Title: The Assistant, part 54
Author: Sweetdoggie (stirling_summer@yahoo.com)
Pairing: B/G
Rating: R
Summary: What next?
Spoilers: season 4
Disclaimer: No permission has been granted to use the characters. They are owned by their creator, Joss Whedon, Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, WB, and Mutant Enemy. This story is non-profit and is intended solely as entertainment. No copyright infringement is intended.
Buffy opted to phone Merrick alone. She had Giles wait downstairs while she called from their bedroom. The phone rang in England.
“John Merrick here.”
“John? It’s me, Buffy.”
“Buffy, love, how are you?”
“I’m fine, well, sort of fine. I’m not sick or hurt.”
“That’s good. I was just thinking of calling you. Anna may have found a Watcher!”
“Wow! That’s fantastic!”
“He’s a likable young chap by the name of Thomas Paine. I’m assured he’s no relation.”
Buffy wondered what he was talking about, then shrugged, realizing that she didn’t care who the guy was related to. “I guess that’s good.”
“Well, it’s excellent news, but I’m sure that isn’t what you called me to talk about. What can I do for you, dear?”
“Merrick, I’m pregnant!”
“What!”
She explained about the First Slayer and the dream after the enjoining spell and how the doctor had tested Rupert and he was all fertile and everything. She started crying. “I just don’t know what to do, Merrick. This was never supposed to happen. I want my mom!”
“Is Rupert there, dear?”
“I can call him,” she sobbed.
Giles ran up the stairs at her call. He was nearly sick with worry at what Merrick would say. True, the pregnancy hadn’t been anyone’s fault, but he still felt tremendously guilty, and, at the same time, he didn’t want Merrick to tell him they had to abort it. He felt fiercely protective of the unborn fetus without even realizing it. Buffy and the child must be protected at all costs.
He picked up the phone. “Giles here.”
“Rupert, what the hell is going on?”
“I thought Buffy filled you in.”
“Buffy says she’s pregnant and it has something to do with the First Slayer. I’m an old man, Rupert, but I’m fairly sure that I know where babies come from.”
“I was tested at the doctor’s office and apparently, I’m fertile again. I have no idea how. I do believe there is some mystical convergence occurring, however. Buffy’s dream of the First Slayer is too coincidental not to have some basis in reality.”
“Have you told the Council yet?”
“No, of course not. You are the first to be notified.”
“Say nothing for now. Let me think about this. Frankly, I’m deeply tempted to come home. Buffy needs me and her mother at a time like this. Besides, Anna may have begun bonding with her new Watcher.”
“That’s wonderful news! Who is he?”
“Young chap by the name of Thomas Paine.”
“Any relation to the original?”
“He says not.”
“Well, we’d be very glad to have you all. There’s plenty of room in the house for another Slayer and her Watcher. Will the Council object to having three Slayers in one town?”
“Not, as I believe, as long as it’s a Hellmouth. It is vital to the continuance of the world that it remains sealed. If it takes three Slayers or ten, that is where we have to put our resources.” Merrick cleared his throat. “Take good care of Buffy for me, won’t you, Rupert?”
“Always.”
They hung up the phones each thinking that life certainly took some interesting turns around Slayers.
Giles went to see how Buffy was doing and found out that she had been sick again.
“It’s just nerves, I’m sure.”
“Perhaps, but in your condition, you shouldn’t get so upset.”
She gave him a look. “How am I supposed to accomplish that?”
He looked lost. “Ah, perhaps a cup of tea?”
“Decaf only,” she told him glumly. “No caffeine for the pregnant Slayer.”
He nodded. “Yes, we should do some research, read those pamphlets the doctor gave us. I know very little about pregnancy except for what I learned when Joyce lived with us.”
She nodded. “Yeah. I know a little. I mean, I had the human reproduction class at school. I understand the basics, but I have a feeling that there’s lots more. Frankly, I’m not sure I want to know any more, exactly.”
“We must be prepared.”
“How about you be prepared and I be surprised? Is there some sort of spell that could knock me out for the next seven and a half months and just let me wake up after it’s born?”
“Buffy!” he chided. “Motherhood is a beautiful experience. We’ll get through this together.”
“I’ll remind you of that when I’m all swollen up like a gigantic tick, all right?”
“It won’t be that bad, I’m sure.”
She just growled at him.
“Giles, Rupert, honey, sweetie, baby, I have news for you. I’m not ready for a baby. I wasn’t planning on ever being ready for one. A baby isn’t something you just leap into having, you know.”
“What choice do we have?”
“None, and let me tell you, that really is starting to gripe me. What are we going to do with a baby? Who’s going to raise it when I die? You told me once that the bond will more than likely kill you when I go, so just explain whose going to raise our baby?”
“We will have to make out guardianship papers for Merrick and Joyce should something happen to us. But let us not dwell on that. I intend for both of us to live a very long time.”
“I just don’t feel like you understand the impact this is going to have on our lives.”
“Nothing we can’t handle, surely?”
She just shook her head. Reality had taken a vacation from her Watcher’s brain. Redirecting the subject seemed like the best plan, before she had to resort to violence at his obtuse optimism.
“What did Merrick say?”
“He’s going to see about moving the family back here.”
“Even Anna and her new Watcher?”
“Yes. He doesn’t think you should be without the support of your mum during this time and Anna has improved enough as the Slayer that it shouldn’t be an instant death sentence for her to come here. Faith is back and she can keep an eye on her.”
Buffy tucked her forehead against her hands. “I just don’t know what to do.”
“We will take it one day at a time, love. Everything will work out.” He patted her shoulder. “Why don’t you go sit on the couch. I’ll bring you a cup of warm milk.”
She grimaced. “If you bring me warm milk, you’re going to end up wearing it! I’m not an infant and I don’t need to be coddled. And warm milk is gross and disgusting.”
“There, there, Buffy. Don’t get yourself upset. Just go sit down and put your feet up.” He actually took her elbow and helped her into the living room as if she were ninety years old and not just slightly pregnant. This was going to get old fast, she thought grumpily.