Splinter

Angel was still in the office when Maintenance came in to replace his desk the next day. Gazing out his necro-tempered glass at the setting sun, he tried to ignore the way Harmony was looking him up. He knew she was looking disdainfully at the same clothes he wore the day before. She must be thinking that he hadn't left the office since she last stormed off to tell on him to Cordelia… which would be quite accurate.

He sighed relieved when he felt his annoying secretary leave after the crew closing the door behind them. He turned anticipating that his angry assistant had ordered in a desk that wouldn't agree with him and was stopped in his tracks when he saw a desk that seemed to be the exact replica of his previous ill-fated desk. And what was more; there was a mug of warm blood waiting for him on it. Somehow, the sight of that made the Master vampire's bones turn cold.

~ The death sentenced last meal? ~

The desk could be explained as Harmony refusing to bring in anything that contradicted with good taste but the blood? Angel picked up the mug and sniffed it trying to sense if there was poison or Holy water in it. He felt his stomach growl and his demon coming to the surface. He hadn't fed for almost a day. So he took his chances and gulped down the blood hungrily. He moaned as the taste of fresh warm otter blood washed over his tongue dampening his hunger. He licked his lips not wanting to waste any drops of tasty nourishment. He opened his eyes, brown again, and looked at the intercom wondering if it would be wise to ask Harmony for more or would it be asking too much?

He slapped himself on the forehead. ~ God damn it! You're letting yourself be controlled by your secretary! A ditzy blonde vampire who's angry at you because you've been mean to her 'Blondie Bear'! ~

Angel pouted. He sighed and replaced the mug on the desk. Heavily, he fell into his leather chair, face hidden in his hands. Spike. He was the reason Angel couldn't sleep the day before. He couldn't stop thinking about everything. And by everything he meant from the beginning. From the second he laid eyes on Drusilla's new boy. The easy first weeks, they were inseparable. He doted on the boy which was easy since Darla was off with her sire. He taught him everything. How to fight. How to feed. How to BE a vampire. He watched as the young fledgling took in his kills, how he fed like he hadn't fed for an eternity. How the boy neatly sank his teeth into willing flesh he had easily lured with his natural charm. How he closed his eyes savoring the taste his long lashes resting against alabaster skin. The dark vampire remembered how he used to watch the youngling swallow, how his neck worked with each gulp. He recalled how his eyes had always locked onto lips as they pulled back from the drained dead body. Lips that were red and full from the feed parted with a gleeful smile as bluer than blue eyes looked at him for approval. He would then grin and clap the boy on his back giving William what he wanted yet denying himself what HE wanted.

He remember how angered he was and jealous when William rambled on about how much he loved his Dark Princess and how she was the one who made him what he was, how she was his 'Destiny'! Angelus couldn’t help what he did then. He knew something that the boy hadn't and he wanted to teach it to the young vampire in a manner he would never forget. He owned Drusilla and made sure William knew that. The boy soon found that out to his distaste and anger. But what the fledgling didn't realize until much later was that that had applied to him as well.

When Darla returned she was ready to see this new addition to the family. What she met was not William but his new self, Spike. That didn't matter to the blonde vampire as she did not know William before, nor cared. Drusilla didn’t care about the loss but in fact loved the new name and was fond of call him by it. Angelus on the other hand hated it. Hated how with this new persona William – Spike - defied him even more everyday. He knew he couldn’t discipline the months old vampire the way he did before with Drusilla because of Darla's presence and he knew how his sire hated to be ignored. So he reverted to mere bodily torture. He wanted more. He knew his 'boy' wouldn't break physically but emotionally. However, Spike knew that Angelus couldn't use Drusilla against him anymore and that made him more rebellious then ever. He endangered them time and again with his random and sloppy kills through his new toy and namesake.

Angelus was enraged but he couldn’t do anything other than torture and that only seemed to inflame the young one. Darla had suggested staking the errant boy but Angelus wouldn't allow it. He claimed that he wasn't one to take the easy road. That he would find an answer himself. He was telling the truth but not all of it. The fact was that he was still, more even, enthralled by the lovely boy. He wanted to have a taste, and more. The opportunity showed itself when the Master requested Darla's presence and his grandchilde, The Seer, Drusilla for pressing business. He had left an opening if Angelus wished to come as well.

As expected Angelus declined and wished them a quick journey back while in the inside he screamed in joy for his plan was soon to unfold. However, his plan was almost shattered before it started when Drusilla started to clap her hands in joy saying something about Granddaddy meeting her Spike. He remained calm as he explained to her that Spike - he used the name with repugnance - was still too young and inexperienced and would only be criticized by The Master, and disappoint his 'Mummy'. He suggested that the young one stay with him where he could train him more accordingly so the next time her boy would be more presentable. Thankfully, Drusilla relented with only a pout, gave Spike a quick kiss, and told him to do his studies well so he would get to meet Granddaddy soon.

Darla in contrast wasn't fooled. She only raised a delicate eyebrow knowingly and entered the carriage that took them away from their mansion in Paris. Angelus let out a relived sigh. He knew if Darla insisted William be introduced to The Court he couldn’t say against it. William had proved himself worthy and more to be part of the Aurelius Line in a very short time. Angelus knew that he was saved from Darla insisting on them both coming because his sire knew that her Master would take quickly to the pretty blond blue eyed young vampire. And she wouldn't see that happening if she had anything to do about it. She was the Master's favored and she didn’t want his attention to be directed at anyone but her. She would do anything to keep her status in The Court. As for Angelus, he was her childe. She could have him anytime. Angelus knew that was the only reason he and Spike had remained while the women left to London where the Line resided.

The tall vampire had disgustedly watched while William's eyes followed the coach sadly as it disappeared in the distance letting out a lover's heart wrenching sigh. Angelus decided to make the boy forget soon about his 'Destiny'.

He had placed an arm on the shorter man's shoulder and led him inside the mansion smirking. That night and the seven nights after that Angelus made sure William's only thoughts were about him. He made sure the boy knew who he belonged to and made the boy crave him as well. They only left their pleasure when the hunger became too much, they hunted together on the French populace. Those were the best times. Paris would forever remain in their memory, their place.

However, today, Angel knew it wouldn't be far fetched that Spike resented every mention of that country.

Angel sighed. Those thoughts only lead to badness. They were of happy times but nothing ever lasted forever. It lasted quite a number of years, years that weren't close to being enough. Angelus was cursed and driven away by his own sire who couldn't stand to be around his revolting soul. He returned to the fold years after asking, begging, to be allowed to return. Darla relented reluctantly. He had asked her about Spike. She took him to his boy. His boy was a Master then, so young, yet grew so powerful without him. He has just killed himself a Slayer and from the smell of him, celebrated his victory with Drusilla who hung on his arm as if she belonged there. His boy looked happy. Happy to have killed a slayer and of course that he had himself 'a rumple in the haystack' – as Spike would call it - with his lover, his 'Destiny' returned, not happy to see Angelus after two years of parting. He had not acted as if he had missed him. He had spoken to him like they haven't been apart for 18 years.

His thoughts were lingering on taking an even drearier direction if it weren't for the swarm of people entering his office.

"Angel, man, security reports a bunch of vamps entering the building."

Wesley stood next to Gunn with Fred, Cordelia and Lorne flanking the sides. "What manner do you wish us to take, Angel?"

"How about you manly men stake and ask questions later, I always liked that somewhat Buffy-ish approach myself," Cordelia grinned her hundred watt smile and pretended that she didn't make the usual jab at the vampire's ex. Not that she cared about the vampire's feeling. Harmony had filled her in on what had happened between the broody vampire and his childe. She planned to lay it in on her friend the next time she saw him which would be now. However, 'Angel thrashing' had to wait until this vampire situation had been dealt with and then…

Her smile turned evil. Angel who was the only one who noticed the change swallowed uneasily.

"Oh, but what if they were good vampires, like Angel and Spike?" Fred asked worried. She unknowingly cut into the silent confrontation between the two old friends. "M-maybe they have souls too!"

Angel threw his hand to the side as he stood, exasperated. "Sure! But you all remember that I started it!" He walked around the desk trying to look menacing and failing.

Lorne patted his shoulder. "There, there, Angel-cakes. I must say, green? Still not your color."

"Yeah, speaking of people you're jealous of." Cordelia glared unable to hold in her anger. "Harmony told me what you did to Spike!"

Angel chose to ignore the fact that he, a Master of his Line, took a few steps back from the multitude of reprimanding looks cast upon him. He opened his mouth, in a poor attempt in trying to explain, but was strangely saved by the entrance of his bubbly blonde secretary.

"Boss, there's a group of vampires swarmed by *wooden* armed security… and can we talk about my safety here?! I mean I think Wes should do some of flashy witchy stuff on me so I won't get accidentally staked…"

"I wouldn't worry about 'accidentally' if I were you," Angel growled out.

Harmony, very unlike the fearful vampire that used to work for him, flung her hair back uncaring.

"Harmony, you were saying about the vampires… who are they?" Wesley encouraged her to talk not wanting to be stuck in the middle of a vampire squabble.

The vampire perked up on the reminder. "Yeah, their Head is SO hot! He has these cool blue gray eyes, reminds me of Spikey but Blondie Bear's are more…"

"Harm!!" a collective yell broke her yammering.

"Oh, right. Well they said and I quote." She did the quoting sign. "Order of Hravolen requests an audience with Order of Aurelius."

She shrugged. "But if you ask me, it sure didn't sound anything like a request… was more demanding than…"

"Thank you, Harmony, ask the guards to return to their posts and for the 'guests' to come in five minutes." Angel waved her off and returned to his seat wearily. He interlocked his fingers together and looked at his friends.

As expected, Wesley was the first to start. "Do you think it was wise to dismiss the security?"

Angel gave a single nod. "They only want to talk, Wes."

The ex-watcher accepted that having always trusted the vampire's judgment.

"You know them?" Gunn asked from his perch on the arm of the seat.

Angel shook his head. "No. Never personally. But, they're very old. And it looks like their Master is here to chat."

Cordelia scrunched her nose. "Ewww, you mean that vampire Harmony was googly-eyes, yapping over could be as old as The Master! Gross! Is he like all white bat faced?!"

"I'm afraid I'm not that old." All heads turned to look at the voice's owner.

Angel glared at Harmony. "You were supposed to introduce them."

"Well you should've said so," she huffed, turned on her pointy heals and closed the door quietly behind her.

The vampire that spoke was standing surrounded by five vampires perfectly arranged around him. He raised a dark black eyebrow. "It is so hard to find good help in these times." His blue eyes twinkled with mirth.

Cordelia took stock of the vampire, looking at him from head to the soles of his dress shoes. She admiringly noted the quite expensive and stylish suit in deep charcoal gray with tiny pin stripes that accent his eyes perfectly as well as the matching tie. The shoes were flawless Italian black leather that made the shop-aholic in her want to find a more feminine pair for herself. She, also, didn't miss the way he held himself. He was quite confident of himself, of his power. She had a strong feeling that he didn't need the bodyguards which meant they were only there for show, yet didn't mean that they were to be tampered with.

His hair made her hands itch for the need to run her fingers through the jet-black locks. She didn't know if she ever had seen such blackness to hair. She knew if the band didn't hold it back its thickness would flow over his face. A face that Cordelia had no way to describe but as gorgeous. His built was compact. He wasn't brawny, more built like Spike, but the actress knew the kind of muscle the peroxide vampire kept hidden under his duster, therefore she could guess what was covered by all that Armani. His height, on the other hand, was near Angel's but he held his head higher than her friend ever did even if his alter ego was in charge. And that was saying something!

She nodded satisfied. ~ Guess that rules out Fred's theory of him being all soul having… no guilt weighing him down. Unless he's as good an actor as Bleach Boy. ~

Angel, still sitting in his seat, inclined to his guest to take a seat.

"Just so you know, Wolfram and Hart is under A.I. Co.'s hands and is working for the good side now. Whatever you're offering, we're not taking. For all you know, you're about to say your last words so make them worth it."

The vampire sat down on the offered chair and seemed to be untroubled. He smiled. "If my last word were to be said today my clan will disperse killing everything in sight," he said as it were the most normal thing in the world.

Fred eeped and drew closer to the guys and farther from the vampires.

Her contrast was Cordelia, who even though she was approving of the style department, was still ill at ease with him, placed her hands on her hips and asked, "You better watch who you're threatening Mister-I-know-how-to-pick-up-my-clothes-come-sun-set you don't know who you're talking to."

The vampire quickly stood up from his seat. Gunn and Wesley were ready to pull out their hidden weapons. But the vampire was quicker than them and had been standing in front of Cordelia even faster than Angel's eyes could catch. Hs bent down and elegantly held Cordelia's hand in his. "Oh, but I know you Miss Chase. Your art is inspiring." Delicately he kissed the well-manicured hand. "It's a pleasure," he before straightening swiftly. He nodded charmingly to her and Fred before returning to his seat as if nothing happened.

Cordelia blinked and barely noticed that he had released her hand. She turned her brown eyes towards Angel, a pitying look in them. "You are SO out of you league!"

Angel glared at the seated vampire. That was all he needed, for the new vampire to charm Cordelia to his side. The actress already had it in for the head of Angel Investigation and Company for his treatment towards Spike, now she was going to drive him mad for not being as 'charming' as an *evil vampire*.

"You must be wondering why I have come to you?"

"Well if you get right to it, I don't have to wonder, now do it?"

The vampire scrunched his face in disgust at Angel's vulgar attitude but held his hand up to stop one of his vampire escorts from attacking him.

Angel didn't seem bothered by that and leaned forward. "And another thing bothers me; you've been in my territory for ten minutes and still haven't told us what to call you."

The vampire raised an eyebrow. "I go by the name, Hrafen."

Angel looked to his left from the peripheral vision and was pleased to see the calculating look in Wesley's eyes. He then looked at 'Hrafen'.

"Now that we're more acquainted you can tell me what you're doing here."

"Very well, let's cut to the chase shall we?" He leaned back. "I have sensed an unclaimed. A once claimed vampire with broken ties... over two hundred years had last passed on their claim with out being renewed. In fact, it had been nearly five hundred years since anyone had laid claims and I am here to fill the part." He nodded towards Angel. “By the Ancient Lore I must approach the Head of the clan if then I am not stopped I will fully establish my claim.”

The gang turned their heads to look at Angel who furrowed his brow. "I am the Master and head of my order and no claims can be laid on me."

A mere moment of silence before the vampire and his company burst out laughing.

Chuckling with arrogance that came with age and self-confidence he said, “You must be jesting. I do not seek you."

That was when the door opened and Spike entered. All eyes turn towards him and a split second of silence before the baffled party realized what he was talking about, or rather, who.

Spike had been wearing his trademark 'bored face' before he noticed the group. Everyone had expected everything to happen but not what had actually taken place. A large grin found itself on Spike's mouth and with no second to spare, he was sharing a tight hug with their dignified guest.

The vampire pulled back but not too much and laid his palm against Spike's face stroking gently, causing Spike's eyes to close half way and a soft purr to fill the room. That was before it was overpowered by a loud growl. The two pulled back but the vampire's hand felt quite at home on the back of Spike neck, gently playing with the soft hairs there. Spike either did not notice or was too used to it that he didn't show a sign of complain.

“He is the one I seek.” He rubbed his thumb over the short back hairs on Spike's neck.

“Raven?” Spike exclaimed wanting to know what was going on.

“A friend of yours, Spike?” Angel asked suspiciously, looking between the two.

“You could say that mate. We met in the turn of the century in Scandinavia... he showed me around, thought me stuff 'bout Lore I didn't know coz… … actually it was around the end of 1900 after…” Spike looks at Angel his eyes conveying something before looking away.

“Uh, the translation of the Scandinavian name Hrafen meaning raven,” Wesley concluded in a low voice.

“Yes, William here was quite an avid student,” Hrafen, or Raven said with a smirk.

“I bet,” Angel said snidely. He already knew he didn't like this stuck up vampire, but this was lemon icing on the bitter cake.

“Bugger off, Angelus!” Spike sneered angrily. "Not like you were there to finish your job, now was it?!"

“It’s Angel,” he stressed ignoring what Spike said or how it made his heart ache to hear the fact spoken aloud.

“Ah, yes, I had heard of that. Such a terrible loss. Your alter ego was becoming somewhat of a folk legend before the ... unfortunate re-souling,” Raven said disgustedly.

Angel got an idea. “You know, Spike has a soul of his own. I’m sure that changes your views of him.” He had to pat himself on the back for that later.

“Not really. Will’s attraction, other than obvious reasons, had been his passion towards life and his utmost humanity… makes anyone around him grasp that sense of living… it's extraordinary… like a potent quickening. His soul is of no consequence, the fact is, it makes him even more unique. ”

Or maybe not.

The Master vampire raised his eyebrow. “You must sense it yourself.”

Angel huffed. “Don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. You must be on something when you’re around him.”

Spike’s eyes widened then narrowed angrily. “Guess you were on a lot of stuff back when too,” he muttered.

Angel laughed aloud. “You flatter yourself too much, Spike.”

Spike started to growl but the rubbing on the back of his head increased causing it to turn into a low purr.

"Dude, what are you doing?" Gunn spoke for the first time since this strange meeting started.

Raven only smirked before dipping towards Spike, his eyes locked challengingly with Angel's. "I'm placing my claim."

That statement brought Spike out of his daze. He turned his shocked eyes towards Angel to his 'friend' and back to looking at Angel. Spike craned his head looking for answers in the brown eyes, any answer, explanation but none were found. Spike's see-through eyes dulled and he nodded his head.

He clicked his tongue. "I see, I get it now, should've known really all along."

The Raven got a wicked smile on his face looking at Angel before it softened as he turned to Spike. "William, Leif, a pleasure as always." Another loving caress, "Soon, beloved." He gazed one last loving look before he left, his men following him after smiling goodbye to Spike.

Silence filled the room. Only four people knew what had just taken place including Spike and Angel and they were Wesley and Lorne. Wesley obviously knew because of his Watcher background and was both interested at what he had just witnessed and worried.

Lorne, on the other hand, was just worried. This wasn't how the story was supposed to end. His two friends were supposed to come to terms about their feelings - well more Angel than Spike - and live happily ever after, which for them was actually possible giving the vampire thing. There was this whole movie idea and everything!

But this, this was wrong and if Angel didn't do anything in the next few moments the best thing that had ever happened in his unlife was going to walk out those very expensive doors. Lorne didn't know if love gods listened to demons but he hoped they listened to the four humans in the room who were unmistakably rooting for the same thing. However, it seemed that the Love Gods either didn't listen to demons nor humans or they didn't even exist. Because Angel raised his head and whatever Spike apparently saw in their depth was not what he wanted and before anyone could intervene and scold the tall vampire the leather clad blond had left the room.

"What are you all looking at me for? There's work to do, let's focus on what is important!"