Author's note: Thank you for all your feedback. The opinions were evenly split (counting the ones that were left in my mailbox) Let's see how it comes out. I apologize for taking so long but the next part will be done very soon.

Chapter XIV

For a moment both of us just stared at the front door from our spot in the living room. The watcher was well aware that behind it was the reason for his "visit".

Since I wasn't a man to delay the inevitable, I opened the door to my own personal ray of sunshine. As was her habit, she bounded in and threw herself in my arms.

I held her a little tighter than usual as she wrapped her little arms around my neck. She picked up on my mood and returned the hug enthusiastically. After a moment she caught onto the unfamiliar man sitting in our sofa and her curiosity got a hold of her.

"Who's that, Spike?" she whispered

"Just an old friend bit" I whispered back

I had taken care to teach my girl good English manners and so she went to introduce herself to the stranger.

"Hello, I'm Summer Blake. It's nice to meet you" she said in her most charming tone.

"Hello Summer. That's a very unusual name"

The nibblet nodded. Her name was an ongoing source of pride for her. "I named myself. Do you think its pretty?"
"It's lovely and very special just like you"
As much as I disliked this watcher, I had to admit that he knew what to say to a little girl with a touch of well-deserved vanity as my bit. She basked in any type of praise that she usually got in loads from me but the watcher was new blood. The bint was going to be a heartbreaker in the future,

After the exchange I suggested that she go and play with her dolls and her kitten which she did eagerly. With the bit out of hearing range we resumed our 'conversation'.

"She seems like a normal, carefree child" he admitted.

"She is. There is nothing abnormal about the bit. She has everything she needs" I added

"Except for a family" he amended
"You got a very limited concept of family don't you? I take care of her. I make sure she eats her veggies and goes to sleep at nine. I go to all her parent-teacher meetings and help her with her letters. She doesn't watch cable and she doesn't know any curse words except for bloody and hell. The bit has a doctor, a dentist and her shots are up to date. She has a kitten and a very extensive wardrobe. I tell her I love her constantly so that's her base" I stated.
"It's not normal. What you've given her is adequate but she deserves so much more" the watcher said quietly.

I had just about enough. "Look I don't give a damn about your opinion. You are not getting her back and that's final" I all but growled.

We glared at each other. I was holding my ground but there was this sinking feeling at the bottom of my stomach.

Seeing that this approach was getting him nowhere the watcher tried another tactic. His tone eased down and he spoke in a non-threatening tone, which was ironic, since he wasn't the vampire in the picture.

"I know that you do your best but have your… lifestyle has put her life at risk more than one hasn't it?"

My first instinct was to deny it but he was right. I had put the bit in harm's way once because I foolishly believed that I could trust a demon to baby-sit. I'd never made that mistake again. I did not reply to the question but my silence was guilty as charged. The watcher looked at me in a kindly manner that grated at my nerves.

"You have done what no other vampire has ever done before: caring for someone else. Whatever your initial reasons where they have led you to five years but it cannot go on for longer than that. It's not right and deep down inside you know this"

The watcher had said his piece. It was a good piece even if he had not succeeded in convincing me.

For how could he? There was no way in hell I was ever going to give her up.

He sensed my resolution and looked uncomfortably like he feared for his life. In truth he had nothing to worry about with the bit in the next room.

"I won't give her back. Ever"

"That's very unfortunate. I am afraid that I may have to take serious steps to change your mind"

Bloody hell. He was either very brave or very stupid. "Right then. I guess you're ratting me out to the council of wankers and they will dust me and take the bit. Of course you can expect that I won't make things that easy for them"

"I suppose not"

"So we are at cross purposes. Aren't we?"
"Yes and I am very aware of how you usually deal with someone that opposes you"

Obviously he'd done his research but he'd come anyway. This human was a strange one. I decided to play a bit.

"What would have happened if I let you take her"
"I would make sure she is returned to her parents"

"You think it would be that easy. All she's known is me ever since she was a baby. It could traumatize her " I said rather cockily.

"I assume that it might that's why I have arranged for her to be mesmerized in other to remove all traces of you from her psyche"

What? They would take all memories from the bit's mind. Rob her of all our years together. She wouldn't remember me even if she saw me again.

"I had now idea that your group would sponsor such tactics. Aren't you the soul-having, morally superior crew?" I retorted angrily.
"Usually I wouldn't sponsor the use magick to alter a person's mind in any way but in this case it would be best for her. If she were to be taken away with her memories intact she might never recover and would never have the emotional strength to be the slayer" he replied steadily.

"Yeah I bet the council's sacrificial lambs are always sane and ready"

"You should know, you've killed two"

Touché watcher but my girl was mine. End of story.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

The bugger eventually left and I considered my options. I could take the bit and get the hell out of the state but I had a feeling that the wanker would put the council on our tail. If I killed the watcher then the council would come to investigate anyway and the bloody poofters had some arsenal. Best that I could do was stay put and wait for the watcher's next move.

A week went by and nothing happened. Tonight was a full moon and a Friday so I took the bit into one of our patented moonlight excursions to the park. My rep allowed us a modicum of security as the nibblet used the playground equipment.

I watched her as she made use of the swings. The height she achieved was pretty impressive for a five-year old. I wondered how she would look in the sunlight.

The gravel surrounding the playground area made a crunching sound but I didn't look up. I already knew.

"You should really look into stealth lessons" I said without humor.

He didn't reply as he sat in my bench. Our gazes on the pretty blond child playing in a moonlit park.

"This isn't right you know" he said steadily.

I sighed and tried to rub away the sudden chill in my bones.

"I know"

TBC.

Okay one more part and maybe an epilogue. Don't forget to R/R.