For disclaimer and summary, please see chapter 1.

A/N: Thank you to jalewis, Beige Flicka, dancngurl153 and Naeara for their great reviews :D

Umm, this chapter is a bit shorter than my others but like I said, I'm a little unsure as to what I'm going to do. Hopefully the next one will be longer though :)


Chapter 3

Buffy sat in the uncomfortable chair, fidgeting nervously and glancing around at the other waiting people. Her leg was bouncing quickly and she was chewing her nails. She heard a sigh and a soft chuckle from the man beside her as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She gratefully leaned into the contact and he placed a gentle kiss to her temple.

"Everythin's gonna be fine, kitten" he reassured her.

"I know, I just really don't like hospitals. Cecilia, me, Der Kinderstod, Willow, me again, Faith, Mom..." her voice trailed off as he shushed her and ran his fingers slowly through her long golden locks.

"'S okay, Buffy. I promise, nothin' bad is gonna happen" he vowed, his free hand resting on her stomach.

Two weeks had passed since Buffy had moved in. The days and nights had passed in an almost mundane routine, but they loved the homely feel they got just from living with the other. They would wake up next to their love, and go about their day, whether it was walking in the park, watching television or visit their friends. They would train together and as the sun set they would go out on patrol. There were the occasional nights at the Bronze, and other nights would be 'their' nights, when Spike would go out with just Xander, go round Clem's or even play a hand of poker, and Buffy would have sister time with Dawn or perhaps a movie night with the girls. Dawn would stay at theirs for three nights a week and spend the rest at Revello.

It had been comfortable, and Buffy had enjoyed the sense of normalcy it brought. It also allowed her to forget the doctor's appointment that she had made. But now it was here, and she was anxiously waiting for her name to be called. It was too overwhelming for the blonde. The soothing motions of Spike's fingers through her hair and on her abdomen were gradually calming her though and she relaxed willing into his embrace.

"Miss Buffy Summers?" called a nurse, startling the Slayer out of her chair. Spike rose beside her and slipped an arm around her waist, guiding her in the direction the nurse was indicating, murmuring quietly into her ear the entire way.

Spike shut the door behind them and helped Buffy into a seat, taking the one next to her and holding her hand. He turned to face the young female doctor and smiled at her.

"Hi, I'm Dr Montgomery" The pretty brunette introduced herself. Her long chestnut tresses were pulled back in an informal but stylish ponytail and she wore deep purple glasses that seemed to compliment her hazel eyes and slim face.

"Dr Montgomery, I'm William, and this is Buffy" Spike said.

"So, what exactly can I do for you Miss Summers?" The doctor asked politely, smiling warmly at the obviously nervous patient. "Let me guess, not a big fan of hospitals?" she asked kindly.

Buffy smiled slightly and shook her head. "Not really, no"

The doctor nodded understandingly. "Okay, well, my notes here say you're here to confirm your pregnancy?" Buffy nodded.

"Right, well, I'm sorry to have to ask you this, but do you think you could provide me with a urine sample?" she requested gently. "I could do a blood test but it would take longer for the results to come through"

Buffy locked eyes with the kind hazel ones of the doctor. Somehow she knew that she could be trusted. Unfortunately, it didn't help her fears very much, but she was willing to try.

"O-okay, umm, where do I..." Buffy trailed off and blushed, but was encouraged to look up by the squeeze of her hand. She met warm blue eyes and she instantly felt more relaxed. She took a deep breath and turned to the doctor again, who was watching her with an understanding gaze.

"Just take this, and the toilets are at the end of the corridor to the right" Dr Montgomery informed her, handing the small cup to the Slayer, who hesitantly stood and followed the instructions.


She returned shortly with the small cup and handed it to the doctor, blushing again and resuming her place to Spike's right. He smiled at her and pulled her close once she had sat, kissing the top of her head.

The doctor pushed her chair so she wheeled over to one of the cupboards in the room and took some items out. She turned to the desk and continued to work with her back to the couple. They could hear her muttering under her breath and taking notes on a pad next to her. Eventually, Dr Montgomery spun to face them with a grin.

"Congratulations! You're pregnant Miss Summers"

Buffy and Spike smiled brightly and the doctor was taken by surprise when the young blonde girl hugged her. Buffy returned to her seat, looking a little embarrassed but still happy. "Thank you so much, Dr Montgomery"

The brunette waved a hand dismissively. "Call me Heather"

"Only if you stop with the 'Miss' and call me Buffy" she replied. I like her, she's just so... friendly. I feel so much better around her already.

"Deal" agreed the grinning doctor. "Okay, so, this probably won't mean anything to you, but we can tell how far along you are by the hCG levels in your blood or urine. Now, the important part. Your levels show that you are approximately between 6 and 8 weeks pregnant"

Buffy smiled at her but the doctor could see she was still a little lost and smiled apologetically. "Sorry, what I'm trying to say is that, should you want to, we should be able to do a sonogram"

Spike blinked at the doctor before he broke out into a grin. "What, now?"

Heather returned his grin and nodded. "Right now"

Buffy looked confusedly between the two. Spike caught her glance and smiled. "An ultrasound, kitten. We can see Bitesize, if you want"

She was torn. On one hand she hated the hospital and wanted to get out of there and go home. On the other, Spike was looking at her with so much hope and anticipation, the same feelings inside her, and Heather was really nice. "Okay" she consented quietly. Spike kissed the back of her hand and smiled.

"Just give me one second, and I'll have everything set up" Heather said, moving around the room efficiently. Soon, there was a bed positioned in the middle of the room and a small machine next to it. "If you'd like to just get on the bed, Buffy, then we can start" she said, smiling and the anxious blonde.

Buffy slowly heaved herself onto the bed and lay down, her hand automatically searching for Spike's and gripping it tightly when their hands linked. Spike used his free hand to smooth down her hair and whispered inaudibly to her. Heather felt a pang of jealousy as she watched them interact, but focused on her job. They were a nice couple, and she could see herself becoming good friend with them both.

Heather gently lifted Buffy's shirt, exposing her stomach. "Now, this is gonna be a little cold" she said, before spreading a cool gel over the tanned skin. She picked up a device and ran it over Buffy's abdomen, staring intently at the screen. She continued to move it around until she suddenly froze.


The small screen showed a black and white image. It seemed to pulse and change as the device sent out and received the signals that made up the slightly blurry picture.

"There you go" said Heather softly, indicating a small shape that kind of resembled a kidney bean.

Buffy tilted her head to the side. "I can't see how that's a baby"

"Hey, that's our lil' girl you're talkin' about" Spike said indignantly, his eyes fixed intently on the tiny image.

Buffy grinned. "How do you know it's not a boy?"

"Jus' do. 'M always right about these things, luv"

Buffy laughed and leaned up to kiss him. "Mmm, right" Spike grinned and nodded, leaning down to capture her mouth again.

Heather averted her eyes and laughed silently. This is why I do it she thought happily. It was too often that she had to give people bad news, and it lifted her spirits to see good things like this. She returned her gaze to the screen.

"Everything seems fine. The baby's developing nicely, and..." she flicked a switch and a fast, fluttering thump-thump could be heard. "That's the heartbeat" she said softly, looking up at the awe-struck blondes. They remained silent, eyes riveted on the screen and lost in their own world. "I'd put you at about 7 weeks" Heather concluded, bringing their attention back to her.

"Would you like a printout?" Heather offered. She received two eager nods and matching brilliant smiles.

"Thank you, Heather" said Buffy.

"Yeah, pet. It was nice to meet you"

"It was my pleasure" replied Heather with a smile. "So, would you like to book and appointment for another scan in 10 weeks time?"

Buffy nodded and they made all the arrangements. A short time later, the expectant parents walked out with identical grins and a small photograph that was testament to the small life growing inside her.


They got back to the house and Buffy immediately bounced through to the kitchen and stuck it on the door with a magnet. She grinned and touched the image again as a strong pair of arms encircled her from behind and she felt him sigh happily against her neck. She leant her head back onto his shoulder and rubbed his arms that were linked over her stomach.

"What do you want to do for the nursery?" Spike asked softly.

Buffy kept her eyes on the sonogram in front of her and thought about it. "I think we should paint it either yellow or green. Then it doesn't matter if we have a girl or boy"

"But don't you want our princess to have a pretty purple room?" his tone was innocent but he grinned, knowing her reply.

"We don't know it's a girl. What would you say if we had a boy and he had to have a poufy room?"

Spike laughed and hugged her tighter before stepping back and turning on the kettle. "Okay, but I say green, cos yellow'd be too... bright. Hard. Green's softer"

Buffy smiled at him in amusement but agreed. "I like green" She lifted herself onto a stool at the island and watched her man move around the kitchen with the supernatural grace he had retained. They stayed in comfortable silence and after a few minutes, Spike handed her a mug of coffee and kissed her, joining her with his cup of tea.

"Why do you drink tea?" Buffy asked curiously.

"'M British, luv. There's no way 'm touchin' that stuff unless I have to" he grinned at her. He picked up a banana from the fruit bowl and began to unpeel it.

"Stop there! Put down the fruit, vampire... uh, ex-vampire!" Spike looked at her like she'd grown another head. She snatched it out of his relaxed hand. "I want it" she grinned at him. He scowled, so she pouted. "It's the last one, please" she begged, drawing a reluctant grin in response. Ensured her victory, Buffy peeled the banana and began munching happily. Spike rolled his eyes and selected a red apple instead.

"So, when should we start moving things around?" Buffy asked after a moment.

Spike shrugged. "There's no rush, kitten. But if you wanted to, I don't see why we can't do it now. We'll be done in time for patrol"

Buffy smiled and nodded. They finished their drinks and talked about the baby some more, sometimes worried about the future, at others they were practically giddy with excitement.

Eventually, they stood and made their way to the study. As they walked through the house, Spike noticed how her things now lay next to his. The apartment was really starting to feel like it was really theirs. He smiled at the little things that would otherwise be overlooked. Her shoes were next to his boots. Her books and CDs were mixed in with his own. Her clothes were hanging in the closet in their bedroom and Mr Gordo sat on her pillow. Her weapon's chest sat in the living room behind the sofa in a similar position it had at 1630. There were little hints in every room that showed that they shared it together.

How the mighty have fallen he thought ruefully, shaking his head. Then he glanced at Buffy and saw the small smile on her face and she looked back at him and knew he'd never give this up. Yeah, fallen in love.

They decided to move the bookcases into their room after all so that the small hallway didn't seem too closed in. They actually thought it added to the atmosphere, making it even better, and were glad they'd made the decision. As planned, the desk, chair and computer were moved into a corner of Dawn's room where it would be easily accessible.

Soon enough, with the strength of the two them, the room had been emptied and it was indeed much more spacious. Buffy turned slowly in the middle of the room and finally faced the doorway again, where Spike leaned casually against the frame with his arms folded.

Buffy grinned and beckoned him close. When he reached her, she wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head on his chest. She felt so safe with him. Buffy took a deep breath, smelling his aftershave and a tiny part of her admitted that she missed the musky smell of smoke and alcohol. Leather still clung to his skin, but now he could feel the heat like a human he didn't wear his duster nearly as much. Mainly just on patrols when the night cooled.

Spike looked up and saw the orange glow tainting the sky outside the window. He guided Buffy backwards and turned her to face it. Embracing her from behind once more, and resting his head against hers, they watched the sunset together in silence.

"It's beautiful" Buffy breathed, smiling at the slowly darkening sky.

"Gorgeous" he agreed, but when she turned her head she realised he was staring at her with burning blue eyes. She blushed lightly and smiled, leaning forward slightly to kiss him.

She pulled back with an inaudible gasp and grinned at him. "You know what I'm thinking?"

"Mmm, not sure, kitten. Hope it's somethin' to do with movin' to the next room" he smirked at her.

She trailed her fingers up his arm and shook her head. "Patrol" she said indifferently, pulling out of his arms and walking out of the room. Spike took a moment to recover, then followed her out with a grin.


Dawn watched the blonde couple go and smiled. Turning her key in the lock, she let herself in. She had wanted to watch a movie but Willow and Tara had said that it would be too scary for her. Too scary, pshaw. I've seen a demon get decapitated, watched both Buffy and Spike fight... I live scary every freakin' day.

Sighing, she hung up her jacket and picked up the control. Flicking through the channels, she glanced at the phone. She shrugged and picked it up, ordering pizza. Later she'd phone Kit and they could talk about the film.

Twenty minutes later she had paid the pizza guy and was sat down. She had pizza, she had drinks, she had the control and she had the phone. She was ready for the film to start. Sitting back, she relaxed into the leather.


Two weeks he had been watching. And for two weeks he had thought about how to go about his plan. He wanted to source of the power he had felt, the potent essence that had the potential for both tremendous good, but also monstrous evil.

The one who had drawn him here with wails of heartbreak and despair would have to wait. He could not risk exposing himself and losing the advantage by rushing things. But that didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun first.

A maniacal laugh spilled from his lips as he moved from the dark and approached the house. The now empty one on Sycamore Street. Empty that is, except for the lone teen.


Dawn was sat on the leather sofa at Spike and Buffy's apartment watching an apparently scary movie whilst they were out and eating an anchovy pizza. She was on the phone to her friend from Sunnydale High.

"Oh, come on. She is so dead" she said before taking a bite of pizza. "Well, he's clearly a psychopath" she mumbled through her mouthful.

"Is so... What? No, that is not Tom Hanks...Well, what channel are you on?"

Suddenly she heard a thump from the kitchen. Her head whipped around and her wide blue eyes surveyed the dark room trying to distinguish if anything was there. She'd heard it once already, but had thought it was a figment of her imagination.

"OK, there it is again... I keep hearing this, like, thumping" she muted the television and heard the door knock. I hope that's Buffy and Spike... but why didn't they use their keys? Cautiously, she went to the door and turned the handle. "No, I-I can't tell if it's – " she was cut off as the door swung open and she was blown backwards by a strong wind.

"Kit! Are you there?... Is there a storm?" she yelled into the phone over the gale. She managed to slam it shut again and leaned heavily against it, her knuckles turning white as she clutched the phone.

She listened for her friend's reply but got a dial tone. She hung up and anxiously glanced around the room. She spun as the volume of the television returned and steadily grew louder. She tried to mute it again, but the control had no effect, and neither did the power button on the set. Her eyes grew wide with fear when she unplugged it and it kept playing.

She backed away from the television until her legs hit the sofa, knocking her down. Her breathing came in sharp gasps as panic began to really set in. Photographs and weapons and glass swirled in a whirlwind of destruction. Dawn put her hand over her head and screamed for her brother and sister. Where are they? She wondered desperately.

The room seemed to darken impossibly as a shadow deepened until it was as black as oil, and seemed to stretch. In a moment, everything became deafeningly silent. The television switched off and all the items dropped to the floor, some smashing. Dawn was shaking in terror but dared to glance up as the only audible sound became her fast breaths. She forgot to breathe at the sight that might her eyes.

Slowly, the shadow shrunk until it formed a silhouette. It solidified to create a man made from the jet black darkness. The only colour of the figure was the glowing green eyes that stared straight at her. Dawn felt the hair on the back of her neck rise as his hostile glare seemed to read her mind.

"Wh-who are you?" Dawn asked shakily.

"I exist beyond the label of a name. I have always been and forever will be" the deep voice rumbled around the room, causing Dawn to clamp her hands over her ears. The menace in hide tone made another, stronger shiver of fear run through her. The power the being exuded made her skin crawl and her instincts to scream at her to run, but his eyes froze her to the spot.

"Desolation shall reign" he stated, a malicious glint in his gleaming gaze. The figure instantly collapsed on itself, once again changing to the foreboding shadow that it had entered as and disappearing, leaving a frightened girl on the sofa staring at where he had stood.


He looked through the window into the apartment and saw an empty kitchen. But he could sense the girl inside. An evil grin spread across his face as he thumped the wall and felt her startle. Her apprehension was slowly rising, and as he thumped the door, flourished into fear.

He moved to the door and knocked on it. When it opened he pushed forward, blowing the girl backwards as she tried to close it again. He moved smoothly inside and let her shut the door. He chuckled as she grew more and more afraid. He used his powers to throw objects around. A parlour trick really, but young ones were so easy to scare.

He inhaled deeply, breathing in the scent of her terror. He fed off her panic, making him stronger. He stayed at the edge of the room, watching her with sinister glee as she backed up and fell back onto the sofa and attempted to protect herself from the items soaring around.

Then she screamed. And it was delicious. He felt it fill him, giving him power. Literally music to his ears. Time to make myself known.

He let the objects drop, ignoring them as they fell and smashed. The act was minor and would not add to his energy. Taking a moment, he savoured her reaction. She was a trembling ball, curled up on the sofa. He waited for the girl to notice the change in circumstance, and as she raised her head he pulled his focus together to coalesce into the form he took when he was corporeal.

Her eyes widened and he recalled her name. Dawn. He grinned at the irony. The moment that light breaks over the horizon, and he was the darkness that chased it away. He fixed his eyes on hers as she tried to form a question.

"Wh-who are you?" she asked shakily. He absorbed the terror that surrounded her, but there was something else there. Her blood. It's strong, as is her heart. Bravery he thought venomously. Though her boldness, as slight as it may have been, amused him and almost impressed him.

"I exist beyond the label of a name. I have always been and forever will be" he told her. He paused, observing the teen. He glanced about and spoke again. "Desolation shall reign" he declared.

The presence of the Slayer suddenly prickled his senses unpleasantly. He was not prepared to lose the element of surprise, and he had to have the upper hand. It was when you lost that, and got overconfident, that you lost the battle. He released his concentration and returned to his preferred form. He glided silently and quickly from the house, feeling the new power thrumming through him and leaving the frightened girl curled up on the sofa.


A/N: Thanks for reading, please review with your thoughts and ideas :D

By the way, I don't know how accurate my description of the hospital experience was, the small bit of info I did find was on wikipedia XD but I hope it was believable :)