Good Afternoon, All,
Don't be frightened (or excited) by the title. This is, indeed, a PG-13 chapter. But I think you will find it apt.
Hopefully, the next chapter will be out on Wednesday. Things have been quite hectic for me, so no guarantees, but things are looking good right now.
I hope you enjoy the chapter and let me know what you think!
*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: Sex in Twenty-First Century America (Chapter Nine of The One)
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 and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)
Summary: Spike, Cyrus and Buffy discuss the events of the night before. But are the children safe while out with Dawn? Willow and Tara discuss their decision. Spike is given information regarding his daughter's fate that doesn't sit well with him. The Watchers begin to sort out what is happening in Sunnydale.
Sex in Twenty-First Century America
Giles leaned back in the overstuffed arm chair and threaded his hands together behind his head. He looked tired. And concerned. Basically a permanent expression for a Watcher. At least a Summers/Windsor girl Watcher. Cyrus shared the expression.
"Where is Emma now?" Cyrus asked, leaning forwards with his elbows on his knees.
"With Dawn," Buffy answered. "I think she was taking the kids out for ice cream and to play." She stopped a moment, thinking. "It. it *is* safe right? I mean, it's daylight."
The Watchers looked at each other. "You can't stop their lives, Buffy, but I think there is more to this than just coincidence or the natural progression of the One," Giles continued. He looked at both the Slayer and her Vampire for a long moment, watching their faces both tighten with concern. "Until we know what is causing this, or if it will progress much further, then I suspect it might be. wise. to keep Emma and William close. Not to let them go out unprotected."
Buffy jumped up, panic in her movements. She scanned the room for her jacket. "I'll go find them."
"Buffy, I am sure they're fine," Cyrus said, a weak smile on his face. "Besides, we've more to talk about."
Spike shot a warning glance at the Watcher and rose with Buffy. "You tell us to keep them close, as if you know something about what the bloody hell is happening, then expect us *not* to go and find them?"
Slowly, Cyrus nodded, understanding. "My apologies."
Buffy grabbed Spike's hand and he reached for his jacket. "Spike," she whispered softly. "We need to figure this out. Stay here and finish with the third degree. I'll go and get Dawn and the kids."
Spike looked at her as if she might've grown a second head. "Did our conversation outside mean *anything* to you, Buffy?"
She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "It did," Buffy answered firmly. "But we need to get a handle on this fast. If you help them, then maybe we won't have to think about that again for a while. All right?" He still looked at her as if she'd slaughtered a calf. "And I promise, if anything pops out, I will grab the kids and run. I don't want to fight without you at my back. And I won't. Okay?"
Sometimes, you just have to compromise. "All right," he conceded, nodding. "But if you see anything, don't rise to it, Pet. We don't know what's coming, and we don't know how to."
She silenced him, pressing her lips to his. Spike relaxed into the kiss, her hands stroking his arms. "I promise. I'll find them and be back before you know it."
"Right then," Spike sighed. "Be careful. I love you."
She grinned broadly. "Always"
Before he could respond, she turned, bolting out of the house.
"Don't you think he. he should... he should be here when we talk about this?" Tara asked, sitting down across the coffee table from Willow.
"Um. well, I mean. do you have any idea what you want to do?" Willow asked, sipping at a mug full of tea. "I mean, how."
"No," Tara asked. "I mean. do we. or should we?"
"Sleep with him?" Willow asked. She shuddered a bit. Not that she had a bad memory. But men had been out of her life in that respect for so long, she wasn't sure that she remembered what to do. Then again, she mused, it was probably like riding a bike. "And who. who. you know? The mom thing. Who gets to be the mom?"
Tara looked down, her fingers tracing the top of the cup. "Well, he's. he was your boyfriend, Willow. I. I mean. you would be the obvious choice. Not... not to mention that. well, I've sort of been gay all along."
It hadn't really occurred to Willow that Tara had never been with a man before. Ever. "You mean. you never *ever*."
Tara shook her head. "Nope."
"Oh," Willow gasped. "I mean. do you want to? I mean, not regularly because. ewww. but is it something you think you want to."
"Try?" Tara helped. "Not particularly. Although I guess it wouldn't be all bad."
"It's not," Willow answered, almost too quickly. Tara quirked an eyebrow, the side of her mouth twitching in a half smile. "I mean, it's got nothing on."
"I know," the shyer girl responded. "I know what you meant."
Willow was silent for a moment. "You'd. you'd be such a great mom," she sighed. "And, I don't know. there's something almost. sexy. about knowing you're going to carry our child."
"Goes both ways," Tara responded, that same hint of a smile and raise of an eyebrow decorating her pretty face. "So, what do we do?"
Willow sighed, leaning back into the chair. "I mean. we could go Artificial Insemination and they could try with both of us. It would double our chances."
"We could," Tara said, again smiling. Something about that smile made Willow tilt her head and study her. "But Spike is right, sort of crass as he might have seemed."
"About what *now*?" Willow groaned half-heartedly, rolling her eyes.
"If we are going to do this, we should just do it," Tara answered. "I mean, the... the package deal. It's worth a try."
Willow's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "You. you want to sleep with him? I mean, you and him and... The bed. and... And . sex?" She stuttered, gob smacked by the admission.
Tara had to laugh. "No, silly. Well, yeah. But not like that. I don't want to sleep with *Oz*. I want to sleep with you."
The redhead was lost. "What. what are you.You know that we don't really have all the. stuff. to make a baby."
The shy one had to laugh out loud at that. "I'm no medical student," she began, her smile now fully evident. "But I think I understand what it takes."
"So, how?" Willow wondered, still completely lost.
Tara smiled again. "I want to sleep with *you*, Willow. Always. But. what if he just happens to be there?"
"Spike, there is *nothing* else you can remember?" Giles pressed, leaning towards the Vampire. He didn't like the strained look on Spike's face. It was times like these he could remember in some part of his Watcher mind, that Spike still had a demon inside that was carefully controlled. That look on his face, when Buffy or the kids were in trouble, was the only real reminder that any of them had outside of battle.
"No," Spike answered curtly. "What you read from your little notebooks, what Buffy said, 'bout sums it up."
Cyrus sighed. "Look," he said quietly. "I know that you're upset, Spike. Worried. But we have information that there is movement on the Draconius. issue."
With that, Spike's eyes flew open and flashed yellow. "He's dead, Mate. Well and truly."
"And you know exactly how permanent that can be in this town," Giles responded succinctly. "Dead is relative. It means he has moved into another dimension. One in which we *think* he is trapped."
"You *think*!" Spike exploded. He stood with a jump, beginning to pace. "Why in bloody hell are you just telling us this now?"
"Because I just found out on a Council call yesterday morning," Cyrus responded quietly.
"Then you should've told us *yesterday* so my. so Buffy. my family. would not be out there alone right now," Spike snapped, beginning to pace the length of the couch.
"It was Christmas," Giles answered. "Neither you and Buffy, nor those children, have nearly enough normal moments in your lives. You needed to be letting them have a happy holiday, Spike. Be their . relatively. normal parents when you can. Show them life is not all about battle and worry."
"Ours *is*," Spike hissed, still stalking the room like a jungle cat.
Cyrus had to laugh. Giles soon joined in with him. Spike turned, his head jerking around to face the Watchers. "What? What's so bloody funny?"
Giles sighed as he giggled. "Yes, of course. We forgot you making Christmas dinner and origami hats for your children and practically molesting Buffy in front of your friends and family were about the battle."
Spike tried not to smile. Tried not to admit to the level of domesticity into which his life had settled. But he couldn't. The tension escaped with a rush of air between his lips. "Well that last bit can resemble battle. On occasion."
"No information needed," Giles commented, watching Spike settle back down on the couch. "So, just enjoy those moments when you can. If we had thought the threat to be imminent, we would have told you sooner. As it stands, it's more rumour."
Cyrus still chuckled to himself. "That was quite good green bean casserole, Spike."
"Sod off," Spike hissed, tossing an aggravated glare at the newer Watcher. "You'd learn to cook as well if you had Buffy preparing your meals. We'd all be wasting away."
Cyrus just continued chuckling.
"Back to the point, and the conversation that we had with Council headquarters. There is information that Draconius may be trying to upset the balance in this dimension, in order to create enough confusion to extract Emma," Giles continued, his tone concerned, but lighter than before. It was easier to speak frankly if one didn't have to wonder if the person with which one was speaking might lose his temper and rip your tongue out.
"I thought you said he was trapped," Spike questioned, letting his arm drape over the side of the couch. The worry was still there. If Buffy wasn't back in half an hour, he was going to find them, Watchers or no.
"He is," Cyrus responded. "We know that to free him, it will take a mystical confluence. A series of events occurring all at once, and those events could not have happened yet. Not to mention, we aren't exactly sure what they are." The last words trailed off in the hopes that Spike might not hear them.
No such luck.
"If you aren't sure what they *are*, oh mighty Watcher, then how are you sure they haven't happened?" Spike snarked, the tone coming back into his voice.
"For one," Cyrus answered, his voice wavering. Spike was not going to like this no matter how he put it. "Emma must be an adult. Reached physical maturity." Maybe I can leave it there, he thought. But Spike was giving him a look that said he knew there was more and would wait only so long to be told before beginning to remove the Watcher's body parts. "And . and."
"Oh, spit it out, Cyrus," Spike growled. "Haven't got all bloody day."
Cyrus looked at Giles. "Spike, for this to happen, she will not be. there will have to be a . an ... event. to make her not completely pure. Not wholly sacred. Not that she will in any way be bad. But..."
"Spike," Giles finally interrupted, saving Cyrus from saying it. "Part of what has to happen for the confluence to occur is a chink in her armour. She will not be a virgin."
It took a moment for Spike to register that. To fully take in what the Watchers were saying. They were talking about a five year old's future sex life. That was bad enough. But his *daughter's*. That was worse. His breaths came in quick, angry pants and he could feel the blood boiling just beneath the skin. But he controlled himself. "Well, that's easy enough to handle. Just won't let her near boys. Chastity belts will be in fashion. Been thinking bout that anyway."
"Spike," Giles sighed again. "I know this is a subject that you do not want to discuss, and there is no need to do so now. But it is proof that Draconius cannot be released from his dimension. Still, you must think. Times are not as they were when you were a child. Nor even me. Look at. even look at Buffy's generation."
That did it. Spike stood, angrier by the moment. "If you're asking me to think of the. to think of what. Buffy. even what *I* did with Buffy... before. No."
"I'm not asking any such thing," Giles answered. "What I am saying is that protecting her from what has come to be a normal young woman's life will be much more difficult. Even with the highest of moral standards, women in love do odd and out of character things."
Spike grumbled, crossing his arms. "I'll chain her to a wall then. Or me. Put one of those ankle collar things on her so I can track her every move."
"Oh, and Buffy will certainly agree to that," Giles countered. "Chaining your daughter to a wall."
The Vampire sighed, sitting down again. "No," he said. "But who's to say she can stop me?"
Cyrus and Giles looked at each other and sighed. "Spike, if you aren't fully aware of your completely whipped status, then we shouldn't be the ones to tell you."
"I'm not.!" Spike snapped, and then sighed, resigned. "All right. So I am. But that doesn't mean that I have no say in the matter."
"No, it doesn't," Cyrus said simply. "But you will have to accept that children do grow up. They become teenagers. And then adults. Like you or Buffy."
"Oh God," Spike sighed, burying his head in his hands. "I was just getting the hang of this bit. Sod all. How am I expected to do this?"
"You'll figure it out," Giles answered compassionately. "It'll be easier with Will. But this isn't something supernatural. Anya and I, Xander and Takina, we'll all have a whole new world of worries when they're older."
"So nice of you to remind me," Spike snarked. "Can't we just. I don't know, keep 'em tots a while longer?"
"Alas no," Giles sighed. "We will have to brave the frontiers like the warriors that we are. But, at least your mind should be at ease that Draconius cannot escape."
"Bloody hell," Spike sighed. "So, if the wanker is trapped, why are we worried about him?"
"Well," Cyrus began again. "It is proxy movement we have come to be concerned about."
Spike furrowed his brow. "Not sure I'm understanding."
"For example," Giles began. "When you still had your chip, we knew you could not feed directly on humans, correct?"
"Right," Spike drew out, trying to follow.
"But you could've had another Vampire do the killing and then feed from the corpse," Giles continued. "Therefore not activating the chip, but still harming a human by proxy."
"Didn't though. Grew a damned conscience somewhere along the way," Spike corrected.
"But you could have," Cyrus said. "You could have had minions actually execute the mayhem, and you just sit back and watch."
Spike nodded. "S'pose I could've."
"Right," Giles responded. "So, it isn't impossible that Draconius has found a way to send another to this dimension, or several others, to execute his plans in his absence." Giles paused for a moment. "I doubt highly he's grown a conscience."
"How could he manage that?" Spike asked, now leaning forward, hands clasped between his knees.
"Any number of ways. Enchant another being. A spell. It would have to have a vessel in this dimension. And Draconius is arrogant. He'd not trust the free will of another, no matter how evil. He would want a shell. An automaton. And would most likely have this shell mindlessly do his bidding via some sort of animation or enchantment," Cyrus continued.
"Like a robot," Giles continued. "One that is either programmed to do his bidding. Or carries some sort of vessel for a spell that will do the work for him."
Spike thought for a moment. "I haven't. I mean, how would we know?"
"Of that, I am not sure," Cyrus responded. "But this is why we keep asking if there is anything else that happened before the battle last night. Trying to narrow down the research. We need to be precise. If nothing unusual strikes you, we need to be delving into the Prophesy of the One rather than bothering with Draconius. What could cause it to overlap between the both of you or if this is natural progression. If something else happened, then possibly, we need to be on alert for activity from Draconius."
"We need to do that either way, Mate," Spike responded, leaning back against the couch. A thought occurred to him like a bolt of lightning and his hand slapped to his chest. "Wait."
"What?" Giles asked, leaning forward with interest. "Do you remember something?"
Spike furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of it. "When Buffy and I walked into the cemetery, something odd happened. Felt like something passed right through me. Through my chest. I remember looking at her and she sort of snapped back, like she'd taken a blow. But nothing was there. Checked her over myself and not a scratch on her pretty little head."
"Nothing on either of you? Cyrus asked.
"No," Spike replied, focusing again on the Watchers. "Thought it might've been something we ate. Or the wind. Or maybe even some wayward spirit. But didn't seem to do anything. Just odd."
"Could be a spell," Cyrus said to Giles. "Or some sort of controlling mechanism."
"Could be," Giles responded. He turned to Spike. "The same spot on each of you?"
"When I looked at her, her hand was slapped to her heart. Same with me," Spike answered, wondering why it hadn't occurred to him before. "But nothing else. I mean, nothing more than the normal One bit. Feeling her thoughts. Getting in each other's heads."
"Right," Giles said. "Gives us a place to start, though. You're right; we need to watch Draconius either way. But I think it's time we paid some attention to the Prophesy of the One as well."
Spike nodded. "You're free to research here," he commented. "Could probably help."
"That'd be good," Giles answered. "Could you have the others come by later? We all need to be on the same page."
"Maybe you can make another green bean casserole," Cyrus rubbed in. Spike lunged forward, growling jokingly.
Just then, the door swung open. Buffy rushed in, her eyes nervous and afraid. "Spike!"
His heart sank in his chest, looking at her pretty, frightened eyes. He was out of the chair and halfway to the door before she could finish. 'What is it, love?"
Her voice was thready. "It's Will."
To be contd.
Don't be frightened (or excited) by the title. This is, indeed, a PG-13 chapter. But I think you will find it apt.
Hopefully, the next chapter will be out on Wednesday. Things have been quite hectic for me, so no guarantees, but things are looking good right now.
I hope you enjoy the chapter and let me know what you think!
*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: Sex in Twenty-First Century America (Chapter Nine of The One)
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 and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)
Summary: Spike, Cyrus and Buffy discuss the events of the night before. But are the children safe while out with Dawn? Willow and Tara discuss their decision. Spike is given information regarding his daughter's fate that doesn't sit well with him. The Watchers begin to sort out what is happening in Sunnydale.
Sex in Twenty-First Century America
Giles leaned back in the overstuffed arm chair and threaded his hands together behind his head. He looked tired. And concerned. Basically a permanent expression for a Watcher. At least a Summers/Windsor girl Watcher. Cyrus shared the expression.
"Where is Emma now?" Cyrus asked, leaning forwards with his elbows on his knees.
"With Dawn," Buffy answered. "I think she was taking the kids out for ice cream and to play." She stopped a moment, thinking. "It. it *is* safe right? I mean, it's daylight."
The Watchers looked at each other. "You can't stop their lives, Buffy, but I think there is more to this than just coincidence or the natural progression of the One," Giles continued. He looked at both the Slayer and her Vampire for a long moment, watching their faces both tighten with concern. "Until we know what is causing this, or if it will progress much further, then I suspect it might be. wise. to keep Emma and William close. Not to let them go out unprotected."
Buffy jumped up, panic in her movements. She scanned the room for her jacket. "I'll go find them."
"Buffy, I am sure they're fine," Cyrus said, a weak smile on his face. "Besides, we've more to talk about."
Spike shot a warning glance at the Watcher and rose with Buffy. "You tell us to keep them close, as if you know something about what the bloody hell is happening, then expect us *not* to go and find them?"
Slowly, Cyrus nodded, understanding. "My apologies."
Buffy grabbed Spike's hand and he reached for his jacket. "Spike," she whispered softly. "We need to figure this out. Stay here and finish with the third degree. I'll go and get Dawn and the kids."
Spike looked at her as if she might've grown a second head. "Did our conversation outside mean *anything* to you, Buffy?"
She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "It did," Buffy answered firmly. "But we need to get a handle on this fast. If you help them, then maybe we won't have to think about that again for a while. All right?" He still looked at her as if she'd slaughtered a calf. "And I promise, if anything pops out, I will grab the kids and run. I don't want to fight without you at my back. And I won't. Okay?"
Sometimes, you just have to compromise. "All right," he conceded, nodding. "But if you see anything, don't rise to it, Pet. We don't know what's coming, and we don't know how to."
She silenced him, pressing her lips to his. Spike relaxed into the kiss, her hands stroking his arms. "I promise. I'll find them and be back before you know it."
"Right then," Spike sighed. "Be careful. I love you."
She grinned broadly. "Always"
Before he could respond, she turned, bolting out of the house.
"Don't you think he. he should... he should be here when we talk about this?" Tara asked, sitting down across the coffee table from Willow.
"Um. well, I mean. do you have any idea what you want to do?" Willow asked, sipping at a mug full of tea. "I mean, how."
"No," Tara asked. "I mean. do we. or should we?"
"Sleep with him?" Willow asked. She shuddered a bit. Not that she had a bad memory. But men had been out of her life in that respect for so long, she wasn't sure that she remembered what to do. Then again, she mused, it was probably like riding a bike. "And who. who. you know? The mom thing. Who gets to be the mom?"
Tara looked down, her fingers tracing the top of the cup. "Well, he's. he was your boyfriend, Willow. I. I mean. you would be the obvious choice. Not... not to mention that. well, I've sort of been gay all along."
It hadn't really occurred to Willow that Tara had never been with a man before. Ever. "You mean. you never *ever*."
Tara shook her head. "Nope."
"Oh," Willow gasped. "I mean. do you want to? I mean, not regularly because. ewww. but is it something you think you want to."
"Try?" Tara helped. "Not particularly. Although I guess it wouldn't be all bad."
"It's not," Willow answered, almost too quickly. Tara quirked an eyebrow, the side of her mouth twitching in a half smile. "I mean, it's got nothing on."
"I know," the shyer girl responded. "I know what you meant."
Willow was silent for a moment. "You'd. you'd be such a great mom," she sighed. "And, I don't know. there's something almost. sexy. about knowing you're going to carry our child."
"Goes both ways," Tara responded, that same hint of a smile and raise of an eyebrow decorating her pretty face. "So, what do we do?"
Willow sighed, leaning back into the chair. "I mean. we could go Artificial Insemination and they could try with both of us. It would double our chances."
"We could," Tara said, again smiling. Something about that smile made Willow tilt her head and study her. "But Spike is right, sort of crass as he might have seemed."
"About what *now*?" Willow groaned half-heartedly, rolling her eyes.
"If we are going to do this, we should just do it," Tara answered. "I mean, the... the package deal. It's worth a try."
Willow's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "You. you want to sleep with him? I mean, you and him and... The bed. and... And . sex?" She stuttered, gob smacked by the admission.
Tara had to laugh. "No, silly. Well, yeah. But not like that. I don't want to sleep with *Oz*. I want to sleep with you."
The redhead was lost. "What. what are you.You know that we don't really have all the. stuff. to make a baby."
The shy one had to laugh out loud at that. "I'm no medical student," she began, her smile now fully evident. "But I think I understand what it takes."
"So, how?" Willow wondered, still completely lost.
Tara smiled again. "I want to sleep with *you*, Willow. Always. But. what if he just happens to be there?"
"Spike, there is *nothing* else you can remember?" Giles pressed, leaning towards the Vampire. He didn't like the strained look on Spike's face. It was times like these he could remember in some part of his Watcher mind, that Spike still had a demon inside that was carefully controlled. That look on his face, when Buffy or the kids were in trouble, was the only real reminder that any of them had outside of battle.
"No," Spike answered curtly. "What you read from your little notebooks, what Buffy said, 'bout sums it up."
Cyrus sighed. "Look," he said quietly. "I know that you're upset, Spike. Worried. But we have information that there is movement on the Draconius. issue."
With that, Spike's eyes flew open and flashed yellow. "He's dead, Mate. Well and truly."
"And you know exactly how permanent that can be in this town," Giles responded succinctly. "Dead is relative. It means he has moved into another dimension. One in which we *think* he is trapped."
"You *think*!" Spike exploded. He stood with a jump, beginning to pace. "Why in bloody hell are you just telling us this now?"
"Because I just found out on a Council call yesterday morning," Cyrus responded quietly.
"Then you should've told us *yesterday* so my. so Buffy. my family. would not be out there alone right now," Spike snapped, beginning to pace the length of the couch.
"It was Christmas," Giles answered. "Neither you and Buffy, nor those children, have nearly enough normal moments in your lives. You needed to be letting them have a happy holiday, Spike. Be their . relatively. normal parents when you can. Show them life is not all about battle and worry."
"Ours *is*," Spike hissed, still stalking the room like a jungle cat.
Cyrus had to laugh. Giles soon joined in with him. Spike turned, his head jerking around to face the Watchers. "What? What's so bloody funny?"
Giles sighed as he giggled. "Yes, of course. We forgot you making Christmas dinner and origami hats for your children and practically molesting Buffy in front of your friends and family were about the battle."
Spike tried not to smile. Tried not to admit to the level of domesticity into which his life had settled. But he couldn't. The tension escaped with a rush of air between his lips. "Well that last bit can resemble battle. On occasion."
"No information needed," Giles commented, watching Spike settle back down on the couch. "So, just enjoy those moments when you can. If we had thought the threat to be imminent, we would have told you sooner. As it stands, it's more rumour."
Cyrus still chuckled to himself. "That was quite good green bean casserole, Spike."
"Sod off," Spike hissed, tossing an aggravated glare at the newer Watcher. "You'd learn to cook as well if you had Buffy preparing your meals. We'd all be wasting away."
Cyrus just continued chuckling.
"Back to the point, and the conversation that we had with Council headquarters. There is information that Draconius may be trying to upset the balance in this dimension, in order to create enough confusion to extract Emma," Giles continued, his tone concerned, but lighter than before. It was easier to speak frankly if one didn't have to wonder if the person with which one was speaking might lose his temper and rip your tongue out.
"I thought you said he was trapped," Spike questioned, letting his arm drape over the side of the couch. The worry was still there. If Buffy wasn't back in half an hour, he was going to find them, Watchers or no.
"He is," Cyrus responded. "We know that to free him, it will take a mystical confluence. A series of events occurring all at once, and those events could not have happened yet. Not to mention, we aren't exactly sure what they are." The last words trailed off in the hopes that Spike might not hear them.
No such luck.
"If you aren't sure what they *are*, oh mighty Watcher, then how are you sure they haven't happened?" Spike snarked, the tone coming back into his voice.
"For one," Cyrus answered, his voice wavering. Spike was not going to like this no matter how he put it. "Emma must be an adult. Reached physical maturity." Maybe I can leave it there, he thought. But Spike was giving him a look that said he knew there was more and would wait only so long to be told before beginning to remove the Watcher's body parts. "And . and."
"Oh, spit it out, Cyrus," Spike growled. "Haven't got all bloody day."
Cyrus looked at Giles. "Spike, for this to happen, she will not be. there will have to be a . an ... event. to make her not completely pure. Not wholly sacred. Not that she will in any way be bad. But..."
"Spike," Giles finally interrupted, saving Cyrus from saying it. "Part of what has to happen for the confluence to occur is a chink in her armour. She will not be a virgin."
It took a moment for Spike to register that. To fully take in what the Watchers were saying. They were talking about a five year old's future sex life. That was bad enough. But his *daughter's*. That was worse. His breaths came in quick, angry pants and he could feel the blood boiling just beneath the skin. But he controlled himself. "Well, that's easy enough to handle. Just won't let her near boys. Chastity belts will be in fashion. Been thinking bout that anyway."
"Spike," Giles sighed again. "I know this is a subject that you do not want to discuss, and there is no need to do so now. But it is proof that Draconius cannot be released from his dimension. Still, you must think. Times are not as they were when you were a child. Nor even me. Look at. even look at Buffy's generation."
That did it. Spike stood, angrier by the moment. "If you're asking me to think of the. to think of what. Buffy. even what *I* did with Buffy... before. No."
"I'm not asking any such thing," Giles answered. "What I am saying is that protecting her from what has come to be a normal young woman's life will be much more difficult. Even with the highest of moral standards, women in love do odd and out of character things."
Spike grumbled, crossing his arms. "I'll chain her to a wall then. Or me. Put one of those ankle collar things on her so I can track her every move."
"Oh, and Buffy will certainly agree to that," Giles countered. "Chaining your daughter to a wall."
The Vampire sighed, sitting down again. "No," he said. "But who's to say she can stop me?"
Cyrus and Giles looked at each other and sighed. "Spike, if you aren't fully aware of your completely whipped status, then we shouldn't be the ones to tell you."
"I'm not.!" Spike snapped, and then sighed, resigned. "All right. So I am. But that doesn't mean that I have no say in the matter."
"No, it doesn't," Cyrus said simply. "But you will have to accept that children do grow up. They become teenagers. And then adults. Like you or Buffy."
"Oh God," Spike sighed, burying his head in his hands. "I was just getting the hang of this bit. Sod all. How am I expected to do this?"
"You'll figure it out," Giles answered compassionately. "It'll be easier with Will. But this isn't something supernatural. Anya and I, Xander and Takina, we'll all have a whole new world of worries when they're older."
"So nice of you to remind me," Spike snarked. "Can't we just. I don't know, keep 'em tots a while longer?"
"Alas no," Giles sighed. "We will have to brave the frontiers like the warriors that we are. But, at least your mind should be at ease that Draconius cannot escape."
"Bloody hell," Spike sighed. "So, if the wanker is trapped, why are we worried about him?"
"Well," Cyrus began again. "It is proxy movement we have come to be concerned about."
Spike furrowed his brow. "Not sure I'm understanding."
"For example," Giles began. "When you still had your chip, we knew you could not feed directly on humans, correct?"
"Right," Spike drew out, trying to follow.
"But you could've had another Vampire do the killing and then feed from the corpse," Giles continued. "Therefore not activating the chip, but still harming a human by proxy."
"Didn't though. Grew a damned conscience somewhere along the way," Spike corrected.
"But you could have," Cyrus said. "You could have had minions actually execute the mayhem, and you just sit back and watch."
Spike nodded. "S'pose I could've."
"Right," Giles responded. "So, it isn't impossible that Draconius has found a way to send another to this dimension, or several others, to execute his plans in his absence." Giles paused for a moment. "I doubt highly he's grown a conscience."
"How could he manage that?" Spike asked, now leaning forward, hands clasped between his knees.
"Any number of ways. Enchant another being. A spell. It would have to have a vessel in this dimension. And Draconius is arrogant. He'd not trust the free will of another, no matter how evil. He would want a shell. An automaton. And would most likely have this shell mindlessly do his bidding via some sort of animation or enchantment," Cyrus continued.
"Like a robot," Giles continued. "One that is either programmed to do his bidding. Or carries some sort of vessel for a spell that will do the work for him."
Spike thought for a moment. "I haven't. I mean, how would we know?"
"Of that, I am not sure," Cyrus responded. "But this is why we keep asking if there is anything else that happened before the battle last night. Trying to narrow down the research. We need to be precise. If nothing unusual strikes you, we need to be delving into the Prophesy of the One rather than bothering with Draconius. What could cause it to overlap between the both of you or if this is natural progression. If something else happened, then possibly, we need to be on alert for activity from Draconius."
"We need to do that either way, Mate," Spike responded, leaning back against the couch. A thought occurred to him like a bolt of lightning and his hand slapped to his chest. "Wait."
"What?" Giles asked, leaning forward with interest. "Do you remember something?"
Spike furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of it. "When Buffy and I walked into the cemetery, something odd happened. Felt like something passed right through me. Through my chest. I remember looking at her and she sort of snapped back, like she'd taken a blow. But nothing was there. Checked her over myself and not a scratch on her pretty little head."
"Nothing on either of you? Cyrus asked.
"No," Spike replied, focusing again on the Watchers. "Thought it might've been something we ate. Or the wind. Or maybe even some wayward spirit. But didn't seem to do anything. Just odd."
"Could be a spell," Cyrus said to Giles. "Or some sort of controlling mechanism."
"Could be," Giles responded. He turned to Spike. "The same spot on each of you?"
"When I looked at her, her hand was slapped to her heart. Same with me," Spike answered, wondering why it hadn't occurred to him before. "But nothing else. I mean, nothing more than the normal One bit. Feeling her thoughts. Getting in each other's heads."
"Right," Giles said. "Gives us a place to start, though. You're right; we need to watch Draconius either way. But I think it's time we paid some attention to the Prophesy of the One as well."
Spike nodded. "You're free to research here," he commented. "Could probably help."
"That'd be good," Giles answered. "Could you have the others come by later? We all need to be on the same page."
"Maybe you can make another green bean casserole," Cyrus rubbed in. Spike lunged forward, growling jokingly.
Just then, the door swung open. Buffy rushed in, her eyes nervous and afraid. "Spike!"
His heart sank in his chest, looking at her pretty, frightened eyes. He was out of the chair and halfway to the door before she could finish. 'What is it, love?"
Her voice was thready. "It's Will."
To be contd.