~Chapter Eight~
AN: Yeah, I didn't expect to fool anyone with Marie so don't think I'm insulting you intelligence with that "twist". I just liked the idea and wanted to use it for my story. The characters will be fooled for awhile at least, lol. Oh, and pics of her at my site. And, I didn't know Ben's last name... didn't list it at any of the sites I went to, so I made something up. If there actually is a last name for him, then someone tell me. And, yeah, I changed him slightly for this little alternate reality. ^.^ You'll like it, though.
Buffy heard her friends enter the house, but didn't lift her head. Having a Scooby meeting here instead of the Magick Box? As long as it wasn't another of their stupid interventions. She rolled her eyes and burrowed further under the covers just in case. She paused as she heard a new voice among them. Who? She almost started to sit up, but she could hear them coming up the stairs and heading towards her room. She didn't like the looks of this so she started to slip out of the bed, sluggish from weeks of bed confinement.
She was halfway to the bathroom to escape when the door opened to show Spike frowning at her, knowing exactly what she had been up to.
"An' where do you think you're goin'?" he asked as he stalked across the room towards her. He was partly glad to see her out of bed under her own power, but annoyed that she had tried to flee her mate and friends. Mostly that she would flee him.
"Bathroom," she pointed and nodded.
"You're a vampire an' you haven' been eatin' human food for the baby like you should," he pulled her out of the bathroom after debunking her excuse. "An' anyways, I got somethin' important t' tell you."
"Okay, okay... let me get a shower and get dressed, then you can tell me while you force feed me." She said tiredly and waved him away, grumbling under her breat. Might as well give in so they didn't gang up on her and she was somewhat curious as to who the new person was.
He sighed but nodded, turning to leave. He ushered the other downstairs then went into the kitchen to see what he could throw together while Buffy was willing to eat. He really hoped learning that they had a break with finding the name of the hellgod would snap Buffy further out of this funk. He was surprised she had even agreed to get out of bed and come eat. He started making a sandwich then glanced up as Marie walked into the room.
"Did you... are you hungry?" he asked, motioning to the sandwich fixings.
"A little, but don't go to any trouble for me," she waved a hand and leaned against the counter.
"No trouble," he took out a couple more slices of bread and began making another sandwich. "So where were you plannin' on stayin' while you were here?" He arched a brow at her over his shoulder.
"Uh... guess with whoever would take me in..."
"Well, I'm sure Buffy won' mind you takin' her old room. Also, got some of her old clothes in there that you can wear since I didn' see a suitcase."
"Thank you," she smiled brightly and took the sandwich he handed her. She took a bite and turned to head out of the kitchen, but Spike stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"So... is Buffy still around in your time?" he asked in a choked voice. "Please, it's killin' me t' know."
"I..." her eyes got wide, fearful. She bit her lip and her chin quivered slightly, unsure what to do.
He sighed and released her, running his hand through his hair. "Sorry. I'm jus' so worried... She hasn' even been thinkin' t' feed the baby recently." His fingers twitched for a cigarette, the cravings stronger the more stressed he got. "Guess it'd be just as pointless t' ask you if our daughter is okay..."
She smiled softly. "Well, if I do what I came here to do, then they'll both be just fine."
He tilted his head. "An' there was somethin' else I wanted t' ask... how exactly are you connected t' the rest of us? You're obviously younger than the rest of us even now."
"I..." she chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully as she decided what to tell him. "I'm the current slayer in my time and Giles becomes my Watcher. This mission comes right after my eighteenth birthday and is sort of my right-of-passage test or whatever." She shrugged.
"A slayer?" He studied her again. He would have asked more, but Buffy finally entered the kitchen all shower fresh and dressed in clean clothes. He kissed her briefly and handed her the sandwich he made for her. "Mmm... you smell nice, pet. Now eat up an' get that belly all full so our itty bitty doesn' go hungry anymore."
"Thank you," she said softly and gave a small smile. She knew she had treated him so horribly over the past month or so since her mother died, and still he was there being so kind to her and taking care of her so lovingly. It made her feel like such a jerk. She needed to find a way to show her appreciation later. Do something special for him in return.
Marie was watching the interaction with interest, sitting down at the table.
Buffy kept tugging at her camisole as it kept riding up over her slightly rounded tummy. She finally gave up after a few tries and sat down at the table as well to eat her sandwich. "So why are the Scoobies doing their research here instead of at the store? It wasn't ransacked again, was it? And who's this who keeps staring at me... did I hear the word slayer before I walked in?" She looked between them confused.
There was already one more slayer than there should be. She was never sure if there would be another called if one of them died, or if the council would wait for both of them to die to go back to having one slayer as it had always been. Had something happened to Faith? Then she realized how dense she was. Maybe it was because SHE herself had died, no matter if she continued to slay as a mystical super vamp that she seemed to be.
Spike put the food away, hiding his joyous expression. Overjoyed to see his mate acting about like her old self. This had to be a good sign, right? She had snapped out of it and they could get back on with protecting their baby and being a happily mated couple. He had missed his little golden slayer while stuck with the morose lump that had been living upstairs for the last month.
"This is the news I mentioned upstairs, luv." He came over to set a glass of juice in front of both of them, then sitting beside Buffy with his hand curled around the nape of her neck affectionately. "This's Marie. Showed up at the Magick Box while we were havin' our usual meetin'. Had some news for us, good news, too." When she looked at him with even greater curiosity he continued, "Says she's from the future an' here t' help. Finally gave us a big break in protectin' the lil bit."
"Really?" She set down her sandwich and blinked widely at Marie. "The future? Even with all the weird stuff here, that's a first for me. And so, what, you're the future slayer then?"
"Yeah, pretty much." Marie nodded. "Giles's my Watcher and Willow was the one who did the sending back. She's quite the talented witch. This was sort of my coming of age trial."
"Better than being drugged and locked in a house with vampires." Buffy muttered sourly and finished her juice. "And so... what is this big break then? Seems to me she'd be able to tell us everything we needed to know to stop this hellgod now. Make it really simple."
"She gave us a name. A name to research, which is what the others are doin'." Spike took her glass and went to refill it.
"That's all??"
"Buffy... pet... you know she can' tell us everythin'... it would change her future. Doesn' matter much t' us, but then we would be sendin' her back t' a different place." He looked over at Marie, an apology in his eyes for forgetting that moments before.
The vampiress was pouting, though. "Can't she tell us ANYTHING else?" she whined.
"I'll decide when the time comes, that's all I can promise. But for now, the name at least gets you started on learning about her for yourselves, as it should be." Marie smiled apologetically. She got up to put her glass away then stretched, giving an exhausted yawn.
Spike looked between them then back to Buffy. "Uh, luv... I told her it'd be okay for her t' take your old room an' use some of your old clothes. She ain' got anythin' of her own an' she's in a strange place all alone. It's okay, right?"
"Sure," Buffy was amused that he was actually worried that she would be mad at him for offering help to the girl. Moreover, she was amused that he was actually worried about someone... besides her... for once. Shows that he had come a long way from his days as the self-proclaimed "Big Bad." Oh... he still had his moments, but she wouldn't want a big goody-two-shoes... that was way yucky and boring. "But maybe we could later take her shopping for her own clothes and stuff. That stuff is rather old and might not be her style." She motioned to the obvious discrepancy in their tastes. "I mean, she might enjoy some of my more clubby wear, like the leather pants, but that's about it."
"Do you know if you'll be stayin' long?" Spike looked over at Marie again.
"A few months at least, I think..." She bit her lip and shrugged. "Don' know for sure." She smiled, "But shopping with you would be great. We can probably get you some cool maternity clothes, not the big clown tent stuff." She chuckled and motioned at the tiny bulge poking out from under the older slayer's shirt. "But, it has been a very long day for me so I am going to go crash." She waved and disappeared up the stairs.
Spike watched her go then came over to take his mate into his arms. "It's really okay with you, slayer? She can help on patrol, too. With you gettin' more an' more pregnant, worried 'bout you gettin' hurt. I can keep makin' sure you're full of vamp blood." He stroked her hair. "She really seemed t' perk at the idea of you takin' her shoppin'. Think you two are friends or somethin' in her time? You as another slayer take her under your wing, the way you tried t' with Faith if she hadn' gone bad?"
"It's really okay. She seems nice, and anyone who wants to help protect my baby is just great in my book." She kissed him softly. "Maybe. I already feel all 'wingy' with her." She chuckled.
She bit her lip and glanced down at his chest, avoiding his eyes. "I'm sorry... about this whole past month and the way I've been acting and treating you. I'll make it all up to you. You've been so patient and kind. I really don't deserve you. I probably said this before, but its me who's beneath you, I think. Not the other way around like I said to hurt you that one night. I'm surprised you didn't just take advantage to get revenge on me right afterwards when I was vulnerable to any punishment you could have dished out. Didn't deserve it then and don't deserve it now." She sighed and blinked away the tears that formed.
He hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her face up, kissing away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Nonsense. Deserve it all cause I love you. Completely. You're my mate an' I wouldn' have it any other way. Your mother died an' you were entitled t' your grief. I wouldn' have been so pushy 'bout you snappin' out of it if I hadn' been worried about our itty bitty."
"You... you don't think I did any damage with all that, do you?" Her brows furrowed in worry.
"She's jus' fine. Can sense her, an' you can too if you try concentratin'." He kissed the tip of her nose.
"We so gotta come up with a name so we stop talking about her like a cocker spaniel..."
He chuckled. "You were the one with the baby names book, pet. Did you find anythin' you liked?"
"Well..." she looked up thoughtfully as she tried to remember the names that had struck her fancy. "There were a few... Isabelle... Jocelyn... Gabrielle..."
"Mmm... my vote is for Jocelyn. Is a right pretty name."
"Jocelyn it is. For now, at least, in case we come across another name we like before she's born. And, we need to think of a middle name... though," she nodded towards the stairs with a smile. "Thinking of Jocelyn Marie for the girl who is probably going to be the one to thank for saving us." She looked down and ran her hand over her belly. "Jocelyn Marie Summers... you like that, sweetie?"
Spike pouted slightly. "Summers... why-"
He was cut off by a squawk of surprise from Buffy. "Oh my god, I felt her. She moved... I think she kicked... she must like the name!" She looked up at him with wide eyes and took his hand, putting it over her stomach. "See!"
His pout melted into awe. "My precious itty bitty... has a kick on her like her mum." His eyes met Buffy's and they looked at each other for a moment. "Prob'ly gonna be so beautiful like her mum... right heartbreaker."
She blushed and ducked her head. "Spike..."
He cupped her face in his hands, lifting it so he could kiss her deeply. He poured all the love he felt for her into it.
She licked her lips after they broke the kiss and glanced up at him. "I should... after all that happened... go to the doctor to really make sure Jocelyn is okay. I haven't had a check up in a good while because of... yeah. I'll make an appointment so you don't have to worry. I'll get back to taking better care of our baby girl."
He kissed her again. "An' yourself. You come first far as I'm concerned."
She rolled her eyes at him with a soft smile then turned. "We should go see if finding out a name has helped on the research front. Then you can show me this nursery you keep raving about."
*****
The next day, Marie walked with Buffy to the hospital for her exam. She had found something suitable among Buffy's old clothes, so now she bounced along besides Buffy in black jeans, a dark violet halter, and a pair of Buffy's boots. Buffy let her wear the boots cause they looked better than Marie's combat boots and Buffy was starting to find it awkward walking in heels. She figured it was the baby starting to throw her body's balance off a bit with the added weight in the front... and probably partly from the ankle swelling that was starting. 'Gawd, how did pregnant women survive?' she sighed to herself.
"You really didn't have to come along," she glanced at Marie as she signed in at the front desk. "I mean, I'm not so pregnant I can't go places on my own, no matter what Spike would have you believe. Spike didn't put you up to this, did he?"
"No," Marie rolled her eyes and tossed her ponytail back over her shoulder. "I wanted to come along and spend time with you, and stuff. Plus, I was way curious to see what the baby looks like on that little machine thingy. And you did promise you would eventually do the shopping thing with me."
"Yes, I did," Buffy gave her a smile and went to sit down. Maybe Spike was right about them being close or something in the future. What with her beaming every time Buffy showed her any attention and jumping at the chance to spend time with the elder slayer, like when Buffy had suggested taking her shopping the night before. Maybe she got to have with Marie what she didn't get to have with Faith. What she thought she was on the road to getting when Faith suddenly went wonky in the head.
It wasn't like being in a club or being part of a religion or ethnic group, there wasn't other people for her to relate with when there was usually only one slayer in all the world. The thing with Faith being called being a fluke because of a technicality. Still made her wander why this girl was called in the future, Faith dies? Or... her? She shook her head knowing she couldn't ask just as Spike had explained the night before.
Her mind wandered a bit as she sat in the waiting room. Buffy hadn't seen Angel in awhile. She wasn't sure why her mind suddenly went there, but it did. Though, really, it was hard to keep tabs on people when you confine yourself to your bed. She had seen him at the funeral, though, but before then he hadn't been around much either. She would just have to remember to ask Spike about this later.
A nurse poked her head out from the back and called her name.
She got up and glanced back at Marie. "I guess there shouldn't be any trouble with you coming back there. You said you wanted to see the baby on the little monitor thing."
Marie beamed and jumped up to follow her. They were led to a room and Buffy waved the nurse away when she went to take Buffy's vitals, earning the slayer a harried look. Buffy ignored it and sat on the exam table, swinging her legs as she waited.
A young male doctor walked in some time later and smiled at them. He held out his hand to Buffy, "I'm Dr. Ben Hardy. Is this your first visit? We didn't have any prior records for you."
"Yes, first time since I've become pregnant. Before then, I didn't get sick much and I've only been in Sunnydale a few years," she shrugged.
"The nurse informs me that you also refused t let her take your vitals. You do understand that does help me make sure nothing is wrong with you or the baby?" He tapped the folder and lifted a brow at her.
"I understand, but there's special circumstances. I'll settle for you just getting the baby's vitals and doing that funny picture thing." She smiled up at the doctor sweetly and wondered if she was able to do the thrall thing too if she needed to. "I'll sign something if this is an issue of liability and you're afraid I'll sue later..."
"No need as long as you understand the risk," He smiled and waved it away as he wheeled over the ultrasound machine. He put the goo on her belly then got the little hand held device. She shivered as he rolled it over her sensitive skin. After a minute or two, he pointed at the screen. "There you go. Looks like you've got yourself a little girl."
"Oh, I was hoping for one," she said, not wanting to let on she already knew and have him think she was any weirder. "So tiny..." she breathed softly.
"Where?" Marie demanded and crowded close.
Ben pointed at the little blob on the screen. "There she is. She seems to be doing rather well despite whatever special circumstances you're not telling me about."
"The father will be glad to hear that. He's very much the worrier," Buffy chuckled.
"All I see is a blob!" Marie exclaimed in exasperation.
The other two chuckled then Ben outlined the baby with his finger, this time telling her what end was what. "Next time we might could use the new 3D machine if you like. A little pricy but..." He glanced at Buffy as he started putting things away. "Today you'll have a picture to take back to that worrying father."
"That would be awesome and money is not an issue. I can't wait to see her in 3D," the elder slayer grinned as she pulled her shirt back down.
"Do they look like how they will when they're born with that 3D machine?" Marie asked curiously.
"Somewhat," the doctor nodded. "I'll be back in a moment with that picture."
Buffy hopped off the table and straightened her clothes, glancing at the younger blonde. "Why all the interest? Are you far enough in the future that you're a friend of Jocelyn or maybe you baby-sit her for us?"
"Yeah, we're friends. Get along like sisters even," Marie nodded.
"I'm sure she appreciates you coming here to save her life then."
"I know she does."
Ben came back with a prescription for some prenatal vitamins and the ultrasound photo. Buffy thanked him again and left with Marie in tow.
*****
Buffy walked into the house later carrying a pizza box and some bags with Marie slipping in behind her carrying even more large shopping bags. The younger slayer jogged upstairs immediately to put away her new stuff while Buffy wondered where Spike was. She put the pizza down on the kitchen counter and took out a slice to munch on as she went back towards the living room.
Her slayer senses tingled moments before Spike hurried in. He paused and smiled at her, eyes taking her in, before coming over to her to slide an arm around him.
"How'd it go, luv?" he asked, nuzzling her hair.
"Great, and got Jocelyn's first picture for you to fawn over and probably frame." She chuckled and pulled the picture out of her pocket to show him. "There's our beautiful, healthy baby girl."
"Looks like a bunch of blobs t' me," he grumbled, turning the picture this way and that.
She rolled her eyes and took the picture back so she could outline the form with her finger for him. "You and Marie... good grief..."
"Speakin' of... did you get anythin' else out of her while you were out with her?" He sat her down and put the picture on the mantle until he could actually get it framed. He went to get her something to drink while she answered.
"Said she's Jocelyn's friend. Really close. Also stays with us in the future, as well. I also think you might be right about us possibly being close in the future," she nodded then tilted her head. "And where have you been?"
"Visitin' my lovin' grandfather," he smirked and handed her a glass of juice, kissing her cheek as he sat beside her.
"Oh? I just realized earlier while at the doctor's office that I hadn't seen him in months except for the funeral... Was starting to wonder if he had went back to Los Angeles..." she sipped at the juice then set it aside. "So he's still in town?"
"Yup, an' still has the three tramps pawin' all over him constantly." He reached for her when he noticed her face darken at the mention of the brides. He pulled her into his lap. "I know... but it's also the reason he says he can' get out much. Can' get them off him for more than two seconds. An' he was very lucky t' make it t' the funeral without draggin' them along... which would have been very bad..."
She frowned intensely, obviously agreeing that it would have been very bad if the three whores would have shown up at her mother's funeral. She really didn't even like the idea that Angel was holed up with them somewhere all these months with them all over him all the time. Not having feelings for him, of course. She only had eyes for the blonde vampire who's arms were cradling her. The imagery just unsettled her.
Spike lifted a hand to smooth the frown lines from her forehead. "Don' worry, pet. Wouldn' let them anywhere near you. Would stake them if you asked me t'... even if it meant stakin' the big poofter, too..." He smirked, obviously liking the last idea and not ashamed to show it.
That finally brought a small smile to her face. "Oh, you'd miss him if he was actually gone..." she admonished and brushed a kiss along his jaw. She curled an arm around his shoulders as she leaned against him, letting fingers play in the curls at the nape of his neck. "Why'd you go to seem him anyways if you hate him so much?"
"Was actually wonderin' the same thing you were. Went t' see if he was still around an' tryin' t' help... though not sure what help he can be while in the slut pile..." he growled, holding her protectively. "But you have plenty of people beside him who really are tryin' t' help. Your friends an' watcher an' Marie... an' most 'specially, me. Your lovin' mate."
She smiled, leaning in to kiss him but he broke away to look towards the stairs where another little blonde slayer was watching them with interest. He arched a brow and Marie blushed at being caught spying. Buffy turned to follow Spike's gaze and blushed as well. She pushed herself out of his lap and went over to the other girl. "Um, don't worry... we'll try to keep from the public pawing in the future while you're living with us." She led her to the kitchen to eat the pizza before it got cold.
"That's okay." Marie bit her lip. "You two obviously love each other very much and I didn't mean to spy... but it was so nice to see you two together like that. Don't change because I'm here... I'll be less creepy-starey in the future."
"No no..." Buffy handed her a plate piled with pizza. "I mean, we'll have to learn to restrain ourselves sooner or later as Jocelyn gets older and stuff." She shrugged, "Though, just now, wasn't really doing much. Only kissing... but better I get caught doing that than anything else." She chuckled then stopped. "Oh god, I just realized we should have Willow do a silencing spell on our room or something..."
"I can do it," the younger blonde smiled brightly. "Willow's been teaching me a lot." She turned and bounced upstairs with her pizza.
Spike passed her as he walked into the kitchen. He leaned a hip against the island and pulled Buffy towards him, purring softly. "Seems we got a witchy slayer on hand for the next few months. That should be a help, luv." He nuzzled her neck and stroke his marks with his tongue slowly, delighting in the shiver of pleasure it caused in her body. "As soon as she has that spell up, we should go test it out."
"Spike..." she rolled her eyes and swatted at him. "One, didn't I just say we needed to be more careful with the public groping? Two, how could you be wanting to get all humpy on this...?" She motioned down at her rounded belly.
"Always want you," he nipped at the marks lightly, sending another shudder through her. "An' even more delicious now, with my baby growin' in you. Couldn' get anymore sexy t' me. Mother of my child. Beautiful goddess givin' life t' the itty bitty..." he kept murmuring endearments into her neck.
Buffy blushed and teased him lightly, "You are an odd little man..." She smiled up at him when he lifted his head to give a mock pout. "But I already knew that and fell in love with you anyways." Her brows crinkled slightly, "But won't the baby see your thing coming at it?"
tbc...
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