Brace Yourself by Enigmaticblue

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Chapter 7: Through the Grapevine

"The dawn and all its majesty is taking me away/The dawn and all its honesty is turning me to play/Through the bars of iron rings/Way beyond the bad things/I hear the voice of Eden cry/Lift me up and walking on high/This real love/Real love/The world in all its clarity—it's glorious, it's fake/This world in all its vanity is more than I can take/Down the road, the iron wheels/Chain my heart to how it feels/I hear the voice of Eden cry/Lift me up and walking on high/This real love/Real love..." ~David Gray, "Real Love"

Anya handed Giles another pile of receipts. "As you can see, we're doing a brisk business in herbs and candles, but the artifacts are moving slower than I'd like. I think we might need to cut prices."

"You know best," Giles replied. "If you think that's what needs to be done, I'm not going to disagree."

Anya smiled, appreciating his trust in her managerial abilities. "I also think we might want to hire someone else," she said. "Unless you're thinking of coming back."

Giles hesitated. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "With the new developments, I'm considering it." He grimaced. "Buffy may need the extra support. I'll have to see how things go in Bath when I get back."

Anya nodded. "I think we can hold off for a few months. Running the shop with one person doesn't always work, though."

"If you need to hire someone, perhaps you should do so on a temporary basis," Giles suggested. "It will be a few months before I can make the transition, if that's what I decide to do."

"That might work," she agreed.

He gave her a concerned look. "How are you, Anya? We haven't had much time to talk. I don't think I complimented on you on your quick thinking last spring."

Anya shrugged, feeling a warm glow of pleasure at his words. "I didn't do all that much."

"I'd heard you were dating again," Giles said.

Anya shook her head. "Henry and I went out a few times, but we're just friends. There's no chemistry there, and I still have feelings for Xander."

"I see," Giles said noncommittally.

She took that as encouragement and continued, "I just don't know what to do. I mean, we had a relationship, and we were moving to the next level when he called it off. Even if we got back together, where could it go?"

"It might go somewhere you don't expect," Giles replied. "The risk might be worth it." She could see him hesitate. "There was a woman that I loved very much who lied to me. I didn't think I could be in a relationship with her after that. By the time I decided that it would be worth the risk, it was too late."

"You're saying not to let it get to be too late?" Anya asked. "I don't even know if that's what I want."

Giles nodded. "I understand."

Anya shook her head, not wanting to discuss it anymore. She didn't know what she wanted to do about Xander. Talking about it just caused her to be upset and confused, bringing back all the emotions she'd felt when he'd first broken it off with her. "We're going to have to start ordering more eye of newt," she said. "Every amateur magician comes in here looking for it, and we nearly ran out last week."

"We can do that," Giles responded. "I'll check with the supplier to see if he can increase the shipment."

Anya gave an inward sigh of relief. Numbers and shipments, goods and services were things that she instinctively understood; love and all its complexities were much harder to grasp, and shop talk was a welcome escape from all of that.

~~~~~

Giles had had a very nice time in Sunnydale, but it was good to be back in England, where fall was settling in as expected. He appreciated the changing seasons after living in southern California, where the weather seemed to be consistently sunny and very rarely cold. Seasons, as he knew them, didn't appear to exist.

No one had gone out of their way to make Willow feel uncomfortable or unwanted, and Giles had every hope that she would settle in eventually. Buffy seemed to be a little happier about the situation as well; he'd spoken with Audra several times while he was away, but the coven hadn't been able to tell him anything new.

He was a little surprised to find a message from Quentin Travers waiting for him when he got back to his flat in Bath. "Rupert, I'd like you to call me immediately. I need to talk to you regarding your Slayer."

Giles frowned, then decided that Quentin could wait at least until he got unpacked. After an hour, and a cup of tea to fortify him, Giles picked up the phone to return the call. "Quentin Travers, please," Giles said when the secretary answered. "It's Rupert Giles returning his call."

Travers answered immediately, which Giles found interesting. Usually the head of the Council made it a point to keep him waiting. "How can I help you, Quentin?"

"I'd like to know if the rumors regarding your Slayer are true," Travers replied without preamble.

Giles didn't like the sound of that. "What sort of rumors?" he asked. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the most recent gossip."

"She's pregnant by a vampire?" Quentin prompted, impatience coloring his tone. "Have you known about this for a while?"

It didn't seem possible to lie; Travers was obviously aware of what was going on, as well as the fact that Giles had known for some time now. "She does have a name," Giles said, not answering directly. "And I thought it was Buffy's business, not the Council's."

"She still works for us," Travers replied icily. "Is it true?" he pressed. "William the Bloody is the father?"

"Spike is the father, yes," Giles confirmed. "And I believe her death terminated her contract. The only reason that Buffy is still acting as the Slayer is because Faith is in prison, and she believes it's her duty."

"And it's her duty to sleep with a vampire?" Travers asked sharply. "I had known that she was working with William the Bloody, but you said nothing about her being in a relationship with him."

"I didn't think it was your business," Giles repeated. "What's this about, Quentin? All preliminary reports indicate that this is a normal pregnancy."

"How can it be a normal pregnancy?" Quentin demanded, his tone dripping with disdain. "The father is a demon. I hope you've encouraged her to end the pregnancy."

"That's her choice," Giles said, beginning to feel some alarm. He hadn't thought about what the Council might do when they found out; Buffy was largely cut off from them, and had been ever since her death. They hadn't even appeared to be that interested in her resurrection. "I've offered my support, whatever she might decide to do."

"Then she hasn't decided on a course of action?" Quentin asked.

"I'm not sure," Giles replied, playing dumb. "You would have to ask her."

"I'll do just that," Quentin replied. "And you can consider yourself on administrative leave beginning now. This is information that is vital to the functioning of the Council. I had thought that your loyalties lay with us, Rupert."

"My loyalties lie with my Slayer," Giles responded, "as they always have."

The click of the phone told Giles everything he needed to know, and he glanced at the clock, mentally doing the math. It would be early morning in Sunnydale, but he didn't think he could afford to wait to call. With any luck, he'd catch someone awake, even if it was Spike.

"Hello?" Buffy's sleepy voice greeted him, and Giles knew he'd woken her up.

"Buffy, it's Giles. I'm sorry to wake you, but it's an emergency."

"What's up?" She was immediately alert, and he gave thanks that Buffy was as dedicated and experienced a Slayer as she was.

He hesitated, unsure of how best to word his concerns. "I just got off the phone with Quentin Travers," Giles began. "I don't know how he found out, but he knows you're pregnant and that Spike is the father. I wouldn't be surprised if he calls you."

"How much is that conversation going to suck?" Buffy asked wryly.

Giles sighed. "I think he's going to encourage you to have an abortion."

"He can't make that decision," Buffy said coldly. "He'd do well not to say anything at all."

"I agree," Giles replied. "That doesn't mean that he won't try, however. Quentin hasn't always been ruled by his best judgment where you're concerned."

"No kidding," Buffy agreed. "Okay, thanks for the warning, Giles. We'll be on the lookout for trouble."

Giles gave a relieved sigh. "Good. Again, I'm sorry to wake you, but—"

"Better safe than sorry, especially where the Council's concerned," Buffy finished for him. "I'll let the others know, too."

"Take care, Buffy," Giles said.

"You too, Giles," Buffy replied. "And don't be a stranger, huh?"

Giles hung up the phone, only then murmuring, "I might be back sooner than expected."

~~~~~

Buffy had gone back to sleep as soon as she'd hung up the phone, telling a sleepy Spike not to worry about it and she'd talk to him in the morning. Whatever the Council had planned wasn't likely to happen right then, and they'd put in a full night's patrol. The graveyards had been hopping the last couple of days, and she and Spike had spent the evening looking for the vampires responsible.

They hadn't had much luck, but they had dusted more than a few vampires and killed a couple of demons that had been up to no good. All in all, it had been a very nice night, finished off as it had been with multiple orgasms.

Spike never ceased to satisfy her.

Exhausted as she'd been, Buffy had no trouble going right back to sleep. She didn't even stir until she smelled breakfast right under her nose. "You hungry, luv?" Spike's rough baritone followed the scent of eggs, coffee, and toast.

"I am now," Buffy replied, sitting up slowly. "What's this?"

"Figure I'd better start feeding you right, yeah?" Spike said. "Since I'm the one who can cook in this relationship."

Buffy tugged his head down for a kiss. "You're the best."

"An' don't you forget it," he replied, settling the tray and joining her on the bed. "So, what was that call about last night? Thought Rupert would wait at least until he got unpacked to give us a ring."

"He got a call from Quentin Travers," Buffy replied, making a face at the name. She really didn't like the head of the Council. He annoyed the hell out of her. "Apparently he has a problem with me being pregnant."

Spike scowled. "It's none of his damn business."

"That's what I said, and I'm sure Giles did too." Buffy dug into her breakfast with relish. "He said to be on the lookout, that Travers would probably call me." She snorted. "As if that's going to do him any good. He should know me better by now."

"You'd think so," Spike agreed. "What are the plans for today?"

"We have our next doctor's appointment, remember?" Buffy asked.

He winced. "No, but I do now. Sorry, luv."

"You didn't make other plans, did you?"

Spike shook his head. "No, 'course not. Just didn't remember it was today, that's all. I can get there through the sewers, so I'll have to meet you there."

"That's fine. I need to do some shopping beforehand anyway." Buffy finished off her breakfast, taking another sip of coffee.

"Who's staying with Dawn today?" Spike asked.

"She's supposed to be going over to the Magic Box right after school," Buffy said. "Anya will be there, and I think Tara said she was going to be there after her lab."

"Should be safe enough then," Spike said. "Though I'd feel better if someone was escorting her."

Buffy grimaced. "I know, but Dawn's annoyed enough as it is, and there isn't anyone available today."

Spike nodded slowly. "Yeah, suppose so. Wish I didn't have to worry about the sunlight."

"I wish you didn't either, but it's okay, Spike, really." Buffy squeezed his hand. "We'll work around it, just like we always do."

They'd been making it work for a while now.

~~~~~

Dawn recognized him as soon as she saw him; there was no way she was ever going to forget the faces of the two guys who had grabbed her and taken her to Rack.

He was walking on the other side of the street, his pace matching hers as she walked to the Magic Box. Dawn wished that she'd had a friend to walk with her, but there really wasn't anyone who would keep her company. Although she had school friends, Dawn had a difficult time feeling close to anyone, given what her daily life usually entailed. She was the girl with the strange sister, whose mother had died; even without the supernatural aspects of being the Key, that would have been enough to set her apart. So, while she might be able to find people to sit with at lunch time, after-school activities were out.

She clutched the strap of her pack, slung across one shoulder, and increased her pace, fighting off the fear that threatened when the man showed no sign of slowing. The Magic Box was at least six blocks away, and she had to pass through a fairly uninhabited area to get there.

Dawn wondered if she should make a run for it, or if she should continue on, as though she didn't know he was right there.

"Hey, Dawnie, wait up!"

Dawn froze with relief, so grateful to hear Willow's voice that she forgot to be angry with her for a moment, and even then, her lingering unease was completely overshadowed by the gladness to have someone she knew there with her. "Willow!" Dawn said, turning to grab the woman's arm. "Where did you come from?"

"I was at school," Willow replied. "It's just a couple of blocks away, and I was headed to the Magic Box." Her eyes narrowed with concern. "What's wrong?"

Dawn looked across the street, and Willow followed her gaze. Her stalker was standing there with what could only be described as dismay on his face. "He was following me," Dawn explained, as the man abruptly whirled and ducked down a side street. "He's one of the guys that Rack got to grab me."

She could feel the tension in Willow's frame, and the witch nodded, her frown of concentration reassuring for some reason. "I've got him now," Willow said, without explaining what exactly she meant by that. "Let's head over to the store."

Dawn stuck close to Willow's side, struck by the idea that she felt safe with Willow—safer than she had walking by herself, with the unknown threat on the other side of the street. "What are you going to do?" Dawn asked, once they'd gone a couple of blocks.

"Nothing right now," Willow replied. "We'll have to talk to Buffy first, but I'll know him if I ever see him again, and I might be able to—do something."

Dawn frowned. "Do what?"

Willow shrugged. "I'm not sure; I'll have to look into it. But I might be able to make it so that he can't recognize you anymore, if I could get close enough to him. Something like that anyway."

Dawn felt a small sense of alarm, knowing how many spells Willow had screwed up in the past. "Oh, okay."

Willow shook her head. "I won't do anything without talking to Buffy, I promise, Dawn. I'd never do anything to hurt you."

"I know, Willow," Dawn said. "It's okay, it's just—well, tabula rasa?"

Willow winced that that. "I'm not going to let that happen again."

Dawn felt Willow tense once again, although for a slightly different reason, when they entered the shop. Anya was in there, as always, but so was Tara, and things were still very strained between the two of them.

It was almost like watching someone decide to act a part in a play, because Willow sounded determinedly cheerful when she said, "Hey, guys. How's business today?"

"It's been going very well, thank you," Anya said politely. She always seemed to respond well when you asked about capitalistic things. "How are you?" Anya gave Dawn a sharp look. "You look pale," she observed. "Are you feeling okay?"

"There was a guy following me," Dawn admitted, looking at Tara, who had often offered comfort. "It was one of the guys who worked for Rack."

Tara stood immediately to hug her. "Are you okay?"

"When Willow showed up, that seemed to scare him off," Dawn replied, glancing over at the other woman gratefully. "Thanks."

Willow shrugged. "I was just in the right place at the right time. I'm glad I could help."

"I think we should tell Buffy," Tara said. "And Spike." She offered Dawn an apologetic look. "I don't think they're going to allow you to walk home by yourself."

"I can walk her," Willow said. "If you don't mind waiting at the school until I'm done for the day," she added.

Dawn shook her head. "I can do homework in the library, I guess." She sighed. "This really sucks."

"I know it does," Tara said, giving her another hug.

"I'll call Buffy," Anya announced.

Dawn made a face. "Spike's going to make a fuss."

"Spike's going to want to turn Sunnydale upside down," Tara corrected her. "Let's just hope that Buffy can hold him back."

~~~~~

Buffy sat in the doctor's office waiting room, glancing at the clock and watching the time tick by slowly. Spike was supposed to be there by now. She looked at the windows; the blinds weren't doing much to keep the sunlight out, and she hoped that Spike didn't get singed on his way in.

The door to the office opened, and Spike slipped inside, just as the nurse called her name to come back. It was good timing on his part, since he didn't have to sit in the sunny waiting room. "Where have you been?" Buffy hissed, as he slipped an arm around her waist.

"Had to see a guy," Spike replied vaguely. "I'm on time, aren't I?"

"Technically, you're fifteen minutes late," she replied. "Seriously, Spike, what kept you?"

"Later," he muttered, as the nurse ushered them into one of the exam rooms and began to take Buffy's vitals.

Her ultrasound went well; although they wouldn't know the sex for a while, it was exciting to see the gray blob that the doctor assured them was an actual baby. "Still doesn't look like a kid," Spike observed.

"It's going to take time," the doctor replied with a laugh. She handed Buffy a towel. "Everything looks good. I'll see you both for your next appointment."

As soon as she'd left the room, Buffy turned to look at Spike. "Okay, mister. Spill."

He hesitated, then his chin got that stubborn set that infuriated her so much. Okay, it also caused her to want to jump his bones right there. "It's a surprise," Spike insisted.

Buffy searched his face. "Good or bad?"

"Good, I hope." Spike took the towel and tenderly wiped her abdomen free of the gel. "How are you feeling today?"

"Okay," Buffy replied. "Better, now that you're here."

Spike smirked. "You're not goin' soft on me, are you, Summers?"

"Might be." Buffy pulled his head down for a kiss, intent upon wiping that expression off his face, and willing to take the alone time any time and anywhere they could get it. She had a feeling that there wouldn't be many opportunities in the future.

She didn't know how right she was.

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