Howdy thanks for reading. Just so you know, it's the end of the semester pretty much and I've got lots of papers and tests. I'm trying hard to get at lest a chapter a week, even if it's short, out to you. I really want you to be happy and I'm pretty proud of what I've done so far. So just hang in there with me I'm doing the best I can. Thanks so much. If you haven't checked out my other two stories "Strange encounters" is in my mind finished, but I am contemplating a prequel if I ever get "Coming Home" finished. And "The Gypsy" is pretty different thought it's not finished. If you read all of them you can pretty much tell how bad I've got Florence Nightingale syndrome. LOL

Part 11: Lunch

Angel and Gunn waited outside the Army Base. There was no point in going in and looking for Agent Finn, too many soldier types and they didn't know where he worked. Right now they were waiting in a parking lot on the other side of the road for Finn to come out. Then they would tail him and ask him a few questions.

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It was lunch time and Tara suggested that they take Spike outside for a change. Buffy helped him grudgingly change into the t-shirt and sweat pants Dawn had brought. They had been his, though Buffy had been wearing them to bed for the past year. He really looked small now, swimming in all the fabric.

They had gotten him unhappily into a wheelchair and wheeled him outside. He huffed the entire way. Rupert could understand his son not wanting to be treated like an invalid. But it was Hospital policy that all patients be moved in wheelchairs.

The girls and Tara accompanied him outside to a grassy area with a picnic table and a large shade tree; it was sunny out and very comfortable. Rupert followed behind with lunch for everyone. Spike sat quietly while the others discussed school, work, the weather, what movies where out, how cute Dawn thought Orlando Bloom was.

Giles, while in the mist of biting his egg salad sandwich found himself looking over at his son at the other end of the table. The look of aw on William's face made Giles think he hadn't seen the light of day in years. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, to think of William's rescue and about all the time and things he'd missed. He hadn't touched his sandwich Giles noted, then something occurred to him, and just as quickly he dismissed it, it was too hot for that right now. But than again if it might make Will happy it was worth a shot. Giles put his sandwich down and excused himself, saying he'd be back in a moment.

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Wow, it was bright out, it was beautiful. It was like the light comforted something deep in his soul and he wished this amazing day won't end. He wanted to express these feelings to Buffy or Dawn, Tara, someone. But he couldn't put it in words; his words had always fallen short of how he really felt. Besides they probably would think he was feverish or something and take him back inside. A warm breeze blew and Spike picked up the faint scent of vanilla, and it was coming off him. He lifted the sleeve of his shirt to his nose. It smelled like Buffy, all warm, and of vanilla and detergent.

It smelled like home.

Rupert came back outside and handed Spike a cup. Spike looked at the cup in his hands, wondering what to do next. It was warm in his hand. Rupert watch intently, almost proudly Spike thought as he eyed his father wonder what was going on in his mind. Slowly he took a sip and let it slid down his throat. Aaaa Hot Chocolate, his old favorite, nice call old man. "Thanks" he said meaning it with his whole heart.

[[[*]]][[[*]]][[[*]]]

Angel and Gunn had followed Agent Finn as he left the base and stopped for lunch at a small dinner. The two of them went in after him with their most intimidating gaits and game faces on. Calmly, almost eerily they slid into his booth across from him.

Riley looked up from his menu as two men sat down at his table, and not the men he was expecting.

"Can I help you?" He asked smugly and on his guard.

Angel looked him straight in the eye and smirked, the cold smirk of someone in control. "Oh I think you can."

To be continued...