Title: Into the Light
Series: A NEW LIFE
Author: MarieC
Email: mariecynthia2003@yahoo.com
Feedback: Please
Archive: www.the-crypt.net
http://home.att.net/~lubakmetyk/crypt.htm#marieC
Pairing: Spike/Angel
Spoilers: Spike is chipped; Angel is Spike's Sire; No Fred or Connor;
Buffy did not die; Spike never had a crush on Buffy
Rating: R
Warnings and Disclaimers: see previous parts
*Thanks to Ghostforge for beta help

*

Chapter 8

When Angel returned to the bedroom, he noticed Spike has fallen back
asleep. He smiled as he walked over to the bed and placed a blanket
over her. He placed the mug filled with blood in the small
refrigerator in the kitchenette. He sighed as he watched her
beautiful face.

Angel turned and proceeded to the bathroom for a quick shower. As he
dressed later, he noticed Spike was awake. "Hi, sleepyhead."

"Hi. I didn't realize I fell asleep." The blonde vampire smiled.

"You're tired. Um...listen." Angel turned to Spike as he buttoned his
shirt. "I'll be gone most of the day, but I'd like to spend some time
alone tonight. Is that okay?"  His voice was a bit unsteady.

Spike watched her Sire and thought he was so sweet when he sounded
nervous. "Sure. Are we going somewhere?"

"Maybe...I haven't really decided. I just want to be alone with you."
He smiled as he kissed her forehead.

"Giles called Sunnydale this morning to inform them that he is here
in LA." Angel said casually as he looped his belt through his pants.
He realized he had Spike's attention. "They asked if it was okay to
come for a visit to see you and Giles."

"Really?" Spike sat up in bed.

"Well, Giles told them he wanted to stay here for awhile with you, so
it seemed pretty logical. Plus they haven't seen you in so long."

"That might be nice...I-It's been awhile." Spike smiled and felt warmed
that she had friends in Sunnydale as well.

"The gang will be here tomorrow." Angel smiled as he walked back over
to Spike. He leaned down and kissed her gently. "I'll be back later,
okay?"

"Okay." Spike wrapped herself back in her blanket and felt so warm
and comforted. 'I wonder what we are going to do tonight?' It didn't
matter to her as long as she was with Angel. As she lay there, her
excitement was replaced with a feeling of nervousness. She shook off
the feeling for the time being.

Later that day, Spike walked downstairs to look for Giles. She found
him in Wesley's office reading. "Hi, Giles."

The ex-Watcher stood up from his chair. "Hello, Spike. How are you
this morning?"

"Fine. Whatcha doin'?" She grinned as she plopped onto the couch.

"W-Wesley and I were discussing your 'change' this morning. Instead
of focusing on the Demon, we thought to examine some prophecies.
Wesley has quite the collection. This particular text contains the
Kalliekrein Prophecy. "

Spike's face seemed sad. "Look, Giles. I have to accept what happened
to me. Why would it be some bloody prophecy? Leave well enough alone!
I need to move on. Please."

"I-I do not mean to upset you, Spike. I only want to help." He walked
over to her and embraced her briefly and then sat beside her.

"I know." Spike looked down and changed the subject. "Angel told me
that the Slayer and gang are coming tomorrow."

"Indeed." Giles nodded. "I hope you do not mind that we informed you
after plans were made."

"It's okay. I'm actually a bit excited but..." Her voice trailed off.

"But, what, Spike?" Giles looked upon her with concern.

"I'm excited but a little scared too." Giles did not respond so she
could continue. "I'm different now..."

"Spike what is it really?"

"I feel guilty... I should be happy to see my friends but I'm concerned
about Buffy." Spike said as she looked up at Giles.

"Buffy? Why?" The ex-Watcher removed his glasses, as his eyes
appeared confused. As he watched Spike's face for a moment, he
understood. "Oh... Spike, what Angel and Buffy had was over a long time
ago." His voice was gentle.

"I know." The blonde vampire whispered. "Is he even going to tell her
about us? I don't want to be a bloody secret. Angelus hid his
feelings for me from Darla. I can't bear going through that again."
Her eyes watered.

"Have you told Angel this, Spike?" She shook her head
no. "Eventually, you must face Buffy, Spike. You two are friends. She
will understand the bond you and Angel have. Their relationship was
doomed from the start; she knows it is over. Remember she is coming
to visit you, Spike. So, don't fret. Okay?"

"Okay." Spike answered feeling reassured for the moment. "Thanks.
I'll leave you to your reading."

"Goodbye." Giles smiled as he watched her leave. 'So sensitive she
is,' he thought as he returned to his reading. At times, he was
amazed Spike was a vampire.

As Spike traversed the lobby toward the kitchen, Cordelia stopped her.

"Where are you going, Blondie?"

"The kitchen for some lunch. Wanna join me?"

"Sure." The two walked together. Spike opened the refrigerator door
and pulled out a blood bag.

"Pet?" The blonde vampire turned to her brunette friend. "Can I ask
you a question?"

"Shoot!" She answered as she rummaged through the cabinets for some
peanut butter.

"U-Um, w-well..." Spike suddenly seemed to develop a stutter.

"Come on, Spike. Spit it out." Cordelia smiled.

"W-Well, Angel told me this morning that he wanted to be alone with
me tonight...that we might go somewhere."

"Oh my God!" Cordelia exclaimed as her grin widened. "He asked you
out on a date! That is so sweet."

"A date...no." Spike looked confused for a moment. "Really? You think?"
She managed a smile. "We're vampires. I don't think we 'date'."

"Heck yeah! It sounds like one to me. Did he say where?"

"No." Spike replied. She had a dreamy look on her face.

"What are you going to wear?"

"W-What?" Spike snapped to reality. "Wear? What do you mean?" Again a
look of confusion swept across her chiseled face.

"Well, there's hair, makeup, and what clothes to wear. Are you going
to wear an outfit that makes his eyeballs pop out? Oh, we are going
to have soooo much fun today getting you prepped." Cordelia walked
over to her and dragged her by the arm. "We have lots of work to do.
Let's go." The two females stumbled out of the kitchen to venture
upstairs.

*