Disclaimer: Joss looked up to the heavens frowning, his gaze then settles upon the small girl sitting across from him. "For the last time Miss Thomas, you don't own Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and you never Will!" with that Mel sighs and drops her head low. "Fine if that's how you want it Joss." She sniffs, tears forming in her eyes, "The characters are yours." Sniffing again she walks slowly from the office and begins her journey back home to England.

Title: Tired Hearts

A/N: Right I've been thinking about a new idea for a new story, so I wanna get this on wrapped up, sure I have no idea how many chapters it will be, but I will make them to a standard that will make all you and me happy. I learnt my mistake with my last story. I finished it A) to early, I could have done so much with it. B) With a crappy ending that it seems not many people were happy with. I find it easy keeping the story flowing but finishing them I struggle with so please bear with me as Tired Hearts begins to make sense.

Love you all

Mel xx xx xx

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Spike looked at the clock for the fifth time in the last fifteen minutes. Something didn't feel right. There was a feeling deep in his gut, something that told him to be prepared, he'd never experience it this extremely before and was afraid of what might be happening. Xander had drifted off some time ago, dreaming about something pleasant by the sounds he was making.

"Xand. Mate, wake up." softly Spike shook his sleeping buddy but to no joy. He coughed clearing his throat before shouting; "FIRE!"

Xander woke up with a start.

"Where, where? Quick grab gran's vase." He stuttered in a daze of suddenly being awake, and the fear of a fire.

"There's no fire Xander." Spike said quietly, silently enjoying the panic on his friends face.

"What? But you said…" Xander was confused.

"Had to get you up." Spike said in a matter of fact voice.

"Oh right." Xander began to make himself comfortable once again, closing his eyes and hoping to be able to get some sleep again. He had been having a very nice dream about him and Faith doing naughty things.

His stomach dropped.

"Spike?" he asked cautiously.

"Yep," Spike knew what was coming he and Xander had felt it before; one night they had spent in a pub getting heavily drunk had been interrupted by it. Xander's mum had been in a car crash and died. Some piss head had taken a right turning into Xander's mum, splitting the car in two as it wrapped around a tree. The drunk driver had needed surgery but lived and was currently serving life for several allegations, one being causing death by dangerous driving. He had been up for appeal and had been laughed out of the courtroom. But that night his mum died Xander complained of a stomach ache like he'd never had before, then ten minutes later, Spike had it, next thing they knew they were in hospital crying. Spike for Xander, Xander for the loss of a mother.

"What time is it?" his voice growing panicked, all the fear of his mothers death coming back in full force.

"10:20" Spike was to becoming panicked; he knew he felt it first, which theologically meant Buffy was in trouble. His Child was in trouble.

"Spike, do you…?"

"Yea, Twenty minutes ago."

"Oh God." They both flew from their seats towards the front door, both had had too much to drink and drive, but they had no choice. In their minds they had been sobered instantly, but if the police pulled them over, they might both loose their lovers. Spike mentally corrected himself. He'd loose everything, his girlfriend, the mother of his child and his life. He was nothing without Buffy, and Xander was thinking the same, he had become so much more with Faith by his side. Neither could afford to loose their one true loves.

*****Previously*****

Buffy stared at the strange man. Déjà vu came creeping back to Buffy. She recognised the muscular good-looking man. But she had no idea where from. He kept shifting his weight nearer. And if it weren't for the fact that she loved Spike and was carrying his child she probably would have spoken nicely to the man. He really didn't look a threat, but there was an essence to him that was not nice. He felt wrong, him being so close to her felt wrong. Once again the muscular man shifted nearer, her thigh inches away from his. She was at the end of the seat; she was contemplating moving to another, but had a feeling he'd just follow.

She was so glad she hadn't been drinking. The last thing she needed was a fuzzy brain, when a weird stranger was sitting at a striking distance. Sipping the last of her orange juice Buffy had nothing else to keep herself occupied, she slowly turned her head toward the offending man. She felt her body tingle as he turned to face her. All her senses began to stand to attention.  Buffy felt silly. She was getting nervous, all because of an over familiar man. He probably just saw Buffy sitting by herself and thought he could score. That's it. Buffy thought. He's just lonely and thinks I'm pretty. Buffy smiled at the thought and giggled when the floppy haired man smiled back. Arr she thought again. He thinks I'm smiling at him. She thought of Spikes face at the thought of her with another man, smiling at one another, that wouldn't be a happy Spike.

She was smiling at him. He knew she would once he got her alone. She positively glowed as she smiled. He chalked up a mental note to make her smile when she became his girlfriend.

"Hi," Riley began; he knew she would be nervous. She thought she was in love with William and he understood her wanting to be loyal. It only meant that when they were together he wouldn't have to worry about her while he worked. All she did was smile at him.

Riley coughed plucking up courage. That seemed to be needed.

"I umm don't know if, um you remember me. *Cough* But umm, well I asked you to dance a while ago…"

Buffy chuckled inside at his nervousness.

"I've only been here about half an hour, sorry think you got the wrong person." She smiled and turned to face the other direction praying for Faith to return.

*****Present*****

          Spike looked uneasily at his best friend. They were stuck in traffic, they were both nervous, and the other Londoner's were all honking their car horns and giving the two good-looking males a headache. Xander's Stomach cramped and his head fell to the steering wheel. Luckily his hand brake was applied and his Lexus was an automatic. A single tear rolled down his exhausted face. On a good day the nightclub was only half an hour away. But there was no way they would make it within another hour if they stayed in this traffic. A moped whizzed through the stand still of cars. As it past Spikes window an idea hit him.

********

          Faith had left for the drinks and the queue was so long. Luckily Faith was tall and slim. She could easily squeeze past the mob of sweaty bodies. Within ten minutes she had collected four drinks and a tray. She didn't want to have to tackle this crowd for a while, and now Buffy was pregnant she was not going to let the mother to be anyway near it. Plus where they were sitting no one seemed to light up any sort of cigarette. Faith rounded the corner thinking about little boy's names. She wanted to help with the baby. She had never thought about having one but know she was becoming broody at the mention of a kid. She gazed up, as she walked, not worrying about bumping into any one. I have a tray and I know how to use it. Mentally she laughed at her own little joke. As she looked forward she could see Buffy looking towards the other bar and smiled. Then she walked into something hard, something strong and sturdy. Thinking it was a pillar she swore and looked at the offending object. Fainting seemed an easier alternative to her chosen action; she smiled politely and began to move around trying to get past before he noticed her. But he had spun around before she had taken her second step and by her forth she was in a vice like grip.

          Trying to cause attention towards herself she dropped the tray of drinks and screamed. Of course in the middle of a nightclub's dance floor, with strobe lighting and loud crashing music, nobody seemed to care, that she was being dragged away towards the coat collection point. With nobody in sight Faith felt her former boyfriend push his large hands around her throat.

"Hi Faith, Long time no see, don't ya think?" he smiled showing his little white teeth, squeezing her neck that little bit more.

"We need to talk, but not here. Now you want me to stop?" he asked, squeezing that little bit more. Faith choked and let out the sound of a bad Daffy Duck impression. Realising she couldn't speak she nodded a tiny nod, making Ted laugh at her hurt. He had waited for this day.

"Now listen." He whispered into her ear, loosening his grip just a bit. Although Faith was thankful, a little bit of needed air fell into her lungs.

"Your gonna get your coat," he loosened his grip just a little again.

"Then your gonna leave with me, smiling and quiet." Then he squeezed her neck and let go. Faith coughed, grabbing her neck and rubbing at the sore red skin. She contemplated running back into the club. Getting someone, but she knew he would catch her. She was in the middle of London, girls running from their angry blokes where nothing new, and no one would care. So she did as he said, trying to keep her shaking body in check. As she walked out the club and past the bouncers, she stared at them with pleading eyes. All they did was smile and bid the couple fare well.

******

          Spike had made Xander turn into the other lane, going back on themselves. The traffic on this side was almost nonexistent, Xander was going over the speed limit and was soon at the Bistro Spike had requested. Spike was out of the car before it started working while Xander tried ringing the girl's mobiles. Buffy's wasn't getting a signal, so she was obviously still in the club. Xander feeling slightly relieved. But Faith's was ringing and ringing, although no one was picking up. Xander's heart started to pound and as he rang her number once more, the mobile appeared to be turned off. He turned to the face the bistro turned his engine off and soon joined Spike who was banging on the door.

          Willow soon appeared in her nightgown. She unlocked the door, opening it and being pushed aside by her friends.

"Guys hey, it's like 11.30, what's up?"

"Willow I need to borrow Tara's moped. Please?" Spike begged, Willow concentrated quickly on Xander's features. He looked old and worn, reminding her of an old English teacher she had had back at school. Xander's usual perky face looked lined and worried.

"Guys what's going on?" Willow asked concerned, worried about waking the young girl sleeping in Willow and Tara's bed.

"Willow…" Xander began before breaking down. His stomach hurt so much, it was worse than when his mother died, and where Spike was able to keep it in check and keep a level head, Xander couldn't, he collapsed to the floor and pulled his hands to his face and sobbed. Willow lent down and gently placed her pale hand on one broad shoulder belonging to her best friend.

"Xand? Hun? What's happened?" she looked towards Spike and his face caved. He suddenly looked shady and mysterious.

"We don't know. Remember when Xander's mum died. The feeling we got?" Willow nodded and Spikes eyes almost sunk before her very own eyes.

"We got it twice as bad now. Buffy and Faith…" He couldn't say any more or he'd be crying as much as Xander.

"They… They… They're in the club, and neither is answering. Traffic's unmovable and the tube's down." Slowly he stood up and looked his oldest friend straight in her eyes.

"We need the moped. Please Will." He smiled weakly and Willow felt her heart drop. She left them without a word and went upstairs. Tara agreed to lend them her bike and Willow kissed her. She took the keys from the hook and ran them down to Spike and Xander who was standing strong. She kissed them both and told them everything would be ok. She ordered them to phone her and left them to leave. She locked the doors behind them, thinking about the look in Xander's eyes. They looked cold and hard. She went upstairs. She snuggled up to her girlfriend and listened to her heart. If she were in Spike and Xander's position, she would track her lover to the end of the earth and back.

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A/N: well? I'm evil aren't I? I left Buffy in the pub with her stalker Riley Finn, and his annoying date Harmony.

I left loveable Faith in the hands of her ex boyfriend/murderer of many.

Xander had a break down and now is out for revenge with a glint in his eye

Spike's just found out he's about to be a father and now he has a dreadful feeling that his beloved one is in trouble.

Please review me lots and I might update tomorrow… but be warned, I will be unable after tomorrow to write another chapter until Monday/Tuesday. So if you make me feel special I will work very hard to get a chapter complete in time.

Mel.

P.S this is not bribery… well actually it is but just remember, I love you all.

Xxxxxx