It Happened One Night
By: GoldenBuffy
Summary: Xander blew up and stormed out of
Giles’ flat. Buffy confessed to Joyce about the pregnancy.
Disclaimer: It's Joss's universe, I only run
around and play inside.
Author's Notes: Thanks to my awesome beta Just_Sue
for doing another fabulous job! *squee* And a special thanks to Niamh who wrote
the chant for me and gave me direction on what to do. Thanks again!!! Last but
not least, thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, it makes me happy to
know you’re enjoying my little tale.
++++
Chapter Six: Nosy Little Sisters and
Magicks
“If you limit your choices only to
what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly
want, and all that is left is a compromise.”
Robert Fritz
“It is our choices...that show what we
truly are, far more than our abilities.”
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and The
Chamber of Secrets, 1999
The front door opened then closed as the
muffled voices of her mother and sister drifted to her ears, piquing Dawn’s
interest. Slipping out of bed, and tiptoeing down the carpeted stairs, she
rested at the bottom, peeled to listen in on any conversation.
Dawn had wrongly assumed her sister was
in trouble about some new demonic threat on the Hellmouth, but her assumption
was corrected as she heard the words ‘Riley’ and ‘baby’ - which was way cringe
worthy. Wasn’t it bad enough that Buffy even dated the idiot? - and now she was
pregnant by him… just great! The teen's ears perked up at the revelation that
the baby wasn't Riley's, but Spike's. 'Kewl, Buffy’s having Spike’s baby.
And I'm so going to be an aunt! How cool is that?'
Focusing back on the exchange, Dawn was saddened to hear
that Buffy had no desire to share the news with the blond vampire. She really
wanted to have a tantrum, but it would alert the others to her eavesdropping,
and be added proof of the immaturity Dawn was desperately trying to convince
others she no longer suffered from. She was almost fifteen; she had an image of
maturity to project.
Counting to ten to calm her nerves
Dawn suddenly became aware that Buffy was heading towards the stairs. She
quickly retreated to her bedroom in the nick of time.
Retrieving a pair of pink cotton
pajamas from her drawer Buffy quickly changed. Her bed looked like the most
inviting thing she'd ever set eyes on. Just one thing was missing… the sheets.
She would worry about that later, first a trip to the bathroom. She had to pee…
again.
Buffy was greeted by a Dawn shaped
form making her bed as she entered the darkened room. She approached the bed as
her sister finished placing the last pillow in its pillowcase.
“Why aren't you sleeping?” Buffy
asked, pulling her hair into a haphazard ponytail.
The younger Summers tossed the pillow
onto the bed, really wanting to smack the older over the head with it. Turning
around to face the Slayer, Dawn took on a defensive stance. Her blue eyes
twinkling with hurt, anger, and a bit of rage. Buffy hadn't a clue what brought
on the change.
“I heard it all Buffy, the whole
thing. So before you try to go all deer-in-the-headlights on me, I know!”
She stressed the last part, voice cracking just a bit as she glared at the
blonde.
'Oh, so this is what the attitude is
all about, just great. So not in the mood for this.'
“You were supposed to be in bed, not
listening to a private conversation between me and mom.” Buffy countered,
mimicking Dawn's stance.
“It's my house and, I can do all the
listening I want. So what if you didn't involve me in the talking, that's so
not the point. The point is, you're not telling Spike.” Dawn spat. “So not
fair!” She whined the last part rolling her eyes in the process.
“No, I'm not, so deal! I’m not having
this conversation with you.”
“And why not? Were you even going to
tell me? Or do I fall under “no need to know due to association”?” Dawn glared
before forcefully turning away, resting her gaze on the window.
“No, I was going to tell you, and
planned on it… just not tonight. And I didn't want you to find out like this.
Dawnie, turn around, please.” Buffy implored, her voice taking on a softer
tone.
The brunette sighed, dropping her
shoulders as she plopped down onto the mattress. Looking at her older sister, she
began to nibble on her bottom lip.
“I hadn't expected to find out this
way either. I though you were tying to keep it secret that some new Big Bad had
blown into town.”
Buffy sat next to Dawn, studying her
affectionately. She’d forgotten that being the little sister of the vampire
slayer could be stressful. Buffy tenderly brushed a brown lock of hair behind
Dawn’s shoulder.
“It's not that I didn't want to tell you, believe me. I just
wanted it to be the right time. You know, maybe spend some sisterly quality
time together - share in some sugary goodness - and then I would spill.” Buffy
paused. “You know, you really have to stop with the secret listening,” she
finished giving Dawn a very mom like glare.
“Yeah, well, if I hadn't been all 00.Summers would you
have told me about Spike's involvement?”
It was Buffy's turn to look away and
chew her bottom lip. She didn't want to hurt Dawn, but would she have told her
sister about Spike's role? Sadly, the answer was no. The girl just wouldn’t
understand.
“See, I knew it! You so wouldn't have told me. And did I
mention how not fair this is to Spike! He isn't evil Buffy, you should tell
him.” Dawn set her most pathetic puppy dog eyes on her sister, hoping she would
cave to her request.
Long moments passed between them before Buffy continued.
“You know I never thought I'd make it past seventeen, let alone have children.
Every night I go out and kill the nasties on the Hellmouth. Every night I fight
evil, and I'm not going to risk the safety of my child so your conscience can
be clear.”
“Gee, Buffy. Do me a favor and listen to yourself for
once. 'I kill evil every night' blah… blah…blah! Yes, Buffy, I know what you
do. Hello, sister of the Slayer here. But Spike, he’s not so bad. I mean, you
left his invite in place...y-you helped him when he first escaped the
Initiative. Hey, you two even fought together to stop Angel, major brownie
points there. Plus, you can't deny he's changed, if you hadn't noticed. Just
give him a chance,” Dawn chirped hopefully.
The look Buffy was giving her was priceless; for once
the fourteen year old was able to deliver the eye opening truth. ‘Score one
for the Dawnster! Go team me!’
“Come on Buffy, you even said it
yourself. You never thought you'd make it this far, so maybe this is some kind
of reward… for-for your world savage!”
'Reward my ass!' Buffy thought bitterly.
“He is so, evil, and I left his invite
because... well... I knew you or mom would invite him back in… plus it was a
waste of good herbs.” Lame, even though it made perfect sense to Buffy, but
clearly Dawn wasn’t buying it. “Fighting against Angel, Spike had his reasons,
and soon as he got her he left.” Buffy said the last part with resentment; she
couldn’t fathom what Spike or Angel saw in Drusilla. ‘Psychotic ho-bag,
should have staked her when I had the chance, didn’t deserve Spike not one bit.
Okay, where did that come from?’
“He came to me for help and left me no choice, with
being fangless and all. I had to help him. I’m the Slayer, I help, it’s what I
do. And besides, demons can't change their nature; they were created evil and
evil they stay.”
Buffy refused to try and answer Dawn’s last comment.
“Fine, have it your way, Buffy. But when this comes back
and bites you in the butt - and believe me, it will when Spike finds out - I'll
be the one waiting with the huge banner that reads 'I told you so, Buffy!'”
Dawn shot up off the bed, and headed towards to the door.
“Don't you dare tell him!” Buffy barked. She hadn’t done
all that worrying and planning just to have her bratty sister ruin it all.
“Don't worry I won't tell him anything. But if
you hurt him.”
“Please, I can't hurt Spike. Vampires,
they have no feelings to hurt.” Buffy cringed inside when she made the remark;
she knew Spike at least, did care without a soul, but, she had to keep up
appearances.
Dawn truly had no idea just how
close-minded Buffy was. And it made her dislike Angel all the more. If demons
were so evil why’d she give him a chance in the first place? A soul doesn’t
make someone automatically good, just look at Jeffery Dahmer, Richard Ramirez,
Osama bin Laden. They were all human, all soul having, but were evil. Dawn
didn’t voice her opinion. ‘So hope she doesn’t rub off on me.’
With a frustrated sigh Buffy jumped
up off the bed, mumbling under her breath about know-it-all little sisters and
how they blow everything out of proportion. Closing the door she finally lay
down. 'Ah, nice, comfy, and quiet.'
Closing her eyes Buffy hoped sleep
would come. But her mind was too active. Sister to sister talk before bed… not
so mixy.
She let her mind drift off as echoes
from Dawn's voice bounced around her head. 'You can't deny he's changed...' Dawn
had a point, Buffy just wasn't ready to admit it to her, heck, she was
reluctant to admit it to herself. Anyone with two eyes, who wanted to see,
could perceive the change in the vampire. But wasn't that just like Spike to go
and break the mold? Acting all non-vampire like with feelings he shouldn’t
have. If it weren’t for Willow’s stupid “thy will be done” spell, well… Buffy
would never have known just how smooth Spike's lips were. Or the myriad
emotions just one kiss from him could stir.
Why did he have to be so damn sexy? Those sculpted
cheekbones, all too expressive eyes, his tight, muscular abs - it wasn't fair!
It was as if the Powers That Be wanted Buffy to screw up. One day they were
bored, sitting around, deciding it would be really fun to have some insane
vampiress turn some poor Victorian gentleman, who just happened to enjoy
killing slayers as a pass time. Who would later make one slayer... 'Whoa,
stop right there Buffy, not gonna go there.'
Why didn't smoochies with Riley make
her all jello-y in the knees? Granted, Riley set butterflies to Buffy's
stomach, but he didn't invoke the same feelings as Spike did. Riley was one
hundred percent, grade A normal guy, and just plain boring.
She’d gone out and got exactly what
Angel wanted her to get. Someone human, who just happened to work for some
secret government organization. The same organization which captured her arch
nemesis and, rendered him harmless, thus leaving her vulnerable to Willow's
spell… and Spike's sexy lips.
Her mind quickly switched into serious mode as Buffy
toyed with the idea of telling Spike about the pregnancy. This was another
admission she didn’t dare share with anyone. Deep down inside she feared that
he too would leave her like all the other men in her life. Telling Spike about
the baby, well there were just to many “what ifs”. Like, what if he didn’t
believe her and what if he resented her? She didn’t want him to leave. Even
when they were enemies, trying to kill each other on a daily basis, he was
still in Sunnydale and she knew he was alive, or un-dead. Buffy wasn’t ready
just yet to have the blond menace out of her life.
Buffy found her mind wondering to Xander, and his
reaction. He really had a nerve, what with the whole demon magnet thing he had
going on. What? It was okay to let Willow date a werewolf, and he could date an
ex-demon, but Buffy couldn’t date a vampire? Not that she would date Spike, but
Xander did become flippy when she did the whole “Romeo and Juliet” thing with
Angel. He was such a hypocrite!
With a groan, she sat up. All this thinking and
analyzing was too much for her tired brain. Jumping out of bed she marched over
to her window for some fresh air.
Spike stood, staring up at the darkened
bedroom window. It was a ritual he did every night since he’d left Giles’ flat.
The shadows all but swallowed him whole, except for the glow of his cigarette
and the shocking white of his platinum hair.
It was so easy to blame his current
state of living on the Slayer, to make the whole thing her fault. But Spike
knew it wasn't entirely her doing… Dru played a huge role in it as well.
Nattering on about him tasting of ashes and covered in Slayer. If only she
hadn’t pushed away his affections once they arrived in Belize. If she had only
taken him back, instead of opening her bed to every disgusting demon in the
vicinity - and if Spike hadn't concocted that stupid plan to bring the Slayer
to his sire as a gift. If he hadn't insisted on following, spying, looking for
the Slayer's weak spot, he wouldn't have let his guard down; to be captured by
those fucking soldier boys. Things would have been much different.
But Spike couldn't think of the “what
ifs” - truth was Drusilla had rejected him - and he had blamed it all on
the Slayer. He’d wanted her to bleed, to pay for the wrongness of his un-life.
Yearning that she make amends for making him feel the way he did about her now.
It wasn't right, it was sick, and twisted, he knew. Standing there nightly, keeping
a vigil beneath Buffy’s window was no longer about seeking out a weakness, but
to imagine him-self slipping into her room… and into her bed. Damn the spell
Red had cast, and damn him for not standing up and being the bigger vamp that
night. He should have told Buffy to bugger off, that he wasn’t some toy there
for her to get her rocks off. But the news about Joyce had devastated him as
well, and Spike found himself helpless before Buffy’s pleas.
He truly was Love’s bitch.
He watched the silhouettes of the
Slayer and Niblet as they interacted. He wondered what the little exchange was
about, from his viewpoint it appeared heated. Spike wanted to get closer, to
hear what was being said, but he knew the Slayer would sense him. Then Dawn
disappeared and he figured she had left the room. He made his mind up to wait
until Buffy drifted off into sleep before departing for the night.
Taking a drag off his cigarette he almost choked as
Buffy came into view. She had stuck her head out the window closing her eyes.
Spike stilled, holding his un-needed breath, extinguishing the amber glow of
his cigarette with thumb and finger.
Buffy opened her eyes doing a quick scan of the
neighborhood, a small smile playing at her lips. There, in the dark, she
spotted the shock of white and knew it could only be one person. She should
have been angry, disturbed, disgusted, but she wasn’t. For some reason Spike’s
presence made her feel safe, like someone would always have her back. And some
tiny little voice told her that the vampire would always be there for her. So
she leaned further out the window.
Did she see him? He wondered still not moving. Spike
watched as Buffy scanned her surroundings, her eyes seemingly blind to his
presence. Peering up at her form Spike could make out a demure smile dancing
upon her lips. Why was she smiling? As if reading his mind the Slayer replied.
“Good night, Spike,” Her voice was heavy with mirth,
then she pulled herself back inside.
Spike couldn’t help the small grin that tugged at the corner
of his mouth, as he walked away into the night. “Good night, Buffy.”
++++
‘California Dreamin’ floated from the radio as mother
and daughter rode along the street. Joyce was humming along with the Mammas
and the Pappas, as Buffy chewed her bottom lip.
“Slow down, sweetie, before you draw blood.”
Buffy stopped, giving her mom a small smile. Sighing she
turned to glance out the passenger window.
“A penny for your thoughts?” Joyce offered her daughter,
taking her eyes off the road for a moment.
“Huh, what?” Buffy asked distractedly.
“I asked is everything all right with you? You don’t
seem yourself this morning.”
“Well, no. I just shared with you the most damaging news
of my life right now, and all you can do is sing along with the radio. Why isn’t
this bothering you as much as I think it should be? You sure seem chipper for a
woman whose daughter is carrying the spawn of hell,” the blonde protested,
slouching back into her seat.
“Buffy, why can’t I just be happy, what’s so wrong with
that? My oldest daughter is expecting her first child, I think that is
something to celebrate.”
“Celebrate! Yeah, lets all be happy for Buffy. The
Slayer who’s going to give birth to Chucky!” she exclaimed, exasperated.
Joyce released a pained sigh. “My happiness isn’t what’s
bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?” Joyce asked, concern evident in
her voice.
Buffy paused a moment, giving thought to her mother’s
question, debating if she should share just what was nagging her. She
desperately wanted to give voice to her concerns, and knowing her mother had a unique
relationship with Spike, she was tempted to confide in the older woman.
“I don’t know… its just things, on my mind. Nothing
really, don’t worry about it.”
‘God, you’re such a chicken, Buffy. Why is it so hard
for me to discuss my feelings?’
Joyce pulled the jeep onto the side of the road, parking
in front of UC Sunnydale campus. Turning to face Buffy she gathered her
thoughts.
“Buffy, I’m not trying to control your life or tell you
what you should do. All I want is what’s best for you. So just do me this one
favor, talk to Spike. That’s all I ask, you might just be surprised, if not
interested, in what he has to say.”
“Not making any promises, but I’ll think about it, kay?”
Buffy replied sincerely.
++++
Buffy unlocked the door and entered her dorm room. It
was quiet; she had returned before Willow and Tara. Classes were over for the
day, which was definitely of the good. Kicking the door closed behind her Buffy
wandered over to her bed. About to drift off to sleep she was roused from rest,
as Willow and Tara entered the room.
“Hey, Buffy,” the redhead greeted as she walked over to
the desk, placing her bag down on it.
“Hi, Buffy. How are you f-feeling today?” Tara asked,
looking at her prone form on the bed. “I brought you some more tea.”
That perked up the Slayer's ears as she pushed herself
up into a sitting position.
“Yay, more tea! Besides the whole queasiness that is
my stomach? I’m good. So what's the what?” She inquired, reaching for the
thermos.
“We got everything needed for the spell,” Willow
replied, unpacking the bundled herbs, crystals, and candles onto the desk.
“Like I said before it's a protection spell, but also a glamour too. So not
only will you and baby Buffy be protected from anything evil and wanting to
cause you harm, but it will mask your growing belly!”
“Will I have to drink anything?” Buffy asked making a
disgusted face.
“N-no, you won't drink it. We're making it into a lotion.
So no stretch marks, an added bonus.” Tara supplied with a grin.
Buffy smiled back, liking what she heard. Crossing her
legs under her she sipped at her tea, watching the two magically inclined young
women set to work.
“Do I do anything?”
“Just park yourself in the center of
the circle, and we’ll handle the rest,” Willow answered not looking up from her
task.
The lights had been turned down and the room was
darkened. It was time to start the spell as the three entered the protective
ring of black sand. Sitting down in the middle of the circle, Buffy watched as
Willow and Tara began lighting the four white candles placed at the cardinal
points of the enclosure. There a few crystals accompanied the columns of wax,
and Buffy watched transfixed as the light danced around in the prisms.
The air was thick with the sweet aroma of sandalwood,
frankincense, lavender, and a few other herbs Willow had burning. Buffy
continued to watch as the two began to combine herbs, oils, and flowers
together in the small caldron.
The two
young women clasped hands; their eyes closed and began their chant.
“Magna Mater, Great Mother
of us all. Hear and grant this fervent call. Protect this
woman, the Chosen One, While she carries unborn life, Through
each battle and daily strife, Shield and veil this innocent babe,
From human and demonic eyes Isis, Anu, Gaia. Guide the
hands of the Chosen One, Make them steady, sure and true. Keep
them safe, hidden behind her normal guise, We ask this Eternal Mother
Cihuacoatl, Tiamat, Mahimata. Protect this woman, a new mother.
Demeter, Kali, Asherah. Protect this warrior, the Chosen One. Great
Mother, Hear and grant our fervent plea, as we ask, so mote it be.”
Buffy could
feel the powerful magicks in the air, could tell when the spell took effect.
The caldron released a purplish fiery glow as a wind swept through the room
extinguishing the candles, causing loose paper to scatter throughout the room.
A few
moments later the three college students stood in the middle of the room as
Tara handed Buffy the bottle of lotion.
“The lotion
will only work for eighteen hours so rub it on before you leave for class.
You’ll have coverage all day and while you patrol. And every time you put it on
remember to say this chant.” Willow instructed handing her friend a folded
piece of paper before continuing, “Guide me,
hide me, protect me, shield this new life within me, Great Mother Goddesses,
hear this new mother's plea. Got it?”
Buffy nodded her head in
agreement as she pocketed the folded paper and placed the bottle of lotion on
the bed.
Tara approached Buffy with
hesitation, but she needed to get her thoughts off her chest.
“Ah, Buffy, c-can we talk?”
she asked in a hushed tone. Willow wasn’t to concerned with their conversation
as she set to work cleaning up the mess.
“Sure Tara, what’s up?”
“I didn’t want to mention
anything last night not with Xander’s reaction, and not wishing to add to the
pressure. Bu-but I don’t f-feel right… about this, about not telling Spike.”
No matter what Tara said
Buffy found it hard to get upset at her or her actions. But she could tell this
little fan club of “Tell Spike” was growing by the day. She hurried to reassure
her friend.
“I totally understand, Tara.
I do, really, but I just can’t. Not right now anyway. My first priority is
protecting my baby, not worrying about Spike’s feelings. Can you just trust me
on this?” the Slayer asked beseechingly.
“Yes, Buffy,” Tara replied,
nodding her head with a thin smile of worry. She just hoped none of this came
back to harm her friend. Karma had a way of doing that, and living on top of
the Hellmouth only hurried things along.
++++
Giles retreated to his office after telling Anya he was taking
an early lunch. He made sure the door was locked; he wanted to avoid the off
chance that one of the Scoobies would barge in. Absently playing with the
folded piece of paper in his hand, he debated with himself. Should he place the
call?
The more who knew about his ward’s condition the greater
the risk of the demon community finding out. But he needed help; he needed
access to tomes that he didn’t have. Unfolding the paper, Giles quickly picked
up the phone receiver and dialed the number.
A voice answered on the third ring.
“Ah, yes, Rupert Giles here,” He announced with a thin
smile.
“Rupert, it’s been too long.”
“Yes, I agree Wesley. But unfortunately I am not calling
to catch up. This is rather Slayer related.”
Wesley’s small smile faltered as he took in his fellow
countryman’s tone. Even though he was Buffy’s watcher for a short time, and
they had hardly got along, he still worried about her.
“I-is everything alright? Nothing has happened to Buffy
has it?” His voice had become hushed all of a sudden, as he cupped his hand
over the receiver to muffle the conversation, not wishing for sensitive ears to
pick up on his topic of discussion.
“No, well it depends on how you look at things I
suppose. We have a bit of a situation and I lack the needed material to come to
a conclusion. I need someone with clearance, someone who can get into the
Council’s records undetected…”
Wesley hung up the phone after agreeing to help the
older watcher, and promising not to inform the souled vampire of the current
situation in Sunnydale. Taking a deep breath he reached for the phone; it was
still early in London and he knew he’d have no problem reaching his contact. He
just hoped he could convince them to help, and to have faith that a slayer and
vampire could produce off spring.
Wesley leaned back in his chair, gathering his thoughts.
He needed to calm himself before placing the call.
++++
Spike sat motionless in his old armchair, rolling his
eyes, and working his jaw as Harmony nattered his ear off. Didn’t the daft bint
ever tire of running her yap?
“I still don't see why you won't let
me kill the Slayer. I mean, hello! Like I need your permission or anything! I
would be doing the world a favor, saving them from her tacky fashion sense. You
fought her when she was in high school. Didn’t you notice what she wore?! Can I
just say, total fashion handicap.”
The crypt suddenly started to feel claustrophobic, and
those blasted unicorn figurines seemed to mock the chipped vampire. Why was he even
sitting here listening to her rot? Getting up from his seat Spike grabbed a
cardboard box. Snatching at the statues he started tossing them in the
container.
Harmony's eyes widened in horror as she watched the
irate demon not so gently toss her babies into the box.
“Uh, Blondie Bear, what are you
doing?”
Spike didn't respond… it was quite clear what he was
bloody well doing. He was doing something he should have done long ago. Placing
the last crystal figurine in the box, he ripped the faux satin sheets off the
make shift bed, tossing them in there as well.
“Spike! Spike stop it, now!” Harmony
protested stomping her foot on the ground.
Grabbing the large wooden unicorn he marched over to the
crypt door, pausing only to fling it open. Throwing the box and amusement ride
out into the cemetery he turned his attention to the confused vampiress still
stomping her foot.
“Don't you come near me! You stay
right there!” she vigorously protested.
Harmony turned to run, there was no way she was going to
fight, not with just having her nails manicured. Spike wrapped his arm around
her waist, flinging her over his shoulder, and carried her to the door. He
tossed her onto the ground alongside her belongings before he proceeded to slam
the crypt door in her face.
Harmony sniffed, on the verge of tears. What had she
done to deserve this? She had no idea. Didn’t she have something special with
her Blondie Bear? Well, she at least thought so. Granted, Spike was a moody
vampire, and the slightest thing seemed to set him off. Still, he didn't need
to throw her out like trash. He was so going to pay! Standing up she brushed
herself off before collecting her things and marching off into the night.
++++