Spike packed his bag as Buffy and Jake watched. "Just be a couple of days, Luv." He ws trying to assure himself as much as Buffy. So often in the past he had relished revenge on those who had hurt him or his, but now he just wanted it over, so he could come home to Buffy and Jake. He wanted justice for Dawn and Chris , for Jake, but somehow he knew that to Dawn knowing that Jake was being loved and happy was more important.

"I know...but." Buffy bit her tongue, not wanting to let Spike know how scared she was fo being all alone with Jake.

He stopped packing and getnly took her chin in his hand, looking in to her eyes he spoike, 'I know you aren't saying it but you're scared to be alone. It's okay, Buffy. You'll do fine. Jake needs you and thats most important right now." He kissed her softly.

"I know." She sighed as she took one of Jakes hands in hers, the baby smiling and cooing at her, "And he does have to get those shots tomorrow."

"Yeah, and I'll be home day after tomorrow, you won't even miss me."

'I always miss you, Spike." Buffy smiled at him, "Be careful."

"It's just books Buffy." Spike replied a bit too quickly.

Buffy looked suspiciously at him, "You're sure about that? Angel's not dragging you into something?"

"No, he's not dragging me into anything." Spike replied honestly, because really he wasn't being dragged, he was going voluntarily, twisted justification but there it was.

"Now, I better get going." He picked up his bag with one hand taking her free hand in the other they walked down the steps together.

"Call me when you get there." Buffy told him as he hugged her as close to him as he could with Jake balanced in the crook of her arm.

"I will. You two have a good time." He pushed her hair behind her ear, "I love you."

"I love you too." She kissed him once more before he closed the door behind him. Buffy watched as the taillights made their way down Revello drive. "Well, are you ready for some supper and bedtime?" She asked Jake as she closed the curtain.

Jake gave her a soggy grin as she carried him to the kitchen.

******

"Spike, glad you could get here." Angel met him at the door to the Hyperion, "How is Buffy and Jake?"

"Their both fine, Jake's got a doctor appointment tomorrow. I told he I'd be home day after tomorrow. We can get this done by then, right?" Spike sat his bag down and plopped on to the couch.

"Yeah, I've found a weasel with some info, he can get us into the building just in time for a meeting at Wolfram and Hart, a meeting about the last case Chris was working on. We can go from there." Angel
sat down beside Spike. "Are you sure you know what you're doing not letting Buffy in on this?"

"She's "my" wife, Angel. I think I know her." Spike bit off the words.

"I just thnk that....." Angel didn't finish the sentence as Spike's glare cut him off.

"I need to call, let her know I'm here." Spike reached for his cell phone and dialed the number.

"Hello?" Buffy answered the phone still wrapped in her towel, she had showered quickly after putting Jake down for the night.

'I'm here, pet. How are you two doing?"

"Jake's asleep and I just got out of the shower." She told him as she reached for her comb.

"He's sleeping and you're freshely showered and I"m in LA.....darn." He grinned into the phone.

"Yep, baby sleeping and I'm in nothing but a towel......oh well." She laughed softly, "You are the one who didn't want me to come along."

"I always want you to come with me.....but there was that."

"I know the appointment for Jake. It's okay." Buffy heard a small cry from across the hall, "Speaking of Jake, I better go he's fussing. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Love you, night."

"I love you too. " He hung up the phone and grinned at Angel.

Angel rolled his eyes, the miracle of Spike and Buffy still managed to turn his stomach on occasion. Thankfully Wesley had arrived he stood to greet him.

"Spike, so good to see you." Wesley extended his hand.

"Nice to see you Wes." Spike stood, "So are we really going to look at books?"

"No, I'm here for backup. If Buffy calls tomorrow I'm to tell her you and Angel have gone out to pick up more text for me." Wesley explained.

Spike raised his eyes in Angels direction, "You have everything covered, don't you?"

"She may be your wife, but I also know Buffy." Angel answered with a raise of his
own eyebrow.

Wesley sighed loudly, "Enough of this. You're both here on a common mission. Angel, Spike's been with Buffy for years now, you know he has her best interest at heart," He turned to Spike, "Spike, Buffy's been with you for years now, you know there is no danger from Angel. You're here on the same mission, just get it down without bickering this once."

The two vampires gave each other a final stare and nodded thier heads, "You're right. Let's just get it done." Spike sat back down.

"I for one, am not entirely trusting of Angel's snitch." Wesley grimaced, "I've been privvy to the workings of Wolfram and Hart in the past and none of them can be trusted....."

"Wesley, this guy just wants to be paid and leave town. We'll be fine." Angel shook his head.

"Fine, but watch your back at all times." Wesley warned.

Angel began to go over the plans for the next evening.

***
Buffy rose early the next morning. Jake had settled down quickly after waking when Spike called and slept through the night without a problem. She had dressed and was now fixing his cereal and formula. Feeding Jake was always an adventure but she realized she needed a bib too as the rice cereal ran down his chin as she held him on her knee to feed him. He still wasn't very fond of the spoon and only about half of what went into his mouth stayed there. She gave him his bottle and bathed him, dressing him in a new outfit for his appointment.

The doctors office was full with parents and children. Buffy felt slighly out of place as a couple fo the mothers asked about Jake's weight gain since birth and if he had any allergies. She couldn't answer very well and when she explained about how she became Jake's guardian they gave her sympathetic looks and turned away.

Thankfully the nurse called Jake's name quickly and they were led to a small exam room. The nurse weighed and measured Jake recording it in the charts. She asked Buffy if he was having any problems and told her he would need his booster shots before she left. The doctor came in and looked Jake over prounouncing Jake healthy and right at where he needed to be developmentally. The nurse returned with the injections and quickly dispensed them. Jake only whimpered slightly - but gae Buffy a look that broke her heart. "Sorry, sweetie, it's for your own good." She told him as she redressed him.

"He may be a bit fussy later, sometimes they get that way when they have shots." The nurse warned as she left the room.
"Come on Sweetie. We have a trip to make." Buffy loaded him into his carseat and went home to pick up their bags. She had decided to go to LA afterall. She would go to see Mrs. Jameson first and then go to the Hyperion and surprise Spike and Angel.

****

"Are you sure this is where we were supposed to meet him?" Spike asked impatiently as he ground out a cigarette on the floor of the sewer.

"Thought you were quitting." Angel asked rolling his eyes.

"I am, but there's no baby round and it's not like the smoke's gonna hurt you. Where is this guy?"

"He'll be here. It's just now 5pm the meetings in thirty minutes." Angel adjusted the axe hanging off his belt.

"You're sure Wesley wasn't overreacting about trusting him? " Spike leaned against the damp wall and quickly straightened.

"You getting scared in your old age, Spike?" Angel smirked.

"No...I" Spike looked over Angel's shoulder, "That must be him." He motioned towards the hulking granith demon coming towards them.

"Yeah, that's him." Angel turned towards the demon, "Is everything ready?"

"Yes, the meeting will start shortly, I think you'll find all you need there. Follow me." The vampires followed the hulking gray granith up through an opening and into the Wolfram Hart Building.

*****
The confrence room at Wolfram and Hart was tastefully decorated, a sideboard held a selection of sandwiches and refreshments. Around the table several executives sat enjoying the snacks while several large demons guarded the door.

"They should arrive momentatrily." An older man stood at the head of the table, "This is a great time for Wolfram and Hart, we've not only rid ourselves of a pesky prosecutor but now we will also rid ourselves of an old foe - Angel and as a bonus the Slayer's husband. A great day indeed." He raised his glass in a toast.

Murmurs of congratulations were heard from the room.

*****

Wesley sat in front of the television flipping through each channel nervously. He was worried about Angel and Spike, nothing good ever came out of any association with Wolfram and Hart, he'd learned his lesson well. He stood and grabbed his coat, maybe he better go check on them, offer some assistance?

"Hello!" A familiar voice called into the room.

Wesley's expression was one of shock as he watched Buffy walk into the room pushing a stroller, diaper bag over her shoulder. "Buffy?"

"Hi, Wes. It's good to see you." She began to take the baby out of the stroller, "Where is that husband of mine?"

"He.....he and Angel have gone to pick up some more text, they'll be back soon, I'm sure." Wesley tried to cover.

"So where were you going?" Buffy asked as she placed the baby on her shoulder.

"Going?"

"Yes, you've got your coat on, you were headed towards the door when I came in." She bounced the baby slightly now and dug in the bag for something.

"Oh, umm...I thought maybe I'd join them." Wesley looked slightly panicked.

'Wesley, you arent' working on translations are you?" Buffy looked around the room, "I've seen the three of you in translation mode...where the books, the empty plates and cups?"

"We..."

"Don't even try to lie to me. Whats really going on here?" She seemed to find what she was looking for as she stuck a pacifier in the babies mouth.

"Buffy....." He started.

"Wesley, just tell me." Buffy ordered as she lay the baby down on the couch and began to change his diaper.

"You seem to have picked up on this parenting role very well, it suits you."

"Don't change the subject."

"They've gone to Wolfram and Hart, Angel has a snitch working there. They are going to invade a meeting tonight." Wesley esplained with a heavey sigh.

"What kind of meeting?"

"A meeting about Chis last case, evidently the men responisble for....." Wesley watched Buffy's eyes grow large with realization.

"Responsible for Dawn and Chris' death?" Buffy wrapped the soiled diaper up and lay it on the floor next to the couch.

"Yes."

"And they didn't want me involved?"

Wesley sat beside her, "Buffy, Spike didn't want you to have to worry about this or to possibly get hurt."

"That wasn't his decision to make for me. Where is this meeting?"

Wesley sighed then gave her the information she needed, :"Let me go with you. There could be trouble."

"No, you're staying here." Buffy replied gruffly.

"But I can help."

"Yes you can, you're going to baby sit. Everything he needs in that bag." Buffy kissed the top of Jakes head and handed the baby to Wesley.

TBC