Honourable Sons

---------------------- #20 ------------------------

Spike heard the key in the lock turn and felt his partner stir. He began to pull from the encircling arms but was stopped by a slight squeeze and low growl. “No sweetheart. Don’t move, just feel it, just for a moment. Stop and feel it!”

The blonde snuggled back down, eyes closed, against the chest of his maker and now mate, and let sensations take him: The profound contentment; the sense of completion, of wholeness; the sense of fathomless unconditional love pulsing through his inner core. This was the background now coloring everything in afterglow of being ‘completed’, of belonging.

As the wash of feelings subsided, he smelt salty tears and sensed a confusing range of emotions flowing from the brunette in his arms. Then noted that he too was crying… Tears of joy and sadness, highs and lows intertwined, memories and hopes mixed and confused - some fulfilled, others now deemed irrelevant.

Spike did the only thing he could conceive might help and pulled Angel’s mouth to his, kissing him passionately, soundly, lovingly, and was deeply moved as he felt his mate return the sentiments.

Connor stepped into the open door of the guestroom and politely cleared his throat.

The two vampires broke their embrace and gave their next of kin dual smiles. There was a small jolt of pleasure through the link. Spike recognized it as the response from Connor seeing his two closest relatives so very happy in each others’ arms. What surprised Spike, was the profound sense deep devotion and barely contained youthful delight permeating the link as the boy continued to smile at the tableau on the bed.

Sitting up, it was Angel who held out a hand to his son. Once it was taken, he pulled the young man down to lie on top of the covers flanked by his (apparently nude under there!) vampire relatives on both sides. Ensconced comfortably, he was soundly kissed on each cheek, by both vampires, and reassured of his place in their lives. ‘Boy lost’ became, on so many levels, ‘boy found’.

For Angel, the Sire, and now mated vampire, there was something powerful and fundamentally different transpiring. William/Spike, his eternally mated partner, had joined with him very literally, on so many levels (physically, vampirically, soulfully, emotionally)… but that now apparently meant that they shared *all* the memories of Connor, and *all* the paternal connection with the miraculous full blood… and somehow that evoked tears of joy for Angel. To share such pain and pleasure with the person to whom he was joined forever… such a privilege. The tears were shed in thanks to whoever was responsible for his son’s existence. The same tears thanked the powers for the extraordinary blonde in front of him, and tears silently begged that this time, the blessing might be one that truly lasted.

Connor felt his father’s grateful joy, watched as the brunette allowed a silent tear of happiness escape and be seen, then accepted another of his father’s chaste kisses to his forehead. He decided to lighten the mood a little, so turned to Spike.

“So what do I call you now? Technically (and ahhh, Jerry Springer moment) you’re my half brother who is now my father’s mate… soooo let’s see… could go with ‘Dad and Papa’, or how about ‘Father and Daddy Will’, or Mistress Will and …”

“You cheeky sod! I’ve a mind to exercise m’ parental rights and put you over m’ knee for a good seein’ to. Second thoughts…”

Willow and F’Iaid heard a strangled scream and flew to the doorway of the bedroom to be graced by the scene of two sets of fangs, three squirming bodies and six hands in full attack mode. Apparently all three were intensely ticklish. No sooner had one of the wriggling, giggling males tipped off the bed in pseudo agony, than he jumped back on to take advantage of his attacker. Connor seemed unreasonably ticklish on his feet, while it was obvious that Spike’s weakness was his neck. But the previously restrained, post-soul-reluctantly-tactile Angel, seemed vulnerable to these two just about… everywhere!

Willow rolled her eyes and grabbed F’Iaid by the hand, leading her out to the kitchen. “They’ll be a while honey. Trust me, Queen of the Tickle fest here, Xander and Jesse never stood a chance… Yay for small fingers and girly flexibility!” She gave her partner’s hand a squeeze, “Hee hee… it always ended in tears… the kind that happen ‘cause you can’t laugh any more. By the looks that’s already close… which is… really nice. ” Willow turned to her new lover, smiled a dazzling 'they'll be a while, come hither' smile then reached up and kissed her regal companion with such passion and warmth that she fancied feeling F’Iaid melting completely into her arms.

The redhead witch broke the kiss, tugged her sister witch by the arm, and led her to the broad couch in the lounge room to continue reducing her lovely friend to a blob of F’Iaid shaped ‘goo’.


Spike was the first of the three 'lads' to stop laughing – or strictly speaking, panting. The tickle game had fast become a domination-submission exercise only three hyperactive (quite feral!) brothers/fathers/mates/sons could come up with. The mated blonde rolled off the bed to admire his Sire/mate pinning Connor to the bed, arms locking the boy’s arms above his head, then changing to his human form to giving the still smiling youth a heartfelt, and utterly loving, kiss to the forehead. What Spike did not anticipate was the wicked grin that following, and the overly-dramatic collapse of the bigger body onto his son, along with a mirth filled grunt of “Squash*er* wins.”

The end of the game came when a still fully dressed (though somewhat disheveled) Connor took back control, virtually tossing his father off the bed into Spike’s waiting arms. Then with a smirk and a “Tag you’re it”, sprinted past them the pair, now grinning wildly, to lock himself safely in the guest en suite.

Spike shrugged, maneuvered his partner back to the bed, lay on top of him and kissed him soundly, then let the excitement of the past few minutes simply wash away in an exchange of tongues and loving touches. It was a ‘coming down’ rather than a precursor to more, and as such felt wonderfully comfortable and relaxed.


Spike paused for a moment to send a silent 'thank you' to miscellaneous deities that might have had a metaphoric hand in allowing even one moment of such quiet contentment.


Connor emerged from the bathroom a short time later to observe his two blood relatives, his true father and his father’s mated Childe, sitting with their backs against the headboard, chatting quietly. Angel had his arm thrown around Spike’s shoulders while the younger vampire held his other hand, idly stroking the fingers. The domesticity of the scene brought a loving smile to the young man’s face. For all the angst and torment and craziness that had been their lives before, this just felt right. Not wanting to interrupt he began to move to the door of the bedroom, but Spike extended his free hand. “C’mon pet, after the fun, we all deserve a bit of calm yeah?”

Connor sat on the edge of the large bed, a little unsure of his place in such an intimate scene.

Spike noted the young man’s concern, “Come here sprog”, immediately rectifying the situation by grabbing the young man’s hand and tugging until Connor had no choice but to join his ‘fathers’ against the headboard.

“Thought you might want some time… you know… alone.”

“Yeah well… just figure ‘s nicer to share the alone with family.” Spike gave his younger relative a dazzling smile.

Angel reached across Spike a little further, connecting with Connor’s shoulder and gave him a reassuring squeeze, then kissed his partner’s hair with all the gratitude that might be conveyed in such a simple move.

They sat for a few moments in silence, simply enjoying the company. Contentment was an unfamiliar and most extraordinary feeling for all three men. It ebbed and flowed through the blood link between mates and less strongly, but still present, with the son. Without conscious thought Angel began to purr.

Connor grinned and studied his hands intently, and tried not to ruin the moment by giggling at something that was obviously a ‘vampire thing’, but when the answering rumble started in Spike’s chest, he could no longer restrain himself. He laughed openly and rolled toward his father(s) noting the continued affectionate and chaste stroking happening between the two.

“That is *so* cool! You think I could purr too?”

Spike turned to give the boy a lascivious grin, “You ever had a reason to pet?”

“Gahhh! Personal or what?!! And TMI if that’s what you two… when I…” Connor tried to look shocked as he indicated the bathroom, but ruined the image of pious dismay by breaking into a knowing grin.

“Not just talkin’ bout shaggin’ you cheeky pup, ‘s about bein’… content, happy, sated.”

Connor’s expression immediately shifted to one of seriousness, affection and more than a little longing.

“You think I’ll ever feel that? You know… completely?”

“Not about complete pet, ‘s just about enjoyin’ the moment and lettin’ your body do the talking.”

“In that case, I guess right now probably comes close for me too, at least with the content and kinda happy stuff. Maybe not sated but… What?”

Spike smirked and raised a scarred eyebrow as his eyes pointedly drifted toward the bathroom door.

Connor’s sat up abruptly, “Hey! Not *everyone* jacks off whenever they wander in there!”

Angel had been silent but for the purring rumble during the entire exchange, though could not prevent a snigger at the last comment, Spike’s slightly guilty look and the jovial (if a little defensive) reply, “Oi! Not *every* time, whelp!” The blonde’s slim fingers began to repeat their tickling attack on the human.

Connor rolled into a protective ball, “OK! OK!!”

Spike ceased the wriggling fingers and petted the young human to calm the mood again. He leaned over to kiss Angel, reaffirming their mutual desire to recapture the previous peaceful moments.

“So what’s it like?”

“What’s what like?” Spike turned to stare at the boy again

“I mean I get the being in love and the whole gay thing. And I think I understand the Sire/Childe stuff. But what does the mate thing feel like?”

Angel squeezed Spike’s on the thigh and answered for them both. “It’s like… completion. Nothing can be hidden anymore, memories, thoughts, feelings, all shared willingly, unconditionally. It’s just feeling… whole, strong, loved… And now with you too…” Angel trailed off, stared into an imagined distance, and continued, “It’s like a tiny corner of what I imagine… heaven to be like…”

Overcome with the moment, a glistening tear tracked down the dark vampire’s face. Spike leaned over to nuzzle his lover’s neck, kissing and licking the claim mark, and rolling a little to press himself closer to his mate.

Angel could just touch Connor and with Spike’s move, reached over to smooth and stroke his son’s hair with a gentle hand.

“But I thought you had the whole curse thing, you know, if you were perfectly happy… and…”

“The last time Willow secured it, it was for good. No malice. No clauses. But at the time… well you were there…”

“Yeah… although Jasmine, and happy, and…”

“And it just goes to prove, but I guess things have been such a mess since then, that I never thought about it… But now…” Angel paused, withdrew his hand from Connor’s hair and pulled Spike up to place a feather-light, but no less passion filled, kiss on the beloved lips.

Connor sat up, swung his legs off the bed and turned with a genuinely affectionate smile in place. “Well, I’m really pleased for you, and for us. But you know some of the lecturers give extra credits at Stanford if I can introduce them to my gay dads.”

Angel’s looked up in horror, “They wha’?!!”

Spike used preternatural speed to retrieve a pillow from underneath himself, and soundly walloped the boy in the stomach. “Cheeky blighter!” Despite the pillow, Spike grinned into the remorseless, sparkling blue eyes with an expression that meant some more Angel baiting incidents were not altogether unwelcome.

“Well, I better head off. Congrats and all that again. See you Friday?”


------------------- 21 ---------------------------

Angel and Spike woke simultaneously, remembering the vague farewells from their witch companions the night before and registering their solo status in the apartment.

Something was very different… Spike felt vaguely tired and had an odd aching sensation in his back, not unpleasant or overwhelming, just unfamiliar. Angel felt better than he had felt for *many* months, the chronic ache and twitching muscles from waist down, all but an odd memory, the fatigue exponentially reduced. He did his best impression of a big cat stretching and enjoyed the feeling of power as his body arched, each sinew lengthened then pulled taut, and the complimentary muscles responded by drawing the strength back to his core.

Both vampires rolled toward each other, smiled and pulled into a tender embrace.

“Mo tháitnéamh thu, mo mhúrnín bán.” Angel gifted his mate with a passionate kiss accompanied by a squeeze that would have denied breath were it needed. He flexed the newly empowered muscles again and simply enjoyed the almost forgotten sensation of strength. Spike slowly realized that they were jointly experiencing the healing effects of the mating and felt the reciprocal knowledge accompanied by such a wave of adoration and thanks from his mate that he could no better hold back his tears than a tidal wave… Angel caressed the beautiful features, lifted the beautiful face until chocolate eyes met ocean blue, and kissed his mate passionately.

Angel finally pulled away, rolled from the bed and walked unaided, and with the grace and confidence of a master vampire, for the first time in almost a year. Spike remained, staring at the departing back, and allowed his own feeling of relief, joy and… wholeness, to flow through the link. The salty and slightly bloodstained tears continued to streak into Spike’s hair, now in time with Angel’s choice of music for the morning, ‘Verdi’s….Va pensiero’, and accompanied by the triumphant sound of a healed Sire singing slightly out of tune in the shower of the main bedroom.

The older vampire wandered out naked, defined muscles articulating his recovery, prominent arousal filling further as he spied Spike splayed out starfish style and free of any covers. The invitation was clear and Angel was *well*. He had the partner of his dreams in his bed ready, and was rather inclined to watch that same person writhe under him in ecstasy before the hour was out. In *vampire* ecstasy… He pounced, straddled his partner and pinned the smaller man’s wrists to the bed.

The Irish brogue slipped back easily as he leaned forward to graze the mating scar on the pale neck with human teeth. His beautiful boy, wanton and waiting, writhed at the growled invitation… “I see ya desirin’ y’re Sire back, boy. Shall I acquiesce, Will? Shall I show ya just how much y’re Master, y’re Sire, y’re Mate yearns f’r what it is y’re offerin’?” Angel leaned close to Spike’s ear and whispered, “Question is… Do ya want the vampire or the man tonight, my Will… They are both yours for the takin’.”

Aroused beyond measure, Spike’s features shifted, golden eyes sparkling with desire and excitement as he gave a deep, feral growl. Angel had his answer.

He snarled and was upon his blonde companion, fangs penetrating the pale flesh of Spike’s armpit painfully. Spike howled his annoyance and freed his non bitten arm as Angel’s grip lessened with the momentary distraction of taking blood.

Spike used the free arm to strike his partner hard in the side of the head, forcing his elder to release, but allowing a knee and arm to shove Angel onto his side. The advantage was maintained when Spike launched himself at his Sire’s chest and bit deep into the closest pectoral, as he tugged the second hand free. An outraged roar from the master vampire under him was the result. Angel retaliated, throwing his mate off the bed and half way across the room in one powerful action.

Spike felt the recovered vampire’s need to test his new found strength, so not only acceded to a full blown fist and fangs affair but positively relished it, ‘stepping up’ to give as good as he got. The violent game of attack and defense moved from bedroom to lounge, their tactics and styles of fighting were familiar to each other, and arousal increased with each counter attack.

As the sparring continued, the two figures in the room began to fight in earnest. An observer might have easily mistaken the scene for one of two great cats fighting. They snarled, struck out with blinding speed, and retaliated with an instinctive aggression and savagery that did their counterpart and their lineage proud.

Spike had easily held his own at the beginning, but found his focus on the fight increasingly difficult to maintain. He was thrilled by Angel’s obvious return to full strength, and so stimulated by the fight, that the drive to submit and enjoy the resultant adrenalin spiked coupling, was all but overwhelming.

Nevertheless, the struggle continued for almost an hour - a vicious, determined and exhilarating bout. Strangely the submission/domination of old, that which they both thought they missed or needed, gradually gave way to playfulness in the fight. An hour later, their battle had deteriorated to the point of appearing as two tiger cubs at play. The biting and growling now seemed more like a brotherly spat with no real intention of causing genuine hurt.

Eventually the biting became nipping, striking was replaced by stroking, and growling shifted to purring. Hands so eager to punish and oppress in the beginning, became instruments of reassurance, love and adoration. Finally, back in the bedroom, Angel had his partner pinned to the bed in the position that had begun the foray.

With golden eyes shining and fangs bared, both vampires examined each other. They sported bites and bruises to measure who may have ‘won the day’, but Angel chose to exchange nipping for laving, and collapsed chest to chest as laving became deep, passionate kissing.

Both vampires began the rhythmic purr even before the kiss concluded and grinned as the stereo vibrations resonated and increased. Spike felt his partner’s rock hard arousal pushing against his own, thrust up to force the friction between erections and hissed in a low tone, “ Please Sire, please… take me… need you… in me.”

Unlike days of old Angel was not about to hurt his partner by entering him dry, instead hooked the massage oil from the side table and spread it liberally around Spike’s pucker and perineum. He then slicked his own rock hard member. The sensation was almost too much for both vampires. As Spike’s legs were slung over his partner’s shoulders and a cool mouth descended in a passionate kiss, they both stilled to gain a little control. Spike then growled “Now, just do it… Now!”

Angel positioned himself with one hand, and steadied his partner’s legs with the other. He paused for a moment then drove into the barely prepared entrance with a single, harsh stroke.

Spike roared his pain and arched as much as the controlling arm across his legs would allow, then stilled as Angel began to withdraw and push back in hard. Initially slow movements, defined by pain, gave way to deeper and more determined strokes. Spike felt the burn give way to heat as some of his own blood slicked the way, and the pain moved to pleasure as the onslaught continued. He began to thrust up, each stroke by his maker met by enthusiastic hips. They continued for a time until Angel shifted slightly, and the tiny bundle of prostate nerves were contacted.

Spike roared, arched and used the leverage of his legs over Angel’s shoulders to drive back onto his partner’s shaft. Angel grabbed his smaller partner’s marble hard erection and began to stroke it in time with his own thrusts. He drove in deeper and faster until the smaller vampire’s legs resembled those of a marionette in the same position, swinging with loose abandon as the body they were attached to, was repeatedly impaled.

Angel felt his climax rising, his lips curled back as he tasted the pheromone laden air, and demanded his mate’s blood with a feral snarl. Spike bared his neck and felt his own completion begin to shoot fiery tingles up his legs toward his groin.

Razor sharp fangs found their mark and Spike groaned, and bit his maker hard. He felt a shudder from the vampire above him and had the sensation of being flushed and filled with cool liquid. He drew another draft from his Sire then arched as his own orgasm spread stream after stream of cool seed between them.

Angel relaxed onto his smaller companion, his sex and both vampires’ fangs still embedded. As the fangs withdrew, cool tongues began to lave their partners’ necks in a leisurely rhythm, causing Spike to feel the adored pressure inside his rear begin again, and his own shaft harden with delight.

He pulled away for long enough to growl, “Last time Da, then it’s my turn on top.” Angel bit hard into Spike’s shoulder and began to move again…

Sometime late afternoon, the two lay intertwined, diagonally on the bed, covered only in part by a pile of rumpled duvet and soiled sheets. Various other items of linen and all the pillows had somehow found their way to the floor. Spike woke to the insistent sound of his mobile ringing, but let the message bank do its job, preferring instead to purr his contentment and stroke the un-gelled softness of his partner’s hair… and available arm… and his now healed back… and…

The phone rang twice more before Spike finally untangled his limbs and begrudgingly found the source of annoyance.

He finally located it on the fourth ring, “Well? Speak.”

“Hey Spike… Umm… Is Dad there… It’s just…” The voice at the other end hitched and Spike felt the jolt of hurt through the link and saw his mate sit bolt upright on their bed, breathing unnecessarily with transferred fear. “It’s just that… I need your help…”

----------------- Part 22 -------------------------

Spike flicked the phone onto speaker and both the entwined vampires listened to the desperate youth with a familiar sense of dread.

“Dad… um… Hi… Um….It’s just that you said to call, you know if I was… well… contacted… and um… well… today… um… Can I come over?”

Angel’s voice was strong and resolute, “Get in a cab, we’ll pay for it. See you in a half hour.”

They heard a relieved sigh and almost whispered, “Thanks,” then the click of a phone hanging up.


Connor arrived looking red eyed and disheveled, a smallish backpack slung over one shoulder. He sported a classic full length black overcoat which looked all the more odd courtesy of the trainers, College sweatshirt and jeans underneath.

Spike didn’t hesitate, dragging the boy across the threshold and into the waiting arms of the very worried Angel.

“’S OK pet, we’ve got you now… ‘cmon folks let’s sort this over a couple of beers – or would hot chocolate hit the spot?”

Connor turned and gave Spike a relieved smile. “Think chocolate sounds good right now.”

Father and son were sitting on the balcony talking as Spike wandered out with the warm drinks, Angel noted his cup filled with red rather than brown liquid, and that thankfully Spike had forgone adding small marshmallows to his blood (grinning as his mate shot a knowing look in his direction).

Connor took his drink and sipped the rich chocolate froth with relish, “Thanks Spike.”

Spike watched the boy with interest, “How long since you’ve slept whelp?”

“Ummm day maybe two… didn’t think I should go back to the dorm. Shorty said they’d been around asking.”

“OK you might have your ol’ Da here down with your cryptic but I’m still confused… Who is they?”

“Some group of guys.”

“OK twenty bloody questions is it… Which ‘group of guys’?”

“Shorty gave me the card they left for him, told him to ring them when I came in. I guess I just got a bit scared, you know? And with Mom being sick and… Geez why is my life always such a mess! I thought that, you know… now that I find you guys, then Mom finally gets some relief, it might all … You guys believe in karma?”

“None of this is your fault Connor.”

Spike looked across at his lover and saw the expected pang of guilt reflected in the beautiful features. He reached over to gently touch his mate’s knee as he took the card from the young man, “And ‘s not your fault either, lover.”

“Jeremy Claxton, VP Recruiting? Letters after his name say he’s a lawyer… So… why’s he got you spooked pet?”

“He came with three others. Told Shorty I had applied to intern with the company he represented and he was there to hand over travel arrangements and sort out the move.”

Spike asked quietly, “Had you?... Applied I mean?”

“No way. Not with Mom still recovering! San Fran is far enough!”

“Which company was it…?” Angel and Spike both had a strange feeling they already knew the answer.

“Washington branch of Wolfram and Hart.”

“Knew it… Bloody hell!” Spike slammed down his now empty mug and stalked off to the edge of the balcony, lit a cigarette and smoked it agitatedly while staring out across the darkened skyline.

“I’m pretty sure they don’t know about you Dad… or Spike, and I’m pretty sure that Shorty wouldn’t tell them.”

“How sure?”

“Sure enough. He said the guy creeped him out, and reckoned his three mates were not your ‘usual’ suits. Anyways he just took the card and told them I was sleeping at my girlfriend’s for the night, said I’d be ‘back tomorrow sometime’. As soon as I came in, he filled me in and we rang you on Shorty’s cell from behind the 7eleven – figured four blocks from campus and… well… geez I didn’t know what else to do!

“Wolfram and Hart knew about me in LA right? But why are they moving in now… I mean… It seems all kind of odd. You destroyed them right… but then I guess… their records?”

Spike looked at his mate, “Think we should call Willow, pet. Red’s got the know-how with the Net, like to bet she can trace at least some of the goin’s on. That fails we can always call the watchers.”

“No, let’s just keep this quiet… just Willow.”

“Right.” The blonde stalked inside to contact the witch while his mate continued to calm and comfort Connor.

Several hours later F’iaid and Spike were making tea, Angel was standing at the door of the guest bedroom watching Connor sleeping, and Willow was scouring the Net for information. Wolfram and Hart, as was expected, had no easy access points for information about clients, staff or … targets. But their secrecy did not, apparently, extend to the simplest of all places, a staff newsletter article “Welcoming to our six WA branch interns for July!” Complete with photos.

It seemed that Connor’s presence at the firm was assumed, and that he was listed as being attached to their ‘Special Projects’ department, complete with college yearbook picture. Willow read through the article, the credentials of the various individuals were listed, all similar but for a line added to Connor’s that gave credence to their investigations. “Connor is currently a scholarship student at Stanford CA, who brings a unique skill set to the Special Projects area. We wish all our …..” Willow ceased reading and called for the other concerned parties… “Spike? Angel?”


The group was standing around Willow staring at the monitor. The witch’s investigations had, in the end, revealed somewhat more than the ‘welcome new employees’ message.

“It seems the LA files from W&H were all backed up - including Vail’s ‘dealings’ and all agreements made by the last CEO before the branch was closed.” Willow looked up with a combination of regret and sympathy. “They have *all* Connor’s records. Everything Wolfram and Hart has ever monitored or done to you guys there’s even a…” Spike spotted the fuzzy image of a tiny boy cradled in a leather clad arm and grabbed his partner from behind in a tight hug as ‘observation’ photos of Connor’s earliest days came up on screen.

“Find something?” A still half asleep Connor was standing at the door of the study.

It was Willow who answered with an emotion filled “Yeah.”

F’Iaid moved aside to allow the young man to stand by his father as he stared at the ‘real’ images of his early weeks of life for the first time. Angel freed one arm from Spike’s loving embrace and gently placed his arm across the narrow shoulders and kissed his son’s hair.

“You OK?... Dad?”
Angel cleared his throat and replied in a near whisper, “You’re here. You’re safe. I love you. These bastards don’t touch you again.”

Willow flicked across to some sort of access log for the site, “These files were added to just six days ago. Seven files… including most recent marks from your studies, confirmation of the W&H internship…”

Spike and Angel were awash with anxious feelings and anger flowing through the tenuous link from their youngest relative. This was not new, but for the first time, the two vampires heard a distinctly vampiric subsonic growl exuding unconsciously from the young man, and at the same time, saw the witches register what bordered on alarm, as a strong ripple of chaotic magic flowed from their young friend.

“But I don’t have anything special… well not really! I mean they…” Connor slumped, “Who am I kidding?! They know everything about me don’t they?”

The red witch answered, “It seems so sweetie… but only the ‘outside stuff’, they can never own the inside! And um… F’Iaid… can we talk?”

As the two witches walked outside Connor began to speak again. “Do they.. kind of… *own* my mom and dad? I mean were mom and dad… I don’t know…. Agents or….?”

“Definitely not!”

“Are you s…?”

“Positive! Before and after the fact! Gunn reviewed the whole deal just before we took the Black Thorn on. Your parents are not involved, they applied to foster and adopt, that’s all. What do you think they remember… really?”

“Well ummm, that I was fostered to them, then yeah …adopted, and um… that there was that stuff that went on while I was at college a couple of year’s ago with the van and all, that was kind of freaky… but um… I guess…” He stepped back, took a deep breath and continued, “You know… Shoot! I have *no* idea what my parents do or don’t know, but bottom line I *still* get a crappy allowance, don’t have a car *despite my* scholarship status, and suck at dating (which I blame on my mom since she is so into the ‘nice girl thing’ by the way!)”

Spike smirked, kept the grip on his mate and grinned at the now petulant pout sported by the young man, “Always did figure you for the ‘good boy’ in the room.”

Rather than interpreting the comment as it was meant, to calm and disarm, Connor was on a roll, so turned to his ‘step…whatever’ and growled… “Oh, and you’re so perfect!”

This time Angel and Spike both felt the violent jolt through the link, then saw it… a distinct golden flash through Connor’s pupils, and the change of his scent implying pure Aurelian (with all the history, passion, rage, primal desire and belonging that indicated.)

Before either vampire had truly processed the meaning of the shift, Willow and F’Iaid had returned looking resolute. The two witches stood at the door.

“We believe that you are only now beginning to feel the full range of your powers. Wolfram and Hart also seems aware that this might occur, so would have you in their fold, thereby binding you in some way to their will.”

Two sets of deadly yellow eyes and another sparkling occasional similar colors turned on the speakers to give a resolute (and concurrent), “No!!!”

Angel was the first to shake off his game face and growl… “Your point?”

“He must be bound, to you… if possible to the coven also… Pull his power toward family and balance. Wolfram and Hart would have the chaos of his origins take him. They would rather release a caged W&H dervish occasionally, than to ‘suffer’ a morally responsible and highly powerful warrior in the population!”

“And?? What are the implications for Connor? Come on Willow, everything comes at a price!”

“We will speak to the coven, but I cannot see a problem. Our Sussex coven has not taken a male with magical powers in for almost three centuries, however this simply reflects a trend worldwide. Men turning away from the white magicks, that sort of thing…” Spike gave Willow a look that prevented any further ‘wiccan history’ lectures. She continued, “Connor is an entirely unique individual by birth especially.”

F’Iaid took up the explanation, releasing Willow and drawing up to her full height and giving full reign to her truly charismatic presence, “It seems he is de bringer of balance, de destroyer of those who oppose it. His birth was foretold.” The dark witch turned to Connor at this point, “But your journey will not be alone. Do not mistake me. Dis is not an easy journey, but it is to be one shared by many. And we must protect you now. Dis is most important!”

Angel could not shake the newly defined ‘destroyer’ title… but fixed a determined stare at the witches and asked the more difficult question, “So you need to take him?” Angel could not stop the possessive growl emerging without warning from deep in his chest. Spike squeezed his partner tighter and Willow noted the eyes of the boy in question flashing back to deep blue, desperate and filled with tears.

“Oh Sweetie!” She released F’Iaid’s hold and made a ‘b-line’ for the youngest of their group.

Before she could offer Connor the hug she intended, however, Spike grabbed her and held her fast with all the preternatural strength that she had quite forgotten he possessed.

Voice near a growl, he spoke with precision and what bordered on terrifying menace (had Willow not known the full reason). “Now, ‘dear lady’! You said ‘family’. What ‘family’ would that be, witch… And while we are playing twenty questions… Please spell out for the three Aurelians in the room, just what that means to us *now*… What are you *not* saying?... ‘Cause me ol’ soul here is getting mighty fed up bein’ played and for the sake o’ little brother here, I’m just thinkin’ that a demon loose might speed things along a mite!”

Willow’s eyes flashed black, and her friendly demeanor evaporated for a moment. A voice of authority came from the small redhead that commanded not just the blonde, but affected all in the room by its gravity, “Back down William! You *do* not wish to threaten me. I know that you are fearful. So….”

Willow’s eyes returned to their natural green as she stepped in front of Angel, took his wrist and pushed it toward his own face, stating simply, “It’s about blood.”

As Angel bit into his own wrist, she moved to Spike and indicated to do the same. Spike complied.

Connor screwed up his nose at the mere thought of that form of exchange, but as Angel’s dripping wrist was presented up to him, Willow’s resolute look spoke the truth. It really was the only way. He was the son of vampires. What came next was unknown, but for now, he took in the familial bloodline through first his father’s crimson offering, then that of his father’s mate. This was followed by accepting the markings of Willow’s coven and F’Iaid’s line as the two witches painted complex henna symbols onto the palm of each hand.

At the conclusion of an all but silent thirty minutes of intense exchange, all parties relaxed a little.

Connor cleared his throat… “Yeah well… um… What now?”


Part 23.

“Now… we all get some bloody kip, is what!” Spike stood and made for the door. “Red… Lady F … give us a tick and I’ll sort the triple in the lounge. You whelp, get yourself back ta bed. If you’re lucky your ol’ Da there might tuck you in again.” The cheeky grin accompanying the last statement was briskly replaced by a more compassionate expression, “Things start goin’ askew, you know we’re right next door. You come… got it?” Angel caught his mate’s eye and sent a jolt of deep affection and thanks through their link.

With guests settled, the two vampires lay relaxed, limbs intertwined, idly petting each other and each quietly contemplating the events of the evening, and the history preceding them. The link was wide open with emotions flowing from one vampire to the other… They both eventually fell into a restless sleep only to simultaneously jolt to full consciousness as a pale figure emerged at the door and near terror flowed through the family link.

The voice of a young man with all the tone of frightened child broke the silence “You said I could um… Something’s doesn’t feel right… um there’s something weird happening… inside… I can feel it.”

Spike lifted the covers of the bed as a boxer clad Angel moved to make a space between himself and Spike, indicating for Connor to join them. Spike stood as Connor joined them, grabbing a pair of Angel’s sweatpants from the ground and hurriedly donning them before climbing in to flank their trembling ‘Destroyer’.

Angel looked at his mate a little quizzically as his son snuggled down under the covers. “Decorum mate, figure me eau naturale at this point… be a bit much yeah?”

Angel mouthed his thanks and sent a bolt of love through the link, not worrying if it was interpreted differently by both receivers.

Though eventually settled, all three Aurelians were still wide awake. Connor was in a loose hug face to face with his father, Spike spooning him from the back, arm over Angel’s at Connor’s hip, intended to both protect the son, and reassure his mate. Spike broke the silence, “So pet, what’s up… what’s goin’ on inside that body o’ yours?”

“It’s tingles, like used to happen in Quor’toth but worse! And every time I close my eyes… the dreams are… ?! I feel empty… I feel like my insides are missing something or I lost something… oh geez…. I don’t know?!” Connor looked pleadingly into his father’s eyes seeking, begging for an answer. Something niggled at the back of Angel’s psyche, but the look of desperation simply had him holding his son tighter and sending feelings of love and devotion through the link.

Spike, however, rolled away momentarily, stared at the ceiling, then rolled back to reach down and grab his ‘little brother’s’ wrist.

“It’s not bloody well done yet… *that’s* what’s wrong… We have to finish it!”

Angel looked incredulous, “But he drank from us?!”

“Yes…. But did we complete the cycle?!”

“No?!…” Realization dawned in Angel’s eyes, “Ohhh…. S#@t!! We *have* to fix it!”

“Too bloody right, mate! And right now – but the boy has to be willing…. Connor?”

Connor had been listening, but seemed also to be in some sort of haze. He felt all wrong, his insides seemed to be writhing and muscles all over his body twitched as though attached to some electric pulse. Externally his entire body had begun to shake uncontrollably.

“Connor!” The tone of concern from both father and mate pulled him to reality, as his two elders demanded his attention.

“We can stop this… We need to complete it. Are you willing?” The boy did as much as he was able at that moment, simply nodding and arching back so his neck was exposed to both Masters of Aurelius.

The two vampires exchanged a passionate and knowing kiss, then joined hands across the belly of their young charge and bent to mark their youngest clan member sinking skilled fangs into either side of the offered neck. They took but two or three pulls of the precious pure-blood’s life force before withdrawing and smiling knowingly. All now felt right with their world.

For Connor, the experience was beyond conscious thought. The ecstasy he felt as the pull began, the completeness… all led to an all too predictable result… Sensation caught up with bodily function and he came hard, groaning as the scent of his spending caused both his companions to grin knowingly.

Two pairs of eyes, one tropical ocean blue and the other, the color of dark chocolate, met his stunned azure gaze as Connor pulled back to reality. He felt… complete… but panicked as he recalled the last few minutes. Strong arms and kind feelings from the link attempted to quell his distress, but the agitation grew too much. He flung up and off the bed, and was crouching against the wall when both elder vampires appeared at his side to calm and placate the alarmed boy.

“I don’t know what’s… God… I feel …. It feels….” He was sitting on the floor, chin at his chest, but finally looked up in amazement, “Oh God.... it feels...??!! Right…. Balanced…. Oh Da! Spike?! Please…. Please…”

The young man lifted now golden eyes to meet those of his ‘parents’’ game faces, and to all their surprise, drew his top lip back to reveal slightly elongated canines, definitely of the vampire variety… Connor seemed to glow all over with a rich crimson color apparently from within, and had hair pulled outward by the static of magic. And yet the beautiful androgynous features were unchanged – no vampire ridges or odd coloring.

Both his elders had the same reaction. The boy was stunning, he was whole, he was more than before. Angel, Spike and Connor had completed the cycle… and they had *no* idea what he was now…. But his father and mate loved him and sent that same emotion concurrently, and so strongly, that all three fell back onto the bed to entwine and rest, satisfied that all was more than well for now.

F’Iaid and Willow stirred abruptly feeling a jolt as the final bonding finished, and though it took a moment, both realized some profound change had just occurred. The aura and feeling was one of peace, Willow snuggled down, placing lazy kisses over her dark princess’s left breast and promptly went back to sleep, head resting on the taller woman’s shoulder.

The dreams were violent, disturbing, and shared. Son and father(s) woke simultaneously, golden eyes blazing and ready to protect what was ‘their own’. Instead of killing, however, all three males sank down into a conciliatory embrace.

The images were historical, from memory and, more disturbingly, predictive and bloodlusty in nature.

As they awoke, all three acknowledged the protective embrace the two senior vampires had instinctively formed around Connor, and also felt the change… The protection and safety afforded was justified it seemed. Connor was the first to speak, despite emerging from the tight embrace of his fathers and far too many layers of covers to do so.

Both vampires scented the air and hugged their charge even tighter.

“I’m changed now aren’t I?”

Spike answered, “Yeah pet, seems that way.”

“What am I now? I mean… I only just found out that I was a freak and now??!!”

“You were *never* a ‘freak’ dear heart, I know you… always the extraordinary person… utterly extraordinary….” Angel trailed off in his explanation, caught up in the desperation and longing pushing through the link and evident in the words… Spike took up the argument… “Do ya think that every Olympian ever felt normal? Or Beckham? Or Mozart? (and if you quote me on the last one I *will* have to kill you!!) but you get my drift…. ‘Normal’ is a fallacy and lord knows *who* wants to be average! Pet *I* was an ‘average’ poet… and thank your dad for sorting that lot out!”

At this point Angel interjected, “He was also well spoken and extraordinarily attractive and educated and… and…”

“Yeah yeah…” Spike grinned at his partner then slapped Angel affectionately and continued, “ An’ me ol’ sire here thought I was a bit pleasin’ to the eye so…. Hmmm the rest is history… But the bottom line for you, Young One, is that you need family right now… the rest we can work through… yeah?”

His answer was a resolute hug from his mate’s son and a response mumbled into his chest, “I know why Dad loves you… you’re the ‘lovable bastard.’”

Spike’s indignant reply gaining a smile from both father and son as the Victorian William shone through, “Oi mate, who’s callin’ who a bastard. Legitimate in the extreme… and I’ll have you know…” In the final argument Spike had dropped all pretence of the ‘guttersnipe English’ and reverted to his upper-crust roots. Realizing the slip, his only response was to leave the bed and retreat to the bathroom with a resolute, “Oh and congratulations to the pillock in the room.” Leaving both his companions confused as to whom he was speaking (possibly including himself!).

Temporarily alone, Angel turned to his son…

“Are you OK with this?”

“Umm… I guess… but… Geez! How do I tell my folks? And what else is there, effects-wise I mean? Am I gonna be looking at my friends’ necks? C’mon dad… what??”

The desperate look in his son’s eyes left Angel feeling utterly inadequate, so like parents the world over, he did the only thing he could think of, pulled the boy into a tight hug and reiterated his love.

Spike reemerged quickly as genuine distress began to flow through the link. The blonde vampire simply moved to the bed to pet his younger relative and reassure his Sire as much as was possible.

It was F’Iaid’s emergence at the door that pulled them all from a natural trail of hurt and regret.

“Da young Master is a full blood, da first of his kind for a t’ousand years. I see you have completed da ritual.”

Spike turned to the door, unwittingly throwing game face in place as protective instinct overrode decorum, “What *bloody* ritual would that be witch!”

F’Iaid looked un-phased even as her red headed partner joined her, enveloping her from behind in a loving hug.

“You may still need to train him, but he is indeed a full blood Master. He may walk in the sun, have a beating heart, and all the advantages of human form… but he also carries da blessing of darkness. Now it can be exploited, or properly used. Do not take dis as a given Connor… Da coven will protect you and train you but… you must ask for it!"


------------- Part 24 ----------------------

Connor pulled away from his father’s protective embrace, sat up and began to pick at the bedspread. The two vampires detected his heart rate racing even before the jolt of anguish came crashing through the link again, “I can’t move from Mom while she’s sick! So the … well the whole intern thing… and the coven thing and…. Far out!! I just can’t go!… It doesn’t matter about the reason!”

Willow stepped forward to lean over the bed… “Hey sweetie, no one’s asking you to! The coven is here… F’Iaid and I are here… Leave the details to us. We’ll sort the internship on compassionate reasons and push for some ‘credit courses’ to be taken externally if you need a makeup. Simple!”

Willow looked less convinced than she sounded, but it was enough for now.

“But… can you test me… I mean…” Connor looked pleadingly from Willow to F’Iaid and back. “The “Master” thing is all just well…. What is the Master thing!? Do people have to like… call me that? And what’s with the fangs? And ….” A silent tear filed its way down the young man’s cheek as his voice dropped to a whisper, “God….. I was always a freak…. But now with the biting and the glowy and ….”

Willow moved to sit on the bed beside the young man but Spike was faster, reclaiming his side of the bed and embracing the young man in time to catch the hitched sob. “Hey… pet… And by the way and just for the record I will not be callin’ you ‘master’ unless you have a certificate from some kinky club!”

Connor couldn’t help himself, snorted a little then laughed openly at the thought. The laugh was welcome and seemed the first in what seemed a very long while. Spike pushed his luck, poked his Aurelian protégé still pressed against his true father’s side, and grinned in full game face, “Show us your fangs then?”

Connor received a jolt of excitement and pride through the link, and was aware that it sent a jolt of adrenalin through his system, followed by the shift… Fangs dropped, eyes became golden and attuned to the night, and a previously ‘more than human’ felt an odd sensation of being not just fast and strong, but he felt hyper aware, on edge waiting to spark into action. Since the melding of his old and new memories, and the revelation regarding his physical powers, he had always just felt… the odd one out. He was unable to share any of his memories or test his limits until he met his father(s) again but even then, felt slightly disconnected. Grounded, that was the word. He was definitely connected and grounded… with everything now.

Willow smiled, remembering the first time she truly experienced the magic, the life-force of the earth flow through her. Watching Connor’s crimson aura fire once more she moved, hugged her Lady and smiled into the enigmatic dark face, conveying all the love and gratitude she could in the one look.

Connor took the time to feel his canines with a tentative tongue and wondered just what his newly improved senses might reveal, if only to observe their current abode. Then he wondered at the euphoric, tingly ‘grounded’ feeling that seemed to have permeated every cell in his body. But a niggling feeling of urgency edged at his conscience…. something was still missing. He dismissed it for the moment and turned to Spike then to his father, “So fangs and no ridges, but I guess a night vision thing?....Are my eye’s like yours too?”

Angel smiled, “My beautiful boy.” He kissed his son on the forehead but Spike still scented confusion and worry on the younger man. Now in game face, he instinctively pulled his Sire’s wrist toward Connor, scratching and drawing blood as he pressed it to the boy’s mouth. Without thought Connor bit through skin and muscle to source the arterial blood, then left the wrist as Angel pulled Connor toward him, arching his neck back and allowing the boy to take from his throat. After two or three draws of the rich blood of his father he withdrew, the wound healing as he watched.

Connor rolled to look with some confusion at his audience. Without hesitation Spike offered his neck also and Connor obliged, biting down with a groaned sigh. It felt right, did not feel odd or weird, nor did this need for blood seem to extend beyond the three of them. *Love* *Love* *Love* came through the link in time with his drawing of the precious familial blood.

Spike and Connor began to giggle simultaneously as the pulse continued… Angel looked puzzled until Spike began to sing quietly, and was joined a few bars later, in harmony, by his young companion, both with fangs still exposed dripping Spike’s blood… “*Love* *Love* *Love*” the Classic Beatles song from the late 60’s, oddly timed to match the emotional pulse. Angel threw his head back and laughed hard, realizing it had been his doing that a virtual chant was flowing as he watched Connor feed from his blonde relative.

Willow tugged F’Iaid forward until the two witches sat on the end of the bed just as the singing stopped. Connor sat up, drawing his knees close, and turned a serious gaze on his witch friends.

“So… I’m a full blood, I get that. And now I’ve even got the fangs to prove it…. and family blood is well, pretty amazing, I get that too… and the whole glowy thing is just kind of, well… weird I guess, ‘til I find out what that… um, it… kind of, does…but you said foretold?…. *What* is foretold? I mean … *so* not wanting the whole hero gig…”

Willow looked a little sad, “Sweetie you were created to bring balance. The special one who can truly straddle the world of demon and human, ultimately you will command in both realms. But this is a gradual thing honey. You will learn the magic and control from us, and the lore and fighting from your fathers, and stay grounded in the normal human world with your other family.
You won’t do this alone. But hey…. You wanted testing right?”

Connor suddenly brightened. “Now?”

“Well If you think you’d like to…”

Connor looked at Spike and Angel, grinned, then literally sprang off the bed, pulling on clothes as he near flew into the lounge room. Willow and F’Iaid stood to follow as Spike leaned over to his mate, kissed him then smiled, “Ah the exuberance of youth.” As he promptly found his clothes from the previous night and followed the others into the lounge room.

Angel grumbled good naturedly as he joined them at a more leisurely pace, “So says my one and a half century old, hyperactive Childe!”


Willow had her laptop open and was ready to record some of their results when Angel stayed her hand and gently closed the computer. “No records…. Please… we will know. He will know. That is enough.”

Willow looked a little dismayed but nodded her agreement.

Connor wanted to begin, “So what’s first?”

“Well, I thought we could do the basic five senses and maybe the vampire senses too I guess. Do you notice any change in your hearing?”

Connor stilled. He could certainly hear the city noises: the rumble of traffic; dogs barking; the occasional slamming of a door; the faint sound of a television. He was fairly certain that it was augmented but as his focus returned to the room in which they stood, it was the sound of two distinct heartbeats, as well as his own, that marked the change.

“I can hear your heartbeats.”

Willow’s eyes widened “Wow… well um that’s good right?! So what can you smell?”

“Red, boy already had a fine instrument there. Perhaps I can suggest a more robust trial than us all staring at the lad waiting for him to spot the bloody difference.”

Willow’s hands went to her hips, “What do *you* suggest Spike?!*

“A hunt.”

Connor was the first to react. “What?”

Willow echoed the sentiment, “What?”


“Lad wants testin’, so let him hunt…. Well me o’ course – and don’t look at me like that you silly bint! I go, he chases. Few hours max. Sunrise… Don’t fancy meself taking a ride in a dearly departed ashtray!” Spike stared hard at Willow. “Boy’s a natural hunter, or was at least. Best way for him to know difference will be a hunt.”

Willow caught the approving eyes of F’Iaid, and was just beginning to nod as Spike leaned over to Angel, whispered something, grinned and kissed his mate, then took off at a sprint, leaping the balcony rail, and landing somewhere below to disappear into the night.

Connor realized the challenge felt a jolt of excitement through the link, and flashed yellow eyes and a feral grin complete with new fangs, as Spike hurtled into the darkness. His audience heard a faint. ‘Bye’ as he hurdled the balcony barrier after his quarry.

Willow saw the worried expression on Angel’s face and squeezed her dark witch’s hand. F’Iaid leaned toward Angel, speaking in a near whisper, “Follow them.”

Angel turned smiled and instantly shifted to game face then took off in the same direction as ‘his boys’.

F’Iaid turned to her redhead and as she began to caress the beloved face with feather light touches, she simply stated, “It will be a good night for dem all.”

-------------- Part 25 ----------------------

Spike could sense his younger relative too easily through their familial connection and shut it down as best he could.

The boy was fast, he gave him that, but Spike had a hundred and thirty or so years on the lad, so planned on a merry chase.

He sprinted toward the water, flashed as quickly as he dared through elegant streets, then back tracked up the hill until he found himself passing by the University grounds. He turned into the first side street that led onto the campus, figuring Connor would at least slow as there seemed to be a few late night student ‘stragglers’ still around.

Some buildings were lit attractively, though he moved to the shadows, aware of the campus security that seemed necessary in all such public areas of late. Even the local cemetery had it’s own ‘guard’ as Spike had found out some month or so ago – though like his Sunnydale counterparts, the officer was apparently oblivious to the ‘nether world’ and more interested in his thermos of coffee than noticing an ensouled master vampire.

Taking the central green belt through the university, he eventually headed back down the hill, passed various Libraries and the Life Science building, then was struck by an unusual smell. The crunch underfoot was unwelcome but the strong aroma of eucalyptus was… a hoot! As he ran, he leapt to grab some fresh leaves from the foreign trees and began to crush them in his hand, sniffed deeply and finally sprinted off the campus and on into the night.

Connor was hard on Spike’s heels – or so he thought! He had not really figured on the vampire risking a ‘campus run’ at this time of night, and it certainly led him to step a little more cautiously. He slowed to a walk through the main pathways, realizing that he had every reason to be allowed there…… were he to have his student ID, and a friend on campus, or he knew who which band or movie had been playing tonight and… or… and…. ? Dismissing all risk of being stopped and questioned, he opted to match Spike’s behaviour, Connor took to the shadows, scented the air and headed in the direction of his prey.

Arriving in the eucalypt grove, Connor stopped, the scent had all but disappeared, though he could still find a trace. He stared at the ground and realized for the first time, just how extraordinary his night vision had become, though noted with some consternation that his fangs had dropped also. With no time to worry about his visage or otherwise, he followed the distinct track of scuffed footprints in the fallen leaves to the edge of the Glade, then took a punt.

He pushed the link a little, receiving a welcomed ‘mental hug’ from Angel who was obviously in pursuit but still some distance away. This was Connor and Spike’s game, but he was surprisingly relieved to discover his father had determined to follow.

Pausing at the sweeping driveway of the western entrance of Berkeley UC, Connor locked down the link and tried sniffing again. He quietly damned sealed roads but scented the wind again. Amidst the night smells, there was a definite smell of gum leaves, cigarettes, old leather and good whiskey, that could only mean Spike.

He took off at a sprint heading down the hill but then doubled back. Regardless he kept well to the shadowy side of any street when possible, acutely aware of his own speed and the rather ‘odd’ activity he was engaging in. Something in the back of his mind niggled and he switched to pure hunter’s instinct. He headed north, under a freeway and on, only slowing as he felt rather than saw the cemetery.

Traveling purely on his inner sense he headed for high ground… the ‘Millionaire’s row’ and perched on the peak of one particularly accurate version of the Egyptian pyramids, scanned the vista below. The San Fransisco skyline was just visible as he turned to sight down the row. Then he saw…. Spike’s game face was evident, grinning at him, two mausoleums away.

“Well done whelp!” With that the vampire dropped into darkness, leaving his young relative confused and enormously frustrated. Connor flung himself in the direction of the fleeting scent with an almighty growl and preternatural speed.

As he approached the main function building, he slowed, scented the air again, extending his hearing range, and scanning the area. Nothing. He relaxed for a moment and reassessed. Sniffing the air again he was utterly focused on catching rather than just finding Spike.

He collapsed forward as an assailant dropped onto him. Initially his face was pressed unawares to the dirt, but his instinct kicked in. Spinning from front to back then flipping into fighting stance, Connor turned to what he had assumed would be the blonde vampire. Instead it seemed a bizarre cross between dog, panther, circus clown and monkey… with teeth, talon like claws and a more than adequate amount of saliva.

Realizing that this was a game no longer, Connor swung into Quortoth mode with little thought, spun and with a low sweep of his leg, upended the creature. Instantly realizing he was short of weapons, the young man wrenched a headstone from its resting place and pounded the creature until it no longer moved.

Still panting, Connor turned swiftly listening, scenting and scanning the area for fear of companions of his assailant. Satisfied, he turned to begin his hunt for Spike once more but heard the heard the slow clapping coming from his original prey.

“Ho, very nice! Encore….”

“You *bastard*….. You led me here then what? Watched??? I thought you…..?!” Connor watched as the vampire dropped effortlessly from a crypt roof and smiled enigmatically.

“Your chase, your prerogative mate….. Wanna take out a couple ‘o nasties along the way is fine by me…… But……” Spike held his arms open and grinned, at the same time opening the link again. “Congratulations, Ya found me!”

Connor was still caught in a swirl of adrenalin and endorphins, induced by both the chase and the fight. He launched himself at Spike and they sparred in earnest, this time uninterrupted as several local nasties recognized the snarls of two Masters in battle and gave them a wide berth.

Their styles were both martial arts borne of street fighting, experience and good training. Connor’s increased speed and strength a surprise to him, and took a little adjusting to. Regardless, Spike still had the advantage of years. The bout eventually became one of a friendly spat between family members, punishing blows traded for lighter taps, proof of the upper hand rather than any intent to injure.

By the time Angel arrived the two were leaning against a headstone, Connor breathing heavily and Spike looking tired but breathing from habit rather than need.

He grinned at his boys as he approached, “Anyone win?”

“Not the point Luv.”

Connor stared daggers at Spike, “What?!”

“C’mon pet…. Was all about you sortin’ the physical changes….. The new improved Master Connor. And you bloody well liked it, I can tell. We need to get you a girl mate or you a switch hitter like your nearest and dearest?” Both vampires grinned as Connor covered his obvious arousal.

“Feed, fight and f#$%...... Ho yeah, you are your Da’s son alright.” Spike pushed away from the headstone slapped the young man’s backside hard then took off in the direction of home at a dead sprint. Connor roared indignantly and sped after him. This time Angel grinned, decided to test his recovery a little, and was very pleased to discover that he kept pace all the way back to the apartment.

Leaping onto the balcony, he stopped abruptly behind two motionless men. All three could hear a moan and detect female arousal from within.

Spike grinned knowingly at the other two, “Oi, Nice night to star gaze don’t you think? How’s about we sit this out and let the ladies have their moment.”

--------- PART 26 -------

Spike promptly sprawled across one of the outdoor lounges and signaled his mate to join him. As Angel claimed Spike's mouth then covered him with his body, Connor's fond smile acknowledged his ease with his unusual `other' family as he took the broad chair opposite.

Angel eventually rolled off his mate and Spike turned to his younger relative, "So sprog, what's the verdict? Got yourself anythin' new apart from inheritin' the family choppers?"

Connor was caught up in his own thoughts and now simply stared at a point on the windows behind the two vampires. Angel rolled further onto his side and both vampires looked at his son with some concern, "Connor? You OK?" Connor remained silent and unmoving.

Spike put a hand on Angel's arm and sent calm and love through their link. "Pet? Your ol' Da here is getting' worried, you gonna chat to us or shall we be done with it and name you as the outdoor sculpture we always meant to have?"

Connor snapped to the present. "Sorry um… just that… I don't know, it's all kind of … ummm It just feels a bit muddled I guess."

Spike was idly rubbing small circles on Angel's back, "Well, just start with the easy stuff pet… the fangs are new… what else did you feel when you were hunting?"

Connor leaned forward elbows on his knees and absently picked at his nails as he started to speak… "Hearing… that's the first thing… could always hear my own heartbeat but now it's like every sound is a living thing…. And I can tune in to one person…. And smell… could always track well but now it's like I can… well… tell what someone is thinking… just by their smell…" He trailed off but both vampires grinned, fully aware of the acute senses they were also privy
to. "Night vision is better than before, speed is about the same and the link you know about, but there's also…. I just feel like I need…. I um…. Need…. Ghhhaa…." At this point Connor broke off, distress permeating the link in waves. Angel and Spike moved as one, flanking their young relative in a three way, loving embrace.

"What is it son? We're here to help …. What can we do?"

Spike realizing the boy's problem, grabbed Angel's wrist, stared knowingly at his mate and bit down hard, then pulled his partner to kneeling in front of Connor so the bleeding wound pressed hard to the boy's lips.

Connor's fangs dropped, his eyes changed, and he drank as tears flowed. Spike stroked the shoulder length, light brown hair as though to calm a wild animal. " `S OK pet, `s OK… Just family that's all, need family…." Spike tore open his own wrist and replaced Angel's with his own.

Connor eventually groaned, pulled away and sniffed, "Oh Gohh! I still need… " He arched his own neck back and was rewarded by his two elders sliding their own fangs into their marks once more and pulling gently on the subtly changed blood.

His two elders pulled off after only a few mouthfuls, enough to reaffirm the familial link but not enough to weaken their boy.

"I have to go back to campus sometime don't I… and those guys will still be…"

"Told you pet, Willow's fixin' it soon as she and her lady finish their 'meeting' I imagine. Reckon she might even wangle a bit of a break in your studies, give you some time with your Mum."

"No."

"What?"

"No! She wouldn't want that, I mean she wants me close but… They're really proud of me Spike, I can't drop out now! I just don't want a part of any 'evil empire'! I mean hello, doing Economics and Arts double major… I just figured…" Connor slumped into his chair, "Just figured I would be invisible, you know."

"Not with bloody brilliant results mate."

"Wha..? How did you know?"

Spike raised an eyebrow in such a fashion as to imply a patronizing comment, then simply said, "Willow."

"So what? I'm supposed to fail? What?!!!"

"Not what I'm sayin' pet. Just that you will always be high profile, you're a very bright lad, good looking to boot (no accountin' for that)" Spike grinned and earned himself a slap from Angel who had been noticeably quiet during the whole exchange, "and in demon terms you're the only full blood in the Aurelian (or any other line) for near a thousand years."

"Geez, way to make a guy feel better… not!"

"Haven't finished, pet. Your ol' Da here is head o' the Aurelian line and has a favour or two to call in, I reckon. We'll keep you safe from the demon crew, you sort your school, and we'll let Red work the mojo and the red tape to keep you here with your folks and safe. Couple of decent warding spells should sort any nasties out when it comes to your frat house." Spike squeezed his partner's hand, indicating the need for 'the Father' to complete the discussion, Angel took the hint.

"You are always welcome here Connor. Anything you need *Anything, Anytime* No questions. I'm here, *we're* here for you."

"And in the meantime… we need to train that skinny arse of yours!"

Connor finally smiled a little, then gave Spike a cheeky grin worthy of William the Bloody on his best day, "Only if it's worth the effort and you oldies aren't as slow as tonight!"

"Why you little…!" Spike shot out of his partner's embrace, but Connor had vaulted the balcony again and was off into the night.

Both vampires took chase.

Several hours later, the three knocked on the front door of the apartment. Willow answered, barely stifling a giggle as the three men all but fell into the hallway, apparently exhausted.

Spike pushed his Sire toward their bedroom and tugged Connor in the direction of the kitchen as a bemused Willow followed. "So… where did you guys go?"

"Out, then back here, then out… But you were busy for the back here so…"

Spike noted the crimson blush spreading down Willow's person and the knowing (if a little embarrassed) smile.

"Oh Goddess…. Vampire hearing?"

"Vampire everything, luv… congratulations. Can't think of a lovelier couple."

Willow moved to Spike and hugged him hard, whispering, "Thanks – she *is* wonderful isn't she."

"That she is pet, now let me feed the lad, get me ol' Sire some O pos and let's us all find some shut eye shall we?"


---------- Part 27 --------------

Connor remained blissfully asleep as Willow padded quietly down the hall and stood expectantly at the door of her hosts. She smiled at the tableau they presented, two beautiful male bodies as one in their repose, entirely relaxed, intertwined, the epitome of longtime lovers.

Spike stirred first as always, kept the link quiet as he frowned a little at the intruder to their sleeping quarters, then followed her to the kitchen. En route he noted the tense shoulders and fists clenching the edges of her oversized t-shirt come nightgown.

“’Sup Red?”

Willow stepped close to the vampire. “I think I know why they want Connor.”

“What …? Oh? OK… An’ here’s me thinkin’ y’ just paid us a visit t’ see me gorgeous self minus me daily attire.”


“So..??” Spike leant idly against the pantry wall as Willow moved to set the electric kettle and make tea. She kept her hands busy for a moment then stilled. This was too important.

The next part came out all at once. “I-think-that-they-want-to-breed-from-him!!”

Spike turned on her instantly in game face though uncannily calm. “They were goin’ to what?”

Despite her power, experience and friendship with the vampire Willow squeaked a little before breathing hard and repeating the message. “They are intending to breed from him…. Oh Godess Spike…. I suspected and then when I …. Spike there are plans… a farm of sorts… a harem…. drugs to keep all the subjects ‘pliant’…. stimulants that would assist the ‘follow-up’ sessions…. They even have four slayers on their list of ‘prospective mothers’! And Dawn….”

Spike was immediately in game face, yet Willow still saw the flash of pain and worry fly across the vampire’s features. Despite the predator’s fangs and threatening snarl, Spike looked like a worried parent and tired spouse. The vampire stilled for a moment and lost a little control over the link. Angel stirred as a result and headed for his mate, though thankfully Connor simply rolled restlessly in his bed and remained asleep.

Willow was in the middle of pouring a chai tea for both herself and her favorite blonde when Angel emerged at the door. The larger vampire snaked a loving arm around his mate, pressed his entire body against Spike’s, then nuzzled the neck of his mate with an affectionate purr. Spike’s lack of response was all telling. Scenting his mate’s extreme distress and detecting Willow’s accelerated heartbeat, Angel stepped back from his ministrations, spun his partner and demanded in a more formal tone than was usual, “Childe?”… He noted the distress on Spike and Willow’s faces, “Hmm, it is our full blood son no doubt. What is amiss?.... Spike?”

The fact that this was truly a ‘family’ matter did not escape Willow, nor did the deference the blonde gave his mate under such strained circumstances, “They, bloody Wolfram and Hart, they… are planning on breedin’ from Connor, Sire.”

Angel stared from the witch to his mate and back. “The legend of the day-walkers…. Idiots!! They have *that* wrong for a start!.... Oh….” Angel turned to welcome their wiccan friend, “F’iaid…. Apologies… I’m sure we woke you?”

“I am honored to be included…. And I wake when my partner is absent.”

Willow smiled then took her F’Iaid’s hand to kiss it, “There is a way forward. But before I recommend it I need to… ummm… is Connor still asleep?” Both Angel and Spike checked through their link and more traditional ‘heartbeat’ methods. The two nodded in unison.

“Connor’s situation is unique… Wolfram and Hart are oblivious of your continuing existence, by all accounts, so their assessment of Connor is independent of any contact he has had with you and I must say, the information they have on him is historical mostly and the recent material is rudimentary at best.”

“Channeling your inner Giles, Red?” Spike’s attempt to lighten the mood fell rather flat, but Willow’s “Indeed,” accompanied by a cheeky grin, before returning to her previous serious demeanor gave him the impression that at least one person had appreciated the effort.

“He needs to be paired…. And paired with someone strong enough to….” Willow faltered and fell silent, taking refuge in her partner’s arms for a moment.

“Strong enough for what, Witch? What haven’t you told us?!” Spike was suddenly *very* serious and not only his eyes burnt amber but also Angel’s.

Surprisingly, it was the older vampire who fielded the question. Angel’s voice was almost a full purr, “He must take a consort strong enough and worthy of carrying the pure Aurelian line.”

Spike reacted as expected, “Oh brilliant!!.... What are we?..... The princess and the bloody pea???! Well sod that….. and sod the Grimm brothers…” He pointed directly at Willow and F’Iaid, “And sod every other bloody fiction writer, and every bloody wiccan and seer while we’re at it …. Anyway… how soon?! And where the *hell* does *any of this* leave our lad here?!” The blonde vampire moved to throw an arm around his Sire spelling support, camaraderie and familial connection in the simple move, “ ‘Cause our boy ain’t deservin’ of any purgatory! He’s not a ‘test case’ for any humans, or a bloody ‘golden child’ for the demon world to play with! We can’t marry ‘im off to some unknown blue blooded bint like some royal marriage of convenience… We’d be no better than the other lot!!!” Spike continued staring sightlessly in an act of open appeal to the bathroom ceiling as though it might provide the answer. “We owe nothing! Connor certainly owes *noone* C’mon Willow… F’Iaid…. How…??”

“Nothing will be forced. But Connor *must* partner.”

“Oh bugger that! What?” Spike stared at Willow and F’Iaid gold rimmed eyes. “Ol’ Da and me here need to start advertising? ‘C’mon down if you would like to marry, BYO demon dowry?”

“He had already partnered.” Angel’s look of distress seemed to span well beyond their current conversation, then whispered quietly to Spike, “Cordy.”

Spike felt an overwhelming sense of anguish and grief through the link and gasped at the ferocity of the emotions. Despite his rapid improvement of health, Spike knew his Sire was far from fully recovered and carrying the grief of losing all but two of the people he had ever cared for in the last battle and the year preceding it bore heavily

“Cordy died pet. We both know that…. She said goodbye to you…”

F’Iaid was not so conciliatory, “Her pairing with Connor was an aberration, initially from the desperation of two lost people in the midst of an apocalypse, but utterly driven by the opportunist other world entity she carried… the one that killed her and drove your son to ….”

Angel was on his feet in game face, pain obvious even in the feral features and tears beginning to run from amber eyes. His partner matched his state of distress, finally rising to confront his two wiccan friends … Willow in particular, “Back off!.... Enough with the past, witch!... You’re upsettin’ me ol’ sire….. What is it the lad has to do!? ‘Cause I for one am *not* playin’ matchmaker!”

“There is no need.” F’Iaid was calm as ever but squeezed her redheaded friends’ hand as she noted high anxiety around the room.

“Waddya mean no bloody need!?? You just said yourself the lad, needs marryin’ off or some sod from a law firm is gonna show up to do it for us!”

“What’s going on? Dad? Willow?” Connor was standing at the door looking decidedly disheveled and rather puzzled.

Willow took a deep breath then stepped back into the foray grabbing Angel’s right hand and Spike’s left she gave them both a squeeze and looking across to their young friend quietly stated, “Can I have a moment with Connor please? I think this will work out…..” Angel and Spike nodded reluctantly.

Willow was more than aware of the serious task at hand, and of the waves of anxiety now rolling from the young man whose hand she grasped. Tugging Connor she led him out of the apartment and onto the lawn below their balcony. She stopped just before a large oak and pulled Connor to sit beside her on the gentle slope. Willow watched with more than a degree of empathy as the now worried and rather miserable young man slumped beside her.

She squeezed his already tense hand as a sign of support as soon as they began to relax onto the grassy spot, then waited.

Connor’s voice was strained, far huskier and higher than usual, as he addressed the wiccan.

“So I heard the last part… Willow I’m just a guy… with some… unusual parents… Ahhh Geeez! What am I? Some sort of prize bull for the demon world?!”

Willow quickly grabbed the young man’s hands then pulled him into a warm hug. She kissed his hair and whispered… “Oh Sweetie! Nothing like that! No!.... But…”

At the last statement Connor pulled from her grasp scrambling backwards in an attempt to escape and deny the words. Willow simply reacted as she might with a frightened child, remaining on the ground and speaking in quiet, consoling terms.

“No honey….. No! But you may have to choose a partner who also has a magical or demon heritage. Just to be on the safe side… but you knew that already, didn’t you.” Willow leveled a knowing stare at the youth.

“Um… well yeah… I guess. Kind of hard to get with the whole my real Dad’s a vampire gig without that and… um… Listen… I *do not* want a girlfriend with scales or a tale! Geez!!!” Connor spun and leveled decidedly golden eyes on the elder wiccan.

“This is not about that sweetie,” Willow looked as the innocent Willow of high school for a moment, but there was a feel of magical power that accompanied her presence and Connor’s real nature responded to it. His eyes turned yellow as he growled… “So what is it about exactly?”



----------- Part 28 ---------------------

“Have you dated before?”

“Before what? The memory wipe thing… well yeah even *you* must know that… Oh geez!” Connor sank to his knees, took a deep breath and stared up at the ceiling, “It wasn’t like… um… Cordy and I.. we were both scared and confused and…”

The young man jumped to his feet stomping away, then whirled to level the witch with a yellow infuriated gaze and growled in a tone worthy of any Master Vampire, “We were being played… I mean she was *Dad’s* girlfriend but they had that chance ripped away… and I was… We thought we were going to die!” At the final statement, the aggressive front suddenly dropped and Willow was faced with a vulnerable young man.

Connor continued quietly the sense of mourning, as yet unresolved, quite evident in the tone. “She was *so* nice and warm and… and then it all went to hell.” A blood tinged tear tracked down his pained features as his voice dropped to a near whisper. The pain through the link was escalating even though the vampires had tried to let Willow deal with the young man.

“That’s me isn’t it… I’m not *in* hell, I *cause* it! I *embody* it! F#%&!!! I never saw it before! Is that why Mom is sick? Did I do that too? Will I do it to everyone around me? …..I can’t do this, I just can’t… Where’s Angel or Spike… They can drain me, finish it, return the family blood and then…”

Angel and Spike near flew from the balcony above, landing on the ground near the tree simultaneously just as Connor began to escape from Willow’s discussion point. He was in full flight as he hit his father in the chest, but luckily the weight of Spike behind the elder vampire meant the impact became an all embracing hug and grounding move for the distraught young man. Connor’s instinct took over as tears began to flow anew. He nuzzled his father’s neck and Spike, who was still behind his Sire in an embrace, saw the small fangs drop. Knowing Angel’s continuing recovery was still at risk with too much blood letting, he pushed his wrist at the young man and winced as the full blood bit down hard and drew desperate drafts.

Safe in his father’s embrace, and placated by the blood of family, though apparently only semi aware of his surroundings, Connor gradually relaxed. Spike withdrew his wrist and licked the wound closed. He reached around his Sire with the unwounded arm and petted them both in turn. Angel leaned back, licking over his wonderful partner’s ear with gentle affection, whispering “I love you more every day… Thank you.” The kick of adoration through the link added to Connor’s calm.

Oblivious to the male trio, Willow had retreated to the quiet attentions of her new partner.

“Can we find someone for him?

“I know not dear lady”

“What are the parameters… C’mon F’Iaid … we need to help… who are we looking for?”

“Gender is important.”

“What?”

“For procreation, gender is an issue.”

“Oh…. So procreation is the aim of the coupling… Goddess that is *so* unfair! I mean… us and Angel and Spike and… what if he doesn’t… F’Iaid… what if he doesn’t ‘swing that way’?”

“Then he must take a female consort and a male lover. The imperative is… the continuation of the line. The Aurelian, ensouled line…. It is unique, a thousand years since the last pure blood at least, but the sharing with an ensouled father and mate… never. He *must* have children.” F’iaid kissed her friend gently on the forehead.

“But now Connor has fangs… surely he can..?” Willow looked genuinely puzzled.

“He could make a childe and will probably do so many times over, but the prophesy demands a natural pregnancy. A child of a full blood master, carried and born, not made.”

“So who? C’mon F’Iaid… I know you know!” Willow’s resolve face was leveled at her partner.

“It cannot be a slayer, and without another pure blood female… a vampire is impossible. It must be a human with some connection to magic, of your wiccan group? There may be one or two still of age and orientation…. But there is another… the one known as the Key.”

Willow pulled away from her friend in horror, pacing toward the apartment building and back again, her agitation obvious. “We can’t!! We can’t do that to Dawnie… marry her off like some chattel. Goddess, we don’t have that right and we certainly won’t get her permission! She’s been studying in Italy, she’s wants to come back to study magic after that, we can’t ask her to give it up to become a bride for breeding!”

F’Iaid remained infuriatingly calm as the red witch wound herself into a fury and did another lap of the garden. “It’s just not *fair*. Connor is suffering and I know how much Dawn has endured… they’ve both been screwed over so many times by the powers!” She stomped off again muttering wildly.

F’Iaid stopped the third lap with a warm embrace and quiet words. “Connor must study magic to exploit the power he has inherited. We can bring Dawn here for her studies also. The wards around our coven will keep them from harm and we will simply let… well we will see. It may well be that intervention is unnecessary beyond that.”

“Connor is sort of Dawn’s type I guess… but hey! Don’t get me started. We can’t drag her from Italy to here now!”

“I believe we can, and we must. She may only need to be here for a short time, there are others in the coven who may be eligible, and Connor…” F’Iaid took her friend’s hand and they both turned to where Connor was being comforted by his fathers, “Connor deserves some happiness. I believe this will bring at least the peace to be able to explore that as an option.”

…………………..

The night ended quietly. Hot chocolate, small talk and warm blood for those who needed it, before the witches departed, and Connor all but fell into bed in ‘his room’ as the vampires retired for the night.

Spike felt his partner’s exhaustion as they tumbled into bed. Both had heard at least part of the witches’ discussion, Spike more than Angel. His love for Connor and fondness for his ‘Little Bit’ left him confused and worried, something he could no longer hide from Angel as the link let it flow.

Angel felt Spike’s attempt to shut the link down, and vetoed it by pulling him across until the smaller vampire was lying across his chest. He tugged until Spike’s mouth was at his Sire’s neck, “Come dear heart… enough worry for one night… What do you need?” He felt rather than heard the groan then a cool tongue began to gently lave the length of his jugular in time with soft undulations of groin against groin… both actions seemed for reasons of emotional connection rather than sexual gratification, nevertheless Angel felt his own shift from comfort to definite arousal and Spike’s reciprocation. Spike shifted to game face and tore away his mate’s boxers, continuing to grind both shafts together. The licks to the proffered neck were now perfectly timed with the pace he set to stroke their erections, hardness against hardness, together.

“My Will… Please!... need to feel you….”

Spike pulled up from his Sire,, now mate stared wonderingly into the chocolate eyes and asked for confirmation… “Are you sure you’re happy with this?”

“I am Will…. mo rún… you know I am…”

Spike paused for a moment. It was rare for his Sire to use Will these days, even in private, but the Gaelic terms spoke of long time adoration and a deep affection that was the stuff of a mature partnership. If his heart had been beating, it would have skipped as joy and love flooded the link. He smiled with all his being as he lovingly prepared his Sire, slicking himself in the process then lined himself up. They were face to face so they could kiss and drink with ease… and viewed each other’s faces on the brink of ecstasy. Entry, though tight, was welcomed by a channel waiting for its mate. Angel’s head rolled back as he arched into the attentions of the younger vampire and lifting his knees, spreading even wider to increase the penetration.

Spike certainly began gently, kissing passionately and rocking until a consistent rhythm was established. His pace began to speed up as he buried an already changed face into his Sire’s neck and bit down.

Angel felt Spike’s climax approach as the thrusts became ever more enthusiastic and erratic, and his mate’s cool hand wound around his own erection. He matched the pace as best he could, pressing up to meet the thrusts and biting down hard, fangs penetrating easily. The worry of the last few days was forgotten as the circle of blood was complete and an all encompassing climax took over both vampires.

…………………….

Some time in the wee hours of morning, Connor crawled into bed with his fathers. He gradually wheedled his way in and ended up embraced from both sides by loving, bed warmed arms. He knew there was an electric blanket on low assisting the vampires’ temperature but still smiled as both older men embraced him sleepily, then snuggled toward the human warmth and scent of family. He could smell their lovemaking but it simply made him feel safe and comfortable, which should have seemed odd, but simply didn’t. He was still aware enough to consider… If only all other aspects of his life were so calm, right and easily assimilated… things might be easier.

He snuggled down and drifted into a dreamless sleep.


------------- PART 29 ---------------

Two months had passed since the cathartic night and Connor still came to stay with his fathers once or twice a week. Willow’s hacking/negotiations had borne dividends, assuring the young man’s place close to home and happily Connor’s adoptive mother continued to improve.


The issue of a partner had not departed, however, and weighed heavily on the vampires and the witches but had not been brought up again in Connor’s presence. Instead the vampires focused all their attention on training their young charge. His hunting skills, learned in the harsh ‘school’ of Quortoth had been given a boost by his newly acquired senses, but there was still much to learn from the former Angelus and William the Bloody. Spike, and the now fully recovered Angel, found the hunting, sparring and lessons given in vampiric law consolidated their own partnership and allowing them to extend themselves also. Well fed and in peak condition, the hunts became harder, faster and more challenging each time, the sparring more complex and vicious, more often than not the latter following the hunt. All three reveled in the violence.

Inevitably the hunts turned ‘real’. Local demons of the ‘not so nice’ variety were targeted. Occasionally they would come across humans ‘worth the effort’ though Connor announced fairly early in their first month that the human wrong doers were simply not challenging enough. There were exceptions.

In the early hours of Friday some eight weeks into the process of training, he stumbled across a gang of six large men apparently mid way through beating up a homeless youth near the water front. With stealth worthy of any big cat, Connor launched his silent, adrenalin driven attack. He knocked three assailants unconscious with a round house kick and upper cuts at speeds no human could match, then downed two more with a swift left jab and heel of his right hand.

By the time the two vampires were within sight of the scene, the last man had moved from his victim, yelling expletives as he spotted his two friends falling at the hands of the unknown dervish. The bloodied victim on the ground had a long black coat and army boots immediately reminding Connor of his fathers’ hunting attire. Spike saw the glint of a long knife in the man’s hand, and both he and Angel watched in horror as Connor’s distraction caused his first delayed attempt at disarming the man, only to be met by a surprisingly adept counter attack. But what occurred next changed everything.

With the deep slice to his forearm bleeding profusely, Connor kicked his opponent in the chest hard enough to force the knife wielder backwards, causing him to trip over one of his fallen comrades. Connor kicked away the knife, and the older vampires watched as his fangs dropped as he pounced on the man. He bit down hard into the thick neck, drawing blood but primarily cutting the air supply. The body under him gave a gurgled cry, thrashed a little then stilled.

Angel and Spike sped forward to assist but were stopped in their approach by a definite warning growl from their young ‘destroyer’. Connor was still golden eyed and with his teeth embedded, he seemed unable to establish what to do next. Both vampires knew enough of predators and their kill to drop to their knees. Spike moved forward to within touching distance. He tore open his own wrist and with eyes averted, pushed it under the young man’s nose. He gave a soft rumbling purr as Angel also moved closer. Connor released his prize and took the wrist. After two hefty drafts he suddenly seemed to regain his bearings and reeled back from the body and his fathers in horror.

He was about to run but Angel was faster, all but diving across Spike to reach his son. Pulling Connor away from the scene, he threw his cell phone to Spike, trusting him to tie up the unconscious individuals and tend to the young victim until the police arrived. As a patrol car arrived a short time later, Spike melted into the trees and followed the trail of his Sire.

He found them concealed behind a thicket of low bushes, Connor seated, Angel laving the arm wound gently as he repeatedly petted and shot worried glances at his son’s fanged features, faint glow of magic and shallow breathing. Spike sat down on the opposite side of the boy to his Sire and wriggled forward in silence until their bodies were touching. He sent love and calm through their link, hoping the proximity would increase the intensity of the message. He felt a kick through the link as Angel did the same.

It was almost half an hour before the demon features faded and Connor finally ground out in a hoarse whisper. “Did I kill him? The one I bit…. Did I kill him?”

“No Pet, None dead, six heartbeats still there when the coppers arrived. Lad you saved was hurt bad, but still there too… he’ll recover. You saved ‘im pet.”

Angel was rubbing small soothing circles over his son’s shoulder blades. “What was different tonight dear heart? You don’t usually….”

“I…. I don’t even know what happened… I mean, the guy on the ground was… he had a duster and jackboots and….. then the bastard attacked and I smelt blood, then it…. well it was like something else took over… Not like usual… just um…” Angel stroked his son’s face and turned it to look at him.

“It’s fine Connor. You were more powerful tonight than I have ever seen before…. We can work with the bloodlust, hone it. This was the first time you felt it fully and you didn’t kill, you simply subdued.”

The barely audible reply came, “But I could have killed him.”

“Yes you could. And you would have to protect your own, as would we all.”

“But the fangs…” Connor’s gaze returned to stare forlornly at the ground near his knees.

“Now you know they’re not just for suckin’ me and your ol Da here…. Jus’ means you’ve always got a weapon on hand pet … brilliant!” With that, both vampires slipped into game face and grinned around their fangs, giving dual hearty growls of approval. Connor felt a rush of excitement with the sound and his own change came unconsciously as he gave a reciprocal growl.

Connor brightened a little as he considered the advantages, then lifted a hopeful gaze to meet Spike’s sparkling azure eyes. “Can you train me? You know, to use the fangs…. Can you two train ..

Two days later around dusk, Willow, F’Iaid and Dawn stood outside the vampires’ apartment, Dawn all but bouncing. She had been told they were going to meet her new ‘study buddy’ for the first time at his fathers’ apartment. Her eyebrows raised a little at the implications of the ‘fathers’, but decided that obviously it was either a wiccan thing or a San Fran thing, either way she wondered if the son was also gay. According to Willow, he was slim, handsome and had some awesome powers that needed training.

Willow rang the bell.

A sleep tousled Blonde vampire greeted them, only to be stunned as the former Key launched herself enthusiastically at him.

“What????....Spike???!!!!” The young woman squealed, hugged the blonde then promptly slapped him hard across the left cheek. “You… bastard!”

“Oi!!...

“You died and then…. Oh God *Spike*!” She hit him once more, hard, then collapsed into the vampire’s arms for a firm hug as tears caused black mascara to streak the young woman’s cheeks. She finally released him enough to stare at him, wide smile fixed firmly in place.

“Here witch I thought you would have….?” Spike looked across to Willow and trailed off as he felt sleepy affection push through the link, and saw his Sire wander into the entrance hall still pulling a black sweater over his head.

Angel smiled at Spike as he noted the younger Summers was ever so slightly taller than his mate and mused that she must tower over her ‘big sister’. He nodded at the witches “Willow… F’Iaid…” Dawn turned to greet the owner of the voice while wiping the black tear trails from her face, only to squeal for a second time.

“Oh My God!.... Oh My God!!! You’re Angel right?! Oh My God… But you’re dead too…. Well obviously… but you got really dead…. Oh you know what I mean! And so….” Dawn’s eyes suddenly went very wide… “So you two are…. Oh….”

“Together pet. Mated. Until we’re dust” Spike and Angel waited while the young woman processed the information.

“Far out! And so Connor’s….?”

“My son… our son… ” Spike stepped away from her hug to snake a loving arm around his mate, and squeezed a thank you for the public acknowledgment of their shared parenting.

“Far out…. Oh Wow…. Far *Out*! Wait ‘til Buffy hears about this!”

Two panicked males blurted out “No!” in unison.

“You can’t tell her Luv. We’ll do it in our own good time.” Dawn looked a little crestfallen, it was rare that she was privy to such an incredible piece of information before Buffy. Spike shifted the conversation a little, “Is she… you know, OK?”

“Sure. Still dating the Immortal. He’s pretty dreamy… Oh….You knew she was with him right?”

Angel answered, barely suppressing a growl, “Yeah we knew.”

“Cool, so we’re all caught up… when do I get to meet Connor?”

Angel looked quizzically at Spike who answered for them both, “He’s out on the patio studying or some such. Said ‘e had one more final before the hols ‘pparently. Come on through.”