Ethan dropped Buffy gently on the bed and slid in beside her. "That Aaron's a right annoying prat. Let Ethan take care of you." He reached for the knife he kept hidden up his sleeve, and passed it to Buffy, who took it and sliced his wrist. Ethan hissed as the blade cut his skin, then spooned her from behind while she fed.

"Did you really shag old Rupert?" Buffy nodded against his wrist, not releasing him. "And no protection?" Buffy nodded again, and relaxed against Ethan. "So you're pregnant, then." Buffy's response was to shrug her shoulders. "Why?" Another shrug. Ethan leaned back against the pillows, pulling Buffy almost atop him. He contemplated this as she fed. When her suckling slowed, he commented, "I thought the old boy had more sense. Obviously not. Did you get Rupert or Ripper?"

Buffy released his arm. "Rupert, I think. He was pretty playful, though. It was just this morning, it's too early to tell if I'm pregnant."

"If Aaron says you're pregnant, it's probably true." Ethan reached over to Buffy, unbuttoning her blouse with a single practiced hand. "Huh. Ripper's kid, not too shabby."

"Please don't tell him. I usually miscarry at seven weeks, anyway." Buffy's face fell. "I'll probably lose this one, too."

"How many miscarriages have you had?"

"Twelve, thirteen, maybe." Buffy shrugged. "I never used protection there. I only had five live births in over seventy years of married life. I lost my last one when it was nearly due."

"Well, you're not living in the Dark Ages anymore. There are things that can be done. Proper medications. I'll make an appointment for you with Dr. Abbott tomorrow. That is, if you want to try to keep it. Or even if you don't. There are medications for that, too, you know."

Buffy made a face. "That's never any fun. If I am going to lose this baby, I'd rather lose it naturally. Much safer." Ethan looked surprised. "Hey, I was a mercenary, I've had my share of pregnancies on the wrong side of the blankets. And, yes, I did get rid of them."

"Come now, I told you, it's not the Dark Ages any more." Ethan trailed a finger down Buffy's chest. "You can rid yourself of a pregnancy without any real danger."

Buffy looked pensive, then shook her head. "Why didn't you tell me the two of you had a falling out? I wouldn't have done it."

"I don't care if you shag Ripper. I'd like a go at him myself." Ethan propped himself up on one elbow as he pulled Buffy's blouse open, revealing a tiny white lace bra. "You always pick the most appealing undies, Anne. Like unwrapping a present."

"And Will keeps ripping them to shreds." Buffy rolled over to face Ethan. "Is Giles going to care about us?"

Ethan feigned innocence and took on a Cockney accent. "What, the two of us, together?"

Buffy slapped at him playfully. "Yes, silly."

"It's safe to say, he would be absolutely livid if he found out." Ethan reached around her back to unclasp her bra. "As I told you, I'm a scoundrel and a very naughty man."

Buffy took on a thoughtful look as she straddled Ethan, dropping her blouse and bra on the floor and helping him out of his shirt. "When was the last time you made love to Rupert Giles?"

Ethan raised his eyebrows. "I never said I was Rupert's lover."

"Read his blood yesterday morning, you're thoroughly entrenched in it. You were his first, and the only for a long time."

"Big words, Annie." Ethan settled Buffy astride his hips while he trailed fingers along her bare sides, tracing imaginary patterns along her breasts and stomach. "I haven't made love to Rupert Giles since before you were born."

"Truly?"

"Truly." Ethan pulled Buffy down for a tender kiss, thoroughly exploring her mouth. "But the better question is, when was the last time I fucked Ripper?"

"Mmm. I love your throat Ethan, I can't wait to mark it." Buffy lowered herself to his throat, suckling at the pulse point. Ethan thrust up towards her involuntarily, giving a deep moan. "Must be the vampire in me showing its true colors. When did you last fuck Ripper?"

"In July in San Francisco, I met up with him in a bar. He was looking for you. Seemed to be convinced I might know something about it. Took a week for the bruises to heal."

"Poor Giles." Buffy lifted her face, trailing kisses along the side of Ethan's face. "And you didn't tell him you knew where I was."

"Poor Ethan." Ethan stretched out underneath Buffy, Lifting his knees to support her back, he tugged at the button on her leather pants. "Ethan here is getting a bit impatient."

"Good things come to those who wait."

"Better things come to pretty girls who put their mouths to better use than asking questions about my ex-lovers."

"Oh, is that how it is?"

"Yes, quite."

"Roll over, lover." Buffy hopped off, giving Ethan a chance to roll beneath her. She traced the fine lines on his back with a finger, then, beginning close to his neck, she began to run her tongue over each line, slowly working her way from one end to the other. When she reached the top of his pants, she helped him out of them, and then began laving the deep furrows across his buttocks. Ethan writhed beneath her, biting back small moans into the pillow. "Is this better use?"

"Mmff. Yes, dear."

"Giles did this." It was a statement, not a question.

"Ripper did that. Rupert Giles would never stoop to such kinky pastimes." Ethan lost his patience with Buffy, rolling her over, pushing her to the bed and pulling her pants off.

"He did say you were lovers."

"Imagine that. Rupert Giles 'fessing up to his bisexuality. Amazing."

"Well, there's no hiding what's plain to see in his blood. You did plenty of magic together as well." Buffy was distracted as Ethan began licking her stomach, unerringly following her stretch marks. "What do you find so fascinating about those ugly things, anyway?"

"You, new life. The very idea of a child growing in that sweet warm womb of yours. I can get close, but I can never truly reach it." Ethan continued his attentions to her abdomen.

"If it had been you this morning, it could have been your child, not his."

Ethan shook his head. "I would have used protection. Besides, I had a vasectomy years ago. Spent enough time taking care of Ripper's bastards, don't need to make any of my own."

"Giles has illegitimate children?"

"He's never acknowledged any of them. But yes." Ethan gave a disgusted grunt. "And he considers me the one without ethics. I've never left any women with child and no resources." Ethan moved lower on Buffy, spreading her thighs.

Buffy chided him. "You're trying to distract me."

"Yes, I am. You have dinner guests downstairs, and we're taking entirely too long."

Buffy pouted. "I like slow. We're always fucking, it's never any more than that."

"So do I. And I'm happy to do it sometime, but this isn't the time for it." Ethan divested her of her panties. "And I don't find discussing Ripper's bastards conducive to good sex."

"How am I supposed to trust him if he isn't honest with me? He still sees me as a child."

"If Rupes shagged you this morning, he certainly doesn't see you as a child." Ethan settled himself between her thighs, working his way into her. "Besides, Rupert thinks he's being straight with you, pardon the pun." Ethan smirked, then his face turned serious. "He's just not honest with himself."

"And you are?"

"I'm honest with you. No point in lying, you could smell it. I may be a good crook, but I'm a very bad liar." Ethan began thrusting slowly into her. "Besides, I've got you exactly where I want you."

Buffy giggled. "Under you. Course, it doesn't bother you that this would make Giles angry?"

"Darling, irritating Ripper is just ice cream on a delicious slice of cake."