| Spike walked into the industrial kitchen Connor, still on his shoulder. He was still amazed that Angel had let him anywhere near the tyke, but just the little guy�s existence threw him for a tailspin. How was it possible that Angel and Darla could have a live if not all the way human child? It was definitely a story he wanted to hear soon. Getting a fresh bottle from the fridge he set it next to the stove and took a pan from the overhead rack. With one hand carefully over Connor�s back he went to the sink and filled the pan with water then set it on the stove and turning up the heat. If only the people in Sunnydale could see him now. It would amaze them, if not baffle that he knew how to take care of an infant. Though he was somewhat rusty seeing as how he hadn�t been anywhere near a baby in almost two hundred years. It was his mother that had taught him what he needed to know when his sister had been born and with no one but him to look after her. His mother was already sick by that time and he was amazed that the baby had been born. Unfortunately his sister Eliza had died at four due to a horrible outbreak of influenza. He himself had been sick as her little body burned in fever that wouldn�t be brought down and had coughed until she was too weak to even blink. She had died in his arms and there had been nothing he could do. The few servants they had, also died which left William to look after everything on his own. As long as Spike existed he would never forget her sweet face or the way it would light up whenever he walked into the room. Holding this little guy brought back all the bittersweet memories. Testing the milk on his arm he kissed Connor�s downy head and walked back to the lobby. He could hear more voices in the office and knew they were talking about him. Angel of course was telling them by now that he hadn�t actually come here by chance that on the long drive from Sunnydale had carefully planned the whole thing, knowing that he would need help protecting Dawn. Spike didn�t care, if they helped him protect the Bit he would eat crow. Spike was burping Connor when the whole AI team converged in the lobby. Five pairs of eyes stared at him as he transferred the baby to his shoulder then patted getting a hearty belch. Standing up he let them watch as he deftly moved to Connor�s bassinet and, changed his diaper like a pro, all the while smiling and talking to the infant. Snapping closed Connor�s sleeper and bundling him back in his blanket he laid Connor down and stroked his head as he fell fast asleep. Turning around Spike faced the inquisition. Their open-mouthed gapes made it hard not to smirk but he fought the urge. �Good since, all hear and Angel has told you the news you should know that I am here for your help. I can�t protect Dawn with just myself. If I was only going against Buffy that would not be the case, but with the witches undoubtably on her side along with whomever else Buffy calls in, it�s more than I can manage.� Spike leaned against the front desk, legs outstretched and his arms crossed over his chest. �I�ll pay you whatever your going rate is if you help me protect her until a time that the Sunnydale coalition backs off and let her have a normal life.� Spike looked each of them squarely in the eye finally stopping at his Sire�s. If he wasn�t mistaken there was a hint of pride in the Poof�s gaze which sent his demon in a frenzy for acceptance that Spike hadn�t felt since he had first been turned. �We�ll help you and Dawn, on a few conditions. One, no funny business, you even think of betraying us and we kill you and send Dawn back to Sunnydale. Two, you follow our rules or no deal the same goes for Dawn. Three, you help us out with our current case load so that we have more time to help you. That is the deal take it or leave it.� Wesley stepped forward, his businesslike face showing no emotions what so ever. Spike had to hand it to him, the mick definitely had spine. �Another, the fee is twenty five-thousand dollars up front. You don�t follow and of our rules and we keep the money as damages.� Cordelia stepped next to Wesley figuring that if she mentions some ridiculously high number that Spike wouldn�t have then he would walk away. Cordelia stared at him, urging him to take the bait and walk out the door. �Done, get Dawn her normal life and I�ll throw in another twenty-five as a bonus. Oh and princess will cash do, or would you prefer a check.� Spike wasn�t about to be goaded. The money wouldn�t even make a small dent in the funds he had squirreled away, but that was something the cheerleader didn�t need to know. This time Spike did smirk as Cordelia looked at him in total shock, the thought of that much money causing her mouth to form a tiny pool of drool in the corner. Since he had the cash, he had her on his side, the same if he followed Watcher junior�s rules. He would do whatever they asked if Dawn was not coming to any harm. Dawn deserved a life away from death and destruction, it was what her mother would have wanted for her daughter and Spike would give it to her. �Good, if that�s all settled I�m going to go find a room, take a hot shower and crash until this evening. I assume Dawn can stay here while I help you with your patrol or whatever it is you do at night. Don�t bother waking me I sleep like the dead.� Spike turned and walked away from all of them and up the stairs. Once on the third floor he took the room that adjoined with Dawn�s, opening the connecting door he quickly shook what dust he could from the bed linens and made his way to the shower. Once inside he washed quickly with the antiquated but still efficient hotel soap and relished the feeling of a hot shower. He let the heat warm his body and melt away the bruises on both his body and his heart caused by Buffy. Quickly drying himself off, he put his jeans back on and went to check on his Nibblet. Finding Dawn still fast asleep he crawled into his own bed and finally let exhaustion take its toll knowing that downstairs the AI team was completing their decision as to wether to trust him and his intentions or not. |
| Chapter Four: |