A/N Thanks to everyone for the continued support of my story, I apologise
to any one that I have given misinformation to regarding the conditions of
schizophrenia and multiple personality disorders, I have removed all
references to schizophrenia in the previous chapter. I had my wrists
severely slapped by an anonymous reviewer (rudely so I might say) But I do
accept the responsibility that as author I should do my research to the
best of my ability (which isn't always fool proof) we are after all Human.
I welcome constructive comments, as they are helpful to me, and will
hopefully make me better myself. A word to flamers, if you don't like then
don't read, same principle as the on/off button on the TV, no one makes you
read it lol. The rice pudding comment made at the end of chapter 8 was made
in jest, most of you saw it in the light that it was meant to be taken!
Chapter 9
Wesley came to stand by Fred.
"Like rice pudding you say? Interesting comparison," he mused.
"Sorry I know it's not very scientific, was kinda the first thought that popped in my head," said Fred.
Wesley put his hands forward to touch Spike, patting him on the chest.
"Hey watch where you're putting those," said Spike.
"Definitely gaining form," said Wesley ponderingly.
The others came forward to touch Spike.
"Ow! That hurt!" complained Spike as Angel prodded him hard in the ribs.
"Sorry was I too rough with you?" asked Angel, not looking in the least bit sorry.
"Maybe we'd better get him down to the lab for a few tests," said Fred.
"Can you walk?" asked Wesley
"Of course I can bleeding walk, what kind of question is that?" asked Spike as he attempted to get up out of his seat.
"What's the problem Spike?" asked Gunn as he continued to remain seated.
"I can't get up, ok?" snapped Spike
"Just as I thought, his musculature and bone structure is still in a state of semi cohesion, Angel can you phone down for a wheelchair?" asked Wesley.
"I am not getting in no wheel chair for no one," Spike growled.
"Well I guess we're all gonna sit here for the rest of the night, unless you want me to carry you?" suggested Angel.
"Over my dead body! Ok I'll take the wheelchair even though I hate the sodding things," said Spike in resignation
"Knew you'd see reason in the end," smiled Angel as he went over to his desk to use the phone.
"Well?" asked Spike impatiently.
"Knox is bringing one up," Angel confirmed.
"Do you think we can trust him?" asked Gunn.
"He's clean, he already sang for me," said Lorne.
"And that's foolproof," said Spike sarcastically.
"Thanks for the confidence blondie, my mojo seems to have worked on you just fine," replied Lorne
A few moments later, there was a knock at the door.
"That'll be Knox," said Fred going to answer it.
She opened the door and Knox entered with the wheelchair, smiling at everyone a little uncertainly.
"When I got the call that you needed a wheelchair, I thought there must have been some mistake?" asked Knox.
"No, no mistake, Spike needs it," said Fred.
"A ghost needs a wheelchair?" frowned Knox.
"A ghost no more, touch him," Fred replied.
"Hey! I am sick of all you buggers trying to cop a feel," snapped Spike as Knox tapped his arm.
"You're hot, but not that hot Spike," Fred smiled at him.
Spike gave her a meaningful look, which faded as his face became strained.
"What is it?" she asked in concern.
"Let's just say that I'm just finding out, that becoming physical again isn't pain free, owww!" he said as he doubled up.
"Wesley! Gunn! Get him into the chair quickly, so I can get him down to the lab and give him something for the pain," said Fred urgently.
Wesley and Gunn moved forward, lifting Spike out of the chair, placing him in the wheelchair.
"Use my private elevator, it's faster," offered Angel
"Thanks Angel, come on Knox," said Fred.
The doors opened and Knox wheeled Spike inside,
"Hold the doors a moment just have to do something, how are you holding up Spike?" asked Fred.
"A little better, the pain seems to come in waves," he replied.
Fred turned her back on Spike for a moment and walked across the room.
"Could you guys just do me one more favour, no mention of my telling Spike I loved him okay? I don't know if conscious Spike even wants that from me yet," she asked them.
"My lips are sealed," Lorne replied.
"Dead men don't tell tales," Angel smiled at her.
"You can count on us," Wesley answered for Gunn and himself.
"I can at that," said Fred as she stepped into the elevator with Spike and Knox and the doors closed behind them.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"What was that all about?" asked Spike
"I was just thanking them for their help," she replied
"It must be nice, having so many friends rooting for your side," said Spike.
"Let me guess, you didn't get a lot of that in Sunnydale?" asked Fred.
"Not so much, but that's ancient history," Spike replied nonchalantly.
The elevator doors opened.
"That was one smooth ride, guess being boss you do get all the perks," smiled Knox.
"Yeah, and Angel so deserves them," said Spike mockingly.
They entered the lab, Fred sighed tiredly.
"All in all, it's been a bit of a long night love," Spike said softly as he saw the exhaustion etched on her face.
"How's the pain?" she asked.
"It's almost gone," he replied.
Knox was hovering uncertainly by the doorway.
"Is there anything else you need me for Miss Burkle?" asked Knox.
"Could you help me get him out of the chair and up on to the examination couch?" asked Fred.
"Sure," he replied, coming forward to help.
Between the two of them they had him safely on the couch.
"Thanks for your help Knox, I can manage here now if you want to go home," said Fred.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
With Knox gone they were finally left alone, Fred was burning up with curiosity at just how much Spike remembered about his little hypno session. She had meant it when she had blurted out that she loved him, but there were still so many things that she was uncertain of. But the hour was late and Spike needed to get some rest and so did she if she was going to be of any use to him.
"I'll be back in a moment," said Fred, as she went over to one of the many glass cabinets and took out a small bottle and a syringe.
She walked back over to Spike.
"What's that for?" he asked.
"Just a little something in case the pain returns, it will also help you sleep. You heal faster when asleep too," she informed him.
"Sexy and intelligent too, what more could a guy ask?" he smiled sleepily.
Fred helped him to sit up and managed to free one of his arms from the leather duster, she rubbed his arm with antiseptic before quickly jabbing him with the needle.
"Ow!" he complained.
"Don't be such a baby!" she gently reprimanded him.
"I feel so sleepy, like I could snooze for a week," he yawned and stretched, lying back down on the couch.
Fred moved away, he grabbed her arm.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Just getting rid of these sharps, can't leave needles laying around the lab," she replied.
She returned to where he laid, his eyes now closed. Fred reached out to touch his hand as it rested against his chest; she stroked the long fingers and felt each tip. Thinking him fast asleep, Fred bent her head and touched her lips softly to his.
"Goodnight," she whispered softly,
"Don't leave me...stay?" he asked sleepily.
Fred's heart melted at the softly spoken question, she looked at the couch, it seemed as if it might be big enough for two. She got up on it and lay on her side. Spike slipped his arm around her; pulling her closer and sighing contentedly. She nuzzled into his neck, her own eyes felt heavy. * I'll just stay a little while until he's fast asleep* was her last thought before she drifted off to sleep herself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fred opened her eyes, and rubbed her neck to ease the stiffness in it.
"Morning gorgeous, you'd better move, unless you want all of Wolfram and Hart to know that we slept together last night," said Spike mockingly.
Fred jumped down off the couch, her face flushed.
"We didn't sleep together, well not in that sense," she replied.
"More is the pity," he grinned.
A few moments later, several of Fred's lab team came in. Fred looked at Spike.
"How did you know?" she asked.
"Vampire here, sensitive hearing remember? Besides they were making enough noise to wake the dead. It's what woke me up in the first place," he replied.
A few moments later Knox came through the door.
"Morning Miss Burkle, guess those tests took a little longer than you expected," said Knox as he walked off to his bench.
"I don't like what he was implying, want me to smash his face in for you?" asked Spike.
"I think I can handle my own employees thank you, besides you may still be unable to walk," she replied.
"Well I won't find out lying around here," he said.
He struggled up into a sitting position and swung his legs over the edge of the couch.
He looked at Fred uncertainly "What if I fall flat on my ass?" he asked.
"Well then I will be here to help you up of course," said Wesley from the lab door.
Fred turned to see Wesley standing there; she smiled warmly at him and then turned her attention back to Spike.
"Well here goes nothing," said Spike as he pushed off the edge to stand on his own two feet.
He put his hands out to steady himself, a silly grin spread across his face as he took a step forward.
"I feel like a baby, it was a lot easier when I was a ghost, not that I am complaining," he said.
"Well you never do that do you Spike?" asked Angel from the doorway.
"And now my day is complete," said Spike.
He took a few more steps forward to test his strength.
"How's the patient doing?" asked Angel.
"He's doing great, as you can see for yourself," Fred replied.
"Well it seems there is only one thing left to do, and then Spike will be able to go wherever he pleases," said Wesley.
"The destruction of the amulet," Fred stated flatly.
"Oh happy day, when are you going to do it?" asked Angel eagerly.
"Well at least not until this evening obviously, due to the fact that you both have a little problem with the sunlight," said Wesley.
"A few more hours and this will all be over love," said Spike as he smiled at Fred.
She returned the smile half-heartedly, yes a few more hours and the whole thing could well be over, she thought sadly as Wesley and Angel's words of the other day, came back to haunt her. After all what was to stop him from leaving once he was freed from the power of the amulet?
TBC
Chapter 9
Wesley came to stand by Fred.
"Like rice pudding you say? Interesting comparison," he mused.
"Sorry I know it's not very scientific, was kinda the first thought that popped in my head," said Fred.
Wesley put his hands forward to touch Spike, patting him on the chest.
"Hey watch where you're putting those," said Spike.
"Definitely gaining form," said Wesley ponderingly.
The others came forward to touch Spike.
"Ow! That hurt!" complained Spike as Angel prodded him hard in the ribs.
"Sorry was I too rough with you?" asked Angel, not looking in the least bit sorry.
"Maybe we'd better get him down to the lab for a few tests," said Fred.
"Can you walk?" asked Wesley
"Of course I can bleeding walk, what kind of question is that?" asked Spike as he attempted to get up out of his seat.
"What's the problem Spike?" asked Gunn as he continued to remain seated.
"I can't get up, ok?" snapped Spike
"Just as I thought, his musculature and bone structure is still in a state of semi cohesion, Angel can you phone down for a wheelchair?" asked Wesley.
"I am not getting in no wheel chair for no one," Spike growled.
"Well I guess we're all gonna sit here for the rest of the night, unless you want me to carry you?" suggested Angel.
"Over my dead body! Ok I'll take the wheelchair even though I hate the sodding things," said Spike in resignation
"Knew you'd see reason in the end," smiled Angel as he went over to his desk to use the phone.
"Well?" asked Spike impatiently.
"Knox is bringing one up," Angel confirmed.
"Do you think we can trust him?" asked Gunn.
"He's clean, he already sang for me," said Lorne.
"And that's foolproof," said Spike sarcastically.
"Thanks for the confidence blondie, my mojo seems to have worked on you just fine," replied Lorne
A few moments later, there was a knock at the door.
"That'll be Knox," said Fred going to answer it.
She opened the door and Knox entered with the wheelchair, smiling at everyone a little uncertainly.
"When I got the call that you needed a wheelchair, I thought there must have been some mistake?" asked Knox.
"No, no mistake, Spike needs it," said Fred.
"A ghost needs a wheelchair?" frowned Knox.
"A ghost no more, touch him," Fred replied.
"Hey! I am sick of all you buggers trying to cop a feel," snapped Spike as Knox tapped his arm.
"You're hot, but not that hot Spike," Fred smiled at him.
Spike gave her a meaningful look, which faded as his face became strained.
"What is it?" she asked in concern.
"Let's just say that I'm just finding out, that becoming physical again isn't pain free, owww!" he said as he doubled up.
"Wesley! Gunn! Get him into the chair quickly, so I can get him down to the lab and give him something for the pain," said Fred urgently.
Wesley and Gunn moved forward, lifting Spike out of the chair, placing him in the wheelchair.
"Use my private elevator, it's faster," offered Angel
"Thanks Angel, come on Knox," said Fred.
The doors opened and Knox wheeled Spike inside,
"Hold the doors a moment just have to do something, how are you holding up Spike?" asked Fred.
"A little better, the pain seems to come in waves," he replied.
Fred turned her back on Spike for a moment and walked across the room.
"Could you guys just do me one more favour, no mention of my telling Spike I loved him okay? I don't know if conscious Spike even wants that from me yet," she asked them.
"My lips are sealed," Lorne replied.
"Dead men don't tell tales," Angel smiled at her.
"You can count on us," Wesley answered for Gunn and himself.
"I can at that," said Fred as she stepped into the elevator with Spike and Knox and the doors closed behind them.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"What was that all about?" asked Spike
"I was just thanking them for their help," she replied
"It must be nice, having so many friends rooting for your side," said Spike.
"Let me guess, you didn't get a lot of that in Sunnydale?" asked Fred.
"Not so much, but that's ancient history," Spike replied nonchalantly.
The elevator doors opened.
"That was one smooth ride, guess being boss you do get all the perks," smiled Knox.
"Yeah, and Angel so deserves them," said Spike mockingly.
They entered the lab, Fred sighed tiredly.
"All in all, it's been a bit of a long night love," Spike said softly as he saw the exhaustion etched on her face.
"How's the pain?" she asked.
"It's almost gone," he replied.
Knox was hovering uncertainly by the doorway.
"Is there anything else you need me for Miss Burkle?" asked Knox.
"Could you help me get him out of the chair and up on to the examination couch?" asked Fred.
"Sure," he replied, coming forward to help.
Between the two of them they had him safely on the couch.
"Thanks for your help Knox, I can manage here now if you want to go home," said Fred.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
With Knox gone they were finally left alone, Fred was burning up with curiosity at just how much Spike remembered about his little hypno session. She had meant it when she had blurted out that she loved him, but there were still so many things that she was uncertain of. But the hour was late and Spike needed to get some rest and so did she if she was going to be of any use to him.
"I'll be back in a moment," said Fred, as she went over to one of the many glass cabinets and took out a small bottle and a syringe.
She walked back over to Spike.
"What's that for?" he asked.
"Just a little something in case the pain returns, it will also help you sleep. You heal faster when asleep too," she informed him.
"Sexy and intelligent too, what more could a guy ask?" he smiled sleepily.
Fred helped him to sit up and managed to free one of his arms from the leather duster, she rubbed his arm with antiseptic before quickly jabbing him with the needle.
"Ow!" he complained.
"Don't be such a baby!" she gently reprimanded him.
"I feel so sleepy, like I could snooze for a week," he yawned and stretched, lying back down on the couch.
Fred moved away, he grabbed her arm.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Just getting rid of these sharps, can't leave needles laying around the lab," she replied.
She returned to where he laid, his eyes now closed. Fred reached out to touch his hand as it rested against his chest; she stroked the long fingers and felt each tip. Thinking him fast asleep, Fred bent her head and touched her lips softly to his.
"Goodnight," she whispered softly,
"Don't leave me...stay?" he asked sleepily.
Fred's heart melted at the softly spoken question, she looked at the couch, it seemed as if it might be big enough for two. She got up on it and lay on her side. Spike slipped his arm around her; pulling her closer and sighing contentedly. She nuzzled into his neck, her own eyes felt heavy. * I'll just stay a little while until he's fast asleep* was her last thought before she drifted off to sleep herself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fred opened her eyes, and rubbed her neck to ease the stiffness in it.
"Morning gorgeous, you'd better move, unless you want all of Wolfram and Hart to know that we slept together last night," said Spike mockingly.
Fred jumped down off the couch, her face flushed.
"We didn't sleep together, well not in that sense," she replied.
"More is the pity," he grinned.
A few moments later, several of Fred's lab team came in. Fred looked at Spike.
"How did you know?" she asked.
"Vampire here, sensitive hearing remember? Besides they were making enough noise to wake the dead. It's what woke me up in the first place," he replied.
A few moments later Knox came through the door.
"Morning Miss Burkle, guess those tests took a little longer than you expected," said Knox as he walked off to his bench.
"I don't like what he was implying, want me to smash his face in for you?" asked Spike.
"I think I can handle my own employees thank you, besides you may still be unable to walk," she replied.
"Well I won't find out lying around here," he said.
He struggled up into a sitting position and swung his legs over the edge of the couch.
He looked at Fred uncertainly "What if I fall flat on my ass?" he asked.
"Well then I will be here to help you up of course," said Wesley from the lab door.
Fred turned to see Wesley standing there; she smiled warmly at him and then turned her attention back to Spike.
"Well here goes nothing," said Spike as he pushed off the edge to stand on his own two feet.
He put his hands out to steady himself, a silly grin spread across his face as he took a step forward.
"I feel like a baby, it was a lot easier when I was a ghost, not that I am complaining," he said.
"Well you never do that do you Spike?" asked Angel from the doorway.
"And now my day is complete," said Spike.
He took a few more steps forward to test his strength.
"How's the patient doing?" asked Angel.
"He's doing great, as you can see for yourself," Fred replied.
"Well it seems there is only one thing left to do, and then Spike will be able to go wherever he pleases," said Wesley.
"The destruction of the amulet," Fred stated flatly.
"Oh happy day, when are you going to do it?" asked Angel eagerly.
"Well at least not until this evening obviously, due to the fact that you both have a little problem with the sunlight," said Wesley.
"A few more hours and this will all be over love," said Spike as he smiled at Fred.
She returned the smile half-heartedly, yes a few more hours and the whole thing could well be over, she thought sadly as Wesley and Angel's words of the other day, came back to haunt her. After all what was to stop him from leaving once he was freed from the power of the amulet?
TBC