Damage

When Spike got to their bedroom that night, Buffy was laying on her side, facing away from him. He knew she was awake but pretending to be asleep so he didn’t press her. He just got undressed and with a sigh, got into bed and lay down on his back. He kept watch over her until he sensed the change in her breathing and knew she was finally asleep for real. He moved himself up against her back and put his arms around her and rubbed the little mound of her stomach.

“I’m going to make it right little bit. I promise. I love you and your mummy so much.” Spike spoke softly to his unborn child.

He finally closed his eyes and fell into an exhausted sleep.


“Miss Edith says it’s time for the barrels to tumble.” Drusilla crooned to the dolls at her tea setting while she ate breakfast.


Buffy awoke alone. She had woken once before during the middle of the night to find Spike wrapped around her, his hands splayed protectively over her rounded belly. She felt guilt creep into her about their argument. She knew he was trying. It was just so hard and she was getting more and more emotional with each passing day of her pregnancy. She stretched and yawned and swung her legs over the side of the bed and slowly got herself up to her feet. She walked across the room to the connected bathroom to start her morning routine.

Two months later…

Spike sat in Mr. Travers office going over the final paperwork for his divorce. It was late May and had taken nearly 6 months to get to this point. Buffy was in her 6th month of pregnancy and was just about ready to graduate from high school. So far, the two families, along with Willow and Xander, had kept the true identity of Buffy’s baby’s father a secret. Everyone at school just assumed it was Riley’s. She was living with him after all. The rumor mill was that she and Riley had gotten back together and after she got pregnant, her mom kicked her out and so Mr. and Mrs. Finn let mov move in with them.

Spike shook hands with Mr. Travers and they agreed to meet each other the following week at the courthouse where all the agreements would be officially entered by a judge. Spike had found a nice assisted living community for Drusilla to live in where she would still have limited independence but also supervision. She would be moving the weekend following the court date. Buffy had been elated the day before when Spike had told her that everything was almost ready and it would only be a little more than a week until their home was just that; their home.

Buffy waddled throughout the corridors of Sunnydale Senior High. She was used to the stares and snickers by now that were often directed her way, especially since she really started showing her pregnancy. She stopped at her locker and was switching books when Riley appeared by her side.
“Hey” he said.
“Hey there” she replied then noticed the weird look on his face.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
“I have something to tell you.” He said.
“What?” she inquired.
“I joined the army.” Riley answered.
“You what?” Buffy’s eyes widened.
“I joined the army and…well, I ship out next week.” Riley began.
“Next week? But, that’s a week before graduation. If you leave, what’s everyone going to think? My baby’s daddy is leaving me?” Buffy said exasperated.
“Look, Buffy…first of all bot both know that baby isn’t mine. It’s time you and my dad came clean. You can’t hide behind me forever. People are going to eventually find out, when you get married and all.” Riley responded.
“Yeah...but we were hoping I could at least get through the end of school first.” Buffy whined.
“It’s only a couple more weeks. I don’t actually have to show for graduation. They will mail me my diploma. I’ve already taken my exams early and been passed for graduation. My army recruiter worked it all out with the school.” Riley informed her.
“Have you even told Spiket?”et?” Buffy asked.
“Not yet. I was going to tonight.” Riley replied.
“Are you leaving because of me? Because of me and your dad?” Buffy asked.
“No...Well...yeah, I guess that’s part of it. But, I really want to do this. I want to be in the army. This will be good for me and I can still come home and visit. It’s for the best, Buffy.” Riley said sincerely.
“O.K. Well, meet me here after our last class and we can ride home together to tell your father.” Buffy said.

The two exchanged goodbyes and see you laters and left the hall for their respective classes. Once out of sight, Cordelia Chase stepped out from behind the corner where she had been eavesdropping the entire conversation.
“Well, well well, Buffy Summers…aren’t you the little ho? I can’t wait to tell everyone!” she said aloud with a smirk before flipping her hair and sauntering off to start the fresh gossip.

Spike took Riley’s news surprisingly well. Both Buffy and Riley had thought he was going to throw a fit about it but Riley’s speech about being all he could be was actually quite impressive and Spike only wanted the best for his son. They decided to have a little mini celebration and after Buffy burned the roast she was trying to make them for dinner, Spike ordered Mexican from a local restaurant and went and picked it up for them. Buffy had been craving Mexican spicy things for the last few weeks which went great with her atrocious heartburn. She would scarf down the Mexican food and then have Tums for dessert.

That night when Spike and Buffy fell asleep, they were two of the happiest people on earth. Everything was finally coming around for them. They should have remembered it’s always calmest before the worst of the storm.

Buffy got up the next morning just like every other morning and got ready for school. She entered the building with happy thoughts. Those thoughts soon dissipated when she got to her locker and there was a flyer taped to it with a picture of her and some drawing of an old man with the caption, “Who’s your Daddy, Buffy?” written on it. Her face fell and suddenly she was aware of the snickers and laughs from around her.

She savagely ripped the flyer off the locker and crumpled it up. She got her books and turned to walk to her class, trying to keep herself composed. There was Cordelia and her group of minions surrounding her.
“Geez Buffy, I sure am glad we aren’t friends becausike,ike, I could never bring you home. No one’s father is safe around a little slut like you.” Cordelia said loud enough for everyone in earshot to hear.

Her minions all started laughing and Buffy tried to push through the crowd to get away.
“Oh, come on Buffy…come here and let’s play a game. I can be the dirty old man and you can be the dirty little girl” one boy leered suggestively.
“Oh man…not anymore...look at her now...she’s as fat as a cow with a brat now. Who would want to fuck that?” Another boy shouted in reply.
“Wonder if she fucked both Finn and his dad at the same time…did you Buffy? A little double penetration? That your thing, baby?” yet another boy said aloud.
Buffy could feel the hot tears begin to form before a hand gripped her shoulder. She turned to strike out against her assailant.
“Wait...Buffy...it’s me.” Willow said as Buffy registered Willow and Xander’s presence by her side.
“Alright everyone, show’s over. Everyone back off.” Xander said.
“Oh gee, look, it’s the town drunk’s son come to save his slutbag friend from the big mean boys.” Cordelia said, narrowing her eyes at Xander.
Xander looked at her, a crude reply on his tongue and then just shook his head, “You’re not even worth it, Cordeila.” He said instead and then took Buffy and Willow by the hand and turned, leading them away.
“Hrmph” Cordelia said at being dismissed like that.

Xander and Willow got Buffy outside before she broke down completely in convulsing sobs.
“Sshhh...It’s O.K. Buffy. They’re a bunch of meanyheads. Don’t you listen to them.” Willow told her.
“I’ve never wanted to hit a woman in my life but I was this close to smacking that bitch upside the head.” Xander fumed about Cordelia.
“Now, I’ll have to put up with this for the rest of the year.” Buffy sniffled.
“It’s only a couple more weeks. Then you don’t ever have to see any of those assholes again, Buffy.” Xander said.
“Yeah, a couple weeks too many. A couple weeks of hell.” Buffy replied.

“Miss Summers!” Principal Snyder strode towards the three youths.
“Great…someone said hell and here comes the devil himself.” Xander said under his breath.
“Miss Rosenberg, Mr. Harris. Shouldn’t you be in class now? Don’t think just because the year is almost over and you will beg graduating that you can just get away with anything. I’m still in charge here and I can make your life miserable. You’re still mine for two weeks. Now get to class you wretched children.” Snyder waved away Willow and Xander who gave Buffy apologetic looks and scurried away.

Buffy started to leave too but Snyder stopped her, “Not so fast, Miss Summers. You’re coming with me.” Snyder took her by the elbow and walked her back into the building and to his office.


Spike was fuming by the time he got to the high school. Willow had called him between classes and told him about the morning incident and that Buffy had been taken to Principal Snyder’s office and neither she nor Xander had seen her since. No sooner did he get off the phone with Willow, his phone was ringing again. This time it was Principal Snyder, requesting him to come to the school immediately.

Spike walked into the office and all eyes fell on him. The women who worked there had all heard the rumors about Buffy and Riley Finn’s father too but most people had never actually met Spike since he was so reclusive in the past. The shockingly handsome man and nothing at all like an “old man” was a surprise.
“Where is Snyder?” Spike asked gruffly.
“He is in his office with a student.” The front receptionist said all flustered.
“Is the student, Buffy Summers?” Spike demanded to know. “He called me to come down. Said there was a problem...” Spike began just as Snyder’s door opened.
“Mr. Finn, I presume?” Snyder looked him up and down disapprovingly.
“Yeah, where’s Buffy? Is she O.K.?” Spike took a step towards him.
“Come inside my office.” Snyder said and turned, Spike following right behind.

Spike saw Buffy huddled in a chair inside the office once he got it. He rushed to her side.
“Are you O.K., luv?” he asked her.
“No thanks to you, Mr. Finn” Snyder said.
“I’m taking her home.” Spike said, pulling a still silent Buffy up to her feet.
“You’ll do no such thing. You are not her parent or guardian. Apparently she is living at your residence but nonetheless, only her mother can remove her from this school.” Snyder said with a smirk.
“Why did you call me down here?” Spike said frustrated.
“It appears we have a problem, Mr. Finn. Buffy is causing friction and fights to break out because of her condition. I cannot allow this type of disruption in my school.” Snyder continued.
“Condition? She is pregnant. It’s not a disease for Christ’s sake. School ends in two weeks. I heard about what happened this morning. It was the other kids who started this, not my Buffy.” Spike said.
“Don’t take that tone with me. I know what you’ve done. You are a disgrace to this community. You and Miss Summers. I could expel her, you know. What a shame. She wouldn’t get to graduate. So close but so far.” Snyder said with a dreamy look on his face.
“The hell you will. You try it you little piss ant and you’ll be sorry. I don’t give a bloody hell who you are. Nobody threatens me and my girl. Now, I AM taking Buffy home for the day. She WILL be back tomorrow and finish the rest of this year. She WILL graduate and if you do anything to harm her, you WILL regret it.” Spike picked Buffy up in his arms and carried her out of the office.

The office women looked on as he strode out the door, Buffy cradled in his arms, their eyes wide. Snyder fumed behind his desk at the arrogance of the man who dared to stand up to him. He would never admit it but Spike Finn had scared him. He reached up and loosened his suddenly very tight tie.

Buffy stayed silent the entire trip home. She allowed Spike to carry her inside the house and up to their bedroom as well.
“Pet? Can you talk to me please?” Spike pleaded.
“I’m sorry, Spike. I just feel so drained. It was horrible. The things they said to me and did. I just wanted the ground to open up awallwallow me.” Buffy told him.
“I know luv. Willow told me. Ssshhh...You get some rest. I’ll go make you some . Ho. How’s that sound?” Spike asked her.
“Sounds like the best thing I’ve heard all day.” Buffy gave him a small smile.
“O.K. luv. Be back in a jiffy.” Spike said, kissing her cheek and then left the room.

Buffy had been resting for a few minutes when she got a craving for an orange Popsicle. She got up and walked over to the door and out to the landing, intending to call down to Spike to bring her one. When she got to the top of the steps she heard footsteps behind her.
“Tsk tsk tsk. You naughty, wicked little girl. You’ve stolen my William away. Made burning baby fishies dance in his head and now you must not have anymore tea. Miss Edith says so.” Drusilla said, wagging her finger at Buffy.
“You need to go back to your rooms, Drusilla. I’ll tell Spike to come and check on you in a bit.” Buffy said, swallowing the lump in her throat.
Drusilla advanced a few more steps towards Buffy.
“No. No more going back. You intend to send me away. That will not do at all. This is MY house. It is time for the sun to set.” Dru said as she reached out her hands to Buffy.

Spike was just coming out of the kitchen and into the main hall, carrying a tray for Buffy. He looked up several paces before reaching the staircase. In a split second, as if in slow motion, he saw Drusilla and Buffy standing at the top of the stairs. Drusilla reached out and gave a mighty push. Buffy teetered and then fell backwards, unable to catch herself from falling. Spike dropped the tray as Buffy’s blood curdling scream rang throughout the house. Spike watched in horror as Buffy’s small pregnant body tumbled down the steps. He ran and ran for what seemed like forever to stop her fall only making it to her once she had already come to a rest at the bottom of the steps. Spike fell to his knees and gathered her limp form into his arms.

“BUFFY!!!!!!!!!!!” a sobbing scream was ripped from his throat.

Drusilla smiled from the landing.

Continued in Chapter 24- Tequila Sunrise