It Happened One Night

By: Golden Buffy


Summary: Willow knows that Spike is the baby's daddy. Who is next on Buffy's list to find out?

Disclaimer: I woke up from the most amazing dream to a harsh reality, I don't own Spike. Because if I did he would be chained to my bed right now.

Author's Notes: Thanks to my awesome beta Just_Sue for beta-ing another chapter! And huggles to AD for the read through.


(Lovely banner by Spuffy_Noelle)

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Chapter Four: Crumbled Illusions



"We must select the illusion which appeals to our temperament and embrace it with passion, if we want to be happy"
Cyril Connolly

"A pleasant illusion is better than a harsh reality"
Christian Nevell Bovee

"I know you don't wanna hear me cryin'
An I know you don't wanna hear me deny
That your satisfaction lies in your ILLUSIONS
But your delusions are yours and not mine
We take for granted we know the whole story
We judge a book by its cover
And read what we want
Between selected lines"
Guns n Roses Use Your Illusion I



“Mom, I have something to tell you,” Buffy said in an overly cheery voice, her reflection mimicking her movements. Buffy looked at her image in the mirror; she looked like a woman with an unbearable burden. This was harder than she thought, and it wasn't even real Joyce, it was imaginary Joyce. Sighing Buffy ran a hand over her face in frustration.

“Mom, remember when you asked me if I wanted to talk... well, I'm ready! Ugh!” Buffy exclaimed to the empty room as she collapsed onto the bed.

This was going nowhere fast. Pushing herself up to rest on her bent elbows, Buffy glanced around her dorm room. It was quiet and she needed a distraction. Willow had been in and out the whole week since they'd moved back in to the dorm. Things with Tara must have been going good, plus their weekly visits with the local campus coven kept the ex-computer geek quite busy.

Pushing a golden lock of hair behind her ear, Buffy decided to do something she never really took time with... studying. She had a huge exam in physics, add that with patrolling and morning sickness, it hadn't left much time for the activity.

And just when was the horrible morning sickness going to stop? Was it this bad for all women, or was this something extra special for slayers who became pregnant? The small meals so weren't helping, and those nasty vitamins just added to the turmoil that was Buffy's stomach. They were huge, pink, chalky things that refused to be swallowed - no matter how much water she drank with them - sticking in her throat, causing her nausea to rise faster and more often.

And playing the “everything's okay” game was really starting to get old quick with everyone. Sooner or later she was going to have to come clean. Walking around looking like those you staked every night was bound to raise a few eye brows.


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Ears alert and eyes sharp, Buffy stalked her prey. The big, pink blob had oozed its way into an alley. Making sure to take mental notes Buffy fought hard not to gag from its stench. Not that the alley smelled any better. The thing had caused enough problems in Sunnydale over the past two weeks, and the Slayer couldn't wait to find out how to kill it.

The demon would stalk its victims, corner them, and some how devour them. But that was about as much information any of the Scoobies had. Without playing stake out, hiding in the bushes, and waiting to see the pink blob in action.

Entering the alleyway, Buffy caught sight of its slime trail glittering in the amber colored light from the street lamp. “Uh, Mr. Oozy, stinky demon thing, could you come out now so I can try and kill you?” Buffy asked hopefully as she paused straining her ears for any sound. She was met by silence.

“Didn't think so,” the Slayer snarked, rolling her eyes.

Venturing further into the passageway Buffy's spidey senses went into overdrive - she knew that signature all too well. Sighing she rolled her eyes again, swinging her body and sword to the location of a certain vampire. “You can come out now, Spike, and stop with the whole stalking bit,” Buffy barked, pointing the shiny weapon in his direction.

Spike swaggered out of the shadows, cigarette in one hand and smirk firmly in place. “Glad you think so highly of yourself, luv, but I wasn't stalkin you. Was out for a stroll looking for a good fight. Knew you were patrolling,” he shrugged glancing at the Slayer, “Decided to join you is all,” Spike finished, taking a drag off the thin white stick.

“You? Patrol, with me? Please. I can so do better on my own. Oh wait, I have done better on my own. And you only want to hang with me so you can beat up demons,” Buffy added offhandedly, scanning the alley once more. But the slimy demon was nowhere in sight.

“Well, yeah,” Spike agreed, pinning Buffy with a “duh” look. “Why else would you think I want to hang around you? Not for your lovely conversation,” he shot back quite pleased with himself.

Buffy's eyes narrowed to small slits as she shot daggers Spike's way. She so wanted to punch him in the nose right now - in fact, what was preventing her?

“Oh, like you're king of conversation.” It was lame, but all she could come up with at short notice.

“Seriously, Slayer, got some pent up energy and need to work it off,” Spike paused, slowly raking his eyes over Buffy's form before settling back to her eyes as his tongue did that lewd thing with his teeth. “Unless you have other ideas?” he accompanied his question with an arched brow.

“You really are a pig, Spike. Do you know that?” Buffy regarded him with displeasure, trying desperately to cover up those tiny butterflies he always seemed to stir up in her stomach.

“Oink, oink,” Spike agreed, as he shadow boxed with himself, his motions playing out on the brick wall. Buffy decided to ignore him. And the way his body was moving, all seductive like beneath his leather duster.

The pink blob decided to make itself known at that very moment. Giving Buffy the distraction she had desperately needed and wished for. Landing with a sickening “plop” on the concrete, the blob was on the attack from its previous position atop the building it had slithered up to elude the Slayer. The two bottle blondes turned their heads in the direction of the noise. Buffy looked down at her sword then back at the cotton candy colored demon, and deduced that the piece of metal wasn't going to do much harm to it. She needed something else, like salt.

“Slayer watch out!” Spike shouted before tackling her to the ground, Buffy was just inches away from becoming the demon's next meal. Turning its faceless features towards the duo, it released a yellowish sludge projectile their way. It hit the wall of the building behind the two, eating its way through the brickwork. With a hiss, the smelly thing slithered away into the night.

Lying there, pinned between the side walk and Spike's lean body, Buffy was assaulted by that all too familiar smell of leather, whiskey, and tobacco. It was like Old Spice... if Old Spice bottled those three scents and sold them. Buffy couldn't help the delicious shiver that ran down her spine as images of the night they'd shared raced through her mind. Groaning, she quickly screwed her eyes shut, trying to clamp down on her hormones before they made themselves known. Swallowing hard, Buffy growled through clenched teeth, “Get off me, Spike!” Buffy started pushing at Spike's leather clad shoulders, desperate for some fresh air and a Spike free safe zone.

Spike let his all too telling smirk spread across his lips, his senses keenly aware of Buffy's increased heart rate, the light flush to her skin and the sweet, but subtle, hint of her desire in the air. Oh yeah, the Slayer was hot for the Big Bad.

Buffy chose to ignore his smirk, like he knew her so well. 'Stupid vampire.'

“No need to get violent, Slayer. Nice way of thanking a bloke for saving your arse,” the blonde vampire noted, gracefully getting to his feet.

“You so did not save my butt, Spike. I had things totally under control until you came along all with the distracting,” Buffy shot back, glaring up at his form.

“Sure didn't look that way from my stand point, pet,” Spike retorted, his smirk still firmly in place.

Buffy still glared up at him, but decided to accept his offered hand, despite the urge to smack the smugness off his face. Getting to her feet she quickly relinquished his hand and brushed at the dirt clinging to her stylish, yet affordable, leather pants.

“Well, that answers the mystery to how it eats people.” Buffy had turned her head to inspect the large hole in the side of the wall when a wave of dizziness stole over her. Swaying, Buffy reached her arm out, looking for something to lean on when Spike grabbed her shoulders, steadying her.

Deciding that the Slayer needed some fresher air, Spike quickly scooped her up in his arms before carrying her out of the alley and back to the public side walk. He gently set her down, leaning her against a parked car. Buffy braced herself on the passenger side door before bending down and placing her head between her knees. She refused to lose her lunch in front of Spike. Weakness was not an option; all he needed was one good day. So what if he couldn't take her out himself, he could always get some other demon to do the deed.

Giving her a once over, Spike noticed the dark circles under her eyes and how pale her face seemed. Then something odd occurred to him. Her scent, Buffy's scent was stronger than normal. It struck Spike as odd. Not strong like that delectable aroma when her monthly was scheduled for a visit. It was sweeter, with a subtle undertone of something new. Something Spike couldn't quite place his finger, or preternatural senses, on.

Cocking his head slightly to the side and raising his scarred brow, Spike questioned her. “You feeling okay, pet? You're looking a bit green around the gills.”

Shaking off the feeling of nausea, Buffy straightened her body, leaning back against the car once more. “Yeah, I'm fine...,” Buffy cut herself off in mid reply. Her green eyes glowing with anger. “Geez, I wish everyone would just mind their own business and stay out of mine. And why would you even care? Just go home, Spike, or go do what ever it is that you do at night, 'cause I don't need your help,” Buffy closed with a huff.

Before the vampire could get another word past his lips the slayer stormed off into the night, leaving a very confused demon in her wake.

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“And you say it tried to attack you?”

“Yes, Giles, for the billionth time tonight. It was big, and pink, and nasty. The thing tried to make me all appetizer Buffy,” she huffed, a bit irritated. Buffy was tired, she just wanted to go to her dorm and sleep through an apocalypse.

The ex-watcher stared at his slayer, taking in her information and focusing intently on the description she gave. But even more baffled by the actions of the vampire who possibly assisted her.

“And Spike saved you? What did he want in return, some more burba weed?” Giles questioned, slightly in disbelief that Spike would do anything which didn't involve personal gain.

Sighing Buffy collapsed back onto the sofa, twisting one of her rings off and on her index finger.

“Nothing... well, he wanted to patrol with me. Something about needing to work off steam,” Buffy answered matter of factly.

“Oh, well isn't that just great, Evil Dead Junior wants to help with patrolling,” Xander chimed in, sharing his two cents for everyone to hear.

“What's so wrong with that, Xander? I mean, the poor guy can't even feed off humans and fighting some demons wouldn't hurt. Adding more muscle to the team is a good thing... isn't it?” Anya inquired, as she looked around the room for support.

Buffy, Giles, Xander, Tara, and Willow all turned to stare at the ex-demon as if she were speaking out of the side of her neck.

“What are you all looking at? It makes sense, really,” Anya swatted at anything that might be hanging from her nose as she defended herself. Spike helping on the slaying end did sound like a good idea. Really, what bad could come of it? “You let Angel help and he was evil once,” she added with a satisfied nod.

“Only speak when spoken too, honey,” Xander whispered, patting his girlfriend's arm. The ex-vengeance demon just sat back in her chair with a humph; she couldn't understand why they treated her like a four year old child. She had lots of information to share if they would just let her. And it all wasn't about Xander and orgasms.

Willow went back to flipping through a book of demons, trying to find anything similar to what Buffy described.

“You said it was pink, kinda like a blob? Goes to show you can't count on eye witness testimony,” Willow put forth with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Yeah, and don't forget the slime trail, ewww,” Buffy scrunched up her face in disgust.

“So did you happen to see when it excreted its projectile towards you Buffy?” Giles looked towards Buffy expectantly.

“No, Spike was sort of blocking my vie...” The slayer didn't finish her sentence as that all too familiar watery mouth announced that her stomach was no longer cooperating. Jumping up from her seat on the sofa, Buffy and ran for Giles' bathroom. Everyone stilled as confusion and concern washed over their faces. They could hear the muffled sounds filtering from the hallway as their friend threw up behind the closed bathroom door.

“Buffy's sick! She's throwing up! Buffy never gets sick; she's all super hero Buffy of the non sick variety. Please tell me she isn't sick, G-man!” Xander pleaded, eyes pinned on the ex-watcher for answers.

“I'm sure it's nothing, Xander, and for the last time, stop calling me that infernal name!” Giles exclaimed, glaring at the younger man. How many times over the years had he asked him to stop calling him that name? The boy just didn't listen. Coming out of his musing Giles was greeted by fresh sounds from his slayer, causing him to turn a slight gray. 'Maybe Buffy was catching something.' Giles thought, remembering the time she had had that horrible cold and fever.

“Yes, well, er, Willow you're Buffy's room mate, has she been sick lately?”

“Buffy? Sick? Oh, no, she's fine, nothing wrong with Buffy, as fit as a fiddle,” the redhead joked, faking a laugh as she leaned further behind Tara and the book she was looking through.

“Right. I'll get some water for tea.” Giles left the living room to match action to words.

“Yeah, because tea solves all problems,” Willow remarked snidely. “It must be some British thing that we Americans don't get. Because it's tea, it solves everything, it's British!”


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Flushing the toilet, Buffy washed her hands quickly. Risking a quick peek inside Giles medicine cabinet she found what she was looking for. 'Oh, minty!' Buffy removed the mouth wash taking a huge swoosh then quickly spitting it out in the sink. 'Ewww, too minty.'

Buffy really wanted to cry. This was horrible; here she was still throwing up, and of all places Giles' flat. 'So not the time for this.' Now everyone would be all with the worries, and wanting to know just what was the matter. Buffy sighed, why was life so unfair? Now she had to come up with an explanation. Mustering all her courage, Buffy opened the bathroom door.

'Time to face the music.'

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Buffy walked back into the quiet living room, passing Willow who gave her a reassuring smile.

“You okay Buffy?” Xander asked with a hint of concern in his voice.

“Yeah, Xan, I'm fine. I think I might have gotten a delayed reaction to pinky the vomiting blob,” Buffy supplied with a nervous chuckle. All eyes were on her, making her feel like super freak Buffy.

Giles returned from the kitchen carrying his serving tray, laden down with tea cups, tea pot, sugar and cream. Placing the items down, he took a good look at his slayer. She looked haggard, and troubled. It was time he got to the bottom of this.

“Buffy what's the matter? You look terribly worn, and this vomiting... it just doesn't sit right” Giles voiced his concern, eyes locked onto the slip of a girl before him.

Buffy looked back and forth between her friends and her watcher. A man she really couldn't hide secrets from – well, most of the time, and truthfully, sooner or later she would have to come clean.

Willow could see the internal debate going on within her friend. Placing the book down she moved to sit next to Buffy. The Slayer gave her a slight smile, which turned into a small whimper.

Buffy started to play with her ring again, trying best to figure out how to break the news to them. This seemed harder than telling her mom, almost harder. Which she had yet to do. Taking a deep breath she released it slowly, as she sank down onto the couch. Then closing her eyes, Buffy pressed forward.

“Giles, I don't know how to say this so I'm just going to say it. I'mpregnant,” Buffy mumbled under her breath.

“You're what?” Giles questioned, as Xander leaned forward in his chair, making sure that he heard Buffy clearly.

“I'm pregnant. I just found out last week.” Buffy didn't dare look at anyone, keeping her eyes down cast, still playing with her jewelry.

“Hey, well that's great, isn't it Ahn? Buffy's going to have a mini Buffy.” Xander gushed.

'Oh he won't be gushing for long.' Buffy thought to herself, trying to fight back tears, fearful of what would come next.

“So when can we expect Riley back?”

“Yes, when will he be returning Buffy?”

Xander and Giles questioned simultaneously.

Buffy ran a hand through her hair, turning towards Willow, silently pleading for her help. Willow grabbed Buffy's hand, giving it a tiny supportive squeeze.

“Yeah, well, see that's the thing. Kinda funny when you think about it.” Buffy released a strained chuckle. “Riley isn't the father.”

“Oh this is getting good,” Anya offered as she mimicked Xander's reaction. “When did you get a new man? And why am I always the last to hear about these things?”

Tara, having taken notice of Buffy's aura after she returned from the bathroom, quietly walked over to her and stood directly behind Buffy, offering her silent support.

“Yeah, Buffy, who's the lucky man? I mean the only two you've been hanging out with of the male variety are me and Spike. And believe me I'd remember if we...Oww!”

“Xander Harris, are you telling me you want to give Buffy orgasms?” Anya accused Xander, slapping the brunette on the back of his head.

“No Ahn I was simply saying... NO! Buffy you've only been around me and Spike,” Xander paused a moment before continuing, “ and Spike's soldiers can't get the job done, no matter how hard they try. And like you'd let him within twenty feet of you anyway.” Xander concluded with a laugh and a dismissive wave of the hand.

'You've come this far. No backing out now.' Buffy licked her lips, which now seemed
suddenly dry. 'God, could this be any worse?' “Ummm, well see... no new boy friend. I just... well, I... we... I sorta slept with Spike.”

“Oh, I'm sorry, I must have misheard you. Because, hey, it sounded like you said you bonked Spike. Please tell me you didn't just say that?” Xander implored with both eye brows raised. He wasn't sure he could trust his ears, because he thought he heard Buffy say she'd willingly slept with Spike. Oh god, the agony, he would have the visuals for years.

Buffy looked over at Giles. She couldn't read any emotions on his face, and he hadn't uttered a word. Taking another deep breath Buffy closed her eyes.

“I made a mistake, and now I'm paying for it,” Buffy bowed her head, not daring to look at anyone in the room. Afraid to see the disgust in their eyes, their rejection. Or worse, their pity, and if any of them showed that...it would be worse than disgust.

“Oh, dear Lord,” Giles mumbled, plopping down onto the sofa next to Buffy. The room fell into complete silence as everyone absorbed the news.

'Say something, anything, just talk.' The whole “conversations inside the mind” was really starting to wig Buffy out. Normally she'd be getting a tongue lashing from Giles on all the reasons for not sleeping with a vampire. Reminders of Angel and the whole soul thing. About her sacred duty to kill vampires. But instead there was quiet.

“Are you going to say anything?” she asked in a timid voice, glancing over towards Giles.

“What is there to say, Buffy?” Giles queried, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. “I'm not going to go into a full assault about your actions. It's just... I would have expected you to use better judgment.” Giles paused trying to contain his displeasure.

“For the love of god, Buffy, what were you thinking? Getting involved with another vampire, and not j-j-just any vampire, but William the Bloody, the Slayer of Slayers. One who's made it his goal in life to kill you. This is just bloody wonderful!” Giles gave voice to his exasperation.

Rising to his feet, Giles began to pace the floor of his apartment. All eyes tracked his figure as he ran over the news once more, avoiding all eye contact with Buffy.

“Buffy.” Pausing once again he removed his glasses, rubbing his hand over his face. “Of all the idiotic, irresponsible things to do, you go and do...do, this! And just how did this...this pregnancy occur?” The ex-watcher concluded, gesturing wildly towards Buffy.

“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence,” Buffy snapped, earning a glare from the older man. Sighing, she continued, “I don't know, me and Wills were wondering the same thing. I was hoping you knew, or at least you could figure it out.”

“Ooo, I know! I know!” Anya thrust her hand the air - she knew this topic quite well.

“Ahn, now really isn't the time, so put your hand down,” Xander chastised, again speaking to her as if she were his child instead of his girlfriend. Anya swatted at Xander's hand, rolling her eyes.

“Oh, please! Xander, would you for once let me finish? I know exactly how this happened.” All eyes turned questioningly towards the ex-demon who was quite thrilled to finally be able to share something with the group... Well, something that all would enjoy hearing. Maybe enjoy was an overstatement, but they would have a answer to their question.

“You see, Buffy, there's this clause that was placed on the Slayer. Once she reaches eighteen, which I might add, very few have done, she reaches sexual maturity. And she is biologically driven to find a mate. You may not be aware that such a change is taking place in your body, but it did happen.”

“And what does this have to do with Buffy getting her freak on with Captain Peroxide?” Xander asked, confusion etched across his face.

“If you'd shut up I could get to that part, Xander! Anyway, as I was saying... We all know how the original Slayer was created, and for some reason when you reach sexual maturity that trait, or gene from the demon, becomes active causing you to search for a mate who is your equal. Unfortunately, human males just can't cut it and you need to mate with a vampire. So you getting pregnant by Spike really isn't a big deal; you're just following your body's biological call,” Anya paused before perking up once again. “Might I add, Spike is a really good choice, with the whole Master vampire thing going for him, and his fine genetic make up. I would have to say I'd mate with him too!” Anya finished with a smile, very pleased with herself.


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A/N: Hope I haven't lost anyone! Did you like? Let me know by leaving a review!