Author: Buffywatcher

Feedback: Constructive comments always welcome: Deepkori@hotmail.com

Pairing: Primarily Angel(us)/Spike

Rating: R Possibly a bit of romantic NC-17'ish circumstances.

Spoilers: None this story takes place in an AU setting and will pretty much ignore the current season of Angel.

Warnings: This story will contain instances of extreme violence, sexuality and character deaths.

Disclaimer: Just borrowing them for a bit of harmless fun. All characters, recognisable likenesses are retained by their owner and accredited license holders.

Writer's Notes: This story takes place in an AU setting and includes a scene challenge posted by Angela with some minor artistic changes. Connor has been born, Spike has his soul and isn't chipped as well and Angel and the LA Gang have taken over the running of Wolfram & Hart. However the incident with the first has not taken place and Buffy died and has been resurrected. As always thanks are going out to GF, MarieC, Luba, and Mera my most excellent group of Beta/Editors. Very special thanks to Mera, she got in on the ground floor on this one and chimed in with some big assistance so dedicating this one to her.

Distribution: If I've already been given permission to archive my work please consider it yours if you want it. If I haven't and you would like to archive it please do, all I ask is that you email me and tell me where it's going so I can visit.

Summary: The Powers That Be offer to release Angel from his destiny as a Champion but they make a critical error that may well doom their cause forever.

**Special Notes: There seems to be some controversy over the proper spelling of D'Hoffrun/ Ta'hoffren but as D'Hoffrun is apparently the spelling used in the DVD we're going to err on the side of Joss and the DVD on this one. Also please note this chapter contains instances of extreme violence and it gets a tad graphic here and there,**

*Denotes Thoughts*
 
 

Ethan stands as still as stone and locks eyes with Giles as Angelus pulls Spike out of their line of vision, wrapping his arms protectively around his boy.

"Are they going to kill each other?" He asks under his breath, pressing his mouth to his boy's ear as his only answer is a soft chuckle and a motion to turn his attention back to the scene unfolding before them. Angelus does as his impudent boy dictates and they watch silently from the safety of the kitchen as a meeting long in coming unfolds before them.

Giles looks at Ethan and finds his gaze mirrored right back, but what he sees in Ethan's eyes is a surprise. While he's shocked into silence to see him, the nervous fear in his eyes provokes a surprising response from him.

"Please come in Ethan. It's been a long time." He says finally, motioning towards the couch and chairs.

Ethan looks amazed but slowly gives a nervous smile and tentatively sits on the edge of a chair as though preparing himself to be thrown out at any moment.

"I must say Rupert; I expected to be pelted with hellfire or teleported somewhere very...unpleasant. You're being surprisingly accepting." Ethan says surprised.

"Well I had some help accepting some of the things I'm not exactly proud of in my younger days. I've learned to face up to my own choices without trying to blame everyone else around me for mistakes I had just as much a part of making. I was blaming you for a lot of things that I had no right to. I was a stupid boy but I wasn't a mindless one, I'd made the choices I'd made, willingly." Giles admits, pulling off his glasses and cleaning them nervously.

"Yes well, I WAS evil, so perhaps I should shoulder the majority of the blame..." Ethan says rising from the chair and taking a hopeful step forward with his hand raised and a hopeful expression.

He lets out the breath he doesn't know he was holding as Giles moves forward after a slight hesitation to shake his hand. They both hold on an unusually long time but then they seem to realise that in unison and quickly drop each other's hand.

"So old chap, you've had quite the change of heart; that help you mentioned wouldn't happen to be a stubborn, pain in the ass blond by any chance?" Ethan asks with a knowing smile.

"Well yes I believe that he was." Giles answers with an unembarrassed shrug as a deep chuckle sounds out from the kitchen garnering the pair's attention.

Angelus walks out of the kitchen, holding Spike's hand as he trails after him with an abashed grin.

"What can I say? I'm real big on redemption these days." He says quietly looking at his Sire's back fondly as he turns to face him with a smile that is for them alone.

Angelus lifts Spike and places him gently on the counter to perch, smiling as his boy opens his arms in silent demand. He turns and backs towards Spike, smiling as his arms and legs wrap around him as securely as a blanket, in a hug so tight that only another Vampire could find it comfortable.

"You're looking very...possessed these days Spike." Ethan says with a pleased smile.

Spike nuzzles his Sire's ear and purrs softly. "I love every minute of it Mate."

"If it's not too intrusive my ever surprising young Mate to be, care to explain how you two came to know each other?" Angelus asks nuzzling his Childe back affectionately.

"When the Initiative was in town, Ethan and I there were unfortunate enough to warrant their attention. In fact if it wasn't for Ethan I suspect I would have died...again...down in their rat maze of torture chambers that masqueraded as 'research'. He was responsible for the 'technical difficulties' that helped several formerly incarcerated to make a break for it. I made it to the surface and ran into him there and took note of him but frankly I was more interested in running until I was far enough away from that nightmare." Spike scowls at the memory of the indignities he was forced to endure. "About a week later I heard some fighting and saw that the bully boys had managed to corner Ethan again."

"Spike saved me from getting dragged back in for their damn experiments and gave me a place to hide for a few days, all of which probably saved my life. I saw what happened to 'test subjects' they no longer had a use for." The look on Ethan's face tells everyone that the knowledge still haunts his nightmares.

"No one deserves to be dissected alive Mate, while some egghead bastard pokes around in your innards to see what makes you tick." Spike says flatly.

Angelus spins in his lover's hold and locks his arms around him, clinging and shaking at the thought that he could have lost his Childe to such a fate. Spike purrs and strokes his hand through his quaking Sire's hair as he rubs his hand up and down his back trying to soothe the tremors away. Giles pales as his knees give out and Ethan shoots off the chair to catch him, gently levering him onto the nearby sofa, sitting beside him with an arm around his shoulder.

"God, I am so sorry Spike, Ethan. We saw what they did to Spike, but we were so short-sighted. We never stopped to wonder just how deep their depravity was until it was all over..." Giles drops his forehead into his hand and his shoulders shake as his mind replies horrific scenes from his imagination that he knows will likely never match the reality of what Spike and Ethan survived.

Angelus spins around with a snarl. "That could have been my Wil! You arrogant, ignorant, self-absorbed HUMAN, all you could see is the benefit of having one of the deadliest Vampires in history on a leash, on YOUR leash! Did any of you even give it a serious attempt to find a way to help him?" He demands, his facial features rippling from Demon to human guises as his emotions rage. "You're FOOLS, all of you! I am looking forward to watching just when it all occurs to you HOW foolish you've been."

That brings Giles head up, his cheeks wet with tears and his eyes dark with fear and glistening with pain. Angelus tries to take a step forward but finds himself locked in his lover's embrace so he settles for a snarl and a taunting sneer.

"William may have been sired by Drusilla; but from the first he has always been MINE, MY CHILDE." Angelus turns in his lover's embrace and his voice softens as he raises his hand to his boy's cheek and caresses it gently. "My Favourite Childe." He looks over his shoulder at Giles. "He survived the Initiative and he survived ME, without my soul and you think he would let something as measly as a bit of Human garbage in his brain, make him any less than he was? I highly doubt that a tiny chip could cause him a tenth of the pain I've visited on him. I never broke him Watcher, not once in all our time together. Not once in our century apart has he been broken by pain, HE'S TOO STRONG! Only one thing has ever been able to control Spike, Watcher and they'll never find a way that can make a chip that generates love." Understanding dawns on Giles' face. "That's right, Giles, you're all alive because for whatever reason, Spike decided he liked you that way."

"You loved Buffy, Buffy loved the runts and the Watcher and I, I loved you. One falls, they all tumble like dominoes until you would have fallen. Hellmouth opens, world goes to hell, YOU go to Hell." Spike says simplistically with simple honesty. He doesn't have the chance to say anything more as Angelus' mouth covering his own steals any further words away.

Spike clings to his lover for several minutes until he realises that Giles and Ethan are staring at them with their mouths hanging open and a glazed look in their eyes. He taps Angelus on the shoulder and motions with his chin towards the couch and in a few seconds they're clinging to each other with laughter not passion.

"Maybe we should make them some coffee yeah?" Spike asks still snickering, which sets his Sire off into more laughter.

"I think my lad we definitely need to look into getting you a warning label." Angelus chuckles quietly.

"Oi, what did I do?!" Spike laughs as Angelus lifts him off the counter and carries him along with him into the kitchen.

"Just being in the same room is enough to make people's hormones go crazy! You've always had an uncanny knack to affect people when you put your mind to it or don't deliberately dampen the effect." Angelus laughs as Spike scowls and pouts. "Why do you think Darla always called you that 'little blond incubus bastard' for?"

"OI, I'M NOT LITTLE! JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE AS BIG AS A DAMN LORRY..." Spike growls.

Angelus laughs and locking his hands around Spike's waist and lifts him off and sets him down gently with a soft kiss that steals his anger away. Spike moan turns into a squeak of disbelief as Angelus pushes him back and slaps him stingingly on one perfect cheek. "Stop comparing me to a truck and make them some coffee while I go watch them drool some more."

Spike rubs his smarting posterior and mumbles dark threats as he sets about making a fresh pot of coffee, thankful he's been stuck at the Watcher's long enough to know how to work the expensive coffeemaker. The motions are as graceful as they are mundane and he prepares the coffee quickly and efficiently, setting up a formal coffee set much as he once did for his elderly mother's fashionable tea parties. He opens the cabinet doors and finds a selection of biscuits and a small assortment of tea cakes packed in cellophane. He takes down a plate and quickly assembles a simple but elegant arrangement of treats which he sets on the tray beside the carafe of boiling hot coffee. He picks up the tray and turns to find three faces staring at him with identical expressions of enchanted surprise.

"I guess you can get the man out of the Victorian age but you can't get the Victorian age out of the man eh?" He ducks his head with uncharacteristic meekness. He raises his head as a gentle hand cups his cheek and he finds his eyes caught in the tender embrace of smiling brown eyes. He tilts his head to the side and purrs softly as a tender hand trails along the sweeping slope of his cheek in a tender caress.

Angelus reaches out and takes the tray, slides it onto the island counter between Giles and Ethan and pulls Spike into his embrace, purring softly as their cheeks rub together in silent communion.

Giles looks on and marvels at the sight before him. It is sometimes so easy to forget that Angelus and Spike have seen so much, done so much, lived through times he's only read about in books and lived vicariously through movies. He observes the two men silently embracing, looking like nothing less than a pair of tigers nuzzling cheeks that strangely only reinforces how deadly they are. They are two halves of a coin, each showing a very different picture to the world yet defined and refined by their opposite to form a complete picture, whole only together.

Angelus has managed to retain much of the air of aristocracy and nobility only the bygone ages of the past could produce. He once stood as the king of the world among his kind, held absolute domain over the living, who would die, and who would rise once more to join kind. Yes, much of that lingers in this new Angelus reborn as a curious mixture of his past and present incarnations. It shows clearly in the smallest of gestures and the ease with which he touches Spike, as though it was his right by blood. The history books and oldest texts have little recorded of the personal relationship between Angelus and Spike and less still of that between Angelus and Spike's earliest incarnation as William. Almost all the scholars holding Drusilla to be Angelus' great obsession, the Childe to whom all others paled. Sitting here in this place of privileged observation, perhaps he; in the entire world; knows the truth. He calls himself all the kinds of fool there are for not realising the truth any sooner.

When Angelus returned previously he was insane with over a century's worth of confinement and bound and determined to torture Buffy for making him feel the human emotions he no doubt blamed for his incarceration to begin with. Hours of quiet and surprisingly intelligent conversations with Spike have convinced him that the Angelus he knew those years ago was a mockery, a facsimile of the Vampire that he knew. He told him that this Angelus was insane, driven to destroy everything he once loved. In his zeal to save Buffy from his obsessive wrath he never stopped to see that he wasn't the only one slated to be tortured and destroyed by the Vampire gone mad.

By whatever providence, Spike knew that he too would not be spared and he made the radical decision to help Buffy. Yet even among the knowledge that she would likely have to send Angelus to his final death, he found a way to do what had to be done yet not have to watch his end. He addled him then Drusilla and quickly made his escape but he wonders now was he running from the possibility that Angelus would win and come after them? Or was he running hoping he wouldn't have to witness his final death? Observing this Angelus he knows that Spike spoke the truth and that this Angelus is at last the one that Spike knew, that he loved, all those years ago. For all his manners and his sheer viciousness much of the past lingers in Angelus as tangible as the scent that lingers in old homes and in the forgotten corners of the oldest museums. He is the perfect unwavering line from the past through the present and into the future. He is the steady march of time itself, all in its order and to all in its place.

Spike for all his Victorian upbringing is very much a child of the present. He is the anarchy of youth that never fades. He is energy and power that when focused becomes as devastating as any force of nature. He is the mercurial shifts that are the wind, the driving force of movement, of rebirth and resurrection. Even in death he is life that clings where no life should be, a survivor when all else has given up the fight to exist. He is the dreamer that never awakens, the one to whom disbelief is suspended and everything is possible. He is the absence of pretence, the truth that is laid bare when you can no longer lie. He is the chaos of growth and change through conflict and through strife and through adversity. No matter what age you drop Spike into he will land on his feet and he will take the best of it and make it his own, absorb it into his skin until he is part of it.

Giles wonders what Spike was like before he and Drusilla made their fateful appearance in Sunnydale. The thought brings Drusilla to mind and he's struck by just how different that frail child of yesteryear was from her wild child of a lover. He's always been curious to know just what relationship the blond antichrist and the broken yet dangerous Drusilla shared. Some histories call them Mates and others merely lovers while yet others merely call them the Childer of Angelus. Perhaps it was more fundamental than that and they were simply Sire and Childe, bound beyond love and hate into an eternal orbit through each other's existence. The orbit that had been broken only by the return of Angelus, sanctified by his reclamation of his fiery and headstrong Childe in all but name.

The sound of softly chiming fine china draws him out of his thoughts as he takes the cup and saucer Spike is holding out for him. He notes absently that he drops in a teaspoon of sugar and the healthy dollop of cream that he prefers and he's flattered that the younger Vampire cared enough to remember how he likes his coffee. As he watches Angelus hand him another cup and saucer, he repeats the performance for Ethan, preparing his cup with the three teaspoons of sugar and a teaspoon of non-dairy creamer that he prefers. He smiles as the pair prepares each other's cups with the same ease, smiling as they exchange cups.

He clears his throat and takes a sip of coffee to hide his smile, noting that Ethan is seemingly overly entranced with his own coffee. "So you said we could help you with the bonding ceremony?"

Ethan looks surprised to hear that but intrigued and remains respectfully silent as Angelus takes Spike's hand and leads him out of the kitchen. He turns and hops up on the old desk that butts up against the back of the couch and smiles as Spike joins him with an agile hop, not even spilling a drop of his coffee.

"We were telling Giles that Wil and I have decided to take the mating vows, the full ceremony. For that we need some help. Usually the elders of the order in question would fulfil that role but the Aurelius line is basically William and I -- and now Wil's son Andrew, we are all that are left other than servitors, minions and lower ranking fledglings. Drusilla, Darla, and Penn are all gone now as are their Childer, so we'd like to ask if you would assume their place." Angelus asks formally.

"What would we need to do?" Giles asks.

"There are some vows that we'll have to recite, a ceremony that we need to perform with you two as witnesses. There are also some spells involved, particularly in conjunction with the Trial, as we spoke of earlier. You and Ethan would be presiding over the Trial, the mating ceremony itself, and stand as witness that the old ways have been upheld." He motions to Spike's still bared chest. "The proclamation of intent and the marking are the first stage." He explains for Ethan's benefit. "It creates a slight empathic tie between us. As Spike goes through the Trial, I will hear and know all that is in him to know. As his flesh proves its worthiness, so his mind surrenders itself to me and he proves his willingness to submit all that he is to me. Should...WHEN he passes the Trial and his strength and worthiness to stand at my side are proven, the bonding ceremony takes place on the next new moon at the height of the witching hour. At that time the spells you will weave for and over us will create a permanent empathic bond and at that time all that I am will be entrusted to Wil's care and we shall be joined in ways I'm not sure I could begin to describe."

"You both have souls, will that create any problems?" Giles asks seriously.

"It might have if we weren't both integrated with our Demon halves." Spike says matter-of-factly.

"Why whatever do you mean by that?" Giles asks surprised.

"Well you know that a Vampire is ruled by their Demons upon rising." Both Giles and a fascinated Ethan nod.

"Some Vampires are able to retain a strong echo of their human halves, making them slightly less prone to the excesses of their Demon halves. Wil has always been such a Vampire. As he has aged; his human half and his Demon half have become almost perfectly balanced. Having that bloody chip in his head forced his Demon to make certain concessions to his Human half. As a result the two halves became blended and the soul only reinforces that. When I finally faced all my hidden feelings, combined with the very real fear that I had left it too late to ever have my Wil back in my life, the stress caused the same thing to happen to me. We're not human and we're not Vampires, we're a balance between the two. We've both received...confirmation of that from on high you may say."

"Well that will make things much easier." Giles sets his coffee down and walks to one of his bookcases and takes down a thick almanac. "The next new moon is three weeks from now." He says quietly. "It's accompanied by a rare stellar conjunction as well it appears." He looks up from the book as he closes it with a snap. "I'd be honoured to be of what assistance I can."

"As am I, I too have a debt that I think I may never pay off." Ethan says quietly glancing at Giles surreptiously.

Angelus and Spike share an enigmatic glance and smile in unison.

"Terrific here's what we're going to need..." Angelus begins, wrapping an arm around Spike's shoulders.

Giles groans with annoyance as Buffy whines yet again about having to 'work' on a Friday night and intersperses the whines with demands to know what they're doing at a deserted gym in the middle of the night.

*Why didn't I let Angelus eat her?* Giles thinks sourly.

"I told you why we're here Buffy. Angelus and Spike need our help with something." Xander says snaps. "They're my friends and I'm proud to help them do this. Shut up or better yet go out and sit in the car while the rest of us actually behave like grown ups."

Giles, Andrew, and Dawn all chuckle while Willow coughs to hide her own amusement, not wanting Buffy to be mad at her.

"Help them do what? And since when do we associate with the bloodsuckers?"

"And what would you call your relationship with Angel Buff? If that's your version of the Welcome Wagon greeting, I can see why so many new Demons are showing up in town lately." Xander says with a snort as Buffy glares daggers at his back.

"Buffy just shut up and walk, we'll make you a pop up book later to explain everything you don't get." Andrew quips to a titter of laughter from most of the group. "Well okay we may not have time to make a pop up book about EVERYTHING you don't understand...but maybe we can manage some flashcards..."

*Yep he's definitely Spike's boy alright.* Giles thinks as he leads everyone down a dark staircase, emerging onto an observation deck that overlooks a large pool and a large expanse of open floor. It has been cleared of everything leaving just the bare floors and walls and the doors sealed from the outside. The gym hasn't been deserted for long and water still fills the concrete pool, cracked and chipped and dingy with the dirt of neglect. Despite the abandonment the chemical cocktail still lingering in the water has kept it fairly clean and pristine.

Angelus is leaning over the railing, as though looking down into the pit like lower level while Ethan leans next to him, his back against the railing, reading from a large heavy book.

"What is he doing here?!" Buffy darts forward, a stake appearing in her hand.

Giles pivots smoothly, hooking his elbow around her arm and plants his heel spinning them into a pivot and releasing his hold, sending Buffy crashing into the wall and into a sprawling heap on the ratty carpeting as he smoothly follows through until he's facing the same direction he was when he started.

"He's here because he's invited Buffy, please refrain from killing any of the guests." Giles says smartly straightening his clothing and adjusting his glasses.

Angelus grins as he looks over his shoulder and witnesses the smooth move. He recognises Spike's influence in the smooth almost flowing simplicity of that throw. It seems Giles has been picking up a few pointers from his boy. Whereas his own fighting style relies heavily on his more massive build; on its inherent strength and ability to withstand punishing blows. He can stand his ground and duke it out much like a boxer in a ring. Spike's build is very different being slimmer and more agile with greater speed and flexibility. Spike's style of fighting is very different and very distinctive. Once he's into motion he rarely stops using his speed and agility to land massive series of devastating blows and dance out of range. His style has evolved and refined and his distinctive style is heavier on kicks, taking advantage of his powerful legs and their greater reach and smooth flowing movements. He's heard Spike refer to fighting as 'dancing' and there is likely no greater word to describe his fighting style. One move flows into the next, a flurry of punches melting into punishing kicks, sinking into a devastating throw in the ebb and crest of action and reaction.

It secretly pleases him that Giles has recognised that he could learn from Spike. In the last few days he's come to find that the pair of English ex-patriots shares a deep respect that they hold as a private matter between them both. It's sad to think that they felt they had to hide their friendship for fear it would enrage the already arrogant young girl they've both been doing their best to help. He's not overly surprised that Giles and Spike have found their common ground, being then oldest members of the small group. He's frankly more surprised that Spike and Ethan have managed to form a close camaraderie but given what he's discovered of their shared experiences with the Initiative, even that unusual relationship is understandable.

"Hey Angelmon, where's the blond terror?" Xander asks looking around; grinning as Angelus growls softly at the annoying new nickname for him that Xander persists in using.

Angelus just shakes his head and straightens from the railing, flipping his coat aside as he settles on his back next to Spike, whom he'd been cradling against his chest, concealing him from their view. The group stares at Spike's leather painted rear which is about all they can see as he leans over the railing looking down into the pit-like lower chamber.

Spike straightens and turns around and the group inhales almost in unison, in a rush of air and sighs that luckily manages not to suck all the oxygen out of the room. Spike is wearing his low riding, hip hugging black leather button fly pants and his new boots. His chest is covered only by a black vest buckled twice low and his abdomen and decorated with the scars that mark the sculpted planes of his torso. His hair is gelled and neatly swept back and he is holding an impressively deadly battle axe that he spins with easy grace. He looks at once awesomely handsome, inhumanly sexy, and utterly deadly. In short he simply is...Spike.

"Thank you all for coming, it means a lot to us." He says simply, his voice cool and calm, his attention focused and fixed on the most important fight of his life that he has no choice but to win.

Xander and Andrew hurry over to Spike, wanting to get a closer look at the awesome axe he's holding, while Giles strolls over to talk to Ethan, and Willow helps lever Buffy up off the floor. Angelus grins and chuckles as he looks over and sees that they must have left their jaws on their floor as they stare at Spike raptly.

 A bright flash of light interrupts the conversations and Angelus moves forward suavely extending his hand to Anya as she steps from the glowing portal. He is surprised to see that she isn't alone.

"D'Hoffrun, this is an unexpected honour." Angelus greets the Master Vengeance Demon with the deference due his station as Anya moves smoothly past him with a polite nod to walk over to a frozen Xander, staring at her blankly.

"Master Angelus, it has been a long time." D'Hoffrun shakes Angelus' hands and inclines his head in respect for the powerful Vampire that he has had dealings with from time to time through the centuries. "When Anyanka told me that you had requested she be your witness I was intrigued and I hope you don't mind that I tagged along as another witness?"

"We would be honoured to have such an exalted witness Lord D'Hoffrun. I am frankly surprised you see this as a matter of some worth." Angelus admits honestly.

"What happens here tonight and upon the new moon has never been successfully achieved by any Vampire Master before you, not even Nest himself achieved this." D'Hoffrun glances over where Spike is currently holding court, surrounded by his friends and being eaten alive by the hungry look in a Slayer's eyes. "Then again Nest never had such a Childe as that one." Angelus follows his gaze to Spike and he growls softly at the obviously lascivious glint in Buffy's staring eyes. "William the Bloody will succeed where the others have failed before him. He will make a perfect Mate for you. He does you great credit old friend. History is being written here today."

"And what vested interest does the Master of Arash Ma'har have in these proceedings D'Hoffrun for we both know that there is something more don't we?" Angelus says shrewdly.

D'Hoffrun smiles, glad that his old acquaintance has lost none of the formidable intelligence and presence. "When these proceedings are concluded Angelus, the Aurelius name will once more ring with influence and be spoken of in awed whispers by all Demon kind."

"Aurelius is a Clan of two Masters D'Hoffrun that can hardly be a legacy of much import." Angelus says quietly.

"It is a legacy of the FUTURE, Angelus. You were unique among Vampires and now your Favoured has ascended to a station not unlike your own. He is a credit to your line Angelus. You have learned to blend your Demon natures to the extent that you have found a niche in the human world. I see much benefit from such examples. Demons have fewer places in the world of men with every passing millennium as they change and adapt and we do not, remaining eternally frozen as we are." D'Hoffrun straightens his robes and crosses his hands neatly over his waist. "You stood as the worst of your kind, the Demon that other Demons feared. There was little that you could not do at one time Angelus, particularly with that spectacularly deadly Childe at your side." He says nodding towards Spike who is calmly ignoring the hubbub around him, his eyes shining and gleaming with focus and purpose.

Angelus tilts his head a thread of an idea coming to mind as he watches D'Hoffrun gaze at his boy with what he could almost call grateful affection. He watches Anya lean against Spike's side and how his arm slides around her shoulders for a brief hug before he returns to his self-imposed isolation among the group, remaining focused for the challenge he must win. Suddenly the pieces start to fall into place and he thinks he knows what's going on.

"No offence Lord D'Hoffrun but what interests you more about these proceedings, the fact we are going to succeed where everyone else has failed...or is it that SPIKE is going to do what no other before him has done?" Angelus asks with a raised brow, unconsciously mimicking his Childe's mannerism.

D'Hoffrun smiles well pleased that Angelus has changed so little yet seems so happy and unlike the untameable force of chaos he once was. "It is a bit of both perhaps Master Angelus? I see a time when there will be no place for Demons among the world of men and that we will need to learn to grow and evolve if we are to have any freedom at all. I would hate to be locked away as the Oldest Ones were before us. I have seen such capacity for change in my own youngest charge." D'Hoffrun glances at Anya.

 Angelus is surprised to see there is a mixture of affection, love, respect, and pride on his face. He knows the expression well for he knows he has worn it countless times in these last few weeks when he gazes at his lover. "She is more than just the youngest of your Vengeance Clan isn't she?" He asks softly.

D'Hoffrun is surprised for a moment then laughs in self-depreciation as he knows full well whom he is dealing with and just how perceptive he can be. "Yes but she has no knowledge of that as I have never told her. She is truly of my blood but for centuries I was mad, furious, I thought her humanity made her weak, made her the least of my kind. I raged against that, tried everything within my power to scour the humanity out of her, to remake her in my image. I unleashed such hell upon her and still she defied me, challenged me at every turn, demanded to be accepted for who and what she was."

Angelus has to grin. "I can see why she gets along with my boy so well."

The pair shares a grin of long suffering and unfathomable pride before D'Hoffrun continues. "I turned my back on her, made her pay for sins that were my own, and in my foolishness I could well have lost her. Your William saw to it that I did not; he kept her safe when I in my blind hatred for what it was inside her that made her better than I, would see her dead. I would not have her back with me, teaching ME, if he had let her down, but he never did, not once. He bled for her; he was a friend when I was anything but that for her. A debt is owed between us, one I think I will never be able to repay. She is the future of my Clan; I have come to realise this."

 "You owe me nothing Lord D'Hoffrun. She is my friend and that is enough. You honour us with your attendance; I would welcome you among our number Milord." Spike says formally as he bows before the ancient Demon and his Sire with deepest respect.

Angelus and D'Hoffrun are startled as they were so deeply engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice Spike walking over to them.

"Ahhh young Master William, as charming as ever I see." D'Hoffrun says just as charmingly. "I hope you don't mind that I accompanied Anya?"

"Not at all Milord, I would hardly object to the proud Father wanting to spend some time with his daughter." Spike says softly, quirking his brow. "She does you credit milord."

D'Hoffrun laughs, he was so busy being impressed with Angelus that he had actually forgotten that he was far from being the only formidable Vampire present.

Angelus laughs as Spike echoes almost the exact same words in praise of Anya that D'Hoffrun gave in praise regarding him earlier.

"May I borrow my Sire Lord D'Hoffrun for a few moments before we begin?" Spike requests formally.

The wizened Demon inclines his head politely and joins Anya with the others only to be quickly appropriated by an excited Giles and Ethan, eager to meet him.

Angelus looks down into the eyes of his beloved and he shivers as memories flood through his very blood at the look in those frozen eyes. He cannot help but recall the fanatical whispers of the religious upbringing of his human life. 'Come!" And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and its rider's name was Death'. Angelus looks down into those orbs of perfect blue death and he smiles as his cups his hands around that beloved face. "You will ride well my Laddy." He leans forward and presses the gentlest of kisses to the full lips curving into a smile below his own. Spike slowly turns to face the group as Angelus lets his hand fall; heavy with unvoiced pride; onto his shoulder and he says in his proudest Sire's voice. "We are ready to begin."

The silence is deafening as all assembled instinctively realise that something momentous is about to happen and pay it the reverence it is due. Even Buffy totally confused about what's going on falls into the spell of the moment.

Andrew and Xander quickly remember their places as they neatly split the group into smaller units. D'Hoffrun and Anya stand together, and Buffy and Willow are quickly herded to stand together before they join Dawn standing somewhat aloof from her older sister and Willow.

Ethan and Giles move forward in unison stopping shoulder to shoulder a few feet in front of Angelus and Spike and bow respectfully; waiting to receive his nod of acknowledgement; before turning still in unison to face the rest of the group.

Having decided between them both that Giles should take the lead, Ethan holds the ancient book that is the most sacred treasure of the Aurelius order, while Giles speaks.

"In the name of Aurelius and the Master Angelus, we welcome you honoured guests," Giles intones ritualistically as he and Ethan bow to D'Hoffrun and Anya. "...family," They bow together once more to Dawn, Andrew, and Xander, who return the show of respect. "...And friends." They incline their heads toward Willow and Buffy rather than bowing. "We have gathered here to stand as witness to this most sacred Rite. Let the proclaimer stand forth and be known." Giles intones solemnly.

Spike stalks forward, the battle axe balanced in both hands, turning to bow to first his Sire, then Giles and Ethan before repeating their gestures of respect to the rest of the group.

"William, he who was sired by the blood of Drusilla; Childe of Angelus; Childe of Darla; Childe of Nest. Accredited Master of the order in the year 1893. William the Bloody, Spike, slayer of Slayers Chio-Xia, 1900 and Nikki Wood, 1977. He stands proclaimed heir in truth, Childe in blood to Angelus, the Master of Aurelius, sanctified and hereby noted for all time within the book of Aurelius this date." Ethan intones from the open book he's cradling across his arms.

"Angelus, Master of Aurelius recognises Master William, as Heir in truth and Childe of the Blood and proclaimer to the Rite." Angelus says proudly.

"The Aurelius order recognises William, Aurelius Master, and Heir in truth." Giles says formally as he, Ethan, Dawn, Andrew, and Xander all bow in respect which he returns with a regal incline of his head. "This most sacred of Rites has been called in honour of the Mate's challenge as set forth by the first of Aurelius, according to the oldest scriptures. Honoured guests please stand forth and signify."

Anya allows D'Hoffrun to step forward ahead of her, remaining two steps behind him and slightly to his right.

"D'Hoffrun, Lord Master of Arash Ma'har, wellspring of the Vengeance Demons and Anyanka, true heir to the blood of D'Hoffrun." Anya is shocked into frozen rigidity as she is gently pulled to stand beside a smiling D'Hoffrun as they bow respectfully before stepping back. D'Hoffrun gently quiets the questions of his only child with a shake of his head; eternity affords them plenty of time to talk later.

Nearly everyone is shocked by that revelation but Giles quickly recovers and continues his duties as an Elder of the order. "William, Aurelius Master, do you stand ready to face the Trial?"

"Giles, Elder of Aurelius, I stand ready to face the Trial." Spike accepts regally, no sign of fear.

Giles inclines his head to Ethan, who moves forward smoothly to the railing beginning a quiet chanting that is slowly growing in strength.

Spike stands proudly facing his friends and family and he slowly takes a deep breath. "It is customary at this time to say something truly memorable or deeply profound but words fail me when everything has been said before with far greater skill than I possess. So I will break with tradition somewhat upon this occasion and instead recite a poem by a human author that has always had a deeply personal meaning for me."

'I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above:
Those that I fight I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love:
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.'

* An Irish Airman Foresees His Death by William Butler Yeats*

Angelus closes his eyes trapping a tear as his William recites from memory the poem he himself recited to the then fledgling boy on their first night as lovers so long ago. He takes a deep breath and forces his eyes open and his squares his shoulders with pride for his Childe but several other eyes weep their tears unashamedly.

"My life was taken when I was not far older than many of you now but as I stand here I will let all know that in death I have found my life." Spike says solemnly just as Ethan finishes his chant and a chill wind suddenly seems to whip around them from nowhere and three blinding flashes of light explode out of the pit-like lower level. Everyone but Angelus and Spike rushes to the railing only to cry out and fall back from the sight that greets them.

Three adult Inmarian Demons mill about confusedly, dazed from being ripped from their dimensional plane. They are hideously ugly creatures among the most bloodthirsty and violent of all Demon kind. Their bulbous bodies glisten with a sickening sheen of vinegary smelling slime. Their lower bodies look like the bulging thorax of some grotesque spider, each of their eight legs tipped with a razor sharp claw. A thick tail extends some feet out behind them the ends tipped with sharp vertical spurs of bone sickeningly thrust through their flesh. Their upper torsos are vaguely humanoid; the sickly green-grey skin colour and the rhythmic opening and closing of their chest gills aside; but their heads are the stuff of nightmares. Looking like little more than a blob of flesh with great black lidless eyes that flare the red colour of blood as the light reflects off them. Most of their otherwise featureless face is taken up by the horrible gaping maws ringed with rows upon rows of knife like teeth that serve as their mouth. They are a disgusting conglomeration of species that can only be spawned in the blackest of nightmares where not even a scream can escape the terror constricting the throat.

Almost as a wave the observers pull away from the railing in mutual terror and disgust, instinctively closing ranks to try and gain comfort from those around them. As one they turn as Angelus and Spike approach.

"For the honour of Aurelius." Spike says formally before turning to look at his Sire. "For the love of Angelus." He says quietly, bowing deeply before spinning on his heel and casually vaulting over the railing and down into the pit like lower level to the sound track of panicked screams crying for him to come back.

Angelus walks to the railing, laying his hands on Dawn and Andrew's shoulders, trying to comfort the obviously upset youngsters. They move closer to his side and he wraps an arm around each of them holding them tightly. A movement out of the corner of his eye draws his attention and he nods his head to Xander who has stepped boldly up beside him at the railing having faced his fear and instinctive need to flee. Anya and D'Hoffrun are next to join them at the railing, followed closely by Giles and Ethan and eventually Willow and Buffy.

Angelus closes his eyes and he is suddenly far from this place carried on the empathic tie binding him to Spike, deep into the farthest recesses of his Childe's mind. All the locks are swept open, every dark corner illuminated for his inspection; every memory laid bare and exposed, all the agonies and ecstasies of a life long and diversely lived inundating his mind. He gasps silently at the memories of his last few moments of life in Drusilla's arms. He wants to cry as the memories of their time together replay for him through Spike's eyes and he despairs that he walked away from such a love only in time to see it turn in half measure to Drusilla. He wants to hit something at the memories of the pain all twisted and strangling around his memories of first seeing him again and the unspeakable agony of his time as his insane incarnation. He wanted little more than to be swept into the embrace of the Sire he had missed for so long and met only rejections, belittlement, and tortures more vile than any he had visited on his head before.

He wants to whimper at the emptiness as Spike grasped the sure knowledge that Drusilla no longer had use for him; that no one had use for him any longer; the sure knowledge that Eternity was one day too long to be so alone. He wants to cry for his broken Childe, so wounded by and yet so in love with his Sire that he wept secretly for the torture inflicted on him in his name, all in the pursuit of wanting to be free of him. Free from everything that held him as the eternal Childe waiting for his Sires to come home when they never planned to return at all. He wants to scream at the atrocities his Childe endured at the hands of the Initiative, more vile than anything even his darkest Demon's imaginings could produce. He wants to kill as the despair forces his Childe into the last desperate action to end the pain. He wants to sweep Xander and Willow up and hug them forever for saving his boy from himself long enough for his spirit to heal.

He wants to slap the self-righteous bitch that DARED to tell his boy that he was beneath her when it was she that didn't deserve his fleeting attentions. He wants to sweep his boy up and never let him leave the shelter of his arms as the pain of the Demon Trials leaves him burdened with a soul he could little comprehend and a pain he could not deny. He knows that pain well and for all that it is one of the factors that have brought them here to this place in time he would not have wished it on his boy. It all replays through his mind but the common thread throughout it all, an inescapable love burnt straight through to every part of his boy for him. He wants to laugh as the happiness of their reunion floods through him. He wants to love him to the end of time and beyond as their love returns a hundred fold despite all they have done to kill it.

Angelus opens his eyes and locks them on the only being that he knows now without an atom of doubt will ever be the partner he has longed for, his Soulmate in eternity.

*'The years to come seemed waste of breath, a waste of breath the years behind. In balance with this life, this death.' Truer words my love, were never spoken but a waste no longer for you are back where you belong. Where you will remain until the end of our days for I will not exist without you for one more night of my existence. What comes for one let it take us both.* Angelus thinks as his boy throws himself into battle. He knows that if the incomprehensible happens and Spike should fall than so too shall he, for an existence without him is no longer an acceptable option.

They all stare in morbid fascination as he darts and dances among the trio of Demons, his fangs, claws, and axe a concerto of devastation and an aria of death that thrums a symphony of destruction for the trio of voracious Demons. Spike never stops moving, using every ounce of speed, strength, and agility until he is almost a blur and the crunch of the axe and the agonised screams of the Inmarians the chorus of the soundtrack of death.

The sight is horrible but they stare transfixed as one of the Demons finally starts to falter and Spike roars, his own Demon coming to the fore as he leaps, landing on its back with a sickening crunching sound. A swing of his axe and four of its legs are cleaved cleanly off its twitching body as sickening lime green blood spurts wildly from its convulsing body. A blur of movement and Spike leaps straight up his body tucking into a summersault as one of the other Demons leaps trying to catch him but passes harmlessly beneath him. He lands lightly his axe already swinging down to cleave the head off of the crippled Inmarian. A twist of his wrists and the axe reverses and slices up through the torso as he leaps free with a roll, dodging a claw swipe from another of the Demons. He rolls to his feet and kicks a savage sideways blow to the wounded Inmarian's side. After a second there is a sickeningly moist tearing sound; as torso slowly slides off the thorax with a spurt of blood and fluids leaving the Demon a grotesque pile of dissected parts.

Spike doesn't stop to watch however as he runs for the corner chased by one of the enraged Demons. Planting his foot he ricochets off the wall and plants his opposite foot in the other wall, spinning into a kick that propels the Demon several feet away. Before he even lands Spike sends his axe spinning after the now prone Demon roaring with glee as it embeds itself deeply into its chest. He doesn't stop moving as the third Inmarian rounds on him with a furious cry. Knowing he won't win a straight hand to hand conflict with the larger Demon for long, Spike darts in and ravages it with a flurry of punches and kicks slipping under its blizzard of claw swipes and digging his claws deep into its gill slits, ripping and tearing huge clumps of tissue free. He roars as several claws puncture him catching hold of one thrust through his shoulder he spins, ripping it off the Demon with a triumphant roar as it screams and limps back away from him, scuttling backwards and into the water. Grabbing the leg puncturing his shoulder he pulls on it, finally viciously ripping it free of his body and snarls as the Inmarian with his axe buried in his chest stumbles to its feet shakily. Spike drops his eyes to the deadly appendage he's still holding and amazingly a cold smile curves his lips as a chilling laugh rises huskily from his throat.

The assembled observers all inhale in unison as Spike roars and charges the wounded Inmarian driving the leg he ripped off the other one through its chest so savagely it sinks through it into the wall behind it pinning it like a bizarre exhibit in a macabre bug collection. They stare in morbid absorption as he sweeps up legs from the other corpse and reminds everyone just how he earned his nickname in all too graphic detail before ripping his axe free and decapitating the poor Demon.

Spike slowly turns towards the pool where the last Inmarian waits, lurking, its fluids staining the water a curious colour as his wounded leg bleeds out into the water. Spike looks up at the faces staring down at him with expressions ranging from disbelief, to pride and right through to sheer terror but only one face matters to him. Gathering his legs under him he leaps, easily clearing the fifteen or so feet to perch with effortless grace on the railing.

Angelus darts forward before he's even fully landed to meet him in a passionately carnal embrace that lasts only seconds but for those watching it seems to last forever.

As suddenly as he appeared Spike is gone again leaping with a roar into the water, axe flashing. The next few minutes are a blinding storm of flying water and blood until it seems the whole pool is awash in green and red and steals their ability to see until they can barely perceive the darting forms beneath the grisly fluid.

After what seems like forever the water suddenly erupts as the Inmarian leaps out to land in an ungainly mass of quivering legs, weaving shakily. The water settles to a horrible stillness and to a one they feel their cry of grief welling up when suddenly a pale head appears, then the black leather sheathed torso as Spike calmly walks up the steps and out of the pool. Various wounds still weep their crimson benediction, mixing into the water dripping from his body to form crimson rivulets that shed like tears as he walks. The axe is gleaming silver death as he spins it casually in his hands; the chilly smile still curves his lips.

"You never call me any more pet and never stop by to see me anymore. Was it something I said?" Spike asks in a sultry voice as he walks forward slowly, his shoulders and hips swaying rhythmically, his eyes locked into the Demon's staring orbs. "Come 'ere pretty, pretty pet."

Angelus shivers as Spike's siren's voice tickles over his already sensitive nerve endings like caressing fingers. A glance around at the others shows that no one is unaffected and he spares a glare for Buffy as she stands hungrily licking her lips with her eyes locked on his all but anointed Mate. He forces his eyes back to the action, grinning as Spike plants his feet but keeps talking in that whiskey smooth voice of his. It seems that not even the most violent of the bloodthirsty Demon species is immune to his boy as it takes halting steps towards a waiting death.

In the end the Inmarian walks to his death as so many have before it and what began with a bang ends with the dying whimper of the Demon and the crunch of an axe.

Spike braces his booted foot on the decapitated head of the last Demon and raises his head to meet the eyes of the Vampire who will become his Mate in two weeks time. "For the honour of Aurelius." He calls out. Before his voice can stop echoing Angelus is over the railing and sweeping him up to cradle him against his chest. "For the love of Angelus." Spike says quietly passing out in the safety of his lover's arms.

Angelus gathers his powerful legs under him and leaps easily landing on the upper level despite the additional weight he carries.

The group stares in wonder at the sight of the powerful Vampire cradling his injured Childe and they are awe-struck by the power of the image that will linger in all their minds for all of their days.

Giles clears his throat several times before he can speak at last. "By the tenets set forth by the first of the first ones in the time before men walked and beasts crawled I declare this Rite to be true and upheld. I declare that William the Bloody, Aurelius Master, Spike, Slayer of Slayers, Heir in truth and Childe of the Blood to Angelus Master of Aurelius to be worthy to stand as Mate. Honoured guests will you sanctify?" Giles asks smiling.

"D'Hoffrun, the Lord of Arash Ma'har; does hereby sanctify that William the Bloody, Aurelius Master, Spike, Slayer of Slayers, Heir in truth and Childe of the Blood to Angelus Master of Aurelius is worthy to stand as Mate by the tenets of Aurelius." D'Hoffrun says solemnly but his large smile easily betrays his pleasure to be witness at such an occasion. He motions Anya forward with an encouraging nod, whispering something too low for the others to hear.

"Anyanka, heir in truth to D'Hoffrun and the Lady of Arash Ma'har; does hereby sanctify that William the Bloody, Aurelius Master, Spike, Slayer of Slayers, Heir in truth and Childe of the Blood to Angelus Master of Aurelius to be worthy to stand as Mate by the tenets of Aurelius." Anya's voice rings out strong and true, her pride clear to all as she steps back to take her place beside her Father.

Giles smiles and nods to Ethan. "As an Elder of Aurelius, en absentia, I do hereby sanctify that all the tenets of Aurelius have been upheld according to the Rite as set down by the First of the first ones in the sacred scriptures."

Giles repeats his bows from earlier in reverse order ending with a bow to Angelus and the unconscious Spike. "As it is written so it has come to pass Master of Aurelius. Your chosen stands thrice sanctified as worthy to stand as your Mate."

"Let it be so noted honourable Elder, in the book of Aurelius. And let all who come after read of this as well. William, Childe of Angelus, rode very well indeed." Angelus says with a wide grin and a devilish sense of humour. Once the wave of laughter quiets he sobers and stands up proudly, his victorious Childe cradled in his powerful arms as he calls out. "Let Andrew Sutcliffe, Dawn Summers, Rupert Giles, Ethan Rayne, and Alexander LaVelle Harris come forth." They all look startled but each presents his or her self before Angelus. "Honourable Lord and Lady of Arash Ma'har I ask you to stand as witness once more to this final decree." D'Hoffrun and Anya bow respectfully, accepting the honour silently. "I claim these five as Blood of the blood of Aurelius, second only to him who is my Childe and Mate upon the new moon. We offer our hand in friendship to the Lord and Lady of Arash Ma'har for services rendered to the blood of Aurelius."

D'Hoffrun and Anya share a grin and bow again. "Let it so be sanctified." They say in unison.

"Let it so be noted in the book of Aurelius." Angelus says with a grin.

"It shall be so noted Master of Aurelius." Ethan says proudly as he and Giles elbow each other like children and grin.

Xander pulls the grinning Dawn and Andrew closer, pulling himself up to stand tall and proud. All he's ever wanted is to belong, to be part of something bigger than himself and he's found that at long last.

"Ethan if you could please take care of the carnage down below? I believe we should get Spike back to the mansion for some medical care?" Giles says still not able to stop grinning.

Ethan turns to begin chant again, with an interested Willow hovering nearby. At least until Giles pulls her away with a stern look and a quiet lecture about magical ethics. Within minutes there is no sign of the bloody carnage that has taken place.

D'Hoffrun takes Anya's hand and steps forward to talk to Angelus. He smiles as his daughter leans forward to press a gentle kiss to Spike's forehead after a silent look at Angelus for his permission, which he gives with a happy nod. "I'm afraid I must take my leave as we..." He glances at his daughter. "...Have much we need to discuss. It was an honour to attend Master Angelus though I knew there would be no doubt as to the outcome." D'Hoffrun bows and Anya follows his example. "I will await you in Arash Ma'har child, while you say your farewells."

Anya looks over at Xander and they share a look that speaks louder than any words. "I have said what farewells are in me to say Mas..." She quickly corrects herself at the chiding look from D'Hoffrun. "...Father. To linger just makes the departing that much harder. I am ready to return home." Anya says dropping her eyes.

D'Hoffrun nods and pats her shoulder consolingly, opening the portal with a wave of his arm. He departs and Anya follows after a last longing look at Xander who has tearfully looked away.

Angelus turns for the staircase. "Come children we have an injured one to care for."

Xander herds Andrew and Dawn after Angelus with Giles and Ethan quietly following, discussing all they've seen that evening.

"Hey what about me?!" Buffy cries out petulantly. "Don't I get to be honorary whatever it is too?" She stamps her foot, angry at being overlooked. She shrugs Willow's hands off as she tries to calm her down and the redhead scowls and stomps up the staircase muttering about emotional airheads.

Angelus chuckles at Willow's display but there is no sign of a smile or laughter in his eyes as he turns to face Buffy, still cradling the form of his wounded lover.

"I'm sorry Buffy, I forgot all about you but then you wouldn't want to join my order as I'm sure you'd consider that BENEATH you, as you do so many other things." He glances down at his lover and then back to Buffy. "Besides even Demons have standards." Angelus turns and strides for the staircase ascending gracefully, his newly rebuilt Clan trailing in his wake; leaving the spoiled Slayer to fume alone.

She stands there cursing like a sailor for several minutes until her eyes fly open with comical speed as she remembers she rode over with Willow and Giles and she doesn't have a ride home and runs after them.

When she gets up there she finds Willow waiting for her by Giles' car.

"Giles hitched a ride with Ethan. He said we could borrow his car and just drop it by his place and lock the keys in the glove compartment. Apparently Spike has a spare set of keys and he can just use those." Willow says unlocking the doors and getting behind the wheel.

Buffy snorts in annoyance that she's left to ride alone with Willow but not having a choice gets in the car. They drive in silence for several minutes until even Buffy manages to realise that something is bothering Willow. "What's wrong with you?" She says bluntly.

Willow looks at her in amazement and briefly considers pulling over and throwing her out and letting her walk home. "Did you somehow manage to miss that show we were at?"

"Yeah, yeah blood, guts, and Demon parts flying around. Welcome to every night of the last ten years of my life Willow. What bug crawled up you and died?"

"Did you somehow manage to miss the fact that Spike single-handedly killed...no MANGLED three of the demons it took ALL of us to kill ONE of last year??" Willow glances over at Buffy and sees that she's paying absolutely no attention as she twirls her hair and stares out the window.

"Don't you think Spike looked really hot tonight?" She casually tosses out.

"I'm sure ANGELUS thought he looked really hot too." Willow snipes.

"Boy you really are being a downer Willow Rosenboring." Buffy says waving her hand dismissingly.

"You just don't get it to you? Nothing gets through that cloud of blonde hair and eau de stink perfume you drench yourself in does it? Spike is much stronger than he's ever let on. He could have killed all of us at any time...is any of this getting THROUGH to you Ms. Clairol? I don't think that chip was ever really a deterrent at all and right now I'm just damn happy that he's on our side!" Willow growls. "He didn't kill us and right now I have no doubts that he very well could have if he'd wanted to!"

"Don't be stupid Willow, he didn't kill us because he loves me and whatever makes me happy he's all for that's all." Buffy says with an arrogant toss of her head.

Willow stops at the intersection and turns to stare at Buffy. "I want to be there when you spout THAT bit of logic in front of Angelus." Willow punches the accelerator, determined to get to Giles as quickly as possible; so that she can get away from Buffy before whatever she has infects her and she starts losing brain cells as well.

TBC