A/N: This chapter takes place directly after the Ats episode 'Sleep Tight', which aired the same week as 'Hells Bells'. Don't worry if you haven't seen the episode or any of Angel for that matter, I got ya.

As always Betaed by the incredible Geliot99

There was an odd almost gurgling sound on the other end before Angel spoke. "I'm looking for Willow."

"Willow and her girlfriend moved out, got their own little place now. I could give you the number if you'd ask nicely."

Angel let out a frustrated huff. "Put Buffy on, Spike."

Spike ran a hand through his hair. "What's got your knickers in a bunch?"

"I'm not talking to you! Where's Buffy? Let me talk to her!" Angel demanded with a growl.

Spike rolled his eyes. "Keep your hair on…" He didn't want to wake Buffy up for anything but he knew there was no way Angel was going to let it go. "Buffy, wake up, Luv," he murmured in her ear.

Buffy rolled groggily. "What's up, Hun?"

"Phone for you. The Great-Forehead, looking for Willow. Won't talk to me."

Buffy groaned, taking the phone. The conversation wasn't a long one but Buffy was sitting up by the end of it. She handed the phone back to Spike to hang up and frowned. "Did you hear all that?"

Spike nodded. "Most of it."

"Yeah, well he's calling Willow now. He wouldn't tell me what happened but he sounds really freaked. It sounds like he might be coming back to Sunnydale."

"Bloody brilliant…" he scoffed and flopped back onto the pillows. "would seem the newlyweds had the right idea heading out for the honeymoon straight away."

"Yeah well Hallie offering to teleport them to and from anyplace they wanted to go as their wedding gift, seriously cut down on the cost." With an awkward movement that made her feel a little like a beached whale, Buffy rolled over to face him, shimmying down into the covers again. "Are you going to be okay with Angel coming?"

Spike reached for her hand, examining the ring that looked almost like it had been made for her. "So long as you're sure about marrying me, I'll be alright."

"I'm more than sure, Spike. I'm like super sure. If you asked me now or in three months or three years, I would've still said yes."

His gaze pierced through her, searching for any trace of doubt. He had been utterly devoted to her before she had even jumped and now— something in the way she had been able to essentially "fix" him had seemed like something out of a fairy tale. It all seemed too good to be true— Which meant that it probably was and Angel showing up out of the blue would be just the thing to burst their perfect little domestic bubble.

Almost as though she could read his mind, Buffy scooted into him a little more. Placing a hand on his cheek, she pulled him into a kiss. "Quit worrying. I'm pretty sure just finding out about us is going to be enough to send him spinning. I mean he already seemed pretty spinny on the phone."

"Was more than a little curious about that," he hummed thoughtfully.

She snuggled in as close as she could, wedging her feet between his calves and pressing her baby bump against his stomach. "Come on, let's get some sleep. I have a feeling that whatever has Angel all wigged out isn't a fluffy puppy," she murmured, wrapping an arm around his back.

Spike snorted a laugh. "Imagine not."

Buffy was in the living room doing prenatal yoga as she tried to sort through all the things rolling through her head. Spike's abrupt proposal hadn't exactly taken her by surprise. Especially since the subject of marriage somehow seemed to keep coming up between them.

His adorably fumbled attempt had been oddly perfect. It was a little soon by some standards perhaps, especially considering everything they had both been through in the last six months and change. Yet she had no doubts, she had made the right decision.

The fact that Angel had called for help only hours after she had accepted Spike's ring was mind boggling. She had to keep reminding herself that he had been looking for Willow, not her. Even so, there was something about the situation that irked her to no end.

Her thoughts were still rambling along that path when Willow and Tara came in with Dawn. They were all carrying books and spell supplies.

Buffy was just finishing a series of standing warrior poses and stood up stretching out her arms and back. "Hey guys, what's up? Did you get Angel all fixed up?" She asked.

Tara and Willow gave each other a tired look. Willow set down the books she was carrying on the coffee table and collapsed on the couch. "Not even close. We've been up since he called." Willow sighed dejectedly. "We came over to warn you he's on his way, Giles should be here soon too."

"And my house is ground zero… yippee…"

"I'm really sorry Buffy, but you're the only one who has the space I need to do this. It's a time sensitive issue. Angel's son has been kidnapped to a hell dimension. Time can be really weird in those places so we have to act fast to get him back." Willow explained in a rush.

"Angel has a son?" Buffy asked blankly.

"Apparently the vamp-daddy thing isn't as unique as we thought," Willow shrugged.

Buffy laid her hands on her belly. "And here I thought we were going to be the ones with the major bombshell."

"Somehow I think it's still going to be plenty bombshell-y," Willow interjected. "the whole Spike thing especially."

Buffy glanced at the new ring on her finger. "Ohh yeah. Definitely got more than a few bombshells in this house." She cleared her throat. "What's the plan?"

Willow started laying out books on the coffee table. "Well the guy who opened the portal was nice enough to do the whole bad-guy monologue thing and tell Angel exactly where it was going, so we have that. Angel really just needs someone who can open the portal on this side and summon his son."

"Can you really do that?" Buffy asked, impressed. It was clear Willow's magic was much more proficient since bringing her back from the dead. Now mixed with her newfound confidence, it was something else altogether. Willow was coming into her own, blooming.

"I'm going to need Giles and Tara to help and…" Willow trailed off looking a little ashamed. The look somehow didn't manage to diminish Buffy's judgment that she was truly developing her craft. Just the opposite really. The fact that she was seeking help and support from trusted sources was a comfort. At the moment though, there was an unease hanging in the air that set Buffy on edge.

"What? What else?" Buffy asked, looking at each of them in turn.

"She thinks my blood will help." Dawn said matter of factly.

Buffy's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"

"Just a few drops. I s-swear! And it's just to stabilize the connection." Tara defended nervously.

"Tara's right, Buffy, it's way different than what Glory was doing…"

"Oh so it's friendly bloodletting?" She asked sarcastically.

Willow's face scrunched up in an apology. "Yes?" She all but squeaked. "Once it's open I'm going to need Angel's blood too; for the summoning spell."

Buffy chewed her lip and huffed, looking at her sister. "And you're okay with this?"

Dawn looked a little surprised. "Buffy, I might not like Angel, like at all, but this is a baby we're talking about. Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same thing, because you already have… in a majorly big way and then some. I'll be fine, Buffy."

Buffy worried her lip and nodded weakly. "You're right. I know you're totally right… I guess I just got a little mama bear there for a second."

"It's honestly probably the safest way to do it, Buffy. Otherwise I'd have to keep holding the portal open while trying to do the spell and honestly, that could get a little dicey, this way it should stay open no matter what until I'm done with the spell," Willow added.

Buffy gave another nod. "Go on, get your prep stuff done. I'm going to hit the shower and wake up a vampire," she hesitated a moment. "You're not going to do this in my living room are you?"

"And risk damaging the furniture? No way! This is going to be a backyard kind of light show."

Buffy gave her a withering smile before turning away. The ring on her finger caught Buffy's eye as she started up the stairs with her hand on the bannister. With everything going on, it hardly seemed like the time to share her latest news, and yet she wasn't about to hide her ring. She was done hiding things from her friends.

The sun had barely set when there was a knock at the back door. Buffy opened it to find Angel standing next to a petite woman with long brown hair, a good looking bald man with dark brown skin and just behind them a demon with green skin and little red horns. Buffy blinked a few times before turning to the side to let them in. Angel hesitated, eyeing Buffy's obviously pregnant state.

He worked his throat, gesturing toward her with one hand. "Buffy… wow, look at you! When did this happen?"

"Technically just before I died— but the whole resurrection thing is what actually made this all possible," she said, gesturing to her belly.

His eyebrows went up. "Seriously?"

Buffy nodded as Angel and his friends filed into the kitchen. "We kinda thought the whole vamp-daddy thing was a one of a kind situation. But I guess not," she said, eyeing him expectedly.

"Vamp-Daddy?" He swallowed hard. "Spike?"

She nodded. "He has a soul now, and we're living together. I love him, Angel. Is that going to be a problem?"

Angel's expression went completely blank, eyes dark and flat.

The green skinned demon gently pushed forward, past Angel to embrace Buffy's hands. "Alrighty then," he smiled brightly as he caught sight of her ring and she could have sworn he gave a quick wink. "Don't mind him, Sunshine, his manners left with the little guy. I'm Lorne, congratulations by the way. This brainy little Gumdrop here is Fred," he gestured to the slender woman.

Fred waved shyly. "Hi there," she said with a Texan twang.

Lorne continued. "And this fella here is Charles Gunn."

Gunn offered her his hand. "We've heard a lot about you, it's an honor."

Buffy shook his hand. "Hum, thanks, welcome to the Hellmouth," she murmured and turned back to Angel. "What happened to Cordelia and Wesley?"

"Cordy is fine," Angel growled.

At the mention of Wesley's name they had all gone silent. It wasn't just silence, but a cold deathly quiet. Sensing her misstep, Buffy cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, was Wes killed or— eh, something?"

"He'll wish he had died if I don't get my son back," Angel uttered through a clenched jaw.

Buffy swallowed hard, eying his companions, they all seemed to be in various degrees of an odd mix of shock and agreement. The air was thick with tension as Buffy led them into the living room where Willow, Tara, Dawn, Giles, and Spike were waiting.

There weren't any seats left after everyone had settled in, so Buffy slipped onto Spike's lap where he sat in his usual spot on the couch. Spike rested his hand protectively on Buffy's belly, a smirk etched on his face. "Everything alright, pet?"

Buffy shook her head almost imperceptibly. "Let's just hope Willow can get the little guy back."

Angel eyed the two of them quietly as introductions were made.

"Angel, would you mind filling us in on the situation?" Giles asked pointedly.

Angel cleared his throat. "This guy, Holtz, somehow got Wesley to bring Conner to one of his people, they slit Wes' throat, but not well. He's in the hospital. Holtz still got Conner. Then this demon, Sahjhan, who Conner is supposed to kill according to some prophecy shows up along with some of Wolfram and Hart's goons. He went off script and opened up this portal and that's when— that's when Holtz ran through it with Conner… It all happened so fast- they had guns and Conner's so little- I—" Angel broke off, unable to contain the emotion in his voice.

Willow cleared her throat. "Well you came to the right place, I think we can get your son back," she said. She shifted a few papers and started going over the plan.

"Angel? Are you listening?" Willow asked when she noticed his blank stare, drawing his attention to her. His gaze had drifted back toward Buffy sitting comfortably in Spike's lap.

"You need my blood for the spell— yeah I got it. Whatever gets my son back the fastest way possible, then we'll be out of your hair," Angel growled coolly, eyeing Spike.

"Nice to see you're focusing on your priorities, Peaches," Spike answered.

"If this works then surely you will want to spend some time with your son before returning home? He may not be in any condition to travel such a distance so soon. I'm sure it would benefit all of you to rest a day or two," Giles interjected.

Buffy tightened her grip on Spike's nape where her hand rested. "Giles is right, you don't have to rush. I'm sure we can figure out accommodations," she offered halfheartedly.

"Let's just cut to it already. We can talk about this stuff later," Angel answered.

Willow cleared her throat. "Okay then, time for some baby-retrieving hocus-pocus."

Buffy stood on the back porch with Spike, Gunn, and Lorne watching as the others got everything set up for the spell. A few moments later, Fred joined them. "They're just about ready. Willow is pretty impressive. I had been worried about the portal collapsing but she's found a way around that."

"That's what my little sister brings to the table." Buffy watched as Dawn let Willow cut a line across her palm and squeeze out several thick drops into a bowl Willow had prepared with herbs.

"She's pretty incredible to help Angel like this," Fred responded in a hushed twang.

"Yeah, I guess she kinda is." Buffy's heart swelled with pride as she watched as Tara tended to Dawn's hand with the contents of a first aid kit, wrapping it and pointing her toward the spot Buffy stood. Buffy held out her arm to Dawn when she came up. "Come here you weirdo mystical ball of energy you," she murmured, pulling her into a one armed hug. "how's the hand?"

Dawn shrugged her shoulders. "It's okay, I just hope it works."

Buffy gave her a little squeeze but didn't say anything as Willow set the bowl with Dawn's blood down in the grass. Giles and Tara came up on either side of her, the three of them chanting in unison. A bright green flame shot up from the bowl, rising higher and expanding into a circular portal tinged with sparks of the same bright green at the edges. The world beyond the portal was a reddish desolate looking landscape, a dried husk. Certainly no place to raise a child.

The moment the portal was stable, Angel stepped towards Willow, jaw clenched. He vamped, pulled his sleeve up and bit the inside of his own forearm, squeezing blood from the wound into a second bowl.

"Always was a drama queen," Spike muttered into Buffy's ear without heat. He moved into her a little closer wrapping an arm around her and Dawn both. The truth was that he felt for Angel in a way he never had. He knew what it was like to lose someone and it wasn't an experience he was eager to repeat. Despite his deep seeded resentment toward Angel, a part of him had an idea of what he was going through. Remembering when Glory had taken Dawn had given him a sudden flash of insight into what he would do if someone had taken one of his girls, especially the two that hadn't even taken their first breaths yet. He squeezed Buffy and Dawn a little tighter. His entire world literally within his grasp.

Willow was still reading the summoning spell when a dog-like creature suddenly leapt out from the portal.

Dog-like was far too kind. This creature was more like a bizarre cross between a hyena and a komodo dragon with its leathery skin and reptilian snout full of jagged teeth. The creature paced in front of the portal eying Angel whose focus was on Willow. The creature rounded onto Angel as though it had been trained to seek him out specifically.

"You just got friends everywhere don't you, gramps?" Spike said as he separated from his family and propelled himself off the porch heading straight for the beast.

Angel turned abruptly, kicked the thing in the jaw. "Not the time, runt," he retorted.

Spike gripped the snarling creature by the back haunches, yanking it away from Angel. "Don't just stand there, Red! Work your mojo! Get the kid! We got this." He shot Angel a rye smile. "Just like old times huhh?"

Angel delivered a few more strikes as the thing tried to kick Spike off. "Hold it still would you?!"

"Dude, what the hell is this thing?" Gunn cut in as he tossed Angel an ax and went to help Spike hold it down.

"Ain't it obvious? It's one of Gozer's Terror Dog rejects!" Spike quipped.

"What I wouldn't give for a proton pack," Gunn snickered as he tightened his grip on its hindquarters.

"Wouldn't say 'No' to one myself— You got Zuul here?" Spike bellowed to Gunn.

"I ain't doing this by myself!" Gunn huffed.

"Well you two sure aren't keeping it, so quit naming the damn thing!" Angel huffed as he struck it in the side of the face with the flat of the ax.

Spike repositioned himself with one booted foot on a hind leg. "Just because you don't get movie references, Liam—" Spike said as he stood up. "don't mean it's not— relevant!" He punctuated the last word delivering a powerful kick to its lower spine with his free leg.

The creature started to let out a cry but Angel silenced it by cleaving its head in two with a powerful thwack.

Angel jerked his head toward Spike. "Help me with the trash."

Spike nodded curtly and the two of them hefted the beast's body back through the portal with a thud, stepping back quickly.

In a sudden flash of swirling golden green light, the portal suddenly slammed shut. In its place stood a very small toddler, just over a year old, with untidy dark hair. The baby was dressed in what appeared to be animal hides, screaming and crying at the top of his little lungs.

After a moment of shocked silence, Angel swooped down on him, scooping the child up in his arms. "It's okay buddy, it's alright. Daddy's got you now," he crooned gently. The relief washing over Angel was visible as he calmed the small child. His face was full of emotion as he turned around to everyone who had helped him retrieve his son.

Gunn stepped forward, placing a hand on Angel's shoulder. "I don't want to be the guy to say it, but are you sure it's him, man? I mean Conner wasn't even big enough to sit up on his own."

"It's him," Angel confirmed.

Fred who had rushed out into the yard the moment the baby appeared piped up. "It's the time differentiation between dimensions. My guess is, if he had been there longer, even just a few weeks our time, he might have been a teenager or older."

"Good heavens, you mean to say the child has aged that much in just a matter of days?" Giles asked incredulously.

Angel nodded. "Connor is technically only four and a half months old," he bounced the little boy in his arms a little more and he started to giggle. "Looks like daddy missed a few things huh? You're such a big boy now!"

"Do we know if this Holtz fella who took him has a way back?" Spike asked.

Angel shook his head. "I don't know for sure. I'm more worried about Sahjhan and getting Connor trained enough so he can eventually take the guy down. That's why you're here huh, buddy? You were born to take out this bad guy? Weren't you buddy? Yes you were! Yes you were!" He was happily bouncing the fussy child.

Tara stepped forward timidly. "I don't mean to break this up but does anyone else think maybe it would be a good idea if we got him checked out by a doctor, or at least make sure he doesn't have any kind of a magical tracker on him or something?"

Willow clutched her girlfriend's hand. "That's a good idea, sweetie," she agreed, nodding emphatically to Angel.

Angel frowned a little. "It's not going to hurt him is it?"

"No way! We can do it while you give him a bath. You can check him out physically and we can do the magic thing. If you want, I might even be able to do a protection spell on him so your bad guy can't find him."

That got Angel's attention. "Do it."

"Alright then," Willow turned toward Buffy who was still on the porch with Dawn and Lorne. "You mind if we give the little guy a bath?"

"Knock yourselves out," Buffy answered.

Fred linked her arm through Gunn's. "Maybe we should go get some clothes and things for the baby. I don't think any of the stuff we brought will fit now."

"Ahh yeah," he looked around. "Anyone want to give us directions?"

"Nonsense, I'll drive you," Giles said with a smile as he moved forward, pulling out his keys and the three of them left via the yard.

Angel followed Willow and Tara into the house, still clutching Connor close to him. Leaving only Spike standing at the bottom of the steps looking up at Buffy, Dawn and Lorne.

"Well that wasn't something you see every day now was it?" Spike chuckled as he made his way up the steps.

"I just love a happy ending," Lorne beamed.

"Noticed you didn't join in on the fun down here, what's that about?" Spike asked him.

"I'm more of a lover than a fighter. I only really came for moral support. I'll let papa get in some much needed baby snuggles before I'll take my turn and start serenading the little tyke again."

"Oh, do you sing?" Dawn asked him with interest as they walked into the house.

"Do I sing? Oh, sweetheart, just try to stop me. Like asking a fish if he can swim," Lorne answered with a smile.

Buffy tugged on Spike's hand, lingering in the kitchen while Dawn and Lorne chatted animatedly in the living room. Dawn was fascinated by Lorne, who for his part didn't seem at all perturbed by her onslaught of questions.

Buffy opened the fridge door, pulling out the orange juice. "Could you get me a glass please?"

Spike pulled one from the dish strainer and handed it to her. "What are you thinking, Slayer?"

She sat on a stool with a little huff. "That whole thing was just a little weird tonight."

"What, portals to other dimensions and demon dogs getting you all creeped out now?" He asked with a hint of concern.

She waved a hand. "That's not what I meant. It was super weird just standing on the sidelines… I kept thinking I should be helping and then the babies started kicking and— I just kinda froze and held on to Dawn a little tighter. It was so weird…"

"Think they call that parenthood… or, protection mode or maybe it's nesting… I'm not exactly an expert on these things but I have no doubt that wanting to both help and protect our daughters, is totally natural."

Buffy chuckled quietly. "I'm just used to being in the fight. For a second there I thought about calling for the Buffy-bot but then Gunn jumped in and you broke it's back. Nice job by the way, super hot." She smirked as she drank her orange juice.

Spike moved in a little closer, offsetting his body to one side to press in against her at a bump accommodating angle. He raised a hand slowly, lowering the juice glass. "Told you I'd try to play nice… Don't worry about tonight, we had it handled, this time anyway… you'll get back out there soon enough. Fighting the good fight and all that…" He paused to curl a finger into her hair. "Now, what do you say to a foot rub and maybe see where it takes us?"

Buffy pressed into him for a kiss. "With a house full of random people, including my ex and his kid? Nice try mister," she smiled wryly. "but I'm definitely not turning down the foot rub. You should patent those."

"On with you then." He made a playful shooing gesture towards the living room, where Dawn and Lorne were still chatting. Spike settled into the middle of the couch next to Dawn, letting Buffy stretch her legs over his lap.

"I'm surprised you're not upstairs getting in some baby practice, Dawnie," Buffy said as she toed off her shoes, letting them clunk to the floor. Spike settled her feet in his lap and began kneading her sore muscles with his fingertips.

"Still kinda anti-Angel. I'm just giving him some space," Dawn answered, pulling her knees up to her chest.

Buffy nodded in understanding.

Lorne crossed his legs, shifting in his seat. "Oh now, I know he can be a bit of a grouch but he's not so bad. I'm sure he'll be loads better now baby-boy is back safe."

Buffy shook her head. "You haven't met Angelus I take it?"

"Ehh, sort of, not exactly—" Lorne confessed.

"He killed my hamsters… set them up in my old doll house…" Dawn murmured sadly.

"It was pretty grizzly for a kid," Buffy agreed. "it was the same night he strung up Willow's fish..."

Lorne pulled a revolted face. "But as long as his soul is intact and Angelus is in his cage all's peachy keen," he said in a hopeful, upbeat tone.

Spike laughed. "The curse is the fact Angel can't get over all the horrible things he did and move past it. It's a perpetual guilt trip. That rotten soul ain't the cage, it's the guilt. It's why he works so hard to convince everyone he's two different people. That's a load of rot I never did buy and even less now I've got my own soul. Granted, mine's curse free, but I can guarantee the amnesia act is just that, an act."

Lorne gave Spike a serious look. "Alright then, if that's true, then you shouldn't mind singing for me."

"Sing?"

"Yes, sing. Any old thing. Go on babe, something tells me you got a solid set of pipes on you."

"What the bloody hell for?"

"Humour me," Lorne answered.

Buffy nudged him with the foot not currently in his hands. "Go on, I think the girls like hearing daddy sing."

Spike gave Buffy's foot a squeeze and switched to the other one. "Oh well if it's for the girls…" he huffed a laugh and began singing The Buzzcocks 'Orgasm Addict'.

Until Buffy kicked him and Dawn started slapping him with a squeal of. "Ewww that's so gross!"

Spike laughed hysterically for a second before he settled down and started to sing again, this time he went with 'Rockaway Beach' by The Ramones. He turned back to Lorne. "Satisfied, mate?"

"So what did you see?" Dawn asked Lorne excitedly .

Lorne raised an eyebrow. "That you're future brother-in-law here doesn't sugarcoat much, he's being completely honest," he paused, wiggling his index finger between Buffy and Spike. "You two are a delightful little match made in heaven, almost literally," he gave a nervous laugh. "Which brings me to the last thing I saw. Some gaudy as hell necklace, about the size of my palm shows up- it's not for either of you. You got it? I couldn't see much but I know it's got to be a Champion. You let someone outside of your little family have the job. You hear me?" Lorne finished with an extremely serious look on his face.

"Just say "No" to horrible jewelry, that it?" Spike asked.

"What do you want from me? I get what I get. Although after that one I'm dying for a Sea Breeze," Lorne said, casting an eye toward the stairs.

Spike chuckled. "Best I can do here is a Cape Cod, all out of grapefruit juice but I think we still have a lime in there."

Lorne raised an eyebrow. "You know your drinks."

"Hope so, I'm a bartender at the local club."

"Knew, I liked you."