The next evening, Spike was again invited back to the store for dinner.
Tables had been set up behind the store in a courtyard filled with greenery and fountains. Conversation was lively. The group, which included Kindra, Magda, Willamina, Jeff and a few of the other ladies that occupied the house had exploded into laughter when Spike voiced his opinion that this was the tamest brothel that he had ever visited. It was finally explained to him, in no uncertain terms, that this was not a brothel, as he had originally surmised but a Guild house, a modern and real place for women who fashioned themself after the Renunciates in the Marion Zimmer Bradley books.
Dinner was a very informal affair, with Jeff doing the grilling and if anyone objected to the state of undercooked meat that was Spike's preference, they gave no sign.
The gathering was breaking up into smaller groups. Spike found himself alone at the table with Kindra. He gave a nod in Willamina's direction. "She seems to be taking the death of her mum pretty well."
Kindra frowned at Spike. "Her mum?" she questioned.
"Yeah, that woman, Camilla. The cliff diver. Took a swan of the wall." Spike prompted.
Kindra shook her head. "That wasn't Will's mother."
"Well, then, who was she? She seemed convinced she was the mum." Spike replied.
Kindra shook her head. "No. That was her mom's roommate. That's why she was here in this house. Camilla has always known Will, and when they released her from the asylum, she had no where else to go. Will asked that we take her in."
"You let that perverted bint live in your house?" asked Spike, incredulous.
"We obviously didn't know she was like that. My god! She was a serial killer." Kindra shuddered. "I guess we are lucky we didn't end up in that bizarre...whatever that was."
"Yeah, well, I'm glad to know I'm not related to that."
Kindra cocked her head and just looked at Spike. There was just no suitable reply to that.
Toward the end of the evening, Jeff hurried out to the front of the store with Willamina and returned with a stranger.
"Kindra," began Jeff nervously, "this is my dad. I thought you should meet him. I would really like to start going out with Willamina, that is, if you'll let us." He stood looking hopefully at Kindra.
"Uh, does your father have a name?" asked Kindra.
The stranger stepped forward, transferred his hat to his left hand and offered his right for a handshake. "Hi. I'm just called Whistler. Pleased to make your acquaintance. I have heard so much about you. I appreciate the care you have given my son."
Kindra looked over the stranger standing in front of her, and just couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. She could tell that this was Jeff's father, there was a resemblance about the eyes and mouth. "Yes," she replied, taking the offered hand, "it has been a pleasure to know your son. He has been a great...help, for Will and me." Turning to face Jeff, she smiled. "You know, you don't have to be so formal. Of course I'll let you date Will. But, and this is a big but, you know she is much younger than you so you will have to agree to rules."
Will turned to Jeff with a smile, "See, I told you she'd say yes. You just worry too much."
Jeff was smiling, "Thank you, you won't be sorry. Thank you." Then he and Willamina rushed off to the corner to talk leaving Whistler with Kindra, Spike and the other ladies.
"I'm afraid I can't stay long for the festivities." He finally looked at Spike. "What are you doing here?" he blurted out.
Spike looked him over. He was sure he had never seen him before, and he was sure that he was not human. "What am I doing here? What are you doing here, and you better be right quick about the answer, mate." Spike moved to stand in front of Kindra. "If you're here to cause trouble you'll get your wish."
Whistler replaced his hat and motioning for Spike to follow, started for the store.
Kindra gave Spike a questioning look, but all Spike could do was shrug his shoulders and follow. He would at least find out why this guy was here.
When the two had retreated far enough from the table to not be heard, Whistler rounded on Spike. "Look, I don't know what your game is but you had better leave these ladies alone. And that Willamina is special. The Powers That Be are very interested in her and will not take kindly to one of your kind messing up their plans."
"What do you mean, messing up their plans? And what do you know about Willamina?" Spike stared suspiciously at short demon in front of him. "Willamina is my great, great...great..." Spike thought a few moments, "anyway she a few times removed granddaughter of mine, so what business of yours is it anyway?"
Whistler removed his hat and scratched his head. This was much more complicated than he had expected. He knew from prior experience that Spike had been in Sunnydale and had worked with the Slayer. He decided to pursue this line of questioning.
"Do you know the Slayer?"
"Of course I know the Slayer. We're right buddies, and I know her sister, too. In fact, I take care of her now and then, protect her. And I knew her mom. She used to make me hot chocolate with marshmallows." Spike crossed his arms, daring this little man to refute what he knew was true.
Whistler's forehead wrinkled in thought, this just couldn't be right. All the demons involved had been convinced that "thee" one was Angel. He had met the slayer, knew the sister, and he had a soul, three of the requirements predicted by the prophesy. But now this, with Spike, was unexpected. They knew the savior had to finally meet up with the caller. Whistler finished his consideration of the situation and turned his attention back to Spike.
"Do you have a soul?" he asked, squinting up at Spike.
"What? No!" denied Spike vehemently. "What would I want with one of those? Become a bloody ponce like Angel? No!"
Whistler replaced his hat back on his head. "Well, if you get one, you will be seeing me around. I think we will have a lot to talk about then." He wondered for a minute if he should mention the prophesy of the key, the caller and the savior, but shook his head and retreated through the doorway out of the shop.
"Not if I see you coming first." Spike muttered after the retreating demon.
Finally, it was time to leave for the airport. Will, Jeff, Kindra and Magda drove Spike in the old psychedelic Volkswagen minibus to the airport. When Spike had look askance at the mode of transportation, Kindra explained she had picked it up for a song from some grieving parents after the famous Woodstock concert. She didn't get the whole story, but it appeared that all was not peace and love at the concert, a few of the teenagers had died. She had kept the van as a piece of memorabilia from that era, and was now reconditioning the engine so it would have life again. Spike, wisely, kept his mouth shut although he wasn't sure what Kindra would say when she uncovered the heart drawn in flourescent paint on the back door, now under a layer of material, that said Spike and Dru forever.
When they got to the airport, everyone piled out and much to Spike's surprise, they all hugged him goodbye. Willamina was the last and held him a little longer than the others. "I am going to miss you, Uncle Spike." When she backed away, he could see the tears in her eyes. He, too, felt a little bereft, it had been a long time since he had any family, and the longer he did not kill, the more he realized how much he was enjoying the interaction with these humans.
"I'll miss you too, pet." He turned to go.
He started to walk away, but Willamina grabbed at his coat, "Oh, I almost forgot, here." She pressed a disposable camera into his hands. "I went out the other day and took pictures of all the sights here so you can have pictures when you get back. I wanted to get them developed, but...well, with all the stuff, I didn't have time."
He nodded his thanks and left then, unable to say anything past the lump in his throat and berating himself for turning into the very poncey-nancy boy that he called Angel.
