A/N Thanks to every one for the reviews and the amount of them!
Chapter 11
***Buffy's Dream***
Buffy was lying on a hospital trolley. She was being wheeled up a brightly lit corridor, Spike was at her side holding her hand and smiling at her. He was strangely dressed in a green gown, with a facemask tied around his neck. They arrived at what looked like an operating theatre. Buffy looked down in shock at her swollen belly, Spike placed a hand on it and looked at her encouragingly.
"Come on love, I know you can do this. Push it's almost over," said Spike.
She shook her head and noticed for the first time that Giles, Willow and Xander were watching her from a glass observation window. Giles was shaking his head disapprovingly, and wiping his glasses. Willow just looked at Buffy in her usual wide-eyed surprise. She crossed her fingers and mouthed, "Good luck" to Buffy, through the glass. Xander was repeatedly hitting himself on the head with a hammer in an attempt to knock himself out.
Buffy looked back at Spike, he slipped into his game face, and grinned at her. She puffed and panted and a few seconds later Spike reached down and took their "baby" from her.
"What is it, a boy or a girl?" asked Buffy.
Spike looked at her, his fangs bared and yellow eyes shining.
"No, love it's a demon," he said, holding up the baby for her to see.
The baby was in game face just like Spike. Buffy recoiled in horror, looking back at the faces of her friends. They were laughing and pointing at her. She started to sob and at that moment, Quentin came in and staked Spike through the heart, neatly catching the baby as Spike dissolved into dust.
"Thank you Miss Summers, job well done, I'll be taking this," said Quentin, as he walked off with the baby.
Buffy looked at the pile of ashes on the floor that was once Spike and then up again at Quentin's retreating form. And she opened her mouth to let out a blood-curdling scream..
HOTEL NIGHT
"Buffy, Buffy.." Said Spike, trying to shake her awake.
The nightmare had her tightly in its grip, but she managed to shake it off and return to consciousness. Spike had switched on the bedside lamp to study her face; the smell of fear was strong on her.
"Buffy, what is it, what's wrong? You were screaming blue murder," said Spike.
Buffy looked at Spike, she was still trembling from the remembered dream.
"It's nothing really, just a childish nightmare that's all," she lied.
"It sounded a little more than that," said Spike, as he touched her shoulder in concern.
Buffy flinched automatically.
"Don't touch me," she snapped.
Spike frowned, the hurt evident on his face. She hardened her heart to it and drew her knees up to her chin, staring sightlessly at the wall.
"Fine, don't tell me then, but isn't that what couples are supposed to do, share their problems?" asked Spike.
Still a little raw from what she had dreamt, Buffy went for the jugular.
"Who said we were a couple, I never said that at any time," she replied defensively.
Spike swallowed down the pain at her words. He got up from the bed and pulled on his jeans.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Any where, but here love. It's obvious that I'm superfluous to your needs," said Spike.
"But Robson said we weren't to leave the hotel," said Buffy.
"I don't give a damn what that prick has to say, I need some smokes and fresh air so if you don't mind? Well actually I don't care if you do," said Spike as he finished dressing.
"Spike.it's not a good idea,"
He slammed out of the room. She listened to his retreating steps along the hall and down the stairs, her tears started to fall in earnest.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After a half an hour of feeling sorry for herself, Buffy got up from the bed. She entered the grimy bathroom, and splashed her face with cold water. Looking at her puffy eyes in the mirror, her reflection looked back at her, almost accusingly. She hadn't meant to be so cruel to Spike, it was that damned nightmare.
Spike had been showing human characteristics ever since he'd drank that blood, and twice she had invited him into her bed. Well three times, if she counted their tequila fuelled first time. Granted, she had done the instigating on all the occasions, but not once in all their troubles had Buffy thought of the possible outcome of their union. Not until the dream at least, she didn't blame Spike; after all, he had been a vampire for a hell of a long time. The vampire community didn't exactly have to worry about procreating, not in the conventional sense anyway.
Maybe she was just stressing over nothing, but she had had too many prophetic dreams in her time to discard this latest one. If only Giles were here, he would help make sense of it all. She felt a fresh wave of tears well up in her eyes, but she blinked them back, angry with herself for her weakness.
"Get it together girl, you've had to face worse than this in your time," she told herself angrily.
There was a knock at the door, Buffy leapt off the bed eagerly to answer it.
"Spike, I am so sorry about." the words died on her lips, as she saw it was only the hotel manager. " Oh, it's you," she finished.
He looked her up and down.
"What's the matter sweetheart, your fella run out on you?" he asked.
"Is there a point to this conversation, or shall I just give you an ass kicking?" asked Buffy.
"Like a little scrap of a girl such as you could take me on. Anyway there's some guy on the phone for you," he said.
He waddled off down the hall, leaving an overpowering aroma of sweat in his wake. Buffy had no choice, but to follow him. She picked up the handset.
"Hello?" she said,
"Buffy, it's Giles," he replied.
Buffy breathed a big sigh of relief at the sound of a friendly voice.
"Giles, what's happening? Spike and I are holed up at some sleazy hotel and the council are out to kill Spike. Not to mention some top secret plan they are cooking up," said Buffy.
"I know, Robson told me. Not that Spike's demise would cause me any grief, he's one demon that Sunnydale would be a lot sunnier without," said Giles.
Buffy's hand tightened on the handset at Giles's words. She couldn't blame him for his attitude really. Hadn't she behaved in exactly the same way before their trip?
"You are making plans for both our escapes, aren't you?" asked Buffy.
"I er um yes," said Giles, awkwardly.
"Good, because if he does not go, I do not go. He's helpless Giles; he wouldn't even be able to fight them," said Buffy.
Giles sighed.
"I'm sorry Buffy," said Giles.
"For what?" asked Buffy.
"For putting you in this situation in the first place," said Giles.
"You weren't to know, I should have trusted my instincts on this one. Quentin usually has an agenda of his own," said Buffy.
"Quentin is not a bad man, but he will act in the best interests of the council, whether it's morally right or wrong," said Giles.
"So what's the plan?" asked Buffy.
"Have your things ready, Robson will collect you from the back alley of the hotel after the sun goes down," said Giles.
"And after that?" asked Buffy.
"He's taking you to a private airstrip that flies out freight planes only. It will be easier for you to get through unnoticed," said Giles.
"How is that going to get us all the way home?" asked Buffy.
"It will take you as far as LAX. There wasn't one going to Sunnydale, but not to worry we will be there to meet you," said Giles.
"Thanks, I'd better go, love to the others. Didn't think I would be so homesick, but I also didn't think things would turn out like this either," said Buffy.
"Be careful Buffy, I don't think I will be able to sleep until I know you are home safe," said Giles regretfully.
"I can take care of myself, its Spike I'm not so sure of," said Buffy.
With that, she replaced the handset, and went back up the stairs to her room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy sat on the bed, looking at her watch. It was almost 7am and Spike had still not returned. She pulled back the ragged curtains to see that the sky was turning to grey. What if the effects of the demon blood had started to wear off? He had the best part of half an hour, before sunrise.
Buffy grew tired of twiddling her thumbs, she put on her jacket and left her room against her better judgement. So, Robson had told them both to stay put, but Buffy couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. She tucked her blonde hair into her jacket and pulled up the collar. Buffy walked out into the back alley of the hotel, looking around in the dimness. There was no one around except for the obligatory drunk, taking a leak a few feet away.
"Guess some things are the same the world over," said Buffy.
Buffy walked down the road, not sure what direction to take. Something silvery caught her eye in the light of the street lamp. Frowning, Buffy bent to pick it up. Her heart was in her mouth as she saw it was Spike's lighter. She would know it anywhere; he'd used it enough during their short 'engagement' but where was its owner? Buffy looked around, at the now empty streets. A male hand rested on her shoulder making her start, fleetingly. Buffy gripped it on reflex and threw it and it's owner over her shoulder.
Robson landed in an awkward heap at her feet.
"I should have remembered not to have come at you from behind. They teach that in basic training," said Robson, rubbing at his shoulder.
"Is Spike with you?" asked Buffy.
"That's why I'm here. I just got word, and the council have him. They picked him up about two hours ago, as he was walking back from a local corner shop," said Robson.
"That dumb ass," said Buffy.
"Well a lot of vampires are lacking in intelligence," said Robson.
"I wasn't talking about Spike, I was talking about Mr Travers," said Buffy.
"Well at least they didn't get their hands on you. We can still go ahead with our plan to get you on that plane tonight," said Robson.
Buffy shook her head.
"No Spike, no Buffy, Comprende?" asked Buffy, as she folded her arms and fixed him with a determined glare.
"I don't understand, he's just a vampire, it's your job to kill them. Why would you care?" asked Robson.
Buffy realised that she did care about Spike, in fact she cared so much that it scared her. Why had she been afraid to let him get close? What if she never got the chance to show him that she wanted more than just great sex? She had to get Spike before Travers killed him. Buffy pulled Robson along by his lapels of his jacket.
"I'm gonna rescue Spike and you're going help me," said Buffy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike was starting to come around, he squinted against the bright lights of the grey walled room. He tried to move, only to discover that he was very tightly chained to a chair. One minute he had been walking down the road about to light up a cigarette and the next Spike knew he was here.
He pulled at the chains, to no avail. Spike slumped down in the chair. The door opened, Quentin walked in followed by Lavinia.
"Hello William, so nice that you could join us," drawled Quentin.
"Any thing to oblige.you bastard," said Spike.
"Now, now no need for offensiveness. We have a missing slayer that we need to find, any idea where she might be?" asked Quentin.
"Go get shagged, you look as if you need it," snarled Spike.
"I thought that might be your attitude. I have a couple of friends that might be able to persuade you to talk," said Quentin.
As if on cue, a couple of hard set looking men entered the room.
"Are you the welcoming party?" asked Spike.
One of the men backhanded him across the face.
"You speak when spoken to, get it?" asked one of the new comers.
Spike spat blood on the floor.
"Never was one for doing what I was told," said Spike as he looked up at him defiantly.
"Well I'll leave you three alone to get acquainted, come on Lavinia," said Quentin.
"Oh, yes, sorry Sir," said Lavinia as she followed him.
Lavinia followed after Quentin, as she turned to close the door, She glanced at Spike and caught his eye. Flushing guiltily she hung her head in shame and closed the door.
"Now where were we?" asked Spike.
"At the bit where you were about to tell us everything you knew," said the man.
"Over my undead body," sneered Spike.
TBC
Chapter 11
***Buffy's Dream***
Buffy was lying on a hospital trolley. She was being wheeled up a brightly lit corridor, Spike was at her side holding her hand and smiling at her. He was strangely dressed in a green gown, with a facemask tied around his neck. They arrived at what looked like an operating theatre. Buffy looked down in shock at her swollen belly, Spike placed a hand on it and looked at her encouragingly.
"Come on love, I know you can do this. Push it's almost over," said Spike.
She shook her head and noticed for the first time that Giles, Willow and Xander were watching her from a glass observation window. Giles was shaking his head disapprovingly, and wiping his glasses. Willow just looked at Buffy in her usual wide-eyed surprise. She crossed her fingers and mouthed, "Good luck" to Buffy, through the glass. Xander was repeatedly hitting himself on the head with a hammer in an attempt to knock himself out.
Buffy looked back at Spike, he slipped into his game face, and grinned at her. She puffed and panted and a few seconds later Spike reached down and took their "baby" from her.
"What is it, a boy or a girl?" asked Buffy.
Spike looked at her, his fangs bared and yellow eyes shining.
"No, love it's a demon," he said, holding up the baby for her to see.
The baby was in game face just like Spike. Buffy recoiled in horror, looking back at the faces of her friends. They were laughing and pointing at her. She started to sob and at that moment, Quentin came in and staked Spike through the heart, neatly catching the baby as Spike dissolved into dust.
"Thank you Miss Summers, job well done, I'll be taking this," said Quentin, as he walked off with the baby.
Buffy looked at the pile of ashes on the floor that was once Spike and then up again at Quentin's retreating form. And she opened her mouth to let out a blood-curdling scream..
HOTEL NIGHT
"Buffy, Buffy.." Said Spike, trying to shake her awake.
The nightmare had her tightly in its grip, but she managed to shake it off and return to consciousness. Spike had switched on the bedside lamp to study her face; the smell of fear was strong on her.
"Buffy, what is it, what's wrong? You were screaming blue murder," said Spike.
Buffy looked at Spike, she was still trembling from the remembered dream.
"It's nothing really, just a childish nightmare that's all," she lied.
"It sounded a little more than that," said Spike, as he touched her shoulder in concern.
Buffy flinched automatically.
"Don't touch me," she snapped.
Spike frowned, the hurt evident on his face. She hardened her heart to it and drew her knees up to her chin, staring sightlessly at the wall.
"Fine, don't tell me then, but isn't that what couples are supposed to do, share their problems?" asked Spike.
Still a little raw from what she had dreamt, Buffy went for the jugular.
"Who said we were a couple, I never said that at any time," she replied defensively.
Spike swallowed down the pain at her words. He got up from the bed and pulled on his jeans.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Any where, but here love. It's obvious that I'm superfluous to your needs," said Spike.
"But Robson said we weren't to leave the hotel," said Buffy.
"I don't give a damn what that prick has to say, I need some smokes and fresh air so if you don't mind? Well actually I don't care if you do," said Spike as he finished dressing.
"Spike.it's not a good idea,"
He slammed out of the room. She listened to his retreating steps along the hall and down the stairs, her tears started to fall in earnest.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After a half an hour of feeling sorry for herself, Buffy got up from the bed. She entered the grimy bathroom, and splashed her face with cold water. Looking at her puffy eyes in the mirror, her reflection looked back at her, almost accusingly. She hadn't meant to be so cruel to Spike, it was that damned nightmare.
Spike had been showing human characteristics ever since he'd drank that blood, and twice she had invited him into her bed. Well three times, if she counted their tequila fuelled first time. Granted, she had done the instigating on all the occasions, but not once in all their troubles had Buffy thought of the possible outcome of their union. Not until the dream at least, she didn't blame Spike; after all, he had been a vampire for a hell of a long time. The vampire community didn't exactly have to worry about procreating, not in the conventional sense anyway.
Maybe she was just stressing over nothing, but she had had too many prophetic dreams in her time to discard this latest one. If only Giles were here, he would help make sense of it all. She felt a fresh wave of tears well up in her eyes, but she blinked them back, angry with herself for her weakness.
"Get it together girl, you've had to face worse than this in your time," she told herself angrily.
There was a knock at the door, Buffy leapt off the bed eagerly to answer it.
"Spike, I am so sorry about." the words died on her lips, as she saw it was only the hotel manager. " Oh, it's you," she finished.
He looked her up and down.
"What's the matter sweetheart, your fella run out on you?" he asked.
"Is there a point to this conversation, or shall I just give you an ass kicking?" asked Buffy.
"Like a little scrap of a girl such as you could take me on. Anyway there's some guy on the phone for you," he said.
He waddled off down the hall, leaving an overpowering aroma of sweat in his wake. Buffy had no choice, but to follow him. She picked up the handset.
"Hello?" she said,
"Buffy, it's Giles," he replied.
Buffy breathed a big sigh of relief at the sound of a friendly voice.
"Giles, what's happening? Spike and I are holed up at some sleazy hotel and the council are out to kill Spike. Not to mention some top secret plan they are cooking up," said Buffy.
"I know, Robson told me. Not that Spike's demise would cause me any grief, he's one demon that Sunnydale would be a lot sunnier without," said Giles.
Buffy's hand tightened on the handset at Giles's words. She couldn't blame him for his attitude really. Hadn't she behaved in exactly the same way before their trip?
"You are making plans for both our escapes, aren't you?" asked Buffy.
"I er um yes," said Giles, awkwardly.
"Good, because if he does not go, I do not go. He's helpless Giles; he wouldn't even be able to fight them," said Buffy.
Giles sighed.
"I'm sorry Buffy," said Giles.
"For what?" asked Buffy.
"For putting you in this situation in the first place," said Giles.
"You weren't to know, I should have trusted my instincts on this one. Quentin usually has an agenda of his own," said Buffy.
"Quentin is not a bad man, but he will act in the best interests of the council, whether it's morally right or wrong," said Giles.
"So what's the plan?" asked Buffy.
"Have your things ready, Robson will collect you from the back alley of the hotel after the sun goes down," said Giles.
"And after that?" asked Buffy.
"He's taking you to a private airstrip that flies out freight planes only. It will be easier for you to get through unnoticed," said Giles.
"How is that going to get us all the way home?" asked Buffy.
"It will take you as far as LAX. There wasn't one going to Sunnydale, but not to worry we will be there to meet you," said Giles.
"Thanks, I'd better go, love to the others. Didn't think I would be so homesick, but I also didn't think things would turn out like this either," said Buffy.
"Be careful Buffy, I don't think I will be able to sleep until I know you are home safe," said Giles regretfully.
"I can take care of myself, its Spike I'm not so sure of," said Buffy.
With that, she replaced the handset, and went back up the stairs to her room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy sat on the bed, looking at her watch. It was almost 7am and Spike had still not returned. She pulled back the ragged curtains to see that the sky was turning to grey. What if the effects of the demon blood had started to wear off? He had the best part of half an hour, before sunrise.
Buffy grew tired of twiddling her thumbs, she put on her jacket and left her room against her better judgement. So, Robson had told them both to stay put, but Buffy couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. She tucked her blonde hair into her jacket and pulled up the collar. Buffy walked out into the back alley of the hotel, looking around in the dimness. There was no one around except for the obligatory drunk, taking a leak a few feet away.
"Guess some things are the same the world over," said Buffy.
Buffy walked down the road, not sure what direction to take. Something silvery caught her eye in the light of the street lamp. Frowning, Buffy bent to pick it up. Her heart was in her mouth as she saw it was Spike's lighter. She would know it anywhere; he'd used it enough during their short 'engagement' but where was its owner? Buffy looked around, at the now empty streets. A male hand rested on her shoulder making her start, fleetingly. Buffy gripped it on reflex and threw it and it's owner over her shoulder.
Robson landed in an awkward heap at her feet.
"I should have remembered not to have come at you from behind. They teach that in basic training," said Robson, rubbing at his shoulder.
"Is Spike with you?" asked Buffy.
"That's why I'm here. I just got word, and the council have him. They picked him up about two hours ago, as he was walking back from a local corner shop," said Robson.
"That dumb ass," said Buffy.
"Well a lot of vampires are lacking in intelligence," said Robson.
"I wasn't talking about Spike, I was talking about Mr Travers," said Buffy.
"Well at least they didn't get their hands on you. We can still go ahead with our plan to get you on that plane tonight," said Robson.
Buffy shook her head.
"No Spike, no Buffy, Comprende?" asked Buffy, as she folded her arms and fixed him with a determined glare.
"I don't understand, he's just a vampire, it's your job to kill them. Why would you care?" asked Robson.
Buffy realised that she did care about Spike, in fact she cared so much that it scared her. Why had she been afraid to let him get close? What if she never got the chance to show him that she wanted more than just great sex? She had to get Spike before Travers killed him. Buffy pulled Robson along by his lapels of his jacket.
"I'm gonna rescue Spike and you're going help me," said Buffy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike was starting to come around, he squinted against the bright lights of the grey walled room. He tried to move, only to discover that he was very tightly chained to a chair. One minute he had been walking down the road about to light up a cigarette and the next Spike knew he was here.
He pulled at the chains, to no avail. Spike slumped down in the chair. The door opened, Quentin walked in followed by Lavinia.
"Hello William, so nice that you could join us," drawled Quentin.
"Any thing to oblige.you bastard," said Spike.
"Now, now no need for offensiveness. We have a missing slayer that we need to find, any idea where she might be?" asked Quentin.
"Go get shagged, you look as if you need it," snarled Spike.
"I thought that might be your attitude. I have a couple of friends that might be able to persuade you to talk," said Quentin.
As if on cue, a couple of hard set looking men entered the room.
"Are you the welcoming party?" asked Spike.
One of the men backhanded him across the face.
"You speak when spoken to, get it?" asked one of the new comers.
Spike spat blood on the floor.
"Never was one for doing what I was told," said Spike as he looked up at him defiantly.
"Well I'll leave you three alone to get acquainted, come on Lavinia," said Quentin.
"Oh, yes, sorry Sir," said Lavinia as she followed him.
Lavinia followed after Quentin, as she turned to close the door, She glanced at Spike and caught his eye. Flushing guiltily she hung her head in shame and closed the door.
"Now where were we?" asked Spike.
"At the bit where you were about to tell us everything you knew," said the man.
"Over my undead body," sneered Spike.
TBC