Buffy woke up freezing cold with a throbbing headache.

Oh man…what happened?

Squinting through the haze around her, she saw an almost angelic face in front of her.

“Spike?”

“No, dear. Sorry. But you’ll soon see that I’m a better man.”

Buffy shook the haze from her eyes, and fixed her gaze on the man standing in front of her. He was tall, with very light brown hair and dark blue eyes…he was as handsome as a man could get, but had a distinctly creepy air about him.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Well, I’ve had many names throughout the years, but it’s usually just ‘The Immortal,’ dear.”

She frowned at him and tried to attack, but realized that she was held back, and strapped to a wall.

“What do you want with me? I’m not the Slayer anymore. I’m done. I gave up.”

The Immortal smiled evilly.

“That’s not the point, dear. You can’t give up being the Slayer. Anyway, I’ve always had a thing for Angelus’ women…especially the ones who had some kicks with your William…er…‘Spike,’ as you call him.”

Buffy struggled against the restraints he had wrapped around her wrists and ankles.

“You sick piece of shit! I’ve never…uh…I’m not Angel’s woman.”

The Immortal shrugged and continued.

“Well, when I heard that Angelus had a Slayer, and after he went back to his evil ways, she ran into William’s waiting arms, I simply couldn’t resist you! There’s always something special about the women that the two of them fall for; Darla…Drusilla…and you. All strong, beautiful, and dark.”

“I’m not dark. I’m not anything anymore…so can’t you just leave me alone?”

“I’m afraid not my dear, but really, I never expected this….”

The Immortal pointed to her protruding belly, no longer hidden by Spike’s duster, which now lay crumpled on the floor.

“There's no avoiding me now, dear. You have, how would you put it, a double whammy? Angelus' cast off pregnant with William's child? It is so...perfect.”

Buffy’s face began to turn a bright shade of red in rage.

“How do you even know if it’s Spike’s?”

"I can sense things dear. You learn to do that when you’re…well, immortal," he chuckled at his own joke and continued, “that thing you’re carrying isn’t human. It’s half vampire. Who did you sign a deal with to get that to happen, hmm? It’s all but impossible, you know.”

“I didn’t do anything. Please, just let us go, alright? I’ll pay you whatever you want, and I promise I won’t kill you, okay? I just want to be left alone!”

“Immortal, dear. Death threats don’t work on me. But, you see, this isn’t even about you anymore, really. I’ve always wanted an immortal child to rear, but the women I choose seem to meet unfortunate ends, or just can’t have children. But this…”

He grazed a long fingernail across her belly, ignoring her screams and feverish jerks.

“This child is already immortal…I’ll raise…”

The Immortal stopped suddenly and started chuckling. Buffy was still furious, but was intrigued at his laughter.

“What’s so hilarious? I could really use a good joke right about now.”

“Oh nothing. Please, make yourself comfortable. Well, as comfortable as you can be. Now, you should learn to be respectful to your elders...then you won't be chained to a wall. Just for future reference. But don't fret my dear one, the kids will be fine. I’ll see you in a while. Rest up for me, dear. You’re going to need your energy later.”

He turned and strutted out of the room, leaving Buffy hanging against the wall.

What’d he mean by ‘kids?’

--

“I just want your extra time and your…*smooch smooch smooch smooch smooch* kiss!”

Willow sang along with the radio softly as Xander snored on the seat next to her. Angel cleared his throat and shut off the radio as they pulled into the motel’s parking lot.

“Well, here goes nothing,” he said.

Willow shook Xander’s shoulder to rouse him.

“Huh? What? Giraffe toast…what?”

“Wake up, we’re here! How is Mr. Giraffe by the way?”

“He’s good…hey…how did you…no voodoo mind reading right Will?”

“Nope. Just the normal kind.”

Xander’s eye bulged out and Willow smiled.

“You still talk in your sleep dummy.”

“Ah…I thought I grew outta that.”

“Shh!”

Spike silenced them as he climbed out of the car. He sniffed the air around them and ran toward the front of the motel. Stopping at the cracked sidewalk, he bent down and grabbed Buffy’s book of British poetry. He sniffed it.

“Buffy.”

Angel was close enough behind him to hear him, and looked around in vain.

“Well, where is she?”

Spike flipped through the pages of the large book, stopping briefly on the marked poem of “anonymous.” Had he been human, he would have been blushing, but since he lacked the ability, only looked back and forth quickly. He shut the book, and looked at Angel.

“Huh?”

“Buffy. You said her name. Is she close? Is that her book?”

Spike nodded.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s hers alright. Got her name scribbled on the front cover and all that. It was still warm…I can feel her on it. She can’t have been gone for too long.”

Willow and Xander finally caught up to the vampires. Xander turned to Spike and pointed at the book.

“Is that Buffy’s?”

“Yeah,” Spike replied.

Willow smiled.

“I never knew she liked poetry.”

Spike raised an eyebrow as he sniffed the air.

“She doesn’t. She’s this way. Better not take the car…they might hear us coming...she isn’t far anyway. Her scent is strong…and she’s frightened.”

--
“Spike? Could you stay here?”

“Sure. That diabolical torture device, the comfy chair. Do me fine.”

"No…I mean…here. Will you just hold me?”


Buffy could swear that she felt Spike’s strong arms surrounding her. She realized, of course, that they weren't. She groggily tried to pull at the chains holding her to the wall, and, to her surprise, they loosened slightly.

With a few more tugs, Buffy heard the wall behind her begin to give. Heavy footsteps clicked outside of the red doorway, and Buffy pushed back against the wall as best she could, holding it, and herself, in place. The Immortal slinked into the room, molesting her form with his eyes. His smarmy European look made Buffy want to vomit and kick his ass all at the same time.

Wait for it girl…wait for your opportunity.

“So how is Miss Buffy feeling now? All rested up I trust?”

Buffy frowned, but held her tongue as he continued to strut back and forth in front of her.

“I thought we may have a little fun tonight…I can tell that it’s been quite a long time for you Miss Buffy...but don't worry. I'll be gentle.”

The Immortal reached his long fingers toward Buffy’s torso. He didn’t reach even the hem of her blouse before the wall crashed down on him.

“Don’t touch me,” she said to the pile of rubble in front of her.

--

Spike and Angel walked around the small warehouse.

“She’s in here somewhere…”

“Great. So how do we get in there, Spike?”

Angel jumped back as Spike’s answer came soaring and crashing through the warehouse’s window.

“Without being noticed Spike!”

When no alarms sounded and no henchmen appeared, Spike smiled.

“Don’t think anyone noticed Poofter.”

Willow and Xander wandered around the side of the building, distraught looks on their faces.

“I couldn’t find a way in,” Willow began, before noticing the broken glass around their feet. She smiled broadly. “But I guess you guys took care of that!”

The group slowly climbed through the broken window into a large and dimly lit room. Spike lead them to the other side of the room, where three doors stood in a row.

Xander turned to Spike and feigned a salute.

“So what’s the plan Captain Peroxide?”

Spike scoffed and Angel growled.

“Why’s Spike in charge all of a sudden?”

“What makes you so sure you should be in charge, eh? Oooh look at me, I’m Angel I have gelled hair and a large forehead, so everyone should follow me! Piss off!”

As the two vampires moved toward each other, fangs beginning to bare, Willow stepped between them.

“Okay! I think we know who isn’t going to pair off! Xander and I can go together, and each of you can go by yourselves, alrighty? No more scary teeth or angry eyebrows at each other. Buffy first, growlies later.”

Angel and Spike slowly nodded and Willow grinned.

“Good! So, if you don’t find anything in your room, we’ll meet back here. Okay?”

Xander suppressed the urge to let out a “Go Team!” war cry, and followed Willow through the center door.

“Lead the way Captain!”

Angel glared at Spike before entering his door, with Spike shrugging as he passed through the large red door before him. He could smell Buffy’s scent so strongly down this hallway, he was almost intoxicated, but a strange secondary scent mixing with hers kept him focused. He had sensed it, however faintly, on the book he now clutched against his chest. He had never smelled a scent so strange, but familiar at the same time.

The hallway was long and straight, ending in another broad, red door. Before he could reach for the knob, it came flying toward him with great force. He managed to moan one word as he fell onto the cold concrete floor.

“Buffy?”