Chapter 51: Leaving Differences Behind
After a long afternoon and evening, the cabin had quieted down, and everyone had gone off to bed. Well, Buffy was sleeping in her and Spike’s bed, and Dawn was bunking with her. Anya had taken one couch while Tara and Willow took the other. Inside the other room, well, that was a different story. Spike was leaning against the door smoking a cigarette, while Xander tried desperately to pry open a window, which apparently had been magically sealed too.
“Will you put that thing out?”
“I’m hoping Buffy’ll smell it and come in here to yell at me for it. Then we can make a break for…”
“Shut up, Spike. She’s not coming in here.”
“You know, if you weren’t such a sodding ponce all the time, we wouldn’t be stuck in here together.
“Me?” Xander asked. “Please. You can’t help but being an ass. Any opportunity you get to be a sarcastic, arrogant jerk, you take it.” Xander banged on the window to no avail.
“You just don’t approve of me and Buffy. You can’t stand that she loves me. It kills you to see me with her, because you think she can do better.”
“She can do better,” Xander offered. “But she wants you. I can’t make her see differently. Look, Spike, I accept that she loves you. I can see that you love her too, in your own way. That doesn’t mean that I have to like you. And you don’t have to like me.”
“Good, ‘cause that’s not gonna happen.” Spike put out his cigarette. “But it bothers Buffy that we don’t get along.”
“Yeah, well, she’s gonna have to get used to it, because that’s never gonna happen either, Spike.” Spike moved across the room and sat down on the bed. He removed his shoes and leaned against the headboard. “What are you doing?”
“Getting comfortable. I figure it’s gonna be a long night. Might as well make the most of it.”
“Why do you get the bed?”
“Because I sat down first.”
“But this is mine and Anya’s room.”
“So?” Xander practically growled and Spike smirked.
“That’s just it about you, Spike. Your feeling of self-entitlement. ‘Look, I think I’ll take that Slayer. She looks hot. Let’s make all of her bloody friends look like jackasses to her so that I come out smelling like a rose.’”
“That’s the worst fake accent I’ve ever heard,” Spike muttered. “And it’s not like that. I don’t give a bloody damn about how you look or smell to her. She loves me, and I’m not going anywhere. Get used to it.”
“Oh, I’m used to it. I just wish you’d grow up.”
“Me?” Spike laughed.
“Yeah, you. You’re gonna be a dad. The last thing Buffy needs in her life is some vampire doing a half-assed job.”
“You’re trying to give me advice on parenting? That’s rich. I don’t see Anya carrying the fruit of your loins, so until you’ve got a brat on the way, don’t talk to me about being a good dad, alright Harris?”
“Look, it’s just that Buffy’s had it rough when it comes to her dad. Her kid deserves better than that.” He cleared his throat. “I know what it’s like to have a bum for a dad. My dad didn’t leave, but he wasn’t really there for me either.”
“You wanna swap bad father stories?” Spike asked, eyes narrowing, “when my mum was pregnant with me, he beat her until she nearly had a miscarriage. He left when I was just a boy.” Xander looked at a loss for words. “You know what he said to me the night he left? Huh? He said, ‘I would have preferred to have a son, not a boy who’s as worthless as a little girl.” He flinched at the memories. “He was dead within the year. Too bad he didn’t stick it out long enough for me to turn, because I’d have taken him out myself for what he did to my mum.” He glanced at Xander who was staring at him with…what was that, pity?
“Spike, I didn’t…”
“No, forget it,” Spike said quickly. “But from that moment, I swore to myself that if I ever became a dad, I’d do right by my kid. I’d honor his mum. I’d be the best bloody dad I could be.” He glanced at Xander. “You think that just because he gave you a hard time that you had a lousy dad? At least you had a man in your life to try and set you straight, make sure you knew how to work for what you wanted.” He pointed at the wall. “Buffy? She had a dad, and he abandoned her. And not just once. She hasn’t heard from him since we left sodding Los Angeles. You have no idea what it feels like to watch her heart break a little more every time the phone rings and it’s not him on the other line.” He shook his head. “I never want my kid to go through that. That’s why I’m here, Harris. I’m here because I love that woman and the baby she’s carrying with everything in me. They’re my life. Maybe it doesn’t make sense to you. Hell, it doesn’t make sense to me sometimes…how she could want me. But she does. I’m not about to give that up.”
“I get that,” Xander said quietly after a few moments of pause. “I do. I didn’t want to get it, but I see the way she looks at you. She really does love you. And as much as I didn’t want her to get hurt, a part of me almost wanted you to hurt her so she could see what I saw. But you’ve been there for her. And I see now…you’re good for her. I just…”
“You don’t think I’m good enough. You said that already.”
“If it helps,” Xander offered, “nobody’s ever gonna be good enough for my best friend.” Spike nodded.
“I know you’re looking out for her. I know you’ve known her longer than I have. But I’m not going anywhere. I’m gonna marry her. Maybe it won’t be in writing on some fancy certificate, but I’m gonna make her my wife, and if you think I’m gonna let you get in the way of that…” Xander held his hands up.
“Are you kidding me? If I know Buffy, she’s gonna be completely floored when she finds out what you’re planning. And if anybody tries to get in the way of her big day…well, I’d feel pretty sorry for them.” Spike nodded.
“Good.”
“Just so you know, Spike, I don’t hate you. I used to. With a passion. But now you’re like the annoying, drunk uncle that’s always around. He’s not too bad, but sometimes it’s a little too much to take.”
“Oi,” Spike defended. “I don’t drink that much.”
“No, but you get what I mean.”
“Yeah. I can accept that. And just so you know, sometimes you can be like the fly in the room in the middle of the night. It just keeps buzzing around, annoying the hell out of you until you just have to get up and chase it around with the swatter. Eventually, it gets the idea and moves on.” Xander thought for a moment and nodded.
“I can accept that.”
“So,” Spike said slowly, “we’re not friends?” He held a hand out, and Xander slowly took it, giving it a little shake.
“Not friends,” he agreed. “But we’ll lay off the bashing of each other while Buffy’s around?”
“Yeah. Let’s see how long that’ll last,” Spike smirked. Xander smiled back, and he nodded his head.
“Alright. Well, let’s get some sleep.” He threw a pillow on the floor, turned out the light and lay down on the floor. Just as he was closing his eyes to try and force sleep to come, he felt a thud as a blanket was tossed over at him. He then heard the creak of the box springs as Spike got situated on the bed. He smiled inwardly, shaking his head, and covered himself up with the blanket Spike has given him. He decided that it was a peace offering, and on that note, he relaxed a little and started to drift off to sleep.
***
“What the Hell are you doing?”
“Checking files. What are you doing?”
“Um, trying to save our asses,” Faith hissed. “Travers is three rooms down the hall!”
“But I thought…”
“No you didn’t! Best thing to do would be to wait until he’s in a meeting. Any rookie should know that.”
“Sorry! I’ve never spied before.”
“Yeah? Well get used to it, because if we’re gonna find out what the hell the Council’s up to, we’re gonna have to be pretty damned good at it.”
“Something tells me it’s not the Council.”
“What’re you talking about?”
“Travers and maybe one or two of the doctors have talked to me about this memory thing. Nobody else has said a word. I don’t think they’re all in on this.”
“Maybe.” Faith furrowed her brows. “Come on. I’ve got a training evaluation to get to.”
“Travers wants me to talk to Dr. Owens again.” She sighed heavily. “He’s gonna try to push this memory thing on me.”
“Well push it right back at him. I don’t need you getting all brainwashed on me. Not now.” Dana nodded.
“If he tries anything, I’m a Slayer, right? I can take him.” Faith smiled a little.
“That’s the spirit, Junior.”
“Don’t call me that. You make me sound like a boy.” She looked past Faith’s shoulder and out into the hall. “Ok. I’ve gotta go.”
“Yeah. Look, Travers has a meeting in an hour. Meet me back here then, ok? Don’t let anybody see you.” Dana nodded.
“I won’t.” The two girls headed off in opposite directions, both anxious to return to their new goal: finding out exactly what Travers had in mind when it came to playing with the memories of his Slayers.
***
“Anything?” Dana paced nervously as she sifted through files, trying to keep them in the exact order she’d pulled them from.
“Nothing,” Faith muttered. “I’m sure Travers keeps those kinds of things close at hand. We’re gonna have to get into his office.”
“Are you kidding me?” Dana wondered. “He’s got that thing as secure as Fort Knox.”
“Maybe,” Faith thought, chewing on her lower lip as she stuffed the files back into the cabinet. Dana did the same with the folders she held. “Ok, so new plan. We try and get Travers’ files.”
“Oh no!” Dana exclaimed. “Faith, we can’t.”
“What’s the worst that could happen? They’ll lock us up? We’ve been there, you and me. We can take it.”
“I know, but I’d rather not spend the rest of my life in a Council prison! I’ve heard horror stories.”
“That’s just it, Dana. Our lives? Already horror stories. We’re tough girls. We’re Slayers. We can do this. If we get caught, we can fight our way out.” Dana shook her head.
“No! Last time I tried to escape…”
“Hey, I’m not saying you have to break necks or anything. I’m just saying, the Watcher’s Council might know how to watch a Slayer, but none of them put together will ever be as strong as one of us. Let alone two. Now are you with me or not?”
“I don’t know, Faith.”
“Come on. What do you have to lose?” Dana sighed and chewed on her lower lip before giving her a little nod.
“Alright. Tonight. But if we get caught…”
“We won’t. I’m kind of a pro at these things. Just trust me, Dana.”
***
Buffy woke as a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. She gasped for breath, sitting up in the bed. Dawn immediately awoke next to her.
“Buffy?!”
“Spike. Get…ow!” Buffy lowered her feet to the floor and attempted to stand up, but the pain was so intense that she had to grip the edge of the bed to keep from doubling over. Dawn hit the floor running, and she immediately started for the door. However, Tara’s spell was still up and running, so she couldn’t even turn the knob.
“Tara!” Dawn yelled. “Tara, wake up!” Everyone sleeping in the living room shot up off of their respective couches, and Tara came rushing over. From inside the room, the sounds of two pair of scrambling feet were heard.
“Dawn? What’s going on?” It was Spike’s exhaustion-laced voice.
“It’s Buffy! I…I don’t know what’s wrong!”
“Oi! Open the door!” Spike yelled out. Tara was muttering something in Latin, and within seconds, the door flew open, and Spike came barreling out with Xander at his heels.
Once inside the other bedroom, Spike set his sights on Buffy’s shaking form. She was groaning in pain, and fear gripped his still heart. Rushing to her side, he knelt down beside her.
“Buffy? What is it, luv?”
“Something’s wrong,” she whimpered, tears stinging her eyes. She hissed in pain and leaned forward, placing her forehead against his shoulder. “It’s the baby.” Spike swallowed the lump in his throat. But without a moment’s hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms.
“Harris!” Xander poked his head around the corner.
“Is she ok?”
“I need you to drive us to the hospital. Now.” As Spike brought Buffy into the living room, he was prepared to rip out the throat of anyone who dared bring up the subject of the Watcher’s Council. He didn’t give a damn about them right now. All that mattered was getting Buffy and the baby the best care possible.
“Spike, what about the sun? It’ll be daylight in a few hours,” Dawn pointed out nervously. Spike didn’t seem to hear. He just held Buffy closer, stroking her hair.
“It’ll be alright, luv.” He glanced around at everybody else, excluding Xander. “Everbody just…stay put. We’ll get this sorted out, won’t we, pet?” He kissed her forehead softly and she clenched her eyes shut tightly.
“Come on. Get her to the car.” Xander pulled on his shoes and grabbed for the car keys. “We’ll have her there in twenty minutes. Thirty tops.” Buffy groaned in pain and clutched at her stomach as Spike rushed her out the door and to the car. When they were safely in the back seat, Xander jumped into the passenger’s side and quickly turned the car around to head down the long, hidden drive. When Buffy gasped in pain again, Spike held her closer.
“Step on it, Harris,” Spike insisted through clenched teeth. He stroked Buffy’s hair again and placed a kiss to the top of her head. “S’alright, luv. You’re alright. It’s gonna be ok.”
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