Breaking away

"You sure about that chip thing boss." Gunn asked as he stared at the blonde vampire. "He doesn't have a soul to keep him in check. I can see him not hurting us if he actually likes us but can you say the same for the other people here in L.A." Spike went silent but didn't look up. "Gunn. When he was turned I had to lock him up and punish him nightly for three weeks straight because he refused to feed from humans. And if you take into account the fact that he had never been really hurt before and the cruelty of Angelus's punishments you may start to get an inkling as to how much resolve it took him to hold out that long."

Wesley frowned. "I thought all fledges were born with their bloodlust and it took them years to get under control. You're saying he actually had none." Angel stroked his childe's head until a purring sound filled the room. "Not none. But next to. It called to him when it was thick in the air. But if Angelus had left him be I have no doubt he would have starved himself without taking as much as a single life."

Spike whispered something in Dawn's ear and he jumped up. "So Fred. Taco time. Let the boring old sods talk while we have some dinner yeah?" Fred giggled. "Sure. I brought enough. Hi. I'm Fred. Winifred actually but everyone calls me Fred. So you can just call me Fred too." Dawn gave her a small smile. "I'm Dawn." Fred gently pushed her towards the kitchen. "Come on ducks. Let's eat. Then the bit can go to bed and get some sleep." Fred nodded and led them to the kitchen.

"You're gonna get the chip out?" Cordelia asked. "Yes. He can't defend himself this way. And as for him not having a soul... I don't know if he really kept his soul or if his demon just kept his humanity somehow but... He is a lot different from other vampires. Not just the fact that he has actually managed to keep up with the times. But he actually enjoys human food. He feels amazingly deep. Most humans feel uneasy around vampires even though they don't know why but Spike has always put people at ease. Not to mention the fact that he has held unto a certain set of morals so far."

Cordelia looked at him for a moment. "As long as he doesn't start hunting again. Or 'playing'. Just... keep an eye on him. And I will be carrying a cross around at all times. Don't think I won't hesitate to stake him if I have too." Angel nodded. He looked at Gunn and Wesley. "Same here." Angel smiled, glad that things had gone so well so far. "Let's go to the kitchen before they have finished off all of your taco's. Between Fred and Spike they won't need very long."

Spike looked up as the others entered the kitchen. He looked down again and continued eating. His muscles tense. "I left his clothes in the lobby. The other stuff will arrive tomorrow. You can haul it upstairs yourself." Cordelia sat down and sniffed disdainfully at the taco's. Fred produced a salad and some bread for her and she dug in. "Clothes?" Spike frowned. "HmHmm. I asked Cordelia to get some clothes for you. And some other stuff to keep you entertained." Angel said as he walked over to wrap his arms around his childe's shoulders.

"It is so weird to see you two so cuddly." Dawn wrinkled her nose at them. Spike snorted in reply. "You should be telling that to the poof over there. Can't even sit by myself for more then 40 seconds without getting pawed at." Angel simply smiled. "You can take the room across from mine dawn. That way you will have Spike close by. Ok." Dawn's eyes went wide for a second. "Ummm. I can take one a bit further off. I got enough of that kind of noise when Riley... " Spike actually blushed for a second and glared when his sire laughed at his reaction. "We're not having sex Dawn. Vampire families tend to sleep close together. Besides, he wasn't in top condition when he got here and I wanted him where I could keep an eye on him." Dawn's mouth made a silent ohhh and turned back to her food.

"Poof" He grumbled and took another bite. "Sides wouldn't want old Angel to get a happy. We all know how that ended last time." Angel chuckled. "Actually I can have a happy. The PTB anchored my soul. I convinced them that to much could trigger the curse and that it would put people in danger. Those little happy pills proved that much." Spike's eyes widened a bit and then narrowed dangerously. "Someone slipped you a Mickey?" Angel shrugged. "Something like that. Now finish that up. Then it's time for another feeding and off to bed with you." Spike snorted but finished up the last of his food. He then allowed Angel to pull him up into his arms and bit into the offered neck. Tacking only a little since he was still rather full from the other two feedings that day. When he was done he offered his own neck to his Sire who sank his own fangs into the claim mark. Spike sighed, a soft purring starting in the back of his throat.

"You done Dawn." Angel asked as he drew back. Spike's purr ceased and he stretched lazily. Dawn nodded and stood up. Silently waving goodbye to everyone she followed the others out into the lobby. Spike picked up a couple of bags and Angel picked up the rest before going back upstairs. "This is your room." He said as he opened the door across from his. Make yourself at home. If you need anything you'll know where to find me or one of the others." While Angel spoke Spike put his bags in their own room. He made his way back to Dawn and pulled her into his arms. "It's gonna be all right, bit. The Scooby’s will figure out what's wrong with your sis. Yeah? I'm right here. And I'm doing fine. It'll be ok. You see. Just hang in there all right."

He gazed into her eyes. She nodded and wiped a stray tear away. "Ok." Spike smiled. "That's my girl. Good night. I'll see ya tomorrow, yeah?" Dawn nodded and went inside closing the door behind her. Angel took Spike's hand and guided him back to bed. Spike crawled in without complaint. Still wearing his oversized clothes. Angel undressed and slipped beneath the covers on the other side. He smiled as he pulled Spike into his chest and waited for him to settle. "Sleep well childe." Spike yawned and tucked his head under his grandsire's chin. "Night Sire."