Title: Pride (Chapter Seven of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: The strange occurrences of the night before come to light. The Watchers are called in to try and figure out what happened.

Pride



"Buffy?" Dawn whined. Even half asleep, the girl could whine. Buffy leaned against the bathroom counter, looking at herself in the mirror. She was exhausted. Not half as exhausted as Spike though. He'd cleaned her wound and put her to bed, waiting for her to fall asleep. But then she had heard him get up. He had gone to watch the kids. He did that whenever something bad happened. It was a habit.

"In here," Buffy half whispered, trying not to wake up Spike in the adjoining room. Vampire hearing or no, she knew he was out. He hadn't lain down until the sun came up.

The door to the bathroom opened slowly. Dawn stood in her pajamas, Will balanced on her hip. The boy was crying softly. "Didn't you hear the monitor? Will had another nightmare," Dawn said, bouncing the boy carefully.

A flash of guilt went through Buffy. She hadn't heard it. She didn't even know it was on. Dawn had taken one with her since she was sitting last night and Buffy didn't know if she remembered to turn hers on when she got in. Tears rushed up behind her eyes. "I...I'm sorry. I...didn't." Slowly, she leaned forward, taking the boy away from Dawn and pulling him close. Buffy winced as his little feet kicked at the wound from the night before.

Dawn's brow furrowed as she reached out, steadying Will. "Buffy, you OK?"

Buffy took a deep breath, swallowing the pain. "Yeah," she said quietly, adjusting Will so that he wasn't kicking her in the side anymore, and then cradling his head to her chest. She bounced him, shh'ing him quietly. "It's all right," Buffy whispered to the boy. "Just a nightmare."

Dawn watched a moment, and then leaned forward, pulling Buffy's shirt up. Neatly taped white bandages laced her side, right under her ribs. "What.what happened last night?" The girl asked softly. "I mean, I thought it was just.fake patrol. Since...since nothing had been going on lately I mean."

Will began to calm down, resting against his mum. "It was," Buffy began. "I mean, we always patrol when we say we are going to. But we hadn't expected much. And we kinda got into a fight and."

"One of them got you?" Dawn asked, pulling back and staring at her sister with concern.

Buffy sighed, not wanting to admit it. It wasn't the first time she'd been had by a creature with a lot less power than she, but it still stung her pride. "Yeah."

Footsteps padded onto the tile behind Buffy. She turned, watching Spike stumble into the room. A quick check of his attire deemed him okay to join the conversation. He had a habit of walking around their room naked, as if he never needed to be dressed in front of her. Not that Buffy didn't appreciate that. But she thought Dawn might be a little stunned. Spike had on blue pajama bottoms. He passed.

"Everything alright?" He asked, walking in and seeing Will still crying softly against his mum. "Tot's not hurt, is he?"

"No," Buffy answered quietly. "Had another nightmare."

Spike's brow furrowed. "Wish he'd tell us what they were about." He reached over, loosing William from Buffy and took him against his chest. "Can't be easy for the little bloke."

"Wait," Dawn gasped, walking forward. Spike hadn't even registered her being in the room and jumped a little as she spoke. That gave Buffy a bit of a giggle. Neither of them were morning people, but Spike certainly didn't have Vampy powers turned on at the moment.

"Niblet!" Spike gasped, looking down to check that he was actually somewhat clothed. He relaxed briefly once he was sure of that fact.

"You have the same cut!" Dawn continued, her fingers tracing the bandages on his side. "The Vampire got you too?"

Buffy sighed, leaning against the counter. "Not exactly."

"What do you mean, not exactly?" Dawn asked, eyeing them both.

"You see, Nibs, we got into a little fisticuffs last night and, well." Spike began.

"I made him stay out of it," Buffy continued for him. "And it got a little out of hand. One of them got me with a knife and I finished him."

"How did Spike get hurt then?" Dawn asked, confusion in her eyes.

"Dunno, Pet. One minute, I'm standing there. Next minute, Buffy's stabbed and I'm bleeding with her," Spike answered. It was honest. That was how it happened. Not that it made any sense.

Dawn thought for a moment. "Do you think it's about that One thing?"

Buffy looked at Spike a moment. They had been joined for five years now. The completed One. Since then, they had both been stabbed, shot with arrows, burned, hell, she'd given birth, and no signs of wounds on the other. Good thing on the last part, she thought to herself. Not a pretty sight. "I don't know," she answered. "I mean, if it is, it's a new part."

"I'll go call Giles," Dawn began again. "I think he's at the shop now. You guys okay?"

"Merely a flesh wound," Spike quoted. Both girls looked at him oddly. Not enough viewings of Monty Python in the house, he thought. Have to rectify that. "We're fine, Pet," he corrected, still holding Will against his bare chest. "But I would appreciate it if you could find the Watcher for us."

Dawn smiled. "Sure. Want me to take Will? I can get him breakfast while I'm up."

Spike looked over at Buffy. William had stopped crying and was quietly staring around, his head on Spike's shoulder. "Want to go off with your Aunt Dawn?" Spike asked, kissing his son's forehead.

"She might even make you funny shaped pancakes," Buffy added.

Will stared at them for a minute, and then held his hands out to Dawn. "Wanna turtle."

"I can do turtles," Dawn answered, taking the boy. "Emma's still asleep. But I'll listen for her. Get some rest before Giles gets here. You both look.."

"I know, I know," Buffy sighed, ushering her sister out the door. "Thanks for helping."

"Sister of the year award," Dawn called from the hall. "I deserve it."



A soft knock at the door stirred Tara from her morning coffee. She had been taking classes at the college again, now that Willow was almost through medical school and had been offered a job as a teaching assistant. It suited her well. She liked working with the students. Particularly on the subject of non-mainstream religions and theology. Tara thought it might have helped her out in college if there had been someone around who had better understood her and Willow. But the new arrangement did make for early, and long, hours.

Tara rose, walking to the door. She had a while before she had to leave, but she wanted to make sure she had made lunch for Willow and started the laundry. No classes for either of them today, but Tara was going in to start planning for the next semester.

The door hissed against the carpet as she opened it. "H.hi," she said softly at the man in front of her. "Willow. she's asleep."

Oz smiled softly. "I didn't come to talk to her. I came to talk to you."

Tara stood stunned for a moment and then shook her head, as if to clear it. "Come in."

The man walked through the door and stood, waiting for Tara to lead the way. She showed him to the kitchen, gesturing at a chair. "Coffee?"

"Sure," Oz answered, watching the woman move gracefully across the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee and bringing it back to him. She sat cream and sugar in front of him and then settled down to face him.

"What . what can I do for you, Oz?" Tara asked, a bit thrown off by the visit. He seemed like he really did have good intentions, but after all they had been through in the last few years, sometimes you couldn't even trust your best friend.

Oz sighed, stirring sugar into his coffee. "Well, it's like this. I.I know that I was really.um.not too nice when we first met. And I know that this plan of Spike's is a little out of the blue."

Tara had to grin. "He does that. I mean, he means well, but sometimes it's hard to follow how he gets from point A to point B."

The Werewolf smiled in return. "I saw that. But, after I thought about what he said, I figured I owed Willow, and you, the opportunity to decide for yourself."

"Me?" Tara asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean.I can see Willow."

"She loves you," Oz interrupted. "And I know what it means to be loved by her. It's everywhere, and perfect and true. You deserved that. So, did I. At least most of the time. " He paused, taking a sip of the coffee and then settling it back on the table with a soft click. "We screwed up, Willow and me." The thought of their mutual betrayal made his heart ache all over again. "Anyway, the point is that when I left, and then came back, I didn't understand that then. I didn't get why she could fall in love with someone else and just forget. And smelling her on you.it didn't bring out the best in me."

"No," Tara answered, trying to avoid the smile. "I guess not."

"I've had a lot of time to think since then," Oz continued. "And I know that how I acted was wrong. And I owe you an apology."

Tara smiled this time. "An apology, yes. A baby, not so much."

He blinked. "Are you saying that...?"

"No," Tara answered. "I mean, we haven't decided, but both of us appreciate the offer. I just want you to know that you don't owe us any more than an apology. I mean, Willow loved you for a reason. You must be a good man or else she wouldn't have. So, you don't owe us anything. We all make mistakes."

"Wow," Oz muttered, staring at her with wide eyes.

"Wow what?"

"You guys have gotten really good at the whole forgiveness gig since I left," he answered, a sly grin breaking on his features.

Tara smiled again, her beauty radiating from every pore. "We've had a lot of practice."

They sat silently a moment, watching each other. Studying. It was almost as if they were former enemies. Rivals. But that time had passed. And now they were just looking at another person with too much in common to deny.

"Do you want to do this, Oz?" Tara asked, finally breaking the silence.

Oz thought for a moment and then nodded. "I want to help."

"But do you want to do this?" She asked again. "I mean, this is...this is serious stuff. It's not like.like helping us move or something."

Again, he was quiet. "I need to ask you something, Tara."

"S.sure," she answered quietly. "I mean, I don't know if I have the answer, but I'll try."

He shifted in his chair, not sure how to ask. "Well, I mean, I know how big this is. And I also had pretty much counted myself out as part of the human gene pool. I mean, I didn't think.the rest of the world isn't quite as accepting."

"Of demons. Werewolves," she interrupted.

"Yeah," he answered. "So, I had pretty much thought, since it can be hereditary, apparently, that no human would."

"Well," Tara sighed. "I mean, it's something we have to consider. But I don't know if you've noticed, but none of the kids in this little circle are completely human."

Oz had to chuckle. "Yeah, I noticed. Made me laugh. Who'd a thought that the demon fighting dream team would all end up with half human kids."

"Who better to understand them?" Tara answered honestly. "I mean, who better to understand the Slayer than a Vampire?"

He nodded quirking an eyebrow. "I can see your point." Again he paused, waiting for the words to come. "Tara, what I am trying to say is that."

"You want to be a part of the baby's life." It felt right to her when she said it. The thought was almost oozing off of him. And she understood that.

His eyes were wide. "Yeah, I mean.I don't expect to be let in like a dad or anything. But I would like it if. Maybe I could be hairy Uncle Oz who lives out of town?"

Tara giggled. "I would have to talk to Willow. I mean, we haven't even decided what to do yet. It's.it's a lot. But, yeah. I mean, I have no problem with that. I can't imagine Willow would. But you do understand that we are a family. Me and Willow?"

"I get that," Oz smiled. "I'm glad she has you to watch over her." He looked at his watch tentatively. "I have to go. Promised to catch up with some folks in town. I'll be around for a few days. Just...um, let me know."

"We will," Tara said, rising with him. "And. thanks. I mean, we appreciate the offer."

"The pleasure's all mine," he answered, kissing her hand.



Cyrus sat across the coffee table from them. She was curled on the couch, her head on Spike's lap. He stroked her hair, as much for his own comfort as his. They looked exhausted. Beaten. The wounds weren't that bad. It was more the thought of what had caused them. Cyrus knew it plagued Spike that he had stood there as Buffy got hurt, although he knew Buffy well enough to know that she insisted on fighting her own battles on occasion. And it bothered Buffy that something had hurt him that she didn't understand. That none of them understood.

There was a brief knock before the front door swung open. Giles stumbled through, frazzled, a pile of books in one hand and a slim leather case in the other. "Sorry," he gushed. "Had to wait for Anya to come back from an assignment and the nanny was running behind."

Buffy chuckled, coughing. "The joys of parenting."

"Yes," Giles answered, pulling up a chair. "I hope that the lethargy is more an effect of lack of sleep rather than the seriousness of the wounds."

"Just a scratch," Buffy responded, pushing herself up. Spike was silent, his hand still absently running along her back. She sat, scooting closer to him, her hip flush to his.

"Is it?" Giles asked Cyrus.

"It's a shallow knife mark. Identical on both of them. Not serious, although it is rather nasty to look at," Cyrus answered.

"And you were not involved in the battle?" Giles asked, turning his attention to Spike.

"No," Spike answered curtly. His guilt was getting the better of him.

"They were two younger Vamps. You know I like to take them on my own. Makes me feel all Slayer-y," Buffy contributed, trying to cover. It was true. She didn't like it when Spike jumped in on the simpler battles. Not unless he was itching to fight.

"Not anymore," Spike corrected through gritted teeth. "Not doing this again."

"Spike," Buffy sighed.

"He's right," Giles contributed. "You've been alive this long because of the One. The joining. No Slayer has reached twenty-seven and had a family. It's not fair to ask him to let you put your life on the line, Buffy."

"It's my job," Buffy huffed, anger building. She felt ganged up on.

"It's *our* job," Spike corrected. "Both of us, Love. It might've been all right to take our chances before. But not now. You've got two little tykes depending on their mum. Don't think you want to leave 'em just yet."

Buffy's mouth snapped shut. She didn't want to ever leave them alone. But being a Slayer was what she was. A killer of killers. Still, Spike wasn't going to let this go. "I think you're over reacting. It was just a scratch."

"This time," Spike answered, looking at her pretty green eyes. "This time, it was just a scratch. Next time, maybe that knife hits your heart." She watched him begin to choke up as he spoke, but she couldn't bring herself to interrupt. "Then what? Then your Slayer pride gets you nothing but two motherless children and."

Buffy watched him plead with her; his eyes wet with unshed tears. He wouldn't cry, but she knew he had. She knew he had sat in Emma's room, silent tears running down his face, thinking about what might have been. "Spike.I'm.."

"And you'd leave me behind to," Spike said quietly. "And for what, Pet? Pride?"

Spike stood, walking away from couch a few steps before turning around. "I can't let you do that, Love. Not even if you resent me until the end of time. Can't let you leave."

He looked at her for a long moment, studying her face. She was everything to him. His world. No one was going to take that without a fight. Buffy stared back, not sure what to say. She was the Slayer, but for once in her life, that came second. She was his partner and their children's mother before the saviour of the World. Selfish, maybe. But that selfishness had gotten her this far.

Spike stared a moment longer, feeling her mind process it, and then walked away. Buffy knew he needed to vent. The exhaustion wasn't helping what was already a sore subject. "Spike?"

But he was gone.

"Buffy, it's best to just let him be for now," Giles interrupted softly. "Sometimes, we all need.time"

"I know," Buffy answered, biting her lip. "It's really not serious."

Cyrus nodded. "Buffy, you should know by now that it's all quite serious. And to him, it's as if he let you down."

"But it was me," Buffy countered. "I'm the one that."

Giles just looked at her sincerely, taking off his glasses. "Do you think that matters? " He wiped them on his shirttail. "If that knife had killed you, do you think it would have mattered whose decision it was to let you fight alone?"

"I guess not," she answered, staring at her feet. "I mean, I didn't think about it like that."

Her Watcher slid his glasses on. "So, why don't you tell me what happened?"

To be contd.

Title: Compromise (Chapter Eight of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Spike confronts Buffy about their relationship. Buffy begins to understand the extent to which her ending would upset the balance and hurt her family. Luke and Draconius monitor their plan. Willow and Tara have a talk and come to at least one conclusion.

Compromise



The morning was dreary. Sort of overcast. Actually, Spike thought, were they not in Sunnydale in the absence of dear old granddad, it looked like it might snow. Funny how the poof still could work his way into his thoughts when Buffy and he disagreed. Not that he worried about him anymore. Rationally, Spike knew where Buffy stood. Where she found her home. But in the moments they argued, all of those insecurities came rushing back. All of those moments when he knew he wouldn't be good enough for her, or that he'd never be her precious first love.

"But you're my last," Buffy said softly, opening the door onto the back deck and quietly walking across the wooden planks. He sat on the step, knees drawn to his chest, looking like he wanted to find a cigarette. He didn't. He hadn't for years. But she could see that twitch in the corner of his mouth where he wanted to be holding the filter and thinking different thoughts.

"You buggering round my brain again?" Spike asked. The comment was supposed to carry malice. Only it didn't. He couldn't muster any for her. Instead, it just sounded.sad.

"Didn't need to," she answered, settling herself next to him but not touching. Now was not the time for touching. Buffy knew she had some explaining to do first. "I know you well enough to know what you're thinking."

Spike chuckled under his breath. "You know me so bloody well, then how come you don't understand why I don't want you to fight alone, Buffy? Even the little battles. Those are the ones that'll get you killed."

He didn't look at her. His voice was soft. Afraid. Like all of this had far more meaning to him than Buffy had ever considered. What had happened was so minor. She'd done worse to herself trying to make breakfast. And it didn't seem to bother him that the same wound ached at his side. That was just a mystery to figure out. What was killing him was the moment. The one good day. The thought that he was too late and she hadn't been quite fast enough, even with the juiced up super speed of the One. The knife had only missed her heart because of fate. And if it had killed her, even if it had managed to kill him too, the only thing that he would take to their ending was that he let her down.

Buffy knew that that was the one failure by which he would never again abide.

"Spike, I." she began.

"No, Buffy," Spike snapped, turning his face towards hers. "I have tried. Over and over again, I've tried to never take away what it is that you are. The thing about you that first blew my sodding mind. The Slayer. The Warrior of the People. That's you, Pet. It'll always be you. Just mine now by default." The last words carried more disappointment than Buffy could bear. He felt guilty that she carried it alone. Even joined, he couldn't take away her duty. He could only help. Most of the time, he didn't want to take it from her. It was what he first fell in love with. Her spark. But some moments, like the time he spent sitting in Emma's room imagining that he'd have to tell his daughter that he let her mum die. It was then he wished that he could take it all away.

Buffy bit her lip. "It's not by default, Spike. You're as much a part of this as I am."

Spike shook his head, staring at his feet. "No, Pet. I fight because you taught me it was the right thing to do. And I knew I could help. But I started this for you. And still, part of me does it because I need to protect you. Bit selfish, but true."

She smiled. "Maybe in the beginning, but Spike, I know you do it now because we have to. We have to try and protect the rest of them."

Finally, he turned his face to her, wrought with concern and sadness. "I do, Love. I do fight with you because the rest of the world can't. But, Buffy, what good is it, what good is any of this, if you die? If the World loses you? If.if I lose you?"

His eyes were so deep that she could feel herself struggling to say afloat. Plunging into the depths of his heart and feeling his world swimming in fear and loneliness at just the thought. It made her ache. "You didn't lose me, Spike." It was all she could think of to say.

Spike turned his face away again. "Not this time, Love. But I coulda. I coulda stood there and watched a stupid, sodding fledgling take you away from the World. From me. From the tots. I can't do that anymore, Buffy. Don't care if it hurts your bloody pride. You can be as angry at me as you want. But at least you'll be alive to kick my arse."

Buffy chuckled. "And such a nice arse it is," she joked, raising an eyebrow.

"S'not bloody funny," Spike snapped. Buffy stiffened. Usually, he didn't hang onto his anger this long anymore. Well, that was patently untrue. He didn't when it came to *them*. To her and to their children. He could hold a grudge against the rest of the world with the best of them. "Do you ever think about that, Buffy?"

Her brow furrowed. "Think about what?"

"What'd happen if you died?" He asked, looking at her once again. "Permanently?" He corrected, thinking that the question was ambiguous to both of them otherwise.

She wrung her hands in her lap, looking away. "Uh.I mean.I know what's out there, but I am in no real rush to get back."

Spike shook his head. "And what about here, Pet? Hmm? Think about it for a minute." His voice wavered. "This house, without you in it. Be like a Christmas tree without the star. I could take care of them. I mean, I could feed them and make sure they went to school and had clothes, though I imagine your sis would pick them out due to my petrifying lack of fashion sense." he rambled, tossing her barb from the night before back at her. "But they'd never know, they'd barely remember when they were older. Emma might. But Will.he'd spend his life not knowing the one woman in all the World that was his mum. And I'd have to tell him every day, I'd have to remember every bloody day, how wonderful you are and how much I love you and how much I miss you and I want to die with you, but I *can't*. I bloody *can't* because I have to stay and make sure they *know* you because you couldn't be bothered to stay with them anymore."

Buffy looked gob smacked. She had thought about what would happen if one of them went. But she hadn't thought about it quite like that. What would happen if she died because she didn't let him help when he could have. Her sense of duty got in the way of her sense of love. That, she thought, she needed to work on.

Slowly, Buffy stood. Spike's eyes glanced towards her, assuming he'd pissed her off just enough to pick up and walk off. Didn't do that much anymore, but he didn't tell her off often either. Didn't have the need. Mostly, they saw eye to eye. Or mind to mind.

But she didn't walk away. She moved around in front of him, down a stair and sat on her heels to face him. Her small hands touched the denim covering his knees and she opened them, pressing her body into the space between. He couldn't look at her. Wouldn't. Felt as though he'd crack into a million pieces if he could see what he might lose. The only downside of loving her. One day she'd be gone.

"Spike," Buffy whispered, her hands trailing up his arms to his face. Her palms pressed to his cheeks, drawing his eyes to hers. "Listen, Okay? I know you're over me today, but can you listen for a minute?"

He looked at her, watching her green eyes heavy and serious. They were like emeralds sinking in pools of shining water. He wanted to dive in to save them. "All right," he agreed.

"Try not to have a stroke when I say this, but you're right. I'm wrong." She paused a moment, letting a brief but genuine flash of shock pass over his features. "I mean, I am the Slayer. I will always be the Slayer. Until.until I'm not anymore. But I don't want that to be now. And I don't want it to be anytime while I'm able enough to fight. It's me and I like that. And you do too, somewhere."

He nodded, not wanting to speak.

She accepted his answer. "One day, I will die. And one day, you will too. With any luck, we'll be old and shriveled up and curled in a bed with Emma and Will's grandchildren tearing through the house. Or maybe we'll die in a fight, but together. But I won't let it happen before it's meant to. Being the One is just as much a part of me as the Slayer. As Buffy. But being yours, being theirs, is the biggest part of me now. And I don't want to leave it. If that means I have to swallow the whole 'I can do it, girl- power trip', then I guess I will. But you have to promise me something."

"What, Pet?" Spike asked softly, not sure if he could compromise much on this topic.

"You have to let me fight. You can't protect me from what's out there. It's *our* battle. If I have to remember that, then so do you. Don't ever leave them alone, Spike. If it's one of us or both, we always have to remember that one stays here. We can't leave them alone.." She began to waver, her voice sounding like leaves on the wind. It wasn't so long ago that she'd been left alone. Granted, her father hadn't died. Didn't have to to leave her. What he did was worse. But that was the one thing she didn't want her own to ever go through. If they could manage it, one would always have to stay behind. He didn't like it, but he respected it.

"Fair enough," Spike said softly, his own hand rising to her cheek. Her eyes closed and he could feel her press into him, trying to let go of all of the sadness in her and find herself in his touch. His thumb traced her cheek. "I can't take away your calling, Pet. And I would never want to. I love the Slayer bits as much as the Buffy bits. I'm not a proud man. I've never had a problem with the fact that you could send me back across the pond with a kick or two. You'll always be stronger, more powerful, more . light. But I can help you, Love. That's all I ever wanted to do. Well, least since the change of heart."

She chuckled, opening her eyes again. "I want you to help me."

He nodded. "Good, then. Don't make me watch you die when I could've stopped it."

"I won't," Buffy whispered. She leaned forward, letting her lips press softly to his. Not a kiss of passion, but rather one of comfort. They both had scars that would never be healed. But together, the voids they left behind were filled. The empty spaces life had gouged from their existence disappeared. And it was all right again.

"And I'll see to it that we die in that bed, then. Since you'll still be my golden goddess and I'll still be trying to get into your knickers," Spike snarked, running his hand over her shiny hair. She smiled.

"Even when we're all wrinkly?" She asked.

"Don't think it matters much. You'll still be you," he answered, touching his lips to her forehead.

"And you are my only love," Buffy answered. "Don't ever belittle that."

He pulled away, looking at her for a moment. "I know it still crosses your mind. When you're upset with me, or you think I'm upset with you. I was not your first love. You weren't mine. But you are my last. My only." She continued, watching his eyes soften. Maybe she really did know him that well, he thought. "Always."

"Everyday, Pet," he completed, letting his lips find hers in earnest. He took her breath away, his mouth so hungry, his heart so needing of her love. It made her world revolve and her life worth saving.

She sat stunned for a moment when he moved away. Old married guys weren't supposed to kiss like that. At least not all the time. She was one lucky girl, Buffy thought. She cleared her throat. "Cyrus and Giles want to talk to us more about what happened, okay?"

"Didn't you tell them, Pet?" Spike asked, rubbing her cheek with his thumb.

"Yeah," she sighed, "But I think they think I'm missing something. Guess they want to hear it from you."

He chuckled. "Always thorough."

That made her smile. "Not nearly as thorough as you."

"I still owe you a Sundae," he commented, smiling a wicked smile.

"I won't forget," Buffy purred, standing and pulling him up with her. "I love you, Spike."

He stopped, looking at her pretty eyes again. Studying them. There were no words enough to let her know what she meant to him. "I know, Pet. You are my heart."

She smiled softly. "Can we go in now? It's getting chilly."

"Yeah," he answered, sliding his jacket off and around her shoulders. "But Buffy?"

"Hunh?" She asked, turning around at the door.

Spike was quiet, not sure why he was feeling the way he was at the moment. But something told him this was important. "I think we should stay in tonight. Least till we have this sussed out."

Buffy nodded. She looked too tired to fight. "Yeah. Xander and Willow can do a quick round. Maybe take Dawn. We can stay in."

"Good," he answered, holding the door open. "Want to be with you and the tots."



Draconius stalked the length of the red carpet, the fire blazing behind him. Luke had an unhealthy penchant for red. As if it reinforced his ability to be evil. All it did for Draconius was make his eyes hurt.

Luke stared into the monitor, watching the woman huddled in what looked to be a shed. "She's not doing a whole lot, Drac," Luke monitored, tapping the monitor with his index finger as that might spur her along. Like some might tap on the side of a fish tank thinking that might make the fish swim faster.

"She's not meant to, you moron," Draconius snapped, yanking the monitor from Luke's hand and setting it on a table. "Were she just to walk in there and start wreaking havoc on the masses, it wouldn't take the One long to figure it out."

"Oh," Luke sighed, leaning back in the chair. "You know, you don't need to get all huffy about it." He was quiet a minute. "Wanna go grab a beer and watch the torture trials? I think today is rock tossing at damned souls from 30 feet. Fun and excitement for the whole family," Luke taunted, bouncing on the red velvet cushion.

Draconius sighed. "Will it get you to shut up?"

Luke thought on that a moment. "Except for the cheering on of the torturers, yeah." Again, he stopped, gathering his thoughts. "How do we know that it worked?"

"She's there, correct?" Draconius explained, as if to a slow child.

"Yeah."

"The spell is doing all of the work. We sent her to find the One. If she got within 100 yards of them, the charm let loose the spell and their paths will cross," the old one continued. "She is our pawn for now. All she must do until we give her further instructions is wait. The spell will do the rest."

"Oh," Luke sighed again. "And what exactly will she do?"

"Do you ever listen?" Draconius huffed, making the fire flame up behind him. "I mean, I have explained to you a thousand times that the spell will cross the One. Confusing their power. And then, once we are sure that has been done, we will send her in for the Peacemaker."

"Oh," Luke chirped, pushing himself to his feet. "I mean, if you say so. You ready for that beer?"

Draconius shook his head. This would be the most trying alliance he'd had. And he'd thought the farm boy was a little short of brilliant. This git would likely drive him mad before he could ever succeed in their plans. "Provided you don't speak to *me*, yes."

"Let's do it," Luke sang cheerfully, heading out the door.

A soft knock sounded at her office door. Tara looked up, wondering who would be there. Campus was basically silent on the day after Christmas. No one should be wandering around the halls. It made Tara nervous.

As she approached the door, she could feel it, and it made her smile. Willow. She swung the wood against the carpet of the small office with a soft hiss. "Hey there," Willow chirped, holding two paper cups of coffee. "Thought you might need a break."

Tara leaned forward, letting a kiss press against her lover's cheek. "Absolutely," she answered. "Come on in."

Willow walked in, handing Tara a cup and flopping down on the couch. Tara sat down next to her, curling her legs underneath of her. "So, whatcha doing?"

"Making lesson plans for Wicca in US Universities and trying to figure out how not to be boring," Tara answered, smiling softly at her lover.

Willow chuckled. "You're never boring, baby."

The word rang between them for a moment and brought them back to the big honking thoughts that had hung in the air since Spike and Buffy had first brought it up last night. Baby. "Did...did you want to talk?"

"Talk about.not if you don't want to," Willow answered nervously. "I mean, we can."

"We should," Tara completed. "Oz came by this morning."

"He.he did?" Willow asked. "While I was sleepin'?"

Tara smiled. "I didn't want to wake you. He wanted to say he was sorry for how he treated me when we met before. And he wanted to make sure I knew where he stood. That he.he wanted to help us.if... if we want him to. And he wanted to be sure we knew that it might.well, the Werewolf thing. It could be hereditary. And he asked.He asked if we would be willing to let him be a part of the baby's life, if we decided to."

"Sounds like you talked about a lot," Willow sighed. "Was he there a long time?"

"Just for a few minutes. I think he felt like he needed to say it on his own. Without Spike and Buffy," Tara answered. "It was nice."

"Good," Willow said, her voice still thready with nervousness. She paused, her fingers running up the side of the coffee cup. "So.what.what are you thinking?"

Tara was quiet. Thinking was all she had done since it all came back up. Thinking about the implications of this. The how's, the why's, the what's. Should they? Shouldn't they? Who? And would it be easier or harder to have someone they knew as the father? But she came back to the same place she always did when she was confused. Instinct. And her instincts were telling her this was right. "I.I think that we should take him up on the offer."

The look on Willow's face was a mixture of utter shock and complete happiness. A frightened look, but not like seeing a big scary demon scared. Like happy scared. "You.you do?"

Tara smiled, taking Willow's hands. "It's up to you what we do from here. I mean, I will tell you how I feel and what I think, but I just feel like it's the right thing to do." She paused, watching Willow's face for a moment. "Spike was right. We've been talking about this way too long. The answer just sort of got presented to us. Maybe that means we should trust it."

"Yeah," Willow answered. "Yeah," she repeated with a little more conviction. "But.but how? And...and who?"

A sly smile broke on Tara's soft face. "I think we've made one big decision for the day. Let's not overdo it."

Willow giggled. "So, we're going to do this."

Tara nodded her reply. "Yes, we are."

To be contd.

Title: Sex in Twenty-First Century America (Chapter Nine of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Spike, Cyrus and Buffy discuss the events of the night before. But are the children safe while out with Dawn? Willow and Tara discuss their decision. Spike is given information regarding his daughter's fate that doesn't sit well with him. The Watchers begin to sort out what is happening in Sunnydale.



Sex in Twenty-First Century America

Giles leaned back in the overstuffed arm chair and threaded his hands together behind his head. He looked tired. And concerned. Basically a permanent expression for a Watcher. At least a Summers/Windsor girl Watcher. Cyrus shared the expression.

"Where is Emma now?" Cyrus asked, leaning forwards with his elbows on his knees.

"With Dawn," Buffy answered. "I think she was taking the kids out for ice cream and to play." She stopped a moment, thinking. "It. it *is* safe right? I mean, it's daylight."

The Watchers looked at each other. "You can't stop their lives, Buffy, but I think there is more to this than just coincidence or the natural progression of the One," Giles continued. He looked at both the Slayer and her Vampire for a long moment, watching their faces both tighten with concern. "Until we know what is causing this, or if it will progress much further, then I suspect it might be. wise. to keep Emma and William close. Not to let them go out unprotected."

Buffy jumped up, panic in her movements. She scanned the room for her jacket. "I'll go find them."

"Buffy, I am sure they're fine," Cyrus said, a weak smile on his face. "Besides, we've more to talk about."

Spike shot a warning glance at the Watcher and rose with Buffy. "You tell us to keep them close, as if you know something about what the bloody hell is happening, then expect us *not* to go and find them?"

Slowly, Cyrus nodded, understanding. "My apologies."

Buffy grabbed Spike's hand and he reached for his jacket. "Spike," she whispered softly. "We need to figure this out. Stay here and finish with the third degree. I'll go and get Dawn and the kids."

Spike looked at her as if she might've grown a second head. "Did our conversation outside mean *anything* to you, Buffy?"

She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "It did," Buffy answered firmly. "But we need to get a handle on this fast. If you help them, then maybe we won't have to think about that again for a while. All right?" He still looked at her as if she'd slaughtered a calf. "And I promise, if anything pops out, I will grab the kids and run. I don't want to fight without you at my back. And I won't. Okay?"

Sometimes, you just have to compromise. "All right," he conceded, nodding. "But if you see anything, don't rise to it, Pet. We don't know what's coming, and we don't know how to."

She silenced him, pressing her lips to his. Spike relaxed into the kiss, her hands stroking his arms. "I promise. I'll find them and be back before you know it."

"Right then," Spike sighed. "Be careful. I love you."

She grinned broadly. "Always"

Before he could respond, she turned, bolting out of the house.



"Don't you think he. he should... he should be here when we talk about this?" Tara asked, sitting down across the coffee table from Willow.

"Um. well, I mean. do you have any idea what you want to do?" Willow asked, sipping at a mug full of tea. "I mean, how."

"No," Tara asked. "I mean. do we. or should we?"

"Sleep with him?" Willow asked. She shuddered a bit. Not that she had a bad memory. But men had been out of her life in that respect for so long, she wasn't sure that she remembered what to do. Then again, she mused, it was probably like riding a bike. "And who. who. you know? The mom thing. Who gets to be the mom?"

Tara looked down, her fingers tracing the top of the cup. "Well, he's. he was your boyfriend, Willow. I. I mean. you would be the obvious choice. Not... not to mention that. well, I've sort of been gay all along."

It hadn't really occurred to Willow that Tara had never been with a man before. Ever. "You mean. you never *ever*."

Tara shook her head. "Nope."

"Oh," Willow gasped. "I mean. do you want to? I mean, not regularly because. ewww. but is it something you think you want to."

"Try?" Tara helped. "Not particularly. Although I guess it wouldn't be all bad."

"It's not," Willow answered, almost too quickly. Tara quirked an eyebrow, the side of her mouth twitching in a half smile. "I mean, it's got nothing on."

"I know," the shyer girl responded. "I know what you meant."

Willow was silent for a moment. "You'd. you'd be such a great mom," she sighed. "And, I don't know. there's something almost. sexy. about knowing you're going to carry our child."

"Goes both ways," Tara responded, that same hint of a smile and raise of an eyebrow decorating her pretty face. "So, what do we do?"

Willow sighed, leaning back into the chair. "I mean. we could go Artificial Insemination and they could try with both of us. It would double our chances."

"We could," Tara said, again smiling. Something about that smile made Willow tilt her head and study her. "But Spike is right, sort of crass as he might have seemed."

"About what *now*?" Willow groaned half-heartedly, rolling her eyes.

"If we are going to do this, we should just do it," Tara answered. "I mean, the... the package deal. It's worth a try."

Willow's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "You. you want to sleep with him? I mean, you and him and... The bed. and... And . sex?" She stuttered, gob smacked by the admission.

Tara had to laugh. "No, silly. Well, yeah. But not like that. I don't want to sleep with *Oz*. I want to sleep with you."

The redhead was lost. "What. what are you.You know that we don't really have all the. stuff. to make a baby."

The shy one had to laugh out loud at that. "I'm no medical student," she began, her smile now fully evident. "But I think I understand what it takes."

"So, how?" Willow wondered, still completely lost.

Tara smiled again. "I want to sleep with *you*, Willow. Always. But. what if he just happens to be there?"



"Spike, there is *nothing* else you can remember?" Giles pressed, leaning towards the Vampire. He didn't like the strained look on Spike's face. It was times like these he could remember in some part of his Watcher mind, that Spike still had a demon inside that was carefully controlled. That look on his face, when Buffy or the kids were in trouble, was the only real reminder that any of them had outside of battle.

"No," Spike answered curtly. "What you read from your little notebooks, what Buffy said, 'bout sums it up."

Cyrus sighed. "Look," he said quietly. "I know that you're upset, Spike. Worried. But we have information that there is movement on the Draconius. issue."

With that, Spike's eyes flew open and flashed yellow. "He's dead, Mate. Well and truly."

"And you know exactly how permanent that can be in this town," Giles responded succinctly. "Dead is relative. It means he has moved into another dimension. One in which we *think* he is trapped."

"You *think*!" Spike exploded. He stood with a jump, beginning to pace. "Why in bloody hell are you just telling us this now?"

"Because I just found out on a Council call yesterday morning," Cyrus responded quietly.

"Then you should've told us *yesterday* so my. so Buffy. my family. would not be out there alone right now," Spike snapped, beginning to pace the length of the couch.

"It was Christmas," Giles answered. "Neither you and Buffy, nor those children, have nearly enough normal moments in your lives. You needed to be letting them have a happy holiday, Spike. Be their . relatively. normal parents when you can. Show them life is not all about battle and worry."

"Ours *is*," Spike hissed, still stalking the room like a jungle cat.

Cyrus had to laugh. Giles soon joined in with him. Spike turned, his head jerking around to face the Watchers. "What? What's so bloody funny?"

Giles sighed as he giggled. "Yes, of course. We forgot you making Christmas dinner and origami hats for your children and practically molesting Buffy in front of your friends and family were about the battle."

Spike tried not to smile. Tried not to admit to the level of domesticity into which his life had settled. But he couldn't. The tension escaped with a rush of air between his lips. "Well that last bit can resemble battle. On occasion."

"No information needed," Giles commented, watching Spike settle back down on the couch. "So, just enjoy those moments when you can. If we had thought the threat to be imminent, we would have told you sooner. As it stands, it's more rumour."

Cyrus still chuckled to himself. "That was quite good green bean casserole, Spike."

"Sod off," Spike hissed, tossing an aggravated glare at the newer Watcher. "You'd learn to cook as well if you had Buffy preparing your meals. We'd all be wasting away."

Cyrus just continued chuckling.

"Back to the point, and the conversation that we had with Council headquarters. There is information that Draconius may be trying to upset the balance in this dimension, in order to create enough confusion to extract Emma," Giles continued, his tone concerned, but lighter than before. It was easier to speak frankly if one didn't have to wonder if the person with which one was speaking might lose his temper and rip your tongue out.

"I thought you said he was trapped," Spike questioned, letting his arm drape over the side of the couch. The worry was still there. If Buffy wasn't back in half an hour, he was going to find them, Watchers or no.

"He is," Cyrus responded. "We know that to free him, it will take a mystical confluence. A series of events occurring all at once, and those events could not have happened yet. Not to mention, we aren't exactly sure what they are." The last words trailed off in the hopes that Spike might not hear them.

No such luck.

"If you aren't sure what they *are*, oh mighty Watcher, then how are you sure they haven't happened?" Spike snarked, the tone coming back into his voice.

"For one," Cyrus answered, his voice wavering. Spike was not going to like this no matter how he put it. "Emma must be an adult. Reached physical maturity." Maybe I can leave it there, he thought. But Spike was giving him a look that said he knew there was more and would wait only so long to be told before beginning to remove the Watcher's body parts. "And . and."

"Oh, spit it out, Cyrus," Spike growled. "Haven't got all bloody day."

Cyrus looked at Giles. "Spike, for this to happen, she will not be. there will have to be a . an ... event. to make her not completely pure. Not wholly sacred. Not that she will in any way be bad. But..."

"Spike," Giles finally interrupted, saving Cyrus from saying it. "Part of what has to happen for the confluence to occur is a chink in her armour. She will not be a virgin."

It took a moment for Spike to register that. To fully take in what the Watchers were saying. They were talking about a five year old's future sex life. That was bad enough. But his *daughter's*. That was worse. His breaths came in quick, angry pants and he could feel the blood boiling just beneath the skin. But he controlled himself. "Well, that's easy enough to handle. Just won't let her near boys. Chastity belts will be in fashion. Been thinking bout that anyway."

"Spike," Giles sighed again. "I know this is a subject that you do not want to discuss, and there is no need to do so now. But it is proof that Draconius cannot be released from his dimension. Still, you must think. Times are not as they were when you were a child. Nor even me. Look at. even look at Buffy's generation."

That did it. Spike stood, angrier by the moment. "If you're asking me to think of the. to think of what. Buffy. even what *I* did with Buffy... before. No."

"I'm not asking any such thing," Giles answered. "What I am saying is that protecting her from what has come to be a normal young woman's life will be much more difficult. Even with the highest of moral standards, women in love do odd and out of character things."

Spike grumbled, crossing his arms. "I'll chain her to a wall then. Or me. Put one of those ankle collar things on her so I can track her every move."

"Oh, and Buffy will certainly agree to that," Giles countered. "Chaining your daughter to a wall."

The Vampire sighed, sitting down again. "No," he said. "But who's to say she can stop me?"

Cyrus and Giles looked at each other and sighed. "Spike, if you aren't fully aware of your completely whipped status, then we shouldn't be the ones to tell you."

"I'm not.!" Spike snapped, and then sighed, resigned. "All right. So I am. But that doesn't mean that I have no say in the matter."

"No, it doesn't," Cyrus said simply. "But you will have to accept that children do grow up. They become teenagers. And then adults. Like you or Buffy."

"Oh God," Spike sighed, burying his head in his hands. "I was just getting the hang of this bit. Sod all. How am I expected to do this?"

"You'll figure it out," Giles answered compassionately. "It'll be easier with Will. But this isn't something supernatural. Anya and I, Xander and Takina, we'll all have a whole new world of worries when they're older."

"So nice of you to remind me," Spike snarked. "Can't we just. I don't know, keep 'em tots a while longer?"

"Alas no," Giles sighed. "We will have to brave the frontiers like the warriors that we are. But, at least your mind should be at ease that Draconius cannot escape."

"Bloody hell," Spike sighed. "So, if the wanker is trapped, why are we worried about him?"

"Well," Cyrus began again. "It is proxy movement we have come to be concerned about."

Spike furrowed his brow. "Not sure I'm understanding."

"For example," Giles began. "When you still had your chip, we knew you could not feed directly on humans, correct?"

"Right," Spike drew out, trying to follow.

"But you could've had another Vampire do the killing and then feed from the corpse," Giles continued. "Therefore not activating the chip, but still harming a human by proxy."

"Didn't though. Grew a damned conscience somewhere along the way," Spike corrected.

"But you could have," Cyrus said. "You could have had minions actually execute the mayhem, and you just sit back and watch."

Spike nodded. "S'pose I could've."

"Right," Giles responded. "So, it isn't impossible that Draconius has found a way to send another to this dimension, or several others, to execute his plans in his absence." Giles paused for a moment. "I doubt highly he's grown a conscience."

"How could he manage that?" Spike asked, now leaning forward, hands clasped between his knees.

"Any number of ways. Enchant another being. A spell. It would have to have a vessel in this dimension. And Draconius is arrogant. He'd not trust the free will of another, no matter how evil. He would want a shell. An automaton. And would most likely have this shell mindlessly do his bidding via some sort of animation or enchantment," Cyrus continued.

"Like a robot," Giles continued. "One that is either programmed to do his bidding. Or carries some sort of vessel for a spell that will do the work for him."

Spike thought for a moment. "I haven't. I mean, how would we know?"

"Of that, I am not sure," Cyrus responded. "But this is why we keep asking if there is anything else that happened before the battle last night. Trying to narrow down the research. We need to be precise. If nothing unusual strikes you, we need to be delving into the Prophesy of the One rather than bothering with Draconius. What could cause it to overlap between the both of you or if this is natural progression. If something else happened, then possibly, we need to be on alert for activity from Draconius."

"We need to do that either way, Mate," Spike responded, leaning back against the couch. A thought occurred to him like a bolt of lightning and his hand slapped to his chest. "Wait."

"What?" Giles asked, leaning forward with interest. "Do you remember something?"

Spike furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of it. "When Buffy and I walked into the cemetery, something odd happened. Felt like something passed right through me. Through my chest. I remember looking at her and she sort of snapped back, like she'd taken a blow. But nothing was there. Checked her over myself and not a scratch on her pretty little head."

"Nothing on either of you? Cyrus asked.

"No," Spike replied, focusing again on the Watchers. "Thought it might've been something we ate. Or the wind. Or maybe even some wayward spirit. But didn't seem to do anything. Just odd."

"Could be a spell," Cyrus said to Giles. "Or some sort of controlling mechanism."

"Could be," Giles responded. He turned to Spike. "The same spot on each of you?"

"When I looked at her, her hand was slapped to her heart. Same with me," Spike answered, wondering why it hadn't occurred to him before. "But nothing else. I mean, nothing more than the normal One bit. Feeling her thoughts. Getting in each other's heads."

"Right," Giles said. "Gives us a place to start, though. You're right; we need to watch Draconius either way. But I think it's time we paid some attention to the Prophesy of the One as well."

Spike nodded. "You're free to research here," he commented. "Could probably help."

"That'd be good," Giles answered. "Could you have the others come by later? We all need to be on the same page."

"Maybe you can make another green bean casserole," Cyrus rubbed in. Spike lunged forward, growling jokingly.

Just then, the door swung open. Buffy rushed in, her eyes nervous and afraid. "Spike!"

His heart sank in his chest, looking at her pretty, frightened eyes. He was out of the chair and halfway to the door before she could finish. 'What is it, love?"

Her voice was thready. "It's Will."

To be contd.

Title: Until the Next Apocalypse (Chapter Ten of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Willow and Tara come to talk to Buffy about their decision. Draconius is concerned about the effectiveness of their plan. Will they have to step up the pace? Buffy finds Dawn and the kids, but something has happened to Will.

Until the Next Apocalypse



They walked up the sidewalk in silence, hand in hand. It was too odd a concept. Too. progressive of them. They needed to bounce this one off of Buffy. Sure, Spike would probably be put out that he set this all in motion and they wanted to talk to her, but Willow couldn't imagine discussing this with any man. At least any man who wasn't directly involved.

"What do you think she'll say?" Tara asked, her fingers wound around Willow's.

A sly smile broke on the redhead's face. "I think.I think for the first time ever, it will be us making her blush."

"You know she'll tell Spike," Tara responded, holding back her own grin. "And.and then he'll look at us all."

"Leery," Willow contributed, raising an eyebrow.

"No," her lover giggled. "But he'll wonder. he'll be all. proud of himself."

"He's always like that," Willow answered as they turned the corner onto Revello. "But I don't think he'll tell. You know. Xander. And. and Giles."

Tara's face went blank a moment and she stopped in her tracks. "Giles? Oh Willow, what if. what would they think?"

The redhead turned to face her love. "Who. cares? I mean, this is our decision, right?"

"Right," Tara agreed. "So, why are we telling Buffy?"

"To see if it's the right one?" Willow answered timidly. "Oh, I don't know, sweetie. Because we want to be right."

Tara smiled. "We are."

The woman heard the scream from her space in the shed in the back. Something about that scream. The sound. The tone. It was so familiar. And there was a child wailing. That child. The pitch, the *soul* of the sound reverberated in her ears.

Do souls make a sound?

She dropped to her belly, trying to look out under the bottom wooden beam. Nothing. There was a dog in the yard, but he hadn't noticed her yet. The dead, or the reanimated dead, must not have a smell.

Do spirits have a smell?

There was nothing in her line of sight but a fence. And the dog. And a flower bed that needed tending. Some swings. But the sound carried to her. It carried right into her mind, her spirit. Why can't I remember? She thought ruefully. What pained her more was that curiosity was the only thing she felt. The part of her that cared was missing. Even worse was the fact that she knew it had once been there.

That she had once cared.



Spike flew out the door behind Buffy, nearly knocking her down as they both hurdled the steps. Dawn was on her knees on the ground, hovering over something. She was blocking Spike's view. Emma stood on the sidewalk nearly silently, her hands folded in front of her, her fingers nervously threading in and out.

"He. he fell," Buffy panted as they made it to Dawn. "Dawn said he on the swings one minute and the next there was."

Part of Spike relaxed. This was normal drama. Not Draconius has stolen my family theatre. But then he saw the boy, his small, gentle face coated in blood, his little arm cocked at a weird angle. A dam in the Vampire's heart burst and sheer panic threatened to take control.

"Spike?" Giles called from the porch.

"Page Takina. Number's by the phone," Spike shouted back, scooting Dawn over and dropping to his knees next to the boy. William was wailing, hitching sobs coming out of his small, bloody mouth.

"Buffy, can you get some supplies? I'll bring him into the house," Spike said, sliding his hands under the little boy. William looked up at him with wet and frightened blue eyes.

"Daddy?" His voice was shaky.

"S'alright," Spike whispered, pulling the child against him, holding the arm in place. "Be right as rain."

The boy cried quietly against his chest, burrowing his face into Spike's shirt. "Hurts," he sobbed.

"I know, Will," Spike answered.

"Should we call an ambulance?" Cyrus asked as Spike bustled past Dawn, intent on getting the boy inside. Emma grabbed his belt loop as he went past, tagging quietly behind.

Spike didn't speak, brushing past the Watchers and carrying the boy into the kitchen, where the light was best. "Is he. is he going to be okay?" Dawn asked timidly, her arms crossed over her chest, tears running down her face.

"You were supposed to be watching him," Buffy snapped at her sister, pulling medical supplies out of the cabinet and lining them up within Spike's reach. Dawn cringed into the corner.

"I was," Dawn answered quietly. "Emma. she wanted me to watch her on the jungle gym. I just turned my head and."

"If you can't handle them both, don't take them," Buffy stated again, setting a bowl of water on the counter as Spike worked off the child's shirt.

"I. I'm sorry," Dawn whispered.

"Not good enough," Buffy pressed, her voice full of venom, her face covered in tears.

"Buffy, I."

"Enough," Spike stated simply. "Dawn, please go to your room. Giles, when Takina calls back, let her know that I'm bringing Will into the hospital. Cyrus, I'd ask you keep an eye on Emma." His voice was neutral, but Buffy could feel his mind working overtime, trying not to fall apart at the sight of their son. "Buffy?"

She stood stock still, staring at Spike, biting her lip. Her body was as tense as wire. He softened looking at her. "Love, can you grab a blanket and one of those soft elastics."

"A... an ace bandage?" She stuttered, watching Spike dab blood off of William's face. The little boy stared up at his father as if he was hypnotized. Buffy wondered if Spike did have some kind of thrall the way William just stared intently at his dad.

"Yes, Pet," Spike answered, his concentration on William.

"Is... is it bad?" She asked, her voice quaking, her heart thumping in her chest. He could feel her body like a rubber band ready to snap.

Spike turned to look at her. Terror was in her eyes. She'd seen demons and hell gods, even watched people die, but she was falling apart at the sight of Will. Hell, Spike thought. He was close to falling apart. "No, Love. But he needs to go to hospital. Think his arm's broken."

"The... the blood?" Buffy asked.

Spike chuckled. "Split his lip. Probably did worse to me last week. Bleeds like a sodding fountain. "He turned his attention back to her, watching her face a moment. "It's all right, Buffy. Just go get what I said and we'll both take him." He nodded at her encouragingly, trying to break his brave Slayer out of being paralyzed by fear. "It'll be right as rain, Pet," Spike's hand cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the contours of her face. "Be home before nightfall, but we have to move fast."

Buffy nodded, shaking her head a little, feeling a bit entranced herself. She leaned down, kissing Will's cheek and tore off out of the room in a blaze of energy fueled by fear and anger and upset.

~~~~~~~~

Draconius stood, sipping brandy from a paper cup. Luke had not told him that their torture rallies, as the resident hell god had referred to this nightmare, was something akin to that horrid television show his younger minions insisted on watching when Draconius had been on Earth. Smackside or something like that.

More of just a testosterone driven free for all, but this time it was real. The torturers did seem to have a right good time of things, but their methods were uncreative to Draconius's more refined tastes. Much evil can be done in the absence of barbarism.

A beeping sound made Luke spin, stopping his wildly flailing arms and bellowing screams of glee. As the hell god turned to grab the small device on his belt, his beer upended on Draconius, covering the elder one in smooth, amber liquid.

Draconius stood, eyes ablaze, waiting, wanting one false move so that he could challenge this hell god to power over this dimension. One flaw in his rule itself other than just being rather annoying. But Luke just shrugged. "Sorry, Drac. Didn't see ya there."

"Been here the whole time," Draconius seethed as Luke released the device from his belt, unfolding the metal into his hand and making a little humming noise. "Well," Draconius continued, "What is it?"

"Well, first off, it's time to feed the dogs," Luke chirped. "Oh," he cooed, his finger rolling down the screen. 'And *I* have a date with a three breasted prostitute." He looked at Draconius. "She was on Jerry Springer before she kicked it. Sorry, but you're going to do something *else* for a while."

Draconius took a deep breath, trying to control his boiling blood. "Anything of any importance?"

"Hey, Candy is important," Luke snapped, nodding generously. "They're not small breasts."

"About our *plan*" Draconius seethed.

"Oh!" The hell god replied, hitting a button on the little device and bringing a screen into view. "Looks like she's just hanging out. Listening to something."

"Can you tell what?" Draconius asked, trying to peer over Luke's broad shoulder at the picture.

Luke turned the sound up and the wail of a small child and the shouting of several frightened voices filled the air. Luke cringed, turning the sound down. "Dunno. Kiddy took a nose dive?"

Draconius studied the woman's face. She seemed confused. Afraid. Curious. He could almost feel her wondering, waiting, trying to figure out what was so familiar. It was too much like concern for the Old One's liking. "We will have to move faster."

"What?" Luke asked, shaking his head. "Why? She's not in the open. Doing *just* fine." He waved his hand in the air as if their current predicament was nothing.

"She's too close. She's starting to wonder and where there is curiosity, there is desire. Where there is desire, there is will. We must have her begin tonight."

"After my date with Candy?" Luke asked, looking down at Draconius with large, puppy dog eyes.

Draconius sighed, shaking with anger. "I don't suppose you'll last that long, anyway. Two organs at work and only enough blood for one. Be gone. But we will have to start tonight."

Takina came into the examining room, shaking her head and smiling. Buffy sat on the table, Will in her lap as Spike paced the room like a jungle cat. She had to chuckle. This family needed a live in physician.

"Well," she began. "It seems that our boy did break his wee arm," she cooed, lifting William up and kissing his cheek.

"Is it bad?" Buffy asked, suddenly without anything to hold onto. Just as she thought it, Spike slid onto the table beside her, pulling her head against his shoulder.

"It's a clean break," Takina said. "Not to mention, the bones are already starting to knit. We need to get this set pronto."

Spike quirked a brow. "Accelerated healing?"

"Looks like it," Takina said, cradling the boy against her. "Not quite up to Slayer or Vampire speed, but we took two sets of x-rays and the change was noticeable to me. Small enough that one of the regulars wouldn't have picked it up."

"But you were looking for it," Buffy replied, nodding, the crown of her head brushing Spike's shoulder as she moved.

"Well, might as well look when we have the opportunity." The doctor hoisted the now sedated little boy against her hip and looked at the couple. They looked war torn and heart sick. "It's just a broken arm," she commented, smiling. "Happens all the time. Kids fall."

"It's Will's broken arm," Buffy said, sounding almost childlike.

Takina smiled softly. "He'll be fine in. two weeks at this rate," she comforted. "Oh," She was walking through the door when she spoke. "Don't be too hard on Dawn. You know how it is watching them. It could've happened to any of us."

Spike nodded, pulling Buffy closer and watching the Doctor walk through the doors.



The house was crowded when Spike opened the door. Pony was laid out on the bottom step, growling until he saw his master's face, and then licking his hand in recognition. The Watchers sat in their chairs, Willow and Xander facing them on the couch, culling through dusty tomes. Emma sat on the floor, watching cartoons, pressed against Cyrus's chair.

"Hey!" Willow said, hopping up as Buffy followed Spike through the door, a sleeping little boy with a bright yellow cast cradled against her chest.

"Hi," Buffy whispered, letting Spike shut the door behind her.

"How is he?" Xander asked, moving towards the door.

"Broken arm. Split lip. Bloody nose," Buffy said quietly. "I should put him to bed."

"Be right up, Pet," Spike said, kissing the little boy's head and turning back towards the group as Buffy made her way up the stairs. "Where are Glinda and the Niblet?"

"Haven't you learned our names by now?" Xander complained half heartedly. Spike looked tired. He didn't want to press too hard.

"Yes, *git*," Spike commented, annoyed. "Where are they?" He sighed.

"Tara is making dinner. Dawn sort of locked herself in her room," Willow said, looking down. "I think she feels pretty bad about..."

Spike nodded, cutting the sentence off. "Wasn't her fault. Nothing too serious. Anya?"

"Work," Giles replied. "The nanny will bring Randy by on the way past, if that's all right with you."

Spike nodded. "He can stay in Will's room. Buffy'll want to."

"Daddy?" Emma asked, turning away from the television.

Spike walked towards her, crouching down in front of the little girl. "What is it, Mite?"

"Will can stay with me. If. if he's scared."

"Thank you," Spike said quietly. "We'll see what your mum wants."

"K," Emma agreed, nodding. "Is he okay?"

"He'll be right as rain," Spike answered, smiling softly and tousling her blonde curls. "You been proper while we were gone?"

"Yes, daddy," she answered, smiling.

"Good," he answered, kissing the crown of her head. "I promised Will I'd take him to the Zoo when he's up to it. Would you want to join us manly types?"

She grinned, her face lightening up. "Unhunh," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Spike asked, pulling away enough to look at her pretty eyes.

She was quiet, worrying her lip. "I. I told Aunt Dawn to look at me. I was. I was trying to show her that I could swing by my knees." Her words trailed off.

Spike rested his forehead against hers. "Not your fault, Mite. Not your Aunt Dawn's fault. Just an accident."

"You.You're not mad?" Emma asked, her face heavy with guilt. Spike shook his head, his forehead still pressed to hers. "Is. is mummy?"

"No," Spike said softly. "She's not mad. Just a little frightened is all."

"Okay," Emma accepted, her nose rubbing his in an Eskimo kiss.

"Stay put with the rest while I check on Will, then?"

"Yes," she answered. "I'll be good."

"Always," Spike answered, ruffling her hair again. He stood, walking back to the stairs. Xander and Willow were watching him with soft grins on their faces, like people who had seen something almost embarrassingly sweet. "What?" Spike huffed as he got to the stairs.

"You're so whipped," Xander answered, still grinning.

"You're one to talk," Spike shot back, taking off up the stairs.

"Buffy?"

The voice was meek. She sounded as if she had been crying for hours. Buffy turned to face her, eyes tired and wet. "Hey."

"Is. is he alright?" Dawn asked, making her way slowly, tentatively, to the edge of the little boy's bed.

Buffy looked down. It was actually kind of cute, now that it was over. Will was out like a light, wearing a t-shirt Takina had found for him at the hospital. It was black. That coupled with the ruffled blonde hair made him look so much like his dad. Buffy smiled. "He's going to be fine, Dawnie."

"Good," Dawn whispered. "I. You know I."

"Know you didn't mean it, Nibs," Spike said quietly, walking into the room. "Same would've happened if Buffy or I had been there."

Dawn looked from Spike back to Buffy. Buffy nodded, agreeing. "Dawn, I didn't mean to snap at you before."

"I know," Dawn said quietly. "I just. don't not trust me with them."

"There is no one I trust more," Buffy said quietly, wrapping her arm around the quaking girl in front of her.

"If it helps any, she'd likely have knocked my teeth out had it have been me," Spike commented, sitting down behind Buffy on the edge of the bed.

'Would not," Buffy countered, shaking her head. Spike looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "Well, maybe one."

"So... so you're not mad. at me?" Dawn asked, stroking Will's hair. She loved those kids as much as if they had been her own. The last thing she wanted to do was let Buffy or Spike down.

"No, Niblet," Spike said softly, nuzzling the back of Buffy's neck as he spoke. He couldn't have been that close to her and not touched her.

Dawn smiled. "The cast is as big as he is."

"And yellow," Buffy chirped. "Worlds of yellow." Spike chuckled against her.

"His choice," Spike commented.

Dawn was quiet a moment, teeth rolling her bottom lip. "So. you really aren't mad? You aren't all worried that I'll take them out and let horrible things happen to them."

"No," Buffy sighed. "But you will owe some baby sitting overtime."

Dawn shrugged. "All right. If I have to."

"Staying in tonight, though," Spike said softly, the hum of worry buzzing through his veins yet again. Something was coming. He could feel it. He could feel Buffy knew it as well.

"Can I.?" Dawn asked tentatively.

"You can patrol with Willow and Xander," Buffy agreed. "But try not to ruin my shirt."

Dawn looked down sheepishly. "Oops."

"Oops," Buffy repeated, smiling. She ran her hand over her sister's dark hair. "You all right?"

"Yeah," Dawn smiled warily. "Until the next apocalypse."

To be contd.

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