Author's note: Thanks for the reviews. The question about Spike's "eating habits" will be answered in a later chapter. I am going to play a bit with that.

Chapter 14

She woke up with a sore body and a bad taste in her mouth. For a few seconds memory failed her but then her particular pains revealed what she had been doing last night. Or rather whom she had been doing.

Oh God. What had she done?

But she'd been lost last night. Her pain had taken over her mind and she had not cared who else was involved. She wanted to destroy Spike, she wanted to hurt him so much and Angel was the willing conduit. She put all her misery on him.

And now she had to deal with the consequences.

***

Five hours ago.

Sophie Lewis, fulltime Doublemeat Palace employee walked home after a exhausting shift. The burger chain had recently expanded its operating hours and Sophie had to stay even later to clean the grinder. To top it off it was still raining and she couldn't get a cab. Her new umbrella was slowly coming apart so she stopped at a trashcan and dished it. She was wiping her hands on her jeans when she heard the moan.

Sophie instantly tried to locate its origin. Her eyes scanned the dark street. She saw nothing but then a black mass caught her attention. It seemed to be struggling. She recognized it as human and moved towards it.

"Hey, are you okay?"

The figure rose slowly but did not answer her. Sophie tried again.

"Do you need help? I can go into a house and ask them to call 911"

Angel's head is down but he whispers "No…the pain is gone"

"Are you sure"

He finally raises his eyes and the demon glows from behind the golden orbs. Sophie's scream is extinguished at her throat by the vampire's deep, tearing fangs. He sucks hungrily, trying to quench the thirst of a hundred years.

When she is drained he lets her go. Her lifeless body lands on the wet pavement. He stands over her, savoring his first kill all over again.

"Actually" he sneers "I feel just fine"

***

Four hours ago

Spike looked at the second hand clock. Dawn was only a few hours away and it was too late to see her.

He hadn't been able to leave Drusilla. She was in one of her "states" in where her visions were coming fast and furious. He listened carefully and tried to decipher meaning behind the nonsensical ramblings. All he had been able to ascertain was that Angel was involved.

Angel. Bastard.

He hated his grandsire with a passion. The souled vampire had betrayed Spike and sent him into a fourteen-year hell on earth.

He'd also turned his back on Drusilla and here she was crying out his name. Had he loved her still it would have driven him insane with jealously.

Thank God for small favors.

But just how was the souled one involved in the threat to Buffy's life? As far as he knew he and the Slayer had collaborated quite a few times. This goaded him to no end but he trusted Buffy and his Royal Poofiness had zero chances with his lady. And yet Drusilla had definitely mentioned him in conjunction with the Slayer's fall. He had to get her to expand on that.

She was sleeping now after having been worn out by her visions. Her carefully arranged curls were sprawled on the satin pillow. He smiled indulgently. He may not love her as a woman anymore but she was still his dark princess. She'd taught him everything he knew about existing as a vampire and he would always be grateful for that.

And yet if it ever came down to either Buffy or Dru he knew his loyalty would be to his Slayer.

Spike was startled out of his self-inspection by the sound of footsteps on the uncarpeted floor. His predator instincts went into overdrive and his game face emerged. He spun around to confront the incoming threat.

From the shadows emerged a large looming shape. Spike roared as warning. The figure stepped into the candlelight and laughed without humor.

Soul boy.

"Spike my boy. You're getting too predictable"

"Angel" Drusilla's almost orgasmic cry revealed that she was awake and pleased.

"Angel" Spike growled.

"Back by popular demand"
"What are you doing here?" Spike said circling him.

"I was just in the neighborhood and decided to drop for a family visit. What? Aren't you glad to see me?"
"You're fourteen years too late"
"Ah, yes. About that, I need to apologize for …well… betraying you. That was really bad camaraderie. I heard that you were their favored guest for a decade or so. Hope you're not bitter"
That did it. Spike launched himself at his grandsire. The larger vampire evaded him almost effortlessly.

"Still as impulsive as ever. You have got to learn to think before you attack. A little finesse wouldn't hurt…"

"Bloody wanker. A**hole. How dare do you come in here after what you did to me?"

"Let bygones…"

This time the younger vampire managed to tackle him. Angel went down and Spike went for the jugular.

"Stop" Drusilla's voice reverberated throughout the factory. Spike turned to her and Angel used the opportunity to push him away. Both vampires quickly rose to their feet and where about to resume their fighting when Drusilla stepped in between them. The vampiress hissed at both of them.

"Dru, get out of the way!" Spike roared.

"Yes do that, so I can show Spike here who is boss" Angel barked.

"No. You will not fight each other anymore"
"Why the hell not?" the blonde demanded.

"Because he is ours again. Aren't you daddy?

TBC

Author's note: Will Angel kiss and tell on just how he lost his soul? How will Spike take it? And where's Darla? All will revealed as soon as it comes to me. Don't forget to R/R.