Title: Sire

Author: Lilithangel

Email: abchainey@xtra.co.nz

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

Fandom(s): AtS

Genre: will eventually be slash cause I’m a Spangel girl.

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

Rating: will include boy on boy stuff so pay attention.

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.

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 I am so glad everyone is enjoying this, hope I can keep you all entertained.

Excerpts from episodes will be paraphrased for expediency and dialogue may be changed to fit my storyline.

“That and worse luv but I was never here.”

“Doesn’t matter, head and heart, keep cutting til you see dust.”

“He’s dead Dana he can’t hurt you anymore.”

Angel let Dana fall to the ground, scanning the room his eyes fell on Spike’s hands laid out neatly on a workbench. Frantically his eyes moved on to find Spike. Spike was sitting on the floor chained to a pillar his arms raised in mute supplication a look of bewildered despair on his face as if he could not believe what his eyes were telling him.

“Get the med team down here now!” Angel went over to Spike and snapped the chains binding him to the pillar as Fred and the med team rushed into the room.

Angel lifted Spike carefully and placed him on the gurney while one of the med team packed Spike’s hands in ice.

Angel followed the two gurneys out onto the street, staying close to Dana but never once taking his eyes off the silent form laying so still on the other. He watched Fred climb into the ambulance with Spike and the doors close before returning his attention to the incapacitated slayer.

Later at the hospital…

Angel stared at the slumped form in the bed, hands placed carefully in front of him Spike stared at them numbly. The look of despair had been replaced by one of resignation.

“Come to tap dance on the patient have we doc? Would give you the finger but apparently I won’t have the motor skills till the drugs wear off.” Spike barely looked up as Angel walked into the room.

“Lot of pain?”

“More than I’d like but not as much as you would, it’s what I deserve.”

“Didn’t say that.”

“No I did. Lass thought I killed her family and I’m suppose to do what, complain cause hers wasn’t one of the hundreds I did kill? Not saying you’re right cause I’m physically incapable of saying that but… for a demon I never did think much ‘bout the nature of evil. Threw myself in, thought it was a party. I liked the rush, liked the crunch, never did look back at the victims.”

“I couldn’t take my eyes off them, I was only in it for the evil. It was everything to me it was art. The destruction of a human being, geez I would have considered Dana a master piece.”

“What happens to her?”

“Andrew and the slayers took her, didn’t trust us to help her.”

“Andrew double crossed us? It was a good move, hope for the little pounce yet. Though the tingling in my forearms tells me she’s too far gone to help. She’s one of us now, she’s a monster.”

“She’s an innocent victim.”

“So were we, once upon a time.”

“Once upon a time.”

Angel took his hand out of his pocket and tentatively reached out to Spike stopping before he made actual contact and pulling his hand back before Spike noticed.

“Do you need anything?”

“Only a drink and a fag but the doctors keep telling me no.” Spike complained breaking the tension between them.

Angel smiled and pulled out a hipflask “Fred would kill me if I brought you cigarette’s but I figured you would want this.”

Spike smiled briefly at Angel but it was quickly replaced with a wince of pain as he attempted to take the flask.

Angel winced in sympathy “oh god, I’m sorry Spike I did not even think.” Angel quickly uncapped the flask and held it to Spike’s lips.

Spike took a long swallow licking his lips to catch the drops. “Thanks I needed that.” He lay back against the pillows with a sigh.

“One more thing…” Angel hesitated and looked Spike directly in the eyes. “Fred says you will be fine in a few weeks but… my blood would speed things up and I do owe you.”

Spike shook his head scornfully turning his head away “Didn’t do it for you mate, did it for her, even in final death she loved her daddy and wanted me to look after you.”

Angel grimaced at the bitterness but kept pushing “she told me the same thing, she wanted me to look after you too.”

Spike turned to look back at Angel in surprise “she asked you… what was the crazy bint thinking?” Spike’s voice broke and he hung his head to hide the grief.

“I don’t know” Angel’s voice cracked “I never meant to end her I was just so angry, I never wanted to lose my family.”

Angel turned away from the bed bringing one hand up to cover his face. “I’m sorry Spike. If there is anything you need or want just ask.” Angel moved slowly towards the door.

“Angel wait…” Spike looked up “I… I don’t want to be alone, will you stay for a while?”

Angel stopped and turned back in surprise. Looking hard at Spike he finally nodded in agreement and dragged a chair over to the bed.

Some time later…

Spike awoke with a start, at some point they had both fallen asleep. Conversation had been limited but they had both enjoyed the silence and temporary peace that had settled between them. Angel’s head was cradled on one hand on the edge of the bed; the other hand was resting lightly on Spike’s shoulder.

Spike stared at Angel strangely loath to disturb him.

Voices grew louder in the corridor outside and Angel woke up disoriented before realising where he was and sitting up quickly.

Harmony and Wulfric came into view slightly ahead of Vanessa and her entourage, Vanessa was arguing with a nurse and orderly who were obviously trying to stop them. Wulfric was egging on the argument with great glee until he realised they were standing in the doorway.

Everyone fell silent when they saw Angel sitting there with Spike. Harmony was the first to recover, with a cheery grin she tripped over to Spike clutching a large bouquet of flowers.

“Blondie bear you look so much better.” Harmony thrust the flowers into Angel’s hands and reached down to kiss Spike on the cheek.

“Thanks for introducing me to your friend, he’s a hottie.” She whispered non-too quietly.

Following behind Wulfric walked over to Spike giving Angel a nod of recognition as he passed.

“Your scientist lady friend is not only attractive but very skilled, I am impressed.” Wulfric beamed “you will be back to normal in no time.”

Vanessa dealt with the nurse and orderly by using her bodyguards to physically block them from the room. Ignoring Angel and the others she swept over to Spike shaking her head with distain.

“This room is unacceptable, it is drab and depressing how can anyone heal in this? William just say the word and I will have you moved to somewhere more appropriate, I can have Europe’s best surgeons here within twenty four hours to watch over your recovery.”

Angel bristled at Vanessa’s tone “Wolfram & Hart has more than adequate resources to care for Spike’s injuries” he said angrily.

“If this room is an example of Wolfram & Hart’s resources…” Vanessa replied scornfully.

Angel looked guiltily around the room aware for the first time how Spartan and clinical it was.

Spike laughed “Don’t intend to stay long enough to get comfortable pet, this suits me just fine.”

“Where do you go then that poky little basement? It is not acceptable for a vampire of your standing to live in such conditions.” Vanessa scolded, “Especially when others live in luxury.” Vanessa glared at Angel who had the grace to look abashed.

“Please forgive Vanessa’s bad manners” a new voice causes everyone to look around “the young are so impetuous.”

Standing at the door was a striking black woman; Vanessa’s bodyguards dropped their eyes and stepped out of her way.

Vanessa moved as if to block the newcomer’s access but one bland glance stopped her in her tracks.

“Angelus and William, last of Aurelius I am Cleo and I bring you greetings from my sire Alexander Ptolemy. It is unfortunate that our first meeting could not be in more suitable surroundings but when I heard of what had happened I came right away to offer my assistance. I am glad that it will not be needed at this time. Wulfric…” Cleo inclined her head in greeting “it is pleasing to see you again so soon.”

Cleo exuded a powerful aura of age and beauty that stopped everyone in their tracks. Smiling faintly she returned her attention to Spike, “this is not the time or place for delicate discussions, I will contact you again soon William. Now that I have assured myself of your well being I will let you rest and recuperate.”

Turning Cleo went to the door before turning back “Vanessa, will you walk with me.” It was not a question and Vanessa followed without a word, leaving Wulfric and Harmony standing with Angel.

“Who the bleeding hell was that?” Spike’s voice broke the spell Cleo had cast over the room.

“That my friend was Cleo Ptolemy, childe of Alexander. Rumoured to be the Cleopatra of Egyptian history.” Wulfric answered.

“But that would make her thousands of years old.” Angel protested.

“She is bloody sexy for an old bint then.” Spike added.

Wulfric frowned “Whatever she happens to be, she is the most powerful vampire I have ever encountered. The Ptolemy family seldom pays attention to the concerns of the council, Cleo holds a seat but I think that is only because it entertains her to. Do not underestimate her and do not cross her.” Wulfric’s warning was directed at Angel.

Angel was staring thoughtfully at the doorway and started slightly when Wulfric spoke to him.

“There has to be more going on here than Spike’s claiming,” Angel mused, “no offence Spike but the Medici and the Ptolemy families cannot just want you.”

“Thanks for nothing peaches, why can’t it just be about me?” Spike griped.

“Angelus is correct” Wulfric added, “I have not been on the council very long but I have never heard of Cleo leaving Europe for anything, something big must be going down. I can see the Medici and Barbarossa families vying for you just to get one over on the other and clan Huntian needs all the blood it can get, but the Ptolemy family has not claimed anyone in five hundred years.”

At this point the nurse and orderly returned to the room.

“It is time everyone left” the nurse scolded “Mr Spike requires rest if he is going to heal.”

Wulfric grinned and grabbed Harmony around the waist causing her to squeak happily. “We will come back to visit tomorrow, let me know when you want to break out of this place and I will come and spring you.”

“Thank you Wulfric but Wolfram & Hart look after their own.” Angel frowned at Wulfric.

Spike stared at Angel in surprise “catch you later Wulf” he replied absently.

Wulfric grinned with amusement at the range of emotions rolling across Spike’s face as he stared at Angel, frustration and anger warred with confusion but Angel was still glaring at Wulfric and missed them all.

Wulfric winked at Spike and left with a giggling Harmony.

“Since when was I one of Wolfram & Hart’s own?” Spike demanded of Angel.

“Since you came out of an amulet we own and started interfering with our operations.” Angel replied irritably.

“Mr Angel…” the nurse interrupted “Mr Spike does need his rest.”

“Just Spike and Angel” Spike snorted, “the Mr thing makes us sound like Tarentino characters.”

“What?” Angel looked blankly at Spike as the orderly grinned. “Just give me a moment please?” he asked the nurse.

“Very well” the nurse nodded “we will be outside.”

“Will you take my blood Spike, please?” Angel begged, “these families are dangerous and you need to be at full strength.”

“Alright” Spike agreed reluctantly “Not because I agree with you but I figure this is not an offer that will be repeated anytime soon.”

Angel grimaced but did not contradict Spike, choosing instead to tear open his wrist and bring it to Spike’s mouth.

Spike fed, drinking deeply but stopping quickly “that will do me.” He said licking the last drops of blood from his lips.

Angel stared at Spike’s lips briefly before pulling out a handkerchief and wrapping it around his wrist.

“Fred will come and check on you in the morning, please don’t leave until she gives you the all clear.” Angel headed for the door.

“Angel…” Spike stopped him “thank you… for staying…”

TBC…

Next time ‘You’re Welcome’ and more vampire politics.