It Happened One Night

By: Golden Buffy



Summary: Anya informed Xander that she wants to have a baby. Giles apologized to Buffy for his reaction to her pregnancy, and Buffy and Xander had a disagreement in regard to Spike.


Disclaimer: Doesn't belong to me, all belong to Joss. Got it? Good. So you can't sue!


Author's Notes: Smoochies to the wonderful Just_Sue for working her skills on this chappie. Any typo's and the like are all my doing. A huge thank you to all who have stuck with me since the beginning, and left awesome reviews, encouraging me to write more. Thanks again! Your feedback means so much!



Lovely banner by Spuffy_Noelle


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Chapter Ten: Somethings Come To Light


'It is a paradoxical but profoundly true and important principle of life that the most likely way to reach a goal is to be aiming not at that goal itself but at some more ambitious goal beyond it.
Arnold Toynbee (1889 - 1975)'


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Spike found his feet leading him to one of the deserted parks in Sunnydale. His night was basically a bust. He'd gotten tossed out of Willie's for cheating. Stupid mind reading demon got pissed off and started a fight. Wanker. After being tossed out of the demon bar Spike had decided to go for a walk where the Slayer normally patrolled. After an hour he still hadn't run into Buffy. It wasn’t as if the vampire deliberately went in search of the Slayer; Spike was just out for a stroll. And if he happened upon Buffy in a fight, he would help. It was the proper thing to do, not to mention he'd get his spot of violence in too. Well, that's what he told himself anyway.


Pausing, Spike's ears picked up on the sound of crying. Curiosity sparked, he slipped into game face and headed towards the noise.


++++


The Slayer was on patrol, but not very into it. Buffy knew she should be focused on the job at hand, but she had more important matters to brood over. No, not brood. Buffy didn't brood. That was Angel's thing. She on the other hand pondered deeply over pressing matters. Yeah, that sounded right. Buffy pondered. So instead of paying attention to her surroundings Buffy was pondering the current sucky-ness that was her life.


Plopping down on one of the benches in the park, Buffy took in her surroundings. She’d wandered into the park without noticing. Just when had she left the cemetery she'd been patrolling? The blonde felt bad for storming out on her friends, but Xander had upset her by opening his stupid mouth. She really was going to have to have a talk with Willow about the sharing of information. A good slay was in order. There was nothing like taking out a few demons to lighten a girl's mood. Sadly, none were out this evening. It seemed as if they were lying low knowing the Slayer was in a sour mood.


Just who did Xander think he was with his righteous spew about her and who she chose to be friends with? He really did get on her nerves with his hypocritical self. One day Buffy was going to point out that he was currently engaged to an ex-vengeance demon who had tortured men for the fun of it.


Buffy began to sniff as tears started to roll down her cheeks. A light bulb clicked in her head, and it was as if blinders were lifted from her eyes. Giles and Xander completely controlled her life. She had let them mold and shape her perspectives on anything, and everything, she had done over the few years she'd known them. Buffy shook her head in disbelief at the revelation. Giles and Xander manipulated her. She didn't think they did it on purpose but, nonetheless, they did. Always telling her what was right, what was wrong, and never letting her make her own decisions.


In hind sight, maybe she should have listened to Giles when he told her it wasn't the brightest of ideas to date Angel. That would have saved her from a whole world of hurt. But after the whole sending Angel to hell - and running off and coming back from LA - she'd basically turned her life over to them. Which they gladly accepted with open arms. Buffy even started dating Riley based on the encouragement from Xander and her watcher.


Even Willow played a roll, not as domineering as the men but she was still on the sidelines cheering them on. Buffy understood that they only wanted a normal life for her, but she was the Slayer. Slayers didn't actually have a normal life. And what made them decide what was considered normal for Buffy? A humorless chuckled slipped past her lips, as she brushed at her tearstained cheeks. Well, not anymore. There would be no more controlling, no more manipulations. If Giles, Xander, or Willow didn't like something Buffy did, well, they could just deal. It was time Buffy took her life back into her own hands.


So lost was she in her musing, that Buffy didn't notice the creature stalking her through the night, slowly and silently creeping upon her.


Spike paused, arching his scared brow in question as he stared at the back of the Slayer's head. He had to suppress an eye roll. Didn't the girl know when a vicious killer was standing right behind her. 'Hey, Big Bad, standing right here!' Yeah, the chit was definitely off her bird.


“Need to be more aware of your environment, Slayer. Some nasty could wonder upon you rejoicing at his luck finding you unawares.”


Startled, Buffy jumped up from her seat, taking on a fighting stance. “Geez, Spike, a little less stealthy and a lot more noise. I so knew it was you.”


Spike snorted in amusement.


“What do you what?” Buffy snapped, he hadn't been there more than five seconds and was already grating on her already frazzled nerves. She couldn't help the small smile in her voice though. He always was a welcome distraction.


Spike leaned over, resting on the back of the bench. “Heard this crying. Peeked my curiosity and I came looking.” Spike shrugged before continuing.
“ Imagine my surprise at finding you.”


Buffy blushed, soft pink tinting her tan skin. Spike thought it was the most alluring, yet innocent thing he'd ever seen. He smirked.


She could hear that all too annoying smirk in his voice. She repressed a groan. “Oh. Had a hard night. Needed some me time.”


Buffy turned her head slightly to gaze at Spike. She meant to glare at him, but coming face to face with him sent a small shiver down her spine.


She quickly turned back around.


The Slayer was close, only inches away from him. Spike could still smell the lingering scent of Buffy's shampoo, and that all too enticing magical lotion she'd taken to wearing. If he wanted to he could have leaned in, capturing her luscious lips in a searing kiss. But he didn't, things were going good so far and he didn't want to bugger them up. God, being around Buffy was going to kill him. He closed his eyes and swallowed. The Slayer always seemed to unhinge him, making it far to easy too lose control.


“Wanna talk about it?”


She shrugged, “Nothing much to talk about, if you don't count Xander blowing up at me.”


“Yeah, what happened? Whelp get upset 'cause you ate the last jelly doughnut?”


Buffy chuckled. “No, he's just upset at my choice in friends.”


“And who would that be?” Spike knew they had formed some kind of truce. Even agreed to patrol together. But he wouldn't hold his unneeded breath in hopes that Buffy came clean about their budding relationship.


“It's you. You moron,” Buffy joked. All Spike could do at the moment was stare at the petite blonde before him. He was completely gobsmacked. Did he hear her correctly?


He tilted his head to the side, arching his brow. His patented smirk slid back into place. Buffy's heart skipped a beat. Stupid vampire! He had to know he looked damn sexy wearing that look.


'Note to self, stop drooling at Spike. You'll drown yourself.'


“Yeah? Didn't like hearing the Chosen One is getting all snuggly with the Big Bad, huh?”


“Ego, much? But, yeah, that's basically the answer,” Buffy replied fiddling with her fingers.


“Did you patrol?” Stupid question. Course she patrolled, she was the bleeding Slayer after all. Protecting the innocent and all.


“What? You're my watcher all of a sudden?” Buffy asked sweetly.


“Bloody hell, woman. Wouldn't be one of those bleeding nancy-boys if they tortured me, then threatened to end my sodding existence.”

Buffy giggled at the idea of Spike dressed in tweed, with a stuffy non-sexy British accent and training a slayer.


“What?”


“You, in tweed! I'd pay to see that.”


Spike growled disapprovingly, his bottom lip jutting out into a pout. “Right. Real bloody amusing, that.” he commented dryly


'Okay, note to self, making fun of Spike gets cute pouty lip. Check!' “Oh come on, you gotta admit, it was funny. And stop with the pouting, makes you look like a big baby.” Buffy couldn't stop the giggle that bubbled up. “I mean, I though you were the Big Bad. Pouty lip, makes you cute. Defeats the whole purpose.”


“Think I'm cute do you?” He curled his tongue behind his teeth as he leered at her.


It figured the vampire would lock onto the word cute, never mind he was supposed to be evil. “Yeah, cute in the evil bloodsucking kind of way.”


The two blonds laughed.


'Spike's kind of fun when stupid stuff isn't coming out of his mouth.'


'The Slayer's pretty entertaining when she's not running her yap.'


A comfortable silence formed between the two in light of their internal revelations.


“It's been great, Spike. But I gotta head back.” She admitted with a bit of reluctance.


“Yeah, sun'll be up soon.” Spike kept the disappointment from his voice, hating for their time together to end so soon.


Buffy got up off the bench heading out of the park. She paused. “I'll see you later?”


Spike raised his brow in a surprised gesture. “Yeah, most likely.”


With a nod of satisfaction Buffy walked back to her dorms a smile gracing her face.


++++


(Two weeks later)


Buffy fought hard, but clearly she was in a losing battle. Giving up, she let the tears slip from her eyes, as she swatted at them futilely. She really didn’t want anyone seeing her cry. It was really silly, when only the Slayer, her mom, and the midwife were standing in the room. But Buffy lay reclined on the examination table, the tiny bump of her belly the only sign of the fragile life growing inside - the enchanted lotion hiding any signs of the pregnancy through its glamour. Ten weeks along, and getting ready to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. Buffy was very excited.


Tara had set everything up with the midwife as promised, and Buffy was quite pleased that she'd decided to go to Autumn for her prenatal visits. The Wiccan/Midwife was used to dealing with special pregnancies, and Buffy’s was indeed special.


The Slayer had warmed quickly to Autumn upon their first meeting. She reminded Buffy of Tara, with her soft-spoken voice, the warmth that shone through her eyes, the huge bear hug she engulfed Buffy in on their first meeting. Okay, maybe Tara didn’t smother her in the mother of all embraces when they first met, but still, Autumn did remind her of Tara. That’s where the similarities ended. Autumn was a tall woman, about five-eight, with an hourglass shape and ample bosom, which she didn't put on display. Her hair was a deep mahogany with light brown high lights, not overly done, and she had a natural honey almond complexion which hinted at her Creole heritage.


The room remained silent as the swoosh, swoosh, swoosh of the baby’s heartbeat filled the room. Joyce was staving off tears of her own as she gripped her daughter’s hand lovingly. Buffy’s body shook. This was powerful stuff. It blew her mind that something so tiny was growing inside of her. So strong and yet, so fragile. She decided that she would tell Spike soon. He deserved to know, to be here with her instead of her mother. There was still a small lingering doubt that Spike wouldn't want the baby. Buffy would just have to deal with that, when and if it came to it.

After cleaning the Slayer up and placing the Doppler in its drawer Autumn spoke. “Everything sounds good. The baby’s heart rate is right on target, and you’re measuring right on mark as well. How’s the tea treating you?”


“Good. I haven't been drinking as much. The morning sickness is starting to disappear.”


“So I can expect you to gain back the ten pounds that you've lost?” Autumn asked smiling.


“Yup, working on it as we speak.”



“'Nough said. I'm going to leave it at that. Just increase you high calorie foods, but eat them in small increments.”


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Joyce went to pull the jeep around front as Buffy made her appointment for the following month.


“Hey Buffy!” Clem greeted before his wrinkled face took on a puzzled appearance. “What are you doing here?”


Buffy could have dropped dead right then and there. Oh how she wished she owned a pair of ruby slippers at that moment. Giggling nervously she tried to divert the question. She had forgotten that Autumn also catered to the non lethal variety of demon in Sunnydale. “Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing?”


“Oh, I'm here with my sister. Getting her ultrasound done today.” Clem was a bit confused, there wasn't any reason why the Slayer should be at a midwifery clinic. Was there?


“Small world isn't it? You say she's here for a ultrasound. I forgot your sister was pregnant. You did tell me, didn't you? 'Cause if you did I don't remember. Bad Buffy. When did you tell me?”


The demon gently took Buffy's hand in his, giving it a friendly pet. “It's okay Buffy, your secret's safe with me.”


Buffy released a shallow breath and smiled, knowing that wrinkly skinned demon wouldn't share their encounter with anyone.
“Thanks, Clem.”


“No problem, Buffy!”


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“One week! Seven days!” Dawn squawked as she finished marking off the previous day on her calendar with a pink glitter pen. She bopped her way back over to her bed, before plopping down on it. Janice was sitting on the floor, and their newest friend, Trinity, was sitting with her on the bed.


“Yeah, I know, and I can’t wait either. You’re the first among us to turn the big One! Five!” Janice squealed, rising to her feet. “Be right back.”

When the door closed Trinity turned her full attention to Dawn.


“So, Dawn, have you given any thought to what you’ll be wishing for as you go to blow out your candles?”


Dawn couldn’t help the small frown that spread across her face in reaction to her friend’s question. “Don’t you think we’re a bit old to believe in such immaturity?”


Trinity only laughed. She dismissed the brunette’s question with a wave of the hand. “No, not really. We all wish for things, Dawn. Do you ever wish upon a shooting star, or a nickel when you toss it into a fountain? Blowing out candles... it's just the same. So here’s what I want you to do. Think long and hard about your wish. Make it something very important to you, something that you want desperately.” Trinity smiled at Dawn. “Because your birthday only comes once a year, so your wish should be something special.”


Instead of fighting, Dawn took Trinity’s advice and began to think about just what she would, or could, wish for.


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Joyce made her way to the front door, opening it with a smile. Anya greeted her, smiling back with enthusiasm. She had always liked Joyce, admired her even. There was just something special about the older woman that Anya couldn’t lay her finger on. But what ever it was she liked it, she could only hoped that nasty tumor wouldn’t ruin it. Not just for her but for everyone who loved Joyce.

“Hi!” Anya announced holding up a small gift bag. “I come bearing gifts for the baby. I stopped over at the dorms but Buffy wasn’t there. So I figured she must be here instead.”


Joyce stepped aside, letting Anya enter. “How nice of you, Anya. Care to join us for dinner?”


“I really should be getting back to the shop, but I skipped lunch. So, I guess I’ll stay.”


Just then Buffy made her way into the hallway, curiosity getting the better of her. Anya thrust the bag into her hands.


“Yay, presents,” Buffy cooed.


“Yup, it's for the baby,” Anya chirped.


Buffy opened the small gift bag pulling out a tiny fuzzy stuffed elephant. She brought it to her face rubbing the soft fur over her cheek. “Awww, look, it's Mister Snuffles,” she playfully joked, before placing it back in the bag. “Thanks, Anya.”


Dawn headed down the stairs, her company close on her heels. The new comer caught both Anya and Buffy’s eye.


“Hey, who’s your new friend?” Buffy asked her sister.


Dawn turned to glance at Trinity then back at Buffy and Anya, not missing the look of suspicion stamped on their faces. Dawn pursed her lips. General Buffy was reporting for duty. Dawn sighed. Buffy had been all with the over protecting ever since the John 'incident'. No one was safe it seemed.


“This is Trinity. Trinity, this is my sister Buffy, and my friend Anya.”


The girl smiled as Anya continued to stare at her. She was young, fourteen, with short raven locks which curled at the ends. Skin the color of milk and just as smooth. She stood three inches shorter than Dawn, but what really set her apart were her eyes. They were a captivating gold. Some how those eyes spoke to Anya, and a little voice nagged at the back of her mind. For the life of her she couldn’t remember why those eyes were so important.



Those uniquely colored eyes were how Dawn and Trinity became fast friends. Dawn had bumped into the teen, literally, while rushing to class. She had instantly noticed the girl's eyes and asked if they were contacts. Trinity assured her that they were one hundred percent real, and the two hit it off from there. That was two months ago. But why hadn't Dawn gotten around to introducing Trinity to Buffy? 'Strange,' she thought dismissing the memory.


“You have golden eyes,” Anya pointed out. “Do I know you? I feel like I should know you.”


Trinity gave a coy smile, “The feeling’s mutual.”


Buffy only stared at her, silent. Something just didn’t sit right with this girl. She wasn’t setting off any bells or whistles, but still, something just wasn’t right. Buffy and Anya watched the three leave, never taking their eyes off Trinity.


“Was it me or does that girl seem off? I still feel I should know her, like we've met before.”


“No, it wasn’t you, Anya, there’s definitely something wiggy about her.”


++++


Angel looked over the bill in his hands once more. He was puzzled. Confusion and Angel didn't go well together. Why was Giles’ number listed on his bill? He had called the Hyperion, and no one informed the ensouled vampire about it. Now, just why was that? Angel marched out of his office and straight for the only person who could provide answers.


Cordelia was sitting at her desk filing her nails, debating on asking Angel for a raise or not. She so needed one. The ex-cheerleader could barely keep her appointments for her manicures and salon visits. All Cordelia could see was a future of nothing but split ends and horrid cuticles.


Sighing, she rolled her eyes. “What do you want, Angel?” She really hated when he brooded over something instead of coming right out and asking her about it.


“I have a phone bill here from last month,” he replied, holding the slip of paper in his hand, giving it a vigorous shake. “ Someone called from Sunnydale. Why wasn’t I told about it?” Angel grounded out, resting his hands on his hips.


“I don’t like that tone, Mister.” Cordelia pinned the vampire with her 'take no prisoners' look. “I had no idea someone called. If they did then I would have told you. Even if it was Buffy.” The brunette rolled her eyes at the mention of her ex-rival's name. Honestly, she had no idea what Angel ever saw in the blonde.


Angel paused, mulling over this bit of news. If Cordelia didn’t receive the call then who had? He stormed from the room.


“Wesley!”


The man in question looked up from the book he was reading. “Yes, Angel? How can I help you?”


“Why did Giles call, and why wasn’t I told about it? Did something happen to Buffy? I should call just to make sure everything is okay.”


Wesley jumped up from his chair to get between the vampire and the phone. He had to think fast to ease the souled vampire’s fears.


“It was nothing, really. He had called me in relation to something he was studying, wanted to know if I had a certain book in my possession.” Wes just hoped Angel didn’t detect the slight increase of his heart as he spun his tale.


Angel’s shoulders seemed to lose their tension. “So, it was nothing of a important nature? There’s nothing wrong with Buffy?”


“No, she’s perfectly alright. Like I said, Giles needed a book. Sadly, I couldn’t help him. But if I come across the tome by chance, I will let him know straight away.”


“So, if I called to Sunndydale, Giles would tell me the same story?” Angel questioned, raising his brow.


‘Curses!’ “Of course. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about, Angel.”


Angel released a breath he didn’t need as he leaned against the wall. Maybe he was over reacting. But why was Wesley so nervous? His breathing had increased and so had his heart rate. Just what was he hiding? And why was Giles helping him?


++++


'Bloody ridiculous, that’s what it is.' And it was, really! Spike tired to convince himself, but it was to no avail. No matter what he said, what he tried, what he did, nothing worked. His thoughts were consumed with the Slayer. She haunted his dreams, and that in and of itself was an accomplishment, because Spike hardly dreamed at all. Fantasized, definitely, and Buffy had starred in quite a few. But spending these last few weeks getting to know the womanly side of the Slayer wasn't helping things. Buffy 'Buffy' was just as enticing as Slayer 'Buffy'. God help him. Spike seemed to be walking around with a perpetual hard-on all the time. He felt like a bloody hormonal teenager in his first visit to a porn shop.


Now she was talking and he hadn't heard a sodden thing she'd been saying, to enthralled by her overly plump lips. “Mind repeating that, luv?”


Buffy flashed him a irritated look before complying with his request. “Dawn has this new friend,” she said slowly, as if speaking to a child, as they continued through one of Sunnydale’s cemeteries.


“But?”


Buffy glanced over at Spike. “But,” she sighed. “There’s just something off about her. I honestly don’t know what it is. Anya felt it too.”


“Know what I think? Got your hackles up since the whole thing with John.” Spike supplied.


Buffy shivered and scrunched her nose up in disgust, “Please, so don’t remind me. Changing the subject now. Do you celebrate your birth day?”


The question caught the blond off guard as he regarded his companion with an arch of his scared brow.


Buffy rolled her eyes. “I asked ‘cause, well, I’m curious to know how you keep track of your age. And the whole thing of Dawn's fifteenth birthday fast approaching”


“No.”


“Just no? You're not going to elaborate? Nothing along the lines about demons and stupid human practices?”


“Nah, Dru actually enjoyed celebrating. I didn't, but I went along, 'cause it made her happy. Her nattering on about parties and presents and all that rot.


“Haven’t really celebrated my birthday with any fanfare since I was seventeen. Mum would decorate the study with colored ribbon. We'd dress up, have a cake, and she'd invite some children from the neighborhood. Then, once Dru turned me I just kept track of my age by the new year.”


“So, do you know exactly how old you are?”


“Yeah, Dru turned me at twenty five.” Spike replied matter-of-factly.


“Oh!” Buffy said surprised, frowning in concentration. “The Council knows NOTHING about you that's correct. Besides the whole killing of slayers.”


“When does the Council of Wankers get anything bloody right?”


Buffy snorted. “Yeah, most likely when I die, they’ll put it in the records either I never existed or only served as slayer until I was sixteen, then was offed by the Master.”


“Here's another silly question. What do you think about babies? And don't you dare say they're good to eat!”


That question came out of nowhere. It was now Spike's turn to roll his eyes at an obscene remark. “Sorry to disappoint, but that's Dru's thing. There are some things a demon draws a line at, and eating some sprog is one of them... well, at least it is for me. What's with the twenty questions?” He asked lighting a cigarette.


“Nothing!” Buffy squeaked, “Just curious that's all. I was wondering, you know, before you were turned if you wanted kids?”


Spike's face took on a serious expression as he thought about her question. 'Wonder what sparked this turn of conversation.'


“In my time getting married and starting a family was the thing to do. So, yeah, back then, I thought about it.”


That seemed to have satisfied Buffy's curiosity for the moment, as she took that bit of information and filed it away for later. The two walked in silence, leaving one cemetery for another.


“What makes you and demon girl think something's not right with Dawn’s new mate?”


Buffy thought about the question. “Like I said before, I don’t know. See, there in lies the problem. If you’re asking did I sense anything, I’d have to say no. It was just her. Her demeanor. I don’t know. Oh, and she got these mysterious gold colored eyes. Who has gold colored eyes?”


Spike smirked. “Maybe your watcher would know something, why not bring her by the shop and let him have a go at her?”


That was a pretty good idea. “You know you’re not all just bleach and leather, you actually have a brain,” Buffy joked.


“Ouch! Pot, kettle, pet.”


“This is so strange.”


“What’s that, luv?”


“Us,” Buffy said gesturing between them both. “You, me, talking. We actually carry on full conversations without killing each other. It’s kind of... nice, in a twisted cosmic joke kind of way.”


That took the wind out of Spike’s sail as Buffy professed that spending time with him was enjoyable. He stared at her in wide eyed amazement.


“SPIKE! Look out for that… hole!” Buffy announced, trying to get his attention but it was to late.


Buffy dropped to her knees, peering down into the darkness, searching for movement.


“Spike, are you okay?” She waited for his response, but was met with silence. Nothing stirred below. It would help if he could breath, but no sense dwelling on that issue.


“Come on, Spike. This isn’t funny. You didn’t fall on some pointy little stick down there, did you?” Panic started to creep into her voice.


Once more Buffy was met with silence. She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. This was so beyond funny that she had no words to describe just how wrong this was.


She leaned further into the grave trying to get a better view when a pale hand reach up and grabbed her shoulder. Buffy screamed, a true girly scream. Pushing back from the edge she jumped up, ready to fight, just as Spike lifted himself out of the grave with a chuckle.


“Do you know you nearly scared me half to death? Now I wish you had fallen on something long and pointy.” Buffy glared, trying to get her heart rate back to normal. She hadn't realized just how jumpy her hormones made her.


“Can’t believe you fell for that one, Slayer. You should've seen the look on your face. Classic.” Spike said, still tickled by the look of shock on her face.


Buffy flustered, scaring a pregnant slayer half to death so wasn't funny. On second thought, it was kind of funny, in a morbidly creepy sense. Which only Spike could think up.


Buffy walked up to Spike slipping her arm through his as she coyly looked up at him. “Thirsty. Buy me a coke?”


“Well,” Spike sighed dramatically. “Since you asked so eloquently how can I refuse.?”


Buffy giggled swatting him playfully on the arm as they walked towards the Bronze.


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