Author: Lilithangel

Email: abchainey@xtra.co.nz

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

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.

The Soul in Question

The flight to Tuscany was quick and uneventful; Angel had dozed off on the flight and continued to rest comfortably against Spike's shoulder in the limo on the way to the estate.

Cleo was silent on the drive until they neared the small town nearest the estate.

"Just to prepare you for your arrival I should tell you something of the family you have allied to," she began. Spike nudged Angel who sat up and tidied his hair blinking the sleep out of his eyes.

"The Ptolemy family line was begun by Alexander Ptolemy in Egypt in 328 BC; my sire was turned in 305 BC and stepped down from the throne of Egypt. He continued to control the house of Ptolemy selectively turning members of the family when they came of age," Cleo continued.

"Keeping it in the family huh?" Spike tilted his head enquiringly.

"I am Cleopatra VI, I was turned in 69 BC when my younger sister was born ensuring the continuation of the line," Cleo smiled at Spike's comment, "my sister was the Cleopatra that most people remember."

"Then you are over 2000 years old," Angel looked at Cleo in amazement.

"2073," she confirmed with a grin.

"You look bloody good for an old bint," Spike commented.

Cleo laughed, "Indeed William," she agreed.

"How come you aren't all bat faced?" Spike asked baldly ignoring Angel's attempt to silence him.

"That is something you will learn more about once the rituals are completed," Cleo explained, "suffice it to say that it is not a problem for our line."

"So your sire has to be one of the oldest surviving vampires?" Angel theorised.

Cleo nodded, "we know very little about The Sleeper's age so accordingly my sire is recognised as the eldest of the vampires."

"So what happened to your line?" Spike asked.

"By choosing to only turn childer from his direct family line my sire was severely restricted after my sister lost Egypt to the Romans. He gathered as many of us as he could and fled into the hills to our stronghold. He would only turn one from each generation but over the years our numbers dwindled. War and vampire politics took many of our younger members before they were strong enough."

"Surely the childer could turn enough to strengthen the line?" Angel asked.

"Only our sire turns the next generation," Cleo voice held a thin thread of sadness.

Spike and Angel shifted uncomfortably and Angel changed the subject slightly.

"Can you tell us about the rituals now?" he asked.

"They are nothing to worry about; we will share blood and link you to the family. Of the family, there will be Simon, Isabelle and Philippe in attendance along with our closest servants of whom only Octavian will be of concern to you. Octavian is my sire's companion and mate, he is not a vampire but he is older than I am and not to be trifled with." Cleo smiled fondly, "My siblings are all younger but masters in their own rights, I would imagine that Simon and Isabelle will have their consorts with them, Violet and Xavier."

"Will we share blood with all of them?" Spike asked.

"Yes, so we want you to get to know them a little bit before hand.

Simon is a warrior and scholar I would imagine that you will get on with him, Angelus. You will like Isabelle, William she has adapted to the modern world with enthusiasm," Cleo smiled.

"And Philippe, will we like him?" Angel was curious.

"Philippe is special," Cleo smiled sadly, "he does not live in our world anymore. When he lost his beloved Robert he retreated from us and choses to live in the darkness of his own mind." Her eyes were shadowed with memory.

"What happened?" Angel asked gently.

"A slayer happened," Cleo answered, "He had not reached master status yet and thought to do so by killing a slayer, much as you did William. He failed. Philippe felt him go and it broke him."

"I am sorry," Angel said tentatively.

"We lost a lot in that time, the family never really recovered," Cleo said sadly.

They fell silent again neither man willing to break into Cleo's memories until Spike couldn't handle the silence any longer.

"So are any of the family bat featured?" he asked. Angel elbowed Spike in embarrassment but Cleo smiled at the question.

"None of the family are bat featured we have been very fortunate in that regard," Cleo replied.

"Will we get that benefit?" Spike asked curiously.

"Yes you will, but I would not recommend the pigs' blood diet for too long, it plays havoc with the skin," Cleo grinned at the identical gestures from Angel and Spike as they touched their faces in concern.

The limousine pulled in through large wrought iron gates that had swung open silently on arrival. They travelled through an archway of trees that shaded the entire driveway opening only briefly to expose a large rambling villa. The limo pulled up under a wide portico that shaded them from the afternoon sun as they exited.

The door to the villa opened and a small dark man stood there smiling.

"Octavian," Cleo walked up with her hands extended.

"Lady Cleo," Octavian kissed her hands and then swept her into a hug. He placed her back onto her feet and turned to Angel and Spike.

"Octavian, this is Angelus and William our new allies," Cleo introduced them.

"Gentlemen welcome to The Villa," Octavian bowed formally and both vampires found themselves copying his gesture. "Alexander is resting but will join you later; the others are awaiting you in the atrium." The two vampires were struck by the incredible sense of age that emanated from the human, his blood smelt of dusty tomes and ancient cities.

Cleo stepped inside and turned to face the two men, "welcome to The Villa, enter and comfortable here," she said formally gesturing for them to enter.

Octavian led them through the dramatic entranceway with sweeping stairways and marble columns and more artefacts than most museums. Angel's eye was drawn to a number of paintings he recognised and some he did not but that compelled him closer.

One in particular which appeared to be two male figures with wings on their backs spiralling into a dark threatening sky. Angel could not make out a lot of detail as the artist had chosen to paint primarily in black with just hints of white to pick out features. The faces were the clearest but even then Angel had to strain to make out detail.

A quiet cough brought Angel back to his senses and he realised the others had gone on ahead of him and Octavian was waiting. He smiled apologetically at Octavian, "Who is the artist?" Angel needed to know.

Octavian smiled sadly, "Master Philippe, occasionally he is compelled to paint. They are always striking but once he used to work with the most glorious of colours," Octavian replied sadly.

Angel followed Octavian into the atrium which was a huge domed glass space full of plants. Everyone was standing in the last of the sunlight so Angel surmised that it was necro-tempered like his office.

Spike was being introduced to a male and female vampire. Angel quickly identified them as Isabelle and Simon. Isabelle was wearing a very modern suit cut to show off her ample charms, Simon was more conservatively dressed but his suit was obviously Armani. Both were very attractive people as were the two standing just behind them.

Cleo smiled and brought Angel forward to introduce him and Angel found he was correct in his guesses.

Simon turned and introduced them to the young woman standing there, "this is my consort Violet," he said proudly. She smiled a greeting to the two men but did not speak. "Violet is mute," Simon explained "when you are truly family you will discover this does not stand in the way of her communicating," he joked. The five shared a laugh that suggested Angel and Spike were missing part of the exchange.

"This is Xavier," Isabella introduced the tall blond man "we might wish he was mute sometimes," she said fondly.

"Welcome to the family," Xavier shook hands with them both.

"Where is Philippe?" Cleo asked.

"Talking to the plants again," Simon answered wryly.

"Philippe, come and meet our friends," Cleo commanded.

There was a rustling of plants and then a thin redheaded boy slipped out from behind a palm. Head down he walked over to Cleo and touched her hand.

"Philippe, these are Angelus and William," Cleo turned his face to look at them.

Philippe peered up at them from underneath his fringe, large green eyes stared at them blankly then suddenly he smiled, "I did get you right," he said a flash of something lit his eyes briefly and then vanished. He tugged his hand free of Cleo and wandered away.

Cleo sighed as she watched her sibling drift off, "he gets no better," she murmured sadly.

"What did he mean he got us right?" Spike asked.

"I have no idea," Cleo confessed, "his is not a madness like your Drusilla's was, he has just closed off his mind from what is happening to avoid accepting his loss but sometimes a little of the old Philippe returns."

Angel stared thoughtfully at the young broken vampire before he vanished into the gloom again but said nothing.

"Octavian will show you to your suite," Cleo turned to Angel and Spike, "you can rest up before dinner."

Octavian escorted the two vampires out of the atrium leaving Cleo to catch up with her family.

Walking back through the entranceway Angel was drawn back to the painting. Spike looked at it for a moment and then turned to Angel, their eyes met and a moment of understanding passed between them. Spike shivered slightly at the intensity of the painting and they continued to follow Octavian.

Their suite was situated at the back of the building and opened out onto a private walled courtyard. There was a large four poster bed that lit up Spike's expression and a big bathroom with a marble step down bath that had Angel smiling with anticipation.

Spike threw himself onto the bed spreadeagled on his back, "nice digs," he commented.

Angel thanked Octavian who bowed to them both, "I will return to escort you to the dining room in an hour," he said as he closed the doors.

Spike bounced off the bed and began to explore the room. Angel opened the French doors and looked out over the courtyard; there was a small fountain in the centre and trellis' of climbing roses and jasmine. The scent filled the room reminding Angel of the Hyperion.

Spike came up behind Angel and slipped his arms around the larger vampire drawing him in close, "how about we try out that monster bath?" he suggested seductively.

Angel leant into Spike's embrace with a sigh, "I would like that."

"Right then," Spike ran his hands down Angel's body lingering briefly at his groin before releasing him.

Spike set the bath running and stripped off his duster. Angel's hands interrupted him and began to slowly unbutton his shirt. Angel pulled Spike's shirt off and splayed his hands across the pale chest stroking the cool flesh.

Spike let his eyes drift shut and allowed Angel to pull him over to the bed. Angel pushed Spike onto the bed and knelt in front of him. He unlaced Spike's boots and yanked them off then ran his hands up the inside of his childe's denim clad legs to caress the hardness that rested there.

Spike moaned softly at the gentle touch and pressed himself against Angel's hands. Angel deftly unbuttoned Spike and released his growing erection. Teasing, Angel avoided touching it caressing the sensitive flesh before he eased Spike's jeans down to his feet.

Spike's hands grasped Angel's shirt by the lapels and he dragged Angel down for a soft kiss, "My turn," he murmured into Angel's mouth as he undid Angel's shirt pulling it down to trap his arms.

Spike trailed kisses down Angel's collarbone and chest paying close attention to the sensitive nipple area, nipping and suckling them to aching points. Spike let the shirt fall free and Angel's hands threaded themselves into his hair.

Angel kicked off his shoes as Spike quickly divested him of his pants and boxer shorts. Both naked now Angel pulled Spike to his feet and they kissed languidly, enjoying the shared warmth of their arousal.

Angel lifted Spike into his arms muffling the expected protest with a deep kiss that left them both blinking at the intensity. Angel carried Spike over to the bath that was almost full and walked straight into the water. He settled Spike against one wall and turned the water off.

Spike snagged a bottle of oil from the side of the bath and filled the water with the woody and spicy scent of frankincense. Angel inhaled deeply with a smile and straddled Spike's legs to reach in and kiss him again.

Angel kept their erections trapped together as he rubbed the oil-impregnated water over Spike's body. Spike's hands were as busy as Angel's; slick with oil he ran his hands down his lover's shoulders and back to tease at the cleft of his buttocks.

They continued to kiss and fondle each other content to enjoy the peace and comfort they found in the other's embrace. They reached climax together, it was deep and silent and all the more intense for needing nothing more than the touch of the other to reach it.

Angel stayed in Spike's lap resting their foreheads together inhaling the scent of sex and frankincense.

Smokey blue eyes stared into chocolate brown, serious and unblinking, "I love you," Spike finally said.

An ecstatic smile broke across Angel's face and he claimed Spike's lips with delighted kisses, "I thought I would be saying it first thank you," Angel stopped kissing Spike and looked him deep in the eyes, "I love you too, I don't when it happened but I am glad it did, just..." Angel sobered "keep pissing me off okay?"

Spike snorted, "Never thought to hear you say that luv."

"I am happy Spike, despite everything that is happening I am happy with you and I am afraid of what that might mean," Angel confessed.

"You actually think I could release him?" Spike was surprised.

"I am afraid, I don't want to lose you and I don't want him free again. At Wolfram & Hart there is always the threat of exposure but here..." Angel sighed.

"Here it is almost perfect," Spike agreed, "so what do we do?"

"I don't know," Angel sighed again, "for now we need to get cleaned up and dressed for dinner."

Reluctantly they separated and finished bathing. As Angel was trying to decide what to wear, Spike held out a dark blue shirt. Angel slipped it on with a smile and buttoned up the dark red shirt Spike had chosen for himself.

Spike went over to the dresser to pick up some hair gel when a movement caught the corner of his eye.

"Bloody hell Angel," Spike's curse brought Angel running.

Angel stared into the dresser mirror that was reflecting images of both him and Spike.

"How?" Angel reached out to touch the glass marvelling as the reflection copied his every move.

"No idea luv," Spike was staring intently at his reflection "I had no idea," he murmured.

"What?" Angel turned and touched Spike's arm.

"My memories of me, it's strange..." he turned his head from side to side critically.

"When we were in Pylea rescuing Cordy I had a reflection, I stared at myself for hours it is strange." Angel agreed.

Spike frowned, "I might need a new hairstyle this is really dated."

Angel laughed and pulled Spike into a hug. Spike snuggled into Angel's shoulder and then grinned, "We are going to have to drag this closer to the bed."

Angel groaned with desire at the thought of being able to watch himself making love to Spike.

A knock at the door brought them out of their imaginings. Octavian entered and smiled when he saw where the two were standing.

"The family have assembled gentlemen if you are ready, please follow me," Octavian smiled.

Tearing themselves away from the mirror Spike and Angel followed Octavian through the corridors of the villa.

Octavian flung open a pair of ornate wooden doors and stepped aside to allow the two vampires to walk in ahead of him. Inside were Cleo and her siblings clustered around a large wingback chair. Cleo moved over to greet them with a smile.

"Angelus, William come and meet our sire, Alexander," she led them over to the chair. The others stepped aside to reveal a small middle-aged man. The power radiating from him was so overpowering that both Angel and Spike sank to one knee in front of him.

Alexander smiled at the two beautiful men kneeling in front of him their head bowed respectfully, "welcome my children."

Angel and Spike looked up at his words and felt themselves falling into the depths of his eyes. Fathomless and ancient, the knowledge of the ages swirled within them. Alexander extended a hand and both Angel and Spike bowed over it.

"Please relax," Alexander's voice was deep and slightly rough, there was an accent but it was not one either of them recognised.

Angel and Spike rose from their kneeling position gracefully and acknowledged the others standing there.

"Dinner is served," Octavian led them all into the adjourning dining room.

Alexander was seated at the head of the table, Angel and Spike were seated on either side of him as honoured guests and the others seated themselves as they chose.

Wine and blood was served to everyone and an array of dishes was placed on the table for the humans and any, like Spike who wished to indulge.

Octavian stood behind Alexander's chair ensuring everything went smoothly and everyone had what they needed.

Conversation was light and varied around the room, they talked of music and art and politics. All the childer of Ptolemy showed high intelligence and an appreciation of fine things. Isabella, who had seated herself next to Spike, engaged him in a lively debate over modern music. Only Philippe did not participate drinking his blood quietly and staring at the table.

Finally Alexander stood signalling the end of the meal. Everyone stood and followed him out of the room back to the sitting room they had come from. Someone had arranged a number of chairs and love seats around Alexander's chair and everyone made themselves comfortable. Spike snagged a love seat and dragged Angel down beside him.

Octavian came around with glasses of cognac and brandy and then took up his customary place behind Alexander although this time one hand rested on the back of the chair possessively.

"There is much we will have to tell you Angelus and William," Alexander began, "but first we must complete the binding of our lines, much will be made clear after that."

Cleo rose from her seat and went over to a side table and picked up a small silver goblet and bronze knife. Very simple in design they radiated age, both gave the appearance of being well used and looked after.

Cleo presented them to Alexander and returned to her seat.

Alexander stared at the goblet for a few moments an indecipherable expression on his face.

"This is a momentous event for our family, never before have we shared this ritual with any but blood family," he looked up at Angel and Spike, "but I am glad that it is to be shared with the two vampire champions of legend. We will be strengthened by your blood and I hope you will be strengthened by ours."

Alexander drew the knife across his wrist and allowed his blood to drip into the goblet. Octavian stepped forward and took the goblet and knife from Alexander and passed them to Cleo before kneeling before Alexander and bringing the wounded wrist to his own mouth. The two locked gazes as Octavian licked the wound clean; he held it to him mouth until the blood stopped flowing then returned to his place.

Cleo quickly added her own blood to the goblet but licked her own wound clean before passing it to Simon. Simon first added Violet's blood, then his own and the two pressed their bloodied wrists to the other's mouth.

The goblet was passed around the circle; Philippe cut his own wrist savagely and did nothing to stop the blood flowing allowing it to drip onto the floor as he passed the goblet to Angel the knife clattering to the floor. Cleo made a small sound of distress and made to move over to him.

Before she could Spike had stepped forward and took Philippe's hand, Angel reached over and covered the ragged cut with his hand as Spike lifted the broken vampire's face up to look at him.

"Do not waste your blood on the floor brother," Spike said softly. Angel held the skin together until the bleeding stopped while Spike kept Philippe's attention. Cleo sat back in her chair and watched the scene unfold.

Philippe reached out and touched Spike's face with his other hand seemingly mesmerised by the sharp angles of the blond's features. Octavian handed Angel a napkin, which he used to carefully bind Philippe's wound.

Philippe stroked Spike's face one more time then pulled free of the two vampires retreating back into himself.

Quickly Angel and Spike opened veins to add their own blood to the goblet. Spike brought Angel's wrist to his own mouth and licked the cut with obvious pleasure as Angel did the same to him. The raw sexuality between the two had the rest of the group shifting in their seats.

Finally Octavian took the goblet and added a few drops of his own blood to the mix before topping the bowl up with a fine red wine.

Alexander took up the goblet and stood in front of his childer, "blood of family, blood of allies," he intoned, "Joined by ties stronger than death, Hades, Pluto, Anubis bind us for all time. Isis, Osiris guard and protect us."

Alexander took a sip of the goblet and passed it to Cleo who followed suit. The goblet was passed to each of them in turn, when Spike and Angel had taken a drink Octavian emptied the goblet and handed it back to Alexander.

"Blood shared, blood bond, so shall it be," As Alexander completed the ritual Angel and Spike felt their blood begin to race and their bodies filled with warmth. Suddenly there was a babble of voices in their heads that was gone as soon as the warmth faded.

Angel looked at Spike in surprise, the mirror look on his face told Angel they had both felt the same thing.

"You all have souls," Angel said in shock his eyes wide.

"We never lost them, it is the gift of our family," Cleo explained.

"The being who turned me," Alexander explained, "called it a gift and a curse. I learnt to cope with it and made the decision to only turn my own family whom I could select and raise to accept and control their demon when turned. At first I swore I would not turn anyone but my sire, Set required it."

Angel tried to comprehend what it would mean to have been turned with the soul intact.

"How does the soul cope with the guilt?" Spike demanded.

"By controlling the demon we have never committed an act that would harm the soul. We feed only from the willing and never to the death, it is an uneasy truce but the soul is in control." Cleo answered.

"So that is why you chose us?" Angel surmised.

"Indeed," Alexander agreed, "the emergence of two new vampires with souls was of extreme interest to our family. When you were first cursed with your soul Angelus we watched your actions carefully, we had to know what regaining a soul would do to a master vampire."

"So you are all good?" Spike questioned.

"Not in the manner of champions," Simon answered, "we sought only to be able to exist in both the human and vampire worlds."

"Your choice to reclaim a soul William, that was the next step forward in our search," Cleo continued, "with the clause in the curse that would release the demon again we were uncertain of your stability Angelus."

"So we set about investigating the curse," Isabella continued, "our relationship with the gypsies is somewhat better than the Aurelius clan."

Angel stared at the vampires in the room, his new family, not daring to hope or believe in what was being hinted at.

"With the death of Janna at your hands in Sunnydale, Jenny Calendar" Isabella explained "the clans came to realise that to curse you with perfect happiness was to release the demon from its bonds not punish it. They agreed to help us rework the curse to remove the happiness clause from the curse."

"Their magic is not strong enough anymore but ours is, if you so wish it Angelus we will anchor your soul restraining your demon forever. It will not take away the guilt and your path to atonement is still yours as champion." Alexander finished.

Angel stared at Spike in shock, the enormity of what they were saying slowly sinking in.

"This is a lot to take in," Cleo stood beside her sire, "we will let you talk it over with William." She walked over and placed a kiss on the unresisting cheeks of both Aurelian vampires.

One by one the others came forward and offered welcome, a kiss or a handshake. They barely registered the sound of Violet's voice in their heads welcoming them to the family.

When they were alone Angel turned to Spike.

"Why are you even hesitating?" Spike demanded, "You would be free to love anyone you wanted."

"I am frightened Spike, I don't know how to be happy. What if I screw things up between us?" Angel held onto Spike as if he was drowning.

Spike closed his eyes relief pouring off him in waves, "You want me?"

"Of course I want you, I love you," Angel stared at Spike in confusion.

"I just thought..." Spike hung his head.

"You thought I was only with you because it was convenient?" Angel took Spike's hands in his, "I claimed you because I did not want anyone else to have you, because I loved you even then."

"Then why are you even waiting?" Spike kissed Angel. "I want to make love to you in front of that mirror, I want to see your face when you cum. I want to make you completely happy before we have to return to that hellhole in L.A."

Angel laughed and kissed Spike back, "happy, I can be happy, I never dreamed..."

"Well dream pet," Spike pulled Angel out of the seat, "let's get your soul re-cursed then, for good this time."

TBC...

Next time: gypsy magic, a little more with that mirror, a gift from Philippe and the return to Wolfram & Hart.