I don't own BTVS or AtS. I don't own any of the characters in this story.
I'm sorry it has taken so long to post this chapter, but I have really been
feeling bad, as of late. No matter! I *will* get better. Positive thinking
never hurt anyone. Hehe... Oh, and I should probably warn you that this
chapter is kinda' strange, but it doesn't mean I'm going to write slash or
get shady anywhere down the road. (Unless, I have an uproar of reviewers
who say 'gimme now!' and I don't expect that to happen... Shut up,
Chelsea.) Anyway, I suppose I should just skip all of this crap and be...
On with the show.
::Stuff and Nonsense- Breathe::
Spike shoved Wesley into the car and grinned at the British curses that came his way. "Do you kiss your mum with that mouth?"
Wesley shook his head and bit his lip. It stopped the flow of cuss words and it kept him from saying something that was bound to get him hit, later on. He waited and watched Spike jump in the front seat, before speaking again. "May I ask why you snatched me off of the front step, and nearly broke my ankle off completely?"
Spike nodded. "You would have had your butt kicked by Connor, if you had gone on inside."
"Connor?" Wesley scrunched up his forehead. "What did I do to him?"
"You're doing the same thing that all of us are doing, mate." Spike flashed Wesley and obnoxious looking grin and shrugged. "You're existing."
"It's not Connor." Angel insisted, as he glanced at Wesley through the rearview mirror. "It's a demon."
"Yeah, that's right." Spike winked back at Wesley and added cheekily. "Little brother is at some type of club having the time of his life, apparently."
"He's in trouble." Angel growled.
Spike settled into his seat and sighed. "Course he is. Probably having a hell of a time deciding between a Bloody Mary or Sex on the Beach." Angel flashed Spike a dangerous look and the younger vampire seemed to wilt. "They're drinks, Angel. Not like you didn't have a few when you were young and hooliganish."
Angel grunted. "Well, I was looking for new ways to piss my dad off."
Spike nodded quietly. "Maybe he is too." Spike spared his sire a glance and continued. "I mean it's not like he's actually had a chance to go through that whole teenage rebellion stage, like all the other guys his age."
Angel chuckled, as he bit the inside of his cheek. He stopped when the taste of his own blood started to fill his mouth. "You're an ass."
Spike looked over at Angel worriedly. "Angel?"
Angel could tell by the sound of Spike's voice that his childe could smell his blood. He came to the conclusion that he didn't really care what conclusions Spike drew from this. "Who the hell do you think you are to claim that my son hasn't had the chance to go through a rebellious stage?"
If it was possible, Spike seemed to pale at this comment. "I was just saying that I haven't witnessed him rocking the boat and I figured that it was about time he got some gumption and tested the waters."
"Rocking the boat? Testing the waters?" Angel laughed under his breath, but it came out as more of a growl. "What curious phrases for you to use, Spike." Angel looked positively vicious, as he chided his childe. "Didn't I tell you how Connor had trussed me up and put me in a box, before sending me to the bottom of the ocean?"
Spike's eyes grew wide, as he looked at his sire.
"What? That not the type of rebellion you looking for? How about if I told you he found the woman that I... loved, and slept with her, had a baby with her, and almost ended the world. That the rebellion that you were looking for?" Angel stopped at a red light and glared over at his childe. "What if I told you that he killed his own daughter so that he could save a world that he held absolutely no love for... because I told him it was the right thing to do?" Angel's features softened. "I think that Connor is above these petty games that you are accusing him of."
Spike swallowed and nodded. "Green means go, Angel."
Angel looked up and saw that the light had changed, during his tirade. He put the gas on and sighed. They rode around in search of Elm Street for twenty minutes, in complete silence.
Spike finally spoke up, in a hushed voice. "It's nice to see that you still have your sense of family loyalty. I figured after killing so many family members you would get numb to it."
Angel was taken aback by the odd statement. So, he decided to not comment.
Wesley sat in the uncomfortable silence and stared out the window. He decided that the way Spike and Angel were acting was forcing and unwanted sense of nostalgia on him. He remembered uncomfortable silences between school, church, and home. He also remembered them turning into screaming matches the moment they were behind closed doors.
Angel turned onto Elm Street and stopped the car in front of the gaudy looking building, with a glowing sign.
"Drakin's Cave?" Wesley's jaw fell open and he shook his head. "Surely not."
"That's what Doyle said." Angel sighed and stepped out of his car. The other two followed suit. Angel walked over to a young man he saw leaning against the doorway. "If you make sure that nobody touches my car, I'll make it worth your while."
The man looked Angel up and down. He gave the vampire a lazy smile and shrugged. "I'm always up for giving a helping hand. How long you gonna' be?"
Angel shrugged. "Shouldn't be long."
The man grinned and nodded. "So, you're here for someone specific."
Angel quirked a brow and nodded. "Sure." He pushed his way past the man and looked back to find Spike pulling Wesley along. "The ankle still hurting?" He asked without any real concern.
Wesley sighed and nodded. "Yes, seeing as how I'm he only one here without the power of preternatural heali..." Wesley trailed off, as he took his first step into 'Drakin's Cave'. "Holy Mother of God."
Spike shook his head and took in the scenery. "Mother Mary ain't got nothing to do with this place, I imagine." Spike watched a young woman, in what appeared to be a leather bathing suit, pass by. "I'll be back later." Spike started after the woman, just to be dragged up against Angel's side.
Angel pulled Spike to him and hissed. "This is a bondage club."
Spike nodded and smirked. "'tis."
"Why would Connor be here?!" Angel whispered harshly.
"Bout ready to take my theory up, daddy?" Spike gave Angel a comical look and laughed when he saw a couple staring at him and Angel. "They think you're roughing me up. May want to put me on my own feet, now."
Angel looked over and caught the lascivious look that the man and woman were giving him and his childe. He dropped Spike on his feet, without saying a word. His expression spoke loud enough, for anybody.
"Stop glowering." Spike whispered to his sire. "That lady looks like she wants you to whip her and the scowl isn't helping matters." Spike grabbed hold of Wesley's arm and pulled him toward the bar. "Okay, then. You help me find little brother."
"I think Angel is in shock, Spike." Wesley laughed at the sight of Angel scooting into a wall, so as to avoid the touch of a young man in leather.
Spike scoffed and shook his head. "He's tortured more people than you could stuff into this over decorated basement. You would think the sight of a few whips and chains, would be old news to him."
"I think it's the atmosphere and the attitude of the people that is bothering him." Wesley leaned against the bar Spike had led him to, and scooted up onto a stool. He sighed with pleasure, as he took the pressure off of his ankle.
Spike leaned his back against the bar and watched his sire, for a moment. "Nah... Angelus has tortured some sickies, before. I mean, beating Dru was just another Saturday night to him."
Wesley watched, in interest, as a young woman with long blonde hair sidled up to Spike. She started to pet his neck, which made the vampire chuckle.
Spike turned to see who was playing with him. "Hello, darling. Whose little girl are you?"
The woman smiled and pointed over her shoulder at a dark man, who was lounging in a couch in the corner. "Theo."
"Theo, eh?" Spike smirked at the woman and took her hand into his. "I've heard things about you boyfriend."
The woman tittered and blushed, prettily. "I like your accent, but your hands are cold."
Spike arched a brow and nodded. "I like your lack of an accent. Valley girls are so overrated." Spike took a step closer to the woman and leaned in to smell her. She smelled like alcohol, cocaine, and sex. "How about you introduce me to Theo, like a good little girl?"
The woman nodded and pulled Spike toward the man she had indicated earlier. "Theo, this is..." The girl blushed and swore, silently. She turned back toward Spike and sighed. "I forgot to ask you your name."
"William." Spike gave the girl a sexy smirk and pushed her toward 'Theo'. "So, you run this place?" He asked the man, who was now cradling the young woman in his arms.
Theo nodded and gave Spike an appraising look. "You look to hard to be a William." He stated, with a smirk. "You look more like a Spike to me."
"Do I, now?" Spike asked, while cocking his head to the side. "Why would you say that?"
"You just match a description of someone remarkably well, friend." Theo nodded. "I've heard things about a couple of souled vampires, in town. Seems they've been killing off some of my boys." Theo nuzzled into the squirmy young woman's neck and grinned. "You wouldn't know anything about this, would you?"
Spike didn't know what to say, so he decided to lie. Blatantly. "Nope, never heard of anything like that going on. Sounds pretty stupid if you ask me."
"Well, if I ever find out who has been disposing of my guys I plan on giving them a piece of my mind." Theo looked around and grinned. "I have the resources, as you can see."
Spike feigned a laugh and nodded. It was times like these he wished that he still smoked. "Well, I'm just here for a good time."
Theo watched the laid back expression on Spike's face, and shrugged. "Friend of yours?" Theo nodded past Spike.
Spike looked around and saw Angel coming toward him. He looked back at Theo and rolled his eyes. "You could say that."
Angel watched his childe talk to the man, on the couch. He watched the man pet the woman in his lap with his hands, as he pet Spike with his eyes. "This is ridiculous." He muttered to himself, as he stalked toward the group. "Spike." He growled, quietly, as he took his place beside his childe.
"Bout time you joined us, Sire." Spike emphasized the last word, forcefully.
Angel wondered what Spike was playing at, but he decided to try to go with whatever it was, without making a big deal. "Yes, well, I was delayed by a young woman who had too much to drink."
Spike put on a pretty pout and sighed. "Hope she didn't wear you out."
Angel gave his childe a confused glance and pulled him back a step, before whispering so only Spike could hear. "What are you up to, Spike?"
Spike put on a feigned smile and whispered back, just as quietly. "If you don't pretend to be a jealous boyfriend soon, I'm gonna' be put on the meat market. Now, shut up and grab my ass."
Angel leaned back and gave Spike a look that bordered on hysteria. "You have got to be fuckin' kidding me." Spike's face fell, visibly, and Angel knew he wasn't joking. Angel pulled back his hand and slapped Spike across the face. The smack was deafening. "You mean to tell me you've been whoring yourself out, all night." Angel pulled Spike up by the collar of his jacket and took in the panicked expression on his childe's face. It looked real. "You make me sick."
Theo watched this display with interest and sighed. "He was being good, if you don't mind me saying so."
Angel; turned toward the man and dropped Spike in a heap on the floor. He spared his childe a glance, before focusing on the flesh peddler. Spike was wiping at the blood that was dripping down his chin. Angel mentally made a note to apologize to Spike for being so rough. "Now, that I've found one of my boys..." Angel sighed, heavily. "Maybe you can help me find my other boy. He's about this tall." Angel measured off an approximate height with his hand and quirked a brow. "He's handsome and hardly legal." Angel almost killed the man for the grin he was displaying, but held himself back and returned the evil looking smile. "So have you seen him?"
The man nodded and stood up from his seat. He waved Spike over toward the couch he had vacated. "Keep Veronica company while I am away, hey? She gets lonely." The man motioned for Angel to follow him. "One of your little boys decided to test his wings?" Theo asked, conversationally.
Angel growled, silently. "Something like that."
The man grinned and nodded, as he led the vampire down a dark hallway. "My little Veronica tried that." He turned a smile toward Angel and stopped walking. "If you see that their wings are getting to strong, you need to clip them."
"I totally agree." Angel smirked evilly and counted the ways he would like to kill the man, in front of him.
Theo turned toward a door and opened it. He walked inside and turned on the light.
Angel followed Theo inside and gasped. Gunn was sprawled out over a large red velvet cover. His shirt was missing and there were eight or nine bleeding slash marks, across his back. Angel could tell that the man was hardly breathing.
Theo looked around the room, confusedly. "There were two of them."
Angel nodded. "Connor is gone."
Theo gave Angel a look and shook his head. "I don't understand."
Angel turned a feral look on the man and gave into his anger. "And you won't get the chance to."
TBC
-Again, thank you for all of the lovely reviews on the last chapter. I'm almost dying to see what reaction this chapter gets. I'm sure you will all burn me in effigy, but remember I know how the story ends, so you'll just have to have faith.-
--The subtitle to this was called Breathe, which is a song by Pink Floyd. I bow to greatness of 'Floyd'.--
On with the show.
::Stuff and Nonsense- Breathe::
Spike shoved Wesley into the car and grinned at the British curses that came his way. "Do you kiss your mum with that mouth?"
Wesley shook his head and bit his lip. It stopped the flow of cuss words and it kept him from saying something that was bound to get him hit, later on. He waited and watched Spike jump in the front seat, before speaking again. "May I ask why you snatched me off of the front step, and nearly broke my ankle off completely?"
Spike nodded. "You would have had your butt kicked by Connor, if you had gone on inside."
"Connor?" Wesley scrunched up his forehead. "What did I do to him?"
"You're doing the same thing that all of us are doing, mate." Spike flashed Wesley and obnoxious looking grin and shrugged. "You're existing."
"It's not Connor." Angel insisted, as he glanced at Wesley through the rearview mirror. "It's a demon."
"Yeah, that's right." Spike winked back at Wesley and added cheekily. "Little brother is at some type of club having the time of his life, apparently."
"He's in trouble." Angel growled.
Spike settled into his seat and sighed. "Course he is. Probably having a hell of a time deciding between a Bloody Mary or Sex on the Beach." Angel flashed Spike a dangerous look and the younger vampire seemed to wilt. "They're drinks, Angel. Not like you didn't have a few when you were young and hooliganish."
Angel grunted. "Well, I was looking for new ways to piss my dad off."
Spike nodded quietly. "Maybe he is too." Spike spared his sire a glance and continued. "I mean it's not like he's actually had a chance to go through that whole teenage rebellion stage, like all the other guys his age."
Angel chuckled, as he bit the inside of his cheek. He stopped when the taste of his own blood started to fill his mouth. "You're an ass."
Spike looked over at Angel worriedly. "Angel?"
Angel could tell by the sound of Spike's voice that his childe could smell his blood. He came to the conclusion that he didn't really care what conclusions Spike drew from this. "Who the hell do you think you are to claim that my son hasn't had the chance to go through a rebellious stage?"
If it was possible, Spike seemed to pale at this comment. "I was just saying that I haven't witnessed him rocking the boat and I figured that it was about time he got some gumption and tested the waters."
"Rocking the boat? Testing the waters?" Angel laughed under his breath, but it came out as more of a growl. "What curious phrases for you to use, Spike." Angel looked positively vicious, as he chided his childe. "Didn't I tell you how Connor had trussed me up and put me in a box, before sending me to the bottom of the ocean?"
Spike's eyes grew wide, as he looked at his sire.
"What? That not the type of rebellion you looking for? How about if I told you he found the woman that I... loved, and slept with her, had a baby with her, and almost ended the world. That the rebellion that you were looking for?" Angel stopped at a red light and glared over at his childe. "What if I told you that he killed his own daughter so that he could save a world that he held absolutely no love for... because I told him it was the right thing to do?" Angel's features softened. "I think that Connor is above these petty games that you are accusing him of."
Spike swallowed and nodded. "Green means go, Angel."
Angel looked up and saw that the light had changed, during his tirade. He put the gas on and sighed. They rode around in search of Elm Street for twenty minutes, in complete silence.
Spike finally spoke up, in a hushed voice. "It's nice to see that you still have your sense of family loyalty. I figured after killing so many family members you would get numb to it."
Angel was taken aback by the odd statement. So, he decided to not comment.
Wesley sat in the uncomfortable silence and stared out the window. He decided that the way Spike and Angel were acting was forcing and unwanted sense of nostalgia on him. He remembered uncomfortable silences between school, church, and home. He also remembered them turning into screaming matches the moment they were behind closed doors.
Angel turned onto Elm Street and stopped the car in front of the gaudy looking building, with a glowing sign.
"Drakin's Cave?" Wesley's jaw fell open and he shook his head. "Surely not."
"That's what Doyle said." Angel sighed and stepped out of his car. The other two followed suit. Angel walked over to a young man he saw leaning against the doorway. "If you make sure that nobody touches my car, I'll make it worth your while."
The man looked Angel up and down. He gave the vampire a lazy smile and shrugged. "I'm always up for giving a helping hand. How long you gonna' be?"
Angel shrugged. "Shouldn't be long."
The man grinned and nodded. "So, you're here for someone specific."
Angel quirked a brow and nodded. "Sure." He pushed his way past the man and looked back to find Spike pulling Wesley along. "The ankle still hurting?" He asked without any real concern.
Wesley sighed and nodded. "Yes, seeing as how I'm he only one here without the power of preternatural heali..." Wesley trailed off, as he took his first step into 'Drakin's Cave'. "Holy Mother of God."
Spike shook his head and took in the scenery. "Mother Mary ain't got nothing to do with this place, I imagine." Spike watched a young woman, in what appeared to be a leather bathing suit, pass by. "I'll be back later." Spike started after the woman, just to be dragged up against Angel's side.
Angel pulled Spike to him and hissed. "This is a bondage club."
Spike nodded and smirked. "'tis."
"Why would Connor be here?!" Angel whispered harshly.
"Bout ready to take my theory up, daddy?" Spike gave Angel a comical look and laughed when he saw a couple staring at him and Angel. "They think you're roughing me up. May want to put me on my own feet, now."
Angel looked over and caught the lascivious look that the man and woman were giving him and his childe. He dropped Spike on his feet, without saying a word. His expression spoke loud enough, for anybody.
"Stop glowering." Spike whispered to his sire. "That lady looks like she wants you to whip her and the scowl isn't helping matters." Spike grabbed hold of Wesley's arm and pulled him toward the bar. "Okay, then. You help me find little brother."
"I think Angel is in shock, Spike." Wesley laughed at the sight of Angel scooting into a wall, so as to avoid the touch of a young man in leather.
Spike scoffed and shook his head. "He's tortured more people than you could stuff into this over decorated basement. You would think the sight of a few whips and chains, would be old news to him."
"I think it's the atmosphere and the attitude of the people that is bothering him." Wesley leaned against the bar Spike had led him to, and scooted up onto a stool. He sighed with pleasure, as he took the pressure off of his ankle.
Spike leaned his back against the bar and watched his sire, for a moment. "Nah... Angelus has tortured some sickies, before. I mean, beating Dru was just another Saturday night to him."
Wesley watched, in interest, as a young woman with long blonde hair sidled up to Spike. She started to pet his neck, which made the vampire chuckle.
Spike turned to see who was playing with him. "Hello, darling. Whose little girl are you?"
The woman smiled and pointed over her shoulder at a dark man, who was lounging in a couch in the corner. "Theo."
"Theo, eh?" Spike smirked at the woman and took her hand into his. "I've heard things about you boyfriend."
The woman tittered and blushed, prettily. "I like your accent, but your hands are cold."
Spike arched a brow and nodded. "I like your lack of an accent. Valley girls are so overrated." Spike took a step closer to the woman and leaned in to smell her. She smelled like alcohol, cocaine, and sex. "How about you introduce me to Theo, like a good little girl?"
The woman nodded and pulled Spike toward the man she had indicated earlier. "Theo, this is..." The girl blushed and swore, silently. She turned back toward Spike and sighed. "I forgot to ask you your name."
"William." Spike gave the girl a sexy smirk and pushed her toward 'Theo'. "So, you run this place?" He asked the man, who was now cradling the young woman in his arms.
Theo nodded and gave Spike an appraising look. "You look to hard to be a William." He stated, with a smirk. "You look more like a Spike to me."
"Do I, now?" Spike asked, while cocking his head to the side. "Why would you say that?"
"You just match a description of someone remarkably well, friend." Theo nodded. "I've heard things about a couple of souled vampires, in town. Seems they've been killing off some of my boys." Theo nuzzled into the squirmy young woman's neck and grinned. "You wouldn't know anything about this, would you?"
Spike didn't know what to say, so he decided to lie. Blatantly. "Nope, never heard of anything like that going on. Sounds pretty stupid if you ask me."
"Well, if I ever find out who has been disposing of my guys I plan on giving them a piece of my mind." Theo looked around and grinned. "I have the resources, as you can see."
Spike feigned a laugh and nodded. It was times like these he wished that he still smoked. "Well, I'm just here for a good time."
Theo watched the laid back expression on Spike's face, and shrugged. "Friend of yours?" Theo nodded past Spike.
Spike looked around and saw Angel coming toward him. He looked back at Theo and rolled his eyes. "You could say that."
Angel watched his childe talk to the man, on the couch. He watched the man pet the woman in his lap with his hands, as he pet Spike with his eyes. "This is ridiculous." He muttered to himself, as he stalked toward the group. "Spike." He growled, quietly, as he took his place beside his childe.
"Bout time you joined us, Sire." Spike emphasized the last word, forcefully.
Angel wondered what Spike was playing at, but he decided to try to go with whatever it was, without making a big deal. "Yes, well, I was delayed by a young woman who had too much to drink."
Spike put on a pretty pout and sighed. "Hope she didn't wear you out."
Angel gave his childe a confused glance and pulled him back a step, before whispering so only Spike could hear. "What are you up to, Spike?"
Spike put on a feigned smile and whispered back, just as quietly. "If you don't pretend to be a jealous boyfriend soon, I'm gonna' be put on the meat market. Now, shut up and grab my ass."
Angel leaned back and gave Spike a look that bordered on hysteria. "You have got to be fuckin' kidding me." Spike's face fell, visibly, and Angel knew he wasn't joking. Angel pulled back his hand and slapped Spike across the face. The smack was deafening. "You mean to tell me you've been whoring yourself out, all night." Angel pulled Spike up by the collar of his jacket and took in the panicked expression on his childe's face. It looked real. "You make me sick."
Theo watched this display with interest and sighed. "He was being good, if you don't mind me saying so."
Angel; turned toward the man and dropped Spike in a heap on the floor. He spared his childe a glance, before focusing on the flesh peddler. Spike was wiping at the blood that was dripping down his chin. Angel mentally made a note to apologize to Spike for being so rough. "Now, that I've found one of my boys..." Angel sighed, heavily. "Maybe you can help me find my other boy. He's about this tall." Angel measured off an approximate height with his hand and quirked a brow. "He's handsome and hardly legal." Angel almost killed the man for the grin he was displaying, but held himself back and returned the evil looking smile. "So have you seen him?"
The man nodded and stood up from his seat. He waved Spike over toward the couch he had vacated. "Keep Veronica company while I am away, hey? She gets lonely." The man motioned for Angel to follow him. "One of your little boys decided to test his wings?" Theo asked, conversationally.
Angel growled, silently. "Something like that."
The man grinned and nodded, as he led the vampire down a dark hallway. "My little Veronica tried that." He turned a smile toward Angel and stopped walking. "If you see that their wings are getting to strong, you need to clip them."
"I totally agree." Angel smirked evilly and counted the ways he would like to kill the man, in front of him.
Theo turned toward a door and opened it. He walked inside and turned on the light.
Angel followed Theo inside and gasped. Gunn was sprawled out over a large red velvet cover. His shirt was missing and there were eight or nine bleeding slash marks, across his back. Angel could tell that the man was hardly breathing.
Theo looked around the room, confusedly. "There were two of them."
Angel nodded. "Connor is gone."
Theo gave Angel a look and shook his head. "I don't understand."
Angel turned a feral look on the man and gave into his anger. "And you won't get the chance to."
TBC
-Again, thank you for all of the lovely reviews on the last chapter. I'm almost dying to see what reaction this chapter gets. I'm sure you will all burn me in effigy, but remember I know how the story ends, so you'll just have to have faith.-
--The subtitle to this was called Breathe, which is a song by Pink Floyd. I bow to greatness of 'Floyd'.--