The Prophecy (continued)

Chapter 25

Willow peered over the bent shoulders of Spike and Giles to look at Buffy. Once they’d come to an agreement about the time and place of the removal, Buffy retreated to the living room. Willow figured she needed her space, but she was her best friend, and therefore, had a duty to be there for her in difficult times. Well, she was her female best friend. There was no doubt in her little red head that Spike was Buffy’s best friend. She could see it in the way they moved, the way they communicated without words.

“We’ll use the tunnels to get to the mansion. Anyone watching the house or the shop will think we’re still inside.” Giles stated, his voice breaking into Willow’s thoughts. “But to be honest, my concern lies with Buffy and Dawn being here alone.”

Spike looked over at Buffy, who was twisting her ring and staring out the window. “They won’t be alone. We’ll leave someone here with them. Tara or the whelp. We can use magic or something to keep the baddies at bay till we get back.”

At the mention of Xander’s name, Buffy tensed, slightly. So slightly, that if anyone other than Spike was watching, they would never have seen it.

“Xander and Tara could stay here or maybe, Anya and Xander. We’re going to need all the help we can with you, Spike.” Willow suggested. She frowned as she realized what she’d said. “Maybe, Xander should come with us.”

“No!” Came the shout from the living room. They turned to see Buffy, her hands clenched at her sides. “No!” She said quietly, but with a steely edge that had Willow nodding her head sadly. “Xander gets no where near Spike. Do you hear me?”

“Buffy.. he’s trying. He really wants to help.” Willow implored, unaware of the dream.

Buffy cut her off. “I don’t care. He wants my husband dead.” She said, almost as if she were explaining something to simpleton. “He believes the chip will cause him to kill me and our child. If you think I trust him around Spike, you’re crazy. Spike will be defenseless.”

Spike shook his head at Willow. “Buffy, they don’t understand, Pet.” He said, pulling her into his arms.

Buffy squeezed her eyes shut. She took a deep breath before facing the bewildered Giles and Willow. “I had a dream. Martine told me that someone would betray us. She called him a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“And you thought of Xander?” Giles asked, his tone mild and understanding.

Buffy nodded. Willow shook her head, unable to believe what she’d been told.

“She was wrong Buffy. There is no way in hell, Xander would betray us. He just wouldn’t.” She continued to shake her head. “He wouldn’t. No matter how bad things get between the two of you, you can’t just forget all the good times. All the times he’s been there for you, Buffy.”

“I can’t forget all the times he’s lied to me either. Do you think this makes me happy? It doesn’t. I hate feeling this way about him. He’s like a brother to me, but I can’t dismiss what she’s telling me either.” Spike grasped Buffy’s shoulders, squeezing the tense, taut muscles. She felt her body responding to his touch, and relaxed breath by breath till she was leaning into him.

Giles nodded. “I understand Buffy. Xander can stay with you, and Willow, Spike, and I will go the mansion. Anya and Tara can stay at the Magic Box to keep up appearances. Dawn will be in school.” He continued to rattle off.

Buffy smiled grimly. “I know. I know you all think this is hormones, but it isn’t. But I would fill better with him here, where I can see him, than have him be around Spike. I just don’t trust him where Spike is concerned. I can’t.”

“What about Travers?” Willow asked.

“Yes, what about dear old Mr. Travers?” Buffy mimed. She turned her head, and yawned.

“We’ll have to contact him. His surveillance will have alerted him to the fact that we’ve verified the plans he gave us. I’m sure he’s sitting back waiting on us.” Giles stated. He gestured for Buffy to sit back down.

Buffy curled up on the sofa. Spike sat next to her, his arm draped lazily across her shoulders. She may be the Slayer, but she was a pregnant Slayer, who loved to be pampered by her husband.

Giles took the chair across from them. He took a deep, cleansing breath before continuing. If Buffy believed Xander of all people to be a traitor, then his next words might send her into a rage, and he wanted to avoid the broken bones. “I’ve told you my theory. If Travers doesn’t come right out and ask for the baby, he’ll ask for the journals. Tara has been studying Jayme’s, but she hasn’t found anything as of yet. I’ll have her keep looking. At least until Travers ask for the thing.”

Buffy smiled at the cautious manner in which Giles was talking to her. Gosh, am I that bad? She mused, amused.

“Giles, I understand. I really do. You don’t have to worry that evil Buffy is going to attack. I know we have to play this game. I’m okay with playing the game, as long as he doesn’t find out the truth.”

Spike stroked her hair, watching Willow fidget in her chair.

“Got something to add, Red?”

Willow grimaced slightly. “I’m all on the ‘don’t trust him as far as I can spit him’ bandwagon when it comes to Travers, but are we certain we’re not playing into his hands. He knows how Buffy feels about the Council, and him, in particular. Wouldn’t he suspect that we would try to find another way? One that doesn’t involve him?”

“It’s possible, Willow.” Giles answered her. “That is why we are going to him. He won’t expect us to do it, and we’ll have the element of surprise.”

“We could invite him to dinner. That would shock him even more.” Buffy piped in.

“What?” Spike asked her, wondering if her hormones had finally driven her off the deep end. “You want that bastard in our home.”

Buffy grinned. “Well, it wasn’t a suggestion I thought you’d take seriously, Spike. I was just kidding.”

“And yet, that might work.” Giles said, warming up to the idea. “Travers knows we don’t trust him. And one way we would be able to control his interaction with Buffy, would be to have him here or at the Magic Box.”

Willow’s frowned. “It’s not a bad idea, Buffy. At least here, he wouldn’t be able to take you. He couldn’t set up any traps for you or Spike. “

Buffy squeezed Spike’s hand gently, searching his eyes. She hadn’t planned on this. She didn’t want Travers in their home, tainting it. He was behind Warren’s attacks, and it felt wrong to have the person who violated the sanctity of their home, in it as an invited guest.

Spike pressed his lips to Buffy’s forehead. “It’s not the worst thing we’ve faced, Luv. At least here, I can throw his ass out at any time.”

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

Shackleford stood at the window, his binoculars trained on the street below. He checked his watch. It wouldn’t be long now. Only a few more minutes before all the players were in place for the show tonight.

Shackleford turned as the phone rang, and watched Reginald answer it. Something about the man bothered him, but he couldn’t place his finger on it. He hadn’t made it this far in his miserable life not to trust his instincts. Something wasn’t kosher with Reginald Bailey-Smythe, and he’d be watching him closely until this job was completed.

Giles gripped the phone tightly, steeling himself for the conversation to come. Buffy and Spike sat on the sofa, Buffy’s head resting on his shoulder. Her eyes drooped close, only to pop open again. She was trying so hard to stay awake, but Giles knew she hadn’t rested all day. Spike looked knackered too, but he kept vigil over his wife.

“Rupert, so good to hear from you. I was beginning to wonder if you’d taken my gift sincerely.”

Giles’ lip curled in disgust. “I’m sure you know we did take the files seriously. We had them checked out, and found they are legitimate. If your offer of help still stands, we would like to meet with you to discuss what you could do for us.”

“I would be delighted to see Mrs. Develin. I’m staying at…”

“Nevermind, Travers. Buffy and Spike want you to come to their house. To put it bluntly, they don’t trust you, and would feel better meeting you on their own turf.”

Travers snickered. “Yes, well, I’m sorry to see my gesture hasn’t increased Buffy’s trust in me. I only want what’s best for her and her child.”

Giles rolled his eyes, earning a giggle from Willow as she went into the kitchen. “I’m sure one day, Buffy may believe that, but that day isn’t today. We can meet with you tomorrow afternoon. Say around one.”

“That would be perfect. I look forward to taking tea with the Develins.” Travers said.

“Oh, and come alone. You are the only person allowed inside the house. No bodyguards. No assistants. No one, except yourself.” Giles informed him, the edge in his voice alerting Travers to the fact these conditions were non-negotiable.

“I agree to your conditions. I have one of my own. Bring Mr. Jayme’s journal. It is in all respects, property of the Watcher’s Council. It belongs to us.”

Travers waited, while Giles assumedly debated the merits of handing over the journal to him. He smiled broadly at Shackleford. All his plans were coming together nicely. Soon, he’d have Buffy, the baby, the Key, and the Journal. Then, this whole disaster would be over, and he could get back to his hounds and the day-to-day business of the Council.

“Fine. We will give you the book in exchange for your help.” Giles finally spoke.

“Then, till tomorrow. Good day, Rupert.”

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

Dawn stared at the book in her lap, unable to believe she’d found the answer. Well, she did have help in that department. Thinking of her niece, brought a smile to her face. She really did love the little gal. She connected them, made them a family, a unit. They were all apart of each other now.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Tara question penetrated the fluffy thoughts running through Dawn’s mind.

Dawn turned in her seat. “Thinking about Bitty. It’s amazing how powerful she is, and she isn’t even born yet. I can’t imagine what she’ll be like once she’s grown. And we still have no idea what her real powers will be. All we know for sure is she’ll change the world.”

Tara smiled, understanding Dawn’s awe. “She is a miracle. Her power may lie in the simple fact, she was born of two individuals destined, fated to fight and kill each other. The fact Buffy and Spike were able to overcome their differences is amazing in itself, but to have a child. Well, that goes beyond just love. It transcends boundaries put into place many eons ago.”

“I know. I never thought they would get together, much less have a child. But you know what?” She asked. “They did, and we’re a family, and I’ll help them anyway I can. No one is going to destroy what we have, Tara. No one.”

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

Spike held Buffy in his arms as she slept. She had tried to stay awake, but she couldn’t. After Giles got off the phone, Spike lifted his sleeping wife in his arms, and carried her to their bedroom. That had been fifteen minutes ago. He’d been reluctant to leave her. Everything was happening so fast. Four days and his unlife would be turned for a loop again. He wouldn’t voice it to Buffy, but he was scared. The blindness scared him. Not being able to see her face, his child’s face, Dawn’s. He would be more useless blind, than he’d been chipped. He had to remind himself it was only temporary, a week at the most. He’d survived worse. He’d had worse done to him by Glory. Hell, even by the blonde snuggled tightly in his arms. He just hated being dependent on anyone else.

Buffy held his hand in hers, and as much as Spike wished he could stay curled around her for the rest of the evening, plans needed to be made, as well as dinner. He gently pried his fingers from her grip, smiling as she whimpered in her sleep. Pulling his pillow free from the comforter, he tucked it behind her back. Pushing her hair out of her face, he leaned down and brushed his lips gently across her head.

As he was coming down the stairs, Dawn raced inside. He pressed his finger to his lips and pointed up the stairs to indicate Buffy was sleeping. Dawn looked as if she were ready to burst, so he motioned her into the living room.

“What is it, Bit? Get a date for the summer dance?” Spike asked, smiling.

“Better than that, Spike. We found out we can do the ritual before the baby is born. We don’t have to wait.” She told him excitedly.

Spike screwed up his face, confused. He looked to Tara for an explanation, and the blond witch hurried to do so. Giles and Willow moved to join the discussion, and soon they were all staring at her with expectant and curious faces. She blushed at the attention, sighing when Willow kissed the back of her hand in support.

“We were reading Mr. Jayme’s journal. Well, Dawn was reading it, and Bitty guided her to the passage.” She pulled the book out of her bag, and laid it on the coffee table.

“You said Bitty guided Dawn?” Giles asked, absolutely intrigued by the relationship between Dawn and her niece, the Key and the Prophecy Child.

“Yeah, she did. I was reading, then all of a sudden, I heard her.” She said, looking at Spike, who’d knelt beside her. “She didn’t actually guide me, as stop me at this.” She said, pointing to the book. “When we reread it, it suddenly clicked. We don’t have to wait till she’s born. We can give the blood to Buffy, and the baby will ingest it too.”

“I thought we needed to wait until she was older, stronger?” Willow inquired.

Giles picked the book up and pondered the words written. “It seems as if Jayme came to the conclusion that the baby would be able to survive the ritual by borrowing Buffy’s strength. The baby should be strong enough to withstand the power surge. She is the child of two very powerful individuals.”

“But that’s no guarantee, Giles. I need one.” Buffy stood on the stairs, unnoticed until she’d spoken. Spike turned to look at her, and his breath caught in his throat. No matter how many times he saw her, her beauty overwhelmed him.

Spike stood and reached out his hand for her. She took it, smiling somewhat sleepily. “You left. Your pillow didn’t fool me for a bit.” She told him, caressing his face.

“Sorry, Pet. Thought you needed to sleep, more than you needed to cuddle.”

“I need both.” She answered, rolling her eyes at Dawn’s inelegant cough.

“Guys… Can we get back to this?” This was great news, Dawn thought. Why weren’t they jumping for joy?

“Buffy, I don’t know if there can be any guarantees. Something like this has never been attempted before.” Giles told her.

Spike wrapped his arms around Buffy, lightly rubbing circles on her stomach. “Give us your worst case scenario, then. Could we lose the baby if we do this now?”

All eyes turned to Giles. “I don’t think so.”

“Okay, mate. Need a bit more confidence when you say stuff like that. This is our child we’re talking about.” Spike said, irritated.

“Spike, what would you like me to say? I don’t think Jayme would have included this in his journal, though how I missed that I don’t know, if it wouldn’t be of benefit to the child. Everything he’s said and done has been to help you bring her into this world.”

“Buffy,” Tara said softly. “I think Giles is right. The passage talks about the baby using your strength to survive. Well, she automatically has your strength. You’re the Slayer. Spike is a vampire. She’s already stronger than the average child. She survived you almost dying. I think, I know, she will survive this.”

Buffy turned, searching Spike’s eyes. She saw love, fear, and hope in equal measures. He wanted to believe in this too. This would be one less burden for him to worry about. He could have the chip removed without concern that Bitty would be defenseless. This was the best gift she could give him until the baby was born. Spike kissed her upturned nose, and looked at his “family” in front of them, waiting on their answer.

“It seems we are in for another ritual. When do you think you can squeeze this one in, Giles?”

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

Xander checked his watch. 6:36. Anya would just be winding down for the day. He could see her clearly, inside the Magic Box, watching the people as they strode down the street, hoping they would stop in before heading home.

No point in dwelling on what you can’t have. His mind warned him. His heart felt hope, though guarded, that Anya would come around. He chastised himself for staying away from her after their talk in the training room. He should have stayed, and argued against what she’d said. But he really had no defense. He divvied his friends up into two categories: human and non-human. And the non-humans weren’t really his friends. They were just acquaintances. People he knew, but... But what? Xander shook his head at the directions his thoughts were taking him. He could debate this with Anya, with Buffy, with Willow, and it all came back to one simple point. Demons didn’t have souls, and he did. Therefore, they were different. Fundamentally, basically, different. And unfortunately for him, in Anya’s and Spike’s cases, they would always be.

“Okay, last time I checked, a locked cabinet meant it was locked. So what’s with the hard stare at the explosives’ box?” Dewey asked from the doorway. He’d been waiting to “run into” Xander for over fifteen minutes, but he’d hadn’t shown, forcing Dewey to come to him, like some john to a hooker.

“What are you still doing here?” Xander asked surprised.

Dewey pushed his baseball cap back off his forehead. “Well, I was feeling kinda bad for what I said earlier.” He told him sheepishly. “I should learn to keep my big mouth closed. You know how to handle your girl. I just hate to see a guy get down because of some broad.”

Xander laughed, knowing if Anya heard Dewey refer to her as some broad, his intestines would be wrapped around his throat.

“Don’t worry about it. Actually, it’s good to have someone to talk to. My best friends are living their perfect, little lives. They don’t have time to talk to me. Not that I blame them. I haven’t exactly wanted to be around them.” Xander said, pulling the door to the foreman’s shack closed.

“Who wants to be around an angry, depressed man, when your life is all rainbows and puppies?”

For a brief second, Dewey felt sorry for Xander. For what they were going to do to him. But then, the moment passed, and Dewey pushed on. “Dude, after that, I’m definitely taking you for a beer.”

Dewey cuffed the younger man. “C’mon. Let me buy you a drink at the Tavern.”

Xander glanced at his watch again. 6:45. Okay, one beer, then I need to run. I’m taking your advice. I’m going to see Anya.”

“That’s great, man. Really, perfect. Well, scout’s honor,” Dewey pledged, hand raised in the air. “I’ll have you out of the bar by 7:30. I wouldn’t want you to miss seeing her.”

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

7:30

Dewey watched as Xander hopped in his car. Punching the code into the phone, he waited till he heard the man on the other end answer. “He’s on his way.”

Mike snapped the phone closed, and turned to Warren. “Okay, you know what to do.”

“What if he sees me? He’s going to try and stop me.”

Mike ground his teeth. “We discussed this. We want him to see you. We want him to know you were the one to send the package. If he doesn’t see you, he won’t tell the Slayer, and we need her to know.”

Warren laughed. “Can’t I send her a Hallmark or something? She’ll know it’s me without me putting my ass on the line.”

Mike thought the plan was risky too, but who was he to comment on the logistics of a plan? Shackleford didn’t pay him for his opinion. “It’ll be more fun for all involved. Now, do I have to persuade you or will you get on with it?”

Mike looked too eager to persuade him. Warren thought correctly. “Fine, I’m going, but if I get caught, you’re going down too.”

“Ooh, I’m shaking in my boots. Big bad Warren, who makes sex robots and can’t control his women without magic is threatening me. Okay, wake me when I’m supposed to care. Now, go!” Mike shouted, his hand reaching under his jacket for his gun.

Warren scrambled out of the car, his ego bruised by the taunting. Did he have no secrets? They knew everything about him. Probably knew when he jacked off, and to what. That thought grossed him out, and he hurried to get the box out the back seat before it popped back up.

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

Anya watched appreciatively as the UPS man unloaded her shipment. Who would have thought brown could be made into something sexy, but they’d done it. She’d often fantasized about Xander in the brown uniform, but she’d never gotten around to getting him one. Now, she had Giles, and the man did wonders for tweed.

The driver stood up, smiling at the blonde store manager. He’d noticed her checking his ass out before, but hadn’t asked her out. He’d heard about the wedding disaster, and shook his head at the stupidity of her fiancée. He could ask her out. There didn’t seem to be anyone in the picture, but he knew that situation would stay that way for long.

He handed the sign-in board to her for her signature.

“Thanks, Joey. I guess I’ll see you in a few days.” Anya told him cheerfully.

“Maybe sooner.” He replied. At Anya’s quizzical look, he blushed. Best to just spit it out, then scram. If she says no, no harm no foul.

Before he had a chance to embarrass himself, the phone rang. “See you later, Joey.” Anya called back, rushing over to the counter to catch the phone. Her back was to him, but he could hear the change in her voice, and knew he’d missed his chance again.

“Bye, Anya.” He said, walking out the door. She threw her hand up as he left. The door opened as he was leaving, and a young man walked briskly past him. Joey thought he looked familiar, but couldn’t place his face. He shrugged and made his way down the street to get a smoothie.

“I’m fine. It’s been a slow day, thankfully. Well, unfortunately because we haven’t made much money, but good in the sense, that I was able to clear the selves for the shipment.”

Giles smiled into the phone. Everyday, he grew more in love with her. She made his day brighter, happier. “Well, I’ll be leaving here shortly. We can do one of two things. Go home, eat, make love. Or stay at the shop and do the shipment.”

Anya’s giggle could be heard in the dining room, where four people were trying their darndest not to laugh out loud at the oohing and ahhing coming from Giles.

“A choice between sex and the store? Hmm… Well, if there was money involved, I’d say stay at the store, but orgasms are involved, so I say let’s go home.”

“Perfect logic, my dear. Oh, did the Thessalonian Srhcrak come in?” It was essential to the spell Willow wished to perform, and if it didn’t arrive, then they’d be delayed another day.

“Yes, it’s in the office. Hold on.” Anya placed the phone on the counter, and hurried into her office. It was the first item, she’d asked Joey to search for, and like a dear, he’d found it for her.

She picked the phone up in the office, perching one toned leg on it. “I’ve got it. Shall I tell you what I’d like to eat tonight? Just in case, you don’t have it, and need to pick it up.”

Giles hunched over the phone, trying to blot out the sounds of dinner being prepared. “By all means, tell me. I wouldn’t want you to go hungry.”

“Oh, I won’t.”

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

Silly girl. So busy chatting away with lover boy to realize I was in the shop. I could have snapped her neck or shot her in the back ala Buffy, and she wouldn’t have known what hit her. Warren stood just outside of Anya’s view and watched her chatting away on the phone. He scanned the street, and saw Xander pull up to the curb.

“Perfect timing.” He needed to be patient. Had to let Xander see him before he ran. He was so busy watching Xander, he missed seeing Anya go into the office.

Mike sat in the car down the street, his eyes trained on the two brown-haired men. “Wait, you dunce. Let him get closer. Wait.”

Xander rehearsed in his head what he wanted to say to Anya. He had to keep repeating or he’d forget, and they’d end up in another fight.

“Anya, I want to understand what you’re saying. I know it’s the truth…” He stopped dead in his tracks, as he saw someone peering into the store. It couldn’t be. He thought surprised. Oh, my god, it is.

“Warren!” He shouted, breaking out into a run.

“Wait. Wait. Now.”

Almost as if he could hear Mike in his mind, Warren pressed the remote, and the Magic Shop blew.

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

“What was that noise? Anya?” Giles repeated, nearly frantic. “Anya?”

Willow and Tara ran to the phone, while Dawn pulled Buffy up and out of the chair. “What is it, Giles?”

Spike asked, noting the ashen tone of Giles’ face.

“I… I don’t know. One minute Anya was talking, then there was a loud noise, and nothing.” He reset the phone, and dialed the Magic Box again. The line was busy. That bad feeling he’d had earlier returned.

“Try her cell phone. Maybe, there was an accident, and it knocked the phone lines down.” Tara suggested, helpfully.

“Of course.” Giles said, but his fingers couldn’t seem to punch the numbers in correctly. Dawn took the phone out of his hand, and dialed Anya’s cell. It rang and rang till her voice mail picked up. She didn’t leave a message, dreading what she was thinking. Anya was alone. The perfect target.

“We’ll head down there, Rupert.” Spike told him. “Red, Glinda, will you stay here with Dawn and Buffy? Keep trying to get Anya on the phone. Call us in the car if you do.”

Buffy was trembling at his side. She knew what he was thinking, what everyone was thinking, and it wasn’t good.

“Be careful.” She told him, fisting his t-shirt in her tiny hand.

“I will. Don’t open the door for anyone. We’ll call when we know something.”

“Spike, I’m going to call Xander. He’s closer to the shop.” Willow said, taking the phone from Dawn.

“Bit, make sure your big sis doesn’t worry too much. Take her mind off this, until we know something for sure.” He told her as he headed out the door.

“I will. Just hurry, Spike. I’ve got a bad feeling.”

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

Shackleford and Travers watched the smoke billowing out of the front window of what used to be the Magic Box. The once serene night, now was tarnished by the black, acrid smoke and the flames. Glass littered the street, and there were scores of injured people. They’d saw Warren, who’d been knocked into the street by the blast. In the confusion and chaos that followed, Mike had shoved the dazed, young man into the back of the car, and sped off.

Now, there were dozens of police and several fire engines on the scene. Travers watched impassively as the victims of his terror attack were loaded into ambulances. Shackleford scanned the street looking for any sign of their patsy, and finally spotted him, sitting against a light pole, his head bloodied. He was alive, but apparently unaware of where he was, and what had happened to him.

“A bit more than I was looking for, but Mr. Harris seems to have survive. Unfortunately, it looks as if his former fiancée didn’t. Pity that. This will be the second lover Rupert’s lost.” Travers was famished, and they’d delayed dinner until after the blast. Now, he rang Mr. Smythe-Bailey to order his dinner. Yes, he was quite famished. Nothing like destroying those that defied him and the Council to increase his appetite.

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

“I’m sure she’s fine, Rupert.” Spike offered gamely as they raced through the streets toward downtown.

“Please, Spike. Not now. I know you mean well, but…” Giles couldn’t finish. Something was horribly wrong. Willow hadn’t called, meaning she hadn’t heard from Anya or Xander for that matter.

Spike took his glance off the road to check on the man sitting next to him. He remembered that look. It was the one he had on his face as he gazed down at Buffy’s broken and lifeless body.

“Look, mate. Demon girl is strong. Whatever has happened, she’ll pull through. You think she’ll check out on you? No way. She’s too happy, and when she is happy, she fights for that happiness. You wouldn’t let me give up on Buffy when she was shot. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you give up on Anyanka.”

Spike’s words rang hollow as they saw the fire engines and police converged near the Magic Box.

“Oh, dear god, Anya.” Giles shouted, throwing the door opened before Spike had put the car into park. They stood shocked at the carnage before them. The front of the store was destroyed. Spike could see clear into the back.

Spike and Giles ran towards the store. Both men shouting Anya’s name. The police grabbed them, pushing them back from the scene. Spike growled, but could do no more, unless he wanted a serious migraine. He saw Giles wasn’t getting much further with the police that held him. Spike’s eyes roamed over the victims laid out, checking for the petite blonde. He saw Xander, resting against the lamppost, and shook Giles.

“Look, there’s Xander. Maybe, Anya’s with him. Why don’t you go and check?” Giles pointed to Xander and told the policeman, he knew him. They allowed him to go to Xander.

Spike backed up, then sped with vampiric speed around to the back of the store. It was relatively intact, the blast having destroyed the front part of the store. He could hear the fireman out front, but he tuned them out, closing his eyes to listen for Anya’s heart beat. He smelled blood, but that could have been anyone. His eyes opened as he heard a faint thumping coming from the partially collapsed area that had once been the office.

The wall had crumbled, and he was able to hop up on the debris, and climb inside the room. The instability of the room, probably was the reason, the firemen had ventured in here. She was here. He could smell her blood more strongly now. He could also detect her heartbeat, though it was slowing. The thought that his friend could die under a mass of rubble spurred Spike into action. He hefted a beam, and pushed it up and out of the way. He saw an expanse of skin under the desk, and concentrated his efforts on moving the broken pieces as quickly, and as carefully as possible.

“Hey, how did you get in here?!” A disembodied voice yelled at him. “Get out of there before you get yourself killed.”

“There’s someone trapped in here. I’m not leaving till I get her out. ” Spike yelled back.

“Anya, can you hear me? I’m coming. You hold on. Giles is right outside, and he can’t wait to see your pretty face, so you hold on.” Spike managed to push the desk off back, and there she was. He winced as he took in the numerous cuts. Her breath was getting shallower. He needed to hurry.

“We’re coming out. She needs oxygen.”

The firemen were waiting when his blonde head popped up through the opening created by the blast. They had a portable stretcher waiting, and helped as he laid the unconscious Anya on it. Once they were clear, he jumped out of the room, and landed right where the research table used to be. If they notice his strength and lack of breathing, they ignored it, in favor of concentrating on Anya.

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

The gang looked up as Xander was escorted from the examining room. He had a large bandage on his head, and his arm was wrapped in gauze. Buffy felt her eyes moisten with tears. Even though, she knew in her gut that Xander would betray her, she was still happy to see he wasn’t hurt badly. Who knew what this near-tragedy would change in Xander’s life? Maybe, this would be the impetus to end this in-fighting, and bring the team completely back together.

“Xander, how are you?” Willow asked, her hands flitting about Xander’s chest, trying to decide where to rest them.

“I’m fine. Groggy. How’s Anya?” He asked, looking at each of his friends in turn.

Willow sat next to him, pulling his unbound hand into her lap. “They say she has internal injuries. She was in the office, so the blast didn’t hit her directly. It was powerful enough, though, to throw her around. She has a head injury as well, but they aren’t as concerned with that as they are the amount of smoke she inhaled.”

“If Spike hadn’t found her when he did....” Tara stated, her eyes falling on the blonde vampire. Dawn and Buffy hugged him tightly. When they’d seen him exit the building on the TV, Buffy nearly fainted. He could have been trapped inside. He could have died along with Anya. But he hadn’t, and she felt so proud to be his wife, to know this former creature of evil had risked his life for another being.

“Thank you, Spike. Thank you for saving her.” Xander said sincerely.

Spike nodded curtly. Giles had embraced him when the ambulance had pulled off. It had shaken Spike to the core to realize the Watcher, the man he’d thought so strong and stoic, was crying tears of relief and happiness.

“Maybe, you should take Xander home, and let him rest.” Giles said, pushing off the wall. “There’s nothing any of you can do here. I’ll call as soon as I know something.”

Xander stood, the sudden movement causing him to sway. Willow and Tara grabbed him to steady and support him. “I’m not leaving till I know she’s alright. If she wakes up, I want her to know I stayed.”

“Xander, you were injured too. You can’t help Anya, right now.” Willow told him firmly. “We can come back in the morning, once she’s settled in her room. I promise, but right now, you need to get to a bed, and rest.”

Buffy touched his arm, drawing his attention to her. “Listen to Willow. You have to heal too.” She said, standing on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “Don’t worry. Anya’s going to be fine. You’ll see.”

“You’ll call with news as soon as she comes out.” It wasn’t a question directed at Giles. It was a statement of fact.

Giles nodded, already turning back to stare out the window.

“Xander, I’m so glad you’re okay.” Dawn said, wrapping her arms gently around his neck. “You know I love you, right? I may not always say it, but I do.”

Xander nodded, the slight motion making his head fell like lead.

“Will, you be careful, okay? Hopefully, Warren’s gone back into hiding, and we won’t hear from him anytime soon.” Buffy cautioned as Tara guided Xander out the room.

“Oh, don’t worry about us. Warren would be stupid to mess with me right now. We’ll be fine. Call us at our apartment.”

“We will.” Spike told her, his eyes watching Giles.

Willow stopped as she passed her friend and mentor. “Giles... Anya is strong, and she loves you. She’ll fight to get back to you. Don’t forget that, okay?” Giles turned to the redhead, and was enveloped in a tight, fierce hug.

“Thank you, Willow. Take care of Xander and yourselves.”

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

Buffy peered up at Spike, his features relaxed in sleep. She wished she could rest, but she couldn’t. The guilt was overwhelming. This was all her fault. Warren was gunning for her. Travers was gunning for her. Anya and Xander wouldn’t have been injured if not for her. Buffy reached across Spike’s chest to push Dawn’s hair out of her face. What if she’d been there with Anya? A small cry slipped past her lips unbidden, and Buffy looked up alarmed, to find a pair of piercing cerulean eyes staring at her. She shook her head, burying it in the crook of Spike’s neck. She felt his cool lips against her skin, and took comfort in it.

“It’s not your fault, Buffy. It’s not.” He whispered, knowing her thoughts. “Place the blame where it belongs with that psycho Warren and that wanker Travers. Don’t take this on yourself, Luv.”

“I feel responsible. Warren wouldn’t have targeted them if it were not for me being their friend.” Buffy sucked his lips, trying to keep from crying.

“All of them chose to be your friend. Chose to remain with you, even after finding out who and what you are. It was their choice.”

Buffy laced her fingers with Spike’s. “What about out daughter? She didn’t choose us, this life. We brought her into this world. She’s defenseless Spike. She’s...she’s innocent.”

“I know. As soon as it’s safe, we’ll do the ritual.”

Buffy sat up, looking straight into Spike’s eyes. “I want to do it now. I don’t want to wait. Warren’s getting bolder and deadlier. It’s only a matter of time, till he comes after me. I want to make sure...” She said, caressing Spike’s face before leaning forward to press her lips softly to his. “I want to make sure she has every possible chance to live. Just in case, the worst happens.”

If Dawn wasn’t wrapped like a second skin around his arm, Spike would have hauled his petite, pregnant wife out of bed to have it out with her. As it was, he couldn’t move. He couldn’t shout. All he could do was grit his teeth, and wish every painful death visited on Warren. “No, it won’t happen. Don’t even think it. I won’t let it happen.”

Buffy placed her lips back on his, shushing him. “I don’t like thinking like this either, but we have to be realistic. We might not be able to stop Warren from trying to hurt me, and if that happens, I could go into premature labor. I don’t want her to die because of that. I want her to have every chance to survive.” She continued, though Spike’s horror and sadness, were making her regret bringing this subject up.

Spike took a deep, unneeded breath, and let it out. No, she wasn’t going to die. No one was taking her or the baby from him. “You want to do the ritual. But if we do it, I don’t want to hear anymore about you leaving me. You can’t, Buffy. You can’t. I couldn’t...”

“I’m sorry, baby.” Buffy said, trying to meld into Spike’s side. “I’m not planning on going anywhere. I promise.”

They held each other, neither noticing the tears falling down Dawn‘s cheek.

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

Not again. That single phrase reverberated through Giles’ mind as the minutes turned into hours. She’d looked so pale, so small on the stretcher when they brought her out. Her blonde hair was covered in blood and dust. He heard the EMTs say that they were surprised anyone had survived the blast, but they didn’t know Anya.

God, he didn’t know Anya as well as he wanted to. He wanted time to get to know everything about her. Her history, her past, her plans and desires for the future. He wanted that chance. God, it wasn’t fair. She deserved to have a full, happy life. I want to have one with her.

“Mr. Giles?”

Giles scrambled to his feet as the doctor stood beside him, her hands shoved into the pockets of her coat.

“Yes, how is Anya?”

“It was touch and go. She had a ruptured spleen, which we removed, and some lacerations to her liver. You know about the head injury. A hairline fracture of the skull. She was very, very lucky. She will have to stay in the hospital for a few weeks. We may have to go back in to check on her liver.”

“But she will live?” Giles asked hopefully.

The doctor smiled at him. “Yes, she will. They will be putting her into intensive care. You can see her tomorrow.”

Giles shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you. Thank you.”

“You’re welcomed. Now, go home. We’re going to take good care of Anya.” She said, smiling again before heading back through the sealed emergency room doors.

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

Reginald couldn’t believe what had occurred. Travers had let loose a madman on this city, and they were all lucky, they’d not been killed in the blast. This went beyond the edicts of the Council. This wasn’t about preserving the balance between good and evil. This was about murder, pure and simple. Warren could have killed hundreds of people, innocents. The very people the Council was formed to protect. Travers had to be stopped, no matter the cost. For it was very likely, Reginald thought, this scene would be repeated once he had the child in his possession.

“Reginald, we will have Mr. Jayme‘s diary by the end of the day. I need for you to go through it completely to ensure we have missed nothing. We cannot afford to misstep this late in the game. Once we have the child, we can relax a little, but for now, we must be diligent.” Travers told him, strolling in from the bedroom. He glanced briefly at the window, but otherwise made no comment on the destruction he’d sanctioned.

“Yes, sir. Are you sure the meeting will still take place today?”

“If I know Ms. Summers, she will want to meet. She believes in her husband. She believes he can protect her and their child. She will do what she feels is right, and everyone else be damned.” He said with a smile, remembering the last time he’d been in Sunnydale. Back when the hellbeast, Glorificus wanted the Key, Dawn Summers. “She is nothing if not predictable.”

She’s scared for her child, you pompous ass. Reginald had to resist the urge to shove the butter knife through the neck folds of the man seated at the table. Had the power corrupted him? Or was he always this cold and callous? “I will be ready to do whatever is necessary, sir.”

“You’re a good man, Reginald. A good man, indeed.”

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

Xander’s eyes opened, the smell of the fresh-brewed coffee penetrating his sleep. He groaned as he felt his body protest his desire to actually move, but he gritted his teeth to the pain, and stumbled to the bathroom.

When he emerged, Willow was sitting on the bed. Xander straightened up, and shuffled over to her. He didn’t want her to worry about him. If she did, she might not take him to the hospital, and he wanted to be there when Anya woke up. If she woke up at all today.

“Come on, sit down. I’ve got some coffee and there’s raisin toast out in the kitchen.” Willow rambled off furiously.

“Thanks, Will. I really needed this.” He said, sipping the strong black brew. “As soon as I get my clothes on, we’ll head back to the hospital.

“Hold on, bud. You can’t go in to see Anya with caked on blood and dirty bandages. You gotta clean up first, then we’ll go. Giles just called, and she’s still unconscious, but the doctor told him they’d induced a coma to give her body a chance to heal. There’s no rush to get down there. Tara went ahead. She’s going to stay while Giles goes to Buffy’s meeting with Travers.”

Xander thought his ears might have been damaged in the explosion. “Come again? Buffy is willing meeting with Travers. Why?”

Willow bit her lower lip. “Spike’s chip. The plans Travers gave us were legit. They can help us remove the chip without killing Spike. At least, that’s what we want him to think.”

The anger that usual flared in Xander at the mention of the chip barely flickered. “Well, that’s great news for them.” He told her sincerely. “Buffy’s thrilled, I’m sure.”

“She is.” Willow stated, peering into Xander’s eyes. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“I do. I’ve been such a fool, Willow. Anya told me as much, but I didn’t want to listen to her. Didn’t want to believe what she was telling me. I see the truth now, and....” He stammered.

“And what?” Willow pushed him to answer. Talking was good. Not talking was bad.

“The soul doesn’t matter. It’s the intent. Warren has a soul, and he nearly killed both Buffy and Anya. Travers has a soul, and he’s plotting against Buffy and her baby. I just thought there had to be differences, you know. It couldn’t be something so simple, but Anya knew. She’s smart like that.”

Willow slid her arm around his waist, stroking his injured arm softly, healing it through her touch. “Xander...” She debated telling him everything. Right now, he didn’t need to know about their plans. There would be time enough for that later. Who knew if there would be a operation now that the...

“Shit! The talisman!” She exclaimed. “It’s still in the building. I need that. We have to have it.”

“What talisman, Will? What’s going on?” Xander asked, concerned by the gleam in Willow’s eyes.

“Umm, I need to call Tara. Do you need me to help you into the bathroom?”

“No, I can manage, but you’re going to tell me everything, and I want the whole truth.” He stated, limping to the bathroom.

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

Tara hated to wake Giles, but she wanted him to know someone was there to relieve him, though she doubted he would leave.

“Giles. Giles.” She said softly, shaking his arm.

Giles sat up, his eyes wide and his neck aching. “What? Is it Anya?” He asked, his mind sharp and focused on his girlfriend.

“No, she’s resting. I haven’t been back to see her, but I brought you some coffee.” She handed the cup to him, and watched as he took a few sips to clear any lingering cobwebs.

“Thank you.” He breathed, laying his head back against the wall. “What time is it?”

“A little after 9. You stayed here all night.” She told him.

“Yes.” He answered. “They brought Anya out around 1, and put her in intensive care. They said I could see her this morning. I need to see her.” He said, rubbing his face with his free hand.

“I said a prayer for her, and I’ve got some herbs to do a healing spell. It’s the same one we used on Buffy, so it should help to speed up her recovery.” Tara told him, wanting to give him some hope.

“Buffy? Oh, dear lord, she has that meeting today with Travers.” Tara placed her hand on his arm.

“I talked to Spike this morning. They are going to go ahead with the meeting. Dawn is copying the pages we’ll need for the ritual. Willow is going to go over there after she drops Xander off. You can go if you want to, but we have everything under control. All you need to do is be here for Anya.”

“Thank you.” He replied. They sat in comfortable silence, watching the people in the ICU waiting area, each with a loved one on the other side of the closed doors.

“We will need to get back into the Magic Box to retrieve the package, if it wasn’t destroyed in the…um.. in the explosion.”

“Willow and Xander are going by there before they come. Willow’s worried the Fire Department will scoop it up and throw it out in the trash. She’s going to try and locate it before that happens.”

Giles smiled. “We wouldn’t want what Anya’s had to go through to be all in vain. She’s going to be very upset once she wakes up, and hears about the store.”

Tara smiled too. “Yes, she will be, but she has insurance, probably more than she needed. The Magic Box will be rebuilt. Things will return to some normalcy around here. Well, at least, until the baby’s born, then that’s another story.”

“Thank you, Tara. I don’t think I say that enough.” Giles said sincerely. “You keep us all grounded. You don’t let us get too out of control or overwhelmed.” He said, leaning over to bestow a kiss at her temple.

“Ready to go see, Anya?”

“Do I look presentable?” Giles teased, knowing he looked as bad as he felt.

“If she loves the rugged, English type, then yes, you look presentable.”

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

Buffy stood in the shower, letting the water cascade over her body. She was stiff and still tired, but there were things, precautions that needed to be taken care of before Travers arrived. One, she had to get her anger under control. They had a plan, and she had to play her part or their ruse would be discovered. So, no “Beat Down Buffy” today. She had to channel “Scared, Terrified, and Suspicious Buffy”, the one who rarely came out unless forced to by her Vampire.

The door opened, shrouding the figure in steam. She knew he was there, had felt him as he came to the door. She closed her eyes, and dunked her head under the stream of hot water, and waited till she heard the shower curtain move, to open them. She smiled a grin of pure lust at the sight of him naked and wet, but she also smiled with the knowledge that he would make her feel better just by being with her, not in a sexual sense, but with his very presence.

“Hogging all the hot water, luv?”

“Yep. I’m a water-hogger, besides being a walking water ball.” She joked. Spike moved around her till he blocked the pulsating staccato of the water. She felt instantly cold at the lack of warmth, but he rectified the situation by enveloping her in his arms. His skin was warm and soothing, and she couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

“I hate this.”

“I know. But at least, in here, your snotty nose won’t stain my shirt.”

Buffy gasped and smacked him with her hand. “Hey! I thought you loved everything about me.” She whined, poking her lip out.

Spike grinned and nipped her lip with his blunt teeth. “I do, but the runny nose is gross, Luv. Doesn’t mean I love you any less.”

“Tell me this is all going to be alright.”

“As much as it’s in my power, I can. We will make it through this, and every other thing that life and the Hellmouth throws our way. We’re a team, and we’re a family. Nothing is stronger than that. Not all the magic in the world, can tear us apart.”

Buffy nodded, squeezing the tight muscles along his back. “Nothing.” She agreed. “I wish Giles could be here. I’m not scared, but if I had the two of you here, I would feel better. I’d be less likely to plant my fist down Travers’ throat.”

Spike leaned his head back, rewetting his hair. Buffy looked up at him, her eyes soft with love. “Travers is playing us. The attack on Anya was nothing more than another of his attempts to shake us.”

“It worked.” Buffy answered.

”Yeah, it did.” He said, remembering how still and limp Anya had felt in his arms. “I promise you Warren and Travers will pay for what they’ve done. They won’t get away with this.” He assured her, vehemently.

“Yes, they’ll pay. I’ll make sure they pay. I just don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

Spike smoothed her hair back, holding her head in a light grip as they gazed into each other’s eyes. “Ready Joan?”

Buffy grinned. “Ready, Randy.”

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

Xander watched as Willow cut the crime scene tape and opened the back door of the store. They could smell the burnt, acrid wood as they came through the training room. The destruction of the store was hard to take. The place was their second home, and an act of violence had been committed against it.

They peered out the open door, and saw two policemen standing outside, protecting the place against looters.

“The locator spell should direct me to it. We just have to hope it was damaged too much.” Willow whispered as she snuck out of the room. Xander was going to stand watch and alert her if anyone came inside.

Seeing the damage wrought by Warren’s bomb brought home the very real possibility that Anya could have died in the blast. Only Giles’ phone call had saved her. Last night, he hadn’t been able to thank the Watcher and Spike for saving her, but he would once he got to the hospital. For all the hurt and pain they’d put each other through, Xander still loved Anya.

Xander saw Willow’s head pop up to see if the policemen were watching, as she climbed up on the counter and crawled in to the demolished office, going in the same way Spike had done yesterday.

“Come on, where are you?” She groused, knowing the package was near by, but unable to put her hands on it. Her eyes widened when she saw the rubble move as she neared it. Getting down on her knees, she moved the broken wood and plaster aside. She mused on the ironic nature of what she was doing. She was literally playing Jenga, and one wrong move, one wrong slat moved, and the whole thing would come tumbling down on her.

The box was within her fingertips, and she stretched as far as she could. Using a bit of telekinesis, she eased it out till she was able to grasp it, and pull it free from the debris. Sitting back on her haunches, she ripped the box open. She rolled her eyes heavenward in thanks to the goddess. The talisman inside was intact, if not for the rather large dent on the side. That wouldn’t stop it from being useful. At least something was going right for them.

Xander breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Willow’s red hair as she checked to see if the coast was clear before stepping gingerly out of the makeshift opening for the office, and onto the counter. She dropped to the floor, scurrying behind the counter as she landed on some broken glass. One of the policemen peered inside, but was distracted by the timely honking of a motorist. Willow rushed across the opening, and flew into the room. She stood for several minutes bent over, trying to catch her breath, not only from the superhuman run, but also from the excitement.

“I got it. Let’s head to the hospital.” She said, proudly displaying her prize.

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

Giles reached out a shaky hand, and brushed Anya’s hair back off her face. She liked for him to play with her hair when they were in bed, but now, she showed no sign of even being aware he was there. Tara had opted to stay outside, and wait for Willow to arrive, leaving the two lovers alone.

“You have a flair for the dramatic, Anyanka.” He said, smiling as her full name rolled off his tongue. “Even with all of this surrounding you, you are still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. The thing is, my dear, I need for you to open your eyes. I need you to wake up so I can tell you how much I love you.”

A nurse came in, smiling sympathetically at Giles. “She can hear you, you know. Keep talking to her. Your voice will guide her back to you.” She said, making a note on her chart.

“Thank you. Excuse me?” He said before she exited. “Do you know when they will allow her to wake?”

“Soon. Are you her husband?”

Giles grinned. Well, at least, they didn’t say I was your father. “No, her boyfriend.” There he’d said it out loud, and it didn’t feel as high schoolish as he felt.

“The doctors have decreased the medicine that keeps her asleep. She should be coming out of it soon.” With that, the nurse left.

“Here that, Anya. You don’t have an excuse to stay asleep. I’m going to have to leave, but I’ll be back as soon as I’m finished with my business. I’ll be back before you open those beautiful eyes.” He raised her hand to his lips, and pressed them lovingly to her skin.

“I love you Anyanka. I love you.”

Giles pulled himself away from her side, reluctantly. He wanted to be selfish. He didn’t want to allow Xander or anyone else to be by her side, but he knew they loved her as well. And he had business to take care of. Quentin would pay. With everything within his power, Quentin and Warren would pay for harming Anya, for threatening Buffy. He would see to it. They’d never met Ripper, but they would, and god help them when they did.

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

Dawn thought it resembled a Mexican standoff. Buffy and Spike on one side of the living room. Quentin Travers on the other. They stared at each other with occasional glances at the journal lying on the coffee table between them. Buffy didn’t want her anywhere near the head of the Watcher’s Council, so she was forced to be sneaky, and sit on the stairs just out of Buffy’s line of sight. Of course, Spike saw her, and waved her back, but he otherwise let her be.

“Ms. Summers, I was sorry to hear about Rupert’s business and his young lady friend.” Travers said, pulling his watch fob out of the little pocket.

Count to ten. Breathe in. Breathe out. Remember this is all a game until tonight and Monday. “Yes, we are all sorry about what happened. Warren is a madman. Very unpredictable. One would be either insane or pompous to think they could control him.” She said, grinning tightly.

“Well, I’m sure the police will have him in custody as soon as possible. I know you’ll feel safer once your husband’s chip is removed. He’ll be able to fight off any and all attackers.”

“We’ll feel safer when all threats to Buffy have been eliminated.” Dawn snickered at the icy tone of Spike’s threat. It was plain to see that he was putting Travers on notice.

Travers smiled, and Buffy wanted to rip his lips off. “Mr. Spike, was that threat directed at me. For I assure you, I wish no harm to come to your wife or your child.” Travers’ gaze studied Buffy’s stomach, causing Bitty to move and shift as she tried to avoid his stare. Spike rubbed the moving bundle within, and Buffy’s breath came out in a rush.

“Let’s get on with this. We need to get down to the hospital.” Buffy said sharply. “You want the book. We need the things on this list. Can you get them for us?” She asked, pushing the pad across the table to him.

Travers removed his reading glasses from his inside pocket and read the list. He looked up once at Buffy and Spike before ripping the page off, and stuffing it in his pocket.

“I can have these things to you within a few days. You weren’t planning on doing the procedure anytime soon I hope.”

“No,” Buffy answered gravely. Here comes the money shot. She thought. “We want to do it as soon as possible, especially with Warren running around town, gunning for me and my friends.”

Travers scooted forward, his eyes boring into Buffy’s. “I need one more thing. I don’t think it an unreasonable request.”

“You’ve already asked for the book. There it is.” Spike told him heatedly. “Take it and go.”

Travers stood, his eyes never leaving Buffy’s. “If we allow your husband to come off his leash, I need something as valuable to take his place. I am,” he emphasized, “taking a great risk for something I was sworn to kill on sight.”

“Lay a finger on him, and you’ll be eating through a straw.”

Travers raised his hands in submission. “No harm will come to your husband. You have my promise. I want access to the child. She’s a miracle by all standards. She needs to be nurtured in her calling, something I don’t think you’ll be able to do.”

“Leave, Quentin. Take the book and leave.” Giles said calmly from the opened door. “Now, before I forget you’re my boss, and throw you down the steps head first.”

Dawn stood in awe, staring at a Giles she’d never seen before. She could feel the power and barely contained anger coming off him in waves. This was the Ripper. The person she’d heard Spike and Buffy joke about. This was the person who had slain Ben without a moment’s pause, to protect Buffy and her from Glory.

Travers looked from Giles to Buffy to Spike, sensing he’d worn out his welcome. “Think about what I’ve said. It really would be for the best.”

“Get out!” Giles repeated, holding the door opened.

“I will call you when the items you requested have arrived. Good day.” Travers picked up the book, his eyes gleaming with unconcealed glee.

Giles watched him walk out the door before slamming it shut. Buffy walked over to him, her arms ope for an embrace.

“How’s Anya?” Buffy said, guiding him to the sofa. Dawn came down from her not-so-secretive hiding place, and wrapped her arm around Spike’s waist.

“She’s still unconscious. I left Willow, Tara, and Xander there.” He said, almost breathlessly. “I wanted to come and confront him. For purely selfish reasons, Buffy. I’m sorry.”

Buffy smiled, understandingly, and took his hand in hers. “No need to apologize, Giles. We are all about being selfish these days.”

Spike looked pointedly at Dawn, jerking his head in the direction of the kitchen. She oohed and inched her way out of the room to give Buffy and Giles time to talk. The father and daughter never noticed their absence.

“How are you, Buffy?”

“Scared, tired, irritable. You name it. I’m feeling it. But I’m okay. Spike takes good care of me, of the three of us.” She said, patting her stomach. “What about you? What do you need from me?”

Giles leaned back into the couch, tears forming in his eyes. “I need for you to be safe, for Travers and Warren to drop off the face of the earth.”

Buffy wiped at the tears in her eyes. “See, we have the same agenda. Giles, we’ll understand if you don’t want to do the surgery on Monday. You need to be with Anya, and she’s going to need you in the coming weeks.”

Giles sat up, smiling at the thoughtful gesture. “No, Buffy. Thank you for the offer, but no. I want to do it. Anya wants me to do this. She believes in the two of you, your love. She will need me as she recovers, and I would feel better knowing Spike was able to fight Travers’ people and Warren if I’m not around. So, please don’t worry.”

The relief was evident on Buffy’s face. She hadn’t wanted to consider waiting any longer. “We’re going to do the ritual for Bitty tonight. I don’t want to wait. I can’t risk her being unprotected should something happen to me.”

Giles thought about it, and it made sense. “Do you need my assistance?”

“No. We have Jayme’s instructions, and not too surprisingly, Spike can read Latin.” She learned something new about him everyday.

“Alright.” He chuckled, the first smile he’d had since yesterday. “I’ll come over to see how you’re doing after visiting hours.”

“Speaking of, let’s retrieve those two from the kitchen, and head on down there.” Buffy suggested, pushing off the sofa to stand.

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

“You can stay ten minutes. She needs her rest.” The nurse told him as he walked into Anya’s room. His eyes teared up at the sight of his former lover, bandaged and bruised, with IVs running from her arms to the machines at her bedside. Gone was the exuberant and vivacious woman he loved. She looked so fragile, so helpless.

He pulled the chair up close to the bed, shifting his injured arm to the side, so he could hold her hand. He caressed it, cautious of the needles stuck in the veins.

“Hey, Anya. It’s me, Xander.” He said almost shyly. “I know you weren’t expecting me to be here, but I am. I’m not leaving you again. I made the mistake of leaving you before, of hurting you, but that’s all in the past.”

He hoped she could hear him. He needed her to know what he’d taken for granted.

“You were right about everything, but you already knew that. It’s just hard to forget about the past, isn’t it? I was coming to talk to you, and I saw Warren, looking at you. If I’d known what he had planned, I would done things differently. What do they say? Hindsight is 20/20. So you see, Anya, I need for you to wake up, so you can tell me how wrong I’ve been. I need you to tell me how to fix things so we can talk and be friends again. I need to see you laugh again, Anya.”

Xander laid his forehead on their clasped hands and prayed for the first time in years.

Anya struggled to open her eyes. She heard a voice, a male voice. In her drug-adled mind, that voice, any male voice had to be her snookums, her Giles. He would tell her what was wrong, why she felt so heavy.

“R..Ru..” She tried to say, her mouth unable to voice the words due to the tube down her throat. She began to panic, thrashing in the bed, straining against her restraints.

Xander sat up, startled by the sudden movement and called for help. The nurses shooed him out of the room, closing the curtain. He strained to hear what was being said. Strained to see through the small gap.

“Okay, sweetie, open your eyes. Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m a nurse at the hospital.” She smiled down at Anya. “We’re going to take the tube out of your mouth, but we need you to be still okay. Everything is okay. You’re safe.”

Anya nodded dreamily, her head still swimming.

“On three, I want you to take a deep breath. One. Two. Three.” The nurse pulled the final inches of the tube out in concert with Anya’s deep breath. She coughed and her eyes watered from the pain in her dry throat.

“I’m going to let you have a sip of water. Don’t try to drink any more than that. We’ve gotta make sure everything is okay.”

Anya took a sip, swishing the liquid around in her mouth, and swallowed. “Rupert?” She asked when Rachel turned back to her.

“Is that your boyfriend? The man that was just here?”

Anya nodded yes, erroneously assuming they were talking about the same person. “I’ll get him, you relax.”

“She’s calling for you. Your girlfriend was very lucky, Rupert.”

Xander looked at her, dumbfounded. “Oh, I’m not Rupert. That’s her business partner. He’s a friend.”

Rachel blushed. “Oh, I’m sorry. My mistake.” She looked back at Anya, who was asleep again. "She’s asleep, and her doctor just walked in. You’ll have to come back.” She said ushering him out of the room.

Xander walked the corridor in a daze. It was crazy what he was thinking. Probably just a misunderstanding since Giles stayed all night at the hospital. Anya doesn’t have any kin, no friends other than us. He stayed, and they got the wrong impression. That was all that was.

Giles stood up, moving faster than Xander had ever seen him unless they were in a fight.

“How is she? Is she awake?” He demanded.

Xander took a step back. “She woke up for a few minutes. Long enough for them to remove the tube down her throat. She asked for you, Giles, but I was there.” He said, taking a long, hard look at the man in front of him.

Giles met his stare head on. There was no flinching or guilty glances to the side. Giles looked him in the eye. Xander knew about denial. Knew he had a tendency to dismiss what he’d seen with his own two eyes. He’d been guilty of that with Spike and Buffy. Was this the same situation? Was he the last to know? Xander slowly scanned the faces of his friends, looking for proof to what he was thinking.

“I wonder if her doctor has seen her?” Dawn asked, breaking the silence.

“He was just getting there when I left.” Xander replied.

“I guess we wait, then.” Tara said

“Yeah, there’s nothing we can do until he checks her out and they allow us to go back.” Dawn’s stomach grumbled loudly. Spike snickered.

“What? I was a tad bit busy this morning with the running around at the library and all. I didn’t get a chance to eat.” Dawn defended.

“Why don’t we go down to the cafeteria and get some lunch?” Giles suggested. “I could use a bite myself. We can also use the time to discuss Monday’s operation.”

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

It often amazed Spike that these people were the ones to defeat him time and time again, but sitting with them, huddled together in the cafeteria of a hospital discussing strategy, he was once again reminded why he’d never succeeded.

“So the talisman will allow you to enter Spike’s brain, and remove the chip, but only after you’ve clipped the wires attached to the pain center. Okay, confused, and really icked at the moment, Will.” Buffy grimaced, pushing away the chocolate pudding she was eating.

“The talisman can open a portal, similar to the one I used to enter your subconscious, only this one will allow me to reach inside Spike’s brain and pull out...”

“His last shred of common sense.” Xander grumbled.

“Well, at least, I have some, Harris.” Spike quipped back.

The insulting between Spike and Xander was oddly comforting. A return to the way things used to be before they got shot to hell.

“Guys…can we get back on topic.” Buffy felt obligated to say.

“Sorry, Will.”

“Sorry, Red.”

Willow gave both men a glare that meant any further interruptions would lead to injuries on their parts. “Okay, as I was saying. The talisman grants the wearer the power to transcend different physical states. If I wanted to, I could walk through walls or through a bank vault. Anything. It allows you to do that, but it takes a lot of energy, which is why it isn’t used very often.”

“Cool.” Dawn added. It was cool, Buffy thought, but she could do the same thing with a demon’s chest.

“That’s it in a nutshell. We’ll set up a room in the mansion for the first part of the surgery. Then, we’ll strap Spike down, and use the talisman for the last bit. After Spike wakes up, we’ll come back to the house so he can rest.” Willow purposely left out any mention of the demon, knowing the fragile peace that surrounded the table would be shattered in an instant.

Xander waited, wondering how long they were going to ignore the one thing they needed to discuss. “Is no one going to say it?”

Spike and Buffy wore matching looks of annoyance. Willow slumped her shoulders in defeat. Giles looked off to the side, obviously not concerned about what was going on. Tara and Dawn were staring down at their plates, hoping the subject would be dropped.

“Look, Harris, we know how you feel about the chip and the demon. I’m not going to sit here and rehash it with you. We want you to stay with Buffy, Tara and Dawn at the house. Me, Willow, and Giles will go to the mansion. If something happens, you’ll be able to protect them from me.”

Buffy rolled her eyes, but said nothing. No point in jumping in, and really, she didn’t have the strength to hold back and spare his feelings.

Xander seemed to accept that. “Fine. I’ll stay at the house. But you’re already invited in, so we’ll need something else for protection, not only from you, but from any outsiders.”

“I…I can do a protection spell. I can make it so no one, except us, can get in.” Tara offered, her eyes showing her displeasure at creating something to keep Spike out of his own home.

Spike reached across and patted Tara on the arm. “It’s okay, luv. We do what we have to do to protect the ones we love.”

“I’m going to head on up. See if Anya’s awake.” Giles said, pushing away from the table, and hurrying to the elevators.

“I didn’t realize he and Anya had gotten so close.” Xander said, gauging the reactions of the people seated.

“Xander…” Willow started. “Things have changed. They are closer, friendlier.”

Xander scoffed. “So what are you saying? They’re dating now.”

Willow tried to reach out for him, but he jerked away from her. “No. She wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t… not with Giles.”

“Xander, they weren’t trying to hurt you.” Buffy offered lamely. It sounded like an excuse, and it was. But she knew Giles and Anya didn’t set out to deliberately screw Xander over. Your heart loved who it loved.

“I don’t believe this. And you knew.” He accused, standing up. He looked at them, his family. They were supposed to look out for him, care for him. Not lie and keep secrets behind his back.

“You let me walk around here trying to get her back, and you knew she was with Giles. How could you do that?” He spat.

“Xander, it wasn’t done to hurt you.” Buffy tried to say, but he cut her off with a look of pure venom.

“As long as you were happy, nothing else mattered, right Buff? As long as you have Spike, my feelings don’t concern you.”

“Hey, lay off.” Spike warned. “It wasn’t our secret to tell. It still isn’t. If you want to know what happened, you’ll have to talk to them, but lay off the rest of us.”

“I bet you got a nice giggle off of me. Stupid, dumb Xander. Can’t see what’s right in front of his face.”

Xander backed up till he bumped into another table. “You’re supposed to be my friends. I guess friendship doesn’t count for much these days.”

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

Xander heard Willow calling him, but he didn’t stop. He raced through the closing doors of the elevator, and punched the floor for the ICU. On the ride up, he tried to convince himself that this thing with Giles was meaningless. That it couldn’t touch what he and Anya had shared for 3 years. He stepped off the elevator, searching for Giles.

What are you going to say? What can you say? What right do you have to say anything?

Xander shook his head till he saw stars. The attendant at the front desk was gone, so he slipped inside the ICU unhampered. He walked slowly to Anya’s cubicle, hoping against hope that he would be proven wrong or that this was all a bad dream.

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

“Ms. Jenkins is doing terrific for 15 hours post-op. We’ve detected no further bleeding, meaning we were able to close all the lacerations to her liver and spleen. She’s breathing on her own, which is a bonus. We will probably move her down to a private room later today or tomorrow.” Giles shook the hand of the surgeon from the previous night, and slipped quietly into Anya’s room.

He stood at her bedside watching as she breathed, grateful for the opportunity to see it again. She must have sensed his presence because her eyes opened, focusing immediately on him. She smiled tiredly, and reached out for him.

”Rupert.” She said with breathlessly, and Giles felt his heart speed up. Never had his name sounded so lovely.

“Anya,” He said, grabbing hold of her hand, kissing it, squeezing it tightly. “I’m so glad to see you.”

“I’m glad to see you too. That bad man blew up our store.” She pouted.

“He did, but I don’t care as long as you’re okay.” Giles told her, holding her hand to his chest. “I thought I’d lost you.”

Anya smiled, wincing a little. “I’ve survived tougher guys than Warren. I’m sorry I worried you. You look like hell.”

Giles snickered with glee. “Well, I find it hard to sleep and eat with you in here.”

“Well, you need your rest. I won’t be in here for long, and you’ll need to give me many orgasms and pamper me silly once I get home.”

“You have my word on it, my dear.”

“I love you, Rupert Giles.”

“I love you, too, Anya. I really do.”

Xander felt the bile rise up from his stomach, choking him. Oh, god, it was true. They’d lied to him. All of them had lied to him. Played him for the fool, once again. Even Willow, his friend, his almost sister, she’d known and hadn’t told him. In the end, you can’t trust anyone but yourself. They all betray you, no matter what.

TBC

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