Notes, so you can skim down this bit straight to fic
after the: – General things to say -
This one is long, but no major developments really. More like a filling in of
gaps, answering a few questions, setting the scene, getting ready for whats to
come….
PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!! And an extra thank you to
all those that did for the last chapter coz I was v.v.v.worried bout it and u
made me feel good! You are all so great to keep reading!!!
I'm on my week off so am feeling v.v.v.good!! Thanks!!!!
_________________________
Garp: Tank tu!! I want the DUD!! (ok I wrote that down for you, but I really
don't gettit now!)
LexiaRein: Wow!! I can knight you now!! He he!
Undefined: Wow! That's a lovely review!! Thank you!! And
wow!! I'm on ur fav list! That's soooo cool!! WOW!
Kayla: Aww, that's such a lovely review. Thing with me is, I can't take a break
and come back to things. I loose my roll! I think that was just a finicky
chapter, I feel less worried about this one, a bit worried about possibly
overload of cheese or melodrama, but I think the reasons are justified so I
dunno! Thank you so much for the review it was lovely!
msu: WOW! That was SO LOVELY of you to say!!!!! Liz is a smart gal! Glad u like
her!
Cassiel: Yeah, you read my mind, Brian was a definite from the beginning. He's
quite hard to write – Sara was easier, I hope it doesn't show through too
much!! I think you are on my wavelength – the ending however is unknown to
allllll… I may not go as KKHH! I am considering alternatives…
Darryl J: AWW!! You are such a gem! Glad you liked it!! This one is a long one,
I actually added more after your review!!! THANNK YYYYOUUUUU!!!!!!
WhisperedFire: Thank you!!!
Slyffindor Protegy: You're so lovely to keep reading! I remember you!! Thank
you!!!
Laura aka Elfgirl: WOW! Awwww, thank you so much! I love it! They're gorgeous! I'm definitely going to find an opportunity to use them! That's so sweet!! You made me all fluttery and I was all giddy and I told loads of ppl how sweet and wonderful elfgirl is and now a lot of people think I am weird but that's ok!!!!
~~~
FIC STARTS NOW!!
Lyrics are between these lines: ----
'The Lover After Me' by Savage Garden
~~~~~
"Alanna, I need your form by next Friday or you can't come."
"I promise I'll have it tomorrow Ms Summers!"
"Buffy?"
Buffy turned away from the class and smiled at the receptionist. "Yes, Marge?"
"Phone call for you."
"Oh, right." Buffy smiled and walked toward the office, hoping to hear Brian's voice at the other end of the line.
"Hello."
"Hello, Buffy Summers?"
"Yes?"
"My name is William Vinnier."
"I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met."
"I'm interested in sending my daughter Liz to the school an I heard you were the one to talk to."
"Oh, hello. How old is Liz?"
"Eight years old, I think that would be your grade three."
"Yes, I teach that year at the moment. Well, we are just finishing the year right now. We are still receiving admission information for some of the kids for next year, so you are just in time. There are two classes of thirteen each, and I teach one of them. The other grade three teacher is Mrs Forthright, she and I both came to the school in the same year and we've been here for nearly 9 years now."
"It is good to know that the teachers are experienced. Is there a way in which Liz could have a sort of 'trainee' day, just to see if she likes the school?"
"Actually, we have a summer camp coming up in two weeks. It's called 'Camp Horwood' and it lasts for 5 weeks and it provides an opportunity for the kids to feel a little more independent, get to know the teachers, their classmates and some of the subject material for the next term. It is not actually at the school, we go up to a lovely part of the countryside where the camp has been built, there are cabins and a beautiful lake and activities are always in abundant quantities."
"That sounds perfect, I think Liz would really like that."
"That's great, and we do need some parents around to help us out so if you feel that you would prefer to come with her, that's fine, there are places for the teachers and parents at the camp too. But it is a very safe location, there will be a member of staff and a parent per seven children."
"That sounds great, where can I sign us up and get some more information?"
"I can send you an information pack if you would like?"
"That would be great."
"Alright, let me just grab a pen."
Peter took the seconds that Buffy found a pen to breathe.
It was nice to speak to her again, but she also reminded him of the times when
his daughter was the most vibrant in her life.
*Push it away Peter, this is what Sara wants and what Spike deserves. You're an
old fool and far too weak*
"Hello?"
"Yes, Ms Summers?"
"Can I take your address?"
"Of course. 6719 rue Capprai, Manté, Paris, France."
"Wow, France!"
"Yes, it is a beautiful place, it will be sad to leave it."
"I can imagine, but sometimes a new start can prove to be a wonderful change."
"I hope that will be the case."
"Me too. Ok, well, I'll get our info package in the mail to you and I hope to meet you and Liz at Camp Horwood."
"Thank you and I'm sure we will see you, Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Liz…"
"Abuelo, Vamos a ir para conocer Buffy."
"Muchacha, no podemos ir sin hablar con tu padre."
"Abueeeloooooooooooooooo. Tenemos que ir!!!"
"No sé."
Peter sighed. Liz wanted to go to the camp and meet Buffy…. without Spike.
"Granddad, what if she's changed into someone really awful and I hate her? I just want to get to know her before we let Dad see her again."
"He'll be worried to death if we just leave, Liz."
"We can leave him a note telling him we are safe and I'll call him and you'll be with me!! Pleeeeaaaassssseeeeeeeeeee."
"Liz, let me think about it. We have two weeks."
Liz sulked and slouched to her room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Bonjour Papa!"
"Anglais."
"Hey Dad."
"That's better. Hey princess."
William picked her up and carried her into their plush sitting room.
"Dad, I'm too old for you to carry."
"No your not." he argued adamantly.
Liz giggled as he dumped her on the amply cushioned
settee. With a decidedly 'Spike' glint in his eye, he proceeded to tickle her
senseless.
"DDDDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
William giggled as they settled themselves in a
comfortable heap.
"Where's your granddad?"
"He's taking a nap. I think me and Haile wore him out."
"I'm sure you did, Did Anya pick her up?"
"No, it was Uncle Xander."
"Ok, well that's good. Your granddad will need his energy for tonight."
"Why?"
"Angel and Cordelia are flying in for a night and they'll
be staying here."
"GRANDSIRE!!!"
William grinned. "Yeah, he's got some demon business to take care of in Italy and he decided it could wait a night so he could visit his favourite little girl in the world."
"I wonder what he's got me."
Spike grinned. Liz was truly a girl after his own heart. Angel always bought her the best gifts when he visited and Cordelia, the best clothes.
"Isn't Auntie Willow coming next week?"
"No, her trip was extended, she's not sure when she'll next be in France."
"Oh." Liz was disappointed she wouldn't be able to see her favourite auntie before leaving for the camp. Though, she loved her aunt Cordelia (Cordy refused to have a grand-anything in front of her name), she saw Willow more often and anyway, Willow was much better with kids.
"Hey, its ok. She'll probably only be another week or two."
Liz grinned and kissed her dad on the cheek. "Ok. I'm gonna go finish my holiday work before grandsire and aunt Cordelia arrive."
"Need any help?"
"Its ok, its English."
"Alright then." Spike smiled with pride as she leaped off his lap and into her bedroom.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I'm not sure I can pick you up from the camp, honey."
Buffy turned from the kitchen counter and frowned at Brian. "Why?"
"Mr Mitchell just told me I need to be at the seminar in Edinburgh that whole week."
"Brian…." Buffy pouted and slid into a smile. "It's ok. Five weeks isn't that long."
"Oh baby you have NO idea."
She smirked and tried to resist his nibbling, but alas, she was powerless.
Not that she minded.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~
"Where's my grand-childe?"
Spike grinned as Angel pulled back from their hug and
walked into the hall. Spike smiled and said, "Finishing off her school work,
poof."
"Well, work can wait. Its holidays anyway." Cordelia smiled and hugged Spike.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm good thanks, step-mum."
"You know that disturbs me."
"You know that's why I do it."
She shook her head in defeat and joined Angel.
"LIZ! PETER!" Spike called as he closed the door.
"Peter's here too?"
"Yeah, he's visiting."
"Where are Xander and Anya?"
"Busy, like we all are. But they're good. I left them messages saying you were coming, so they might show up later."
"That's good, I wanted to catch up with Anya." Cordelia smiled. "She's the only other not power-hungry half-demon I know. Everyone else is obsessed with becoming human or full demon. I say, best of both."
"Come on in." Spike said grinning after his chuckling agreement.
They walked into the sitting room and started to settle themselves when Liz raced into the room. Catching sight of Angel, she screeched and catapulted into his outstretched arms and kissed his grinning face.
"GRAND SIREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!"
They hugged tightly and William smiled at the sight. Peter walked in and Angel turned to speak to him, Liz still clinging to his body like a monkey.
"Peter, hello. It's good to see you again."
"Angel." They shook hands and Peter settled himself in one of the armchairs.
"Aunt CORDELIA!!"
"Hello sweetie!"
Hugs and presents and talking and question filled the time. It was a warm, content haze that surrounded them all and Angel and Cordelia's gift of a karaoke set was put to good use. When Anya, Xander, Haile and Poppy arrived, and more presents dispersed, the tempo was cranked up several notches and no one could have guessed that there were two vampires, two half-demons, two humans and three uber-hyper kids (that their parents would swear were not of the human race), in the room instead of a crowd of thirty or so. The large and rich dinner had to be ordered out on this occasion and they finally decided on Mexican.
"How are things, Will?" Angel took the moment alone with his childe to ask him.
"As they go, Sire. Liz is getting so smart and quick; she does something new and different everyday. Keeps me on my toes, that one."
"I'm glad." Angel hesitated and then stopped himself from continuing. It wasn't obvious, but an unusual aura had been growing round his childe for a very long time. It wasn't boredom, no, Spike's life was too full for that, it wasn't exactly apathy…Angel smiled and sighed…his Will loved Liz too much and clang to Sara's memory too much for that. It was an aloof, waiting about him.
A searching for… a reason other than Liz- to exist.
The energy, buzz… the cocky insanity that used to BE Spike…was gone. A crazy, hyper, living, passionate creature had become a shell of himself. And it hurt Angel more than he let on. He could feel it. In the blood, in the bond between them.
Spike sensed Angel's internal debate and practically sighed in relief when his Sire chose to stay silent. The no-longer-platinum-blond-more-like-mouse-brown-hair-coloured vampire wasn't stupid, he could sense Angel's worry in the blood bond between them…but he chose to ignore it. Sara had told him not to cling to the past but he didn't see how he could cling to a future that didn't hold anything for him except Liz's eventual departure for college or work or a love of her own. No, he was fine as he was. Alone. But…fine.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~
How could one being have that much power? They were left stunned. He had gone against the three most mighty, sly and undefeated opponents they had faced and tamed them within seconds.
'Uncle Angel'/ 'grand-sire' was always a hit with Liz, Poppy and Haile. Will, Xander and Anya were always left in wonder when he could easily and effortlessly persuade the three to go to bed on a non-school-night at a decent hour. How? They had enough trouble when there WAS an excuse for early bedtime.
When Angel returned to the garden, he grinned at the three jealous parents that were eying him.
"They say goodnight."
Even Anya couldn't reply.
Peter smiled and sighed at the same time, adoring the picture before him, and hurting for the ever-absent presence of the beauty that had been Sara. Unbeknownst to even himself, silent tears streamed down his face and a palpable aching squeezed his heart.
"Peter?"
The old man looked up, into the painfully similar eyes of his son-in-law.
"Come on, I'll take you to your room."
Peter could only nod and lean against Spike until he could fall into the least yearning slumber that he could hope for. William watched him for a few moments, calming his own memories, before he went back to the garden. The silence was uncomfortable and the haze had dispersed, leaving the stark truth glaring into his eyes.
Xander smiled and nodded as a supportive gesture and Spike smiled back, sitting in the garden chair. Anya clung to her husband's chest, thanking whatever she could think of that he was with her and that she had the joy of watching her children grow. Angel, still torn, could do nothing except stare at the sky and feel Cordelia's hand in his own.
They remained like that for a few minutes, a strong sense of dêja-vu returning to them all. How many times had they sat like this? Drifting in uncertainty, for no one knew what to do or what to say. On top of that, they all carried Buffy's secret with them -adding a heavy, drooping guilt to their souls. Though Xander and Anya had confronted her a few years ago, resulting in a painful and accusing argument and a break off in contact, they still felt guilty, angry at Buffy and heartbroken for Spike. All hostility towards Spike had disappeared long long ago, long before even Buffy had left. When any of them hurt, the others did too.
Cordelia refused to speak to Buffy. Angel called her every now and again, but he too felt unsure of how to talk to her anymore, and their calls were short, haling and rare. More often than not it had been for demon-related reasons and since Buffy had ceased to be a slayer, the conversations had basically ended.
Willow, alone continued to talk to the ex-slayer on a regular basis. They had met as well, when Willow was in England, once or twice a year at most, but still, enough that they knew about each other's lives. Their friendship was not as strong as it used to be and Willow could mention little about her own life, as Buffy did not want anything remotely related to Spike mentioned. She had no idea about Sara's death, Liz's birth, their location…. nothing.
Buffy had achieved half of what she had wanted.
Spike was a stranger.
But she had not forgotten him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~
--And time goes by so slowly
The nights are cold and lonely
I shouldn't be holding on
But I'm still holding on for you--
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~**~~**~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~~**~~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC
A review a day keeps my writers block away…and makes me very happy…
