Trust

by Rob Sorenson

Chapter Twenty-two

None of them would ever remember how long they remained silent. Finally Xander tore his gaze from Willow and Buffy, slowly turning toward Giles. The Watcher’s eyes were shining; he nodded.

“It’s true, Xander.”

“Could you…could you possibly say that one more time? You know, what with my lack of listening skills-“

“What does your heart tell you?” Giles said softly.

“My heart? Doesn’t usually talk. In fact, not sure it’s even beating at the moment.”

Giles smiled slightly, but said nothing more. Xander got back to his feet, maintaining his distance from the others. He held up a shaking hand.

“Ok, admitting here that I skipped Biology a few times…apparently one too many times, because I could have sworn this wasn’t possible.”

“Normally, of course you’re correct, Xander-“

“I have a wife, you know? Sure we might not be on great terms at this exact moment…but unless I was incredibly drunk, we…”

He motioned toward Willow and Buffy..

“…never did that thing people have to do.” He glanced at her. “Back me up here, please?”

Willow frowned, momentarily distracted from the shock. “Are you saying you’d have to be drunk to consider me attractive?”

“What? NO! That’s not what I meant! You know better than that. You’re a hottie. Both you and Buff, extreme hotties…and dear God, please don’t have me talking in my sleep right now!”

Buffy spoke as if she hadn’t heard, gazing at Giles. “How did this…what exactly is this?”

Giles took a deep breath. “As I stated before, all three of you share parentage of this child.”

“Explain,” was all Willow said. Giles shifted; slightly uncomfortable before the famous Resolve Face.

“As I’d been discussing before, a decision was made long ago that you three were something very rare and special…and the time was right to attempt a change. That change, Willow, is growing inside you.”

He locked eyes with each of them in turn before continuing.

“As to how it happened specifically…Xander, you can assure Faith that you’ve remained true to your marriage vows. This child was conceived mystically.”

Willow’s eyes widened. “That can’t be.”

“Nevertheless, it is true.”

“Giles, pretty sure I know about this stuff. Fertility spells, sure…I mean, people can help themselves along, but there is only one way to create human life.”

He smiled. “I see. So in the brief period that you’ve known about your pregnancy, what alternate theories have you determined?”

“Well…I…ok, none but…I know Buffy and Xander never crossed my mind.”

“Is it such a terrible thing, really? Who is closer to you than they?”

Willow was still shaking her head. “I still need a better explanation. Something had to trigger this.”

“And so it did. As I’d mentioned previously, the spell we performed together to defeat Adam was the very first of it’s kind. It takes a remarkable amount of faith to achieve what we did. Such a thing had never been done before, and it thrilled those on the side of good…and frightened the forces of evil greatly. No single weapon – on either side – has ever been quite as powerful as Buffy was in that all too brief period.

Imagine the possibilities if one person held all those qualities without the necessity of a spell. Willow’s magical skills combined with Buffy’s great strength and leadership qualities. Two extraordinary people’s mystical gifts in one body.”

No one spoke for a moment. Xander shrugged. “Ok, sounds like I’m not needed here. Can I just wake up and pretend this never happened?”

“Xander, as usual you’re underestimating yourself.”

“Thanks. I guess. Look, I just don’t get why I’m-“

“There may be a need to board up a window someday.”

Xander narrowed his eyes. Giles chuckled.

“Sorry. Thought I might inject a bit of levity into the proceedings.”

“We reject your injection,” Buffy deadpanned.

Giles cleared his throat. “Right then. Sorry. Xander, in all seriousness, your qualities are every bit as vital. Such power in one person is an enormous responsibility, and can be fraught with danger…especially from within. This child will need a constant reminder that serving humanity is its purpose…you, Xander, represent that fallible human side most strongly.”

“Giles, no offense, but outside of your current glowy status, everybody here is human, too.”

“Yes, of course, but you have no natural mystical gifts. You’ve done remarkable things even with those limitations. That quality of courage and loyalty is priceless. Think of it this way: magic can be taught, even to those who do not have Willow’s gifts. Fighting skills can be taught, though certainly not at Buffy’s level of proficiency. What you bring, Xander, simply cannot be learned. One must be born with it.”

Xander looked down, uncertain how to respond. Buffy spoke softly.

“Ok, still not understanding. Willow got pregnant because of the spell to defeat Adam?”

“Certainly not. That was simply when the tests I spoke of began in earnest. No…the final step in the process was a more recent event…during your final battle with the Council.”

Willow gasped, finally understanding. “The enjoining spell!”

“Exactly. The three of you consented to see the deepest, darkest corners of your own hearts. Your fears, insecurities, joys…everything that makes each of you who you are. You’d joined before, but nothing like this. This was literally a shared baring of the soul…which is when the final decision was made. Not only did you succeed, you grew even closer.”

Giles hesitated before finishing.

“The time had come.”

Willow exchanged wide-eyed glances with Buffy and Xander before speaking.

“But…that was a year ago. I’m barely three months along.”

“I must remind you, Willow…time operates very differently in this dimension. The child was mystically conceived at that time. If you like, you can do standard medical tests to prove the presence of both Xander and Buffy’s DNA in the baby. Though I’d find it fascinating to watch you attempt to explain how such a thing is possible to your doctor. What I’m describing is scientifically impossible, as you know.”

Giles paused a moment.

“Of course, if he or she comes from a certain religious background, you could approach it from that perspective-“

Buffy held up a hand. “I think I speak for all of us here. We believe you. We’re freaked…but we believe you.”

Xander sighed heavily. “I am so screwed.”

Giles frowned. “Xander, a sacred trust has been bestowed upon you.”

“Umm…Giles? You HAVE met my wife, right? You wanna invite her into this dream and explain this, ‘cause I’m not feeling too honored right about now.”

“I cannot provide you with marital guidance…nor can I give Buffy any help regarding Spike’s reaction. I’m sorry. Still, I trust you will find a way.”

Buffy put her head in her hands. “Oh, no. Oh, God…”

Willow swallowed. “Ok, maybe getting stuck with labor pains wasn’t the worst end of the deal after all.”

Giles cleared his throat. “There is…a bit more.”

Xander laughed hysterically. “Well, Hell…of course there is!”

Buffy went to him, laying a hand on his arm. “Xand…”

He shook his head. “Buff, how are we-“

“I don’t know. We’ll figure something out. Just stay with us, ok? Right now we have other stuff to worry about.” She turned to her Watcher. “Giles?”

“It’s regarding the necessity of your presence in Los Angeles. This is where the final battle will take place.”

*****An abandoned warehouse, Tarzana, CA*****

Drusilla sat in what had once been a dispatcher’s office, busily filing away at her nails as she looked upon her flock. From her second floor vantage point all of her minions were visible. She spoke softly to herself.

“Fair lady’s claws must be sharp. The gentleman callers have scandalous intent.”

“Your Highness?”

Dru scowled. “Who interrupts the fair lady’s tea time?”

The vampire who stood in the doorway – clad in a mauve halter top and cutoff shorts – bowed her head.

“Begging your forgiveness, ma’am…but you gave me specific instructions. I was to remind you when the 3^rd of June comes. You said such things as time were generally meaningless for those who walk with the night, but in this case-“

“I’m not daft, foolish child,” Dru hissed, then widened her eyes. “Am I?”

The former prostitute looked at her mistress warily. “Are you…”

“Daft? Spike said I was quite mad…it was what he loved about me. I knew better, of course. Dear Spike merely loved being wanted.”

“Ummm…right. Anyway, if there’s nothing else you require of me-“

Dru stood suddenly, causing the younger vampire to cower in fear.

“I see them. Staring at me. Like rats nibbling at my eyeballs…searching for answers.”

“Y-yes.”

Drusilla’s voice grew shrill; she began gesticulating wildly.

“They shall have their answers. Soon we’ll raise the curtain, and the puppets shall dance and sing!!”

She began waltzing with an imaginary partner, flitting gracefully around the dusty office.

“But where are the strings? Who controls the stage? Not in our hands. Fate is a fickle mistress.”

The girl shrank back in fear, watching her mistress spin about the room…then Drusilla stopped abruptly, facing her and speaking with a lucidity that was startling.

“The time is very nearly upon us. Make certain that preparations have been made. The crusade begins.”

*********************************

Buffy frowned. “Final battle? Like…as in ever?”

“No,” Giles responded. “There will be many hardships and challenges ahead, Buffy. This is most certainly not the end.”

The Watcher’s eyes sparkled.

“However, this can be the beginning of the end. The scales that balance Good and Evil in this dimension can be tipped decisively toward one side. Never before has such an opportunity presented itself.

This will be the final battle of the Slayer line as we know it…one way or the other.”

Buffy raised an eyebrow. “Ok, that sounded ominous. What kind of fight are we in for, exactly?”

Giles appeared to take a deep breath. “You will be fighting emissaries expressly chosen by the Old Ones themselves. It has been agreed that this will be their final attempt to enter. If you succeed, the flow of demons into this dimension will cease. Forever.”

That brought another round of silence.

“No more demons?” Willow whispered.

“No more new ones,” Giles corrected. “There are many dangerous creatures already on this planet, as you know. They must be dealt with…but for the first time, there will be a finite number. The demon population will no longer be able to grow.”

“The beginning of the end,” Buffy repeated with wonder.

“In combination with a new kind of Slayer, capable of greater things than you could possibly imagine. Yes, Buffy…you will be doing more than saving the world. You will be creating a better one for those who remain long after you’ve passed on. Not only that…the dimension in which I exist will remain intact as well. All of us…will continue to be at peace.”

Buffy’s eyes widened. “So that’s why you wanted me to see…”

“Heaven, as you called it. Yes. You needed to know for whom you were fighting…not simply in your world, but for all the worlds beyond..”

“What happens if we lose?” Xander said quietly.

Giles swallowed. “If you lose…the Old Ones will regain their mastery of the Earth…and the Slayer line will not continue beyond Buffy and Faith. The dimension in which I exist…along with Anya, Tara and Joyce…will also be cast into eternal torment. In short, Hell will come calling to both our worlds, and she will stay.”

“Forever,” Willow whispered.

Giles merely nodded.

After a long moment, Buffy surprised everyone by clapping her hands together.

“Ok, that seems clear enough. We just won’t lose.”

Giles smiled. “Indeed.”

“Hey, we’ve always managed before. We’ll do it again. Two Slayers, two vampires, the most powerful witch in this dimension…bring ‘em on!”

The Watcher’s smile faded. “Well…actually-“

“Giles.” Buffy said darkly. “You’re endangering the impact of my emotionally charged pep talk. This better be good.”

“I wouldn’t call it good, necessarily. Merely…an important requirement.”

Xander folded his arms. “Ok, Giles, you’re out of shoes to drop. You DO still have only two feet, right?”

Giles was solemn. “Only you three – the parents – may participate in the battle.”

Willow’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

Buffy shook her head. “Giles, why do I have this feeling that the deck is somehow stacked against us AGAIN!?”

He held up a finger. “Wait a moment. There is one piece of good news.”

Xander pointed at him. “You just saved a bunch of money on your car insurance?”

All three glared at him. He flinched. “Sorry. Slightly hysterical over here. Please continue.”

“The battlefield – which, by the way, is the stadium in which you are currently standing – will have three representative warriors on each side. Therefore the playing field is even, one might say.”

Buffy was still skeptical. “Right. The bad guys are just going to play fair?”

“If they attempt to subvert the rules in any manner, the challenge will automatically be ended in our favor. That is the way of things.”

Willow spoke up. “You really expect people like Faith, Spike and Angel to just voluntarily sit this out?”

“They must follow the rules…for the sake of the world.”

Buffy snorted. “Giles, come on: Spike and Faith? Not big on rules when it comes to fighting.”

Giles hesitated, seemingly choosing his words carefully.

“There will be…other concerns.”

Buffy frowned. “Such as?”

**********************************

“My pretty ones!”

Drusilla’s voice echoed eerily throughout the cavernous structure, immediately silencing the din below.

“Your time is coming! You shall play a part in making our world a lovely place in which to live. We may sup on the delicacies of our choice! We will flavor our tea with the ashes of our enemies! My dollies may finally be allowed to see!”

One of the vamps below leaned toward the other. “I was with her until that last part.”

************************************

“I cannot say, Buffy. Again that is part of the test. You must trust the others’ abilities to function in your absence.”

The Slayer glared. “Can I ask how soon this is going to happen?”

Giles inclined his head. “Of course. You are to be in this very spot in a day and a half…precisely 30 minutes prior to sunset. Once the sun goes down, the battle will begin.”

“What if I say no?”

Willow and Buffy turned to Xander, surprised at the venom in his tone.

“What if I just tell you I’m not going to do the old song and dance, just because you want it? What if I say to Hell with you? Find some other sap and pull his strings?”

Giles said nothing for a moment. “That is your right, Xander. You have free will. If you don’t wish to participate, no one can force you. On the other hand…there are consequences if you do not. Would you like to hear them?”

Buffy walked over to Xander, staring hard into his eyes while she spoke.

“He would not.”

Xander said nothing, tearing his gaze from Buffy’s. Giles sighed heavily.

“I’m aware of the difficulties you are facing. I understand how much this has been to take in. Most of all, I cannot imagine what this sort of burden must feel like. All I can offer is my trust in all of you to do what is necessary to prevail.

You three are to be present at a critical moment in human evolution. Whether humanity progresses or regresses is your responsibility.”

His voice cracked slightly as he settled his gaze on Buffy.

“Always remember that I believe in you.”

After taking a moment to gather himself, Giles cleared his throat. “We shall reconvene here in 36 hours. Be ready.”

************************************

Xander bolted upright in his bed, breathing heavily.

“Xander?”

He barely recognized the sleepy voice of his wife; when she touched his shoulder, he jerked violently. When she spoke again, it had a more urgent tone.

“Baby? Are you ok?”

He shook his head, unable to find his own voice.

“Christ, you’re sweating like a pig. Xander…”

She put an arm around him, but he pulled away from her, again shaking his head. He rolled awkwardly out of bed, slumping against the wall for a moment. Before Faith could disentangle herself from the blankets to join him, Xander staggered to his feet and headed for the door.

“Xander, talk to me! What’s-“

She barely stopped herself from following him immediately. Anyone else in the hall might be a little uncomfortable with the whole nudity issue. Xander, meanwhile, moved into the hallway, looking around wildly.

Buffy and Willow were already there.

“Having a pajama party, then?”

All three turned at that, recognizing Spike’s voice. He and Angel stood together at the top of the stairs. Both vampires frowned immediately at Buffy, Willow and Xander’s appearances. Spike frowned with concern.

“Buffy, what is it?”

“Dammit, don’t just run out when I’m tryin’ to talk….to….you.”

Faith’s worried anger had morphed into confusion when she noticed everyone else’s presence in the hallway. Buffy sighed heavily.

“We need to wake everyone up.”

************************************

It was the first time Dawn could remember that anyone had spoken for a long time without a hint of interruption. No snarking, no asking for things to be repeated, no pointless off-subject ramblings.

Just…silence.

She slowly looked around the room after her sister finally finished speaking. There was little comfort in people’s expressions, but at least she knew she wasn’t alone. Most of them – including Buffy, Willow and Xander, who had already heard it once - were displaying utter shock and disbelief. Faith and Spike, on the other hand, had no discernable expressions at all. They were simply staring off into space, seemingly unable to comprehend what they just heard.

Cordelia spoke first. “So…Willow, who used to be into guys, but changed to girls, is now having a baby by both. There’s a word for that, right?”

That got everyone’s attention. Her eyes widened theatrically.

“Hey, someone had to say it.”

“You’re making it sound like – I don’t know, like I sat down and thought about it.” Willow snapped. “It doesn’t work like that. And the word you’re searching for is irony, even though it doesn’t apply.”

Faith looked at Xander suddenly. “So you’re gonna be a father?”

He met her gaze. All expression had left his face. It was as if Xander had no strength left to make one.

“If we live…looks that way.”

“Red’s gonna have your baby?”

Xander didn’t respond, just staring back at her. She snorted out a laugh.

“Nice.”

“Faith,” Buffy jumped in quickly. “It wasn’t…” She looked from Spike to Faith, her voice almost pleading. “You guys understand that this was out of our control, right?”

“Explain this spell that supposedly triggered it,” Spike said softly, eyes locking on to Willow. She shifted slightly before speaking.

“The spell that created the hurricane…was actually two spells. First, we had to have a triangular formation of unified souls. That’s where the first spell – the enjoining spell – came in. It was a form of the spell we did to unify within Buffy’s body to defeat Adam…but a lot more advanced. Rather than combine into one, I had to have the energy of all three souls working as one to create the storm. Therefore-“

“Skip the bloody lecture and get to the point.”

Buffy frowned at him, but Spike was too focused on Willow to notice. The witch swallowed, more than a little intimidated by his gaze.

“The first spell required us to go inside each other’s heads. Totally and completely, holding nothing back. All our memories, things that scare us, things that we wouldn’t normally share with anyone…we had to let it all go. That’s why I chose Buffy and Xander. We’ve known each other longest, and I figured we knew so much about each other already…”

She trailed off, looking at her lap. Xander spoke quietly.

“She was pretty much right. I mean, there weren’t a lot of surprises – it was mostly stuff we know about each other but don’t talk about, you know? Things everybody goes through at some point. Except…there was one big one Buffy shared.”

Willow shook her head. “I never even realized…”

Faith was frowning at Xander. “Those nightmares you were having for a couple of months afterwards. They started right after that spell.”

Buffy looked at Xander. “You didn’t tell me anything about that,” she said softly.

Faith snorted out a laugh. “Wow, something I knew that you didn’t. That IS different.”

Xander sighed. “Just dreams, Buff. I don’t control them.”

Dawn’s eyes were slowly widening. “Wait…you saw…everything?”

Buffy nodded. Her sister looked at Buffy intently.

“Everything…you’ve ever seen? As in…”

“Alive or dead, yes.”

Spike’s jaw dropped, finally understanding. “Bloody Hell.”

“Thinking it was the opposite,” Xander said without humor.

“Anyway,” Willow forged on, “apparently that was the trigger to…what is happening now. Somewhere we formed a mystical bond that…caused this baby to be created.”

Angel cleared his throat. “From what I know of these things, that kind of spell is almost impossible to achieve successfully…too many unconscious mental barriers. The level of trust required for that would be…”

Willow gave him a look. “As far as I know it had never worked before…but I had to try it. We were out of ideas.”

No one spoke for a while. Riley broke the silence.

“Ok, I don’t want to be the doubting Thomas here, but how sure are you guys of this?”

Buffy looked at him like he’d sprouted wings. “Do you think we would tell everyone if we had any doubt?”

He held up his hands. “Ok, just saying…you said you saw Giles.”

“Yes.”

“You’re sure it was actually him?”

“No question,” Willow answered. Riley leaned back in his chair.

“Next question: he said he couldn’t offer any help on Wolfram and Hart’s role in all this?”

Xander shook his head. “All part of the final exam from Hell…or somewhere like that. We have to figure a lot of this out on our own.”

“And we have 36 hours to do it,” Buffy interjected.

Dawn cleared her throat. “I spoke with Lilah tonight.”

“What?!” Buffy said in alarm. “Are you all right?”

“Chill, Buffy. I went to see her. All part of the plan, remember? And yes, I’m all right.” She addressed Riley. “I don’t set off the supernatural alarm. We’re good to go.”

Wesley sighed. “I’d hoped to give it a few days, but it appears our hand is forced with regard to the timetable. I’ll give Lilah a call tomorrow-” He broke off, noticing the first signs of daylight through the french doors of the Hyperion. “-rather, this afternoon.”

Angel nodded. “We got a little more information last night. Seems Drusilla has been recruiting for some kind of major operation. Didn’t get anything specific…well, except for some kind of code word, I think.”

Gunn raised an eyebrow. “Vamps using a code word? Never saw them as the cloak and dagger types.” He looked from Angel to Spike. “Though you guys seem to have the cloak thing working. So what’s the good word?”

Angel cleared his throat, looking at his shoes. “Staples.”

Dawn frowned. “Say again?”

“Staples.”

Xander momentarily forgot how freaked he was. “She’s going to destroy the world with staples? My God, as if paper clips weren’t more than enough!”

Angel rolled his eyes. “As I said, code word.” He looked at Faith. “That was a good tip. It gives us something to work with.”

He was immensely relieved when she managed to give him a little nod, which he returned.

“Still, we don’t have a lot of time-“

“Ooh! Ooh! I forgot!”

Buffy raised an eyebrow. “Cordelia, you have something to share with the rest of us?”

“Yeah, I was doing some research last night about Faith’s…umm…the guy she was looking for.”

Faith almost cracked a smile. “You can use the word pimp, Cord. Find something?”

“Hang on, I wrote it down.” Cordelia went into the office, digging through what appeared to be a endless sea of Post-It notes. “Crap, I know it’s here. He had such a funky name…ok, got it! I did a search of the property tax records in LA and Orange Counties on a hunch. You said he’d be a loaded gangster type by now, so I figured he’d have more than a condo, right? Like a compound or something. Anyway, I went with the rich hangouts first, and got a hit. There’s a house on five acres in Laurel Canyon under the name of Jaime Rosenbloom. That was his real name, right?”

Faith nodded. “You have an address?”

“No, I figured you could just type ‘gangster hangout in Laurel Canyon’ on your GPS. Hello? Of COURSE I got an address.”

Angel spoke gently. “Cordy…”

“Oh, fine.” She handed the Post-It to Fred, who was sitting on her immediate left. “Pass it on.”

The note changed hands several times. Gunn, thinking of Rondell, gave the note a long look before passing it on to Faith. Buffy spoke while the younger Slayer stared at the address.

“Unless it’s changed a lot in the last ten years, Laurel Canyon was pretty pricey.”

Cordelia nodded, a dreamy expression on her face. “I’ve always wanted to live there.”

Angel was looking away as Faith spoke.

“Guess I should pay him a little visit.”

Angel looked at Spike. “We’ll go with you later.”

She shook her head. “Nope. I think he’ll agree to see me, but if Jimmy sees a couple of guys, he’ll get jumpy.” Faith took a deep breath, waiting for Xander to object, but he said nothing. She didn’t know it she liked that or not, but moved on anyway.

“Since we’re on the clock, I gotta do it today.”

Buffy spoke up. “Why doesn’t everyone get a little more sleep first? This could be our last chance for a while.”

They all looked at her. She sighed. “No, I guess I won’t be able to either.”

Faith stood abruptly. “I need to get dressed.” She spoke to Xander for the first time. “Keys on the dresser?”

He simply nodded. Faith made her way up the stairs two at a time.

Angel looked around. “I guess the rest of us are in a holding pattern until tonight. Is everyone ready for that, by the way?”

Dawn looked at Fred with a determined expression. “We’re good to go.”

Angel glanced to his left. “Riley?”

“They’re as ready as possible with the amount of time we’ve got to work with.”

“That’s not exactly the answer I wanted to hear.” Buffy said darkly.

“Buffy, I’ve got it covered.” Dawn said firmly.

The Slayer sighed, putting a hand over her eyes. “Ok, ok. I’m allowed to worry.”

No one had announced the ending of the meeting, but people were getting up anyway. Spike rose quickly, heading downstairs without a word. Dawn, noticing the expression on Buffy’s face, took a seat next to her.

“So am I, you know.”

“Hmm?”

Dawn took Buffy’s hand. “I’m allowed to worry about you, too. Are you ok?”

Buffy forced a grin. “Sure. I’m…” The smile faded. “No.”

“I’m going to be an aunt, huh?”

“Looks that way.” Her eyes welled.

“Buffy, it’ll be all right.”

“I seem to find new and innovative ways to hurt people.”

“You didn’t-“

“He won’t even look at me.”

Dawn gripped her hand harder. “This is not your fault. You know that.”

“Doesn’t matter. God, this could only happen to me. I can’t even get pregnant like normal people.”

“Look, everyone is thrown right now. It’s not every day you hear things like this. Give him time.”

Buffy looked into her sister’s eyes. “We may not have any.”

“Yes we do. We’re going to win.”

The Slayer shrugged, reaching out to move a stray lock of Dawn’s hair back to its rightful place.

“Don’t get hurt, ok?”

“Buffy-“

“Because if you do, I’d have to kill another one of my ex-boyfriends. This breaking into Lilah’s office was his idea.”

Dawn glanced at Wes, who had remained a discreet distance away in his chair.

“We’ll handle Lilah. Once we know more, we’ll go from there.”

Both glanced up as Faith came down the stairs, having hastily put on a tank top with jeans. Buffy wiped her eyes quickly and stood.

“Faith, why don’t I come along?”

“No.”

“You made sense about Angel and Spike, but I doubt he’ll be too intimidated by me.”

Faith glared at her. “Did Xander put you up to this?”

Buffy sighed. “Xander hasn’t moved from his chair or spoken since you went upstairs. He’s not the only one who worries about you.”

Faith glanced toward her husband, almost against her will. He was staring at the floor with no visible expression. She spoke with an acid tone.

“You’re just gonna have to trust me to handle this on my own. Plus, Mommies and Daddy oughta stay out of harm’s way, right?”

Buffy stiffened slightly. Before she could speak, Faith held up a hand and sighed.

“Look, I’m sorry. Just…let me do this alone, ok?”

Buffy nodded, but Faith didn’t see it, having already turned to leave. As she went out the door, Xander looked up, watching her silhouette moving gracefully past the hotel window.

“Dawn was right, you know.”

He hadn’t even noticed Willow and Buffy sitting on opposite sides. Xander addressed the Slayer.

“About what?”

“This is going to take time,” Willow offered.

Xander shook his head. “I’ve been sitting here trying to calculate the amount of groveling points required to be forgiven for a mystical threesome. Any thoughts?”

Willow smiled slightly. “It’s a new one for the handbook, I think.” She leaned toward them. “Want a pregnant lady’s advice? Talk to them…as soon as possible. Before…”

“It’s too late.” Buffy finished.

“Just in case, yes.”

Xander got up quickly. “I’m going to get some food. You guys want anything? Wills, pickles and Haagen Dazs?”

Willow smiled. “Actually, I think I want to lie down, unless you guys need me for anything.”

Buffy frowned. “Are you ok?”

“Yes. Just tired.”

“Come on, I’ll walk you to your room.”

“I know where it is, Buffy. Stop being so protective.”

They got up together. “I can’t help it,” Buffy whined.

Xander watched them go. As they moved out of sight, he moved behind the front desk and dug through Cordy’s stack of Post-Its. After a moment, he found her car keys and walked quickly out the front door.

- End Chapter Twenty-two -