The Second Generation

[Sinister]

^ Thanks everyone for the kind reviews and pointers. It's much appresiated and I'll to keep the pointers in mind.


Chapter 8 - Check Up


About four months had gone by making the girls about five months pregnant and beginning to show. Buffy and the others ultimately decided to take Angel up on his offer for them to stay. He had even convinced Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn to move into the hotel even though they were each only about five minutes away. He said that it would be better for them to be there incase there was an attack. He figured that Cordy would be safer there and they would all be safer with Wesley and Gunn there as extra fighting hands. Lorne moved into the hotel as well. Before Angel could even ask him to he accepted. He knew that he wouldn't be much help when it came to protecting the girls but he knew a lot about demons and he knew that plus his reading abilities would help a great deal.

The hotel was filled up the most it had been in a long time. Everyone stayed on the second floor. Most of the rest of the floor's rooms were a little bit more then fixer uppers. Angel placed most of the girls on the west wing close to the stairs since he knew that it would make things just a little easier when their bellies started to grow.

When you walk up the stairs and go left Dawn's room was the first on the left. Buffy's was right next door to hers and then Willow and Tara's room was next to hers. Across from Dawn was Cordelia's room and next to her was Fred's where she had already been staying. On the other side of Fred was Faith. Angel's room was also on the west wing a few doors down from Faith's room and Lorne was across the hall from him.

If you were to walk to the right after getting to the top of the stairs, go past the balcony, Anya and Xander's room was the first on the left. Giles was one door down with Wesley right across the hall and Gunn next to him.

It was a full house and although it was nice to have so many friends living all in one place it wasn't always pleasant. Everyone was starting to get used to Faith being around but in the beginning it wasn't easy. She had killed people, kidnapped Dawn, slept with Xander and then tried to kill him, tortured Wesley, and stolen Buffy's body. To say the least she wasn't well liked at first. There was also some weirdness between some of the others but the longer they all spent together the better things got.

As far as the Hellmouth in Sunnydale was concerned, a phone call soon after Angel asked Buffy and the others to move in with him took care of that problem. Riley Finn had found out about the prophecy from his connections with the remaining branches of the Initiative and immediately thought of Buffy. He tracked down where she was and found out that she was in fact involved. The Initiative had been thinking about setting up again in Sunnydale but felt no need since Buffy was there to handle things. Buffy was a little hesitant at first when Riley offered to take over in Sunnydale but he assured her that all happenings would be discussed with her and she would be indirectly involved with everything. After some convincing she finally agreed.

The Hellmouth in Sunnydale was taken care of and everyone was together in LA preparing for the babies. Angel Investigations was actually advertising now. They were doing everything possible to get money for the babies. Xander had gotten a transfer from his construction job in Sunnydale and was still making pretty good if not better money in LA. He even got Gunn a job with his crew when he asked for one.

The eight girls and six boys were beginning to function just like a family. The money that Angel Investigations and Xander and Gunn made went to everyone not just themselves. Over all things were going pretty well.

"So you girls have the appointment today right?" Gunn asked.

Faith smiled at him, "Yeah I'm pretty excited about it actually."

Gunn smiled back at her. They were out for the usual morning walk that they went on early every morning. They used to go for runs but the doctors told Faith that she should take things a little easier now that she was in the second trimester. Ever since Gunn's little comforting talk the two had become very close friends.

"I have to say I'm pretty excited myself," Gunn responded.

Faith looked at him with shock, "Really? You?"

"Yeah of course," Gunn answered, "It's pretty exciting."

When they walked into the hotel they found everyone franticly getting ready. In the beginning the girls were all scared and nervous but the more time that went by the more accepting and even excited they got. Believe it or not they were all getting very excited to become mothers"¦even Faith.

Giles was running around the lobby going crazy trying to make sure that everyone was going to be ready on time. "Is everyone almost ready? Dawn do you have everything you need? Buffy do you have the papers? Cordelia where are you going?"

"I'm just getting"¦" Cordelia tried to say.

"No, no we don't have time for that now lets get a move on"¦all of you," Giles interrupted and instructed.

"I see Giles is freaking out again," Faith said.

"Be glad you weren't here earlier when he had his check list out," Buffy joked.

"Oh no," Dawn said with a look of horror on her face, "Here comes Giles junior."

Just then Wesley walked into the lobby practically pushing Fred towards the door. "Alright is everyone ready? We have to be there in twenty minutes," Wesley announced franticly.

"Relax Wes it only takes like five minutes to get there," Faith pointed out.

"I've got it," Angel yelled as he ran down the stairs with Willow's purse, "I've got your purse now we're all ready. Is everyone ready?" he asked as he looked around franticly.

Angel handed Willow her purse. "Gezz"¦you'd think they were the ones having babies," Willow joked.

When everyone was finally ready they went out to the cars. Since they found out about the babies they had all done everything possible to prepare"¦including buying minivans. They had found two reasonably priced minivans that would seat seven. They also still had Angel's and Giles' cars and Gunn's truck but they mainly only used the truck for work purposes.

Since it was day time Angel took his car and Buffy, Faith and Gunn road with him. Wesley drove the first minivan with Fred in the passenger seat, and Lorne and Cordy in the back. Giles drove the second minivan with Dawn in the passenger seat, Willow and Tara in the back and Xander and Anya in the farthest back seats.

Luckily their doctor's office was in the hospital which had a parking garage otherwise Angel would have to miss out on all of the visits. Since they always had their visits at the same time they had four doctors all together. Buffy and Dawn were Dr. Miller's patients, Willow and Tara were Dr. Carter's, Cordelia and Fred were Dr. Parker's patients, and Faith and Anya were Dr. Matthews'.

About five minutes after they checked in a nurse came out to the waiting room. "Anya Harris, Dr. Matthews will see you now," she announced, "And Dr. Carter is ready for you as well Miss. Rosenberg."

"I just love the sound of that," Xander said to Anya with a smile. They had just gotten married about two weeks ago. They were going to have a longer engagement but with the baby coming they felt that they should get married as soon as possible. They had a beautiful wedding that even Angel and his crew attended.

Anya, Xander, Willow and Tara all got out of their seats and walked threw the doors. Like every one of these types of check up only one other person was allowed in the examining room with each patient. Most of the check ups the girls went in by themselves but these were the exciting ones, these were the sonogram check ups. Xander always went with Anya and Willow and Tara always went with each other.

After the four of them went in the others just sat there nervously. This was such an exciting visit and they just couldn't wait till it was their turn. About two minutes after Anya and Willow went in the nurse came back out. "Buffy Summers and Winfred Burckle, Dr. Miller and Dr. Parker are ready for you," she announced.

"Oh"¦Dawn usually goes first," Buffy started to say.

"It's ok Buffy," Dawn interrupted, "You can go first this time."

Buffy smiled at her sister's kind gesture, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah"¦go!" Dawn encouraged hurriedly.

In the past they had each had about two appointments before this one. The first time Dawn had gone with Buffy and she had gone with Dawn. The second time Giles went with Buffy but this time she asked Angel to go with her. Wesley went in with Fred. He usually did. Gunn got to go in with her once when Angel went in with Faith but it was usually Wesley and Fred, and Gunn and Faith. Buffy, Angel, Wesley and Fred got up and walked throw the doors leaving the others to wait.

"Welcome back Mrs. Harris, Mr. Harris. How are we feeling today?" Dr. Matthews asked.

"A little nervous actually," Xander answered.

The doctor laughed a little. "I was talking to Anya."

Xander smiled embarrassingly, "Right"¦sorry."

"I'm feeling fine," Anya answered, "So"¦is my baby a boy or a girl?"

"You'll know soon enough," the doctor answered. She set up the equipment and started the sonogram. "Well Mr. and Mrs. Harris it looks like you are going to be the proud parents of a healthy baby boy."

Anya smiled brightly and Xander's face had a look of shock. "I'm having a boy? I'm gonna have a son?" Xander said happily.

"That's right Mr. Harris," the doctor conformed with a smile.

Xander held his wife's hand tightly. "We're going to have a boy?" Anya said as she almost started to cry.

"A healthy, beautiful boy," Xander said as he was also trying to fight back the tears of joy.

"Hello Miss. Rosenberg, Miss. Maclay. Who will be going first today?" Dr. Carter asked.

They looked at each other and Tara nodded at Willow. "I guess that'll be me," Willow answered with a smile.

After everything was set up the doctor began. "Well everything looks normal and healthy Miss. Rosenberg. Did the two of you decide weather or not you wanted to know the sex of the babies?" the doctor asked.

"We were going to wait," Tara answered.

"But we got too excited," Willow finished. "Is it a girl"¦it feels like a girl?" Willow asked with excitement.

The doctor smiled and nodded her head, "It's a girl." Willow and Tara smiled joyfully at each other. They could both pretty much sense the sex of their babies with their powers but now it was confirmed and they couldn't be happier.

Now it was Tara's turn. Willow got everything situated and hoped off the table. Tara took her place and the sonogram began. "Everything looks normal but"¦I hope you weren't hoping to have one of each," the doctor said with an unsure ton.

"Another girl?" Tara asked.

"That's right," the doctor said with a smile when she saw the joy on their faces.

Willow took Tara's hand in hers and smiled, "Just like we wanted."

When Dr. Miller took Buffy and Angel into the examination room she looked very perplexed. "Miss. Summers every time I see you in here you're with a different person. First it was your sister, then your father. Forgive me if I'm wrong but am I finally getting to meet the father?" she asked with her eyes on Angel.

"Umm"¦" Buffy and Angel both looked at each other nervously unsure of what to say. "No actually," Buffy finally answered. "This is Angel he's"¦"

"A friend," Angel finished.

Buffy smiled at him, "Yes"¦a good friend."

The doctor held out her hand, "It's nice to meet you Angel." He nodded and they shook hands. "Alright Miss. Summers hope up on the table and I'll get everything set up."

When everything was all set up the doctor began. She didn't say anything for a while. She just made a few sketchy sounding noises which made Buffy and Angel both very nervous. When she was done with the sonogram Buffy just had to ask, "Is everything alright Dr. Miller?"

Dr. Miller smiled, "Everything is fine." She had a history of building up the suspense before actually telling her patients what was going on. "You said you did want to know the sex of the baby right?"

"Yes," Buffy answered.

"Well in that case I would like to inform you Miss. Summers that everything looks completely healthy and normal with your son," she said.

Buffy and Angel both let out a sigh of relief. "My son"¦I'm having a boy?"

"That's right," The doctor answered with a smile.

Buffy grabbed Angel's hand and smiled at him as she almost started to cry. "I'm having a boy. I can't wait to tell Dawn and Giles."

Anya was the first to walk back into the waiting room. The others all stood up in anticipation as she and Xander walked in. "We're having a boy," Anya practically yelled with excitement. Everyone exchanged hugs and congratulations. "You're up Faith," Anya said as she saw the nurse coming out to inform Faith that it was her turn.

Faith looked at Gunn and the two of them walked to the door. As they were going in, Fred and Wesley were coming out. Faith and Gunn looked at them with excitement. "Well"¦" Gunn said anxiously.

Fred and Wesley smiled at each other. "It's a girl. I'm having a girl," Fred said with extreme excitement.

"Congratulations," Gunn said as he gave Fred a huge hug.

Fred hugged him tightly back, "Thanks"¦I can't wait to tell the others."

About three minutes after Fred and Wesley walked out with their news, Buffy and Angel came out. Dawn ran up to Buffy with extreme excitement. "Ok so far we've got a boy and a girl. Fred's having a girl and Anya and Xander are having a boy," Dawn said in a giddy voice. Before Buffy even had the chance to give her congrats to them Dawn practically jumped on her. "So"¦which one is winning?" she asked meaning the girls or the boys.

Buffy and Angel smiled at each other. "That would be the boys," Buffy answered. Dawn practically screamed with excitement as she hugged her sister tightly. Buffy broke their embrace. "Now get your butt in there we've gotta see if the boys will prevail or if you'll make it a tie."

Dawn smiled and practically ran to the door. "Come on Giles," she yelled.

Giles was rejoicing with the others when he finally realized that Buffy had come out when Dawn yelled to him. "Oh"¦right." Dawn was so anxious that he didn't even have to time to say two words to Buffy but she understood.

Faith, Gunn, Cordelia and Angel met in the hall and were about to walk out at the same time. Cordelia had waited for Angel and Buffy to come out before going in so that Angel could go with her. Lorne would have gone but with the way he looked he was lucky to even be able to sit in the waiting room with a hat and a trench coat on.

The four friends smiled at each other. "I'm having a boy," Cordelia said with extreme excitement in her voice.

"Congrats," Gunn said as he gave her a hug.

Then Cordy and Angel looked expectedly at Faith. "Well what do you know," she said with a smile, "So am I.â
Angel gave her a hug, "Congratulations," And they all walked out together.

Willow and Tara had already come out shortly after Buffy so now they were just waiting on Dawn. So far the race was still how she left it. The boy's were winning by one. When Dawn and Giles walked out Buffy was the first to walk up to her baby sister. "So what's the count now?" Dawn asked. It was almost as if she was more excited about finding out what everyone else was having then she was about telling them what she was having.

"Four to three boys," Buffy said as if she was giving out sports scores, "Anya, Faith, Cordelia and me are having boys and Fred, Willow and Tara are having girls."

Buffy stared at her sister anxiously and everyone in the lobby became silent. "Ladies and gentlemen"¦we have a tie," Dawn announced and the whole waiting room was buzzing with noise again.

 

[eunsoma]

wow i liked that. It gives some normality to the people on Buffy and Angel. I was expecting a "Miss, your baby has four heads" or "Miss, your baby has died." but it was all normal! I liked it! Keep it up.

 

[Sinister]

^ Thanks guys I'm glad to know that I'm doing better and that you guys are really getting into the story. I thought it was about due for the gang to have some normality in they're lives.


What's In A Name?


Spike had a very sad look on his face as he watched the others threw the window of the hotel. They all looked so happy. After watching everyone get ready to go to LA about four months ago he had made his decision. He was going to go through the trials and win back his soul. Maybe then Buffy would treat him with the respect he deserved.

The one thing that he forgot to even really consider was the pain and suffering that he would go through for his sins. When he got his soul all of the memories of everyone he had killed came rushing back to him. The difference now was that he cared. The pain was so great that he couldn't even leave his huddled spot in the corner of his crypt for weeks. It was only now, four months later, that he even got the courage to come to LA at all.

As he watched them through the window he realized he wasn't ready. He decided that he would hang out in LA for a while and when he was ready he would talk to Buffy. As he turned around to go find a place to stay he could sense that someone near by was in trouble. He ran to the alley behind the hotel and saw a young boy run past him. Shortly after the boy he saw what was chasing him, a werewolf.

"Oh bloody hell," he said to himself as he started running after the werewolf. Now that he had a soul he couldn't just let something like this happen when he knew he could stop it. He just couldn't bear the thought of letting this poor boy face the wolf alone.

He ran as fast as he could after the werewolf but it was too fast. When he realized that he had lost it he started to track it. After a few minutes of tracking he heard the boy yell. He ran as fast as he could in the direction of the yell. When he reached the boy the werewolf had his arm in his mouth.

Thinking quickly Spike picked up a two by four that was lying on the ground and hit the wolf as hard as he could. "Drop it, bad dog," he said as he finally got the werewolf to let go. Now the wolf's attention was on Spike. "Bloody brilliant," Spike said to himself as the wolf readied for attack.

The wolf lunged at Spike and knocked him down. They were now both on the ground wrestling it out. Spike threw punches and the werewolf bit Spike in several painful places. Finally Spike got the wolf by the neck and snapped it like a twig. As Spike got up an brushed himself off the werewolf changed into its human form, the form of a very raggedly looking old man.

Now Spike's heart sank. He had been spending so much time just trying to protect the boy that he had forgotten that this werewolf was also a human. "Looks like I'm going a great job helping people," he said sarcastically to himself. He brushed himself off and walked over to the very scared looking boy.

He was huddle up against the wall bleeding heavily from his arm. He looked as if he couldn't be any more then 18-years-old and he looked terrified. "What the"¦what the hell was that?" he asked shakily.

"That's not important," Spike responded, "Are you alright mate?" He stuck out his hand to help the boy up.

The boy hesitated at first and then took Spike's hand and slowly stood up. "I think so. My arm hurts a lot."

"Yea you better get that check out," Spike suggested. And that's when it hit him. The werewolf had bit him. He thought back and remembered what he knew about werewolves. He remembered that when they bite people they become werewolves as well. He looked up at the moon, "Full moon."

"Almost," the boy said as he looked at his arm in disgust.

Spike looked at him with confusion, "What do you mean?"

"The full moon isn't until tomorrow," the boy answered.

"˜That's right,' Spike thought to himself, "˜the werewolf comes out the night before and the night after the full moon.' Now he didn't really know what to do. This boy was going to need some serious help and not just for his arm. He was going to become a werewolf tomorrow and he would have no idea what was going on.

He knew that the boy was going to need help but he didn't exactly think he would be the best person to help. He didn't even know how he would be able to help. For now he knew that the first thing that needed to be done was to get this kid bandaged up. "You should probably get to the hospital and get that fixed up."

"I'll be fine," the boy said with a look of pain on his face.

Spike almost laughed at his attempt at being macho. "No you wont," he said commandingly, "You need to get that cleaned up or you'll bloody well bleed to death."

"Me"¦what about you?" the boy said as he looked at Spikes wounds with aw.

"Don't worry about me," he responded, "I heal quickly. Now get to the hospital before I have to take you there myself."

"I"¦I can't go to the hospital," the boy admitted with shame.

"Why's that then?" Spike asked.

"Because"¦because I"¦I don't have any money ok," the boy admitted, "I don't have a home, I don't have a job, I don't have any money. I live on the streets ok."

Spike sighed, he should have known. The kid was extremely dirty and looked like he hadn't had a decent meal in weeks. Again he was finding his soul getting in the way of just walking away. "Come on then," he said as he sighed again and started walking away.

The boy started to fallow him with a half smile on his face. "Where are we going?"

"Back to my place," Spike said as he rolled his eye at the thought, "I've got some antiseptics and gauss there to get that wound cleaned." He had actually been in LA for about two weeks. He knew that Buffy would be there with Angel but he wasn't ready to see her yet so he got a small, dank basement apartment for the time being. He knew that facing Buffy wouldn't be easy so he was taking baby steps. Tonight was the first night he had actually even gone to the hotel to look.

"Cool," the boy said with a smile.

"Got a name kid?" Spike asked as he tried to make conversation.

"Connor," the boy answered, "My name's Connor."


* * * *


Back at Angel investigations the gang was all hanging out in the lobby discussing baby names. "I've always kind of liked the name Kara," Dawn said.

"Kara?" Giles said with a disgusted look on his face, "Why must you kids these days big the strangest names."

"You have a better name?" Dawn asked with a sly smirk.

"I've always been partial to the name Ruth myself," Giles answered with a smile.

Buffy and Dawn looked at each other and almost burst into laughter. "Ruth?" Buffy said with laughter in her voice, "I think that's our grandmother's name."

"Well fine if you don't like my suggestions I won't give anymore," Giles said sharply.

Everyone was in the lobby and at the moment they were all discussing girl names for Dawn, Willow, Tara and Fred. "How about Sarah"¦or Michelle?" Buffy suggested, "I've always liked those names."

"Well I like the name Michelle"¦its nice"¦but I don't now," Dawn said.

"I've always liked the name Amy," Fred said.

"That's a beautiful name," Wesley said with a smile. It had taken a while but Wesley was finally getting closer to Fred in the way he had always wanted to. He and Gunn had been secretly fighting over Fred for quite some time now and Gunn was finally starting to give up his hold. Wesley was still a little too chicken to make his move but everything was starting to flow into motion.

"If I was having a girl I'd probably go for something more exotic like"¦Charisma maybe," Cordy said, "Now that's a good strong name."

"I kind of like the name Amber," Tara said.

"That's a pretty name," Willow said with a smile as she rubbed her girlfriend's leg. "I kind of like Alyson."

"Amber and Alyson, has a certain ring to it," Gunn said.

"If I were having a girl I would call her Emma," Anya said, "That's been my favorite name for a girl since"¦well for at least a hundred years or so."

"Oh wow Emma is a really pretty name," Tara said.

"I don't know I think I'm going to have to agree with Cordy on this one," Faith said, "I'd prolly have to go for some weird sounding name like Eliza or something."

"I kind of like the name Hailey," Angel finally spoke up. He had been the only quiet one during the whole naming discussion.

They all looked at him with aw. "Hailey"¦I like it. It's cute," Faith finally said breaking the silence.

"I knew a girl named Hailey," Lorne said, "She had some amazing wind pips on her. She was a peach." The others rolled their eyes. This was about the fourth time that Lorne has referred to a name with someone that he knew.

"I think we should switch to boy's names now," Cordelia suggested with excitement on her face.

"I'm liking that plan," Xander said as he smiled at his beautiful bride. "I've always kind of liked the name"¦Nick."

"Nick?" Buffy asked with surprise in her voice.

"Yea Nick"¦what's so wrong with Nick?" Xander defended.

"Nothing"¦nothing at all," Buffy answered as she rolled her eyes.

"How about Shawn?" Dawn suggested.

The others thought about it for a second, "Shawn is nice," Buffy said.

"What about David?" Angel said as he looked deep in thought. Now that he was finally participating in the conversation he looked like he was genuinely trying very hard to think of names.

"Or Jason," Gunn suggested, "You could call him J."

"Because Jason is way too long to say," Faith joked.

"I've always liked the name Alexis," Wesley said with a bright smile.

Pretty much everyone burst into laughter. "You do know we're on boy's names right Wes?" Gunn joked.

"Ha ha very funny," Wesley said with glair.

"How about Tony?" Giles suggested when the laughter started to die down.

They four girls who are having boys thought about it and then shook their heads. "Too mobish," Buffy said.

Giles rolled his eyes, "Well at least I'm not suggesting something stupid like"¦Joss or something."

"Yeah that is a pretty loser sounding name," Faith agreed, "I kind of like Josh though."

"Yeah Josh is nice," Buffy agreed.

"What about Andrew"¦or Andy?" Lorne suggested.

"Aww that's cute," Dawn said with a smile, "If I was having a boy I'd definitely name him Andy."

"What about Aden?" Willow suggested.

"That's cute," Cordy responded, "I like that one."

As the discussion continued and it started to get later one by one everyone eventually got tired and went upstairs to bed until there were just two people left"¦Buffy and Angel.

Dawn and Cordy had just said their good nights and went upstairs. "Well I think I'm probably going to head up to bed too," Buffy said to Angel.

"Right"¦umm," Angel responded. He was actingnd of strange like there was something he needed to say but he couldn't get it out.

"Is everything ok?" Buffy asked with a worried look on her face.

"Yeah"¦oh yeah sorry It's just that"¦" He said quickly, "Can we talk?"

To Be Continued"¦


Note: Hello all. Just wanted to clear up a few things to make sure there's no confusion. Yes the boy that Spike saved is the Connor we all know, Vincent Kartheiser, but he's not the same Connor we know. He isn't Angel's son and he's not super boy he's just a normal teenage kid that happened be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Also the names that everyone is throwing around here aren't set in stone. No one has actually decided on a name yet. I also wanted to give a shout out to everyone who reviews my story. Thanks a lot guys it really means a lot to me. Hope you keep reading and enjoying.

 

[Wanabee-slayer]

Wow!!!! It's really good still really loving the Bangel shippage! and love the fact you were making fun of Joss

 

[MentPatient]

Haha, I love the use of the actors names. 🙂

 

[Cohen]

It's really getting better. Cant wait for the next update.

 

[eunsoma]

well i really liked the actor/character connection- good work. U just had 2 have a 2 be continued at the best bit so mean of u!!! Connors in, so's Spike. Cant wait foir more... hurry! LOL

 

[Wanabee-slayer]

LOL please bring on the next chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sinister]

^ Thanks for all the wonderful reviews guys! It puts a smile on my face. Sorry I've taken so long to update but I've been pretty busy lately. Here's the long awated next chapter:


Chapter 10 - Talking


"Well I think I'm probably going to head up to bed too," Buffy said to Angel.

"Right"¦umm," Angel responded. He was acting kind of strange like there was something he needed to say but he couldn't get it out.

"Is everything ok?" Buffy asked with a worried look on her face.

"Yeah"¦oh yeah sorry It's just that"¦" He said quickly, "Can we talk?"

Buffy looked at him with confusion, "Um"¦sure. What's up?"

Now Angel was looking very nervous. He wanted to have a talk with Buffy for a while now but he either just never had the time, the opportunity or the guts to do it. Now, however, it was too late. He opened up the gate and now there was no turning back. "I just wanted to"¦I wanted to make sure that everything was ok"¦between us."

Buffy wasn't really sure what to say. To tell the truth she wasn't even really sure exactly what he was referring to. She had thought that everything was going well between them. They had managed to stay away from each other in every way except for being just good friends. They got along fine and everything was going just fine. "Well yeah"¦I thought everything was going fine," she answered. "Was there something wrong or"¦just something that made you think that everything wasn't ok?"

"No!" Angel said quickly to make sure that this whole conversation wasn't giving Buffy the wrong idea. "I just"¦well ever since you came here to stay we haven't really had the chance to a nice"¦talk. I left Sunnydale when we broke up"¦mostly because I didn't think I'd be able to be around you without being with you. I couldn't even stand the thought of being in the same town as you, seeing you on the street, without being able to just run up to you and look into your eyes."

He was now doing just that, looking into her eyes. It was as if he was searching for something, but Buffy didn't really know what it was. She found herself getting depressed now. The whole time that she had been at the hotel with him there had been enough people around to distract her from him. Now there was no one else there"¦but him.

He looked to the side as he realized he could no longer hold her gaze. "I thought a lot about what it would be like having you here with me before I first asked you to stay," he continued. "It's been almost three years since I left so I figured it would be alright. We both made our own lives and moved on. So I figured that things would be different"¦that we wouldn't have to worry about being around each other"¦without being with each other."

He paused to give her a second to take it all in. Plus"¦he didn't really know what to say next. Buffy looked down at the ground for a second to gather her thoughts and then looked back up at Angel. "Where you right?" she asked. "Is it different?"

Angel turned away for a moment. Now he really didn't know what to say. He should have seen this coming but he was in no way prepared. "I"¦I don't know. I thought they were but the other day"¦you asked me to come with you"¦for your check up. I'm not even really sure why you asked me"¦I mean that was one of the biggest check ups and you asked me"¦to go in with you."

Buffy opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. Truth be told she didn't even really know why she asked him so what was she supposed to tell him. Luckily for her she was saved by a change in subject.

"But why you asked me isn't even really the point," Angel continued, "The point is"¦when we were there in that check up room together"¦it felt so"¦right. And when that doctor asked if I was the father"¦I wished I was. I wanted so much to say yes. And that scares me more then you could ever know."

Buffy was feeling so many different mixed emotions that she almost started to get teary. But she fought it. "Wh"¦why did it scare you?" she asked.

"It scared me"¦because deep down I know that we can never be together. But I want more than anything for you to stay and for everything to be normal between us. I don't want there to be this weirdness between us and I don't want you to have to leave or me to have to leave or anyone to have to leave." For a moment Angel paused and tried to remember why he was even telling her this in the first place. He thought that he was probably just making things worse. "I guess I'm telling you this because"¦because I don't want us to keep things from each other. And"¦I guess I just wanted to see where you were on all of this."

Buffy just stood there with a look of confusion on her face as she tried to collect her thoughts and feelings to come with a response.


* * * *


"Nice place," Connor said as he fallowed Spike into his small basement apartment. He was looking around with aw on his face as if the small apartment was a castle. "This place is all yours?"

Spike looked around at his current dank excuse for a home. "Yeah"¦it's not much but it's a roof over my head."

"No I think it's great," Connor said with sincerity in his voice, "It's got a bed, a kitchen area"¦and you've even got a TV. This is like"¦heaven."

Spike looked at the boy as if he was crazy. "You really have been on a streets for a while haven't you kid?"

Connor looked down at the ground in disappointment. "Longer then I'd like to say."

For a moment Spike felt really sorry for the boy. He had probably been alone on the streets for a long time. Never have a good meal in his stomach, never having a warm place to stay. He almost felt like he could relate. When he got his soul back he didn't really know what to do with himself. Before coming back to Sunnydale he wandered the streets not eating, not sleeping. In a way he knew what it was like. He snapped out of his little daze when the boy started looking at him strangely. "Right"¦we should get that bandaged up."

"Me?" Connor said with shock in his voice, "Go look in a mirror"¦you're the one who needs some bandages."

"Don't worry about me," Spike said as he walked into the small bathroom and grabbed some antiseptic and gauss, "I heal fast."

When Spike got back out to the living room Connor was trying to take off his shirt. As he slowly managed to get it off a look of extreme pain appeared on his face. He was bitten on the top of his right arm near his shoulder and it looked pretty bad. He was so skinny that the bit nearly got to his bone. The two boys walked into the little kitchen area and Connor sat down at one of the chairs.

"Now brace yourself mate"¦this might sting a little," Spike said as he put the antiseptic on the boy's wound.

Connor winced in pain as he tried his hardest not to yell. He couldn't let his rescuer think he was a woos. "So," Connor said with pain in his voice as Spike continued to clean his wound, "You never told me your name."

Spike smiled slightly at his attempt to be manly. "The names Spike."

"Spike?" Connor said as he almost burst into laughter.

Spike gave him a stern look, "Got a problem with it."

"No," Connor said as his face straightened up with a little bit of fear in his eyes. He had seen what Spike did to that thing. This was also the guy that just saved his life and was still helping him out. The last thing he wanted was to piss him off.

Spike was done cleaning the wound and was now starting to bandage Connors arm. "So"¦what's your story kid?"

"What do you mean?" Connor asked with confusion in his voice.

"I mean what the hell is a kid your age doing out on the streets of LA alone with no place to go?" Spike asked.

"Oh"¦that story," Connor responded with a sad look on his face. "I've been on my own for a few months now."

"N why's that?" Spike asked.

"No place else to go," Connor responded with a sad ton.

"What about your family?" Spike asked as he finished setting up Connor's bandages.

"I um"¦I don't have a family," Connor said with a frown as he looked to the ground.

Spike could tell that he was pushing a little too far and that Connor really didn't want to talk about things like that so he dropped the subject. "Right then"¦you're all patched up."

"Thanks," Connor said with a forced smile. He stood up to go get his shirt.

Spike walked into the room and stopped him. "I wouldn't do that," he said as Connor picked up his shirt. "With a number like that you really should have had stitches. You shouldn't move that arm at all for a few days." We walked into his small bed room and came out with a button down shirt which he threw in Connor's direction. "You should wear that," Spike suggested, "Easier to put on without stressing out your arm. You can keep it."

Connor smiled at him, "Thanks."

Connor put on the shirt and then after a moment of awkward silence Spike finally said, "Right then"¦you probably want something to eat."

Connor fallowed Spike into the kitchen and that's when realization dawned on Spike. He didn't have anything but pig's blood. It was all he needed. Why would he have anything else? He was about to tell Connor the bad news when he saw the box of Wheat-a-bix on top of the fridge. It wasn't much but at least it was something. He opened the door to the fridge quickly as if to check for more food. "Um"¦sorry kid but I haven't really had to chance to go shopping recently. I'm afraid the only thing I have is this box of Wheat-a-bix"¦and I don't even have any milk"¦or a bowl for that matter." Connor gave him a weird look. "I just moved in"¦haven't gotten everything that a place needs just yet."

Connor nodded his head understandingly. "That's alright I'm used to going a few days without eating so eating Wheat-a-bix from the box will be like a georama meal," he said with a joking ton. For someone who was afraid to tell Spike about his situation in the first place he was pretty open about it now.

Spike handed him the box and Connor started eating small handfuls. Spike could tell that he was just using manors and trying to eat nicely in front of his host. "It's alright mate"¦scarf it down if you like. You can eat the whole box. I need to go shopping anyway."

Connor smiled at his kind gesture and started scarfing down the cereal. As he was enjoying his meal he stopped for a moment and looked up at Spike with a half smile, "Thanks."

Things were getting a little to mushy now. "Don't mention it"¦I probably wouldn't have finished that box before it went stale anyway."

Connor smiled at Spike's attempt at being macho. "I don't just mean for the cereal," he continued as he broke eye contact. Now he was starting to feel a little too mushy as well but he knew he had to get this out. "Thank you"¦for saving my life."

Spike took in a deep, useless breath. He wasn't used to hearing that. He actually did something good. He saved this boys life and he didn't do it to impress Buffy. He didn't do it to impress anyone. He did it because it was the right thing to do. As the mushiness began to take over Spike tried to shrug it off. "It was no big deal. Just in the right place at the right time I guess."

As he started to get uncomfortable Connor thought that he would change the subject. "So"¦what was that thing anyway?" he asked between his bites of cereal. "I mean"¦you see a lot of strange things living on the streets of LA but that"¦well I've never seen anything like that before."

There was a moment of silence as Spike tried to figure out just what he was going to say to that question. While he knew that he was going to have to tell Connor the truth eventually, since he was bitten and all, it was late and they were both tired. "It was something you don't need to worry about right now kid. All finished then?" he asked as he took the empty box from Connor's hands.

"Yeah"¦thanks," Connor said as a look of confusion appeared on his face. "It was human though"¦wasn't it? I mean"¦after you killed it"¦there was a human body. And how did you fight it like that?"

Spike realized that he probably wasn't going to get out of this conversation easily but he was still determined to try. "Look"¦if you want I think you should stay here tonight. I have an extra pillow and blanket. You can sleep on the couch."

Connor realized that he probably wasn't going to get anywhere with his questions tonight so he decided to drop the subject for now. Besides, he was grateful enough to have food in his stomach and a place to stay for the night. He didn't want to push his luck. The two boys walked into the living room area. Spike went into his room to grab the extra pillow and the blanket was already folded nicely on the top of the couch.

Spike threw the pillow onto the couch and stood there for a moment. "Right then"¦you're all set."

"Thanks," Connor said as he walked to the couch and unfolded the blanket.

Spike just gave him a quick smile, turned off the lights and walked into his room. He took of his shirt and pants and started to climb into bed. Before he got into bed, however, he took his wallet out of his pants pocket and stuck it under his pillow. Sure he had done a lot for this kid and he owed Spike his life but he knew that sometimes homeless kids would do anything for a few bucks. He climbed into bed and shut off the lights. He lay in bed for a little while with his eyes open staring at the ceiling and then slowly drifted off to sleep.


* * * *


When Buffy finally found her voice the only thing she could think to say was, "I"¦I'm not sure how I feel. I mean you're right"¦we went on with our lives and we grew into different people. Things should be different I guess. We shouldn't still have feeling for each other but"¦you were my first love Angel. And"¦and no matter what happens"¦I'm always going to love you."

For a moment both Buffy and Angel were silent. Now Angel was the one who didn't really know what to say.

"I"¦I know that we can't be together," Buffy continued, "But like you said"¦I want things to be ok with us too. I want us to be"¦friends." Even as the words came out of her mouth she didn't even believe them. Deep down she just wanted to tell him that he was the one. That she could never love anyone as much as she loved him"¦as much as she loves him. But she knew she couldn't.

Even though this was supposedly what he wanted, Angel's heart broke at the sound of Buffy's words. He knew that he could never tell her but ever since she walked through his front door all he wanted was to hold her, to touch her, to kiss her. But he knew he couldn't. "Gfinally managed to get out, "So"¦everything is ok then?"

"Yeah," Buffy chocked out as well, "Everything is"¦fine." Next came the awkward moment of silence. "Well"¦I'm just gonna go to bed then."

"Yeah," Angel agreed, "Me too. I'm glad we umm"¦I'm glad we had this talk," he added as they both started walking up the stairs.

Buffy nodded her head and forced a smile, "Me too."

As they reached the top of the stairs they turned left and got to Buffy's door. "Right"¦so"¦good night then."

"Good night," Buffy said as she forced a smile and then disappeared into her room. As soon as she closed her door she leaned up against it and sighed as tears began to form in her eyes.

As soon as she closed the door Angel let out a deep meaningless breath as if he had been holding it for hours as he realized that this whole conversation had been pointless. They had gotten nowhere and he found that he had no idea why he started it in the first place. As he started walking away from the door he paused and whispered, "I love you."