*****

Spike's POV:

I have decided that since Angel and I have a new start, it's time to set about with the new ideas. My first idea - well it's a plan really, was to brighten Angel up a bit. Don't get me wrong, I like tall-dark-and-broody, but not overly broody. Which would describe my beloved Childe completely. To begin with; Plan 1 - Get rid of his current style of dress.

Boring black slacks and even more depressing black shirts. Although I'll keep his jackets, some of which are really cool - especially the leather. I've started my first plan today. While Angel was having his incredibly long shower, I cleaned out his clothing and threw them into big black plastic bags. I left the ones I'll allow him to wear on the bed. One petrol-blue silk shirt and one pair of black leather jeans. Then I vanished to enjoy the show from beyond direct hitting distance.

I never dreamed that Angel knew those kinds of words! He would make an old seadog blush. Seconds later Hurricane Angel blows down the stairs. On first viewing my new, improved Childe, his human friends reacted kind of strangely. Well, Wesley and Cordelia quickly grabbed a cross and stake, while Gunn looked on bewildered.

"Are you evil?" demands Cordelia, waving her cross around. Angel gives a bone-weary sigh.

"No, I'm not evil. I will be soon however, if Spike doesn't tell me what he has done with my clothes!" Instant laughter. Angel looks even less pleased.

"New rule, Childe. I decided your clothes were too boring, so I got rid of them."

"Spike, they were Armani! Do you know how much they cost?"

"I don't care. I am your Sire and I decided they're boring!"

"Arrgh.." cries Cordelia.

"Cordelia, we're only..."

"Vision!" She yells. Angel rushes to her side and holds her while the vision passes. She looks like she's in the kind of pain that I feel with this chip. I feel sorry for her, and then I remember I'm the big bad. Still, it looks kinda painful. "It's some sort of demon. He's fighting vampires."

"That's good, isn't it?" asks Gunn.

"No... Angel's there. The demon is trying to eat him!" After the vision passes, Cordelia rests on the sofa. I have to smile at how she gets them all running around after her. Bringing her water, painkillers and cushions. She'd make a great vampire. She grins when she notices me watching her.

"So. Vampire-eating demon." Wesley comments while he starts pulling out his books. "I've not heard about them in a long time. I believe their main diet is vampires. Older ones are a real treat." Wesley flips through the pages until he has found the picture and description of the demon.

"That's all very nice, but how do we kill it?" I ask. Wesley looks surprised.

"Oh. I don't know. I think you can just cut it's... No... No." He checks in the book. "No, that would be bad. Actually, it doesn't say how to kill it." Angel gives another large sigh and I roll my eyes. Sometimes they are so useless.

"Okay, I know a couple of people. Wesley, you come with me, and Angel, you stay here. Don't you dare go anywhere. You listening?" I decide that if Cordelia saw Angel in her vision then it's best if I go. I don't like this saving souls crap, but this time my Childe is on the line. Again. Angel is far from happy at my suggestion.

"Spike. I can't stay here and...." He doesn't finish. I grab his arm and twist it behind his back. He grunts in pain. My tongue licks over the surface of his scar and he moans. Yep, I know how to make him obey me. I threaten to show his friends a little of the sex we get up to, and he'll do anything. My teeth scrape his scar again and Angel purrs softly. I can feel his cock growing harder between us because it's already started digging into my stomach. I nip at his neck and Angel shudders. Anytime soon he's going to cave. I shift faces and he jumps as my fangs prick his skin.

"Okay! I'll stay here!" He groans out loud. I knew he couldn't do it. I knew he was too embarrassed about how he reacts to me. He won't let them see how much control I have over him. I pull away and kiss his cheek. Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn are all trying to look in any direction but at us. Humans are so pathetic.

"Rule no. 15: Sire knows best." Angel growls in response. I'll have to remember that for later.

Angel's POV:

Spike leaves with Wesley to try to discover how to kill the vampire-eater demon. What's it called? Vapros. It says in the book that decapitation or severed limbs leads to more of them. It's how they procreate, it seems. Sounds like a very boring way to do it, to me. Where`s the fun in having all your limbs cut off? I throw the book aside and Cordelia grins at me. She has known me long enough to see how, at times, I hate having Spike trying to control me. I hate being ordered about. I hate having to be told to stay behind. It makes me feel useless.

"Arrrgg." Another vision? I run to Cordelia's side and catch her before she falls.

"It's that Vapros again. Oh, no... Angel, he has Spike!" Is that a sound of concern? Spike's been here for six months, and I still haven't seen any friendship between them. Do they care a little about him? I hope so, because there's no way I would be without him.

"Angel, you can't let him die. You'll go all broody again." No, I guess not, and thanks! I grab my leather jacket and an axe. Maybe if I cut its heart out, that will kill it.

"Angel, what are you doing?" asks Gunn. He gets Cordelia a glass of water and another pill.

"I have to go and help them." Maybe a sword would be more helpful than this axe...

"Angel, Spike told you..."

"Spike's been captured, or he will be soon. I can't let that happen."

Cordelia sighs, knowing I won't back down. She does, however, make Gunn agree to come with me. I can see his aversion to the idea. He doesn't like vampires, and he certainly doesn't like Spike. He only puts up with me because he believes I am fighting the good fight. All Spike is here for is sex and time with his Childe. Cordelia gives me the address of the attack and we leave. I don't worry about breaking Spike's rules. I think he'll be pleased to see me in the end.

At Wolfram & Hart:

"So this is going to work?" Lilah questioned. Lindsay looked up at his companion and wondered again how he managed to put up with her. Still, they were supposed to turn Angel evil, and so far they had failed on every count. He needed Lilah, however, to help make this work.

"Yes. It will work. Trust me."

"Of course I trust you." Lilah scoffed. In other words, yeah, as far as she could throw him.

Lindsay looked over to the box that once held the ex-vampire Darla. She had been brought from hell to drive Angel insane, and back onto the winning team. Things had not gone their way. Angel had become human and was later turned by Spike - his own once-Childe. Darla had become useless to them. Now she was dead by Spike's hand. But this time Lindsay had the perfect plan to get rid of Angel.

"This had better work," Lilah commented again. Lindsay sighed to himself. Why didn't he just get rid of her? It would make his life a whole lot easier. The tall Vapros demon came forward and in a grunting language acknowledged both of them. His body had hard blue scales and his mouth bristled with two rows of large, fanged teeth. These fangs looked just like those of a vampire, but unlike a vampire his jaw could dislocate itself and stretch to amazing proportions.

"You know what you have to do?" asked Lindsay. This part of his plan was essential. The Vapros grunted an affirmative and left to complete his assignment.

"You think that the false visions were successful?" Lilah questioned again. Lindsay sighed and turned to his partner.

"You arranged for the sorcerer to give Cordelia the visions. If they don't work, it'll be your fault, won't it?" He smiled as Lilah paled.

Spike's POV:

I don't believe it. That bastard Childe of mine disobeyed me. I'll kill him! I only left him alone for 1 hour, and he buggers off disobeying me. Without even knowing how to kill the bloody demon! What does he think he's doing? I'll kill him! Huh - already done that once! Still, why is he so stubborn lately? All he sees is the mission and nothing else. It's like he has got a case of tunnel vision - maybe I should beat it out of him.

"Spike, please listen. I saw you in my second vision. That demon was trying to kill you. Angel had to go." I know Cordelia's telling the truth, but I won't calm down. I don't know what upsets me more. Angel disobeying me or Angel disobeying me to go get himself killed. I think it's the latter that bothers me most. Ever since that Sunnydale incident I fear losing my Childe, more and more. I am losing him at this moment to his bloody obsessive mission. Yes, I know it makes me weak, but I don't care. I've put blood, time and sweat into him. Even more than in any of my previous lovers. Even Dru.

"Where did you send him?" I growl out at Cordelia. She hurriedly writes down the address with a shaking hand and gives it to me. Before I can say more we're suddenly interrupted by Wesley.

"I've got it." After a whole lot of meaningless chatter I don't hear, Wesley finally gives me a way to kill a Vapros demon. Believe it or not, it's actually a mixture of herbs and flowers. Weird things, demons. All I have to do is get near enough to put the mixture in his mouth. That might prove difficult. Since I'm a vampire and it kinda likes to eat my kind.

"Let's go." I grab an axe, and with Wesley and his newly mixed potion, go out to find my disobedient Childe. He'd better be alive when I find him, because he's in big trouble.

Angel's POV:

It's been well over an hour and still no sign of Cordelia's demon. I'm beginning to wonder if she had the address right. Still, I don't want to leave in case I miss it. Next to me, Gunn sits playing with his homemade axe, looking bored. I stopped trying to make conversation with him nearly 45 minutes ago. What can a vampire hunter and a vampire have to talk about? Come on. I'm getting bored, and just a little anxious. What if the Vapros wants to capture me first to get Spike? Ah, never thought of that. Unfortunately, at this moment I don't have time to think about it.

"Vampire..." grunts a voice from behind us.

Oh, damn! I kinda think that last thought was right.

A huge blue demon steps out of the shadows behind the car and grins at us. I've got to tell you,it's a frightening sight. He has fangs much like my own, except for the fact he has two rows of them. The demon grunts something in his language and gives a laugh. Gunn and I both watch in amazement as the demon's jaw dislocates itself and opens...and keeps on opening. With the sound of his roar, I make my mind up to attack. The best I can do now is try to kill it before he finds Spike.

I grab my sword and strike out at the Vapros. Considering that he's around 7 feet tall, he's very agile on his feet. Gunn decides to join the fight, but still we can't seem to hit him. I've never seen anything move like this demon does. It's like he knows my moves. He knows my strengths and weaknesses. Funny, I get the feeling that he has researched me beforehand, and thoroughly too. I seem to have been fighting the thing forever, when I hear a welcome voice.

"Angel!" Wesley and Spike come running from the Desoto with more weapons. Good, I'm getting a little tired. I turn to shout at them to hit the demon's back, but I don't have the chance to get the words out. I was only distracted for a second, but the demon flies forward and sinks his incredible-sized fangs into my shoulder. I scream as he bites into my flesh. From each side the others try to force the demon off me. I can feel it taking a deep chunk out of my shoulder. It hurts like hell! It feels like he's trying to eat me - oh, forgot, he might well be.

"Angel!" shouts Spike in a panicked voice. He runs at the demon's head, and tries to smash him in two. The demon rears back to avoid the swing. Luckily for me, he rips his teeth from my shoulder and I feel skin and muscle being torn away. I yell in pain. It feels like the monster's taken half of my back with him. I collapse on the ground in agony as they fight off the demon.

Then the demon does the strangest thing. He grins at me again. I think he was trying to laugh, but his mouth was full of my flesh and blood. With that he vanishes into the night. I don't know if he was overpowered or that was his plan all along. So far this has been a very strange night.

Spike's POV:

The Vapros demon is a huge bugger and he could have easily overpowered the three of us. Still, he doesn't fight. He takes one bite out of Angel and then runs. I suppose I should be asking why, but at this moment my anger is directed not toward the demon, but at my disobedient Childe. Wesley has gone over to help Angel to his feet and he checks over his back. It looks like the Vapros took a good bite out of my Childe's shoulder.

"It's pretty clean," Wesley tells Angel. "I think that in a couple of days, with vampire healing, you should be fine." He presses a piece of material from Angel's torn jacket to the wound to stop the blood flow.

"What the hell do you think you were doing?!" I shout at him. Angel turns, startled, to face me. He actually looks surprised, as if he doesn't know what he has done wrong. He disobeyed me, and nearly got himself killed with his one-track mind. With his bloody good-guy routine, he completely ignores the danger.

"Cordelia had a vision. You were in danger." His voice is strong and defiant.

"You never thought to pick up the phone." I pull out the tiny cell-phone and wave it before him. "You didn't think to ring first to see if we were in danger? If you had tried, you would have found us at the bloody library!" I'm getting really mad now.

"Cordelia said that.."

"I don't care what Cordelia said. You never thought, Angel. You just go rushing in, not caring if you get yourself killed. You're so wrapped up in this bloody mission that you don't see anything." Oh. That's strange. I didn't intend to say that, but maybe I am a little angry with him. Lately, I have been feeling a little left out. So much of my Childe's attention is focused on his mission. His little battles to do the right thing. Angel is so much like the demon Angelus in that respect. He gets obsessive about things and he won't let them go. Sometimes you have to let go or it will drive you insane.

"I couldn't just.." I hit him. I couldn't hold it back any longer. I'm far too angry with him. Angry at his obsessions and his disobedience. I backhand him hard and he is thrown to the ground.

"Spike. I think we need to get back to the Hyperion." Wesley lays a hand on my arm but I shake him off.

"Stay out of this Watcher. This is between my Childe and myself."

"Sire! I did the right thing! I..." I hit him again.

"No, Angel, now it's time for you to be quiet. I don't want to hear another word. You will go home, get cleaned up, and then prostrate yourself for your punishment."

"What?!" He yells. "I'm not a fledgling, Spike. I can make my own mind up."

"No, Angel, you can't. You never think about the danger. You never think about what I tell you to do. You never think that it could be in your own interests to obey me. You just rush in, and you never stop to consider how you react and do things. Grab an axe, and everything will be fine. You don`t plan anymore, and you never think of the consequences." Wow. I never knew I had this much resentment towards him. So much anger and frustration because I care for him, maybe too much. I fear his death. I fear losing him to his sense of duty. He has to see that he isn't alone anymore. He has friends - and me - to help him. He doesn't have to go off alone, risking his own life every time.

Oh, great, now Angel looks all distressed and miserable. I hate it when he does that. I hate the look he gets that makes my heart ache for him. No. I won't let him. This time I've had enough. This time he's going to get punished and remember this lesson.

"Don't even try it, Childe," I growl. "Get in the car, now!" Angel drags himself up and tries to speak. "No, one more word, and I swear I won't let you come for a month."

"Woah! Remind me never to become a vampire," Gunn whispers to Wesley. I give him a dark glare, and he has the intelligence to look fearful. I might not be able to bite humans, but I still have a wicked tongue.

Angel sits in silence all the way home. I can almost see the thoughts spinning around in his head. He's surprised at my words and actions. I never usually do that in front of his pets. Still, this time he has pushed me too far. He should have really thought about this case. When Cordelia told me about the second vision, I was getting a bit suspicious. Something was strange about this Vapros demon to begin with. I get this feeling when people start to mess around with what's mine. Something smells fishy. Of course, Angel being Angel - the big white knight in shining armour - he would never stop and think about other possibilities. He has to rush off and do what he believes is the right thing. Of course, he's all noble and honourable. I actually like those qualities in him at times. However, he isn't stupid. He just gets so obsessed with doing the right thing, that he forgets to consider that he might be the one in direct danger - or the target.

"Angel, get cleaned up," I order him when we arrive at the Hyperion. Again he goes to say something, but I lift my hand as if to hit him. He shuts up fast.

Cordelia did a good job at patching him up. The Vapros took a good bite out of his shoulder, and it's going to take a good few days to heal over. I stand over Cordelia while she works and she keeps giving me these funny looks. She asks Angel questions, but I answer for him. When she has finished, Angel looks up at me.

"Go and get ready," I command him. Angel does as I say, and with hunched back climbs the stairs to our rooms.

"Spike, what are you doing?" Cordelia wonders. "Angel only went to save you."

"No, he went and nearly got himself killed!" She looks like she's going to say something, but holds it back. If she dares say that I worry about him or love him, I'll...I'll say I hate her hair. Can't do much more can I? Bloody chip. I never got this before, when I was the childe, but now I have to justify everything!

I'm amazed that Cordelia actually nods and agrees with my statement. Looks like they've all seen that Angel has lost his focus. He's getting too lost in the game, and taking too many chances. It surprises me that they think so much of my Childe. They even call him a friend. Sometimes I wonder what they think of me.... Nah. I don't want humans; as I've always said, they're just happy meals on legs. I've got my Childe and I don't need anything more. I grin as I remember Angel and what he should be doing right now. I think I'm really looking forward to this: I haven't punished Angel for a while. I've also got to remember that comment earlier about his clothes. Yep, looking forward to exercising my sire rights.

*****
Part 2:

At Wolfram & Hart:

The Vapros demon appears out of the blue and stands before Lindsay and Lilah. It looks as though he has completed his mission, if the bloody mess on his mouth is anything to go by.

"You have it?" questions Lindsay. The Vapros can't answer with its mouth full, but it nods. A man dressed in long robes comes forward and holds out a dish to the demon. The Vapros spits out his bloody prize - Angel's blood and flesh.

"You're sure this is from the vampire with a soul?" The Vapros grunts a reply to Lindsay's question. He grins and takes the dish. "Good job. Now, a little reward. Guards, kill it!"

A group of specially trained guards from Wolfram and Hart rush the surprised demon. While fighting for his life, one guard manages to throw in a little herb and flower bomb. It has the desired effect, and seconds later the demon is a smouldering pile of goop.

"Lindsay, we're going to have to clean that up now for the next incantation," moans Lilah, pointing at the goop. Lindsay laughs.

"We couldn't let him live - he might talk. Still, we have what we want, and we are ready. Now it`s time to get rid of Angel, forever." Lindsay hands the dish back to the priest, who takes it over to the box.

"You think it will be enough?"

"It will be. We only need a sample. If it belongs to Angel, as the demon said, we don't have to worry." Lilah looks far from convinced.

"Let the ritual begin!" shouts Lindsay at the priests. Before them, the box is dragged into the centre of the floor. Around it are five chained vampires, standing on the points of a star inlaid into the floor. The priests begin their incantations, starting in Latin then moving to English.

"We call upon the demon Angelus to come forth from the pits of hell.."

Lindsay and Lilah smile.

Angel's POV:

I don't understand what is wrong with Spike. I'm only doing my job. Saving souls. Isn't that what I'm supposed to do? I only disobeyed because Cordelia said he was in trouble - I had to try and save him. How was I expected to know the vision wasn't right? Cordelia's visions haven't ever been wrong. I won't back down. I'll obey Spike this far. I came to our room, but I won't obey him anymore. I sit in an armchair, and await the coming argument with my Sire.

Spike storms in the room moments later, and immediately looks over to the bed. I think he actually turned red when he saw I wasn't kneeling there naked for his punishments. He likes me on my knees. He growls when he spots me in the chair.

"Get the fuck out of the chair, Angel!"

"No," I calmly answer. "I didn't do anything wrong. Sire, you are overreacting."

"Get. Out. Of. The. Fucking. Chair," he growls at me. He's deep in game face now, his eyes shining deep golden with his anger.

"No. This is my job. It's what I'm supposed to do!" I shout back.

"No, it's not. The powers don't send those visions so you can stupidly go off and try to kill yourself."

I stand up, my own face changing. "I don't..."

"That's the whole problem - you don't see the danger. You grab an axe and go swinging to the fray without any other thought. Didn't you ever think that by going out there you get me into the same situation as Cordelia's vision? The one we were trying to avoid. No! You make them both come true. The demon tries to bite you and I have to fight it. You didn't accomplish anything."

I'm stunned silent. Spike has actually explained to me what's bothering him. In full sentences, too. When he is mad that never happens. He calms a little and his face changes back to human. "You're obsessed, Angel. You can't see anything but the fight. You can't see me."

I'm stunned again. I have no idea how to answer. I don't know if what he says is true. I'm only trying to do my job. Maybe I did get a little sidetracked and.. What? I don't like that look in my sire's eyes.

"Aren't you in the wrong position?" He asks, calmly now. He appraises my standing, clothed form and features. I change back to human too, but I don't back down. "You broke the rules, Angel." He takes a step nearer, and before I know it I'm stepping back as he comes forward. Damn it. I won't let him intimidate me.

"No. Okay, I admit I was rash but.." Spike backhands me. "No! I'm not backing down!" What the hell am I doing? Don't I remember who's the strongest now?

"I am right, Angel. Even your friends think that." Huh? I haven't spoken to them in days; I've been too busy.. Oh. He might have a point. Still, I'm not backing down this time. Unfortunately, it's no longer about who's right or wrong, but who is stronger. Spike grins as he catches me unawares, and this time when he hits me, I stumble back into the wall.

Spike's POV:

He doesn't see it. He refuses to acknowledge what he has been doing. I'm going to change that way of thinking, and quick. It might seem cruel, but we are vampires - not humans. Our way is different. He will see my point of view, and he will see that he's being obsessive. Also, I admit, I like a little rough and ready now and then. Okay, maybe a lot!

I hit Angel hard across the cheek while he's thinking, and he stumbles against the wall. I might be smaller, but that doesn't make me weaker than him. I don't want anything to happen to my Childe. I won't permanently hurt him, but I refuse to see him maybe kill himself with his damn mission. My punishment will be designed to make him see that. Oh, and a couple of other things. Like his problem with talking back and his disobedience in not striping naked and kneeling before our bed.. I'm sure I can make a list.

Angel looks up at me, and to my surprise, he hits back. His punch is true and he catches my jaw. It feels like my bloody eyeballs are about to explode. That does it!

"Kneel!" I order him to submit to me. Angel just grins back. Okay, I gave him a chance. This time my punch catches him in the solar plexus and he gasps, although it doesn't stop him. The next hit goes under his arm as he tries to hit back. The next is to his back. Then I kick his legs out from under him. Still my Childe fights back. Now I try for the clothing. He tries to hit me, but I rip and pull at his shirt and jeans. He howls in fury as his shirt is ripped from his back. He gets in a lucky shot, and manages to rip my t-shirt.

"I've had that for 10 years!" I yell at him. He grins. "Kneel!" I command again. Still, he stands his ground. Okay. With all the strength I possess, I dive at Angel. The strength and weight of my body sends him to the ground. My hands tear at his jeans, and in moments I have him naked. It's a little intimidating to try and fight while naked. Why'd you think I did it?

"Kneel, Angel. This is your last chance." I don't think he will. When he gets it into his head to fight, he doesn't give up. It's one of his strongest attributes, but when it comes down to me, it's a weakness. In the end, I am his Sire. If I don't control him, then I threaten my own position. I like this power I have. I like having him near me, dependent on me. Yes, I even admit I love him. There are many reasons why I won't let him win over me. To vampires, position is all-important, and he has to remember ours. "Okay then."

I kick Angel hard in the gut, legs, then head. Not hard enough to break any bones, but just enough to weaken and daze him. Just at the right moment his defences drop and I make my move. In a flash I've got my fangs sinking into his marked neck. Angel growls and tries to fight me off. He can't get to me that well because I'm behind him. My arms wrap around his, holding them to his sides. My legs wrap around his waist and I pull him back. Angel's back is arched and stretched. He cries out in agony, but I don't stop. I continue to drink and drink. Even as he is drained, he continues to try and fight me. Slowly, however, I prevail, and my Childe's struggling ceases as he falls into unconsciousness.

While he's in the land of nod, I secure Angel to the bed with strong chains. I secure only his wrists to the metal headboard and leave his legs free. I want him to have some movement. I know that Angel will continue sleeping until I feed him again. I drained him pretty badly, and he won't have the strength to fight. Still, I want him conscious and unharmed in the long run. Since he is addicted to Sire's blood, I will withhold that little pleasure until later. Instead, I gently force bagged blood down his throat. Amazingly it takes two bags before he starts to wake up.

"Uh.. Sire.." Angel moans. Suddenly, he becomes aware of his predicament, and his eyes flick open. He catches on quick that he is chained securely to the bed. "Sire, please, I didn't.." I press my fingers to his lips.

"You know I can't leave it like this, don't you Angel? I have to make you submit, now that you have challenged me."

Angel's POV:

Oh, Shit! I know now I've pushed Spike too far. I tried to overpower my Sire. Failed miserably at it too, it seems.

Lately everything has been so difficult. Ever since Darla, I can't stop thinking about Wolfram and Hart. I keep trying to figure them out, to try and guess their next moves. I never realised that I had become a little obsessed about it. Every job I went on, I tried to find a connection to them. I endeavour to find a way - any way - to take the fight to them, and finally to destroy them. Now, my Sire has noticed my lack of attention to him and my friends. So he's going to show me the way. Which is just great! - Not. I won't be able to track down that Vapros and find out who sent him. No, because Spike's chained me to the damn bed and I'm not going anywhere.

I try to plead with him, but he shows he doesn't want me to talk. "Remember the rules, Angel." His hand presses over my mouth and I know from past experience that talking out of line means a gag, so I shut up. "Now, who am I?"

"Spike, my Sire," I answer quickly to his direct question. He grins at me and moves lower down on my body. To my surprise, he hasn't chained my legs. Maybe I can kick him off? I don't move fast enough however, because Spike flips me onto my front. Then I feel his fingers probing my hole. Surprisingly, he uses lube, and soon one finger becomes two. I can't hold back the moan as I feel him stretching me. I always love it when Spike touches me, loves me, even when he just takes me. Any moment now I expect his cock to fill me. Moments later something cold, hard and...plastic?! is pressed into my hole.

"No!" I shout and try to pull away.

"It's only a butt plug, Angel."

I moan and grunt as he pushes it deeper. It's fucking huge.

"Spike..." I beg again, when he's filled me to what feels like the breaking point.

"Angel, you know the rules. Shut up, or I will gag you."

I remain silent. Spike gets off the bed and I start to wonder what could possibly come next. The butt plug feels huge and uncomfortable inside me. "On your knees, Angel," he orders. I move cautiously, and when in position I feel Spike press the plug in as deep as it will go. I gasp again, and I hear Spike's little laugh. He is enjoying this.

Moments later, I feel the sharp painful smack of a wooden cane across my buttocks. Four more times the cane falls. Spike seems to be waiting for something. What? I'm not allowed to talk. The cane falls again and there is another pause. If I speak, I'll be punished for that too afterwards. Still, he's waiting for something, I can feel it. Spike loves to give me rules I can't hope to fulfil.

"Sire, please. Forgive me. I am yours to do with as you please." I know it is backing down, but I can't hope to win now. I've challenged his status as Sire, and the only way he can stop is when I admit I belong to him. That I am his Childe.

"Who are you, Angel?" Spike asks. When he presses himself to my side, I know he's naked.

"I am your Childe," I answer correctly. Spike instantly flips me over on my back again. His mouth covers mine, kissing me passionately. It feels like he's almost desperate to touch me. He presses his hard body to mine, but I yelp as the butt plug is pushed deeper. Spike lifts up his body with his arms, and looks down at me.

"Like that, did you?"

"No," I lie. My erection, which he has seen all along, tells the truth about how I take his punishment. I can't help it. As soon as Spike gets possessive, I get hard.

"Don't lie, Childe," Spike laughs. "You want more?" He rubs his cock into my stomach, and I purr softly. He continues until I answer. I try and hold out, but he's driving me insane.

"Yes, please." Spike quickly removes the plug, and seconds later he fills me with his own hard length. I scream in pleasure at the intensity of this union. The desperate need that fills Spike as he takes me. No - he isn't taking me, he's making love to me. The only way he knows how. Passionately, desperately, lovingly, in Spike's eyes. I forget sometimes that he is all demon. Sometimes he seems more human than I am.

I don't last long, and Spike doesn't even touch my cock. The feeling through bond and body is too powerful, too overwhelming, and it makes me come. I feel his love for me. His need to protect me. His fear of losing me. I see now that my actions made him fear the loss of a Childe. I know that Spike won't carry on without me, and the same is true for myself.

Spike continues with hard, deep thrusts. He comes quickly after I do. When he comes, screaming out his orgasm, his fangs dig into my neck and I know I've come again. Finally, Spike collapses on top of me and holds my body to his. I realise that he's not going to release me tonight. Also, he isn't making any effort to move. Still, I'm not complaining. I like it when he sleeps still encased within me. I feel filled by him - safe almost.

"Mmm.. Angel.. Love you." Spike murmurs sleepily, as he presses his body into mine. His words surprise me. He hardly ever tells me in words that he loves me. He shows me in action and glance all the time, but words? Never. They are cheap to him. They don't mean much. Spike's been hurt too much by love, so he doesn't confess to it.

"I'm sorry, Sire." I kiss his bleached blond hair. I know I scared him. I know how he hates it when he feels that.

"Punish you later," He yawns, and presses his head to my chest. Moments later I follow him to sleep. Wait a minute - what did he mean punish me? Oh, the talking. Good...I mean...damn...

At Wolfram and Hart:

Inside the dark box a howling can be heard. It's inhuman - animalistic in a way - but even more horrendous. Dark shadows move and rage against being confined. The being inside has no real form. It's not a dead human, but a dead demon. A demon whose chosen body still walks this earth.

Lindsay carefully steps nearer to the raging creature in the box. The energy of Angelus' fury even affects the air around it. Flames dance, and horrific smelling fumes fill the ritual room. "I know you can hear me, Angelus." He leans towards the box. The demon inside must have understood this name because he quiets a moment. "Your body still walks, Angelus. The proof is inside that box - your blood and flesh - your rightful body. It helped bring you back, and it can now send you home."

"Hooommmme," howls the unformed demon.

"Yes, force that hideous soul from your body, and take your rightful place." Lindsay steps away as the chanting starts again. This time, it's to send this demon home. Home to his own body. To Angel`s body.

*****