"Have you absolutely lost your marbles?" Spike yelled.

"What? No! It's a valid request!" Angel replied defensively.

"Siring you, Angel? After how hard you worked for that bleedin' prophecy you're just gonna throw it all away?"

"Keep your voice down! What if Buffy hears us yelling?" Angel hissed.

"I bloody well hope she does! Maybe she can knock some sense into you!"

"C'mon Spike we both know you hate me, always been your dream to drain me dry, right?" Angel advanced towards Spike. "But I forgot you're not man enough to do it. I guess William's still calling the shots..."

"Shut up!" Spike pointed a warning finger at Angel.

"Make me!" Angel dared.

"You poncy, arrogant, good-for-nothing little weasel! Buffy deserves better!"

"You're right!" Angel held out his arms. "So do it! Bite me! Take me out of the running. Get the girl once and for all!"

Angel finally closed the gap between the pair, rage blazing in his eyes. Spike could feel the adrenaline and anger pulsating through Angel's body, his veins quaking with blood. All it would take is one little tilt of his head and he'd get a taste. That's all. And that idiot would just shut up.

Spike took a deep breath, and pressed his face menacingly close to Angel's. "Nice try." He spat.

Spike turned away from him and took a few steps back, giving Angel time to reassess the situation.

Angel sighed heavily. "I know I sound crazy and I know that this is asking a lot. But I can't deal with being human, Spike. I can't be helpless."

"I know, mate." Spike sat beside him. "But you won't have a soul."

"I can get it back, like you did!" Angel offered hopefully.

"If you think Angelus would ever willingly get a soul, you're crazier than I thought."

"I guess. I'm just...scared."

"Of dying?"

"No!" Angel barked before softening again. "No. Of getting someone else killed. Specifically getting Buffy killed."

"Angel that's not gonna happen."

"But it nearly did."

"When? Tonight? She had barely a scratch on her." Spike waved a hand dismissively.

"No, not tonight. When I was human before." Angel quietly revealed.

"What are you talking about?"

"Not long after I first moved to LA, I had a run-in with a demon, while Buffy was in town..."

"Yeah..." Spike prompted.

"And he turned me human again. We had an amazing day together, best day of my life." Angel sighed sadly.

"So what happened?"

"The PTB told me that if I stayed human, I would get Buffy killed. She'd try endlessly to protect me and lose her own life in the process. I couldn't do that to her...so I reversed time."

"You what?" Spike leapt up. "So she-"

"Doesn't even remember it, no. Never happened. The only one who remembers is me." Angel finished.

"Shit." Was all Spike could think of saying. "Well then can I ask you something?" Angel nodded solemnly.

"Why were you so eager to become human again? After what happened last time I mean."

"I don't know...I thought it'd be different this time. Maybe my skills would be better or something. But the big thing was, I didn't think Buffy would be around the next time. She'd be safe."

"And she will be safe." Spike promised.

"How can you know that?"

"Buffy is stronger than she's ever been, she's the longest living slayer and the best goddamn fighter I've ever met. That includes you, Peaches. She's more powerful than she was then, I don't reckon she can even die, I mean we tried to get rid of her twice before." Spike joked. "Bottom line is, she can take care of herself, regardless of whether or not you're human. You're just gonna have to get used to the fact that you're not the hero anymore."

"Hey! I never pretended to be the hero! I've always given Buffy credit where it was due, she's amazing."

"True. But you love the damsel in distress thing, don't pretend." Spike raised an eyebrow at him, daring him to challenge that fact.

"You're right." Angel relented.

"If it makes you feel any better it's not technique, you can still fight it's more the...characteristics you need for it. You know the strength, the speed. Anyway, maybe just ease up on the patrolling, stay behind with the other humans." Spike couldn't risk lumping Angel into the same category as the likes of Andrew and Xander.

"Fine." Angel grunted. Spike nodded in reply and headed for the door.

"Spike?"

"Yeah?" Spike turned back around.

"Thanks." Angel mumbled.

"I didn't quite catch that, Gramps." Spike cupped a hand behind his ear.

Angel glared at him. "I'm not saying it again."

"Eh, fine. Worth a shot."