Another two months pasted uneventful. Spike and Buffy both agreed to push back the wedding. They had more important things they had to take care of. None of them were sure if they were dealing with another apocalypse. They wanted to be prepared for it. Buffy and Spike still haven’t seen their baby yet, but were getting excited about the moment. They still looked lovingly at each other knowing they had created a life and a life together.

“Buffy, Xander and Anya are here,” Dawn called. Buffy was in the back training with Giles. They agreed that she would train until she was tired or she was too big to train. Even pregnant, Buffy was in the best shape of her life. She was becoming self-conscious about her body around Spike or anyone at fact. She had gained a small, swollen stomach and she was beginning to show.

Buffy walked out of the training room and stopped in her tracks. She saw Dawn standing next to Spike, who was holding two month old Brandon. Spike was smiling and laughing with Xander. Two of them agreed to call it truce and became friends. She still couldn’t get over watching Spike hold a baby or an infant. It was a glimpse in the future. It looked so natural. It was like Spike was meant to be a father. Buffy was pulled out of her trance by the touch of Giles’s hand. She looked up and smiled.

“Hey,” Buffy greeted finally getting over the scene. Spike walked over and kissed Buffy on the cheek.

“Did you have a nice training session?” Spike asked. Buffy sighed.

“Sure, when I didn’t have to use the bathroom every six minutes,” Buffy complained. Anya laughed.

“I definitely don’t miss those days. I like having my child with my husband and having our sweaty…”

“Anya, we do have a kid in the room and I’m sure you have money to check on,” Xander interrupted. Spike tried his best to fight back his laughs. Buffy slapped him on the arm.

“Xander, do you mind if I hold Brandon?” Dawn asked eagerly. Xander smiled.

“Of course not, Dawnie,” Xander answered. Dawn took Brandon from Spike’s arms. Buffy couldn’t get over how cute Xander’s kid was. He had brown eyes like Xander and a mixture of his mother and father’s hair color.

“So, how are things over at the high school?” Xander asked Buffy. Buffy shrugged.

“The Principle Wood is a bit strange and the kids don’t even come in,” Buffy answered. Spike massaged her shoulders. He felt the tension in her shoulder.

“Should we be afraid of the principle? His office is on top of the hell mouth. He might turn evil,” Xander said walking to the lower level of shop. Buffy sighed.

“I’ve been watching him intently and I don’t see out of the ordinary about him. He still seems very principally and he is actually cooler then Snyder.”

“Lucky, kids. I would have been happier in high school with out Snyder. Of course the coyote kids had to go and eat Principle Fluty. I still can’t believe I hate the pig.” Spike looked at Xander strangely as he sat down at the table. Xander shrugged. Buffy walked off so the two could talk.

“It’s a long story.”

“I bet it’s an entertaining one and I want to hear it,” Spike said with a mischief grin on his face. Xander rolled his eyes.

“I held a coyote soul in my body and I fed on flesh. Buffy took the spell off of me and me as good as new. Of course I can’t eat anything that has to do with pig.” Spike chuckled. Even imaging Xander killing was entertaining. Spike looked up and saw Buffy talking to Anya. He figured they were talking about pregnancy and mother things.

“Has Buffy told you any of our horror stories?” Xander asked getting Spike’s attention back. Spike looked at him and shrugged.

“Ok, this one will entertain you. We had to sell candy for school…” Giles looked up realizing what story he was talking about.

“Now Xander, I’m sure you have some work to do,” Giles said interrupting the conversation. Spike could tell it was juicy. He looked at Xander. Xander was chuckling.

“Yeah, I have to finish repairing some weapon shelves in the training room,” Xander answered. He looked at Spike. “Want to help?” Spike nodded and headed to the back with Xander. Xander started to work on the shelves as Spike sat on the couch.

“You were saying about the candy,” Spike began. Xander nodded.

“Ah, yes the candy. Well the candy had a spell in it that turned Grown-Ups to teenagers. Well, get this, it turns out Giles was a wild teenager going by the name Ripper.” Xander laughed just thinking about Giles wild and rebellious. Spike couldn’t help but laugh. Book man in there was wild and crazy teen. Who would have thought? After Xander caught his breath and continued.

“Buffy’s mom and Giles were hanging out like teens and he bet up a cop. I’ll never forget Buffy’s face when she told Willow and me this, Giles and Joyce had sex on top of the cop car twice.” Spike’s mouth fell open. His shock turned into hysterical laughter.

Buffy looked at the closed door to the training room. Everyone could hear Spike and Xander laughing. Anya and Buffy looked at each other and smiled.

“I haven’t heard Xander like that in awhile,” Anya said with a small smile on her face. “I guess he’s pretty happy he has another male to exchange male stories to.” Buffy nodded. She looked over at Giles. He was cleaning up some of the shelves that didn’t need to be cleaned. Spike and Xander walked out of the training room holding there sides. After the story they both shared a few jokes. Buffy and Anya watched them intently wondering what they were laughing about. Spike finally caught his breath. He looked at Giles and burst out laughing again.

“Ok, what’s the big crack up?” Buffy asked putting her hands on her hips. Spike looked at her still laughing.

“Giles…Ripper…Joyce…” Spike couldn’t say another word. It was too funny. Something clicked in Buffy’s brain telling her what they were laughing about.

“XANDER! YOU TOLD HIM ABOUT GILES AND MY MOM!” Buffy exclaimed.

“How could I not?” Xander asked as he felt Giles’s icy glare on him. Xander stifled a laugh. Buffy pushed Spike. He looked at her and tried to stop laughing.

“Sorry, love. I can’t help it. It’s nice to know watcher isn’t all nacy boy. His old days sound like mine when I turned,” Spike said with a smile. Giles dropped the statue on his foot.

“BLOODY HELL!” Giles yelled in pain. Anya put Brandon down in his jumper and let him play with his rattle.

“You didn’t break the statue did you?” Anya asked worriedly. Giles looked at her annoyed.

“No, Anya, I didn’t break the statue,” Giles answered. He looked over at Spike and painted his fingers. “My old days are nothing like yours. I didn’t put spikes through peoples’ heads.” Spike turned white as a memory flashed in front of him. The blood pooling under the heads. The life was taken by an instant. He had killed so many.

“Giles,” Buffy hissed. Her hand on Spike’s shoulder. She looked at him concerned. She sat down next to Spike.

“Sweetie, don’t listen to him. It’s in the past now. I know you have changed since then,” Buffy whispered gently. Spike had to be a strong man. He couldn’t be a nacy boy. That was Peaches’s job. He wasn’t going to be weepy Willie. His anger over fused him and he knew exactly what to say to him.

“Look here, Rupert, I may not be Peaches, but I do have bloody feelings. You seemed like you are mister perfect but if I remember correctly you were never elected saint Giles.” Buffy looked over at Giles and sighed. This wasn’t going to be pretty.

“Yes, Spike, I might not be perfect but I never done the gruesome things that you have. I’m not a monster and I never was.” Spike clinched his jaw. He stood up and got into Giles’s face.

“I have to live with it every single day of my life. I am not a monster…not any more. You seemed to forget I’m a bloody human like you. I could care less of your soding rebellious stage. As long as I am with Buffy you will pay me some sort of respect.” Spike clinched his teeth. He stepped back out and threw up in his hands.

“The least you can do, Rupert. I gave you some sort of bloody respect,” Spike called over his shoulder before walking out of the shop and slamming the door. Buffy sat there stunned. She swallowed a lump in her throat. Tears welled in her eyes.

“You just had to bring up the past didn’t you,” Buffy said before running into the training room. Dawn looked up from her math book. Xander looked over at Dawn. Her arms were crossed and shaking her head.

“He’s been having non-stop nightmares of his past,” Dawn said out load. “Every night, he wakes up shaking and almost in tears about his fears of becoming that monster again. God, Giles, if you only saw the pain in Spike’s face and how scared and hurt Buffy is feeling watching it happen in front of her. You would feel so bad for him. He strong during the day but by the time he goes to sleep he is as strong as a baby.” Xander looked at the table distant. Giles had a sorry look on his face.

“Nice work, G-man. You probably screwed up the slayer and Spike,” Xander said getting up from the table. He picked up the sleeping Brandon and Anya grabbed the diaper bag. They all walked out of the shop. Willow walked in and saw the sorrowful looks on Xander and Anya. She looked at Dawn. She looked majorly up set.

“Ok, what’s ever one upset about?” Willow asked concerned. Dawn closed her book and put it in her book bag.

“Giles brought up Spike’s early days,” Dawn said standing up. She put her book bag on her shoulder and trotted off to check on her sister. Willow shook her head at Giles.

“Giles, how could you? Did anyone bother going after Spike?” Willow asked hurt. Giles shook his head.

“Everyone has been giving me the third degree,” Giles answered.

“Well, good you deserve it. You should have known with him being only human for four months that he is still coping with his past. I mean he has done some horrible things.” Dawn walked out of the training room with Buffy.

“We are going to head home,” Buffy said sadly. Willow shot a dirty look at Giles and then walked down and hugged Buffy.

“Would mind if I came by later and see how Spike is doing?” Willow asked. Buffy gave a sad smile.

“I think he’ll like that, Will,” Buffy answered. She and Dawn then left the magic shop hoping the Spike will be at home.

“Spike?” Buffy called when they got home. Spike emerged from the kitchen into the long hallway.

“Yes, love?” Spike said trying to keep an ease face. Buffy smile sadly. She walked over to him and hugged him.

“I was afraid you weren’t going to be here,” Buffy whispered in his ear. Spike pulled back. He looked at her seriously.

“You think I would skip out on my favorite girls and my kid because of the Bugger, I highly doubt it, love. They would have to knock me unconscious and give me amnesia to get me away from you guys,” Spike assured her. She smiled and kissed him gently on the lips. She got a whiff of the air.

“Mmm. What are you cooking?” Buffy asked feeling her stomach grumble. Spike smiled.

“I figured I would cook you guys some nice pasta with meat balls and French bread,” Spike answered. Buffy smiled.

“You know how to get to this girl’s heart.” Buffy walked into the kitchen and tasted the sauce. She fell in love with it. Spike walked over and wrapped his arms around her. She dipped her finger in the sauce and put it up to Spike’s mouth. He sucked it off of her finger. Dawn stood in the doorway with a smile trying not to laugh.

“Let’s hold off on the sexapades for later,” Dawn said with a huge smile on her face. Buffy looked at Dawn and shift uneasily in Spike’s arm.

“I just wanted to make sure he tasted his sauce,” Buffy lied. Dawn finally broke out in laughter.

“Yeah, and Spike built the Buffy Bot to play chess with,” Dawn said sarcastically. Buffy looked up at Spike.

“I did have it built to play chess,” Spike lied. He lend over to Buffy’s ear. “Of course we played naked.” Buffy pushed him playfully.

“Agh! You perv,” Buffy said playfully disgusted. Dawn walked out of the room when she heard the doorbell ring. She opened it and smiled. Xander and Anya standing in the doorway.

“We wanted to see how Spike was,” Xander explained. Dawn moved out of the way to let them in.

“Well, he’s fine now, but tonight I guarantee him freaking out,” Dawn said sadly. They heard laughing in the kitchen. Xander headed towards the kitchen.

“I wouldn’t go in there if I were you. They are having their flirtatious games. It’s revolting.” Xander smiled at Dawn.

“Listen to Dawnie. She’s using such large words.” Dawn rolled her eyes and headed up to her room. Xander walked into the kitchen prepared what he might find. He saw Spike and Buffy tossing water at each other. They were doing the dishes. Xander crossed his arms and smiled. He hadn’t seen Buffy this in a few years. After she came back from the dead, she was dark and gloomy. She hardly smiled except at Christmas. She wasn’t this happy but that was the last time she had ever had that big of a grin on her face.

Buffy looked away from Spike and saw Xander standing there having a very entertaining grin on his face. She felt the blood rush to her face. Spike splashed her one more time then looked at Xander.

“Hey Xander, what bring you around our neck of the woods?” Spike asked with a triumph grin.

“Just wanted to see if you were up for dinner,” Xander lied.

***************

“Giles, you probably scared him off,” Willow complained worriedly. Giles looked at her sternly. She slid down her chair some. “Well you probably did.” He rolled his eyes and continued with his shop papers.

“Giles, maybe w…we should…g…get more h…help,” Tara suggested. Giles looked up at her.

“Help with what?” Giles asked confused. Tara looked over at Willow then back at Giles. They were glad the Magic Shop was closed for the night.

“With…s…slaying,” Tara answered. Giles looked at both at them.

“I thought Buffy was doing fine on slaying,” Giles said with a questionable look on his face.

“No…it’s just…” She looked over at Willow. Willow let out a hard sigh.

“It’s just the fact Buffy is pregnant and ….Spike is still healing some. We don’t have anyone protecting Sunnydale,” Willow finished Tara’s sentence. Giles sighed and nodded.

“I agree but what can we do about it?” Tara looked over at Willow knowing she was going into dangerous territory.

“I-We….w….were thinking that a…Angel could take over…for a w…while.” Giles let out a hard sigh. He was afraid they were going to say that. He was thinking the same thing. They needed Angel and his gang to help fight the demons here while Buffy is pregnant.

“I was thinking the same thing after hearing Buffy was pregnant. This fight has to be fought by her but we have no choice. We can’t have her lose the baby because of her duty. I do think we should discuss this with Buffy and Spike. It is their decision.”

**********

“Absolutely not!” Buffy yelled standing up from her chair. Her hands on her hips frustrated. Spike looked up at Buffy. She had a right to be angry. There was no way he was going to let Peaches back into Buffy’s life. They had created a happy life together. Things really did change and he knew Buffy loved him with all her heart. There were times where he didn’t wonder if she was thinking about him, but he never said anything.

“Rupert, regretfully, made a point, love,” Spike said taking her hand into his and sitting her down on his lap. She looked at him hurt and confused.

“You want Angel here?” Buffy asked shocked. Spike looked at her with huge eyes.

“Of course not, love. It’s just you are pregnant and you have a chance of hurting the little bit. We wouldn’t want to lose him do we?” Spike waited as Buffy’s faced softened and flashed a small smile.

“What makes you think it’s a he?” Buffy asked teasingly. Spike arched his scared eyebrow.

“It’s instinct, love,” Spike said with a sly smile. Buffy smiled and kissed him gently on the lips. Spike always knew a way of cheering her up. Spike gently caressed her arm. He looked back at Giles.

“So, you want to replace me with Angel,” Spike said in harsh husky voice. Giles stared at him stunned then found his voice.

“No, we wanted to make sure you were in fully recovered from you’re…uh…past. We wanted to make sure you are healthy mentally.” Xander sat on the couch next to Giles stunned.

“You are kidding right?” Xander said finally speaking up. Giles glanced over at him.

“I’ve never kidded about something like before,” Giles said in a serious. Xander shook his head.

“This man is as sane as ever could be,” Xander said standing up for Spike. Willow looked at Buffy stunned but ecstatic. Buffy gave a faint smile.

“Let’s not attack each other,” Buffy said breaking the conversation before anything could be said that would be regretted later.

“We will not have Angel coming any where near here. This isn’t his fight. It is Spike’s and mine. This is the fight for our life and once we pass the one year mark we will be cleared,” Buffy said in commander voice. Spike loved the commander part of Buffy. It was the part of her that showed surety and mental strength.

“I’ve all ready called Wesley and arranged a meeting with him,” Giles said silently. Everyone looked at him stunned.

“You did what?” Spike and Buffy said in unison. Giles looked at them and throw up his white flag.

“It was for help on research the prophecy. I was going to bring up Angel while he was here.” Buffy closed her eyes and sighed.

“Giles, I don’t want Angel here. This isn’t his business.”

“This isn’t whose business,” Angel asked walking into the room. Spike looked up at Angel and thought he was going to drop Buffy and kick his ass. Spike absently put his hand on Buffy’s stomach.

“I thought you said you didn’t call him?” Buffy asked getting mad at Giles.

“I didn’t,” Giles answered. Everyone stared stunned at Angel none of them knew what to make of the appearance and how to digest it. One thing Spike knew. If Angel even touched Buffy without him being around he was going to kill him.

Angel sat at the Dinning table watching Spike hold Buffy close as Giles explained to him what was going on. He didn’t tell him about Buffy being pregnant, them getting married or Spike being human. It was their part to tell him. He wasn’t entitled to inform him. He left giving them time to talk about everything else.

“So, Spike is the one you have to fight with,” Angel said skeptical. Buffy gave him a death glare.

“Don’t even think about saying it, Angel,” Buffy warned pointing her finger at him.

“Come on Buffy, we are talking about William, the bloody,” Angel said in fighting voice. Spike growled. Buffy patted him on the chest.

“That isn’t, Spike.”

“That will always will be Spike.” Buffy shook her sadden. He wasn’t getting it. That was the old Spike. Everyone knew that. Every one of the scoobies did anyway. Xander popped his head in.

“Hey, Spike, You up for heading out to the bronze to shoot some pool?” Xander asked with a smile. He knew what he had to be like for Spike. Thee ex is back in town and there was nothing they could do about it. He found Spike more fun to hang out with. He had some kind of story that interested him. From war stories to his killing days. He was entertained. Angel never even gave Xander the chance of day to have fun. Spike was a fun loving kind of guy. He wished he hadn’t missed out on it then. Granted they both hated each other because he was a vampire.

“It’s still daylight out?” Angel said stunned at Xander’s actually friendly invite and his stupidity.

“So?” Something clicked in Xander’s head that told him that they hadn’t told him about Spike being human. He kept his mouth shut waiting for Spike’s answer.

“Yeah. How about we wait until Buffy gets done telling him everything,” Spike finally answered.

“What are you two chums or something?” Angel asked disgusted. He never thought Xander would befriend a vampire especially Spike.

“We are basically the only males in the scoobies. We can’t hang with females all the time.”

“It’s bad for their ego,” Buffy teased. Spike chuckled and then put on a fate hurt look.

“I hate to tell you this, love, but your ego is bigger then mine,” Spike said. Buffy looked at him shocked.

“We don’t have egos. We have self esteem.” Spike rolled his eyes.

“Yeah…sure, love. Just keep telling your self that and it will come true.” Buffy smacked his chest.

“Someone will have to sleep on the couch if he doesn’t knock off the smart ass attitude.” Buffy turned her head back to Angel.

“Ok, I’ll make this sort and sweet. Spike is human, I’m pregnant with his kid and we are planning on getting married.” Spike got up from the table after seeing Angel’s face.

“Well, love, since that is out in the open. I think I will go shoot some pool. Be back in an hour.” Xander raised his eye brow.

“What makes you think we will be done in an hours?” Xander asked. Spike looked at him as he put on his black leather duster.

“It only takes me an hour to beat you,” Spike answered. It was his challenge to Xander. The boys left fighting over who won the last game. Buffy laughed. She wished she could go with them. It would have been entertaining to watch them fight over who won.

“I have one thing to say to you, ‘Spike’?” Angel asked. He took a closer look at Buffy. That was different about her. She had gained some amount of weight. She had a small stomach. He couldn’t believe he had missed that. His eyes fell on her sapphire ring.

“What’s with the sapphire ring?” Angel asked. Buffy smiled looked down at the ring.

“It’s my engagement ring,” Buffy answered. She was so happy. Spike was going to become her husband. She was going to be someone’s wife and mother.

Angel didn’t know what to think or say anymore. He was so frustrated with everything. He got tossed one huge curve ball. Buffy was engaged, and pregnant with his worst enemy. None the less, Spike had the life he had always wanted. He wanted to be human. Spike was taking his dream from him. It ate him up inside.

It didn’t understand. Spike had turned human and he didn’t deserve it. He was a monster and he would always be a monster in his eyes.

“Buffy, are you under some sort of spell?” Angel asked. Buffy stared at him stunned and sighed. They had this discussion the last time he was here. He freaked out and started acting like a twelve year old. She had admitted everything had happened so fast. Her becoming pregnant and then they were engaged. She knew she wasn’t under a spell. She knew it was her heart talking.

“No, Angel, I’m not under any spell. I think I would have known if I was under a spell,” Buffy said in serious tone. Angel was afraid she was going to say that. He still wanted to make sure. So, he decided to talk to Willow later.

“Why are you here, Angel?” Angel sighed. He was afraid when he got here she would be in danger. Of course marrying and having Spike’s kid isn’t exactly safe. He was still William, the bloody no matter if he was human now. He definitely wasn’t the old poetic William. He was the same Spike expect with a soul and a heart.

“I’m here, because Cordy had a vision that you were in trouble,” Angel answered. Buffy let out a long sigh.

“I’m not in trouble yet,” Buffy said slowly. “But, we could be in the near future.”

******************

“Well, that isn’t fair,” Xander complained sitting down at a table. He took a swig of her beer. Spike shrugged with a cocky grin on his face. It didn’t take as long as he thought it would to beat Xander.

“What can I say? I’ve been playing for thirty some years,” Spike said before he sat down. Xander looked at him and rolled his eyes.

“I still say it isn’t fair. You are over one hundred years old and you have more experience.” Xander looked around the Bronze. The place was more active then usual. There were a lot of teenagers around. It reminded him of the good old days.

“There are a lot of memories in here. I remember seeing You, Buffy, and Willow over there dancing and goofing off. I think that’s when I first fell in love with Buffy.” Xander smiled and remembering it.

“Yeah, how do you think dead boy is handling the news of your new found humaneness?” Spike arched his eye brow at him. Xander sighed.

“I have to stop hanging out with Willow and Buffy so much.” Spike chuckled and shook his head.

“Peaches is probably yelling about me being William the bloody and how I put sodding stakes through their bloody heads.” Xander and Spike turned their heads when they overheard a couple of vampires talking

“I can’t wait to kill the slayer,” One of the vampires said. They both laughed.

“I hear she is pregnant with a vampire’s baby,” the other chimed in. “I hear the master is going to raise Angelus and William the bloody so they can kill her. This is going to be fun to rise with the queen Drusilla.” Spike got up from the table forgetting about Xander. Xander caught up with him.

“I have to get out of here,” Spike said as he hurried towards the car. Xander grabbed him by the shoulder and swung him around.

“Have you forgotten one thing?” Xander asked. Spike looked at questionably.

“You have the chip in your head. You can’t hurt a living thing even if you wanted to. Let’s not forget the fact you are human.” Spike shook his head.

“We have to get this to Buffy before it is too late,” Spike said ignoring everything Xander had just said. They got into the car and drove as fast as they could back to Buffy’s house. Spike practically jumped out of the car. He burst through the door. He saw the dinning room was unoccupied. He saw her sitting on the couch sipping a cup of tea. Xander came up behind him.

“Hey, how was….” Buffy stopped when she saw the look on Spike’s face. It pale of fright.

“Spike, Xander, what is it?” Buffy asked concerned. Xander didn’t look as worried as Spike did but she knew it had to be bad.

“Something bad is going to happen,” Spike began taking a seat in the chair. “I… Xander and I over heard some vampires talking about how the master is going to raise Angelus and William the bloody.” Buffy sat back down on the couch.

“Oh,” was all Buffy could say. She absently put her hand on her stomach. The evil was going to kill them. They were going to use her William as a weapon. She automatically knew what it meant.

“No,” Buffy whispered. Spike looked at her confused then realized what she was saying. He took a deep breath.

“Buffy…”

“No, you are not leaving me and that’s finale.”

“I didn’t…”

“You don’t have to Spike. I know you were going to say it before you have to. I want you by my side until this thing ends. Remember they are trying to end this for us. It won’t happen. I won’t let it.” Spike hated it when she took charge. He loved it when it was other people but he knew what was best. He didn’t want his child to end up dead.

“I have to love,” Spike whispered. “If they raise William the bloody then everyone will be dead. Including my little bit. I don’t want that to happen to you, nidbit, or the bit. I definitely don’t want anything happen to my friends.” Suddenly it hit him. He had more people to protect then he thought. He had to protect Anya, Xander, and their child, not only them but red and her new wife. These were not only Buffy’s but his friends as well. They were people who cared about him. They were the people that grew to respect him. The people gave him a chance after turning human.

“What friends would they be?” Angel asked walking into the living room.

“Definitely not you,” Spike snarled. Xander stepped back and waited for the right moment to step in.

“Spike, you never will have friends. You are in capable of having friends.” Right moment was then.

“Ok, Spike is capable. Hello, do I not exist to you,” Xander said taking a turn into the conversation. “You know if he wasn’t capable then I would have gone to play pool with him.” Angel rolled his eyes.

“I thought you just forgot how he tried to kill you,” Angel said with a sarcastic tone. Buffy rubbed her temples. Spike looked over at her sat next to her. He rubbed her arm.

“Well let me think hmm... you tried to kill me too,” Xander fought.

“Why are you protecting him? What exactly has he done for you?”

“Saved my wife and son, not only they but he has saved Dawn, Willow, Giles, and Tara. He has saved Buffy. He is protecting her with his life. Heck, even Giles had the watcher council say that he was his son.” Buffy and Spike exchanged looks.

“What?” Buffy and Spike asked in unison. Xander looked over his shoulder at the surprised faces. He shrugged.

“Dawn told him about you struggling with what you had done in the past and he realized you were different. So he got in contact with the watcher’s council and had they make some records for Spike. Spike is now William Giles.” Buffy’s mouth dropped and stared at Xander blankly. Her last name was going to be Giles. GILES! She was in complete shock. What name could go with Giles? Why couldn’t Giles just find out Will…Spike’s last name?

“MY LAST NAME IS GILES!” Spike stood straight up from the couch. “BLOODY HELL! My child’s last name will not be Giles.” Buffy finally burst out laughing. Xander, Angel, and Spike eyes feel on Buffy. She looked up at Spike and just laughed harder.

“Its official, Spike. You corrupted her,” Angel said aggravated. Spike shot Angel his death glare.

“Just because I’m human doesn’t mean I still can’t click your wanker ass,” Spike warned. Xander crossed his arms wanting to see it. Buffy finally caught her breath and sighed.

“I have to have a talk to Giles about the whole last name,” Buffy said letting a few chuckles go. She got up from the couch and grabbed her tennis shoes.

“What are you doing, love?” Spike asked as she grabbed her stake and weapon bag.

“Going patrolling,” Buffy answered as she opened the door. He walked after her.

“You still let her patrol!” Angel said stunned and worried. Spike shook his head.

“I have no choice. She will do it anyway. I asked her not to, but you know how she is. She’ll do it behind your back,” Spike said.

“Xander, would stay with Dawn?” Buffy asked before leaving.

“Yeah, I’ll call Anya and tell I’m staying with Dawn.” Buffy smiled then walked out into the night. Spike close behind. He grabbed her hand.

“You do know you can’t patrol once you are six months,” Spike said strictly. She looked up at him and sighed.

“I know, William.” Buffy looked over her shoulder and saw Angel following close behind.

“Are you going to stand back there or are you going to come up here and join us,” Buffy asked. Angel walked up and joined them.

“You stubborn, Buffy and since when do you call him, William?” Angel said surprised by all the changes since he left.

“Since we got to together,” Spike said without even giving Angel a glance. They walked in silence on the way to the cemetery. Buffy felt the familiarity of the area. She fought back the urge to go to Spike’s crypt. She wrapped her arm around Spike’s as the walked around. Angel had to cringe watching Spike and Buffy make googly eyes at each other. He wanted to punch Spike. He would turn his head away when they kissed.

“Spike, I have to go to the bathroom,” Buffy whispered. Spike sighed.

“Didn’t I tell you to go before you go patrolling,” Spike said in a father tone. Buffy smiled loving the tone but not liking the fact he was right. Buffy opened her mouth but Spike interrupted her.

“If you use the ‘I didn’t have to go then’ excuse I will seriously scream,” Spike warned. Buffy smiled.

“You are going to be such a great father,” Buffy said with a huge grin.

“GREAT FATHER?! He just yelled at you for having to use the bathroom,” Angel said amazed.

“He only did it because I use the same excuse every time,” Buffy said surprised.

“If you are sick of us, Peaches then you can on home. Go cuddle up to your little actress and play house more,” Spike suggested.

“SLAYER!” A vampire called from behind them. All three of them whipped around. Four ugly vampires stood in front of them. The leader was wearing all leather. The rest matched him.

“Hey look it’s the leather squad,” Buffy said in challenge voice. The vampires charged and the fight was on. The leader straight for Buffy. He was stronger then she anticipated. The other three were dusted by Angel and Spike in a matter of moments.

“Weak squad,” Spike said to Angel. Angel was about to help Buffy with the leader but Spike held him back. Buffy was kicking his butt. She hadn’t had a good battle in a while and she was itching for one. Angel and Spike stood back and watched the show. The leader was ready to get dusted when he tripped her. He punched her several times then kicked her couple of times in the stomach. Spike didn’t wait a heart beat. He dusted the thing before he knew it. Spike crouched next to Buffy.

“Are you ok?” Spike asked helping her up. Buffy held her stomach.

“We have to go to the hospital,” Buffy whispered. Her lip was bleeding and she felt light headed.

“Right with you, love.” Spike felt Buffy start getting weak in his arms. He scooped her up. It wasn’t long before she passed out. He looked over at Angel.

“Call Xander tell him to tell everyone that we are at the hospital,” Spike instructed. Angel did what he was told. Xander pulled up top the cemetery a few minutes later.

“What happened?” Xander asked as he opened the back door to his car.

“A vampire,” Spike said simply before putting Buffy in the back and then slipping in. Xander closed the door. Angel got into the front passenger side. Xander got behind the wheel and they sped off to the hospital.

Chapter 6

“Will she be ok?” Dawn asked Spike frantically. Xander had called her from the hospital telling her what happened to Buffy. She was the last one to arrive. She had hitched a ride with Giles. Everyone was worried about Buffy. Angel blamed Spike but none of them would let him say it.

“She’ll be fine, lil bit. They are doing test on the baby right now.” Spike said in assuring voice. Dawn hugged him. They sat down at in a chair as they waited for the doctor.

“How are you holding, William?” Giles asked in a serious tone. Spike looked up at him.

“My love is in there unconscious and I don’t even my bit is all right. I’m silently screaming my head off,” Spike answered. Giles patted his shoulder. He sat down next to him.

“You know this is all your fault,” Angel said furiously. Spike looked down at the floor. He hated his poetic William but he was taking over feeling the guilt inside.

“I know,” Spike murmured. He saw Giles’s anger glare. Everyone had the same look. He felt like he was suddenly Spike. No one liked him.

“It is not his fault,” Willow said strong. “He knew what he was doing. He knew Buffy was going to patrol no matter what he said or any of us of that matter. Plus, Buffy hadn’t had a good fight for a while. He was letting her let out that bottled up fight.”

“Why is everyone suddenly thinking of Spike as a saint?” Angel asked shocked and surprised.

“Because he cares for Buffy and the rest of us,” Dawn answered. “I just wish that you would go away. You ruined this enough.” Spike patted Dawn on the shoulder. Angel looked at Spike.

“Did you put a spell on them or something?” Angel asked. “These are not the same scooby gang I remember.”

“Well things change, mate. Just like you changed. Every thing is bloody different,” Spike said trying to control his anger. The poetic William ran and hid while the rough Spike was emerging ever so slowly.

“Mr. Giles,” The doctor said walking into the waiting room. Everyone stood up. Spike walked over to him.

“How is she?” Spike asked.

“She’s fine. She just woke up and she’s been asking for you. The little tiger is strong I may say,” The doctor informed. Spike followed the doctor to room 345, where Buffy was staying. Spike walked in slowly. Buffy had her eyes closed and the light in the room was low. Spike pulled up a chair next to her. He heard the both heart monitors going “Beep. Beep.” He intertwined his fingers with hers. Buffy looked over at him and smiled.

“Hey you,” Buffy said in a tired voice.

“How are you, feelin’, love?” Spike asked. Buffy smiled and sighed.

“About ready to kick some vampire ass,” Buffy answered. Spike smiled.

That’s my slayer, Spike thought. Always ready to kick some ass.

“Well it seems that the bit is strong like its mum,” Spike said with a smile. Buffy patted her stomach.

“That maybe be true but it’s stubborn as its dad.” Spike put on his fake hurt face.

“Hey love, how do you know it’s not you?” They teased and fought each other until the nurse had told Spike to leave that he could come back in the morning. Spike reluctantly agreed to leave. He walked out. He noticed only Giles, Angel, and Dawn were left. Dawn had her head on Giles’s shoulder sleeping. Giles was dosing and Angel was standing at the window staring out. His mind lost in thought. Spike knew Angel was crucial to this fight. If Angel was going to stick around then they needed to make an amends.

“Do you ever wonder why we survive as long as we have?” Angel asked in a distant voice. “The life we have chosen. The loves we have. We hate each other but we have so much in common. We should be the greatest of friends but we are the worst of enemies. We fought on the same side and yet we don’t get along.” Spike stared at him blankly.

“What are you rambling about? You are making as much sense as Dru did when she got the life sucked out of her,” Spike said confused. Angel looked over at him.

“You are going to be a father, William. Just like am I. I loved Buffy and you love Buffy. We are living the same life and yet we fight with each other like our lives depended on it.” Angel looked back out the window. “Do you know what it is like to lose a son?”

“No, can’t say I have, but I know what it is like to lose a love.”

“The pain of losing your child is painful. I lost Conner a few months ago. Cordy fell into coma and Wesley and Fred got married. I’m left alone just like I was when I got my soul back. I hate to say this I felt a slight relief when I heard you turn human. I finally knew I had someone to consulate with but I reminded my self that…”

“Look, Peaches. Cut the long speech. If you are going on about us becoming friends then I’m bloody well up to it. Buffy won’t listen to just me. If you are out there fighting I know she will stop and take care of herself and the bit. We all know this is very well needed.” Angel looked back at him.

“You really love her don’t you?” Spike shrugged and looked out the window. The night was darker then it was usual. The rain could be seen on the window and heard as it hit the roof. He sighed knowing the weather was going to horrible for the next few days.

“I’ve been in love with her since the moment I laid eyes on her,” Spike said absently. Angel smiled and looked down.

“I hate to say this and I can’t believe I’m about to say this but I’m glad she has found a guy like you. I couldn’t stand it if you were still a vampire.” Spike looked over at him.

“She was in love with me when I was a vampire. I don’t think it would make a bloody difference if I was human or not. I think all it mattered was the fact I was good enough for her, but…” Spike looked back out the window.

“But what?” Angel stared as Spike’s face became unreadable and he got this sorrow vibe from him.

“I sometimes wonder if I am good enough for her. All the things I have done. The people I have killed. I’m a hundred and thirty years old and I have killed so many people including two slayers. I don’t know if I deserve such happiness. I don’t if I deserve her or the bit or nid bit for that matter. I don’t think I deserve the slayerettes friends like this.” Angel stared stunned as he saw Spike’s eyes well with tears.

“I still can see the way I killed them. The bodies lay there lifeless. I still can hear their screams in my dreams. One of the actually tried to kill me in my sleep but Buffy had to help me kill him. I don’t think I can bare it if I became the monster I once was. I don’t think I can let Buffy go through the pain.” The first time ever. Angel actually saw the love for Buffy and the soft side of Spike. The William part of him. He was sorry for what he had done and, in a way, Angel felt responsible. If he hadn’t sired Drusilla then Drusilla wouldn’t have sired Spike. If Spike wasn’t a vampire then he would never have met Buffy. In some way he was glad Spike had gained his humanity. He also realized as Spike’s grand sire that he had to help Spike cop with killing he had done and he had to make sure he did fast before Buffy had the kid. In a way, Buffy was depending on him, not only to slay while she was in her final trimester but in her life. Help Spike get through what he had to. For the first time in months he actually felt needed.

Spike took Dawn home. The house felt empty. Dawn walked groggily into the house. Her eyes half close. It looked like she was sleep walking. He watched her walk up the stairs slowly. He was waiting for her to fall. He followed her after she was half way up. He didn’t like being in the house while Buffy was at the hospital alone. The nurses made everyone go home. He would have stayed with her while Angel stayed with Dawn.

“Spike?” Dawn said snapping Spike out of his thoughts.

“Yeah, nid bit?” Spike said looking at her. Dawn looked at Spike half awake.

“Will Buffy and the baby be ok?” Spike put his arm around her.

“They will be fine, nid bit, now hope off to bed and get some sleep.” Dawn walked into her room and closed her door. Spike walked into Buffy and his room and sat down on the bed. He saw Dawn’s door still open. He got up and closed the door. The door opened again.

“I want it open, Spike. I want to make sure I can be by your side if you have nightmares.”

“Dawn, don’t worry I won’t have any soddin nightmares. Now go to bed.” Dawn stared at him for a minute knowing he was being a strong ass man he always had to be and then closed the door. Spike fell back on the bed and shut his eyes. He was exhausted and yet his body was wired. He couldn’t sleep with out Buffy’s body lying next to him.

Chapter 7

Buffy woke up with a bad feeling in her gut. She saw Dawn sitting the chair that was occupied by Spike the night before. Dawn was reading her book. She looked around the room. It wasn’t like Spike to leave her. She knew something must be wrong. She pushed herself up in the bed. Dawn looked up from her book.

“Hey, Buffy,” Dawn said with a smile. Buffy smiled weakly and looked around the room.

“Where’s Spike?” Buffy asked concerned. Dawn looked at her hands then back at Buffy.

“Buffy, Spike’s chip…well it’s killing him,” Dawn said soothingly. Buffy stared at her with wide eyes. She tried to get out of the bed but Dawn pushed her back down.

“Angel is trying to contact Riley. Willow is with Spike. Tara and Willow are putting a soothing spell on him.” Buffy shook her head.

“I have to be with him, Dawnie. He needs me,” Buffy said looking Crushed. Her faced was full of worry.

“Buffy, he will be here with you once the spell kicks in. Until then just relax. You need to rest and I’m sure Spike won’t let you go patrolling after what happen.” Dawn shuttered thinking about it.

Buffy’s door opened and they saw a battered Spike. Angel was helping him into the room. Dawn stood up immediately and grabbed her things. Angel sat Spike down in the chair. Spike wasn’t even awake. Buffy ran her fingers through his bleached locks.

“How is he?” Buffy asked softly. Angel let out a sigh.

“He stopped screaming in the car,” Angel said giving her a small smile. “I had to knock him out. Willow and Tara said that the spell should kick in within seconds of him waking up. I am still trying to contact Riley. I have to go back to L.A. Wes and Gunn can’t hold the place down forever. Call me if you need anything.” He kissed Buffy on the forehead. He turned to leave.

“Angel,” Buffy said stopping him. He looked back at her. She gave a soft smile.

“Thank you for everything.” Angel smiled and nodded. He disappeared around the door way and was gone from her life once again.

“I’m going to head home. I’ll call Giles and tell him that you are awake. He is already worried about his son,” Dawn said with a smile. She started to giggle. “Who would have thought Giles would take Spike in as a son?” Dawn shrugged with a huge smile on her face and closed the door behind her as she left. Buffy stared at the door then closed her eyes. She hoped that when she woke up Spike would be awake.

Spike woke up and felt a familiar pain coming back. He tensed then it vanished. Looking over he saw Buffy sound asleep. He wondered how he had got into the hospital. The last thing he remembered was Angel knocking him out. Rubbing his head he stretched out his legs and tried to get comfortable. After getting antsy he got up and went to the window, by simply standing there he could feel the warmth of the sun hitting him. It was so soothing. He watched as everyone went on with their lives doing their daily routine. Life seemed different since he became human.

“Hey,” A voice came from over his shoulder. He looked away from the window to a just woken Buffy. He smiled and walked back over to the bed. He kissed her softly on the lips.

“How are you doing, love?” Spike asked in a soft voice. She stretched and then promptly yawned.

“Bored and I’m worried,” Buffy answered. He looked at her concernedly.

“What are you worried about?” Buffy put her hand into his and gave it a squeeze.

“I’m worried about you. I don’t know what is going with you but I’m scared to death. Angel said you were in so much paint that you were screaming.” Spike put a finger on her lips.

“Hush now, pet. Don’t worry about the big bad. I can hold my own. Now you gather your strength back for you and the lil bit.” Spike got up from his chair and sat on the side of the bed. He wrapped her arm around her. She cuddled close. She laid her head against his chest. She still couldn’t believe it. She could hear his heart beating. She had to admit she loved the sound of it.

“Spike, do you think it’s a boy or a girl?” Buffy asked. Spike put her hand on her stomach and gently rubbed it in slow circler motions.

“I think it’s a boy. Because junior going to take care of his good ol’ dad.” Buffy began to caress his arm. She smiled slightly.

“What if it’s a girl? Is going to take after you too?” Spike kissed her on the head.

“No, she is going to take after her stubborn mum.” Buffy laughed and kissed his chest.

A few hours past and Buffy was released from the hospital. It was a good thing too. The magic began to wear off and Spike was in the back seat screaming in pain. Dawn drove them home. Buffy talked frantically to Giles on the cell phone.

“Giles, he hasn’t shut up since we got into the car,” Buffy complained. “I’m beginning to get a headache myself.” Giles grumbled on the other line.

“God forbid, Buffy that you have some kind of sympathy for the man you love,” Giles grumbled. “Willow says she thinks its Spike’s chip. Since he turned human the chip could have malfunctioned.”

“Well find out how we can fix it! He could die! I was serious about the headache too, Giles. Now get your asses moving before I lose my entire life” Buffy hung the phone up and looked back at Spike. He had passed out. His nose was bleeding. He looked horrible. She hated being scared. She felt weak and her slayer part of her hated it. Her semi-perfect life was crumbling. Her dream of a house with a white picked fence was there and tugging at her. Her slayer self told her that she will never have that kind of life. The regular her part of her didn’t even know if Spike would live long enough for it. She didn’t even know if Spike was going to make it through the next twenty four hours. She didn’t even know she would live a long enough life to get that kind of peace. Peace. She had peace when she jumped off the tower. She was in peace when she in Spike’s arms. His arms were her heaven. If she lost him then this world would become hell again.

Just the thought of living without Spike brought Buffy to tears. Dawn looked over at Buffy. She placed her hand on her sister’s arm. Buffy whipped furiously at her tears. She tried not to cry but she broke down in tears.

“Buffy, we will find away to get the chip out of Spike’s brain,” Dawn said in an assuring voice. The dam broke and she was weeping heavily. Dawn didn’t know what to do. Spike was good at this part. He always knew what to do. He knew Buffy better then she did and Buffy was her sister.

Buffy looked at Spike as a groan was released signaling that he was gaining coconsciousness.

Buffy felt the relief fill over her. She unbuckled her seat belt and moved into the back seat. Spike grabbed her by the hand and pulled her down on the seat.

“You know how sodding dangerous that was. You could have fallen and hurt the bit or worse you could have been thrown through the bloody window,” Spike scowled. The familiar pain zapped through his head and he screamed.

Dawn stopped half way down their street. There was a white van parked in front of the house. She looked at the back seat. She didn’t know what to do. She used her put the car into park and turned towards Buffy and Spike. Buffy was running her fingers through Spike’s curly locks.

“Hey guys, I hate to put another notch in the world of love for you two but there is some sort of suspicious white van park in front of the yard and I have a feeling it isn’t good,” Dawn said with a grim look on her face.

“I have an idea what to do,” Buffy said taking charge.

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

Angel pulled up at Willow’s house. It was a two story house. It was alight base house with a tiny front porch. The porch had a swing on it. There were flowers in front of the porch. The yard was clean cut and you could smell freshly cut grass. The path that led to the porch had tiny light on the side. In between the lights were more flowers. It looked like a very famine house.

Before he knocked on the door, the door flew open. Willow was standing there. She grabbed Angel by the arm and dragged him off the porch.

“Come on,” Willow said hurriedly. They went to Angel’s car.

“What’s wrong?” Angel asked surprised.

“Someone is camping in front of Buffy’s house,” Willow said hurriedly. They jumped into Angel’s car and drove to Buffy’s house.

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

“Giles, I hope you don’t mind us being here,” Buffy said with a gratitude smile. Giles smiled and put his hand on Buffy’s shoulder.

“Let’s focus on William’s problem,” Giles advised. Buffy looked at his face and notice his distant look.

“What is it, Giles?’ Buffy asked. Giles looked at her confused.

“Buffy,” Dawn interrupted. Buffy turned and looked at Dawn.

“Spike isn’t breathing.”

Buffy rushed passed Dawn and flew up the stairs to Giles’s bedroom. She rushed to Spike’s side and saw blood oozing from his nose. She grabbed the wash cloth from the side table. She held it to Spike’s nose. She checked for a pulse and let out a sigh of relief. His heart was still beating. She sat him up and notice the blood stopped flowing. She ran her fingers throw his curly blonde locks. She kissed his forehead as she watched Spike’s chest rise and fall.

“William, can you hear me?” Buffy whispered in Spike’s ear. He opened one eye in acknowledgement. She kissed his head. They heard pounding on Giles’s door. She heard Giles voice. She couldn’t make out what they were saying.

Dawn walked up the stair with a grim look on her face. Buffy about stopped breathing for a moment when she saw who was behind Dawn.

“Riley,” Buffy gasped.

She was now uncomfortably aware of what she was wearing and how she looked. She hid to her best of abilities. She kept her hand in Spike’s, now, matted hair.

“Angel called me and I met him at your house. He told me Spike’s chip was malfunctioning,” Riley said. He looked and acted like a solider.

“What are you going to do to him?”

“I’m going to take him to the lab and get his chip out. It wasn’t made for a human brain.”

Riley turned and gave a signal. Three men dress in army gear came in and put Spike on a stretcher that they had brought in. They strapped him in the carried him away.

“Am I able to go with him?”

“Of course. You can ride with me on the way there.”

Buffy followed Riley down the stairs. She looked at a crying Dawn. Her hands were over her face. Giles stood by her drinking his brandy. She stopped and walked over to Dawn.

“Dawn, He will be fine. Riley is going to get the chip out of his brain. Then he’ll be back to his stubborn self,” She said with a soft smile. Dawn looked at her with watery eyes and nodded. Buffy looked over at Giles. She grabbed the brandy away from him.

“No, more brandy.”

With that Buffy followed Riley out the door.

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