Title: Road Trip Author: Joyce Maetta
Email: zinehall@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: Joss owns everything.
Spoilers: Season 5 pre Joyce's surgery.
Summary: Buffy and Dawn visit their dad. A curious platinum haired vampire is on their trail.
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 4
****************************************************************** Why did she continually follow a path that was going nowhere, Miranda pondered. She had met Hank Summers during a marketing jaunt to New York City. The attraction had been immediate, he being a smooth distinguished professional in their field. She was a marketing representative so it was only natural for them to go to dinner and schmooze.
Miranda was only partly interested in business and she'd sensed the same from Hank. He'd invited her to his hotel and, as they say, one thing led to many. She liked to tell herself that she'd had absolutely no idea that he was married. Maybe she knew intuitively because Hank hadn't had the frantic, desperate manner of single men who were anxious to score. No, Hank was much more comfortable, warm and sure of himself. She should have known right away and attributed his confidence to a stable home life.
As it was, he hadn't told Miranda of his marriage until the fourth time they'd met. It wasn't exactly shocking news...just a verification of her own instincts which she'd conveniently ignored. By that time, she was too taken in by his charms to just let him go. Floozy was not a term she'd used to describe herself although she had little doubt that there were indeed women who fit that description. Women who probably were, off and on, with Hank even. However she wasn't one of those in her mind. She preferred not to think of such sordid matters since she was a sophisticated successful woman in her own right.
Gradually, Hank had revealed bits and pieces of his family life and shown pictures of Buffy through the years. Eerily, it was like watching a family life unfolding while Miranda looked in as the unknown invisible stranger. Buffy was the proxy child Miranda would regrettably never have. Hence, she was looking forward to actually meeting Buffy.
Even after the divorce, Hank had not once suggested that Miranda and Buffy meet. It was during that time that Miranda had re-evaluated her assessment of Hank Summers. Hiding her as the other woman was one thing. Not showing her to friends and family afterwards was another. That was when she'd broken up with him.
After several years of dating single guys with little promise, she missed Hank. He, at least, was charming and knew, superficially at least, how to treat a woman. She had been shocked to see not one daughter's picture on Hank's desk but two. Hank had babbled on about how well his girls, plural, were doing. At first, she'd felt a smidgen of jealousy. There was some other woman out there who had had Hank's child and he hadn't told Miranda?..flashed through her brain. Then she thought that somehow that would not swing well with Joyce. The girls appeared to be reasonably close in age. Joyce would have had to have known about her. Where had she been? All Miranda could do was smile and take in the new information. The younger girl was named Dawn and the way Hank spoke about her, she had always been Buffy's little sister.
Then, Hank had pulled out a photo album showing the girls together. Something was very wrong. Miranda could remember seeing some of these same photos consisting only of Buffy. Furthermore, the office staff spoke of both Buffy and Dawn. Miranda felt as if she had stumbled into a looking glass. Curiouser and curioser.
******************************************************************
Spike twirled with delight. The Slayer had kissed him and he could not think straight let alone walk. Suddenly, he stopped and checked his surroundings. Wouldn't do for some demon to see the Big Bad acting like some poof. The "don't mess with me" mask settled in place as he leaned against a column. The bright lights and steady noise of a thriving city eased into the background.
The Slayer had opened up to him and that meant the world. And this was in real time. None of that dream nonsense. Also that spell didn't count although he'd enjoyed those moments of being engaged. No one else was to know that. Could it be that Buffy also remembered? They had both shown mutual disgust and rolled away once the spell was broken. And Spike had tried, really tried, to sublimate the depths of emotion which had filled him while gazing at the woman he was going to marry.
His smile widened. Yes. He was sure of it. Buffy was hiding her true feelings. She hadn't really been interested in that soldier boy. She'd only wanted to please her friends. If she had wanted Captain Cardboard to stay, she could have done something about it. Slayer knows how to get things done. Yeah, she wants a monster in her man. But not too fast now. Just play along and bide his time.
First things first. There was the matter of the father. He was upstairs. The partial masculine Summers scent was in the air. Spike followed it.
******************************************************************
Miranda pushed Hank gently away and smiled over her shoulder. "The Japanese are big on decorum. I need to freshen up before we go. Be back soon."
Hank watched as she left the room. He sat down at his desk and mentally congratulated himself. There was just something about this woman that was desirable and terrifying all at the same time. The latter was because he could see something similar to Joyce in her. For the first time, he was beginning to see her as a woman with feelings. Hank was scared that Miranda might actually want marriage or a committment and that was not something at which he excelled nor desired. Not his element. He loved women too much to be tied to just one. However, the best thing about his marriage to Joyce was she had given him Buffy and Dawn. The girls gave focus to his jet setter but hum drum life. Right now, the girls were in one box in his mind so it was best not to think of them. Miranda was here and now and he meant to have a good time. He'd see the girls tomorrow.
There was a knock on the office door. Hank frowned. Why did she feel the need to knock? "Come on in. Why...?" He froze as the rough looking blond man entered. Clearly, the man didn't belong here. Hank's eyes widened. A definite air of menace filled the room. Who was he? Hank visually appraised the room looking for possible weapons should it come to that.
"So you're Hank Summers," Spike drawled.
Hank nodded. "Yes...and who are you?" His voice quivered with fear but he sat ramrod straight. This was getting too much. Maybe he's not a burglar after all.
"Oh, we have mutual dear people in common. Or at least, dear to me. You? I'm not so sure about, " said Spike.
Hank had a puzzled look but his hand was creeping toward an alarm button. Before Hank could register it, Spike had leapt onto the desk and kicked the chair to the far wall.
"Can't let you do that, mate,"said Spike moving quickly.
Hank's shoulders had hit the wall shaking him up a bit. He raised frightened eyes to see Spike with arms outstretched effectively pinning Hank to the wall. Hank squared his jaw and looked defiantly at Spike. "You want money? Take it! Just let me.." Hank had started to get up when Spike shook the chair.
"Stay put and listen!" Spike shouted. Quieting down he said, "Alright?"
Hank nodded.
Moments passed. Spike removed his arms and settled on his haunches when he felt sure Hank would not try to bolt.
"Fatherhood is a wonderful thing." Spike looked pointedly at Hank. " It's just that sometimes you blokes don't seem to get it....the wonder and joy of fatherhood. Me? My father died while I was very young. Maybe that's why I turned out so bad. Don't know. What I do know is I missed him terribly and what I can remember of him was wonderful." Spike cocked his head. " Your girls have a father and they hardly see him."
A guilty expression flickered across Hank's face.
Spike continued. " When was it that you saw them last? Eh, Hank?"
Silence.
"'S what I thought. And you being not that far away either. You do know they're in town, right?"
Hank nodded, still looking down.
Spike leaned in slowly and poked a taloned finger into Hank's chest. "You better be sure to see them tomorrow or else.."
Hank looked up and saw the yellow eyes and ridge forehead of Spike's demon. His mouth formed a silent "O".
Miranda opened the door and saw the scene. "What's going on.." and screamed as Spike turned and shot past her through the door.
TBC
Email: zinehall@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: Joss owns everything.
Spoilers: Season 5 pre Joyce's surgery.
Summary: Buffy and Dawn visit their dad. A curious platinum haired vampire is on their trail.
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 4
****************************************************************** Why did she continually follow a path that was going nowhere, Miranda pondered. She had met Hank Summers during a marketing jaunt to New York City. The attraction had been immediate, he being a smooth distinguished professional in their field. She was a marketing representative so it was only natural for them to go to dinner and schmooze.
Miranda was only partly interested in business and she'd sensed the same from Hank. He'd invited her to his hotel and, as they say, one thing led to many. She liked to tell herself that she'd had absolutely no idea that he was married. Maybe she knew intuitively because Hank hadn't had the frantic, desperate manner of single men who were anxious to score. No, Hank was much more comfortable, warm and sure of himself. She should have known right away and attributed his confidence to a stable home life.
As it was, he hadn't told Miranda of his marriage until the fourth time they'd met. It wasn't exactly shocking news...just a verification of her own instincts which she'd conveniently ignored. By that time, she was too taken in by his charms to just let him go. Floozy was not a term she'd used to describe herself although she had little doubt that there were indeed women who fit that description. Women who probably were, off and on, with Hank even. However she wasn't one of those in her mind. She preferred not to think of such sordid matters since she was a sophisticated successful woman in her own right.
Gradually, Hank had revealed bits and pieces of his family life and shown pictures of Buffy through the years. Eerily, it was like watching a family life unfolding while Miranda looked in as the unknown invisible stranger. Buffy was the proxy child Miranda would regrettably never have. Hence, she was looking forward to actually meeting Buffy.
Even after the divorce, Hank had not once suggested that Miranda and Buffy meet. It was during that time that Miranda had re-evaluated her assessment of Hank Summers. Hiding her as the other woman was one thing. Not showing her to friends and family afterwards was another. That was when she'd broken up with him.
After several years of dating single guys with little promise, she missed Hank. He, at least, was charming and knew, superficially at least, how to treat a woman. She had been shocked to see not one daughter's picture on Hank's desk but two. Hank had babbled on about how well his girls, plural, were doing. At first, she'd felt a smidgen of jealousy. There was some other woman out there who had had Hank's child and he hadn't told Miranda?..flashed through her brain. Then she thought that somehow that would not swing well with Joyce. The girls appeared to be reasonably close in age. Joyce would have had to have known about her. Where had she been? All Miranda could do was smile and take in the new information. The younger girl was named Dawn and the way Hank spoke about her, she had always been Buffy's little sister.
Then, Hank had pulled out a photo album showing the girls together. Something was very wrong. Miranda could remember seeing some of these same photos consisting only of Buffy. Furthermore, the office staff spoke of both Buffy and Dawn. Miranda felt as if she had stumbled into a looking glass. Curiouser and curioser.
******************************************************************
Spike twirled with delight. The Slayer had kissed him and he could not think straight let alone walk. Suddenly, he stopped and checked his surroundings. Wouldn't do for some demon to see the Big Bad acting like some poof. The "don't mess with me" mask settled in place as he leaned against a column. The bright lights and steady noise of a thriving city eased into the background.
The Slayer had opened up to him and that meant the world. And this was in real time. None of that dream nonsense. Also that spell didn't count although he'd enjoyed those moments of being engaged. No one else was to know that. Could it be that Buffy also remembered? They had both shown mutual disgust and rolled away once the spell was broken. And Spike had tried, really tried, to sublimate the depths of emotion which had filled him while gazing at the woman he was going to marry.
His smile widened. Yes. He was sure of it. Buffy was hiding her true feelings. She hadn't really been interested in that soldier boy. She'd only wanted to please her friends. If she had wanted Captain Cardboard to stay, she could have done something about it. Slayer knows how to get things done. Yeah, she wants a monster in her man. But not too fast now. Just play along and bide his time.
First things first. There was the matter of the father. He was upstairs. The partial masculine Summers scent was in the air. Spike followed it.
******************************************************************
Miranda pushed Hank gently away and smiled over her shoulder. "The Japanese are big on decorum. I need to freshen up before we go. Be back soon."
Hank watched as she left the room. He sat down at his desk and mentally congratulated himself. There was just something about this woman that was desirable and terrifying all at the same time. The latter was because he could see something similar to Joyce in her. For the first time, he was beginning to see her as a woman with feelings. Hank was scared that Miranda might actually want marriage or a committment and that was not something at which he excelled nor desired. Not his element. He loved women too much to be tied to just one. However, the best thing about his marriage to Joyce was she had given him Buffy and Dawn. The girls gave focus to his jet setter but hum drum life. Right now, the girls were in one box in his mind so it was best not to think of them. Miranda was here and now and he meant to have a good time. He'd see the girls tomorrow.
There was a knock on the office door. Hank frowned. Why did she feel the need to knock? "Come on in. Why...?" He froze as the rough looking blond man entered. Clearly, the man didn't belong here. Hank's eyes widened. A definite air of menace filled the room. Who was he? Hank visually appraised the room looking for possible weapons should it come to that.
"So you're Hank Summers," Spike drawled.
Hank nodded. "Yes...and who are you?" His voice quivered with fear but he sat ramrod straight. This was getting too much. Maybe he's not a burglar after all.
"Oh, we have mutual dear people in common. Or at least, dear to me. You? I'm not so sure about, " said Spike.
Hank had a puzzled look but his hand was creeping toward an alarm button. Before Hank could register it, Spike had leapt onto the desk and kicked the chair to the far wall.
"Can't let you do that, mate,"said Spike moving quickly.
Hank's shoulders had hit the wall shaking him up a bit. He raised frightened eyes to see Spike with arms outstretched effectively pinning Hank to the wall. Hank squared his jaw and looked defiantly at Spike. "You want money? Take it! Just let me.." Hank had started to get up when Spike shook the chair.
"Stay put and listen!" Spike shouted. Quieting down he said, "Alright?"
Hank nodded.
Moments passed. Spike removed his arms and settled on his haunches when he felt sure Hank would not try to bolt.
"Fatherhood is a wonderful thing." Spike looked pointedly at Hank. " It's just that sometimes you blokes don't seem to get it....the wonder and joy of fatherhood. Me? My father died while I was very young. Maybe that's why I turned out so bad. Don't know. What I do know is I missed him terribly and what I can remember of him was wonderful." Spike cocked his head. " Your girls have a father and they hardly see him."
A guilty expression flickered across Hank's face.
Spike continued. " When was it that you saw them last? Eh, Hank?"
Silence.
"'S what I thought. And you being not that far away either. You do know they're in town, right?"
Hank nodded, still looking down.
Spike leaned in slowly and poked a taloned finger into Hank's chest. "You better be sure to see them tomorrow or else.."
Hank looked up and saw the yellow eyes and ridge forehead of Spike's demon. His mouth formed a silent "O".
Miranda opened the door and saw the scene. "What's going on.." and screamed as Spike turned and shot past her through the door.
TBC