"It's not good, Buffy, not at all....if the, um, plancenta tears....I think we need to stay here a bit longer....a week or two at least. I'm going to keep reading, until I know all there is. Andrew's been a good lad, went n' got them for me so I wouldn't have to leave your side."
"A week in bed, that almost sounds perfect, if the circumstances were different."
"There's enough books in this place, at least you won't get bored."
"Remember that I'm the non-ready all action Buffy, I'm gonna get cranky and very bored, so promise me you'll spend lots of time here with me and not give all your attention to your new Slayer."
"Don't think like that, precious, I'm not going to be anywhere but here - after I unload the Hummer with all our vitals. I don't want to chance any wayward demons nickin' our things or food."
"You'll still take my blood won't you?"
"Not for a good while, but yeah, I'll not fight you on it anymore."
"Thank you. Put the book down for a little bit, okay?" He put it aside and turned so he too was on his side. He inched ever closer until their lips could meet. Their kiss was soft and affirming at first, but then Buffy opened her mouth and slipped her tongue between his lips and sought inside. He leaned into her, moving until he was over her slightly her, his own tongue curling around hers. It was all wetness and warmth as they infused the other with comfort and love. With eyes closed, the pair relaxed completely and submersed themselves in the indulgence of his the dueling of tongues, the pressure of lips and the gentle running of fingers through hair and down backs.
"See?" Andrew whispered as he and Boon peered around from behind the bookcase where they were hiding,"Isn't it beautiful? They're so in love. " The young Slayer tugged at his jacket and took them away from what had suddenly become a very intimate scene. She didn't want to spy.
"Okay, so let's hear the rest of the story!" They went back to where their camp was, sitting on their sleeping bags and eating from a bag of chocolate chocolate chip cookies.
"Well, as it turned out, the Principal was evil, just as Buffy had originally suspected. Forming a plan with an overbearing and slightly unhinged Mr. Giles, due to the loss of all his fellow Watchers, not to mention the intense accumulation of jet lag from travelling all over the world to collect Potential Slayers. Spike was lured to a garage - a garage of pure evil!"
"I thought you said it was filled with crosses?"
"Yes, but they were evil crosses because of the Principal's tainting them with his thirst for unholy vengeance!"
"But Spike killed his mom, right?" Andrew sneered, trying to copy Spike's patented glare.
"The demon had changed, and now a man lived within Spike, a good and noble man called William. He wrote poems n' stuff. The man Robin Wood wanted to kill no longer existed."
"Sorry, go on."
"Thank you. Giles led Buffy away, where she would be unable to protect her noble vampire lover from harm and dusting. Meanwhile using the lullaby once sung to him by his own mother, Principal Wood used the trigger to bring forth the demon. A rousing battle ensued and both men were left battered and terrorized."
"Terrorized?"
"Quiet, a tale is being told, an epic."
"Okay, geez, keep your shirt on. I guess Spike won, huh?"
"Oh yes, oh yes indeed. In a dramatic and emotionally arduous flashback sequence, Spike relived the terrible memories of turning his dear, ailing mother into a vampire, intent merel
Written by: Evenstar
Author's
Website
Summary: The First Evil was not defeated, but as time passed it seems
it also did not vanquish the Earth. Now, in a post-Apocalyptic world only three
Scoobies remain and are following a Slayer's dream to possible salvation. Post-Season
7 A/U.
Disclaimer: I do not own the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel (The
Series). All of the characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Century
Fox, et al.
Feedback: samhain@uniserve.com
Chapter 21
Buffy awoke the next morning, having slept all afternoon and night feeling very well rested. The fact that Spike hadn't left her side had ensured a deep, rejuvenating sleep. In the hazy, sloped place before she was fully aware or her surroundings she discerned equally as soft and light movements from her baby and the presence of the father with them. There was a vampire sitting next to her, his hand cool against the naked warmth of her tummy."Am I going to have a permanent hand print there?" she mumbled, keeping her eyes closed.
"How are you feeling?" he asked in a whisper, ignoring her question entirely.
"My butt's numb, I really have to go to the bathroom and my spine is feeling like there's a steel rod through the center, if you must know. And my neck hurts. And I'm hungry."
"Is there any pain? From..." She knew what he meant.
"Nothing. It's like yesterday never happened."
"It happened." She reached out and grasped his forearm, commanding his attention.
"Spike..." She wasn't quite sure what to say to him, how to reassure him. Especially considering how frightened she was herself,"I love you."
"I love you too, Buffy, so much." There wasn't anything else to say. He helped her up and to the bathroom and waited by the door until she returned and brought her back to bed. He was going to insist she stay there all day and she acquiesced without a word to the contrary. There was no sign of anything wrong this morning, thankfully. Once back in bed Spike was fussing over her with breakfast, juice and vitamins. Afterwards Buffy lay on her side and snuggled down under the covers, while he lay next to her reading from a textbook. One among many collected.
"Anything interesting?"
"It's all interesting."
"Yes, but anything about what happened?"
"Not exactly, just a few horrible worst case scenarios that have us......." He couldn't finish and Buffy understood, she didn't particularly want to hear it. She reached out and caressed his cheek with her fingertips."Anyways, there's a couple of reasons...if the placenta's too close to the cervix....or if the sex we've had's been too rough..."
"It hasn't, you're always slow and gentle, and we're both careful."
"So, there could just be a little tearing away of the placenta from the uterine wall...from getting knocked about like you did...just something that needs time to heal."
"That doesn't sound like anything y easing her suffering and not creating the monster that befell him. In a fit of anguish, William, sweet William, staked his own mother, thus putting her soul to rest. You see, this was what the First Evil had used to brainwash the newly souled vampire. In the end, Spike broke The First Evil's hold over him, coming to realize that he was loved by his mother and forgiven for his trespasses. He allowed Principal Wood to live, but with an outstanding threat to finish the job should the Principal step out of line again."
"What about Buffy?"
"She arrived too late, coming upon the tragedy as Spike left the scene of the crime. Being true to her man, Buffy echoed Spike, if Wood did not give up his vendetta, he would die!"
"Good, I'm glad she stood up for him. Is that when they got together? What about Giles? Did Buffy forgive him?"
"Those are great notions aren't they? Love and forgiveness? But alas now was not the time, for something terrible was about to occur! The arrival of someone none of us were expecting, someone that would change the very fabric of our beings!"
"Oh, was it that Caleb guy?"
"No, just Faith, she macked on Spike....Buffy got jealous, it was a thing."
"Then Caleb?"
"Yeah...then stuff got bad...."
"But Buffy and Spike were falling in love even then right?" Andrew looked down and smiled to himself.
"They were falling in love."
Chapter 22
"Keep your shoulders relaxed and you elbow hugged down at your ribs, fist comes out straight - elbow down." Spike instructed as he and Boon circled around each other. Andrew and Buffy stood on the sidelines, watching the vampire train the Slayer,"I can see you projecting every move before you make it, so will any other vamp, gotta learn to be the one in control of the fight. A vamp is always searching for your weakness, any split second opening to get a strike in. If you're distracted by anything, you're dead."
"I've done okay you know!" Boon shot back, getting increasingly annoyed with the vampire who'd taken on the role pf pseudo Watcher. For the past two weeks they'd done nothing but train while Buffy rested. If Spike wasn't caring for his wife, he was sparring with his new student. Buffy could see a little bit of a spark come alive in both of them. Despite Boon's complaints and Spike's hard edge, she could tell the two of them were enjoying it.
"Against fledglings, sure. Humans can take down fledglings, but come up against a seasoned fighter and you're dinner. I've taken out two Slayers in my time and Buffy'll tell you I never got the upper hand our fights, but there were times when I'd have had my third." Boon tried punching with the techniques Spike had shown her, the improvement evident.
"He's totally full of himself, he'd have never beaten me," Buffy noted. Spike stopped moving and stood erect, half annoyed with Buffy, who innocently munch on cashews from a tin with Andrew.
"Do you mind, love?"
"Not at all, did he tell you about the time he fell into an open grave?"
"Slayer!!" Boon started giggling and Spike snarled, throwing on his game face and lunging for the girl. The attack was not predicted and she panicked. She took a chance and popped him in the nose. Amazingly enough she got him and Spike, instead of falling down his with his usual spectacular merely backed away, walking over to Buffy and leaning down.
"Why do they always go for the nose?" Buffy placed a kiss on the tip and passed him the nuts.
"My poor baby." She patted his bum and took over the lesson.
"Be careful Buffy."
"I'll do it very Matrixy, all slow mo'." Fact of the matter was, her body was so stiff from lack of movement she felt the need to run a marathon and battle a Fyarl, but she'd suffice with imparting only the wisdom of a seasoned warrior. She put her hand on Boon's shoulder and led the girl away,"Let's go for a walk."
Then ended up near the religion section, chock full of books about God, Gaia and every other notion of the universe,"Can I ask you something, Buffy?" Boon asked. The two girls sat down on a bench that lined one book end.
"Go ahead."
"Spike said that all vampires were monsters, just animals....but he's not?" Buffy smiled to herself, this wasn't something easy to explain,"And then he started mumbling something about sodding poofs. What's a sodding poof?" That was even more complicated.
"Uh, well...okay, here's the thing. I'm a great big freak."
"Pardon?"
"I am, really, totally not normal. Always been a little bit kooky, insano Buffy. Yep. Vamp fetish, Faith said." She was confusing the girl."The sodding poof was Spike's grandsire. Angel made Drusilla, who made Spike...or more precisely Angelus made Drusilla, who made William. Angelus was the cruelest most wicked vampire there probably ever was. He murdered a gypsy girl and it cost him, her people cursed him with a soul. After that he was on his own and William became Spike and Dru - Sid and Nancy of the vampire set. Angel....he brooded for a century and ate rats. In a nutshell."
"Ew."
"Then he met me, and to cut a long story short, he was my first boyfriend and it was very dramatic and all that Shakespearean kinda stuff. To cut the story even longer, Spike and Dru got into the mix, Angel lost his soul....and then well, it got so bad I nearly lost myself."
"Is that where Spike came in?"
"No, not for a few more years....and then...then he became everything. Didn't Andrew tell you all of this?"
"Just the past three years or so...after Spike's coming home from Africa, with his soul."
"Which he got for me. The demon went against his nature, went against everything he was supposed to be, all because he loved me. That's what makes Spike more than a monster or an animal. There's things about Spike and mine's relationship that's going to stay private, suffice to say that the two of us have done each other a lot of damage and it's been ugly, but we got through it, fought to stay together and now it's amazing. So, no, Spike's nothing like any other vampire out there, he never was, not since the moment he was sired. When he was a human he was quiet and sentimental, a true Victorian gentleman and even as a vampire, living for blood and mayhem, his core never changed.....I don't know how else to explain it. You can trust him. Andrew can fill you in on the early years if he wants."
"I think it's more complicated than I can understand."
"That's probably true. There's a reason you're asking, those vampires that first night?" Boon was about to try and avoid answering, but there was something about Buffy, the fact that she really seemed to understand that prompted her to reveal the truth.
"My mom and brother....they were two of them. This is where we were living, trying to escape the stuff above, and the demons. Some vampires came....it was then I found out what I could do...but I ran after. They got turned."
"And Spike killed them."
"I'm glad he did....I don't think....."
"That you could've done it. I get that, it's a hard thing, making a sacrifice. They weren't your mom or brother anymore, you know that right?"
"I guess. But if Spike could be good...maybe then....."
"I don't know, Boon, but I know Spike has a destiny, or something. The Powers That Be have been screwing with our lives for good and bad for years. I don't know why Spike's made it this far, why we got to be together, or why we're having a baby when it's completely impossible. No vampire can be in the sun, but he can.....I don't have answers, just experience and that's telling me that there's a bigger picture here."
"Something to do with Seattle?"
"I hope so, I hope it's what we need."
"What did you see?"
"The woman in white....the demons and people all around her.....she was holding something, something familiar, important."
"That ball of green energy?"
"Yes." Buffy sighed, feeling a swell of emotion, and so much hope. The Key. Dawn?
Chapter 23
Portland to Seattle was only a four hour drive and as each mile was behind them, Buffy was growing increasingly uneasy. She was curled right up against Spike with her head on his chest and an arm around his waist. He had his arm around her shoulders, giving her many comforting squeezes and saying sweet things under his breath for only her to hear. Like typical teenagers, Andrew and Boon were in the back listening to discmen and playing video games, laughing together. After all this time, finally getting to Seattle had her frightened. Everything was about to change. She pushed it to the back of her mind and concentrated on the things that wouldn't change, like holding the man she was now. She kissed his collar bone through his shirt and coat and he gave her another hug. Buffy closed her eyes and hugged him back.
There was laughing this time, there wasn't usually laughter, just a predominant ethereal feeling of peace and supernatural presence. Buffy had the vague notion of feeling lethargic, but in the manner when people have had too much good food and wine. Spike was with her, leaning up against her and gently sucking blood from her neck. Oddly, the fact that he was using a straw to do it didn't seem out of the ordinary. At the same time he was playing with her hair, shaping tendrils into a vignette that turned into the scene from Genesis of the snake offering Eve the apple.
The woman, or the being, of white light was there and the orb of glowing green energy was dancing around and over her hands like water over a rock surface, Buffy was laughing. Then, just as when a clock's knell of midnight shifted one world from peaceful night to the hours of the Devil, the scene changed. An unseen hand took the Key and hurled it at Buffy. Spike was incinerated, his dust blown away by the hurricane force of the energy crashing over her. Inside her, the baby was in panicked fits, thrashing madly in her womb as the pair of them were burned from the inside out.
Buffy shot awake with a violent jolt, screaming. Spike pulled the car to a halt and took hold of her. Boon and Andrew scared also, looked at each other in the back seat."Buffy?" Spike said, looking her in the eyes and pulling her out of her dream the rest of the way.
"Nightmare," she whispered. Her hand went down to her middle, just making sure the baby was still there. All seemed suddenly normal. Spike cradled her in his arms and kissed the top of her head.
"Was it very bad, sweetheart?" She nodded her head and hugged him closer,"Tell me."
"Later...just wanna let it go for now. Where are we?" Spike sighed and let it be, but she still cleaved to him in fear.
"We're here, pet, Seattle, or the edge rather. Now we just need for you to tell us where to go."
"I don't know exactly, there's a lake?"
"Lake Washington."
"Go there." The circled around the neighborhoods of Lake Washington until Buffy and Boon both felt a pull to one direction. At long length, after months of journeying and struggling to reach this place, they were there. It stood vast and palatial hugging the shores of the majestic lake.
"Bloody hell!" Spike exclaimed, dumbfounded,"We come thousands of miles to this?!"
"What?" asked Buffy.
"Pet, that's Bill Gates' house."
"No!"
"Oh yes!"
"Really?"
"Yes, love, really. Your prophetic portents have led us to the magic dream home of a tech mogul."
"You think he's still alive?"
"God only knows. If he is, I'd wager he's probably got Melinda n' the kids cryogenically frozen in the Batcave."
"Fabulous. So?"
"Well we did come all this way. We should at least say hello, and I have a bone to pick with him about Office XP."
"You're very strange."
"Take weapons, Bill always seemed a bit shifty in my opinion." They parked the Hummer and descended to the immaculately landscaped drive, trees and flowering bushes decorating the place like an Indian palace. Which for all intents and purposes this likely was, a paradise. The house and all its surroundings were seemingly unfazed by the ravages of the recent apocalypse.
"Looks nice enough," Buffy commented, taking Spike's hand in hers, watching as he slipped a knife into a sheath and affixed it to his belt.
"Looks too good to be true if you ask me."
"The Powers didn't give both Boon and I these dreams for this to mean nothing. There is something here for us, I know there is."
"You're meaning the Key, aren't you? It won't be our Dawnie, love, as much as we want it to be."
"I know, I do, really...but there was something in her that was this Key thingie and that makes her not quite so gone." He gave her a smile and nodded in agreement.
"Come on, love, we'll find our answers." Boon and Andrew walked beside them, keeping an eye out, on guard as much as the vampire and Slayer.
The man guised in a monk's habit came on to the path approximately ten feet ahead of them, carrying with him a large woven basket with a knife dangling at his hip from a braided leather strap. Buffy and Spike exchanged a look and then she spoke."Hello?" He turned and looked at them, his face weathered and kind. He gazed into each of their eyes, a somewhat unsettling action, then nodded and motioned for them to follow.
Spike guided Buffy's hand around his waist and held her protectively close, the monk seemed harmless enough, but he wasn't taking any chances until he knew the score. The monk led them around to the side of the house and through a pair of glass French doors into what looked like a part of a kitchen. Down a short hallway was a larger room filled with stoves, refrigerators and counters covered in fresh vegetables and bread that had just come from the oven. The monk put down his basket full of vegetables and fruit and scurried away. The place smelled divinely and the growling in Buffy's stomach told Spike that already this place was a haven for her. The monk then returned with more of his brothers. They each took reverent bows to their guests. One more monk joined them, this one considerably younger than the others.
"You should eat something," he said,"You all look hungry. Take anything you want." Andrew practically dove for the food, but Spike caught him and held him back.
"In a minute," Spike began, feeling suspicious. He looked over the boy, likely barely out of his teens, if that. There was a vague familiarity about the kid, and something Spike didn't like about him,"Who are you?"
"My name is Connor, you're welcome here. We're used to newcomers, you'll find a few other humans are here already, and some demons.....like you, you're not entirely human."
"Good on you boy, no, vampire here."
"But you're out in the day..."
"Not just a vampire, then, am I?"
"Are you the father?" The young monk looked over at Buffy and Spike fought back a growl.
"Yeah, I am."
"Then I suppose I should tell you, my father was one. His name was Angel, he died two years ago in Los Angeles, protecting me. It wasn't until he sacrificed himself like he did that I believed he loved me." Buffy and Spike locked eyes and gave her an encouraging smile and whispered 'sorry, pet' to her.
"We knew him. We can talk about this later."
"Then eat."
"No, there's more important matters at hand. There's a reason people are coming, isn't there? There's a woman."
"You can see her whenever you wish."
"Now, then."
"Come this way." The other monks stepped aside and Spike ushered Boon and Andrew on, the boy giving a whine at having to leave the tray of sticky buns he'd been eyeing. The end of the kitchen exited into a large foyer. From there they ascended the grand staircase, which seemed to go up forever until finally they came to the top which opened to a spacious hall and there in the center she waited.
"Oh my god!" Buffy gasped. Andrew dropped to his knees in reverence.
"She's beautiful!" the mouse cried.
Chapter 24
"Bloody hell, mouse, get to your feet, it's just Cordelia!" Spike groaned,"Hey, love, you look ravishing what with the floating and the glowing."
"Oh! Hey Spike," Cordy replied, then turned to Buffy,"Buffy! Wow, you look um...you're...wow..."
"Knocked up? Happily. How are you Cordelia?" Buffy asked. It was as if two years of strife were slowly pooling at Buffy's feet and flowing away. Of all things she'd imagined, she would never have predicted Coredelia Chase was to be their salvation. She tilted her head to rest on Spike's shoulder and the vampire took notice of how relaxed his wife was, feeling it too.
"Pretty good, higher being here, but only about 6 feet higher, as you can see. You?"
"The usual, apocalypses, still sleeping with vampires." There was pause, an uncomfortable silence, the two women smiling and nodding their heads. Spike watched the exchange with his brow furrowed until he couldn't take it anymore.
"What is it with you women, always havin' to skirt around things? Cordelia, pet, come on, what the hell's happened here?! Where are the others from Los Angeles?" Cordy sighed. If it was possible to make a higher being depressed, Spike had just succeeded."Why has Buffy dreamt of you, why have we come all this way?"
"I don't have the answer to that one. Nice soul, by the way."
"Sorry, pet, I didn't mean to snap. It's just been hard, on all of us."
"Maybe so you could have somewhere safe to have your baby? We've got farms here, magic and medicine. This is a good place, a safe place. Maybe this is supposed to be home? The monks were already here when I arrived and have made this place sacred, I'm here because they needed a beacon for the others. They're coming from everywhere for something, but I don't know what and if the monks do they're not saying. Well, most of them have taken vows of silence, but still. Guys, I'm clueless and not the I'm too wrapped up in my own thing kind of clueless. I've been watching for over three years now to all that's going on down here, the whole pod-Cordy fiasco in LA is one hell of a story. It wasn't until it was all over that I was allowed out of my really borning heavenly cage and now I just hover here like a balloon that's lost half its helium greeting newcomers. Hi I'm Cordelia and I'll be your very pretty but useless heavenly being today. I had to watch as one by one each of them died or went missing...and then Angel...what happened to Angel..." Her voice trailed off and there were tears in her eyes. Connor reached out to touch her, to offer comfort, but his hand passed through her."So here I am, I don't know why. The Powers just sent me here, but now you guys are here too so this must be it right?"
"Cordelia?" Buffy said, approaching,"You loved him, didn't you?" Cordy sighed.
"Yeah, I really did. Angel had kept himself locked down and closed until he met you Buffy, he really fell hard....yeah, well, we were all there. But once you guys were over and he did the whole deep broody thing again....we got to be the best of friends and it was coming on really slowly, but we got there in the end and it was about to be as epic and sweeping as you and Spike. Then, you know, stuff happened."
"I'm sorry Cordy."
"It's okay, I have a feeling this all happened for a reason. We have destinies....the Powers just like making stir fry outta them. You know what? That's enough depresso stuffs for now, go relax in your own rooms, pig out, we have Playstation!" Spike cast a quirky smile in Andrew's direction. The boy looked liked Parasifal when he'd found the Holy Grail."And Spike?"
"Yes, Cordelia love?"
"Get a haircut."
***
"I know it's Cordy, once Queen Bitch of All Time, but it's Cordy, Spike! We're not all lost, we're not all gone...there's still Scoobies in the world." She wrapped her arms around his neck, which wasn't so easy anymore given how big she was getting, and tilted her head back under the hot spray from the shower. The water was divine and washed away all her inhibitions and cares, heating her entire body and his as it traveled down to her heels.
"And it's got you happy, so I'm happy for you, love." He worked a lathering of shampoo through her hair, from roots to tips, while she did the same to his own.
"Aren't you happy for you too? Fresh blood, from very nice monk people who Cordy said would gladly donate! Big bouncy fluffy bed. Hot showers. Doctors, real actual doctors with drugs. Epidurals for Buffy!" He turned them around once her hair was rinsed to do the same to his own. By now there was a heaviness to the air from all the steam, leaving them both hot and supple.
"Yeah, yeah, love...I'm glad for all that, but I won't be letting my guard down. I'm still waiting for a snake to offer me an apple. There's one thing I've leered in these past two years is that I trust no one and nothing except you n' the mouse." She nodded her head and after vigorously scrubbing soap into a lather in her hands she began to wash Spike, in a rather arousing manner. Her hands worked the suds over his chest and arms, around his back, over his shoulders, down to his rear, then across his abdomen. When his erection rose up despite not being touched in the least, Buffy curled her slippery hands around it and worked it clean also.
"That thing has a mind of it's own doesn't it?" She tugged at it, pressing down over specific veins, her finger toying with the head.
'Actually...fuck, pet......we were both thinking the same thing." He put his palm to the tiles to steady himself as her hands continued to pump him with increasing ardor.
"It's been a while for us? I really need you, Spike." He kissed her, closing his eyes and kneading her bottom lip with with his. He turned off the water.
"Let's go to bed, then, nice and comfy like you said." They dried themselves off quickly and made their way to the beautiful, spacious and sunlit bed. They fell back on to the many layers of white quilts, the air poofing out under their weight and settling back as if they lay on clouds. Their mouths met for fiery, wet kisses, with Spike rolling her on to her back and cupping her face in his hands and smiling throughout."Bloody hell, I love you so much woman! I love you!" She wrapped her arms under him and around his back, squeezing him tight as she laughed and kissed him. This was perfect, this was everything they both needed. With the knowledge that one of their friends was protecting this place, they could allow this time to connect.
"Make love to me for the rest of the day..." She asked when he allowed her a breath,"Then all night."
"Anything my precious desires." He moved down to her breasts, teasing the tips with his tongue, the suckling one nipple as he rolled the other between his fingers. Buffy made soft murmurs of approval as she held him to her breasts and ran her fingers through his newly shorn hair.
"She only desires exactly what she has now....maybe another steak later, dinner was so yummy."
"I'll see what I can do about that, but hey, if you want meat..." She cuffed him behind the ear,"Sorry, pet, sometimes you just can't miss the opportunity..."
"Be. Romantic. Or. Else."
"Yes, dear." He encouraged her to roll over so they face each other, then he took her hand and placed a kiss upon her palm,"Shall I tell you of how beautiful I know our child will be? How the love between us will only deepen as we hold them in our arms, kiss the top of their little head, tell them we love them? But also how until they're ready to be born, you and I, oh Buffy love...."
"I rather you show me." With a grin he kissed her, then slipped away. He kept a hand on her as he rose and crawled over to the other side, easing down behind her. He gathered up her hair away from her neck, laying the thick blanket of damp golden locks over the pillow.
"I want us close like this." She nodded in agreement and bent to kiss the forearm across her upper chest, loving the feel of his torso against her back, so warm from the shower,"Slow...quiet...alright?"
"Mmm hmmm." His free hand slid between her thighs to open them up for him to press his hardness into her. As he parted her moist folds and eased inside, both let out deep moans satisfaction at being joined together again. He nudged in closer, until he was completely enveloped in her heat, his stomach pressed to her backside. He kneaded her thigh and lay his cheek against hers, his chin anchored in the crook of her neck.
"This nice pet? You like this?"
"Love this, love you. Don't move, hold me." Using her well practiced inner muscles she tensed herself around his cock until he let out a small, nearly painfilled cry. She relaxed and did it again. And again.
"Buffy....." His eyes squeezed shut and his tightened his hold on her, his breath ragged and erratic.
"You watch me when we make love, watch for every reaction. We've almost never do it like this...can you open your eyes?" She tensed again and he growled.
"No......" He shuddered when she did it yet again,"God, Buffy!" She eased off and he exhaled.
"Your turn."
"You're gonna pay for that, Slayer."
"I should hope so, but take your time, we've got hours and hours." He began thrusting, slow and deep, making her flesh sing for him. Her insides were fluttering, melting around him. She'd primed herself perfectly with her little game. He rubbed his cheek against hers like a cat, giving little grunts and growls as he moved inside her. Buffy closed her eyes and abandoned herself to his love making. He loosened his arm from around her shoulder and gripped her chin, angling her face to his to claim her mouth. As with all their kisses it was passionate and teeming with love.
The coupling did indeed go on for hours and hours, a never ending sequence of climaxes and words of nothing but love and devotion. Laughter and tears and cries of orgasmic heights, naughty words that make them both hot, then they lay still and rested and marveled over Buffy's pregnant belly when Spike put his hands on her and felt their child stretching and kicking.
Come nightfall they were under the covers, wrapped in each others arms, warm and safe.
Chapter 25
Buffy's first thought upon waking the next morning was that she was trapped in a giant marshmallow. She quickly shook that dreamy notion from her mind and pulled the heavy white quilt down from over her head. The first thing she saw was dawn's first light behind her illuminating Spike's yesterday bleached head. He was hugging his pillow and smiling in his sleep. Buffy sighed and reached up to lay her hand on his cheek.
"Spike, baby?" she whispered, trying to coax him out of sleep. He murmured something unintelligible and curled up into a tight fetal position,"William?"
"Mmmmph?"
"Wake up."
"Huh? No." She reached under the covers and brought his hand to her stomach and watched and waited for the smile that appeared on his face when he felt the baby moving.
"Open your eyes." He didn't open his eyes, but instead snuck under the covers until he'd commandeered her round tummy as his new pillow. Buffy sighed and pouted and finally relented, drifting off back to sleep.
When she woke up again, Spike was gone, replaced with a pink rose on the pillow. She took it and brought it to her nose and inhaled the scent. She hadn't smelled a rose in so long she couldn't remember when had been the last time. She'd missed it. She sat up and looked for her husband, but he was no where in sight. She didn't like waking and not finding him with her, but nor did she think anything was wrong. He'd probably just gone exploring. She got out of bed, marveled at how the sun filled the entire room, everything looked like it came from heaven. She padded her way on the cushy carpeting to the bathroom. She emerged half an hour later from a bath, wrapped in a thick terrycloth robe. This place was better than a five star hotel!
Spike had returned and to see him standing outside on the terrace put her at ease, even more so to see the sun on his naked back. He was wearing a pair of sand colored linen pajama bottoms, looking exceptionally sexy with them riding low on his hips. Even after their hours making love the day before she was in want of him again, but she was in want of something else just a little bit more. Namely, the breakfast displayed in an appetizing array on the table outside, half a dozen silver domed plates with bowls of fruit and a pitcher of juice. She came on to the spacious, private deck and touched his back. Spike turned and embraced her warmly.
"Morning, lovely, brought you breakfast," he said, bestowing a kiss on her forehead,"Got 'em to make up the works - pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruits, cereal."
"And I'm supposed to eat all this? There's not much room left in this Buffy body."
"Take your time, pet, we're on permanent vacation." He led her to the table and held the cushioned chair out for her to sit. He piled food on to her plate and let her drench it in syrup. He took his place across from her and poured himself a wine glass of fresh blood, to which Buffy's curiosity was raised,"Some of the people, uh, donated. Cordelia asked them to, some of her monks I suppose."
"This doesn't mean the end of you taking my blood I hope?"
"It doesn't have to, love. It's become something between us, I don't want it to stop." He took a sip and put his glass down, looking across the table at her,"Buffy, I've loved you for a long time, I think maybe the whole time I've known you. God, since you were sixteen! We've done just about everything in bed imaginable, everything out of bed too. There were times when I imagined there was more..."
"There was."
"Thanks for saying, love, but you could never take any happiness from it. Then, as one by one the others left us, you let me love you and to help save yourself from misery you let yourself love me back. We found something good in all that death and despair and then we learned we were having this baby of ours and I think for the first time, I really felt it - what I'd been searching for all my decades, that intimacy that went deeper than bodies, deeper than words. So, when you let me be what it is I am, a vampire, when you let my fangs inside you like you do the rest of me, that means more to me than making love. Understand?" There were tears brimming Buffy's eyes as she listened to his words. He'd spoken with such emotion that it overwhelmed her. He smiled timidly at her then nodded towards her plate,"Now eat up."
She wanted to say something in return, but he'd rendered her speechless. They ate in comfortable silence, looking out over Lake Washington. When breakfast was finished they went inside and got dressed, finding that the monks had brought in everything they owned from the Hummer. Every article of clothing had been cleaned.
"Wanna go for a walk?" Buffy suggested,"Try and work off the fifty pounds of food I just consumed?"
"If you like, maybe a bit around the lake?"
"Or the forest a little, I wanna see where it is we're living now."
"You've decided we're stayin' then?"
"I thought maybe, yeah. I mean, Cordy's here and those nice protective valet like monk guys...and Angel's son. We have to hear that story. He's kinda family in a distant, weird way. It's so nice here, and easy, I just want to be somewhere I know is safe. At least until after the baby's born, please?"
"I wasn't going to say no, just wanted to know you were sure."
"I am. Let's go get Andrew and Boon too." New clothing for the mother to be in the form of a summer dress and other garments of woven hemp, had been graciously provided by the monks, along with sandals of braided leather. It was a comfortable form of maternity wear that Buffy very much approved of. Spike decided to forgo the clothing given to him, mumbling something about not liking Kool-Aid that much and sodding' cultists. With their hands twined, they proceeded to Andrew's room, but Spike stopped them short of the door."What?"
"Er, nothing...let's go alone. Rather be alone."
"Don't be silly." She went to knock, but he grabbed her wrist.
"Don't."
"Why not? You're being weird."
"I think he, um...he rather not be disturbed." Buffy gave him a curious look and went to try and knock again."Buffy, he's not alone."
"Yeah, I gathered, he and Boon were going to play video games all night and day they said. I wanted to ask her along too."
"Well, she's in there...but...um..."
"What?" Spike tried very hard to think of something other than the truth to tell her about what his vampire's hearing told him, but failed.
"I'm pretty sure it's just snogging."
"Snogging? Snogging!"
"At this point."
"She's a Slayer! What if she hurts him?" Spike gave a little growl and pulled Buffy away from the door before they were noticed."Spike!"
"Slayer, he's not a pup, he can take care of himself. He's been keeping us alive post-Apocalypse if you recall. He's barely had anything for himself in two years, let him have some peace and you will not ask him about it later, you hear me?"
"But..."
"I mean it, Buffy. Promise me."
"Okay, okay....but it's Andrew, Spike." He saw the emotions well up inside her,"It's our Andrew."
"Pet, I know....I know what he means to you, but he's not a child. Come on, love, let's go for our walk."
Chapter 26
"I think it was hormones," Buffy stated. There was a man made path off of one exit from the house upon which Spike and Buffy started out on their walk. It hugged close to the shores of the lake, but was flanked on either side by dense forest, thickening with every yard they trespassed. Spike tossed his arms around her shoulder and pulled her close to him. He smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head.
"How's my girl, really?"
"You're girl's doing splendid. I'm happy for Andrew and Boon, honest. How's my vamp?"
"Fairly content. Rather boring here though."
"Figures. Everything is all strife and anguish for two years and the moment your get a decent rest and lots of fresh food you're twitchy."
"M'not twitchy."
"Maybe you're horny then, aren't you usually?"
"Buffy, precious...I'm a man in addition to being a vampire, of course I'm horny. Don't suppose you are too, huh pet?"
"Maybe a little, I could go either way. Maybe I'm hungry again. Not sure."
"Would the promise of an hour of deep tonguing from yours truly sway you?"
"I think there's a dense patch of shrubs over there we can hide under!"
"That's my girl."
"I'm always your girl." He paused for a moment and came to stand in front of her. He eyed her chest for a moment before reaching up and cupping a plump breast in each palm.
"I'm deeply fascinated with your breasts. I always thought I was an arse bloke, but my mind's a changing." To punctuate his pointless point, he gave the ripe pair before him repeated firm squeezes. Buffy stood there, mildly amused, oddly aroused.
"What pray tell, is so fascinating about them?" He flicked his thumbs over the nipples, bringing them to attention under the thin tunic.
"They're very soft, very heavy, fill m'hands right up. They're warm, sweet, succulent. You're full of life Buffy, you've made this poor dead man feel alive." She took his hands and brought them around behind her back, holding them there.
"You're not dead, you're more alive than any man I've ever know. How could a dead man make this child? You're not dead...not anymore. You have your soul, you can walk in the sun. You're changing....I'm changing too. I don't want to ever have to be the Slayer again, I just want to mother our baby and love you."
"This place might not be exciting like good old Sunnydale, but we're safe. For once in our bloody lives we're safe! It's all we need."
"I think things will spark up once the baby's born."
"See, where as I think once they're here everything's just going to be so right and so peaceful. I love you, n' case I haven't said it this hour."
"Love you too...come on, the shrubbery beckons."
***
They lay under a canopy of rhododendrons, specs of sunlight peaking through the leaves above. Buffy wondered as she snoozed naked under the duster that Spike refused to leave back at the house and curled up next to an also naked Spike. If this was finally their journey's end, it was a good place. Food and all the comforts they'd given up were in their grasp again. She wouldn't have to constantly be looking over her shoulder. She knew Spike wouldn't stop doing this though. By all accounts this was a safe place to give birth and raise their child. Still, not everything felt 100% clear and easy. There had to be mysteries surrounding so ideal a place. She didn't trust the monks too readily, given her past experiences with monastic types. Furthermore she was anxious to discover if the Key was really here.
Spike made a contented rumbling sound and nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent at her hair. His arm went across her chest, then around her shoulder and Buffy gave a little gasp of surprise when he jerked her closer to him. His leg insinuated itself between hers, hooking around one and securing her in his grasp."Guess I'm gonna be here for a while," Buffy mused to herself. She lay there with a smile on her face as Spike continued to sleep, mumbling little words about her under his breath. She smiled and relaxed and for a time studied the patterns of the sunlight filtering through the leaves above her. Just as she began to doze herself, the atmosphere changed. The vampire gave a definite whimper, bordering on anguish. In his sleep he vamped out, but it wasn't in anger or bloodlust, but instead in an effort to protect his mate from the supposed dangers his mind was conjuring,"Shh...honey, it's okay. Wake up." She nudged him to try and rouse him from sleep, but he was trapped.
"Buffy...no..." he whined, his body tensing around hers,"Love....no...."
"Spike, come on, I'm right here...."
"Baby....my baby...." Buffy had to wrestle with him a bit so she could turn over. He was becoming fitful and desperate, clutching her, calling for her help.
"Spike, snap out of it! Come back to me." Suddenly he stopped fighting, his hold on her relaxed and he began to cry. Tears came from under closed eyelids. The sight broke her heart. She began to kiss him, willing her comfort into him until finally his instincts aided him to start kissing her back. His eyes fluttered open, blinking away tears."There you are. Tell me what it was about."
"I didn't mean to doze off..."
"No, tell me what you were dreaming."
"Too horrible..."
"I don't care, I won't have you keeping this to yourself. I share your pain as much as your happiness." He shook and trembled, but he told her.
"I don't know why I wasn't with you, but I wasn't...I was trying to find you...but when I did...." He sobbed from the images still fresh in his memory."They'd torn you open...and the baby...was....I can't...I can't!"
"It wasn't real."
"Felt real...too real." Buffy took his hand and brought it to her stomach, underneath the baby squirmed and kicked.
"Feel that? They only move that much when daddy's near."
"I hate my dreams. I bloody fucking hate them. All I ever have his nightmares."
"I'm sorry for that, Spike. But believing your fears are going to come true is like throwing punches underwater. Remember that fight we had when you got the gem of Amara?"
"Yes....terrible."
"No, it was us at the time and you really kicked my ass by the way."
"It was mutual."
"Oh I know, I'm still the best." She got a little smile from him for her quip."The point I'm getting to is...even from when Mom got you with the ax, up until now we have been on a journey together, not apart. Spike and Buffy are forever, Spike and Buffy take care of each other and Spike and Buffy aren't ever going to let silly things like bad dreams, or even death split them apart. Oh and Spike and Buffy are gonna have a baby. Now bite me."
"Come again?"
"Go on, take a little nip."
"Buffy."
"You've still got the lumpies on and those sharp fangs, have yourself a Buffy."
"I really don't think..." She exposed her neck to him and tapped on the vein with her finger and smiled sweetly for him."Buffy, I know you're trying to make me feel better. It was just a dream, I'm over it now. Plus, we're under a bunch of rhododendrons, we really should be heading back."
"Honey, what did I say about the bitey thing?"
"Um...well..."
"Hmmm?"
"Said it was better than sex..."
"So, have a nibble. Spike penetration of Buffy in any form is a good thing."
"Okay fine."
"Don't act like it's a chore or punishment."
"It's not...it's just..."
"Just what?"
"Okay, here goes....the biting you, it's a vampire thing, right? But it's more than a thing, when it's a vamp n' his girl. If I'm not doing it for food....um, did Giles ever tell you anything about vampire claims n' what not?"
"Not exactly, but if my knowledge of pop culture serves, it's like the vamp version of marriage?"
"Yeah."
"So, claim me already."
"Really?"
"Um, hello, pregnant here, little half-vamp baby all squirmy inside. So, how do we go this claim thingie?"
"Well, fairly simple....usual way, you, uh, just have to be orgasming at the time."
"Claim me!!"
"Buffy, we're underneath rhododendrons, I'm imagining something a trifle more romantic."
"Okay fine, we'll get dressed, we'll walk back to the house, go up to our room."
"Then get into bed, under those massive covers....I'll, um, get you worked up n'...."
"Bitey."
"You're being impossibly cute today, you know this, right?" She nodded and reached for her clothes.
Chapter 27
"So how do we do this?" Buffy asked, rapidly stripping off the clothes she'd just put back on out in the forest. She was grinning from ear to ear, breasts bouncing as she danced around the room in front of him. Spike laughed warmly at her enthusiasm. Since arriving at this place she was like a new woman, so carefree and joyful. It made him deliriously happy.
"Come here, pet," he bade, his voice low and dripping with seduction. She swayed over to him, reaching out and grabbing his belt, tugging him forward.
"So this claim thingie? Are there any perks?" He placed his hands on her shoulders, massaging them lightly while he looked her honestly in the eyes.
"You'll be bound to me, mind, body and soul for all eternity, beyond this mortal coil..." The tone in his voice told her the time for fun and games was over, this was a serious undertaking,"Angel may have bitten you, Dracula also, but neither laid claim to you. A claim is animal, feral, it marks your body, your blood, your spirit. Every demon out there will know you belong to me, and me alone. You'll be my mate and in return I will be eternally devoted, your willing slave. When we come together, when we join bodies, when we make love, you'll feel it a thousand fold, you'll feel me from the inside out, the souls of demon, man and mate will merge into one perfect sublime being.....we become each other for a time, one, a perfect one." She gasped, trembling a slight,"But Buffy, love, that being said, the claim's got nothing on this..." His hand fell upon the roundness of her pregnancy,"This is our love, this small, innocent person inside here. The creation of child, through love, is more powerful than anything else in all the worlds. Do you accept my claim?" Buffy leaned in close, her lips close to his ear and whispered,"Yes."
He put her in bed, let her warm, womanly body sink into the soft mattress next to his, letting it curve to her spin and cup every curve. He pulled the quilt over her. She opened her arms for him and he fell into her and let her envelope him with her love. They made love slowly, gently and as she climaxed, his fangs slipped effortlessly into her vein and he supped on her blood. When he withdrew, he spoke the sanctifying words of the claim, words that had been known since the first vampire claimed a mate. He held her until she slipped into slumber, his hand tracing comfortable circles on her swollen stomach, until both she and the baby were asleep.
There was a soft knock at the door a long time after the sun had set and Spike eased himself away from his wife, reaching blindly for his jeans and pulling them on. On the other side of the door he found Boon and Andrew.
"Sorry if we're disturbing you," Andrew whispered, noting Buffy's sleeping form under the covers.
"S'alright, mouse, what can I do for you two? Don't tell me the playstation and Gates' DVD collection's already bored you," Spike replied, stepping out into the hallway and pulling the door to.
"No, those are....listen, this place has gone all Canticle for Leibowitz! I betcha there's even a two headed woman!!"
"Come again?"
"The monks...." Andrew leaned in close and lowered his voice,"I think they're evil."
"Terrific. Bloody great. Typical. Why do you say that, mouse?"
"Can you hear anybody around the house?" Spike quieted himself, blocked out the comforting sound of his mate sleeping, detected a few families, be they demon or human in some other rooms on the floor, but Andrew was right, he couldn't sense any of the monks about.
"Wait here." Spike went back into the room, pulled on a t-shirt and his boots. He shrugged into his coat and slipped a knife to his hip, just in case. He gave one last look on his sleeping wife, smiling affectionately, then exited the room,"Time to patrol, Slayer, mouse."
"Cool," replied Andrew.
"What's patrol?" Boon asked.
"It's where you get your next lesson on how to be a Slayer. It's not all punches, slashin' n' staking. Sometimes it's just reconnaissance. Come on." He led the two of them subversively downstairs. To the best of his knowledge Cordelia was still at the top of the main staircase, just being Cordelia. He'd have to question her one day on the whole higher being thing, once she and Buffy had had a good girly gabfest. The thing about the Gates' house was that Spike suspected it was laden with hidden passages and anti-chambers. Finding them might prove both difficult and dangerous.
Spike walked soundlessly with vampiric grace, hugging close to the wall. Boon and Andrew didn't quite manage such fluidity, but did their best. His listened to the walls, felt the breezes and pressures of the air, detected scents, and the supernatural hum of magic. Spike brought forth the vampire and let his senses flare. He was drawn in one direction, through the kitchen and outside. In the night air, it all became infinitely more clear,"This way," he said. Down behind the house was a passage to underneath,"Stick close, be ready to run or fight."
After a descent of fifteen minutes, which considering the size of the house, was fair, the sound of voices chanting were perceived by the vamp. The slope of earth they were walking was a cavernous tunnel, lined sporadically with flaming torches. Perfectly gothic and typical of nefarious underhanded deeds being no doubt done. As the voices became more clear, Spike realized that the chanting was actually song, Gregorian chanting. Beautiful streams of Latin singing the praises of god. It was all rather beautiful to Spike. He hoped they were just singing the Almighty's praises.
This proved false when the light illuminating their way took on a greenish tinge."Bollocks," he muttered under his breath. There were outcroppings of rocks to shield them as the tunnel opened into a vast chamber. Before them were the monks assembled in a circle of reverence, on their knees and hands clasped before them. In the center of this monastic gathering was a swirling, chaotic mass of green energy floating about 6 feet off the ground. It was the Key. Spike was utterly hypnotized by what he was seeing. It was possibly the most beautiful, unearthly thing he had ever seen. He tried to find some part of this that stirred within him a sense of Dawn, but there was nothing. It nearly made him cry from a broken heart. The heart and the soul that had been his nibblet had nothing to do with her being the Key and everything with her having been a part of Buffy.
Boon and Andrew were each clutching a sleeve of Spike's duster, like small children in a crowd. Coming back to himself, Spike took stock of what else he was seeing. There were markings on the walls, a script vaguely familiar, but certainly indecipherable by the vampire. He surmised he'd likely ran across it in one of Giles' texts. He wasn't surprised this place wasn't what it appeared to be. He hoped Cordelia was trustworthy, for Buffy's sake as well as his own.
He was no less surprised to spy Connor among them. Spike was however sent into an instant panic when the boy turned his head in their direction. Spike backed away, pushing Andrew and Boon ahead of him,"Run!" he hissed. They did Spike kicking their heels behind them every stride. They exited the tunnel and rounded the corner and headed back towards the kitchen. Spike tore off his coat and tossed it at Andrew,"Get the bloody hell upstairs into your room, stay together. I'll be there soon. Go!"
When Connor sauntered casually into the kitchen he found Spike rummaging in the cupboards."Are you looking for something?" he asked of the vampire, the look on his face stone cold. Spike turned around, a loaf of bread in his hand.
"Yeah, Slayer's a bit peckish. That's how it is when they're carrying...gotta eat for two n' all that. Thought I might make her something," Spike replied, the snark obvious in his tone."Sandwich maybe? Though, I don't think my bird would say no to something sweet."
"There should be cinnamon rolls in the container behind you, Brother Columbanus likes them, he makes them fresh every day." Spike put the bread back where he'd found it and opened up the treasure chest of iced cinnamon roles, taking three large, gooey conglomerations of bread, cinnamon, brown sugar, butter and white icing and putting them on the plate he'd retrieved before hand.
"This'll hit the spot, no doubt. I hope Columbanus isn't expecting any for breakfast, Buffy might sneak down n' polish off the lot."
"He won't mind. The Brothers are all very generous here."
"That so? You've all been more than hospitable, I must say."
"We have many guests from all walks of life here, we provide for everything in addition to this safe haven. In return...there are certain rules."
"That so? These Cordy's rules?"
"These are the house's. Cordelia is part of this house."
"Tell you what. Print 'em out in a nice bold font n' have one of your little Brothers slip it under our door. If you'll excuse me, the missus is waiting."
"You must know by now who my mother is, if you knew Angelus as you say. I inherited everything from my parents except their demons. My sense of hearing, smell..."
"That so? Good on you. Oh, and boy? I still have my demon." With that Spike turned and went back to Buffy.
Chapter 28
Spike debated between going to put Andrew and Boon at ease, and giving up two of the cinnamon rolls, or checking on his wife. Naturally Buffy won out, but he was met at his own door by a rather brassed off blond goddess. She looked incensed, eyes fiery and foot tapping like Morse code."Where the hell have you been!?" she demanded,"I've been worrying myself sick."
"Um...snack," he mumbled, presenting her with the plate. For a moment her anger dissipated, but then she snatched the plate from him and it was back.
"First you claim me, and it's like the biggest thing in forever! And then you leave me!"
"Wait inside, I'll be right back."
"What?" He nudged her back inside the bedroom and then closed the door on her. He figured she was too shocked to react, and therefore he felt safe to leave to go to Andrew's room. He entered without knocking, finding the pair sitting side by side on the love seat with the duster between them.
"Coast's clear, but I want you two to stay together tonight. Andrew, on. the. couch."
"Yes, sir," the mouse squeaked.
"Anything gets bigger than you can handle, you call. I'll come." Spike winced, knowing how badly what he's said sounded aloud. He grabbed his duster and gave Andrew a pat on the shoulder and a nod to Boon."Don't freak, everything's fine. You have my word."
"Okay, Spike," Boon assured, putting on a brave front. He left them and went to face his wife. He locked the door behind him, turning to find Buffy tucked into the first of the rolls.
"Buffy, something happened tonight," he began.
"Yeah, you left..."
"No, pet, quiet now, I'm serious. It's about the Key." She gasped and looked him square in the eye, a litter fear behind her own."Keep eating, got 'em special for you."
"Thank you." He took off hit boots and eased down on the bed next to her, stealing a bit of the sticky bun for himself. He brushed his lips across hers and gave her tummy a little rub.
"Andrew came earlier, thought something was off. Turns out, they've got the Key under the house, a bright ball of green energy, all the monks were gathered around, worshiping it."
"Did they see you?"
"I think Connor suspects, he's got no proof other than what his supposed inherited vampire senses tell him. Figures he's a bloody monk, given dear old dad was a eunuch."
"Spike..."
"Sorry, love. Buffy..." Spike sighed, then brushed a strand of curls away from in front of her eyes, tucking in behind her ear,"Sweetheart, I saw this thing, the Key....I'm very sorry, but I swear it - there was nothing about the Key that is Dawn. It's just energy, just kinetics and magic. Our Nibblet was who she was because she came from you." His wife tuned into him and began to cry, utterly disappointed, feeling as if she'd lost her sister all over again. Spike took the plate from her and set it aside on the bedside table, then pulled her down with him to the bed. His arms held her firm and he cajoled her as best he could.
"I'm so tired Spike, so fed up...why did we have to lose everything!" He let her cry for a while longer, letting her wring herself out of the hope of finding a remnant of her sister. It became apparent however that she was far from calming and chose to enact one of the aspects his claim on her. He latched his mouth over the puncture wounds he'd previously made and sucked soothingly. His tongue laved over the two minute holes, tasting the lingering flavor of her blood on the closed wounds. He was making a low rumbling growl in his chest, something that was akin to a purr, but more feral. Buffy was drawn away from her despair and tears and into the near hypnotic enthrallment of his attention to the site of his claim. She stopped crying, stopped shaking and just relaxed. When he felt the tension leaving her body, Spike released her neck, kissing his way along her jawbone until he found her lips, then he sunk in. His tongue pushed its way into her mouth, skimming along the roof, then down to curl around hers. His lips were soft, giving only a little pressure, pouring in comfort and love. He drew back after a time and rested his cheek down on her shoulder.
"What did you do?" Buffy asked, closing her eyes and breathing evenly, calmly.
"Just a trick of the claiming, love. I can't make you do things you don't want to or anything like that. It's not a silly hypno thrall like bloody Drac, but I can give you comfort, what I've just done is stronger than caresses or words...just making you feel loved."
"I did. I do. Oh Spike, when is it really gonna be over? When can we trust that we're safe and we can rest? I though this was it...but now I'm scared."
"How can you be scared? You're my Slayer, she's never scared."
"Don't think a pep talk's gonna do it this time. I'm just tired, honey...just two years of tired."
"I'll cheer you up then!" He had such an expectant, pleading look in his eyes, begging her to let him. It made her fall in love with him all over again.
"Feed me more of those delicious cinnamon buns and talk dirty to me." Spike chuckled and reached for the plate again.
"Tomorrow, pet, I want you to talk to Cordelia, try and ask her about the Key. That's if you trust her."
"I trust her." He nodded and tore a piece of bread off and fed it to her, then licked the stickiness off his fingers.
"Good. Now, love, why is it that have an unbelievable urge to tear that robe from your body, smother your quim in buttery brown sugar goo and icing and lick you clean?"
"Probably comes from the same place that makes me wanna nibble your nipples. They're better than candy."
"That so?"
"Or your popsicle cock."
"Bloody hell, Buffy, keep talking like that and I'm gonna pop!"
"Popsicle cold cock with nummy cream filling!"
"Fuck! Slayer!"
"Would you? Because, you know, horny bitch here."
"Are you indeed? You're mine, aren't you? My wife, my mate, mother of my greatest miracle." She touched his face, her thumb tugging on the jut of his bottom lip, he kissed it.
"Loving you's been my greatest miracle. Thank you for never giving up on me. Thanks for waiting."
"Would've waiting till then end of the world. Did, actually."
"Yeah, you did...oh!"
"What? What?" She smiled and waved him off, grabbing his hand and putting it on the underside of her ever growing stomach,"Your child has decided that mommy's not gonna get any sleep tonight...there! Feel that one?"
"Bloody hell, doesn't that hurt? Kid's kicking up a storm, ready for patrol!"
"Patrol is contained inside me tonight, which means I ain't sleeping."
"Then let's talk. We'll talk all night until I've exhausted you with tales of m'glory days." There was another flurry of kicks from the baby that made Buffy wince, but they laughed about it, then kissed and resumed conversation.
"Tell me about your mother instead."
Chapter 29
Buffy was pleasantly surprised upon waking the next morning to see Andrew, Boon and Spike outside on the balcony, eating breakfast, and drinking their respective blood or coffee. Apple juice in Andrew's case. She stretched herself out and patted her tummy, murmuring a good morning to the baby, then rose from bed.
She joined them outside after a shower and dressed in some of the summery maternity clothes she'd gotten from the Wal-Mart,"Morning, love," Spike greeted her, coupled with a kiss before he pulled out her chair for her and helped her sit down,"Got your breakfast right here, nice omelet with mushrooms and shallots. Grape juice too?" He was attentive and doting and Buffy relished every moment of it.
"Thank you, sweety."
"Always pet." She took her first bite of the still hot dish and moaned a little sigh of satisfaction at the wondrous taste of her food.
"So, what's up, you guys looks all conspiry."
"Nothing, much, precious, just trying to suss out last night's goings on. I'm also trying to decide whether or not to make disparaging remarks about the grandsire's manliness to his only begotten, just for fun you understand." Andrew snickered, as did Boon, Buffy gave her husband a glare, but it softened.
"He is kinda creepy. He stares at you, like he's trying to burn your image into his mind. Angel never stared. He glowered and brooded, but he never had that I'm gonna be a sociopath when I grow up thing going on."
"Gets it from Darla, she could slice your heart out with her stare. Either way, the gnat's a problem. If he's evil, he'll be as deadly as Angelus."
"Fabulous. So much for finding the Garden of Eden, huh?"
"It's common," Andrew said,"Classic distopian scenario, paradise is fleeting..."
"Can it, mouse," Spike growled.
"Sorry."
"No, mouse, I'm sorry. I'm just fussed that the place we'd been hoping would be safe is half run by Angelus Jr."
"We don't know what Connor's like, Spike," Buffy tried to reason.
"The kid's 18 years old at least, you're telling me that the poof when he was still in his rat eating phase had something to do with getting a son? By dead Darla no less? There's more to the story here, Slayer."
"Which is why after I eat I'm going to sit down, or maybe float with Cordelia and ask her what the hell's up with this place. I think I should go it alone, but you can scope out the house, maybe try and meet some of the other people."
"Right. Andrew and Boon, you can do the same, but play up the curious kiddy angle. Don't go into dark places, or through any secret passages. If you get lost, we might not find you in time. Stay together." Buffy finished her omelet, but as she got up to go, Spike put a bowl of fruit in front of her and gave her a stern look. She slumped back down and he fed her a grape from the bowl, giving her a smile and taking the pout she gave him.
***
In the years they' known each other, Buffy had never once felt beneath Cordelia Chase, but rising step after step up towards the shimmering apparition, she felt somewhat dwarfed by the former cheerleader's present divinity. There was a small crowd of demons and humans gathered before her, but it was not in reverence, but more akin to the early days of the Cordettes, people where just attracted to her. There was laughter and conversation until Buffy came upon the scene and the monks shooed everyone aside. Buffy felt especially conspicuous then, but returned to ease when Cordy smiled her way and ushered Buffy into the fold.
***
Going down through the house prove risky so Spike went back out to the balcony and scaled up the side of the house with such grace and speed that not a thing or person was disturbed. As light on his feet as a spider, the vampire ran over the roof of the house and leapt high and far, then sailed down through a thicket of Douglas firs.
"East as pie. Pie from the bloody Matrix," he ruminated to himself. The entrance to the cave under the house was unguarded like before, only this time there were no discernible sounds emanating from inside. Hunkering down, the vampire entered, using his demon's senses to make his way in the dark. This time there was no light at the of the tunnel. No key.
He emerged into the same anti-chamber as before and the scent of a man wafted under his nostrils. Spike's arm shot out and grabbed the man by the throat. The other's reflexes were as honed and quick as the vampire's. His arms snaked under Spike's while the other twisted his wrist and he was free, returning with a backhand across Spike's jaw, sending the vamp back a few paces. With his foot, the monk flipped up his bow staff and push it out at length, pinning Spike against the wall with the wooden point at his heart, pressing deep enough into the skin to nearly pierce it. One wrong move for Spike and he would be dust. The man's face was hidden under his cowl.
"I could kill you were you stand, vampire," the man spoke in a hushed, stern voice with a definite British accent. Spike stayed perfectly still. He'd just been bested by a human being and the demon inside him raged to come forth. Spike was fast, but even he wasn't completely sure he could get out of this alive if he acted physically. He did the only thing he felt he could under the circumstances.
"Don't kill me, please," Spike said, even and strong, but still with enough emotion in his voice to evoke empathy,"Please, I have a wife...a child."
"You're a vampire."
"M'not just a vampire. I love them."
"I know who you are, William the Bloody."
"That's not me, not anymore. I have my soul....please, for my baby. I am begging here."
"I have no intention of killing you," The stake however remained at Spike's heart,"But you shouldn't be down here. And please, no witty retorts. You put yourself and the lives of your family by going where you are not permitted. I hope you see the seriousness of what I'm implying. You can make a good life here with ours and Cordelia's help, but any dealings with the Key are strictly for the Brothers. Do you understand?" He pushed the point of the stake in harder, making Spike grimace.
"Yeah, I got it." The man back away, keeping the staff held high, like a scorpion ready to sting.
"This wasn't a challenge, merely a warning. I wish you and yours only the best, and you can have that here. You just have to play by the rules." The man receded into the shadows and was gone. Spike let his demon come forth and he inhaled deeply, memorizing the man's scent. He then turned around and punched the stone wall, breaking his hand and shredding his knuckles. He was angry, violently so, but mostly because he knew if the man had wanted to he could've staked Spike. Then Buffy would be without him and he'd have left his child without a father. Fear gripped him too and he realized he was shaking. There were few choices presented to him, so he went with his instincts. He went to find Buffy.
The Slayer was coming down from her time with Cordelia, a smile on her face for her husband, but it faded when she sensed that he was upset. She caught site of his bloody hand and stared at him in shock,"Spike?" she inquired, reaching for the injured hand.
"Upstairs, quick please, love," he begged,"I need you."
"O..okay. Baby, what's wrong?"
"Tell you in a minute." They made their way to the haven of their bedroom, Spike taking some comfort in that Boon and Andrew seemed to be alright together in his room. Buffy took off Spike's coat and led him into the bathroom to clean his wounded hand. Upon seeing how the bones were twisted the skin eviscerated she began to softly weep. He pulled his hand away and turned from her, quickly setting the bones back, stomping his foot on the floor to prevent himself from screaming from the pain. Buffy started running warm water in the sink, lathering up some soap in her own hands. His hissed when the sting of the soap hit him and even the gentle pressure of her touch as she cleaned the wounds. He dropped his head atop hers, nuzzling into her hair. When his hand was clean she turned off the water and wrapped his hand in a towel. They moved in silence back to the bed, Buffy taking Spike in her arms, his ear resting on her stomach while she stroked his hair.
"You wanna talk?"
"Not yet, just need to hold you both for a bit."
"Let me then. Cordelia and I had a good afternoon, she introduced me to some of the others. There's a doctor here, he's a heart surgeon, but he promises he can help with the birth. He lent me his stethoscope and I got to hear the baby's heartbeat!" Spike looked up at her with happiness in his eyes, then turned back into her and kissed her rounded tummy."There is however a doulah named Carmen! She's been at over 200 births, she put me so at ease about it. Cordelia said there's this room in the house that would be perfect for the birth, it's very serene and full of light." He felt the waves of peace and joy flow through her, knowing how very good this was for the baby. He'd been about to tell her they had to leave this place. Here Buffy had food to nourish her and the baby. Here there were doctors. But here there was also an underlying and unseen threat, he felt it in his blood. "I didn't get to ask about the Key, everyone was there.......Spike, honey?"
"Yes, love?"
"How did you hurt your hand?" His vampire healing was already working to repair the joints and skin, there wasn't even any blood soaking through the towel. He needed time to think, to decide if could uproot his family again. In addition, there was still the lingering humiliation and fear from his earlier encounter with the remarkable monk. The baby was especially active today, it seemed Buffy had gotten used to it, but he hadn't and didn't think he ever would. One doesn't get used to a miracle. He inhaled and exhaled, his eyes closed and he shivered,"Spike?"
"Just hold me for a while, pet. Take care of me?" She turned on her side and pulled him into his arms and drew his head down to pillow on her breasts. Just holding her and being held by her was enough to get him from this moment to the next. Truth was, he was perhaps more tired than she. More disappointed than he'd ever let her know. For two years he'd watched as one by one of the people he foraged food for, kept comfortable on their sickbeds, fought off predators to keep safe - the people he loved, all died. He'd traversed thousands of miles in the wilderness, always the strong one, always the one who kept the other two going. Buffy was a survivor and the Slayer, but fundamentally she was his mate and it was to him to provide for and protect. But he was tired. Worn down through his bones to the marrow. He just wanted to rest. Truly rest.
Buffy couldn't understand why her husbands eyes were shimmering with tears. He stared up at her with an intense and unwavering gaze that would have frightened her had it come from any body else, instead she felt only pathos and love towards him. She leaned down and pressed kisses over his features and soothed him until he closed his eyes and slept, safe in her arms.
Chapter 30
Spike never came across the Brother who he'd met down under the house ever again. It was as if even every trace of his scent was gone too. Two months had passed since their arrival at the Sanctuary, as the other humans had dubbed it. Spike kept to himself mostly, when he wasn't in the near constant company of his wife, or Boon and Andrew. He took fully to the role of Watcher to the young Boon and the two of them were as close as Buffy and Giles had been. He loved this exuberant, punky girl. And it seemed, so did Andrew, but Spike let that stay private. If Andrew wanted to talk, Spike would wait for him to broach the subject . In the meantime Buffy was a veritable social butterfly at the Sanctuary. She made friends with humans and demons alike, and was a large part of those who welcomed the demon family they'd met months ago in the Wal-Mart.
Also during this time, Buffy grew. Her stomach was full and swollen, so much so Spike felt the constant need to be spotting her in fear she'd topple. Furthermore, Spike loved the fact that his Slayer had become a rather plump little pumpkin. With so much food and Brother Columbanus' mastery at pastries, Buffy had gained a very healthy amount of weight. There was nothing the vampire loved more than squeezing her ample behind, or suckle at her heavy breasts. Buffy complained constantly that she was fat and unattractive, but her rants never could get off the ground when he growled at her and pulled her close to whisper sexy little words in her ear. Sometimes he took her to bed and proved how beautiful he thought she was.
Life at the Sanctuary was tranquil, normal, better than an all-inclusive resort. Spike wanted to learn to live at ease in this place, but he simply couldn't. Instead he sat up all night, a sentinel to watch over his charges. So long as Buffy and the baby were healthy, he could let his own care for himself fall short again. Buffy had never asked him again about his broken hand, and instead of confronting Spike again when she noticed the depletion of his health, she merely made a game of getting him to feed from her, usually through love play. She learned that his claim on her had it's own pull to her if she willed it, and sometimes she did.
This morning however had him worried. Buffy sat in a bath full of cool water, pitched forward and whimpering and weeping. Spike knelt beside her on the floor, one hand rubbing her back and the other held her hand. She was overheated, enormously pregnant, hormonal and uncomfortable. She was due within the next week and had just about reached the end of her tether with being pregnant. The past week had been fraught with false labors and the fact that the end of summer was hotter than the middle had been made for one incredibly ornery Slayer. She was especially emotional this morning, having barely slept all night and had broken down several times in tears. Spike had taken her into the bathroom and was now trying to soothe her as best he could.
"Are you in pain, love?" he asked in a near whisper.
"My back aches...all over," she said woefully, squeezing his hand a little tighter,"Hasn't stopped all week...I don't think I can take much...much more..."
"Shhhh, love, not long now, just a few more days, I'm sure."
"I don't feel so good, Spike."
"I know, darling, I know, but you're doing splendid. Just breathe, be quiet and let me care for you....not sure I'm doing you any bloody good though." She turned her head and gave him a weak smile.
"Just you being here is everything. I'm sorry for being a pain." Spike make an unaffectionate sound in his throat and Buffy recoiled from the sight of his eyes going hard as his face lowered and his jaw tightening. Then he looked straight at her, clearly annoyed.
"Slayer. Damn it, Slay...Buffy, you are not being a bloody pain, or anything remotely inconvenient! Seems I do have to repeat myself as far as my love and devotion are concerned! I love the two of you with everything I am, and I'll be there with your for every pain and every trial and I'll do it gladly....I'm always honored every time you merely smile at me. I love you Buffy."
"I know you do, I love you. Baby, can you that thrall thingie on me again? I'm feeling another bad wave coming on again."
"'Course love, let's get you out of the tub first." He helped her stand and toweled her off as the water drained, paying loving attention to the huge round expanse of her stomach. Meanwhile she held fast to his shoulders and continue to give pitiable little whimpers of discomfort. He pulled a plush bath robe around her and gave her tummy a rub. She was thankful for his vampire's strength as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. He sat down in the easy chair with her on his lap. She pulled her hair away from her neck, exposing two pink scars. The scars from his feedings were slight pale blights on her upper body, but the two from his claim were dark and tender, but only to his touch. He pulled open her robe and lay a hand over her stomach, feeling the baby's kicks up high, knowing they'd turned already in preparation for coming into the world. He made a trail of licks and kisses from her fairly massive breasts up to his claim mark. His mouth latched on to the spot and he began to suck, nursing at it as he would her nipples.
Buffy made excited little gasps when he sucked more fervently and she felt wave after wave of love and peace tingle through her every cell. Her pains became manageable and the tension left her body. When he was done, he lay his face to her breasts and stomach and became docile under the intoxication of her scent, the feel of her skin and the thrumming of the blood through her veins. After a time, they both finally fell asleep. It was welcome after such a restless night.
***
Spike awoke by his senses flaring. His vampire features we on the surface, his ears perked and listening to the sudden rise of screams and voices coming from downstairs. Buffy was still curled in his lap, sleeping soundly with her fingers mindlessly stroking his chest. There was trouble brewing, panic running like a current through the members of the house. It was an awkward rise to his feet, but Spike managed to do so without disturbing Buffy. It seemed her exhaustion had finally caught up with her. He covered her up and pulled on his shoes, leaving his coat behind.
He met Boon and Andrew in the hallway,"We sensed a disturbance in the Force," Andrew said. Spike rolled his eyes and pushed the mouse ahead of him, Boon falling in at his side. Downstairs was in complete upheaval. People and demons alike were in a panic, all gathering in the foyer as Connor and Columbanus carried the bloodied body of one of their fellow monks. The dead man's habit was black with blood, the brown tunic soaked through. Connor looked up at Spike with the same steel glare, emotionless and resolute.
"Ever heard of a demon called Polgara?" Connor asked of the vampire.
"Yeah, got spears that come from their forearms when they're on the attack."
"There's one out in the woods, Brother Oswin and I saw him, then we found Brother Jerome. Will you protect the house if I...."
"Ever come up against a Polgara, boy?"
"No...but as you now know I grew up in Quartoth..."
"There any Polgoras in Quartoth?"
"No, but..."
"But nothing, you're protecting the house, and my wife. You get how important that is? Angel loved her and would have died for her, think you can honor that?" Connor nodded and Spike nodded back, sealing the agreement. The vampire half flew up the stairs, an anger roiling up from deep in his belly. This place, however much he distrusted aspects of it, was his home and the Brothers, no matter their espionage, had taken care of them.
When Spike came rushing back into the bedroom, Buffy was pulling on one of her summer tunics. "I head the noises downstairs, what's going on?" she asked.
"Some nasty business, Slayer," Spike replied, pulling out a series of weapons out from under the bed,"There's a Polgara demon, maybe several, stalking around the property. Brother Oswin's been done through. He's dead. Connor and Columbanus found him. Ugly mess."
"Oh no!"
"I'm taking Boon and going on the hunt. She's ready. Bloody bastard is about to learn a new definition of pain thanks to yours truly."
"But Spike..." There was worry on her sweet, rounded face. He understood, it being so close to her due date.
"Love, there's no way I'm gonna be put down by a bleedin' Polgara! I might not be best buds with the lot here, but I'll bloody well take care of the ones that have been taking care of us. I know you're fretting already, sweets, and if you ask me outright not to go, I'll stay..."
"Spike...no, I have confidence in you, but please be careful. More careful than you've ever been before!"
"I will, my heart. Listen here, we're bonded mates now - you'll know if I'm in any real danger. You'll feel it in every cell in your body." He gave her a firm kiss, then bent down to do the same to where the baby was,"Have Andrew come and sit with you, at least to keep you focused on something."
"I will. I love you."
"Love you both, with all m'heart."