Spike paced restlessly around Angel's rooms. Ostensibly, he was keeping Fred company while she watched the baby, but in truth he was too distracted to be much company.

"Don't worry about him," Fred said. "Sometimes it takes a while to chase down whatever thing they're after."

"I'm not worried," Spike said, though he was chewing the edge of his thumbnail as he gazed down at the streets below.

"Here," Fred said, rising to her feet. "Watch Connor while I go heat his bottle."

Spike circled the girl and the baby, not coming closer than 5 feet. With a sigh of exasperation, Fred picked the child up and thrust him in Spike's direction.

"I can watch him fine from here," Spike said. "It's not like he's going to run off."

"Just hold him," Fred said, putting him in Spike's arms. The vampire fumbled with him for a moment, then held him stiffly.

"You just better not cry or make a mess on me," Spike said in a threatening, but quiet, tone.

A few minutes later Fred and Spike were seated side by side on the bed as Fred fed Connor.

"Could they have stopped somewhere on the way home, do you think?" Spike asked.

"It's possible," Fred said. "Although Angel hasn't done that since you got here."

"Oh."

"But maybe they did," Fred re-assured him.

Just then they heard the front door thrown open. "We need the first-aid kit," came Gunn's raised voice.

"Oh, God." Spike was on his feet in an instant, flying out of the bedroom and down the stairs. He saw Cordelia exiting from the office carrying the kit, and in the lobby Gunn and Wesley lowering a very pale Angel onto a chair.

"What happened?" Spike demanded, but Gunn pushed him aside.

"Back off, he's been stung," Gunn said. "We need to get the quills pulled out."

In frustration, Spike growled and grabbed Gunn by the arm, then recoiled as the chip sent a pain signal into his brain.

"It's okay, Spike," Angel said breathlessly. "Just got the wind knocked out of me."

Spike watched helplessly as Gunn and Wesley extracted the C'thorr demon's poison-tipped spines with pliers and cleaned the holes with peroxide. The wounds bubbled out yellow-green pus.

"This isn't lethal to vampires," Wesley explained calmly. "It's painful, and you should sleep well tonight, but all should be better in the morning."

"Why didn't you wankers protect him?" Spike said angrily.

"I was protecting *them*," Angel said. "The C'thorr can hurt me, but one of these spines would have killed them. Ow," he added as Wesley pulled another out.

"Sorry," Wesley said. "And rest assured, we both appreciate your sacrifice."

"Pillocks," Spike muttered.

Sometime later, Angel had been half-carried to his bed, and everyone had cleared out except for Spike, who sat at the bedside watching his Sire.

"I really am fine," Angel assured him.

"I know," Spike said. "It's just."

Angel reached out and picked up Spike's hand from where it was resting on the blanket. "You're shaking," he said.

"I was scared," Spike said matter-of-factly.

"You don't have to be," Angel said. "I'm here. I'm safe."

"I know," Spike repeated, but his voice was very small.

Angel nodded, then pushed himself up into more of a sitting position. "Take off your shoes," he said. Confused, Spike complied, then Angel moved over in the bed. "Get in," he said, holding up the blanket, and with a sigh Spike slid under.

"Should I. take off the rest of my clothes?"

"No," Angel said. "I'm not really in any condition, and it's too soon anyway."

Spike turned towards Angel. "What do you..?"

"Shh," Angel said, touching Spike's lips with his fingertips, then brushing along the edge of his hair. "Just let me hold you while I sleep. Is that okay?"

Spike's eyes seemed very wide as he nodded, and Angel draped an arm over his waist, and pulled him close.

+++++++++++++++

"I think they were just. sleeping," Wesley explained. "I wasn't snooping. I wanted to see that Angel had recovered fully. And there he was with Angel curled around him, fully dressed as far as I could tell."

"Sounds nice," Gunn said.

"Do you think so?"

"You saw him last night," Gunn said. "He'd stake himself before he saw Angel hurt. It's adorable."

"'Adorable' is hardly the word I'd use to describe one of the most notorious vampires in history," Wesley said.

"Well I hope they're very happy together," Gunn said.

+++++++++++++++

"What are you thinking about?" Angel asked a few days later when he had awoken looking into eyes as blue as he remembered the autumn sky being.

"Glad you're not dust," Spike said.

"Little danger of that," Angel said.

"Could have been," Spike said. "If I'd been a little more stupid about getting that ring back."

"Oh. That. Still very little danger."

Spike smirked. "Nice."

"That was long time ago," Angel said. "And I kind of had it coming, anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"That wasn't just about the ring, Spike. It was about Dru, and Darla, and twenty years of torture and mindgames followed by a century of abandonment. The ring was just an excuse."

"Glad you understand it, Dr. Freud, cause I sure as hell don't."

"There's an old proverb," Angel said. "You can never step into the same river twice. The river has changed, and so have you. Maybe it's all changed for the better this time."

"Maybe." Spike sounded unconvinced.

Angel ran his hand across the younger one's head. "Do you remember that winter we spent in Crete?"

"God, yes," Spike said. "Darla bitching non-stop about how drafty that damned castle was. You couldn't wait to escape in the evening."

"I couldn't wait to see you in that caf� off the plaza," Angel said. "Under those oil lanterns with the smoked glass. You were so pale against those dark wooden walls. Luminous, like an old Dutch painting. I loved looking at you."

Spike lowered his eyes shyly. "Oh."

"And when we walked on the beach in the dark, so drunk we could barely stand. I didn't have to play any roles." Angel sighed. "That night you were wearing the fisherman's cap and we'd had five or six bottles of ouzo. You started singing Gilbert and Sullivan tunes. I can't remember when I've laughed so hard." He cupped Spike's cheek with one hand. "I wish I could have had you at my side like that all the time, but I was so caught up in the rules of Sire and Childe. All of us were."

"Some of us were just more comfortable with the status quo, I guess."

"You know what it's like," Angel said. "You have childer of your own." Spike said nothing, and didn't meet Angel's gaze. "Don't you?" Angel asked.

"No," Spike admitted.

Angel sat up a little higher. "A hundred years on your own and you never made a childe? That's hard to believe."

Spike shrugged. "Well, there was always Dru to take care of," he said. "And after you left. I just didn't have the heart for it. I couldn't go through all that again, even if I was the Sire this time."

"Spike."

"Don't say you're sorry again," Spike said. "It's a different river."

+++++++++++++++

"I told you you didn't have to come along," Angel said over his shoulder to the vampire in the back seat as his convertible sped towards home.

"I'm not waiting at home anymore, looking out the window like some stupid chit," Spike retorted, though it was rather hard to understand him, seeing as his head and upper body were encased in rapidly solidifying demon-goo. Then he said something Angel couldn't follow at all.

"Don't try to talk," Angel told him. "We'll get you out of that stuff first."

That task was easier said than done, as by the time they arrived at the hotel the substance had gone completely stiff, and could only be flaked off in layers with a flat-headed screwdriver. The entire process took over five hours, with all of Angel Investigations working together to remove enough of the shell for Spike to wriggle out. The younger vampire was completely exhausted, his skin rubbed raw and his hair damp with sweat, and he lay limply on the carpet like a kitten.

"I'll take it from here," Angel said. "Thank you everyone."

There were various noises of acknowledgement, and then the humans were gone.

Angel didn't say anything, just lifted Spike up into his arms.

"Put me down, you big ponce," Spike said, but clearly his heart wasn't in it.

Angel carried Spike up to his bathroom and started a warm bath running while he helped Spike out of his clothes. "Leave me alone," Spike said with a bit more energy. "I can take my own bath."

"I'll bring you some clothes," Angel said, leaving him alone.

Spike emerged about twenty minutes later in Angel's sweatpants and bathrobe, looking much better.

"Still interested in helping fight the good fight?" Angel asked with a grin.

"As I tried to tell you in the car," Spike said, "I'm not going through what happened with the C'thorr demon anymore. If I'm afraid for you, I want it to be for a real reason, not a worst-case scenario my brain cooked up."

"You fought really well," Angel said, climbing into bed. "I owe you one."

"Can I collect now?" Spike asked, climbing in beside him. Off Angel's questioning look he leaned across and pressed his lips to his Sire's. Angel started with surprise, so Spike put a hand on his shoulder and pressed him down on his back, deepening the kiss as he did so. He pressed his tongue inside Angel's mouth and Angel responded, reaching one arm around Spike's waist and arching up against the other vampire's body.

At last they broke away, panting. Angel stared up into eyes nearly black with lust. This is it, he thought, but Spike's arms were shaking from the exertion of holding himself up and he collapsed against Angel's chest.

"I can't," Spike whispered. "I want to, but."

"It's okay," Angel said, stroking his hair. "Go to sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

"Better not," Spike said, and then he was asleep.

+++++++++++++++

As Angel tried to fall asleep himself in that room, with Spike's still form wrapped in his arms, he found himself imagining how it would be the next morning, when both of them were well-rested and could take their time. He would be careful, reverent. He would show Spike what it could be like with a partner who respected you and cared about your happiness... and maybe was beginning to fall in love with you.

But Connor had woken up crying, and Angel was more than a little disappointed when Spike snuck off to his own room when Angel got up, without even mentioning the night before.

Of course, it made sense, Angel thought as he changed his son. Spike had been emotionally vulnerable after his ordeal, and had wanted to be comforted- the same reason he'd made mental contact with Angel in the first place. But now that the crisis was over he was back to wanting to take it slow.

Which Angel could understand. And it's not like either of them was getting any older. Where they were now, lying together each night, talking over old times in the darkness, it was nice. On the other hand, if Spike wanted to go forward, Angel was certainly willing. He was actually enjoying having to work this out together, rather than conforming to strict codes of behavior, codes that would never have allowed tenderness or generosity. Certainly not love.

+++++++++++++++

Late that afternoon, Wesley entered from his office. "I'm leaving early," he announced. "Gunn and I are going out. I don't anticipate any problems, but don't hesitate to call us if something comes up."

"Don't worry about it," Angel said. "It should be fine."

"Good evening, then," Wesley said, and Angel heard him and Gunn laughing together as they left. Angel allowed himself a small smile. He liked both men and was glad they had found happiness with one another.

A few moments later, Spike entered his office and slid the door closed. Angel felt his heart jump as he remembered Spike's penchant for exhibitionism and swallowed hard.

"I have something to ask you," Spike said seriously.

"Okay," Angel said, his mouth going dry.

"I need... some money," Spike said. "To go buy some clothes. After that run-in last night I'm down to one outfit."

Angel blinked as his brain switched tracks. "Yes, of course," he said. "How much do you need?"

"Dunno," Spike said. "Hundred?"

Angel took the petty cash box out of his desk and handed Spike five twenties. "How late do you think you'll be out," Angel asked.

"Not sure. A few hours, I guess. Her Majesty gave me some places that sell basics pretty cheap if I can find a sale." Spike gave a wry smile. "Reduced to comparison shopping," he said. "How will I survive the humiliation."

"I could go with you," Angel suggested, and Spike snorted.

"No reason for both of us to be bored stupid," he said. "Don't worry, pet. You won't even miss me." And then he left. Angel heard him go out the front door, and again felt a stab of disappointment. He hoped Spike would be back soon.

Cordelia entered next, Fred beside her and Connor in tow. "Listen," she told Angel. "Fred and I are going to take Connor. It's Baby Night at the Toreador."

Angel stared at them as his brain switched tracks for the second time in five minutes, and he tried to figure out what Cordelia meant. "The Toreador? You mean the movie theatre?"

"Yep," Cordy said.

"And what's Baby Night?"

"Everybody brings their baby."

"It's a chance for moms and dads to go out without having to worry about a sitter," Fred explained.

"Oh," Angel said. "So why are you going?"

"Well I've really been dying to see this new French comedy," Cordy said, "and I thought we might possibly run into some cute single dads."

"Plus, the tickets are half price," Fred said.

"Have a good time, then," Angel said. "When do you think you'll be back?"

"A couple of hours," Cordy said. "Relax. Enjoy the alone time. I mean, you haven't really had a good brooding opportunity since Connor came along."

"See ya," Fred said chirpily, and the two girls set off.

"Maybe I don't want to be alone," Angel murmured to himself.

*****
Part 5:

Angel was re-arranging Connor's room, looking for something to distract him until Spike came back, which just went to show how not into alone time he was. He was about to try the cradle over by the window again when the phone rang, and he went quickly to the bedtable to answer it.

"Angel, it's Cordelia," came the familiar voice. "Sorry to disturb you..."

"It's okay," Angel said.

"...but I had an incoming from the PTB. Doesn't look like any big, but you might want to check it out. Do you have a pencil?"

"Yeah," Angel said, reaching for his pad. "Go ahead."

"West Hollywood. Corner of Waring and Kings Road."

"What am I looking for?"

"A blond," Cordy said. "See you in a few hours or maybe tomorrow." Then she hung up.

Growling under his breath, Angel threw on his coat and headed down to his car. He was still growling when he got to the intersection Cordy had indicated. It appeared to be deserted, with no convenient abandoned buildings to indicate where his quarry might be holed up. No. Wait. There was someone under that streetlamp. He was wearing a black cap, and his back was to Angel, but he appeared to be blond.

Then he turned, and smiled.

It was Spike, but he'd apparently changed into some of his new clothes, since he was carrying three large shopping bags and his normal street-thug ensemble was gone. Instead, he wore a tailored white shirt and black vest. Angel pulled over and stared in surprise.

"Shut your mouth, Angel, before something crawls in and dies." Yep, sounded like Spike.

"I suppose you're the blond Cordelia sent me after," Angel said.

"You caught onto that faster than I thought you would," Spike said. "Guess I owe her five bucks."

"You really shouldn't abuse the Emergency Vision System that way," Angel said. "You could have just asked me to meet you."

"Not as fun," Spike said. "Now park this tank and give me the keys so I can put my clothes in the boot."

Angel did so, then climbed out to join Spike. He blinked a few times in disbelief. "Is that... a Greek fisherman's hat?"

"Yep," Spike said, looking rather proud of himself. "Found it in this second-hand store the princess sent me to. Figured it was kismet."

"Kismet..?"

"I'm trying to find that same river," Spike said softly. He slammed the trunk and took Angel's hand. "Come on," he said.

And the surprises continue, Angel thought, looking down at their clasped hands. They had only gone a block or two when they found themselves on a street full of people enjoying the warm evening. "So," Angel said, "got the whole gang in on this, did you?"

"Had to," Spike said. "Even if it meant listening to the 'if you hurt him I will hunt you down' refrain four times. Although, I don't think the little girl's heart was entirely in it. Ah, here we are."

Angel looked up at the lavender-painted building Spike was leading him into. "The Chocolate Piranha Public House?"

"It's a gay British pub," Spike said with a shrug. "Only in California, eh?"

"How did you hear of this place?" Angel asked as they entered the dark bar, stepped down onto the sawdust strewn floor, and the mixture of imported beer and fried fish hit his nose.

"Wesley and Gunn are house darts' champions," Spike said. "Convenient."

A bar-boy came up to them. "Can I get you a table," he asked, "or do you just want to sit at the bar?"

"We're friends of Wesley Wyndham-Pryce," Spike told him. "He called about..."

"Oh, yes," the boy said with a wink. "Follow me, please."

He led them into the room adjoining the bar, where there was a guitar-player performing traditional tunes and sat them at a booth beside the fireplace. "What can I get for you?"

Angel glanced at Spike and smiled. "Ouzo, you think?"

"Never could stand ouzo," Spike said. "Bring some Jameson's for me and some brandy for my friend. And could we kill this," he added, indicating the track light above the table. "The oil lamps will do us just fine."

"Yes, sir," the boy said, turning. A few seconds later the light was dimmed. Angel felt a strange sort of temporal vertigo as he stared across the table at Spike's too-white face, like marble, gleaming in the lamplight. The younger vampire smiled as though he knew the success of the picture he had so carefully painted.

"Taking you back?" he asked, his voice a low, throaty purr.

"Yes," Angel said, his voice husky and quiet. "You've had my head spinning since last night."

"Good," Spike said.

"I was afraid. you were thinking we were going too fast. I was afraid I'd rushed you."

Spike smiled, a small, shy smile. "Never," he said, and Angel felt an overwhelming tenderness filling him. He reached out and ran his fingertips along the side of Spike's face, down to his chin.

"I love you," he said, then chuckled, lowering his eyes. "I only just realized that. These past few weeks, I've fallen in love with you."

In response, Spike moved forward, cradling Angel's head in his hands and kissing him fiercely. Angel fell back against the cushioned seat, momentarily stunned, then returned the kiss in kind, snaking his arms around Spike's body. The younger vampire broke away, panting, his eyes searching Angel's, just for a moment before falling into another devouring kiss.

When they separated, their waiter had already delivered their drinks and gone, and Angel snatched up Spike's whiskey and downed it in one shot, much to Spike's amusement. Laughing, Spike made a great show of raising Angel's brandy and swirling it in the glass before draining it.

"I sent a postcard to Sunnydale," he said when they both had regained their composure. "Told them I was safe, and happy, and I wasn't coming back."

"Did you tell them where you were?" Angel asked.

"No, but they can read postmarks. If they care enough, they'll figure it out."

"I can't tell you how glad I am you're staying," Angel said.

"I." Spike was suddenly shy again. "I never thought I'd hear you say you loved me," he said. "For so long it was the only thing I wanted."

If Angel thought he'd been overwhelmed before, he was totally undone now. "It was?"

"Yes, you idiot," Spike said, though there was no real anger there. "Didn't you know?"

Angel shook his head.

"I've always loved you," Spike said gently. "But I could never tell you, because of what we were to each other."

Angel pulled Spike into his arms again, kissing him over and over. "Let's go," he murmured.

+++++++++++++++

They somehow got back to the hotel, though Spike had been in a haze since they'd left the pub. He remembered Angel's arm around his shoulder, holding him close to that powerful body, and being kissed and caressed with such gentleness. Then he was being led up the stairs to Angel's rooms.

Inside, Angel read aloud the note that Cordelia had left, telling him that she and Fred had moved the baby's crib into Fred's room for the night, and then the note from Gunn that accompanied two red roses on the bedtable, wishing them happiness and luck.

If Spike had been thinking a little more clearly, he might have been touched by the gesture. Or possibly annoyed.

Angel stood back and looked at him for a long moment, then took the cap from Spike's head, tossing it onto a chair. "What do you want?" Angel asked.

"You," Spike said, and Angel chuckled.

"I think that's pretty obvious," he said. "Do you want to take the lead?"

Spike licked his lips, and lowered his eyes. Angel leaned close to his ear and whispered, "tell me."

"I wouldn't know how," Spike said, embarrassed. "I've never been with a man, besides you."

"Alright, then," Angel said. He put his hands on top of Spike's head, then drew them down over his hair and neck, onto his shoulders and down his arms. He took Spike's hands in his own and kissed him quite gently on the mouth. Spike tilted his face up and let out a sigh.

Breaking the kiss, Angel began to slowly undo the buttons on Spike's vest, then the buttons on his shirt, pulling it out from his trousers as he went down. He pushed the clothes off Spike's shoulders and let them drop to the floor. He surveyed the smooth flesh, and laid his palm flat over Spike's heart.

"You're shivering," Angel said. "Are you afraid?"

"No," Spike breathed. "I don't know what I am."

"I won't hurt you," Angel said.

"I know," Spike said.

Angel kissed Spike's throat, just below the jaw, then pressed a line of kisses down over his shoulder, then moved down over Spike's stomach. On his knees now, he undid Spike's belt and trousers and let them slip over Spike's hips and down to the floor. He helped Spike out of his socks and shoes, then stood to look him over again.

Spike turned slightly, feeling terribly exposed, and Angel leaned forward again and kissed him.

"Go lie down," Angel whispered. "Let me get out of my clothes."

"No," Spike said. "Let me." And he took hold of Angel's sweater and pulled it up over his head. Angel let his childe undress him with uncertain fingers, and Spike was grateful for his patience. Spike let his fingertips linger on Angel's arms and hips, reveling in the trust he was being shown. At last Angel stood naked as well, and he pulled Spike to him.

"Relax," Angel said. "What's wrong?"

"I've never been with you like this," Spike said. "You never..."

"No," Angel admitted. "I could never be open to you."

"It's strange," Spike said. "I don't know what to do."

"I'll take care of you," Angel said, and he guided Spike to the bed and laid him down on his back. Spike was trembling as Angel took the length of him into his mouth and worked it gently with his lips and tongue, and struggled against arching up, twisting his hands in the sheets.

He felt Angel's large hands take his own, and then Angel's mouth was gone, just for a moment, and the older vampire said, "You can't hurt me, either. Let go, if you want to."

And when the cool mouth descended again, Spike thrust himself uncontrollably into Angel's throat and came almost at once.

Spike was still panting when Angel crawled up beside him. "I'm sorry," Spike gasped.

"For what?"

"For." Spike was at a loss.

"What do you want?" Angel asked again.

"I want you in me," Spike said.

"Are you sure?" Angel said, a little surprised. "I thought you'd like to try something new."

Spike laughed nervously. "I'm a little overwhelmed just at the moment," he said. "Let's just go with the familiar for now."

Angel nodded and sat up against the headboard. He fished in the bedtable drawer for a moment, then lifted Spike onto his lap.

"It's going to be a little different," Angel told him. "I'm not going to hurt you like I used to. But I think you'll like this."

Spike heard Angel open the tube he'd pulled out of the drawer, then felt Angel's fingers pressing against him and inside him. They were slick and Angel was being so gentle, there was only the slightest sensation of pain. He was stretched and carefully prepared.

Then Angel stroked against something inside and Spike saw stars.

"I thought you'd like that," Angel said.

"Hell's bells," Spike said. "I had no idea."

"Neither did I until recently," Angel said, chuckling. "You can thank Wesley for that."

"I'm stunned," Spike said. "Do it again."

Angel did, and Spike wriggled with delight. "I think you're ready," Angel said, turning the younger vampire around, and lifting him up. "Relax," he said, and eased Spike onto his hardened cock.

Spike let out a sigh, and leaned his head back into Angel's shoulder. Angel stroked Spike's hair back with one hand, then took hold of Spike's cock with the other. He encouraged Spike to begin moving, and then guided him so his cock would strike the spot inside, all the while stroking Spike's stiffening member.

Spike moved more energetically, moaning low in his throat. He felt Angel's mouth on his shoulder, kissing softly against the salty skin, and then he heard Angel groaning, too, and panting. "I'm going to come, Spike," he growled, and when he did, Spike did, too, with a keening sound only vampires made.

Angel disentangled them, and laid down with Spike alongside him. He was kissing his childe's shoulders, and throat, and face, very, very tenderly.

"I love you," Spike said. "I love you, Sire, I love you."

Angel gathered Spike in his arms, and held him close. "I love you, too, my beautiful childe. We wasted so much time."

+++++++++++++++

Angel awoke the next morning to the sensation of something very lightly brushing over his skin: first his face and throat, then his belly. He opened one eye to see Spike holding one of the rosebuds and drawing lightly on his body. When he saw Angel watching him, he smiled sheepishly and put it down.

"Sorry," he said.

"Don't apologize," Angel said. "It's nice."

Spike replaced the rose with his fingers, touching Angel very gently. "I was thinking," Spike said, "about last night."

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, it's not that," Spike said. "I was just thinking. Maybe I would like to try something new."

+++++++++++++++

"So things are going well for the two of you," Wesley said.

"Yes, they are," Angel said. "I know you were worried about him coming here..."

"Yes, but anyone can see..." Wesley smiled fondly. "It's so obvious that you care so deeply for one another."

"We do," Angel affirmed. "I hurt him so badly, I never thought we would ever be anything but enemies. But this connection has been a gift for us."

"Perhaps that's why the vampire nature evolved to create such a link," Wesley said thoughtfully. "To protect the younger offspring in times of crisis by alerting the Sire."

"Maybe," Angel said. "But it's about time these weird things about being a vampire started working to my advantage."

+++++++++++++++

"So," Spike said later, as he lay half-alongside, half-on top of Angel in the darkness. "Do you think the kid will grow up all traumatized?"

Angel turned his head to glance at Connor's crib. "What do you mean?"

"Look how he's growing up," Spike said. "His Dad's a gay vampire who's buggering his adopted childe..."

"Sounds sordid when you put it that way," Angel said. "Plus, there's mutual buggering. And mutual other things."

"Fine," Spike said. "'In a carnal relationship with,' shall we say. Also part of the family, another gay couple, mixed-race..."

"Race is a meaningless social construct," Angel said.

"Listen to you," Spike said. "You've been in California too long. And let me finish before you counter-point. Then we have the half-demon psychic, the math genius who is *slightly* mad from five years as a slave in a demon dimension, not to mention good old Uncle Lorne, who actually is a demon, complete with horns."

"I assume you have a point?"

"When's he get moved to his own room?"

Angel chuckled softly.

"I'm serious," Spike said testily. "How can I bring in the whips and chains if I'm worried about the little bit being scarred for life?"

"So you want me to tie you up, do you?"

Spike hesitated for a moment. "Maybe," he said quietly. "Or I could tie you, if you want."

Angel smiled and ran his fingertips along Spike's hairline. "He should be old enough soon. Or I could ask Fred to take him for the night if you're really concerned and you don't want to wait."

Spike grunted non-committally, and Angel gave him a small squeeze.

"That was weird," Spike said.

"What was?"

"Asking you like that. I never would have dared before. You would have killed me for even suggesting it."

"I was different, then."

"I like how you are now," Spike said. "And I like how I am, too."

"That's good," Angel said. "I like you, too. And I love you, don't forget that."

Angel felt Spike smile against his chest. "Love you, too," Spike said. "Let's stay in this river."

Angel laughed, then leaned down to kiss the top of Spike's head. "We'll stay," he said.

fin