Chapter 17
All three of them stared at each other. The seconds ticked by. Buffy's mind was working desperately, trying to think of a reason for her being there. Joyce stood there, tapping her toe, waiting for answers. She glanced at Spike, not sure whether to find the nearest weapon or to pass small talk with him. She considered their current surroundings, and she decided on the latter.
"Spike? I didn't know you were back in Sunnydale," said Joyce.
Spike smiled self-consciously.
"I, er yeah, been back here for a few months, on and off," he replied.
"I don't know if I should be speaking to you. Especially after what you did to Willow and Xander last year, but they are both okay. So, I guess no harm done. Did things work out with that girl?" asked Joyce.
Spike smiled at Joyce. She always had treated him more fairly than he deserved and he knew it.
"Well, here's the thing, I've met someone else now," Spike replied.
"Really? Anyone I know?" asked Joyce.
"Um, well..." Spike began.
"Spike's with me. Oh, but not in that kinda way," said Buffy quickly.
She noticed her mother's look of concern.
"Which brings me back to why you are in a baby clothing store, honey. Oh, Buffy you're not pregnant are you? Don't say that my lecture on safe sex was ignored? Was it that guy you were seeing, what's his name Riley?" asked her mom.
Buffy looked flustered at her mother's direct questioning. Spike tried to keep a straight face at Buffy's discomfiture.
"Riley and I are so over. Don't be silly, I am here because..."
"She's here because of me," said Spike, thinking that at least it wasn't a total lie.
"I don't understand," Joyce replied.
Joyce looked at the toy dinosaur that was still in her daughter's hand. Buffy quickly threw it into a nearby display crib and folded her arms across her chest.
"Spike has been staying with Giles. He can't fight or bite anymore, someone fixed him. He disappeared and Giles sent me out to look for him," said Buffy.
"Thanks for telling the world and his wife that I've been neutered, slayer," he growled.
"I thought you were still in London, what happened?" asked Joyce.
"Oh, we had to cut that little trip short, got back last night," Spike replied.
"We? You went with her?" asked Joyce.
"No! He meant me. Look mom, it's great seeing you, but I have to get this escapee back to Giles, before I give in to the urge to stake him. I'll call you, I promise," said Buffy.
Buffy hugged her mom, and pulled Spike out of the store by the sleeve of his duster. She was awash with guilt at her mother's disappointed expression. She really had neglected their relationship of late. She also knew that she was going to need her mom, more than ever in the coming months. Buffy made a mental note to not be such a stranger at the family home.
"Nice seeing you again, Buffy's mum," Spike muttered, as they passed Joyce.
"Er, you too Spike. Drop round for some hot chocolate, I still have some of those mini marshmallows," she smiled at him.
They disappeared into the crowd, and Joyce stood there contemplating a chubby baby. Her fears still far from quelled.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Boy, that was a close one, but my mom is smart. We have to tread more carefully, unless we want everyone to know our little secret," sighed Buffy.
"Which one? The fact that we secretly shag like bunnies? Or, the other one, which involves the slayer having a vampire's babies?" he drawled
Buffy pulled a face at his crudity.
"Trust you to sugar coat it, Spike. Take your pick, on those options, either is pretty controversial!" she replied.
Spike glanced over her shoulder.
"Oh, bloody hell! It's the whelp and his unthinking girlfriend. I give up, and I'm running out of excuses. I'll see you tonight," said Spike.
He squeezed her hand and disappeared into the crowds of busy shoppers. Buffy felt disappointed and very alone now that he'd gone. She pasted a smile on her face, as Xander and Anya strolled up to her.
"Buffy settle an argument for me, please," said Xander.
"Sure, what is it?" asked Buffy.
"Anya, swears blind that she just saw you with Spike. Tell her how ridiculous that is," said Xander.
"Anya, you must be seeing things. Me wanting to spend time with Spike? The idea of it! The only way I'd want to be with him would be me, sweeping up the dusty pile that used to be him,"
"See, told you hun," said Xander smugly.
"Well, I know what I saw," huffed Anya.
"Let it go sweetie," said Xander. He turned back to Buffy. "All set for tonight then?" he asked.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world, see you guys later," said Buffy.
"Did she seem a little off to you?" asked Xander, as he watched Buffy walk away.
"No more than she usually is," shrugged Anya.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike lay out on the sofa and covered himself with a blanket, just as Giles arrived through the front door. The latter sighed and slammed the door. Spike shot up off the sofa.
"How's a person supposed to get any sleep around here with all this noise?" demanded Spike.
"You've had long enough, besides the place needs cleaning before tonight. Meeting remember?" asked Giles.
"Well, if you think I'm going to lend a hand, then you're more stupid than you look," said Spike.
"I didn't expect it any other way. The actual idea of you earning your keep! I need a bath," said Giles wearily.
"Yeah, run along and get a scrub. Wouldn't want you stinking up the place anymore than you already do," said Spike.
Giles shook his head and walked off to the bathroom. Spike waited until he heard the lock slide into place. He started by tidying up the piles of books scattered on Giles's research table, and he moved on to the vacuuming and doing the dishes.
Spike stopped mid-dish, and frowned heavily. Contemplating where, exactly, his new domesticity had come from. Buffy was having a positive effect on him, and he actually liked it, he realised with surprise. In addition, an alien feeling of guilt had come over him, and that, he didn't like so much.
He was starting to wonder if Buffy had been right, that maybe some kind of invisible connection was between him and Buffy because of their babies. Either that, or love was making him soft in the head, he thought.
Spike finished dusting off the last coffee stain from the surface of the occasional table, when he heard Giles emerge from the bathroom. Giles rubbed at his hair with the towel, he looked around the room in surprise.
"What happened here then?" asked Giles.
"The cleaning fairy paid a visit. What do you think happened?" asked Spike.
He raised an eyebrow at Giles.
"Don't tell me that you're actually trying to earn your keep," said Giles incredulously.
Giles walked off to his bedroom, more confused than ever. There was definitely something going on behind the scenes with Spike. The vampire was more complex than he appeared, but Giles was determined to find out what it was. Maybe tonight's meeting would answer a few of his questions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Eight 'o'clock soon came round. One by one, the scoobies started filing into Giles's apartment. Giles was busy, preparing food in the kitchen.
"Guess I'm not the only one you have to bribe. I would know Xanders diet of fast foods anywhere," smirked Spike.
He removed a blood bag from the fridge and popped it in the microwave.
"Oh, go dust a table!" said Giles in annoyance.
Xander and Anya walked in at that moment.
"What's this I hear? Spikey been doing a few household chores? How much did you have to pay him?" asked Xander.
"Nothing, just moved a few things about, that's all," Spike snapped defensively.
Xander looked at him speechless. He took Giles over to one side.
"What's with Spike, going all new man on us? It scares me, he's up to something," whispered Xander.
"I can hear you! Vampire hearing remember?" asked Spike.
Buffy entered the apartment with Willow.
"Hi, guys, we're not late are we?" asked Buffy.
"Well, you're not too late for food, better tuck in before Harris pigs the lot," grinned Spike.
"Hey!" said Xander, his mouth full of popcorn.
Giles ignored the interchange and turned to face them.
"Let's not waste any more time. As you are all here, let's begin," said Giles.
They sat around the research table, while Buffy and Spike gave an account of all that had occurred on their London trip. Both smiling at each other briefly, as they told her friends the edited version.
"Oh, that's so romantic! So, Spike let himself be tortured rather than give away Buffy's location?" asked Anya.
Xander scoffed at the idea.
"More like, he kept his mouth closed so they wouldn't dust him, and ugh, the idea of being forced to have Spike's baby!" replied Xander.
Buffy felt cut to the quick at her friend's words. Was Xander ever going to think outside of the box? She wondered.
"Xander! Why must you always see the worst in him?" demanded Buffy.
Xander looked across the table at her.
"Hmm, let me see. Maybe because, until recently he was a bloodthirsty homicidal maniac," he replied.
"I used to be one of those too sweetie, does that make me unredeemable as well?" asked Anya, her lip started to tremble.
"It's not the same with you," he assured her.
"Why?" demanded Buffy.
"Why what?" asked Xander.
"Why is it different with Anya? She just admitted that she used to kill people, mess up their lives. She gets a second chance. Seems like it's one set of rules for everyone else and another for Buffy," she snapped.
"What exactly did they do to you in London?" asked Xander. "Because this Buffy, the one who defends Spike, is freaking me out," he replied.
Willow looked at Buffy in alarm, she could visibly see her friend's anger rising. Spike didn't look any happier; in fact, by his expression he looked as if nothing would make him happier, than to drain Xander dry.
"Hey, no one is on trial here Xander. Maybe you should back off a little. Buffy has been through a tough time, not to mention all the usual slayer duties she has to deal with," said Willow.
Buffy rubbed at her forehead tiredly, an ache was starting to form in her temples. She looked across at Spike, surprised to see that he was doing the same.
"Buffy, are you okay?" asked Giles in concern.
"Nothing a little Tylenol won't cure," replied Buffy.
"Oh, but is that a good idea? It might not be safe for the ba....Buffy," stammered Willow.
"I think that if Buffy can come back from the dead, then a couple of headache pills aren't likely to do any damage Willow," said Anya.
Buffy looked at her friend's faces, they were all a mixture of concern and expectation. She couldn't take it anymore. She needed to be alone to think. The enormity of the situation was starting to come over her.
"Look guys, you know the facts, why don't you all chew over them. Besides, I need to patrol. Sunnydale has been without a protector for over a week. The place must be crawling with vamps by now," lied Buffy.
"Running off are we slayer?" asked Spike.
"Well, after a week alone with you, anyone would need a vacation!" Buffy returned.
She grabbed her coat and scarf from the peg.
"Do you want one of us to come with?" asked Xander.
She eyed her friend, barely able to hide her hurt and anger.
"No, you stay here and live in your narrow little world with your nymphomaniac girlfriend," snapped Buffy.
"Thank you for the sweet compliment Buffy," beamed Anya.
Xander looked crushed at her brush-off. Buffy sighed, deciding to exit the apartment, before she said something that she really regretted.
"Something is really wrong with Buffy. I think that we all need to keep a close eye on things. Willow, you live with her, anything out of the ordinary occurred since she's been back?" asked Giles.
Willow glanced at Spike.
"If you're going by hellmouth standards, then not really. I won't spy on her, if that's what you are asking," Willow replied.
"Save me from defensive females. Anyone else notice the hormonal overload in this room?" asked Xander.
Anya looked across at Spike.
"Spike, are you crying?" asked Anya.
All heads turned to look at him.
"Don't be bloody stupid of course I'm not crying!" snapped Spike.
Spike frowned and touched his face. He felt the wetness, a thought occurred to him. He shot up from his seat on the sofa, grabbed his duster, and run out of the front door.
Giles rose from his seat to close the door.
"Isn't that the part where we should have tried to stop him?" asked Xander.
"No, probably just drowning his sorrows at the local demon bar, besides we have more important matters to deal with," said Giles.
"Like what?" asked Willow.
"Well, if Buffy had stayed around long enough, then it would have given me the chance to tell her something very important. Specifically that Mr Travers has sent several of his agents over here to observe her every move," said Giles solemnly.
"If they are anything like our old friend Mr Wesley Wyndam-Price, then I'm not too worried," said Xander confidently.
Giles looked far from comforted.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike searched the streets of Sunnydale; the tears were still running down his face. He wiped at them as he tried to pick up Buffy's scent. He caught it on the slight breeze and followed it to the park. He spied the tiny blonde figure he was seeking. Buffy was sitting on the swings, her head bowed.
"Buffy?"
She quickly wiped at her face and presented him with a false smile.
"You've been crying," he stated.
"Of course not, don't be silly, what would make you think that?" she asked.
Spike stepped out of the shadows, the streetlamp shone on his face, highlighting his own tears.
"Spike! What's wrong?" she asked.
"Do you think there may be some truth in your earlier suggestion? It seems we are connected in someway. I even helped Giles with the chores earlier, how strange is that?" asked Spike.
Buffy sighed.
"All of this is so new. My life has changed so much over these past few days. I feel like I have lost control,"
Spike smiled at her understandingly.
"And control is important to you, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yeah, more than most I guess. How did you get so smart?" she asked.
"Since I had the good sense to fall for you," he replied.
She smiled at him.
"Flatterer, but I can't hear that enough. What of my friends though? You heard how Xander reacted. I am starting to think that the keeping of secrets is a bad thing. Besides, the longer we conceal the truth the harder this is all going to get," she mused.
"What do you have in mind?" asked Spike.
"Well, first we need to discover, if there is some kind of psychic connection between us, and if it is to do with the babies. I am going to need Giles's help for that. I don't suppose there have been many vampire/human pregnancies to compare notes with. Secondly or maybe, should I have said firstly, I ought come clean and tell everyone the truth starting with my own mother," she replied.
"Do I get a say in all this?" asked Spike.
She looked at him.
"If we are connected, then can't you tell the answer to that?" she asked.
"I don't need psychic abilities to guess the response to that one. So, shall we go pay your mom a visit then?" asked Spike.
"You're going to come with me?" she asked in surprise.
Spike frowned at her.
"Of course! You didn't make those babies all by yourself. So what makes you think that I would leave you alone to face your mum and friends all by yourself?" he asked.
She went into arms, and kissed him.
"Let's go face the music then," she whispered in his ear, before taking his hand and they walked off.
"Hope your mum doesn't have any fire axes to hand when we tell her the good news," mumbled Spike.
Both of them lost in their thoughts, neither of them noticed the presence of the car with darkened windows as it slowly followed their progress down the street.
TBC
All three of them stared at each other. The seconds ticked by. Buffy's mind was working desperately, trying to think of a reason for her being there. Joyce stood there, tapping her toe, waiting for answers. She glanced at Spike, not sure whether to find the nearest weapon or to pass small talk with him. She considered their current surroundings, and she decided on the latter.
"Spike? I didn't know you were back in Sunnydale," said Joyce.
Spike smiled self-consciously.
"I, er yeah, been back here for a few months, on and off," he replied.
"I don't know if I should be speaking to you. Especially after what you did to Willow and Xander last year, but they are both okay. So, I guess no harm done. Did things work out with that girl?" asked Joyce.
Spike smiled at Joyce. She always had treated him more fairly than he deserved and he knew it.
"Well, here's the thing, I've met someone else now," Spike replied.
"Really? Anyone I know?" asked Joyce.
"Um, well..." Spike began.
"Spike's with me. Oh, but not in that kinda way," said Buffy quickly.
She noticed her mother's look of concern.
"Which brings me back to why you are in a baby clothing store, honey. Oh, Buffy you're not pregnant are you? Don't say that my lecture on safe sex was ignored? Was it that guy you were seeing, what's his name Riley?" asked her mom.
Buffy looked flustered at her mother's direct questioning. Spike tried to keep a straight face at Buffy's discomfiture.
"Riley and I are so over. Don't be silly, I am here because..."
"She's here because of me," said Spike, thinking that at least it wasn't a total lie.
"I don't understand," Joyce replied.
Joyce looked at the toy dinosaur that was still in her daughter's hand. Buffy quickly threw it into a nearby display crib and folded her arms across her chest.
"Spike has been staying with Giles. He can't fight or bite anymore, someone fixed him. He disappeared and Giles sent me out to look for him," said Buffy.
"Thanks for telling the world and his wife that I've been neutered, slayer," he growled.
"I thought you were still in London, what happened?" asked Joyce.
"Oh, we had to cut that little trip short, got back last night," Spike replied.
"We? You went with her?" asked Joyce.
"No! He meant me. Look mom, it's great seeing you, but I have to get this escapee back to Giles, before I give in to the urge to stake him. I'll call you, I promise," said Buffy.
Buffy hugged her mom, and pulled Spike out of the store by the sleeve of his duster. She was awash with guilt at her mother's disappointed expression. She really had neglected their relationship of late. She also knew that she was going to need her mom, more than ever in the coming months. Buffy made a mental note to not be such a stranger at the family home.
"Nice seeing you again, Buffy's mum," Spike muttered, as they passed Joyce.
"Er, you too Spike. Drop round for some hot chocolate, I still have some of those mini marshmallows," she smiled at him.
They disappeared into the crowd, and Joyce stood there contemplating a chubby baby. Her fears still far from quelled.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Boy, that was a close one, but my mom is smart. We have to tread more carefully, unless we want everyone to know our little secret," sighed Buffy.
"Which one? The fact that we secretly shag like bunnies? Or, the other one, which involves the slayer having a vampire's babies?" he drawled
Buffy pulled a face at his crudity.
"Trust you to sugar coat it, Spike. Take your pick, on those options, either is pretty controversial!" she replied.
Spike glanced over her shoulder.
"Oh, bloody hell! It's the whelp and his unthinking girlfriend. I give up, and I'm running out of excuses. I'll see you tonight," said Spike.
He squeezed her hand and disappeared into the crowds of busy shoppers. Buffy felt disappointed and very alone now that he'd gone. She pasted a smile on her face, as Xander and Anya strolled up to her.
"Buffy settle an argument for me, please," said Xander.
"Sure, what is it?" asked Buffy.
"Anya, swears blind that she just saw you with Spike. Tell her how ridiculous that is," said Xander.
"Anya, you must be seeing things. Me wanting to spend time with Spike? The idea of it! The only way I'd want to be with him would be me, sweeping up the dusty pile that used to be him,"
"See, told you hun," said Xander smugly.
"Well, I know what I saw," huffed Anya.
"Let it go sweetie," said Xander. He turned back to Buffy. "All set for tonight then?" he asked.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world, see you guys later," said Buffy.
"Did she seem a little off to you?" asked Xander, as he watched Buffy walk away.
"No more than she usually is," shrugged Anya.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike lay out on the sofa and covered himself with a blanket, just as Giles arrived through the front door. The latter sighed and slammed the door. Spike shot up off the sofa.
"How's a person supposed to get any sleep around here with all this noise?" demanded Spike.
"You've had long enough, besides the place needs cleaning before tonight. Meeting remember?" asked Giles.
"Well, if you think I'm going to lend a hand, then you're more stupid than you look," said Spike.
"I didn't expect it any other way. The actual idea of you earning your keep! I need a bath," said Giles wearily.
"Yeah, run along and get a scrub. Wouldn't want you stinking up the place anymore than you already do," said Spike.
Giles shook his head and walked off to the bathroom. Spike waited until he heard the lock slide into place. He started by tidying up the piles of books scattered on Giles's research table, and he moved on to the vacuuming and doing the dishes.
Spike stopped mid-dish, and frowned heavily. Contemplating where, exactly, his new domesticity had come from. Buffy was having a positive effect on him, and he actually liked it, he realised with surprise. In addition, an alien feeling of guilt had come over him, and that, he didn't like so much.
He was starting to wonder if Buffy had been right, that maybe some kind of invisible connection was between him and Buffy because of their babies. Either that, or love was making him soft in the head, he thought.
Spike finished dusting off the last coffee stain from the surface of the occasional table, when he heard Giles emerge from the bathroom. Giles rubbed at his hair with the towel, he looked around the room in surprise.
"What happened here then?" asked Giles.
"The cleaning fairy paid a visit. What do you think happened?" asked Spike.
He raised an eyebrow at Giles.
"Don't tell me that you're actually trying to earn your keep," said Giles incredulously.
Giles walked off to his bedroom, more confused than ever. There was definitely something going on behind the scenes with Spike. The vampire was more complex than he appeared, but Giles was determined to find out what it was. Maybe tonight's meeting would answer a few of his questions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Eight 'o'clock soon came round. One by one, the scoobies started filing into Giles's apartment. Giles was busy, preparing food in the kitchen.
"Guess I'm not the only one you have to bribe. I would know Xanders diet of fast foods anywhere," smirked Spike.
He removed a blood bag from the fridge and popped it in the microwave.
"Oh, go dust a table!" said Giles in annoyance.
Xander and Anya walked in at that moment.
"What's this I hear? Spikey been doing a few household chores? How much did you have to pay him?" asked Xander.
"Nothing, just moved a few things about, that's all," Spike snapped defensively.
Xander looked at him speechless. He took Giles over to one side.
"What's with Spike, going all new man on us? It scares me, he's up to something," whispered Xander.
"I can hear you! Vampire hearing remember?" asked Spike.
Buffy entered the apartment with Willow.
"Hi, guys, we're not late are we?" asked Buffy.
"Well, you're not too late for food, better tuck in before Harris pigs the lot," grinned Spike.
"Hey!" said Xander, his mouth full of popcorn.
Giles ignored the interchange and turned to face them.
"Let's not waste any more time. As you are all here, let's begin," said Giles.
They sat around the research table, while Buffy and Spike gave an account of all that had occurred on their London trip. Both smiling at each other briefly, as they told her friends the edited version.
"Oh, that's so romantic! So, Spike let himself be tortured rather than give away Buffy's location?" asked Anya.
Xander scoffed at the idea.
"More like, he kept his mouth closed so they wouldn't dust him, and ugh, the idea of being forced to have Spike's baby!" replied Xander.
Buffy felt cut to the quick at her friend's words. Was Xander ever going to think outside of the box? She wondered.
"Xander! Why must you always see the worst in him?" demanded Buffy.
Xander looked across the table at her.
"Hmm, let me see. Maybe because, until recently he was a bloodthirsty homicidal maniac," he replied.
"I used to be one of those too sweetie, does that make me unredeemable as well?" asked Anya, her lip started to tremble.
"It's not the same with you," he assured her.
"Why?" demanded Buffy.
"Why what?" asked Xander.
"Why is it different with Anya? She just admitted that she used to kill people, mess up their lives. She gets a second chance. Seems like it's one set of rules for everyone else and another for Buffy," she snapped.
"What exactly did they do to you in London?" asked Xander. "Because this Buffy, the one who defends Spike, is freaking me out," he replied.
Willow looked at Buffy in alarm, she could visibly see her friend's anger rising. Spike didn't look any happier; in fact, by his expression he looked as if nothing would make him happier, than to drain Xander dry.
"Hey, no one is on trial here Xander. Maybe you should back off a little. Buffy has been through a tough time, not to mention all the usual slayer duties she has to deal with," said Willow.
Buffy rubbed at her forehead tiredly, an ache was starting to form in her temples. She looked across at Spike, surprised to see that he was doing the same.
"Buffy, are you okay?" asked Giles in concern.
"Nothing a little Tylenol won't cure," replied Buffy.
"Oh, but is that a good idea? It might not be safe for the ba....Buffy," stammered Willow.
"I think that if Buffy can come back from the dead, then a couple of headache pills aren't likely to do any damage Willow," said Anya.
Buffy looked at her friend's faces, they were all a mixture of concern and expectation. She couldn't take it anymore. She needed to be alone to think. The enormity of the situation was starting to come over her.
"Look guys, you know the facts, why don't you all chew over them. Besides, I need to patrol. Sunnydale has been without a protector for over a week. The place must be crawling with vamps by now," lied Buffy.
"Running off are we slayer?" asked Spike.
"Well, after a week alone with you, anyone would need a vacation!" Buffy returned.
She grabbed her coat and scarf from the peg.
"Do you want one of us to come with?" asked Xander.
She eyed her friend, barely able to hide her hurt and anger.
"No, you stay here and live in your narrow little world with your nymphomaniac girlfriend," snapped Buffy.
"Thank you for the sweet compliment Buffy," beamed Anya.
Xander looked crushed at her brush-off. Buffy sighed, deciding to exit the apartment, before she said something that she really regretted.
"Something is really wrong with Buffy. I think that we all need to keep a close eye on things. Willow, you live with her, anything out of the ordinary occurred since she's been back?" asked Giles.
Willow glanced at Spike.
"If you're going by hellmouth standards, then not really. I won't spy on her, if that's what you are asking," Willow replied.
"Save me from defensive females. Anyone else notice the hormonal overload in this room?" asked Xander.
Anya looked across at Spike.
"Spike, are you crying?" asked Anya.
All heads turned to look at him.
"Don't be bloody stupid of course I'm not crying!" snapped Spike.
Spike frowned and touched his face. He felt the wetness, a thought occurred to him. He shot up from his seat on the sofa, grabbed his duster, and run out of the front door.
Giles rose from his seat to close the door.
"Isn't that the part where we should have tried to stop him?" asked Xander.
"No, probably just drowning his sorrows at the local demon bar, besides we have more important matters to deal with," said Giles.
"Like what?" asked Willow.
"Well, if Buffy had stayed around long enough, then it would have given me the chance to tell her something very important. Specifically that Mr Travers has sent several of his agents over here to observe her every move," said Giles solemnly.
"If they are anything like our old friend Mr Wesley Wyndam-Price, then I'm not too worried," said Xander confidently.
Giles looked far from comforted.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike searched the streets of Sunnydale; the tears were still running down his face. He wiped at them as he tried to pick up Buffy's scent. He caught it on the slight breeze and followed it to the park. He spied the tiny blonde figure he was seeking. Buffy was sitting on the swings, her head bowed.
"Buffy?"
She quickly wiped at her face and presented him with a false smile.
"You've been crying," he stated.
"Of course not, don't be silly, what would make you think that?" she asked.
Spike stepped out of the shadows, the streetlamp shone on his face, highlighting his own tears.
"Spike! What's wrong?" she asked.
"Do you think there may be some truth in your earlier suggestion? It seems we are connected in someway. I even helped Giles with the chores earlier, how strange is that?" asked Spike.
Buffy sighed.
"All of this is so new. My life has changed so much over these past few days. I feel like I have lost control,"
Spike smiled at her understandingly.
"And control is important to you, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yeah, more than most I guess. How did you get so smart?" she asked.
"Since I had the good sense to fall for you," he replied.
She smiled at him.
"Flatterer, but I can't hear that enough. What of my friends though? You heard how Xander reacted. I am starting to think that the keeping of secrets is a bad thing. Besides, the longer we conceal the truth the harder this is all going to get," she mused.
"What do you have in mind?" asked Spike.
"Well, first we need to discover, if there is some kind of psychic connection between us, and if it is to do with the babies. I am going to need Giles's help for that. I don't suppose there have been many vampire/human pregnancies to compare notes with. Secondly or maybe, should I have said firstly, I ought come clean and tell everyone the truth starting with my own mother," she replied.
"Do I get a say in all this?" asked Spike.
She looked at him.
"If we are connected, then can't you tell the answer to that?" she asked.
"I don't need psychic abilities to guess the response to that one. So, shall we go pay your mom a visit then?" asked Spike.
"You're going to come with me?" she asked in surprise.
Spike frowned at her.
"Of course! You didn't make those babies all by yourself. So what makes you think that I would leave you alone to face your mum and friends all by yourself?" he asked.
She went into arms, and kissed him.
"Let's go face the music then," she whispered in his ear, before taking his hand and they walked off.
"Hope your mum doesn't have any fire axes to hand when we tell her the good news," mumbled Spike.
Both of them lost in their thoughts, neither of them noticed the presence of the car with darkened windows as it slowly followed their progress down the street.
TBC