New Beginnings

Disclaimer: I don't want to own ALL of BtVS! Just Spike! (Angelus too.) But, (sigh) I don't.

Author's Notes: Words in *'s are emphasized, words in 's are thoughts, words in ~'s are dreams and words in ^'s are flashbacks. For any other information, see chapter one. Also, I DO NOT SPEAK LATIN! I JUST FOUND SOME OF THESE WORDS, AND THEY SEEMED TO BE RIGHT. IF THEY ARE NOT THE PROPER TERM, OR WHATEVER, PLEASE DON'T FLAME ME FOR IT. Thanks.

Chapter Four: Protection

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Spike froze in the doorway of the Hyperion Hotel, his eyes widening at the sight before him. The former cheerleader, Cordelia, was standing near the offices, talking to the ex-watcher, holding a small baby. However, what shocked the vampire was the fact that Cordelia Chase was a demon. He could smell it all over her.

Cordelia and Wesley both glanced up from the prophecy that they had been reading at the sound of the familiar British accent. Both gasped in shock.

"Oh, dear," Wes breathed, slowly setting down the book on the nearby table, his hand closing around a stake.

Cordelia silently placed Conner in his bassinet, her eyes never leaving the unwelcome visitor. Neither noticed the young woman partially hidden behind the peroxide blonde in the doorway.

"Spike, what are you doing here?" Cordelia asked, forcing the fear she felt back down. Having spoken to Willow several times since Spike had started helping the Sunnydale gang, she knew that the others were safe around him due to his chip. However, she was a now a demon. And, Spike could hurt demons. In fact, if he chose, Spike could kill demons.

The man smirked, smelling her fear. Casually, he sauntered into the room, lighting a cigarette.

"Why, I'm here to see Peaches, of course," he answered. "Where is dear old dad, anyway? Off fighting the forces of darkness, and all that rot?"

The seer raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Uh, huh. You expect me to believe that you drove all the way from Sunnydale just to visit with Angel?" she questioned, noticing movement out of the corner of her eye. Fred and Gunn were cautiously making their way down the stairs. Cordelia moved her hand behind her back, taking the stake that Wesley was offering her. Good, now she felt much better.

Spike grinned, noticing the additions to the group as well. "What, the Slayer didn't call you? I'm surprised! Look, pet, I'm here to help," he stated, not sounding at all believable.

Cordelia scoffed, "Sure you are. Because, you know, the last time you were here, you helped so much, what with the torture and all!" She rolled her eyes, shooting a brief look at the reinforcements on the stairs.

The vampire sighed. Then, he turned to look at Fred and Gunn. "You two might as well come on down. Not exactly being stealthy, ya know?" he said.

Gunn shrugged, grasping Fred's hand in his, and made his way in the foyer. He eyed Spike warily as he walked to his friends.

Suddenly, Conner's cries rang through the hotel, causing everyone to momentarily take their eyes off the visitor. Fred quickly picked the baby up, shushing him. Instantly, he quieted, cooing softly.

Spike watched the exchange with interest. Whoever the kid was, it was apparent that everyone present cared for him.

"So," he drawled, taking a deep drag off his Marlboro. "The poof decide to open a daycare, now? What, he keep the kiddies safe from all of the nasties while readin and singin to 'em?" he grinned, the mental image of his sire imitating some children's show quite humorous. Maybe he had a purple dinosaur suit hidden away upstairs.

Fred held Conner closer to her, her eyes going wide. Instantly, Gunn stepped in front of her, blocking Spike's view. The vampire hunter crossed his arms over his chest; silently daring the self proclaimed Big Bad to try anything.

Spike's eyebrows shot up. What in the hell was so important about the baby?

"Look, Spike, Angel obviously isn't here right now. So, why don't you just hop back into that death trap that you call a car, and take your stuck in the 80's self back to Sunnydale, okay?" Cordelia spoke up, suddenly feeling much braver now that Conner's welfare was on the line. She had no doubt that, if given the chance, he would happily sell the baby to the highest bidder in order to make a few quick bucks. She'd be damned if she were going to let it happen.

The man shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. "No, I think I'll just wait right here for daddy dearest to show up," he said, smirking once more.

"But, I thought Conner was Angel's only son," Fred spoke up, immediately realizing her blunder. "Oh! You meant daddy as in he's your sire. That would make sense what with him being a vampire and you being a vampire and…" she trailed off as Cordelia glared at her, stopping her babbling before it could do any more damage.

Spike nearly spit out his cigarette as the brunette's words sunk in. "Conner?" he asked, "who in the bleedin hell is Conner?"

No one spoke. However, he noticed how they all unconsciously took a step closer to the newest addition to the group.

He rested his blue eyes on the infant softly gurgling in Fred's arms, suddenly making the connection.

"Impossible," he said, shaking his head. "Vampires can't have kids." However, he knew it was true. That baby was, in fact, his sire's. Now that he focused on it, he could sense a bond coming from him. It wasn't as strong as the bond that he felt with Angelus' other childer, but there was a definite connection.

Not even thinking, he began to walk towards the group, his eyes focused on Conner.

Suddenly, Cordelia moved to him, her staked raised. "You stay the hell away from him!" she shrieked.

Spike froze, his eyes moving to her rapidly approaching form. He backed up, his hands raised. "Luv, you might be a demon, but I don't want to hurt you!" he exclaimed. "I just want to see my brother, is all."

However, Cordelia didn't even hear him. All she could think of was protecting the child that had become very much like her own son. She continued her advance, having no intention of stopping.

Without warning, a young blonde woman appeared at Spike's side, power swirling around her, her normally blue eyes virtually black. "Concito," she breathed, moving her hand. Instantly, Cordelia was thrown across the room by an unseen force.

The seer hit the wall, crumpling to the ground, unconscious.

For a second, no one moved. Then, all hell broke loose.

With an indignant cry, Wesley and Gunn both charged the duo, weapons poised to strike.

"Siste!" Tara cried, holding her hand up. Immediately, everyone in the room froze, save Spike and the spell caster herself.

Spike took in the scene, glancing at the witch. "Pet, I'm impressed!" he exclaimed, smiling broadly.

Tara smiled shyly, blushing. She averted her gaze, whispering a thank you. Then, she walked over to the woman holding the blanket, gazing at the baby born from two vampires.

Spike watched her movements, seeing her in a new light. The girl was much more powerful than she let on. Suddenly, he was very interested in learning what else he didn't know about her.

"So, how long have you been able to do that move? And, why haven't you used it before?" he asked, walking towards her.

"Um, I-I've always been able to do it. I just never had a reason to," she answered absently.

"Never had a reason?" Spike paused in front of Wesley, waving his hand in front of the man's face. No reaction whatsoever. It was as if the ex-watcher was literally frozen in time. "Luv, you do realize that it would be bloody difficult for someone to kill you while they can't move, right?" he teased.

Tara smiled down at the baby, her gaze softening. "It doesn't work on demons. That's why you and that other girl aren't frozen. If you look closely, you'll see her breathing. Oh, Spike, you just have to see this baby! He is so adorable!" she squealed.

Spike rolled his eyes, sighing. "Tara, I'm a soulless killer, remember? I don't find things adorab--oh! Look at that face!" he exclaimed, looking over her shoulder at Conner. A grin spread across his face. The kid definitely took after his 'big brother'.

Suddenly, the door to the hotel opened. "Okay, Delia. I have formula, baby wipes, and they had diapers on sale for," Angel froze, dropping the bags to the ground as he took in the scene before him. Finally, his eyes landed on his wayward child, who was standing far too close to Conner.

"Spike," he growled, his brown eyes flashing yellow, "What in the *hell* is going on here?"

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