Next Door

“Miss Summers?” Spike said unsurely when Joyce answered the door. The waft of alcohol hit him and he stared at the bleary eyed woman in shock. He had never seen her look like this before.
“Spike!? What is it?” She asked slowly. Obviously slowed down by all the gin.
“Uh…is Buffy home?” He asked nervously.
Her loud laugh made his eyes widen and he wondered what the hell had gone on.
“Nope…this isn’t her home anymore. I kicked her out….I…I actually kicked out my own daughter.” She said in half a sob half a laugh.
“You did what?” He asked in shock.
“She…she’s pregnant…I…oh god I feel ill.” She groaned before running away presumably to a bathroom.
Spike wasted no time running off to his car determined to find his girl.


He had been searching for almost an hour now and there was still no sign at all. He had searched half of Sunnydale and he was getting worried. It was almost 3 in the morning and he knew he wasn’t going home tonight. He wouldn’t stop till he found her. He turned the car around in a car park when his headlight flashed down an alley way. It was only the briefest of flashes but he was sure he had seen something. He got out of the car and walked slowly towards the alley way hoping he wasn’t about to get shot or stabbed by some nutter. He heard the muffled sobs before he saw her and he instantly dropped to his knees dragging her into a bone crunching hug.
“Buffy? Oh god luv…Im so sorry. So so sorry. I love you so much. Never gunna let you go. Never.” Spike mumbled into her cheek. She didn’t stop her trembling and he was gunna keep her in his arms until the tremors subsided but Buffy had other ideas and she pushed off him. He stared at her wondering what was wrong when he saw the hurt and anger swirling in her eyes and realised he wasn’t out of shit yet.

“Why are you here? I thought we were over.” She spat out venomously. She had had a very bad day and she didn’t need to add him playing with her emotions to the long list of problems.
“Buffy…god I never wanted us to be over. I was only staying with Dru because she was pregnant and it turns out she lied! We never even had sex Buffy! I swear god pet im a jerk I know that and hate me all you want but you cant stay out here in the cold in your condition.” He said apologetically pleading with her to see reason. He saw her go real still and saw her eyes widen and he realised what he had said.
“You know im….” She couldn’t say the word it still didn’t seem real.
“yeah pet…Cordelia told me.” He sighed inching forward hoping she wouldn’t inch away again.
“Come on pet. A dark alley isn’t where I want to discuss this please come into the car with me?” He begged. She didn’t need to be asked twice. Her ass and back were aching her limbs and fingers were numb and a nice comfy warm seat seemed really appealing at the moment.
As soon as they were sat in the car Spike turned all the heaters up before turning to face her and Buffy’s lips couldn’t help but twitch into a smile at his obvious concern for her.
“Buffy…I don’t deserve another chance. I really don’t but im asking for one anyway. Buffy I thought I knew love when I married Dru but what I felt for Dru and what I feel for you now is ….well what I thought love was has changed entirely. I love you Buffy. So much and…now you…your having my baby.” He chocked up at that part at the mere idea of Buffy’s stomach being big and swollen with his child. It was a dream come true.
“Please give me a chance to make it up to you.” he said kissing her hand gently not wanting to scare her off.
“What about Drusilla?” She asked quietly.
“A bloody inconvenience. My lawyer will send her the divorce papers tomorrow.” Spike said seriously.
“Really? Your gunna divorce her?” Buffy asked in surprise. By giving him a chance she never thought he would actually do all this for her so soon.
“Of course I am. How am I gunna marry you in the future if im married to that insane bitch.” he grinned charmingly.

“Where…where are you gunna live?” She asked curiously.
“Well…I didn’t really think about that…Jesus we’re both homeless I guess.” Spike sighed, ruffling his hair worryingly.
“Okay…Buffy do you love me?” He asked completely to the point.
“You know I do.” She revealed quietly.
“Right…we cant stay anywhere together here Buffy. At least not until your 18. People know us and if they see us renting an apartment or a hotel room or something I’ll be arrested quicker than you can say statutory rape.” Spike sighed.
“Okay…so what do we do?” She asked.
“Remember how I said you could meet my mum eventually?”
Buffy nodded silently.
“Looks like its gunna happen sooner rather than later.”

“Are you serious?” Cordelia and Angel both asked simultaneously.
“Yes…look Dru’s a smart girl when she realises Buffy’s been kicked out and with what you said to her yesterday she must have figured it out by now and so we have to get out of here. If she phones the police im fucked. We need a place to stay until Buffy’s eighteen and where’s a better place than mums. She lives in the middle of nowhere. Its perfect.” Spike said in all seriousness keeping his hand clenched firmly around Buffy’s.
“So…you want us to go in there and get both of your stuff?” Cordelia asked pointing to the two houses out of the car window and sighing when they saw the pleading look on their faces.
“Okay…okay… I’ll grab what I can.” Cordelia sighed getting out of the car and making her way to Buffy’s house while Angel approached the house next door.

Angel creeped in quietly. He could not deal with a confrontation with the ice queen today. Unfortunately for him Dru was already up and was standing in the hallway staring at him.
“You’ve come for his things haven’t you?” Drusilla said simply.
“yeah.”
Angel was surprised when Drusilla stepped aside revealing a huge suitcase and a two boxes.
“Its his clothes, toiletries and a few other stuff like his work stuff.” Drusilla shrugged.
“Okay who are you? Why are you doing this?” He asked completely baffled by her behaviour.
“Im doing this to save myself from the embarrassment of living with a perverted man who is so sick he fucks an underage cheerleader. Lets get one thing straight…I’ll sign those papers. I officially want nothing to do with that sick fuck but tell him…if I see him and that little slut of his around this town? I will report him to the police.” She snapped.
“That’s the nicest thing I’ve ever heard you say.” Angel said sarcastically.
“Why should I be nice? I could be hell of a lot worse. I just want to save as much of my reputation as I can now get out and tell him to stay out of my sight.” She growled before storming upstairs.

Cordelia on the other hand made no attempt to sneak around and as soon as she stepped into the house she slammed the door, walking past a spluttering Giles and Joyce and heading for Buffy’s room.
“What are you doing?” Joyce asked from the doorway watching as Cordelia packed a huge suitcase full of the clothes Buffy had left behind last night.
“What’s it look like im packing.” Cordelia snapped.
“What? Why?…where’s Buffy?” She asked an edge of panic filling her voice.
“Why do you care? Your the one who kicked her out.” Cordelia said her voice dripping with anger. She had always liked Joyce Summers she seemed so nice and understanding and to kick out your own daughter was inexcusable to Cordelia.
Joyce blanched at Cordelia’s words and she looked down at the floor guiltily.
“Joyce aren’t you gunna stop her?” Giles said looking between Joyce and Cordelia panicked.
“Why should I? I kicked her out…the things I said to her…she’ll never come back.” Joyce sobbed not once lifting her eyes.
“Cordelia…please? Is she okay? Where is she staying?” Giles asked on behalf of Joyce. He could tell she was feeling really guilty and he was honestly worried about the girl.
“She’s fine…she has people who care about her with her right now. And as for where she’s staying? She isn’t staying in Sunnydale.” Cordelia informed them picking up bits and pieces from around Buffy’s room stuffing them into the suitcase too.

“What? She isn’t staying in Sunnydale? Then where is she going? How will she get there?” Joyce gasped at the news her daughter was leaving completely.
“Im not telling you where their going .They will be coming back though. After the baby’s born probably. They both love this town and they have friends here…plus Buffy wants to go to UC Sunnydale. They aren’t gunna be run out of town forever just because of some people.” Cordelia said giving her a dirty look.
“Why cant they stay here in town?” Joyce asked.
“Because as soon as you see who she’s with you’ll call the cops…and don’t try to deny that you wont. You made it clear what you think of Buffy dating someone whose older now if you’ll excuse me.” Cordelia sighed dragging the suitcase out of the room.
She was almost through the door when Joyce’s voice stopped her.
“Cordelia…how old is he?” She asked with baited breath.
“24.”
Joyce didn’t respond she just shook her head sadly.
“Will he take care of her?”
“You can count on it.”

“Well I guess this is goodbye then.” Cordelia said sadly giving her best friend a huge hug.
“Nah it’s a see ya later.” Buffy smiled.
“Yeah you can come visit anyway right? Im sure Angel wouldn’t mind paying mum a visit and he can bring you along.” Spike grinned.
“That’s a good idea. Tell mom I’ll come visit soon I promise.” Angel said with a nod.
“Yeah sure…ready luv?” Spike asked noticing how sad Buffy looked.
“yeah im ready Cordy tell Willow and Oz I’ll see them soon to okay? I’ll call you as soon as I can.” Buffy promised before finally getting into the car.
“See ya mate bye Cord.” Spike grinned giving them a salute before jumping in the drivers side.
Neither Buffy nor Spike spoke until they had driven past the welcome to Sunnydale sign.
“Pet…you do want to come right?” Spike asked a little nervously.
“Well…I don’t really wanna leave my whole life behind for 8 months but…If I get to be with you then that’s all that matters.” Buffy smiled before looking out of the window.