Chapter 66

‘The Loft Apartment-Buffy’s Room’

“You call everyone?” Spike asked through the bathroom door where Buffy was doing the finishing touches to her hair and make-up.

“Yeah.” Buffy called back out.

“Who’s all comin’?”

“Alyson, Deacon, Carter, Cordy, maybe Angel, Willow, Tara, and Anya on my last count.”

“Who out of them is actually helpin’ with this plan of ours?” Spike asked as he fixed his shirt and tie. “And do they know about this dress code your parents seem to have?”

“Cordy, Alyson, Deacon, Carter, maybe Willow.” Buffy said as she opened the door and walked out of the bathroom. “And yes, I told them all about ‘this dress code my parents seem to have’ when I talked to them and invited them over to the mansion.”

Spike turned to face Buffy. She had on a black cocktail dress that she had bought while they where in L.A. over the weekend. Her hair pulled half up and curly, and her make-up was done lightly. In one word she looked perfect to Spike.

“Beautiful.” Spike whispered in her ear as he softly kissed her neck.

“Thank you.” Buffy whispered back.

“You ready to go?” Spike asked as he pulled his suit jacket on.

Buffy looked around the room to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything. “Guess so.” She said grabbing her wrap.

“Let’s get this show on the road than.” Spike said offering her his arm and leading them out of her room and out of the apartment to his car.

*****

‘The Summers’ Mansion’

“Thank you all for coming this evening. It’s good to know that Elizabeth has such a devoted group of friends that are willing to go to this extreme to help.” Hank said as he took a seat at the dinning room table with everyone else.

“I think this would be a good time to introduce everyone to each other.” Joyce added looking at her husband then to Buffy.

Buffy stood up from her spot in-between her mother and Spike. “I know some of you already know each other, so I’m just going to say your name and when I do you could just raise your hand so people can see who you are.”

“How very middle school of you Buffy.” Cordelia joked causing everyone at the table to laugh.

Buffy just smiled and glared at Cordelia. “Okay, we’ll start with the smart ass. . .”

“Elizabeth! Language.” Joyce said lightly tapping her daughter’s hand.

“Sorry.” Buffy told her mother before turning back to face the group. “Everyone this is Cordelia. Cordelia this is everyone.”

“Call me Cordy.”

“Setting next to Cordy is her boyfriend Angel. Next to him is Anya, then we have Willow, Tara, Carter, Deacon, Alyson, and you all know me.” Buffy said as she went around the table, listing people off. “At this end of the table is my mother Joyce Summers, next to her is my younger sister Dawn, and at that end of the table is my father Hank Summers.”

“Aren’t you forgetting someone Elizabeth?” Joyce asked looking over at Spike as Buffy took her seat again.

Buffy followed her mother’s gaze. “Oh! Sorry. Everyone this is Spike.”

“You can call me William if you prefer.” Spike said after noticing Joyce’s widened eyes at the mention of his nickname.

“It’s nice to meet you William. Although I wish it were on different terms.” Joyce said with a small smile.

“That’s understandable.” Spike replied.

“Why do people call you Spike?” Dawn asked.

Spike looked across the table to Deacon and Carter then to Buffy for a moment. “Not sure really. One day someone started calling me Spike, and it’s been that way ever since. Besides, I’m in a rock band and William doesn’t really fit with the image.”

“I like it.” Dawn stated.

Joyce leaned over to whisper into Buffy’s ear. “That’s not really how he got his nickname is it?”

“No.” Buffy whispered back.

“How?” Joyce asked.

Buffy looked at her mother for a moment. “Are you sure you really want to know?”

Understanding her daughter’s meaning Joyce shook her head. “No, nevermind.”

“Good decision.” Buffy said before straitening herself back up in her chair.

*****

“Dinner was very good.” Spike said as the plates were cleared from the table by the staff.

Joyce smiled at Spike’s comment; she really could see why her eldest daughter was in love with him. “I’m glad you thought so, it was on of Elizabeth’s favorites when she was younger.”

“It still is.” Buffy replied.

“I agree with Spike Mrs. Summers, it really was very good.” Alyson stated.

Joyce looked over to Alyson. “Alyson you and Elizabeth have been friends for how many years? I told you to call me Joyce. That goes for everyone else who I haven’t given birth to at this table.”

“Elizabeth, why don’t you show everyone to my office and make sure they’re comfortable. Your mother and I will be there shortly.” Hank said.

“Sure Daddy.” Buffy said standing up and leading everyone out of the dinning room and towards her father’s home office.

*****

TBC. . .

Chapter 67

‘The Summers’ Mansion-Hank’s Office’

“Everyone can take a seat wherever you like except the big chair at the end of the table, that’s my father’s.” Buffy said as she opened the doors to her father’s office and lead them inside.

“Your father has his own conference room?” Willow asked in shock.

“He had it built when we moved here, this way he could do business with people in a more homey atmosphere. Something about them being more comfortable, and willing to spend more money on his business deals.” Buffy explained as everyone took a seat around the large wooden table.

“You think this is amazing you should have seen the place in Los Angeles they lived in.” Alyson stated.

“That big?” Tara asked.

Alyson nodded her head. “Her mother had her own art gallery on the priority.”

“Alyson.” Buffy said trying to give her the hint to stop talking.

Alyson just ignored Buffy and kept on talking. “Dawnie had like eight champion show horses at their stables, and Buffy’s father had an ice rink built just for her.”

“Alyson that’s enough.” Buffy said with a little more anger this time. She didn’t want the people who where in this room to think of her the way she was thought of while still in Los Angeles. Sunnydale was a place where she had to keep up her rich socialite appearances to make her family happy. Sunnydale was the place she could just be Buffy.

“Why’d you move?” Anya asked; she would never give up a place like that.

“College.” Was all Buffy said.

“If I lived in a place like that I’d never leave.” Anya stated.

“Moneys not all Buffy cares about Anya.” Willow stated.

“Of course not, she has it all.” Anya replied.

“I do not. It’s my parents, and they worked very hard for it.” Buffy told Anya.

“It’ll be yours once they die.” Anya said.

“How ‘bout we find something else to chat about?” Spike asked placing a hand on Buffy’s back trying to help calm her down.

“Good idea.” Angel replied.

“Okay.” Anya said nodding her head. “I have a question.”

“Is it about money?” Cordelia asked.

“No.” Anya said.

“What is it?” Buffy asked.

“How’s Spike in bed?”

“Anya!” The group of people who actually knew her yelled.

“Where’d you find this people Buffy?” Alyson asked on behalf of the other group of people seated at the table.

“What? It’s a good question. I hear older men can be very pleasurable.”

“Anya! My sister’s in the room.” Buffy yelled.

“So?” Anya asked.

“She’s to young to hear this type of conversation. I’m to young to hear this conversation and it’s about me.” Buffy stated.

“I am not.” Dawn said crossing her arms over her chest. “I know about sex, and orgasms, and blow jobs, and other stuff.”

“What!?” Buffy asked in shock standing up from her chair before turning to face Angel. “Angel you better pray I don’t run into your brother anytime soon or you’re going to get a sister back.”

Dawn stood you as well. “Buffy just cause I know about it doesn’t mean I’m doing it. I’m not you.”

A wave of hurt crossed over Buffy. “No, you’re not.”

Dawn watched as he sister ran out of the room. “Buffy wait! I didn’t. . .”

“I’ll go talk with her.” Alyson said as she stood up.

“No, I’ll go.” Cordelia stated standing up also.

Alyson turned to face Cordelia. “This is L.A. stuff.”

“So?” Cordelia asked.

“You can deal with the Sunnydale stuff, but I’ve got the L.A. stuff under control.” Alyson explained before following after her friend.

“I didn’t mean it.” Dawn stated.

Spike wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I know Bit, it’s okay.”

“What happened to Elizabeth? Why’d she run out of here crying?” Joyce asked as her and Hank walked into the room.

Dawn looked over to her parents. “It’s my fault. I said something I shouldn’t have.”

“Alyson went to talk to her, I’m sure they’ll be back soon.” Deacon explained.

*****

TBC. . .

Chapter 68

‘The Summers’ Mansion-Buffy’s Room’

“Buffy?” Alyson called out as she opened the door to Buffy’s room.

“Go away.” Buffy whispered from her spot out on her terrace as she wiped the tears off of her cheeks.

“You know she didn’t mean it.” Alyson said as she walked over to her friend.

“I know.” Buffy said turning to face Alyson. “It’s just a lot to be thrown at you all at once, especially in a room full of people where only a select few actually know what she was talking about. The rest probably think I was some kind of whore before I moved here.”

“I’m sure they don’t think that, and I understand why you were hurt by it.” Alyson taking a seat in one of the chairs Buffy had outside.

Buffy took a seat next to her. “We never talked about what happened to you with Parker.”

“We could talk about it now.” Alyson replied.

“Do you blame me?” Buffy asked.

“Why would I?”

“Because I let him get away with what he did to me.”

Alyson shook her head. “I don’t blame you.”

“Then why didn’t you take any of my calls once I found out?”

“Because then it would be real. I didn’t want it to be real.” Alyson whispered.

“Carter told me that you blamed me.” Buffy stated.

Alyson gave Buffy a look. “Look what else cater has done.”

Buffy nodded. “What happened?”

“I was being stupid.” Alyson explained. “I was upset about an argument that Deacon and I had had before we broke-up.”

“The two of you ended things before we started college.”

“I found something of his and it caused me to remember about the fight.”

“Oh.”

“Anyways, I went to a party on campus that one of the frats were throwing with some people from my dorm. I decided I wasn’t going to let the memory of something that happened a while back ruin my night out. I drank to much, and I knew the moment Parker showed up I should have left.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No.” Alyson said shaking her head.

Buffy noticed the change in Alyson’s posture. “You don’t have to tell me this yet if it’s still to hard for you to talk about.”

Alyson looked over towards Buffy. “It was hard for you to talk about and you still told me.”

“Not the first few times it happened, and not right away once I knew I couldn’t keep it to myself without going crazy or making myself sick.” Buffy stated.

“But you still told me, and I’ve already told Deacon most of it.”

“Most of it?” Buffy questioned.

“I left out a few things that lead up to what happened with Parker.” Alyson responded.

“What lead up to it?”

“I was upset with Deacon, and with you.” Alyson started.

“Why me?” Buffy asked.

“Because you moved.”

“I moved to go to college and to get away from what happened with Parker, I didn’t move away from you.”

“I know that. I was just being stupid at the time. I was looking for reasons to keep drinking, even it they weren’t justified ones.”

“What happened with Parker?”

Alyson looked away from Buffy. “I went to him.”

“What!?” Buffy yelled as she stood up. “Why would you do that?”

“Buffy please. . .” Alyson pleaded with tears in her eyes.

“No! No please. You knew what he was capable of. Why would you willing put yourself in that situation? What were you thinking?” Buffy asked pacing back and forth now.

“I wasn’t thinking.”

“Apparently.” Buffy yelled.

Alyson stood up at that. “You’re one to talk Buffy. You stayed with him that whole time.”

“This isn’t about me.” Buffy retorted.

“Yes it is.” Alyson yelled. “It’s always about you. Parker used me to get to you. We’re all here tonight because of you. This is about you Buffy.”

“Ahem.” Spike said clearing his throat as he walked over to where the two women where standing yelling at each other. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No, we’re done.” Alyson looked at Buffy one last time before walking past Spike and out of the bedroom.

“Alyson. . .” Buffy called after her but it was too late.

“Talk not go so well I take it.” Spike said reaching out to Buffy.

“What gave it away, the yelling or the tears?” Buffy asked sarcastically.

“Both.” Spike replied pulling Buffy on top of his lap as he seat in the chair she was sitting in earlier. “Wanna tell me what happened?”

Buffy leaned back against his chest. “I got mad. She was telling me what happened in L.A. with Parker, and I got mad.”

“Why?”

“She went to him.” Buffy whispered.

“What?” Spike asked not hearing her clearly.

Buffy turned in his lap to face him. “She went to him. At the party she was at, she went to him.”

“Why would she do that?”

“She was drunk. She said she wasn’t thinking.”

“Even so, she knew what he did to you. Why would she go to him?”

“I didn’t get that far. That’s when we started yelling at each other.”

“About?”

“About how I was one to talk. I let him do the same thing to me, except I let it last longer. I told her it wasn’t about me, and she said it’s always about me.”

“Heard that part when I came in.”

“I don’t know what to do.” Buffy said as she began to cry.

“Shh.” Spike said rubbing small circles on her back as she cried against his chest. “You don’t have to do anything.”

“I shouldn’t have yelled at her.” Buffy whispered.

“You weren’t yelling at her, you were yelling at the situation.” Spike told her.

“It doesn’t matter, I was still yelling.”

“You two will get through this. How long have you been friends?”

“For as long as I can remember.”

“And you’ve had fights before?”

Buffy nodded her head. “Yeah.”

“If you’re really as good of friends as you seem to be the two of you will work through this.”

“Thank you.” Buffy said before lightly kissing Spike’s lips.

“Just doing my job.”

“And what’s your job.”

“To always make the woman I’m in love with feel better.”

“Well you do a very good job.”

“Maybe you can show me your thanks later.” Spike said with a smirk.

“We’ll see.” Buffy said kissing him again.

“Let get back down stairs and see what your father’s got planned for us.” Spike said as he lifted Buffy up while he stood.

“Okay.” Buffy said as Spike carried her off the terrace and out of her bedroom.

*****

TBC. . .

Chapter 69

‘The Summers’ Mansion-Hank’s Office’

“Is everything alright?” Joyce asked as she walked over to the door as Buffy and Spike walked back into the office.

“Most of it.” Buffy replied looking over towards Alyson.

“What did your sister say?”

“It’s not important.” Buffy said moving to walk past her mother.

Joyce grabbed Buffy’s arm and turned her back towards her. “Elizabeth it clearly upset you so it is important.”

“She just said something that reminded me of something that happened in L.A., she didn’t meant to upset me.” Buffy looked over towards Dawn then back to her mother. “I said something that she didn’t like, so she said something I didn’t like. It was all very immature on both our parts.”

“What did you say?” Joyce asked.

Buffy shook her head. “It’s not important right now. I’m sure Daddy’s ready to get things started, I don’t want to take up anymore time than I already have.”

“Alright, but we’re going to talk about this before you leave.”

Buffy looked over to Spike who was just standing by letting the two women talk things out. “I have a feeling you’re not going to be in the mood to do much talking after Daddy’s done.”

“What do you mean?” Joyce questioned.

“You’ll see.”

“What does that mean?”

“Come sit down and you’ll find out with everyone else.” Buffy said before walking towards the table to take a seat.

“Elizabeth. . .” Joyce called after Buffy.

“Don’t worry, everything’s going to be fine.” Spike said as he moved to take a seat next to Buffy.

*****

“Alright.” Hank stood up from his seat after everyone had taken a seat and settled down. “Now that we’re all here we can get started.” Hank turned to his eldest daughter. “Elizabeth why don’t you tell everyone the base plan and I’ll tell everyone what I’ve come up with to help.”

“Sure.” Buffy said before standing. “Most of you already know the basics, and you know why we’re doing this. Earlier today Spike was asked to meet with Drusilla’s father, by her father himself. I’m gonna let Spike tell you what they talked about first, then Carter is going to tell us about his meeting with Drusilla.” Buffy sat back down once she was done talking.

“You met with this woman?” Joyce asked as she looked over to where Carter was seated.

“Yes.” Carter answered nodding his head looking at Buffy’s mother.

“Carter is the reason we know about what Drusilla’s been up to and it’s also the reason we’ve come up with this plan.” Deacon stated.

“Why?” Joyce asked.

“Yes Carter, tell Buffy’s mother why you met with my wife.” Spike said looking towards Carter with anger in his eyes.

“Spike!” Buffy yelled turning to face him.

“What?” Spike asked innocently. “I just asked him to explain to your mother why he met with my wife.”

“It’s the way you asked I’m having a problem with.” Buffy stated.

“Why do you care how I asked?” Spike questioned angrily. “Maybe it was more than just friendship after all.”

Buffy looked at Spike with wide eyes. “You know that’s not true.”

“Really? You have sex with all the guys you’re just friends with?” Spike shouted.

“Elizabeth!” Joyce gasped in shock.

“You slept with Carter?” Alyson asked wondering why she hadn’t known about this.

“This is so not the point.” Buffy said looking around.

“It’s why this whole thing is happening.” Spike stated.

“This whole thing as you put it is happening because for three months it slipped your mind to tell me you were married!” Buffy screamed at Spike.

“Dru hasn’t been doing this on her own, Carter’s been helping.”

“He isn’t anymore.”

“How do you know?” Spike asked. “He could be playin’ both sides.”

“I’m not!” Carter yelled.

Spike turned to look at Carter. “Why should I believe you? You’re in love with the same woman I am.”

“Because Drusilla is planning on killing Buffy. I know she’ll never return my feelings, but I don’t want her dead because of that fact.” Carter replied.

“Killing?” Joyce whispered.

Carter looked around the group. “When I met with Drusilla today she said it was time for the big finish. When I asked her what that was she said Buffy’s death.”

“Hank you can’t let this happen. We can’t let this woman kill Elizabeth.” Joyce cried out.

Hank walked over to his wife and held her in his arms. “We won’t. Nothing is going to happen to Elizabeth. That’s why we’re all here tonight.”

Buffy walked over to her mother as well. “Mom we already knew that Drusilla might try this. We have a plan.”

“A plan?” Joyce asked sarcastically. “I’ll give you a plan.” Joyce looked over towards Spike. “Mr. Winthrop goes back to his crazy wife, and my daughter gets to live. The two of you never see each other again. He’s not wroth dieing for Elizabeth, and if he truly loves you he’ll do as I say.”

Spike stood up and moved towards the group of standing people. “If that’s all it was going to take to keep Buffy safe I would do it without a second thought.”

Buffy looked hurt for a moment. “Mom even if Spike went back to Drusilla she would still want me dead.”

“Why?” Joyce asked again for lord knows how many times that night.

“Because it I wasn’t Spike could always come back to me. Me being dead would be the only way to keep us apart.”

Hank looked at his wife. “Joyce we have a plan. I’ve called in some personal favors from some people I know. No harm is going to come to Elizabeth.”

“How can you be so sure?” Joyce questioned.

“Because I won’t let it.” Hank stated.

“Neither will I.” Spike replied.

“Maybe Mrs. Summers will feel better after she knows the plan.” Cordelia said as she stood up.

“Cordelia’s right. I’m sure we’ll all feel better once we know fully what’s going on.” Willow added from he spot at the table.

Hank pulled a chair out for Joyce to sit back down in before walking to his seat. After everyone was seated again Spike told them about his meeting with Ethan and Hank filled them in on what his plan was.

*****

TBC. . .

Chapter 70

‘The Summers’ Mansion-A Few Hours Later’

“Buffy are you going back to the apartment?” Cordelia asked as she stood next to Angel in the foyer of the mansion.

“No, I think I should stay here for the night.” Buffy said.

“Alright. Angel’s parents are out of town for a few days so he has to watch Connor until they get back. So I’ll be with him if you need anything.”

“Okay.” Buffy said giving Cordelia a small hug and smiling a goodbye to Angel.

“I’m going to Xander’s.” Anya said as she walked by.

“Have fun.” Buffy smiled.

“I will.” Anya called back.

“Are you going to Oz’s?” Buffy asked Willow as Tara and her walked towards the door.

Willow shook her head. “No, he’s got a gig out of town. Tara and I are going to have a mini girls night in.”

“Sounds fun.”

“It’ll be over soon.” Tara said noticing the sad look on Buffy’s face.

“I hope so.”

“It was nice to see you again Mr. and Mrs. Summers.” Alyson said from where she was standing with Hank, Joyce, Dawn, Deacon and Spike a few feet away from Buffy and the door.

“You too Alyson.” Joyce said giving Alyson a hug.

Alyson looked over towards Dawn. “You’re gonna be a handful aren’t you Dawnie.”

Dawn smiled. “No more than you or Buffy at my age.”

“Heaven help us all.” Hank stated.

“You coming back to the apartment?” Deacon asked Spike.

“Need to talk to Buffy about a few things.”

“I’ll see you at practice than.”

Spike nodded his head. “Can’t do much practice without the lead singer.”

“Alyson.” Buffy called out.

Alyson looked at Deacon who nodded his head and headed out the door to the car before walking over to Buffy. “We’ll talk after this is all over with. Won’t be as much stress then.”

“Alright.” Buffy whispered.

Carter walked over to Buffy. “I’ll let you know the next time I talk to Drusilla.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m gonna go to bed.” Dawn called out before headed up the stairs.

“Goodnight Sweetie.” Joyce said.

“Sweet dreams.” Hank called out.

“Night Dawnie.” Buffy added.

Hank and Joyce looked at each other before Joyce turned to face Buffy. “Elizabeth, your father and I are going to turn in as well.”

Buffy gave her parents a hug. “Goodnight.”

Joyce looked over to Spike. “Goodnight William.”

“Goodnight Mrs. Summers, Mr. Summers.” Spike said with a nod.

“We’ll see you in the morning Elizabeth.” Hank called out as he and Joyce headed up the stairs.

After a few moments Spike walked over towards Buffy. “I think we should talk.”

Buffy looked at Spike. “Will there be yelling?”

“I hope not.”

“Then we can talk.” Buffy said before walking away.

“Where are you going?” Spike asked as he followed after her.

“Outside.” Buffy answered as she opened the patio doors. “It’s a beautiful night, I thought we could talk by the swimming pool.”

“Sounds good.”

“So, what do you want to talk about?” Buffy asked taking a seat on one of the deck chairs.

“Earlier.” Spike said taking a seat next to her.

“Thought so.” Buffy said with a sigh.

“I didn’t mean to get upset at you that way.”

“You were letting your insecurities out, I understand that.”

“I was letting them out the wrong way.”

“There’s a right way?” Buffy asked.

“Alone, and without the yelling.” Spike replied.

“It’s no fun if you don’t yell.” Buffy said sarcastically.

“Buffy. . .” Spike started.

“I get that you don’t trust Carter, I don’t trust him very much either anymore. What I don’t get is why you don’t trust me.”

“I do. Buffy I do trust you.”

“You sure have a funny way of showing it. If anyone should have trust issues in this crazy relationship it should be me. I was the one you forgot to tell you already had a wife.” Buffy said standing up from her chair.

“I’ve already apologized for that.” Spike said standing up too.

“Apologizing doesn’t change the fact that there’s someone out there right now planning my death. Or the fact that my family has to worry about whether or not their eldest daughter and older sister is still going to be alive at the end of the week.”

“You will be.” Spike said stepping closer to Buffy.

“You can’t grantee that.” Buffy stated.

“I won’t let it happen.”

“You can’t be with me every hour of every day William.”

Spike pulled Buffy into his arms. “We’ll figure something out.”

Buffy pulled away. “You always say that.”

“And we always figure something out.”

Tears started to run down Buffy’s face. “What if it doesn’t work? What if we’ve planned all this for nothing?”

Spike pulled her back to him. “It’s not for nothing. This is going to work.”

“What if. . .” Buffy started before being cut off by Spike’s lips.

“You’re thinking to much.” Spike whispered.

“I can’t help it.” Buffy said.

Spike leaned in and kissed Buffy again.

“I don’t want to die.” Buffy whispered.

Spike wiped away the fallen tears with his thumb. “You’re not going to. Not anytime soon anyways. I’ve got places I want to take you, and a list of things I still want to do with you.”

“What kind of things?” Buffy asked innocently.

Spike smirked at her. “You’ll just have to wait and find out.”

Buffy rested her head on Spike’s chest. “I love you.”

Spike rubbed small circles on her lower back. “I love you too. You should probably go get some sleep.”

“Where are you going?” Buffy asked looking up into his eyes.

“To the house, I need to make some face time with Dru.”

Buffy nodded her head. “That’s probably a good idea.”

Spike kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, tomorrow.”

“Good, now go get some sleep.” Spike said as they walked back inside.

“Be careful.”

“Always.”

“Goodnight.”

“Night Luv.” Spike said with one last look over his shoulder before walking out the door.

*****

TBC. . .

Chapter 71

‘Spike and Drusilla’s House’

“Drusilla?” Spike called out as he walked into his house.

“She’s upstairs.” Ethan said moving from the living room to the foyer where Spike was standing.

“Oh.” Spike said placing his keys down on top of a small table by the door. “What are you doing here?”

“Just checking in.” Ethan answered.

“How’d that go?”

“You’ll see for yourself.”

Just as Spike was about to question Ethan on what he meant Drusilla came walking down the stairs.

“William you’re home, I’ve missed you.” Drusilla said pulling Spike into a hug and giving him a light kiss on the lips.

Spike pulled away from her. “Missed you too Luv.”

“I should be heading home.” Ethan said moving closer to the door.

“Do you need a ride?” Spike asked hoping to talk with Ethan about a few more things before the end of the night.

“No, I’ll be fine. It was nice seeing you William, I’ll talk to you tomorrow Drusilla.”

“Goodnight Father.” Drusilla said giving Ethan a hug.

Spike opened the front door. “I’ll walk you out. Dru I’ll be right back.”

“Alright, I’ll be in the kitchen.” Drusilla said before walking away.

“Anything I should be on the look out for tonight?” Spike asked as he and Ethan walked to the older man’s car.

“New baby pictures.” Ethan answered.

“How?” Spike asked.

“A pregnant woman in L.A. who Drusilla is paying to give up the baby once it’s born.” Ethan explained knowing what Spike was asking.

“How?” Spike asked again.

“She’s planning a small weekend away before the baby’s due. She plans on calling you and making it look like you got there just a few moments to late for the actual birth.” Ethan stated.

Spike looked at Ethan in shock. “Why are you telling me all of this?”

“As I said earlier, she’s taken this way to far.” Ethan replied.

“It’ll be over soon.” Spike stated.

Ethan claimed into his car. “Let’s hope it ends the right way.” He added before driving out of the driveway.

“It will. It has to.” Spike whispered as he watched his father in law drive away before heading back into the house.

“I made some tea if you want some.” Drusilla said as Spike walked into the living room.

“Not right now.” Spike said as he took a seat in one of the armchairs.

“Is something wrong?” Drusilla asked.

Spike fought back the erg to laugh out loud. ‘Yeah, my crazy wife it trying to kill the woman I’m really in love with.’ “No Pet, nothings wrong.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, just got a lot on my mine.”

“Anything I can help with?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Maybe you should let me try.” Drusilla said in a low husky voice.

Spike noticed the change in Drusilla. “How’s the baby?”

“What!?” Drusilla asked taken back by his question.

“Your Father said that you got new baby pictures today.”

“Oh. . .There upstairs, I’ll go get them.” Drusilla said standing up and walking out of the living room towards the stairs.

A few moments later Drusilla came back down. “Here you go.”

Spike took the pictures from her hand and looked down at what was suppose to be ‘his’ unborn son. “Wow, he’s getting’ big.”

“The doctor says he’s perfectly healthy, and that everything’s right on schedule.” Drusilla stated.

“That’s good to hear. I would’ve liked to have gone with you for your appointment.” Spike said placing the pictures on the coffee table in front of him.

“You’ve been so busy lately, I didn’t want to bother you.”

“My children will never be a bother to me.” Spike stated in a louder tone then usual.

“I didn’t mean it that way. It was just a routine check-up, you’ll be there when it really matters.” Drusilla replied.

‘Yeah right.’ Spike thought. “I still would have liked being there today.”

“Why don’t you let me make it up to you?” Drusilla asked with a smirk.

Spike stood up from his chair. “I’ve got a busy week ahead of me, I think I’m gonna turn in for the night.”

“Alright.” Drusilla said with a sigh.

“Don’t stay up to late, you and the baby need all the rest you can get.” Spike called over his shoulder before disappearing up the stairs.

*****

TBC. . .
 

Chapter 72: Doubts

‘Loft Apartment-Living Room’

“Do you think Mr. Summers’ plan will work?” Willow asked at the end of the movie from her spot on the living room couch next to Tara.

Tara turned to look at Willow. “It’s a good plan, and as long as they’re careful I think it’ll work.”

“I don’t mean to sound like a downer, but what if it doesn’t?”

“I’m sure everyone else is worried about that as a possibility, we just have to think positive. If it doesn’t work than Buffy and her family will come up with a new plan.” Tara replied.

“I hope it works.” Willow said leaning her head on Tara’s shoulder.

“We all do.” Tara said starting to stroke Willow hair.

“Not all.” Willow whispered.

“I don’t think Professor Winthrop’s wife knows what she really wants. She has an ideal idea in her mind and that’s what she’s going on.”

Willow sat up and looked at Tara. “How’d you get so smart, I thought I was the brains in the bunch.”

“You are the brains, I just know how to read things from a person and work those things out that way.” Tara said explained with a small smile.

“Maybe we should team up, you read the people and I help them once we know the problem.”

Tara nodded her head. “Sounds like a plan.”

Willow stood up from the couch and walked over to the television. “What movie do you want to watch next?”

Tara thought about it for a moment. “How ‘bout ‘Practical Magic’ with Nicole Kidman?”

“Sure, you put it in and I’ll go make some more popcorn for us.”

“Alright.” Tara said standing up from the couch.

“Do you want anything else?” Willow asked.

“I’m good.” Tara said as she put the DVD into the player.

“Okay, I’ll be right back.” Willow called over her shoulder.

“I’ll be here.”

*****

‘Willy’s Place’

“Can I get another?” Riley asked after finishing off his fifth beer of the night.

“Sure thing Kid.” Willy said with a nod taking away the old bottle.

“You sure you want to do that?” A voice asked from behind Riley.

“Got nothin’ better to do.” Riley replied never turning around to face the person.

“I see.” Faith said taking a seat on a bar stool next to Riley.

“What are you doing here?” Riley asked still not looking at Faith.

“Same thing as you.”

“Here ya go Kid.” Willy said as he placed another beer in front of Riley and turned to face Faith.

“Rum n’ Coke please.”

“Comin’ right up Doll.” Willy said starting on her drink.

“Last time I saw you you were kickin’ me out of your dorm room, why you talkin’ to me now?” Riley asked looking down at his drink.

“Didn’t know I needed a reason.”

Willy placed Faith’s drink in front of her. “Here you are.”

“Thanks.”

“You may not need one, but you’ve got one.” Riley stated.

“I’m tire of all this. Everything with B and our past together, it just doesn’t matter anymore.” Faith explained.

Riley finally turned to face Faith. “Do you really mean that, or are you just lonely.”

Faith thought about it for a moment. “Both I guess. I use to think she had it all, everything I ever wanted out of life.”

“And now?” Riley asked.

“The things she’s gone through these last few months I would never want to go through.”

“So you’re saying you’re done. You’re not gonna go after Buffy anymore?”

Faith shook her head. “Not anymore.”

“Even if she does something or says something to make you mad?” Riley questioned.

“I’m not sayin’ that we’re gonna be the best of friends now or anything.” Faith replied.

“What are you saying?”

“That I won’t do anything else to make what B’s goin’ through worse, and when it’s all over with I won’t start anything.”

Riley took a swig from his beer. “What do you want from me?”

“For now? Friendship.” Faith said taking a sip of her drink. “In the future? Maybe more.”

“Friendship I can do, anything more I can’t.” Riley told Faith.

“I understand. I can wait.”

*****

‘Montgomery Mansion-Angel’s Bedroom’

“Angel?” Cordelia asked as she sat up in the king sized bed she was sharing with her boyfriend.

“Hmm?” Angel mumbled eyes still closed.

“Angel are you awake?”

“I am now.” Angel said sitting up and placing his back against the headboard.

“Sorry.”

“What is it?” Angel asked.

“I can’t sleep.”

“And here I thought I did a good job a tiring you out.” Angel said in a mock hurt tone.

“Don’t get me wrong, you were great. Very relaxing in fact. I just can’t get to sleep.” Cordelia explained.

Angel understood what she was worried about and what was keeping her up by the tone of her voice. “There’s nothing you can do right now. All that’s left to do is wait and see what happens.”

“That’s what the problem is. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

“You don’t think it will work?” Angel asked.

“It’s not that.” Cordelia said shaking her head. “I think something or someone is going to interfere with the plan.”

“Who?”

Cordelia thought about Angel’s question for a moment. “No one knows what happened with Parker.”

“That’s Buffy’s ex right?” Angel asked making sure he knew whom his girlfriend was talking about.

“Yeah. He showed up at the loft on night and Buffy met up with him at the hotel to keep him from running his mouth about the affair. Spike showed up before anything happened, and we haven’t heard from Parker since.”

“He probably just gave up and went back to Los Angeles.”

“I guess. Something still doesn’t feel right though.”

“Just try not to think about it anymore tonight, everything will be over soon.”

Cordelia snuggled into Angel’s arms and rested her head on his chest. “You’re right. I love you.”

Angel kissed the top of her head. “I love you too. Now try and get some sleep.”

*****

‘Carter & Deacon’s Apartment-Deacon’s Bedroom’

“Don’t.” Alyson moaned in her sleep.

“Aly. . .” Deacon called out as he turned over to face her.

“Please stop!” She moaned again.

“Alyson.” Deacon called out a little loader.

“Don’t touch me!” She yelled.

Deacon started to shake her. “Alyson wake up.”

“NO!” Alyson screamed as she shot up in the bed with tears running down her face.

Deacon pulled her into his arms. “Shh, you’re okay. I’m right here, it was just a bad dream.”

“It wasn’t a dream, it really happened.”

“Is everything alright?” Carter asked as he came running into the bedroom.

“Yeah.” Deacon said with a nod as he held Alyson closer.

“Alright. I’ll be in my room if you need me for anything.” Carter said moving out of the room.

“Thanks.” Deacon called out.

After a few moments Alyson started to cry harder than she already was.

“Shh Baby don’t cry, it’s over now, you’re safe.”

Alyson shook her head. “It’s not over, it will never be over.”

“I won’t let anything happen to you.” Deacon declared.

“It already happened and I can’t change it.”

“What brought this up?” Deacon asked. “You were doing good last night.”

Alyson looked up at Deacon. “I yelled at Buffy tonight.”

“Why?”

“I was upset and hurt, I wanted to hurt her back. I was wrong.”

“About?”

“What Parker did to Buffy lasted years, what he did to me was one night.”

“It’s still just as bad.”

“She kept it to herself, what he did to her she didn’t tell anyone for a few years. I don’t know how she did it. I have nightmares after one night, but she’s got so many nights. I’m just now figuring that out.”

“Aly?” Deacon asked as he saw the far off look in her eyes.

“What if I don’t get a chance to talk to her?” Alyson asked.

“What?” Deacon asked in shock.

“What if the plan doesn’t work? The last thing she’ll remember about our time together is me yelling at her for something she had no control over.”

“You can’t think about it that way.” Deacon stated.

“How am I suppose to think about it?” Alyson questioned. “There’s a chance this plan won’t work.”

“But the odds are higher that it will work. You’ve got to think positive for now.”

“I’ll try.” Alyson whispered.

“Will you also try to get back to sleep?” Deacon asked. “I’ll be right here with you, nothing to fear.”

“Will you come back to L.A. with me?”

“When?”

“In a few days. I’ve got to get back to my classes.”

“I’ll talk to the guys about it tomorrow.” Deacon told her.

“Really?” Alyson asked.

“Yeah, I’m sure Spike’s gonna want to take a break for awhile anyways.”

“Thank you.” Alyson said lying back down next to Deacon.

Deacon wrapped his arms around her. “I said I won’t let anything happen to you and I mean it.”

“I know.”

“Lets try and get some sleep.”

“Okay.”

*****

TBC. . .

Chapter 73: Week After Midterms

‘Professor Winthrop’s Class’

“I assume everyone did well on his or her midterms this past week. I hope the time I gave you provided some helpful study time.” Spike said as his T.A. passed out some paper work to the class.

After the T.A. was done passing out the papers she took a seat at the small desk in the front of the room off to the side.

“Now that that’s all said and done with we can move on to things actually dealing with this class.” Spike picked up a copy of the paper and held it up in the air. “Does anyone have any questions about the paper you were just handed?”

“Is this what our final is going to be?” One of the students closer to the front asked.

“Along these lines, yes. Your final paper will be a bit longer in pages and will take more time, or it should anyways, in researching to complete. This particular paper is due in two weeks, and I’d like to see a rough draft by next week.” Spike explained.

“What topic will our final have to be about or on?” Another student asked.

“Anything you chose, as long as it’s appropriate. If you’re not sure than ask me and I’ll tell you, or if you have an idea but maybe need help in finding a direction to go with it you can ask me during my office hours.”

(Bell Rings)

“That’s all for today, I’ll see everyone next class. Enjoy your day.” Spike said as his students gathered their things and left the lecture hall.

“Buffy are you coming?” Cordelia asked from the door after she noticed that Buffy wasn’t behind her like she thought.

“I’ll catch up in a bit.” Buffy stated as she finished gathering her things.

“Alright.” Cordelia said before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

“What can I do for you Ms. Summers?” Spike asked as Buffy walked to the front of the room.

“I’ve got a question about a topic for my final project.” Buffy stated as the T.A. left the room.

“What is it?”

“My life.” Buffy replied.

“It’s only a college English paper Luv, not a novel.”

“It wouldn’t be on my whole life, just this past year. I can do it with your guidelines, and use interviews from people who’ve been around me for the facts part. I wouldn’t use real names of course.”

“You’re making this more than it has to be Pet.”

“It’s something I need to do. It’ll be an outlet for what’s happened or whatever.” Buffy explained.

Spike nodded his head understanding what she was talking about. “If it’s what you really want to do, just have a backup topic if this becomes to much for you.”

“You mean I can’t just sleep with the Professor to get my A?” Buffy asked with a grin.

“I thought you were sleeping with the Professor for another reason.” Spike said with a grin of his own.

“You know me so well.”

“Anything else?” Spike asked.

Buffy shock her head. “Not right now.”

“Oh.”

Buffy picked up her bag from his desk. “I better get going.”

“Sure, I’ll see you later.”

“Bye.” Buffy said as she walked towards the classroom door.

“Buffy!” Spike called after her.

“Yeah?” Buffy asked as she turned back around to face him.

“You forgot something.”

“I did?” Buffy asked looking around the room.

“Yeah, you did.” Spike said walking to where Buffy was standing.

“What?”

“This.” Spike said pulling Buffy in for a passionate kiss.

“Oh. . .” Buffy whispered as they pulled apart.

Spike smirked. “I’ll see you later Luv.”

“See ya.”

*****

‘Loft Apartment- Later That Day’

Everyone was gathered together in the living room relaxing and having fun again for the first time in a long time.

“Can I repeat how glad I am that midterms are over?” Willow asked from her spot on a couch in-between Tara and Xander.

“I think you just did.” Tara said with a smile.

“You’re not the only one Wills.” Xander stated before putting more chips in his mouth. “I’m pretty sure I failed all of mine.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.” Anya said placing a kiss on Xander’s cheek.

“You’re right, it was worse.” Xander mumbled.

“Poor Xander.” Buffy said with a sad smile.

Anya lend closer to Xander and placed and hand on his upper thigh. “I’ll help you feel better later.”

Everyone in the room except for Anya and Xander rolled their eyes at the comment.

“I know where I’m not sleeping tonight.” Cordelia stated from her spot on Angel’s lap.

Anya just shrugged her shoulder. “I can’t help it if I enjoy giving and receiving, receiving more than giving, orgasms as much as I do.”

Everyone rolled his or her eyes again.

“Maybe not, but do you have to be so loud about it while others are trying to sleep? I’m surprised no ones call the cops while you two are going at it.” Cordelia stated. “I mean Buffy and Spike are locked away in her room for hours on end but you don’t hear them, most of the time anyways.”

Buffy face turned bright red as she buried her head against Spike’s chest.

“Maybe Spike’s not as enjoyable for Buffy as Xander is for me.” Anya replied.

“I am very enjoyable!” Spike called out.

“Spike!” Buffy yelled and hit him on the arm.

“Well I am.” Spike stated.

“We’ll see how much you enjoy tonight if you don’t stop talking.”

“I was just. . .” Spike started.

“No more.” Buffy said glaring at Spike.

“Fine.” Spike said crossing his arms over his chest.

“Do you gals have any more pop?” Angel asked trying to change the subject.

“I don’t think so.” Tara answered.

“I’ll go get some.” Buffy said as she stood up.

“You don’t have to do that, I’ll get some water.” Angel replied moving Cordelia off his lap and standing up as well.

“I’ve got a few things to pick up from the store anyways. I was gonna do it before class tomorrow, so I’ll just do it now.”

“Thanks.” Angel said moving Cordelia again and sitting back down.

“I’m gonna go change real quick, if anyone wants anything write it down and I’ll pick it up for you.”
*****
“Do you want me to come with you?” Spike asked Buffy as she picked up her car keys and checked to make sure her cell phone was on.

“No, stay and relax. I’ll be back soon.”

Anya walked over to where the two were standing. “Here’s the list, and some money.”

“Thanks.” Buffy said taking the paper and money from her.

“Be careful.” Spike said pulling Buffy into his arms as Anya went back into the living room.

“Promise.” Buffy whispered.

Spike gave Buffy a kiss. “Love you.”

“Love you too.” Buffy said returning the kiss. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Who wants to watch a movie?” Willow asked as Spike walked back into the living room and sat down.

“Sounds good.” Xander agreed.

Cordelia nodded her head. “Sure.”

“I’ll go make some popcorn.” Tara said standing up and walking towards the kitchen.

“I’ll help.” Anya stated going after Tara.

Everyone was moving around to get ready for the movie when they all heard a loud explosion.

“What was that?” Angel asked turning towards the window.

Spike’s eyes grew very wide as a single word escaped his lips.

“Buffy. . .”

*****

TBC. . .

Chapter 74

“Buffy. . .”

Within a minute everyone was running out of the apartment to see what had happened no one stopping for the ringing phone.

Spike pulled the door open just as another small explosion went off.

“BUFFY!!!” Spike screamed as he noticed the car that was on fire.

“I’ll call 911.” Tara said running back up stairs.

Xander and Angel were trying their best to hold Spike back from running to the car.

“This isn’t how it was suppose to happen.” Spike kept saying over and over.

*****

“I’m sorry, but there’s no way Ms. Summers or anyone for that matter could have survived the explosion.” The officer told the group that was standing around the scene.

“Do you. . .Do you know how it happened?” Tara asked.

“We’re not sure just yet but we’re doing everything to make sure we get to the bottom of this as soon as possible.” The officer answered. “I think it’d be best if you all went back inside for right now. I’ll send an officer up to ask everyone a dew questions in a few minutes.”

“Thank you Officer.” Tara said as she followed everyone back into the apartment.

*****

Everyone was seated around the living room an hour later after the officer had come up and taken the groups statements. None of them really knowing what to do or say.

“Please tell me that was part of the grand plan that Mr. Summers came up with.” Willow begged after a few more moments of silence.

“You know it wasn’t. We all knew what the plan was going to be like, that wasn’t it.” Tara said as she sat down next to Willow on the couch.

“But maybe. . .” Anya started.

“IT WASN’T!!!” Spike yelled. “This was in no way how things were suppose to go.”

Tears started to run down Anya’s face. “I didn’t. . .”

“Shh. . .” Xander said pulling Anya towards him.

“I’m sorry.” Spike whispered running a hand through his hair.

“This isn’t easy for any of us right now, but we’ve got to stick together or we’re going to go crazy.” Willow explained.

Spike stood up and headed towards the door. “You all stick together. I’m gonna go take care of the person who’s behind this.”

“Spike wait!” Cordelia called out running after him as he opened the door. “You can’t do this, you’re not thinking clearly.”

“BUFFY'S DEAD!!!” Spike screamed.

“I KNOW that!” Cordelia yelled back. “I was here, we all were. Going out there like this isn’t going to bring her back.”

“Maybe not, but it might bring me closer to her.” With that said Spike left the apartment.

“He’s going to get himself killed too.” Cordelia whispered walking back to the living room. She stopped when she noticed the blinking light on the answering machine. As she pushed the button Carter’s voice filled the room.

“Buffy if you’re there please pick up. Buffy it’s Carter. Drusilla called me today, I know what she’s got planned next. Buffy I need you to call me back as soon as you get this. It’s time.”

Everyone looked over towards the machine as Carter’s voice disappeared from the room.

*****

‘Summers’ Mansion’

“I’m sorry to have to be telling you this Mr. and Mrs. Summers.” The Officer stated.

“Are you. . .Are you sure it was her?” Hank asked setting next to his grieving wife.

“Her friends said she was leaving in her car, the same one that exploded. The lab are running some test to make sure of the identity of the person we found in the car, but it’s going to take some time.”

Hank stood up and walked over to the Officer. “I want the results of those test on my desk by the morning.”

“Sir we don’t have that type of man power here, Sunnydale is a small town.” The Officer told Hank.

“I will pay for what ever it takes, just make sure I have those results by tomorrow morning.”

“Yes Sir.” The Officer said before walking out of the room.

“Dawn will be home soon.” Joyce spoke for the first time since the Officer had arrived at their home to tell them about their eldest daughter. “How are we going to tell her?”

“We’ll find a way. I think we should wait until we know for sure though.” Hank said taking a seat next to his wife again.

“How did this happen? You had a plan worked out, all we were waiting for was the first step to be taken.”

“We’ll know more tomorrow, until then lets not think about it.”

“How can I not?” Joyce asked in a low whisper.

*****

‘The Magic Box’

“Drusilla did you do this?” Ethan asked as he turned away from the television the news was playing on.

“Do what?” Drusilla asked looking up from a book she was reading.

“There was a car explosion involving Ms. Summers today, did you have anything to do with it?”

“No.” Drusilla replied.

“You had a plan though.”

“Yes, but it wasn’t this good.”

“What was it?”

“I was going to have Carter drug one of her drinks the next time she was around him.” Drusilla explained.

“So you had nothing to do with this?” Ethan asked.

“Noting at all.” Drusilla said standing up from the table and walking towards the shop’s front door.

“Where are you going?”

“Home, my William will need me.”

And with that she was gone.

*****

An hour later Spike walked through the shop’s door.

“William.” Ethan greeted walking around the counter.

“Did you know about this?” Spike asked.

“I only just found out about it a hour ago on the news.”

“Did she have anything to do with it?”

“She said she didn’t.”

“Do you believe her?”

“This doesn’t sound like something she could have pulled off.” Ethan stated.

“What was her plan?” Spike asked.

“She said she was going to have Carter drug Ms. Summers drink.” Ethan explained.

“She’s really gone.” Spike whispered.

“Is there anything I can do?” Ethan asked.

“No, there’s nothing anyone can do.” Spike said turning to leave the shop.

*****

TBC. . .Chapter 75

Family and friends gathered around the open grave as the Priest spoke about how the person everyone was there to grieve for was in a better place. The Priest spoke about how this person had touched each and everyone’s lives in a very special and private way. As the Priest continued speaking emotions were running wild through everyone that was left behind.

*****

Hank Summers had been in his home office for most of the morning. An Officer had dropped by with the test results Hank had demanded having the day before. Now Hank sat at his desk going over the information he had received.

The explosion hadn’t been an accident as Officers had first thought. With more testing, by people Hank had flown in on his dime, the researchers found that the car had been set to blow. The simple act of changing the radio station had possibly cost Elizabeth her life.

The DNA test results sat in an unopened envelope at the corner of his desk. The envelope held the information that would change his life and everyone’s who cared for Elizabeth forever.

Hank slowly reached for the envelope with a shaky hand. Taking a deep breath he picked up his envelope opener and sliced open the seal. Carefully Hank pulled out the test results and read over them.

As Hank looked down at the results his mind was flooded with memories.

The day Joyce told him she was pregnant with his first child.
The first time he heard Elizabeth’s little heart beating in the doctor’s office.
The day she was born.
The day she was released from the hospital.
The first step she ever took.
The first time she called him ‘Daddy’.
Her first birthday.
The first day she went to pre-school.
Going to her first ice skating competition.

As the years passed the memories started to move faster in his head. Time once spent with his eldest turned into time spent on business trips or vacations with his wife.

Gifts that once took months of planning turned into plastic cards that held a six-figure limit.

Once the memories pasted Hank read the results of a 99.8% match in the DNA of Elizabeth Anne Summers and the remains of the body found after the explosion.

For the first time in his forty-seven years of life Hank Summers broke down.

*****

Joyce Summers stood outside her husband’s office doors unable to make herself move. She knew her husband had the test results; she had been at the top of the stairs when the Officer had dropped them off that morning. After she watched Hank go inside his office and close the door she decided to go to her private gallery.

She didn’t know how long she spent looking at the different pieces of work trying to remember which ones her eldest daughter liked the most.

She remembered the first time she found Elizabeth starring at a piece of art from her private collection. It was an old painting of a woman and a young girl standing at the edge of a cliff over looking the ocean. It showed the young girl looking back while the woman looked forward. When Joyce had asked Elizabeth what she thought it meant she was surprised by what her ten year old told her.

“It’s a mix of past and future. The girl in her is looking back. The woman in her is looking at things to come.”

A few months ago Joyce had decided to give it to Elizabeth on her twenty-first birthday, but now standing in front of the wooden door of Hank’s office she doubted she’d be getting to do that.

The moment Joyce opened the door and saw Hank she knew everything she still wished and dreamed for her eldest daughter was pointless.

*****

Dawn had found both her parents huddled together crying in her father’s office. She had known the day before when she came home that something wasn’t right. Her father had been to distant and her mother didn’t ask all the questions Dawn had come to expect after a day of school and an afternoon spent at Connor’s.

When she finally got her parents to tell her what it was that was wrong she didn’t believe them. She screamed about the plan as tears ran down her face. She begged them to tell her the truth; to tell her what really happened to her sister. She yelled until she couldn’t yell anymore, finally falling to the floor in her parent’s arms.

*****

The staff moved around the mansion in silence as the family mourned the lose of the young woman who could brighten a room just by walking in.

*****

Willow and Tara sat on the living room floor of the loft apartment talking about memories they both had about Buffy for hours after an Officer had stopped by with the news of the DNA results.

*****

Anya and Xander were curled in bed together in his dorm room after finding out about Buffy dealing with the lost of their friend in their way.

*****

Angel held Cordelia as she cried.

*****

Riley and Faith sat in silence in his dorm room after finding out, both feeling guilty in their own way for the things that had happened over the semester.

*****

Carter sat in his darken apartment alone going over what had happened from the moment Buffy had walked into his life.

*****

Deacon made all the arrangements that needed to be made so he and Alyson could be on their way back to Sunnydale by that night.

*****

Spike sat in a smoke filled bar with a table full of empty beer bottles working on a bottle of whiskey trying to drink the pain away. Every time he closed his eyes he saw her shining face and her beautiful smile. He sat there and played the first time they met in his head.

The first time he saw her.
The first time he heard her speak.
The first time they touched.
The first time they kissed.
The first night they made love.
The first time he told her he was in love with her.
The first time she told him she was in love with him.

*****

As the weeks past funeral arrangements were made. Family and friends worked together to help one another with the lose of an irreplaceable person.

*****

Police Officers arrested Drusilla Rayne-Winthrop after receiving evidence of her plan to murder Elizabeth Summers from an unknown source. Ethan made a deal to have Drusilla locked away in a metal institution for the rest of her life in return for not having to go to court.

*****

Spike filed for divorce a few days after Drusilla’s arrest and had already made plans to sell the house and all of her belongings. Along with the dealings with his soon to be ex-wife Spike had been called in front of the Dean at UC Sunnydale and suspended until the new fall semester for breaking the code of conduct and having an affair with one of his students.

*****

Now all of Buffy’s family and friends stood in the rain as the wooden casket was lowered into the ground. One by one they threw a rose down and said their private goodbyes.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that flow
I am the sunlight on my own grave

I am a gentle autumn rain
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight

do not stand at my grave and cry
do not stand at my grave and cry
do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there I did not die

No one at the funeral ever noticed the black limo parked a few yards away with a petite blonde woman crying in the back seat as they pulled away.

*****

Author’s Note:

The song is by Lizzie West entitled ‘Prayer’

Chapter 76

Sixteen Months Later

“Giles are you here?” Buffy asked as she walked into her London flat.

“We’re in the kitchen Buffy.” Giles called out.

Buffy tossed her keys down on a small table be the down then walked into the kitchen and placed the few bags she was carrying down on a counter top away from the stove Giles was standing at.

“I’m not to late am I?” Buffy asked pulling things out of the grocery bags.

“Not at all, your timing is prefect.” Giles answered.

“Good. Here you go.” Buffy said handing him a bottle of red wine.

“Thank you.”

“I see you had yourself a little helper.” Buffy said looking down at the sleeping child in the basinet that rested on the small table in the corner of the kitchen.

“For a bit yes, I was about to put him to bed when you came in.” Giles explained looking over his shoulder.

“He looks more and more like his father everyday.” Buffy said bending down to pick up the child.

“You miss him.”

Buffy nodded her head. “Very much. At least I have a piece of him with me to help with the pain.”

“I’ll have some information in a few days.” Giles told her as he moved things around on the stove.

“It’s been over a year already, what if nothings changed?” Buffy asked.

“Then we’ll find a new way.” Giles said moving away from the stove. “Go put the boy down while I finish dinner.” He added as he began to pull plates out of the cabinet.

“I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

*****

Buffy moved through her home as quietly as she could not wanting to wake her sleeping son. Slowly she pushed open the nursery door and carefully walked over to the crib in the middle of the room and placed him down. She made sure nothing was around his face before giving him a soft kiss on the forehead. After a few more moments of watching him sleep she walked over to one of the dressers and turned on both of the baby monitors, picking one up to take with her. After making sure everything was okay in the room one last time she moved back towards the door.

“Sweet dreams William.” She whispered before shutting the door and walking back to the kitchen.

*****

As Buffy walked into the kitchen Giles was placing plates on the small table.

“Will you grab the glasses?” Giles asked moving back to the stove.

“Sure.” Buffy said moving over to the cabinet that held the cups and glasses.

Giles moved the food off the stove and over to the table as she filled the glasses with sparkling water.

“Dinners ready.” Giles said holding out a chair for her to sit in.

“Thank you.” She said taking the offered seat. “Everything looks wonderful.”

“It’s just pasta with a red wine chicken tomato sauce and some fresh baked bread from the market across the street from where I live.” Giles explained taking a seat across from her.

“It still looks wonderful, and smells great.” Buffy said before taking a bite of the pasta.

“Thank you.” Giles said before taking a sip of his water. “Does everything taste alright?”

Buffy looked up at Giles and smiled. “It’s prefect, just like everything else you’ve ever cooked for me. Don’t worry so much.”

As the two continued to eat fussing noises fill the kitchen from the small baby monitor on the counter right behind Buffy’s head.

“I better go check on him.” Buffy said placing her fork down and standing up.

Giles reached out a hand and placed it on one of Buffy’s arms. “Stay, I’ll go check on him.”

“You took care of him for me all day, it’s time for you to relax. I’ll be right back.” Buffy said before walking out of the kitchen.

*****

Buffy opened the nursery door and walked over to the crib. “Hey little guy.” She said bending over and picking up her son. “You’re supposed to be asleep young man.”

Baby William looked up at his mother with big bright blue eyes.

“Don’t look at me that way Mister, you’re too young to be able to give me that look.” Buffy said walking over to a rocking chair that sat in a corner of the room by a large bay window and taking a seat.

“Your Daddy would love the fact that you can give me the same look he use to give me when he wanted something and know I’d give in. You’re gonna be a handful as a teen aren’t you?” Buffy asked with a smile.

Baby William laughed up at his mother.

Buffy’s smile grew even more. “Yep, great big handful. The girls won’t know what hit ‘em. I know I didn’t the first time I met your Daddy. He would be so happy if he knew about you. You’re something he couldn’t wait to have. You’re also the whole reason we’re here.” Buffy paused for a moment to look out the window at the rain that had started to fall.

“We’ll find a way.” Giles said from the doorway holding the baby monitor in his hand.

“He’ll be one soon.” Buffy said looking down at the once again sleeping child resting in her arms. “Spike shouldn’t miss his first birthday, he’s already miss so much time of his son’s life that I can’t give back.

“We’ll find a way.” Giles whispered again before leaving mother and son alone for the night.

“What if it’s too late?” Buffy asked aloud.

*****

Chapter 77

‘Sunnydale High School-Senior English’

“I want you all to read chapters six and seven by the next class and write a short summary for each of the chapters.” Spike told his class as he wrote the assignment on the chalkboard.

“Mr. Winthrop?” A pretty blonde female student called out.

Spike turned around to face his class. “Yes Ms. Freeman?”

“How long do you want the summaries to be?” She asked.

Spike thought about the question for a moment. “The chapters are only about twenty-five pages long, so half a page for each chapter should do.” Spike said giving his students time to write down the requirements of the homework.

“Are there anymore questions about the homework?” He asked looking over the room and noticing that no one was going to ask anything. “No, good. There are about five more minutes left if class so that time is yours just keep it down.”

In exactly five minutes the bell rang.

Spike stood up from his desk and walked over and opened the door. “I’ll see you all on Monday, have a nice weekend.”

“You too Mr. Winthrop.” A few of the students called out as they walked out of the room and headed to their next classes.

“Isabella are you coming?” A girl asked another student.

“I’ll see you in our next class.”

“Okay. Have a nice weekend Mr. Winthrop.” She said walking past Spike.

“You too Ms. Anderson.”

“Mr. Winthrop?”

“Yes Ms. Freeman.” Spike said turning around to look at Isabella.

“I was wondering something.”

“What was that?” Spike asked.

“Um, I was wondering why you decided to teach high school students instead of college ones like you did before coming here.” Isabella explained.

“I often wonder the same thing.” A beautiful woman with shoulder length honey brown hair said from the doorway.

“Ms. Owens.” Spike greeted.

“Hello Mr. Winthrop, Ms. Freeman.” She said moving into the classroom.

“Hi.” Isabella gave her a disgusted looked before turning back to face Spike. “So?”

“Right. Teaching college students had its advantages, but I feel that I reach high school students on a better level.” Spike explained.

“Oh.”

“Why do you ask?”

“It was just something I was curious about. I for one can’t wait to get out of high school.” Isabella stated.

“Well, in order to do that Ms. Freeman you should probably get to your next class.” Ms. Owens said with a smile.

“Oh, right!” Isabella said gathering her books and walking out of the classroom.

“Couldn’t wait to get me alone?” Spike asked with a grin.

“Something like that.” She said closing the door before walking closer to him.

“McKenzie.” Spike whispered as he pulled her against his chest.

“Yeah?” She asked losing her train of thought.

“Did you come here for a reason?” Spike asked with a smirk lightly placing kisses along her neck.

McKenzie nodded her head. “I wanted to see if we could move our dinner plans back to seven instead of six. I have to stay and help a few of the girls with their starts and flip-turns after practice tonight and I don’t want to smell like chlorine for our date.”

“That’s fine. I’ll pick you up at your place at seven.” Spike said continuing his trail of kisses from her neck up to her ear.

“I should get back to my class.” McKenzie whispered tilting her head back to give him better access.

After a few more moments they pulled away and moved towards the door.

“I’ll see you tonight.” Spike said with one last kiss before opening the door.

“Tonight.” McKenzie said with a smile.

*****

‘Seven O’clock-McKenzie Owens House’

Knock-Knock

“Coming!” McKenzie called out opening the front door.

“Not yet I hope.” Spike said with a smirk.

“You’re evil.” McKenzie said stepping aside to let him inside.

“You’re beautiful.” Spike whispered placing a light kiss on her lips. “For you.” He said holding out a bouquet of white orchids.

“Thank you.” She said bringing the flowers up to her noise to smell them. “What the occasion?”

“You don’t know?” Spike asked.

“No.” McKenzie answered. “Should I?”

“I always thought it was the woman’s job to remember these things and the man’s job to forget.”

McKenzie’s eyes grew wide. “Oh my god!”

“Do you remember now?” Spike asked with a grin.

“I can’t believe I forgot. Especially after all the work I put into getting you to go out with me in the first place.”

“Yes, I wasn’t very receptive to the idea of going on a date with you.” Spike said taking a seat on her couch.

“It was understandable.” McKenzie whispered taking a seat next to him.

“Thank you for being so patient with me for all those months.”

“You were wroth waiting for.”

“You still think that even after two months of dating me?” Spike asked.

“Yeah, must be crazy.” She said with a smile.

“I’ve seen crazy. Trust me, you’re far from it.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean. . .”

“I know. It’s just a part of my past that I have to deal with.”

“But you don’t have to do it alone.” McKenzie whispered moving closer to him.

Spike turned to face her. “Not anymore.”

*****

TBC. . .

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