A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. I think I should clarify a few things: first of all, anything that happened in the "real" BtVS universe happened here. Well, up till before the last 5 episodes of S7, at least. Secondly, JB was adopted. From somewhere in Tibet. And no one knows who his "real" parents were. More on that later. And third of all, Spike does have a part-time job, teaching at UC Sunnydale. More on that can be found in "My Mommy and Daddy," chapter 12. And does he write stories? Hmm…

October 1, 2019—Morning (Or, le matin, as Mlle Madison is trying to get us to use.)

Drip.

Drip.

Cold and dark.

I was sitting on a cold stone floor, arms wrapped around my knees. Cold, cold arms.

Somewhere far away, I heard something creak. Some part of me acknowledged that it was a door opening. I felt a certain anticipation, almost eagerness.

And barely contained violence.

I clenched my hands into fists and realized there were shackles around the wrists. I was a prisoner here, wherever here was. A prisoner, and I wasn't very happy about it, whomever I happened to be.

Footsteps echoing on the stone floor. That…eagerness…again. Muscles I didn't realize my arm possessed began to ripple in preparation. And I felt coiled strength flow through my veins. Strength I wasn't sure that even the Slayer possessed. And all this strength was focusing, preparing. For what?

Then I realized. Whoever I was, wherever I was, this was my last day in this place. I was gonna get the hell outta here.

And I really wanted to kill something.

Tuesday again. Argh, those accursed Tuesdays.

First off, Aunt Faith. We saw her last night on patrol. Or actually, we didn't actually see her, but Dad said he smelled her. Somewhere around the Sunnydale dump.

Which I think should have been funny, or something.

Anyway, we definitely dusted quite a few minions. Minions who foolishly admitted that they were Faith's. So she was preparing, regrouping. Readying for some sort of attack. Why else would she turn all those bodybuilders?

Another topic. Guess who's back in town?

Uncle Angel found her staring with large, dead eyes through the hotel room's window, singing about blackberries and lambs. I so won't think about that particular song. Because if I thought really hard, I'm pretty sure I can recall the tune.

Anyway, she almost gave him a heart attack…well, at least she would have if his heart was still beating.

Anyway, that's what has Dad really pissed right now. Her. I think part of him is still jealous that Drusilla went to find Uncle Angel and not him, not that he'd ever admit it. So of course he takes it out on me. You wouldn't believe the inquisition I got regarding the people I hang out with, my friends. He said he wanted to make sure they weren't bad influences. And of course he spent most of the time asking who the hell that guy in the Bronze had been.

I insisted that we were just friends, but I think the traitorous blush gave me away. Damn.

That resulted in pacing and yelling and more grounding. And also very imaginative threats as to what will become of JB. I promised that I wouldn't "snog" with the "bloody pillock," whatever that meant. But only because Dad promised to do something not-nice to JB's various parts.

I'll ask Uncle Rupert what those words mean later. See if I can find a loophole or something. After all, I didn't promise not to sneak out to see him or anything, right?

Oh God, I hope he's still interested. I hope he doesn't think I'm a total loser with a screwed-up, way too uptight and overprotective family.

Gotta go now. Aunt Dawn's gonna drive me and Jesse to school.