Why Can't I Be You? - The Cure

You're so gorgeous I'll do anything
I'll kiss you from your feet
To where your head begins
You're so perfect you're so right as rain
You make me
Make me hungry again
Why can't I be you?
I'll run around in circles
Til I run out of breath
I'll eat you all up
Or I'll just hug you to death
Everything you do is simply delicate
Everything you do is quite angelicate
Why can't I be you?
You turn my head when you turn around
You turn the whole world upside down
I'm smitten I'm bitten I'm hooked I'm cooked
I'm stuck like glue
You make me
Make me hungry for you
Everything you do is simply dreamy
Everything you do is quite delicious
Why can't I be you?

-----------------------------------------------------

The moonlight casts a macabre glow on the pair, as they make their way out through the well-worn cemetery path. Xander, still struggling to support Riley, tries to quicken his steps, pulling his friend along. "Come on man...walk!" Xander urges.

Familiar reverberations - the crackling of branches and rustling of footsteps dragging through gravel breaking the nights' stillness. Riley continues to stumble along, as he attempts to collect himself. He draws on Xander's shoulder, forcing him to look back.

Xander catches a worried expression on Riley. "What is it? What's wrong?" he starts.

Riley begins to plead. "You can't tell Buffy!"

"Are you kidding? I couldn't. nope, not going there. You okay?"

"No" He answers, flatly.

"I take it, this wasn't.I mean.they were the ones, right?" Xander urges, hoping to put some order to what he's just been through.

"It's not important.I guess." Riley chokes out, echoing Angel's earlier comment. Taking this as an affirmation, Xander motions for them to keep walking, and keeps his strides at a slow pace until Riley feels strong enough to quicken their exit.

Clearing his throat, Riley begins "I guess I have some calls to make tonight. I don't know about all of this though."

"I don't think we have any other choice, Ri."

"Yeah, I think he was. serious about that."

"When Angelus gets his mind set on something, there's no way around it. Trust me on that." Xander offers grimly.

"I know." Riley answers, startling Xander with the conviction in his tone.

Riley continues, "I guess we're. walking back to my place?"

"Well, I'm not getting back in that car again. You getting back in that car? Are you gonna go ask the bloodsuckers for a ride? 'Cause I, sure as hell, am NOT going back in that tomb.See.this is Xan-Man walking away from the.whatever the hell that was back there. One foot in front of the other, walking's just fine with me."

Riley interrupts, "Just shut up, Xander."

"Well excuse me for getting a little freaked out by seeing you made into a Spike'n'Angel sammich. You weren't exactly fighting them yanno Riley?"

"Yeah. I know."

Xander stops again, this time, grabbing Riley's shoulders with both hands. Looking intently at him, "C'mon Ri, ya gotta spill."

Mortified, Riley stares blankly at Xander, feeling the pressure on his shoulders demanding his response. "It's not. I can't. I need."

"Need two blood crazed vampires??!!" Xander snaps.

His tongue seemingly lubricated with the need to liberate his confusion, Riley begins explaining, "With the others I could almost keep it under control. I didn't know.But shit Xander. This is Angelus and William the Bloody!"

"They're not that cool! Do you have any idea?? Shit.you don't have a clue!" Xander's jealousy betrayed by his pitch.

"You're lying to yourself.You saw.You saw what it was"

"Riley man, I thought we weren't going to talk about this." Xander replies, now flushed with embarrassment.

"You asked." Riley shoots back

"My fault, change the subject."

"What if I don't want to?" Riley defiantly looks at Xander, silently challenging him.

Xander stares back at him, feeling the tension of his aching erection straining tightly against the fabric of his jeans. "What do you want?" Xander whispers, so light, it's almost a hiss.

Riley's eyes fall instinctively to Xander's crotch, and then back to meet his gaze. "Thought so." Xander fiercely pushes Riley against the cemetery wall and crushes his lips against him. 'Our first kiss', Xander thinks, 'and it's in Sunnydale cemetery.and it's so..good!'.

Riley was the first one to pull away from the embrace, his voice husky, "Home.now."

Xander nods, drunk with want, and the two walk quickly towards Riley's apartment.

Riley is silent, so determined, no emotion as he puts his keys into the door, not even turning as Xander walks in behind him.

Confused, Xander asks, "Ri.you want me here?" Riley's shoulders stiffen, still not looking at the teenager. "Riley, you want me to leave, I can just keep the Xander legs moving right back out the door." Xander tries to sound casual.

Riley finally looks at him, "I don't know.this isn't part of the game plan.none of this. I still.I mean, Buffy is."

Xander steps towards the door, "You're right, you and the Bufster.third wheel Xander now making his smooth exit..stage left."

Riley doesn't grin in response as he advances on Xander, pinning him to the door. He makes no movement to kiss, just presses his body against Xander's, his eyes glazing.

Xander freezes, startled by the distance in those eyes as he feels Riley's body grind into him. More shock registers as Riley tilts his head back, offering his neck in a disturbingly familiar gesture.

'Fuck' Xander thinks, running through an inner dialogue, 'He wants me to bite him! Shit! What am I gonna.Hell Xander, male teenage hormones to the rescue, you're gonna give him what he wants.' And Xander leans forward and running a hesitant tongue over the newly healed scar on Riley's throat, feeling Riley shudder against him.

A ragged whisper of "More!" from Riley and Xander is baring his teeth against the skin, not teasing anymore, but still cautious. Riley shivers then moves suddenly, dragging Xander with him towards the bedroom, falling onto the rumpled sheets, pulling the brunette on top of him.

Xander moves his leg between Riley's, rubbing his thigh against Riley's hardness, pressing into the fabric as he leans into his neck. This time, there is no hesitation, and Xander sucks hard at Riley's jugular, nipping at the scarred skin. Beneath him, Riley lets out a strangled scream, his entire body thrusting up. Xander almost explodes at the sound that he, HE has ripped from the body beneath him, and settles in to alternately sucking and laying blunt teeth into the warm flesh of Riley's throat.

Riley's voice is hoarse as his hands grab hold of Xander's clothes, pulling him in, crying, "Do it!"

Xander is dizzy with control, pulls back for a moment, enjoying the desperation at the wordless cries of protest from Riley, then dives in again, stopping short of the bruises he has created and whispers, "Tell me.."

"What?" Riley manages to croak.

"Tell me why you do it.why you let them do this." And Xander suckles gently at the pulsating vein, then stops, waiting for his lovers' reply.

"My blood.they want it.and when I give it, there isn't any pain." Riley's voice stills until he is prompted again by Xander's teeth teasing at the wound, "The feeling.they take me.and even when I leave, I'm still there.in their veins.I exist always for them."

Xander sighs into Riley's ear again, "And I'm a reminder of that? You want me to take you the way they do?"

Riley gasps, "Yes!"

Xander pulls back, his face resting above Riley's, moving his leg over so he is straddling Riley, "Are you thinking about him?"

His body quiets under Xander, his eyes closed, "Oh God.yes!"

Xander revels in the fantasy, and pulling on some darkness deep inside he demands, "Say his name!"

Riley's body begins to undulate again, his hands snaking around Xander's hips, eyes shut tight, "Angel.please."

Xander's hands reach out to Riley's digging into his hips and pulls his arms, pushing them into the pillows at Riley's head, silently commanding him to lay still. Frowning at the face beneath him, the brunette leans down and almost snarls, "No! Say his name!!!"

Riley shivers at the harsh tone and complies, "Angelus!"

Strangely contented with this, Xander's hands move across Riley, unbuttoning his pants, pulling them off after shoes, opening his shirt. The young soldier's body is bared to him, tattooed with white scars, he is shocked at their number. 'Buffy' he groans internally, 'where have you been that you haven't seen...haven't noticed?'

But the sight of the naked man before him pulls his attention back to the fantasy at hand. His mouth moves down, lips, then teeth pulling at the closest scar. Xander feels the sensitive tissue under his tongue, feels Riley's body quiver, he feels.power.

'Is this what he desired?' he wonders as his mouth moves to another cut, 'The rush of bringing pleasure with pain? Is this the need Riley feeds off in turn?' Banishing the complicated thoughts from his mind, he moves his body up over Riley's again, pulling one of his wrists down to his mouth, sinking his teeth into the delicate white pucker of skin, and biting hard.

He places another hand over Riley's eyelids, "Say it!" he growls into the damage, "Say my name!"

Riley's body bucks underneath him, "Angelus! Angelus!"

Xander drops Riley's wrist undoes his pants, sliding the fabric down enough so he can grab his own hard cock. Fisting himself furiously he thrusts his mouth down on Riley's neck, pulling the skin between his teeth. Riley screams into the bite, his body convulsing in orgasm as Xander spills himself onto Riley's stomach; his mouth still fastened to Riley's throat.

*****
Part 10:

Come Over Here - INXS

All you've got is this moment
Twenty-first century's yesterday
You can care all you want
Everybody does yeah, that's OK

So slide over here and give me a moment
Your moves are so raw, I've got to let you know
I've got to let you know
You're one of my kind

--------------------------------------------------

As the crypt door closes on the fleeing humans, Angel laughs, "He wants you William!" taunting.

Spike pulls away in mock disdain, "Me? I think not, Peaches.soldier boy and 'is pet came here lookin' for some Angelus action!"

Angel feigns a serious tone, "No, he didn't know I was here when he came tap-tap-tapping that first night."

Spike shrugs, "What can I say, I'm irresistible to repressed teenage boys..it 'appens! Funny thing, innit?"

"Come on Will," Angel lectures, "You can't hurt the boys."

Spike pulls a pout, "Not fair! Even when they beg for it??"

Angel smiles, "Especially when they beg, Will."

"It ain't my fangs he's always beggin' for, mate." Spike retorts.

"I seem to recall a certain blonde begging for it last night." Angel jests.

Affronted, Spike cries out, "Beggin'? Me? I never 'ad to beg for it. You've always been pretty obligin'!"

Angel's hand moves to his belt, looping one thumb through, letting his fingers splay down towards his crotch as he eyes his Childe, "Sure you don't want to beg?"

"Bleedin' hell, I'm not gonna beg!" Spike protests, moving closer to the dark vampire.

"Ah, ah ah..I don't hear a 'please'."

Spike stops, blinking at Angel, "Stop fuckin' around pet, c'mere!"

Angel grins lazily, "And what do you want me to do over there, Will?" his fingers moving down to stroke the growing hardness pressing against his pants.

Spike's eyes flicker down to the movement with a hungry gaze, licking his lips, "Yer not gonna get that out of me!"

Angel takes a step closer, speaking softly, "Get what, Will? What am I not going to get out of you?".

Leering, Spike leans forward, "That ain't gonna work on me, Ducks!" hissing as Angel puts a hand on Spike's throat.

Laughing, Angel whispers, "This isn't work Will." Spike leans his head into Angel's hand, and begins to purr softly. Angel removes his hand from his belt and pulls the blonde towards him, unresisting.

Spike allows himself to be folded in the darker mans arms, sighing against him, "Bleedin' poof.why'd you 'ave to be so damn shaggable?"

Angel reaches down and begins stroking Spike through his jeans, cupping the hardness he finds there. He leans down and growls into Spike's ear, smiling into the shiver running through his lovers' body. "What's my name?" Angel urges.

Leaning his head back to look his lover in the eyes, Spike responds without hesitation, "Angel."

As the name leaves his Childe's lips, Angel leans down to capture Spike's mouth. Their tongues wrap around each other as hands move to match the dance.

Before the kiss can deepen further, Spike pulls his mouth back, "You know I want you."

"Yes, Will.I know."

Their arms twine around each other as they walk towards the bed, bodies collapsing together; Spike pinned underneath the larger man. Angel raises the top of his body off of the blonde demon, letting his eyes focus on the face beneath him, the beautiful sharp plains of his cheekbones, the shocking blue eyes, warm with lust.

With a smile in his voice, Angel says, "I know why they want you."

Answering the smile, "And why is that, pet? Educate me."

Angel moans, leaning down to capture the eager mouth with his, then pulling back, "Gods.teaching you has always been my greatest joy."

His blue eyes dancing in merriment as one scarred eyebrow lifts to an arch, "Has it, mate? Carry on, then!".

The feeling these words instill in Angel is heady; strong as the scent of pure Spike he is willfully breathing in. He kneels next to Spike, and begins slowly removing the other mans' clothes, and his own, speaking all the while, "I remember the first time, you know. Your hair, brown and curling.so easy to pull your mouth to mine. Not that you needed pulling, I think you were as wild as I was for the touch. It was the night I claimed you, you were just a fledgling, hungry for everything. Nothing could satisfy you, you went through two feedings before I could convince you that there would be time enough for that, and there were other more pressing things."

At this point in his story, Angel moves his mouth over his Childe's now bare chest, licking across his collarbone, tongue moving upward, teasingly drifting around the first wound. Desire driving him beyond his need not to, Spike gasps as Angel's human teeth scrape across his jugular.

Angel continues, "Just as fetching now, as you were then, my boy. And there was no one who didn't want you, no victim who didn't see you and want to be drawn into death by you. But you were mine! I remember every inch of your body, every breath you fought not to release because you knew you didn't have to.but I could always pull that from you!"

Angel's hands move slowly over his lovers' writhing body, smiling as Spike lets out a growl of need, "Ahhh.Angelus was always good with the mind fuck."

Angel pulls his body forward until his lips are grazing Spike's ear, "Love, I taught him everything he knew."

In a rare moment of trust, Spike turns his head, locking blue eyes with brown, "So you are my Sire."

Angel responds, "I always was, Will. The passion that burned in him for you was mine."

Spikes' arms reach out to pull Angel to him in a fierce embrace, "Mine!"

Angel allows himself to return the strong hold, and then untangles himself, "Now don't get ahead of the lesson. Remember you're my student."

Spike turns on his side, facing his Angel, one fingertip tracing designs in the cool flesh of Angel's chest, but listening attentively. Angel props his head up with hand, the other running over Spike's flank, down his back in slow caressing motions.

Angel continues, "And here I thought you were so experienced, after the way you skillfully worked your mouth around me in that alley way."

Angel brushes his fingers over Spike's mouth, letting his Childe's eager tongue pull the digits in, wetting them thoroughly before pulling them back out to continue his fondling. "But you lay beneath me that night.trembling. Barely able to get the words past your lips when you asked if I was going to hurt you. Gods! To find such innocence beneath all your bravado!"

Spike looks down, trying not to reveal all he is feeling. Angel laughs softly; "If I didn't know better, I'd think I'd just made the Big Bad blush."

Spike's response is to nuzzle his face into Angel's neck, purring. Angel pulls Spike's body towards his own, "My boy! You never knew how to hold back. What a precious gift that is! Now where was I? Oh yes, my nervous Childe, wondering if I was going to harm him. I couldn't answer that in words, so I tried to show you. How long did I spend readying you Will?"

Spike answers, voice low, "It seemed like forever. By the time I was ready I would have done anything to have you inside of me."

Angel's soft reply, "And you did. Tell me everything you remember, William."

Spike's head falls back against the pillow, his mind drifting back to that night, "I remember bein' terrified of.not bein' good enough for you, that you would leave me if you knew I hadn't.an' then there was this look in your eyes, that told me there was nothin' else in the world but you an' I in that bed. Your hands, your mouth.they told me the same thing. I couldn't imagine anyone ever wanting me the way you did, but you weren't leavin' much up to me imagination, were you? You talked to me the whole time, tellin' me what you were doin', an' how perfect you thought I was."

"I'd never been the center of someone's universe before, but that night I knew I was. I'd never wanted anything the way I wanted to be with you. Ya were the most amazin' thing I'd ever seen, Pet.you were this big hulking demon with the face of an Angel. I felt like a git the first time I called you that, but you took it as your own. My Angel. My Angel's tongue, my Angel's hands, all over me, how could I resist? How could I not want you?"

Your scent was all over me, around me.and then inside me. That first finger.ya must have spent hours just teasing around the outside before slippin' it in. An' when you put your tongue there, I musta' spent meself about three times before you could take me. Ya' waited for me.waited 'til I was able to take you all in, 'an then ya' started those slow, deep thrusts.impaling me each time. Hittin' that spot.I 'member seein' stars. I could smell you, smell yer blood, yer lust, an' I felt more alive than I ever had been."

Through his Childe's retelling, Angel has been spellbound, but now he reaches down, his hand wrapping around the back of Spike's neck, pulling him up into a passionate kiss, "Gods Will, I've always loved you.and always wanted you."

Angels' hands begin to move in more urgency, finally reaching down between Spike's thighs to stroke the tight sac, feeling his lover twitch under his touch. His hand moves up to wrap around Spike's shaft, his thumb pushing in circles around the glossy head. Angel's voice is a low growl of need, "Keep talking, boy!"

Spike finds his voice, "I want that first night, I want it to always be like that.for nothin' else in the world to matter 'cept your body an' mine." Spike's hand moves down Angel's side, "I think about it all the time."

Not stopping the slow fisting of Spike, Angel asks, "Tell me Will, what do you do when you think about us that night?"

Spike looks at Angel, his hand moving to grasp Angel's hardness, "I think of you, the way you touched me."

Angel finishes for him, "Like this? You touch yourself like this?" his hand pulling Spike's rigid member up and over his stomach.

Spike loses himself in the feel of the hand that knows him so well. He lets out a ragged breath, "Yeah."

Not stopping his movement, Angel leans toward his lovers' face, "I think about it too, you know."

Spike looks into his Sire's face, "An' how many nights did you wish it was my hands doin' this?" he asks as his own hand continues pumping Angel's erection.

Angel throws his head back, "Too many." Their hips move closer together, both hands still clutching and stroking.

Spike lets out a half cry, "Gods, I've missed you.missed this!"

Angel promises, "We will never miss this again."

Spike's back arches and Angel takes them both into his hand, foreskins rubbing agonizingly together. His hand freed, Spike moves both hands up, placing them on either side of Angel's head, tilting it to one side, placing his mouth against the scar he finds there.

His eyes glint yellow gold as his fangs sink in and he breathes into the wound, "My Angel!" With a gutteral cry and his Childe's claiming of him, Angel bursts; letting out cool streams of white liquid to coat Spike's now throbbing cock.

Angel cries out, "Come for me!", and shuddering in Angel's slick fist, Spike lets out a loud roar as he completes himself in his Sire's hand.

*****
Part 11:

Turquoise Days Echo & The Bunnymen
Just when the thought occurs
The panic will pass
Put your faith
In those crimson nights
It's not for living
It's for hunger
Just lips locked tight
It's not rebellion
It's not suffering
It's just the way it is
And my pistol's packed
And my God goes with me
I feel easy
And I want it
And I need it
And I've got it

----------------------------------------------------

Spike wasn't going to stop pacing - the tension, the excitement, hell, the fear! He glances up at Angel without stopping, "Tonight! Can ya' believe it's gonna be to be tonight?!"

Picking up Spike's mental thread the darker man answers, "Yes Will, tonight. Are you ready.are you sure?"

Spike stops mid-pace; "Am I what? Cor' mate, that soul has made you a little daft! 'Course I'm sure!" Waving away the concern on Angel's face, "S'gonna be fine. They'll zap me, chip deactivated - no muss no fuss." He runs his fingers through his platinum hair, "'Sides, if anything goes wrong - you'll take care of it!"

"If anything goes wrong?" Angel asks.

"Yeah, you know...if they short out more than the chip - won't kill me - but might make me a little bit.touched. Dru-like. I'll start wanderin' around in white playin' with dolls."

Angel's hands grip the arms of his chair, knuckles turning white, "He said that? He said they could damage your mind??!"

Spike focuses on Angel's face, "Yeah luv, there's some risk involved. Not like they've ever tried to turn one of their bleedin' mental leashes off before." Trying to focus the adrenaline pumping through his body, he kneels before his Sire, "Angel - it's worth it. Believe me."

Placing his hands on the larger mans' knees, "Gods - to be able to hunt again, to feed! I'd risk me mind and more for that! I wasn't meant to be like this - I've hated every single minute of having this thing in me. You don't understand."

His voice grows soft as he begins to pull away, startled as Angel grabs both of his hands, "I understand, Will! The demon is still in me, maybe caged, but closer to the surface than he's been in a while. The hunger.I understand that.intimately!"

Nodding slowly, Spike leans in, blue eyes locked on brown, "Yeah mate, I believe you do. But that soul of yours gets in the way. Not me. I want the fight, the terror, and the screams. I want to swim in that!"

Sensing his Childe's arousal, Angel wills a breath to take it in, closing his eyes, "I know what you want.I feel it."

Spike arches up, bringing his face closer to Angel's, "After tonight, William the Bloody is back!" and he claims Angel's lips in a fierce kiss.

Slowly, Angel breaks free; "Will.you.there have to be rules. limits to this."

Spike rocks back on his haunches, cocks his head, smiling, "Yeah, I know, Peaches."

Angel's eyes widen, "You know? That's it?!"

Spike laughs at his surprise, "Sure, ya ponce. Didn't think ya were making soldier-boy get the chip out so I could snack on all your new and improved 'bat patrol', did I? But I'm bettin' the blood of yer basic evildoer is still on the menu - innit?"

Angel smiles in his lover's renewed kiss, "You never cease to amaze me, Will."

Lips parted, Spike's tongue snakes out to invade his Sire's mouth before he speaks, "Yeah pet, that's why ya keep me 'round - that an' the fact that I'm the best bloody shag you've ever had!"

Angel laughs, "The best. can't forget that!"

Their laughter is interrupted by a knock at the crypt door. "Gonna 'ave to get a doorbell" Spike says as he moved to open it, grinning at Riley and Xander standing nervously outside.

With a smile he notices an addition fidgeting behind the two. "'Allo, Red! Didn't think you'd be comin' along fer the ride."

Willow steps forward between Xander and Riley, moving closer to Spike, "I.uhm.wanted to be here with you. You know.it's important. What your doing.it's important for all of us." She frowns a little at the lack of support from the two humans. "Well, what they did to you was wrong! And I thought, you know.that you would want a friend here." Catching Angel's bemused glance; "Not that Angel isn't a friend. Hi Angel! But uhm, you know, we're friends too, aren't we? And you kinda want friends around when you're going to do something, er. important, and this is important. I've said that a few times, and I'm going to stop babbling now.but we are, you know.friends.aren't we?"

Spike grinds broadly at her, "'M proud to say you are, Red. Glad yer here."

Angel smiles warmly at the blushing witch, "We're both glad you're here Willow."

Glancing over his shoulder Spike laughs, "C'mon Angel, can't keep our escort service waiting!"

They arrive at a simple looking medical office, silently ushered in by a pale little man who informs them he will 'be taking care of the patient'. Spike asks Angel for a moment alone with the pasty faced doctor and closes the door firmly behind his Sire in the hallway.

Willow sidles up to Angel, "Angel?"

The dark man pulls his gaze reluctantly away from the closed door, "Yes, Willow?" he asks.

She turns first to Xander and Riley hovering near by, "Uhm, could you guys leave us alone for a minute? I think I saw a candy machine, Xander go show Riley the joys of stale junk food, 'kay?"

Xander leaps up at her suggestion, but Riley stands his ground, "I don't think we should leave you alone with him, Willow."

Willow blinks at him in amazement, "Riley? I was just being polite, because that's what I do.I'm Willow. And Willow's polite. But I don't think you really get a say in this. I trust Angel and I want to speak with him.alone.so go! Uhm.please?"

Xander chuckles at his friends' outburst, "C'mon Riley, it's okay, we're gonna be right down the hall." Riley shoots a glare at Angel and follows his roommate toward the glow of the candy machine.

Willow turns back to Angel, "Sorry about that.I don't know what's gotten into him lately! Angel.I wanted to thank you again - Tara and I have been having a great time with all those big old magic books that Giles wouldn't let us near before!"

Angel smiles a little impatiently, "Sure Willow, that's great.but you had to get me alone.now to tell me this?"

Her eyes start a bit, "Oh, yeah! Not just that, but about that.see, we've been doing some, er extracurricular research, and we sorta stumbled on something about your.your curse."

She has Angel's complete attention now, and he stares intently at her, "What is it Willow?"

She grins impishly at him, "I know.you think I'm gonna say something terrible like 'you have until dawn, and then you lose your soul', or 'you have to cross rivers of holy water to get it back'. Which is what we were expecting to find, but we almost didn't see this one part, which was in this really interesting book - " she jumps a little as Angel starts to growl in impatience.

"Right.sorry, off the track again. Well here it is.It was a one-time thing. You lost it, we got it back for you, that's it. End of curse. You can't lose it again!!"

Her eyes shine as he shakes his head and mumbles, "What?"

She practically dances in excitement, "That's it, you can't lose it! See.because I didn't restore it with any vengeance clause.I just gave it back to you! Isn't that great? You can be happy now. Cut back on the brooding, save people, and be happy! You do remember how, don't you?"

Angel stares at her, letting her words sink in, then remembering; he glances back at the closed door. He bends his head down, touching his lips to her forehead as she beams at him, "Thank you Willow. Truly thank you! And yes, I think I am beginning to remember how." He pulls back, gazing at her in wonder.what a heart this girl has!

His attention is pulled from his distracting thoughts as the doctor open the door and whispers, "Sir, he's ready now, he'd like you with him."

Angel turns back to Willow, "Keep them busy.keep them out of here."

Willow swallows and nods, "I will, Angel. You watch over Spike.I know he'll be fine if you're there." He smiles at her once, then enters the room, the door closing behind him.

The room was stark white, and Spike's pale face almost glowed as he lay back on the table. The jittery doctor was attaching little discs to his temples, which were attached to wires, in turn attached to an evil looking black contraption with lights and buttons, emitting a low hum. He growls as the man shrinks back, "Better get this right, doc!"

The poor man practically gibbers in fear, "Yes - yes! I'm almost sure this will work!"

Spike sighs, willing the fear to leave his body, "Close enough."

He glances at Angel, body and face frozen as he stares at his Childe, "Will." his voice husky, "Don't be afraid. I'm here. I'm not leaving. Ever. Are you ready?"

Trying to evince some Spike bravado, "I'm gonna hold you to that. S'okay. S'gonna be fine. In for a penny, in for a pound. Hit the switch doc!"

Pain - blue electric pain - centered at the back of his head, tendrils licking out to coil around his skull. One thought screaming through the agony, "SIRE!", a heavy weight on this chest. Then nothing.

As he saw Spike's body arch off the table in torment, heard his Childe's cry to him for help his arm shoots out, knocking the doctor across the room. Ridges rippling across his face, eyes glowing he places both hands on Spike's chest, leaning in to the still face, "Will? William?!!" The eyelids beneath him flutter as he places one hand on Spike's face, "Will? Can you hear me?"

Blue eyes fly open, locking with gold, "Angel?"

Angel's face melts back into human form, tears of fear and relief falling onto Spike's mouth as he leans in to kiss his Childe. Spike sighs into the kiss, licking the salty moisture from Angel's mouth. Angel pulls back, searching Spike's face, finding him whole, "Mine!"

Spike grins up at him, "Yeah, yours. Now let me up ya wanker, time to see if this thing worked. It bloody well better have, that hurt!"

Angel moves back, letting Spike stand, watching him cautiously as his Childe walks; no prowls over to the doctors' huddled form on the floor. "Wasn't nice to hurt the vampire, now was it?" Morphing into game face he leans in, sniffing the fear flowing off the cowering figure and licks his lips, moving in to bite as the man screams and faints.

"Oi!" Spike cries as he turns to look at Angel, "It didn't hurt! Coulda' done it!" Leaping to his feet and grabbing his duster, "Right! Let's go! I'm so hungry I could eat at least four Sunnydale graduates!" his lips curl up dangerously, "Just kiddin', Peaches!" Winking into Angel's frown.

Not waiting, Spike throws open the door, stopping to leer at Riley and Xander waiting in the hallway, "I'm baaaack, boys! Training. Tomorrow. Be there! Gotta run, time for Spike's Happy Meal!"

Then he hesitates.walks over to Willow and grabs her hand.kissing it in a most un-Spike gesture, "I'm glad you were here Red.it made a difference. Glad to have you on my side." He lets go of her hand and whisks past Angel who follows him, smiling softly.

And then the two vampires were gone.

*****