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
Author's Note: I apologize profusely for this extremely delayed conclusion. Real life intruded in painful ways. Still, loose ends are unacceptable.
Chapter 5
Squicky, slimy...ewww. Dawn tried not to wrinkle her nose. The thing to do was look nonchalant. That was the sophisticated thing to do after all. But it was difficult not to stare at the dead cooked squid on that lady's plate. Calamari or something she called it. It was floating in some type of cream too. To Dawn it looked both gross and disgusting. Yuck.
Those oh so stealthy roving eyes did not escape the attention of Miranda. This Dawn was such a fascinating child in an ethereal way. Miranda might have been late to the scene but she was quick on the uptake and was doing her darndest to get up to speed regarding this particular child.
"Would you like some, Dawn? There's more than enough..." Miranda stopped when she saw the look of distress on Dawn's face. "Is there something wrong?
Dawn flashed a wide wry smile. Too wide, actually. But one does what one must. Is this how adults act? I am so not doing this again, she thought. But she did not want to upset her father who looked sort of blissful sitting by that woman. Why not Mom? This train of thought came to a screeching halt. Must play nice.
"Oh, no...no, thank you, Miss Waltz. I was just looking at it. Not that I haven't seen any before. Well, actually, I haven't. I'll just stick with my burger," Dawn said as she brushed her hair aside.
Miranda caught the undertone. "To be honest, it really doesn't look appetizing. Buffy, what do you think?"
Having just taken a bite out of her burger, Buffy just glared at Dawn who stuffed a giggle.
It had been Hank's decision to take the girls to a ritzy restaurant. Style and class were elements that belonged to Buffy's past in spite of Joyce's erstwhile efforts to educate both in etiquette and taste. Joyce thought that these were needed in the lives of proper women. Buffy knew that there was very little room in the life of the Slayer for niceties. However, she had deferred on behalf of Dawn. Maybe someday Dawn would marry up in the world. However, for the time being, both of their tastes ran to simple American food. Good ole hamburgers...which was one of the few concessions made by the restaurant. Seemed like everything else on the menu had a foreign name tacked on.
Even though Buffy outwardly enjoyed being there, inside she was stewing. She made an effort to keep it under wraps for Dawn's sake. How could he do this to them? This was supposed to be an enjoyable evening for the girls and their father. This wasn't brain science. It wasn't supposed to include anyone else and most certainly not some ditzy other woman. Who was she anyway? Oh, they had been introduced by name but who was she? Buffy wasn't so naive to think that her father didn't have someone. It just burned that he flaunted her so outrageously in Buffy's mind. Today was supposed to be their day for togetherness. What other purpose was there for this trip? Doesn't he want to be with us? Don't we matter? They saw him so very infrequently. Couldn't he have made some sort of deference to their effort or shown some tiny sliver of affection. Oh yeah, this was it complete with the occasional "business partner". So Buffy took out her festering emotions on Dawn via the glare then self consciously smiled as a means of retraction.
"Oh, like you haven't done that to me before," Dawn amiled. She knew the score so she turned the screw. Directing her attention at Miranda, Dawn said," What a lovely bag! Is that Gucci?"
"Why yes it is, dear. How...how perceptive of you." Miranda beamed. "Oh, my friends and I have a special deal...."
Buffy inwardly groaned and excused herself from the table.
..................................................
The restaurant was busy but not so busy that Buffy's departure did not escape Spike's attention. He watched her leave and then directed his attention back to the Summer's table. His supernatural hearing did not pick up any increased heartbeats or staccato breaths or anything which indicated anger or disgust. Why did she leave? He was sure he had detected palpable frustration from Buffy. If so, the others seemed unaware. Did that ponce have anything to do with the waft from Buffy? At the moment, Hank was speaking to Dawn and Dawn was actually smiling. So maybe the old bugger wasn't so bad after all? The dolly was also engaged in the conversation. So alright then. Bloke buckled under somewhat.
Still, Spike worried about Buffy. He strode off after her, keeping his distance mindful of her vampire radar, until she sat at a table just outside the restaurant. Buffy looked around making sure no one saw her before she let the tears flow.
"Bloody hell!" Spike flew out the door and was on his knees instantly.
Buffy tried to stifle but couldn't. "Spike. Were you spying on me?" She tried to show anger but gave up.
"No, no pet. What's wrong? He didn't hurt you, did he? Might hurt like hell but I could give him a good seeing to. Rough him up a bit."
Buffy tilted her head giggling as Spike punched the air.
"Hey, that's my gesture, luv. Mirroring me, are you?" Spike smiled as he gazed into Buffy's twinkling eyes. He was rewarded by her hand on his.
"It's all good. Well, mostly." Buffy could not believe that she was opening up to Spike of all people. She noticed where her hand was and pulled it back to her side, blushing as she remembered the kiss. But his skin felt so damned good! Buffy looked directly into Spike's openly hungry eyes. She was startled and simultaneously joyous yet she pushed on hoping that he missed her conflicting emotions.
"It's just that..I guess I expected more, you know?" She reached and searched for Spike's hand again. This time she left her hand there and gripped Spike's as she went on. " He's so important to me. So bigger than life. I've always sought his approval trying to make him proud of me." Buffy hesitated. Spike nodded pressing her to go on. " Not so much with schoolwork but in taking charge like stuff. I just want him to notice me back. Uh, do things with us and place us first." She sniffed. "But he's just a man who's distant."
Spike growled.
"No, it's not like that. I think he means well. It's just that he's further away than I want him to be vene when we're in the same room. Like he's on a pedestal. My problem, really. I've always wanted us to be closer. I even blamed Mom for driving him away. Can you believe it?" Buffy shook her head. " I can't. Now. Wow, Mom sure was smart. Wish I'd seen it then. It would have saved us some heartache."
"That's alright, pet." Spike took the bold move of tentatively petting Buffy's hand back. "Take comfort that your dad loves you in his own way. Can't squeeze blood from a turnip, though. I'd be a rich vamp if they could. Your dad seems a nice enough bloke who needs some reminders every now and then other than desk pictures..." The words were out before Spike could stop them.
"Desk pictures? How do you know...?" Buffy's mood changed. "What did you do, Spike?"
The deer in the headlights look was plastered on Spike's face. "We had some words, pet. Just some words."
"What sort of ..words?"
"Just friendly reminder type words is all."
Buffy looked doubtful and her mood further decreased 50 degrees as she hooded her eyes.
Spike jumped up and started pacing. "OK. He needed a push sort of gentle like." The arms went up as Spike continued to pace. "Wanted you to be happy."
"Since when do you care about my happiness?" Oops, bad Buffy. It was time for the tables to be turned but the change seemingly escaped Spike's attention.
"Since..." Spike hesitated not willing to let on, " since I've gotten to know you Mom. Joyce is a right nice lady. Listens to me and talks about you and Dawn. You two are her life."
Surprised, Buffy was speechless. Since when did soulless vampires have empathy?
"What's the matter, Slayer?" Spike noticed the sudden shift in mood. "Heard something you don't like or were you gonna tell me to keep away from your mom?" He barely managed not to let the catch into his voice. Joyce was important to him and he did not want to jeopardize the relationship by emphasizing it to Buffy.
Buffy spread her hands out. This was not going well at all. "We were talking about my father and you."
"Oh yeah. That. He's clueless. 'Sides, didn't hurt him. You saw. You were just with him."
"No, I believe you didn't. I just wondered why he was all big with the surfacy attention," a pall passed over her face," when , uh, he wasn't before."
Buffy got up and gingerly took Spike's hand. "Thanks," she said shyly as she stroked his fingers. Now it was Spike's turn to be speechless as his eyes shone with adoration and a touch of confusion. Buffy kissed his cheek, held his hand and then turned to go.
"I'll see you when we get back to Sunnydale," she said. Spike could have sworn there was more sunlight than he'd seen in his living days what with England being short of it and all. Maybe you have a chance, old boy, after all. The duster swished as he did a poncy swirl. Sometimes nancyboy gestures were called for.
Buffy watched him stroll away. What did I just do? Oh, no!
The End
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
Author's Note: I apologize profusely for this extremely delayed conclusion. Real life intruded in painful ways. Still, loose ends are unacceptable.
Chapter 5
Squicky, slimy...ewww. Dawn tried not to wrinkle her nose. The thing to do was look nonchalant. That was the sophisticated thing to do after all. But it was difficult not to stare at the dead cooked squid on that lady's plate. Calamari or something she called it. It was floating in some type of cream too. To Dawn it looked both gross and disgusting. Yuck.
Those oh so stealthy roving eyes did not escape the attention of Miranda. This Dawn was such a fascinating child in an ethereal way. Miranda might have been late to the scene but she was quick on the uptake and was doing her darndest to get up to speed regarding this particular child.
"Would you like some, Dawn? There's more than enough..." Miranda stopped when she saw the look of distress on Dawn's face. "Is there something wrong?
Dawn flashed a wide wry smile. Too wide, actually. But one does what one must. Is this how adults act? I am so not doing this again, she thought. But she did not want to upset her father who looked sort of blissful sitting by that woman. Why not Mom? This train of thought came to a screeching halt. Must play nice.
"Oh, no...no, thank you, Miss Waltz. I was just looking at it. Not that I haven't seen any before. Well, actually, I haven't. I'll just stick with my burger," Dawn said as she brushed her hair aside.
Miranda caught the undertone. "To be honest, it really doesn't look appetizing. Buffy, what do you think?"
Having just taken a bite out of her burger, Buffy just glared at Dawn who stuffed a giggle.
It had been Hank's decision to take the girls to a ritzy restaurant. Style and class were elements that belonged to Buffy's past in spite of Joyce's erstwhile efforts to educate both in etiquette and taste. Joyce thought that these were needed in the lives of proper women. Buffy knew that there was very little room in the life of the Slayer for niceties. However, she had deferred on behalf of Dawn. Maybe someday Dawn would marry up in the world. However, for the time being, both of their tastes ran to simple American food. Good ole hamburgers...which was one of the few concessions made by the restaurant. Seemed like everything else on the menu had a foreign name tacked on.
Even though Buffy outwardly enjoyed being there, inside she was stewing. She made an effort to keep it under wraps for Dawn's sake. How could he do this to them? This was supposed to be an enjoyable evening for the girls and their father. This wasn't brain science. It wasn't supposed to include anyone else and most certainly not some ditzy other woman. Who was she anyway? Oh, they had been introduced by name but who was she? Buffy wasn't so naive to think that her father didn't have someone. It just burned that he flaunted her so outrageously in Buffy's mind. Today was supposed to be their day for togetherness. What other purpose was there for this trip? Doesn't he want to be with us? Don't we matter? They saw him so very infrequently. Couldn't he have made some sort of deference to their effort or shown some tiny sliver of affection. Oh yeah, this was it complete with the occasional "business partner". So Buffy took out her festering emotions on Dawn via the glare then self consciously smiled as a means of retraction.
"Oh, like you haven't done that to me before," Dawn amiled. She knew the score so she turned the screw. Directing her attention at Miranda, Dawn said," What a lovely bag! Is that Gucci?"
"Why yes it is, dear. How...how perceptive of you." Miranda beamed. "Oh, my friends and I have a special deal...."
Buffy inwardly groaned and excused herself from the table.
..................................................
The restaurant was busy but not so busy that Buffy's departure did not escape Spike's attention. He watched her leave and then directed his attention back to the Summer's table. His supernatural hearing did not pick up any increased heartbeats or staccato breaths or anything which indicated anger or disgust. Why did she leave? He was sure he had detected palpable frustration from Buffy. If so, the others seemed unaware. Did that ponce have anything to do with the waft from Buffy? At the moment, Hank was speaking to Dawn and Dawn was actually smiling. So maybe the old bugger wasn't so bad after all? The dolly was also engaged in the conversation. So alright then. Bloke buckled under somewhat.
Still, Spike worried about Buffy. He strode off after her, keeping his distance mindful of her vampire radar, until she sat at a table just outside the restaurant. Buffy looked around making sure no one saw her before she let the tears flow.
"Bloody hell!" Spike flew out the door and was on his knees instantly.
Buffy tried to stifle but couldn't. "Spike. Were you spying on me?" She tried to show anger but gave up.
"No, no pet. What's wrong? He didn't hurt you, did he? Might hurt like hell but I could give him a good seeing to. Rough him up a bit."
Buffy tilted her head giggling as Spike punched the air.
"Hey, that's my gesture, luv. Mirroring me, are you?" Spike smiled as he gazed into Buffy's twinkling eyes. He was rewarded by her hand on his.
"It's all good. Well, mostly." Buffy could not believe that she was opening up to Spike of all people. She noticed where her hand was and pulled it back to her side, blushing as she remembered the kiss. But his skin felt so damned good! Buffy looked directly into Spike's openly hungry eyes. She was startled and simultaneously joyous yet she pushed on hoping that he missed her conflicting emotions.
"It's just that..I guess I expected more, you know?" She reached and searched for Spike's hand again. This time she left her hand there and gripped Spike's as she went on. " He's so important to me. So bigger than life. I've always sought his approval trying to make him proud of me." Buffy hesitated. Spike nodded pressing her to go on. " Not so much with schoolwork but in taking charge like stuff. I just want him to notice me back. Uh, do things with us and place us first." She sniffed. "But he's just a man who's distant."
Spike growled.
"No, it's not like that. I think he means well. It's just that he's further away than I want him to be vene when we're in the same room. Like he's on a pedestal. My problem, really. I've always wanted us to be closer. I even blamed Mom for driving him away. Can you believe it?" Buffy shook her head. " I can't. Now. Wow, Mom sure was smart. Wish I'd seen it then. It would have saved us some heartache."
"That's alright, pet." Spike took the bold move of tentatively petting Buffy's hand back. "Take comfort that your dad loves you in his own way. Can't squeeze blood from a turnip, though. I'd be a rich vamp if they could. Your dad seems a nice enough bloke who needs some reminders every now and then other than desk pictures..." The words were out before Spike could stop them.
"Desk pictures? How do you know...?" Buffy's mood changed. "What did you do, Spike?"
The deer in the headlights look was plastered on Spike's face. "We had some words, pet. Just some words."
"What sort of ..words?"
"Just friendly reminder type words is all."
Buffy looked doubtful and her mood further decreased 50 degrees as she hooded her eyes.
Spike jumped up and started pacing. "OK. He needed a push sort of gentle like." The arms went up as Spike continued to pace. "Wanted you to be happy."
"Since when do you care about my happiness?" Oops, bad Buffy. It was time for the tables to be turned but the change seemingly escaped Spike's attention.
"Since..." Spike hesitated not willing to let on, " since I've gotten to know you Mom. Joyce is a right nice lady. Listens to me and talks about you and Dawn. You two are her life."
Surprised, Buffy was speechless. Since when did soulless vampires have empathy?
"What's the matter, Slayer?" Spike noticed the sudden shift in mood. "Heard something you don't like or were you gonna tell me to keep away from your mom?" He barely managed not to let the catch into his voice. Joyce was important to him and he did not want to jeopardize the relationship by emphasizing it to Buffy.
Buffy spread her hands out. This was not going well at all. "We were talking about my father and you."
"Oh yeah. That. He's clueless. 'Sides, didn't hurt him. You saw. You were just with him."
"No, I believe you didn't. I just wondered why he was all big with the surfacy attention," a pall passed over her face," when , uh, he wasn't before."
Buffy got up and gingerly took Spike's hand. "Thanks," she said shyly as she stroked his fingers. Now it was Spike's turn to be speechless as his eyes shone with adoration and a touch of confusion. Buffy kissed his cheek, held his hand and then turned to go.
"I'll see you when we get back to Sunnydale," she said. Spike could have sworn there was more sunlight than he'd seen in his living days what with England being short of it and all. Maybe you have a chance, old boy, after all. The duster swished as he did a poncy swirl. Sometimes nancyboy gestures were called for.
Buffy watched him stroll away. What did I just do? Oh, no!
The End