~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Sorry about the delay. I experienced writer's block and couldn't get over the hump to get this started. Well, now that it's started, I've got too much. I will be updating again by the end of the week. I've decided to cut this chapter short. The next chapter will have what everyone has been waiting for: Xander finds out the truth. It didn't fit into this one, which gives you some information that will definitely bear on the next chapter. Thanks for all the support.

See you soon, Witchiepoo/b
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


~~Spike caressed the pink-hued cheek softly, smiling as the tiny mouth started to suckle.

"Just like your Momma. She likes to eat all the time too." He whispered softly. Leaning down, he kissed the blonde head, trying not to wake her, hoping she did. Buffy would dust him if he woke the littlest Bit, though. Both of them had just fallen asleep, and even though, Spike desperately wanted to see Bitty's blue eyes laughing at him, he knew they needed their rest.

Whoever was up there looking out for creatures like him had blessed him with the mother lode. He had a woman who loved him, trusted him with her life, her heart, and this child, his daughter. She was his greatest creation.

He laid down beside his daughter, feeling her breath tickle his cheek. Her scent was like nothing he'd ever smelled before. So full of innocence, it made his heart swell with pride that she was his. Looking up at Buffy, he was reminded again of her beauty. She was his anchor in this world, and he was humbled by her love. He reached out to push her hair over her shoulder. She mmmed in her sleep, snuggling closer to his touch.

Yes, he'd been blessed. He closed his eyes, a feeling of peace suffusing his being. He woke up to a nightmare. They stood next to the bed, blood staining their clothes and fingers. He was paralyzed with fear and terror, not knowing where his girls were, if they were safe. He knew the truth, could taste it, bitter and cold on his tongue. They were gone.

"You are an utter failure, as a father and a husband." Travers mocked, wiping his hands on the baby's blanket. "You couldn't even protect them."

"You should have heard Buffy scream." Warren told him, sitting down on the bed. "When we took the baby, she begged. Buffy Summers begged and pleaded. Her life for her child's. I told her yes, I would take her life and her child's. Oh, I mean your child. Strange that you didn't awaken."

Warren stood and walked to the end of the bed. He looked down at the floor, his head moving back and forth. "I thought she would wake the dead when I slit the baby's throat."

"Of course, she didn't suffer for long, Mr. Spike. Once Warren stabbed her in the heart, she only whimpered for a few minutes, then she closed her eyes. Almost in relief, wouldn't you say, Warren?" Travers asked his companion.

"Yes, I think she was relieved to be free of this mortal coil again. I don't think it'll be so easy to resurrect her this time. Look what happened with? Her child murdered as her husband slept. But we know, don't we Spikey, that you wouldn't have been able to save them even if you were awake?"

"We should leave, Warren. Allow Mr. Spike time to mourn his dead. Sunlight's in a few hours. I trust you'll take the coward's way out. It was good to see you again." Travers said, patting Spike amiably on the shoulder. "Come Warren. I have a fine port back at my flat."

As soon as they cleared the threshold, the force holding Spike to the bed released, and he jumped off. He collapsed to his knees, his eyes blurred and hazed over with red. It was everywhere. The blood of his girls stained the floor, the spread, the walls. He screamed but he couldn't hear it. He grabbed Buffy, pulling her dead body into his lap. Bitty lay in a pool of blood next to her mother.

"Oh, god. Oh, god. NO!! NO!!! NO!!!"~~

Buffy awoke to the most awful wail she'd ever heard. She looked around for Spike, but he wasn't in the bed. She found him kneeling on the floor, caught up in a nightmare. She flung the sheets off, moving quickly to awaken him. She grabbed him, holding his withering body tightly. He recoiled from her touch, still fighting the dream world.

"Spike, wake up. It's me, Buffy. Wake up!" Buffy screamed.

~"I'm so sorry, Buffy. Bitty, Daddy is so sorry." He cried.~

"Spike, you've got to wake up, baby. You're scaring me. Come back to me, my love. Come back to us."

~Spike caressed Buffy's blood-stained cheeks and swore he could hear her talking to him.

"I'm so sorry, Buffy. I couldn't save you my love."~

"I'm right here, baby. All you have to do is open your eyes. We're here. Open your eyes, Spike. Will, open your eyes, right now, damnit!"

Spike's eyes flew open, and he stared wide-eyed at Buffy.

"Buffy?" He said, aching. "Buffy?"

Dawn raced into their room, shocked by the scene she found. The sound of his voice, almost brought Dawn to tears. She recognized the need to leave them alone, and left after placing a kiss on Spike's cheek. Buffy shifted till she sat on the floor, with Spike's head pillowed in her lap.

"Shush, my love. Shush. I'm here. I'm here." Buffy cooed. Spike's face was awash with tears. He shuddered in her arms, and for that alone, she wanted to torture Warren to within an inch of his miserable life. The dreams had been increasing in their intensity. Every night, he twisted and twisted, waking her, scaring her. She hadn't said anything to him about them, knowing he would remove himself from their bed so she could sleep. Silly man, didn't he know, she only slept when he was there.

"I'm sorry Buffy. I didn't mean to wake you." He croaked.

"Hush, now. It's alright." Buffy told him, bending down to bestow a kiss to his brow. That act was an impossibility, so she kissed her fingers and pressed them to his lips.

"I love you, William. I love you so much. I'm not going anywhere." She reassured him, caressing his cheek softly.

"It was so real. I couldn't save you. I couldn't save Bitty. Oh, god." His voice broke.

"It was a nightmare. We're here with you, safe. See?" She said, pressing her belly to his ear. Thump, thump. Bitty's heartbeat strong and very much alive, finally pushed the terror he felt back, stamped down.

"I can't protect you from him." He whispered raggedly.

Buffy didn't need for him to specify who he was. Warren. That little bastard. For 4 straight days, he'd sent something of theirs, terrorizing them with their own memories. At first, Buffy was afraid. Now, she was just pissed. Warren was a coward. A spineless, little twerp hiding behind his magic and his machines. When she found him, he was going to pay for hurting her family, but especially for scaring Spike. For someone who'd never known happiness, true happiness until recently, to have it threatened, knowing he could do nothing to prevent it. Warren was driving Spike slowly insane, and Buffy would be damned if she'd sit patiently by and allow it.

"Spike? My butt is asleep." She joked. She was rewarded with a slight smile. She sighed her relief that he seemed back to himself. She hoped he would talk about it with her.

Spike nodded, and turned to look up at her. Damn those blue eyes. She would never get used to their intensity. How they could change from the softest blue to almost black with passion?

Spike rolled off her lap, and helped her to stand. They stood in the moonlight. Buffy's head rested on his chest.

"That entire week you were in the hospital I had nightmares. I didn't sleep unless I was with you at the hospital. Even then, I was so afraid something would happen if I closed my eyes." He told her.

"Warren triggered this new round of them, huh?" She said, resting her chin on his pecs. "The threats, the letters, the pictures, all of it. It's bringing that fear back."

"It never left, Pet. I'm always afraid I'm going to lose you." Spike admitted.

Buffy nodded. She felt the exact same way. Had for so long till she hid it behind threats and taunts. Now, it was impossible to hide her love for him. She loved him. End of story. Or the beginning of a great one.

"Let's get some sleep." She suggested, pulling him reluctantly back to the bed. She laid on her back, drawing Spike up till he was draped across her body, his head resting in the crook of her neck.

"I'll watch over you while you sleep, my love." Buffy crooned softly. Her hands caressed his shoulder, his back, willing him to rest his weary bones. "It won't be much longer, Spike. The chip will be out, and you won't feel like this anymore. I promise you."

Spike chuckled humorless. "I'll always worry about you and Bitty, Buffy. Being chipless won't make that much of a difference."

"It will to you. You'll feel better about yourself with that damn thing gone." Buffy said, leaning her head over to rest on his. "When I felt helpless and out of control of my own life, you gave me strength, hope, to believe that we can face anything together. Take my strength and believe that too."

"You won't let me believe anything else."

"You're right." She admitted, stroking his face till he fell asleep.

*********************

Smug and satisfied. That described Warren's attitude since his arrival in Sunnydale. The Slayer was afraid of him. She was running and hiding from him. God, he got hard just thinking about it. It was definitely all about power. He had it. She didn't. And it was the sweetest aphrodisiac he'd ever known. Even being cooped up with only muscle boy for company couldn't bring him down. Buffy was afraid. She was afraid of him. It was about time she learned her place. He was the smart one. He was the one who would control whether or not she lived. Well, maybe, not that last part. She would live unfortunately. How she would live would be at his discretion. He felt like humming a tune. He was so happy.

Mike watched Warren flit around the room, like some gnome on acid. If he'd known he was going to be paid to baby-sit such a pathetic, little prick, he would have joined his dear old Mum in Cannes. Mike took the whetstone out of his pocket, and picked up his knife, which lay on the table in front of him.

Warren tried not to flinch as the sound of the metal gliding over the stone.
"Which Slayerette should I go after next?" Warren asked. He knew the man in the chair wouldn't answer him. Just as well. He was never a team player. Just ask Jonathan and Andrew.

*******************

Giles slammed the drawer closed with a bang, causing Anya to glare at him.

"Rupert, what's wrong now?" She asked, her nerves on edge.

"This blasted drawer continues to stick when I try to close it. I thought you were going to get some WD-40 for it." He said angrily.

Anya stomped over to where he stood and pushed past him, bending down to grab the can of spray. She slammed it down on the counter, huffing as she stalked away. "Thank god that wasn't a Sukov demon or you'd be missing a part of your anatomy that helps you mate."

Giles' eyes widened and he cracked a grin. He quickly tried to squelch it, but laughter soon followed. Anya's face flashed briefly with rage, before she, too, was overcome with the giggles. That was how Willow found them.

She stood in the doorway, watching as Anya and Giles, tearfully and laughingly apologized for snapping at each other.

"Oh, my dear, I apologize profusely. This situation with Travers and Warren is making me very cross and short-tempered. I didn't mean it." Giles reassured her, brushing his thumb across her cheek.

"I'm sorry too. I would not want a Sukov demon to take your penis. I like it too much."

Willow's face turned the color of her hair, and she desperately wished she'd gone to get that Gingerbread Latte like she'd planned. She coughed loudly, announcing her presence before Anya complimented any of the parts of Giles' body.

"Willow!" Giles blushed. "Ah, when did you get here?"

"Just now. How ya been?" She lied.

Giles knew she was lying, but was grateful that she wanted to avoid acknowledging what she'd heard more than he did.

"Good. And you?"

"Oh, for Pete's sake, you're adults. Willow knows we're having sex. Why you people pretend it's not happening is beyond me?" Anya mumbled, shaking her head as she went to help a customer.

Giles looked after her with a mixture of love and exasperation. Willow patted him on the shoulder in mock sympathy. "You love her. Just keep saying that when it gets to be too much." She suggested.

Giles smiled ruefully. "God help me, but I do."

Willow plopped down in a chair, sighing with relief to be done with school. Now, all she had to do was head an operation to remove a government chip from her friend's head. Ha! And she thought Advanced Physics was difficult. Who knew that wasn't quite the truth?

"What did you find?" Giles asked, while writing his real question on a piece of paper. He slid it over to Willow, who replied.

"When Buffy and Spike get here, I'm going to tell them that everything is legit. The plans are for the behavioral modification chip. My friend in the electronics lab looked over them, with envy, of course, but said they were indeed the real thing."

Willow scribbled on the paper. Giles had asked her if she had found a spell to help remove the chip. She wrote back that she'd found a teleportation spell that could be tweaked to do what they wanted.

"I hate to admit it, but Travers was actually being helpful." Giles answered. Willow pushed a book across the table to him, and pointed wordlessly to a passage. Giles cleaned his glasses and read the spell hurriedly.

"Do you think Spike and Buffy will agree?" Willow asked honestly. "With all that's gone on with Warren in the last few days, I can't see them walking up to Travers and accepting his help."

Anya walked over, reading the spell over Giles' shoulder. "Well, they won't have a choice." She answered. "You are going to need equipment and people to help you remove that chip. And last time I checked, none of us had that kind of experience. We'll have to get them from that odious man."

She picked up the paper and wrote down that she would have to order one of the items needed, unless Giles wanted to take a trip to LA tonight.

"You're absolutely right, Willow. And you too, Anya. But Spike and Buffy value their child's life above their own safety. They'll do what they must to protect her and Dawn, even if it means working with the Council again. And we'll be there for them."

"Willow, make up a list of what you'll need and we'll take it with us to Travers." Giles directed her.

"I'll get started. Anya can you help me?"

Anya pointed to her chest, confused. "Ah, sure."

Giles shrugged and patted her hand as she walked away to join Willow.

Willow worried at her bottom lip, afraid to start this conversation, afraid not too. She needed to know, and she didn't want to jump to any conclusions that would hurt Anya's feelings.

"I talked to Xander. He told me about your conversation. And I just wanted to know, if you're going to tell him about Giles or are you going to keep him in the dark? I'm not accusing you or admonishing you. I just need to know because I love him. And I… I like you. You make Giles happy." Willow admitted. Her face had started to turn red again, and Anya for once, felt accepted.

Anya smiled slightly. "I hated you." She told a stunned Willow. "I really did. When we started seeing each other, I hated you. He loved you better than he loved me, and I hated you for it. It made me feel inadequate."

Willow's eyes were wide with shock, but she understood where Anya was coming from. "I hated you too." She shrugged. "I got over it. It took awhile, though."

"I know." Anya laughingly admitted. "I know you only have his best interests at heart, and we probably should have listened to our hearts before we let things get so bad, but we didn't, and that's that. It's over. But the love and concern, it's still there. I wanted to hate him, and for a small amount of time, I did. I don't want to see him hurt, Willow. I really don't. When is there a good time to tell him that I've fallen in love with Giles? You tell me. How do I say those words without all the nastiness of our past coming back and making things worse?"

Willow pulled up a stool and sat down at the counter. She played with the chicken foot on the counter. "I don't know. Whatever you say to him, is going to hurt like hell. He's going to be devastated. He thinks you're getting back together or at least attempting too." She added when she saw Anya about to protest.

"I know you're not leading him on. I know you're not doing anything on purpose to hurt him. You're just living your life. We all are the best way we can. I just want you to know if you want me to be there with you, I will be." Willow promised, squeezing Anya's hand in support.

"Thanks, Willow." Anya answered, touched.

**************************
There was one short rap to the door before it opened. The men and women gathered inside looked to the newcomer with faces identical in their curiosity and expectation of the news she would bring.

"It's started." Olivia told them. "Travers has made plans to steal the Prophecy child. Reginald informed me earlier today that a doctor has been brought to Sunnydale. Travers has everything in place to deliver the child."

"Does Reginald know when?" A woman's voice asked from the back.

"No. He says Travers has been rather secretive about his plans, only confiding in his associate, Mr. Shackleford. Reginald is due to call me again tomorrow, so hopefully, he will have some more information for us."

"We have perused the transcripts he sent. There has been a grave error on the part of Mr. Giles. The ritual can be performed before the child is born. She can borrow strength from her mother to survive." Edmund Weeves announced from his position at the head of the table.

"I cannot contact Giles without fear of being discovered. Travers' men have been far too clever in their surveillance."

"We've discussed this Weeves. You know we cannot risk Reginald's assignment nor this organization. Travers has far too many under his thumb. One slip, and all will be lost." Yvonne Spencer shook her head, her gray locks shimmering down her back. "He would pick us off. One by one, until there was little or no opposition to him. Any that were left would be too frightened to oppose him. We have to trust that Mr. Giles and his group are able to discover that caveat before Travers makes his move."

****************************

Xander rubbed the back of his neck and tried to concentrate on the designs in front of him. It was difficult. He couldn't get Anya's words out of his head. He knew she was right. Knew what she said made sense. No, not just sense, it was the truth. But he couldn't just forget all that had happened to him, to them. He shook his head to clear the sight of Anya's face, her lips, her eyes out of his conscience.

Dewey studied his mark carefully, waiting for the right time to approach him. They'd listened to his conversation with his ex over and over, trying to pick up on anything that would give them an advantage. There were so many things they weren't sure which one to use. It had been decided that a little nudge was in order. They couldn't let Xander get too philosophical on them.

"She must have rocked your world." Dewey commented, a knowing look and wink delivered to Xander. "So, the two of you back together?"

"What? No. No. Anya and I aren't back together. Why would you think that?" Xander snapped, rolling the plans up.

"Sorry, man. My bad. I'll just get out of your way." Dewey's face dropped convincingly, and he walked away, shoulders hunched.

Xander rolled his eyes. "Dew Man, sorry. You just caught me off guard. I'm sorry."

Dewey stopped and grinned. "Hey, none of my business, anyway. But I understand. Women are in a species all their own."

Xander grimaced. Species. Demons. It was all the same, and at the same time, it wasn't. "We didn't get around to discussing us. We talked about our friends and how things aren't always what they seemed."

No, they aren't, Harris. And it'll be too late before you figure that out. "Well, it's progress. The two of you talking, and not arguing. Maybe you should go back and talk to her some more. Surprise her with flowers and take-out."

Xander smiled, like the gullible fool he was. "That is definitely not a good idea. You don't know my ex. I've only given you a glimpse of her. We may be talking, but if I even thought about approaching her now with romantic intentions, she'd remove part of my anatomy."

Dewey shook his head, confused. "Xan, do you want your girl back or not?"

"I do, but I hurt her. It hasn't gone away. She's still holding back from me, and I'm sure my fight with Buffy and Spike didn't made things any better."

"I'm sure if the two of you sat down and discussed things rationally, without all the past anger and stuff, she'd see your point of view. Hey, and what do you have to lose? She's already mad at you. It can't get much worse, but it can get better."

Inwardly, Dewey cringed. Love advice from him, a hired mercenary. He had sunk to new depths, but this was definitely better than being gator food. Poor Lande.

"I'll think about it. I'll see her tomorrow at Buffy's anyway. Have they cleared that wall on the west side of the school?" Xander asked, putting the subject of Anya to rest.

"Yeah, boss. They were loading the receiving bins when I last checked." Fuck, Dewey screamed, almost had him. That's okay. After tonight, buddy, you won't hesitate to run and tell the ex she was right.

****************************

Shackleford hung up the phone, smiling as he rejoined his boss at the table. "Is everything set with Warren tonight?"

"Yes, he knows where to be and what to do. Mike will shadow him just in case. We wouldn't want the little eager beaver to kill our patsy before we got a chance to use him."

Travers nodded his head in agreement. "Yes. You were quite right to do that. We don't really need Mr. Harris' assistance. I know you would be able to get me the Slayer if I wanted her taken, but I like this so much better. Takes some of the pressure of us."

Travers took a deep breath. "Everything has been prepared at the house. Once Ms. Summers, Mrs. Develin," he sneered, "is captured and her sister's blood extracted, we will leave for Scotland. I have installed a full staff to see to the tot's every need. We will wait till things have settled down, and then, we'll perform the ceremony. I would hate to go to all this trouble, only to have the child die on me."

"That would be tragic." Shackleford admitted sarcastically.

"Then, we will inform the full Council of her birth and my custody of her. My position will be solidified. Buffy and her group will not be able to touch me. They'll never see the child again, and I'll have the Council's blessings."

**************************

Spike watched the butterflies and flowers sway as he rocked in the chair in the nursery. Bitty would soon sleep in this room. He closed his eyes as remnants of the dream from the night before flashed before his eyes. He felt the demon surge, desperate to protect what was theirs.

He took a deep breath, and tried to remember Buffy's words. It wouldn't be long now. It wouldn't be long before the Warrens and Travers of the world would have to worry about him again. He wouldn't let anyone harm his family. He'd rip them to shreds before he let that happen.

"If you keep frowning like that, your face is going to stay like that. Forever. Well, that's what Mom always told us." Buffy said from the doorway. She held several folded items and took them to the little dresser and added them to the multitude of blankets and shirts and stuff that their daughter had already amassed.

"I swear you're already turning her into the Most Fashionably Dressed baby of Sunnydale."

Buffy smiled broadly. "Nothing wrong with having a versatile wardrobe. You should look into one." She joked.

"I have one, but you keep ripping it off me." He smiled, the dimples, rarely seen, gracing his face.

Buffy closed the drawer and walked over to him. The urge to touch that smile, to feel his laughter, was overwhelming. "It's good to see you smile again."

Buffy gingerly sat in his lap. She didn't want to break the rocker or send them sprawling to the floor.

"Sorry, I've been, how do you say it? Depresso boy."

Buffy snickered. She laid her head on his shoulder and kissed his neck. "That's okay. You loved me when I was Depresso girl last year. So, we're a matched pair."

"Always."

"Martine's journal?" Buffy asked, fingering the book Spike held.

Buffy swore he blushed, but she couldn't be sure. She was too surprised by the shy look in his eyes.

"No, it's for Bitty. Just some stuff I wrote to her, so she would know me and you."

Buffy closed her hand over his, and smiled. "I saw this months ago. You were still living in the crypt, and I came to visit. It had to be before we discovered the prophecy. You were sleeping, and it was on the floor. I opened it. I saw the first letter." She told him, leaning back to gauge his reaction.

"I wanted to cry. The few words I read, just touched me so. I knew you'd love Bitty as much as you loved me. You would take care of her. I would never have to worry about you ever leaving her. It's a wonderful feeling." There were tears in both of their eyes after she finished her admission.

"I love you, Buffy. I love her." He said, turning slightly to kiss her. His arm tightened around her waist, and hers crept up and around his neck.

That was how Giles found them, kissing and crying in their baby's room. He turned away, unwilling to disturb them. It made his heart warm with the knowledge that Buffy had found her happiness. No matter what was thrown at her, she would always have Spike's love and strength to protect her, cherish, and support her.

"I guess I'll make me a spot of tea." He said to himself, heading for the kitchen.

Buffy pulled away with a sigh. "Giles is here."

"I know." Spike grumbled. "Can we stay like this a little longer?"

"You read my mind. I think Giles can handle tea duty without us." Buffy said, smiling as she pressed her lips to Spike's again. "We have to get all the us time in before the baby's born."

"You are so right."
****************************

Dawn waited inside the school building till she saw the familiar compact pull up into the drive. Tara got out, scanning the mass of laughing and shouting teenagers for her. Dawn waved, and raced for the car, in a manner, which would not lose her any cool points. God, she hated being a sophomore.

"Hey, Dawnie! How was school?" Tara asked, pulling away.

"Oh, you know, the usual boring montage of endless classes and stuff. Forget about that. Anything new with the diaries?" She asked, eager to put all this behind them and move on to the good part. Her niece.

"No, but I could use your help with some of the reading. I know you're interested in what Mr. Jayme had to say about you. So, I thought we could work on it together at the apartment."

Dawn nearly whooped in excitement. She'd been dying to read it, since he talked about her Keyness, but Buffy had been quite adamant in denying her request. It wasn't fair. She was 16 and the Key. She was the one receiving visits from her niece. She was the one who was going to have to be bled to help her niece. When were they going to realize, she wasn't a child anymore that needed to be protected from things that go bump in the night? Well, some things.

"Would you like to see the journal?" Tara asked again.

Dawn's blue eyes, so like Spike's, widened. "Really? You're not pulling my leg are you?"

Tara's eyes twinkled with laughter. "No. You can read it. Maybe, you can find what I've been unable to."

"Buffy and Spike will read Martine's journal to me, the early stuff, but they won't let me read this one. Sheesh! Martine's is more depressing because you know what's going to happen."

Tara felt the need to defend her friends. "They just want to protect you, not from yourself, but from Travers. The less people who know what's actually in this book, the less people in danger of being snatched for it."

"Oh, I didn't think of that."

Tara turned onto the main street, rolling past Doublemeat. "Did you want to stop?"

Dawn shook her head vigorously. "No! I can't stomach their food anymore. After the finger incident, it lost it's appeal. But Taco Bell is always good. Yo quiero Taco Bell."

"Taco bell it is, then."
************************
Tara pulled the journal out of her backpack and handed it to Dawn.

"If you feel anything, anything at all, you let me know."

"I will." Dawn picked the heavy book up, and began thumbing through the pages.

Tara sat next to her, lending her support. "Giles tabbed the parts where he talks about you. They are the green ones."

"Thanks."

Dawn opened the book to the first tab, and settled back to read. She had been at it an hour, when she felt the prickly sensation that announced Bitty's arrival.

"Hi, Auntie Dawn."

Tara gasped as she felt the electricity in the air. Dawn had a smile on her face, and her lips moved, but no sound emitted from her mouth.

"Hi, Bitty. I've missed you. Where have you been?"

A little giggle erupted. "In Mommy's stomach."

Dawn wished she could see the little imp. "I've got the book. What did you want me to see?"

"The truth. The time is now, Auntie Dawn. You don't have to wait. You'll see. You just need to look."

Dawn looked down at the page she was on, and read the passage again. Nothing stood out, but obviously there was something there or Bitty wouldn't have mentioned it.

~The Key's essence, strong and pure of light, is the only force that can open the power within the child. The essence knows no shape nor boundary, and neither shall the child. The child shall come into its power once the essence is received. It will weaken the vessel, but the strength shall be there to carry the child through the storm.~

"I've got to go, Auntie Dawn, but I'll see you soon."

Tara shook Dawn lightly, trying not to startle the young girl. Dawn took a deep breath, and the room returned to normal.

"Tara? She was here."

"I know. What did she show you?"

Dawn pointed with a shaky finger to the passage. Tara pulled the book over onto her lap, and reread it.

"She said we didn't have to wait. Do you think this means we can do the ritual before Bitty is born?"

Tara read it again. 'The child shall come into its power once the essence is received. It will weaken the vessel, but the strength shall be there to carry the child through the storm.' You might be right Dawn. If Buffy drinks your blood, the baby would receive it, of course. And the baby would have Buffy's strength to survive the ritual. That's why Travers is here." She said as the light bulb went off.

Dawn looked at her confused. "What? What does Travers have to do with this?"

"This has to be it." Tara continued. "He knows he can perform the ritual before Bitty is born. He's going to go after Buffy before she delivers. Come on, we have to let them know."

************************
Buffy placed several more kisses to Spike's lips before allowing him to push her off his lap. Willow was downstairs with Giles, so they couldn't be rude any longer. Even though, the subject they were about to discuss was far less enjoyable than the snogging they'd been doing.

Buffy squeezed Spike's hand as they walked down the stairs. Willow had set up shop in the dining room. Her papers and things were strewn over the mahogany table.

"Buffy. Spike. Hey!" Willow greeted them cheerfully. She was way too perky, which put both blondes on guard.

"Willow is something wrong? Is it the chip?" Spike asked.

"Oh, no. Too much Latte. I've been downing them since six this morning. I'm still coming down." She admitted with a laugh.

Buffy let out the breath she'd been holding. "Will. You and coffee are bad. Switch to decaf if you have to have it." She laughingly admonished.

"Tara and Dawn will be over later. They are at Tara's apartment doing some work on Jayme's journal."

"In other words, Rupert, keeping Dawn occupied." Spike guessed correctly.

"Yes, Spike, I didn't want Dawn to worry, and I felt it was your call as to what you will tell her about the operation." Giles said, handing Buffy her vitamins and a glass of water.

Buffy took them wordlessly, her mind already beginning to panic from Giles' words. "I thought we'd discussed the specifics already. Is there something else we have to be concerned about?" Buffy said panicked.

Spike took the glass out of Buffy's hand before she shattered it. He leaned down, smiling up into her hazel eyes. "Hey, Goldi, it'll be alright. Remember? Whatever happens, we'll work through it."

Buffy nodded. "Go on."

Giles cleared his throat, looking expectantly at Willow to begin.

"Remember what I told you about the location of the chip?" Both blondes nodded their affirmation. "Well, I'd hoped the spell I was working on, would be able to remove the chip without me actually having to cut into Spike's scalp, but..."

"You're going to have to. We were prepared for that, Red. What else? Is it the blindness?"

Buffy shuddered. She would love Spike sight or no sight, but he would still be limited as a vampire. And he'd be miserable.

"The blindness may last longer than I thought. It could be a day with your accelerated healing or a week." Willow answered. "And I'm not sure if this wasn't part of the Initiative's plan."

"To blind a demon if they ever got it out? That would make them easier targets to recapture." Buffy added.

"To kill." Giles told her. "The Initiative would kill those that attempted it. There would be no further need for them."

"But you were able to concoct a spell to remove the chip?"

Willow blinked. "Yes," she answered, losing her place briefly in the conversation. "I was able to find a spell. It's sort of a teleportation spell. Once we have remove the scar tissue from around the chip, it'll bring it of his head."

Spike remembered the sniveling, duplicitous doctor that had pretended to remove it before, and felt the keen need to kiss the man. If he'd removed it, he never would have had the dream, and realized he was in love with Buffy. Things might have worked out differently.

"We were able to find most of the ingredients in town. The final one was ordered and is due in today." Giles added. "So, we should be able to have everything set up and ready to go in a few days. Is that soon enough for you, Spike?"

Spike looked at Buffy, who had a huge smile on her face. She really isn't worried about post-chipped Spike. There's no fear in her at all. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"What about Warren?" Buffy asked. "You weren't planning on doing the surgery here. And Spike doesn't want me to go, so who is doing what? And how are you going to skip town without Travers knowing about it?"

Giles lowered his head. "Good question. We still need to decide where we can go that won't be too far from here. I don't want to leave you or Dawn alone for very long. Especially with Warren and Travers working against us."

"We could go to the mansion." Willow suggested. "It's on the outskirts of town, but we can get to the house within 15 minutes, if something happens."

Spike took the seat next to Buffy. "The mansion could work. Enough room, water, and electricity. It's accessible through the tunnels. It's perfect."

"It's also big enough for me to come along. Dawn and I could stay in another wing." Buffy argued. "I want to be with Spike. I don't want him to be alone."

Giles grabbed for Buffy's free hand. "Buffy, we don't know what will happen once the chip is removed. Spike has said himself, he doesn't know if the demon will try to gain control while he's weak. We may not be able to contain him."

Spike said nothing, knowing his voice would crack, and he'd scare her with his lack of control. He wanted her as far from him as possible, but there was a part of him, that wanted her by his side when he woke up.

"He. Won't. Hurt. Me." Buffy gritted out. "I know him. He loves me. He won't do anything to hurt me."

Willow came around the table, till she stood at Buffy's side. "We know that, Buffy. We just want to make sure. I can't give you any guarantees how Spike's going to be once this is done."

Buffy pulled her hand from Giles' grasp. "I don't need your guarantees. I already have one." She said, patting her belly.

"The demon, the man, and me. We all made this child. She's our miracle. She was created because we love each other."

Spike had to smile at her logic, but he still didn't want her there. "We did that, Pet." He said finally.

Buffy turned in her seat. "I believe in you and it. I believe in the man you are."

Spike lowered his head, humbled by her speech. "Thank you, my love. But the thought of you being in that mansion does crazy things to my head. Makes me think the Poofter is going to swoop in and carry you off to LA. It's dirty and dusty, too. Not good for the baby. I won't be gone long. As soon as we're sure I'm not going to turn into a murderous maniac, I'm back in our bed, with you playing Florence Nightingale."

Buffy caressed her hand over her head. "But..." She started, only to be silenced by one long, pale finger.

"I can't worry about you, Buffy, and go through this. Stay at the house, pretend everything is normal. I'll be back before you even miss me." He said, nuzzling her hand.

"That's not quick enough." Buffy closed her eyes tightly, knowing what they said made sense. "Okay. When do we do this?"

Giles had watched the talk between husband and wife, and for some reason, was overcome with a sense of dread. There were unknowns, but they weren't what frightened him. Warren's return didn't frighten him either. Travers did. Why did he get the feeling that all this would be for naught?

"We can do this next Monday. 4 days from now."

Four days and counting, and their world wouldn't be the same. Spike thought, his eyes on Buffy's face.