Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox,
etc... except of course the ones I make up.
Summary: Spike and Buffy are going to have a baby together!!! I know, I know, it's been done about a million times but I promise that this one is different. Anyway, it also deals with all different types of families that could exist in the Buffyverse.
Spoilers: None really
Continuity: It's the sequel to "Apocalypse now... Again". However, you don't really need to read it to understand this fic. It picks up a few weeks after where "Apocalypse Now... Again" leaves off. Also, I just thought I'd point out that Tara is alive and with Willow, both witches are living with Buffy. Also, Xander and Anya are married and Anya is pregnant.
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FAMILY
Chapter 13: The Art of Explanation
"Spike?"
Buffy nudged the sleeping vampire and he merely rolled over. It was not his intention to be rude, the healing process was simply tiring him out. Buffy continued to poke and prod at her resting lover until finally he stirred and woke.
"What?" He groaned, as he rolled over, this time toward Buffy, and squinted open his eyes. "Is something wrong?"
Buffy smiled and kissed his cool cheek. "Dad and I are going out for coffee, just thought you'd like to know. Also, Dawn's gonna be home in about and hour or so; I just wanted to make sure that you'd make sure she does her homework before TV or friends."
Spike sat up and ran his fingers through his long, dirty blonde hair. He sighed and nodded obediently. "Good as done, pet"
"That's what I like to hear," Buffy said with a playful smile and she placed a kiss on Spike's lips. They remained there for a minute before she finally pulled herself away.
"I've got to go."
"Right, then. Off you go."
Spike stood and pulled on a shirt carefully over his face which was almost entirely healed. The cartilage probably wouldn't even show the hint of a scratch anymore and there was just a slight bruise over the bridge of his nose and under his eyes.
"You going out?" Buffy asked with a laugh. "Believe me, I'd ask you to come along if it weren't for your little 'sun allergy'."
"Ha ha," he mocked. "Well aren't you clever. I just figured if I was up anyway... 'Passions' is on."
"You are unbelievable," Buffy noted as he followed her out of her room and down the stairs.
"Me?"
"Yeah, you."
"Well I'm not the one coming up with intricate plans to get me and Dawn to speak again. She who lives in a glass house shouldn't be throwin' stones."
"It is not an intricate plan!" The Slayer insisted, "it's actually very simple. Bye!"
Buffy grabbed her father's arm and pulled him out the front door and Hank slammed it shut behind them. Spike listened for the car engine and he heard it start and rumble away.
"The things I put up with," Spike laughed as he walked into the living room and turned on the television.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dawn jammed her key into the front door and twisted it easily. She pushed the door open and was shocked by what she heard. She had never come home to piano playing before. She didn't even know anyone in the house knew how to play the piano. Dawn dropped her bag by the stairs and walked to the dining room where Spike was playing. Dawn almost burst into laughter at the sight, but she chose not to disturb his playing. Instead, she walked over and sat beside him on the piano bench.
When the vampire felt Dawn's warm body press ever so softly against his, he moved his hands from the keys to his lap without looking at the young slayer.
"I didn't hear you come in," he told her softly.
"Liar," she replied with a smile and a playful shove on the shoulder.
"Yeah," Spike laughed, "I know."
"I saw Janice today. obviously."
"Yeah. and?"
"And she told me what you did for her."
"What? That bloody ponce who tried to charge me outside the Bronze? It was nothing. And I really mean nothing."
"And walking her home. That was really nice of you. Thank you, for protecting my friend."
"What do you think, pet? I'm gonna let her get eaten because you broke my nose? I'm evil, but not that evil."
Dawn giggled quietly but caught herself before she became too pleasant. She was still pissed at him, wasn't she?
"I never realized that you knew how to play the piano," she told him softly.
"Neither did I. I hadn't played in years. But then the witches bought it and it all came back. It's just one of those things that kind of sticks with you, you know?"
"Yeah," she mumbled as she pressed lightly on a few of the keys. "When did you learn to play?"
"When I was a kid, long before I became a vampire."
Dawn nodded, "it sounded really beautiful."
Spike made a sarcastic gasp and he looked at Dawn. "Was that a compliment, Nibblet?"
Dawn narrowed her eyes angrily at Spike and he simply smiled. He acknowledged to himself how immature it was, but he was glad to be pushing her buttons. After a broken nose and two black eyes, she deserved to be tortured... just a little bit.
"What was that that you were playing?"
"'Moonlight Sonata', Beethoven. It was one of the first things I ever learned. I memorized a lot of things by rote so well that I could probably still play them. I doubt I could still read music though."
"That's okay. I think Willow and Tara were finally starting to wonder why they even bought the piano. They'll be happy to know that someone in the house actually knows how to play something besides 'Chopsticks' and 'Heart and Soul'."
"It would be like a dream come true," Spike mocked and he batted his eyes.
Dawn tried to keep from laughing but couldn't help it. She began to giggle, despite the fact that it wasn't even very funny. Dawn decided that she was pretty much just laughing at the ridiculousness of her entire situation.
"You know..." Spike began but then paused so he could take an unnecessary breath, "you know I'm moving in tonight."
Dawn sighed and nodded. "I still live here, y'know. I do have some idea of what's going on in my own house."
"Sorry to disappoint, Dawn. Look, I know how pissed you are at me but-"
"I'm not-" Dawn interrupted "-that pissed at you. I'm actually kind of surprised you're not angrier at me."
"Nah, I've learned how to get over stuff pretty fast. You may forget due to my devilishly handsome and youthful looks that I've been around for quite a long time. Besides, I get that some of the things I said were pretty harsh. He's still your dad no matter what I say or do and I'll try to respect that."
"Thank you," Dawn said with a smile and she leaned her head on his arm. "And from now on I'll try not to punch you in the face."
"How kind," Spike chuckled as ruffled her hair playfully. He then gave her a chaste kiss on the top of her head and began to stand. Dawn, with slayer-quick reflexes, grabbed his arm so as to keep him from leaving. Spike sat again, placed his fingers softly on the keys, and gave Dawn a questioning look.
"Nibblet?"
Dawn smiled and gently placed her head back on Spike's muscular arm. She sighed softly and muttered, "keep playing."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Buffy sat across from her father at one of the tables at the Espresso Pump. She nodded politely at the waitress who had just brought their coffee and then turned to her father. Hank was looking around observantly, taking in the people of the strange town.
"I remember coming here with you," he told his daughter with a smile. "It seems like it hasn't changed a bit."
"Oh it has... lots of destruction, but people get good insurance in Sunnydale."
"I still can't believe all of this is real."
Buffy nodded and placed an understanding hand on her father's. "Me either. I've been trying to make sense of it since I was fifteen, and I found that I'm a much happier person when I realized that it just doesn't make sense. What I find really strange though, is that there are people who have been living in Sunnydale their entire lives and they have no clue about what's going on around them."
"Ignorance is bliss," Hank laughed.
"Indeed it is," Buffy muttered with a half-smile. "But the ignorant tend to be the easiest kill. So, maybe it's only bliss until you're killed."
"You're reading way too much into this."
Buffy laughed and took a sip of her coffee. "I do that sometimes."
"So, it seems like you've created quite a life for yourself here. I'm very proud of you, Buffy. I mean, after everything with your mother... you were left alone and you made it through."
"I made it through, yeah, but I certainly wasn't alone," Buffy corrected her father. "I mean, I have this whole extended family here."
"I'm glad for that," Hank told her with a genuine smile. "I'm glad you've found your place in the world."
"Me too."
Buffy and her father shared a sweet moment of silence. He took a moment to look over his daughter for the thousandth time since he got there. He wasn't lying when he said he regretted not being around, he was sorry that he missed seeing his daughters grow up. But he was here now, and he vowed to himself that he would make the most of it.
"Dad? I need to talk to you about something."
"Anything, honey."
"It's about Dawn."
A sudden paralyzing fear came over Hank. Buffy's tone was serious and almost terrifying. "What is it? She's not sick is she?"
"No, it's nothing like that. It's about... where she comes from. I thought you should know."
"What do you mean 'where she comes from'?"
"She's... Dawn is... she's not your daughter," Buffy changed her route when she saw the look of shock on her father's face. "NO! No, it's nothing like that it's just... Dawn was originally energy. Powerful, powerful energy that could be used as a key to melt away walls between different dimensions. I don't really need to get into the whole mythology of it with you... but I thought you had a right to know where she's from."
"When did this all happen?"
"About three years ago."
"But... all these memories-"
"They aren't real. They were created by a bunch of monks and worked into your memory."
"So this is the first time that I've met Dawn?"
"Technically... yeah."
"Wow."
"It's a lot to take in, I know."
"Yeah. It's just that-"
"Buffy!"
The Slayer turned toward the sound of her voice to see Xander smiling at her and walking toward where she and her father sat. He was holding two cups of coffee and a small paper bag. Xander reached her table and placed what he was holding down.
"Hey Xander."
"Hey Buffy. Hey Buffy's dad," Xander paused when he realized what he had just said. He did a double take and stared at Hank. "Buffy's dad? I mean, Mr. Summers... hi."
"Dad, you remember Xander, right?"
"Of course," Hank said with a smile as he reached out and shook Xander's hand. "And you can just call me Hank."
"Right. Hank. Right." Xander gave Buffy a questioning look to which she just smiled, shook her head, and rolled her eyes.
"So, Xander, what are you doing here? Don't you have work?" Buffy inquired.
"Got off early. Came to see Anya and Anya wanted a tuna sandwich. And hey, who am I to deny my pregnant wife a sandwich?"
"Here, Dad and I will go back with you to the Magic Box."
Hank furrowed his brow. "The what kind of box?"
Buffy stood and her father did the same. She wrapped a small hand around his upper arm and said, "oh Daddy, you've still got so much to learn about life on the Hellmouth."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Spike took a final, but not so final look around what would soon no longer be his crypt. He knew it wouldn't be the last time he was there, especially since he was leaving it to a close friend. It was just so weird that it would no longer be HIS. He had had some really amazing times in this place, as well with some really, REALLY bad ones. The vampire let out a long and unnecessary sigh.
"I can't believe this is it."
"Because it isn't IT," Clem corrected. "You'll be back. You know you will. We're having poker night here."
Spike smiled and shook his head. "You know what I mean."
"Was it worth it anyway?"
"Was what worth it?"
"The wait."
Spike smiled childishly, feeling a sense of elation that he indeed hadn't felt since he was a child. "Eternity would have been worth having Buffy."
"That's what I though you would say. Spike, I hate to break it to you, but you are a hopeless romantic."
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
"I'm glad to see that you're finally happy," Clem said with a goofy grin. "It's better than you glowering all the time."
"I agree. It's just, I can't believe this is real. I'd ask you to pinch me if it wouldn't be all weird. I mean, she's making it OUR bed. It's going to be OUR life, with OUR child."
"Well then get going to your life!" Clem said with a playful nudge on the shoulder.
"I think I will," the vampire replied and he grabbed a duffel bag of important personal items that he would be taking with him: some clothes, photos, and other nick-knacks that he had obtained over his years of travelling the world. He walked to the door and heard Clem shout behind him, "poker on Wednesday!"
"I wouldn't miss," Spike countered, as he left his crypt behind. It was almost New Years, right? Out with the old, in with the new.
TBC...
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Just a vague disclaimer: I'm going back to school tomorrow so I may not have the chance to update for a while. Midterms are coming up and I know what you're all thinking: oh the fun!!! Anyway, I'm sure you understand. I'll try to update as soon and as often as I can, but there are no guarantees. Sorry :-(...
Anyway, please keep reviewing, it'll help with the midterm depression!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Summary: Spike and Buffy are going to have a baby together!!! I know, I know, it's been done about a million times but I promise that this one is different. Anyway, it also deals with all different types of families that could exist in the Buffyverse.
Spoilers: None really
Continuity: It's the sequel to "Apocalypse now... Again". However, you don't really need to read it to understand this fic. It picks up a few weeks after where "Apocalypse Now... Again" leaves off. Also, I just thought I'd point out that Tara is alive and with Willow, both witches are living with Buffy. Also, Xander and Anya are married and Anya is pregnant.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
FAMILY
Chapter 13: The Art of Explanation
"Spike?"
Buffy nudged the sleeping vampire and he merely rolled over. It was not his intention to be rude, the healing process was simply tiring him out. Buffy continued to poke and prod at her resting lover until finally he stirred and woke.
"What?" He groaned, as he rolled over, this time toward Buffy, and squinted open his eyes. "Is something wrong?"
Buffy smiled and kissed his cool cheek. "Dad and I are going out for coffee, just thought you'd like to know. Also, Dawn's gonna be home in about and hour or so; I just wanted to make sure that you'd make sure she does her homework before TV or friends."
Spike sat up and ran his fingers through his long, dirty blonde hair. He sighed and nodded obediently. "Good as done, pet"
"That's what I like to hear," Buffy said with a playful smile and she placed a kiss on Spike's lips. They remained there for a minute before she finally pulled herself away.
"I've got to go."
"Right, then. Off you go."
Spike stood and pulled on a shirt carefully over his face which was almost entirely healed. The cartilage probably wouldn't even show the hint of a scratch anymore and there was just a slight bruise over the bridge of his nose and under his eyes.
"You going out?" Buffy asked with a laugh. "Believe me, I'd ask you to come along if it weren't for your little 'sun allergy'."
"Ha ha," he mocked. "Well aren't you clever. I just figured if I was up anyway... 'Passions' is on."
"You are unbelievable," Buffy noted as he followed her out of her room and down the stairs.
"Me?"
"Yeah, you."
"Well I'm not the one coming up with intricate plans to get me and Dawn to speak again. She who lives in a glass house shouldn't be throwin' stones."
"It is not an intricate plan!" The Slayer insisted, "it's actually very simple. Bye!"
Buffy grabbed her father's arm and pulled him out the front door and Hank slammed it shut behind them. Spike listened for the car engine and he heard it start and rumble away.
"The things I put up with," Spike laughed as he walked into the living room and turned on the television.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dawn jammed her key into the front door and twisted it easily. She pushed the door open and was shocked by what she heard. She had never come home to piano playing before. She didn't even know anyone in the house knew how to play the piano. Dawn dropped her bag by the stairs and walked to the dining room where Spike was playing. Dawn almost burst into laughter at the sight, but she chose not to disturb his playing. Instead, she walked over and sat beside him on the piano bench.
When the vampire felt Dawn's warm body press ever so softly against his, he moved his hands from the keys to his lap without looking at the young slayer.
"I didn't hear you come in," he told her softly.
"Liar," she replied with a smile and a playful shove on the shoulder.
"Yeah," Spike laughed, "I know."
"I saw Janice today. obviously."
"Yeah. and?"
"And she told me what you did for her."
"What? That bloody ponce who tried to charge me outside the Bronze? It was nothing. And I really mean nothing."
"And walking her home. That was really nice of you. Thank you, for protecting my friend."
"What do you think, pet? I'm gonna let her get eaten because you broke my nose? I'm evil, but not that evil."
Dawn giggled quietly but caught herself before she became too pleasant. She was still pissed at him, wasn't she?
"I never realized that you knew how to play the piano," she told him softly.
"Neither did I. I hadn't played in years. But then the witches bought it and it all came back. It's just one of those things that kind of sticks with you, you know?"
"Yeah," she mumbled as she pressed lightly on a few of the keys. "When did you learn to play?"
"When I was a kid, long before I became a vampire."
Dawn nodded, "it sounded really beautiful."
Spike made a sarcastic gasp and he looked at Dawn. "Was that a compliment, Nibblet?"
Dawn narrowed her eyes angrily at Spike and he simply smiled. He acknowledged to himself how immature it was, but he was glad to be pushing her buttons. After a broken nose and two black eyes, she deserved to be tortured... just a little bit.
"What was that that you were playing?"
"'Moonlight Sonata', Beethoven. It was one of the first things I ever learned. I memorized a lot of things by rote so well that I could probably still play them. I doubt I could still read music though."
"That's okay. I think Willow and Tara were finally starting to wonder why they even bought the piano. They'll be happy to know that someone in the house actually knows how to play something besides 'Chopsticks' and 'Heart and Soul'."
"It would be like a dream come true," Spike mocked and he batted his eyes.
Dawn tried to keep from laughing but couldn't help it. She began to giggle, despite the fact that it wasn't even very funny. Dawn decided that she was pretty much just laughing at the ridiculousness of her entire situation.
"You know..." Spike began but then paused so he could take an unnecessary breath, "you know I'm moving in tonight."
Dawn sighed and nodded. "I still live here, y'know. I do have some idea of what's going on in my own house."
"Sorry to disappoint, Dawn. Look, I know how pissed you are at me but-"
"I'm not-" Dawn interrupted "-that pissed at you. I'm actually kind of surprised you're not angrier at me."
"Nah, I've learned how to get over stuff pretty fast. You may forget due to my devilishly handsome and youthful looks that I've been around for quite a long time. Besides, I get that some of the things I said were pretty harsh. He's still your dad no matter what I say or do and I'll try to respect that."
"Thank you," Dawn said with a smile and she leaned her head on his arm. "And from now on I'll try not to punch you in the face."
"How kind," Spike chuckled as ruffled her hair playfully. He then gave her a chaste kiss on the top of her head and began to stand. Dawn, with slayer-quick reflexes, grabbed his arm so as to keep him from leaving. Spike sat again, placed his fingers softly on the keys, and gave Dawn a questioning look.
"Nibblet?"
Dawn smiled and gently placed her head back on Spike's muscular arm. She sighed softly and muttered, "keep playing."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Buffy sat across from her father at one of the tables at the Espresso Pump. She nodded politely at the waitress who had just brought their coffee and then turned to her father. Hank was looking around observantly, taking in the people of the strange town.
"I remember coming here with you," he told his daughter with a smile. "It seems like it hasn't changed a bit."
"Oh it has... lots of destruction, but people get good insurance in Sunnydale."
"I still can't believe all of this is real."
Buffy nodded and placed an understanding hand on her father's. "Me either. I've been trying to make sense of it since I was fifteen, and I found that I'm a much happier person when I realized that it just doesn't make sense. What I find really strange though, is that there are people who have been living in Sunnydale their entire lives and they have no clue about what's going on around them."
"Ignorance is bliss," Hank laughed.
"Indeed it is," Buffy muttered with a half-smile. "But the ignorant tend to be the easiest kill. So, maybe it's only bliss until you're killed."
"You're reading way too much into this."
Buffy laughed and took a sip of her coffee. "I do that sometimes."
"So, it seems like you've created quite a life for yourself here. I'm very proud of you, Buffy. I mean, after everything with your mother... you were left alone and you made it through."
"I made it through, yeah, but I certainly wasn't alone," Buffy corrected her father. "I mean, I have this whole extended family here."
"I'm glad for that," Hank told her with a genuine smile. "I'm glad you've found your place in the world."
"Me too."
Buffy and her father shared a sweet moment of silence. He took a moment to look over his daughter for the thousandth time since he got there. He wasn't lying when he said he regretted not being around, he was sorry that he missed seeing his daughters grow up. But he was here now, and he vowed to himself that he would make the most of it.
"Dad? I need to talk to you about something."
"Anything, honey."
"It's about Dawn."
A sudden paralyzing fear came over Hank. Buffy's tone was serious and almost terrifying. "What is it? She's not sick is she?"
"No, it's nothing like that. It's about... where she comes from. I thought you should know."
"What do you mean 'where she comes from'?"
"She's... Dawn is... she's not your daughter," Buffy changed her route when she saw the look of shock on her father's face. "NO! No, it's nothing like that it's just... Dawn was originally energy. Powerful, powerful energy that could be used as a key to melt away walls between different dimensions. I don't really need to get into the whole mythology of it with you... but I thought you had a right to know where she's from."
"When did this all happen?"
"About three years ago."
"But... all these memories-"
"They aren't real. They were created by a bunch of monks and worked into your memory."
"So this is the first time that I've met Dawn?"
"Technically... yeah."
"Wow."
"It's a lot to take in, I know."
"Yeah. It's just that-"
"Buffy!"
The Slayer turned toward the sound of her voice to see Xander smiling at her and walking toward where she and her father sat. He was holding two cups of coffee and a small paper bag. Xander reached her table and placed what he was holding down.
"Hey Xander."
"Hey Buffy. Hey Buffy's dad," Xander paused when he realized what he had just said. He did a double take and stared at Hank. "Buffy's dad? I mean, Mr. Summers... hi."
"Dad, you remember Xander, right?"
"Of course," Hank said with a smile as he reached out and shook Xander's hand. "And you can just call me Hank."
"Right. Hank. Right." Xander gave Buffy a questioning look to which she just smiled, shook her head, and rolled her eyes.
"So, Xander, what are you doing here? Don't you have work?" Buffy inquired.
"Got off early. Came to see Anya and Anya wanted a tuna sandwich. And hey, who am I to deny my pregnant wife a sandwich?"
"Here, Dad and I will go back with you to the Magic Box."
Hank furrowed his brow. "The what kind of box?"
Buffy stood and her father did the same. She wrapped a small hand around his upper arm and said, "oh Daddy, you've still got so much to learn about life on the Hellmouth."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Spike took a final, but not so final look around what would soon no longer be his crypt. He knew it wouldn't be the last time he was there, especially since he was leaving it to a close friend. It was just so weird that it would no longer be HIS. He had had some really amazing times in this place, as well with some really, REALLY bad ones. The vampire let out a long and unnecessary sigh.
"I can't believe this is it."
"Because it isn't IT," Clem corrected. "You'll be back. You know you will. We're having poker night here."
Spike smiled and shook his head. "You know what I mean."
"Was it worth it anyway?"
"Was what worth it?"
"The wait."
Spike smiled childishly, feeling a sense of elation that he indeed hadn't felt since he was a child. "Eternity would have been worth having Buffy."
"That's what I though you would say. Spike, I hate to break it to you, but you are a hopeless romantic."
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
"I'm glad to see that you're finally happy," Clem said with a goofy grin. "It's better than you glowering all the time."
"I agree. It's just, I can't believe this is real. I'd ask you to pinch me if it wouldn't be all weird. I mean, she's making it OUR bed. It's going to be OUR life, with OUR child."
"Well then get going to your life!" Clem said with a playful nudge on the shoulder.
"I think I will," the vampire replied and he grabbed a duffel bag of important personal items that he would be taking with him: some clothes, photos, and other nick-knacks that he had obtained over his years of travelling the world. He walked to the door and heard Clem shout behind him, "poker on Wednesday!"
"I wouldn't miss," Spike countered, as he left his crypt behind. It was almost New Years, right? Out with the old, in with the new.
TBC...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Just a vague disclaimer: I'm going back to school tomorrow so I may not have the chance to update for a while. Midterms are coming up and I know what you're all thinking: oh the fun!!! Anyway, I'm sure you understand. I'll try to update as soon and as often as I can, but there are no guarantees. Sorry :-(...
Anyway, please keep reviewing, it'll help with the midterm depression!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!