dashed down the stairwell. He left the stairs through the first door he came to, stepping out into an unfamiliar corridor.

The hospital was a mass of confusion. Complaining patients and disgruntled medics, all arguing with the security team - who were offering no apologies for having lost track of their quarry.

Angel snagged a gown out of a laundry cart and slipped it over his shirt. Head down he walked quickly and casually to the main elevator.

Fortunately, everyone was too busy arguing to pay him any attention. He got off on Xander's floor and listened carefully ~ nothing. He frowned and got back into the elevator.

Trying to second-guess his lover he went straight down to the underground car park. Doyle was pacing anxiously beside their vehicle. "Angel!" the young man raced over. "Fuck! You guys can really shift. I got to Xander's floor but I couldn't find you and he'd gone. There was security crawling all over the place. I think they've called the cops. They seem to think you're after drugs. Where is he? What's going on, where's Spike. Oh god, Xander. Penn hasn't got him-"

Angel silenced the young man's frantic rambling with a quick, hard kiss. He then pushed a stunned Doyle gently toward the car. "Everything's fine, but I think we should go. Spike will meet us outside the grounds."

"Xan-"

"-is with Spike," said Angel.

Doyle's face was flooded with relief as he jumped into the car. As they sped out of the car park the sound of approaching sirens could be heard in the distance. Spike was loitering outside. He raced across with Xander in his arms, landing in the back seat as Angel pressed the pedal to the floor and they shot away. He took a neat detour, narrowly avoiding the incoming vehicles who fortunately didn't notice the car speeding off down a narrow side street.

Spike carefully repositioned his lover, wrapping Angel's coat tighter around the boy's body. "Xander? Xander pet. Come on. Wake up, luv."

"Urrruh," Xander murmured softly.

Spike brushed back a lock of dark hair and tenderly looked at his lover as brown eyes slowly fluttered open.

"Sp-Spike?"

Spike grinned. "We're going home, pet. No more nasty hospitals. I'll take care of you."

Xander smiled back faintly. "Goo-good, cos....they...they w-anted to....give...me sh-shots."

Spike frowned. "Shots?"

"Yeah...b-big...needles," Xander added.

Spike looked across at Doyle. "What's he on about?"

Doyle had twisted round to face them. He shrugged and then his face cleared in comprehension. "I bet they had a mind to give him rabies shots."

"What the fuck for?!" Spike snapped, drawing his lover toward him protectively.

Doyle looked slightly guilty. "Probably cos I said it was a big dog that bit us. *What?*" he defended, seeing Spike's look, "you'd rather I said it was a pissed off Puritan?"

"Enough," said Angel. "Spike, how's Xander doing?"

"He's fine," said Spike. "He's just cold and tired."

"We'll be home in a few minutes," said Angel. "Doyle, get in the back with them."

There were twin cries of "Huh?"

"Xander needs to be kept warm," Angel explained. "Doyle, your body heat will help."

Doyle regarded the possessive blond vampire on the back seat with deep apprehension.

Spike glared at him but shifted to the side, allowing Doyle to crawl over the front seat into the back. He slipped into the narrow space the vampire had vacated, and took some of Xander's dead-weight into his lap. Spike maintained a hold on the boy, while Doyle wrapped himself around what he could.

When they arrived at the apartment, Spike carried Xander inside. He lay the boy down on the bed.

Angel brought more blankets and helped his Childe lay them over the boy.

"Get in with him," he told Doyle.

Unhappy about Spike's less than friendly stare, Doyle nevertheless slipped off his shoes and slid under the blankets with Xander.

Spike carefully curled around his lover on top of the covers. "You just watch where you put your bloody hands," he muttered.

Doyle pointedly pulled his hands out from beneath the blankets and left them in full view.

Somewhat mollified, Spike grumbled and then turned his attentions back to Xander - who was slowly returning to full consciousness.

"How you feelin, luv?"

"Great," said Xander. "Am I dead?"

Spike frowned puzzled. "Er.. No."

"Didn't think so," said Xander, "I mean if I was dead I wouldn't hurt so much would I?"

Angel returned carrying a steaming cup. He handed it to Spike.

Spike carefully held it to Xander's lips. " 'Ere, luv. Drink some of this. It'll warm your innards up."

Xander took a careful sip. "Sweet," he mumbled.

Spike stiffened.

Angel looked at his Childe and shook his head slightly. He understood what the boy meant. "There's a lot of sugar in it. It's just sweet tea. It'll help. What hurts, Xander?"

Xander took a few more sips and then shut his eyes. "Everything." He yawned. "I'm tired."

Spike handed the cup back to Angel. "You go to sleep then, pet."

Brown eyes fluttered open, Xander reached for his lover's hand. "Stay?"

"Satan himself couldn't shift me," Spike promised. "I'll be right here." He nestled down next to the boy.

"Is he all right?" Doyle asked anxiously as Xander's eyes drifted shut. Angel listened to the solid thump of the boy's heart and nodded. "He's fine. Come on," he beckoned, "we can leave them now."

Doyle carefully eased himself out of the bed.

"Call us if you need us," Angel told his Childe.

Spike nodded.

As the older vampire and his lover left the room, Spike's voice called after them, "Erm..thanks and everything."

Angel smiled. "You're welcome, Will," he whispered in a voice too soft for any one to hear. He'd failed his Childe all those years ago. He failed to protect what was his. It was not a mistake he ever intended to repeat. Spike, Xander, Cordelia and Doyle ~ they were his family now.

He promised he would serve them better than he had those in the past.

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