Dreams and Nightmares

Part 6

Dr. Mitchell’s Clinic

The day of the operation came. Everyone was nervous and tensions were high. Concerns ranged from the removal of the chip to everyone’s safety. The entire gang was hopeful that the surgery would be successful. They couldn’t imagine dev devastated Buffy would be if something happened to Spike. But, they were all also extremely worried about Buffy herself. She was now in her eighth month of pregnancy. It didn’t take a genius to know that Travers would show up sooner or later. Willow had set up protection spells around the Magic Box, the Summers’ house and everyone else’s place as well. She had made another location ring for Dawn. Buffy’s ring was now located on a chain around her neck, her fingers had gotten too swollen du her her pregnancy for the ring to remain on her hand. Angel had come down to help as well. He knew Spike was g tog to be relatively helpless for a day or two after the procedure and Buffy would need all the help she could get.
Just before Dr. Mitchell took him into the OR, Buffy and Spike talked briefly, holding hands and comforting each other.
“Everything will be fine, I know it.” Buffy’s words held more confidence than her voice.
“It will, luv. No need to get yourckerckers in a twist. I’ll be right as rain soon enough.” He gave her a little smile. He was worried but not for himself. He hated that he would pretty much be incapacitated for a day or two. He hated knowing that he would be unable to protect her. He knew Travers was just waiting for an opportunity like this to strike. Spike smiled again, holding her hand tight. He didn’t want to worry her more. They kissed briefly just before the doctor came to wheel Spike away.

In a warehouse not too far away

Travers knew they were removing the chip. But he didn’t have any plans to strike just yet. He knew they were expecting him to do something and he enjoyed watching them squirm as they lived in fear from one moment to the next, wondering when one or all of them would be used as pawns in his game. And it was HIS game. He was in control of what happened next.

Dr. Mitchell’s Clinic

After the procedure, Spike was taken to a recovery room. There he stayed for a few hours as his body began healing itself. There was an IV of human blood flowing into his arm to aid the process. Buffy was later allowed in to see him. He was temporarily blinded and could barely move. He looked broken and Buffy nearly broke down. Even though the doctor had warned her that Spike would not look good and of his probable blindness, she hadn’t really realized the implications. For the next 48 hours at least, she and the others were completely responsible for him. He was helpless. He trusted her that much. At that moment, she couldn’t think of anything she’d rather do than take care of him.
By that evening Spike was talking and moving his arms. He still couldn’t walk and his sight was still gone. He and Buffy were alone most of the time but the others also came in and checked on him, giving her breaks to eat and rest. By that night, Giles and the others had to pry her away from him. She needed to go home and get some real food and proper rest. Buffy refused to go but eventually at Spike’s insistence she relented and left for the night. Giles and Willow were going to stay with him, while Angel stayed with her and Dawn. Spike wasn’t crazy about that idea but Angel was the strongest among them. If Travers struck, he’d be able to protect Buffy and Dawn.
The night was quiet. Angel, Buffy and Dawn ate together and soon went to bed. Before turning in, Buffy tried to talk to Angel. She wanted to tell him about what she and Spike were thinking regarding the baby’s paternity but broaching the issue was awkward. When she brought it up, Angel excused it as merely a result of her close relationship with Spike and her distance from him. That somehow she was projecting her own feelings onto the baby. Buffy went to bed annoyed that he’d dismissed it so easily but despite her strong conviction, she really couldn’t prove it. As the night wore on, she tossed and turned. She was having trouble sleeping. Ever since Spike had moved in they’d shared a bed. She was no longer used to sleeping alone. Angel stayed on the couch. He was awake most of the night as well, the conversation he had with Buffy on his mind. He’d been aware of Spike and Buffy’s renewed relationship for some time, he could smell his grandchilde all over her. Although this knowledge made him a little uneasy, for the most part, Angel was happy for them. He knew Spike was capable of deep devotion and he clearly was devoted to Buffy. He felt comforted knowing that Spike was in Sunnydale taking care of them. But as to the baby’s paternity, he wasn’t sure what to make of it. So, until he knew conclusively, he would continue to assume that he was the father.

The following days passed without much incident. Spike improved even better than expected. He was up and walking around, and his vision was almost completely back to normal. It was comparable to the average human’s but his enhanced vampire vision was still a little hazy but improving. So even though his strength was completely back, he still was not back on the full duty list. He was feeling much better now though because not only was he no longer completely dependent on Buffy but he could also offer her and the others some sort of protection, especially since Buffy could give birth at any time.

It was on one of these days that Buffy decided to leave the house briefly to get some ice cream. Angel was at the Magic Box and only she and Spike were at home but the sun was still out so he couldn’t go. She told Spike that she would be right back with a pint of chocolate fudge almond sundae. She got to the ice cream parlor without incident but she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was following her. So, after purchasing her ice cream, she hurried back home. On her way back, as she turned onto Ruvello, just five houses away from her house, just five houses outside Willow’s protection spell, she was attacked. Three large men jumped her from behind some shrubs. She screamed when she was pulled from behind and dropped her ice cream bag. Her legs kicked out, searching for a target. Her foot connected with the man’s shin and he lurched forward in pain trying to grasp his leg. That’s when she elbowed him in the face, knocking him unconscious. One of the other two approached from the front, thinking she was distracted. Suddenly, she spun and landed a roundhouse kick right in his gut. The move threw her off balance a bit but she quickly recovered and efficiently delivered a right hook to the third man advancing on her. Once he was down, Buffy didn’t bother to stick around to finish them off but rather she bolted as fast as she could. Obviously Travers underestimated her strength and agility. Sure she wasn’t comfortable fighting against the demons of hell in her condition and her endurance wasn’t as high as before but she was still a slayer and she’d kept up her training. She could still do considerable damage to the average man.

As she neared the house, she saw Spike waiting for her with the door open. He’d sensed that something was wrong but he couldn’t leave the house because of the sun. In fact, he was about to call the Magic Box when he felt her approaching. When she got inside he locked the door and pulled her into his arms as he helped her to the couch. She was completely winded. That little skirmish and her following sprint to the house took a lot out of her. After catching her breath and sipping some of the water he’d brought her, she told him what happened. Spike was deeply shaken. And he was furious. She could have been taken away from him as simple as that, within a matter of seconds. He should have known better than to let her out by herself this close to her delivery, of course Travers was waiting in the shadows. Spike then called the Magic Box. Giles answered and he quickly told him what had happened. Travers was back. They talked briefly and both agreed that she and Spike should stay in the house until he and Angel arrived. They’d figure out their next move once they got there. After disconnecting, Spike led her upstairs and pulled her into his lap, caressing her hair, holding her close. She was trying to hide how scared she was but she was clearly shaken as well. The two then lay on the bed, wrapped around each other as they waited for Angel and Giles.

A short distance away, Travers watched. He knew that Buffy would be able to take down his men. He was not coming for her yet; this was just a warning. He thoroughly enjoyed toying with her and her friends. He already had his men sneak into Dr. Claiborne’s office and photocopy the Summers’ file. Travers was well aware of her due date.


Angel and Giles arrived a while later and after thoroughly checking her over for injuries (which Spike had done twice already), Buffy, now calm, told them everything about her assault. Although both Giles and Angel were quite relieved that she was fine, they couldn’t help but wonder why Travers sent such meager forces to take a slayer. Surely of all people, Travers would have a deep appreciation for a slayer’s strength and skill, pregnant or not. There’s no way he expected three, unarmed men to take her down. They looked at each other; both realizing the other was thinking the exact same thing. ‘This was just some kind warning.’ After Buffy went to take a nap, Giles and Angel pulled Spike aside and told him of their concern. What happened to Buffy just a while earlier was merely Travers playing with them. The real attack was coming soon.

Later that evening all of the Scoobies assembled at 1630 Ruvello Dr. There they discussed contingency scenarios for the next attack. From that night on, no one was to go anywhere alone. Dawn would be dropped off to and picked up from school. Spike and Angel would take patrol while the rest of the Scoobies stayed with Buffy and Dawn. Spike was uneasy about leaving Buffy but it appeared that the demon community had other ideas. Over the past few weeks there was a noticeable increase in demonic activity, as if they knew something big was about to happen. So, it was decided that it was best for fewer people to be out at night for patrol. Therefore, the two strongest people would go. Besides, as long as the protection spell was up and she was with the others, Buffy would probably be fine. Right?

For a few weeks everything was quiet again. There was no sign of Travers. Dawn was escorted to and from school. Spike and Angel took patrol although Spike always stayed within a few blocks radius of the Summers’ house. Willow, Tara, Xander, Anya and sometimes Giles stayed with Buffy and Dawn during this time. This way, at least they were all together and Willow and Tara were there just in case something happened to the protection spell. The established routine ensured that everyone was secure at all times.

However, the routine also allowed Travers to see patterns in their activities. One pattern in particular was of special interest to him. Every night after patrol but before returning to the house, Spike and Angel would stop off at one or more of the local demon bars looking for information, undoubtedly about him. And of course, during these bar stops, they always had a drink. Travers knew that he had to take out the vampires if he wanted any chance of taking Ms. Summers. They were both too paranoid. Even when they took patrol they would periodically stop by the house to check in, but the check-ins weren’t regular or scheduled. He had to find a way to keep them out of the picture. However, he didn’t really want to kill them either. He actually wanted them to survive and live with the knowledge that they failed in protecting the slayer and her child. Travers was anxious to see their reactions when they found the slayer’s lifeless body after he had taken the child from her. And inadvertently, they presented him with the opportunity to do just that. Buffy was now in her 38th week of pregnancy, she was due in about 2 weeks. It was time to act.


tbc......