Authors Note: THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THOSE WHO REVIEWED!!!! I'm glad to kno that you all like my story so far. In this chapter you guys are finally gonna get to find out what Faye's little, or should I say BIG, secret is. Enjoy!

- Thoughts

""- Speaking

Chapter 4: Surprise Surprise

Spike woke up to the sounds of screaming and laughing. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes he sat up in his bed, still fully clothed, clothes even more rumpled than before. He sighed as he climbed out and headed in the general direction of the door. He cursed as he stumbled on some unknown object on the floor as he continued to make his way to the door.

He felt around for the doorknob and yanked it open and stumbled into the hallway. He looked around, seeing no one. Suddenly the sound of screaming and laughing reached his ears once more.

Curiosity overtaking him, Spike headed in the direction of the noise. Making his way to the kitchen the noise gradually got louder. Peeking around the corner he saw Faye standing in the kitchen with an apron around her waist (shocking I kno! Faye actually cooking?!).

There was flower all over the place, making the kitchen look like a small blizzard had passed through. By the sink there was an array of baking items: eggs, flower, bowls, baking soda and a bunch of other things. Faye was laughing as she wiped some flower off her companion.

Standing next to her was a little boy who couldn't have been more than four. He was covered from head to toe in white flour. Before Spike got a chance to get a closer look at the child he heard a noise from behind him. Spinning around he was suddenly tackled. "Spike-person! You're back!"

Spike lay sprawled on the ground as Ed clung to him like a leech, arms latched around his neck, legs around his waist. "Oh God Ed, get off!" he groaned as he attempted to stand up, Ed still clinging to him. Complying with his wishes Ed leaped off of him and gave him a brilliant smile.

As he got a good look at her Spike was mildly surprised to see a very different looking Ed. She had grown taller, which shouldn't have been a surprise since it had been four years since he had seen her. Her wild bright orange hair was not what you would call perfect but was definitely an improvement from what it had been. She had let it grow and it now reached just below her chin, no longer in its wild disarray.

Ed had also changed from her white shirt and black spandex shorts into more conventional clothes. She was clad in a green t-shirt that actually looked like it fit her along with a pair of blue jeans. Even with the changes in clothing she still ran barefoot.

Spike gave Ed a small smile as Ed began chattering away about how much she had 'missed Spike-person' and that she was glad he was back. He could tell that even though she had been growing up while he was gone her personality had not changed in the least. She was still the carefree, bizarre child he, Jet and Faye had picked up all those years ago.

Suddenly remembering the child Spike interrupted Ed's nonstop flow of words. "Ed, I have a question to ask you. Who's that kid with Faye in the kitchen?" Ed gave him a curious look before doing a backwards summersault away from him and leaping back to her feet. "Ed cannot teeellllll!!!" she sing-songed as she began to skip away merrily.

"Wait! Ed! Why can't you tell me?!" Spike yelled as he ran after her, confused. Ed turned around and said in her sing-song voice, "Jet-person told Ed that Ed should not tell Spike-person who Gabriel-person is!" Spike gave her a confused look as he stopped his pursuit.

"What? Why?" he asked, glancing back down the hallway towards the kitchen. When he turned back Ed had disappeared. "Ed!" Spike yelled in an exasperated voice, but the call went unheard.

Sighing Spike made his way back to his room, pondering who the kid was. Where the hell did that kid come from? And since when did Faye suddenly become such a kid person? And when in hell did she learn to cook?!

Spike was just about to enter his room when Jet walked by. Quickly catching up to him Spike grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around. "All right Jet, I get that Faye's secret has something to do with that kid. So who the hell is he?" he demanded.

Jet gave Spike a mild look as he replied. "I'm not going to be the one to tell you that. And neither is Ed so don't bother trying to get it out of her. You and I both know its not my place to be telling you so you'll just have to figure it out on your own. I know you want to know but leave Faye alone about it for now. I don't want you going after her just a day after you've returned. That's not fair to her."

Spike narrowed his eyes in frustration. "Just what the hell has been going on since I've been gone? What, did she go get knocked up by some bum off the street and wind up stuck with the brat?" he asked with a sneer. Pain suddenly shot through his body as he was knocked to the ground. Rolling onto his back he saw Faye standing over him, her face furious.

"How dare you!" she spat. She was about to say more when a voice rang out. "Mommy?" Everyone turned to see the little boy, still covered in flour, peeking around the corner. Faye's features softened at the sight of the little boy. "Go back into the kitchen sweetheart. I'll be there in a minute." She encouraged softly to him. He quietly obeyed and disappeared from sight.

Faye turned back to Spike, her face once more dark in anger. She gave him a look of disgust before turning away, quietly muttering, "You're not worth it." Spike watched in disbelief as she disappeared around the corner. He then looked at Jet, still sitting on the floor. "Mommy? Please tell me she's kidding." He said in an incredulous voice.

"You figure it out, Spike. I'm gonna go get some actual work done." Jet replied as he walked away. Suddenly angry once more Spike got to his feet and punched the wall. "Why won't anyone tell me just what the hell is going on around here?!" he muttered angrily. But his question went unheard as he was once more left alone in the hallway.

Back in the kitchen

Faye sighed as she ran her hand through her hair as she resumed cooking. Gabriel gave her a curious look. "Mommy, who was that man you and Uncle Jet were talking to?" he asked, emerald eyes wide in curiosity. She looked at him and gave him a small smile. "He's an old friend, sweetie. But he hurt mommy and Uncle Jet so I'm very upset with him." She said softly.

"Oh. Why did he hurt you and Uncle Jet?" Gabriel asked, eyes now confused. "Because he was being selfish. Don't worry about it Gabriel. Lets finish making these cookies, k?" she suggested, putting on a bright smile. At the mention of cookies Gabriel quickly forgot about the man in the blue suit.

Later that night

After hiding in his room, Spike's stomach finally forced him to leave and go search for food. He was surprised to actually find the refrigerator fully stocked with food that was actually edible. What the hell is this? There was never any food around when I was living here. Guess they've been getting some good bounties. he thought absently as he grabbed a carton of milk and some half eaten chicken breasts.

Sitting down at the table he began eating, noticing that it was reaching close to seven in the evening. After finishing he threw his dishes in sink, not caring if Faye wound up having to do them. He got up and started to wander around the ship. Passing by a certain room he heard some noises coming from it.

Unable to resist, Spike peeked into the room. He was surprised to find Faye and Gabriel sparring. He watched as the young boy kicked and punched as his mother deflected each of the blows easily. "Good job Gabriel. That's right, keep it fluid. Don't tense up." Faye encouraged as she blocked a punch and then a kick.

Spike was impressed by the young boys stamina as he secretly watched him and his mother for another hour. The two finally stopped when it reached eight. Faye gave Gabriel a bright smile. "That was great Gabe. You improve everyday. Keep this up and you'll be better than me soon." She said as they headed for the door.

Realizing that they were coming his way Spike panicked and dove into the nearest room he could find. He looked around and realized it was a storage closet they kept such nonentities such as old ship parts. He stood quietly by the door as he heard the duo pass.

"Lets get you into the bath stinky. After that you can watch some TV before you go to bed." Faye said, her voice fading in volume as she walked away. Spike stayed in the closet until he was sure that Faye and Gabriel were long gone. After exiting the closet he went to the hanger to work on his ship for a while. Around ten he decided to take a break and pulled out a wayward cigarette and popped it into his mouth.

He walked around the ship for a while, absently thinking about things. He suddenly came to attention as Faye passed in front of him. She gave him a cold glance before continuing on to the living room. Deciding that he needed to talk to her he followed her. She paid him no attention as she made her way to the couch.

On it he was surprised to find Gabriel fast asleep. He watched as the little boy wrapped his legs around Faye's waist and rested his head on her shoulder, still asleep, as she picked him up and headed for his room. Spike, of course, followed.

Growing irritated, Faye stopped and turned around to glare at him. "Would you stop following me?" she whispered angrily, still holding the sleeping child in her arms. Spike gave her a slight smirk. "Wouldn't be too loud if I were you, Faye. Wouldn't want to wake him up now, would you?" he asked in a smug voice.

Faye just glared at him coldly and said, "Go away Spike. I've already told you that a thousand times." She whispered fiercely. "And I already told you that I want to know why the hell your so god dammed pissed at me. I know it has something to do with the kid. And if you don't want me to wake him up I suggest that you let me accompany you while you put him to bed and then talk to me." He whispered back calmly.

Faye's eyes were now furious. "I hate you." Was all she said before turning and resuming her way to Gabriel's room. Spike followed her, feeling smug knowing that he had won. He watched as Faye entered a room on her right. She walked over to a bed pushed up against a wall and gently laid down the sleeping child.

She pulled up the covers and turned off the light. Spike watched as she tenderly ran her hand through her son's hair and kiss him on the forehead before leaving the room. Spike was speechless as he followed her back out of the room. He had never known Faye to be good with kids, yet she seemed to have no problem with Gabriel.

When she was sure they were far enough away from Gabriel's room Faye spun around to face Spike. "What do you want to know Spike?" she spat. "Who's the kid?" he asked as he leaned against the wall lazily. "My son." She replied, irritated. "And the father?" Spike asked nonchalantly. "Why the hell do you care?" Faye asked.

"Just tell me who the god damn father is, Faye." Spike demanded, growing annoyed. "You shouldn't even have to ask, DADDY."

Author's Note: Well there's the big secret. I'm sure some of you have figured it out by now. So, Faye as a mommy. Scary thought. I hope you all like the story so far and please keep reviewing!!!!