Part 10

In The Caves.

"Have you found anything useful yet? I brought you some lunch." Giles asked Willow as he handed her a sandwich. "Sorry it's not much."

Willow smiled gratefully, she had been sitting at the computer equipment that Adam had left behind for over three hours. Thankfully no one had disconnected the power source.

"I think so." Willow said tiredly rubbing her eyes and leaning back in the rickety chair, which creaked alarmingly. "It will take me a couple more hours but I think I can bypass the main control temporarily and that will give us enough time to hopefully unlock the doors, and if we are really lucky they will think the loss of control is just a glitch in the system due to age and nothing to worry about."

"Keep at it." Giles said worriedly. After his talk with Connor and putting the pieces of drunken ramblings Spike had shared with him together, he had a good idea what Riley was probably doing and it worried him.

"Giles?" Willow looked at him questioningly.

"Just get it done as quick as you can." Seeing Willows resolve face slowly appear, he took a deep breath. "Just get them out of there." Hoping that would be enough Giles turned to head back to the others.

"What do you mean? Giles if there's something you're not telling me I want to know."

Giles lowered his head, removed his glasses, turned and slowly started cleaning them. "Has Spike ever talked to you about what happened while he was captured?" He said in all seriousness. Willow shook her head. Giles walked slowly towards her. "You can't tell the others and you must not let Spike know that you know. Trust me that does not turn out for the best." Willow nodded and swallowed nervously. "We all know about the chip, but did you know that other experiments were performed?" Willow shook her head again. "The removal of limbs without anesthetic, the beatings that lasted for days, I won't go into details, and I don't know them. In fact I don't think anyone really knows how bad it was in there except for Spike and those that were there with him, but what I do know makes me ill to my stomach to think that a human could do such things."

Willow gasped and held her hand to her mouth tears started to fall as she remembered what she had done to Warren.

Giles realizing what he had said quickly pulled the distraught red head in his arms. "That's not what I meant, you were grieving and the black magic took control. Besides if Warren had been found guilty in a court of law he would have been facing the death penalty. His life was forfeit the moment he pulled the trigger on the gun." He hugged Willow closer and she calmed down slightly "I'm talking about men just ordinary humans. Who have no reason to do what they did and did it anyway for fun, sport, and even now don't regret what they did. I know they did it to demons but it is still sick."

"Did Riley know?" Willow asked shakily.

"Riley was one of the main instigators he had a special thing for Spike, from what I can gather."

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Things you don't need to know." Giles replied softly.

Willow pulled away from Giles and looked him in the eye. "Okay, " a thoughtful look on her face. "This continued after Spike escaped didn't it?"

"Yes." Giles said simply.

"But...but he never said anything, never did anything. Why would he do that, its not like he couldn't have used it against us. I don't understand?" Willow babbled.

"I think there is a lot to Spike we will never know and probably never understand." Giles said with a faint smile, Willow disentangled herself from his embrace and sat back down at the computer more determined than ever to free Angel and Spike.

In The Initiative.

Angel woke feeling a pain in his right arm; he'd fallen asleep on it. He looked around and saw Spike lying asleep not too far away.

"Spike wake up." Angel said softly. "What time is it?"

"I'm not asleep, and it's around lunch time. One of the first lessons I learned in this place was not to fall asleep unless you want to be rudely awa..."

The door swung open, both vampires jumped to their feet. Riley strolled in flanked by four other soldiers, a shit-eating grin on his face. "How's the head?"

"It hurts as you know." Spike replied.

"I had great fun today playing with the little dial. Who would have thought something so simple could bring so much joy to my world. But then not as much joy as this." Riley threw something to Spike. Spike caught it and shuddered as soon as the item touched his skin. He knew what it was with out having to look and he knew what it symbolized. "Put it on." Spike took a deep unneeded breath and looked down to the item clutched in his hands. It was a leather collar with small silver studs. "Hurry up we don't have all day, oops silly me." Riley chuckled, "yes we do and all night."

Spike slowly raised his hands, thanking whoever was out there that they weren't shaking and put the collar on. Riley snapped his fingers and a young woman with brown hair walked in. Spike could feel her dark power flowing out from her. "Amy darling, would you be so kind." She smiled at him and started chanting as she walked towards Spike. Spike could feel the power building, then she touched the buckle of the collar, heat surrounded them, and then it was gone.

She turned and walked back towards the exit saying, "It is done."

"Good." Riley smiled as he watched the witch leave the room. He turned back and looked at Spike. "Now you will never be able to take it off, you will always belong to me." Angel gasped when he realized what had just happened. "Don't worry it will be your turn soon enough but first my little whore needs to learn what happens when you leave. No one leaves me." He turned and left the room snapping his fingers again. This time the four soldiers came forwards surrounding Spike and started to lead him away.

Angel took a deep breath and said in Gaelic knowing Spike would be the only one to understand. "Be strong Little One." Angel saw Spike's shoulders straighten slightly then he was gone.

Angel was pacing, Spike had been gone hours. The door suddenly banged open and two soldiers staggered in dragging an unconscious Spike. They dumped him on the floor just out of reach, dropped a bundle of clothes and left. Angel stood there looking on in shock and slowly slid to his knees staring at his Boy. He was naked, save for the collar round his neck. Covered from head to toe in whip marks, the stench of human cum penetrated Angel's senses and he wanted to retch. They had also peeled layers of skin off his feet, back and hands. Angel flinched at the thought of how painful it would be to walk. He took a deep breath.

"Spike?" He said quietly but got no response. "Spike wake up." He said more forcefully. Spike stirred, groaned and rolled onto his side so he was facing Angel. Angel hissed as he saw Spikes face it was unrecognizable one big red and blue mass. "Move closer I can't reach you." Spike growled and rolled over coming within reach, Angel grabbed him gently and pulled him towards his chest. He unbuttoned his shirt and split the skin just above the nipple and held Spikes mouth over the seeping cut. "Feed and heal, Childe." Spike started suckling instantly. Angel spoke soothing words while trying to remove the collar with fumbling fingers.

Spike pulled away, "told you it wasn't over."

"I know I can't get it off." Tears brimming in his eyes.

"I know luv." Spike didn't need to be told the collar wasn't coming off. He knew. He could feel the spell that surrounded it.

"Can you get these damn cuffs off me? You're in a bad way little one."

"Sure give me your hands." Angel placed his hands in Spike's and waited. He felt the power building much like before when the witch had been there, heat surrounded them then nothing. "It's done." Spike said wearily closing his eyes.

"Spike, darling they are still there."

"You're a vampire Angel not an imbecile of course they are still there." exasperation and exhaustion evidenced in Spike's voice. He'd used his last ounce of strength on the spell. Sighing he said, "They aren't magically enhanced anymore. You can break them whenever you want, well that is if you're strong enough." He chuckled which turned into a coughing fit. "Keep them on luv. The art of surprise is much more fun."

"Want to hold you properly."

"I know but this way's best."

"How are you feeling?"

Spike sighed, "Need to sleep."

"Then sleep."

"Can't got to be ready." He said fighting to keep his eyes open.

"Then I will wake you."

"Don't let them take you out of this room no matter what, you don't leave here with them." Spike said seriously "You fight, when the time comes you get out. Don't you go worrying about me. I'll be right behind you," Spike lied.

"You never were a good liar." Angel growled.

"Look luv even if we do get out. The chip is still firing it's little jolts of electricity into my brain. I'm dead...deader either way you look at it. Besides you havta look after Little Bit and Little Brother."

"I won't leave you here."

"Then you stake me."

"Never." Angel growled.

"Angel you have to," Spike looked at him with pleading eyes. "I can't take much more of this. The chip's bad enough on its own but if I have to go through another session like that...I don't think I can."

"You won't have to. We are both getting out of here. Get some sleep you need it."

"Promise you'll wake me?"

"Promise."

The last thing Spike remembered as he slipped into sleep was the feel of Angel's strong arms around him.

In the Caves.

"Giles I've got it." Willow said excitedly. "I've found a way to open all the doors including the quarantine section."

"Good, how long do you need to get it done?"

"Shouldn't take more than another hour. Then its presto open sesame." Willow smiled happily.

"Right, Dawn and I will go tell Spike and Angel, that is if I can tear her away from Connor for five minutes."

"I think it's cute, young love."

"Yes quite," Giles said as he headed off to talk to Dawn.

Giles, Dawn and Connor were walking through the tunnels, Giles deep in thought and Dawn and Connor chatting quietly together.

"You alright Giles?" Dawn asked.

"Um yes. Why?"

"You've been kind of quiet, that's all."

"I was just trying to work out how Spike and Angel are going to get out of the Initiative." Giles said thoughtfully. "What I mean is I doubt very much that Riley and for that matter Buffy will simply allow them to walk out the front door without putting up some form of resistance."

"We go in and get them." Connor stated.

"Yes quite, I don't think they will like that."

"So we don't tell them. We tool up and go in." Dawn said.

"I suppose." Giles agreed. They turned a corner and arrived at the cave they had previously occupied and walked to the back wall. Giles tapped a greeting and waited for a reply.

"Its Angel Spikes asleep. Oh my." Giles said as he heard the rest of the message.

"What does that mean "Oh my"?" Dawn asked

"Um..." Giles flustered stalling for time.

"Giles" Dawn insisted

"It would appear Spike is in a bad way."

"From the fight."

"No."

"Giles spit it out will you?"

"Spike has been tortured."

"Oh...but he's alright?" Dawn asked hopefulness written across her face.

"Well he's not dust." Giles quickly tapped another message to forestall any more questions and listened to the reply. "Angel says they will be ready to move in two hours." Giles tapped a quick goodbye. "We need to get back and get ready."

"So they know we are helping?" Connor asked.

"No I didn't tell him, let's get back and make preparations."

In The Initiative.

"Spike, time to wake up."

Spike groaned and slowly sat up wincing as his cuts stretched and the skin pulled. "Why who's coming?"

"No one but Willow will be unlocking the doors soon and we have to be ready, you need to feed again."

"No." Spike grabbed Angel's hand as it went to his neck. "If we are to get out of this then you need all your strength. I'm not going to be able to walk far or fast on these feet till they've healed which means you have to carry me."

"But you need it," Angel said simply.

"I'd rather get out of here and you're my best hope of that. Now give me a hand will you." Spike reached for his discarded clothes and flung his t-shirt to Angel. "Start shredding that, will you, while I try and get these things on." He said indicating his jeans, wishing he wasn't so fashion conscious and had worn sweat pants.

Angel was tying the last of the strips of t-shirt to Spike's feet when they heard the catch release on the lock.

"You ready?" Angel asked as he hauled himself to his feet.

Spike nodded, "lets do this."

Angel put his hands around the chains that were attached to the wall and pulled. The links gave easily; Angel quickly swung round and gently picked Spike up into his arms. They headed to the door, Spike, heaved it open and headed down the corridor to the next door which opened out into the huge cavern only to see Riley coming towards them flanked by a dozen soldiers and all the exits blocked.

"Run." Spike whispered.

"Where?" They both knew there was no way out. Angel moved further into the room.

"Put me down." Spike hissed as his feet touched the ground.

"Leaving so soon?" Riley asked as he drew nearer. "We was just getting warmed up weren't we boys." Laughter filled the air.

"Where's Buffy?" Angel growled

"Oh I wouldn't worry about her she'll be here soon enough. As for you two we can do this the easy way or the hard way."

Spike sneered, looked at Angel smiled and threw a punch at the closest soldier flooring him. "I pick the hard way." He gasped in pain as the chip fired harder.

Riley took the control box out of his pocket and twisted the dial to its highest setting, "So be it."

Spike growled and clutched his head as Angel moved in front of him ready to fight.

One of the doors swung open behind Riley, he smiled without looking round. "Buffy darling so glad you could make it."

Angel sneered gleefully.

"Well I've been mistaken for a lot of people but never Buffy before," came Xander's voice from behind.

Riley spun round and looked; taking in the sight Riley laughed at what he saw. "Do you really think The Scooby Gang and a bunch of girls can save you?" He swung back round to look at Angel questioningly. As the Scoobies and company spread out ready to defend themselves and their escape route. "Besides I have the slayer."

"And I've killed two of them." Spike said as he stood up and came to stand next to Angel. There was an audible gasp from the Scoobies as he came into view.

"Oh the little whore has decided to speak has he, doesn't look like you will be doing much damage from where I'm standing." Riley was getting worried; the pain level the chip was giving out should have floored the insolent vampire.

"Me I'm fine, just a couple of scratches, besides I don't see The Slayer anywhere. Do you?" he asked quirking an eyebrow. "Now shall we do this the hard way or the easy way?"

Riley knew he couldn't win this, where the hell was Buffy he thought worriedly then smiled menacingly "Tell me Spike." Spike knew this wasn't going to be good Riley never used his name. "Did you enjoy it while I fucked your ass? Or did you prefer it when my boys here were having their fun with you?" Riley gestured to the surrounding troops, who were openly laughing.

Dawn gasped in shock, Xander's face went red in anger, Willow went white and Connor stood there still clutching his sword tighter.

Spike stood there seething and breathing deep unneeded breaths. "To tell you the truth none of you could satisfy me, you've all got the stamina of a teenage virgin. What's the bet that if I was to show you my gorgeous ass right now you would come in your pants just by looking." He quirked an eyebrow, "You see that's real power. You can do what you want to me physically, I can take it, trust me Angelus was a nasty bastard and that was on a good day, but I'll let you into a little secret shall I? Real power lies in the mind. I'll walk out of here today and forget about all that's happened in these walls. But you." He said staring directly at Riley, "You will crave me, want me, I'm inside you now running through your veins and no matter where you stick that pathetic excuse of a dick it will never be enough cause it's not me. That is real power and it's all MINE." He growled.

"Just like you crave me don't you Spikie." Buffy had silently slipped into the room at some point during Spike's speech.

"Slayer." He drawled seductively

"Spike."

"Come to dance pet?"

"No, I'm done dancing. I've come to kill you."

"Ha, that'll be the day. Now I'm going to say this only once. Stop this now. You won't win and you will die." She smiled at him. "Ok, let me put this another way, I don't want to kill you and I don't believe this is you, something is controlling you. I'm begging you, yes me Spike, I'm begging you don't do this please."

"Enough," Buffy said, "Time to die."

"BANG." There was a flash of light and everyone started moving in slow motion except Angel, Spike and Willow.

"Hurry up I can't hold this spell for long."

Angel scooped Spike up and ran. They were half way when Spike suddenly said "The box get the bloody box." Angel dropped Spike on his feet and ran back to Riley and grabbed the box, turned and ran. Just as he was half way across the cavern when the spell wore off. Willow slumped to the ground in exhaustion.

"Out everyone out." Giles yelled dodging a right hook and a foot thrust at him by two of the soldiers. The Scoobies and potentials started retreating Dawn and Kennedy helping Willow with Connor watching their backs.

Angel stood watching the scene unfold before him as Xander was helping Spike, but Buffy stood before him and Riley behind. "Let me pass." He stated

"No lover, I don't think so."

"Buffy get the box." Riley shouted urgently. Angel looked at the little box in his hand and turned the dial.

"Took your bloody time, Peaches." Spike said as he walked towards Buffy. "Back to a stand off again are we?"

"No," Angel growled and using his unnatural speed ran at Buffy swiped his left arm forcefully across the side of her face forcing her to the skid across the floor and ran towards the exit behind Spike.

They made it through the door where Willow was standing humming with power as soon as the door closed a bolt of light engulfed it. "That should keep them busy for a while." She said exhaustedly.

"Not for long Red they've got a witch, we need to move now."

"This way."

They followed Willow down numerous corridors.

"Spike I need to carry you." Angel said.

"What?" Spike asked confused.

"Look," Angel pointed down at the red footprints he was leaving. "Your leaving a trail any fool can follow." Spike stopped and Angel picked him up. "And besides I like carrying you."

"Ponce." Spike said with a sigh. He was beyond exhaustion and the only thing that was keeping him going were thoughts of what would happen if he didn't.

They rounded another couple of corners and found Giles standing at the exit with a blowtorch in hand. If the situation hadn't been so serious laughs would have followed the sight. As soon as they got outside Xander and Connor pushed the big metal door into place and Giles started welding it closed.

"Head towards the caves, we'll catch up with you." Giles shouted over the roar of flames and sparks.

"No. We need to get some transportation and get out of Sunnyhell."

"And go where Bleach Boy? Buffy knows everywhere we could go and it ain't like we can hide a huge group of people, two of which tend to smoke and burst into flames in day light." Xander said snarkily.

"We're going to my place." Spike stated.

"Oh yeah that's a great idea cause Buffy would never think to look in your crypt."

"No, you git, my home."

"You sure?" Angel asked.

"Yeah."

"What do you mean your home?" Xander asked.

"Talk later, move now." Spike snapped.

Giles having finished welding the door closed, "that should give us some time. Lets get moving shall we."

They started running again towards Buffy's house and Angel's car.

"Where's the De Soto?" Angel asked Spike who was still curled up in his arms.

"Round the corner from Buffy's."

They arrived and piled into the cars Angel, Spike, Willow, Dawn, Kennedy and Anya piled into Angel's while Giles, after much persuasion and numerous threats of death should anything happen to his beloved De Soto before the keys were handed over, drove up and the others piled in and they sped off.

As they passed the outskirts of town Angel turned and looked at Spike who was curled up on the front seat staring out of the window. "Spike I need directions."

Spike looked at Angel with a glazed look in his eyes and told him where to go. Half an hour later they pulled up outside a large remote house totally surrounded by trees and piled out of the car.

"Thank god I thought we'd never get here." Anya said following numerous groans as the others extracted themselves from the back seat. The other car pulled up while Angel was helping Spike out of the front seat.

"Whoa, nice place fangless and how come we didn't get to come here when we were fighting Glory? 'cause you know would have been real useful then."

Spike ignored Xander and said, "Welcome to "Sanctuary"." He turned and led them to the front door. "Keys please, Giles." Giles handed over the keys still in a bit of shock that Spike of all people owned a house. Spike opened the door and invited them in. "There are five bedrooms and two bathrooms. You lot can decide amongst yourselves who sleeps with whom. There is also a library do not touch any of the books on the top shelves, they are dangerous especially you Red. This is the lounge, there is the dinning room." Spike indicated to a door to the right. "The kitchen is to the back, sorry there isn't much in the way of food just tinned stuff." To Angel he said, "There should be blood in the freezer. There is also a basement. Xander, do not touch any of my weapons they are sharp and I don't want you to lose a finger."

"har har fangle..." Xander never got to finish as Spike suddenly collapsed. Angel caught him just as he was about to hit the floor and scooped him up "Someone go find the kitchen and get the blood warmed quickly." Giles and Willow scurried away two of the potentials following.

"Angel he's going to be all right isn't he." Dawn asked shakily. Connor put his arms around her.

"He's in a bad way, but physically he should heal in a couple of days." Angel said as he placed Spike lovingly on the sofa. Angel sat down on the floor next to him and bit into his wrist and held it to Spikes mouth. When he got no response he started rubbing his finger down Spikes throat trying to stimulate the feeding action. "Come on Little One you need to feed."

Tears welled in Dawns eyes, it was too much seeing Spike laying there his chest and face a mass of burses, welts and cuts. He looked so frail, so small not the Big Bad that could take on anything and laugh in the face of evil just for fun. Angel sighed in relief as he felt a gentle suckling begin. Willow walked in with the first mug of blood and handed it to Angel who accepted it and swallowed it down in one go.

"There's more on the way." Willow informed him, "Xander could you give us a hand cooking I think we need the Xandman's magic touch to make a meal out of the odds and ends there are."

"Oh no you don't," Anya said as she followed them to the kitchen. "You are not letting him near the food first there won't be any left for the rest of us and whatever he does manage to cook will be inedible to everyone except him."

"I'm going to look upstairs and see about bedding." Dawn said as she extracted herself from Connor's arms and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"I'll give you a hand." Kennedy said and they left to find the bedrooms.

"You okay Dad?" Connor asked worriedly.

"I'm fine."

Connor went and sat down on the floor on the other side of Angel. Angel grabbed him with his free hand and pulled him into a hug. Connor just sagged into his arms.

"I shouldn't have left you behind, I'm sorry."

"No you did the right thing." Angel said holding him closer, "if you hadn't have gotten out then I doubt any of us would have."

"What happened in there?"

"Nothing we're both fine."

Willow walked in again with another mug of blood and handed it over. "How is he?"

"He's doing better." Angel said as he once again swallowed the blood in one go. "Could you find the first aid kit for me we need to clean his wounds."

"Sure."

Angel sat there for a while longer relishing the feeling of holding his son so close and his childe feeding from him. He had never felt so needed and wanted and it felt good. Willow entered again with a box under her arm and a big bowl of water in her hands.

"Thanks," Angel said as he stood up reluctantly. He took the bowl from Willow, wrung out the cloth and started to clean Spikes chest.

Willow and Connor looked through the first aide box sorting out what they would need. Willow came over after Angel had cleaned Spikes chest and started to apply antiseptic cream to the worst of the wounds. The tears she had been holding in started to fall as she once again saw the collar round his neck her fingers found the buckle and as she tried to undo it the movements became more urgent. Tears blinded her. Then she felt big strong hands over hers stilling her movements.

"It won't come off. They used magic."

"Oh, god," Willow sobbed. "I don't feel anything around it, and if I can't feel the spell then I can't work out what spell it was, and I can't get it off." She rambled.

"Willow stop, we will worry about that later right now we have to get him cleaned up and into bed." Angel said gently. Willow dried her eyes and Angel saw that resolve face of hers appear as they set to work again.

"I'll go see about getting him some clean clothes." Connor said as he headed up stairs leaving the silent pair behind.

Angel and Willow worked mechanically, both numb to the sight before them. Willow gasped and retched as Angel pulled the bloodied layers away from Spike's feet.

"Oh Goddess how could he walk?" Willow gasped.

"I honestly have no idea." Angel muttered. "I used to think he didn't feel pain that he had no nerve endings in his body, when Angelus used to torture him he never cried out. I thought he just didn't feel pain. Then one day he cut himself by accident and yelped, and I knew he did feel pain he was just too stubborn to show it." Angel had a slight smile on his face.

Willow put her hand to his shoulder and they continued to dress Spikes feet. Connor entered and passed Angel a pair of sweat pants and a clean t-shirt. He too gasped as he saw Spikes feet. "What did they do it him?"

"They skinned his feet. Probably as a lesson not to run away again."

"How do you know?" Connor asked quietly.

Angel visibly shook as he said, "Because I did it to him the first and only time he ran from me."

"Oh." Willow said quietly.

"Could you two leave the room I need to change his cloths and dress his wounds on his legs?"

"You can't do this on your own Angel." Willow said placing a small hand on his.

"Willow, Spike goes commando."

"Okay," Willow quickly got to her feet and turned round as a red blush flowed to her face. "You get the trousers off and cover his...you know...and then we will clean out the rest of his wounds." She said all business like.

Angel looked at Connor who had also turned around. Angel deftly removed the jeans and used them to give his childe a semblance of modesty.

"Ready." He said the others turned round and they went back to work. Half an hour later Spike was bandaged, stitched up and dressed. The others started flowing back into the sitting room with bowls of something indescribable but hot being hurriedly eaten. Xander passed Angel another mug of blood, which this time he sipped slowly.

Giles wondered into the room sipping from a glass of amber liquid. Dawn and Kennedy close behind.

"You are so dead when Spike find out you drank his alcohol, you know that don't you?" Dawn asked Giles. Giles just huffed in response and sank gratefully in to the armchair. "So what's the plan?" Dawn asked.

"We don't have a plan." Giles stated, he was exhausted.

"Sleep, for now we are safe." Angel said, "tomorrow we deal with the basics such as food, blood and maybe see about going back to Sunnydale and picking up some clothes and such like."

"No." Came a quiet voice from the sofa.

"Hey you, how are you feeling?" Angel asked

"Fine." Spike shrugged. "Hungry though."

"I'll get it." Xander said.

"No you bloody won't, I still remember what happened the last time."

"Hey that was not my fault how was I to know it would explode."

"I'll get it." Dawn said hurriedly.

"Thanks pet."

"Why can't we go get our stuff? You may like wearing the same clothes day in day out but me I like clean ones."

"Xander there are clothes upstairs for you to use same goes for the rest of you, I'll even give you some bloody money just don't go back to Sunnydale." Dawn entered with a mug of blood. "Ta luv."

"Since when did you have any money? And why are we all of a sudden listening to fangless?" Xander asked looking at Giles.

"Because and I can't believe I'm saying this, he is actually right for once. We have no idea what the Initiative wants and we also have to contend with what ever The First may be up to, at least here we can stop and breathe for a bit and gather our forces. I need to use the phone and make contact with the few watchers that are still around and let them know Sunnydale is a no go and to send them here instead."

"Bloody hell."

"I'm sorry Spike but we really have no choice at the moment."

"Fine phones in the hall, but your bloody well paying for all the calls."

"Of course," Giles said as he rose and walked to the hall and started making arrangements.

Spike finished off the rest of his blood "Well I don't know about the rest of you but I'm off to bed." Spike rose gracefully to his feet but as soon as he was standing Angel swooped him up in to his arms again "Put me down ya big ape, I'm not an invalid, I can walk."

"Humour me, please."

Spike was to tired and in to much pain to argue. He had been dreading the thought of trying to negotiate the stairs and relaxed into Angels arms while he carried him up into the master bedroom. It was not what Angel was expecting. This was typical Will bright clean uncluttered fresh with a huge four-poster mahogany bed. Angel gently laid Spike on it and stood looking down at him unsure what to do.

"Just hold me," Spike quietly pleaded. That was all Angel needed, he removed his shoes and shirt, climbed in behind Spike, pulled him to his chest and began purring quietly, lulling them both to sleep.