It took a few weeks but Buffy and Spike were able to get pretty comfortable in their new home. And to the relief of both of them Joy has attached herself completely to Spike.

Poor guy was miserable that he couldn't handle her alone at first. She would apparently go ballistic every time Buffy left them alone. So Buffy did some reading on her phone and was able to show him it was completely normal and had nothing to do with him. Joy just happened to be old enough to have long term memory, which meant being alone with someone she didn't know was scary for her.

He felt at least a little better to know it was a problem that would fade.

And boy did it.

She smiled as she watched her wobbly-walking daughter follow Spike down the hall. She does this all the time now. She completely adores her daddy.

"Our girl is ready for her lunch." He says with a smile as he heads for the kitchen.

"We better not keep her waiting." She smiles and puts Joy in her high chair while Spike mixes a bowl of baby food and blood and they both sits at the table with her.

Domestic bliss was decidedly quiet while they kept waiting for Giles to translate Joy's prophecy. Their days were centered around their daughter, with some sparring sessions sprinkled in during naps. She was way rustier than she liked, not to mention out of shape. She hadn't been in a real fight since she found out she was pregnant after all. A fight that was leading to a touch of awkwardness between her and Spike.

The first time hadn't been on purpose, it had just so happened that once they got started neither of them worried about turning the lights on as they made it to their room. They were bot so caught of in the taste and feel of the other, they even missed their bed. But then that wasn't anything new, was it?

But each time after that, she made sure the lights were out before clothes came off. After the first few times she could see the question in his eyes, though he never said anything to her. She knew it was just a matter of time before either he asked or he'd catch a peep of her.

She didn't want him to see her naked.

It was for a couple reasons. One she figured was kinda normal. Even as a slayer she couldn't completely bounce back from pregnancy, especially since she hadn't really done any sort of slayage in so long.

She wasn't down to her old size thanks to her stretched out marked up stomach and hips. The weight she lost during her pregnancy made her look almost skeletal in her upper body, including her face.

But the bigger reason was the new scars. She knew Spike, and she knew he wouldn't mind the scars themselves. But she also knew he was enough of a dope to get all glum and guilty over at least one, but she wouldn't be surprised if he managed to feel bad for most of them.

She had a scar from the gunshot wound Warren had inflicted on her just after Spike had gone to get his soul. That of course Spike couldn't have helped, she was shot in the daylight.

And there was her cesarean scar. She still hadn't gone into details on what carrying Joy had been like. Toward the end the demands on her body had been so high she started to seize, and then she became coma girl. She didn't wake up until Joy was two months old.

Then there was the only new slayer battle related new scar.

The last fight she had been in did not go well for her. It was something called a Krezoul demon. Nasty and beast-like, she was sure she would have killed it without too much trouble. Until she was hit with this sudden nausea and dizziness that she she hated to admit, made her pass out. Then the demon got all chompy while she was out- and had sunk dozens of teeth into her arm and shoulder. She was very lucky her team of slayers had been able to kill the think before it got a second bite.

Once she woke up at the hospital all her Scooby pals had come to see her. Between her blood absorbing baby and her injuries she almost hadn't made it.

Her dizzy spell, as the doctors called it, had been the result of a real lack of blood in her system. She didn't need to be a genius to realize her vampire baby was the cause of a lack of blood.

"You still with us pet?" Spike was looking at her all concerned and she realized she'd spaced out. Oops.

"I'm fine. Go get some blood for yourself." She stole what babyfood/blood was left and fed Joy another spoonful.

He stood with a shrug, but he obeyed, getting a mug of blood and sticking it in the microwave for himself. "Think we should call Ripper, see what progress he's made?"

"If he knew anything I'm sure he would call us."

"Well then maybe he could send a copy this way. In case it's something I might recognize."

"Couldn't hurt I guess."

"I just really need some answers. I feel a bit bonkers just wondering what's in store for her."

"I know. I feel all wiggy too. But I just keep trying to remember that thing thing might not mean what we will think it means. My first prophecy said I would die at the hands of the master. And I did, but it was only for a minute. Prophecy didn't say anything about my instant revival."

"I 'spose you're right... They do seem to usually come true in the one way no one would expect. Still can't help wantin' to know though." He grabbed his blood, sat with her again and sipped the mug.

"I know. I'm sure Giles will figure it out soon."

She called Giles after she got Joy down for a nap, Spike sat in the living room with her, watching and listening.

"Oh, Buffy, hello... How are you and Joyce doing?"

"We're okay Giles. I was hoping maybe you've made some progress?"

"I see. Of course. Well."

"That sounds like a yes Giles. What does it say?"

"I have not finished it yet Buffy. There could be more, that will change what it means."

"Just say what you know Giles, tell me what it says."

"If my translations are correct, it says that Joyce will be responsible for cleansing the vampires of this dimension."

"That's..." She looked at Spike. "Oh no..."