A/N: I had this idea a long time ago, and it finally turned into a story. I wanted to finish it before I started posting it here, and now that I've edited it so many times I know the story by heart, I'm ready to post it. Just a few notes: there will be no Anya in this story, but Spike is chipped, and it is set after Buffy and Willow went to college. This story is strictly a vampire family story. I wanted to explore the idea of vampire families and familial responsibility. There will be no romance in this story that doesn't occur in the show, if there is any, and it won't be a main focus.
Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel. If I did, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction about these characters. I'd get paid for it.
Chapter 1
Spike didn't know how he ended up in these messes. Angel's reaction was going to be priceless, though. Glancing at the other occupant of his DeSoto, he grimaced. Normally, he'd take great delight in bugging Peaches like this. But this…this was different. This was too horrific even for him.
When he stopped outside the hotel, it was closer to sunrise than he'd have liked. Still, Spike hesitated before getting out of the car. Finally steeling himself, he stepped from the car and made his way to the passenger side, opening the door for his companion. When nothing happened, Spike frowned lightly.
"Let's go. Gotta get you inside before the sun rises, pet."
His companion stepped out of the car, and stood silently, complacently, waiting for Spike. The frown on Spike's face deepened with concern. He couldn't understand this sudden submissiveness. During their trip, his companion had done exactly as Spike had said, behavior completely unlike before. Before…Spike shuddered to remember how things were before. It made him remember how they'd failed. How he'd failed.
Shrugging off the memories before they could take hold, he started toward the hotel entrance, throwing a soft "Let's go" over his shoulder. He didn't have to turn around to know that he'd been obeyed. He was always obeyed. It was starting to get creepy.
A few hours later, Spike's charge was safely ensconced in a room to sleep while the sun was up. Spike, though tired, would not get that luxury until he'd had this conversation with Angel. And he'd never get to the conversation if Angel didn't stop pacing.
"What did you say, Spike?"
"You heard me the first time."
"I did, but I think you'd better start at the beginning," Angel replied, finally sitting behind his desk. "I thought you said that you came here to—"
"I did."
"Buffy knows you're here?"
"She does. Was my idea, but she agreed. Giles'll probably call you this evening to confirm it."
Spike's nonchalance about the whole situation was slowly making Angel angry. He tamped it down. If Spike wasn't lying, and Angel couldn't see him lying about this, then Angel couldn't get angry this time. Spike would need help. Angel would have to step up like he hadn't in decades to be the sire he should be. No. That was wrong. Spike no longer needed a sire. Angel would just have to be…something else. The word family sprang to Angel's mind, but he brushed it aside. Even with this new development, he and Spike couldn't be family. Spike no longer trusted him, and for good reason. Still, he'd do what he could, no matter what it cost him.
"I'll be expecting their call then, but for now, Spike, why don't you tell me what happened." Spike rolled his eyes. "From the beginning. Please," Angel said before Spike could protest.
"Fine."
Taking a deep breath, Spike trained his ears toward his charge's room, listening for a moment to make sure all was well, using the time to gather his thoughts. He supposed Angel would need to know the full story if he was going to help him with this.
Turning his attention back to Angel, he began his story. It was going to be a long time before either of them got any sleep.
