AN: It's been a few months since I've updated this story...hope you still like it...please update so I can continue!

Chapter 14

Spike sat on the couch in Angel's room after the dark vampire was able to calm him down in the lobby. The blond vampire sat stone-faced, curled into a small ball and staring ahead. He did not seem focused on anything. Angel stood with his arms crossed across the room at a loss of what to say.

Spike began to speak. His tone was monotone, void of any emotion. "Where am I?" His eyes were fixed on the opposite wall.

"Los Angeles." Angel answered. "You are in my home...my room."

"How did I get here?" Again his voice was quiet.

Angel hesitated. "Lin-...They brought you to LA..." Silence befell the room again.

"Spike?" The blond vampire did not reply. "Are you hungry?" The dark vampire stood and as he walked over to his Childe, he rolled up his sleeve . He bit into his wrist and sat down near Spike. He brought the wrist up to Spike's mouth. Spike's eyes were wide with panic and he scrambled away from Angel to the other end of the couch. He panted as he held his knees tight to his chest. He buried his head on his knees.

Angel stood back stunned. He could feel fear rolling off his Childe in waves. "It's alright." He held his hands up. "You're safe here, Will." Angel walked towards the door. "I'll get you some blood in a mug, okay?" He tried to smile and quickly left the room.

Angel stood in front of the microwave awaiting the blood to warm. His arms were on the counter top and he leaned forward with his head dropped. He did not notice Giles walking into the kitchen.

"Angel?" Giles asked as he noticed the demeanor of the dark vampire.

Angel turned to him and the Ex-Watcher noticed the despair on his face.

"Is Spike, alright?" Giles voice was concerned.

"I don't know. I offered to feed him and he got so scared when I nearly touched him." Angel closed his eyes and balled his hands into fists. When he opened his eyes, they flickered yellow. "Those stupid fuckers!" Angel seethed. "How could they do this? I should kill every last one of them!" Angel raged. He felt Angelus again clamoring in his mind.

Giles placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "I know you are upset; we all are. But, we need to show some restraint in order to help him." He paused. "Let me take this to him." Giles said as he opened the microwave door and picked up the mug. He smiled as Angel nodded to him. "I will return momentarily." With a nod, Giles exited the kitchen and ascended the grand staircase. He took slow steps as traveled towards Angel's room. He knocked lightly and opened the door. He spanned the spacious room, but initially did not see the blond vampire. As he turned his head towards the back of the room, he noticed Spike huddled in the corner near the bed. He walked over to him and placed the mug on top of the mahogany nightstand.

"Spike? I brought you something to eat." He spoke in a conversational tone of voice. "98.6 degrees. Just how you like it." Giles smiled as he kneel in front of him; there was some distance between the two. He wanted Spike to come around in his own time; in the least traumatic way possible. He waited for some time and slowly Spike's eyes fluttered and he turned his head. He was staring at Giles. His lifeless blue eyes seemed to water.

His voice croaked. "Rupert." His body relaxed a bit after he spoke.

"Hello." Giles nodded. He frowned when he noticed Spike become distressed. Spike looked around the room; his eyes were wild. "It is alright, Spike. Really."

Spike panted as he willed himself to calm. He whispered something that Giles strained to hear.

"I could not hear you Spike." He answered while moving closer.

"This isn't home." He said with some fear and sadness.

"No, it is not." Giles replied.

"I wanna go home." He whispered, his voice shaky as he turned to look at Giles. The Ex-Watcher was astonished at the innocence he saw in those bright blue eyes. Under the influence of a large amount of alcohol, Spike once revealed he was turned when he was twenty years of age. A man back in Victorian times; but today, still practically a child. As Giles looked upon his friend's pleading eyes, all he could see was a boy named William needing help.

"Of course." Giles responded as he stood. He held his hand out and helped an unsteady Spike to his feet. He gently maneuvered him to the couch and helped him sit. He walked over to retrieve the blood and then took the place beside The quiet vampire. He aided Spike's grasp on the mug; Spike's hands shook as they guided the mug to his lips. He took a few sips.

"That's right. Take it slowly." Giles said. Spike handed the mug back to Giles. His eyes looked weary and it appeared he needed to rest. Giles lay Spike down on the couch and placed a blanket over him. He touched Spike's shoulder lightly. "We shall depart at sundown." He smiled as he adjusted the blanket. With that, he left the room.

Willow was exiting her room at the same time as Giles walked down the hallway.

"How is he Giles?" The red head was concerned.

"Not very well; although he is conversing. He wants to go back to Sunnydale. We should leave tonight." He thought for a moment. "Willow, could you call Xander and ask him to obtain some human blood? He has done it before, so please tell him not to argue."

"Sure thing." Willow smiled. "Does Angel know we're leaving?" She asked.

"No, I am going to talk to him now."

"Absolutely not!" Angel yelled as he stood from the chair in the lobby. All conversation stopped as his friends heard him from their offices.

Wesley walked out of his office. "Whatever is the matter, Angel?" The Ex-Watcher was confused as Angel paced in front of the counter. "Mr. Giles?"

"I have informed Angel, that we will be returning to Sunnydale tonight. With Spike."

"We can protect him here, Giles." Angel reasoned.

"It was his wish. He does not feel safe in the town where he was brutally tortured. He is frightened and hurt and wishes to return to more familiar surroundings."

Cordelia spoke. "Maybe it's for the best for now, Angel. You said he was freaked out when you tried to feed him. He may need some distance from LA." The Seer placed her hand on his arm.

Angel's undead heart was breaking. He just got his Childe back. He wanted the opportunity to make amends to the most important person in his unlife. But, he knew how afraid Will was of him. "They found him in Sunnydale. What makes you think they won't try again?"

"Tara and I can use a protection spell." Willow said as she returned to the lobby.

Giles sighed. "Angel I know this is hard for you. But, we must do what is best for Spike."

Angel sat heavily on the couch. His friends gathered around him in a show of support. The dark vampire simply nodded at Giles. He knew the choice was not his. His Childe was hurt because of him. The enormity of this hit him hard. There was so much he wanted to say to Will; things he wanted to do for him.

But, he was powerless right now. He needed to give his Childe space and time. He looked up and smiled sadly at Giles and stood. He cleared his throat. "If you need anything...please call me. I'll check up on him time and again."

Giles returned the smile. "Of course, Angel. I think that would be most welcome. Give him time. He is strong. He will recover." He turned to red headed witch. "Willow, let us gather our belongings." He looked at his watch. "It is nearly sundown." Giles returned his gaze to the Fang Gang. "Thank you all for help. We could not have done this without you." With a nod, the Sunnydale residents departed the lobby.

Willow and Giles stood in Angel's room. They gingerly coaxed the sleeping vampire awake. Spike looked a bit confused initially, but calmed as he saw Willow and Giles. They helped him stand and gave him some blood. After he had his fill, they wrapped a blanket around his shoulders. They each grasped an arm and began the slow journey downstairs. Spike was still unsteady on his feet, but with the support of his friends, he did not fall. They reached the bottom of the stairs. Cordelia and Angel stood in the middle of the lobby. Wesley and Gunn walked through the front door and joined their friends. "All packed up, Giles." Gunn said with a smile.

"Thank you." He looked at his two companions and said, "Shall we?" He began to walk but initially Spike did not take a step.

The blond vampire turned to the Fang Gang. In a tone devoid of a cockney accent and sarcasm, Spike spoke quietly. "Thank you very much." His voice cracked as his eyes watered. He wanted to speak more, but it was too painful. As he slowly began to turn, his eyes locked on the brown eyes of his Sire. This lasted but a moment. Spike looked down and proceeded to be led from the building. Willow helped the frail, malnourished vampire into the back seat of Giles' car. She climbed in beside him. It was a tight fit, but Willow encouraged Spike to lay on his side. She placed his head on her lap and gently stroked his now two tone, curly hair. Giles started the car and the three began the journey back to Sunnydale.

TBC...