Recap: "I'm not hungry, dear."

Buffy and Willow made some sandwiches and got a bag of chips, then
went upstairs and crashed.  They had changed into comfy jammies and
talked for a few minutes before Buffy asked flat out.  "What's the
deal with the letter?  And don't say nothing, I saw your face when mom
mentioned it."

Willow sighed and lay down on the floor, looking up at the ceiling.
"Do you really want to hear this?"

"Yes, I do.  I'm not blind, there's something more to your story than
what you told my mom and Giles.  If you can't tell them, try telling
me.  I won't judge, after all, you know the whole story of me and
Angel."

"True.  Do you know anything about Giles' past?"  She asked, trying to
find out how far back she'd need to go.

"I know about his dabbles in occult magic, used to be called Ripper
and we've had the pleasure of meeting Ethan Rayne.  Eyghon, the demon
they had raised, came after those that bore his mark."  She grimaced
and then showed Willow the tattoo Ethan had given her.  "Giles found
out from the Council that if Eyghon entered into Angel, his demon
would kick its butt and destroy him."

"I see."  * So, that's why mom insisted that I send him that missive
in the council's name.  "Well, Giles knew my mother from those days.
Her name was Sayna.  They had some pretty wild times."  Here she
paused and studied Buffy, "What I'm about to tell you must not leave
this room until I've had a chance to tell Giles, agreed?"

Buffy thought and studied Willow as seriously as the other girl had,
this was big.  "You will tell him?"  She  wanted to be sure that the
girl would come clean about this secret before she promised anything,
she didn't want to do anything that would hurt Giles.  Willow nodded.
"Then I agree."

"One night, Giles and my mom went out.  It was sort of a farewell
because he'd decided to follow his destiny and become a part of the
Watcher's Council.  They got very drunk and...things happened, things
that weren't supposed to happen.  One thing lead to another and then
morning came."

Buffy's eyes filled with sudden comprehension.  "Giles is your
father?"  She asked quietly, a part of her deeply envious of the girl
before her.  Willow nodded, Buffy squealed happily and hugged her.
"That's so great!  That's not great?"  Buffy asked in confusion when
it became apparent to her that Willow wasn't as thrilled as she should
be.  "Why?"

Willow's eyes filled with tears as she looked at her.  "Don't you get
it?  I'm a mistake, I shouldn't have been born at all.  And I can only
ruin his life by being here.  He's going to hate me when he finds out.
That's what mom wrote in the letter.  I never wanted to come here
because I don't want to be a bother, he is so happy here.  He doesn't
need me, I'd just get in the way like I always have.  There's nothing
I can offer him, when the Council finds out that he knows, it'll only
cause more problems for him.  He doesn't need this."  By this time,
she was sobbing.

Buffy's heart went out to her, + the council.  I might have known
those good for nothing stuffed shirts had something to do with this.
Those self-righteous prigs with no more sense than hogs!  She rocked
the girl, much the same way Willow had done for her earlier.  After a
few moments, Willow pulled away.  Buffy picked up a brush and started
to do Willow's hair. "I don't understand. What does the council have
to say in this? You are his daughter."

Willow relaxed under the gentle brush strokes.  "They have everything
to say in it.  When the council found out about Sayna's pregnancy,
they came by.  My maternal and paternal grandparents always helped
them out.  I was born under the council's guidance, they raised me.  I
hardly ever saw my mother. Not that she cared anyway.  It wasn't until
my powers awakened that I first saw her.  The council couldn't control
someone with my abilities, she came to teach me.  She really didn't
care that I was her daughter until she was diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer, which is nearly fatal and had a change of heart.  It was then
that I found out her side of the story, my grandparents had told me
their version."

Buffy began to braid her hair.  "How different were they?"

"They weren't except mom never said I was a mistake.  She said I had
the best of her and father, his brains and her magic.  When she was
close to dying, she made me promise to find dad and tell him
everything.  I didn't want to but she insisted, the council let me go
under protest.  They weren't very happy about my going but allowed it.
After the funeral I left and that's how I came to be in Sunnydale
today. So much has happened, I am in total shock.  Nobody here is the
way I thought they would be."

"Being raised by the council would do that.  I've met other slayers
and she was a shock.  Her name's Kendra, she's very disciplined and
obedient.  Shows no emotions what so ever.  I often wonder if Giles
would be happier if I was like her."  She patted Willow's head, then
handed her the hairbrush.  "Do me now."

Willow switched places with her, thinking before she answered.  "I
don't think so.  He's so proud of you, it's in his eyes, the way he
looks at you.  He'd be disappointed if you were to pretend to be
something you aren't."

"But he is."  Buffy pointed out.  "I never knew about the Ripper side
of him until his past decided to roar into town."

"Giles is different, even as Ripper, he always had a strong sense of
who he is.  He isn't pretending, this is who he is now."  Willow
offered.  "That's why I don't want to hurt him."

"You could never hurt him, I think he needs someone like you to help
him."  Buffy said, sighing.  "Giles would make an awesome father, you
are so lucky.  He's kind and always knows what to say and when to say
it.  He also knows when to keep quiet, he's always there for you."

"And your dad isn't?"  She asked absently, putting the finishing
touches on the other girl's French braid.

"My parents are divorced.  He lives in LA and gets me stuff just to
keep me quiet and out of the way.  That's not what a father is."
Buffy's voice was flat and they sat in a companionable silence.
"Well, we're a couple of downers."

"Yeah.  But at least we aren't having a bad hair night!" She quipped.
They laughed before falling asleep, Willow was on a pillow in front of
the window.  Before she drifted off, she wondered if Buffy was right.
May be the Council was wrong, what did they know about the way Giles
would react.  Maybe she wouldn't be in her father's way. Only time
would tell but, for that night at least, the two girls rested, secure
in their own little world.

Back at the warehouse, Dru was wearily sitting on Spike's lap.  She
couldn't believe the way she had acted and all over some silly mortal
boy, though there was something about him that made one want to baby
him.  Then there was that girl, the one who had made her daddy mad.
The girl smelled of trouble, more than the nasty slayer. She must
remember to ask Miss Edith about her.  Miss Edith always knew what was
going on.  She sighed and ran her hand over Spike's chest, casually.

"What's wrong, pet?"  Spike asked, trying not to get tangled in her
web again.  She may be affectionate now, he thought sourly, but wait
until 'dear daddy' showed his face.  I can then kiss my little
princess good-bye.  Enough is enough, he decided grimly, I'm leaving
in the morning.

"Nothing, love. I'm just tired and worried."  She stretched her arms
up languorously, then wrapped them around his neck.  Her hand ran
through his hair, while the other caressed his face very softly, like
a butterfly's touch.  Spike stiffened for a moment, then let her carry
him away with her.

Angelus was in the shadows by the door, watching like he usually did,
waiting for his moment to strike.  But for some reason, he didn't want
to spoil the mood between his two children.  He missed the
relationship that he'd once had with Spike, he wanted it back but
wasn't sure he knew exactly how to regain it.  His behavior with Dru
lately had alienated Spike and gotten rid of whatever joy Spike had
had out of his return.

And he had been thrilled, Angelus remembered.  < But then I went and
destroyed that with my behavior. He sighed, there's always tomorrow.
Then he left them in their own loving world and went to bed, envious
of them really. They had the kind of relationship he'd always sought
but couldn't find. Even Darla was not his match. With Spike, he'd come
very close. Spike was all that a vampire could want in a partner,
though his impatience to be done with things meant he wasn't very
found of the games that Angelus liked to play. Unbidden the image of a
lovely young woman with flowing red hair and sparkling green eyes came
into his head.  He groaned and fell asleep, dreaming of Willow.

Dru and Spike remained with each other until she put him tenderly to
bed.  She hated how useless it made him feel to be taken care of,
especially now that Angelus had returned to them.  She watched him
until he went to sleep, then curled up in her own room so she could
talk to Miss Edith.  She felt an uneasy peace, something inside was
trying to warn her that things were going to change, very soon.

Spike woke before the dawn and quietly packed up his belongings,
slipping away before the sun began to rise.  He was pleased to see
that it was a cloudy day, he should be safe for a little while. He
debated for a moment on whether or not to take his car, finally
deciding not to.  As much as he loved it, it would be too easy to
track it down.  Spike walked to the bus station and hoped the first
one heading out of Sunnydale.  He was startled when a young red head
got on and sat beside him.  Her face was pale and troubled.  He felt
strangely connected to her and, though it went against his nature, he
decided to take care of her.  He thought sourly, I'm getting to be
more of a poof than the great poof ever was.

Giles and Jenny stood in the hallway, watching the girls leave before
looking at each other.  "Buffy is special."  Good, keep the topic
neutral and he'll keep talking.  He nodded.  "Who was the girl with
her?"

"Willow Katolonia.  The daughter of one of my old friends.  She's come
to ask for my help in finding her father."  He held out his hand, she
took it hesitantly and smiled up at him. "Shall we?"

"Do you think you can help her?" He's holding my hand! Yes!  Jenny
tried to keep the excitement out of her voice as they walked out to
his car.  He held the door for her and she got in, smoothing back her
hair and skirt while he went around and got in the driver's seat.

"I certainly hope so.  She's a really sweet kid."  Giles said as he
started the engine and moved into the nearly empty street.  "There's
just something about her that bothers me, I just can't put my finger
on it."

"I'm sure she'll tell you when she's ready."  They had arrived at her
house and he opened the door for her.  "Would you like to come in and
talk some more?  Maybe I can help you help Willow."

"Not tonight, I'm afraid. I would like to see you tomorrow.  May be
during lunch."  Giles responded.

"Okay."  She smiled uncertainly up at him.  "Well, good night then."

He bent down and kissed her cheek.  "Good night, Jenny."  Giles then
turned around and drove away.  Jenny watched him go with hand on her
cheek, a soft blush staining them.  When his taillights disappeared
around the corner, she went in.

Giles walked into his home, dropping his coat onto the chair by his
desk before he went upstairs.  He took a quick shower, then went to
bed.  The last thing he thought about was the letter, now if he could
only remember where he'd left it.

The morning dawned cloudy and chilly as Buffy and Willow got up,
giggling at the way their hair stuck out of their braids at odd
angles.  "Oh, aren't we an attractive pair?"

Willow smiled, shyly.  "Well, one of us is."  She murmured after Buffy
had left the room, knowing that her new friend would object to her
words.  Her new friend, the words just thrilled her.  She still found
it surprising that Buffy wanted to spend some time with her, and was
actually thrilled about the Giles being her father thing.

After breakfast, they changed and walked to school.  Buffy saw Xander
and excused herself, 'just to play with him' was the reason she gave.
"But you need to go to the library, immediately.  Tell him now.  Trust
me, Giles will be thrilled.  He is going to love you."

"All right.  Have fun."  Willow smiled mischievously at Buffy.   The
Slayer went off, laughing merrily and Xander's face paled considerably
when he saw her.  Willow turned around and nearly ran into a stern
figure.

"And who would you be?  Another trouble maker like Miss Summers?"  He
asked, already noting her appearance.

"No, sir."  Willow went into a respectful mode, having had a lot of
practice with the watchers.  "I'm an associate of Mr. Giles."

"And were you aware that visitors must go to the principal's office
before coming onto campus?"

"No, sir."  She felt a chill run through her while talking with him.
He had to be one of the most unpleasant men she'd ever met.

"I'm Principal Snyder and I'm going to warn you to stay away from that
Summers girl.  That girl is nothing but trouble.  As for Mr. Giles.I
don't care for him.  Always trying to undermine my authority with
these kids."  He spat the word out distastefully.  He turned to go,
but paused and looked at her.  "This is against regulation so have
your meeting and be gone."

She watched him leave before walking in, looking around.  From her
vantage point, she could see him in his office sitting in his chair,
reading her mother's letter!  Willow gasped, nervously twisting her
hands as she intently watched his face.

Giles walked in and started to put the books away when the lavender
scented letter fell to the ground.  He was startled but bent and
picked it up.  Then he put it in his pocket to read later and hurried
to straighten the room so that all his books were once more hidden.
He walked into his office and closed the door and began to read it,
recognizing at once Sayna's bold writing.

Dear Rupert,
I bet you never thought you'd hear from me again, especially
after that last night.  If you couldn't tell, it's me, Sayna.  Anyway,
you must've met my daughter, Willow. Ripper, this is the hardest part
to tell you.  Willow is no ordinary child, as I'm sure you've already
figured out.  She has my powers and her father's intelligence.  I know
that you will do everything in your power to help her find her father,
but will you be very accepting when you find out who he is?  Argh!
This is getting me nowhere and I've always been proud of my blunt
manner.  So as I've never been one to beat around the bush, I'll just
say it: YOU are Willow's father.

The letter dropped out of his hands as his numb mind tried to process
what he'd just read.  Willow saw the letter fall, as if in slow
motion, and his face became pale, on it was clearly written shock,
horror, and something else she was too hurt to read.  * I knew it.
Why did I let my hopes build up and believe in what Buffy told me?
I've got to leave, today before he tells me to go.  Using her magic,
she teleported herself into the Summers' home.  She repacked her
backpack and left, closing the door on her life here.  But before she
went, she wrote to Buffy.

Giles sat for a moment, / a daughter.  I have a daughter.  How?  (Of
course, his logical mind knew how but still.)  He picked up the letter
and reread it, just to make sure he wasn't mistaken.

I know what you're thinking, Ripper, but don't worry.  You
read it correctly  I suppose you probably don't remember that night,
when we went out together and things got out of hand.  Don't fret,
Willow knows and she knows you are not at fault.  But our girl hasn't
had the easiest of lives, the watchers raised her and I thought it was
for the best.  After all, there was the whole world to see and Ethan
and I enjoyed it.  Yes that's correct, Ethan and I.
And you're probably wondering if he knew about her, well of
course he did.  He always thought we should tell you but you had been
so determined to forget Ripper that I thought it best if you didn't.
I know now that I was wrong. But back then?  Anyway, she was his
treasure because she reminded him of you, the two of you being such
good friends.  Willow has your inner strength, have you noticed that
yet?
Anyway, I've never been one for past regrets so I'll just say
that I am terribly sorry for what happened.  Love our Willow, like
only you can.  She's had such a savage childhood.  I know that you
will be good for her, as you have been good for your Slayer.  You
always were the best one of us all.
Love Always,
Sayna

Giles put the letter down slowly, his eyes unfocused because tears
filled them.  / Ethan knew.  Why didn't he tell me?  May be because
you beat him up and then kicked him out the first time.  And the
second time, he tried to kill my slayer.  But he still could have said
something to me.  The sudden sound of the doors hitting the wall
brought him out of his musings.  / And so another day with the Slayer
begins.  "Good morning."  He walked out of his office.

"Hello, you proud papa, you."  Buffy smiled, glowing.  He looked at
her in surprise and she covered her mouth, shame written on her
features.  "She didn't tell you?  Sorry, Giles, I didn't mean to spill
the beans."

"That's all right, I was just reading Sayna's letter.  Willow's here?"
 Giles asked, unable to keep the excitement from his voice.

"Yeah, she came with me to school."  Buffy said.  "She must've run
into Snyder before she got here.  You know how he can be."

"Unfortunately, I do."  The door opened again.  "Xander."  His voice
turned cold when he saw the young man.

"I know, I know.  I have a lot to answer for.  My behavior was
reckless, selfish, and totally unconcerned about how others felt."
Xander was subdued as he sat down. "Oh, and that little friend of
yours was absconded by Snyder."

A voice came through the swinging doors. "I wouldn't say absconded,
Harris, I merely escorted her to the library.  I see that she listened
to me, unlike some people, and left after she saw Mr. Giles.  Now,
don't you kids have classes to be in?"  He walked them over to the
door, preventing them from escaping.

Buffy saw the look on his face and knew that truth. * Willow, how
could you?  She walked right into a young man carrying an open bottle
of soda, which splashed all over her shoes and clothes, making a
sticky mess all over the floor.  * I hope you appreciate what I'm
doing for you, Giles.  "Oh, I'm so sorry."  She was flustered and
helped the young man up.

Principal Snyder hissed angrily.  "You should watch where you're
going, Miss Summers and as for you,"  he turned to the young man.
"Sodas are not allowed in this school, you know that.  The mop is in
the janitor's closet.  Miss Summers, you may be excused to go home to
change.  Report to me before you return to your classes."

Giles stood there for a moment, thinking about what Snyder had just
said.  "But I didn't see her."  He murmured quietly.  / Oh, my.  She
wouldn't have just left, would she?  Of course she would, the council
raised her.  Softly cursing, he grabbed his jacket and headed out the
door.  Luckily, he didn't run into Snyder.  Giles ran through the
town, not noticing the rain and went t the Summers'.  / Don't let me
be too late.  He knocked on the door.  "Willow!  Willow, if you're in
there, please come out.  I need to speak to you."

His only answer was a rather deafening silence.  "This might help."
He saw a key suddenly appear in front of him.  He turned around and
saw a very sticky Buffy standing behind him.  "Don't ask."

"Thanks, Buffy.  I really appreciate this."

"Besides, she might have left because Snyder scared her off.  He isn't
quite like anyone else in this world.  And she seems easily startled."
Buffy added helpfully.

"True.  But I can't shake the feeling that something else happened
that scared her away."  They walked into the house and began to look
for her.  "Oh, Buffy, do you think I'm going to lose her before I've
gotten a chance to get to know her?"

"I hope not, Giles."  Buffy put her hand on his arm, comfortingly.
"She isn't like anyone else, I really like her."  She walked into her
room and noticed two things instantly.  One was the letter on her
bureau and the second was the clothes she'd loaned Willow that
morning.  "Just great."

"What?"  Giles asked from the doorway, his posture was tense. And it
revealed how defeated he felt.  "She's gone, isn't she?"

"I don't know, Giles.  She might just have gone out to see mother or
went to do some shopping.  Let me change and we'll read this
together."  She showed him the letter.  He nodded, resigned to waiting
for a while longer.  "Meet me in the living room.  And have a cup of
tea to calm your nerves, we can work this out."

Within thirty minutes, she was back downstairs. They sat on the couch,
her legs pulled up under her and she read the letter out loud.

Dear Buffy,
I just couldn't do it.  I was all ready, even excited to tell
Giles everything.  I walked in, after meeting Snyder in the hallway,
he told me to leave after I spoke with Giles.  Something about how I
wasn't supposed to be there.  Anyway, there I was and he was in his
office, reading my mother's letter.  I watched him as he read and saw
his face, the shock and horror that was written there.  I knew that it
had to be because of me.

"But that was only because * I * didn't know about her, that nobody
thought that I should know about her birth.  It had nothing to do with
the fact that I had a daughter at all."  Giles exclaimed, interrupting
Buffy.   "I swear it wasn't because of Willow."

"I know, Giles.  But the council raised her, they told her that you
would never be able to accept her.  She would just ruin your life."
Buffy paused before she continued reading the letter, she held his
hand knowing that there was still more hurtful things to come.  Having
talked to her, she knew that the council had really messed things up
in her mind.

I don't expect you to cover for me, so don't worry.  I doubt
that I'll be talked about anyway.  I'm just sorry that I kept this
promise, he's happy and I've probably ruined that.  Try to let him
know how very sorry I am for what has happened, if he asks that is.
As for Angelus, if you decide to restore his soul...just wish for it
and it will be done.  Thanks for showing me what having a friend is
like, I will never forget you.
Yours in Spirit,
Willow

Giles stood up and began to pace the room, angry and frustrated.
Buffy knew she was about to witness his Ripper side and, though a part
of her was afraid, she was glad that he wasn't going to take this
situation calmly.  "Enough is enough, the Council has messed in my
life for the last time.  I have faithfully served them, though I know
full well that they disapprove of my methods.  At least I have done
more than sit on my butt and watch the world go by.  But this is the
last straw, the last.  They had absolutely no right to keep the
knowledge that I had a daughter from me.  Come, Buffy, we have to get
to school and I have to find Willow."  He strode out of the house, his
footsteps strong and sure, back straightened with determination.

"Mr. Giles?"  A voice asked from the doorway of his office.  He turned
around and saw a young tweed clad man standing there.  "I am Wesley
Windham-Pierce. The Council has sent me to tell you that if you pursue
the young witch, your career with the council is over."

"Then get out of my library.  You have no business being here."  With
that Giles shut the door in his face.

Buffy locked the door and followed him, not feeling too sorry for the
council.  They were going to pay for their deception, everything in
Giles' look told her that.  She walked into the office and listened to
Snyder's lecture, nodding at the appropriate places.  + Willow,
wherever you are, I hope you're all right.

At that moment, Willow was on a bus heading out somewhere.  She was so
sad and tired, that she hadn't bothered to pay attention. By her side
was a slender, peroxide blonde man, who appeared to be running away as
well.  The cloudy sky suited her mood, dark and dreary.  She stared
out the window, watching the sky darken and as the rainstorm began.
The wind howled and the rain pounded the ground heavily, almost as if
the sky was mourning the loss of someone very dear.

And in fact, it was.  Dru woke up early, the stars screaming in her
head that something was terribly wrong.  She ran into Spike's room and
let out an unearthly scream, startling everyone in the warehouse to
wakefulness.  Her beloved Spike was gone.  The chair he'd sat in since
she pulled him from the church, stood off to the side, empty of his
familiar presence.  His closet doors were open and empty, all of his
things were gone.

Angelus ran into the room and caught her as she fell down, the blood
red tears falling from her eyes.  "Spike!  Why did you leave me?  Why,
my darling?"  She bemoaned, struggling against Angelus' tight embrace,
finally breaking free.  She launched herself onto the bed, hugging his
pillow and breathing in his scent.  In her grief, she caused that a
storm raged throughout all of California.  "Let all share in my
grief."  She muttered.

He shared in her sorrow.  "Dru?  We will find him again.  He's not
going to be away from us for long."

She looked at him, her eyes shiny with her tears.  Her pale face
streaked red from her fallen tears.  "Promise me?"

"I swear."  He held out his arms and she burrowed into them, keeping
Spike's pillow near.  "We'll leave as soon as we can."

"What about the Slayer?"  Dru asked.  She looked up at him, eyes hard.
"I want my Spike back, soon.  I won't wait for you to play any more
games with her."

"She's no longer important to me.  Spike is. You shall have him back,
baby."  Angelus promised, he meant it.  Family was more important to
him than revenge.  And, if he was truthful with himself, Buffy was
stronger than he'd thought she'd be.  Someone he realized he'd have to
defeat in some other way.  But right now was not the time to think
about that, there would be time for that later.

The End.

Rating: G to PG.
Couples: None yet, Spike/Willow friendship only.
Summary:  The sequel to "I Have A What?!?!?!?!?".
Thought Key: / Giles, < Angelus, > Dru, * Willow, ^ Spike

Title:  The Great Chase. Alternate Universe

The bus drove on in the heavy rain until they got to Tempe, Arizona,
it stopped for refueling.  Willow got off, deciding that she'd gone
far enough, and took a deep breath, * this is it.  She aimlessly
wandered through the rain, unaware for the moment about her shadow.

Spike followed the girl, wondering where she was going. He didn't
think even she knew and debated whether or not to approach when he let
out a yelp of pain.  An almost lightening like beam had hit him.  It
felt like a cage was surrounding and crushing him, holding him
captive.  He lay on the sidewalk, unable to move because he of the
pain.

She turned at the sound and saw him fall, barely recognizing him
through the rain as the guy from the bus.  As she stood there, a bunch
of guys in camouflage came out from their hiding places and surrounded
him.  Looking at them, she sensed that they were trouble.  Without
thinking, she moved through them and picked the vampire.  "Back off!"

They stopped in surprise, wondering what they should do.  The one in
the front, a tall, blond man spoke to her.  "Miss, this doesn't
concern you."  He had a faint mid western accent.

"I'm afraid it does. This man is my friend and you shot him." She was
indignant and it showed.

One of the men, a rather cruel looking individual, leaned over and
whispered in the man who appeared to be their leader's ear.  Whatever
was said, displeased him and he shook his head.  Willow backed slowly
away, trying to escape their attention.  If they could get out this
without resorting to magic, she'd be pleased.  Finally, the leader
reluctantly nodded and they raised their blasters.  Willow tensed and
created a fog to cover them. The rain aided her by becoming heavier at
that precise moment and she teleported them away.

With what little money she had in her pocket, she got them a decent
hotel room. * I'm going to have to pawn something later.  Willow
resisted the urge to go through his pockets and see if he had anything
to spare.  After cleaning and tending to the wounds that had formed,
she absently noted his cold skin, cold but not clammy.  * That's odd.

She shook her head, then tucked him into the bed.  She studied him for
a moment and realized that the blankets on his chest weren't moving
and the wounds had almost completely healed. That could mean only one
thing.  Her companion was a vampire.  "Oh, goodness.  What am I
doing?"  She wanted to run but as she looked at him, helpless on the
bed, she knew she couldn't.  Willow crawled in beside him, drifting
off to sleep.

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