You promised

Thank you so much for the AWESOME feedback. I love it.

Oops my bad, song was Patty Smyth Thanks Anon for pointing it out.

You promised_6

“You understand, then?” Boomed the voice.

”Yeah, yeah - it's not like you haven't been clear about it, oh great mysterious one.” He took a few strides, clad only in his skintight black jeans, feet and chest bare. “This is a test. I don't get what I want unless I pass said test. That about the size and shape?”

”Yes.”

”And since your pad is decked out gladiator style, and no number two pencils have been provided - I guess we're not starting with the written.” Spike glanced over when he felt a presence and spotted a well-muscled male. “Ah. Here we go, then. Just me and the walking action figure. I'm venturing this would be the Kill-or-be-killed type of situation, then?”

”To the death.”

”Right. Here we are now. Entertain us.” Spike grinned, stalking his prey, tuning into the vicious killer inside of him. The guy smashed his fists together. They exploded into flame.

”Son of a b...”

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Buffy walked into the dark shop, unconsciously pulling Spike’s duster tighter nd hnd herself. “Hello?” She called looking for a sales clerk. She walked among the few isles, shelves littered with every thing imaginable. And a few things she could never have imagined.

A tall blonde woman stepped into view. “Can I help you? I’m Tracey. I own this store.” She asked kindly.

“Tracey I’m Buffy. Uh…I…I’m looking for something…I was told this was the place to come…” Buffy said softly.

“We have all kinds of things here, as you can see…what is it you are looking for?” Tracey asked.

“It’s kind of strange…” Buffy said eyes on the ground in front of her.

“You couldn’t imagine some of the things I’ve been asked for. Try me I’ll bet I have it.”

“Ok. I’m…I’m looking for a vial, that can be worn on a necklace? Something you can hold…a…uh…sand? In.”

“Oh! I have a whole selection of those. Right this way.” She led Buffy to a glass display case that held an assortment of vial necklaces. All shapes and sizes. Some of them had chains attached and some of them were ready to be attached.

“That one. That one right there.” She pointed at a small glass heart, a small smile on her face. “Do you think you could attach it to the necklace I already have?”

“Yes absolutely. You’d just have to pull the stopper out to fill it and then glue it back in ok? Give me your necklace and I’ll attach it right now.”

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“Had enough?” Spike asked. He was on his knees burns and ashes covering his face, shoulders and chest. Suddenly a flaming fist was flying at him again. He caught it in his hand. “Ow! Badmove badmove badmove...”

He knocked out his opponent’s legs, knocking him to the floor. He grabbed his head and twisted violently breaking his neck. He staggered to his feet obviously wounded and in pain. “Looks like local boy loses.”

“So it would appear.”

”Good on me, then. I get what I came for? I passed, right?”

”Indeed. You have passed the first stage of the test.”

”Right, I get it... wait... first stage? Bugger.”

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Buffy went directly to her room when she got home. She filled the heart shaped vial with a portion of his dust and sealed it with glue. She set it on her dresser to dry and gave in to the tears that were forever threatening grateful that she was the only one home. Dawn, Tara and Willow were all at school.

Soon enough she’d need to hide her pain. Anya and Xander would be home from their honeymoon.
X
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“Well that was a bloody doddle and a piece o'piss... Got any more ruddy tests for me, you ponce? I'll take anything you can throw at me. If it'll get me what I need. You just bring it on. Bring on the whole.” Spike stopped mid-sentence and fell to his knees. “Bloody hell.” He growled under his breath as he felt them. Big black beetles crawled all over him.

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“All she does is sit in her room. She goes out to patrol and then locks herself in there again.” Willow said sadly. “I miss her Tara, but she won’t talk to me. She just keeps shutting me out and I don’t even know why she’s taking this so hard. I mean really…Spike…Vampire…”

“Shut up Willow. He was my best friend. I loved him so much, he was ALWAYS there for me. He took care of me when Buffy was dead. I know why she’s so upset too, cause it’s her fault he’s dust.” Dawn stood there arms folded across her chest heaving in and out deep angry breaths.

“What makes you say that Dawn?” Tara asked softly.

“He loved her. He truly did. He loved her so much. I’ll bet that he asked her on a date and she said no. She was probably really mean to him …why else would he dust himself?”

“I’ll go talk to her. See if I can…get her to open up or something.” Tara said softly.

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“Buffy?” She tapped lightly at the door. Hearing no reply she pushed it open slightly and took a few steps inside.

“Please go Tara…I can’t…”

“Listen to me for a minute Buffy…please?” Tara asked softly sitting on the edge of her bed and placing a hand on her back. Buffy lay on her side, facing the window watching the clouds.

“What could you possibly say that could make it better?” Buffy asked turning to face her.
Tara gasped at the sight of Buffy’s pale skin. That combined with her red-rimmed eyes Buffy looked awful. “Oh Sweetie. There’s nothing I can say to make it better. Nothing I could say could make it hurt any less. But that’s not what I’m here for. I’m here to tell you that we are all worried. Dawn, she’s being her usual angry teenaged self, but…Buffy you need to start living again. Please.”

“I’ll think about it Ok? I’ll go have a shower and see how I feel…”

“Ok.” Tara stood and walked to the door. Standing there hand on the door handle she turned back to her one more time. “Buffy? I think you should tell them. I think it would help you deal with it if everyone knew. They would accept it and you know, wouldn’t have to hide up here in your room. They’d be there for you. Give them a chance. Trust them, before it’s too late.”

Buffy didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She was too overwhelmed.

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“You have endured the required trials.”

Spike stood there trying not to pass out. Blood caked his stomach, back, shoulders and face. Bruises littered his body, his jeans were torn, blood and bruises showing through. “Bloody right I have. So, you give me what I want. What I deserve.”

”Very well. We will return your soul and remove that leash jammed in your head. You will be your own man, led by heart and soul alone.” The demon said stepping forward and placing his palm flat against Spike’s chest. Internal light flooded him. His eyes shone. He screamed in agony.

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TWO WEEKS LATER.

“I’m so glad to be back.” Xander said settling himself on the couch. Anya sat beside him, her hand resting on his thigh.

“It was a nice honeymoon, very many satisfying orgasms, but it is nice to be home. Well not our home really but Buffy’s. I can’t believe how much I missed you guys.” Anya said sincerely.

“We missed you too guys.” Willow smiled.

“Where is Buffy? How come she’s not here?” Xander asked, finally realizing someone was missing from the hugs and tearful reunion.

Xander’s cell rang interrupting further conversation. “Hello?” He listened intently for a few seconds, a
huge grin erupting on his face.

“Excellent! Can we pick it up now?” Xander smiled at Anya. “Ok, drop it off then. 1630 Revello drive….Uh huh….see you in a few. Thanks man.”

Anya looked at him curiously. “That was my cousin Andrew. You know the tape he was making for us of the wedding?” Anya nodded. “Well he’s dropping it off in a few minutes!” Xander said excitedly.

“I’ll go and get Buffy.” Dawn said softly.

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“Thank you mate. I couldn’t have made it without you.” He said sincerely. The man who had tried to stop him from entering the cave found him lying in the opening of the cave, battered bruised and insane with guilt. He helped him back to the village and healed him. Made him strong again. He listened to Spike’s insane ramblings, and helped the vampire see that it didn’t matter what he had done in the past. He couldn’t change any of it. All he could do was make better choices in the future. Fight the good fight and do what he could to redeem himself.

Spike tucked the chip into the pocket of his jeans and made his way out into the darkness. ‘Bloody well right. My own man now.’

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Buffy felt a little tremor of fear run through her as she descended the stairs. She took a deep steadying breath and continued down. Hearing a knock at the door she went to answer it.

“Yes?” She asked glancing at the slightly familiar young blonde guy standing there.

“Hey. I’m Andrew…Xander’s cousin…I came to drop something off for him.” Andrew said nervously staring at Buffy.

“Oh. Come on in.” She said opening the door wider. She led him into the living room where the scoobies were assembled. All except for Giles and Spike.

“Andrew!” Xander said happily clapping him on the back.

“Here’s the tape I made…” Andrew offered the tape out to his cousin’s outstretched hand.

“This is awesome!” He said happily. Andrew had made alagelage of pictures from the wedding for the case.

Everyone grabbed a seat and Xander put the tape into the VCR. As they watched they laughed, teared up, and laughed again. Andrew had captured some great moments on film.

They were discussing how Andrew had edited the tape; no one was really paying much attention to the image on the screen, no one that is except for Buffy. She heard the end of the song, the one playing when Spike asked her to dance. Sure enough a few seconds later the song they danced to could be heard.

Suddenly there he was, his arms wrapped around her, gliding across the floor. She watched a few seconds, haunted by his image. An image she was sure she would never see again. Tears spilled hotly from her eyes and she turned and fled the room. She ran from the house, tears and sobs wracking her body as she ran.

Her feet carried her unconsciously to his crypt. She opened the door and took a few steps inside. His place. His presence was heavy here. She could still smell his scent. Crumpling to the floor she wrapped her arms around herself and gave in to the tears.

“Sp-Spike…Oh…god…it’s so hard without you. Why did you have to…I should have told you…I’m sorry…can yoar mar me wherever you are? I’m sorry. I love you and I’m sorry.” She heard a gasp behind her and turned to see Dawn standing there, tears in her own eyes.

She walked over and knelt beside her sobbing sister taking her in hems. ms. “Are you okay?” she stroked Buffy’s hair softly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

”Because you didn't need to know. Because I didn’t understand it myself. Because I was scared.”

“Don’t be scared Buffy. He loved you. He’d want you to live. Please…stop beating yourself up, I know you think it’s your fault, I thought it was too at first but it’s not. Not all of it anyway. It was that demon that poisoned you…”

Sobbing she told Dawn about her and Spike’s secret relationship. When her tears stopped they made their way home and Dawn helped Buffy tell the scoobies. All of them were shockingly accepting. They watched the rest of the tape while she was gone and saw how happy she was in Spike’s arms.

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TWO MONTS LATER

Buffy couldn’t get out of bed. She had been feeling lethargic and nauseous for about two weeks, but today, well today was worse.

“Hey Buff! Shopping today.” Dawn said excitedly running into Buffy’s room. Buffy promised her she would take Dawn shopping. “Uh…you ok?” She asked taking in Buffy’s gray clammy skin.

“I don’t…feel so good…feel like I’m gonna…” Suddenly she jumped off the bed and ran for the bathroom, almost running into Dawn.

Dawn followed her. “Buffy? What’s wrong?” She asked kneeling beside her and holding her hair back away from her face.

Buffy rested her forehead against the cool seat of the toilet. “I feel so awful. I don’t think we’re gonna make it shopping today. I’m sorry Dawn.”

“You’re never sick Buffy, and you’ve been feeling crappy for a while now. I think you should go to the doctor’s.” Dawn said, resolve face firmly in place.

‘Damn you Willow for showing her that.’ Buffy closed her eyes. “Ok.” She sighed softly, knowing she wouldn’t win the argument she didn’t even have the strength to fight. “I’lle a e a quick shower and then we’ll go.”

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“I need an identity. A real one.” Spike said softly pulling out a wad of cash. “I want to be able to get a real job and I need it to be legit. I also need to collect my inheritance. Can you make that happen?”

“Are you completely daft? Has your brain turned to mush?” Gregg asked. “Spike you’re a demon. Want take have. You did for over a century…”

“Some things change.” Spike said looking into his eyes.

“Wow. Oh Wow Spike just like your Sire, got cursed with a soul eh? No wonder you want to go legit.”

“Not like my Sire.” Spike growled menacingly. “I won my soul. Now, can you help me out?”

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Buffy sat therrvourvously holding Dawn’s hand. She was waiting for the doctor to return and tell her what was wrong with her. They had taken urine and blood samples.

There was a soft tap at the door before Dr. Kehler opened the door. She sat at her desk and looked at Buffy. “Miss summers you aren’t sick.”

“It’s not all in my head. I threw up.” Buffy said venomously, still upset and sensitive about the demon that made her think she was in an asylum.

“I know you did, I’m not saying it’s in your head. There is a reason that you’re feeling this way. Congratulations you’re pregnant.” Dr. Kehler smiled.

“Pregnant? No. That’s impossible. No way. Must have been something wrong with the test. Do it again.”

“We did two tests, one urine and one blood to be sure. I assure you Miss Summers that you are pregnant. We need to do further testing to see how far along you are and…”

“I’m gonna be an auntie!” Dawn squealed, wrapping her arms around Buffy.

“Dawn. Stop, it’s not true…Spike couldn’t…there’s no way, I wasn’t with anyone else.”

“What do you mean he couldn’t?” Dr Kehler asked.

“He…he was sterile. This is impossible.”

“Well, maybe he thought he was, but I assure you this is very real. Would you like your sister to leave the room while I examine you?”

“No…she can stay…” Buffy said softly. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. “Are you sure that I am? I mean he died recently, and I couldn’t take it if this isn’t real.”

“I’m positive. Now, you change into the gown and I’ll be right back.”

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“Shit Spike, I didn’t realize how much money they left you. I used your family name and made it so you’re your own great grand son, recently found. There’s over three million dollars in assets.”

“Sell it all. I’m going back to the states.”

“Back to Sunnydale?”

“No. Can’t go back there.” Spike said sadly. “I just…I need to be close to her. Probably LA.” Spike sighed softly. “Although I’d probably run into the pouf there. I donno mate. Maybe I’ll find someplace new, someplace I won’t run into anyone from my past.”

“Best stay here then.”

“No.”

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“I can’t believe I’m two and a half months pregnant.” Buffy murmured softly, rubbing her stomach.

“Buffy…what are you gonna tell them? I mean you’ll have to tell them something right?”

“I know Dawnie…I…I’ll tell them the truth. If they can’t understand…I’ll lose them, but to have a part of him…growing inside of me…” She teared up again.

“I know Buffy. I’ll be the best auntie in the world I swear.”

“Will you be there? When the baby’s born? I…”

“Yes.” Dawn said happily and hugged her sister.

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“Giles?” She asked when he answered the phone.

“Buffy. How are you?”

“Spike died. Dusted. He’s gone.” Buffy said softly.

“Gone you say? Really not sorry to hear that. Why did you have to…I thought he was helping you…”

“I didn’t have to he…he stood on my porch at sunrise. He did it cause I told him he wasn’t worthy of me. But he was Giles. I was in love with him but scared to tell him, scared of how everyone would react…but that’s not why I called.” She could hear him polishing his glasses from all those miles away and smiled to herself. ‘Same old Giles.’

“Buffy…I’m sorry…I didn’t mean…”

“Giles…I have to ask you something…is there any way a vampire can get someone pregnant?” She was being cruel to him and she knew it but she was still hurt and upset that he left her when she needed him.

“No. It’s not possible Buffy. They are dead; they have no blood flow, no bodily function at all really. I don’t understand all of it, how they work and such, but I do know they are incapable of impregnating anyone.”

“Strange, cause you see I’m pregnant, and Spike…he’s the only possible father. He’s the only one I’ve slept with. And not in the sleeping sense.” She heard Giles sharp intake of breath and sighed. “Could you look into it for me? I need to know…”

“I’ll look into it. Is there anything else I can do?”

“Yeah. Actually there is. Do you think you could get Faith out of Jail? I’ll need someone to take over patrol. You have a month or two to work on that.”

“Ok. I’ll call you with any news.”

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“Angel investigations. How may I direct your call?” Cordelia answered.

“Cordy? It’s Buffy. How are you?”

“Buffy? I’m fine. How are you?”

“I’m…I’m ok, listen can I talk to Angel? It’s really important. I know he’s probably sleeping right now it being daylight and all but…”

“It’s not an apocalypse is it?”

“No. It’s really not.”

“You’re not…coming back here to…be with him…are you?”

“What? No. That was over years ago Cordy. You know that.”

“I know I just…never mind. I’ll go get him. Hold on ok?”

Buffy lay on her bed and absently rubbed her stomach, waiting for him to come to the phone.

“Buffy? Is everything Ok?”

“Yeah…I just I have a question…”

“What is it?”

“Ok. This is going to sound strange…and you’ll probably think I’m craut…iut…is it possible…I mean I know Vampires are usually sterile and…I was wondering…”

“Who told you? Did Cordy tell you? I’m gonna kill her!” Angel growled.

“Tell me what?” She asked. Then she heard it, faint crying in the background.

“Hold on a sec.” Angel said setting down the phone.

Buffy waited for him to return. “Sorry…he got up and I had to give him a bottle…”

“Who?” She asked perplexed. ‘Angel feeding a baby? What the hell?’

“My son.” Angel said proudly. “I…I uh thought you knew…I thought that’s why you were calling.”

“No. I didn’t know. So you’re telling me that Vampire’s aren’t sterile then?”

“No. No…I’m the only one…it was…it’s not normal. No other vampire has ever…”

“It is possible then? Given the right circumstances?” Buffy sighed. ‘May as well get this over with.’ She closed her eyes still rubbing her palm against her flat stomach. “I’m pregnant. And Spike is the father.”

“What? Did he…did he hurt you Buffy?” Angel asked concern in his voice.

“No. I love him Angel. He didn’t…hurt me. He wouldn’t.”

Connor started wailing in the background. “I’ve gotta go Buffy…he needs his diaper changed…it was nice talking to you.” He closed his eyes. ‘She moved on.’

“Ok. It was nice talking to you too Angel. Congratulations by the way.”

“Yeah. You too. Bye Buffy.”

She didn’t hear him after he hung up the phone. “I’m gonna kill him.”

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TBC…Still liking the twists and turns? I hope so, there are a few more bumps…want them?