A/N: I realize I have been remiss in providing sufficient Spuffy smut recently. I assure you that these two are definitely enjoying each other's company thoroughly and on a very regular basis. I do hope that this chapter at least somewhat makes up for the dereliction of duty.

Thank you Geliot99 for all your help!

The invitations for the Baby Shower had already gone out and Buffy was starting to get responses from the few family members she had left. Most of them saying they couldn't come which didn't surprise her in the slightest. A few of them had sent cards, and even fewer had sent gifts.

As predicted, their elderly Great-Aunt Dolly had called to berate her for her life choices. Buffy rolled her eyes at the woman's tirade. "I don't know what the big deal is, Aunt Dolly, it's not like I don't know who the father is! We live together and we actually are planning on getting married."

The old woman clucked her tongue over the phone. "Living in sin. I can only imagine what your poor mother would say about all this. Not to mention the message you're sending little Dawn! Poor girl lost her mother and now she has to deal with her sister's mistakes."

That had done it. Buffy had more than enough by that point but that comment alone put the proverbial stake in their already non-existent relationship. "I guess that will just save us the hassle of sending you an invite to the wedding then!" Buffy said with faux enthusiasm as she hung up the phone with undue force.

Dawn eyed her with trepidation as she came down the stairs. "Do I even want to know?"

"Aunt Dolly," Buffy sneered at the phone.

"Oh… well that explains it."

"Yup!" Buffy huffed, rubbing her very round belly, trying to ease out a sore spot where one of the babies was resting awkwardly near her hip bone. "Stupid old bat."

Dawn came down the last few steps and ran her fingers over the newel post. "Are you alright?"

"Just hormonal and uber pissy. Who does she think she is anyway? It's not like she gives a damn about us! Sometimes I think it's a good thing we never hear from most of these stupid people. What was I thinking, giving Tara all these addresses?" Buffy retorted.

Dawn frowned, wincing internally. Halfrek hadn't produced their father yet and she was starting to feel anxious. The shower was drawing near and she had the sinking feeling that Halfrek was going to crash the event. Except that she wasn't crashing because she was invited. Crap…

She had spent so much time trying to word her wish just right to get what they both needed and now it seemed like it was blowing up in her face. She wracked her brain, trying to remember exactly what she had actually wished for. A reason for his absence… an explanation… an apology?

No not that. An apology at this point would be worth less than vamp-dust. Closure… that was the word. How could that possibly go wrong? Right? Even Spike thought that sounded okay… right before he snuck back into the house. What the heck is "plausible deniability" anyway? Whatever— It seemed like the right answer at the time, but what if I screwed up?

"Earth to Dawn… anyone home?" Buffy said, waving a hand in front of her sister's face.

Dawn took a startled step back. "Yeah, just eh… I'm fine. Just thinking about the shower I guess. I never realized how much crazy one of these things brought on."

"You said it. I'm almost wishing I told Willow and Tara not to bother."

The doorbell rang as though on cue and Dawn turned to open it revealing a delivery man with an extremely large box. Dawn took it, reading the label. "I'm not saying you don't have a point but, hey look! Gifts!" She exclaimed, hefting the huge package and nearly dropping it.

Buffy took it from her with ease, propping it atop her belly, and waddled into the living room to set it on the coffee table.

It was from their grandmother who lived on the other side of the country in Florida. She opened the box, unfolding a riot of pink and gold tissue paper, and let out a gasp.

Where Buffy's heart had been raging against Aunt Dolly's insults a moment before, it was now consumed by a fierce love for her grandmother.

The box was completely filled with the most adorable onesies, footed sleepers, little dresses, and tiny shoes. Two of everything. All of it was packed neatly into a baby bathtub along with hooded towels, washcloths, and little pink rubber duckies. Buffy nearly burst into tears when she saw the matching novelty onesies that read "Strong and Beautiful, just like Mommy."

Dawn pulled the card from the box reading it. "Well, at least Grandma still loves us. Oh, and she gave us her updated phone number too… huh, no wonder she didn't call back. I thought she just liked snail mail—" Dawn said as she continued to read silently.

"What'd she do, write a book?"

Dawn hummed thoughtfully, "A letter. She wants you to call her if you have any motherhood questions or just want to talk."

"Wonder what she can tell me about card-stealing teenage-brats," Buffy chuckled. Her grandma's gift had lightened her mood considerably.

"Hey! That's not fair! I've been staying out of trouble!"

"Trouble, yes. Stealing my clothes and not doing your share of the laundry, not so much," Buffy answered.

Dawn snorted. "Right, like anything I borrowed is going to fit you right now anyway."

"Watch it, missy. That room of yours is a disaster area."

Dawn laughed. "You're starting to sound like Spike."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Speaking of, I should probably get him up. He said he would help me out with my sudden spring cleaning obsession. Since Aunt Dolly totally threw off my cleaning groove."

"Oh, ah… right… I think Jani—"

"Don't even think about it! Room. Clean. Now!"

"Uhggg… fine—" Dawn huffed sullenly before clomping back up the stairs.

"And don't forget your laundry!" Buffy called after her.

(*)

Buffy crept into their bedroom. Willow and Tara had insisted on updating the room during the moving process as a show of gratitude. Getting rid of the old wallpaper and repainting the room had helped immensely but Buffy was only just now starting to feel like it was really her and Spike's bedroom. The walls were now a soft gray that complemented the new blue and gray bedding and they had both been adding personal touches here and there.

Buffy deposited the box onto the bed, waking Spike. "Mmm… what time is it?" he asked groggily.

She glanced up at the alarm clock. "Little before 3 o'clock," she answered as she adjusted the bandana she had used to keep dust out of her hair while cleaning.

Spike rolled over with a sullen huff, "What are you doing waking me up so early?" he grumbled.

Buffy tried to suppress the grin forming on her face. "You're the one who said you would help me."

"Help you? Help you with what?"

"Cleaning the house before the shower, and the babies get here and all hell breaks loose on the Hellmouth. I mean it's May after all the big bad always gets frisky in May."

Spike sat up onto his elbows. "I can think of one, Slayer," he smirked.

"Nope, my clean-freak-nesting-mojo was already interrupted enough. First Aunt Dolly, who is not getting invited to anything ever again, and then this package from Grandma which was pretty awesome and I definitely need to send her a thank you note-" she stopped herself when she realized she had started rambling.

Spike grinned as he shifted toward her, letting the bed covers dip dangerously low. "Sounds like someone is a little tense. Bet you'd scrub a hole right through the wall if you didn't work some of that off first," he purred.

Buffy swallowed, feeling her resolve disintegrating. "I finished cleaning the walls already. You were going to help me with the floors, remember?"

"I remember what I said. I also remember what the doc said at your last check-up. You need to rest, Luv."

She shot him with a dubious look. "Like what you have in mind is restful."

"Would sure help you relax. I'll even take care of the floors for you. None of this Cinderella bollocks, yeah?"

Buffy shifted the box off the bed. Moving a little closer. "You'll do the floors?"

"Have 'em sparkling clean by morning, pet," he crooned as he shifted onto his knees, effectively closing the distance between them.

She felt a sudden clench in her lower abdomen, heat pooling. Her hormones were already working against her. Begging her to give in like a kid at the toy store.

He murmured seductively, "What do you say about waking me up proper?" He pulled her in closer to his naked body and Buffy couldn't help biting her lip.

"I think maybe I could be persuaded," she teased.

"Persuaded? Since when do I have to persuade you?" He replied as he pulled her into a kiss.

He shifted his hands, working to find the hem of her shirt, and pulled it up over her bump. "Hope you two are sound sleepers in there. Daddy's about to make Mama scream."

"Oh my God, Spike do you have to talk to them every time?" She pushed him back playfully with her hands on his shoulders.

He snorted a laugh. "I don't do it every time."

Spike hooked an arm between her legs and spun her around to sit on the edge of the bed as he pulled his arm back. He shifted closer, pressing himself against her back. Buffy closed her eyes as he moved a skilled hand to cup her sex through the stretchy yoga pants she wore. "Not exactly protesting now are you?"

She let out a keening moan.

"What's that, luv? Didn't quite get that," he purred in her ear as his fingers continued rubbing against her at a steady pace. She bucked her head back against his shoulder as moisture started seeping through the fabric onto his fingers. "That's my girl. So wet for me. My goddess."

"You talk too much," she said, as she twisted her head in an effort to reach his lips for a kiss. Spike readjusted his position to accommodate her, deepening the kiss with a sigh.

Buffy let out a soft moan as her inner walls twitched in anticipation and she shifted enough to start peeling out of her shirt. Spike skimmed his fingers up her body, caressing her skin and pulling her shirt. She slipped off her pants, turning to join Spike on the bed, both of them on their knees. He pulled her into him, letting his cock graze the side of her belly as she carded her fingers into his hair.

He stroked two fingers over her belly and down to her clit, feeling the slick heat that had gathered there, and worked his fingers into her. Buffy gave a pleading moan and Spike shifted himself off the bed to stand behind her with his hands gripping her hips.

She scooted herself back closer to the edge of the bed so that their thighs pressed together back to front and leaned forward onto all fours with her legs spread a little wider to accommodate her belly. The position helped relieve the increased pressure on her back and hips she had been dealing with. It was one of the only positions she could find any relief in, and she could just focus on enjoying her time with Spike, which she was very keen to do.

Spike rubbed the tip of his erection against her core. He let his hands glide along either side of her spine massaging her tight muscles. Buffy moaned with pleasure as he focused on a particularly large knot with his thumbs. He continued massaging her lower back and hips, digging firm but gentle fingers into the tense muscles.

Buffy could feel a different kind of tension gathering between her legs and climbing ever higher. An intense orgasm was building before they had even begun. Spike moved his hands back to her hips, over the roundness of her ass in a loving caress. He rubbed himself against the sensitive skin of her slit making her gasp in response. "God, Spike, you're such a tease," she complained half-heartedly.

Spike chuckled in response. "Never thought I'd hear you say that, Luv," he murmured before plunging into her with a decisive thrust.

Buffy let out a gasp as he filled her. She was already so close from the massage that she nearly came undone right there. She could feel her muscles clamping around him in a desperate grasp as he began to rock inside of her.

Spike cursed as he pumped his hips, "Bloody hell you're tight," he growled with appreciation.

Buffy let out a high whimpering cry as he slipped a hand down between her legs to work her swollen nub. A few more pumps of his hips sent her back arching in a spasm as she collapsed down onto her forearms with the power of her release. Spike withdrew from her, kneeling on the floor behind her, and pressed his mouth to her sex. Working his tongue eagerly swirling and licking in an electrifying kiss that sent her quivering before he moved to suck her clit hungrily.

With a few more flicks of his tongue, Buffy was incoherent with need. With one last swipe of his tongue up her slit he stood up, plunging his cock back into her crushing heat. Buffy moaned, "Nahh! Oh God, Spike!"

"That's it, kitten, tell me what you want."

Buffy's mind felt like mush. A slurry of hormones and sensations that consumed her whole.

Spike leaned forward just enough to cup a breast in each hand and Buffy gasped as his thumbs rolled over the overly sensitive tips. Her walls clenched around him as he continued, his fingers gently pinching her nipples in time to his thrusts. She reached a hand down to work her clit, chasing down the orgasm that was edging nearer every second.

The sight of Buffy rubbing herself nearly sent Spike over the edge but he held on. Buffy came hard. Breaking apart with a quavering scream. Her entire body seemed to clench, shaking with the force of it. Spike followed, bent over her to kiss her shoulder blade, adding a nip with his teeth that sent an aftershock through her body. "Amazing—-" he panted.

Buffy was still too dazed to respond. Her body sagged as she rolled onto her side beneath him. He withdrew from her as she did and grinned down at her. "Feeling nice and relaxed now aren't you?"

"Shut up," she mumbled almost drunkenly, a smile tugging at her lips.

Spike chuckled, "Think maybe you should just take a nap, pet."

Buffy groaned, running a hand through her hair. "The house cleaning groove is officially dead," she replied with a pout.

He leaned in to kiss her temple. "Just rest, I'll take care of it."

"I have to pee."

Spike couldn't help but laugh. "Course you do," he said, reaching for her bathrobe and tossing it to her.

Buffy took it gratefully, slipped it on, and ducked quickly into the bathroom. By the time she came back, Spike was fully dressed. He stood by the bed expectantly and pulled the covers back.

"You rest. I've got Dawn and the house. No worries," he said, pulling her in for a kiss.

Buffy eyed the bed for a moment and nodded. "I could definitely sleep," she murmured as she crawled into bed. Spike watched as she wrapped herself around her giant body pillow and pulled the blankets over her.

(*)

After a little searching, Spike found Dawn in the basement folding laundry. "The surprises never cease," he teased.

"Yeah well it was either laundry or turn my headphones up to bleeding," she muttered with a glare.

Spike cleared his throat, uncomfortably rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, right— you eh—"

"Don't even— The level of gross is just—" she shuddered.

Spike leaned against the support pillar. "Didn't think we'd made that much racket. What's really eating you, Bit?"

Dawn placed her folded clothes into an empty basket and climbed up to have a seat on the table, legs dangling over the side. "Hallie. My wish…"

"Having second thoughts?" Spike asked, shifting his stance.

Dawn bit her lip and started picking at the edge of the laundry basket. "Maybe— I don't know. I hate waiting. I thought wishes were supposed to be, like toaster waffles. You know, instant breakfast. I thought Dad would have been here and gone by now."

"And now?"

"And now I'm wondering if I made a huge mistake," she huffed.

"Probably," Spike replied, rolling a shoulder in indifference.

"That's all you have to say? You could have stopped me! You could have said something!"

"Oh right, like I hadn't been thinking 'bout it myself. Look. I don't know what the outcome of this little mess is going to be but at least I acknowledge it's probably better than not knowing."

"You really think so?" Dawn asked, hope coloring her voice.

"Hell if I know, he's your dad."

"Right, some dad," Dawn scoffed and shook her head. "What are you doing anyway?"

Spike raised an eyebrow. "Making like a house elf and doing the housework so your sis don't have to. She's a bit knackered, told her I'd get her up for dinner."

"Oh… Well, points for the Harry Potter reference," she pursed her lips. "So eh, what is for dinner?"

"Got some salmon thawing, figured the two of us could figure out how to make it fit for human consumption," Spike smirked.

(*)

By the time the Baby Shower rolled around the house had been scrubbed, wiped, and dusted until it shined from top to bottom.

"Tara, where did you say you wanted these?" Giles asked, carrying a flat rectangular basket piled high with pink and white tissue paper.

She paused, rearranging a bunch of pink, white, and gold balloons next to the fireplace. "Oh, those are the favors. You can just set them on the stand by the door," she answered, "just make sure the little sign is facing out."

Giles fixed said sign. "'Twice as Sweet', that's rather appropriate," he commented before stepping into the living room.

"We thought so," Tara answered.

"What are they exactly?" He asked as he began to rearrange some of the chairs they had brought in from the dining room.

"Will and I made bath bombs. We kinda made a lot of them before we realized how small this party was going to be so we decided to wrap two in a piece of tissue paper to look like candies. Cute right?"

"Yes, I dare say it is. Ah, did you need me to bring in anything else?" Giles asked, looking around.

Tara let her gaze survey the living room. It had been transformed with pink and white streamers, balloons, and an "It's Twins" banner strung above the fireplace. The mantle had been cleared of its usual decor and replaced with a large centerpiece. It was made entirely out of various baby items including socks, bibs, onesies, and diapers artfully arranged to resemble a long, narrow basket of flowers.

Two card tables had been set up, one for gifts and one for snacks, both had been adorned with decorative tablecloths.

"I think all that's left is the food really and I'm pretty sure Willow has more than enough help in the kitchen right now," she answered.

He cast a cautious eye toward the kitchen where Dawn and Anya were helping Willow and took a seat on the couch with a sigh. "You've done a really lovely job setting this all up."

Tara smiled. "Thanks! We've been having a lot of fun with it. I just kind of wish more people were coming."

Giles pressed his lips together and removed his glasses. "I'm not surprised in the slightest. Joyce's family has mostly scattered across the country and I don't think the girls ever really had much contact with their father's side, especially after the divorce."

"Yeah, that's what Buffy said too. I guess I was just hoping for better, but then just look at my family."

"I think you'll find that the people who Buffy and Spike wish to share their children with most are likely the very same people who have made an effort to support them, just as I hope the same is true for you," he said in his most fatherly tone.

Tara smiled sweetly. "You're absolutely right. Thanks, Giles."

Buffy came down the stairs a few moments later, smoothing her hands down over her bump. "Wohh… is this my living room or a Martha Stewart display?"

"Ahh, Buffy, you look absolutely stunning my dear," Giles smiled as she came towards them. She was dressed in a springy, pale pink maternity dress and ballet flats.

Buffy gave him a sunny smile and looked around the room. "Thanks! I can't believe you guys did all of this, and so quickly too. I wasn't upstairs that long, was I?"

"Not particularly. I suppose I'm just preparing for my role as grandfather. I'm rather looking forward to the experience as your due date draws nearer." Giles looked around, noticing a mild look of annoyance on Tara's face forcing him to clear his throat. "Well yes, to be fair it was all Tara and Willow's prep work that made it all possible."

Tara gave a soft chuckle, shooting Giles a sideways glance. "Thanks for the backpedal."

"I'm a little surprised no one's here yet. Where is everyone anyway?" Buffy asked.

Giles checked his watch. "I imagine they will be arriving shortly."

"Well until then, I think this mom-to-be needs yogurt," Buffy grinned as she left to join the commotion in the kitchen.

(*)

The guest had started to arrive. Spike was leaning with his forearms on the back of one of the dining room chairs close to the snack table. Clem had arrived first and he was already sampling the different cheeses Willow had set out while chatting with Spike. "Have you ever wondered how different cheeses are made?" Clem asked as he examined a piece of cheddar in one hand and a piece of swiss in the other with interest.

"Can't say that I have," Spike replied, bemused.

"I wonder how hard it would be to make cheese."

"Imagine it depends on the cheese," Spike said a little absently as the doorbell rang and he watched as Buffy went to answer it.

Cordelia greeted Buffy with a warm hug when she went to open the door. "Look at you! You look amazing!" Cordelia exclaimed excitedly. She stepped to the side, pulling Buffy along with her as Fred and Loren came in with little Connor.

Dawn rushed over excitedly, taking the little boy, claiming that she needed baby practice. Cordelia watched Dawn closely as she walked into the living room. Cordelia's eyes were glued to the small child as Dawn settled down on the couch with him and began playing peekaboo using a throw pillow.

Fred and Loren both gave Buffy hugs as well. "You're gorgeous as always!" Loren gushed.

"Where should we put these?" Fred asked, holding up two gift bags and gesturing to a third Lorne was carrying.

Buffy blinked, slightly overwhelmed for a moment but waved a hand toward the gift table. "Over there is fine. Thanks!"

Cordelia lagged behind while Buffy closed the door. Buffy's gaze followed Spike as he excused himself from Clem and went over to where Dawn was playing with the baby. Cordelia's spine tensed and Buffy noticed how her hand pressed into her abdomen where she knew there would be a scar.

Spike pulled Connor into his lap and the little boy twisted around to see who had him and squealed with delight when he saw Spike. Dawn complained playfully that Spike was stealing her little buddy and Connor started clapping his little hands with glee.

Buffy glanced at Cordelia, noticing the muscles in her neck relax visibly as Connor's infectious laughter rang through the house.

"They are both really good with him," Buffy interrupted.

Cordelia nodded, still watching Connor the way any over protective mother might. "He's just been through so much already. I think the only reason Angel agreed to let him come is because he knows I'd skewer anyone who tried to hurt him."

"He's safe here, you know that right?"

"He was supposed to be safe with Wesley too— I know he thought he was protecting him, but—" Cordelia broke off, shaking her head with a sigh. "I can't help but think none of it would have happened if I had been there. But then again I guess it sort of worked out," she said, moving a little closer and dropped her voice so only Buffy could hear her. "I don't know what you said to Angel when he was here and I really don't want to, but I— I do want to say thank you."

Buffy looked at her with confusion. "What for?"

"First of all, getting Connor back. Duh. But also— It's sort of a long story but Angel and I are sort of attempting a relationship. Well kinda—" she sighed. "It's complicated. We've been dancing around each other for a while now and I don't know… I was away when everything happened with Connor," Cordelia paused, "it was such a mess, but Angel seemed so different when he came back… and I mean let's face it, if Connor is going to have any chance at even a half normal life he's going to need a super cool step-mom— or eh— did I mention 'complicated'?"

"Believe me I totally get that. Angel and complicated are like ice and water the same thing in different forms," Buffy said mirthlessly.

"I figured you would understand. You're okay with that right, me and Angel?"

The question surprised her, but not as much as the realization that it really didn't bother her in the least. "You have no idea how completely okay with that I am."

"Good," Cordelia replied as the two of them made their way into the living room. "Oh hey, speaking of Mr. Complicated, where is Willow? I need to talk to her."

"I think she went back to the kitchen. She's sort of been in there all day."

"Thanks, Angel and I are really hoping she can help simplify some of the complicated," Cordelia said.

Buffy nodded and pursed her lips. "Yeah, Willow told me he asked her to do him a favor before he left. I think she's already been looking into it."

Cordelia's face broke into a smile. "That's great. Eh— kitchen's this way right?"

Buffy nodded with an amused smirk on her face as Cordelia shot off to find Willow.

If anyone can handle Angel's bullshit it's definitely Cordy… More power to her…

(*)

Buffy adjusted herself in her seat next to Spike on the couch as Willow and Tara started explaining the rules of the first game; baby themed charades. She cast a glance over to Giles barely containing a laugh at the stoic look on his face. "Just think about it this way, Giles, at least it's not Pictionary."

Giles gave a long suffering sigh, removing his glasses to clean them. "Yes, well I've never claimed to be a great artist," he said, replacing his glasses and giving her a tight lipped smile.

"Yeah, we sort of figured charades would work out better for everyone. I think we're going to do this battle of the sexes style since Tara and I aren't playing," Willow added.

Giles and Lorne quickly switched places with Fred and Anya to divide into teams. Willow held a little metal pail that contained several small slips of pink paper folded in half, offering it to Buffy. "Mama gets to go first," Willow beamed.

"Gee, thanks," Buffy smirked as she took a slip of paper, read it with a roll of her eyes and stood up in front of everyone.

"Ready?" Willow asked.

Buffy smoothed her hands over her bump and sighed. "I guess so."

Tara turned the knob to set the kitchen timer. Buffy stood for a second then started patting her neck and chest.

Dawn and Anya tilted their heads in confusion but Fred got very excited. "Ohh is it 'mess'?!"

Buffy tilted her head and waggled a flat hand in a "well, sort of" gesture. She continued to mimic eating with a spoon and tying something around her neck.

"Oh! Bib!" Cordelia and Dawn yelled excitedly at the same time.

Buffy laughed at their enthusiasm and relaxed her arms to her sides. "You got it!" she crowed. "Beat that, babe!" she added, pointing at Spike with both index fingers and a huge smile on her face.

Spike chuckled, standing up and taking a slip of paper from the pail Willow offered him. He sucked on his teeth in thought as he read and took his place. Spike took two black tipped fingers pointing at his own eyes and jabbed them in Giles and Xander's direction and back toward his own face in a "pay attention" gesture. He then proceeded to put his arms out in front of him, in a zombie style march. Xander immediately shot to his feet excitedly. "Teddy bear!"

Spike turned to Buffy with a self-satisfied smirk, crossing his arms over his chest, "Should know better than to mess with me, Goldilocks."

"How the heck did you get 'teddy bear' out of that?" Buffy replied, glaring between Spike and Xander.

Before Xander had a chance to sputter out an excuse, Spike cut him off. "Doesn't matter. He's right and that's a point to us."

Buffy narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously, but didn't have a chance to say anything else before there was a knock at the door. She got up to answer it, missing the way Dawn had gone stiff in her seat.

Buffy's head tilted in confusion when she opened the door to find Hallie standing there with a big smile on her haughty face. "Huh… Hi—" Buffy started.

Halfrek moved into the entrance, disregarding the look of surprise on Buffy's face and greeted her like they were old friends. "I'm so sorry I'm late dear! I really hope you don't mind, but I brought a date!"

"You brought a date to my baby shower?"

"I didn't think you'd mind," Halfrek said as she shifted herself off to the side, casually inspecting the basket of party favors, as though she was trying to decide which one she wanted. Thus leaving Buffy staring out onto the front porch, where a man with graying hair stood with his back to the door. He was looking down the street with his hands on his hips looking utterly confused. "This place looks really familiar. Where did you say this party was again?" he asked, not realizing Hallie had gone inside.

Buffy's stomach twisted, she knew that voice. "Welcome to Sunnydale… Dad," she muttered automatically and felt like she had just been doused in ice water.

He turned around abruptly, obviously blindsided and looking shocked. "Buffy?" he blurted before he let his eyes take stock of her.