AN: Thank you for all the continued reviews...the story is nearing the end...

Chapter 22 –

Small chapter before the end...

Angel sat by Spike's bedside in intensive care as he had for the last week. Spike had made it out of surgery. The doctor had been able to drain all the blood that was putting pressure on Spike's brain. He also found and removed the chip. That initial news had made Angel so elated. Unfortunately, the doctor could not tell Angel when or if Spike would ever wake up again. He continued to be in a deep coma. He had not moved at all since surgery. He lay as still as the dead. An IV was in his arm continuously infusing human blood and at times, his Sire's blood. Angel hoped that this would help him recover. Angel forced himself to not think the worst. But with each passing hour, his fear and despair increased.

"Will..." Angel's voice choked, "Cordelia left the hospital today." Angel said in his ear as he stroked his beautiful cheekbone. "She's all better because of you. She's going to come and visit you. She said you better greet her with a big hug or else." Angel sadly smiled. "You don't want to mess her, do you?" He grasped the blond vampire's hand. "Please, Childe." Angel whispered. "Wake up...please." He said as he lay his head on Spike's stomach. He stayed in that position for a time until he heard the door open. Spike's nurse came in to change the IV bag. The kind woman turned to Angel.

"Angel. You have some visitors." A bleary eyed, haggard looking Angel sat up and gazed at Spike. He was reluctant to leave his side.

"I'll stay with him until you get back." She smiled at the dark vampire.

Angel forced himself up and walked into the hallway. There he saw Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn. Cordelia stood for a moment looking at the door leading to Spike's room. She looked a bit thinner and her left arm was in a sling. Her eyes teared and she whispered, "Angel..." She said as they walked towards each other and embraced. She sobbed into his chest and said, "I'm sorry...if I just..."

Angel gently grasped her arms and stepped back from his beloved friend. "This isn't your fault, Cordy." Angel said sympathetically. "He would be happy to know that you were okay. He did what he had to do. I'm just sorry that I wasn't there to protect him." Angel looked down.

"How is he, man? Any change from the other day?" Angel nodded his head.

"What is the doctor saying, Angel?" Wesley asked with concern.

Angel sighed. "He said we have to take it day by day. But, he hasn't moved or even twitched since surgery. I don't know if he's..." Angel couldn't finish his sentence without his eyes tearing.

Cordelia placed her hand on his shoulder. "Angel, when did you feed last?" When he did not respond, she led him easily over to the couches and made him sit down. She turned to Wesley and Gunn. "Can you get some blood for him? This is a demon hospital. I'm sure there is some nearby." She proceeded to sit down next to her friend. "Spike's going to be fine, Angel."

Angel's voice cracked. "How can you know that?"

"Because, I know. I'm Queen C, Angel. Am I ever wrong?" Her heart was warmed when she saw Angel crack a smile. That sat in amicable silence until the others returned with some blood. They forced the dark vampire to drink. While Angel reluctantly fed, Cordelia excused herself to see Spike.

She walked in to the sterile hospital room tentatively. She smiled sadly at the nurse. She saw Spike lay on the hospital bed as still as the dead. She slowly walked up to him. He looked so peaceful as he lay there. She sat down and grasped his hand. "Spike." She dropped her head for a moment. "You saved me, Blondie." Her eyes teared. "I would have died if it wasn't for you. Thank you." Tears poured from her sorrowful eyes. "You have to get better. We miss and love you. Angel needs you, Spike. He tries to always act so 'I'm the big strong guy in charge and I don't need anybody' all the time, but he needs you. You make him so happy, Spike. You have to get better...you have to..." She whispered the last part as she let go his hand and gently placed it down. She took a deep breath, wiped her face, and rejoined the others outside.

Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn stood together watching Angel as he stood with his arms crossed, looking out the window into the LA night. They all not only worried about Spike, but worried about the mental well being of the dark vampire as well.

Angel's quiet voiced pierced the silence. "Have there been any visions? Any clients?" He turned slowly back to his friends.

"Fortunately, no." Wesley added as he placed his arms gently around Cordelia. She smiled up at the Ex-Watcher. "Is there anything you need us to do?" He asked.

"With everything that has happened," Angel answered, " I haven't called Giles or Willow. They need to know."

"I'll call them when we get back to the hotel." The Seer added.

Angel looked at his friends. "Thanks for being here, guys."

"No problem, man." Gunn responded as he shook Angel's hand and patted him on the back.

Cordelia hugged Angel again and kissed him on the cheek. Wesley nodded his head and proceeded to grab Cordelia's right hand and the three walked away to begin the journey back to the hotel.

As Angel slumbered on the couch adjacent to Spike's hospital bed, he awakened suddenly when the door opened. Dr. Walker was coming in for his morning rounds.

"Sorry to waken you, Angel."

"That's okay, Dr. Walker." Angel rubbed his eyes. "I wanted to talk with you today, anyway. " He stood by the bedside while the doctor examined Spike. After some time, Angel spoke again. "Any change?"

"No." Dr. Walker responded. "These things can take time." He said to attempt to give some reassurance to the dark vampire. He motioned for Angel to follow him out of the room into the hallway. "What did you want to speak with me about?"

"I want to take Spike home. I could hire one of those home nurses to take care of Spike's needs. I think he'd get better in a more familiar environment."

The doctor thought for some time. "It may be too soon."

"Come on, doctor." Angel was trying to hold his frustration in check. "We're not human. We don't need all the machines that they would need to survive. Spike needs his blood through his IV. Why can't we do that in our own home? I don't think I am being unreasonable."

"Twenty four hour in home care is expensive, Angel. You would need two nurses to provide the care he needs."

"Money is not a problem." Angel said as he looked at the doctor with hope in his eyes.

"Let me make some calls and I'll get back to you."

Angel extended his hand. "Thank you so much Dr. Walker."

Over the next two days, arrangements were made and Spike was moved back to the hotel. Angel's suite was large enough to be have a hospital grade bed installed for the blond vampire. Two female Brachen demons worked in shifts to help provide for Spike's needs.

Giles and Willow traveled to Los Angeles as soon as they heard the news. Willow performed healing spells to try anything to help the still comatose blond vampire. She returned to Sunnydale after a few days for school. Giles moved in indefinitely to aid in any way he could.

Angel reluctantly left Spike's side only to help with visions. This pattern continued for the next month.

Angel groaned as he gingerly touched his chest. He had been shot earlier trying to aid some friendly demons escape from a slave trafficking ring. Luckily Cordelia had removed the bullets, but his chest was going to be sore for a few days. He walked into his room and removed his jacket. He saw Myrna, one of Spike's nurses, bending one of his legs up and down.

"Hello, Angel."

"Myrna."

"Just exercising his legs. When William wakes up, I don't want him to be too stiff." Angel smiled at the kind, middle aged demon. She refused to call his Childe Spike. She said that was a dog's name. She insisted on William. She was always so optimistic in discussing Spike's recovery. She spoke in 'whens' and not 'ifs'. She gave Angel the strength to get up in the morning to face a new day without his Childe. She gave him hope that one day, Spike would wake up.

"Alright, William." She said enthusiastically as she gently placed his legs down. "All done for tonight." She gathered her things.

"Thanks, Myrna." Angel said.

"No problem. I'll be down the hall. Call me if you need anything."

Angel walked over to his boy and kissed his cheek. "Hi, my beautiful Will. I missed you. I'm going to jump in the shower, then I'll come back and we'll read some more poems, okay?" Angel tried to smile. He sighed and went into the bathroom. He took a long hot shower to try to get the tension out of his muscles. He toweled off and placed his navy silk pajamas on. He turned the light off in the bathroom and closet and walked over to the the bureau. He grabbed Spike's favorite book of poems and opened it to where he had left off last time. He went over to the easy chair by Spike's bed and sat down.

"So..." Angel thumbed through the text, "Tennyson it is tonight. What do you think?" Angel looked at Spike and dropped the book. His heart almost started to beat: Spike's eyes were open.

TBC...one chapter to go...