Chapter 12

Buffy eyed herself in the mirror. She pouted. "I'm huge," she complained. "I want this thing out of me now. I feel like I'm going to burst.

Arms wrapped around her bulging stomach. "You survived eight whole months, less than one is nothing," Spike told her.

"You try carrying around this bolder and then talk."

He chuckled. "I'll shut-up because of those irregular hormones."

She glared. He only smiled back.

"Come on, luv, let's go downstairs," he suggested.

They descended to the first floor. Spike sniffed the air. "Is that bacon I smell?"

The sight of Dawn came into view as they entered the kitchen. She was frying in a skillet. She grinned over at them. "I burned the first batch, but now I think I got the hang of it," she told them with pride. "And, I made eggs too!"

Buffy wanted to sit at the island but was afraid to try. Her great mass would probably cause her to slip off the stool. She sighed.

A plate full of scrambled eggs, three strips of bacon, and toast was set in front of her. "There you go, Buffy. You can take that into the dining room if you like," Dawn said.

The slayer eyed the food. "I. . . I think I'm going to be sick!" She turned and fled the room.

Spike hopped up on a stool. He dug into the breakfast.

"Think she'll be all right?" Dawn questioned.

"I say around noon it will have passed. She'll come out here and be ready for her carton of ice-cream," he replied.

Laughter came from Dawn. "That was mean."

Spike swallowed the last of his toast. "Okay, half."

He gathered the keys to his DeSoto. Then he snatched his duster. "Time to go, nibblet. Wonderful day of learning ahead."

"Yeah right, more like a day in prison," she muttered.

"Thank your lucky stars, bit. I went to an all boy school."

She scrunched up her nose. "Ugh, say no more."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Buffy lay down on her bed, the one that she now shared with Spike. She shifted around, trying to get comfortable. It was quite hard considering her queasy stomach.

It took a while, but she eventually fell asleep. A dream filled her head.

Mist surrounded her. Through it, emerged a figure. As it came forth, she stepped back, placing protective hands over her middle. "Stay back!" she warned.

"Silly girl, you can't hurt me. This isn't real." The demon laughed.

"Why can't you just leave me and my family alone?" she whimpered.

"Because you have something of great concern to me. That thing inside you is going to ruin everything." The demon grinned. "I'm coming for it."

Buffy awoke with a gasp. She scrambled to her feet. She needed to get away. Far away. He would be there soon. She wished Spike were there, but he still had five hours of work left. She contemplated calling the museum, but decided to go there instead.

Buffy went outside. She headed in the direction of Xander and Anya's apartment. Xander would give her a ride. She checked her watch. He'd be on his way from the construction site.

There was a jab in her stomach. She touched the spot tenderly. "It'll be all right," she whispered. "We'll get to Daddy and. . ."

She was cut off by the demon lunging at her. She fell into a fighting stance. As she did so, she knew in the back of her mind it was useless. She couldn't win, not in her condition.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Spike got home to find it vacant. Buffy wasn't anywhere, and there was no note left. She hadn't mentioned going anywhere, and he was stricken with slight worry.

He reached for the phone. Maybe she's visiting Willow, he thought. Before he could dial, the door burst open.

He rushed to the living room. He stopped dead in his tracks. "Peaches?"

Angel growled. He slammed Spike against the wall. "Where is Buffy!? What did you do to her, Spike!?"

"Relax, mate, I. . ." Spike choked.

Angel's eyes glowed golden with anger. He squeezed Spike's neck. "Where is she!?"

Spike pushed against Angel. "I don't know."

The grip on Spike's neck tightened. He could feel himself loosing oxygen. With all his strength, he got Angel off him. He sucked in gulps of air. "God, peaches, you could have bloody killed me!"

"That was my intention. If I find out you hurt Buffy I won't hesitate to try again," Spike's grandsire expressed.

Spike met his gaze. "I wouldn't hurt Buffy," he said.

"Why do I not believe you? Why are you here, Spike? Looking for a little snack?"

A laugh escaped Spike. "You've really been left out of the loop, mate. I live here."

"Why would you live here?"

Spike smirked, knowing this would get him worked up. "It's natural for the father to live with his child."

"What the hell are you talking about!?" Angel was about ready to throw a punch.

"Buffy. She's the mother of my child."

"Vampire like you don't have children," Angel snarled.

"You're right, Angelus, vampires don't."

That was when it became clear to him. All the pieces fit together. He studied his child, paying close attention to every detail. He noticed the way his chest rose and fell. His skin, not so white. His scent, mixed with Buffy. It all yelled mortal. "You're human."

"Give the poofter a prize!" Spike bellowed.

Shaking his head, Angel said, "Cordy mentioned Buffy being pregnant, but I never would have guessed it would be by 'you'."

Surprised, Spike rose an eyebrow. "Buffy told the cheerleader? Didn't know they were close."

"No, but a vision did. The powers told her Buffy would be in trouble. I hoped to get here before that happened."

Spike's eyes widened. "Did it tell where she is then?"

"It looked like a warehouse, Cordy said."

"Okay then, let's go save her. I'm goin to rip the heart out of whoever laid a hand on my fiancé and child!"

Spike went out the front door in a determined rage. Angel followed.

"Spike, did you say fiancé?"

_____________________________________________________________

2 chapters and an epilogue to go!