Note: It looks like the next couple of chapters, 2 for sure but possibly even 3 or 4 chapters are going to be past parts. I noticed that for about 8 or so past chapters I was putting the year as 2000, when in actuality it should have been 2001. I haven't fixed them yet here but I have on the other site I post this on, however I do plan fix them here too at some point. This is a slightly longer chapter than I normally write but I just couldn't find a good spot to stop any earlier.

Chapter 28

May 4, 2001

It had been three days since Buffy and the others left and Spike arrived. There hadn't been any major attacks, just a couple vampires who heard that the Hyperion was warrior free, obviously they hadn't heard Spike had come to town.

It was during the latest fight that Liz, who had been standing off to the side watching Spike kick some undead butt, got woozy. She grabbed at the staircase railing and fought the dizziness threatening to bring her to her knees. This wasn't the first time she'd been dizzy or lightheaded during the pregnancy but it was the first time that she almost blacked out.

Spike saw Liz sway, if his heart could beat it would have stopped right then. "Liz!" That brief distraction allowed the vampire he fought to get in a good left hook to his face. Spike twisted around using the punch as momentum and swung his leg around kicking cleanly and quickly to the vampire's head. The vampire hissed and growled at Spike grabbing for his neck. He spun them around, Spike was getting ready to finish the intruder off and check on Liz when the attacking vampire exploded into dust.

Confused Spike kept his hands right where the vampire's shoulders had been. He barely registered the clang of the wooden stake falling to the lobby floor. What grabbed his attention was the girl on the stairs and the recently broken railing in front of her.

"Liz?" Spike ran to her, uncaring that she had the power to stake him too.

"Spike, what was that?" Sure she'd seen Buffy do some pretty cool things when slaying vampires but she wasn't Buffy. She'd seen Angel and Spike kick some major ass and also do some awesome things when slaying vampires but again she wasn't them.

Spike gently took her into his arms, rubbing circles on her back. "I'm pretty sure you just became a Slayer."

Liz whipped her panicked gaze toward him. "That's not—wait does that mean Buffy…?"

He shook his head negatively very quickly. "Probably not. The Slayer line technically doesn't pass through Buffy anymore. Not a hundred percent sure how it works luv but it has something to do with the first time Buffy died and the next Slayer…Kendal…Kelda…I don't know but it definitely started with a 'K', was called. After that the line went through her, so that would mean—" He trailed off letting Liz fill in the blanks.

"That Faith is dead."

After that statement Liz remained quiet. Spike led her down to the lobby floor and sat her down on the round red couch in the middle. He didn't say anything in those moments, he watched her though, held her hands, and waited for her to speak again. He'd have waited years but thankfully it was only a half hour.

"So I'm a Slayer now." The words sounded wrong to her. Sure, she knew it was a possibility she'd become one but she never thought it would actually be her. Liz saw how many Potentials there were and the group that had been there wasn't even all of them, what were the odds she'd be the one chosen?

"Looks like." Liz started getting that far off look again. Wanting to keep her talking Spike softly cupped her cheek, "Are you all right with that?"

Liz sniffled and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I mean I'll never be ok with someone dying but I also understand that's the only guarantee in the life of a Slayer, you die. Which brings up the obvious question, when will I die and what will happen to my baby?" She rubbed her belly.

"Pet—"

"Will I die before I give birth? Will I die sometime after? I don't want to be negative but it's something I have to seriously think about. I don't want my baby to grow up without me." Tears leaked from her eyes and down her cheeks, getting Spike's hand wet.

"Hey now, don't cry beautiful." Spike lifted her up and onto his lap wrapping his arms around her waist. "You won't die. I promise you." He whispered lovingly in her ear.

"How can you—"

"I can. Trust me. I'm not going to let anyone kill you." He vowed.

Liz wished she could believe, God she wanted to believe him so bad but how could she? She was a Slayer now, which meant death loomed over her all day, every day. Sobbing she snaked her arms around Spike's shoulders and buried her face into his neck.

It tore Spike's heart in two listening to her agonizing sobs and desperate whispers of 'I don't want to die' and 'I can't die'. He vowed that he'd keep her and the baby alive for a very long time. He wasn't going to lose them to the Grim Reaper.

RosAtSBtVSRosAtsBtVS

May 5, 2001

The next day was busier than it had been since Angelus, Buffy, and the others left for Sunnydale. The world had been saved the same day Liz got Slayer powers. Cordy received the phone call from Willow, things were still hectic but Willow managed to tell Cordy a few things before having to hang up and treat another injured Potential.

Willow told her that although Faith had died in the battle, it didn't necessarily mean that Liz was the new Slayer, since she had done a spell that gave all the Potentials around the world the Slayer abilities. The other, the town of Sunnydale was no more; all that was left was a big crater.

There had been some losses, while expected were unfortunate. Faith, obviously, Anya, Robin Wood, and at least half of the Potentials were dead. She was happy to hear that none of their people were among the losses. Angel, Wesley, and Gunn, although injured, were alive or in Angel's case, still undead, and on their way back with the others.

On the other end of the phone she heard Buffy tell Willow to tell her that everyone would be coming to the hotel and to get some rooms ready for when they arrived. Cordy's heckles rose at being told what to do by Buffy, just because she's the Slayer didn't mean she could order her around.

Before she could argue at Buffy through Willow, the red headed witch interrupted her with the last piece of important information, Angel had returned. He had been Angelus all through the battle, but while they were on the bus his soul was restored. Through the phone Cordy heard a gasp of pain and Willow had to go.

After she hung up Cordelia just leaned against the front desk and took in the various emotions swirling around in her head. She didn't think she'd be as upset as she was at the town no longer being there but she was. Her parents, thankfully, were safe. A couple years after graduation and Daddy's tax issues, the two had left Sunnydale and now lived up in Tacoma, Washington, far away from the Hellmouth.

Cordelia sighed and called the others down to the lobby. Fred came from the kitchen carrying a half-eaten taco, Lorne came in from outside, and Liz, with Spike glued to her side, came from upstairs, she assumed from her room. Once everyone was gathered she told them what she learned from Willow.

At the end Spike scoffed. "Those annoying Potential brats are coming back here? Why can't they go home where they bloody belong?" Liz had told him about her brief experience with the Potentials. Spike didn't think he could get more irritated at the Potentials but after he heard about what happened here he quickly amended that thought.

"Who knows? Willow didn't have time to explain. But Miss Slay Gal wants us to get some rooms cleaned up for everyone. Like we're her servants?" Cordelia rolled her eyes.

"Did she say anything about Faith?" Liz asked. She hoped and prayed that Faith was ok and the new Slayer powers were just wrongly placed.

Cordy nodded her head. "Faith is dead. Can't say it's a great loss." While the once evil Slayer had begun to change it didn't mean she forgave Faith for all the trouble she caused everyone she loved and cared about. She saw Liz lower her gaze, hope draining from her eyes. She knew Liz didn't want to be a Slayer, she had heard Liz crying in her room a couple times, and so she tried to give her back some hope. "But it doesn't mean you're the next Slayer." She quickly followed up.

"What are you talkin' about?" Spike asked.

"Apparently all the Potentials got Slayer powers. Willow did a spell shortly before the big battle. I don't know if it's permanent or if Willow is planning on breaking the spell later but as of now it's not for sure that it's you Liz."

Liz breathed out a sigh of relief. "Ok, that's good. Maybe someone else will get the Slayer duty." Spike kept his hand around her waist and brought her deeper into his body till her cheek rested gently against his cotton t-shirt.

For the rest of the day, Cordelia, Lorne, Fred, and yes, even Spike, cleaned up a few rooms, enough so they were livable. Spike only helped because he saw Liz was trying to help too, which he promptly stopped. He didn't want Liz overdoing and kept taking things from her, dust cloths, Windex™, garbage, and boxes, all the while ordering her to sit and not help.

Liz would cross her arms and glare at Spike but would obey, for a few minutes anyway. Then the whole dance would start again. From another room across the hall that she and Lorne were working on, Cordy could hear the conversation between Liz and the bleached wonder.

"Spike I can help." Liz demanded.

"Yes you can. But you [i]may[/i] not." Spike bantered back. The sound of a box being moved could be heard.

"Why not?" Cordelia thought she heard a foot stomp.

"You shouldn't be lifting things while you're pregnant." Lorne and Cordy shared a look.

There was a brief silence then Liz said. "Spike, I could lift this bed with little problem right now. I don't think a box filled with pillows and sleeping bags is going to hurt me."

"Don't care, you're not lifting anything." He commanded.

"What about dusting? Or wiping something with Pledge?" She tried to bargain.

"No." Spike simply said.

A growl of frustration came from Liz. "No? Just no?"

"Fine you want more of an explanation, I'll give you one. The dusting will cause tiny little particles to float up in the air, you'll breathe them in and start hacking up a lung, sneezing, and getting sick. And the cleaning stuff has chemicals that you shouldn't be breathing in at all. You're lucky I don't send you to your room but I know you, you'll just start cleaning anyway. At least this way I'm able to watch you and make sure you don't do anything."

"Spike none of this stuff will harm me." She tried to assure him. "Besides as you said, I'm already in the room. I've already breathed in all that stuff you mentioned."

"If you keep pointing out the flaws in my plan, that's likely to get you spanked little girl." Spike growled at her. Cordelia heard Lorne chuckle as he put clean sheets on the bed.

For a moment Liz didn't say a word. At first Cordy thought Liz would get mad at Spike for threatening that. However she was surprised by her next statement.

"If you want me to stop pointing out the flaws to your plans then you shouldn't threaten me with a good time. It'll just reinforce that bad behavior." After that Lorne and Cordelia heard a playful growl and a shocked squeak. Then one soft smack was heard followed by a gasp from Fred. No more than two seconds later Fred hurried into the room.

"What happened?" Cordelia questioned the slender woman.

"Umm, Spike and Liz forgot I was in the room." Fred vaguely told her.

"And that means what sugar pop?" Lorne asked.

"Well, Spike lifted Liz off the bed, stood her up, brought her close and spanked her butt." Fred got a subtle blush on her cheeks and twisted her fingers together.

"Looks like Spike is making his claim known by each passing day." Lorne tossed a few sleeping bags on the freshly made bed. He hoped the Potentials didn't mind bunking up together, because there was no way he and the others were going to clean a room for each new guest.

Cordelia looked around the room. "Ok, this room looks done. The Sunnydale crew better appreciate that I'm ruining a perfectly good manicure for them."

Fred picked up the bag of garbage they were taking from room to room and her bucket of cleaning products. "It's doubtful Cordy. They weren't very nice when they were here last time." She tried to like everyone but even she couldn't excuse their behavior.

RosAtSBtVSRosAtsBtVS

Standing in Spike's arms, his hand molded onto her butt, she couldn't help the blush that crept up neck and onto her face. "Guess you weren't kidding huh?"

"First thing you should know about me luv, I never kid about spanking." He spoke lowly. "Especially when it's your butt I'm spanking."

Liz bit her lip and giggled. "I'll remember that."

"See that you do." He knew he should let her go but he continued to hold her close. Liz licked her lower lip and stared hard at his chest, avoiding his eyes. "What's on your mind?"

Liz remained silent for a moment, thinking about what she was going to say when finally she spoke. "I need to ask you a question. And if I'm wrong please don't laugh at me or anything. Pregnancy has made me a bit more emotional than I normally am so laughing at me right now wouldn't be the best confidence booster."

"Whatever it is, I won't laugh. Unless you're going to ask me to dress up like Bozo the Clown, then I'd have to laugh at you."

At that image Liz laughed with great amusement. "Don't worry; I hate clowns. They've creep me out ever since I was nine. Besides I wouldn't blame you for laughing at me if I asked that."

"Ok, then I can guarantee I won't laugh at whatever you have to ask me." He promised.

Liz breathed a sigh of relief. "Ok, that's good. Normally I think I would have realized this sooner but with so much going on I didn't put the pieces together until an hour ago. You've been really wonderful these last few days. At first I just thought it was because I'm the newest member in this whole battle against evil thing or that maybe you were being protective because you're attracted to me." She looked into his eyes then, wanting, needing to see his reaction.

"And now?" Spike whispered.

"Now, I'm wondering if…" She swallowed passed the nervousness and plowed straight ahead. "Am I your mate?" She'd been a little slow on the uptake but she couldn't deny that Spike had been doing a lot of things that she wouldn't expect a boyfriend of six months to do, let alone someone she'd known for three days.

Instead of answering like she hoped he would, Spike asked her a question too. "What if you were?"

"It's a little scary." She didn't want to lie to Spike; it was frightening to have someone so much a part of her life after only a short time. Plus she had already been in a relationship where things moved too fast and that turned out so well. However she couldn't deny that another part of her liked it too.

Spike lowered his arms and his gaze and started to step back but Liz took hold of his t-shirt keeping him right where he stood. "It is a little scary but I don't want to run away from it either. I know I like being around you. I know you're a vampire, obviously, it's kind of hard to miss but that doesn't bother me. You make me laugh, you make me feel safe, and you make me feel wanted. Those are things I really need and want. And I hope that I can and do make you feel the same way."

Liz watched with happiness as Spike's lips curled up into a boyish smile and his eyes lit up with warmth and excitement. It was an expression that she hadn't seen on Spike up to that point but it was one she wanted to see on him more. The smile just made him seem so young and innocent.

"Well I definitely feel wanted. The demanding stiff in my pants is a testament to that." The young and innocent expression was immediately shattered. However a naughty smirk and a sexy cock of the eyebrows replaced it.

Liz blushed again. Spike brought his body closer and got his face within scant inches of hers. "Spike?" She whispered.

"Yes luv?" He whispered back, any louder and it'd intrude on the moment.

She licked her lips slowly, watching as his eyes followed the movement of her tongue. "Kiss me."

"Happy to oblige." He leaned in and for the first time pressed his cool, full lips to her warm, soft ones.

At first their kiss was slow and searching. Both were testing the waters before diving in completely. Even with the barest of contact Liz could feel the tingles of excitement all the way down to her toes. This was nice, Liz thought. Really nice. She wanted more.

Spike gently laved attention on her lips. Liz brought her hands up to his jaw and delicately rested her fingers there while deepening the kiss.

With one arm wrapped around her waist and his other cupping the back of her neck he brought her body flush against his. He felt her growing belly between them and held her just a little bit tighter. She was his; her baby would also be his.

Sizzling electrical currents, which had nothing to do with her alien abilities, coursed through his body warming him like he never would have imagined. It was amazing to him that this tiny slip of a girl nearly brought him to his knees with a brush of her lips.

Their kiss went on for a few moments longer. They only stopped because Fred interrupted them when she got worried about the silence coming from the room. With another surprised gasp, similar to the one she gave earlier when Spike swatted Liz's behind, she scurried back out.

Liz laughed and put her forehead on his chest working to slow her breathing down. "We should probably continue cleaning. The Sunnydale people will be here in another two or so hours and there are still a couple rooms to clean."

Spike shrugged. "So? Let them bunk up a little tighter. Not like they haven't done it before." He pushed her hair back behind her ear. "There are better things we can do with our time."

She was tempted, she really was, but her responsible side won out. "I don't want to leave Cordy, Lorne, and Fred to do it all by themselves." Even though it pained her to admit it.

Sighing Spike nodded. "Fine. Let's get this bloody cleaning done and over with." He grumbled but started toward the box of clean pillows and sleeping bags to continue where they had left off before.

"Thank you Spike." Liz kissed his cheek and picked up a pillow tossing it on the bed. Finishing a few more touches in that room they moved on to the next room. Over the next two hours, they, meaning everyone but her since Spike still wouldn't let her do anything, dusted, polished, and put fresh sheets and sleeping bags in six other rooms, bringing the total of available rooms up to ten.

The rooms were finished just in time too. As the group of five descended down the stairs a group of moaning, injured, and tired people came in through the double doors of the Hyperion Hotel.

TBC