AN: Thanks for the continued feedback! I really appreciate it.

Warning: Language; Female!Spike

Chapter 6

The next few weeks passed quickly. Spike continued to adapt to her situation. The group looked for a reversal; but, the search had been fruitless thus far. The longstanding tension loosened between Spike and Angel. Their conversations were no longer erupting into verbal sparring matches, but simple playful banter. Spike was still slightly cautious, but their situation slowly improved.

Angel sat at his desk reviewing the myriad of reports that needed his signature. His phone blipped. "Boss?" The female voice on the line said.

Angel sipped his blood and pressed the button. "Yes, Harmony?"

"You're nine o'clock is here."

"Okay, I'll be out in moment." Angel released the button and then proceeded to place his jacket on. He opened the door to his office and walked to Harmony's desk. She pointed to a well dressed gentleman sitting on the plush couches in the lobby. Angel walked over with a sigh. Wolfram and Hart was beginning to wear on him.

"Julian May, I presume." Angel offered his hand.

"Yes. You must be Angelus." The tall, dark haired man with green eyes replied.

Angel half grinned. "Actually, it's just Angel." He said in a serious tone. "Why don't we go to my office." He started walking back towards Harmony. "Would you like a beverage?"

"Yes, a Pelligrino would be lovely." He smiled.

"Harmony, a Pelligrino for our guest."

The blond looked up from her desk. "Anything for you, Boss?"

"No." Angel extended his hand for Julian to enter his office. He shut the door behind them.

Angel and Julian sat at the couches. "So," Angel began, "What brings the CEO of the New York office to LA?"

"I am visiting some West Coast business contacts in the area and I thought that I should stop in to meet my newest Wolfram and Hart colleague. I hope my last minute appointment was not problematic."

"Not at all." Angel said slowly as his head turned as Harmony entered the office with a beverage in hand. She handed it to Julian, smiled, and left promptly.

Julian sipped his Pellagrino and placed it on the coffee table. "As you know, in a few months is the annual North American corporate meeting of Wolfram and Hart top executives. I make it a point to discuss some issues with the heads of the larger cities before attending. It is important to make sure our agendas are in tune with the philosophy of Wolfram and Hart." He smiled as his green eyes sparkled.

"So. " Angel began, "you have come to see if I tow the corporate line, so to speak." Angel squinted his eyes as he stared intently at Julian.

Julian stood gracefully and walked towards the window. "Certainly your reputation precedes you, Angelus. Oh, I apologize, Angel. The vampire with a soul. I must admit, many of us find it quite peculiar that you of all people now head one of the biggest branches in this country. But, your firm continues to generate revenue. Such an anomaly." He smirked a bit.

Angel stood and looked upon Julian with cold eyes. "Is there a point to this visit, Mr. May?" He crossed his arms.

Julian opened his mouth to respond when suddenly the office doors flew open.

"Angel!" Spike practically yelled. "I need a new car..." She stopped abruptly when she saw the two men by the window clearly in the midst of a serious discussion.

In her high pitched voice she said, "Oh, 'm sorry. Didn't realize you were in a meeting." She half grinned feeling embarrassed. She expected Angel to start yelling any second.

Julian turned towards Angel and then Spike and said, "Is this a colleague of yours?" He smiled.

Angel hesitated for a moment. At this point he wanted to rip this man to shreds with his bare hands. "Yes," he cleared his throat, "Julian May, this is Spike." Julian walked to Spike and took her hand and kissed it. Angel tried to suppress his growl as he continued. "Spike? Julian May. CEO of the New York branch of Wolfram and Hart."

Spike thought she should play nice and not invoke anger from Angel. She had screwed up a few meetings before for not acting according to supposed protocol.

"Pleased to meet you." She said sweetly.

"And what do you do here at the Firm?" He asked.

"Many things, really." She tilted her head a bit when she saw Angel's expression behind Julian.. She knew that he wanted her out of there. "Well," she started to back up, "I apologize for the interruption." She said as she looked directly at Angel and quickly left the office.

The two stood silent for a moment.

"Stunning." Julian said.

"Excuse me?" Angel responded.

"What an unusual name for such a beautiful creature." He smiled widely. Angel clenched his cheeks. "Is she your consort?"

"My consort?" Angel's eyes were wide. "No. No." He seemed a bit flustered.

"She is available then?"

"No, she is not." Angel hissed as he clenched his fists.

Julian stepped back. "I did not mean to offend you, Angel. Clearly she is a valued employee to evoke such a reaction."

"She is my Grandchilde." Angel answered in a serious tone.

"Ah." Julian shook his head. "I see. You vampires are quite attached to your family." He looked at his watch. "Well, I do believe I have monopolized enough of your valuable time." He offered his hand. "I look forward to seeing you in Toronto. Until then."

"Until then." Angel answered and watched him walk out.

The dark vampire sat at his desk brooding for a few hours. His possessive nature had returned to the forefront of late. He did not quite understand what he was feeling and why any outside interest in Spike affected him so deeply. He had not felt this way about his family in quite awhile. Emotions like these made him feel closer to Angelus. He sighed and then decided he could not brood anymore. He was exhausted and chose to return to his penthouse.

As he walked in, he heard the sound of the TV blaring. Oddly enough, his penthouse had seemed more homey since Spike had invaded the premises. There was constant commotion of some sort when his Grandchilde was around. He found it quite comforting at times. He smiled and threw his jacket on the chair like he did most nights. He warmed up a mug of blood and was going to his room when he heard Spike.

"Hey Peaches? Warm me up a mug, mate. Ta!" Angel completed the task and walked into the TV room.

"Thanks." Spike said as she lounged in a black cotton tank top and matching bottoms.

Angel sat next to Spike and sipped his blood. For a time, they watched TV without talking.

"So," Spike began, "that bloke from earlier? Didn't smell human."

Angel leaned his head back. "He's an Immortal."

"Kind of creepy, if you ask me. Pillock kissed my hand." Spike frowned and Angel chuckled.

"Probably someone else I'll need to worry about." Angel sighed as he rubbed his eyes.

"Oi! No broodin' in my presence, got it?" Spike smiled. "You need to lighten up mate." Spike turned to him. "Need to have yourself a good time, that's what. You're stressed out all the time." Her voice was concerned but she quickly tried to cover that with a quip. "It's startin' to bug me."

"I have a good time on occasion." Angel replied unconvincingly.

"With who? Dog Girl?" Spike closed her eyes immediately after she mentioned Nina. 'You're so stupid Spike.' She thought to herself. 'Bring up the stupid werewolf.' She pouted.

"Nina?" Angel chuckled. "You call her Dog Girl? That's not very nice."

"Well," she pouted and rolled her eyes, "'m not very nice." She turned to the TV.

"Anyway, doesn't matter." Angel added. "I broke up with her weeks ago."

"Oh?" Spike said curiously without too much emotion. "Afraid she'd give you that moment of perfect happiness?" Spike again regretted her choice of words.

"No." Angel answered quietly. "There's no happiness clause."

Spike practically choked. "What? How?"

Angel turned to Spike. "Part of the deal to take this job was that they anchored my soul."

Spike's head dropped and she spoke quietly. "T-Then, why didn't you go to Buffy?" Spike eagerly awaited the answer and it was not because she still loved the Slayer.

Angel sat silent for some time. Finally he shrugged his shoulders. "I will always care for Buffy; but, we are different people now. I don't think it would work. I knew that even before my soul became permanent."

Spike's undead heart skipped a few beats but her exterior was still cool. Suddenly a thought popped in her mind and her anger rose a bit. "Then what about that kiss with 'er, you ponce?"

"It was just a hello." Angel replied.

"Yeah, that's what the Slayer said." Spike shook her head and turned back to the TV. She saw Angel getting up and she stopped him. "S-So, um. You wanna watch a movie?"

Angel stared back at her and nearly drowned in her beautiful blue eyes. "Sure." He said as he sat down and Spike grabbed a bowl full of popcorn from the coffee table.

"You want some?" She offered the bowl to Angel. "Tastes good with blood." She chuckled when she saw Angel face grimace. She grabbed the remote and flipped until she found a movie she thought they would both like.

They didn't speak for the next few hours but settled into a very comfortable silence. Angel placed his feet up on the coffee table and relaxed for the first time in a long while. After the movie ended, Angel noticed that Spike fell asleep. He turned the TV off and was going back to his bedroom. He turned back to the sleeping Spike. Angel stood and watched her face that was illuminated by moonlight. She looked like a true angel; so peaceful, so serene. He then gently scooped her into his arms. He was surprised how light she was. He placed her down on her bed and grabbed a blanket from the chair and placed it over her form. The dark vampire leaned over and kissed her lightly on the forehead and closed the light and shut the door. Spike smiled as she continued to sleep.

TBC...