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Dawn slowly walked down the steps trying not to spill the steaming, red liquid contained in the mug she held. She was glad there was some light in the room despite its limited glow. She was pretty sure that if there hadn't been any light in the room, she would have tripped, rolled, and landed at the base of the stairs covered in blood. Definitely not one of her favorite looks.
She carefully cradled the drink in her hands as she peered around the room. She spotted Spike on the other side of the room, near the wall, sleeping in a cot. She stared at him, noticing how peaceful he looked. She didn't want to disturb him. She sighed as her mind wandered over to thoughts of recent events. Finding out Buffy was pregnant had been surprising but welcome news but Giles' arrival didn't fit that category. It wasn't that she wasn't happy to see Giles; of course she was. It was just that Giles had brought terrible news along with three houseguests. She didn't mind the houseguests although Molly was starting to get on her nerves with her incessant chatter.
Giles' arrival hadn't been the first sign that trouble was brewing. It was merely the confirmation. Just days ago she along with Xander and Willow had received visits from the First in forms of people they once knew. Her visit from the First had been in the guise of her mother and she had truly believed it. Despite her sister and friend's protests, she had been adamant that she had witnessed an appearance from her mother. As hours went by though, she realized that it had been a trick although she never outwardly admitted it.
She'd been a fool; she'd desperately wanted to believe that it had been her mother. Losing both her mother and her sister in the same year had been very difficult. Almost unbearable. She'd missed both of them so much. She'd never attempted to get on with her life if it hadn't been for Xander, Willow, Tara, Anya, and Spike. Especially Spike. He always stayed and kept her company. He'd talk to her, help her with homework, play card games, and even force her to eat when she became really depressed. She'd considered him a best friend. No more than that, a brother. She'd seen and shared the pain Spike felt about Buffy's passing. At first Xander hadn't liked the idea of Spike spending so much time with her but Willow, Tara, and Giles had agreed since Spike seemed to calm her down. She never really understood why the others especially Xander thought vampires couldn't feel. They always seemed pretty blind to her since it was evident Spike suffered just as much as they did if not more.
Spike had hung around with her up until Buffy's return from the dead. He occasionally showed up afterwards but the visits eventually stopped. She'd always supposed that it was because he knew Buffy wouldn't like it. At first, she didn't really notice Spike's absence since she was so caught up with Buffy's return. She had been so relieved that she had her sister back. So happy. Those feelings were short lived. Overtime they became replaced by sadness and loneliness.
She thought that Buffy being alive would make everything okay. She knew that Buffy would have trouble adjusting to being alive but she thought she would snap out of it in awhile. Instead, it dragged on for months causing a rift between the sisters. Dawn had never felt so lonely, not even when Buffy had been dead. Xander and Anya had been too busy with wedding plans, Willow with her magic, and Tara had been busy with school and staying away from Willow. She didn't know what Spike had been up to. So, she had tried to lessen her loneliness by hanging out with Janice and stealing. How she had wished for her mother to be alive, to have someone there for her.
Little did she know that Buffy had been too busy sleeping with Spike to pay any notice to her. All that time she had thought that her sister was too busy trying to make ends meet and adjusting to the whole being alive thing. Yeah, she had been working but she'd also been using Spike. When she'd first heard this, she had been angry with her sister. In a way, she still was although it had lessened. She couldn't believe her sister had used him that way. In her monk created memories, she remembered Buffy suffering because of Angel. And later in her own non- magically created memories, Riley. She would have thought that Buffy would have learned from the past and tried not to hurt others like she had been hurt. Stupid Buffy.
And Spike, she'd been confused at first then furious when she'd heard that he'd attempted to rape her sister. She had felt betrayed. She had trusted him and considered him like a brother. He said he loved her sister and she had believed it. The sincerity in his eyes had always been crystal clear to her. She still remembered the grief in his eyes when Buffy had died. So, it seemed incomprehensible to her that he would try to do such a horrible act toward the woman he claimed to love. She had wanted to stake him, burn him for trying to hurt her sister. But now she didn't feel the same way; she was confused once more.
She was confused because now she knew the truth of what occurred between Buffy and Spike. She now had a better idea of what went on between them and why their relationship ended in such a horrible fashion. She was mad at both of them for the way things went wrong between them and to a lesser extent for them leaving her out in the cold. Things had already starting going well with her sister despite the anger she felt upon learning the truth. But things with Spike were still not well. The last time she talked to him, she threatened to burn him if he attempted to hurt her sister again. She wanted to mend things between Spike and her because she wanted his friendship again. She knew it wasn't going to be easy to try to make things okay between them but she was willing to try. If Buffy was making an attempt after everything that happened, then so could she. She knew that the only reason Spike wasn't dust was because a part of Buffy still trusted him and because of his recently acquired soul. It wasn't because of the baby; Dawn knew all too well what Buffy would do if anyone she cared about was in danger. If Buffy thought that Spike was a threat, he wouldn't be living in their house now. Although, technically they still had to find a way to get rid of the First's hold on Spike. But that was okay, they always dealt with magical stuff. She was just glad that for the moment Spike was okay and that the Bringers failed to take him away the other day. She wondered what the First wanted Spike for.
"B-bi," A voice broke her thoughts, causing her to almost drop the mug in her hands.
"Uh, Dawn," Spike corrected himself as he righted himself to a sitting position. His wrists were shackled by chains that were hooked onto the wall behind him; it was a precautionary measure in case the First tried to control him again.
"What are you doin' here?" Spike asked, surprised to see her. The only person that had visited him thus far had been Buffy. Everyone else appeared to be staying clear of the basement. He didn't blame them and it wasn't like he actually wanted to see any of them anyway. Except for Dawn, who was now here, and maybe Red.
"I brought you blood," Dawn spoke in a clipped voice.
He stared at the mug in her hands. He didn't like her tone of voice, he missed her usual cheery voice. But he knew he deserved it along with her threats. He had after all tried to rape her sister.
"You shouldn't have brought it. Does Buffy know you're here?" His blue gaze found hers.
"No," She answered truthfully. "But do you honestly want to wait 'til she gets home?"
"You shouldn't be here. I'm dangerous. No tellin' what the First will have me do."
"You're shackled," Dawn pointed out.
"Doesn't matter. You really think these chains are gonna hold me back," He yanked at the chains, causing them to clang loudly. "Not bloody likely. I'd get you before you even had a chance to reach the first step." He nodded toward the stairs behind her.
"Do you feel like you want to kill me, now?" she questioned.
"No," he replied.
"Then, I'm fine. Here, just drink this before it gets any colder." She approached him, placing the mug near his mouth.
He stared at her for a moment, then lowered his mouth so that he could reach the straw. He began to drink the blood. Dawn tried not to look at him as he drank his blood. It was a little disturbing, but what was bothering her was the discomfort she now felt being here with him. His presence had always been comforting and now things were weird between them.
"Where's Buffy?" He asked after he finished drinking his blood. "Shouldn't she be home by now?
"She had a faculty meeting. Part of the high school counselor package." She explained, almost sounding like her old self.
"Well, you should you be on your way now. Finished with my blood 'n all." He gestured to the empty mug. "Thanks, you didn't have to."
"You're right, I didn't have to," Dawn agreed.
"Look, Ni— Dawn, I can't undo what I've done. What I tried… Don't blame you for hating me. I deserve it. I can say sorry a million times over and I know it won't change a thing. But for what it's worth, I really am sorry. I never meant to hurt your sister it's just…"
"I believe you," Dawn said, surprising Spike. "She told me what happened between you guys. She told me she used you."
"Did she now?" He asked even more surprised.
Dawn nodded. "I kinda get why things turned out the way they did. I just can't believe she did that to you. How could she?" She paused before adding, "It still doesn't excuse what you did to her though."
"No, it doesn't," Spike murmured in agreement. "Look, your sis was goin' through a rough time. Coming back to life and all. Been there myself, you know."
"Still, that didn't give her the right to use you. You loved her and she took advantage of that."
"Yeah, she did. She's not proud of it, you know."
"I know. I was so angry with her when she told me. I just couldn't believe she did that. I was so angry with her, I practically hated her. For a while anyway. So, I don't blame you if you hate her." She said glancing at Spike, as she waited for his reply.
A beat passed before Spike responded. "I don't hate your sis. Yeah, I was angry with her. But, I just can't bloody hate her. No matter how hard I try. I just can't."
"So, does that mean that you, um, still love her?" Dawn wondered, as she stared at Spike, who lowered his head for a moment.
A second later, Spike lifted his head and met the teenager's piercing gaze. "Yeah, it does."
Spike thought he saw Dawn smile, but he wasn't sure because it disappeared as fast as it appeared.
"She cares about you know," Dawn offered.
"Maybe," Spike considered. "She's got other things to worry about though. Like this business with the First and…"
"The baby," Dawn finished for him.
"Yeah," He nodded. "The baby." His eyes had a faraway look for a brief instant.
"Spike, I, um, don't hate you anymore. I mean, I used to. I was really angry with you. But, I… well I am for sorry for…"
"Don't," Spike said loudly. "Don't ever be sorry for what you said. I deserved it." He shook his head. "No, I deserve much worse. I should be dust now but Big Sis wouldn't do it." He let out a cynical laugh. "She said she believed in me."
"I believe in you, too," Dawn said, earning an awed look from Spike. Before she could say anything else, the door to the basement creaked open.
"Dawn?" Buffy called out.
"I'm here," Dawn yelled.
"What are you doing here?" Buffy asked as she made her way down the stairs.
"I came to bring Spike some blood," the younger Summers explained, offering a smile that was a little too bright.
"I thought I told you not to come down here," Buffy said.
"I told her to go, but she wouldn't. She's a Summers woman alright. Stubborn as hell," Spike grinned.
Dawn grinned as well, but Buffy remained unfazed.
"Fine. Don't listen to me. Be vamp food." Buffy acted annoyed. "Oh, by the way, Molly's looking for you."
"Oh, really, well I guess I better go see what she wants. See ya later guys," She said as she made her way past her sister.
Buffy stared at her retreating sister, surprised that she had actually come to visit Spike. She supposed Dawn was starting to let go of her anger towards Spike.
"Rough day at work?" Spike questioned, prompting her to return her focus on him.
"Not so much. Just long," She replied.
Neither of them said anything for a moment. Spike stared at her. She was standing straighter than normal, like when she was worried or nervous. She wasn't looking at him or anything in particular. She seemed to be lost in thought about whatever was troubling her.
"What's wrong?" Spike once again made an attempt to talk.
Buffy blinked as she realized she was daydreaming. "I haven't said anything."
"Don't need to. You're wired. I can tell. What's the matter?"
"It's Giles," She explained, although slightly annoyed that he could read her like book. "He…" She stopped for a second, as if changing her mind. "Did he come in here? Did he talk to you?"
"Haven't had any visitors. Except for the Nibblet," Spike answered, unable to control the slip of Dawn's nickname.
"Oh," Buffy seemed slightly relieved. "I.." her voice faltered. "I haven't talked to him since yesterday. Since I, um, told him about me being pregnant. I'm not exactly sure how he's taking things. I figured I'd give him time for it to sink in."
She sighed as she pulled a strand of hair behind her ear. "According to Willow, he's been researching nonstop today. He's trying to figure out how the impossible was, well made possible. He, um, wants to see us now."
"Did he figure it out?" Spike questioned.
"I'm not sure. Willow doesn't think so. She wasn't actually involved in the research. She, Xander, and the Potentials all had research duty involving the First. Giles sent Anya to see if her demon contacts knew anything about the First or um, pregnancies involving vampires." She waited a beat before saying. "She got nothing."
" So, no info eh? " Spike shook his head. "I doubt this is something your Watcher's gonna find in those books of his. This is just, well unheard of. This is… a.."
"Maybe it's the First," Buffy suggested quietly.
"I was gonna say a bloody miracle," Spike stared at her, noticing sadness in her normally bright gaze. "Is that what you think? You think the soddin' First made this possible? Why the bleedin' hell would it do that for?"
"Gee, I don't know, maybe to distract me. Or maybe it's using me as some sort of…"
"Some sort of vessel to bring forth its evil hellspawn," Spike finished for her, incredulity dripping from every word.
"Yes, maybe that's what I am. A vessel," Buffy considered.
"Are you even listening to yourself? You've been living too bloody long on this hellmouth."
"What the hell I am supposed to think?" Buffy cried out. "This isn't supposed to be possible," Buffy pointed to her stomach. "But it happened, and the First just so happens to be in town just when I'm pregnant. Coincidence? I don't think so."
"Have you ever thought it might just be a coincidence?" Spike retorted. "Or does everything in your life have to be some sort of bloody omen? I get it. You're the Slayer, you gotta stop all the baddies. But evil doesn't lurk at every corner, you know. Just let yourself go. Or is this some sort of excuse, to try to get rid of it?"
"No, that's not what it is," Buffy interrupted. "You really think I want to believe that something evil is growing inside me?"
"Dunno, pet. You tell me."
"Well, I don't." Buffy answered. She took a deep breath and then said. "I just… Look I really want to believe that everything's going to be fine. That this pregnancy is normal…"
Spike snorted. "Hate to break to you but there's nothing normal about this pregnancy. Look, can we just go and see what your Watcher has to say? Arguin' 'bout it isn't gonna get us anywhere."
"Fine," Buffy responded, realizing he was right.
She approached him, eyed him warily for a moment, and then reached for the key in her pants pocket. She quickly opened the shackles and moved away from him. Spike rubbed his wrists for a moment, before standing up.
"Do you really think this pregnancy isn't related to the First?" Buffy wondered.
"All I know is there's a chance it isn't," Spike responded as he moved toward the stairs.
Buffy followed him and minutes later they arrived at the dining room. They spotted Giles at the head of the dining room table which was covered by a plethora of books; there were even books scattered on the floor. Giles looked like he spent all day and night researching. His shirt collar was undone and his hair looked messy.
"Giles," Buffy called out to him announcing their presence.
"Buffy," He greeted the Slayer with his Watcher tone. And then proceeded to greet Spike with an even colder voice. "Spike."
"Rupert," Spike nodded in greeting as he took a seat, two seats away on Giles' right.
Buffy took a seat, one away from Giles, on his left. Before, anybody said anything Giles took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose as if to get rid of the fatigue he felt. Then, he put them on once more. He cleared his throat and stared at his former Slayer, whom he still regarded as his, and the blonde vampire.
"I'm sure Willow has already informed you that I have been researching your condition," Giles began, as he turned to regard Buffy.
Buffy nodded and Giles continued. "Well, that is what I have done all day. I looked through texts about vampire lore, mating rituals, well in short, everything that has to do with vampires. All research pointed to the conclusion we already know, vampires aren't fertile. I then turned to prophecies, to see if this event was somehow foretold, but I did not find any prophecies detailing this particular event. However, I did find one foretelling the birth of a child to two vampires. Apparently that prophecy, has already come to pass."
"What? A kid born to two vampires? That's even more ridiculous," Spike exclaimed.
"And we thought this was weird," Buffy mumbled.
"Was the kid evil?" Spike questioned.
"I don't know much about this child. All I know is that the child was born human," Giles answered.
Spike glanced at Buffy as if to say 'see not everything supernatural is evil.'
"Who were these vampires?" Buffy questioned.
Giles stilled for a moment, before answering. "Apparently, it's parents were Angel and Darla.
Buffy froze before finally saying. "W-W-hat?"
" I heard Darla got mojoed back from the great beyond," Spike commented quietly, then upon noticing Buffy's questioning gaze, he added. "When Dru last rolled into town, she gave me the family update. Apparently, she failed to mention that there was a new addition. Or I guess, Darla and Angel hadn't …" He trailed off.
Spike watched as Buffy processed the information that her former love, his grandsire, had a child with his great grand sire. She's probably wishing that she had been part of that prophecy, or that the child in her belly was the poofter's, Spike thought angrily. He almost wanted to vamp out at the thought, but he refrained from doing so. This was the first time he felt like his old self since acquiring the soul. But then just like that, nagging thoughts from his soul started seeping through his angry mind. Thoughts of how he didn't deserve her or the child and that she should be having the child of someone she loves, not someone she hates. He pushed them aside and put his focus once again on Giles.
"I," Giles began, unsure if to continue.
"Go on," Buffy instructed, after the news sunk in.
"I sent Anya to see if her demon contacts have heard anything relating to vampiric pregnancies but it yielded nothing as well. I'm afraid I was unable to find anything to explain why this pregnancy has occurred," Giles concluded. He then glanced at both vampire and Slayer. "There's only one thing left that I haven't done." He paused then said, "I have some questions for the both of you about the night of er, conception."
"Okay," Buffy said, as a blush spread through her cheeks.
Spike only nodded.
"Very well," Giles said, he then took on his glasses and began polishing them. "Did anything unusual occur the night of the, er, conception?"
Buffy's cheeks felt like they were on fire; she moved uncomfortably in her chair. God, this was not something she wanted to be discussing with her parental figurehead. And she thought telling him about being pregnant had been hard, this was going to top that. How she wished for an incoming apocalypse, anything to avoid this conversation. Fighting Glory all over again, sounded like heaven just about now.
Images of that night flooded her mind, which she was sure added more color to her already scarlet cheeks. Riley and his perfect wife, Sam had shown up in Sunnydale that night. Seeing how lovely and perfect their relationship was had made her feel like crap, so she went to the only person that made her feel better, Spike. She had wanted to pretend that she her life wasn't messed up, that she had a good relationship. It was the only night that she had allowed Spike to make love to her and now she was pregnant as a result.
Pushing away her thoughts, Buffy answered. "Well, there were these Su-molte demons and their eggs."
"Suvolte," Spike corrected.
"Whatever," Buffy muttered.
"Suvolte demons, you say," Giles murmured more to himself than to anyone as he put on his glasses and began to rummage through the books in front of him. "Would you mind handing me that book?" Giles asked Buffy after seeing that the book he wanted wasn't near him.
"This one?" Buffy lifted a large, green volume.
"Yes," Giles responded. He took the book from Buffy and immediately began perusing through its pages. "Here it is," Giles announced as he quickly skimmed through the text. "Apparently, these demons are rare and they tend to reproduce quickly. But not quickly enough to appease buyers in the black market. They are sought after by demons and people alike for their destructive capabilities." Giles considered the information." It does not explain why Buffy is pregnant."
"Well, there was this witch," Spike said, suddenly remembering something.
"A witch?" Giles queried.
"Yeah, she was holding the eggs," Buffy cut in.
Spike stared at the Slayer, she quickly mouthed 'don't say anything' which meant she didn't want the real story to be told. It was fine by him. He didn't really feel like explaining anything to the Watcher anyway.
"When me and the Slayer discovered the witch and her scheme, I saw that she did some sort of spell on the eggs. I suppose to make 'em more fertile or somethin," Spike explained.
"A fertility spell," Giles stated. He didn't say anything for a couple of minutes as he considered the importance of that information. "It seems that this fertility spell somehow must have affected not only the Suvolte eggs but Spike as well. And perhaps, you as well," Giles glanced at Buffy.
"So, you're saying that this fertility spell made it possible for me to get pregnant?" Buffy asked.
"It seems like this is the explanation we've been looking for," Giles answered. "Were you in contact with the demon eggs or the witch?" Giles asked her.
"Well, Spike, was more in contact with the demon eggs and witch than I was," Buffy admitted honestly.
Giles shrugged his shoulders in a 'there you go' gesture. "Somehow this spell must have altered something in Spike to at least make him temporarily fertile. And seeing as I believe you aren't aware of the spell used," Giles glanced at the blondes, receiving the answer he already knew he would. "I'm afraid I won't be able to find the exact incantation without having some sort of clue. There are hundreds of these sort of spells. Regardless, I really believe that this spell is somehow to blame for this..er, your pregnancy."
"So, you don't think it's like the First or anything?" Buffy asked.
"The First?" Giles repeated. "Why would the First be involved in this matter?"
"I don't know. Another part of its evil scheme?" Buffy explained.
Giles shook his head. "I don't think the First is interested in making pregnancies that aren't supposed to occur, er, occur. As far as we know the First's only interest is to destroy the Slayer line."
"Oh," Buffy visibly relaxed. She shared a look with Spike.
Giles glanced at his watch. "I have some calls to make. I have to see when more Slayers-in-Waitings will arrive."
And with that he left the room.
A/N: Don't forget to leave a review. Hope you guys enjoyed reading it.