Chapter 23 here:
Spike stalked angrily down the hallway. His duster flowed behind him, snapping with each step. He forcefully opened the door to the office and stormed in.
"What game are you playin' at, Slayer?" Spike's eyes flashed yellow.
Buffy looked up from the table she was sharing with Giles. They were meeting to review evaluations of the newer girls. The blond smiled slightly as her emerald green eyes shined with innocence. "Well, hello to you, Spike. Did we have an appointment?" She tried to keep a straight face while watching Spike vamp out for a moment.
"Bloody hell, Buffy, how could you?" The blond vampire whined as he started pacing around the room.
Buffy looked at Giles as he cleaned his glasses; he looked annoyed over the interruption. "Back up, Spike. What did I do?"
"Don't play the innocent school girl." He warned. "You assigned Angel to help me with the Slayerettes." Spike held his arms out and huffed.
Buffy looked down at her papers nonchalantly. "So?"
"Are you kiddin' me?" Spike shouted. "I don't wanna work with that stupid git!" He walked towards the table.
Buffy stood. "Well, it makes sense. The fighting techniques you and Angel can teach the girls is valuable. And to learn from two Master vampires as yourself? What a benefit for them."
Spike snorted and rolled his eyes. "Flattery will get you no where, Slayer."
"You two have very different styles of combat. The girls can learn a lot from your combined experiences." The Slayer smiled. "And besides, you two worked together for a whole year. This will be no different."
Spike's eyes narrowed. "You did this on purpose."
"Why would I do that? Should I have an ulterior motive for this Spike?" She smiled sweetly.
"Yeah, whatever! Get bent!" Spike huffed as he left the room.
Buffy chuckled as she rejoined Giles at the table.
Three weeks later...
"Good job, Emily!" Spike said as the young Slayer blocked a punch from the blond vampire. "Pay attention to how she reacted when I tried to hit her." Spike said as he walked in front of the group of girls. "You may lose your stake or whatever weapon you have and need to fight hand to hand with a vamp. You need to be prepared."
The group of girls moved closer to him, as Angel moved behind him. "Vamps are bloody strong, even the fledges. And," Spike vamped, "we always have our weapon." He turned around to Angel and adopted a fighting stance. It was time for a demonstration. Spike smirked at Angel who returned the gesture. The two began their familiar dance. They fought handily. It almost appeared to be a beautifully choreographed sequence of blows and blocks. The beauty of the two vampires fighting so gracefully caused some of the girls to gasp.
After some time, they ceased the display. Spike turned to the group and chuckled as he saw the girls with wide eyes and open mouths. "Here endeth the lessons today, pets." He smiled as he heard the girls whispering to each other how cute the vampires were. He pondered that the next lesson could include a run down of the preternatural abilities of their species.
Spike and Angel suddenly found themselves alone as the last stragglers dissipated.
The dark vampire spoke quietly as he wiped his face with a towel. "You've got yourself quite a fan-club, Spike."
"Yeah. Can you blame them?" He said with a smirk as his tongue rested on his front teeth.
Angel paused before answering. "No, I don't." He smiled and Spike turned away.
Angel was giving Spike his space. He did not try to force conversation with him. He wanted to give Spike the time he needed. But, there were times after class that Angel attempted some small talk. Spike would respond for a time, but usually closed himself off again.
The blond vampire found himself yearning to forgive his Grandsire, but his fear prevented this. He knew Angel was lonely at the Academy and part of him wanted him to suffer. At times when Spike had drinks with the staff or with Buffy and her fiance Alex, he wanted to ask Angel to join them. But, he always stopped himself.
Angel could sense the conflict within his Grandchilde. The two stood staring at each other for some time. Spike finally broke the silence.
"Well, I should go." He forced a smile on his face and turned to start walking away.
Angel responded. "I won't give up you know."
"What?" Spike gazed at the dark vampire with a confused look upon his face.
"I'm not going anywhere." Angel said with conviction. "Even if it gets hard, I'm not running away or making excuses. Not anymore." He sighed. "I hope you can forgive me."
Spike's eyes looked pained as he clenched his cheeks and took a deep breath. "Don't."
Angel stepped closer. "Don't what? Don't tell you that I'm sorry? Don't tell you that I love you? Well, I'm tired of hiding my feelings. I LOVE YOU, WILL. Nothing and nobody will ever change that." He paused as his voice choked. "I'll wait as long as I have to...I'll wait an eternity if it means that you can give me another chance..." He paused.
"Could be a long time...if ever..." Spike said sadly as he looked to the floor.
"I know." Angel whispered and looked down a moment. "I'm not getting any older...I can be patient..." He smiled slightly.
Spike looked into Angel's chocolate brown eyes and nearly spoke again, but he closed his mouth. He smiled sadly as his eyes watered. He forced himself to walk away.
On most nights, Angel chose the solitude of his room to read classic novels. But tonight, he felt the walls closing in on him. He felt stifled and needed some fresh air. He walked down the streets of London and found himself in front of a nondescript pub. After ordering a bottle of their finest aged Irish whiskey, he settled into a booth in the back of the establishment. He poured himself his first drink and savored the flavor that reminded him of times past. He watched with some interest those around him.
Spike was on a high after tracking down a few vampires to dust. He was not quite ready ready to return to the Academy. He stopped into the first pub he came across. As he ordered his scotch, he felt a familiar tingle down his spine. As he turned his head, he saw his Grandsire sitting in the corner sipping a drink. 'Poncey brooder' he thought to himself as he gulped his drink. He pondered making a quick exit before Angel sensed him. Instead he muttered, "What the hell," and sauntered over to the dark vampire's table.
Angel was deep in thought that he was startled when he heard, "So you tryin' for alcohol poisoning or what?" Spike said with a smirk on his face as he gazed down at the half empty bottle.
Angel looked up and smiled. "You know I can drink more than this."
"That was back in the day, mate. Although, you bein' a mick and all that, probably can still hold your own." Spike responded as he sat down. At first the two vampires stared at the other. Finally, Angel reached over and filled Spike's glass. Spike nodded his appreciation and took a hearty swig. As the burn settled in his belly, the blond vampire leaned back. "Good shit that is." Angel nodded in agreement. "So, decided to bring your broodin' outside?"
"I don't brood. I'm just thinking."
"Sure you are." Spike snorted. He was not sure if he wanted to open any doors, but decided to ask a question. "Thinkin' about what?"
"Buffy." Angel answered as he looked at Spike.
"Oh." Spike said trying to hide his disappointment. In his voice. Angel sensed the deflated nature of Spike's statement.
"I was thinking about how happy I am for her. Alex is a great guy and the two seem to be happy together."
Spike's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Really? You don't wish it was you?"
"Not at all." Angel answered as he sipped his drink. "Things ended up the way it was meant to."
Spike bit his lower lip. "Even if you were human? Would you feel the same way?"
Angel looked directly in Spike's eyes. "I told you before, Spike. Buffy and I are not soulmates. I will always care for her, but I don't love her..." he trailed off before he added 'but I love you.' He did not want to incite an emotional reaction from Spike. The blond vampire sat back in the booth, his tightened muscles relaxing.
Angel added. "Should be a nice ceremony."
"Yeah, but did you see the invite? BLACK bloody TIE! I think she did it on purpose to piss me off. 'M sure you're happy to wear a tux with you being a big pouf an' all."
"There's nothing wrong with getting dressed up occasionally, Spike." Angel chuckled as he saw Spike roll his eyes. "It's been awhile since I was in a tuxedo. The gang and I went to see 'Giselle' some years back." He spoke quietly and looked down as the memories of that time flowed through him.
Spike noticed his Grandsire's mood changed at the mention of his friends. "'S ok, mate."
"I know." Angel's eyes teared. "Sometimes I miss them so much."
"Maybe you can track 'em down. 'M sure Fred would love to see ya." Spike smiled at the thought of her.
"I think I need to give them some time. Who knows if they even want to see me. At least Gunn told them the whole story."
"They'll learn to forgive, Angel." Spike said quietly as he smiled. Angel looked up and for the first time in awhile, Spike's face held no trace of anger.
"Yeah, I hope they can." Angel noticed the empty bottle in front of him. "Well, I'm ready to call it a night." He paused, daring himself to continue. "I'm going to head back. Do you want to walk with me?" He added nervously.
Spike thought for a moment. "Sure. Don't feel like getting' pissed tonight anyways. Let's go."
They exchanged no words as they walked through the cool London night. But the tension that had been so palpable the last few months was gone.
Spike reached his floor as the elevator came to a halt. "Well, this is me." He nearly leaned in to capture Angel's lips in a kiss, but he held himself back. There was electricity in the air between the two. "Well, um. See you tomorrow in class."
"Yeah." Angel almost panted. "Tomorrow." The elevator doors closed.
TBC... One chapter to go...