Chapter Three

"Fever"

"Fred, could I see you for a minute?" Angel asked, pressing the little black button on his phone with his forefinger. He tapped a stack of papers so that each leaf fell into place. He did it a few more times before he realized how horribly tired he was.

"Angel?" Fred asked, stepping into his office cautiously. "Um...did they release Spike? He's not there and I-" she motioned with her thumb, jabbing it towards the lobby.

"He's in my penthouse."

Fred's eyes went wide slightly. "Oh...ok..."

Angel glanced up from his desk to see a look of shock and slight terror on her face. He sighed, realizing what she must think.

"No. It's not like that. It's..." he couldn't find the words. "It's Spike." He managed, placing his hands on his hips. Fred cocked an eyebrow and shrugged.

"Okay..."

"He's restless." Angel walked out from behind his desk, still trying to find the right words. Fred was still lost, but Angel paid no mind. "The minute he got a chance, he'd try to leave on his own. And that, in itself, would be embarrassing."

"For him?"

"No. For me." Angel admitted, pressing fingers to the bridge of his nose.

There was a long pause. Angel looked up to see Fred still standing, a look of worry and concern on her face. She was still lost.

"Look, I just-"

"No, you don't have to explain, Angel. It's O.K. You do what you have to do." she said quickly, clearly trying not delve any deeper into the subject than necessary. Angel nodded and put a hand in his pocket. Fred shifted.

"So! What was with the urgenty message?" she asked, mock chipper trying to glaze over the proverbial rotten cake. Angel nodded quickly and walked back behind his desk. He scratched his forehead and then put both hands in his pockets. He was nervous again. Unsure.

"Uh...last night," he began, watching Fred sit on the arm of the red office chair. "Last night when I went and got Spike..." he stopped, unsure of how to go on. What do I say?

"Angel?"

"Can vampires get sick?" Angel blurted out suddenly, looking away from Fred. She narrowed her brow and stood up.

"What? Can...you don't feel well?" Fred asked, taking a step closer, concern written all over her face. Angel shook his head quickly.

"No, no. Not me. Um...Spike. He's got a fever or something."

"A fever?"

"Yeah. Last night..."

"Oh. Angel, it's just all the medication. They pumped so many drugs into him yesterday, I'd be surprised if there was any room left for blood." she said, trying to sound upbeat. Angel just looked down at his desk and nodded.

"I can get someone to go look-"

"No. That's alright. He'll be fine, right?"

"Yeah." she nodded, smiling weakly. "If he heals as fast as he talks, he should be back to normal in no time." Angel smirked at that. He had to admit, it was true.

"Thanks, Fred." Angel replied, watching Fred turn and leave. Just as she reached the door, she turned back with an encouraging smile.

"Angel...he'll be fine." she said softly, trying on the smile again. All Angel could manage was a weak nod. And as soon as she was gone, he sighed and sat down in the oversized leather chair.