You promised

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You You promised_8

Buffy stopped on the way home from the bank to quit her job. Her boas vas very understanding, he told her he knew it was coming since she was pregnant and couldn’t possibly continue on with her duties.

When retureturned home Willow was there waiting. “Hey Buffy. I wanted to talk to you for a minute…”

“Sure Will…what’s up?”

“I…I’m moving out…if that’s ok? I’ve kinda wanted to move back to the dorm for a while now but I didn’t want to leave you stranded with Dawnie…and I figured…I just figured with Faith moving in…she’d be able to help with Dawn duty…” Willow glanced over at her.

“Are you sure that’s what you want? It isn’t because Faith moved in is it?”

“No. It’s not I swear. I hope Faith and I can become good friends…it would just be easier…with classes and everything if I was right there…plus, living with my girlfriend full time…big bonus…”

“I just want you to be happy Will.”

“I am. First time in a long time, but it’s true…plus I thought we could maybe do the spare room as a nursery…that baby of yours is going to be so spoiled…he or she will need their own room just for toys.”

“Ok If that’s what’s best for you. But you know you’re still welcome here anytime…you can still stay over whenever you want and…”

“I know Buffy.” Willow walked over and hugged her.

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“I want to go shopping. You gonna come with?” Buffy asked.

“That depends. What are we shopping for?” Dawn asked looking up from her magazine.

“For the baby. And maybe a little for you. I defiantly need some maternity clothes, cause most of my clothes don’t fit already.”

“Did we win the lottery?” Dawn asked staring at her sister. Most of the time they didn’t have enough money for the things they needed and now she wanted to go on a shopping spree? “Or did yet let like a 1000% raise?”

“No. Neither. I got a call from the bank today. Mom had insurance and they didn’t find out until recently, they reimbursed me for all of the money that I paid for the house since she died.”

“Cool. Can I get new shoes?” Dawn asked.

“Sure.” Buffy smiled. ‘New shoes and this girl would be ok with anything.’

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Spike sat at the bar nursing his drink. It was only his third so far tonight. He felt vampires enter. Two of them. They were chatting excitedly.

“Did you see her? She was so bloody hot. I can’t believe she’s the slayer. I’d love to get my hands on her.”

Spike took a few steps closer, growling almost imperceptibly. He was shaking with rage at the thought of anyone touching his Buffy.

“God that gorgeous long dark hair, She smells like peaches…”

‘Dark hair? What the bloody hell is going on? Did she dye her hair?’ Spike took another few steps and made his presence k by by clearing his throat. “Sunnydale Slayer? I thought the bint was blonde?” He asked casually.

“I heard the old one was…this new one…she’s got dark hair and a body that just won’t quit.”
Spike didn’t reply. He stalked out of the bar, duster swirling behind him.

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“It’s prefect.” Dawn said again rolling her eyes.

“Are you sure? Cause I don’t know if it’s a boy or girl yet and I…”

“I know Buffy. Chill. You can re-paint later. Shesh…” She decided black and white checkered walls, a white crib and dresser and a white wicker rocking chair for the baby’s room. “Besides, patterns especially black and white draws baby’s attention…”

“Ok. I’t got going to change my mind again.” She smiled finally happy with her choice.
She ordered the supplies to be delivered the next day. Contentedly pushing a cart loaded down with packages they made their way to the car. It ended up being a great shopping experience, both Buffy and Dawn got some new clothes and shoes, as well as groceries.

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He got into the car, tires kicking up gravel he sped off, thoughts running rampant in his brain. ‘She’s dead. I killed her by not being there to watch her back. I’m so sorry niblet. I promised you I’d protect both of you and I ran away. I’m so sorry.’ By the time he hit the welcome to Sunnydale sign he had calmed somewhat. He didn’t want to rush into the house, didn’t want to upset Dawn further, he just wanted to make sure his bit was ok. Or at least holding up somewhat.

He remembered how torn up both of them were when she jumped from the tower, how lost they both were. Her in the grief of losing her sister, and Spike in the loss of the woman he loved. They shared their grief and it made it slightly easier to endure. Now she had no one to turn to except Buffy’s friends. He remembered how Buffy’s friends were when she was gone. ‘Dead.’ They weren’t really there for Dawn.

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Buffy opened the door, a huge grin lighting up her face. “Hi.”

“Hey Buffy…Xander asked me to do something for you…I just got it done and wanted to drop it off right away…”

“Come on in Andrew.” She opened the door wider and let him in.

“I…made you a tape…I uh…I also made you a few pictures…you know still from the tape…I figured you’d want...you know for the baby.”

“Thank you so much…you don’t know how much it means to me.” She sat on the couch. They watched the tape in silence, seeing Spike in various shots throughout the wedding, doing his part to keep Xander’s parents from the bar, talking to people around the room. Just being Spike. Buffy smiled sadly. She felt a tremor run through her, the one that signaled Spike.

“I have to go to the bathroom…” She barely got the words out before she was running from the room. ‘How can seeing him like that do this to me? Am I losing it?’

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Spike stopped the car a block from her house. He got out and crossed the street. He walked up and stood there across the street from her house, staring in the window. His heart lurched and he let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding when he saw her get up from the couch and make her way upstairs.

‘She’s not dead. She’s ok. She’s alive. My Buffy.’

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“Got a death wish or something? Don’t you know that’s the slayers house?” Faith asked the Vamp standing across the street from Buffy’s house. She was slightly behind him, having not yet seen his face she didn’t know who he was, yet se could feel the power emanating from him. “She doesn’t take to kindly to Vamps hanging around her house you know.”

Spike froze. ‘Bloody hell.’ He turned to look at her. She looked to be about a year or two younghan han Buffy. Not a newly called Slayer. “I was just…passin’ by…”

“Spike. William the bloody. I thought you were Dust.” Faith said casually tapping her stake against her thigh.

“Who the bloody hell are you?” Spike asked. “No. You know what, never mind. I’ll just be on my way…”

“Oh no you don’t. You’re gonna go and tell B what the hell is going on, who brought you back…” Faith said taking a step closer.

“No…I…I have to go…she can’t know…” Spike said turning he started to walk away. 'I can't see the look of disgust on her face again.

Faith walked around him and stood in his way. “She’s been bawling her eyes out, thinking you’re dust, and here you are standing outside her house. What is it can’t face up to the responsibility?”

“What? Look I know I said I’d watch her back, but she’s got you now…no need for the monster yeah?” Spike said trying to step around her.

Faith punched him in the nose. “You’re going in there weather you want to or not. She deserves an explanation. She deserves…”

Spike hung his head, He wasn’t in the mood to fight. He just wanted to get out of there. “More than I am. You’re a Slayer, you know what I’ve done…you know who I am…you must have some acquaintance with my past.”

“Yeah…I know all about you’re past. Please just…”

“Ok.” Spike sighed. ‘May as well get it over with now, if this bird tells her she’s seen me Buffy would just hunt me down for an explanation.’ Faith followed him across the street to the house
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Buffy was half way down the stairs when the door opened. Faith walked in dragging someone behind her. She stood there, shock evident on her face, in her posture, in the way her mouth was opening and closing without sound.

She didn't look disgusted. 'She looks...stunned and ...happy.' Spike's jaw dropped and he stared into her eyes for a few seconds. “Are you alright Luv?” He asked meeting her on the stairs and placing his hand against her bare arm. She shivered slightly. He couldn’t tell if it was the shock of seeing him, or if it was the coolness of his skin pressed against hers. “Buffy? Please…say something…”

She dn’tdn’t breathe. ‘Say something? Words? Say something?’ The litany inside her head wouldn’t stop.

Spike wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her down the stairs to the couch. “Sit down pet. Come on now.” He pushed her slightly. She felt the couch behind her and sank down gratefully.

“I…I thought you were…gone…I thought…”

“I was. For a bit. Gotta know I can’t stay away from you Luv. Needed some time…”

“But I found…there was Dust…and your Duster…the flowers were covered in Dust…” She knew she wasn’t making sense, but still he understood her.

“I’m here Buffy…right in front of you, as you can see I didn’t turn to dust now did I?”

“You were gone…I mourned you. I thought I lost you…I thought you were gone for good…” He could see her lip trembling. He could see the fear in her eyes. “How could you just…leave like that? You said you wouldn’t. You said you loved me.” She asked as silent tears started collecting on her bottom lashes. She didn’t even wipe at them as they fell. “You promised.” The last two words were whispered, Spike almost missed them.

“I…I didn’t pla bei being gone that long Luv…” He wanted to wipe away her tears. He wanted to take her in is arms and hold her while she cried. He inhaled deeply. He paused and closed his eyes. ‘She smells different somehow…’ He still hadn’t noticed the slight bulge in her stomach.

“How long did you plan on being gone?” She asked finally regaining her thoughts.

“I wasn’t gonna come back.” He sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

“What…what changed your mind?” She asked suddenly afraid he heard. She wanted to be the one to tell him.

“Was told there was a new slayer in town, had to see it with my own eyes... I just…” He grasped her hand tightly in his. She gasped when she felt his hand on hers.

‘Missed this. Missed him. Missed his touch.’ She closed her eyes, trying to stem the flow of tears. “Spike…” She opened her eyes and looked into his. ‘How can I tell him?’

“I just wd…I d…I never got to say a proper goodbye to you…I know it it looked like when I left…I wanted you to think…that I was gone. Wanted to make it easier for you…”

She hauled back and punched him in the nose. “Bloody hell Slayer!! What was that for.”

“I can’t believe you did that to me. After everything I lost…you just…”

“Buffy. Stop. Listen for a minute Luv.” He grabbed her chin and tilted it up so she looked into his eyes. “I know you could never love me. I know it…Ited ted so much more for you than I could give. I didn’t want to be what was holding you back. I didn’t want to be the reason you never got your shot at normal…”

“You asshole. I was…I…” She looked into his eyes. “I love you Spike. I love you so much…”

“No. You don’t, but thanks for saying it.” He smiled kindly at her. “You can’t…you made that quite clear…”

“I’m so sorry…I was poisoned. I didn’t know what I was saying…it happened when I was patrolling…I didn’t know…and then you came home and I said those awful things…I wasn’t saying them to you…and then I found your dust” She pulled her chain out of her shirt. “I thought this was your dust…I never took it off…it made me feel like there was still a part of you with me…” She could fee the tears welling in her eyes. She looked into his eyes. She couldn’t bear to be away from him for another second. She wrapped her arms around him and lay her head on his shoulder.

“Can we…go up to my room…I’d rather not have an audience right now…” She whispered into his ear.

Spike nodded and followed her to her room. He was shocked when not one of the group in the living room voiced ad ofd of protest.

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She shut the door behind her, resting her head against it for a minute she took a deep breath. ‘I can do this.’ She turned to look at him. He was looking around the room trying to keep his gaze off of her. His eyes fell on his leather duster, draped casually over a chair in the corner.

“You kept my Duster?” He asked Eyes momentarily glancing at her face.

“Yes. It’s the only thing I had left of you…” She said sadly. “At least that’s what I thought when you were first gone…”

He glanced at her again, eyes moving quickly away. He knew what she thought of him, he was beneath her. “What do you mean?” He asked.

“I found out...after…that I was pregnant…I was never with anyone but you…” His eyes flew to her stomach. She slowly unbuttoned the front on her shirt, pulling it open she let it drop to the floor. She walked towards him. Spike just stood there stunned. Speechless.

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TBC………………