A.N. I'm changing one thing, in the beginning of this fic I put in an author's note that Darla was staked by Buffy. That's changed now, if it wasn't this chapter would make no sense. So that's the only thing different. Enjoy.

Chapter 16

February 17, 2005

From the shadows the vampiress watches as the Slayer kills her Childe. "Dammit, if only he hadn't awoken so soon." She snarls. Why do Slayers always fuck up everything she works so hard for, that blonde bitch took her sweet boy away, now the brunette staked her most recent Childe.

Darla had the perfect plan, turn the Slayers father and teach him the fine art of torture then let him loose on the girl. Weeks before she had come up with her entire plan and decided on which parent to turn, she wouldn't be able to stand the female, never did like other women encroaching on her territory. So she decided on the father, besides he could do much more delicious things to the Slayer than the mother.

Unfortunately her timetable was sped up when that Phillip Evans crashed into the Parker's car. Darla was lucky she and a minion been following the Parker's for a few nights than and she managed to have her minion turn the father before he died and wouldn't be able to bring him back. That would have screwed up her plan, besides Fred and the boy, the Slayer has no other relatives at least none that will relish in torturing her before killing her.

Jeff Parker wasn't handsome like Angelus but he did have darkness in him, he had a past he never told his beloved family. She dug into his past, seems Jeffrey Parker had a bit of a mean streak…of course by her standards it was small time stuff, however human standards it was major.

While working for his uncle when he was fifteen to twenty-five he was his uncle's bodyguard. Now that is the nice term for it, but basically Jeff did Uncle Pete's dirty work, murder, beatings, robberies, even one count of rape. Although the rape allegation was found to be false everything else is true.

After Jeff killed the first girl he loved by driving drunk and then meeting Nancy he decided to give up that life, his uncle as a favor to him made sure all the records of his transgressions were erased and destroyed. Later he had Liz and according to many people in town doted on her like she was a princess, never rose a voice or hand to her, she had him wrapped around her little finger.

Snorting Darla continues to watch as Spike, her Great-grandchilde, catches and comforts the meddlesome little bitch. Angelus, her boy strokes her hair whispering sweet assurances in her ear, Spike carries her to the car and sets her in the backseat next to her son. Darla is surprised that Angelus and Spike didn't feel that Jeffrey was apart of their family line, being around humans must have weakened their senses.

Shaking her head Darla turns away as the Desoto drives from the cemetery. She'd have to rethink her game plan if she wanted to kill that Slayer. That little boy looks to be a weakness for the Slayer, maybe he can be her way to breaking and killing her.

Slayers have ruined her family for the last time. Quickly Darla disappears into the night returning to her fancy hotel room in the center of the town, it wasn't like the shit-holes on the outskirts, this hotel is the kind of class she's used too. She'll get that little bitch of a Slayer if it's the last thing she does.

Crashdown Café

With ease Spike maneuvers his DeSoto into the parking lot in back stopping the car next to Liz's new PT Cruiser. He and Angel the entire way back have been communicating through the mind, vampires in the same line can do that easily, next to hunting it was the first thing that is learnt.

The Poofter and he agreed they'd be going back the cemetery after Liz feel asleep, they had to make sure Nancy isn't a vampire as well. If she is then he and Angel will take care of it, Liz shouldn't have to stake her father as well as her mother.

Spike glances in the rearview mirror and stares at Liz stroking Lucas's dark blonde locks gazing longingly at their son. The thoughts written across her face could have very well been his own thoughts, she wished so much more for Lucas then vampires and demons lurking around every corner. Wanted their family to be normal and ignorant of the things that go bump in the night.

"Ready to go inside Pet?" He whispers so not to wake Lucas from his deep sleep.

Liz doesn't say a word she only nods. Slowly she leaves the back seat and leans back in unhooking Lucas's car-seat and lifting him gently out from the car. "Spike?" She mumbles, if it isn't for his supernatural senses he would have missed it.

"Yes luv?" Ready and willing to take care of any need she may have.

"If she's a vampire," tears rise and begin to cloud her vision. "If she's a vampire, please don't tell me. I don't wanna know." Liz wasn't sure she'd be able to take it if her mother is a vampire as well. She may not have heard what Angel and Spike were 'talking' about but she knows that if it were anybody but her parents she would be back at the cemetery checking on the other body.

Spike smiles sadly, "Not to worry, if she is, you'll never know." It's a complete lie, Liz knows that, so does he, she'll know because he'll tell her if her mother isn't a vampire. And at some point when her grief lessens she'll be able to feel her mother if she is the undead.

Carrying Lucas in her arms she, Spike, and the rest of her friends, Alex and Serena included, all walk into the Crashdown. Standing in the middle of the room dancing to a tune only she can hear in her crazy head is a vampiress in a black and red simple yet expensive gown. As if sensing instead of hearing the audience she stops and turns towards the group.

"Dru?"

Max Evans Home

"Ok, what the hell was all that." Maria shouts to the room still unnerved over what occurred in the cemetery that night. Never in all her time with the aliens has she seen anything like the dead suddenly breaking out their coffin and then exploding into dust because their daughter sticks something into their chest.

Max and Michael shrug their shoulders, "And you think any of us would know Maria?" Michael questions; this isn't exactly their area of expertise either. Then again everything since Liz has come back is uncharted territory.

"This is too weird even for me." Tess takes a seat next to Kyle rubbing her forehead. Why is it that every time the entire group is together she starts to get the beginnings of a headache? Kyle taking pity on her massages her sore shoulders relieving some of the tension.

"And what about those two guys, the ones whose faces changed. That—I don't even know what that was but I do not want to get into a fight with them." Kyle speaks up. With those two guys guarding Liz like they were tonight would he get a chance to talk to her about his and her son before she left for LA. She did say that she'd talk to him but after tonight that might not happen.

"Listen I have a fairly easy solution." Isabel speaks from her place on the recliner. "Why don't we wait till tomorrow to ask Liz what the Hell is going on? It's a lot better than sitting here coming up with scenario's." She snaps her gaze to Max. "And don't try to lie Max you know that's exactly what we would be doing, lets all go home, get some rest and deal with this tomorrow." She stands up and along with Michael leaves Max's home.

Tess nods, "Iz is right. I'm tired and I'm going to bed. See you two tomorrow." Darren, Maria's wife—husband, is off in New York. He mentioned something about a deal, yea right, it's clear to anyone who met the man that he's gay. Darren and Maria never have sex, this is according to Maria, and he's always gone on trips.

Now those aren't red flags for being gay however the fact Darren knows more about fashion then any normal woman is suspicious. Not to mention he comments on guys bodies like they are ambrosia and he's a Greek God ready to devour them. Tess is sure Maria knows but is only using him to get a record deal, which if he hasn't come through by now, he's not going to. She and Kyle climb into the car and begin their drive home. Tomorrow is sure to be interesting.

TBC