Offspring

For Maleficent

Timeline: after "Dead Things"

I own nothing, Joss owns all

Sanjan's prophecy was about the offspring of a vampire, not two vampires.

Buffy stared at the doctor. Her mind couldn't process the information he had just given her. She felt her knees give out and sat down heavily on the exam table.

"How could this have happened?"

"I assume this is an unexpected pregnancy?"

Buffy barely heard the doctor's question.

"This isn't possible. He can't have children. They can't have children! How…?"

"Ms. Summers…"

The doctor's touch on her shoulder brought Buffy out of her shock.

"I…I'm fine…I just need sometime to think…"

The doctor nodded understandingly and showed Buffy out of his office.

Fifteen minutes later, Buffy was at Tara's new apartment, pacing back and forth in front of the couch where Tara sat, ranting.

"How could this happen? He's a vampire – a corpse! How could he get me pregnant? Maybe it wasn't him. Maybe something else is responsible."

Buffy stopped suddenly and dropped to her knees in front of the witch.

"What am I going to do?"

Tara leaned forward and gently wiped away a single tear from the Slayer's cheek.

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't know. I don't even know what is growing inside of me."

"I could cast a spell to show the moment of conception. At least then you would know who the father is."

"Would it harm the…child?"

The blond witch shook her head. Buffy nodded her assent.

"I'll get all of the supplies from the Magic Shop and meet you back here after you get of work."

Buffy and Tara both stood.

"What about your roommate?"

"She's in Vermont for her cousin's wedding and won't be back for a week."

Sunset found Buffy was lying on the floor of Tara's apartment, holding a thin, white candle over her abdomen. Tara was standing at Buffy's head, holding an urn full of ingredients and chanting.

"Great Hera, goddess Juno, hear our plea. Show us this child's moment of creation."

Tara began to pour the herbs in a circle around Buffy and herself. The moment the circle was closed, the candle flared to life and the two blonds were flooded with images.

Two writhing bodies glistening with sweat.

Fingers wrapped in long blonde hair

Fingers buried in short bleached hair

Both partners screaming out their climax

"Buffy!" "Spike!"

The candle snuffed out. Neither girl moved. Finally, Buffy sat up. Tara knelt beside her.

"What are you going to do?"

"What I should have done a long time ago. I'm going to tell everyone about me and Spike."

"And what about the baby?"

Buffy put a hand to her abdomen.

"I don't know."

Xander, Anya, Willow, Dawn, and Tara were all sitting in the Summer's living room – waiting for Buffy to explain why she had called them all there. Buffy was sitting on the couch – her back was ramrod straight and her hands were clasped between her knees. She stared at the floor, saying nothing. After five minutes of silence, everyone began to fidget, but no one said anything. Suddenly, Buffy's head came up.

"I'm pregnant."

The fidgeting stopped.

Outside the house, Spike was as stunned as the Scoobies. As the room erupted with questions, Spike slammed his fist into the tree trunk – splitting knuckles and splintering wood. Without a word, he spun and stalked away from the house.

Inside, Buffy was being bombarded with questions.

"Who?" Xander exclaimed, jumping to his feet.

"I'm going to have a niece or nephew!" squealed Dawn.

"Why didn't you tell me you were seeing someone?" demanded Willow.

"Was the sex any good?" asked Anya.

Seeing the Slayer unable to handle the flood of questions, Tara decided to intervene. She stood up and put her hand on Buffy's shoulder.

"If you would all be quiet, I'm sure she will explain everything,"

Xander and Tara sat back down and Buffy offered Tara a weak smile. Then she took a deep breath.

"Yes, Dawn, you are going to be an aunt. Willow, I didn't tell you because I was afraid of your reaction. Xander, the father is…is…"

"Come on Buff," encouraged Xander, "you can tell us. It's not like it's Spike or…"

Xander trailed off as the color drained from Buffy's face.

"Buffy…" Willow said softly, "Is it Spike?"

Buffy nodded stiffly. Anya looked around the silent room.

"You never answered my question: was the sex good?"

"Anya!" Xander exclaimed, disgust dripping from his voice.

Buffy couldn't take it any more. She hadn't expected her friends to be ecstatic but she had expected them to support her. She jumped up and ran from the house, holding back tears. She didn't know where she was running. She jus felt like she had to run. She paid no attention to where she was until she found herself in front of a familiar crypt. Wiping away a few stray tears, Buffy opened the door. The interior of the crypt was pitch black…except for the glow of Spike's cigarette.

"What are you doing here?"

Buffy physically recoiled from the sharpness of his voice. Her voice came out timid and unsure.

"I…I came to see you."

"Well, you've seen me. So now you can leave."

The scathing remark brought the tears back to Buffy's eyes. She unconsciously brought her hand to her abdomen.

"Spike, please. I…I need to talk to you."

"'Bout what?"

Spike took a long drag from his cigarette.

"I'm pregnant."

Spike's whole demeanor changed. He slowly stood up and dropped the cigarette to the floor, crushing it with his boot. Then, he approached Buffy and, to her surprise, knelt before her. When he spoke, it was not to her, but to the unborn child.

"Your mum's something, kid. You want to know what?"

Spike looked up and made eye contact with Buffy. He was on his feet before Buffy could react, grabbing her by her hair.

"She's a whore!"

Spike yanked open the door with his free hand and threw Buffy out.

"Don't ever come 'round here again, Slutty."

Spike slammed the crypt door and Buffy heard him slide the bolt home – locking her out. Buffy simply lay curled on the ground for a time, too emotionally exhausted to cry anymore. Eventually, she got to her feet and started walking. Just before dawn, Buffy looked up and found herself at the mansion. To tired to care where she was, Buffy entered the mansion, found a bedroom with a semi-clean bed, and fell into an exhausted and despairing sleep.

Three days later, the Scoobies were frantic. Buffy had never come home the night she had made her confession. Everyone felt guilty – for their reactions, for not following her, or both. After Buffy ran out, Tara had laid into them for their lack of support. In the end, she had convinced them that Buffy needed their love and support even if they didn't approve of her choices. Even Xander had agreed, saying his love for Buffy was stronger then his hate for Spike. Everyone had agreed to apologize and be supportive when Buffy returned. But she never did.

So, once again, they were gathered in the Summer's living room.

"It's been three days! We have to go look for her!"

Xander was pacing so fast he was almost running.

"I don't care if she decides to knock my head off, we need to find her."

"Maybe she's at Spike's," commented Dawn.

"That would make sense," agreed Willow.

Tara nodded in agreement.

"Let's go then."

He all but bolted to the door.

"Xander, wait!" called Tara.

The brunette reluctantly returned to the living room as the blonde wicca continued.

"You were probably right about her not wanting to see you right now. I'll go."

Everyone in the room agreed, though somewhat reluctantly.

"I should be back in less then an hour," Tara said as she opened the door.

"Wait!"

Willow rushed to Tara and pressed two objects into her hands. Tara looked down and saw that they were a stake and a cross. She smiled shyly at Willow.

"I'll be careful."

Then she slipped out the door.

"Now we wait some more," sighed Dawn, leaning back into the couch.

"I hate waiting," stated Xander, who was now rocking back and forth instead of pacing, "It's almost as bad as researching."