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Chapter 18: Surprise Buffy was packing her bag as Angel sat on the bed, watching her intently with a deep scowl on his face. He didn't like it, not one bit. ”You're pregnant”, he protested, causing her to roll her eyes and stop what she was doing, turning to look at him with mild amusement. ”I know”, she stated with a smile tucking her lips. ”But I'm not an invalid. Mom's been hounding me for a visit and I miss my friends. I promise I will be careful and stay indoors after dark”, she continued and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead before grabbing a pile of clothes to pack. Still it wasn't enough to ease his mind. ”I could come with you”, he suggested already knowing the answer. She stopped and turned to look at him, her head tilted to the side. ”You know you can't. You're swamped with cases, Gunn and Wes are handy but they can't handle all of them on their own. Come on, it's only for few days and I will pester you with calls daily. Think of it as a vacation from me.” ”I don't want a vacation from you”, he stated and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to stand between his legs. He looked at her with his dark eyes that always made her weak in the knees. Not loosing eye-contact with her, he pulled her shirt up, exposing her round stomach and pressed a soft kiss to her skin. She smiled down at him, threading her fingers into his hair and she leaned down into a kiss. It was brief but sweet, assuring him that she was still there. ”We can manage to be apart for few days", she said with a smile, but then she frowned, the smile disappearing. ”Right?” she questioned not sounding all that sure about it. He had to smile at the look on her face. He wrapped his arms a little more tighter around her and looked at her assuringly. ”We can try”, he smirked and let his hands slide under her shirt. She giggled shaking her head. ”Angel! I'm gonna miss the bus”, she protested but moaned as his hands traveled up her back and he kissed her still exposed stomach, moving upwards.
Buffy walked from the bus station to her old apartment that Faith now occupied. She wanted to see her sister slayer first so she could give her undivided attention to her mother and the gang without thinking about slaying. At the door, she lowered her bag and glanced at her watch, she was sure Faith was still sleeping, so she decided to just use the key she still had. She walked into the apartment closing the door behind her and set down the bag to the floor. She noticed that the coffee maker's light was on, so Faith must have been already awake. ”Faith?” she called out and as she thought she heard a noise, she headed towards it. She knocked on the bedroom door and opened it. ”Oh God!” she breathed out and quickly turned around covering her eyes. She backed away from the door, closing it firmly but still not daring to open her eyes. ”Now I know how Cordelia feels”, she muttered to herself, hurrying to the living room. She tried to get the image out of her head, she had seen all too much of Spike for her comfort, actually of Faith too for that matter. ”Hey, B. I didn't know you were coming”, Faith said coming from the bedroom, pulling on a white t-shirt and fastening her jeans. ”I know. I decided to drop by before going to mom's. But I'm thinking I should have called”, Buffy stated still red with embarrassment, but Faith didn't seem shaken at all. ”It's okay. It seems the post-slaying session stretched out a little”, Faith said, walking to the window and peeking through the curtains into the sunny morning. Buffy shifted uncomfortably. ”You and Spike”, she said painfully, she couldn't believe it and she really wanted to forget what she had seen. ”Stop blushing, B. It's just sex”, Faith chuckled. ”But why Spike of all peopl... men?!” Buffy questioned. ”Come on, B. It's not like I'm in love with the guy or anything. It's purely a carnal thing. You of all people should know the pro's of vamp stamina and that boy has some serious skills”, Faith smirked and Buffy raised a hand to stop her from talking any more. ”I really don't want to know about his... skills”, she stated closing her eyes as if it would block the thought from her head. ”Stop the blushing, Slayer, you're carrying the Poof's spawn so don't act all virginal”, Spike's voice came from the bedroom door. Buffy's eyes snapped open and she directed her eyes towards the voice, finding him buckling his belt. ”Shut up Spike or I'll open the curtains”, she threatened annoyed by him. It was bad enough she had seen more of Spike than she ever wanted to see but now he was looking so damn gleeful as well. ”Oh come off it, we both know you'd never do it, you're all talk”, he said confidently, heading towards the kitchen. ”Want to test that theory? My hormones tend to be all over the place these days”, she said glaring at the bleach blond vampire. Spike willed himself to act indifferent to her threat and just pour himself a cup of coffee. Truthfully he was starting to reconsider annoying the slayer while she was pregnant, he had heard women could be unbalanced while expecting and he had no desire to turn into an ash pile. ”Speaking of the babe, how is she doing?” Faith asked, she too was convinced the baby would be a girl. She placed her hand to the pregnant stomach and smirked as the baby kicked where her hand was. ”From the look on your face back there, I thought you were going to pop the kid right there and then”, she chuckled, the horrified expression on Buffy's face when she walked into the bedroom was going to entertain her for years. Buffy groaned and glared at the dark slayer. ”Shut up, Faith”, she commanded and halfheartedly slapped the brunette. ”And the baby is doing fine, growing fast”, she answered the original question. ”Yeah, we can see that”, Spike stated from the kitchen and pointedly looked down to her protruding stomach. Buffy turned to glare at him. ”One more word and I'll pull the curtain”, she threatened, she was already self-conscious of her constantly changing body without Spike reminding her. Spike raised his hands in surrender and wisely stayed silent.
Next Buffy went to see her mother but she didn't stay long as Joyce had to go to the gallery, so she decided to bum a ride to Giles' apartment. She knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer, she had learned her lesson not to walk in without confirming it was safe. ”It is open”, Giles called from the inside and Buffy stepped in, finding the gang already gathered by the table. ”Hey”, she greeted, she hadn't been expecting everyone to be there. ”What you guys doing here?” ”We're helping G-man with the research and WOW! How many are you having?” Xander yelped as he turned to look at Buffy and his eyes landed on the bump. He was stunned by the sight of her protruding stomach on her small frame, it had grown a great deal since the last time he saw her. Buffy shot him a glare, she was already self-conscious enough of her growing figure despite how many times Angel tried to convince her of how beautiful she looked. Willow slapped Xander in the arm and apparently it made him realize how his words sounded. ”I didn't mean it like a bad thing. But look at you, you're...” he started correcting himself, signing towards her stomach and got slapped again by Willow. ”Okay, why don't I get a shovel so I can dig myself a hole faster”, he stated to himself and wisely quieted. ”Xander is right. You are very large”, Anya said nodding her head. ”The baby must be progressing very well, congratulations”, she added with a wide smile. Buffy looked at her strangely, just a minute ago she was ready to burst into tears and now she didn't know what to say to the ex-demon. ”Thanks. I guess”, she said awkwardly and walked into the living room, sitting down to the couch. She toed off her shoes, her feet were killing her. ”So what are you researching?” she asked as she tried to get into a comfortable position on the couch. ”Oh, there's a new bad guy in town. Declared his name to be Francois the Invincible”, Willow answered. ”And how lame name is that? Francois the Invincible?! Come on”, Xander commented, clearly not believing it. ”What is he? A vampire?” Buffy asked with a frown, obviously the best names were already taken, like Scourge of Europe or William the Bloody. ”Yeah, we've found some stuff on him already, we're just checking his habits and stuff”, Willow said, putting down the book and coming to sit next to Buffy. She smiled brightly at the blond, clearly wanting to feel the baby but before she could ask, Giles walked into the room, explaining, ”His name comes from the fact that he has faced several slayers and lived to tell. Well, he couldn't kill the slayers either but obviously he has started to believe that he is in fact invincible. Would you like some tea?” ”Umm.. sure. Do you have those calming ones, the baby is kinda angsty.” ”Yes, certainly”, Giles said and made his way to the kitchen. He was clearly uncomfortable talking about the baby, wanting to avoid the subject and his behavior was making Buffy suspicious. Willow looked at her with concern written all over her face. ”Is there something wrong with the baby? Should I call Tara to come and do an aura reading?” Buffy gave her best friend a calming smile, clearly touched by her concern. ”No, there's nothing from with the baby. It's just the separation from Angel. But it's so sweet of you to...” her voice hitched and she couldn't finish the sentence. Tears were glistering in her eyes and again Willow was getting worried. ”Buffy?” she questioned uncertainly and Buffy smiled through her tears. ”It's just these hormones”, she explained sniffing and wiping her tears. ”You okay, Buff?” Xander asked trying to conceal his concern with carefree tone, seeing Buffy crying brought up a lot of suppressed memories of Angelus. ”I'm fine”, she choked out with a smile. She turned her gaze to Willow who was still looking worried. ”I'm fine. Really. It's just that these days I'm happy in one minute and bawling like a baby on the next”, she explained and inhaled sharply as the baby kicked. ”Ooh”, she breathed out looking down to her stomach, then turned her attention back to Willow. ”Would you like to feel the baby?” Willow's eyes widened and she looked almost scared. ”Really?” she asked with enthusiasm, her voice a mix of fear and happiness. Buffy laughed and took Willow's hand into hers, placing it over her stomach. The baby kicked to where Willow's hand was and her face broke into a wide happy smile. ”That's amazing!” she cried out, her smile only widening if it was possible. ”Xander, you have to feel this”, she said turning to look at the only male in the room. Uncertainly Xander got off the table and made his way to the sofa. He looked at the bump like it was another life form. ”The baby isn't going to bite, maybe kick but not bite”, Buffy said amused and gently took his hand, placing it on her stomach. He felt the baby moving under his hand before it gave a good kick, startling him. ”Wow!” he yelped with a crooked smile on his lips. ”Must be taking after the mother”, he stated. In the kitchen Giles gathered the cups, cookies and teapot to a tray and he was about to pick it up when his eyes landed on to the book on the table. He ignored the tray and grabbed the book. Glancing at the living room to make sure the group was not looking, he hid the book into a cabinet and grabbed the tray, walking into the living room like nothing had happened. ”Tea”, he announced and set the tray down to the coffee table.
Two men in expensive suits walked into the hotel lobby, looking around themselves. ”Can I help you?” Cordelia asked, setting down the magazine she had been flipping through and walking around the receptionist desk to meet the men. ”No, thank you. We are just looking”, the other man stated dismissing Cordelia. ”Why?” she asked suspiciously. ”This isn't an actual hotel.” ”We know”, the man said not even looking at her. ”Angel!” Cordelia called out, the two were giving creepy vibes. Angel walked into the lobby after hearing Cordelia's call and his eyes landed on the two men. He noticed Cordelia returning back behind the counter, looking at the men suspiciously. ”Can I help you?” he asked stopping in front of them. The other man dug a business card from his jacket pocket and handed it to Angel. ”I am Gavin Park, this is my associate Mr Hayes. We're from the Wolfram & Hart, the company is considering on buying this building.” Angel looked at the man hard, then handed the card back to him. ”Not gonna happen”, he stated. ”Well that isn't for you to decide. Your lease is due in six months and Wolfram & Hart is very interested in this building. Do you mind if we look around?” Gavin asked putting the card back to his pocket. Angel glared at him and crossed his arms on his chest, looking very intimidating. ”Yes, I do mind. Get out”, he ground out. Gavin held his ground as his associate looked ready to piss his pants. As the two didn't seem to be moving towards the door, Angel slipped into his game face. ”Leave now or I'll throw you out.” ”You seem to be forgetting it's day outside”, Gavin said confidently and nodded towards the door. Angel gave him a smile that would have made Angelus proud. ”I can throw you out of that door without going near it”, he stated. ”We will inform your realtor of your lack of cooperation”, Gavin threatened and Angel resisted the need to roll his eyes. He held his ground and watched as the two men walked out the door. He turned around with a sigh and made his way to the receptionist counter. Apparently this Gavin-guy was the new player taking Lindsey's place. ”Are you evil?” Cordelia asked, her fingers itching towards the drawer that held a wooden cross. ”What?” Angel asked not understanding the sudden question. ”You looked all growly. Did you turn evil?” she clarified. Angel suppressed a laugh, it wouldn't convince her of his innocence. ”No, I'm not evil, Cordelia. But I ask you not to tell Buffy about what they said, I don't want her to get worried.” ”Sure. But you have to tell her some time”, she pointed out, giving him a scrutinizing look. She had actually become good friends with Buffy, it was a new experience for her since every woman friend she'd had didn't hesitate to stab her in the back. And that was why she didn't like keeping things from Buffy, she was the first real female friend she had. ”I know, but not until after the baby is born, I don't want her to get stressed”, Angel answered nodding his head. Stress wasn't good for the baby or the mother and she had enough on her mind as it was. Besides, from what he had seen, Gavin wasn't going to be as hard assailant as Lindsey was but that didn't make him take the matter any less seriously.
Buffy was sitting on the bed, snuggled under the covers ready to go to sleep. It was strange to be in her old room again and the fact that Angel's cool body wasn't lying next to her didn't help the matter any. She sighed deeply and grabbed the phone, quickly dialing the number. A smile rose to her lips when his soft voice answered from the other end. ”Hey”, she breathed into the phone and without even thinking, he replied by saying her name like it was a prayer. ”I miss you”, she stated with a pout and Angel could distinctively hear it in her voice. He smiled, he could almost see it. ”I miss you too. How is everyone”, he changed the subject to keep her and his mind off the loneliness the empty bed brought. He shed his shirt off, he was heading off to bed since he had already handled the evening patrol. It was a habbit he had picked up again after Buffy came back to his life. ”Everyone is fine. The gang was researching at Giles' place and I had the most traumatic experience of my life when I went to see Faith”, she said to the phone and turned to her side, getting into a more comfortable position. ”What? What happened?” Angel questioned with concern lacing his voice. He started pacing around the room, million possibilities running through his mind. ”Calm down. You're not gonna believe this but... Faith and Spike have a... umm... an affair”, she said. Angel stopped dead on his tracks, he wasn't sure if he had heard it right. ”I thought you said...” he started to say but she interrupted him. ”Yeah, you heard me. Faith and Spike.” ”Faith and Spike?” He didn't see that one coming. ”Faith and Spike are dating”, he clarified. ”Not really dating. In her words it's purely a carnal thing.” Angel tried to shake the images out of his head, it frighteningly looked like he wasn't getting rid of Spike any time soon. ”Umm... how is the baby?” he changed the subject into something he'd rather think about than Spike. She chuckled, apparently he was learning the fine art of suddenly changing the subject. ”The baby is fine, been kicking and turning like crazy, missing you but after I drank Giles' tea, he...” ”Or she”, he interrupted her. ”Or she, calmed down”, she finished with a smile on her lips. He held the phone between his head and shoulder as he removed his pants and folded them on to a chair before getting into the bed. Buffy could hear him moving on the other end of the phone and a lazy smile rose to her lips as she created the scene in her mind. ”So how are the things there?” she asked. ”Nothing much. I met Lindsey's replacement.” She frowned. ”What happened?” ”Nothing much. I think we need to worry about Lilah more than him”, he stated. ”Lindsey was good at screwing with your head, wasn't he”, Buffy said ruefully, Lindsey's betrayal was still a sour subject for her and Angel could hear it in her voice. But he was also glad that it deterred her attention away from the new player Wolfram & Hart had sent after them. ”Yes, he was”, he stated, he didn't like the pain in her voice, it made him want to go after Lindsey and teach him a lesson. She sighed and awkwardly turned to her other side, it was getting more and more difficult each day. She stifled a yawn, it seemed like she was getting tired more easily too, another fact that she didn't like. ”Did I mention I miss you?” she asked bringing a smile to his face. ”I think you said that. And I miss you too”, he answered. ”I guess we should try to get some sleep”, she stated through her yawn. She was tired but she doubted she would get a good night's sleep, she never did without Angel next to her. ”Get some rest. I'll call you in the morning”, he said with a small half smile. ”Okay. Goodnight. I love you”, she said to the phone, fighting against another yawn. ”I love you too. Goodnight”, he answered and hung up the phone. He placed it to the nightstand and turned to his side, facing the depressive sight of an half empty bed. He sighed deeply and reached for her pillow. He breathed in the scent still clinging to it and laid his head on it, closing his eyes, waiting for sleep to come.
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