After the Fall

by
Josie_h

Part Sixteen

Spike made the call. Willow’s cell phone rang out and he was unwilling to contact the coven direct. Paranoia as a survival tactic had its merits. What if the Initiative had a way of tracking the magical surge to its source? Spike and his fellow fugitives all realized at the same moment. They had no way of telling. Without the support of the coven, and with William the Bloody being officially ‘back in action’ with his calling of the clans… they would need to get moving and soon… but to where was the problem.

At that moment, heavy banging on the back door caused Eddie to blanch, whimper and pull little Willow to him in terror. They all froze, Xander felt physically ill… Surely not yet… not yet… they couldn’t have! Logic said they couldn’t…

A second rapping and Eddie pulled the other two children to his chest, holding them so tight that tiny Willow squeaked her protest. Jonothon shoved a finger into the little mouth to silence her. The adults scanned the room, panicked.

Where might they hide at such short notice? What were the options for escape? Perhaps Samuel’s bedroom might provide a little time… or… at least give them… enough time to… They had all decided the children would not be taken. A distressed Spike nodded, if this was who they feared it might be, then both he and Jonothon knew what they must do. Spike would be the last to dust. He and Jon had promised to take their family, ending each dear person’s time in a loving embrace rather than in cruelty… the children quietly… lovingly… then the partners, then the Sire would end the Childe and … finally the Sire would end himself. Xander had made a beautifully ornate stake for just such a purpose, the words ‘for Love and for Eternity’ carved carefully into the handle. The sad little group moved silently toward Samuel’s bedroom.

There was no better timing. A loud, cheerful male voice rang out, “Hello? Beer’s here! Hey guys?! Come greet the purveyor of fine malt! It’s Robbie, fellas… comparing beers blahh blahh. You said Friday? Hello?? Alex? William?”

Xander’s eyes went wide “Oh God, it’s the ambulance guy… it’s Robbie! Kathleen reminded me and I … Get the kids and Eddie to the bedroom … I’ll stall him in the kitchen then we can ummm… Oh God this is all such a mess!”

Spike put a still shaking hand on his panicked partner’s arm, “It’s fine Xan. We’re fine… You go be host, the kids will be fine… big bed, family… they’ll be fine. We’ll sort the rest.”

The belated sense of relief in the group was tangible. Eddie and Jonothon carried their brood into Samuel’s room, each child was lovingly kissed and cuddled far beyond what was usual. The children picked up on their parents’ distress and returned the attention, also settling more willingly than was normal. Blinds were checked and within minutes, three little blue figures were snuggled between Jonothon and Eddie as bedcovers were pulled up and the five settled for the evening. It was one more night together … made so much more precious by recent events… so much more… one more night together. Jon reached over the slumbering trio to wipe away a tear tracking down his beautiful lover’s face, they both knew. Jon whispered, “Every day is a gift… with you … We’ll get through this… We will…” Eddie simply pulled the caressing hand to his lips and kissed it… their feet found each other despite the child induced ‘gap’ and they instinctively intertwined fingers as unsettled sleep took them.

Spike had roused the exhausted Daniel enough to move him to Samuel’s chair in the lounge. His still half finished beer from earlier was placed strategically and the tiny television turned on to the basketball. Robbie entered within seconds of the tableau being completed and Spike sighed with relief.

Daniel came back to consciousness quickly as Robbie settled himself on the lounge next to Spike.

“Ummm this is Daniel, he’s been sent as our… well just to make sure…”

William’s embarrassment spelt volumes to the gentle paramedic, he leaned forward and stilled his blonde host with a simple touch. “’S fine William. Kathleen told me about Sam. Can’t say I’m surprised … Nice to meet you Dan.” He extended a friendly hand toward Daniel and grinned as a strong grip matched his own in the handshake.

“Pleasure.”

“England?”

“Bugger off!… Bonny Scotland!!”

“Umm sorry, just…”

“Ach…. No need t’ worry. Answer to pretty much anythin’ so long as it’s no rude!”

Robbie grinned and handed his now completely lucent ‘host’ a home brew.

Daniel grinned broadly and Robbie returned the smile as the blonde Scot commented, “You in the business or just specialize in abusin’ friends with overproof hops?”

Spike gave a relieved sigh as he watched Robbie roar laughing and the two males connect. Xander fetched some of Samuel’s own brew ‘for comparison purposes’. The basketball game finished and a game of soccer from somewhere in South America began. The commentary was exciting, the game less impressive. They turned down the sound and relaxed into the evening.

Still unsure of Robbie, Xander had hung back, sitting on the floor near Spike’s feet, still not game to actually make contact. Eventually however, he moved closer under the guise of hearing the conversation better. Daniel and Robbie were comparing ‘diving’ stories. Ironically both had were keen scuba enthusiasts with vastly different experiences. As they spoke and the beer flowed, Xander quietly moved to lean against his partner’s knee. He pressed into the leg so recently crippled, appreciating the strength and renewed muscle. A cautious, cool hand caressed the nape of his neck. He felt sad that the hair there was but a whispy tribute to the manly mane of old. Despite all the other implants being removed, there was still something slightly amiss. Daniel had promised to do some tests… Xander and Spike were close to refusing the service. Sometimes ‘denial’ was not just a river in Egypt.

Robbie noted the closeness of the other two males in the room as he chatted to Daniel. He smiled sadly and wondered again if their ‘challenged’ status might have stemmed from their torture, or if their ‘orientation’ had contributed to the same… Then wondered if it went beyond that. There were plenty of ex service folks who had been ‘forced’ or ‘changed’ by their capture. As the beer flowed and brews were compared. Eventually Robbie took an enormous risk. He openly admitted that his oldest and dearest school friend, Sue, had committed suicide mere months previously after nine years of fine service for their country. Her incarceration was due to her doubtful ‘sympathies’, and wiped out her previously impeccable and awarded service.

Sue had been taken in shortly after her partner Phillipa. The female lieutenant was interrogated for nearly two weeks by the Initiative, returning to ranks ‘marked’ and apparently ‘clean’ but destined for ‘repeated training’ with the government group.

Robbie had known she had a girlfriend… they had all known. What surprised them was the vicious way the Initiative announced Sue’s fall from grace. They proudly informed the entire platoon that Sue’s girlfriend was a witch and ‘eliminated’ the ‘non human’ in full sight of her partner and the entire platoon. It was announced that Sue had agreed to ‘retraining’. A shot rang out later that night, no one was surprised. There were no dry eyes in her immediate group. Seven of their number had resigned from the government’s employ within the week. Two disappeared within days.

Robbie felt comfortable, and after several beers, admitted the full story to his companions.

Spike was the first to speak, “Bloody sad state of affairs mate. You survived OK?”

Touched by the gentle blonde’s concern, Robbie gave away just a little more, “Oh Good Lord… We were just so frightened… Sue was…. Beautiful… inspiring… wonderful… and her partner no different… God I’m sorry… They had kids! At the time we didn’t know… oh god we didn’t know… I’m sorry… Oh Lord!!! Sorry didn’t mean to… you know… too much politics… Hey… I just came to share beer… this is so embarrassing! I’m sorry… it’s just….” He looked appealingly to Xander and Spike, then to Daniel and found nothing but sympathy and friendship in the replying gazes.

“’S OK pet,” Spike openly squeezed Xander’s hand, “Been there done that mate… happy to lose the T-shirt…. And figure you guessed but for the record… We’re together… for the duration as it were… Sorry ‘bout your friend… so sorry…….” The sympathetic blue gaze engaging Robbie seemed to shift the whole room.

The large ambulance driver stood and proposed a toast. “Right well… To alternatives and options… and to Sue …may she… and hers… well may they have found peace…” They all raised their glasses.

Snoozing lightly in Samuel’s bedroom, Jonothon smiled as he heard the exchange… there may yet be sympathetic locals. He still doubted their toleration for a toothless vampire a demon and three dear little blue children… He pulled the family closer and returned to an uneasy sleep.

Robbie left around midnight, just shortly after they had all decided his was unequivocally the far superior beer. Few secrets had been revealed other than Xander and Spike’s relationship, but the family’s demon ‘sympathies’ had been hinted at (from Robbie’s side not theirs) … and Daniel and Robbie seemed to have really ‘hit it off’. Nothing was assured but they waved goodbye and hoped.

Within moments of Robbie’s departure, Daniel logged in again. Jonothon and Eddie roused and the four fugitives stood slightly back as Daniel received the message.

The Email from Willow was clear. The clans had indeed answered the call. It was apparent that they were all relieved and amazed that one of the old European Masters had survived the Fall, all those remaining free had apparently been willingly to join forces with the wiccans within minutes of Spike’s ‘call to arms’. That hour they had pulled in nearly eighty percent of existing free vampires across the globe to help, and associated demons where possible. The wiccan groups had already been contacted. There had never been such a joining before.

The melding of dark and light magic was the balance that was needed to pull on Gaia’s full energy. It went beyond all expectations… yet still so many were lost. Their reach was only as far as the ‘boosting’ from local demons and wiccans could manage. Some large centers were saved, indeed almost all major capitals. But distressingly the Initiative had positioned their establishments far from the large population groups, and in some regions, the round up had been *extremely* effective.

The Chinese clans and those of Indonesia were surprisingly unscathed, largely due to the vast population and rural nature of most clans in China’s case, and the number of islands and remote outposts making up Indonesia. Happily the two groups had pushed out enough energy to cover (with tiny boosts from local magical beings) almost the whole of south east Asia.

Sadly some areas of southern Australia and Micronesia were missed as the Initiative sweeps had been all too efficient There was no-one left to receive the call. Even more distressing… no-one had heard from anyone in Japan or the South of Korea.

Africa had survived surprisingly well but Kenya, Mali and the Ivory Coast were wiped out, along with unknown numbers in regions of South Africa. There was no logic other than the Initiative had been so effective in those areas that there was noone left to 'boost' the signal.

India and the Middle East fared reasonably well. Eastern and Northern Europe, along with Ireland, Scotland and Spain seemed to have had enough of the old clan power to survive, but apparently all chipped or implanted individuals in South East England and France were lost. The best global estimate was still only three saved for every two lost. Sadly that equated to hundreds of thousands… possibly millions.

Eddie buried his face into his lover’s chest and sobbed. There would have been children… they all knew they had chipped demon children.

The definition of evil had been given a new name.

Xander, Spike and Daniel took the babies and sent another Email to thank the coven… at least some were saved. Eddie was still overwhelmed and sobbing. The latest reports gave the survival rate of his own race as one in ten at best. It seemed that peace loving and helpful,made no difference in the Initiative’s world.

Jon pushed a still sleeping SamII into Daniel’s arms and kissed his dear friend on the cheek then stroking the deep blue hair. If only for a moment … he had been happy…they had been happy.
The family gave Jon some peace as he tended his still sobbing lover.

The rest of the family returned the lounge room, and all wondered… What now? With demons dechipped, and many not even understanding their status… what now? Where could they, would they be able to go? What might they do to survive? Whom should their own ‘family’ turn to? How were they to make contact? And more importantly, what was the backlash likely to be?

Part Seventeen

The night had not been an easy one, despite Robbie’s jovial company.

Daniel collapsed after the Email, the effort of ‘entertaining’, on top of his energy drain and now the grief of failing so many. He was just too tired, but the last thing he wanted was to disturb the distressed Jon and Eddie family slumbering again in his bed. He nodded to Spike and Xander, curled into a fetal position on the couch and drew in on himself to begin to restore his life source. Xander threw the rather tattered comforters over their exhausted carer then took off his own sweater and threw that over him as well. Spike located a couple of clean bath towels and added them on top for good measure. They waited until sure the lovely witch was asleep before they too sought rest and retreated to the shelter.

Without the rest of their ‘family’, the silence in the shelter was strange. After months of the snuffling, squeaking or suckling noises from the children… and occasionally the quiet joy of the two other adults coupling, it was quiet. Too quiet.

“Xan? Pet?”

“Yeah…” Xander rolled over to feel for his vampire then dragged him into a hug. Without the children present they had forgone the low night lamp and the shelter was utterly black. Xander knew even Spike would have little ability to see.

“Can we just…? “

“Oh Gahh! Spike c’mon in the morning… can we? … You know just so tired.”

“Was gonna say kiss, you horny bugger…” Spike’s tone was affectionate though the final plea was the real sentiment, “Please? Can I have…? I just need to know you’re here Xan… things are… ahh bugger come here!” He took his friend’s lips with his own, and began to stroke the beloved form with a soft hand.

They broke contact for a minute.

“It’s gonna be bad isn’t it.”

“Yeah Luv, reckon it just might be. But for now can we…”

“Hmmm… love you”

“Love you too Pet… always… no one can take that.”

The two intertwined legs and arms, touching as much flesh as they could, and fell asleep.

It was almost eleven the next morning before Xander pulled himself from slumber and rose to discover Daniel chatting jovially to Kathleen as he loaded her pickup with the cabbages, eggs and buttermilk ready for market.

“Now I know you met Robbie last night. Ain’t he just the nicest boy… my Davina has taken quite a shine to him… though… you know paramedics… they don’t make a lot… Oh no offence meant now ‘cause you nurses… Anyways that’s your business right…?”

Daniel simply smiled and let the neighbor believe what she would of his role in life.

“Bet you and Rob have a lot in common…”

The tall blonde hefted the last box of cabbages onto the truck then turned to her. “Indeed madam we do…” but gave her no further clues.

Xander rescued their carer from Kathleen’s interrogation. Dressed in overalls covered in sawdust, he walked around the pickup and invited Kathleen to view his latest works. The low cedar table had been finished, and there was a bookshelf well on the way. Kathleen was delighted.

“Oh, I almost forgot… I put together all last month’s takings and here…” She handed Xander a large envelope stuffed full of money. “Now it’s all cash mind… but there’s close on twenty five hundred dollars there… It’s mostly from those chairs and the gorgeous table you did for Edna and the three pieces that city fella from Atlanta took, but the farm has picked up some since you boys were here…” Xander took the envelope and in a rather overawed tone, thanked their neighbor. He hadn’t really a clue how much his work was selling for. Samuel usually dealt with the money.

“Figure with hospital expenses it still won’t go far mind… Now, I just must ask again… You sure you won’t come on a bit of an outing to meet some of the ladies sometime… Edna has been dying to meet you and I know that her table…” Kathleen stopped. The look of unequivocal terror on the lovely carpenter’s face was unmistakable, she switched to mothering mode immediately, “Well anyways, Edna can wait… I adore the bookshelf… You are such a talented young man! Just have to hope more of them city folks come through!” She patted his arm, gave a rather indulging smile, and took her leave.

As the pickup bumped down the driveway (said unmade road desperately in need of some pothole attention), Xander pushed the packet of cash into Daniel’s hand. “Money from the last few weeks of market, ‘s why we need her.”

Daniel simply nodded and wandered inside feeling rather inadequate. In all the fuss and confusion of ‘handover’, he simply had not asked about banking or the like, though Samuel had pointed out a large ceramic jar in on the shelf above the stove that was apparently for ‘petty cash’. Daniel tore open the envelope and was rather surprised by the amount inside, but was even more shocked when he attempted to put the notes into the designated jar. He had expected coins and a few dollars but there was very little space. Xander’s eyes went wide as a frustrated Daniel took the jar from its resting place and tipped the contents onto the kitchen table. After Daniel counted they both sat back in amazement. There was just over ten thousand dollars in cash.

“But Sam sent money to the bank… every week…”

“Apparently not all the money earned...”

“But this is…??” Xander suddenly realized how little he knew of the farm’s finances… and how much he had truly come to rely on others for his wellbeing. Formerly utterly independent, the institutionalization, the helplessness learned… had persisted despite his improved circumstances. He had worked to contribute, but in truth had still been utterly reliant. “I didn’t know… Oh god I didn’t even…?!”

“The note in the bottom says this is your contribution… “For Family Extras - Funds From Furniture”… Xander… this is brilliant! If we have to… oh … hey… Xander?”

Xander was overwhelmed and immensely embarrassed all at once. How could they survive if he was unable to keep track of such a simple thing as money?! It was just too much and even more frustrating his emotions seem again to be spinning out of control. He would have put it down to the last few days but was too upset to figure it out so slumped into a kitchen chair and stared at his earnings. The money was now in neat piles on the table as a reminder of how far he had slipped, how far he still had to go for recovery. His arms were folded in front of the cash and despite Daniel’s presence, he placed his forehead down on hairless slim arms and allowed some silent tears of shame and frustration to fall.

Daniel watched and frowned, suddenly even more alarmed as a slightly smoking Spike (courtesy of the midday sun and a rather thin blanket) flew through the back door and direct to his lover’s side, “I um…. Xan? Luv?? Oh … what’s wrong??”

Daniel simply moved out of the way, yet again confused by the nature of the link and what exactly had upset the lovely brunette. Spike took his friend onto his lap, opened his wrist and bit carefully into Xander’s. They exchanged blood and thoughts and love. Daniel watched feeling rather like a third wheel as the two calmed. He also realized he had just a twinge of jealousy for the extraordinary partnership as he missed his lovely Mikaela’s warm hugs and soft curves.

Spike eventually looked up and focused on the stacks of cash, “Bloody hell!! You two rob a bank after nap-time last night?”

Xander roused a little and mumbled… “It’s the money from the woodwork… Sam kept it…”

Daniel was keen to avoid exacerbating Xander’s upset, so changed the subject to other urgent matters. “I realize that we chatted about an examination you know … for your um…. changes… but I really think it’s important… Xander? Now that we’ve done what we can with the coven, there’s bound to be some repercussions – even if they are good ones. We’d best know that everyone is fit for the long haul and ….well do whatever we need to.”

The brunette looked up and nodded resignedly, “Yeah maybe it needs… *so over* the girly crying… ummm but can you… you know if it’s something bad… can you… you know just maybe tell Spike and me… Jon and his own don’t need..”

Daniel patted the human on the arm. “Yours to tell unless you want me to… Hippocratic Oath and all that.”

“Should we ummm check in with Willow first?”

“I checked in just before your neighbor turned up. Sam survived the jolt but has yet to regain consciousness. Reports are still trickling in. Anyway, I can’t imagine much will change for an hour or two… we have time. So if we clear the table then perhaps you can…”

Condiments were removed and a bath towel quickly employed as a makeshift ‘examination table’ cover.

Daniel asked simple questions to begin. Frequency of shaving before and after ‘the change’; initial responses; appearance of ‘other features’ and their subsequent subsidence; the emotional changes; the number of treatments; effects of the sudden cessation of treatment when they escaped; and the months since the Initiative including some very frank questions regarding some teenage type acne and strange rashes when the treatment first began, and finally touched on Spike and Xander’s physical relationship.

The male witch then examined the human. Spike stood at the head of the table holding his lover’s hand and stroking the dark hair as the witch employed both medical and magical means to determine what had been done.

Daniel was still tired from the previous evening and sat heavily in the chair before discussing his findings.

“Now… I’m not one hundred percent sure but… umm… I think you already know… the change is permanent. There’s a number of… well…” He paused, waiting to see if Xander wished to proceed with the diagnosis. Xander indicated his desire to go on, so Daniel continued, “They’ve somehow altered your glandular system… and a number the centers producing hormones… Your testes seem to be …. Well they were tapped obviously, but now… Xander… there’s no logic! This isn’t about a simple implant… this is about DNA… Oh my dear chap… They’ve all but created um… you don’t have the complete set of… but it appears… oh lord!”

Daniel leant over and held his new friend’s free hand and that of Spike’s. “Xander, there is a false uterus positioned just above your small intestine, and blood vessels are ready to redirect nutrients, simply awaiting their role. With the other alterations you are a close approximation… The Initiative… well… they have engineered you to have the capacity to… reproduce…” Daniel saw the terror and confusion in the human’s face so continued quickly. “It’s fine … really… it will be fine. Just that, you might um, need… oh this is *so* … Xander it just seems that it’s well…likely you *could* carry a child…” Spike fell into game face and growled. Daniel quickly added, “…if you want to I mean... It would take some intervention genetically altered donor egg and perhaps even the same with the sperm, but it is possible ... to conceive and implant… They’ve changed you internally to accommodate that already but...

Anyway, you were worried about the emotional stuff too… Geez! I’m sorry… it is all so… It’s really hard to separate that from the torture issue generally. The hormones might be at fault… but the levels are fairly stable unless triggered by the body’s response should you ever carry… I just… thought you should know.”

Xander was already on the verge of tears when his dubious status was confirmed, but the mention of pregnancy was bordering on surreal, “So I’m… um… am I still male? ‘Cause I’ve still got… and I can… Why?!!! Why would they *do* that?!” Spike pulled his upset lover into his lap and hugged him tight.

Daniel dropped all pretence of being ‘pleased’ and simply answered, “No idea. Cruelty, experimentation, stupidity… who knows. But from the tests it seems that, sadly the changes are done and there to stay, unless, well there’s always the possibility of medical reversal… or maybe the coven can help reverse… if you want…?”

“So unless… [hic] then I’m like this forever?”

“It seems so.”

Spike was looking almost as distressed as his friend, “Is it dangerous? I mean he’s OK otherwise? C’mon witch… the whole story.”

“Apparently the DNA work they did shifted things permanently toward reassignment, the hormones injections I would guess were simply experiments to boost the effects and establish parameters. The scientists have left your ‘system’ pretty much in tact, but it’s all very experimental…” Both Spike and Xander nodded sadly and Spike began to slowly stroke the soft skin of the brunette’s forearm in an effort to calm them both.

“But I might be able to have kids?”

“Perhaps one day… with the right donor”

“With Spike?”

“Possibly. I guess. I can’t be sure without the coven’s advice. Certainly isn’t impossible if egg and sperm were genetically altered to contain the both of your DNA. But that really is a conversation for another day.”

The vampire’s breath hitched as he realized the hopeful look on his partner’s face. He had never considered… then heard the whispered words, “Oh God… Spike, if it was safe, then we could actually… Just imagine if you and I could…” The fear and confusion that had been flowing through the link swiftly shifted to love, laced with a tiny message of hope that something wonderful may yet come from their months of torture. In a world of death and despair hope was the key.

A few little squeaks from the lounge room alerted them that the children were up and about. The sounds caused Xander to squeeze his lover’s hand then stand and move to where a very pale Daniel sat slumped exhausted, elbows on the table, staring at his hands.

Xander cupped his cheek and lifted the handsome face, kissing the worried frown. “Thank you Daniel… for everything… just… for everything. I know it might only be a pipe dream but I’m OK with the rest and so’s Spike… thank you.” Hazel-green eyes met a chocolate brown one and the still raw, though healing wound from the implant extraction. Xander had removed the patch for his examination. Daniel was again reminded of just how far they still had to go before all could return to balance and safety. He frowned harder as he worried for the coven, and again thought of his extraordinary partner. The fact that Mikaela had not ‘checked in’ since he arrived bothered him, even though he *knew* the healers would have their hands utterly full right now.

“Morning, family.” Jonothon stood at the door, a toothless knowing smile firmly in place. Eddie’s slim blue arms were wrapped around his waist, though Eddie’s form was hidden behind his larger partner. Jon had a small person (ID unknown until she or he turned) attached to his right leg in an attempt to stand, and two more approaching at a speed crawl to join the fun. Spike knew the other vampire must have been awake and heard Xander’s prognosis. Paternity really did suit Jon, Spike returned the smile.

Daniel rallied as Xander scooped up the two little blue stragglers and sat them in the hand made wooden booster chairs (complete with old seatbelt safety harnesses). “Perhaps we should eat and sort out the farm before contacting Willow again.” Eddie brought the last little 'stander' in to join siblings for brunch.

Spike stood to assist with the food, Jon and Eddie took care of their brood and Xander reached over to turn on an ancient bakelite radio perched precariously on one of the shelves next to the jars of preserved fruit. As it crackled to life they all stilled.

“It’s time to batten down the hatches as a severe cold snap ravages the nation. From coast to coast temperatures have hit record lows. Uncharacteristic snow and sleet have been reported in regions that haven’t seen this kind of blast since sometime around January four years ago. Similar reports of aberrant patterns are beginning to come in from across the Atlantic where Europe is being lashed by storms. Global trend analysts from all related meteorological disciplines are unsure of the exact cause at this time, though many are currently cooperating to investigate this unforeseen ‘weather spike’ in global weather. We will be broadcasting a special live report from across America tomorrow at eight.

“Meanwhile a severe storm warning has been issued for all coastlines, and passengers traveling by air are advised that long delays are expected.

“Now to local weather. Well folks, it was a chilly night and may be a good time to stoke up those winter fires again as sub zero temperatures are predicted overnight. Heavy rain is expected throughout the state and a wind warning has been issued. We will bring you updates throughout the evening will keep residents informed. Over to you Ray.”

“Thank you Barry… and it’s been a chilling day too for your local sporting stars. Players and supporters were shocked, as the chief coach of the Tuscaloosa University Football Team announced the forced retirement of…..”

Xander switched it off. Daniel shook his head a little in disbelief and mumbled, “It must have been…”

Spike needed answers, “Oh Bloody hell. Food can wait, it’s no coincidence! Just get onto the blower and ask your mates at the coven, then we can all stop worryin’ or start doing more as needs may be.”

Eddie who had a spoonful of cold pureed apple half way to Jessie’s mouth whispered, “At least the humans might not be focused on us for a little while.”

Part Eighteen

They emailed Willow, the exchange was swift and the detail quickly passed through… their relay in China was no longer available, but a ‘bounce’ via Bombay was successful.

The changes in weather patterns and storms were worldwide and growing worse. The witches knew, the current turmoil was the earth’s (or rather Gaia’s, according to the coven) reply to the drain on her energy for the greater good. Where there were wiccans, and/or clans, and/or magically linked creatures that had called for clemency, healing and balance (and successfully removed at least some of the implants violating the same), the storms seemed a little less severe.

In areas where the Initiative (or their international equivalent), had wiped out the magically inclined, by chip or murder; or where their tortuous centers were based, the weather bordered on deadly. It seemed as though the earth was trying to send a not so subtle warning, at the same time regaining the energy from her atmosphere and core that had been drawn to answer the combined call for help.

Willow was upset for the humans caught in the cross fire… The coven was working on spells (and direct appeals to Mother Earth that included an attempt to localize the effects. They felt confident that they would eventually be heeded. Though for now the advice was to prepare for the storms…

The most welcome news was that Samuel was awake and taking liquids, and that Mikaela ‘sent her love and missed her Danny Boy’. Daniel blushed deeply as the entire family read the screen with him, but he was swiftly pulled into a four way hug with small people squealing their delight at the silly adults from the confines of an ancient play pen. The family turned to pay their patient little charges some long needed attention only, to notice that all three four and a half month olds were standing holding the bars… and that little Willow let go several times and stood independently.

Daniel snapped from his focus on his own relief that Mikaela was well, and moved to the practical task of ‘battens and hatches’. The mood of all adults shifted quickly.

“Have you been through storms on the farm before?”

Xander looked the most worried “Lots of heavy rain, bit of wind… I suspect nothing like this one… Can we maybe ask Samuel or at least ask one of the wiccans to see if this area floods?”

“No need.” Spike was at the computer, “Meteorology records for the area date back to the forties, and I’ll bet Robbie’s family would know from before that, even if it’s vague it might help… haven’t they been in the area for generations.”

Daniel brightened, “Right, well I’ll use the cell to call Robbie and Spike if you sort the Net…. Umm Jon maybe you can watch the little ones while Xan and Ed… would you mind doing the animals…. I reckon we need to get them at least to the protection of the trees, the ground’s a bit higher there… ”

Eddie answered in his typically quiet way, “We’ll bring ‘em in Daniel… this place is on the highest ground and we’ve got a bit of protection but if the rows cypress go… anyway those guys really aren’t used to the cold… well not sub zero with wind chill. We’ll lose the goats for sure if we don’t, and the two calves wouldn’t make it, that would be terrible. The milking shed’s good enough and it’s newer than the barn so maybe…” Eddie paused a little nervously, he didn’t feel at all comfortable offering a contradictory opinion to their carer’s, but also knew he was right, so continued. “Xan and I will fill their milking space with fresh hay and get them all in, it’ll be warmer if they’re in a smaller space. Then I thought we should perhaps pick as much of the vegetables and fruit we can before it gets dark… depending on how sub zero it gets… well we will just have to risk the rest. At least we might have food if it the cold continues for a bit.” Speech over, Eddie gave a weak smile then stood and wandered over to the play pen to squeaks of delight from his brood. Stepping in, he sat legs wide apart and gathered the children into a hug.

The other adults had barely considered the duration of the storm, merely its intensity. Daniel suddenly realized two things, one they needed to check on fuel and water for the long haul scenario; and two, the chickens were also at risk. “OK as soon as I finish here, I’ll nail down the side flaps on the free range sheds if we do that, they might be alright to ride it out the storm too… Guessing better collect eggs and leave feed too… and I figure we need water and fuel done and the yard cleared as much as possible… Spike, do you think, when you’re done here?”

“Consider it done mate … will get you all the latest asap. If ‘Huggie Eddie’ over there, comes in near dark, Jon and I can sort the rest of the lock down… by then we might know more of what we’re dealing with…” Eddie tried to look annoyed at Spike but failed dismally and grinned as one of the squirming little people patted his face in an attempt to gain another of his kisses. “Jon mate, can you sort the shelter and do an extra bed? Kiddies should be fine for a few minutes with their ol’ Uncle Spike.”

In truth Daniel was a little taken aback, the few days he had been with these individuals, he had seen them at their most vulnerable, injured and upset. He suddenly understood their survival, there was no selfishness in any of their actions. In a crisis it was apparent that critical risks were being to be assessed and taken as though by one being - no conflict, just calculation and cooperation. They *had* to survive, Daniel just felt it … they just had to.

The tasks were completed quickly in the eerie quiet that fell over the farm. Robbie wasn’t home but was due to return within the hour. Daniel slipped the cell phone into his pocket and moved to ‘lock down’ the chickens.

Xander packed up his woodworking shed, quickly stacking and covering the wood with an old tarp, tying all the equipment into a bundle and lashing the whole lot to one of the sturdiest uprights in the corner of the shed. If the whole tree trunk holding up the corner went, the shed would be gone too. At least lashing things down might minimize damage from flying debris if it was less serious. There was only around two hours of light left by the time he’d finished.

Eddie had busied himself with the milking shed and put enough grain in to last for several days, filled the old bath that now made a fine water trough, and piled the straw high. Xander was heading for his next task in the produce garden when he saw Eddie teetering precariously on the shed roof tub of silicon filler in hand.

“What the hell are you doing?!!”

“Plugging the holes! There’s at least three up here… no good if we leave them in here and it lets in water! We can probably lash the roof down with fencing wire too if we try.”

“I figure we’d better get the animals in it first… we can do that if we’ve got time …”

Eddie pouted a little, swiped silicon over the last plug hole then jumped elegantly from the lowest edge of the roof to the ground.

Animals were quickly herded into their new abode … the cows wandering in willingly as milking time was not too far off, the mother and calf following the rest. The goats were not so easy, but were eventually settled. They found the cat under Xander’s work shed though no amount of coaxing could get her out, in the end they decided to leave her there as she seemed to have created her own little nest. The ducks, geese and two turkeys were herded into the shed with the chickens seemed to settle quite happily, then Eddie and Xander set to the task of quickly collecting as much of their vegetable garden as they could.

It had been strangely still for most of the afternoon, though clouds had slowly building. Everything was lit with an eerie pinkish light pre-sunset. Xander and Eddie kept to their task and were joined by Daniel as dusk fell. He had collected around five dozen eggs and put out enough feed for three or so days… hoping that would be enough. It was a bit of a walk to the shed, certainly a challenge in a blizzard.

Eddie stood and stretched as a grinning Jonothon joined them, kissed his partner and whispered ‘tag you’re it… they all need a change’. Jon and Daniel quickly collected the boxes of vegetables already collected and finished two rows of rather small broccoli, pulled a row of parsnips, more rocket, onions and garlic and then cut an armful of herbs. There would be enough for some time even if it meant drying them.

They stacked the boxes under the house and noted that Spike had already cleaned up around the house and collected anything ‘loose’ from around the yard and the house and had lashed the window shutters together. All the blankets available were now in the shelter. Right under the house in a ‘bunker’ type cellar arrangement, separate enough to be unaffected if the house ‘blew away’ but close enough to be accessible if all went well

The cloud cover prevented the moon from penetrating, and the temperature began to fall as the wind picked up and changed direction. Jon and Spike did a final sweep. The others had bathed the little ones and cooked dinner, then disconnected the gas and would wait until the last moment to do the electricity and water, though were able to do that from the shelter itself. They hoped not to have to use the generator or reserve water tank, but there was no telling at this point.

The wind-chimes suddenly began ringing out at a furious pace and the wind vane atop the milking shed spun wildly eventually fixing on the southerly direction as the source of agitation. Spike grabbed the chimes from their hanging point and put them inside on the kitchen table. He tugged all the electrical equipment free of their sockets and double checked that all the doors in the house were shut and all the shutters locked closed. He then grabbed the three bottles of good scotch from Samuel’s ‘stash’, checked all the doors one more time then retreated to their hopefully temporary abode.

……

The shelter was warm, and blankets and covers many. The beds had all been pushed together in a sort of compromise as there really was no other space for a narrow foldout but it with everyone in together they would doubtless be warmer. The bottom corner of the little shelter had always been devoted to cooking and heating, while a tiny alcove held both shower and camp toilet. All had been fed and were exhausted from the past few days.

As the wind began to truly howl and the rain began, the five adults in the shelter spoke quietly so as not to wake the three sleeping babies.

Daniel began, “Robbie was still away, but I eventually got his cell phone. He’s on standby at the hospital ‘cause they reckon a whole bunch of humans will suffer in the cold snap…. Anyway he is fairly certain that this area has never had a flood, they’ve had tornados but never a flood. He was kind of odd on the phone too… Asked if we had spoken to Samuel and said something about the other night was an invitation not an anecdote. Anyway… I brought the cell with me so if we need it…”

Spike jumped in with his information... “There is nothing too drastic in the records back to 1940, other than it can get cold here ‘on occasion’. Just not sure how cold that means… Town records from the front page claim inches of snow in fifty seven and seventy two but mostly it’s just cold.” They all listened to the storm raging above and snuggled down despite it being an extremely ‘early night’.

The next five days were rather surreal. They could hear the howl of the wind through trees and the creak of buildings above the sound of the tempest thrashing their shelter’s secure doors. In the low light from a lamp, the three little children thought it wonderful. They happily played and crawled around on the enormous bed that constituted more of a nest, as the adults vacated the centre for their benefit. With aught else to do but focus on the small beings, hours seemed to pass with much joy and little effort. When the children slept, card games were played, and in the low light Spike and Jonothon took turns reading aloud to the group… The books were not to everyone’s taste but it was of little consequence under the circumstances as Spike’s apparent talent for characterization, and Jon’s lisping soft baritone, provided quiet entertainment.

Children still needed to be fed and changed, and the tiny camp stove provided them all with hot sustenance when they felt the need, though without physical activity, food and drink was more a way to break up the day than sating the ravages of hunger. For the four who had suffered similar inaction courtesy of their incarceration, being locked up was familiar, but this time was extraordinarily pleasant.

The reports on the radio were dire. Flash floods, mud slides, pile ups on freeways, loss of services and temperatures plummeting to well below zero as predicted. Three government facilities were reported as wiped out by what appeared to be ‘extremely localized low pressure systems’. Yet the meteorologists were baffled. Where some regions were hit so badly that it was impossible to get reports out, others seemed to have had a far better time, still subject to storms but surprisingly less severe. It was as though the storm simply ‘skirted around certain areas’. There was ‘no explanation’ apparently. The incumbents in Sammy’s shelter smiled as the little radio reported that.

Spike and Jon had volunteered to tend the animals and poultry each day. Apart from anything else, the cold had less effect on them; they did not need to breathe so inhaling chilled air was unnecessary; and the semi darkness caused by huge storm clouds was of little consequence. Jon’s veterinary skills would also be invaluable if a problem did arise with their stock.

The old farm buildings were faring pretty well, with a bit of water leaking into the milking shed, though luckily most seemed to be falling directly into the water trough. The trough was full to overflowing but that suited the animals fine. The little calf was healthy and when one of the goats finally dropped her kid on the fourth day, Jon was pleased with the health of both kid and nanny.

They milked the cows and took a little blood from a different one each day. Alternating the source and taking the bare minimum, Jon siphoned it off as one might a human blood donation, resulting in little to no effect on the bovine donor. Meanwhile Spike replenished their food and straw as needed.

Chickens and other birds seemed fine, to the point that Spike and Jon usually collected between four to six dozen eggs, before feeding and watering the birds. The shed was fairly cold but dry, and the free range nature allowed the birds to spend the majority of their time on their nests. The other birds had established themselves at the end of the shed amongst the spare straw. None seemed to be suffering.

The first day of their tending the stock was the first time Jon and Spike had had a chance for a private talk since Xander’s prospect of pregnancy had been confirmed. As they replenished the chicken food, Jon looked shyly sideways at Spike. “Sire…?”

“’Sup?”

“You have done so much for Eddie and I…. We were so happy when Daniel confirmed what I could not…. You and Xander would make such fine parents… If there’s anything… When we’re through this… When things settle… Sire… please… you are family, and we… well we would like to help if we can.”

Spike turned and smiled, pulled the other vampire into a hug, whispering, “Thank you Childe.” then bared his neck. He fell into game face and scratched a wound with razor sharp nails, “Drink. It’s easier in private.” Jon also fell into game face and this time Spike felt the very start of tiny fangs pricking into his flesh. The rest of the teeth were still coming but the fangs were definitely on their way at last. They repeated the pattern every day.

On the sixth day, the rain and hail and sleet stopped, the chill wind did not, but the whole family emerged and entered the house again. There was still no electricity but oil lamps and candles were lit before they started a roaring fire in the lounge room fireplace, and another the tiny pot belly stove in the kitchen. They were all pleased to ‘stretch their legs’ after so long cooped up. Reports were that more storms were on their way.

Xander and Daniel busied themselves cleaning up the shelter, and replenished all the supplies while others busied themselves dating eggs, separating milk, churning butter and tending animals. Eddie inspected his vegetable patch, observing sadly that many plants were waterlogged, but also hopeful as it seemed there had been little attrition.

All the while the radio crackled away with ‘weather crisis’ reports. They had almost a day above ground before the rain began again and the wind-speed picked up. It was the pattern they would live with for the next six weeks.

They emerged on the forty third day to a still night and clear, moonlit sky. The family now had three toddlers at age only six months, and Jonothon had fangs and teeth that were more than half way grown. Forced rest and feeding seemed to have given him the boost he needed.

Daniel was the quiet one, becoming more and more worried as their only contact with the coven was once in the whole six weeks, and that had been an obscure SMS message from Willow. “M sends luv to D All OK here CU soon.” They had all tried to cheer him along but now the storms had ceased, perhaps for good, they could see that he really needed to be reunited with his Mikaela urgently, if only for his own peace of mind.

A week later, stale milk and eggs had been disposed of, and animals and garden tended and back to almost normal as temperatures rose a little more. And finally the phone-lines were restored as an intermittent electricity provision stabilized.

The first Email from Willow had been sent almost three weeks prior and confirmed Samuel’s return to health, and Mikaela’s undying love for ‘her Danny’. The second mail contained the news that Willow intended to return with Samuel ‘as soon as was practical’; and the third encrypted twice, gave a list of Email addresses of resistance members in their area.

The magical community had always had a resistance, but the final push to kill them all had united demon, human and wiccan ranks more profoundly than anyone could have predicted. The Email contacts were from those who had answered the call.

Listed first on of the members in their area was Samuel’s Email address, second was R_ambo@yahoo.com. Daniel stared at it for a while then remembered, the ambulance, the sympathies, the hints and said, “That has to be Robbie.”

Part Nineteen

A child’s voice calling “Maam… maaauuuumm…. Mumm!” preceded the appearance of a tiny blue Willow. She tottered her way from the safety of the bedroom door-jam to the legs of her dear ‘uncles’ who were temporarily (and conveniently) sleeping on the floor in front of the lounge room fire. She dived joyfully into the arms of Spike… her call for ‘Mum’ apparently referred to everyone in the building who constituted family and safe. She was captured by a loving embrace, lifted by two strong arms, then brought down to have her tummy attacked by a ‘raspberry’, eliciting giggles and squeals of delight.

It was inevitable… two other small folk escaped their parents’ bedroom to join their loving uncles, ‘diving in’ and receiving the same treatment as their sister. Spike eventually took all the little bedroom ‘invaders’, placed them in the ‘trap’ made by his own legs, and to squeals of delight, closed the trap, engulfed the youngsters in the bed covers for a moment, then released with a ‘boo’ for effect, and when demanded, ‘trapped’ them again. The high pitched squeaks and giggles, and consequent cuddles, occupied the first waking hour of their day. The rest of the house roused to the happy sound.

Eventually the three little invaders departed on a ‘discovery tour’ of the Daniel variety as the witch pottered around the kitchen preparing breakfast.

Xander rolled onto his side. A teary brown eye fixed on Spike’s baby blues as he stroked the golden blonde locks and began tentatively. “Would you mind if we had our own?... You know… *really* yours and mine… if we could… would you mind?”

“Be lovely pet… but gotta think … you’re my better half now… if we keep exchanging blood and… I really want to claim you pet… we can wait ‘til after the kids but then it’s a forever thing luv… do you want the forever?.. I won’t do it if you don’t want …. and kids …lovely but don’t want to be without you and….” Spike looked at the confusion in Xander’s face and smelt the mixture of love and fear rolling off his partner.

“But… no sun and stakage… and…?”

He added quickly, “Not a vamp… not a vamp!! A consort… human consort… with all the connections and the longevity … but not a vamp… tie you to me forever… Could you? Would you? And… I do… I do want to have a family with you... We do that first yeah?” Spike stroked the brunette’s blind side and felt his friend lean into the caress. “Our kids… That would be lovely pet… It would be an honor to father children with you… if we can… but Xan?” He stroked the face again, “Xan if we can’t it doesn’t matter OK… It really won’t matter. I love *you*. I want you as my partner… always… always luv… can we do that regardless?”

“Yes… please… just… yes!” Xander buried his face against Spike’s neck and in the process bared his own.


Later that day the issue of Robbie came up again. Daniel was keen to make contact before he returned to the coven.

Spike was still worried, “We can’t just call ‘im up and say ‘Oi you a member of the resistance’! C’mon! Let’s Email the chap, drop some hints and see if it is really him.”

Daniel looked a little crestfallen, he had been so convinced that the Email belonged to their drinking friend, but he also saw the wisdom in Spike’s words. “What do you suggest?”

Spike was already on his way to the computer. “Let’s send an Email… if it’s Robbie that’s great, if it’s not then… we get to meet someone new I guess.” Spike dialed up and logged in. Still not trusting the system he bounced from a wiccan group in Singapore continuing to use a dynamic IP. There was no point risking themselves now.

“To R_ambo,

Hope the storms passed you by. Got your Email from some OS friends of yours, said you were a good stick. Not sure if we’ve met but figure we may have.

If you’re into wooden furniture, you’ll remember our place.

The boss is still away but is well and sends his love. Still resisting standard treatment of course.

We’re having beers tonight if you’re up to it, store bought this time. You’ll know the address if the above makes sense.

D, A & W.”

Daniel read the note and grinned. “That will do it…” He squeezed Spike’s shoulder then turned to wander back into the kitchen… “In the meantime, we’ve got a farm to run!”

The garden had recovered surprisingly well. The first time Kathleen made it in to pick up produce, they had close to thirty dozen eggs ready, plus butter to ‘feed the county’, it seemed. Spike had also jarred sauerkraut from some of the cabbages, and Jon and he had made mint sauce and lemon syrup. (They were almost out of sugar and vinegar as a consequence). Other produce had been used by the family during the storms, but they still had around four boxes of cabbages ready for market. Garlic and onions had all been plaited ready for hanging while they were in the shelter, and after two months were just perfect for the ‘rustic market’ look.

Kathleen was thrilled. She was amazed to find ‘her boys’ had fared so well and even a little envious as she noted the unscathed farm. Their own property had suffered several roof losses, the death of two calves and trees down everywhere. However she also knew that other neighbors had suffered far worse, the McPherson’s property was worst hit.

Kathleen would admit that Enid and Jock McPherson weren’t her favorite neighbors due mainly to their politics and in particular their hostility toward Samuel. They had also made their thoughts known regarding their intense dislike of the ‘moderate’ opinions of their local pastor. Love thy neighbor an unwelcome message it seemed. Their son was in the military, apparently a unit specializing in ‘rounding up hostiles’, something celebrated by his father in particular who never missed an opportunity to remind the local community how his son was ‘saving them’ on a daily basis.

In the early days of the ‘round up of hostiles’, Jock had reported Samuel as the ‘son of a foreign witch’. Kathleen was grateful for the first time, that Sam had been ill and was away attending his clinic. Enid seemed a nice enough soul however still snubbed the lovely afro-American families joining their church.

They were away visiting their son in Texas when the storms hit. Every building on the McPherson property had been destroyed.

Xander listened to the usually irrepressible Kathleen speak sadly of the county’s losses, then made his apologies for lack of furniture or wood turning, and promised that ‘production’ was back on track now the weather was improving (and electricity had returned).

She smiled, patted him on the cheek, and promised to return the next day with some of the essentials they were missing. She was apparently immensely encouraged by news that Samuel was to ‘come home’ soon. Much as she liked Daniel, he was still a ‘medico’, and not from around here. Her boys deserved their lovely Samuel back.

Spike checked the Email on the hour… eventually a reply came from R_ambo

“Think we’ve met, CU soon… hope the home brew made it. R”

Spike grinned as did Daniel who spoke first, “It *is* him…”

“Yeah mate it is… but now the fun starts…”

The day on the farm passed as normal: Xander was back at his woodwork; Eddie still planting and tending his vegetable patch; Jon tended the animals as soon as the sun dropped enough; Spike cruised the web while small people played inside, then, like Jon, worked outside once the sun was less deadly; meanwhile Daniel spent his time sorting eggs and making sure the poultry were appropriately fed and nurtured.

An old four wheel drive bounced up the driveway, and a familiar figure emerged.

Spike answered the back door, sleeves pulled up and rather covered in… flour… “Cheers mate! Wondered if you’d show.”

Robbie grinned, Spike smiled back as the mature paramedic suddenly took on the appearance of a twelve year old with a secret.

Spike had his hands back in the dough, kneading the bread expertly. “Out with it you silly bugger… ‘n stop starin’ at a chap…. *What*?”

Robbie dropped his gaze then mumbled, “Sorry… didn’t mean to get all…. Goofy… it’s just… I should have known! And now there are others… Geez William… do you realize how hard it is to run a resistance out here… if only I’d known! I just didn’t realize you guys had come to help out Sam… thought you were… well anyway.”

Spike stopped his activity. “How much do you know pet?”

“Ummm just that … well you must be sympathizers… right… and figure you were soldiers… kind of tried to hint when we had drinks but when you didn’t… well… you know… reciprocate…” Robbie’s tone dropped for a moment, but then he brightened, “So you’re here to help old Sam?!”

Spike reached out for Robbie’s hand and pulled it to rest against his throat. “No mate… he’s helping us.”

Robbie’s eyes went wide. There was no pulse. The beautiful gentle and loving individual before him… had no pulse. “How?... What?... But you??”

“Are one of the undead pet… Of the souled variety you’ll be happy to note, but no less undead.”

“But then you and Alex?”

“Are partners pet… Kept each other alive by intent or practical assistance… didn’t matter. Torture harder to endure alone…”

Xander had felt the jolt through the link and joined his blonde friend, hugging him tight. He pulled off the eye patch and stripped his shirt off to expose the marks for Robbie to see: the scars of operations, the signs of whippings, the violation of flesh, the evidence of cigarette burns.

Robbie was suddenly pale and looked as though he might be ill, “So you were? ... You were??”

“Guests of the government, yeah pet… we were. Couple of counties over, more than a year ago now..” Spike took his partner’s hand and squeezed it tight. Robbie suddenly understood.

“… when the resistance blew up the facility… I remember! Oh god! But you and …oh William … and Alex? and Jon?” When Spike did not respond their gentle neighbor continued, “Oh shoot and I never knew! Sam didn’t say… I’m so sorry… And I just didn’t think?!! S..so what are… I mean how can I…??... Oh god I am still so stupid! How could I not see?”

Spike, still holding his partner close, called to Eddie and Jon, then continued.

“So you see pet … me ensouled and *yes* vampire. Partner here was simply a Sunnydale white hat, a good guy! He saved the world more times than anyone can count … and still only a straight up human until those bastards!... Rob … He was no more the criminal than your aunt Mavis… just a sympathizer!... A kid that ran with the original Slayer… but they’ve… ummm…” Spike pulled Xander closer, “they’ve changed him… They abused and mutilated… Ahhh Robbie….” Spike paused for a moment to compose himself.

“He should never have been hurt…. But … you know?... I’m thankful that in the end we’ve… that and we could perhaps… anyway… thankful we’ve got each other now for all time… ummm… Ahhh pet… ” Spike ignored their guest for a moment to hug his lover close and bury his face against Xander’s neck.

Robbie reached over to the two men, “Hey it’s OK… I figured…. But there’s more isn’t there?!”

Spike nodded… but was cut off, barely having time to say, “Hope you like kids”, before the pretty blue Eddie and his newly toothed partner Jon emerged with three little charges.

With his arm around his blue lover’s waist Jon simply introduced them by saying, “Robbie this is my partner Eddie, and our children, Willow, Jessie and Sam…. They’re the part of our family we couldn’t show you before…”

Robbie grinned broadly, nodded and waited in silence as a temporarily shy little Jessie slowly made her way over to the visitor.

Not quite ten minutes later, the tiny children had all overcome any shyness and were reaching in turn for their lovely neighbor. Robbie had been initially taken aback by the coloring of the children but quickly adapted to the role of ‘favorite big person of the moment’ and proceeded to bounce each child in turn on a broad, strong knee, as the children begged for more and responded gleefully to Robbie’s deep baritone laugh. Daniel came in from the chicken shed, following the joyous sound. He greeted their neighbor as if he were a long lost brother, handshake quickly evolving into a warm hug, then settled to join the midmorning coffee.

Robbie was still present when a flash in the lounge signaled Willow, Mikaela and Sam’s arrival.

Part Twenty

Seeing his love standing at the kitchen door smiling, Daniel ignored all the others and simply fell into her arms, kissing the buxom Mikaela passionately, and easing them both back into the lounge and away from the group for a ‘private’ greeting.

Willow moved to give Xander and Spike a sisterly hug, and the rather bewildered Robbie a happy smile.

“Hey I’m Willow… You’re Robbie yeah??”

The tall neighbor simply nodded, still rather dumbstruck. His mother had been a ‘white witch’ and their family had hosted demons in the wake of the Initiative sweeps, but the whole ‘arrive by magic’ was a little more than he was used to!

Samuel had already shaken Robbie’s hand, and was currently ‘covered’ in children, who not only remembered him, but were already referring to him as ‘Mum’ and ‘Da’ with equal frequency, and then fell upon Missy with equal enthusiasm. Eddie and Jon were seated on the floor of the kitchen along side Sam and his loyal canine ready to rescue their aged benefactor or his lovely dog should either need it. Samuel leant over and touched Jonothon, smiling in wonder, “Your teeth… how?”

“After the implant went… then Spike… well… Sire… ummm, he….”
Jonothon looked pleased and embarrassed, so Eddie jumped in. “Spike fed him, while we were in the shelter. Seems that he needed rest *and* Sire’s blood… Isn’t he beautiful Sam?… Just look… Sam isn’t he??”

Eddie’s unadulterated adoration gave them all cause to smile. The children also seemed to pick up on the emotion, shifting their attention to their parents and returning to Eddie and Jon for a loving five-way embrace.

Samuel’s visions were still troubling but at least were no longer life threatening. The coven had provided him with an amulet that protected him from the pain of the visions and relayed their content direct to two of their most powerful seers. The dissipation of the message seemed to ease Samuel’s distress and certainly gave the coven an ‘early warning’ system, and where possible, rescue opportunities. The wiccan group had been reluctant to let him return to the farm until the amulet was confirmed to be effective. Samuel was desperate to rejoin his family though acknowledged the need to depart again quickly if things ‘heated up’. His visions were valuable and would not be risked.

He smiled as he watched ‘his boys’ interact again. It seemed the weeks in the shelter had done them no harm. If anything they seemed even more of a unit than before. Daniel had been good for them and their contact with Robbie seemed to have given them a little more confidence. Samuel was reluctant to be ‘devil’s advocate’ but would continue to worry and protect. The Initiative had not finished with the magical community.

As they wandered the farm Willow and Mikaela spoke to Daniel at length regarding Xander’s ‘condition’. They were only able to stay five more days at most. Willow resolved to speak to Xander and Spike that evening.

They were sitting comfortably on the porch after a very adequate dinner of fluffy omelets, fresh spinach salad and Spike’s home made bread.

Willow took her life long friend’s hand and kissed it. “Daniel told me the full story… about your changes I mean…”

Xander suddenly looked ashamed and a little worried, “Ohhh?”“Is Daniel right… I mean … Oh God Xan … this is hard but… it seems like…?... Would you and Spike?… I mean… I’m happy to… you know donate… eggs that is, if you can… “ She paused and looked directly into Xander’s good eye that was fast filling with tears, “Do you want us to try for you and Spike?… to have kids I mean?… It’ll probably be a one off so … we might be able to… you know an only
child or twins…” She paused as the brunette gave her an unreadable look, then gave an uncharacteristic giggle, and finally began to spill silent tears but still said nothing.

“Oh sweetie!!! I didn’t mean to!!!... Oh Xan I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

Spike was at their side instantly and enveloped his partner in a tight hug, all but growling at the white haired witch. Amongst his emotional tears there were a few words, all of them absolving Willow of any blame. It was everything Xander had hoped for, but simply could not ‘bring up’.

Barely a half hour later, Daniel, Mikaela and Willow were in serious discussion with the two regards the practicalities of an attempt at impregnation. Xander’s own sperm could be used it seemed, and Willow would donate the eggs, possibly two or three. The DNA of the egg could be replaced by Spike’s but there were no guarantees. They suspected that magical intervention would be necessary to create the zygote and enhance the chances of fertilization. Mikaela offered to monitor the impregnation and assist Xander through the first few days, provided they did it… immediately.

Despite the Initiative risks, Xander did not hesitate, nor did Spike. Willow, the egg donor and without a doubt, most powerful witch on the planet, was also Xander’s lifelong friend. Her DNA would be replaced by Spike’s, but if that failed, both Spike and

Xander agreed, having children with Willow as the ‘mother’ was more than acceptable.

Time was of the essence. Eddie and Jon kissed their friends, then retreated to the shelter with their own family in arms as the procedure began. A day on, Samuel was still exhausted from his ‘trip’ through the ether with the wiccans, the consequent reunion and occasional upsetting vision. He excused himself and went to bed.

The fire was stoked and Xander settled on the couch while other
arrangements were made ready. Daniel and Mikaela were medically trained and quickly set up a lab type arrangement in the kitchen. It was not as sterile as either of them would have liked but they were
all aware of the competence and confidence of the team, so relaxed a little.

Spike offered and Xander accepted. His partner slicked him lovingly as Xander fitted a condom ready for ‘collection’. Unlike his Initiative humiliation, the experience was a joyous one. Spike penetrated his partner with a very lubed finger and found Xander’s prostate. He stroked the gland in time with the rhythmic pumping of Xander’s painfully hard erection. The only bizarre part of Xander’s ‘coming’ was Spike tasting a hint of human milk as he sucked his partner’s aroused nipples. It was almost as though Xander’s body knew the reason for the stimulation.

Spike quickly brought himself to completion and delivered both ‘samples’, one warm and one cool, to the team in the next room.

Willow had done her part. There were four magically induced, perfectly healthy eggs waiting.

Two hours later, the efforts of the Initiative were being tested.

Sadly, only one of three eggs treated had been viable after the DNA had been replaced and the same fertilized. They decided to fertilize the fourth without treatment. Now, as far as they could tell, Xander carried one of Spike’s offspring and one of Willow’s, but both were ‘his’. There was still a high chance that the pregnancy would not proceed but Mikaela did her best.

Xander had been magically anesthetized for the implantation and was still asleep some thirty hours after the procedure. Spike keeping a vigil at his side, hardly looking up to accept blood or acknowledge the others. Only when Willow hugged him on the second day, did he break down. Fear of losing Xander was simply more than he could deal with.

By the fifth day, as the wiccans all prepared to depart, Xander was awake and functioning again, though some odd dizzy spells and unusual fatigue signaled some of his body’s changes. Daniel confirmed the flow of blood and nutrients to the extra organ in

Xander’s body, and blood tests revealed the extreme hike in Xander’s hormone levels. His tiny breasts were beginning to return, this time he knew why and rejoiced. In Daniel’s absence, Jon would monitor Xander’s blood pressure and they were to watch for signs of diabetes and kidney problems.

Mikaela and Daniel promised regular ‘checkups’, but the visits, by necessity, would be fleeting. The coven headquarters was on the move again. The work of the Initiative in Britain had apparently ‘ramped up’ after the storms, despite the fact that the government had already wiped out the entire demon and magical population in and around London as part of the final solution. There was talk of a short term shift to Denmark for the covern.

Spike’s number one priority was keeping them all safe. Xander had another thirty nine or so weeks to go, and goodness knew what that time might hold.

They kissed the wiccans farewell, the little folks expressing what they all felt, as the little figures sobbed inconsolably and reached for Daniel as he disappeared with Mikaela. Willow stayed for a moment longer, unwilling to let go her friend and soon to be father of her child… their child… Spike and Xander and Willow’s child… she was still coming to terms with it. The whispered “Please stay safe.” was not for the unborne children though, it was for her existing friends. They all knew… Gaia may have struck back but it was the beginning of a very long and bitter battle for balance.

………………..

On the day of Samuel’s arrival, Robbie had departed quite late having met and greeted, and rejoiced. He drove up his own driveway singing loudly and quite out of tune to Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Amore”.

Samuel began convulsing only minutes later… it was too local to be of coven interest… yet the message was clear but came too late.As Robbie’s old truck approached the house, military spotlights were suddenly switched on and he was faced with what he recognized as twelve M16A4s aimed at his upper body.

He departed the old Landrover hands aloft, and knelt on the ground, faced his vehicle and placed his hands carefully behind his head, waiting for the final shot. His last thought before blackness was that he hoped his mother was not watching. But instead of a shot, the rifle butt to the back of his head lead to unconsciousness allowing his transport. His mother had been hospitalized earlier in the evening with apparent heart palpitations (a by product of five hours of interrogation and some decent ‘drugging’.)

Robbie’s mother was close to eighty five, but it was apparent that harboring an alleged sympathizer, led to an utter lack of respect or clemency regardless. Kathleen learned of the ‘arrest’ of her elderly friend by the end of the week and incensed, went directly to the pastor of their church, the state member for their region and the Mayor… collecting twelve other ladies from the fundraising committee of the church and seventeen other influential members of the community (including the principal of the local high school) along the way. Mavis (Robbie’s mother) was a fine upstanding citizen, her son a decorated military man, and now they were apparently being subject to persecution courtesy of ‘bad blood’ between the McPhersons and the rest of the county?! Outrageous!

The Mayor became involved, really not wanting to take sides but forced to do so as the upstanding nature of the individual arrested was revealed, and the very ‘untimeliness of the error’ on the military’s part risked his own reelection (with polling less than a month away). Mavis was released within a day of his appeal and when National television was threatened, Robbie was released also (with a warning) as apparently any evidence against him had been hearsay or non existent.

The mayor’s approval rating spiked to an all time high and the many locals who had stepped forward in his defense were given civic awards. The American way had been upheld even if only in their small enclave. The crowning glory was Robbie being feted at their county fair within a week of his release. He was finally the ‘returning war hero’ (three years late, but Mavis and Kathleen still cried… as did the boys, but that was from relief not pride… )

When the boys on Sam’s farm heard Xander and Spike went very quiet. They thought of Jason… and Neil… and knew intuitively… Robbie also would not have survived the Initiative’s attentions… Xander cried Spike held him… they both endured.

Robbie checked in infrequently for three months after that, but eventually regained confidence.

Four weeks after Robbie’s arrest, the day the family had all dreaded arrived. The McPhersons reported Samuel for a second time. This time they were given warning by the local church, and several ladies arrived ahead of the local constabulary. It was not a long wait, but the rather formidable line of women at Samuel’s gate left the police with a very difficult dilemma. Three of the men on the police vehicles were facing their (rather annoyed looking) mothers. Others saw aunts or friends of their mothers’. The captain a rather gentle Captain Richard Macey, sized up the situation and finally stepped down from their ‘response truck’ to chat to Mavis and Kathleen.

He was rather taken aback by their forthright attitude and more than a little intimidated by the fact that he could see his wife in the back of the group.

“Now don’t you *dare* tell me that your Daddy would have countenanced this Nazi rubbish… How long are you going to torment this poor lad? Because so help me Richard Macey, I will stand on your daddy’s grave and tell him… and if that won’t do it well I’ll … I’ll …. I’ll tell the papers… And how about your wife and your children! I’m sure Rhonda would be less than thrilled… Rhonda??” The woman in question stepped forward, arms folded across her ample chest, glaring. Richard did not fancy the next few weeks being fed in his ‘shed’ and treated to silence from his lovely partner as his children were ushered from his side with the excuse, ‘Your Daddy has chosen other things over us.’

Richard and his fellow officers were saved from the embarrassment of ‘stepping down’ when the Mayor arrived, asked them to leave, then went inside (with film crew and ‘ladies’ in tow), to have coffee with their ‘good neighbor’ Samuel.

There were always more powerful things than the gun it seemed.

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