AUTHOR'S NOTE: At one point in this chapter, it may seem like there's no way this will end up well. . .but trust me, in the next chapter it will all be good. Please review, I'm loving the feedback!

Part 2: The Truth Comes Out

She'd walked out of the doctor's office, her own guilt eating away at her. Xander thought this was his baby, but she couldn't keep that from him forever. He'd work out as soon as it had been born that they were 3 months or so short. And he would know the only other person responsible. . .not to mention this was a *vampire/vengeance demon* child, who knew what the hell it could be.

She could be carrying an evil thing for all she knew.

But it all seemed fine on that blurry image she'd seen in the office - there it had seemed like the most beautiful thing ever. She knew that she could never bring herself to have an abortion, no matter who the father was.

The worst part though had to be the fact that Xander was so excited when he'd heard everything was fine, that there was going to be a healthy baby. All he didn't know was that the baby wasn't even his to be concerned about.

Anya sat in the car on the way back to the Summers', and thought deeply while Xander talked in her ear about all the things they'd do when the child was born. She couldn't bring herself to listen, knowing it could never be that way.

What could she do now? Should she tell Xander the truth straight away, or should she tell Spike first that he was going to be a father? He would be so much more appreciative of it now that he had a soul.

They had arrived at the house and gone in, where the whole Scooby gang (sans Spike) were eager to find out about the baby. Buffy had found out about it shortly after Willow and Dawn, and even Giles had flown in from England to deliver his personal congratulations to his fellow shop owner.

'So?!' Willow asked excited. 'What did the doctor say?'

Xander answered her. 'The baby is in perfect health. If Anya just eats right, stays healthy and stays away from dangerous vampires and demons that could kill her, we're ay-OK.'

Buffy smiled. 'This is so great!' she put her hands over her mouth, and went to hug her male best friend. As soon as she released him from it, she asked immediately: 'Can I be godmother?'

Willow made an appalled face. 'You little snitch! You promised we'd ask together!'

'You snooze you lose, Will,' Buffy told her other best friend dismissively.

Xander smiled. 'You can both be godmother, we'll make it fair. . .' he paused. 'Or, I guess Will. . .you could be godfather, considering you were kinda best man at our wedding. . .' he paused again. '. . .which never happened. . .I'll shut up now.'

'Anya,' Giles interrupted. He went over to shake her hand. 'This is truly uplifting news. I'm so happy you're kick-starting your life up now that you're human again - starting a family is wonderful.'

Anya merely nodded. Right at that moment, Spike burst through the door. It became clear that night had fallen, and that generally meant that Spike always came around.

'Well, if it isn't the proud mother and father-to-be!' He approached them. 'How is the little tyke?'

'Not that it's any of your business Spike,' Xander told the souled-vampire coldly, and with a touch of unknown irony, 'but OUR baby is great.'

Spike raised his hands defensively. 'My blessings to you both, no need for the cold shoulder.' He turned his attention towards Anya with a concerned look on his face. 'How are you feeling?'

She shrugged, not able to look at the real father of her baby. 'OK at the moment. Waiting for it to grow and distort my perfect feminine figure.'

'Well, I say we celebrate,' Dawn spoke up. 'How about we go out for a nice celebratory dinner?'

'Sounds great,' Buffy agreed. 'Shall we?' She made her way to her front door, grabbing her coat. Everybody followed, including Spike. Xander objected.

'And what makes you think you're coming with us?'

Spike glared at Xander. 'Look, I may not be on your favourites list, but I'm happy about this baby, and any celebration you choose to have about it will have me present,' he told Xander decisively.

'Even the baby shower?' Willow said confused. 'Cause that's kinda only for girls. . .'

Anya's stomach wrenched. Spike had just said he cared about this baby. . .this did partly ease the fact that she had to tell him it was his, but she wondered whether his opinion would change when she did.

'Xander, just let him come,' Buffy said, not wanting any trouble. 'He won't be a pain - will you Spike?' She gave him a look that was a threat in itself. He acknowledged it, and replied with an affirmative look.

'Good. Let's go.'

**********

After they'd gotten their table for 7, they were all looking over the menus trying to decide what to order. The restaurant was quite casual, so nothing too out of their price range.

The waiter came over, pen and pad ready to write down the orders. 'What will you guys be having?' he asked politely.

Buffy got the ball rolling as she always did. 'I'll have the chicken steak, medium please, with fries on the side. . .and a coke.'

Dawn was sitting next to her sister. 'I'll have the same.' The two smiled at each other.

Next up was Giles, who was sitting on the other side of Buffy. 'I'll have the grilled tuna with rice and peas and a glass of white wine.'

Spike was sitting next to Dawn, and spoke after Giles. 'I'd like the 10 oz steak - rare please,' he pointed out. 'But, really rare. I mean, I still want it crawling on my plate.'

Buffy and Willow raised their eyebrows. The waiter wrote it down, not seeming surprised at all. Obviously a lot of vampires with a craving for steak came into this place.

'I'll have the pasta with tomato and basil sauce and a 7UP.' Willow piped up.

Xander smiled. 'I'll have the same.' It was sweet how after all those years of friendship, they still had the same taste.

'Can I have the chicken with white mushroom sauce?' Anya said as she put her menu away.

'No!' Xander exclaimed. Anya looked offended.

'Sweetie, that probably contains white wine - alcohol. We can't let you have alcohol while you're pregnant, it could damage the baby.'

Anya nodded dazed. "More damaged than it already is, you mean. . ." she thought to herself.

'She'll have the pasta and 7UP too,' Xander decided for her. The waiter wrote it down. 'Coming right up,' he said, as he walked away.

Just then, Anya felt something coming up her throat. It was a horrible feeling, what could it have been. . .

She was going to throw up. Oh.

'Bathroom,' she uttered as she jumped out of her chair and rushed to the restroom.

**********

10 minutes later, after she'd emptied what her baby insisted she did, she stepped out of the restroom. Next to the women's one was the men's, and between them a phone booth. Leaning in the phone booth was none other than Spike, smoking a cigarette.

'Oh!' he exclaimed, as soon as he saw her. He put it out instantaneously. 'Don't want this damaging the baby,' he said, showing her the dead cigarette butt.

She smiled appreciatively. 'Thanks.'

'Threw up?' he asked sympathetically. She bobbed her head up and down, hand on her stomach.

'Not to sound like the expert. . .' Spike began. '. . .but aren't you meant to get morning sickness in. . .the morning?'

'I dunno, my body's always been kinda different to the normal.' Spike nodded, and there was an awkward moment.

Anya didn't know what came over her, but it just seemed to be the care in Spike's eyes. . .the fact that he'd come with them to the dinner, the fact that he'd put out his cigarette as soon as he saw her. . .he cared about this baby. He needed to know the truth.

'Spike, I need to tell you something,' she walked closer to him. 'Nobody else knows and I need you to keep it secret, OK?' He seemed surprised, but he uttered 'OK.'

'This baby. . .I went to the doctor's today as you know to get it checked on. . .' Spike nodded with a concerned look. She went on.

'...he told me that this baby. . .is 3 months old.' Spike's expression froze. Anya continued. '3 months ago I was still a vengeance demon. And I'd only slept with one person - you.'

He stood back, staring at her unsurely. She confirmed his thoughts. 'I think you're the father of this baby.'

He didn't know what to say. 'But that's impossible. . .vampires can't reproduce. It must be Harris'.'

She shook her head. 'I don't know how, but I know it's true. This baby is yours.'

He turned around, looking up at the ceiling. 'Bloody hell. . .'

'I don't want you to think you need to do anything. You don't. I can take care of this myself, because I know Xander won't forgive me when he finds out - you don't need to lift a finger.'

He turned back to face her. 'Are you kidding? Look, these may not be the best circumstances, but I will be there for this kid no matter what.' Anya looked deeply at him as he talked. 'I've never had a child, but I remember I wanted one when I was still alive. And I think this soul has me wanting it again. . .I don't know whether it's the Powers That Be or whoever the hell - I just know if this is my baby, it's mine for a reason, and I will protect it with my life.'

She smiled at him, tears in her eyes. 'Thank you. . .' she whispered. He walked close to her again, and hugged her tenderly, symbolically protecting her too.

Just as she'd begun to relax for the first time in a while, a voice spoke behind her. 'Would you care to share that story with me, Anya?' She spun around, as a horrible feeling flew through her.

Xander was standing there staring at them.

**********

'So when were you planning on telling me that our baby is some freak-demon- vampire thing?' he continued bitterly. 'Oh, I meant your baby, not our.'

A tear rolled down her cheek. 'Xander, please - I am so sorry. . .'

'Sorry?' he shouted too loudly, as some people on tables close by looked at them. 'You lied to me! You made me believe I was a father, made me feel the happiest I've ever been. . .and now you've taken that away and given it. . .to that thing?' He pointed at Spike, disgusted with Anya.

She shook her head. 'I was going to tell you. . .I didn't know it was his until today. . .'

'Well, honestly, I don't give a rat's ass.' She flinched at the harshness of his speech. He pointed his index finger at her. 'You and your wonderful screwed-up baby and screwed-up boyfriend can get the hell away from me.'

She brought her head down, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. The shouting must have been heard across the room, as Buffy, Willow, Dawn and Giles all rushed over.

'What's going on?' Buffy said immediately as she saw the emotions on the three faces.

'Listen you ponce,' Spike stood up for Anya and his baby. 'You can do whatever the bleedin' heck you want, but you will not stand here and insult my baby.'

'Your baby?' Dawn stood back aghast. 'Anya - you're carrying Spike's child?'

Anya didn't say or do anything - she was too busy crying and collapsing onto her knees on the floor. She shook with sobs, not believing this was happening. At this point, the whole restaurant was silent and keeping a close watch on them.

'I want nothing to do with you or your baby,' Xander spoke angrily at Anya, as Spike knelt down beside her, holding her in his arms, rocking her gently. 'As far as I'm concerned, you're dead to me.'

Anya cried out, a terrifying cry of despair and pain that sent shivers up everybody's spines. Xander began walking away.

'Xander, wait!' Buffy tried to stop him. 'There must be a mistake. . .'

He ignored her, as he stormed out of the restaurant. The whole room was silent with tension, and Spike was still holding a sobbing Anya in his arms. The public continued to look very interested, eager to see what would happen next in this live soap opera. Willow noticed this and tried to make them go back to what they were doing originally.

'Well, great rehearsal guys!' she shouted loudly, even slightly sarcastically. 'If we can get it that good for the real performance, we're gonna get raving reviews!' She turned to the public. '"A Demon and her Affair" - watch out for it in your local theatres.' The people were strangely gullible to this explanation, as they let out a groan of disappointment and slowly went back to their meals.

The four who had been watching at the side ran over to the ex-vengeance demon and vampire on the floor. 'What the hell happened?' Buffy asked seriously.

'I'll explain,' Spike promised. 'Let's just get her out of here and somewhere quiet.'

**********

Not being able to find Xander afterwards, the gang had retreated home to get the full story from Spike (they couldn't get much from Anya because she was still in shock).

Spike had explained what he knew. . .when he and Anya had slept together it had impregnated her, and this was his baby. He didn't know how or why, but he knew he would be a good father and be there for his child, especially now that Xander wasn't even in the picture.

After that, he had taken Anya up to a bedroom to get her to rest. Buffy, Willow, Giles and Dawn were left downstairs pondering what they knew. Giles had already gotten up to look through books in the other room.

'I don't get it though. . .' Willow said to the Slayer and her sister. 'How can it be Spike's? I thought vampires couldn't have kids.'

'Well, it must be something to do with Anya too,' Buffy guessed. 'She was a demon after all when they slept together; maybe it's got something to do with that.'

Giles walked into the room, a book open in one hand, repositioning his glasses with the other. 'I'm trying to find some kind of loophole here. . .' he said, '. . .but it doesn't look hopeful.'

'I still can't believe it's not Xander's. . .' said Willow. 'Poor Xand. . .he must be heartbroken.'

'Poor Anya,' Dawn corrected. 'Did you hear the way she cried out when Xander said she was dead to him? I swear, I'll be happy if I never hear anything that full of pain ever again in my life.' They nodded in silent agreement.

The next 5 minutes were just small talk until Giles found something. 'Hang on. . .' he sat down on the couch, as they all craned their necks to see what he had found. 'It refers to a prophecy here. . .a child born of demon and vampire that will be a saviour for the people. . .more details in. . .' he paused, then threw that book aside, and went over to his suitcase in the corner of the room.

'Giles, what are you doing?' Buffy asked, as she watched him throw all the contents from his suitcase around.

'Here!' he exclaimed proudly, as he sat back on the couch, holding an entirely different book. 'I was working on some translations in this book back in England - I took it with me as reading material while I was here. This is where that book says the entire prophecy about the child is written out. . .'

He flipped through a few pages as the three girls looked on eagerly. He stopped at one, murmuring to himself the translation of some seemingly- meaningless symbols.

'Let's see. . ."child born from demon of". . .that word would be "reprisal". . .which means vengeance. . ."and from". . .that would be "death". . . followed by "living". . .' Giles made a puzzled face as he worked it all out in his head. 'Oh, of course. . ."living death" means vampire. . .this is the one!' Giles exclaimed excitedly as he read on. 'It says "child born from vengeance demon and vampire". . . "emergence" - that would be results in. . .first. . .warrior. . .male. . .of the people. . .one. . .' Giles froze as he translated the last word. '. . .chosen.' He stared blankly ahead. The other three however weren't aware of what he had just discovered.

'Huh?' Dawn asked bewildered.

Giles read on to himself. 'Why have I never seen this before? It says. . .' he read down the page as he made sense of it all. 'The result of two forms of evil bonding with a touch of humanity within both of them that will give. . .of course. My goodness, the myth is true.'

Buffy was fed up. Giles had found something out, and he wasn't telling them. 'Giles, stop using cryptic words - what does it say about Anya and Spike's kid?'

Giles sighed, as he shut the book, but kept his finger on the page. 'It uh. . .it basically states that when Anya and Spike. . ."bonded", it shouldn't have had any specific result, apart from the fact that they both had a touch of humanity in them, despite being evil. This means the prophecy of two sides of evil and their "good sides" shall we say, explains the birth of their baby - a truly unique child.'

'Unique how?' Willow asked, wondering whether she wanted to hear the answer.

Giles sighed.

'Anya and Spike are going to have a son. . .and he will be the first male Slayer.'

**********

A/N: TBC very soon. . .the next and final chapter is set six months later, and Anya's in labour. . .