Gifts by Irishrose

Chapter #1 - Prologue

Prologue Four Weeks. It had been four weeks since they had received the call from Spike. “Red...it’s...” “Spike? Did you find her? Spike what is it?” There had been silence for what seemed like forever on the other end. “The hospital, I....it....she’s bad, Red.” Willow and Giles made it to the hospital in record time that night, but that had been four weeks ago. Now she stood outside Buffy’s hospital room watching the blond vampire who refused to leave the room at all. She knew that eventually Buffy would wake up. Faith’s head injury had been much worse and she'd eventually come out of her coma. But Willow seriously hoped it wouldn't take Buffy as long to wake up. She didn’t think Spike would last that long. Giles strolled up next to Willow and stared through the window with her. “Giles, I’m calling...” “Angel,” Giles finished for her. “Yes, I had thought of doing it myself.” “We have to do something, Giles. I don’t think he will last much longer. We’ve tried everything else, and he is the only other soul-having vampire in existance.” “I agree. I must say, I knew Spike had a..a thing for Buffy, but I had no idea. I still don’t understand what it is that he blames himself for. What makes you think Angel will help him, however? If memory serves, they are quite at odds with each other.” “He’ll do it for Buffy.” It was the truth. She would tell him about Buffy and he would come. Then she would tell him about helping Spike. Oh boy, was there a lot she was going to have to tell Angel. “You’re not going to tell him are you?” Giles asked. “Nope,” Willow replied. ********** Angel was positive he wouldn't get a ticket. In fact, he was certain that the highway patrol wouldn’t even see his car fly by, he was driving so fast. Willow said there was no hurry, but she hadn’t really told him more than the fact that Buffy was in the ICU, before he had grabbed his keys and hit the door. Wesley had called on the cell and given him hell about leaving like that. Wes had not so kindly informed him that he’d unknowingly scared poor Fred senseless, and hadn’t bothered telling anyone what was going on or where he was going. Thankfully Willow had called back and let Fred know what was going on, and then she and Gunn called Wesley since they were unsure what to do. Wesley confidently assured Angel that perhaps it wasn’t too bad, and that slayer healing would help her. Angel simply responded that Willow wouldn’t have called him unless Buffy was dying. “I wasn’t there last time, Wes. I have to be there.” “Yes well, keep us posted. Things seem to have quieted a bit. But, Angel we need you here as soon as things are stabilized.” That was 20 minutes ago. Angel had slowed down when he hit the city limits. She would be really angry if he ran over some pedestrian in “her” city. He wheeled the car into the nearest parking spot and quickly found the ICU. Willow saw him coming and practically sprinted towards him. God, this had to be worse that he thought. She looked almost terrified. He grabbed her arms, “Is she...?” He swallowed hard, he couldn’t even say the words. He’d already faced this twice before and he still couldn’t say the words. “No! Angel she’s fine. Well, not fine but...Angel, we need to talk.” ********** Much to his objection, Willow pulled Angel back down the hallway...away from Buffy’s room. “What is it?” Angel bit out, trying to edge back around her. “Angel, there is a lot you need to know before you go in there,” Willow started. Angel began to protest that he’d seen it before, but Willow cut him off, “It’s not about Buffy.” “OK, I’m confused. Willow, I thought you said something was wrong with Buffy? Don’t tell me I just broke the land speed record because of..who..Xander?” Because if it is, I’ll just finish him myself, Angel thought idly to himself. Never had really liked that kid. Willow fought the urge to laugh as she could almost see what Angel was thinking, but she quickly grounded her thoughts. “Buffy’s in a coma, Angel. We don’t know the whole story, but apparently she was fighting a, I think he said it was a Mowrok, and she ended up with some pretty bad head trauma. It’s been four weeks now.” She saw the look of understanding cross his face. “I’m sure she’ll come out of it eventually, that’s not what we’re worried about so much as.....” She stopped. Oh goddess, what if he stormed out once she told him? What if he just staked Spike outright? What if.. “Willow?” When she didn’t respond, Angel just pushed around her and went to the room she had been standing in front of...and froze. Willow heard a very loud and very angry growl echo down the hall, drawing her back from her own thoughts. She ran back to the room with a speed almost too fast to be human, and stopped directly in front of Angel. “What is HE doing here?” Angel growled. “That is what I called you here for. Angel, please...let’s go outside.” Oh, this was bad. He looked very confused and angry, and he wasn’t moving. “Angel, he’s guarding her, now please...” She touched his arm gently, but had a very fiery look in her eyes. He snatched his arm out of her hand and walked the short distance to the nearby door. “What do you want from me, Willow? What the hell could I possibly do for Spike other than stake him, and why is he guarding her?” “He has a soul Angel.” “What did you say?” He managed to stammer out after an interminable silence. She had said it so softly that a normal person wouldn’t have heard it, and certainly not over the din of the hospital. But his expression clearly said he’d heard her wrong. That she couldn’t have said what he though she said. “He has a soul. He went through some trial thing and now he has a soul.” How much should she tell him, she wondered. The truth? Sure, but not too much. “Look Angel, you need to know that he’s the one who saved her.” Shocked, Angel looked shocked. Good. Shocked was better than angry. She continued, “After we brought Buffy back from what we thought was hell and turned out to be heaven, she started seeing Spike. He’s in love with her Angel. He’s the one who found her the night she was hurt and since then he’s been in that chair.” “I..what..no, no, no, no, you’re joking, right? This is some kind of joke.” God it had to be a joke. “Angel,” Willow tentatively began, “there’s more. She’s in love with him too.” Oh boy, that did it. He looked like he was gonna blow, or maybe vomit. Angel turned his head up and started at the stars. He was sure that if he had fed, he would be puking it all up right about now. God, how could this be. His Buffy, HIS Buffy, was lying in a coma. And she and Spike were in love? And Spike had a soul? And Willow had called him because she wanted him to console Spike? This had to be some cosmic joke from the Powers. Angel clenched his teeth and looked at Willow, barely controlling his anger. “Tell me what you want from me.” Willow had seen his anger before, and it still scared the heck out of her. “I want you to help Spike. The rest of us have run out of ideas. He won’t move, he doesn’t speak except to say that it’s all his fault, and he hasn’t eaten at all since she’s been in here. You’re the only other vampire with a soul, so....” “So you thought I would just jump right in and wet nurse the guy who tortured me the last time we met?” He was almost shouting. “Angel, if you don’t help him I don’t know how much longer he'll last. I don’t think she could take someone else she loves leaving her. Everyone has left her Angel. You, Parker, OK...good that Parker left but, Riley, Giles, her mom, me. We’ve all abandoned her, but not him. You may not like it but she needs him and apparently he needs her.” Angel flinched. Willows words rang deeply. He knew she was right, but this was not the way things were supposed to go. “Willow, I left so she could move on, have a normal guy. I sure as hell didn’t leave so she could shack up with Spike.” No, I definitely didn’t leave so THAT could happen, he thought to himself. “Angel, she will never be normal. Never have normal. Spike has a soul now He's changed. He...he makes her happy, Angel. Please, I know this will be hard, but please? For Buffy?”

Chapter #2 - One

Chapter One For four hours, Angel stared through the window into Buffy’s room. How could he even be thinking of doing this? He should just stake Spike and sweep up the dust. The vampire he hated more than any other, was in love with Buffy. And he looked like hell too. That thought caused him to happily smirk. Willow had explained that Spike hadn’t moved from that chair, not even to feed, in the four weeks since he'd found Buffy. What the hell had happened? He needed to know more. “I need blood,” He told Willow, but didn’t turn to look at her. She'd been sitting in the chair behind him. “The thermos on the table is fresh, but we can't get him to take it. It’s even human, we bought it from Willy’s old place. So… does this mean you’re going to help?” Wilow’s hopeful expression pleaded with him. “I’m not promising anything. I just need to know what happened.” He was still staring at Spike through the window. Angel walked into the room with slow purposeful steps until he stopped right in between Spike’s chair and Buffy’s bedside. She looked like she always did one of the hundreds of times he had watched her sleeping. Like she would wake any second. He silently begged her to wake and tell him that Willow was wrong. After a few minutes, he turned and his right hand shot out and violently met with Spike’s left eye sending him out of the chair and a few feet across the room. Spike took several seconds to recover, but he eventually sat up and inched back to the chair that Angel had righted, and stared again at the floor. Angel watched this in curious fascination. Spike had never been one to back down from a fight, and that was what Angel wanted right now. He wanted to beat Spike until his brain leaked out. He gave Spike another right, but Spike just sat there, unfazed. Angel turned and stared out the window. The sun would be up soon. Maybe he could just throw him outside. “I’m not leaving them.” It was soft whisper Angel didn’t think he’d heard. He glanced warily at Spike. “Do what you like, I’m not leaving them,” Spike said flatly. Angel looked hard at Spike, deciding the newly souled vampire was definitely in the land of the insane. Them? Them who? “It’s my fault you know. I shouldn’t have let her patrol. Not like that. My..fault...” Spike was still looking at the same spot on the floor. Angel sucked in a sharp breath in anger. Ok, so Spike had hurt Buffy somehow. But what did he do? Angel needed to know. He picked up the thermos and threw it in Spike’s lap. “What happened Spike?” Angel bit out, “What did you do to her?” Spike didn’t touch the thermos and for several seconds Spike didn’t answer either. “Pentain....for her birthday” Spike finally uttered. “The Spell?” Angel asked. “You did the Pentain Spell? That doesn’t make sense. Buffy’s human, Spike. That spell only works on vampires.” Angel shook his head, Spike wasn’t responding and was looking much less sane than usual, and besides, Buffy’s birthday was a few months ago, not four weeks ago. “SPIKE! It’s a 1 day spell for vamps, there’s got to be something else. Spike…what. did. you. do?” Still no reply. Angel turned and stared back at Buffy. “Do you hear them?” Spike finally whispered. “Hear what, Spike?” “Little drums, pounding away. Beating in my head. Reminding me of what I did to her. It’s my fault, my fault...my....” Spike had trailed off as tears began to emerge from his eyes. “Spike, you’re not making any sense here. You’re starting to sound like Drusilla.” Yep, Spike was definitely in la-la-land. What the heck was he talking about? Drums? In his head? OK, he needed a break. Maybe he could find a doctor or nurse who could shed some light on the situation. Willow had fallen asleep in the chair outside the room, so Angel wandered down the hallway and found a doctor at the nurses station, writing on a chart. Angel cleared his throat, “Excuse me, are you Buffy’s doctor? Can you tell me how she is?” “Ms. Summers? Yes, I’m Dr. Miller. Are you family?” The doctor asked. “She’s my wife.” OK, it wasn’t really a 100 percent pure lie, he thought. At the doctor’s shocked look he quickly added, “Uh, we’ve been separated. I just found out today she was here.” “I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps you can talk some sense into her brother? My nurses have given up trying to get him to leave the room. I fear he is taking this rather hard,” The doctor looked beseachingly at Angel. “Brother? What br… oh… yeah… well, I’m not holding my breath. Now, about Buffy?” Angel hoped the doctor didn’t catch that slip. “Well, Ms…sorry, Mrs. Summers, seems to be doing remarkably well given the extent of her initial injuries. She is still in a coma, but at the rate she is healing I’m still hoping she will come out of it sooner rather than later. She had a skull fracture, which is healing amazingly well, and all the rest of her wounds are all but gone. There is some residual swelling around the brain, which is why we are monitoring her more closely. Oh, and her pregnancy seems to have been unaffected by her trauma and is progressing normally.” He stated very matter of factly. Angel stared at the doctor like he had just grown an extra head, and just blinked. Then before the doctor himself could blink twice, Angel was gone. Angel ran back into Buffy’s room and came to a stop just inside the room. He looked back and forth between Spike and Buffy, taking giant gulps of air his lungs didn’t even need. This couldn’t be right. The doctor must have been thinking of someone else. Then Spike’s seemingly disjointed words echoed through his mind. “Drums....”. Angel stilled himself and willed his lungs to stop. He closed his eyes and he listened. There were a million sounds. Hospital sounds. Machines. People. Focus, damn it. OK. Buffy... Buffy’s heart beating. But then he heard it. There were three heart beats in the room. One strong, slow, and loud...and two very fast and much, much, softer ones.....

Chapter #3 - Two

Chapter Two 10 weeks earlier..... “No,” Spike calmly denied. “But Spike, her birthday is in a few days. We have to do something!” Dawn was using her best hurt little girl voice. “Look Bit, she already said she didn’t want anything. In fact, she wants you and all the junior slayers out of the house on Friday and I’m not one to argue with her on this. Way I see it, when Friday rolls around, the fewer people near her, the better! Watcher really should look into whoever cursed her and undo the bloody thing.” Spike continued making breakfast for all girls now living there. He’d appointed himself official cook, since he seemed to be the only one who could do so efficiently and without setting the kitchen on fire. “Dawn, I’m not one to agree with Spike on, well, anything,” Willow said as she walked in the kitchen, “but he’s right. Every party we try to throw for Buffy ends in chaos and destruction. Heavy on the destruction.” Dawn simply stuck her bottom lip out and tried to pout. Maybe that would get them to do it. Couldn’t hurt. “Bit, you can stop giving me that look. Not gonna work this time.” He’d seen her display from the corner of his eye. “Oooohhhh, you guys are impossible!” Dawn had shouted as she stormed out. “Red, since you’re feeling agreeable, I need a favor.” He spared a glance at a wary Willow. “I want to do a spell for Buffy, for when everyone is gone.” Willow stared at him as though he had spoken Swahili. “Look, I know I don’t usually go for the magic, but she deserves a decent birthday for once. Maybe a protection spell or something.” Willow watched Spike as he finished the pancakes for the girls. She found herself thinking a lot about Spike and Buffy since his rescue from the First. Sometimes she almost thought she could hear Tara whispering in her ear, telling her to watch them together. She saw the laughs they shared. The little touches they didn’t even seem to notice. The looks each sent when the other wasn’t looking. The way her and Tara had been once. Or Anya and Xander. Even Giles and Ms. Calendar. Maybe they just needed a little something to push them in the right direction. “I have a better idea Spike. Have you heard of the Pentain Spell?” “Um, yeah, vampire here. But I'm not seeing where you're going here, Red. It’s a completely useless spell some idiot cooked up to try and de-vamp the wife or something, and it’s not a very effective one at that. Usually works less than a day and the stupid sod who tries to use it, generally gets eaten. Don’t see what good it would do a slayer.” Spike was now staring at Willow. “Unless you know something about it I don’t.” “No, that’s pretty much it. We researched it pretty heavily when Angel lost his soul.” Willow shrugged. “Then what are you up to?” He asked, suspicion clear on his face. “I want to do the spell on you. As a birthday gift for Buffy. You could do all the stuff normal guys would. You know, dinner and some girly movies. Veg out on the couch. Something normal for Buffy.” “Don’t really think normal’s her shade. GI Joke was pretty normal and we all know how well that ended.” Spike gave Willow a stoney look. “Spike, if you don’t want to do it, that’s fine. I just thought that you probably could show her how really great life could be with a normal guy who really understands both the Buffy side and the slayer side of her.” Spike looked to be wavering a little. “Look Red, I’m not holding out anything for us, I just...” “Oh, I know, and I’m right there with you. I want to give Buffy what she deserves.” Willow noted with intense interest that Spike visibly flinched at her words. “Maybe then she can see what she’s missing with a normal guy and move on. You can’t tell me you don’t think she should? That she doesn’t deserve it?” Willow really hoped she wasn’t pushing him too hard, but she was certain this last reason would get the desired response. Spike looked really hard at Willow, but finally nodded his assent. “OK. But you better not mess up the mojo... turn me into a Parvo demon or anything like that.” Willow beamed with her happiness. “OK then! Friday afternoon before she gets home. That way you can surprise her.” ********** “Bloody hell, do you really have to do all those symbols?” Spike asked as Willow painted a half dozen strange symbols on his back and chest. “I think that I can stretch the spell out to a full 24 hours or more. You won’t be completely human, but close. And don’t scratch at the paint, I’m almost done.” When she finished the last symbol she handed Spike a jar of natron as she started placing and lighting several candles. “Circle,” she instructed him. He gave her a very annoyed glare and then did as he was told. “Now, sit.” Once again he did as instructed, albeit still glaring at her, and Willow took her seat in front of him. Willow began chanting in precisely intoned Latin. She said about six lines and then started to take on a strange orange glow as the magic infused with her being began to flow. Spike watched her with growing nervousness. Suddenly all but the candle directly in front of him blew out and the basement filled with vortex of wind that pulled the glowing energy with it, and enveloped Spike's body. The next thing Willow knew, Spike was screaming and thrashing around on the floor. His back arched and his limbs convulsing. This went on for several seconds after Willow finished the incantation and then with a loud gasp from Spike it was over and he lay there unmoving, unresponsive. “Spike? SPIKE?” She was shaking him. Suddenly his eyes flew open and he started taking huge gasping breaths of air. Willow quickly felt his wrist for a pulse. It was there, barely. Way too slow to be normal, but it was there. It had worked. He was alive! “What...did it..” Spike was trying to speak between gasps. “Spike, it’s OK. Just breath slowly. In and out. In and out. That’s it. How do you feel?” Willow asked cautiously. “Like I’m bloody dying. God, what’s that pounding?” He asked. Willow laughed. “It’s your heart beating Spike.” “Oh. Right then. It worked?” Spike sat up. He felt rather odd, but also pleased. The witch had done it. Spike tried several times to vamp, but the closest he got was a bit of teeth and a strange mixture of gold with the blue of his eyes. “You should be all non-combusty now, but only an hour or so at a time. You’ll have to breathe and your heart will beat, but not like ours,” Willow explained as she helped Spike to stand. “Did I ever mention how much I hated it when I was a human?” Spike muttered. “Well, you’re not exactly human; just not completely undead either. You're kind of a hybrid. You’re almost in a…existential limbo." "Thought that's what a vampire was?" Spike smirked. "Remember Spike, we're after normal here." "Right, what she deserves." “What she deserves," Willow confirmed. "Now, on to phase two.”

Chapter #4 - Three

Chapter Three Xander dropped Buffy off at the curb; she’d refused to let him come in and he really looked afraid to, even though he’d asked if she wanted company. With any luck, Giles would have already taken the girls over to the mansion on Crawford. She didn’t want any of them around when the next disaster disguised as her birthday rolled around at midnight. It would be really nice not to have to share her bedroom with some strange girl. She’d take herself a nice bath and then couch potato it. She might even get to have hot water for once! “Hello?” She called as she opened the front door. No answer. That was good. She glanced around and did a double take as she saw Spike holding open the drapes in the dining room and bathing in the sunlight streaming in, his eyes closed and a smile of pure ecstasy on his face. Acting on instinct, she tackled him from the side and they landed in a heap with Buffy on top. “What the hell were you thinking?” She asked angrily. “Well pet, I was enjoying the warmth until you decided I needed a tumble. Not that I’m objecting mind you.” Spike cocked on playful brow at Buffy and smirked. Buffy quickly jumped up and off of him. “You suddenly forget your extreme allergy to sun?” She fumed while helping him to stand. She was upset. Spike felt his now beating heart almost stop. She had thought he was going to dust himself… and she was angry with him. “Got over it, love.” “What do you mean you got over it? Vampires don’t get over spontaneous combustion in sunlight.” Maybe he was insane again. Spike just stood there smiling at her. Yes, he was probably insane again. Just when he seemed to be making so much progress, too. Spike slowly reached out and placed a hand on Buffy’s shoulder, still grinning, and slid it down her arm in a very tender motion that made Buffy’s heart skip a beat. He took her hand and pulled it to his lips. His kissed her palm lightly and then placed her hand on his chest. Thump, Thump..……………………...Thump, thump...…………………….thump, thump... Buffy simply stared at her hand as if it belonged to some other body. His heart. It was beating. His chest was moving in and out, Oh GOD he was breathing. He’s.. “Alive?” She said aloud without even realizing it. “More or less, love. Happy birthday.” He said, his voice catching a bit. “Spike, how? When?” She couldn’t even form complete sentences, she was so shocked. “It’s just a 24 hour spell, pet. Red thought you might like some company,” Spike said, while glancing down at the floor rather sheepishly. “Said you deserved something ‘normal’ for your birthday.” Buffy took his chin in her hand and tilted his face up and looked in his eyes. Spike could never be normal, even as a human. And truth be told, she suddenly realized that she didn’t want him to be. So how could Spike, who knew her far better than she would ever admit, not know that she didn’t want normal? This strange creature who continued to surprise her, had changed everything about himself… for her. And that… that was something indeed. “Thank you. I love it,” She said and tears started rolling down her cheeks. Spike flinched. A part of him had hoped she wouldn’t be happy about the spell. That would mean she wanted normal, and part of him hoped she still wanted the monster that he really was inside. He quickly pushed back the thoughts and lifted his hands to sweep away the tears on her face. “Hey now, none of that.” He quickly took her hand in his. “Got a surprise for you,” He said as he led her through the house and out the back door. Spike surprised her with a very elegant dinner on the back porch, featuring dishes she couldn’t pronounce, and what she guessed to be pretty expensive champaign. Then they had gone decidedly inelegant on the couch watching several very “girlish” movies, before they both unwittingly fell asleep on the couch. Buffy slowly woke the next morning with the wonderful feeling of something warm underneath her, but holding her. As she slowly opened her eyes, she realized she was in her living room and memories of the previous night came back to her. She pulled back a little and turned her head to see Spike sleeping soundly beneath her. They were cuddled together, and it felt good. Buffy felt her breath catch as she looked in awe at Spike’s sleeping face. He looked so peaceful, so beautiful. He’d been a perfect gentleman the night before. Something she’d never really allowed him to be in her presence. Without really thinking about it, Buffy leaned in and placed a light kiss on Spike’s soft lips. Their unusual warmth felt odd, out of place, but the lips were the same. A dream. It’s another one of my dreams, Spike thought to himself. She wouldn’t be kissing me if this were real. Not one to shun a perfectly good dream, he started returning the kiss. Slow tentative pressure that begged permission to worship. Gently pulling on her shoulders he sought entrance to her warm mouth, gently sliding his tongue over her soft warm lips. The kiss deepened. Screaming his love, fear, hope, and desperation louder than any words, and all pouring through the tiny connection. After a few moments, Spike realized that this felt different than usual. More real. His eyes opened as he pulled back from Buffy and blinked several times. “Buffy?” Buffy looked at Spike’s questioning eyes and answered with another kiss. Demanding, yet as gentle as the first. Counting on Spike’s uncanny perception to understand what she couldn’t say. She wants this, god she want this. Spike suddenly felt himself responding. They were now kissing with all the pent up passion of the last few months. Each one feeling they needed to prove to themselves that this was really happening. Needing to reassure themselves and the other, that the mistakes of the past would remain there. Their hands started hungrily roaming over every inch of each other and their bodies ignited in eachother’s flames. Spike was desperate to explore this new connection, but absolutely determined that Buffy would be the one to control how far this went. With fumbling fingers, Buffy knowingly undid his belt buckle and freed him from the confines of his jeans. When Spike had yet to do more than caress her, she took his hands and placed them on either side of her legs. With slow pressure, she guided his hands to move her skirt up her hips. She locked eyes with him and slowly, with one downward thrust she buried Spike completely inside her. They stared at each other for long moments before Buffy slowly started moving in small circles above him. Spike’s eyes fluttered closed and his jaw tightened as he started to move with her. Their tempo increased to a heated frenzy as both sought release. Spike pulled Buffy’s shoulders toward him, increasing the friction between them. Her pace increased further when he began nipping on her neck just below her ear, his tongue darting out to trace a sensuous line to her collarbone. Suddenly Buffy froze and her body shuttered as she felt her climax hit her in huge waves. The sensation was more than Spike could have wished for ever again, and she pulled him over the edge with her, his body shuddering its release. They both lay there motionless for what seemed like an eternity until Spike finally broke the silence. “I’m sorry...” “Shhh.” Buffy placed one finger on his lips. “Don’t. I wanted this. Still want it. Spike, I want you. I didn’t want to get it before, but I get it now. I lo...” Spike leaned up and kissed her before she could finish the sentence. He didn’t think he could bear it if she said those words now, knowing he would be back to the monster she didn’t love in a few short hours. Why wouldn’t he let me say it? Buffy wondered. Well, she would just have to show him. She stood up and took his hand, leading him up the stairs and into her bedroom. They had spent the rest of the day there, making love countless times. In slow languid motions, and fast passion filled ones until both had collapsed into sleep, completely spent. ********** When Willow returned to the house the next morning, no one answered despite her calling “hello!” several times, very loudly, when she came in. She’d hoped to find Buffy and Spike still there, to see how the birthday went. They were probably on their way to Crawford street to give the all clear. Hopefully everything went well and she had managed to set right the world that was Spike and Buffy. Suddenly she heard a familiar pain filled scream come from Buffy’s bedroom. Spike felt like he was being ripped open. His lungs were wildly gasping and he felt his heart skipping and slowing even further. He felt the heat leaving his body, and his teeth began to chatter. Cold. He was so cold. “Oh god no, not here.” He fumbled around, managing to get out of the bed and get his jeans pulled on. He took a few panicked steps before falling to his knees. Buffy was yelling something, but he couldn’t make it out. He had to get out of there. Couldn’t let her see this, see him dead again. Spike crawled the rest of the distance to the door before Buffy had reached him looking very terrified. “Spike? SPIKE? Oh, no, no, no, no, not again. I’m sorry Spike. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Buffy had reached Spike where he had collapsed, one hand grasping his chest. A last agonized gasp and he was finally still. Buffy pulled his lifeless body to her as a flood of tears rained down her face. He had done it all for her. She had been so selfish. How could he love her after everything she had done to him? Willow burst through the door and found Buffy in a heap on the floor with Spike cradled in her lap. She realized immediately that the spell must have worn off while they were together. She quickly pulled Spike’s limp arm up and checked for his pulse. It was gone. “He’ll be OK, Buffy. He’s just back to being all-vamp Spike.” Willow tried her best to console her friend. She hadn’t thought to warn Spike that his re-death might be as painful as his re-living had been. Or the effect seeing it might have on Buffy, particularly given the manner in which Angel had lost his soul. Spike's eyes fluttered open to see Buffy crying over him and Willow staring at the floor. Buffy was mourning the normality she’d lost, he thought quickly to himself. She had wanted him human, but now he was back to being a monster. He weakly managed to push Buffy back and stand up, and somehow stumble down the stairs. He grabbed the blanket off the couch and ran through the door into the early morning. He was gone before Willow could catch up to him.

Chapter #5 - Four

Chapter Four Buffy had been coldly shuffling around the house ever since her birthday. She was sleeping late, hadn’t eaten hardly a thing and seemed to vomit everything she did eat. Willow could almost kick herself for what had happened. Neither she nor Buffy shared with the others what had happened that morning when Willow got home. Rather, she simply contented the others that Buffy’s usual birthday disaster had indeed struck while they were all gone. Willow had been unable to locate Spike since that morning, and she hadn’t seen Buffy look so bad since right after they resurrected her. She almost looked like she had died… again. “Willow, I was wondering if I might have a word with you.” Giles said as he filled his cup from the teakettle on the stove. Oh, this was going to be bad. But maybe Giles would know how to bring her out of this. “I’ve noticed Buffy isn’t herself at all lately and I was wondering if you would enlighten me as to what is going on?” He was staring at Willow rather pointedly. “I…I, um, don’t know what you mean, Giles.” Willow stammered and suddenly looked rather flushed. “Well, lets see. Spike has disappeared. Buffy is a shadow who sleeps endlessly, won’t eat, and has been vomiting ceaselessly, All starting after her birthday, and you’ve been avoiding all of our questions since then. Not that I mind the absence of Spike and his endless pining for Buffy, but I am terribly worried about her behavior of late. I can only hazard a guess that something happen to Spike?” “Not so much *to* as *with*,” Willow mumbled out before catching herself. “Oh,” Giles looks really shocked and now he was doing that glasses thing. “I guess if I didn’t want to know I shouldn’t have asked,” Giles said, replacing his glasses. “I had rather hoped he’d staked himself. Ah, well, we all knew there would be repercussions if this happened again. I just didn’t expect her to be so, so, sickly about it. Perhaps I should speak with her. It has been 2 months since it happened.” “And the girls are all complaining about the staying out of Buffy’s bathroom thing. I mean, how long can a dozen girls with, um, ...needs... share one bathroom.” I really should just put a lock on my mouth Willow thought. I wonder if there is a spell for putting a lock on your own… OH. MY.GOD.... “needs..” And with that word, Giles was staring through the kitchen door that Willow had just run through. ************ Willow practically broke the bathroom door, she came through so fast. “Buffy!!!” She virtually shouted, then quieter at Buffy’s visible recoil, “Oh, sorry! Buffy. I know you don’t want to talk about this, and you have every right to be upset that Spike hasn’t come back home and all, but I think there’s more to you being sick than just being sick over Spike.” Buffy was sitting on the floor, her head held up by an arm propped on the toilet seat. “Huh?” Buffy replied with a confused look. “Speak english Will. I’m not exactly all here at the moment.” “No Buffy, I think you’re all there, even more of you is there.” Willow bit her lip. She didn’t want to really come out and say it. Especially with lots of ears around the house that night overhear. “Look Will, I really don’t feel like a guessing game today, and you’re not making much sense in any kind of way here.” Buffy felt a new wave of nausea hit her and she clutched the toilet until it she had emptied her stomach, yet again. “Buffy,” Willow sat in the floor next to Buffy and was whispering now. “Do you remember when your last cycle was?” She was biting her lip again. “Don’t be silly, of course I do. It was, um. Well, it was...” Buffy was blankly looking towards the sink. “Was is a couple weeks before your birthday?” Willow shyly asked. Realization dawned on Buffy, as she finally understood what Willow had been trying to say. “No. Can’t be. I mean, I can’t, or, rather Spike can’t...cause he’s a vampire and they can’t...you know...” “Buffy, Spike was part human on your birthday,” Willow interrupted. “Oh my gosh, Will.” Buffy looked extremely panicked, especially for Buffy. “No. Impossible. I mean, you explained that he was still part vampire. He could even sort of vamp face. He did it a couple of times when we… um, you know, never mind. We’ll just get one of those home thingies and I’ll show you you’re wrong.” Two hours later, Willow and Buffy were once again sitting on the bathroom floor. But now they were staring at two lines on both tests Willow had bought. “You can’t tell anyone, Will.” Buffy was now staring straight at Willow and had that very determined look on her face that commanded there would be no argument. “But Buffy, at least Giles should know. I mean we need to change you’re training and...” “That’s exactly why you can’t tell him,” Buffy reiterated. “Nothing is going to change.” Willow had begun to protest again and added that everyone would figure out soon anyway when Buffy had cut her off with a look that shot daggers.. “OK, I won’t tell anyone. But promise me one thing, you’ll tell Spike when we find him. He deserves to know, Buffy” Buffy just looked down at the floor tiles and whispered, “I know” ********** Two months. It had been over two months since that nightmare. Spike tipped up the bottle and finished off the last of the tequila. He tossed it across the room sending it crashing into the wall. “Hey!” Clem jumped up. “Spike, you know, I don’t mind you staying here, but if the Valyos demon next door complains one more time, I’m gonna get evicted!” “Sorry mate,” Spike mumbled as he drunkenly nodded, half conscious. Just then the door crashed open and in the entrance stood a very angry looking Buffy. “Well, I’ve got some shopping to do. And apparently find a new place to live while I’m at it. Good seeing you Buffy.” Clem managed before he hastily left the apartment. “Do you know how hard you are to find?” Buffy said, stepping in to the dark room. “Apparently not hard enough,” Spike said then half laughed thinking he’d said something funny. Buffy closed the distance until she was standing in front of Spike. She’d spent a good week trying to track down Spike. Finding out he was still alive, well undead, was easy enough. But finding where he was hiding out had been another story. She eyed the pitiful looking creature in front of her. She’d been thinking a lot about him, and about the baby. With some preparations and a few concessions, this might not all be entirely bad. She just had to fix everything first. And Spike looked like he needed a lot of fixing at the moment. “You’re drunk.” “Well, yeah.” Spike looked up at her, his head still bobbing a bit. “Bloody hell Slayer, you look like... well… hell.” “Thanks to you, Spike." Buffy used that annoyed look she did so well."OK, us, but mostly you.” “Don’t think I caught that one slayer, you wanna try again? I’ll try harder to understand you this time,” He snickered. “Spike, look, you remember my birthday right? Well…” Buffy started pacing back and forth in front of Spike. “You were sort of human, and I was definitely human, and sometimes things happen when two humans, you know, get together.” Bloody bitch had come here to rub it in his face that she wanted a human guy. Well, he wasn’t going to listen to this. Suddenly he needed more alcohol. “Look slayer, I know you go for the live crowd now. I get it, so just clear out and leave me the hell alone!” Spike was now standing in Buffy’s path, a newly opened bottle of tequila in his hand. “What? Huh?"Buffy stared at Spike like he'd sprouted another head. "God Spike, could you be any more stupid? I didn’t come here to tell you I wanted a normal guy. I came here to tell you I’m pregnant, you moron!” Oh, hell. She really didn’t mean to tell him like that. Oh well, cats out. Nothing to do except see how he took it. Spike just stood there looking at her. Buffy took one hand and pushed up on his chin until his mouth closed, snapping Spike back from whatever land his mind had escaped to. She didn’t say what I thought she just said. Has to be the tequila. He glanced warily at the bottle in his hand. Must have got a bad batch, he thought. “Come again, Slayer?” He asked, his eyes squinted and searched her face. “I said...... I’m pregnant,” She quietly finished. Spike sat down hard in the chair he'd been in earlier and stared into space for what felt to Buffy like an eternity. “Spike, please, say something.” He finally looked up at Buffy and she thought her heart would melt away. He had that look. The one that she had seen on the stairs the night Willow had resurrected her, and a few other times she’d locked away in her memory. His eyes traveled down to look at her stomach. He shook his head a couple of times, and then closed his eyes. Buffy watched as his head turned slightly to the side, and his brow furrowed in as in concentration, and then suddenly his eyes flew open again and he looked up at her face with what looked like… awe? God, could he hear it? His expression told her he could. She almost felt jealous. Spike reached a hand up and grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him as he buried his head in her shirt, and soundlessly wept. They stayed like that forever it seemed. Buffy gently stroking Spike's hair as tears fell from both of them. Finally she felt him collect himself and push her back a little as he stood up, quickly wiping his face with the back of his hand, then he looked back down at her. “We should get you back home pet, you look like hell.” He gave her that sad smile of his. “Uh, uh. I've been so busy trying to find you, I've barely had a chance to patrol all week,” Buffy stated very matter-of-factly. “And you’re not going to either. We’ll get you home and then I’ll do it. No more patrolling, Buffy. It’s too dangerous now!” Spike said as he took her by the shoulders forcing her to see his expression. “I can’t believe the Watcher is letting you patrol! I’ll wring his sodding neck!” “He doesn’t know,” Buffy said quietly, then quickly added “No one does, and *you* aren't going to tell them either. I am the slayer and I *will* patrol. I’m not dropping everything just because of this,” Buffy said with more anger than she’d intended. “Oh, so the dead man is back to being the mystery guy, eh?” Spike said and let out a bitter laugh. “Well slayer, they’ll all catch on to your little game soon enough, and I don’t care what you say, you are not to patrol alone. Every demon in this town will be gunning for you as soon as word gets out, and believe me it will. Those that can’t hear it will sense it or smell it.” Spike practically ran her through her patrol. Buffy couldn’t remember when she had taken less time on a patrol. They didn’t even hit two of the cemeteries. Spike quickly staked two fledglings before Buffy could even get close and then insisted they go home. Home. That meant he was coming home. Now, she just had to make everyone see reason.

Chapter #6 - Five

Chapter Five As soon as they arrived home, much to the startled looks of everyone but Willow, Spike handed Buffy off to Willow with instructions to make sure that Buffy got to bed and he headed for the basement. Buffy let it slide considering Spike’s drunken state. But she couldn’t help feeling like some child he’d pushed off on a babysitter. Spike spent the entire next day in the basement. He didn’t come up to see her, or even to raid the refrigerator. Well, it was dark now and Buffy wasn’t going to take it any more. She wasn’t some child who needed to be looked after! She grabbed her stakes and informed Giles she was going to patrol. Alone. He asked if she was feeling better, so she lied. She was just as nauseated, and tired, but she was going to patrol anyway. She wasn’t going to be a captive in her own home. However, as soon as she opened the back door she noticed Spike sitting on the porch steps, calmly waiting for her. “Nice try slayer.” He was looking directly at Buffy and looked anything but happy. Spike handed Buffy a jacket and extended a hand toward the yard. And so it began. Each night Buffy tried to sneak out to patrol alone. She tried all the doors and the bedroom window. She tried different times. She tried mixing up which way she tried to get out. Heck, she even tried to sneak out Dawn’s window one night, and each time Spike had been patiently waiting at the end of her escape route. Last night Buffy had actually smiled when she got to the ground and saw Spike waiting for her. She could have sworn he had been smiling too for a half a second. Over time their patrols had become more comfortable. They now talked a lot while making the rounds. Not of anything earth shattering, and certainly not what really needed to be said. But a definitely cozy companionship had developed. Of course, each night it seemed to Buffy that the patrols were getting busier as well, with last night having been the worst. They’d been laughing about Dawns latest scheme to get out of doing the dishes when they found themselves surrounded by 7 vampires. Spike loosed a string of curses that made Buffy blush even if she didn’t know the precise meaning of several of them. Spike had reluctantly “allowed” her to take out three of the vamps as he took on the other four. Unfortunately the last two vamps managed to get her off balance and she fell back against a large tombstone, but managed to stake one of the vampires while doing so. The last one had just pounced on her, when he burst into dust as Buffy thrust upward with her stake right into his chest. Her success, despite her off timing and balance, had her feeling pretty good about the slayage again. So of course Spike had to go and ruin it. “That does it, luv. No more slaying for you.” Spike proclaimed, extending a hand to help Buffy stand. “What do you mean no more? I’m the Slayer, Spike; that’s what I do!” “Not anymore, you don’t.” Spike firmly grabbed hold of her arm and forced her to look in his eyes. “It’s already getting too dangerous, and it’s only going to get worse. We have to worry about more than just you now.” “You think I don’t know that? Have you forgotten exactly who’s the pregnant one here?” She was really angry now. “Why do you think I’m calling a stop to it? Sure as hell isn’t because *I’m* the one up the duff!” “Why are you being so damn stubborn about this? I am the chosen one. The slayer slays. Just because I’m a little pregnant doesn’t mean I have to stop doing my job!” Buffy seethed. “Are you completely insane?” Spike’s eyebrows were nearly into his hairline by now. “What did you think was going to happen here, slayer? Did you really think you could do this the whole time? By yourself? Haven't you ever wondered why there haven’t been any slayers with rug rats?” “It’s happened once!” Buffy defiantly replied. Spike barked out a humorless laugh. “It’s happened a hundred times, Buffy. That one slayer is the only one who survived long enough to have the damn thing!” That seemed to stop Buffy’s rant cold, with a shocked expression on her face. “Slayer, this isn’t up for debate here. I will do the patrols from now on.” He was staring into her eyes hoping that she would somehow understand how dangerous this really was for her. When she dropped the argument and nodded her assent, Spike said a silent thank you to whatever deity had been listening to his fervent prayer. They made it home with only two more vampire run ins. Spike even hung around and talked quite a while with the girls and Giles. He seemed almost happy. Relaxed even. Then seeing the yawn she unsuccessfully tried to hide, he excused himself and ushered her to the stairs telling her she should get to bed. She gave him a glare for good measure, but went up and showered quickly. When she got to her room, she saw Willow setting a tray on her bedside table. On it was a bowl of soup and some crackers, and a cup of what smelled like chamomile tea. “Spike wanted me to make sure you ate and then went straight to bed,” Willow said, teasingly shaking her finger at her. Buffy's demeanor suddenly became dark. She’d taken all of the babying she could stomach. Sure she still couldn’t keep anything down and she was certain she had never felt this tired in her life, but she wasn’t a baby. This was going to end. “Spike said that, huh?” Buffy picked up the tray and shoved it toward a very confused Willow, and continued to push on the tray, backing Willow through the bedroom door. “I will eat and sleep when I feel like it!” Buffy screamed loud enough for the whole house to hear and then she slammed the door hard enough to shake the house. She was fairly certain she heard a faint “Bloody Hell” before she flipped on the radio and sat down with a magazine on the bed. Which is how she found herself the next morning. Still wrapped in her towel with the magazine on her lap. Apparently they’d taken the hint. Deciding that today would be different, Buffy stayed extra late at school. She called Giles and told him she had lots of paperwork to finish. She didn’t want to go home and have Spike or Willow treating her like some four year old. And she certainly didn’t want to explain to Giles why she suddenly wasn’t “allowed” to patrol anymore. When she got home she found that the girls had already eaten dinner, which saved her to effort of trying to make a show of eating only to make a mad dash for the bathroom. Giles told her Spike had already left to Patrol reasoning that Buffy needed the rest, which Giles seemed to agree with. So Buffy simply announced she was going to join him for the patrol and left. She was a grown woman, a slayer with a half dozen apocalypses behind her; she could patrol alone. She certainly didn’t need Spike to do it for her! Buffy had almost finished her patrol without incident when a very large Mowrok demon rounded the corner. Buffy had never seen one in person but she’d read about them more than once during their all too frequent research parties. Very difficult to kill. They had large scales that made getting to sensitive areas hard. Buffy fought it for 15 minutes and was certain she was gaining the upper hand, when the 600 pound demon landed a crushing blow to her leg, and she felt the agonizing snap of bone, sending her to the ground in an instant. Then the demon’s other foot caught her temple and the world tottered. But then the thing was gone and all she could hear were high-pitched screams as everything faded to blackness. ********** Spike came in and hung his jacket over the back of the chair. He wandered around the house looking to see if Buffy had made it in yet from school. He didn’t want her being out after dark. Her hormones were beginning to draw in every vampire for miles around. Patrol consisted of about a dozen fledges, and two demons he hadn’t ever seen on the Hellmouth before. Word must be out about the slayer. He was very relieved that he’d managed to get through to Buffy in the nick of time. “Spike!” Willow practically plowed into him as he rounded the corner into the living room. “Buffy upstairs? Was going to tell her about patrol tonight.” “Giles said Buffy went out to patrol with you,” Willow replied with considerable confusion. “You let her patrol?” Spike bit out through clenched teeth. “She was already gone when I got home." At Spike's panicked look, she quickly asked, "Spike, what's wrong?" Giles had wandered into the living room and was watching the exchange with growing curiosity when Spike suddenly grabbed Willow’s arms and asked, “How long?!” “I don’t know Spike,” Willow looked imploringly at Giles for help. “About an hour or so,” Giles supplied. “Spike, is something…. wrong?” But Spike had already disappeared through the front door, leaving it swinging on its hinges. Spike quickly remembered Buffy’s regular patrol routine and decided to work backward. He’d just reached the first cemetery when he saw Buffy fighting the huge Mowrok. He broke into a full run again as he saw Buffy hit the ground. God, he wasn’t going to reach her in time. Spike lunged into the fray just as the demon brought its foot down on Buffy’s skull. Spike’s rage burst every dam in him as he tore into the beast with unparalleled ferocity. Finally ripping the throat out of it, scales and all. The demon sputtered and collapsed in a heap. Spike turned back to Buffy. She was bleeding from everywhere, it seemed. There was an odd gash on her head and he could see bone. It was bleeding badly. Her leg was clearly broken, jagged bone jutting through the skin. He couldn’t be sure she didn’t have a few broken ribs as well. “Buffy? Buffy, luv, come on. Open your eyes for me, pet.” Spike picked her up, carefully cradling her head and felt the crunch of the broken bones grinding against each other in her leg. Blood was pouring from her head and leg at an alarming rate. Spike thanked every deity he could think of that this cemetery was the closest to the hospital as he ran with Buffy. He could hear her heart growing rapid and irregular, her breathing erratic. “Come on love, stay with me. You can’t leave me again pet. Not like this. Please not now, Buffy.”

Chapter #7 - Six

Chapter Six Previously… Angel ran back into Buffy’s room and came to a stop just inside the room. He looked back and forth between Spike and Buffy, taking giant gulps of air his lungs didn’t even need. This couldn’t be right. The doctor must have been thinking of someone else. Then Spike’s seemingly disjointed words echoed through his mind. “Drums....”. Angel stilled himself and willed his lungs to stop. He closed his eyes and he listened. There were a million sounds. Hospital sounds. Machines. People. Focus, damn it. OK. Buffy... Buffy’s heart beating. But then he heard it. There were three heartbeats in the room. One strong, slow, and loud...and two very fast and much, much, softer ones..... ********** Angel’s eyes shot open and he looked at Buffy. Hard. She didn’t really look any different; well, any differently than he’d seen her before. He closed the distance to the bed in two steps and rested his hand on Buffy’s abdomen until he felt the pulsing there, and then jerked it back as if he’d been electrocuted. His mind raced. Why hadn’t he sensed it before now? How could this be? His head whipped around until Spike was back in center focus. Angel easily stepped around the bed, and with a loud angry growl he jerked Spike upright. Willow came suddenly awake with the fierce roar that echoed from Buffy’s room. Just then the hall window to Buffy’s room shattered as Spike came flying through it. He hit the wall opposite and fell to the floor in a heap. Before Willow could blink, Angel was there, straddling Spike and pounding his face relentlessly with his fists. “YOU BASTARD!” Angel ground out as he continued to mercilessly beat Spike. “I should’ve killed you YEARS ago.” Willow thought quickly. She had to separate those two before Angel did kill Spike. But getting in between an angry Angel and his Spike shaped target wasn’t a thought she relished. “Separate!” Willow shouted, and Angel flew backwards down the hall 20 feet. Angel quickly got up and started striding back towards Spike. Willow immediately threw up a barrier wall in the hallway. Angel simply started pounding on it and growling his objection. Willow quickly realized the crashing glass had brought an audience of panicked and curious hospital staff who were rapidly noticing Angel’s game face. She had to do some really fast glamours and even faster talking to convince the staff that they hadn't seen and heard what the did. Willow pushed a fold in the barrier as she walked through and grabbed Angel by the arm, turning him around as he snarled and looked down at her. Reminding her just who and what she had a hold of. “Angel, LOOK! You have something on your face making it all bumpy looking, here let me get that for you,” Will practically shouted as she brought a hand up and pretended to wipe his face with the bell of her sleeve. It must have registered somewhat with Angel what she was trying to do, because he shifted back to his human face, but then he yanked his arm back from her and turned back to the barrier between him and a very unconscious looking Spike. Willow quickly assured the confused staff that everything was fine, and no, she didn't know where all those sounds had come from. After a cursory check of the room and hallway, the staff abandoned the group to themselves. “Let me back in Willow,” Angel seethed. “You can’t kill him Angel,” Willow was whispering. “Buffy needs him.” Angel turned back toward Willow; eyes now yellow as his demon begged freedom. “He’s killed her as sure as if he fed from her and ripped her throat out.” Willow flinched at his words. “Do you know what he did to her? Why he keeps mumbling that it’s all his fault? Because it is Willow. She. Will. Die.” Willow was now backing away from Angel and shaking her head. “No, Angel she was happy,” Willow began pleading with him. “Spike made her happy. Angel, you can’t kill him. Buffy needs him, Angel. She’s...” Angel spun away from Willow and was staring at Buffy’s room “You should have told me, damn it.” “Angel, I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d take it well. And besides, Buffy made me promise not to tell anyone. She was very specific. ‘Not Giles, not Xander, none of the LA gang,” Willow listed off. “She was pretty certain no one would let her continue slaying if they knew.” Angel let out a laugh that sounded very bitter and cynical. “She’s right. You want to know why no one would let her?” Willow nodded her head indicating yes, her face shone with curiosity. “Have you ever heard of a pregnant slayer?” Willow thought and shook her head no. “That’s because they all died Willow. Being pregnant makes them slower, throws them off. Not to mention, it draws in a whole hoard of extra demons looking for a easy shot at a weak slayer.” Willow fell into the nearest chair. It all made sense now. Spike’s panic that Buffy had gone patrolling; Buffy’s insistence that no one know; Spike’s near catatonia and mumbling that it was all his fault. Willow felt her heart sinking. It wasn’t his fault at all; it was hers. It had been her idea to do the spell. She had been the one to push them back together. She hadn’t thought love would wind up killing Buffy again and sending Spike off the deep end. “No, there must be more Angel. Something that we’re missing about all this. I feel it Angel,” Willow said with quiet assurance that she didn’t know had existed within her anymore. Suddenly Willow heard a voice in her head calling her. She glanced up and found that she and Angel were no longer in the hospital. They were in a cave filled with hundreds of candles. And in front of them stood a young boy. He was dressed very plainly in a suit Willow was sure she had seen in some very old history books. The boy looked at her inquisitively for a moment. Just as Willow was about to ask where they were, the boy spoke. “You seek answers to that which your heart already knows.” “You’re an oracle,” Angel mumbled in amazement at the boy. “An oracle?” Willow turned her confusion toward Angel. “How do you know that he’s an oracle?” “Dealt with a few in the last few years.” “Oh…” Willow faced the boy again. “Um, well, oracle…sir…what can you tell us?” Willow questioned. “Is there more we don’t see?” The boy looked at the two in front of him and simply grinned. “The one you love has been expected for a long time. We thought she would begin to fulfill her destiny long before now. In fact, she did. However, we were asked to intervene. Wee were able to take back time, but we cannot take back life. So we held part of her destiny, until she was again able to fulfill it.” “What destiny? I thought being the slayer *was* her destiny,” Willow puzzled. ”It was foretold long ago, ‘Of a souled one and a slayer, each line will begin. One of Slayer, the other, Champion’. As it was foretold, it shall be. She will need you all,” He said, looking at Willow. “It will not be easy. She will need your love,” the boy was staring pointedly at Angel, “*and* his.” The room spun away, and Angel and Willow found themselves back in the hospital hallway. Spike was coming around and weakly attempting to crawl back to Buffy’s room. Willow took down the barrier and ran over to Spike and tried to help him stand up. She glanced back at Angel who was now sitting in a chair and staring at the floor. Great, now she had two vampires to take care of. Willow managed to get Spike back in the room and into a chair. She found a washcloth and filled the basin with warm water and began tending to the myriad of gashes and bruises covering Spikes face. His eyes were almost swollen shut already. He didn’t even flinch when she cleaned a particularly nasty gash on his left cheek. “He’s right you know,” Spike had barely managed to whisper. “No, he’s not,” Willow continued to clean his wounds. “Seems that baby of yours is going to start a whole line. Can’t very well start a whole line unless everything turns out OK. So see, everything will be fine. Apparently it was foretold,” Willow said in the most comforting voice she could find. Spike looked up at her, and Willow was certain that if his eyes weren’t so swollen she could see a lot of pain in them. Why did he look so pained? Her words should have cheered him up at least some. “Which...one....?” He managed through his swelling lips. “One, what?” Willow asked. The answer came from behind her. “Child. He means which child,” Angel quietly stated. He was standing next to the bed with his hands in his pockets, staring at Buffy with a puzzled expression. “Huh? I… I don’t understand, Angel; what do you mean?” Willow was now considering that maybe both vampires had taken more than they could handle. “Twins,” Was Angel’s quiet response. He was still staring very intently at Buffy. “She’s carrying twins.”

Chapter #8 - Seven

Chapter Seven “Twins?” Willow asked as if Angel had misspoken. Then she thought a second. “Twins,” She repeated and seemed a little please with the knowledge. In the weeks before her injury, Buffy had confided to Willow that she was actually beginning to come around to the idea of having a child, that she thought it seemed to help fill the void left by her mother’s death. And that Joyce would be happy that Buffy had a chance to experience motherhood. It was also some small comfort that once her expiration date arrived, part of her would still go on living. “Well, now that prophecy makes a little more sense,” Willow pointed out. “And you have to admit you were wrong,” She slyly grinned. Angel continued to stare at Buffy like a puzzle. “Something bothering you, Angel?” Ok, so it was a dumb question. But… “Destiny,” Angel answered. “I thought the oracle covered that?” “Maybe.” “Well, it doesn’t matter right now. We still have to get Spike back to the land of the not insane. And I’m figuring he’s not going to heal too well either if he doesn’t feed soon,” Willow said, shooting eye daggers at Angel. “I can’t do anything for him. He’s punishing himself. Which means he has to want to *stop* punishing himself. I don’t see that happening until she wakes up.” Angel and Willow both seemed to be pondering that statement when one of Buffy’s monitors alarmed for a few seconds but then stopped. Angel saw Spikes head snap up, and Angel looked at Willow with concern apparent on his face. “It does that every so often,” Willow quickly supplied, but noticed Angel didn’t relax. “They said it has something to do with the whole swelling, pregnancy, blood volume interaction.” Then the alarm sounded again. This time, it kept alarming. ************ Buffy was sitting on a velvety blanket in the meadow down by Creighton Park. It was so beautiful there. She was watching two small children chasing each other around in circles, playing tag. There was a little boy with dark sandy blond ringlets and a little girl with dark brown hair. Buffy felt so content just watching them laugh and play. Everything was so wonderful here, so peaceful. There were no monsters, no worries, no pain, just always the same two children playing happily without any care. She wished she could stay here forever. “If you stay, they will never be.” Buffy looked up to see a small boy standing next to her. “Oh, you’re new!” She said cheerfully. “No, I am very old,” The boy said rather sheepishly. “And it is time for you to go back.” Now he looked very serious. “Or they will never be and he will be lost to eternity.” “But I want to watch them,” Buffy said reluctantly. “You will... if you go back now. You must choose your path, though. You have been there before, and you will be again, but you must choose when. And you must choose now. Which journey will you make?” The boy asked, extending his hand out to Buffy. ************ Several nurses came rushing in the room and quickly began checking wires and grabbing equipment. Spike somehow managed to stand up and was backing up toward the wall, slowly shaking his head and mumbling ‘no’ over and over. Angel grabbed Willow and moved them both out of the way as best he could. A doctor dashed into the room and was barking orders. A mask had been placed on Buffy’s face and was pushing air into her lungs. A nurse was doing chest compressions, another putting medication in her IV. Angel tried to listen through the noise, but he couldn’t hear Buffy’s heart at all and the two fainter ones were speeding up and beating unevenly. Just as the doctor put the paddles on Buffy’s chest, the room filled with a gasp and everyone froze. It was from Buffy. Everyone in the room was holding their breath as the monitors proclaimed that there was indeed a pulse now. Then another breath. Angel could hear the small faint hearts speeding up again, and then slowing back to their normal pace. Buffy’s eyelids fluttered a bit and there was a faint groan. The medical team continued to work on Buffy. After a while, the doctor finally turned and looked at the three people huddled in a corner of the room and smiled. “I think she’s coming out of it,” He proclaimed. “Scared us for a second there, but she’s back with us.” He then issued several more orders and it had been almost an hour but the room had finally cleared out again. Willow finally glanced around to see Spike huddled on the floor, staring into space. She bent down and shook him gently, then more firmly when she failed to get a response. Willow looked into his face and saw that he wasn’t really there. Angel had moved and was now sitting on the edge of the bed. Buffy was still moaning a bit and hadn’t really opened her eyes. Hearing Willow call his name, Angel glanced over at her. She looked concerned. “I think we lost Spike.” She motioned toward the unmoving, unspeaking vampire. Angel took one look at him and knew that they had. Angel rubbed a hand over his face. “Must have been during all the commotion.” “Spike.” The whisper was so tiny, only Angels had picked it up. “Buffy?” Angel nervously glanced around again at Spike, and then back to Buffy. "Spike?" Came the raspy reply. “He’s here, Buffy. Willow’s here too.” “Where am I?” Buffy’s eyes slowly opened and blinked a few times and she frowned. “Angel?” “Yeah.” Angel gave her his patented half smile. “You’re in the hospital. Do you remember what happened?” Buffy thought for a moment. Why would she be in a hospital? Her brain tried to recall exactly what happened. Demon. There had been a demon. No, the last thing she remembered were two children in a park. Had the demon attacked the children? No, that didn’t seem right. The demon had attacked her. A Mowrok had attacked her. Children... “Oh god, the.....” Buffy’s eyes grew wide with terror as her hand instinctively covered her abdomen. “They’re fine Buffy.” Angel placed his hand over hers. “They?” Buffy looked at him with confusion until it registered. They, as in more than one. The children. The boy and girl she had been watching. They were hers. She didn’t know how she knew, but she did. She smiled faintly at the memory of watching them and tears began to fill her eyes. God, and she’d accused Spike of being stupid. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! She glanced back up at Angel and saw that he looked almost pained even though he was still smiling at her, and she tugged his hand until he leaned down and she weakly put her arms around him. They sat there like that for a long time. Long enough for Willow to leave the room and come back. Willow was still a little worried. What were they going to do with Spike now? She cleared her throat and Angel pulled back from Buffy. “Giles should be here soon. Angel, maybe you and him could get Spike back to the house? Or at least out of the floor maybe?” Willow asked tentatively. “Spike is here?” Buffy asked. “Where’s he been? Floor, what floor?” “Um, that floor.” Willow pointed to the corner Spike was still sitting in. He still hadn’t moved or spoken. “Spike?” Buffy called over to him, looking around Angel, to see him sitting there. “Buffy, I don’t think he hears you.” Angel was trying to catch her eyes. “What do you mean he can’t hear me; he’s right there.” Buffy pointed at Spike’s form. “Buffy, there was an incident earlier. Your heart stopped. I guess Spike couldn’t handle it,” Willow sheepishly offered. “You should have seen him, Buffy. He’s been a wreck since you’ve been here.” “I can see that. Boy, something sure beat the heck out of him. Looks like Glory all over again,” Buffy off-handedly remarked. Angel shifted nervously and glanced down at the floor. “Yeah, um, sorry about that.” “*You* did that to him?" "It's his fault you're in here Buffy!" "No, it's my fault. Guess we both have something we need to make up for, don't we Angel?" Seeing Angel flinch at her reprimand, she decided it best to change the subject for the moment. “So how long have I been in here anyway?”

Chapter #9 - Eight

Chapter Eight Buffy still couldn’t believe she had been in a coma for four weeks. A whole month! Well, that didn’t matter anymore; she was going home today. After the last three days spent in that horrid hospital Buffy had insisted, over the very angry protests of the doctors and nurses, that she was leaving. Even Angel and Giles tried to talk her into staying a little longer. All those “against medical advice” papers were officially signed, and she’d promised she would return in two days for a check up. Unfortunately she hadn’t been able to convince them to take the darn cast off her leg. She was certain it was well healed by now, but they hadn’t even considered it. A problem she would fix as soon as she got home. Giles pulled the car up the driveway as far as possible and Angel’s car pulled in behind them. Buffy started to fumble with the crutches the hospital had given her when they were pulled out of her hands. Buffy started to protest, but Angel simply leaned in the car and scooped her up in his arms. “I can walk you know. They gave me some nifty crutches and everything just so I would,” Buffy said very annoyed. “I know,” Angel responded dryly as he carried her through the door right behind Giles. He carried her over to the couch and set her down as the whole flock of potentials converged in the living room. Each one seemingly excited about having Buffy back, and speak above the others to ask Buffy how she was, if she’d killed the demon, and what her coma was like. Not to mention several obviously eyeing Angel in a very non-threatening way. Buffy let out a small chuckle as Angel backed up a bit and was shaking his head in abject terror of the flock of teen slayer-maybes. Giles chose that moment to try to disperse the girls, insisting that Buffy would have time for questions later, but right now needed time to rest and get settled back in. Buffy was secretly grateful, as she was still exhausted. Giles covered her with a blanket as Angel rearranged the pillows so Buffy could lean back a little. “Buffy, I know I told the girls to wait, but I think we need to have a talk. I feel the sooner the better.” Giles said as he sat on the end of couch. “Um, Giles, is Spike staying in Angel’s car tonight? Cause, I’m thinking the basement might be more comfortable,” Buffy said as if actually debating which would indeed be more comfortable. “Ah, Spike. Yes, I’d forgotten. Angel, would you mind?” Giles looked at Angel who simply rolled his eyes before heading back out the door. “Now, would you like to start or shall I?” Giles pointedly looked at Buffy. Buffy really didn’t want either to start. She’d hoped to find some way to tell Giles about everything without him getting too angry with. She realized now that Spike was entirely correct, but she still found herself in fear of the notion that she couldn’t do her job. That she would have to un-fulfill her destiny for a while. “Very well then,” Giles took her silence as abdication and began. “Buffy, I am neither naïve, nor ignorant. I am well away of your state. But, I can’t help you or the girls if you don’t talk to me Buffy. So it is imperative that you to tell me everything.” Buffy just bit her lip and watched Angel deposit Spike in one of the chairs in the living room. He still looked horrible. He wasn’t healing at all and despite her, Willow, and Angel trying he hadn’t fed, talked, or really moved. He just sat there and occasionally his eyes closed for a few hours. They’d tried everything they could think of to pull him out of it. “Do you think he’ll come back to us?” Buffy questioned Giles. “I really don’t know.” Giles looked at Spike and flinched. “There is no precedent for this sort of thing. Granted, there’s no shortage of vampires with sanity issues, but I’ve never heard of one in his state of catatonia.” He’d thought Spike looked bad *before* Angel arrived, but the beating Angel had issued his grand-childe was truly frightening. Particularly since no one would tell him why Angel had done it in the first place. “Buffy, you need to tell Giles. Everything.” Angel was now sitting on the coffee table and staring at her pointedly. Buffy just stared mournfully at Spike. Angel let out a hiss and stood up. “Look Buffy, you want to be stubborn and get yourself killed? Because that’s what’s going to happen here. The first time you go back out patrolling alone again you *will* die. I’m not even sure that *I* could protect you, and Spike here isn’t exactly in any position to either. If you want to die so badly, then why the hell did you come back?” Angel said clenching his jaw tight. Buffy looked from Spike to Angel. He was right. She knew in her heart he was right, just as surely as Spike had been. Heck, it was Spike word for word coming out of Angel’s mouth. But what would she do? She had always had a place. She’d lived her calling for years now. If that was gone, what would she do? Who would she be? As tears began to burst forth, she began telling Giles what had happened. Giles patiently listened as she went from Spike’s humanity to the Mowrok demon. When she had finished he sat there silent for several minutes staring at his glasses dangling in his hands. “You should have told me, Buffy,” He finally said. It all made sense now. A very scary sense. From Spike’s over protectiveness when he had returned to his look of terror when Buffy had gone on patrol alone. Buffy’s tears were now stopping as she quietly voiced her fears. “Who am I now? If I can’t slay, what do I do? What do I become? How do I help those girls, Giles?” She was now staring out the window. “Our first priority right now is your safety. Buffy, you know how inherently dangerous being a slayer is. This pregnancy only increases the danger. Buffy, you should know that this is not unprecedented. There have been several instances of a slayer being with child. Unfortunately, they fall victim not long after. I believe you may have already surpassed all but one other in your gestation, but that doesn’t ensure that you will survive to bring them to term.” “I’ve defeated the odds lots of times before Giles, I will do it this time too,” Buffy said quietly, stroking her abdomen. “Besides,” she added absently, “that boy told me I would get to see them if I came back.” “Boy? What boy?” Giles asked. “While I was in the coma. I saw them. He told me if I didn’t come back ‘they’ would never be. But that I would see them if I came back. He also said my chosen one needed me. He was right about that, though I don’t know what to do for him.” Buffy glanced sadly at Spike. “Buffy, was the boy dressed funny? Kind of old fashioned?” Angel asked. “Yeah, way old fashioned. Why?” Angel looked at Giles. “Oracle. The boy is an Oracle. He spoke to Willow and I. Told us that Buffy and the children had been foretold.” “Fascinating. What did he say exactly?” Giles inquired, again holding his glasses. “He said ‘Of a souled one and a slayer, each line will begin. One of Slayer, the other, Champion.’ Then he told me that she would need my love, and his.” Angel spat out the ‘his’ like it had burned his tongue. Giles pondered the statement a moment. “Have you any idea what it means?” “Maybe. Maybe not. Oracles are usually pretty cryptic, and he didn’t seem inclined to deviate,” Angel said thoughtfully. “Yes, well be that as it may, the prophecy does bode well for the children.” Giles was having some hope for the first time since hearing Buffy say she was pregnant. “Can we worry about this prophecy later guys? Giles, we have to get Spike back,” Buffy said squeezing Giles arm in her urgency. “I want to go in and get him. Like Willow did when I was all off in my own world.” “No,” Angel flatly stated. “Buffy, that is an extraordinarily dangerous thing to attempt on humans, much less a vampire. I’m not even sure it would be possible. And you are still very weak,” Giles said. “Giles, I have to try. We’ve tried everything else,” Buffy pleaded. “Perhaps you should consider letting Willow, or even Angel, attempt to retrieve him?” “Yes, because we all know that Spike and Angel have a candle burning for each other, that will guide him through the darkness in his soul,” Buffy said, rolling her eyes. “No. It has to be me.” “No,” Angel echoed his earlier comment. “Buffy, you have no idea what it’s like inside his mind. There’s more than a hundred years of killing and torture. Add a soul to the mix, and the fact he blames himself for your assumed death.... I wouldn’t go in there if I were the last vampire on earth. I can’t let you do it.” “Angel there is no ‘letting me’ do anything. You heard that oracle boy. I need him. They need him.” Buffy looked back to Giles, “Giles, get Willow. I’m doing this.” “Buffy, I do wish you would reconsider…” Giles started. “Giles! With or without you, I am going to do this.” Buffy sent him a look of sheer determination. “So either help me, or get out of my way, because I’m going to bring him back one way or the other.”

Chapter #10 - Nine

Chapter Nine Willow had everything set up. They’d rearranged the living room so that Spike was sitting opposite Buffy, with Angel sitting next to her. Angel had that angry look on his face and Willow was certain he was going to put a damper on the spell. He’d insisted that Buffy was not to go into Spike’s mind alone. He would be there at all times. Willow instructed them that they must keep “contact” at all times or one of them could be pulled out without the other. Angel had pulled Willow aside and made her promise that if he signaled she would pull them out. They mediated for almost an hour before anything happened. But Buffy and Angel now found themselves in a dark void. “I always knew Spike didn’t have a brain in his head,” Angel quipped. Buffy gave him a withering glare. “We have to find him.” As suddenly as they found themselves in the void, a room full of people appeared. Men, women, and children, hundreds of them, all looking decidedly dead to Buffy. Some mangled, some simply bleeding from their necks or arms, all of them staring at Buffy. Angel pulled on her hand, guiding her through the masses as the people continued to stare at her. They walked on for what seemed like days. Suddenly everyone started shouting at her. High pitched, horrible, agonized screams that burned in Buffy’s head like a hot poker. Buffy tried to cover her ears, but Angel held firm to one of her hands and continued pulling her. Buffy wondered how many people were inside Spike’s head, and how he could remember each one. Then they were in an alley. Buffy recognized it as the one by the Bronze. And there was Spike. Buffy started to run to him, but Angel held her away. Buffy saw herself standing in the alley. She remembered this scene. It was the first time she met Spike. “What happens Saturday?” Her other self asked him. “That’s when I kill you,” Spike answered with a smile. Now they were in the old high school. Spike was taunting her to come out. That he would make it quick. Buffy could have sworn she saw Spike looking at her and his face seemed to regard her a moment. Then he was gone. They seemed to be going through every time Spike ever tried to kill her. As fast as the scenes appeared, they disappeared with dizzying confusion. Angel’s grip seemed to be getting tighter and tighter each memory they came to. Now they were standing on Glory’s tower. Dawn was directly in front of them and they were all looking at Spike. He was being held by the strange little man who’d cut Dawn. The little man drove the knife into Spike’s back and as Spikes voiced his fear that he had failed, the man threw them him off the tower. “Spike!” Buffy had yelled and started to lunge, but suddenly they were on the ground. Spike was rousing and turned to look up and started shouting, “BUFFY!” Buffy followed his eyes to see herself falling into the portal. She watched with sick fascination as she watched her other self convulse and finally cease moving. As her lifeless body fell to the ground she felt Angel stepping backward. Buffy looked at him and saw the tears streaming down his face. His eyes closed, as he could no longer watch the nightmare Spike was reliving. Buffy glanced around to see Giles; Willow holding up Tara; Xander carrying Anya; and Dawn coming down the stairs, all crying and staring at her broken body on the ground. Then she saw Spike. He was weeping into his hands. “Oh god,” Buffy whispered to no one, watching the weeping vampire in front of her. “I didn’t… wouldn’t… believe back then, but it was true. He did love me.” Buffy had blocked out the next scene from her mind, so it almost shocked her when it came. The bathroom, they were in the hall bathroom. She watched as that fated night played out again. She heard an angry growl from Angel and she felt him step forward, but Buffy held firm to his hand. He turned and stared at her in disbelief. His eyes went wide with realization at Buffy’s soft expression. “You forgave him? You want him back after he...” Angel couldn’t even bring himself to say the word. “Angel, *you* of all people can ask me how I forgave him?” Buffy softly chided. Angel looked up into the endless darkness above them for several moments. “Point taken,” He mumbled. “But I can’t watch this,” he added turning to gaze behind Buffy. She saw the pain in his face and started to say something but the scene changed again. Now they were in her bedroom and Buffy blushed at the sight before her as Angel quickly hissed in a breath and glanced away. It was her and Spike. Their bodies moved together in ancient rhythm, their mouths tenderly mimicking the movements of their bodies. It must be from her birthday. It was the only time they had been in her bedroom. But the tender scene in front of her didn’t make sense. It didn’t fit with the other things she’d seen in Spike’s mind. “I don’t understand, why this?” Buffy asked aloud. “In his mind, this is when he killed you,” Angel said, looking into Buffy’s eyes. His other hand came up to gently sweep across her abdomen. Buffy immediately understood. And then they were back in the room filled with people screaming. Buffy waited patiently as the scenes all flew past her again and again. Buffy started trying to talk to Spike each time she saw him in the scenes, but he never responded. Finally Angel said, “This isn’t going to work Buffy. We need to go. The longer we stay here, the harder it will be to get out.” “No,” Buffy answered firmly. “I’m not giving up on him.” She looked up at the darkness above them. “Spike! Spike I know you can hear me. Damn it face me. If you killed me then come face me you spineless, peroxided, coward!” Buffy shouted. Suddenly they were back in the dark void. Buffy and Angel stood there for a few moments and then Spike was there in front of them. “I’m sorry Slayer,” Spike quietly spoke. “All I wanted was to love you. Of course, all I ever did was hurt you. I know you can’t forgive me, not that it matters now, but I am sorry,” His voice trailed off as he turned around and started to walk away. “Spike, don’t. You didn’t kill me. Spike I’m alive,” Buffy pleaded that he would hear her and turn around. He stopped. After a moment he turned around and looked hard at Buffy. Then he looked at Angel with a puzzled expression. He hadn’t seemed to notice him before. After a long time of staring down, he looked back up at Buffy and gave her his sad little smile. “You shouldn’t have come here, Pet.” He looked over at Angel. “Take her back. Take care of her. All I can do is hurt her,” He said. Angel stared at Spike and then gave a slight nod. But Buffy saw it. “No! I’m not going unless you come with me!” Buffy pleaded with Spike. “Angel, get her out of here. Now!” Spike bit out. And Buffy felt Angel begin to pull her hand and step backward. Buffy turned and faced Angel. “Wait,” She said. She reached her free hand up and stroked Angel’s face. “A part of me will always love you,” Buffy smiled at Angel. “I’m sorry,” Buffy said, and then she let go of his hand. Angel sank back into the couch for a second as he realized what had happened. “Send me back in!” Angel pleaded with Willow. Willow sat there in shock. Buffy had let go. She stared at Angel and shook her head. “I can’t.” Tears were clouding her eyes. “If I interrupt the link to put you back in, she could be lost forever.” ************** “Do you know what you just did?” Spike seethed. He was staring at her, incredulous that she had let go. “He was your best way out of here.” Buffy walked up to Spike and looked in his eyes. She smiled. “I don’t want to leave. I want to be with you,” She said. Spike just stared at her in shock for a minute. “You don’t want to be in here with me Pet. You haven’t even seen most of this place. Not a pretty picture, luv. I don’t want you lost in here with me,” Spike said reaching up and cupping her cheek with his hand. “Then come back with me. You promised me once you wouldn’t leave me. Well, I won’t leave you either.” Buffy returned his gesture and cupped his cheek. “I belong with you. So, the only way I am getting out of this place...is if you come with me.” “Buffy...” Spike started to protest. “No. Before, I was stupid and… well, stupid. I know now what I want. What I need. I will be with you, forever, where ever you are. If you stay in here, then so will I. I won’t go Spike,” Buffy said firmly. “I love you.” To say that Spike looked shocked by her admission would be an understatement. For long moments he simply stared at her, and she held his gaze, unwavering. Until finally she saw a measure of acceptance in his eyes. “Forever’s a long time, Pet,” Spike said as tears began to fill his eyes. “Then I’m glad I’ll be with you,” Buffy smiled and felt her own tears coming. Spike leaned his head into her hand and stared at her with every bit of love he had for her in his undead heart. She loved him. She. Loved. Him. He let his hand slide down to hers and took it in his own. “Let’s get you back,” He said as he led her through the darkness. Suddenly Spike found they were in a park. It was day. Everything was so bright and colorful. They were standing there in the sun. Spike saw two small children running through the park, laughing and shouting. A little dark haired girl and a little boy with much lighter hair. “I don’t understand,” Spike said looking around. He didn’t remember any of this. This wasn’t part of his world. “It will be,” Buffy said, guessing his thoughts. “I wanted to show you. That’s them Spike,” Buffy beamed. “That’s our children. I wanted you to see them,” Spike stared at the children and didn’t even try to stop the tears falling down his face. “I will, love,” He said as he leaned down and gently brushed Buffy’s lips with his own as a bright flash of white filled the world around them. **************** Buffy looked around to find herself back in her living room. Angel was sitting next to her with his head in his hands. Willow was watching her and nodded her head towards Spike. Buffy quickly looked at Spike. He was staring at her, that same look of love she had seen moments before on his face. Buffy launched herself off the couch as best she could, and into his arms. She spared a quick glance to Angel and saw his head come up and the marks of his own tears there on his face. She quietly mouthed a thank you to him before he got up and left the room. As Angel leaned on the counter, he swore he could feel his heart breaking again. But he would do this for Buffy. He reminded himself that the oracle had said she would need his love. He quickly swiped at his face to dry it, and then he pulled open the refrigerator and grabbed a blood bag. He heated a cup of water in the microwave and then the blood as the tea infused in the cup. He carried both cups into the living room. The sight that greeted him froze him to his spot for a moment. Buffy was still on Spikes lap and both were fast asleep. Their arms protectively curled around each other. Angel quietly set down the mugs and carefully untwined the sleeping lover's arms. He gingerly picked up Buffy and set her back on the couch and covered her. She snuggled a bit into the blanket as he did so. He turned back to Spike and shook him lightly. Spike's eyes opened to see Angel with his finger held to his lips. Spike glanced at the sleeping Buffy and nodded that he understood. Angel handed him a mug of blood. Spike looked at it and realized it had been over 5 weeks since he had fed last. He spared a quick glance back at Buffy then tipped up the mug and emptied it.

Chapter #11 - Ten

Chapter Ten Spike glanced around the room. It was almost done now. He had managed to convince Angel to let them move into the mansion. It was definitely more suited to housing a dozen girls, a witch, an ex-demon, a watcher, and two poncy whelps. “And a partridge in a pear tree,” Spike added out loud. The mansion had needed extensive work to make it suitable for humans to live in, so Spike spent most of his free time fixing it. Xander was even helping him in his spare time. Of coarse Spike hadn’t trusted the whelp with anything pointy and wooden for a while, especially after he’d found out about the Spike and Buffy’s little secret. He’d spent the better part of a month avoiding the boy’s stakes, while Buffy laughed it up. Spike smiled to himself. She was so beautiful when she laughed. A few more days and the whole thing would be ready. Good thing too. Buffy was due in another month. Suddenly his pocket started ringing. Spike pulled out the screeching piece of technology and stared at it a moment before remembering which button to push. He swore under his breath as he answered it, “Yeah.” “Spike, you need to come home.” It was Dawn, and she sounded annoyed and angry. “Oh, and I’d bring ice cream if I were you.” “I’m on my way Bit,” Spike answered, and then turned off the phone. Then he turned it back on and put it on standby. If he lived another hundred years he was sure these blasted cell phones would be his downfall. Willow insisted he carry it in case Buffy needed him. He’d thought at the time that the idea sounded good. He locked the door and headed for the car. There was a Quick Mart on the way home. They knew him well there and the little man who owned it kept a carton of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food held back for him. As Spike walked in the door at home, Dawn came running into the entryway. She was quickly followed by several of the junior slayers and Giles, who entered the hall from the dining room. Spike saw their expressions and looked down at the floor to hide his grin. She must have really done it this time. “What happened this time?” He asked, as he tossed his keys on the little table by the door. “The TV, Spike,” Dawn proclaimed as she crossed her arms. “She trashed the TV. And that was *after* she screamed at half the girls, punched Andrew, and threw a book at Giles. They were lucky to get out before she pulled their heads off! You have *got* to do something Spike.” Spike couldn’t help it when his grin only widened as he glanced around into the living room and saw that the room was indeed trashed. He saw two of the girls sitting on the couch, sporting ice packs, and guessed some had been quicker to scramble than others. He actually let out a little laugh before Dawn smacked his arm. “All right Bit, sorry. Sorry girls. I’ll go talk to her.” Spike brought his hand up to his face and rubbed it, steeling himself for the task at hand. Buffy had grown more and more emotional as the pregnancy progressed. If she wasn’t crying, she was screaming. If she wasn’t screaming or crying, she was dragging him off to the bedroom for more sex. “Right, I’m off to the gallows then,” Spike said as he started toward the stairs. He turned to face Dawn, “You want to tell me what set her off this time, Bit?” Spike asked. “Beer commercial,” Dawn shrugged. “Beer commercial?” Spike echoed, frowning. “How did that...?” “You know, the one with the girl’s mom that has the humongous butt and hips and is wearing red leather pants?” Dawn clarified. “Bloody hell...” Spike muttered as he started back up the stairs. Dawn called after him and she held up a spoon. He glanced at the ice cream in his hand and took the spoon. He wasn’t sure even Ben & Jerry would work this time. ************** Spike stopped in front of the bedroom. He could hear her inside, and she was crying. He clenched his jaw and stretched himself up his full height, then knocked on the door. “Buffy,” He softly called. “Go. Away. Spike!” Buffy screamed out. “Buffy, sweetheart, I have Phish Food,” Spike cooed sweetly through the door. God, he’d turned into a poof. No sound came from the room. Well, at least she wasn’t crying anymore. “Buffy love,” He started again. Suddenly the door flew open and Buffy’s hands shot out and grabbed the ice cream and spoon in the blink of an eye and then slammed the door shut again before Spike could react. Spike rolled his eyes and gently pushed open the door. At least she hadn’t locked it back when she’d slammed it. He cautiously stepped through the door and took in the sight before him. Buffy was sitting on the bed cross-legged with one hand on her very large abdomen. The ice cream was sitting on the bed in front of her, untouched, and she was starting to cry again. Her favorite red leather pants were lying in cut up shreds all over the room, as were several of her other more alluring clothes. Spike closed and locked the door before crossed the room to her bed. He sat next to Buffy and tentatively pulled her into an embrace, tucking her head under his chin. She was wailing loudly now, and Spike was rubbing his hands up and down her back and rocking her slowly back and forth. “Sssshhh. It’s OK, pet. Though I can’t say the same for your wardrobe,” Spike tried to reassure her. He felt her tense and leaned back to look at her better. He brought her chin up to look at him. “What is it, luv?” Spike asked, his brow creased with concern. Her saw her chin tremble and he tucked her head back under. “I feel (sniffle) just (sniffle) awful, Spike (sniffle, sniffle),” Buffy managed to get out. “I didn’t mean to (sniffle) hurt them. (sniffle) They hate me. (sob) I’m as big as a house, (sob) and they hate me.” Spike was fairly certain he was going to have to wring out his shirt if she didn’t stop soon. “Hey now. You and I both know you aren’t as big as a house. The doctor even said you could stand to put on a little more, remember?” Spike continued rocking her. She nodded her head a little and wasn’t crying nearly as hard now. “You’ve only four weeks left, and then you won’t get any chance at that ice cream, what with the rugrats and all, so you’d best eat it while you have a chance,” Spike said as he took off the lid of the carton and scooped up a bit of the not so frozen stuff. He waved it in front of Buffy a bit and he felt her wavering, but after a moment she shook her head. “Your loss, love” Spike said as he took the spoonful and then turned it over and licked it, Buffy’s eyes following his every movement. He felt Buffy tense again, but in a completely different way this time. A few seconds later, he could smell her building arousal. This was officially his favorite part. Buffy reached up and wrapped her hand around the spoon and brought it to her mouth. She started licking it, cleaning every last bit of ice cream off of it, her eyes never leaving his. Spike felt himself instantly responding to the display. Buffy pulled the spoon free and tossed it over her shoulder, then pushed Spike back onto the bed and placed a hungry kiss on his mouth. Spike reached to set the Ben & Jerry’s on the night stand, but he was completely caught up in the kiss and missed it all together. The half melted concoction hit the floor with a dull thud and sputtered everywhere. Spike and Buffy both went into fits of laughter at the sight of each other covered in melted ice cream. Spike slowly leaned up and lightly licked a dab off of Buffy’s cheek. She moaned her appreciation and returned the favor to his neck. Spike closed his eyes and rocked his hips against Buffy who was now straddling him. Her hands were roaming his chest and found their way under his shirt. She scratched his ribs lightly causing a small hiss to escape his lips. He brought his own hands up under her loose shirt and found her now full breasts. One light touch and Buffy was shaking already. They quickly stripped each other, clothes suffering small rips in the process. Buffy was back to straddling Spike and he could feel that she was already wet and wanting. Buffy easily rocked her hips and found the reward she was wanting, as his hardness pressed against her opening. With practiced slowness she took him in, inch by agonizingly delicious inch. Both moaned in response. Spike always felt like he was going to explode right at this moment, and now was no different. He grabbed her hips and held her still as he tried to regain control of himself, or else he was going to end up flipping her onto her hands and knees and go at it like crazed weasels. Buffy waited. She knew what he was doing and was glad. She had been about ready to explode herself at that moment. When she felt like Spike had regained his control, she started moving. Slow rhythmic circles at first. Spike then started working in the reverse of her movements. Buffy leaned forward a little letting the friction tease her throbbing clit. Buffy was rapidly nearing her peak and increased the rhythm. After several minutes Spike’s fingers began to dig into her hips and their pace became frenzied. Buffy was alternately angling her hips with each thrust to make sure that he hit just the right spot. Spike leaned up and took one of her breasts in his mouth. He teased the now overly sensitive tip with his tongue and felt Buffy shudder. Her knew exactly what his girl needed just then. It had been quite the revelation the first time he’d nipped her, and felt her overwhelming response. He continued to lave expert attention to her nipples as he thrust into her. Without warning, he allowed his fangs to descend, and he gently pierced her breast, sending her flying over the edge as her climax hit her. Her inner muscles clenched him and thoroughly milked him. He only needed a few more vigorous thrusts timed with her pulses, and his own orgasm claimed him as she collapsed against his chest. Spike rolled them to the side and Buffy snuggled into his arms. He felt her starting to relax as he pulled the sheet up over them. Soon her breathing become deep and rhythmic and he knew she was sleeping. He gently smoothed her hair back, studying her face. She was beautiful when she slept. So innocent and relaxed. He smiled to himself thinking that in a few weeks, they wouldn’t be getting any sleep at all. In a few minutes, Spike had fallen asleep as well.

Chapter #12 - Eleven

Chapter Eleven Buffy woke after only a few hours. She felt really uncomfortable and couldn’t seem to get back to sleep. She decided a shower would probably help, and with all the girls living in the house, early morning was the only time she was going to get any hot water. Spike mumbled something unintelligible and pulled her back against him. Buffy pried his arm from around her waist and slipped out of the bed. “Just taking a shower,” She whispered. She padded as quietly as possible to the bathroom and slipped into the shower, letting the warm water run over her. She stood like that forever, letting the water wash away all her tension and cares. When she felt the water growing cold she turned it off and stepped out. She quickly dried off and made her way back to the room. She found one of her nightshirts, and slipped it on before sliding back to bed. She was back to sleep in no time. Buffy woke only an hour later, again uncomfortable. Spike was sleeping spooned up behind her with his hand splayed across her chest. Buffy let out a little moan. God, nothing could heat her up like his hands on her breasts, unless it was his mouth. Buffy grinned at the thought. Her breasts had become so sensitive that even the rub of her shirt could set her off. She felt Spike shift behind her, and his hand brushed the tip of one nipple. That was all it took. She reached one hand behind her and gently slid it down to rub his soft curls, and then she started stroking his shaft. “Back for more?” Spike asked sleepily. Buffy’s reply was a gentle squeeze as her thumb flicked across his tip. Spike suddenly found himself wide awake, and growing very hard. He returned the favor and gave her nipple a slight squeeze and flicked the pert little tip. Buffy gasped and Spike felt a slight tremble. He started planting little kisses along her shoulder and grazed the prominence with dull teeth. Buffy moaned and rocked her hips backwards. Spike’s hand traveled down her side, gently rubbing little circles along her ribs, her waist, her hips, and then pulled her thigh up and over his leg as he thrust his hips forward. He found her opening wet and ready and easily slipped inside. She felt so good, so deliciously warm. The sudden feeling of her heat engulfing him always gave him a momentary rush of ecstasy. A feeling of danger by combustion. Spike began pushing back and forth and Buffy ground her hips back into his. He slid his hand around to her front and gave a few wide circles over her swollen abdomen before running it down to find her clitoris. He ran one finger gently around the swollen and sensitive nub, but never touched it. Buffy moaned in protest as she sought out the desired touch, rocking back to his hips and forward to his hand. This was sheer torture. He finally answered her silent plea and began to gently rub the sensitive spot. Alternately circling and flicking it until Buffy was wildly bucking back and forth and emitting a staccato scream with the thrusting. “That’s it, pet, a little more. Come on love, let it go. You know you want to,” Spike whispered into her ear as he felt her approach her climax. He gave her clit a little pinch between his fingers and sent her tumbling over the edge. She screamed out as her body began to shudder almost violently. Spike felt a wave of satisfaction at her pleasure as her inner muscles tightly gripped him. He continued to slowly thrust in and out as Buffy’s body slowly stopped its trembling and Spike felt her relaxing more and more. He held her tightly and continued to rock slowly until he was sure she had drifted off to sleep, and then he let his own sleep come to him, still encased in her warmth. ********** Spike had slipped out before she woke, yet again. This was getting old. No one would tell her where he was going and he would only tell her it was a surprise for her. Not even Xander would rat him out. She couldn’t even follow him out. Spike had the whole house keeping tabs on her, and she knew it would be too dangerous anyway. She could barely make it down the stairs without help, much less slay something. At least she could move around outside a little during the day. The demons had quit testing the barrier Willow had erected and now pretty much stayed away. They didn’t even bother with the barrier anymore as long as Willow was home. Buffy had been working back at the school, but Spike had insisted she start her maternity leave this week, so she begrudgingly did so. Still, she was glad she didn’t have to work today. She hadn’t slept well last night and couldn’t seem to find the right position on the couch today. Around lunch time she began feeling really uncomfortable. Her abdomen would get really tight. False pains again, Buffy thought to herself. The first time it happened, Spike had almost come unglued. Buffy giggled to herself at the memory. Twice since that time, they had gotten like this. They would pass. She had a few more weeks left. She smiled as one of the babies squirmed and kicked her lower ribs. “No more room left, little one,” Buffy mused and rubbed her hand in circles on her stomach. That always seemed to help. Of coarse Spike was usually the one doing it. ********** Spike stood and addressed the gathered group. Giles, Angel, and Wesley all sat facing him. He had shown them around the mansion and they had all been impressed with the work he had done. “This is all great Spike, but why did Wes and I have to come up now?” Angel asked. “Buffy’s due in a few weeks and I was planning to be back then.” “Because,” Spike paused for suspense, “I have an idea.” Again he paused to make sure everyone was listening to him. “I want to start an academy. Watchers and Slayers. Make them the way they should be.” Everyone seemed shocked for a moment, and then they glanced around at each other before turning back to stare at Spike. “Seems to me, we have a bunch of junior slayers with no watchers. Giles, you and Wesley here, are about the only ones left. We can split the groups between here and Angel’s place. There’s enough in both places to teach them different things. A few years here, a few years there. Both places would have a slayer, a watcher, and a vampire.” Spike glanced at everyone. At least they weren’t shooting him down yet. “Angel could continue his little hobby down in LA. Give them all a bit more of the investigative stuff. Buffy and I can do more of the fighting stuff. I’m sure the council still has its sizable assets. With some planning, we can build on them and everyone gets a little kick back. Buffy can focus on slayer stuff and we can watch out for the twins.” OK. Now it was their turn. “Spike, I must say you sound like you’ve actually thought about this quite a bit,” Giles commented. Angel and Wesley nodded in agreement. After a little more discussion, they had concluded the plan was not only workable, but was even desirable. Spike gave himself a satisfied smile. Now, he just had to bring Buffy in on it. She still didn’t even know that he had fixed up the mansion for them all. Spike’s pocket began ringing again. “Bloody...” “Hello?...Buffy?...Yes Pet, I’ll stop and get some on the way home,” Spike noticed everyone was grinning at each other knowingly. “Don’t you think Bit could get it a bit quicker?” Spike paused and his face grew hard. “What about Red?” Spike clenched his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut. “Slayer, listen to me. You sit tight and do not, DO NOT, go outside the house. I’ll be there in a minute.” Spike hung up the phone. “Spike what’s wrong?” Giles asked with concern as Spike started toward the door. “She’s at home. Alone. As in no one there but her,” Spike quickly clarified. ********** You picked a hell of a day to send everyone off, Buffy thought to herself. She had managed to send half the girls to the movies with Willow, and then convinced Xander to take the others on an early patrol. She assured him that she would send Spike out as soon as he got home. When they tried to protest she’d exploded until everyone had scattered to the winds and Buffy finally had the house to herself. Finally, a little piece and quiet! Problem was, her pains were not only regular now, but they were strong enough to make her have to stop everything she was doing and wait for it to pass. Well, they still had some time. Spike would be home soon and he’d said that he would bring ice cream. Right after he told you to stay put like some child! Well, she would do what she felt like. OK, she wouldn’t patrol, but she could sit on her own front porch. He would be hopping mad when he got home, and she could care less, she told herself. She had just opened the door and stepped out on the porch when she felt her head explode and saw stars. The last thing she remembered seeing was the porch light and thinking she really needed to stop doing things just to piss off Spike.

Chapter #13 - Twelve

Chapter Twelve Spike pulled his car into the driveway and was out of the car and up on the porch just as the others pulled up in the Angel-mobile. This wasn’t right. The front door was standing wide open. As the others got out of the car they noticed Spike sitting on his heels in front of the open door. Angel stopped dead in his tracks half way to the door, causing Wesley to nearly run into him. “Angel, what’s wrong?” Wes asked. “Blood,” Angel replied. “Buffy’s.” A loud snarl came from Spike as he jumped up in full game face and walked down the sidewalk, his nose smelling the air. He started barking orders at everyone. “I’m going after them. Angel, I may need help with her. Giles, find the girls and make sure they’re OK, then get them home. And find Red, we may need a locator spell. Wes, you’re with us. I may need you to get Buffy out while Angel and I have a go with these guys.” Everyone looked at each other a split second and then began scrambling to do as they were told. Spike and Angel took the lead with Wes trailing behind. Giles took Angel’s car and sped off down the road as he backed into his cell phone. Spike and Angel were moving at a fevered pace and Wes was doing his best just to keep them in view. Caves. Why did they always have to end up at these caves? Spike decided he should bloody well bomb them and then they wouldn’t have to worry about them anymore. He silently cursed to himself as he thought how extensive and winding these caves were. It could take them all night to get the right tunnel and that might be too late. He pushed himself on with renewed urgency. Just as they entered the caves, Wes came running up. He stopped behind them and bent over, placing his hands on his knees and gasping in huge breaths. Spike quickly eyed him, and asked if he was ok. Seeing Wes’ affirmation, they started deeper into the caves. Unfortunately, these vamps were clever buggers. They’d gone down several tunnels that were strong with Buffy’s scent, only to find a sweater in one and her headband in the other. Spike felt like he was running out of time. It had been over two hours since he had talked to Buffy and the headband they found had a large bloodstain on it. Now they were at a divergence in the tunnel again and Buffy’s scent seemed to be coming from all three directions. Spike started down one, but Angel’s hand shot out and grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Smell that?” Angel lifted his head a little and stood there. “Yeah. Buffy’s scent is everywhere.” Spike sounded dangerously frazzled. “No, well yeah, but something else. Different. I’ve smelled it before, if I could just place it.” Angel put a hand up to silence Spike before he could protest. “Darla. That’s it! When Connor was born. It was when Darla’s water....” “No, oh no. God no. They can’t have...” Spike was sputtering out with a very terrified look on his face. “Angel, can you track it?” Wesley asked. Angel nodded his head and paused looking down each tunnel before starting down the one to the far right. ************ This vamp is *so* going to die, Buffy thought to herself. He was sitting in a chair in front of her, watching her like some movie of the week. Buffy felt another contraction and had to bite her tongue to keep from screaming. They were close now. Very, very, close now. Buffy was practically panting between them, and her water broke over an hour ago. The very old looking vampire sitting in front of her seemed to be enjoying the show, while his fledglings were sharing the unconscious guy in shackles across from her. Buffy’s arms tickled where the blood was running down from her trying to free herself from her shackles. She internally grinned as she noted that she almost had one of them worked loose. A few more distractions from the brain trust across the way and she would have one hand free. Buffy felt another pain and a small moan escaped before she caught it. “Tisk, tisk, slayer. I would have thought a girl like you could control her pain. After all, you did defeat the army of the First, despite your condition. You know, I heard that strange breathing thing helps,” The vampire quipped. “I am so going to enjoy this. Those little ones will be so sweet and delectable. Of coarse, I’m not sure how much room I’ll have after I drain you. But I’m sure I’ll manage. I just hope this show gets on the road before your lapdog of a vampire gets here.” He stuck his lip out in a mock pout. Buffy let out another moan and he smiled his appreciation. “Now, that’s more like it.” ********** Spike heard Buffy’s cry of pain and took off running. He heard the vampire’s cocky voice as he rounded a corner in the cave complex. He knew that voice. And the owner would be out for blood. They had to act fast, or Buffy would be the one to pay for Spike’s past. “Too late, Androchinus,” Spike said as he sauntered in, hands in his pockets. “Her lapdog is here.” “Well, I was beginning to think you wouldn’t come, Spike,” The vampire said moving around to stand behind Buffy. “Glad you could join us. Now you can watch me finish off the slayer here,” He said and nodded to his fledglings. “Don’t think so boys,” Angel said coming from one of the other openings in the side of the cave. He stopped between Spike and the fledglings and crossed his arms, not bothering to hide the smirk on his face. Androchinus sputtered meaningless sounds as he glanced back and forth between Spike and Angelus. He hadn’t planned on facing Angelus, but he decided to play this out as far as he could. He still had the slayer after all. He could still have his vengeance. “Doesn’t matter if Angelus is here. I’ll kill her before you can cross the room. A little payback for feeding me to that mob in Prague. Imagine my surprise when I found out you weren’t even with your precious Drusilla anymore. No matter, your weakness never changes.” He placed himself behind Buffy’s shackled body and grinned broadly as he shifted to game face. He yanked Buffy’s head to the side and sank his fangs deeply into her neck, sparing a glance to Spike who was just grinning at him. Androchinus only managed one strong pull on her blood before he felt the stake pierce his back. “How the hell....” he managed before bursting into dust.

Chapter #14 - Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen Buffy bit out a slight scream and her face scrunched up as the pain hit her and she tried to double over. She pulled one hand free in doing so. She tried to free the other hand from its shackle, but couldn’t get it to budge. Buffy felt someone slide under her free arm, trying to hold her up, and she could hear lots of commotion going on around her. When the pain finally subsided, Buffy looked up to see Angel dispatch the last fledgling. Spike was pulling on the chain hooked to her remaining shackle. She looked over and noticed that it was Wes who was holding her up. What were he and Angel doing in Sunnydale? “Buffy how close are the contractions?” Wes asked her. Spike was still trying to break the chain and Angel was now trying to help him. “Too close,” Buffy bit out as yet another hit her. The chain finally gave and Buffy started to sink down to the floor. Spike swept her up in his arms and Buffy grabbed his shirt, and ripped it almost in two as she yelled for him to stop. “Slayer, we need to get you to the hospital,” Spike said firmly and started back toward the entrance. “No…time…” Buffy managed to say, scrunching her face again. Spike felt her whole body tense up and she had started making a humming noise. Similar to the one Dru made when the visions came. He silently implored Angel and Wes to help him but both were staring oddly at each other. “Buffy, what are you...?” His eyes widened in realization, “You’re pushing! No, baby, not here. You can’t do this here,” Spike told Buffy, as if she had control over it. “Tell...them...that,” Buffy panted out. Wes quickly took charge of the situation. “Angel, give me your jacket. I’ll need your shirt as well,” Wesley took off the jacket he’d been wearing and spread it out on the ground next to one wall then put his own shirt over it. “Spike put her down here,” Wesley indicated to the shirt. Spike looked a Wes like he’d suddenly sprouted horns. “Spike! I said put her here.” Spike looked torn for a moment before he finally nodded and set Buffy gently down. Wes waited until her face relaxed again and then he looked her in the eyes. “Buffy, I’m going to have to look,” Buffy didn’t hesitate a second before nodding her consent. “Over my dead...” Spike shouted in protest. “Look Spike,” Wesley cut him off, “Like it or not, Buffy is probably going to deliver the first baby here. We don’t have time for arguments. I can’t help her without looking. Perhaps you would like to deliver her yourself?” Spike shook his head. “No? I thought not. Then let me do this. With any luck we can get her to the hospital before the other one delivers,” Wesley said as he draped Angel’s coat across Buffy’s knees. Wes quickly gave Angel a few instructions, as another contraction hit Buffy and she started humming again, and he quickly made the necessary inspection. “Oh dear,” Wesley mumbled, glancing back up at Buffy. “Buffy, I need you to focus. I assume Rupert has been working with you on some techniques?” Buffy nodded her head. “Good. I need you to breathe now. You’re much too strong Buffy, and I can’t control this if you completely push. Spike, you need to get her to focus.” Spike nodded and took Buffy’s face in his hands, turned her face to his, and looked her straight in the eyes. “OK Buffy, you can do this. Remember what the watcher taught you? You have to do it now, luv.” He started talking her through each contraction in his most soothing and rhythmic voice. Soon he found that he had Buffy focusing almost entirely on his voice. Spike had never used the little trick he’d picked up from Drusilla, but right now he was mentally thanking her. “That’s my girl, Buffy. Just keep listening to me. Wes, what do we need to do?” Spike asked without breaking eye contact with Buffy. “I need small pushes. Nothing big,” Wesley instructed. “All right then, this is it, slayer. Little pushes. Just like the man said,” Spike told her. Buffy nodded her head and complied. In a matter of moments it was all over. “It’s a girl,” Wesley announced. He quickly cleaned and wrapped her as well as possible and she started crying. Spike broke eye contact and turned his head toward the wondrous sound of the baby girl. Tears clouded his vision as he gazed in awe at her. She was so tiny. “Is she OK?” Spike asked with a broken voice. “I think she’ll be fine, but we should get them to the hospital now.” Wesley said as he handed the infant to Buffy, and indicated for them to stand. As Spike picked them up, Buffy let out another cry and Wesley turned to see she had resumed her vigorous pushing. He had hoped she wouldn’t progress this fast. First time’s weren’t supposed to progress so fast, and there was usually some modicum of time between each child. Then again, they had virtually no idea how a slayer’s physiology would affect a delivery, much less with twins. He supposed they were quite lucky to have arrived when they had. “Or we could be not so lucky,” Wesley ruefully added, as Buffy demanded to be put back on the floor. He knelt down once again to check on Buffy. His suspicion was confirmed as Buffy began pushing again. “Spike, I’m afraid it’s time for round two.” Spike nodded his head and turned to Buffy but was interrupted as he began to speak. “Oh dear Lord,” Giles had come around one of the entrances and promptly spun around, putting his back to the group. “Terribly sorry. Didn’t realize...” Just then Willow came running in, “Oh my!” She gasped and blushed deeply before joining Giles staring at the cave wall. “Oh good grief....”Spike muttered staring at the backs of the two. Buffy started her humming again and pushed with vigor. “Spike!” Wesley yelled. Spike returned his attention to Buffy and soon had her back in her semi-hypnotized state. “Rupert,” Wesley called “I’m afraid I’m going to need your shirt.” “Yes, yes, of coarse,” He said as he shed the shirt and handed it to Willow. She eyed it with horror and shook her head at Giles. They quickly passed it back and forth as if it would burn their hands. “Oh for the love of...” Angel muttered and rolled his eyes, then he walked over and took the shirt from them. He handed the shirt to Wesley and returned his attention to the little girl he was monitoring while Spike and Buffy’s attentions were otherwise diverted. Soon the cave was filled with another cry as Wesley cleaned and wrapped the small boy and handed him off to Spike and returned his attention to Buffy. Angel ensured that Buffy had full control of her daughter, then stood back to watch the new parents. He saw Spike’s expression and recalled his own son’s not so distant arrival and the joy he had felt as he had picked up the small infant still covered in Darla’s ashes. After seeing to the cords and afterbirth, Wes finally proclaimed that they were ready to move. Angel took the girl back and Spike handed his son back to Wesley, then wrapped Buffy up in the jackets and scooped her up in his arms. ********** Buffy was sitting up in her bed as she watched the two vampires, each holding a tiny bundle. Giles, Wesley, and some of the girls were admiring little Thomas, as Dawn, Xander and the rest cooed over little Isabella. The doctor had assured her that the babies were fine and healthy. They had even seemed to buy wholeheartedly, the whole home birth story the group had concocted on the way to the hospital. “All right everyone, you’re going to have those babies sick and spoiled.” Willow came in and was shooing everyone out the door. “Besides, mom needs her rest,” She said as she began pushing the highly protesting group through the doors. Buffy still couldn’t believe they were at the Crawford street mansion. Angel and the others had moved the whole house while she’d been in the hospital. They hadn’t even told her until she saw them turn on to Crawford and questioned Spike about it. She’d cried when she walked into their room and she saw the nursery off to the side. He’d put a door in between the two rooms so they could easily access the nursery from the bedroom. Angel placed a small kiss on little Bella’s forehead and then one on Buffy’s cheek before he too left the room, closing the door behind him. Spike came and sat on the bed next to Buffy, bringing Tommy with him. He sat there for long minutes just staring at the sleeping child. “I didn’t get you anything,” Spike finally said quietly. Buffy looked at him, confused by his statement. “You gave me three incredible gifts and I didn’t get you anything,” He clarified, looking up at Buffy with that look of love that always seemed to melt her heart. “And I have nothing to say that could thank you enough for them.” Buffy felt her heart swell. Spike always seemed to know what to say to make her feel this way. Wait a minute, three? He’d said three gifts. “What’s the third gift, Spike?” She asked. He leaned in to place a soft kiss, but stopped just shy of her lips. “You, luv. It was you.” ********** The End...or is it the beginning?