Revelations

By
Lee

"Oh Honey I know it's not safe to linger in parking lots, but this is Sunnydale not LA."

'Sure Sunnydale, safer than LA, that'll be the day.'

"There it is. Come on Buffy I see it." Looking at her watch she saw how late it was. "Oh no look at the time, what do you say we stop for take out on the way home?"

"I guess so. How about..." Buffy was suddenly interrupted by three vamps as they jumped her and her mother. Buffy staked the first one than advanced on the other two. "You know, you would think that you guys would be smarter than pick on defenseless women. I think I'll have to teach you two a lesson."

"And who would you be little girl?"

"Oh shit, it's the slayer."

"So. I've always wanted to taste slayer blood." Turning to Buffy he stated proudly. "I'm going to kill you and feast on your blood. Then everyone will know I am no ordinary vampire, I am someone who...." He was stunned by the blow he received from Buffy. As he made it to his feet his partner pull him away from the Slayer.

"What the hell do you think your doing, you idiot? Don't you know the Slayer belongs to Angelus? She is his mate, he marked her. If you touch her he will kill you slowly and with lots of pain. He didn't earn the reputation The Scourge of Europe for nothing." He was trying to explain he did not want to see his little brother die yet.

Buffy's mother turned away from the two vampires to her daughter. "Mate? What is he talking about, what dose he mean marked you?" Seeing Buffy was not going to answer she turned to the vampire who had been talking. "Well someone had better answer me, and I mean right now."

Buffy was the first to speak up. "We'll talk later Mom. Right now I have to kill these two vampires, then we'll talk. Okay?" Not waiting for a reply she started to advance on the two.

"No need for that Slayer we were just leaving. Weren't we little brother?"

"No actually I was going to kill her than we can leave."

"Didn't you hear what I said? She belongs to Angelus, she's his mate. No one touches her but him. He is a master beyond any other. You touch her and he will probably kill ever vampire in Sunnydale for revenge." Speaking once more to Buffy. "We're leaving now tell Angelus he's only a fledgling, all talk you know. We were just looking for a quick meal, we meant no harm."

"Oh sure killing people and sucking them dry. Sure no harm there."

Joyce had had enough. "Will somebody tell me what he means by mate?"

Little Brother saw this as a way to do some damage to the Slayer. "He means, Angelus is her mate, kinda like a husband or a lover. He marked her as his property, she belongs to him now and anyone else who touches her he has the right to kill." Seeing the look on the Slayer's face he knew he had done a little damage at least. As he and Big Brother disappeared into the night he called, "See ya Slayer. Hope I didn't cause too much trouble."

"You are so dust." Buffy called back.

Buffy had that deer in the headlights expression on her face. "Mom you know how vamps are, their evil they lie all the time. You can't trust a thing they say."

Joyce thought this over and had to agree that made since. Then she remembered something. "Buffy isn't your history tutor's name Angel?"

"Yeah, isn't that a coincidence. Who woulda thunk it." Buffy's little attempt at humor did not go over very well.

"This young lady this is not the time for levity. I want an answer and I want it now." Her tone of voice was unmistakably irate.

"How about we get in the car and I'll take you to someone who can explain better than I can. It really isn't safe to stay here much longer."

Buffy explained all that had happened to her since she was called, leaving out a few key elements. Like dying and the night of her birthday.

They drove the rest of the way in silence until they reached the school. Once there Buffy hurried Joyce to the library to speak to Giles.

After quickly conferring with Giles and telling him what happened at the mall he was ready to face the slayers mother.

"Mrs. Summers, The earth is older than anybody knows, and contrary to popular mythology, it did not begin as paradise. For untold eons, demons walked the Earth, made it their home, their Hell. In time, they lost their purchase on this reality, and the way was made for mortal animals. For Man. What remains of the Old Ones are vestiges: certain magicks, certain creatures... the last demon to leave this reality fed off a human, mixed their blood. He was a human form possessed-infected-by the demons soul. He bit another and another…and so they walk the Earth, feeding. Waiting for the animals to die out and the Old Ones to return. Vampires cannot enter a private home without an invitation, but once they have been invited, they can return at any time. Vampires have amazing healing abilities, however they can be killed by way of fire, beheading, or most commonly used: a wooden stake through the heart. Also, holy water and crosses can be equally helpful in warding vampires. Once a vampire is killed, it will turn to dust."

Taking a breath he continued. "As long as there have been vampires, there has been the Slayer. One girl in all the world, to find them where they gather and to stop the spread of their evil... the swell of their numbers. In every generation there is a chosen one... She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness... She is the Slayer... Into each generation a Slayer is born. One girl, in all the world, a Chosen One. One born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires, to stop the spread of evil. A Slayer must always work in secret, with the help only of her Watcher. The Slayer's Watcher is the one who trains her until her death, which is usually at a young age. When one slayer dies, a new slayer is activated."

Joyce paled at the word death. "Dies? What do you mean dies? Are you telling me my baby is going to die? And what do you mean at a young age?"

"Well er... ah... you see it is, I mean it happens. Slayers die in battle." He finally admitted.

"Giles, I don't think mom needs to hear this right now." Looking over at her mother she noticed she did not look very happy.

"No Buffy I think I need to be informed about your life. I want to know everything, every detail. I want to know what my little girl has gotten herself into. And I want to know how to get you out of it. I am not going to let you go out every night so some demon can try to kill you. And I want to know all about this Angel you've been seeing. Someone start explaining. NOW!"

Buffy started explaining about her and Angel and when she got to what Whistler had said she sounded like a small child trying to convince her mother. "He said the Powers That Be said we are fated to be together forever. Really he did."

After confirmation from Giles Joyce announced. "I want to meet him. Right now. I want to find out what his intentions are."

Giles sent Buffy down the hall to fetch some sodas for herself and her mother. By the time she returned Joyce was calmer. Now her mother wanted to know everything about her watcher. So Giles gave her his life story.

Two hours after they had arrived Joyce was somewhat mollified. They said their god-byes and went home. On the ride home Buffy answered question after question about Angel. Making sure to let her mom knew how helpful he was fighting and how he had saved her life more than once.

Once Buffy was in bed Joyce broke down. It took her half an hour and a half a bottle of Southern Comfort to stop the shakes.

Buffy had hopped her mother would have forgotten, she had all the other times something strange had happened. "Mom we just can't move every time someone finds out I'm the slayer. The baddies know I can feel them and they can feel me. It won't work, and besides I've got to be here to stop the world from ending."

"Oh Buffy don't be so dramatic."

"Mom I'm serious. I've already stopped the world ending more than once."

As they pulled up to the school Joyce stared at Buffy. Her little girl had saved the world more than once. "You can't mean...."

"Hell on earth, demons running around everywhere, people either dead or under their control. Yep, sure do. Me and Angel have stopped all kinda bad things from happening. He's the only one who can really help that I don't have to worry about. Willow and Xander try but I have to watch out for them, I don't have to do that with Angel." Kissing her mother on the cheek she hopped out of the Jeep and hurried to the library to meet with Giles.

After filling the gang in Buffy went about her day as usually. She spent most of it missing Angel, wondering where he was and what he was doing. By the end of the day she was dragging. Her whole body hurt she was sick. 'Must be the flu she thought to herself.'

When Giles saw Buffy after school he told her to go home and rest. Willow and Buffy walked to Buffy's house. On the way Buffy told her all about how her mom had found out the previous night. "You know if that vamp hadn't said that Angel was my mate she would have forgotten the whole thing."

"I don't know Buffy, I seem to remember finding out the same way."

"Yeah but what about Darla she bit my mom and she forgot that."

"Well maybe it was seeing you fight those vamps."

"I'm telling you it was because he called Angel my mate. Mom has been all over me with questions about him."

"Maybe your right. I guess that would freak out anyone's mom. What have you told her? You haven't told her everything have you?"

"God no! How dumb do I look? I only told her that we were in love and that The Powers That Be said we were fated to be together forever. I told her how sweet he is and how he always watches my back when we fight and how he's saved my life before."

"Wow you told her all that. How did she take it? What did she say?"

"She wants to meet him as soon as he gets back. I am so not looking forward to that."

"Why? Angel is almost perfect, I'm sure he will make a good impression. Well except for the him being a vampire thing. I mean what girl wouldn't want him for their boyfriend."

"I know, but he's two hundred and forty three and I'm only seventeen. I'm sure mom will have something to say about that."

"Well when you put it like that I think you have a problem. Here we are. Now you get in there and get to bed, you need your rest."

"Yes mom. Thanks for the talk I needed that."

"Call me later when wake up."

After their good-byes Buffy headed up to bed hopping to dream about Angel.

Buffy had gathered the gang together at the library she had something to tell them. Her mother would be coming in an hour she wanted their support. As the gang waited she pulled Giles into his office to tell him first. He was her watcher and he deserved to hear this first.

Willow looked on as Buffy filled Giles in on the latest changes in her life. Big changes. She hopped he took it well. Buffy would need all her friends. She was going to need all the help she could get with Angel gone.

Buffy exited Giles office leaving a stunned watcher in her wake.

"How did it go?" Willow was worried about her friend.

"He took it pretty good. I thought there would be yelling and stuff."

"Wait till you tell Xander, he will do enough yelling for both of them."

Buffy laughed "I can't wait."

"Hey guys what are you two talking about? What's the secret?"

"No big secret Xand. I have something to tell you guys." She looked around the table Xander, Cordy and Oz watched her expectantly. "You guys remember when I was in the hospital with the flu?" At their nod she continued. "Well when he examined me he did that thing where he pushes on your stomach."

"Palpitates." Willow supplied.

"That's the thing. Thanks Will." Returning her attention to the group. "Anyway he found something."

"What did he find?" Xander asked.

When Buffy did not immediately answer and looked down at the floor, Cordelia came up with her own conclusion. She hoped up and embraced Buffy. "Oh my God, I'm sorry. If you need anything let me know. I can help when you get all gross and stuff." Buffy looked at her in shock, she knew she would gain weight, but she hoped she wouldn't get too fat. "You know when your hair starts to fall out and you lose a bunch of weight. My mom has some wigs you can use."

"Cordy what are you talking about?"

"You have cancer, right?"

"No, I don't have cancer."

"Oh well my bad." She walked back to her seat. "Well if you don't have cancer, what do you have. I mean you have some kind of disease, right."

"No I don't have some kind of disease. For your information I'm pregnant." The room was stunned into silence.

Xander was the first to react. "YOUR WHAT!" He shouted. "Who's is it? Do you even know?" Xander hiss venomously. He was enraged, first Angel and then some other guy. Why not him? He loved her and always would but she did not love him.

"Xander!" Willow shouted.

"And here I thought you said you and Angel were destined to be together forever. How do you think he'll feel about you when he finds out you've been screwing around on him while he's gone?"

Buffy couldn't believe her ears, how could Xander be so cruel. Why did he hate her? "I'll have you know this is Angel's baby. The man I love the man I'm married to. So take your attitude and shove it."

Giles watched his slayer, he could not accept that Xander could turn on her like that. She need all the friends she could get right now, not have them turn on her. "Xander! Leave now. I will speak to you later." He watched as Xander turned and walked out in a huff. "Buffy don't pay any attention to Xander. He never liked Angel and he..."

"He what Giles? What could make him say those kind of things to me?" The tears were falling from her face.

Giles went to her and took her into his arms. He held her as she cried like a lost child. "I don't know Buffy. I can't begin to fathom why he would say those things to you. Why he would want to hurt you. You go on into my office and have a rest, your mother will be here soon."

"She is so not going to like this. Xander's reaction maybe nothing compared to hers." Buffy left Giles to rest.

Willow entered Giles office to find Buffy drying her tears. "You know Xander has been in love with you since he first meet you."

"I know, but that's no excuse to act like a jerk. I mean he knows I'm with Angel and that I love him. Why can't he except it?"

"Well you know how he is."

"Unfortunately, yeah I do."

"He was hurt that you moved on to another guy that wasn't him. You know we all thought vampires could not have kids."

"You thought, how do you think I felt when the doctor told me I was pregnant. Here I am so sick I can't think straight and the doc comes in and tells me I'm gonna have a baby. And to top it off the father is a two hundred and forty three year old vampire, who by the way told me he couldn't ever have kids. You should have seen me arguing with that doctor."

"What did you say to him."

"I told him it was impossible, and he asked if we had had unprotected sex and I said yes. Then he says that's how these things happen, young people should learn. Then I told him Angel had been hurt when he was younger and the doctors told him he'd never be able to have kids. He asked what kinda injury and I told him he was in an accident and it was bad enough that he died."

Willow snickered, "Bad enough to kill him? I'd say you got that right."

"If Angel had been human we would have used something, he was never supposed to be able to have kids."

"What do you think he'll say?"

"I don't know, I think he'll be happy. When he told me he couldn't have kids he seemed really bummed about it. I hope he's happy."

"Oh, he will be. I've never seen anyone more in love than you two." Changing the subject, to something she was dying to know. "What did Giles have to say?"

"He just looked at me and blinked a few times, then took his glasses off and started to clean them. You know how he dose when he thinking or gets nervous?" Willow nodded. "Then he said he would have to look into it and CHECK HIS BOOKS." Both girls sang at the same time. Then they started to laugh. When Buffy looked up she saw Cordelia standing at the door.

"What's so funny?"

"I'll tell you later Cor." Buffy said. "I thought you went after Xander." It hurt to think about him, how his words had hurt her.

"I did and boy did I give him a piece of my mind. Now the dork is outside the library doors and wants to apologize. If I were you I'd make him work hard for forgiveness. Have him buy you some shoes or a new dress, God knows you need it. Maybe I'll go with you and help you pick out some stuff. With your fashion sense you need all the help you can get."

"Thanks for the offer Cordy, I'll think about it." Taking a deep breath she sighed. "Tell Xander to come in."

Cordelia turned to leave when Willow came up beside her. "I want to have a word with him before he sees Buffy. Why don't you stay and keep her company." At Cordelia's nod Willow stalked to the door.

Cordelia turned to Buffy, "OK spill, what were you two laughing about when I came in?"

Buffy quickly fill Cordy in on hers and Willow's conversation then on what happened in Giles office. When she got to the check his books part, Cordelia too burst into laughter. When the laughter stopped Buffy heard, "...and if you say one thing, one single thing to upset her I'll..."

"I know Will, and I promise to be good."

"Just remember what I said." Xander nodded to her as they entered Giles office.

"Hey Buff." Xander said uneasily. At her silence he looked down. "I... I am sorry. I don't know why I lost it like that. I know you wouldn't do anything like that. I'm sorry, can we just say I was possessed, and forget about it. Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease." He gave her a sappy smile.

"All right Xand but if you say one more thing against Angel or about our baby I'll tie you up and leave you on Spike's doorstep. Is that clear?"

"You got it. I'll be good, I promise."

"You better be because my mom is coming and I'm going to tell her. I want all your support so be good or you know what I'll do." Xander shivered at the coldness in her voice and eyes. Seeing her now he had no doubt she meant business.

"You know Buffy." Willow said. "I think you should tie him to a tree and put a sign on him that says 'EAT ME'."

"Ooo, that sounds good. I like that better."

"Thanks a lot Will, Cordy." He watched as all three girls laughed.

"Oh, even better than that. How about tying him to a tree and carving the words 'EAT ME' in his chest." By now all three girls were in tears, there laughter could be heard in the library.

"With a dull knife." Cordy added.

"Or maybe even a spoon." Willow added getting in on the teasing.

Giles entered his office to find the girls laughing and Xander looking indignant. "Is... is everything all right?"

"Yeah, everything is fine. Xander apologized, and will be good or else." As they turned to look at him he swallowed hard.

"Of course I will. I mean who wouldn't be thrilled about you having Deadboy's child? I know I can't wait."

"Xander! Stop calling him that." Buffy yelled. "Look I've got to use the bathroom, I'll be back in afew."

"Xander." Willow warned "You said you'd be good."

"I am." At her look. "What?"

"Xander this could be Buffy's only chance to have children. You know slayers don't have the longest life's. She could be dead tomorrow and you begrudge her a small chance at happiness. She's happy now be happy for her or leave."

"OK but did it have to be Deadboy?"

"XANDER!" He shut up.

"Not yet Mom. There's something we need to talk about first."

"Now Buffy, I told you, you are not going to patrol for at least a week."

"Jeeze Mom chill. I'm not going to patrol tonight. Now I've got something to tell you."

"Okay go ahead."
*
Ten minutes later a shocked Joyce sat at the table with Buffy and her friends. Pregnant her daughter was pregnant. Her little girl, her baby was having a baby. "Pregnant, are you sure. The doctor didn't say anything to me when you were in the hospital."

"Well I asked him to let me tell you and when I was released he was dead so some other guy checked me out."

"Why didn't he tell me?"

"I kinda had Willow fix my records."

"Who's the father?"

"My husband, who else. Angel is the father of my baby."

"When you told me all this stuff about him being your mate and husband, I was glad someone was looking after you. But this is too much. Your only seventeen you can't have a child. Your still a child yourself."

"Mom this could be my only chance to have a baby. I may be dead tomorrow."

"Again." Cordelia said.

"Again. What do you mean again?"

"Well she's already died once."

Joyce stared.

"Cordy!"

"What?" She looked around the room. "Well she did."

"Look I'm going to get a soda. You calm down and we'll talk again when I get back." Buffy went out the doors in search of a soda.

"Died are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure. Can we move on now. Parents are all the same. Buffy has to save the world every week but she can't have a baby. I'll never understand you guys. Come on Xander if you want a ride lets go."

"Bye Xand. I'm proud of you."

Xander left without saying a word. After saying good bye to Buffy they got into Cordy's car. "Do you know how hard it was not to say anything?"

"We're all very proud of you. Now lets go." Cordy's tone was patronizing.

Back in the library Giles expanded how Buffy had died and was brought back. "Willow perhaps you should tell Mrs. Summers about Buffy's dream. Remember everything I told you about slayer dreams and how they are prophetic. That means her dreams came to pass."

Joyce nodded and listened as Willow recounted Buffy's dream of what her life would be like without Angel. How she would never truly be happy without him. How she would meet a 'normal' boy Joyce would like, but Buffy would never be happy with him. She would date to make everyone but herself happy. He would leave her and she wouldn't care. Finally she got to Buffy's death. "Mrs. Summers without Angel she won't live to graduate collage. And do you know the worst thing?" Joyce shook her head. "She will welcome her death. Because without Angel she won't want to live."

"No. You can't be serious, she would do just fine without him."

"I'm sorry Mrs. Summers." Giles said. "The Powers That Be have fated them to be together and there is nothing you or anyone can do about it."

"The Powers That Be? Do you mean God or something like that."

"That's exactly what I mean."

"Oh." Joyce has been given a lot to think about. If they were correct without Angel her baby was as good as dead. "I think I need time to think about this." She rose to leave.

Giles ever being the gentleman stood and helped Mrs. Summers to her feet. "If you need anything please do not hesitate to call on me."

"Thank you very much. I'm sure I'll take you up on your offer. Willow would you like a ride home, I know the streets aren't safe after dark."

"Thank you. I'll get Buffy and we can go."

The ride was silent except for good byes with Willow. When they reached the house Buffy and her mother entered thru the kitchen. As Buffy started towards the door Joyce stopped her. "Buffy."

"Yeah Mom."

"Honey, Willow told me about this dream you had." When Buffy did not respond Joyce continued. "About what would happen if you and Angel were not together."

"Oh that one. She shouldn't have said anything."

"Do all your dreams come true?"

"No. Only some of the time."

"Why do you think this dream will come true."

"It's a slayer thing, we just know which dreams will come true."

"So without him you will die?"

"Yep."

"Your sure?"

"Ah huh."

"Well there's only one thing to do than."

"What?"

"Congratulate you and my new son-in-law when he returns." Joyce crossed the kitchen and pulled her daughter into a tight hug. "But if he ever hurts you or makes you cry, I'll find a stake and use it on him."

"Thanks Mom. I know you're gonna love him just like we do." She said rubbing her stomach.

"Now first thing in the morning we make an appointment with an OBGYN. I want to make sure my grandbaby is healthy."

"Been there, done that. We're fine, but he did give me this prescription to get filled."

"What is it? Can I take a look at it?"

Buffy dug in her purse and found it. "It's for some kinda vitamin thingies."

"Prenatal vitamins Dear. Is that all he gave you?" Joyce started for the stairs taking Buffy with her.

"No. He gave me all this stuff to read." Buffy continued pulling out a folder filled with papers and pamphlets. "Oh, and this cool little food chart thing." Digging thru the papers to find it. "Look at this," Showing her mother. "pizza is considered a snack. Xander would love this."

"That boy must have a tape worm. I swear I don't know were he puts all that food."

Buffy giggled at her mothers description of Xander's eating habits. "We think it's a Hellmouth thing. Kinda like the Bermuda Triangle. Only instead of ships and the ocean, it's Xander and food."

When they reached the top of the stairs Joyce steered Buffy to her room. "Get some sleep, remember being pregnant you are going to need more rest." Holding up the folder. "I'm going to read this and see what's changed since I had you. Now tomorrow is a Saturday so I want you to sleep in. Your still recovering from that flu bug. Did the doctor say anything about how that might effect the baby."

"Yeah, he said he thought it'd be okay, but wants to do some test when I'm further along."

"I'm sure there won't be any problem. Now get to bed."

Less than five minutes later Buffy was asleep dreaming of Angel and their children playing in the back yard of a big house in the sun.