Angel and his team – what was left of it – were assembled in Angel's former Wolfram and Hart boardroom when the door opened. Buffy, Giles, Willow, and Xander, along with a cohort of new slayers strode into the room. Buffy looked radiant, poised, on top of her game, gorgeous as ever. Willow looked confident and powerful. Xander seemed more self-assured than Angel remembered. He looked like he'd been working out, and even seemed to wear the eyepatch well. The team of slayers looked eager and ready for anything, excitement, curiosity and anticipation clear on their fresh young faces. Even Giles looked in top form. The English weather must agree with him.

"Hi, all," Buffy smiled warmly, addressing Angel's team with a sweeping glance that lingered on Angel. "I heard you guys really kicked ass in your latest big apocalypse. Sorry we missed it. But we're here to help with the clean-up, any way we can. Whatever you need. We're all yours Angel."

"Thanks for coming," Angel said with more gratitude than he could express. It was only now, seeing the contrast between his war-torn team and Buffy's bright-eyed crew that he realised what a thin thread they'd all been hanging on these past few weeks since the big battle, coming to terms with the state of the city and dealing with everything that had gone down. They were shell-shocked. Suddenly he was a little unsure how to proceed. "Do we need… introductions?" he suggested hesitantly.

"Sure," Buffy nodded. "This is Kennedy, Jessie, Lorna, Lee and Rani…" the list went on as Buffy introduced all the other slayers. "They're fully trained slayers now. Ready for some action. And I think most of you know Giles, Willow and Xander. And I'm me. Buffy." She gave a little wave. "Hi!"

"Right," Angel nodded. "Real glad to meet all of you," he said to the new slayers, wondering how he was going to remember all their names. He guessed he had better reciprocate and introduce his team too, although he was almost certain Giles and Buffy would have prepped the slayers already. They seemed very organised. "Ah..." he looked across the board room table. "This is Charles Gunn."

"Just Gunn," Gunn gave a kind of smile and a nod from his spot across the table. He had been out of hospital for a week now and was looking near enough like his old self. "That's what everyone calls me. Except Spike. But I don't want his 'Charlie-Boy' thing catching on, you got that?"

"Right. And this is Wesley," Angel indicated, and Wesley nodded with a small grim that came out as more of a grimace. Illyria had patched him up good as new - physically at least, and Angel hadn't been brave enough to ask how. Something told him he didn't want to know the details. "And this is…" Angel gestured toward Illyria, wondering how on earth to introduce her. She was in human form as she had been most of the time since the battle as it required less of her power to maintain. She was still recovering, and complaining about how weakened she felt in that arrogant way she had, but compared to the rest of them she was in fine form.

"Fred," Willow smiled.

"No," Angel's face clouded. "Fred's dead. This is Illyria. One of the Old Ones… but she's much reduced in power. And she's on our side now. Long story." Angel added at Willow's dismayed reaction.

Spike cleared his throat and Angel and the others turned to the sofa at the back of the room where Spike reclined with a somewhat pained expression on his face as he watched the goings on at the board room table, in what could be taken for his customary semi-detached manner.

"Oh, and last but not least," Angel told them all, "that's Spike, over there. He's er…" Angel hesitated. "He's also part of our team. I guess."

Spike didn't move other than to narrow his eyes slightly under the gaze of old and new faces. Spike was going to be okay too, Angel told himself. Vampire healing powers would see to that, even if it took a little time. And it did seem to be taking more than a little time. Angel had come out of the battle in a worse state than he'd thought it was possible to survive. He'd kept fighting long after giving up hope of making it through. Yet here he was five weeks later, a little tender in some places, a little stiff in others, but otherwise mostly healed. No lasting damage. Spike would come through just the same, he was sure. He was here, after all. They both were. That's what mattered. He turned back to Buffy and her crew. "And I'm Angel. Welcome to Los Angeles," he told them with a wry yet genuine smile. "What's left of it. I hope you're all come prepared for some groundwork. We'll use all the help we can get."

…

They got down to business quickly. Illyria gave an epic rundown on the apocalyptic battle, highlighting many of her own big moments and a heroic account of Angel's battle with the dragon. She had paused at a pivotal moment of that tale glancing at Angel who had shaken his head slightly, so she had continued her account without mention of Spike. Buffy's team applauded her efforts with a round of applause and they moved on to a sobering report on the state of post-apocalyptic LA from Wesley and Gunn. Then Angel divided them into three groups. Each group would venture out at sundown and patrol a different area, a member of Angel's team acting as a guide to bring Buffy's colleagues up to speed. Meanwhile Angel was going to be filling Buffy in further and giving her a personal tour, and negotiating how they could best work together now and in the future.

"One question, Angel. I must have missed your mention of it. What group is Spike patrolling with?" Giles asked. The vampire listening silently from the sofa was the only one Angel had not designated a role.

"Spike?" Angel turned and caught the other vampire's eye momentarily, but Spike looked down and remained silent, leaving the response entirely up to him. Suddenly Angel realised that the others didn't know, couldn't tell, as obvious as it was to him, that there was no way Spike would be patrolling anywhere tonight. "Spike's um… well, he's working on some… other stuff," was all Angel said. They'd find out soon enough, but there was no need to announce it in front of everyone this way. Spike wouldn't want that. "Oh just one other thing," Angel added before they broke for lunch. "If you happen to find any remaining dragon pieces laying around outside the Hyperion hotel still... you know… twitching, give them a good stabbing for me, okay?"

"Sure thing," Buffy promised on behalf of them all. "You really didn't like that dragon, huh?" Then, chairs were pushed back, conversations started, and Angel stood back against his desk waiting for the room to clear. Angel's team were still working from what remained of the Wolfram and Hart building but Angel had arranged for the Scoobies and company to stay at the Hyperion Hotel and they were eager to sort out their rooms. Buffy lingered, until only she and Angel remained standing in the room. "I can't tell you how glad I am you're here," Angel told her again. "I mean, I always want to see you. That goes without saying. But… it's really, really great to have you here just now, Buffy."

Buffy simply hugged him for a long time. Then they kissed tenderly and despite the discomfort of Buffy's tight embrace – his ribs were still tender - Angel wished time could stand still a while longer. But they were interrupted by a sharp intake of breath from across the room that caused Buffy to pull away. She turned towards the sound. It was Spike, who had not moved from the sofa where he lay sprawled in what appeared to Buffy to be the exact same leather coat he'd always worn. Same hair, same pale skin, same outfit, and same glowering expression she remembered so well. Brought miraculously to life as if conjured from her memories.

"And I can't believe Spike's here!" Buffy gazed at him in awe, a smile spreading over her face as she moved swiftly towards him with Angel's hand still in hers. Angel had explained over the phone, of course, that Spike had been back since shortly after the destruction of Sunnydale, almost a year now, and she had been mentally trying to get her head around that, but she was still amazed to see him in the flesh. They certainly had some catching up to do.

Spike failed to notice her expression of open amazement and misinterpreted her words. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt," he apologised with a sneer. "Of course I'd leave the two of you alone to 'catch up' but..." He gulped and pulled his dishevelled form up to a more or less sitting position.

It stabbed Buffy to the heart to hear his snide greeting. She had been so looking forward to seeing him but since they'd arrived the whole time he'd just been lurking in the corner. It seemed he didn't even care enough to get up from the sofa to greet her properly. However she sensed she was missing something. There was something in the way his hands clenched the seat, his knuckles white. "Spike, are you…" she hesitated and turned to Angel. "Is he okay?"

Angel followed Buffy across the room to where Spike was eyeing them both warily. "Let me help you up," Angel wasn't exactly asking as he leaned in and reached out to grasp Spike by the arm, but Spike struck his arm away. "Don't touch me," he said under icy breath. Angel ignored Spike's tone. His own was quietly calm as he leaned closer. "Hey, didn't think you'd be awake yet Spike, or you know I would've gone up to check on you." He dropped his voice further, to a tone most humans could not hear. "Didn't expect you to come down for this meeting, Spike."

"Still not treating me like part of the team, huh?" Spike accused. "What's it bloody take? I did my part. So you could do yours. Would've had your back for the whole big fighty-fight if I hadn't been... That mythic beastie would have ripped you to sheds if I hadn't stepped in..."

"Hey! Don't talk like that…" Angel raised his voice unintentionally, then calmed down and spoke again calmly. "Spike, you know that's not what I mean. Let's just get you back upstairs." Angel reached out but Spike blocked him again.

"Not now," he insisted under his breath.

"What are you waiting for?"

Spike tilted his head ever so slightly at Buffy, who was standing a little to the side and watching the two vampires trying to piece together what was going on.

"Oh, right." Now Angel understood. Spike didn't want Buffy to see him in his current state. Angel knew Spike still hadn't gotten over his 'thing' for Buffy. He'd probably fantasised about how it would be when he finally saw her again, romantic fool that he was. Probably why he'd been pushing his recovery too much of late. And no doubt this was a far cry from how his reunion with Buffy would have run in his imagination. Which was why Angel was so surprised Spike had come to the meeting at all. Angel rolled his eyes slightly. "Not in front of Buffy, huh?"

Spike narrowed his eyes and spoke more loudly. "Aren't the two of you lovebirds just bursting to catch up and all? Well, run along then. Don't let ol' Spike hold you back. Go find some empty room to cosy up in," Spike told them with a dark glare. He mumbled something else under his breath that Buffy didn't quite catch. Something about why the hell he kept making such sacrifices for them and that at least he shouldn't have to watch.

Buffy decided to follow Angel's lead and refused to be intimidated by Spike's glowering. She stepped forward and sat down next to Spike on the sofa. "Actually right now it's not so much Angel I'm dying to catch up with, it's a certain other re-appeared from the dead, vampire with a soul, who I think might have saved the world for me last time we met."

She tried to catch his eye but Spike turned his head away from her. "This isn't how it's supposed to be," he swore, clenching his teeth so hard it was a wonder they didn't break.

"You're a moron, Spike," Angel told him, impatiently. "Just tell her."

"Tell me what?" Buffy asked.

"Buffy," Spike resolutely turned to her and she could clearly see the pain in his eyes. "I'm a moron," Spike said, repeating Angel's words. Then he turned back to the other vampire. "There. Said it. Are you happy?"

"What?" Buffy was confused and a little embarrassed. Was this a joke on her somehow?

"God, Spike, you really are. You just proved it. Seriously, that's the first thing you say to Buffy since Sunnydale?" Angel derided, almost embarrassed for Spike. "With all the time you've had, I expected something a little more poetic from you. I mean I know this is hardly how you would've wanted it to be, but that doesn't mean you gotta screw things all the rest of the way up!" Angel gave a short harsh laugh.

"Doubt I'll be screwing anything for some time," Spike mumbled in a deathly-quiet tone Buffy had to strain her ears to catch.

"Good!" Angel retorted in irritation.

"Okay, what is wrong with the both of you?" Buffy asked suddenly both exasperated and annoyed. "Can one of you please just tell me what's going on?"

Spike looked at Angel for a long moment, saying nothing with words, but it seemed to Buffy a lot passed between them. Slowly Angel spoke. "Buffy," he began. "The thing is… Spike was hurt. Really badly. In the battle. Of course he wanted to be fighting fit by the time you arrived. Been doing everything he can to get there, but…" Angel shrugged. "He's not. He's not there yet. He will be though. Eventually. Right Spike?"

"That's what this is about? You guys think you have to impress me?" Buffy asked. "The two of you are unbelievable!"

"What did I do?" Angel asked.

"Acting like you've got everything under control? I know you're not fully healed from the fight either Angel. You think I didn't notice?" Buffy had felt him flinch when they had embraced earlier and she had been shocked that she could feel every one of his ribs, he'd lost that much weight. "You don't have to cover anything up. I know you guys have had a rough time. That's why I'm here." She turned to Spike. "For God's sake Spike, you saved the world for me. And you're alive! That's what matters! You're here. And you're real. That's all I care about!" Buffy reached out and clasped her warm hand over his cold knuckles. "I'm here to help. In any way I can. Just tell me what you need."

Spike pulled away quickly, then regretted it when he saw the hurt look of disappointment on Buffy's face. "I can't do this…" he stammered. "Not now. Bloody hell, can't even..." Spike gasped and ran a trembling hand through his hair.

"Shit, I didn't realise he was this bad. Spike! You in a lot of pain?" Angel asked, dropping to his knees by the sofa. "Did you take anything for it? You should've called me."

"You were busy. Besides, thought I'd be fine," Spike winced. "Felt okay. When I first got up."

"You're not fine, Spike," Angel said bluntly.

"Well, I know that now!" Spike said angrily, his face deathly pale.

"Then come on. Upstairs. Now," Angel ordered.

Spike clenched his jaw. "Don't think I can," he admitted.

"That bad, huh?" Angel tried not to look too worried. "That fight last night. Must've reopened some wounds." He noticed small tremors had begun to wrack Spike's body every few seconds.

"Yeah, guess so," Spike confirmed with a gulp. He looked up at Angel and Buffy, their faces filled with concern. "Don't look at me like that."

"Just let us help you, Spike." It was Buffy who spoke. She could see quite plainly now what she felt she should have noticed all along: Spike was anything but okay.

This time when Angel leaned in Spike did not push him away. He gave in. "Buffy," Angel told her. "Grab Spike's other arm. We'll help him to the elevator."

Buffy placed Spike's right arm over her shoulder, tentative at first, while Angel supported him from the left. As they lifted him from the sofa Spike gasped in pain, and she felt how tightly he grasped her shoulder.

"Hey, you're not gonna pass out on us are you?" Angel asked.

They got Spike into the elevator where he let go of Buffy and half collapsed against the wall, his skin looked so pale it was almost translucent. It was beginning to sink in for Buffy how much this apocalypse had really affected Angel and his team. Angel was not himself either. There was something in his eyes made her sense that a part of him was still re-living the whole battle in his head. He seemed distant as though he mentally had to keep pulling himself back from a dark place. She looked again at Spike sagging against Angel and the elevator wall.

"What happened?" she asked, half dreading the response but needing to know. "What happened to Spike?"

"He came out on patrol with me last night. First time since the apocalypse. Some demons attacked us. And you know Spike, always jumping in to attack without thinking. Shouldn't have got involved, Spike. That was my battle. Should've left it to me."

"Didn't exactly have a choice, did I? Those demons last night came out of nowhere."

"Maybe I wasn't talking about last night," Angel countered.

Buffy caught Angel and Spike's shared glance.

The elevator doors opened on Angel's penthouse apartment.

"You live here?" Buffy commented surveying the lavish living space, huge bed, and large windows overlooking LA. This part of the building had survived the apocalypse completely intact.

"Spoilt rotten, isn't he?" Spike smirked, apparently not in so much pain that he'd pass up an opportunity to mock Angel. "Guess Wolfram and Hart didn't want their CEO commuting to the office by sewer every day. That kind of lingering stench can affect a company's reputation."

"Shut up Spike," Angel retorted, as he hauled Spike into the room. He pulled Spike's coat a little roughly from his shoulders. Spike drew a sharp breath and Angel steadied him as he swayed. "Well? Are you gonna lie down now or just wait 'til you pass out?"

Spike glared and sat down on Angel's bed.

"Buffy, that medical kit on the shelf, can you bring it over here?" Angel asked, sitting down next to Spike on the bed.

"Of course," Buffy picked the box up from the table and brought it to the bedside, holding it awkwardly as she observed the two vampires bickering.

Angel pulled Spike's shirt up, but Spike pushed it down again. "Hey!"

"Come on Spike. If you're in this much pain, you know it's the only thing that's gonna help."

"I hate the feeling of it," he objected in a whisper.

"What feeling? The lack of pain?" Angel mocked.

"The lack of feeling. Oh, and not being able to walk. Don't love that." Spike's expression darkening. "Reminds me of… last time."

"So you'd rather be in agony? Look, you can hardly walk anyway. You look like you're gonna pass out any second," Angel argued. Spike said nothing. "Spike, this isn't like last time," Angel promised dropping his voice. "I won't… We've got souls now, remember?"

"Right. For all the difference that makes. I get to sit around helpless while you make out with Buffy instead of Dru?"

"We're not gonna be making out! No one is." Angel assured.

"Fine," Spike gave in, sinking back onto the pillow finally and closing his eyes. "I don't really have a choice anyways. You always have your way with me, don't you Angel."

"Like hell I do. Can't get rid of you. Can't shut you up. Oh, and if we do make out? You don't get to watch." Angel grabbed the medical kit from Buffy and pulled out a large syringe and needle.

"What are you going to do?" Buffy asked alarmed all of a sudden.

Angel looked up. "Just give him an anaesthetic. Into the spine."

"Sounds extreme," Buffy commented.

"It works."

"Have you done this before?"

Angel and Spike shared a glance then Spike turned onto his side, facing away from them. He pulled up his shirt to reveal his lower back bandaged tightly. In the centre of his back above the bandages Buffy could see the evidence of several previous needle insertions.

"I guess you have," she concluded.

"Only thing that really works," Angel explained. Vampires, being technically dead and without a beating heart, didn't have the best circulation at the best of times, and with Spike in his current condition… "Short of knocking him out completely. Aspirin's not exactly gonna cut it and good-old-fashioned alcohol barely seems to take the edge off – although it didn't stop Spike from trying. Until we ran out."

Buffy gulped and nodded. She watched as Angel prepared the needle and carefully injected the anaesthetic. Spike hardly flinched. Buffy caught glimpses of his pale skin discoloured in large mottled bruises above the bandages. When he was done Angel withdrew the thick needle, drew Spike's shirt down again, and packed away the medical kit. Spike lay motionless on his side, facing away from them. Buffy glanced at Angel, wondering if he was okay.

"Spike, you still with us?" Angel asked giving Spike's shoulder a gentle prod.

Slowly Spike stirred and moved onto his back again, pulling himself up on the pillows, and then crossing his arms over his chest defensively, not meeting their eyes.

"Better?" Angel asked, but got no response. "Spike, did it work? Cos I can give you more if…"

"What time are we all back in the conference room?" Spike suddenly interjected focussing sharp eyes on Angel.

Angel frowned. "We? No, no, no," Angel shook his head. "You don't have to worry about that. You're staying here, Spike."

Spike narrowed his eyes. "You think cos I can't fight I'm, what, useless?"

"I didn't say that."

Spike snorted. "Gotta be something I can still do. To help. With the whole LA recovery situation. After all, I was there. I saw what went down."

"Yeah? You were knocked out in the first round, Spike. You didn't see half of it. How about you focus on your own recovery situation." Angel walked across the room and checked the small bar fridge hidden in the sideboard. "I'll send Wes up soon with some more blood. And I'll come check on you before we head out tonight," Angel told him.

"Fine. Well, guess I'll be here," Spike sighed dejectedly from the bed. "Staring at the ceiling."

Angel shared a last glance with Spike before he and Buffy made to leave. "Try to get some beauty sleep. You look like shit."

Spike snorted with a wry grin. "Buffy?" he spoke again just as they turned away.

"Yeah?" She waited for him to say something. "What is it?"

"You look like heaven, you know. All glowing. Radient." The way she was standing, a beam of light had crept through the curtains and caught her in its thrall.

"Jeez Spike, what a thing to say to Buffy! And what would you know about heaven?" Angel was embarrassed for him. "I think he's delirious."

"I don't think so," she said. A small sympathetic smile slayed her lips before she disappeared with Angel, leaving Spike alone in the room.