A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. It means a lot that you take the time to tell me your thoughts and I will be the first to admit that I have not researched anything on the legal laws pertaining to child care. Although I am 100% sure that what I had Rothchild do was illegal because I figured that there was probably paperwork and judges to consult and blah blah blah, but I knew that when I wrote that. However, Buffy did not know that because the average twenty-something year old that has always had their parent to deal with anything legal that may have happened in their life would not know that. Plus, it’s the Hellmouth…That being said, I’m wary of the ending of this chapter because it seems like things are being rushed even though it will all make sense in Chapter 14. So, just trust me on this and be patient for chapter 14…okay, done rambling
XXX
Chapter 13
Spike
I’m sitting in Willy’s drinking a pint when she walks in. I don’t notice her at first, but she takes a sit at the table behind me. I’m usually more perceptive but the day had been good. I managed to sell both those stupid eggs and Joyce’s car, made $20 grand easy for my girl.
“How are things going?”
“They’re going well. The Slayer’s a mess.”
My ears perk up and I slowly lean back to listen in on the conversation behind me. One male voice, one female.
“Good. Good. Thought that stupid Glory bitch was going to ruin our plan. If the Slayer had ended up killing herself, we would be shit out of luck,” the man says.
“I know. Believe me, I know. It was hard enough to plan for the father to be out of town when we killed the mother. I don’t know what we would have done if the Slayer or the Key had died,” the female responds.
My jaw tightens. They killed Joyce. The bastards sitting behind me killed Joyce.
“The plan would have been shot. As it is, things are working out better than ever. Slayer has no family, no friends, and no watcher.” The man laughs. “We didn’t even need to be-spell her friends! They left on their own accord…By the by, who did you set the Key up with?”
“The Katzes,” the woman answers. “They were the only ones who’d take the girl once word got out that she was the Slayer’s sister.”
“Is she even fighting to get the girl back?”
“She doesn’t have the slightest chance. I’ll make sure of that,” the woman says.
“Good work, Rothchild. Be sure to keep me updated.”
I hear the scraping of their chairs as the leave. Quickly, I glance over my shoulder to get a look at the two leaving. I memorize their profiles. I will find them. I will find them and tear them apart piece by bloody piece.
XXX
Willow
I can’t believe the letter in my hands. I read it over again just to be sure.
Dear Ms. Rosenburg,
On behalf of the RavenChild Coven in London, I would like to invite you to partake in a yearlong sabbatical in England. All expenses will be covered for the duration of your time here. Please let us know your response as soon as possible.
Your fellow sister of the Goddess,
Leanna
A trip to London! To study magic! My heart is racing. I can’t believe it.
The clicking of the door announces Tara’s presence and I run toward the hallway.
“Tara! Tara, look!”
She looks at me in amusement as I bounce up and down in front of her. “Sweetie, I can’t really look if you’re waving the paper in my face.”
I hold the paper still in front of her. “I’ve been invited to England to study magic. Did you get one too?”
Tara shakes her head and I feel a lump in my stomach. I can’t go without Tara. How could she not receive an invitation as well?
“M-Maybe it will come tomorrow?” I say.
“I don’t think it will,” Tara says. “I know that coven. They only take the best of the best…Y-you should go.”
I lower the paper. “I can’t leave you,” I whisper.
She looks away. “It’s only for a year,” she says. “And…I-I can’t let you pass up this opportunity.”
XXX
Tara
The look on Willow’s face is heart wrenching, but at the same time this letter is almost heaven sent. I need time apart from her. I still love her, but I love the girl I met is not the girl standing before me. Maybe some time apart will do us good.
“Are…are you breaking up with me?” She whispers.
I shake my head. “No, but I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if you didn’t go. This is a marvelous opportunity…and we’ll stay in touch.”
“It won’t be the same thing,” she says.
“I know,” I say. “But…if you don’t go…” I trail off.
“Come with me,” Willow says.
I shake my head. “No, you need to do this by yourself.”
“Is this…is this because of Buffy?”
“What? No! Not everything is about Buffy.” I say.
“But…but it is!” she insists. “You’re always over at her house, always helping her. You’re never here anymore.”
“Because she needs my help,” I answer. “She helps everyone else and she never asks for anything…”
“Only to stop the occasional Apocalypse and risk your life in the process,” Willow interrupts.
“She didn’t ask for this life!”
“Neither did I!” Willow screams. “I didn’t ask to have one of my best friends turn into a vampire. I didn’t ask to have my lover’s brains scrambled!”
“You didn’t ask for it, but you accepted it,” I say. “Willow, you could have gone to any school in the world…why did you stay here? Y-you didn’t have to help Buffy every night…you chose to. That’s the difference between you and Buffy. You got to choose…she didn’t…and you can walk away…”I leave the sentence dangling.
Willow is crying. Great big tears running down her face. I’m crying too as I turn away.
“I’ll pick up my stuff later…Enjoy England,” I whisper.
XXX
Buffy
The house is a zoo when I get home. Dawn, Spike, Tara, and some wrinkly skinned demon that must be Clem are all sitting in the leaving room.
“Wow, what a welcoming committee,” I murmur as Dawn throws herself at me.
“They’re demons, Buffy. Demons,” she mutters.
“What? Who?” I ask, pulling back to look at her.
“The whole bloody lot,” Spike answers. “Bint who took the little one away and the ones she’s stayin’ with…All demons.” He walks over to where I’m standing. “I heard ‘em at Willy’s talkin’ about their master plan to…take the bit away.”
“I…” The knocking at the front door interrupts me.
“Who could it be at this hour?” Tara asks.
“It must be them,” Dawn says. “Don’t make me go back with them.”
“You’re not,” I say as I watch Spike saunter over toward the door.
The man in the doorway is familiar although I can’t quite place him.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for Buffy Summers,” he says.
“And you are?” Spike sneers.
“Dan Whitehall, her attorney.”
Oh, now I remember him.
“Hello, Mr. Whitehall…When did you become my attorney?” I ask.
He smoothly steps into the entryway. “About three hours ago when your father hired me, He’ll be here soon.”
“Dad actually hired us a lawyer?” Dawn asked.
Mr. Whitehall laughs. “He sure did, Dawnie. I’m gonna see to it that you are out of child services by tomorrow and back home with Buffy until your father shows up.”
“Dad’s coming here?” I feel dazed.
“Of course he is,” Mr. Whitehall answers. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I just wanted to touch base with you two. I’ll be back at nine sharp and we’ll discuss your case.” He turns and heads out.
“Did we just enter a parallel universe?” Dawn asks.
“I think…” I say slowly. “We may have.”
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