Wow, I am blessed.

Title: Sire

Author: Lilithangel

Email: abchainey@xtra.co.nz

Website:   www.livejournal.com/users/lilithbint/

Fandom(s): AtS

Genre: slash cause I'm a Spangel girl.

Pairings/Characters: Spike/Angel and the rest of the AtS gang.

Rating: includes boy on boy sex so if you don't like, don't read.

Warnings: see above.

Notes: This will start from AtS series 5 'Destiny' episode and carry on from there so there will be spoilers for various episodes. However this is going to go AU from the beginning and will deviate more and more as time goes by.

Inspired by a challenge but totally deviating from the original suggestion.

Summary: Drusilla renounces her claim as sire to Spike. Master vampires from all over the country arrive to vie for the right to claim him. The AtS gang and Wolfram & Hart have to deal with the fallout and Angel has to deal with his conflicting feelings. Spike has to come to terms with himself, his relationship with Drusilla and what he wants to do with his future.

A/N: will not be following the series episodes as closely now but certain things that happen in the series will happen in here but not necessarily in the same order.

Spike was gone again before Angel woke up and this time he did not appear until it was time for the trial.

Spike and Wulfric were waiting for everyone in the combat arena. Tonio was the next to arrive and Wulfric went to greet him while Angel and the others, minus Henry, entered.

"No second or witness, Tonio?" Wulfric asked the diminutive vampire.

Tonio smiled "I trust you and the council, Wulfric." He was dressed in loose fitting clothing his hair cropped short to his scalp.

Everyone watched in amazement as Tonio began a series of warm up moves that would have put a gymnast to shame. He contorted his body, bending it in half and twisting around.

Tonio smiled again from between his legs, "Circus" he explained. He straightened up and bowed to the judges and Spike.

"Ain't gonna help mate." Spike called jovially, and bowed gracefully back.

Drogyn called the start of the bout and Tonio attacked immediately. He picked Spike up effortlessly and threw him across the room forcefully.

Spike picked himself up and shook his head, "strong wee bugger aren't you?"

Tonio was on him before he could finish the sentence. Fists flew and both soon bled extensively.

"Just watch who you are calling wee, blondie." Tonio tossed back with a grin. "I can still get you where is hurts."

Watching above Fred was clutching Wesley's arm, tension filled the area as they watched Tonio get the better of Spike time and again.

"He is incredible." Lindsey commented with respect as Tonio threw Spike again. "That must have been some circus."

Slowly however Spike began to push Tonio back. His blows were making an impact and Tonio started to slow. It soon became apparent that Tonio had backed himself to defeat Spike quickly and had gone hard out to do so.

Spike picked the smaller vampire up and sent him spinning through the air. When Tonio hit the wall Spike was right there to pound him into the ground.

Tonio managed to slip out from under Spike but he was obviously badly injured. One arm was not functioning and he appeared to have broken several ribs.

Spike watched Tonio carefully as he spat out blood and several teeth and struggled to his feet. Tonio swayed slightly and tried to focus, unable to strike back.

"Do you yield?" Spike asked him.

Gradually Tonio focused on Spike, "I think I might have to." He said. "Thank you for a very enjoyable fight, William the Bloody I hope we can do it again sometime." Tonio crumpled to the floor unconscious.

Spike was the first to reach Tonio to check on him despite his own injuries.

"He was a lot better, that circus gig must be a good one." Spike commented, "but he always goes out too hard."

Wulfric picked Tonio up, the smaller vampire looking like a doll in the big Saxon's arms.

"I will get him fixed up." Wulfric promised.

Spike turned to the viewing platform and looked at Reynard who was watching him intently. They bowed formally to each other and then both turned to leave.

Angel stopped Spike from leaving the room and checked his injuries, "You need blood and rest." He told Spike. "Are you planning to go and celebrate tonight?"

"Nah... I like Tonio, no celebration in beating him. Besides I'm knackered." Spike confessed. "You look like you could do with some patching up too mate." Spike noted the crescent moon shaped wounds on Angel's palms.

Angel hid his hands behind his back in embarrassment at revealing how much the fight had affected him. "Go with Fred and get patched up, I'll see you later." Angel left the room hurriedly.

This time Spike did not wait for an invitation; he crawled up the bed pulling the sheet aside. Before Angel could say anything Spike had dragged down his boxers and was licking his length.

Spike swallowed Angel whole, running his tongue around the shaft then sucking hard as he pulled back until only the head was still in his mouth. He repeated the manoeuvre leaving Angel moaning uncontrollably, grasping the bed without thought.

Angel thrust against Spike's mouth and Spike took him down to the root again, maintaining suction all the way. Angel bucked wildly, unable to hold back under Spike's enthusiastic sucking he came with a choked off cry.

Spike gulped down Angel's release and slowly let Angel's softening cock slip from his lips.

Spike looked triumphantly up at Angel's shell-shocked face and then climbed up his body to collapse beside his with a satisfied sigh.

When he had gathered his wits Angel wrapped his arm around Spike and reached down to caress Spike's cock with his other hand.

Spike pushed Angel's hand away, "Don't need reciprocation mate, did that cause I have always wanted to. I'm knackered, let's get some sleep tomorrow isn't going to be so easy."

Angel was content to stroke Spike's hair until they both fell into a deep satisfied sleep.

He drank it down thoughtfully with a soft smile on his face and got ready to face the day with renewed vigour.

This time Wulfric and Spike came to Angel's office before the fight.

"I am concerned that Reynard may try something to ensure his victory in the fight." Wulfric said to Angel. "Has your team picked up any magical interference recently?"

"A handful of probing attacks, looking for areas of weakness, they did not get through." Angel replied confidently.

"What about the participants themselves are they checked when they arrive?" Wulfric pressed.

"Covertly, yes. The Medici and Lombardi contingents were covered in spells." Angel answered.

"Mostly protection and illusion spells which we have left alone. I wondered how Reynard and Christian stayed so human looking" Wesley added entering the room "Vanity seems to be a besetting sin for vampires." He grinned at Angel.

"What are you concerned about?" Angel asked Wulfric.

"I thought Reynard might attempt to weaken or disable William in some way prior to the fight. He never fights without being in a position of strength." Wulfric answered.

"Obviously nothing he had planned could get through our defences." Angel said confidently.

"I need a fag." Spike said suddenly and he walked out of the office.

Leaving Wesley and Wulfric to discuss magic, Angel followed Spike.

He found Spike in his own office down the corridor. It had an unused feeling to it, but the overflowing ashtray and empty bottles indicated that Spike had spent time there in the past.

Spike was propped against the windowsill staring out over the city.

"Reynard is the oldest vampire I have ever faced." Spike said without looking at Angel.

"You defeated the first two, you've beaten me and you're stronger than you have ever been." Angel reassured him. "You can take Reynard, if you want to?" He could not resist asking.

"I don't know what I want." Spike replied. "A strong sire, a place to belong... I don't know." He confessed.

"Spike you..." Angel stopped. "It's time to fight." He finished, abandoning what he was going to say.

Spike nodded and ground out his cigarette.

"Let us get on." Sebassis said irritably, "I haven't got all night."

Spike rolled his eyes but said nothing simply handed his coat to Angel and walked to the middle of the arena.

Reynard tipped his head in acknowledgement and the fight started.

This was a far different fight to the first two. Spike was obviously nervous and was slower in reacting to Reynard's attack.

Reynard attacked fast and brutally, taking advantage of Spike's hesitation to punch him hard in the face and stomach.

Spike recovered himself and went in swinging; Reynard countered every blow effortlessly and struck Spike in the face several more times before Spike moved out of range.

Reynard remained calm during the first interchange of blows with barely a flicker in his face as he shrugged off the few hits Spike had gotten in.

Spike managed to duck in under Reynard's guard and sweep his feet out from under him but Reynard surged immediately back upright and threw Spike heavily against the wall.

The snap of bone was audible to everyone watching and Reynard allowed a small smile to cross his face. Spike struggled to his feet holding his side painfully, blood was pouring down his face and one eye was swelling closed.

Reynard waited for Spike to stand upright and shake off some of the pain before moving in again. Spike managed to block the rain of blows but it was obvious that he was weakening fast. Reynard was just too strong and too powerful for Spike.

Everyone was on their feet concentrating on the fight intently. Fred was as white as a sheet and clutching onto Wesley's arm convulsively.

Wesley and Lindsey were both frowning as they watched the action. Lindsey pulled Wesley aside and they talked quietly for a minute.

"I suspected something was wrong." Wesley agreed. "I think you're right." The two men left the room hurriedly.

Reynard had thrown Spike against the wall twice more; each time it took Spike longer to recover his stance. By now it was obvious that Reynard was playing with Spike and was capable of defeating him at any time.

Angel's fists were clenched so tightly that blood was beginning to drip out from between his fingers. Several times he had jerked forward and then checked himself. He and Wulfric had exchanged several anxious looks and both now appeared strained and nervous.

Finally Reynard picked Spike up bodily and dropped him down over his knee. Spike howled as he was stretched painfully, his spine close to snapping.

"Do you yield or do I have to break your back to win this?" Reynard asked Spike, pushing his shoulders down further.

Spike gasped in pain his eyes full of despair and resignation "I yield." He choked out.

There was silence from the viewing area, Fred looked like she was going to cry, Gunn and Lorne appeared shell-shocked.

Angel's head had slumped in defeat as soon as Reynard had dropped Spike over his knee; Angel was well aware how much Spike dreaded being paralysed again even for a short time.

"Stop!" Wesley and Lindsey strode into the combat arena.

"This fight is rigged." Lindsey declared.

Everyone stared at them with surprise and no little hostility.

"The humans have no place here." Vanessa stepped forward aggressively.

Wesley ignored her and began to chant in Latin while Lindsey stood between him and the angry vampires.

Wesley's chant finished, there was a stir of magic and illusions were stripped away. In Reynard's place stood a large green skinned demon and the non-descript vampire was transformed into an old vampire with ridges and fangs permanently showing.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sebassis thundered over the rising hubbub of shock.

"We were aware that some parties were using illusion spells but had chosen to leave them, however we were suspicious of the standard of Reynard's fighting abilities." Wesley explained, raising his voice so everyone could hear.

"Reynard used illusion to maintain a human face normally but our cameras showed his real face. Routine checks this time showed us that Reynard..." Lindsey pointed to the demon, "was not in fact Reynard. We checked the tapes and confirmed it."

Everyone turned to stare at the newly revealed Reynard who snarled as Angel moved threateningly towards him. Vanessa stepped in front of Reynard defensively.

"Let them be." Wulfric commanded, "the council will deal with this later." He stared up at the other members of the council who all nodded sternly in agreement.

Without speaking Reynard and his supporters left the room, Vanessa was last out, watching Angel every step of the way.

"Cleo," Wulfric bowed to the stately vampire, "We will ensure that William is ready for combat tomorrow." Cleo nodded gravely and followed the other council members out of the room.

Angel rushed to Spike's side as soon as Reynard left. "That bastard" Angel cursed, gently wiping away the blood from Spike's face. "Didn't even have the balls to face you himself."

"Bugger, 'cause that hurt a lot." Spike gasped.

"Right Spike, I'm taking you up to bed." Angel lifted Spike to his feet.

Spike managed to waggle his eyebrows suggestively, "bloke could get used to being taken to bed." He leered at Angel.

Angel sighed, "You need rest and blood Spike, stop seeing something rude in everything I say."

"Thanks for spotting that." Spike said to Wesley and Lindsey as Angel helped him past.

"I'm just glad we got here in time." Wesley replied gravely as the others all poured into the room to check on Spike.

"That was a low down dirty trick he played." Fred groused.

"What will happen to him?" Lindsey wanted to know.

"That will depend on the council." Wulfric replied. "I will be pushing for severe penalties to be imposed. It was a cowardly thing to do and makes a mockery of the trial." He frowned.

"Didn't want to be claimed by him anyway." Spike said, "Did you see how ugly he really was?"

Angel laughed, "Trust you to think of the important things. Enough though, Spike needs to rest." He told the others and left the room, supporting Spike carefully.

Angel patched up Spike's injuries, binding his broken ribs and feeding him blood. Spike made no complaint at Angel's ministrations, an indication of how badly he was hurt.

Angel stared at Spike seriously, long enough to make the blonde uncomfortable.

"You rest," Angel finally said. "I have something I have to do I will be back in a while. Don't move while I'm gone." He ordered.

"Yes sir." Spike saluted sarcastically.

"I won't be long." Angel said with concern. "If you need anything call down to Harmony, but not for booze or cigarettes." He warned as he left.

When Spike awoke later in the day Angel was sitting in a chair next to the bed, watching him.

When he knew Spike was awake, Angel moved over to the bed. "How are the ribs?" he asked.

Spike wriggled slightly, "Seem to have knitted just fine."

"Good. There's more blood warmed for you, I want you to drink it all." Angel told him. "Tonight is the last, you need to be strong."

"I know," Spike nodded and drank down the blood offered. "How much time do I have?"

"Four hours, so get some more sleep while you can. I have got a desk full of paper to deal with so I will meet you at the arena. I will get Wulfric to come get you when it's time." Angel ran his hand through Spike's hair, "You might want to have a shower before then unless you think blood red hair is the latest thing." He teased.

"Gerr off" Spike grumbled good-naturedly, getting out of bed heedless of his naked state.

Angel watched him with hungry eyes but did not follow.

When Spike came out of the shower Angel had gone. He shrugged and slipped back into bed.

Cleo entered the arena with Angel at her side. Spike was about to make a cutting remark about allegiances when Cleo spoke.

"I wish to formally yield my challenge to claim William the Bloody in favour of Angelus master of the order of Aurelius." She declared.

There was a shocked silence then everyone spoke at once.

"Silence!" Drogyn roared. Slowly everyone subsided. "Is it permissible in the rules of the trial that a challenge can be transferred?" he questioned the members of the council.

"It has been done in the past." Cleo answered for them, "Normally because the original challenger has been incapacitated but there is precedent."

"Only if the council agree." Christian interjected.

"If the council agrees. I have spoken with my sire and he approves of my choice." Cleo answered.

The members of the council conferred quietly while everyone waited impatiently.

Spike could not take his eyes off Angel who was standing apart from the others. Both vampires were unnaturally still, nothing in Spike's posture betrayed his confusion but his eyes were full of questions.

Spike could not understand what Angel was planning. Although they had spent the last few nights together, Spike had not thought of it as a permanent thing or any sort of thing. He had deliberately concentrated on the pleasure and the blood between them avoiding any deep meanings or longings.

The tenderness he and Angel had shared had kind of snuck up on them both he realised, but it had never dawned on Spike that Angel might want something more.

And he still did not know what that more might be or whether it was something he would want too. The rush of arousal he felt when he looked at Angel was nothing new but the tenderness and concern were worrying without knowing Angel's motivations.

Angel finally turned to look at Spike and he smiled at the expression in Spike's eyes. He could see the confusion, longing and anger warring for dominance. Angel kept his own expression blank trying not to reveal any of his desires to the others or Spike, unwilling to tip his hand.

He did not understand all his reasons for what he was doing, all he really knew was that watching Spike battle over his claiming had driven him insane with fear and jealousy.

He had fought the feelings as much as the feelings of need and desire Spike provoked in him. But when he had thought that Reynard would claim Spike, despair had swamped him and he knew that the only person who should claim Spike was he.

Angel refused to consider the implications of the deal he had struck with Cleo to take her place. It was too important that he claim Spike, the future of Aurelius and his role as master of the order were problems for another day.

Flashback

Angel knocked on the door in front of him. It opened to reveal Cleo who did not appear surprised to see Angel standing there.

She stood aside and let him enter.

"What will it take for you to surrender your challenge to me?" Angel asked.

"You Angelus." She replied simply. "You and William."

End flashback

Finally the council ended their deliberations and turned to face the anxious waiting group.

"If all parties are agreeable we will allow the transfer of challenge rights to Angelus. The events of the previous fight require restitution and this is the first step in returning honour to the trial by combat." Frederick declared. "As long as all parties agree." He continued looking at Spike.

Spike looked at Angel again then quickly looked at Wulfric and up to Fred and Wesley. He returned his gaze to Angel again and slowly nodded.

"Alright." He answered briefly and Angel relaxed slightly giving away how much Spike's answer meant to him.

"Very well," Sebassis stepped in. "If there are no objections let us get this fight under way."

TBC...

Next time: Resolution and Implications