Title:    Transition (Story 2 in the series)
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
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.
Warning: Transgender fic, mentions of rape
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.  They belong to
Joss Whedon, ME, WB, UPN, etc.   
**Please read the fic "Changes" before this story**
Many thanks to Ghostsforge for beta help and answering numerous
technical questions.

*

1/9

The car ride was silent. The only noise Angel heard were the sounds
of cars passing from the opposite direction. Angel turned his head to
the right to gaze at the slumbering blonde female vampire in the
passenger seat. The bruising that had covered her face was nearly
gone. As the moonlight illuminated her pale visage, Spike appeared
angelic. 'She is so beautiful' Angel thought. She appeared so
innocent and pure. He only hoped he had the ability and strength to
help her heal from her brutal attack. Angel vowed that he would never
allow any harm to befall his Childe again.

Spike stirred slightly as she slept. Angel worried that another
nightmare was imminent. Thankfully, she settled. He reached over and
gently stroked her face.

As Angel pulled into the Hyperion, he felt his nerves building. He
hoped his friends would be able to accept Spike. She was loved in
Sunnydale; she had changed. Cordelia, Gunn, Wesley, and Lorne would
need to realise that Spike was his priority now. He had not placed
Spike first in many years and it was time he remedied his poor
choices.

As Angel walked to the passenger side, he hoped Spike would awaken.
He wanted her to meet everyone immediately. But the combination of
being warm, cleansed, and fed caused the female vampire to sleep
deeply.

He cradled her in his arms as he walked towards the entrance of the
Hyperion. He could sense his friends waiting in the lobby. As he
entered, his four friends immediately stood up. They were shocked as
their eyes fell upon the tiny figure Angel held in his arms. He
motioned for them to remain quiet. "Let me put her to bed," he
quietly informed his friends, "I'll be back down."

Angel ascended the grand staircase to his quarters. He slowly opened
the door and proceeded to gently place Spike on top of his king-size
bed. He wrapped a blanket around her little body and kissed her on
the forehead. "I'll be downstairs, Spike." Angel whispered. He
worried that she may awaken while he was gone. He reached for a pen
and paper in the nightstand and wrote a small note in his elegant
handwriting.

 You are in my room Spike. I am downstairs. Love, Angel.

With that, Angel left the lights on as he exited the room. When he
returned to the lobby, he slowly approached his friends sitting on
the couch.

"How is she, Angel? Cordelia asked sincerely.

"Pretty bruised, battered, and tired." Angel replied as he sank down
onto the couch. He was so exhausted at this point. He had not slept
or fed in over a day. His brown eyes were weary.

"She doesn't look like no 'William the Bloody' to me, man." Gunn
attempted to lighten the mood.

"That little Blondie-bear has been through the ringer. Isn't that
right, Angel-cakes?" Lorne added.

"More than you know, guys." Angel sighed as he spoke.

"Mr. Giles was kind enough to phone me prior to your arrival, Angel."
Wesley spoke. "He informed me of the gender change at the hand of a
MoyaMoya Demon bite. He wondered if we have some references to aid
with his research. He sounded very concerned about Spike's welfare."

"Giles and Spike have a close relationship. In fact, Spike has
changed immensely since he was last here." Angel turned to his
friends and proceeded to inform them of the events in Spike's life
over the last few years. He discussed the chip and the subsequent
friendships formed with the Slayer and the Scoobies. "She has been
through a lot over the last few days." Angel did not reveal the
details of her rape. "She was beaten and is very traumatised. She is
sensitive to new people and places. So, please be patient with her.
She is my Childe and she is very important to me. I have wronged
Spike in many ways in the last century and I intend to make amends."
Angel's eyes burned with conviction as he spoke.

"We trust your judgement, Angel." Cordelia patted his shoulder and
smiled. Angel was relieved after the conversation. Spike would not
heal in Los Angeles if the environment were not supportive.

"Thanks, guys. I appreciate your support." Angel smiled as he stood
from the couches. "I better go back upstairs."

Despite the circumstances that brought Spike to Los Angeles, the
thought of her being there warmed Angel's undead heart. He had not
realised how much he missed his Childe. Angel was aware that Spike
might harbour some resentment towards him. He knew that it would not
be easy for Spike to accept him back in her life. Angel was willing
to try. He would not disappoint his Childe again.

Angel quietly entered his bedroom. He changed into a white cotton T-
shirt and blue silk pyjama bottoms. Angel slipped into bed behind
Spike. He placed his arms around her tiny waist and pulled her back
close to his chest. He savoured the fragrance of her freshly cleansed
locks. He purred as he relished the feeling of her against his body.
He cherished the idea of Spike in his bed again. The body may be
different, but the essence of his Childe did not change. A smile
appeared on Angel's face as he drifted into the most peaceful slumber
he had experienced in years.

*