Title: Other Side of the Coin
Author: Stonewar
Rating: TV-7 (assuming the TV-14 rating is based on the sexual content)
Summary: Answering my own challenge. The Slayer's Brother, the Vampire's Daughter
Spoilers: Early Season 7 Buffy (no SIT's), Season 3 Angel
Disclaimer: .....I'm beginning wonder why we bother ... oh well not mine. no profit made. etc.
Archive: my site, automatics, others please ask
A/N & Acknowledgments: Just a glimpse of key scenes. For Obvious reasons there will be more Connor as Dawn than Dawn as Connor. Frankly, I like the idea of Connor more than the actual Connor.
For source information I would cut and paste from "Psyche's Transcripts" for dialogue and skeleton narration. I didn't plagiarize, inasmuch as where there was description I wrote description, and added, "he says, she says" to where there was dialogue in script format. So if parts sound familiar, that's why. I would say this piece is 85% me (idea and new prose), 11% Original Screenwriter (dialogue), 4% Psyche (Sometimes the simple way it was described on the site was best.)
The POV and voice will shift from episode to episode. Unbeta'd
REAL ME
Nobody knows me. Really knows me. Most people would look at my family and me and think, "I bet you are the little man of the house." Not in this house. Not when your big sister is the Slayer. All that slayer strength outranks any testosterone I may have so she is the man of the house. I guess.
My life wasn't all that different from other people's before I moved to Sunnydale. For instance, my sister wasn't the center of the universe yet. I was just plain Henry Connor Summers Jr. I was 9 years old. I played little league and got dirty. I had two parents and a space cadet older sister. We went to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and the beach.
Then she got chosen and Mom and Dad got divorced. I'm not saying it was her fault, but…. no its her fault. Totally her fault. all right! Geez, so serious. They were already having problems. She was just the straw that broke the camel's back. KaBoom! Broken home.
Now she's all 'I'm the Slayer Boo-Hoo. I'll never have a normal life.' Everything is life and death now. If I suddenly had some super powers dropped on me you can be sure I wouldn't be crying in my rice crispies. I'd kick some ass Jackie Chan style.
Remember what I was saying about her being the center of the Universe? I have to be friends with her friends now. And I have to do stuff around her schedule. Ok, sometimes its cool to hang out with older people. Especially Xander, he's like my age, mentally. He taught me all these cool tricks on the Play Station and he always has the food Mom doesn't like me eating, like Twinkies and Jolt. The rest of them are girls Willow, Tara and Anya. For a while there was Cordelia, Faith and Amy too. But they're gone now.
Oh yeah. Mr. Giles. He's a guy. But he doesn't count cuz he's like an old guy I once heard him use the word 'newfangled.' He's always giving me the hairy eyeball. If it weren't the fact I knew he met them all when they were just a year or so older than me I'd think he didn't like kids.
None of them know the real me. They think I'm just Buffy's little (in age only) brother. Boy, are they in for a surprise.
SHADOW
Connor and Riley are sitting in bleachers watching UC Sunnydale play UC San Domingo Hills. Connor is picking at his tray of Nachos half-heartedly as he absently watches the game
"You're congealing." Riley says breaking him out of his reverie.
"Oh, um ... guess I'm not hungry." Connor sighed.
"Maybe I'm not making this any better."
"No, I just ... this is better." He reassured his sister's boyfriend with a sad smile. " I had my tenth birthday party here."
"Really?"
"Mm-hmm. We'd just moved to Sunnydale, and ... Mom was going to buy tickets for me and my friends." He pauses, clears his throat as he composes himself before finishing the story. "Except I hadn't made any friends yet, so ... it was just me and Mom and Buffy sitting by ourselves, doing a three man wave over and over and over again." His eyes focus on the coach arguing with the umpire. "She's ... she's not gonna get better, is she?"
Riley leans over and gives him a manly one-armed sideways hug. "Absolutely she will. Summers women are tough.
Connor smiles at the contact. "I'm really glad you're here." Deciding at that moment to be strong and take his cue from Riley in this situation from now on.
DAD
"I'm happy to report you have a healthy baby girl." The Doctor addresses Cordy.
"Oh, great." She responds cheerily, " But I'm not the mother."
"Oh, I'm sorry." He apologizes, and recovers quickly. "I'm happy to report you have a healthy baby girl." He repeats turning to Fred.
"Oh. Me neither." Fred quickly denies.
Wesley clears his throat and informs the doctor, to spare him further embarrassment, "I'm afraid the mother is, ah, no longer in the picture."
The Doctor nods to cover his mistake. "I see. Well, her height and weight are in the ninety percentile. We gave her a vitamin K shot and her PKU and she's doing very well." Announces to all assembled since they all arrived together. "We don't seem to have her - what's her name?" he asked clearly at a loss as to whom to ask
Cordy and Wes look to each other. "Was this ever discussed?" They project to one another. Not sure whether to wait for Angel or give her a name and have it changed later if he doesn't like it.
"Dawn. Her name is Dawn." Angel announces. Thankfully he has arrived just in time to relieve them of that responsibility.
"Dawn." The doctor repeats and makes a note on the chart. "Thank you. Mr.--" He hesitates as he consults the chart. "Angel," Now that everything was in order he has the nurse deliver the little girl into her father's care. "And congratulations."
"Thanks."
The Doctor and the nurse leave, as Angel smiles down at Dawn. She is his whole world at this moment. Finally he realizes was said and looks up questioning, "Hey... Mr. Angel?"
"Your first name is Geraldo." Fred pipes up.
"We had to tell them something." Cordy chimes in.
"Geraldo Angel. You're a pet psychiatrist with a small practice in Pacoima. Oh, and you fight crime- we just told them the name part. The rest is me, having fun." She giggles at her little joke
"I don't know what to say." Angel blinks. He's made mental comparisons between Fred and Willow in the past but … that was more Willow than even Willow. He doesn't think on that too long before the infant squirms in his arms bringing his full attention back to her.
"How about thanks. I appreciate it. You guys rock. Way to go?" Cordy suggests sarcastically.
Angel looks up from Dawn's face "What she said," He says absently.
The double doors behind them open and Gunn comes in pushing an empty stroller. "Got the best one a very small amount of money could buy." He announces proudly. They make all the appropriate noises at this feat. Angel unsure of how to maneuver his precious bundle in to her stroller, hands her off to Cordy.
Cordy doesn't have any more experience than he does but clearly maternal instincts have kicked into overdrive as she coos to Dawn as she straps her in the stroller. "Hey, you wanna go for a ride? Oh, goodness..."
"Dawn. That's a lovely name." Wesley notes. " I don't suppose you ever considered Wes--"
"It's symbolic." Angel interrupts, "A taste of what I can have when this is all over. The 'Dawn' I can watch, appreciate and love, until I can witness the real one for the first time.
"Not to be negative or anything, but - we're okay, right?" Fred asks apprehensively, " Nobody else is coming after Dawn or us?"
"No. We're safe for the time being. - Let's go home." He assures. " Nice stroller." He adds making a point to say so directly to Gunn
"Thank you." Gunn smiles. Its nice to be appreciated.
They walk out of the waiting room together, the little princess at the head of her entourage.
CHECKPOINT
Kyle cornered me at the bike rack today. Taunting me about my height. He was calling me beanstalk and stuff. My only comeback was that he would appreciate the height on the court. Now I have to try out for the team. I hate basketball. I'm not big on the team sports. I like track and wrestling. You know, the loner sports, where it's just you and your opponent. I've been shadowing Buffy when she trains sometimes. I like stand in the back, copying the forms. I'm still not that coordinated yet. I still manage to hit myself before I make contact with the bag. I've yet to figure out how I'm doing that.
I took the shortcut behind the Archer's so I came in through the kitchen this afternoon. I tossed my book bag on the table and grabbed and apple from the bowl. I was halfway to the living room to watch TV when I hear a voice that reminds me of Cordelia.
"Well, it's the only thing keeping you alive right now. Because you may be tiny queen in vampire world..." I see her sitting in Mom's favorite chair fiddling with the fireplace poker. "...but to me, you're a bug. You should get down on your knees and worship me!"
Buffy's got this weird panic look in her eyes when she sees me walking toward them. Oh! This must be that Glory wacko. She signaling with her eyes to get out of there. I mouth 'Why?' Great now I'm getting the slayer death-look. I shrug and try to unobtrusively head toward the stairs while the headcase continues her rant.
"But oh, no, you still think it's neat having Slayer strength. Ooh, big deal! Stronger than humans! Who isn't? I could crush the life from you as easy as you'd break a nail. But I need the key."
I had almost made it to the stairs and was about the take a bite of my apple when Glory calls out, "Kid!"
I freeze in my tracks and Buffy looks super panicked.
"Come here a sec." Glory commands all jovial-like
"Leave him out of this." Buffy grinds out.
"Not asking twice," Glory sing-songs.
I approach the chair again. She has yet to look at me but she knew I was here. She must have eyes in the back of her head. But how it can see through all that hair Ill never know.
"This is between you and me." Buffy insists. And we have our last ditch attempt at sibling savage.
"No. This is between me and my key." Glory disagrees. "You just happen to be the thing in the way."
Glory lifts her hand over her head and snaps her fingers. I step into her view and cross my arms over my chest, trying to look all cool and intimidating like Angel.
She gives me the once over. "Aren't you just brimming over with potential studliness. What's your name, cutie?"
It was a compliment, but it didn't quite feel like it. "Connor."
"Connor? Did you know your sister took my key, Connie? And she won't give it back! I bet you know where she put it, don't you?"
"He doesn't know anything." Buffy protests.
"I know some stuff." I do. Not about this key thing, but I happen to know Buffy doesn't know much about this key thing either. So what game are we playing? Are we bluffing, Buff? I can do that.
"I bet she's in your stuff all the time, isn't she? Where's my key, Connor?" Oh the Wacko's trying to be my friend now. At least she isn't flirting. That would be…badness. No flirting with bad guys.
"Go upstairs, Connor." Buffy orders. Hey! I could've helped. That's it!
"You're always talking about stuff I'm not supposed to hear." Like secrets with Giles about me. Glory's interested in our exchange, but I don't care. "I'm gonna figure it out, you know." I warn her before I leave the room.
"Ooh, I like him. He's feisty." She pauses being all dramatic. "And I'll kill him. I'll kill your mom, I'll kill your friends ... and I'll make you watch when I do." Oh listen to her sigh. I can hear it all the way in the dining room. Oh her burden is so great. "Just give me the key. You either have it or you know where to find it. Obviously, this is a onetime only deal. Next time we meet, something you love dies bloody. You know you can't take me. You know you can't stop me."
I hear a clang and then the door open and close. Then there is a noise on the stairs.
"Buffy, who was that?" Mom was here the whole time?!
"Pack a bag." Buffy urges. Yeah pack a bag, Mom. I heard that threat. We need to get you out of here.
--
A Crypt! That's real safe and comfy. Buffy, what are you thinking? Mom is not well remember. Buffy slips in, careful not open the door to wide. And what's with the crypt anyway. I thought vampires hoarded treasure like dragons. At least they always do in books.
I push the door open and hold it for Mom. A beam of sunlight crosses Spikes face. He gives great girlie scream and rolls out of the way of the light until I close the door behind us. Ok, that alone and made the trip worth it.
"Oh, it's the Slayer. For a second there I was worried." He starts to rub his eyes sleepily and notices us for the first time. "Oi, what's with the family outing?"
Buffy and Spike argue quietly for a couple minutes until he backs down. He hops of his concrete bed and heads over to us. Spike is giving her this pointed 'you owe me look' but then he's all nicey-nice.
"All right then. Folks... Come on in. There's plenty of blood in the fridge."
"Do you mean like, real blood?" I ask disgusted.
"What do you think?" Oh, Is that a dare, peroxide?
"Not to my taste, thank you." I say trying out my own version of the Buffy death-glare.
Can I just say again. I don't want to be here. If Riley couldn't hack it, what kind of help is Spike going to be? But I promised Buffy I'd help Spike take care of Mom. He gets the Demons. I get the people because of the chip.
Buffy pulls Mom aside. "Keep Connor here as long as you can. I'll be back soon." She says this like I'm some imbecile who'll wander off chasing butterflies. Cut me some slack, tiny vampire queen. Heh, the only good thing I got from our convo with Glory. I got to remember to use that out loud sometime.
"Spike, I don't think I need to remind you, but-"
"Yeah, yeah, 'anything happens to 'em I'll stake you good and proper.' Sing me a new one sometime, eh? That bit's gone stale."
She gives him one more threatening look before leaving us all standing there looking at each other. Okay. Now what?
" I, I love what you've, um, neglected to do with the place." Subtle. Nice one, Mom.
" Just don't break anything." He orders and goes turn on the TV "And don't make a lot of noise. Passions is coming on."
"Passions? Oh, do you think Timmy's really dead?"
" Oh! No, no, she can just sew him back together. He's a doll, for god's sake."
" Uh, what about the wedding? I mean, there's no way they're gonna go through with that.
Its nice he's being all gentlemanly and all but ….GUH! Soap Operas. Great that's manly. Maybe he's got weapons behind the thing he was sleeping on.
SLEEP TIGHT
Justine in Wesley's car pulls up to the curb as Holtz steps out of the shadows.
"It went well?" He inquires confident that there is no other way it will end.
"Very well." She responds. "But you're paying for my dental work."
Holtz gives a small deep-throated chuckle before turning to the wide-eyed infant strapped in her car seat behind Justine.
"Hello, sweetheart. I'm you're father. And that strong lady with the black eye is your mother. Your name is Sarah Mary Elizabeth. And you're going to grow up with me on a little ranch in the middle of nowhere." He pauses and turns back to Justine. "What's it like in Utah?"
"It's pretty."
"Let's go."
Author: Stonewar
Rating: TV-7 (assuming the TV-14 rating is based on the sexual content)
Summary: Answering my own challenge. The Slayer's Brother, the Vampire's Daughter
Spoilers: Early Season 7 Buffy (no SIT's), Season 3 Angel
Disclaimer: .....I'm beginning wonder why we bother ... oh well not mine. no profit made. etc.
Archive: my site, automatics, others please ask
A/N & Acknowledgments: Just a glimpse of key scenes. For Obvious reasons there will be more Connor as Dawn than Dawn as Connor. Frankly, I like the idea of Connor more than the actual Connor.
For source information I would cut and paste from "Psyche's Transcripts" for dialogue and skeleton narration. I didn't plagiarize, inasmuch as where there was description I wrote description, and added, "he says, she says" to where there was dialogue in script format. So if parts sound familiar, that's why. I would say this piece is 85% me (idea and new prose), 11% Original Screenwriter (dialogue), 4% Psyche (Sometimes the simple way it was described on the site was best.)
The POV and voice will shift from episode to episode. Unbeta'd
REAL ME
Nobody knows me. Really knows me. Most people would look at my family and me and think, "I bet you are the little man of the house." Not in this house. Not when your big sister is the Slayer. All that slayer strength outranks any testosterone I may have so she is the man of the house. I guess.
My life wasn't all that different from other people's before I moved to Sunnydale. For instance, my sister wasn't the center of the universe yet. I was just plain Henry Connor Summers Jr. I was 9 years old. I played little league and got dirty. I had two parents and a space cadet older sister. We went to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and the beach.
Then she got chosen and Mom and Dad got divorced. I'm not saying it was her fault, but…. no its her fault. Totally her fault. all right! Geez, so serious. They were already having problems. She was just the straw that broke the camel's back. KaBoom! Broken home.
Now she's all 'I'm the Slayer Boo-Hoo. I'll never have a normal life.' Everything is life and death now. If I suddenly had some super powers dropped on me you can be sure I wouldn't be crying in my rice crispies. I'd kick some ass Jackie Chan style.
Remember what I was saying about her being the center of the Universe? I have to be friends with her friends now. And I have to do stuff around her schedule. Ok, sometimes its cool to hang out with older people. Especially Xander, he's like my age, mentally. He taught me all these cool tricks on the Play Station and he always has the food Mom doesn't like me eating, like Twinkies and Jolt. The rest of them are girls Willow, Tara and Anya. For a while there was Cordelia, Faith and Amy too. But they're gone now.
Oh yeah. Mr. Giles. He's a guy. But he doesn't count cuz he's like an old guy I once heard him use the word 'newfangled.' He's always giving me the hairy eyeball. If it weren't the fact I knew he met them all when they were just a year or so older than me I'd think he didn't like kids.
None of them know the real me. They think I'm just Buffy's little (in age only) brother. Boy, are they in for a surprise.
SHADOW
Connor and Riley are sitting in bleachers watching UC Sunnydale play UC San Domingo Hills. Connor is picking at his tray of Nachos half-heartedly as he absently watches the game
"You're congealing." Riley says breaking him out of his reverie.
"Oh, um ... guess I'm not hungry." Connor sighed.
"Maybe I'm not making this any better."
"No, I just ... this is better." He reassured his sister's boyfriend with a sad smile. " I had my tenth birthday party here."
"Really?"
"Mm-hmm. We'd just moved to Sunnydale, and ... Mom was going to buy tickets for me and my friends." He pauses, clears his throat as he composes himself before finishing the story. "Except I hadn't made any friends yet, so ... it was just me and Mom and Buffy sitting by ourselves, doing a three man wave over and over and over again." His eyes focus on the coach arguing with the umpire. "She's ... she's not gonna get better, is she?"
Riley leans over and gives him a manly one-armed sideways hug. "Absolutely she will. Summers women are tough.
Connor smiles at the contact. "I'm really glad you're here." Deciding at that moment to be strong and take his cue from Riley in this situation from now on.
DAD
"I'm happy to report you have a healthy baby girl." The Doctor addresses Cordy.
"Oh, great." She responds cheerily, " But I'm not the mother."
"Oh, I'm sorry." He apologizes, and recovers quickly. "I'm happy to report you have a healthy baby girl." He repeats turning to Fred.
"Oh. Me neither." Fred quickly denies.
Wesley clears his throat and informs the doctor, to spare him further embarrassment, "I'm afraid the mother is, ah, no longer in the picture."
The Doctor nods to cover his mistake. "I see. Well, her height and weight are in the ninety percentile. We gave her a vitamin K shot and her PKU and she's doing very well." Announces to all assembled since they all arrived together. "We don't seem to have her - what's her name?" he asked clearly at a loss as to whom to ask
Cordy and Wes look to each other. "Was this ever discussed?" They project to one another. Not sure whether to wait for Angel or give her a name and have it changed later if he doesn't like it.
"Dawn. Her name is Dawn." Angel announces. Thankfully he has arrived just in time to relieve them of that responsibility.
"Dawn." The doctor repeats and makes a note on the chart. "Thank you. Mr.--" He hesitates as he consults the chart. "Angel," Now that everything was in order he has the nurse deliver the little girl into her father's care. "And congratulations."
"Thanks."
The Doctor and the nurse leave, as Angel smiles down at Dawn. She is his whole world at this moment. Finally he realizes was said and looks up questioning, "Hey... Mr. Angel?"
"Your first name is Geraldo." Fred pipes up.
"We had to tell them something." Cordy chimes in.
"Geraldo Angel. You're a pet psychiatrist with a small practice in Pacoima. Oh, and you fight crime- we just told them the name part. The rest is me, having fun." She giggles at her little joke
"I don't know what to say." Angel blinks. He's made mental comparisons between Fred and Willow in the past but … that was more Willow than even Willow. He doesn't think on that too long before the infant squirms in his arms bringing his full attention back to her.
"How about thanks. I appreciate it. You guys rock. Way to go?" Cordy suggests sarcastically.
Angel looks up from Dawn's face "What she said," He says absently.
The double doors behind them open and Gunn comes in pushing an empty stroller. "Got the best one a very small amount of money could buy." He announces proudly. They make all the appropriate noises at this feat. Angel unsure of how to maneuver his precious bundle in to her stroller, hands her off to Cordy.
Cordy doesn't have any more experience than he does but clearly maternal instincts have kicked into overdrive as she coos to Dawn as she straps her in the stroller. "Hey, you wanna go for a ride? Oh, goodness..."
"Dawn. That's a lovely name." Wesley notes. " I don't suppose you ever considered Wes--"
"It's symbolic." Angel interrupts, "A taste of what I can have when this is all over. The 'Dawn' I can watch, appreciate and love, until I can witness the real one for the first time.
"Not to be negative or anything, but - we're okay, right?" Fred asks apprehensively, " Nobody else is coming after Dawn or us?"
"No. We're safe for the time being. - Let's go home." He assures. " Nice stroller." He adds making a point to say so directly to Gunn
"Thank you." Gunn smiles. Its nice to be appreciated.
They walk out of the waiting room together, the little princess at the head of her entourage.
CHECKPOINT
Kyle cornered me at the bike rack today. Taunting me about my height. He was calling me beanstalk and stuff. My only comeback was that he would appreciate the height on the court. Now I have to try out for the team. I hate basketball. I'm not big on the team sports. I like track and wrestling. You know, the loner sports, where it's just you and your opponent. I've been shadowing Buffy when she trains sometimes. I like stand in the back, copying the forms. I'm still not that coordinated yet. I still manage to hit myself before I make contact with the bag. I've yet to figure out how I'm doing that.
I took the shortcut behind the Archer's so I came in through the kitchen this afternoon. I tossed my book bag on the table and grabbed and apple from the bowl. I was halfway to the living room to watch TV when I hear a voice that reminds me of Cordelia.
"Well, it's the only thing keeping you alive right now. Because you may be tiny queen in vampire world..." I see her sitting in Mom's favorite chair fiddling with the fireplace poker. "...but to me, you're a bug. You should get down on your knees and worship me!"
Buffy's got this weird panic look in her eyes when she sees me walking toward them. Oh! This must be that Glory wacko. She signaling with her eyes to get out of there. I mouth 'Why?' Great now I'm getting the slayer death-look. I shrug and try to unobtrusively head toward the stairs while the headcase continues her rant.
"But oh, no, you still think it's neat having Slayer strength. Ooh, big deal! Stronger than humans! Who isn't? I could crush the life from you as easy as you'd break a nail. But I need the key."
I had almost made it to the stairs and was about the take a bite of my apple when Glory calls out, "Kid!"
I freeze in my tracks and Buffy looks super panicked.
"Come here a sec." Glory commands all jovial-like
"Leave him out of this." Buffy grinds out.
"Not asking twice," Glory sing-songs.
I approach the chair again. She has yet to look at me but she knew I was here. She must have eyes in the back of her head. But how it can see through all that hair Ill never know.
"This is between you and me." Buffy insists. And we have our last ditch attempt at sibling savage.
"No. This is between me and my key." Glory disagrees. "You just happen to be the thing in the way."
Glory lifts her hand over her head and snaps her fingers. I step into her view and cross my arms over my chest, trying to look all cool and intimidating like Angel.
She gives me the once over. "Aren't you just brimming over with potential studliness. What's your name, cutie?"
It was a compliment, but it didn't quite feel like it. "Connor."
"Connor? Did you know your sister took my key, Connie? And she won't give it back! I bet you know where she put it, don't you?"
"He doesn't know anything." Buffy protests.
"I know some stuff." I do. Not about this key thing, but I happen to know Buffy doesn't know much about this key thing either. So what game are we playing? Are we bluffing, Buff? I can do that.
"I bet she's in your stuff all the time, isn't she? Where's my key, Connor?" Oh the Wacko's trying to be my friend now. At least she isn't flirting. That would be…badness. No flirting with bad guys.
"Go upstairs, Connor." Buffy orders. Hey! I could've helped. That's it!
"You're always talking about stuff I'm not supposed to hear." Like secrets with Giles about me. Glory's interested in our exchange, but I don't care. "I'm gonna figure it out, you know." I warn her before I leave the room.
"Ooh, I like him. He's feisty." She pauses being all dramatic. "And I'll kill him. I'll kill your mom, I'll kill your friends ... and I'll make you watch when I do." Oh listen to her sigh. I can hear it all the way in the dining room. Oh her burden is so great. "Just give me the key. You either have it or you know where to find it. Obviously, this is a onetime only deal. Next time we meet, something you love dies bloody. You know you can't take me. You know you can't stop me."
I hear a clang and then the door open and close. Then there is a noise on the stairs.
"Buffy, who was that?" Mom was here the whole time?!
"Pack a bag." Buffy urges. Yeah pack a bag, Mom. I heard that threat. We need to get you out of here.
--
A Crypt! That's real safe and comfy. Buffy, what are you thinking? Mom is not well remember. Buffy slips in, careful not open the door to wide. And what's with the crypt anyway. I thought vampires hoarded treasure like dragons. At least they always do in books.
I push the door open and hold it for Mom. A beam of sunlight crosses Spikes face. He gives great girlie scream and rolls out of the way of the light until I close the door behind us. Ok, that alone and made the trip worth it.
"Oh, it's the Slayer. For a second there I was worried." He starts to rub his eyes sleepily and notices us for the first time. "Oi, what's with the family outing?"
Buffy and Spike argue quietly for a couple minutes until he backs down. He hops of his concrete bed and heads over to us. Spike is giving her this pointed 'you owe me look' but then he's all nicey-nice.
"All right then. Folks... Come on in. There's plenty of blood in the fridge."
"Do you mean like, real blood?" I ask disgusted.
"What do you think?" Oh, Is that a dare, peroxide?
"Not to my taste, thank you." I say trying out my own version of the Buffy death-glare.
Can I just say again. I don't want to be here. If Riley couldn't hack it, what kind of help is Spike going to be? But I promised Buffy I'd help Spike take care of Mom. He gets the Demons. I get the people because of the chip.
Buffy pulls Mom aside. "Keep Connor here as long as you can. I'll be back soon." She says this like I'm some imbecile who'll wander off chasing butterflies. Cut me some slack, tiny vampire queen. Heh, the only good thing I got from our convo with Glory. I got to remember to use that out loud sometime.
"Spike, I don't think I need to remind you, but-"
"Yeah, yeah, 'anything happens to 'em I'll stake you good and proper.' Sing me a new one sometime, eh? That bit's gone stale."
She gives him one more threatening look before leaving us all standing there looking at each other. Okay. Now what?
" I, I love what you've, um, neglected to do with the place." Subtle. Nice one, Mom.
" Just don't break anything." He orders and goes turn on the TV "And don't make a lot of noise. Passions is coming on."
"Passions? Oh, do you think Timmy's really dead?"
" Oh! No, no, she can just sew him back together. He's a doll, for god's sake."
" Uh, what about the wedding? I mean, there's no way they're gonna go through with that.
Its nice he's being all gentlemanly and all but ….GUH! Soap Operas. Great that's manly. Maybe he's got weapons behind the thing he was sleeping on.
SLEEP TIGHT
Justine in Wesley's car pulls up to the curb as Holtz steps out of the shadows.
"It went well?" He inquires confident that there is no other way it will end.
"Very well." She responds. "But you're paying for my dental work."
Holtz gives a small deep-throated chuckle before turning to the wide-eyed infant strapped in her car seat behind Justine.
"Hello, sweetheart. I'm you're father. And that strong lady with the black eye is your mother. Your name is Sarah Mary Elizabeth. And you're going to grow up with me on a little ranch in the middle of nowhere." He pauses and turns back to Justine. "What's it like in Utah?"
"It's pretty."
"Let's go."