A Shot In The Dark
Chapter 15
"Come on Buffy Love, you have to calm down, it's not good for the baby," said Spike.
Buffy kept pacing up and down, mumbling to herself, Spike caught a hold of her to stop her movements.
"Huh?" she asked as if suddenly aware that Spike was there for the first time.
" Sit down," he said, walking her over to their sofa.
He put one of the cushions on the arm of the chair and got a blanket off the back of the sofa.
"Come on lay down, and get some rest, you look exhausted," he encouraged.
Buffy let out a big yawn, and stretched.
"But I'm not at all sleepy," she said yawning again.
"Yeah right," said Spike as he lifted her legs on to the sofa and covered her up.
He sat on the floor and stroked a stray lock of hair from her face. She caught his hand and kissed the tip of one finger.
"Love you," she said sleepily closing her eyes.
"As I love you," he whispered.
Buffy soon fell asleep, Spike went over to a battered old table in one corner of the room, and lit a candle. He sat at his typewriter, his fingers poised over the keys; he closed his eyes, willing the memories of his former life to wash over him. He began to type.
It was 1882, he had been a vampire for a little over two years, He had travelled the length and breadth of England with his vampire companions, Druscilla, Darla and his nemesis Angel, they had been in Yorkshire these past six months, picking off the best families from Victorian high society. But the net was finally starting to close in on them, they had been chased out of the last two towns by an angry mob, hiding in a mine shaft...
Spike was brought back to the present as his ears pricked up, he blew out the candle and walked silently to the crypt door, easily able to see in the darkened room. He walked over to the weapons chest and took out a cross bow, then he made his way over to the door, resting his ear against its surface, he heard the faint rustling noise again. Spike punched in the security code and opened the door, looking out into the darkness.
"Hello, anyone there, I've got a bloody great cross bow here and a pointy thing with your name on it," said Spike.
Silence, Spike looked across at a particularly dense patch of shrubs, the hairs on the back of his neck tingled. He held the cross bow out in front of him, and advanced on the bushes, he could smell presence.
"Come out, come out where ever you are," said Spike in a sing song voice.
He rushed at the bushes, just as a dark figure launched himself from it's cover and knocked Spike over, Spike was quick to recover, he flipped himself over and took aim at the retreating figure, he let the arrow fly, it hit whoever it was in the ass. The assailant yelped with pain, but carried on running.
Spike felt white hot pain shoot through his head, he clutched his head and yelled out in agony. Buffy heard his cry and immediately awoke. She rushed to his aid as quickly as her pregnant body would let her.
"Spike, what is it?" she said alarmed.
Spike couldn't speak for a moment, the pain still too intense.
"Some bastard was watching us, shot him in the ass," he managed to get out.
"Human," stated Buffy.
"Yeah, I'd say that was a given judging by my head," said Spike sarcastically.
She let him lean on her as she helped him back into the crypt.
"Any idea who?" asked Buffy.
"I'd hazard a guess, it was your ex-boyfriend," said Spike.
"He was not my boyfriend, we never even kissed," said Buffy defensively , pushing him down on the sofa.
"Well that's good to know," he replied.
Buffy left him and went to their kitchen area, she soaked a cloth in cool water and brought it back over to him, placing it on his forehead. Spike sighed at the relief it brought. Buffy sat on the sofa next to him, holding his hand.
"I'm sorry you missed," she said quietly.
Spike opened his eyes and looked at her in surprise.
"Thought you were the protector of all humans?" he said.
"Yeah, but I wouldn't put Riley Finn in that category, would you, if it came down to choosing his life over that of yours and our baby, he would lose every time," said Buffy.
Spike smiled.
"It was worth the headache, that git won't be able to sit down for days," he grinned.
Buffy giggled and ruffled Spike's hair.
"Hey, not the hair, never the hair," he said in half hearted protest.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Riley limped back to the dorm, his ass was on fire from the pain, he had snapped off the shaft of the cross bow bolt, so as not to attract attention to himself. He had radioed Forrest to meet him in his room, he was gonna need assistance to get this out, the seething hatred he felt towards Buffy and H17 had only grown over his six-month absence, blaming them for his reassignment.
He couldn't believe it, back in Sunnydale only one day and he'd been shot in the ass. He entered his dorm, looking to make sure no-one was around, he made it upstairs as best he could. Forrest was waiting inside for him, as Riley entered the room and closed the door Forrest had to stifle his laughter, when he saw the problem, he straightened up his face, just as Riley turned to look at him.
Forrest reached for the large medical kit that Riley had stashed under his bed.
"Drop your pants Finn," he smirked, he was going to enjoy this.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Giles knocked at the crypt door, it was his first visit since Buffy and Spike had moved in, and he felt it was long over due. Buffy opened the door.
"Giles! Great to see ya, come in," said Buffy enthusiastically.
"Sorry I haven't come here before now," said Giles apologetically.
"Never mind that, Spike's just getting the manuscript in order, thanks for finding us someone to look it over," said Buffy.
Giles came in and sat down in Spike's favourite armchair.
"Hey move it!" said Spike
Buffy glared at Spike.
"Sit where you like Giles, you are the guest," emphasised Buffy.
Spike shuffled his papers into order and bound them with string.
"This is only the first few chapters, take care of it," said Spike handing it to Giles.
"After facing several Apocalypse's I think I might manage to get this safely to a publishing house," said Giles wryly.
Giles looked at the couple, they both looked tired, but it was something more.
"Is everything alright?" asked Giles.
"Oh bleeding peachy, Buffy's college professor and her evil minions are planning to steal our baby for genetic experiments, life just doesn't get any better," replied Spike
"Spike, Giles was only concerned," said Buffy sternly.
"Sorry mate, just a bit wired right now, we think Riley was here last night watching us," said Spike.
"Why didn't anyone call me?" asked Giles.
"Didn't seem any point, besides Spike got him," said Buffy.
"I'll bet that hurt you," said Giles.
"Like hell, but I think it hurt Captain cardboard a lot more, I'd wager," grinned Spike.
"You killed him?" asked Giles.
Buffy giggled.
"No, he shot him in the ass," she said proudly.
Giles looked at them, they all burst out laughing in unison.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A couple of weeks had passed since the Riley incident, it was the night before Christmas eve, Buffy had packed their bags ready for their visit to her mom's house. Buffy's mom had arranged a little party at home, before they got down to a family Christmas. All her friends would be there, she was looking forward to it. Since discovering the Initiative's plans, she was starting to feel a little confined, a few more days, and she was sure should would start to exhibit the symptoms of cabin fever.
Spike and Buffy felt quite relaxed as Forrest had reported to them that the Initiative had all, but shut down over the holiday season and as there had been no re-appearance of Riley, who was at that moment back in Iowa with his family for Christmas, they were looking forward to the next few days.
Spike came down the ladder and put his arms around Buffy's waist, she smiled.
"All packed, you ready?" she asked.
"Yep, switched everything off," he replied.
Spike took the bags up, Buffy followed behind him. Getting up the ladder was becoming increasingly difficult for Buffy, she was quite out of breath by the time she reached the top.
"You okay pet?" he asked in concern.
"Just give me a minute," she puffed.
Buffy got her breath back, she looked around the crypt doubling checking everything.
"Hey, I already did that," said Spike Indignantly.
"Well, was you planning to leave the fairy lights on the whole time we were gone?" she asked disconnecting them.
"Why not? I am sure the Sunnydale light company won't miss it," he replied.
"Let's get going, we're gonna be late," said Buffy.
Spike picked up their case and waited outside the crypt as Buffy locked up.
"Gonna miss our little home," she said sniffling.
"Oh Buffy love we'll only be gone a couple of days," he soothed.
"Sorry, just the hormones in overdrive," she said.
Spike linked hands with her and they walked to her mom's in companionable silence.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy and Spike entered her mother's home, Giles was the only occupant in the lounge.
"Where is everyone?" asked Buffy.
"Your mum is in the kitchen preparing party food and everyone else isn't due for at least an hour," said Giles.
"You said be here by eight," said Spike in annoyance.
Buffy disappeared into the kitchen to see her mom.
"Well, I though you might want to know about your manuscript," said Giles, adjusting his glasses.
"Yeah, too right, I haven't fretted this much since Red broke the spell and Buffy left me," admitted Spike.
"I think you going to have a very good Christmas this year Spike," said Giles smiling at him.
Giles took an envelope out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Spike, Spike took it and ripped it open impatiently. He sat down abruptly on the sofa, rubbing his eyes in disbelief
"$50,000!" said Spike in disbelief.
"And there's more where that came from, that's just an advance, to keep you writing," said Giles, slapping him on the back.
Spike recovered himself and whooped for joy, he picked up Giles and hugged him.
"Yes, that's enough, now put me down," said Giles, nervously.
"Oh yeah, sorry about that mate," said Spike almost dropping Giles in his haste.
Spike disappeared into the kitchen to share his good news with Buffy, while Giles busily tried to straighten his clothing.
"Buffy love look," said Spike, as excited as a child.
He handed the cheque to Buffy.
"Oh my God, Your book?" she asked
"Yes!" he said gathering her into his arms for a hug.
She kissed him soundly on the lips.
"I am so proud of you, and not just because of the money," she said
"I know, couldn't have done it without you, you are my muse, my inspiration," he said.
Buffy turned to her mom.
"Get in here for a hug," said Buffy.
"Are you sure there's room?" asked Joyce smiling as she joined the couple.
Joyce just hoped they would take the other news so well at dinner tomorrow night.
TBC
Chapter 15
"Come on Buffy Love, you have to calm down, it's not good for the baby," said Spike.
Buffy kept pacing up and down, mumbling to herself, Spike caught a hold of her to stop her movements.
"Huh?" she asked as if suddenly aware that Spike was there for the first time.
" Sit down," he said, walking her over to their sofa.
He put one of the cushions on the arm of the chair and got a blanket off the back of the sofa.
"Come on lay down, and get some rest, you look exhausted," he encouraged.
Buffy let out a big yawn, and stretched.
"But I'm not at all sleepy," she said yawning again.
"Yeah right," said Spike as he lifted her legs on to the sofa and covered her up.
He sat on the floor and stroked a stray lock of hair from her face. She caught his hand and kissed the tip of one finger.
"Love you," she said sleepily closing her eyes.
"As I love you," he whispered.
Buffy soon fell asleep, Spike went over to a battered old table in one corner of the room, and lit a candle. He sat at his typewriter, his fingers poised over the keys; he closed his eyes, willing the memories of his former life to wash over him. He began to type.
It was 1882, he had been a vampire for a little over two years, He had travelled the length and breadth of England with his vampire companions, Druscilla, Darla and his nemesis Angel, they had been in Yorkshire these past six months, picking off the best families from Victorian high society. But the net was finally starting to close in on them, they had been chased out of the last two towns by an angry mob, hiding in a mine shaft...
Spike was brought back to the present as his ears pricked up, he blew out the candle and walked silently to the crypt door, easily able to see in the darkened room. He walked over to the weapons chest and took out a cross bow, then he made his way over to the door, resting his ear against its surface, he heard the faint rustling noise again. Spike punched in the security code and opened the door, looking out into the darkness.
"Hello, anyone there, I've got a bloody great cross bow here and a pointy thing with your name on it," said Spike.
Silence, Spike looked across at a particularly dense patch of shrubs, the hairs on the back of his neck tingled. He held the cross bow out in front of him, and advanced on the bushes, he could smell presence.
"Come out, come out where ever you are," said Spike in a sing song voice.
He rushed at the bushes, just as a dark figure launched himself from it's cover and knocked Spike over, Spike was quick to recover, he flipped himself over and took aim at the retreating figure, he let the arrow fly, it hit whoever it was in the ass. The assailant yelped with pain, but carried on running.
Spike felt white hot pain shoot through his head, he clutched his head and yelled out in agony. Buffy heard his cry and immediately awoke. She rushed to his aid as quickly as her pregnant body would let her.
"Spike, what is it?" she said alarmed.
Spike couldn't speak for a moment, the pain still too intense.
"Some bastard was watching us, shot him in the ass," he managed to get out.
"Human," stated Buffy.
"Yeah, I'd say that was a given judging by my head," said Spike sarcastically.
She let him lean on her as she helped him back into the crypt.
"Any idea who?" asked Buffy.
"I'd hazard a guess, it was your ex-boyfriend," said Spike.
"He was not my boyfriend, we never even kissed," said Buffy defensively , pushing him down on the sofa.
"Well that's good to know," he replied.
Buffy left him and went to their kitchen area, she soaked a cloth in cool water and brought it back over to him, placing it on his forehead. Spike sighed at the relief it brought. Buffy sat on the sofa next to him, holding his hand.
"I'm sorry you missed," she said quietly.
Spike opened his eyes and looked at her in surprise.
"Thought you were the protector of all humans?" he said.
"Yeah, but I wouldn't put Riley Finn in that category, would you, if it came down to choosing his life over that of yours and our baby, he would lose every time," said Buffy.
Spike smiled.
"It was worth the headache, that git won't be able to sit down for days," he grinned.
Buffy giggled and ruffled Spike's hair.
"Hey, not the hair, never the hair," he said in half hearted protest.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Riley limped back to the dorm, his ass was on fire from the pain, he had snapped off the shaft of the cross bow bolt, so as not to attract attention to himself. He had radioed Forrest to meet him in his room, he was gonna need assistance to get this out, the seething hatred he felt towards Buffy and H17 had only grown over his six-month absence, blaming them for his reassignment.
He couldn't believe it, back in Sunnydale only one day and he'd been shot in the ass. He entered his dorm, looking to make sure no-one was around, he made it upstairs as best he could. Forrest was waiting inside for him, as Riley entered the room and closed the door Forrest had to stifle his laughter, when he saw the problem, he straightened up his face, just as Riley turned to look at him.
Forrest reached for the large medical kit that Riley had stashed under his bed.
"Drop your pants Finn," he smirked, he was going to enjoy this.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Giles knocked at the crypt door, it was his first visit since Buffy and Spike had moved in, and he felt it was long over due. Buffy opened the door.
"Giles! Great to see ya, come in," said Buffy enthusiastically.
"Sorry I haven't come here before now," said Giles apologetically.
"Never mind that, Spike's just getting the manuscript in order, thanks for finding us someone to look it over," said Buffy.
Giles came in and sat down in Spike's favourite armchair.
"Hey move it!" said Spike
Buffy glared at Spike.
"Sit where you like Giles, you are the guest," emphasised Buffy.
Spike shuffled his papers into order and bound them with string.
"This is only the first few chapters, take care of it," said Spike handing it to Giles.
"After facing several Apocalypse's I think I might manage to get this safely to a publishing house," said Giles wryly.
Giles looked at the couple, they both looked tired, but it was something more.
"Is everything alright?" asked Giles.
"Oh bleeding peachy, Buffy's college professor and her evil minions are planning to steal our baby for genetic experiments, life just doesn't get any better," replied Spike
"Spike, Giles was only concerned," said Buffy sternly.
"Sorry mate, just a bit wired right now, we think Riley was here last night watching us," said Spike.
"Why didn't anyone call me?" asked Giles.
"Didn't seem any point, besides Spike got him," said Buffy.
"I'll bet that hurt you," said Giles.
"Like hell, but I think it hurt Captain cardboard a lot more, I'd wager," grinned Spike.
"You killed him?" asked Giles.
Buffy giggled.
"No, he shot him in the ass," she said proudly.
Giles looked at them, they all burst out laughing in unison.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A couple of weeks had passed since the Riley incident, it was the night before Christmas eve, Buffy had packed their bags ready for their visit to her mom's house. Buffy's mom had arranged a little party at home, before they got down to a family Christmas. All her friends would be there, she was looking forward to it. Since discovering the Initiative's plans, she was starting to feel a little confined, a few more days, and she was sure should would start to exhibit the symptoms of cabin fever.
Spike and Buffy felt quite relaxed as Forrest had reported to them that the Initiative had all, but shut down over the holiday season and as there had been no re-appearance of Riley, who was at that moment back in Iowa with his family for Christmas, they were looking forward to the next few days.
Spike came down the ladder and put his arms around Buffy's waist, she smiled.
"All packed, you ready?" she asked.
"Yep, switched everything off," he replied.
Spike took the bags up, Buffy followed behind him. Getting up the ladder was becoming increasingly difficult for Buffy, she was quite out of breath by the time she reached the top.
"You okay pet?" he asked in concern.
"Just give me a minute," she puffed.
Buffy got her breath back, she looked around the crypt doubling checking everything.
"Hey, I already did that," said Spike Indignantly.
"Well, was you planning to leave the fairy lights on the whole time we were gone?" she asked disconnecting them.
"Why not? I am sure the Sunnydale light company won't miss it," he replied.
"Let's get going, we're gonna be late," said Buffy.
Spike picked up their case and waited outside the crypt as Buffy locked up.
"Gonna miss our little home," she said sniffling.
"Oh Buffy love we'll only be gone a couple of days," he soothed.
"Sorry, just the hormones in overdrive," she said.
Spike linked hands with her and they walked to her mom's in companionable silence.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy and Spike entered her mother's home, Giles was the only occupant in the lounge.
"Where is everyone?" asked Buffy.
"Your mum is in the kitchen preparing party food and everyone else isn't due for at least an hour," said Giles.
"You said be here by eight," said Spike in annoyance.
Buffy disappeared into the kitchen to see her mom.
"Well, I though you might want to know about your manuscript," said Giles, adjusting his glasses.
"Yeah, too right, I haven't fretted this much since Red broke the spell and Buffy left me," admitted Spike.
"I think you going to have a very good Christmas this year Spike," said Giles smiling at him.
Giles took an envelope out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Spike, Spike took it and ripped it open impatiently. He sat down abruptly on the sofa, rubbing his eyes in disbelief
"$50,000!" said Spike in disbelief.
"And there's more where that came from, that's just an advance, to keep you writing," said Giles, slapping him on the back.
Spike recovered himself and whooped for joy, he picked up Giles and hugged him.
"Yes, that's enough, now put me down," said Giles, nervously.
"Oh yeah, sorry about that mate," said Spike almost dropping Giles in his haste.
Spike disappeared into the kitchen to share his good news with Buffy, while Giles busily tried to straighten his clothing.
"Buffy love look," said Spike, as excited as a child.
He handed the cheque to Buffy.
"Oh my God, Your book?" she asked
"Yes!" he said gathering her into his arms for a hug.
She kissed him soundly on the lips.
"I am so proud of you, and not just because of the money," she said
"I know, couldn't have done it without you, you are my muse, my inspiration," he said.
Buffy turned to her mom.
"Get in here for a hug," said Buffy.
"Are you sure there's room?" asked Joyce smiling as she joined the couple.
Joyce just hoped they would take the other news so well at dinner tomorrow night.
TBC