A/N Thanks everyone for the help with Xander's middle name! I have gone back and put it right. Laverne didn't sound right when I was typing it! LOL
Chapter 21
"Well, we'd better get things in motion then," said Giles.
"What do you need?" asked Willow.
Giles turned to look at Willow and Xander.
"I want you to go baby shopping and while you're at it, pick up some maternity garments for Buffy. She is going to need them," said Giles as he handed Willow his credit card.
"Ok, Xander you can come with," said Willow.
"Do I have to?" groaned Xander.
"Unless you want me to turn you into a peeper toad you do, and you know how much I hate anything remotely frog like," shuddered Willow.
"Ah, shopping my favourite pastime," lied Xander as he followed Willow.
"And you say you're not gay," smirked Spike.
"Make sure you are not followed," warned Giles.
"Will do, I will be cat like and stealthy," nodded Xander as he closed the door.
"Yeah, right," said Spike disbelievingly.
Now that they were finally alone, Giles turned to Spike.
"How is she really?" asked Giles.
"She's pretty devastated if you want the truth," admitted Spike.
"How about you?" asked Giles.
Spike looked at him in surprise.
"As Buffy and I are supposedly connected, then I guess I feel more or less the same. Didn't really think my opinion mattered to you,"
"Not greatly," replied Giles.
"Well, if you're anything, at least your honest mate," chuckled Spike
"Now that the pleasantries are over, shall we work on a plan of escape?" asked Giles.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike let himself back in the room. Buffy was lying on her side, staring at the wall. Her face lit up as he entered the room. She put out her hand to him and he took it.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
"Fine, it's zip-id-dee-do-dah day," he snarked.
He saw the hurt expression on her face, as well as feeling the hurt, too.
"Sorry pet, that was uncalled for," he sighed as he lay down on the bed next to her.
"Hey, this situation would have anyone all cranky. So, have you told Giles we've accepted his offer?" she replied.
Spike nodded.
"Your friends are working on it now,"
Buffy stroked his face; she stopped the movement as she frowned at him.
"Okay I can feel you inner tension. What's up now?" asked Buffy.
"Sodding hell! A few little secrets never hurt any relationship. Guess that's not gonna be the case with us. As long as you don't start reading my thoughts as well," groaned Spike.
"As if I would," she grinned. "Now are you going to tell me what's wrong? You don't get off the hook that easily," said Buffy.
He sighed heavily.
"I saw your reaction earlier, felt it too. You are disappointed aren't you?" he asked.
"With what? I have you I have the babies, why would I be feeling disappointed?" she asked in confusion.
"Because once again you have been robbed of the chance of a normal existence that's why," he replied.
"Normal is boring, haven't you figured that out yet?" she asked him.
"You and me, that's a pretty hot topic isn't it? Well, in the vampire/slayer scheme of things,"
"Try in the whole wide world scheme of things. Any feelings of regret that you noticed, were only because I wanted to savour the experience of being a pregnant mom, and for a little longer than a couple of weeks," she replied.
"From what I have been reading in those books Willow lent us, you wouldn't be saying that in the later stages," he said.
"You're getting quite the expert. I'm the mom, where does it say the dad is supposed to know more?" she teased.
Spike kissed the tip of her nose.
"You are teaching me more than I could ever learn on my own," said Spike.
"Oh, like what?" she asked.
"Like how to be a man," he replied.
"How do you always know how to say the right thing?" she asked.
"It's all part of the sexy package that makes up me,"
"You really think a lot of yourself don't ya?" she asked.
"It's pale shadow compared to what I think of you," he grinned.
"How come I never noticed you were never this charming before?" Buffy asked.
"Do you always try and impress a potential meal?" asked Spike.
"Guess not," she replied.
"You'd better get some rest, big night ahead. I'll go sit back in the chair," said Spike.
"Don't you dare," she said as she pulled him back next to her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"So, do you have everything?" asked Giles.
"I think so, though what Buffy will need nipple shields for I don't know," said Xander.
"Best not to ask," said Giles as he rolled his eyes.
"Just wanted to make sure we had the lot," said Willow defensively.
They put the bags down on the waiting room floor.
"So what's the plan?" asked Xander.
"Simple, but effective hopefully. We need scrubs, a trolley and a large sheet," replied Giles.
"I'm on it," said Xander as he left the room.
"Do you think you could create a diversion Willow?" asked Giles.
"Magical or of the normal kind?" she asked.
"Whatever works for you. No more will spells though okay?" asked Giles.
"Jeez, talk about past mistakes coming back to haunt you. I have the perfect spell, very little effort with maximum effect," She nodded.
"I'll go put these in the car," said Giles, as he gathered up the various shopping bags.
Xander came back in the room, a big grin on his face.
"What are you so happy about?" asked Willow.
"Mission accomplished and a cute nurse gave me her phone number," said Xander.
"Which you threw straight in the trash, because you have a girlfriend right?" asked Willow.
"Of course, as if you'd even need to ask," he replied.
Xander looked out of the window.
"The sun's setting, not long now," said Willow sadly.
"Yeah, I'm gonna miss our Buffy. Spike better take good care of her," said Xander firmly.
"I believe he will. He's changed Xander," said Willow quietly.
Giles came back in the room. He checked his watch.
"Ready?" he asked.
Willow and Xander nodded.
"Let's go then," said Giles.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy changed out of her hospital gown and was in the process of folding it and putting on the now empty bed. Spike came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her slightly thickening waist.
"Is it my imagination or are these jeans a little tighter than this morning?" she asked.
"You still look perfect to me," he soothed.
"Tell me that in a couple of weeks and mean it," she sighed.
There was a knock at the door. A green-coated figure in a surgical mask entered the room.
"Can we help you doc?" asked Spike.
Giles pulled the mask from his face.
"It's all set," said Giles.
"Where are the others?" asked Buffy.
"Xander is playing the corpse under a sheet in the corridor, and Willow is working on a diversion," said Giles.
"What kinda diversion?" asked Buffy.
"She said We'll know when it happens," said Giles.
Buffy went over to Giles and gave him a hug. He held her tight and kissed the top of her head. He released her and took Spike's hand in a firm grasp.
"Take care of her," he said.
"With my whole being," Spike promised.
The lights flickered in the room and it went dark.
"Would that be the sign we are looking for?" asked Spike.
The door to the room opened.
"Quick you guys we don't have much time, seconds in fact," said Willow.
Spike took Buffy's hand and led her out into the hall. Willow lifted up the sheet to the trolley, exposing the shelf underneath.
"You have got to be joking right?" asked Buffy.
"Bloody hell woman just get under there," said Spike as he climbed under it.
Buffy hesitated momentarily, before joining him under the shelf. The sheet was put back in place.
"Why do I have to play the dead guy," grumbled Xander, from above.
"Maybe, cos you're a dummy," snarked Spike.
"Shhhh!" said Willow as the lights spluttered back to life.
Willow quickly replaced her facemask and walked beside Giles while he pushed the heavily laden trolley towards the elevator doors. The slight panic that had been buzzing through the hospital at the loss of light, soon died down. Willow stifled a gasp as the doors opened and the dark coated men from the campus stepped out. Giles could feel the perspiration break out on his forehead as he quickly looked at the men then averted his eyes.
The men walked by and continued down the hallway. Willow let out the breath that she was unconsciously holding in.
Giles pulled down his facemask as the doors closed behind them.
Buffy poked her head from beneath the trolley. "Okay if I get out now?" she asked.
Spike was already getting up from their cramped position. He put out a hand to help Buffy up. Xander sat upright on the trolley.
"And the brain dead shall rise," mumbled Spike as he glanced at Xander.
Buffy looked at all the faces.
"This is the part where we say goodbye, but only for a couple of weeks," she added quickly at their saddened expressions.
"There isn't much time, " said Giles warningly.
"Good job I am not one for the long goodbyes then," said Xander as he gave Buffy a quick hug.
Buffy moved on to Willow. She could see the tears forming in her friend's eyes.
"Hey, Willow, don't cry," said Buffy, as her own tears started to fall.
Spike wiped at his own eyes, he growled at Xander's look of amusement.
"Watch it Harris, it's just the connection causing the weepies, nothing else. Enjoy it while you can,"
"Oh, I will," smirked Xander.
Giles pressed a roll of bills into Buffy's hand. She looked at it.
"I can't take it," she said as she tried to hand it back.
"Think of it as a loan," said Giles.
Buffy sighed.
"Okay, but we will pay you back," she replied.
Spike jumped up on the trolley, and opened the maintenance hatch of the elevator. He climbed up through it and put out a hand to Buffy.
"I love you guys," said Buffy as Spike pulled her through the opening.
"Okay, lay back down Xander," said Willow.
They stood and waited for the elevator to finish its descent. The doors opened and the black-coated men were waiting for them, panting heavily.
"Mr Giles, I thought I recognised you. Been a few years hasn't it," the man asked.
"Not long enough in my estimation," drawled Giles.
"Okay, Miss Summers and the vampire can come out from under the trolley now," said one of the others.
"That might be a problem," said Giles.
"Surprise!" yelled Xander as he sat up on the trolley.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy and Spike crouched behind a couple of parked cars. He grabbed her hand and quickly kissed her.
"Just a short run to freedom now pet," he said as he winked at her.
"What are we waiting for then?" she asked.
Spike nodded at her and they ran towards the rusty Citroen. Both of them keeping low, while Spike fumbled with the car keys, he got the door open and got in, letting Buffy in the passenger side.
"This heap of junk better start," growled Spike as he turned the key in the ignition.
Buffy let up a silent prayer, to whom ever might be listening up there. The engine spluttered into life and Spike put it into gear.
"Good job I can handle a stick shift," said Spike as he pulled away at speed. The tyres squealed in protest at the misuse.
Buffy looked behind her as they drove away.
"Well, at least we aren't being followed," said Buffy.
"Any good at reading maps? Never mind of course you can't you're a girl" he teased.
"That will get you an ass kicking Spike!" she warned.
"Look forward to it," he winked at her.
"How long is this gonna take?" she asked.
"Worked it out with Giles, if we stick to the main routes we should be in Eureka somewhere around five in the morning," said Spike.
"Just before sunrise, luckily enough for you I guess," she grinned.
"Going to make a little diversion along the way, gonna pick up an old friend," said Spike.
"What do you mean, I hope by friend you don't mean Dru," said Buffy.
"Oh, yeah thought we could have a threesome, besides that mad harpy is probably off somewhere talking to the stars," He glanced at her briefly. "It's just you, Buffy it's always been just you ever since I saw you," said Spike
"Good, now lets figure out the route," she said with a satisfied smile.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
They had been travelling for nearly four hours when Spike pulled the car off the highway and headed towards Stockton.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"You'll see," he added mysteriously.
"Does it involve a public bathroom? Cos I really got to pee," she groaned.
"Your wish is my command," he said dramatically.
They turned up the main street, Spike turned into a storage facility.
"Okay, now I am really confused," said Buffy, as the car came to a stop.
He produced a set of keys from his duster pocket and jangled them at her. He took Buffy's hand and led her towards the office.
They entered the brightly lit room; the harsh florescent lighting made Spike appear deathly pale. The man behind the desk directed Buffy towards the way of the washrooms.
When she returned Spike was signing some papers.
"All done love, we can go and collect it now," he smiled at her.
They exited the office and walked over to the storage facility. Spike put the key in the lock and pushed up the door, he fumbled about for the light switch. Light flooded the room.
"Say hello to my baby," he motioned.
Buffy rolled her eyes as she looked at the black Desoto.
"Ugh you still have that? It looks like something out of the Addams family," she scorned.
Spike ignored her comments as he took the keys and opened the driver's door and got in. He ran his hands lovingly over the dash and turned the key in the ignition. It fired up immediately
Buffy wrinkled her nose as she tried to see him through the blacked out windows. "Feeling the auto love much?" she asked him.
The comment was drowned out by the sound of the engine. Spike leaned over and opened the passenger door. Buffy got in, looking around the interior. She was surprised at it's cleanliness.
Spike drove the car forward on to the forecourt. Buffy peeked through the unpainted part of the windscreen to watch him as he unloaded all their belongings from the trunk of Giles's car. Spike then drove the other car into the space that had been vacated by the Desoto.
Spike got back in and sat behind the wheel, a self-satisfied expression on his face.
"We can travel in style now," he grinned as he put his foot down on the accelerator.
Buffy gave him a wry smile as she settled down in the seat next to him. They took the rest of the journey with little incidence. Spike could tell they were almost there; he could smell the tang of salt in the air. There was a faint glow on the horizon to warn of the coming dawn. Buffy was leaning against his shoulder, fast asleep. He took the exit to Humboldt Bay and followed it round, heading towards the mountains and the border of the red woods forest.
Buffy stirred as he took the road towards the cabin. She wound down the window and breathed in the clean crisp air of their surroundings.
"I hope we are almost there, it's nearly morning," she said.
"Worried about me love?" he asked.
"No-one ever did before did they?" she asked in realisation.
"No, no one did not until now," he said quietly as he brought the car to a stop, and switched off the engine.
She smiled and leaned in to kiss him gently on the lips.
"Told you things were gonna change," she said as she moved closer to him and slipped her hands under his shirt.
"Car sex?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Well, it has been a whole twenty-four hours, and I am feeling very neglected," she pouted.
"I am starting to think I have hooked up with a bad girl," he growled as Buffy pushed the back the sleeves on his leather duster.
"Um er shouldn't we get out of here before sun up?" he asked.
"I think we are safe enough, the car has darkened windows and we are under the shade of a million redwoods after all," she giggled.
"Good point, okay you've convinced me," he replied as her hands travelled beneath the waistband of his jeans.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Half an hour later, they exited the car; Spike located the cabin key and opened the door. He swung Buffy up into his arms and carried her over the threshold.
"Hey, we didn't just get married," she teased.
"That's it, spoil my gesture, besides while we are talking the M word, how do you feel about it?" he asked as he put her down inside the musty smelling cabin.
"How do I feel about what?" she frowned.
He took her hand in his.
"Marriage," he replied.
TBC