Spike sat up quickly, looking to his left to see Angel asleep in the chair.
He smiled and reached a hand to his own face. Cold. He was cold again.
Shaking his head vigorously, he shifted into his vampiric form and grinned
as his hunger for blood rose once more.
      Hopping out of bed, he replaced his clothes quickly and strode into the
kitchen. He opened the fridge and was about to grab a bag of blood when he
remembered why they'd done this entire thing. So he could get his own blood,
his own way.
      Spike was about to escape through the back door and find the nearest human
when the memories of the whole ordeal flooded back to him. Everything Angel
had done for him. A part of Spike wanted to just grin and go anyway, but for
once he let the other side win, the side that wanted to return to the
bedroom.
      "Angel." He whispered.
      The vampire woke up quickly and stood just as fast upon seeing his childe.
"Spike! You're... are you... okay?"
      "Top notch." He responded.
      Angel smiled. "Good. So I guess that... um..." He looked awkward.
      "Thanks." Spike placed a hand on one cheek and kissed him lightly. Drawing
back, he broke into his vampire form again, and flashed a toothy grin. "I've
gotta go check something, though..."
      "Go on." Angel waved him off and watched him race off to the stairs. He
sighed and sat down on the bed. Either he'd done a very stupid thing, or a
very smart thing.

---

      Four hours later, Spike returned. Angel had been talking to Doyle for the
past while, trying to explain the whole sire/childe thing the Irishman had
asked about when daring to return to Angel's living quarters.
      "Hi, Spike." Angel said from the kitchen table.
      "Well?" Doyle asked, looking at him.
      Spike grinned. "It worked."
      "That's good." Angel said, but stayed seated.
      "Why the sudden brood?" Spike asked jovially, sitting down at the table
with them.
      "I don't think he's completely okay with the whole
he-turned-you-into-a-killer-again thing..." Doyle observed.
      Angel nodded silently. "I know it was the best thing for you, Spike. But
the rest of the human population, I'm not too sure about."
      Spike sat back in his chair. "Look." He seemed to take a moment to think.
"I can bite 'umans again, but I'm not gonna kill 'em."
      "What?" Doyle and Angel said simultaneously.
      Spike grinned. He thrived on surprising people. "It's just that workin'
with the slayer and her friends, I've realized that maybe keepin' 'umans
around for a bit ain't so bad after all."
      Angel smiled. "That's really mature of you Spike."
      "Oh sod off." The vampire muttered, embarrassed. "I should 'ead 'ome
anyway." He got out of his chair and retrieved his duster from his bedroom.
      He returned to the kitchen, silent. He just kind of glanced at Angel every
so often as he tried to appear busy with checking the jacket was okay.
      Angel got the hint and stood up. Without saying a word, he pulled his
childe up against him and wrapped his arms around his back. Spike held on
for a few minutes, allowing himself to indulge in the pleasure of his sire's
embrace, until he pulled back. "Such a poof." He murmured, but his sappy
smile wouldn't go away.
      "Nice meetin' ya." Doyle said kindly, smiling.
      "Likewise." Spike said. "And if Angel 'ere is ever in need of some action,
be sure to take care of 'im for me, will ya?"
      The look on Doyle's face was priceless, as it wasn't a look of terror: it
was a grin and a spreading blush. Angel shook his head and gave his childe a
small wave.
      Just before getting out the door, however, Spike stopped and turned around.
"Been wonderin' this for a while, now... why'd you take my jacket?"
      Angel smiled. "Because I know you love it as much as you love me." His
voice was teasing, but Spike knew he wasn't kidding and he knew he wasn't
lying either.
      "Always, you tosser. Always." And with that Spike was gone.

END

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