Chapter Fifty-Three: The World is Upside Down
Willow glanced at Buffy. She had the deer in the head lights look on her face so Willow decided to try and help out. She stood up and said, "Anyone want cookies?"
Her distraction didn't work. Riley persisted, "Buffy, who's the father of your baby?" He grinned, "Come on, I introduced you to the woman who captured my heart. I want to meet the guy who captured yours."
Buffy tried to think of a reasonable explanation. She couldn't tell Riley the truth but she wasn't sure what would be the most believable lie. She could tell him the truth, no one would believe her anyway. Angel and Spike had been the only vampires recorded who had been able to have children.
"Buffy?" Riley asked, concerned by her silence. "Is something wrong?"
"Uh.." Buffy tried to think of what to tell him, that he would believe and that would keep Spike alive. She was still thinking when she heard the ringing of the phone.
"That's mine," Sam said. She pulled out a cell phone, listened to what the caller had to say and then hung up. She looked at everyone in the living room and said, "That was the Initiative. They had some information for us on why the demons are gathering here."
"What did they say?" Riley asked.
"They have the name of the person who's calling all the demons." She shrugged, "That's all they had, just the name."
"That's something," Riley said. "If we know who's calling the demons than we might be able to figure out why and how to stop him."
"Her," Sam said. "At least that's what I'm guessing. The name they gave me is Drusilla."
Riley looked thoughtful, "That name sounds familiar. I can't remember where I heard it."
Buffy searched her brain frantically, trying to remember if she'd ever told Riley about Drusilla. She didn't think she had but if Riley had ever done any kind of research about Spike then information about Drusilla had to be there.
"Does the name Drusilla mean anything to you?" Sam asked.
"No," Buffy lied. "The name doesn't ring any bells."
"Too bad," Riley said. "But at least we have a name to start with." He looked at Buffy, "Do you think Giles would mind if we searched through some of his books? He might know something we don't."
"Ah.." Buffy said, back on firmer ground. "He left town a few months ago."
Riley looked surprised, "He did? Why?"
"He thought that it would be easier for me to stand on my own if he was gone," Buffy said. "He came back for Xander and Anya's wedding and he promised to come back when the baby is born too." She mentally kicked herself for mentioning her baby. She had been trying to steer Riley away from any mention of her baby. That way he wouldn't ask any questions about who the father was.
"Did he leave anything we can use?" Riley asked.
Willow nodded, "We use all the Magic Box books for research plus Giles left some things for us."
"Can we start tonight?" Riley asked. "The sooner we find out what this Drusilla's up to the better."
"I guess we can," Willow said. She didn't see the murderous looks Buffy was shooting in her direction. "We can have Anya and Xander meet us there."
Buffy stood up as quickly as her stomach would let her, "Willow, kitchen now." She turned and went to the kitchen, Willow close behind her.
"What?" Willow asked once they were alone.
"What are you thinking?" Buffy asked. "If Riley and his new.wife research Drusilla with Giles's things, which are full of notes about her, than he is going to find out about Dru and Spike. And that is going to lead him straight to Spike and then Riley is going to ask a lot more questions that I don't feel like answering right now."
"Well even if Riley finds out about Spike and Drusilla, that won't make him think that Spike's the father of your baby."
"Want to say that a little louder," Buffy snapped. "I don't think they heard you in England." She lowered her voice, "If Spike and Riley get into the same room together." She shook her head, "Riley will find out and than what will happen?"
Willow nodded, "Gottcha, so what do we do?"
"Stall," Buffy said. "Make them wait until morning. By then we'll have hidden Giles's files on Drusilla and Spike."
"How will we do that?" Willow asked.
Buffy glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight. Someone was going to have to go to Spike's crypt and let him know that everything was fine. Plus someone was going to have to go to the Magic Box and get those files. She looked back at Willow, "Get rid of Riley and. whats her name. Have Tara stay with Dawn, you go to the Magic Box and get those files."
"What about you?" Willow asked.
"I'm going to Spike's crypt," Buffy said. "I told him that I'd send you but if he finds out that Riley's here," She shook her head and sighed tiredly, "I'm not in the mood for what will happen when Riley and Spike see each other." She headed for the door.
"Wait," Willow called. "What do I tell Riley and Sam?
"You'll think of something," Buffy said as she left.
"Great," Willow said. She took a deep breath and went into the living room.
"Where's Buffy?" Riley asked.
"Ah." Willow fumbled for a minute and then blurted out, "Buffy's really tired so she's going to bed. She said to tell you that we'd meet at the Magic Box tomorrow and see what we can find."
"Is she okay?" Riley asked.
"Oh she's fine," Willow said. "She just gets tired a lot lately, you know, with the baby and all."
"Yeah," Riley said, slowly. "Willow, who's the father of Buffy's baby?"
Willow tried to think of an answer but was unable to. Fortunately Tara came to her rescue, "Why don't you ask Buffy about it tomorrow."
Riley started to speak but Sam took his arm, "Okay, we'll meet you tomorrow morning." She looked around, "It was nice meeting you all." And then they left.
"Whew," Willow said.
"What was that all about?" Tara asked. "Where's Buffy?"
"She went to Spike's crypt." Willow explained. "She wants you to stay here with Dawn and me to go to the Magic Box and get all of Giles's files on Spike and Drusilla."
"Why?" Dawn asked.
"So that Riley doesn't find out the connection between Spike and Drusilla."
"That makes no sense," Dawn said flatly.
Willow shrugged, "I think it's the hormones talking. She thinks that if Riley and Spike wind up in the same room together, Riley will find out.."
"Oh." Dawn said, realizing what would happen if Riley found out about Buffy and Spike's relationship and about the baby's paternity.
"Yeah," Willow said. "So let's make sure he doesn't." She grabbed her jacket and hurried out the door.
Meanwhile. back in Spike's crypt
"What the bloody hell?" Spike said as he stared at the figure, unable to believe his eyes.
"Hello William," Halfrek said. "Surprised to see me?"
Spike looked at her and than at Clem, "What the bleeding hell are you doing with this bloody bitch?"
"Leave her alone," Clem defended.
She laughed, slipped out of bed and pulled on a robe. She walked over and kissed Clem on the cheek, "Thanks but I can defend myself against William. I've been doing it for years." She looked at Spike, "What are you doing here? The Slayer kick you out again?"
"My house," Spike pointed out. "I can come here whenever I like. You, on the other hand." He looked at Clem, "What were you thinking?"
"She came here one night looking for you and we started talking and.." He shrugged as if to say the rest was history.
"Do you know who this bitch is?" Spike asked. "Who is she really is?"
"Yes he does," Halfrek said. "He knows that whole sordid story."
"So you know what a bitch she was and still is," Spike asked Clem.
"Hey," Clem said. "Just because you have issues."
"Are you out of your bleeding mind?" Spike asked. "She makes a living torturing men.."
"Actually I usually stick to bad parents," Halfrek reminded him.
Spike continued on as if he hadn't heard her, "And you're dating her? One fight and you'll spend eternity trapped in here."
"I can't perform my own vengeance," Halfrek said. "And who are you to talk? You're the laughing stock of the entire demon world, the vampire who's not only sleeping with but also having a child with a Slayer."
"That's different," Spike snapped.
"Right," Halfrek said, annoyed.
Spike started to speak but Clem interrupted him, "Alright, break it up you two." He looked at Spike, "You know about us. I'm sorry you found out this way but hey, at least you know now."
Spike groaned, "Fine but don't come running to me when you make her mad and she turns you into a worm."
"Who's going to get turned into a worm?" said a voice from the doorway. They all turned and saw Buffy walk into the crypt. She looked around at everyone standing around. "What's going on here?"
"Clem's shacking up with Cecily here," Spike said.
"Really," Buffy said. "Congratulations."
"Thanks," Hallie said.
"We hope you'll be very happy together," Spike said sarcastically. Then he directed his attention to Buffy, "What are you doing here? I thought the witch was going to come."
"She had something else to take care of," Buffy explained. "So I came to let you know that everything's fine."
"Right," Spike said. "So what were you doing wondering out at night? What if you'd run into some kind of demon or vamp?"
"I can still fight," Buffy said. "I'm pregnant, not helpless."
Spike rolled his eyes, "Yeah you can take on a whole nest of vamps all by yourself, sure. So, what did Red want? Why was I banished to the crypt?"
"It's not important," Buffy said. "But you still have to stay here, all the time."
"What?" Spike asked.
"I mean you can't leave here," She couldn't take the chance that he would run into Riley so that meant that he had to stay at the crypt until Riley and his wife left.
"Sorry luv," Spike said. "Wrong answer, now you're going to tell me exactly what is going on."
"No," Buffy said. "Look there is nothing wrong. I just need you to trust me and stay out of sight for a few days."
Spike looked over at Halfrek and Clem, "Can you two love birds fly away?"
Clem nodded and he and Halfrek went down to the lower levels of the crypt. Spike waited until he could hear them walking away through the underground tunnels before turning back to Buffy, "Now enough stalling, what don't you want me to know?"
Buffy studied him for a minute and then walked over to Spike. She put her arms around his neck and said, in a low voice, "Why don't we talk about that later? After we.." She leaned over and whispered her suggestion in his ear.
Spike stared at her, "That's really not fair." Then he mentally shrugged. How often was he going to get an opportunity like this? He might as well take it. He pulled Buffy to him and ground his lips on hers.
Hours later Spike and Buffy finally paused long enough to come up for air. They were lying on the floor. They had been reluctant to use the bed that Clem and Hallie had recently vacated.
"So what brought this on?" Spike asked. "Not that I'm complaining but I know a good stall tactic when I see one."
"I'm not stalling," Buffy lied. "I just wanted to try something new."
"Right," Spike said. "You and I just did something that the bloody writer of the Kama Sutra wouldn't even try. Now you wouldn't have suggested that we do what we just did without a reason so what is it?"
"Hormones," Buffy said, trying again to distract him. "If you want to blame someone for what just happened then blame your son."
Spike grinned and touched Buffy's stomach, "Remind me to thank him when he's born." He rolled over and lay on his back. Then something caught his attention. He sat up, "Bloody hell."
"What?" Buffy asked. She lifted her head and gasped, "Riley."
Willow glanced at Buffy. She had the deer in the head lights look on her face so Willow decided to try and help out. She stood up and said, "Anyone want cookies?"
Her distraction didn't work. Riley persisted, "Buffy, who's the father of your baby?" He grinned, "Come on, I introduced you to the woman who captured my heart. I want to meet the guy who captured yours."
Buffy tried to think of a reasonable explanation. She couldn't tell Riley the truth but she wasn't sure what would be the most believable lie. She could tell him the truth, no one would believe her anyway. Angel and Spike had been the only vampires recorded who had been able to have children.
"Buffy?" Riley asked, concerned by her silence. "Is something wrong?"
"Uh.." Buffy tried to think of what to tell him, that he would believe and that would keep Spike alive. She was still thinking when she heard the ringing of the phone.
"That's mine," Sam said. She pulled out a cell phone, listened to what the caller had to say and then hung up. She looked at everyone in the living room and said, "That was the Initiative. They had some information for us on why the demons are gathering here."
"What did they say?" Riley asked.
"They have the name of the person who's calling all the demons." She shrugged, "That's all they had, just the name."
"That's something," Riley said. "If we know who's calling the demons than we might be able to figure out why and how to stop him."
"Her," Sam said. "At least that's what I'm guessing. The name they gave me is Drusilla."
Riley looked thoughtful, "That name sounds familiar. I can't remember where I heard it."
Buffy searched her brain frantically, trying to remember if she'd ever told Riley about Drusilla. She didn't think she had but if Riley had ever done any kind of research about Spike then information about Drusilla had to be there.
"Does the name Drusilla mean anything to you?" Sam asked.
"No," Buffy lied. "The name doesn't ring any bells."
"Too bad," Riley said. "But at least we have a name to start with." He looked at Buffy, "Do you think Giles would mind if we searched through some of his books? He might know something we don't."
"Ah.." Buffy said, back on firmer ground. "He left town a few months ago."
Riley looked surprised, "He did? Why?"
"He thought that it would be easier for me to stand on my own if he was gone," Buffy said. "He came back for Xander and Anya's wedding and he promised to come back when the baby is born too." She mentally kicked herself for mentioning her baby. She had been trying to steer Riley away from any mention of her baby. That way he wouldn't ask any questions about who the father was.
"Did he leave anything we can use?" Riley asked.
Willow nodded, "We use all the Magic Box books for research plus Giles left some things for us."
"Can we start tonight?" Riley asked. "The sooner we find out what this Drusilla's up to the better."
"I guess we can," Willow said. She didn't see the murderous looks Buffy was shooting in her direction. "We can have Anya and Xander meet us there."
Buffy stood up as quickly as her stomach would let her, "Willow, kitchen now." She turned and went to the kitchen, Willow close behind her.
"What?" Willow asked once they were alone.
"What are you thinking?" Buffy asked. "If Riley and his new.wife research Drusilla with Giles's things, which are full of notes about her, than he is going to find out about Dru and Spike. And that is going to lead him straight to Spike and then Riley is going to ask a lot more questions that I don't feel like answering right now."
"Well even if Riley finds out about Spike and Drusilla, that won't make him think that Spike's the father of your baby."
"Want to say that a little louder," Buffy snapped. "I don't think they heard you in England." She lowered her voice, "If Spike and Riley get into the same room together." She shook her head, "Riley will find out and than what will happen?"
Willow nodded, "Gottcha, so what do we do?"
"Stall," Buffy said. "Make them wait until morning. By then we'll have hidden Giles's files on Drusilla and Spike."
"How will we do that?" Willow asked.
Buffy glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight. Someone was going to have to go to Spike's crypt and let him know that everything was fine. Plus someone was going to have to go to the Magic Box and get those files. She looked back at Willow, "Get rid of Riley and. whats her name. Have Tara stay with Dawn, you go to the Magic Box and get those files."
"What about you?" Willow asked.
"I'm going to Spike's crypt," Buffy said. "I told him that I'd send you but if he finds out that Riley's here," She shook her head and sighed tiredly, "I'm not in the mood for what will happen when Riley and Spike see each other." She headed for the door.
"Wait," Willow called. "What do I tell Riley and Sam?
"You'll think of something," Buffy said as she left.
"Great," Willow said. She took a deep breath and went into the living room.
"Where's Buffy?" Riley asked.
"Ah." Willow fumbled for a minute and then blurted out, "Buffy's really tired so she's going to bed. She said to tell you that we'd meet at the Magic Box tomorrow and see what we can find."
"Is she okay?" Riley asked.
"Oh she's fine," Willow said. "She just gets tired a lot lately, you know, with the baby and all."
"Yeah," Riley said, slowly. "Willow, who's the father of Buffy's baby?"
Willow tried to think of an answer but was unable to. Fortunately Tara came to her rescue, "Why don't you ask Buffy about it tomorrow."
Riley started to speak but Sam took his arm, "Okay, we'll meet you tomorrow morning." She looked around, "It was nice meeting you all." And then they left.
"Whew," Willow said.
"What was that all about?" Tara asked. "Where's Buffy?"
"She went to Spike's crypt." Willow explained. "She wants you to stay here with Dawn and me to go to the Magic Box and get all of Giles's files on Spike and Drusilla."
"Why?" Dawn asked.
"So that Riley doesn't find out the connection between Spike and Drusilla."
"That makes no sense," Dawn said flatly.
Willow shrugged, "I think it's the hormones talking. She thinks that if Riley and Spike wind up in the same room together, Riley will find out.."
"Oh." Dawn said, realizing what would happen if Riley found out about Buffy and Spike's relationship and about the baby's paternity.
"Yeah," Willow said. "So let's make sure he doesn't." She grabbed her jacket and hurried out the door.
Meanwhile. back in Spike's crypt
"What the bloody hell?" Spike said as he stared at the figure, unable to believe his eyes.
"Hello William," Halfrek said. "Surprised to see me?"
Spike looked at her and than at Clem, "What the bleeding hell are you doing with this bloody bitch?"
"Leave her alone," Clem defended.
She laughed, slipped out of bed and pulled on a robe. She walked over and kissed Clem on the cheek, "Thanks but I can defend myself against William. I've been doing it for years." She looked at Spike, "What are you doing here? The Slayer kick you out again?"
"My house," Spike pointed out. "I can come here whenever I like. You, on the other hand." He looked at Clem, "What were you thinking?"
"She came here one night looking for you and we started talking and.." He shrugged as if to say the rest was history.
"Do you know who this bitch is?" Spike asked. "Who is she really is?"
"Yes he does," Halfrek said. "He knows that whole sordid story."
"So you know what a bitch she was and still is," Spike asked Clem.
"Hey," Clem said. "Just because you have issues."
"Are you out of your bleeding mind?" Spike asked. "She makes a living torturing men.."
"Actually I usually stick to bad parents," Halfrek reminded him.
Spike continued on as if he hadn't heard her, "And you're dating her? One fight and you'll spend eternity trapped in here."
"I can't perform my own vengeance," Halfrek said. "And who are you to talk? You're the laughing stock of the entire demon world, the vampire who's not only sleeping with but also having a child with a Slayer."
"That's different," Spike snapped.
"Right," Halfrek said, annoyed.
Spike started to speak but Clem interrupted him, "Alright, break it up you two." He looked at Spike, "You know about us. I'm sorry you found out this way but hey, at least you know now."
Spike groaned, "Fine but don't come running to me when you make her mad and she turns you into a worm."
"Who's going to get turned into a worm?" said a voice from the doorway. They all turned and saw Buffy walk into the crypt. She looked around at everyone standing around. "What's going on here?"
"Clem's shacking up with Cecily here," Spike said.
"Really," Buffy said. "Congratulations."
"Thanks," Hallie said.
"We hope you'll be very happy together," Spike said sarcastically. Then he directed his attention to Buffy, "What are you doing here? I thought the witch was going to come."
"She had something else to take care of," Buffy explained. "So I came to let you know that everything's fine."
"Right," Spike said. "So what were you doing wondering out at night? What if you'd run into some kind of demon or vamp?"
"I can still fight," Buffy said. "I'm pregnant, not helpless."
Spike rolled his eyes, "Yeah you can take on a whole nest of vamps all by yourself, sure. So, what did Red want? Why was I banished to the crypt?"
"It's not important," Buffy said. "But you still have to stay here, all the time."
"What?" Spike asked.
"I mean you can't leave here," She couldn't take the chance that he would run into Riley so that meant that he had to stay at the crypt until Riley and his wife left.
"Sorry luv," Spike said. "Wrong answer, now you're going to tell me exactly what is going on."
"No," Buffy said. "Look there is nothing wrong. I just need you to trust me and stay out of sight for a few days."
Spike looked over at Halfrek and Clem, "Can you two love birds fly away?"
Clem nodded and he and Halfrek went down to the lower levels of the crypt. Spike waited until he could hear them walking away through the underground tunnels before turning back to Buffy, "Now enough stalling, what don't you want me to know?"
Buffy studied him for a minute and then walked over to Spike. She put her arms around his neck and said, in a low voice, "Why don't we talk about that later? After we.." She leaned over and whispered her suggestion in his ear.
Spike stared at her, "That's really not fair." Then he mentally shrugged. How often was he going to get an opportunity like this? He might as well take it. He pulled Buffy to him and ground his lips on hers.
Hours later Spike and Buffy finally paused long enough to come up for air. They were lying on the floor. They had been reluctant to use the bed that Clem and Hallie had recently vacated.
"So what brought this on?" Spike asked. "Not that I'm complaining but I know a good stall tactic when I see one."
"I'm not stalling," Buffy lied. "I just wanted to try something new."
"Right," Spike said. "You and I just did something that the bloody writer of the Kama Sutra wouldn't even try. Now you wouldn't have suggested that we do what we just did without a reason so what is it?"
"Hormones," Buffy said, trying again to distract him. "If you want to blame someone for what just happened then blame your son."
Spike grinned and touched Buffy's stomach, "Remind me to thank him when he's born." He rolled over and lay on his back. Then something caught his attention. He sat up, "Bloody hell."
"What?" Buffy asked. She lifted her head and gasped, "Riley."