Title:    Transition (Story 2)
Series: A NEW LIFE
Author: MarieC
Email: mariecynthia2003@yahoo.com
Feedback: Please. Be gentle: this is my first fic
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
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**
Lyrics "Goodbye To You" by Michelle Branch Label: Maverick;
Distributor: WB
Many thanks to Ghostsforge for beta help.

8/9

Over the next month, the team at Angel Investigations fell into a
comfortable routine. Spike had informed her Sunnydale friends that
she would stay in LA for the time being. She integrated into the Fang
Gang well. She helped with research often; the team found that she
was very intelligent. Angel had not allowed her to fight yet, but
Spike did not force the issue. He worried that she was still a little
weak and traumatised to fight effectively.

Spike and Angel maintained a superficial, but civil relationship. The
female vampire was not ready to advance beyond that.

Gunn and Angel were on the 4th floor of the hotel one afternoon in a
series of rooms Angel had converted into a training room. They were
engaged in a sword fight.

"All right, man! Uncle!" Gunn panted as he lowered his sword, sweat
pouring from his brow.

"Good fight, Gunn." Angel wiped his face with a towel. He walked over
to the corner to retrieve his T-shirt.

"See you later." Gunn walked out of the room.

As Angel turned towards the exit, he saw his Childe standing at the
door. She was wearing a blue T-shirt that accentuated her curves
coupled with light grey sweats. The azure colour magnified her
striking blue eyes. Angel attempted to subtly shift his pants.

"Maybe I should start training," Spike said as she sauntered over
towards Angel, "then maybe you wouldn't consider me a liability."

"I never called you a liability, Spike. I just don't want you to get
hurt."

"I get it Angel. But I feel better, stronger. I'm a good fighter, and
you know it. I'm still me, Angel. All you see is a helpless bird in
front of you." Spike placed her hands on her hips and pouted.

"Fine." Angel relented under her searing gaze. She was adorable when
she pouted. "To start with, we'll stretch and then work with the
punching bag. But, that's all for now, okay?" Angel asked.

"Deal, mate!" Spike said enthusiastically with a smile. Angel could
not help but enjoy the times when he could make her smile.

After an hour, Angel noticed Spike's fatigue. Her face was glistening
with sweat and her shirt clung to her form. The dark vampire followed
the trail of sweat traversing the defined cheekbones of his Childe.
Angel's black sweats were starting to feel a bit constricting, so he
felt the need to escape to his room to take a very cold
shower. "Good, job, Spike. How do you feel?"

"Good, but tired. Thanks." She grinned at him, grabbed a towel, and
left the room quickly.

Later that evening, as the group finished dinner, Cordelia looked at
Spike and said, "Hey Blondie, I'm going to the mall to check out some
sales, wanna come? It might be fun."

"Um, no thanks, pet. There's something on the telly I wanted to
watch. I taped Passions earlier." Spike seemed uncomfortable and
quickly departed and ran upstairs. Angel sensed her fear.

Cordelia turned to the group after the female vampire departed. "Am I
the only who notices that she will not leave the hotel?"

"I think we've all noticed." Angel sighed. "I'm not sure what to do.
She says she wants to start fighting Demons, but I don't think she
would be able to leave. She's too scared."

"She has come far in a month, Angel." Wesley added. "Give her time."

The conversation was cut short by the phone ringing.

"Angel Investigations. We help the hopeless!" Cordelia responded.

"Hello, Cordelia. This is Rupert Giles." The voice on the line said.

"Giles! What a surprise!" Angel looked up immediately.

"I was hoping to talk with Spike." Giles continued.

"Sure, let me get her." Cordelia motioned for Gunn or Wesley to
retrieve Spike.

"Is Angel available?" Giles inquired.

"Sure, just a sec." Cordelia handed the phone to Angel.

"Rupert." Angel said with some trepidation. He knew he was being
insecure and immature but he felt threatened by Spike and Giles'
relationship.

"Hello, Angel. How is she?"

"Improving. She is still a little weak but we've started training.
Everything okay in Sunnydale?"

"Yes, quite." The ex-watcher responded. "I am calling to inform her
that I am returning to England. The children here are all taken care
of. It is time for me to go. Plus, I may be able to find more
information on the MoyaMoya Demon once back in England.
Unfortunately, my research here has been fruitless."

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"Oh." Angel worried how Spike might handle this information. "Well,
take care, Rupert."

"Thank you. And Angel?  She has been through enough. I don't want to
see her get hurt. She deserves to be happy."

"Yes, I agree." Angel watched his Childe descend the stairs with a
look of uncertainty on her face. "It's Giles." He calmly informed
Spike as he handed her the phone. The group left the lobby to give
Spike privacy.

"G-Giles?" Spike asked with wonderment.

"Hello, Spike. How are you?"

"I'm okay. Is anything wrong? Do you need me to come back?"

"No, I-I just wanted to make sure things were satisfactory for you in
Los Angeles. The group does miss you here."

"I miss them too."

Giles hesitated for a moment. "I-I wanted to tell you that I am
moving back to England, indefinitely."

Spike eyes were wide with surprise and sparkled with threatening
tears. "Why?"

"I believe it is time for me to go. Buffy is capable. The others are
doing well." Giles quietly answered.

"B-But, they need you."

"They will be fine, Spike. And so will you. You have been on an
extraordinary journey the last few years. You have improved yourself.
I am very proud of you."

"You mean it?" She softly asked. Her eyes glistened.

"Of, course. I want you to take your time. If you are to stay in Los
Angeles, make sure it is what you want. Take care of yourself."

"Okay." The blonde vampire responded.

"I should go now." Giles was deeply saddened. It was not in his
nature to show too much emotion. Giles paused before he
spoke. "Whenever you need me, please call. I will forward a letter
with my new address upon my arrival. And I will not use that bloody
email!" Giles chuckled slightly. "I want you to know that I care
deeply for you."

"I love you too, Giles." Spike's tone was just above a whisper. She
quietly hung up the receiver. She was sad but relished the fact that
someone cared for her. She smiled as she made her way back to her
room.

*