Disclaimer: I own nothing, Joss does! (What a lucky guy!)

Huge Thank you to - Hulettwyo my Beta for helping

me so much with this story!

CHAPTER THREE

It had been a few days since Spike had been back and he'd thought about Buffy non-stop since he'd seen her that night at The Bronze. He needed answers, but given Buffy's past history with supplying them, he decided to call on the only person who would tell him straight.

"Spike?" squealed Dawn as she opened the front door. "Oh my gosh! When did you get back?" She pulled him into a rib-cracking hug.

He coughed lightly as the breath was squeezed out of him and managed to sputter, "Few days ago."

She released him with a muttered, "Sorry," then stepped aside. "Come on in." He stepped over the threshold and followed her through to the kitchen as she asked over her shoulder, "So, how was it?"

"It was great. Saw a lot of stuff..." He trailed off as she motioned toward one of the stools in front of the kitchen counter.

"So, I guess you're here to see Buffy, huh?" She smiled as she poured herself a cup of coffee then held up the pot, silently offering.

He nodded and she turned to get another cup out of the cupboard. "Uh... no, actually. We bumped into each other a few nights ago at The Bronze."

She set a steaming cup of coffee in front of him then took a seat on the opposite stool. "So you know, huh?" He nodded silently and she let out a relieved sigh, "Thank God! I really didn't want to be the one dishing that news."

He stared at the steam rising from his cup. "Yeah, I just can't believe it, Buffy pregnant and married."

He took a sip of his coffee, almost spraying it all over the counter when Dawn squeaked, "She's what?"

He slowly lowered the cup as he ran his comment back through his mind and realized that Buffy had played him. "She's not married, is she?"

Dawn half smiled. "Uh... not unless she snuck off to Vegas while I was out yesterday."

XXXX

She was walking down the street carrying bags full of baby supplies, just like Dawn said she'd be. He quickly pulled over and slammed the car into park then jumped out, running to catch up with her. "Buffy, why did you tell me you were married?" he asked angrily.

"And hello to you, too." She carried on walking, trying her best to keep one step ahead of him, though with a baby bump and bags in hand, it was proving rather difficult.

Finally he got to within touching distance and grabbed her shoulder to stop her from walking away. "So? Why?" He stepped around in front of her and stared at her for a moment, watching the emotions playing across her features. 'How did I let things get so fucked up?' He braced himself when he saw the emotion she'd settled on.

She wrenched her shoulder out of his grasp and shouted, "It's none of your business, Spike! It doesn't matter if I'm six times divorced, dating a circus freak, or a lesbian! You left me! Remember? So I don't have to justify or explain anything to you!"

"I never would have gone if I'd known," he sighed.

"Oh, you think? Well, don't worry, Spike, you're off the hook. The baby isn't yours so you can just wipe that 'I'm terrified of commitment' look off your face," she said flatly.

"Then who?" he asked, looking deep into her eyes just like he used to.

She gazed into ocean blue depths that were filled with love and compassion for her and sighed internally, 'Why does that look turn me to goo every single time?' Suddenly a sharp pain ripped through her stomach and she dropped her bags, clutching her bump as she screamed. When the pain had subsided somewhat, she panted, "Spike, call me a cab now!"

He looked at her worriedly as she bent over and planted her hands on her knees then started breathing oddly with a lot of hoo-hoos and hee-hees. "What is it, luv?"

She looked up at him through the curtain of her hair and puffed, "The baby. I think I'm in labour".