milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Spike's definitely out of his comfort zone: gun under virtual lock and key (which means no clip loaded), lighter tucked away safely, and... he has no fucking idea what to expect.

No one's ever asked him for this kind of favor before, and it makes him nervous as hell. He's no good at it and he knows it, but he owes it to her to try. He sits at his usual table, glass of iced coffee already halfway drained. He hopes he doesn't need anything else.

At least he might learn a thing or two.

Or not.

He'll see how it goes. And remember never to make offhand comments again, because sometimes people take them seriously.

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Not exactly.

She tilts her head, looking up toward the ceiling, and thinks for a moment.

What might Spike enjoy.

The only movies they've watched together have been older movies. Classics. And they were good, absolutely, especially the first one. But tonight should be something different, she thinks.

"Ever heard of Pulp Fiction?"

You will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you!

That's not real scripture, it's a line from fucking Pulp Fict--

Yeah, that would be interesting to watch together.

He shakes his head, stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray. He's watched Beth this whole time, just because he can, because she's right here with him, helping him fulfill this obligation to Snow.

"No, but if you like it I bet I will."

Spike's really not up on the movie catalog from Beth's time, but he's more than willing to watch whatever she wants. "Going to tell me what it's about, or do I get to wait and see?"

He readjusts Millie in his arms, just because she's been in that one position a long time, and he understands now how sleeping babies equal dead weight. He never bothered to think about that a hell of a lot before. She's sleeping pretty soundly. He bets he could pick her up and settle her on his shoulder and she wouldn't even blink.

But he's not going to risk it. Not at all.

"And order in food with it. What sounds good?"

No more caffeine, for starters.

He thinks that Snow might be showing up to collect her twins any time now. Might as well take advantage of the quiet to figure out what they want to do.

She almost doesn't notice Wade's fingers wrapping around one of hers. His touch is feather-light, and his grip feels so easy to slip out of.

She doesn't need to move that hand just yet, though.

"It's... Well, you should just wait and see."

Food in general sounds great. She expects to be pretty damn hungry by the time they're ready to go upstairs. But she grins. "Burgers and fries and milkshakes."

And the requisite chocolate strawberries for desert. Can't forget those.

"Perfect."

He lets out a small contented sigh, both of satisfaction and anticipation. This really was easier than he thought, in one of those hey, I can do that, no problem kind of ways.

He's glad.

As Millie stirs, he just kind of rocks her back and forth, back and forth. It's a foreign motion to him: he's rocked Beth in his arms plenty of times, but never a baby. Most people don't trust their babies to hit-men and bounty hunters, and he's never been interested anyhow.

Spike leans back in his chair, puts his feet up on the table's legs, and feels his shoulders relax and settle for the first time since Snow left.

Out of all the things I never thought I'd be doing, this has to be at the top of the list.

But he smiles at the thought and looks down at Millie. Really, she's all right. And best of all: after Snow collects them, he'll have had his fill of kids for the next decade or so.

*Snow walks up to the table, a nervous glance behind her to ensure Goldy wasn't watching, then her face softens slightly as she realizes the children are here, they're still safe*

Hey. Hope they weren't too much trouble for you.

"Hey. They were perfect." He speaks softly. "We played for a bit, they each had a snack, we read this book, and here they are. I'm not sure who had more fun."

Spike turns his gaze from sleeping Millie back to Snow. "No trouble at all. Need help getting them back or anything?"

Glad they had a peaceful evening, then.

*a pause, then she continues, still quiet but clear*

I can carry it on my own, you get a knack for balancing all of it after a while, but. Goldilocks is here. I wouldn't mind knowing there's someone to watch my back, at least until I get them back to the House of Arch.

"Hell, yeah. Here." He wraps the blanket around Millie and then, disturbing her as little as possible, stands and hands her back to her mom. He can't help but grin when he sees Millie automatically smile at Snow's touch; it's good to know that some people get to grow up with a good set of parents who love them.

He nods to Beth who's got Wade, and packs up the supplies back in that big bag, handing that to Snow also.

And then he takes out his gun and loads it and double-checks it before looking around the room for someone who could possibly be Goldilocks.

"I'll walk you back. No problem. Show us which one she is, just so we know."

Beth's eyebrows go up at the mention of Goldilocks and Spike's movement to load his gun, but she turns and loosens Wade's tether from the back of her chair. Standing, she hands both tether and baby over to Snow.

"They were great."

She doesn't really know why Goldilocks would have Snow a little on edge (Isn't Goldilocks just a kid?), but hell, Snow would know better than she does. Snow's been around a long time and she's not exactly the fairy tale Beth would've expected.

The same must be true for Goldilocks.

At least the kids still look like they're sleeping pretty peacefully.

*Snow tucks Millie close to her and shoulders the bag, then reattaches Wade's tether to her belt and pulls him close to her, managing all thre through some act of Milliways physics*

Thank you for helping out; it was comforting to know they were safe.

*a quick glance around and Snow points to a golden-haired figure heading for the stairs to the guest rooms*

That's her. She didn't seem to be armed when we spoke, so it went better than I'd have expected.

He doesn't put the gun away like he does the cigarettes and lighter, because split seconds can make a hell of a big difference.

Reaching for Beth's hand with his left hand, he nods. He has no idea where the House of Arch is.

"Lead the way. We're right here with you and the kids."

*Snow nods. A glance tells her Goldy seems to just be heading up to her room, but better safe than sorry. A warm smile is directed at Spike and Beth*

Thanks.

*she heads over to the painting of dogs playing poker, shifts her load to ensure everything's secure, and directs another, relieved smile to the pair*

Doesn't seem to have been that much of a risk, but I'm certainly glad to have erred on the side of caution.

"No problem." He moves so that he's the one blocking the view to the stairs leading upstairs... just in case. If Goldilocks comes back all of a sudden she'll see Spike first, and Snow can move fast as hell with the twins, and it will all be done.

As Snow moves closer to the painting, he gives a final soft grin to Wade and Millie. "You take care of your mom, you two. No sharing those new words I taught you."

But he laughs. "Only kidding, Snow. Only kidding."

Thanks, Spike, Beth. Have a good evening.

*and with that they exit, returning to home and safety*

With a shrug, Spike flips the safety on the gun and puts it away once Snow and the twins are safely inside. Still holding Beth's hand, he tugs her away from the portrait.

"You said something about a movie." He stretches his neck from side to side; it pops a couple times.

Much better. He leans over and kisses Beth's forehead, glad it's just the two of them again. Go anywhere, do anything with you. I'd even babysit again if you wanted. He gives her hand a squeeze; his lips curve ever so gently into a hint of smile.

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