Entering into the sanctuary of her quiet bedroom, Buffy closed the door behind her softly before releasing a heavy sigh of relief. Her outdated room was the last place at Casa de Summers that hadn’t been overrun by Potentials. With numerous ones arriving daily, she wasn’t sure how long this room would remain hers alone. Completely exhausted, Buffy opted to remain in the dark as she undressed, forgoing changing into her customary pjs. She slid under the cool welcoming sheets, clad only in her cotton undies and tee shirt.
Buffy’s mind was still reeling from tonight’s training session. Almost overnight she had become a Watcher of sorts— sans the tweed, stuffiness, and British accent. For over seven years she had been watched: by Merrick, Giles, and the council— in all that time she had never realized how hard and how much responsibility the one watching truly had.
”Boy, thinking about who’s watching who and who’s being watched, and where I stand in the grand scheme of things, is giving me a Hellmouth-sized headache. I really miss the simpler days of Giles’ muttering a bunch of ’Dear Lords’ and pointing me in the direction of what needed to be slayed.”
Despite all the baddies Buffy had faced, this newfound responsibility of Watcherdom left her feeling completely overwhelmed, nerve-racked, and down right scared. She had to teach these young girls how to stay alive and without the benefits of them receiving the standard Slayer package of superhuman strength and enhanced healing, and her not receiving training on how to, well, train them— she feared this feat of keeping them in the land of the living went from difficult at best, to almost damn near impossible.
To complicate matters more, there was Spike—back from crazy town (population one) and his imprisonment by the First— now staying at her house, chained in the basement. Then add to this, the Scooby’s consensus of “ we don’t trust him, he’s been feeding and could still be under the First’s command.” Last but not least, his new role of being a mini-Watcher to this group of scared girls; caused the previous reeling in Buffy’s head to transform into a relentless pounding, in a matter of moments.
“Just add the candy surprises, and my head would be mistaken for a piñata on Cinco de Mayo,” Buffy inwardly scoffed as she tossed and turned briefly trying to find the perfect spot to settle into.
It was strange, after all these years she and Spike had never truly worked together. Sure, he’s followed her around during patrols hundreds of times, and then there was the time with Glory, but besides that, no. Now, she felt a type of camaraderie with him, almost a dependence that seemed to happen overnight along with her pseudo-Watcher status. This newfound connection with Spike was weird, yet at the same time, reassuring.
”Reassuring? How reassuring is it? Even after all that has happened between us I still get all tingly and excited, in a naughty groiny way, when he’s close? Then add to the mix these young girls, who you’re supposed to be teaching to fight vampires, not straddling and groping them…let’s just say, mixed messages much?” Buffy’s inner Jiminy Cricket mocked.
“Shut up,” Buffy snapped, tightening the cool sheets around her, burrowing her head further into the pillow. She ignored her conscience’s additional snide comments as the sleep she so desperately craved pulled her under.
**** ****
Buffy stood before an open window watching the slowly setting sun. The picturesque sky was a myriad of reds, oranges and gold that would persuade anyone, regardless of who or where they were, to stop and gaze upon this breathtaking sight in utter amazement and appreciation. As her gaze remained fixed, a tingling starting at the base of her neck and radiating throughout her body announcing a familiar presence. Without turning, she spoke,
“Hi, Spike.”
“Hello, luv, you needed me?” Buffy stifled a grin triggered by the purring tenor of his voice. Spike always seemed to be able with a simple play of words or his tone to lace seemingly innocent questions with blatant sexual innuendos.
With one last lingering gaze on the beauty outside the window, Buffy turned to face the beauty standing within. Not that she would ever tell Spike she found him gorgeous. She didn’t need to add to the gigantic ego he already possessed.
Clad in his typical black on black clothing, minus his leather coat, he stood before her with a smile teasing his lips and mirth dancing in his bright blue eyes.
“Yes, Spike, I need you.”
With his smile widening to a devilish proportion, his gaze became predatory as it traveled leisurely over her body before finally settling, meeting with her firm gaze.
“Here I am and all yours,” he rumbled, causing Buffy’s skin to erupt in shivers. With a deep breath and determination, she suppressed her body’s reaction and with an unwavering voice spoke,
“And that’s one of the reasons that brought about this issue we have to discuss… for a second time.”
Confusion flashed across his features as Spike’s smile faded, his scarred brow rose questioning her.
“Not really following you, luv, care to explain.”
“Explanations will lead to demonstrations, which we don’t have time for, but I’ll give you a few hints: six weeks ago, full moon, us sparring— which led into other strenuous activities—ringing any bells?”
Memories of that night instantly replaced his confusion, causing his gaze to emanate with pure lust. Slowly stalking forward, his tongue curled behind his pearly whites briefly before it unfurled, his silky voice surrounding her.
“member that night quite well. Still have some scratches down my back that haven’t yet healed, care to take a gander?” Spike seductively pulled his tucked tee shirt from the waist of his jeans. Despite Buffy eyeing his shirtless state with blatant appreciation, she never wavered from the discussion at hand.
“Like I said, this,” motioning to his flawless chest and abs. “is what is prompting this conversation now.”
Standing several feet away, Spike stilled his movements, his eyes growing wide. Taking advantage of the unique opportunity of his uncharacteristic silence, Buffy continued.
“It seems your swimmers are very persistent, which I shouldn’t be surprised since they’re, well, yours. Uh, that’s not right because they’re technically not yours anymore, but mine. Which is still not right, because if I remember from health class once they get where they’re going, they’re no longer squiggly swimmers but the start of a—“
During her ramblings, Buffy didn’t notice Spike’s urgent steps forward, him grabbing her around the waist, or his lips descending upon hers, until his mouth ended her words abruptly. Abandoning all thoughts and words, Buffy succumbed to several blissful moments as they explored one another’s mouths passionately.
Gradually, Spike pulled his lips away from hers but not before he placed several soft kisses on her now well-loved mouth. Gently, he rested his forehead against hers, his trembling hands rose to cradle her face.
“Buffy, everyday I fall in love with you a little more. I never dreamed my life could be any more perfect, and then you give me another amazing gift. Once again, proving me wrong.”
“Well, that is my job, proving you wrong—” Buffy teased, then added tenderly, “but more importantly, making you happy.”
“That you have, luv, ‘m the luckiest bloke ever. If five years ago when I was standing in that dingy alley in LA up against Wolfram and ‘art’s demon horde with bonus dragon, and someone told me that I made it out of there in one piece, I never would have believed them. Never mind them telling me of everything that was to happen to me since. My life went from unbelievable to damn near fantasy: me being all Shanshu-ed yet keepin’ all the vamp perks of superhuman strength and stamina—“ Elaborating on said stamina, Spike rocked his hips forward to brush his denim clad erection against her body, causing a slight moan to escape her lips. “—then finding you in Rome still holding a flame for yours truly and you being ready and willing to be mine forever. All of this, a bloody dream.”
Despite the lust-fog surrounding her mind, Buffy’s voice was solid when she added her thoughts. “Let’s not forget, William—“
”Never, I could never forget our son and now with our newest addition, we’re one big happy family. Like I said, it’s all been a bloody dream. But I’ll tell you this, if it is, I rather be dust in that alley then wake up.”
“Well, you better keep thinking that way, mister, because the nightmare of pregnant Buffy will soon begin. The ungodly cravings, moodiness, me being bigger than a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon.”
Pulling his forehead from hers, Spike stared lovingly at this tiny woman before him who had already given him so much. Tenderly, he placed a lingering kiss upon her lips, as one hand left her face, sensually skimming down her throat, over her collarbone, gliding across the top of her heaving chest, and then finally stopping its tedious descent when he gently cupped one sensitive breast. With a deft thumb, he slowly traced the clothed, peaked nipple causing Buffy to gasp and pull away from his talented mouth. Spike’s voice rumbled, while his intense lust-filled gaze met with hers.
“ ‘S not a nightmare, I understand cravings--“Spike’s voice continued in tandem with his pleasurable tactile assault on her pebbled tip, causing her to mewl. “God knows I’ve been through far worse than your moodiness, and seeing your belly swelling with my child, I’ve never witnessed anything more beautiful in all my years.”
Buffy’s eyes began to well with tears of joy, continuing to stare at the man she loved with all of her being.
“I love you, Buffy, always have and always will. You’re my heart, my soul, my forever.”
Buffy placed her hand gently on his cheek, his eyes shining with matching impending tears.
“I never thought I would have all of this. Thank you for showing me how wonderful life can truly be. I love you, William.”
**** ****
With a sharp intake of breath Buffy sat straight up in her bed, eyes wide and searching. She realized with a slight sadness, she was still in her room in Sunnydale and alone. Her mind began to whirl with all that the dream had shown, and the dozens of questions created from this dream.
”How did Spike turn human, and what’s a Shinshoo? He said five years; does this mean we beat the First? But if so, why was he fighting in LA, and why was I in Rome? Who are Wolfram and Hart, and what’s with them sending a demon army and hello, a dragon? Is it truly possible, me being married with kids?”
Knowing these questions were going to remain unanswered, at least for tonight, especially the biggest question of them all— Spike and his role in this possible future, Buffy pushed away mostly all the aspects of the dream, except one. Slowly, she pulled back the sheets. Her gaze lowered, and with slightly trembling hands, she cradled the place where her dream baby lay. For the first time in many years, Buffy felt the warmness created by hope and wonderful possibilities radiating throughout her.
With a hint of a smile gracing her lips, Buffy pulled herself from bed, walked forward several steps, and stood before her window. The bright moon hung low in the evening sky, casting a soft glow on the seemingly quiet night beyond the panes of glass. A moment later she felt a tingling on the base of her neck announcing a familiar presence. Without turning, Buffy whispered,
“Hi, Spike.”
Outside Buffy’s closed bedroom door, Spike stood vigil. He had been there since the moment he’d heard her heartbeat increasing and her constant movements, which shouldn’t accompany the sleep he knew she had surrendered to hours before. Fearing she was having a nightmare, Spike left the basement to assure she was all right. Even though he knew she was, he couldn’t bring himself to leave.
Hearing her whispered greeting, a soft content smile that hadn't been worn since his days before becoming a vampire graced his lips. “Hello, luv,” Spike whispered, before he turned and headed back toward the basement.
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!