Good evening, All:)
YAY! Another one out on time. It's becoming a trend. It seems odd with that two day delay in there, but after Beneath You, I needed it. Whoa, *brilliant* episode. I cannot put into words.....
I sincerely hope that you like this chapter as it is the last of the happy fluffy chapters for a while. Yes, commence the drama come Saturday. But I think you will like where the story takes you. Please tell me if you do (or if you don't). Your feedback and support here, on BAPS and on Always.Everyday has been astounding and I thank you a million times over.
Enjoy the chapter and let me know how you feel!
*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue
"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Buffy, and a widdle Spike, and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002
Title: Lullabies (Time - Chapter Five)
Author: Nimue
Rating: PG -13
Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.
Feedback: Yes, please
For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (with, of course, the exception of Emma, who belongs to Buffy and Spike)
Summary: Set immediately following Newsflash. Spike and Giles have a conversation about their states of affairs. Anya works a minor miracle on Buffy. Xander discovers an advantage to Takina's heritage.
Lullabies
"So, would you like to tell me what's on your mind, Rupert?" Spike asked as they walked along the sidewalk towards the cemetery.
Giles was silent, rolling a stake back and forth between his hands. It had been a long time since he'd held one of those. Going on patrol with Spike was strangely reminiscent of the summer they had lost Buffy. Tense, but somehow right.
"Rupert?" Spike asked again, trying to jar him from his reverie.
"Uh, uh, yes?" Giles stuttered.
"Is it about Emma? Something you didn't want to say in front of Buffy once you realized..." Spike questioned.
"No," Giles answered. "Although I have translated a few more sections of the prophesy. All I can deduce is that we haven't seen the end of Draconius."
"Not really a surprise there, mate," Spike commented. "Any idea when? Like to know if I'll have Buffy able to fight by my side."
"No indication of the next threat being immediate. I would imagine that he'd try and separate you both again to get at Emma," Giles continued.
"Not a very creative bloke," Spike huffed. A fledgling began to paw through the Earth and Spike staked him before he even broke through the soil. "Trust me, better off," he stated as the startled newly undead burst into dust.
Giles watched Spike work. His reactions were perfect. Exactly like Buffy's. Even the movements were almost the same. "No," Giles answered. "No need to be creative if he has a chance of his plan working. He has no opportunity for success against the two of you together."
Spike was silent, turning to look at the Watcher. "You don't think he'll come while Buffy's..."
"I don't think he has any way of knowing about your son," Giles answered. "But I'd be mindful of the boy once he's born."
"What d'you mean?" Spike questioned, a twinge of fear crawling up his spine.
Giles sighed, not wanting to state what his theory was, but knowing it was best. "This is Draconius. You are *quite* aware that he is capable of anything. Once he learns of William's existence, it would not shock me if he uses William to get to Emma."
Spike exploded,. his body tensing at the thought. His pace quickened and his eyes searched the darkness, desperate for an evil creature to rear its undead head so that he could take his anger out properly. '"Thought that... monster... was shut away in a box."
Giles looked at his feet. "Anya locked him in the box of Oraclese. But there has been news that the spirit has been released."
"Released!" Spike shouted, pounding his hand into the side of a mausoleum. "How? Who?"
"We don't know," Giles said calmly. "It seems that the tunnels below Quentin's estate were ransacked."
"Who?" Spike's face was white with anger.
"I don't know," Giles repeated. "We are trying to find out."
"So, he's likely loose again already and he'll come after Buffy and my son to get to Emma," Spike seethed.
"Again, I don't think he could know about your son," Giles repeated. "No one knows."
"But once he does," Spike boiled, finally catching sight of another Vampire. His thought was cut short. "He won't live long."
Giles watched as Spike fought the older Vampire, trading blow for blow rather than just staking the creature. Spike spun, kicking the creature half way across the cemetery, then hurdling several tombstones in one jump to catch up with it. The Watcher had not seen either of them work since they had been joined and the change in power and grace was astounding. Spike was quicker than any Vampire Giles had seen. His blows were crushing. His agility was utterly startling. In a final flourish, Spike plunged the stake through the Vampire's heart and stood suddenly still, staring out into the night.
Quietly, Giles approached. "Spike?"
"S'alright," Spike panted, his fists and teeth clenched. "Just don't like the idea of someone trying to kill my children is all."
Giles was quiet for a moment. "We cannot change what may come," he finally said. "And we cannot spend out lives worrying about all of the horrid things that may occur. What we *can* do is try and protect them. Learn as much as we can. Stay ahead of Draconius and those that may follow."
"And kill the bastard if he comes near my family," Spike seethed.
"I'd have to agree," Giles added. "I will do it myself, given the opportunity."
Spike studied him for a moment, relaxing just a bit at the thought that he and Giles were on the same page. "You'd kill him? Regardless?"
"He has hurt me too, Spike," Giles answered. "You are not the only one who loves Buffy and does not want to see your children harmed. Not to mention what he did to Anya. To me."
Spike looked away, swallowing his anger. He hadn't given much thought about what Draconius had done to the rest. "I am sorry."
"No need," Giles sighed, laying a hand on the Vampire's shoulder. "I understand that you've a lot on your mind at the moment."
Spike began to walk again in silence. Giles strode quietly at his side. "It's Buffy?" Giles asked.
Still, the Vampire was silent, thinking. "It's been so... hard on her."
"The pregnancy?" Giles questioned. They were walking slowly now, following the moonlit path.
"S'like she's always in pain. Fraid she'd actually upset with me for.." Spike confessed.
"Spike," Giles sighed. "I don't think that's the case. This is Buffy. She'd let you know were that true."
"Dunno," Spike almost whispered into the air.
"What's going on? Everything alright?" Giles was concerned, watching Spike's body tense again.
"The moods I can handle," Spike commented. "Least most of the time. But watching her suffer.... She barely sleeps. She hasn't been able to train or patrol for a few months now and it drives her insane."
"Buffy's a resilient girl. I'm sure she'll work through it," Giles encouraged.
"It's a bit more than that," Spike sighed, sitting down on a marble bench.
Giles sat softly next to him. "What is it?"
"She's almost lost the baby twice," Spike whispered, swallowing. "Each time, it's been after she has been emotionally or physically worked up. It's like a switch flips..."
"And because she can't fight or do much of anything, she's easily upset," Giles deduced, the pieces falling into place.
"Right," Spike agreed. "Caught between a rock and a hard place. Terrified she'll lose her mind and something will happen to her. To William. Couldn't handle that. Can't loose the boy. Neither can she. Think it'd kill Buffy. Neither of us ever expected this, but now that it's real... we love him. Don't want anything else to happen." The Vampire was close to tears as he spoke and Giles watched him closely, wanting to say the right thing, but not sure he knew what that could be.
He laid a hand on Spike's shoulder. "We'll just have to make sure to keep her calm."
Spike chuckled nervously. "You try that one for a while, mate."
"I'll help you," Giles answered. "As strained a start as we had, I've come to respect you, Spike. I promised you before Emma was born that I would help you and that, sometimes, it would take the both of us to handle Buffy and her daughter." Spike smiled, remembering the conversation on the back porch the night Emma was born. Didn't seem all that long ago. "Just seems I'll have to amend that promise to include your son," Giles added.
"I really do pretty well will her. Most of the time," Spike sighed, resigned.
"I've no doubt of that," the Watcher responded. "But if you're worried about Buffy losing her child, maybe it's time you called in back up."
"Thank you," Spike answered, standing once again. Giles followed suit and they began to walk again in silence.
"William?" Giles asked, after they'd walked a few moments in silence.
"Buffy's idea," Spike replied, staring up at the stars.
"After you?"
"Sort of. She's been... remembering.. the In Between." The Vampire knew that what he was about to say would sound...odd. But it struck too close to his own heart to not believe in her.
"Remembering?" Giles' mind worked overtime. Very few people traveled to the In Between and returned. No one had retained their experiences. His academic mind spun.
"Bits and pieces," Spike clarified. "As have I."
"You remember?" Giles gasped. "What... what did you see?"
"More of an impression," Spike continued. "She remembers quite a bit more. But to bring this back round to point, the Powers sent... spirits... to keep her safe there. Her mum was there with her."
"Joyce?" Giles questioned, mind spinning at the idea that the Powers had protected Buffy and that Buffy remembered anything about it.
"Yes," Spike replied simply. "And the second was me. Well, before I was turned."
"William." Giles was wide-eyed. "Your mortal soul."
"Buffy referred to him as 'Polite Spike'," Spike snarked. Giles chuckled, shaking his head.
"Wait," Giles said, the pieces falling together in his mind. "So, Buffy believes that your son..."
"Will be born with William's soul. My mortal soul," Spike completed, before Giles could finish the thought.
Giles ran a hand through his hair, then adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "It is possible, as the soul you gained during the joining was that of the One. William's would still be in the chalice of souls."
Spike was silent, and then stopped, looking at the Watcher. "She's sure of it. When we found that he was a boy, she didn't hesitate. Said William felt right."
"What do *you* think?" Giles asked, studying Spike's face.
"It does feel right," Spike sighed. "Strange, but right."
"Well, we shall soon find out," Giles replied, softly smiling. Spike returned the smile warily. "Shall we head back and make sure that Anya hasn't confused Buffy into a frenzy?"
Spike chuckled. "Good woman," he finally said. "Or demon. But you certainly do like challenging girls."
"I could say the same for you, William the Bloody."
*****
"Anya, what did you do?" Spike gasped, his voice not raising above a whisper. He was at the couch from the open front door in a flash, Giles at his heels.
Anya touched a finger to her lips and Spike stopped. Buffy was curled on the couch, her head on Anya's thighs, fast asleep. Giles smiled and Anya's face lit up proudly. "She's out," the demon whispered as Spike crouched down next to the couch. Buffy looked like a kid, tousled blonde hair in her face, a peaceful little smile on her lips.
"How'd you do it?" Spike whispered, looking up at Anya.
"Chamomile. And I got the knot out of her back. She laid down so I sang and she fell asleep," Anya answered quietly.
"You sang?" Giles asked.
Anya nodded her reply. "And rubbed her back. She was out like a light."
"Got the rubbing," Spike commented. "Think I've worked that one out."
"Right here," Anya whispered, pressing her thumb to the base of Buffy's spine and pulling her fingers towards it. Buffy purred in her sleep.
"That's the one," Spike responded.
"You sang?" Giles repeated, smiling softly down on the girls.
"Yes," Anya sighed, frustrated.
"What?" Spike asked, eyebrow raised.
"Lullabies," she answered simply. No explanation.
"And she went for that?" Spike questioned, his head tilting.
Anya thought a moment. "Oh, I didn't sing for her. I mean, I did. But not *to* her."
Giles and Spike both looked at her as if she had sprouted another head. "Anya, please explain. Indulge us silly men," Giles asked, sitting on the arm of the couch.
"The back rub got her laying down, but the baby... she let me touch. The baby was wide awake. So I sang him lullabies. And I felt him settle down. See?" She took Spike's hand and laid it where hers had been. Where William had been kicking Buffy all night. "Soon as he was calm, she went out like a light."
Giles cocked his head, a smile breaking on his face. "Well done, Anya."
"Bloody brilliant, if you ask me," Spike contributed, sliding his arms under Buffy and lifting her up against him. She snuggled into his shirt and fell straight back to sleep.
"Rupert, if you'd get the tot," Spike asked quietly, leaning in to kiss Buffy's forehead. Anya smiled watching Spike holding Buffy. Giles excused himself to the bedroom to fetch the sleeping baby.
"Did I help?" Anya asked, standing up and smoothing down her skirt.
"You are a saviour, Pet," Spike answered, leaning over to kiss her cheek. She blushed, her grin growing wider. He was quiet, watching her. "Anya, I'm glad.. I'm glad you made it back alright."
Anya smiled shyly. "Thanks. I hope you can understand why..."
"Don't have to explain to me. Just be good to old Rupert. If he gives you any grief, send him my way," Spike chided.
"He won't. He's..." Anya stuttered.
"God forgive me for saying it, but he's a good man, Anya. Won't hurt you like that whelp." Spike blurted.
"Xander didn't mean to," Anya defended, her hands nervously fidgeting at the hem of her shirt.
"Well, doesn't really matter now. You're better off. Demon or no," Spike replied, trying to put her back at ease. She was still Anya, but there was something nervous now about her. Like a frightened animal. She still seemed strong and fierce, in her own way, but really she was terrified.
"Thank you," Anya replied, glad for the support.
"No. I seem to owe you thanks for the minor miracle," Spike whispered, planting another kiss on Buffy's temple.
"You love her," Anya stated, watching the tenderness in his movements.
"More than... she's everything." Spike looked at her peacefully curled against him. She was his everything. His life.
"She loves you too. She's just not as good at saying it," Anya said softly. Spike looked at her a moment, feeling kindred to the demon.
"I know she does," Spike replied. "Slayers are just stubborn. It's in their blood."
Giles appeared, an utterly knackered baby bundled against his chest. Emma was passed out as only a child can be. Her head lolled in one direction, her arms in another, her bunny tucked under her chest.
"I believe that this one is as exhausted as her mum," Giles said softly, a smile on his face.
"Cept Emma sleeps like the dead all the time," Spike retorted, heading out the door. He nodded a goodbye to Anya as he walked past and Giles leaned over to kiss the girl.
"Must take after her father, then," Giles snarked as the door closed.
*****
"Holy mother of weak knees,"Xander panted, flopping back on the warm, soft bed. Takina chuckled, her hair falling like a dark curtain as she laid her head upon his chest.
"Memorable enough?" Takina asked, giggling at the pace of Xander's heart.
"Burned into the old gray matter. Vaulted. Play by play on a nightly basis," he replied, shifting on one hip and settling on his elbow. He looked down on the woman, smiling. "That thing with the.."
"Ummmhumm," she hummed slyly, kissing his bicep.
"How? How in the big, beautiful world did you...?" Xander stuttered.
She laughed again. "There are certain advantages to my heritage."
"I'd have to say uh, yeah," Xander responded, awed by everything about her. "That's a Taraq thing?"
"Most demons can do it," she smiled, tracing lazy circles on his chest.
Xander snorted. "Well that explains it."
"Explains what, baby?" Takina said, still grinning up at him.
"Buffy and Spike," Xander joked. "It's a wonder they leave the house."
Takina laughed again. Warm and rich and sultry. "It seems they've put their capabilities to good use."
Xander paused, thoughtful. "You know, it *is* good use."
Takina furrowed her brow, still smiling. "How do you mean?"
"I can't say that Spike ranks up in my top ten list of people... or whatever he is this week... but he does love Buffy. And Emma is..."
"Emma is near perfect," Takina completed. "And it has very little to do with a prophesy. I've no doubt that their son will be as wonderful."
"Why?" Xander asked curiously. "I mean, you're right, but why?"
"Because they love them. Because they love each other. They stopped asking *why* and got on with it," Takina stated, her eyes dancing up at his, pleading with him to understand.
"Is *that* it?" Xander questioned, a sly grin breaking on his face. "And here I was thinking that it was about the thing with the..."
Takina slapped him playfully. "Seriously, Xander. It's rarely about your ability to justify how you feel. It's simply about the *feeling*. One can ignore emotions based on personal hang-ups eternally, but it doesn't change how one feels. I'm not advocating women in love with axe murderers..."
"Of which there are many," Xander snarked, smiling.
Takina batted playfully at him, yet again. "What I *am* saying is that if one being of any sort is inherently good to another, and their actions leave no room for displeasure nor are they reprehensible by any standard, then that being should be judged on their character alone. Not on where they came from."
"I'm so glad you're smart," Xander joked. "I feel like I just watched Law and Order."
"You know what I mean," Takina sighed, flopping back to his shoulder.
"That you are you and I'm falling for you regardless," Xander answered. "That Spike has, and Heaven help me for saying this, helped us all and he does love Buffy and his babies. And I shouldn't let what either of you *are* get in the way of seeing what you *do*."
"Exactly," Takina agreed brightly.
"If you keep doing that thing, I will never think about it again. As for Spike, I don't think I want to even imagine him.... " Xander shuddered.
"Are you ever serious?" Takina asked, still smiling, feeling that, for once, Xander really did understand.
Xander thought a moment, his face becoming serious. Gently, he brushed her hair from her cheeks. "It's time to tell them."
"Your friends?" Takina asked, her voice relaying her shock.
"Yeah. All of them. No secrets. No hiding," Xander said softly, watching her eyes.
"Xander, most of them know that I am..." Takina began, her voice going soft, afraid.
"Are smart and beautiful and sexy. The rest won't matter to them," He completed, kissing her softly and rolling her back to the bed.
To be contd.
YAY! Another one out on time. It's becoming a trend. It seems odd with that two day delay in there, but after Beneath You, I needed it. Whoa, *brilliant* episode. I cannot put into words.....
I sincerely hope that you like this chapter as it is the last of the happy fluffy chapters for a while. Yes, commence the drama come Saturday. But I think you will like where the story takes you. Please tell me if you do (or if you don't). Your feedback and support here, on BAPS and on Always.Everyday has been astounding and I thank you a million times over.
Enjoy the chapter and let me know how you feel!
*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue
"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Buffy, and a widdle Spike, and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002
Title: Lullabies (Time - Chapter Five)
Author: Nimue
Rating: PG -13
Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.
Feedback: Yes, please
For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (with, of course, the exception of Emma, who belongs to Buffy and Spike)
Summary: Set immediately following Newsflash. Spike and Giles have a conversation about their states of affairs. Anya works a minor miracle on Buffy. Xander discovers an advantage to Takina's heritage.
Lullabies
"So, would you like to tell me what's on your mind, Rupert?" Spike asked as they walked along the sidewalk towards the cemetery.
Giles was silent, rolling a stake back and forth between his hands. It had been a long time since he'd held one of those. Going on patrol with Spike was strangely reminiscent of the summer they had lost Buffy. Tense, but somehow right.
"Rupert?" Spike asked again, trying to jar him from his reverie.
"Uh, uh, yes?" Giles stuttered.
"Is it about Emma? Something you didn't want to say in front of Buffy once you realized..." Spike questioned.
"No," Giles answered. "Although I have translated a few more sections of the prophesy. All I can deduce is that we haven't seen the end of Draconius."
"Not really a surprise there, mate," Spike commented. "Any idea when? Like to know if I'll have Buffy able to fight by my side."
"No indication of the next threat being immediate. I would imagine that he'd try and separate you both again to get at Emma," Giles continued.
"Not a very creative bloke," Spike huffed. A fledgling began to paw through the Earth and Spike staked him before he even broke through the soil. "Trust me, better off," he stated as the startled newly undead burst into dust.
Giles watched Spike work. His reactions were perfect. Exactly like Buffy's. Even the movements were almost the same. "No," Giles answered. "No need to be creative if he has a chance of his plan working. He has no opportunity for success against the two of you together."
Spike was silent, turning to look at the Watcher. "You don't think he'll come while Buffy's..."
"I don't think he has any way of knowing about your son," Giles answered. "But I'd be mindful of the boy once he's born."
"What d'you mean?" Spike questioned, a twinge of fear crawling up his spine.
Giles sighed, not wanting to state what his theory was, but knowing it was best. "This is Draconius. You are *quite* aware that he is capable of anything. Once he learns of William's existence, it would not shock me if he uses William to get to Emma."
Spike exploded,. his body tensing at the thought. His pace quickened and his eyes searched the darkness, desperate for an evil creature to rear its undead head so that he could take his anger out properly. '"Thought that... monster... was shut away in a box."
Giles looked at his feet. "Anya locked him in the box of Oraclese. But there has been news that the spirit has been released."
"Released!" Spike shouted, pounding his hand into the side of a mausoleum. "How? Who?"
"We don't know," Giles said calmly. "It seems that the tunnels below Quentin's estate were ransacked."
"Who?" Spike's face was white with anger.
"I don't know," Giles repeated. "We are trying to find out."
"So, he's likely loose again already and he'll come after Buffy and my son to get to Emma," Spike seethed.
"Again, I don't think he could know about your son," Giles repeated. "No one knows."
"But once he does," Spike boiled, finally catching sight of another Vampire. His thought was cut short. "He won't live long."
Giles watched as Spike fought the older Vampire, trading blow for blow rather than just staking the creature. Spike spun, kicking the creature half way across the cemetery, then hurdling several tombstones in one jump to catch up with it. The Watcher had not seen either of them work since they had been joined and the change in power and grace was astounding. Spike was quicker than any Vampire Giles had seen. His blows were crushing. His agility was utterly startling. In a final flourish, Spike plunged the stake through the Vampire's heart and stood suddenly still, staring out into the night.
Quietly, Giles approached. "Spike?"
"S'alright," Spike panted, his fists and teeth clenched. "Just don't like the idea of someone trying to kill my children is all."
Giles was quiet for a moment. "We cannot change what may come," he finally said. "And we cannot spend out lives worrying about all of the horrid things that may occur. What we *can* do is try and protect them. Learn as much as we can. Stay ahead of Draconius and those that may follow."
"And kill the bastard if he comes near my family," Spike seethed.
"I'd have to agree," Giles added. "I will do it myself, given the opportunity."
Spike studied him for a moment, relaxing just a bit at the thought that he and Giles were on the same page. "You'd kill him? Regardless?"
"He has hurt me too, Spike," Giles answered. "You are not the only one who loves Buffy and does not want to see your children harmed. Not to mention what he did to Anya. To me."
Spike looked away, swallowing his anger. He hadn't given much thought about what Draconius had done to the rest. "I am sorry."
"No need," Giles sighed, laying a hand on the Vampire's shoulder. "I understand that you've a lot on your mind at the moment."
Spike began to walk again in silence. Giles strode quietly at his side. "It's Buffy?" Giles asked.
Still, the Vampire was silent, thinking. "It's been so... hard on her."
"The pregnancy?" Giles questioned. They were walking slowly now, following the moonlit path.
"S'like she's always in pain. Fraid she'd actually upset with me for.." Spike confessed.
"Spike," Giles sighed. "I don't think that's the case. This is Buffy. She'd let you know were that true."
"Dunno," Spike almost whispered into the air.
"What's going on? Everything alright?" Giles was concerned, watching Spike's body tense again.
"The moods I can handle," Spike commented. "Least most of the time. But watching her suffer.... She barely sleeps. She hasn't been able to train or patrol for a few months now and it drives her insane."
"Buffy's a resilient girl. I'm sure she'll work through it," Giles encouraged.
"It's a bit more than that," Spike sighed, sitting down on a marble bench.
Giles sat softly next to him. "What is it?"
"She's almost lost the baby twice," Spike whispered, swallowing. "Each time, it's been after she has been emotionally or physically worked up. It's like a switch flips..."
"And because she can't fight or do much of anything, she's easily upset," Giles deduced, the pieces falling into place.
"Right," Spike agreed. "Caught between a rock and a hard place. Terrified she'll lose her mind and something will happen to her. To William. Couldn't handle that. Can't loose the boy. Neither can she. Think it'd kill Buffy. Neither of us ever expected this, but now that it's real... we love him. Don't want anything else to happen." The Vampire was close to tears as he spoke and Giles watched him closely, wanting to say the right thing, but not sure he knew what that could be.
He laid a hand on Spike's shoulder. "We'll just have to make sure to keep her calm."
Spike chuckled nervously. "You try that one for a while, mate."
"I'll help you," Giles answered. "As strained a start as we had, I've come to respect you, Spike. I promised you before Emma was born that I would help you and that, sometimes, it would take the both of us to handle Buffy and her daughter." Spike smiled, remembering the conversation on the back porch the night Emma was born. Didn't seem all that long ago. "Just seems I'll have to amend that promise to include your son," Giles added.
"I really do pretty well will her. Most of the time," Spike sighed, resigned.
"I've no doubt of that," the Watcher responded. "But if you're worried about Buffy losing her child, maybe it's time you called in back up."
"Thank you," Spike answered, standing once again. Giles followed suit and they began to walk again in silence.
"William?" Giles asked, after they'd walked a few moments in silence.
"Buffy's idea," Spike replied, staring up at the stars.
"After you?"
"Sort of. She's been... remembering.. the In Between." The Vampire knew that what he was about to say would sound...odd. But it struck too close to his own heart to not believe in her.
"Remembering?" Giles' mind worked overtime. Very few people traveled to the In Between and returned. No one had retained their experiences. His academic mind spun.
"Bits and pieces," Spike clarified. "As have I."
"You remember?" Giles gasped. "What... what did you see?"
"More of an impression," Spike continued. "She remembers quite a bit more. But to bring this back round to point, the Powers sent... spirits... to keep her safe there. Her mum was there with her."
"Joyce?" Giles questioned, mind spinning at the idea that the Powers had protected Buffy and that Buffy remembered anything about it.
"Yes," Spike replied simply. "And the second was me. Well, before I was turned."
"William." Giles was wide-eyed. "Your mortal soul."
"Buffy referred to him as 'Polite Spike'," Spike snarked. Giles chuckled, shaking his head.
"Wait," Giles said, the pieces falling together in his mind. "So, Buffy believes that your son..."
"Will be born with William's soul. My mortal soul," Spike completed, before Giles could finish the thought.
Giles ran a hand through his hair, then adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "It is possible, as the soul you gained during the joining was that of the One. William's would still be in the chalice of souls."
Spike was silent, and then stopped, looking at the Watcher. "She's sure of it. When we found that he was a boy, she didn't hesitate. Said William felt right."
"What do *you* think?" Giles asked, studying Spike's face.
"It does feel right," Spike sighed. "Strange, but right."
"Well, we shall soon find out," Giles replied, softly smiling. Spike returned the smile warily. "Shall we head back and make sure that Anya hasn't confused Buffy into a frenzy?"
Spike chuckled. "Good woman," he finally said. "Or demon. But you certainly do like challenging girls."
"I could say the same for you, William the Bloody."
*****
"Anya, what did you do?" Spike gasped, his voice not raising above a whisper. He was at the couch from the open front door in a flash, Giles at his heels.
Anya touched a finger to her lips and Spike stopped. Buffy was curled on the couch, her head on Anya's thighs, fast asleep. Giles smiled and Anya's face lit up proudly. "She's out," the demon whispered as Spike crouched down next to the couch. Buffy looked like a kid, tousled blonde hair in her face, a peaceful little smile on her lips.
"How'd you do it?" Spike whispered, looking up at Anya.
"Chamomile. And I got the knot out of her back. She laid down so I sang and she fell asleep," Anya answered quietly.
"You sang?" Giles asked.
Anya nodded her reply. "And rubbed her back. She was out like a light."
"Got the rubbing," Spike commented. "Think I've worked that one out."
"Right here," Anya whispered, pressing her thumb to the base of Buffy's spine and pulling her fingers towards it. Buffy purred in her sleep.
"That's the one," Spike responded.
"You sang?" Giles repeated, smiling softly down on the girls.
"Yes," Anya sighed, frustrated.
"What?" Spike asked, eyebrow raised.
"Lullabies," she answered simply. No explanation.
"And she went for that?" Spike questioned, his head tilting.
Anya thought a moment. "Oh, I didn't sing for her. I mean, I did. But not *to* her."
Giles and Spike both looked at her as if she had sprouted another head. "Anya, please explain. Indulge us silly men," Giles asked, sitting on the arm of the couch.
"The back rub got her laying down, but the baby... she let me touch. The baby was wide awake. So I sang him lullabies. And I felt him settle down. See?" She took Spike's hand and laid it where hers had been. Where William had been kicking Buffy all night. "Soon as he was calm, she went out like a light."
Giles cocked his head, a smile breaking on his face. "Well done, Anya."
"Bloody brilliant, if you ask me," Spike contributed, sliding his arms under Buffy and lifting her up against him. She snuggled into his shirt and fell straight back to sleep.
"Rupert, if you'd get the tot," Spike asked quietly, leaning in to kiss Buffy's forehead. Anya smiled watching Spike holding Buffy. Giles excused himself to the bedroom to fetch the sleeping baby.
"Did I help?" Anya asked, standing up and smoothing down her skirt.
"You are a saviour, Pet," Spike answered, leaning over to kiss her cheek. She blushed, her grin growing wider. He was quiet, watching her. "Anya, I'm glad.. I'm glad you made it back alright."
Anya smiled shyly. "Thanks. I hope you can understand why..."
"Don't have to explain to me. Just be good to old Rupert. If he gives you any grief, send him my way," Spike chided.
"He won't. He's..." Anya stuttered.
"God forgive me for saying it, but he's a good man, Anya. Won't hurt you like that whelp." Spike blurted.
"Xander didn't mean to," Anya defended, her hands nervously fidgeting at the hem of her shirt.
"Well, doesn't really matter now. You're better off. Demon or no," Spike replied, trying to put her back at ease. She was still Anya, but there was something nervous now about her. Like a frightened animal. She still seemed strong and fierce, in her own way, but really she was terrified.
"Thank you," Anya replied, glad for the support.
"No. I seem to owe you thanks for the minor miracle," Spike whispered, planting another kiss on Buffy's temple.
"You love her," Anya stated, watching the tenderness in his movements.
"More than... she's everything." Spike looked at her peacefully curled against him. She was his everything. His life.
"She loves you too. She's just not as good at saying it," Anya said softly. Spike looked at her a moment, feeling kindred to the demon.
"I know she does," Spike replied. "Slayers are just stubborn. It's in their blood."
Giles appeared, an utterly knackered baby bundled against his chest. Emma was passed out as only a child can be. Her head lolled in one direction, her arms in another, her bunny tucked under her chest.
"I believe that this one is as exhausted as her mum," Giles said softly, a smile on his face.
"Cept Emma sleeps like the dead all the time," Spike retorted, heading out the door. He nodded a goodbye to Anya as he walked past and Giles leaned over to kiss the girl.
"Must take after her father, then," Giles snarked as the door closed.
*****
"Holy mother of weak knees,"Xander panted, flopping back on the warm, soft bed. Takina chuckled, her hair falling like a dark curtain as she laid her head upon his chest.
"Memorable enough?" Takina asked, giggling at the pace of Xander's heart.
"Burned into the old gray matter. Vaulted. Play by play on a nightly basis," he replied, shifting on one hip and settling on his elbow. He looked down on the woman, smiling. "That thing with the.."
"Ummmhumm," she hummed slyly, kissing his bicep.
"How? How in the big, beautiful world did you...?" Xander stuttered.
She laughed again. "There are certain advantages to my heritage."
"I'd have to say uh, yeah," Xander responded, awed by everything about her. "That's a Taraq thing?"
"Most demons can do it," she smiled, tracing lazy circles on his chest.
Xander snorted. "Well that explains it."
"Explains what, baby?" Takina said, still grinning up at him.
"Buffy and Spike," Xander joked. "It's a wonder they leave the house."
Takina laughed again. Warm and rich and sultry. "It seems they've put their capabilities to good use."
Xander paused, thoughtful. "You know, it *is* good use."
Takina furrowed her brow, still smiling. "How do you mean?"
"I can't say that Spike ranks up in my top ten list of people... or whatever he is this week... but he does love Buffy. And Emma is..."
"Emma is near perfect," Takina completed. "And it has very little to do with a prophesy. I've no doubt that their son will be as wonderful."
"Why?" Xander asked curiously. "I mean, you're right, but why?"
"Because they love them. Because they love each other. They stopped asking *why* and got on with it," Takina stated, her eyes dancing up at his, pleading with him to understand.
"Is *that* it?" Xander questioned, a sly grin breaking on his face. "And here I was thinking that it was about the thing with the..."
Takina slapped him playfully. "Seriously, Xander. It's rarely about your ability to justify how you feel. It's simply about the *feeling*. One can ignore emotions based on personal hang-ups eternally, but it doesn't change how one feels. I'm not advocating women in love with axe murderers..."
"Of which there are many," Xander snarked, smiling.
Takina batted playfully at him, yet again. "What I *am* saying is that if one being of any sort is inherently good to another, and their actions leave no room for displeasure nor are they reprehensible by any standard, then that being should be judged on their character alone. Not on where they came from."
"I'm so glad you're smart," Xander joked. "I feel like I just watched Law and Order."
"You know what I mean," Takina sighed, flopping back to his shoulder.
"That you are you and I'm falling for you regardless," Xander answered. "That Spike has, and Heaven help me for saying this, helped us all and he does love Buffy and his babies. And I shouldn't let what either of you *are* get in the way of seeing what you *do*."
"Exactly," Takina agreed brightly.
"If you keep doing that thing, I will never think about it again. As for Spike, I don't think I want to even imagine him.... " Xander shuddered.
"Are you ever serious?" Takina asked, still smiling, feeling that, for once, Xander really did understand.
Xander thought a moment, his face becoming serious. Gently, he brushed her hair from her cheeks. "It's time to tell them."
"Your friends?" Takina asked, her voice relaying her shock.
"Yeah. All of them. No secrets. No hiding," Xander said softly, watching her eyes.
"Xander, most of them know that I am..." Takina began, her voice going soft, afraid.
"Are smart and beautiful and sexy. The rest won't matter to them," He completed, kissing her softly and rolling her back to the bed.
To be contd.