Warnings and disclaimer in Chapter 1. Enjoy.
The night passed in a blaze of exhaustion. More demons were able to penetrate the protective enchantments Tara and Willow cast, leaving the group inside the room little time to rest. The group outside the room had an even tougher time, though their experience again helped them avoid serious injury. By the time the sun rose there were hordes of demon corpses scattered throughout the back alleyways and abandoned buildings.
"I don't know if the people of SunnyD are going to be able to ignore this one," Faith said, leading her group back to the room once the first rays of sun hit the street.
"You'd be amazed what they can ignore," Spike replied. He had joined them during the night as promised. "Morning Mum," he told Joyce, taking his place next to the children.
"Spike? What happened?" Joyce asked when she got a good look at him. His left side was blackened with soot, with several deep scratches in his arms and chest.
"Just a little problem with a fireball," Spike dismissed, reaching his good hand into the cot. He grinned when Alex grabbed onto his finger. "Nothing to worry about. Big Bad took care of everything." He looked up, just realizing there were extra people in the room. "Who are the Watchers?"
"This is my family Spike," Giles said tiredly. "This is my sister Veronica, Faith's new Watcher, and my father Albert, the Grand Chancellor of the Watcher's Council." Giles winced as his father was formally introduced for the first time, and it was with good reason. Everybody gasped at the same time.
"You're the leader of the Watchers?" Xander asked. Albert nodded. "You're the one who's made our life hell? Buffy's life a living nightmare?"
"Xander!" Giles snapped. "We are all exhausted and on edge. Don't say anything you'll regret later." Xander nodded, but Spike wasn't intimidated at all.
"It's the truth aint it?" Spike asked, leaving Alex and facing the Watchers. "The few times she actually needed help you turned your back on her or made her beg like a dog. You Watchers keep the Slayer as downtrodden as possible, then throw a fit when she realizes she doesn't need to take it anymore. The best thing you can possibly do for a Slayer is to go away."
"How dare you!" Albert exclaimed, his exhaustion forgotten in Spike's verbal attack. "What do you know of Slayers?"
"More than you do," he said calmly. "I've spent my life studying them. Learning their strengths and weaknesses. I've chased Slayers from one end of the world to the other, always looking for the ultimate warrior. The ultimate fight to prove I was the best once and for all."
"Spike," Giles groaned, stepping between them. "This isn't the time and this definitely isn't the place." Spike blinked and looked over to Buffy. She was awake and looking in their direction, though he couldn't tell if she was watching them or not.
"Sorry Rupes," Spike apologized, backing down.
"Spike?" Veronica whispered, suddenly placing where she heard the name before. "William the Bloody? The Slayer of Slayers?" She gazed wide-eyed before clumsily grabbing her short sword and brandishing it threateningly. Albert followed her lead, which caused the Scoobies to react. They were unprepared when everybody threw themselves between the Watchers and the vampire. Spike ignored them, instead reaching in and letting Alex grab his finger again. He went to pick her up.
"Spike." He stopped at Joyce's voice, looking over at her questioningly. "If you're going to pick her up you need to get cleaned up first."
"Right," he said, remembering his soot covered skin. "Niblet?"
"I picked up some of your clothes like you asked me too," she said, not taking her eyes of the Watchers. "They're next door along with everything else."
"Thanks," he said, leaving the room with a smirk. The Watchers watched him go wearily.
"Rupert?" Veronica said, not lowering her sword. "What is going on here? Do you know who he is?"
"We know exactly who he is," Joyce said angrily, "he has never tried to hide anything from us. And what is not going on here is a siege in my daughter's hospital room. Spike is part of this family. If you can't handle that the door is right there." She took a few steps forward, pulling the sword away from Veronica's weak grasp. "I appreciate everything you've done for us these last few days, but if I have to choose between my family and the Watcher's Council, there's really no choice." Veronica looked over at her father, obviously torn.
"It is the chipped vampire you reported to the Council?" Albert asked sternly, not relinquishing his weapon. "The one unable to hurt humans?"
"Yes," Giles said, not looking his father in the eye.
"You never said it was one of the Whirlwind. The Slayer of Slayers. I would have ordered you to kill it immediately."
"And Buffy would have defied the Council yet again," Giles said, looking his father in the eyes. "And I would have stood by my Slayer." He held his father's gaze before continuing. "This is a world you do not know. Ancient ideals and outdated policies only hurt here. This is a new world and a new age. The Council can either grow and change and be part of it, or crumble into dust. I've made my choice. What will you choose?" He stared at his son for a long time before putting his axe down.
"What do you think of this Faith?" he asked. "You are the current Chosen One."
"What? No," Faith argued, putting up her hands in defense. "B's the Vampire Slayer. I'm the backup. And I'm good with that." Albert shook his head.
"Buffy Summers died during childbirth," he said calmly. The others looked to Joyce, who minutely nodded her head. "She was revived, of course, but no new Slayer was called. The line rests with Faith now. Faith is the Chosen One. So I ask again. Faith. What do you think about this?" Faith walked over to the other side of the room, staring at her sister Slayer. Buffy watched her contentedly. She was silent for a few minutes before she started to speak.
"It's no secret I've had a few run ins with the Council," she said softly, "and more than a few run ins with this group. I'm able to admit now that I've made my fair share of mistakes and bad decisions. But I was young and stupid. I'm not sure what the Council's excuses were." She turned and stared at the Watchers. "They gave me another chance so I'm giving you another chance. But I can't go back to the way things were. The Slayer can't be another tool you use and discard. The new age of the Slayer is here. I want to be a part of it. What do you want?" Albert stared at her for a minute before his gaze shifted to the still form in the bed.
"I do as well," he admitted quietly. "I want to be a part of this new age of Slayers. I want to see Slayers become the confident young women I know they can be. And I want the Watcher's Council there to support them, not direct them. We should be the tools that the Slayer has, not the other way around. Somewhere throughout the years us Watchers have forgotten that."
"Then we might be able to make this work after all," Faith said honestly just as Spike reentered the room. He went over and picked up Alex, cooing to the infant softly. Anya followed, picking up Billy. Faith watched them for a moment before turning to Joyce. "If it's okay with you I'd like to come to the service. Pay my respects."
"I think Buffy would like that," Joyce said. "The service is at eleven. You're all welcome to come." She turned to the vampire. "I'm sorry it's during the daytime Spike."
"It's alright pet," he reassured her. "I'll stay here with Buffy, make sure no nasties get her, and pay my respects later on tonight." She smiled.
"Thank you Spike. I'm sure Buffy appreciates it." She was about to say more when the crystal started glowing green. The group looked around in concern, Faith and Daniel readying their weapons, when two demons materialized in the middle of the room. The Watchers gasped while the Scoobies groaned. Anya smiled, holding Billy securely.
"Apparently congratulations are in order," D'Hoffryn said directly. Hallie smiled uncertainly.
"Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" Hallie asked, reaching her arms out for the baby. "I would have thrown you an amazing baby shower. All of the demons would have come."
"He's not mine," Anya said awkwardly, hugging the baby closer. Hallie frowned, putting down her arms as she stared at her friend.
"Whose child are you holding?" D'Hoffryn asked kindly. Anya didn't respond, but couldn't keep her eyes from flickering to the other side of the room. "Slayer's," D'Hoffryn stated calmly. "So the rumors are true."
"What rumors?" Giles demanded, stepping up threateningly. D'Hoffryn held his gaze before sighing dejectedly.
"There are Slayer's children here," he told them. "They have nothing to fear from me. I still have high hopes Anyanka will return after her fling with mortality is over, not to mention hope that Willow will join my ranks. I could even find a place for Tara and you two can be together forever."
"No thanks," Willow muttered, "but what do you mean they have nothing to fear from you?"
"Destroying her children is not going to get me in your good books," he said bluntly, holding out his hand to the child Anya held. Billy reached for his finger and held it, a smile on his face. "Vengeance Demons are not fighters. We survive through trickery and outsmarting our opponents. If this truly is the dawn of the Third Age of the Slayer, I want to be on your good side." He took a few steps until he could look at the other infant. "In fact, I wish to give you a gift. None of my demons will grant wishes or act against the Slayer or her children." Anya cleared her throat loudly. "Or her friends," he quickly added.
"You'd do that?" Veronica asked dumbstruck. Hallie took the opportunity to grab Billy from Anya's arms. The others reacted instantly, but they backed down when she just rocked the baby back and forth, cooing softly. D'Hoffryn watched the scene, a small smile playing on his face.
"It is a small price to pay even if the prophecy is wrong. Perhaps the Slayers will remember this and let us go about our business."
"Prophecy?" Giles asked, perking up. "What about a prophecy?"
"I can't remember the details," D'Hoffryn remarked absently, "and there are so many prophecies I would need to consult, but it's better to be prepared for any and all outcomes don't you agree?" He turned to leave. Hallie reluctantly gave the baby back to Anya.
"Do you know anything about the bounty?" Giles asked before they could leave. D'Hoffryn stared at him for several minutes before speaking.
"The bounty was given to all demons. From Wolfram and Hart."
"Wolfram and Hart?" Faith asked. "The law office Angel works at?"
"He controls but one office," D'Hoffryn replied, "there are many more that he has no knowledge of or influence over." He turned to leave then stopped. "I'm telling you this as an act of trust between us." And with that the two demons vanished into thin air. The Scoobies stared after them before gathering up their weapons.
"What are you going to do about this Rupert?" Albert Giles demanded. Giles shrugged.
"Nothing. We have a truce with D'Hoffryn and his group of vengeance demons. As long as he keeps his word they are not our main concern." Albert was about to say more when Joyce beat him.
"He is a friend of this family," she told them in no uncertain terms. "Until he acts differently he is free to come and go as he sees fit." She turned to the Scoobies. "We need to get ready. Can I interest you in a real shower Faith?"
"Yes please. Hospital showers are not all their cracked up to be." She started for the door, stopping when she realized Daniel wasn't following. "Coming?" she asked.
"I'll catch up," he told them, glancing longingly at Buffy. Faith noticed and nodded her understanding. The others shifted uncomfortably.
"We should get ready too," Anya said, bringing the boy to Spike and dumping him into Spike's arms next to his sister. He had to juggle them around for a moment, but soon they both were secure.
"I'll just take these two for a walk around the hallway," he said loudly. Daniel gave him a grateful smile as he followed everybody to the door. He closed the door gently before heading to Buffy's bedside.
"Hey Mom," he started, grabbing her hand automatically. She squeezed his hand and opened her eyes to watch him, giving him the same little smile she always gave her mother. He began to tell her everything about his life, content when she would squeeze his hand. At least for now.
"Hey," Spike greeted quietly as the group, minus the witches, Faith, and Daniel, reentered the hospital room. He was sprawled out on the bed with the twins sleeping soundly on his chest. Joyce smiled at the sight, then frowned when she saw her daughter's bed was empty.
"Where is my daughter?" she demanded, coming over Spike, only to be stopped by Giles.
"Gregory is running the MRI," he reminded her.
"Oh, right. I'm sorry," she apologized to the vampire. "I forgot."
"It's alright pet," he reassured her, "but I wouldn't mind if you picked these little ones up. I may be dead but even I need to move around once in a while." Joyce nodded, carefully picking up Alex while Giles got Billy. Spike stretched out his muscles then stood. "How was the service?"
"Strange," Anya answered honestly. "I didn't think it would be as sad as it was, since she never was technically alive and we never met her, but I cried for her. I cried for a fetus I never even met. I don't know why."
"That's love pet," Spike said knowingly. He blinked back a tear as Gregory came into the room leading a gurney with Buffy on it. Looking at the group Spike could see the same sad faces looking back at him. Even the Watchers had let go of their distrust and hatred. "I called Peaches while you were out," he said, deciding to break the uncomfortable silence. "He said he'd look in on the contract Wolfram and Hart has out on the Slayer. He'll let us know as soon as he finds out something." Giles nodded as the group settled down to wait. Gregory had Buffy back in her bed and was heading toward Joyce when three things happened simultaneously. The second crystal began to glow a deep red, a quiet popping sound could be heard outside followed by the window breaking, and Spike leapt on top of Buffy.
"What the…" Xander started when Spike changed into game face and leapt out the window into the sunlight. He rushed to the window, but soon lost Spike as the vampire raced across the street.
"Oh my God!" Dawn said as she moved closer to Buffy. Buffy was covered with a fine spray of blood on her head and chest. She grabbed towels and quickly began cleaning the Slayer off, leaving Anya to hit the on call button.
"What was that?" Albert Giles asked carefully as his gaze moved between the window Spike jumped out of and the window with the small hole next to it.
"That was someone trying to kill Buffy again," Xander said, moving slightly so Giles could join him at the window once Veronica took Billy. "Someone with a sniper rifle from the top of the parking garage across the street. I caught a little bit of movement, but they're long gone by now."
"And Spike?" Giles asked, taking in the scene.
"I think he took the bullet for her," Dawn told everyone as she cleaned up Buffy as best she could. Abby had entered and was getting warm water to bathe the injured girl.
"And then he went after the shooter," Anya finished, relinquishing her place to the nurse.
"In daylight without any protection!" Joyce huffed. "What was he thinking?"
"He never thinks when it comes to our safety," Anya reminded everybody.
"Mom?" Dawn asked quietly, her face turning pale. Joyce turned to look at her. "I don't think he caught all of the bullet." She lifted a shaking hand and pointed to a spot on Buffy's lower left abdomen. A spot of blood was growing larger.
"Doctor?" Abby asked as she immediately focused on that spot. Gregory came over, cursing as he lifted her gown and examined the area.
"Damn," he said as he lowered her gown again. "Take her down to X-Ray and prepare for surgery." Abby nodded. She grabbed some gauze and began applying pressure to the wound as more nurses and orderlies arrived. They quickly transferred Buffy back onto the gurney and out of the room. "She was shot," Gregory explained to Joyce. "The bullet is still inside her. We need to operate."
"Do it," Joyce said, in a state of shock. Gregory nodded and left the room. "Xander!" she yelled, causing the young man to jump in surprise. "How much longer before we can move them?"
"I can turn the water on right now," he told her. "Another day for Buffy's room and to let everything set in the bathroom."
"Do it," she ordered. "I want us safe in the house tonight." Xander looked around uncomfortably but nodded.
"Joyce," Giles put a calming hand on her shoulder, "Think about what you are saying. Buffy's going into surgery. She won't be ready to move tonight. And even if she is, do you really want to move everybody under the cover of darkness with all the creatures of the night about? Or would you rather wait for the warm sun on your face?"
"You're right," she admitted, taking a calming breath before turning to face Xander. "I'm sorry Xander. I just want my family safe."
"I understand," he smiled gently at her, "and I want everybody safe too. But Giles is right. We can't move them until tomorrow."
"We could try having Willow and Tara cast the protective spells again," Anya offered. "They both left so the spell would have fallen apart."
"Don't bother. Wouldn't have worked anyway." They turned to see Spike coming down the hall, dragging something behind him. He was beginning to burn from the rays of the sun, but otherwise looked alright. "He's human." He flung the broken body into the middle of the room.
"Spike!" Joyce growled, one part of her was relieved that he made it back okay. The other part furious with him. "What were you thinking?" She immediately pulled him to the side and began checking his wounds. At the same time the Watchers focused on the assassin.
"You hurt him?" Veronica asked, looking at his beaten frame. The man was beaten and unconscious now, but would have looked very handsome if they had met in a bar.
"I wanted to kill him," Spike said, not denying hurting the assassin. "But I made a promise." He looked over to Giles. "But you might let me kill him once you find out who he is."
"What?" he said, looking over in time to catch something Spike threw at him. He stared at it for a few minutes before sinking into a chair. "Dear Lord," he started muttering.
"What?" Veronica demanded. He held the ring up for everyone to see.
"Not those guys again," Xander groaned. Veronica held out her hand and Giles passed the ring over.
"The Order of Taraka?" she asked hesitantly. "Didn't you best them before?"
"Yes," he admitted, "but then there were just three." He turned to Spike. "How did you contact the Order and rescind the bounty?"
"I didn't," he admitted. "I was never trying to kill the Slayer, just slow her down a bit." Everyone looked at him with disbelief on their faces. "Okay, at the time I wouldn't have minded if they did manage to kill her, I just didn't think that was likely. I offered up three contracts, first come first serve. I didn't even have the money to cover them." He chuckled lightly, which turned into a hiss when Joyce pulled his shirt off his burns.
"Now that I do believe," Giles said tiredly.
"I was evil," Spike repeated again, "but I honestly didn't think any of them would be able to take her out. She's too good to be taken out by rent-a-thugs." He turned around, noticing for the first time Buffy wasn't there. "Where is she?" he asked.
"In surgery," Joyce answered. "The bullet hit her too." Spike hung his head. "Which reminds me." She turned to face the vampire, arms crossed in the very familiar angry mom position. Spike cowered before her. "What were you thinking running after him like that? In broad daylight as well?"
"I wasn't thinking," Spike admitted, hanging his head slightly, "just reacting. Somebody tried to hurt my girl."
"Spike," Joyce sighed. She rolled her eyes the way she did whenever any of her kids gave her a noble, but stupid answer. "Thank you for keeping Buffy safe, but if you ever do anything so stupid again I'll stake you myself. You're a part of this family now and we think before we act."
"Sorry Mum," Spike said feeling ashamed. He was about to say more when the assassin bolted upright, pulling a small knife from his boot, and attacked Buffy once again. He didn't get far as Spike immediately grabbed the hand with the knife in it. With a crack, Spike bent the hand backwards, clearly breaking the assassin's wrist, until the knife fell harmlessly to the floor. Spike then twisted the assassin's arm behind his back, throwing him to the wall and away from everyone.
"You'll never win," he said. "We will get our bounty." Then the man bit down hard on the inside of his mouth. Within seconds he started convulsing, Spike jumped away as he started foaming at the mouth. Soon he was dead.
"Poison," Giles said as he examined the dead assassin. Albert came over too, but not to examine the body but to stare at his son.
"Why was it able to hurt a human?" he asked. "I thought it couldn't hurt humans. What happened to the chip? If it can hurt humans it must be destroyed."
"It is standing right here," Spike snarled, slipping into his game face, "and it is starting to get pissed off."
"Spike," Giles warned. Spike nodded and backed down, heading across the room to sit next to Joyce again. She resumed her ministrations. "Father that's enough. Even if you detest him as much as I did, Spike deserves more respect than that. He is part of this family and has done a lot of good since he joined us. If you can't respect him at least show him the common courtesy that all too often eludes demons. And some humans for that matter." Giles held his father's gaze until the elder Giles backed down. "I never told the Council of Spike's new status since I knew this would be the reaction. Kill. That's the Council's answer to everything."
"Are you saying we should let demons live simply because they say they have a change of heart?" Veronica asked outraged. Giles shook his head.
"Of course not. Words alone are not enough. But when actions accompany the words, sometimes the right course of action is to let them try. The world has changed. Demons are no longer on the fringes of society looking in. They have integrated themselves into society so well that I doubt the Council even realizes how many demons walk among us every day."
"Demons will never change," Albert insisted.
"They already have," Giles countered. "There are several who live in Sunnydale who simply want to live their lives like everyone else."
"And you allow this?" Veronica asked speechlessly.
"Yes," Giles told them. "As long as they don't willfully endanger any lives we allow them to live peacefully." Albert looked unconvinced. He turned to glare at the vampire.
"How long has the monster been unchained?" Giles opened his mouth to protest but stopped when Spike answered.
"Over four years," he said, looking the Watcher directly in the eye.
"How many humans have you killed since that time?"
"None," Spike answered. Albert widened his eyes in surprise.
"How many humans have you hurt since that time?"
"A few," Spike answered honestly. Albert smirked only to be brought up short by Spike's next words. "But only those stupid enough to attack me or my family. Rupes knows all about them."
"Rupert?"
"He speaks the truth," Giles told his father before turning to the vampire. "How many demons have you killed?"
"In the last few days or the last few years?" Spike smirked. Giles rolled his eyes but continued.
"How many times have you stopped the demons from opening the Hellmouth? How many apocalypses have you helped stop?"
"A few good deeds does not outweigh a lifetime of evil," Albert insisted. "Can you guarantee that he won't start killing humans again?"
"Can anyone guarantee that?" Spike asked tiredly. He was getting fed up with this assault on him. "Can you guarantee you will never grab a shotgun and go out into the middle of the square and start taking people out?" He gave them a few minutes to think about that. "There are no guarantees in life. Trying to hold a demon to a standard that humanity can't maintain is a bit unfair mate. But you're right. Four years of good deeds doesn't make up for over a hundred years of badness. But if you never give anyone the chance to change, to make things right, you'll never make up any." The two stared at each other until they were interrupted by the door opening. Gregory walked in, a chart held loosely in his hands.
"Gregory," Joyce started, "how is Buffy?"
"She's still in surgery," he told them, sensing the tension in the room. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No," Spike backed down, sitting back into the chair.
"Oh my God," Gregory exclaimed, hurrying over to the vampire's side when he saw the burns on his exposed skin. He ran a critical eye over him, quickly spotting the entry and exit wounds the bullet made, when he remembered the other Watchers in the room. "I wish I could help you," he said, throwing a sly look towards Albert, "but its Council policy to never help a vampire."
"It's okay Doc," Spike said, "I'll heal okay on my own."
"Why do you stay?" Albert asked, all trace of venom out of his voice now. "You've been uninhibited for four years. Why did you stay in Sunnydale and fight on the side of the Slayer?" Spike sighed.
"I never meant to," he admitted. "After the commandos got me I tried everyone else I could think of first. Nobody would take me in. When I had nowhere else to turn to I came to this lot. They didn't want to, they certainly didn't like it, but they took me in. And I didn't make it easy for them. Like any wounded animal I lashed out at everyone, but they still kept me. Granted chained up in Watcher's bathtub was not what I was expecting."
"What?" Veronica laughed, looking at her brother. "You never mentioned that Rupert."
"And I never will," he said, glaring at Spike. The vampire just grinned.
"I tried several times to go back to my old life. Every time the commandos foiled my plans. And every time this group welcomed me back and helped me. When I realized I could still hurt demons it was like I was reborn. I never lived for the hunt like other vamps. I live for the fight. And suddenly I was back in it, granted on the other side, but I was okay with that as long as I could still fight. I never expected to fall in love with the Slayer, but I did. I never tried to hurt her friends because I knew she wouldn't like that, but somewhere along the way they all grew on me."
"And what about when she dies?" Albert asked quietly. Spike growled. "She is mortal. She will die. Everyone in this room will."
"I don't know," he admitted softly, looking down for the first time. "I can't tell you what will happen in fifty years or a hundred years. I wish I could tell you that I'd stay here, watching over her grandchildren and great grandchildren, defending the Hellmouth from any bestie that tried to wreak havoc on my home, but I can't. I don't know what the future will hold any more than you do. What I can promise is I will stay until they ask me to leave."
"I'm beginning to see why my son finds you so fascinating," Albert said quietly. Giles coughed discretely and Veronica stared open mouthed at her father. Albert caught Gregory's gaze and gave a subtle nod. The doctor raced over to where Joyce was trying to patch up the vampire.
"This is amazing," he said, fixing up the vampire's wounds but also studying them in a way he never thought he could. "Does this hurt?"
"Hey!" warned Spike. "I am not a bloody science experiment."
"Sorry," Gregory said. He managed to contain his excitement, but still studied the vampires healing ability with amazement.
"Did you have some news for us?" Joyce asked as she handed him the gauze. His shoulders slumped. He finished bandaging Spike, hoping to put off the moment a bit.
"We're back," Willow announced as she led her group into the room. "We placed wards around Anyamarie's grave. Nothing will be able to disturb her peace." She fell silent as she took in the room.
"What happened?" Faith demanded.
"They went after Buffy again," Xander said, not moving from his spot at the window.
"Is she okay?" Faith asked. "Where is she?"
"She is in surgery," Gregory explained. "She was shot. Thanks to Spike the bullet didn't penetrate very far. Ben is simply taking extra time to fully irrigate the wound to try and avoid as much cross contamination as possible. They should be along shortly."
"Then why the glum face Doc?" Faith asked. Gregory sighed, handing the remains of Spike's shirt back to him before picking up the folder.
"I have the results of the MRI," he told Joyce. "Would you like to go somewhere private to discuss them?" Joyce shook her head.
"Just tell me," she whispered, clinging onto Spike's hand for support.
"The results were not as encouraging as I hoped," Gregory admitted. "It shows minimal brain activity and practically no activity along her spinal cord below her injury." Everyone was silent as they absorbed the news.
"What does that mean Doctor?" Albert asked solemnly. Gregory turned to face the head Watcher.
"From a medical standpoint it is unlikely she'll ever walk again," he told them quietly, "and unlikely her mental state will ever reach anything like it was before." Silence settled over the room.