AN: I am so honored with all the feedback...it really motivates me! Please continue. Now, on with the story...

Chapter 13

The two cars arrived back at the hotel a few hours before sunrise. Angel gingerly carried Spike into the lobby. Before ascending the staircase, he turned to his friends. "We will need a lot of human blood." He smiled sadly. "Thanks, guys." He said as he gazed down at his boy. He looked at Giles and the Ex-Watcher proceeded to follow him up the stairs and into Angel's suite.

"I have supplies in my closet, Giles. I need to look him over before placing him into the bath. Could you start the water, please?" Angel spoke calmly but with an underlying tension.

"Of course." Giles quickly went into the bathroom.

Angel lay the unconscious Spike down on the floor for a moment. He spread a few blankets on the couch and then placed Spike on top of it. Angel's chocolate brown eyes surveyed Spike's naked body. He was riddled with new and old bruises and some fresh cuts. The dark vampire nearly wretched at the site. He could easily count all of Spike's ribs. His cheekbones were greatly accentuated by the lack of blood Spike obviously endured. Angel bowed his head and closed his eyes for a moment. He could not allow his emotions to overwhelm him. His boy needed him.

When they arrived in the bathroom, Giles was ready with soap and towels. After Spike was placed in the warm water, Giles supported his weight, while Angel proceeded to wash. They had to change the bathwater three times before ridding Spike of all the blood. He appeared clean, but the bruising on his body was still significant.

Angel carried Spike and placed him on the bed. He then placed antibiotic cream on Spike; he began with Spike's beautiful but sunken face. Angel methodically started at the top and worked his way down. He could still smell Spike's blood. There were a few cuts that still oozed. Angel looked up at Giles.

"There are a few things that I need to do now, Giles. I appreciate your help; but, would you mind leaving for now?"

Giles nodded his head and departed. Angel started licking the open cuts on Spike's face, trunk, and extremities. As his saliva touched the wounds, they began to close.

"God, Will!" He said as stroked his face. "I am so sorry! I will never let anyone hurt you ever again!" Tears ran down Angel's face as his guilt began to overwhelm him. He felt responsible for Spike's situation. He only hoped that his Childe could forgive him.

He mended the areas and then ensured Spike was dry and then placed him in a pair of gray sweats. They were too big for Spike's malnourished body; but for now it would be adequate.

Angel sat on the bed with his back against the headboard. He propped Spike up against him. He bit into his wrist and placed it over Spike's mouth. There was still no response. Angel then bit his finger and placed the bleeding digit in his Childe's mouth. After some time, Angel began to feel some small suction from Spike.

"That's it, Will!" Angel encouraged him. The dark vampire then reopened his wrist and placed it in Spike's mouth. Although still unconscious, Spike's vampire instincts prevailed as he slowly but steadily drank from his Sire. Angel closed his eyes as he allowed himself to revel in the joy of sharing one's blood with their Childer. It had been too long.

Spike's feeding slowly died down until he once again lay motionless in Angel's arms. Angel stood from the bed as he gingerly lay Spike's head onto a pillow. He walked over to the kitchenette and warmed some blood up to replenish his own supply. He sipped the awful tasting animal blood as he watched his comatose Childe. Angel vowed to help Spike deal with his trauma when he awoke.

He turned to the sink to rinse his mug; Angel pulled the curtains tight to ensure no sunlight could peek through the windows come dawn. He changed into pajama bottoms and a t-shirt and slipped into bed behind his Childe. He grasped Spike's too thin waste and carefully pulled him into his chest. Angel fell into a light sleep.

In the late morning, Angel carefully extracted himself from Spike's resting body. The dark vampire surveyed his body once again. He was pleased to see Spike's bruises faded a bit overnight. Angel took a quick shower and changed his clothes. He placed a chaste kiss on his Childe's forehead and went to meet his friends downstairs.

As Angel walked towards the lobby desk, his friends turned to him.

"How is he Angel?" Cordelia asked with genuine concern.

"Still unconscious; he does look better though." Angel attempted to half smile.

"Did you get him to feed, Angel?" Giles asked and was pleased when Angel nodded his head.

The others wanted to ask Angel about Lindsey but they hesitated. They agreed that he would tell them in due time. They knew that Wolfram and Hart was responsible for what happened to Spike; but, was it over? Were there other plans? No one verbalized their worries; but, tension hung in the air.

Spike's eyes slowly flickered open. He found himself in a large bed. For a moment, he felt comforted and safe. Soon, though, he realized he did not recognize his surroundings. He bolted upright in a full panic. 'Not again' he thought through his muddled brain. 'No,no,no...' he screamed inside his head. He tumbled out of the bed onto the floor. He forced himself onto shaky legs to find a way out. He tripped over the long sweatpants that he wore. As he looked up, he saw an open door. He scrambled towards the exit. He took unnecessary breaths as he leaned against the hall wall to gather his strength. 'Must get out' was the mantra circling through his head. He saw a stairway and ran for it. He kept a tight grip on the railing as he unsteadily navigated the long way down. He walked towards the light at the bottom of the stairs.

He ran into the lobby and panicked when he saw figures he did not recognize He screamed as he noted their heartbeats. He slowly backed up as his wild eyes looked for another route. Suddenly he felt as though he was trapped as his back hit the wall. He slowly slid to the floor and curled into the fetal position and rocked back and forth mumbling.

"Oh my, God...Angel!" Cordelia shouted to the kitchen as she, Wesley, and Gunn witnessed the descent of Spike. Their eyes were wide as they watched the cowering vampire in the corner.

Angel, Giles, and Willow rushed through the kitchen door and gasped as they saw Spike. Angel rushed over to his Childe but did not touch him. He was not sure how he would react.

"Please, no!" Spike whimpered as he brought his hands over his face to shield him from the inevitable torture to follow. His voice was dry and cracked from misuse.

"Spike?" Angel said calmly as he slowly inched his way forward. "William? It's me, Sire."

Spike vigorously shook his head. "No, it's not Sire...it's NEVER Sire!"

Tears filled Angel's chocolate orbs. "It is Will. Look." Angel attempted to move Spike's hands away from his face but Spike flinched and moved away.

"No...no...no...not real...never real! Never comes for me...never comes for me..." Spike whispered the last part as he trembled. "'S a trick it is...a trick." Spike mumbled under his breath as a tear rolled down his cheek.

"Will, please." Angel pleaded with his Childe. "I am real." He tried to convince him. "I'm touching you." Angel gingerly reached out and grasped Spike's hand momentarily. "See, Childe. I am here. You're safe now." For a moment Spike's crystal blue eyes seemed to clear from the fog as he looked into his Sire's eyes. Angel continued. "Giles is here, Will." He said quietly as Giles kneeled next to the dark vampire. They waited for Spike to comprehend himself. They did not want to make any sudden moves.

As if seeing the conflict in his eyes. Angel continued to reassure the frightened vampire. "No one will hurt you here."

Giles interjected. "We are happy to see you, Spike." Recognition flickered through Spike as he became more calm and tilted his head. His trembling lessened as he looked around.

In a small voice, Spike said. "Giles?" The Ex-Watcher smiled. Spike's head turned. "S-Sire?" He said wishfully as his eyes watered. He reached out with a quivering hand as he touched Angel's arm.

Angel released a large sigh of relief as he felt the light touch on his arm.

"Yes, Will. It's me." Angel took a chance and leaned forward to embrace his now sobbing Childe. He was pleased that Spike relaxed in his arms. He gently stroked Spike's hair as he whispered. "Ssh...it's okay. I've got you. Everything will be okay, now."

TBC...