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 beta help and
answering numerous technical questions.

7/7

Angel returned downstairs to see if there was any progress on the
Demon front. 'Giles,' he began, 'have you discovered anything?'

'Very little, I'm afraid.' he replied as he removed his
glasses. 'There is a drawing in this text,' Giles held up the musty,
ancient publication to show Angel, 'but, the information is scarce.
There is a mention of the poisonous bite of the creature. However, I
do not find any evidence that the venom is capable of gender altering
properties. I-I have a few friends left at the Watcher's Council. The
library there is vast. They are bound to contain some writings with
references to this Demon.'

'Thank you for your help, Giles.' Angel settled onto the couch. He
placed his head back and brought his hands over his face.

'How is Spike?' Giles asked.

'She's resting,' Angel replied as he scanned the room. 'Where's
Xander?'

'He went to Anya's. He knew Spike was sleeping so he informed me he
would return later.'

'That's good. I need her to rest before we return to LA. It will make
the trip easier.' Angel stated.

'Y-You are returning to Los Angeles...with her?' Giles asked in a
surprised tone.

'Well...of course.' Angel stated firmly but politely.

'Is that what she requested?'

'I think it's what's best.'

Giles anger began to rise. 'Spike's life is in Sunnydale, Angel. She
has people who care for her here. Her family is here! In LA, they
will simply treat her as William the damn Bloody!' Giles face was a
crimson shade.

Angel growled, 'Spike is MY Childe, Rupert! MINE! Do you think that
you or Xander can protect her in the state she is in? Buffy is strong
enough. But she has other responsibilities.'

Giles walked up to the dark vampire and looked directly into his
eyes, 'Now he...I mean she is your CHILDE, Angel? How bloody
convenient! Are you doing what's best for her or what's best for your
guilty conscience?'

'S-Stop it! Please! Stop fighting!' The tiny blonde vampire shouted
as she stood at the bottom of the stairs holding onto the handrail in
her weakened state. The two men had not realised their argument was
witnessed by the fragile vampire. 'I'm not an OBJECT to be passed
around! I'm not...I'm not...I'm not...' she repeated this over and over
again as she slowly turned into herself. She held her shaking head as
she crouched on the bottom step. She rocked back and forth and began
mumbling as the tears poured from her eyes.

'My, God, what have we done?' Giles said as he rushed over to
Spike. 'Spike...do you know who I am?' He spoke softly. He was very
careful to avoid touching her.

Spike lifted her head as her eyes attempted to focus through the haze
of tears. 'G-Giles...' she said quietly.

'Angel and I are terribly sorry we upset you. W-We were worried,
that's all.' He raised his arm and carefully touched her shoulder. It
was a tender gesture and Giles only hoped that his touch would not
make her cower away. To his surprise, she allowed the innocent touch.
She relaxed her posture as he briefly embraced her. The hug was
chaste. Giles wanted to reassure her that not all mortals would take
advantage of her.

Giles stood from his kneeling position and walked over to Angel. He
placed his glasses back on and cleared his throat. 'Please leave your
number in Los Angeles. When I receive some information, I will be
sure to phone you both immediately.'

Angel looked into Giles eyes and patted him on the shoulder in
appreciation. He realised in that moment how much his Childe's life
had changed. He sensed the fatherly love Giles held towards the
blonde vampire. Part of Angel felt slightly jealous of the
relationship. He had been absent for nearly a century of his Childe's
life and now more than ever his regret was overwhelming.

Angel approached the stairs and lifted Spike and placed her on the
couch. 'I'm going to pack a few things, make a phone call, and then
we can go okay?' He gently stroked her cheekbones.

Giles proceeded to the kitchen to pack the remaining blood in an ice
cooler and placed it in the back seat of Angel's car.

Angel returned upstairs and took a cell phone out of his pocket. He
went into the bathroom to escape the range of Spike's vampire
enhanced hearing. He quickly dialled and waited impatiently for an
answer.

'Angel Investigations. We help the hopeless!' Cordelia answered with
her usual enthusiasm.

'Cordy, it's me.'

'Oh, Angel! Is everything okay there?'

'Well, not really. Anyway, listen Cordy. And before you freak out,
just hear me out. I'm coming back in a few hours with Spike.'

'No, way, Mister! Uh! Uh!' Cordy exclaimed. 'Hello? Am I the only one
who remembers hot pokers?'

'Cordy, please! Spike was the one in trouble here. It's really bad.
He needs our help. He can't hurt anyone!'

'Are you sure?' she asked, needing reassurance.

'I'm positive. He's gone through some changes. He's a close friend of
the gang here, so we need to give him a chance.'

'Well, if you're sure. But, I'm still going to carry my stake and
have Father Flannery bless my water bottle!

'Now, listen. Spike was bitten by a Demon and he was changed into...'

'Into a what?' Cordelia interrupted.

'I was going to say- a woman.' He could hear the laughter through the
phone.

'Cordelia, this is not funny! I found Spike beaten and brutalised.'

'I'm sorry, Angel,' she responded sincerely.

'Can you make sure everyone is in the lobby when we return? I want
Spike to meet the gang all at once so there are no surprises. Okay?'

'Sure, Angel...drive carefully.' With that the conversation ended.

Angel returned to the first floor and gathered a slumbering Spike in
his arms. He walked over to Giles and shook his hand. Giles placed a
small kiss on Spike's forehead and walked over to the door. He opened
the door and as the two vampires exited the ex-watcher's home, he
quietly whispered, 'Take good care of her.'

Angel hoped that leaving Sunnydale would begin the healing process
for the fractured blonde vampire. Angel glanced at the sign 'You Are
Now Leaving Sunnydale' as he turned his car onto the dark highway
headed towards the City of Angels.

*

TBC...