Title: A Past Not Forgotten

Author: angelspike69 & anamcara420

Rating: NC17

Pairing: Angel/Spike

Summary: It's been 25 years since the events in the alley. Who survived?

Spoilers: There will be some slight spoilers from Not Fade Away, and then it goes totally AU as the screen went black.

Warnings: M/M sex – if this isn't your cup of tea, then don't read.

Disclaimer: Joss created the characters. We're just playing with boys, and having lots of fun.

Distribution: My Perfect Rhyme (http://www.myperfectrhyme.com) and my Live Journal (http://angelspike69.livejournal.com). If you'd like to archive it, please ask.

Authors' Note #1: Many thanks go out to dragonydreams for the wonderful beta. She answered our call, and we are truly thankful.

Feedback: AngelSpike69 (marinersgal69@msn.com) & Anamcara420 (ldelrossi@excite.com)

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Chapter 1

May 2004

Angel walked cautiously into the alley, blinking through the rain splashing onto his face, looking left and right, hoping for a glimpse of his friends; hoping that the demons had not yet arrived.

Spike appeared from the shadows, his face bloodied. "Boo," he said in an attempt to be his normally nonchalant snarky self.

Angel sighed inwardly in relief. Spike had made it. "Anyone else?"

"Not so far. You feel the heat?"

"It's coming." Angel responded quietly.

With his usual snark, Spike answered. "Finally got ourselves a decent brawl."

The two vampires turned when they heard footsteps. A bloody Gunn ran down the alley toward them, carrying his beloved homemade battle-axe. As he neared them, his steps faltered, but he grinned a little. "Damn! How did I know the fang boys would pull through? You're lucky we're on the same side, dogs, 'cause I was on fire tonight."

His voice grew weaker. "My game was tight."

He wavered and almost collapsed, but Angel and Spike caught him and helped him to sit on a box.

Spike looked at Gunn's wounds. "You're supposed to wear the red stuff on the inside, Charlie boy."

The injured man looked down at the blood covering his chest and then stared up at the two vampires, concern etched on his dark, battered face. "Any word on Wes?"

There was sudden movement and Spike and Angel whirled to face it. Illyria, her blue streaked hair in a sodden tangle, jumped down into the alley. "Wesley's dead." She said softly.

Angel's wet face revealed his anguish at the loss of his friend. The tears on Gunn's face warred with the raindrops and blood. Spike hung his head.

The leather clad ancient god continued in her quiet, clipped voice. "I'm feeling grief for him. I can't seem to control it. I wish to do more violence."

Spike pulled his reserve of mockery from deep within his body. "Well, wishes just happen to be horses today."

Angel glanced down the slightly brightening alley at the approaching demons and answered quietly. "Among other things."

Lightning pierced the sky as Spike, Gunn and Illyria followed Angel's gaze. A cacophony of shrieks and shouts hit them as the huge, clamoring horde marched purposely toward them, brandishing weapons; intent on a massacre. Fury contorted their faces; fury at the audacity of the two souled vampires and their friends who breached the secrecy of the Black Thorn and destroyed the L.A branch of Wolfram and Hart in their foolhardy attempt to bring down the Senior Partners.

Gunn, his agony blooming amid the blood on his face, spoke to Angel and Spike. "Okay. You take the 30,000 on the left..."

Illyria stared at the wounded human. "You're fading. You'll last 10 minutes at best."

The proud, but injured warrior stood carefully, his hand clutched tightly around his axe. He struggled to put bravado into his voice. "Then let's make 'em memorable."

Angel stepped forward, followed by Spike, Gunn and Illyria. They stood tensely, gripping their weapons as the demons strode, stomped, rolled or slithered toward them.

Spike glanced briefly at Angel. "In terms of a plan?"

Angel responded in typical laconic fashion despite the danger. "We fight."

Spike looked more intently at Angel. "Bit more specific."

Angel grasped his sword tightly, stepped forward and stared up. A huge dragon, its enormous wings glittering with rain drops, filled the sky above the alley. It dipped and hovered above them spewing puffs of smoke. Angel knew that the smoke was the precursor of its fiery breath.

He answered quietly, awe modulating his voice. "Well, personally, I kind of want to slay the dragon."

The demons drew closer and the din increased.

Angel spoke again, the awe gone, determination in his words as he raised his sword. "Let's go to work."

With Spike on one side of Angel, Illyria on the other and Gunn standing precariously behind, the heroes faced the multitude of demons storming toward them. Angel and Spike brandished swords wildly and cut down several in the first wave. They were not unscathed. Angel had the use of only one arm. The other hung uselessly by his side, a huge gash bleeding profusely. Spike had a large, deep gash across his chest and blood gushed from a wound in his neck. Gunn fought bravely for a few minutes but succumbed to a thrust by a four-armed Caarxeta demon.

The dragon careened toward Angel, its fiery breath dangerously close. He stabbed its belly and it spit fire as it soared upward. Angel jumped back readying his sword for another thrust. He turned his head slightly toward Spike who was battling a Kvorathan demon. Suddenly the valiant vampire, who had given his life to save the world only a year before, disappeared in a cloud of dust, staked from behind by one of the Fell Brethren. Angel froze, and then his scream pierced the air. "No!"

The alley was suddenly bathed in a blindingly brilliant white light. All movement and sound ceased. Angel lifted his eyes. Illyria stood, arms out, head thrown back as tendrils of glaring white erupted from her body and swirled violently into the passageway. Angel was flung into a shattering wall. He fell to the ground unconscious as the wall collapsed, covering him with bricks. He did not hear the demon screams and wails. He did not see them disintegrate into dust. He did not see Illyria's body fly apart and disappear into the torrents of rain pummeling the alley.

TBC