Author: Stolen Childe
Author's Notes: Now, as you know, I normally like to spread out when I post my chapters. But, since this story is getting such marvellous feedback, and the fact that I want to get to your suggestions, I will post whenever I feel like! So please enjoy! A longer chapter for you!
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Angel settled down next to his already sleeping childe on the bed. he smiled and dropped a kiss on the curly blond head then closed his eyes.
Darla was across from him, running slim, elegant fingers through Spike's hair.
"Warming up to him yet?" Angel asked.
"A little." Darla admitted; grudgingly, Angel was sure, "He does catch you doesn't he?" she continued.
"He does." Angel agreed.
"It sure cuts into all the fun I have planned." Darla pouted.
Angel laughed, reaching across and running a gentle finger along the soft curve of her cheek, "We'll have fun some other time. Right now Spike needs me in more ways than just being his sire. He needs a father and I have to be that for him. After all we can't have a Little Big Bad running about causing chaos, can we?"
"I suppose you're right." Darla sighed, "As you wish." She moved to slide off the bed but was halted by a gently restraining hand.
"You don't have to go." Angel implored.
"Oh but I do. My Sweet, Darling Boy." she pulled her wrist free and sauntered to the door, casting him a suggestive glance before leaving.
Angel awoke with a start and looked around, it had been real. He swore it was real. He felt a little gaze on him and looked down to Spike.
"Grandmummy was here again." the boy said sleepily, "She was nicer this time." Angel just stared.
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Spike ran around the lobby giggled merrily as he chased the large bubbles curtesy of Gunn. Spike froze as one exceptionally large bubble landed on the tip of his nose and hovered there for a moment before popping. Little Spike blinked, once, twice then began crying as the soapy water stung his sensitive eyes.
"Sire!" the small vampire cried, running into the office little arms held in front of him. When he reached Angel he scrambled up on the older vampire's lap, fisting his little hands in Angel's dark shirt. The couple sitting before him looking on slightly stunned.
"Will, what's the matter?" Angel asked softly, sparing the clients a small smile.
"The nasty bubbles popped in my eyes! It hurts Si...er... Daddy." the child had been taught to say daddy when there were other people around.
"I'll just be a moment." Angel said rising, "Please excuse me."
"Of course." the woman said.
"Cute little tyke." the man grinned.
Angel walked to the large sliding doors and over to Cordelia who sat at the desk flipping through a magazine.
"Cordy. Could you help Spike wash the soap out of his eyes?" Angel asked.
"Sorry Kiddo." Gunn smiled abashed.
"S'alright." Spike muttered, burying his face in Cordy's shoulder and rubbing at one eye with a little fist.
"Come on Sweetheart." Cordy said, carrying the boy to the bathroom.
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Darla watched from behind the curtains as the little vampire slept on, breathing gently and sucking his thumb. An odd little stirring built in her chest a stirring she didn't like at all. Darla turned viciously from the sight and gazed down at the city.
"Darla-sire?" Darla looked down surprised that the childe had woken, "Why do you have a heart beat? I can hear it going thump-thump." the boy continued.
"Because I'm human you little brat." Darla glared, though her heart wasn't in it.
"Oh." Spike looked quizzically for a moment, sticking his thumb back in his mouth and just staring up at her, "Up?"
"What?" Darla blinked.
"Lift me up? Please Darla-sire?" his big blue eyes looked up and Darla felt the twinge in her chest again. She hovered on the knife blade of uncertainly, to leave or stay? Comfort the child, blood of her blood or leave him? Her long dead maternal instincts took over and she bent lifting the child easily in her arms. The boy smiled happily and lay his head down on the soft swell of her breast, listening to the beat of her heart.
"I 'member when I was big. I was new and I was hurt. Daddy wasn't there and you helped me. Thank-you Darla-sire." the boy mumbled sleepily. Darla conceded her defeat. This child's unconditional love making her think of her own human years. Before she had to turn to a life of prostitution. A time when she could still remember her name and she, her husband and young son had crossed the ocean for life in the new world. The boy died first, her husband followed. A single woman alone in the Virginia Colony had only one choice and she sold her body to survive only to die.
Darla heard movement outside the door and she quickly dashed to the bed, placing Spike under the rumbled covers and sliding back behind the curtain just as a tired looking Angel opened the door. She watched her darling boy, as he shrugged out of his clothes and slid into a clean pair of boxers. Angel smiled at Spike, brushing a large hand through his hair and lying next to him.
"We're going to have to get you your own bed Little One." Angel whispered quietly, "You may be around a little longer than expected." Darla's first reaction was fury at her plans being foiled, but she couldn't help her heart from soaring. This little Spike reminded her so much of her human life, a life she was now reliving and maybe keeping him around she could remember. Darla placed a slim elegant hand to her temple where a headache was quickly forming.
"I can't even remember his name." she murmured, quickly fleeing the room.
"Sire?" little Spike shook Angel's large shoulder with both his small hands, rocking the man slightly.
"What's the matter Will?" Angel asked, turning over.
"Darla-sire isn't happy. We have to make her happy again. Can we do it?" Spike cocked his head to the side, "She's all nice now and I want her to be happy."
Angel sighed, sitting up and pulling the child to him, "Darla's dead Spike. She died a couple years ago. You've just somehow been tapping into my dreams making you think she's still alive."
"She is!" Spike said, "She has a heart beat and everything, I 'eard it! With my own ears. And she's warm."
"She's human?" Angel asked.
"Yes." Spike nodded, "And she's not very happy. She misses her baby but she can't remember her baby's name and she's sad. When she's sad she does naughty things and they hurt her soul, I know because mine hurts when I look at her."
"Spike you don't --" Angel began, for the first time since the little boy had come back he looked down in his eyes and saw what was behind them. Angel gasped and backed up, putting a gentle and to the child's cheek.
"My god." Angel whispered, "How?" The dark haired vampire threw the blankets off himself and hopped into a pair of discarded pants. He grabbed the first t-shirt he saw and ran down to the lobby barefoot.
"Willow!" Angel called.
The redhead came out of the office, looking worried, "What is it Angel?"
"Spike has a soul. How did he get a soul?" Angel asked.
"What?" Willow blinked, "I don't know... Is it possible? I mean he didn't have a soul when he was hit with the spell. But I imagine he does because a child without a soul is a child without... anything. If he didn't have a soul he would be an unholy terror."
"I know." Angel said, "I met a little boy without a soul once. It was very... disturbing."
"But I really don't understand. Because he's still a vampire. I've seen him change myself and he got burnt in the sun. I don't know what to tell you Angel." Willow shook her head.
TBC...
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I am loving your suggestions guys and I will use as many as I'm able. Please keep them coming!