Title: Love, Hellmouth Style 13-14
Author: Gileswench
Contact: gileswench@yahoo.com
Feedback: Constructive criticism always welcome. Praise abjectly sought.
Disclaimer: It all belongs to Joss, Mutant Enemy, etc., etc., etc. I just let them have all the fun Joss won't. I own nothing except my twisted mind which you really don't want. Please don't sue.



Buffy went into the kitchen to make tea as Giles, Spike, and Ms. Pennington settled themselves around the living room. By the time, Buffy returned with the tray, Ms. Pennington's ever-present tape recorder and notepad were ready, and she was taking notes on everything Spike had to say. Giles, meanwhile, had pulled off his glasses the better to massage the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"Now, Mr. Blood, you were telling me of a recent romance of Mrs. Giles'?"

"Oh yeah, big manly fella. Stiff as a cardboard box and all, but well, what does that matter between the sheets?"

"Spike, I'm warning you..."

Mr. Giles, you will be so kind as to refrain from interrupting. I will interview you later."

"How can I just sit by when he's making crude comments about my wife in my home? And just look at him! He's putting out his tongue at me!"

When Ms. Pennington looked at the vampire, butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. A pair of innocent blue eyes blinked in hurt confusion.

"I'm just trying to remember the fella's name."

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest. "Maybe we could improve your memory with a nice, big stake?"

"Ta, all the same, pet, but I'm not hungry just now."

"Mr. Blood, what exactly is your relationship with the Giles'?"

"Oh, we go back a long way, me an' them. In fact, I was engaged to Buffy once myself."

"For about five minutes. And it was....an accident." She shook her head to be rid of the buzzing in her ears.

"More like five hours, pet. She was gonna have ol' Rups here give her away to me an' everything. But we had a bit of a disagreement."

"Yeah, like the fact I couldn't stand him!"

"You know words can hurt like a fist, pet."

"I'm not your pet!"

Suddenly, Buffy went pale and began to sway. In a heartbeat, Giles was on his feet and at her side. He caught her just before she hit the floor.

"Buffy! Buffy, luv, are you alright?"

The girl put a dazed hand to her forehead.

"Sure I am, if the room will stop spinning for a bit."

"That's it, Buffy. I'm taking you to the Emergency Room."

"No, I'm okay. I just got a little dizzy, is all."

"You just damn near fainted and hit your head on the coffee table. You've not been well, luv. We need to find out what's wrong with you. Please, Buffy. For me."

Buffy wanted to refuse, to protest. She hated hospitals and doctors. She didn't trust them. She still feared them. But one look in her husband's eyes, and she knew she was going. He looked more frightened than she was.

"Okay. For you, Rupert."

Giles picked Buffy up and carried her to the door.

"Mr. Giles, what about the interview?"

"Damn the interview! My wife is not well and I'm taking her to a doctor. You may do as you like, Ms. Pennington. And as for you Spike, you'd best be gone by the time we return. You are no longer welcome in this house. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, right mate." He went to Giles' scotch decanter and poured himself a large tumbler. "And here's to the Missus' very good health."

The gesture was lost on Giles. He was already gone.

*****

After being poked, prodded, palpated, and poked some more, Buffy was ready to scream. The doctor asked a series of questions, then left. When the nurse arrived, she asked virtually the same set of questions. Then another doctor appeared and asked the same questions yet again. More tests were run, blood was taken, and the same questions were asked again in a slightly different order by yet another member of the hospital staff.

Through it all, Giles stayed with her and did his best to keep her calm, though Ripper was close to the surface on several occasions. When that happened, he did his best to swallow the anger and frustration. It would do no good if he got thrown out for assaulting a doctor.

"How much longer do you think it's gonna take?"

"I don't know, luv. I'm sure they're doing their best."

"What if they can't figure out what's wrong with me?"

"They will, dearest." Giles took her tiny hand in his and kissed it.

"Okay, once more with less conviction, please."

"I'm sorry, Buffy. I - it's..."

"It's just you're scared too."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You're here, and that's what matters most."

*****

Spike headed back to his crypt and Harmony. He'd known he never really had a chance with the Slayer, but to find her married to Giles of all people - well, at least that explained why she'd been there every night shagging him senseless. Before, he'd felt pretty certain it was a spell of some sort.

And now he wasn't even allowed in the Watcher's flat any more. He knew that meant that Red and her little witch friend would be there in the morning doing the un-invite spell. There went his best source of money for blood and smokes, too.

Well he could do without them. There were plenty of ways for an enterprising vampire to keep himself going on the Hellmouth. If he could just think of one.

*****

Joyce stood in the doorway of Buffy's room and watched Crystal sleeping. She looked so young, so fragile. How was this timid little girl going to last in such a dangerous town? and what the hell was wrong with Hank?

Not for the first time, Joyce wondered about her ex-husband's sanity.

She pressed a hand to her throbbing temple as she turned to go back to her own room.

*****

"Xander?"

"Yeah, An?" the young man replied sleepily.

"What comes next?"

"Well, after a marathon session like that, we usually go to sleep, possibly after ordering pizza. I'm thinking I'm too tired for pizza tonight."

"No, I mean what's next for us?"

"Sweet dreams and bed hair?"

"Not for tonight. In our lives. I mean, you don't live in your parents' basement anymore and you have a steady job."

"This is about that bouquet again, isn't it? Look, I told you, it doesn't really mean anything."

"But I don't have time for this. I need to make a stand and get on with my life."

Xander sighed and rolled over to face her.

"An, it's okay. We're in a good space now. Why do you keep wanting to rush things?"

"We've been together a year now. More than that if you count the Prom. Buffy and Giles were only together a couple weeks before they got married."

"We're not Buffy and Giles, Honey."

"Tell me about it."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Giles is willing to make a commitment. You aren't."

"I'm committed to you, An. I just...we're too young to get married."

"I'm almost twelve hundred years old and you're a month older than Buffy. If she's old enough, so are you."

"Why are you in such a hurry? An, we've got plenty of time. I love you and..."

"No. We don't have plenty of time. Xander I'm dying. I may only have fifty years left."

Xander sighed and raised himself on his elbow. "I get it now. It's the mortal thing. That must be terrifying for you." He reached out a hand and ran his fingers down her cheek. "But it's really okay. Anya, I love you. Completely and without reservation. I just don't want to blow this by moving on to the next step before I'm really ready. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm scared too. I'm scared of losing you by holding on too tight. I'm scared that you'll figure out there's someone better than me. I'm ready to love you, but I need to grow up a little more before I can marry you. And I want you to be really sure. 'Cause the thing that scares me most is the thought of hurting you without meaning to."

"You wouldn't ever hurt me."

"Not on purpose, but I have sort of a habit of screwing stuff up with love. I want things to be right. Can you wait a little longer?"

"I guess."

He used a finger to raise her chin.

"Look at me, Anya. Look, I'm not ready to get married, but maybe we could try living together for a while. See how it works out."

The former demon beamed at him.

"Okay. Can we move my things in tomorrow?"

"How about we wait for the weekend. That way we can get the Scoobies to help."

He kissed her deeply.

"By the way, An, have I mentioned I love you?"

"Yes. And I love you."

*****

Buffy tried to sit up a little higher in the bed and Giles squeezed her hand in a comforting manner as the doctor returned.

"Are you gonna ask the same questions again, Doc? 'Cause the answers haven't changed in the last hour."

"No, Buffy. No more questions. In fact, I believe I know what the problem is now."

"So spill. How long have I got?"

The doctor consulted his chart.

"Oooh, I'd say about eight months. Give or take a week or so."

Buffy's eyes went wide with horror as Giles gathered her to his chest.

"At the end of that time, I foresee a perfectly normal birth."

"Giles was the first to find his voice.

"B-birth?"

"Yes, birth. Congratulations, Mrs. Giles. You're pregnant."

PART 14

"Pregnant? I am?"

"About four weeks along, by my estimation."

"But I can't be that pregnant. I had my period almost two weeks ago."

"Was it a normal one?"

"Sure it was..."

"Except, Buffy, for the fact that it was so short."

"But I still got it. Aren't you supposed to skip your period if you're pregnant?"

"That is usually the case, but some women continue to menstruate throughout pregnancy. It's rare, but it happens. In this case, however, I'd say this was what we call implantation bleeding. It's perfectly normal."

Buffy ran a hand experimentally along her abdomen. Then she looked up at Giles with shining eyes.

"We're gonna have a baby, Rupert. We're really gonna have a baby."

Giles kissed her temple firmly as his hand moved to join hers at her belly.

"That we are, luv." His voice was husky with emotion.

"I take it that this is good news, then?"

"The very best possible." Giles answered for both.

*****

Once the doctor had made arrangements for Buffy to see an OB/GYN and given her a prescription for pre-natal vitamins, the Giles' returned home. Both were relieved to see that their guests from before had left. They wanted some alone time to digest the news.

"I can't believe it" Buffy said for the fifth time as she continued to touch her belly.

"This will mean a great many changes, you know."

"I know. Less slaying, more Lamaze."

"It's not a laughing matter, Buffy."

"And I'm not laughing. Much. Just a little 'cause I'm so happy."

"As am I, my love." He kissed her gently "How shall we tell the others? We could have a meeting at the shop tomorrow after closing."

"Could we wait a few days? Please?"

"Whatever for?"

"Thanksgiving. It's only a little over a week away. We could hold a big dinner and tell everybody then."

"If that's how you wish to do it, then that's how we shall do it."

"Good. Now, the doctor said I need my rest, so let's go to bed."

"And how much sleep do you plan on getting?"

"You planning on stopping me?"

Giles pulled Buffy close to himself.

"You see, I've always had this terribly naughty fantasy of making love with a pregnant woman." He nuzzled her ear as he whispered to her.

"Guess what, sweetie? You've been making it come true almost every night for the last four weeks."

"Yes, but I didn't know it then."

Buffy giggled as she felt him hardening against her belly. She rubbed against him provocatively.

"Plus you've got another eight months to make it come true over and over. You sure you want to do this tonight?" she looked up at him, her eyes full of mock innocence.

Giles growled as he lifted Buffy in his arms and began to carry her up to the loft.

"Oh, I want to do this, luv. I want you. I love you."

He laid her gently on the bed then removed his glasses and set them on the nightstand. When she reached for him, he stilled her hands.

"This is my fantasy, luv. Just lie back and enjoy it."

Buffy lay back and allowed Giles to have his way. He began by undressing her slowly, raining kisses on each bit of flesh as it was revealed to his appreciative gaze. By the time she was naked, Buffy's breath was ragged, her eyes dark with passion.

Then Giles stood and removed his own clothes as Buffy watched. She bit her lip to suppress her involuntary whimper when his erection sprang out of his boxers, large, hard, and unquestionably ready to fill her. His hand moved to his penis and he stroked it, the foreskin covering and uncovering the head as he pleasured himself. Buffy's hand moved of its own accord between her outspread thighs.

In a moment he was on the bed and dragged her fingers from her sex. "Not yet, my love" he told her. He lifted her hand to his mouth and licked her musk from her fingertips.

"Don't you know it's dangerous to frustrate a pregnant Slayer?"

"I assure you, it's a temporary situation." He kissed his way up her arm to her shoulder, then took her throat in a series of passionate, open kisses that made her gasp as his hands made their way to her breasts.

He cupped them in his large hands as he gently flicked his thumbs across her erect nipples. Buffy groaned as bolts of pleasure shot though her body. When his lips replaced his hands, she ran her fingers through his soft hair and gave a breathless cry of delight. He smiled against her breast.

"Feeling less frustrated now, luv?"

Her answer was a moan and a gentle push in a southerly direction.

He gave a final kiss to each nipple before continuing his journey.

As he kissed his way down Buffy's belly, he stopped just above her nest of dew-bespattered curls to deliver a series of tiny kisses.

"Hello, in there, little one" he cooed. "Your Mummy and I can't wait to meet you."

"That's Mommy, British guy. A mummy is an Egyptian dead person" Buffy giggled.

"Don't worry, little one" Giles whispered conspiratorially to the fetus, "we'll teach Mummy proper English yet."

He was rewarded with a playful swat to the back of his head. He grinned up at Buffy unrepentantly. Then he slid up her body to kiss her mouth, their tongues dancing together as he pressed his hand into her sex.

"Oh God, Rupert!"

"Like that?" he asked as his finger circled her clitoris.

Buffy bucked against his hand and gave a heartfelt moan. With that, he slipped a finger inside, and switched to using his thumb to stimulate her swollen nub.

"Please, Rupert, stop teasing me" she begged. "Please just do it!"

"Do what, luv?"

"Fuck. Me. Right. Now."

"Such language! And in front of the baby."

Nevertheless, he rolled to his back and lifted Buffy to straddle his hips. She sank gratefully onto his cock, as twin groans of pleasure filled the room.

They set a rapid pace as he thrust hard into Buffy. Giles reveled in the tight warmth surrounding him as the sounds of his wife's joy filled his ears and tightened his groin. He knew he wouldn't last long this time.

He brought his finger to her clit, rubbing it in tiny circles until she went over the edge with a shout. When she leaned down and sucked one of his hard nipples into her mouth, he couldn't hold back any longer. Thrusting mindlessly, he cried out as his semen filled Buffy's womb, then let a tiny sigh of wonder and delight each time Buffy's womanhood gripped him involuntarily as she came again.

They rolled to their sides as he slipped reluctantly out of her. They kissed and petted one another as their breathing returned to normal.

"So, do you like making love with a pregnant woman?"

"I certainly love making love with you."

Giles gathered Buffy to him and kissed her softly.

"I love you, Buffy."

"I love you, Rupert."

*****

Spike rolled off of Harmony, no longer listening as she prattled on about sod all. Even with his fantasies of the Slayer, it was getting harder and harder to get it up for the mindless bint. The only way he'd managed tonight was by imagining the fun he could have tearing Giles limb from limb for daring to touch Buffy. The moment he'd ripped the former librarian's head off was the moment he'd reached ecstasy.

Damn, but he needed a smoke.

"...so could we do it again, Spikey? Could we?"

"We've just bloody finished, Harm."

"Weren't you listening? You weren't listening, were you?"

"Of course I was listening, my little...beaker of O Neg."

"But it's been months. Maybe a year."

"Since what?"

"Since we went to a party on campus. There's one at Wolf House this weekend and I want to go."

"Then go, you twit! No point in hanging about for me, is there? Not like I can try the hors d'oeuvres, is it?"

"But it's no fun going alone. Please come with me, please? I need my blondie bear if I'm gonna have a good time. Please?" She nibbled his shoulder in what she assumed was an ingratiating manner. It wasn't.

"Go to the party if you want to. Just remember, Slayer could be there. She's still a student, last I heard."

"Yeah, like I'm scared of her. Come on, baby, I'll keep you safe from the big bad Buffy."

Spike leapt to his feet trembling with anger, his demon face to the fore.

"I don't need you to keep me safe, Harm! Don't need you for anything! I can take the Slayer out myself."

"But Spikey..."

"No. I can do it and I sodding will! That bitch has been a thorn in my side long enough. Time for it to come out. Now get the hell out of here! I've got work to do, and it doesn't include you."

He grabbed Harmony roughly by the arm and threw her out into the night. As an afterthought, he tossed out some clothes as well. No good leaving her a reason to hang about banging on his door. He lit a cigarette as he pulled on his jeans and turned on the television. He needed to think.

*****

Crystal shifted and groaned as she slept. The dream grew more surreal, more frightening. She sat up in bed, eyes flying open, bathed in sweat.

"That's it" she mumbled to herself. "No more marshmallows that close to bedtime."

She rubbed a hand over her belly. It had only been a dream, hadn't it?


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