[A/N: This is the end. Well, not the complete and total end, only the end of the second book. Since there was an overwhelming response of yes to my question of a third book, there will be one. In the meantime I hope you’ve enjoyed this little story and if you want to know certain details, there’s a sort of off-shoot to this story that’s posted at Elysian Fields called Destinies. It sort of explains how things could have gone, in one possible time line. My heartfelt thanks to all of you that have followed this saga from the beginning and those of you that left reviews. I appreciate your support and kindness more than I can possibly express. I don’t think I can accurately put into words what everyone’s support has meant over the two years (!) it’s taken me to weave this tale. ‘Thank you’ somehow doesn’t feel adequate. But I do thank you – all of you. Every review, every kind word, every email sent has made a difference. . . You are all the best. My thanks also, to both Spikeslovebite and Addie Logan, for their unwavering support, instant feedback and being there when I needed someone to bounce ideas off. Thanks to slinkypsychokit, who’s put together a stellar soundtrack for both Origins and Revelations and will no doubt, continue to do so. And for all the girls at WriterCon – I miss you all and can’t wait until we can all get together again. Anyway, here it is. Title and quotes are as attributed. Hopefully, I don’t actually need to list any of the song titles below. Disclaimers, as always, in full force and effect. I own nothing.]

Previously: Spike’s returned home, with Lawson and a now grown-up Connor. Jenner’s come for Faith and well . . . Let’s just see what happens now?

Book Two. Chapter Seventy-eight. Just like heaven


It's a little bit funny this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live
If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on
So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
Elton John and Bernie Taupin, 1969

Don't ask me
What you know is true
Don't have to tell you
I love your precious heart
I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never tear us apart
We could live
For a thousand years
But if I hurt you
I'd make wine from your tears
I told you
That we could fly
'Cause we all have wings
But some of us don't know why
I . . . I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never ever tear us apart
Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss, 1982



Spinning on that dizzy edge
I kissed her face and kissed her head
And dreamed of all the different ways I had
To make her glow
"Why are you so far away?" she said
"Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you
That I'm in love with you"
You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Strange as angels
Dancing in the deepest oceans
Twisting in the water
You're just like a dream
one night on a clifftop a long time ago
R. Smith, Number 13, August 1992
Smith, Gallup, Thompson, Williams, & Tolhurst





Jenner watched from the shadows while the others filed in with bags of groceries and other supplies. He’d stepped away from the house, knowing none of them really trusted him, despite the show they’d put on earlier. There was no blaming any of them either. These people were supposed to be his enemies, and yet, strangely enough, it seemed none of them felt that way. Not even the Watchers.

The last one entered the house and he drifted toward the doorway, uncertain of his welcome. He knew Faith was inside. Could feel her, hear her heartbeat, smell her. Jenner hovered between the big tree and the steps, wondering if he knocked if she’d come out, and then cursed his own reluctance to throw caution to the wind. For a brief moment, he contemplated just standing where he was and re-enacting a scene from a movie, but thought better of it, dismissing the notion as far too melodramatic.

He hesitated long enough for the door to open again. This time, Spike stepped through the doorway, tossing an idle comment over his shoulder, then moving onto the porch. The younger vampire looked at Jenner, laughing at his obvious discomfit.

“Brought you a drink.” Spike held out a bottle of Murphy’s Stout, offering it to the other vampire. “Might be a while b’fore the chit comes out.”

As if continuing a conversation from an earlier point, Jenner asked, “Are they always this stubborn?”

A sharp bark of laughter emerged from Spike’s mouth, and he held the bottle of beer away from his lips as he answered. “You’ve no idea, mate.”

“Hell.” Jenner took a long sip, his eyes straying to the door. “Not sure I’ve your patience.”

“Now, there you’re wrong. According to my lady, ‘ve no patience at all.” He sat down on the steps, motioning Jenner to do the same.

“Is this why you chased slayers?” His curiosity got the better of him and Jenner voiced the question that had been plaguing him the most.

Spike heaved a sigh. “Didn’t know bein’ with one was more fun than huntin’ ‘em.” He paused, staring off into the night. “Knew they called to me, in the blood, jus’ wasn’t sure why. Not until Buffy, anyway.”

The two lapsed into silence, lost in their own thoughts. Spike was peeling the label on his bottle, his foot tapping quietly. When the door opened behind them, he turned his head to face Jenner. “Appears your girl isn’t as stubborn as mine.”

Spike got to his feet as Faith opened the door, slipping past her on the way back into the house. He thought for a moment about making a smart-assed remark, but one look at the expression in Faith’s eyes had him biting his tongue. For once, he’d let it go.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Jenner was on his feet, staring at Faith, uncertain what her first action would be. He didn’t want this to be violent – contrary to what most of their interaction had been. Not that he was thinking hearts and flowers, either, but he sensed something had shifted between them. He knew she was apprehensive; her rapid heartbeat betrayed her outward calm. For now, he would allow her to set the stage.

His eyes were on her face, gauging her mood from the set of her mouth, her clenched jaw and rigid posture. Somehow, they’d managed to unnerve each other, discovering truths they both would have preferred stay hidden. Jenner didn’t need the complication of a relationship with a female that wasn’t a vampire, much less the additional confusion her being a slayer would bring.

She leaned against one of the posts, her arms folded over her ample breasts. “Why’d you come here?”

“You know why. I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you.” Suddenly he was in no mood to play games with her. He knew what he wanted. Knew she wanted it, also.

“Maybe I want things spelled out for me.” Faith shifted, standing away from the column.

“Don’t play games. I’m here because I want you. Because you ran away from me earlier.” Jenner stepped closer, invading her space. “Because I know you want me, too.”

Faith threw up her hands, exasperation warring with defiance in her voice. “Fine. I want you. It ain’t love.”

“Who said I was asking for love?” He stepped closer, inhaling deeply, almost sniffing her.
Jenner reached out to touch her and Faith leaned away from him. “Why do you keep running?”

Her answer when it came was so soft he nearly missed it. “Because running’s easier.”

Leaning in, Jenner ghosted his hand up and over her shoulder. “Then let’s run together.”

Faith tilted her chin, looking up at him. He was so tall and broad that she couldn’t help feeling almost small and helpless beside him. Yet she knew she wasn’t helpless, that if push came to shove she could take him. A shiver broke over her skin as he breathed heavily against her neck and Faith gave in, surrendered to the ache pulsing through her blood. She leaned up, wrapping her hands around his thick biceps and whispered into his ear, “Let’s do it.”

His growling acceptance raised the hair on the back of her neck and Faith caught an answering moan before it escaped her. Jenner grabbed her hip, pulling her close. “Say goodnight to them, now, Faith. We’re leaving.”

“Already said.”

“Good.” Without saying anything further, Jenner swept her up, tossed her over his shoulder and carried her off.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The house was quiet again, everyone gone to their respective homes or places to sleep. Spike had carried Dawn up to bed and Buffy was making up the couch for Connor while the boy studied his surroundings.

“I’m sorry about not having a place for you to sleep.”

He looked at Buffy, confusion clearly written on his face. “Um. Why?”

“You used to sleep in the room with me and Spike, in a crib. I’m thinking you won’t exactly be comfy there and, well, we don’t really have any other room ready for sleeping. My mom’s old room is full of paint and dust. So, not really good for sleeping.” Buffy unfurled the sheet, glancing over at Connor when she’d finished. “I’m babbling.”

She sat down on the table, looking up at him. He looked very much like Darla, delicate features and blue eyes, though his hair was dark and he was almost as tall as Spike. “You aren’t what I was expecting.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.” He stared down at his sock-covered feet, wondering why her admission hurt him.

“No, not like that.” She huffed out a small breath, catching his hand. “I meant big you. I was expecting you, just baby you.” Her teeth caught at her bottom lip, and she shook her head. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“You are?” He looked at her sharply then, his expression wary.

“Yeah. I so am.” Buffy stood up, reaching out to give him a hug. “Really. Now get some sleep.”

“Okay.” He hesitated, watching her head up the stairs. “G’night, Mom.”

Her smile widened and she replied, “Night, Connor.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


They barely made it to through the hotel lobby, before Jenner was pulling on her jeans, fumbling with the buttons and zipper. Faith’s hands were equally busy undoing the buttons on his shirt, pushing the sleeves off his shoulders. Their mouths were fused together, tongues battling even as they were trying to shed their clothing.

Faith wormed her hand down the front of his pants, her hand wrapping around his heavy erection at the very moment Jenner finally managed to get her jeans off. His fingers slid easily into her wet pussy, unerringly finding her clit and pressing down hard. “You are so damn hot.”

Her chuckle set frissons of awareness through his nerves, though her words had him laughing. “You’re not so bad either, big guy.”

“No, you . . . your pussy is hot.” Jenner laughed softly, nipping at her throat.

She squeezed his cock, tugging on it hard. “It’s very pretty. Wanna look at it?”

“Mmmm. Maybe later.” He picked up her, sliding his hand around her thigh. “Right now I wanna fuck it.”

“So stop talking and fuck me.” Faith wrapped both legs around his waist, her arms draped over his shoulders. “C’mon, big guy, whatcha waiting for?”

He growled into her mouth, blunt teeth biting at her lower lip. With his hands on her ass, Jenner guided her around his erection, slowly impaling her. “Not waiting for anything, little girl.”

Once inside, Jenner set up a brutal pace, thrusting heavily up into Faith’s core. She was tighter than he’d expected, her warmth surprising him. He grunted and rolled his hips, unable to get inside her deep enough. Slipping out, Jenner dropped Faith, pushing her down onto the stairs, her ass high in the air. A wicked grin crossed his face and Jenner slapped her ass hard, instantly raising a large welt. Faith yelped and bucked, struggling to get away from him, but Jenner had clamped his other hand around her neck, holding her still.

His hand cracked down again, then slid forward to thrust into her pussy from behind. “Don’t move.”

She did a fair imitation of a vampire’s growl, his name coming from her in a fury. Her ass was flaming, his hand slapping wetly over the tender flesh. Faith bucked again, and this time, instead of his fingers sliding into her waiting pussy, his cock slid easily, fully inside her.

“Ahhh!” Her head dropped, bumping against the staircase as Jenner thrust harder and harder. She twisted, trying to break free, but his hand kept her pinned. He was panting needlessly, his cool breath wafting over her back. His hand smoothed down her back, holding onto her waist. The slip and slide of his flesh inside hers countered their gasps of pleasure. Jenner’s other hand slipped around, zeroing in on her clit.

By the time Faith realized he wasn’t holding her still, she no longer cared. His cock was solid inside her, splitting her heat with freezing fire. Using her hands, Faith braced herself, pushing away from the stairs, trying to find leverage to arch into his thrusts.

The pace of his hips churning into her was brutal, his cock hitting the internal nerves that set her body ablaze. Little grunts slipped out of her mouth and she couldn’t escape his touch. She arched into his hand and her clit burned while his cock filled her.

All her muscles seized up, tightening around his turgid erection and small shivers stole through her, rolling through the control she had, overwhelming her. Faith screamed out his name, coming apart in his arms.

Jenner stopped thrusting, pulling out of her completely. He spun her around, lifting her once more in his arms. She was loose-limbed, sluggishly reacting to his movements. Her soft whimper caught him by surprise and he grinned, placing a sloppy kiss on her lips. “C’mon, baby, ride me now.”

Sliding his hands beneath her thighs, Jenner spread Faith’s legs, exposing her dripping pussy to the cool air. “Gonna make you scream again.”

“Sure you will.” She stiffened, trying to escape his hold, but Jenner arched his hips, sliding his thick cock into her.

“I’ve got all night, baby.” He stalked over to the elevator, punching in buttons. He thrust lazily, letting her know he was still hard. “Wanna test out the cables?”

The bell rang, signaling the car’s arrival and with a smirk that rivaled another vampire’s, Jenner stepped into the elevator, grinning at Faith’s expression.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


He’d lit two candles and left the door to the bathroom open slightly. Buffy could hear Spike splashing happily in the water, his low voice half-singing, half-humming as he showered. She dismissed the thought of joining him, fatigue stealing through her body, reminding her she wasn’t alone inside her own skin. A yawn threatened to split her head and Buffy laughed softly, wondering if she’d ever felt this kind of tired before. Her eyes kept wanting to close at the oddest moments – nearly every time she had a quiet moment – and it was all she could do to fight the sleep that stole over her.

Earlier, in the midst of the impromptu festivities, she’d jerked awake, hoping no one had seen her. Spike’s smirk and knowing twinkle had her blushing profusely, though it hadn’t been too long after when he started mentioning how tired everyone looked. Tara had caught on quickly, doing her best to wrap things up as well. Not that it had been all that hard. They were all exhausted, lines of fatigue and stress written on everyone’s faces. Getting everyone living at Revello ready to send their guests home hadn’t been difficult at all. The only one not needing copious amounts of sleep was Spike, but she knew come first light, he’d be just as bad off as the rest of them.

One good thing to come out of this – at least she didn’t have to get up and feed an infant. A smile stole over her face and her hand drifted down to her belly. Not for another six months or so. The smile flattened out, as the other implications surfaced. Being pregnant meant being seen by doctors regularly and then there was the inevitable hospital stay. So not looking forward to that at all. Maybe I can get Tara to find a midwife thingie. . . I’m healthy, I could do it. And, hey, bonus points for not having to be in an icky hospital room.

The shower stopped, though Spike’s singing didn’t. Her smile twitched back to life, as she recognized the tune and from her vantage point on the bed, she could see the shadow of his towel. He stepped into the bedroom after flicking off the bathroom light. His pale skin glowed silver in the candlelight, the dark blue towel covering his head, blocking his face from her gaze. He was still singing, crooning about how wise men say only fools rush in, and her deep sigh finally penetrated his consciousness.

“I so never pegged you for an Elvis fan.” There was laughter in her voice and he dropped the towel, grinning back at her.

“He was amazin’, pet. Nothing like ‘im before and damn few since.” Spike shook his head, sending droplets of water flying all over the room, most of them landing on the bed.

“Hey!” She playfully tossed a pillow at him, and Spike retaliated by bouncing naked onto the bed. Buffy flopped back down, good-naturedly grumbling at him, laughing louder when he prowled over the bed toward her.

“We’re gonna get ourselves a king size, yeah?” Spike pulled on Buffy’s leg, tugging her beneath him. His eyes drank in her features, mischievous lights sparkling in their blue depths. “Wanna have lots of room to play.”

“Really? And how much playing do you think we’ll be doing with a new baby?” She laughed again, seeing his momentary pout.

Spike nuzzled her collarbone, licking over her slightly salty skin, nipping softly at her neck. “Same amount as before. Never be a moment when I’m not achin’ for you, kitten. I’ll always want you.”

“Even when I’m huge?” Though she was laughing, Spike could sense the undercurrent lacing her question and he responded, growling against her throat.

“Silly question, you daft bint.” He kissed her, tongue crowding into her mouth, swirling a dance with hers. He lifted himself completely off her, up on elbows and knees so he could look her in the eyes. “Pro’ly won’t be able to keep m’ hands off you. An’ when your tits are heavy with milk?” The growl deepened, rumbling like thunder through his chest. “Be fightin’ the nipper for a taste.”

Despite the squickiness her head was thinking, the idea of Spike at her breast had her heart pounding and her pussy clenching around thin air. Buffy arched up, offering those sensitive breasts to him. Taking the hint, Spike leaned down, palming one in his hand, his tongue tracing a delicate line around her areola. Her entire body shuddered, tensing with barely leashed desire. Her hands scrabbled on the sheets, then reached for him. Sliding her small hands up and down his flanks, Buffy slipped one hand between their bodies, catching his hard cock in her grasp.

“God, you’re delicious.” He licked a path between her breasts, tongue and teeth repeating his torment on her other nipple. “Could spend the rest of m’ days tastin’ every inch of you.” Buffy tugged on his cock, gently bringing him closer and closer to her core. “Tha’s it, baby, jus’ keep touchin’ me.”

Mewling, kitten-soft noises gurgled out of her while her body undulated beneath his, seeking more contact. “Spike, please, stop teasing me.”

He chuckled around a mouthful of her breast, the noise notching her nerves higher. “Gah! Spike!”

Dropping his lower body down to meet hers, Spike shifted his knees, opening her legs wider. His cock brushed over her clit and the friction rocketed through her. Every muscle and nerve ached for his touch, for the surge of his body into hers. Buffy arched her hips, trying to capture his cock in the folds of her pussy. He rocked over her, deliberately holding himself back, trying to prolong the pleasure.

His name whimpered in the air between them, Buffy pleading with him to stop tormenting her. “Please, please. . . “ She growled, writhing hard, forcing him away from her breast. “Damn you, Spike! Now!”

Once more he slid his cock over the folds of her soaking pussy, teasing her. Spike rolled his hips, then, before she could protest, grabbed hold of himself and thrust inside.

Their bodies moved in tandem, boundless passion flowing between them, the slick and slide of his hardness into her softness notching the flames higher. Spike pushed inside, held himself still, letting her walls contract around him, then pulled back, letting her feel the void his thickness left behind. Buffy arched her pelvis upwards, mewling when he teased her, only entering her halfway, pulling away from her again.

“Spike!” Her fingers dug into the clenched muscles of his ass, forcing him to thrust hard into her depths. “Stop teasing!”

He had the balls to laugh at her, his forehead dropping down to meet hers. “God, I love you.”

His lips met hers and he chuckled again when she nipped him, her blunt teeth tugging on his lower lip. Surging into her, Spike looped her knees over his elbows, pounding into her heavily. “All right now, pet? This enough for you?”

Garbled moans issued from Buffy, and she glared at him, trying to capture his mouth with hers. “Damn. . . stubborn. . . stupid. . . vamp!”

She shrieked the last, her voice high when he swivelled, finally hitting the soft, spongy mass of nerves he’d been teasing at since he first thrust inside her. Her orgasm roared through her, seizing every muscle and nerve, short-circuiting her brain. Buffy’s entire body twitched, nearly convulsing around Spike, her fingers digging hard into his ass. Responding to the pleasure-pain of her touch, his body fed off her orgasm, triggering his own.

Spike slumped bonelessly onto her, his arms dropping her legs and curling up around her to hold her close. Aftershocks rippled through her, her muscles quaking and shivering around his slumped body. Buffy barely managed to cling to him, her arms weakly encircling his heaving chest. He laid tender kisses down her torso, his cock slipping out of her. She whimpered in protest and he blew a soft breath over her belly.

“Not done with you jus’ yet, love.” His lips parted, sucking on the tender skin of her lower belly, his blunt teeth grazing over her gently. “Love the way you taste after ‘ve been inside you.”

More kisses rained on her skin, interspersed with his ribald words. “Love tastin’ you, all hot an’ wet. . . . slippery, like a juicy peach.” Trailing lower, Spike could feel her heartbeat thundering through her body, smell the renewed arousal beginning to course from her. “Sweet, with jus’ enough salt to you, make it interestin’.”

Buffy curved her pelvis upwards, offering her drenched pussy to his mouth. “Look how you want me, kitten.”

His tongue snaked out, curling around her clit, sucking on it hard. Buffy softly screamed out his name, body strung tight, aching for more. Spike traced her folds, nuzzling into her, his nose bumping into the hard nubbin over and over. He hummed into her flesh, listening to her grunt and mewl. Her fingers sank into his curls, tugging him away and urging him closer. Buffy spread her legs, bracing her feet so she could thrust upwards to meet his questing tongue.

The scent of blood hit his senses and Spike reeled back, honing in on the source. Buffy had bitten her lower lip and a pearl of red hovered there, tantalizing him. His low, rumbled growl echoed in the otherwise quiet room and he licked his lips, torn between the liquid coating her pussy and the blood beckoning from her mouth.

A second drop welled up from her lips and a teasing glint entered her eyes. Buffy bit down again, knowing what the temptation was doing to him. Every muscle was rigid with indecision, torn between her pussy and her mouth. His nostrils flared, jaw clenching. He ground out her name, his hands fisted at her hips.

“Buffy.”

In answer she rubbed her foot over his throbbing cock, a wicked smile curving over her lips. She bit her lip again, watching him from lowered lashes.

“Buffy.”

She slid her hand down her torso, tweaking a nipple on the journey southward. Her fingers slipped easily around her folds, and her hips rose to meet her hand. His growl deepened, chest heaving with unnecessary breaths. Buffy writhed as her fingers found her clit, teeth still worrying at her lip. She could see him unraveling, his control slipping by the second, and her own arousal ramped upward, matching his.

One second he was mesmerized by her and the next, he was surging into her, game-faced, snapping and snarling. His eyes glowed brilliant gold, boring steadily into her clear golden-green orbs. Buffy wrapped her hands around his arms, feeling his cock nudge against her over-sensitized clit.

“Spike!” She screamed out his name as his cock finally stole back inside her, harder and thicker than before.

He was pounding, hammering his need into her willing flesh. Wrapping her legs around his hips, Buffy could do no more than hold on and ride out the storm of his arousal. His fangs clamped around her neck, holding her tight, though not penetrating her skin. Buffy dug her nails into his skin, leaving half-moon marks. Harsh gasps for air gusted over his shoulder and Spike’s hips rotated, thrusting harder and harder, the closer Buffy’s mouth got to his shoulder.

The walls of her pussy constricted around him, strangling his cock tighter, rippling with her third orgasm. Buffy keened out his name, then, as her entire body froze, her mouth descended, her teeth closing over the taut muscle of his shoulder. Spike clamped down, fangs penetrating her skin, triggering yet another orgasm for her. His muted roar reverberated through her body and Buffy melted beneath him.

Spike collapsed onto her, pinning her to the bed. He licked closed the bite marks, wincing in pain when Buffy kissed his shoulder. “Sorry, kitten.”

“Don’t be. I wanted it.” He pulled back to look at her, and she smiled shyly. “We’ve been apart for days. . . I needed to feel you again.”

He laid a sweet kiss on the tip of her nose, then laid down, with his ear over her heart. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

They were quiet for long minutes, enough time for Buffy to drift off to sleep. Spike shifted, dropping his head lower to hover over her belly. He glanced up at her profile, confusion lighting his features. He dipped closer, his ear pressed against her, listening intently.

There, just under her own thundering heart, was the faintest of sounds, a soft fluttering murmur of barely-there noise. Spike concentrated, wrapping his arm around her hips to hold her closer. He was just about to follow Buffy into slumber when his brain registered what his ears were hearing.

The rapid pitter-patter of two barely discernable heartbeats.

“Kitten?”

She groused at him, not wanting to be disturbed. He shook her lightly, calling her again. “Buffy, wake up for me.”

“Don’t wanna.” She tried rolling onto her side, but his hold on her wouldn’t budge. “What?”

“Kitten. . . look at me.” He stretched up, staring at her sleepy features. “Sweetheart, you with me?”

“Yup.” He’d caught her attention now, as her sleep muddled brain acknowledged his intent expression. “What’s up?”

“Sweetheart. . . “ He took a deep breath and laid a kiss on her belly, where the two heartbeats were strongest. “There’re two of them.”












This is it -- the end of this part of the story. Your last chance to tell me what you thought . . . . please let me know -- I so appreciate all of you. Every single one. . . thank you. Thank you!