//What did he just say? He wants only me. Not Buffy. I don't know what to say.// "Really?" Xander squeaked out. //Nice manly move.//

Spike smiled at Xander indulgently. "Yeah, Nummy. I want you. Only you."

Xander smiled the goofiest smile anyone could and looked at the master vampire. //I can't believe he just said that. He wants me, the Zeppo, the Demon Bait, the loser. Wow.// Xander stepped forward and wrapped himself around his lover. "Well the feeling is mutual." He whispered in Spike's ear.

"So luv, we're going to let Peaches tell them?" Spike asked softly.

Xander moved a little away from Spike. "No, why?"

"Cus if you hang on me like that I'll smell like you again. Damn the Poof for making me wash ya off in the first place." He pulled at Xander's chin. "My favorite scent it is. Makes me remember that you are mine."

Xander blushed slightly. "Hey, the feeling is mutual. You're mine too ya know." Xander said confidently and defiantly.

Spike smiled at the possessiveness and love that Xander showed with him. Even with all the caring and kindness that Angelus showed the young William, he that one wrong move and he would be punished severely for it. But that was what being a Sire was about. His relationship with Xander was not about master and slave it was about love. Spike could see that now. He would never lose this mortals love, no matter how stupid he would be.

"Yeah Nummy I'm yours too."

Xander smiled at the vampire. "Good now that we have that all solved, I have to go." Xander kissed the vampire and started to leave.

"Go?" Spike asked confused. "What? Why are you going?"

Xander shook his head. "Spike if you think I was over protective of you before how do you think I'll be now that I know that you want..."

"I don't want ya, pet. I love ya." A little nervous about telling the mortal his feeling but it just seemed like the right time.

Xander's smile could have lit a small city. Hell, he could have lit all of L.A. "Ok, now that I know you love me," Xander started to walk back to the blonde. "You really think I won't kill Deadboy for all the things that he did to the person I love? He'll be ash before he gets through the door."

//Nummy loves me. He loves me. He just said it. And he means it I know he does. He takes care of me. He wants me. He LOVES me.//

Spike did a good impression of Xander's goof smile and said, "I guess you're right, love." Spike looked at the floor for a second before asking "Could you say it again?"

Xander smirk, one of the many things he learned from his lover. "You mean that I would kill Deadboy?" Spike shook his head. "No? That I would turn him to ash?" Again another nod no. "No? Oh you mean that I love you. That I want you, that I need you. That I love waking up in the morning with you by side. That I can't live one second without wanting you under me, over me, or in me."

Spike took in an unneeded breath. "Cor, Nummy." He just looked at his love for a second before making up his mind on what to do. "I think it's time to go home." He grabbed Xander's hand and started to lead him out of the shop.

Xander smiled at the vampire's back because that was all he could see and he was being dragged through the room. "Hey blondie, what about Angel?"

Spike stopped in the middle of the room and turned to Xander. "Peaches can get his own nummy."

"Spike." Xander said in the adult fatherly tone that he picked up from Giles.

"What, nummy? Ya think ya can say something like that and not get pounded through the mattress." Spike asked in all seriousness.

"No but you have to talk to Him." Xander saw Spike's eyes flicker. "Hey, I hate him more then you. Remember you are the one who is stopping me from staking him."

"But what if it's not him?" Spike asked softly.

Xander looked around. Anya and Giles seemed to have disappeared in the few minutes that Spike and him were talking in the back and none of the other had come yet so he grabbed the vampire and pulled him close.

"Look you have to talk to him or you will be think about it all night and when I pound YOU in the floor tonight I want all of your attention on me."

Spike smirked. "What happened to the bed?"

Xander smiled. "Well, after the pounding you are promising me I think the bed will be long gone by the time I get to you. Look Spike you are the Big Bad. You aren't scared of any demon even if it has 5 head, horns and tentacles. Show Angel that you can't be messed with any more. That way you can get Angel off your case and prove to your sire that he raised you right." Xander ran his hand through Spike's hair. "Look if you're that worried about him, I'll go grab Buffy and be back in an hour to watch your back. Ok?"

Spike smiled. His mortal always knew what to say. "I'd like that, pet."

"Good." Xander said and slapped Spike on his way out the door. "Incentive to be a good boy."

Spike leered. "Is that the reward or the punishment, love?"

Xander opened the door and said, "I guess you'll just have to wait to see. I love you" He need shyly.

Spike smiled, "I love you, too Nummy."

Xander smiled and closed the door behind him.

Spike stood there looking at the closed door and knew no matter what his Sire did he could handle it as long as he had Xander.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

He could see the Magic Box a few miles away. He knew his childe was in there waiting for him. William was always loyal; it was a fault that Angelus always loved and hated about him. Angelus wanted William to be strong, relentless, and completely cold hearted so he could strive where he failed. Angelus had always loved William. He was his favorite childe.

Penn though had been strong; he only did what Angelus told him. Penn had very little imagination. Dru was beautiful and she did have visions but she was crazy. It was his own fault. Slowly killing a person's family and then turning them usually wasn't the best way to keep a person sane. But William, ah William. He was smart, beautiful and cunning, not to forget imaginative.

From the second that the boy stumbled against him, he wanted the blond in his life, in his bed. He was extremely pleased when Dru decided that she wanted William as a playmate. Darla had given permission for the turning just to get Dru to stop bothering her and Angelus. Little did she know how much he wanted William.

Then the day when William stopped being William, Angelus wasn't sure if he was pleased or hurt. He missed his childe always being at his side wanting to know all about vampire lore. But Spike was what Angelus trained him for. To be the biggest baddest vampire on the planet. Sadly by the time Spike was really starting to be the master vampire he was made to be, Angelus had been souled. He didn't see his childe kill the two slayers or start his climb in the vampire hierarchy. No, his soul had stopped him from being with his family and with his childe.

When he had lost his soul, well he wasn't in the right state of mind. He finally could do what he wanted but he didn't have the loyalty that William gave him to back him up. No, Spike taunted him, annoyed him, and threatened his place. The worst part was the love and tenderness that he had received from the younger vampire was gone. As they say there is no stronger hate then a love to hate turned. He had tortured, raped, humiliated the blonde vampire for his betray of Angelus's feelings. That of course was his down fall. He underestimated Spike's devotion to Dru and his new hatred of his Sire. Angelus hoped to over come that hate now to save his child.

Yes, his child. Ever since the night with Darla, his soul and his self were no longer divided as they once were. They now saw that they needed each other and that they were stronger together then they ever were apart. Angelus even enjoyed torturing some of the "evil doers" for his souled half. The humans that stayed around him no longer were just humans, they were now his as well. That is why the betrayal of the ex-watcher cut so deep. No one betrayed Angelus especial one of his. And even worse the ex-watcher took his child away. He would pay for this. This would not go unpunished. For this, they would be one.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Angelus was strong in the body of Angel as he had been for quite some time now but no one knew that expect Angel and his other half. They had fought and destroyed so much of each others lives that trust was at times unimaginable between the two, yet Angel had learned that the demon inside of him was not as heartless and cold as he thought. When the demon tried to take change, Angel felt the protectiveness, the fear, and the anger the demon had from being locked away for so long. Angel had learned that Angelus would never truly hurt one of his own just as Angel wouldn't. It had taken months of slow work for Angel to trust the demon enough to let him out ever once in a while. Angelus did have a way of making this snitches talk and Angel knew he couldn't do that to them without a brood session afterwords.

The only time Angel truly feared that his demon was coming through to take over was when he tasted Conner's blood. Even then the demon acted as an early warning device for him and stopped him from hurting his own child. The demon was too quick to not catch on to Wolferman and Hart's idea and quickly found out what was happening.

The demon was also just as enraged about the kidnapping as Angel was. Angel knew for the demon loyalty was a big thing and Wesley had clearly deceived any trust he had by giving Holt the baby. Right now Angel could hear the demon calling for blood and Angel, for once, wanted to was going to give him it. For once him and his demon would be one.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After Xander left the Magic box, Spike didn't know what to do. His lover had told him that he loved him and wanted to go home and make love to him but he was stuck here until his Sire came and told him what was up. He didn't really care. His Sire had abandoned him. Though the years had cooled his heart, he was still hurt by the betrayal of his Sire. Yet Spike was love's bitch and to be in the arms of his Sire again had been dream of his for years. Could he accept the pain his Sire had given him and let him back into his life? //No, me heart belonged to Xander. The poof would have to take second place if he wanted back into me live. The bastard didn't even care about me chip and he bloody well knew about it. Even demon knew about it. Did he help me out? Nope, not even bloody get well soon card. Just need to tell him to fuck off and be on me way.//

The bell over the door rang and Spike turned to see his Sire.

*****
Part 5:

Angel stood at the door looking at his childe. It had been years since he had really seen him. True a few years ago they had met and he could not forget the torture session Spike had put him through but it had been years since Angel or Angelus had just looked at their childe. He had changed quiet a bit. His youthful look had change to a more wise and mature one, though his bleach blonde hair did make him look unrestrained, Angel could see the pain in his Childe's face. The younger vampire also looked very thin and his cheeks were very withdrawn. Angel never saw his Childe like this. He hated it and wanted to make those whom did it pay almost as much as Angelus did.

The thing that surprised the dark haired vampire the most was the pure joy the vampire seem to broadcasting. Angel wasn't foolish enough to think it was because of him yet he was happy to see his childe like this. He knew he had caused the blond lots of pain his years as a vampire and he finally wanted Spike just to be happy.

"William." Angel breathed out.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It was his Sire. Not that manic that took over his body a few years ago and not the broody wonder of the soul that had cursed him. It was his sire. Look in the dark vampire's eyes gave it away. Angel and the unsouled Angelus never looked at him like that. They hated him. Thought that he was below them. His Sire never did.

Yes, Spike could have made him anger and made him lose his temper but his Sire always made him feel like he was worth something, not just as dirty under his shoe.

"Sire?" Spike questioned and saw the vampire nod his head and the brunette vampire opening hit arms. That was more of an invitation then Spike needed and ran into his Sire's arms. He felt his Sire's arms wrap around him and felt the years slip away to a time where there was no bad blood between the two.

"My William." Angel pulled his childe closer to him. "I miss you, my lad."

"I missed you too, Sire." Spike's demon could feel the difference in Angel right now. He was whole and together. He no longer was divided, as he was when Angelus was together or when the soul had full power. He was his Sire again. But could even his Sire ever be really trusted with his heart again? Why was he here? Now? Where was he when He was needed?

"This is beautiful and all but could we move it to some where less outside." Said a dark skinned man from behind Angel.

Angel sighed at the intrusion. He had been away from his Childe for over a century. He wanted a few more seconds without the tension between him and his Childe coming back. "Yeah, Gunn let's go inside."

Angel let go of his childe put still kept him as close as possible as he walked into the Magic Box. Having Spike near him made him even more confident that he would get his son back. He could almost smell his son in the store with them.

"Angel?" Giles said as he walked into the room.

Angel turned to the watcher and greeted him yet his attention was on the blonde next to him the whole time. "Hello, Giles." He turned to the two mortals that followed him in. "This is Fred and Gunn. They work with me in L.A."

"Please to meet you." Fred started. "I have always liked small towns, they're so wholesome and quaint." She smiled.

Spike smirked from his place next to his Sire. "Ya won't get anymore wholesome and quaint then Sunnyhell here." Angel hit the vampire lightly on the back of the head but gave him a little smile as well.

Giles looked questioning of the actions of the two vampires. He did not trust either one other them completely but as of late Spike had proved himself loyalty to the Scoobies and Giles was not about to go back on his promise to Xander. "Well, yes. Angel, you said you had some business here." Trying to make sure of the vampire's interests.

"Yes, but it can wait for the moment." Angel said ignoring the looks he was getting from his friends. He turned to Spike, "Now tell me, childe. How are you?"

Spike looked around the room. He didn't like the looks that the mortals that came with Angel were giving him and his Sire. He wanted to figure out his Sire's game before anything happened and he was sure those mortal would not approve of some of the things that he or his Sire said. "Maybe we should talk in back, Sire?" He said softly.

Angel looked at Spike and then the others in the room. "Yes, maybe we should." Angel walked past Spike and to the backroom.

When Spike turned to follow him, he was catch by the arm. He looked at the hand then up at Giles. "Rupert?"

"Spike, are you sure of this? There seems to be something off about Angel. It's not that I don't trust your instincts it's just..."

"That you don't trust Angel." Spike smiled. "Ya know I can take care of myself."

Giles removed his hand from the vampire. "Yes, I know but I did promise Xander and anyway you have proven yourself more then worthy of our protection."

"Our?" Spike asked curiously.

Giles took off his glasses and started to clean them. "Yes. Anya is in that back making sure we have enough chains and axes if we need them." He glanced at the strangers, who nervously stood in the middle of the room.

Spike chuckled. "And here I thought you all wanted to stake me." He patted Giles on the arm. "I'll give you a yell if I need you mate. And," he glanced at the mortals "thanks."

Giles gasped and held a hand up to his chest in a mocking manner. "Did William the Bloody just thank me. I think I must sit down." Giles said with a friendly smile.

They heard a cry for Spike from the work out room and glanced at the door.

"Blame the whelp. He's been housebreaking me." He grinned at Giles as he walked to the work out room.

Spike heard Giles yell "I'll send him flowers" before he could close his door behind him. He chuckled. He looked and saw Angel standing in the middle of the room. His Sire was here for him and Spike wanted to know why.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When Angel walked through the door, he was hit by the smell of Conner. It was as if he had been there just a little while ago. But that was impossible. Conner was still with Holt and Angel was in Sunnydale. Maybe he was just imagining things just as he had imagined Darla from all those months. He just missed his son so much that he was imagining him all around him. But the smell, it wasn't exactly like his son. It was much more sexual. But it still seemed to be his son. He knew it. But it couldn't be. Yet no two human had the same scent. Not even close. But it couldn't be Conner's, could it?

Angel didn't want to think about it. //Where is Wiliam?//

"William!!" Angel called out hoping to get William to stop a potential brooding session. Both parts of him had come to the agreement that brooding did no good especial now. Now was the time for action. Finally Spike came in. He was laughing about something. It had been over a century since he had seen the blond laugh. He had truly missed his Childe.

"What is so funny?" Angel asked.

"Nothing just the watcher." Spike stopped talking. //It shouldn't be like this. I am supposed ta be mad. I am suppose ta yell at him for leaving.//

Angel walked up to Spike and swept him up in another hug and breathed in the scent that he had known so well a century ago. It too was colored with Conner's scent; even stronger then the rest of the room. "I've missed you childe."

Spike snorted and moved out of Angel's arms. "Yeah, right. You missed me so much that you left me and didn't come and look for me. Bloody hell Angelus, you didn't even know about the slayers until I told ya. Ya never even cared."

"I know, William. I was a bad sire but that was nothing I could do. The soul couldn't handle seeing you, knowing what you were doing. When I looked at you and Dru, all I could see was the people you and her killed because I turned you. I even regretted turning you for a while."

"You regretted me?" Spike sounded like a child whose father just told him that he was an unwanted complication in his father's life. "Then why...why are ya back?" Spike straightened up as much as he could and looked his Sire in the eye daring his Sire to try something.

Angel looked into the blue eyes that had turned as cold as the ice. He had hurt his childe again and not even meant to. "Things have changed William. I have changed. We have changed. There are no longer two minds in one body. There is only Angel and Angelus united and we both want our family back, Will." Angel extending his right hand hoping his Childe trusted him enough to grasp it.

Spike looked at the older vampire. //Will. He is calling me Will. That was my sire's name for me. He seems to be telling the truth. I can smell the purity off of Angel but I can feel Angelus as well. Could the curse have changed? Can I trust him even if it has?//

Spike looked at the hand that was reaching for him. //In for a penny in for a pound I guess. At least need to know why the bastard is here before kicking him out on his sorry arse.//

Spike grabbed Angel's hand and held it tight in his hand. //I ain't trusting you here Angel. I know ya will just destroy me like before.//

"Welcome back, Will." Angel kissed the blond lightly on the forehead.

Spike shivered from the touch. He missed his really Sire but that was all in the past. He had Xander now. He didn't need Angel.

"So Will tell me what happened with you? Why aren't you eating anymore?"

Spike looked at his Sire with sadness clear in his eyes. //He should know this if he cared. Knew he didn't really care. The only one who really cares about me is nummy.//

"Got chipped a while ago. Can't eat humans anymore." Spike looked away from his Sire.

"I know that Spike. But I heard that you were getting blood from Giles and Xander. Well more Xander then Giles now. What happened?" Angel brushed a hand through Spike's hair trying to comfort the vampire.

Spike was shocked. //Maybe he does care.// "Stopped asking Giles for blood a long time ago and Whelp doesn't really know enough about vampires to know how much we drink. Never got around to tell him."

"Will, you live with him. How could you not find time to tell him?"

Spike looked at his Sire with defiance in his eyes. "Maybe I didn't want him to worry about it." Seeing the shocked look in his Sire's eyes he continued. "He's a good host. Let's me stay at his place. Cleans me up when I get banged up. Don't want to take his whole pay check on blood for me now do we." He still didn't trust his Sire with his feeling for Xander.

"Wow that is down right decent of you, childe. You don't have a fever or something did you?" Angel playfully laid a hand on Spike's forehead.

Spike struck Angel's hand off his head. "Ha ha Angelus. I see your sense of humor hasn't improved."

Angel smiled at his child. "So boy, what else has happened?"

Spike took out a cigarette and lit it. "Nothing much." Spike really didn't want to talk about his depression, his siding with the slayers or his little tiff with her either. "Seems like you know everything that had happened so why don't you tell me why you are here?"

Angel took in an unneeded breath. "I need your help."

Spike rolled his eyes. "Got that from your phone call. What was so important you needed to call me?" //Come on, we both know you aren't here to rekindle some old Sire/Childe relationship no matter how much I want you to.//

Angel started talking about how he slept with Darla, and about how she was pregnant. He told Spike about the baby and finally about Holt.

"Wesley took Conner to Holt and I want him back but I need your help."

//So that's his bloody plan. Doesn't even care about what I say. Just wants me to get my bleedin' part of the job done the turn me away like always. Damn him for making me think that he really cared.// "So what your saying is that you have been just buttering me up so I would say yes?"

Angel looked at his Childe in shock. "No, you know that I wouldn't do that. Only you can help me here, Will."

Spike flinched at the nickname. //I guess it doesn't mean anything to him anymore. I'm just the errand boy.//

"What's wrong with your humans?" Spike sneered.

Angel growled low in his throat "Well let's see. I trusted them and then I get my son kidnapped. I need to have someone I trust. I trust you, Will."

"Well the feeling's not mutual." //Bloody wanker just wants me to help then get lost. Fine the fast we get the kid then the faster he gets out of here. Still doesn't give a flying shit about me. Doesn't even care that I am useless against humans.//

Spike stood up straight just a few inches from his Sire's face and outlined the rule just incase the elder vampire didn't know them yet. "Fine here is the deal, Peaches. We get your kid back then you get you and yours out of here and don't turn back."

//What happened? In the old days he would have been at my side in a second if it was family, no matter how distant. He trusted me.// "Will, I was hoping you would come back with me. Start a new family. Just you, me, and my son. We could be together again."

"Look ya poof. We both know ya don't want me there and that I don't want to be there so I'll solve your little problem and you leave me alone. The last time you promised family you left me and Dru to fend for our selves. Wasn't for Penn we would have died. Didn't bloody care about us then did ya? Didn't even care when ya killed Penn. If that is your idea of family mate you are more fucked up then I thought."

Spike turned around to left the room when he was hit from behind by the brunette vampire and flew across the room.

"I thought I taught you better then that boy." Angel walked up to him. "You are part of my family. I made you I can break you." He grabbed Spike be the throat as he glared into his Childe's eyes through his golden ones.

"Blow me, Peaches," Spike said as he grabbed Angel's hand and tried to pull it off his throat. He hit his Sire hard in the chest and Angel dropped Spike.

"Look, Sire." Spike spat out with complete distain. "I'm a master vampire in my own right. I said I'll get you your brat and I will otherwise, you can sod off."

Angel looked like he was going to attack Spike again when Giles opened the door.

"Are you two alright?" Giles was holding a crossbow in his arms.

Spike sneered and said, "Sure, me and Peaches here are just ironing out the details. I'll help him out then he's going to be a good Sire and leave me the Fuck alone," Spike screamed at his Sire.

Angel's eyes turned yellow as he glared at his Childe. "Fine but we are not done talking boy."

"I think you are. Angel not to be rude but you have talked to Spike but now will you please leave my shop." Giles said to Angel. Giles's cross arrow was pointed directly at Angel's heart.

Spike smiled at his Sire. "You see Sire. I have family here and I'll be staying here." Spike turned to Giles. "Rupert, it seems that there is a little demon problem and the little problem nicked Angel's baby boy."

"Fine." Giles looked at Spike with a concerned look. "Willow and I will consult the books and you can go and check if there is anything in the demon world. But don't kill the informant and drag his carcass here." Giles sighed. "It took a bloody week to get the smell out of the floor. And that was after we bleached it." Giles turned slightly to let Spike out the door yet kept his eyes on Angel, who was fuming at his Childe's betrayal.

After Spike slipped out, Angel turned to Giles. "So now you are protecting a blood sucking vampire?" He sneered at the watcher.

"No." Giles replied. "I am protecting family. He needs us and we will help him. He doesn't trust you and neither do I. So I suggest you do what he says. Let us help and leave or else. I will not hesitate to kill you like Spike or Buffy have."

Giles turned to leave but stopped when he heard Angel speak softly. "He is my Childe."

Giles turned to the vampire who now looked slightly defeated yet determination was still in his eyes. "No, Angel. He was your Childe but that was before you left him, tortured him, and he became a Master Vampire." Giles stepped closer to Angel. "He was your childe before you took Dru from him again and he was your Childe before you didn't help him with his chip. When he was chipped, we didn't trust him but we took him in. We gave him blood just so he wouldn't starve. We gave him a place to stay. Now he helps us because he wants to not because he of some bond that we call him on that hasn't been used in a century. He has people who worry about him here. What can you give him except a world of betrayal and mistrust? Leave him be Angel. Do one decent thing for the boy."

Giles opened the door and let the vampire brood about the past alone.

*****
Part 6:

As soon as Spike walked back into the store, he was jumped by the slayer's little sister. The two mortals from L.A. looked very surprised at the pair. "Oy, Nibblet. Isn't it a little late for the likes of you?"

Dawn let go of Spike but still stayed very close to the blonde vampire. "Well, it's Friday and I was at a friend's house. When Buffy came to pick me up, we came here instead of going home. It was suppose to be a sleepover but I guess she doesn't trust me enough for that yet."

Dawn lowered her gaze to the floor.

"Yeah well Nibblet, nicking stuff and lying so you can neck with a vamp doesn't really get ya on the slayer's good side does it." Dawn looked at him even sadder then before. Spike whispered in her ear. "Now me, don't care if yeah bloody steal the royal jewel just don't swap spit with the vamps." He straightened out again. "Never know what ya could get." Spike winked at her.

Dawn giggled. "There's another reason that I wanted to come here."

"Oh really luv?" Spike walked up to the counter and Anya. He leaned against the counter as Dawn walked towards him. "Hello Red." He nodded at Willow, who was sitting talk to the two from L.A.

"Yeah. Well, you see there is this dance at school. It's a daddy and daughter thing and everyone is going to be there. Even Courtney and everyone know that her dad is in the slammer." Dawn started to pace and gesture like only the teenaged girl that she was could. "And you should see what she is wearing."

Spike rolled his eyes. He really did not understand who could understand female teenagers. Females were bad enough but this hyped up versions was impossible. "Dawn, luv, the point?"

"I was hoping you would go with me." She stopped and glazed hopefully at him.

Spike looked at her in horror. "You want me, William the Bloody, to go to a school dance. Nah ah, luv."

"But my dad is in L.A. and it's not like he'll come."

"But what about Rupert? It's more like his gig anyway."

Giles came from the other room and said, "What is my gig, Spike?"

"Dances and being dad." Spike walked over to Giles and swung an arm around him. "Nibblet here needs some one to go with and I know ya'd love to wouldn't ya, mate?"

Giles looked at Spike evilly. "But Spike I thought she wanted to go with you. And anyway, I can't dance."

"Oy, you can dance. You're British."

Giles looked at the vampire. "Then what is your problem Spike?"

Before Spike could answer, Dawn interrupted. "No. It's all right." She walked over to Willow looking completely defeat. "I guess I could just stay around here and hang with you guys while all my friends are out having fun." Dawn sat down right next to Willow pouting with Willow looking at Spike with a disappointed look in her eyes. Spike knew he was lost. Two women verus one vampire. There was no contest. Anyway he did love the little bint so what was a few hours of torture at a dancing going to do.

"Fine. Fine. I'll go to your bloody shindig." Spike hung his head and shook it in defeat, while he heard Anya and Giles laughing softly from behind him.

"Really?" Dawn looked at him with hope in her eyes.

"Yeah, Nibblet." He grabbed her as she flew into his arms again. "But. But I am not going to wear any of those stuffy suits. Got it? Got a reputation to worry about."

"Isn't that long dead, William?"

Spike looked at the door from the work out room and saw his Sire standing in the doorway. "No, but you are about to be." He let go of Dawn and pushed her behind him.

Angel looked at his Childe and the mortals in the room. Giles was right. He had lost his Childe. Angel only hoped that he could get him back again. He never knew what he was missing until he lost everything.

"I don't want to fight, Will." Angel stepped closer to his Childe.

"I know but right now that's all you'll get from me." Spike morphed into his game face.

Willow jumped in the middle of the two vampires with her back to Spike. "Angel, I know you don't want to hurt anyone and this is silly. Why don't you go home and we can talk about it tomorrow?"

Angel was stunned. There were four humans that trusted Spike completely. Two of which he knew would never trusted him in the same way, souled or not.

"I'm sorry." Angel stepped back. "You're right tempers are too high right now. We can talk tomorrow." He stared at his Childe.

"Red, I can finish this right now."

Willow turned to Spike. "Like Buffy and Xander wouldn't go nuts so if you did."

Just the mention of Xander calmed Spike. "Fine." Spike walked into the storage room and yelled back "Need a smoke."

Angel watched the past the retreating figure and growled then turned to Fred and Gunn. "Let's go" and started to walk out the door.

Fred spoke up slowly. "Actually Willow and Dawn were nice enough to let us stay at there place." Fred looked at Angel with shy eyes. Gunn looked at Angel daring him to say something. Gunn never trusted Angel and his recent turn of attitude did not seem to help Gunn's attitude at all.

"Fine." Angel walked through the door and slammed it behind him.

//They all don't trust me. I just want my family back. Nothing is working out like it is suppose to. William was supposed to come back to my side. We were going to get my son and then I would have a family again. Now not even my co-workers trusted me. I need someone to talk to. Maybe I can find Cordy or Lorne. I wish Lorne was here. He could always help me out.//

Angel got into his car and started to drive. His mind was more on his problem then on his driving.

//First, I have to get Will to trust me again. He is a key part of my family. Though Will has no reason to trust me right now, he will. He is my Childe. His place is with his Sire. He will come back to me. And then with his help can I defeat Holt and get Conner back. William's quickness of mind will be a prefect counter for my plans. I need him to find my mistakes. Any way Holt knows me too well. He'll figure it my plans out. I also have to take out Fred and Gunn from the main plans. They might not give their all to me yet they want Conner back. But can I trust them with my son's life. I trusted Wesley and look what happened. Maybe I can get...//

Angel's thoughts were stopped by a scream and a thug against his car and a body hit his windshield. Angel pushed on his breaks and the body rolled off the hood onto the ground. Angel jumped out of the car and went to check the body when a 7-foot demon came charging at him. He launched at the demon and quickly staked it in the throat and watched it fall to the ground. He then turned the body that lay on the ground in front of his car unmoving. The smell of the blood hit Angel.

//Conner? That's Conner's scent. Oh my god, I hit Conner. I hit my son.// Angel grabbed the man that lay in front of the car.

"Don't worry, son. I've got you."

The man's heart was slowing down and there was lots of blood coming from the injuries on his body. Angel knew he would have to get the man to the hospital quickly if he wanted the man to life. He placed the man in this convertible and jumped in to the other side.

Angel turned the car back on and ripped through Sunnydale to the nearest hospital. //It's Conner. I know it is. My demon knows it is. The scent is purely him. There is no double for human scents. They are as unique as fingerprints. But how can he be here?// Angel looked at his passenger. //Or so old? My god, I don't even know what he looks like.//

Angel reached the hospital before he could take a good look at his son. Angel ran inside and grabbed one of the nurses. "I need help. My.." //Oh my god what do I call him. Does he look older then me? Younger? I can't say son.//

"My friend was hit by a car. He's unconscious. "

The nurse looks at him. "All right sir. Just calm down." She motions for two assistants and motions them towards her while she grabbed a clipboard. "Where is he?"

"In my car." Angel started to run with back to his car.

"Ok, sir..." She ran right after him with the two other nurses following right behind.

"Angel." He said quickly as he reached his car and careful lift the man from his car and placed his son on the gurney the other two nurse brought with them.

"Mr. Angel. What is your friend's name?"

Angel slowly laid his son's head down and wiped the blood from his face. //No, it can't be. How could this happen? My son can't be...//

"Xander Harris?"

*****
Part 7:

"Angel, what happened?"

Angel's head jerk up and looked at the person talking. Giles was standing in front of him with his blonde headed girlfriend and Willow both in tears next to him.

//These are my son's friends. They love him. They know him. To him, I'm just a vampire that tried to kill. Oh I wish I could take back the years and help him instead of hurting him or his friends. He must hate me.//

"Angel?" Giles asked. He had seen the vampire sitting there looking like had just lost his whole world when he walked in. He couldn't understand why the vampire would feel that way about Xander, a boy who on more then on occasion Angel brushed away as nothing.

"I hit him with my car." Tears started to from in Angel's eyes. "He was being chased by a demon and he just ran into the street. I didn't even see him until after I hit him. I killed the demon and then rushed him here. What have I done?"

Giles was in shock. Angel was crying over Xander. He never thought that this would happen. He turned to Anya and said, "Anya love, could you and Willow find out how Xander is doing?"

Anya nodded and took Willow into her arms and they both slowly walked to the nurse's station.

Giles turned back to Angel. "Angel, not to be rude, but don't you think you are carrying this avenger thing a little too far? Last time you saw Xander you couldn't care less if he was alive or dead. And now you are weeping a river for him?"

"He's my son." Tears started to flow down Angel's cheeks.

"Your what?"

"My son. Wesley took him from me a few days ago and gave him to Holt." Angel dropped his head again. "I don't know why I didn't know it was Xander's smell from the begin. I guess I never really cared for him. What kind of parent am I? I tried to kill my own son."

Giles looked questioning. "How can that be wouldn't you be able to know your son when you see him? Why didn't you recognize him before?"

Angel looked back at Giles. "Because two days ago when Wesley took him, he was a baby." Angel's head dropped again. "He couldn't even crawl and now he's all grown up. And he hates me."

"Well, how can you be sure that Xander is your son?"

"His scent. All humans have a scent that is only theirs and that scent is Connor's."

"That still doesn't explain..."

"He's in room 204 recovering." Anya interrupted Giles. "They say he'll be fine." She looked at the brunette vampire. "And you better hope that he is or otherwise I'll show you what a vengeance demon learns in a thousand years."

Anya turned back to Giles. "Honey, did you call Spike?"

"Spike? Why are you calling Spike?" Angel asked curiously. //What does my Childe have to do with this?//

Willow answered. "Spike and Xander have been living together. They watch each other's backs." She turned to Giles. "He's going to kill Angel if he finds out that Angel was the one who hit Xander." Willow started to cry again.

"Yes, well he'll have good reason. We won't tell him or anyone else but, Angel, I think you should leave now."

Angel jumped out of his sit. "What? Why? He's my..."

"And how can you prove that? Angel you are not on the best of terms with him or us right now. So until you can prove what you have said I would keep my mouth shut." Giles turned to the girls. "What about Buffy? Did you reach her and Dawn?"

"Yes." Anya said. "They're on their way but they are stopping at Xander's apartment to check if Spike is there. They are leaving Gunn and Fred at the house."

"Well," Willow sobbed out a little "he did say that he needed to go kill something. Maybe he's on patrol."

Giles sighed. "Lets hope that he gets the message before light because I really don't want to explain to Xander why Spike is now dust."

A nurse walked up to the little party. "Sir?" she said while looking at Giles.

"Are you responsible of the man in room 204?"

"Yes.' Giles replied.

Angel's demon was going crazy. //How dare the mortal take what is mine? I should be the one the nurses ask question. I'm his father not the good for nothing mortal.//

"He's regaining consciousness. He should be waking up soon. You can start visiting him." She turned away from the little group and went back to her post.

"Willow and Anya, why don't you go and see how he is doing? I'll stay and wait for Buffy and Spike. I don't think seeing Xander in this condition without an explanation will be good for anyone."

"All right honey." Anya said. "Come on, Willow. Lets see how my Xan is." They both started to walk silently to Xander's room.

Giles turned to Angel. "Angel, you should leave. You're going to make it worse then it already is."

"He's my son. I want to be here when he is hurt."

"So you say but you are also the one who hurt him and Spike won't let you forget about that."

"Spike? Why do you keep bring Spike into this?"

Giles snorted. "Surely Angel you have figure out about the two of them."

Angel thought about the day. Spike was happy, he smelled like Conner, he stopped fighting when Willow mentioned Xander, Spike living with Xander. "Spike is dating MY son. How can you let that monster date my son?"

"You created that monster. And by the way he is more decent and kind to Xander then you have ever been. You have no say in his live. Either of their lives. They are adults and they can take care of themselves. Now get out before I ask security to help you."

Angel knew he would not win by yelling his case. That would just bring more people. "Giles, please let me stay. I want to make it up to him. I know I was horror able to him but you have to let me try and make it up."

Giles stared at the dark haired vampire. "Alright. You may go in but I want you to leave before Spike comes."

Angel started walking towards the room before Giles stopped talking.

When Angel reached the room, it was completely dark. He saw Willow and Anya standing near the head of the bed.

"How is he?" Angel asked and he walked up to the bed. //I haven't see him and two days and I have missed this much. He is a full-grown man. He is in a relationship with my Childe. I wonder how I can get Xander away from him. Spike is no good for him.//

"He looks ok but he still hasn't woken up." Anya said. "I think he'll be fine. He always pulls through."

"Yeah." Willow said. "It's like there is someone looking out for him."

There was a yell from the hallway. "Nummy. Nummy?" The door opened and Spike came in.

"What's the poof doing here?" Spike sneered at his Sire. //He's never cared about Xander before. Why's he here now?//

Giles came up behind Spike. "He wanted to make sure that Xander was going to be alright. He was just leaving." Giles motioned a little with his head to Angel.

Angel stood up tall right in front of the bed. "No, I decided to stay."

Spike morphed into his Gameface. "No, I think Rupes was right. Ya're leave."

Angel morphed as well. "I'm staying, Childe."

"Um, guys can't you do this out side? Xander needs to rest and I don't think he wants to wake up with you to fighting." said Willow still on the prink of tears.

"Fine then get the Poof to leave." Spike said.

"I'm not leaving." Angel walked closer to Spike.

"Then we're back where we started, aren't we?"

Angel started to retort when Xander groaned lightly. Both vampires stopped moving.

"Spike?" Xander groaned and before anyone could stop him the blonde vampire was standing next to the bed holding his lover's hand.

"'m right here, nummy." He took his other hand and started to brush his lover's hair.

Xander opened his eyes and blinked a few times. "Spike?" Spike nodded his head slightly with a huge grin on his face. "Ouch."

Spike chuckled. "How many time have I told ya not to go after demons by yourself? Could 've lost ya." Spike frowned.

Willow started to clear the room of all the on lookers. She knew her best friend pretty well even though they weren't together as much and she knew he like Spike and that Spike seemed to like him too. Hopefully Spike would make a move soon.

Angel didn't want to leave his son especial with Spike. He had taught the blond everything he knew which made Spike in his eyes less trustworthy but Willow and the others wouldn't let Angel stay. Plus Spike couldn't hurt Xander physical so Angel still had time to get him away from Xander.

Xander looked at his lover. He could see the sadness in his eyes. "I know but it wasn't the demon that got me. It was some stupid car and before you go trying to find the driver I ran into him. He couldn't stop. Ok? Don't go chasing some human idiot because of this, uh?"

Spike smiled a little. Ever since he heard what happened all he thought about was getting the son of a bitch that did it to his lover, human or demon, but Xander knew that. He would have done it and stood through the pain just for the taste of the fucker's blood. But Xander didn't want that so he wouldn't. "Alright love."

Xander smiled. "I like you calling me that."

"Love? You like me calling you love, love?" Spike ginned.

"Yeah." Xander giggled and blushed a little.

"Well, like calling you love too. So you better get use to me calling you love, love."

Xander started to laugh harder. "Spike, I think you have to stop. It hurts when

I laugh."

Spike frowned. "Seriously, Nummy, are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm ok." Xander stroked Spike's cheek. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. You know I can live through anything. Hell, I did in my house."

Spike's eyes went yellow with rage. "Hey, hey buddy. Calm down. I don't need to be in here wondering if you're getting the shit beatin' out of you by some human just because you're pissed."

Spike calmed down a little. "Then what am I suppose to do, Nummy? I feel useless here. I'm a vampire. We kill, maim and torture anything the hurt one of ours and you're mine."

Xander loked at the vampire a few seconds before scooting a little to the farther end of the bed. "Jump in."

"What? No Nummy, ya need your rest."

Xander smiled. "But I always sleep better with you next to me."

Spike sighed and got into bed next to Xander. Xander moved on top of him. "Wasn't enough room. Sorry blondie, it looks like I'm just going to halfta sleep on ya."

Spike smiled at the brunette. "Do what ever ya want, love."

Xander smiled into Spike's chest. "I love you."

"I love you too nummy." Spike said as he watched Xander fall asleep and soon followed his lover.

Angel had watched most of the exchange from a crack in the door. He saw how tender Spike was being to Xander and could see how much Xander loved Spike. Just as he was turning away, he felt a small hand land on his back. He quickly spun around to see the small blonde Slayer.

"Hey Angel. What are you doing here?"

*****
Part 8:

"Giles, told me that you were here to talk to Spike but why are you at the hospital?"

"Hey, Buffy." Angel started lamely. "Me, I'm not doing anything." He glanced back at the door. "Just making sure that Xander was alright but Spike is in there."

//Buffy will help me. She doesn't like Spike and she would probably stake Spike for something like this so all I have to do is to get her mad about the two of them. Buffy would never want one of her friends with William the Bloody.//

"Yeah, are they together? Spike and Xander that is because Spike reeks of Xander. They are sleeping together right now."

"Really?" Buffy asked. She pushed past Angel and opened the door. She turned towards the Scoobies. "Hey, guys come over here."

The whole gang walked over to the partial opened door.

"Look, isn't that so cute?" Willow said.

Dawn turned to Willow, "Yeah it is and you owe me 20 bucks."

As Willow reached for her purse Buffy gave Dawn an evil glare. "What?" Dawn asked innocently. "Me and Willow made a bet whether or not Spike and Xander were together or if they were still stuck in the land of denial. It looks like they're together so I won." Dawn took the 20 from Willow and slipped it in her pocket.

Buffy then started to stare are Willow. "Sorry, Buffy. She kind of looped me into it. Anyway I was sure they were just flirting at the time."

"I knew the whole time." Anya said from the back.

"Really?" Dawn said. "How long have they been together?" She love the idea that her two best guy friends were together. They looked so cute together.

"Ever since Xander and I broke up." Anya said.

Angel was completely confused with how the conversation was going. "What you use to date Con..I mean Xander?"

No one remarked about Angel's slip but Giles did raise an eyebrow.

"Yes." Anya said. "Actually, we were engaged when I broke it off with him."

"Engaged?" Angel was in flustered. His son almost got married and he never knew.

Buffy turned to Angel. "Yeah they sent invitations to L.A. and then Anya called when it got canceled. Didn't Cordy tell you?"

Angel thought about it. He remembered that Cordy was going crazy a little while ago about a wedding in Sunnydale but like everything in Sunnydale he just blocked it out.

"I think she might have. I don't really remember." Angel said.

Buffy looked at him and said very seriously, "Don't tell Cordy that. She'll stake you. Wait," Buffy turned back to the group. "You that they were together and you never told us."

Giles answered for Anya. "Yes well." He started to clean his glasses. "You see Xander was scared that you girls would be disgusted by the fact he was in a relationship with William the Bloody."

"Hey," Buffy yelled. "I dated Angel and he use to be Angelus." Buffy turned to Angel. "Sorry, Angel. But it's not fair that Xander gave us so much grieve about us being together and not let me torture him and Spike about it."

"Yes, well." Giles said. "I suggest that you keep any truly rude remarks out of your conversions with Xander. He is still unsure of Spike's feelings for him."

"But Spike's in love with him now." Buffy said.

"And how do you know that, Buffy?" Giles said.

"Well, I kissed him and he kissed back then he stopped. He said that there was someone else in his heart or something like that and that they needed him more then I did. He also kind of moaned nummy and Spike never calls me nummy. Only Xander so...."

"Um Buffy, may I ask why you kissed Spike?"

"Oh, see I had this bet with Tara to see if he really just was using Xander or if he really like him. Yuck I had to kiss Spike." Buffy shivered. "Anyway Tara won. I was actually happy about that otherwise I would had to stake Spike and then Xander would have been mad."

"Quite."

"Anyway, are we done with the interrogation? I want to check up on Xander." Dawn asked.

"Yes, yes." Giles motioned to the door. "Go."

Angel just stood there dumbstruck. This was not how things worked. The Scoobies were supposed to be disgusted with Spike and Xander's relationship not making bets and making sure they were in love. No this was a parallel universe in Angel mind. A place where his Childe didn't listen to him, his son was Xander Harris, Buffy kissed Spike, and where his son and his Childe were together.

"Angel, snap out of it." Buffy said. "You're just standing there. If you want to check up on Xander, come on in with me." Buffy reached for her sister. "Come on. One big group so he can get his sleep."

"Yeah sure." Angel said. He followed Buffy in still trying to figure out what was going on around him. Buffy and Dawn walked up to the bed and Buffy started to poke Spike. "Spike, wake up."

The vampire opened one eye and closed it again after he saw who it was. "Go away, Slayer. Some of us need our sleep." He moved closer to the warmth next to him and then the realization dawned on him and he shot right back up. "Look Slayer, it's not what ya think."

//I don't think this is how Nummy wanted them to find out.// Spike thought. Spike tried to slip out of the bed but Xander was on top of him and with every move he made Xander pulled him closer. "Nummy, let go."

"Oh it better be what I think." Buffy said with a smirk.

Spike was still struggling to get out from under his lover without waking him up. "Nummy, got to get up."

Xander opened his eyes and looked at his lover with dazed eyes probably from the drugs he was on because of the injuries. "Spike, stop moving. Comfie, sleep." He laid his head back down on Spike's chest. "We can play later."

Spike was praising the devil that vampires couldn't blush. He was completely covered by his lover while his ex-love interest, his little sister, and his Sire were watching him being told that he couldn't have sex right now. Well, the girls were more amused then anything but his Sire looked homicidal.

"Pet, ya don't understand. Just let me up. The slayer's here."

"Buffy?" Xander turned to the crowd. "Hey Buffy, what are you doing here?" He turned to Spike. "What is Buffy doing in our bedroom?"

"Love, you're in the hospital, remember?" Spike said a little worried about how Xander was acting.

Xander sat up a little. "Oh yeah because someone hit me with his car." He turned to Buffy. "Buffy, don't beat up the guy. I kind of ran in front of the car."

Xander yawned. "Can I go back to sleep now? I'm tired."

Spike stroked his face. "Sure love but I have to go." He saw the look in Xander eyes and continued. "I want to talk to the docs, ok? I'll be back."

"Ok." Xander let Spike get out of the bed but caught his arm before he moved to far. "I love you."

Spike looked at the others in the room and moved close to Xander and whispered. "I love you too" in his ear hoping the others wouldn't call him on it.

Xander smiled and went right back to the slumber that he was taken from.

Spike brushed through Xander hair. "Idiot" he said fondly and turned to the group that was watching his every move.

Dawn was the first to move. She grabbed onto Spike. "That was so cute. You love Xander and Xander loves you. You two are so cute."

Spike growled at her as he wrapped his arms around her. "Nibblet, I'm a vampire. 'm not cute."

Buffy replied, "Yes, you are." She reached over and pinched one of Spike's cheeks. Then repeat in the baby talk, "Yes, you are. Yes, you are. You're so cute."

Spike's eyes turned yellow. "One more word Slayer and I'll..."

"You'll what Spike?" Angel asked. Angel was extremely close to morphing.

"Peaches, why are ya still here? Why don't ya do something useful and find who did this to my Nummy?" Spike turned to Xander. "Hate seeing him like this. First his bastard parents, then his whole need to save the bloody world. He's always in trouble." The sadness was clear in Spike's eyes. "Well, Nummy told me I could do nothing to is parents but I'm going to get this bastard."

Guilt washed over Angel's face. "Didn't he say that you shouldn't attack the guy who did this to him?"

Spike turned back to Angel. "Yeah well, let's just say I have a few favors I can call on." Spike looked down at the Dawn. "Come on, Nibblet. Let's see what these bleedin' doctors are doing to Xander."

Dawn let go of Spike but grabbed his hand as he walked out. "So how did it happen? When did you first fall for Xan..." Dawn started to ask as they walked out the door. The sound started to fade from Angel and Buffy as the door closed. Buffy placed a hand on Xander's cheek.

"He'll be fine." Angel said not knowing who he was trying to convince. Buffy smiled at Angel. "Yeah I know. He's a survivor." She looked back at her friend. "He's always had it hard. He tries not to show us how he is doing but we can tell. I think that's why Spike's so good for him." She turned to Angel. "He doesn't let Xander b.s. the truth."

Angel stepped forward and pulled his ex-girlfriend into a hug. "It's going to be fine."

Buffy nodded into his chest. They held each other for a few minutes before Buffy pulled away.

"So what did you want to talk to Spike about?"

*****