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.

3/7

A sleepy-eyed Xander stood under an awning outside Spike's crypt door
as Giles and Angel arrived. 'What's up, Deadboy? Why the early AM
wake up call?' Xander teased Angel as he sheepishly rubbed his eyes.

'Don't call me that Xander!' Angel scowled as he emerged from the
smoking blanket. 'Have you seen Spike recently?' Angel asked him
after his annoyance with the young boy had disappeared.

'I came by the other day with some blood, but he wasn't here. His
crypt was really dark.'

'Did you think there might be a problem?' Angel's voice was steadily
rising.

'Spike sometimes takes trips and stuff,' Xander replied, 'it's not
unusual. Anyway, why the sudden interest?'

'Angel had a premonition while in Los Angeles.' Giles interjected.

'Well, let's see if he's back.' Xander answered as he walked towards
the crypt door.

As Angel opened the immense crypt door, he immediately sensed
fear. 'Spike?' Angel's chocolate brown coloured eyes darted quickly
around the dark, damp crypt.

'Angel,' Xander's voice pierced the eerie silence, 'I don't think
he's here. He does have a lower level, though.'

Angel proceeded to the trap door as his internal senses ran
wild. 'He's downstairs,' Angel thought. As he lowered himself into
the dark space, he was overwhelmed with the feeling of fear, shame,
and shock that the room emitted. 'Xander,' Angel called up, 'hand me
a lit candle.' Angel could easily see in the dark but wanted the
journey down to be easier for his companions.

As his feet hit the floor, his Demon immediately emerged as his eyes
fell upon a figure cowering in the corner. He sensed the blood of
Aurelius but his eyes revealed the face and body of a woman. She had
a petite physique with shoulder length, wavy, honey coloured blonde
hair and large azure coloured eyes. As he elevated his hand grasping
the candle, the soft light illuminated the figure before him. Angel
gasped as he noticed the state the woman was in. Her clothes were
covered in blood and her pale face was riddled with bruises. She was
nearly catatonic crouching in the corner.

'Oh Gods...Spike? Can you hear me?' There was no response. 'Spike?
William?' As that name rolled off Angel's tongue, there was a flicker
of life in the blonde's eyes momentarily. Angel inched slowly towards
Spike on his hands and knees as to not frighten her. Suddenly Spike's
head turned abruptly towards a noise as her eyes shined with great
fear. She was beginning to shake uncontrollably.

'Angel! Do you see him?' Xander's loud voice echoed as he and Giles
descended the ladder.

Angel turned towards the voices and realised Spike's agitation
coincided with sensing the Humans in the room. 'Giles, Xander: go
back upstairs, NOW!' Angel ordered in a tone similar to Angelus. He
softened his next statement, 'Please, I'll explain soon.'

As the two Humans disappeared, Spike's whimpering and panting
dissipated. 'What happened to you, my boy?' Angel whispered as a tear
trickled down his face. 'I'm here now, William.' Angel extended his
hand to gently caress the pale face of his Childe. To his surprise,
Spike did not attempt to move away. Encouraged by this, Angel
carefully lifted the thin blonde into his lap and slowly rocked her
back and forth. Angel felt cool tears soaking his maroon silk shirt.
As Angel held her, he silently pledged revenge against the fiends
that had hurt his Childe.

After some time, Angel sensed that Spike had fallen asleep. Angel
stood from the floor with Spike still in his arms. He was shocked and
worried as he realised how light she was. He placed her on the metal
four-post bed carefully as to not awaken her.

He used this opportunity to go talk with Xander and Giles. Likely,
they were confused over Angel's earlier outburst. 'I'm sorry about
that,' Angel apologised, 'Spike started to freak out when you came
downstairs.'

'I didn't get the best look, but that did not appear to be our
favourite peroxide vampire!' Xander's weak attempt at sarcasm to hide
his fear for his friend was futile.

Angel turned to Giles. 'Somehow, Spike is now a woman. Maybe it has
something to do with that Demon he and Buffy fought? What was the
name again?'

'MoyaMoya Demon. I must consult my texts, I'm afraid. I do not know
much about this particular breed.' Giles replied while cleaning his
glasses. 'Regardless, Spike does not look well.'

'He's been beaten and seems to be in shock. I can't reach him or is
it her?' The uncertainty Angel was feeling started to make him
panic. 'Xander,' Angel continued, 'could you go to Willy's and buy
some Human blood? It'll help her heal. Giles, maybe some research on
this Demon might help find some sort of reversal spell. I'll bring
Spike to your place at sundown.'

After the plans were formulated, the humans left the crypt.

*