Wrong Assumptions
As Spike began to pace fervently around the room, hitting things out of his
way, the adults all stood up, as if afraid of what he might do. Xander
pulled the kids behind him. Tara and Willow shared a quick look, both
wondering if Spike could handle this trip. Tara looked at the vampire
thoughtfully, something suddenly occurring to her. *Willow* Tara spoke to
the other witch in her thoughts, a practice they had perfected over the
years. *Yeah?* Willow responded. *I don't think it's the time travel that
has Spike upset. I think it's something different* Tara began. *Like
what, sweetie?* Willow asked. *Well, from what the kids said, they took
him shortly after our little musical time, um, after, well, the large scale
memory erasing* Willow shifted a little uncomfortably at this reference.
It had taken her a long time to earn back Tara's trust, everyone's trust,
after that. Tara continued *We know now that Buffy and him had just
started to get together then, but he doesn't think they have any chance.
So, he comes here, sees that Buffy has a daughter, knowing that vampires
normally can't have children, and he* Willow cut in *He assumes that Buffy
has moved on from him. Of course. That added with the fact that he isn't
here with us makes him think he's been taken out of her life. He's not
mad, he's hurting* Tara smiled *Exactly baby*
"Spike," Willow stepped towards him, speaking softly, "You need to sit down
and here the rest of this." Spike stopped pacing, turning towards the
witch. "Yeah Red?" he smiled grimly, "And what if I don't?" Willow wasn't
phased at all. "Then I'll make you sit down, but it wouldn't be as
pleasant for you." Spike raised an eyebrow at her calm threat, started to
say a rude response, then looked at her face and thought better of it.
Willow might not be the Slayer, but she had a very scary resolved face.
Spike sat down. "Alright then. Talk."
The rest of the room eased back into their chairs, Rosie crawling into
Tara's lap, Alex sitting on the floor at Xander's feet, and Kat sitting in
Buffy's chair, since the Slayer alone remained standing. *Buffy* Willow
spoke into her friend's mind. Buffy, used to this over time, looked at
Willow without responding. *He needs to know. Not all of it, but the
essentials about Kat and the reason she brought him here* the witch said
this quietly, knowing Buffy didn't want to tell. Buffy sighed, nodded
again, and began.
"Spike," he looked up at her, pain and mistrust evident in his face. She
flinched from the hurt she saw there. "Kat is my daughter." This time it
was Spike who flinched. He looked down, not wanting to meet Buffy's eyes.
"She's also your daughter." Spike's head shot up. "What?" he asked in
disbelief. Buffy down Kat, who had come to stand beside her. The little
girl smiled at her mother, then shifted her gaze to smile at her father.
"Hi Daddy." Spike looked first at his daughter, then her mother, before
fainting in his chair.
