Kindred

Titia closed and locked the condo's front door behind her.  She set her briefcase down and leaned back against the door exhausted from day of meetings and debates.  She with a sigh she made her way blurry-eyed down the dark hall to her bedroom.  The only thing that kept her from crashing at the office was the thought of curling up in Spike's cool arms.  

The strength of her Mate's smell became thick in the hall.  As she approached her bedroom door, she became aware of Angel's scent as well.  She paused hearing growling from the room beyond.  She opened the door and was hit with the pungent bouquet of vampire mixed with the anise smell of tarragon.  She stood stunned at the sight of her Mate's and her friend's naked purring bodies sitting intertwined in the middle of their canopied bed, their pale bodies glowing against the dark purple coverlet.  

Two handsome demon faces turned their diluted yellow eyes on her.  Condensation put a shine on their goofy expressions.  Swaying slightly, they sniffed in her direction.  

Alien emotions flooded through her.  Hunger and hot want warmed her groin.  She rolled the scented air over her tongue.  Her face flushed with desire.  She took several steps into the room, before angry human thoughts of betrayal pressed into her awareness and backed her to the door.  

Spike licked his lips.  "Come on, love.  Join us."  His voice came thickly from his demon throat as he held out his hand, urging her to join them.  

Shaking her head, she stumbled backwards through the door.  Rage and want waged an inner war as she stumbled into the guest room and crawled shaking into the bed alone.  

Titia sniffed the displaced air that brushed against fine hair on her skin.  She didn't need to turn from her desk to know who stood to her left at the door.  

"Hello, Angel.  " She hit suspend on her laptop.  "Come have a seat.  Can I have Kat get you something?"

"Titia.  I-"

"Come sit.  " She got up and moved to her favorite leather chair.  

"I .  .  .  " She watched as he sighed and walked resignedly around the coffee table to sat in the couch opposite her.  She studied his long hunched form.  So many things had changed since they first sat this way.  "I .  .  .  "

"You want to apologize.  You worry too much, love.  You're a vampire.  I think you forget sometimes.  " As do I, she tried to squeeze away the image of Angel's naked beauty as he sat beside Spike this morning.  Their enticing scent still alive in her mind.  

"Maybe.  But I still shouldn't have given in."  Gone was the happy vamp that Buffy had helped to find.  Back again was the guilt-ridden expression.  

"Yes, well.  .  .  this is Spike we're talking about.  He wanted you, you wanted him, and he dug out the vampnip. " She knew her vampire.  The shock and human anger passed quickly under the certainty of Spike's feelings for her.  She stroked her neck, he had made doubly sure she knew that this afternoon.  

"I still .  .  .  shouldn't have trespassed without seeking your feelings.  "

"Ha.  If vampnip worked on me, I'd have been in that bed in a heartbeat.  The sight and smell of you two nearly overwhelmed me."

"He's yours-"

"You bet he's mine.  But you're his true Sire in his mind and Dru was his love.  Drusilla may have done the biting, but Angelus made him the vampire he is." She smiled at him hoping to appear more at ease than she felt.  

"I didn't picture you taking this so easily." He ran his hands through his spiky sable hair and looked up at her from under his heavy brows.  "You seriously thought about joining us?"

"Well, my alter-ego certainly did.  It had me in the room before the human part got over the shock.  But once I had a second to think, I realized it wouldn't be a good thing, me and you."

His brows grew together.  "What do you mean?"

"I don't think you, I and our inner demons would work well in a sexual way." She could feel his eyes on her as she stood and went to the walnut liqueur cabinet.  "Would you like a drink?"

He nodded.  "Irish?"

She held out a bottle of Black Bush, and poured a couple of fingers each into old-fashion glasses.  She stepped back to her chair, handing him a glass over the table, before sitting.  

He trained his dark-brown eyes on her.  "You were about to explain why you wouldn't join with me as kin."

"Kin? If you mean lovers, well, it just wouldn't work.  At the risk of making this weird discussion more personal .  .  .  I've noticed that you love a woman who can toss you around and argue you into submission, but is submissive to you in the sack.  Let's just say, I prefer my partners the same way." More so than ever.   She stood and went to the window.  There was a violet hue edging into the sky.  

"I think it might be fun." She heard him mutter.  She turned an arched eyebrow onto the innocent look he had plastered onto his features.  

"You're insatiable, aren't you? You'd think between Spike and Buffy you'd be exhausted."

He shrugged.  "I have lots of time to make up for."

Titia shook her head at him.  There was still a vampire under that cuddly exterior.  It made her tingle to see it.  She looked at her watch; the gold Cartier gleamed in the warm tungsten light.  It was four in the morning.  "William should be home soon.  I hope we didn't lose another minion.  His integration is going smoothly for the most part." She laughed.  "He has them running scared." She turned back to the window.  "They think he's great.  There is no doubt like there was with me.  He's ruthless." She smiled at the memory of the vicious figure her Mate could cut in his black duster as he prowled about his minions.  He seemed larger than life when the power of mastery worked on his followers.  

"But he comes home to be ravisheed by you."

"And enjoys it immensely." Her lips curled at one end as she looked back at him.  "I believe that's your training at work."

Angel kept his innocent look.  "It was Dru who picked him."

"Oh, like you didn't point and say 'that one, go girl'."

"I would never be that obvious." He muttered.  

"Whatever.  You chose him, she bit him, and you trained him.  Your blood runs in his veins.  And no matter how guilty it makes you feel, I am forever grateful to Angelus for him."

His brows drew together only to be relieved by a crooked grin.  "Angelus sends suggestions on how you could repay your debt."

She turned away from him.  The sparkle of Angelus in his warm-brown eyes sent cracks through her reserve.  How can you even contemplate it? He could kill you.   She strove against the mixture of fear and want.  "Go back to mopey would you-" A warm presence entered her awareness and she looked toward the door several seconds before Angel.  

"Hi, honey.  I'm home," came the rich, accented voice from the hall.  

The blond vampire strode confidently through the door.  "Hello, Peaches." Spike said as he walked over to kiss Titia.  

"How's the head count?" Titia queried.  

"The same as yesterday.  But there's a couple of your staff that I threatened to nibble on." He sniffed the air.  "So did you two work it out." He looked at Angel.  

"No-"

"Yes-"

Their replies came simultaneously.  

"Well.  She's not mad." Angel offered.  

"You won't join us? Why not, pet?" He said petulantly as he ran his fingers down her spine.  The smell of musk in the room rose to lap at her senses.  

"You know why.  It wouldn't work." Her fingers traveled unconsciously down her neck; the scarring still an angry pink and a fresh puncture only lightly scabbed.  

"Don't forget Dr. Hum's party mix.  It makes him all cuddly."

Angel's dark brows lowered at this.  Spike's eyes glittered with amusement.  "Hardly even bitey, he was."

"Maybe.  But our sweet Angel has you already, baby." She kissed his forehead, and then touched it with hers.  "He doesn't have me.  I'd be lucky to survive with my throat intact." She stepped away from him and went to sit at her desk.  "You two go play.  I've got work to do.  But Angel . . . save some of him for me." She felt Spike come up behind her.  He lowered his head and kissed the pink scarring on her neck.  "I'll need him . . . later."

"Come on, mate." She heard Spike urge, his voice already deepened and slurred slightly by his fangs.  "I've had a long day."

Once they had left the room, she looked down to where her hands held the edge of her desk in a white knuckled grip.  She expelled the breath she'd been holding in an effort to keep down the presence that struggled within.  She wasn't sure if she was ever going to get used to this duality.  How does Angel do it? It reminded her of her own thoughts about Spike and how he was so integrated, embracing both sides of his being without thought.  She had hoped that he could teach this to Angel never thinking she would need his help as well.  He had already offered her better balance in other aspects of her life than she had before.  She no longer lived entirely for work now that there was a reason to come home.  

And now her reason for coming home was in bed screwing her friend and his Sire.  She no longer felt it as betrayal.  Her emotions had changed as those of the Other leached its own passions out into her awareness.  The only human feeling left on the issue was the fear that held her ass glued to her chair.  She became terrified that should she survive the little contest of wills with her large dark-eyed friend she would lose more of her humanity.  She could see reflected in the faces of her co-workers how much of a change had already been wrought.  Can I maintain my role, if I accept a greater union with my demon? She was afraid of the implications and how they might affect her ability to do her job.  

Oh.  Angel.   She realized she had probably hurt him.  He might perceive her refusal as rejection.  If he only knew how I've always harbored such carnal feelings for him.  But she didn't want this weird swing relationship to interfere with their friendship.  She felt she understood vampire sex well enough by now to know a battle of wills with Angel could turn bloody.  Bad bloody not good bloody.   Her mind drifted to the memory of their beautiful bodies sitting intertwined on the bed.  The enticing combination of their mingled scent and anise.  With a mental slap she turned back to stare at her laptop.  

"Okay, pet." Spike said as he strode naked into the room His body shone luminescent in the warm light.  "Come on." He plucked her from the desk chair.

The smell of him sent hot fingers done her spine flushing her body with want.  "No, Spike.  I can't." She couldn't fight him as he easily carried her down the hall.  She was too busy fighting herself.  

"Your body is saying 'yes', love." He kissed her forehead as they entered the master bedroom.  "Let us show you something."

As the smell of the room collided with her senses, she felt her demon join in her awareness bringing the room into finer focus.  Was it me that just licked my lips? She salivated at the sight of Angel's slick voluptuous form.  His muscles baroque curves in contrast to her Mate's lean rococo form.  

Spike crawled onto the bed to set her sideways into his Sire's lap.  She vibrated with an inner energy as the two started to undress her.  Spike's deft fingers unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it from her.  Angel rumbled as he kissed her breasts along the edges of her bra and up the right side of her neck.  She moaned unwillingly as his tongue traced the place were she had nursed him seven times.  He pulled away to kiss along his Childe's neck.  Spike rumbled in response, turning away from the removal of Titia's pants to meet his Sire's lips.  

Titia could smell blood as the passion of the vampires kiss drew blood from each other's lips.  Her face started to hurt at the sight of them, her fascination allowing her guard down to her demon within.  She sat up running her tongue along their joined lips tasting the salty metallic tang of their mixed blood.  Its power made her mouth tingle.  Her Mate pulled away first to capture her mouth, their teeth clicking together under the force, drawing blood.  Angel sniffed closer licking her lips as Spike gave way before him.  The older vampire's dilated yellow eyes sparkled looking onto hers as he slid his tongue between her lips.  Angelus was there in those depths beneath the vampnip haze.  It terrified and aroused her.  She dropped her hand to caress his large thickened member that was pressed against his stomach by her thigh.  

Spike slipped off the rest of her clothes, leaving her hot body in contact with Angel's cool lap.  The blond reached around them to lick again at the angry scars on Titia's neck.  The sensations became overpowering as their deft hands roamed her body.  Angel divided his attention between her lips and breasts as Spike kissed down her side and across her stomach.  He sank down between her thighs to lead a cool assault on the source of her heat.  

The dark head at her breast sniffed and withdrew from its biting attention to her nipple to growl at the blond head between her thighs.  Spike lifted his face to meet his Sire's brief kiss.  She moaned as her Mate returned to his labours.  Then Angelus turned back to her grinning as he licked her fluids from his lips.  His demon ridges were a parody of his human frown.  But there was nothing amusing about the animation of his eyes.  "How do you feel, my beauty?" There was a strong hint of an Irish in his thickened voice.

A thrill went through her at Angelus' closeness.  She was unable to take her eyes from his until Spike's victorious campaign made her gasp.  At her first moan, the large vampire roughly pulled her head aside and sank his teeth deep into the scarless right side of her neck.  Her whole body shook under their combined attack.  She slumped briefly against Angelus' cool shoulder.  

Shakily, she raised herself up and was guided onto the cold thick member she still held.  She watched Angelus' lip pull back exposing huge elongated teeth as he growled at the feel of her heat.  She gasped as she slowly forced her still clenched passage to except his length and thickness.  He leaned toward her dragging his fangs lightly over her neck as she set the rhythm.  She looked up to meet sparkling dilated blue-grey eyes and cool lips as her Mate wrapped his arms around her and his Sire.  After a deep kiss, William pulled away to meet the dark-haired vampire's lips.  She watched their tongues flick and curl around each other like pale pink snakes.  Angelus growled throatily and his fingers bruising her hips as he urged her faster.  She groaned at the delicious friction.  She felt dizzy as her Mate tongued his marks and Angelus sucked on his.  She felt through the white hot pleasure of her body, her lover pull away and roared his climax.  His hands forcing her to deep shallow thrusts as he shuddered against her.  Her Mate bit deep into her neck eliciting a snarl of release revealing her own demon teeth as she sunk them into Angel's thick neck.  

Thick cool blood flowed slowly into her mouth, part of her brain registered that its flavour held a strong resemblance to her Mate's, as the faint glow of Angel appeared beside the brilliant glow of her William in her mind.  The clash of metal and the deafening sound of gunfire.  The smell of blood all round her.  Spike's and Angelus's presence glowed warmly on her mental landscape.  It is as it should be.   All was right as conscious human thought faded into snarling demon passion.  

Angel awoke his mind warmed by the presence of his family curled beside him.  He opened his eyes to see a red flow of curls across his shoulder and the black painted fingernails of William's hand resting on his chest.  The younger vampire's blond head rested on the pillow next to him.  His body curled around his Mate's pressing her warm length against Angel's left side.  He laid there calmly assessing his abused body.  It was covered in small cuts from sharp claws and punctures from sharp teeth.  It was bruised from super-human strength and rung dry from super-human passion.  He felt great.  His body was sated in a way it hadn't been in over a hundred mortal years.  

The only thing that was missing was Buffy's small warm body curled sleepily at his right.  The bliss of his mood was tainted by the knowledge that this never could be.  No rational part of his mind could picture Buffy's acceptance of this part of his nature.  She was too humanly possessive to see this as anything other than betrayal.  If he was only able to Claim her that could all be put in its proper place.  And that couldn't happen.  There was no part of him that could see surviving the magical pleasure he could see in his two kin's loving embrace.  They would have to keep this quiet.  Here he was already breaking his promise to be open about his nature.  How could I make her see that I need this? I need a real family.  I love Wesley and Cordelia, and Gunn.  But, they were human.  They didn't have the blood.  

He looked at the light that seeped around the edges of the heavy drawn curtains.  He'd have to get Titia to drive him home.  The team would be gathering even now to work on this evenings battle plans.  

But first.   Angel slid his arm out from under the necks of his kin leaving their heads resting on their pillow so he could turn on his side and embrace them.  He felt the muscles of Spike's side twitch under his touch and Titia sigh as he kissed Spike's marks on the side of her neck.  

She was the first to wake.  She met his lips without reservation pressing her breasts against him.  He felt a hand slip between them to cup one of her soft mounds as Spike woke to join them.  Angel opened his eyes to see a single grey eye look at him over the tousled auburn hair.  He watched as the Titia pressed her hips back against her Mate and William's grey eye close and his lips part in a silent moan as he pressed into her.  The dark-haired vampire's mind supplied the memory of the heat that created the look of bliss on the beautiful blond's face.  He released Titia's lips to reach behind her and slid his tongue between the parted lips of her lover to taste his passion.  Angel moaned as the red-head's blunt human teeth bit along her marks on his neck as she was rocked against him.  

Angel allowed his body to respond as two strong hands gripped his rigid cock.  They shared their passion in gentle fondling and fierce tugging.  Their gasps of fulfillment were not long in being followed by his own.  Spike released his mouth to nip along his Mate's shoulder as he withdrew his length from her.  He crawled over them to run his slick cock between the cheeks of his Sire's ass.  Angel heard the fumbling of a searching hand on the bedside table then felt a long finger playing along his ass before sliding in.  

In front of him, Titia turned in his arms pressing her back against his chest to quickly sheath him gasping with her hot sex.  She twisted to engage his mouth as she started with shallow thrusts.  He was already moaning by the time Spike's rigid shaft pushed deep in him.  He groaned under their assault, holding still to relish their synchronized tempo of their movements.  He felt energy ebb and flow between them, channelling their blood bond through him allowing him to share in their heightened pleasure.  It was so intense he thought his mind might fry.  He was overwhelmed.  He arched Titia to the side so his lips could meet his marks on right side of her neck.  He started thrusts of his own, each thrust into Titia's heat pulled him off of Spike, every retreating one impaled him.  He snarled as pleasure came in hot dizzying waves.  He bit deep into the neck in front of him making her buck harder against him as she climaxed moaning her passion in his ear.  His growls subsided to sobs; the blue lightning of his pinnacle was further fueled by the hot electric power of his kinswomen's blood.  He was left weak and shaky, his body abandoned to Spike's fierce final thrusts.  The blond vampire clutched him tightly as their bodies shook under pleasures fading intensity.  Angel sighed as Titia pulled away and turned to wrap her arms around the two of them before sliding herself back onto him.  He wanted to stay all week wrapped in their glory leaving only to stumble home to collapse into Buffy's warm arms.  

But this couldn't be.  He had responsibilities and though he felt physically exhausted, he felt spiritually ready to face whatever demon awaited him tonight.  He stirred waking them to the idea of his departure.  

"Well.  That was fun." Came Spike's muffled voice from where his face was pressed against Angel's back.  

Titia's laugh started at the sound of her Mate's spent words and built to clarity as she fisted Angel's unruly locks and kissed his brow.  "It certainly was." Her copper-brown eyes held deep brown ones before her.  "When do think you will return next?"

"Depending on how things go tonight, maybe Thursday.  "

"Good," she said and he was again rewarded with her kisses.  "The way I see it we will be heading for Montreal on Monday.  And I want to feel you this way again before we leave."

"You have to leave so soon .  .  .  of course you do." He nodded his dark head still clasped in warm hands.  He sighed.  He felt lonely already as they pealed themselves away.  He rolled out of bed and sniffed the air.  Feeling a bit sheepish at the thought of what his colleagues would think at his smell, he hooked his thumb in the direction of the hall bathroom.  

He turned and pulled open the door to be meet with Kat's raised knuckles.  The housekeeper's mouth dropped as she saw their three naked bodies, then closing her eyes as the smell of the room hit her.  She made an abrupt about face and walked calmly away.  "I'll put an extra mug of blood on," she said as she retreated shaking her head down the hall.  

Spike snickered and drew his love into an embrace.  

"Poor woman.  It's a good thing she used to live in a commune." She returned her love's hug their lean beautiful bodies intertwined.  

"Right you are, pet.  'Cause she'll see no end to wackiness here." He grinned wickedly unto her neck as his eyes caught Angel's.  

The dark-haired vampire was unsure at first.  Bugger it, as Will would say.   He strode naked to the bathroom.  

Titia felt strange as she carried a bag of Angel's things into the lobby of the Hyperion.  She entered through the French doors from the courtyard on the Monday of their departure.  She had only been here once what felt like an age ago, to search the place for answers to her puzzling Dream of Angel.  She could now feel his presence up and to the left of her.  

Her long black silk skirt flowed about her ankles and dragged slightly as she walked down the steps to the front desk.  She greeted Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn for the first time in person.  

"Hello," she offered her hand to Wesley, "I'm Latitia Gordon.  It's nice to meet you three in the flesh finally." She shook all three hands in turn, as they murmured their greetings.  

"I'm sorry we hadn't a chance meet before this.  I heard you were leaving.  We've all heard so much about you.  " Wesley said with a big smile.  

Put those eyes back in your head handsome, I'm taken.  "I've heard a lot about you three as well.  I'm afraid you won't be able to avoid the acquaintance in the future.  Here are my contact numbers again.  I wanted to make sure you had them on record incase you should need us.  His soulness," she pointed over her head, "has my numbers, but since we all know how he likes to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders alone, I don't trust him to call when appropriate.  We are only six hours on a good flight path away." She hefted her bag.  "I'm going to say good-bye to the old bear."

"He's probably still asleep." Cordelia said stepping forward.  

"I'm sure he is." She gave Cordy a wink, "but he won't be for long."

Titia followed her enhanced sense of Angel up the stairs to room 217.  She didn't bother to knock knowing that if he was awake he would already know she was here.  She found his bedroom and saw a smile creep across his sleepy features as she approached through the dim light.  

She sat down beside him and put hand on his bare chest over his heart.  "Titia." He murmured drowsily and reached up to pull her to him.  She let him meet her lips.  He tasted clean and musky even after sleep.  Pushing away from his bear hug, she watched as he opened his eyes.  "Spike?"

"He's already at the airport bunker with the other nighttime flyers.  But I can sincerely pass this on from him." She reached forward and again dipped her tongue between his lips.  Even though she knew she shouldn't, she asked, "is there anything you want me to give him?"

The corner of his mouth turned up and his eyes danced with Angelus' merry light.  "Sure my beauty, there is." The Irish turn of his voice made her heart jump as he pulled her onto his chest.  

She could feel his readiness as she rubbed her pelvis against him.  She lifted up and pulled her silk underwear free before they could be rent from her body.  She lay down against him to feel his cool chest against her cheek.  "We're going to miss you Angel."

"And I you." He said as he nuzzled her hair.  

Titia pulled the blankets from between them to fondled the thick head of his ready cock.  She positioned herself and watched the shocked gasp escaped from Angel's beautiful face.  She loved how they gave themselves to the sensation of mortal heat like it was always the first time.  She bent over to slip her tongue between his lips and capture his moans.  She savoured his taste.  She etched the sound of his voice in her mind.  Her fingers storing the feel of the curves of his chest and the thickness of his hair.  What a fine beautiful demon my kinsman is.  

His lips built her to a pinnacle as they traced his already fading marks on her neck.  "Angelus!" She struck him sinking she teeth deep in his neck.  His cool tangy blood slid over her tongue as her body shook under her climax.  She licked once along his neck, and then gasped as he crushed her tightly against him and felt the sharp prick of his fangs.  The brightness of his presence grew stronger in her mind.  

His cool tongue licked over the bite, then he pressed his lips against it hugging her tightly.  "I'm going to miss you so much.  It seems cruel to finally rebuilt a family and then have them go away so soon."

"I know.  I've been without one for a long time too.  " She combed his hair into spikes as she memorized his features.  "You will take care of yourself and call Buffy or us if the pressure get's too great again?" She caught his eyes willing him to bend to her suggestion even though she new she had little hope of conquering him.  Unlike her Mate, Angelus had played a lifetime of mind games.  "Remember you are important to us.  You are not alone my love."

His will was not hers but he smiled gently and nodded.  She kissed his brow and extricated herself from his body.  They both sighed as their bodies parted.  "You take care of Will, okay.  And, you remember the words you've spoken to me.  You are as guilty as I in that department." His eyes were puddles of melted chocolate under the stress of parting.  She bent down and kissed him again, while retrieving her panties from beside him.  

She gave him a brave smile as she turned to the door, her lips quirked to the side on the threshold of his bedroom.  "Let's see what question's I can stir up downstairs about your habits." She gave him a little wave and departed.  

The aircraft hanger loomed overhead in the late afternoon light as Collin pulled his mustang up to a human-sized door at the side.  Titia could easily make out the shiny new plaque on the door proclaiming in black and white that this was the property of GORDON AND LANDRY MOVING AND STORAGE INTERNATIONAL.  

Titia smiled at Collin and kissed his cheek before getting out of the car.  She leaned back through the window.  "Thanks for the drive, Collin.  Finish up quick here won't you, I don't think I can function without you."

"I'll be home right on your tail.  Don't worry.  Just got to teach that new hotshot some tricks.  Remind me again why I picked a hacker and not just some computer nerd." Collin shook his head and took a deep breathe.  

"Because you wanted someone who was cut from the same cloth as you." Titia winked at him and stepped back from the car.  "Try and keep Locust from wiping out the pack, okay."

"I'll threaten to stake him personally.  Bye!"

Titia watched the hacker drive away and then turned and walked into the aircraft hanger.  The old Douglas DC-8 looked lumpy even under the well kept paint.  It's large cargobay door was still open as four vampires negotiated Spike's DeSoto off the scissor lift and carried it inside.  

She moved along the wall to avoid the busy pre-flight activity.  Titia hated to fly in the old cargo plane, its retrofitted passenger section was noisy and uncomfortable.  But there was no justification to call in the small passenger jet off its prescheduled European run just to haul this small group home.  No sense upsetting well paying clients either.  She could just picture the indignant look on Vlad's features if he found out his flight was cancelled.  Wouldn't want to piss that one off.  Besides he was one of our best customers.  

She could pick out Spike's black clad figure amongst the motley crew of vamps playing cards at the back of the hanger. She smiled as she approached watching her Mate's body language as he unconsciously picked up her arrival.  

As Titia approached, Spike slapped his cards down with a wicked grin and then cuffed the stunned looking vampire facing him across the head.  The Master stood and turned to smile a welcome to his Mate.  

He sniffed her and his face softed as they walked arm-in-arm to the small nearly empty back office.  "How is he?" He asked as the gained the utilitarian space.  

"Upset.  He looked so distraught when I left.  It's so hard leaving him.  But as Buffy always says he's a big boy and he's been around along time.  She'll be up next weekend and it will help ease the missage."

Spike nodded and turned to close and lock the door.  "The plane will be ready to leave in an hour.  I left orders to get the boys loaded as soon as the cargo was aboard."

Titia sat up on the cold surface of green enameled desk and opened her arms.  Her Mate stepped into her embrace without reservation.  She felt his cool breath as he sighed into her neck.  "This sucks.  I just get the bloody bugger back and we have to leave him.  I don't know who I feel sorrier him or me." He looked up into Titia's warm eyes and the corner of his mouth turned up.  "Definitely him." His face eased into a smile as he met her lips.  

His hand cupped the back of her head the other the small of her back.  Titia sighed into his embrace holding him tight.  No matter how much she had come to love Angel nothing could feel as right as this.  This was home.