Sanguine Revival 21? (Spike/Dawn, Adults Only)

AUTHORS: Salustra and Cathelin
E-MAILS: Salustra: goddess_salustra@juno.com ; Cathelin: cathelinn@yahoo.co.uk .
TITLE: Sanguine Revival 21/?
RATING: FRAO, Adults only,
PAIRING: This Chapter- Spike/Dawn.
SUMMARY: This chapter:- D’Hoffryn keeps his word. Dawn visits Spike. Angel arrives in Sunnydale.
Distribution: Various lists, Wierd Romance Yahoo Group- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WierdRomance ;
Our livejournals - http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=salustra and http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=cathelin; and the website Weird Romances- http://www.freewebs.com/salustra/wr/index.html .
SPOILERS: Through Season 5 BtVS: Fool For Love, and Season 2 Ats: Darla.
WARNINGS: Het sex. Mentions of abuse. Mild torture.
DISCLAIMER: We adore playing with the pretties, but we’re just having fun. No money made, don’t sue us!
FEEDBACK: Yes please.
Length: 5824 words

 

Darla hums to herself as she flicks the whip again. She has the watcher and the soldier both bent over a sturdy bench as she whips them each in turn. Both their backs, asses and thighs are red and covered with stripes and welts as she wields the whip with masterly precision, making pleasing patterns on their skin.

There is a crack and a puff of smoke suddenly as D’Hoffryn appears. "Oh, hello. Did I come at a bad time?"

After a moment of surprised staring, Darla shrugs and smiles, "Not at all. I was just attempting to alleviate my boredom."

"Very pretty patterns. Well, your plan worked to perfection. My Anyanka and her man will be in the fold by tonight."

"That's wonderful news. My congratulations." Darla gives the old demon a bright smile.

"And of course you have the fringe benefit of two naughty humans to torment. So are you ready for your reward?"

"You have the information then?" Darla asks excitedly.

"I do." He produces a scroll. "This spell will open the doorway. You'll have to do it on the Hellmouth, though, for it to work."

Her hands shaking, Darla takes the scroll from him. "That's fine," She says absently, her eyes fixed on the fine paper. "We thought I might have to move there soon anyway." She looks up at him, her eyes bright. "This is very kind of you Lord D'Hoffryn, very kind of you to help us."

"Not at all. I have my beloved daughter back, and a new son as well. And I trust our families will always be close now."

"I'm sure it will be." D’Hoffryn reaches out and takes Darla's hand, kissing it gently. Smiling graciously, Darla inclines her head respectfully.

"Good luck, and good hunting." D'Hoffryn steps back and disappears in another cloud of smoke.

"You too!" Darla calls, sure that he'll be able to hear.

Holding the scroll against her chest, she bounces happily. She'll be back to her old self soon. She can't wait.

****

Spike stretches out his senses as he sits on his chair, watching the crappy stolen television. He can feel Dawn as she approaches, and he smiles.

Bursting into the crypt, Dawn dumps her school bag and bounces over to Spike, clambering into his lap. "Hi!" Spike chuckles and pulls her closer, kissing her.

"Hello Niblet. How was school?"

"Boring." Dawn says with a put-upon sigh.

"Aww. Well I'll try to make your evening more interesting. I have a surprise for you."

"Ooo really?" She bounces lightly on his thighs.

He grins. "Really. Borrowed the use of a house from a friend of mine. We can go someplace your sister can't burst in. You want to go?"

"Oh yes!" She grins happily. "That would be so cool."

"C'mon then. Take your books so you can take them straight home. We'll drive over."

"Ok." She jumps up eagerly, snatching up her bag.


A short while later they arrive at a nice Victorian house, with a huge porch, and towers and balconies. He goes to the door and unlocks it. "C'mon in."

"Wow this place is great." Dawn enthuses, looking around them with wide eyes.

"Yeah. Thought you'd like it better than the musty old crypt." The inside is furnished in an eclectic Victorian style with overstuffed furniture and lovely antiques.

Dropping her bag again, Dawn comes to stand in front of him, looking up from beneath her lashes. "So, what did you want to do?"

"Mmm. Perhaps we should go check out the bedroom." He takes her upstairs, to a lovely room with a four-poster bed with heavy drapes, and silk sheets on the bed.

Wide eyes fixed on the luxurious bed, Dawn can feel her pulse picking up. She can hardly wait to see what Spike has planned. While their encounter at the doctors a few days ago had been exciting, it wasn't anywhere as satisfying as the times at his crypt before that. Maybe they were going to make up for the last few days of not being able to touch?

Spike scooped Dawn up and laid her on the sheet. He pulled his T-shirt off, muscles rippling, and smiled down at her. "I have plans for you, little girl. Been missing you these past few days."

"Oh?" Dawn asks, suddenly breathless. "Like what?"

His hands move down to his jeans, unbuttoning them. "Like being inside you, finally, my lovely girl."

Her breath catches at his words. "Oh god really?"

"Yes. Really. Are you all right with that?"

"Ohgodyes!" She answers in a rush.

He slides down his jeans. "Good girl." He crawls up from the end of the bed towards her. Dawn whimpers quietly as he moves catlike towards her, his muscles rippling and bunching fluidly as he moves. She squirms slightly, her nipples tightening even more than they usually do in his presence and she can feel herself growing wet.

"So, little girl...did you do as I asked? Leave you panties in your schoolbag, and your bra as well?"

"Yes." She nods, squirming a little more. Spike's hands slide up her thighs, gently stroking on the tender flesh as he moves closer and closer to her wet center.

"Sh...should I get undressed too?" She asks shakily, her eyes being drawn down his body to his hard cock.

"I'm going to undress you. I'm going to do everything for you today." His fingers move out from her thighs *just* before he reaches her pussy lips and unbuttons her tiny skirt. She whimpers a little, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment at the slight teasing.

At his prompting, she raises her hips to allow him to pull her skirt away. His hands push under her shirt, across her belly, lifting it as his hands move to cup her breasts.
Biting her lip, Dawn arches into his hands with a quiet mewl.

"Oh, girl, you feel so good under me." Spike captures her lips in a bruising kiss.

Moaning, Dawn melts into the hard kiss, wrapping her arms around his shoulder. He lifts his lips long enough to remove her top and then kisses her again. Dawn shivers as her breasts are bared, goose pimples dotting her flesh. She moans again, arching into him as he kisses her.

He cupped her cheek. "You sure you want me to be the one?"

"Oh yes Spike, yes." She nods, looking up at him adoringly. He purrs and nuzzles against her other cheek and then down onto her neck. His hands are sliding over her belly, her sides, her hips.

Whimpering, she arches her neck, pressing into his touch, wrapping her legs around his thighs. Spike licks and kisses and nips on her neck. Dawn intoxicates him, and he'd do this without any ulterior purpose in mind. He really did and always had wanted her. That it suits his dark plan is just gravy. He can feel her straining, smell her intoxicating innocence and arousal as he rubs back against her.

"Please Spike." She moans, not quite sure what she's asking him to do, other than keeping touching her. Spike slides down a bit between her legs, just teasing his cock head up and down her slit and against her swollen bud, getting her as wet and aroused as possible before he takes her.

Gasping at the feel of him rubbing against her, Dawn raises her hips to press against him, urging him on. He lifts his mouth to kiss her again. "It's gonna hurt at first. You ready, my girl?"

"Yeah." Dawn nods, eyes wide. She's tremblingly eager for him, her scent thick on the air. Spike's hands are on her hips now, holding them, and he pushes into her in one sharp strong movement, shredding her virgin membrane.

There is an odd sensation...a rush of power, the air in the room rippling like water and then a rush of light and heat like being in the center of an explosion, but not touching either Dawn or Spike. It streaks away like a meteor.

Dawn shudders at the flash of power and energy, the sensations masking any pain from Spike's quick entry into her body. All she can feel is a wonderful feeling of being suddenly filled, and a suddenly intense overloading of her senses causing a small orgasm to rush through her body.

Spike is flustered and confused, though he doesn't stop moving. "What was....never mind." He moves to kiss her again. They weren't hurt, and he could sort it all out later.

Relaxing against the mattress, Dawn groans as he kisses her, before starting to move with him. He can feel her tight and stretched on his cock. He is moving slow and easy, letting her adjust, making sure it feels as good as he can manage. One hand slides over to rub her clit gently, lightly, just enough to send little sparks through her as he moves.

"Oh. Oh god." Dawn mewls. Spike nuzzles against her cheek. "So good, sweet girl. You feel so good on me, so tight."

Tilting her head, she presses her lips against his jaw. "Really? I really feel good?"

"Soooo good. Yes girl. Ohhhhh yessss."

Smiling at his words, Dawn becomes bolder, wrapping her legs more firmly around him and rocking her hips to meet his thrusts. She starts to kiss down onto his throat, remembering how he seems to like that, and strokes her hands down his sides. Spike groans as she kisses on his neck. "Oh fuck yeah, sweet girl." He loves being kissed on the neck, loves her mouth on his throat.

Giggling breathlessly, Dawn decides to try something. Sliding her hands down onto his ass, she distracts him by squeezing his ass, before using her teeth, biting sharply at the skin of his neck. Spike gasps at that. "God, girl, *definitely* playing with fire now."

"Maybe I like playing with fire." She whispers, biting him again.

Spike chuckles. "So it seems, luv." He groans and moves harder and faster in her now.

Echoing his groan, Dawn drops her head back to the mattress, arching her body up against him. "Oh god Spike!" She knew it would be wonderful, just knew - it's like she can feel every millimetre of his shaft stretching her open. Spike purrs deep and loud as he moves in her, licking again over her arched throat and then capturing her lips again. He's completely lost in the moment and in her.

Whimpering, Dawn sucks desperately on his tongue. She's becoming more and more aroused with each of his thrusts, the blood pounding through her body, through her clit.

The sound of her whimpering pulls a possessive purr-growl from him and he grips harder on her hip as he thrusts, his fingers now abusing her clit, pressing and rubbing it mercilessly. She shudders beneath him at his growl, becoming impossibly hot and wet in reaction. Her thighs start to quiver where they're wrapped around his hips, her sweat-slickened skin sliding against his.

Spike licks down onto her throat. He can hear and smell her pulse and he wants to bite into her so very much. But he settles for nipping at her as she did at him, with blunt teeth.

Shrieking at the sharp bite, Dawn screws her eyes shut as she starts to come, her nails digging into the cheeks of his ass. Spike groans again and then all but howls as he releases soon after, feeling her inner walls squeeze and milk him tight.

"Oh god!" Dawn chokes out as she feels him release inside her, his cool seed filling her and sending her orgasm sky high. Spike holds her tight to him as she shakes and shudders, stroking her hair and purring as she rides out her climax.

Gasping for breath, Dawn collapses down on the bed, her legs and arms loosing their grip on him and dropping limply to the mattress. "Oh. My. God." She whispers fervently, her eyes glazed.

Spike smiles down at her. "I take it you approve?" He asks with a soft chuckle.

She nods hazily. "Ohh yeahhhh."

"I wonder what that explosion thing was at the beginning?"

"No idea." Dawn shakes her head, "But it felt *so* cool."

"Well it usually doesn't happen." Spike grins. "But nothing got hurt, so hey, we can sort it later. I adore you, pet. I'm so glad I was your first."

"God me too." Dawn grins. "So much better than the awkward boys at school could have been."

"I'd like to think after a hundred and twenty years I've learned a thing or two."

"I'll say." Dawn giggles.

Spike cups her chin and kisses her gently. "You feeling awright?"

"Oh yeah." She grins goofily at him. "Can we do it again?"

"We can. But probably not tonight. Your sister will be going nuts soon. But I think we have time for a bath."

Pouting fetchingly, Dawn sighs, "Do I *have* to go back?"

"Yes. Especially with the disappearances, your mum will worry."

"I suppose." She sighs again.

"You can come see me tomorrow, like always." He smiles. "Or I could sneak into your room tonight if you unlatch your window for me."

Her eyes brighten and she grins wickedly. "You could do that? Without Buffy knowing?"

"I could." Spike chuckles. "You want me there?"

Still grinning, Dawn nods. "Oh yeah."

"It's settled then." Spike pushes up and gathers her in his arms. "We'll get you bathed and back home, and I'll see you tonight."

Dawn shivers as he pulls free of her body, "Oh." She moans quietly. Smirking as he picks her up she nods again. "Yeah. I can't wait to get one over on Buffy."

****

Buffy paces around. Angel is supposed to show up tonight, and she is nervous and worried, all at once.

Pulling up to the curb in front of the Summers' house, Angel turns off the engine. Sighing quietly he turns to Wesley in the passenger seat and smiles weakly. "Here we are then."

Wesley sighs in return. "Well, this should be ever so uncomfortable for us all."

"Yeah." Angel nods with a deep sigh. "God Wes, how am I supposed to even look at her knowing what she's been doing? Let alone sincerely look for Riley and Giles?" He asks desperately. On the trip down, he'd confided what he'd learned about Spike's time in Sunnydale.

"I understand, Angel, I do." Wesley pats Angel's shoulder sympathetically. "But if you didn't come..." He shrugs. "At least you can see Spike and you can make sure Buffy doesn't abuse him while you're here."

"I guess." Angel is thankful for Wesley's understanding.

Looking up at the house, he sighs again. "I suppose we'd best head on inside. You're sure you're ok with being here, after what happened to you here?"

"Yes, I'm fine. It was embarrassing but not any more than that. I can certainly put that aside."

"Ok then." Angel nods. Getting out of the car, he takes a deep breath as he waits for Wesley to join him on the sidewalk.

The two of them walk up to the door. Buffy opens it as they approach, having felt Angel coming. She smiles nervously up at him. "Hey, Angel, Wes. Come on in."

"Buffy." Angel nods and walks past her in the door, looking around nervously.

Dawn comes down the stairs and bounces over, hugging Angel. "Hi!"

"Dawn. Hi." Angel smiles, as he returns her hug.

"So glad to see you. Mom'll be down in a minute."

"How is she?"

"Doing great!" She looks over at Wes. "You got dragged along, huh?"

Wesley chuckles softly. "So it would seem."

Buffy clears her throat. "Ok, like can we talk about the serious stuff now?" She's visibly uncomfortable with the physical affection Dawn is showing Angel.

Frowning faintly, Angel stares at Buffy. Taking a deep breath to speak, he freezes for a second, looking wide eyed at Dawn. Dawn blinks up at him. She *knows* she's cleaned Spike's scent of her, she scrubbed and scrubbed. "What?"

"Er nothing." Angel says shaking himself awkwardly. Wesley looks from Dawn to Angel, one eyebrow raised.

Turning to Buffy, Wesley smiles, "Of course Buffy. Why don't we have seat and you can tell us what you know?" Buffy nods and sits down, going over the details in a pretty concise manner.

"Oh, and the weird thing that happened tonight, dunno if it's related. That Hellgod we've been having problems with? She exploded, apparently, in some sort of magical fireblast. Her minions are all scattered now."

"Exploded?" Wesley blinks, taken aback.

"Yeah. Just completely gone. And all the crazy people are sane again."

"Well that's fascinating." Wesley says vaguely, staring at the wall as his mind whirls.

"Yeah. Little anticlimactic really, but good, cause I couldn't fight her."

"And the 'crazy people' are sane once more?" Wesley says thoughtfully. "That *is* strange."

"Not so much, we figured out she was making them crazy. So her being gone, you know..."

Angel is half listening to the conversation, his attention wandering to Dawn, trying to puzzle out who might have taken her. He can't remember any mention of a boyfriend.

"Strange that insanity could be reversed so easily." Wesley points out. "Unless they weren't truly insane."

There is a knock on the door as they sit there. Dawn pops up to answer the door, and it is Spike. He grins. "Good timing, I see." He saunters inside and drapes himself on a chair. Dawn's breath quickens a bit and her eyes dilate without her realizing it as she sees him.

Angel has as similar reaction to Dawn as Spike makes his way into the room. He finds himself looking his boy up and down to check that he hasn't been hurt again in the short time since he was in LA. Dragging his eyes away, Angel finally notices Dawn's reaction. He looks at her with the barest frown.

Wesley watches Spike's entry with amusement. He's been fully briefed by Cordy and Gunn about what they saw and heard while Spike was in LA. It is obvious how Angel feels about the younger vampire. He can only hope that Buffy does not see it, especially in light of the disturbing facts that Angel told him on their trip down to Sunnydale.

"So, what's the plan then, eh?" Spike asks.

Buffy sighs and rolls her eyes. "Fat lot of help *you'd* be. If you weren't chipped I'd think *you* did it." Angel flinches at Buffy's comment about Spike.

Sighing quietly, Wesley decides to distract Buffy's attention from Spike. "Can you tell us anything about Riley's disappearance? When it happened? Where? Did anybody see anything?"

"No. He left here, headed back to his apartment, and never made it. No one saw anything."

"Hmm. I see. When was this again?"

"The night Spike left with Mom and Dawn to go to L.A."

"I have heard that Willow is proficient at certain locating spells. Has she tried one for Riley?" Wesley asks. Angel is once again not really paying attention to the conversation. Instead his attention is flickering between Spike and Dawn.

"Yes. They didn't work."

"Ah." Wesley nods. "I see."

"Yeah. I mean...*what* can we do? And now Giles gone."

"Have the locating spells been used for him too?"

"Yes." Buffy sighs. "Same thing, no result. I would have thought it might be Glory, in fact I did, which is how I found out about her exploding last night."

Spike raises an eyebrow. "Exploded?"

Buffy curls a lip. "Yeah. Witnesses say a fireball came from the north part of town and hit her. About 4:30 in the evening." Spike blinks and looks at Dawn, figuring she's probably thinking the same thing right now. Dawn's eyes widen slightly as she stares back at Spike, flushing slightly. Angel notices their reaction and decides to quiz them about it - later.

"Ah fireball you say. How strange." Wesley muses.

Buffy crosses her arms. "I know that. So what can you do to help?"

"Well, perhaps Angel... and Spike?... could patrol, using their senses to see if they pick up any trace of Riley or Mr. Giles." Wesley suggests looking at Angel.

"What?" Angel asks before bringing himself to attention. "Oh. Oh yeah, we can do that. We can go to some of the demon bars too and see what people might know."

"Oh, good. Sure, that'd work."

"Perhaps I might be permitted to go over to Mr. Giles flat, I mean apartment, and see if I can find anything there?" Wesley asks.

Buffy nods. "Yeah. Though apparently it's pretty trashed."

"Indeed." Wesley nods, standing up. "However there may be something that the kidnapper missed or was looking for."

"Ok. Well, apparently, there are some bloodied things there, but Spike claims it's his blood." Angel closes his eyes and swallows back a growl at her comment.

"I see." Turning to Angel Wesley asks, "Can you drop me off at Mr. Giles' before the two of you go on patrol?"

"Yeah." Angel nods, standing himself. "We may as well get going then. Spike?"

"Yeah?" Spike looks over.

"You coming?"

Spike chuckles and pushes to his feet. "Ready, sire."

Turning back to Buffy, Angel smiles. "We may be all night, so Spike and I will probably go straight to the mansion afterwards."

Buffy wrinkles her nose a bit. "Ok. I'll come over later then, see what you found out."
Spike raises an eyebrow. Angel is having him stay at the mansion?

"Ok." Angel nods and the three men head towards the door. Dawn sighs as she watches them go. She won't be able to visit Spike tomorrow if he's at the mansion.
Buffy and Dawn both call out their goodbyes as the three men leave.

Handing Wesley the keys, Angel tells him, "You may as well drive so you can get back to the mansion. We'll start at Giles' and stay on foot."

Wesley takes the keys and settles behind the wheel. "Is that wise?"

"Wise?" Angel asks, nonplussed. He climbs into the passenger seat, leaving the backseat to Spike who hops over the side of the car into the backseat and leans over.

"Walking about with people having disappeared."

"Oh." Angel blinks. "Well I suppose. But it'll be the two of us, so it should be ok."

Wesley sighs. "I suppose you know best." He drives over to Giles' apartment and parks the car.

The three of them get out and head inside. Angel looks around at the mess of the apartment. He growls quietly, even being downstairs, he can still smell Spike's blood. Wesley edges away instinctively from a growling Angel. "It looks like he put up a fight."

"So it seems." Angel agrees. Spike shifts from foot to foot, uncomfortable. The smell of his own blood and the memory of what happened here unnerves him.

"I can't smell any demons here. Just unfamiliar humans." Angel comments. "How about you Spike?"

"Yeah, same here." Spike nods.

"We'll head off then. If you don't need us Wes?"

Wes shakes his head. "No. I'll comb through here, see if I can find any clues."

"Ok then. See you later." Angel guides Spike out of the door, squeezing his shoulder comfortingly. Spike moves into Angel's touch. He's still rattled by the little foray into Giles' abandoned apartment.

Once they're outside, Angel tugs Spike into the shadows of the courtyard and wraps his arms around him. "You ok?"

"Yeah. Just bad memories in there."

Stroking his hands up and down Spike's back, Angel just holds him quietly, enjoying having him in his arms. Spike relaxes in Angel's embrace, taking the offered comfort, finally purring softly.

Smiling faintly, Angel rests his head atop Spike's. They start to sway softly where they stand. Spike can't believe Angel has changed so much in such a short time. Comforting him, holding him, instead of snarking and fighting. But he enjoys the change.

It's a while after that Wesley exits and colors a bit, seeing the two vampires embracing. Angel is so absorbed in the feel of his boy in his arms, he doesn't even notice Wesley standing nearby. Wesley clears his throat.

Looking up at that, Angel blushes. "Er...Wes...um..." Reluctantly, he lets Spike go.

"Don't stop on my account. I just wanted to let you know I may have found something by way of a clue."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. I was analyzing the path of the debris, and it looks like one specific book was dragged and left in a prominent location. Perhaps Giles did it as a clue."

"Which book?"

Wesley clears his throat again and shifts nervously. "A history of Clan Aurelius."

Angel blinks in confusion. "I don't understand..."

"Perhaps someone else in the Clan found out about...." Wesley trails off and indicates Spike with a jerk of his head.

"But who? I mean, I would have recognized the scent, surely?" Angel frowns.

"Not if they just sent human minions."

"I suppose..." Angel says slowly. His thoughts are whirring as he thinks. "It can't have been Dru...I don't think..."

Spike squirms. This is too close for comfort. "Probably not. Poor Dru could never keep humans, she kept breaking them when she forgot what they were there for."

Angel nods his agreement. "You were with Joyce and Dawn. And it definitely wasn't *me*." He sounds almost disappointed that it wasn't his doing.

"Well that would seem to cover it then." Wesley sighs. "There aren't any other prominent Aurelians still alive."

"No." Angel looks sadly off to the side, guilt squeezing at his heart.

Spike shrugs. "Maybe Giles just made an assumption."

"But why would he make such an assumption?" Angel asks, frowning.

Wesley looks uncomfortable. "Well, with what you told me...maybe whoever it was made reference to Spike, or some other comment that led him to think the Aurelians must be involved. It's all speculative, of course, I could be wrong completely about the placement of the book as a clue."

"Well, I suppose it's worth keeping in mind."

"So what now?"

"I guess Spike and I should make a move patrolling." Angel shrugs. "Will you be ok going on to the mansion alone?"

"I should be." Wesley nods. "I am armed, and I'll be driving."

"Ok. We'll see you later then." Angel smiles and head up out of the courtyard.

Spike moves with Angel. "Patrolling, eh?" He asks. "What are we looking for exactly?"

"I have no idea." Angel shrugs sheepishly.

"Good excuse for a bit of violence, then," Spike says with a chuckle.

"And it got us away from Buffy." Angel chuckles in return.

"Yes it did." Spike laughs and settles into a comfortable strolling pace.

"So...what was that with you and Dawn?" Angel asks curiously.

"What was what?" Spike blinks innocently.

"That look."

"I think you're imagining things in your old age."

"Right, of course." Angel looks as Spike as if to say 'What are you on?'

Spike turns and walks backwards, facing Angel. "Might as well ask whatever it *really* is that's on your mind. I know your looks."

"You exchanged a look with her about Glory exploding." Angel says pointedly.

"Oh." Spike sighs. "Yeah."

"Well?"

"I'm not sure out here on the street is the best place to discuss it."

"Oh?" Angel asks, wondering if that means it's going to piss him off.

"Yeah. I mean, there are minions of Glory's still about, better not to talk about it out here."

"Mmm. Ok, so what do you suggest? Waiting until we get to the mansion?"

"Yeah."

"Ok." Angel sighs. Spike is thinking furiously now. What can he tell him, how much, without pissing his Sire off beyond all belief? It's on his mind as they head out to patrol. Angel can sense Spike's agitation and it serves only to make him more wary of what it is Spike is going to tell him.

They fight a few demons, nothing really hard, and then head back to the mansion. The town is very quiet, apparently, in the wake of Glory's demise. Spike is subdued as they walk in the door. Wesley sits in the living room reading a book. He looks up as they walk in. "Oh, hello there. Find anything?"

"No." Angel shakes his head. "Nothing unusual. No clues."

Wesley sighs. "Well, not much else to do tonight then. Perhaps I can work with Willow tomorrow, maybe the two of us can combine powers on a spell and get a result. Which bedroom shall I take?"

"Whichever you want." Angel shrugs. "The upstairs bedrooms haven't been used since..." He trails off awkwardly.

"Ah. Well I'll go find one." Wesley gets up and moves off up the stairs. Spike settles on the couch, his usual drape, though the tension in his eyes belies his relaxed body language.

Taking off his coat and tossing it aside, Angel sits down on the chair, facing Spike. Leaning forward he props his elbows up on his knees, threading his fingers together. "Well?"

"Well." Spike takes a breath, trying to think how to begin. "Remember how you celebrated Buffy's seventeenth birthday?"

As his words register, Angel's mouth drops open as he stares. "Tell me you didn't..."

"I could tell you that but it would be a lie. I did."

"But..." Angel splutters, "She's just a kid..."

"Same age as Buffy was," Spike reminds him.

Standing up quickly, Angel glares, "How could you have been so stupid?" He growls and starts to pace.

"Well apparently, stupid as you may think it, we blew up the Hellgod. There was some kinda mystical explosion when I...penetrated."

"Oh Jesus." Angel groans, covering his face. "How the fuck are you supposed to explain that to Buffy?"

"I don't intend to, unless there's no other choice. She'll bloody well stake me and you know it."

"Exactly!" Angel throws his hands up. "Could you have, I don't know, waited until she was more stable?"

Spike sighs. "Probably I should have. But Dawn wanted it so much. I held out for a long time, honestly I did. You know those Summers women, they get what they want. They're nothing if not persistent."

"That's true." Angel snorts quietly. He sighs again, "How did you end up with Dawn anyway?"

"She's always had a crush on me. And after Buffy left her and Joyce with me once to protect them, Dawn started sneaking off to the crypt every day after school. She'd pester me for stories of the old days. And then she'd ask questions, and started sitting closer, and dropping hints..." Spike sighs. "And she smelled of innocence and desire, and she treats me like a person, not a thing."

Sighing again, Angel drops down into the chair. He can understand Spike's actions, and Dawn's, but it's still supremely stupid of them both.

"I don't think Buffy will notice. She's extremely blind where Dawn is concerned. Joyce is more problematic, though I think she wouldn't object."

Raising his eyebrow, Angel looks at Spike questioningly, "How do you figure? She hit the roof over me and Buffy."

Spike laughs. "Yeah, but she *likes* me."

"Bastard."

"Wot? It's true. I'm just that charming."

Shaking his head, Angel groans quietly. "Quit being so smug." Spike smiles and says nothing, just stretching, muscles ripping against his T-shirt and tight jeans.

"Oh god, don't start that." Angel pleads, his eyes helplessly roving over the younger vampire.

"No *stretching* now? You're the one that wanted me to stay here."

"You know full well what I mean." Angel replies, eyes flashing."

Spike sighs. "Perhaps I should just go back to the crypt then." He gets up, heading for the door.

"No, Spike." Angel sighs. "Come back."

Spike stops and turns around. He tilts his head. "You certain you want me here?"

"Yeah." Angel nods. "I feel better with you being here than at the crypt. Especially with all this happening."

"Awright." Spike moves back to the couch. "I guess you've got a point there."

"So...er..." Angel casts about for another topic of conversation.

"So why'd you actually come down? I know you don't care about Giles or Riley."

"Buffy asked me." Angel replies, not sounding very sure about that.

"Ah. M'sorry I din't tell you about Riley." Spike squirmed. "I figured finding out about Giles was bad enough, I din't want to push you over the edge."

"Mmm. Maybe it *was* better me finding that out over the phone."

"Yeah. Wasn't fun having Joyce *and* Dawn hear about it in front of everyone."

"Damn. How bad was it?" Angel asks in concern.

"Humiliating. Bloody humiliating. And remembering was no piece of cake. The Initiative boys were a nasty lot. All those demons who couldn't fight back...they had their fun with us."

Growling in anger and helplessness, Angel closes his eyes. "God!"

"At least he wasn't doing that now. It was in the past, which is why I din't say anything about it."

"Mmm." Scrubbing his hands over his face, Angel turns his gaze back onto Spike. "How did everyone take it?"

"Horrified. Except Buffy, who wouldn't believe it."

"Yeah. I got that impression on the phone."

Spike sighs. "They can do no wrong. Joyce brought up your smelling Giles on me, and made the case, but then Buffy said *if* it happened, then I deserved it."

"She what!?" Angel yells, horrified.

"She said I deserved it. I'm still a thing to her, Angel. No soul means I'm a monster."

Sighing, Angel holds out his hand to Spike. "She's been taught to see things in black and white. You know that."

Spike takes Angel's hand. "I know. I know."

Tugging lightly on his hand, Angel draws him closer. Spike lets himself be pulled til he ends up in Angel's lap. Cuddling Spike close, Angel nuzzles the side of his face.
Spike relaxes slowly into Angel's embrace. Angel's touches do soothe him. It's all he can do not to be completely lost in them. He purrs and nuzzles back.

Smiling wistfully, Angel closes his eyes. "Are you sure you won't come back to LA with me when I have to go?"

"I'd like to. But I don't wanna put your soul in peril. You think you can handle me being there all the time?"

"I guess not." Angel replies sadly.

Spike sighs heavily. "I figured as much. I want it, you know, more than you probably realize. Just to be back with you."

"So do I." Angel admits in a hushed tone. Spike groans and buries his face in Angel's neck. Holding him tightly, Angel swallows thickly, blinking rapidly against tears.

"I...I should probably go find a room to sleep," Spike murmurs against Angel's neck.

"Ok." Angel whispers, reluctantly loosening his hold. Spike sighs and moves off, looking back at Angel before he mounts the stairs. His look plainly says he'd just as soon stay with Angel.

Angel watches him go, wanting nothing more than to chase after him and curl up beside him in bed, never letting him go.