Little Earthquakes - Tori Amos

We danced in graveyards with vampires till dawn
We laughed in the faces of king never afraid to burn
and I hate and I hate and I hate
and I hate disintegration
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces
I can't reach you can't reach you
Give me life
Give me pain
Give me myself again
Oh these little earthquakes
Here we go again
These little earthquakes
Doesn't take much to rip us into pieces

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

The two vampires had been existing quietly for weeks. Spike still meeting with the Scooby gang and Giles, but telling no one of Angel's arrival. His Sire insisted on the secrecy while he worked, not ready to deal with the others yet, or to even fully explain himself to Spike. Which was fine with the blonde vampire, the longer he had Angel to himself, the longer he could pretend that this magical lull wasn't going to end suddenly.no doubt with Angel walking out on him again - left to play love's bitch, a role he was all-too-familiar with. Dealing with the fallout alone, as usual.

He shook the dark thoughts off as he put on his duster. They were going out together, Angel was restless and had suggested they do some lurking. It was a pale echo of their old hunting days, when they had terrorized the human population of Europe. He snorted; 'casing the Hellmouth'.what did Angel think they would find? Vampires no doubt, as evidenced by the stake Angel was slipping into his coat. It didn't matter. For the moment it was enough to be walking in silence with him.

But there was a sense of foreboding he couldn't shake, and it was realized as Angel stopped short beside him, pulling in an unnecessary and sharp breath. Spike looked up to see what possible spawn in Sunnydale could elicit that reaction and only one syllable escaped his lips, "Dru". And there she was, rushing towards them, arms outstretched, screeching.

Spike stumbles against her onslaught, catching her in his arms as she plants kisses all over his face. He pulls her roughly off, noting the blood on her chin and glancing at Angel to check his reaction, seeing the darker man staring warily at the woman.

Drusilla ducks her head shyly looking up at Angel, "Angelus?" her brows worry into a frown, "No..and not the Angel-beast either." Wrapping her arms around Spike and hissing into his ear, "Spiiiiiike.what is it???"

Pulling away more gently this time he ignores her question, "Dru, what are you doing here, how did you find me?"

A giddy grin spreading across her face she points at Angel, "Angel's pet told me, and Spike..ooooo Spike, she sang the prettiest song to me! It was beautiful. Please, let's go make the night hum..now!" She pulls insistently on his arms, furtively glancing at the darker vampire who was staring at her so strangely, wanting to pull the blonde demon away with her.

Angel moves forward and pulls the woman away from Spike, "Dru..what pet? What have you done?"

She giggles, "You remind me of Angelus.now growl for me.grrrrrr".

The tall man slaps her, "Dru.who told you where to find Spike!!".

Whimpering in the relentless grip he has on her arm, she whines, "She was just a pet.I'll get you another.promise! She saw bad things in her head.like me!" she brightens a little at this, "but, they didn't make her head hum happy thoughts."

"Cordelia." he groans. Morphing into gameface, "Dru, take us there NOW!"

The three move quickly across the cemetery, through the now-deserted main street, and down a dark alley.

Dru is back to her giggling now.just happy to be with her boys again, "Wait 'til you see" she prattles, "I left her with all the other big dollies.all quiet now, no more singing." she sighs, the thought still sending lovely shivers through her as she leads them into the stockroom.

Angel howls in rage when he sees the still form of Cordelia hung amongst the bare mannequins, (dear god, what was that painted on their faces??), her head tilted at an impossible angle, the blood now dark and dried on the rip in her throat. He groans as he lifts her body and places it tenderly on some cartons, moving her hair out of her face, kissing her forehead.

Spike is busy trying to control Dru as she alternately hums to the mannequins, trying to kiss him and bite him, and spin in a stilted dance. "Dru" he whispers to her, "this is bad".

She laughs at him, "Silly, it's good.it's all better now that I have you back. We'll hunt together, and play together - it'll be such fun!"

He shakes his head, "Ah Princess.why'd ya have to." unable to finish he just gazes into her confused eyes.

He leans forward and gives her the kiss she'd been teasing for all night. It is passionate; it speaks of lifetimes spent together in blood and madness. He memorizes it as he pulls himself away, barely able to whisper, "Goodbye sweetheart.I'll see you later."

A glance telling him that Angel is watching him intently.waiting for this signal. Delighted at his kiss, Dru smiles, "Yes Spike, I'll be a good girl and stay to help Angel with his pet."

The blonde vampire drags himself away, walking with a leaden step past Angel who reaches out his hand, laying it on his Childe's shoulder, no words, just a firm pressure, and then he is gone.

Spike could not control his body, couldn't turn to watch as Angel strides up to Drusilla, his doomed Dark Princess. He can hear the whisper of the stake being pulled out. Then Dru's soft voice, "Angel, it's time to go now isn't it?"

Hearing Angel's voice, tight with emotion, "Yeah Dru, time to go home." In that instant, his body obeys him and he turns to see the wooden stake enter her body as she sways toward her Sire's embrace..watching his darling demented girl's body disintegrate in dust over Angel.

Angel blinks at the ashes of his daughter floating to the ground in front of him..over him. He turns to see Spike backing out the room, staring at him without recognition.stumbling backward then fleeing down the alley. He suppresses the overwhelming urge to pursue Spike, to find him to crush him to him in a fierce protective embrace and whisper into that blonde hair that everything would be all right.he couldn't lie. Nothing would ever be all right again.

Gods.he understands so well what Drusilla had come back for, he knew that even in her wild ravings, her ravaged brain, she felt what he felt.the need for family. The need for companionship, or at least to be around someone who could possibly fathom what his existence on this earth had been like.

And who knew better than his William? Even when the boy was still human he had felt a violent kinship with him. And Angelus knew and embraced that. sucking the essence out of the then sable-haired human's veins, demanding he join him on his dark journey. And Will had never protested.

The demon in Angelus had fed off the wild devotion from the boy.and then knowingly, would torture him by leaving him. First just for a day at a time, then a week, and then months. The demon in him delighting at the pain he could cause in the boy without dimming the loyalty.the love.

His stomach turned at the remembrance of the look on Will's face when he would return from these absences. Always abandoning his son, always. He knew the worst wound was when he had deserted the boy for good, leaving him to care for his damaged daughter. He created Spike the Scourge of Europe when he did that.his mind fought against the knowledge, but his soul accepted the guilt of it.

In that one action he was also responsible for forging the bond between Dru and Will.the bond he had just blasted to ashes in front his Childe. True, Spike had given him the signal in kissing the broken creature farewell.but there were still untold consequences to that action. Consequences he had to deal with now.

He had to find Spike, had to make him.understand. Maybe not understand, doubtless not to forgive, but he needed Spike's acceptance. He couldn't continue without it. And not just for the plan forming in his head that would mean changes to the way things were done in Sunnydale (PTB be damned!), but he needed Spike in a way he was only beginning to understand.

'Please let him be at the crypt' his thoughts pled.

"Please hear me, Will." His thoughts found voice on his lips.

He walked through the crypt door. His eyes rapidly adjusting to the dim light inside he registers with shock the body of his boy, crouched in the dusty corner, knees drawn up to his chest, the palms of his hands pressed into his forehead black fingernails raking bloody tracks through his blonde hair. The only sound in the chamber was the creak of leather as the white hands contained to scrape through bloody hair.

"Will, stop!" before the words come tumbling out of his mouth the blonde demon's head snaps up. Angel steps back at the look in those eyes.madness! 'And he's not looking at me' thinks Angel 'oh gods.he's looking at the ashes' and he realizes he is still covered in Dru's grey remains.

Madness turns to horror, and he can see the scream stifled in Spike's throat, as the blonde tries to scuffle even further into the corner. As Angel takes a step forward, Spike unfolds his body in a frantic move.pushing his frame along the wall, frantically looking for a way to get out, a way to get himself as far from the darker vampire as he can.

Angel ceases to try and reach him physically, putting up a placating hand, palm up, "Will.please! I won't hurt you."

At the sound of his name, the blonde man seems to come a little closer to sanity and focuses on Angel's eyes. Still not leaving his defensive posture, his mind screams 'Killer!'

Angel senses the subtle change and begins to move slowly towards him. Spike's eyes widen as the terror returns, trapped between Angel and escape.but to where?

'This isn't working' Angel thinks, and struggles to channel a voice he knows Spike must be respond to. Placing his hands at his sides, Angel's countenance darkens, "William!"

Reacting to years of conditioning at the cruel hands of Angelus, Spike relaxes his posture and once again looks into the dark eyes.

"SPEAK!" Angel roars in full gameface.

"She's.she's all over you!".

Angel's face slips back into its' human form and he moves without hesitation towards the blonde demon. He stops a foot away from his boy, willing him silently to cross the last distance on his own.

Shuddering in anguish, Spike takes a step forward, lifting a shaking hand he brings his fingers up to Angel's cheek, caressing the powder still lingering there. Angel can't move, he stands still as the pale hands glide over him stroking the dust of Drusilla. The tears well in his eyes, finally spilling down his cheeks, making tracks in the film.

As if in a haze, Spike finally looks up at his Sire and gazes in wonder at the tears streaming down the sad face. His thumbs move up to brush the wet tracks. Overcome by anguish for himself, for Dru, for the weeping demon in front of him, Spike slowly collapses, seeming to crumble into a quiet heap in front of the darker man.

Angel stoops, one hand under Spike's knees the other beneath his shoulder blades and he brings him onto the bed. Not daring to lay him down, he forces Spike to sit on the edge of the bed, and kneels before him. Unable to bear the distance between them he feels because of the silence, he sighs and places his head on one of Spike's thighs.

For an eternity, they sit like this, neither man willing to move neither ready to take the step towards reconciliation. Finally, agonizingly slowly, Spike's arm moves from his side, his hand curling in, his knuckles graze Angel's cheek. So slowly, his hand opens and his fingers move through the uncharacteristically tousled hair, and then stop. His hand simply rests on the dark head, exerting the slightest pressure.

His mouth opens, "Right" he starts strongly, "then." he finishes lamely.

Recognizing Spike's effort to slip behind the mask of his wit, Angel doesn't speak, but wraps both arms around Spike's waist. A muffled cry escapes Spike's lips.pretense gone. Angel lifts his eyes at the sound, locking gazes, his eyes pleading, apologizing, begging for understanding.acceptance. A crooked, painful smile on his lips, Spike nods.

Angel stands slowly, pulling off his long coat, his eyes never leaving Spike's face, searching, waiting, and hoping not to see the fearful look return to the eyes before him. He pulled off his shirt, unbuttoning his pants, stepping out of them along with his shoes, bending to pull of his socks. Moving fluidly but slowly he stepped backwards from the clothes. Watching in sorrow as Angel kneels before the spigot.

"NO!" Spike is on his feet in an instant. "YOU CAN'T!!!"

Angel, taken by surprise, steps back. "NO NO NO NO NO!" Spike howls in agony.

Angel stares at him and stammers in the best calming voice he can muster "Okay, Will... Okay." Hands up, in a sign of acquiescence.

Spike runs to him, stopping short of knocking him over. "You can't! You can't!" coming out of Spikes lips in broken sobs.

"Okay, Will. Shhh." Angel tries to soothe the panic stricken Childe before him. "What can't I do?" He poses to the obviously distraught demon.

"You can't just wash her away!" He cries out.

Angel's arms now fall to Spike's shoulders. "I'm sorry." Angel begins, but before he can finish, Spike closes in on him, in the strangest, most territorial movement.

Almost snaking himself around his Sire. His eyes close as he leans forward and licks the fine grains of Dru's residue. Angel shivers under the cool tongue. Not from pleasure, but from the shock of the almost homicidal dominance in Spike's behavior. Spike's posture revealing the unspoken intimidation, that he would, and could annihilate his Sire if he dared move. The ritual must be completed, this was his cleansing.

Systematically Spike moves himself around Angels' dusted body, taking in the last of his precious, demented girl. His moves slowly become more erotic, when he reaches his Sires' swollen member. With a guttural cry, he plunges his mouth down. This is no gentle act of love, this is possession. Although aroused by Spike's touch, Angel shudders at the meaning behind it. He can feel the hatred and the love mixing in an erotic elixir. The violence in Spike's suckling is terrifying and exhilarating, and completely unmistakable. With a thud, he falls back against the wall behind him, his knees no longer able to support his weight.

Spike's head furiously moves beneath him, angrily willing his release. Demanding his surrender. And he does, he surrenders to Spike. Knowing that he owes this to his Childe. With a sob, he lets forth a cool stream into Spike's incensed and insistent mouth. Spike tumbles back, not allowing Angel to complete himself inside of him. Cold dead seed falls to the floor. With betrayal in his eyes, he locks gazes with his Sire, and defiantly spits on the ground.

Angel, wounded so deeply with this one act, slides his back down against the wall, until his knees are at his chest. An eerie imitation of Spike's earlier posture. Spike turns his back to Angel, and flings himself onto the bed.

Angel stares at his boy, lying there, so full of wrath and rage, yet seemingly so vulnerable. He pulls his frame up, walks to the bed, and curls his body around Spike's, forcing his mouth up to the boy's ear. "Not like this." he whispers.

His Childe trembles beneath him, fear is finally settling into his chest. He knows he's crossed a line. He resists the urge to settle back into Angel, knowing the next move must be his Sire's. And he hangs on the razor's edge, not clear whether he wants the caress or the anger.

Angel responds with not one move, but many. He gently kisses along his Childe's back and up his shoulder, his hands flow along the contours of his beautiful boy's hips. Spike instinctively pressing back against the palms of Angel's gentle touch.

The darker man lingers on this signal, for one moment, trying to sink himself into this, careful not to disturb the significance. Spike turns his body towards Angel, and Angel slips quietly between his thighs. Without a word, his now erect cock presses gently against Spike's entrance. The sensation sends vibrations down his spine.

Angel begins kissing Spike's lips, gently, still begging for the absolution that his Childe is not yet willing to give. He can taste the grief on those closed lips. The loathing. The hostility. The hatred. The love. The desire. The want. The ache. The need. His kisses more passionate, and directed guide him down Spikes burning throat, down his chest, past his groin, and Gods! There.

Angel delicately slips his tongue around the access, the territory he knows only he has been, only he owns. Obligingly responding to Spikes' vacillating rhythm. Pleasuring him, the way he had, the night Spike had given up the last bastion of his humanity. Rimming softly, then darting his tongue inside. A groan beneath him, as his tongue continues its pulsating movements, burying itself deeper and deeper, until Spikes stomach is coated in his own slick wetness.

"Angel." Spikes voice breaks.

Angel momentarily pauses, licking his way up the crease between his thigh and his painful erection. "Shhh."

His hand slithers up Spike's shaft, and onto his abdomen, collecting the wetness with his fingers. Sensing the urgency in his Childe's tone, he slathers it on his own cock, liquids mixing together, lubricating his shaft, he positions himself against Spike. Pressing at his lover's passage, he waits for reaction from the tense form beneath him.

Slowly, he is rewarded, feeling his length being accepted, Spikes' muscles relaxing. Angel, completely surrounded in his beautiful boy, intuitively reaches for Spikes' perfectly sculpted cock. His fist surrounding the throbbing manifestation of his Childe's desire, begins to stroke against him, in that perfect rhythm, the one that brings on the spasms, the groans and the velvety seed pouring from his manhood.

Spike's head is reeling in the darkness, even though he's being milked of his surrender, even the electricity that's burning between them can't stop his mind from reliving the recent and not so recent past. His head starts to pulsate with pain.

Waves of memories wash over him. Angel's contorted expression, the ashes from his first, powdering all the creases and folds of his black leather duster, giving his face a ghostly veil. Just moments before, listening for some last remnant of sanity in her demented babbling. Trying so hard to piece together her words, to uncrack the mottled code she was spewing. Telling her Goodbye. The innocent, unafraid look in her eyes. Turning his back to her.

Gods, the pain was unbearable. Remembering when Angelus left the house, and never returned. Leaving them. How they had clung together. Two abandoned children of the blackest shadow of death ever to descend upon Europe. Lying in bed, waiting to hear the heavy footsteps make their way into the lair. Listening hard, sniffing the night air, wanting his scent, aching for it.

"Will, come back to me." Angel whispers. Blue eyes, filled with tears, look up at his Sire. Everything is a blur, a wash of water colored stains, flesh tones mixing with the blue-black hair of the man above him.

"William, let go." The ball that had formed in his throat when he first saw Cordelia's body had not relented. It seemed to be taking on a life of its' own, growing, and throbbing, making his whole being writhe. Choked words fall from the blonde's lips "I can't".

Angel's steady slow rhythm continues, his hands reach for his Childe's face, uselessly wiping away his tears. "Let Go. Gods William, let go!" The sight of his favored Childe beneath him in agony was far worse than Angel could endure. He could feel the pain seeping through his pores, wrapping around him, strangling him.

"There's nowhere for it to go."

Those words tear into him, breaking his rhythm; he lets out a choked sob, and buries his head in his lovers' neck. Spike can feel his Sires' tears collecting on his shoulder.

"William." in a tone almost inaudible. " William, give it to me" The conviction in his words punctuated by his now precise and disciplined strokes.

"I can't."

Angel can feel his need consuming him. His need to comfort his Childe. To fill that void within him, that grief, that sorrow. "Please Will, forgive me. Give it to me!"

Spike struggles inwardly, attempting to relinquish the pain, to trust his Sire, above himself. The conflict within, how can he surrender the only thing he has left? His memories of being abandoned, the anguish he'd suffered alone, even with Dru there.

Since his Sire had gone, it had been solely him. Every wound, every indignity, every humiliation, his alone. Angel had not been the only one with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Angelus had left his favored Childe to care for his debilitated daughter. Her survival depended upon him. His loyalty wasn't the only thing that prevented him from disposing of her. It was the hunger for the memory of the tightest bond he ever knew. He had complete trust in his Sire, and he was left behind. How could he bend, how could he break the barricades he had constructed. The armed bastion in his scarred and battered mind.

"William, give it to Me, all of it." The beautiful blonde beneath him continued to fight against his intrusion. His thrusts were absolute now, willing him to surrender his pain, commanding him.

Spike's eyes once again opened to meet his Sire's. Face to face, the cold breath from Angels' words caressing his face. Oh, but he wanted it. He wanted, so much, to rid himself of his torment, to please his Sire, to give his Sire all that he asked.

"Forgive me. My Childe, forgive me. I am yours. I'll never leave."

Spike's body instinctively inhaled, trying to drink in the words he'd ached to hear. So long. His mouth taut across his teeth, his back arching, his arms wrapped tightly around Angel, a small, barely audible cry escapes his throat and his long-dead seed spills into Angel's gentle caress.

*****
Part 6:

Round Here - Counting Crows

step out the front door like a ghost
into the fog where no one notices
the contrast of white on white.
and in between the moon and you
the angels get a better view
of the crumbling difference between wrong and right.

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

An uneasy truce lay between the two men, but neither of them had returned to the easy banter they had been able to exchange before Angel was painfully aware of the haunted look he would often see in his Childe's eyes.knowing he had put that hurt there.

Cordelia's body had been laid to rest. The call to Giles had been a difficult one for Angel to make. He knew her body could not just be 'discovered', he had to replay the scene in painful detail to the Englishman over the phone. The curious thing was that Angel was almost certain that the Watcher truly understood the significance of his having to slay his own First, and more importantly the trauma that Spike was experiencing. Giles had agreed to keep the Scooby Gang out of their way for a few days and they had both ended the conversation with broken apologies.

At the moment, Angel was making careful notes in a large book, the pages probably parchment, Spike supposed. He suppressed the urge to make a comment about his Sire considering a move into this millenium. Preferring instead to go through a box of matches..lighting each one and flicking it across the room.

Both demons were startled from their separate reveries by a polite knock at the crypt door.

'Knock' thinks Spike, 'who the hell knocks at a tomb door?'.

His unspoken question is answered when he pulls the door open to see a subdued Slayer standing outside. A look passes between them, Buffy the first to speak, "Spike.I'm sorry about.her."

Not willing to re-open the wounds just yet and to this human, Spike shrugs her concern off, "Yeah.thanks.sorry about the cheerleader."

The girl recognizes his unwillingness to go further and accepts the words for what they are, "Thanks, Spike".

She tries to move past him into the crypt, but Spike stands frozen to the spot.realizing that she can't foresee who sits in the shadows behind him.

Too late, the alert Slayer detects, then recognizes the figure sitting at a makeshift desk in a dark corner of the room. "Angel.?" she breathes out, "I - I didn't expect to find you here. With Spike, I mean."

Angel stands, moving slowly towards the two figures in the doorway, "I've been with Will since I got here."

"Oh." Buffy manages to say, "That's nice.I'm sure this has been, uhm.difficult for you both."

"Something like that" the dark man replies, "Why are you here, Buffy?"

Stunned by his terse response Buffy stammers again, "I - can we - Angel, can we go for a walk.to talk?" she gestures towards the door.

Looking directly at his Childe as he replies, "Sure."

Moving to follow her outside he pauses in the doorway, trying to lock eyes with the blonde demon who is looking everywhere but at him, "Will, I'll be right back."

"Yeah, sure mate, have fun." Spike responds, still not meeting Angel's gaze.

Cursing the wall that has suddenly grown stronger between them, and vowing to do everything in his power to break it down Angel walks out towards the woman who had once sent him to Hell. Falling in to step beside the nervous girl, Angel remains silent, waiting for her to initiate what will no doubt be a painful conversation.

Once they get out of sight of the crypt, Buffy turns and faces her former lover, "Angel.a lot has happened."

"You have no idea."

She tries to move in a little closer, trying to close what feel like the miles between them. Angel steps back. She gazes with hurt and confusion into his eyes.holding him there for a moment in memories.

He shakes them loose and tries to speak gently, "These aren't Angel's eyes you're looking into."

Startled, she pulls back, "Wha.? You're not Angelus. Spike would've.I don't understand."

Searching for the right words, "Not Angelus, but not the Angel you knew either. I'm.you should go now, Buffy."

Reacting as if slapped, she can feel hot tears welling in her eyes, the blood rushing to her face, "But I want to talk to you."

"No" he shakes his head; "You want to talk to Angel.go home." He turns his back to her as she reaches out to grasp his arm.roughly he shakes her off and keeps walking.

A soft cry catches in her throat.tears blurring her vision as she turns and runs. Never pausing, the vampire continues.home.

He opens the crypt door, finding Spike lying across his bed, staring at the ceiling. The blonde demon looks up in barely concealed surprise, "Angel! You're."

"Home." Angel interrupts. Moving with purposefulness, Angel walks to the bed and lies down next to Spike. Without a word, Spike makes room for the other man. Angel turns on his side and draws one arm across Spike's chest, pulling his boy towards him.

Restlessly, Spike's hand moves up, tracing the contours of Angel's face, pausing on his Sire's lips - hissing in pleasure as Angel's mouth opens to pull in two fingers, sucking gently.

"Angel - I."

Recognizing a very rare need for his boy to communicate Angel slowly draws the wet fingers out of his mouth with one hand, still holding them, "What, Will?"

The words come tumbling out of Spike's mouth, as though he is unable to hold them back, "I don't care how long this lasts.I'll take whatever you're offering."

Angel gently pushes the smaller man on his back, and is suddenly on top of him; covering his body like a blanket, "Will" he murmurs into his mouth, "I'm offering everything."

Wanting so desperately to believe, but only willing to accept the moment, the blonde opens his mouth to the possessive kiss. Letting Angel's tongue ravage his mouth, taste him, feeling that tongue caress across his teeth.

Sensing William's surrender to the moment, but also realizing that his boy still does not understand his words, Angel pulls back from the kiss, and moves onto his back, and then off of the bed and starts removing his clothes.

Confused by the abruptness, Spike still follows his lead and stands to remove his own clothing. When he has stripped, he turns back to the bed to find a smiling and naked Angel watching him. Without hesitation he climbs back to the bed, reinitiating the kiss, tender at first, then growing more passionate, tongues dueling for supremacy, hands roaming over cool flesh. Angel's hands pulling more insistently until his Will is on top of him, cool skin pressed together, hard cocks, driving into hips as the frenzy builds.

Angel's back arches into his lover's lips as the boy lets his mouth feed across his Sire's torso.moving further down the rippled abdomen muscles, growling in surprise as Angel's hands pull his body back up.

Meeting his growl with one of desire, Angel, his voice husky with lust says, "Will. I want you inside me!" Shock registering on his face for a moment, Spike immediately accepts the invitation by moving Angel's willing body onto his stomach.

Raising himself to his knees, he pulls Angel's hips towards him, ready to plunge into his Sire, he leans forward, placing his lips against Angel's ear, "You want me to fuck you?" needing to hear the words.

Pushing his body back into the other demons', Angel groans, "Yes!"

Pushing the tip of his glistening erection against Angel's entrance, Spike laughs, "There.that what you want, Pet?"

Angel's mind is so obliterated by the desire his body has for the boy he can only grunt, "Aagghhh.!!".

Spike smiles lazily down at the eager body beneath him; "Beg me."

Angel's addled brain can only bring a needy, "Pleeeeeeeease" past his lips.

The blonde vampire, enjoying this moment of teasing his prey lingers a while longer, "Say it again, luv. This time, mean it."

Angel arches his back, angling himself so Spike's rigid member is cradled along his crease, moaning loudly, "Yes, Will, PLEASE!"

With every syllable, Spike is pushing past the tight ring, deeper inside of Angel. Moving slowly at first, in shallow thrusts that are agonizing to Angel, Spike moves into his Sire's long untouched tightness.

Unable to hold back, Spike reaches out one hand to grab a handful of that beautiful black hair, the other clutching firmly to Angel's hip and begins deep, swift thrusts into him. Driving himself in hard, the tip of his shaft stroking Angel's prostate in tormenting luscious stabs. His mind reeling with the euphoria of claiming his Sire, conquering him, his thoughts swirl around, 'I'm fucking Angel! My Angel, My Angel', Angel's low rumble beneath him awakens him to the fact that he actually spoke the words, "Your Angel".

"Gods" Spike breathes, "I want..I want."

"What?"

"Come for me."

Answering the command, Angel's hand reaches between his thighs, wrapping around his aching rod, moving in rapid strokes, keeping time with Spike's driving pressure. Feeling the tension building in his sac, Angel cries out, "Come with me!", his hips grinding back against Spike.

Roaring in ecstasy as he feels Angel's body shudder in orgasm, Spike forces his own climax deeply into Angel's shelter, pulled in by his Sire's spasms, muscles tightening around him. Angel slides his body down on the bed; his William still wrapped around him.

*****
Part 7:

Wild Boys - Duran Duran

The wild boys are calling on their way back from the fire
In August moon's surrender to a dust cloud on the rise
Wild boys fallen far from glory, reckless and so hungered
On the razors edge you trail because there's murder (murder)
By the roadside in a sore afraid new world
They tried to break us, looks like they'll try again
You got sirens for a welcome, there's bloodstains for your pain
And your telephone been ringing while you're dancing in the rain
Wild boys wonder where is glory where is all you angels
Now the figureheads have fell?
And lovers war with arrows over secrets they could tell
They tried to tame you, looks like they'll try again

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

"Will, I need your help." Angel says softly, bringing his head up from the paperwork.

Grinning widely, "Whatsamatter, Peaches? Got an itch you need scratched?" the blonde leers toward the seated figure.

"Is that all you think about, boy?" Angel asks.

Looking thoughtful for a moment, Spike mock seriously responds, "Yep...that would be first on the list...followed in a hot second by human blood." Noting his Sire's serious look, he settles down next to him, "All right, where do we begin?"

Angel settles amongst his papers, looking at Spike earnestly, "We need to convince the Slayer's group that this has to be the way - our way. They need organization, training, and focus."

Taken aback by his Sire's enthusiasm Spike leans away, "So..this is why you're here."

Before Angel can reply, they are interrupted by a firm knock at the crypt door, "Bloody hell!" Spike exclaims, "What is it with knocking on crypt doors in this bloody town?"

He moves to the door and pulls it open. "The Watcher! Now my life is complete!"

"Er, hello, Spike..Angel." Giles stammers.

Angel calls out from across the room, "Come in, Rupert - I've been meaning to speak to you."

Spike makes an exaggerated flourish, "By all means, come in, all of Sunnyhell is welcome in my humble abode. Can I get you a cuppa?"

"Will." Angel's voice cautions, "Rupert, I'm going to need your help."

Giles settles himself across from the darker vampire, "I er, gathered that you had some purpose in coming here. I'm listening."

Surprised by the almost receptive tone in the man's voice, Angel begins, "The rules have changed. Right now all you have is a group of untrained youngsters battling evil.surely you know they could be so much more. With the right guidance, I believe we could make a difference. I know this won't be easy for them to accept, but your understanding is the key."

"I'd like to hear more." The Englishman states quietly.

With that, Angel launches into his battle plan. Giles' face takes on a younger, almost feral look as Angel's plan unfolds, and Angel knows he has reached the Ripper. "There is one rather crucial condition to all of this.if you want my help, the chip in Will's head needs to come out."

Both Spike and Giles' heads snap up at this last remark. "Are you mad?" the older man asked, slipping back into his role of Watcher, "The first thing he'll do is kill Buffy, and then God only knows who he'll go after next!"

Expecting this reaction Angel remains calm; "My Childe has made a covenant with his Sire."

The words hang in the air, and Giles, quiet again simply replies, "I see."

Angel offers, "You understand what this means."

Removing his glasses and wiping them on his handkerchief, Giles chooses his words carefully, "Yes, I really do, Angel. You have, ah, given me quite a lot to think about. You'll understand if I need some time to process all of this."

Leaning back in his chair, "Yes, and I appreciate your position. But don't take too much time, we have so little." And then he stands, clearly indicating that the meeting is at an end.

Giles rises as well and gravely reaches out to shake the hand of the vampire. Moving toward the door, "Goodbye Angel, and thank you. And goodnight Spi.er William."

Spike grins, "S'alright mate, you can still call me 'Spike'".

Closing the door behind the man, Spike turns toward Angel with a slightly vicious edge to his voice, "Well, that went well.you must be pleased, Angelus."

Angel reacts as though slapped, his previous good mood slipping from him at that name on his Childe's lips with such venom. Reacting to Spike's anger, "Where the hell did that come from, Will?".

His posture defensive the blonde demon spits out, "It's sodding-all perfect for you, isn't it mate? You're getting what you came here for - to lead the little Scooby pack to world domination. Really, I'm 'appy for ya!".

Confused, Angel replies, "Will.I didn't know why I came here. But I'll stop, if that's what you want. I'll stop all this and just be here with you."

Enraged by Angel's attempt to placate him, Spike yells, "What the 'ell do ya mean you'll 'stop'?!! You walk into town, fuck everythin' up and then ya say you'll just STOP?"

Trying to hold the younger demon with his eyes, "If that's what you need me to do, I will."

Spike doesn't lower his volume, "Don't talk down to me. What are you doing here, why are you here?"

"Will.I saw you that night.with the Slayer. I saw her take comfort from you.saw her aroused by you. And the bottom dropped out of my world. But not because of her.because she was bringing out in you what I was aching for."

This revelation only further fuels Spike's rage as his eyes glow yellow and the ridges stand out on his face, he moves nose to nose with his seated Sire, "Nice speech, luv. But it doesn't answer my question: WHY ARE YOU HERE??!!".

Angel reacts to the tirade, responding in full gameface, his voice loud and commanding, "To be your Sire!"

At this simple statement, both demon's features slide back to human form, and Angel reaches out to run a hand through the blonde hair of his Childe, lifting Spike's head back, "What I should have been all along, and now I can be."

Spike stands stunned, just gazing at the man before him. Angel breaks the moment, he returns to his chair and sits, watching the frozen figure, waiting. His eyes never leaving Angel, Spike makes a silent, internal decision and walks towards his creator, kneels in front of him in an act of submission.

His next act is one of love as he places his head in his Sire's lap, Angel reaches out a hand, tracing the sharp lines of the face pressing into him, finally resting gently on the head. They remain like this for a long moment. Finally, Angel pulls himself, the blonde along with him, placing his hand on the nape of the younger man's neck. Pulling his Childe's head to face him, bending down as if for a kiss, he asks instead, "Will, what do you need?"

"Just you, Peaches." Earlier tension evaporating, they share a laugh.

*****
Part 8:

Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door and it has been painted black
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black

No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
I could not forsee this thing happening to you
If I look hard enough into the setting sun
My love will laugh with me before the morning comes
I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I wanna see it painted black, painted black
Black as night, black as coal
I wanna see the sun, blotted out from the sky
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black

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

Spike is torn from pleasant dreams, waking to find his nose buried in Angel's shoulder, arms wrapped tightly around his fully clothed lover. "Mmmph.Angel!" No answer, "Angel.Poof! Your jacket's ringing!"

Angel stirs in response, finally waking enough to pull the cell phone from his coat, "Yes? Giles.yes.everyone's there? We're on our way."

One arm still around Angel's waist Spike sharply asks, "Is she going to be there?"

"Yeah Will, the Slayer's there."

Sitting up Spike responds, "Right then."

Not happy to be dealing with this issue again, Angel replies strongly, "It's been dealt with!"

Looking in hesitation Spike asks, "Ya sure, mate?"

Smiling now, "I wouldn't say it if I wasn't. Time to go."

The ride to the Watcher's house passes in silence. Angel pulls the car up in front, "Do you need a minute?"

Spike shakes himself, "I'm fine, ya git! Quit worryin' about me."

Angel growls out a friendly, "No." and they grin at each other before going to the front door.

At their knock, the door is opened by an obviously anxious Giles, who ushers them into the living room. Willow and her girlfriend are curled up next to the cold fireplace; Xander sits on one edge of the long couch, while Buffy and Riley are standing side by side outside the kitchen doorway.

The tension in the room is palpable, not least of all in the blonde Slayer who makes a slight move away from her boyfriend towards the dark-haired demon, "Angel."

Angel allows her a polite nod, "Slayer."

Taken aback, she reaches for Riley's arm, pulling him forward, "Angel, this is Riley.my boyfriend."

Again, Angel makes no move, "We've met."

This statement chills her as she looks in confusion between the two men, barely noticing the beads of sweat standing out on Riley's forehead, "What? When did this happen?"

Angel allows a hard smile, "That's not important."

Riley pulls himself back from Buffy's grasp leaning against the wall for support. Xander's eyes go round in shock as he registers the tension emanating from Riley, directed at Angel...and Spike! And he understands suddenly as Riley's hand steals up to the white scar at his throat.

Angel's voice brings him back, "I've asked Giles to call you here because we have a new mission."

Angel moves to the couch, sitting next to Xander, leaving room for Spike, and wordlessly gesturing for his Childe to sit beside him. Xander's tension level rises noticeably as the dark man sits next to him, and he shrinks back into his corner of the couch. No one registers this move, no one ever understands exactly what Xander's aversion to Angel has been.

When the blonde vampire sits, Xander blurts out, "Now we're here to take orders from Dead-Boy and the Chipped Wonder?"

Ready to respond to the whelp, Angel is surprised to hear Giles' voice, "You're here to listen.all of you."

Taking his cue Angel begins, "Things need to change on the Hellmouth, if you want to make a difference. And you're not making a difference now; you're barely treading water. This is war, and wars are fought by armies." Letting his gaze fall first on Xander, and then on Riley, "You two understand the need for unity, for training."

Now looking at the witches sitting on the ground, "Your magic is strong, think how much stronger it could be with guidance. Giles, you need to take this in hand, two trained witches would be a powerful force."

The girls stare raptly at him as he turns back to Xander and Riley, "You two need to be trained as well as the Slayer, and not just used as foils for her exercise. And training isn't enough; you need to learn demon strengths, as well as our limits. That's where Will comes in, he'll teach you what you need to know."

Spike leans back smugly on the arm of the couch, "Don't worry, kittens, I won't be gentle."

As he stares at Riley, grinning in glee as the boy tries to shrink further into the wall. Xander fights the need to raise his hand to be called upon and says to Angel, "One problem Angelus," putting a biting emphasis on the name, "the Spikester can't fight humans.little technical problem in his head!"

Angel turns away from the boy next to him, "I'm getting to that" his eyes fasten on Riley, "Your first order of business, soldier, fix it!"

Buffy shakes herself from the web she feels Angel is spinning them in, "Uh.am I the only one here with wiggins over Spike without a chip???"

Angel growls at her, "Slayer, he's on my side."

Whining slightly, she turns to Giles, "But he's bad!"

Angel commands the rooms' attention, placing fists on the coffee table and leaning towards her, glowering, "Without him this doesn't happen. So get over your jealousy and accept the strength when it's being offered to you!"

Xander clears his throat; "Well William over there has had this pesky habit of trying to munch on us in the past.right Will?"

Angel snaps into gameface and leans into Xander's gasping face, "He's mine, and when you insult him, you insult me.do you really want to do that, boy?!"

Angel almost flinches though at the look of sheer terror that the boy has fastened on him. Spike places a cool hand on his Sire's shoulder, "S'okay Pet, let him be".

As Angel eases back, he lets Spike deal with Xander. Spike leans across Angel, leering at Xander, "Don't worry, Xan, you're still my nummy treat, but I won't bite.unless you ask me real nice." His last glance is for Riley though, who is staring in rapt fascination at him.

Relaxed, Angel ends, "Look, we're here to make you stronger. To make us a force to be reckoned with - to make a difference. That is what you want.isn't it?"

A low grumble of assent goes through the room. Angel stands, "Then that's it for tonight."

Turning to Spike, "Are you ready, Will?" Spike stands at his side.

As the two turn to leave, the dark demon stops, fastening a glance on Riley, "You're coming with us."

Buffy tries to protest, but Riley shakes her off, "It's o.k. Buffy." Xander can see Riley is rigid with fear and despite his own fear of being anywhere with Angel without the protection of his friends, he offers, "Yeah, and I'll go too." Not waiting for a response the two humans follow the vampires out to Angel's car.

Spike slides into the front seat, fiddling with the radio as Angel pulls the car away, both of them oblivious, for the moment, to the two in the back. Spike howls in delight has he tunes into the Violent Femmes' "Add It Up" and he begins to shout along with the lyrics, "Why can't I get just one fuck? Why can't I get just one fuck? Guess it's got something to do with luck!" Leering at Angel as the darker man grins back at him, shaking his head and laughing. Spike turns to the back seat; "So children.is it luck?"

Riley is practically jumping out of his skin with need and fear and he breaks at this remark, shaking off the comforting hand Xander had placed on his thigh, "Where the hell are we going? I can't believe this is happening! I'm supposed to help you "fix" Hostile-17??!! You must be crazy to think that I would do that after what happened."

The car spins around, landing on the shoulder as Angel slams on the brakes. In a lightening move, he's out the door, pulling Riley out of the back seat by his shirt, throwing him up against the side of the car.

The demon is raging inside of Angel, how dare this mortal?! Punishing hands digging into the boy's shoulders, Angel's eye glimmer a dangerous yellow, "Let's get something straight, boy. Nothing happened that night that you weren't begging for."

Controlled completely by the blood surging through his veins, Riley sinks into those eyes, mindlessly grinding his hips towards the demons'.

Angel laughs mirthlessly, and pulls his body out of Riley's range of movement; "It's not going to happen, boy. Not ever again. And you're going to do whatever we tell you too, without question. And I'm telling you that you are going to fix him." The hopelessness of the situation finally reaching him, the boy slumps back against the car.

At Angel's first move, Xander had lept out of the car, trying to help his friend, but finds himself caught from behind by Spike. The demon pulls his arms back, making him watch the scene playing out in front of them, purring into his ear, "No, Xan-Pet, you don't have anything to do with this."

In a predatory move he shifts his head around, still pinning Xander's arms back, so that he is sniffing up the length of the boy's body, "I can smell him on you, y'know? Ya wanna be careful, Pet.that's a dangerous game yer playin' at!" Xander is shocked at the blonde demons' words, but before he can respond, the body behind him is gone.

He turns to see Spike grinning over his shoulder at him, "Back in the car children, playtime's over!" The humans sit quietly in the back seat, shaken by what they have just experienced, and both torn by their separate memories. Angel glowers in the front seat, angry that the scene happened at all. Spike turns the radio up, "Oi! It's a rock block! Lemme go oooon, like a blister in the sun, lemme go oooon, big hands, I know you're the one!" Giving Angel a toothy grin, he finally elicits a smile from his Sire.

When they arrive at the cemetery, Spike hops out of the car, and flips the seat back to let Xander out, though not stepping far enough out of the way. Xander brushes the length of his body along Spikes' as he slips out.

"Which one of you's tha bitch?" Spike taunts playfully. Xander blushes. Spike raises a knowing eyebrow at Angel, and Angel shrugs 'I didn't know.' a secretive laugh is shared between the two demons.

Angel leaves his seat back, as Riley fumbles for the release latch to let himself out. As they make their way inside, the demons can hear the two scared and aroused boys whispering words to console one another. Spike speaks in an undertone to Angel "Bloody hell you didn't know." Angel lets out a loud laugh.

The crypt door slams heavy behind Riley; the sound sending shivers through him as remembers the last time he was here. But this is so different.this time it's Angel walking towards him.

"So tell us, Riley, how's this going to play out?" Riley begins to shake in fear.strangely not in fear of the demon in front of him, but of his own desires.his eyes dart around the room.seeking escape.

Spike senses Riley's panic and moves behind him, placing firm hands on his shoulders, his mouth moving up to his ear, "There boy, don't run away. Just a little de ja vu, innit? Don't think, just answer the man."

Angel presses forward until Riley is trapped between the two, and asks again, "Tell us Riley, how do we do this?"

Stammering, the boy replies, "There's a doctor. He left the Initiative before. Adam."

The pressure on his shoulders increases as Spike pushes, "Yeah. an'?. spit it out!"

"He's still in town" Riley reveals.

Angel demands "And he can remove it?"

Fearfully, Riley responds "No, it can't come out without killing him!"

Spike howls out fingers digging into flesh, "What the bloody hell are we doing here, then?!!!"

Riley winces and shrinks back in fear. "Uh. butitcanbedeactivated!" He hurriedly finishes as the dark vampire towers over him.

"Told ya he'd be good, mate!" Spike finishes, his hands slipping down from Riley's shoulders, resting on his hips.

Angel moves his face into Riley's menacingly "He'd better be. If he values his lungs!"

"He'll do what you want.we all know what you're capable of." Xander placates, feebly attempting to diffuse the situation.

Angel moves his mouth until it hovers over Riley's begging lips, "Where? When!"

Riley breathes into the demon's mouth, "I'll make the call today, there's no reason why we can't do this tomorrow."

Angel presses his hips into Riley's, making full body contact, and glares into his eyes. Riley shudders as the yellow in them ignites his blood, his cock jumping as the demon morphs into gameface. "Stop thinking about your cock, and PAY ATTENTION TO ME BOY!" Angel shouts, "If you harm my Childe, you'll be dealing with Angelus. I think you know." leaning back, watching Riley tremble in front of him, "I'm sure you know what that means."

"Yes, sir" Riley responds, once again slipping into the soldiers' role.

"Good, then we're clear."

With a smirk, Spike accepts Riley's movement back into him, holding him as he locks eyes with Angel, "What do you say, Peaches?" his eyes laughing into his Sire's, "Pet's been good, hasn't he? Deserves a little treat?"

Angel nods and pulls Riley's willing hips towards him, as Spike closes in behind. Their bodies grind into the boy's as his head falls back on Spike's shoulder, and Angel leans into Spike's mouth and gives him a deep, hungry kiss. Riley tilts his neck further.offering himself up as Angel's hand moves up, his thumb pressing into the wound he had made on the boy's throat.

The dark vampire pulls back from the kiss, looking into the boy's needy gaze, "Shhhh.I told you. Never again."

Frustrated, Riley whimpers and arches his neck toward Spike who teases, "At ease, soldier!"

As the vampires pull apart, and he stumbles backward. Silently, Xander moves forward and pulls Riley upright, his own erection painfully tight in his pants; overwhelmed by the erotic scene he has just witnessed. Pressing himself into Riley, he moves him toward the door, "Time to go, Riley." He pants in his ear.

Angel slips his arm around his lover's waist, watching the boys move away and calls out, "Riley!" The humans turn to him and he finishes, "We'll expect a call from you tomorrow.you won't fail us."

*****