"Oh, all right then. It all started when I was a child in England. The Wesley that you know and despise was never around then, had actually never even existed until he was forced to become reality. Anyhow, I will explain all that later." started Wesley/Bryce, settling himself into a more comfortable position upon the floor.

"As I said, only I was around when I was younger and a right little terror I was at that. Constantly in trouble and rarely an evening went by in which my father did not have to chastise me. I cannot tell you how many times I was belted by him or sent to my room without any dinner but you know what his favorite punishment for me was? No, do not guess, I will tell you. He would give me a right royal shaking, all the while bellowing at me about just how much I had disgraced the family name, then he would lock me under the stairs in the dark. I was not allowed out until I had repeatedly apologised and begged to be released. Naturally, I did that. I made myself sound so pitiful and even threw in a bit of crying now and then. Every time someone went up or down the stairs, I would scream in terror. Long, loud cries that would be heard... 'Father, I'm so sorry. Please, I won't do it again. I promise to behave... please, please get me away from the dark?'" chuckled Wesley, pleased to note that Spike was showing interest in his story, no matter how casual the vampire was attempting to appear. The fact that the bleached blond was leaning towards him, even if they were still so far apart, clearly showed that Spike was at least curious.

"To be perfectly honest, I liked the dark. I found it was and is comfortable but it was the sheer boredom of having nothing to do that would always persuade me to whine enough so that I was given a reprieve. Anyhow, the 'pity me, I'm such a pathetic sod' act worked a treat each time. Father still was not that impressed by it but he did not care as long as he got his apology and a quiet compliant child for a few days. Mother, in her rather frosty way, liked the opportunity to bestow little luxuries on her 'delicate' son. It gave her the perfect excuse to keep Father from her bed, after all, Father could not have his way with her if a sniveling child is being consoled, however coldly, till the early hours of the morning. To all intents and purposes, I found that my 'delicateness' was being encouraged to show always. After a while, I did not have to think about it, shy, polite little Wesley just flowed out of me each time that I was about to be punished for something."

Spike had to admit he was more than fascinated. He had never come across such an interesting story as much as he wanted to just get out of the library and to a phone, he couldn't deny that his curiosity had taken a firm hold and that he wanted to hear more while... Bryce... was so chatty. Showing that the other man should go on, Spike patted himself down, searching in vain for a smoke and lighter. Disappointed, he snapped at Bryce. "Cunning little bugger weren't you then? Go on.. great stuff so far.."

"Thank you, very much appreciated. I do have to say that there are some rather juicy bits coming up that I think even you will have an appreciation of." stated Bryce somewhat shyly, a light blush staining his cheeks at Spike's unexpected compliment.

Oh Jesus, thought Spike, do I have a neon sign saying 'I only shag complete looney's' on me somewhere because if I do, it's comin' off as soon as I'm outta here.

Seeing the blond head nod and the blue eyes focused on him narrow a little in anticipation, Bryce smugly continued the story.

"This went on for years, right up and till I started secondary school. I found that if I continued to remain meek and mild all the time, no-one would suspect me of anything and so, that was what I did. It was in my third year at secondary school that happened to be my downfall. I had my act perfected. A hesitant way of speaking that was accompanied with a slightly daggy stutter whenever it appeared that I was under pressure, I was shy, extremely polite and an absolute disaster when it came to making friends. Wesley was somebody that no-one would ever admit to being friends with, instead, he was the butt of many a joke. But the fact remains, Wesley was an angel and because of that, there was never really any attention paid towards me." Bryce smiled wistfully as he relayed his childhood to Spike.

"I was pretty much left to my own devices and I absolutely loved it. It allowed me to do all sorts of things. Shoplifting, under age drinking, stole a few of my classmates fathers cars just for the hell of it, petty vandalism. Experimented a little with fire but honestly, it just did not hold the same thrall that the neighbors pets did. What was ever so more appealing though, were a couple of children in Cornwall. Don't think they've been found as of yet. Hmmmm, I shall have to get onto that one later. Anyway, it was just all the usual teenage shenanigans."

Riiight and when I was a bloody teenager, I was too busy trying not to cry and dribble snot on the pure shit that was my poetry, conceded Spike, trying not to let his jaw drop from the shock he was feeling. The man wearing Wesley's body wasn't lying. Spike couldn't detect any of the usual traits that showed themselves when people lied. There wasn't an accelerated heart rate, Bryce's eyes weren't flickering and nor was there any subtle twitching or fiddling. All this just caused Spike to feel even more envious than he already was and still, his curiosity won out over any other emotions. "The brats... how'd you do it then?"

"Now, now. No foreplay just yet. I know what you want to hear and truly, you will get to hear *all* the details later. Ah, where was I? Oh, that is right. Third year. Everything had been going along swimmingly until a new priest turned up at the school's parish. And then the rumours started. Little whispers that he was suspected of going 'all the way' with teenage boys at his old school and that is why he had been sent to mine. It intrigued me, the whole idea that a man would want to touch another man. Honestly, I found it incredibly erotic and couldn't stop thinking about it for weeks. Oh, don't get me wrong. The knowledge that I was gay did not hit me like a bolt out of the blue, numerous awkward fumblings among myself and other young lads assured me of my true sexual orientation. It was just that none of my playmates were ready to take the next step."

"Wot, put out you mean?"

"Well yes. Goodness, I was more than ready. Had been for some time but I wanted someone who had experience. Come now, don't look at me like that, it was going to be my first time and as much of a masochist that I am, I did not want my first time to be a complete balls up."

"None of the older kids pantin' to bend you over then?"

"Unfortunately no. I was a fairly ungainly teenager. Small, thin as a bean pole, clumsy and I'm not even going to mention the acne, it wasn't until later life that I shot up and filled out. Sadly, Wesley was regarded as a complete and utter drip. In fact, there was only ever one outright offer and that had come from the reigning queen of drama, Mr. Sutherdon. It wasn't the offer that I wanted though, the thought of a doddering old man who wore false teeth sucking me really just did not do anything for me. However, the fact remained that I was ready and luckily for me, there arrived a brilliant option in the guise of the new priest. Honestly, you could have coloured me happy."

More like colour you a fucking fruit cake, was Spikes more than sour thought. The half smile that was upon his face slid into a grimace as the first wave of nicotine withdrawal hit him. Fuck, what he wouldn't do for a fag?

"You all right there?" asked Bryce, more concerned at the thought of losing his audience than with Spikes well being. At Spikes nod, he continued his tale of existence.

"Up until this point, I had not even had the chance to appraise the new priest. And what a pleasant surprise it was when I finally got to meet him. I was pleased to see that he wasn't nearly as old as I had thought him to be, only in his early fifties. He wasn't so much handsome as he was rugged but his coarse features only served to display just how masculine he was." Bryce shivered in delight at the memory, his breathing getting heavier as the blood rushed once again to his nether regions. With a long heavy sigh, he ignored the uncomfortable feeling of his cock straining against his slacks and instead, looked slyly at the vampire sitting opposite him. Seeing that Spike's eyes were a light gold, his face ridges just starting to show. Encouraged by this, Bryce went on.

"It was so easy to get close to him. All I had to do was play on my Wesley act and seek refuge in the little chapel every now and again on the pretense of hiding from those who teased me. I always made sure that the Father was present before I ran in crying. He would sit me down on one of the pews and attempt to console me. Each time, I would make sure that I sat a little closer to him until finally, our legs were firmly touching. This went on for months and no matter what I did, he just wouldn't get any closer other than sitting next to me. So, I took matters in my own hands. I deliberately annoyed an older boy and his friends, so much so, that they pummeled and kicked me in a fit of anger. Once again, I ran crying to my sanctuary to see my 'friend'."

"And?"

"Don't worry William, I'm not going to leave anything out." laughed Bryce, his mirth growing at Spike's displeasure at hearing his human name. "But as I told you earlier, you will get the details later."

Smugly, Bryce continued, all the while content to ignore Spike glowering at him.

"This time, he took one look at me and led me into his living quarters, just at the back of the little chapel. There, in the tiny kitchen, he took off my torn shirt and, to my uptmost joy, he gently cleansed all the cuts and bruises that marred my upper body. All the time, his hands kept touching me here and there until finally, his hands rested just on my buttocks. Without a word, I undid my slacks and let them slide to the floor. We stood quietly for what seemed the longest time, I could feel how hard he was, feel him pressing himself into the small of my back. It wasn't until I reached back, between us, and started stroking him through his slacks that he moved. At first, I thought that I had blown any chance I may have had. I tell you, I almost cried for real until I realised he had just gone to lock the kitchen door and draw the curtains over the window."

Spike was more than a little annoyed by the pure joy that was displayed on Bryce's face and knew without a doubt that the priest was not only the one who had taken Bryce's virginity but was the other mans first love. He could smell Bryce's arousal which had only led to Spike becoming half hard himself. As much as he wanted to encourage his cock into a full erection, he didn't relish the thought of Looney Tunes Bryce taking it the wrong way. Bryce's next words confirmed his guess about Bryce's feelings for the priest.

"He took me right there, bent over the kitchen table with hardly a moment's preparation. It was fast, painful and not even remotely what I had expected it to be. I honestly thought that because he was somewhat gentle in his day to day activities, he would have taken some care. However, I wasn't granted that luxury but still, I was getting what I had only been dreaming about for so long. Teeth gritted and with a firm grip on the edge of the table, I rode out the pain, impatiently waiting for the 'spark of pleasure' that was supposed to accompany such activities and as he was brutally grinding into me, I felt it. I swear, my knees almost buckled. It was the single most perfect moment of my life and then..." Bryce's voice trailed off as he was completely captured by his memories. Hands that had been resting neatly upon beige clad thighs were clasped together, twisting in the agitation that Bryce was feeling even if his face was, for the first time, expressionless. An action that Spike was watching with avid interest.

Sensing that there was a bigger confession to come, Spike prodded Bryce along. "Yeah and then what?"

"You fall in love with him?" he added smugly, wanting to know just what would happen if he hit the nail on the head.

"NO!" roared Bryce, coming to life and jumping to his feet in such swiftness that Spike couldn't help but jerk back. Spike grinned madly as a venomous sneer slid across Bryces face and his twisting hands became clenched in rage. The vampire could smell pure anger upon the other man, the arousal all but vanished, and for an instant, Spike felt his nagging sense of unease heighten as he remembered that he was completely defenceless if Bryce decided to stop his pacing and attack him. His own hard on wilting, he berated himself for being stupid enough to provoke someone he had no clue about, Spike set about getting Bryce to sit on the floor again. Toning down his wide smile, Spike indicated the floor only a few steps away from him, telling Bryce that there was no need to get so worked up over something that happened a long time ago. He barely suppressed a shudder as the hairs on the back of his neck slowly rose to attention when Bryce suddenly stopped mid-pace, turned around to stare at Spike before, as quick as a flash, Bryce's bared teeth sneer was replaced with a shy half smile.

"No, I don't suppose I should but what happened in that kitchen set my downfall in motion." explained Bryce softly as he slowly sank down onto the floor at the spot indicated by Spike. Embarrassed at losing his temper, he ducked his head shyly as a blush crept over his cheeks.

Fuck me! Look at the Weasel rise to the surface, Spike marveled at the instant switch, not quite sure how divided the two personalities actually were all the while carefully filing away the second of Bryce's 'trigger points' for later use. He honestly wondered just how far he could push the other man before he was attacked and he had no doubt that Bryce would only lament the mess vampire ashes made of his clothes should it ever come down to it. It was something to test out later, when he had means of escape.

"As I said, for just a single moment, everything was perfect and then... then it wasn't. Everything came crashing down to earth with just a single word. All the time that he was in me, running his tongue along the back of my neck, telling me that he had wanted us to be together for so long... he was with someone else."

"He came didn't he? Right up deep in ya and the bloody toe-rag couldn't even cum with the right name could he?" filled in Spike, laughing bitterly as he had a flash of being with Drusilla and having to put up with her screaming that 'Daddy' was the best. Yeah, Daddy was the best fuck around as far as his black Princess had been concerned, especially when it was Spike who was the one providing the cock. Even though Bryce and Spike now had one thing in common, the vampire found that it did nothing to dull the constant unease he was feeling around Bryce.

"Whose name was it then?" asked Spike slyly, ignoring his own aprehension to go right ahead and deliberately needle the nutter again.

"I don't believe *that* is any of *your* business!" was the stern reply. Spike, sensing a rise in the menace behind Bryce's words, wisely refrained from goading the other man into another fit by insisting that Bryce tell all about what had obviously been a defining moment. Spike simply shrugged nonchalantly at the snapped reply, as much as he wanted to know, he wanted out of the library more. He wanted a pint of blood, to smoke half a packet of fags and reach a phone so he could call the Poof. All pretty much in that order, Spike decided as his nicotine withdrawal took a stronger grip. His headache growing worse, Spike gave a careless reply. "Don't shit on me Mate, you're the one who started this f'n story."

"Language William, I don't want to have to remind you again" warned Bryce, cocking his head to one side as he held the vampires gaze, the gentle tone of his voice belying the intent of his words. The corners of Bryce's smile turned downwards as he regarded the vampire slouching against the wall. "You look uninterested. You obviously don't want to hear the rest of my story."

Mentally cursing at both the threat and Bryce's childish pout, Spike knew the worst thing he could do was upset the mentally unstable man. Taking a chance, he wriggled as close as he dared to a sulking Bryce, unable to resist touching at his still aching nose. "Got a headache. Need me soddi-.. fags, you know, startn' to go into withdrawal. Don't want you to stop though... getting' good it is?"

"Really?" asked Bryce, his sullen attitude suddenly replaced by bright glee. Witnessing the switch, Spike forced himself to smile, nodding his head and gesturing for the tale to continue. "Yeah, yeah. Wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."

"Oh come now William, you and I both know that is entirely false. You are something of an accomplished liar."

Seeing that Bryce was waiting for an answer, Spike spoke grudgingly. "Got me on that one... regular smarty pants ain't' ya?"

"Yes. Actually, I am. Oh well, you need not twist my arm, I shall endeavor to keep you enthralled" giggled the ex-Watcher, oblivious to the sub-vocal growl his humour elicited from the man sitting close to him. He was also ignorant to the fact that Spike would have relished twisting his arm off, beating Bryce to the edge of death with it and then shoving it in a place in which the sun had never seen. Leaning over and giving Spikes leg a hearty slap, Bryce laughed all the more when the vampires features melted into full game face.

"You know, I honestly don't know why Wesley found demons so unattractive? I think that I could well get used to such a face as yours. Anyhow, we shall talk of that later. Now, where was I? Yes, that's right. The good Father called out anothers name as he came up hard inside of me. At first, I didn't quite understand what had happened and honestly thought that he had gotten my name muddled with someone elses by accident. It was only when he turned me around to face him after he had finished and spoke to me, calling me by the other name that I realised he hadn't been with me. He had been with... Well, he had been with someone else and I wasn't very happy with that. The Father had ruined what was supposed to be a perfect first with only one word and I wasn't about to let him get away with it, no matter how much he apologised to me as I got dressed."

"So what did ya do? Cut his bollocks off and make a door knocker outta his co- old fella?" Spike allowed himself to be sucked back in by Bryces story, even if it was to distract him from the dull ache in his nose and a headache that was spreading slowly across his scalp.

"I killed him. Oh not by my own hand but I ensured him a death sentence simply by going straight down to the local police station and telling the truth. I told them that a dirty old priest had taken advantage of me. All the proof was there. My clothes were torn and there were bruises and cuts all over my upper body. Best of all, Father Lachlan was still inside of me. Not only that but he was coating my buttocks and the insides of my thighs. My hysterics and shaking were all too classic 'Wesley', a fine performance that I kept up even during the resulting medical exam and statement process. However, I did manage to swipe one of the swabs the doctor had cleaned me out with when no-one was looking. What on earth are you looking at me like that for? Honestly, there's nothing wrong in wanting to keep a souvenir from your first sexual encounter is there? No. I didn't think so. The swab had his semen on it and I wanted it."

"Nah, not looking at ya strange because of that. Just that you were a vindictive little sod weren't ya?"

"No. I don't think I was. He ruined my 'moment' and he had no right to do so. He should not have uttered a word if he couldn't remember my name. However, he did and that meant he had to be punished. If I had only known how much he had actually ruined through his sheer carelessness, then I would have put more thought into my punishment for him." retorted Bryce indignantly, a little annoyed that a *vampire* was finding him unusual.

"All right..alright, no need to get ya knickers in a twist. Just statin' a fact that's all and don't go tryin' to deny it either. Would just make liars outta both of us."

"No, I wasn't. I was perfectly justified in my actions. No, don't you speak... I *won't* delve down that track again tonight and neither will you."

Spike snorted at Bryce, disdain all too clearly written over his game face. "Whatever. So, did they believe ya or not?"

"Honestly, who do you think they believed? A middle aged priest about whom rumours abounded regarding his 'closeness' to students at his previous school, a priest who had already had to be warned by the school board or me. Sweet little innocent 'butter wouldn't melt in my mouth' Wesley?"

"Riiight and the child molestin' priest?"

"Honestly, how long do you think he would have survived in prison with his, how did you put it, child molesting tendencies? Let me answer that for you... not very long. Poor man."

"F' me. You really are a right nutter." snarled Spike, unable to stifle the small spark of respect that had started to grow for Bryce. Sure, the boy had obviously had a screw loose since he had been born but when compared to Wesley, there was no doubt about it, Spike definitely preferred Bryce. Even with that in mind though, Spike still wasn't that keen to be in an enclosed space with the man. Just because Bryce was earning even just a smidgeon of respect, it didn't mean that Spike was going to let down his guard anytime soon.

"Now, now. No need for name calling. I'm just a little different. Anyhow, no matter what you think, I had *everything* under control. Playing the situation like a finely tuned violin and had the police, school board and even my parents eating out of my hand. For two whole days, everything was fine and then, the therapist turned up. Because I was a minor and due to my recent 'trauma', my parents thought it best that I see someone so that I would be back to 'normal' as soon as possible. The therapist stuffed everything up!" Bryce spat out the last words, his well mannered countenance all but gone as the man once again worked himself into a fit with only a few words. Hands clenched as they hung between his crossed legs, Bryce closed his eyes momentarily, blocking out the library and Spikes presence. He ignored the soft scuffing sounds that came from opposite him as Spike shifted against the wall to think instead about the single biggest mistake of his life. Bryce refused to look at Spike even as he slowly opened his eyes, anger flaring through him as he forced himself to speak of what had happened next.

"He took one look at my constant sobbing and 'please pity me' act, declared me unstable and ordered immediate sedation. Nothing was ever even discussed about the rape, honestly, it was only a few years later that Wesley learned what a pederast actually was. WESELEY LEARNT THAT... NOT ME!" Bryces words ended in a scream, a sound that Spike couldn't help but move a few paces away from. Spike watched, fascinated, as Bryce sucked deep breathes down into him, one after the other, in an effort to calm himself down.

"Me? Do you know what happened to me? Don't you dare open your mouth! Be quiet and I will tell you... do you understand? Good. A month I was at that sanitarium. A whole month full of tranquillisers, mood stabilisers, quiet time with my fellow patients and surprisingly little actual therapy. Do you know why the rape was never discussed? Simply because Wesley kept bursting into tears each time, pathetic sod that he is. As for me, I would have been more than happy to discuss it... sob at first of course but over time, come to accept what had happened. I never got to go back to that school either... do you know why? Because Wesley didn't want to go back and yet again turned on the waterworks for all to see and for the first time in my life, my father agreed to listen to what I was saying and actually made a decision based around that. Oh, he didn't agree with me but with Wesley. Are you sensing a theme here... don't play dumb, you're a smart boy..yes, that's right. Wesley took over. During that time, I found that my sweet defenceless personality had taken control of everything. It had taken the final step and was now a sentient being of its own and until almost four weeks ago, Wesley has been in complete control over everything. Everything that this body has experienced has been because of Wesley."

"And now, Wesley has gone to sleep. I hope forever." added Bryce smugly, delighted by the incredulous look upon Spikes face. Never had he had such an enraptured audience. The fact that Spike was actually the only one to ever hear his story just didn't count.

Spike honestly didn't know what to say about Bryce’s disclosure but he did know that he wanted to hear the rest of the story so with an impatient gesture, Spike indicated that Bryce should continue with a few words. "Why now, what happened so that you're conscious an' all again?"

"What a fantastic question! Do you know, it was all just a simple mistake. Wesley, if you have not noticed, is pretty high strung, flighty and prone to bouts of almost overwhelming angst. Would you believe he is that way only because he has been on medication for depression pretty much from the first time the therapist saw him? No, I'm not kidding! Yes,... totally for real! I don't honestly know how it happened but the medication sedated me to the point where everything looked and felt like a dream while Wesley was the one conscious enough to run this body. I was trapped, unable to speak up or in fact, do anything while Wesley completely ruled my life. *He* did everything by the book. Literally. So much so, that Father actually put his name forward for The Watcher Academy. *He* was the one to earn Mother and Father's respect, not me and anyway, I have no wish to discuss that matter further. Now, where was I?"

"Somethin' about a simple mistake?"

"Oh yes! Many thanks. Now, as I was saying before I got myself sidetracked, my return is all due to a simple mistake. Apparently, the packaging for Wesley's medication has changed and instead of getting his 25mg prescription, the pharmacist gave him a box of 5mg instead. With the weaker dose over the last month, Wesley's hold upon this body has weakened enough to allow me to claim my rightful place once again. Needless to say, I'm pretty much in favour of human error." grinned Bryce, shifting himself closer to the nodding vampire. Settling only a hand span away, Bryce allowed his grin to slide into a soft leer as he slowly ran a finger down the vampires black clad thigh. When Spike didn't pull away or remove his hand, Bryce let his hand rest upon the tight denim.

As much as Spike hated that the other man was touching him, he resolved to just put up with it for the time being. Spike wasn't about to risk getting dusted so that he proved to Bryce just how much he was getting on Spike’s nerves and he knew, the more he played the 'willing' accomplice, the better his chances of getting out of the library on his own two legs. Slowly, Spike let his game face melt away to reveal a matching leer, momentarily gaining the upper hand as he both cocked an eyebrow and halted the progression of Bryce's hand as it crept closer towards his inner thigh and crotch. "So that's why Wes has been lookin' a bit off color for the past few weeks. Sorta wondered what had gotten up his... your... ummm, his ar- backside when he went off tap at the Broody Beast a few days ago"

Smiling and nodding at the vampire holding onto his hand with an iron grip, Bryce was overjoyed that it finally looked like Spike was getting the message as to who was in charge of the current situation. Unable to move his hand further up the firm thigh and to the real prize between Spikes legs, he settled for rubbing his finger along the seams of Spikes' jeans.

"You didn't answer my question before. How long has it been?"

"Still none of you business and Mate, I'm hungry so I need outta this room. Now."

"Ahhh, No."

"You know that I'm startin' to get unhappy don't you?"

"And what, pray do tell, would make you happy?" asked Bryce softly, holding Spikes bright blue gaze with his own steely grey. "Tell me the one thing that would make you a happy little vampire?"

"You already know what it is. This... this f'n chip in me head. Tell you what, how about you have a little think with that scrambled brain of yours... you come up with something that gets it outta me head and you can have me any which way you like for a week. Before I turn ya." replied Spike just as softly, a bitter tone marring his offer as he didn't even bother with trying to fob Bryce's question off. If he tried, Bryce would only pick him up on it immediately. With a desperate air to his being, the vampire knew that if someone could put a lump of silicon and wires into his brain, then somewhere, there was a way for it to be removed. Almost futilely, a small glimmer of hope fought its way through layers of bitterness, disdain and hatred to finally rise to the surface. Maybe this time... just maybe something would go his way and he would get a lead on how to get the chip out... just maybe Wesley.. Bryce or whoever it was would be smart enough to put forth a valid theory. Maybe. His eyes closed, Spike felt the much accursed chip send warning tingles across his scalp as his hand involuntarily clenched around Bryce's.

"William, as good as Wesley was with magic, he wasn't any where skilled enough to get the chip out and that goes for Mr. Giles and the two Wiccas in Sunnydale as well. Needless to say, no-one was about to just open you up and delve right in either. Even if the chip was able to be removed, the best case scenario Wesley, Mr. Giles, Angel, Ms. McClay and Ms. Rosenberg were able to come up with was... somewhat lacking in positive benefits for you."

"Tell me?" Spike demanded almost inaudibly. His eyes still closed, Spike tightened his jaw as he felt the tiny flicker of hope start to die. A brief shake of his head and he found himself wanting to hear more about a discussion that he had never had the opportunity to participate in. "Tell me... just what was so wrong with what you lot came up with? Didn't even know that I was a topic of discussion at all.."

"Oh yes, you most assuredly were. The behavior modifying chip was beyond believing... how on earth could someone come up with such a design. It was a topic that held a sway over us for mon-"

Cutting Bryce off, Spike ground out his words. "Don't stuff around Watcher... Tell me?"

"The best scenario? Well, the best we could come up with is if we went in surgically, there was a high chance that you would be left blind, deaf or permanently brain damaged. The worst case scenario was you being a vegetable... or suffering quadriplegia for the rest of your days. Either way you look at it, you would have been better off in a second death."

"And you're sure that there is no chance with the mojo?"

"Magically? There could be.. I'm sure that there is someone or something either in this world or another who could get it out for you but as for Wesley, Rupert, Tara or Willow... then no. As I said before, none of us are any where skilled enough and in all reality, we concluded the outcome for you would be almost the same as if we had gone in surgically."

"So.. lets get this straight? You lot just yapped away between yerselves and figured that I was fucked any way you look at it and don't bloody well remind me about me profanity.. I *know*!" snarled Spike, opening his eyes to glare at Bryce. This wasn't what he had wanted to hear and yet, he hadn't really expected anything else. Pulling his cold gaze away from a sympathetically smiling Bryce, Spike instead contented himself with glaring at the library's cream ceiling. He didn't want the other mans sympathy and he sure as Hell didn't need it and yet, Spike did nothing to remove the warm hand that was being clasped by his own much cooler one.

A deep silence drifted down upon the small room as Spike tried to take in what Bryce had divulged to him. Certainly, Spike had expected the matter of his chipping to be talked about by the Scooby Gang in Sunnydale and he had even expected his Sire and the L.A. Team to get in on the discussion but he hadn't expected for them to talk about the effects of the removal of the chip would have upon Spike. No, he had only ever thought that they would have thought the chipping was a good thing and to leave it at that.

"You know... you haven't even touched upon another avenue of possibility have you and as for the profanity, well, I shall give you certain leeway," conceded Bryce, squeezing Spikes fingers gently. "Only because I know that this topic of discussion is a touchy one for you but...."

"Yeah, yeah and whose f'n army would be backin' you then?" Spike snapped somewhat lamely even as he was well aware that even a crippled three year old with a half chewed match stick would have no problem in causing the death of one 'William the Bloody'. With a snort, he grimaced half heartedly as Bryce answered that, in Spikes current situation, there wouldn't be a need for anybody to back him up. Shrugging his answer, Spike realised that Bryce had hinted at another possibility of having the chip removed. Determined not to get his hopes up again, he ventured forth with a quiet question.

"So, is there another way or not?"

"Suprisingly, Ms. Rosenberg came up with a way to disable it without even having to cast a spell or open you up. Do you remember anything of your dealings with Adam?"

Jerking himself upright from the wall he was slouching against, Spike felt his mouth go dry. With a cough, he cleared his throat and tried to ignore his worsening headache as he ventured to explain a little about his deal with Adam. "Yeah.. I do. Him and me teamed up to get rid of the Slayer. Told me that he would get rid of me chip in exchange for helpin' confuse the lot of 'em. Didn't pan out and in the end, the big jumble of meat offcuts didn't hold up to his end of the bargin. Why?"

"You know, if you had looked closer at the disk that he had you give Ms. Rosenberg, then you would have seen that he did indeed keep up his end of the bargin."

"Wot?" Looking at Bryce in confusion, Spike admitted to the other man that he had no idea of what Bryce was talking about.

"The disk was given to you to help throw the delightful Scoobies off track right? Fine, now... if you had actually sat down and read the whole thing then you would have found a very tiny program tacked to the end of one of the larger ones. It was this tiny piece of computer language that enables your chip to be turned off."

"Turned off? Not out but turned off?"

"Yes. Permanently"

Spike felt himself go faint as he sank back against the wall. Never had he thought that it was a possibility. Every scenario he had come up with for outwitting the chip always ended in it being removed either surgically or magically. Just flipping a switch and turning it off had never entered his mind. It was so fucking simple. Not out but off. Content just to sit for a few moments to gather his thoughts, Spike couldn't help but laugh out loud at finally being able to get back at everyone who had crossed his path since the chips installation. Sure, he had to somehow get Red to run the program but Spike was more than confident that he would be able to work it out. First, he had to know one thing. "How long?"

"How long has the knowledge of the program been available? A good few years and no, not everyone knew about it. Certain people such as Mr. Harris and his fiancee were not told of it simply because neither of them would be able to refrain from rubbing it in your face should the occasion ever arise and as for Ms. Summers, she probably wouldn't have grasped the whole concept anyway. I'm sure you know how it is trying to explain things to that girl?" Bryce also laughed along with the vampire, ecstatic that Spike was in a much better frame of mind and therefore, hopefully more open to Bryce’s intentions. It didn't matter what Spike thought of those intentions, it only mattered to Bryce how well he went with them.

"Anyone else from L.A. know about it apart from you an' Batboy?"

"Yes, Ms. Chase and Mr. Gunn were also informed of the program due to safety measures but as far as Angel was concerned, it wasn't open for discussion. He deemed your chip a good thing and as your Sire, made the executive decision to have it remain inside you until your second and final death."

Complete and utter fucking bastard, thought Spike. Only a low rumbling growl gave voice to his opinion of his Sire. Just why the Hell had he even contemplated finding a sodding phone and trying to warn the prick about Bryce? Oh yeah, something about havin' a good deal goin'. Well, fuck that for a goddamn joke. Deals were a dime a dozen and anyway, he was bored and bordering on being carelessly stale. As far as he was concerned, what he had just learned meant that his Sire could stick his shitty little deal up his arse because there was not a chance in Hell that Spike was going to do anything in the way of helpin' Angel live for even a second longer. Spike snorted as he felt himself grow so angry, he went from red hot to pure ice. Spike was way beyond his trademark 'death and destruction' anger and well into an icy calm. A calm that was allowing him to see the potential and rewards of careful planning.

"Payback... pure and simple payback."

Eyes glazing over, Spike found himself revelling in the chill that enclosed his body. The fucking arseholes had known all along how much the chip irritated him but do you think any of them had cut Spike any slack because of it? No, they had *all* just laughed along at how domesticated he was because of it. Suppressing an urge to press the giggling humans eyes back into his skull, Spike suggested that they both take a little trip to Sunnydale.

"Ooohh yes! I intend to watch it all. Mr. Giles, Ms's Summers and Rosenberg, the other Wicca, Mr. Finn, Mr. Harris and Anyanka? Let me guess, the plan is simple?"

"Got it one Mate. No-one and I mean not one single person will survi-Goddamn this fucking chip!" roared Spike. At the very end of his notoriously short tether, the vampire flung Bryce's hand away from him, leaping to his feet even as he vigorously massaged his aching head. His mind throwing scenario after blood splattered scenario at him, Spike paced up and down the short space of the library, shooting a sly look at a happily smiling Bryce every now and again.

Up and down, up and down. Spike strode the length of the floor space once more before sharply turning to trek back the opposite way. He knew, without a doubt, that the human sitting on the floor, whether it was really Bryce or a deeply disturbed Wesley, was someone he was willing to quash all his doubts in order to even grasp at a remote chance of getting his chip out. Unfortunately, he trusted Bryce as much as he trusted himself. Which was just about zilch.

"I want this thing outta me"

"And you know what I want in order for me to help you" stated Bryce quietly, a sly smile replacing his previous wide grin.

"So you were serious about bein' turned then?" demanded Spike, ignoring the icy tingle of intuition trickling down his back.

"Yes."

"Let me guess, only so much you can do as a human inn' there and you don't quite fancy startin' out as a minion?"

"As you say, got it in one" smiled Bryce as he watched Spike continue to pace up and down. He knew that Spike didn't trust him and Bryce readily admitted to himself that if he had been in Spikes position, he wouldn't either. However, he also knew that he was currently Spikes best chance of getting the chip out. Laying his cards out on the table, Bryce continued. "I know you don't trust me but the fact remains, I am your best chance of getting your chip deactivated in the next twenty four hours. I mean really, what do you intend to do with your new knowledge... drive to Sunnydale, visit Ms. Rosenberg and ask her politely to run the program to turn the chip off? Somehow, I don't see things going your way."

Still eyeing off Bryce, Spike conceded that the other man had a point. "An' I suppose she's gonna let you in?"

"Oh no, she is going to let Wesley in." Bryce actually stopped short of clapping his hands together in glee. He was so excited that his plan was coming together, well, not that he had a plan but the way things were going.. Bryce wasn't about to complain.

"Only one big flaw in this whole thing ya know?"

"Really? And what would that be?"

"What's to stop me drainin' you all the way once me chip is kaput?" sneered Spike, holding his gaze steady with Bryce. Refusing to let the other man have the upper hand, Spike stopped his pacing and stood in a pure Alpha Male stance, radiating his authority.

Bryce's smile slid away into a serious expression, the human taking note of the defiance in Spikes posture and quickly scrambled from the floor to move closer to the vampire. Assuming an equally Alpha pose, Bryce stood with legs slightly apart, chest thrust forward while he hung his thumbs over his belt so that his hands framed his crotch. Without any fear, Bryce leaned in close to the shorter mans face, "Nothing. Absolutely nothing at all."

The two men stood silently, chests almost touching while the both tried to gauge the thoughts of the other without giving anything away. A minute passed and then another and still, another minute ticked by until finally, Spike held out his hand to Bryce.

Bryce sombrely clasped Spikes smaller hand in his and shook. The deal closed, Bryce couldn't help but go over Spike's deal. "I have a week in which I can use you as I see fit in return for my help with the chip's deactivation?"

"Yeah, that's about it" replied Spike, deliberately turning slightly so that he leant into Bryce's warm body. Spike allowed himself to be pulled into a soft embrace even as he maintained eye contact with Bryce, not quite ready to give the other man total control just yet.

"And whats to stop me from taking my fill of you and staking you before the chip is... kaput?" murmured Bryce, his lips twisting into a sly smile.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing at all" Spike echoed Bryce's earlier words, finally dropping his gaze as he contemplated what he had traded for a new lease on unlife. As he allowed himself to be turned this way and that by an already panting Bryce, Spike made a vow to himself that he would make his soon to be made Childe pay for putting him in such a situation. Unable to hold back a smirk, he realised that he had finally made a choice about Bryce's future. And why shouldn't he try his hand at raising a Childer, especially one who had so much potential? One who was already accomplished at getting his way and could only improve with age. Sure, the man was an obvious nutter but after living with Drusilla for so long, Spike wasn't sure that he could handle a 'normal' Childe. Laughing at the thought, Spike caught Bryce's attention once again.

"Is something of amusement to you William?"

"You know this is the only time you get to use me human name don' ya?"

"And already I feel so privileged just to be touching you" Bryce stood behind Spike, pulling the vampires black t-shirt from the confines of the tight jeans. He bit back a moan as he gently ran his hands along the cool skin, from the slightly concave stomach to the already peaked nipples. Ducking his head, Bryce trailed a wet path down the pale nape to where the collar of the t-shirt sat. There, he lapped daintily, a paradox in how he was twisting and pulling at Spikes hard nubs as savagely as he could.

"Jesus..ju- What the fuck was that for?" snarled Spike as Bryce shoved him to the floor but not before smacking the back of the pale blond head as hard as he could. Indignantly, Spike rubbed hard at the sharp sting that Bryce's larger hand had left and couldn't help but wonder if he had somehow gotten in over his head. All he received from Bryce was a blown kiss and a wink as the younger man casually strode over to the broken bookcase.

"Errr... Bryce? Ahhh.. Mate, we gotta deal remember... you stake me and it's pretty much all off?" ventured the vampire, eyeing off Bryce with obvious distrust as he bent down and started to twist and tug at one of splintered bookshelves. Gulping down a sudden breath, Spike tried to retain his somewhat less than equal hand in a situation that looked like going from bad to worse very quickly. "Sorry for the profanity... was jus' gonna tell ya to cool down the hard on.. you know, got plenty of time for the rough stuff... later?"

"I beg your pardon.. oh, oh your taking the Sacred Son's name in vain... yes, well. That's of no matter at the moment..jus..just come off! Ah, that's it!" Bryce stood upright again, a length of broken wood grasped between both hands. In movement that caused Spike to shudder, he ran a hand along the jagged edge of the oak wood in an almost loving manner. "William?"

"Yeaaah?" came the unsure reply.

"You did want to get out of this room didn't you?"

"Wouldn't mind it... even if jus' to get a bit of brekkie and the like... why?"

Tapping the length of wood against a thigh, Bryce cocked his head as he turned to look at the vampire upon the floor. The very fact that Spike hadn't made a move to get up spoke volumes about how insecure the vampire was actually feeling. Bryce loved having the upper hand at all times, however, he knew that once turned by Spike, he would never have such authority over the bleached blond again. Which made his latest idea all the more fun. Giggling, Bryce took a step forward, delighting in how a Master Vampire visibly shrank back from the wood being jabbed in his direction.

"Hey.. hey, come on now... watch it will ya?"

"Strip."

"Wot?"

"Sorry. William, would you please do me the courtesy of removing your clothes and shoes?"

Without a word, Spike slowly started to remove his clothing from his position of sitting on the floor. First, off came the red over-shirt he habitually wore, as did the black t-shirt. Next, Spike unthreaded his belt from his jeans, placing it carefully on top of the clothes piling up beside him. His boot laces unknotted and loosened, he slid off his worn Doc Martins and then unrolled the socks from his feet. Sticking a sock in each boot, he thumped them none too gently down next to the rest of his clothes. A quick glance at Bryce saw the other man back up a step to allow Spike to climb to his feet. Biting back an uneasy snarl, Spike made the decision not to let his mouth control the situation and quite possibly, make it harder on himself when there was no need for it. At a word from Bryce, Spike's hands froze upon his jeans zipper.

"No.. let me." murmured Bryce, taking a few steps forward and into Spike's personal zone all the while his gaze was fixed upon the bulge in the front of Spike's ultra tight jeans.

The plank firmly held with one hand, Bryce reached out and tentatively stroked at Spike's denim encased cock. Not bothering to acknowledge the jerk his actions elicited from Spike, Bryce cupped his hand and gently squeezed his prize. His own arousal building once again, Bryce massaged the unusually quiet vampire for a few moments before slowly working the jeans zipper down a fraction with one finger. Sliding two lean fingers through the small opening, he rubbed them back and forth across the rough, grainy cotton he found behind the tight layer of denim.

Funny, he had always thought that Spike would take after his Sire and appreciate the finer things in life. The cheap fabric scraping across the tips of his fingers put paid to that little theory. Of course perhaps Angel had just been too cheap to pay for something more comfortable for Spike to wear. Smothering a beginning giggle by lowering himself to his knees, Bryce carefully withdrew his fingers and instead, leaned in close to place his mouth over the small opening. His breath gathered deep in his lungs, he exhaled slowly into the cool space.

Unable to hold back a deep groan as Bryce's hot breath filtered through the thin cotton of his boxers, Spike didn't think twice about wrapping his hands through Bryce's hair. In an instant reflex, he tightened his grasp as a warm tongue hesitantly probed at his burgeoning erection. Steadily, Spike encouraged Bryce to continue his exploration by grinding his hips in the other mans face. "Yeah... yeah, you just keep doin' that Watcher"

"Mmmmmmm... I wish I could but I have more exciting things planned for us?" sighed Bryce, firmly pulling himself away from a golden eyed bleached blond. Once again, he paid no mind to Spikes barely suppressed jerk as he carefully balanced the broken bookshelf against Spike's stomach, the roughly jagged edges coming to nestle just under the pale 'innie' belly button. With the wood situated between Spikes open legs, Bryce hmmmm'd and haaaa'd as he set about working the tight jeans down the vampires legs without dislodging the bookshelf. Finally, he just started to tug the denim down in short but firm jerks.

Fuck, why me? Spike thought to himself. Refusing to let Bryce know just how much the exceptionally pointy wood was bothering him, Spike nonetheless, grimaced each time a rough jerk from Bryce caused the plank to bounce against his abdomen. Slowly, he raised his left foot and allowed Bryce to free his foot from the black jeans, a moment later, and Spike was standing clad in only a pair of cheap white boxers. Wishing to all the Gods he could beat Bryce to death with the bookshelf before he suffered any more indignities, Spike wondered just what the Hell was going to happen next. The way the evening was turning out, Spike didn't have one clue and he wasn't about to suggest anything for fear of giving Bryce a new idea.

Listening to Bryce's heavy breathing, Spike watched as the other man ran his hands up and down Spikes legs, suppressing a sharp and nasty retort when Bryce deliberately ripped a few of Spike’s fine blond leg hairs out, one by one. He knew without a doubt that what was happening in the library was only going to be an appetiser for whatever Bryce had planned for him in the ongoing days. Spike wanted nothing more to just throw the piece of wood as far away from them both as possible but he knew that he would more than likely only tempt Bryce into sticking a few shards of it into some of his softer bits. Heart not included.

He winced again as yet another hair was ripped from his skin and was almost relieved when Bryce turned his attention back to Spikes cotton covered erection. His boxers gripped in Bryce's hands, Spike ventured a little wiggle of his hips and cool smile in the hopes of giving Bryce a hint, his smile growing a fraction warmer when his hint was taken. The sooner his boxers were down, the sooner he had Bryce up him and if Bryce was up him then that meant the wood had to be moved. Yeah, Spike conceded to himself, fucking perfect trade off.

With a flourish, Bryce whipped Spike’s boxers free from the vampires right foot and held them aloft. Laughing loudly, he threw them into the opposite corner of the room and in an impulsive action, thumped down hard on the bookshelf, howling madly as Spike finally leapt away from him.

"Honestly, I didn't think that you were going to put up with that for so long. I had no idea that you had such patience, what a pity that you don't use it more often?" baited Bryce, giggling as Spike started to pace up and down the library again, the vampires half hard cock straining upwards even more in reaction to Bryce's taunt. "Right, now that you are free from that cumbersome clothing... do you know what I want you to do now?"

Teeth ground together in an effort to halt the tide of profanity and blood filled revenge promises, Spike hissed out his reply. "Undress you... fu- shag you... what? I'm not an f'n mind reader here."

"You really didn't like that wood against your skin did you? No, I suppose you wouldn't... being a vampire and *that* gives me such a great idea!"

"Wot?" ground out Spike, promising himself that the first thing he would teach Bryce was that it wasn't polite to poke at vampires with pointy wooden objects. With a cold chill racing down his spine, Spike swore that if it was the very last thing he ever did, he would make sure that Bryce pissed himself at the very sight of a piece of broken wood.

"No.. no, not yet. First, how about you help me move this bookshelf and we can get out of here?"

His jaw clenching even more at his inability to just tear Bryce’s smugly smiling face right off his skull, Spike did his best to ignore the warning tingles of his chip and instead, reminded himself that whatever he went through in the next week or so would all be worth it in order to get the chip deactivated. His cock softening slightly, Spike grunted his answer and warily made his way over to where Bryce was already gathering up an armful of books. Swearing under his breath, he told the other man to just move and with both hands clenched tightly around the oak bookcases edge, Spike gave an almighty tug and pulled the heavy structure a few inches towards him. A few more similar tugs and the library doorway was relatively unobscured save for a few larger piles of battered books decorating the floor.

The last of the books moved aside, Spike stiffened involuntarily as he both sensed a change in Bryce's relatively easy going demeanor and scented the constant menace grow heavier and stronger. Spike was very sure that something not to his liking was about to happen. Sure enough, Spike hadn't had to wait long for his suspicions to be confirmed. Not quite believing what he had heard, he asked for Bryce to repeat the question.

"Goodness William, do pay attention." scolded Bryce, delighted in how warily the vampire was looking at him especially as he had a smaller piece of broken wood in his hands again. Not ready to repeat his query, Bryce took the opportunity to get a good view of the body that he was going to enjoy to its fullest for the next week. With another giggle, he knew that he would indeed be lucky if he had the advantage over Spike for as long as a week and he was well aware that Spike would do anything in his power to make Bryce's temporary domination of him as short a time as possible. If there was a way around it, Spike would never live up to his end of the time limit bargain, however, Bryce was pretty sure that Spike would stick to one part of the agreement and indeed turn him. Simply because Bryce had proved himself a thinker and even though William the Bloody was many things, a known thinker he was not. And a good thinker was a rare thing indeed, especially one that had Watcher training.

These thoughts and more running through his mind, Bryce took in the slender, almost girly figure of the vampire and couldn't help but admire the way Spike's body revealed well hidden fibres of strength each time the blond moved. He was intrigued by the long scar that wound its way up one calf and around Spike’s knee, the skin on the lower limb having been almost taken off and re-attached in a way that caused the hair to grow in the opposite direction to what was normal. He would really have to ask Spike just how he had had such a serious accident and managed to survive his era's poor medical aide. Bryce ignored Spike’s agitated pacing in order to keep looking at the pale form, paying particular attention to the disappointingly normal sized set of genitals between the solid white thighs. Somehow, he had been under the rather naive impression that all vampires were well hung, a theory that had been blown out of the water upon an accidental viewing of an embarrassed Angel's goods. Something that was yet again hammered home by what Spike had on offer. However, it remained to be said that compared to Spike’s glaringly ordinary package, Angel had been somewhat lacking in both girth and length. Suppressing a snigger at the thought of all Angelus' rage being caused by such a simple thing as penis envy, Bryce gave a momentary wonder as to how his former employer was faring.

The glance at his watch to see just how long Angel had been gone and Bryce's concentration was broken as he realised that, give or take a few minutes, Angel would bid the mortal plane his final goodbye in just over half an hour. Rubbing his hands together in glee, Bryce slyly looked towards Spike.

"William?"

"Wot?" snapped Spike, well aware that Bryce had observed him break his stride the moment his name had been said. It was just another little thing for Bryce snigger over. Glaring back towards Bryce standing next to the open library door, cradling the busted bookshelf, Spike couldn't help but feel his skin crawl in something akin to fear as Bryce repeated his question at last.

"I asked you... How fast can you run?"

"Oh. Crap" muttered Spike as he got the message, shot through the open door way and down the third floor hallway. His once hard cock rapidly wilting as he thought back to just how familiar Bryce seemed with broken pieces of wood, Spike couldn't help but roll his eyes as the sound of Bryce's singing followed him.

"Run... run as fast as you can my little gingerbread man!"

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