A/N : I have to say that I'm surprised how popular this fic is, I honesty didn't think that many people would wanna read it. Anyway, thanx to everyone who reviewed; twisty-treat (no, Willow doesn't get an English accent, lol), tinkerbell42, fictionfreak2, SpIkEs AnGeL (keep reading, this chapter explains the tragic part), SoutherRain, EmilyTheStrange1, ladymiss, spuffyluva73 (keep on reading and everything should start to make sense), fashiongrrl (I actually laughed when I wrote that part and I don't know why either, lol. Everything will become clear later, keep on reading!). Hope the ending of this chapter makes sense, with any luck you'll understand what's going on, I think it sounded better in my head than it looks on the page/screen... [I'm updating One Wild Night today too]

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 6 : Why? - 1985

I was two days old, fighting fit and healthy so they tell me. I've seen pictures of me and Willow at that tiny age and always wonder at how our parents can say we were beautiful. We look weird and wrinkly and red to me, but hey, when you're told you're beautiful, you don't argue! Now, where was I? Oh yeah, the day I was brought home from St Joseph's Hospital...

"Time to go home sweetheart" Joyce told her tiny daughter as Hank lifted the baby from the cot she lie in, "I wish we could all go home" she looked upon Jenny and Giles with sympathy as they watched their own little daughter lying in an incubator. Willow was in no danger, the doctors were certain she would live and be completely healthy in a couple of days. She had actually been born after Buffy Summers, but had been due earlier and so was weaker. A few hours after her birth, the little girl with the bright green eyes had a little trouble with her breathing and had been placed in an incubator, where the doctors had decided she should remain for a few days.

"It's okay" Jenny tried to smile ad not look too disappointed, "We only have to wait a couple more days, then we'll be a proper little family too" she thought of how wonderful it would be on that day, when William would not go to nursery school but would go with his parents to pick up the newest member of their family.

The four friends exchanged hugs and handshakes before the Summers family headed for home and the Giles's remained behind, for now at least.

"Here we are" Joyce cooed to the child in her arms as they entered the apartment, "This is our home, Buffy" she told the oblivious baby, "and you and me and Daddy live here, and across the hall, that's where Uncle Giles and Aunt Jenny and your cousins William and Willow will live.

The baby just wriggled and yawned in response which made her proud parents smile. Joyce and Hank spent a couple of hours, telling their child about their home and how wonderful their life would be because they loved her, and each other, so much. It was mid-afternoon when the phone rang and Hank answered it.

"Hank, it's Jenny" said the voice on the other end, "I kind of need a favour"

"Sure, Jenny, what's the problem?" her friend replied, swapping frowns with his wife.

"There having some sort of paperwork crisis at the office and Giles had to rush off, you know how panicky he is about this possible promotion" Mrs Giles explained, "Problem is, he's taken the car..."

"And unless you want to walk three miles home alone" Hank interrupted, "You need someone to come pick you up?" he guessed.

"I hate to ask" Jenny said sheepishly, "especially since you just got Buffy home..."

"It's okay" she was interrupted again as Hank said he'd be there as quick as he could to bring the brunette home.

"Jenny's stranded at St Joseph's" Hank explained to his wife as soon as he'd hung up the phone, "Giles had an office crisis and left her without transport, I'm gonna go pick her up" the man explained, putting his jacket and shoes back on and picking up his car keys, "I won't be long" he promised, kissing his wife briefly and dropping a kiss onto the head of his child too, "See you later, sweethearts" he said as he left, and as the door slammed shut Buffy started to scream her head off.

"It's okay sweetie" Joyce tried to calm her, "Daddy will be back soon, I promise"

It took Hank barely a few minutes to get to the hospital and Jenny was waiting just beyond the main doors. She smiled as she climbed into the passenger seat beside him.

"Thanks so much for this Hank" she said as she pulled on her seatbelt.

"No problem" the man smiled back and the two chatted amiably as they travelled back towards the apartment block where they lived. The radio played softly in the background until suddenly Jenny recognised the song and moved to turn up the volume. She turned the wrong dial and accidentally changed the station instead, then proceeded to fumble with the controls in the hope of getting back the station and the volume.

"I'm useless" she complained with a laugh and Hank glanced down at what she was doing.

"Here" he said, lifting one hand from the steering wheel and reaching to the radio, "turn this one, that way" he pointed but she didn't look in time.

"This one?" she asked him and he looked down again, just for a moment, but it was one moment too long.

A truck pulled out of the junction and it really wasn't the driver's fault, it was his right of way, but Hank wasn't looking and by the time he was, it was too late to swerve. The front of the car crumpled like paper as it smashed head-long into the side of the articulated vehicle.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

'Ring! Ring!'

"Hello...yes this is Mrs Joyce Summers...oh God no!"

'Ring! Ring!'

"Rupert Giles speaking...yes...oh heavens, please no!"

To Be Continued...