It was hard but Buffy knew that she had to do it. It was her duty to Joy, her beloved daughter; and nothing, and no one was going to stop her. Tears filled her eyes at the memory of what Spike had said, that he would kill again. She just couldn’t let that happen.
The first call was to Willow. Powerful spells would be needed if it were to succeed. After explaining all the problems Willow had reluctantly agreed to help, she came through with the spells needed and promised to help convert the basement into a magic holding cell should they need it. She was on her way, she would bring everything she needed with her when she teleported in the day before ‘D DAY’, staying with Dawn until she was needed.
Buffy thought of Spike, her beloved Spike, her husband of 22 years and the tears started to fall again. He adored Joy but that was the problem. He loved her too much. Now Buffy had no choice she knew what would happen if she just let things run their course and there was no way she was letting that happen.
Next call was to Xander, handyman extraordinaire. He understood immediately, even sympathising with Buffy on what needed to be done.
He waited until Spike was out and came round to the house. Measured and prepared everything needed to strengthen doors and windows. There must be no chance that Spike could escape. Xander looked at Buffy. For the first time in years the strain was beginning to show on her face. Although not the only Slayer, the responsibility had been tough. Spike had supported her through it all, good and bad and now it had come down to this.
Xander held out his arms and just hugged his friend. The friendship had deepened over the years. Xander was no longer the little boy in love with a fantasy. He was a man who cared deeply about a much beloved friend.
Buffy’s heart was heavy as she kept careful note of the dates in her diary. The small one she kept in her bag. There was no way she would let Spike know what was going on.
Dawn was the hardest to convince. Only constant reminders of what happened last time were enough to get her to help. And then only on the condition that they promised not to hurt Spike unless absolutely necessary. She loved Joy too.
Faith and Robin had promised to come over from Cleveland if necessary. Although Robin and Spike had long since become friends, bonding over how difficult slayers made it when you tried to protect them and other husbandly complaints, they still put Buffy and Joy as their higher priority.
Secret meetings and shopping trips had arranged all the final details; who would do what, and where they all would be.
Then the day had arrived.
Willow and Dawn turned up at the house together to take Joy out for the day. A girlie day of shopping, hairdo’s, manicures and everything else that was needed to take her mind off what was about to happen.
Buffy spent the day with Spike. Needing to show him just how much she loved him before things went bad that night. It broke Buffy’s heart to see him so happy in his life with her knowing what was about to take place. Buffy had to be strong for Joy, she just had to be.
Clem had even offered to take Spike out that evening, to play kitten poker, but Buffy knew that wasn’t the answer; but an afternoon playing pool at Willies had given the Scoobies time to set up the house: spells set, chains ready in the basement, extra supports in and around the windows. All ready for that evening.
Buffy looked at the basement. It looked cold and dank, reminding her of when the First had been controlling Spike, and he had been chained up in Revello Drive.
She felt like the worst kind of traitor. He was her husband and she loved him. Then Buffy thought of Joy and the sadness in her eyes when she realised what tonight would mean. Spike was dangerous like this and it was Buffy’s duty as slayer and mother.
Joy looked scared as she came back into the house. Just a few short hours and it would be over.
All preparations were made and no matter what, the plan was now in operation…
Spike arrived home a little earlier than looked for; Buffy never got used to seeing him in day light, but the return of the ring of Amara by the Powers That Be had been a wonderful wedding gift, but part of Willow’s job that evening was to get it off of him. It had taken a long time to find a spell that worked on the ring and even longer to perfect it. Still, all had to be ready for this evening.
‘I’m all sweaty pet, I’m going for a shower.’
Buffy went over their plans again: all escape routes for humans and near humans planned out, Spells to keep vampires in place, ready, and the countdown began.
When the shoppers arrived home at about 6.30 pm Dawn took Joy upstairs and started unpacking everything they had bought that afternoon. Joy’s eyes still seemed sad. No girl should feel like that at this time and that was what had made all the Scoobies act as one. No doubts whatsoever.
Dawn took one look at her niece and handed her a dress. ‘Time to get ready.’
With Dawn helping Joy upstairs all Buffy could do was wait. She jumped with fright as there was a knock at the door, but it was only Xander and Willow, loaded down with pizzas, board games, dvd’s and beer. The only change from the old TV nights was the beer, but they were all older now.
Willow took up her appointed spot at the bottom of the stairs, Xander kept watch at the window as Spike came down from his shower.
‘What are you doing here Red?’ He asked as he gave her a quick peck on the cheek in welcome.
‘We thought we’d have a Scoobies night in, you know, TV, games, beer, Xander’s here too.’ Willow started babbling.
Spike started to get the feeling something was up but he trusted Buffy. He had to. They’d been married for 22 years, nearly half her life.
Spike walked towards the brunette man and offered his hand
‘Good to see you mate, how’s it all going?’
‘Fine’ said Xander returning the handshake and managing to steer Spike into the body of the room before taking his place on the Sofa where he could see who was approaching.
As Xander looked out the window and saw the car approaching, he gave Willow a nod and she started chanting. Blocking off the sitting room from the hall and the doorway.
Spike saw the headlights and started to get angry.
The Vampire saw a young man get out of the car and head towards the door. Without thinking he ‘vamped out’, going into gameface.
‘I’ll kill him’ he growled, heading for the door.
Immediately the spells started to kick in. Sapping Spike of power, Willow, striking forward, grabbed the ring off of his finger.
A noise on the stairs made him look towards them and the sight made him stop dead. Deader? His breath caught in his throat and he let out a small sigh.
Joy came down in the most beautiful prom dress you could imagine. Soft swirls of blue highlighted the amazing colour of her eyes. Eyes that were exactly the same shade as Spike’s.
Her high heeled sandals and small clutch bag finished the ensemble. The make up was flawless (thanks to Aunty Dawn) and her blonde hair was done in soft curls that framed her perfect face.
Spike was furious. He had said she wasn’t to go out with that prat to the Prom. Spike wasn’t having some hormonal driven male near his baby girl!!
Buffy turned her mate to look directly into her eyes. Eyes that were all Slayer, or Mama Bear protecting her baby.
‘Joy is going to the Dance, her date is arriving as we speak, and you are not going to make the horrendous fuss you did over Dawn’s Prom. You either play nice or you are going downstairs, chained to the wall until she gets back. Am I making myself perfectly clear? We are not going through you wrecking the most important night in a girl’s life a second time.’
Spike was still growling as the doorbell went. Xander answered it to reveal a young man in a Tuxedo holding a corsage.
‘I’m Richard… I’ve come for Dawn.’ the man stammered.
‘She’s ready for you, Richard, I’m her aunt, Dawn, and this is Xander, an old family friend.’
Richard shook the hands offered to him. He seemed dumbstruck as soon as he had seen Joy.
Spike growled, only to find himself lifted bodily off the floor headed for the stairs to the basement.
‘I’ll play nice’ he growled.
Buffy looked straight at him.
‘Promise,’ she demanded.
‘Promise.’ he answered.
He walked over towards Joy.
‘I’m Joy’s father, Spike,’ he said looking straight at Richard ‘You take care of my daughter tonight, you hear?’
There was something about the Blonde man that frightened Richard into silence. He managed to squeak out a ‘Yes Sir,’ as he and Joy headed out the door towards the waiting limousine.
‘Photo’s!’ shouted out Dawn, grabbing for the camera which had been left ready at the bottom of the stairs.
Spike looked at the happiness in his daughter’s eyes and wondered how he ever could have denied her this as she and her date left for the Prom.
‘Now that is over how about those Pizza’s and The Princess Bride while we keep the prisoner company until the kids get home?’ Xander asked.
‘’They’re cold,’ growled Spike, not wanting to be sociable in the least.
‘No problem,’ Willow just flicked her wrist and they could smell the fresh hot pizzas throughout the room.
Spike looked around at the people gathered in his front room. Friends who risked his wrath to ensure that his daughter got the Prom she deserved.
Spike held out his arms to his mate, his wife, his beloved.
‘I didn’t really mean I’d kill him you know, but thanks for all the help.’
‘You were so cross when Dawn started going out and you were getting all worked up,’ Buffy started crying.
‘Let’s watch that DVD, then we can beat the whelp at Monopoly. I’m staying up all night ‘til she gets home safely and he’d better not have tried anything,’ He growled, softly. He wiped the tears from her eyes.
‘I know, she’s growing up, thank you for the care though, luv,’ he added.
But Buffy could see the joy in his eyes. Joy at a Grown Up daughter, at good friends and a good night in with his wife.
‘I hope you bought some decent beer, whelp.’
‘Might’ve, Blood Breath, but if I have, I’ll arm wrestle you for it.’
The laughter rang throughout the house.
Mission accomplished.
squawks
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!