Yes, its been an age! But, on the up side, my fic #Things Happen# is complete and up! Its all very moving. I'm on holiday! Woo!! Its been great so far and I can't wait for more! The care-free-ness of summer is a blessing to us all.

Anyway here is the fiction, we are fairly near the end now!

Thank you ridiculous quantities for all the amazing e-mails and stuff people have sent about this fiction. My goodness, please keep it coming, it's the only reason I ever work on the story! ssh, don't tell anyone!

Angel glanced to his left, unsure if there had been movement or not. The vampire had spent almost an hour looking for his Childe after the Bronze incident and with every second his anger and jealousy became harder and harder to deal with.

Some other fucking vampire had claimed Spike as his Childe. Angelus would forever be in Spike's blood as Sire, but this other…thing had Sire rights also, in fact, that bastard had more right over Spike by blood – than Angelus did. This was only the case because that bond had been confirmed a few years ago and before then on a regular basis for some time. It had been more than a century since Angelus had properly bitten his Childe.

Growling, Angel turned back to go to the apartment again, hoping that this time, Spike would actually have arrived home.

The night was piercing and the street seemed almost to echo as Angel made his way. A few moments passed before a limousine pulled up next to the ensouled vampire. A minion, one Angel realised was surprisingly old and more powerful than minions are generally allowed to be – rolled down a window and Angel leaned down to hear him speak.

"Excuse me, you are…" the minion began hesitantly.

"Vampire." Angel answered easily and the minion smiled knowingly in reply.

"Are you of the area?"

"Somewhat, why?"

"Do you know of a vampire going by the name of Spike? Alternatively, William the Bloody? It is imperative that we find him, he may be under another name. He was last seen with bleached hair, a leather duster, smoking a lot and with a vampiress by the name of Drusilla, long black hair, somewhat insane…?"

Angel frowned and studied the vampire with greater interest. He wore a cloak with the emblem of Warlint – the minion was from the Order.

"No. I've not heard of him in these parts, can I help you?"

The minion turned to speak to someone in the limousine and after a few seconds addressed Angel again.

"Your assistance is not required, thank you."

The window was rolled up and the car was gone in a matter of seconds, turning the corner into the better half of town.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike smirked as he sauntered towards his apartment.

*Poofs got what he deserved. Let 'is blood boil for a bit. Pillock*

In truth, Spike could barely contain the jolt that went through his body seeing just how jealous Angel had become of the bond between Spike and Carl. The fact that Angel still cared enough to feel anything about his childe…it was…

But Spike's defences weren't about to come down. Angel couldn't just stroll into his life. The older vampire was a century too late.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike was close to his apartment when Angel spotted him. The older vampire was about to call out when he sensed that Spike was being pulled by a blood call. Immediately worrying that Spike had had childer, Angel kept quiet. The blond furrowed his eyebrows and started walking down the street instead. His Sire followed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike followed the call to a motel in the better half of Sunnydale. A limousine was parked outside. The blonde raised his eyebrows and made his way into the foyer. A minion, older than most, immediately sat up and looked Spike up and down.

"Ma-Master Spike?"

"Yes."

"Your presence is required, Sir."

"Lead the way." Spike answered, slipping into the Order's way of speaking. It had been so long since the blonde had been treated as a Master Vampire, that the minions respect had startled him at first.

Behind him, Angel followed them, curious as to what this business was about. However before the older vampire had a chance to go much further, several burly minions stopped him.

"Ah, gentleman…"

His grin faded into acceptance and he was escorted out of the building.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"What's this about then?" Spike said, yawning. He'd spent a long time staying away from the Order but it looked like that was all about to end.

"Really William, I thought you'd be happier."

Spike spun around and came face to face with his 'Sire' – the same that had caused such a problem earlier that night. Smirking on that thought, he looked Carl up and down.

"Good to see you, Carl."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angel paced outside the motel. He was worried. The Order would rip Spike apart. There had to be a way to get in. Smirking, he realised exactly what it was.

"I think Angelus needs to make an appearance."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Leave us." Carl ordered. The minions left, leaving the two vampires alone.

"Where did you go, William…" It was not so much a question as a weary statement. Carl sat down and gestured for Spike to do the same.

"I'm sorry Carl. That vacation turned out a tad long…"

"A tad! William you've been gone for years. There's no one of pure blood left. If you don't come back within the next year…they'll replace you. And Aurelius will crumble. I've been looking for you ever since you and Drusilla disappeared. Word was heard of her, but she couldn't communicate anything about you to us. I was worried. I knew you were still undead, I would have felt your death…but there are things worse than death. I was scared."

Spike smiled. "I made a Master vampire scared." Smirk.

"William." Carl tried to be serious, but his boy had a way of bringing laughter.

"Carl, I'm sorry. Things took an unexpected turn. I..er…ran into Angelus."

Carl stiffened. "Angelus…?"

"Well, Angel apparently. Soul filled, living, vampire."

Carl shook his head and looked to Spike to continue.

"Well, things went a bit shit from there on it. Commandos, Angel, The Slayer, Dru leaving…I just couldn't come back. I was pathetic. Not fit to be called a Master Vampire. So, I just stayed."

"You have to come back."

"I can't. Obligations here now… and I've lost the taste of it Carl. I'm no' a ruthless killer anymore."

"But, William, the bloodline. You can't leave the Clan as it is."

"I know, I hav' been thinkin' about it."

"And?" Carl questioned.

"I'll sire a childe. If you could run Aurelius till he's off age…I know I'm a bit late, but I can't come back. There's no way."

"Are you sure about this William? What if I'm overthrown, if there is a new leader of Warlint? Who will care for Aurelius then?"

"We'll condition it. Only you can control Aurelius as leader of Warlint. If not you, the responsibility falls to Georgia. As long as there is pure blood still left, it should be all right. Since the battle with Hellia, I hear the Clans are pretty much avoidin' confrontation."

"Its true…alright then William. Who are you going to Sire?"

"SIRE?!" came a booming voice, before the air duct crashed and Angel toppled into the room. He quickly stood and coughed, brushing himself off.

"Bloody Hell!" Spike groaned. Carl looked suitably surprised to see the Angelus in front of him."

"So, this is Angel." Carl surmised and smirked at Spike.

Angel felt his anger build up yet again.

"So, Spike…of all the vampires you could have had as Sire, you chose this particular…thing. Taste, my boy has always been your weak point."

Carl tilted his head, a little surprised at the jealousy and anger radiating off Angel.

"William, I'm afraid that Angelus's soul seems to have fogged up his memory."

"How so?" Angel snapped.

"You seem to have forgotten that you aren't quite as reliable a source on Spike's taste as you perceive yourself to be. Although, its not fair to blame that soul of yours…a century is sure to fog up anyone's memory."

Angel ground his teeth and looked Carl up and down. Spike smirked, eyebrows raised at this display.

"And, er…Angel…I daresay you're unfamiliar with plenty of other things related to my childe…his taste being only one example."

The way that Carl said taste and then smirked in a sly, feline way made Angel's eyes blaze. Thinking of...very little besides his anger, Angel lunged at Carl.

Spike was shocked. Angel was fighting Carl…for **him**?

"Oiy!" Spike ripped the two vampires apart, both bleeding and snarling, face forward. The blonde vampire pushed Angel across the room, yelling, "Bloody stay there, Angel." He then dragged Carl to the other end of the room.

"Alright, mate?" Spike said, carefully looking at Carl's wounds.

"Who does he think he is? Falling in here with his soul and trying to claim any right over you." Carl spoke heatedly, angrily.

"Forget the Poof." Spike said, but before he could say anymore, Carl caught sight of the bite on Spike's wrist.

"Tell me Angel didn't try to bite you."

"He did. Got awfully angry when he sensed you." Spike smirked. "Was on a right ego-trip beforehand as well."

"Angel has nothing to be egotistical over." Carl muttered, straightening his clothes.

While Spike and Carl talked, Angel snarled, his lip curled at the sight across the room. Carl. Carl of Warlint. Growling to himself, Angel looked away, unable to watch as the two vampires talked and smiled together.

After a few moments, Carl left. His orders to the minions waiting for him could be heard fading away. Angel couldn't look at Spike. There was silence.

"You…get out of Sunnydale." Spike said and then he too, left.

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