TITLE: Family

AUTHOR: Aset

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'You found something...that will bring Connor back?' she asked in disbelieve.

'I didn't say it'll bring him back, I said it could get us to him.'

'Wesley!' Cordelia exclaimed happily as she got out of her seat and hugged him, quickly letting him go as he yelped in pain; 'Sorry! I'm so sorry!'

'It's okay' he said in a voice, still filled with pain. 'I...uh....translated this text...' Wesley walked up to his desk, picked up a paper and handed it to Cordelia.

A quick look...'Dragons?' she asked,' princess?...they wouldn't mean me, right?'

'I'm afraid so'

'I...Bu I'm no princess! Just vision-girl, remember?

'I think that's just it!...The princess will lead the way...'

'You got to be kidding me, right?...they didn't mention pain or so in this prophecy, did they?'

'I ...I don't think so, but'

'And the baby, did they mention the baby?' she interrupted him.

'Oh yes!'

'Yes?' a worried look on her face.

'Connor must be...'

'Not Connor...other baby...this baby' she patted her still flat belly.

'oh...well, maybe'

'Maybe? Wesley!'

'There's a part missing'

'Oh...'

'But I know how to open the portal, I think'

***

She giggled as he gently kissed her cheek before opening the door. He was feeling like a little boy on Christmas-day. After they'd left the coffeebar, they'd went for a walk in the park, holding hands all het way, then sharing kisses on the bench... He was in love, in love with her.... that crazy, sweet girl; his Fred.

She looked at him with her dreamy eyes, then on to the lobby as they walked in, hands still entwined, setting eyes upon a man, sitting on the couch, smoking a cigarette.

'Hello' Gunn said in a questioning tone, 'Uhm...Can we...uhm...help you?'

'Maybe, but I doubt it. Who are you?'

'Oh..I'm Fred... actually I'm called Winnifred...Burckle...but everyone calls me Fred' Fred said, laughing at the pal man.

Spike smiled at her. 'weird girl...probably family of Cordelia. Only bad taste of clothing...yup, definitely a Chase.' He thought

'Gunn, Charles Gunn' As he stretches his hand out to the stranger.

'Spike' shaking hands.

Gunn quickly withdrew as he felt the cold hand, realising who, or better what, spike was.

'Vampire!' he yelled, pushing Fred to the side, pulling out a stake.

'Hey, chill man!' Spike said, getting up, taking a step away from Gunn.'

'Spike!' Buffy yelled as she saw the scene down in the lobby and felt her heart skip a beat when she saw him in mortal danger.

'Slayer!'

'Stop! Don't hurt him!' she said, running down the stairs, standing in front of the vampire.

'Gimme one good reason not to dust him'

'He...He's good'

'Good?' Spike gave her a look 'I'm not good! Don't want to be good! I'm a big bad! Just got this stupid chip!' he thought.

'Ssht! Trying to save your guts here!' she hissed , 'Spike's not evil; doesn't hurt people.'

'Lost me...' Gunn had lowered the stake.

'He won't hurt people...It's okay, Gunn!' Angel said as he walked up to them. He'd heard some noise and had left his room, not able to sleep anyway;

'So..he's got a soul?'

'No...luckily not!' Spike said, still not really trusting it all. Gunn was still holding the stake, 'Just a bloody chip'

'The chip prevents him from hurting people' Buffy explained.

'Oh...' Gunn said...silence... 'Where's Fred?'

'Here' she said, coming out of Wesley's office...her hide-out. Smile to Gunn.

Buffy had walked up to Spike, getting a hold of his hand, gently squeezing it. 'Sobered up?' she asked him with a smile on her face. The crying had done her good; Angel was with Cordy , she realised that now; Spike was hers. No matter what Angel said...she just needed to trust him. She felt how he squeezed back...A new and brighter smile on her face.

'Gunn, can I talk to you?' Angel asked, pulling him into Wesley's office.

'Sure!' he replied, following Angel, no wanting to loose the sleeve of his shirt.

Fred smiled shyly at the couple in the room 'I'm just gonna go up to my room' she said in that typical tone that is hers as she moved up the stairs, leaving Buffy and Spike alone. They laughed at each other.

'Weird girl'

'I know..but she's been through a lot'

Buffy tried to explain.

'Not her..you!' Spike said, puling her closer to him. He missed her.

'Oh!' she said, giving him a soft whack on his arm before joining their lips in a tight embrace.

'I really did miss you' Spike said as they finally broke the kiss.

She smiled. 'I love you' she whispered before she claimed his mouth again.



A/N: A special thanks to Horus and Ernie for helping me out here and there, reading this crap and correcting some stupid mistakes. And to BC: you rock! Mijn kookplaatjes kunnen ni tegen BC op hoor; BC is de top!!!