TAKEN BY SURPRISE
Author: Richess a.k.a. A.N.H. Richards
Feedback: Do vampire's have teeth? Of course I want it. Please. richess78@hotmail.com
Summary: Set a couple of months after Lover's Walk, Spike goes up North and unbeknownst to him fulfils a prophecy. The council is after Christine and her baby and Spike gets something he never thought he'd have a baby.
Warning: **Character Death** This a Spike and baby story just to warn all. It will eventually lead to a Spike/Buffy ship.
Things that must be known: For this story to make sense I have integrated it with season four events. Except Spike never gets chipped, Harmony does, Harsh Light of Day and Something Blue never happened. But the rest of the year is pretty much intact, with a few exceptions that will be revealed in the story.
Song: Little Girl's Eyes by Lenny Kravitz (album: '5')
Disclaimer: I own none of BTVS characters, they belong to J. Whedon, Mutant Enemy Productions, WB, FOX, UPN and etc. But I do own Niya, Christine, Lnor, Jacob, Nina, Marcus
Distribution: THESE SITES ONLY, Strictly Fic, Death-Marked Love, Dancing With Death, and Fanfiction.net. If you have pervious permission to take any of my fics that is fine but Taken By Surprise is strictly for the sites listed above. No other site has my permission to post this fic.
Author's Notes: As for any medical stuff I know nothing and I did no research. Well that's not true the condition in this story does exist for some women, I saw it on The Learning Channel. So there I did do research.
I started this fic in December 2000 and I have had most of it done but a co-writer offered me suggestions on making this a better fic and I took her advice and this fic has become a near novel. Well I started getting it betad in November 2001 and then all of my exams, papers and real life in general stalled this fic again. Then the whopper came when I saw ATS, episode DAD and I nearly freaked at some of the similarities between my fic and that eppy. I was going to scrap this fic even though it was over a 100 pages and near done. I didn't want people to think that I took the idea from Angel when technically I had it written down and floating around the net since April 2001. So now I present to all that will read my baby (the fic that is for all to see).
Dedication: To Hilary who forced me to continue this story and helped write a crucial scene for me. And thanks to the other Hunnies. To Miss Binks who helped me SO MUCH especially with chapter 5. To Esme, Shippy, Wrydin & Jill my wonderful betas, thanks bunches.
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CHAPTER 8
Part 36
* * *
Spike avoided most of his past Sunnydale haunts to avoid being seen by to many other demons. Even though none of them seem recognize him. He walked all this way until finally reached his destination. It wasn't the obvious place to go but it was better then staying in an dirty motel as he opened the crypt door he wasn't shocked to find it empty. All of the furniture covered with white sheets. He shivered as old memories flooded his mind. All that time spent in a wheelchair, hearing Drusilla fawning all over her sire. It sickened him that he even decided to come back to this place. But the mansion was his best place and the council probably knew nothing about it. He sighed as he kept on walking through the extravagant living area. And then he saw the small China doll, 'Miss Edith' sitting perched on top of the mantel. A thick layer of dust layered over her. The first thing that came to his mind was Niya. She would probably like dolls, wouldn't she? He smiled thinking about her then quickly frowned thinking that it would be another week or so until Joyce got back with her. For the first few days that Niya was gone Spike was going stir crazy, he couldn't believe how attached to this baby he had become. He vowed to himself that this would be the first and last time she would ever be away from him, he laughed to himself thinking of riding with her and first date to the movies and making sure to sit between them so there was no rubbing of parts not even elbows.
"She'd love me for that," He said out loud sarcastically laughing to himself. He carefully lifted the doll and dusted it off, realizing that it was going to be a long couple of days. That was until he got a plan. In the middle of cleaning off the doll he thought about using up some favours from demons that owed him. And now would be a perfect time.
* * *
By the end of the week the council was gone. They headed to Los Angeles looking for a vampire and a baby that was mysteriously being talked about through demon circles. Spike secretly hoped that they would go and bother Angel for a while, "Would serve Peaches right."
* * *
"So you mean to tell me that you just took what Spike said at face value." Xander asked as he stabbed down his fork into the turkey on his plate. He was having a hard time learning about the Spike and Niya revelation from Buffy.
"Xander he…" Willow began.
"Buffy you can't trust him! He's evil- you know that right? Please tell me I am not the only one who sees that." Xander looked around the rest of the table at the Slayer and then the Watcher. "And you've known about this how long?"
"Well for a…"
"And you?" He looked over at Willow, who ducked her head quickly from his accusing gaze. "So what you are telling me is that Anya, Harmony and I are the only ones left that didn't know."
"Well…" Harmony and Anya started together. Xander looked at them in utter shock.
"I can't believe this. I can't believe everyone kept this a secret from me."
"Maybe it's because they knew you'd react like this, geek boy." Harmony scoffed as she sipped on the cup of pig blood, "It's just like you guys keeping that Angel was here from her."
Everyone looked to see Buffy's stunned reaction and then all hell broke loose.
* * *
For the whole bus ride back to Sunnydale Joyce smiled as she admired her pseudo granddaughter encased in her arms. Niya had remained quiet for the whole five hour trip from Oregon. Travelling back to Sunnydale on the night bus wasn't Joyce's ideal situation but it was the only bus back to Sunnydale that weekend. She was about to settle and read a book as she laid Niya down in the empty seat next to her when the baby began to fuss as a young woman walked toward the back of the bus.
"She's so cute." The young woman cooed, "How old is she?"
"Five months in two weeks." Joyce boasted.
"Her hair is so beautiful and those eyes."
Niya fidgeted trying to squirm away as the woman touched her curly black locks.
"She's getting a bit fussy." Joyce watched as Niya's face crinkled turning bright red and she began to cry. Other passengers on the bus groaned at the noise. The stranger pulled back her hand away from Niya as if she was burned, by the reaction.
"Maybe she just doesn't like strangers." The woman gave a slight smile, "But she's still adorable." The young woman nodded her head to Joyce with a slight smile and then walked toward her previous destination. Niya quieted down in moments as Joyce rocked her to sleep.
That was weird, Joyce thought as she watched Niya sleeping. Even Joyce knew that by Niya's reaction that something was wrong with that woman.
* * *
Part 37Buffy shook her head as she thought of her meeting with Angel as she walked through the front door completely exhausted. Something kept nagging at her, something that she was supposed to remember, but she pushed it away. She was really glad that her mother was coming home tonight, the Slayer wanted see Niya and have a talk with Spike, especially since she hadn't seen him since he left. She opened the front door slowly; the flicker of the television caught her eye immediately. The Slayer stepped into her living room to see Spike feeding Niya she looked over at the TV to see that it was some kind of soap opera.
"What are you doing?" Buffy asked setting down her bag.
"Shhhhhh. I have to hear what Tabitha is planning to do to Charity."
"Ooooook." Buffy set down her bag. Suddenly a commercial popped up but before Buffy could even say a word Spike pressed the remote and began to fast forward through them. "On tape?"
"Yup. The only way to watch soaps. I have a weeks worth to watch since that stupid council made me miss them." He stopped feeding the infant.
"Can I?" Buffy extended her arms out to take Niya.
"Sure slayer. How was LA? How is your ex doing, still brooding?" Spike smirked.
"You could say that." Buffy answered quietly. "He was in Sunnydale for Thanksgiving."
"Yeah I know."
"Did everyone know but me? My god what the hell kind of slayer am I?" She continued to rub Niya's back gently.
"One that has just been spit up on."
"Huh?" She pulled Niya away from her and made a face as she handed the baby back to him. "Just great." Buffy grabbed a paper towel by Niya's bottle and wiped off the shoulder of her sweeter.
"The underground talks
when Peaches is around. That's how I knew. The council probably knew, too. I
heard he was here and cleared out." Spike conveniently left out that he
practically sicked the council on Angel, "Does Peaches know I'm here?"
"You're name never came up. Although we didn't talk long."
"Good…that he doesn't know I am here." Spike was definitely glad that they didn't talk for long. "So what else has been going on since my little hiatus?"
"You wouldn't believe it. If I told you!" Buffy replied as she settled Niya into her playpen.
"What? Those commando guys? Still mucking about?"
"Not only that this girl that I used to go to school with, got vamped and then she was captured by the commando's. Her name is Harmony. She came to me for help believe it or not. Seems strange the way vamps keeping doing that."
"Haha, very funny Slayer." Spike replied dryly as she fast forwarded another Chad and Whitney argument.
"They did some kind of experiment on her. And now she's well sort of impotent." Buffy concluded abruptly.
"What? Sexually?" Spike stopped the tape to look at her her.
"No fangwise. She can't bite. Actually she gets some kind of shock or something when she tries to attack anything." The look on Spike's face was priceless she couldn't help but laugh.
"Ohh. I don't know which is worse."
Buffy rolled her eyes, "Yeah so you better stay off the street. We don't need Niya having a fang free daddy."
Spike ignored her sarcastic edge to last bit of the sentence and began to play his Passions tape again.
"Well Spike I am going to have a shower and then I am off to bed."
"Night Summers."
"Night Spike. Bye bye Niya." Buffy dashed up the stairs leaving the two behind.
* * *
Part 38Buffy couldn't believe how great it felt being out in the fall air. Everything was pleasantly warm and so far everything was going great with her picnic with Riley.
"So you've been pretty scarce around campus lately."
"Basically, I've been home a lot lately." Buffy smiled opening up a container of sliced apples.
"Everything ok?"
"Ok as things could ever be in my life." The Slayer smirked. For once it seemed like she might finally get the normal boyfriend and partially normal life that she had always wanted. But then a peroxided vampire and a baby got stirred into the mix. Buffy sighed mentally before smiling at Riley who was looking at her longingly.
"I was going to ask you something?"
"Ask away…" Buffy waited patiently.
"Hi guys?" Willow said meekly as she approached the picnicking couple.
"Hey Willow." Riley greeted.
"You ok Wil?"
Buffy had told Riley about Willow and Oz imploding but not the whole story of course, cause that would involve werewolves and witchcraft which were not good first date material.
"You're having a picnic." She observed.
"Yeah uhmm…" Buffy began just as Willow took a seat next to the couple. Buffy gave Riley an, 'I'm sorry.' Look but he just smiled slightly letting Buffy know that it was alright. He could tell that Willow was hurting and that she just needed to be around people. Buffy couldn't help but admire him and at that moment she was sure he had found the perfect normal guy. Now she just needed to incorporate him into her very unusual life without getting him killed, or just as bad, scared off.
* * *
Spike couldn't believe he was doing this. Bringing Niya to the Watchers after the last conversation they had was not his idea of a good idea.
Spike expected the middle aged man to answer the door but instead in front of him stood a beautiful blond. "You must be Spikey."
"And you are to never call me that again." He was already pissed off with the vampire in front of him. "The name is Spike."
"Ok Spikey, I am Harmony." She smiled flipping her blond hair over her shoulder giving him ample view of her revealing cleveage.
"Oh you are the neutered chick."
"Hey I am not neutered." Her sweet smile disappeared. "I just can't bite people."
"Hence neutered luv."
She rolled her eyes, "At least I am not neutered by some kid" Harmony laughed as she looked at the sleeping baby and then up toward Spike holding a diaper bag and a soother. "Giles is in the 'Loo' as you British say."
Spike watched as the vampiress turned and walked toward the stairs her hips sashaying from side to side in her tight jeans.
"So how long were you a vamp before they got you?"
"A couple of months."
"Oh!" Was all he said.
She watched him as he set down the baby stuff in the living room. Harmony gave Spike a leering look making sure that he knew exactly what she was thinking. He smiled at her and was about to say something when Giles walked in.
"Spike? What are you doing here?"
The blondes groaned at the interruption.
"I needed to bring Niya over for a bit. Slayer's gone prancing off somewhere and I need a sitter for a bit.
"Fine but I also wanted to talk to you about Buffy."
"I'm gone." Harmony grabbed a magazine and headed toward the stairs.
"What about the Slayer?" Spike rolled his eyes ready for another lecture.
Giles sat down near the baby and ran his fingers through her black hair. "She's getting attached to Niya."
"And…" Spike waited.
"Well basically I want to know if you plan on leaving Sunnydale in the near future?"
Spike was blown away by the Watcher's abruptness. "If I was Watcher, it wouldn't be any of your business." Giles picked up Niya who just murmured slightly and then made herself comfortable in his arms resuming her sleep. Giles could see that Spike was ready to protest but the vampire held his tongue. "Buffy and especially Joyce are very attached to this baby. So if you plan on leaving I think that giving them a fair warning is in order."
"Look here watcher, I am not going anywhere at least not for a long while but raising a child on a hellmouth isn't a good thing either."
"Perhaps… but you made the decision to come here and now everyone must handle the consequences..."
"Understood." Spike replied wanting to get the hell out of the apartment.
"Are you killing people anymore?"
"Why are you asking me a question you already know the answer too."
"Because I want to hear it from you and not hear what might be Buffy's selectively hearing or wishfully thinking. So she wouldn't have to stake you."
"No! Happy? I am not feeding."
"What kind of blood do you drink?"
Spike was really growing tired of the twenty questions, "Human." Spike stated a matter of factly.
"I don't want to know how you get it."
"I wasn't planning on telling you. But I am running low and I can't ask Joyce to get it for me…"
"You'd better not." Giles warned.
"So do you mind?" Spike looked suggestively at Niya and then at Giles.
"Well..uh…"
"Thanks Grandpa Rups. I'll be back in an hour." Spike smiled before giving Niya a quick kiss on the cheek and headed out the door, "By the way she'll need changing when she wakes up. And food is in the bag."
Giles looked stunned. As soon as Spike closed the door the infant woke up and took one look at Giles and started crying.
* * *
Part 39Spike was whistling, walking down the street to a 'dealers' house. Dealers were basically humans that catered to demons needs. Miksa was a middle aged Japanese woman; she owned her own shop near the downtown core of Sunnydale. She hired various humans to give her things that demons wanted. Whether it be the hair of a virgin or the skin of a priest, even vomit and bile were fast sellers at the store but for vampires that wanted to stay out of the Slayers way blood was her best seller. She had all types and all races, even baby... It didn't matter what the substance as long as demons wanted it she would provide it as long as she didn't have to kill anyone.
Spike was about to turn the corner to the alleyway to Miksa's shop when a buzz of electricity crackled through the air. The vampire instinctively dropped to the ground. The device cracked over his head and he rolled toward the figure that was closest to him and kicked out the legs from underneath the attacker.
The attacker grunted as he fell to the ground. Spike flipped up and lashed out at the other figure that approached him he gave a spin kick connecting with the attacker's jaw. Sending the person sprawling to the ground. Meanwhile the other one had recovered and grabbed his tazer gun and approached Spike cautiously. Spike turned to dodge the impending blow the soldier didn't even know what hit him as Spike punched him the face. The gun went sprawling to the ground and the solider just charged at Spike with full force knocking the vampire into the wall. He pulled back grabbing the vampire by the throat and started punching him. Spike broke the strangle hold and head butted his attacker, then grabbed a near by pipe hanging out of the dumpster and hit the attacker in the stomach.
He's vampiric instincts took over as he pulled the attacker off of the ground and sunk his fangs into his neck. The rush of warm blood filled his throat but so did a bitter taste to the blood. Spike retracted his fangs and dropped the bleeding man to the floor. He was heading toward Miksa's when the crackling of static broke through the silent alley.
"Alpha one this is Lilac. What's your status?" There was a pause, "Alpha 1 come in?"
* * *
Giles and Niya had been playing for sometime when Spike burst through the door dropping the bag he was carrying to the floor and started to gather Niya's clothes. Giles could see the blood that stained the vampire's hands and knew that something was definitely wrong.
"What happened?" Giles looked at the dark bruise forming on the left side of Spike's face.
"Nothing. I'm taking Niya home." Spike picked up the baby and settled her in her strolled not even bothering to zip up her jumper properly. He set his bag of blood down in the trolley. Even Harmony picked up her head at the smell of the blood. But as soon as the Slayer burst through the door Harmony rested herself back down on the couch and waited for the impending explosion.
"Spike? What are you doing here?"
"Leaving." He grunted. Niya looked up at Buffy with a smile.
"No you're not, something happened and I was want to know what." Giles interrupted sternly.
"I'm leaving plain and simple I don't owe you a thing Watcher."
Spike was about to head out the door when Buffy grabbed his arm. Instinctively he swung his fist and it connected with her jaw shocking the Slayer but definitely not taking a heavy toll on her. Niya screamed in delight as her father put on his game face. That was until Buffy drew back her fist and gave Spike an equal punch knocking him backward. Now her scream of excitement turned into full blown wailing. Her crying was the only thing stopping Spike from going after Buffy. He picked her up and put back on his human façade as he tried to comfort her.
Buffy was shocked and a little hurt at Niya's reaction. And then she finally saw the bruises on Spike's neck. "What the hell happened?"
"One of those bleeding Commando idiots guys that it what happened. Tried to zap with one of those tazer guns." He replied shaking Niya gently to calm her down.
"Did you…Did you hurt them?" Buffy asked softly.
"What do you think?" Spike scoffed, "The prospect of having something shoved up my brain like blondey over there doesn't really excite me."
"Did you kill the bastards?" Harmony suddenly spoke up.
"No not dead."
Buffy breathed a sigh of relief.
"I am so glad that you are so concerned about my well being Slayer." Spike retorted sarcastically before he settled Niya back into her stroller. And finally headed out the door. Buffy gave Giles a fleeting look before going after Spike. "I am coming with."
"No you are bloody not." He yelled.
"We can fight about this for the next hour with you leaving more bruised and battered or you can shut up and let us take her home and tell me everything that happened." Buffy said putting Niya in her baby-seat.
Spike sighed but his anger dissipating, "Whatever, Slayer."
* * *
The whole trip to Revello Drive was made in silence Buffy held Niya in her arms as Spike lugged all of her bag stuff into the house.
"Where's mom?" Buffy asked as they walked into the darkened house.
"She's staying in LA for a week for an auction, she left two days after bringing Niya home. I guess you were too busy with some wanker to check your answering machine." Spike snipped taking his blood to the fridge. He washed his hands as thoroughly as he could. Getting the remnants of blood off of them.
"Spike… I am sorry about before. Hitting you and all."
"Hey I am use to it. Remember our truce you kind of had a thing for hitting me in the nose."
"I just can't go around pretending that it ok for you to hurt people just because of Niya." Buffy looked down at Niya as she contined, "I am still a Vampire Slayer. It's what I do and it's how I feel. Gosh I never thought I would have…"
"It's alright Slayer. Although we will probably always be enemies on some level I respect you."
"You do?"
"Absolutely. Just don't… nevermind." Spike grabbed a towel to dry his hands.
"Just don't what?" Niya got the better of the situation as Buffy held her. She grabbed the slayer's finger in a death grip. "Hey there little one you've got a strong grip there huh?"
The baby smiled, "You're gonna be a strong little girl huh?" Buffy asked in a baby talk voice. Buffy slowly walked into the living room. Niya's smile grew her chubby cheeks rising fully. Buffy began to play tug of war with the infant, she enjoyed battling the young Slayer in a game of strength. Buffy just laughed as Niya continued to grip her hand until her little nails began to prick into Buffy's skin, "Spike." Buffy tried to shake lose her fingers "Spike! Niya needs her nails to be cut." Buffy yelled toward the kitchen.
"The clippers are in the bag." He yelled back. "In the front pocket."
"But..but…." Buffy heard the microwave ding and figured Spike was eating. He walked out of the kitchen in full game face. And Niya again began to thrash around happily in Buffy's arms.
Buffy was astonished that the baby knew of his presence or more likely that she knew of his vampire presence as Spike coddled her and clipped her nails with ease.
"Now that's daddy's little girl." He lifted her high above his head and making her giggling and the brought her down to his awaiting fangs. His fangs aiming right her chubby little neck. Buffy's Slayer senses were going crazy as the sharp elongated teeth got closer to the baby's neck. Niya just squealed in delight. She got so excited that she walloped Spike in the chest with her foot. Buffy couldn't stop laughing, the look of shock that passed Spike's vampiric face was priceless. He morphed back into his human façade and Niya gleefully drooled at the excitement.
"You kick like a slayer." Spike quipped but Buffy froze at his observation, He couldn't know could he? "You are going to bed little missy. And your daddy is off to have shower. Say bye bye Niya." Spike helped Niya's tiny arm wave bye, Buffy couldn't help but smile.
"Bye bye sweetie."
"Night Slayer." Spike said before he carried Niya up the stairs.
As soon as Buffy heard Spike turn on the shower she called Giles.
"Hello?"
"Giles, it's me. Ehm how did Niya react to Harmony?"
"Well she was sleeping when she got here but once she woke up and saw Harmony she started to cry. I thought it was strange but then Harmony tried to convince me that she was always good with kids and picked up Niya and the baby started pulling on Harmony's hair and wouldn't let go until I took her out of her Harmony's arms. I must say that Niya won the fight hands down." Giles huffed, "Are you asking for the reason that I think you are asking?"
"Yup. It seems that our little Slayer already knows the difference between vampires and humans. Or at least good vampires and not so good ones. But I need to test the theory."
And how do you propose you to do that?"
"Ehmm I am not sure. Maybe I should take her to Willies?" Buffy could practically hear Giles cleaning his glasses. "I am kidding Giles. There is no way to test what her abilities are without putting her in danger and having Spike ask a gazillion questions."
"Very true."
"But what I don't get Giles is how she could know this stuff this early. She's not even six months old yet. Hell when I was 15 I couldn't tell the difference between a vampire and human." Buffy heard the shower shut off, "I have got to go Giles. I'll call you from the dorm."
"Ok Buffy talk to you later."
* * *
Part 40
One Week Later
"Hey, what's going on?" Buffy asked dropping down her weapons bag, looking at the crib box and all the baby stuff on the foyer floor.
It had been two months since Spike had moved into the Summers house.
"I'm leaving, pet." Spike said gliding down the stair with a bag full of baby clothes, Spike put down the bag and headed back up the stairs, whistling.
Buffy's heart sank as she thought, there's no way that he could be leaving.
Buffy still hadn't told him about the prophecy, he couldn't leave with Niya. Buffy headed toward the kitchen, where Joyce was feeding Niya.
"Hi mom." Buffy greeted grimly.
"Oh, hi Buffy." Joyce replied with the same enthusiasm.
"So he's leaving."
"Yeah."
Niya gurgled at Buffy and Joyce handed her the baby. Buffy felt tears in her eyes looking at the baby slayer.
"So where's he going?" Buffy said handing her back to Joyce.
"Far, far away from you Slayer." Spike chimed from the living room. With that Buffy walked onto the back porch and wiped the tears that were on her cheeks viciously away.
"Hey, Buff." Willow said walking toward her, "I heard the back door slam and . . ."
Willow stopped as she saw Buffy face.
"Hey what's wrong? Willow asked sitting next to Buffy on the step.
"He's leaving Will."
"Spike? Where? Why?"
"Yes. I don't know for last two."
Both girls could here Niya giggling inside.
"Yes laugh for Grandma . . . You are a cutie aren't you . . ." Joyce said in baby talk.
"Have you told him?" Willow asked.
"No, Will how am I going to tell him."
"Tell who, what? Joyce asked the two girls as she stood at the screen door
They both sat in silence.
"Well?" Joyce hurried as she handed Niya to Willow. Niya shifted in Willow's arms but didn't make a sound.
* * *
Spike paused hoping that Buffy didn't sense him as he walked toward the kitchen.
"Buffy what is going on?" Joyce asked.
Buffy sighed deeply, "Niya is a slayer. Well is going to be a slayer."
Spike stepped back as he heard the revelation, so those guys from Vancouver that Nina told him about must have been from The Watcher's Council.
"Bloody hell." He whispered to himself as he stepped back into the living room. A Slayer. This tiny baby a slayer. I don't want her to be a slayer. I don't want her to fight vampires. She's just a baby. She shouldn't have a pre-set destiny. Niya should be happy and playful. Not worrying about staking and crossbow techniques. Goddamn Powers That Be.
* * *
TBC…