Part Six:
As the weeks passed, Xander noticed the changes in Spike. He wasn't complaining about being grounded like he did last time. He was actually spending most of his time in his room, even during Xander's party last week. When Xander glanced through the door lock, he'd see Spike at his desk, studying. The final exams were approaching anyway, and Spike had to work hard if he wanted to be accepted into a good college.
Spike's chances of getting into East Anglia University were very good according to Edward Giles, Rupert Giles' cousin. Spike would major in English Literature -as shocking as it sounded. He'd been the one writing the song lyrics for his band, before it fell apart.
Xander noticed some changes in Giles as well. He was obviously blaming himself for what had happened to Spike. Giles would go into Spike's room every few hours with food or snacks, so Spike could concentrate more on studying.
Xander didn't ask about what happened that night when Spike and Giles had that fight about Spike using drugs. He'd known right away when Giles brought a counselor for Spike.
Right now, Xander was standing in front of Spike's room. For the last two weeks, he couldn't help but think about what Spike had said. The thing about him being a bastard. He guessed that Spike knew more about his parents than he did. He had waited long enough for Spike to pull himself together after the drugs incident, now it was time for answers.
He knocked on the door and heard Spike's irritated voice answer, "Stop it with the chow, Pops. I'm full."
"It's Xander."
There was a pause.
"C'mon in," came Spike's voice.
Xander opened the door a little and peered inside. Spike, looking all punk like as usual, was settling in front of his desk reading a text book. Xander pushed the door open and let himself inside. He closed the door behind him and walked to stand next to Spike, who didn't seem to acknowledge him.
"Spike, I wanna ask you something."
"Shoot," Spike simply answered, his eyes still on the text book.
Xander shifted from foot to foot. "Uh… that time when um… uh..."
He didn't know where to start. Should he start with 'remember the day you smacked me with the big spoon?' or 'remember the day you got stoned?'
"Stop stuttering and get on with it," Spike said rudely.
Xander glared. Enough with Mr. Nice Guy. "You know something I don't know about my parents. Speak up."
Spike wasn't surprised. He's waited for Xander to come asking questions for the past two weeks. He let out a chuckle and turned to look at him, surprised by how young Xander looked. He was actually thirteen? "Yeah, well, I know some stuff," he said with a teasing smile.
"Enlighten me."
Spike shrugged. "I asked Dad right after yours died about your family, but he was too upset to answer. I was angry. Wanted to know about this brat who was coming to ruin my way of living…"
"Spike," Xander interrupted.
Spike stared at him for a minute. At first he was all for hurting the boy with rude comments about his folks. But now looking into those eyes with 'hurt me now with a single word' written all over them, and Spike figured he should just get it over with and tell the kid the whole truth.
"Well, your da had a very strong relationship with an English woman. After seven years, she broke up with him. Took it hard to the point that he listened to one of his chums and went to a stripper club to perk up. After getting drunk and playing some, he woke up in the morning with a whore." Spike stopped talking and looked at Xander. The boy's arms were wrapped around his body tightly and his face was expressionless.
"Her name was Jessica Parker?" Spike asked, even though it was stupid, both of them knew that was Xander's mother's name.
Xander nodded silently. He ran a shaking hand through his hair. "So… they just slept together? No protection. I mean Dad could be very drunk but that was just plain stupid…"
"He was hurting," Spike cut him off gently. "He didn't think. As for her I… "
"She was just a slut," Xander spoke with an edge. His face had a hard grimace, as he looked down at his feet.
Spike could see the humiliation all over the boy. This wasn't the first time this woman's name was mentioned to Spike. Mr. Abrams, Parker's father, did sleep with her once. Parker was actually named after her family. Parker didn't seem broken hearted by it though.
The thought of Parker made his heart hurt a bit. It was really hard to think about him being thrown in jail for whatever time. Spike knew that he lost his friend for good now.
"So what happened then?"
Xander's question woke Spike from his musing. He looked bewildered. "What?"
"What happened after they…? Did they freak out? Did they hate…?" Xander trailed off looking down like a puppy waiting to be kicked.
Spike knew that it was up to him to either break Xander or make him feel better. Spike didn't know exactly why he disliked the boy in the first place. The first thought that came to Spike's mind the moment he heard his father was adopting a kid was how his life would be disturbed. Kids were annoying, screaming, running about, breaking stuff… actually if you look at it, Spike had been the one who gave Xander a hard time since he came here. He'd always mocked him, broke his project, locked him in the basement and hit him with a big spoon. Maybe it was Spike who had been the little monster.
"Spike?"
Spike jumped out of his thoughts. "What?"
"Answer me!" Xander urged, annoyed. "What happened next?"
"If you keep whining like this, I won't tell," Spike warned. "Ask nicely."
Xander rolled his eyes. "Would you please continue, oh kind sir?"
Spike nodded in approval. "Well, to be honest, your mum didn't want anything to do with you, but your father was willing to take care of you." He looked at Xander seriously. "I really don't know if he thought that you were a burden or not. I didn't know your Pops. But since he didn't drop you at a foster home I'm sure he wanted you around."
"Way to cheer me up," Xander said sarcastically.
Spike grimaced. "Now, I told you what you want, get out and close the door behind you."
Xander sighed and walked towards the door, paused, "Thanks," he whispered.
"You're still here?"
Xander turned to stare at Spike with shock. Spike gestured with his hand at Xander as if he was ordering a dog. "Go."
"Unbelievable," Xander said with a huff.
He got out and closed the door behind him. Turning to his text book, Spike just smiled.
Spike inhaled as he stood in the airport, backpack on his shoulder, and was looking at the people going here and there. A new excitement went through his body and made him shudder. He was going to England. To college. Become a man. A stupid grin filled his face.
He was leaving at last. He was getting out of Sunnydale's poisonous atmosphere. Everything went wrong in the last month. Spike's smile faded as he remembered, drugs, Parker in jail, their band shattering. He and Oz weren't that close anymore, and he didn't know what became of Devon. It was so good to get out of all of this mess. College would be different. Spike was sure.
He spotted his father coming towards him after he took care of his luggage. Rupert gave him back his passport. "All right, I think you're settled now," he said softly.
Spike nodded. "Thank you." He looked at his watch. There were only a few minutes until they called the passengers for the flight.
"So this is it," Rupert said, smiling.
Spike looked up and smiled back. "Yeah." He noticed the sad look in his father's eyes. Their relationship had just begun to improve. Spike actually started to enjoy spending time with the old man. His father knew how to play the guitar, and they sang together on a few occasions.
Although he and his father started to come to good terms, he and Xander didn't come near any progress. They still fought and annoyed Rupert like hell. Xander had said that he would kill himself rather than come to the airport and say goodbye to Spike.
"So will I be missed? Or is it good riddance?" Spike joked to lighten the mood.
His father had a disapproving grimace on his face. "You know I'll miss you."
"I know, Pops. Just teasing." Spike kept grinning. "Besides, I'll visit or you can visit. You and the brat… if he wanted to anyway," he finished, shrugging carelessly.
"I'm sure he would." Rupert's eyes turned very serious. "If you needed anything, Edward will be there, or you can call home. I'll be there."
Spike was touched. He smiled again. "Of course."
A woman's voice rose announcing that the plane to London was about to leave. Spike sighed. "So that's my plane." He looked up at Rupert. "Now begins the college years."
Rupert placed a hand on Spike's shoulder. "I… I'm very proud of you," his voice wavered saying that, and then he pulled Spike into a very tight hug.
Spike hugged his father back as tight, burying his face in his father's shoulder. They hugged for a while until they heard a call telling the passengers to get on the plane. They parted and looked at each other for a bit then Spike walked to the entrance.
End Stage One.