Bad Can Be Good (RE-VAMPED)

The next morning Sarah made her way downstairs to find Buffy eating with her family.

“Morning.” Buffy said as she entered the kitchen.

“Hi.”

“Mom, Dawn this is Sarah. Sarah this is my mother Joyce and my sister Dawn.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Sarah said as she moved to shake Joyce’s hand. “I really appreciate you letting me stay here.”

“It’s no problem, dear. Sit down, have something to eat.”

“Thanks. I feel like all I ever do anymore is eat.” Sarah said taking a seat next to Dawn.

“Well, you’re eating for two now.” Joyce said, in full mom mode, setting down a plate in front of her. “Buffy would you mind taking Dawn shopping today? I thought I’d have time but something came up at the gallery.”

“I would, but I promised Giles and Anya I’d help do inventory at the shop today.”

“I can take her. I mean if it’s okay with Dawn.” Sarah suggested.

“Are you sure?” Joyce asked.

“You’re asking a teenage girl if she wants to go to the mall or not. I’d love to.” Sarah said with a grin.

“Okay, is that alright Dawn?”

“Sure.”

“After you two are done have Dawn show you to the magic shop, you can meet Giles.” Buffy said.

“Sounds good.” Sarah said smiling at Buffy. She watched as the other’s finished their food and Joyce got Dawn off to school. So this was what she’d missed not having a mother. The Summers sisters had no idea how lucky they were.

~~~~


“How long will she be here?” Giles asked after Buffy told him about Sarah.

“Not sure. But my mom said she could stay as long as she wants. My mom adores her already, she helped with the dishes this morning and offered to take Dawn to the mall.”

“When is she due to have the baby?”

“About four more months. She’s really scared, Giles. If being pregnant wasn’t enough, now with the way Michael and Max are acting and she’s going to have to drop out of school, she has so much to deal with.”

“It’s a good thing you’re doing for her. I’m sure she appreciates it.”

“She does.” Sarah said as she entered the shop with Dawn behind her.

“Hey. Sarah, this is Giles. Giles meet Sarah.”

“It’s a pleasure.” He said holding out his hand.

“Likewise. You have a nice shop.”

“Thank you. It probably seems strange to you but it’s a living.”

“Trust me, this is so not strange to me I can’t even tell you.”

“Really? Do you have an interest in the supernatural?” Giles asked.

“I was taking a few courses at the community college. One of them was Occult Theory.” Sarah said.

“Cool. They should have something like that at SCU.” Buffy said. “I hope you don’t mind but I told Giles about your situation.”

“It’s fine. Anyway, I was kind of wondering…um, I made an appointment this morning for a check-up. Would you come with me?”

“Of course. When?”

“They had a cancellation at 4:00 so they fit me in.”

“Okay. Giles, is it okay if Dawn hangs here until we get back?”

“Certainly.”

“Good. Why don’t we grab a bite to eat then head to the hospital?” Buffy said.

“Sounds like a plan.” Sarah said saying a quick goodbye to Giles and Dawn then following Buffy out of the store.

“Nervous?” Buffy asked as Sarah fidgeted on the examining table.

“A little. This is the first check-up I’ve had. I was so busy with the band and the new house I just never made time for one. Thanks for coming with me.”

“No problem.” Buffy said as a middle aged woman opened the door and came in.

“I’m Doctor Simmons. I presume you’re Sarah Crawford.”

“That’s me.”

“Alright then. Let’s get started.”

The doctor asked a few routine questions then had Sarah lie back on the table for a sonogram.

“There’s the head.” Dr. Simmons said pointing to a blob on the screen. “Would you like to know the sex?”

“Please.” Sarah said staring at the screen in awe.

“It’s a girl.”

“I’m gonna have girl, Buffy. That’s my little girl.” Sarah whispered taking the slayers hand.

“Everything looks fine. You’re a little under weight but other than that you’re both healthy. Don’t be afraid to eat. I’d like to see you in two weeks. It might be beneficial to have the baby’s father with you.”

“He’s not coming.” Buffy said trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

“I see. Well then, I’ll see you in two weeks.” The doctor said and left the room.

Buffy watched as Sarah ran her hand over the picture the doctor had printed.

“I don’t care what Max or Michael or anyone else thinks. I’m gonna have this baby and I’m gonna love her so much, I already do.”

“And her Aunt Buffy is going to spoil her rotten.” Buffy said.

~~~~

A few days later after Sarah and the band had settled in Crystal called Max on her cell phone and told him they were in San Francisco. He wanted to come and get them but she told him it was useless and Sarah didn’t want to see him or Michael right now. He threatened to come and look for them and she told him that it was a very big city and good luck.

After that Sarah seemed to relax a bit more and enjoy being around her new friends. A calm hazed over the group but in Sunnydale things are never calm for long.

“That was the most boring movie I’ve ever seen.” Sarah said as the walked out of Sun Cinema. It was Friday night and Sarah had asked Buffy and Spike to hang out with her.

“I second that, luv.” Spike said.

“It was kinda yawn worthy wasn’t it?” Buffy said.

They walked along main street talking then turned to go through the park. They were almost to the other side when the unthinkable happened, two vamps appered in front of them.

“You take the one on the left.” Buffy said to Spike. He nodded and didn't it take long to dispatch the two. They both turned to see Sarah staring at them.

“Okay, what just happened?”

“Are you okay?” Buffy asked.

“I’m fine, tell me what’s going on.”

“Those were vampires, Buffy’s a vampire slayer which means she’s destined to kill them, Sunnydale’s on a Hellmouth which is a gateway to hell and vamps are attracted to it. I’m a vampire but a secret government agency put a chip in me head so I can’t hurt humans.” Spike said.

“I see.” Sarah said, her eyes wide.

“Thanks, Spike.” Buffy said dryly then turned to the still stunned singer. “I know you probably think we’re crazy but…”

“No, I believe you. I knew something was off but I never thought it was vampires.”

“You believe us?” Buffy asked.

“Buffy. I’m from Roswell, capital of the strange and unbelievable.” Sarah said. “That’s how you knew I was pregnant. I mean vampires have enhanced senses right?”

“Yeah.” Spike said smiling at the girl. “That went better than I hoped.”

“Okay, so now you know. We told you ours, now you tell us yours.” Buffy said.

“What?” Sarah asked.

“Come on, Sarah. You said you knew something was off, well so do we.”

“Okay.” She agreed hesitantly. “Let’s move to somewhere a little safer first.” Sarah suggested.

They went back to Buffy’s. Her mom was out of town and Dawn was spending the night at Willow and Tara’s.

“I’m not really sure where to start but I trust all of you and obviously you’re all very good at keeping secrets. Max, Isabel, and Michael are aliens.”

“Aliens? As in came from another planet aliens?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah. They landed in the big crash Roswell is so famous for.”

“But that happened a long time ago, right? They look like teens.”

“They were in these pods in a mountain in the desert. The hatched about ten years ago looking like regular kids.”

“What about you, pet?” Spike asked.

“On the night they hatched I was in a car crash on the old highway, the crash that killed my parents. I would have died too but they found me and healed me. They all have certain powers and some of those powers got transferred to me.”

“Wow.” Buffy said.

“I’d heard rumors but I’d never thought they were true.” Spike said.

“So now you know.”

“Who else knows?” Buffy asked.

“Maria, Liz, Alex, Kyle, and Crystal. Who knows about you?”

“Giles, he’s my watcher. He works for this organization that trains and observes Slayers. Xander, Anya, Willow, Tara, Dawn, and my mom. And a few people you’ve never met, like Willow’s ex boyfriend Oz and Xander’s ex Cordelia.”

“How long have you been a slayer?”

“Since I was 15.”

“Shit, and I thought I had it hard. At least I didn’t have to go around killing stuff every night.”

“You may have their powers but you’re not one of them right?” Spike asked.

“Yeah. I mean I’m not a hundred percent human but I’m only like a fraction alien.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way but you smell different. Why’s that?”

“Probably the baby, since it’s Michael's she must be part alien.”

“Now I think it’s safe to say I’ve seen everything.” Buffy said.

After that the bond between the little group became even tighter. No more secrets or lies and the ‘otherness’ that made them all unique made them strangley feel the same.

~~~~

Over the next few weeks Sarah settled into life in Sunnydale. Dawn, Joyce, and Buffy babied her relentlessly which was a nice change from taking care of herself all the time. She steadily gained weight and became more emotional and insecure by the day. The gang did their best to comfort her but no one seemed to be able to reach her. The doctor told Buffy it was perfectly natural but the slayer still worried about her new friend.

Sarah growled as she tried again to button her jeans but it just wasn’t happening.

“Damn it!” She shouted as she gave up and slipped a black dress over her head.

“You alright, pet?” Spike’s voice came from the other side of her door.

“No! No, I’m not alright.”

Spike cracked the door and when he saw that she was decent he walked in.

“Where’s Buffy?” Sarah asked as she sat down on the bed.

“Went on patrol, I thought I’d stick around in case you needed anything.” The vampire had grown fond of the girl over the two months she had been in Sunnydale. “What’s wrong, luv?”

“Look at me Spike! I look horrid. I’m fat and tired and I can only wear these stupid dresses now.”

“You look beautiful.” Spike said sitting down next to her.

“You know you can’t lie to me Spike.” Sarah grumbled.

“You’re right, you’re not beautiful. You’re gorgeous, absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you for trying to make me feel better.” Sarah said leaning over and hugging the vampire. She rested her head on his chest for a moment and when she lifted her head she came face to face with him. He watched her for a moment then slowly lifted her chin and brought his lips to hers in a soft kiss. Spike’s hand trailed down her arm to rest over her swelled stomach.

“What are you doing, Spike?” Sarah whispered.

“If you don’t know what a simple kiss is then how the hell did you get knocked up?”

“Funny. I know you’re in love with her. So why are you here kissing a very large grumpy pregnant girl when you could be waking the dead with Buffy in a cemetery somewhere?”

“Just proving that you’re still as beautiful as ever. Is it that obvious? That I’m in love with her?” Spike asked.

“Only to me. No one else has a clue. So, why don’t you just tell her?”

“Because she doesn’t feel the same way and I can’t go through what I went through with Drusilla again.”

“She’d be a fool not to love you.” Sarah said running her fingertips down his cheek.

“And Michael’s a fool for not loving you.” Spike said.

“What a pair we make. A lovesick vampire and a pregnant alien half breed.”

“Come on, sweets. I’ll drive you to the Bronze.” Spike said with a laugh, taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

“Will you stay?”

“Of course.”

“He kissed you?” Crys asked her eyes wide with surprise.

“Yeah.”

“And?”

“It was… I don’t know, it was so different than with Michael. I mean with Michael it was all lust and passion but when Spike kissed me it was gentle and sweet and well nice. But even though I didn’t have the niceness with Michael at least I knew he loved me.”

“How are you feeling?”

“As good as I’m gonna get, let’s go.”

The girl’s followed Darcy and John onto the stage and started their set. Sarah smiled at Spike who was sitting at the bar. As the night wound down they came to their last song. Darcy, Crys, and John left the stage as Sarah strummed a slow melody on her guitar that she’d never played.


‘I woke up this morning
And now I understand
What it means to give your life
To just one man
Afraid of feeling nothing
No bees or butterflies
My head is full of voices
My house is full of lies

This is home, home
And this is home, home
This is home

I found you standing there
When I was just a girl
Now I’m seventeen
And I can’t remember
What I’d seen in you
I made a promise
Said it everyday
Now I’m reading romance novels
And dreaming of yesterday

This is home, home
And this is home
And this is home
This is home

I’d like to see the Rivera
And slow dance under nether the stars
I’d like to watch the sun come up
In a strangers arms

This is home, home
And this is home, home, home, home

I’m going crazy
A little everyday
And everything I wanted
Is now driving you away
I woke this morning
To the sound of breaking hearts
Mine is full of questions
And it’s tearing yours apart
Tearing yours apart
And it’s tear yours apart
Tearing yours apart
And it’s tearing us apart’


“Pretty song, luv.” Spike said when he met Sarah outside.

“Thanks.”

“Is it true? Is Sunnydale your home now?” Spike asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Do you want to stay here?”

“I do but I have to think about what’s best for the baby and I’m not really seeing The Hellmouth as a good environment for kids.”

“Well Xapper and Willow grew up here. They didn’t turn out all that bad. Well, Willow didn’t turn out that bad.”

“I like it here Spike, I’m happy here.” Sarah said giggling despite herself at Spike’s Xander bashing.

“Then stay.”

“I’ll think about it.” The girl said. She was lost in thought the rest of the way to Revello Drive.

The next day Sarah went out to lunch with Crystal.

“Max called me yesterday. He wants to talk to you.”

“Does he?” Sarah asked dismissivly, taking a bite of her sandwich.

“Yes, he’s worried about you, he misses you.”

“Do you think I should call him?”

“I don’t see why not. Here, call him now.” Crys said handing her friend her cell phone.

“Alright.” Sarah took the phone reluctantly and dialed Max’s number. He answered after two rings.

“Hello?”

“Max? It’s Sarah.”

“Sarah, god, it’s so good to hear your voice. Are you alright?”

“Everything’s fine. Crystal just mentioned you wanted me to call.”

“I just wanted to tell that I was sorry about the way I reacted and I should have said it earlier.”

“It’s alright, Max. I know it’s a lot to deal with.”

“No, it’s not alright. You are like a sister to me, Sarah, and I should have treated you like it instead of playing king and treating you like a subject.”

“Thank you, Maxwell. So, how is everyone?”

“Good.”

“And Michael?”

“He’s fine. He moved back into his old apartment, he didn’t feel right about using your money he figured you’d need it for the baby.”

“I see.”

“He misses you but he knows that the baby will make you happy and he doesn’t want you raising a child, his child, in Roswell. It’s too dangerous.”

“So is that it? Has he given up on us?”

“Sarah, he wants what’s best for you and the baby.”

“And he hasn’t even given a thought to coming here, to be with me and the baby.”

“He wants to finish school, Sarah. He has a job and a life here. He’s finally gotten himself tgether.”

“It doesn’t matter, Max. I’ve been thinking about not coming back to Roswell but I always dismissed it because of you, Michael, and the others but it doesn’t matter now. I’m staying here and with any luck I’ll never even have to hear of Roswell again.” Before he could answer she hung up.

“What happened, Sarah?” Crys asked.

“Michael’s pretty much given up on me, on what we had. It’s over.” She whispered a tear running down her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Sarah.”

“So am I. How are things with you and Max?”

“They aren’t exactly perfect but they’re not bad.”

“Are you going back to Roswell? I mean I know we never planned to stay away permanently.”

“I miss him. I miss him so much it hurts.”

“Then go.”

“I can’t just leave you here, Sarah. You’re still my best friend and I’ve known you much longer than I’ve known Max.”

“Crystal, I love you. You’re my best friend and I want you to be happy. Go back to Roswell.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive.”


The next night Darcy, Crys, and John left for New Mexico. Darcy and John were willing to stay for Sarah but she told them to go. With all their night gigs Sarah had been constantly worried that one of her band mates would run into vampires. She knew they would be safer in Roswell.

“You okay?” Anya asked as Sarah’s friends drove away.

“Yeah, I’ll miss them but it’s safer if they go.”

“I say this calls for ice cream.” Xander said putting his arm around Sarah’s shoulders.

“With Tabasco sauce.” Willow added.

“And sappy girly movies.” Tara said.

“Thanks guys but I’m not going to mope. I’ve been moping for the last 2 months. It’s time that I accept the fact that if I want to keep my baby it means giving up Michael. I need to move on.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Buffy said.

“I have some errands to run. I’ll see you guys later at the magic shop.” Sarah said.

~~~

“How’s Sarah?” Giles asked.

“She hides it well but she’s hurting. She really loved Michael.”

“Has she given up then?”

“I guess but Michael doesn’t deserve her anyway.” Buffy said and turned as the bell about the door to the magic shop jingled. She watched as Spike and Sarah walked in together. They had gotten close over the past months, Spike was always looking out for the young singer. The slayer found her self craving the blonde vampire’s attention as he put an arm around Sarah’s waist.

Wait, where the hell did that thought come from? Buffy asked herself.

“Hey, Buff.” Sarah said.

“Hey. Mom wanted to know if you could watch Dawnie tonight.” Buffy said.

“Sure.” Sarah said.

“Want some company, luv?” Spike asked.

“Actually I was hoping you’d patrol with me.” Buffy said, then her brain did a double take. Did i just say what i think i said?

“I think that’s a good idea.” Sarah said.

“Alright then, shall we?” Spike asked holding his arm out to Buffy.

“We shall.” The slayer said with a grin and a roll of her eyes.

Sarah watched them go with a grin of her own.

“You planned that didn’t you?” Giles asked after they left.

“What ever do you mean?” Sarah asked with her most innocent smile.

“I may not be a teenager anymore but I’m not blind, I’ve seen the way Spike looks at her and the way she’s been looking at him since you’ve been taking all of his time.” Giles said.

“I didn’t think anyone else had noticed. Do you mind, I mean I know you’re not exactly fond of Spike.”

“As long as Buffy’s happy I suppose I can put up with almost anything.” Giles said. Reluctantly he’d come ot have a bit of respect for the chipped vampire. He didn’t have to stay and help the Scoobies but he did.

“Good. Do you need any more help here?” Sarah asked.

“No, thank you. I believe we’ve finished for the night.”

“Ok, then I better get home.”

“See you tomorrow.” Giles said.

“See ya, Giles. And thanks for understanding about Spike and Buffy. They’re more alike than either of them wants to admit.”

~~~

“Where to, pet?” Spike asked as they walked along Main Street.

“I don’t know. Weatherly has been pretty boring lately. Maybe we can just hit a few cemeteries.” The slayer suggested.

Spike nodded and they turned down an alley. Buffy glanced sideways at her companion. Noticing, and not for the first time, his well-muscled body, his confident stride and his gorgeous blue eyes.

Stop it, this is Spike, evil, soulless Spike. Buffy thought and she had the strong desire to try and smack some sense into her head. I bet that’s not where he'd smack me. GOD, NO!

“You’re awfully quiet.” Spike said.

“Just thinking.” Buffy said.

“About what?”

“About pounding Michael’s face into mush.” Buffy said. Ooo, pounding. She thought with another sideways glance and a naughty grin she ducked her face to hide.

“I hope for his sake he never comes here looking for her, I’ll bloody kill him myself.”

“Not with that chip.” Buffy said, glad to have something else to think about than the growing appeal of the man next to her.

“No, I could if I wanted to. He’s not human remember.”

“You mean all this time you could have killed Sarah and you didn’t?” Buffy asked stopping in her tracks.

“Of course not, chit’s like a sister to me, I could never hurt her.” Spike said.

Buffy smiled slightly and jogged to catch up with him.

“And what about me? Would you hurt me if you were suddenly de-chipped?” Buffy asked.

“I do miss fighting you but no I wouldn’t try to hurt you.”

Buffy was about to respond when five vampires surrounded them. The emerged from the shadows all around them and Buffy cursed herself for being too preoccupied to notice their presence.

“Where did they come from?” Buffy asked.

“Haven’t got a clue, luv.” Spike said

Unexpectedly, Buffy lunged forward, ramming the stake she’d had hiding up her sleeve into a vampire’s chest. From there it was a confusing mass of limbs, blood, and dust. Spike had dusted two and turned to find one, the largest and probably leader of the group, holding Buffy over his head, ready to slam her to the pavement. Spike darted forward and staked the vamp from behind, catching the slayer as she fell through the dust.

“You saved me?” She said quietly as he set her down.

“Didn’t have anything else to do just then.” Spike said with a smirk.

“Thank you.” Buffy whispered running a hand down his cheek and before he could react she stood up on her toes and brought his mouth to hers.

Spike wrapped his arms around her back, pulling them closer together.

“I would have started saving you a lot sooner if I knew you’d react like that.” Spike said when she’s pulled back.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. All day you were all I thought about and when I see you with Sarah I… the way you act around her, I wish it was me.”

“All you had to do was ask.” Spike said as he claimed her lips for another kiss.

~~~

Buffy tried to be quiet as she crept into the house.

“It’s 5:00 in the morning. Where have you been young lady?”

Buffy turned to see Sarah standing there tapping her foot with an evil smirk on her face.

“I was…”

“At Spike’s, doing all kinds of naughty things.” Sarah finished for her.

“Sarah, I was just…”

“It’s okay. Come on, Buff, I’m pregnant not blind. That vamp is gorgeous.”

“He is, isn’t he?” Buffy said giving up the charade with a chuckle.

“Oh yeah, not to mention for a blood sucking demon of the night he’s incredibly sweet and caring and absolutely crazy in love with you.”

“You think?” Buffy asked as she went into the living room and sat down on the couch.

“I know.” Sarah said.

“What am I supposed to say to my friends?” Buffy asked.

“That he makes you happy and it doesn’t matter what they think.”

“How did you get so wise all of a sudden?”

“I’ve always been wise.” Sarah said with a smile.

“Maybe.” She said and Sarah didn’t miss the almost dreamy look on the slayer’s face. “So how are you feeling?”

“Fat, hungry, and tired. So basically happier than I’ve ever been.” The singer said putting a hand on her round abdomen. “She’s feisty today.” She reached over and took one of Buffy’s hands then placed it over her belly.

“Oh, wow.” The slayer breathed as she felt the little bumps under her hand as the baby kicked.

“That’s what I said the first time she did it.”

“That’s so amazing.”

“Yes she is. Maybe she’ll be a soccer player.”

“Or a slayer, it feels like she’s doing roundhouses.”

“Naa, I don’t think the powers would be that cruel. I mean she’s already different because she’s half alien, I don’t know how I’m going to explain that one and not to mention she’s not going to have a father.”

“Trust me, the powers can be pretty damn cruel.”

“Are you ever going to tell me why you hate them so much?” Sarah asked.

“I guess I should, especially now, I mean with Spike and all I suppose it’s time to put it behind me for good. It might take awhile.”

“I got all day.”

“Alright.” Buffy said then she explained everything that had happened with Angel. From their first meeting, to their first kiss, to her having to send him to Hell, and finally to when he left.

“In a way you can be thankful.” Sarah said after Buffy had finished. “If it wasn’t for Angel you never would have met Spike, if it wasn’t for Angelus you never would have made that truce and you wouldn’t have seen that there’s more to Spike than meets the eye. Although that alone was enough to hook me. And not every girl can say they got to send their ex to Hell.”

“Always seeing the bright side, aren’t you?” Buffy asked with a chuckle.

“It’s what I’m here for.” Sarah said dryly.

Song:
Home – Sheryl Crow