Title:   A Past Not Forgotten

Author:   angelspike69 & anamcara420

Rating:   NC17

Pairing:   Angel/Spike

Summary:   It’s been 25 years since the events in the alley.  Who survived?

Spoilers:   There will be some slight spoilers from Not Fade Away, and then it goes totally AU as the screen went black.

Warnings:   M/M sex – if this isn’t your cup of tea, then don’t read.

Disclaimer:   Joss created the characters.  We’re just playing with boys, and having lots of fun.

Distribution:   My Perfect Rhyme (http://www.myperfectrhyme.com).  If you’d like to archive it, please ask.

Authors’ Note #1:   Thanks to Elisabeth for answering our request for a beta.  You are fantastic.

Authors’ Note #2:   The flashback sequences in this chapter were written with the help of Buffy World - http://www.buffyworld.com.

Feedback:   AngelSpike69 (marinersgal69@msn.com) & Anamcara420 (anamcara@excite.com)

 

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Chapter 17

As she woke up the next morning, Faith listened for movement but there was only dead silence in the apartment.  She lay in bed for a bit, willing her mind and body to wake and worrying about Angel.  She couldn’t quite wrap her mind around what happened.  When Angel called to tell her about Will she was intrigued, at first, but that quickly turned into concern.  The vampire’s stress was obvious in his voice.  It was the same tone that he had used when he talked to her in his mansion all those years ago, when he was trying to convince her to let him help her.  She heard it again when he tried to convince her to leave him after she had helped him out of the alley.  No one had ever spoken to her like that.  She never forgot that calm, slightly tremulous, yet determined voice.  It held power but also worry and…and love…the love of friendship from a being who knew the anguish of loneliness.  Knowing Angel as she did, she knew he would feel terrible guilt about the boy and what he was going through, because more than a century before he had destroyed the gentle poet William, created the arrogant blonde vampire and taught him to relish murder and mayhem.  She knew Angel would try to help no matter what the cost personally.

Now with Spike being back and human, Angel’s guilt at Will’s loss and his desire for Spike to remain in his life would battle each other for dominance.  The stress, confusion and pain would devastate Angel.  She was worried, pissed off and uncertain how she could help him.  None of this bode very well for her friend.  If Will was gone permanently, how would his loss be explained to Giles, the coven, and to the kid’s adoptive parents?  Giles hated Angel and the former watcher would see to it that the vampire who loved and hurt his precious Buffy was finally destroyed.  How would Angel deal with the horrific guilt that the human young man was lost because of what he did or didn’t do?

And Spike.  How would the vampire who reveled in being “the big bad” demon deal with being human?  It was obvious he hated the weakness of a human body.  Even though she had seen his feelings for Angel, would the pull of his old love for Buffy take him away?  Would he abandon Angel for the slayer?  Buffy had had several relationships, but none lasted.  Faith had always wondered why, just as she was surprised every day that she spent twenty-five years with Robin.  Was Buffy always looking for what she had with Angel?  With Spike?  Faith thrust all thoughts about Buffy out of her mind.  None of this was about her.  Everything was about Angel, Spike and Will.

Even if he remained Spike, she didn’t see Angel letting himself start anything now that Spike wasn’t a vampire.  He’d push him away, wanting him to have a normal life as a human being.  That was Angel, always thinking of others, never of the cost to himself.

Faith remembered how he was after Spike died twenty-five years ago. It took him years to be able to stay in one place; years of loneliness and recrimination as he traced his long existence as the vicious vampire, Angelus, across Europe and Asia.  Only the long delayed interference of that angel, Dominic, enabled him to consider beginning a new life for himself.  She had daily thanked whatever gods were actually watching that Jeff Cardiff was as grateful and loyal as he was.  The man had helped her friend begin a new life.  It was a lonely life, but at least Angel had some satisfaction in sharing his knowledge of art.  She smiled to herself.  Maybe she would have stayed in school if she had ever had a teacher like Angel.  She sighed and shook her head.  Not even Angel could have kept her imprisoned in a world of bewildering books, sadistic evil educators and demented dorks.

She quickly turned her mind back to her friend.  She talked to him every few months over the years and they emailed each other every week.  She smiled again.  Angel was much more expressive in emails, obviously because he had been born at a time when letters were the normal form of communication.  He revealed much more of his thoughts in those short electronic messages.  She knew that he was content in his existence but that he was still keeping everyone at a distance and not forming any sincere, close attachments like he did with Cordy, Doyle, Wesley, and later Gunn and Fred.  He had lost all of them and blamed himself.  Spike’s loss was the final blow.  He was Angel’s family and his death meant not only his physical loss but the loss of a possible relationship that had been slowly developing.  Since the devastation in the alley, he allowed himself only peripheral friendships like Cardiff and his daughters, the bookseller and that neighbor who was a nurse.

Groaning a bit at her mind’s exhaustive kaleidoscopic meanderings, Faith got up, washed her face, brushed her teeth and dressed.  She walked slowly and quietly out of her room into the kitchen, still a bit groggy from her travel.  She peered into the living room and stopped.  She held her breath as she gazed at a half naked Angel holding a half naked Spike protectively against him.  In his sleep, Spike had flung his slender arm across Angel’s broad chest and nestled his face into the larger vampire’s neck.  They looked so peaceful, but she noticed Spike’s almost gaunt upper body.  He had always been thin, but his human body looked…emaciated.

She stared in wonder at Angel’s tranquil face; his unfurrowed brow.  She couldn't remember Angel ever looking this relaxed and content, except in that photograph where he slept with baby Connor in his arms.  Faith closed her eyes and wished that all would turn out well for them, especially for Angel.  She ground and her teeth and shouted silently.  Do you hear me you damn Powers That Be.  He deserves…you owe him peace.  He has more than made up for his Angelus days and you know it!

She opened her eyes and furiously blinked away the tears that threatened to spill onto her cheeks.  She felt like a peeping tom as she continued to stare at the sleeping figures, half covered with blankets, sprawled together on the floor in front of a now cold fireplace.  So lost was she in her voyeurism and thoughts, she didn’t realize that Angel had awakened until she felt his glance.  His sheepish brown eyes caught her attention.  She looked at him, raised her eyebrow, and gave him a wink, and then a saucy grin.  She could have sworn that Angel actually blushed.

Faith started to step forward but Angel stopped her with a slow shake of his head.  She stepped back and watched while Angel slowly slipped free of Spike’s embrace.  He stood and she saw that he was partially dressed.  She wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or sad.  Angel bent down and gently picked up the sleeping man who moaned slightly at the movement but didn’t awaken.

“I’ll be right back.”  He whispered as he carefully carried Spike into his bedroom.

She heard water running in the sink and after a few minutes, Angel rejoined Faith, walking into the room, buttoning up a clean shirt.  He found her in the kitchen making a pot of coffee.  She offered him a cup of the steaming brew, but he declined.  As she sat down at the table, he went to the refrigerator and took out a carafe of blood.  He poured it into a mug and placed it into the microwave, carefully removing it before it pinged.  He joined her at the table.

“So…”  Faith began after a few minutes of silence.

He shook his head and said softly. “I don’t want to talk about it right now, Faith.”

“Not gonna work, buddy.  You know that.”

“I know, but I thought I’d give it a try anyway.”  Angel smiled slightly.  He knew Faith wouldn’t let it lie.

“Look Angel, I know Spike appearing must have been quite a shock to you.  It was to me.  I was expecting the meek and mild college student you described, but then he sashayed his ass into the room last night.  It was all Spike, no trace of the Will you told me about.”  She paused and they both grinned at the image.  “And I know you felt guilty about him being killed, but…”

“But what Faith?”

“Do you know what you’re doing here?”

“What I’m doing?  I’m trying to help Spike.”

“I know that’s your intention, Angel, but is it really Spike?  I mean, he walks like Spike and he talks like Spike, but he’s human.  And he was totally someone else before you gave him the medicine.  How can he be both?  So who is he, Angel?”

“I don’t know.”  Angel sighed and dropped his head down. She noticed his fingers tighten around the mug.

“I know you want him to be Spike, but don’t you think you should find out who he is and what’s going on with him first before things get too carried away?”

“Before…carried away…What are you talking about?”

Faith said nothing, just raised her eyebrow at him.

“Oh...you mean what you saw?  Nothing happened, Faith…really.”

“Oh, so not what it looked like from where I was standing, Angel.  I know how distraught you were all those years ago when he died.  I know how…how much you’ve missed Spike…even though you wouldn’t admit it to yourself.  I know you have regrets about what wasn’t said and done before it all went down twenty-five years ago.”

“What are you trying to say, Faith?  You aren’t normally one to mince your words.”

“Look Angel, I care about you.  You are my best friend, and you know I want nothing more than for you to be happy.  You deserve to be happy.  I just can’t shake the feeling that there’s a possibility here that the Powers or someone else is fucking around with you.”

“We are friends and I care about you too, you know that, Faith.  You’re the only one I ever stayed in touch with.”

The warmth in his voice encouraged her and she continued.  “So for once in my life, I’m going to be the voice of reason here.  Obviously whatever that medicine was that you gave Will, did something too him.  For all intents and purposes, he looks to be a reincarnated version of Spike.  I know that he shanshued, but what do we really know about the prophecy?  We know it said that the vampire with a soul would become human.  Well, that seems to be what happened.  But is it Spike in a human body, or is it Will with some of the blonde bombshell’s pain-in-the ass personality?  And why didn’t Will act like Spike before you gave him that medicine?  I don’t know and you don’t either.  So I think you need to see that witch fast and find out.  Is this permanent or not?  You need to find out Angel, before you get hurt.”  She stopped finally to take a breath, surprised by her long semi-tirade.  “I’m sorry…I…”

Angel smiled and put his hand on hers.  “I know, Faith, and I agree with you.  But…I just …we both wanted one night…we just wanted to be close…with no regrets.  We didn’t have that chance before.  We were both too stubborn to find out where anything might lead, neither of us wanting to give an inch.  I mean, he could wake up right now and not be Spike.”

“So were there no regrets last night?  Did you…?”  She stopped and looked away, suddenly shy at her intrusive question.  “You…you two looked like a couple of…of cuddle bears there on the floor.”

“No, there are regrets.”  He lowered his eyes and spoke.  “It…it didn’t go as far as it looked.  He’s still too injured.”  Angel looked up, slightly embarrassed as he smiled.  “Unfortunately.  But I promise, I’ll go see Morgana today.  Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Now, will you to tell me what you found out?  Was Willow able to learn anything?”

Faith looked at Angel intently, sighed and began to speak.  “Well, I found out a bit, but it’s still not a whole hell of a lot.”

“Well, a little is better than what we have now.  So tell me.”

“I called Willow right after you told me about Will.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to tell her, but I said that you had a student in your class that looked like Spike and that you were trailing him.  I told her about the conversation you overheard and that he mentioned Giles.  She wanted to know how that was possible, so I reminded her about the Shanshu Prophecy, and apparently since Spike had fought for his soul, it was pretty much up for grabs, and from what you gathered, Spike was the one who received the reward.”

“She didn’t know?”

“Apparently not.  Seems Giles is still good at keeping secrets, but how he managed to keep it secret for twenty-five years, I have no idea.”

“So what did Willow say next?”

“She told me that she’d have to get back to me.  She was going to check with the local coven and see if they could tell her anything.  I stressed to her that she couldn’t go to Giles with this under any circumstances, and she agreed.  She was certain she could get information from the coven and extract a promise that they would not tell Giles of her interest.  Witches’ bond or something.”

“So I take it since you’re here, she called you back.  What did she find out from the coven?”

“Well apparently, twenty-five years ago a member of the coven dreamt that a special child had been abandoned nearby.  She found the baby boy and took him back to the coven.  The witches found out about the Shanshu Prophecy and who he was.  Giles took him and gave him to a childless couple that were friends of his, but he didn’t tell them what he knew about the boy’s mystical rebirth.  Giles shielded the adoptive parents and later, the boy, from the truth.

The boy began to have dreams as a child but they intensified as he grew.  It wasn’t until he was around twelve that Will questioned who he was.  That was all Willow could tell me.  According to what she said, Giles wasn’t very happy that Will had decided to come to New York and seek you out.”

Faith watched with dismay as the vampire’s brow creased with worry as his body tensed.  She hated adding to his stress.

When she finished speaking, he said nothing but stood and spoke.  “I’m going to call Morgana.”  He strode purposefully to his desk and punched in the shop’s number on his cell phone.  “Hello, Morgana, it’s Angel. I need to talk to you…yes…something’s happened…no, he’s not dead…he’s…I need to talk to you…thank you.  I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”  Angel hung up without saying good-bye.  “I’ll shower quickly.  Hopefully Spike won’t wake up till I get back.”

Faith nodded.  “What should I tell him, if he does wake up?”

“Um…just…try to deflect his questions.”

The former slayer nodded again as she inwardly invoked the patron saint of slayers to keep the emotional younger vampire in human form asleep.  She didn’t want to have to answer any of his questions and she knew he’d sense that something was up.  His penetrating blue eyes were good at discerning trouble of any kind.

****

Angel ignored the elevators and raced down the twelve flights of steps to the lobby.  As he pushed open the heavy door, the wind blew the icy snow into his face.  He shivered despite his lack of body temperature.  Although the heavy storm clouds blocked any sunlight, he’d take no chances.  He stepped back inside and approached the basement stairs.  He hurried down the steps and passed the storage areas assigned to each apartment.  The old caretaker, Mr. Riley, nodded to him as the vampire pulled up the heavy metal door in the floor and walked down the steps.  This was not the first time the professor had traveled through the ancient tunnels beneath the city. Riley had his suspicions, especially since the man never seemed to age, but he asked no questions.  The younger man stopped to talk every once in a while and they chatted about Ireland, where Riley had been born.  He often gave the caretaker a thick envelope in gratitude that helped take up the slack of his meager pension from the transit system.  The professor was a good man.  That’s all he needed to know.

Angel raced the short distance through the frigidly damp stone tunnel and came up in the covered alley next to Morgana’s shop.  He hurried around to the front of the building, where the soft light from the front window pierced the darkening sky.  Angel pulled open the door and walked inside.  Morgana walked from behind the heavy curtain.  Her face was placid but her eyes showed the alarm that she felt.

“I’ve searched my books and called my mentor…”  She stopped briefly at the look on the vampire’s face and then hurried on.  “Do not worry, Angel.  She will not reveal anything.  She is not a member of that coven and…and she knows of you…and…and your dedication.  You may not know it, but you are admired and even revered in many places in the occult world.”

“What did you learn?”  Angel demanded his voice hard, although the tone was soft.  To those who knew him, this was his most dangerous voice.

“Angel, when I first called Cassandra, my mentor, she was puzzled.  When she called back, she had found out about the Shanshu.  She used powerful magic and an invulnerable ether to keep her search secret.  During her search, one of the Sióchain angels visited her and told her about the Shanshu, Will and Spike, although he told her that she must not reveal the truth to anyone.  She informed them of your visit to me and they agreed that she could tell me again under deepest secrecy.  There had never been a Shanshu before.  Nothing had been written except the prophecy.  Cassandra had lived for centuries and although she knew of the prophecy, she hadn’t known that it had been achieved.  Other members of the supernatural community knew about the events in the alley.  They knew that you survived, but Spike did not.  The coven created an impenetrable shield to protect the baby.  No one knew except the coven, Giles and the Sióchain.  Cassandra was shocked.  They would not reveal anything except the Shanshu.  They told her she must not interfere in destiny and that anything she might do would endanger the boy.  Stygian, insidious forces must not be alerted.  She did tell me that fortunately no one knew – the remnants of the Senior Partners and their ilk had not learned of Will’s existence.  Perhaps, finally, the inviolable powers of good had been able to protect someone so important to the world.”

Angel answered in a cold, incensed tone.  “He is not important to the world.  He is a young man who has a right to have his human life untainted by anything evil or supernatural.  Spike gave his life twice to save the world from the powers of darkness.  He is owed more than any of us can repay!”

Morgana had taken a step back at the force of his fury.  She stared at the vampire with a soul, who had fought honorably for the powers of good and had been tormented repeatedly.  He had lost everyone he loved, although through the intercession of some secret influence, had regained his beloved son and now, apparently, the being who brought love and a measure of tranquility into his tumultuous and solitary life.  He had a right to his anger.  Cassandra believed that Angel had sacrificed much and earned peace.  The old witch had been disheartened at the thought of more anguish for the unique vampire.  Unfortunately, it was out of everyone’s hands, mortal or supernatural.  It was a matter only for the supreme immortal beings.  No one knew if Spike would remain or if Will would return.  She had advised Morgana to tell Angel the truth and to assure him that what happened was not the result of the attack, the injuries or the mystical tisane or ointment.  Something else was at work here.

Morgana knew that the information would not bring Angel the comfort that she wanted him to have.  She had long known his story and like a little girl reading about knights in shining armor, she had fallen under his spell.  When she had finally met him, she had been hopeful, then terrified at what happened and now, sadly resigned.  She knew from her conversation with Cassandra that Angel’s true soulmate was Spike, not the slayer he once loved.  Only Spike could bring peace to Angel’s troubled soul; only Spike could bring him love and joy.  The heroic vampire had only begun to realize this truth just before the catastrophic events in the alley.

Morgana motioned him into her tiny apartment behind the shop.  When they settled in front of the blazing fire, she told him all that Cassandra had said.  He stiffened and his face flushed in fury.  By the end, his shoulders had slumped and he sat with his head in his hands.  She longed to reach out to comfort him, but knew she would be rebuffed.  They sat for a while until he stood suddenly and spoke in a harsh whisper.  “I have to return to Spike.”

The witch stood.  “Please, let me come with you.  I do have a tisane that will hasten the healing of the human body, now that some time has past.  I have a potion that will soothe his troubled heart…”

Angel interrupted, his face hard with anger.  “No more potions!  No more mystical influences.  They do nothing but give false hope.”

Again Morgana stepped back from his wrath.  Angel’s face softened.  “I’m…I’m sorry…it’s…it’s not your fault…it’s just…”

Morgana caught her breath.  He was apologizing to her.  This was why he was revered by so many.  His vampire soul was far above those of most in the immortal world and definitely soared above most of humanity.  To her, he had long made amends for the cruelties of Angelus.  “Angel, it is medicinal only.  It has healing herbs that will help the human body heal.  That is all.”

He smiled at her although his dark eyes were sad.  “Come.  Everyone should meet Spike, at least once.  He is a very special vampire.”

****

After Angel had showered, dressed and left the apartment, Faith listened but heard no sound coming from the bedroom.  She went into her tiny bathroom and showered.  As she was dressing, she heard footsteps.  Dammit!  Shit.  What the hell do I do now?  She knew that Angel could not have returned so quickly.  She finished dressing wondering if human Spike still had vampire hearing.  She sauntered out into the kitchen and poured another cup of coffee, trying to delay facing Spike as long as she could.  She heard him coming toward her.

“Hey, slayer.  Where’s the poof?”

She turned and smirked at him.  “Good morning, Spike.  How are you today?”

He quirked his eyebrow but his eyes weren’t smiling.  “What’s up?  Where’d he go?”

She sighed.  “He went to see that witch…the one who made up that potion…tisane…to find out…”  She let the sentence peter out.

“To find out where the hell the kid went?”  He said quietly as he hunched his shoulders and turned away.

“To find out what happened, what it means.  Shit, Spike…Angel’s a wreck.  He doesn’t…is he gonna be blamed because the kid disappeared?”

The vampire in human form spun around, wincing a bit at the harsh movement.  “What do you mean?”

“Spike…Will was a human being.  Giles and the coven that found him as a baby knew he was here.  He had adoptive parents.  Angel…they could make trouble for him.”

Spike stared at her, his eyes widening in sudden understanding.  “Fuck…they’ll…you mean…they…they’ll think he did something to the kid?  That’s bollocks.  They have to know Angel wouldn’t hurt a human being.  That’s sodding stupid!”

“You and I know that…but…Giles…”

Spike interrupted.  “Giles hates Angel…and he hates me!”

She nodded.  Faith saw the anger and fear race across Spike’s flushed face.  His thin face made his sharp cheekbones razor-edged.  She spoke softy trying to calm his increasing emotions.  “Want some blood…um…tea?”  She finished lamely.

He quirked his eyebrow at her and despite his confusion and anger, grinned at her.  “Not sure about me are ya, slayer.  Join the club.  I’m Spike in here,” he said as he tapped his head, “but in here…,” he said as he thumped his chest,  “I’m…my body is human.”  He shook his head and slumped into a chair at the table, unsuccessfully stifling a quiet groan.  He sat for a moment and then lumbered to his feet, a swift hint of pain rushing across his face.  “How…how long ago did he leave…I’ll catch him up…make that witch tell me…us…what’s going on.”  He turned to leave the kitchen.

Faith grabbed his arm.  “He’ll be back and you can’t go out.  It’s still snowing and cold.  That human body of yours isn’t well yet.”

He had faced her furiously when she had touched him but suddenly all fight left him.  “You’re right.”  He stood there, head down and her heart was touched by his dilemma.

“Look, why…go get a shower…get dressed…he’ll be back soon….hopefully with some answers.”

He nodded, turned slowly and left the room.  A minute later she heard the shower.  After several minutes, Spike, clean and dressed, strolled back into the living room, his light brown curls in damp disarray.  He knelt down and rekindled a fire in the large, stone fireplace and the room quickly warmed.  He rose and sat on the sofa, staring into the flames.  Faith joined him and handed him the cup of tea that she made.  “I didn’t add sugar.  Do you want some?”

He grinned at her.  “Didn’t think you waited on anyone, slayer.  Not that domestic as I recall.  No thanks, no sugar.”

She returned his grin but quickly answered in an annoyed tone.  “I’ve mellowed.  I’m forty-fucking six now!”

Spike’s scarred eyebrow shot up.  “Fort-six?!  Holy shit, Faith.”  He looked at her intently.  “Don’t look that much different to me, slayer.”  He reached out and fondled her long, still dark hair.  “Always liked your hair…thick…dark…like…like Drusilla’s.”  He smiled at her although it did not reach his eyes.

“Is…do you…know if…”  Faith began.

Spike interrupted.  “Don’t know…haven’t thought to ask Angel.”

They sat in companionable silence watching the flickering golden flames until they heard the key in the door.  Faith stood up.  Spike remained where he was, staring into the fire, but his body tensed.

A tall woman shrouded in the folds of a deep green floor-length wool cape, strode casually into the room.  Her hands were hidden inside an old-fashioned, green velvet muff.  She withdrew her hands and Faith saw long, slender fingers.  Angel took her cape and laid it across a near-by chair, never taking his eyes from the back of Spike’s head.  The woman’s rich auburn hair cascaded down the back of her black velvet blouse.

“Faith, this is Morgana.”

Faith nodded.  “Willow spoke of you.

Angel glanced at both women and then walked toward the fireplace.  He turned and stood in front of Spike, who glanced up at him.  “Spike, this is Morgana, who…”

The witch had followed Angel but stopped when she heard Spike’s furious voice.  “Who…fucked up the magics and thrust me back into this puny human body.” Spike stood, wavered slightly and turned to glare at the woman who grimaced and took a step back.

“Spike…”  Angel said quietly and put a hand on his arm.  He frowned when he felt the arm trembling violently.  He grasped Spike’s hand, turned him around and pushed him gently back onto the couch as he nodded to Faith who understood.  The slayer gently touched Morgana’s arm and the women walked forward.  Morgana sat in the rocking chair facing Spike.  Angel sat next to him, still holding his hand.  Faith stood near the witch, her face hard; her arms folded firmly across her chest.  Her dark eyes flickered from Angel to Spike who had turned to look the older vampire.

Morgana began to speak to Spike in a calm, gentle voice.  “As I told Angel, I…this…your situation is unique.  I’ve…I’ve never had to deal with a shanshued human…vampire.  Angel didn’t tell me the whole situation when he came to me, but I wouldn’t have known what changes to make, if any.”

Spike turned to look at her then and the witch hissed and sat back.  She glanced quickly at Angel and then back to Spike.

Angel looked at Morgana and then back at Spike, his eyebrow raised in a question.

Spike’s glare intensified and he stood abruptly, releasing Angel’s hand but grasping the edge of the sofa for support.  “She fancies you, Angel.  You’re such a stupid git, you never notice how women…don’t trust her…”  He stopped and breathed deeply, his face stark white.  His body’s trembling obvious to all in the room.  Angel rushed to him, grabbed him and sat him down.  When he looked deeply into Spike’s face, he saw tears threatening in his eyes.

Angel stroked the side of Spike’s face with the backs of his fingers as he stared into his glistening eyes and whispered, smiling tenderly. “Hush…hush…you’re the git, if you think anyone can ever tempt me from you.  I have ignored my true feelings for too long because they terrified me and because I never wanted you to suffer because of me.”

Spike leaned into Angel’s hand and they stared at each other; each lost in the other’s eyes; each finally believing the feelings they shared.  Morgana and Faith silently turned away from the intimately loving scene between Angel and Spike.  Morgana walked into the kitchen and Faith followed.  “Would you boil a little water for me?”  The witch asked.  Faith nodded, filled the kettle and placed it on the gas burner.  Within moments, the liquid boiled and Morgana poured the hot liquid into a small cup, stirred in the packet of herbs she carried and added sugar.  She turned to Faith.  “This is not truly magical.  They are normal herbs used in tonics for better health.  It will help the human body to heal.  That’s all it will do.”

Faith nodded and the two women returned to the living room.  Angel still knelt at Spike’s side and their hands were entwined but the human vampire rested his head on the back of the soft fabric of the chair, his eyes closed.  He opened his eyes when he heard their footsteps.  Angel stood and turned toward them.  Morgana and Faith gasped silently at the intensity of emotion they felt emanating from the two men:  pain, fear and passion filled their hearts and thoughts.

Morgana spoke softly.  “I have brought a medicinal tisane.  It is one I give my human clients who have suffered bodily injury.  It is for humans and it contains very few mystical properties.  It just helps the body’s natural healing powers to escalate, I promise.  I would not lie to you.  It will make you a little sleepy which means the herbs are working.”

She held out the cup to Angel, who stared intently at her for a long moment and then took it.  He turned and glanced at Spike who nodded and took the cup.  He sipped it slowly until all of the liquid was gone, never taking his eyes from Angel’s face.  The older vampire took the empty cup and handed it to Faith.

Morgana smiled at Spike.  “I am very happy to have met you, Spike.  I have heard about you for most of my life.  You are…you are a special man.  I wish you well.”

She nodded to Angel and Spike and turned to leave.  Faith helped her with her cape and walked her to the door.  When she returned to the living room, Spike had moved to the sofa and Angel was standing and perusing the DVDs.  “What do you want to watch, Spike?”

Spike smirked.  “Slayer, we’re going to watch a movie…any preferences?”

Although she was startled by the sudden change in Spike’s demeanor, she returned the smirk.  “I don’t care as long as it’s not one of those poofy romantic comedies.”

Spike laughed, a wonderful sound.  “Okay.  How about Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Faith smirked at Spike.  “Of course you’d like Indiana Jones.  He’s as snarky and arrogant as you are, blondie!”

Spike laughed heartily at her comment and the three friends finally felt the tension of the day dissipate as they settled in to enjoy the film.

TBC