Title: Going Back
Author: Inquisitive1
Email: inquisitive1@angelfire.com or 2inquisitive1@angelfire.com
Rating: This part is PG for minor swearing. Later parts will be rated anything
Distribution: Will be found at my site: http://www.angelfire.com/tv/inqstive1sfanfiction/index.html and at Fanfiction.net and on Listbot and my Egroups: Inquisitive1supdates and on other Egroup pages. Anyone else want it ask first.
Disclaimer: I own only the characters you don't recognize (though I wish I owned Angel, but alas I don't). The characters belong to the lucky people who came up with them.
Feedback: Let me know what you think
___________________
Chapter 3
"Hey Finn" a voice calls
Riley turns around to find a tall black man heading his way "Forrest" he greets
"What's wrong man?" Forrest asks seeing the look on his friends face
Riley shrugs "Nothing man. Just thinking"
"How's the girlfriend?" Forrest asks
"She's spending time with a friend from out of town." he answers his mind remembering the look on Buffy's face when she saw Angel and then Dominick.
"Oh trouble on the horizon?" Forrest questions
"No." Riley answers "Forrest do you ever get the feeling that doing this job is going to be your downfall?"
Forrest looks at his friend shocked "No. What has the little lady gotten to you?" he demands his voice angry
"NO" Riley answers "Its just I'm not so sure about all this" he sighs walking away
Forrest watches his friend "Something has gotten into you man. I bet its Summers" he growls in annoyance
**** Factory Warehouse *****
"Hello my boy" a tall grey haired man greets entering Dominick's room
"What do you want?" Dominick growls looking at the intruder
"Just wanted to see how its going" he soothes
"You brought me here for what?" Dominick growls "To watch my dead parents be all moony over each other?" he asks
"No."
"Why then did you bring me out? Send me here?" he growls
"You'll understand" the sorcerer answers "When the time is right" he says disappearing
"Damn it" he growls tossing a chair across the room he grabs a shirt and pulling it on he heads outside into the daylight. His mind and heart, much to his disgust, are screaming for Kieran. Trying to clear his head he starts to run the normal mortal pace. Every once in a while when no one is looking he jumps walls and fences being drawn to the proximity of Kieran.
**** Giles' Apartment ****
Kieran is helping the others research when she closes the book and yawns "Giles got any food round here?" she asks stretching
"Um check and see what's in the kitchen" he answers without looking up
"Thanks" Kieran says standing going into the kitchen she checks the fridge finding nothing she checks the cupboard. Finding nothing to eat she calls "I'm gonna order a pizza. Anyone else up for one?"
"Sure" Xander replies
"What's the quickest pizza place?" she asks
"Domino's 555-6789" Xander calls getting chuckles from everyone
Kieran nods dialing "Yes I'd like a large Canadian bacon and Pineapple, hold on a sec" she requests "Xander?"
"Everything minus peppers extra cheese" Xander request.
Kieran relays it. "Anyone else?" she asks
"Mushroom with sausage" Willow asks
"That all?" Kieran asks. Getting no answer she turns back and says "That's it"
"Address?" the other person asks. Kieran gives it and hangs up. "20 minutes they said"
"Good I'm hungry" Xander whines
"Shut up" Spike growls at the teen
"Bite me" Xander retorts "Oh wait you can't" he smirks
"Careful Xander he won't have that chip forever" Kieran grins
"Really pet? I get this thing out of my head" Spike asks excitedly
Kieran nods "Before we were born"
"How?" Buffy demands
"Dunno." Kieran shrugs "Never told me"she answers doing a handstand. "Or if I was told I was zoned when it was mentioned." she balances herself on one hand. "I never was one for paying attention to anything that didn't involve my name being said."
"Not surprised" jokes Xander
"Hey Kieran" Tara calls
"Huh?" she grunts
"What's with the sunglasses? Why do you wear them all the time?" she asks curious
"My eyes are somewhat sensitive to light. Its not as bad now. Buffy had to start putting sunglasses on me and Dom by the time we could walk. Our eyes tend to change at any minute. Depending on our mood and the situation. Dominick was able to control his change by the age of 6. I wasn't I've just begun to control it but wearing them is like a habit around people." she answers walking on her hands
"How do you do that?" asks Willow amazed
"Years of practice" she says switching to one hand she does a flip out of the handstand as she smells pizza. "Finally" she sighs going to the door. She opens the door and finds the pizzaman standing there
"Four pizzas" he says "30.60"
Kieran hands him the money taking the pizzas from him "Keep the change" she says
"Thanks" the delivery man says as Kieran shuts the door
Kieran hands the others their pizzas "Food" she sighs happily grabbing a slice of pizza she takes a huge bit.
"God you eat like Xander" Cordelia complains
Kieran shrugs and swallows "I'm hungry" she responds
"Xander do you have to eat that it is so bad for you" Anya whines
"Don't diss my pizza" Xander replies his mouth full
"Hey Xander whats the most you've eaten in one day?" Kieran asks curiously
He frowns thoughtfully as he chews then answers "Two pizzas, six Twinkies, a bag of Cheetos, and a box of the Colonel"
"That is a lot" Buffy groans in disgust
Kieran laughs "No it isn't. Once I bet the football team I could eat more than them"
"The football team?! God those guys demolish food. They inhale it" Buffy remarks
"Who won?" Xander asks
Kieran raises her eye brow "Duh me. I ate three pizzas, sweet and sour pork and chicken, Rice, a pound bag of Skittles, three bags of popcorn, and a hot fudge sundae."
"You beat the football team on that?" Xander says amazed "How?"
Kieran smirks "If you ever want to win an eating contest watch one of those surgery movies on the learning channel. They all lost their lunch by the time the one with the lady in labor came on. They all ran out of there." she laughs "None of them will ever be around when someones in labor. And if the world's lucky they'll never have kids the planet has enough idiots as it is."
"What did you win?" Xander asks
Kieran polishes off her slice before answering "300 bucks. Man I had fun with that money." she frowns "Though I ended up grounded for two weeks"
"What did you do to get grounded?" Buffy asks
"Jacked the vice Prinicpal's car and drove to Mexico with some friends and got stoked..big time. On our way back we got arrested for underage drinking, speeding, driving without a license and stealing a car." she shakes her head and chuckles "And my boyfriend at the time was arrested for possession."
"Wow what happened?" Willow asks her eyes wide
"Besides the grounding...um I had to do 100 hours community service. No license until I'm 18. Detention for three months straight. But the good thing about the whole thing the vice Principal transfered out."
"Wow and they thought Buffy was bad." Xander says amazed shaking his head
"Hey you burn down one school and blow up another" she mutters "and your punished for life."
"Actually your rep is notorious at Idiots 'R' Us. Many have tried to out do your rep but I'm the only one to pass it. I've run a Prinicpal and a vice Prinicipal out of school. Three teachers left citing stress brought on by my pranks and temper. Plus the occassional tendency to destroy property"
"So what? You have a temper" Spike shrugs
Kieran looks at her father and sees the amusement in his blue eyes "You'd think that they'd understand that. But nooo you slam a head into a wall and they label you as having violent tendencies." she sighs
"Violent?! That's close to homicidal" Xander exclaims fearful
Kieran sees the look on his face "Chill. As long as you don't piss me off like that you have no worries. Besides it takes a lot to get me to lose my temper like that."
******
That evening Kieran and Spike are patrolling in the cemetary each silent in their thoughts. Finally, Spike speaks "Pet? How'd you get your name?"
Kieran shoves her hands in her pockets and shrugs her shoulders "I'm not sure. I never asked and was never told."
"Oh" Spike says lighting up a cigarette they are silent again. As they reach the park Spike and Kieran sit on the swings as they slowly swing. "How'd me and the Slayer end up together?"
Kieran looks up at the dark sky and she slowly begins to tell the story. "You and Angel patched up your differences when he and Buffy got back together and he returned to Sunnydale. When Buffy told everyone she was pregnant they said she wasn't allowed to Slay. Angel was still working in LA so he asked you to move into the mansion to keep an eye on Buffy"
"So me and Blondie become friends?" he asks in faint disgust
"Yes you and Buffy still argued but you became friends. You stayed at the mansion even after Dominick was born to help with the Slaying and you would occassionally baby sit him. When he was 3 years old Faith was released from jail. Buffy and Angel asked her to move in so that they could help her and keep an eye on her." she stops talking and sees Spike is watching her his expression sad. She looks down at her feet as she continues the story "They tell me that you two were always goofing off and partying. You were friends"
"Did I love her?" Spike asks curiously
"I'm not sure." she admits "You rarely ever talked about her. I know you cared about her though." she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a picture of Spike and Faith with Kieran she hands it to him "This is one of the few pictures of the three of us."
Spike looks at the picture. He sees the happy looks on his and Faith's faces as they play with infant. "You were a cute tyke. How old were you?"
"Two or three months old. It wasn't long after that was taken that she died... and you... left." she says her voice sad.
"Oh." he pauses "Pet how did Faith and I end up together?"
Kieran turns and looks at Spike "All I know is that when Faith told you she was pregnant you stayed."
Spike growls surprising Kieran enough to make her jump startled. "You're my child of course I stayed."
Kieran snorts in disbelief "Oh yeah you just waited until she died and left me with no parents. So very kind" she says sarcastically her voice tinged with sadness and anger.
Spike sees the pain and anger in the familiar blue eyes. "Kieran" he begins his voice light. When Kieran looks away "Kieran look at me" he growls not getting a response he crouches before her "Kieran I'm sorry for whatever I do in the future. I'm sure I had my reasons for leaving. You said I came back for you."
Kieran shakes her head her eyes filled with pain. She stands up moving away her body radiates with anger. She looks at Spike her eyes flashing yellow she retorts "You don't get it do you? She died, you left, you came back and we left Sunnydale and the people who took care of me. Then when we all live together for 6 years they leave again. Lets not forget all the times we moved just after I was settled in." she looks away then back meeting Spike's eyes she continues "Lets not forget the fact that you die when I'm 13. Then I had to leave my friends again to return to Sunnydale. God do you realize between the time you die and now I lose everyone- Joyce, Wesley, Cordelia, Xander, Anya, Willow, Giles, a bunch of friends- human and vampire, Dru, Buffy and three months ago Angel and a few days after that Dominick left town. And now here I am in the past trying to save my own future while I have to see everyone I'm going to lose lets not forget to add that I could lose my best friend thus I could die and so could..." she stops herself before she reveals her secret quickly she tries to cover up. "You don't understand how hard this is for me Daddy, to be here knowing that I will have to say good-bye to you again." she finishes her voice hard as she tries to keep from crying she looks at Spike. She sees the sadness, confusion, pain, and anger in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, pet" Spike apologizes moving closer to her he places his hands on her shoulders as he stands infront of her. "But now that I know all this I won't let it happen again."
Kieran smiles sadly at him "It'll happen the same way Daddy."
"How?" Spike demands "You've told us about the future."
"Like I told you you won't remember when we're gone." she pulls away from his grasp."If you were able to remember it then I most likely would never exist."
"Why did you?" Spike demands "Why'd ya tell me if I'm just gonna forget?"
"Mostly because..." she pauses looking at her feet "because I needed to. There are so many things in my life that I want to talk to you about. So many things you weren't around for. I miss having you to talk to" she laughs sadly "Sure you have a tendency to change topics and ramble but at least we talked. About everything... but Faith. We were close, we would talk for hours. I miss that" she sighs sitting down at a nearby picnic table
Spike follows sitting beside her leaning forward on his forearms. "Pet what happened in your timeline?"
Kieran turns sideways to face Spike "What do you want to know?"
"Dunno luv. Tell me 'bout your childhood." he suggests "what you were like"
"Um. Faith died when I was 4 months old."
Spike interrupts "How'd she die?"
"A group of demons were hired to kill her. One night you were patrolling because Buffy and Dominick had gone to LA for the weekend to visit Angel because he couldn't get away. Normally when Buffy and Angel weren't home, I would stay with Joyce. You guys always made sure at night that two of you were home while the other two patrolled. But this time Joyce had to leave town on an emergency and everyone else was busy, so you went on patrol while Faith watched me."
Kieran closes her eyes as she continues "They figure that Faith had been reading to me when she heard something and went to investigate and that when she returned to the room to check on me she found the demons there. I asked Buffy once why Faith didn't put up much of a fight, she told me that the only reason Faith wouldn't have fought back was me. Buffy said that you found me outside of the playpen beside Faith, she was still alive. They had beaten her then gutted her while I watched."
She opens her eyes and looks at Spike. "The demons ran as they heard you yelling for Faith. Like I said, you found me next to her, she was barely alive within minutes she died from blood loss."
Kieran rubs her eyes before continuing. "A few nights later you went to beat out your aggressions on the demon population... or so they thought. When you didn't return they were worried and they found a note in your room. I don't know what it said all I was told was that you asked them to take care of me until you could return for me."
Spike watches her silently as he smokes. He then asks "And I came back when?"
"It was my first birthday when you returned to Sunnydale." she looks at her hands as she talks "One of the weird things about me and Dominick is that we somehow remember farther back in our childhood than the average person." Kieran looks at him "I can actually remember part of that day but mostly I remember when you and Buffy got into a major fight that resulted in the two of you pounding each other. Dominick told me that Angel couldn't seperate you two and that the fight ended when I started crying."
"Why were you crying?" Spike questions
"I've never been to fond of loud yelling especially when its about me. Angel told me once that the only way I'd stop crying after a fight involving yelling like that was if you or he picked me up. Anyway, a few nights later we left the country heading to London, you stayed in contact with Buffy and Angel. I told you what happened when I was 2 until I was 8. We all lived together moving around when people got suspicious. You never told me where you went when you disappeared. Buffy and Angel didn't know. Actually I think Angel knew but he wouldn't tell me. "
"What was it like?"
Kieran leans back on her hands "Like a family. When I was 4 we moved to Ireland, we lived there for 2 years. Our first Christmas there Dominick and I got the best present" she smiles at the memory
"What was it?" Spike questions curiously
"You had an indoor playground built. I remember playing for hours on it with you while Dominick was studying. It was then that you started teaching me how to read. When I was six we moved to New York. Then when I was 8 Dominick and I had learned how to control our link enough that we didn't need to stay together, so they moved back to Sunnydale and we headed to Italy."
"Then when I was 13 we were in Prague visiting Drusilla when the Tarakans appeared." she stands her hands buried in her pockets she continues her voice devoid of emotion. "We fought them as hard as we could but it didn't help they kept coming. You ordered Dru and the few remaining minions to grab me and run as we did I glanced back and saw them stake you. I don't remember much of the next two weeks as Dru and the minions she trusted brought me to Sunnydale. I remember Buffy, Willow and Joyce fretting over me I couldn't handle it I shut down all emotions."
"You went through a lot" Spike says sadly
Kieran shrugs "I'll finish patrol" she offers "I need to beat the crap out of something and think" she turns to walk away
"Kieran?" Spike calls. She turns to look at him, he smiles sadly "I'm sorry." Kieran nods and walks away leaving Spike to stare after her thoughtfully
*******
Buffy and Angel are across town patrolling both are silent. Buffy becomes annoyed with Angel's lack of communication on the recent events. "That's it" she blows up she grabs Angel's arm forcing him to stop and face her. "I am sick and tired of this...this not talking. Dammit Angel there was a time when we talked about everything and anything. And this is something we need to talk about." she says angrily as she glares at him
Angel looks at her sadly "You think I like this... silence between us. I hate it but what else are we supposed to do?" he demands "Huh? Tell me?"
Buffy throws her hands up in the air "I don't know Angel. We have to figure this out. I need to know if its possible for us to be together. I need to know if one day we are going to be able to have a baby."
Angel shrugs "I don't know Buffy. I don't have those answers."
Buffy stands right infront of him taking his hand "We need those answers"
"I know" he agrees stroking her cheek "We'll find them" he promises
"I've missed you Angel" Buffy whispers kissing his knuckle
"I missed you since the day I left." he smiles faintly "I love you Buffy"
"I love you too" she says tearfully "I love you so much" she meets his lips kissing him she leans her forehead against his "I hate being apart Angel. I hate this feeling I get every morning I wake up and remember that your gone."
"Same" Angel agrees kissing her again. The two are involved in the kiss that they don't realize they are being watched by two people in the shadows.
Dominick lights up a cigarette as he watches his parents from the shadows "Don't worry Mom you'll be together." he whispers walking away "But first I need some fun" he mutters his mind flashing over all the damage he could do then over the good. "Hell" he groans "Knock it off goody two shoes" he growls
The other figure seethes as he watches the two kiss "I knew it" he mutters before walking away.
Author: Inquisitive1
Email: inquisitive1@angelfire.com or 2inquisitive1@angelfire.com
Rating: This part is PG for minor swearing. Later parts will be rated anything
Distribution: Will be found at my site: http://www.angelfire.com/tv/inqstive1sfanfiction/index.html and at Fanfiction.net and on Listbot and my Egroups: Inquisitive1supdates and on other Egroup pages. Anyone else want it ask first.
Disclaimer: I own only the characters you don't recognize (though I wish I owned Angel, but alas I don't). The characters belong to the lucky people who came up with them.
Feedback: Let me know what you think
___________________
Chapter 3
"Hey Finn" a voice calls
Riley turns around to find a tall black man heading his way "Forrest" he greets
"What's wrong man?" Forrest asks seeing the look on his friends face
Riley shrugs "Nothing man. Just thinking"
"How's the girlfriend?" Forrest asks
"She's spending time with a friend from out of town." he answers his mind remembering the look on Buffy's face when she saw Angel and then Dominick.
"Oh trouble on the horizon?" Forrest questions
"No." Riley answers "Forrest do you ever get the feeling that doing this job is going to be your downfall?"
Forrest looks at his friend shocked "No. What has the little lady gotten to you?" he demands his voice angry
"NO" Riley answers "Its just I'm not so sure about all this" he sighs walking away
Forrest watches his friend "Something has gotten into you man. I bet its Summers" he growls in annoyance
**** Factory Warehouse *****
"Hello my boy" a tall grey haired man greets entering Dominick's room
"What do you want?" Dominick growls looking at the intruder
"Just wanted to see how its going" he soothes
"You brought me here for what?" Dominick growls "To watch my dead parents be all moony over each other?" he asks
"No."
"Why then did you bring me out? Send me here?" he growls
"You'll understand" the sorcerer answers "When the time is right" he says disappearing
"Damn it" he growls tossing a chair across the room he grabs a shirt and pulling it on he heads outside into the daylight. His mind and heart, much to his disgust, are screaming for Kieran. Trying to clear his head he starts to run the normal mortal pace. Every once in a while when no one is looking he jumps walls and fences being drawn to the proximity of Kieran.
**** Giles' Apartment ****
Kieran is helping the others research when she closes the book and yawns "Giles got any food round here?" she asks stretching
"Um check and see what's in the kitchen" he answers without looking up
"Thanks" Kieran says standing going into the kitchen she checks the fridge finding nothing she checks the cupboard. Finding nothing to eat she calls "I'm gonna order a pizza. Anyone else up for one?"
"Sure" Xander replies
"What's the quickest pizza place?" she asks
"Domino's 555-6789" Xander calls getting chuckles from everyone
Kieran nods dialing "Yes I'd like a large Canadian bacon and Pineapple, hold on a sec" she requests "Xander?"
"Everything minus peppers extra cheese" Xander request.
Kieran relays it. "Anyone else?" she asks
"Mushroom with sausage" Willow asks
"That all?" Kieran asks. Getting no answer she turns back and says "That's it"
"Address?" the other person asks. Kieran gives it and hangs up. "20 minutes they said"
"Good I'm hungry" Xander whines
"Shut up" Spike growls at the teen
"Bite me" Xander retorts "Oh wait you can't" he smirks
"Careful Xander he won't have that chip forever" Kieran grins
"Really pet? I get this thing out of my head" Spike asks excitedly
Kieran nods "Before we were born"
"How?" Buffy demands
"Dunno." Kieran shrugs "Never told me"she answers doing a handstand. "Or if I was told I was zoned when it was mentioned." she balances herself on one hand. "I never was one for paying attention to anything that didn't involve my name being said."
"Not surprised" jokes Xander
"Hey Kieran" Tara calls
"Huh?" she grunts
"What's with the sunglasses? Why do you wear them all the time?" she asks curious
"My eyes are somewhat sensitive to light. Its not as bad now. Buffy had to start putting sunglasses on me and Dom by the time we could walk. Our eyes tend to change at any minute. Depending on our mood and the situation. Dominick was able to control his change by the age of 6. I wasn't I've just begun to control it but wearing them is like a habit around people." she answers walking on her hands
"How do you do that?" asks Willow amazed
"Years of practice" she says switching to one hand she does a flip out of the handstand as she smells pizza. "Finally" she sighs going to the door. She opens the door and finds the pizzaman standing there
"Four pizzas" he says "30.60"
Kieran hands him the money taking the pizzas from him "Keep the change" she says
"Thanks" the delivery man says as Kieran shuts the door
Kieran hands the others their pizzas "Food" she sighs happily grabbing a slice of pizza she takes a huge bit.
"God you eat like Xander" Cordelia complains
Kieran shrugs and swallows "I'm hungry" she responds
"Xander do you have to eat that it is so bad for you" Anya whines
"Don't diss my pizza" Xander replies his mouth full
"Hey Xander whats the most you've eaten in one day?" Kieran asks curiously
He frowns thoughtfully as he chews then answers "Two pizzas, six Twinkies, a bag of Cheetos, and a box of the Colonel"
"That is a lot" Buffy groans in disgust
Kieran laughs "No it isn't. Once I bet the football team I could eat more than them"
"The football team?! God those guys demolish food. They inhale it" Buffy remarks
"Who won?" Xander asks
Kieran raises her eye brow "Duh me. I ate three pizzas, sweet and sour pork and chicken, Rice, a pound bag of Skittles, three bags of popcorn, and a hot fudge sundae."
"You beat the football team on that?" Xander says amazed "How?"
Kieran smirks "If you ever want to win an eating contest watch one of those surgery movies on the learning channel. They all lost their lunch by the time the one with the lady in labor came on. They all ran out of there." she laughs "None of them will ever be around when someones in labor. And if the world's lucky they'll never have kids the planet has enough idiots as it is."
"What did you win?" Xander asks
Kieran polishes off her slice before answering "300 bucks. Man I had fun with that money." she frowns "Though I ended up grounded for two weeks"
"What did you do to get grounded?" Buffy asks
"Jacked the vice Prinicpal's car and drove to Mexico with some friends and got stoked..big time. On our way back we got arrested for underage drinking, speeding, driving without a license and stealing a car." she shakes her head and chuckles "And my boyfriend at the time was arrested for possession."
"Wow what happened?" Willow asks her eyes wide
"Besides the grounding...um I had to do 100 hours community service. No license until I'm 18. Detention for three months straight. But the good thing about the whole thing the vice Principal transfered out."
"Wow and they thought Buffy was bad." Xander says amazed shaking his head
"Hey you burn down one school and blow up another" she mutters "and your punished for life."
"Actually your rep is notorious at Idiots 'R' Us. Many have tried to out do your rep but I'm the only one to pass it. I've run a Prinicpal and a vice Prinicipal out of school. Three teachers left citing stress brought on by my pranks and temper. Plus the occassional tendency to destroy property"
"So what? You have a temper" Spike shrugs
Kieran looks at her father and sees the amusement in his blue eyes "You'd think that they'd understand that. But nooo you slam a head into a wall and they label you as having violent tendencies." she sighs
"Violent?! That's close to homicidal" Xander exclaims fearful
Kieran sees the look on his face "Chill. As long as you don't piss me off like that you have no worries. Besides it takes a lot to get me to lose my temper like that."
******
That evening Kieran and Spike are patrolling in the cemetary each silent in their thoughts. Finally, Spike speaks "Pet? How'd you get your name?"
Kieran shoves her hands in her pockets and shrugs her shoulders "I'm not sure. I never asked and was never told."
"Oh" Spike says lighting up a cigarette they are silent again. As they reach the park Spike and Kieran sit on the swings as they slowly swing. "How'd me and the Slayer end up together?"
Kieran looks up at the dark sky and she slowly begins to tell the story. "You and Angel patched up your differences when he and Buffy got back together and he returned to Sunnydale. When Buffy told everyone she was pregnant they said she wasn't allowed to Slay. Angel was still working in LA so he asked you to move into the mansion to keep an eye on Buffy"
"So me and Blondie become friends?" he asks in faint disgust
"Yes you and Buffy still argued but you became friends. You stayed at the mansion even after Dominick was born to help with the Slaying and you would occassionally baby sit him. When he was 3 years old Faith was released from jail. Buffy and Angel asked her to move in so that they could help her and keep an eye on her." she stops talking and sees Spike is watching her his expression sad. She looks down at her feet as she continues the story "They tell me that you two were always goofing off and partying. You were friends"
"Did I love her?" Spike asks curiously
"I'm not sure." she admits "You rarely ever talked about her. I know you cared about her though." she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a picture of Spike and Faith with Kieran she hands it to him "This is one of the few pictures of the three of us."
Spike looks at the picture. He sees the happy looks on his and Faith's faces as they play with infant. "You were a cute tyke. How old were you?"
"Two or three months old. It wasn't long after that was taken that she died... and you... left." she says her voice sad.
"Oh." he pauses "Pet how did Faith and I end up together?"
Kieran turns and looks at Spike "All I know is that when Faith told you she was pregnant you stayed."
Spike growls surprising Kieran enough to make her jump startled. "You're my child of course I stayed."
Kieran snorts in disbelief "Oh yeah you just waited until she died and left me with no parents. So very kind" she says sarcastically her voice tinged with sadness and anger.
Spike sees the pain and anger in the familiar blue eyes. "Kieran" he begins his voice light. When Kieran looks away "Kieran look at me" he growls not getting a response he crouches before her "Kieran I'm sorry for whatever I do in the future. I'm sure I had my reasons for leaving. You said I came back for you."
Kieran shakes her head her eyes filled with pain. She stands up moving away her body radiates with anger. She looks at Spike her eyes flashing yellow she retorts "You don't get it do you? She died, you left, you came back and we left Sunnydale and the people who took care of me. Then when we all live together for 6 years they leave again. Lets not forget all the times we moved just after I was settled in." she looks away then back meeting Spike's eyes she continues "Lets not forget the fact that you die when I'm 13. Then I had to leave my friends again to return to Sunnydale. God do you realize between the time you die and now I lose everyone- Joyce, Wesley, Cordelia, Xander, Anya, Willow, Giles, a bunch of friends- human and vampire, Dru, Buffy and three months ago Angel and a few days after that Dominick left town. And now here I am in the past trying to save my own future while I have to see everyone I'm going to lose lets not forget to add that I could lose my best friend thus I could die and so could..." she stops herself before she reveals her secret quickly she tries to cover up. "You don't understand how hard this is for me Daddy, to be here knowing that I will have to say good-bye to you again." she finishes her voice hard as she tries to keep from crying she looks at Spike. She sees the sadness, confusion, pain, and anger in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, pet" Spike apologizes moving closer to her he places his hands on her shoulders as he stands infront of her. "But now that I know all this I won't let it happen again."
Kieran smiles sadly at him "It'll happen the same way Daddy."
"How?" Spike demands "You've told us about the future."
"Like I told you you won't remember when we're gone." she pulls away from his grasp."If you were able to remember it then I most likely would never exist."
"Why did you?" Spike demands "Why'd ya tell me if I'm just gonna forget?"
"Mostly because..." she pauses looking at her feet "because I needed to. There are so many things in my life that I want to talk to you about. So many things you weren't around for. I miss having you to talk to" she laughs sadly "Sure you have a tendency to change topics and ramble but at least we talked. About everything... but Faith. We were close, we would talk for hours. I miss that" she sighs sitting down at a nearby picnic table
Spike follows sitting beside her leaning forward on his forearms. "Pet what happened in your timeline?"
Kieran turns sideways to face Spike "What do you want to know?"
"Dunno luv. Tell me 'bout your childhood." he suggests "what you were like"
"Um. Faith died when I was 4 months old."
Spike interrupts "How'd she die?"
"A group of demons were hired to kill her. One night you were patrolling because Buffy and Dominick had gone to LA for the weekend to visit Angel because he couldn't get away. Normally when Buffy and Angel weren't home, I would stay with Joyce. You guys always made sure at night that two of you were home while the other two patrolled. But this time Joyce had to leave town on an emergency and everyone else was busy, so you went on patrol while Faith watched me."
Kieran closes her eyes as she continues "They figure that Faith had been reading to me when she heard something and went to investigate and that when she returned to the room to check on me she found the demons there. I asked Buffy once why Faith didn't put up much of a fight, she told me that the only reason Faith wouldn't have fought back was me. Buffy said that you found me outside of the playpen beside Faith, she was still alive. They had beaten her then gutted her while I watched."
She opens her eyes and looks at Spike. "The demons ran as they heard you yelling for Faith. Like I said, you found me next to her, she was barely alive within minutes she died from blood loss."
Kieran rubs her eyes before continuing. "A few nights later you went to beat out your aggressions on the demon population... or so they thought. When you didn't return they were worried and they found a note in your room. I don't know what it said all I was told was that you asked them to take care of me until you could return for me."
Spike watches her silently as he smokes. He then asks "And I came back when?"
"It was my first birthday when you returned to Sunnydale." she looks at her hands as she talks "One of the weird things about me and Dominick is that we somehow remember farther back in our childhood than the average person." Kieran looks at him "I can actually remember part of that day but mostly I remember when you and Buffy got into a major fight that resulted in the two of you pounding each other. Dominick told me that Angel couldn't seperate you two and that the fight ended when I started crying."
"Why were you crying?" Spike questions
"I've never been to fond of loud yelling especially when its about me. Angel told me once that the only way I'd stop crying after a fight involving yelling like that was if you or he picked me up. Anyway, a few nights later we left the country heading to London, you stayed in contact with Buffy and Angel. I told you what happened when I was 2 until I was 8. We all lived together moving around when people got suspicious. You never told me where you went when you disappeared. Buffy and Angel didn't know. Actually I think Angel knew but he wouldn't tell me. "
"What was it like?"
Kieran leans back on her hands "Like a family. When I was 4 we moved to Ireland, we lived there for 2 years. Our first Christmas there Dominick and I got the best present" she smiles at the memory
"What was it?" Spike questions curiously
"You had an indoor playground built. I remember playing for hours on it with you while Dominick was studying. It was then that you started teaching me how to read. When I was six we moved to New York. Then when I was 8 Dominick and I had learned how to control our link enough that we didn't need to stay together, so they moved back to Sunnydale and we headed to Italy."
"Then when I was 13 we were in Prague visiting Drusilla when the Tarakans appeared." she stands her hands buried in her pockets she continues her voice devoid of emotion. "We fought them as hard as we could but it didn't help they kept coming. You ordered Dru and the few remaining minions to grab me and run as we did I glanced back and saw them stake you. I don't remember much of the next two weeks as Dru and the minions she trusted brought me to Sunnydale. I remember Buffy, Willow and Joyce fretting over me I couldn't handle it I shut down all emotions."
"You went through a lot" Spike says sadly
Kieran shrugs "I'll finish patrol" she offers "I need to beat the crap out of something and think" she turns to walk away
"Kieran?" Spike calls. She turns to look at him, he smiles sadly "I'm sorry." Kieran nods and walks away leaving Spike to stare after her thoughtfully
*******
Buffy and Angel are across town patrolling both are silent. Buffy becomes annoyed with Angel's lack of communication on the recent events. "That's it" she blows up she grabs Angel's arm forcing him to stop and face her. "I am sick and tired of this...this not talking. Dammit Angel there was a time when we talked about everything and anything. And this is something we need to talk about." she says angrily as she glares at him
Angel looks at her sadly "You think I like this... silence between us. I hate it but what else are we supposed to do?" he demands "Huh? Tell me?"
Buffy throws her hands up in the air "I don't know Angel. We have to figure this out. I need to know if its possible for us to be together. I need to know if one day we are going to be able to have a baby."
Angel shrugs "I don't know Buffy. I don't have those answers."
Buffy stands right infront of him taking his hand "We need those answers"
"I know" he agrees stroking her cheek "We'll find them" he promises
"I've missed you Angel" Buffy whispers kissing his knuckle
"I missed you since the day I left." he smiles faintly "I love you Buffy"
"I love you too" she says tearfully "I love you so much" she meets his lips kissing him she leans her forehead against his "I hate being apart Angel. I hate this feeling I get every morning I wake up and remember that your gone."
"Same" Angel agrees kissing her again. The two are involved in the kiss that they don't realize they are being watched by two people in the shadows.
Dominick lights up a cigarette as he watches his parents from the shadows "Don't worry Mom you'll be together." he whispers walking away "But first I need some fun" he mutters his mind flashing over all the damage he could do then over the good. "Hell" he groans "Knock it off goody two shoes" he growls
The other figure seethes as he watches the two kiss "I knew it" he mutters before walking away.