Thank you again to my lovely beta, the_bronze, without their steady hand and reigning in of my sometimes ridiculous flights of fancy, I'd be lost.

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They left at dusk. Spike figured that it would take a couple of days to get back to Sunnyhell but Faith had insisted that she would drive during the day so that they would arrive sometime the next evening.

Dawn had stayed up the night before at Spike's insistence. She needed to get back into school mode and Spike surprisingly took the stern parent role in the absence of Joyce. He wasn't even smoking in the car, as not to disturb her sleep or dirty her precious pink lungs. God, he was making himself sick with what a ponce he had become in such a short time.

"Since we don't want to get sick of each other and we're stuck in this damn car, wanna play a game or something?" Faith looked over him as the lights whizzed by.

"Not much for I Spy luv", Spike replied.

Faith shrugged and turned on the radio.

"The Clash … bitchin!" Faith yelled as she started to drum on the dash.

Spike glanced into the rearview mirror and noticed the comatose Dawn was in. He cranked up the radio a little louder.

"Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

Faith smiled as he joined in her singing.

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"So how'd you get the soul anyway?"

"And now we come to the banter portion of the evening."

"Seriously jackass, I figure with you being a white hat and all, we're going to be throwing in together and I'm having trust issues given that you are a vampire and I am a slayer."

"Good witch went bibbidy boppity boo 'cause I'm working for the good guys and fate and blah blah blah. Don't want to bore you with the same old story luv. Mostly, the thing itches and makes me feel like shit for the things I've done. Went a bit loopy but a crowbar on the noggin from the Little Bit made me as close to right as rain as a fella like me can be."

"You were some bad news back in the day. My watcher warned me about all the older vamps and made me read up on you."

"Bloody hell, is there a Time Life series of a damned book that I should be getting royalties for?"

"Standard issue. The Aurelian line. Especially the Whirlwind was the stuff slayer nightmares are made out of. Before my watcher died, Diana, she made me read a lot of stuff when I wasn't out slaying."

"Sorry bout your watcher luv."

"Yeah, hope that son of a bitch screams for eternity, entombed in cement."

"Such cuddly thoughts. The things we did, the four of us. Me, Dru, Angelus and Darla, makes me sick to my stomach with this damned soul. We reveled in the kill. I'm no whiny ponce, I killed because I had to eat but we were savages and made death an art form. I could save the damned world a dozen times and I don't think it will make up for what I've done."

"Then why bother?"

"Made a promise to a girl."

"Geeze, for a monster you are such a softie."

"Shut your gob, strumpet."

"Great, now I want a pastry."

"I said strumpet, not strudel." He sighed.

"When can we get back to listening to music?"

"You're a complete prick. I knew I liked you for a reason."

Spike pulled the car over. He was getting tired and soon the sun would come up.

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Spike was sleeping the sleep of the dead when he felt a hand hit his arm repeatedly, jerking him out of his slumber.

"Dude, wake up. I'm bored.

"Get the Bit up then."

"I tried. She's a brick. A snoring, drooling brick."

"Bloody teenagers. Bloody slayers."

"C'mon, I'm bored and the radio doesn't have anything good on this morning."

There was a long awkward silence.

"Why didn't you kill me anyway? I'm a slayer, you're a vampire. For all intents and purposes you had every right to kill me. Why didn't you kill me?"

"Frightened at the thought of contracting syphilis from your blood?"

Faith gawped at him.

"Seriously Spike, c'mon man."

"Right then, looks like I'm not getting sleep then. No kip for this old codger."

"Roll down the windows, maybe some air will help."

"If not, me being on fire will be a great pick me up!"

"Shit, I forgot. Kinda strange that you can drive in this car."

"Necro-Glass, filters out all the little rays that make me a crispy cracker. Cost a bundle but I figured the old girl needed an upgrade. Been with me for a few years and a lot more miles so nothings too good for her."

"Drawing away from your unhealthy car obsession, my earlier question?"

"I'm a bloody white hat. Does me no good to go off half-corked, killing people on my side."

"Does it feel weird?"

"Of course it bloody does! A while back you were all just happy meals on legs, gorging myself on the blood of the innocent was a fun Friday afternoon and now I get misty at the thought of a kicked puppy! I should be going as barmy as Dru but for some reason beyond my comprehension, I've just accepted my role in the scheme of things and it feels good to be good. I feel complete in a way that I've never felt before. It feels natural and that unnerves me most of all."

"Maybe you're just getting in touch with your inner human?"

"That Princess Margaret, makes my Anne Rice routine seem regular in comparison."

"Huh?"

"He was a bit of a tool."

The rest of the morning was filled with tales of the ponce William Pratt which made way for tales of the Lehane clan and their screwed up dynamic. Neither knew why they were being so vocal or open but for some reason, the conversation flowed and for every mile that passed, so did the weight neither of them knew was on their shoulders. Spike realized he had never had an ear in Dru or anyone for that matter in over a hundred years and it felt good to know that someone could be even more than a little screwed up, being on the same path to redemption as him."

Dawn promptly woke up at the crack of noon to the music and conversation spilling out of the front seats.

"What's goin on?", Dawn said groggily, rubbing her eyes and pushing herself forward.

"We thought you were dead half pint and we were waiting for you to rise from your grave. It was touch and go whether I was gonna have to stake you." Faith looked at her in the rearview mirror.

"So not funny," Dawn deadpanned.

"Breakfast is in that bag beside you, though it may be a little cold there, Van Winkle."

Dawn started stuffing her face with a breakfast burrito and as she listened to Spike and Faith go back and forth, she decided being kidnapped wasn't that bad after all.

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As soon as the car pulled into the driveway of 1630 Revello Drive, the front door opened and a very ragged and frantic Joyce stepped out on the porch.

"DAWN? BUFFY?", came a dear soaked shout.

"MOM!" Dawn flew out of the car like it was on fire and as if on cue, her mother flew into the front yard.

They collapsed in a heap, hugging and sobbing on the lawn. Spike was taken off kilter when they were joined by an equally disheveled Watcher. They seemed oblivious to all around them and Joyce's frailty was belied as she carried her daughter into the house with the librarian in tow.

"Guess we should take a smoke break?" Spike looked towards Faith who simply shrugged.

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Spike and Faith sat on the porch for the better part of an hour. Neither had anywhere else to go and were discussing their options when the front door creaked open. Giles emerged holding a bottle of scotch and three glasses. Without a word he gave them both a glass and filled them, following with his.

"To the Summers women, who are the most remarkable trio I have ever had the pleasure to have met".

They all raised their glasses and took a drink, still staying quiet.

Spike was lost in his own thoughts about the toast when he was surprised by the large hand thrust out into his line of vision. He looked up to see that Giles was attached to it. He stood and accepted a hearty handshake. Spike finally allowed his glance to meet the librarian's and he was disarmed at the look in the man's eye.

"Words cannot express the gratitude I need to extend to you at this moment, William. You saved my life and you've brought one the girls I've come to think of as my daughter home to her mother. I cannot trust you because all that you have done and my history with vampires meaning well; but understand that although you do not have my trust, you are starting to earn my respect ."

Spike was taken back by the strong words and could merely nod in reply as the British in both men took hold.

Giles then turned to Faith, clearing his throat and polishing his glasses.

"And you must be the Slayer Dawn spoke of. I shall get in contact with the Council shortly. It seems they lost track of you shortly after you were called."

Faith looked at the ground, suppressing the tears she felt building and nodded.

"We ran into Kokistos and my Watcher was killed. I fled but he caught up with me in Texas."

Giles face took on a more drawn look.

"I'm dreadfully sorry for your loss. I will bring this to the attention of the Council and we will draw up a plan of action. On that note, to Kendra and the loss of a friend and fighter."

They all raised their glasses again.

"Where is Buffy?", Spike interjected and almost immediately Giles was lost in thought. He drained his glass, poured himself another and swallowed that as well.

"She left. Joyce went to her room the night you left and found her room empty with a goodbye letter. Willow and Xander couldn't accept it and they along with Oz and Cordelia went off in search of her. Joyce was left alone without her daughters so I stayed here to keep watch and pick up the pieces."

"I was wondering why you were here. I didn't want to say anything but it's none of my business but I can smell her on you." Spike said.

"Yes well. Left alone with our grief and tears, we somehow turned to each other. I loved the girls as much as a father could and now it seems I've fallen hopelessly in love with their mother."

Spike could sense the discomfort from the man as they broached the topic. He had that stiff upper lip and changed the subject quickly.

"So they've seen hide nor hair of the slayer on their travels?"

"Sadly no. Though the last time I spoke with Willow, she hoped that her plan to 'make everything right again' would work."

Spike sighed only inwardly. His heart had been heavy with thoughts of her and now that he knew she was definitely not dead, it made him feel completely relieved.

"Well," Spike said

"We're here now and I'm hazarding a guess that you know of my new status as part of the home team. You've got a slayer and now a master vampire to help with all your Hellmouth troubles."

"Extraordinary. I was wondering if it was just one of Dawn's flights of fancy. Were you cursed? Did you seek it out?"

"Of course I didn't seek it out! You think I'm daft? Thing feels like broken glass with every thought of my former life. As absurd as it sounds, I was approached by a witch who said I was a big part of the balance of good and evil and I needed to fight on the right side. No asking or anything , just thrust the bloody thing in me and Bob's your uncle."

"Remarkable. Maybe because it wasn't a curse, you were able to deal with it better than certain parties. I'm intrigued as to how functional and adaptable you are being with all this."

"Color me confused as well. No bloody clue why I'm so fine with the whole situation." Spike sighed as he lit up a smoke.

"While Joyce has been otherwise occupied with her reunion with her youngest child, I've been instructed to offer you and Faith a place to stay as long as you need it. Faith can have the couch and you may take the cot in the basement if you wish. We can never repay you for what you both have done for us today."

"Cool, show me the way to the pull out. Haven't slept in a day and I'm ready to hit the sleepy trail", Faith called as she stretched.

"Seems like we are taking advantage of your hospitality Watcher." Spike followed the duo inside.

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Spike was awoken in the early morning hours by a creak in the basement steps. He was still tired but he opened an eye to see Joyce standing a short way away from him.

"Would you mind standing up, Spike?" She said almost timidly.

"Sorry, of course was there anything you needed?" Spike scrambled in his tired state and stood.

He was almost knocked back to the floor as she crashed into him, sobbing.

He was uncomfortably mortified as she crushed him in a hug and buried her face in his shoulder.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for bringing my baby back home. I had no idea where she was and she just spent the night telling me how good you've been to her and how you rescued her and just thank you! Thank you, thank you my dear boy."

She covered his face in kisses as he tried to get a word in edge ways. Finally, she seemed to regain her senses as she straightened her bathrobe and took a deep breath.

"Now that that is out of the way, would you like coffee or cocoa or something?" she smiled warmly at him.

"That depends. You got those little marshmallows?" Spike replied.

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Things seemed to settle into a routine. The gallery wasn't making any money with Joyce staying at home and the school year was just a few short weeks away. Still the spectre of Buffy hung over them all. They knew she was alive but it felt like a part of them all was stuck in some limbo with her gone. Even Faith could feel the hole in the world around everyone without Buffy in their lives.

Spike hid it from the others but he was just as affected as the rest of them.

The council was sending another Watcher for Faith but there was no telling when he would arrive so Giles filled the role in his stead.

Giles was astounded by what the presence of the enemy within their ranks, who wasn't just on the outside looking in but taking an active part did for Faith's training. She actually read anything that Giles put before her and absorbed her training like a sponge. She would spar with Spike for hours upon hours and the Watcher would just sit back, astounded at the speed and brutality and energy they both put into the exercise.

Faith would always make the Watcher cringe every time she would say that training just made her hungry and horny but she was having the time of her life. Getting to kick ass as the Slayer and spending time with them all made her feel like part of something bigger. Joyce had taken a special interest in her and made sure to include her and Spike in everything they did. She would later tell Spike that beyond that tough exterior, Faith was a sweet little bird with a broken wing that only needed some positive attention to heal and fly.

Giles insisted that Faith enroll at Sunnydale High and continue her education. After quite a battle between them, Faith finally relented.

Spike loved the fight in this one. She wasn't as focused and homed in as Buffy but then again, he hadn't met anyone like Buffy in all his years. Her mum and little sis were no exception. As strong-headed as they were compassionate, they found a way into his heart. He talked with Giles over scotch for hours on end and consented to the watcher keeping a diary of their conversations. The old librarian was obsessed with the amount of knowledge of the darker side of things that he possessed and it wiled away the hours. Joyce was as much a mum to him as his own biological mother had been and he enjoyed her company over hot cocoa on many a night. Unlife was pretty good.

But every once and a while, when no one was looking, he would slip upstairs and into Buffy's room. Her smell surrounded him and his yearning enveloped him and he wondered if this was what love felt like with a soul.