A Love As Strong As Death

Author: enigmaticblue

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Everyone knows that not all these characters are mine, and I'm not making money off the ones that are. So there.

Archive: Anywhere that already has my stuff. Anywhere else, ask and it shall be given to you.

Summary: Set after the end of Cast Me Not Away and its follow up stories. This sequel is longer and darker than the intervening short stories. It deals with family, children, immortality, life and death, and making amends. We will also be jumping around in time a bit, so look sharp.

A/N: I debated for a long time before writing this one, although the idea was there before I even finished CMNA. Some of you will believe that I have ruined the previous stories, which is fine. All I ask is that if you're unhappy with where this goes that you'll go back, re-read Cast Me Not Away through Silver Bells, and then you can flame me if you'd like. I'll calmly pull out the fire-extinguisher and ignore you, but that's alright. The themes have been there; I just hadn't quite managed to elaborate on them yet. (Oh, and before anyone screams Nika, Wesley, Spike and Buffy will survive. More than that I won't promise.)

 

Chapter 18: May 2016

 

Hannah glanced up as the student aid came into the room. The teacher glanced at the slip of paper the aid handed to him and then looked straight at her. "Hannah, they want to see you in the principal's office."

The rest of the class broke out in snickers, and she rolled her eyes. Hannah knew very well that she hadn't done anything worthy of getting called to the Principal's office, which probably meant that either Wesley or Nika was picking her up early for some reason. They had done so a couple of times before when something big had come up. That was why she wasn't expecting what she did find.

Hannah froze just inside the door of the office. Her mother stood there, hair greasy and clothing unkempt. There had been a time when her mother had simply been her mother. When she had been aware that something was wrong, but hadn't thought much of it.

After not seeing her mother for over two years, however, Hannah saw her with almost a stranger's eye. The cheap, stained clothing, the lank hair, the canvas shoes that had never been in fashion. She had never minded when Nika or Wesley—or even Buffy—came to pick her up from school. In fact, she was proud of her Watcher and his family, proud of Buffy and Dawn and Connor.

For the first time, Hannah realized that she was ashamed of her mother.

"Mom," Hannah said. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to get you," Mara MacDougall replied. "Did you think I'd let them keep you forever? We need to leave now."

Hannah shook her head. "No, mom. I don't live with you anymore."

"You're my daughter!" Mara replied, her voice rising. "You're mine! Those people, taking you away, putting ideas in your head. We have to go now." She glanced around, and Hannah could see the paranoia in her eyes. "They're watching us."

Hannah realized with horror that her mother had finally completely disconnected from reality. She wasn't surprised, exactly, but the shock of seeing her mother again for the first time in years hit her hard. "Mom, they're not watching us," Hannah replied. "You aren't supposed to be here."

"What? I can't see my own kid now?" Mara stared at her. "You're coming with me. You don't belong here."

It was something Hannah had feared—that she really didn't belong. That she would grow up to be like her mom. That she was wrong in the head.

She was the Slayer. What would happen if she went nuts?

"Mom, I can't go with you," Hannah replied, tears coming to her eyes. "I'm living with really nice people now. It's permanent."

Mara reached out and seized her arm in a tight grip. "You're my daughter! My blood! They've turned you against me. Well, we'll just see about that. You'll understand. I'll make you understand."

Hannah was paralyzed with fear. It was possible. Maybe her mom had gotten custody back. What if she couldn't live with Wesley and Nika any longer? What if they had decided they didn't want her? It had happened before.

In that moment, Hannah was suddenly ten again, before her mom had taken to her bed completely, when she'd fly off in fits of rage, when it had been her job to keep her mom as calm as possible.

In that moment, Hannah forgot she was the Slayer.

"What the bloody hell is going on here?" Enid came bustling into the office, her sharp eyes taking in the tableau in front of her. "Hannah? Are you alright, cariad?"

Enid's voice broke Hannah out of her stupor. "Nain?"

The older woman somehow managed to insert herself between Mara and her daughter. "You don't belong here," she stated in a flat tone. "Hannah is ours now."

Hannah wasn't sure what exactly happened, but Mara blinked as though coming out of—or possibly going into—a trance. "I should go," she muttered. "Don't belong here."

 

"We'll take good care of Hannah," Enid said.

Mara turned and shuffled out. "Good care," she agreed, sounding drugged. Hannah stared after her mom, her heart thudding in her chest. She glanced around the office, seeing the office personnel standing there, staring at her.

Mr. Colson, the assistant principal, a stocky, balding man in his thirties, came hurrying in. "Mrs. Rhys, you're here. I'm sorry. I was called away to take care of another matter, and—" He looked around, seeing the avid looks the secretaries and student aids wore and Hannah's pale face. "In my office."

"What is going on?" Enid demanded as soon as the door was closed.

Mr. Colson shook his head. "I really am sorry, Mrs. Rhys, Hannah. Mrs. MacDougall showed up, demanding to see her daughter. Our records indicated that she no longer had custody, so we thought it best to call Hannah's guardians. As I said, I was called away on another matter. I'm not sure who sent for Hannah, but that was not my intent." Mr. Colson met Hannah's eyes. "I am very sorry that you had to go through that, Hannah."

"It's okay," she said faintly. "It's not your fault. Mom can be really persuasive when she wants to be."

Enid put a comforting hand on Hannah's back. "I'm taking the girl home," she said firmly. "She's not going back to class today."

"Of course," Mr. Colson agreed. "Again, I apologize. That scene never should have happened." He looked grim.

Enid nodded, satisfied that his apology was sincere. "Mistakes happen," she said. "Most people don't think there's anything wrong with a mother wanting to see her child."

Mr. Colson nodded, relieved that things had been smoothed over. After the fiasco the previous year with the football player, he had no desire to upset the Wyndam-Pryces yet again. They were fiercely protective of their ward. "Thank you. Please, Hannah, take as much time as you need. If you want to speak to the school counselor, or—"

Hannah shook her head, cutting him off. "No, that's okay. I'll be fine, really." She looked over at Enid. "Can we go now?"

"Of course." Enid stood, accepting the handshake that Mr. Colson offered. "Thank you for calling me so quickly."

"I'm just glad you arrived when you did," he admitted. "I wasn't sure how I was going to get rid of her short of calling the police. If it happens again, I'll be calling them first."

"That's probably a good idea," Enid agreed. She led Hannah out of the office. "Are you alright, cariad annwyl?"

Hannah nodded. "I'm fine, Nain, really."

Enid patted her arm. "Good girl. I know just what we need."

"What's that?" Hannah asked, knowing that it was probably food. Enid's solution to most things included food.

"Chocolate," Enid replied, knowing about Hannah's sweet tooth.

Hannah managed a smile. "That sounds perfect."

~~~~~

Nika rushed into the house, a worried frown creasing her brow. "Nain?"

"Right here, Danika," Enid called from the kitchen.

"How is she?"

"In her room, working on homework," Enid replied. "I've already called Wesley, and he said he'd try to make it home soon, but this negotiation is tricky."

Nika sighed. "I'll be glad when he's here, but the damage has already been done. Neither of us wanted this to happen."

"No one could have predicted this, cariad," Enid assured her. "You know the social workers thought she was completely nutty."

Nika shook her head. "I've already called Connor. He said he'd make certain that the custody agreement is airtight."

Enid ran a soothing hand down her granddaughter's hair. "Nika, you know it's safe. There isn't anyone in the world mad enough to hand custody back to that woman. They've already terminated her parental rights."

"I know," Nika whispered in reply. "I do not want to lose her, though."

"Nika?"

She turned to see Hannah in the doorway, staring at her with wide eyes. "Oh, sweetheart," Nika said, embracing her. "I'm so very sorry. That must have been terribly distressing for you."

"Mom said—"

"It doesn't matter what she said." Nika's tone was firm, no-nonsense. "You're one of the family, and you're not going anywhere."

Hannah hugged her tightly, not wanting to let go. Seeing her mother again had brought back a lot of memories, few of them good. At the time, Hannah hadn't seen much wrong with her life. She had known that her family wasn't like most, but she didn't realize how bad it really was until she'd lived with her Watcher for a while.

It was the difference between eating stale bread from the sale bin at the discount grocery store and feasting every day. It was the difference between worrying that the mail carried an eviction notice and knowing that the roof over your head would be there year after year.

The idea that she might be killed, that the Slayer's life was a short one, couldn't touch the security Hannah experienced for the first time in her life.

Nika stroked Hannah's hair, reveling in the opportunity to mother the girl. "Do you really think we'd let you go?"

Hannah shook her head. "I guess not. It's just—"

"Whatever she said, your mother does not know you," Nika murmured. "She does not know your strength and your spirit." She pulled back to look at the girl. "Go have a snack. Tomorrow I'll call you in sick, and we'll go do something. Maybe Buffy will want to come with us. It'll be a girls' day out, hmm?" Nika gave Hannah's cheek a loving touch.

Hannah nodded eagerly, accepting the cookie that Enid handed to her. "Eat," the older woman said. "You're too thin."

The Slayer grinned. Enid said the same thing to everyone, even Angel, who didn't eat people-food. Of course, Hannah got the sense that Enid just liked tweaking Angel.

"Yes, Nain," she replied obediently, biting into the cookie.

Enid sniffed. "You think I don't know," she said, her eyes boring into Hannah's. "This is where you belong, child. This is where you were meant to be. Never doubt it."

Hannah didn't know what to say.

~~~~~

It was obvious that they were trying too hard. Or maybe it wasn't too hard, but their reassurance was palpable. The next day, Nika and Buffy took her shopping. They had a girls' day out as promised, and then Spike, Buffy, and Meg all came over for dinner. Hannah noticed that all of her favorite foods were present. It was like her birthday, but not.

Maybe it was over-the-top, but Hannah appreciated the gesture. It meant a lot to her.

She allowed herself to believe that things were better, that her mom wouldn't show up again. A week went by, and she let her guard down. Things were back to normal. Wesley was hounding her because she was dropping her shoulder. Spike was giving her a hard time about tripping over a tombstone while on patrol.

It was the typical after-patrol thing, but special because Wesley rarely went out with them these days, and she'd had the company of both Spike and Wesley out that evening. Nika brought them tea when they came in, and Enid came in to talk. Hannah relaxed further.

She should have realized that's when life hits you the hardest.

The ringing of the doorbell interrupted the conversation. Nika and Spike were arguing over a movie they'd gone to see with Buffy and Wesley. Her Watcher was refusing to comment, and so he was the one to answer the door.

Hannah, in a state of drowsy contentment, perked up slightly when she heard the voices. They sounded all too serious for her taste. A man and a woman followed Wesley into the living room. "Hannah, perhaps you'd best join us in my office."

She saw the look that Wesley gave Nika, and she knew what that meant as well. It meant that Nika was supposed to come too and that it was really serious.

Hannah felt numb following Wesley and the strangers back into his office. She could barely feel Nika's hand on her shoulder, trying to steady her. "Hannah, this Detective Green and Detective Schultz. They're from the Los Angeles Police Department."

"I don't understand," Hannah said. "What—"

"You might want to sit down, Hannah," Detective Green, the female detective, said. "This is difficult."

Hannah shook her head. "No, I'd rather stand."

Detective Schultz sighed. "I'm very sorry to tell you that your mother was killed earlier today."

"She was killed?" Hannah asked, not understanding. "Somebody killed my mom?"

Detective Green shook her head. "No, I'm very sorry. At the present time, it appears as though Mrs. MacDougall might have jumped from a building. We're waiting for a full investigation, but..."

Hannah didn't know if she was supposed to cry or not. Would she be a horrible person if she didn't? If she didn't cry, did that mean she didn't love her mom? What kind of monster didn't love their mother?

Apparently, her shock passed as grief for the detectives, and they left, murmuring their condolences. Hannah could feel Nika's arms around her, but she couldn't make sense of it. Her mom was dead, and all she could feel was relief. Now Hannah really wouldn't have to live with her ever again.

Hannah never could quite remember how she managed to get to bed that night, or how she made it through the next few days. Her emotions were so mixed that she couldn't seem to make sense of anything. The twins were especially nice, and Buffy came and said she knew how Hannah felt, and Nika hugged her a lot.

Wesley was the one who went to the funeral with her. They were the only ones there besides the minister. Hannah wasn't even sure who made the arrangements for the funeral, but she assumed it was her Watcher. She didn't train, and she didn't patrol, and no one asked her to.

The worst part was that Hannah couldn't cry. She knew she should, but she couldn't make the tears come. There was guilt and relief and horror filling her head and heart in equal measure.

And Hannah was scared to death that she was going to turn out to be just like her mom.

She was unprepared for Spike's appearance at her bedroom door two nights after the funeral. "Let's go."

"What?"

"We're goin'." Spike gestured at her impatiently. "Get your gear."

Hannah was too caught up in her emotions to question Spike's commands. Besides, she was the Slayer. She was supposed to be patrolling. That's what she did.

No one stopped them as they left the house. Hannah strapped her helmet on and climbed on the bike behind Spike. She let the sound of the air rushing over her soothe her nerves.

She noticed the vampires immediately. Apparently Spike had known exactly where to find them. Hannah didn't waste any time. She jerked her helmet off, pulled a stake out of her pack, and took off running.

When the first vampire disintegrated, a great burning rage seemed to erupt out of nowhere. She was screaming, but she couldn't tell what she was saying. The anger made everything intense, but she felt detached from her own body at the same time.

Strong arms pulled her off the last vampire, and she watched as Spike staked it, hanging onto her with his other hand, as though she'd run away otherwise.

Hannah was taking great gasping breaths, and she was crying. There were tears streaming down her face, but she was quiet now.

Everything was still as death.

"Come on, luv," Spike murmured quietly, pulling her into a rough embrace. "Tell me what happened."

She couldn't. She couldn't put it into words lest it was true. They would all know then. They would figure it out, and—

"Hush now," Spike said, still holding her. "Nika and Wesley are worried sick about you. Tell me what's goin' on in that head of yours."

"I'm a horrible person," Hannah said against his chest, and suddenly the tears were coming again. She was sobbing against Spike's chest and telling him everything—how she hated her mom and never wanted to see her again. How she was relieved her mom was dead and that she was glad she didn't have to go back to her. How she was afraid that she'd go crazy, and she was the Slayer. What happened when a Slayer went nuts?

Spike was saying something, repeating it over and over, and the words finally penetrated her daze. "She didn't deserve you, luv. She didn't deserve to have you."

"I hated her," Hannah confessed.

"She didn't do right by you, Sweet," Spike replied. "It's alright to hate her."

"You're not supposed to hate your mother."

"She wasn't any kind of mum. It's gonna be okay."

Hannah sniffled and pulled back. "What if I'm like her? What if I go crazy?"

"You're stronger than that, luv," Spike replied. "Trust me, I lived with a bloody loon for a century. You're not crazy."

She made a choked sound that might have been a laugh. "Thanks, Spike."

He smiled at her, and Hannah could have lost herself in his eyes. She loved him, she realized. It wasn't a schoolgirl crush, and it wasn't romantic love—it was something else altogether. Spike was like her guardian angel, even though she'd never tell him that.

"This world, our world, is where you belong now, Hannah-luv," Spike said quietly. "Don't doubt that."

Because Spike was her hero, Hannah could believe him. "Okay."

"Let's blow this joint," Spike said, a grin forming. "We'll go take a ride."

"Ice cream?"

Spike laughed. "Whatever you like, pet. Best milk the sympathy while you can, yeah?"

It wasn't like that, and they both knew it. "Yeah," she agreed.

For the first time in a while, Hannah felt as though the earth beneath her was stable again.

 

 

Chapter 19: October 2014

 

"Are you sure you're okay?" Buffy asked as she supported Spike into their house.

He sighed. Spike was getting really tired of the mother hen act. "I'm fine."

"Do you need blood now, or do you want to wait?"

"I ate before we left for the airport, Buffy."

"I know, but you're still looking kind of pale."

"I'm a vampire." Spike raised an eyebrow and glanced over at her. "Buffy, really, I'll be fine."

She was quiet. "I worry about you."

"And it's appreciated, but not necessary," Spike insisted. "I'll be just fine in a few days."

Buffy paused. "Couch or bed?"

"Couch," Spike said firmly. "I've been in a bloody bed for too long. When is Xander bringin' Meg over?"

She hesitated. "In a while. I told him I'd call."

"There's no reason for Meg to stay away, luv," Spike replied. "She'll worry." When Buffy was silent, Spike frowned. "You told her why it took us a bit longer to come home, didn't you?"

The Slayer wouldn't meet his eyes. "She would have worried."

Spike shook his head. "Buffy, she probably knows. Knowin' Meg, she's probably worryin' herself silly tryin' to figure out what Xander's not tellin' her. Harris never was very good at lying."

"They were at Disneyland," Buffy replied. "I'm sure they haven't had time to think about it."

Spike shook his head, knowing that there was no arguing with his wife sometimes. "Fine, pet, but give Harris a call. It's better if Meg knows what's goin' on."

He watched as Buffy opened her mouth to say something and then changed her mind. "I'll call as soon as I get you settled."

Spike wanted to tell her that he didn't need her help to get settled, and he only wished it was the truth. It had been five days, and he still wasn't healed. Even a vampire had to take some time to recover from a hole in the chest, and having everyone poking around his insides hadn't helped matters any.

The truth was that it would be at least another week before he was ready to see action. It was probably going to be months before Buffy stopped her hovering. Her worry combined with her guilt wasn't making things very comfortable for him.

Spike let her fuss over him because it made her feel better, and then he watched as she went off to call Xander. He could hear her side of the conversation quite well from the living room. Harris was asking her what had happened, and she was giving the short version of it.

"Spike wants to see Meg," Buffy said. There was a pause. "How did she find out?"

Spike smirked as he leaned back into the cushions of the couch. Not that he was happy to have worried Meg, who seemed to be afraid that one or both of them wouldn't come home someday, but it was nice to be proven right occasionally.

No sooner had Buffy put the phone down than it rang again. Spike could tell it was Angel on the other end immediately. The older vampire had come back the night after the big battle, not wanting to be away from the business for too long. He'd stopped in to see Spike before departing, and Spike had had a hard time biting back his laughter.

Buffy had been right. A shaved head didn't suit him.

The Slayer came hurrying back out into the living room. "I've got to go," she said, sounding worried. "Cordelia just had a vision, and they're going to need me." Handing him the phone, she said, "Xander should be here in a little while. Maybe you could call Wesley to come over, or Nika."

"Slayer, I don't need that much looking after. I'll be fine." Spike rolled his eyes. "Get out of here already."

"Love you," Buffy said, pausing to give him a quick kiss on the lips, and then she was dashing out the door.

As much as Spike loved her, he gave a great sigh of relief to have her gone for a while. "Finally, some peace," he muttered, turning on the TV and beginning to flip through the channels.

~~~~~

Meg didn't waste any time heading up the walk, not even bothering to wait for Xander. Disneyland had been fun, but it had been tainted for her. She'd seen the look on her uncle's face, and she could tell that there was something he wasn't telling her.

She unlocked the door with her key and rushed towards the sound of the television. "Dad!"

"Wait, Meg!" Xander warned from behind her, but it was too late. She'd already flung herself into her father's arms, burying her face in his chest.

She didn't see the look of pain on his face, nor did she see him shaking his head at Xander, warning the other man not to say anything. "How was Disneyland, luv?" Spike asked when Meg finally pulled back. He managed to keep the strain out of his voice with some effort.

"It was great!" she replied enthusiastically, then her face fell. "Did you get hurt?"

Spike made a face. "A bit, moppet, but I'll be fine in a few days. Until then, I expect you to keep me company, yeah?"

She nodded, looking around. "Where's Mom?"

"Went out with Angel and his crew," Spike replied. "Peaches needed her help."

"And you couldn't go 'cause you're hurt?" Meg asked, frowning. "Did I hurt you?"

 

Spike hastened to reassure her. "No, luv. You won't ever hurt me just by givin' me a hug."

She looked doubtful, but then she nodded. "Okay." To Spike, at least, Meg appeared adorably determined. "I'm gonna draw you a picture. Will that make you feel better?"

"Absolutely, moppet," Spike replied, watching her dash off. He looked over at Xander. "Thanks, mate."

"It was my pleasure," Xander assured him. "You've got a great kid."

"I like to think so." Spike waved him into a seat. "You want to stay for a while?"

Xander shook his head regretfully. "I don't think I can. Teri's coming home tonight."

Spike smirked. "You'd better get goin' then. We'll see you soon, though?"

"Yeah, of course." Xander frowned. "You sure you're okay here on your own, Spike? I can't stay, but I could call someone for you."

"I'll be fine," Spike insisted. "I need people to stop flutterin' around. I'm in one piece, an' that all that really matters, yeah?"

Xander finally nodded. "Yeah. Take care, Spike. I'll bring Teri by when you're feeling better."

Spike watched as the other man left, letting out a deep breath. His chest was throbbing, the pain radiating through his limbs as well. It had been a long time since he'd been hurt this badly, and he didn't like it. He didn't like feeling this helpless.

He let his eyes drift shut as sleep overcame him.

~~~~~

Enid let herself into the house quietly, knowing very well that Spike was probably sleeping. She'd heard enough about his injuries to send her over as soon as Buffy had called. Nika was working and Wesley was with his new Slayer, and so the task fell to her.

Not that Enid minded. She had always had a soft spot for William.

"Nain," Meg greeted her in a loud whisper. "Dad's sleeping."

"That's as it should be, cariad," Enid assured her. "People who have been injured need lots of sleep. They heal faster that way."

Meg nodded, although she still looked doubtful. "Is he going to be okay?" Meg had absolute confidence that Enid would tell her the truth. The older woman had a tendency towards frankness that some of the other adults found alarming, but Meg liked it.

"He's going to be just fine, Margaret Joyce," Enid assured her. "No matter who you are, healing takes a bit of time. You'll have to be extra helpful the next few days."

"I can do that," Meg replied confidently.

Enid smiled, patting her cheek. "Of course you can. Now off with you. I'll start dinner soon, but until then I'm sure you have something you're working on."

"I'm drawing Dad a picture," she replied. "He said that would make him feel better."

"I'm certain it will." Enid watched the child dash off, smiling to herself. Meg was a sunny child, but she had the feeling that Spike and Buffy would more than have their hands full when she reached adolescence. Spike, at least, would have to beat the boys off with a tire iron.

Enid went to the kitchen, setting the bag she'd brought down on the counter and starting to pull out various ingredients. The older woman was quite certain that the coven in Cleveland had done all they could for the vampire, but she had a few more tricks up her sleeve. Nika, of course, knew most of her secrets.

Getting remedies to work on a vampire wasn't easy. Technically, a vampire was dead, as was the flesh. Most covens were comprised of humans, looking out for human welfare, who had no compelling reason to find remedies for demons' problems.

Enid, on the other hand, had worked with a number of different species. She had a few potions that would work even on a vampire.

Once she had prepared the tonic, Enid warmed up a large mug of blood and brought both over to the couch where Spike was sleeping. "William," she said softly. "I've got something for you."

Without opening his eyes, he murmured, "Buffy put you up to this."

"She's concerned for you," Enid said with some amusement. "Women fuss when they love a person. You'll just have to get used to it, I'm afraid."

Spike cracked one blue eye. "What do you have?"

"Blood and something that should help you heal." Enid waited as he pushed himself into a sitting position with difficulty. "Would you like me to take a look at that?"

Spike hesitated. "May not be a bad idea," he allowed. "Not while Meg's around, though. Don't want her seein' it."

"Of course," Enid replied, handing him the mug of blood.

Spike drank it down quickly. He'd been starving and he hadn't even realized it. He drank the other mug she held out just as fast, raising an eyebrow. "That's not too bad," he allowed.

"Medicines do not always have to taste bad." Enid smiled at him. "Now, I told Buffy that I would stay here until she returned. She thought this little job might take longer than expected."

Spike frowned. "I'll be fine, Enid."

The older woman chuckled softly. "And how will you make dinner for Meg, my lad?" At his grimace, she nodded. "Just so. There's no shame in accepting help."

"I've been doin' nothing but accept help the last few days, Nain," Spike replied. "Buffy's been hoverin' like a bloody mother hen. It's a bit much."

Enid smiled and kissed his forehead. "She will relax as her fear of losing you passes. Don't you worry."

Spike sighed. "Right. I guess I can put up with it for a while longer." He raised an eyebrow. "How's that new Slayer of Wesley's doin'?"

"She's fine," Enid replied, a thoughtful expression on her face. "The girl has had a difficult time of things, however."

Spike nodded, his blue eyes sympathetic. "Thought so. Girl's eyes were too old."

Enid nodded. "They are." She hesitated. "Your wife may present a bit of a problem as to her settling in."

"Tell me about it," Spike muttered. "Hopefully, now that Buffy's worked some of her anger off staking that bitch, she'll settle."

"I wouldn't hold my breath."

"I'm undead, Nain," Spike replied with some amusement. "I can hold my breath indefinitely."

Enid shook her head at him. "Smartass," she reproved, although with no heat. "Hannah will need you."

"Me?" Spike asked, surprised. "She's got Wesley an' Nika, and it looked like she was getting on just fine with Connor and Dawn. Not that I won't help, mind you, but Wesley—"

"Is her Watcher," Enid replied easily. "Hannah will need you in much the same way that Dawn needed you."

Spike frowned and then shrugged, wincing when the movement sent a flash of pain through his chest. "I'll be around."

"Good," Enid replied, standing. "Then I will start dinner for your daughter, and you can get some more rest. I'll take a look at your injuries later."

Spike didn't think he'd be able to sleep again so soon. After all, sleeping was about all he had done for the last few days. Something in Enid's concoction seemed to have a soporific effect, however, and he drifted off, dreaming about Slayers and the scent of wood and blood.

~~~~~

Wesley knew that Nika was keeping a careful eye on Hannah. The girl had just returned from her first day of school and had spent the afternoon training. When asked, she'd said that school was fine, but hadn't offered more information than that.

Davey was talking a mile a minute about the pick-up football game he'd played after school, and the winning goal he'd scored. When the boy finally ran out of gas, Wesley looked over at Will. "How was your day?"

Will shrugged, much as Hannah had done. "It was okay."

Wesley and Nika exchanged looks. "Those boys aren't coming after you any more, are they?" Nika asked.

Will wouldn't meet her eyes. "It's okay, Mum. It's like you said. I've just got to ignore them."

Nika made an unhappy noise, but didn't say anything. Wesley caught her eye and just shook his head slightly. They both knew that there were some battles their son would have to face alone; if they intervened, there was a strong possibility things could get worse.

"What about the other students in your class, Hannah?" Wesley asked. "Were they friendly?"

Hannah hesitated slightly before answering, "I guess. I mean, I am the new kid."

"Just know you're always welcome to bring guests here, cariad," Nika said.

"Thanks." The gratitude was sincere, but both adults caught the doubtful tone that seemed to indicate that she didn't think she'd have much opportunity for it.

As dinner was finished, Wesley stood, fully intending on cleaning up the kitchen. Nika started to protest, but he shook his head. "Let me take care of you," he scolded gently. "You know the doctor said it would be better if you took it easy."

"You're too good to me," Nika replied, raising her face for Wesley's kiss. While the boys groaned in disgust, Hannah watched intently. She couldn't quite figure it out. Everybody was so nice to each other—and not fake-nice either. It was like they really liked being together.

It was weird, was what it was.

Hannah stood with Wesley and started helping him clear off the table. "You don't have to do that," he said. "If you have homework—"

She shook her head. "I don't have much, and I want to help."

He smiled warmly at her. "Then I'll be happy to have your assistance."

Hannah glanced towards Nika, who was also smiling her approval. She couldn't help but wonder how she could keep those expressions on their faces all the time.

 

Chapter 20: March 2017

 

"So where have you applied for school?" Sam asked as he walked Hannah to the grade school.

Hannah was thinking about how she was going to meld both a date and patrol, and so answered rather absently. "UCLA."

"That's it?" Sam asked. "That's the only school you've applied to?"

 

Hannah glanced over at him, his tone bringing her fully back to the present. "What? Oh, yeah, it's the only one."

Sam frowned. "Isn't that kind of risky?" he asked. "What happens if you don't get in?"

"Then I go to the community college for a couple of years and reapply," Hannah said. "It's really the only place I wanted to go."

Sam stared at her. "Hannah, I've heard what kind of scores you got, and I know your grades are good. You could go anywhere."

"I don't want to go anywhere, I want to go to UCLA," Hannah replied patiently. "Look, Sam, I understand that most kids will do just about anything to get away from their parents. I want to stay close to home. It's important to me."

Sam looked at her with a considering eye. "This doesn't have anything to do with why you can stuff guys three times your size into a locker, does it?"

"It might," she said evasively. Hannah bit back a sigh. She knew that Sam needed to be told about her extracurricular activities. Wesley had given her the okay—or rather he'd told her it was up to her. Hannah had heard the stories. The longer she dated Sam, the bigger the risk that he would find out about her being the Slayer from someone other than her. She didn't want that.

At least he already knew she was different.

"Can you tell me about it, or is this something that's top secret?" Sam teased.

"Tonight?" Hannah ventured. "I thought I could tell you tonight."

Sam stared at her. "You're serious. The whole story."

"Yeah, but—" She paused. "You have to help me with something really important."

He shrugged. "Anything. You know that."

"It's Spike," Hannah said slowly. "I've got a plan."

"Spike is Wesley's business partner, right?" Sam asked. He knew that Hannah was close to most of the people who made up her strange family, but he'd gotten the impression that she was especially close to this Spike guy. She was always talking about him, and Sam might have been jealous except that the way she talked about him was like a favorite uncle or something.

"Yeah, that's right. He's been through some changes recently, and he's in a bit of a funk," Hannah explained, knowing she was being vague. "We've been trying to give him time, but I think I might have a plan to snap him out of it."

Sam nodded. "Okay."

"Really?"

"Sure," he replied. "I'm game for anything."

If he'd known what "anything" would entail, Sam might not have been quite so quick to volunteer.

~~~~~

Hannah knew that what she was doing bordered on stupid. Wesley had been very clear as to his instructions. "Absolutely, under no circumstances, are you to try and take this on yourself," he'd said. "Either Angel or Buffy will accompany you."

He couldn't get more explicit. Still, Hannah remembered that the brief foray into the vamp nest a couple weeks back had momentarily shocked Spike out of his doldrums. Maybe if there was something just a little bigger, it would pull him all the way out.

Of course, a little bigger meant placing herself in jeopardy, which Wesley wouldn't find amusing in the least. That's why she didn't tell him what she was planning.

So, instead of doing their calculus homework, Hannah had explained the whole thing to Sam, who was still looking skeptical. "Look, Hannah, I'm pretty sure you're not crazy, but this—"

"Is crazy, I know," Hannah said with a sigh. "I can prove it, though."

Sam looked interested. "You could show me a vampire?"

"Sure," she replied. "It's kind of part of the plan if you're willing."

He hesitated. While Sam had been honest when he'd said he'd help, suddenly he wasn't so sure. If Hannah was really serious, if she was right about vampires existing, they could both end up dead. Wouldn't that be ironic? He finally gets a girlfriend, and they both end up dead before prom. "I said I'd do it," he finally said firmly.

If his girlfriend really was a superhero, there was no way Sam was going to come across as a coward.

"It's going to be perfectly safe," she assured him. It was going to be safe—for him. Hannah had no intention of placing Sam in danger. It would be wrong, and she didn't want anything to happen to him.

Sam nodded. "What's the plan?"

"There's this gang of Kraecher demons that have been vandalizing some of the parks," Hannah explained. "There's one they haven't hit yet, so we have a good chance of finding them."

He frowned. "I don't see how this helps your friend."

"The park isn't that far from his house," Hannah said. "I figure I'll tell Wesley I'm going out with you, then we swing by the cemetery, you get to see a vampire, and then we head towards the park. You go tell Spike what I'm up to, and he comes and rips me a new one."

Sam's eyes widened incredulously. "You do realize that you're probably going to be grounded for life, right?"

Hannah shrugged. "It's for a good cause."

He shook his head. "I don't know, Hannah. I mean, it sounds like a good plan, but what if you get caught by these guys by yourself, before your friend gets there? Isn't this really dangerous for you?"

"Not really dangerous," she said. "Just a little bit. No more dangerous than a regular patrol." Hannah conveniently forgot to mention Wesley's warning. "Trust me, Spike's house is really close, and he's fast. If I know him, he'll be on his bike and heading over before you can get the last words out of your mouth."

                                                                                                                                           

Sam ran a hand through his dark hair, still undecided. He believed Hannah's story; deep down he knew she wasn't lying to him. He knew she wasn't crazy, but this could get her hurt or killed. He didn't want to see that.

Of course, he'd also watched her face down the entire football team. So maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal. "Okay, I'll do it. But you have to promise to be careful."

"I swear," Hannah replied with a smile, giving him a quick kiss on the lips. "Thank you."

It was the first time she'd kissed him, and Sam realized that he'd do just about anything to get her to do it again.

Even if it meant facing monsters that were supposed to be imaginary.

~~~~~

The reason that Hannah was certain Spike would be home was because he nearly always was these days. She knew that Buffy was spending a lot of time demon hunting with Angel's crew, and that Spike was typically the one to stay home with Meg. While Meg didn't have to have a babysitter anymore, Spike still stayed in.

In fact, the ex-vampire had gone out only once, other than the night he'd slayed vampires with Hannah, and that had been because they needed all hands.

Hannah thought that he was purposely avoiding anything that might give him pleasure, which wasn't like him. That was why she was resorting to desperate measures.

What Hannah didn't know—because Spike wasn't really talking to anyone—was that he'd slowly begun sparring with Buffy again. At first it was only to make her happy, but over the last couple weeks, it was because when he sparred with the Slayer, he felt whole again.

Also, the sex was great afterwards.

Buffy was lying next to him on their bed after one such session, a pleasant ache in her limbs. "So you want to be the one to get Dawn and Connor from the airport on Monday?"

"I can," he replied. "You could go with me."

"Someone has to watch Hannah's back on patrol," Buffy reminded him. "So unless you want to volunteer—"

"I'll go to the airport," Spike said quickly, cutting her off. "No need for me to interrupt Slayer bonding time."

"You should go out with Hannah again, Spike," Buffy said quietly. "She worries about you."

Spike sighed. "The girl worries too much. She thinks she's all grown up."

"That's what getting chosen will do to you," Buffy replied, her tone light. "It makes you think you're responsible for saving the world."

Spike glanced over at her and snorted, a genuine smile gracing his face. "You mean you didn't have a hero-complex before you became the Slayer?"

"Complex?" Buffy asked, with a raised eyebrow. "Who said it was a complex?"

"No one ever said you had to save the world, pet," Spike said, knowing he was asking for trouble.

"Oh, is that right?" Buffy asked, her fingers going to the most sensitive areas she could find. "I must have missed the memo that said I didn't actually have a sacred duty." She started tickling him, delighted when he laughed, rolling away from her, off the bed, and landing lightly on his feet.

"You're going to pay for that," he warned her, pouncing immediately. Buffy shrieked in mock-fear, rolling off the bed to the other side. She wasn't quite quick enough. Spike grabbed her wrist and tugged her back to him, moving so that she was pinned underneath him on the bed.

Buffy struggled for a minute, realizing that Spike had gotten a lot stronger over the last few weeks. Strong enough, in fact, that he could actually keep her pinned. "Say uncle," he ordered.

"Never."

"We'll see about that." One hand still grasping her wrists, his other hand went elsewhere, causing Buffy to gasp. "Say uncle."

"You can keep that up all night," she whispered in return, her cheeks flushed. This was the first time Spike had seemed like his old self, the first time he'd been so light-hearted. Buffy couldn't quite believe it was happening.

It felt so damn good.

Responding to the heat in her eyes, Spike covered her mouth with his. A moment later, her hands were free, and Buffy rolled him over so that she was on top. "I love you."

Spike froze, staring at her. "Do you?"

"You know I do," she insisted, her mouth traveling down his neck and chest. "Every part of you."

Buffy didn't sigh. She didn't roll her eyes. She did nothing but increase her ministrations, because she knew that one wrong move on her part would send him running. He'd run way too often the last few weeks—often enough that she had considered chaining him up.

Buffy didn't think he was quite ready for that yet.

When he buried his hands in her hair, Buffy knew that he was staying, that they'd moved one step closer to repairing the damage that had been done.

They lost themselves in each other, in the feelings that their hands and lips wrought. For that moment they might have been the only two people in the world, the only ones who had ever felt this way, the only ones who ever would.

Their lovemaking might have gone on all night except for the pounding on the door. Both of them groaned, but Spike and Buffy were both too well-trained in the art of managing catastrophes to ignore frantic pounding.

Spike pulled on the first pair of pants that came to hand, leaving Buffy to follow him once she was dressed. He was surprised to see the boy on the doorstep. He'd only met Sam once before, and he hadn't really been very aware of things at the time. "Sam?"

"You have to come," the young man gasped. "It's Hannah."

"Come inside," Spike ordered. "What's going on?"

"We were out, and we got attacked." He was gasping for breath, and there was a scrape on one forearm.

Spike frowned. "Out where? Were you on a date?"

"No. I mean, yes, we were, but Hannah said she had to patrol too, and I offered to tag along." Sam shook his head. "We don't have time for this. She's in trouble!"

"Sit." Buffy was suddenly there, pulling him over to the stairs and sitting him down. "Tell us exactly what happened and where Hannah is. We won't know how to help her otherwise."

Spike took the clothing that Buffy handed him and finished dressing as Sam quickly told them what had happened. "Hannah told me she was, you know, the Slayer, and she said she'd show me a vampire. It wasn't supposed to be a big deal, and then we were attacked in the cemetery."

"By vampires?" Buffy asked quickly.

Sam shook his head. "No. I don't know what they were."

Spike frowned. "Grab the all purpose bag, luv. We'd better head out. Have to improvise when we get there."

"When do we not improvise?" Buffy asked, already grabbing the saddlebag from the hall closet with their assorted weapons, as well as the second helmet. "Lucky for all of us that Meg stayed at Andrea's house tonight."

"No kidding," Spike muttered, giving Sam a hard look. "Stay here. We'll come back and give you a ride home once we get Hannah taken care of."

"There's first aid stuff in the bathroom down here, and feel free to raid the fridge," Buffy said, handing Spike his helmet. "Let's go."

Buffy could feel the excitement humming through Spike's limbs as the bike sped down the road towards Resurrection Cemetery. Ironically, there was usually plenty of vampire activity there. The Slayer did find it odd that Hannah would choose to hunt so close to their house. Not that they lived that far from Wes and Nika, but it was a good enough distance so that the younger Slayer must have chosen that particular cemetery for a reason.

It had been a long time since she'd seen Spike like this. Although Buffy hated that Hannah was in serious trouble, she couldn't help but relish his excitement. It felt good to be out with him again. It felt like old times.

It would be even better when they could get back home and take up where they left off.

They had to ditch the bike at the gates, since they were locked for the evening. Buffy was always somewhat irritated when cemeteries were blocked off. It made her job that much more difficult, and the vampires didn't have any trouble getting over them.

Of course, she and Spike didn't have any trouble scaling the fence either, and once again she wondered what Hannah and Sam had been doing. Even though Hannah wouldn't have had trouble, Buffy had a hard time picturing Sam climbing over the wrought-iron fencing.

It brought back fond memories of when Xander would follow her out on patrol. He'd always managed somehow.

Hannah wasn't hard to find. The sounds of a fight carried in the still night air, and both Buffy and Spike hit the ground at a run. Neither one of them was pleased to see the swarm of Kraecher demons surrounding Hannah, who was just barely managing to hold them off. Buffy paused just long enough to pull a short sword out of the bag before tossing it to Spike, who pulled out an ax.

The Kraechers were distant cousins of the gang of biker demons who had shown up in Sunnydale shortly before Buffy was resurrected. The mere fact that Hannah was still standing was a testament to her tenacity. It appeared as though she'd already taken quite a beating, and neither Spike nor Buffy wasted any time wading in.

Watching Spike fight had always made Buffy just a little bit horny—watching him battle the Kraechers made it even worse, or better, depending on your perspective. It had been so long since they'd been out together, since they'd fought side by side. Buffy had missed it, and she'd missed Spike's joy as he fought.

They mowed the Kraechers down as the demons closed in, sheltering Hannah from the battle. Buffy had seen the girl cradling her arm, and she knew that the younger Slayer had been hurt.

The demons were either brave or stupid, because when Buffy and Spike had thinned their ranks considerably, they still kept coming, until every last one was dead, and the bodies were piled high.

Buffy wished that all demons were like vampires. It would make the clean-up so much easier.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Spike demanded, rounding on Hannah.

Her shirt was torn, and there was a cut on her cheek, as well as the injured arm. She was pale, and obviously having a hard time replying. "Spike, I—"

"You could have been killed!" he exploded, glaring at her, causing the girl to shrink back just slightly. "And you could have gotten your friend killed too! I thought better of you, Hannah."

Buffy could see the girl's lip trembling, and she knew that now was not the time to chastize her. "Spike, that's enough. She's hurt, and we need to get her to the hospital."

Spike glowered. "We can't take the bike."

"I know that," Buffy replied patiently. "Why don't you go back to the house, get the car, and come pick us up here."

It looked for a moment like he was going to argue with her, but then he nodded shortly, turned on his heel and left without another word.

Hannah still appeared to be on the verge of tears, and Buffy put an arm around her shoulders. "Come on, sweetie," she said comfortingly. "Let's find a way to get you over that fence without getting hurt any worse."

It took some walking, but they managed to find an area where the wrought-iron gave way to chain link, and Buffy yanked it aside to let Hannah crawl through. As they walked back around towards the entrance to meet Spike, Buffy asked, "Do you want to tell me what you were doing tonight?"

Hannah shook her head silently.

"Hannah, I've done some stupid things in my time, probably worse than whatever it was you were trying to do."

"I just wanted Sam to see that I wasn't crazy," Hannah admitted in a low voice. "Wesley said I could tell him about being a Slayer if I wanted, and I wanted him to believe that I was telling the truth."

Buffy nodded slowly. "So you weren't trying to go after the Kraechers?"

"No!" Hannah said quickly, and then found that she couldn't really lie. "Well, not exactly," she confessed. "I thought if Spike got a chance to fight, you know, he'd be okay again."

Buffy sighed. "Hannah—"

"It wasn't supposed to be like that!" she interrupted. "I was just going to dust a vampire, and then Sam was going to come get you guys. I figured I'd find the Kraechers in Andrews Park, because I thought that's where they'd be. By the time I found them, Spike would get there, and we could take them together."

Buffy had to admit that it wasn't a bad plan as stupid plans go. "So you weren't trying to fight them off on your own."

"No," Hannah said. "I didn't think I'd be able to manage, not after what Wesley told me about them. I didn't think they'd be in the cemetery tonight. I'd just dusted a fledgling, and then they were all over the place. I told Sam to run, and he did."

Buffy shook her head. "You did the right thing getting Sam out of there. First rule of slaying is protect the innocents. But Hannah, either of you could have been seriously hurt or killed. Sometimes you have to let people figure things out on their own. You can't always expect people to just be okay because you want them to be. It takes patience."

"I just wanted to help," Hannah said in a very small voice.

Buffy sighed and then gave her a reluctant smile. "I think you did. I haven't seen Spike that angry since he got back. He's certainly acting like his old self."

"Are you going to tell Wesley?" Hannah asked.

"Well, we're going to have to," Buffy said. "We can hardly hide a hospital visit, can we? I'm not going to say anything about your plan, though. The Kraechers have been hitting parks, not cemeteries, so it's not your fault that you ran into them tonight. And you can handle a couple of new vampires, so that part of the plan wasn't completely stupid."

"Thanks, Buffy," Hannah said fervently. "Wesley probably wouldn't let me see Sam again."

"I doubt that," Buffy replied. "But there's no point in getting grounded for something you didn't technically do."

The girl nodded, much subdued. "I'm really, really sorry."

"It's going to be fine, Hannah," Buffy assured her. "Spike really is doing better. It just takes some patience from everyone."

"I'll remember," she promised.

"Good," Buffy said, seeing the car pull up. "Now let's get you patched up."

It was very late by the time they managed to get both Sam and Hannah home. Sam had insisted going to the hospital with them. Buffy had been much amused at his hovering over Hannah, not to mention his fervent apologies about leaving her to face the demons alone.

This far away from her own first love, Buffy could appreciate its blossoming from a distance. The time it had taken for Spike to get the car had allowed him to cool down a little, which meant his lecture was delivered in an even tone. He still made it very clear that he thought she'd done a very stupid thing and that Hannah would not be going out on her own any time soon. Spike insisted that he would be watching her every move while out on patrol.

Buffy had to hide a smile. Things had turned out much better than they might have.

So they fed the emergency room workers a story about skateboarding, and Hannah had her arm set and put in a cast. In spite of Slayer healing, she still needed the cast since the break was a pretty bad one.

They delivered the teens to their respective homes, and then headed back themselves.

"Where were we?" Buffy asked once they'd reached their bedroom, teasing him.

Spike shook his head. "I hate to say this, luv, but I'm exhausted."

"I know," Buffy admitted. "Me too." Exhaustion didn't prevent her from putting her arms around him, however. "You were great tonight."

"You too," he replied. "Just like old times, huh?"

"Something like that." Buffy rested her head against his chest. "You've still got it."

"I think we've still got it." Spike pulled back to look down at her. "So what kind of idiotic plan was Hannah tryin' to execute?"

"Nothing that got carried out." Buffy thought that she'd keep the details private, just between Slayers. "I told you she was worried about you."

"Guess it's back to going out on patrol with her, then," Spike said nonchalantly, trying not to sound as though he was looking forward to it.

"It's okay to enjoy it, you know," Buffy said. "It's okay to enjoy everything you used to enjoy, Spike. There's nothing wrong with that."

Spike smiled. "I know, pet. I love you."

"Love you too."

For the first time in months, they were in perfect accord.

 

Chapter 21: March 2017

 

Wesley had to fight to suppress his smile as Hannah slunk into his office. She looked as though she expected to face a firing squad. He remained silent as she sat down on the chair across from his desk, but the way she held herself suggested that his Slayer was still hurting from the previous night's fight.

"Are you alright?"

The question startled her. Wesley knew she had expected him to immediately start his lecture, but he had the feeling that Spike had already given her a dressing down. "I'm okay." At his lifted eyebrow, Hannah admitted, "A little sore."

"Would you like to tell me what you were doing last night?"

She flushed. "It was stupid."

"You took Sam out on patrol with you," Wesley stated.

Hannah slouched further down in the chair, refusing to meet his eyes. "I just wanted to show him a vampire."

"I realize that." Wesley sighed, and then got up and came around the desk. "Come here," he ordered, walking over to the couch that lined one wall. She did as he asked, sitting on one end of the couch. Wesley took a seat next to her and put an arm around her shoulders.

Hannah stiffened under his touch, and then she turned and buried her face in his shirt. "I'm so, so sorry."

She didn't often cry. Much like Buffy, Hannah rarely showed any kind of weakness, but her brush with death had pulled down her defenses. "I know," Wesley replied quietly, rubbing her back soothingly.

He could be calm because he and Nika had stayed up till nearly dawn discussing how they were going to handle the situation. Hannah had been given something for the pain at the hospital, so she wasn't in any shape to talk about consequences.

Buffy and Spike's quick explanation of what had happened told Wesley that Hannah hadn't knowingly placed Sam in danger. Nor had she intended to confront the Kraecher demons on her own, which meant that she hadn't gone against his instructions directly. It had been bad luck on her part.

Besides, Wesley knew what Kraecher demons were like. He had some idea of what they would have done to her if Spike and Buffy hadn't shown up when they did.

He knew what they'd probably threatened her with. Hannah was, after all, just a girl.

She pulled back after a moment, rubbing at her face impatiently. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry," he replied. "I do have some idea of what they probably said to you."

For a moment, it appeared that Hannah was going to burst into tears again, but the emotion was quickly controlled. "It was bad."

She wasn't referring to the cast on her arm, and Wesley knew it. "You were quite lucky," he said softly. "I want you to remember this, Hannah." Her head shot up and she stared at him, the question in her eyes unspoken but there nonetheless. "You are not invincible, even though you might feel like that sometimes. This was not your fault, but you knew that the Kraechers were in the area, even if you did not intend on meeting up with them without assistance."

Hannah nodded slowly, glancing away. She didn't want Wesley to know that she had intended on meeting them, even if she hadn't meant to get into it alone.

"If something happened to you, there would be a number of people who would be devastated, love, including me."

She looked up at her Watcher, seeing the kindness in his eyes. "I promise I won't do it again."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Wesley advised her, smiling. "Now, I'm not going to punish you, so you needn't look so worried. I imagine you've learned your lesson. Anything else would just be redundant, and I'm rarely redundant."

Her smile was genuine. "Thanks."

Wesley touched her shoulder. "As stupid as it was, Spike was looking much more like his usual self last night, so something was accomplished. Next time, however, I think you might want to leave well enough alone. It was a risk you didn't need to take."

She nodded, and Wesley was satisfied with the chastened expression on her face. "Now, why don't you go see Nika. I think she's probably got something for you to eat."

Only when his Slayer was gone did Wesley allow himself to slump against the back of the couch. Hannah didn't need to see his fear. The idea that he might have lost her frightened him terribly. Without the pressure from the Council to keep an emotional distance, Wesley hadn't had any trouble coming to care for the girl.

He now could look back on his sojourn in Sunnydale with even more understanding. He fully comprehended Rupert's feelings for Buffy. Wesley couldn't have loved his Slayer more if she'd been his own flesh and blood.

Wesley passed a shaky hand over his face. It was fine. Hannah would be fine. That was all that mattered.

~~~~~

Buffy rinsed her mouth out with a shaky hand. She was grateful that Spike was off picking up Meg, because otherwise he'd be hovering. Brushing her teeth, Buffy considered her options. It wasn't like she'd never been pregnant before, but it had been a while.

It was entirely possible that something she ate was causing the stomach upset, or maybe it was just a virus. Except that there were other symptoms that signaled change.

Buffy was beginning to regret not now discussing birth control with Spike. Nor had she brought up the idea of having more children, not since they'd talked about it years ago when the twins were born. At this point, she had no idea how he would react when he found out she was pregnant.

If she was pregnant. It could be something else.

Not likely.

Downstairs, the front door opened and Buffy could hear Meg talking a mile a minute about her sleepover at Andrea's house. From her daughter's voice, she could tell that something had happened to make the night less fun than it should have been.

"And then she said Cody and Taylor didn't like me anymore!" Meg was saying as Buffy walked up to the kitchen doorway. Meg's back was to her, and she was completely focused on her father. "So I told her I didn't care because real friends didn't ditch you, and she said she wasn't sure she could be my friend because of Cody and Taylor."

There was a great deal of anger as well as a hint of unshed tears in the girl's voice, and Buffy winced in sympathy. She could dimly remember the times when the girl who was your best friend one day was cutting you out the next, often for no reason at all. Spike was handling it as he always had—by listening patiently.

Buffy couldn't stop her smile. He really was such a good dad.

"Then what?" Spike asked, acting as though Meg's story was the most important thing in the world.

"So I said she didn't have to be my friend and I told her she was being a coward," Meg replied. "I wanted to call you guys to come and get me, but it was really late, and so we just went to bed."

"We would have come for you, luv," Spike said quietly. "You know you can call us any time."

Meg shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Cody and Taylor have been acting like major b—" She stopped herself before saying the forbidden word. "You know. I thought Andrea was my friend, though."

Her voice dropped on this last, and Meg dropped the act to reveal the hurt little girl underneath. Buffy came into the kitchen and put her arms around her daughter. "Well, I think Andrea doesn't know jack. If she doesn't want to be your friend, that's her loss, not yours."

Spike frowned at the impatience that touched Meg's eyes. Although he agreed with his wife, he also knew that Meg didn't think her mother understood. "Still hurts when people treat you badly, though, moppet. Nothin' you can do about that."

Meg shrugged. "I'll be okay."

"Maybe you should call Trina," Buffy suggested. "I know she'd probably enjoy hanging out with you. You could invite her to the beach with us next week." Trina played on the intramural soccer team with Meg, but they didn't go to the same school, which made it more difficult. Buffy might have been more worried if Meg didn't have other close friends, outside her classmates.

Meg brightened slightly. "That would be cool."

She was off a few moments later, leaving Spike and Buffy in the kitchen together. "How are you?" Buffy asked him.

"Good." For the first time since his return, Spike meant it. "The fight last night—" He paused. "It was good. You hear from Wes?"

Buffy nodded. "Yeah. Are we still going over there for dinner tonight?"

"'course," Spike replied, a slight frown forming. "Are you alright, luv?"

"I'm fine," Buffy replied quickly.

"No, you're not," he said. "You're too pale." Buffy's earlier assumption was proven correct as Spike rose to come hover near her. "What is it? Are you not feelin' well? We don't have to go tonight. Maybe you should—"

"Spike," Buffy said, cutting him off. "Really, I'm okay. It's just—" She hesitated. There was no way to know if telling him her suspicions would break the fragile détente they'd achieved. "You might want to sit down for this."

He grabbed her hand. "Buffy, you're not sick, are you?" Spike demanded. "Have you been hiding this from me? I told you—"

After the near-silence of the last few weeks, Buffy was nearly overwhelmed by the outpouring of words. This was more like it. This was also a little scary. "I'm not sick." She took a deep breath. "I think I might be pregnant."

There was a long silence, so long that she was beginning to think that Spike was so upset by her news that he was going to retreat into silence again. "How?"

It was the last question Buffy had been expecting. "I think you know how."

"No, I..." Spike trailed off as he thought about the last few weeks, realizing that they hadn't taken any precautionary measures. "Oh."

"Yeah."

"You knew this was going to happen?"

Buffy shrugged. "I realized after the first night that we hadn't used birth control, and then I just kind of forgot about it."

That wasn't precisely true. It was more a matter of deliberately avoiding the issue. "I see."

"Are you okay with this?" Buffy asked, some of her fear coloring her voice. "Spike, it's—"

"It's wonderful." The news—the words and their meaning were finally beginning to sink in. The thought that Buffy might be carrying his child was something so amazing—"Are you certain?"

"No, but I have my suspicions. We'll have to get one of those at-home pregnancy tests. They're pretty accurate." Buffy laced her fingers through his. "You're really okay with this?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Spike asked softly. "This is—more..." He trailed off, emotion preventing him from saying more.

"We didn't talk about this," Buffy replied. "I didn't know if it would happen or not, but I know I should have said something, and—"

He stopped her mid-ramble. "No, you shouldn't have said anything. This is better." Spike thought perhaps that he might have made a decision he would later regret if given a choice in matters. Having it come as a surprise was better. "Are you alright with this?"

"I want this." There was no hesitation to her words. "As much as I've wanted anything."

That was all Spike needed to know.

~~~~~

"Are you doing okay?"

"So help me, Connor, if you ask me that one more time—" Dawn left the threat unspoken, but she was completely serious. "I'm pregnant, not dying."

Connor didn't bother arguing with her, knowing full well that Dawn wouldn't hesitate to do something really nasty to him if he kept bugging her. He'd been around for Nika's miscarriages, though, and the thought that it could happen to them—

It scared him. And he didn't get scared very often.

Instead of saying anything more, Connor just put a hand on the small of Dawn's back. "I worry about you."

"I know you do." Dawn shot him an exasperated look. "I'm fine."

"It's just—" Connor hesitated. "Things don't always turn out for the best."

Dawn's face softened as she remembered how Connor's own mother had died. Of course, Darla had been a vampire, and there had been a prophecy involved, so it wasn't at all the same, but she could understand why he'd be worried. "They will this time."

He moved closer, his arm snaking around Dawn's waist. At five months, she was just beginning to show, and she was glowing. Connor thought that his wife had never been more beautiful.

They both saw Spike at the same time standing by the baggage carousel, waiting for them. He had his hands in his pockets and looked better than either of them had expected  he would. From Buffy's reports, they had thought he'd be—well, different.

He was still Spike, though.

He and Dawn shared a warm hug and he shook Connor's hand. "How was the flight?"

"Good," Connor replied. "I was a little concerned—"

"Because he's a big worrywart," Dawn inserted.

"—but there wasn't any turbulence," Connor continued as though he'd never been interrupted.

Spike's eyes gleamed with humor. "Hell-Boy bein' overbearin'?"

Dawn rolled her eyes. "Yes! He's worse than you ever were with Buffy." She gave her husband a sour look. "I may have to ask you to sit on him while we're here, because I plan on having some fun."

Connor didn't appear all that concerned about the possibility. "Spike wouldn't argue with me taking care of you."

"No, I wouldn't," Spike agreed, shrugging. "Sorry, Bit, but you're surrounded by men highly interested in your well-being. You'll just have to get used to it."

Dawn huffed. "Fine." She pointed a finger at Connor. "But don't mess with my vacation, mister. I plan on shopping, gossiping, and eating, and not necessarily in that order."

Connor grinned. "Those sound like perfectly safe activities to me."

Spike snorted, then quickly hid it behind a cough. "You two still stayin' with us?"

"Yeah," Dawn replied. "Angel said we were welcome at the hotel, but since he's running the agency out of there, Connor didn't think it would be very restful."

"You don't want to get in between a pregnant lady and her sleep," Connor inserted. "I thought we could go hunting while we're here, though. It's been a while."

It had always been how they had bonded, Spike remembered. They had become close by watching each other's backs, and saving each other's lives. "We'll have to. I told Hannah she wasn't going out on patrol without me for a while."

"I heard about that," Connor said. "Is she okay?"

"Broken arm," Spike said. "Could have been a lot worse."

"Well, she's lucky she had you and Buffy," Dawn said.

Spike gave a noncommittal grunt, but he looked pleased. Dawn thought he looked older. Buffy had warned her about what to expect, and the Slayer hadn't been wrong. There were new lines on his face, and a weariness in his step that was new. On the other hand, he looked happy. Happier than Dawn had expected.

Happier than he had in a long time.

Dawn had known that his immortality was weighing on him heavily, and the new peace in his eyes was ample evidence that the burden had been lifted. She tucked her hand through his arm. "So what else is new?" she asked.

A sly grin tugged at the corners of his lips. "Somethin' big, but you'll have to wait till dinner at Nika's for the news. Buffy an' I have an announcement."

Connor couldn't help but grin at the look on Dawn's face as she immediately began to probe for the news. She never had liked to wait to hear a secret, and Spike knew that as well as anyone.

Spike really hadn't changed much.

~~~~~

Hannah fumbled with her books, trying to get them back in her locker one-handed. Even though it would probably only be a week before the cast came off, it was still a week too long. "Let me get those."

Sam was suddenly right there, grabbing her books from her and stacking them neatly in her locker. "Thanks."

"How are you?"

They hadn't spoken since she'd said goodbye to him when Spike and Buffy had dropped him off. She wasn't sure if he was mad at her or not, or if Sam even wanted to be with her. Now that he knew what her life was really like, there was a good possibility he wouldn't want any part of it.

"I'm okay," she said softly, not meeting his eyes. The idea that he wouldn't want her anymore stung more than she thought it would. Hannah hadn't realized that she was falling in love with him.

A gentle finger touched her cheek. "So are you grounded into the next century?"

Hannah finally looked up, and found Sam watching her intently. "No. Wesley said I'd learned my lesson. You?"

"Spike telling Dad that I'd stayed with you at the hospital helped." Sam gave her a lopsided grin. "I got told if I ever came in that late again, I'd regret it though." He suddenly frowned. "Are we okay?"

"What?"

"Do you—" Sam took a deep breath. "Do you still want to go out with me? Because I would totally understand if you didn't."

 

"Why wouldn't I?" Hannah asked. "You saved my life."

"Hannah, I ran off. I left you there, and—"

She stopped him with a hand on his arm. "Sam, if you hadn't gone for Buffy and Spike, we would probably both be dead. You saved my life."

"Then you're not mad at me?" he asked. "I thought when you didn't call—"

"I thought you'd be mad at me," Hannah confessed. "That maybe once you saw how freaky my life is, you wouldn't want to date me. I wouldn't blame you."

Public displays of affection were frowned upon, especially in the hallways. Sam decided he didn't give a rat's ass. He dipped his head down, initiating a kiss that Hannah soon began to return. "Mr. Reynier, Miss MacDougall, can we please control ourselves?" The stiff voice of the principal had them pulling back, both with red faces.

Mrs. Carter gave them both a dirty look. "Don't let me catch you two kissing again," she warned. "Or you'll both end up in detention."

They both muttered apologies they didn't really mean, waiting until she'd walked off before looking at each other again. "Does that answer your question?" Sam asked.

"Yeah." Hannah smiled. "Do you want to come over today? Connor and Dawn are going to be there for dinner. I really want you to meet them."

Sam grinned at her. "That would be nice."

And then, because no one was looking, they kissed again.

 

Chapter 22: November 2014

 

Since that first Thanksgiving that Spike, Nika and Wesley had spent together, it had become something of a tradition to get together. Unlike most typical Thanksgiving day celebrations, they didn't always have turkey, and it seemed that every year the crowd got larger. This year was no exception, although Gunn and Fred had elected to spend the holiday with Fred's parents.

At this point, dinner had been moved to the Hyperion, as it afforded more space and a larger kitchen than any other available venue. The twins and Meg loved going to the old hotel, as there were plenty of places to explore. They usually managed to con Spike into playing hide and seek with them.

Hannah watched the twins beg him to play with wide eyes. Connor joined in immediately, betting Spike that he could stay hidden for longer than the vampire could. Then Connor looked over at her. "Come on, Hannah."

She shook her head, and Spike and Connor looked at each other. "No getting out of this one, Slayer," Spike teased. "Besides, it'll help hone your vamp-trackin' skills. Connor isn't quite as good, but—"

"Put your money where your mouth is, Spike," Connor challenged. "I'll bet you a ten that Hannah finds you before she finds me."

"Why not make it a twenty?" Angel suggested. There was a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His hair was finally starting to grow back in, and he was feeling rather relaxed. It was a good day when the hotel was full of life again. "I'll join."

Hannah wasn't sure she liked this plan at all. "I don't know—"

"Go have fun, Hannah," Wesley said from behind her. He was standing with Giles, who had come into town for official Council business. "You have the day off."

She was still hesitating when Spike spoke again. "Trust me, pet. This is an essential part of your training. Every Slayer has to learn how to relax now and again."

Giving in with a shrug of her shoulders, Hannah asked, "So what am I counting to?"

"A hundred," Will insisted.

"Slowly," Davey put in. "You gotta give us time too."

Meg, having forgotten her attempts at being grown up now that her father and Connor were playing, nodded firmly. "The round couch is always home base," she added. "You have to tag us before we get back there. You have played hide and seek before haven't you?" she added in a superior tone.

Hannah actually hadn't, but there was no way she was going to admit that in front of all these people. Instead, she just buried her face in the cushions of the round lobby couch and started counting.

~~~~~

"Did they manage to rope Hannah into playing?" Nika asked as Dawn entered the kitchen.

Dawn grinned. "Not only Hannah, but Angel too. He has a bet on with Spike and Connor as to who's going to get caught first. Spike told Hannah it was part of her training to get her to join in."

Cordelia's eyebrows went up. "She got Angel to play? Good. That'll get him out of our hair for a while."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Wish my training could have been more play and less work."

"She needs to act the child," Enid opined. "She is serious all the time. Always thinking about what she is doing, how she is acting."

"That's what the Slayer does," Buffy argued. "You have to."

"Oh, come on, Buffy," Dawn cajoled. "You know you weren't all work and no play. I seem to remember a certain amount of Bronzing in your past."

Buffy made a discontented sound, but she didn't argue her point further. Hannah irritated her. What caused her even more discomfort was the knowledge that her irritation was irrational and unfair. "Well, I hope Spike is careful. That wound—"

"Is completely healed," Enid said, patting her on the shoulder. "Relax, cariad. Spike is quite well, and he is very much recovered. Meg needs to see her father play to set her own fears to rest."

Buffy relaxed slightly with Enid's reassurance. The older woman never lied, nor did she sugarcoat the truth. It was easy to believe her. "Yeah, he's better."

"And your nightmares?"

The question was asked in a low tone, so that none of the other women heard. They were discussing how long the roasts needed to be in the oven. Buffy met Enid's eyes, startled. "How—"

"You are not the only one who worries," Enid replied, her tone amused. "He asked me if I might give you something."

Buffy shook her head. "No. If they're Slayer dreams, it's better that I have them. If they're trying to warn me or something—"

"These are not prophetic dreams, I think," Enid interrupted gently. "These are memories, and they are your deepest fears, are they not?"

Buffy flushed. "Something like that. I just keep seeing—" She broke off. "It's not something you can just forget."

"No one is asking you to forget," Enid replied. "Remember, Buffy—memories can easily tear us down, or they can be used to build something stronger. Do not let yours undermine what you have spent so many years building."

Enid bustled off to stir the gravy, leaving Buffy to stare down at the vegetables she was supposed to be chopping. Enid was right, of course. She knew she'd been brittle these last weeks—brittle with fear that sapped her strength.

Buffy just didn't know how to let it go.

~~~~~

Giles swirled the scotch in his glass and then savored the taste. Outside Angel's office were the distant sounds of play and the even more distant sounds from the kitchen. It was rare for him to make two trips back to California within such a short timespan, but he'd deemed it necessary. He'd wanted to look in on Spike and Buffy, as well as see how Wesley was getting on with Hannah.

He also needed to discuss what was to be done about the Cleveland Hellmouth.

"I am fairly certain you aren't here just to eat Thanksgiving dinner with us, Rupert," Wesley commented, sipping at his own drink.

Giles smiled slightly. "No. Is it that obvious?"

"It's tradition at this point," Wesley replied. "You always show up for the apocalypses."

Giles winced. "Yes, well, there's no apocalypse this time, thank goodness."

"But there's something."

"It's about the Hellmouth."

"I assume you're not referring to the one in Sunnydale," Wesley said with a quiet sigh. "Cleveland, then?"

Giles nodded. "After this last incident, the coven has been hard-pressed to keep a lid on things. We believe that the area would benefit from the presence of a Slayer."

Wesley was shaking his head before the words were even out of Giles' mouth. "I'm sorry, Rupert, but I don't see how I can relocate. I have a family to consider—not just the boys, but Nika and—"

"That's what I thought you would say," Giles interrupted smoothly. "I had to ask, though, you see. There's another option."

Wesley frowned, realizing suddenly who Giles was referring to. "You're talking about Connor and Dawn."

"They do work for the Council," Giles responded. "And Connor is more than a match for a Slayer. I think it is our best option."

"Then why would you even suggest I move?" Wesley asked, a touch of anger in his voice. "You won't make me feel guilty about this, Rupert. You'll recall that when I told you I'd come back to work for the Council, I made it clear that I wouldn't travel."

"You did," Giles said, unruffled. "Still, the tradition is for the Slayer to go where she is needed. I was told to ask you if you'd be willing to go to Cleveland. I also told the Council that I would back your decision, whatever it happened to be."

Wesley gave him a sour look. "You already knew."

"They didn't." Giles shrugged. He'd grown mellow in his old age. There wasn't much that bothered him anymore. The older Watcher had known Wesley wouldn't agree to move; the Council had insisted he ask. They had paid for his flight back to the States, which meant he would still be able to make it back for Christmas. Giles thought he might be getting the best part of the deal.

Wesley chuckled, realizing that Giles had timed his visit well. "I see. I honestly don't know if Connor and Dawn would be willing go," he commented. "They might refuse as well."

Giles shook his head. "No, I don't think they will. It may take them some time to make the transition—time that I am willing to give them. They are both young, however, and do not have the ties that you and Spike do here in L.A."

"You're right about that much." Wesley considered that idea for a moment, recognizing the truth in Giles' words, knowing that Connor and Dawn might like to start again in a new city, might relish the chance to begin their own life away from family.

Giles took another drink, emptying his glass. "I'll speak with them later. I wanted to talk to you away from the others, though. You and I understand one another. Your wife might not be so forgiving if she thought I was trying to get you to relocate to Cleveland."

"Nika might surprise you," Wesley returned, but his smile told Giles that he'd been right in his assessment. Giles didn't want to be on Nika's bad side. She was a formidable woman.

"How is Hannah doing?" Giles asked, neatly changing the subject. "Are the two of you getting along alright?"

"We're still in a period of adjustment, of course," Wesley hedged. Giles' raised eyebrow told Wes that he wasn't buying it. "There have been a few difficulties, but nothing major. Nothing we haven't been able to handle."

"And Hannah? How is she coming along in her training?"

"She loves it," Wesley replied frankly. "It has both Nika and me worried. Training is all she wants to do. Hannah doesn't even argue with us about doing her homework."

"You're painting a picture of the perfect Slayer."

"Too perfect, perhaps," Wesley replied. "She's afraid that she'll make a mistake and get thrown out on her ear, I believe. While she's enthusiastic, I think that her desire for perfection is having a negative effect on her fighting ability. She's too stiff. Spike thinks that she isn't flexible enough."

Giles sighed. "Something like that will take time to work through. I imagine that at about the time she feels comfortable enough to act like a normal teenager, you'll wish she didn't."

Wesley chuckled ruefully. He had a feeling that Giles was right.

~~~~~

In many ways, the game of hide and seek was somewhat unfair. The Slayer was more than capable of finding all the children, in spite of her unfamiliarity with the hotel. She also had no desire to see Spike or Connor lose. That meant that Hannah was more inclined to let the younger children slip past her as she hunted the great Angelus.

Wesley had explained about Angel and Spike. Angelus was one of the most evil vampires to ever live, and it was only the soul that prevented him from killing everyone. Hannah wasn't sure what she thought about that.

She did know that while Angel was a decent guy to have at your back on patrol, Connor and Spike were a whole lot more fun to be around. Although, Angel did try really hard.

Hannah's favorite night so far had been the night that Connor and Angel had taken her with them on one of their cases. They'd made her wait in the car, but watching them had been like watching poetry in motion.

Still, of the three men, she'd much rather see Angel lose. He would pout, and that would be funny.

Hannah took a deep breath and honed her perceptions as Wesley had been teaching her to do. She could feel the two vampires if she thought about it hard enough. Now all she needed to do was to figure out which was which.

Hannah caught Davey before he could reach the couch, but she allowed Will to slip by, knowing that it would boost his self-esteem. She managed to catch Meg too, because the little girl kept acting oh-so-superior.

After that, Hannah was fairly certain which vampiric signature was Angel's, and she headed up to the top floor of the hotel. Stepping softly, watching out for creaky floorboards, she tried to still her breathing as much as possible.

She heard a rustle of sound behind her, and with a burst of speed, tackled Angel around the knees, taking him down.

The big vampire gave an "oof" of surprise, raising an eyebrow when Hannah perched on his chest. "Gotcha."

"Yeah, you sure did. Am I the last one?" Angel asked.

Hannah smirked. "Nope. I haven't found Spike or Connor yet."

Angel hid his own smile, letting out a frustrated sigh. He'd never tell her, but he had allowed Hannah to find him. Wesley had been talking about boosting her confidence. From the glow of pride on her face, this had been almost exactly what she'd needed. "Darn," he muttered. "Spike is going to be insufferable for the rest of the day."

Hannah clambered off the floor and offered him a hand up. Angel took it even though he wasn't sure how much help she'd actually be. "Do you want to help me find them?" Hannah asked, thinking it might help Angel feel better.

"Tell you what," he offered. "Why don't you hunt Spike, and I'll see if I can find that son of mine?"

Hannah thought for a second and then grinned at him—a child's grin. "Betcha I find Spike first."

She was gone a moment later, leaving Angel smiling. It was progress. Her willingness to engage in some good-natured fun with him was definitely progress.