Title: Love, Hellmouth Style 21-22
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.



Sounds came first. Beeping. Then hushed voices.

Smells of disinfectant.

A hand holding hers.

His voice.

Rupert.

Buffy's eyes fluttered slowly open. She was groggy and disoriented, but she knew she was safe if Giles was there.

As soon as she opened her eyes, there was a small flurry of activity around her. Someone went for a nurse, and Giles lifted his other hand to stroke her cheek.

"Shhh, luv. Don't try to move yet. You're safe. You're in hospital. You had a bit of a rough night, but you're going to be just fine now."

Her mouth was so dry it hurt to speak, but she had to.

"Baby?"

"Is fine, luv. But you'll need to rest a while."

As he spoke, he brought a glass of water to her parched lips and held it as she sipped. When she was done, he replaced the glass and pressed a kiss to her temple.

"I called Angel a little while ago."

His tone was casual, but she understood the effort behind this words.

"You sure?"

"I can't let that happen again, Buffy. I very nearly lost both of you last night. You and the baby both need to be kept safe. He'll come tonight."

There was no more time for discussion because the doctor arrived to examine Buffy. He checked her over, and pronounced her in remarkably good condition after her ordeal.

"When can I leave?"

"We'd like to keep you here a few days. You had a severe abdominal injury and you lost a lot of blood."

"But I'm okay now, right?"

"Much better than I expected. Still, you came very close to losing your baby, and we'd like to keep an eye on the situation. There's still a chance of miscarriage."

Buffy turned panicked eyes to her husband.

"I'm sure it will be fine. Try not to worry yourself, Buffy."

"You should listen to your father, young lady. He knows what he's talking about."

With that the doctor left the room. Giles glared after him.

"Pillock."

"Rupert Giles! And in front of your daughter."

"Don't you start in on that."

"Well, it could be. Or your son. It's pretty much one or the other."

"As long as you and the baby are safe. That matters to me a great deal more than whether it's a boy or a girl."

"Are you sure Rupert? About calling Angel, I mean."

"Xander and the others aren't Slayers. And after last night, I don't want to risk you and the baby again. If it hadn't been for Spike of all people..."

"Wait a minute. You're saying Spike saved my life?"

"No, the doctors did that. But he did help us. He called the ambulance and got the others here."

"Spike called the ambulance?"

"On a cell phone he had with him."

"Where did Spike get a cell phone from?"

"I didn't like to ask."

*****

When Parker awoke, he found that he couldn't move his arms. Or his legs. On closer inspection, he discovered it was because he had been manacled to the wall of the crypt. He allowed his demon face to slide to the fore and growled.

"So, the Poof awakes."

Parker swung his head in the direction Spike's voice came from.

"And you still have your sense of hearing. Isn't that just wonderful."

"Undo me, Spike!"

The elder vampire laughed.

"Was that 'do' or 'undo'? Never mind, no matter. I'm not letting you down and I don't fancy your tight little bum. Y'see, unlike some of us in this here crypt, I'm all man."

"Fuck you, Spike!"

Spike unleashed a vicious kick into Parker's midsection.

"Like I said, boy, I don't fancy your type at all." He walked around the fledgling. "No, I don't think I'll fuck you. You're not worth the raping. Anyway, I prefer a willing woman over a chained-up poof any day. So, since sexual assault is not on the menu, what shall we start with?"

Parker screamed as Spike stubbed out his cigarette on the fledgling's bare stomach.

*****

"Wesley, Cordelia, pack your bags. We're going back to Sunnydale."

"Good morning to you, too, Angel. When and why are we going there?" Cordelia crossed her arms across her chest.

"Tonight. We leave at sunset. Buffy's hurt."

"Not badly, I hope?"

"Wes, Giles called me and practically begged me to come. That means it's bad."

The vampire was a whirlwind of activity around his shocked employees. He gathered weapons and books from every corner of the room.

"Wait a minute, Giles called? Giles? He asked you?"

"Yes, Cordelia. Giles."

The girl began to pack without another word.

"Would somebody please tell me what on earth is going on?"

"Wesley! Shut up and help pack. If Giles called Angel, it's serious."

He was about to protest when his girlfriend arched an eyebrow at him. He knew the look. The one that meant he'd be sleeping alone for a week if he didn't cooperate. With a protesting sigh, the Englishman set to work.

*****

Spike observed his handiwork with a critical eye. The mass of bloody bruises that was Parker had passed out after screaming in agony for three hours. The boy had lasted longer than Spike had expected. Now to the fun part.

Rummaging through Harmony's makeup case, Spike found what he was looking for. A slow grin spread over his face. He wished his victim would be able to see the results in the mirror. Still, there was always Harm's camera. And a picture is worth a thousand words.

*****

Buffy had dozed off again when Joyce entered the room. She stood in the doorway a moment, observing her son-in-law. Giles had refused to leave Buffy's side from the minute he'd been allowed into the room. At last the hospital staff had given up trying to remove him and arranged for him to have a cot next to Buffy. The doctor was annoyed, but the nursing staff found it romantic.

Now he lay on his cot, still holding his wife's hand. Even in sleep, they couldn't seem to bear to be apart.

Joyce was startled to suddenly find Willow standing beside her.

"Oh, Willow! I didn't hear you."

She kept her voice low, so as not to disturb the couple.

"Sorry, Mrs. Summers. Giles asked me to go by their place and pack some stuff for Buffy. He said something about not being Christian Dior, whoever that is."

"No, he's not." Joyce smiled ruefully before frowning in worry again.

"She's gonna be okay. The doctor said."

"I just wish I could protect her. That's what mothers are supposed to do, but I can't. And neither can he."

Willow looked at the sleeping pair.

"If anyone can do it, Giles can. He'd do anything for her."

"I know that. I just hope it's enough."

*****

"So how badly hurt are we talking here? I mean, did she break her leg or is she in a coma or what?"

Now that they were on the road with two hours to kill, Cordelia wanted answers.

"She's in the hospital. She hates hospitals."

"Okay, I got that. But if she's in the hospital, something has to be wrong with her, and that something has usually got a name, so could you please introduce me?"

"He didn't say."

"So we're going all the way to Sunnydale, and we don't know how long we're staying, and you didn't bother to ask what the hell is going on?"

"Angel, are you quite certain you know what you're doing?"

"Giles said he would explain it when we got here. He said he didn't want to go into details over the phone."

Cordelia glanced out the window and spied a mall.

"Angel, get off at the next exit. We need to go shopping."

"What for? We don't have time for you to get a whole new wardrobe."

"No, dummy! We need a get well present for Buffy."

"She's right, Angel. We can hardly arrive empty handed."

"We're not empty handed. Our hands are full of things to help her out with."

"But if she's sick in the hospital, she needs something to take her mind off it. You said she hates them."

"Well, yeah, but..."

"But nothing, Vampboy. We're getting her something to take the blues away."

Angel hated to lose to Cordelia, but he knew she would keep insisting until he did as she asked.

"Okay. We'll go. I guess I never got them a wedding present. This is as good a time as any to find them one."

*****

Spike admired his creation. Now Parker was not merely bloodied and bruised, he was also painted, powdered and coifed within an inch of his unlife.

His hair had been unevenly curled and was now festooned with pink ribbons. His lips had been daubed with an oddly lavendar shade of lipstick while his eyelids had be colored a light teal with navy blue for the lashes. His finger and toenails now rejoiced in a cotton candy pink with little butterfly decals on them. What's more, Spike had taken two rolls worth of photographs.

Unlife was sweet
.
PART 22

When Spike got to Buffy's hospital room, he nearly kicked himself.

[Knew I shoulda brought flowers! Well, maybe she'll like what I did bring better than some poncey bunch of posies. Leave that to the Great Poofini.]

In truth, there would have been no place to put another bouquet. There was a large, cheerful arrangement of mixed flowers from Joyce, a smaller bouquet from Willow and Tara whose blooms were chosen as much for their healing properties as their prettiness, two large arrangements from Anya, one of which had a mylar balloon reading "Get Well Soon" rising above it, and the other bearing a balloon which read "I'm Sorry". Xander had also sent a small bunch of yellow roses, having explained to Anya that they meant friendship rather than a romantic attachment. Joyce's assistants had sent an antique Chinese vase filled with spider mums, and Cordelia had had a bunch of expensive, exotic blooms sent ahead of the gang's arrival. Even Crystal had brought a pink, potted miniature rose plant. But pride of place went to the simple bunch of daisies Giles had given her.

The Slayer sat surrounded by flowers, but otherwise alone. Spike knocked tentatively on the doorframe. Buffy looked up a bit startled.

"Oh, Spike."

"Slayer. Can I uh..." He gestured vaguely in her direction.

"Didn't think you needed an invite here."

"I don't. If I wanted to just barge in I could. Thought I'd try being polite for once."

Despite herself, Buffy couldn't help a small grin.

"Gee, Angel must have had more of an influence on you than we thought."

Spike blanched and swallowed. "You take that back. Peaches didn't influence me ever. Still if I'm not welcome..."

He made as if to leave.

"Spike? You can come in. It's okay. And I'm sorry. You're not a thing like Angel."

The vampire entered the room with his customary swagger.

"That's better. So where's the whole gang? Left you here all on your own?"

"They didn't want to, but I needed a little time for just me."

"Where's your old man?"

"Sent him home to clean up and get the mail and stuff. Then when his back was turned, I told Mom and Will not to let him come back till he's had a decent meal."

"Now that's a clash of titans I'd pay cash money to see."

Buffy winced and held her side as she tried not to laugh so hard. Spike's expression turned from roguish to sympathetic and guilty.

"Sorry. Does it hurt?"

"Only when I breathe." The pale girl's smile faded. "Rupert tells me you called the ambulance. You probably saved my life. Thank you."

"Yeah, well, don't let it get about." Spike shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Don't want the whole underworld thinking I've gone soft."

"They won't hear it from me, Slayer's honor."

"And I won't tell, either."

"Tell? What won't you tell?"

"That you're nesting. Make you a sitting duck, that would. Don't know why Rups told me. Must be going daft in his senile old age."

"He told you? He told *you*?"

Spike shrugged.

"Don't think he knew what he was saying at that point. Half out of his mind - well, what's left of it - he was. Y'know, you might want to consider whether you really want to be going about with a fellow who loses his head at the sight of a little, alright a lot, of blood. Still, he told a known enemy about your weakness. Lucky he caught me feeling generous."

"And knew you'd do anything for blood money."

"Too right! I'm getting well paid for my services."

Spike pulled a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket.

"Spike. You try to light that in here, and I will break your arm, stitches or no stitches."

The vampire returned the items to his pocket with a put-upon sigh.

"You know what your problem is, Slayer? No bloody sense of humor."

"I got a sense of humor."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

It wasn't much, but Buffy was enjoying the chance to fight with someone. The gang had been treating her like a china doll all day and it drove Buffy up a wall. Helplessness was not a feeling Buffy cared for.

"So you want to see something funny, then?"

"What, Spike? Are you planning on dropping your pants for me? 'Cause I think I could use a little laugh."

"Not while you're in hospital, pet. The shock might kill you. And I promise you, you wouldn't be laughing. No, I thought you might like to see how I punish disobedient fledglings who don't sodding get it that you're my Slayer."

"Your Slayer? I don't think so. I plan on being around long after you need Dustbusting."

"That's a matter of opinion, luv. Come on, have a look at what I did for you."

He pulled a set of grubby photographs from his pocket and handed them to Buffy.

"See how pretty Puker is now."

Buffy clutched her side in agony, but couldn't stop laughing.

******

"I'm really not hungry, Joyce. I had something in the hospital cafeteria earlier."

"I saw what you had. A cup of tea five hours ago. Even Watchers need to eat, Rupert."

"Fine, then, I'll have something at home. I believe I have some leftover pasta..."

"No way, Giles. You wouldn't eat it even if it really is there. We're feeding you."

Giles glared at his redheaded friend and his mother-in-law. They shoved him into Joyce's Cherokee and clambered into the vehicle after him.

When his stomach growled, Giles knew there was no further point in protest.

*****

"Why did you get her that, Cordelia?"

Angel was utterly befuddled. Even Wesley looked confused by his lady's choice of get well gift for Buffy.

"In joke. You men wouldn't get it."

The brunette breezed by the two befuddled men who shrugged at one another before following her.

*****

Giles had to admit he felt better having eaten a good meal. He also suspected that it did Joyce some good to have him there to take care of. It sometimes seemed that Joyce had virtually no life beyond her daughter, despite the gallery. She had latched onto Crystal in a way that seemed oddly intense. He watched the two together with growing concern. He really would have to have a chat with Crystal as soon as Buffy was a bit better.

He wanted to get back to his wife.

He didn't want her to be lonely or afraid.

*****

"Can I (snort) keep one of these, Spike?"

"Keep the whole collection, pet. It's a bit of a get well gift."

"Some get well gift. I think I pulled a stitch."

Another peal of silver laughter burst forth from the Slayer. Spike felt ready to blush. He'd never expected Buffy to like his present that much. A sudden thought made him rise.

"Well, I'd best be on my way now. Just wanted to see you got those."

"Thanks, Spike."

The vampire shrugged uncomfortably.

"Just a couple snaps; it's no big deal. Right. On my way."

He hesitated briefly before leaving without another word. He needed to get back to the crypt before Harmony could undo all his good works.

*****

A shower and a shave later, Giles very nearly felt like himself again. Still, he felt guilty for not being with Buffy. He knew she had sent him away, and she knew why. That was why he was packing toiletries for himself, and a change of shirt and socks. The less reason she had to send him home, the better job he could do protecting her.

While he was at it, he grabbed one of the reference books he had recently acquired on pregnancy and childbirth. That way, when Buffy was sleeping, he could research this new phase of their life. If nothing else, it was a form of talisman to him. If they continued to prepare for the baby, Buffy couldn't lose their child.

His logical mind understood that this was utter nonsense, but the mystical side of him remained convinced of the practicality of the measure.

Just as the door opened, he stuffed Mr. Gordo into the bag as well. Buffy needed a talisman too.

"We're back, Giles. Are you ready to go?"

"Coming, Willow."

He hurried down the stairs and out to the Cherokee.

*****

Alone again, Buffy gave her mind over to random thoughts. She ran a hand softly over her abdomen.

In spite of the mood swings, the nausea, the sleepiness, even her fiercely protective instincts, she sometimes had difficulty believing that there was a new life growing inside her.

Then Spike had to tell her exactly how vulnerable it made her. As soon as the word hit the streets, there would be demons and vampires gunning for her as never before.

She immediately swallowed the tiny flicker of resentment that flared at the thought. She loved her baby.

She loved her baby.


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