Title: Into The Light Author: MarieC Email: mariecynthia2003@yahoo.com Feedback: Please : mariecynthia2003@yahoo.com Previous chapters and stories: www.the-crypt.net http://home.att.net/~lubakmetyk/crypt.htm#marieC Rating: R Disclaimer: see previous parts **Note: It is essential to read "Changes, "Transition" and "Into the Depths" before this story** SUMMARY: Spike is bitten by a demon in Sunnydale and has turned into a FEMALE vampire. Angel takes her to LA after she is raped. The Scoobies have arrived for Spike's party. Continued thanks to the best beta: Ghostsforge WARNING: TRANSGENDER, HET, RAPE Chapter 15 Angel and Spike woke up in early afternoon. The dark vampire felt Spike stir against him. As Spike sat up, Angel joined her. He stroked her long, blonde hair gently and smiled. "Are you feeling better, Spike?" He said quietly. "Yeah...I guess." The female vampire responded as her head was bowed. Angel looked upon her with concern. "Do you want to talk about what happened?" Spike's big blue eyes looked up at her Sire. "I'm fine. Okay? I don't want to talk about it right now." She gave Angel a small smile. "I'm hungry, pet. Do you mind bringing somethin' up?" "Sure." Angel said as he slowly stood from the bed. "Spike, please don't shut me out. If it's bothering you, we need to talk about it." His eyes pleaded with her. "I know...and I will. But, right now, I'm starvin', luv, and a little brekky would do me some good." Her face was the picture of innocence. Angel smiled when he recognized one of a myriad of expressions Spike had mastered to influence situations to her favor. "You win." Angel said playfully as he sauntered towards the door. He turned to face Spike before leaving. "I thought you and I could catch a movie this afternoon before going out with the Scoobies tonight. How does that sound?" "Sure. Do I get to pick the flick?" She said with a big grin. Angel could not resist her charms. "As always." "Now that's not fair! The last movie we saw, as I recall, you picked. And it was some ol' geezer flick with that NRA guy...what's his name...oh, yeah...Charlton Heston. I think the movie was older than me!" The blonde vampire said enthusiastically as she stood from the bed. "It was a piece of cinematic art, Spike! I'm sorry that it didn't have machine guns and rocket launchers." "Anyway," Spike said as she walked towards Angel and caressed his cheek, "it's my turn." She added with an evil grin. "Fine." Angel backed down and chuckled. "The paper is on the dresser. I'll be back." He placed a kiss on her forehead and closed the door behind him. * Angel walked down the hallway towards the stairs but turned to one of the hotel rooms first. He knocked lightly on the door and waited for an answer. As it finally opened, Angel asked simply, "Can we talk?" The door closed quietly behind him after he walked through. * Spike sat on the bed staring at the newspaper. She was trying to decide if she wanted to see the new horror film or make Angel sit through the newest chick flick. 'Oh the possibilities.' Spike thought to herself and chuckled. She turned toward a noise at the door. "Come in!" She said as she turned her attention back to the movie listings. "Spike?" A female voice spoke out. Spike slowly placed the paper on the bed and stood up and turned towards the door. "What do you want, Slayer?" Her blue eyes looked cold as she spoke with vengeance in her voice. Buffy hesitantly closed the door and walked towards Spike. "Came to finish what you started, then?" The female vampire spoke sarcastically. Buffy appeared remorseful. "L-Look, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I totally wigged out and I had no right to do what I did." Her tear filled emerald green eyes were cast downward. She looked up when she did not receive a response from Spike. "W-Well..." The Slayer sighed and went to sit down on the couch. "I saw you and Angel kissing the other night and I was hurt and angry." Spike watched as Buffy stumbled through an explanation. Not only was Spike upset that she was attacked by Buffy; but the reaction to the chip firing frightened her more than anything. The Slayer continued talking. "I have loved Angel for so long..." "Try 123 years, pet." Spike said quietly as she walked over to the bed and sat on it. She was now sitting across from Buffy. Buffy raised her head. "What?" "123 years. That's how long I've loved Angel." She said as her blue eyes looked upon the Slayer. The two blondes stared at each other for some time. "Why did you tell us that Drusilla was your Sire?" The blonde vampire shrugged her shoulders before speaking. "Don't know. I guess that I was so angry at him for leaving me that it made it easier to live a lie. Made the hurt less, I guess." "B-But you were a guy." Buffy countered. "Pet, for someone who has killed vamps professionally for such a long time, you don't understand anything about us." Spike stood up and paced. "It's beyond gender for us, luv. It's blood, passion, kinship..." Buffy seemed confused as Spike spoke. "He MADE me, Buffy. His blood forever runs through me. It is an intimacy that cannot be rivalled." She was not attempting to hurt her feelings; she was simply speaking the truth. Despite all they had been through, Spike now understood how much Angel loved her. "He didn't seem this close to Darla or Drusilla." Buffy was still trying to understand. "Not all Sire and Childer achieve this sort of relationship." Spike answered. Buffy wore a sad smile. "He loves you, you know." Spike watched her closely as she continued. "He would move the sun and the moon for you." Buffy sighed and stood up. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry and I hope we can still be friends. I really was happy to come to see you. We do miss you in Sunnydale." Spike walked over to her and the two blondes hugged. "I miss you all too. Ta." The two smiled at each other and Buffy quietly left the room. * "Is she all right then?" Giles asked as he sat cleaning his glasses. He was quite concerned. "Did Buffy injure her greatly?" Angel shifted in his seat on the couch. "No. Spike is fine physically." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Rupert, how much do you know about the chip?" "Not much, I am afraid." The Ex-Watcher said as he placed his glasses back on. "I tried to procure as much information from Spike when he was first chipped; unfortunately, Spike had very little information." Angel's head shot up. "What about that Riley ponce that Buffy was dating?" Giles smiled as he heard Angel use such a Spike term. "Wasn't he one of the commandos?" "He is long gone. He and Buffy's relationship did not end well. The Initiative is deserted and no files left in the compound." Giles leaned forward. "We know essentially nothing of the inner workings of the chip. It does emit some sort of signal; but beyond that, we do not know anything." He sighed. "Well, we know it still works." Angel paused for a few moments. "Maybe, eventually it will just stop working." "We can only hope." Giles answered. "But..." He abruptly stopped and did not continue. Angel stood. "But what, Giles? You were going to say something." "It was nothing, Angel." As he gazed upon the dark vampire with yellow eyes, he continued. "W-Well, my fear is that if the chip malfunctions, this could affect Spike neurologically." Angel reverted to his human features. "Meaning?" "What I do know is that the chip is embedded deep into Spike's brain. I fear that the chip could cause problems with cerebral functions." Giles noticed the concern on the older vampire's face. "It is simply a theory, Angel." Angel stood up and paced. "I have to find someone who can look into this for us. Giles, you should have seen her reaction to the chip firing. She screamed and cried and it was like she was transported back to the factory where she was attacked. I can't let it happen again. She needs to heal." Tears threatened to fall from the chocolate colored eyes. He sat back down on the couch slumped over. Giles watched the vampire closely. At times when he looked at Angel, he saw a very strong yet vulnerable young man. Other times, Angel appeared to be the centuries old vampire with a penchant for cruelty. It was a fascinating paradigm to his Watcher mind. He acknowledged to himself that Angel cared for Spike. And he did not want her to be alone. For her sake, Giles vowed to try to forgive Angel's demons for his transgressions. "You have some demon contacts in this city, yes?" Giles asked. Angel nodded. "It seems like a good place to start." He walked over to Angel and sat next to him. "On a brighter note, is her party still on for the night?" "Yes. I'm going to take her to a movie this afternoon. By the time we return, everything should be ready." "Splendid. I think she will enjoy the festivities." Giles smiled at Angel. "This was very thoughtful of you to do this for Spike." Angel smiled at Giles when he heard the compliment. "Thanks, Giles." Angel stood and walked towards the door. Angel turned to him and said, "You're a good father to Spike." The dark vampire then exited the Ex-Watchers room. * Angel returned to the room with two mugs filled with pig's blood. As soon as he entered, he walked over to his Childe who accepted the blood eagerly. Angel paused and then a slight sense of panic ran through him as he looked around. "Why do I smell the Slayer in here?" He placed his mug on the table and began an inspection of Spike. "Did she hurt you?" He asked as he cupped her face. Spike looked up at the dark vampire. "Don't worry, Sire. She came to apologize, that's all." She walked towards the window with her back towards him while Angel sat down on the edge of the bed. "Spike. It'll be okay." He said quietly. The blonde vampire turned towards Angel. "But it's not okay, is it Angel?" She sighed and placed her mug on the windowsill. "I went all wonky when my chipped fired. I felt like I was back there...I-It seemed so real." She brushed a long lock from her face. "I thought I was so much better, you know?" Spike went to sit next to her Sire. She grasped his hand with her little one. "You have been so amazing to me, pet. I'm so grateful." She managed to smile genuinely as she gazed into his angelic face. "But?" Angel said with trepidation. "I think I should go back to Dr. Brock. Talk it out." She stood once more and walked towards the window. "Are you sure, honey? What happened last time..." There was some fear in the dark vampire's voice. He could not imagine nearly losing her again. "It's okay, Angel. I'm not gong to hurt myself again. I felt so alone at the time. I realize now that I'm not. I have so much support. Don't worry, luv." "You are my everything, Spike." "As you are mine. But, I need to do this." She said as she brushed some hair behind her ears. "She can maybe help me face my fear. And..." Spike paused and lowered her head. "What is it?" Angel's concerned grew againas he saw her face fall. "I've been here a-almost five months, Angel. A-And I'm still like this." Her eyes traversed her body. She continued when she noticed confusion in Angel's eyes. "My change. The magics that changed me haven't worn off yet." Angel stood and walked over to Spike. He led her over to the couch and sat with her clutching her hands. "Giles and Wesley are still trying to find an explanation, honey." "I know. But, if it hasn't worn off, I don't think it will. I've kind of accepted it, I think." Her eyes watered slightly as she shook her head. "I just don't get it. Why did it happen? Why me? Is it some sort of test?" She looked into her Sire's eyes hoping to find the answers in his chocolate colored orbs. Angel simply shook his head. "I don't know, Spike." Spike exhaled the breath she was holding. "It's just hard...Maybe I should change my name. I mean, you've had three different names, right? Spike sometimes doesn't seem to fit anymore, does it?" "If you need to, honey." Angel stroked her cheek. "Do you really want to?" "I don't know...Anne is a nice name." She said with a sad smile. "Your mum's name." Angel paused. "Whatever you need to do is okay." Spike began pacing again. "I don't know. I feel so different, yet at times the same." Angel noticed Spike's eyes watering again. "I don't even know what I look like." She said quietly with such a defeated tone in her voice. She sniffed. "See? I have a lot to talk to Dr. Brock about." "I think it will help you, baby. And I'll go with you. Even if just want me in the waiting room; I will always be by your side." "Ta." She smiled as she walked over to Angel and sat on his lap. She snuggled into the crook of his neck and sighed contentedly as Angel wrapped his long arms around her. They sat there comfortably for some time. Finally Spike's voice pierced the quiet. "I wanna go see the new Bridget Jones movie." TBC