Description: Buffy's not feeling well, Spike won't go away, and Dawn knows
more that she should. The Scoobies lives are about to be changed forever.
Rating: R
Pairing: Buffy/Spike (did you think otherwise?)
** Author's Notes: Ok this is just the cute chapter that everyone wanted. It's chock full of Spuffy sweetness! **
Another routine patrol, another routine slaying of routine vampires, another routine night. Spike felt himself being thrown into a bottomless rut; one filled with vampires and demons, and midnight cravings for salt- water taffy and coffee flavored ice cream. He already knew the man that worked nightshift at the corner market very well; knew every detail of his childhood, his first, second and even third marriages, and every job he ever held.
"Bloody hell!" Spike groaned as he took a swift kick to the stomach from a cocky fledgling he'd been brawling with the last ten minutes.
"You thought I'd be a push over, didn't you?" the newly fanged demon taunted Spike enjoying the workout. "Thought you could get a few kicks and punches in and that would be the end." He punctuated the last word with a hard kick to Spike's side, earning a howl out of the older vampire.
"Don't underestimate me." Spike growled pulling himself to his feet.
"And why not?" the fledgling asked. Before Spike could even think of an answer, a stake plunged through his opponent's chest from behind, turning the demon into nothing more than a pile of dust that was promptly blown away by the wind. Giles stood where the vampire had been only seconds before.
"Are you all right Spike?" He asked stepping forward.
"No thanks to you." Spike huffed attempting to brush the dust and mud off his precious duster. "Waited long enough didn't you? That vamp had me down and was having a bloody good time kicking the shit outta me."
"I was just, um, waiting for the right moment." Giles stumbled trying to come up with a good excuse.
"And that move would be what, exactly?" Spike asked, slightly annoyed. "Waiting for him to pull out the super soaker filled with Holy Water?" He didn't wait for the older man's response, stalking away in the opposite direction. "How long exactly before the Slayer can get her ass out here again?"
"Spike," Giles groaned having to visit this conversation again, "Buffy is almost six months pregnant, we can't have her out here attempting to thwart the demonic population of Sunnydale. It's not safe."
"And leaving me in a house with two hormonal women all day is?" Spike asked trying to be serious but a sly grin broke through still.
"Buffy and Dawn still giving you a hard time?" Giles asked, hefting a large battle-ax over his shoulder and falling into step beside Spike.
"Let's just say it's a good thing I don't sleep at night."
"What?" Giles asked, confused.
"Slayer sends me out for something different every night. One night she sent me for Barbeque Chips, a latte, and sweet and sour chicken. That's just gross, even for a creature of darkness." Spike laughed thinking about his nightly adventures. "And Niblet, she's worse. Every time there's a spider or a bug in the house she calls on me. Cause apparently she's afraid of them or some such nonsense. The way she screams, you'd think there was a Ragnah demon ripping her to shreds and eating her insides."
Giles grimaced at the lovely mental picture that Spike had just painted him, shaking his head to rid himself of the appalling image, he continued. "Well you just have to remember, it'll all be over in 3 months or so." he tried to reassure Spike.
"Yea, at least then I'll have one guy in the house with me, even if he is just a tiny thing." Spike stopped suddenly and stared off to the left.
Giles hadn't noticed and walked four or five steps ahead before he realized that his vampire accomplice wasn't beside him. Turning around he noticed that Spike was frozen in place, staring into a space hidden by a mausoleum. "Spike?"
"Shhh!" Spike silenced him, crouching beside the old crypt and peering around it.
Giles moved swiftly so he was kneeling on the ground beside him. "What is it?" He whispered before he saw them.
About fifty feet ahead, in a clearing behind a small group of tombstones stood a rather large group of.well.figures that appeared to be human. There must have been at least thirty, maybe more, forming a wide circle around a peculiar statue. They were on their knees bowing, but the few that were inside the circle joined hands to form a rough circle around the said statue, eyes turned towards the sky, chanting something below their breath.
"What the.?" Spike mumbled inching forward just a bit.
"Spike, don't move." Giles scolded him. "We don't know what they are or what they're capable of."
"And the best way to find out is to go in and join in the fun." He dropped to a low crouch and crawled out from behind the mausoleum, quickly taking shelter behind one of the larger tombstones. Giles made a move to follow him, but Spike gestured for him to stay back. Moving like a cat, Spike was quickly close enough to hear their words.
".God of the Privileged, God of All, hear our cry for justice!" one of them cried, "The sacrificial night draws nearer and our freedom is in our grasp! Oh Zaranah, we worship thee with much gratitude for our wealth. Come and join us in our preparations!"
Spike watched closely as the people forming the inner circle began to chant while the outer circle continued bowing. A quiet chanting began and grew louder and louder with every verse.
"Two of that two, that never should be. Two of the two, the ones we need. Two of the two, shall set us free!"
For some reason the words, the whole scene before him, sent chills down Spike's back. His game face slid into view and now Spike could see every detail. He took in every crease and scar of their faces and made a mental note of the location. Moving back, still in a crouch, Spike was greeted by the outstretched hand of Giles, helping him to his feet.
"What was that all about?" Giles inclined looking past Spike at the retreating figures.
"Not sure," Spike admitted picking up the stake he had dropped before he left to investigate, "but it looks like we've got some more bloody research ahead." he grumbled beneath his breath and joined Giles as they hurried out of the cemetery toward the Magic Box.
The sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky. The news had called for scattered showers all day for southern California, but that clearly wasn't the case in Sunnydale. It was a beautiful day, and much warmer than the average April day. It was a welcome change to all, but there were some things that never change.
Once again the gang was gathered at the Magic Box, each of their noses buried in ancient, dusty books. While Willow, Tara, and Giles were hard at work researching the newest cult to hit Sunnydale, Xander sat on the couch listening to Dawn ramble on and on about a new boy at school that was, as she put it, "a nice hunk of meat". Anya had made a fast-food run to get everyone something to refuel them, and Buffy and Spike were in the back room talking.
"So how was patrol last night?" Buffy asked as Spike threw a few punches at the hanging bag.
"Other than the robed wonders, nothing new." He huffed, landing a kick to the side of the bag. "Oh yeah and the Watcher nearly let my ass get staked by a fledgling."
"Ah, William the Bloody being taken down by a newby." Buffy laughed. "Something I never thought I'd hear. You used to be such a bad ass now look at you."
"Well what can I say?" Spike asked swaying seductively toward Buffy. "I've been housebroken." He placed a gentle kiss on her cheek and rested his palm against her stomach. "And how are my dears this morning?"
Although she was just under six months along, Buffy's stomach had grown to a fairly nice sized swell. Spike told her it was because she didn't eat nearly enough, and now forced her to eat three large meals a day. It had also become a ritual every morning that Spike would kiss her on the cheek and say good morning to the twins.
"They're just fine." Buffy smiled feeling his cold hand pressing against her skin. "Are you finished here?"
"Yeah," Spike answered unwrapping the tape from his hands, "let's go."
Buffy turned and walked out the door immediately greeted by Willow.
"Hey," the cheery redhead called, "how are you?"
"Just dandy." Buffy's face was lit up by a great smile.
"And how are we?" Willow asked crouching in front of her best friend and patting her stomach playfully. "How are Toby and Alexa today?"
"Will," Buffy grumbled trying to hide her smile, "you know those aren't their names."
"Oh they are." Willow smiled standing back up. "They love them don't you?"
"There's no way in soddin' hell that my boy is going to be called Toby." Spike growled stepping out of the training room. "It's a bloody ponce's name."
"His name is going to be William." Buffy stared down at the bulge in her abdomen and smiled, tracing tiny circles on it with her fingertips. "We already decided on William. William Andrew."
"And the girl?" Tara asked from the table.
"You know, Willow is an exceptional name." Will tried to pass off, with a grin. Buffy merely smiled and shook her head.
"Oh can I tell?" Dawn asked excitedly. She jumped up off the couch almost plowing over Willow to get to Buffy and Spike.
Buffy looked back at Spike then to Dawn. Her sister's face was full of excitement and pride. "She did come up with it." Buffy whispered back to Spike.
"Go head Bit." Spike said.
"Okay," Dawn addressed the group, "the names are William Andrew and Audra Lynn." Dawn stood proudly in front of the Scoobies awaiting their approval.
"I like them." Xander finally piped up. It had taken Xander almost a full month to full accept that Buffy was pregnant and Spike was the father. But now he had not only accepted it, but also embraced it fully. He once told Buffy, "Anything I can do, don't hesitate to ask."
"Very lovely." Giles flashed Buffy a bright smile and went back to his book. "Although I still think Rupert would have been an excellent choice." He muttered under his breath.
Buffy moved to the table and took a seat next to Tara. "So what do we have in the way of the creepy cult thingies?" She picked up one of the bigger books and began to flip through the pages.
"Buffy what are you doing?" Giles asked eyebrows raised.
"I'm helping with the research." She explained. "Since I can't do the field work anymore, I need to feel useful." She began looking through the book and got no more than five pages before a puzzled look spread across her face. "I have absolutely no idea how to do research." She admitted bitterly shoving the book away.
"It's quite all right." Giles comforted her. "We have this covered."
"So what do we know, Watcher?" Spike asked hoisting himself up onto the counter. He knew Giles despised it when he did that, but that only made Spike do it more often.
"Well from the information you supplied, if it is correct." Giles began before he was cut off.
"Hey," Spike came to his own defense, "my mind is better than anyone's here and I've been dead for 160 years. Still crystal clear up here." He tapped the top of his platinum head.
"Yes, well," Giles began again, "from what we've found, they're called the Guild of Zaranah. They were a reigning cult throughout Europe in the early fifth century, worshiping Zaranah, savior of the damned. There was rumor that they were extinct."
"I think it's safe to say they're not." Xander joked, earning a grin from Dawn.
"Quite," Giles agreed. He was about to elaborate when the bell above the Magic shop's door jingled happily with the arrival of Anya.
"I've got loads of greasy, fatty goodness!" she announced.
"All right," Xander cheered, "Food!" He jumped off the couch and raced over to his girlfriend, grabbing one of the many bags out of her arms. He opened it quickly and explored the contents. "Chicken nuggets, French fries, and B-B-Q sauce.Dawn." He tossed the bag across the room to the youngest Scooby who was eagerly awaiting it.
"Willow," Anya thrust a bag at the red headed witch, a look of disgust on her face.
"What?" Willow asked taking the bag and looking through it.
"You got a zucchini burger?" Tara asked innocently, looking to her girlfriend. "Honey that's.well.weird."
"There's nothing wrong with zucchini."
"Spike, I stopped at the butcher's and got you the freshest blood they had." Spike jumped off the counter and strolled over to Anya, who handed him the bag.
"Thanks." He mumbled.
"Giles," Buffy shoved a plain white bag across the table to her Watcher, "either Anya just got some really good drugs off the street or it's you're sandwich from the deli." Giles merely glared at her and took the bag. "So what'd ya get me?" Buffy asked excited.
"Salad." Tara passed a clear plastic container to Buffy. Inside was a wild array of lettuce, carrots, cheese, tomatoes, and dressing.
"Salad?" the Slayer asked, disappointed. "How come I don't get any fatty, greasy goodness?"
Spike scrunched in next to her and took her hand. He placed it gently on her growing stomach. "This is why." He said simply.
Buffy grumbled, opening the salad and stabbing some of the vegetables. "Being pregnant sucks."
Rating: R
Pairing: Buffy/Spike (did you think otherwise?)
** Author's Notes: Ok this is just the cute chapter that everyone wanted. It's chock full of Spuffy sweetness! **
Another routine patrol, another routine slaying of routine vampires, another routine night. Spike felt himself being thrown into a bottomless rut; one filled with vampires and demons, and midnight cravings for salt- water taffy and coffee flavored ice cream. He already knew the man that worked nightshift at the corner market very well; knew every detail of his childhood, his first, second and even third marriages, and every job he ever held.
"Bloody hell!" Spike groaned as he took a swift kick to the stomach from a cocky fledgling he'd been brawling with the last ten minutes.
"You thought I'd be a push over, didn't you?" the newly fanged demon taunted Spike enjoying the workout. "Thought you could get a few kicks and punches in and that would be the end." He punctuated the last word with a hard kick to Spike's side, earning a howl out of the older vampire.
"Don't underestimate me." Spike growled pulling himself to his feet.
"And why not?" the fledgling asked. Before Spike could even think of an answer, a stake plunged through his opponent's chest from behind, turning the demon into nothing more than a pile of dust that was promptly blown away by the wind. Giles stood where the vampire had been only seconds before.
"Are you all right Spike?" He asked stepping forward.
"No thanks to you." Spike huffed attempting to brush the dust and mud off his precious duster. "Waited long enough didn't you? That vamp had me down and was having a bloody good time kicking the shit outta me."
"I was just, um, waiting for the right moment." Giles stumbled trying to come up with a good excuse.
"And that move would be what, exactly?" Spike asked, slightly annoyed. "Waiting for him to pull out the super soaker filled with Holy Water?" He didn't wait for the older man's response, stalking away in the opposite direction. "How long exactly before the Slayer can get her ass out here again?"
"Spike," Giles groaned having to visit this conversation again, "Buffy is almost six months pregnant, we can't have her out here attempting to thwart the demonic population of Sunnydale. It's not safe."
"And leaving me in a house with two hormonal women all day is?" Spike asked trying to be serious but a sly grin broke through still.
"Buffy and Dawn still giving you a hard time?" Giles asked, hefting a large battle-ax over his shoulder and falling into step beside Spike.
"Let's just say it's a good thing I don't sleep at night."
"What?" Giles asked, confused.
"Slayer sends me out for something different every night. One night she sent me for Barbeque Chips, a latte, and sweet and sour chicken. That's just gross, even for a creature of darkness." Spike laughed thinking about his nightly adventures. "And Niblet, she's worse. Every time there's a spider or a bug in the house she calls on me. Cause apparently she's afraid of them or some such nonsense. The way she screams, you'd think there was a Ragnah demon ripping her to shreds and eating her insides."
Giles grimaced at the lovely mental picture that Spike had just painted him, shaking his head to rid himself of the appalling image, he continued. "Well you just have to remember, it'll all be over in 3 months or so." he tried to reassure Spike.
"Yea, at least then I'll have one guy in the house with me, even if he is just a tiny thing." Spike stopped suddenly and stared off to the left.
Giles hadn't noticed and walked four or five steps ahead before he realized that his vampire accomplice wasn't beside him. Turning around he noticed that Spike was frozen in place, staring into a space hidden by a mausoleum. "Spike?"
"Shhh!" Spike silenced him, crouching beside the old crypt and peering around it.
Giles moved swiftly so he was kneeling on the ground beside him. "What is it?" He whispered before he saw them.
About fifty feet ahead, in a clearing behind a small group of tombstones stood a rather large group of.well.figures that appeared to be human. There must have been at least thirty, maybe more, forming a wide circle around a peculiar statue. They were on their knees bowing, but the few that were inside the circle joined hands to form a rough circle around the said statue, eyes turned towards the sky, chanting something below their breath.
"What the.?" Spike mumbled inching forward just a bit.
"Spike, don't move." Giles scolded him. "We don't know what they are or what they're capable of."
"And the best way to find out is to go in and join in the fun." He dropped to a low crouch and crawled out from behind the mausoleum, quickly taking shelter behind one of the larger tombstones. Giles made a move to follow him, but Spike gestured for him to stay back. Moving like a cat, Spike was quickly close enough to hear their words.
".God of the Privileged, God of All, hear our cry for justice!" one of them cried, "The sacrificial night draws nearer and our freedom is in our grasp! Oh Zaranah, we worship thee with much gratitude for our wealth. Come and join us in our preparations!"
Spike watched closely as the people forming the inner circle began to chant while the outer circle continued bowing. A quiet chanting began and grew louder and louder with every verse.
"Two of that two, that never should be. Two of the two, the ones we need. Two of the two, shall set us free!"
For some reason the words, the whole scene before him, sent chills down Spike's back. His game face slid into view and now Spike could see every detail. He took in every crease and scar of their faces and made a mental note of the location. Moving back, still in a crouch, Spike was greeted by the outstretched hand of Giles, helping him to his feet.
"What was that all about?" Giles inclined looking past Spike at the retreating figures.
"Not sure," Spike admitted picking up the stake he had dropped before he left to investigate, "but it looks like we've got some more bloody research ahead." he grumbled beneath his breath and joined Giles as they hurried out of the cemetery toward the Magic Box.
The sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky. The news had called for scattered showers all day for southern California, but that clearly wasn't the case in Sunnydale. It was a beautiful day, and much warmer than the average April day. It was a welcome change to all, but there were some things that never change.
Once again the gang was gathered at the Magic Box, each of their noses buried in ancient, dusty books. While Willow, Tara, and Giles were hard at work researching the newest cult to hit Sunnydale, Xander sat on the couch listening to Dawn ramble on and on about a new boy at school that was, as she put it, "a nice hunk of meat". Anya had made a fast-food run to get everyone something to refuel them, and Buffy and Spike were in the back room talking.
"So how was patrol last night?" Buffy asked as Spike threw a few punches at the hanging bag.
"Other than the robed wonders, nothing new." He huffed, landing a kick to the side of the bag. "Oh yeah and the Watcher nearly let my ass get staked by a fledgling."
"Ah, William the Bloody being taken down by a newby." Buffy laughed. "Something I never thought I'd hear. You used to be such a bad ass now look at you."
"Well what can I say?" Spike asked swaying seductively toward Buffy. "I've been housebroken." He placed a gentle kiss on her cheek and rested his palm against her stomach. "And how are my dears this morning?"
Although she was just under six months along, Buffy's stomach had grown to a fairly nice sized swell. Spike told her it was because she didn't eat nearly enough, and now forced her to eat three large meals a day. It had also become a ritual every morning that Spike would kiss her on the cheek and say good morning to the twins.
"They're just fine." Buffy smiled feeling his cold hand pressing against her skin. "Are you finished here?"
"Yeah," Spike answered unwrapping the tape from his hands, "let's go."
Buffy turned and walked out the door immediately greeted by Willow.
"Hey," the cheery redhead called, "how are you?"
"Just dandy." Buffy's face was lit up by a great smile.
"And how are we?" Willow asked crouching in front of her best friend and patting her stomach playfully. "How are Toby and Alexa today?"
"Will," Buffy grumbled trying to hide her smile, "you know those aren't their names."
"Oh they are." Willow smiled standing back up. "They love them don't you?"
"There's no way in soddin' hell that my boy is going to be called Toby." Spike growled stepping out of the training room. "It's a bloody ponce's name."
"His name is going to be William." Buffy stared down at the bulge in her abdomen and smiled, tracing tiny circles on it with her fingertips. "We already decided on William. William Andrew."
"And the girl?" Tara asked from the table.
"You know, Willow is an exceptional name." Will tried to pass off, with a grin. Buffy merely smiled and shook her head.
"Oh can I tell?" Dawn asked excitedly. She jumped up off the couch almost plowing over Willow to get to Buffy and Spike.
Buffy looked back at Spike then to Dawn. Her sister's face was full of excitement and pride. "She did come up with it." Buffy whispered back to Spike.
"Go head Bit." Spike said.
"Okay," Dawn addressed the group, "the names are William Andrew and Audra Lynn." Dawn stood proudly in front of the Scoobies awaiting their approval.
"I like them." Xander finally piped up. It had taken Xander almost a full month to full accept that Buffy was pregnant and Spike was the father. But now he had not only accepted it, but also embraced it fully. He once told Buffy, "Anything I can do, don't hesitate to ask."
"Very lovely." Giles flashed Buffy a bright smile and went back to his book. "Although I still think Rupert would have been an excellent choice." He muttered under his breath.
Buffy moved to the table and took a seat next to Tara. "So what do we have in the way of the creepy cult thingies?" She picked up one of the bigger books and began to flip through the pages.
"Buffy what are you doing?" Giles asked eyebrows raised.
"I'm helping with the research." She explained. "Since I can't do the field work anymore, I need to feel useful." She began looking through the book and got no more than five pages before a puzzled look spread across her face. "I have absolutely no idea how to do research." She admitted bitterly shoving the book away.
"It's quite all right." Giles comforted her. "We have this covered."
"So what do we know, Watcher?" Spike asked hoisting himself up onto the counter. He knew Giles despised it when he did that, but that only made Spike do it more often.
"Well from the information you supplied, if it is correct." Giles began before he was cut off.
"Hey," Spike came to his own defense, "my mind is better than anyone's here and I've been dead for 160 years. Still crystal clear up here." He tapped the top of his platinum head.
"Yes, well," Giles began again, "from what we've found, they're called the Guild of Zaranah. They were a reigning cult throughout Europe in the early fifth century, worshiping Zaranah, savior of the damned. There was rumor that they were extinct."
"I think it's safe to say they're not." Xander joked, earning a grin from Dawn.
"Quite," Giles agreed. He was about to elaborate when the bell above the Magic shop's door jingled happily with the arrival of Anya.
"I've got loads of greasy, fatty goodness!" she announced.
"All right," Xander cheered, "Food!" He jumped off the couch and raced over to his girlfriend, grabbing one of the many bags out of her arms. He opened it quickly and explored the contents. "Chicken nuggets, French fries, and B-B-Q sauce.Dawn." He tossed the bag across the room to the youngest Scooby who was eagerly awaiting it.
"Willow," Anya thrust a bag at the red headed witch, a look of disgust on her face.
"What?" Willow asked taking the bag and looking through it.
"You got a zucchini burger?" Tara asked innocently, looking to her girlfriend. "Honey that's.well.weird."
"There's nothing wrong with zucchini."
"Spike, I stopped at the butcher's and got you the freshest blood they had." Spike jumped off the counter and strolled over to Anya, who handed him the bag.
"Thanks." He mumbled.
"Giles," Buffy shoved a plain white bag across the table to her Watcher, "either Anya just got some really good drugs off the street or it's you're sandwich from the deli." Giles merely glared at her and took the bag. "So what'd ya get me?" Buffy asked excited.
"Salad." Tara passed a clear plastic container to Buffy. Inside was a wild array of lettuce, carrots, cheese, tomatoes, and dressing.
"Salad?" the Slayer asked, disappointed. "How come I don't get any fatty, greasy goodness?"
Spike scrunched in next to her and took her hand. He placed it gently on her growing stomach. "This is why." He said simply.
Buffy grumbled, opening the salad and stabbing some of the vegetables. "Being pregnant sucks."
