A/N: This is going along with the idea that the First drove Spike nuts in S7. Just go with it.

April 26, 2012

I woke up this morning with a line from a song in my head, sung by a lady. But I couldn't remember either the tune, the words, or the dream I had. I just know it was a sweet song in a depressing dream and made me really upset.

The strange man's at our house, the one from two days before. He showed up again, and this time Mommy answered the door.

I was playing with Aunt Dawnie and Jesse in the living room when I heard Mommy drop the ax she was polishing.

I heard her whisper, "Dad."

Right now all Mommy and Daddy's friends are at Aunt Willow and Uncle Xander's house. Aunt Dawnie and Mommy are talking with the man downstairs.

"Buffy, who were all those people?"

"My friends, Dad. They were just friends. Coffee?"

"Thanks. Well, how've you been, girls?"

"We've survived," Aunt Dawnie said defensively. "Without you or Mom, we still managed to survive."

There was a pause.

"I see," the man replied awkwardly. "Well, what are you two doing these days? Buffy, why did you have an ax?"

"I was, uh, polishing it. I'm, um, a—a collector. Of weaponry."

"I'm a med. student," Aunt Dawnie cut in, before Mommy could continue her babbling. "Buffy is a school counselor, and collecting artifacts is one of her hobbies. Right Buffy?"

"I see." A pause. "Are any of you in a relationship? Do you have boyfriends I should know about?"

I could almost hear Mommy squirm. "Well, a lot's happened since your last visit," Aunt Dawnie said.

"I'm married," Mommy blurted out. "I got married about nine years ago, Dad."

I swear I heard him choke. Serves him right. I think this man is Mommy's daddy, Grandpa Hank, who hasn't visited her in something like 15 years. He's been a bad Daddy.

"Well, whose the lucky guy?" Grandpa Hank asked. "Where is he? I'd like to meet the man who stole my eldest's heart." But Daddy was in the basement. And Mommy said that no one can go down there except her.

"Um, well…"

"His name is William," Aunt Dawnie answered. "And right now he's…out. Business trip."

"I see. And what does William do for a living?"

"He writes," Mommy answered. "Yeah. William's a writer."

"A writer who goes on business trips?"

"Well, he's not just a writer. I mean, he does other things." Now Mommy was definitely babbling.

"Angie, hey Angie, come downstairs," Aunt Dawnie yelled. "Here's someone for you to meet."

Oh great.

"Well, aren't you the sweetest little girl. You look just like Buffy did when she was young," Grandpa Hank said with a smile. "C'mere, you little angel."

A door slammed with a bang. "Not Angelus, mate."

Daddy! He looked funny, even paler than usual, an almost blank look in his eyes. He just stood there, not moving an inch, staring at Grandpa Hank.

Grandpa Hank got nervous.

"Buffy, who-who is this man?" he asked, getting up and backing a few steps.

"William, William! William, listen to me." Mommy was talking, but Daddy wasn't paying attention. "William, that man over there is my father. Now, I want you to turn around and walk back downstairs to the basement. I'll bring your bl—your meal in a few minutes."

Daddy still didn't respond, except to narrow his eyes at Grandpa Hank.

"William!" No response. "Spike!" Daddy jerked and blinked at Mommy. "I'm sorry, luv. Wh-what happened?" He hesitated. "Did I hurt anyone?"

Mommy shook her head. "No, no. Everything's fine, Spike. Go back downstairs. I'll be a minute."

After Daddy left, Grandpa Hank could start talking again. "Who the hell was that?" he yelled. "He's loony, completely psycho! What are you doing keeping nuts in the basement? Did you see the way he stared at me?"

"Dad! Calm down and don't use words like that around Angie!" Aunt Dawnie yelled back.

Grandpa Hank sat down heavily and looked from her to Mommy. "What the he—what happened? Who was that cadaverous man?"

Mommy grimaced. "That's William, Dad. My husband."

That's when Aunt Dawnie took me upstairs. I still heard the yelling in the living room.