Title: Changes
Series: A NEW LIFE
Author: MarieC
Email: mariecynthia2003@yahoo.com
Feedback: Please. Be gentle: this is my first fic
Archive: None
Pairing: Spike/Angel
Spoilers: Spike is chipped; Angel is Spike's Sire; No Fred or Connor;
Buffy did not die
Rating: R
Warning: Transgender fic, mentions of rape
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They belong to Joss
Whedon, ME, WB, UPN, etc.
Note: I would like to thank Shamenka for inspiring my first foray
into fanfic! Also, many thanks to Ghostsforge for her beta help and
answering numerous technical questions.

2/7

Angel arrived in Sunnydale before sunrise. As he drove through the
streets of the deceptively quiet suburb en route to Giles' home, he
felt his Demon within rage. He felt something crying out in pain and
fear. 'Something is very wrong,' he thought.

Angel rang the ex-watcher's doorbell and waited restlessly. The door
opened to reveal a sleepy-eyed Giles holding a crossbow in his right
hand. 'Oh-goodness! A-Angel! What a surprise! P-Please come in.'
Giles quickly lowered the weapon and motioned for Angel to enter.

'I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour, Rupert.'

'The matter must be of great importance if you are here. May I offer
you some tea, perhaps?'

'No, thank you.'

Giles straightened his glasses and walked to the kitchen to prepare
some tea for himself. As he placed the copper pot on the burner, he
noticed the troubled look on the vampire's face and awaited Angel's
explanation for the visit.

'Is everything okay here? I mean...Buffy is fine? The others?'

'Things are quite all right here at the moment, Angel.' Giles
answered. 'Buffy and Dawn are on holiday with their father. Willow,
Tara, Xander, and Anya are well.'

'That's good to hear.' Angel stated with a sigh of relief. Giles
sensed that he had not completely alleviated Angel's concerns. Angel
walked across the room to sit on the plush green couch. He sat there
slowly wringing his hands together.

'Are you going to inquire about Spike?' Giles walked from the kitchen
sipping his tea. He proceeded to sit on the opposite couch to his
guest.

'Spike is in Sunnydale?' Angel asked with a surprised tone.

'When was the last time you saw him?'

'He tortured me for the Gem of Amara, I guess, about two years ago. I
hadn't realised he came back here.' Angel's eyes filled with
confusion.

'Well, indeed, Spike is here.' Giles stated plainly to reinforce his
point.

'Buffy hasn't staked him yet?'

'Quite the opposite, really. Spike has become quite an ally.'

With this statement, the tall vampire abruptly stood up laughing. 'An
ally? William the Bloody...a Scoobie!' Angel enjoyed this sudden
release. After so many days of worry, it was a relief. This feeling
was short lived as he noticed the furrowed brow and look of disdain
he was receiving from the ex-watcher.

'Angel, a lot has happened in the last few years.'

When Angel realised Giles was serious, he immediately reclaimed his
seat. 'What has happened, Giles?' Angel voice was filled with
trepidation. He had a feeling he was not going to like what was
coming. The gnawing pit in his stomach returned as Giles began to
speak.

'Spike returned to Sunnydale. I can only presume he came after the
incident with the Gem. He was captured by a secret government agency
called the Initiative. They trapped Demons and experimented on them.
They placed a behaviour modification chip in Spike's brain rendering
him unable to harm any Human...' Giles paused as he noted the change in
Angel's demeanour. Gone was the mockery of a few moments ago. Angel's
anger was rising and the hint of yellow in his eyes did not go
unnoticed by the ex-watcher.

'Spike escaped the compound and came to my home for asylum.' He
continued.

Angel's voice was dry as he began speaking, 'And you helped him? Why?'

'Initially we were wary to aid him but we had no intention of killing
a harmless creature. He provided us much needed information on the
covert agency and in exchange received shelter and sustenance.' Giles
again paused to allow Angel to process the information. A myriad of
emotions played upon the face of the dark vampire.

'We all knew Spike was still evil. How could he be trusted? Slowly,
though, he became quite useful. He is able to hurt Demons. He aided
Buffy with patrolling. He started helping us with research at the
Magic Box. He was an outcast in the Demon world. He was labelled an
Uncle Tom, of sorts.' Angel looked up as Giles said those words; the
irony brought a slight smile to Angel's face. Giles continued, 'I
think, ultimately, he was lonely.'

'He lived here with me, for a time. Once you strip away the
blustering, obnoxious, punk side of Spike, he is quite interesting
and sensitive. He and I have become very close. When the others were
around, of course, he would revert to his 'Big Bad' persona. After a
while, they all caught on as well.'

These words cut Angel's undead heart like a knife. Spike's former
enemies had welcomed him into their lives. Spike had no soul and he
was shown compassion. Angel thoughts plagued him. His guilt at
listening to his Childe's suffering made him ache. Could he have done
something to help his wayward Childe? Would he have shown him the
same level of understanding? Angel gazed upward at Giles and quietly
asked, 'Why didn't anyone tell me?'

'Why Angel?' Giles' tone was accusatory in nature. 'Would it have
made a difference? S-Spike informed me of the complicated history
between you two. He discussed the relationship you had when he was
Sired, leaving the family after you were cursed, and the torture
inflicted upon him when Angelus returned. Despite the appearance of
indifference, Spike is still extremely hurt by your actions.'

Angel lowered his head, as his guilt became unbearable. He knew he
had hurt his Childe so much over the last century. 'Where is he now?'
Angel whispered in a defeated tone.

'He lives in a crypt in a local cemetery. We haven't seen him in a
few days but that is normal at times. Buffy told Xander to check on
him while she gone. She said they were both a bit battered after
fighting a MoyaMoya a few days ago.'

With that statement, Angel rose abruptly to his feet panicked, 'I
have to go see him, Giles!'

'Angel, it is day outside!'

'Giles, please. Maybe the feeling I've been having pertains to Spike.
I don't want to wait until sundown. I can use a blanket of yours. Can
you call Xander and have him meet us? He might have some
information...'

'Very well, then.' Giles answered as he ascended the stairs to change
his clothes.

'I'm coming, William...' Angel thought, 'I'm coming.'

*