Magic Moments

Xander sat, quietly hyperventilating, in the passenger seat of Spike’s car. It was the most helpful thing he could think of to do. And, considering the circumstances, he hoped that Spike would damn well appreciate it.

Spike stared out of the windscreen and gripped the steering wheel until he heard it creak under the strain. Differing emotions slithered through his body and mind like a snake on a very important mission and one recurring thought snagged around a rib and would not let go. He felt sorry for Xander.

Spike turned towards the father of his unborn child and placed what he hoped was a comforting hand on his leg. “Hey, don’t worry. Calm down, yeah?”

“Calm…down? How…can… I…calm down?!” Xander asked between panicked, shuddering breaths.

“I know it’s hard, pet. I’m freaking out too, but us getting in a tizz about it isn’t going to help. We both need to sort ourselves out and think clearly.”

“It isn’t like I can help freaking out! This is all happening so fast! First you tell me that I’m pregnant, next thing my stomach looks like it’s been blown up with a bicycle pump! It’s a lot to take in, you know!”

“It’s a shock to me too!” Spike all but yelled, his grip on non-hysteria rapidly leaving the planet. “But we’ve got to stick together, me and you. We’re both in this, remember? That’s my kid you’re carrying!”

“Oh my god, please don’t say that.”

“What?”

“Kid, baby, person, mini-me, please don’t say it. I can’t think of it like that. It’s just a spell, an evil spell that we’re going to fix. You’re gonna help me get rid of this thing, right?”

Spike hesitated.

“Spike? Right?”

“Yeah, yeah, 'course. We’ll…fix it.”

“Good. Yeah, okay. Yeah, good. Yeah. I feel better. We’ll fix it then go back home. I’ll even fix the shower for you.”

Spike huffed. “For the last bloody time, I did not break the bloody shower!”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Right.”

“Spike?”

“What?”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine…you?”

“I’m good.”

“Really?” Spike asked, hopefully.

“No.”

“Oh.”

“It’s cool, though,” Xander said, quickly. “I can deal. That’s the main thing.”

“Right. Good. Me too.”

“Good. So we’re dealing. Good.”

“Right.”

“Erm, just how are we dealing? I mean, how are we going to fix this? Just asking. Not freaking.”

“Watcher.”

“Oh, gods, that will involve having to tell him.”

“Actually…”

“I’m so glad you told me first, Spike. This is so embarrassing. What’s Giles going to say?”

“Erm, well, I…”

“Would you tell him? I know that you’re just about the least tactful person I know, but I just don’t think I can get the words out. I can barely admit this to myself. So, will you do it? I know I’m asking a lot.”

“Err, yeah, sure. Why not?”

“Thanks.”

“No problem. You know what?”

“What?”

“I *bet* Giles won’t bat an eyelid. This is the Hellmouth and Sunnydale is state-renowned for attracting all sorts of trouble. I bet you that he won’t be in the slightest bit surprised.”

“This won’t shock him? You really think?”

“I *know*.”

“Hmm. Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m hungry.”

“Craving?”

“Definitely.”

“For?”

“Sloppy Joes and custard.”

Spike wrinkled his nose. “I see. Lovely. We’ll stop, yeah?”

“Really? Thanks.”

“S’okay. Got a craving, myself.”

“You have?”

“I have.”

“What for?”

“A large bottle of vodka and as many cigarettes as I can realistically fit into my gob at once.”

TBC…