Chapter 3
2003
Spike looked down at the green, velvet-covered box on the table. He knew what was in it. A simple piece of paper that would turn his world upside down. When read, the piece of paper wreaked havoc on the mind, body, on every one of the senses. It was a torture devised by monks in the early 1300's who wanted to punish those who betrayed them. Back when he had been with Dru, Spike had heard of nothing but this piece of paper for over a decade, before her obsession faded. Then, less than a year ago, Drusilla had returned and promised she would find it to punish Spike for betraying her with The Slayer. He would pay dearly for it, by receiving the curse.
Sure, he could just let it sit, not open it. But the pull of the energy in the box would force him to open it. Men, vampires, demons stronger than Spike had gone mad trying to stay away from it, which was probably better than the 24 hours of torture that would rain down on the if they opened the box.
Time to face facts, Spike thought, and picked up the box.
2002
Spike wasn't surprised when the crypt door opened and Buffy stepped inside. She came over all the time during the day, so this wasn't out of the ordinary. But today was different. Usually, the door was kicked open, or opened with a slam, then she would come at him in a frenzy. In the early days, as Spike liked to call them, she would beat the living Hell out of him. Lately, she had kissed him senseless before they fell to the floor in a tumble of limbs. Today she was quiet. The door opened and shut almost soundlessly and she stood completely still.
"Slayer? Something wrong?" He asked, studying her carefully. She wore an old pair of jeans and a well-worn t-shirt. He hair was slightly messy and she hadn't put on any make-up. She was still absolutely edible, but her appearance unnerved him. Something was going on with her.
"Spike, there's something I've got to tell you, and you're going to be...I don't know what you're going to be."
Spike sat down on the tattered couch in the center of the crypt, "Start talking." He said simply, hands resting on his knees.
"Spike...I'm pregnant."
Hurt, anger, confusion, and pain flitted across his features before he stood. He was silent and still for a long moment, arms crossed over his chest.
"Say something. Please." Buffy pleaded, her eyes filling with tears as he searched his face, which had gone blank.
"Whose is it?" He demanded, icy eyes meeting hers in a steely gaze.
Buffy stepped back as if she'd been slapped, "What?"
"Well I'm not really fertile, Slayer. So who else have you been screwing?"
Buffy made a face of disgust, the hurt she felt indescribable. Anger boiled inside her, "How could you say that?"
"Easily." He muttered coldly, "I'm just your sex toy, right?"
She let out a cry of rage before her fist connected with his face, sending him sprawling back onto the couch. He looked up at her in shock as tears streamed down her beautiful, but gaunt face.
"How dare you, you evil bastard." She sobbed, "Don't treat me like...some whore who sleeps with everything with a dick between its legs. So you know, Spike, I'm carrying your demon spawn. I don't know how, or why. But I AM. And I don't want you anywhere near it. UNDERSTAND?"
Spike was shocked into silence as she choked back a sob and ran from the crypt, leaving him alone.
2003
Buffy sat in Willow and Tara's apartment, Cassandra sound asleep in her lap. Willow had been awake, reading over books for an upcoming mid-term. The witch, who was now practicing magic, little by little again, was sitting across from Buffy, a cup of herbal tee between her palms.
"Sorry to crash your study night." Buffy said, "But something was seriously up with Spike."
"He actually made you leave? What was it?"
"He got this package, said he didn't want me and Cassandra near it. He said he was safe, but we weren't."
"I don't get it."
"Me neither. But that pesky intuition of mine kicked in and I had to trust him." Buffy said, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Hm. Well, I'm sure it's ok. Your intuition is usual right on the money. It's actually kinda scary."
Buffy smiled. She rocked Cassandra gently as the baby fussed in her arms, "Willow? Do you remember the day I told Spike I was pregnant?"
"Do I?! Of course. That was one hell of a day. And night."
The blonde smiled, "I don't know why I thought of that. It just came to mind, suddenly."
"Spike reacted badly." Willow remembered, "That moment when you came back to the house, crying, screaming, throwing things, is one thing I will never forget."
"I went a little Jack Nicholson ala The Shining, didn't I?"
"Yup. Slayer-style."
Buffy laughed softly, "God, that feels like so long ago..."
2002
Buffy stopped, looking around the semi-trashed living room.
"Feel better?" Willow asked meekly from the couch, and Buffy nodded before collapsing in a sobbing heap.
Willow rushed to her side, taking Buffy's trembling body in her arms, running her hand in soothing circles over her back, like a mother to a child, "Shh. Buffy don't cry. It's gonna be fine."
"But it won't." Buffy sobbed, "It never will be. The consequences of this are huge, Will. Dawn could get taken away. I can't support her, and a baby. And HOW? How did this even happen?"
Willow shook her head, "We're looking into it. Tarah and I, that is. She's the only one I told. I needed help researching. But we can't find any instances...Can you remember anything from the past month or so that may have worked some freaky mojo on you guys?"
Buffy wiped away her tears and got herself together somewhat, "Let me think...Nothing really changed, I guess. It was...sex. Almost meaningless, but never quite. There were never any magical elements around, ever."
"What about demons? Or even suspicious looking people who may have--"
"Demons! Demons, and Spike cut his hand."
"You lost me, Buff."
"It was a month ago." Buffy recounted, "We were...making out, I guess. When these three demons just showed up. We fought them off, and one cut Spike with a dagger. They bled, some and maybe the blood got into the cut."
"What'd they look like?"
"Ugh. Greenish blue, three horns on their heads, two on the chin. They had ring piercings in the horns and their noses."
"Uh...gross. And you and Spike had sex after?"
"Yeah..." Buffy blushed faintly, "We should look into the demons."
"Definitely." Willow nodded, "I'll call Tarah and have her meet us at the Magic Box."