Chapter 9

Spike was lying in his bed later that night with Buffy next to him, her head on his chest. "I think I should have stopped after that second bowl of ice cream. My stomach is seriously hurting." She said and Spike then started to gently rub her belly.

"I warned you." He told her.

"Tell me something I don't know. I just hate this. I have to worry about my dad and deal with school on top of that. I should have so gotten a vacation. You got to take the week off." Spike didn't have to see her face to know that she was pouting.

"I have to go back to work tomorrow. I won't be able to look after you as much as I would like." Buffy pulled away to look at his face.

"I'll be fine, I know the drill. I don't go anywhere while you're gone and I don't let anyone in. Oh, unless a hot delivery guy shows up." Buffy laughed as Spike moved on top of her, pinning her arms above her head.

"You will not let anyone in here, understand?" Buffy looked into his eyes and nodded. He then moved off of her and she rested her head back on his chest.

"That was kinda hot. You getting all jealous like that." Spike rolled his eyes.

"I was not jealous. I just want to make sure you're safe. Maybe you should come to the station after school. You can see what goes on there." Buffy had to roll her eyes this time.

"Please, I've been going there ever since I was 10. I used to love it when I was younger. I grew out of that phase." She said as she looked down and Spike caressed her cheek.

"Ever since your mum died?" He asked and she looked back up at him.

"It didn't seem so cool anymore after that." Spike knew how she felt. She suddenly had tears coming down her face and Spike used his thumb to wipe them away. "I don't know what I would do if I lost him, too. He should be here with me. It's not fair." Spike wrapped his arms around the fragile girl and let her cry into his chest. He rubbed her back in comfort.

"He will come back to you." Spike whispered to her. "You have to believe that, Buffy." He felt Buffy nod against his chest and start to calm down a little, but she didn't say anything else. Spike figured no more words needed to be said.

Buffy was hanging with her friends at the Bronze the next night. Spike had to work late and she promised that she would stay with her group at all times, so he wouldn't have to worry about her going without him. He eventually gave in and agreed. She loved how overprotective he could be at times, but she still needed her own space. It was nice to just hang out with her friends and not worry about anything, even if it was only for one night. She would go back to worrying about her father tomorrow. She was dancing the night away, when she suddenly felt tired and walked back to the table where her friends were. "I need a drink." She said and Willow handed her a coke because everyone knew that Buffy couldn't handle alcohol. She took a long sip and sat down next to Xander.

"So, I'm surprised the babysitter let you out. Aren't you guys joined at the hip or something?" Xander said and he got a smack in the head from his girlfriend. "Hey, what was that for?" He wondered as he rubbed his head.

"That was for being an idiot. And you say I don't know when to shut up." Anya said and Xander shrugged as he looked back at Buffy.

"What did I say?" He wondered again and Buffy sighed.

"He's not my babysitter, Xander. I'm only staying with him until my dad comes back." Xander nodded and didn't say anything else about it. They were all quiet after that, until Tara spoke up.

"I think you guys look good together." She said suddenly and everyone looked at her. She blushed under their stares. "You and Spike. I think you look good together. He...He seems to really like you." She said as she looked down and Buffy smiled at the shy girl, who was Willow's girlfriend.

"Thank you, Tara." Buffy told her and Tara looked back at her, with a smile of her own. They all talked some more and did more dancing, until Buffy decided to call it a night. "I think I'm gonna head out now. Getting kinda tired." She told them as she stood up.

"You want one of us to go with you?" Willow asked. "You probably shouldn't walk by yourself." Buffy waved her hand in the air.

"I'll be fine, Will. I'm a big girl and it's not that far. As long as you guys promise not to tell Spike." They all nodded, even though they were still worried about her going by herself. She just gave them a smile. "Okay, I'll see you guys tomorrow." She told them as she walked away and out of the Bronze.

Buffy took the long way home because the short cut could be dangerous. She was proud at how smart she was being as she hummed a little while she walked. She suddenly felt a chill and rubbed her arms, wishing she didn't forget her jacket. She continued to walk, when she heard a noise behind her. She turned around and didn't see anything. She shrugged it off and figured it was nothing as she continued her walk. She decided to walk faster because she was getting a bad feeling and she just wanted to make it safely back to Spike's apartment. She stopped again and turned around when she heard another noise. That was all Buffy could take. "Hello, is someone there?" She asked no one in particular. She was really starting to freak out, when someone then came up behind her and wrapped their arms around her waist. She couldn't scream because she felt a cloth cover her mouth. She was getting dizzy and then passed out. The last thing she heard was a low chuckle. The man put the cloth with the chloroform back in his pocket and picked the girl up, throwing her over his shoulder. He walked over to a black van and opened the side door, laying her down inside. He got a twisted look on his face as he caressed her cheek.

"We're going to have some fun." He whispered as he closed the door and got in on the driver's side. He started the car and then drove away to his destination. Thoughts going around in his head of all the fun he would have with the beautiful girl.