Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 38

 

Before Buffy can answer, Cordy (who has been upstairs watching over Conner) comes down the stairs with a crying baby.

Cordy: He just woke up crying.

Cordy carries him the Buffy and Angel. Buffy reaches for him but Angel takes him first.

Buffy: His gums must be bothering him again.

Buffy goes and retrieves his bag from the lobby and returns to the office. She rubs a little teething gel on his gums. After a few minutes he settles down in his father’s arms.

Spike: He really is yours?

Buffy: Yes he is. Do you want to see the baby that you were willing to condemn to death?

Spike just shrugs.

Angel walks over closer with Conner, holding him just close enough for Spike to see his face.

Spike: He looks like Angel.

Buffy: I know, isn’t he cute? He has Angel’s brown eyes and heartbreaker smile.

Angel: But the nose is definitely yours. And now that he is finally growing some hair, looks like he is going to be a blonde.

Buffy: I noticed. Spike, what you think?

Spike: As far as baby’s go, he is cute, I guess.

Angel: Thank god you can’t have kids.

Giles: Buffy it is getting late. What are you going to do?

Buffy: Depends on Spike.

Spike: What?

Buffy: If I let you walk out of here, where would you go and what would you do?

Spike: What do you want me to do?

Buffy: You want my terms. Terms for your survival?

Spike: I guess.

Buffy: Lets see, first of all you are to stay in Sunnydale, where I can make sure you stay out of trouble and away from some lawyers we all know. You can continue to fight the demons, but you will stay out of my way. You will not try to harm any human or Angel for that matter.

Spike: So basically go back to the way it was last year.

Buffy: Pretty much so. Now here are the rest of my conditions. You are to stay away from Dru, if I learn about you having anything to with her, you have signed your own death warrant.

Spike: Fine, she won’t want me after I helped you tonight anyway.

Buffy: You will let me know if she contacts you.

Spike: Sure, why not.

Buffy: Oh and the biggest reason I am letting you live, I expect that anytime I leave town, that you will pick up the slack and help the others cover for me.

Spike: You want me be your substitute when you wanna come up here and play house?

Buffy: Pretty much. That is the deal I am offering you.

Spike: Death or helping you spend more time with the great vamp detective.

Buffy: That’s your choices.

Spike: Fine! I will do it, but you better not take advantage of my good nature.

Everyone laughs.

Buffy: Good nature? Where?

Spike: You know what I mean love.

Buffy: Oh and never ever call me that again.

Spike: Can I go now?

Buffy: I guess, anyone have anything more to say.

Angel: I do.

Spike: Of course you would.

Angel: Spike, if I hear a mere whisper of you breaking any of Buffy’s terms, I will hunt you down and Buffy will not be there to spare you. Oh and I do have a question. If you leave right now, how in hell do you plan on getting back to Sunnydale?

Spike: Bloody hell, I don’t know.

Angel: I didn’t think so. Buffy are you planning on taking him back with you?

Buffy: Do I have a choice? But I thought I might at least spend the night here.

Giles: Uh Buffy, I have a thought. I want to go check on the shop while I am on this side of the Atlantic. Why don’t I drive Spike to Sunnydale in your jeep? Then I can drive it back up here to you later when I head back to England.

Buffy: Okay by me but how long you going to be in Sunnydale?

Giles: I was thinking about two or three days. You would be stuck here all that time, unless Angel wants to drive you home before then.

Buffy: Two or three days, I better ask Angel if he can put up with us that long.

Angel: You can stay as long as you want, you know that but uh, you and Conner have no clothes or anything else for that matter.

Buffy: Boy can you rain on my parade.

Cordy: I think Fred and I can lend her a few things to get through a few days. And what does Conner need except sleepers really?

Buffy: True. Angel?

Angel: You know what I want.

Buffy: Giles I guess you are heading to Sunnydale with Spike. I have no idea where the keys are though or my keys.

Wesley: I have the keys.

Wesley hand the keys to Giles.

Buffy: Giles I might need the car seat and anything else I left in there.

Giles and Wesley head out to get the stuff out of the jeep.

Spike: So I can leave. And I guess I am on slayer duty for a few days.

Buffy: That’s the terms.

Spike: Fine. Just let me get out of here.

Spike walks outside to wait for Giles.

Buffy: Let me call Willow back.

Buffy goes and makes her calls. Afterwards she comes back out of Wesley’s office.

Buffy: Giles, I called Willow. You can stay either in my room or on the sofa. Just use my key. Just let yourself in when you get there.

Giles: Good. Uh Buffy there was a couple of bags on the front seat so I brought them in.

Buffy: Bags? Huh? Oh yeah, when Spike stopped me in the driveway I was just getting back from shopping. I guess he put them back in the jeep.

Angel: Groceries?

Buffy: Uh no, clothes. Conner is growing like a weed and I just went out for new clothes.

Cordy: Okay the creep factor just rose.

Buffy: Don’t I know it. Someone is looking out for me big time. Well unless you consider the whole being kidnapped thing.

Cordy: I am so glad I do not have your life.

Gunn: Since yours is so normal. By the way how is Dennis?

Buffy: Dennis?

Cordy: My roommate. He’s a ghost.

Buffy: You live with a ghost. An actual dead guy.

Cordy: So do you.

Buffy and Cordy laugh and then stop quickly. They look at each other with how did that happen look.

Giles: I am out of here.

Lindsay: I better be heading out to.

Angel: Bye Giles. Lindsay, thanks again. Are you heading home?

Lindsay: No I figured I would get a hotel room and head out tomorrow.

Angel: Uh Lindsay, you are standing in a hotel. And I have over 60 vacancies. Not all are inhabitable but you can take your choice.

Lindsay: Sure why not. Wolfram & Hart might find out I am in town if I register somewhere.

Angel: And they may figure you helped us?

Lindsay: Yes.

Angel: Fred, can you show Lindsay to an empty room. Hey that reminds me has anyone seen our other guest?

Fred: Bill and Lesley went out to celebrate his getting the job at the studio. Lorne is still trying to find a place to rebuild his club I guess.

Buffy: He got the job?

Fred: Yes and they will be so glad you are here to thank you.

Buffy: Hey I just got him the interview, the rest was his doing.

Angel: Buffy, I think this little one has fallen back asleep wanna take him upstairs and I will get your stuff.

Buffy: Sure I am ready for bed myself. How about you?

Angel: You know I am. Night all.

Buffy and Angel head to their rooms and everyone heads to their own homes and beds.

Upstairs

Buffy: Angel, I need something to sleep in.

Angel get out one of his white undershirts.

Angel: Little big, but will this do?

Buffy: Perfectly, it will be long enough on me to be a nightgown. Be right back.

She comes out of the bathroom dressed in the t-shirt.

Angel: How come that shirt looks so much better on you than on me.

Buffy: I would have to disagree. Everything looks good on you.

She walks up to him and he wraps his arms around her waist. He leans down to kiss her. The kiss deepens and she lifts her hands up into his hair. As the kiss continues he lowers her onto the bed and lies on top of her. Their passion increases. The kissing gets more intense and her hands roam under his shirt stroking his bare skin. He moans deep in his throat and rolls off of her and onto his back.

Buffy: Are you okay?

Angel: Not really. That was too close. I almost gave in. For a split second I wanted you enough to risk my soul and that can’t happen.

Buffy: I know. I have been there, but remember what we said about level heads, one of us will always have one.

Angel: So you would have stopped me.

Buffy: If it came to it.

Angel: I am glad to hear that.

She moves over to him and lays her head on his chest. He gently strokes her back.

Angel: I love you so much, I guess it was the almost losing you tonight that did it. Or it could be the fact that t-shirt is not covering much.

Buffy: Or both?

Angel: Or both.

Buffy: Well what do you say we try and get some sleep. I am exhausted and I don’t expect Conner to sleep well with the teething, the change in diet, and of course the kidnapping.

Angel: Good idea. Let me shower and change.

He stands up and helps her up. He pulls back the covers and tucks her in.

Angel: Night sweetheart.

Buffy: Night.

When Angel returns, Buffy appears to be asleep. He slides in behind her and spoons his body next to hers.

Buffy: This is the best part of being married.

Angel: I thought you were sleeping.

Buffy: Couldn’t until you were here to keep me safe.

Angel: You are safe as houses. Now go to sleep.

Buffy: Mmmm.

Hours later they are awaken by Conner. Buffy reaches for him.

Angel: Buffy, let me take him, you sleep.

Buffy: But…

Angel: I did it for weeks by myself, remember.

Buffy: Okay but why don’t I change him while you get his bottle.

Angel: Changing the roles. I like that.

When Angel returns with the bottle. Buffy snuggles down. The last thing she sees before closing eyes, is her two men snuggled together.

Late the next morning, Buffy is alone down in the lobby looking through a pile of magazines, when she hears someone come in.

© 2005 Tara