With no real idea of where to start looking for Penn, they drove back to
the apartment. Angel had barely pulled up when Spike leapt out and
stormed into the building. Angel cut the engine and slumped in his seat.
The stress and strain of the past few hours had settled in his body with
the presence of a persistent, gnawing ache. He was tired, so very tired.

"You okay ?"

Angel turned his head to look at his lover and smiled wearily. "Yeah."

"Look," Doyle continued, "I'm gonna go in and lie down for a bit."
Seeing Angel's concerned expression he quickly added, "I feel fine, I
just need to get my head together that's all. Tonight was a bit much, if
you have my meaning."

Angel did. He also knew that Doyle was making himself scarce in order
to afford him some privacy. The time had finally come for that long
overdue chat with Spike. He wasn't looking forward to it. They went
inside. Once they were in the apartment, Doyle made for the bedroom.
Angel stopped him with a hand to his arm.

Doyle's expression was grim. "I know. I'll see if I can..er..clean up a
bit."

"You don't have to-" Angel began.

"-I don't mind," Doyle lied. "Best we get it cleaned up, yeah." 

He slipped past the vampire, took a moment to steel himself for what
lay within, and then went inside. He closed the door softly behind him.

Angel stared after him, his expression torn. He hadn't wanted to leave
Xander, and he didn't want to leave his lover alone now, but his childe's
pain called out to him and he had to answer. It drew him up to the roof.
He found Spike sat, cross legged, leaning back against the low wall. The
younger vampire looked up as he stepped out onto the rooftop. 

Cold eyes narrowed and Spike took a long hard pull on his cigarette.
"I suppose you want to talk ?" he growled. His face had shifted into its
true form and gold eyes burned brightly in the darkness.

Angel shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "That depends. Do you have
something you want to tell me ?"

"Not really," Spike drawled, "but something tells me if I don't you'll be a
bloody pain the arse about it."

Angel didn't respond to the jibe. He simply walked over and sat down
beside his childe, who, after a moments pause, handed him his cigarette.
They stayed like that for a while, sharing the smoke between them, not
saying anything. Enjoying the silence. When the cigarette was burned to
a stub Spike flicked it away; tiny sparks flew up, dying quickly.

"It was after you'd gone off with her," Spike began softly. "He was being
a right wanker. Ordering me and Dru about. Pretending he was the boss
of us. We didn't care for it much."

"And you let him know that," Angel guessed.

Spike laughed in bitter amusement. "Too bloody right we did. Drove
him crazy between the pair of us." He fell silent again.

"What happened, Will ?" Angel asked gently, though in his soul he
feared he already knew.

"Cunning bastard waited until Dru had one of her 'moments' didn't he. I
was on my way back from town." Spike smiled in sad recollection. "She
wanted ribbons for her hair. I'd got her some." His expression turned
vicious. "He rode me down on that bloody nag of his and then hit me
with a lump of wood."

Gold eyes regarded Angel, their gaze curiously flat and dull. "Do I
really need to tell you the rest ?"

"He raped you," said Angel quietly, his voice tight with pain and anger.

"-and then some," said Spike looking away. "Twisted little prick was
inventive, I'll give him that." His mouth tilted cruelly as he glanced
back at his Sire. "Picked up a few tricks from you he had."

"I'm sorry," Angel whispered hoarsely.

Spike shrugged. "Not your fault, you weren't there."

"I should have been," said Angel pinning Spike with his gaze. "I should
never have left you," he added softly. Reaching out, he stroked along
one sharp cheekbone. They both knew he meant more than his ill-fated
trip to Paris.

"You was different," said Spike. "You didn't want me."

"I never stopped," Angel insisted. "I never stopped wanting you."

Without need for words or questioning glances they drew closer. Lips
touched lightly, tasting sorrow and desire.

"Want me now ?" said Spike.

Angel saw the pain in his childe's eyes and understood. He knew how
overwhelming memories could be; how the tide of the past could sweep
the present out from under you and leave you drowning. Added to the
grief of that remembered night was a fresh agony. Spike had almost lost
Xander. He needed comfort. The kind only his Sire could give.

Angel hesitated only briefly; he knew he couldn't refuse Spike this. He
loved Doyle from the depths of his unbeating heart to the far reaches of
his soul, but his childe filled a void no other could inhabit. Less love, 
more a raw open need; one that drove them to find each other across
continents and centuries.

A cold heartless passion ? ~ Perhaps. Nevertheless, no time, no
distance, however great could free them of this dependency.

Angel let his fingers drift downward, caressing the delicate skin of
Spike's throat. The younger vampire closed his eyes and leaned into the
touch with a tiny sigh. Dark eyes narrowed, then flared gold as desire
stirred between them. He continued to let his fingers play along the
edge of Spike's open collar, slipping just beneath the cloth to touch the
cool flesh beneath. 

He didn't take another kiss, though he ached to claim those thin cruel
lips. Instead, with the ease of long practice, he stripped himself and his
childe; laying the leather coats down on the damp rooftop. Spike neither
assisted nor desisted, remaining mutely malleable to his Master's will.
Angel pushed Spike back onto the coats. Skin gleamed pearl ~ a ghostly
iridescence, pale and flawless. No, Angel reminded himself, not quite
flawless.

A jagged scar bisected one ruffled eyebrow, giving his childe a rakish
air. Then there were the scars that covered his back. Angel knew each
one by memory, each slight ridge and twisted pucker. Inhumanly
sensitive fingertips had mapped out the faded web more than a century
past. 

He still recalled the rage that had consumed him when he'd beheld the
pattern of scars across his new childe's back. Not because Spike had
been whipped - such things were not uncommon and he would take the
lash to the young vampire many times in their turbulent relationship. No
it was because someone had dared touch what was now his; no matter
that it had been done years earlier. 

He had never told Spike that the man who'd flogged him was dead
before they'd left for Rome.

Angelus had drawn the truth out from his childe. By good fortune the
man who'd wielded the whip still ran his small business and occupied
the same lodgings. Or rather, good fortune for Angelus. It was most
unfortunate for the man, who came home one evening to find the
vampire waiting for him in the walled yard. Angelus had literally torn
his victim limb from limb, delighting in the man's agonized shrieks and
dying moans - before escaping across the rooftops as neighbouring
tenants summoned the courage to investigate the dreadful din.

Angel lay down and turned Spike toward him, letting his fingers travel
along those same faint scars. Then he kissed him; tenderly at first, lips
gliding softly against each other, tongues tentatively following the same
path. Wordless reassurances and unspoken comfort. The kisses grew
more urgent as their desire spiralled out between them. 

Fangs cut deep, tearing open jagged slashes, streaking moon-white skin
with scarlet. Grunts and growls sliced through the silence as they lapped
at the bloody smears, probing the wounds to bring forth more. Blood
hunger and frenzied passion were fuelled and fed as they thrust against
each other. With an impatient snarl, Angel pushed Spike onto his belly -
drawing him up so the younger vampire knelt on all fours. 

He prepared his childe quickly. Blood and saliva were the only
lubricants on hand and Spike howled as Angel plunged into him. For a
moment Angel held still; both vampires trembling with need and effort.
Then he began to thrust. Spike's cries changed to ragged mewls as he
pushed himself back onto Angel's hard length, their bodies moving in
tandem as they drove against each other.

Angel clutched his childe's slender hips as he sank in and out of the
younger vampire's trembling body. With a sudden cry he arched back,
head turned toward the night sky as he came, spilling his seed deep into
the tight channel. Spike thrust himself back - once....twice more - and
then came too, his howl ringing out across the rooftops. 

They both sank down onto the hard ground. Angel slipped free of Spike
and pulled the shivering vampire into his arms. No words were spoken
as they lay there, and after a time, still in silence, they dressed and
went
down.

Doyle was waiting in the main room. He was laid on the couch, staring
up at the ceiling. He got to his feet at they entered. 

Angel met his lover's gaze and swallowed sharply, uncertain what to
say. He knew Doyle was aware of what he'd done. Even a human could
have picked up on the signs. However, Doyle showed neither surprise
nor distress at their dishevelled, bloodied appearance. Angel blinked, a
little startled, when the young man smiled gently.

"You two's best get cleaned up. I've made the bed. I'm turning in now."
Still wearing that strange little smile he wandered away into the
bedroom. 

Not overt perhaps, but definitely an invitation - an invitation that had
been extended to them both. 

Angel steered his still shaking childe into the bathroom. He turned on
the shower and led an unresisting Spike under the hot spray. Once they
were done he nudged Spike out of the cubicle. Spike remained subdued
as he took the towel Angel held out to him. He didn't speak until they
were outside the bedroom.

"I want to find him."

"It's nearly dawn," Angel pointed out, "and we have no idea where to 
look."

Spike's face shimmered and gold eyes changed to adriatic blue. "He'll
find us."

"Yes," said Angel simply.

"So we wait ?"

Angel nodded.

"I hate waiting."

Angel couldn't help but smile in fond amusement. "I know."

"Fuck," Spike muttered.

Angel took his hand. "Come to bed, maybe tomorrow we'll think of
something."

Spike nodded reluctantly but didn't move.

"Will ?" Angel asked.

"What about ?" Spike indicated the closed door with a nod of his head.

"It's a big bed," said Angel softly.

Spike seemed to consider this, then he gave another terse nod and they
went inside.

Doyle had purposely positioned himself on the far right side, leaving the
rest of the bed free for the two vampires. Still holding onto Spike,
Angel got in beside his lover, gently tugging Spike down to lay with
him. Doyle draped an arm around Angel's waist and snuggled closer.
Angel moved back into the embrace, drawing Spike with him.

Each relied upon the other to hold the nightmares at bay as exhaustion
stole over
them, pulling them into any uneasy, unsettled sleep.

Part Thirteen  

Xander awoke to a world of pain - from tiny tremulous twinges to a
deep throbbing ache centred around his heavily bandaged throat. He
forced his eyes open a crack and closed them again hurriedly when the
bright blurry images induced a rush of nausea. If this was the afterlife
he was singularly unimpressed.

He remained quite still, eyes pressed shut, until a metallic rattling
goaded his curiosity. It got louder, stopping somewhere near the bed.
Xander re-opened his eyes and slowly the room swam into focus. He
found himself staring into cheerful, smiling face - all crooked white
teeth and chaotic, spiky blond hair. The young man was pushing a small
wheeled tray.

"Hiya, how ya doing this fine morning ?"

"Ughhzzt," said Xander with feeling.

"Yeah, you don't look too bright," the young man admitted. "Don't
worry 'bout it. The Doc'll be round in five. He'll fix you with something
that'll perk you right up."

<I'll take two of whatever you're on> Xander thought, trying to push
himself further up the bed.

"Woah ! Easy there fella," said the man rushing to assist. "You don't
wanna be movin' around too much yet."

Xander found he had to agree with this assessment when a roll of dizzy
nausea rushed up from his belly, burning the back of his throat. "Oh
boy," he groaned. He swallowed hard and allowed the man to prop him
back against the lumpy pillows.

"That better ?"

"Mmm," said Xander wondering if he was about to throw up.

"Okay then, let's get you cleaned up."

<Huh ?>

"Got to have you bright and shiny for the Doc," the man continued
cheerfully.

Xander watched as he pulled the covering towel off his tray - revealing
a small bowl of steaming water and a dull yellow sponge. "Lo.. look
...I'm f-fine.." he protested weakly.

The young man waved off his protestations and proceeded to give him a
fairly thorough but surprisingly gentle wash. It actually felt pretty good,
and in the end Xander just laid back and went with it. Someone had 
removed his heart monitor while he'd slept and the man worked around
his saline drip with smooth professionalism. 

Xander tensed when the man undid his gown to wipe the sponge across
his chest; self conscious of the marks that had been left uncovered.
However, the man showed no curiosity, and it was all over in less than a
minute. Xander was patted dry and covered back up before he could
chill.

"Good ?"

"Yeah, th-thanks."

The man grinned toothily and nodded. He called out a cheery, "Catch ya
later," as he pushed his rattling trolley out the door.

Xander closed his eyes, suddenly very tired again. He only meant to rest
them but he must have fallen back to sleep. The sound of voices woke
him. A middle aged man and a dour looking woman stood either side of
his bed.

"Good morning, Mr...," the doctor frowned, "Hmm, it appears we don't
have your name. Perhaps you could oblige me ?"

Xander thought quickly - not an easy task with a head apparently full of
cotton wool. "Giles, Alexander Giles." <Hope you don't mind G-man.>

"Well, Mr Giles. Let's have just have a quick look at you shall we."

For the next few minutes Xander was prodded, poked, and talked over.
Irritated, he found himself too tired to object. He did gather that they
were delighted with his progress - actually astounded would be nearer
the mark. The doctor joked that Xander must be taking his vitamins.

<Yeah> Xander thought dryly <I'm doing iron supplements> He had no
doubts that his near miraculous recovery could be put down to his status
as Spike's consort and the odd slurp of vamp blood. Apparently his lover
had forgotten to mention this handy healing factor.

"All done," the doctor announced. "We just need to take a few details
for our records."

Xander bluffed his way through the next few minutes. He was twenty-
one. He was new in town. No, he didn't have insurance or any I.D; his
wallet must have been lost during the attack. They didn't seem overly
concerned with his answers. The nurse scribbled down his replies on a
number of different coloured forms.

"That's about it for us," said the doctor. "Now, do you feel up to
answering a few more questions, Mr Giles ?"

"M-more ?" Xander stammered.

"You suffered a very serious attack," said the doctor gravely, "and if it
weren't for the prompt actions of your friends, it could have been much
worse."

<I could have died> Xander thought numbly.

"We felt it prudent, in the light of a possible dangerous loose animal, to
contact the police," the doctor continued. "However, your friends failed
to stay to talk with the officers last night, so someone would like to
speak with you about what happened."

Xander tensed."The Police ?" 

"Yes, may I tell her to come in ?"

"Okay," said Xander faintly. His heart quickened. <Calm. I am calm>
He wished he knew what exactly the others *had* said when they'd
brought him in. <Animal attack ? !> He decided to fall back on an age
old safety measure - when in doubt deny everything.

The doctor and the nurse left. A moment later the door swung open
again and an attractive blonde woman with cool expression entered. To
Xander's experienced eyes she practically screamed *authority*. She
had that brisk, no nonsense air about her that he was used to seeing in
games teachers and other generally unlikable types.

She nodded her head by way of a brusque greeting. He responded in
kind, feeling less happy with the situation by the second.

"Mr Giles ?"

"Er..yeah."

"I'm Detective Lockley. I understand that you were attacked by some
sort of mysterious animal last night ?"

Xander swallowed hard. The action served as an unwelcome reminder
of his recently abused throat. "Look, I..I really don't remember mu-"

"-then let's start with what you do remember," she cut in smoothly. She
consulted her notes. One of your friends stated that it was some kind of
a dog. Can you add anything to that ?"

"Not really," said Xander. She arched an eyebrow at him. "It was dark. I
didn't...see anything."

She nodded thoughtfully. "Well, the doctor seems to support your
friend's theory that it was probably some kind of large dog. Your throat
wound is apparently consistent with a canine attack."

"Well, see, there you go then," said Xander, offering the woman a
nervous smile. "Big bad dog."

"Hmm," she said non-committally. "Except I don't know of any dog
breed that can write." She looked at him sharply. "Do you Mr Giles ?"

"Wha-what ?" Xander stammered.

The Detective looked back down at her note pad. "The Doctor who
treated you was quite insistent that the marks on your chest were not
random scratches. He wrote down what he believed they spelled out."
She held a slip of paper out to Xander. "This is what he gave me."

With a trembling hand Xander took the note. Memories assailed him.
The slow, precise cuts the vampire had made as he lay helpless. His
breathing quickened. "I.....I ...d-don't know...what..it...means." He 
thrust the note back at her.

She accepted it, watching him closely. "Are you sure it was an animal
that attacked you, Mr Giles. Could it in fact have been a man ?" She
leaned toward him. "Or something *like* a man ?"

Dark eyes focused on her, wide and shocky. "I...I don't know...."
Xander began to hyperventaliate.

She either didn't notice or chose to ignore his distress. "Well perhaps
your friends can cast some more light. Now they've had chance to think
about what happened. Can I have their names and addresses so I can
check with them ?"

Xander shook his head. "I d-don't know.."

"You don't know who they are or where they live ?" Her tone was
disbelieving.

"No," said Xander. "I....we..only met..last night." Spots were beginning
to form in front of his eyes. His hand reached blindly for the silent
buzzer hanging down beside his bed, pressing it desperately several
times.

"Can you at least describe them for me," she persisted. "Where did you
meet them ? In a club ?"

Xander looked past her as the door opened. He'd never been so grateful
for medical intervention in his life. The nurse frowned as she took in his
agitated state.

"I think that's quite enough questioning for now. Mr Giles needs his
rest," she informed the detective frostily.

"I need to-" 

"- perhaps you'd like to come back tomorrow," the nurse continued as if
the Detective hadn't spoken. "Mr Giles will probably be well enough to
answer any further questions then."

It wasn't a suggestion and the detective reluctantly allowed the nurse her
'home victory.' "Right. I'll come back tomorrow," she agreed coolly.
"Hopefully your memory will be feeling refreshed by then too." She left
without another word.

The nurse's expression softened as soon as the door closed. "Now then,
hon, are you gonna be okay, or shall I ask the doctor to bring you
something ?"

The only two things Xander wanted were his lover and a ride home.
Since he couldn't have either right now he shook his head.

She helped him lie back down. "Okay then, hon. You just get some rest.
I'll make sure she don't come back to bother you."

Xander smiled gratefully and closed his eyes. Within minutes his breathing
had slowed, and the drugs still swirling through his bloodstream steered
him into a
deep, dreamless sleep.

Part Fourteen  

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 it 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 some gym he goes to. He lives in an
apartment above it. 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 Fifteen  

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 luv."

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 - no where
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 all right ?"

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 loathe 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. "All right, 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 companionble 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 Sixteen  

"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 opportunity
present 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.


Chapter XX

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 childe 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 agonizing 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.>

Part Seventeen  

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 ! Uou 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, man.
They seem to think you're after drugs or summit. 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 deadweight 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.

Epilogue

"I guess this means you and I get the floor again, yeah," said Doyle,
sounding less than happy about the prospect.

Angel threw down some blankets and a couple of pillows. "Unless you'd
rather cuddle up with Xander and Spike."

"Er, no. I'll pass," said Doyle quickly.

Angel stripped off his clothes and lay down, folding his arms behind his
head. "What do you think of him ? 

"Xander ? He's a good kid-"

"-not Xander," said Angel softly, "Spike."

"Oh." Doyle paused halfway through taking off his pants. He slid them
off the rest of the way in silence and slipped under the blanket. After a
minute or two he said quietly, "D'yer mean, am I bothered about you
and him ?"

Angel sat up so he could look into his lover's face. "Are you ?" he asked
anxiously.

Doyle sighed as he thought how to answer. "I know some stuff," he
admitted. "I mean, I know vampires don't take this Sire, childe thing
lightly. I know you have to...be there for him sometimes."

"He...Spike, was upset," said Angel awkwardly. "I... he needed me."

Doyle winced. "Yeah, I get that." The young man ducked his head.
Green eyes peered up at Angel somewhat wistfully. "You couldn't have
just given him a hug ?" 

Angel's mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "Spike's not much for platonic
embraces."

"Yeah, fair enough," said Doyle. "I guess maybe I'm just a bit...jealous."
He flushed, adding quickly, "I mean you and him have a history."

"Most of it bad," Angel pointed out.

"So...What, you're mending bridges here ?"

"I want...." Angel hesitated. "I want things to be right between us."

"And *us* ?" Doyle asked plaintively. 

In less than a heartbeat Angel lay down and drew the young man into
his arms. "I *love* you," he declared fervently. "Never doubt it. Heart
and soul, I am yours."

Doubts faded; Doyle smiled. 

Angel relaxed slightly and returned the smile.

They kissed, slow and tender. Doyle nudged Angel over onto his back
and proceeded to travel down the vampire's torso with eager lips and
tongue. He kissed and licked every inch of chilled-satin skin, playfully
tugging on Angel's nipples. He drew the stiff little points into his mouth
and suckled on them greedily.

Angel let out a long moan and wound his fingers through Doyle's short
hair, gently drawing the young man up for a deep, searching kiss. They
explored one another's mouths with lazy passion. Slow was soon not
enough and the kiss grew more urgent. Angel carefully manoeuvred
Doyle, bringing him closer, cradling the young man between his thighs.
Bodies aligned, their erections brushed, making them gasp.

The kiss broke and their eyes locked - green tumbling into gold. 
Slowly they began to move. Soft gasps, ragged breaths, and gentle
groans broke the silence. Angel's neck arched back as he began to pant.
Doyle pressed his lips against the smooth skin of his lover's throat. He
pressed his teeth against the trembling flesh.

"*Yesss* Angel hissed.

Doyle barely hesitated. He bit down hard, tasting sharp copper as the
skin broke beneath his teeth. He ran his tongue along the row of tiny
puncture wounds. Angel groaned.

Suddenly the vampire flipped them over. Doyle gasped as fangs scraped
along his collar bone, grazing the skin. Angel drew back, his expression
anxious. Without hesitation, Doyle placed his hand behind the vampire's
head and drew his lover back toward his throat. He held his breath, then
cried out, arching upward, as sharp fangs pierced his flesh. 

His erection twitched as ribbons of ecstasy unwound through his body,
spreading outward from the fiery point at his throat. He could feel the
blood welling into the wound, liquid heat trickling across his burning
skin. He could hear the soft noises as Angel drank. He pushed upward,
grinding his hard flesh against Angel's body. 

When the vampire pulled back from his throat, Doyle gave a little sob
of protest. Angel's lips covered his instantly and he tasted the fresh
metallic tang coating them. Cold fingers encircled his erection and
began to stroke him gently. Doyle bucked his hips impatiently and the
tempo increased. With a gasp Doyle came, his seed spilling over his
lover's hand.

He lay, trembling, eyes closed. They opened quickly when a cool, wet
mouth closed over his spent flesh, cleaning it gently, but thoroughly.
"Hmmzzt," Doyle murmured. Angel came back up to lie beside him.
Doyle lay, breathing hard, until it sank through his desire-addled brain
that Angel hadn't come yet. He let his fingers wander down the
vampire's body until they reached the silken length.

Doyle ran one finger down his lover's erection, feeling it twitch into his
touch. He looked at Angel. The vampire was very still, eyes closed,
mouth parted slightly - the barest glimpse of ivory behind kiss swollen
lips. Doyle wiggled onto his side and placed his hand gently, but firmly
around Angel's rigid length. Gold eyes fluttered open.

"Want to watch you," Doyle whispered. He stroked once, gently.

Angel made a soft pleasured sound.

Doyle moved his hand and Angel began to pant. Heavy-lidded, the
vampire focused on him, near drunk with desire. Doyle kept up the
rhythm as Angel began to thrust into his fingers. He speeded up the
tempo, enjoying his lover's soft grunts and growls. He slipped his free
hand beneath the straining flesh, lightly kneading the heavy sac. Angel
bucked hard into his grasp and came with a choked cry. 

Doyle drew his slippery fingers up to his mouth. He sucked each one,
slowly and deliberately. Angel watched, wide-eyed. Then the vampire
growled and grabbed him, kissing him fiercely. 

When the kiss broke they remained in the circle of one another's arms.
After a while Doyle spoke, "I can deal...you know...with you and him.
Just give me some time, yeah ?"

Angel tightened his hold. "Okay," he whispered.

Doyle nuzzled closer and closed his eyes. Within minutes he was
asleep.

Angel realised the young man still hadn't said what he thought of Spike.

****************************************************

Spike lay, watching the subtle rise and fall of Xander's chest. The boy's
face was titled toward him; his soft, sweet breath brushed Spike's skin
with each gentle exhalation. Blue eyes traced each feature, memorising
the shade and shape of lips, nose, and eyes ~ lax in sleep. His gaze fell
upon the faint scar scoring Xander's cheek. The lines had paled but were
still visible, more so to his inhuman sight.

Thin lips compressed tightly. Very carefully, Spike leaned forward and
kissed the mark, nuzzling Xander's cheek gently before he drew back -
inhaling the young man's scent. "Mine," he whispered. Spike drew the
blankets closer, tucking them around his lover. Then he lay back down,
one hand resting lightly on Xander's chest, feeling each breath through
his fingers.

Hours drifted by, Spike remained awake. He heard Xander whimper
softly and he tensed in readiness. Heart-rate and breathing quickened,
then Xander suddenly jerked and tried to sit up. Spike didn't try to
restrain him; instead he spoke to soothe the frightened youth. "Woah
there, tiger. Easy, easy." 

"S-Spike ?"

"Still here, pet. Just like I promised."

Xander sank back into the pillows, breathing hard.

"Bad dream, yeah ?"

"Oh, yeah," said Xander breathily. "The baddest."

"Wanna talk about it ?"

Xander turned his head toward his lover.

"I mean, if you want to," Spike mumbled awkwardly.

Xander smiled faintly. "It's no biggie. Just the usual capture, torture
stuff." His attempt to be blase was undermined by the slightly panicked
look that had settled on his face.

"I'm guessing the flashback didn't help none, hmm ?" said Spike.

Xander blinked. <Transparent, much ?> He *had* panicked when 
he'd woken from a feature length nightmare to find himself lying on a
key prop. He just hadn't expected Spike to be so...well...sensitive.
"Yeah," he croaked hoarsely. "My memories of this room need a little
work."

Spike didn't answer. Reaching to the floor he picked up a glass of 
water. "Here, have a sip of this. It'll help your throat." He assisted,
lifting the youth slightly and holding the glass steady while Xander
drank. 

Xander took a few sips and then lay back. "Thanks."

Spike set the glass back down. "You know we don't have to stay 'ere. I
can borrow Peaches car. Get us a room somewhere."

Xander shook his head, smiling wanly. "No, it's okay. I....I need to do
this.

Spike lay down again beside his lover, laying his arm lightly across 
the boy's chest. "Remembering's hard," he said quietly. "Memories can
drive you mad if you let 'em." Brown eyes turned toward him, the gentle
orbs bright with pain. 

"I just want to forget," Xander whispered desperately.

Spike smiled sadly and brushed dark bangs back from Xander's pale
face. "I know, luv. I know. Time'll blur it a bit."

"I won't forget though, will I ?"

Spike's expression was serious as he held the boy's gaze. "No, not
totally. The mind don't work that way."

Xander rolled over so he could press his face into Spike chest.

Spike stroked the boy's back as he held him. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry,
pet."

Xander drew back. "Not....not you fault," he said brokenly. "He....he
hurt you too." They both knew he wasn't referring to recent events and
Spike's gaze dropped away. "Do...do you still remember ?" Xander
asked.

Spike gave a bitter smile. "Our sort don't have the luxury of forgetting,
pet. See our memories don't fade." He tapped the side of his head. "We
keep everything locked away up 'ere. Every detail, picture sharp, down
to the last bloody reel."

Xander's face tightened in sympathy and distress.

Spike's gaze softened. He touched the boy's unhappy mouth gently.
"Here, don't take on so. I remember good stuff too. Even back then it
weren't all bad." 

He grinned wickedly. "Plus I get to memorize all those little breathy
moans you make when you're close to coming. The way that flush steals
across your skin, right down to your balls. The way your mouth drops
open when you're surprised and that neat little furrow you get when you
frown." Spike stroked said furrow with his forefinger. "Yep, that's the
cute little bugger."

Xander couldn't help but smile at the vampire's words. "You're crazy,"
he told his lover. "You know that, right ?"

Spike looked positively indifferent to the possibility. "Hmm," his grin
turned sly, "but if I'm crazy...and you love me...What does that make
you ?" he teased.

"Certifiably insane ?" Xander quipped. The gentle humour was easing
his distress, that and the closeness of his lover. Here, with Spike, he 
felt.....safe.

Spike's answering grin disappeared behind an uncertain look. "You're
still all right then ? I mean with this, with us ?"

The unusual show of vulnerability drove home for Xander that he wasn't
alone in being shaken by the past few days. He wriggled closer. "More
than okay. I love you, remember."

Spike's grin switched back on. "Love you too, pet." He gave Xander 
a quick, tender kiss. "Things will be better when we get us our own
place." His mouth twitched in amusement. "I think Peaches wants his
bed back. He's a bit past this sleepin' on the floor lark."

"We haven't got any money yet," said Xander worriedly. "How can we
get a place ?"

Spike shook his head in fond exasperation. "Pet, I'm a vampire, you're
my consort. We find a place and move in. That's how it's done."

"We're not killing any one," said Xander firmly.

Spike crossed his unbeating heart with mock solemnity. "No good guys.
You have my word."

Xander took one look at the glint in his lover's eye and decided the bad
guys better move out fast.

"So where do you fancy. No high rises, mind. Up there's a bad place to
be when it's hot and sunny."

Xander gave him a look. "And here was I thinking a penthouse would
be the perfect spot for me and my turns-to-dust-in-daylight lover."

Spike ignored the dig. "So somewhere dark then, yeah ?"

"*Not* a basment...Or a crypt," said Xander firmly. 

"You want something like this ?"

Xander shrugged. "It's nice but a bit......"

"Nancyish ?"

Xander frowned, "I was going to say old fashioned. I'd prefer
somewhere a bit more 'this century'."

"Right then, we'll get the mick on it first thing."

"Doyle ? Why Doyle ?"

"Cos," said Spike, "he's lived here longer than any of us. Plus you are
staying in bed until you're stronger and I'm staying right here." He
jabbed the mattress with his finger.

Xander smiled. "Good," he said softly. Spike ruffled his hair and kissed
his forehead.

"Go to sleep, pet. Spike'll keep the nightmares away."

Xander closed his eyes. Cool fingers caressed his face as he slipped
back to sleep; the bad memories held at bay by the reassuring touch of
his lover.



THE END.