Chapter Twenty: Floating Falling Sweet Intoxication
"What did you just say?" Buffy gasped. "Darla and Angel have…a son?"
Giles looked at her concerned, "Yes, they have a son, Conner. I thought that you knew."
Buffy wasn't listening. She heard Spike telling her to ask Angel about Conner. He had known too. "Who all knows this?" She managed to say.
"I suspect most of the demon world does. The Watcher's Council learned of the child practically from the moment he was born," He studied Buffy carefully, "I was sure you knew."
"I've been a little busy lately," Buffy said absently.
"I'm sorry," Giles said. "I know this must be a shock."
Buffy stood up and began to pace around the room. Angel had a son? And he'd had that son with someone other than her. How could that happen? She knew that she had no right to be angry with him. After all she was having a child with Spike, someone Angel hated but she remembered how Angel had told her that him ever having a child was out of the question and that had been one of the reasons he had left her. Because children were part of the normal life he had wanted her to have.
"Are you alright?" Giles asked, concerned.
"I'm fine," Buffy said. "This was just a big surprise."
"Yes, it must be," Giles said. "Does Angel know about your pregnancy?"
"No," Buffy said. "And he's not going to find out, not right now anyway. Telling him would have to mean admitting that I've been sleeping with Spike."
Suddenly the door opened and Spike stormed in, "Come on, we're going."
"What?" Buffy asked. She saw Dawn following him in, "What happened?"
"Nothing," Spike said.
Buffy looked at Dawn for an answer and Dawn said, "Spike got into a fight with Anya's maid of honor."
Buffy shut her eyes, "You did what? What were you thinking? Is there anywhere I can take you?"
Spike was having a hard time hold onto his temper, and he snapped, "Let's just get out of here."
"No," Buffy said. "You've done enough damage. Now we're staying."
"Fine," Spike said, ripping off his jacket and tie. "I'm leaving then. If I am ever in the same room as that bitch again I'll kill her." Then he stalked off.
"Nice going," Dawn said, glaring at Buffy.
"He attacked a bridesmaid for no reason," Buffy said. "What do you expect me to do?"
"Spike wouldn't attack someone for no reason," Dawn defended him.
"Well what was his reason?" Buffy asked.
"I don't know," Dawn said. "But she said something about his sister and he totally freaked."
"Spike has a sister?" Giles asked.
"He did," Buffy said.
"And when Hallie mentioned her he went nuts," Dawn said.
"What did she say?" Buffy asked. She knew that Spike was sensitive when it came to his human family but she didn't think that he'd react this way.
"Nothing that made sense," Dawn said.
Buffy started to say something but then someone yelled that Anya was about to throw the bouquet so Buffy and Dawn joined the other single women in their frenzy to catch the bouquet.
They didn't stay to watch Anya's demon friend gloat over her victory in catching the bouquet. Buffy was tired so she decided to take Dawn home. Willow and Tara were slow dancing in a corner and looked like they didn't want to be disturbed so just Dawn, Giles and Buffy went home.
"Spike," Buffy called out as they walked in the house. "Are you here?" There was no answer.
"Where is he?" Dawn asked.
"Probably out playing kitten poker," Buffy said, heading up the stairs to change out of her bridesmaid dress. The dress had been tight when she put it now and now it was becoming almost unbearable.
"Kitten poker?" Giles asked Dawn. Dawn shook her head. She didn't know what Buffy was talking about. "Well why don't you get changed. I'll see about some dinner."
Dawn nodded. She went upstairs, changed into something comfortable and came back downstairs. Giles was in the kitchen, stirring something.
"Smells good," Dawn said. "What is it?"
"Chicken soup," Giles said.
"Can't wait to taste it," Dawn said.
"Me neither," Buffy said, coming down into the kitchen.
"You're feeling better, then?" Giles asked.
Buffy nodded, "Yeah, for now." She sat down on one of the stools and said, "I didn't think morning sickness was going to be this bad."
"What does your doctor say?" Giles asked, stirring the soup.
"I'm seeing a midwife," Buffy explained. "And she says that I'm fine. She gave me some tea that's supposed to help."
"Has it?"
"Too soon to tell," Buffy said. "I just started trying it."
"Doesn't seem to be helping," Dawn said.
"Shut up," Buffy snapped.
Giles intervened by handing each girl a bowl of soup and soon they were all eating. When they were done Dawn and Buffy offered to clean up but Giles insisted that he could handle it so they went into the living room. Dawn sat on the couch and anxiously stared out the window.
"Where is he?" Dawn asked.
Buffy sighed, annoyed, "Spike can take care of himself. He's survived this long. I think he'll be fine."
Dawn shook her head, "He was so upset. You didn't see. I've never seen him that angry before."
"Spike's been angry before. He'll probably stumble home before dawn, drunk, beaten up and lost a fortune in kitten poker."
"Don't you care?" Dawn asked, angrily. "Spike is out there and he's hurt and angry. Doesn't that bother you?" Buffy didn't say anything. "You don't do you? I can't believe you. Spike would do anything for you. He's done everything he can to help you and all you do is think about how you feel."
"You don't have a clue what you're talking about," Buffy snapped.
"I'm not stupid," Dawn told her. "The only reason you're with Spike is because you know that you can do whatever you want to him and he'll come back for more. You're just using him and you know it."
"It's not that simple," Buffy protested.
"Yes it is," Dawn told her. "You don't love Spike but you're still sleeping with him. He's giving you everything he can but all you can do is use him."
"He's not the only one giving," Buffy pointed out. "I'm the one having this baby. I'm letting him live with us and I've given up my job, my calling, everything to have this baby."
"And who's paying the bills?" Dawn asked. "I know you're not working and Spike spends hours on the phone each day, trying to sell people credit cards. He hates it but he's not complaining because he wants to provide for all of us." She didn't tell Buffy about her and Spike's secret project. Spike had warned her not to until it was underway and profitable. "He loves you and would do anything for you and you won't do a thing for him."
"Dawn," Giles said, warningly as he came into the living room.
"What?" Dawn snapped. "I'm only telling her the truth. I'm the only one besides Spike who will."
"Spike's not the innocent in all this," Giles told her.
"Why?" Dawn asked. "Because he got Buffy pregnant? Well from what I've heard she's the one who kept going to him, not the other way around and Buffy did not get pregnant by herself." She looked at Buffy and Giles and then stomped over to the door.
"Where are you going?" Giles asked, following her.
"I'm going to find Spike," Dawn said. "If you don't care about him then I do and someone has to find him."
Dawn and Giles glared at each other and finally Giles said, "Fine, I'll go find him."
"Good," Dawn said. Then she stormed upstairs, not looking at either Buffy or Giles and muttering under her breath, "And he better not come back without him."
After Dawn had gone upstairs Buffy looked at Giles and said, "You don't have to go find Spike. He'll probably stumble home in a few hours."
Giles nodded, "I know but if it will give Dawn some peace of mind I'll go. Where do you think he might be?"
"Check his crypt or some bar," Buffy suggested. "Willy's probably. Check the back room. He might be playing cards."
Giles nodded and headed out the door. He had no idea why he was trying to find Spike. He didn't even like him. He was just doing this to give Dawn some peace of mind. He knew that Dawn and Spike had always had a close relationship but it must have grown since he had moved in with her and Buffy.
He walked down the street and finally found Willy's bar. He walked inside, and looked around. Finally he saw his target. Spike was sitting at the bar, a shot glass and a bottle in front of him. Giles walked over and sat down next to him.
"Watcher," Spike said. "What you doin' here?"
"I'm ah here to bring you home," Giles said. "Dawn's worried about you."
"Well you can go home and tell the Nibblet not to worry about me. I'm fine. Me and my friend, Jack here are having a bloody good time."
"Well I think Dawn would rather see for herself that you're fine. So why don't you come with me?"
Spike took another drink from the bottle and said, "No, gonna stay right here."
"Until when?" Giles said impatiently.
"Until I…" Spike didn't finish his sentence. He just took a long drink from the bottle. He looked at Giles for a second, "Wanna go play some poker? Got a friend who owes me a few tabbies."
"No..thank you, Spike. Now let's go." He took Spike's arm and started to pull him away but Spike yanked himself free.
"I'll leave when I bloody well feel like it." Spike snarled.
Giles decided to try a different approach, "Spike, what happened today at the wedding between you and that demon?"
Spike studied Giles for a minute and then said, "Nothing you'd understand, Watcher. The bitch and I have a history, a long painful history that she chose to remind me of."
"What happened?" Giles asked.
"Nothing," Spike yelled, throwing the empty bottle down and grabbing a new one.
"Well it obviously was something," Giles said. "Who was she to you?"
Spike ignored Giles and pulled a worn, yellowed black and white picture from his pocket. He stared at it for a long time. It was a picture of a young woman with light curly hair.
"Who is that?" Giles asked, gesturing to the picture.
"No one," Spike said shortly.
"She must be someone," Giles said. "You're carrying her picture around. Is that your sister?"
"Who told you about her?" Spike growled, holding the picture protectively.
"Dawn," Giles explained. "She said that you had a sister and that was why you argued with that demon."
"She's lying," Spike slurred, staring at the picture. "That bitch is lying. I never touched Charlotte. I would have died first. Should have killed him, bloody cowered died before I could. Had to make due with his poof of a son."
"Spike," Giles said, trying to make sense of Spike' s drunken ramblings. "You're drunk."
"Bloody right," Spike said. "And I plan to get drunker."
"Why don't you let me take you home and you can pass out there," Giles suggested.
"Nah," Spike said. "Gonna stay right here until I feel like leaving."
"Spike, what's going on?" Giles asked. "And you might as well tell me because I'm not leaving here without you."
"She was so beautiful," Spike said, as though he hadn't heard Giles. "From the moment she was born and Nanny let me hold them." He studied Giles for a second and then took a long drink. "You and the Slayer think that I'm not capable of love but I loved them, more than I had ever loved anyone. We were the three bloody musketeers for five years and then it was just Charlotte and me."
"Who are you talking about?" Giles asked. Spike didn't make sense under normal circumstances and even less so now that he was drunk. "Your sister?"
Spike slammed the empty bottle on the bar, "Don't ever mention her again!"
"Fine," Giles said, impatiently. "Now why don't you let me take you home. Dawn's worried about you."
"She doesn't have to. Toke care of myself before I met her and I can take care of myself again."
"Well obviously you can't take care of yourself," Giles snapped. He was getting more and more impatient with Spike and he didn't like the way some of those demons were looking at him. "Now let's get out of here." Spike ignored him so Giles said, "How about we go back to your crypt. You can drink all you want there."
"Chaos demon's stayin' there," Spike said. "Usually try to avoid those things."
Giles had had enough of Spike's drunken ramblings so he did the one thing he could think of. He grabbed Spike by the collar and punched him. Spike staggered but he didn't fall.
"I'm not 12 anymore," Spike slurred. "You don't control me." And before Giles could react Spike grabbed him by the throat and started squeezing but almost instantly Spike let go and grabbed his head as he let out a cry of pain. As the pain eased Spike looked at Giles but saw someone else, "What did you do to me, uncle? What did you do to me?"
Giles didn't have a clue what Spike was talking about but by then Spike was almost unconscious so he grabbed the unruly vampire and began to drag him home.
"What did you just say?" Buffy gasped. "Darla and Angel have…a son?"
Giles looked at her concerned, "Yes, they have a son, Conner. I thought that you knew."
Buffy wasn't listening. She heard Spike telling her to ask Angel about Conner. He had known too. "Who all knows this?" She managed to say.
"I suspect most of the demon world does. The Watcher's Council learned of the child practically from the moment he was born," He studied Buffy carefully, "I was sure you knew."
"I've been a little busy lately," Buffy said absently.
"I'm sorry," Giles said. "I know this must be a shock."
Buffy stood up and began to pace around the room. Angel had a son? And he'd had that son with someone other than her. How could that happen? She knew that she had no right to be angry with him. After all she was having a child with Spike, someone Angel hated but she remembered how Angel had told her that him ever having a child was out of the question and that had been one of the reasons he had left her. Because children were part of the normal life he had wanted her to have.
"Are you alright?" Giles asked, concerned.
"I'm fine," Buffy said. "This was just a big surprise."
"Yes, it must be," Giles said. "Does Angel know about your pregnancy?"
"No," Buffy said. "And he's not going to find out, not right now anyway. Telling him would have to mean admitting that I've been sleeping with Spike."
Suddenly the door opened and Spike stormed in, "Come on, we're going."
"What?" Buffy asked. She saw Dawn following him in, "What happened?"
"Nothing," Spike said.
Buffy looked at Dawn for an answer and Dawn said, "Spike got into a fight with Anya's maid of honor."
Buffy shut her eyes, "You did what? What were you thinking? Is there anywhere I can take you?"
Spike was having a hard time hold onto his temper, and he snapped, "Let's just get out of here."
"No," Buffy said. "You've done enough damage. Now we're staying."
"Fine," Spike said, ripping off his jacket and tie. "I'm leaving then. If I am ever in the same room as that bitch again I'll kill her." Then he stalked off.
"Nice going," Dawn said, glaring at Buffy.
"He attacked a bridesmaid for no reason," Buffy said. "What do you expect me to do?"
"Spike wouldn't attack someone for no reason," Dawn defended him.
"Well what was his reason?" Buffy asked.
"I don't know," Dawn said. "But she said something about his sister and he totally freaked."
"Spike has a sister?" Giles asked.
"He did," Buffy said.
"And when Hallie mentioned her he went nuts," Dawn said.
"What did she say?" Buffy asked. She knew that Spike was sensitive when it came to his human family but she didn't think that he'd react this way.
"Nothing that made sense," Dawn said.
Buffy started to say something but then someone yelled that Anya was about to throw the bouquet so Buffy and Dawn joined the other single women in their frenzy to catch the bouquet.
They didn't stay to watch Anya's demon friend gloat over her victory in catching the bouquet. Buffy was tired so she decided to take Dawn home. Willow and Tara were slow dancing in a corner and looked like they didn't want to be disturbed so just Dawn, Giles and Buffy went home.
"Spike," Buffy called out as they walked in the house. "Are you here?" There was no answer.
"Where is he?" Dawn asked.
"Probably out playing kitten poker," Buffy said, heading up the stairs to change out of her bridesmaid dress. The dress had been tight when she put it now and now it was becoming almost unbearable.
"Kitten poker?" Giles asked Dawn. Dawn shook her head. She didn't know what Buffy was talking about. "Well why don't you get changed. I'll see about some dinner."
Dawn nodded. She went upstairs, changed into something comfortable and came back downstairs. Giles was in the kitchen, stirring something.
"Smells good," Dawn said. "What is it?"
"Chicken soup," Giles said.
"Can't wait to taste it," Dawn said.
"Me neither," Buffy said, coming down into the kitchen.
"You're feeling better, then?" Giles asked.
Buffy nodded, "Yeah, for now." She sat down on one of the stools and said, "I didn't think morning sickness was going to be this bad."
"What does your doctor say?" Giles asked, stirring the soup.
"I'm seeing a midwife," Buffy explained. "And she says that I'm fine. She gave me some tea that's supposed to help."
"Has it?"
"Too soon to tell," Buffy said. "I just started trying it."
"Doesn't seem to be helping," Dawn said.
"Shut up," Buffy snapped.
Giles intervened by handing each girl a bowl of soup and soon they were all eating. When they were done Dawn and Buffy offered to clean up but Giles insisted that he could handle it so they went into the living room. Dawn sat on the couch and anxiously stared out the window.
"Where is he?" Dawn asked.
Buffy sighed, annoyed, "Spike can take care of himself. He's survived this long. I think he'll be fine."
Dawn shook her head, "He was so upset. You didn't see. I've never seen him that angry before."
"Spike's been angry before. He'll probably stumble home before dawn, drunk, beaten up and lost a fortune in kitten poker."
"Don't you care?" Dawn asked, angrily. "Spike is out there and he's hurt and angry. Doesn't that bother you?" Buffy didn't say anything. "You don't do you? I can't believe you. Spike would do anything for you. He's done everything he can to help you and all you do is think about how you feel."
"You don't have a clue what you're talking about," Buffy snapped.
"I'm not stupid," Dawn told her. "The only reason you're with Spike is because you know that you can do whatever you want to him and he'll come back for more. You're just using him and you know it."
"It's not that simple," Buffy protested.
"Yes it is," Dawn told her. "You don't love Spike but you're still sleeping with him. He's giving you everything he can but all you can do is use him."
"He's not the only one giving," Buffy pointed out. "I'm the one having this baby. I'm letting him live with us and I've given up my job, my calling, everything to have this baby."
"And who's paying the bills?" Dawn asked. "I know you're not working and Spike spends hours on the phone each day, trying to sell people credit cards. He hates it but he's not complaining because he wants to provide for all of us." She didn't tell Buffy about her and Spike's secret project. Spike had warned her not to until it was underway and profitable. "He loves you and would do anything for you and you won't do a thing for him."
"Dawn," Giles said, warningly as he came into the living room.
"What?" Dawn snapped. "I'm only telling her the truth. I'm the only one besides Spike who will."
"Spike's not the innocent in all this," Giles told her.
"Why?" Dawn asked. "Because he got Buffy pregnant? Well from what I've heard she's the one who kept going to him, not the other way around and Buffy did not get pregnant by herself." She looked at Buffy and Giles and then stomped over to the door.
"Where are you going?" Giles asked, following her.
"I'm going to find Spike," Dawn said. "If you don't care about him then I do and someone has to find him."
Dawn and Giles glared at each other and finally Giles said, "Fine, I'll go find him."
"Good," Dawn said. Then she stormed upstairs, not looking at either Buffy or Giles and muttering under her breath, "And he better not come back without him."
After Dawn had gone upstairs Buffy looked at Giles and said, "You don't have to go find Spike. He'll probably stumble home in a few hours."
Giles nodded, "I know but if it will give Dawn some peace of mind I'll go. Where do you think he might be?"
"Check his crypt or some bar," Buffy suggested. "Willy's probably. Check the back room. He might be playing cards."
Giles nodded and headed out the door. He had no idea why he was trying to find Spike. He didn't even like him. He was just doing this to give Dawn some peace of mind. He knew that Dawn and Spike had always had a close relationship but it must have grown since he had moved in with her and Buffy.
He walked down the street and finally found Willy's bar. He walked inside, and looked around. Finally he saw his target. Spike was sitting at the bar, a shot glass and a bottle in front of him. Giles walked over and sat down next to him.
"Watcher," Spike said. "What you doin' here?"
"I'm ah here to bring you home," Giles said. "Dawn's worried about you."
"Well you can go home and tell the Nibblet not to worry about me. I'm fine. Me and my friend, Jack here are having a bloody good time."
"Well I think Dawn would rather see for herself that you're fine. So why don't you come with me?"
Spike took another drink from the bottle and said, "No, gonna stay right here."
"Until when?" Giles said impatiently.
"Until I…" Spike didn't finish his sentence. He just took a long drink from the bottle. He looked at Giles for a second, "Wanna go play some poker? Got a friend who owes me a few tabbies."
"No..thank you, Spike. Now let's go." He took Spike's arm and started to pull him away but Spike yanked himself free.
"I'll leave when I bloody well feel like it." Spike snarled.
Giles decided to try a different approach, "Spike, what happened today at the wedding between you and that demon?"
Spike studied Giles for a minute and then said, "Nothing you'd understand, Watcher. The bitch and I have a history, a long painful history that she chose to remind me of."
"What happened?" Giles asked.
"Nothing," Spike yelled, throwing the empty bottle down and grabbing a new one.
"Well it obviously was something," Giles said. "Who was she to you?"
Spike ignored Giles and pulled a worn, yellowed black and white picture from his pocket. He stared at it for a long time. It was a picture of a young woman with light curly hair.
"Who is that?" Giles asked, gesturing to the picture.
"No one," Spike said shortly.
"She must be someone," Giles said. "You're carrying her picture around. Is that your sister?"
"Who told you about her?" Spike growled, holding the picture protectively.
"Dawn," Giles explained. "She said that you had a sister and that was why you argued with that demon."
"She's lying," Spike slurred, staring at the picture. "That bitch is lying. I never touched Charlotte. I would have died first. Should have killed him, bloody cowered died before I could. Had to make due with his poof of a son."
"Spike," Giles said, trying to make sense of Spike' s drunken ramblings. "You're drunk."
"Bloody right," Spike said. "And I plan to get drunker."
"Why don't you let me take you home and you can pass out there," Giles suggested.
"Nah," Spike said. "Gonna stay right here until I feel like leaving."
"Spike, what's going on?" Giles asked. "And you might as well tell me because I'm not leaving here without you."
"She was so beautiful," Spike said, as though he hadn't heard Giles. "From the moment she was born and Nanny let me hold them." He studied Giles for a second and then took a long drink. "You and the Slayer think that I'm not capable of love but I loved them, more than I had ever loved anyone. We were the three bloody musketeers for five years and then it was just Charlotte and me."
"Who are you talking about?" Giles asked. Spike didn't make sense under normal circumstances and even less so now that he was drunk. "Your sister?"
Spike slammed the empty bottle on the bar, "Don't ever mention her again!"
"Fine," Giles said, impatiently. "Now why don't you let me take you home. Dawn's worried about you."
"She doesn't have to. Toke care of myself before I met her and I can take care of myself again."
"Well obviously you can't take care of yourself," Giles snapped. He was getting more and more impatient with Spike and he didn't like the way some of those demons were looking at him. "Now let's get out of here." Spike ignored him so Giles said, "How about we go back to your crypt. You can drink all you want there."
"Chaos demon's stayin' there," Spike said. "Usually try to avoid those things."
Giles had had enough of Spike's drunken ramblings so he did the one thing he could think of. He grabbed Spike by the collar and punched him. Spike staggered but he didn't fall.
"I'm not 12 anymore," Spike slurred. "You don't control me." And before Giles could react Spike grabbed him by the throat and started squeezing but almost instantly Spike let go and grabbed his head as he let out a cry of pain. As the pain eased Spike looked at Giles but saw someone else, "What did you do to me, uncle? What did you do to me?"
Giles didn't have a clue what Spike was talking about but by then Spike was almost unconscious so he grabbed the unruly vampire and began to drag him home.