“Spike you have to promise me something”
William 'Spike' Tennant took the hand his best friend held up to him.
“What's that then?” Choking back tears as he looked at the man on the ground.
“You have to promise to look after Buffy for me” The man's grip tightened as if he thought that he could will his friend to say yes if he squeezed hard enough.
“Riley, your gonna be fine mate it's just a l'il scratch.” Both men knew this wasn't true, there was too much blood. Gritting his teeth against the pain Riley Finn stared at Spike with determination in his eyes. “Spike you have to promise me that you are going to live through this and take care of her!”
The hardened soldier closed his eyes and swallowed.
Anything but that, ask me anything but having to see her go to pieces.
“Yeah mate I promise.”
Watching his childhood friend take his last breaths He saw the peaceful smile that formed on Riley's lips as he passed away. Silently, Spike sobbed.
Saying his last goodbye, he closed the now unseeing eyes gently. Shouldering the now lax form, he picked up his discarded weapon and walked silently into the night.
* * * *
Spike looked at the Welcome to Sunnydale sign as the Bus went passed and snorted. “More like SunnyHell!” then thought better of it. No, I've been to Hell, this is more like the 'Twilight Zone' He felt empty, cold. There was nothing left of the cocksure delinquent that once called this place home.
He didn't stop to stow his gear, he headed straight for Revello Drive. Straight to Buffy.
Get this over with, will be easier next time if I do.
Spike hefted the heavy bag on his shoulder into a more comfortable place and raised his hand to the door. “I can't do this.” the hand fell back down to his side as he turned.
He snorted his disgust at himself
Bloody Ponce!
With renewed determination he made himself face the front door again and before he chickened out, he knocked.
As the door opened, sorrowful eyes caught hold of his. The small smile that formed on Spikes lips froze as his eyes wandered down to take in , a quick catalogue of Mrs Riley Finn and came to a stop at the unexpected sleeping bundle in her arms.
What the...when the... Oh fucking Hell!
“Spike...Oh God Spike!” The cry sounded like it had been ripped out of her heart, Bringing him out of his own thoughts.
Spike shook his head at the plea, he looked up in to her eyes and tried to speak, when nothing came he cleared his throat and tried again.
“Hello Pet.” Wrapping his arms carefully around Buffy, mindful of the still sleeping child in her arms. She held on tight like he was her anchor as her whole body was racked with sobs, Spike held her a little tighter.
They stood for minutes like that, until Spike felt her quietening and gently pulled away. He looked down at eh sweetly chubby faced baby. “So, does this mean I'm an Uncle?”
With a smile shinning through the puffy red eyes Buffy introduced Spike to her Daughter.
“This is Dawn.”
A trembling hand lifted and softly his thumb traced a perfect miniature eyebrow, but swiftly he took it away as the baby frowned, he watched as Dawn pursed her lips, then opened her eyes to look steadily up in to his.
That's all it took for the bottom to fall out of his world.
He, William 'Spike' Tennant, the Big Bad of Sunnydale was totally and irrevocably in love, that's right, He was a gonna.
“Hello Nibblet.”
“Umm, Come in Spike.” Buffy said, just realizing they were still in the open door way.
“Don't mind if I do!” He grinned as he followed her into the house.
“When did you get back?” she asked as they walked into the sitting room.
“Just now” Spike replied as he watched Buffy put Dawn down on a blanket.
“You mean, like just now?” She asked getting up and turning back to him.
“As in, arrived about 5 minutes ago. Luv” Spike answered her question as they sat down opposite each other, standing up again he opened his arms wide. “Come here kitten, I need a decent welcome home hug.”
Buffy snuggled in to the familiar embrace of cigarettes and leather. “ I miss him so much, Spike!” She murmured into his chest.
“I do too. Pet, I do too.” He pulled away a little to place a kiss on top of her head, it was an action that was ingrained into him, but the familiar action caused Buffy to hold on a little tighter for a few moments.
“So... a baby!” Spike looked down at her with a hurt confused look dwelling in his eyes, “ I mean Riley never told me.”
“He didn't know, I wanted to surprise him.” Buffy sniffled, she valiantly tried not to let the tears fall. It was Spikes turn to say 'Oh'.
“Buffy luv, He would've been over the moon!”
“Yeah. He would, we'd been trying for a while.” She stepped away from his embrace to look down on her little miracle.
“So, how old is she?” He'd given up trying to suss it out himself. He had no clue about babies, apart from having an occasional cuddle with one of his sister tribe.
“A little over two months.”
Spike closed his eyes as his heart filled with regret and pain for her. “That means...”
Buffy nodded. “I was in labour when I heard.”
“Pet, God, I'm sorry!” He wanted to reach out to her again, drag her back in to his arms, but he knew that if he did, not only would Buffy start crying, he would too. Instead he settled for a dry throat and a supportive hand squeeze.
“So...Can I...Umm... Could I hold her?”
At first Buffy looked stunned, then the first real smile Spike had seen that day graced her face.
“Sure!” She watched as he carefully picked Dawn up, his big hands holding the infant like spun glass.
Spike sat back in the chair and let out the breath he was holding, grateful that he hadn't dropped the precious package on the way. He looked up at Buffy with a wondrous expression clear on his face.
“She's so small.” He chuckled as Dawn fisted his finger. “Blimey, she's a strong little thing!”
He looked into her eyes.
“Hello again l'il bit.” Taking a breath Spike had his first conversation with his 'niece'. “Your Daddy was my best friend and when your older I'll tell you all about the scrapes me and 'im got into. He can't be here now, but , although I know that I'll never be as good as 'im I'm gonna be here for ya, I'm gonna spoil you rotten jus' you wait and see!” He grinned down at the little cherub.
Dawn's eyes sparkled back up at him as if to say “I know, and I've got you wrapped around my little finger already” and as if as a reward for his promise she smiled at him.
“Would you look at that!” Spike looked at Buffy who was now sat down watching her child and her friend interact. “She's got your smile!”
Spike with a slightly stern face looked back at Dawn. “Well that's it Missy, you aint going nowhere near a bloke until your at least twenty, I'm personally going to vet any and every date you have, because if your as lovely as your mum is, they're going to be knocking the door down!”
Dawn gurgled and Buffy chuckled. “Please Spike, one massive ego in the family is quite enough!”
Spike gave Buffy his most wolfish grin. “But you love me just the way I am though, right!”
Buffy shook her head, but with a smile she agreed.
* * * *
Three hours later, after finally dragging himself away from Buffy and baby Dawn, Spike was sat in his own home. His eyes shut, cradling a bottle of Jack, he let the tears fall.
They fell for Riley, the friend he thought he would never lose. For the fact that Riley would never know the sweet little angel that had stolen his heart, for Buffy, who although still hanging on in there, was hanging on by a thread. He didn't want to see her like that, it tore at his heart but he had promised Riley that he would look after her. It was going to be hardest thing he had ever done, how was he going to get through seeing the woman he loved mourn his best friend. It was just too hard.
Knocking back the smooth whiskey, Spike slammed his fist into the arm of the chair.
“It should have been me!” He growled slowly. “Why the fuck did you take him away when he had every reason to live, what did he do to deserve it?”
Breaking down again Spike sobbed. “Riley, It's too hard mate! You always knew that I loved her, why did you make me promise this?” Emptying the last dregs of the bottle down his throat he searched his person for his fags, taking one out and lighting it he sat back and for minutes stared dazedly at nothing.
“That's why, ain't it mate. Because you knew, knew I'd bloody well do it anyway!” Taking another drag Spike chuckled, mumbling 'pillock' before dying it out.
“Do anything for her I would.” He whispered. “Bloody loves bitch. That's me!”
squawks
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!