Chapter 51 - Darkness Falls

March 16, 2008 4:17 PM

Buffy stared in horror at Dagon. Fear rushed through her at the danger he was putting her baby in. She had never thought of this contingency when she had obeyed his command to make an appearance. There was supposed to be time for the family to figure everything out and rescue them. Protecting Drusilla and consequently protecting herself had lent itself to the decision to acquiesce to the vampire’s call.

“You can’t do that,” Buffy protested. “The baby could be in danger if it comes too early.”

Dagon leaned forward. His eyes were icy as they raked over her. “Do you think that I would put my entire future at risk? I have a doctor coming to deliver my bride.”

For the first time Buffy lost confidence that her children would be saved from this nightmare. His bride. The words sickened her as the full impact of their meaning penetrated through the fog she’d been living in for months. If she didn’t find a way out, her daughter would be raised by this monster before her to have no conscience; to have no purpose but to rule an evil empire. Her innocent child would be turned in a ceremony tying her forever to Dagon.

Buffy panicked, stood and tried to find a way to get to her stake that was still hidden in the bedroom. It was the only chance they had. She had only taken two steps when Dagon wrapped his hand in her hair and yanked her back against him.

“Shh, calm down,” Dagon whispered. He nuzzled her neck as his hand stroked her arm. “You can’t get away, Buffy. You underestimated me. The stake is gone.”

“I don’t need a stake,” Buffy declared, flipping him over her shoulder. “Dru help me.”

“No, no,” Drusilla whined. “Not supposed to be like this.” Her hands danced around her as she shook her head. “My prince, my prince is coming.”

There would be no help from Drusilla. Her short period of rationality had vanished in the disintegration of the plan. Buffy attempted to get to the bedroom again but Dagon blocked her way. She needed to pull herself together and think as she faced the vampire.

“There is no way out,” Dagon said, backhanding Buffy. The pregnancy left her off balance and she fell to the floor. There was a kick to her upper back before he straddled her and pulled her around by her hair until she faced him. “Listen to me, bitch. I don’t give a shit what happens to you. You are a vessel for my mate and nothing more. We can do this one of two ways.” He wrenched her head back further until Buffy cried out in pain. “You can cooperate with me and live long enough to help raise your children and warm my bed. Or I can strap you down and cut that baby out of you, in which case you’ll die a very painful death.”

“They’ll come for us,” Buffy said. “You’ll never succeed.”

Dagon laughed as he stroked her stomach. “I will succeed. The little messages Elijah has been sending out have been stopped. The little lad will be sleeping for awhile. Don’t worry he’s fine but he won’t be helping you out. And if they do find us I have plans for those weaklings. They won’t live long enough to get to you.” His fingers brushed across Buffy’s breast. “Or maybe I’ll let them watch me make you mine first.” He released her and stood. “So, what will it be?”

What choice did she have at this point? Buffy glanced at Drusilla crying in a crumpled heap in the corner then to Dagon still standing above her. She was eight months pregnant, Drusilla couldn’t be counted on and Elijah was drugged leaving them with no fighting abilities. Their fate was lying in the hands of the family now. She held a hand out to Dagon.

“I’ll cooperate.”

~~~~~~~~

March 16, 2008 9:12 PM

They had figured out what Dagon wanted with Buffy and his baby. Now all they had to do was find them in time. If the Pisces theory was correct there was less than seventy-two hours until the lunar change taking them into the next zodiac sign. Spike was terrified of what might happen to Buffy once the baby was born. Would Dagon let Buffy live to care for the baby or would he consider her too much of a liability to keep around?

Locator spells had been tried again to no avail, pictures had been taken of Angel to be shown around to see if anyone recognized him but so far no luck. Giles felt that if Dagon was going to all this trouble then his plans had to be meticulously thought out with little room for error. If his theory was true then they were going to find few clues to bring his wife and children home. Tara was exhausted trying to reach Elijah through telepathy and was sleeping to get the strength to try again.

Spike hovered on the edge of his family gathered in the living room or rather the family that was left. Angel and Connor were out trying to find information about a new vampire in town. Raven, Dawn and Josh were out searching stores with Angel’s picture in hand to see if anyone suspicious had been buying baby supplies. Willow was grounding Tara and hoping that she’d dream and say something that was useful. Clem and Lorne were cruising demon bars to see if anyone was working for a new baddie. Wesley and Fred were reconstructing the notes into a workable timetable hoping that a new clue would jump out at them. Giles was on the phone to the Council hoping to garner information on the Aurelius line and Dagon. The others were still researching Watcher journals and other books of prophecy hoping something, anything would be useful. Everyone was still working hard even after almost twenty-four hours. It was unbelievable that this much love, dedication and talent could exist in one group. If anyone could bring his family home it was them.

The doorbell rang and Spike rushed to answer it. It was Bryant.

“Hi, Mr. Blood,” Bryant said. “Is Sean home?”

“Hey, Bryant,” Spike said, disappointed that it wasn’t someone with good news. “Yeah, he’s home but I don’t think it’s such a good time.”

Footsteps sounded behind him and Spike turned to find his son hurrying his way. He stepped back to let the two young men greet each other.

“Dad,” Sean said, turning to him. “I invited Bryant over. I was thinking he could draw the house if Tara described it to him. If we knew what it looked like then we might have some luck finding it.”

There was so much hope for doing something useful in Sean’s eyes that it melted Spike’s heart. Sean was the only one in a family with extraordinary abilities that didn’t have any. It often made him feel that he wasn’t contributing as much as the others even though he did with his own brand of faith. Spike pulled the boy into his arms and hugged him.

“Thank you,” Spike said. “Yeah, that will help.”

It was such a simple thing but yet no one else had thought of it. Details of the house could lead them to the place. Kate hurried upstairs to waken the witches. Soon they would have another piece of the puzzle to tackle and maybe this time they would find the answer.

~~~~~~~~~

March 17, 2008 12:02 AM

Weakness was an aberration that he couldn’t tolerate. Not now. Not after all these years of planning, hoping and working for this goal. All those years of pressing his nose to the glass and never being invited in was going to come to an end if he had to tear that baby out of the Slayer himself. The bitch was the same as the other females in the Aurelius line. They all thought Angelus was a god of some sort. He’d tamed one of them. Drusilla was his for the bidding and every time he fucked her it was a cause for rejoicing. Taking something away from Angel and he didn’t even know. Those times when he recognized Buffy in Dru’s body had left him jubilant. It wasn’t her body but to know he was slowly breaking a woman that belonged to both Angelus and William the Bloody was the balm he needed when he felt the twinge of doubt.

Darla had ruined the lineage of Aurelius by allowing such fools to exist. They both should have been destroyed long ago and Dagon would be more than happy to do it. The family would be restored to its prominence within the vampire empire and it would all be due to him. His greatness would bring the respect and fear that he craved. In the end he would prove his father and his bitch of a Sire wrong. Dagon was someone worthy.

He sipped his drink and walked to the window again. The doctor was late and it caused a pang of fear in his unbeating heart. Nothing could go wrong at this point. Everything was planned down to the minute. His camp needed to be ready to depart by the time that the do-gooders found the house. He wasn’t as ignorant as Buffy thought and he knew they would eventually figure it out. A smile crossed his lips as he thought of the traps he had planted around the perimeter of the house. There was a bomb ready to be activated in the main house that he could set off from a mile away. The Scoobies were going to go out in a blaze of glory in their attempted rescue of his hostages.

“Sir,” Roderick said. “I’m sorry to interrupt you but there was a phone call.”

“What is it?”

“Dr. Lang had an emergency delivery and will be delayed.”

“Thank you,” Dagon said, through clenched teeth. He waited until his servant had left the room before kicking over the end table. “Fuck.”

It couldn’t happen. Not now. Dagon lost reason as a crack appeared in his plan. It had to be their fault. Those bitches had been conspiring against him for weeks now. It would be stopped. They needed to be shown who was in control. He ran up the stairs to Buffy’s room, knowing Drusilla would be there. The door was slammed open and a momentary thrill ran through him as he saw them huddling on the bed with fear plainly written on their faces. At least they showed that much respect.

Drusilla was pulled screaming from the bed and Dagon threw her face first into the wall to slide to the floor. Buffy tried to attack him but he punched her.

“The baby,” Dru cried. “It must fly. Fly away from the woodshed.”

“Shut up,” Dagon yelled, stomping on her arm. “Shut up. I can’t stand your ramblings anymore. Maybe I’ll just have to cut your tongue out to shut you the fuck up.”

The next few minutes passed in a blur as he released his rage on Drusilla. She didn’t fight back. Somewhere she had given up. Everything in her life had been taken from her and she now accepted her fate at the hands of someone stronger than her Sire. The smell of blood was in the air when he finally dropped her on the floor. She only whimpered as she waited to see what he would do next. He left her with one last kick and turned to the woman on the bed.

Buffy cowered with her hands covering her stomach. Dagon couldn’t beat her but there was something as effective as he sat behind her.

“No, please,” Buffy cried.

It was so sweet. He had heard the tales of Slayer blood and it was his due. His fingers brushed her hair out of the way. Her fear was making him heady with power and Buffy didn’t even fight as he bit into her neck.

~~~~~~~~

March 17, 2008 2:45 AM

Willow was typing in the details of the house that Tara had seen into the Real Estate listings. Hopefully if it worked they would receive a listing of houses that matched its descriptions that had been sold or rented in the last six months. The only drawback was they didn’t know how broad of an area they needed to search. She sighed as the last of the information was entered. A quick prayer and she let the program run.

“It’s done,” Willow said, glancing over at Spike. “It’s going to take a few minutes to search everything.”

Her fingers were crossed as she watched the blinking message button. They needed a break because so far nothing else had panned out. Almost everyone was napping wherever they could find a space. Some were wrapped in blankets on the floor or some had just fallen asleep where they gave up the fight. Spike was pacing again to keep himself awake. His hair stood out in tufts from all the times he ran his hands through it. Black circled his bloodshot eyes and in other circumstances he probably would frighten anyone that saw him. About five hours before he’d started smoking again and his hand was never empty now.

“Here,” Angel said, handing his Childe another cup of coffee. “No one is going to think less of you if you sleep for an hour or two. I’m awake and will call you if anything happens.”

“No,” Spike answered, taking the coffee and downed the cup in two or three gulps. “Not going to be weak.”

“Angel’s right,” Willow said, grabbing his hand as he walked by. “You’re not only fighting physical exhaustion but emotional exhaustion too. You can only take so much.”

Spike pulled his hand away and headed out of the room. Willow looked up at Angel and shrugged. None of them could force Spike to sleep. The computer beeped and she looked down.

“Shit,” Willow said.

“What?” Angel said, leaning over her shoulder. “Damn it.”

There were over a hundred matches to the description they had come up with. They covered over three hundred miles of distance and it was going to be a daunting task to find which one they needed. That is if Dagon had kept them in this part of the state.

~~~~~~~~

March 17, 2008 8:45 AM

The key turned in the lock and Buffy looked up to see if Dagon was returning. Drusilla slipped from the bed to sit in the chair by the window when their captor entered with another man on his heels.

“Ladies, this is Dr. Lang,” Dagon. “He will be delivering Buffy’s baby.”

The man was probably in his late thirties with non-descript looks that one would forget three minutes after meeting him. His grey eyes flickered over Buffy and she struggled to sit up straighter. Deciding it would be easier to appeal to Dagon, she turned her attention to the vampire.

“Is he qualified? How many deliveries has he done?” Buffy asked, glancing back at the doctor as he unpacked the bag he’d brought with him. “Can he handle an emergency if something happens?”

It was almost reassuring as Dagon sat beside her. His hands ran along her back and pulled her close to him.

“Don’t worry; sweet, Dr. Lang was very carefully scrutinized before I ever considered letting him deliver this child.” Dagon said a hand rested on her belly. “This child being born healthy is as important to me as it is to you. By the way we have your medical records if that helps to calm you. He knows everything about you and your pregnancy that your own doctor does.”

It did help. Buffy wasn’t even concerned that if something should go wrong that they’d let her die. The only thing that mattered was that her baby survived. Spike would come soon enough for his children. The doctor approached the bed and Buffy entwined her hand in Dagon’s. He chuckled but she didn’t care. He was the only one with power right now and she needed his strength to get through this.

“Buffy?” Dr. Lang asked, sitting in front of her. “I’d like to do an exam before we do anything else. Make sure that there aren’t any complications before we induce. Would you like the others to stay or do you want to clear the room?”

“They can stay,” Buffy said. She didn’t want to let Drusilla out of her sight and she didn’t think Dagon would leave even if she asked. She looked over her shoulder at him. “Would you at least look out the window or something?”

Buffy was relieved as Dagon nodded and headed for the window. The doctor gave her a gown and she went into the bathroom to change into it. The bed was covered with towels when she returned. Nausea played havoc with her as she realized that her baby was going to be here sooner than she planned. She lay back on the bed and raised her knees as Dr. Lang prepared to exam her. Spike should be here when his baby was born. And tears slid down her cheeks as she faced what she’d done by not taking the chance of just telling him everything. She felt someone brushing her hair back and looked around to find Drusilla kneeling by the bed. At least she wasn’t alone as she smiled weakly at her companion.

~~~~~~~~~

March 17, 2008 10:25 AM

In the past couple of hours over forty of the houses had been eliminated as the family called for more information. They were scattered around the house calling from their cell phones with their lists in front of them. Tara looked up as Spike staggered into the living room. He looked like the living dead he was as he swayed for a minute, seemed to focus on a chair and headed for it. She could feel that something was wrong and hurried toward him. He hit his knees and clutched his head.

“Birds, oh my God, thousands of them in my head,” Spike muttered. “Bloody hell.”

“Somebody knock the guy out,” Xander said. “He’s lost it from exhaustion.”

“Everybody be quiet,” Tara instructed, kneeling bedside Spike. “Go with it.” She wrapped her arm around him. “Tell me what you’re hearing.”

“Birds flapping, crying,” Spike said, tears spilling across his cheeks. “Oh, my God, the blood it’s everywhere.” He started to wipe at himself. “Get it off of me. The pain.” He rocked back and forth. “The pain it’s everywhere inside my head. Buffy, is that you? Buffy…” He was silent for a moment and his eyes closed in concentration. “It’s all going to make my ears hurt. Everywhere, take a step, the earth sings with the pain. Sanctuary, Sanctuary, all gone. The journey has already started. Hang from the cross.”

It was over as Tara watched his eyes clear. He looked at her in confusion. She cradled his face in her hands.

“They found a way to reach you,” Tara said, looking up at the family gathered around them. “I don’t know…Elijah must have been silenced somehow.” She looked back to Spike. “He’s alive. I just think Dagon may have found a way to keep him from being able to send a message.”

“You said ‘they’ reached me,” Spike said. “Who sent the message then?”

“If Drusilla and Buffy are connected then you’re a link in the chain between them.” Tara said. “I think they may have found a way to use that to talk to you.”

“But wouldn’t that mean that Drusilla is helping Buffy?” Angel asked.

“Yes, it would.”

The family was stunned at the possibility that Drusilla might be on their side instead of helping Dagon. It changed the whole dynamics of what they thought was going on with Buffy. Angel stepped into the middle of the room, ready to take charge.

“Okay,” Angel said. “Let’s start deciphering the message.”

Everyone started to scatter to the tables to begin the process of figuring out the clues they’d been given.

“Hey, everybody,” Max said, from the door. “It seems I got here just in time.”

To be continued…

Chapter 52 - Oh Father

March 17, 2008 11:52 AM

Buffy knew the exact moment when Spike stopped loving her.

His love had been dying a long, slow, tortured death over the months or possibly years of her never appreciating him the way she should. But the final demise only took seconds. It was a flame that was blown out by a harsh wind of betrayal.

Cerulean eyes turned to ice as he gazed upon her gripping Dagon’s hand in the throes of the induced labor. His eyes flickered from their entwined hands to the bite on her neck and his heart was no longer hers.

She accepted it. She knew that it was the most likely scenario for this nightmare to end with. Everything froze for a single minute of mourning then chaos reined. Spike stood at the end of the bed as Max, Xander, Tara, Raven and Connor rushed in. Tara and Raven came to check on her. Xander and Max went for Dagon with murder in their eyes stopping him before he could enter the secret passage. Connor hurried to the other side of the bed. Everyone seemed to halt in their tracks when they realized that their leader wasn’t saying or doing anything.

They all turned towards him and Spike shook himself from his reverie. His eyes swept the room as if looking down upon his kingdom. In his rightful place as the alpha male of his family and second in line for the Aurelius line. Pride surged through Buffy as she recognized the changes in her husband. No matter what the outcome of this day, she knew that Spike was going to be just fine, with or without her.

“Do what you want to do to him,” Spike said, looking at Dagon. His eyes flickered between Max and Xander. “Just make sure he’s dust at the end of it.”

Dagon laughed. “You can do what you want to me but it won’t change the fact that she’s mine now and has been for months.” Max punched him in the stomach but it barely fazed the vampire. “If you doubt it ask her where the money went to. Ask her what happened to Nikki.”

“Shut up,” Spike growled.

“Ask her whose bed she’s been sharing…” Dagon barked out as the two humans forced him to his knees and with a carefully placed blow knocked him out.

With her captor out for the moment, attention turned to the other vampire in the room. Drusilla huddled behind Buffy clutching at her hand. Fear emanated from the raven haired beauty as she realized that Spike wasn’t going to protect her. Trembling, Dru plucked at Buffy’s gown. Connor reached for her but Buffy pushed him away.

“No,” Buffy screamed. “Max, Max, please.” He came to her side and she grabbed his arm. “Take Drusilla to Angel for me. No one else. She won’t hurt you. I promise. Just take her to Angel.”

Max nodded and Drusilla trustingly put her hand in his. He led her from the room, past the others staring in disbelief at her request. The message was clear. She had become the traitor. Spike merely glanced at her with such apathy in eyes that once held great love.

However, there wasn’t time to deal with it.

“I need to get to the hospital,” Buffy said, staring defiantly at her husband. “I’ve been in labor for a little over an hour and they still might be able to stop it.”

Spike nodded. His gaze swept over the room, alighting on the bed in the corner with his son sleeping in it. He hurried to kneel next to the bed, his fingers searching for a pulse, his countenance visibly relaxing as he realized that his child was still alive. He scooped Elijah up into his arms and handed him to Connor.

“Carry him for me,” Spike said, turning to the bed. His distaste was evident as he reached down to pick Buffy up. “Anything you need to take with you?”

“My bag is over there,” Buffy said, pointing to the corner. “But it’s not that important.”

Tara and Raven seemed to be waiting for instructions from Spike. They had yet to speak to Buffy and she refused to let them see her be weak. She had known and orchestrated for their loyalty to be with her husband. He needed them more than she did. Her emotions closed down. It was the only way that she would be able to see it through to the end. The pain was ripping her heart to shreds as the seams of her life came undone. It was one of those moments when life changes forever and however much you want to hold onto what you have, you know that it is gone forever. Like a flash flood that washes away everything that you worked so hard for. But she still had the baby. The baby would be her reason for not going under yet. Buffy pushed everything aside and concentrated on the pain in her belly. Helping her was Drusilla’s voice in her mind, soothing her and telling her that she was loved.

Spike carried her down the stairs. A small parade followed them as Connor carried her son and the two women followed them. Raven carried her suitcase and kept glancing between her parents and her brother. Tears filled those eyes glowing bright with her confusion and fear. The only person they saw as they reached the foyer was Roderick. But as they crossed to the front door, other members of the family came out to watch their exit. With expressions ranging from pity to confusion, they filled the doorways in silent support. Buffy ignored them all as she willed her body to stop the contractions.

Roderick rushed to open the door.

“Let him go,” Buffy said, looking at Spike. “He was good to us.” She turned to Roderick and squeezed his hand. “Please for me, wrap the birds up and send them to me.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Roderick said, kissing the back of her hand. “It was a pleasure to serve you. Good luck with the child.”

As surely as the door closed behind them, Buffy knew something had ended. And as Spike put her in the back seat of the minivan she returned Dru’s love with a message that she’d miss her. She curled up on the seat with her head on Tara’s lap. She forced back her tears as fingers were drawn through her hair with an unendurable gentleness. Spike started the van and her life ceased to matter as the only purpose she had left was to bring her baby into the world.

~~~~~~~~~~

March 17, 2008 12:07 PM

It hadn’t taken them long to find the house once they received Buffy’s and Drusilla’s message. The listing for the remaining houses had been scoured for anything that would match the clues they had been given. The mansion had once been the retreat for an archbishop and was appropriately named, Sanctuary. Willow and Tara had performed spells which had revealed the traps that had been planted around the house and grounds. It seemed his brother wasn’t as smart as he thought he was or he had underestimated his family.

Angel pushed the vampire off him and jumped to his feet. Before it had a chance to retaliate it burst into dust and he held the stake firm, ready for the next attack. He could sense another vampire close and he whirled in the direction his senses pointed him.

It’s funny that way, you can get used**

To the tears and the pain

What a child will believe

You never loved me

He was surprised when he saw Drusilla being escorted by Max. The human stepped back to leave them alone and Angel’s eyes narrowed as he absorbed her beguiling smile and her seductive walk. She appeared to be all innocence as she stopped in front of him. But the demon still shone in the depths of her eyes and he drew his stake back again.

“You can’t hurt me anymore,” Drusilla said softly, her hand caressing his cheek. “I have seen the other side of tomorrow.”

Her words held the shades of her madness but her eyes were clearer than he had ever seen them and Angel hesitated. Would there be more? Or would she be lost again? He remembered that she had helped to save Buffy and his hand lowered.

“Thank you for helping Buffy,” Angel said, curious as to what had motivated this soulless creature before him to come to the aid of a Slayer. “Did you do it so that we’d let you go?”

You can’t hurt me now

I got away from you, I never thought I would

You can’t make me cry, you once had the power

I never felt so good about myself

Drusilla laughed as she stepped back. Her lips settled into the merest hint of a smile while those eyes never strayed from his face.

“I will never go away now. You and Spike will forever see me in her. The Slayer is full of me.”

“What do you mean?” Angel asked, grabbing her arm. “So, help me Drusilla, let go of whatever hold you have on her.”

“Oh, Daddy,” Drusilla said, wrenching away from him. She sat in a chair by the fireplace with her hands folded carefully in her lap. “Spike made a wish. And now he hates that it’s true. The moon smiles its approval though.”

“Yeah, don’t believe it,” Angel snapped, leaning over her. “Once you’re dust Buffy will be free of you.”

“You never loved me,” Dru said, caressing his hand. “Not once; never once. I was just a doll for you to play with and to discard when you were done hurting me.”

Seems like yesterday

I lay down next to your boots and I prayed

For your anger to end

Oh Father I have sinned

It was true. Love had never played into what he felt for the girl he destroyed. If he had been human it would have been love and that’s why Angelus had to destroy everything she was; everything she could have been. Love was a weakness that he couldn’t tolerate or let tempt him.

Angel sighed. “What is this true confession time?”

“I know what love is. Spike loves me. He protected me,” Drusilla said, standing to dance across the floor. “He gave me all the things that you never did. Until she came along and took his heart from me.”

“I thought Buffy was your bosom friend?” Angel asked, watching as Drusilla twirled closer to him.

“Buffy and I are one now,” Drusilla said, leaning back against him. His arm was drawn around her waist. “Inseparable. Her soul has burned me and I have freed her.” She turned to look back at Angel. “I have tasted her love for you.”

“So, is this supposed to convince me to let you go?”

Oh Father you never wanted to live that way

You never wanted to hurt me

Why am I running away?

“What would you do, Angel?” Drusilla asked, tears spilling across her cheeks. “Give me a soul? Free me? No, it’s over. I know it is.” She raised his hand holding the stake and pointed it at her heart. “I have tasted all the things you took from me; a husband, children and a home. You despise me for reminding you of who you were and I despise you for taking my life from me.” Her hand cupped his cheek. “My love is as deep as my hate.” She brushed her lips against his. “Do it, Angel, do it. Finish what you started. Let me go.”

Maybe someday

When I look back I’ll be able to say

You didn’t mean to be cruel

Somebody hurt you too

Angel kissed her with all the desire he’d once held for her and a moment later it was over. Her dust fell to the carpet and he stared at it not able to accept that she was gone. His Childe was destroyed by his hand and he fell to his knees scraping the dust together. He couldn’t leave her like this. Not alone.

Not again.

~~~~~~~~

March 17, 2008 1:45 PM

Buffy was so small in the bed even with her stomach large with child. She hadn’t spoken a word except to answer her doctors and the nurses. It was like he didn’t even exist. Spike took a seat in the chair next to her again. An IV was slowly pumping medicine into her to stop the contractions. Restraints held her wrists to the bed. Sara felt it was best until she could ascertain Buffy’s mental state but was waiting to see what effect the medicine had until interviewing her.

“Is there anything you need?” Spike asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.

A shake of her head was the only answer he received. He sighed and leaned back in the chair. Unable to stare her into compliance he looked out the window. It was amazing that the world continued to function when his son was downstairs in the pediatrics unit being examined for ill effects from the drugs he’d been given. And his wife was lying here trying to stop the labor. They wanted to see how long they could delay the delivery. The longer the better was best for his baby. He’d also been told not to upset Buffy so he sat there, lying to both of them, as he supported her.

Spike repressed the turmoil within... All that mattered was Buffy…Buffy and his baby. So he pushed away the rage, confusion and hurt.

How could she hold that bastard’s hand? Sod what was going on. And then there was the bite. Had it been consensual? The secrets she held onto for so long, was it to protect Dagon? To protect Drusilla? The ramifications of Buffy and Drusilla switching bodies had begun to sink in. How many times had he made love to Drusilla when he thought he was making love to his wife? His eyes narrowed as he asked himself if Buffy had welcomed Dagon’s touch. A year ago he wouldn’t have hesitated with the answer. Buffy’s loyalty had been without question then but now…he didn’t know. He tried to reach his love for his wife and only could touch stone.

“May I have another blanket?” Buffy asked. She chewed on her lower lip as she waited for him to reply and when he didn’t she added, “It’s freezing in here.”

Extra blankets had been brought in by an exuberant aid earlier and piled on the chair in the corner. Spike grabbed one and tucked it around her shivering form. He touched her forehead to check for a fever and she looked up at him. Their eyes locked and the fear in her eyes hit him with almost a physical force. He sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair back with his fingertips.

“It’s going to be all right,” Spike whispered, holding her hand to give her comfort. “The doctors said there wasn’t any reason that the labor can’t be stopped.”

“Will you be here when the baby is born?”

“Of course,” Spike said. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Your hands don’t hold any warmth for me,” Buffy whispered. She tugged at the restraints holding her down and turned her head to stare at the IV bag hanging next to her bed. “I wouldn’t go anywhere. Only the baby matters now.”

It was the one thing they agreed on. He nodded as he stood to look out the window. Her eyes followed him and his fingers traced her reflection in the window. He lingered on the soft curve of her cheek when the sun came out from behind a cloud, chasing away the image of Buffy and replacing it with his own. The message was as clear as his acceptance. He no longer needed Buffy in his life.

~~~~~~~

March 17, 2008 2:45 PM

The vampire wouldn’t open his mouth for anything.

Dagon stared at them as they beat him, sometimes laughing after a particularly brutal blow. It gave Max the creeps as well as making him feel sadistic to repeatedly rain punishment on someone that wasn’t fighting back even if that someone deserved it. Spike and Angel had both given instructions to make it hurt. The vampire had touched their women and deserved the worst pain imaginable. And to two humans like himself and Xander the worst pain imaginable was very imaginable. Their lives had given them both an insight to torture and evil than most people would even be given a glimpse of.

“Do you think that your feeble attempts give me pain?” Dagon taunted through swollen lips. “The two of you are trying so hard to make the vampires accept you as brethren. You will stand there and tell them how mean you are; how deserving you are for beating me, when you both do it for yourselves. You both do it because I’ve had what you never will. Buffy.” He laughed and stood using the chains that bound him for leverage. “There is nothing sweeter than the small sigh she utters when she has been satisfied.”

Something inside of Max twisted as the image of Buffy yielding to this monster flashed in his mind. It brought on memories of his own Brianna, crying to leave him for her Sire. His wife had been just a girl compared to the strength of the woman that Buffy was. Brianna hadn’t stood a chance against a monster like Leonard and she never would have survived the months that Buffy had withstood…

And in that realization Max was able to lay down his ghosts. He would always love the girl that had been his wife but she was gone. She would never have the chance to mature into the potential she had within her and it was time for him to let her rest.

It was also obvious that Dagon was just trying to rattle their cages. There was no way that Buffy would ever willingly give herself to this thing. And the thought that she had been forced to endure his touch at all rallied every protective instinct that Max had. Apparently it did for Xander too as the other man brought his knee into Dagon’s groin. At least this time there was a grunt for them to appreciate their work.

For Max it was over and he dropped the poker he still held. He took Dagon’s face into his hand.

“You are the pathetic representation of this family,” Max said. “Darla had to have been blinded to ever think that you could replace Angel. I hope there is a special hell for men like you that hide behind women’s skirts.” He stepped back and swept his arm toward Xander. “Dust him. It’s not worth my time to torture him anymore.”

“I concur,” Xander said, raising his stake and ending their job. “He was a waste of space period.”

The two men walked back through the house, past Roderick who was obeying Buffy’s last request, and out into the sunshine. Max hesitated on the top step and surveyed the grounds of Sanctuary. It was beautiful; a perfect retreat for anyone needing a place to regroup. There were woods surrounding it on three sides and lush green grass stretching to the very edge of the trees. The house held an old world charm and was large enough to hold the whole family if they so desired.

“Since Dagon bought this place,” Max said turning to look at his companion. “I guess it would go to the next of kin, don’t you think?”

“I believe your right,” Xander said, glancing around quickly. “And since Angel was his brother, I would assume he now owns this little piece of real estate.”

“I think we need to remind him to get a hold of his lawyer,” Max said, running down the steps toward his rental car. “It would be a shame for this place to be tied up in legalese for years to come when there is a relative available to take over Dagon’s assets.”

“Maybe someone needs to do a little research,” Xander said, slipping into the passenger side of the car. “And find out exactly how much Dagon had. It could be a real boost to the family coffers.”

Max glanced over at Xander and realized that somewhere along the line he’d been accepted as a part of this family, although he still wasn’t sure about Angel’s opinion about him. He--Maxim Rochester, loner--was a part of a large family. He pulled out into the long driveway to head to the hospital and decided that he was taking a leave of absence from the Guardians. A man needed to be close to his family not out globe trotting for months at a time. It was time to make a home and settle down.

~~~~~~~~

March 22, 2008 9:05 AM

Spike strode down the hospital hallway with Xander and Max following him. They had been his stalwart guards and helpers in the five days since they had rescued his family. Elijah was back at home. His son was still confused about what had happened. He cried constantly not only for both his mothers but also for the mother and father he’d lost the previous year. Buffy had been wonderful with him, explaining that Drusilla was no longer with them but still a part of them. So, much had happened to the child in the last year and it was going to take a lot of loving consistency to make the boy feel safe again.

Buffy was still in the hospital, no longer restrained except for the IV continuously dripping medication into her body. They still didn’t speak unless they had to. It was uncomfortable for everyone but it was just the way things were until they had the chance to talk things over.

It was with surprise when Spike turned the corner and saw Dawn sitting in the small waiting area outside Buffy’s room. Since Buffy had been admitted, Dawn had refused to leave her sister’s side. Josh had brought her changes of clothes and she’d showered in Buffy’s room. She slept on a cot brought in for her. Dawn said that Buffy had died for her once and she was going to see Buffy through this. Besides, she added, Spike had children who needed him at home and this left him free to come and go.

“Is everything all right?” Spike said, walking quickly over to the girl. He glanced at Angel who was on the couch next to her. “There’s nothing wrong is there?”

“No, no,” Dawn said, jumping up and smoothing down her jeans. She glanced at the closed door of the room then back to her brother-in-law. “Sara is with her. They’ve been in there forever though.”

Spike nodded. Buffy had requested yesterday for her therapist to visit her. His wife had been having crying jags off and on since the second day. The news of Drusilla’s demise had been the catalyst for the depression that clung to Buffy. Spike turned to settle on the couch next to Angel while Max and Xander sat across from them. At this point he wasn’t sure what to do for Buffy. She still refused to speak with him about anything. She hadn’t really spoken to any of them about what happened or offered any excuses for her behavior. Everything was in a holding pattern until the baby was born.

The door to Buffy’s room opened and everyone looked up to watch Sara come toward them. The therapist sat in the chair nearest to Spike.

“Hey,” Sara said. “How are you doing in all this?”

“Holding up,” Spike said. “How’s Buffy?”

“Is it all right to talk in front of everyone?” Sara asked, glancing around at the family gathered there. “There’s not a lot I can tell you but Buffy said she didn’t mind me speaking in front of family.”

It was always what Buffy wanted or didn’t want. Spike hated himself for the thought but it seemed to be the pattern his life followed since Buffy had announced she wanted to get pregnant. Since that day their lives had spiraled out of control and they were still waiting for the final explosion.

Sara nodded when he told her to go on and looked down at her notes.

“Buffy is unstable,” Sara said, waving her hand to stave off the questions for the moment. “Due to the facts that have been brought to light we know she isn’t mentally ill. But emotionally she isn’t doing too well. Similar to when I first treated her. The link with Drusilla has exposed her to the vampire’s own mental illness which has given Buffy cause to question her own thoughts. Plus she has been sharing her mind with someone else and now she has to readjust to it just being her.”

“Is she going to be able to handle this?” Dawn asked.

“Oh, without question,” Sara said. “She just needs a period of adjustment to deal with this and some other things she was exposed to.”

“What things?” Spike asked. It had to be the things that had teased at his mind and the things that Buffy refused to talk about.

“Spike,” Sara said, covering his hand with hers. “Buffy was emotionally manipulated by Dagon and Drusilla. She witnessed Dagon’s abuse and torture of Dru, which was physical, mental and sexual. Everything that happened to Drusilla she knew about and vice versa. In the end they were clinging to each other in an effort to survive. I know you don’t understand why Buffy didn’t tell you what was going on and I don’t think at this point she does either. It’s going to take her time just to accept and deal with this.”

“How can we help her?” Spike asked.

“There’s a clinic about forty minutes north of Sunnydale,” Sara said. “It’s called the Brandon Clinic and is run by Dr. Essie Brandon. It’s small, only takes about twenty patients at a time and it’s not a locked facility. It’s a place for people like Buffy who just need somewhere quiet to get themselves together. While she was there Essie would be the therapist to work with her.”

In all the years since Spike had found Buffy living in his crypt, he’d been the one to take care of her. He’d held her together and given her the support she needed. It was time to let go of that responsibility and let someone else have it. He didn’t need to think about it. He didn’t need to talk to someone to give him the justification to do it. It was like Buffy had told him, they had children and he needed to put them first.

“Where’s the papers to sign?” Spike asked.

“You’re just going to put my sister away?” Dawn said. The annoyance was dripping from her as she stood and faced the people who had given up on Buffy. Her loyalty used to be wholly Spike’s but in the last few months it had shifted to where it really belonged. To the sister who had loved her enough to let the world go to hell and who had died so she could live.

“Buffy has already signed the papers,” Sara said, surprising them all. “I’m going to go and make the arrangements. She’s going to leave here the day after the baby is born and check herself in.”

Unaware of the disaster she was leaving behind; Sara made her way down the hallway. Spike watched the retreat of the therapist until the elevator doors closed behind her. Before anyone could stop him, Spike had slammed open the door to Buffy’s room and leaned on the end of the bed facing his traitorous wife.

“You selfish bitch,” Spike snarled. “Do you ever think about anyone besides yourself? How dare you just decide everyone else’s life while you play the fucking victim again? I’m sick of it and I’m sick of you.”

“Spike stop it,” Dawn yelled, pulling on his arm. “Not now.”

Behind Dawn were the three men also reaching for him but he shook them off. Buffy reached for the water pitcher and everyone stepped back. Spike stood still and let her throw it at him. The pitcher hit him square in the chest and the water dripped down his front. He wasn’t going to be chased off by a childish act.

“Feel better now?” Spike asked.

Buffy stared at him for a moment then her gaze swept over everyone else before landing on him again. “You sanctimonious hypocrite; how dare you stand there and tell me I’m playing victim? You St. Spike, with your pious need to show the world how long suffering you are by being with me.” Buffy threw the blanket back and stood to face him.

“Maybe because being with you sucks the life right out of a bloke until he doesn’t know which end is up anymore. Angel had to leave town to get away from you.”

This time she threw the cup full of water, clipping his shoulder and hitting Max standing behind him.

“Leave me alone,” Buffy screamed. “I only want to enjoy these last few moments of my pregnancy in peace.”

“Why? So, you can abandon your baby like you did the rest of your children?”

“Spike stop this,” Angel said, putting his hand on his Childe’s shoulder. “Let’s go so that both of you can calm down.”

Spike stared at his wife as her face crumpled in pain. Tears streaked her cheeks and he felt like an ass for hurting her but there hadn’t been anything since the night she drugged him to indicate that she cared at all. It was like staring into the face of a stranger.

“No, Angel,” Buffy said. “Listen close Spike because this is the last time I’ll say this. I’m sorry. I made mistakes but so did all of you. I tried to tell you anyway I could what was happening to me. But you wouldn’t listen. It was so much easier to stamp insane on my forehead and ignore me.” Dawn rushed to Buffy’s side and put an arm around her shoulder. “Look at the scar on your chest and tell me that I abandoned my children. I was trying to protect them. I woke up one night with a knife to Sean’s throat because I dared to think about telling you the truth. I was there when Dagon whipped Drusilla into submission. I was there when he forced her to perform sexually. I felt every stroke and every touch. Don’t talk to me about being a victimized.” She stopped for a moment, swiping at the tears that were falling freely. Taking a deep breath she continued, “I didn’t understand at first what was happening but the closer they got to Sunnydale the more I knew, the more I felt, the more power they had. I was afraid to do anything for fear of what they would do.”

“How did you and Drusilla end up so close?” Angel asked.

“Because we cried together,” Buffy said through her tears. “I felt her pain and she felt mine. It bonded us in ways you’ll never know. I know everything you did to her, every step you took to break her. It’s still here. Destroying her; didn’t relieve you of your burden because she’s still a part of me. I still carry her with me and always will. I couldn’t trust either of you to get rid of Dagon or protect her. I had to find a way to stop all of the madness and the only thing I knew for sure you would protect would be the children.”

“What about Nikki?” Spike asked quietly.

“That fucking bitch deserved it,” Buffy said laughing. “Yeah, I used your money to teach her a lesson. Until you divorce me I’m your wife and I won’t share you. Not again.”

“Buffy, you hired someone to attack her?” Xander asked.

“That’s what I said,” Buffy answered. “Drusilla helped me out. No guilt for protecting what’s yours.”

It was all Spike could take as he gazed at the woman that had been the center of his life for so long. She wasn’t that woman anymore; hell, he didn’t recognize her at all. When the truth had been accepted, he turned on his heel and stalked out.

“Go on, run like you always do,” Buffy screeched. “Don’t come back this time. Do you hear me? Run you coward.”

Spike had to get away from her otherwise he was afraid he’d kill her. He was staring at the floor as he moved and he vaguely was aware of passing Giles and Kate on the way to see Buffy. He ignored them as well as the three men following him. The halls of the hospital became a maze as he walked trying to come to terms with what his wife did. Somehow he ended up in the waiting room at the end of the maternity ward. He put his hands on the glass and stared down into the parking lot.

“Spike,” Angel said, standing beside him. “I know you’re hurt. You both are and you both need time to calm down.”

“You don’t understand,” Spike said, swallowing the lump in his throat. “I’m not hurt. I hate her. I fucking hate that bitch.”

No one said a word and he turned around to face his friends. There was compassion and understanding in their eyes as they looked at him. Love was a beautiful fire that could burn you and leave nothing but scars. He’d had enough. There was awareness that Drusilla had influenced or manipulated Buffy during her pregnancy but in the end it was his wife that had made the decisions that had destroyed his love. The not trusting him with the truth about Drusilla and Dagon, the attack on Nikki, drugging him, taking Elijah away and now her refusal to take any blame for what happened. Oh, she said she was sorry and had made mistakes but he didn’t see any remorse in her. He couldn’t see her love or need for him anymore and he knew it was echoed by him for her. They had lost the connection between them.

“Spike,” Giles said, hovering on the edge of the room. “Buffy’s water broke and they said the rest of the labor should happen quickly. If you want to see your baby born you need to come now.”

Spike didn’t hesitate as he ran to Buffy’s room. Nothing else mattered but this child that was about to be brought into the world. He knew that one of them would contact the others so all he had to do was concentrate on helping Buffy. He slipped into the room and Kate stepped away so he could be by Buffy’s side. Dawn was on the other side of the bed holding Buffy’s hand.

“It’s happening, Spike,” Buffy said, looking up at him. “Our baby is coming.”

“Yeah, I know,” Spike whispered, sitting on the stool next to the bed. He brushed her hair back from her face. “I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere.”

They both forgot the argument and the pain as they clasped hands. Dawn stayed to help them out and the three of them worked together to bring the baby into the world. Buffy’s labor advanced as rapidly as they first thought and within the hour she was told to push. Her legs were drawn up as Spike put his arms behind her shoulders. He and Dawn held her behind the knees as Buffy pushed through the contractions.

“Okay, Buffy,” Dr. Parker said. “The baby is crowning.” She gestured at Spike. “Come here and see your baby’s head.”

Spike stepped down to see the small head peeking out of Buffy and tears welled up in his eyes. It was his baby. His child, conceived in a miracle and a great love.

“Here comes another one,” Dr. Parker said. “Push really hard Buffy and this baby should be here.”

Spike lifted her again, his hand behind her knee, “Come on, baby, push with everything you got.”

A moment later Spike’s daughter slid from Buffy’s body. She came out wailing, indignant of being expelled from her home. The infant was lain on Buffy’s stomach where they examined her, unbelieving they were touching their baby. Dawn was practically dancing from excitement as she let her finger be grasped.

“Spike, would you like to cut the cord?”

A symbolic gesture that signified more than the doctor would ever know. This little girl was his in a way that none of their other children present or future, would ever be. It wasn’t blood or the lack of blood. It wasn’t DNA. Raven, Sean and Elijah were as much his in that sense as the newest member of the family. This infant was his as proof that Spike counted in the universe. A body that was as surely dead as anyone lying in the cemetery had been given the means to create life. Her small eyes opened and she glanced around as if looking for him. Spike was love struck as he gazed into eyes as blue as his.

“Spike,” Buffy whispered as the nurse took the infant away to clean her up. She took his hand and waited until he looked down at her. “I know what I want to name her.”

~~~~~~~~~~

March 22, 2008 2:45 PM

The rest of the morning had been spent in adoration of the child they’d created. Spike and Buffy had declared a truce when they decided to wait until she came home again to decide their future. Their baby nursing at her breast had reminded them of how much they’d love each other not that long ago and she was hope that maybe one day they’d find that love again. All of their children had held the newest member and echoed the same agreement to her name.

It was time to introduce her to the rest of the family. Everyone from Sunnydale and Los Angeles were there to greet her. Spike cradled her in his arms as he walked to the waiting room. He looked around at the faces filling the small space and knew that Drusilla’s vision had been correct. The Aurelius line had been restored and was more powerful than it had ever been because it now fought in the light. He smiled as they stood and gathered around them.

“Everyone I would like to introduce you to my daughter,” Spike said, turning so everyone could see her, “Journey Aurelia Blood.”

to be continued….

**Song lyrics are ‘Oh Father’ by Madonna

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