A/N : Finally got around to updating this, I've been meaning to post this chapter for a couple of days!
Thanks for the reviews so far. Reviews are very much appreciated (--subtle hint!)
Here's the next chapter...
(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)
Chapter 9
"Oh my God, Rupert I'm so sorry" Jessica was almost in tears as she helped her ex-boyfriend into a nearby chair. Blood trickled from his nose where Spike had placed two forceful punches, which he had proclaimed to be one for his mother and one for himself. Beside the pain that Giles felt through his whole head, the man was also very confused.
"I'm quite alright" he lied, taking a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe away the blood, "I think, perhaps you might have an explanation for what just happened?"
Jessica sat down in her seat beside him again as he tilted his head and attempted to stem the blood flow as well as block out the searing pain.
Jessica decided just to say what she came to say. As tears of regret and fear trickled down her cheeks she forced out the important words.
"William is your son"
Giles looked over at her, looked her right in the eyes and just stared.
"My son?" he choked out, in disbelief and shock, the pain in his face almost completely forgotten now.
Jessica could only nod in response.
"My son" the librarian repeated, out loud and in his head, over and over, trying to make sense of it. He had a son, he and Jessica had a son called William, known as Spike, and who apparently had an impressive right hook.
Jessica managed to find her voice and gave a little more explanation.
"I didn't know about him until after you'd gone, and I tried to find you but people said you'd left the country and I didn't know what to do" she cried, tears of guilt for not trying harder to find him, of relief at finally being able to explain, and of fear of what his reaction might be.
Giles shook his head as if to clear the fog that seemed to fill it.
"Er, but, I don't understand..." he began, "I mean we, er...it only happened...once"
Jessica smiled in spite of her tears. She knew what he meant and was afraid to say.
"Once is all it takes" she said simply, "William is living proof of that"
Giles nodded, of course she was right, but he was simply astounded by it all.
"I never knew..." he trailed off, wondering how different his life might have been if only he had have known, if he'd have stayed in England with the love of his life, for that was what Jessica Hart was, always. She had been the first and only girl he'd loved, and then regrettably lost. But here she was, in front of him now and telling him they had a son together. Speaking if whom...
"William, he, erm, he seemed rather upset"
"He really had no reason to hit you like that" Jessica said quickly, "I've told him so many time, explained that you had no idea. I know you would never have left if you'd have known"
"Oh no, indeed, of course not" Giles agreed, "Jessica, I never wanted to leave anyway, you do know that, I had no idea how long I was to be away and there was no way I could have brought you with me even if I'd known I couldn't return"
"It's okay" Jessica told him, "I understand" it sounded shocking even to her own ears as she said it, but it was true. She did understand, as crazy as the whole situation was and as much hurt and anguish as she had been through she didn't blame her dear Rupert at all, she loved him too much - then and now.
Outside...
It was a good five minutes before Spike lifted his head from Buffy's shoulder and she released him from her embrace. He couldn't look her in the eye, he felt like such and idiot. He pretended to be big and tough but he was a scared little boy inside. Finding out that Giles was his father, it had been too much, resulting first in anger and mindless violence and then later in tears from the guilt and shock.
"You wanna talk about it?" Buffy asked him gently as he sniffed and looked down at the ground again.
"What's to talk about?" he shrugged, and Buffy knew this was going to be harder than she thought. She wanted to help him but it was clear he wasn't going to let her.
"Well" she said slowly, "you're upset, it might help to talk about how you feel"
Spike let out a humourless chuckle.
"I don't do the touchy-feely stuff"
"You did last night" she reminded him.
He swung his head round and looked straight at her, the memories of the night before very clear suddenly. The secrets they'd shared, and the kissing he'd initiated, but then there was this morning and she'd been so off with him.
"Why'd you care about me all of a sudden?" he asked eyeing her carefully "This morning you didn't want to know" he said bitterly, looking away again.
"Spike..." she started, but to be honest she didn't know what had changed. She didn't know why she'd done and said what she had that morning. The night before had been great, just talking and sharing and of course the kissing had been incredible but afterwards she'd gotten all worried and panicky about a possible relationship and the complications that could bring.
Her time with Angel had been wonderful but it had all gone wrong. There was the advantage with Spike that he was human, but he wasn't exactly your average guy. He was...different, that was the only word Buffy could think of. Angel had been different, vampire-type different, and that had led to too many problems. Spike was at least only British-type different and Goth kind of different, that was an improvement.
So deep in thought was the Slayer that she didn't notice Spike stand up and start to walk away. His question had gone unanswered and he had wrongly assumed that she didn't care about him at all.
"Spike!" she called him back as soon as she noticed he was leaving, but he didn't listen.
"Leave me alone Slayer" he called over his shoulder, but she wouldn't let him be alone.
"No" she called, hurrying along behind him. She knew he couldn't get far, the school gates would be locked, "Spike, please, just listen for a minute"
"To what?" he asked not looking at her, before continuing to speak without giving her a chance to answer, "Y'know I'm starting to wish I'd never come to this place. Sunnydale" he scoffed, "they should rename it Sunny-Hell! Two days here and already my life has been turned upside down!"
Buffy really wasn't sure what to say, but she couldn't seem to make herself walk away and leave this guy alone. She wanted to help him, needed to, just wanted to do something to ease the pain he clearly felt.
"I never asked for a father" Spike continued his 'speech' still with an angry tone but with an edge of sadness too, "Now I've found him I don't know what to do about it and it's all this stupid towns fault! Two days and I've managed to meet my father and beat the crap out of him as well as meet a Slayer and fall for her and all before we've even finished unpacking!"
"Woah" Buffy stopped walking and her mouth dropped wide open, "back up a second"
Spike also stopped walking just a couple of steps ahead of the girl and inwardly cursed as soon as he realised what he'd said and to whom he'd said it.
"You wanna repeat what you just said?" Buffy asked his back, since he had yet to turn around.
"Not especially no" he threw over his shoulder, continuing walking away, but there was no way the young Slayer was going to let that happen. He had just said he'd fallen for her, hadn't he? She could hardly believe that was true. They'd only known each other for two days! But she had to care for him too, against her better judgement or why else would she care so much that he might like her?
Spike cursed loud and long when he reached the school gates and found them locked as Buffy knew they would be. He slammed his arms into the metal railings which jangled in protest at his force.
"Bloody buggering hell-hole of a place" he cursed, "Buggering up my life good and proper" He knew he needed to calm down and seeing as no-one was around, he felt in his pocket for his cigarettes. Buffy reached his side as he tried to light one but the hand that held the lighter shook with frustration making it impossible.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Buffy demanded to know.
"Spare me the 'smoking is fatal' speech, pet" Spike protested "now is not a good time!"
"Oh screw the smoking" Buffy was getting increasingly annoyed at this guys ridiculous attitude. He seemed somewhat shocked by her outburst, but she didn't notice and continued anyway.
"First of all, I know it was a shock finding out who your father was but you're lucky you found out you had such a nice guy for a Dad, God knows I wish my Dad was as decent as Giles! Secondly, house moving is stressful I understand that but not the huge deal you're making it out to be and thirdly..." here she trailed off for a second before deciding she really did have to ask, "what the hell did you mean when you said you fell for me?!"
The entire speech sounded loud and annoyed and all in the same tone, but the last question scared her to death. Could she deal with this now? Did she want Spike to more than just like her or feel attracted to her but to, maybe, love her? It was crazy after just two days but yes, she did want him to feel that way, she honestly did.
"Well?" she asked, hands on her hips and a fierce expression on her face, more through expertly-concealed fear than anger, but he didn't know that "Are you gonna answer me?"
As Spike opened his mouth to speak, his unlit cigarette fell from his mouth, unnoticed. He really couldn't think of anything to say to her, all he could think was how stunning she was when she was angry, and he knew if he told her that he'd soon learn, what Slayer strength could do, so he closed his mouth again and just stared at her for a second.
Buffy watched and waited for what felt like an eternity as Spike's mouth opened and closed like a goldfish but no sound came out. Suddenly, without warning, he was right in front of her, not two or three steps away but right in her face and then his lips were on hers and his hands were on her waist and it was last night all over again...and Buffy realised she didn't mind at all.
To Be Continued...
