Splinter

“So, you kill vamps?”



“I do not murder my kind,” Raven said monotonously.



Spike tilted his head and looked between Gunn and Raven.



Gunn swallowed at the intense look the vampire was giving him. He was more than taken aback when a smirk appeared on the elegant face and was startled when Spike laughed loudly before slinging his arm over Raven's shoulder.



Angel cut through between them, literally, making Gunn pull back as he passed. “Are you done making fun of my people?”



Gunn mouthed ‘my people’ incredulously to Wesley. The Englishman rolled his eyes, used to Angel’s possessive streak towards them after many years of knowing him.



Raven raised an eyebrow. Spike snorted. “No.”



“You’re drunk,” Angel stated, sniffing the scent of drink on them - the expensive kind, if his nose didn’t betray him. However, he knew that it was a small amount that they had consumed. Not enough to intoxicate them. All he wanted was to validate their ‘cheery’ mood to something other than 'the intimate evening' he had witnessed last night. Not that it had bothered him or anything.



“Why did you two come anyway? Don’t you have better things to do?” sneered Angel in an intimidating manner.



Spike stiffened. Gunn and Wesley held their breath waiting for a seemingly inevitable outburst. They didn’t need to worry.



In less than a beat, Raven held Spike back with twining his arm around the younger vampire’s waist, almost resting his head on his leather clad shoulder.



“Ms. Chase thought it would do well for Spike to let off ‘steam’. One wonders why she’d think that.”



Gunn could have sworn that the gray eyes had flashed gold for a second there. He switched his gaze towards Angel but the vampire showed no reaction. The black man silently cursed the self-proclaimed Hollywood Queen for her need to meddle in everything. There was no need for Angel to know that *they* know about… that.



~ Fingers crossing that the big man thinks Cordy had a mind flash about it, or better yet, he has no thoughts about it. Damn, if we'd get a break. ~



Gunn would fight teeth and bone in a courtroom against anyone who would dare claim that the lawyer had inched away from Angel. He just wanted a better view of Raven as he continued speaking, draped like a lover all over Spike.



~ I’ve always wanted to ride camels and see the Pyramids. ~



“…and better ‘Bleach-boy steams’ on the ‘head invading vision nasties’ - sadly those words had come out of her mouth - than on ‘blameless irreplaceable antiques’.” He shot Spike an inquiring look.



Spike looked sheepish. “It was one time! And that Greek statue was asking for it, Aphrodite my arse.”



“Greek Gods and Goddesses cannot hold a torch to you. The Goddess of Love and Beauty herself would be in awe of you. But taking your anger on works of art, Will?” Raven chastened him.



~ He called him Will. Intimate much? ~



Gunn bit his lip, holding back a whimper at evil pictures that invaded his head uninvited. The night was still young. It wouldn't bode well for him to anger a bunch of – God help him – lovesick vampires. He made a mental note to stop spending so much time around Cordelia and Lorne; his thoughts were beginning to sound like those two.



Spike opened his mouth to reply.



Angel waved his hand interrupting him. “William had always disregarded finer things.”



~ What’s with throwing the dude’s name around like that?! ~



There was only so much a human could take… or more precisely Gunn could.



Gunn rolled his eyes and muttered something about getting a room, a pissing match for ‘urine-less’ vamps, and poor evil demons that were waiting for someone to kill them as he walked towards their desired destination. He stopped in his tracks when he noticed that he was the only one moving.



The vampires were locked in what seemed to be an eternal staring match.



~ Hrafen seems pissed. No way would Spike tell him about… that. Could the new vamp in town smell…? ~ Gunn cut that thought short when he realized where it was heading. He was horrified that he had actually crossed the line to think that. He turned his irate gaze at Wesley who seemed completely at home with merely standing there observing the vampires.



Gunn didn’t know what to do to break the intense silence and it seemed – as he shot a glance at Wesley’s itching-to-write hand - he was alone in this.



He needed to say something that was the furthest from the inner conversation that they were all having. Of which he was not a participant!



“Spike, man, that’s some mean leather you got there.”



That seemed to do it. Gunn had never been more proud of himself.



Everyone’s attention, as those words left Gunn’s lips, seemed to be drawn to Spike’s new attire. Or, to be more accurate, to the addition that had taken place of his old duster.



Angel narrowed his eyes. He had noticed that new detail the second he had stepped out of his new car to find Raven and Spike waiting for them leaning against the wall, too close to each other in his opinion. He could practically smell the aroma of new fine leather from where he stood. On the other hand, it was a whole lot better than their mixed scent. A testament of last night’s continued activity that he had not stuck around to witness. Something, he might add, they had not even placed a minute effort into to covering up.



Spike grinned at Gunn, sparing a pumped up Raven a roll-eyed glance. “Yeah, Ray here thought it was time for a change, I guess.” His gaze swerved to Angel, his lips puckering up defiantly.



“I need to kill something.” Angel turned on his heels and strode away.



Wesley spared Gunn a ‘what did you do’ look before following.



“What?!” Gunn swung his arms narrowly missing chopping off Spike and Raven’s heads off with the axe he was holding. The only result to his action was the two vampires letting a bit of air between them, to which, again, Gunn would defend that was not his intent with the ‘spontaneous’ action.







*~*~*~*~*~*







Right on time, the demons of Cordelia’s pain free visions showed up with their still alive victims. With calculated moves, they had split into four groups. Angel had charged from the front whilst Spike and Raven attacked from the sides, leaving Wesley and Gunn to untie the prisoners and send them running to safety.



From then on, it was chaos. There were four very large, really smelly yellow demons. The humans took one while the vampires surrounded the remaining three, one each.



The act itself moved quickly from then on. They were all after the quick kill, although no one commented on how both Angel and Spike served clear injuring blows rather than killing ones. Nonetheless, soon four bodies of equally fierce smell lay on the purple bloodied ground.



“Is it me or do the demons we have to kill get more disgusting with every time,” Gunn stated, pleased beyond words with his attire for tonight’s mission. He never did like them.



They were walking away from the bodies while Angel was busy on the phone calling for Clean Up – a renovated section of W&H he was delighted to keep onboard when A.I. & Co. took over. Finishing up with the CU, he called Cordelia to let her know that the mission was completed with success and no injuries.



“…Yeah, Cordy, we got them all,” he spoke in bored tones into the too small mouth piece. He barely restrained himself from bringing it closer to his mouth, but knew that Spike would make a jibe at him if he did. And he really would be well beyond rage if Raven took a crack.



The demon died too fast in his opinion. And no one thought enough to leave him one to…



“Icky demons being foot rugs are always a good thing in my book…” Oh, she was still talking. “--especially if they’re after one of my buds.”



“Huh?” He really should start to *stop* tuning Cordelia out.



“Angel, this is important!” She seemed upset. “You guys finished a lot sooner than I expected. So how did Spike react to you saving his butt?”



“Cordelia, what in the world are you…?”



“Ugh, you told me you got it, remember?!” Yep, really should start listening to her. “The fifth yellow demon, the one that tried to get the jump on Spike, what else?!”



“The what who…?”



Ear to phone, Angel turned mid-step 180 degrees, noting for the first time that he had been ahead of the others.



His eyes widened and mouth opened in warning as he watched a demon twice as large as his deceased companions appear out of nowhere, already lunging talons-first in the direction of Spike’s back.



Cell still in his grasp, Angel began to run, knowing that he would be too late but not giving in to the outcome without a lot of fight if he had anything to say about it.



Everything moved in slow motion. Spike noticing Angel’s gaze unwavering from his face stopped the conversation he was sharing with Wesley and Raven. Blue was locked with brown so that when Angel’s eyes flickered to something behind the blond’s back, Spike instinctively turned with a swift move into a fighting stance.



The plunging talons were directed at his neck, Spike was a second too slow to steer clear of it.



Angel was still thrusting forward, he never ran this fast before. He watching numbly as the claws made a silver crescent nearing their goal.



Before anyone had time to blink much less make a sound, Raven was right in front of Spike, and with a snarl he had his hand around the demon’s windpipe, crushing it with a quick but powerful squeeze of his long fingers.



The body fell to the ground with a sickening thump just as Angel was reaching their side.



Raven pulled out a silk napkin from his pocket and wiped at his purple-goop-covered hand. He smiled at Spike who had quickly recovered from his near death – an everyday occurrence for him – and was biting his lip at the shocked reaction of the humans.



“Almost got my new coat soiled.” He poked the carcass with his boot. He grinned up at Raven. “Thanks, luv.”



Raven shrugged as if it was nothing. “Well, it is quite expensive.”



Angel was standing up straight, a bland look on his face.



“Something wrong, mate?” Spike asked. He frowned. “Is that her Highness on the mobile?” he asked, snatching the phone out of Angel’s strangely slack grip.



“Quit your yammerin’ woman, someone’s finally listening!” he yelled into the cell phone.



“Spike? What the Hell happened?!” Cordelia snapped back.



“Well, it seems you’re getting slow in your old age, Pet.” He flinched at the screech. “See I almost got decapitated from a stray demon in a Big Bird suit. Damn Powers That Bugger Up want me dead, I tell ya!”



A peaceful silence on the other line for a few blissful seconds, he couldn’t even hear her breath, it ended with a sigh. “Uh, yeah, bad bad PTBs. So, um, lucky tall dark and handsome was there to save your ass again, right?”



Was that a little worry he was detecting?



“How did you know that Raven saved my arse once before?” Spike asked incredulously. “Never mind. You had his personal number for Christ sake… must’ve shared all kinds of embarrassing stuff about yours truly. Better remember, luv, I’ve been privy to you on that ‘special day of the month’ *without* your makeup!”



“Raven…?! Stupid idiot dumb-ass of fool proof plans An… … HEY! Are you threatening me, Blondie? The nerve… after all the trouble…”



Spike winced, pulling back the cellular phone away from his ear.



“What got her panties in a twist?” he mused loudly and missed the exasperated looks that Wesley and Gunn shared. Spike brought the phone closer to his ear.



“… and you’d be SO lucky if you even catch a glimpse of my panties Slayer-loving-…”



“Delia! Care for a rain check on you slamming me? Peaches scrunched the phone for some reason, and only mutts can hear you now. And for your information, I prefer those see-through pair you’ve got stashed for ‘special nights’. Later.” Without waiting for a reply, he flipped the phone shut. Turning off the power with a smirk, he threw the small device at Angel.



Angel easily grabbed the phone in midair. He pocketed it. “You have your own, don’t ever touch mine.” After a thoughtful second, he continued, “Don’t call me that.”



Raven was finishing up with making sure that his hand was spotless. Even though he was seemingly deeply involved in the process, he had overheard the conversation and noted the humans’ reaction as well as Angel’s. He had his own theory on the matter, but one thing for sure; he knew Angel was completely unaware of what was going on around him.



None of which concerned him at the moment.



“That was refreshing. It had been an era since I battled Kadrens.”



“I think ‘battle’ is a too strong a word, luv. They didn’t have a fighting chance.” Spike mock pouted. “I should’ve stayed home and not missed the new epi of Passions. Bet it’s different on that wide screen of yours.”



Raven, done cleaning his hand, folded the napkin in a neat square before flicking his ruined napkin over the corpse. “Not to worry. Ever heard of TiVo?”



A wide grin appeared on Spike’s face. “You didn’t?!”



Angel looked between them and frowned. “What’s TiVo?”



“Fascinating. I never came across a vampire who had such interest in ancient art as well as modern technology,” Wesley said to Gunn.



Gunn twisted his lips, murmuring, “Still reeling here from Mr. Big Bad calling a guy ‘love’.” He chuckled when he noticed Wesley’s frown. “You have no idea what TiVo is either, do you?”



Spike, Raven and Gunn swung their gazes from Wesley to Angel and back again. They were only met by silence. The silence was soon filling by muffled chuckles.



Gunn shook his head while simultaneously scraping his impressive axe against his ‘fight boots’, wiping away the chunky gore dispassionately.



“Man, you two act so smart and you don’t even know one of the wonders of technology.” The bald man smirked at Wesley. “Fred is so hearing about this. I see a bumpy couch in the future for you tonight, man.”



Wesley looked horrified but couldn’t object on the grounds than that the laughing trio were walking away, leaving him and Angel, standing there feeling slow. The two were very sure not to share any ‘comrade’ looks as they followed. The words of the three in the front wafted back at them in the silence of the night.



“Why a bumpy couch?” Raven asked Gunn.



Gunn piff-ed, suddenly at ease with the new vampire. “Coz it’s tradition. Besides, any couch compared to the bed isn’t comfortable.”



Spike chucked. “Haven’t had a go at Ray’s sofa then!”



Gunn choked. He didn’t know on what. But it seemed to be the natural reaction to such information. He didn’t need to know that.



~ * Does * Angel know…? ~



“*I* do’ wanna know!”



Raven clicked his tongue. “Well, there goes my conversational piece of this evening.”



Gunn’s eyes widened and he whimpered. Yes. He would swear to that in a court of law. And would plead the case of, who wouldn’t!



Raven and Spike burst laughing at the poor man’s reaction.



A few steps behind them, Wesley finally looked at Angel.



“Shouldn’t we help Gunn out? He is one of your ‘people’.”



Angel’s face was emotionless. “Has to face the price of siding with the enemy.”



“Ah.” Wesley looked thoughtfully at Angel. “Would that be Master Hrafen himself or would Spike be added to your list of foes?”



Wesley pretended that he hadn’t heard Angel’s mumble of “when wasn’t he”, more for the reason that he didn’t believe it.



“Almost gave Charlie here a stroke. Still have it in ya mate.” Spike did a bowing gesture, mostly to cover up the misstep due to overhearing Angel’s reply. “I bow before the Master.”



Raven grinned. “There are certainly cases where the student would be lucky to surpass the master.” Denial was the theme of the evening, it seemed. He was never much of a follower, had always taken his own path. It just seemed that tonight, the path was a little overflowing. He chose not to see Spike’s faulty step at Angelus’ comment. He also ignored how his fangs and sharpened nails had dug into his own flesh.



Gunn groaned. “Believe me, he tried. Certain bathroom incidents come to mind.”



Raven laughed and spared the human, especially, when Gunn seemed to have slowly inched away from him and Spike, in particular, when he placed his arm on the leather shoulder.



Spike's brow puckered and he tilted his head sideways to get a better look at Raven.



“You hurt? I didn’t notice before, but I smell your blood.”



Raven rubbed the back of Spike’s neck with his unclenched fist. “Already healed.”



“You sure coz I could…”



Gunn mooned. “Please don’t let the next words that come of your mouth be ‘lick’ ‘taste’ or ‘early dinner’.”



Spike mock pouted. “Well, no. Not now that you’ve gone ahead and spoiled it.”



Gunn had only one reply to that. He stuck his tongue at the century plus old vampire.



“He’s entertaining for a lawyer.” Raven raised an eyebrow at Gunn and marveled at how the man was able to restrain himself from another childish act. Spike did inspire such attitude from people at times. He smiled softly. Something the Master Vampire was sure he would never tire of in their upcoming years together.



A small smile grew on Spike’s face.



“You think he got human sarcasm down, wait till you meet Harris.”



Twin groans could be heard from behind them. And just like that, Spike felt a bounce in his step.









*~*~*~*~*~*





Wesley had requested an urgent meeting. The afternoon sun was shining through his large office glass windows. It illuminated the faces of the patiently waiting Cordelia, Fred, Lorne and Gunn as Wesley tapped his finger restlessly against the wooden desk.



His eyes narrowed on the longhaired brunette actress.



“What in the world were you thinking?”



Gunn spread his hands at Wesley’s outburst.



“Now he talks. But when I was stuck in the middle of a late night episode of the cancelled Caveman Vamps, you were Mr. Silently Observing Watcher.”



Wesley spared Gunn a quick glare before he continued his tirade on Cordelia. “Spike could have been killed due to your incessant need to play some sort of Cupid facsimile with him and Angel!”



Cordelia crossed her arms.



“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She looked at him bored.



Wesley scoffed and crossed to stand in front of her face. “There was no reason for the Powers not to include the last demon in your vision.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. “Besides, with you screeching when your ‘plan’ was foiled, it’s a wonder that you can speak today.”



Cordelia’s mouth opened offended.



Wesley’s eyes hardened. “It was extremely careless of you to depend on Angel to save Spike in hopes that they would reconcile because of such a feeble reason. Spike could’ve been dead if it weren’t for Hrafen’s quick response.”



Cordelia waved her hand. “You’re exaggerating.”



“I was standing at Spike’s side. I think I would know how close that razor-sharp claws were,” Wesley defended a little too upset.



“Mr. Wyndam-Pryce was next to Slim and conveniently in the line of danger, huh? Explains the tight winding of Englishman string,” Lorne chirped, sharing a grin with Gunn.



Cordelia rolled her eyes at their antics, uncaring of Wesley’s opinion.



“Angel needed a push in the right direction. He obviously cares for Spike, we just need to make him realize that,” she said simply. Her lips tightened thinly. “Raven shouldn’t have invited himself along.”



“ We need to stay out of this. It is not our business to meddle,” Wesley countered.



“They’re our friends, what else can we do but meddle.” Cordelia poked a finger at his chest. “You’re letting watcher blood cloud your judgment. All you want is for Vamps and Slayers to walk hand in hand with Spike tossing rose petals, a fake smile on his face.” She twisted her lips. “You don’t care about Spike’s happiness - all you see is the Slayer/Vampire alliance.” She raised an eyebrow. “And that on the word of a soulless vampire who just wants to get some blond ass.”



Gunn winced at her crude words. “Don’t think that’s an issue,” he said under his breath, recalling how close Spike and Raven were the night before.



Cordelia shot him an angry glare.



Gunn rubbed a hand over his bald head. “C’mon, Cordy. I really hate to admit that I actually notice – but I don’t see Angel that way with Spike. See how he treats the little dude? It’s kindness of the big man to let Blondie go, I’m thinking. Besides,” the lawyer sighed. “Spike does seem happy with Raven. Angel doesn’t care.” It was as simple as that. Why did women need to complicate everything?



Wesley shook his head at Gunn and didn’t show a meager of sympathy at the tall man’s indignant yelp when Cordelia smacked his shoulder.



“How could you say that?! Angel is clearly suffering from kindergarten cootie denial. If Mr. I’m So Hot I Make the Fancy Clothes I Wear Hotter hadn’t interfered with my plan last night. . .”



“Both Spike and I would be in the infirmary waiting for our heads to be reattached,” Wesley finished.



“Ah hah, knew it!” Lorne chirped poking his finger in the air from his reclining stance. Everyone looked at him. He shrugged. “I didn’t want to be left out of the conversation.”



“Cordelia, Spike was clearly upset with Angel dismissing him from the Line, however, we have not seen either of them express ‘romantic’ interest in the other,” Wesley interjected thinly. He didn’t think it was his place to share his impression - left from their private conversation - of Spike’s deep feelings in regards to his grandsire.



Cordelia’s eyes widened and she snapped her fingers. “Ah! But you’re not a woman.” Lorne coughed. “Or Lorne,” she finished.



Wesley pursed his lips, “Evidently.”



“Wesley, those two have the air of ‘I’ve seen you naked so many times I had to do something to prove Anne Rice wrong, and you know what? I liked it!’ and I bet that’s why they’re at each other’s throat all the time, only way to let all the sexual frustration out. . .” She had a far away look. “Believe me on that part, I know.”



Wesley blinked then twisted his face in disgust. “I’d rather not hear of your exploits with Xander Harris if you mind.”



Cordelia stuck up her nose. “Just coz you’re a sucky kisser, and not in the good way, doesn’t‎. . .”



“It’s like we’re in a real live soap opera.” Lorne shook his head amused. “But as cute as Xanny’s Captain Sparrow impression, I’d rather go back to the hot vampire sex theory.” He wiggled his brows and gestured his hand for them to continue.



Wesley shrugged. “Given their vampiric state, I would vote for the validity of that theory.”



Gunn whined, “Oh, man, why’d you go ahead and say that for?!”



Wesley looked at Gunn with some annoyed contempt. “Be that as it may, they were both soulless deviant killers over a century old . . . and-” He threw his hands in the air. “It. Is. None. Of. Our. Business!” He eyed them all. “I think with the many years they shared, they’d know what they’re doing. Therefore, no more matchmaking plans,” he said firmly.



Silence dominated for several seconds.



Gunn pointed his finger at Wesley. “Especially if it puts English here in the line of fire.”



Fred twisted the hem of her shirt nervously. She was silent throughout it all, wanting to observe everyone’s take on the matter. She sighed, ducking her head when all eyes turned to her.



“Cordy’s right.” Cordelia grinned at that and looked triumphal at Wesley and Gunn. “You guys may not see it or care but us women-” Lorne harrumphed. She added, “And Lorne, can see Angel cares for Spike, in his strange way. Remember how he acted before and after Spike’s incident with the splinter?” She said her voice tinged with a little sadness and guilt; she still felt some blame for that. Wesley rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand, she smiled gently back at him. It was nice to have someone who could sense when you needed comfort.



Somehow, that thought saddened her.



Cordelia, on the other hand, was preening due to the assistance in her case. Yet, it seemed that Fred wasn’t done. “Angel is being a numb-head.” The anger in her voice shocked everyone in the room. “If he’s in denial then he shouldn’t let it out on Spike because he doesn’t want to express his feelings.” She looked pointedly at Cordelia. “Spike. Who is happy with Raven, Cordelia. I saw Spike whistling today when he came in to ask where Willow and the others are staying.” She shrugged. “He was smiling. Really smiling. I don’t think I’ve seen Spike smile so genuinely for as long as I’ve known him. Someone really cares about him, how can he not be?”



Cordelia opened her mouth to interrupt.



“I know you want Angel to be happy too, Cordy. I’ve seen how Spike looks at Angel sometimes when he thinks no one’s looking. But anyone can see that Raven really cares about Spike, I think he loves him.” Fred looked sympathetically at the mess of emotions in Cordelia’s face. “Raven wasn’t afraid to act the way he felt in front us, even if it compromised his position as the scary new Master vampire. And about the proposed Treaty?” She raised her free hand in a helpless movement. “None of us are idiots to think that Raven is offering it from the goodness of his heart, it’s because he wants Spike to be happy, I’m thinking more than a Claimed. He accepts Spike for all he is, and is willing to try and change for him.” She smiled sadly. “Like Spike did for Buffy?”



Cordelia did a half-hearted gag, but then dropped her hand feeling beaten.



Fred looked at her friends, and held tight to Wesley’s hand. “Angel and Spike are both our friends, we’re all family right?” Nods from everyone were given. “And we want our friends to be happy, and it would be so great for them to be together.” She looked at Cordelia willing her to understand. “But there are things in their past that we don’t know about, we can’t get involved. Angel is apparently willing to let go of something we’ve all been waiting to happen because it would be so right, and pretty, for a person to be with someone who knows them so well,” her voice hitched. “Spike finally has someone who appreciates him; even if it did come about in an odd way. And hey, if it resulted in less innocent people dying and Cordelia whining because she had another vision that prevented the shooting of a sexy scene with an Australian-accent-having-guy, that's good too.” She giggled and Cordelia smiled sheepish. “Isn’t it a win-win situation all ‘round?” she asked pleadingly.



The brunette scientist looked around at their withdrawn expressions in the wake of her breathless speech. The silence was finally broken by Cordelia’s sigh.



“You’re right, Fred. We’re all winners.” She looked from one to the other with fairly glassy eyes. “All but Angel.”







*~*~*~*~*~*







“I can not understand why you insist on living in this. . . in this. . .” Raven tilted his head to the side, searching for a more appropriate word.



“Dump. Rat trap. Hell hole?” Spike supplied with a grin. Raven raised an eyebrow at his cool demeanor. Spike only shrugged. “What can I say, it grew on me.” He pushed the door closed after the longhaired vampire walked in.



Raven blatantly peered behind the couch and pressed with lips. “Yes. Like mold.”



“That funny bone of yours only gets more charming, I’ll have you know.” Spike tossed the dark haired vampire a beer bottle that was casually caught. Raven examined the label with distaste, and then placed the cheap bottle on the stain filled table. He watched as Spike gulped at his own.



Raven could only observe amused as Spike flopped down onto the ragged sofa and started up a children’s game, displaying his talent; playing with only his left hand and sipping from the right.



The Hravolen Master had not been completely shocked when Spike had asked to be dropped back at his own apartment the night before. He was somewhat disappointed, but not surprised. He wasn’t a fool. He knew ‘that night’ Spike only sought his company – and more – for the sole reason that Angelus had broken the thin line. However, last night left Spike with a grin on his face.



Raven planned on thanking Cordelia Chase for informing Spike of the mission. Of course, she had no idea that he would be tagging along. Not wanting anything to happen to Spike or for his future Claimed to be alone with Angelus, Raven had inadvertently caused Ms. Chase’s matchmaking plan to be pulled to a screeching halt. Spike and Angel might be oblivious, but he, unquestionably, was not.



As Wesley’s inquiring mind was questioning Spike and Raven about the Elder vampire’s peace diplomacy, and as Raven was making an impression on Wesley, he was at the same time eavesdropping into Angel’s cellular phone conversation. Let it not be said that vampire hearing wasn’t helpful, especially since it served as the only warning to the demon’s eminent attack, for the beast outwardly appeared out of thin air, right behind Spike.



It was clear from the beginning that Angel wasn’t pleased with Raven joining them, and he positively wasn’t thrilled about Raven saving Spike. Raven had not missed the desperation that had filled Angel’s eyes as he rushed to rescue his childe, but, that was none of his concern. He merely enjoyed Spike’s rare good mood of the night, how the cheerful blond commented on how he amazingly overheard ‘Droopy Boy’ over Cordelia’s screeching and giddily spoke about how the rising actress seemed to be digging her claws back into the poor unsuspecting human.



“What’re ya grinning about?”



Raven was brought back into the present and refocused his attention to see Spike’s gaze directed elsewhere. He looked at the colorful screen and pointed. “Did that little blonde girl beat you?”



Spike followed the finger then laughed. “Nah, that’s me! I kick Tekken arse!”



Raven frowned. “You deliberately chose to play as … a girl?”



Spike leaned forward with a serious look in his eyes. “Never underestimate tiny blonde girls, Ray.”



Raven looked away from the still screen and into blue eyes. “You don’t say?”



“Yeah. Word of an expert here, mate.” Spike discarded the joystick on the couch next to him and lolled his head back against the cushions, eyes not breaking Raven’s gaze. “Care to tell me why you’re here? In daylight, so unlike you.” He smirked.



Raven’s face took an expressionless disposition. “The Gathering has been set two nights from tonight.”



Spike sat back up, he titled his head as if to hear better. “Isn’t that too soon?”



“I care not for such formalities,” Raven said in bored a tone and waved his hand dismissingly. “And those who appear in short notice are those who interest us. The ceremonial Gathering of the Vampire Lines would be set on the night of the full moon and that is still some time away.”



Spike nodded remembering Wesley telling him the same about the Vampire Society, although his fellow Englishman neglected to mention the aforementioned Gathering of evildoers. “You’re not gonna parade me around some buggering demon crowd, are ya? Like some pretty trophy.” Spike batted his lashes.



Raven raised an eyebrow. “We are taking a big step with Rule, William. An invitation had been sent to every powerful party in the underworld.”



Spike didn’t gulp. He was stressing on that crucial fact. “Slayers?”



“It is still too soon for them.” Raven shook his head. He didn’t miss Spike palpable relief. “We can’t trust them not to kill all the attendees.” Spike snorted but didn’t contradict the fact. Slayers did tend to kill first and rarely even bother to ask later, especially the new slayer-chicklets. He should know, he silently ginned, he had trained the senior potential-slayers before their ascension to the slayer ranks.



Raven noticing Spike’s distraction, coughed. “Of course, some humans will attend.” The older vampire hid a triumphal smile at bringing back the blond’s attention. He knew him so well. “But most are consorts, pets or the rare but powerful mages and witches.”



Spike nodded digesting all that. “Will Red be getting an invite then?”



Raven’s face showed interest. He had not heard of any Red magic user. Spike seemed to note his confusion.



“Willow Rosenberg,” he supplied. He chuckled when Raven’s face darkened.



“Ah, yes, the Black Witch of the Hellmouth. No.” He shook his head like that thought had been troubling him for sometime. “She’s a strong ally of the Slayer and remains unpredictable. She will be approached only with caution.” Raven looked at Spike warningly.



Spike rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well better keep that thought to yourself, Ray. She’s in LA-land with entourage to pick up a fledge slayer.”



Raven lightly nodded filing that, and didn’t bother to hide how that troubled him. He tried to change the subject. “I’ve received word that you have been to Wolfram and Hart’s L.A. branch today.”



“Ah, and the reason to why you’re awake during the day comes to light! Oh. See what I did there?” Spike said gaspingly then frowned in mock thought. “They better find themselves a better name if they want the world to know they’re good now, A.I & Co. needs some work…”



“This is not a joking matter, William,” Raven’s voice hardened.



“And having me tailed around town isn’t either.” Spike replied with vigor standing up with feline grace against a superior vampire more than three times his age. “You might have dominated claim on me neck Hrafen, but you don’t own me, yet.”



Raven’s jaw tightened. His golden eyes flashed but neither vampire backed down. The Elder knew he was the one to lose more in this, so he tried to ease the air. “You will be more than mine. You will be my mate. A Master Ruler of the Hravolen Line by my side, respected by all Clans.”



“Yeah, yeah, so you’ve been telling me,” Spike said defiantly, leaning his head back, and looking straight at Raven. “And treating me like a five-year-old fledgling all the same speaks otherwise.” He rumbled, throwing his hands in the air. “You didn’t need to come last night, I don’t need looking after! Survived this long without one’s eyes on my back.”



“Well, unfortunately for you, you will survive longer this time with one.” Raven’s eyebrow rose. “You are not getting rid of me this easily, William the Bloody.” The side of his mouth rose in sequence.



Spike glared. A second later, soft chuckled escaped with an amused slight head shake. “Would you think less of me if I stuck my tongue at you now?” Blue eyes looked at gray ones questioningly.



Raven encouraged by the sparkle in the azure orbs pushed on, “Only if you don’t intend to use it for something worth the exertion on yourself.”



“And there’s the funny bone rearing its nasty head with the all lovable oldie.” Spike’s fingers snapped accompanied with an amused head shake. “You’re gonna sully your big ole Master name if you keep throwing yer wit around like that.”



Raven smiled, his finger tapped periodically against his wrist. “Why were you out there today, Will?”



Spike sighed and eyed his beat-up mini-fridge longingly before answering Raven’s expectant look. “I went today to ask Freddikins where the Scooby 102 were staying. Need to tell them about the plan. No sense of going all the way if the treaty isn’t going to pass.”



“Ah, yes. Of course.” Metaphorical cold blades through the heart seemed to be painful. Interesting. “And that couldn’t have been done…?”



“Over the phone?” Spike finished for him. He shook his head and moved forward and around the still figure.



The British punk picked up his new leather jacket, made sure not to caress it - one time mockery was all Raven was going to get - and stuck his arms in the comfortable formfitting sleeves.



Raven stood in front of Spike before the other vampire reached the door.



“I need not remind you of what took place the last time you were there.” It was a clear statement. The venom that accompanied it didn’t go past Spike who knew the other vampire hadn't enacted the punishment he saw fit on Angel because Raven feared that the Aurelius Master would take back his unspoken permission for the claiming. Spike felt his blood boil all the same.



The angry look did nothing to affect Raven.



“I had a little too much to drink with Head Boy, I beat his Broodyness’ arse to the grimy ground once before, I’d do it again,” Spike said frivolously.



“Remember what I taught you, Leif.” The look was more vexed than angered. “Overconfidence when facing an enemy will be a downfall of any great warrior.”



Spike looked away. “Angel isn’t my enemy.”



“Then what is he?” Raven knew the answer. It had been a hundred years since he heard it, and the last time he asked it, William had replied without hesitation, looking out at something that didn’t exist. He waited anxiously for the answer.



It seemed like Spike's whole face was frowning, still looking away from his future Claimer. He looked back. “I have a date with a witch, a scarecrow and a tin-slayer about the land of Oz. Seeing as the sun is still up and about, and I don’t know if the bloody Hilton has sewer access like the eerie building of evil passed, and you came during the daylight hours." He titled his head. "My elementary tells me you happen to have that fancy glass in your car?” Even though it was a statement, more than one request was impended in it.



After a few minutes of reflection, Raven heaved an insufferable sigh. “Very well.”



Spike nodded and gave a small smile of thanks.



Silently, Raven opened the door and waved Spike out. The blond smirked awkwardly sideways at him when he was closing the door behind them. “Sure you don’t want to back out, mate? This is sugar puffs compared to what might -no scratch that- what will happen.”



Raven shrugged and walked besides Spike. Shoulders brushed occasionally as they walked down the hallway.



Spike got only one answer. “I know what I want.” They both heard the implicit question “Do you?”