Good evening, All:)
New record for me as this is actually making it out on time! Many thanks to my lovely betas Eliz and Brat for the help, as I know it is never easy to keep up with my typos, especially on the angst-o-rama chapters.
Break out the tissues folks, because things are not looking up for our favourite heros. I will do what I can to make it up to you in the end. Promise:)
Thank you very much for reading, and, as always, please 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: Lost Boy (Time - Chapter Seven)
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 directly after Casualties of Love. Takina rushes to Buffy's aid, sending Xander to find Spike. But only Anya knows where he is and who he is with. Spike is told of Buffy's condition, but how does he react? Xander takes Spike to find Buffy.
Lost Boy
She only heard bits and pieces as she lay on the throw rug in front of the door. Somewhere between sweating and freezing. Asleep and awake. Her body spasmed in unending pain and the darkness came and went like a time lapsed photo.
"Xander, call an ambulance," Takina ordered.
"What happened?" Riley's voice. Why was he here? His voice was full of concern.
"Please back up," Takina snapped. Buffy felt the doctor moving around her shaking body. Her fingers touching Buffy's legs. "Oh God, there's blood." She was silent a beat. "Xander!"
"Got it," Xander called back and Buffy vaguely heard a distant phone conversation.
"I have field medical training," Riley said, dropping down to his knees next to her.
"Blankets. She's in shock," Takina ordered and the floor creaked as Riley got up and dashed up the stairs.
"What can I do?" A strained, timid voice. Shaking. Crying. Anya.
Takina looked up at her, face softening as she saw the fear in Anya's eyes. "Do you know where Spike is?" Takina asked softly. "Is Emma with him?"
Anya nodded. "Yes," she swallowed. "He has Emma."
"Can you get him?" Takina asked, trying to hard to be patient with the girl.
"I... I have no car," Anya whispered. "Is she going to be OK?"
Takina looked at her softly, her eyes growing sad. "She and the baby are in trouble. If we don't get her to the hospital and take him, they might not be OK. But she's going to be scared and she needs Spike. Will you go and get him?"
Anya nodded in response.
"Xander?" Takina called. He hung up the phone and jogged to the foyer.
"What can I do?" He stuttered nervously.
"Anya knows where Spike is. Please take her to him," Takina asked calmly. No time for petty disputes.
Xander looked at Anya, eyes full of hurt and anger. "Can't we just call?"
"Xander," Takina snapped, her eyes blazing. "Would you really want to hear that your wife may be losing your child over the phone?"
Buffy flinched, her eyes flickering. "Oh God. She's awake. She heard you," Xander gasped.
"Go. Now," Takina ordered. Buffy heard footsteps hurry out the door, then the world fell to black.
*****
Riley reappeared, two thick blankets in his arms. Takina grabbed them, wrapping one around Buffy and folding the other under her head.
"How do you know Buffy?" Takina asked, her tone suspicious. Something was wrong about the boy. Even more about Buffy's reaction to him.
"We were friends," Riley answered, hesitating. "We dated. In college."
Takina smiled, but the gesture did nothing to mask her annoyance. "Why are you here then?"
Riley looked at her, controlling his own demon. "Military. Stationed nearby. We didn't part on bad terms, so I dropped by to say hello," he answered smoothly. "I... I didn't know."
"She's taken now," Takina snapped, checking Buffy's pulse.
Riley poured on the charm. "No ma'am. Nothing like that. I'm married myself. Just old friends." He hesitated. "Who... I mean how...?" He nodded down at Buffy.
Takina looked at the man oddly, an eyebrow raised. "She's been with Spike for years now."
"Spike!" Riley yelped. "But he's a Vampire. How?"
"There is no time for this," Takina snarled. The sirens whizzed and whirled down the street. "You will have to talk to Spike about the rest."
"Do.. do they have other children?" Riley asked, cementing his mission parameters. The paramedics burst through the door, falling at Buffy's side. Takina moved up to Buffy's head, stroking her hair.
"A daughter. Emma. She's three. Now get out of the way." They loaded Buffy onto the stretcher and Takina explained the situation to the EMT's.
"Where.. where are you taking her?" Riley called after the paramedics as they hustled down the walk.
Takina was silent. Something felt off about him. Before she could get away, one of the paramedics called out "Sunnydale General."
*****
The car was silent as a crypt. Anya fidgeted, terrified. Scared for Buffy. Scared for herself. Xander was angry. Spike would be horribly upset. All she wanted to do was run and hide. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. Not like this.
"Where do I go?" Xander asked, his voice cold as he stopped at a traffic light.
"Right," Anya responded, her voice barely audible above the drone of the engine. "Then a left on Cedar."
Xander turned, his wheels squealing. "Where are we going?"
"Giles. His apartment," Anya whispered.
"Giles?" Xander gasped, mouth agape. "He's back too? What's this? Everybody hide from Xander week?"
"It wasn't like that," Anya answered, her voice still quiet, but growing stronger with annoyance.
"What is it like then, Anya? Hunh?" His car slid as he made a sharp left onto Cedar. She begged silently to just be out of the car.
"Can we not do this now?" She pleaded. "Second building on the left after the telephone pole."
"When would be better, Anya? When we're a thousand? What's a better time?" Xander pulled into a parking space, jerking to a halt.
"How about when Buffy and her baby are not in trouble and when we don't have to walk up there and tell Spike? I think *anytime* is better that this," Anya snapped, jumping out of the car and onto the sidewalk.
Xander was dumbstruck. How? How did his priorities get so out of line at the very worst times? "Anya?" He stuttered, jumping from the car and jogging after her. "Wait. I'm sorry."
Anya paused, looking back at him. "Thank you. But can we get on with this? Buffy needs Spike now. Not when we're a thousand."
She swung open the lobby door and bolted up the stairs.
*****
Xander caught up to the girl as she pounded on the heavy wooden door. They hadn't had time to make a spare key yet. Giles had locked the flat tight while Emma was there. Anya thought her knuckles might bleed she pounded so hard.
The door swung open with a whoosh of air. "Anya?" Giles said, surprised and a bit irritated. The annoyance dissolved when he looked at her terrified, white face. She bit her lip like a child. "Anya, what is it? How did you get here?" His palm rose, cupping her cheek to comfort her.
"I brought her," Xander answered, stepping into Giles' line of sight. Studying the tenderness with which the Watcher handled the demon.
"Oh," Giles gasped, his hand dropping quickly to his side. "How did you...?"
"No time," Anya blurted, a rush of nervous energy taking over. "Where's Spike?"
As if on cue, Spike walked in from the kitchen, a glass of water in one hand. He caught sight of the party in the small entrance hall and froze, staring at Giles, Anya and Xander. "Everything alright?" He called down the short hallway.
"Spike!" Anya called. "You have to go. You have to come. Buffy..." Panic took over her voice, making her sentences full of breath and fear.
"What's wrong, Anya?" Giles asked patiently, his eyes full of concern. Spike began a tentative walk towards them, his heart sinking at the look on the demon's face.
"We were at the house and Xander came and...." Anya babbled, her thoughts spilling out of her mouth in no particular order.
"Buffy," Giles prodded gently, trying to steer her back on track. He put a hand on each of her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. Anya burst into tears as soon as he caught her gaze.
"She got upset or something and she... I don't know... she was on her knees and lying on the floor. There was blood..." Anya sobbed.
The room went deathly silent save for the sound of Anya's tears and the crash of Spike's water glass shattering as it hit the floor. It was almost like the world had moved to slow motion as Xander watched the pieces of the glass bounce up and spray like a water drops from a fountain. He watched Spike's body tense, his eyes growing wide and terrified, caught between fear and anger.
"Where is she?" He said very softly, but Xander watched Spike's hands clench. Unclench. Clench again. Controlling the demon. Cyrus appeared in the hallway, Emma clinging to his shoulders. Spike stared at his daughter, the fear growing like a virus in his blood.
Xander cleared his throat. "Ambulance. Sunnydale General. C'mon, I'll take you."
Spike nodded, his mind reeling, still staring at Emma. Cyrus watched his face. "Go. I'll bring her," her Watcher said softly.
Spike strode over to him, fishing his keys from his jeans pocket. "Car seat's in mine," Spike whispered, not sure what he should be thinking. He leaned down, kissing Emma's head. "It'll be alright, Mite," he whispered into her hair and moving away.
"Daddy!" She called after him, her eyes wide and fearful. How much could the girl understand?, he asked himself.
"See you in just a minute, baby," he answered, brushing his lips against her temple and running out the open door.
*****
Xander tore from the parking lot, his tires leaving thick, black marks on the pavement. Spike was silent, his jaw clenched, sitting on his hands if to force himself still. His eyes were wild, frightened.
"Spike, we just came over to visit and ..." Xander began softly.
"I don't *care* how," Spike hissed. "Not now. You can explain later. What.Happened.To.Her.?"
Xander tensed at the cold sound of Spike's voice. Anger. He swallowed. "There was a knock on the door. She walked over to answer. It looked like she was stiff or something. The door opened. She gasped," Xander paused, blinking, hesitating. "The next thing I saw, she was on her knees and her face was white. She fell on the floor. Takina and I ran to help her. There was... there was a lot of blood." He stopped, swallowing again, trying to be as matter of fact as he could.
Spike looked over at him, closing his eyes. Opening them. Staring. He nodded for Xander to go on.
"I called an ambulance. Anya brought me to you," he finished quietly.
Spike closed his eyes. "Was she awake when you left?" His eyes opened for the answer. Slowly, as if it hurt to lift his lids.
Xander shook his head. "Not really. In and out. But she didn't say anything."
"Was she in pain?" Spike asked, his voice wavering.
Xander wanted to lie. Wanted to plead the fifth. To just not answer. But he was certain it would just make it worse. "Yes," he answered softly.
Spike shook his head hard, his neck cracking. Xander was certain he saw a glint of gold flash across the Vampire's eyes. But Spike held on, biting the inside of his cheek and focusing on the road. "Takina was there?"
Xander nodded. "Yes." Guess this wasn't the time for happy news.
"Wha'd she say?" Spike asked, his voice betraying him.
Xander froze, remembering Takina's admonition about calling Spike. "Spike, please don't..., " Xander begged, clutching the wheel.
"What.Did.She.Say.?" Spike enunciated, his anger growing. Growing out of his helplessness.
Xander sighed, glancing at Spike then back at the yellow line flying past through the car windshield. "She might be losing the baby," Xander finally answered. "But Takina said that he was old enough now that if they could get her to the hospital in time..."
"If," Spike said softly. "My *world* on 'if'."
*****
Riley screeched to a halt in front of the safe house, barely stopping the car before jumping out the door. His feet pounded up the pavement, a high of sheer joy lighting his speed. "Sam?" He called, as he burst through the door.
"What, baby?" Sam responded, appearing in the hall. "Any luck? Was it her?"
Riley grinned broadly. "Yes, it was." His voice lowered, his manner returning to that of the ancient one. "And I think I have a plan."
"Did she see you?" Sam asked, sauntering towards him. Drawn to his power.
"That she did," he answered slyly.
"And you know how to occupy them?" She asked, her fingers clasping behind his neck.
"I do. But I will need your help," he answered, pressing close to her.
"Anything, baby," she breathed, her lips caressing his ear.
"Do you think you can shift at will now?" Riley asked, studying her face. Before his eyes, she became old, young, short, tall, beautiful, heinous, all in the blink of an eye. "Good," he purred in her ear. "And the spells?"
"All in here," she whispered, tapping her temple, her tongue tracing the lines around his lips.
Suddenly, he became still, pulling away. "Then it's time we go."
"Where?" She asked, looking up at him. Eye serious and determined.
"Sunnydale General," he answered. "I'll fill you in on the way."
*****
Spike burst through the double doors of the hospital, nearly tearing both from their hinges. His stride was quick and determined. At first glance, it looked a lot like anger, but as Xander followed, he felt it come off Spike in waves. Fear. Something Xander knew a lot about. Probably his closest friend over the past, oh, lifetime.
The Vampire strode to the desk, slamming his hands down. The clerk looked up with a sharp jerk, about to say something smart. One look at Spike's face caused her mouth to snap shut. Xander witnessed the exchange and jogged over to the counter.
"We're looking for Buffy Summers. She came maybe twenty minutes ago in an ambulance," Xander stuttered, his eyes nervous.
"What sort of injury?" The nurse asked in that nasal, industrial voice.
"She's pregnant," Xander responded. "And there was.. a problem."
The nurse looked down and typed at a keyboard. "I'm sorry, I'm not finding a Buffy Summers..."
"Look a-bloody-gain," Spike snapped, his hand ripping formica from the painted countertop. The nurse jumped, looking back down at her keyboard.
"Summers," she muttered, typing furiously. "No, I don't..."
"Windsor," Spike sighed, closing his eyes, trying to control every emotion that boiled in his veins. "Try Windsor."
The nurse typed again, and then breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Third floor. Maternity," she said, smiling nervously at the men.
Spike banged the counter with his fist and tore off towards the stairs, Xander at his heels.
*****
The doors of the third floor ward flew open as Spike blew into the waiting area like a peroxide tornado. Xander was still on the landing as Spike was reaching yet another counter. Another roadblock.
"Buffy Windsor," Spike snapped at the nurse in blue scrubs behind a thin sheet of hard plastic. The nurse studied a ledger in front of her. Spike's impatience grew with ever second that ticked by.
"They're prepping her," the nurse answered, looking up. Xander jogged through the doorway, making his way over to the counter.
"Prepping her for what?" Spike hissed between clenched teeth, trying to control his temper. The fear coursed through him like white fire in his veins.
The nurse looked at him closely. "And may I ask who you are?"
Xander's eyes flew open feeling Spike reach the snapping point. Against his better judgment, he grabbed Spike's shoulder. Xander hesitated, waiting for Spike to swing, but instead, the Vampire backed away, seeming to deflate as if the air had been let out of his lungs.
The nurse waited for the answer, but Spike just stared at her with tired and defeated eyes. "I'm Xander Harris," Xander interrupted, looking at the nurse and steeping slightly in front of Spike. "He's William Windsor."
"The child's father?" The nurse questioned, her tone becoming softer.
Xander looked over at the Vampire. "Buffy's... yeah. The baby's father."
Spike tuned out the conversation, closing his eyes. Reaching out to her. Trying to feel her anywhere. He could sense her nearby, but all he could feel was a hazy numbness. Like a boring acid trip or smoke blown against glass.
"... surgery," the nurse concluded.
Spike's eyes blinked open. "What?" He asked, shaking his head clear. The nurse looked at him, compassion replacing her former, suspicious glare.
"She's being prepped for surgery," the nurse repeated slowly.
"For what? What kind?" Xander stuttered, one eye on the nurse, the other trained on Spike. The nurse hesitated.
"I need a doctor to explain this," she whispered, looking away.
Spike approached the counter. His blue eyes flashed, but were heavy and wet with tears waiting to spill. "I need to see her. Need to be there."
The nurse broke, almost crying at the sight of the desperate expression on his face. "Her hand laid over his and he looked at her. "You can't. I'm sorry."
"Please," Spike begged. "Please let me go to her."
Xander turned away, partially because he didn't want Spike to know that he saw his tears. Let the man have his dignity. And partially because Xander could feel his body shudder and begin to sob.
The nurse looked tortured. "It's too late," she whispered. "She's already under and it'll just put them in more danger waiting to proceed."
Danger. A word Spike could understand even in the state he was in. He nodded, backing away from the counter. Xander faced the nurse. "Can someone tell us something?" The boy asked.
The nurse nodded. "I'll see if a doctor can come out and talk to you. Just give me a minute."
With that, she disappeared down the corridor, leaving the men alone.
*****
Spike sat in a chair in a corner at the far end of the room. He'd tried to just stare at the sterile, green walls, but they were making his head throb. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees; hands clasped in front of him and began to count the tiles on the floor. It felt like hours he had been sitting there. Furtively, he glanced at the clock. It'd been five minutes.
A door opened next to the nurse's window. Spike looked up at the feel of the air moving against the heavy metal door. Xander was sitting three chairs closer to the counter, hunched in much the same manner, head bobbing up at the sound.
Takina appeared, dressed in slate blue scrubs, a surgical cap on her head. She pulled the cap off, letting her near black hair tumble down over her shoulders in shiny waves. Spike tried to stand, but his legs were weak. Wobbly, like a newborn colt.
There was no demon to fight, no journey to take to save her. Just waiting.
Xander looked at Takina, reading her face, and then looked away from them both. The doctor walked softly, gracefully, across the room and sat in an empty seat next to Spike.
He cleared his throat. "How. How is she?"
"She's in surgery," Takina answered, the physician in her taking over. Quiet, comforting, brutal honesty.
"What happened... to her?" His voice wavered. To Takina, he sounded like a child. A scared one at that.
"I could explain a lot of medical terms, Spike, but basically, her body's stress level raised, her blood pressure went up, until ... she tried to shut herself down to protect the child, but not in time. Something inside of her ruptured. Broke. And she couldn't carry the child any longer," Takina answered, simplifying the matter as much as she could.
Spike swallowed, his eyes closing, and then reopening into deep, dewy blue. "Will she be alright?"
Takina put a hand on his forearm and he swallowed back tears. "It's quite serious, Spike. But we expect she *will* recover as we got her here very quickly."
Spike caught her eyes. He flashed both torture and relief across his face in the same instant. It took her off guard. "What about our son?" His voice quaked, sounding no stronger than a branch blowing in the wind.
Takina looked away, finding Xander's gaze. Drawing strength. She took a deep breath and turned back to Spike. "They are taking him from her. Right now. His heartbeat is weak and... Spike, we don't know."
His heart sank into his stomach and he could feel the bile rise in his throat as if he might be sick where he sat. Slowly, he closed his eyes, a gesture in and of itself, full of torturous, pained, beauty, and bit the inside of his cheek. Distracting himself.
If William died, here, today, Takina was dead wrong. Buffy would never recover. *He* would never recover. Part of them would die here with him.
"Does she know what is happening?" His voice was quiet, but strong. Have to be strong. At least that is what he told himself.
Takina shook her head. "She was unconscious when we brought her here."
Spike looked away, breathing. Just breathing. Then turned slowly back to the doctor. "I should tell her."
Takina wanted to argue the point, to tell him it was best to let them explain, but Spike's eyes begged her not to fight. "Alright. Once she's awake and stable, I'll come to get you."
She stood to leave. Spike grabbed her hand, and she turned back to him. In the instant she had faced away, her eyes had filled with tears as if it was then alright to be a person and not a doctor. "What are his chances? Honestly?" The child's voice was back, full of all of the fear of all of the monsters under the bed that ever were.
Takina glanced at Xander, then back at Spike. "I don't know. We won't know until it's over. We'll just have to wait, and see, and pray."
To be contd.
New record for me as this is actually making it out on time! Many thanks to my lovely betas Eliz and Brat for the help, as I know it is never easy to keep up with my typos, especially on the angst-o-rama chapters.
Break out the tissues folks, because things are not looking up for our favourite heros. I will do what I can to make it up to you in the end. Promise:)
Thank you very much for reading, and, as always, please 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: Lost Boy (Time - Chapter Seven)
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 directly after Casualties of Love. Takina rushes to Buffy's aid, sending Xander to find Spike. But only Anya knows where he is and who he is with. Spike is told of Buffy's condition, but how does he react? Xander takes Spike to find Buffy.
Lost Boy
She only heard bits and pieces as she lay on the throw rug in front of the door. Somewhere between sweating and freezing. Asleep and awake. Her body spasmed in unending pain and the darkness came and went like a time lapsed photo.
"Xander, call an ambulance," Takina ordered.
"What happened?" Riley's voice. Why was he here? His voice was full of concern.
"Please back up," Takina snapped. Buffy felt the doctor moving around her shaking body. Her fingers touching Buffy's legs. "Oh God, there's blood." She was silent a beat. "Xander!"
"Got it," Xander called back and Buffy vaguely heard a distant phone conversation.
"I have field medical training," Riley said, dropping down to his knees next to her.
"Blankets. She's in shock," Takina ordered and the floor creaked as Riley got up and dashed up the stairs.
"What can I do?" A strained, timid voice. Shaking. Crying. Anya.
Takina looked up at her, face softening as she saw the fear in Anya's eyes. "Do you know where Spike is?" Takina asked softly. "Is Emma with him?"
Anya nodded. "Yes," she swallowed. "He has Emma."
"Can you get him?" Takina asked, trying to hard to be patient with the girl.
"I... I have no car," Anya whispered. "Is she going to be OK?"
Takina looked at her softly, her eyes growing sad. "She and the baby are in trouble. If we don't get her to the hospital and take him, they might not be OK. But she's going to be scared and she needs Spike. Will you go and get him?"
Anya nodded in response.
"Xander?" Takina called. He hung up the phone and jogged to the foyer.
"What can I do?" He stuttered nervously.
"Anya knows where Spike is. Please take her to him," Takina asked calmly. No time for petty disputes.
Xander looked at Anya, eyes full of hurt and anger. "Can't we just call?"
"Xander," Takina snapped, her eyes blazing. "Would you really want to hear that your wife may be losing your child over the phone?"
Buffy flinched, her eyes flickering. "Oh God. She's awake. She heard you," Xander gasped.
"Go. Now," Takina ordered. Buffy heard footsteps hurry out the door, then the world fell to black.
*****
Riley reappeared, two thick blankets in his arms. Takina grabbed them, wrapping one around Buffy and folding the other under her head.
"How do you know Buffy?" Takina asked, her tone suspicious. Something was wrong about the boy. Even more about Buffy's reaction to him.
"We were friends," Riley answered, hesitating. "We dated. In college."
Takina smiled, but the gesture did nothing to mask her annoyance. "Why are you here then?"
Riley looked at her, controlling his own demon. "Military. Stationed nearby. We didn't part on bad terms, so I dropped by to say hello," he answered smoothly. "I... I didn't know."
"She's taken now," Takina snapped, checking Buffy's pulse.
Riley poured on the charm. "No ma'am. Nothing like that. I'm married myself. Just old friends." He hesitated. "Who... I mean how...?" He nodded down at Buffy.
Takina looked at the man oddly, an eyebrow raised. "She's been with Spike for years now."
"Spike!" Riley yelped. "But he's a Vampire. How?"
"There is no time for this," Takina snarled. The sirens whizzed and whirled down the street. "You will have to talk to Spike about the rest."
"Do.. do they have other children?" Riley asked, cementing his mission parameters. The paramedics burst through the door, falling at Buffy's side. Takina moved up to Buffy's head, stroking her hair.
"A daughter. Emma. She's three. Now get out of the way." They loaded Buffy onto the stretcher and Takina explained the situation to the EMT's.
"Where.. where are you taking her?" Riley called after the paramedics as they hustled down the walk.
Takina was silent. Something felt off about him. Before she could get away, one of the paramedics called out "Sunnydale General."
*****
The car was silent as a crypt. Anya fidgeted, terrified. Scared for Buffy. Scared for herself. Xander was angry. Spike would be horribly upset. All she wanted to do was run and hide. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. Not like this.
"Where do I go?" Xander asked, his voice cold as he stopped at a traffic light.
"Right," Anya responded, her voice barely audible above the drone of the engine. "Then a left on Cedar."
Xander turned, his wheels squealing. "Where are we going?"
"Giles. His apartment," Anya whispered.
"Giles?" Xander gasped, mouth agape. "He's back too? What's this? Everybody hide from Xander week?"
"It wasn't like that," Anya answered, her voice still quiet, but growing stronger with annoyance.
"What is it like then, Anya? Hunh?" His car slid as he made a sharp left onto Cedar. She begged silently to just be out of the car.
"Can we not do this now?" She pleaded. "Second building on the left after the telephone pole."
"When would be better, Anya? When we're a thousand? What's a better time?" Xander pulled into a parking space, jerking to a halt.
"How about when Buffy and her baby are not in trouble and when we don't have to walk up there and tell Spike? I think *anytime* is better that this," Anya snapped, jumping out of the car and onto the sidewalk.
Xander was dumbstruck. How? How did his priorities get so out of line at the very worst times? "Anya?" He stuttered, jumping from the car and jogging after her. "Wait. I'm sorry."
Anya paused, looking back at him. "Thank you. But can we get on with this? Buffy needs Spike now. Not when we're a thousand."
She swung open the lobby door and bolted up the stairs.
*****
Xander caught up to the girl as she pounded on the heavy wooden door. They hadn't had time to make a spare key yet. Giles had locked the flat tight while Emma was there. Anya thought her knuckles might bleed she pounded so hard.
The door swung open with a whoosh of air. "Anya?" Giles said, surprised and a bit irritated. The annoyance dissolved when he looked at her terrified, white face. She bit her lip like a child. "Anya, what is it? How did you get here?" His palm rose, cupping her cheek to comfort her.
"I brought her," Xander answered, stepping into Giles' line of sight. Studying the tenderness with which the Watcher handled the demon.
"Oh," Giles gasped, his hand dropping quickly to his side. "How did you...?"
"No time," Anya blurted, a rush of nervous energy taking over. "Where's Spike?"
As if on cue, Spike walked in from the kitchen, a glass of water in one hand. He caught sight of the party in the small entrance hall and froze, staring at Giles, Anya and Xander. "Everything alright?" He called down the short hallway.
"Spike!" Anya called. "You have to go. You have to come. Buffy..." Panic took over her voice, making her sentences full of breath and fear.
"What's wrong, Anya?" Giles asked patiently, his eyes full of concern. Spike began a tentative walk towards them, his heart sinking at the look on the demon's face.
"We were at the house and Xander came and...." Anya babbled, her thoughts spilling out of her mouth in no particular order.
"Buffy," Giles prodded gently, trying to steer her back on track. He put a hand on each of her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. Anya burst into tears as soon as he caught her gaze.
"She got upset or something and she... I don't know... she was on her knees and lying on the floor. There was blood..." Anya sobbed.
The room went deathly silent save for the sound of Anya's tears and the crash of Spike's water glass shattering as it hit the floor. It was almost like the world had moved to slow motion as Xander watched the pieces of the glass bounce up and spray like a water drops from a fountain. He watched Spike's body tense, his eyes growing wide and terrified, caught between fear and anger.
"Where is she?" He said very softly, but Xander watched Spike's hands clench. Unclench. Clench again. Controlling the demon. Cyrus appeared in the hallway, Emma clinging to his shoulders. Spike stared at his daughter, the fear growing like a virus in his blood.
Xander cleared his throat. "Ambulance. Sunnydale General. C'mon, I'll take you."
Spike nodded, his mind reeling, still staring at Emma. Cyrus watched his face. "Go. I'll bring her," her Watcher said softly.
Spike strode over to him, fishing his keys from his jeans pocket. "Car seat's in mine," Spike whispered, not sure what he should be thinking. He leaned down, kissing Emma's head. "It'll be alright, Mite," he whispered into her hair and moving away.
"Daddy!" She called after him, her eyes wide and fearful. How much could the girl understand?, he asked himself.
"See you in just a minute, baby," he answered, brushing his lips against her temple and running out the open door.
*****
Xander tore from the parking lot, his tires leaving thick, black marks on the pavement. Spike was silent, his jaw clenched, sitting on his hands if to force himself still. His eyes were wild, frightened.
"Spike, we just came over to visit and ..." Xander began softly.
"I don't *care* how," Spike hissed. "Not now. You can explain later. What.Happened.To.Her.?"
Xander tensed at the cold sound of Spike's voice. Anger. He swallowed. "There was a knock on the door. She walked over to answer. It looked like she was stiff or something. The door opened. She gasped," Xander paused, blinking, hesitating. "The next thing I saw, she was on her knees and her face was white. She fell on the floor. Takina and I ran to help her. There was... there was a lot of blood." He stopped, swallowing again, trying to be as matter of fact as he could.
Spike looked over at him, closing his eyes. Opening them. Staring. He nodded for Xander to go on.
"I called an ambulance. Anya brought me to you," he finished quietly.
Spike closed his eyes. "Was she awake when you left?" His eyes opened for the answer. Slowly, as if it hurt to lift his lids.
Xander shook his head. "Not really. In and out. But she didn't say anything."
"Was she in pain?" Spike asked, his voice wavering.
Xander wanted to lie. Wanted to plead the fifth. To just not answer. But he was certain it would just make it worse. "Yes," he answered softly.
Spike shook his head hard, his neck cracking. Xander was certain he saw a glint of gold flash across the Vampire's eyes. But Spike held on, biting the inside of his cheek and focusing on the road. "Takina was there?"
Xander nodded. "Yes." Guess this wasn't the time for happy news.
"Wha'd she say?" Spike asked, his voice betraying him.
Xander froze, remembering Takina's admonition about calling Spike. "Spike, please don't..., " Xander begged, clutching the wheel.
"What.Did.She.Say.?" Spike enunciated, his anger growing. Growing out of his helplessness.
Xander sighed, glancing at Spike then back at the yellow line flying past through the car windshield. "She might be losing the baby," Xander finally answered. "But Takina said that he was old enough now that if they could get her to the hospital in time..."
"If," Spike said softly. "My *world* on 'if'."
*****
Riley screeched to a halt in front of the safe house, barely stopping the car before jumping out the door. His feet pounded up the pavement, a high of sheer joy lighting his speed. "Sam?" He called, as he burst through the door.
"What, baby?" Sam responded, appearing in the hall. "Any luck? Was it her?"
Riley grinned broadly. "Yes, it was." His voice lowered, his manner returning to that of the ancient one. "And I think I have a plan."
"Did she see you?" Sam asked, sauntering towards him. Drawn to his power.
"That she did," he answered slyly.
"And you know how to occupy them?" She asked, her fingers clasping behind his neck.
"I do. But I will need your help," he answered, pressing close to her.
"Anything, baby," she breathed, her lips caressing his ear.
"Do you think you can shift at will now?" Riley asked, studying her face. Before his eyes, she became old, young, short, tall, beautiful, heinous, all in the blink of an eye. "Good," he purred in her ear. "And the spells?"
"All in here," she whispered, tapping her temple, her tongue tracing the lines around his lips.
Suddenly, he became still, pulling away. "Then it's time we go."
"Where?" She asked, looking up at him. Eye serious and determined.
"Sunnydale General," he answered. "I'll fill you in on the way."
*****
Spike burst through the double doors of the hospital, nearly tearing both from their hinges. His stride was quick and determined. At first glance, it looked a lot like anger, but as Xander followed, he felt it come off Spike in waves. Fear. Something Xander knew a lot about. Probably his closest friend over the past, oh, lifetime.
The Vampire strode to the desk, slamming his hands down. The clerk looked up with a sharp jerk, about to say something smart. One look at Spike's face caused her mouth to snap shut. Xander witnessed the exchange and jogged over to the counter.
"We're looking for Buffy Summers. She came maybe twenty minutes ago in an ambulance," Xander stuttered, his eyes nervous.
"What sort of injury?" The nurse asked in that nasal, industrial voice.
"She's pregnant," Xander responded. "And there was.. a problem."
The nurse looked down and typed at a keyboard. "I'm sorry, I'm not finding a Buffy Summers..."
"Look a-bloody-gain," Spike snapped, his hand ripping formica from the painted countertop. The nurse jumped, looking back down at her keyboard.
"Summers," she muttered, typing furiously. "No, I don't..."
"Windsor," Spike sighed, closing his eyes, trying to control every emotion that boiled in his veins. "Try Windsor."
The nurse typed again, and then breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Third floor. Maternity," she said, smiling nervously at the men.
Spike banged the counter with his fist and tore off towards the stairs, Xander at his heels.
*****
The doors of the third floor ward flew open as Spike blew into the waiting area like a peroxide tornado. Xander was still on the landing as Spike was reaching yet another counter. Another roadblock.
"Buffy Windsor," Spike snapped at the nurse in blue scrubs behind a thin sheet of hard plastic. The nurse studied a ledger in front of her. Spike's impatience grew with ever second that ticked by.
"They're prepping her," the nurse answered, looking up. Xander jogged through the doorway, making his way over to the counter.
"Prepping her for what?" Spike hissed between clenched teeth, trying to control his temper. The fear coursed through him like white fire in his veins.
The nurse looked at him closely. "And may I ask who you are?"
Xander's eyes flew open feeling Spike reach the snapping point. Against his better judgment, he grabbed Spike's shoulder. Xander hesitated, waiting for Spike to swing, but instead, the Vampire backed away, seeming to deflate as if the air had been let out of his lungs.
The nurse waited for the answer, but Spike just stared at her with tired and defeated eyes. "I'm Xander Harris," Xander interrupted, looking at the nurse and steeping slightly in front of Spike. "He's William Windsor."
"The child's father?" The nurse questioned, her tone becoming softer.
Xander looked over at the Vampire. "Buffy's... yeah. The baby's father."
Spike tuned out the conversation, closing his eyes. Reaching out to her. Trying to feel her anywhere. He could sense her nearby, but all he could feel was a hazy numbness. Like a boring acid trip or smoke blown against glass.
"... surgery," the nurse concluded.
Spike's eyes blinked open. "What?" He asked, shaking his head clear. The nurse looked at him, compassion replacing her former, suspicious glare.
"She's being prepped for surgery," the nurse repeated slowly.
"For what? What kind?" Xander stuttered, one eye on the nurse, the other trained on Spike. The nurse hesitated.
"I need a doctor to explain this," she whispered, looking away.
Spike approached the counter. His blue eyes flashed, but were heavy and wet with tears waiting to spill. "I need to see her. Need to be there."
The nurse broke, almost crying at the sight of the desperate expression on his face. "Her hand laid over his and he looked at her. "You can't. I'm sorry."
"Please," Spike begged. "Please let me go to her."
Xander turned away, partially because he didn't want Spike to know that he saw his tears. Let the man have his dignity. And partially because Xander could feel his body shudder and begin to sob.
The nurse looked tortured. "It's too late," she whispered. "She's already under and it'll just put them in more danger waiting to proceed."
Danger. A word Spike could understand even in the state he was in. He nodded, backing away from the counter. Xander faced the nurse. "Can someone tell us something?" The boy asked.
The nurse nodded. "I'll see if a doctor can come out and talk to you. Just give me a minute."
With that, she disappeared down the corridor, leaving the men alone.
*****
Spike sat in a chair in a corner at the far end of the room. He'd tried to just stare at the sterile, green walls, but they were making his head throb. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees; hands clasped in front of him and began to count the tiles on the floor. It felt like hours he had been sitting there. Furtively, he glanced at the clock. It'd been five minutes.
A door opened next to the nurse's window. Spike looked up at the feel of the air moving against the heavy metal door. Xander was sitting three chairs closer to the counter, hunched in much the same manner, head bobbing up at the sound.
Takina appeared, dressed in slate blue scrubs, a surgical cap on her head. She pulled the cap off, letting her near black hair tumble down over her shoulders in shiny waves. Spike tried to stand, but his legs were weak. Wobbly, like a newborn colt.
There was no demon to fight, no journey to take to save her. Just waiting.
Xander looked at Takina, reading her face, and then looked away from them both. The doctor walked softly, gracefully, across the room and sat in an empty seat next to Spike.
He cleared his throat. "How. How is she?"
"She's in surgery," Takina answered, the physician in her taking over. Quiet, comforting, brutal honesty.
"What happened... to her?" His voice wavered. To Takina, he sounded like a child. A scared one at that.
"I could explain a lot of medical terms, Spike, but basically, her body's stress level raised, her blood pressure went up, until ... she tried to shut herself down to protect the child, but not in time. Something inside of her ruptured. Broke. And she couldn't carry the child any longer," Takina answered, simplifying the matter as much as she could.
Spike swallowed, his eyes closing, and then reopening into deep, dewy blue. "Will she be alright?"
Takina put a hand on his forearm and he swallowed back tears. "It's quite serious, Spike. But we expect she *will* recover as we got her here very quickly."
Spike caught her eyes. He flashed both torture and relief across his face in the same instant. It took her off guard. "What about our son?" His voice quaked, sounding no stronger than a branch blowing in the wind.
Takina looked away, finding Xander's gaze. Drawing strength. She took a deep breath and turned back to Spike. "They are taking him from her. Right now. His heartbeat is weak and... Spike, we don't know."
His heart sank into his stomach and he could feel the bile rise in his throat as if he might be sick where he sat. Slowly, he closed his eyes, a gesture in and of itself, full of torturous, pained, beauty, and bit the inside of his cheek. Distracting himself.
If William died, here, today, Takina was dead wrong. Buffy would never recover. *He* would never recover. Part of them would die here with him.
"Does she know what is happening?" His voice was quiet, but strong. Have to be strong. At least that is what he told himself.
Takina shook her head. "She was unconscious when we brought her here."
Spike looked away, breathing. Just breathing. Then turned slowly back to the doctor. "I should tell her."
Takina wanted to argue the point, to tell him it was best to let them explain, but Spike's eyes begged her not to fight. "Alright. Once she's awake and stable, I'll come to get you."
She stood to leave. Spike grabbed her hand, and she turned back to him. In the instant she had faced away, her eyes had filled with tears as if it was then alright to be a person and not a doctor. "What are his chances? Honestly?" The child's voice was back, full of all of the fear of all of the monsters under the bed that ever were.
Takina glanced at Xander, then back at Spike. "I don't know. We won't know until it's over. We'll just have to wait, and see, and pray."
To be contd.