Warning: Language; Female!Spike

AN: I appreciate the feedback...please continue...

Chapter 5

Lorne went down to the offices while he was waiting for Fred to help Spike get ready. He walked back into Angel's office where he found Angel, Gunn, and Wesley discussing a case.

Gunn looked up. "How'd it go?"

"Grand success, mi amigos! We convinced Spike to let us take her out. We'll have drinks and a little food; hence, we can cheer up our little depressed cream puff." He smiled widely. "Everyone in?"

"Sure, man." Gunn replied. "I could use a drink after preparing these briefs all day."

"Is Fred going?" Wesley asked without lifting his head out of his book.

"Of course." Lorne responded.

"Well, then, I will accompany the group."

"That leaves our fearless leader. What do you say, Big Guy?" Lorne turned to Angel and smiled.

"No." Angel curtly replied.

"Oh Broody One, it would be good to go out and socialize once in a while." Lorne practically pouted. "We work very hard, everyday, straddling that ever expanding ethical line and it gets stressful."

Angel looked up at the group and started feeling a little guilty. He sighed and relented. "Fine. When are we leaving?"

"Right now." Fred said as she walked in the office with a scowling Spike.

Angel's jaw nearly dropped as he saw her. Her long, wavy hair hung neatly over her shoulders. She wore a tight fitting black cotton t-shirt and form fitting black leather pants that hung low on her hips. On her feet she had combat-like boots but they were more feminine than her old Doc Martens. She slipped on a three-quarter length black leather duster. She still had that dangerous Spike look about her but she was definitely all woman. And a stunning one at that. Angel always considered William good looking; becoming a woman certainly had not changed that.

"Pumpkin, you look marvelous!" Lorne gushed as he walked towards Spike.

"Whatever. Let's get this over with." She sneered.

Fred turned to the group. "I told Spike she would feel better once we get to the restaurant." She smiled.

"Don't patronize me, Beanpole." Spike replied although she had a smile on her face.

"Could say the same to you, Spike!" She laughed.

"Touché."

Gunn replaced the phone onto the receiver. "Okay, people. Let's move out. A company car is waiting for us downstairs." He walked over to Spike. "Hey good lookin'." Gunn joked as he shook his eyebrows and wrapped his arm around Spike.

"Oi, hands off!" Spike shook his arm off. She joined the others as they walked towards the elevator. The two vampires brought up the rear. "Wow, how'd they get you to go out?" Spike asked her Grandsire with a shocked look on her face.

"Guilt." Angel said as he turned to Spike.

"Figures."

"You?"

"Same." Spike paused.

"Damn Soul." The two vampires uttered at the same time. Before entering the elevator, the two looked at each the other and smiled.

When the Fang Gang arrived at the restaurant, they were immediately given entry because of Lorne's connections.

"Lorne!" A voice yelled as the group turned. A middle aged man in an expensive suit practically ran up to them.

"Yogin!" Lorne replied as the two air kissed. "These are my co-workers."

"I am pleased to meet any friends of Lorne." The tall, handsome, olive skinned man answered. "Give me a few minutes while I prepare a great table for you all."

The group nodded in appreciation.

After a few minutes, he returned. "This way, please."

Fred turned to Spike and noted how miserable she looked. "Hey, Spike." She said as she looped her arm through the blond vampire's and leaned towards her ear. "Why don't we go to the bar to get a drink before going to the table."

"Ta, pet." She answered as Fred led the way. The two females stood at the bar awaiting the bartender. Spike stood silent and then spoke. "It's hard, luv. Can't jus' act like everythin's normal. You know?" Fred smiled sympathetically.

Spike felt a hand brush her shoulder. She jumped and started to swing, but then stopped abruptly.

"Whoa! Hold on a minute." A tall, tan, dark haired man with a beautiful smile held his hands in the air.

"Well, serves you right! You touched me." Spike looked up at the man with squinting eyes. She was so startled that she nearly vamped out.

"Sorry. Really." He flashed his pearly white teeth. "I just wanted to get your attention." He looked down for a moment. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"What do you want?" Spike asked slightly annoyed.

"Well, my buddy and I were wondering if we could buy you and your friend drinks?" He gestured to his equally gorgeous friend. They looked similar except Clark was a blond.

Spike was stunned for a second and looked at Fred who was shaking her no. The blond vampire was about to bite this guy's head off, but instead looked back at the man.

"Sure, why not." Spike smiled evilly. She wasn't stupid enough to refuse a free drink.

"What'll be, um..." He raised his eyebrows as he waited for her name.

Spike thought for a moment. The first name that popped into her head was her mum. "I'm Anne. And this is Winifred. But people call 'er Fred."

"Pleased to meet you." He offered his hand to both women. "Anne. Fred. I'm Jason. This is Clark."

"Hi." Fred finally spoke.

"So, ladies." Spike subtly rolled her eyes. "What'll be?"

"Jack 'n coke." Spike answered and turned to Fred who was looking at Spike with wide eyes. Spike motioned for Fred to answer.

"Um. Cosmopolitan. Thanks. B-But you don't really need to buy us anything. Our friends are in the back waiting for us." She felt a slight pain in her shin as Spike kicked her lightly.

"That's okay." Clark replied. "One drink won't hurt."

Fred had a strained smile as she looked over at Spike who shrugged her shoulders and laughed.

Jason returned after a few minutes and handed the women their drinks. "Here you go. One Cosmo and one jack and coke. That's a strong drink for such a little lady."

"You'd be surprised how much I can handle." Spike smirked. "'M from England and even the women there can drink you American boys under the table." She shook her eyebrows.

Jason chuckled at the bravado of such a tiny girl. "How do you figure?"

Spike retorted. "You frat boys guzzle that shit you call American beer. Really it's jus' pisswater. Now European beer? That'll put hair on ya chest." Spike flirted with the boy. She was in the mood to play with him. He reminded her of Riley. 'Stupid ponce.' Spike thought as she shoved the image of Captain Cardboard back into the recesses of her mind.

After spending ten minutes arguing the virtue of American versus European hops, Fred spoke up.

"Well, thanks for the drinks. We better join our friends." She said intently as she eyed Spike.

"Yeah, thanks for the drink, mate." Spike flashed a smile and waved as the two walked into the restaurant searching for their table. Spike laughed as they meandered through the busy establishment. She could sense Jason's arousal still from across the room. "It's almost too easy!"

"I bet they are wondering where we are." Fred said as she perused the room.

"They'll live, pet." She smirked. "What? You afraid Wesley will think you're cheatin' on 'im?"

"Spike!" Fred responded in an exasperated tone. The two women found their friends.

"Are you alright, Fred?" Wesley stood and pulled a chair out for Fred.

"Uh, uh. We stopped at the bar for a drink." She sweetly smiled as she sat down. The only other open seat was by Angel. Spike proceeded to sit.

Angel turned to her and noticed her smile. "You okay?" His eyes squinted, slightly suspicious. "How much did you drink?"

"Lay off, Warden." Spike scowled. "These two blokes bought us drinks." She turned to Lorne. "It was great. He touched my shoulder and I almost hit 'im. He asked if he could buy me a drink. What a racket! Bat my lil' baby blues, and FREE drinks! Brilliant it is!"

"So, was he cute?" the Green Demon inquired.

"All American Boy type. Cute. Too pure for my tastes, though." Spike grinned and shook her eyebrows while Angel sat silently with a frown on his face.

All eyes turned to the waitress as she walked up to the table. "Can I take your order?"

The Fang Gang enjoyed their blood, drinks, and food. For the first time since going to Wolfram and Hart, they gelled as a group and relaxed. As they were preparing to depart, they heard a voice. "Hi, Anne."

"Oh," Spike looked at Fred with a funny expression on her face, "Jason, was it?" She smiled.

"Yeah. Could I talk to you for a minute?" He said as he placed his hands in his pockets.

She was about to say no, when Lorne pushed her towards him. In the background, Angel growled but no one heard.

Gunn leaned over to Wesley. "I don't get it. I know Spike is now a girl, but what does this mean? Spike's gay?"

"According to the Watcher's Manual, Charles, vampires have no sexual preference.. They do not see use labels to describe their sexuality. But I guess, basically, the term would be bisexual." Wesley said as he cleaned his glasses.

Gunn thought for a moment. "You think Spike and Angel, ever..."

"NO, we haven't." Angel hissed as he grabbed his coat and practically stormed out of the restaurant with the others following.

"Damn, vamp hearing." Gunn said as he followed.

The group waited for Spike to come out. After a few minutes she emerged.

"Did you break his fragile little heart, Pumpkin Pie?" Lorne asked the blond.

"Na, I let 'im down easy. He's a good kid." She smiled. "I've still got it, though!" She laughed as they entered the limo and drove back to Wolfram and Hart.

TBC...