Part Eighteen

Buffy entered the house and winced at the hard music coming from Spike pounding on the piano. She recognized the song as ‘Halloween' by Ives, a very freaky off-key song that gave her the wiggins when she'd first heard it. Walking over to him, she slid onto the edge of the piano bench next to him, her back to the keys as the chords rung out into the room. His face was a smooth mask, the only way she could tell he was still angry was by the clenching of his jaw and slight pursing of his lips.

He finished the song with a resounding crash, then immediately cut it off. The silence was deafening after that, making Buffy shift uncomfortably next to him. "I'm sorry," she finally said, breaking the oppressive quiet.

"No," Spike said sharply, his hands clenched into fists on his knees. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm the one who's sorry, pet. It couldn't have been all that good for you..."

"Actually, I enjoyed it," Buffy interrupted, blushing. "A lot."

He looked at her in surprise. "You've got to be joking."

"Um, no," she replied, studiously avoiding his gaze. "I-I've also been wanting try it again."

Spike blinked in shock, then he closed his eyes to reel in his raging hormones caused by her quiet words. He licked his lips, then pressed them together, hands now gripping his knees.

"Spike?"

The tentative sound of his name made him open his eyes and see her beautiful face marred with a frown. Raising a hand, he ran the pad of his thumb over the frown lines on her forehead, smoothing them. Then he traced down the side of her cheek and over her lips before dropping his hand. "I'm so sorry I got upset, luv."

Buffy shrugged. "No big." She leaned forward suddenly and kissed him briefly on the lips. "All's forgiven."

"Cor, you are so bloody fucking wonderful," Spike said, bringing his hand up to brush her hair away from her face. "I want to make love to you, Slayer. The way I should have done in the first place."

"Then why don't you?" Buffy replied, looking into his eyes.

He inhaled sharply, his heart beginning to hammer in his chest. With a small groan, he wrapped his hand around the back of her head and pulled her into a kiss. He felt her try and get closer and he bodily hauled her onto his lap, no small feat for the way they were sitting. The kiss grew from tender to passionate, not stopping until they absolutely had to in order to catch their breaths.

Spike leaned his forehead against hers as he forced himself to calm down. Buffy went to kiss him again, but he stopped her. "No," he said, backing his head away.

Buffy gave him a look of utter confusion. "What?"

"We're not going to do this now," Spike told her, his hands loosening their tight grip on her waist.

"But I thought..." Buffy trailed off, her hormones both from arousal and her pregnancy out of control. She finished her sentence with a meek, "You don't want me?"

Spike ground his pelvis up against her bottom. "Does this feel like I don't bloody want you?"

"Then why..."

"Slayer," he said, putting a finger over her lips to silence her. "When we do this, we're going to do it right, not twenty minutes after I find out I shagged you and didn't even know about it. That just makes it seem like I'm trying to make up for it."

"But I want you," she pouted, nipping at his finger.

"And you'll get me, pet," Spike replied with a small smile. "But not today. Besides, your mum will be here in a few hours and what I want to do to you will take a bloody hell of a lot longer than that."

Buffy blushed rosily. "So, what do we do until then?"

"I didn't say we couldn't make out," he answered slyly, then pulled her in for another kiss.

"Spike?" Buffy said from her perch on top of the piano. She was laying on her stomach, turning the pages when he nodded as he played.

"Yes, pet?" Spike asked, fingers dancing lightly over the keys.

"Do you want to go to the prom with me?"

"Do what?"

"Prom. You. Me. Tuxedo. Dress. Limo. Dancing," she said each word slowly, mockingly.

Spike rolled his eyes, then replied, "Are you sure you want to take me and not pumpkin?"

"Yes, I'm sure I want to take you and not Angel," Buffy answered, turning the page. "I asked you, didn't I? Besides, Angel and I aren't together anymore in the together sense. Did that make sense?"

"It didn't make dollars," he said, giving her a smirk. She groaned and thumped her head on her arm. "I'd love to go with you, ducks."

"Really?" Buffy asked, raising her head to see if he was serious.

"Yes, really," Spike replied, not breaking the song he was playing. He tilted his head and gave her a quizzical look. "Do you know how to dance?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"I take that as a no," he responded.

"Spike, I know how to dance," she said. "I dance at the Bronze all the time."

"That's not dancing, that's flopping around like a corpse hanging in the breeze."

"Um, major eew," Buffy said, giving him a disgusted look.

"When's this prom?"

"May 22," she answered.

"Bloody hell, that's not enough time to instruct you properly," he said to himself, then shrugged. "Oh well."

"Spike, you do realize that you're talking to yourself," she pointed out.

"That comes from hanging around you too long, Slayer," Spike replied.

"Hey!" Buffy said, shutting the songbook on him. The doorbell rang, cutting off any form of retaliation by the former vampire. Instead of moving, he started to play another song from memory as the Slayer slid off the piano to answer the door. "Hi, mom!"

"Hi, sweety," Joyce greeted, entering the house. "Hello, Spike."

"Joyce," Spike greeted. "Come to take away this pain in the arse?"

Buffy scowled at him as Joyce laughed. "Do you want her instead? I could happily leave her here," Joyce joked.

Spike met Buffy's eyes, a different type of smile on his face. "I'd love to have her."

"Guys," Buffy whined, blushing under his gaze. She picked up her overnight bag and thrust it at her mom. "I'll meet you in the car."

Joyce smiled knowingly at her daughter. "Ok, I can tell when I'm not wanted," she said. "I'll talk to you soon, Spike."

"I have no doubt," Spike replied. As soon as Joyce left, Buffy walked over to him and smacked him upside the head. "Hey, what the bloody hell was that for?"

"Because I felt like it," Buffy said, pushing past his arm so she could stand between him and the piano. "Now, are you gonna kiss me or what?"

"Pushy, pushy, Slayer," he said, standing. There was barely enough room for the two of them in the small space and Buffy was forced to lean back against the piano, her backside hitting the keys. They plinked off-key, but neither of them cared as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her breathless.

The car horn sounded from outside, making the couple reluctantly break apart. "I'll, uh, call you," Buffy said as they forced themselves to move to the door.

"You do that, luv," Spike replied, placing another quick kiss on her lips. "Be careful."

"I will," she said. "Don't want to go to the prom all black and blue."

"No, we wouldn't want that," he responded, opening the door.

"Well, bye," Buffy said, giving him an awkward smile. She turned and quickly left.

"Bye," Spike said quietly as he watched her head for the car. He waited until they drove off before closing the door, then leaning back against it. "Bloody fucking hell, that girl is going to kill me yet."

Running his hand through his short hair, he wandered into the kitchen and picked up the phone. "She asked me to the prom," he said into the phone without greeting when Oz picked up the other line.

"And?" Oz replied.

"The last prom I saw was in the picture Carrie and, though it would be fun, I don't think it'll be that bloody," he answered.

"Ah," Oz said. "Next weekend we'll get you set up."

"Thanks, mate," Spike told him. He heard Willow in the background ask the werewolf something.

"Buffy didn't tell you anything, did she?" Oz asked for the red head.

"She told me we had sex," he replied. "I can't believe I don't bloody remember."

"Nothing else?"

"No," he said, going over to the fridge to take out a soda. His hand froze on the handle when he saw a new, very naughty message put together under the original. Somewhere in the back of his mind he wondered where she'd gotten the extra letters and why she knew that song, while the rest of him became rock hard. He cleared his throat. "I have to go."

"Ok. Later," Oz replied.

"Yeah," Spike said, quickly hanging up the phone and heading for the stairs. He was either going to take one very cold shower or have one very intimate conversation with his hand as he saw the words again in his mind.

When I think about you I touch myself.

Part Nineteen

Spike pulled at the collar of his starched white shirt, wanting to rip the bow tie off and shove it down someone's throat. Willow and Oz were waiting in the limo along with Xander and his date...Cordelia, believe it or not...while the former vampire stood in the Summers' foyer waiting for Buffy.

The three weeks had passed by rapidly, with Buffy and Spike spending hours on the phone together. Oz had gone down to LA to assist the peroxide blond in getting a tux, corsage and arranging for a second limo to take the former enemies back to Spike's house after the prom. He'd arranged with Joyce for Buffy to spend the weekend again, including Senior Skip day the following Monday, which to his surprise, she readily agreed. This weekend was to be the weekend and everything was going to be perfect. *Unless she never comes down the bloody stairs,* he thought, switching the white corsage to the other hand.

"She'll be down in a minute," Joyce said, coming down the stairs with the overnight bag. "I'll leave this by the door for you to pick up later."

"Thanks, Joyce," Spike replied. "For everything."

"You're welcome, Spike," Joyce said with a smile. She hid the bag in the living room and picked up the camera off the coffee table. "Don't worry. I promised I'd only take a couple."

"Hi," came a soft greeting from the stairs. Spike turned from Joyce and he felt his collar tighten again at the vision before him. Swallowing heavily, he let his eyes travel from her upswept hair, over the scoop-necked, pale yellow dress, which was cinched around her just below her breasts, leaving the rest loose and airy as it fell just below her knees. Her feet were encased in matching, strapped, heeled sandals. Around her neck was a simple, gold cross similar to the one she'd given him and she was carrying a small clutch.

"You look..." Spike was at a loss for words, his heart pounding in his chest. "Bloody fucking hell," he swore quietly as she finished descending the stairs. She walked right up before him and smiled, making him swallow nervously again.

"You look good, too," Buffy said. She saw the camera flash and turned to give her mother a look. "Mom."

"Just a couple," Joyce said, holding up the camera.

Buffy looked back up at Spike and rolled her eyes. "Humor her," she told him, hooking her arm through his and turning them both to her mom. Joyce snapped a few more pictures before Buffy called a halt. "That's enough, mom."

Spike was still stunned in silence as Buffy came back into his line of vision. She was grinning up at him and he couldn't breathe. "Is that for me?" she asked, pointing to the corsage.

"What?" Spike said, coming out of his stupor. "Oh. For you. Yes."

"And to think, you just learned your three letter words today," Buffy joked.

He scowled at her, fully snapping back to reality. "Very funny, Slayer."

"I know," she replied as he opened the box and took the white orchid out. She held out her hand and he slid it over her wrist to the snap of another picture. "Mo-om."

"Sorry, honey," Joyce said, clearly not.

"We'd better go before I go blind from the flash," Buffy said, opening the front door. "I'll see you in the morning mom."

Joyce winked at Spike. "Have fun."

"Goodnight, Joyce," Spike replied, closing the door behind him. He held out his arm to Buffy. "Shall we, milady?"

Buffy giggled. "Let's roll."

"Wow, Buffster, looking good," Xander commented as they joined the group in the limo.

"You can't even tell that you've gained weight," Cordelia added. Xander pinched her arm. "Ow! What was that for?"

He leaned over to whisper in her ear as Oz spoke up, "You do look good, Buffy."

"Thanks, Oz," Buffy said. "It was a pain trying to find a dress."

"But we did," Willow piped in. "And only after twenty-two stores."

Spike looked over at Buffy, wondering about the brunette's comment. She looked the same to him, but he'd never seen her in a dress before. She'd been wearing long, loose T-shirts when she was over three weeks ago. He tugged at the collar again and she swatted his hand away, re- straightening the tie. "So, guys, what is everyone doing tomorrow?"

"Oz and I are going to the Wharf," Willow replied, taking her boyfriends hand. "I've never been there before."

"It's a nice place, Willow," Spike told her, then frowned. "Although I haven't been there in twenty years."

"That's right, you're old," Cordelia said, looking at Spike. "Wait, how old are you? Angel old?"

"Cordy, he can't be that old, seeing as how Deadboy was the one who made him," Xander said. He turned to Buffy. "Speaking of dead things, where is my least favorite person tonight? Usually he's hanging around you like a dog on a bone."

"Angel's patrolling tonight, since Faith is going to the prom, too," Buffy answered, ignoring Spike's sullen look at the mention of his sire. "And he does not hang around me that much."

"Actually, Buffy, he does," Oz said.

"Guys-"

"He doesn't hang around her other than to keep her safe," Willow commented. "It's not like Faith is going to help now that she is pre-"

"Willow!" Buffy interrupted loudly with a glare to her friend. Embarrassed silence filled the limo and Spike wondered what was going on between the friends.

"So, Spike. How old did you say you were?" Cordelia asked, breaking the silence. "And don't you feel kinda weird going to a high school prom?"

The Senior Prom was held in the high school gym, which the cheerleader said was tacky but it was better than the Bronze. Decorations and tables were set up around the large room, almost hiding the fact that it was the gym. A DJ blasted music over several speakers as the group entered. Cordelia immediately pulled Xander to the photographer set up in one corner, wanting to get the picture taken before the night ruined her makeup or hairstyle.

"I can't believe those two are kinda back together again," Buffy commented as they went off.

"Hellmouth," Oz summed it up in one word.

"Hey, B, red, wolf-boy," Faith greeted as she came up to them, punch in hand. She looked Spike over from head to toe in a predatory fashion. "Who's the hottie?"

Buffy moved closer to Spike protectively, staking her claim. "This is Spike, my date."

"Got ya," Faith said. "I'm Faith."

"The other Slayer," Spike said, placing her.

"The same," Faith replied.

"Now that introductions are over," Buffy said, latching onto Spike's arm. "We're going to dance."

"Laters," Faith said as Buffy dragged Spike away.

"I take it you want to dance," Spike chuckled as they joined the throng of students on the floor.

"I didn't like the way she was looking at you," Buffy growled.

"Jealous, pet?"

"No. I don't want you to get rabies," she replied, wrapping her arms around his neck despite that it was a fast song. They danced together for several songs before the Slayer called a break, having to go to the ladies room, which was one of the downfalls of being pregnant - frequent potty breaks.

"Having fun?" Willow asked as she and Oz joined Spike at the table while he waited for Buffy.

"Yes," Spike replied. "Although if any other bloke looks at the Slayer, it might get a bit bloody in here."

"She is sort of glowy tonight," Oz commented thoughtfully.

"Aren't moms-to-be normally glowy?" Willow asked her boyfriend. Her eyes widened when she realized what she said and quickly looked at Spike. To her relief, he wasn't paying attention because Buffy was walking to the table. "That was close," she whispered to Oz.

"Slightly," Oz agreed.

Buffy sat down at the table with a sigh. "Dancing sure makes a Slayer hungry."

"Want me to get you something, pet?" Spike asked, leaning towards her, resting his forearms on his knees.

"Nah, I can wait a little longer," she told him. She looked up in time to see Giles heading for them and groaned. "No saving the world tonight, dad. I've been a good girl."

"Wh-what?" Giles said in confusion as he came up to the table.

"Never mind," Buffy said. "What's up doc?"

"I only came to wish you a pleasant weekend," Giles told her, then looked sheepishly at Willow. "And to ask if you could unfreeze that infernal machine for me."

Willow smiled. "Of course," she said, standing as did Oz. "See ya later, Buffy."

The three left and Buffy sighed in relief. "Good. I don't want to be the Slayer this weekend. I want to be Buffy, normal girl."

"You could never be normal, luv," Spike commented with a grin. He stood and held out his hand. "Dance?"

The hours passed rapidly and before they knew it, students and their dates were slowly heading out to after prom parties or other activities. Spike held Buffy close as they danced to the music, oblivious to those around them.

That's all I wanted
Something special, something sacred
In your eyes.
For just one moment
To be bold and naked
At your side.

Sometimes I think that you'll never
Understand me.
Maybe this time is forever
Say it can be.

That's all you wanted
Something special, someone sacred
In your life.
Just for one moment
To be warm and naked
At my side.

Sometimes I think that you'll never
Understand me.
But something tells me together
We'd be happy.

I will be your father figure
Put your tiny hand in mine
I will be your preacher teacher
Anything you have in mind.
I will be your father figure
I have had enough of crime
I will be the one who loves you
Until the end of time.

"Ready to go, pet?" Spike asked quietly.

"Where?" Buffy asked in reply.

"It's a surprise," he answered with a small smile. She nodded and he led her outside after a quick goodbye to the others to the waiting limo. She looked at him with an arched eyebrow, but got in as he held the door for her. They pulled up in front of her house and he told her to wait as he climbed out. He returned almost immediately, handing the driver the overnight bag before getting back into the limo.

"Where are we going?" Buffy asked again as they pulled away from her house.

"I'm squirreling you away until Monday night," Spike replied. "To have my wicked way with you." Her eyes widened as her heart caught in her throat at his devilish grin. He pulled her into the closer to him, his arm around her waist. "It's a two hour drive, luv. Rest while you can."

"Oh," she said breathlessly.

Part Twenty

Spike left Buffy to use the powder room as he brought her bag to the master bedroom. Once there, he quickly lit the candles scattered around the room and hit play/repeat on the CD player. Shedding his jacket, vest and tie, he unbuttoned the top button of the dress shirt and cuffs as he glanced around the room to be sure that everything was perfect.

He heard a gasp from the doorway and turned to see Buffy standing there, the candlelight casting a soft glow over her. Silently, he walked over to her and held out his hand. When she put her smaller one in his, he raised it to his mouth and kissed her knuckles before turning it over and placing a kiss on her palm.

Buffy's heart skipped a beat when he did this and she unconsciously licked her lips. He led her further into the room after closing the door and pulled her into his arms in a classic dance position. Moving slowly, their eyes met and held as they swayed to the soft music. Neither one knew who initiated the kiss, but neither cared as their lips gently brushed against one another's.

Passion rose between them at a slow burn, starting from their feet and leading up to their mouths, engulfing them. Buffy began to unbutton Spike's shirt as his fingers ran up and down her back, sending shivers of longing down her spine. She pushed the shirt off his shoulders and he dropped his arms to let it fall to the floor. Frustrated at the white t-shirt she found instead of skin, she plucked at it, pulling it from the dress pants.

Spike broke the kiss only long enough for him to pull it over his head, then he pulled her closer to him, his lips capturing hers once more. He inhaled her sweet scent, his entire body burning with desire. Lightly, he ran his hands over her bare shoulders and arms before running them back up to cup her head in order to deepen the kiss. He felt her hands caressing his bare back and a tremor ran through him.

With a small moan, he once again broke the kiss and took a step back. He dropped to his knees before she could protest and began to unstrap her heeled sandals. His hand ran up the back of her calf as he lifted her foot to remove the shoe, making her tremble. He repeated the action with the other foot, then trailed both hands up the sides of her legs as he stood again. He wasted no time in wrapping his arms around her again as he toed off his own shoes, his mouth melding with hers.

Buffy felt the bow being untied by his deft hands as she ran her fingers around the waistband of the tuxedo pants. His muscles rolled under her as she touched his stomach, arousing her more. The zipper of her dress descended and he pushed the straps off her shoulders. Dropping her hands, she let it fall off of her, pooling at her feet. She stood before him, clad in only a satin bra and panties, gold cross necklace around her throat, her abdomen slightly swollen and hard in her fourth month.

Spike stopped the kiss again in order to see her. His eyes traveled slowly from head to toe, worshipful and loving, not noting the extension of her stomach, only the beauty of her. Buffy flushed under his perusal, reaching forward to the button and zipper on his pants. He brushed her hands away and instead picked her up, carrying her to the turned down bed and setting her gently upon it. Then he unhooked the front clasp of her bra, freeing her. He inhaled sharply at her beauty as he dropped the scrap of satin to the floor.

He quickly shed his pants and socks, joining her on the bed. He kissed her passionately on the lips, then began kiss and lick a fiery trail along her jaw line, down her throat to one of her breasts. Gently lifting the soft globe, he lavished her pebble like nipple with his teeth and tongue. Buffy ran her hands through his hair, holding him to her as he moved his ministrations to her other breast. Tendrils of electricity were shooting from her nipples to her sex as he worked his magic on them.

Suddenly, she pulled him up to claim his mouth, her hands scratching lightly down his back. She managed to get him onto his back, then proceeded to kiss and lick her way down his chest as he did her. The muscles in his stomach rolled again when she dipped her tongue into his navel, his hips rising on their own accord. With a feminine smile, she rubbed her cheek against the erection straining under his briefs and was promptly hauled up his body on the receiving end of a searing kiss.

Spike had her on her back again, kissing his way down her body. His fingers wrapped around the edges of her panties and pulled them off of her. He settled himself between her legs, licking and nipping at her inner thighs before inhaling her heady scent. His tongue flicked out against her clit after he had separated her silken folds, exposing her to him. Buffy hissed in pleasure, arching up against him as her hands wove into his short blond hair.

He brought her to a quick orgasm, sending her writhing against his face. She cried out in pleasure as he drew her climax out until she lay limp beneath him. He removed his briefs as he kissed her inner thigh, then up her hip and over her hard abdomen. He paused, frowning slightly because something seemed wrong, but he dismissed it as he dipped his tongue into her navel, continuing his way up her body.

Buffy caught his wandering mouth with hers, tasting herself on him, feeling his hardness against her thigh. She arched her hips, silently begging for him to fill her. He put his hand between them, positioning himself at her wet opening, the tip pushed slightly inside. He broke the kiss to look down into her eyes, his love for her shining out of his bright blue ones. He then used his hand to grasp hers, intertwining their fingers before he thrust into her.

She thrust up against him in response, wrapping her legs over Spike's hips. Their lips crushed together again as he moved in and out of her in the rhythm of the ages. Slowly the fires that had always burned between them grew to an inferno level, causing them to fly into orgasm, crying out each other's names.

Hands still entwined, Spike rested his forehead against hers, both of them panting heavily. Sweat glistened on their bodies, casting them both in a slight glow from the candlelight. Their hearts pounded a staccato beat in time with each other as they came down. He finally moved out of her, turning them so Buffy was cradled against his chest, not letting go of her hand.

They lay together silently, the soft strains of music the only sound in the room.

Part Twenty-one

Buffy traced patterns absently on Spike's bare chest after he had let go of her hand. "Spike?"

"Yes, luv?"

"Did you..." She trailed off, gathering her courage. "Did you notice anything different? About me, that is."

Spike frowned. "What do you mean?"

Buffy rolled onto her back, head on the other pillow, to stare at the ceiling. Spike followed her, turning onto his side and propping his head in his hand. His eyes traveled slowly over her nude form bathed in the candlelight and felt himself becoming aroused again. Then that feeling that something was off hit him and the comment Cordelia made in the limo came back to him. Reaching forward, he ran his hand from just under her breasts down to her sex, watching carefully. His hand rose slightly, then dipped over her abdomen.

Buffy turned her head to see his face as he did this, scared about his reaction. She should have told him when she was here three weeks ago, or even earlier, but she had been too much of a coward. Her mother had chastised her on the drive home and in the following weeks, as did Willow. Even Oz had spoken up, telling her Spike should know.

She watched as his brow furrowed while he ran his hand over her abdomen again. He pressed on her slightly, the frown deepening as he felt the hardness of that area. Taking a deep breath, she geared herself up to tell him. But before she could, he moved and began to rain light kisses on her. "Spike-"

"Hmm?"

"What...what are you doing?"

"Kissing you," he answered with a small chuckle, not stopping.

"But-"

"You're beautiful," Spike whispered, moving his body over hers as he kissed up the valley between her breasts. "So bloody beautiful."

"Spike-" She was cut off again by his mouth claiming hers, his fingers dipping between their bodies, making her juices flow. She arched up into him, her hands sliding around his back as he sought entrance. He surged into her, making her mewl in pleasure as their pelvises hit. The rhythm varied from slow and languorous to quick and hard as they climbed to the peak again. They climaxed almost simultaneously, then collapsed together as their hearts raced.

Spike nuzzled her neck in long time habit, resting his weight on his forearms. "You were saying?" he asked in her ear, making her shiver.

"I was talking?" Buffy replied, running her hands up and down his back. He chuckled sending chills down her spine. Slowly, he pulled out of her, raising his head to kiss her thoroughly before moving off of her, returning to his side with his head propped in his hand. She didn't want to move, ever, but mother nature didn't agree. With a moan of protest, she sat up and slid off the bed. "Be back."

Spike watched her bare ass as she toddled to the bathroom, faint smile on his lips. Rolling onto his back, he stared up at the ceiling, his body a mixture of giddiness and tiredness. For the first time in over a year he was truly happy. He had the woman that he loved in his bed where she belonged and it looked as though she was in no hurry to leave. He was even content to be human.

"Spike?"

He turned his head to gaze at the beauty standing in the bathroom doorway. She had completely released her hair and it hung loose, framing her face. He noticed that she was nervous, one hand holding the doorframe, the other curved around her stomach as she chewed on her lower lip. He propped back up onto his side, patting the bed next to him. "What's wrong, luv?"

Buffy didn't move. The sight of her flushed skin and rounded belly in the mirror had been a shock and she knew there was no more waiting. However, if she went over to him, she'd never tell him. "I'm pregnant," she blurted out, gripping the doorframe so tightly in cracked in punctuation.

Spike stared at her, frozen, as her statement sunk into his brain. His eyes darted to the swell of her abdomen that her other hand was curled around. His heart felt like it was being ripped in two at the thought that she had been with someone else and was now carrying that man's child. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" he finally asked, his voice slightly hoarse.

She shook her head no, still not moving from the doorway. "Are you mad?"

"No," he replied immediately. "Never." He rolled off the bed to his feet and went over to her. She looked up at him, wide eyed and he pressed a quick kiss on her lips, then swatted her rear as he went to get past her into the bathroom.

Buffy yelped and jumped away from the door, earning a small smirk from Spike. He went into the bathroom and closed the door, then leaned back against it, hands clenched at his sides. He looked at himself in the mirror and cursed under his breath. "I'll kill him," he growled, turning on the faucet.

Buffy went over to the bag sitting on a chair and opened it. She pulled out a t-shirt and slipped it over her head, then put on a clean pair of panties before sighing heavily. Her stomach let her know she was hungry and she silently padded out of the bedroom, heading for the kitchen.

Spike emerged from the bathroom to find no Buffy and the bedroom door open. He grabbed a pair of jeans out of the dresser and slid them on before going in search of the Slayer. He found her in the kitchen, staring into the pan on the stove as she stirred, empty can of soup on the counter. He went to get a drink out of the fridge when he saw new words made from the letter magnets.

I'm sorry.

Stalking over to Buffy, he spun her to face him and kissed her savagely, plunging his tongue into her mouth to claim hers. He held her close, one hand tangled in her hair, the other around her waist. He broke it only when he heard the soup bubbling. Breathing heavily, he turned off the flame then stared down at her. "I love you, dammit, and you have nothing to be sorry about. It's not your bloody fault some pillock knocked you up..."

Buffy's mouth dropped open as he went on, realization dawning that he didn't know he was the ‘pillock' who got her pregnant. Although his tirade was sweet, albeit a bit bloody in his descriptions, she interrupted him. "Spike, it's your baby."

"...the wanker not-" Spike stopped suddenly as her words pierced his thoughts. His voice grew faint when he asked, "What?"

"Um, you're the father," Buffy told him, concentrating on pouring the soup into the bowl. When he didn't say anything, she looked over at him. He was standing there, mouth slightly open in shock, his blue eyes wide. It didn't look like he was breathing, which concerned her. "Are you ok?"

In response, his eyes rolled up and he fell to the floor in a dead faint.

"Spike? Spike, wake up," Buffy said, kneeling on the floor at his side, patting his cheek.

Spike opened his eyes slowly, focusing on the blond leaning worriedly over him. "You're not bloody joking, are you?"

"Uh, no," Buffy replied, giving him a strained smile. "You're definitely the dad."

Spike closed his eyes again, taking a deep, unsteady breath. *Bloody fucking hell,* he thought, but not in anger or despair. It was more disappointment in himself for making her pregnant. He sat up, then smoothly got on his knees, facing her. Then he pulled her against him in a tight hug, his cheek pressed against her hair. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"Sorry? Why?"

"Why do you bloody think?" he said, releasing her. "For making you pregnant!"

"You don't want the baby?" she asked in a small voice.

But he didn't hear her as he went on another tirade. "First I get made human, then I have sex with you and don't even bloody know it, then I make you pregnant! Bloody fucking hell, can't anything go right?!"

Tears started to fall down Buffy's cheeks at his words. With a choked sob, she stood and ran from the kitchen, startling Spike. He smacked his forehead with the heel of his hand and took off after her, swearing at himself. He snagged her at the top of the stairs, pulling her roughly against him, though she could easily break away if she desired. "Slayer, I'm sorry."

"No you're not. You hate me and hate that I'm pregnant," Buffy sobbed.

"No!" Spike said sharply. "Buffy, cor, no. I hate myself. I've been nothing but a bloody pain to you since we met, always trying to destroy you and when I stop, I manage to ruin your life anyway by knocking you up."

"You didn't ruin my life," she told him. He loosened his hold enough to give her an incredulous look. "You just made it more...interesting."

"Interesting, right," he scoffed.

"Look, you bleached moron," Buffy said, getting angry. "I'm the one who didn't stop you back in February, I'm the one who decided to have the baby and I'm the one who always made your life hell. So get off your high moral horse, you pathetic excuse for a former vampire!"

Spike stared at her flushed, angry face for a moment, then started to laugh. Buffy scowled up at him, making him laugh even harder. She smacked him on the chest, breaking out of his arms only to stand there with hers crossed over her chest, glaring at him.

"Cor, pet, I love you," he said when he finally calmed somewhat. "You never bloody cease to amaze me."

"Ok, I'm lost," she said, throwing up her hands. "And you're nuts."

"Nuts, eh?" Spike said, a sly smile crossing his face.

Buffy suddenly found herself in his arms, being carried into the bedroom. He practically threw her on the bed, making her shriek. He pounced on her, pinning her arms above her head, grinning down at her. "Spike!"

"Slayer, shut up," he said, capturing her mouth with his. He kissed her passionately, pouring all his tightly wound emotions into it - from her being here with him by her own free will, to their lovemaking, to the news that she was carrying his child. His child. The one that he'd always dreamed of having with her but never thought would be a possibility.

Breathless, he broke the kiss to peer down at her, his blue eyes lit with an unearthly glow. He released her, climbing off the bed then pulling her to her feet. He tugged the t-shirt she was wearing over her head and let it drop to the floor. His gaze dropped to her abdomen, then back up to meet her own. "Can I...?"

Buffy's face lit up in a large smile at his tentative question. "Go for it, papa."

Slowly, he brought his hand forward and put it over her womb. Buffy watched the play of emotions on his face - amazement, awe, happiness, a little pride and, most importantly, love. Suddenly, he let out a war whoop and grabbed her up in his arms again, spinning them in a circle. When he finally set her on her feet, he tilted up her chin and place the softest, tenderest kiss on her lips she'd ever experienced.

"I adore you, Buffy," Spike whispered after the kiss. Then his eyes widened comically. "I'm going to be a father."

"That's what normally happens when two people have a baby," Buffy said, giggling.

"Me, a bloody dad," he continued. "I think I'm going to heave."

Buffy snorted, then covered her mouth and nose with her hand. The dumbfounded look on his face changed to excited pride and he bounced across the bed to grab the phone. She turned and arched a brow at him questioningly as he dialed. "Spike, it's quarter to four in the morning. Who are you calling?"

"‘Lo?" said a sleepy voice at the other end of the phone line.

"I'm having a baby!" Spike exclaimed.

"Actually, that would be Buffy," Oz replied tiredly.

"Who is it?" Willow asked her boyfriend, blinking sleepily up at him as he turned on the light.

"Spike," Oz answered the red head.

"But a baby. Me. A bloody father," Spike said into the phone. Buffy came over to the other side of the bed and stood in front of him, giving him a look. "She's so amazingly beautiful."

"That's great, man," Oz replied. "You do know it's four in the morning."

"Give me that," Willow said, taking the phone from him. "Spike?"

"Cor, a baby," Spike said absently, staring at Buffy's belly.

Buffy took the phone from him. "Hello?"

"Buffy?"

"Hey, Wills. Sorry about that," Buffy said.

"‘S-ok. I'm just glad you finally told him," Willow replied. "He sounds excited."

"He told me he was going to upchuck."

"Um, I don't know if that's a good thing or not," the red head told her.

"What?" Oz asked.

"Spike's reaction was to toss his cookies."

"Oh."

"Actually, his first reaction was to faint," Buffy said over the line. Spike leaned forward so he was eye to eye with her navel as if he could peer inside at the baby. She giggled. "Spike, what are you doing?"

"What is he doing?" Willow asked.

"I don't know," Buffy replied. "I'm going to hang up now. Sorry Spike called...hey, why did he call you?"

"He didn't, he called Oz."

"You're at Oz's?!" Buffy said. "For shame!"

"I'm being a good girl," Willow told her, then giggled. "Just ask Oz."

"Willow!"

"Bye, Buffy," Willow said.

"Bye." Buffy disconnected and set the phone on the night stand. "Spike, what are you doing?"

"How does a baby fit in there?" Spike asked, more to himself than to her.

Buffy rolled her eyes and pushed him up in order to straddle his lap. "It's just one of those mysteries of life."

"I love you, you know," he said, looking into her hazel eyes.

"I know," she replied. "And you're not that pathetic."

"Hey!"

Giggling, Buffy kissed the former vampire, which led to them making love again for the remainder of the night.