*****

Buffy entered the crypt, stake in hand, to face her old enemy.

"Spike."

The vampire emerged from behind, startling her, but before she swirled and staked him he jumped backwards towards the steps.

"Gez it's been four years Slayer and you still don't trust me... clever girl."

Spike smiled at the girl. The blonde looked at the vampire with unhidden affection on her features. Herself and the older man had suppressed their differences in a time of importance and Spike came out on top for a change helping the Slayer when she needed it most. Showing sides of himself that Buffy didn't think existed, and Spike would say that definitely didn't.

"So what's up Slayer, you look a little edgy."

Well that was an understatement, she looked a mess. So tense, eyes continually looking around in paranoia. Spike knew of course what as causing it but he needed for her to think she was in control.

"Angel's out killing his Childer."

This wasn't exactly a surprise he knew it had something to do with Angel the chit always got the same way about him. Spike smiled as he realised she was worried about him.

"Don't worry luv... he won't kill me."

Well he might but if it's just his Childer, Spike shouldn't be bothered.

"But Spike he's killed Penn, Drusilla, Kath and Jacque. That only leaves you and Cathos left according to Giles."

"No luv, that leaves no-one."

He saw the confused statement and elaborated.

"I killed Cathos, fucking decades ago but Drusilla would've killed me if she knew."

Buffy looked even more confused.

"Luv sit down and I'll explain, but only if you promise never to take it outside this room."

"Of course."

Spike paused, taking in a long unneeded breath.

"Angelus didn't make me... Drusilla did, Angelus just feed from me from time to time, but I suppose Drusilla saw potential. Angelus got angry with her for making me."

Spike glanced across at the Slayer, she was a bit edgy. "The next bit is a bit iffy, but I suppose I could tell it withou..."

"No, please, tell me the full story."

"Well Angelus decided to see whether I was worthy enough to be Childer. I lived on the streets before I got the job in the book stores... Pick-pocketing you know, and my Dad used to beat the shit out of me... So when Angelus began to torture me I knew better than to speak or make a sound. He wasn't as good back then I suppose being souled has taught him a few tricks... never mind... so I shut myself off knowing that I'd heal and waited."

The slayer fidgeted again Spike decided to speed up the story.

"He soon became tired of me, after a couple of days and he saw no way to break me... My presence was tolerated and he taught me what Drusilla could not. He may be my Sire but I'm not and never will be, one of his Childer. I wasn't worth it."

Buffy looked at Spike and smiled,

"Well how horrible that story is, it puts me at ease, thanks."

She made to leave.

"I'll see you on patrol tonight?"

"Ah I'll have to pass luv, got a date you see..."

He smiled and winked and she threw her head back in laughter as she left. His eyes followed her out through the door before he made a move. Locating his duster and his cigarettes he prepared to leave. Time to go under ground, better safe than sorry, anyway. If it's one thing Spike knew it was survival and being in Sunnydale while his Sire's on a family chainsaw massacre was just foolish. He was pretty sure that Angel wouldn't bother with Spike. He wasn't ever part of the family. He thought of what Buffy said...

"Penn, Drusilla ..."

Drusilla. My beautiful goddess, he missed her, he knew he'd never see her again in this life, but Drusilla was a constant reminder of what he had lost... He loved her. In a fickle way she loved him back but it would never last, it was never meant to. The sun began to set and Spike began to will it down as the urgent need to escape increased. As soon as he set foot outside his crypt he smelt it... Angel... Fuck.

He ran to his nearest underground dive where he could crash but still the smell continued to follow him. So he headed to the only place he knew with a tactical advantage... The mansion. He made it there just before he went mental with panic at the thought of Angel. He rushed through the entrance straight into Buffy who was standing with stake in her hand.

"Bloody hell!"

Was torn from his throat as the wooden stake entered his arm. The steady pace he had heard Angel taking all through the night began to speed up and Spike knew it was the result of his spilt blood. Buffy tried to apologise, but Spike waved her hand in her direction for her to be quiet.

"Buffy hide, if he comes too close, you threaten the bastard but not before I yell, ok?"

Buffy nodded in confirmation and Spike rushed out into the garden hoping the smell of jasmine will cover the smell of the Slayer. Buffy hid in the living room as Angel entered he looked no different, well he's a vampire wasn't like he actually changed. He lifted head in recognition of the Buffy's scent and the Slayer cursed herself. He walked straight towards the garden but Buffy stood still and waited for Spike`s instruction or cry, she trusted Spike. She could almost hear his words.

"Silly girl."

She smiled.

Spike lounged in the far side of the garden as the older vampire approached. He smiled a viscous smile.

"Well what a surprise, do sit Angel make yourself at home."

The spiteful irony of the comment wasn't lost on the older vampire but he chose to let it pass.

"Childe come here!"

"Sorry mate not your Childe, never was."

"You are my Childe, now stop making me angry and come here."

"Mate, I don't know where you get your ideas from but you are not My Sire... apart from being a little shorter with longer hair my Sire was a women."

"She my have made you but you where mine, boy."

"If I was your Childe how come I can defy you now... Why don't you just use the blood to make me come to you?"

Angel looked at the blonde with suspicion. He knew this was going to be difficult he just didn't want it to be. He had to correct this mistake, but it looked like Spike wasn't going to let him.

"You see Peaches... I'm not your Childe. I'm no-bodies Childe..."

Angel walked straight up to the younger vampire so they were stood toe to toe, nose to nose... alright nose to chin.

"...Don't even think about, one word from me and you'll have a stake so far up your arse you'll be dust."

"You think you can do that Spike."

"No... but Buffy can."

Spike grinned and gestured to the back room. Angel scowled. As Spike began to move away Angel grabbed him round the waste to hold him still. Spike looked up and tutted to Angel.

"Now Peaches you don't wanna do that... give it up you don't need to kill me, I'm not your Childe."

Angel's eyes went black, matching the storm beginning to rise in the younger vampire's. Spike was prepared for a fight, Angel was prepared for something different.

"That's what I'm trying to rectify if you would just listen, boy."

Spike was confused for an instant, but then comprehension filled his frame as Angel's fangs descended straight into his throat. Spike yelped not shifting, not wanting to comprehend what Angel meant by this offer. Angel's eyes closed in bliss as he began to suck for the non-flowing blood in Spike's body. Spike felt the moan travelled up the older vampire's chest straight into his own throat. The older vampire began to suck harder to get more, always more, of this blood, of this feeling, of this man. Angelus had been angry when the boy had been brought home for the reason that he had wanted to have the young man. Angelus couldn't stand the thought that his Grand-Childe would be worthy of him when his own Childer weren't. But William was ruthless, could take any amount of pain while remaining to have a lust for life or unlife which Angelus lost within a couple of years. Angelus hated the boy, wanted him, needed him and obsessed over him but hid his feelings from his Sire who would've laughed and from Spike who should be considered an inferior. The blood was amazing, coursing through his dead veins, so sweet, tinged with two slayers and his own Childe.

It was at this moment he realised Spike wasn't feeding back.

Spike was feeling light headed. This was a trick. Spike didn't understand. Was he going to make him his Childe so he could kill him. He didn't move to drink, just let Angel drain him slowly, but the long fingers grabbed the back of his skull grasping hair and with a sharp tug of hair Spike vamped out, but before he could shake it away Angel guided the younger mans fangs into his neck. The blood tasted sweet, pure and Spike's demon yearned and howled. Angel lifted his head retracting his fangs from the heaven of Spike's neck and the younger vampire did the same, looking at the older vampire with confusion.

"I claim you Spike, you're mine."

Angel eyes closed and waited for the feel of their union to settle but it didn't there was nothing. He opened his yellow eyes to see Spike smirking evilly down at him. The younger vampire turned to the side and spat the dark liquid onto the concrete.

"That's how much your blood interests me... and I've been living on pigs blood."

Angel felt his heart wrenched in two.

"I'll never submit, I'm a survivor and I will never be your Childe."

Spike stood on shaky legs and walked to the entrance of the garden.

"Do you honestly think you could get rid of me that easy?"

He didn't wait for the answer and stormed out of the mansion, only stopping to have a quick word with the Slayer. Angel heard the words and couldn't believe how wrong Spike was.

"Never want rid of you."

He muttered quietly to himself knowing that he would never make the admission to the younger vampire his chance had passed. He began to cry. Soundless and expressionless, blood tinged tears ran down his cheeks.

Buffy watched as Spike came storming through. His lips were tainted red and his shirt was covered in blood. She feared for Spike's safety and then for Angel's surprising herself with who came first. Spike turned, acknowledged her presence, helping her out of her hiding space.

"Go check on him."

Spike insisted and then left moaning about being a sap and a moronic 250 year old vampire. Buffy made her way to the garden where Angel lay sprawled on the concrete floor running a finger through a pile of blood on his left he was bitten and also had stained red lips. His jacket lay in a heap around his thighs. He turned to look at Buffy. She saw the tear tracks down his face and the horrified statement. She moved to encircle the vampire. The night settled around them and all fell into darkness as the moon fell behind a cloud. Neither moved, one out of concern, one without the will to do so. They sat, she comforted not knowing, not needing to, as she coaxed the vampire who didn't seem to hear or care, indoors as the sun in silent brilliance began the dawn, separating day from night and Sire from Childe.

*end*