Sorry for the delay, but the month of July here has had record breaking temperatures, 110 to 118 deg F (43 to 47 deg C), so both my brain and muse had a melt down.

Part 19

Sunnydale, CA, November 2001

Frowning at Damon, Djoser couldn't help but wonder if his uncle was playing a bad joke on him. It seemed odd that the very subject that they had been talking about was now a reality. "What do you mean my brother is back and almost of age? He was only born. . . ."

"He was living in a hell dimension." Damon interrupted. "Time does not run concurrently from one dimension to another. He may have only been gone days here, but in the other dimension it was years. Now. . . ." He turned his attention to Buffy. "Do you need help with. . .her?"

"The Slayer and I have come to an agreement." Djoser quickly said, giving Buffy a meaningful look. "She too has heard about Judelin and was just alerting me about him." With an intent stare, he communicated a silent warning.

Buffy stared back at Djoser and then looked around at Damon and the minions behind him. Outnumbered, the situation was dangerous. "Yes. . .yes we have, and you can go back and tell Angel that I will back you against Judelin and the Ventrues." Hesitating a moment, she realized that once again she was promising help to the Tremeren vampires. It seemed that fate kept throwing her together with them. "If necessary, any or all of you can come here to Sunnydale and seek sanctuary."

Damon narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Buffy. "Judelin has now allied himself with the Council. You the Slayer answers to the Council, so how can you help us against him?"

"Trust me." Buffy allowed herself a small smile. "Me and the Council. . .not so tight. Djoser." She turned to the vampire. "Can you at least stay long enough to find this Rack for me?"

"He can't stay." Damon answered before Djoser could reply. "It's imperative that we return to LA as soon as possible. An order from our High Master himself." He gave Buffy an interested look, curious to see if she expressed any reaction to his reference to Angel. Their affair was common knowledge among most demons, and Damon too had heard the gossip.

"I'll leave a couple of my minions to help you." Djoser motioned to two of the vampires standing behind Damon. "Help the Slayer locate a warlock named Rack. Her younger sister may be in danger there. Back her up if necessary, and then when the job is done, return to LA." Turning back to Buffy, he gave her a cool nod. "I'll relay to my Sire your promise of assistance. And perhaps this time you'll keep your word to us."

**

Los Angeles, CA, November 2001

Standing in the shadows, Nic, Spike, and Guy were waiting for Angel to meet them as they watched Connor check into a shabby motel with Daniel Holtz.

"So why is he calling mummy man over there. . . ?" Spike asked Nic while waving his hand in the direction of Holtz. "Dad, when my Sire is his dad?"

"Who's calling me dad?" Angel appeared from behind them.

"Bloody hell!" Because he had been watching Connor and Holtz, Spike was caught by surprise at the appearance of Angel. "Thanks for the bleeding heart attack. Do you always have to creep up on people?"

"You're going to be suffering something more painful than a heart attack when we get back to the lair, boy." Angel growled out. "Running off like you did." Despite being relieved that his Childer and nephew were okay, he was nonetheless enraged with all of them for sneaking out.

"Your new son was calling Holtz dad." Nic answered Angel.

Turning his attention to the two figures walking along the motel's sidewalk, Angel watched Connor take Holtz by the hand to lead him to their room. "I guess for all practical purposes Holtz was his father all this time."

"So what are you going to do about it?" Nic asked Angel while trying to read what his brother was feeling.

"Gonna waste Holtz?" Spike asked hopefully. A good kill might make his Sire forget about punishing him.

"I don't know." Angel was still staring thoughtfully at Connor and Holtz. "I think I need to have a talk with Mr. Holtz. Nic. . . ." He turned to his brother. "Did you talk with Damon?"

"Yeah, and they should be on their way back to LA now."

"Good." Angel focused his attention on Spike and Guy. "Take these two back to the Hyperion and lock them in their rooms. "He gave the two younger vampires a harsh look. "And if you two even think about pulling anything else, you'll be drained into a coma and buried until the next century."

**

"I got what you asked for." Connor opened the motel door and allowed Holtz to enter.

"Good boy." Walking into the room, Holtz looked around before turning to take a sheet of newspaper from Connor. "Now, let's have a look at the date." He stared at the paper and then dropped it down on one of the beds. "Days. We've been gone only days."

"I don't like this place." Connor walked over to look out the window. "It's not like home."

Life in the hell dimension had aged Holtz. He was now an old man, tired and worn out. "Quortoth was never our home, son." He said to Connor while sitting down on one of the beds with a sigh of relief. "It was our prison. But I should have known that one day you'd find a way out."

Turning away from the window, Connor shrugged his shoulders carelessly. Finding a way out of Quortoth hadn't been hard. "The cracks were there already. I just made the slugs show me, that's all."

Holtz smiled proudly. "My boy is smart."

Crouching down, Connor placed his hand on Holtz's knee. "I wanted to kill him, yet when I saw him. . . ." He hung his head in shame. "I found that I couldn't."

"It's alright son." Holtz covered Connor's hand with his own. "Now is not the time." He looked down at the bent head affectionately. "You must go to him."

"No!"

Reaching down, Holtz put a hand under Connor's chin and tilted his head up. "Go back to Him, Steven. You need to walk in His world, learn from Him."

"Why are you doing this? Why are you making me go with Him? God gave me to you." Agitated, Connor's voice raised a notch.

"Yes. It was God's plan for us to be together. Nothing will ever persuade me otherwise. But now it's time for me to give you back."

"But he's a vampire."

"And you're the son of two vampires." Standing up, Holtz had a moment of doubt. Was he doing the right thing for Steven? "A very rare being. The vampires call them Blood-Childer."

"Then I'm not human." Connor stared down at the worn out motel carpet. "I'm a vampire, a demon."

"You're a special vampire, a Pure Blood. Your Father's Successor, a step away from being the next High Master of your Clan."

**

"You know. . . ." Walking back to the Hyperion, Spike had to complain to Nic. "I don't understand what the fucking problem is. We just went for a bite of pizza and a pint. Don't know why the High Poof is blowing such a gasket. It's not like we were cruising demon bars looking to kick arse."

"Well gee, let me think." Nic said sarcastically. "You snuck out without telling anyone where you were going. You didn't take bodyguards. You. . . ."

"Bodyguards!" Spike interrupted with a shout. "Why the bleeding hell do I want some useless minions trailing after me? Would just be a bloody bother." His voice lowered at the you-are-such-an-idiot look his uncle was giving him. "Would have had to buy them pizza and . . .and. . . ."

"Shut up, William." Nic's patience had run out. "Stupid fuck! Where were you when they were handing out brains?"

"Piss off, tossbag." Spike was feeling unjustifiably mistreated, first by Angel and now Nic. "Like you know anything, a frigging loser who no one wanted, including his own Sire and. . . ." He broke off, realizing that Nic's past was identical to his own.

"That's right." Nic stopped to stare Spike full in the face. "I fucked up bad, but now I'm trying to do it right. What about you?"

Swallowing hard, Spike found he didn't have an answer. His uncle had hit a nerve.

"You two," Nic resumed walking, "Djoser, and now Connor are the new generation of Blood-Childer for our Clan. It's imperative that you survive for the future of our Bloodline. You can't be careless. You can't be just running around wherever, whenever."

"Bloody hell." Spike swore but his voice was soft. Being a Blood-Childe was both a blessing and a curse. "A bloke's got no privacy or freedom. We're like. . . ." He turned to Guy. "Prisoners."

"That's right." Nic pulled out a pack of cigarettes and held it out to Spike as a peace offering. "That's the lot of a Blood-Childe."

"Aren't we just the luckiest vamps on earth." Muttering, Spike handed a cigarette to Guy, while again thinking about his dead cousin, Victor. "Now I finally understand what he was bitching about."

**

England, 1885

William couldn't help but grin widely as he watched his cousin, Victor entertain the entire pub by dancing on a table. Clapping his hands with the rest of the crowd, he tried to just enjoy himself for the moment and not think about how angry his Sire was going to be with him for sneaking out.

Like a whirlwind, Victor danced and danced. His energy was limitless. After some time though, thirst got the better of him. "Need a bloody break." He huffed and puffed, not caring that his behavior was humanlike. "'Nother pint here." He held up his mug to a passing barmaid.

"Perhaps we sh'd be gittin' back." William knew they had been gone a while and figured the longer they were gone, the angrier their Sires were going to be.

"Wot fo?" Victor reached out for the mug the barmaid was handing him. "We is free, mate. . .at least until they come. Then back t' the gaol."

"The gaol?" William didn't understand his cousin's choice of words.

"Yeah mate because we're prisoners." Standing up, Victor had finished his beer and was ready for more fun. "Fer da rest of ahr unlives."

**

Seeing Connor leave the motel, Angel saw his opportunity. He didn't want his Childe around when he had his private 'talk' with Holtz. Reaching the motel door, he pushed it open.

Sitting at the small table in the motel room with his back to the door, Holtz didn't need to turn around. He knew Angel was at the door; he had been expecting the vampire. "I can't recall. Do you require an invitation for a place like this? Oh well, it doesn't matter. You may come in."

Stepping through the door, Angel slammed it shut, and before Holtz could completely turn around in his chair, he had the man by the throat. "You stole my son!" He snarled as he lifted Holtz up by the throat.

"I kept your son alive. You murdered mine." Despite the strong hand around his throat, Holtz was still able to speak.

"Dad. I found food in this big metal box. . . ." Coming through the door, Connor broke off at the scene in front of him. Dropping the armful of junk food, he stepped closer, body poised in attack mode. "Let. Go. Of. Him." He shouted at Angel.

Hesitating a moment, Angel looked Holtz in the face. He knew he could snap the man's neck in a blink of an eye.

"Kill me now, and you'll lose him forever." Holtz' voice was no more than a whisper.

Letting go of Holtz, Angel took a step backward. He read hate in Connor's eyes. Another Childe. More hate.

"GET OUT!" Connor wanted to attack, but Holtz was shaking his head at him.

"Steven. Remember who He is." Holtz reminded him before turning to Angel. "Let him stay the night. One more night with me. I will talk to him, and then send him. . .home tomorrow. And you need not worry about his safety. I trained him well, and after all he is your son, your Pure Blood son."

"Why are you doing this?" Frowning, Angel didn't trust Holtz but knew that the human was right. If he pushed too much, he would lose Connor forever.

"I'm an old man now. I have nothing more to offer the boy. He needs to be back with you. . .his Father. I do love my son." A moment of vengeful satisfaction for Holtz as he saw the flicker of pain cross Angel's face at his use of the word 'son.' "I want to do right by him, so that he will always remember me with love."

Holtz's words jarred Angel. The man had revenged himself completely. He had a part of Connor that Angel would never be able to replace or take back. "All right, you talk to him." He spoke to Holtz. "But don't you or him try to leave the motel. I'll have my minions watching. And you. . . ." He looked Connor in the eye. "Be back no later than sunset tomorrow. If you're not, I will be back to personally escort you home."

**

Arriving at the Hyperion, Angel found Nic once again at the front desk reading the newspaper. "William and. . .Guy?" He asked walking up to his brother.

"Locked in their rooms with sentries guarding the doors." Nic answered, looking behind Angel for Connor. "Where's junior?"

"Back at the motel. I want some minions over there to keep watch. See to it." Turning, Angel headed for the staircase. Tired and emotionally drained, he had closed himself off, not wanting to talk, just brood.

"And what exactly are they suppose to watch?" Nic shouted at Angel's retreating back. "Daylight is coming. They won't be able to do anything."

Still climbing the stairs, Angel answered without looking back. "Leave a message on Cordelia's answering machine. The humans can relieve the minions when day breaks."

"Alright, but what's her fucking number?" Nic continued to shout, but this time Angel didn't bother to answer.

**

Stepping out of the shower, Spike was greeted by the sight of Angel, and the expression on his Sire's face was not encouraging. "Just took a shower." Nervously, he stated the obvious. "Is Con. . .Steven out there." He pointed to the bedroom.

"No." Was all that Angel said as he began stripping his clothes off. "Go get into bed."

Giving Angel an uncertain look, Spike exited the bathroom wondering what the hell was going on. Walking to the door, he opened it, and the minion standing guard quickly did an about face.

"My Prince." The minion bowed his head. "You are not allowed to leave the. . . ."

"Don't bloody well tell me what I can and can't do." Spike snapped out. "I'm not going anywhere. Just want to know where Con. . .err, my new brother is."

"Your new brother?"

"The new Prince!" Exasperated by the minion's stupidity, Spike grabbed him by the face and gave him a push. "Brain dead git."

"William!" Coming from the lobby, Nic had searched for Cordelia's number but hadn't been able to find it without knowing her last name. "Stop harassing the poor guy. Your Sire ordered that you were to stay in your room, which by-the-way, did Angelus come by here at all?"

"He's taking a shower and doing his best caveman impression. Doesn't speak, just grunts." Spike told his uncle. "So where did he stash my new brother?"

"He left him at the motel."

"WHAT?" Spike was outraged by the unfairness of it all. "He sneaks out and gets to stay out, and I get locked in my room! What the fuck is that about?"

"WILLIAM!" Angel stepped out of the bathroom. "Didn't I tell you to get into bed? Nic." He looked over Spike's head at his brother. "Did you arrange everything like I asked?"

"I will as soon as someone tells me this Cordelia's number." Exasperated and tired, Nic had had enough for one night.

"Her last name is Chase." Spike yelled out helpfully as Angel grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into the room. "Look in the rolodex under the counter." He managed to give his uncle the last bit of information before Angel slammed the door shut.

****

Part 20

Lying in bed, Spike was too unnerved to sleep. The tension in the room was so thick it felt corporeal as Angel lay there, not saying anything, just staring up at the ceiling.

"Bloody hell." He mumbled, jumping up out of bed. In edgy situations like this a smoke always helped. Grabbing his duster, he searched the pockets for his cigarettes.

"Not here." Finally speaking, Angel growled this out in a low voice.

Spike rolled his eyes, despite the fact that he actually was glad for an excuse to leave the room. "Fine. I'll just nip on down to the lobby then, and. . . ."

"You're not going anywhere." That's all Angel had to say as the tone of his voice conveyed the rest of his meaning, don't argue with me, boy.

Sighing, Spike threw his duster back over the chair. "I'm not going to run off again. I realize that what I did was wrong, and I won't do it again."

Lifting his eyebrows in disbelief, Angel could hardly believe his ears. "Excuse me, am I losing my hearing in my old age? Because I thought you just admitted that you were in the wrong, and that you won't do it again. If it isn't my hearing, then Judgment Day must be upon us."

"Very funny." Sitting down on the chair he had thrown his coat on, Spike frowned at Angel. "If I were you, I wouldn't be considering a career as a comedian."

Despite the emotional roller coaster he had been on because of Connor's return and his talk with Holtz, Angel had to smile at Spike. "Since the day I brought you home, I don't ever remember the phrase 'I won't do it again' coming out of your mouth."

"Yeah, well. . . ." Feeling some of the tension dissipate with his Sire's smile, Spike lay back down on the bed. "I'm going to try and behave better. I realize now that it's my duty as a Blood-Childe." Pausing he rolled on his side to look Angel in the face. "It's not easy though. I've spent so many years being fr. . . ." The word free almost slipped out of his mouth. "Being on my own, that it's hard to think that I have to be telling people where I'm going. That I need to have bodyguards following me everywhere. It's a whole new. . .lifestyle for me."

"But one that you were born into." Angel gave Spike another half grin. "You can't escape, you know."

"Yeah, I'm starting to get the picture." Turning over on his back, now it was Spike who stared up at the ceiling. "So, are you going to tell me what's going on with Con. . .Stev. . .my new brother?"

"He. . . ." Angel started to answer but then stopped, as the mention of Connor made him brood for a moment.

"He?" Spike prompted.

"William." Angel began to speak, but again hesitated. His mind filled with doubts that he found difficult to voice out loud. Taking his Childe's hand, he held it tight. "You promised never to leave me. You do remember that promise?"

"Yes, Sire." His hand was gripped so tightly that it hurt, but Spike ignored the pain as he was beginning to have some of his own misgivings. "I remember the promise." He answered, surprised at Angel's insecurity. Giving his Sire a thoughtful look, he wondered. 'Poofy is starting to act like a real poof. Did the frigging gypsies stop by and curse him again?'

**

"He thinks he can just order me around." A sullen Connor paced the small motel room. "Be back no later than sunset tomorrow." He mimicked Angel. "If you're not, I will be back to personally escort you home. Who the hell does he think he is?"

"Your Father." Holtz sat on the bed, his back against the headboard. "A Pure Blood like yourself, and now the High Master of your Clan. He's a powerful, respected vampire, and your destiny lies with him."

"My destiny?" Connor looked at Holtz with confusion. His childhood in Quortoth had consisted of survival and learning how to kill. He had no concept of destinies and planning for the future.

"You need to be with him. With him you will discover your true purpose and come to know who it is you are meant to be." Holtz continued in a gentle voice.

"And who is that?" Connor stopped his pacing.

"The next High Master of your Clan."

**

"Sire?" Looking sideways at Angel, Spike was a little tentative. Lifetimes could pass, and his Sire would still be a mystery to him. Was he the vicious vampire who had all of Europe trembling with fear, or the souled vampire, seeking redemption? "Do you want me to go and kill the old git?"

"No." A pensive Angel answered. "Killing Holtz would only alienate Connor even more."

"O-kay." If Holtz couldn't be killed, than Spike had no other plan of action. "So what do we do about him?"

"Holtz claimed that he would send Connor home to me, so I guess we wait and see if he keeps his promise."

Angel's words caused Spike to sit up with a start. "You're going to what - wait? The bloody Scourge of Europe is going to sit and wait?" Narrowing his eyes, he looked at his Sire suspiciously. "You feeling alright, Mate?"

Angel growled at Spike's manners but did not correct him. "I know that sitting around waiting is not my usual modus operandi, but at the time I couldn't force the issue. I read hate in my boy's eyes." He closed his eyes, remembering the way Connor had looked at him with loathing.

"So beat it out of him." Again, the solution was simple for Spike. "That's what Sires do to Childer who misbehave."

"Of course." The corner of Angel's mouth twitched. "Because that strategy worked so well with you."

Spike couldn't help but grin. He relaxed slightly at the teasing banter. "I made a resolution today, gonna start conducting myself like a Childe of the Bloodline. So you can now direct your energies toward baby brother, cause from now on I'm going to be a model of good behavior."

Now it was Angel's turn to grin and ask. "Are you feeling alright, Childe? A model of good behavior? You? Hell would freeze over before that happens."

"Well, come to think of it, I do have one bone to pick with you."

"I knew it." The good humored repartee had lightened Angel's mood. "A model of good behavior, my ass."

"This new Childe, Connor, Steven, whatever, is now your Successor, but I. . . ."

"He's not my Successor yet." Angel interrupted. "Not until he becomes of age."

"Well, he's going to be of age pretty bloody quick. And I don't see why he automatically becomes your Successor, just because he happens to be a Pure Blood. That's a load of. . . ."

"Have you and your uncle been comparing notes?" Angel raised his head to look at Spike closely. "Because he was just badgering me about this very same issue."

"Nic?" At the mention of uncle, Spike automatically thought of Nic before Damon.

"No, Damon." Angel answered. "He's pushing for Djoser to be named my Successor."

"Damon?" Spike's eyes widened in surprise, as he remembered all of Djoser's talk about their uncle desiring the position of High Master for himself. "Damon is supporting Djoser?"

"Yes." Angel frowned in disapproval. "But this isn't a conflict where we're drawing up sides. I plan to be around for many years to come, so who my Successor is, is a minor point. But I promise, Childe, when we get to Germany, I will give the matter serious thought. And just so you know, I haven't ruled out Djoser. I'm thinking that Connor will have to prove that he's superior to Djoser, before I name him Successor."

Spike could find no fault with Angel's decision. It was fair; let the superior vampire win. "For once, I agree with your judgment." Feeling unusually pleased with his Sire, he rolled over, draping his body completely on top of Angel. There was nothing like skin on skin. Nuzzling his face into the crock of his Sire's neck, he inhaled deeply. Sire's scent. The smell of comfort and protection.

"Another first." Angel wrapped strong arms around the Childe on top of him. "This day will be etched in my mind for the rest of my existence. The day my William promised to behave himself and agreed with a decision I made. Will wonders never cease?"

**

"So he's the new Pure Blood of our Clan." The vampire eyed a sleeping Connor with interest. "The one before him was Anton, who was born well over two hundred years ago."

"I understand your need for revenge against Angelus." Sitting at the small motel table, Holtz spoke in a low tone, so as not to wake his son. "But what guarantee do I have that you will do right by Steven?" He glanced quickly over at Connor.

Leaning back in his chair, the vampire whose sunglasses hid the expression in his eyes, gave Holtz a humorless half smile. "He is the one who was born in the position of High Master, and I am. . . , " He paused a moment "not much higher than a lowly minion. But years ago, I served the Old Master in Court, and I can be a valuable advisor to. . .Steven."

"But will you be a loyal one?" Holtz leaned forward slightly toward the vampire.

"Prophecy has said that this Pure Blood is special. That he will unite the vampires and save our kind from annihilation." Elder Snow radiated intensity. "I would be a fool to be anything but his loyal subject."

**

Kissing the side of Angel's neck, Spike's fangs itched. The desire to sink them in his Sire's flesh was overwhelming.

Sensing Spike's urge, Angel gave him a warning. "Careful, boy. You promised to behave, remember?"

Regretfully, Spike pulled his mouth away from the temptation of warm Sire's blood, running his lips across Angel's cheek and jaw line, stopping at Angel's mouth. "Yes, Sire." He whispered, trying to inject a note of submissiveness in his voice.

Angel couldn't help but grin at Spike's reluctant obedience. "You try me so, Childe, but. . . ." He pressed his lips hard against the mouth that was lightly touching his. "Unlife with you is never boring."

Spike wanted to taste Angel, so he pushed his tongue into his Sire's mouth, using it to lick and explore.

Angel bit down on the invading tongue, drawing blood, and causing a small yelp from Spike who immediately drew back. "Fucking hell! If you didn't want to kiss, you could have bloody well just said. . . ." He was cut off as Angel pulled his head back down, crushing their mouths together.

Biting down on his own tongue, Angel's mouth filled with blood, and Sire and Childe exchanged their life fluid in a vampire kiss.

**

Having found his release from the body under him, Wesley pulled himself out. His only concern had been to take care of his sexual need. No thoughts were given to the woman. "You know that sinking feeling you sometimes get the morning after?" He said while rolling off Lilah and lying back down on the bed. "It arrived early."

Stretching, Lilah smirked contently. "It's like a little death. Several, in fact."

Wesley didn't even bother to look at her. "Get out."

With a short laugh, Lilah rolled out of bed. "What? No sweet kiss? No when can I see you again?" Wesley's angry stare didn't intimidate her at all. "Watch the dirty looks. That's what got me going in the first place." Pulling on her clothes, she continued. "I'll give you this: you sure know how to channel your rage, frustration, and hate. Always a bigger turn on than love."

"You still here?" Wesley's tone was that of complete indifference.

Chuckling, Lilah buttoned her shirt. "I'm starting to like you, Wes. You're not making more of this than it is. Now don't be thinking about me when I'm gone."

Wesley's voice was cold and flat. "I wasn't thinking about you when you were here."

Pulling on her skirt, Lilah couldn't help the flicker of emotion that crossed her face for just a split second. "You're becoming as cold and dead as your former boss. Good thing too because I'm seeing tough times for Angel and his Clan." Picking up her jacket and bra, she began walking out of the room, but not before she tossed Wesley one more bit of information. "By the way, Judelin, the Ventrue High Master just arrived in LA. Guess things are going to start getting real interesting."

**

Pushing down with his hips, Spike took Angel completely inside of him. Closing his eyes, he threw his head back and allowed himself to luxuriate in the feeling of being one with Angel. His Sire throbbed within him, and Spike could feel the hardness, strength, and power that embodied the vampire Angelus.

"Christ, Childe." Angel said through gritted teeth, as his body began to frantically buck his hips upward. "Will you. . . ?" Sexual desire and the need for movement prevented him from saying anything more. Grabbing Spike's member, he began stroking it hard.

The fist around his cock rubbed with just the right pressure, causing Spike to lose control, driving himself downward, meeting each of Angel's upward thrusts. Tightening his inner muscles, he groaned with pleasure, feeling his orgasm approaching.

The cock in his hand spasmed, and Angel felt cool cum spill over his hand and down his wrist. One final thrust, and he shuddered; his essence flowed out, deep into his Childe.

Collapsing down on Angel's chest, Spike panted hard. Closing his eyes again, strong arms enveloped him. Cocooned within his Sire, sleep began to overtake him, but not before he whispered four words to Angel. "I love you, Father."

**

It was only a few hours later that a loud pounding woke Angel from a sound sleep.

"Angelus." Nic's voice bellowed through the door. "Get up. Damon and Djoser are back, and we have a visitor."

Aroused from a sound sleep, Angel couldn't help the loud growl.

"I heard that." Nic opened the door and stuck his head in. "You're still a crabby ass bastard when someone wakes you."

"Who's the visitor?" Gently untangling himself from Spike, Angel swung his legs out of bed.

"Wesley. Says he's got some information for us."

"I'll be down in a minute." Standing up, Angel began shuffling toward the bathroom. "Offer him something while he waits."

"Offer him something?" Nic asked in disbelief as he watched Angel disappear in the bathroom. "Like what? O-positive?"

**

"How much fucking longer are they going to talk?" Sitting in the Hyperion lobby, Nic grumbled to Damon and Djoser while peering into Angel's office. The vampire was hoping for a chance to speak to Wesley. "Would like to go back to bed and see if I can get another half hour sleep."

"What are you complaining about?" Damon sat back in a chair, sipping a mug of animal blood. He had just checked on his son, and his Childe was sleeping peacefully. "You didn't have to travel to and from Sunnydale in less than a twenty four hour period."

"No." Nic yawned widely. "Instead I had the pleasure of chasing after William and your brat."

"My brat!" Damon looked offended.

"Yeah, the two dumb shits decided to go out for pizza. No bodyguards. No nothing. And then to top it off, Angelus' new brat also decided to. . . ." Nic broke off, as Connor walked through the hotel's main entrance. "The Clan's newest Childe cometh." He said with a grin, eyeing the approaching Connor. "First lesson for you, ask permission before leaving the lair."

With a superior smirk, Connor hid his true feelings of fear and insecurity. "I'm a Pure Blood." He announced with a false bravado. "I don't ask permission from a Half Blood like you."

Speechless for a moment, Nic straightened up. "Fucking brat! I'm your uncle and elder, and you don't speak to me like that."

Pausing for a moment, Connor looked over his two uncles and half brother. Remembering Holtz's words about his duty and destiny, he told them arrogantly. "I'm the first Pure Blood in more than two hundred years. It is my destiny to become the next High Master, and all of you, one day will be kneeling at my feet."

****