Title: New Beginnings 24/25+Epilogue

Author: Forsaken2003

Pairing: Spike/Xander, Angel/Wesley

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I own none, all belong to Joss Whedon

Comments: Always welcomed!

Summary: Spike and Xander run from Sunnydale to LA

Warnings/Spoilers: Season 5 No Anya, Dawn or Glory.

Beta'd by: Unbeta'd

Bunny Plot by: Thephoenixandthedragon4ever: Spike and Xander run from Sunnydale to LA to for help from Angel, Wesley and Cordy. (Angel/Wesley) Wesley with his motorcycle and leather pants.

Part Twenty-Four

There were days where Spike would still fight William and where William would push back. While they accepted each other they were like siblings out to push each others buttons. Angel told Spike it was natural but doing that too often would just be causing them to go back two steps instead of going forward. It definitely didn't help that William refused to drink blood even if it was pigs blood. The blood what an ordeal that was!

When William didn't want to eat the blood he pulled the guilt card which caused Spike to be 'hangry' as Xander called it because even though he ate human food it wasn't what he needed. Not only was he 'hangry' but he also brooded on occasion because of not being able to eat. Brooding was not sexy, not that Xander ever complained but Spike knew it. And because he wasn't eating properly his sex drive had gone down too much for his liking. He needed blood!

Of course Spike would try and drink blood but William would just throw it back up. It wasn't doing either of them any good. It got to the point where Angel benched Spike from doing his job. If he couldn't drink blood and got injured he wouldn't be able to heal. That pissed Spike off to no end. Finally after three weeks Xander had, had enough. He was not going to let Spike or William die because the thought of blood upset William. It was time for him to take charge. Xander, Angel, Wesley and Gunn teamed up and held Spike down forcing him to drink. With the chip still in place and being weak from not eating William couldn't put up much of a fight. Xander soothed him while Angel poured the blood down his throat. Rubbing his throat to coax him to swallow. Not wanting to be held down again William allowed Spike to drink guilt free.

Spike enjoyed his third mug of blood of the day. Angel told him that he could get back to work once he'd put some weight back on. When Spike went to make a comment that he was fine Xander intervened and told him he could feel Spike's ribs. With a grumble Spike agreed.

"Yo, bleach head, you want some of this bacon?" Gunn asked. He came in early to make everyone breakfast. He had mentioned the other day that he knew how to cook but no one believed him. Today he was going to prove to them he could cook and they'd be kissing his ass for seconds!

Grabbing a piece of bacon from the plate he sniffed it. It didn't smell like any bacon he'd ever had. "What's that smell?" Spike asked skeptically.

"Brown sugar," Gunn answered as he placed a large bowl of homemade hash browns before going back for the scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese and chives. "Are you going to try it or not?"

"Do I smell brown sugar?" Xander asked rushing into the kitchen.

Spike held up the piece of bacon. "It's on the bacon," he answered looking unsure of the whole thing.

Xander snatched the piece of Spike's hand and took a bite out of it. The taste hit his taste buds instantly. "Oh my God, this is so good! What else do we have?" Xander asked all but pushing Spike out of his way to get to the set table.

"Oi!" Spike said. "Don't forget where you get your sausage from!"

"I don't want sausage right now!" Xander said clearly missing the threat.

Spike glared. Xander's stupid stomach always clouded what was important. And what was important was Spike's dick. "If I could I'd put you over my knee!"

"No sexy talk at the table!" Cordelia ordered as she walked in. She saw the food and started looking through the trash cans.

"What the hell are you doing?" Gunn asked as he watched her.

Cordelia looked at him confused. "Where did you hide the takeout boxes?"

"For the last time I can cook!" Cordelia just stared at him. "Woman, just sit your skinny ass down and eat!"

With a beaming smile on her face for his comment on her ass Cordelia sat down and starting placing food on her plate. "Where's Angel and Wesley?"

"Shagging," Spike commented as he sat beside Xander stealing his bacon. That will teach him for picking food over him! Not even a kiss! Bloody rude it is.

Angel appeared out of nowhere and slapped Spike on the back of the head. "What have I said about talking about Wesley and mine's love life?"

"That you want him to tie you to the bed, gag you and ride you like a horse while he wears a french maid costume?" Spike answered. Yes, his soul was firmly in place but he was still Spike. Still an asshole at times.

Gunn almost dropped the buttered toast, while Xander choked on a piece of bacon. Spike slapped him on the back which dodging the large, metal spoon that was meant for the eggs that Cordelia threw at his head.

There was an uncomfortable sound at doorway and everyone noticed Wesley standing there looking like he wished the floor would open up and swallow him whole. Xander hoped that didn't happen because you never knew what kind of demons could be lurking around with the powers to make wishes that weren't spoken happen.

"Wes, pull up a chair and have some grub," Gunn suggested trying to ignore what just happened.

"I... no... thank you," Wesley replied. "I think I'll take a cup of coffee before going into Angel's office and pay some bills. We don't want to have our power turned off now, do we?" A warm mug was placed in his hands and with a smile to Angel, Wesley turned and left as if he had never been there.

Angel's dark eyes turned on Spike. He towered over him. "You apologize and you apologize now! Or so help me I'll start listing the horrible things you've done your soul will go into overload and you'll be on the floor weeping like a little girl," he snarled.

"It was a joke!" Spike exclaimed. It was just a joke but William was yelling at him in his head. How could you do that to Wesley? He saved you! You don't embarrass people you care about. What if someone did that to Xander?! He looked around hoping someone would come to his defense so he could tell William he was over reacting. No one did. He knew when even Xander didn't take his side he had definitely crossed the line. "All right, all right." He pushed his chair away from the table. "Apparently ex-watchers are the same as watchers. No sense of humor!'

"Just go!" Angel told him angrily. He loved his childe but he also loved Wesley and he wouldn't have one of them disrespecting the other in their home.

When Spike left to find Wesley Xander spoke. "William was yelling at him."

"How do you know that? Gunn asked. That had been brutal and Gunn wished he had been anywhere but here for it.

"Spike always gets wrinkles around his mouth and eyes when he's fighting with William," Xander explained pointing to his own face. "He really didn't mean any harm. He was just trying to be the old Spike."

Cordelia sat quietly eating the food she was still sure Gunn didn't make. "I get that but he isn't even trying to be the old Spike he's going overboard and by doing that he's just hurting the people closest to him. Last week he told me my boobs looked lopsided! I mean come on!" She stood up pointing to her breasts. "Do they look lopsided?"

"Well, as the only guy here that got to touch them I can assure you they are nothing but perfect," Xander said with complete certainty.

"Right?" Cordelia replied. She turned to Gunn. "You're the only straight man here, what do you think?"

Her tight shirt stretched as she arched her back pushing her breasts out further.

Gunn who was holding a bottle of ketchup squeezed it causing ketchup to go all over the place. Angel and Xander snickered at him. "I've never paid that much attention," Gunn lied, poorly. "But if you really want my opinion..." He took the opportunity to ogle Cordelia. After taking several minutes to appreciate the inviting view Gunn. He finally looked away when Cordelia coughed gaining his attention. "I think they are... spectacular!"

"That's what I think," Cordelia agreed. She kissed Gunn on the cheek and went back to her food.

Spike felt like a class 'A' prat. If he had known Wesley was there he wouldn't have opened his big mouth. And the worst part is he should have known Wesley was there. Should have been able to notice another heartbeat but he didn't. Since getting the soul his senses have been off and he had to work harder with them. Eventually they'd come back as strong as ever. Especially now that he was getting his strength back.

"Wes?" Spike called before walking into Angel's office.

Wesley didn't look up from the computer,his face still bright red with embarrassment. "Yes, William?"

Spike flinched at the name. No one had actually called him that since the first night. But he had it coming. "Can I come in?"

The buttons clicked on the keyboard as Wesley typed. "What do you want?"

"I wanted to apologize for being a dick. I shouldn't have said what I said. I was joking around and I went too far."

Wesley finally looked up. "Is that all it was?"

"What else would it have been besides me being an ass?" Spike asked confused.

"Perhaps, a little pay back for what I have done to you," Wesley suggested.

With a sigh Spike sat across from Wesley. He was hoping this conversation would happen, well, never. "I didn't do it out of spite, if that's what you honestly think. I'm still Spike in someway. But the soul does ream me out for doing and saying stupid things and believe me it hasn't shut up in the last five minutes." I don't blame you for this, Wes."

Wesley didn't seem to look so sure.

"I know I said I didn't want the soul because I didn't want to lose who I was and in someways I haven't. There just seems to be more of me now. I think that's punished everyone. It was my choice to have this happen if I didn't agree I don't know where I'd be right now. I sure as hell wouldn't be here with Xander, that's for sure!" He paused. "If I had to get my soul I'm glad it was you who did it."

Wesley looked Surprised. "Really?"

"You're a good man. Even if you were a watcher. You've made Angel actually tolerable! There must be something special about you."

"I agree, though Xander has made you more tolerable and there is something special about him," Wesley said with a grin.

Spike rose his nose up in the air as he stood."I'm special too, ya know!"

"I am clearly aware of that but I don't have time to list all the ways that make you "special" I'm afraid," Wesley answered using quotation marks.

With a huff Spike turned to walk out. He stopped though. "Stop feeling guilty about what happened. If you don't I'll tell Xan and he'll do something about it."

A sincere smile Wesley said, "Thank you, Spike. Angel and Xander tried to reassure me but I think I needed to hear it from you."

Spike nodded. "Now hopefully everyone will stop talking about it. Bloody annoying, it is!"

"Why don't you go get something to eat before that boyfriend of yours eats it all?"

"You're not coming?" Spike asked.

Wesley shook his head. "I actually do need to pay bills."

"Will you tell Angel I apologized and tell him not to ruin my unlife?" Spike asked though he wasn't scared of Angel... much.

With a laugh Wesley simply nodded. Vampires were so very strange.