Title: In the Midnight of My Rose Garden (8/8)
Author: Foxhunt2blue
Summary: Written for the FG Anniversary
Edition Challenge #13. AU Universe where
Liam is a vice detective involved in the
investigation of a series of brutal murders. During
the investigation he meets and becomes
infatuated with a prostitute named Spike.
Rating: NC-17 (all over rating)
Pairing: Liam/Spike
Disclaimer: Our wonderful Joss created them I
had nothing to do with it—wish I had. Frankly,
the boys would be a lot happier with me as their
mama! *web
WARNING: In this chapter there is sexual abuse
of a minor. Though not extremely graphic, it may
be distasteful to some readers. I do apologize, but
it is important to the plot and I hope that it will
not deter those of you have been faithfully read-
ing "Midnight."
Child abuse is never a subject to be taken lightly.
Feedback: Please feed the baby slash ho' cause
she can be quite pathetic. She cries all night if she
doesn't get her daily dose of feedback. *giggle
E-mail: foxhunter2blue@yahoo.com
Author's Note: Well...here we are ladies and
gents, the conclusion to 'Midnight'. It's been a
long and emotional road for me. My stories are
like my children to me, but this one has affected
me like no other story that I've written over the
last five years. As I let my baby go please be kind
to it and hopefully I've touched some hearts out
there with this emotional roller coaster. This one
is dedicated to the two people who without their
encouragement, love, and friendship I would have
never fought so hard to bring it into the world. I
love you both---Ghosts_forge & Pet---you are the
best friends a girl could hope for in all ways. And
a special hug for Pet who wrote William's song!
May the Goddess watch over you both and
continue to shine her light through you.

***

Lightening lit up the thick darkness as Liam
moved through the trees. He'd decided that
staying on the main road would make them to
easy of a target for the man who was hunting
them. He stopped in his tracks and closed his eyes
listening for any sign they were being followed,
though it was almost impossible in the storm to
hear anything. Rather than easing off it seemed to
be growing in intensity with each passing mo-
ment.

Another jagged streak of  silver tore through the
pitch black clouds above ripping open their
bellies. What had been a heavy rain now became
a deluge that even soaked Liam through the
canopy of trees. Opening his eyes Liam turned his
mouth opening as if to speak when he realized
that Spike was no longer with him.
***

Huddling beneath the thicket of bushes Spike
whimpered lost in memories he had thought long
hidden. He'd escaped that was all that mattered,
but now he was trapped again. The walls he had
erected over fifteen years crumbling like so much
dust in the wind.

His trembling hand lifted swiping at the rain that
ran down his face as he chewed at his lower lip
like a small child. The whimpers escaping his
throat turned to choked sobs as bile rose up from
the pit of his gut. With each desperate sound he
forced his mind to draw further into itself. His
chin dropped resting on his knees as the
horrifying memories drifted up and out of the
grave he had buried them in all those years ago.

***

October 1989

Turning William ran like a frightened rabbit his
chest tightening the air exploding from his burn-
ing lungs in an animal cry.

Alfie was dead.

As he hit the narrow passage at the side of the
cottage he began crying. Tears streaked his face
as he struggled with the gate latch.

His friend was dead.

No matter how hard he tried he couldn't get his
numb fingers to work the latch. All he could think
of was the way Alfie had looked in the pale
moonlight. The bruises, the congealed black
blood, and his eyes---oh, my God his eyes.

"...please...god please..." he whimpered as the
latch finally released.

His professor.

His friend.

His mind was spiraling like dirty water down the
drain. He'd known, William thought, he'd known
that Alfie wouldn't have run away from home. Of
course he had never imagined that Alfie had been
murdered.

Bile rose in his throat as he pushed the heavy
wooden gate open. It had barely opened when a
heavy hand settled on his shoulder yanking him
around. His mouth opened a scream burbling up
from his gut as the man in front of him---someone
he had trusted completely---clamped his hand
over his mouth cutting off the scream before it
had a chance to escape.

"Hush now, William. Now this most definitely
puts a crimp in my plans."

William looked up with terrified eyes into the
face of a man he had admired---a man he had
respected. Shaking his head in denial he bit into
the palm of the hand gagging him. A sharp bark
of pain exploded from the older man as he yanked
his hand back

"Now that wasn't very polite---was it?" His hand
swung around backhanding William across the
jaw hard.

William felt the sharp pain in his jaw as he bit the
inside of his lip, fresh blood filling his mouth. He
whimpered as stars danced behind his eyelids and
he felt himself crumpling to the ground.

His professor knelt down close his voice a tight
whisper. "That's quite enough, boy. Do look at
what you've made me go and do. Now I must
punish you."

Vision swimming William looked up and blinked
at the face he had thought of as his friend, the
moonlight reflecting in anger-filled eyes. He spit
blood and held up his hands to ward off the next
blow.
"...please...please, sir."

***

This was bloody well getting out of hand, he
thought, as he carefully made his way through the
darkness. If it weren't for the exquisite perfection
of the boy he would kill them both. He heaved a
sigh and swiped the rain from his eyes, rubbing
the bridge of his nose in an effort to cease the
beginning throb in his skull.

He paused cocking his head to the side listening
carefully. In the distance he could hear that
bloody detective moving through the darkness
like a stampeding elephant. It wasn't surprising
that the arrogant oaf had no grace. Bloody
Colonials were the most arrogant people in the
world---thought that they were invincible.

Smiling he headed back towards the west where
he had heard the cop stomping about. It was
apparent that he'd been separated from his boy
and was searching for him. That was the perfect
solution though to the problem. He would take
care of that idiot Hanlon first and then---well his
boy would be easy to take back.

***

"How much further, Charles?" Pryce leaned
forward in the passenger seat, the safety belt
cutting into his shoulder, as the truck screeched
around the curve of the highway.

"Dammit English! Do me a favor quit asking
every five minutes 'Are we there yet?' and give
Rosenberg in CSU a call."

Raising a brow in annoyance Pryce peered out the
windshield  trying to see beyond the storm as
Gunn took another curve practically on two
wheels. "Very well, Charles, but what am I to ask
the young woman?"

Gunn glanced to the side for a split second, then
growled low in his throat. "Ask her if she and
Doyle have gotten anywhere with those fucking
employee files from London. Okay?!"

A soft snort escaped Pryce as he fished in his coat
pocket for his cell, then flipped it open to dial the
number in question.

"CSU...Rosenberg..." came the exhausted sound
of the young woman's voice through the static.

"It's Agent Pryce how is that research going Ms.
Rosenberg?"

There was a low frustrated sigh, then the distinct
sound of an Irishman cursing in the background.

"Not good to be frank, Wes." Willow sighed
again and the sound of her fingers tapping against
the computers keyboard filled his ears. "We've
narrowed it down to males who taught at Delphi
during the past twenty years. I use the word
'narrow' lightly. The list includes about thirty
names."

Wes rubbed his eyes with a soft grunt. "So what
else do we have? Honestly we need to get that list
narrowed further. Has Doyle been of any help?"

"Yes, he has. We have a number of things he
picked up about our suspect, but they're just
fragments...nothing clear nor concise."

"Tell me Ms. Rosenberg."

She began reading off a list of items that Doyle
had given her---the frustration obvious in her soft
voice. Pryce closed his eyes focusing on the
words as he braced himself against the dashboard
with one hand, the other clutching the cell.

"Stop!" He barked his eyes flying open. "Repeat
the last three items."

Gunn turned his head to give Pryce a wary glance
as he maneuvered the truck around another
dangerously slick curve. "What is it? What did
they find?"

Hushing Gunn with a glance Wes began to
mumble softly. "He was a music's professor...the
song...okay. The roses...that's it. Rosenberg find
out who the music's professor was in...yes, 1989
would be the right year. Oh, yes and find out
everything you can about his hobbies, also his
teaching credentials. Yes and there is one more
thing. Search for any missing boys from the
schools he taught at...runaways or definite
deaths."

Clicking the phone shut Pryce turned grim eyes to
Gunn.

"So what's the 411 Pryce?" Gunn asked without a
glance from the rain-soaked highway. "Do we
have a name for this sick mutherfucker?"

"Perhaps..." Pryce whispered, "...not sure, but I
am sure of one thing."

"What would that be?"

"William was not his first victim, but if we do not
stop him he might be his last."

***

Liam trudged through the darkness cursing him-
self for a fool. He should have brought a flash
light, but then he was a city boy and how was he
to know just how god damned dark it would be.

"William!" He screamed as he turned in a circle
his fingers running through his rain-slicked hair
nervously. "WILLIAM!!"

Behind him he heard the sound of something
moving through the brush. He swallowed hard
and stood as still as possible straining his ears in
hopes of catching the noise again. Reaching for
his gun carefully he began to turn his heartbeat
racing.

"Will..." he turned suddenly only to be brought
to the ground by a heavy weight his words cut off
as the air exploded from his lungs.

"Bastard!"

Liam twisted beneath the weight of his assailant
with a harsh growl, His knee came up as his head
was gripped by two strong hands, then lifted and
slammed back. He grunted in pain as his knee
connected with what he hoped to God was the
bastard's balls.

"You sick, twisted..." his assailant wailed in pain
as Liam's knee connected with his crotch. The
man reared back falling to the side and rolling.

Scrambling across the muddy leaf strew forest
floor Liam searched blindly for his gun. "Son of a
bitch..." he mumbled as he staggered to his feet
and turned to find the man gone---vanished into
the shadows. "Where the fuck are you?!" He
screamed.

"You'll pay for that you sodding prick!" Came
the answering voice edged with pain.

"Funny that you would use that word...seems I
put a dent in yours!" Liam growled his eyes
narrowing as he searched the shadows for any
sign of movement.

"You touched him! You defiled him with your
sickening, filthy cock!"

To his left Liam heard the crackling of branches
beneath the roar of the storm. "If I'm not
mistaken you already did that with your own---
you sick son of a bitch!" He backed away his
gaze darting across the ground in search of his
gun still.

"How dare you!" The man's rich accented voice
hissed from the shadows as he stepped forward to
face Liam. "You were the one who defiled him!"

Liam's body tensed in preparation of the fight he
knew would come. Without his gun in hand and
not knowing if the man in front of him had a
weapon he needed to be prepared for anything.

"How old was he?" Liam growled. "How old was
he when you forced yourself on him?"

A jagged streak of lightening tore open the sky
followed by the distant roll of thunder. Flickering
silver light glimmered off the rim of metal framed
glasses perched on the man's nose.

"How fucking old?!"

The man took a step forward his fists clenching
and unclenching. "Old enough!" He snapped.

"Who were you to him? To that innocent boy you
destroyed? A family member? A family friend? A
teacher?" Liam began slowly moving to the left
as he saw the expression change on the man's
face. "Hit a nerve---did I?"

Taking a step forward the man growled softly
reminding Liam of a caged animal. "What do you
know of perfection you great lummox? An
exquisite symphony...a sonnet of such beauty it
causes you to weep in joy? You would know
nothing of these things. He was perfection
molded by the hands of a God you can not
comprehend!"

Liam's foot hit his gun and he grinned. "A God?
Is that what you think you are?"

"No, you bloody fool! I am his servant and he
promised me someone who would be mine
completely!" A soft growl of disgust escaped the
man as he moved with Liam in a deadly dance of
bodies. "I gave him what he wanted, but I had
almost lost faith, then William appeared."
***

London
October 1989

Head throbbing William woke with a soft
whimper into a nightmare that would forever
change him---though perhaps he hadn't known it
in that moment. Blinking in the dimly lit room he
tried to focus and remember how he'd gotten here
or where here was even. He turned his head to the
left with a soft moan unable to understand why he
couldn't breath right either.

Candles, he thought, there were candles scattered
around him. With a soft groan he tried to move
his arms, but they couldn't. They seemed to be
held down---pinned by something. That was
when he panicked. He was tied down with rope of
some sort and the rag in his mouth left his tongue
dust dry.

"Hush, precious..."

The sound of his professor's voice was a soft
breath of air against his ear. William tried his
hardest to turn away, but the man's slender strong
fingers gripped his chin like iron rods.

"Open your eyes my precious rose."

Blinking back tears of fear William allowed his
eyes to drift open looking up into the face of pure
evil. Who would have thought evil's face would
be so kind and yet his eyes were cold like the first
frost of fall. He made a faint gurgling noise in the
back of his throat as he met those cold eyes.

"You were always the one darling William. The
darkness promised me the perfect creature of my
dreams. If only you had not been so curious and
followed my rules." The man cocked his head the
candlelight reflecting off the lenses of his glasses
---almost, but not quite hiding the icy gaze. "Now
I must punish you for your inability to follow my
simple rules. Why did you sneak in tonight with-
out calling first?"

William whimpered as his vision cleared and he
realized that the reason he was shivering was one
part fear and one part nudity. His clothing was
gone just like Alfie's had been. Squirming he
tried to escape the bindings that held him spread
out like a feast for the wolves. And if there was
one thing of which William was sure it was that
the man above him was exactly that---a ravenous
wolf.

The slender fingers stroked his jaw, then
wandered lazily down his throat to trace his collar
bone. "I do apologize for the gag, luv. I can not
have anyone hearing you scream again and I am
sure that you will." Slowly the cool fingers drifted
down along his breast bone, then back up to circle
one pale dusky pink nipple. "Still young enough
not to show the full extent of manhood and
yet..." his thumb and forefinger closed over
William's nipple twisting cruelly.

Crying out against the gag William's tears began
to fall trailing down his jaw into the soft tangled
curls of his hair. This wasn't real he kept telling
himself.

Not real.

Not real.

His breath caught in his chest as his captor
lowered his mouth to his other nipple, his tongue
sliding over the delicate nub like damp sand
paper. His mind tried to wrap itself around what
was happening, but it couldn't.

Whimpering softly he clenched his eyes shut as
the man he had known as professor and friend
suckled his nipple, one hand sliding down to his
crotch. Those cool fingers teased at his flesh as
the man lifted his head with a faint smile. He
licked his lips and sighed.
"You taste of innocence and fear..." the man
whispered softly. "Why do you fear me sweet
rose? I offer you the world and the chance to be
the one." His fingers traced William's limp organ
as the boy trembled. "I had hoped you would
understand unlike the others...perhaps you still
might." He raised one brow. "But now my sweet
one I must punish you for being a naughty boy."

William cried out his eyes popping open as the
man's fingers tightened around his cock and
began to stroke roughly.

"I had hoped to take you more gently, but you
were foolish..." the man sighed in disappoint-
ment as he released the twitching flesh in his grip.

Taking a step back he moved across the room as
William fought desperately to free himself. There
was a part of him that knew what was about to
happen and another part that refused to accept the
truth no matter how dark it was. He stopped
struggling as he felt a gentle hand stroke his
trembling thigh and glanced up with terrified
eyes.

"Even in fear you are exquisite..."

Those hands gentle, despite the coldness in the
man's eyes, lowered to spread him open. A soft
moan escaped William as he began shaking his
head trying to give his denial physicality.

***

"He was nothing, but a child you sick fuck!"
Liam hissed through clenched teeth as his gaze
focused on the face of the demented man. "A
child! Do you understand what you did to him?"

Soft laughter escaped the man in front of him as
they circled one another. "He enjoyed my
attentions---did he tell you that? He came hard
and fast the first time I took him..." his lips
curled up in smug smirk.

Liam tried to suppress the urge to vomit as he
shook his head in anger. "Sick..." he hissed,
"...how many others were there? He wasn't the
first was he?"

Shrugging the man grinned wider, his teeth
flashing brilliant white in the storm-drenched
darkness. "The others were offerings to the
darkness---dispensable."

"They were just children!" Liam snapped his dark
eyes flashing as he dove for his gun.

The other man roared in surprise diving on top of
Liam as his hand closed over the butt of his gun,
his fingers slippery with rain. Falling back Liam
twisted trying to keep a grip on the gun and fend
off the punches of the man above him.

"You will not..." the man's fist connected with
Liam's jaw, "...take him from me!"

"Bite me you sick fuck!" Liam roared as his
elbow caught the other man in the ribs.

Neither of them was aware at the moment of
William's presence as he hunched in the brush his
eyes wide with fear. Neither did they realize that
a decision would be made in the next few seconds
that would change all their lives.

***

William had heard Liam's voice faintly over the
storm and he crept from the bushes on hands and
knees. His breathing was erratic, his heart
pounding, but his mind still recognized Liam's
voice as safety. Safety and security---the voice of
home.

Crawling through the mud shivering from the icy
rain he made his way to the clearing where he
saw Liam staring down a dark man. No, not just a
dark man---he knew this man.

His heart began to speed up as his memories rose
to the surface. The face of a trusted man from a
time when he was innocent. A time when he had
trusted and loved openly like every person should
be able, too.

"Bastard..." he whispered his voice breaking.

****

London
October 1989

Back bowing William cried out in fear and pain
as his assailant's fingers impaled him. His chest
tightened with each ragged breath as he tried to
expel the fingers.

"Now...now. Don't fight my sweet rose. You are
so beautiful like this---so sweet and tight. I can
not wait to take you completely. When that time
comes you will scream and beg for more."

William shook his head furiously as he tugged at
the ropes binding his wrists. This was not what he
wanted, he didn't want to be taken against his
will. He didn't want this man to touch him like
this, but no matter how hard he fought his body
reacted.

Reacted to the touch of the monster's fingers
deep inside him.

****

"You had no right!" Liam growled as he flipped
the man off him. "You raped him! Took his
innocence from him!"

Scrambling to his feet he panted as he watched
the man get to his feet as well. He was scared like
he had never been scared before. Not for himself,
but for William---his Will.

Yes, Liam thought, William belonged to him now
and damned if he would let this monster touch
him. Liam's gaze settled on the gleam of wet
metal in the flash of lightening. The other man's
mouth twisted into a sneer as he lifted Liam's gun
aiming at him with a firm grip.

"Perhaps you thought yourself in charge? I think
not you disgusting excuse for a man. I saw what
you made my sweet rose do---kneeling in the
floor, your cock in his innocent mouth. What
makes you so different from me Detective
Hanlon?"

"I don't rape children!"

Eyes narrowing the beast in front of him snarled
in anger. "Is that what you think? I am not a child
molester. William knows to whom he belongs."

Clenching his teeth Liam shifted to the left his
chest heaving. "Is that why he ran? Is that why
he's been running for the past ten years?! He
crossed a fucking ocean...left his home and his
family behind!"

The man's lips twisted in disgust as his hand---
gripped tightly around Liam's gun---followed
Liam's movement. "I tire of this little game
Detective Hanlon. William is mine...he has
always been mine and he always shall be."

"What about the others? What about the young
men you killed in my town?"

"What of them? They were nothing, but whores
to be used and disposed of. As a matter of fact I
would think you would thank me for cleaning up
the filth on your streets, detective."

Liam snorted swiping rain from his flushed face
with a steady hand. "Not in this lifetime..."

"Ahhh...well that is to be expected from such a
fool as yourself."

"So you have the gun...you have the power."
Liam smiled. "Tell me...how did he escape? How
did William get away from you? The way you
posed the others---does it tell me that?"

"Well...it appears you are not as ignorant as you
first appeared, detective."

****

November 01, 1989

How long he had been in the cupboard William
wasn't sure, but he knew he had to escape.

Tonight was the night.

Tonight the man who had held him, hurt him,
would do what he had promised.

William was terrified beyond words or imagi-
nation. What had been forced upon him thus far
had destroyed his mind bit by bit, yet he still had
a tiny bit of hope. He'd saw the small sliver of
glass in the floor of the cupboard and prayed to
whatever god might be listening that his captor
would not discover it.

Somehow he had managed to pick up that tiny
sliver and right at the moment was sawing at the
thin baling twine that bound his wrists. His
fingers were cut and bleeding, but he didn't feel
it. He'd ceased to feel anything from that moment
he had been used---used and tortured by his own
professor, even his own body had betrayed him.

Soft whimpers escaped him as he recalled the feel
of those fingers working him open and stroking
that spot deep inside his body. He was suddenly
drawn from his disturbing thoughts by the twine
snapping. Tears welled in his eyes as he fought
with the tangled pieces until his hands were freed.
Yanking the gag from his mouth he gasped for air
as he freed his ankles, then stood on weak legs.

Now to get out of the cupboard, he thought, as he
reached out with trembling fingers to grasp the
doorknob. To his utter amazement it turned and
for a moment the thought that this was a trap
crossed his traumatized mind, but frankly he
didn't care.

Trembling William slipped from the cupboard
into a narrow hall, blinking at the sudden glow of
light. Quietly he began moving his way down the
hall, his arms wrapped around his too thin chest
trying to warm himself. He knew this hall. It was
the main hall that ran the length of the professor's
cottage and if he remembered right, then he was
heading towards the kitchen. At the end of the
hall he stepped into the kitchen the stone floor
almost icy beneath his bare feet and his gaze
darted about the room in search of anything that
would help him.

Eyes settling on the simple wooden table he
darted across the room to where a wool coat hung
over the back of one of the kitchen chairs. A soft
sigh of relief escaped him as he wrapped the folds
of the coat around his bruised and lacerated body
careful not to cause himself anymore pain. The
sleeves almost covered his bleeding hands, the
tail almost fell to his ankles, and despite the fact
it
smelled of his abuser he felt better.

On the table was a tin of tea biscuits and William
felt his stomach grumble with hunger. Just one,
he thought, as he picked up the tin with shaking
hands and fumbled with the lid. Once open
though he found himself desperately stuffing
biscuits in his mouth---he was so hungry.

"Oh, dear what have we here?"

At the sound of that smooth voice William
dropped the tin, biscuits scattering across the
stone floor. He slowly turned, eyes wide with fear
and smears of chocolate on his chapped lips, to
look into his captors calm face.

"...please...please?" William choked out his
body shaking in fear. "...please let me go. Won't
tell a soul...promise..."

His professor clucked softly in amusement,
leaning in the doorway. "Do tell, William, why
should I give up what is mine?"

William backed up shifting slowly across the
floor until the table was between him and the
monster. "...not yours..." he whimpered as his
eyes darted about the room in search of an
escape. He'd been so close, he thought, so close
and now he was trapped again.

"Truly William I do wish you would be more
accepting." The man stood straight and took a
step forward. "You are after all mine and to fight
the truth is a useless agenda."

Darting across the room William headed for the
door only to be blocked by the larger man. Tears
welled in his eyes as he backed away until the
edge of his spine hit the counter top. His hands
flew back to catch himself and that was when he
felt it. His heartbeat began roaring in his chest as
he looked up in terror at his captor as he moved
closer.

"William my sweet precious rose...my delicate
blossom you must accept the truth. Did not your
body even tell you the truth? You enjoyed my
attentions...the feel of my fingers sliding into that
sweet virginal body..." the man smiled wide as
he got closer his hands lifting to reach for
William.

That was when William snapped.

It was as if he had stepped from his body and
even as the years passed he would never truly
understand where he had gotten the strength.

Lunging forward with a wild scream, his slender
hands wrapped tightly around the knife's handle
he pushed the blade through the man's left hand
into his right, then he ran. He ran harder and
faster than he ever had in his fifteen years.

As he hit the door running into the winter night,
the snow freezing his bare feet, the sound of his
captors furious pain filled screams echoed in his
ears. It would be a sound that haunted his dreams
for the rest of his life.

****

Now almost a decade later the past had finally
caught up with him. The monster from his dreams
had come back to claim him, but he was no
longer that frightened fifteen year old boy. He
was a man---a grown man. Yet still his body
shook with fear or perhaps it was a combination
of the freezing rain and his own fury.

"Is that why you wear the gloves?"

William was drawn from his dark thoughts by the
sound of Liam's voice firm and filled with a
strength that warmed William's frozen soul. He
slowly stood his shaking hands reaching to the
small of his back and feeling the slick metal that
lay cradled there.

The other man snorted as he stepped closer to
Liam. "The little bastard never knew how good
he had it."

"Good?" Liam shook his head in disbelief. "You
beat him? Raped him? How is that good you sick
mother-fucker?"

"Enough Detective Hanlon! Now the game is
about to come full circle."

William stepped from the bushes his eyes darting
from Liam to the man he had feared his entire
life, the monster who he had ran from. "No..." he
whispered softly.

Liam looked up to see William standing in the
rain, head lowered, his soaked body trembling.

"Don't, Will!"

"No." His voice was louder this time as he looked
up at the man who had finally understood.

Liam took a step forward as the killer turned his
teeth gleaming in the predatory smile.

"Ahhh...come to save the nasty little colonial
beast have you, William?"

Head lifting higher Spike let icy cold eyes settle
on the monster. But the monster wasn't as scary
anymore for some reason.

"Will! Run!" Liam screamed over the roar of the
storm. "Get the fuck out of here!"

"NO!" Spike screamed now. "Done running, pet!
Done hiding!"

The beast began to laugh. "So the sweet little rose
has grown some thorns has he? Do tell me
William when did you grow some balls?"

Head snapping around Spike snarled. "William is
dead you bastard! Died in a little stone cottage ten
years ago!" His hand slithered to the small of his
back fingers curling around the butt of the pistol.

"Then I suppose that William won't miss this
useless tub of lard!" Turning with a quickness
that shocked Spike the monster pulled the trigger.

There was a loud explosion and a flash of light,
then Liam stumbled back a look of shock on his
face as he clutched at his shoulder. Even in the
dim light Spike could see the blood well between
Liam's clutching fingers.

"LIAM!!!" Spike screamed in horror as he
watched Liam lose his footing and tumble over
the edge of embankment. "You bloody bastard!"

Turning he barreled across the mud slicked
clearing all thoughts of the gun forgotten. His
body slammed into the monster's and the gun
went off again---bullet flying wildly into the
storm.

****

They had just pulled into the drive of the house
and were stepping from the truck when Gunn
turned his head. A frown creased his brow as he
reached for his gun.

"You hear that, English?"

Pryce nodded as he retrieved his own gun. "In-
deed I did, Charles."

Gunn flipped out his phone and dialed 911 as he
headed towards the tree line. "This is Detective
Charles Gunn...LAPD...I have shots fired at 811
Pacific Grove. Possible officer down..." rattling
off his badge number he flipped the phone shut
and turned to Pryce. "Time to teach you how we
lowly LAPD do it, English!"

Shaking his head Pryce flipped the safety off and
headed after Gunn, his coat flapping out behind
him in the wild wind.

****

Spike was lost in a storm of grief and anger so
bitter that all he saw was red.

Red so like Liam's blood.

"You sodding bastard! I've had enough!
Enough!!" He didn't even recognize his own
voice cracking and screeching above the storm as
his fist flashed with an almost inhuman speed. "I
won't run! I won't bloody well hide anymore!"

The monster fought back, but he was older,
slower, and he no longer held the upper hand. His
skin split blood trickling from his quickly
swelling lip as he tried to fend off the fists of a
boy he no longer could control.

"William! Stop it this instant!" He roared flipping
the younger man beneath him as he lost his grip
on the gun. "You are being foolish and I shall
have to punish you!"

"Fuck off!" Spike shrieked his voice edged with
hysteria. "Won't listen...won't listen!" His
knuckles were split and bleeding yet still he
continued to take out a decade of terror and anger
out on the beast above him. "Not yours! Never
yours!"

Around them the storm reached it's crescendo as
legs and arms tangled, bodies rolling through the
mud and debris of the forest floor. Leaves stuck
in their hair, material ripped and shredded
beneath clawing fingers, and blood mixed with
mud as they slowly came closer to the embank-
ment. Finally the monster got the upper hand as
he pinned Spike to the ground slapping him hard
across the face.

"You little piss ant!" This time the slap was
harder. "You think after ten years I will give you
up? That I will bend to your will?" Another slap
caused Spike's head to rock back, fresh blood
splattering across the rain soaked leaves. "I will
not be defied! Your precious Detective Hanlon
thought to stop me, yet where did it get him?!"

Spike whimpered and clawed at the man above
him all human thought lost. There was nothing
left inside him, but animal instinct.

"He's found himself at the bottom of a cliff by
God!"

That was the moment Spike froze his soft
whimpers ceased as he looked up into the eyes of
the beast.

Liam.

Shot.

The cliff---he had fallen over the cliff.

The only one who had ever loved him.

The only person who had ever wanted him.

With a roar Spike brought up his hands and his
knees. A shocked expression crossed over the
beast's face as Spike pushed him up and back
sending him hurling over the cliff.

Eyes widening he felt himself falling as he
clawed out desperately grabbing the edge of the
cliff. He panted harshly as he fought to keep his
grip on the slick crumbling earth. Above him
Spike slowly got to his feet.

"William..." the beast gasped as he looked up at
the harsh blue eyes. "Help me."

Spike looked down into the face of the man who
he had once trusted. That had been so long ago,
but now he was older---wiser. His hands hung
limp at his sides as the storm roared around them,
his face emotionless.

"Why?" He spoke his voice calm for the first time
since he had entered the clearing.

"Please, William. You know you can not let me
die. I am a part of you...you are mine...you
always were." His fingers dug deep into the mud
as he dangled from the edge the ocean far below
crashing on the beach. "You are mine, William!"

Kneeling in the mud, Spike's gaze drifted to
where Liam's gun lay and he reached out his
fingers curling around the butt. "No..." his voice
was empty of all emotion now, just as his eyes
were.

Slowly he lifted the gun and studied it, then
glanced back down at the older man dangling
from the cliff's edge. His pale face streaked with
mud and blood, surrounded with tangled wet
silver-white curls was reminiscent of a fallen
angel as he focused on the man. To be honest he
felt like one as well, he thought, fallen and lost.

"You wanted my innocence..." Spike whispered,
"...wanted my purity."

The beast began to shake his head as he realized
that there was no winning this time. "William?
William?"

Slowly Spike got to his feet once more and a
demented smile curled his lips. "You got my
innocence you bloody bastard. Are you happy
now?" He slowly lifted his arm aiming the gun at
the man clinging desperately to the cliff edge at
his feet. "Are you?"

"William..." the man glanced up at the boy above
him.

"William died long ago...you saw to that didn't
you? Well, now there's no one left, but Spike and
he is far from innocent."

The barrel of the gun came to rest, aimed at the
knot just between the beast's eyes. Slowly Spike
pulled the trigger and the gun fired. A look of
shock crossed the beast's face as the bullet
penetrated his skull. His fingers flexed as he
jerked and the last thing he would ever see was
the pale face of a boy who no longer existed.

"Good-bye Rupert..." Spike hissed through
clenched teeth as he watched Rupert Giles' body
tumbled down into the dark waters below.

****

When Spike came back to himself he was
huddled on the ground the storm now a light
drizzle. He pushed wet curls from his face and let
out a soft whimper.

"Liam..." he whispered as the tears flowed down
his already rain soaked face.

"Jesus...fuck that hurts..."

Glancing at the edge of the cliff Spike's eyes
went wide as a hand reached up and over the
muddy edge. A few seconds later Liam Hanlon's
bruised and bloody face appeared as he struggled
to pull himself up with one arm.

"Liam?" Spike scrambled across the ground on
hands and knees. "Liam...I thought..."

Liam's brow furrowed as he smirked at Spike's
expression. "Yeah, well if you don't help me here
I just might be yet."

With trembling hands Spike reached out and
gripped Liam's arm tightly. He braced his feet
and pulled with all the strength he could muster.

"Shit! Fuck me!" Liam growled as he managed to
get a foothold and push himself up. "Show that
asshole who a tub of lard is..." he grumbled.

As Spike pulled him the rest of the way up they
collapsed into a pile of wet, muddy, abused flesh
panting for air. Finally Liam sat up clutching at
his shoulder with a wince and a hiss.

"Where...?" He glanced around in confusion.

His words were cut off by Spike who threw
himself into Liam, encircling him with shaking
arms, and hanging on for dear life. Wretched sobs
tore from the younger man as he burrowed his
face in Liam's chest.

"...thought...thought..."

Liam glanced down and lifted Spike's chin with
his fingertips. "Hey...hey now...it's okay."

"I...I..." Spike stuttered softly, "...I killed the
beast...he's gone..."

"Hush, baby...hush Will..." Liam wrapped his
good arm around Spike pulling him close. "I got
you, Will...I got you."

****

By the time Gunn and Pryce found the clearing it
was over. Liam was sitting in the mud with Spike
in his arms humming softly as he rocked the
younger man.

"Well, doesn't that beat all hell?" Gunn turned
smiling at Pryce.

Pryce shook his head in disbelief as Liam looked
up mouthing 'bastard is dead' and glanced
towards the cliff. "Yes..." Pryce smiled gently as
he watched Liam kiss the top of Spike's head,
"...I do believe it does, Charles."

In the distance the roar of sirens filled the pre-
dawn air as the storm retreated into the eastern
sky.

****

Three Hours Later

Liam was tired of the poking and prodding. He
was tired of the endless questions. All he wanted
was to see Will.

Trudging up the stairs---his arm in a sling---he
reached the end of the corridor where a uniform
stood outside one of the bedrooms. The young
man looked up and grinned.

"Officer..." Liam glanced at the man's name tag
and raised a brow, "...Osborne?"

"Yep." The officer raised a brow in amusement.

"How's William?" Liam grinned at the officer

"Quiet...paramedics left a bit ago, sir."

Liam nodded thoughtfully. "Do me a favor would
you---Oz." He motioned to the stairs.

"Got ya."

As soon as the young officer disappeared down
the stairs Liam reached out and opened the door
with a shaking hand. He was afraid of what he
would find on the other side of that door. The
look in William's eyes had been enough to tell
him the young man had been in shock. Not
surprising considering what he had done. Liam
remembered the first time he had taken a human
life and it hadn't been a pretty thing.

The door swung open slowly and he stepped into
the shadowy room. Glancing around his gaze
settled on the chair next to the window where
William sat curled a blanket wrapped around him.

"Will?" Liam whispered softly as he closed the
door behind him. "You awake?"

William lifted his head and turned towards Liam
his face starkly pale in the darkness. Tears glist-
ened on his cheeks highlighting the dark bruises
along his jaw.

"Hey..." Liam moved across the room and knelt
at William's feet, "...why the tears?"

"I...I killed him..." turning back to the window
William swallowed hard. "I'm a monster...a
monster like he was."

"Never. You did what you had to Will...did what
any person in your situation would." Reaching up
Liam cupped William's chin, his thumb caressing
his trembling lower lip. "He took something from
you---your innocence. He raped you, tortured
you, and when you escaped he hunted you like an
animal."

William turned his face into Liam's hand sighing
softly as his eyes opened. "But I could have
ran...I should have. You told me, too."
Leaning in Liam pulled William closer and kissed
him softly at first, then harder and deeper. Moan-
ing in need William let his lips part allowing
Liam's tongue access to the warmth of his mouth.

"Never a monster..." Liam whispered against his
lips as he drew back to take a breath.

Slowly he stood taking William's hand in his and
drawing him to his feet. The blanket slid down
William's shoulders to pool in the floor and Liam
was surprised to find William naked. A smile
teased his lips as he pulled William to the bed.

"Expecting me were you?"

A soft blush rose in William's cheeks as his eyes
lowered to the floor. "I was...I suppose I'd
hoped, pet."

Liam laughed as he pushed William back onto the
bed carefully tugging off the sling. "No need to
hope Will...no need at all. I'm here"

Eyes growing wide William pushed himself up on
his elbows. "Does it hurt much, luv?" His voice
was soft and filled with worry.

Looking up his hair wildly mussed and his tee-
shirt tangled around one arm still Liam chuckled
as he looked into William's eyes. "Hell, yeah it
hurts, but you're worth it."

Liam dropped his tee-shirt to the floor, then
kicked off his sneakers as he struggled with the
fly of his jeans. A soft grunt of frustration
escaped him as William reached out his fingers
curling into the waistband of the offending jeans.

"Let me help you with those."

Laughing Liam let William tug him closer to the
bed by his jeans and watched as nimble pale
fingers slowly unfastened one button at a time.
His chest tightened as he looked into those deep
cobalt depths filled with so much love and
something else he hadn't seen before.

Freedom.

It was as if a huge weight had lifted from
William's soul, as if Liam were truly seeing that
innocent boy he'd never met.

When his jeans were finally unbuttoned Liam
leaned in capturing William's mouth with his in a
passionate kiss. As he deepened the kiss he
pushed his jeans down his hips wiggling until
they were around his ankles, then kicked them off
never breaking the kiss. With a sigh he pulled
back licking his lips and smiled.

"You are fucking beautiful...my beautiful Will."

Pushing William back he knelt between those
long, slim, muscled legs lowering himself down
until their cocks brushed. William mewled softly
his hips surging up as Liam leaned in kissing
along his jaw and down his throat.

"...beautiful...perfect..." Liam mumbled against
the smooth curve of his collar bone.

"God...Liam..." William moaned his hips thrust-
ing up as Liam's mouth left a trail of butterfly
kisses along his skin. "Never knew it could...that
it could be this good."

"Only for you baby...only for you..." Liam
whispered as he took one nipple in his mouth
suckling it as he reached between their bodies and
wrapped his hand around William's cock.

Soft grunts exploded from William as he thrust
into Liam's warm fist, his head thrashing from
side to side. "Want...god want..." he whimpered.

"Yes?" Liam raised a brow as he looked up into
William's flushed face. He blew gently on the
damp nub watching as it peaked and hardened.

"Want you..." William panted softly, "...want
you inside me so bad. He spread his legs wider in
an open invitation.

Growling Liam blinked trying to hold back the
need to bury himself in that tight, lithe body.
"Will...sweet mother of god. A work of utter
beauty..." he bit his lip as he continued stroking
the pulsing hardness in his hand, "...plenty of
time for that baby."

With soft whoosh of breath he leaned in again
and began trailing kisses down Will's heaving
chest. When he reached his stomach his tongue
darted out swirling around his navel causing a
burst of laughter to come from Will's lips.

"Tickles..." William grumbled squirming
beneath Liam.

"Now does it?" Liam's dark brow rose as he
tickled Will's navel again with his tongue. "I like
it when you squirm for me, Will."

William whimpered his hips surging up once
more. "Yes...god yes, luv. Anything...anything
for you my angel."

Releasing William's erection Liam lowered
himself off the bed onto the floor on his knees.
He grasp Will's hips pulling him forward---
flinching at the pain in his shoulder---until his ass
was even with the bed. Will glanced up his eyes
glittering with lust, love, and laughter.

"Lube?" Liam whispered his voice a low raspy
growl.

"Bedside table, luv."

Leaning over he reached into the bedside tables
draw and pulled out a tube, then chuckled. "Umm
...flavored? That's perfect for what I had in mind.
Now baby spread your legs as far as you can."

William grasp his thighs pulling himself wide
open and Liam moaned at the sight. He fumbled
with the lube, then tossed the lid aside with a
growl, turning the tube up and squirting the liquid
out. Watching with dark eyes he smiled a preda-
tory smile as the slick liquid trailed down Will's
crease and small shudders traveled through the
young man.

"Cold..." Will whimpered, his hips squirming.

"Not for long." Came Liam's soft growl.

Grasping Will's ass-cheeks in his hands Liam
used his thumbs to spread him open further as he
squeezed and massaged the firm muscles. Soft
moans filled the air as he leaned closer massaging
the lube along Will's crease, his fingers trailing
down to circle the tight pink bud. The scent of
cherries filled his nose and he chuckled to himself
at all the comebacks for that.

"Li...Liam...please..." Will panted.

Without a word he leaned in and ran his tongue
along the silky crease and over the twitching
pucker. William's hips surged up wildly and he
gasped and moaned.

"Like that now---do you my blue-eyed boy?"

"...yeeesss..."

Smiling he leaned in again swiping his tongue
along the twitching flesh, tasting the lube and the
underlying musky flavor of Will. Using one hand
to keep Will spread open he teased along the cleft
and circled his twitching opening with one finger.

"...ggg...god..." Will choked and whimpered.

"More baby?" Liam asked.

A soft mewling was the only reply as he pressed
his finger to Will's opening and pushed. Slowly
his finger sank into that hungry body until it was
seated deep. "God you're so tight baby boy..."

Gently he pulled out then pushed back in as
Will's back bowed, his ass pushing back. With a
smile he began to pump his finger in short thrusts
until Will was squirming in need, then he pulled
out and pressed two fingers into the slick tight-
ness.

"...oh...oh god...pleasssseee..."

Liam pump his fingers faster and with each
inward thrust he curled the tip stroking that small
spot that sent Will thrashing against the sheets. "I
love to watch you like this...so beautiful and
open to me. Touch yourself baby...touch yourself
for daddy..." he hissed softly.

All it took was that one word and William gasped
his hands moving up to stroke along his chest,
then his belly. "Yes...daddy..." he whimpered as
his trembling fingers curled around his own
erection. "Anything for you...anything..."

His hip surged up as Liam added a third finger
pumping and twisting until he was a mass of
trembling flesh. A deep moan ripped from his
chest as he tightened his fingers and pumped his
cock faster.

"Gonna come..." he whimpered.

"Not yet my beautiful blue-eyed whore." Liam
growled pulling his fingers free causing William
to whimper softly. "Daddy wants you to ride
him."

Standing Liam crawled onto the bed pulling
William on top of him with a smile. He was
fucking amazing, Liam thought, so amazingly
beautiful. William sat up his knees on either side
of Liam's thighs, his hair a mass of sweat tangled
curls, a sheen of perspiration glistening against
the backdrop of his flushed pale skin. His eyes ---
the color of polished sapphires---were filled with
so much need and desire that Liam found himself
wanting to weep.

"Liam..." William whispered softly as he shifted
up so he was right above Liam's straining cock.
"I love you."

With those three simple words he reached down
and grasped Liam's cock causing a moan to rip
from his throat. His eyes glistening with unshed
tears he lowered himself down with a soft purring
sound taking in every inch into his slick, tight
opening.

"Love you, Liam..." he sighed his face almost
angelic in the dim light.

Liam looked up into William's eyes swallowing
back his own tears. He'd never thought he would
be given another chance to be happy, but at the
moment he was far happier than any man had the
right to be.

"Love you, too...my beautiful boy."

Then William began to move and the world
outside vanished. There was only the two of them
and nothing else. Liam's back bowed as he thrust
up into that sleek heavenly body, his hands lifting
to grip William's hips.

Only the two of them and soon they were just
one.

Their hearts.

Their souls.

Their bodies moving in unison.

Just one complete being.

William threw back his head and cried out, tears
streaming down his face as Liam's hand moved
to encircle his cock.

"Love you...love you..." Will gasp with each
breath as he was filled over and over.

"Beautiful...so fucking beautiful and perfect.
Never wanted anyone like I wanted you, Will."

Liam drew up his legs thrusting his hips faster as
William writhed above him. His breathing grew
more erratic as he felt himself reaching the edge
of the most intense orgasm he'd ever
experienced.

"Come for daddy..." Liam growled as his fist
sped up stripping William's throbbing cock.

Throwing back his head William screamed as his
cock exploded over Liam's fist. Pearlescent drops
of cum splattering across his chest and Liam's.
His muscles tightened around Liam's cock and
seconds later Liam's answering scream echoed in
the silence. With one final spasm William fell
forward his face burrowing into Liam's convuls-
ing throat.

The real world slowly came back bit by bit as
they lay tangled in each others arms. Liam
chuckled softly as his hand lifted, his fingers
threading through William's damp silken locks.

"You suppose they heard us?" Liam whispered
softly.

"...don't bloody well care..." came William's
muffled reply as he snuggled deeper into Liam's
throat.

Another soft chuckle rumbled through Liam's
chest as he slowly shifted, pressing a kiss to
William's temple. "Neither do I baby...neither do
I."

****

Epilogue ~ One Month Later

Caritas Night Club
Backstage

Liam moved through the narrow corridor his eyes
searching for one thing and one thing only among
the overactive labor men and performers. As he
searched he reached up scratching
absentmindedly at the healing wound in his
shoulder.

"Liam...darling!"

He looked up as Lorne, the owner, wove through
the crowd. Lorne was a showman one-hundred
percent through and through. Standing at six feet
he was svelte and classy in a dark gray silk
double-breasted suit with an emerald silk tie that
mirrored his eyes perfectly. His perfectly coifed
hair was dark blonde with frosted tips, on his
fingers gold and diamonds caught the light
sending it sparkling across his perfectly
manicured nails.

Liam couldn't help, but to want to run and hide
beneath the nearest box, desk, etc.

"Hey, Lorne." He grinned sheepishly.

Sweeping Liam into his arms Lorne kissed first
one cheek, then the other. "I suppose you are
looking for your little cupcake."

"Lorne..." Liam growled in warning.

Dismissing Liam's growl with a flourish he
wrapped his arm around Liam's shoulders
guiding him through the crowd. "I do believe
sweet William shall be the bell of the ball so to
speak. He is just sex on a stick, honey." Leaning
in close he whispered in Liam's ear softly. "You
must tell me where you found him and if perhaps
he has an equally tasty friend."

"Lorne..." Liam rolled his eyes.

"Oh, yes...sorry pumpkin. Will seems to be
having a moment." Pointing to a shadowy
corridor Lorne smiled a knowing smile, then
patted Liam on the back. "I'm just absolutely sure
you can make his moment and it's a bit private
back there...well if perhaps you want to give him
an encouraging talk." Lorne winked at Liam, then
left in a swish of silk and a cloud of Polo.

With a put upon sigh Liam shook his head and
wandered into the shadowy corridor. Lorne could
be a trial at times, he thought to himself, but he
was thankful for what Lorne was doing for Will.

He was barely a few feet down the corridor when
he saw William leaning against the wall, one foot
braced against the wall, the other planted firmly
on the floor. A cigarette dangled from his slender
fingers as his platinum head bobbed to music
only he could hear. His lips were moving as he
silently sang to himself.

Frankly Liam had never seen anything so
beautiful in his life. William was wearing a pair
of faded jeans that cupped the curve of his ass, a
white tank top, and over it all a dark blue short-
sleeved shirt with inserts that resembled leopard
spots of dark blue and scarlet. Leaning against the
wall Liam took in every inch of the man he had
fallen in love with and smiled. It was amazing
what fate could hand to a lonely cop in his
darkest hour or what she could give a man on his
last leg.

Clearing his throat his smile grew wider as
William turned to look in his direction, his cobalt
eyes sparkling even in the shadows.

"Hey, luv..." William whispered, a tiny smile
quirking the corner of his lip.

"Hey." Liam straightened and moved to where
his lover stood. "You nervous?"

"Naw..." William kept the straight expression for
a mere second, then shook his head laughing.
"Who am I bloody well kidding? I'm sodding
terrified."

Liam pulled William into his arms, stroking his
back gently as he whispered in his ear. "No need,
Will. You're fucking incredible even Lorne
thinks so. You're going to knock them dead."

Pulling back William looked up with wide eyes
and smiled at Liam. "You would say that, pet."

"Not just saying it, Will. You are an incredible,
sexy, talented man. You're everything a man
could ever want in his life and you'll do great---
got faith in you."

Leaning in he took Will's lips in a deep kiss, then
pulled back with a gentle smile. "Now go knock
them dead---okay?"

****

Out in the main club Wesley sat with Winifred at
his side as Charles and his wife Lilah approached
the table at the front of the stage. Wes stood as
Charles grinned his dark eyes drifting to Wini-
fred, then back to Wesley.

"About damn time you stubborn geek." Charles
chuckled.

Lilah rolled her eyes and smacked Charles' arm.
"Show a bit of decorum, Charlie!"

"Yes, dear!" Gunn snorted, then leaned in kissing
his wife's cheek. "So is Rosenberg joining us,
English?"

"A bit later I suppose. Her partner had to work
late and she promised to get here as soon as
possible." Wes settled in his chair.

As Lilah and Charles took their seats Doyle
appeared waving from across the crowed club. A
few moments later he'd joined them his eyes
sparkling with amusement. "So have any of you
lads and lasses heard Liam's squeeze sing
before?"

Before anyone could answer a round of applause
rose as a slender man dressed to the hilt appeared
on stage in the spotlight. With a flourish of hands
he smiled and spoke into his mike.

"Welcome! Welcome ladies and gents to Caritas!
I am your hostess with the mostess, Lorne and we
have a fantastic show for you tonight!"

Another roar of applause filled the club along
with catcalls as Liam appeared slipping into his
chair next to Charles.

"William, okay?" Charles leaned in with a raised
brow.

Liam chuckled, mock punching his partner. "He's
a bit nervous, but he's fine. Hey, Wes anything
back from Interpol, yet?"

Glancing up Wes nodded. "Inspector Lensal sent
a report via e-mail to me a couple of days ago.
Rupert Giles was a busy psycho apparently. The
cottage that William spoke of at Delphi is now an
official crime scene. At least three bodies have
been unearthed and now all his previous residents
are being investigated." Wes paused fingering his
glass as Winifred laid her hand over his other.
"How is William doing with the whole...shoot-
ing?"

Liam frowned. "Better...we've been seeing a
counselor---together and separate. Some night-
mares, but that's to be expected."

Gunn smacked Liam in the back of his head
playfully. "Enough business chat boys, okay?
Will's getting ready to sing."

Chuckling Liam picked up his beer taking a sip
his gaze drifting to the stage where Lorne was
beginning his introduction.

"So sweets without further ado I am pleased as
punch to introduce a newly discovered talent. So
ladies hold onto your panties. Introducing Will
Flatley." Lorne began clapping as he stepped into
the shadows.

Silence moved over the room as the heavy dark
stage curtains drew back to reveal William sitting
on a stool beneath a soft violet spotlight. In his
arms he cradled the Fender Stratocaster that Liam
had given him.

A lone platinum curl fell over his brow as his
fingers whispered over the strings. Just a light
touch, but the music that came forth was heart-
breakingly sad and sweetly dark. Seconds later
his voice rose rich and smooth blending with the
mournful notes that rode the silence of the room.

~~~

In the midnight of my rose garden,
In the nightmares of my troubled mind,
I wonder...

The grass between my toes,
the twigs that brush my arms,
the thoughts that flow though my curious mind.
I wonder...

The beauty through my eyes,
the way I see the world...I wonder.

The words upon this page,
the way I write this way...I wonder.

The way I wake in morning,
the way you look at night...I wonder.

~~~

Liam sat his eyes locked  on William as he lifted
his head. William's eye glittering with pain and
something deeper locked on Liam's face as he
continued singing.

~~~

My love for you,
your love for me...I wonder.

I wonder why I wonder...
but what's life without wonder I wonder?

and I wonder what I did to deserve you
and I wonder what it was that made you love me
and I wonder how long will you stay?

~~~

A tiny smile played along William's lips and
Liam returned that smile as he sipped his beer.

~~~

but I don't wonder how long I will keep you
and I don't wonder what it is that made me love
you and I never wonder how long I will stay

~~~

William's voice rose with the same passion that
shone in Liam's eyes.

~~~

I will stay with you forever
I will love you everyday
I will wonder no longer
because you chased the wonder away...

~~~

As the notes faded away the lights dimmed, then
rose as did the applause. William stood and bow-
ed as the crowd went wild. As he lifted from the
bow his gaze met Liam's and his smile widened
lighting up his face.

>From across the room Liam mouthed three simple
words as he clapped harder than anyone else.

'Neither will I.'

The End

=====

Once I had the rarest rose
That ever deigned to bloom.
Cruel winter chilled the bud
And stole my flower too soon.

Annie Lennox
Love Song For A Vampire
(from "Bram Stoker's Dracula" Soundtrack)

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