Trick For Your Treats: A Maypole Dance Around Spike

October 31st, 1997

Epilogue: Then and Now

Then: 24 hours before:

Angel: How long have we been stuck like this?

Spike: A while.

The direct application of his entire upper body strength against two thousand pounds of shelving lifted it no more than six inches. Angel bench pressed the massive structure for several straining seconds before he was forced to lower it once again. An explosive grunt escaped the vampire as the crushing weight settled atop his chest once more.

"Are you gonna help me with this?" Angel demanded, cross and abrupt. It's the first time that he's actually requested Spike's assistance in spite of the fact that the predicament is mutual.

"You're right," Spike said quietly.

They are speaking across one another, but those words coming from Spike's mouth are so startling and strange that Angel becomes distracted.

"I'm right about what?"

"That I'm fucked," Spike explained. "Here I've done nothing but hide out in this factory cause I'm too worried about the possibility of bollixing everything up to be living my life."

"You haven't done nothing," Angel countered. "You joined a band. And that book club." He isn't sure why he's defending Spike to Spike, but the blonde seems so glum. And damn it, Spike was nice to him.

"Shut up," Spike snapped. "What I'm sayin' 'bout you being right is that I've been sittin' around on my arse, waiting for someone from my time n' my place to rescue me. Time to face up to facts: it isn't gonna happen."

"What're you gonna do?" Angel asked, suddenly still and cautious.

"Guess it's time to start living my life," Spike said, thoughtful, nodding slowly. "This is the hand I've been dealt. Might as well make the best of it."

"Great," Angel said. "You've had an epiphany."

Silence.

"Will you help me get this thing off of us now?"

"Sure thing, Peaches, all you needed to do was ask." Spike grins, and Angel grinds his teeth in exasperation.

Together, they pool their formidable strengths and lift the imprisoning structure free. Together they accomplish what neither could alone. There's a lesson there, plain and simple, but Angel isn't sure he's ready to own it just yet.

Now: 24 hours later:

Angel: So did you accomplish anything today?

Spike: Huh?

Angel: You know, your resolution to start living life. Did you do it?

Spike: HA! Nah, forgot. I'll do that tomorrow.

Angel: Get the door for me? Dru's asleep; don't want to jostle her.

Spike: Sure. There you go. So, what're we reading tonight?

Angel: Dunno. Thought maybe some Dickens.

Spike: Great Expectations?

Angel: Sure, that sounds good.

End Story.

Series TBC