Email: swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com

Archive: Ummm...really? Cuz if you do I would be honored. Just let me know where it’ll go, I'd like to visit.

Disclaimer: Joss and Mutant Enemy, etc. own the characters of BtVS and AtS. No infringement intended. I just borrowed the characters for fun. I plan to return them once I'm done; Promise.

The song featured in this part is, "Long Time Coming," by aritist, David Sneddon.

Feedback: Please? This is my first fic, so comments, suggestions are very much appreciated…

~~~~*~~~*~~

Part 1

~~~~*~~~*~~

***
Should have never used the phone
Got to do this on my own
It's been a long time coming to me now

***

…click…
“Boss?”
…click…

…click…
“Yeah Harm.”
…click…

…click…
“Buffy is here to see you. I tried to book her an appointment but she says she doesn’t need one. Personally I don’t think there should be any exceptions--I work hard damn it! I try to keep up a reasonable schedule and…ahh…quit that… you can’t touch…oww”
…click…

…click…
“Harm?”
…click…

…click…
“Hello Angel, sorry to drop by unexpectedly but I was in town, so here I am. Thank God I decided to drop by too. It seems you’ve been neglecting… ummm… the side of good…cuz last time I checked, Harmony? Bad. So why the hell is she here? Wait, don’t answer that, I don’t even want to know, just, can I kill her already?”
…click…

…click…
“Wait! I’ll be right out.”
...click...

***
I felt this just the other day
Was coming out
What can I say?
It's been a long time coming to me now

***

~~~~*~~~*~~

With all the two seconds it took Angel to stand up, and make his way to his office door, all he could think of was what he going to say, and how was he going to say it. It's been a long time since he last spoke to or even seen Buffy.

*Has it really been a year? No, longer than that; it had been a whole year and two months on top of that, since she came to LA to tell him that she no longer needed the second front. Spike saved the world. Of all people it had to be Spike.*

At that thought, he opened the door with a force that caused him to lose his footing and reel back in the process.

*Great job Angel, way to impress the girl with your super vampiric clumsiness. But God was she a sight.*

Buffy, dressed in a midnight blue spaghetti strapped sundress that flowed down to the calves of her legs, with matching sandals to adorn her feet. She wore her hair down, letting her golden brown tresses frame her face. Since the last time he had seen her, she had put on enough weight to soften her curves to give her a healthy glow. All in all she looked more beautiful than he remembered.

Buffy looked up at the sound of the door opening, and giggled to herself when she caught Angel's not so subtle stumble. Clearing her throat and flashing a grin, she greeted her longtime friend, "Angel, good to see you."

***

Don't want you to hold my hand
Just need you to understand
It's been a long time coming to me now

***

Without a moments delay she walked the short distance to where Angel stood and pulled him into a hug.

"You're here?" was all he could get out, which he knew came out in a more panicked tone instead of the more easy going, but surprised gesture he had intended. He offered a weak smile for a quick and hopefully not to late recovery.

"As much as you are." Buffy replied in an even tone, while pulling gently away from the embrace. Not missing the awkward exchange, she turned to pick up her purse, a diaper bag and matching car seat that she brought with her--a car seat that held her world and more.

***

In a deeper part of me
A stronger soul is breaking free
And I want you to know
Can't hold me down for any more
Pull myself from off the floor
And I want you to know

***

"So I take it, you are going to see Buffy, a person without an appointment AND who threatened me." Harmony cut in.

"Well, uhh...yeah, of course." Angel replied. Looking over to Buffy again, "Come in. Do you want anything? Coffee? Water?"

"No, thanks I'm good." Facing Angel once again this time holding everything she came in with, promptly started walking towards Angel's office.

As she started walking toward him, Angel was able to take in the sight that IS Buffy, and that is when he noticed she wasn’t alone.

"Harm?"

"Yes Boss?"

"Clear out my schedule for the day."

***

It's been a long time coming to me now....

***

~~~~*~~~*~~

TBC...

Email: swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com <http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com>

Archive: Ummm...really? Cuz if you do I would be honored. Just let me know where it’ll go, I'd like to visit.

Disclaimer: Joss and Mutant Enemy, etc. own the characters of BtVS and AtS. No infringement intended. I just borrowed the characters for fun. I plan to return them once I'm done; Promise.

The song featured in this part is, "While You Were Gone," by aritist, Kelly Price.

Feedback: Please? This is my first fic, so comments, suggestions are very much appreciated…

~~~~~~~~~*~~~~*~~*~

Part 2

~~~~~~~~~*~~~~*~~*~

***

While I was figuring what I was gonna do

***

Walking into Angel’s office gave Buffy an uneasy chill up her spine. It was like walking into a sterile but posh hospital room minus the bed.

The room was devoid of any scrap of character. The walls painted a color that an interior decorator probably picked out of a magazine, along with the furniture. Nondescript items lay neatly on his desk top. A few crumpled pieces of paper filled the trash can. The only sign that made it indeed Angel’s office was an elaborate and extensive collection of weapons covering a wall.

*Am I just noticing this now?*

***

***

Buffy placed the car seat on the coffee table, and threw her purse and the diaper bag; that carried a days worth of all the essentials necessary to care for a baby, onto the couch just behind the coffee table.

***

***

She remained silent letting her mind take her to moments passed. Moments when she was just a girl in love with a man, and to naïve to realize there is so much more to love than what she shared with Angel. *Which says a lot considering how heartbroken and lost I felt after he left me, but I know better now; that was just the tip of the iceberg.* Thanks to another, she knew, felt, touched what real, consuming love was and how all else dulls by comparison.

She still loved Angel; she knows that will never change. But also knows she can never fall in love with him, not again, not now, not after tasting the sweet and bitter taste of true love.

***

***

The click of the door shutting jarred her away from her thoughts and into reality. Turning to face him, and smiling a smile that can only come from a proud mother about to introduce her bundle of joy, “Angel, I want you to meet my son,” moving out of the way to reveal her son lying asleep in the car seat, decorated with ducks and sailboats. Letting him slowly walk up to her and her baby, and once he was inches away, she continued, “His name is William Alexander, Alex in short. However, occasionally Xander, Willow and I like to call him Will.”

She waited and watched Angel’s __expression go from utter shocked, to surprised, and back to shock once again. Amazingly it’s a wonder how she can distinguish the two as both look similar, and not at all that different from his usual broody __expression; which seems to never leave his face.

***

***

Once his shock subsided he resumed his surprise phase, “You…You have a… son?” He said in amazement.

“Yeah, he’s almost half a year old now.”

With his eyes still locked on Alex, and not knowing what to say, but what was evident, “He’s beautiful.” He said in a whisper only she can hear. *She did it; she moved on. She got her family. Just like I thought she would, just what I wanted for her, a life; a normal life. Why am I not happy then? Shouldn’t I feel happy?*

“Yes he is, isn’t he?”

***

***

“Do you want to take a seat? I think I’m going to need to.” Taking a seat on the couch, not waiting for her reply and letting his mind take off; a thousand questions running through his mind, “Where’s his father?” he asked, not yet wanting to deal with WHO was the father in question.

Lowering her head to stare at her sandals, “He’s not here,” she answered evenly, and then lifting her head to look at her son, “well he is, but not physically.”

Before Buffy could say anything else, “You mean you are raising him all on your own.”

***

***

“Well yeah, but it’s not like he’s missing out on being loved. Sure he hasn’t known his real father’s love, but he does have Giles, Zander-"

Angel getting agitated with the realization Buffy was alone couldn’t hold back any longer, “Geez Buffy, how could you let him leave you with a baby? Is he at least helping you out financially? Don’t tell me you let him off Scott free. I swear if he walked out on you, I’ll hunt him down and-"

“You can’t,” came Buffy soft reply and even softer still, “he’s not to blame, he doesn’t even know, he’s not even alive.” that stopped Angel dead in his tracks.

***

***

After a moment of silence, “How are you able to support him, how are you able to support yourself? Look if you need-"

“I don’t…I don’t need anything from you, I’m not your responsibility,” Walking over to her purse, she pulled out a thick envelope. “That’s why I’m here, to tell you that, and to give this back.” She placed the envelope onto the table.

***

***

Looking up from Buffy’s face, and then sliding his gaze to the envelope lying on the table.

“Give what back?”

“The money you sent. I can’t…I won’t accept it.” To stress her point she began, “I have a job, a great one actually. Giles and-"

“Wait... I didn’t send you any money.” Angel interrupted with confusion written all over his face.

“Then who did, it’s addressed from Wolfram and Hart? And I know the money didnt mail itself."

***

***

~~~~~~~~~*~~~~*~~*~

Somewhere in the city of LA, was a rogue vampire prowling the streets…

~~~~~~~~~*~~~~*~~*~

TBC...

Email: swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com <http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com>

Archive: Ummm...really? Cuz if you do I would be honored. Just let me know where it’ll go, I'd like to visit.

Disclaimer: Joss and Mutant Enemy, etc. own the characters of BtVS and AtS. No infringement intended. I just borrowed the characters for fun. I plan to return them once I'm done; Promise.

Feedback: Please? This is my first fic, so comments, suggestions are very much appreciated…

~~~~*~~*~~~~*

Part 3

~~~~*~~*~~~~*

Somewhere in the city of LA, was a rogue vampire prowling the streets; The Big Bad. Those who knew him, humans and vampires alike dared not speak his name. If they did, if they had the balls to do just that, it's in nothing but a mere whisper; Spike.

Okay, so what if it was all a facade. So what if humans didn’t fear him, but looked up to him. So what if vampires didn’t whisper his name out of fear, but hisses his name out of malice. Okay some vampires, the smart vampires feared him, he IS Spike after all.

Every night he goes out wandering the streets, hoping and waiting, in search of the kill--a kill that would let him forget HER. Even if it is just for a moment, because when he’s not fighting, he’s thinking. Everything, everywhere, and everyone is a constant reminder of HER; Buffy; his world, his love, his life.

Okay, so what if even when he gets his kill, when he’s fighting, he’s still thinking of her, because really...he fights for her. He fights the evil vampires; he fights for the side of good, for her, and for him--that’s who he is now, that's who he WANTS to be now... because of Buffy.

Spike turns a corner and is faced with a window. Looking in he scrutinizes over the mannequins dressed in suits, evening gowns, casual wear, bathing suits, and gets lost in thought. *What would Buffy wear? Would she pick the blue blazer or the peach? Would she color coordinate by mixing and matching, or would she wear the exact same shade all the way through? No, she would mix and match. And she wouldn’t go for the blue or the peach, she would choose the soft golden tan, and wear a crisp white shit underneath. She wouldn’t choose the skirt, but the slacks.

As for the swimsuits; she wouldn’t pick any of the ones the mannequins were sporting. She wouldn’t go for the skimpy string bikinis in colors of red, fuchsia, and floral. No none of that. Buffy would wear a simple black one piece suit, and still stop everybody in the whole damned beach dead in their tracks. The boyfriend, with the forgotten girlfriend, would stare and worship. The girlfriend would stare too, but out of jealousy. Kiddies would run and line up asking for autographs, for how could anyone be so gorgeous and not be a celebrity? The loving husband would smile in appreciation. The wife would look on; he’ll pay for it later.

Restaurants, Cineplex’s, parks, bars, clubs, all became graded and recorded in his mind as possible places he could take her to. *But not yet, not till it was time. I have a plan, that's right! Im a vampire with a plan!* Looking around at the people milling about in the streets he returns to his thoughts, of nothing other than Buffy. *Would she smile if he took her to a drive-in? Would she laugh if he took her to McDonalds? Would she cry with amusement if he took her to the black tie restaurant?*

Men became possible threats. *What if one day she happened to meet that beefy guy over there? How about that lanky red haired guy over there or that businessman taking a bite to eat? Would that blond guy make her laugh? Would she love him for it?*

He was about to turn into another alleyway when he heard the ear splitting scream.

~~~~*~~*~~~~*

Back at Wolfram and Hart, dripping in green demon goop he stormed into Angel’s office. *That is the last time I fight a fucking foul demon.*

Angel looked up from his spot behind his desk, when he sensed Spike, and even more so the scent that was coming off of Spike/

“Spike! What the hell? What is that crap, and... that smell?”

“Foul demon, nasty little buggers.” Spike replied. “There’s a whole nest of ‘em. Listen, this place was closer than mine, so, mind if i use your shower? Well it doesn't...”

Spike whipped around as he picked up a familiar scent. “The guts must be screwing with my senses, cuz I smell something awfully familiar.” *It couldn’t be, could it?*

“It’s Buffy.” Angel explained, “She’s back and with company.”

Spike’s jaw dropped as Angel confirmed his thoughts; Buffy’s return. After what seemed like ages, he chocked out, “Where?”

“She just left to go to the rest room, and take care of some business; Xander called.”

Spike, pacing now, couldn’t get a grip, *not yet, not yet, not till I fully executed the plan, as planned!* and as he turned for what must be the fiftieth time he noticed something that shouldn’t be there.

“What the bloody hell is this?!!” Motioning to the empty car seat.

“It’s a uh…maybe you should sit down, on second thought,” looking at Spikes torn attire the disheveled and the goopy state he was in, thought better of it, “just keep standing.” Not knowing how to phrase this, for all he knew Spike would drop dead at the news, okay just drop at the news. He took a breath and let out a sigh. After contemplating his words, he just blurted it out, “Turns out Buffy had a baby.”

Spike froze at the words. *No.*

Angel not knowing what to do started spilling out bits and pieces of information he just found out earlier that day.

"She had him about five...no six months ago...she named him...okay actually I didn’t catch his whole name, since I was umm...still recuperating, but she calls him Alex; named after Xander, I suppose. When she was on the cell Xander referred to him as Will, I think. So after Willow? Anyway..."

*What did he say? Xander?* Spike wasn't listening; his mind was too busy reeling and working overtime at the news.

"He's actually one of the cutest babies I've ever seen. I didn’t see him awake yet, just when he woke up to cry... She said he's recovering from an ear infection and was tired from the boat ride..."

*She did it, she actually did it; she moved on.*

"...I mean I thought she was still cookie dough or at least still baking..."

*Did I just screw everything up? I shouldn’t have waited so damn long...*

That’s when he felt her; the tingling sensation, the warmth he felt whenever she was near, then the footsteps came.

Not being able to move from his spot, for the news surely turned him into a statue, looked over at Angel.

“You better get into the elevator, that’s you’re only way out of the office.”

Spike not comprehending for a moment remained grounded, till he heard the door knob twisting. Then he was gone in a flash, already hopping into the elevator, waiting for the doors to close and conceal him.

Buffy walked into the office carrying Alex in her arms; newly diapered and just fed, was asleep once again. Her first thought *what was that awful smell?* Then turning her head, “What’s that?” Was Buffy’s reaction to a flurry of black ducking into the elevator. “I thought I saw…”

“Oh it’s… umm… foul demon.” Angel offered.

“A foul demon in black went into your elevator?”

“Yeah, turns out he was…lost. He came in looking for someone… when he didn’t find who he was looking for… he released a gas. That is what you…smell. Then he just darted for the elevator.”

She knew it was a lie. Something was out of place, she could feel it; a familiar tingle ran up her spine, but chose to ignore it.

At her questioning glare, he quickly got out, "Yeah foul demons; they're hairy, smelly... things, and umm huge with horns all over..."

“Riight.” She said while putting the baby into his car seat. “Xander is coming to pick me up. Turns out my dad’s out of town. So Xander got us a hotel room.”

“You don’t need to get a room, I can…"

Spike who was listening behind the closed doors of the elevator remained still. His mind was racing with a million questions, most of them pertaining to, who was the father? That’s when he heard her say "Xander got US a hotel room," and being him--jumped to his conclusion. *I’m going to beat the shit…* the ding tore him away from his inner rant. And that’s when he noticed the doors were opening, and his fist that smashed through the elevator wall. *Bloody fucking hell*

Buffy whirled around at the sound of the elevator. But couldn’t make out anything inside from where she stood--curious-- she started walking towards the elevator.

Angel not knowing what to do to get her attention, yelped, “Spike!”

Spike pressed himself against the wall.

Buffy reeled her head around and looked at Angel, “What did you say?”

“Uh…SPIKES…foul demons have spikes too... and when they get mad they shoot out... spikes...before the doors closed I saw him shoot 'em out....there probably all over the elevator WALL, so probably you shouldn’t go in...it's dangerous stuff" He kept his eyes on Buffy, checking to see if by miracle she was buying it, "Demon probably thought it would be funny… to damage my elevator.”

Spike picked up on the hint-- if it was a hint at all-- and located the button. In a split second he tumbled into a room, and watched the wall quickly slide back into place, hiding him once again.

Buffy turned to look at the elevator again. With an erie feeling she quickly went to see what was inside. And found the elevator was empty. *weird*

She glanced over at Angel, and then stepped in. The floor buttons were busted thanks to the huge gaping hole. Everything else looked perfectly normal. She was about to step back out, when she saw it; drying green goop *and is that? Yes it is...blood.*

~~~~*~~*~~~~*

TBC…

Email: swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com <http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com>

Archive: Ummm...really? Cuz if you do I would be honored. Just let me know where it’ll go, I'd like to visit.

Disclaimer: Joss and Mutant Enemy, etc. own the characters of BtVS and AtS. No infringement intended. I just borrowed the characters for fun. I plan to return them once I'm done; Promise.

The song featured in this part is, "At The Beginning," by aritists, Richard Marx & Donna Lewis.

Feedback: Please? This is my first fic, so comments, suggestions are very much appreciated…

~~~~*~~~*~

Part 4

~~~~*~~~*~

***

***

Buffy ran her finger along the blood that smeared along the panel of the elevator. She knew if the blood came from him, she wouldn’t be able to sense it because it couldn’t be HIS blood, just borrowed blood. But something in her gut told her that the blood she was now rubbing between her fingers had once coursed through her lover’s body. *Spike...*

Now desperate to find him, she started feeling the wall for an opening, a switch an emergency exit, anything to show her where he went, and why he went. *Does he not love me anymore?* Feeling defeat and overwhelmed she collapsed letting the wall hold her up. *Why don’t you want to see me anymore?*

On the other side-- Spike can hear her anxiously searching the elevator wall. He placed his hand on the wall--desperately wanting to touch her but knowing he couldn’t. He can almost feel her body, her warmth, her life through the steel and the plaster that separated them. *Buffy…you are so close, but you can’t find me… not yet, not now.* Closing his eyes and resting his forehead on the surface he pictured the woman that meant everything to him.

***

***

Buffy couldn’t keep her thoughts clear anymore and was just about to give up on her search till she noticed something, or well noticed a lack of something. Although nearly half of the buttons were missing, thanks to a gaping hole, she can tell each were clearly marked with numbers indicating to what floor it would lead to, except for one column. Now shifting her weight back on her feet, but not leaving her spot, she fingered the silver nondescript buttons. Intrigued she wondered why they would not mark the buttons, but then thought this was Angel’s personal elevator so of course he would know what it’s for. But she didn’t need to ask. Still fingering the buttons till she landed on the last, she simply pressed it without thinking twice, letting instinct take over.

***

***

Spike still lost in thought had no idea that the walls had receded, till he felt a softness replace the hard surface his open hand was pressing against. He felt small delicate but strong fingers close and intertwine around his own. Keeping his eyes closed-- not wanting what could only be a dream to never leave him-- he wrapped his fingers around the hand that is firmly clasped in his, and without thinking whispered the name that never left his heart, mind and soul, “Buffy...”

Once he realized what just happened he slowly opened his eyes, silently wishing that it was only a dream and real at the same time. And thanked who ever it was that decided to give a vampire a second chance, when he saw Buffy standing in all her glory right in front of him, with tears threatening to spill from her beautiful eyes.

***

***

She managed to choke out, "Spike." when she threw her arms around him and held on for dear life. "You’re… here. I knew…I knew you were alive…I felt it…felt you…I just didn’t know…Please...Please..." was all she could manage to say before her sobs overtook her.

Wrapping his arms around Buffy, to return the embrace that would break any other man's back, tried to soothe her, "Shh...Love...I'm here now. Shhhh...Don’t cry...I'm here." not knowing that his own tears were already starting to roll off his own cheeks. *What the hell is wrong with me? How could I have waited so long? Stupid plan… fuck the fucking plan.*

***

***

After her sobs started to calm down to whimpering sighs and hiccups. She lifted her head to look into the depths of his eyes. “Please…don’t leave…please…I need you to be with me, I... want to be with you…please tell me you still want to be with me...I don’t know what I would do if-"

"Buffy," taking hold of her shoulders, "listen to me, there is nothing, nothing in this world or in any other world to make me not love you."

***
And I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you

***

"Then why-"

"Because I'm a fucking idiot, that's why." He lifted his hand to her face to move a stray hair and place it behind her ear, and then cupping her cheek in his palm, "I never meant to take so long. I thought...I planned it out, I did...I had everything planned out. I wanted to be something when I returned to you. I wanted to be able to be someone who deserved you. Someone who would be able to help you, support you, love you properly..."

***

***

"Spike," mimicking his movements earlier but instead of cupping his cheek she wiped away the tear tracks away with her thumbs, "Listen, I want you. I need you. I LOVE you. What do you think I am saying when I tell you that?" Pressing a finger to his lips to keep him from answering, she continued telling him what he meant to her, "It means I want to be with you, ONLY you. It means I need you, because YOU are all I ever needed. It means I love you, because you are you, and that's all that matters."

"Buffy. I..." He pressed his forehead to hers, to keep from floating into the thin air, "I love you. I'm sorry I kept you waiting."

Then he tilted his head to give her a kiss; a kiss that was passionate, needy, and mind-blowing gentle, and reminded them everything that they missed and what's to come.

***

***

"Hey now, no more sorrys okay?" Pulling away to draw in much needed air, and to turn around, but grabbed his hand, to keep the contact, "There are way too many sorrys between us, and there is no need to add to 'em. Just promise me something?"

"Anything Love...anything."

"Promise me, that if you decide to make up a plan where I'm involved, you'll check with me first." She glanced at him with a smile.

***

***

He chuckled and replied, "Sure Pet. I promise." Squeezing her hand to seal the deal, and to reassure himself that it wasn’t all a dream. *she’s here.* "I missed you, you know that?"

"Yeah I know," She said matter of factly, "but I missed you more." Grinning from ear to ear she stepped back into the elevator and pulled him along, she threw him another smile, "Come on, I want you to meet someone very important." She was about to take another step when she felt Spike stop in his tracks.

It donned on him who she was referring to, the thousands of unanswered questions began to swirl in his mind again. He made an abrupt stop causing Buffy to stagger, he looked at Buffy sheepishly then explained, "I uhh....I just remembered…” my uhh, appearance, and if this is someone…important, I think I should take a shower and change first." *The baby. Xander. Maybe…maybe it was a mistake, maybe…I just heard wrong…I had to have heard it wrong. Xander couldn’t possibly…he's agood bloke, there is no doubt now not for a long time, hmmm when did that happen? But… Xander and Buffy together? Never. Not when he’s around.*

***

Buffy shot him a flabbergasted look. *Since when does he care what other people think of his appearance? If you ask me he looks sexy like 24/7; with his not quite blue eyes, but bluer even; blue could only wish to be that crystalline deep blue, his well defined killer cheekbones, his oh so luscious bitable lips, and don’t even get me started on his body which is shaped to absolute perfection. He’s sexy without even thinking about it, okay sometimes he does think about it, come on anyone who looked that good would. He’s even sexy-- beautiful even; when he wakes up with his tousled soft blond hair…wait where is the blond hair? Hmmm… he let it grow out, I like it. How did I miss that? Okay so, soft dark brown hair, that curls around your fingers when you run your hands through it, and with that green goop that is about to drip…wait… green goop? Green goop; dried green goop that is caked all over him, ohhh….* “You’re right, you should do that." *There is no way I’m going to let that goop near Alex.* Giving him a smile and squeezing his hand before she let it go, she told him to hurry back.

***

***

“Pet…I’ll be back before the Poofter asks ‘what the hell happened?’, and that’s saying something.” Then throwing her a grin and giving her a kiss, he left in a flurry of black.

*God how I missed that grin*

***

***

~~~~*~~~*~

TBC...

Email: swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com <http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com>

Archive: Ummm...really? Cuz if you do I would be honored. Just let me know where it’ll go, I'd like to visit.

Disclaimer: Joss and Mutant Enemy, etc. own the characters of BtVS and AtS. No infringement intended. I just borrowed the characters for fun. I plan to return them once I'm done; Promise.

The song featured in this part is, "Lucky," by, B.I.F Naked.

Feedback: Please? This is my first fic, so comments, suggestions are very much appreciated…

~~~~~*~*

Part 5

~~~~~*~*

***

***

Just before Buffy stepped out of the confinement of the elevator and back into Angel's office, she mentally prepped herself for the barrage of questions that was inevitably to come. She knew Angel would have heard everything that had happened just outside of the elevator, and knew that he was waiting, ready for her. She couldn’t help but think that only a moment before she was in the arms of her lover. And all she wanted to do is run back into his arms once again and spend eternity there. Shaking herself from her thoughts she stepped out, waiting for the interrogation.

Only the questions didn’t come, yet. But instead what came was a friendly hug.

"Hey Buffy, its good to see you again."

"Oh Fred, it’s nice to see you too…wow you look good."

"Aww thanks, you too, and might I add your son is the cutest baby ever!"

"Thanks." Buffy said grinning from ear to ear. She sneaked a glance at Angel to gauge his face. *hmm, broody...no dif there.* Reaching for the diaper bag to pull out some wet knaps to rid of herself of any goop that got transferred to her.

***

***

~~~~~*~*

Running to the shower and discarding his clothes along the way, he couldnt help but give into the images running through his mind.

***

***

Spike barely ducked into the shower when he ran back out to pull on his pants again. *Xander, you whelp how could you? Oh you're going to get what's comin' to you, you just wait.*

~~~~~*~*

Looking back at Fred who was leaning over Alex in his car seat. "So how have you been?" Buffy asked.

"I've been great. And how was...Oh he's waking up." Fred exclaimed.

"Yeah, I think he's getting better. He's been sleeping on and off throughout the day, and I don’t think the voyage we took to get here didn’t help his cold any." Now standing over Alex's car seat, she exclaimed in a babyish voice, "Now who's my little..." A ring tone of "We are the lucky ones" interrupted her.

"Oh that's me, it's probably Xander. Angel could you throw me over the phone please? It’s in my bag....the small pocket; yeah that's it...Thanks." She pressed a button to answer. "Hey Xander."

"Hey... I’m just about to park, you still in Angel's office?"

"Yeah...just come on up, you'll never guess..." ...click... "Hello, hello?"

"What is it?" Angel asked.

"Xander?"

~~~~~*~*

"Spike?"

"Well look what we have here, come to pick up the slayer?" Spike asked, holding onto the cell phone.

"You're alive...err unalive?" Xander asked with shock, he was already stepping out of the car when Spike snapped the phone out of his hands. Then once the shock subsided, he added with a grin, "Knew we couldn’t get rid of you that easily."

"Damn right." Spike exclaimed, "an' while I'm here I might as well be of some use, you know help the good and all that, like the slayer, right?"

"Riight." Xander answered cautiously. *What the hell is the matter with him?*

"Good, then I might as well start with you." Spike replied. "I’m going to teach you something what I call chivalry, an' when I’m done you are going to wish that you got rid of me good an' proper."

And before Xander knew it, Spike was within inches of his face. And before he could say or do anything, Spike landed a blow to his gut. “You know you should be happy; I’m not even thinking about killing you, well, okay maybe I thought it, but I’m not going to do it.”

"What's your...deal...Spike?" Xander asked through clenched teeth while gasping for air that he lost from the blow.

But before Spike could answer, Xander got a shot of his own which landed square on Spike’s nose. There was no way he was going to just let Spike get a hand up on him without dishing out a couple of blows himself.

"My deal?" Spike asked while wiping the blood from his nose with the back of his hand. “What’s your fucking deal?”

***

***

“What? You’re the one who hit me first.”

“Don’t pretend that you don’t know.”

“Look Spike you’re going to have to clue me in, 'cuz-"

“How in the hell could you father a child, more importantly Buffy’s child and not do right by her?!” Spike declared.

“One more time with the WHAT!!?”

“You heard me and don’t you fucking deny it!” Spike demanded. “I’m talking about Alex, Buffy’s baby, you nit. He’s yours innit?” Spike said exasperatedly.

Xander was simply gob smacked at Spikes revelation.

“And I did not see a bloody ring in any shape or form on that woman’s finger. And sure as hell she wouldn’t go and tell another man that she needed him; with tears in her eyes and give him a kiss that would fucking prove that paradise did exist. Not Buffy, not if she was free to do so….How could you not take care of her, like any other man with some sense would ‘ave? I know I would of…”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes I’m fucking serious. Do you realize what you did?” Spike asked, and without waiting for a reply. “You know how long I’ve waited to here those words, those three fucking words that mean everything to me, and the thing is--what hurts is, that I believe her, I do, and that’s why you have to pay for hurting her, for--and why in the hell are you laughing?”

Xander couldn’t help himself. This was just too good. “You...were going to…teach me...a lesson in chivalry?” Xander asked in between bouts of laughter and much gasps of much needed air, and the pain in his gut from the blow earlier just made him laugh more. “You…think…you actually think...that... I’m…I’m the father?”

“Well yeah, who else could it be, and will you stop?!!”

When the laughter finally subsided, he said with perfect clarity, “I’m not the baby’s father.” he said with such seriousness, plus the look on Spike’s face when he said it; that he was afraid he might start up again and never be able to stop.

“You’re not?”

“No, I’m not. Don’t get me wrong though; I would be proud if I was. But I’m not.”

“Well okay then, that’s…a good thing. 'Cuz- now I don’t have to kill you.” Spike contemplated a bit till it hit him. “You know what that means right?”

“What? And wait I thought you said you weren’t going to kill me?”

“Well I changed my mind when you were laughing your arse off. But no worries, you’re not the boy’s father, for that you get to live.” Spike said simply, “Now hear me out you nit, before I change my mind again.” Spike started pacing, which meant he was really thinking about something and on a verge of a plan. “What it means is, someone out there, some wanker is out there who IS the bloody father, and we have to do something about that. We aren’t going to talk him into marrying her or any of that, 'cuz I’m NOT going to allow it, and besides that would only bring pleasure, and we cant have that now can we? We want torture-"

“Spike.”

“…he’s going to pay for what he did, for hurting Buffy, for-"

“Spike?”

“…he’s human so-"

“Spike!”

“What?! It’s a working plan okay?! I’m trying to think here, what the-"

So caught up in his thoughts he had no idea that Buffy was standing right behind him.

***

***

“I thought you just promised me; no more plans without checking with me first?”

Spike did an about face and was nose to nose with a seriously brassed off-grinning Buffy?

“Buffy I…” Losing all of his bravado that he was sporting earlier he reverted back to age four; shifting his feet, looking at the ground when he knew he was caught red handed and knew there was no way out. “No, what I promised was that I wouldn’t come up with any plans without checking with you first…IF you were involved.” *It’s a long shot but a blokes gotta try.*

“I’m not involved in this new plan of yours?” Buffy asked in reply.

“Well, no.” *Told you I didn’t steel the cookies from the cookie jar.*

“Didn’t I just hear you mention my name in that said plan?”

*who me?* “Well yeah but…you see the plan doesn’t necessarily involve you, it involves me and well people who are…not you, so therefore you are not involved.” *not me*

Buffy only gave him a pointed look that said, “that’s bull and you know it.”

*couldn’t be* “Okay I think your confused. The plan you see, may have been about you, but you are not involved…you see.” *Crap. Fine I stole the damn cookies from the fuckin’ cookie jar*

“I’m not involved.” Buffy stated flatly, and then with a raised perfectly defined eyebrow, “I’m not involved if the person I care for is at…stake?”

***

***

”How could you care for the wanker who left you high and dry and without even-"

“How could you blame him if he didn’t even know?”

“You mean you didn’t tell him?”

***

***

“I mean I didn’t have the chance to.” Buffy said in a clear even voice, and then in a whisper she was sure that he can hear, “But it’s about time he finds out.”

***

I KNOW WE ARE..WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES.
I KNOW WE ARE..WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES.
I KNOW WE ARE..WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES.
I KNOW WE ARE..WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES, DEAR
We are the lucky ones, dear...

***

~~~~~*~*

TBC…

Email: swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com <http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com>

Archive: Ummm...really? Cuz if you do I would be honored. Just let me know where it’ll go, I'd like to visit.

Disclaimer: Joss and Mutant Enemy, etc. own the characters of BtVS and AtS. No infringement intended. I just borrowed the characters for fun. I plan to return them once I'm done; Promise.

Feedback: Please? This is my first fic, so comments, suggestions are very much appreciated…

~~~~~~**~

Part 6a

~~~~~~**~

Buffy took Alex from Fred's arms. "Thanks Fred, for watching him for me."

"No problem, He was such a good boy." Then to the baby, in a baby voice, "Who's the good boy? Are you the good boy? Yes you are, yes you are." Glancing up back to Buffy and the others she excused herself from the room, “Okay there is work to be done, problems to be solved, so beep me if you need me.”

"So are you going to tell me who the father is?" Spike asked, hoping to sound nonchalant.

Turning to Spike and shifting Alex in her arms so both of them were facing him. "Well why don’t you ask him?"

"And you expect him to-"

Then he saw them, two bright blue iridescent orbs looking right back at him.

"You see... eyes can tell you a lot, and just about anything, don’t they?"

Glancing from Buffy to the baby, he was rendered speechless.

"I...I named him William Alexander, It just sorta fit together when I had him." Looking at his expressionless face, she tried to break the ice, because if he didn’t say something soon, she wouldn’t know what to do, "Do you want to hold him? Because it's okay if you do...or if not that’s okay too...”

Spike just couldn’t grasp what had been revealed to him, he felt like he was going in slow motion and everyone and everything else around him was going ten times as fast.

At that moment, as if on cue, Alex let out a giggle.

Hearing it; Spike was pulled out of his trance like state, the sound made Alex real to him. "He's..." Moving his hands around not knowing what he should do with them, till he gave up and finally just did what felt natural. He brought his hand up expecting to just touch him--to make sure what he was seeing in front of him was real and not just a figment of his wild imagination--but Alex had other plans, he grasped and wrapped his fingers around Spike's pointer finger, and held on. Spike looked at Buffy with a smile that reached his eyes. "…mine?" and then with awe and confidence, and more to himself, than to the woman in front of him and the intruding spectators lounging about the room. "Mine."

"Yours." Buffy confirmed, returning his smile with a smile of her own just as genuine.

Glancing from Buffy to Alex and grinning from ear to ear, he let it sink in, *I have a son.* the news must have drained him because he found he was getting dizzy and was ready to drop. "I need to sit down." But instead of doing just that he wrapped his arms around Buffy's waist and scooped both of them up, and started to twirl them around. "I have a son Buffy," He said letting a chuckle over take him, "you...gave me a son," lowering his voice to a whisper, "we…he’s ours...”

Buffy let out a sigh of relief, letting her nerves calm down, and giggled. She laughed along with Alex who chortled, as Spike twirled them around, and answered him, "Yes, we have a son."

As he put them down, Buffy touched her forehead to his, "I love you." She whispered.

"Oh baby, you have no idea how much I love you.” Then looking at Alex yet again, “he’s…you’re my son…” He whispered, “William Alexander.”

“Okay I think we just about covered that. Now will you let us know, what the hell happened?”

Spike swiveled his head to face the speaker, “Oh shut it for just a minute will you, don’t you see I’m in the middle of somethin’ important ‘ere.” *You ponce of a sire.* Then Spike looked back at Buffy and held out his arms, “Umm…can-"

“Of course you can.” Buffy handed Alex over to Spike’s open arms.

“Hey there, Alex…I’m your father.” Glancing at Buffy he held out his free hand and took hers, moving them to the couch.

Once seated Buffy leaned into his shoulder and he wrapped an arm around her, with bewilderment he asked, “How?”

~~~~~~**~

TBC... in part 6b

Email: swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com <http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com>

~~~~~~**~

Part 6b

~~~~~~**~

"Do you...do you remember the day of the last battle that took place in Sunnydale?" She looked at him looking at Alex who was busy touching his hands around Spike’s face.

"Kinda hard to forget, the best day of my entire existence, it was.” Pulling her closer and looking into her eyes, he added, “I remember it.” Then dipping his head but never breaking eye contact, and in a mere whisper, “Hell, I dream about it every time I lay my head down to sleep.” Raising his hand up to cup her cheek-needing the contact, to reassure himself that this wasn’t a dream, that he wasn’t confiding to thin air, “I think about it every single waking moment. It’s a reel that never stops, pauses, just repeats over and over again in an endless cycle...and each and every time it replays, I get to fall in love with you all over again.”

<<<<====================++Start Flashback

Sunnydale’s final and greatest battle to ever take place was only to be remembered by a brave few.

==============>>>>

“Welcome to Sunnydale High.” Robin instructs as if leading the others on a field trip. “There's no running in the halls, no yelling, no gum chewing. Apart from that, there's only one rule.” He stops walking, turns to look at the crowd, “If they move, kill them.”

==============>>>>

After orders, directions, and last minute questions were answered. People started drifting off to their designated positions.

“We have about an hour till Willow’s ready.” Giles informs the departing crowd.

==============>>>>

Buffy joins the group that is still standing in the hallway; Willow, Xander, Giles. They stare at each other in a heavy silence, till Buffy breaks the ice, “So, what do you guys want to do tomorrow?” Buffy asks in a conversational tone.

“Nothing strenuous.” Willow replies.

“Well, mini-golf is always the first thing that comes to mind.” Xander offers.

“I think we can do better than that.” Giles adds.

“I was thinking about shopping. As per usual.” Buffy puts in.

The four continue to exchange comments, till after meeting Giles eyes letting him know that it was time. Then Xander, Willow, and Buffy leave to walk down the hall together; an exchange, similar to what happened a lifetime ago.

“The earth is definitely doomed.” Giles says to himself looking at the three walking down the empty hall till one by one each pass the other and head into a separate corridor. He turns and walks to a corridor of his own.

Buffy the last one in the hall turns and is not surprised to see Spike waiting for her. A glance was all it took to say what she was thinking about.

==============>>>>

“When I was in school I always wondered what teachers did in the faculty lounge.”

“Did you ever figure it out?”

“Yeah, turns out this is where they go to relax and prepare for their next battle; handling teenagers. Hmmm… kinda like what were doing right now, only we get vampires. Yeah, I think we got the lesser of the two evils.”

Spike returned her crack with a smirk.

Buffy inhaled at the sight. *God, I missed that.* “You know we're going to win.” Buffy says matter-of-factly.

Spike nods in reply.

==============>>>>

Running her fingers through the soft hair behind his neck, “Spike I want you to know this is not a good bye or anything like that, this is more of a sneak preview of what’s to come.”

“Well then, this is the best trailer I’ve ever seen then.”

==============>>>>

“I love you, Spike” Cupping his cheek, and looking into the depths of his eyes.

“Run that by me again, I don’t think I heard right.”

Pulling him closer, “I….love you…Spike. Do you believe me, Spike? Because I mean it….I love you.”

“I believe you Buffy…I think I knew it before you said it…I saw it in your eyes, you know?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Running his hand down her cheek and brushing the hair that got misplaced and putting it behind her ear again. “I love you too, Buffy.”

“Good. Spike?”

“Yeah?”

Whispering in his ear, “Shall we dance then?”

“Oh baby, were going to dance like we’ve never danced before.” Leaning down to kiss her neck; the spot that he knew made her weak in the knees and hungry for more.

==============>>>>

“Wait…we can’t. We only have an hour till Willow’s ready to-"

“Then let’s not waste it, then. An hour is an hour. And every second that ticks by is a second not feeling like this,” He pulled her closer to him and captured her lips again.

“Good…hmmm…point.”

==============>>>>

“You’re beautiful Buffy….A fucking goddess.” Running his hand down her body and letting it rest on her bare stomach.

“Don’t even think about it.”

“What?”

“I know what you’re thinking about.”

“Thinking about what?”

“Don’t think about it,” She placed her hand on his and guided him to the clasp of slacks. “I want you to.”

==============>>>>

Stroking the hard length of him, “Have I told you how much I love this?” Tugging him so he would know what she was referring to.

“Oh fuck….do that again...ssss…yes.”

“So did I?”

“Pet…before today…it’s practically the only thing you actually…oh fuck yes…admitted to loving.” He gave her a grin and a waggle of his eyebrow to match.

Pulling on him again, to let him know she was serious.

“Fuck yes, harder…yes…like that…ohh.”

“Well then have I told you why?”

“Because it's always hard for you? Ready for you? Needs you?” He replied, giving her the sexy smirk # 284.

“Spiiike, I’m being serious here.”

“Okay then ‘why’?”

“Well if you’re going to ask that way, I don’t want to tell you anymore and...And I’ll stop-"

“Wait, no. I want to know…what’s on your mind sweetness?” he said bringing his hand up to kiss the palm of her hand.

“Okay, the reason is…is that I love that when you’re inside me-- we're close, not just close close, but makes US close, and I love that….I love feeling that way with you.”

==============>>>>

Pulling away from his lips to take in much needed air. “I nee…I need you…Spike.”

He positioned himself in between her open thighs.

“Say it again Buffy.”

“I love you Spike.”

==============>>>>

“You feel so good Buffy. I missed you, so fucking much it hurts.”

==============>>>>

“Oh God Spike...yess…harder Spike…yes like that…uhh…ahh… Spike I’m coming.”

“Oh fuck baby you’re so tight…ugh...I’m coming too, Buffy come with me…now Buffy…now…”

==============>>>>

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

==============>>>>

Wanting, needing the constant contact he rolled them both. And let her rest on top of him.

“Wow, I think we just tipped the scales, and that’s saying a lot given the past times were beyond great and practically untippable.”

“Oh definitely, that was bloody fantastic. I think I’m ready to die a happy man now.”

“Hey don’t even think it pal. This is just a sneak preview, remember?”

“Sorry pet that was said in the moment of the afterglow. Don’t you worry, Luv, I’m in this for the long haul, and that means eternity.”

==============>>>>

“What’s our time?”

“Oh God, it’s been past an hour.”

“We better get going then.”

“Oh do we have to? I mean couldn’t you just be all brave and vampirey and talk to the friendly Turok-Hans, and ask them if they could wait a couple more hours or day even, ‘cuz really-"

“Come on Pet, I’d love to, but then again there will be plenty of time after…

==============>>>>

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

Stepping out of the lounge hand in hand they walk toward the oncoming battle field.

“Wait.”

“What?”

“Say it again.”

“I love you I love you I love you Spike.” She said with a grin.

“Okay now we can go.”

==============>>>>

~~~~~~**~

TBC...in Part 6c

Email: swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com <http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com>

~~~~~~**~

Part 6c

~~~~~~**~

==============>>>>

“What’s the word Faith?”

“All systems go.”

“Good.”

==============>>>>

Buffy, Faith, Spike and the others walked forward to the edge of a cliff, where they could look out and see thousands upon thousands of Turok-Han below them on the floor of the hellmouth.

“I'm not worried.” Buffy said more to herself than for the others around her.

The snarling Turok-Han army below takes notice, and rushes toward the cliff where Buffy and the others are positioned.

“I’m not worried.” Buffy says again fearlessly this time.

The battle begins.

==============>>>>

“Buffy!” Spike calls out from where he’s standing.

“Spike!”

The amulet begins to activate, and started to shoot out what looked like rays of sunshine, which started dusting Turok-Hans in every direction, till all were nowhere to be seen. The ground started to shake and Faith and the others left as ordered. Buffy rushed to Spike.

==============>>>>

“I can feel it, Buffy.”

“What?”

“My soul... It's really there…. kind of stings.”

The amulet continues to shine, making Spike glow along with it.

“Go on, then.”

“No. No, you've done enough. You could still-"

“No, you've beat them back. It's for me to do the cleanup.”

The walls continue to crumble around them.

“Gotta move, lamb. I think it's fair to say school's out for bloody summer.”

“Spike!”

“Buffy this isn’t the best time to be stubborn. Now I mean it! I gotta do this.” He holds his right hand to stop her from moving any closer not wanting her to get hurt.

Buffy laces her fingers through Spike’s and their joined hands burst into flame.

“I love you.” Buffy says simply looking into his eyes, and wasn’t surprised to feel tears in her eyes.

A thousand images; messages of moments passed, moments shared between the two of them were playing in his head, showing anything and everything they had gone through. And all he could see was Buffy’s beautiful tear streaked face with eyes that held nothing but truth, telling him that she loved him and meant it. Then at the realization of what Buffy was meaning to do, he knew what he had to do, to save his slayer, his girl, his love. “Look at me Buffy.”

“Spike…no don’t ask me to leave you cant-

“Buffy listen…if what you said was true and I know it is, then you would do this for me, so do it. I need you too.”

Another earthquake takes place causing Buffy to let go of his hand.

With everything he had left he poured into the last two words Buffy will hear from him. “Now go!”

Buffy took one last look at Spike searching his eyes, and that’s when she knew what she had to, he was doing this because he loves her.

Another earthquake tells her it's time. She tears her eyes away from Spike’s and without looking back runs.

End flashback++====================>>>>

“Giles tells me that it had something to do with when you got your soul.” Buffy informs him.

“My soul?”

<<<<====================**

“You have endured the required trials.” The demon said to him.

“Bloody right I have.”

Slowly, painfully, Spike rolls onto his side and pushes himself up onto his knees. His face is swollen and bruised, more bruises and injuries are on his chest and arms. “So you'll give me what I want. Make me what I was. So Buffy can get what she deserves.”

“Very well.” The demon replied, his eyes aglow.

Spike watches the demon nervously.

“We will return...” The demon's hand reaches out toward Spike's chest. “...your soul.”

The hand touches his chest and it glows fiery yellow-orange. Spike's eyes glow the same color. He throws back his head and screams.

**====================>>>>

“Yeah, your soul...” Buffy confirms, “I’m guessing that wasn’t the only gift you won.”

~~~~~~**~

TBC…

Email: swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com <http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com>

Archive: Ummm...really? Cuz if you do I would be honored. Just let me know where it’ll go, I'd like to visit.

Author's Note: (1) This is my first ever fic. Hope you enjoy… (2) I want to give a special thanks to Mari and Amanda. Amanda, for giving me the little extra push I needed to send the first Part out. Thanks Amanda, I wouldn’t have had the courage otherwise. Mari, for helping me edit my mistakes in chappie 6, and is now edited btw:) So thank you Mari! (3) I also want to give thanks to ALL the wonderful people that responded. I never imagined to have gotten so much support. I tried and try to respond back to each and everyone, because if you took the time, I should do the same, right? hehe... anyway I hope I didn’t miss anybody. If I did, I didn’t mean to, but please take this as a personal thanks :) All in all the lovely FB helped me in more ways than infinity.....seriously.

Disclaimer: Joss and Mutant Enemy, etc. own the characters of BtVS and AtS. No infringement intended. I just borrowed the characters for fun. I plan to return them once I'm done; Promise.

The song featured in this part is, "We're A Miracle," by artist, Christina Aguilera.

Feedback: Please? This is my first fic, so comments, suggestions are very much appreciated…

~~~~*~~~***~*

Part 7a

~~~~*~~~***~*

***

***

“Wait just a minute.” Angel demanded irritably. “Are you saying that Spike not only got a soul but can also be able to get you pregnant?”

***

***

“It turns out, yeah.” Buffy answered nonchalantly.

“Oh come on, can’t you see what’s in front of you, or is your sensational bloated ego in the way?” Spike inquired in a flat voice. “The proof is right here bouncing around on my lap.”

“But I thought it was Xander’s.”

“Mine?” Xander asked in surprise from his seat in the overstuffed chair near Buffy. “Why does everybody think that I’m the father? And you just witnessed the whole ‘I’m a father, I have a son’ scene.”

“Yeah but…but I thought that since you weren’t…okay really I just thought Spike was just trying to help Buffy out, in that kind of…uhh…sense.”

“Why don’t you just get it through the think skull of yours and see for yourself? He turned Alex in his lap so that Angel could get a better look. “Now tell me, does he look like Xander to you, or does he look like yours truly?” Spike raised an eyebrow and couldn’t wipe the growing grin off his face.

***

***

“And didn't I tell you that I can take care of myself and Alex.” *Am I forgetting something?*

Spike gave Buffy’s arm a squeeze when he saw a note of confusion wash over her features. “Something on your mind Love?”

“It’s nothing I guess. I just had a feeling… like I’m forgetting something.”

Angel took notice of the baby’s eyes for the first time. *How could I have missed that? But it can’t be.* “This can’t be normal.”

“Since when do you bloody think that things are ever normal?”

“But…how is this possible?”

“Well from what Buffy says, or what Giles thinks, I was able to, ever since I got my shiny soul back. And don’t you think that it’s not fair, because as you already know I won it square.” Then in a lower voice, “Maybe I don’t deserve it ALL,” looking down at Alex, then at Buffy, “hell I thought I was already just playing my odds when Buffy forgave…look it’s none of your business, that. What I’m saying is somebody out there thought I did deserve it, and that’s all that matters.”

***

***

“What about that plan of yours, huh? Does she know about it?” Angel asked. “Because I think Buffy aught to know the details, don’t you? Why don’t you tell her why you didn’t want to see her today?”

Buffy, who was leaning into his side with his arm around her; sat up straight at that, to look at Spike questioningly, “Yeah why did you run?”

~~~~*~~~***~*

TBC...in Part 7b

Email: swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com <http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/ym/Compose?To=swt_dear_1-chosen@yahoo.com>

~~~~*~~~***~*

Part 7b

~~~~*~~~***~*

Spike’s eyes widened and then narrowed in on the demon that had outed him. Then looking at Buffy, “You have to let me explain Pet, it’s not what you or what he thinks.”

“Then tell me what I’m not thinking then. And remember I can tell when you’re lying, you’re awfully bad at it and it never EVER works, so don’t.” Her eyes narrowed at Spike but her tone was totally conversational.

“Okay well first let me tell you what I told him,” He gestured toward Angel with his now free hand but kept his eyes locked onto Buffy’s. “I told him that I didn’t want him to tell you that I was back. I didn’t want you to know yet, you see, like I told you earlier I had this idea in my head, that when I return to you, I wanted to not just BE there for you… but be there for you.”

Buffy settled back into his side but kept her eyes on his. “You’re lucky that you’re damned sexy when you say things like that to me.”

***

***

“Wait. That’s not what you told me. You told me that you didn’t want her to know because you wanted to move on, that you couldn’t face her after what happened in Sunnydale. You wanted her to think that you were still gone, so she would remember you as her champion; that you claimed to be. You wanted a job so that you can get some extra cash, and move somewhere where she wasn’t.” Angel declared with a huff.

“Yeah, that’s what I told you, so that you would help me out by waving your high and mighty CEO hand and get me a job.”

“Wait, you’re working now?” Buffy asked, already knowing the truth behind his words.

***

***

“Wait a minute, did you say work? Because if you did, then I’m all ears.” Xander said, incredulously.

“Yeah you’re looking at the Head of Security and a free-lancer, to many if not all the cases that the Angelettes here try to solve. But have no worries, in my free time I still do a little extra crime fighting, you know, helping the helpless and all that.” Spike beamed proud of himself.

“Wow. Do you get to wear one of those uniforms too?” Buffy asked, smiling at him.

Spike gave her sexy grin #322 in reply.

***

***

Angel and his earlier summation were clearly forgotten.

“Hey, do you think you can hook me up with a taser gun? Mine is dust, along with the rest of my cool James Bond gadgets.”

“Sure mate, anything you want.”

“Really? Cool.”

“Hmm…wait!” Buffy sat upright again remembering what it was she forgot from earlier.

“What? What is it?”

“Xander, can you hand me my purse?”

***

***

“Sure.” He said while handing it to her.

Buffy pulled out the cream envelope that she had with her.

Spike’s eyes widened as he saw what it was. *Oh that.*

“It’s a Wolfram & Hart envelope, but the checks are signed W.H.” Buffy stated. “I thought it was weird but I didn’t think anything of it. I just thought Angel…but W.H. is you, isn’t it?”

“Well… okay… you see… I didn’t have use for it, and… I..”

Buffy didn’t need to hear an explanation, coming from him; she just threw her arms around him, and whispered, “Thanks.”

***

***

“So what is your last name anyway?” Xander asked.

“It’s Howell actually.” Spike replied.

Angel plopped down in disbelief, in the other overstuffed chair that faced the sofa and sighed. *You have got to be kidding me.* “Look its getting late, it’s nearly ten.” *Has it really been only six hours ago that Buffy walked into my office? It feels like ages since.*

“Actually it still feels like day for me. You know from the time dif.” Xander said.

“Yeah same here, has it already been six hours? Because it feels like only minutes ago I got here.” Looking at Alex, who had recently fallen asleep in Spike’s lap, “Maybe we should get a room though…”

***

***

She took a moment to watch Spike who was absentmindedly stroking Alex’s light brown hair. *Hmmm when his hair grows out, will it be curly?* She smiled at the thought. “Did you have time to get us a room Xander?”

“Not yet but we better go now, if we want to get a vacancy.”

“You don’t have to do that, I got extra rooms.” Angel supplied.

“Or you can all stay at my place.”

“You have a place?”

“Oh yeah, had one for awhile now.” Spike said proudly standing up and keeping Alex close to him. “It’s nothing much you know, I mean… I’m not much into the whole posh thing, that Angel has going on.” Spike added, shuffling a bit. “But it’s… uh… warm and all that.”

“Xander what do you think? I say it’s a must see.” Buffy said, while letting Spike help her up.

***

You and me, we're a miracle
Angels stand watching over us
And heaven shines upon us everyday, yeah ohh...
***

“I’m in then, I’m sure he has some kind of cable hooked up. And besides I have to make a couple long distance phone calls to make. Oh and before I forget; thanks Spike in advance for paying for 'em.” Xander replied offhandedly, while gathering the car seat and diaper bag.

Buffy looked at Spike holding their son and smiled, *I guess I got my normal life after all.*

Spike read her thoughts as if she said it telepathically, "Love, what's so great about normal? Never would I think that. 'Cuz if you ask me, we have something better than that; we are something of a miracle."

***

You and me, we're a miracle (miracle)
You and me, we're a miracle (miracle)
Miracle, miracle...
***

~~~~*~~~***~*

THE END!!!

[03.01...19.04]

~~~~~**~*

"Nature has given us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue--to the end that we should hear and see more than we speak." ~ Socrates