CONTENT WARNING: Some brief but explicit sexual content in the middle scene of this closing chapter.
Chapter 18 – Epilogue
"And that's what happened. Kennedy, Anya, and Andrew are helping the potentials get back home, if they still have one, and those that don't will be coming back here. Figure they'd be good candidates for your new watcher program." Buffy finished her story of the apocalypse to Giles and the few other remaining watchers. They were in a conference room in London meeting with the re-forming council. Buffy, Xander, Willow, Dawn, & Spike had ventured there after Sunnydale practically collapsed in on itself, and the old guardian had told them there was nothing more for them there.
"So, you never thought to pick up the phone and ask for my help?" Giles asked shocked at how his slayer and her friends managed to beat back the FIRST evil on their own.
"Well, we kinda thought you'd be coming back soon." Buffy supposed.
"And we did end up getting some help from Westley." Xander chimed in. Giles did not look too amused at the comment. "Which is like a discount Giles, decent substitute, but not the original."
"I appreciate the effort Xander, but I must admit that the resources at Westley's fingertips pales in comparison to what's left here at the council." Giles conceded "For the moment at least."
"So, how long till you get the new council up and running." Dawn asked.
"Hard to say. What people that were left of it are all here, but we're still putting the pieces back together. Obviously a great deal of the texts in the library were destroyed, but the political influence of the council still resonates, so there's still power in it."
"So where do all your resources say we should go next?" Spike asked, clearly getting impatient with the now 3 hour long meeting. "What evil corner of the world could use a pair of slayers to defend it."
"I'm still not certain I'd consider you a slayer Spike."
"And why the hell not?"
"For one you're a man, slayers have always been women."
"Buffy told you the guardian said I was the start of a new bloody line of male slayers. So the chosen one doesn't have to be alone."
"And how was it you heard about these guardians? They aren't in any of the texts myself or the rest of the council knows of."
"When we were dimension browsing, your old buddy Ethan clued us in." Xander supplied.
"Well he's a well of reliable information…" Giles accosted.
"Well the FIRST wasn't written down anywhere, but they're definitely real." Dawn interjected. "So, getting back to Spike's question, where do we go from here Giles?" The whole gang groaned a little at Dawn's phrasing. "Fine, where's a good place to go help next?"
"Well, Cleveland has a hellmouth." Giles started than pulled out a notepad and recited. "There has been some odd demon activity in Miami, Florida. New York's population and underground system is a paradise for vampires."
"Hmm, never thought about that with New York." Buffy commented.
"Yeah, place is a bloody free for all, hard to get your own shit done without running into another vamp to muck it all up."
"When were you in New York?" Xander asked.
"1977, that's when I killed Nikki Wood."
"Oh."
"Suffice it to say me and Dru didn't stay any longer than we had to in that crowded mess of a town."
"Okay then," Buffy started, anxious to keep the topic moving "What else ya got for us Giles?"
"Well the Immortal is currently residing in Rome."
"Who's that?" Dawn asked intrigued.
"A poncy bastard who needs to learn to stop screwing in other bloke's lives." The table once again addressed their attention to Spike. "1894 the ponce nabbed me and Angel so he could violate Dru & Darla."
"Wait, so that make him good or bad?" Willow asked "Cause taking the two worst vampires down a peg, good. But sleeping with vampires, bad."
"Hey…" Buffy pouted, Spike nearly snickered while Willow gave Buffy an apologetic look.
Then Giles explained "The Immortal has been around for as long as our texts date back, he's done things for both the side of good and evil, and being as he disappears for centuries at a time, we believe he has the ability to jump dimensions."
"So what exactly would you want us to do about him?" Buffy inquired.
"Well in theory he would make a good ally."
"No!" Spike said firmly "We're on good terms with evil inc and I just got a soul and a power boost, we don't need to add that wild card prick to the mix."
The group was silent to the clearly annoyed ex-vampire's comment. Then Buffy stood up and suggested "Would you excuse us a minute." After receiving nods from the group Buffy grabbed Spike by the arm and pulled him into the hall, after closing the door behind them she asked plainly. "What's up?"
"I already know the son of a bitch doesn't like me, so why bother go and try to make nice. We don't need to go wasting our breath on that ponce."
"Spike…" Buffy asked again silently as she raised a hand to his cheek.
He leaned into her touch "I can't loose you… Not so quick at least…"
"What makes you think that'd even be an issue?" she asked confused "I wasn't lying when I said I love you Spike." … I didn't realize he thought my feeling for him were so frail…
"Not you pet, at least not willingly I'd hope… its just… the bastard has this way of making everyone love him, in every way," Buffy could feel him shaking a little against her hand in what she assumed was anger. "and I might just get myself killed if he tried to take you from me now…"
Buffy pulled herself up to him and silenced him with a kiss. For a moment Spike forgot what he was upset about and reveled in her kiss.
2 months had passed since Sunnydale's last apocalypse. The Scoobies were just starting to adjust to their new life in Avon, a western suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, where another hellmouth resides. The whole gang found a 5 bedroom house to rent as they settled in on their new hellmouth. However Anya found herself more comfortable back in London helping out the new council, as did Wood. Willow and Kennedy found themselves bouncing back and forth between the council, the coven, and their new home in Ohio.
Buffy woke around 10 as usual, most of the house was off to jobs or school, and Buffy and Spike tended to sleep in after patrolling. Buffy had managed to find a job teaching self-defense classes, so her work was mostly in the late afternoon to evening. Xander had settled into a new construction crew, and it was looking like he'd be supervising again soon. Andrew managed to hang around, having gotten along with Xander, and insisting he could add an additional honest income to the group. Dawn couldn't be more excited or nervous about starting her junior year at a new school, but since Buffy said she had to finish high school before getting to jump into watcher training. She conceded to the arrangement after the fact she realized that it was also time she'd get to spend with her nearly big brother Spike, who was now truly apart of the family. Even though the whole crew was sharing a house again, it seemed much less crowded than their time in Sunnydale, as Kennedy was the only potential to be found from time to time. Everyone had their own space, except for the couples that shared rooms.
So everything had settled in to a sense of normalcy. On this morning however instead of heading to their home gym to start her morning, Buffy had to make a mad dash to the bathroom. She had just made it to the toilet in time to puke. Ughhh, what the hell? Xander's tacos don't normally disagree with me… After her stomach started to settle she decided to skip her normal morning workout as to not further upset her stomach, and simply jumped in the shower. After stepping in, the door to the bathroom opened, and a naked Spike joined her in the large stall.
"Please tell me you were clothed down the hall."
"No one's home pet."
"You have no shame."
"Not a lick." he smiled stepping against her wet body and kissed her deeply. After a moment he released her, then asked "You feelin alright luv?" noticing an odd taste now in his mouth.
"Yeah, I'm guessing something I ate didn't agree with me, woke up all pukey."
Spike softly kissed her again, "Anything I can do to help?"
"I think it's passed. I just figured I'd forgo my morning workout just in case."
"Well we can't have missing out on your routine… there must be some activity we can substitute…" he teased gliding a hand across her breasts.
"It's not exactly a substitute if that's done most days anyway…" Buffy argued.
"Then we'll have to go a few extra rounds today." He said as he squeezed one of her boobs. Buffy shuttered a little in delight at the sensation. "I'm gonna take that as a yes." He noted briefly then dipped his head down to her other breast and started to lick and suckle on her nipple, making Buffy moan instantly. Thank god no one's home… After a few minutes of fondling and kissing her breasts, Spike started to kiss his way down her belly, then dropped to his knees before her. He first kissed a scar on her inner thigh, then nuzzled her hot center. Then he very un-ceremonially grabbed her ass with on hand and the back of her thigh with another as he dove his tongue into her. Buffy nearly toppled from the sensation, grabbing at the wet shower walls, but Spike had her, and wasn't about to let her fall.
"Oh Spike…" She moaned as her body wriggled at every motion of his tongue. The one thing that hadn't changed in their new life was that Spike was still an amazing lover, so fierce yet generous. And the pair had definitely learned to take advantage of their extra strength. After Spike pulled away from her center, he stood up, and lifted her onto his full grown member. It didn't take long for either of them to feel the blood start to rush through their bodies. And after a high pitched moan from buffy and a near growling yelp from Spike the pair climaxed. Buffy looked lovingly to her boyfriend after the rush had passed, barley noticing the water that was still hitting her back.
But after a moment Buffy pushed away and motioned for him to let her down quickly as she hurriedly stepped out of the shower and went for the toilet. Spike turned off the shower and followed her. "You sure your all right pet? Cause that's definitely not your normal reaction."
After she thought she was done she responded, head still facing the toilet. "Ughh, I don't know. I was fine a minute ago then woosh… I must be coming down with something."
"You need to go see a doc?"
"Maybe, I guess I have been a bit tired the past week, slayer strength or no, maybe I'm just getting sick."
Buffy returned home from her doctor's appointment at about 5. Not everyone was home yet, but she could smell supper cooking, so she headed for the kitchen. Spike was sitting at the island chatting with Dawn who was tending to the oven and stove's delicious smelling contents. Spike cause sight of Buffy and hopped up to greet her, giving her a big but soft hug. "How'd it go at the doc?"
"Um, fine." She muddled as Spike released her, she looked around as she took a seat at the island. "So um, where the boys at?"
"Downstairs, game room, video game carnage." Dawn supplied "So Spike said you were getting sick?"
"Seemed like, became very friendly with our toilet."
"So?" Spike asked impatiently.
"Doc said no bug or flu or food poisoning. I'm perfectly healthy."
"Obviously not if you were blowing chunks this morning." Dawn commented, directing all her attention to her sister. "Did you ask for a second opinion?"
"Didn't need to, they had one test that explained all my symptoms perfectly, and came back positive."
"And?" Spike asked, more impatient than before.
Then Buffy smiled, not really anticipating telling Dawn right away too, but she couldn't hold it back anymore. "I'm pregnant." Spike froze, reiterating in his mind if he heard right.
Whereas Dawn squealed in joy. "Oh my god! Seriously!" she ran around the table to hug her sister. After a few more giddy squeals from both sisters, Buffy looked to Spike, still half holding her sister.
"You okay luv?" she asked, using his own pet name to try and pull him out of his trance.
Before he had a chance to answer Dawn jokingly asked "Wait, it is his isn't it?"
"Oi! Of course it is."
"That got his attention." The teenager giggled.
"Yes it's Spike's, and Doc says I'm about 2 months along." Buffy added as she stepped over to her boyfriend, grabbing his hand. "I guess I wasn't too surprised when the doc said that pregnancy could be an option, being as we didn't exactly wait and think about protection after you became a real boy…"
"I'd say…" Dawn supplied. The couple glared at their not so little sister. "What double slayer sex does tend to be head through walls." The glare continued, even though Buffy's face grew red in embarrassment. "Fine, you two have your happy new parent moment." She motioned to leave, then turned around "Can I tell Xander?"
In one voice they declared, "No!"
"You know I'm really surprised Dawn hasn't blabbed anything to the gang." Buffy commented to Spike on their drive home after the latest doctor's appointment, "But now that I'm just past 4 months, I'm starting to show... I think we better tell everyone, before Willow leaves for London again."
"Whatever you want pet." He answered. He'd noticed that since he knew she was pregnant it was even harder for him to say no to her. Not that he usually wanted to, but he had yet to convince her to stop patrolling. They pulled into the driveway and headed into the house. And to their surprise the whole gang was sitting in the living room; Dawn, Andrew, Xander, Willow, Kennedy, and Giles & Anya. "Well would ya look at that, the whole gang is here, well there's no time like the present luv…"
I hate it when he puts me on the spot like that… Before she could retaliate Giles had made his way to her and hugged her, Anya close behind. And after the usual greetings Buffy got right to the point, sitting in the living room with the gang, "So what's with the visit from watcher central." Spike followed and leaned on the armrest of the seat Buffy took, fairly positive he knew the answer to her question.
"Well, it appears you've settled in the right place," Giles started "It seems we have a slight apocalypse headed your way."
"Balls… Why can't you ever swing in when there ain't?" Spike disputed. I'm not gonna let anything bloody happen to you or our kid… he silently promised as he placed a hand on Buffy's shoulder.
Giles seemed a little irked by the motion, clearly showing that his slayer was still involved with the ex-murderous-vampire, something the father figure had hoped she'd out grown by now… "Maybe next time. And what were you talking about when you two came in, something about no time like the present?" Giles poked, not liking to be kept in the dark, especially if it involved his almost-daughter.
"Oh, um well…" Buffy trailed off and looked to Spike, hand still on her shoulder in reassurance and urging her on, she softly rolled her eyes back at him knowing he'd say something eventually if she didn't. "Well I wasn't expecting to be able to tell everyone now, but I suppose now's a good of time as any." She pulled Spike's hand off her shoulder and into her hand.
Buffy took a deep breath then announced: "In about 5 month's we're gonna have a daughter."
The whole room's jaws dropped, except for Dawn who jumped up squealing at the new news it was gonna be a girl. "I'm gonna have the cutest niece ever!"
"Wait, wait, wait…" Willow demanded, and stopped Dawn's jumping "Dawnie, you knew and you didn't tell any of us?" Dawn nodded enthusiastically at her silence.
"You're sure?" Giles asked Buffy as calmly as he could. She simply smiled and nodded. "And no chance it isn't Spike's?"
"Giles!" Buffy scolded.
"Hey if he didn't ask I was gonna." Xander piped in and half the room chuckled.
"Why you gotta keep bloody askin' that?"
"Okay for those of you that are confused about my love life for some weird reason: Angel, once, vampire; Parker, once, used protection; Riley, a whole bunch, but no way solider boy was gonna risk getting me knocked up; and Spike, lots when a vampire, and kinda forgot about using protection when he went all slayer on me. So yes the only physical possibility is that it's Spike's kid." Buffy more than clarified, shutting everyone up.
"Then I'd say Dawn's correct." Anya smiled "That is gonna be a very cute kid."
The couple smiled in return, then Spike added, "Thanks luv." There was still definite tension in the room, but if Buffy had learned anything from telling her friend's big news in the past, whether they fully agreed or not, is that they always support her to the end.
"Alright, now that that cat's out of the bag… what kind of oogily boogilies we got Giles?" Dawn asked, still giddy but ready to ring the gong on their next apocalypse.