Author's note: Okay so this is almost the end (epilogue to follow). Thank you for all your feedback and for reading this even though my posting schedule leaves a lot to be desired.

Chapter XV

I had a week to say good bye. The watcher was making all the arrangements and he would pick her up next Tuesday at sunset in the park. Then he would take her to a mystic that specialized in memory-altering spells. When a suitable time had passed he would return her to her parents.

Of course it would be a lot more complicated than that but he was certain that he could handle it with the resources at his disposal. Either way it was out of my hands.

Why? You ask.

I do not have an answer. I had taken care of the bit for five years. I have been there for all aspects of her life ever since Dru left her sleeping in a drawer. I've been through the good the bad and the very bad with her. She was my girl.

I guess I had a 'epiphany'. God, I hate the bloody word but it was true. I saw ahead and it was only going to hurt her. If she remained with me she would never have the chance at a real life. What the watcher said it was true. She deserved a shot at normalcy before her life became anything but.

My sweet girl was going to have her days in the sun. What did it matter if she would take mine with her?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In those last few days I gave her everything I could. We went out every night and I spared no expense to give her all that she wanted. I also gave her myself. I answered all her questions and sung to her the melodies of my own childhood. I gave her memories of my beloved mother and the least painful verses of my poetry. We went riding in a motorcycle and ice-skated at the local pond. And on the last night we pitched a purloined tent and slept under the stars.

"Spike" she whispered.

"Yeah bit" I answered.

"What are the stars made of?"
I had the correct scientific explanation at the end of my tongue but for once I buried reality.

"Slayers"

"What's a slayer"

I cleared the frog in my throat before answering. "A slayer is a girl that has been chosen to do the most important job on earth"

"What's that?" she asked.

"Give people hope"

And after that she slept in my arms. At peace and oblivious at the useless buckets of salt spilling from my eyes.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The watcher, like a good Englishman was on time. The bit had her bag packed with all her favorite toys and clothes. I had told her that she was going on a trip with a friend of mine and that I would catch up to them later. Excited over the prospect, she did not question it.

The watcher had a nice little number and the nibblet immediately got on the passenger seat ready for her adventure to start. The man took me aside and out of her hearing range.

"You are doing the right thing Spike"

"Like I care for your opinion. This is strictly for my own convenience"
"I see" he said quietly.

"Yeah. The girl has been cramping my lifestyle for years. I could not be a right proper vamp with a human child at my side. If you hadn't come when you did, I would have left her at an orphanage or something."

"I'm sure you would have" he said evenly. "Well its all for the best then. Good luck Spike" he turned toward his car.

"Wait" I spoke urgently and he stopped in his tracks. "I want to know.."
"What?"

"Her name. I want to know her real name"
The watcher considered for a moment but nodded his assent. His mouth opened to release the information. I held my breath.

"No" I yelled. "I don't want to know"

His gaze narrowed "Why not?"

"Because when we meet again she will be just another Slayer. Just another one to be taken down" I tried to keep my voice from fading as I spoke.

"Do you honestly believe that?"
I did not answer him as the bit climbed down from her seat and opened the car door. Her little arms went around my neck and I breathed her scent knowing that I would know it forever.

"Bye Spike. I'll miss you until you come" she promised.

"Good bye nibblet. I'll miss you too" I finished brokenly.

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

The car left the parking lot and I stood there gazing as she rode away from me. Knowing that I would never see my little girl again.

Epilogue to follow. Please review.