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

*

Chapter 9

The car ride home from the book auction was silent. Wesley and Angel
enjoyed the warm California wind blowing through their hair. It was
an amiable quiet.

"Wes. I need a favor." The dark vampire spoke as he turned slightly
to his right.

"Sure, Angel."

"Could you do something with Giles tonight? Keep him occupied?"

Wesley looked at Angel with uncertain eyes as he heard the strange
request. "That would not be a problem. But, may I ask for what
reason?"

"W-Well. I wanted to spend some time with Spike tonight. Maybe, go
out for awhile." Angel did not make eye contact.

Wesley grinned. "I see. You are taking Spike out for a date then." He
enjoyed watching Angel squirm in the driver's seat.

"A date? No. We're vampires. We don't date. I just want to be alone
with her." Angel felt his face turn a crimson shade.

"Well, Spike grew up in Victorian times; so I believe the word would
be 'courting'. Yes?" Wesley was having too much fun with this. Angel
practically growled at him.

"Will you help out or what, Wes?" Angel's knuckles were nearly white
as he gripped the steering wheel tightly.

"Of course, Angel." He chuckled to himself. "Where are you taking
her?"

"There's a nice restaurant near the hotel. There are no mirrors in
the dining room, so that's a bonus." Angel's stomach was in knots
anticipating the evening.

"I am happy for you. Enjoy yourself." Wesley patted Angel's shoulder
and then returned his eyes to the road.

"Thanks, Wes."

*

"Bloody hell!" Spike paced across the seer's room as she threw her
arms up in the air. "For the last time, Cordelia, I WILL NOT WEAR A
FUCKIN' DRESS!"

"Come on, Spike. You'll look so hot! You've got a great bod; show it
off. Angel will just die." Cordelia pleaded with the female vampire
as she followed her around with a black mini dress.

"Maybe I just won't go at all!" Spike huffed and sat down with her
arms crossed and a pouting face.

"Okay, you big baby!" The brunette sighed as she conceded
defeat. "Try these pants with this shirt." Cordelia handed Spike some
garments.

Spike reluctantly took them and went to the bathroom to change. 'Ah,
leather pants' she thought. At least that was familiar to her. Spike
could not believe how much time she was spending with Cordelia to
prepare for the night. A smile crept across her face as butterflies
fluttered in her stomach. She could not wait to see Angel tonight.
She looked down at the outfit: black leather pants coupled with a
sleeveless red fitted shirt.  Spike held some ties in her hand but
was not sure what to do with them. The shirt did not seem to fit
correctly.

"Cordelia," she whined, "What do I do with these friggin' things?"

"Such language from a lady, Spike." Cordelia laughed as she entered
the bathroom. "That will tie around the back." She
demonstrated. "See? Hello, cleavage." She stood back to admire her
work. "You look great. Now, onto makeup and hair."

*

Angel entered the hotel and immediately darted up the stairs. He
wanted to shower and change. Angel was distracted and nearly crashed
into Cordelia.

"Whoa, mister! Watch where you're going." Cordelia teased. "Are you
late for a date or something?" She evilly grinned.

"Cordy..." Angel warned.

"What?" She batted her eyes innocently. "Okay, Spike told me you are
taking her out tonight. She almost flipped when I called it a date."

"That's because I just want to spend time with her." Angel's
frustration was rising again. 'Maybe I should rethink the whole
living with humans thing' he thought as he briefly stared at the
ceiling.

"Well, hurry up and shower. You kind of stink!" Cordelia swatted at
her nose.

Angel eyes were wide; he was mortified at such an accusation and
sniffed his armpits.

"Gotcha!" The seer laughed at her own joke. "Spike is almost ready.
Come get her in my room." She turned and walked down towards the
lobby.

As Angel washed his locks with his favourite fruity smelling shampoo,
he thought about the night to come. He could barely contain his
excitement. Just the thought of Spike made him hard. He turned the
knob in the shower towards cold and realized he better take care of
his problem himself. He knew Spike was not ready for them to be too
intimate yet.

The dark vampire stood in front of his closet staring at his vast
clothes collection. He wanted to pick the perfect outfit for the
evening.  He decided on dark grey slacks and a black sweater. He
carefully styled his hair and realized he was ready.  Ready for
his 'date' with Spike. He chuckled to himself.

*

"Oh Spike, you look fantastic!" Cordelia exclaimed with tears in her
eyes as she looked at the final product. The female vampire looked
amazing in her simple black leather pants and crimson shirt. The
shirt itself was short but did not reveal her toned belly. She wore
chunky black shoes with open toes. Cordelia had painted her toes a
dark shade of red similar to her chemise. Even though Spike resisted,
Cordelia convinced her to wear a small amount of makeup. Her lips
shined with a pale gloss. Her wavy, shoulder length honey blonde hair
hung freely. Cordelia preserved her natural beauty well.

"I told Angel to come get you here. You ready?" She smiled at her
friend.

"Don't make such a big deal about this Cordelia. It's not like Angel
and I have never spent an evening together." Spike was restless and
trying to blow off the situation.

"Um, first of all that was along time ago; and you actually aren't
going to kill anyone. Suffice it to say, this is a new experience for
you both!" Spike smirked and rolled her eyes at her sarcastic remarks.

"When we walk downstairs I don't want you lot gawkin' at us okay? Can
you do that for me, pet? Please?" Spike fluttered her blue eyes.

"Fine." Cordelia huffed. "We'll stay clear of the lobby. Okay, I'm
going to go now. Have fun!"  Cordelia embraced her vampire friend.

"Ta. I appreciate all your help, pet."

"My pleasure, Blondie!" The seer smiled widely.

Spike sighed as Cordelia shut the door. She couldn't believe how
nervous she was. 'Act like a master vampire, you idiot, and not some
stupid twit on her prom night!' she thought to herself. But she could
not help it; she was so excited.

*

Cordelia quickly ran to the lobby to find Gunn and Wesley. The two
were talking. "Guys, we need to vacate the lobby now!"

"Why?" Gunn asked.

"I promised Spike we wouldn't stare at them when they walked down the
stairs. Come on."

Gunn turned to Wesley as they stood. "Did he tell you where they were
going?"

"A restaurant." Wesley answered.

"He must really love her, man. 'Cause usually he doesn't eat human
food."

"I think it's romantic!" Cordelia added. "Let's go to the kitchen so
we can spy from behind the door." She grinned. The three friends
entered the kitchen to find Giles reading and drinking some tea.

"Hi, Giles! You're in the perfect place for the show." Cordelia voice
conveyed excitement.

"Show? What do you mean?" He answered as he stood.

"Angel and Spike are going out on a date."

"Really?" Giles removed his glasses for a moment.

*

Spike turned to the door when she heard a knock. She slowly walked
towards the noise and opened the door. There stood Angel holding a
single long-stem red rose in his right hand. She smiled immediately
and felt dizzy with happiness. She gently grasped the rose with a
trembling hand and inhaled its fragrance. Neither vampire spoke
initially.

The dark vampire stood in awe as his eyes looked upon his stunning
Childe. Angel finally found his voice but it was very dry. "Y-You
look gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful."

"Thanks." Spike whispered shyly. She blushed. "You look nice too."

"Well, um, are you ready?" Angel asked as he stood aside so she could
exit the room.

"Yeah. Where are we going?" Angel's body shivered as her wide blue
eyes stared at him.

"It's a surprise." Angel grinned slyly.

The two vampires descended the grand staircase. They were so caught
up in each other that they did not notice that the kitchen door was
slightly ajar. Three sets of eyes peeked out from behind the door.

"Children, leave them be." Giles said as he placed his glasses on.

"Sorry, Giles." The three said in unison as they returned to their
seats giggling.

Suddenly Giles walked towards the door and opened it slightly. He
smiled when he saw how happy Spike looked. He slowly closed the door
and was met with stares.

"What?" Giles said as he walked back to the table and continued to
read.

Angel grabbed his duster from the banister and pushed the door open
for Spike.

"Such a gentleman." Spike teased.

"Anything for my girl." Angel smiled as he reached out to hold her
hand. He brought her petite hand to his mouth and kissed it gently.
The two walked slowly to the car.

*