2002
Sunnydale
Buffy stepped out into the dim twilight, pausing on the back porch to watch as Spike paced under the tree, stopping to take drags from the cigarette between his fingers every so often. She sighed, worried about his antsy-ness the past few days. He was stressed over everything from Angel to Buffy's father.
"Spike?" She said his name softly as she approached him slowly, "You OK?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just um...restless, I guess." He muttered, stomping out the cigarette.
"It's only a few days, you know." Buffy assured him, "Angel is only coming to see Faith."
"I know that."
"Spike, please. When he comes, don't start--"
"I *won't*" He growled, digging in his pocket for his Marlboros.
"Would you grow up?!" Buffy demanded, snatching the pack of cigarettes out of his hand, "Jesus, Spike, you can't handle three days with Angel around?"
"I can handle it." He muttered, "I just hate the stupid--"
"Why?" She interrupted, "What makes you hate him? I thought vampires were supposed to be connected to their sires."
"Right." Spike snorted, "Angelus was an arsehole of a sire. Then when the bloody git lost his soul, he came back and gave me another round. He always has what I want to most." He leaned against the tree, his eyes becoming sad, "He always, *always* had Dru, no matter what. He had you. He still has you."
"No."
"Don't deny it, Buffy." He said sadly, "A nice big part of you still belongs to my sire."
Buffy sighed and took Spike's hands in hers, pulling him reluctantly away from the tree, "Spike, I don't love Angel like I used to. I still feel for him, and I always will. Angel and I had a connection that will be there forever."
"Great. Just aim below the belt, why don't you."
"Let me finish." She took his left hand and placed it over her abdomen, "I love you, Spike. I don't say it enough, and should've told you sooner than I did, but I do. It's your baby I'm carrying and Angel being here won't change that."
Spike sighed and dropped a kiss on her forehead, "Cor, Slayer, you're..."
"Beautiful, strong, smart, perfect?" She finished, "Yes. I know."
"And so modest, too." Spike chuckled, holding her closer, "Alright, then. I'll be civil to the poofter."
"Good."
2003
Sunnydale
Willow sighed, her foot tapping rapidly on the kitchen floor. Buffy paced, and Tarah gently rocked the baby as she watched the Slayer walk a trench through the living room floor.
"He should've called by now." Buffy muttered, "It's been almost two days...Something is really wrong."
"Buffy, I'm sure he's--"
Buffy whirled around to face Willow, "No! Will, he isn't fine. I just...I just know that something has happened." Tears started to trickle down her cheeks, "God, what is he's...I mean, I don't know what I'd do if something happened to him."
Willow stood and rushed to her friend, pulling Buffy into her arms, "Oh, Buffy, it's OK."
"We're nothing without him, Will. He's my life."
"We know." Tarah whispered, standing to place a hand on Buffy's shoulder. The blond turned and forced a smile, gently taking Cassandra from Tarah.
"Thanks, you guys. But I won't stop wigging until he calls and I know for sure he's OK."
2002
Sunnydale
By Friday, also known as The Arrival of Angel Day, tension was so high in the house, Faith was sure you could reach out and touch it. She watched as Buffy did her best to keep calm, and Spike had pretended to be watching Passions (which he taped during the day while he slept) while constantly standing to look out the window every few seconds. Dawn, however, was bouncing off the walls with sugar-induced hyper-ness. Faith gave the kid five more minutes before Spike grabbed her and restrained her to the chair. *Oh yes, we're all just one big happy family, we are*
"They're here." Dawn said suddenly from the window. Faith glanced at the clock and noted that it was 9:10 pm. Right, so by 9:45, Spike and Angel would be killing eachother and Wesley will have declared his hatred of her. Yay, they're here.
Buffy sent a nervous glance at Spike, whose eyes had remained glued to Passions, then to Faith, "Here goes nothing, huh?"
Faith shot the other Slayer a smile and a wink and answered the door.