Spike is very adaptable. Glad that came through in the chapter. You are right, there are things about his past still in there, just out of reach. Angel has had two years to deal with the fact that he royally screwed up and got three of good friends killed. Well two if you count now that he knows Spike is not dead. But he hasn't been alone all that time. In my world here, Buffy and 12 other slayers moved into the hotel to help put L.A. back in order and they all lived there for two years. Buffy had been gone only two weeks when she found out Spike was alive, so Angel has only been alone for two weeks. :)

Still, it is sad to see him end up that way again. He brought it on himself, but I like Angel, so I do feel bad for him, too. :)