Summary: What if Buffy had gone with Angel into that hell dimension on the finale of Season2? My first fan fiction, I think this would be considered AU.

Disclaimers: Mutant Enemy and Joss Whedon own it all. This just all just for entertainments sake, I hope.

"Hey babe, what's with the pensive, Angel-broody face. You made me give that up long ago." Angel kissed his wife long and hard. He'd begun to refer to her as wife after they had been here a year or so. It felt right and she had never complained.

The past 20 years had been a dream come true for him. They fought the local demons and had actually made friends with more than a few of the local villagers. The sun didn't affect him and he and Buffy were able to live close to normal lives. Granted, neither of them really tanned, but the warmth was great! Considering this was a zero technological society, they were very accepting of the unusual. Every so often a new citizen would fall through a vortex and they would either adapt and become a part of society at large or they would be ostracized. And life outside in the forbidden zone was not a pretty one.

The demons and beasties that tried take over village life soon learned that there were new sheriffs in town. Namely Buffy and Angel. Over the years the battles became less and less and their friends, more and more. They still trained together, but most of their spare time was spent living a life. If it were possible, Angel loved Buffy more today than he did almost 25 years ago, when he first met her. And sex? Almost everyday! Lots to be said for vampire and slayer stamina. Yes, life was good. Whistler had been right about the half-full glass. And now, looking at her swollen abdomen, Angel felt life could not be more perfect.

She looked at the man/demon that was now her husband. It was so weird, back home this could never have happened. But here, in this place and time that had become her life, she was living her dream. She placed her hand on her stomach and looked into Angel's eyes.

"I am so not doing the Angel-broody thing. I was just thinking."

"About?"

Buffy took hold of Angel's hand and placed it on her protruding abdomen, "I was thinking that our 20 year holiday is almost over and we will probably have to return to the real world, our world, very soon. The Powers That Be sent us here to do something that we couldn't do in our own world, and I tend to think that a vampire and a vampire-slash-slayer conceiving a child just might be the thing, y'think?"

Angel laid back and looked up at the sky as he wound Buffy's long hair in his hand, gently pulling her down with him. He had been avoiding this discussion, as had Buffy. "I guess I was just so happy at the prospect of having a child with you I didn't want to toss in any supernatural, prophecy-type inklings. I just want to be a dad and I just want you to be a mom and fight the occasional demon or dragon and go back to our daily love-making sessions. Maybe the PTBs decided we had done enough and this was our reward. Living in a fool's paradise, huh?"

"Delusional much? Oh, hon, you can be so cute. Both of us aren't so far removed from the hell-mouth that we can't remember real life. It's only been 20 years, not 200. Am I bursting pretty colored bubbles? I swear I will make it up to you, but the moment we both heard this heart beat we knew we were in for something, what word am I looking for? HUGE?"

He smiled at her, "Since when did you become so wise and womanly?" He looked at her rounded stomach and full breasts, she was such a sight to behold. Angel knew things were about to change, but until Buffyhad safely delivered and his baby was in his arms, he didn't want to think about it.

"I'm a soon to be mother, after all. How about a nice, naked back rub? I swear, this baby feels like it is gnawing on my spine. Naw, you don't think he really is, do you? Both parents being vamps and all?" Buffy attempted to stand, but Angel got up first and picked her up.

"I think you are just a normal, pregnant vampire-slash slayer that needs a little more rest. After all, you are having a baby at 37, not old, but older."

"I so cannot believe you are throwing my age up to me! And how many bicentennial birthdays have I celebrated? I mean, rob the cradle much?" Angel couldn't stop the chuckle from escaping after Buffy's latest tirade regarding age.

If she still could breath, it would catch in her throat. He was so magnificent, his long flowing hair, his just-so tight pants, that sexy shirt Embeth had made for him. He could be off the cover of a romance novel. But she still couldn't let him get away with that remark, no matter how totally hot he was.

"I am so finding Mr. Pointy 2when I get back to the house, so you had better watch it!" With that, Buffy doubled over in pain. "Oh my god Angel, I think the baby's coming. Now! You have to go get Embeth, tell her it's time."

Angel lifted Buffy and carried her to their cottage. "Buffy, I can't leave you like this, tell me what to do!"

"Look, I'm having the baby, I need her! Go now Angel!"

When Angel returned with Embeth, Buffy was in the midst of another contraction. She was an exercise in concentrated pain, soaked in sweat and swearing at the top of her lungs. "If those damned Powers That Be try anything after I have gone through all this, I swear I will kill the whole lot of them!"

"Feisty as ever, I see." Angel turned to see Whistler in the doorway.

"So, you're back to stir up trouble for these fine folk, are you?" Embeth gave Whistler a side-long glance.

"You knew it wasn't forever, Embeth. So did they."

Buffy sat up, "Whistler, you get the hell out of here, nobody gets my baby, do you hear me? You tell your bosses they don't get to pick and choose when it comes to our lives! Get out! I do not want you anywhere near my baby! Angel, do something!"

Embeth pushed at the both of them, "OUT! You are upsetting her and we have a baby to bring into the world. OUT, OUT, OUT!"

Angel's eyes pleaded, "I need to be here, it's my baby. I don't want to leave Buffy."

Embeth took Angel's hand, "There should be a bit of blood Angel, I don't think you should be here, I'll call you in as soon as we're all cleaned up. Go now." Looking at Whistler, "Take care of him, you troublesome, little man."

Whistler looked over at Angel, "Boy, this place is filled with feisty women, huh?"

"Whistler, what are you doing here?" There was a tinge of fear and anger in Angel's voice.

"No worries, big guy. I promise, no families will be separated in the making of this prophecy. You two have fulfilled your part of the bargain; you did what had to be done here. In a few days time you will be sent back to where you belong. Your son, too. Actually, your son most of all".

Angel felt his fists tightening. "What the hell is that suppose to mean?" Then realization hit him, "I'm going to have a son?"

"All in good time. We'll wait until Buffy is up to it and I'll explain all, well, at least as much as I know. The Powers That Be only feed me so much info at a time."

Whistler brushed some pollen off his coat, "Man, this place has so much fuzz, my sinuses are buzzin'." He sneezed, to prove his point. "So, how's life been the past 20 years? Obviously you guys have been busy, the PTBs thought it would take Buffy a lot longer to get pregnant. Gotta hand it to you, big guy. You got the job done in record time. Seems like you guys will have only missed a few months back on the home front. Giles and all the little Scoobies, even Buffy's mom were frantically trying to find a way to bring you back. I was sent to let them know you would all be returned very soon and as good as new, well almost. I told them some changes had taken place and that the dimension you were in had a little bit of a time differential, but all in all, you were right as rain. Not a real trusting bunch, don't think they liked me. That little gal, Willow, she has some strong magik potential there, which is why the PTBs sent me. They thought she just might find a way through before you two finished the job. Gotta keep an eye on that one."

"We're happy here, Whistler. As much as Buffy missed her family and friends, the pain has lessened during the past 20 years; they're almost a memory, a really great memory. We have a life. A life we love. They will never accept us, me. And with Buffy being turned, even with a soul, it's going to be too hard on her and the baby. Please, don't make us go back." Angel had never thought he'd have to beg, but right now he'd do anything to keep the life they had.

"As much as I would love to comply, this wasn't all about you and Buffy. There is a much bigger picture. From the first time you saw her, a plan was set in motion. Buffy rushed it by a few years, but it's all going to work out. The ball's in play. There's even a new slayer in town. She's adapting much better than anyone thought, and that's because of Buffy being here. Don't worry. It may take a bit of time, but all will be accepted. You will be accepted. She won't have to choose you over her family. And you'll all have time to adjust to one another."

All Angel could do was sit and wait. He felt the brooding beginning to fill his thoughts. He couldn't lose what he and Buffy had built and he was sure the Sunnydale contingent would do their best to come between them. But they had 20 years together and now, a son. They would be together for all time. At least as long as they stayed out of the sun. And away from stakes. And fire. And beheadings. As soon as they returned he'd talk to Giles about a Kevlar vest for Buffy.

"Damnit! Get this out. NOW!" Then a slap. Then a cry. And not just any cry. A powerful, deep, ear-splitting sound that roused Angel from his thoughts. He ran to the doorway.

"Embeth, please, can I come in now?"

"In you come, Papa. Come see your beautiful baby boy. He came out with his eyes wide open. Doesn't want to miss a thing, this one!"

Angel slowly walked over to Buffy. "Baby, are you okay?"

Buffy rolled her eyes. "What do you think? Look at what I just pushed out of my vagina. Is he not the most gorgeous thing you have ever seen in your life? He is like, totally perfect! And he has a heart beat and he's warm, totally human. I think. Here, hold him."

In the 22 years that Angel had known her, had loved her, Buffy had never been more beautiful. She glowed. He had expected her to be exhausted, beautiful as always, but totally spent. At this moment in time, she appeared to have more energy and vitality than ever. "You look gorgeous, maybe we should try this again, y'think?"

"Y'huh, whatever, we'll discuss it when Conner's 20." She handed their son to him and he had never felt so small and insignificant in his whole 200 plus years. This was his to love and protect and raise. What if he couldn't do it? What if he turned into his father, a loveless, demanding tyrant?

"Connor, huh? I think that must be the perfect name for him. Thank you."

"Angel, you are so going to be the best dad ever. Don't doubt it, okay? "Cause I don't. I know you better than you know yourself and I can tell you right now, no doubts." Buffy knew his thoughts before he did sometimes, and right now she could see his fear. It was a very rare occurrence since they had been in Rangor, but there it was, big as life. "We are so going to be the best parents ever. Come on, babe, two vamps with souls and a slayer thrown in for good measure, always fighting the good fight? This kid is so gonna rock and so love us, I mean, we are so cool." She looked past Angel, at their visitor, "Right, Whistler?"

"Can I come in and see the little rugrat? This is so miraculous you guys, you can't even imagine." He peered over Angel's shoulder, at Conner. "This little one is so precious and he is going to mean so much to the world, to the whole dimensional universe." He saw Buffy look up at him with a thousand questions in her eyes, "No, don't ask me, I know basics. I know how important he is, but when you get back you and the rest of your crew are going to have to figure this out. I always tell you too much and get into major trouble with the PTBs. And like I told Angel, you guys have time, just gonna keep the little guy safe, is all."

Angel forced his eyes away from his son, "When do we have to go back?"

"How about we give Buff a couple of days and then we hit the vortex road?"

Buffy looked up at Angel, his hair wasn't tied back and it partially covered their baby. How beautiful was that? "Okay, but we do not cut your hair, agreed?"