Disclaimers in the first chapter

Author Note: Please keep the feedback coming!

Chapter 3

3 Days Later

Lindsey sifted through the papers on his coffee table, concentrating on every detail. He looked up when he heard a knock on his door. He slowly rose and followed the sound. He opened the door with a smirk. "You're late." He said to the figure as he immediately turned around to walk back into his apartment.

"I wanted to make sure I wasn't followed."

"Don't be so paranoid Lilah. After all we are 'Joint Acting Executive Vice Presidents of Special Projects' ." Lindsey remarked sarcastically. "That has to carry some weight in the Firm. Besides, if they wanted us out of the way, we'd be dead already. Or at least one of us would be." He went towards the kitchen. "So, relax." He ordered.

"Whatever." Lilah huffed as she removed her coat and placed it on the couch.

"Red wine?" Lindsey offered as he sauntered out of the kitchen with a bottle and two wine glasses.

"Sure." Lilah answered somewhat uneasy. She was still attempting to adjust to their temporary truce. "Did you get the report I sent?"

"Yup. A good read too." He responded as he handed her a half full glass. He raised his own and continued. "A toast."

"What are we toasting to?"

"To the destruction of Angel." He laughed as he sipped the vintage drink.

"Here. Here." Lilah agreed. The two lawyers sat down and began to strategize.

"According to the report," Lindsey began, "Spike is about 1 1/2 hours away in Sunnydale. So, that part is easy."

"He ran with Angelus for twenty years until he was cursed. They seemed to be quite close during that time." Lilah added as she brushed her hand through her long brown locks.

"For the better part of the last century, they have been adversaries. I think this is what we need to focus on. They had encounters in World War II and most recently in Sunnydale. They hate each other. Spike opposed Angel when he was soulless." Lindsey remarked as he looked at the papers.

"Do you think he's strong enough to kill him? Angel is much older than he is."

"If anyone can do it, maybe he can. They are both considered Master Vampires. Spike is apparently well known for his fighting skills."

"We should be able to get him to come with us hopefully; but, if we have to force him, it shouldn't be too hard." Lilah added.

"Why not?"

"Did you see the part in the report where he has a behavioral modification chip in his head? He is unable to hurt humans. He was captured by a group called the Initiative two years ago. They experiment on demons and make them harmless."

Lindsey thought for a moment. "The Initiative? Huh, seems familiar."

Lilah nodded her head. "That's what I thought too. I researched the group. It was a government agency that at one time, Wolfram & Hart gave generously to. Apparently, though, they killed a few demons that were clients of ours and we pulled our funding. It's all a moot point anyway because the facility is destroyed."

"By his description, he sounds strong willed and unruly. We'll need to offer him something to make this worthwhile." The male attorney added.

The two thought silently for a few moments before Lilah spoke. "We could offer to take the chip out..."

Lindsey's eyes were wide as he looked at her. "And have the same problem that we had with Darla and Drusilla? We would be back at square one."

Lilah rolled her eyes. "If you would let me finish...I was going to say, that we could offer to remove the chip after he takes care of our Angel problem. I didn't say we would actually do it." She smiled evilly. "We can eliminate him after he completes his task. It's simple. This will be a much cleaner operation than the Darla fiasco."

"Hopefully." Lindsey sipped his wine. "Let's talk to Agent Hauser and his Operations team tomorrow to coordinate the acquisition of Spike." Lilah nodded.

Spike weakly knocked on Giles' door and waited for it to open.

"My goodness, Spike. I had not realized it would be you. Since when do you knock?" Giles asked wryly before looking up at the blond vampire. "Dear, Lord, Spike?" He gasped as he noted the appearance of his friend. Spike's face was riddled with bruises and he leaned against the doorway to support his weight.

"Look that bad, eh?" Spike's attempt at humor only worsened the pain in his ribcage as he chuckled.

"What happened?" Giles asked as he helped Spike to the couch.

"Nothin' to worry about." He practically whispered as he was eased down. "Just need some blood...that's all."

"Yes, hold on a bit." Giles rushed to the kitchen to prepare some blood from his refrigerator. When he returned he noticed Spike's eyes were closed. "Spike?" He said as he extended the blood towards the vampire.

"Ta, mate." Although weak, he quickly drained the blood like he had not fed in days.

"You haven't fed." Spike ignored the statement. "Spike. Answer me." Giles voice rose as attempted to receive an explanation.

Giles' tone of voice reminded him of Angelus' so Spike's eyes opened quickly. He sighed. "No, I haven't."

"What happened?" The Ex-Watcher's eyes were filled with concern.

After some time the vampire answered. "Long or short version?" He laughed bitterly and coughed. He gazed at Giles and realized that he better cooperate. "Two days ago I went to Willy's to get some blood. Bunch of demons were pissed off and beat the shit out of me."

"What did you do to them?"

Spike's answered with an angry tone. "Why do you assume that I did somethin'? They beat me up because they say I'm a traitor...the Slayer's lapdog. They compared me to the Great Poof." He said dejectedly as he searched his pockets for cigarettes. "Haven't been able to go back for some blood and the butcher's closed at night."

"Why didn't you come to me?" Giles asked with care. He watched the emotions flicker across Spike's face. His lips pursed as he clenched his jaw and abruptly stood.

"Do you know what it like?!" Spike's voice rose with fury. "I'm a VAMPIRE! William the fuckin' Bloody! And I've got to rely on humans to survive? I work with an 'effin Slayer, for God's sake!" As if the absurdity of his situation became clear, Spike laughed manically as he threw his hands in the air. "Demons hate me because I kill our kind; but, I'm not a man either, am I?" His azure colored eyes watered as his despair became evident. "Don't fit in anywhere." His head bowed down as a tear traversed his sculpted cheekbones. Giles watched silently as Spike continued. "I've turned into such a nancyboy." He stood and paced. "Things are so messed up. Unlife was so simple before, ya know?" He added as he looked at the Ex-Watcher. "Feed, fight, and fuck. Simple. This chip has changed everything! Don't know who I am anymore."

"Spike, the chip has altered your sense of relating to humans." Giles removed his glasses. "If the chip was removed tomorrow, would you kill me?"

The blond vampire sat silent for some time. "No." He quietly answered.

Giles smiled a bit. "Why not?"

"Well, you've been nice to me and all...and well, you're a decent bloke, I guess." He added sheepishly as he rolled his eyes. After realizing his response he added. "See? That's not normal!!"

"What?" Giles countered. "To have feelings? You loved Drusilla, correct?"

"But it's weakness! Angelus always said so. He tried to beat it out of me."

"Whether you like to admit it, Spike, you are an unconventional vampire. You are quite human in your emotions. They drive you. The chip has made you re-evaluate your moral compass."

"I don't have morals, Watcher. Watch your mouth!" He said angrily.

"I do not think you would kill Buffy even if you had the opportunity. You know it would be wrong." He heard Spike snort and then turn his head. "In a way, I think the chip has made you realize this. It is almost like having a soul, I would wager."

Spike's head shot up. "A SOUL? I'm not Angel, Mate. A chip is not a fuckin' soul. All it is are fuckin' wires and metal to keep me from being the real me!"

The room was eerily quiet as the conversation reached an impasse. Giles sensed that Spike was deep in thought. He rose from the couch to procure some more blood for the vampire. Spike nodded in appreciation but continued his silence.

Spike quietly spoke again. "I saw Dru yesterday."

Giles eyes immediately widened? "D-Drusilla is here?" He asked nervously.

Spike sensed Giles' fear and reassured him. Don't worry, Rupes. She's gone." Spike dropped his head and concentrated on his nails.

"What happened?"

Spike smiled. "She came back for her prince she said. Seems she got into some trouble in LA. She's still nutters so I had trouble figuring everything out. But she kept talking about Daddy and how Grandmummy was her baby now too."

"What did she mean?"

"Seems some blokes used some mojo and brought Darla back human to get the Great Poof's panties in a bunch."

"Darla, as well? Dear Lord." Giles nervousness returned.

"Yeah, can you believe they brought back that bitch? Anyways, things didn't go so well...Dru ended up siring Darla. Then she started rambling on about fire and Daddy."

"What did Angel do?"

"Who knows, but Dru looked burned. Can't believe he'd do that to her, ya know? Darla I get, but..." Spike looked sad for a moment as his voice trailed off.

"Was Darla with Drusilla?"

"No, thank whoever. That bitch always had it out for me." He said as he took a long drag from his neglected cigarette.

"For what reason?"

"Don't know." Spike lied as he looked away. He knew Darla detested him secondary to the affection Angelus showed for the former poet.

"So Drusilla is gone, then?"

"Yeah...she said she wanted her boy back." Spike looked up. "I was tempted but, Dru only wants me when she can't have her 'Daddy'. Sick of gettin' sloppy seconds. 'Sides, she fucked around on me twice. So, I told her to leave. She was right pissed and told me Miss Edith wouldn't be happy. Stupid fuckin' doll. Dru got real agitated and started ramblin' on 'bout animals and the stars and shit." Spike laughed. "Don't know how I put up with her riddles and visions for a hundred years."

"You loved her." Giles added.

"Yeah, well," Spike snorted, "Love don't mean nothin'."

The Watcher in Giles appeared for a moment. "Were her visions accurate?"

"Sure...if you could figure them out."

"Did she have one this time?"

"Hardly paid attention really, because when I told her to get the fuck out, we fought for a bit." Spike looked up attempting to remember as he rubbed his bruised cheek. "I think she kept talkin' about foxes and deer and how the stars said they were comin'. She's so freakin' nuts." He laughed again. "Don't think she meant anything...just ramblin' on as usual." Spike continued to smoke his cigarette and. "You know, you should charge by the hour, Rupes."

"What?" Giles answered, confused by the change in subject.

"For the therapy session. Maybe I should lay down on the couch, next time, Dr. Giles." Spike felt a bit unburdened after talking to Giles and laughed a hearty laugh.

"Indeed, Spike. Indeed."