Honorable Sons

Part 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* ecstacy… 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 NY 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 warlock 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. But 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 making 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 thinking 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 they had completed the cycle… and they had *no* idea what he was now…. But they loved him and sent that same emotion concurrently and so strongly that all three feel 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 the blessing of darkness. Now it can be exploited, or properly used. Do not take dis as a given Connor… The 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 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.

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 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 and simply stated, “Dis 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 he 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 was 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 of 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 nearly 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?"

Continue to parts 27-29

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