"Of course I believe you." Giles responded. "I know this is difficult. I can't even to begin to imagine what's been going through your mind, but we'll handle this together. As always." Buffy nodded. "Buffy, have you had any black outs? Time unaccounted for in your mind?"

 "No." Buffy whispered. "Giles, how did this happen?"

 Giles looked at her sadly. "I don't know. I'd like your permission to call Wesley. The Council has resources that we don't and I think that we can trust him."

 "All right." Buffy said softly.

 "You rest now." Giles told her as he stood. "I'll talk with the others when they arrive. In the meantime, you should eat something. And have a glass of milk."

 Buffy almost smiled. "I'm scared Giles." She told him in a small voice. "I know. So am I."


 Giles fixed Buffy a sandwich and a glass of milk, then took them up to her. After that, he called Wesley. With him, he brought up several possibilities that he hadn't with Buffy. She was frightened enough without hearing about demons or rituals.

 By the time he finished his call with Wesley, Willow, Oz and Xander had arrived. "Where's Buffy?" Xander asked after they were seated.

 "She's upstairs resting." Giles told them. "Actually, she's why I called you."

 Willow caught the underlying tension in his voice. "Is she okay?"

 "Actually, she's quite a ways from okay." Giles told her. "She's ... Well, she's ... Um ..." <Just say it!> "She's pregnant." They stared at him.

 "She's what?" Xander asked.

 "Pregnant." Giles responded. "She doesn't know how it happened ..."

 Xander snorted. "Even I know where babies come from."

 Giles glared at him. "This is quite serious Xander. There is a very real danger to Buffy."

 "'Cause she's the Slayer?" Willow asked concerned.

 "That is certainly part of it." Giles said. "However, our main concern for the moment is that ... Well, Buffy hasn't been with anyone for more than two years." They all looked at him blankly. "There has been no one since Angel."

 "Are you saying it's Angel's?" Xander asked in disgust.

 Giles sighed in frustration. <Be blunt.> "I'm saying that Buffy is pregnant, but that she hasn't had sex in more than two years."

 Willow paled. "That's not ..."

 "...Possible." Xander finished."

 "And yet, she is pregnant." Giles said.

 "How?" Oz asked worried.

 Giles shook his head. "We don't know. That's what we have to find out. Buffy's scared, Joyce doesn't believe her and ... And we live on the Hellmouth." He finished unwillingly.

 "You mean it might not be human?" Willow asked timidly.

 "We can't rule it out." Giles said gently. "I haven't mentioned this to Buffy as of yet, but it's in the back of her mind. I could see it in her eyes." He sighed sadly. "I've called Wesley, he's promised to do what he can with the Council's resources."

 "Uh, Giles ..." Xander began.

 "Don't worry Xander." Giles told him. "I warned him to keep quiet. Threatened to tell Cordelia that he was heir to a dukedom." Xander laughed a little at that. "Though, in all honesty, I don't believe it was necessary."

 "What can we do Giles?" Willow asked.

 "Research." Giles told her. "I've half a mind to call Ethan."

 "Ethan?" Xander echoed. "Ethan Rayne?"

 "If there is a spell that can do this or a demon that can impregnate a human woman, Ethan would know of it." Giles explained.

 "How do you know he isn't a part of it?" Oz asked.

 Giles shook his head. "No, Ethan's not a part of this. I know it's hard to believe, but Ethan does have a code. What's happened to Buffy is nothing less than rape and that is a line that Ethan will not cross." Giles' mind drifted to years ago. "No, he's not a part of this."

 Giles tried, but could not reach Ethan. He left several messages in various places, however.

 Buffy came downstairs for a while and helped, but Giles wouldn't let her stay long. He ushered her back upstairs and in to bed, admonishing, "You need your rest Buffy."

 One by one, they fell asleep. They laid Willow down on the couch and covered her. Xander was next. Giles simply covered him where he slept on the floor. Oz asked for a sleeping bag and rolled it out in front of the couch. He researched there until he, too, fell asleep.

 Giles made himself comfortable in a chair in his bedroom. He read and watched over Buffy until he dozed off.


 The gang woke up to the sound of Giles in the kitchen. They sleepily made their way to him and found breakfast on the bar and Giles fixing a tray. "Good morning." Giles said quietly.

"Morning." Willow responded for all of them. She looked at the tray. Scrambled eggs, lightly buttered toast and a large glass of milk. She also saw the small vase with daisies. She smiled at the attempt to cheer Buffy.

"She likes daisies."

 Giles smiled, "I know."

 "How is she?" Oz asked.

 "A little better, I think." Giles answered. He looked at Willow. "Would you go with me to Buf - Mrs. Summers'? Buffy's left a few things there, but she isn't up to dealing with Joyce at the moment."

 "What happened with her Mom?" Xander asked.

 Giles' mouth tightened and he took a calming breath. "She didn't believe Buffy. She's scared to death and that woman didn't believe her. Again. Basically chased her off. Again." His voice was strained with control.

 "I'll go with you Giles." Willow told him. Someone would have to keep him from killing Mrs. Summers.

 "Thank you, Willow." Giles responded and then left with the tray.

 "What did he mean - 'Again'?" Xander asked.

 "He meant when Buffy ran away." Willow clarified.

 "I thought she ran away because of Angel." Xander commented.

 "So did I, at the time." Willow said. "Looking back, I don't even think is was the main reason. Before Buffy left to go face Angel, she and her Mom had a fight. Mrs. Summers told her that if she walked out the door, not to come back."

 "But that was before she knew, right?" Xander asked. Willow shook her head.

"I didn't know that." A look at Oz told him that he hadn't known either.

 "We were all hurt, her Mom had thrown her out." Willow said. "She really believed that we were all better off with her gone."

 "How do you know that?" Xander asked. "She never told me."

 "I asked her." Willow gave Xander a significant look. "And then I stopped accusing her long enough for her to tell me." Xander flushed.


  Joyce got home and opened the door to find Giles and Willow on their way out with some of Buffy's things. "What are you doing? Where are you taking that?"

 "To Buffy." Giles told her coolly.

 "Where is she?" Joyce asked.

 "That didn't concern you last night." Giles commented. "However, she is safe now."

 "With you." Joyce stated flatly. "You win, again."

 "Win?" Giles echoed in disbelief. "Your daughter isn't a prize."

 "She always picks you." Joyce said.

 "Perhaps that is due to the fact that I have never turned her away." Giles said harshly.

 "I say things when I'm angry ..." Joyce began.

 "Yes, you do." Giles concurred. "Quite often, I've noticed." He looked at Willow, who watched them warily. "Go on to the car, Willow." He said gently.

 "Uh, Giles ..."

 "Please, Willow?" Giles' voice was still gentle, but his eyes were angry. Angry at Buffy's Mom and he didn't want her to witness this discussion. Willow nodded and went to wait in the car. Giles turned furious eyes back to Joyce. "How dare you? Buffy was terrified, still is, and you send her away?"

 "Don't tell me that you believe her?" Joyce asked incredulous.

 "As a matter of fact, I do." Giles answered. "However, whether you believe her, or not, is not the issue. You sent her away when she needed you most."

 "Buffy doesn't need me." Joyce said bitterly. "She has you."

 Giles stared at her for a moment, unable to believe what he had just heard.

"Do you think that makes it all right? Yes, Buffy has me. She always will." He gave her a cold look before he turned and left.


 Willow stole glances at Giles' set profile as he drove in stony silence.

"Giles?" She ventured.

 "Yes, Willow." Giles responded.

 "She does love Buffy." Willow said quietly. "And Buffy loves her."

 "I know." Giles returned. "She hurt Buffy terribly. You didn't see her Willow, when she asked me to fetch her things. She started crying at just the thought of facing her Mother." He glanced at Willow, then back to the street. "She wouldn't even tell me everything that woman said to her. It must stop."


 When they returned to Giles' flat, they found Ethan watching Xander and Oz as they stood at the bottom of the stairs. They blocked the way and watched Ethan warily.

 Ethan looked at Giles. "I got your messages Rupert. Can't imagine what would lower you to ask for my help, but here I am."

 "So I see." Giles responded drolly.

 Ethan saw the suitcases. "Been on a little trip with the witch?" He couldn't resist asking.

 "You know better Ethan." Giles said calmly, as Willow moved to stand between Xander and Oz.

 Ethan indicated the gang blocking the stairs. "Who, or what, are they protecting anyway?" He got a very odd expression. "Where's the Slayer?"

 "Upstairs." Giles told him significantly.

 "Why would the Slayer need protecting?" Ethan asked. "What's happened to her? It must truly be horrific for you to call me."

 "Sit down Ethan." Giles told him. He looked at the others. "Go visit with Buffy, give us a few minutes." He watched them until they reached the loft.

 "Rupert, you know the healing magicks better than I do." Ethan commented.

 Giles looked Ethan in the eyes. "If word of what I am about to tell you gets out, I'll kill you."

 Ethan looked at him a minute, then, very seriously, nodded. "What is it?"

 "Buffy's pregnant." Giles said bluntly.

 Ethan stared at him blankly. "I didn't do it."


 When the gang came back down, they brought Buffy with them. They were quite surprised to find a furious Ethan. Oddly though, when he looked at Buffy, his eyes gentled. "How are you?"

 Buffy was confused, and looked it. She didn't feel up to a fight, even with Ethan, so she shrugged.

 "We'll get to the bottom of this." Ethan assured her.

 "Giles?" Buffy called. A solicitous Ethan wigged her.

 Giles rushed in concerned. "What is it?"

 Buffy indicated Ethan. "Why is he being nice to me?"

 Giles smiled. "Can you just trust me that it's all right?" He asked.

 Buffy looked skeptical, but nodded. "How did it go with Mom?"

 Giles face hardened for an instant. "It went." Was all he said.

 "She didn't believe you, either." Buffy said in a small voice.

 Giles, no matter how angry he was at Joyce, wanted nothing more than to reassure her. To tell her that it was all right, but it wasn't and he wouldn't lie to her. "No, I'm afraid not. I am sorry Buffy. It's difficult for her ...."

 "For her?!" Buffy exclaimed. "God Giles, I don't even know what this is. What if it's not even ..." Suddenly, she put her hand over her mouth and ran for the downstairs bathroom.

 Giles followed Buffy. He wet a wash rag and when she finished, he knelt on the floor and tenderly washed her face.

 Buffy looked up at him with frightened eyes. "What if it isn't human?"

 "Then we'll deal with it." Giles told her. "You aren't alone in this. I'm right here."

 Buffy threw her arms around him. "I'm so scared."

 Giles wrapped his arms around her awkwardly. "It will be all right."

 "How? How can it ever be all right again?" Buffy asked.

 Giles held her tighter, he didn't know the answer to that.


 They researched, even Ethan, all day, to no avail. Ethan even made several phone calls, but found out nothing. Buffy fell asleep around 9 o'clock and Giles carried her upstairs. After he put her in bed, he turned to leave.

 "Giles." Buffy said sleepily.

 Giles turned back. "Yes, Buffy."

 She smiled, not really awake. "Thanks. Some lady will be the luckiest woman in the world to have your baby." Then, she was asleep again.

 Giles watched her sleep for a few moments, glad that he didn't have to respond. He knew the unlikely possibility of him ever having children. He was already 46, that chance had, in all likelihood, already passed him by.

 He returned downstairs and couldn't help but smile at the sight that greeted him. After last night, Xander, Willow and Oz piled blankets on the floor and continued to research there. He shared a look with Ethan.

 It was quiet for a while. Then Ethan started muttering. "No blackouts. No missing time. What about ...?" He flipped through a few pages.

 "Did you find something Ethan?" Giles asked.

 Ethan looked up to find them all watching him. "What? No, not yet. Just a thought." They continued to look at him expectantly. He looked at Giles. "Do you remember the spell of Morpheus?"

 Giles grinned. "The one we used on Philip?"

 Ethan laughed. "Remember his face when he woke up?"

 "Do you want to explain to those of us that didn't raise demons in our youth?" Xander asked.

 "It's a sleeping spell." Giles said thoughtfully. "We put Philip out for the tattoo."

 "You think someone used that spell to put Buffy out ..." Willow said. "And then, ... To ..." Willow couldn't finish.

 "Or a similar spell." Giles said thoughtfully. "It's possible. But Philip knew that something had happened."

 "As I said." Ethan commented. "It was a thought."

 "Hmm." Giles replied.


   The pounding on the door woke them at 4am. Giles stumbled down the stairs and looked out. "Wesley?" He opened the door and Wesley stumbled in.

 "They've gone too far." Wesley said. "Where's Buffy?"

 "Here." Buffy said from the stairs. "Who's gone too far? What are you doing here?"

 "The Council." Wesley told her. "Oh God Buffy, I am sorry."

 "Wesley, what are you talking about?" Buffy asked.

 "Wesley, are you saying that the Council did this to Buffy?" Giles asked. "Why?"

 Buffy sat down on the stairs, hard. She tried to talk, but couldn't.

 "Th-they decided to breed her." Wesley said haltingly. "To a W-Watcher."

 "A Watcher?" Giles echoed. "Dear God."

 "They talk about it quite openly." Wesley told them. "They're very proud of themselves. To breed the perfect Slayer."

 "Who?" Buffy asked, her voice barely audible. "Wesley, tell me it wasn't Travers."

 Wesley shuddered. "No, it wasn't Travers." He swallowed with difficulty.

 "Do you know who it is, Wesley?" Giles asked.

 "Well, uh ... Um ..." Wesley stuttered, unable to look at Giles.

 "Wesley?" Giles asked again, his tone harder.

Wesley looked at him steadily, but sadly. "It's you."

 "What?" Giles asked blankly.

 "You." Wesley repeated. "You're the baby's father." He said bluntly. They all stared at Wesley stunned, then turned almost as one to Giles, who exploded. "The bastards! The bloody bastards! How did they do it?!" He demanded.

 "B-Buffy's birthday, after you went to sleep." Wesley said quietly. He, himself, was horrified by what the Council had done. "A sleeping spell, some chloroform. They extracted samples from you and put them in Buffy."

 "My birthday." Buffy said weakly, but no one heard her since Giles exploded again.

 "How dare they?!" Giles shouted. "They've gone mad."

 "I think they intend to take the baby." Wesley said.

 "No!" Buffy screamed. She ran upstairs and threw herself on the bed and sobbed.

 Giles shut his eyes in pain.

 "How do they justify the rape of two people?" Ethan asked.

 "I wouldn't exactly call it rape." Wesley commented weakly.

 "What would you call it then?" Ethan asked harshly. "Genetics and breeding my arse. This was nothing more than a show of control. Of power. With a touch of vengeance thrown in."

 "What kind of monsters are they?" Willow asked.

 Giles punched the wall. "This was meant to tear us apart." He stated.

 "How?" Oz asked. He didn't think anything could tear those two apart.

 "A father's love." Giles said with a harsh laugh. "What a bloody joke." He looked up the stairs, lost. "I-I should go to her."

 "No." Ethan stopped him. "Not like that." He looked at Willow. "Go to Buffy." Willow looked startled, then went. Ethan looked at the two boys. "You as well. This is apt to get quite ugly."

 Xander moved to protest, but Oz pulled him along. Ethan looked back to Giles. "Rupert ..."

 "I'm going to kill the bloody bastards." Giles said coldly.

 "Rupert!" Ethan said harshly. "You listen to me. She needs you, but you're not going to be a bloody bit of good to her like this."

 "They can't get away with this." Giles said coldly.

 "They won't." Ethan said, his voice just as cold. "You going after them though would play into their hands. They'd have you separated. That would just about kill her at this point, I think."

 Giles gave a frustrated growl and began to pace.

 Wesley watched him warily. He thought about the sword through the Mayor's heart and wondered if the Council had any idea of what this man was truly capable. To protect Buffy, he would do anything. And now that she carried his child as well ..."

 "I can't just do nothing, Ethan." Giles said through gritted teeth.

 "Of course not, but we have to think this through." Ethan looked at him.

"They will not get this baby."


   Buffy cried for the longest time. When she had cried herself out, she just laid there. "It'll be all right Buffy." Willow told her. "Giles always makes everything all right."

 "How can Giles fix this Will?" Buffy asked. She looked at her hands. "At least we know the baby's human."

 "That's true." Willow agreed.

 "That's good Buff, look on the bright side." Xander said. "You're having Giles' baby."

 Buffy started to cry again, Willow and Oz glared at Xander.

 "Buffy," Oz began. "It's true, the circumstances leave a lot to be desired. But, Giles loves you. And you love him. You know that he'll always be there."

 Buffy nodded. "How could they do this? Why?"

 "To hurt you." Oz answered.

 "Haven't they hurt us enough?" Buffy asked.

 "More than enough, I'd say." Giles said from the top of the stairs. "Oh Buffy, I'm so sorry."

 "What are you sorry for?" Buffy asked. "You didn't do this. You're as much a victim as I am."

 Giles moved aside as the others went back downstairs. "I should have seen it coming. I knew the Council wouldn't just let you leave."

 "So did I." Buffy told him. "But neither of us could have expected this."

 Giles sat on the edge of the bed and looked at his hands. "There are options." He said quietly.

 "Yeah, but I don't think blowing up the Council like we did the library is really viable." Buffy commented.

 "I meant about the baby." Giles glared at his now clenched hands.

 "I won't get rid of it." Buffy stated quietly, but firmly.

 Giles released the breath that he hadn't even realized he'd been holding.

"Buffy ..."

 "Giles." Buffy sighed. "I can't." She put a hand over her stomach. "It wouldn't make what they did go away."

 "No. No, it wouldn't." Giles responded. "But is it fair to a child? Will it forever be a reminder?"

 "I don't know." Buffy said honestly. "I hope not. It's a baby. Your baby."

 "I would think that would just make it more difficult for you." Giles said.

 "No, Giles." Buffy said. "It makes it easier. A baby couldn't ask for a better father."

 "I'd given up on children of my own." Giles said. "But like this ..."

 "I never thought I'd get the chance." Buffy said sadly. She shrugged and gave him a half grin. "At least we're in this together." She put a hand over one of his clenched fists.

 Giles relaxed his hand and held her lightly. "Always."


   The next months flew by in a haze for Buffy. Back at the dorm with Willow, she hadn't spoken to her Mother. She had talked with her Dad and found him surprisingly supportive. She hung up the phone with her Dad as Willow walked in. "Dad comes through in a crisis. Who knew?"

 "You're Mom still hasn't ...?" Willow asked.

 Buffy shook her head. "Nah. I'll be gone when you get back from class. Giles is taking me for my doctor's appointment."

 "Ooh, ultra sound?" Willow asked excited.

 Buffy smiled. "I think it's too soon, Will." She told her friend.

 "Oh." Willow picked up a couple of books. "You'll be okay? I could go with you ..." She offered.

 "I'll be fine." Buffy assured her. "Giles is going."


   Joyce stared at nothing, as people moved around her Gallery. She had been like this for weeks, since Mr. Giles had called and told her that he was the father ... He had tried to explain what had happened, but she didn't really remember anything past that. How could he?

 Furious, Joyce had exploded at him. She couldn't even remember what she had said. All she knew was that he had taken away her daughter.


   Giles sat uncomfortable in the examination room with Buffy. "Are you certain that you want me here?"

 "Yes." Buffy told him.

 "You do know that he's going to examine you?" Giles asked. "I mean, completely examine you." He finished weakly.

 "I know." Buffy said quietly. She looked at him with big eyes. "I don't want to be alone."

 Giles nodded. "All right."

 "Just, don't look." Buffy said with a small smile and a blush.

 "Hadn't planned on it." He responded.

 Dr. Bradford knocked and came in. "Good morning, Buffy. How are you feeling?"

 "Better." Buffy told him. "I'm not sick all the time. Although, I still can't go near coffee."

 "Bad for you anyway." Bradford told her with a smile. He looked at the older man sitting next to her uncomfortably. "Buffy, it might be better if your father waited outside."

 Giles winced and Buffy tensed. "This isn't my father, Dr. Bradford. He's the baby's father, Rupert Giles."

 "Sorry." Bradford said, embarrassed, as he shook Giles' hand.

 Giles felt himself redden as he shook the doctor's hand. He knew what the other man must have been thinking.

 Giles kept his eyes on Buffy's face as the doctor examined her. He was startled when she grabbed his hand. He reached out and tenderly brushed back her hair from her face. Buffy forced a smile and Giles could have sworn that he felt his heart melt. Later, he knew without a doubt, that that was when it began.

___________________________


          Another month went by and Giles absolutely refused to let Buffy patrol. The gang had tried their best, but the vampires grew in ranks and cockiness.

 Buffy knew that Giles was right, but she felt as if she were letting people down. Then, someone started doing her job. She went to Giles.

 "Buffy, you haven't been sneaking out, have you?" Giles asked.

 Buffy shook her head. "I've thought about it, but I'm afraid to take the chance. Could it be a new Slayer?"

 "Faith's condition hasn't changed." He said carefully.

 Buffy shrugged. "Then, who?"

 Giles didn't have an answer. "I'll drive you back to the dorm."

 They were near the Campus, when Buffy saw it. "Giles, stop!"

 Giles stopped and looked at Buffy frightened. "What is it? Are you all right?"

 "Look." Buffy said and pointed at a fight. She got out to get a closer look.

 "Buffy, don't." Giles tried, then went after her. When he caught up to her, she was staring with her mouth opened. He followed her gaze. "Is that Spike?"

 Spike dusted the other vampire and turned. He saw the Slayer and her Watcher staring at him. He grinned. "Heard you two were slackin' and needed a hand."

 "What are you doing here?" Buffy asked.

 "Your job, apparently." Spike answered.

 "Why?" Giles asked. Spike moved towards them. Giles moved to stand protectively in front of Buffy and narrowed his eyes.

 Spike noticed that with interest. That and the fact that the Slayer let him.

 <Well, well, well, what have we here?> "I was sent."

 "By whom?" Buffy asked.

 "Wouldn't I bloody well like to know." Spike muttered. "You see, there was this little demon ... Well, he seemed little. How was I supposed to know he was so bloody important."

 Spike went on at their blank looks. "'I'm Luke Skywalker, I'm here to rescue you.'" Spike quoted. "Look Ducks, I have to help you. I don't have a choice. You can ask Angel. Did you boot him out or was he actually man enough to leave, like he said?"

 "He left." Buffy said flatly.

 "Looks like it's been good for you." Spike said with a grin. "Gained weight, have you?"

 Buffy turned and headed back to the car and Giles followed.

 "A bit touchy, aren't we?" Spike called after her. "You didn't tell me why you aren't doing your job?" His only response was the sound of a slammed door, then another. "Maybe I should ask Joyce." He said to himself as he heard the car drive off.


   Giles walked Buffy up to her dorm. Since it was empty, he followed her inside. "Buffy, don't let Spike get to you."

 "He didn't." Buffy told him. "Not that way. It's just ... I guess I'm scared. What if he'd wanted to fight?"

 "He didn't." Giles said.

 "But he might have." Buffy said. "I don't want to lose this baby."

 Giles wrapped his arms around her and held her to him. "How I wish that I could promise you that it would all be fine." He felt her arms go around him. He laid his cheek against the top of her head. "I can promise that I will do whatever I can, whatever I have to, to keep you safe. Both of you."

 "Do I look fat?" Buffy asked in a small voice.

 Giles laughed silently. "I think you look lovely." And it was true. "Time for you to get some rest." He started to pull away, but Buffy held him tight.

"Buffy?"

 "Stay with me?" Buffy asked.

 Giles stilled. "I don't believe that's a good idea."

 "Why?" Buffy asked. "At least until Willow gets back?" She pulled back and looked up at him. "Please?"

 Giles sighed fatalistically. Why did he even try? He could barely say no to her before, now it was impossible. What's more? She knew it. "Go and get ready for bed." He urged her.

 Buffy smiled up at him, then went into her closet to change. Giles sat on the edge of Buffy's bed, just as there was a knock and the door opened.

 "Hey Summers, you got your psych notes?" A girl walked in. She stopped abruptly when she saw Giles. "Ooops." Giles stood.

 "They're on my desk, Sue." Buffy called back, then came out of the closet in a night shirt. Giles was flushed bright red and Sue just stared at him. "Sue, this is Giles. Giles, Sue."

 Giles shook her hand and muttered. "Nice to meet you."

 "Wow." Sue looked at Buffy, retaining Giles hand. "This is the guy you and Willow are always talking about? You never said he was a sexy Brit."

 Buffy got her notes. Sue still had Giles' hand. "Time to let go now Sue." Buffy said pointedly as she held out her notes.

 Sue released Giles' hand sheepishly. "I know, he's yours. Sorry." She grinned. "Sorry I interrupted. Thanks for the notes." She headed for the door. "You should lock your door." She called back as the door closed behind her.

 Buffy locked the door, turned and saw Giles' shocked face. She smiled.

 "Why did you ..." Giles began. "You know what she thought."

 Buffy stopped smiling. "Were you interested in her? Do you want me to explain ..."

 "No." Giles said adamantly. "I mean, what about you? Your reputation?"

 "Giles, how long do you think I can hide the fact that I'm having a baby?" Buffy asked. "I'm not ashamed. I'm certainly not ashamed that it's yours. Are you?" She asked in a small voice.

 "Of course not, but ..." Giles didn't know what to say. "It won't be easy for you will it?"

 Buffy shrugged. "Not much I can do about it. I am now officially a statistic. Or is that statitic*s*? Teen pregnancy, unwed mother. Probably even college drop out."

 "No, Buffy." Giles said. "Why would you drop out?"

 Buffy crawled into bed and Giles sat back down on the edge. "I just can't do it all, Giles. It's not like I can depend on Mom or Dad. I don't even know where I'm going to live when the semester ends."

 "You can always stay with me Buffy" Giles told her. "You know that." Buffy yawned. "Thanks Giles."

 "Go to sleep now Buffy." Giles urged. He thought for a long while as Buffy fell asleep. <How *could* she manage it all?> He asked himself. He was amazed at her willingness to give up everything for this baby. Her baby ... And his. He let himself think about that for the first time. He'd been too angry at first, then too worried about Buffy.

 He'd told Buffy the truth. He'd given up on children of his own. Willow, Xander, Oz, even Cordelia to an extent, they were enough. His children. Oddly, Buffy had never been in that category. He'd never let himself think of her as a child. How could he send a child out to face the Hellmouth night after night? Not that he exactly saw her as an adult either, at least at first. She was the Slayer, he was her Watcher. They were partners.

 <My baby.> He thought in awe. He had an urge to reach out and place his hand over Buffy's gently rounded stomach. How could he help them? There must be more than just a place to live.

 When Willow and Oz came in about an hour later, they found both of them asleep. In his sleep, Giles had cocooned Buffy protectively with his arms, one hand rested gently on her stomach.

 "Interesting." Oz commented quietly.

 "Should we wake him?" Willow asked.

 Oz shook his head. "Let him sleep."

 Willow nodded. She gave Oz a kiss. "Night." She smiled at the sleeping pair as Oz slipped out quietly.

 
   Buffy woke up slowly. She felt safe and warm for the first time in a long time. She became aware of arms around her and she snuggled into them and they tightened. She place her hands over the pair on her stomach. "Giles."

 Giles stirred and his arms tightened. He became aware of the small, warm body in his arms. "Buffy? What ...?" He remembered the night before. "I must have fallen asleep."

 Buffy smiled. "Ya' think." She stretched. "I haven't slept so well since..." She shrugged. "Can't remember when."

 Giles gently, if awkwardly, pulled away and sat up. "I'm glad Buffy. You needed the rest." He stood and stretched stiff muscles.

 "Thanks Giles." Buffy said softly. "For staying. I really didn't want to be alone."

 Giles looked at her very seriously. "Never hesitate to call or to come to me Buffy."

 Buffy smiled sadly. "Where else would I go?"


   Giles thought about that all day. For the last three years, his life had revolved around Buffy. He'd tried to distance himself, especially after Angel's return, but found that he couldn't. Olivia had teased him unmercifully, before she left. Buffy needed him. Although, he'd wondered if that were really true any longer or just wishful thinking. He'd considered, briefly, leaving with Olivia. But, how could he leave Buffy? And now, she did need him. More than ever, just not as the Slayer. He just didn't know how to help her. Or did he?

 Should he? It was a question that he asked himself all day. He still didn't
have an answer. He just didn't know what else he could do.


It was fairly early when Spike let himself into the Summer's home. "Buffy?" Joyce said hopefully as she came in from the kitchen. "Spike?" She said when she saw him. "What are you doing here?

 "Thought I'd drop in to say hello." Spike told her.

 "Are you here for hot chocolate?" Joyce asked with a smile.

 "Actually, no." Spike said. "But if you're offerin' ..."

 Joyce smiled. "Come into the kitchen." Spike followed her into the kitchen and watched her make the hot chocolate. For him. A vampire. He didn't know quite what to make of Joyce. She seemed oddly fond of him and yet seemed to intensely dislike the ensouled Angel. 'Course, he never shagged the Slayer, not that he'd say no were she to ask. Joyce mothered him. "I wish my Mum had been more like you." Joyce smiled at him. "Bet the Slayer doesn't even know how lucky she is."

 Joyce paled and dropped the mug that she had just removed from the cabinet. Spike sat Joyce in a chair, cleaned up the broken mug and turned to face her.

"Is something wrong with the Slayer?"

 Joyce couldn't stop the words from tumbling out. "She's pregnant."

 "What?" Spike asked blankly. He listened carefully as Joyce told him the whole sordid story. The Slayer left the Council? He knew the Council was in chaos, but this ... And now the Slayer carried the Watcher's baby, no wonder he'd been so protective. And he'd thought Angelus was twisted. Did he know? Then, Joyce confessed her own actions. No wonder she'd dropped the bloody mug. That was how Spike found himself comforting a crying Joyce.


   Giles asked Buffy to come see him that evening. They would talk, he would explain his idea, they could discuss and she could decide. He had thought about this carefully and decided that it was viable. All he had to do was convince Buffy.

 The first thing that Buffy noticed when she had arrived was that Giles seemed nervous. "What's wrong?" Buffy asked as she sat down on the couch.

 "There's something that I'd like to discuss with you." Giles said carefully, as he sat next to her.

 "Sounds serious." Buffy commented.

 "Buffy, I've thought about this a great deal." Giles said nervously. "I keep telling you that you aren't alone, but I really haven't done much."

 "That's not true." Buffy said softly.

 "Thank you, Buffy, but I really haven't." Giles said. "I suppose I just haven't known what *to* do. I want you to consider this very carefully." He looked at her intently and she nodded. "You and I, we're partners. We could ..." He took a deep breath. "We could marry, you and I."

 Buffy stared at him. "Why?"

 At least she hadn't left, Giles thought. "You shouldn't have to do this alone. Goodness knows that it still wouldn't be easy, but we care about each other. We have friendship."

 "You're probably the best friend that I've ever had Giles, but ..." Buffy's words trailed off. "I don't know."

 "You can stay here, either way" Giles assured her hurriedly. "My home, my name and whatever protection they may give you. You could finish school a-and you wouldn't be an unwed mother. It could work, Buffy. We could make it work. I could take care of you and the baby."

 Buffy looked at him for a long while and studied his earnest face before she said anything. She thought about what he'd said and about her own fears. She thought about what she wanted out of life. "All right. Umm, ... When?"

 Giles couldn't believe it. "W-well, that's up to you." He told her. "Would you rather do it right away? Or would you rather wait until after the semester ends"

 "Do I have to decide tonight?" Buffy asked.

 "Of course not." Giles assured her. "Think it over for a while."

 Buffy opened her mouth to say something, but was stopped by a knock on the door. Giles looked perplexed, but rose to answer it. He looked out. "Spike?" He opened the door, as Buffy moved to stand behind him with a stake. "What do you want?"

 "I need to talk to the Slayer." Spike told him. He looked at Buffy. "I talked to your Mum. She told me what happened."

 Buffy tried to keep her expression neutral, but her eyes flashed. "And that would be?" She encouraged.

 "About you, you know, havin' a baby an' all." Spike said awkwardly. "What the Council did."

 "She did?" Buffy asked in barely restrained anger.

 "She told me what she did and ..." Spike was interrupted by the Slayer as she pushed passed him.

 Buffy was quickly followed by Giles. "Buffy, what are you going to do?"

Giles asked when he caught up to her, but she didn't answer.

 Spike followed behind, even more confused than he'd already been. The journey was continued in silence.

___________________________

         Buffy threw open the door to what used to be her home and saw her Mother on the couch. "How dare you?"

 "What?" Joyce asked confused as she stood.

 "You told Spike." Buffy stated. "How could you?"

 Joyce looked bewildered. "I don't understand. Why shouldn't I have told him?"

 Buffy and Giles exchanged looks of disbelief. "Spike's a vampire." Buffy pointed out. The 'Duh' was heard, even if it wasn't spoken. "The last time he was here, he kidnapped Willow and Xander."

 "He didn't hurt them." Joyce said weakly.

 "I'm sure they would disagree." Buffy said drily. "Especially Xander."

 "Spike has tried, numerous times, to kill Buffy herself." Giles said angrily. "What if he had come here to do just that? You told him her weakness. My God Woman, what did you think you were doing?"

 "I think that's enough." Spike said firmly.

 Buffy turned and glared at him. "You stay out of this."

 "Spike, don't." Joyce said as she dropped back on to the couch. "They're right. I didn't think." She looked at her daughter. "I'm sorry, Buffy."

 "Look Slayer, she was upset." Spike commented. "She wants you to come home."

 "Not my home anymore." Buffy said quietly. She felt Giles move to stand behind her and place his hands on her shoulders. She resisted the nearly overwhelming urge to turn and throw herself in his arms. "I've been asked to leave and not come back one too many times." She looked at her Mother. "I really wish that I could have been the daughter you wanted." She looked up at Giles, physically and emotionally drained. "Take me home?"

 Giles nodded and with an arm protectively around her shoulders, he lead her out.

 Joyce watched them go sadly. "I've lost her."

 "Don't say that." Spike said gently. "She'll come around."

 Joyce shook her head. "Spike?"

 "Yes, Pet."

 "Make sure that she gets home safe?" Joyce asked.

 Spike nodded and left as well. He caught up to them quickly. "Don't you think you were a bit hard on her?" He asked. Neither replied, but he could hear the Slayer crying. How could he fix this? Why the bloody hell did he care?

 "What do you want, Spike?" Giles asked wearily.

 "I was sent to help." Spike muttered. "All I was told was that the Slayer needed a helping hand."

 "Who told you?" Giles asked. "And it still doesn't explain why you're here."

 "Penance." Spike told him. "Like I said, it was the Slayer or the ensouled Nancy-boy in LA. Whistler sent me."

 Buffy stopped short and caused Giles and Spike to do the same. She turned to Spike. "Whistler?"

 "Peculiar little demon." Spike replied. "Said he knew you."

 "We've met." Buffy said hoarsely. Giles and Spike both looked at her oddly. "He told me how to close Acathala."

 Giles nodded in understanding and started to lead her on again.

 "Isn't the dorm the other way?" Spike asked.

 "I'm not taking her to the dorm." Giles explained. "I'm taking her home."

 Spike followed behind them all the way to the Watcher's flat. Giles sent Buffy up to bed, then turned to face Spike. "I am not inviting you in."

 "Didn't expect you to Mate." Spike returned. "You know the Council is in chaos?" He asked from just outside the open door.

 Giles bit back a grin. "I've heard."

 "What do you know about it Watcher?" Spike asked.

 "Only what I've heard." Giles responded. "It's been quite interesting."

 Spike smirked. "Yeah, real interesting."

 "If you are here to help, Spike, then I appreciate it." Giles said. "But if you hurt her ..." He let the threat trail off.

 "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Quick, painful death." Spike mocked.

 "Oh, I guarantee painful." Giles said in a low, dangerous voice. "Quick, however, will not enter into it."

 Spike looked at him, he recognized the look in his eyes. It was the same one he had when he went after Angelus with a flaming baseball bat.

 "Are we clear?" Giles asked in the same tone.

 "Very clear, Watcher." Spike responded.

 "I am no longer one of them." Giles told him.

 "Were you ever?" Spike asked curiously.

 "Spike, my boy, that is a far more interesting question than you might think." Ethan drawled as he joined them. "What are you doing here?"

 "Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Spike asked in return.

 "If you're here for the Slayer, it would irritate me greatly." Ethan commented.

 "I'm shakin' in my boots, you old reprobate." Spike returned. "Save your sorcery for the tourists."

 "Just bloody perfect." Giles muttered.

 "What's your interest in this Magician?" Spike asked.

 "I'm the godfather." Ethan said and waited with a grin.

 "Like hell." Giles said easily.

 Buffy came back downstairs in her pajamas. "Did someone move England to the front stoop when I wasn't looking?"

 "Apparently." Giles told her. "You all right?"

 "What happened?" Ethan asked, immediately concerned.

 "Joyce again." Giles said through clenched teeth.

 Ethan looked at Buffy in sympathy. "I'm sorry, Luv. She'll come around."

 Buffy just shook her head. "Doesn't matter anymore. Giles wouldn't tell me what you've been up to."

 "Just a bit of what I do best." Ethan told her.

 "Did it hurt them?" Buffy asked.

 "Right where it counts, Luv." Ethan said with a wicked grin. "Right where it counts." He looked at her closely. "You look knackered. Off to bed with you. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow."

 Buffy sighed. "Goodnight." She turned and went back upstairs.

 Giles and Ethan looked back to the door, but Spike was gone. Ethan closed the door and turned to Rupert. "What's going on around here? What happened with her Mum? Why is Spike here? And is Buffy living here now?" He asked quietly.

 "Don't get me started on Joyce." Giles said angrily, but also hushed. "As for Spike, he says that he's here to help. I don't know why. And Buffy ..." He looked towards the loft, then back to Ethan. "I asked her to marry me." He took in Ethan's shocked look. "You think I'm a fool."

 "No." Ethan finally managed. "What did she say?" He asked.

 "She said yes, actually." Giles told him.

 "Are you in love with her, Rupert?" Ethan asked.

 "No." Giles said softly. "I love Buffy dearly, but in love with her? It wouldn't be difficult. I just never let ... I've never thought of her in those terms. I could though, I think. Very easily."

 "And Buffy?" Ethan asked next. He had heard more in the other man's response than Rupert would have wanted. 'Let' was a very telling word.

 Giles poured them each a drink and then sat down. "Oh, I've no doubt that Buffy loves me in some way. Not that she could ever fall *in* love with me." Giles explained. "Am I doing the right thing?"

 "How should I know, Rupert?" Ethan asked in return. "I suppose it depends on why you're doing it."

 "I want to help her." Giles told him. "I need to. She's so vulnerable right now, Ethan. And, well, it is my baby."

 "That's the first time that I've heard you refer to it as such." Ethan commented. "It's always the baby, if you refer to it at all. You don't, usually."

 "I know." Giles sighed. "I've had difficulty accepting all this. It's been easier to simply think of it as an extension of Buffy." He took a deep breath. "She wants this baby, so much. I intend to do everything that I can to see that she gets it."

 "And you have to marry her to do that?" Ethan didn't get an answer right away. "Rupert?"

 "It will make things easier for her." Rupert told him.

 "Will it?" Ethan asked cryptically.

  
  Giles woke up with Buffy, once again, in his arms. He shifted and woke Buffy. "Good morning." Buffy said sleepily.

 Giles didn't move as the night before came back to him. Buffy'd had a nightmare. "G-good morning."

 "You know, it's kinda nice waking up like this." Buffy said. She laughed a little at his surprised look. "Planning on separate beds for the rest of our lives." She shook her head. "Uh-uh. I like this too much." Then she said softly, seriously. "It makes me feel safe."

 "I would have thought ..." Giles began, but he was uncertain of how to continue.

 Buffy thought she understood though. "You didn't think that I would want to sleep with you." She shrugged. "I don't think I'm ready for anything more yet, but I like this. I really hadn't thought about it till last night, but I think we could, you know, have a normal marriage." She looked at her hands. "Well, as normal as it could be with me as a part of it."

 "What, exactly, are you saying, Buffy?" Giles asked cautiously. "That you would want to ..." Again, his words trailed off.

 "I'd understand, though, if you didn't want to ..." Buffy assured him, but didn't meet his eyes.

 "No." Giles said quickly, then flushed when he realized how quickly. "I mean, ..." He closed his eyes. "I don't know what I mean."

 Buffy smiled up at him. "That's okay. We can figure it out as we go. Right?" She asked uncertainly.

 "It's what we've always done." Giles told her with affection.

 Buffy laid her head on his chest. "I was wrong, you know. It isn't gross at all."

 Giles smiled and held her to him. For the first time his doubts faded. He was certain that he'd made the right decision.

 "Are you two going to cuddle all morning, or are you going to have breakfast?" Ethan called up.


   Ethan saw Buffy off to school and Rupert off to work. Then, he did a small location spell. "Spike, my boy, let's see what you're up to." The Mansion. "Oh, how original."


   "What do you want Sorcerer?" Spike asked without even looking up from his book.

 "Odd. That's what I was going to ask you." Ethan commented as he made himself comfortable in the chair across from Spike. "Why are you here?"

 Spike finally put the book down. "That's a bloody good question. I wish to hell I had an answer. What about you?"

 "Rupert asked for my help." Ethan told him.

 "Is she really having the Watcher's baby, then?" Spike asked.

 "The Council's birthday present to their Slayer." Ethan said venomously.

 "It was you." Spike said with sudden insight. "What, exactly, did you do to the Council?"

 "I hurt them."  Ethan said darkly. "I'd have done more, but even after everything they've done Rupert and Buffy wouldn't want anything permanent."

 "Bloody principles." Spike muttered.

 "Yes, well, I didn't want to add guilt to their already overextended emotions." Ethan said quietly. "Why are you here, Spike?"

 "Same as you." Spike told him. "I knew the Council was in chaos. I didn't know why or what they'd done. I was given a choice; the Slayer or the Poof. I respect the Slayer."

 "Quite easy on the eyes as well." Ethan said drily. "Who gave you the choice?"

 "Bloody Powers That Be." Spike muttered.

 Ethan looked at him skeptically. "You expect me to believe that *you* were chosen by *The* Powers That Be to help the Slayer?"

 "I don't care if you believe me or not." Spike told him. "And I never said chosen. More like forced. But I am here to help."

 "I have a very bad feeling, Spike, that she is going to need all the help that she can get." Ethan told him darkly. "Something very nasty is on it's way."

 "The Council?" Spike asked.

 "Travers in particular." Ethan replied. "I really must find out why he hates Rupert so. I do believe that this is aimed more at him than Buffy. Travers means to hurt him through her."

 "Best way to do it, if you ask me." Spike commented. "Hurt one, hurt the other."

 "But why?" Ethan asked.


   Buffy woke up screaming. Within seconds, Giles and Ethan were both there. Giles sat on the bed and took her into his arms.

 "They took the baby." Buffy sobbed into his chest.

 "Rupert," Ethan said hesitantly. "It's time."

 "Time for what?" Buffy asked, even as Giles nodded.

 Ethan looked from one to the other. "It's time to call Angel." He said softly.


   Angel hung up the phone in a daze. "Cordelia, Doyle, we're going to Sunnydale. Buffy and Giles need our help."

 "End of the World?" Cordelia asked.

 "No." Angel told her. "That was Ethan Rayne."

 "*The* Ethan Rayne?" Cordelia asked. "Ewww."

 "Who's Ethan Rayne?" Doyle asked.

 "Do you remember Buffy's eighteenth birthday?" Angel asked Cordelia.

 "The test? What about it?" Cordelia said. "Buffy's birthday was months ago. Or months away." She pointed out, confused.

 "It started on her birthday." Angel explained.

 "What started?" Cordelia asked in exasperation. "And why on Earth would you believe Ethan Rayne?"

 "I talked to Giles." Angel said, still dazed, but the anger was pushing forward. "It seems that the Council has decided to breed the perfect Slayer."

 "Breed? How?" Doyle asked.

 "By forcefully impregnating a Slayer by a Watcher." Angel said, the anger was more apparent. "Buffy's pregnant. And now, their going to try to take the baby. They're going after Buffy and Giles."

 "Why Giles?" Cordelia asked.

 "He's the father."

 "What?!"

 
   Cordelia had been quiet for most of the ride to Sunnydale. The horrifying realization of what the Council had done, to Buffy and Giles, had dawned. Angel and Doyle kept casting looks at her. A quiet Cordelia was something to worry about.

 "Cordelia?" Doyle ventured.

 "They're supposed to be the good guys." Cordelia said quietly. "How could they do that?" She looked at Angel, his jaw had been clenched since the call had come in.

 "I don't think that they've really been the good guys for a long while now." Angel told her. "Even before that damn test."

 "But, she's the Slayer." Cordelia pointed out.

 "That's what makes them think that they have the right." Angel explained.

"Look at what they've already done to her, what they've done to Giles. Hell, even what they did to Faith."

 His hands were clenched so tight on the steering wheel that Cordelia wondered how it was still in one piece. Then, she turned and stared out the window until they reached Sunnydale.


   Giles looked around his flat in bemusement. Buffy was in the loft, unable to face the newcomers just yet. Angel, Cordelia and Doyle had arrived moments ago. Add to that, Ethan, Wesley and Spike, mix in Willow, Oz and Xander, and tensions were running high.

 Buffy finally came down and stood next to Giles. She couldn't make herself look at Angel or Cordie, to see their reactions. Buffy knew what she looked like. She looked six months pregnant. So, she chose a safe place to look. Wesley. "Are my Mom and Dad safe?"

 Ethan snorted and Giles glared at him. Wesley answered hesitantly. "I don't think anyone is safe." He told her.

 Without even realizing it, Buffy reached for Giles' hand. "How can we protect them?"

 "I have some contacts." Ethan volunteered. "It should do well enough for your Father, but ..." It was his turn to hesitate. "I think we should bring your Mum in." He saw her flinch. "I'm sorry, Luv, but I think it's best." Buffy nodded once.

 "I know you've stopped patrolling." Spike said. "But have you kept up with your training? You may have to fight."

 Buffy's other hand moved protectively over her stomach. "They aren't getting my baby." She said quietly, but emphatically. "I can fight if I have to."

 "Our job is to make sure that it doesn't come to that." Giles stated with a hard glint in his eyes.

 Angel looked at Giles. "I think we should all stay together, but there isn't room here." He left the rest unspoken.

 "You're thinking of the mansion." Giles said flatly. Angel nodded once, his eyes never left Giles. "Fine." Giles continued. "We'll meet there in two hours. Spike, Xander, get what you'll need and collect Mrs. Summers. Angel, I would appreciate it if you would accompany Willow and Wesley. Doyle, if you and Cordelia would go with Oz. I want *no one* alone. Understood? Buffy, Ethan and I will meet you there." He still had Buffy's hand, a fact that did not go unnoticed.

 Once the others had left, Giles looked over Buffy's head and met Ethan's eyes. Ethan nodded and went to the phone. Giles looked down at Buffy's upturned face. "You all right?"

 Buffy shrugged, she felt rather numb. "I think I'm back to fire bad, tree pretty." Giles pulled her into his arms and held her tight.

Angel, Willow and Wesley were the first to arrive at the mansion.

"Willow, why don't you go pick out a room for you and Buffy?" Angel suggested.

 Willow and Wesley exchanged a look. "Uh, Angel." Willow said hesitantly. "Buffy will probably be sharing a room with Giles."

 "What?" Angel asked blankly.

 "They've been sleeping together, and I mean that in the literal sense, for a few weeks now." Willow explained. "She started having terrible nightmares. Giles is the only one ... I mean ... Lately, she just doesn't feel safe unless she's with him."

 "I saw that they were closer, but ..." Angel began.

 "At times, it's as if they are in their own little world." Wesley commented.

"Giles seems to be the only one that can comfort her."

 "It's not just that." Willow continued. "It's almost like since the baby, they're connected."

 "They are." Angel said.

 There wasn't time for more, Oz, Cordelia and Doyle walked in. Spike, Xander and Joyce followed. Buffy, Giles and Ethan were the last to arrive. Giles looked around. "Good, everyone's here. Any trouble?" Several heads shook no.

 "What about our parents?" Willow asked.

 "They want to hurt Buffy and I, not you." Giles told her.

 "Why?" Spike asked. "Why do they want to hurt you?"

 "Because they can't control us." Giles answered.

 "And because I told them to go to hell." Buffy added.

 "And Travers?" Ethan asked. "He really doesn't like you, Rupert. Why is that?"

 "He hates me." Giles said. "Always has. Never more so than when I was given a Slayer to my care. Told me I'd get her killed within a month. Buffy proved him wrong, though."

 "Who saved me from Amy's Mom?" Buffy asked pointedly.

 Giles smiled at her, then continued slyly. "Add to that, that his wife likes me quite a lot."

 "Giles." Willow said, aghast.

 "Never did understand what she saw in the pillock." Giles muttered.

 "Ethan told me what that means." Buffy commented mildly. "Shame on you. And he's much worse."

 Giles glanced at Ethan, who shrugged innocently. "She asked."

 Buffy leaned against Giles tiredly. "Now what?"

 Giles put his arm around her and held her to him. Joyce watched with narrowed eyes, but didn't comment. Angel watched them wistfully. Ethan, in speculation.

 "Can I ask a question?" Xander asked. "How could they know that Buffy wouldn't just, you know, get rid of it?" He asked uncomfortably.

 Giles looked at Wesley, who looked stricken. "I believe that Wesley was meant to find out. They knew he would tell us."

 "I played right into their hands." Wesley said sadly. "I am sorry."

 "It's okay, Wes." Buffy told him. She went on gently. "They knew you weren't like them. It's not a bad thing." Wesley smiled his thanks. Buffy closed her eyes as she continued to lean against Giles.

 "I still don't get it." Xander said. "How could they know she'd want the baby?"

 "It's *his*." Joyce said flatly.

 Giles glared at her, but didn't comment. "We became vulnerable the moment the pregnancy was discovered. They know, as do Buffy and I, that the odds of her getting another chance to have a child are slim, due to the life expectancy of a Slayer." Giles tried for a matter of fact tone, but it didn't quite come out that way. "The fact that it's mine, only added to that. My guess is that they expected us to blame each other, for it to drive a wedge between us."

 "Instead, it brought you closer." Willow pointed out.

 "When is the wedding?" Ethan asked blandly. He watched Joyce for her reaction, he hadn't missed her attitude. Her eyes widened, then narrowed on Rupert.

 Angel had been looking down, but at Ethan's words his head snapped up. He looked at Buffy, his expression pained.

 Xander, Willow and Oz looked at each other, they had already known. Wesley didn't even look surprised. Cordelia was a cross between intrigued and disgusted. Spike looked unconcerned and Doyle looked at Angel in sympathy.

 Giles glared at Ethan. "Not exactly the way we planned to announce it." He said bitingly.

 Ethan grinned. "Buffy doesn't seem to mind."

 "Buffy fell asleep the moment she stopped speaking. And you're damn lucky she did." Giles told him.

 Ethan smiled gently at the girl that slept leaning against Rupert. The others didn't understand, he knew that. He looked at Rupert and saw the gratitude and understanding there. "You should take her to bed."

 "We should all get some rest." Giles commented. "Which room, Spike?"

 
   "They're sleeping together?" Joyce asked once Buffy and Giles were out of earshot.

 "Believe you gave up the right to comment on Buffy's choices." Ethan said pointedly, coldly.

 "Why did you bring me here?" Joyce asked quietly. "She doesn't need me."

 "You're right, she doesn't." Ethan said bluntly and she flinched. His tone softened a bit. "But, she loves you. Were something to happen to you, she would be devastated. You're here so that we can protect you the best we can."

 Joyce looked down. "The Council ... They really did ..." She couldn't say it. She looked at Ethan, pain etched on her face. "They did this."

 "Yes." Ethan told her softly.

 Spike put a hand on Joyce's shoulder as she closed her eyes. "I didn't want to believe it." She whispered.

 "You preferred to believe that Buffy lied and that Rupert was a dirty old man." Ethan commented. "Rupert and Buffy love each other, but I don't believe that they ever thought of each other in those terms before this happened."

 "And now?" Joyce asked. Angel listened carefully.

 "I think it would be impossible for them to have not at this point." Ethan answered, oddly careful with his words. "I don't think they've had sex, though, if that's what you're asking." Joyce blushed and glared at him. Ethan raised his brows, <So, that's where the Slayer got her glare.> "Spike, would help Joyce here find a room." He waited until Spike had led Joyce off, before he looked at the group remaining. "I suggest rest." He said pointedly.


   Buffy woke, instantly alert. She was on her back, Giles laid facing her, his hand rested on her stomach. What had woke her? Then, she heard it again. Someone was there. Her eyes scanned the room, she was careful not to move and she kept her breathing even. She saw Ethan watching her and Giles from the doorway. "Ethan?" She got up, careful not to disturb Giles.

 "Sorry, Luv. Didn't mean to wake you." Ethan said quietly.

 Buffy went to him and closed the door behind her. "You okay?" She looked at him closely. She'd learned to read him pretty well in the last couple of months. "Are you ever going to tell me?"

 "You mean Rupert hasn't?" Ethan asked in return.

 Buffy shook her head as she led him to the living area. They sat on the couch. Ethan was quiet a long while before he finally spoke. "Did Rupert ever tell you that I had a sister?" Ethan asked. Again, Buffy solemnly shook her head. "She stayed with us for a short time. Before Eyghon." He smile a little. "Hannah. She wasn't much younger than you. Ripper quite adored her." He took a deep breath. "She was raped. She came to me when she found out she was pregnant. You'd have liked her, she wasn't anything like me. She thought the baby was a sign from God. Our parents were ... Well, I won't go into that. Hannah was happy about the baby. Everything about it, the way her body changed, when she felt it move. Then, she was killed. A mugging. I suppose that's part of why I dislike people so much. She was such a lovely girl."

 "Did they pay?" Buffy asked. A tear slid down her cheek on-noticed.

 Ethan got a glint in his eyes. "Oh they paid. They paid dearly."

 Buffy leaned against his shoulder. "And that's why you're here?"

 "Ripper asked for help." Ethan told her. "*My* help. I couldn't very well say no."

 "You're not too bad when you're not trying to get me killed." Buffy told him.
 

   Giles came out a few minutes later and found Buffy asleep with her head against Ethan's shoulder. "What happened?" Giles asked a bemused Ethan. Ethan looked up from the girl snuggled against him. Six months ago, she would have quite cheerfully knocked him about. "I told her about Hannah."

 "Did you?" Giles asked surprised.

 "Do you realize that she trusts me only because *you* said it was all right?" Ethan asked. "How did you gain that kind of power?" He asked curiously.

 "I didn't gain it." Giles told him. "Buffy gave it to me."

 "You always were a lucky bastard." Ethan said without rancor. "Travers really wants to hurt you, you know. I believe that hurting Buffy is incidental, it's you he's after. What did you do to him?"

 "I took his Slayer." Giles told him. "After Buffy's first Watcher was killed, Travers was to replace him. However, after going over Merrick's diary, they decided to send me. I think that they didn't expect either of us to last a month. And what's more, we've managed for the very reasons that they expected us to fail."

 "And then came the Crucamentium." Ethan said.

 "Yes." Giles responded in a painful whisper.

 "And he still couldn't take her away from you." Ethan commented.

 Giles bent and picked Buffy up. He looked down at her sleeping face as he held her lightly in his arms. "No." He said softly. "I won't let him hurt her again, Ethan." He met Ethan's eyes. "No matter what I have to do to stop him." Ethan met his eyes in return and nodded in understanding. "She needs you." This time, Giles nodded. Then he turned and carried Buffy back to bed. Ethan heard the closing of their door. "What do you think, Angel?" Angel came out of the shadows. "I think he'll probably kill Travers, if he gets the chance."

 "We can't let him." Ethan said quietly.

 "Why not?" Spike asked as he also came out of the shadows and joined them. "Sounds like a good plan to me."

 "The guilt would destroy him." Angel told him.

 "Them." Ethan added, then explained. "Buffy would know why he did it." He looked at Angel. "However, we can't let Travers continue. One of us will have to do it."


   Breakfast the next morning was a noisy affair. Giles was the only one that to ask where the food came from.

 "Spike and I went shopping." Angel told him.

 "The Poof was out of his Nancy-boy hair gel." Spike added. Xander giggled.

 "We also patrolled." Angel went on as he glared at Spike. "They're watching."

 Spike looked at Giles. "Your place, Joyce's, the dorm. Gorillas in suits." "It seems that we made our escape just in time." Giles said distracted.

 Buffy watched Giles closely. She could practically read his mind. "Do you think they know?"

 Giles met her eyes. "Undoubtedly."

 Buffy nodded. "Spike and Angel?"

 "Angel." Giles responded.

 The others watched their verbal shorthand in fascination, even if they didn't follow it.

 "Weapons?" Buffy asked next.

 "Yours and mine. Whatever Angel brought and Spike." Giles answered.

 "Human?" Buffy asked next.

 Giles shook his head. "Not all."

 "Dusk?" Buffy queried.

 Giles nodded. "Warm up?" He asked.

 "Staff." Buffy said. "Longer reach." Giles nodded and they left the table together.

 "Translation?" Xander asked.

 Ethan sighed. "The Council knows that we ran last night." He explained. "They most likely know where we are. They'll be prepared for Angel, but probably not Spike, to be helping us. Weapons check. The Council will have some 'unnatural forces'." He said with a glance at Spike and Angel. "They believe the Council will attack at dusk and Rupert and Buffy have gone to practice a bit. Buffy chose the staff due to it's longer reach."

 They stared at him for a second before they followed after Buffy and Giles. Ethan shook his head before he followed as well. They were doomed. Ethan couldn't help the smile at the sight of Buffy, but it was a somewhat sad smile. He watched her practice maneuvering the staff around her swollen belly. It shouldn't have looked graceful, but it did.

 Ethan went over to Willow and drew her aside. "Ideally, Ripper would help me, but as he'll be rather occupied with Buffy, I thought we could go over a few things." He looked at her closely. "You up for it, Luv?"

 "I'll do my best." Willow told him with a nervous smile.

 "That's a girl." Ethan said with a reassuring smile.

 Spike went through the weapons and found an ax. He picked it up and looked at Joyce in speculation. He walked over and handed it to her. Joyce looked at him with raised brows as she took it.

 Giles, the sadly familiar weight of his sword in his hand, turned to Buffy. She held the staff in one hand, one end on the floor. Her other hand on her stomach.  He reached out and touched her cheek gently, then let his hand rest on her shoulder. "You all right?"

 Buffy smiled up at him. "She's moving. Bouncing off the walls, so to speak." She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. She saw the awe in his eyes when he felt the baby move.

 "Does it hurt?" Giles asked, his tone awed.

 Buffy shook her head. "Just feels weird."

 "I imagine." Giles smiled at her. He saw her smile fade and the sadness return. He dropped his sword and pulled her to him. "I won't let them hurt you."

 Buffy dropped her staff and wrapped her arms around him. "I know." She whispered into his chest. 

 The others watched as Giles picked her up and carried her out of the room. He took her to their bedroom and sat on the bed with her in his lap. He rocked her gently, his arms around her. "It'll be all right." He told her as he tried desperately to believe it.

 "I can't lose you, Giles." Buffy said, her face buried against his neck. "I don't want to lose anyone, but I *can't* lose you."

 "No matter what happens, Buffy, you'll be fine." Giles assured her. "The others will help. Ethan, Wesley and you know that Willow will ..."

 "They're not you." Buffy interrupted him.

 "W-well, no, but ..." Giles didn't know what to say.

 Buffy pulled back and looked at him. "I-I need you, Giles. I can't do this without you. I don't want to."

 "You *can* do it." Giles told her sternly. "And you will, if you have to, do you understand?" He took her face in his hands. "If something happens to me, I have to know that you and the baby are all right." Buffy tried to shake her head, but he wouldn't let her. "Listen to me. I have every intention of dangling grandchildren on my knees, but if I can't, you will."

 Buffy leaned her forehead against his. "Can't we do it together?"

 "We can do anything, together." Giles assured her.

 "Promise?" Buffy asked.

 "I promise." Giles told her solemnly.

 Buffy pulled back, just a little and looked into his eyes. "I love you, Giles." She leaned forward and gently touched her lips to his.

 Giles was stunned, still, for a moment. When she didn't immediately pull back, he let himself respond, lightly. When she still didn't pull away, he did, but not much. "Buffy? What ...?"

 Buffy didn't let him finish. "I want ... " She couldn't put what she felt into words, so she simply kissed him again. More urgently this time. Indecision flashed through Giles' mind. Buffy moved her hands until they rested on his chest, she wiggled closer and opened her mouth beneath his and the decision was made when he swept his tongue into her mouth. He felt Buffy's hands clutch his shirt as she clenched them to fists. Then, almost hesitantly, she began to unbutton his shirt. He dropped his arms to his sides so that she could push the garment off his shoulders. Once that was done, she ran her fingers through his chest hair, lightly scraping his nipples as she did so.

 Giles moved his hands to her top and, giving her plenty of time to stop him if she wished, pulled it over her head. He placed kisses on her delicate neck as he unhooked her bra. He laid her back on the bed and gently kissed her swollen breasts. They'd been tender, he knew, so each kiss was whisper soft. He kissed her swollen belly reverently, more awed than ever by the life growing inside. He felt a slight nudge from inside and smiled. "Hello to you, too." He placed another kiss where the nudge had come from, then kissed his way back to Buffy's mouth.


   In the other room, Angel was showing Cordelia some basic defense moves when he caught a sound from the bedroom, where Giles had taken Buffy. His eyes automatically had moved to the direction of the sound.

 "Did you hear something?" Cordelia asked him.

 "Buffy." Angel said faintly.

 "Is she still crying?" Cordelia asked next. She sounded oddly sympathetic.  Angel turned back to her, but his eyes were caught by the only other person that could have heard Buffy as well. Spike smirked at him from across the room. Angel looked at Cordelia. "No, she's not crying." He told her. 


   It was a rather dis-sheveled Giles that rejoined them about an hour later. Everybody looked at him in question. "She's sleeping."

 "And I thought a Slayer with PMS was bad." Xander commented with some humor, only to be smacked in the arm by Cordelia. "Ow."

 Giles shook his head at him. He moved to retrieve his sword only to be met by Angel, who held it. Angel handed Giles his sword and met his eyes. In them Giles saw that Angel knew and returned his look steadily. Whatever he saw seemed to satisfy Angel, he nodded and moved away.

 "What was that all about?" Ethan asked as he came up behind Rupert.

 Giles had been so intent on Angel that he hadn't heard Ethan approach. He turned and faced Ethan's knowing expression. "What was what about?" He asked.

 "You know, if you really want to pull that off, you shouldn't look so ... Sated." Ethan told him with a grin. "Besides, Angel kept looking towards the bedroom as if his eyes could burn a hole through the wall. Do I want to know what he heard?"

 "Probably, but I won't be telling you." Giles returned.

    The group spent the rest of the day preparing for the inevitable battle. Buffy returned about an hour after Giles and seemed much calmer. She moved immediately to Giles side and began to work with her staff once again.

____________________

As the final rays of sun slid over the horizon, the group moved into position. Buffy fought the overwhelming urge to cry as she looked around her. Giles was in front of her, Angel and Spike on either side of him. Wesley stood next to Spike and Doyle next to Angel. Buffy looked at her Mother on her left and Cordie on her right. On the other side of her Mom was Xander and on Cordie's other side was Oz. Behind her, she could hear Ethan and Willow already chanting.

 Buffy felt the life within her move once again and turned to her Mother.

"Mom ...?"

 Joyce looked at her daughter and met her eyes. The look between them said a thousand things at once. Apologies, acceptance, fear, protectiveness and love. "I love you, Buffy." Joyce reached for her daughters hand, just as the door crashed in.

 Travers strolled in, followed by numerous humans and vampires. Travers looked at Giles, then Buffy. "That child belongs to the Council."

 "Go to hell." Buffy and Giles said in unison.

 Travers' eyes skimmed over the group. "Two vampires, a half demon and Ethan Rayne." He dismissed the children and the Slayer's Mother and settled on Wesley. "And Wesley. How are you?" He sounded pleasant, but his eyes were cold.

 "You won't get their baby." Wesley said evenly.

 "I'll get the child." Travers told him. "And be back in England before the weekend."

 "How is your lovely wife?" Giles asked silkily. "Give her my best."

 Travers glared at him. "I'll have your Slayer's replacement and your own child. I'll teach them both to curse you." He said venomously.

 "Can I kill 'im, now?" Spike asked, bored.

 "You'll have to beat me to it." Angel commented with narrowed eyes. Several heads nodded in agreement.

 "You can't win this." Travers stated, though not with as much certainty as he'd hoped.

 "Either way, you won't live to see the outcome." Giles told him. "I guarantee it." He sounded certain.

 A green fireball came from nowhere and hit Travers square in the chest. His back hit the wall behind him with a satisfying thud. The fight was on.

 For Buffy, it seemed to move in slow motion. She saw Giles behead a vampire and Spike break the neck of a Watcher. Oz was torn between protecting Willow and protecting Buffy. Willow and Ethan chanted protection spells for the most part. They also blinded the bad guys and did a fire spell that managed to take out two vampires.

 Buffy was surprised to see Cordie hold her own against a Watcher. She took him out with a well placed kick and a baseball bat to the head.

 Buffy felt oddly detached from her own fighting, as if she had shut herself down simply to deal with it. Until she saw the vampire knock her Mother to the floor. "No!" She screamed and went after him herself. The staff, that Buffy had chosen, was used to advantage. She moved him away from her Mother, head shots, ribs, anything that she could hit. Then she swept his legs out from under him and hit him in the chest. The force of the blow was enough that the staff acted as a stake and the vampire turned to dust.

 Buffy turned in time to see Xander slashed with a knife from shoulder to hip. Angel dusted the vampire that did it and moved Xander to safety. Doyle, he didn't even know her or Giles, but he covered Giles' back as he took on his own foe.

 Wesley lasted longer than expected, but was knocked out. Spike put him by Xander. Cordie and Oz stood over them.

 Buffy moved to help Giles when she was grabbed from behind. "Enough!" Travers shouted as he held Buffy by the throat with a knife. Everyone stopped and turned to them.

 Giles met Buffy's eyes and held them as Travers went on. "I think this little rebellion is over, don't you?" Spike, Angel and Ethan all waited for the signal that they knew was coming from Buffy or Giles.

 Buffy watched Giles closely. Barely discernible, he tilted his head back, all the while he kept his eyes to Buffy's. He saw her blink twice and mentally counted. 1 - 2 - 3.

 Buffy swung her head back as hard as she could, the knife nicked her throat, but she didn't pause. She turned on Travers and swung a right cross that would have made Ali proud. She stopped him from getting back up with a heel to his throat. "This isn't a rebellion, it's a Declaration of Independence. You've threatened me, my family and friends. Now you've threatened my baby." Her foot pressed a little harder. "It's done." She put out a hand, without taking her eyes from Travers, and Giles handed her a sword. They both stood over Travers now.

 They were unaware of Ethan, as he indicated to Angel and Spike with a nod of his head. They moved as one and grabbed Travers and pulled him to his feet. Angel put his hand over Buffy's on the sword. "You should see to your Mom." He told her softly. She met his eyes and he saw rational thought return. Briefly, he saw regret there, and fear. He kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear. "I'll take care of him." She nodded and turned to her Mom. Angel then looked to Giles, he met the other man's glare and returned it. "See that Buffy's all right." He said before he and Spike took Travers away.


  It wasn't long before the extended Scooby Gang had everything under control. Giles looked around him, the humans were tied up being watched over by Doyle and Wesley. The opposing vampires had been dispatched with a minimum of fuss.

 Ethan and Willow were tending to the injured, which were numerous, but minor, for the most part. The worst was Xander, who had been slashed from his right shoulder to his left hip. Fortunately, it wasn't too deep.

 He looked at Buffy. She was asleep on the couch with her head in Joyce's lap, a bandage on her neck, a sight Giles had hoped to never see again. Joyce, dazedly, combed her fingers through her daughter's hair. A comfort for both of them, he was certain.

 He had to wonder if anyone else had noticed the absence of Angel and Spike with Travers. He had the feeling that they would never hear from Travers again.


   "Where have you brought me?" Travers asked the two vampires. Spike pushed Travers to the center of what used to be the Sunnydale High Library, just a few scant feet from the gaping hole in the ground.

 "Welcome to the Hellmouth, Mr. Travers." Spike said to him.

 Angel continued. "With the others, Buffy has taken it on twice ..."

 "Three times." Spike threw out.

 "Three times." Angel acknowledged. "And beaten it."

 "Why did you bring me here?" Travers asked nervously.

 "To see how you do." Spike told him, then pushed him in.

 Spike and Angel looked at each other and backed away from the Mouth of Hell. They exchanged another look as flames shot out, followed by a scream. When they turned to leave they thought they heard a laugh, but neither went back to check.


 Epilogue
 
   "Push Buffy." Giles instructed urgently from his position next to her as another contraction hit. "Harder."

 "I am pushing." Buffy said through gritted teeth. "I have an idea, you push for a while."

 Giles smiled down at her gently. "If I could, Luv." He whispered in her ear, then kissed her forehead. Her grip on his hand tightened and he winced. Even at that, he knew that she wasn't using all her strength. If she had been, his hand would have been broken instead of bruised.

 Buffy gave a long primal groan, then dropped back into Giles' arms, her breath in heavy gasps. "Is she ...?"

 "He's perfect as far as I can see." Dr. Murray told them.

 Buffy and Giles looked at each other, as one, they turned to the doctor. "He?" They asked in surprised unison.

 "Very much a he." Dr. Murray said with a small laugh. He placed the baby on Buffy's stomach. "See for yourself."


   Giles went to where the others were in the waiting area. He knew that he must have the silliest grin on his face, but he didn't care. Joyce, Willow and Oz, Xander, Wesley, Ethan, Spike, Angel, Cordelia and Doyle were all there, waiting. "Well, Will Alexander Giles made his appearance not a half an hour ago."

 "Is Buffy all right?" Joyce asked.

 "*His* appearance?" Wesley repeated.

 Giles looked at Joyce, "Buffy is amazing. She's resting now, though. You'll be able to see her in a few minutes. They're taking little Will to the nursery."

 "Little Will." Willow said a silly grin on her face and tears in her eyes.

 "Will Alexander." Xander said in disbelief that they would have done that.

"Really?"  He asked as he wiped at his own eyes.

 "I'll admit that it was a last minute decision, but we both agreed." Giles told him. "He's beautiful."

 "It was supposed to be a girl." Wesley said a bit dazed.

 "The Council screwed up, big, bloody shock." Spike commented.

"Congratulations, Mate. Where's the cigars?"

 Angel nudged him. "Buffy must be so relieved." He commented.

 "We both are." Giles agreed. "One Slayer in the family is quite enough. The Council may have stacked the odds in favor of a girl, but they'd forgotten that Buffy has always beaten the odds."

 "It's the guy that decides the sex of the baby." Cordelia said matter of factly.

 Ethan grinned as they all looked at Giles. "Well, I could have told them that Ripper was a contrary, stubborn bastard."

 Giles glared at him, but couldn't hold it. He looked at all of them. "Thank you, all of you. I don't think that we'd have made it this far without your help."

 There were more than one set of feet shuffling.

 Joyce broke the moment with an outburst. "Oh my God, I'm a grandma."


   The others had left and Giles was alone with Buffy and little Will for the first time. "He looks like you." Giles told her. She held the baby in her arms and he held her in his as he laid beside her.

 "He looks like us." Buffy told him. She leaned her head against his. "He's strong, Giles." She looked at him. "I can feel it when he grips my hand."

 "I know." Giles agreed. "I felt it, too." He kissed her lightly. "He is the son of a Slayer. He's bound to have inherited some of your strength." He kissed her again. "He's a boy, he can't be a Slayer. A little faster, a little stronger, these are good traits to have in this world."

 "I guess you're right." She relaxed against him. "Giles?" Buffy asked lazily.

 "Yes, Luv." Giles responded.

 "Next time, can we do it the right way?" Buffy asked.

 "Of course." Giles answered before he even realized the question. He looked down at her. "Next time?"