Chapter Six: Recovery

Angel leapt over the sofa, planting a kick on the black vampires face and Trick staggered back, blood covering his face. He snarled, lunging forward once more, gripping Angel's shirt and head butting him hard. Angel took a step backwards but the injury did not faze him, and he landed another punch on his opponent before wiping the blood out of his eyes.

Trick grinned, pulling a stake from his waistband and holding it aloft.

'You don't think it's over already?' Angel asked, incredulously. 'I've got another couple of rounds in me yet.'

'I'm taking the boy. He's mine.'

'No, you just made him. I'm going to kill you; but not before I kick the living hell out of you.' The brunette raised a fist and swung for the other vampire, who dodged and sent Angel skidding across the floor.

'I heard such stories about you; almost impressed me. But I see the way you act now, feeling for this band of misguided children and helping them in their pathetic quest.' Trick swaggered over, playing the stake in his hand. 'It's useless. Major's just gonna eat them all up.'

Angel narrowed his eyes. Then swept his leg out, taking Trick's legs from underneath him. Trick tumbled over and Angel seized his chance. He grabbed the other vampire, wrapping an arm around his neck. His free hand gripped Trick's arm and the stake his hand contained.

'Thought you said you could go another couple of rounds?' Trick gasped out. While the squeezing of Angel's arm did nothing to harm his breath, since he had none, the vampire's arm was squeezing down on his vocal chords quiet heavily.

'I got bored.' Angel pulled Tricks arm towards him and the pressure of holding the vampire was released as he crumpled to dust. The brunette dusted himself off before looking in the direction Spike had run. His instincts told him where the other vampire was, but another presence caused him alarm. Yes, the minions had been killed, but the other presence was human…Buffy.

The ritual still required one last task and as he headed for the stairs, he knew he had to get Buffy out of the building before it was complete. As the thought crossed his mind, a scream from upstairs caused his steps to quicken and he broke into a run; the sound of Spike's scream echoing through the house.

Buffy watched, terrified as Spike dug his hands into his head, his nails cutting the skin in small crescent shapes. Rivulets of blood coursed down his face and he cried, pain seemingly racking his body. She moved closer, and he twitched as she knelt before him. Her hand reached out to him and as her warm skin made contact with the cold stone of his body, he threw his head back and screamed.

The slayer fell backwards, the scream shocking her, but the look on Spike's face disturbing her. His human mask had slipped, revealing the true face of his demon. Tears coursed down his face, mingling with the blood from his injuries.

She had only just taken this in when strong arms pulled her up to her feet and away from Spike. She turned to face the intrusion, looking into Angel's concerned brown eyes. She frowned deeply, her hand clutching his arm fiercely.

'What's wrong with him?' She asked and Angel looked past her to the stricken blonde.

'His demon is grieving for its Sire.'

'You killed him? But if you did, shouldn't you be his Sire now?'

'The ritual isn't done. I can't do it with you here Buffy.' Angel's features softened. 'He needs peace. With you here, he has to fight the bloodlust.' He ran a hand down her arm. 'Go home. When he's ready I'll call you. But right now…this needs to be done, for his sake.'

Buffy nodded and then broke from his touch, glancing back to Spike briefly. Then she headed for the door, her hand lingering on the doorframe as she moved into the corridor.

Angel looked to Spike, vaguely aware of the Slayer's presence as it left the building. When he was sure she would not return, he moved towards the whimpering blonde, reached out as he knelt down in front of him.

'Spike?'

The vampire looked up at him, golden eyes connecting with brown. Blood was smeared on his face but the cuts Spike had given himself were quickly healing. Angel could sense the demons confusion and knew this was going to be a tough ride, for both him and the former human.

'It hurts.' Spike choked out, his voice dry and brittle.

'I know. But this will make it better. Your demon is mourning a lost bond. Once the ritual is complete, the demon won't make its presence so known.' Spike nodded, but the older vampire was not sure if he quite understood. He took an unneeded breath. 'I know you aren't going to like this okay? But I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for you.' Another nod. 'I'm going to have to bite you, and vice versa. Bonds are based on blood and since Trick accepted the challenge, it will instate me as your Sire.'

Another nod. The gaze is Spike's eyes seemed to go through Angel and he wondered if Spike was even there. It didn't matter. As soon as the bite was instigated, the demon would take over. Then it would be a matter of feeding and rest.

He leant in, pulling Spike closer. The blonde stiffened as Angel's game face emerged and he bit down, but then he relaxed, allowing Angel to do what was necessary. Only a few sips of blood were required and he let go, rolling his left sleeve up with his right hand. He offered the wrist to Spike who took it hesitantly, looking to Angel with a quiet grimace. Angel frowned as he bit down, realising that the demon had not come to the forefront as expected.

The required taste was complete and Spike's face immediately re-instated his human mask, looking at Angel with curiosity on his face.

'That it?' Angel nodded. 'It doesn't hurt anymore.' Spike leant back against the wall.

'Does it feel different?' Angel asked and Spike thought for a moment before confirming it with a nod.

'I feel calmer than before. Not so out of control.'

Silence passed between them at the admission, before Spike stood up, heading for the door. Before leaving he turned back to Angel, clearing his throat.

'I still hate you, you know.'

Angel's chuckle was all the reply he received as he left.

Buffy sat in the dining room, picking at the plate of food her mother had placed in front of her an hour previous. Joyce watched her from the door, a frown on her face. After a few moments of observation, she sat opposite her daughter, concern flooding her expression.

'You okay?'

The blonde teenager glanced up, nodding. It didn't seem like she was really there and Joyce knew the cause of the problem.

'I know you miss him Buffy…but he wouldn't want you to carry on like this. You haven't eaten a full meal in five days now.' Buffy didn't reply, seemingly ignoring her mother. Joyce decided to push the subject. She needed to talk about it at some point. 'Please, honey, talk to me. I know it hurts, but it will get better. You can't blame yourself.'

'He isn't dead.' Buffy whispered.

'Denial doesn't work either, Buffy.' Joyce opened her mouth to continue until Buffy looked up, her eyes serious and her posture stiff.

'He got turned, mom. He didn't stay dead.' She sighed. 'I wasn't going to tell you.'

'He's a vampire?' Joyce covered her mouth in shock. 'Oh, god, Buffy…why didn't you say something sooner?'

'I knew you would be upset. Everyone else was.' Buffy pushed her plate away, biting her lip. 'He isn't evil. He's got a soul.'

Joyce looked confused. 'The poor boy…how could this happen?'

'Someone did it to get to us. To bring us down. But it isn't going to happen. Angel is…' Buffy frowned. She hadn't told her mother that Angel was back. Joyce picked up on it immediately, a frown spreading across her face.

'Angel? He's back in town?' She reached out for Buffy's hand. 'Buffy…last time everything with him made you run away from home. Is it a good idea to be seeing him again?'

'I'm not seeing him. It's over between us.' Just need to tell him that. 'It's just that he is the only one who can help Spike. Spike is scared of being around us.' Joyce nodded, but Buffy somehow suspected that her mother didn't get the full gist of the situation. 'Eventually, he can be with us again, but not now.' Buffy stood up, picking up her plate. 'I feel weird about it. He's Spike but he's a vampire now. As much as I want him back…I'm worried.'

'That he will go the same way as Angel?'

'No.' Buffy sighed, looking at her mom before heading into the kitchen. 'I don't know why. I know Spike could never be like Angel. I'm just worried about what's coming to get us this time.' She turned away, dumping her plate on the kitchen side before siding around to the stairs. She couldn't deal with any more talking to her mom right now. She wanted some sleep. Patrolling was a no go tonight, as the storm outside continued to rage.

She laid on her bed, clutching Mr. Gordo to her chest as she closed her eyes, thinking about Spike. Her and Angel were over. But it seemed the fates were playing with her again. Her best friend had been turned.

And someone was out to get them again.