The next day was even more awkward than the day before. Spike walked around the office grumbling about life in general. Angel locked himself away in his office, brooding in the dark. Willow and Cordelia were in front of the computer, doing research for the current case they were working on.

"I just don't get it," Willow said softly. She rubbed her face. "This case makes no sense."

"Sometimes the ones that are just off the street are so much harder than the ones the PTB send me. With them, we know exactly what we are dealing with, what to stop. With these, we actually have to detect things." Cordelia visibly shuddered.

Willow giggled. "I hope everything works out between the three of us. I really want to stay."

"God, Will, I want you to. There are no women in this office! Just men! However, things have gotten to be more fun since Gunn's been around; he goes out with me. Wesley feels too self conscious, and you know Brood Boy."

Willow glanced towards Angel's office. "I can't believe he's going to brood because he wasn't upset about Buffy. I'd almost rather him brood about her."

Cordelia giggled. "Let's go out tonight."

"What?"

"Let's go out. Gunn'll go. We will have a great time. Maybe pick up a man or two."

"Like I need another man," Willow moaned.

Cordelia smiled. "We will have a great time. I promise."

*-*-*-*

Spike pulled out two mugs, humming to himself. He opened the small refrigerator and pulled out a bag of blood, filling the two mugs full. He put the mugs in the microwave and watched the green numbers count down to zero.

He pulled the mugs out after the beep. "Dinner time," he said to himself, carrying the mugs into the main office.

Willow glanced up and smiled. "Hey, Spike. How sweet! You are bringing Angel lunch."

Spike stopped in his tracks, looking down. He stared at the second mug in shock. "Bloody Hell! I'm bringing Peaches lunch!"

Cordelia's perfectly shaped eyebrow rose. "You didn't know you were bringing him lunch?"

"I. . .I wasn't even thinking, I was just doing my normal routine." Spike frowned. "I don't like this. I don't feel. . .sod it! I'm leaving." He tipped his head back, drinking his mug quickly. "I can't be here with *him*," he nodded to Angel, who was standing at the door to his office watching his child.

"Can't I at least have my blood?" Angel asked.

Spike narrowed his eyes and walked to the trashcan. Keeping his eyes locked with his sire's, the younger vampire poured the blood in the garbage. "No, you can't."

"EWW!" Cordelia said, jumping up. "Look, here, Spike, you may have some issues with Broody here, but damn it! I have to clean this office, and I would appreciate it if you wouldn't make a mess!"

Spike turned to Cordelia, game face sliding on. "Guess what, Cheerleader. I don't give a damn what you appreciate. I'm not here to make your life any easier. I don't want to be here at all!"

Angel growled, launching himself at Spike. He slammed the younger vampire into the wall, gripping his neck tightly. He squeezed, his yellow eyes glaring into his childe's same yellow orbs. "Apologize," he hissed.

"What?" Spike choked.

"Apologize to Cordelia for saying that. You will not treat her with disrespect, Spike, or I will dust you myself," Angel hissed angrily.

Spike stared into the depths of Angel's eyes, amazed. He could see glimpses of Angelus, the *real* Angelus. "I'm not apologizing to the soddin' human." Angel may have been on the verge of being his true sire, but Spike refused to apologize to a human.

"Give me a stake, Cordelia," Angel said calmly. "I'm putting an end to this right now."

"NO!" Willow cried. "Stop it! STOP YOUR FIGHTING!"

Everyone turned to her, shocked that she had tears running down her face. "Let him go, Angel," she sniffed.

"And let him wreck havoc on my life as usual?" Angel asked. "I don't think so, Willow."

Spike pushed Angel away angrily. "Wreck havoc on *your* life? Yea, do you know how much the whole soul issue has completely been a bloody mess of *my* life? Things were great; we were a family. Then you had to go off with Darla and eat the gypsy girl. And then you left! How do you know Dru and I would have turned you away?"

"Darla did," Angel said, crossing his arms, locking his jaw.

"Well, we weren't Darla." He shoved Angel angrily. "Get out of my bloody way." He stormed out of the office.

Willow glared at Angel. "Don't you *ever* try to kill him again. If you do, so help me Goddess, you will never see either of us again."

Angel blinked in shock. "But, Willow. . ."

"No, Angel. I don't want to hear anything from you right now. I'm going upstairs to help Wesley and Gunn work on the apartment." She stormed out of the office.

Cordelia sat back. "Thanks for defending my honor."

Angel sighed, sitting down. "What's happening to me, Cordelia? I would have said something, but normally, I wouldn't have gone that close to staking him. Only back. . .only when he angered me before the soul would I have even considered dusting him."

Cordelia leaned forward. "Sounds like part of the spell worked. Your demon is coming a little closer to the surface." She clasped his hand. "As long as you don't turn the demon on us, I don't mind."

Angel looked at Cordelia in horror. "No! I could never! He likes you guys too much. I mean, not many people stand up to him without that much fear. Both you and Wesley. . ." Angel closed his eyes, pain flashing on his face at the memory of being Angelus for a night.

"Because we knew it wasn't real. If it were real, Angel, I'd run like hell."

Angel chuckled softly. "Thanks, Cordelia."