Author's Note: Lately, I've been reading a lot of fanfics about Spike and kids, it intrigues me, the idea of Spike as a father figure. I came up with this idea and it's been rolling ever since. Further into the storyline, you might see some similarities to "Charmed", but be warned, this is not a cross over. This is more of an alternative universe. Enjoy…and please review. J

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Spike unlocked the door to his small apartment and trudged inside. He flipped it closed and shrugged off his black duster. The weary vampire fell into a chair set before a small desk. He clicked on the laptop that sat in front of him.

As the device hummed to life, Spike rubbed his aching eyes. It had been a long night of fight evil and searching…searching for his love.

Buffy had gone missing almost six months ago. He had walked over to the house she shared with Willow, Oz, and Dawn in the early evening and found it empty. That was natural on the part of the others, but not Buffy. She had called him early and asked him to come over that night, saying she needed to talk to him.

Spike had immediately searched the whole house and called all her friends, but no one had any idea. The search widened and spread over the next few months as all the scoobies, the police and even the Fang Gang got involved.

Spike was shaken out of his trance when the little icon flashed on his screen, indicating that he had mail. He moved his fingers over the touch-pad and clicked on the icon. A message from one of his contacts in New York popped up.

To: Something of Interest

Spike,

I was doing a weekly check of the hospitals in the areas you indicated and I found something. I can't tell you what it is now. I don't want to get your hopes up. Come to New York. Meet me at Lady of Christ Hospital in two days.

Reaper.

Spike let out the breath of hope – that he didn't need – as he finished reading the short email. He looked at his watch. He could be out of Los Angeles in twenty minutes and on the earliest flight to New York if he wanted.

But did he want to?

Hell Yes!

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"Spike." A short brunette barrelled over to him and hugged him as hard as she could. Emmaline Reaper grinned like the Cheshire cat as she looked at her old friend.

"Hey Em." Spike tried to smile for the little witch, but found he couldn't. Not that he was surprised. Ever since Buffy had disappeared, he had lost the will. "You look good."

"You don't. Emma pulled Spike down the starch white halls of the hospital. "I saw you what a couple of years ago…you looked great then…full of un-life."

"Times have changed." Spike sighed and thought of the woman she loved. After he had gotten his soul, the two hard started over. Of course their had been an apocalypse in between and the group had shut down the hell mouth an moved to LA, but still…

"Hopefully they will again and for the better." Emma stopped and Spike looked around at his surroundings. "Welcome to the Nursery."

"What the…?" Spike stopped talking as Emma took a deep breath and turned his head to look in the glass separating him and the babies sleeping in the nursery. His eyes fell on a little baby wrapped in a white blanket. He noticed the nametag on the end of the crib…Summers.

"I know." Emma rubbed his back, seeing his astonished gaze. "It's a lot to handle. I talked to the nurses earlier. A woman came in escorted by a man in all black. She was in heavy labour and they admitted her without questions. As soon as the baby was delivered the man scooped the woman up and ran out. The tried to go after her, but a heavy earthquake shook the hospital. The only thing the man told the nurses was that the baby had to go home with a man named William.

"When the nurses asked how they would know if it was the right man, the woman spoke and said that he would come disguised as the night but shining like the morning sun."

"That's me, then?" Spike tore his gaze away from the little girl and looked at Emma. "She's mine."

"That was my guess." Emma pulled him into the nursery and up to the crib. When the head nurse went to stop them, she halted as she saw Spike. The woman smiled warmly and picked up the little bundle. She handed the baby to Spike who looked a little uneasy as he held her.

"You must be the little one's father." The nurse smiled and pulled a white envelope out of her pocket. This was left. I don't suppose your name is Spike?"

He looked up from the sleeping baby and blinked back the tears that had risen. He silently thanked the nurse as she handed him the note and walked away. Spike gazed down as the little thing in his arms wiggled and stretched her little arms. She yawned and blinked open her eyes. Spike was shocked, mirror images of his ice blue eyes stared back up at him. The baby seemed content at the sight of him and snuggled up to him.

"Cor', This is insane." Spike looked up at Emma and handed her the note. "Can you read it for me? I don't want to put her down."

"Sure." Emma's voice was soft with compassion as she took the note and unfolded it.

"Spike

I know the last six months have been hell for you. They have been more so for me. That night when you found me gone, I was going to tell you I was pregnant. Just before you were supposed to arrive, someone came to see me. They alerted me of something I couldn't ignore. I am sorry Spike, what I did was cruel and horrible. What I have done now is worse. I have left our baby, our precious little girl, without her mother. She has you, which is very important, but I have deprived both of you. I can't come back Spike, as much as I want to, because by the time you receive this letter, I will be dead. I love you and our child more than you could possible imagine. I will miss you very much. Take care of each other.

Love Buffy."

"No!" Spike fell into the chair behind him, holding his little girl tighter. "She can't be gone, not like this, not again." Tears fell from the vampire's eyes. The little girl in his arms woke up and began to wail.

Emma dropped to her knees in front of him and put an arm around his shoulders, making him look up at her.

"Spike, I know this is hard. But you have to do the right thing. This baby needs you. You have to be strong. Buffy had faith in you, where ever she is, she still does."

Spike let his gaze fall upon the crying infant in his arms. He hugged her close and kissed her forehead.

"Don't Cry, lil'bit. Your Da's here." Spike smiled for the first time in months as the little girl in his arms sniffed and stopped crying. He turned to the nurse who was folding towels a ways away. "Does she have a name?"

"Not yet." The nurse smiled and walked over. "Do you have one in mind?"

Spike turned back to the little girl. His smile widened as she looked back up at him with bright, wide eyes.

"Hello, my little Hope." Spike promised himself there and then, this little girl would always come first.

TBC…if I get reviews…..?