Part 1

Buffy collapsed onto her bed as the string of curse words died on her lips. She had already used every bit of foul language in English, and the ones in Gaelic she had learned from Angel. *Damn it! How could this have happened?* Not like the question took much thought to answer. *I'll kill Riley!* She wanted to strangle him. How could he do this to her? She glanced up as the door opened. "Hey, Will."

"Hey, Buffy," the red-head smiled as she pulled her Psych notebook out of her pack and went over to the fridge. "Want anything?" she asked, grabbing a Strawberry Snapple.

"No thanks," the Slayer sighed. "Will, what did you get on the Psych test?"

"An A -minus," the witch replied. "Why?"

Buffy flopped over on her stomach and tossed the paper at her friend. "I got a C! I actually *studied,* and I still got a C! Riley *knew* I was tired cause of that Knydok demon! He could have cut me a little slack!"

Willow smiled sympathetically. "Come on, Buffy. That's not really fair. Riley can't give you preferential treatment just because he's your boyfriend and he knows you're the Slayer. Especially not with the temporary teacher watching us all like a hawk does mice."

Doc Gelder. Gel*dar* the Barbarian. He was worse than Walsh had even been as a professor! Buffy hadn't been able to catch a nap in that class in weeks. Fortunately school was out in less than two weeks, and then they were free for the summer! "Yeah, I guess," she sighed.

"You okay?" her roommate queried. "You look tired."

Buffy swung her legs around so she was sitting on the edge of the bed. "It's been a long semester. I think I'm just brain-fried."

"Yeah. I think freshmen's brains are supposed to get all frazzly before summer," Willow curled up on her bed and opened her drink. "Where are you patrolling tonight?"

"I thought I'd head over towards The Strip. Dead Week, there's going to be lots of kids drunk and stupid. Perfect demon chow. Dead week, what a name for the week before finals. " Buffy pushed herself up and began changing out of the days' flowy skirt and cute knit-top. She grabbed the black pants and red tank-top that lay across the foot of the bed. She slipped the pants on. "Will, you didn't put these in the dryer did you?" she asked.

The witch glanced up, then looked abashed. "Oops! Sorry, I didn't see them in the laundry until after I took them out. I forgot to mention it this morning. Did they shrink at all?"

Buffy sighed. "Just a little. That's okay. They were getting worn anyway." *No wonder the stupid things are snug!* She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and grabbed mister pointy out of her weapons bag, slipping it into her boot. "Back later." she said, heading out the door.

The cool night air was refreshing as it brushed softly across the Slayer's face. It was nearly two in the morning, and not a vamp or demon to be found. Very unusual for Sunnydale, and usually would have made Buffy bored stiff. But tonight she didn't mind for some reason. Maybe it was the exhaustion of slaying *and* getting ready for finals. She couldn't afford to fail any classes. Whatever it was, she was glad for the respite.

"Hey, cutie."

Buffy spun and nearly broke Riley's nose, stopping the stake only centimeters from his nose. "Riley! Don't do that!" she glared at him, holding Mister Pointy menacingly for another moment before putting it down.

He put his hands up defensively. "Sorry, Buffy. I thought you'd heard me. Usually I can't sneak up on you. Are you all right?"

Buffy sighed. How could she be angry at those puppy eyes? She smiled. "I'm fine. Just a little off lately. Not happy with a test grade."

The blonde TA smiled. "I'm sorry, Buffy. Doc G was watching while I was grading. He doesn't trust TA's. He thinks we're all a bunch of useless frat boys."

"And you're not?" Buffy asked with wide, innocent eyes. She moaned as he pulled her up in a warm kiss, his arms tightly around her. *Mmmmmmm... good.*

"You want to take this someplace more private?" Riley asked when they reluctantly parted lips.

Buffy leaned against him. "Not tonight. I've got a review session early." She sighed in regret. "Maybe later though. I'm free all weekend."

"Now you're talking," the tall blond grinned. "I'll walk you home, then."

"Sure," the Slayer allowed him to wrap one arm around her shoulders as they walked. She liked these moments of non-vampire slaying normalcy. A somewhat normal boyfriend. Fairly normal, boring teachers. Cafeteria food and college parties. Except for saving the world every couple ofweeks life was fairly humdrum.

It didn't take them long to reach Stevenson. Riley kissed her good night and left her at the door. Buffy slipped into the room to find Willow still awake, pouring over a book of spells. "Hey. Slay anything interesting?" the witch asked.

Buffy shook her head. "Nope. Everything was in an unusual state of normalness tonight. Not even a little homework stealing demon." She changed into pajamas and curled up under the covers. "Just a sexy blond guy in camouflage that wouldn't leave me alone," she grinned.

Willow smiled back. "Sounds like quite a night. That might explain why you were late tonight. Probably--"

"Will!" Buffy flung her pillow at her roommate. "Why do you always assume we're...doing something...whenever I'm late?!"

"Well, after the incident with the sexually starved dead kids..."

"Don't remind me!" she groaned. In fact, they'd only slept together a couple of times since then, and the last had been over a week ago. With being busy destroying Adam, and dealing with Angel and Riley, and Angel and Faith, there hadn't really been time for romantic moments. "So," she casually changed the subject. "Have you and Tara picked out one of those new apartments they just finished on the other side of campus?"

Willow nodded and closed her book. "Yeah, but they're built for four people. If we don't come up with two more roommates we'll have to pay twice the rates. Are you sure you don't want to join us?"

Buffy sighed. "I don't know, Will. I guess I just don't want to think about it. Maybe I just assumed that we'd always room together."

"I know," the witch agreed as she turned out the light. "But you could still be my roomie this way."

"No," the Slayer shook her head in the dark. "You two should be able to spend time together. I'd just get in the way."

"You would not!" the red-head objected. "Buffy, you're my best friend. And if you change your mind there'll be room for you."

"Thanks," the blonde replied as she began to drift off. "That means a lot to me."

"This is what we're searching for," Giles announced holding up a book that contained a large woodcut image of a very ugly demon. Or so Willow thought. She glanced around the room to see what everyone else thought of it. Anya was making a face of disgust from where she was perched on Xander's lap on the couch. The dark haired boy had a similar expression. Tara looked like she recognized the creature, and Buffy leaned casually against the wall by the kitchen counter, apparently more bored than anything else. Riley stood just behind her in the doorframe that led to the stairs, his arm resting around her waist. He simply waited for more information as he had been taught. "The Vei-rogk demon isn't particularly big, or strong, but it is intelligent," the former Watcher continued.

"Then it should be fairly easy to take out," Buffy commented.

Giles shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. It is extremely difficult to locate a Vei-rogk's lair because of its ability to reason. It hides its tracks and moves fairly regularly to avoid leaving a trail or regular pattern that can be discerned."

"Great, a brainiac demon, just what we need," Xander moaned. "So much for just having to out-muscle them."

"There's more," Giles spoke again. "It has an extremely hard shell impervious to any form of wooden or metallic weaponry."

"I find that a little hard to believe," Riley looked dubious. "What about something diamond tipped?"

"Again, no," Giles sighed. "That leaves,"

"Magic."

Everyone glanced at Tara, who smiled nervously down at Willow. "Go on," Giles encouraged. "Do you know of something that might help?"

Tara nodded slightly. "The Vei-rogk are also almost impenetrable with magic, but there... is one spell that I think can work." She had everyone's attention now, and Willow could see that it made her nervous, but a little pleased. The campus Wicca group had never been so encouraging. "It takes a Vei-rogk demon about three seconds to adjust to a magical attack. Usually though, they expect it... I think that if it wasn't expecting it, then we might have an advantage."

"And, how would we keep it unprepared?" Anya asked.

"With a physical attack as a distraction," Buffy suggested. "I can keep whatever beastie we come up against busy until you can cast this spell. What does it do anyway?"

"It's an enhancement spell," Tara explained. "It...lends...magical strength to any regular weapon, making it capable of penetrating the Vei-rogk's shell."

"So we'd have to have timing down," the Slayer looked thoughtful. "How much of an advantage would surprise give us?"

The blonde witch shrugged. "Two, maybe Three seconds."

"Six seconds isn't very much time," Giles commented. "Could it be done?"

Willow knew the answer to this question. "It can if Tara and Buffy are linked. I can be that link. That way they can concentrate on what they need to do without worrying about holding up a supernatural bridge at the same time."

"Good," the Brit nodded agreement. "Fine idea."

"Great," Buffy stood up from her space on the wall, walking forward into the group. "Riley, Xander, I want you with me. I know I can count on both of you to be distracting. Anya, you and Giles will help Tara and Willow. And guard them in case something decides to try and stop them. "Everyone nodded as Buffy took on her role as Slayer and leader. It always amazed Willow how this group of people, so completely different, could simply fall into a team atamoment's notice. "We'll go after them tonight. Any questions?" When no one spoke up, Buffy continued. "Good. See you in a few hours. Right now, I have something a little more dangerous to face."

"And what might that be?" Giles queried.

Buffy's look of impending doom made Willow chuckle. "My first final."

Buffy crawled silently through the bushes outside the empty apartment building in front of her. The place had once been fairly upscale, like, in the fifties. Now it was just creepy central. The condemned sign that had hung across the doorway since before Buffy moved to Sunnydalesagged, creaking on its chain in the bluish light of the full moon. The Vei-rogk had beentracked, sporadically, by Tara and Willow over the past few hours, not giving the demon time to realize it was being "followed." *Now let's hope Mr. Scaly doesn't have any friends over tonight.* Grateful once again for what Riley had managed to stash of the Initiative's equipment, Buffy spoke quietly into her headset. "Riley, Xander, come in."

"I'm here," Riley's voice came across, also whispered.

"Xander here," her friend said in a more nervous near-whisper.

Buffy sighed. "Have you seen anything?" Both men had negatives. *Good, no surprises. Yet.* "Okay, I'm moving in the front. Riley, take the back door. Xander, the fire escape. The windows are all boarded up so this Thing will have to exit through a door."

"Gotcha, Xander out."

"Buffy, be careful."

The Slayer sighed, but smiled to herself at her lover's concern. "You too. Or you'll have worse things to worry about!" As the headset went silent, Buffy turned inward as Willow had been teaching her ever since the binding spell that allowed them to destroy Adam. Slowly she reached out, and yet *in* at the same time; a weird sensation to say the least. She waited for a moment, then felt what seemed like a familiar "hand" grasping her consciousness. *Willow?*

*Here.* The witch's mind-voice was much like her speaking voice, but firmer, almost more mature in a way Buffy couldn't explain. She wondered what *she* sounded like to her friend. *Ready?*

*Going in.* Buffy opened her eyes and once more spoke into the headset, "Now," and charged. She flew up the steps, hurdled the condemned sign, and kicked in the front door. She tore through the settling dust, coming to a stop at the base of the stairs, crossbow in hand. No one, nothing to be seen. "Come on out, Scaly!" she called into the pitch-black recesses of the gloom. "I've got a test to study for. I don't have all night!" Still nothing. *Wow, a patient demon. Or he tripped over Xander and broke his own neck.* The silence made her nervous. She still hadn't heard anything. Not even Riley or Xander. But that could be a good thing. Especially if it meant they hadn't been attacked and brutally killed. *Sense anything, Will?*

*Nothing from here,* came the mind-voice. *But Tara said they could sometimes shield themselves.*

*Great. I have finals and we're dealing with Mr. Mistoffelees.*

*Who?*

*Don't tell me you haven't ever heard the music from CATS, Will.*

*Oh right.....the magical cat!*

Buffy shook her head, amazed that her Wiccan friend hadn't remembered the "original conjuring cat." Her Slayer senses alerted her to danger at the same time the demon tackled her from behind. Spinning with tiger-like reflexes she slammed her back -and thus the demon- into the wall behind her as she shouted into her headset "I could use some help here, guys!" The slam loosened the Vei-rogk demon's grip enough for her to rip him off and slam him over the head with the crossbow. It wouldn't be much effective against anything other than a Vei rogk. Unfortunately, all too soon she had more targets than she really cared to handle. This demon had friends. There were three vampires, a slime demon, and a couple of ugly brutes that were low on brains but high in brawn. Buffy shot off one wooden bolt that slammed into one vampire, dusting him on the spot. She took down another vampire and the slime demon before the Vei-rogk was up again.

Hitting the wall, the Slayer realized she was cornered. The Vei-rogk stood in front of her, the Brutes -Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum she had dubbed them- flanked her, towering on either side. The last vampire -a female- glared at her from the doorway, holding a big axe, and blocking any escape. "Xand, Riley. Help. NOW!"

"Sorry, Buff," came a strained Xander. "I've got five vamps and a couple of other unfriendlies up here."

Riley didn't respond.

Buffy faced the Vei-rogk and sneered at him in her best I-am-the-Slayer- don't-mess-with-me face. "What, you couldn't handle me yourself? You need these two goons to make it a fair fight?"

The Vei-rogk glared at her with its orange eyes glowing in the gloom. The dust they had kicked up floated down between them, giving him -or so Buffy surmised- an ethereal appearance. "You are the Chosen One. It would be much a mistake to take you lightly," it spoke in gravely, though surprisingly clear, English. "I found good reinforcements."

*Fantastic,* Buffy sighed. *You hearing this, Will? Tara?* she asked, keeping Mr. Pointy as out of site -and hopefully of demonic mind- as possible. They had picked the stake as the weapon of choice because it could be easily concealed, was small enough to coat magically without any huge work, and was also easier because it would be in contact with Buffy -and thus Tara and Willow- at all times. Being a traditional slaying weapon, it reacted well to spell casting.

*We hear you,* the red-head replied. *Get ready. When we say 'now'... well, do it!*

*Gotcha,* Buffy focused on the demon once more. "Glad to know my reputation's been getting around. Looks like a really great party was going on before I got here. So let's get this over with and I'll get out of your hair. Or I would if you had any." Indeed, the Vei-rogk was as bald as a grapefruit. "By the way, I don't think I got your name."

The intelligent demon snarled. "Names hold power, Slayer. You know this. I will not give you power over me."

*He has a point,* Willow said inside the slightly surprised blonde's brain. Buffy had forgotten that little fact. *Get ready with yours.*

"Wow, aren't you smart for hell spawn," Buffy quipped back, cocking her head to one side. The movement was used to distract all eyes to her head and not the hand holding the stake. It worked, almost. Dum wasn't quite the way his name made him out to be and lunged forward, grabbing Buffy's other shoulder and wrenching hard. The normally calm Slayer screamed as thousands of tiny splinters jabbed her from fingers to collarbone. Jerking free she leapt at the Vei-rogk, stabbing at him just as Willows call of *NOW!* echoed through her quickly fogging brain. Her vision was going blurry as the stake struck the Vei-rogk, then slid smoothly into his body, penetrating his heart. Buffy barely had time to recognize that Mr. Pointy was glowing a bright ice green, or the entrance of Xander and Riley kicking serious demon butt, before she continued past the now dead demon and crashed onto the old tile floor, and blacked out.

Bip. Bip. Bip. Bip.

Cool. Smooth. Pain! *Owwwwwww. Let me die!* Contrary to her preference, Buffy found herself floating on the edge of the realm of consciousness. The void in which she had rested was a hazy charcoal grey instead of its previous black. Slowly, and miserably, sensations of her physical body returned to her. First was feeling in her limbs. *Why can't it ever be my appetite! Or something else useful.* Below the mass of agony she could feel the gentle caress ofwhat she assumed were fresh sheets in a hospital bed. She had felt them enough times to know by now. Next to return was smell. *Oh goody, bleached plastic. My favorite.* Slowly hearing returned, bringing with it the creak of wheels and footsteps in the corridor outside somewhere, and the Bip Bip of the heart rate monitor they obviously had her hooked up to. Also audible were the quiet murmuring of voices. Down the hall a baby was wailing. Buffy felt like crying herself for the burning sensation that ate at the whole left side of her body. Maybe if she woke up she could get someone to find her a pain medication. *Or a hammer. Anything to knock me back out!* But she had a feeling that wasn't happening.

With a mental sigh, the Slayer began the agonizing task of taking stock of her injuries. The arm was....to be left alone. Other than that all her other limbs, and the according digits, worked fine though a little stiff. Her head was thumping dully with the last twinges of a minor concussion. There were plenty of scrapes and bruises to go around.

"Buffy?"

*Riley,* her mind registered sluggishly.

"You awake?"

*No, now go away and let me sleep!* But her conscience got the better of her. Silently screaming, Buffy forced her eyes open the merest crack. Thankful that the curtains were drawn and she wasn't immediately blinded. The room was painted a pale rose, which glowed from the low lamp light. Seated by her bed, looking anxious and bandaged, was her boyfriend. "Barely," she croaked out, almost not recognizing her own voice. The effort made her head throb a little more.

The one word seemed to be enough. The tall blond smiled. "Thank God. I've been worried sick. They all have."

"How long have I been out?" Buffy asked. *And how long before I can go back?*

He gently caressed her cheek. "Twenty-two hours. After that slime demon smashed my headset it was all I could do to get downstairs in time to finish the last ones off."

"So that's what happened."

"Shhhh," he murmured. "Rest. The doctors were amazed you're doing as well as you are."

Buffy looked up at his blood shot blue eyes. "What's wrong with my arm?"

"It's not just the arm. Though they did an ugly number on it. The shoulder was just dislocated and the muscles wrenched badly. A couple were severely pulled. You had a concussion when we brought you in, but they say it'll be completely gone in a couple of days. You took a couple of good hits after that. The last vampire was taking pleasure in stomping on you when Xander staked her." Riley looked disappointed that he hadn't been the one to save her. "She managed to crack a lower rib before he stopped her."

Buffy nodded ever so slightly. *Which explains why my stomach hurts too. Though that could be from hunger.* Then she looked pointedly at the sling her lover's right arm was in. "Are you okay?"

Riley smiled, putting on his "brave man" face. "I'm okay. It's just cracked. Not even a full break."

She let him play the strong male. His bleary eyes testament to his vigil at her bedside. "You should have gotten some sleep."

"Not without knowing you were going to be all right," he said tenderly. Carefully he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. "I would have had nothing but nightmares."

"That's sweet," Buffy smiled. "The staying by me part...not the nightmares."

Riley chuckled. "Thank goodness. Now get some rest. I'll let the doctors know you're back among the non-comatose and see that they get you some more pain killers. You don't look so good, if you don't mind my saying so."

"No, I don't mind." *Thank the Powers that Be,* she thought. Relief was on its way.

It was daylight when Buffy awoke for the second time in as many days. This time Riley was not beside her, but Willow was. The Slayer smiled at her friend. "Hey, Will."

"Buffy!" the witch brightening. "We were so worried when you blacked out. I was completely cut off from you and we didn't know what was going on anymore. There was just this creepy-ouchy feeling. Tara and I kept trying to contact you again, and Giles and Anya went to find you, but thenext we knew we got a call from the Emergency room from Xander saying you were hurt and knocked out, and Riley was injured, and we rushed over as fast as we could. And we tried to call your Mom but she was already on her way and beat us here. Then we waited and waited and–"

"You're rambling," Buffy chuckled. "So the Vei-rogk is dead?"

"Yep," the red-head smiled. "He's dead as our senior math class."

"That's really dead," the Slayer couldn't help but feel better with her best friend there to be upbeat. Her head had almost stopped hurting. And the bruises and cuts were all freshly treated while she had slept for another ten hours. Finally her Slayer powers had kicked in and begunworking toward healing her battered body. Her arm was still in agony, but was dulled by whatever pain killer they had her on. "Where are the others?"

"In the lobby. They wouldn't let more than one person in here at a time while you were unconscious or sleeping. Riley wouldn't leave you before the doctors made him after you woke up the first time. Then your mom came in, then Xander, and now me."

"Thanks," Buffy responded, but was nearly drowned out by a loud rumbling. She blushed slightly. "Sorry. I'm starving."

"Well it *has* been two days," Willow chuckled. "I'd have the munchies too by now. Your mom and Giles made us all eat breakfast this morning."

"Then they can feed me too!" the petite blonde declared. "I think the hero deserves at least some basic royal treatment."

The Wicca girl laughed and hit the call button above Buffy's bed. "Then breakfast will be served shortly."

"It can't be fast enough," Buffy replied as a woman in a hospital jacket walked into the room. *Well that was quick.*

The slim, dark blonde woman who entered smiled brightly. "Good morning, Miss Summers. It's wonderful to actually see you with open eyes. I'm Doctor Emily O'Rourke, and I'm in charge of all the trauma cases we get here. I'm fairly new to Sunnydale, and I must say I was a little startled at the number of gang beatings there are in such a lovely town," she chatted in a friendly manner as she looked over the readings on the monitors attached to the Slayer, and checked the amount of liquid in the IV bag.

*Gang beatings? That must be what Riley and Xander told the Emergency room,* Buffy realized.

"You were lucky though," Doctor O'Rourke continued. "Another few inches and your arm might have come off entirely." The sunny woman shuddered. "Anyway, your arm should be fully healed in a couple of weeks, and I'm sure you can go home before the end of the week. We just need to do a couple of sonograms and some tests to make sure the little one's okay."

*What's that?* She thought, confused. "What?" was all she said aloud.

The Doctor looked a little startled, then smiled. "Well, since you had so many open cuts -and they were awfully dirty when your friends brought you in- we did some blood tests to make sure that you hadn't gotten any infections or illnesses, and discovered your condition. So we just need to run some extra tests to make sure that you're both doing fine as far as that's concerned."

"I'm still confused," the Slayer stared at the physician as if she were from another dimension.

Doctor O'Rourke blanked, eyes widening slightly. "You mean you didn't know?"

By now Buffy was getting very frustrated and testy. "About *what?* Obviously I'm completely in the dark here, so please enlighten me."

A little taken aback, the doctor nodded. "Well Miss Summers... Buffy.... as of this morning you're approximately one month pregnant."

"Pregnant?!" she exclaimed aloud. "Does anybody else know?" She glanced over at Willow, who was sitting there, looking just as stunned as Buffy felt.

"No one outside of myself and the staff who performed the blood tests," Doctor O'Rourke replied. "Patient confidentiality keeps us from telling anyone without your consent."

*Praise the powers for small miracles,* Buffy sighed. *One month put it.....fantastic, and that wasn't even entirely our doing! Stupid ghost children.*

"I take it you know who the father is?" the doctor asked, reading the expression on her patient's face.

Buffy nodded. "Without a doubt. I've only been with one guy for the last several months."

The doctor looked a little relieved. "Well then, that makes things easier on you and on us. We won't have to perform any paternity tests in the near future." She took Buffy's blood pressure. "Well you're definitely doing much better. I'll send a nurse up with some food while I get you all lined up for a full pre-natal exam."

*Now that sounds like a load of laughs,* Buffy grumbled to herself. When the doctor left she met Willow's gaze. "Well, aren't you going to say something?"

Willow seemed to think it over for a few moments more, then smiled and leaned over to hug her friend. "I'm a little stunned, but I'm happy for you. I get to be the godmother right?"

Buffy chuckled. "You can be his or her *fairy* godmother if you want to. You can cast spells to keep her amused when you babysit."

The red-headed witch laughed. "Sounds like fun. But are you really okay? You were looking pretty deer-in-headlights for a few minutes there."

The blonde sighed. "I sure felt that way. I really wasn't prepared for this. We were careful. But that one night with the ghost children when we..." she couldn't even say it out loud, but her friend just nodded, so she kept going. "What am I going to tell him? What am I going to tell my *mother?* She'll have kittens....or a goat or something. And what about school? And where am I going to live? There is no way they'll let me stay in the dorms with a b– I can't even *say* it! How am I going to be a mom?"

"Now *you're* rambling," Willow smiled. "One question at a time. First, you'll keep going to classes. Second, you'll move in with Tara and me in the new student apartments. There are four bedrooms, so there's be plenty of space."

"And Riley?"

"You'll have to tell him some time. In another couple of months it'll be impossible to hide it from him. And you don't want to do that anyway. Do you?" she looked a little worried, as if she had just thought of that possibility.

"No," Buffy replied. *At least, I don't think I do.* She shoved down any of her recent doubts about their relationship. "And I can't get rid of it." She had too much respect for life to ever do that. Her job had given her more of an appreciation for living than she had ever had before.

"Well, that's good," the witch smiled. "You should probably tell him when he comes in soon. I think he'll be happy."

"Really?" she asked. She and Riley had never even talked about children, so she had no idea of his feelings on the subject.

"Absolutely," Willow replied, just before the door opened again and in came a male orderly with a meal tray, followed closely by an eager Riley.

The food was basic hospital fair: some oatmeal, orange juice, and a banana. *Oh yum,* Buffy thought sarcastically. The orderly adjusted the bed so Buffy was sitting up enough to eat, and left.

Riley kissed her softly on the lips as soon as the other man was gone. "Good morning. You look better this morning."

"Thanks," Buffy's mouth quirked in a small smile at the sort-of compliment. She took a bite of the plain, and thus not too appetizing oatmeal and forced it down. Her nervousness, and the gloppy texture of the food, made it hard to swallow. *Well, no point in putting it off.* "Umm, Riley."

"Yes, love?" he asked, attention totally focused on her.

Buffy swallowed again. "I have something to tell you."

Her tone must have alerted him to the fact that something was up because a look of concern came immediately to his face. "What is it, Buffy? Is it something the doctors told you?"

"Yes, it is," she replied to her lover's question. "Riley... I'm pregnant."

For a moment she was afraid he would storm out of the room, though some part of her almost wanted it, but it didn't happen. Instead, a look of wonderment appeared on the Iowa boy's face, and he smiled, stunned. "Really? Buffy that's....incredible."

"Then you're not upset?"

"Of course not!" Riley laughed, kissing her again. "This is wonderful, love. Unexpected, but still....a baby. Part you and part me." He held her good hand tightly.

Buffy smiled, a little overwhelmed by her lover's enthusiastic response, and still a little stunned by the whole situation. It felt like she was dreaming. Only the pain in her left arm and shoulder reminded her that she wasn't asleep. She reached for her spoon but Riley scooped it up.

"Just relax. You need to save your strength now."

"I can feed myself," she insisted. "I'm not an infant."

"No, but you're taking care of one," Riley said as he spooned up the oatmeal. "And so I'll take care of you. I love you."

Buffy sighed but, not wanting a confrontation -that could wait for her mother to find out about this- and opened her mouth as her former-military boyfriend tenderly fed her. There would be time for talk later. Right now all she wanted was to finish eating and go back to sleep where none of this would annoy her until later. "I love you, too."

Part 2

*Acktha Meirah Sancta Leiborum. Sisti eloribum firum cabristi.* "Yachsta Moirah–wha!" Tara jerked bolt upright in bed, panting heavily. She glanced furtively around her new room in the apartment she now shared with Willow. There was nothing mystical in the air, and nothing to see in the darkness. *So why was I casting a spell? What kind of spell *was* that anyway?* Tara had never involuntarily cast a spell before. So why now? And who -or what-had made her? Something strange was going on, and she wanted to know what it was. It could be important.

Now incapable of sleep, the blonde witch climbed out of bed, pulled on her long, faded blue robe, and slipped out into the living room where the "library" was. Combined, Willow and Tara had a good sized collection of books. She nearly stumbled over Miss Kitty in the darkness as she moved quietly passed the couch. The kitten gave her robe hem an indignant swipe before stalking over to sit below the shelf where Amy's cage was kept. The former-witch-turned-rat continued to run on her wheel. Tara decided it might be wise to turn on the small reading light by the couch.

Making it to the open kitchen area without further incident, Tara poured herself a glass of Coke and pulled one of her oldest books off the shelf and began flipping through the pages. *There must be something here on that spell. It sounded vaguely familiar.*

Slowly she flipped through the topics, waiting for something to pop out at her. Dragons. Dream Spells. Drain Unclogging. Enchanted Animals. European Garlic Recipes.....

"Could you pass me the oregano?" Wesley asked as he sprinkled pepper into the pan of eggs in front of him. "This wouldn't be a proper omelette without it."

"Sure," his houseguest replied, opening the cabinet above the counter and pulling out the small bottle of spice. "Though I don't remember oregano as a required ingredient."

"And when was the last time you ate an omelette?" the Brit arched an eyebrow at his friend.

Angel chuckled. "Touche. Are you almost finished?"

"Nearly," Wesley nodded as he sprinkled the herb into the pan. "The orange juice is squeezed, the toast is buttered, there's jam on the table, and Cordelia should be here any moment with the coffee and blood."

"Remind me again why we let Cordelia get the coffee?" The vampire mused aloud as he leaned against the counter in Wesley's rather small kitchen, in what was a rather small apartment. Angel had moved in with Wesley as soon as Cordelia was well enough to be by herself for the reasons that it would seem improper -or so he said to her- and because living with her would have driven him nuts. Wesley's "flat," as he called it, was full of old books and only had two windows. One in the kitchen and one in the bedroom. So Angel happily camped out on the couch in what served as a both living and dining room.

Wesley laughed. "Because while she can't *make* it to save her life, she does know where to buy it already made."

As if in response to Wesley's comment, the doorbell buzzed.

"Come in," he called out.

The door creaked open and Cordelia practically flew into the apartment. "Good morning," she sang out, unusually bright and cheery for nine in the morning. She carried two bags. One read *Burke's Butcher: We Chop while you Shop.* The other one said simply, *Starbucks.* "There's nothing like the smell of a Cappuccino and Type-O in the morning."

Angel and Wesley exchanged amused and confused glances. Angel just shrugged and took the Burke's bag from her. "Thanks, Cordelia. You're in a good mood this morning."

The dark-haired women grinned. "This is the "new and improved" me, remember? I'm here to make people feel better."

"That's it, she's poisoned the coffee," Wesley exclaimed as he scraped the last omelette onto the platter. "Once we drink it we'll both die horrible, convulsing deaths, and she'll take every last penny we have."

"Not likely," Angel grinned. "We're so poor we aren't worth the trouble."

"Thanks, guys," Cordelia replied with friendly sarcasm. "I'm trying to be upbeat about our whole situation and you two are making jokes. Here," she pulled a thick newsprint pamphlet out of her purse and tossed it at her employer. "It's a listing of office spaces for rent. And this," she overhanded another one at his head, which he deftly caught. "Is apartments. At least *one* of you can do something useful this morning."

"Hey, I cooked," Wesley replied indignantly. "That should count for something." He set the omelettes down on the table and took a seat. His colleagues joined him.

"Mmmm, this is good," Cordelia looked a little surprised. "I didn't know you could actually cook."

"Despite popular belief, I am an adequate chef," he replied. "Now, down to business. What are we going to do about getting Angel Investigations up and running again?"

Angel frowned. "The problem isn't just finding a new office. Even if we could get a new place, we don't have the money."

"Money....isn't...*everything,*" Cordelia seemed to be half-forcing out the words. "I mean. We can get other jobs to make the money right? I can act, or get some other part time job. Wesley can do *something,* and Angel can.... organize," she finished lamely.

The fact that the actress-wanna-be was willing to get any kind of other job besides acting and helping people just illustrated to everyone in the room the desperation of their situation. Suddenly the room was very gloomy.

Finally Angel nodded. "You're right. And just because we don't have an office doesn't mean we aren't still in business."

"Wow! Optimism from Mr. Gloom-and-doom!" the most fashionable of the three exclaimed, then looked guilty. "Whoops, sorry. Bad sarcasm. *Evil* sarcasm."

"It's all right, Cordelia," Angel sighed and stood up from the table, picking up the two books as he did. "I'll start looking for space. Wesley, I want you to see if we can get a small loan so we can start paying this off. Cordelia,"

"Yes?" she looked up expectantly.

A small smile twitched on Angel's lips. "Don't you have an audition this afternoon?"

She nodded. "Actually, I do. They're holding auditions for models for this really big fashion show."

"A modeling job?" Wesley looked curious. "Not your usual type of work."

"Oh, I know," Cordelia flashed him a smile. "But it's a good way to get seen, and these are some of *the* biggest names in fashion. Besides," she looked especially pleased, "it'll be fun to get to wear clothes I'll never be able to afford again. And it doesn't require any real acting ability."

"Are you sure?" Angel asked. Cordelia was always fairly blind when it came to her own acting ability.

She smiled, a little abashed. "Well, I haven't exactly been pulling in starring roles on the stage."

Neither of the men could argue with her.

"Umm, well...let's get going then," Wesley broke the silence. "I'll clear the table."

"All right," Angel nodded. "See you tonight."

"Last one!" Buffy called as she pulled one last box out of the back of her mother's car. She had borrowed it to move her things into the apartment she was going to share with Willow and Tara. The apartment was of fairly good size, with a main living area framed by two bedrooms to the left and two to the right upon entering. At the far end was an open kitchenette and just to the right of it was a bathroom. It was on the second floor of the building, and stuck out at the end of the building so that all four bedrooms had windows.

"I'll get it," Willow replied, coming out the door and taking the box. "You're not supposed to be doing any heavy lifting. What's in this anyway? It's heavy."

Buffy shrugged. "My weapons. And I *hate* all this "take it easy" crap. How am I supposed to be the Slayer if I'm not allowed to do anything gymnastic."

"What else did your OB-GYN say?" her friend asked as they went inside and up the stairs to the apartment. Buffy's second pre-natal appointment had been that morning, and it hadn't made her feel particularly perky.

"Just about what you'd expect," the Slayer replied. Her voice took on a sarcastic lecturing tone. "I shouldn't eat junk food, or do anything athletic that's too bouncy or might crunch the womb. How I especially needed to take it easy since I'd been beaten up so early on in the pregnancy. She went on and *on* for hours!"

"That's her job," Willow said calmly, setting the box down on what was now Buffy's bed in the back right room. Her's was the back left, and Tara's was the front left. "Besides, you were pretty badly hurt. And you didn't heal as fast as usual. You're lucky you didn't lose the baby."

"I know," the blonde sighed. "And Giles thinks it was my condition that slowed down my healing powers. But things aren't going to get any easier anytime soon."

"True," Willow nodded. "At least you've got us and your mom to help out."

Buffy shifted her weight uneasily. "Actually, Mom doesn't know yet."

"What?" the red-head stared at her best friend. "Buffy, you're already two months pregnant. You've known for a month and you haven't told your mother?!"

"No I haven't," the Slayer snapped. "We're going out to dinner tonight. I thought I'd tell her then."

"Okay. I can see why you'd want to put it off. I don't think I could tell my mother something like that," Willow cringed. "Mine doesn't know about Tara."

Buffy gave her a sympathetic smile. "Well, this looks like everything. What time are we supposed to be at Giles'?"

"Four o'clock."

The blonde glanced at her watch. "Great, we have time for lunch. I'm starving!"

Willow chuckled. "Sure. But you hadn't finished telling me about sonograms."

"I don't know *how* you can find this stuff fascinating," Buffy wailed. "But I'll tell you while we eat."

"Okay," the witch agreed with a laugh. "Now what was it like?" she asked as she grabbed her wallet off the end table.

Buffy sighed and shook her head as they left the apartment. "Slimy, cold, and it tickled. If I'd known how annoying it is to have strange people running their hands all over your stomach coated in cold goop I *never* would have slept with Riley. "

Giles' living room was packed with Scooby members waiting for him to explain his grimmer-than-usual countenance. For once everyone was there almost on time, and he wanted to make the most of that fact. "Can I have your attention please?" he called over the cacophony of voices. For once, everyone quieted down. "I'm afraid I have some rather distressing news."

"What is it *this* time?" Anya sighed.

Giles ignored her bored tone of voice. He was used to it by now. "Our friend the Vei-rogk demon wasn't alone."

Willow looked concerned. "We didn't sense any others. Not even a little ity-bitty one."

"I know," the former librarian rubbed his eyes as he spoke. "But I've been reading in the book where we first found mention of them, and I've found a passage that I believe warrants great concern."

"Well, what does it say?" Buffy asked.

Giles opened the book and flipped to the appropriate page. "It says here that Vei-rogk demons never live singly. They always live in groups of at least twelve, and one is only found alone if it is scouting out new nesting and hunting grounds for his clan."

"Which means we can expect more," the Slayer sighed. "Is there any other useful information in that book?"

"Not much," the Brit shook his head. "Only that they often enlist the aid of less intelligent demons and vampires by offering their protection and a share of their prey."

"Which we definitely found out already," Xander spoke up with a grimace. He remembered all too well their nearly disastrous raid on the first demon's lair.

"So what do we do?" Riley asked, voicing the obvious.

"Well," Giles continued. "We need to find a way to track the movements of the Vei-rogk. It is essential that we know when they enter the area. We also need to find out more information on them. There must be a way to stop them besides risking our lives trying to close on one of them while hoping a spell is ready at the same time."

"I can handle any demons that come along," Buffy cut in.

"I'm sorry, Buffy," her former watcher shook his head. "But I'm afraid I can't let you do that. It would be putting both you and your child at risk."

The blonde Slayer sighed. "I know, I know," she groaned impatiently. "Maybe we'll get lucky and they won't show up in the next seven months."

"Don't count on it," Xander quipped. "So how do we track them?"

"That's the difficult question right now," Giles stood and went to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of tea. "We know that they can detect magic that is tracking them. It was pure luck that this one didn't detect Willow and Tara's tracking spell. I'm not sure what we *can* do."

"Umm, I have an idea," Tara spoke up timidly.

"Well by all means let's hear it," the Brit looked intrigued.

"I know that they can detect magic aimed *at* them," the dark-blonde witch looked around earnestly. "But I don't think they would detect a tracking spell that wasn't following them."

"And how would that help us?" Riley asked. "I don't see what that has to do with finding these things."

Buffy glared at her boyfriend. "Shut up and let her finish."

Tara continued. "As Mr. Giles just read, the Vei-rogk often enlist other demons who are physically stronger than they are. The demons Xander, Riley, and Buffy saw in the first one's lair are all ones we've seen before. And we *know* those can be tracked magically."

"So we could find them by looking for a large mixed group of usually independent demon groups!" Willow bounced excitedly on the couch where she sat next to her girlfriend. "That's a great idea!"

"Yes," Giles nodded, smiling. "I think that just might work. Can you modify a tracking spell to look for such a group?"

Tara blushed. "I finished it last night."

"Wonderful," the older man said, clearly pleased.

"Wait a minute," Xander cut him off from saying more. He looked at Tara. "I thought you didn't know a lot about demons and stuff. How come you're the expert all of a sudden?"

Tara's face turned an even brighter red. "I've just been studying Mr. Giles' books."

"Something the rest of you should do more often, I might add," said the Brit. "Now back to business. We still have the task of dividing up patrolling duties for the next few months."

Buffy frowned. "I'm perfectly capable of patrolling, Giles. It's not like it requires much in the way of effort. Most of the time all I do is end up walking the cemetery for a few hours."

"Now, Buffy," his voice took on it's watcher-lecturing-Slayer tone. It was one she hadn't heard in over a year. "Until the Vei-rogk are dealt with we *cannot* risk the life of a Slayer. Not to mention your offspring. I haven't seen anything in the Chronicles about a Slayer ever *having* children. This is entirely unprecedented, and until we know more it just isn't acceptable."

"Fine," the Slayer threw her hands in the air. "You win. But I'm still in charge of this thing here so I have some say in how things are run." Giles just nodded. Buffy's friends wisely remained silent. "Good. I want three teams. No one goes out alone. And I want at least one person capable of performing the protecting spell in each group. Does that makes sense so far?"

The others nodded, and Tara spoke. "I can teach it tonight. It won't take very long."

The Slayer continued. "Then the groups are as follows: Tara and Xander, Willow and Riley, and Giles and Anya." The new teams glanced at each other, but no one made comment. "Willow and Giles will learn the spell first. I want all of us to learn it if possible. The other three should work on combat. These guys aren't very strong, so staking them shouldn't be a problem. It's their goons I'm worried about."

When she said nothing more, Giles retook control of the meeting. "Now then, I want to hear more about this altered tracking spell, and we should get started on learning the protection spell. So if you can please stay Tara, and Willow. I think that's everything."

As the meeting broke up, Riley slipped through people to Buffy's side. "Hey, gorgeous. Want me to walk you home?"

The blonde shook her head. "Thanks, but I'm going to my Mom's, remember? We're going out to dinner."

"Oh," the former army soldier was clearly disappointed. "All right. See you tomorrow?"

Buffy smiled as he kissed her briefly. "Of course. Good night," she said before opening the door and heading out into the late afternoon sun.

Buffy nervously smoothed her violet silk top as she waited for her mother to come downstairs. She had worn the top because it was flowy and wasn't as clingy as most of her other tops. It was bad enough that she was going to have to start buying new clothes in another week. At least this top effectively hid her stomach. Willow had assured her that it was almost impossible to tell she was pregnant, but Buffy was feeling more than a little insecure about her looks which, for her, was an entirely new experience. Besides, her mother didn't know yet, and she didn't particularly want to *advertise* her little secret.

She turned at the sound of feet on the stairs. Her mother came down in jeans and a pretty, simple green sweater top. The restaurant they had chosen wasn't particularly fancy, and it had been one of their favorites when Buffy was younger. Her mother smiled. "You look nice tonight," she said to her daughter.

Buffy smiled. "So do you, Mom. Is that a new top?"

Joyce nodded, clearly pleased. "It is actually. I felt like trying something new."

"Well it's great," the Slayer said, getting off the couch. "Let's go."

The mother and daughter didn't talk much on the way to Little Ricco's Italian Restaurant. Buffy felt a little guilty for having only talked to her mother once since the accident, and it was clear she had worried. The college student didn't look forward to springing another shock on her. It was only a ten minute drive, and they parked, went inside, and got a table. Once drinks and food were ordered, an uneasy silence fell over the Summers' table.

"So," her mother began. "How have you been since...you know?"

"Good," Buffy replied. "I mean I'm fine. Haven't hurt in weeks."

"Well, that's good," Joyce said. "And how is Riley?"

*You would pick *that* question to ask, mom.* "He's good. He has a summer job teaching camping survival at the summer camp just outside of town during the day." Her mom would know soon enough what he was doing at night. Or rather, what he *had* been doing on nights previous.

"So you don't get to spend much time with him then?" her mother asked, obviously wanting more information on her daughter's life.

Buffy shook her head. "Not as much as I did during school." *Which is true in more than one way.* "But I still see him after work."

"That's nice," the older woman smiled. "So what are you going to be taking this coming semester, dear?"

The Slayer relaxed as her mother's questioning veered off the track of males. *And things we do with them,* Buffy thought to herself. "I'm taking a drawing class, and one on Ancient Civilizations, college algebra because everyone has to take it, and Giles convinced me it would be useful to take Latin."

Mrs. Summers blanked for a moment, then chuckled. "Only in your profession would it be useful to take what's considered a dead language." She must have seen the stunned look on her daughter's face, because she continued. "I know I wasn't very supportive when I first found out you were the Slayer, Buffy. I was frightened, and I didn't understand. But I think I've gotten used to it now."

Buffy smiled. "I'm glad, Mom. So, tell me what you've been up to at the Gallery."

The Slayer happily listened to her mother talk about the goings on at the art gallery; the new people, the one's who had left, the new works they were getting in. Joyce talked until their paglia e fieno and lasagna arrived, and continued until they were almost done eating. Finally she paused. "I've been talking all night. It's your turn. How are your friends?"

Buffy finished a bite of paglia e fieno before answering. "Everyone's great. Xander's still got his job with the ice cream company. Willow's been working part time at the used book store. And Giles is, well, Giles," she shrugged, at a loss for a better description.

"No more major demons then?"

"Nope," she shook her head emphatically. "Not a one. It's been a very quiet summer."

"That's always nice to hear," Joyce looked relieved. "Well, shall we have some dessert?"

"Of course," the Slayer grinned. "What would dinner at Ricco's be without Tiramisu?"

Her mother just laughed and called the waiter over to order dessert, which came quickly. She watched Buffy with great interest. It made the Slayer nervous. Finally she had to speak, "What is it?"

Joyce flushed. "Oh, sorry. It's just...are you getting enough to eat? You seem famished."

"Oh," Buffy swallowed. *This is it.* "No, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

*She's just going to keep pushing,* Buffy's mind told her. She sighed, and gave in. "Actually, Mom. There was something I wanted to talk to you about."

"I thought so," Mrs. Summers nodded. "You had that look on your face, and you've been acting...*different* all night. Call it mother's instincts."

Buffy couldn't help but smile a little. *I hope I have them.* "I'm not really sure how to say this, Mom, but....well...." *I can't believe I'm waffling. What happened to the old Slayer confidence?*

"Oh no!" her mother exclaimed before Buffy could say another word.

"What?!" *Damn...I'm dead!*

"Riley broke up with you didn't he?" Joyce looked extremely concerned and sympathetic.

Buffy wasn't sure whether to laugh or scream. "No, Mom. It's nothing like that."

"Oh, what a relief," the older woman sighed. "What is it honey?"

"I'm....pregnant." Her voice sounded small, even to Buffy.

She hadn't realized her mother's jaw could drop that low. It was even lower than when she'd found out what a Slayer did.

"Mom?"

The dam broke.

Buffy flipped a page of the magazine and took another bite out of her apple. *Now that's a nice looking crossbow,* she thought, drooling over a picture in her copy of Medieval Weapons Monthly. *Now if only I was allowed to use it,* she sighed. The night before had been fine until her mother had regained her voice. Then it had been a tide of questions, accusations, and what are you going to do about its. Buffy had answered the questions as patiently as possible. Yes, it was Riley's. Yes, she was going to a doctor. No, she was not having an abortion. Yes, she was staying in school. She was definitely staying with Willow and Tara. Yes, she wasn't going to be doing any slaying in her condition. The interrogation had gone on for a good fifteen minutes before the waiter came with the check. The ride back had been completely silent.

This morning Buffy had the apartment to herself while Willow was at work and Tara was at the local library doing research on some project. It was a typical, sunny California morning, and she didn't have anything urgent to do, so the blonde was lounging on the couch, magazine and snack in hand. It was the first time she had really been alone in weeks, and she was extremely grateful for the opportunity.

Ding Dong.

*Damn! Who could that be?* Buffy sighed. "Who is it?" she called out.

"It's me, Riley," came the muffled voice behind the door.

*At eleven in the morning?* Buffy wondered to herself. Shouldn't he be teaching campers? "Come in," she said reluctantly. *So much for a morning to myself.*

Riley opened the door and Buffy stared at the balancing act in front of her. He must have been carrying at *least* ten books, and a large paper bag. He grinned when he saw her stunned expression. "Just a little homework," he smiled. "The final exam's only seven months away after all."

The Slayer moaned under her breath. Like she needed reminding. "Riley, I thought you had work today."

The tall blond set the stack of books down on the coffee table in front of the couch and leaned over, kissing her fully on the lips. Buffy couldn't help but smile a little. "The campers don't have regular activities today. They went on a hiking trip. So I got the day off and thought I'd spend it with you."

"Reading whatever these books are," the blonde girl picked up the first book on top of the pile. *Bradley vs Lamaze, what's this about anyway? Wrestling?* She picked up another one, called `Surviving your Toddler.'

Riley laughed. "Well I know *I* don't know that much about this whole parenting thing. I figured we could learn about it together."

*But why today?* her mind wailed. *My one morning of quiet!* "Okay. Where do we start?"

Riley pulled one book out of the middle of the stack and handed it to her. `Expecting your First Child.' Buffy opened it and read the cover flap. The author was a mother of eight. *Probably doesn't even *remember* what it was like the first time,* the Slayer growled silently. But she just forced herself to smile and said "Thank you, Riley. I'm sure these will be a lot of help."

The smile on the muscular man's face widened with pleasure. "And that's not all. I brought lunch."

Buffy brightened a little at the concept of food. It disgusted her how hungry she was all the time now, but she'd been assured that it was natural and she should eat if she was hungry. "What is it?" she asked.

Riley opened the bag and pulled out the "feast." Buffy's happy mood dropped. Salad. It was salad. Or rather, lettuce and bean sprouts. And low-cal low-fat ranch dressing. And apple juice.

"Thanks," was all she said, though she felt like screaming. This was *not* her idea of sustenance. "Riley, I'm really not up for this right now. Is there any chance we could do this later?"

"Depends on how much later," he chuckled. "We can't put this off forever."

"Riley, I'm *really* not in the mood for this," Buffy glared at him. "Mom wasn't too happy with me last night, and I'd just like to be alone."

Riley's smile faded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be obnoxious. Are you sure you're okay? What did your mother say to you?"

"It's not important right now, okay? Just leave, please." *Now that my peace of mind is nonexistent.* She just didn't want to deal with all of it right now. It was overwhelming.

"Okay," said her rather stunned boyfriend. "But call if you need me. I love you."

Buffy sighed. "I know, and I will."

Riley stood there awkwardly for a moment, nodded once, and then left looking extremely dejected.

Buffy felt guilty for making him feel bad. *I could have been nicer. What's wrong with me lately?* With a shrug she decided to put it out of her mind for now and return to her magazine.

The "lunch" remained uneaten.

Part 3

Sunnydale California had always been a typical southern west coast town. The problem most of its inhabitants had with this was that it had typical southern west coast weather. Especially in late July. In an attempt to escape the simmering summer swelter, the Scooby Gang retreated to their favorite evening hangout – The Bronze.

Buffy chose to stay at the table they took in the corner, while Xander and Anya hit the dance floor. That was amusing to watch for the first few minutes, but after a while one got bored with the strange gyrations a former revenge demon and her weirder-than-normal boyfriend could come up with. Willow and Tara brought the drinks over and stayed at the table to keep Buffy company.

The Slayer took her lemonade and grinned at her friends. "Hey, Will. We have to do something about Miss Kitty. I found her all the way up on Amy's shelf this morning. Amy looked less than thrilled."

The red-head sighed. "I know. Sometimes I think it would be easier to find a spell to turn Amy back than to keep the kitten away from her."

"So why don't we try again?" Tara asked. "You said it had been almost a year since you tried to find a spell. You have more experience now. Maybe we'll find something."

Willow smiled at her girlfriend. "Let's do it."

The three roommates had just finished their drinks when Xander and Anya decided to join them.

"Hey, college crew," Xander grinned. "There's quite a crowd tonight. So what are you three chatting about?"

"Oh, not much," Buffy pretended to be absorbed in stirring her melting ice with a straw. "Just castration."

"I know some great spells for that!" Suddenly they had Anya's full attention.

The girls burst out giggling while Xander blushed bright crimson.

He decided it was time to change the subject. "Maybe you girls can help Anya and I with a small problem."

"Uh oh," Willow grinned. "This could get dirty."

"Guys!" Xander wailed. "Anya's got to move out of her apartment."

"Why's that?" Tara asked.

"Oh, they're tearing it down to build a new shopping center," the ex-demon sighed. "It's no fair."

Buffy, Willow, and Tara looked at each other. "Well," Willow said finally. "I'd invite you to move in to our place, but the building is students only."

"Oh, didn't I tell you," she smiled. "I'm a student now."

"What?" came the unison response.

Xander stared at his girlfriend. "You didn't tell me!"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Anya replied. "I'm getting a job on campus and taking classes."

"That's great," Willow smiled. "We still have one room if you want it."

The other girls nodded their agreement.

"Thanks," Anya smiled, clearly pleased. Buffy could tell that Anya hadn't always been comfortable with the group. Or the group with her for that matter. So she was a little weird. Weren't they all? And somehow it seemed fitting for the four of them to room together. Less explaining strange things to ignorant roommates that way. "When can I move in?"

"Whenever you like," Tara said, looking at Willow and Buffy for confirmation. "We don't really have anything planned for tomorrow. How much stuff do you have to move?"

"Not much," Anya replied. "My place is pretty empty."

"Okay, then how about we help you move in tomorrow?"

"I'll help too," Xander smiled and put his arm around Anya's shoulders.

"You're sweet," she smiled at him. "Sure. I can move then. So," she said, abruptly changing the subject in her usual manner. "I'm going to get a drink. Anybody want refills?"

"Anybody here?" Cordelia called as she entered Wesley's apartment, wrestling with that morning's donuts and coffee. "I was just–oh." She stopped as she spotted Angel sprawled on the couch reading a document that she assumed came from the stack next to him. "Have you ever thought of becoming an Underwear model? Cause the shirtless look is definitely you."

Angel looked up at *that* comment, then looked down, and sighed with relief. He *was* wearing jeans. He had gotten up early after a long night of demon chasing to look over the pile of mail that had grown over the past couple of days, and he had feared for a moment that he had forgotten something important. "Very funny, Cordelia."

"I thought so," she shrugged, setting the food and drinks down on the table. "What are those?" she asked her employer, motioning at the huge pile of mail and other pieces of paper.

"Rejection notices," Angel sighed. "I've got seven here from buildings refusing to allow us office space, and another *twelve* saying I don't have the qualifications to rent an apartment in their complex. All five of the places I applied for loans with turned me down as well."

"What kind of garbage is that?" Cordelia frowned. "You have good credit, a good record. It's not *your* fault the last building you lived and worked in blew up!"

Angel nodded. "I know. But that's *not* what Wolfram and Hart are telling them."

"Wolfram and Hart are behind this?" Wesley asked coming into the room, fully dressed. "But how can you be sure?"

"This," Angel tossed a piece of paper at Wesley. The Brit caught it and read out loud. "To Mister Angel. We felt that it was our duty as good members of the community to inform people with whom you may do business of the way in which you have treated other business associates. We hope this does not cause you any undue inconvenience. Wolfram and Hart."

He passed the paper to Cordelia, who read it again to herself. The paper was heavy, expensive stuff, with the Wolfram and Hart letterhead at the top. It looked like the stuff her father had used to send business messages back when they could afford to spend money on impressive looking paper. "Those creeps!" she exclaimed. The contempt and smugness simply oozed off the paper in her hands. "They have no right to do this!"

"But it's right where they want me," Angel replied. "This isn't business. It's personal. They wanted every friend I had and every link to the Powers that Be severed. They want me helpless. Having failed with their main mission, they want to do everything they can to inconvenience me and keep me out of their hair."

"Are you really that much of a threat to them?" Cordelia asked as she took a strawberry jelly filled donut from the bag.

"They certainly think so," the vampire replied. "There's a very good chance that they know something we don't."

"Then why haven't they attacked us since then?" Wesley considered, biting into a glazed donut. "It's been three months."

"They must have another weapon," Angel reached out and took a cup out of the Starbucks bag. "They're confident that they can come after me once it's ready, whatever it is."

"I don't like that idea," Cordelia said, sipping her hot mocha latte. She kept her smile to herself as Angel drank his hot Chai and ate a chocolate iced donut like any other American male. The knowledge of his impending humanity in the not-impossibly-distant future had caused a change in her friend. A gradual one that she was sure he hadn't noticed. Occasionally he smiled, or went somewhere with her and Wesley. She had even convinced him to go shopping with her the week before after she had complained that she couldn't get clothes that fit him properly if he wouldn't try them *on* first! He had gone, albeit reluctantly, and had actually appeared to have had a pretty good time. At least now he wasn't living on three outfits. He couldn't even accessorize or borrow Wesley's things because they just didn't fit his large, muscular build. It was at moments like this, when he was sitting there doing something perfectly human and innocent, that Cordelia could see why Buffy had been so uptight when their relationship wasn't going as smoothly as it might. Angel was a wonderful guy. Not *in spite of* but *because of* what he had gone through in his life.

"Hello?" someone called from the hallway simultaneously with a loud knocking on the door, causing all three of them to jump.

Wesley looked at the door. "Who is it?"

"It's David."

"David?" Cordelia looked stunned. She stood and got the door. Sure enough, it was their *favorite* Dungeons and Dragons playing multi-millionaire. "How...good to see you. Won't you come in? Have a donut."

"Thanks," he smiled, obviously a little overwhelmed at the welcome he was given. "I just came by to see how things were going. I'm sorry about your building."

"Thanks," Angel glanced at Wesley, who shrugged. "If you don't mind my asking, David, how did you know where to find us?"

"Oh," he said, a little flustered. "I just looked Cordelia up in the phone book. I was on my way over there when I saw her come out of Starbucks. So I..."

"Followed me," Cordelia finished for him, slightly flattered, and happy, that the richest person they knew had followed her. "How clever. How are you, David?"

"Oh, I'm fine," he smiled again as he sat down in a chair. "But you look like you could use a little help," he motioned at the frustratedly tossed together pile of papers.

"It's just a little problem," Cordelia cut in before either of her business partners could open their mouths. Quickly she explained.

"Well, that's no problem," David said when she finished. "I know of a building less than five blocks from your original place. One of my Dungeon brothers bought it last week from a real estate company. It's even a similar layout to your old place, and I've got a space on the third floor with an elevator into the basement, like you had before. The rent is a little high right now because of the extra insurance the businesses and buildings in that area have been forced to pay, but I can help you out some with furnishings and some of the rent. Here," he pulled out a check book and scribbled some number Cordelia couldn't quite see without being too obvious. "This should help, and if you don't like the place there, I can help you find another. This should be enough for anyplace you decide you like." He ripped the check out his book and handed it to Angel. "Unfortunately, I have to go now. I have a meeting with my Stock Broker in an hour." He stood and awkwardly backed from the couch. "Bye."

"Bye," Cordelia waved as he left. When he was gone she nearly lunged over the table to get to the check. Angel's face told her all she needed to know. "How much is it?" she asked.

Angel looked up at her. "A hundred-thousand dollars."

Buffy left the movies feeling less than comedic. While the film had been reviewed as the funniest of the year, the antics of an elk and a skiing woodchuck just weren't all that exciting when she was worried about things like demons and morning sickness. She knew Riley had brought her to this movie after their less-than-promising Scooby meeting earlier that afternoon in the hopes that it would cheer her up.

Needless to say, it hadn't worked. It wasn't that the movie was *bad,* though it did seem to be a cheap rip-off of some old seventies cartoon. It was just that things weren't progressing very quickly. At least, the demon hunt wasn't. A Vei-rogk hadn't been seen anywhere in the area, and the tracking spell hadn't picked up so much as a group of vampires out for a little fun. Her stomach however, was expanding right on schedule. It seemed to her to be a little *ahead* of schedule. Of course, with Riley's constant nagging about healthy eating, she doubted if she ingested enough calories in a day to be gaining wait *with* a baby inside her.

Riley came up behind her and put one arm around her from behind. Buffy pushed him away. "Not now. Please. I'm not really comfortable right now."

"Oh," her boyfriend looked a little hurt. "I'm sorry." He backed away.

Buffy felt guilt steal over her. She'd been feeling that a lot lately. Every time Riley looked upset when she asked him to back off a little. He was only trying to be a helpful, protective, father-to-be. Somehow that didn't make her feel any more comfortable when he wanted to get close. She reached out and took his hand. His smile brightened a little, and her conscience let her alone for the moment.

The meeting hadn't been particularly relaxed for other reasons as well. Buffy was having a really hard time giving up slaying. Her blood hummed with the need to do her given duty, completely ignoring her tendency now to be slightly off balance, need for more sleep, and the extra effort needed to do any of her usual fighting moves. Her temper had been shorter lately as a result as well. She had argued with Giles, Riley, and anyone else she just felt like yelling at and, while she knew he friends understood, she still felt bad about it.

"Buffy, are you okay? You're really quiet tonight."

The Slayer looked up at her boyfriend and managed a small smile. "I'm just exasperated. Things have been tense lately."

"You mean *you've* been tense lately," he smiled, rubbing her shoulders with his hands as they walked toward the apartment.

Buffy sighed. "Yeah, you're right," she conceded grudgingly. "There's *nothing* going on. It's almost too peaceful. I mean, where's the demons, the end-of-the-world thing that we run into at *least* once a year?"

"I think Adam filled that bill," the tall blond replied. "You're awfully eager to go beat something up."

"I can't help it!" the petite Slayer replied in a tone that was whiney enough to make *her* wince. "It's like my skin is too tight! I'm just... itching to do something."

"Maybe your skin *is* too tight," Riley chuckled.

Buffy growled audibly. Her boyfriend's sense of humor was seriously lacking in some places. It wasn't *her* fault that she couldn't fit in any of her old pants. They were size fours for gods'sake! Of course they didn't fit anymore. When she had complained to her ob-gyn, the woman had explained a little of the physics behind the size of child versus the size of the mother's stomach. Much to her dismay, it was usually the case that if the father was a large person, the baby very well could be, and a small woman tended to show earlier than a larger or heavier woman. Which meant that at three months Buffy looked a good month-and-a-half heavier than the average woman at the same stage of pregnancy. In other words, in anything tighter than a tee-shirt, she looked obviously pregnant. "That wasn't funny," she replied shortly.

"I'm sorry," Riley said again. "I think you're very attractive this way. I just worry about you sometimes."

"Worry?" Buffy looked up at him.

"You shouldn't be doing so much. You're working too hard. The rest of us can handle anything that comes along, and still you worry endlessly about nothing. Take a break. And what about the baby?" He turned her around to face him, his face showing how worried *he* was.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to the baby," she assured him. "I won't slay anything if I can avoid it until after the baby's born. I promise."

"Actually," he spoke haltingly. "I wanted to talk to you about that."

"What?" Buffy looked at him suspiciously.

Riley looked guilty, and she knew she wouldn't like what he was about to say. He really wasn't that hard to read once she knew what to look for. "I think you should give up slaying."

"What?!" she glared at him. How could he even suggest such a thing! "How dare you presume to tell me what I should do or not! Do you even know what I am? I mean really?" she challenged.

Riley sighed. "You're the Slayer. You kill demons and vampires. It's your sacred duty. But there's no way these Powers or whatever runs things can expect you to do something that could leave your child without a mother."

"You don't get it," Buffy nearly screamed. "I don't have a choice. *They* don't have a choice. I am the Slayer, and that's the way things are. I...I don't even know why I'm trying to explain this!" she threw her hands in the air in exasperation. "Just...I'll talk to you tomorrow." She spun on her heel and stormed back to the apartment without looking back at Riley, who she knew was probably still stunned speechless.

By the time she got back to the apartment Buffy was feeling stressed, slightly out of breath, and guilty again. It was as if her hormones were on super-mode, and made even more so by her Slayer powers. She slipped inside quietly, hoping that the others were busy. She was in luck. Willow was in the shower, Tara was in her room, and Anya was too absorbed in the television to do more than wave absently as she went by.

In the peace of her bedroom, Buffy was able to relax a little bit. Taking deep breaths, she stretched, feeling the tense muscles in the small of her back release. *Oh, that's better.* Changing into her most comfortable pajamas, she curled up in bed and turned out the light. The darkness was peaceful. In the years since she had been called, Buffy had grown accustomed to the dark. She knew it like it was an old friend. The dark was comfortable, peaceful almost friendly. As she drifted off to sleep, the thought came unbidden, and haunted her dreams all night.

Angel would have understood.

"Is anyone else bored?"

No one so much as twitched at Anya's statement. Simply a tribute to how bored they all really were. Nothing had happened in three days. No demons. No Scooby meetings. Nothing. Even Miss Kitty had left Amy alone. Now the kitten was stretched across as much of Buffy's lap as she could possibly take up, purring as she absently stroked it. Anya was laying on her stomach on the couch, staring over the end of it into space. Or rather...the wall. Willow and Tara were sitting Indian-style on the floor, playing war with a deck of cards.

"I'll take that as a yes," the ex-demon answered herself. "We should do something."

"Like what?" Willow asked. "It's 101 in the shade outside!"

"We could go to the beach," Tara suggested. "I de-clare war." She and Willow put down the last cards. "I win!" she grinned triumphantly.

"The beach is a great idea," Willow said enthusiastically. "I've got a new spell that requires some special seaweed, and a swim would be nice."

"And I've been wanting to show Xander my new bathing suit," Anya grinned. Fortunately she didn't get into any more detail than that. She *was* learning.

"Buffy?" Willow looked up at her best friend.

Buffy fidgeted slightly. A cool swim sounded really good -the heat got to her much more easily these days- but... "I...don't know."

Willow stood and came over to her. "Come on, it'll be fun." She smiled. "You look fine."

Buffy sighed. "Thanks. I wish I agreed with you. Sure," she nodded. "Why not."

"Great," her friend replied. "Let's get going! We've still got a few hours before it starts to get dark."

"I'll make a picnic," Tara said, heading into the kitchen.

"I'll feed Miss Kitty and Amy," Buffy pushed herself out of the chair and set the mostly full-sized kitten on the floor.

"I'll call Xander," Anya sprang from the couch.

Buffy grinned and looked at Willow. "What will you do?" she asked.

Willow smiled. "Grab the beach ball and the sun screen! Are you going to call Riley?"

"No," the Slayer shook her head. "He...has to work late this afternoon. And they don't like it if the councilors take personal calls at the camp."

"Oh, okay," the red-head shrugged. "Let's go!"

"Come on! You can serve it farther than that!" Willow yelled at Xander from across the volleyball net.

"I'm trying!" he yelled back. "Volleyball isn't exactly my sport you know!" He served, and it went over. Tara spiked it back and as Xander ran to get it -Anya was hopeless- he tripped and fell into the surf, a large wave riding up over him. He stood up again, soaking wet with a strand of seaweed in his hair, sending everyone into a fit of giggles.

"Hold on, don't move!" Willow called. "That's the seaweed I need for my spell!" She ran over to the only boy at their end of the beach and plucked the green off him. "Thanks."

Lounging on low beach chair under the umbrella she had brought, Buffy laughed at her disheveled friend. Even though diving for the volleyball wasn't exactly on her list of things she was permitted to do at the moment, she was having fun just watching. And they were at the far end of the beach, so the privacy was at a maximum, which she was extremely grateful for. In a swimsuit there was no hiding the bulge of her abdomen. But with only her friends there, she was surprised to find that she was enjoying herself.

Anya dove for the ball, and actually managed to hit it. It came careening across the sand at a perfect right angle to the net and bounced to a stop at Buffy's feet.

"Point! We win!" Willow yelled, jumping up and down excitedly. "Come on, Buffy, we were going back in the water for a few minutes. It'll be too dark soon, and it's still hot!"

It was hot. They had been at the beach for six hours already and it was starting to get dark. The tide was in, and the surfers that had been abundant earlier had all gone home. At their end of the beach were some small cliffs, perfect for diving into the deep coves that they sheltered. As Xander climbed one of them, the girls splashed into the water, floating easily on the waves and splashing each other.

"Look out below!" Xander yelled from above. As the girls looked up he jumped from the top of the cliff, falling semi-gracefully downward, and managing to turn his tumbling into a sort-of dive just before he hit the water. He came back up to enthusiastic applause and cheers.

By the time it was fully dark, they were all back on the beach, and drying by the heat and light of a small bonfire over which they were cooking hotdogs and s'mores. The non-health food was a dream to Buffy's taste buds. In fact, the entire day had been like a dream. She had enjoyed herself as carelessly as she had before become the Slayer, and even in high school with these same friends as they had done when they were younger. More innocent. Things had been different in college. They had all drifted apart somewhat, and she had been so busy with Riley and the Initiative that she had neglected them.

Riley. With a start Buffy realized that it was the first time all day that she had even thought about him. When she was around him lately everything was....tense. He got on her nerves. His constant concern and overbearing manner drove her nuts. He'd been annoying her for months! The realization hit her like a falling elephant. It was so clear! Her unease when he touched her. The way she wanted to throttle him when he suggested yet *another* kind of salad for lunch. The way she felt like she couldn't trust him. He didn't trust her! She had known that ever since the incident with Angel. He had *assumed* that she had slept with her ex simply because she had gone to LA. Buffy had shoved her doubts aside because she hadn't wanted to see the flaws her in perfect, normal relationship.

For some reason this night, on this beach, it was impossible to ignore what her heart had known all along. Riley obviously did love her, but it was a jealous love. His emotions blinded him to the truth sometimes. Just as hers had blinded her up til now. Did she really *love* him? She was definitely fond of him. And he was a good lover. The question was perplexing. Promising to think long and hard about it later, she put the thoughts away for the night and joined her friends in singing off-key tunes from the 80's.

Tara flipped another page and took a sip of her white grape juice. The book was one of several she had borrowed from Giles earlier that week, in the hopes of finding out more about the spell she had cast in her sleep. It was the last in his collection as well. If she didn't find an answer here, she wasn't sure where she would find one. *Chapter thirteen. Dream casting. Dream casting requires that the spell be cast through the body of an appropriately knowledgeable mortal. This sounds promising. Took long enough! Let's see... Types of dream cast spells.* As she continued to read, Tara found the translation harder and harder to read. It wasn't that the ancient dialect -a cross between Greek and a basic demon tongue- was inconsistent, but more as if it was coated in a protection spell to keep what was inside from being read by anyone who wasn't supposed to.

That meant she needed a release spell. Perhaps she needed to prove she was worthy to read what lay on those pages. Quickly she focused and centered, calling instinctually out and down towards the book. She found the spell that blurred the words, and with a simple whisp of an unlocking spell, undid it.

The last pages of the chapter lay open before her, plain as day. As she read the last page, Tara gasped. There it was! The spell. And in another tongue that she didn't recognize, what appeared to be a piece of prophesy regarding it lay below. Quickly she read what remained. Then, when she was no longer stunned by her discovery, Tara slipped out of her room and knocked quietly on Willow's door.

"Unnngh," came a call.

Tara entered. "Willow, wake up. I have to talk to you."

"What's wrong?" Willow asked blearily as she rolled over and turned on her small bedside light.

Tara sat down at the edge of the bed and held up the book. "This was in Giles' house, and I found something important."

She now had Willow's full attention. The red-headed witch sat up and took the book in her hands, quickly reading over what Tara had worked for hours to get through. She looked up and stared at her girlfriend. "You spoke this spell in your sleep?" Tara nodded an affirmative. "And this is what you've been looking for since then." Willow shook her head. "It's amazing."

"But what does it mean?" Tara asked. "The wording is strange."

Willow re-read the passage aloud, then translated. "It says `what needs be made of two may be made of such as is of another and not of the one. But the one made of two can be of the other only when the one is the One and the other is not the one of the proper two.' The spell translates as "Take what belongs of one, and switch with that which makes the other, to be bound with the One and form what must be of two. Switch the strands of life, and make what was of one of the other. Let these be done in the words of the Powers.' Wow," she looked at it. "You know what this is, don't you."

Tara nodded. "That's why I came to you. What can I do about it?"

"There's nothing you can do," Willow said. "The spell has been cast. It cannot be reversed according to the passage, and it can only be cast by the Powers through a mortal body."

"And I was the vessel," the ash-blonde sighed. "When I woke up, and felt those words on my lips. They sang...unlike any spell I've ever done before. It was amazing. And frightening. What does this mean. Who did I do this too? There must be three involved. Or is the third some stranger?"

"We can't be sure," Willow replied. "No...wait. It would make sense that the vessel for the spell know the one on who it is cast. They would have to, or the nuances of the spell would be completely wrong. The pronunciation changes. So it has to be her."

"But then who is the other one?" Tara asked. This was all so confusing!

"I'll bet the answer to that is in this prophesy segment below," Willow said. "Whoever wrote everything in this book was obviously working from an older source, that he or she didn't bother to translate. For the same purpose that they put the locking spell over these pages." She looked at the page for a moment, then closed the book. "We'll take it to Giles. If he can't translate it I know a couple of occult book sources that may have what we need."

"Okay," Tara smiled. "I feel better knowing I've found the spell...and yet it scares me. What was *done?*"

"Well, what you've done is clear," Willow replied. "We just don't know the details, or how the consequences will play out."

"I know," Tara sighed as she stood up to go back to her room. "But I've never heard of a DNA switching spell before."