Chapter Eight
Spike and Buffy were sitting in chairs next to my bed when I awoke. We were in the Hospital Wing. Dad was at the foot of my bed in dog form with Aurelius. Adrian was in the bed next to mine and Hermione was snuggled up next to him. Harry was in the bed on my other side awake and conversing with Remus, Ron, Willow, and Candra. My first truly coherent thought was 'Madam Pomfrey's gonna be pissed!'
"Spike," I said in a scratchy voice. "What's going on?" Everyone (awake) whipped their heads around at the sound of my voice.
"How do you feel?" asked Remus.
"Nothing hurts." I said remembering the pain of holy water and crosses. I moved my hand up to my neck where Drusilla had bitten me. There were two marks, both tender to the touch. "Thanks Buffy. You saved my life."
"Thank Willow. " Buffy shifted awkwardly because of her stomach and pointed at Willow. "If she hadn't called and gotten-"
"You're awake!" Madam Pomfrey cut Buffy off, storming into the curtained off section. "Why didn't anyone say something?"
"I've only been up for a minute." I protested.
She wasn't really listening to me. "Anyone not a patient and not twenty-one or older will leave now!" The nurse commanded. She looked over at Candra and Ron and glared. They hightailed it out of the infirmary taking Aurelius with them when Madam Pomfrey's glare turned on him. She looked over at Hermione and Adrian and shook her head. "Those two have ended up like that for the last two nights. I've just about given up moving her.
"Piper you need to take this." She gave me a vial of something and watched me drink it. "Rest is extremely important. You've been through a terrible ordeal. Your chest has healed but I won't be removing the bandages from your shoulder for a few days. Remus I told you to stay in bed. Silver wounds do not heal quickly. I'll be back in an hour to check up on the lot of you. And Buffy dear, try not to do anything strenuous from now on. It wouldn't be good for the baby." With that the whirl wind of a nurse left as quickly as she'd come.
"Like some ones mum she is," Spike said when she'd gone. "You sure you're alright pet?"
"I feel fine. My shoulder doesn't hurt at all." I assured him. "Now, Buffy, how did you get here?"
"Willow came to Sunnydale through my fireplace and got me." Buffy said grinning at her friend. "Scared Dawn half to death."
Willow nodded. "After we found you three missing I sorta panicked. I didn't know what to do, but Cordy had a vision with Drusilla in it and we'd already gotten that weird note signed Miss. Edith, so I decided to get Buffy. She's the slayer after all, but I didn't know she was a pregnant slayer. Why did you guys go out anyway?"
"It was my idea," said Harry sheepishly. "I was worried, and I didn't want to loose Sirius or Remus. Hermione was against it from the beginning, but It's better that we lost Wormtail and not those two." Dad gave a short bark, which was either agreement or disagreement. I didn't know which one.
"Did you ever see that snake again?" I asked.
"He was outside the door just as Buffy was trying to get in. He gave her the key. It's how she got in so easily. Ron set him loose in Hagrid's garden for me."
"And we got out how?"
"Buffy picked up Adrian and I grabbed you." Spike said
simply. "We got Harry and Hermione standing, found Remus and Sirius waiting in
the hall and we ran like hell. We'd only been portkeyed to the basement of one
of the shacks. It wasn't that hard."
"I'm only here for a few bruises, and Madam Pomfrey wanted to keep me under observation for a day. I get to leave tonight. Hermione gets to leave tomorrow. She broke her wrist when Drusilla knocked us around." Said Harry.
"And how are you doing?" I asked Spike.
He shrugged. "Picked up a few new scars, that's all."
"In other words he still hurts a little but he's to 'manly' to tell you that," Buffy translated. I laughed as Spike glared at Buffy.
I leaned back into my pillows becoming comfortable. "So Dru's dusted and Peter's gone off somewhere. Our troubles are over until Voldemort comes up with some other nasty plan for us."
"Not really pet." My uncle shook his head. "There's still that demon. He can call that to you at any time."
Willow perked up. "Remus and I've been working on that. We found a spell that could banish it. It's Wicca, not wand magic."
"But," Harry said knowingly. "There's a but isn't there."
"Unfortunately yes. The demons main job is to kill Piper and Adrian; you Harry are just a side job. Something to do if it becomes bored." Remus explained, getting all professor like. "Because it's so focused on Piper an Adrian the spell needs four members from the Black family with the vampiric blood and that it's tracing. We only have two. Piper and Adrian."
"Three." I pointed at Spike. "You've done a wonderful job disguising yourself. You look nothing like did."
Willow nodded and gave a slow smile. "I'd give you and Adrian full marks now Piper, but I'll have to read the written report first. You've done a wonderful job. Anything you'd like to add William?"
"Don't call me that." Spike said scowling. "Yeah pet, I was William Winthrop, and I am your bloody uncle, but if you ever try to call me Uncle William I'll hurt you, I swear."
"How do you have a niece and nephew?" Buffy asked, confused. "I didn't think you had any siblings."
"I had a younger sister, Caitlin. She got married and had kids, who had kids and so on." Spike said rolling his eyes.
"That's still only three people for the spell, and Sirius can't do it. Are you sure it needs four?"
Remus nodded. "There has to be a north, east, south and west."
"I don't suppose you two have got any long lost siblings or cousins Spike might've happened to nibble on." Harry asked. It was scary because I think he meant the question seriously. Even scarier was the fact that there was an answer.
"I might be able to help." Buffy said.
"That's sweet luv," Spike touched her hand. "But you don't exactly have any of the qualifications."
Buffy shook her head in protest. "Yes I do, or at least he does." She motioned to her stomach.
"You mean…" Willow's mouth dropped. "Oh my God, Xander's gonna flip!"
"Xander already flipped. It was ugly." She answered dryly. "Spike, the baby's yours. I can stand for the spell."
We were all taken aback by that statement. Even dad cocked his head slightly. I knew from my books that vampires couldn't have children. Spike himself had even told me Candra one day. I had the biggest urge to shake Adrian and Hermione awake. They'd defiantly want to hear this.
"Buffy, that's not possible." Spike said almost sadly. "More likely it was Captain Cardboard."
"He was conceived in May. Riley was long gone Spike." Buffy said flatly.
Willow gasped. "I sent you out slaying and you're eight months pregnant? Buffy, why didn't you say something, I didn't know it was that much!"
"It's ok Will." Buffy looked at Spike. "C'mon. We need to talk." Spike helped Buffy up, and they both walked out of the curtain. The door to the hospital wing opened and closed indicating their exit.
"Their relationship has always been a little kooky. They'd fight, they'd have sex, they'd scream at each other, and they'd have sex. They're so in love it's sick, but Buffy never wanted to admit it. Maybe she finally has." Willow said when they'd gone. "Anyway, it's a stroke of luck he's the father, for more than one reason. I think the spell will work with Buffy standing in, there's no way to tell but the odds are in our favor. We'll have to do it soon though, before she pops."
"Pops?" Harry repeated. The two of us burst out laughing like the immature fifteen year olds we really were.
"How soon can you be ready Willow?" asked Remus, selectively ignoring our continuing laughter.
"Two days."
"Poppy isn't going to like this, but two days it is."
*~*
Dear Draco,
Harry was released just a few minutes ago. The only ones here permanently are Adrian, Hermione, and Remus. Please come! Hermione won't care I know it. I'm going through major kissing withdrawal here.
Love,
Piper
Dear Candra,
I heard Madam Pomfrey yelling at you before dinner. She's gotten really strict lately hasn't she? Anyway, guess what? Our History of magic Project is finished. Spike is (or was as he insists) William Winthrop. The woman who had Adrian locked up, that was his sire. Dru was a little off in head, kinda freaky even when she wasn't pouring holy water all over me. And I think she was in love with Wormtail, which is just beyond oddity.
We're still not out of the woods yet though. We've still gotta take care of that demon that attacked us Christmas Eve. The spell needs four people related to the Black family with Spike's vamp blood. Apparently Buffy's to be our fourth (I suggest sitting down for this next part), she's having Spike's baby!! I was not the only one totally thrown by this. They left to go 'talk' but Willow says they'll probably end up fighting, then they'll talk and get all mushy on each other like Adrian and Hermione do. I'm just a bit confused how exactly Spike got Buffy pregnant seeing how he's dead. Hermione (she and Adrian finally woke up to eat) has been trying to figure it out for the last hour.
Hope to be out soon,
Piper
Yo Spike,
So what's the verdict? Inquiring minds want to know. You've got poor Hermione totally confused and Hermione is not one to be confused. Please write or come back! Also could you 'borrow' some apple pie from the kitchens for me? Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let us have any.
Thanks and GL with your slayer,
Piper
Dear Piper,
SPIKE'S YOUR UNCLE!!!!!!!!! Oh God! We're talking the same Spike here right? The one with the gorgeous cheekbones and full lips…ok, I'll stop talking about your uncle like that now. Oh and you're getting a baby cousin! Very cool. If you want I'll start looking in my books for stuff about vampires having kids; didn't Spike tell us it couldn't happen. Oh well, doesn't matter.
Willow came and talked to me about the spell during dinner. I'm supposed to be Buffy's anchor during it, whatever that is. Willow said something about me keeping her balanced on this plain of existence. Your dad's going to be your and Remus is your brothers. Hermione'll be Spike's if she's up to it, let her know please.
When I come to visit (if that woman ever lets me in) you've gotta tell me more about Dru. I was looking through that book Hayden sent you for Christmas and there's four pages on her and Spike! Did you know he's bagged three slayers? And you should ask him about the time Buffy dropped an organ on his head, but wait till I'm there 'cause I want to see the look on his face.
See you soon,
Candra J.
Piper,
I'll tell you what's going on when I'm bloody well ready. And tell Hermione to stop looking through her books. I can guarantee she won't find anything.
-Spike
Dear Lee,
I'll be there at eleven tonight. I hope you're feeling better.
Love,
Draco
Dear Draco,
Uh Oh!!!!!!!!!!!
-Piper
Dear Lee,
Uh oh? That's it? What were Potter and Weasley doing there? Shouldn't they have sleeping or something? Not that it wasn't nice to see you get pissed at them, but that's beside the point. If they tell anyone we could both be in trouble! You're going to have to talk with them because as you can see they're not too inclined to listen to me.
Love,
Draco
Dear Harry and Ron,
I told you to leave because you were being total imbeciles and you know it. Not, Ron as you seem to think, so Draco and I could fuck. I'll have you know that between Spike, Dad, Remus, Hayden, and Adrian if I loose my virginity before I'm twenty-one they'll lock me in a cage and leave me there. The males in my life are very protective. Oh, damn, off subject. Anyway both of you created a very unneeded scene. Yes, Draco Malfoy and I are dating, yes we make out occasionally, but is this any of your business? And as for your little comment on how Gryffindors and Slytherins aren't made to mix, remember I'm a supposed Peacemaker. I'm supposed to get along with everyone, not that I do, but this is a start.
There's also the little fact that Draco and I happen to be soul mates, so that has something to do with our getting together as well. If we hadn't we would've had to keep making physical contact with each other for the rest of our lives. If we missed one day of contact we would've died. It would've been like wearing Draco Malfoy Depends Diapers.
And Ron, was I not supposed to be angry with the two of you. You come barging in on me and Draco kissing, Harry thinks he's trying to rape me and you both start throwing curse around. Thank god Madam Pomfrey had those wards up or I'd be in a much worse mood now, and you wouldn't like that. Let's see, after that grand show you start calling my boyfriend a whole list of names I won't repeat, and accusing him of a bunch of stuff. Gee I shouldn't be mad should I? No let's go play with the Care Bears. Note the sarcasm in my writing.
Why Dad and Spike felt the need to check what was going is beyond me Harry, oh gee, maybe it was the fact that you were trying to PETRIFY MY BOYFRIEND!!!!! Then dad burst out laughing at the whole thing. Was I the only one humiliated there? You sure didn't seem like it, you were too busy 'protecting me from the evil Draco'. And now Spike's gonna be all grumpy with me tomorrow 'cause I think he and Buffy were in the middle of something if you catch my drift. Ugh, you guys are just…I can't even think of a word.
Oh, if you couldn't tell I'm not very happy with you two. I don't think Draco is either, but that doesn't change much.
Pissed off in the Hospital Wing,
Piper
*~*
"Look!" Candra pointed to the page excitedly. "I told you, three slayers. And Dru bagged one. Kendra. Only one of the ones Spike killed seems to have a name, Sophie. That was during the second world war."
"He picked up the duster from the third one in '77. Oh God, did he look punk or what?" I said giggling.
"Very," Candra giggled. "I wonder who Angelus is. He's mentioned a lot but he's not in the book."
I shrugged. "That's odd, the book is self updating. Maybe Spike'll tell us."
"Tell you what pet?"
I slammed the book shut and pushed it under the covers of the bed. Spike looked at Candra and I knowing we were hiding something, but thankfully he said nothing. I wasn't sure what his opinion of us reading up on him would be, and because of the incident the other night he still wasn't in the best mood.
"Red's ready," Spike told us. "C'mon."
We followed him obediently, nimbly dodging the flowers that had been arriving constantly from Harry and Ron as form of apology. Madam Pomfrey looked like she was going to blow a blood vessel as we exited the Hospital Wing. My shoulder was still bandaged and I knew she'd like nothing more than to lock me in bed, not have me perform demon-vanquishing spells. Spike led us in silence. He'd been relatively quiet since Buffy had arrived but at least he looked happy. He smiled a lot more, which just meant that he had to have admitted to himself that he was the father. Of course, Spike being his stubborn self refused to answer any questions, but Willow said that if he wasn't the father than they wouldn't be off necking every other hour. She'd caught them in her classroom yesterday. Apparently they'd settled their disagreements during a very long talk after I woke up.
He took us to an abandoned room. It wasn't very large and having everybody inside necessary to do the spell was a bit of a squeeze. On the floor Willow had drawn a circle with white chalk. With her wand, she'd done a copy spell and taken a compass from a book and transferred the image to the ground inside the circle.
"Adrian, you're North, Piper South, Buffy East, Spike West. Stand inside the circle at the compass point you're appointed. Anchors, you stand out side the circle behind the person you're anchoring." Willow instructed, watching us complete the task. "Ok one more time, I say the spell, anchors, you guys then say your thing. People in the circle, just stand there. If the spell's done right a blue orb will form in the middle of the compass and the demons essence will be caught in it for all eternity. We all might feel a little tired after, but that's an expected side affect so don't worry. I'm going to start,
Goddess Hecate I ask this from you,"
I understood nothing after that. She switched to Latin quickly and the rest of the spell flowed like a song. When she finished I felt something jerk my stomach almost like I was being portkeyed but I didn't go anywhere. Dad and the others started chanting, and it to was in Latin so I still didn't know what anyone was saying. Theirs finished and seemingly out of the floor a sky blue orb rose and hovered in the air in front of us. A brown mist flowed to it and penetrated the out side. It continued in until it was all there.
The orb continued to hover as we all watched it then with out warning it self imploded, sucking its self inward, and disappearing.
"Was that a good thing?" Buffy asked, breaking the silence.
Willow smiled and crossed her arms. "We did good."
"Back to our lives." Candra sighed. "Not that battling demons isn't fun, but y'know it's not something I'd like to do on a regular basis."
"You get used to it," Buffy shrugged.
"We'd better get back Piper," said Hermione glancing at her watch. "Madam Pomfrey will kill us, and I've been gone longer than you."
I nodded in agreement. The sooner I got back to the mother-like nurse the sooner I could get out of her grasp, and the sooner I did that the sooner I could get back to my semi-normal life at Hogwarts.
*~*
A/n- Sorry for such a short chapter, it's just there was really nothing more I had for it. I must thank all of you who've reviewed! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love it! Now for those of you who follow the 'until you read about or see a body policy no ones really dead' policy, I can assure you the demon is gone, but they still have one more minor problem to face before the end of the year. Then of course there's Buffy, I've got her eight months pregnant, I should probably take care of that before the end of the story. If you've noticed I've already decided on the sex. Ok. Coming attractions, More problems brought on by a pesky rat, Adrian and Piper present their finished project, babies, and summer. There'll probably be more but I tend to think of things as I go along. Oh and yes, to the person that asked, Angel will be in the story but not until the very end or even the sequel, but the whole LA gang will have some part in it.
The next chapter is the last one *ducks as people throw things at her*, and it's already written, it's short and just a small closing but it ends leading into the next story.
Before I go, I have a question. In the sequel Piper will be meeting all of the Scoobies. As we know Xander has a problem Spike, and vampires in general. How's he gonna react when he meets Spike's niece who happens to be one fourth vamp? He could be cold and sullen until Anya whacks some sense into him or he could take to her immediately. What's gonna happen? Please answer in your review, 'cause I need help.