“Isn’t there someone we could see? Like a doctor or something?”

“Vampire, pet.”

“Yeah, but vampires can get sick. I mean, look at you! You’re all with the body heat right now!” Buffy pouted playfully, but her worry was genuine. It had been nearly two weeks since the incident, and Spike’s body was still generating heat. Not quite as much as a normal human’s, but enough that it was noticeable, and he was still having trouble keeping down his blood on the now rare occasions he wanted to eat. All of that equaled trouble to Buffy.

“Luv,” Spike said with exasperated patience, “I’ll be fine. Red says it’s just the residue of the spell…and that was pretty powerful stuff, yeah? Fifteen horny warlocks and virgin sacrifices? Soddin’ heat-creatin’ paradise.” Buffy wrinkled her nose in that adorable way of hers.

“That made absolutely no sense!”

“Sure it did. Your puerile brain just can’t handle it.” Spike dropped a kiss on her nose. In reality, he was nervous about the after effects of this spell. It wasn’t just the lack of appetite; there were other things going on in his body that he hadn’t told her about...like the annoying feeling that he’d swear was the impulse to go to the bathroom. But he didn’t want to worry Buffy; these things would pass and she didn’t need the extra worry.

“Puerile? How very William of you!” Spike growled and tackled the laughing imp to the ground. He smothered her protests with a kiss, which quickly became heated. He felt himself start to swell, his body reacting to Buffy’s presence. God, he could snog his slayer for the rest of his life and never get tired.

“Spumphik!” Buffy’s hands pushed at his chest, but he really didn’t want to let go of her lips. She started squirming under him, which wasn’t helping things either. He ground his erection into her, feeling and smelling her reaction to him. “Shpihke! Spike!” She only got the word out when Spike’s mouth left to explore the silky skin of her neck.

“Appointment!” she gasped. He nibbled on her collar bone, salving the sharp nips with his tongue just the way Buffy liked it. “Magick Box!” He nuzzled her clothed breasts, wondering if she’d be mad if he ripped this shirt to shreds too. “Now!” Spike found himself upside down on the other side of the room.

“Bloody hell,” he muttered darkly.

“You won’t be able to swear in front of Junior,” Buffy said mock-sternly. Spike’s eyes lit up and he smiled at her, that innocent boyish grin that was filled with hope and love and all the goodness in the world. He did a summersault onto his feet, bouncing and ready to go.

“Magick Box. Now!” he commanded. Giggling like school children, they darted out of the house.

***

“Hello welcome to the—nonpaying customers do not get my friendly capitalist greeting.” Anya nodded and went back to counting receipts. Buffy and Spike simply rolled their eyes and continued to the back table, where the remnants of a spell were scattered across the top.

“Ah, Buffy! Good, you’re here. We just completed the spell. Here’s the crystal.” Giles handed a clear quartz crystal to his Slayer with a small smile. Buffy simply stared at it. This…this was it. It was suddenly real, this whole baby thing. What if she wasn’t cut out to be a mother? She killed things for a living…she was CALLED to kill things. She brought death, not life. This was…

“You’ll be bloody brilliant, luv,” Spike whispered in her ear. She smiled and relaxed into her mate, enjoying his arms around her. She felt peace and sincerity through the claim; he believed in her. And that’s all she needed. His hand covered hers around the crystal.

“It’ll turn green,” Giles murmured, not wanting to break their moment. “The words ‘show me’ will activate the spell.” With a nod to Spike, Giles left them to their discovery.

Buffy turned her head, seeking Spike’s lips with her own. She smiled at him, a warm look filled with promise and love.

“No matter what, I love you.” His answering grin and the emotions visible in his beautiful blue eyes took her breath away. Even after all this time, and everything they’d been through, he still humbled her with his passion. Spike’s hand covered Buffy’s small ones.

“Show me,” she whispered at the crystal, her eyes locked with Spike’s. It warmed in her hands, but she couldn't bring herself to look. Spike pressed a kiss on her neck, below her ear, whispering words of encouragement. Slowly, they both moved their hands and stared. Tears stung Buffy’s eyes. She couldn’t tear herself away from the spelled crystal in front of her.

Spike’s eyes were also suspiciously moist as he met his mate’s wet gaze.

“We’re not naming it Fargo,” Buffy said with finality. With a loud, happy laugh, Spike scooped the love of his unlife into his arms and spun her around, trying to contain the happiness that wanted to burst from his chest.

***

“I’m going to be a grandmother!” Joyce crowed, practically glowing. She cuddled her baby boy to her chest, murmuring to him about his soon-to-be-born niece or nephew. Buffy smiled tolerantly at her mother, who had spent the better part of ten minutes sobbing joyfully on Buffy’s shoulder.

“C-congratulations, Buffy,” Giles said sincerely, enveloping his daughter in a hug; he’d long since given up not thinking of her as such, and their relationship had improved for it.

“Thanks, Giles,” Buffy said with uncharacteristic shyness. It meant the world to her that everyone was here, celebrating her pregnancy. Everyone except for Spike, who’d disappeared after a few hearty slaps on the back from Xander. She could feel him lurking around, a sent a quick burst of affection to him through their bond. His answering wave of love and tenderness brought tears to her eyes.

“Buffy? Are you alright?” Willow asked. Buffy quickly wiped her eyes and smiled at her friend.

“Yeah. Pregnancy hormones or something,” she assured the redhead, who nodded sagely.

“Buffy, can you let Spike know his blood’s ready?” Joyce’s voice called out to them. Buffy relayed the message to her mate, wherever he was lurking.

“So, are you totally excited or way wigged?” Willow asked with a giggle.

“Kinda both?” Buffy admitted.

“T-t-that’s OK. It’s normal to be nervous,” Tara volunteered with a shy smile. Buffy grinned and pulled the shy Wiccan into a big bear hug; she was pregnant and could blame it all on hormones! The scent she associated with Spike overpowered Tara’s smell and she opened her eyes to meet his smiling baby blues. Spike sipped his blood, his eyes never leaving his slayer’s. He was going to be a father!

“So,” Buffy said with a grin, pulling away, “what do we—“ She stopped abruptly as Spike slammed his cup down and sprinted out of the room. Buffy was after him in a couple of seconds, watching in horror as Spike ratcheted in the bathroom.

“Spike? Spike! Are you OK? Do you need a doctor? Should I call an ambulance?” She rubbed his back soothingly as his body shuddered and heaved.

“Buffy? Buffy? What’s wrong?” Buffy looked up to see the Scoobies clustered around the door way, peering in curiously. Shaking her head, she slammed the door and turned her attention back to her sick mate. Spike was leaning against the back wall, eyes closed.

“Talk to me, Spike,” Buff pleaded, stroking his arm.

“’s nothing, pet,” the vampire assured. He cracked open one eye, trying to tamp his recoiling stomach down. “Jus…been a bit unsettled since last night. The blood just didn’t taste right. Like…sharp and metallic. Copper. Could’ve spoiled.” It was a weak excuse, and they both knew it.

“Spike…” Buffy murmured, her eyes pleading. She couldn't lose him. Not now. Not ever. She let her uncertainty and fear flow through the bond. It was a somewhat down and dirty trick, but she’d be damned if her child was going to grow up hearing stories about a father that had been too stubborn to get help.

“Make ya a deal, luv. Doc you’re seein’ tomorrow does general practice as well. We can have a check up together.” Buffy searched his eyes and saw only sincerity.

“You promise?” she asked, her face set in what could only be a cross between Resolve and Hope

“Promise you and the Mini-Bit,” Spike swore, placing his hand over Buffy’s belly. The smile that graced his golden goddess’s face was enough to make the promise worth it a thousand times over.