Spike Spiegel, bounty hunter extraordinaire, sat on his barstool, staring solemnly at his glass.

The bartender glanced worriedly at him, setting another wine glass in front of him. "This one's on the house. Ya wanna talk about her?"

Spike regarded the man over the rim of his glass. "One night. We were drunk. She works for my enemy. She ran. That was eight years ago."

The bartender looked surprised. "Eight years? That's hard luck man."

Spike nodded. "I know… She was gorgeous as hell. A redhead, with these bright green eyes. She went by Fedora…"

The bartender snapped upright. "Fedora? You sure man? I think I know the lady you're talking about…"

Spike's head slowly rose. "What…"

"Fedora lives in the Langley District. Two streets over…"

Spike was already charging out the door.

"Fedora Jupiter- Flat 23" Spike's heart pounded in his ears. His finger shook, as he pressed the button for Floor 2.

He closed his eyes, and let the rumbling of the elevator soothe his nerves. Is it really her?

The elevator doors opened with a ding, and Spike stepped slowly out.

His footsteps on the plush carpet matched the beating of his heart.

He stopped to check his reflection in the floor-length mirror. A black turtle-neck, black lace-up leather pants, with a black trench coat over top. His black sunglasses covered his mismatched eyes.

He stopped outside the door to Flat 23, and took a deep breath, before rapping lightly on the door.

"I'm coming…" a voice floated through the door, and Spike's heart stopped.

The door opened, and a lady stood there. "Can I help…you…"

Spike was staring at Fedora, just like it was yesterday.

Her auburn hair was longer now, reaching mid-back. She wore a black swoop-necked sweater that hugged her curves, with extra long sleeves, reaching almost to her knuckles. A simple black skirt dropped to her knees, revealing high-heeled black boots.

But her eyes were the same. The very same ones that he had looked into, that night, eight years ago. Those same emeralds locked gazes with his now. "Spike?"

He stepped forward. "'Dora…"

Suddenly, tears formed in her eyes. "Oh god! Stop playing with my mind! Stop!" She tried to slam the door, sobbing.

Spike shoved his foot in the door, and it bounced off the rubbed soles of his boots.

"No! You're not real! Go! Stop! No! Oh god…Spike…"

Spike pushed her inside and shut the door behind him. "Hush! It's really me…"

He held her against the wall, and she sobbed into her hands. "Oh god…"

Suddenly, there was the sound of a gun being cocked, and Spike whirled, to find himself, yet again, looking down the barrel of a gun.

This time, a small girl glared up at him through red bangs, her hazel eyes fierce. "Leave my mommy alone!"

The little girl had short, flaming red hair, freckles, and she wore the uniform of a nearby private school.

Fedora made a little noise from behind him. "She's takes after her father…"

The little girl didn't move a muscle. "Go away."

Fedora sniffed, and managed a watery smile. "Lucille… Meet Spike Spiegel. Spike…This is Lucille."

Suddenly, the little girl flung the gun across the room and charged at Spike, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Daddy!" she screamed.

Spike stood there in complete shock. He turned slowly to face Fedora, who nodded, a tear trickling out of her eye, and running down her cheek.

My daughter…This is my daughter…

Spike looked down at the she-demon clinging to his waist. He gently pried her off him, and crouched in front of her, putting a hand to her cheek. "Lucille…How old are you?"

She grinned, displaying a missing front tooth. "Theven and a half!" The tooth made her lisp.

Spike stood slowly, and walked towards Fedora.

She trembled, as more tears trickled down her face. "Spike…"

He strode forward, and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair.

She hugged him back, silently sobbing. "God Spike, I'm sorry…"

He pulled back a little. "Hush. It's okay…"

He kissed her softly, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Lucille danced around them, a smile spreading across her face as she hummed.

Much later, Spike sat on the expensive leather couch, sipping a glass of brandy.

"So I left…I'm really sorry… I started getting sick every morning, so I went to a doctor, and he told me. Nine months later, I had Lucille."

He smiled at his daughter, who was sitting across from him, staring at him with admiring eyes. "She's a beauty…takes after you…"

Fedora smiled tenderly. "She has your eyes…"

Spike laughed. "I could compliment you both for the rest of my life, but I think you'd get tired of my voice…"

"Oh no, daddy! I'd NEVER get tired of your voithe…"

They all chuckled, and Fedora sank down next to Spike on the couch. "Well, what have you been doing, Space Cowboy?"

Spike shrugged. "A little here, a little there…"

Fedora raised an eyebrow. "Don't look like you did a little…" she eyed his expensive clothes.

He smiled slightly. "Bagged Krishta a week after you left…"

Fedora's mouth dropped open, but it was Lucille who answered. "You gotted Mithter Krithta? Wow!"

Spike raised an eyebrow at Fedora, who laughed. "Oh yes, I taught Lucille ALL about our line of work…" She shook her head. "So you put Krishta away? How much'd that bring you?"

Spike put his hands behind his head and leaned back. "Oh you know… 25 billion woolongs…"

Fedora's eyes grew huge. "Twenty-five…billion?"

Spike nodded. "Looks like you didn't do too badly yourself…" he gestured to the fancy flat.

She grinned toothily. "Oh, I did okay…"

"She gotted a bunch a bad men! They were from the Red Dragon Plathe."

Spike chuckled. "Okay? You nabbed the Syndicate?"

Fedora blushed. "Yeah… They tried to hustle me in an alley."

Lucille giggled. "Mommy thoweded them!"

Spike laughed. "She sure did!"

Something caught Spike's eye, and he walked over to the window and glanced down.

Cursing, he whirled. "We gotta go…NOW!"

Fedora jumped to her feet and joined him at the window. "That's…That's…Krishta!"