Disclaimer: All the characters are Joss Whedon’s. I’m just borrowing them.
 
Thank you for the reviews so far!
 
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Chapter 2
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Buffy hit the alarm clock the next morning and then turned to elbow Spike. “Hey, sleeping beauty, rise and shine. Inspection day.”
 
Spike groaned and rolled over. “ ‘S unnatural for a vampire to be up at dawn.”
 
“Well it’s also unnatural for a vampire to be living with the Slayer, so not sure why that should matter,” she quipped. “Come on, get up!” she repeated, whacking him with her pillow.
 
Spike growled a bit, but relented and hauled himself out of bed. Together they made the bed and picked up their scattered clothes. Buffy heard Dawn taking a shower, so she and Spike wore their bathrobes down to make breakfast. Spike made what Buffy still thought was a revolting mixture of half blood, half coffee, and sat down to drink it. Buffy thought he looked adorable with his riotous curls completely untamed and his pale chest framed by dark silk. Not adorable. I’m a bloody vampire. Vampires don’t come in ‘adorable’ models, he grumbled silently.
 
I should remember not to admire you before you’ve had your coffee, Mr. Grumpy, Buffy shot back. Spike smirked and went back to his morning brew.
 
Dawn came down by the time Buffy had whipped up some scrambled eggs and toast for everyone. “Wow, Spike awake before noon. How’d you manage that?” Dawn jibed.
 
“She told me I could have you for breakfast if I got down here before you went to school,” Spike said. He let his eyes go yellow briefly, then went back to his usual smirk.
 
“Ha ha. Funny,” said Dawn. “Like Buffy wouldn’t dust your scrawny British hide in five minutes.”
 
“I’m gonna have to do something to your scrawny American hide if you’re late to school, so eat up,” Buffy cut in. They all helped themselves to breakfast and enjoyed it with their usual morning chatter. When they had finished, Buffy gathered up the plates while Dawn got ready to go. A horn sounded outside. “There’s Janice’s mom. I’ll see you later!” Dawn chirped as she headed out the door.
 
“I’ll take care of the dishes. Why don’t you take the first shower so you can stash your stuff,” Buffy proposed. Spike agreed, still half awake, and made his way back upstairs. Buffy tidied the kitchen and made one last check of the first floor, making sure there was nothing suspicious in view. As she passed the phone, she had a thought, and dialed Tara’s number. After a few rings she heard Tara’s voice say, “Hello?”
 
“Hey Tara, it’s Buffy.”
 
“Hi there! What’s going on?” Tara was genuinely glad to hear from Buffy. Although she knew the separation from Willow was for the best, she missed the camaraderie of the group and hoped they would all work their issues out eventually.
 
“Have you heard anything from Willow of late? Is she throwing spells our way again?”
 
“Why do you ask?”
 
“Last night Spike and I were, um, in bed,” Buffy stammered, suddenly embarrassed. “Anyhow, we felt this weird, unnatural heat or something. Then later we both had nightmares. Slayer type nightmares about fighting demons and me turning into a vampire.”
 
“I spoke to Willow a few days ago. She said she had managed to go two solid weeks with no magic, and I’m pretty sure she was telling the truth.”
 
“Hmm. Well, if you hear of anything, let me know, ok?” said Buffy.
 
“Will do. Talk soon!”
 
“Bye!” Buffy hung up.
 
“Who was that, love?” Spike asked as he entered the room. He was showered and dressed in his usual uniform.
 
“Tara,” Buffy replied, going over to wrap her arms around him and revel in the scent of freshly washed Spike. “I was asking her if she knew if Willow had done any magic that could explain the weirdness last night.”
 
“I’m sure we’ll figure it out if it was something important,” Spike said. “Why don’t you go shower, and I’ll make one more pass through the house before I split.”
 
“Where will you go?” Buffy asked.
 
“Was going to pay a call on Clem. See how he’s doing in my old digs.” Spike had offered his floppy friend use of the crypt when he had moved in with Buffy, and Clem had jumped at the chance.
 
“Tell him I said hi,” Buffy said. She kissed him sweetly and went upstairs. True to his word, Spike checked around upstairs, made sure all his things were hidden, then grabbed a blanket and dashed for the nearest sewer opening.
 
Buffy had finished getting dressed and was reading a magazine when the doorbell rang. “Hello Mrs. Davis,” Buffy said, as she greeted the middle aged social worker. “Come on in.”
 
“How are things going for you, Ms Summers,” Ms. Davis asked warmly.
 
“Things are going well. Dawn’s grades are getting back on track, and she hasn’t been late or absent even once.”
 
“Splendid. And how are your finances?”
 
“All the bills are paid up. I’m trying to figure out how I might be able to go back to college soon, so I can improve my job prospects, although that money from my anonymous benefactor is plenty to keep us going for the next several years.”
 
“And you never found out who gave you that money?” asked Ms. Davis curiously.
 
“No idea,” Buffy lied. It had been one of the most helpful things Spike had done for them to date, but she had promised to keep it quiet.
 
“Well, let me take a quick look around,” said Ms. Davis. Buffy led her on a tour of the house. The social worker noted the orderly housekeeping, the well stocked kitchen, and the continued lack of unauthorized housemates. “It seems everything is in order, Ms. Summers. I am going to recommend that you be taken off probationary status, barring any future problems.”
 
“Thank you. That’s quite a relief,” Buffy sighed. “Can I ask you a question?”
 
Ms. Davis turned to look at her. “What is it?”
 
“Well, I’ve been dating a very nice man of late,” she said. “It’s someone I’ve known for a while, but we’re getting rather serious. What… what sort of hoops would we need to jump through if he wanted to move in with me?”
 
“He would have to submit to a criminal records check and get fingerprinted, to make sure he’s not in the system anywhere with a record. Provided he’s clear, and his presence isn’t going to impact your finances detrimentally, it should be no problem. If you decide to make that move, just have him come down to the office with you some day and we’ll do the paperwork.”
 
“Thanks again, Ms. Davis. I’m… I’m not sure when we’ll be ready for that, but I’ll bring him by if it gets to that point.” And if I can figure out how to get him there during business hours without him bursting into flame or otherwise attracting too much attention.
 
“It was good to see you, Ms. Summers. Keep up the good work.” With that, Ms. Davis shook hands with Buffy and left. Buffy closed the door and leaned against it, giving a sigh of relief. She didn’t really think they would take Dawn away again, but the nagging fear was hard to shake. Buffy spent the next hour or two in the basement, practicing with weapons and otherwise training. She missed her training room at the Magic Box, but she really didn’t want to risk running into Willow and Xander yet. I suppose at some point I’ll have to talk to them. Still, she didn’t feel like that point had to be today.
 
Spike came home mid-afternoon, dashing into the house and smoking slightly as he took off the blanket. “Hey, babe, how is Clem doing?” Buffy asked as she greeted him.
 
“Just fine. He invited me to join in a poker game on Friday night. Regular poker this time, not kitten poker. I told him I’d have to ask the missus,” Spike said with a grin.
 
“You make me sound like a controlling battleaxe,” Buffy laughed. “You need your time with your demon friends. Besides, Dawn and I can use some girl time as well. So go play poker. Just don’t lose your shirt or come home with 15 kittens.”
 
“Yes ma’am,” he said. Then he pulled her close and started nibbling down her neck. “How much time do we have before the Nibblet gets home?”
 
“Enough for this,” Buffy replied as she coasted down his body to kneel in front of him. She teased his zipper down and took his cock out, smiling as he hissed at her touch. She took him in her mouth and made him moan with pleasure. By tuning in to his emotions, she could feel when something she did was particularly effective, and do it again, and again. Within minutes he had his hands buried in her hair and his head thrown back, calling her name like a chant, “Buffy, Buffy, oh God, oh fuck!” He convulsed as she swallowed every last drop of his spendings, and he nearly had to grab the wall to keep from collapsing in a quivering heap.
 
Buffy smiled, kissed the tip of his cock, and tucked him back into his jeans. He pulled her up into a kiss and groaned at the taste of himself on her lips. They paused to stare into each other’s eyes. Fucking amazing, love, he thought, wondering again at his good fortune. I’ll expect payment later, she responded, kissing him again. Their kiss was interrupted by the sound of Dawn at the back door, and they moved apart reluctantly to greet her and carry on with the rest of their evening.
 
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A few weeks went by in their usual routine. Gradually Buffy and Spike forgot about the weird overheated night and the disturbing dreams. Tara had called back a few days later with nothing in particular to report. Spike had asked around discretely at the demon bar and at his poker games, but had heard nothing. The poker game had become a regular Friday night event, and Dawn and Buffy used Friday nights for giving each other manicures in front of the sappy, girly movies that Spike rolled his eyes at.
 
One Saturday morning, Buffy woke feeling vaguely unwell. Her stomach seemed to be disagreeing with her rather unpleasantly. She had allowed Dawn to pick the pizza toppings last night, which was always a risky proposition. Dawn had experimented with anchovies, onions, ham, and feta cheese, which wasn’t Buffy’s first choice at all. That is the last time she gets to order the pizza. Buffy got up and went to the bathroom, downing a couple of antacids on the way out. She went downstairs to make some tea and some toast to settle her stomach. Dawn usually slept in on Saturdays, and Spike was his usual unconscious self at this hour, and Buffy enjoyed the little bit of solitude. Her stomach continued protesting as she ate her toast, making her wonder if she was coming down with some bug or something. But in the end she finished her breakfast and things started to settle down.
 
Buffy drifted into the living room to curl up with a magazine. Why am I so tired today? she yawned. She found herself desiring nothing more than to stay on the couch all day. Eh, it’s Saturday. I don’t suppose there’s anything in particular I need to do. After a while, her magazine dropped to the floor as she dozed off.
 
…Screaming. Someone was screaming and then it stopped, suddenly, and the silence was even more frightening. They were coming for her, and there was nowhere to hide…
 
“Buffy! Wake up!” Buffy startled awake to find Spike gripping her shoulders, a concerned look on his face. “You ok? You were screaming. Scared the both of us half to death. Well, more to death in my case.” Buffy noticed that Dawn was behind him looking worried and frightened.
 
“Another one of those Technicolor Slayer dreams,” Buffy explained as she listened to her own racing heartbeat. “Someone was coming for me, but I don’t know who, or why.”
 
“I felt your fear, but nothing else,” Spike said. Buffy stood up, and reeled a bit. Spike caught her and steadied her. “You look a little shaky there, pet.”
 
“I’ve felt a little off all morning,” Buffy admitted. “Woke up feeling nauseous, and really tired. Maybe I’m coming down with something.”
 
“Well don’t give it to me, whatever it is,” Dawn piped up. Buffy knew that her flippant remark masked genuine concern, and she smiled reassuringly at her sister.
 
“I’ll be ok,” Buffy reassured them. “I could go for another cup of tea though.”
 
Spike raised his eyebrows. “Tea? For Mrs. Coffee herself? Didn’t know that being British was catching.”
 
“Ha, ha,” Buffy retorted. “Just because I had a taste for something different doesn’t mean I’m going to start using all your weird slang and caring about soccer.”
 
“This is how it begins,” Spike teased in a low voice. “First a cup of tea, then next thing you know you’re singing ‘Rule Britannia’ in the shower.”
 
“Given that I don’t even know the song, I think I’m safe from that,” Buffy replied as she got the tea down.
 
“Give it time, love, give it time.”
 
“Any plans today, Dawnie?” Buffy asked as she waited for the kettle to boil.
 
“Tara was going to take me to a movie, remember?”
 
“Oh yeah, I forgot. Any idea what you plan to see?”
 
“Nah. Figure it out when we get there.” Dawn still enjoyed Tara’s company. She sort of wished that Willow and Tara would work it out and get back together though. “Do you ever miss the Scoobies?”
 
Buffy grew thoughtful. “Sometimes.” She lapsed into thoughtful silence until the kettle whistled. She poured tea for herself and Spike. “I know I should try to reconnect with them. It’s just so, awkward, you know? I mean, the last time I saw Willow I nearly strangled her and the last time I saw Xander I broke his nose.”
 
“You were provoked,” Spike muttered. Taking a sip of tea, he continued, “But I think you’re right. You’ll probably feel better if you at least get things out in the open with them so you can all move on.”
 
Buffy sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” How exactly do I go about this though?
 
No idea pet. But we’ll think of something. For now, just drink your tea. Buffy smiled at him and Dawn rolled her eyes. “You know, there’s probably some etiquette rule about not using telepathy when other people are there!” They had explained the whole claim concept to Dawn in order to allay her fears after she noticed the mark on her sister’s neck. At first Dawn had been grossed out by the concept, but she seemed to understand the bond they shared, and by now she was so used to the idea that she ribbed them about it at every opportunity.
 
“Believe me, Nibblet, you don’t want to know all our thoughts,” Spike said, raising his eyebrows suggestively.
 
“Ew! Ok, I’m going to go bleach my brain now.” Dawn cleared her place and went upstairs to take a shower.
 
We should stop teasing Dawn all the time, Buffy chided. She’s gonna get a complex.
 
It’s all part of my sinister plot to keep her out of trouble, Spike replied silently. She’ll be so grossed out by the idea of sex that she’ll never want to date, and I’ll never have to kill her boyfriends for touching her.
 
Overprotective much? Buffy smiled.
 
Nobody messes with my women, Spike responded. He got up and helped himself to some blood to go along with his tea. They hung around for the rest of the morning, reading the paper, chatting, and silently teasing each other with various erotic thoughts. Driving each other crazy while Dawn was around was one of their favorite pastimes, particularly when they knew she would be leaving soon. When Tara finally pulled up and blew the horn, they waved to Dawn, watched the car leave, then tackled each other to the living room floor.
 
Bathrobes are a wonderful invention, Buffy thought between kisses. Easy access without constantly destroying clothing. Spike chuckled. They had gone through a fair number of t-shirts and undergarments since their relationship started. At one point, Spike had to go bare-chested for half a day until Buffy could get to the store for some replacements. They rolled until Buffy was on top, easing herself down onto Spike with a sigh and closing her eyes. Oh yes, I needed this.
 
With her eyes still closed and a wicked grin on her face she stared working him with her inner muscles, making him groan and arch his back in ecstasy. Fuck, kitten, you’re gonna pull it off someday with those muscles.
 
Now that would be a terrible shame, Buffy thought back. She opened her eyes to watch him as his lips parted and his eyes widened. She began to move on top of him, rising so that he was almost completely free of her and then falling so he was battering her cervix. After more long minutes of this torture, Spike growled and rolled them so that he was on top. He pounded her, nibbling her breasts until he heard her hiss slightly. Love? he inquired, slowing his thrusts somewhat.
 
Breasts are just a little tender for some reason. Mmm. Don’t stop the rest though.
 
Yes, ma’am, Spike replied, picking up the pace once more. As he neared his climax he vamped out and claimed her neck, bringing them both over the edge screaming.
 
Afterward they lay on the floor, with Buffy nestled against Spike’s chest. Spike was, as usual, jonesing for a cigarette, but he had long since agreed not to smoke in the house. He ran his tongue over his lips, gathering a few stray drops of rich Slayer blood. Odd, he thought.
 
What is?
 
This is going to sound weird, but you taste a little different today.
 
Different how?
 
Dunno. Like a different note in a bottle of wine.
 
So what, I taste like oak or something? Buffy sat up and looked at him. Could it be me coming down with some stomach bug?
 
No, you don’t taste sick, really. Spike couldn’t quite place what seemed off to him. Anyhow, he continued as he eased her back onto the rug, I’ll just have to taste you elsewhere for comparison. He licked his way down her flat stomach to nuzzle her curls, then settled between her legs. He admired the view for a moment or two before he dived in, teasing her clit and thrusting his tongue into her. But after a moment he stopped.
 
Are you trying to drive me crazy? Buffy asked with a frustrated groan.
 
Buffy… when did you last have your period?
 
Buffy propped herself up on her elbows and looked at him curiously. Not sure off the top of my head. Why do you ask?”
 
It’s just… Spike paused, realizing how absurd this was going to sound. You taste… pregnant.
 
What? Buffy guffawed. And how exactly am I supposed to manage that with a vampire boyfriend? And what do you mean I taste pregnant? That’s kinda gross.
 
Your blood, your quim – changing hormones change a woman’s flavor.
 
Well, that’s impossible. I mean I’m not due to… Buffy stopped and did some calculations in her head. Actually, come to think of it, it has been a while. Last time was a couple weeks before… Buffy’s eyes got wide with realization. That spell. That weird heat and Slayer dream combination. My last period was a week or two before that.
 
Spike sat up and looked at her closely. That… how is this possible?
 
It can’t be possible, Buffy responded. There’s been no one but you since I came back.
 
I’m well aware of that, love, Spike replied. Even without the claim, he would have smelled another man on her if she had been with one. But they had scarcely been apart more than a couple of hours at a time since she returned from the grave.
 
Look, let’s not jump to any conclusions here, Buffy said. I’ll go get one of those over the counter test things and we’ll see what it says.
 
Sounds like a plan, Spike agreed. He thoughtfully ran a hand over her flat stomach. But what if it’s true?
 
Buffy looked at him with a mixture of love and fear. Then I think our lives are about to get very, very complicated.
 
TBC