Disclaimer: Not mine unfortunately!
A/N: Thanks for the lovely reviews; I really wasn't expecting such a great response for this, I just hope no one is disappointed.
Chapter 4: Jane's room
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"No."
"I'll wash the cars!"
"You do that anyway!"
"I wont make you pay me for doing it!"
"No."
"Why?"
Joyce sighed, turning away from the dinner cooking happily on the stove to look at her sulking son who sat at the counter. Of course if you asked Spike he wouldn't admit to sulking, he'd call it...extreme pouting. He'd been badgering her none stop since he'd come from the hospital to take in 'Jane Doe' when she was discharged. He'd begged and pleaded no matter how many times she said no. Normally she would deny him nothing within reason, she'd even go so far as to say she spoiled him sometimes. But now he looked more desolate than when she'd taken away the keys to his Desoto after he 'accidentally' ran down the welcome to Sunnydale sign. She shook her head at his pitiful look.
"It's not a good idea Will." She told him gently.
"Why not? It's only until they can find her family!" he insisted
"I'm sure there are plenty of people willing to take her in Will." Joyce tried to reassure him, even though she knew it wouldn't work. He seemed to have an answer for everything.
"No there aren't. People think she'll be too much trouble because she can't talk...and she tends to lash out occasionally." He admitted quietly.
Joyce raised an eyebrow. "That's hardly a convincing argument Will!"
Spike sighed in exasperation. She wasn't making this easy. "It's not like we don't have the room mum. She could stay in Dawn's room!"
"And what if your sister should come home and there's a strange girl in her bed?" Joyce asked.
Spike rolled his eyes. "This isn't goldilocks and the three bears!" he huffed. "Besides, since when does Dawn ever come here? She's too happy using daddy's expense account!"
Joyce winced and as soon as Spike heard his words he regretted them. When his parent's marriage had imploded he'd chosen to go with Joyce. The much younger Dawn had, on the other hand, been lured by Hank's promises of toys and ice cream. Now Spike barely saw his fourteen-year-old brat kid sister since she had moved to LA with their father not long after the divorce. Even when Spike and Joyce had moved to California visits had been rare. Despite this Joyce had insisted on saving a room for Dawn, just in case.
Although Joyce had never held her daughters decision against her, Spike knew there was some part of her mind that wondered if she had been inadequate as a mother somehow, especially given Spike's penchant for causing trouble – Hank had certainly accused her of it often enough. It had been one of the main contributors to Spike's eventually distancing himself from his father.
"Look mum," Spike continued, trying to subtly make amends, "if Dawnie does come home she'll be thrilled! You know she's always said she wished she had a sister!"
"A stranger is hardly equivalent to a sister Will." Joyce pointed out, the smile returning to her face.
Spike shrugged. "It's someone she can talk with about clothes and make up and all that other girlie crap! What's the difference?"
Joyce chuckled, typical male perspective. "I thought you said Jane couldn't talk." She pointed out.
Spike, as always was ready with a come back. "Dawnie's more of a talker than a listener anyway."
Joyce had a sneaking suspicion that no matter how hard she tried to protest, they would very soon be having a new houseguest!
...
"You're chipper this morning." Willow observed as she and Spike walked to Computer science. Well Willow was walking, Spike was bouncing. It wasn't unusual for the hyperactive teen to be bubbling over with energy, but he wasn't usually this cheerful about it – his bad boy persona wouldn't allow it!
"Am I?" He asked, grin firmly in place.
"You are and you know it!" Willow smiled. "What's gotten into you?"
Spike sighed as he sat in his seat, getting a far way look in his eyes that Willow had affectionately dubbed 'The Jane Look'.
"Mum finally agreed to let her stay at the house." He breathed.
Willow bit her lip. She cared about Spike, she'd even had a tiny bit of a crush on him when he had first moved to Sunnydale – not that she'd dare tell anyone but Oz about it, but he seemed to be getting way too attached to this mystery girl very quickly. What happened when they found out where she belonged and she had to leave?
"Is that such a great idea?" She asked nervously, not wanting to set him off – he had a foul temper if things didn't go his way. She knew he'd never hurt her...but there was no telling what damage he might do to someone, or something else if he reacted badly. Spike however simply blinked and stared at her uncomprehending.
"Why wouldn't it be a good idea?" he asked.
Willow took a deep breath. How to go about this?
"Spike, why do you want her to come stay with you?" – there safe question.
Spike thought for a while before answering. He'd told his mom he was doing it out of some sense to duty – the girl needed help and he was willing to offer it. That had been good enough for her. Xander had simply assumed it was because the girl was hot – yes she was but that wasn't it. You couldn't lie to Willow, especially when she wore her 'resolve face'. "I really don't know." He sighed eventually. "I don't know what it is about her...I just..."
He trailed off, unsure how to put his feelings into words. How could he describe to someone else what he was so unsure of himself? Willow waited patiently; she knew he'd get there in the end. Despite what most people thought of Spike, what most people saw wasn't the real him. Yes he was the punk British boy who would sit listening to the Sex Pistols on his Walkman with the volume so high that despite his headphones the rest of the class could still hear. He was the one who spent more time in detention than in class. The one who would sweet talk Willow into writing his assignments for him. But Spike was no fool. He was much smarter than he let on and while he might have appeared arrogant and cocky, he also had a fierce protective streak. He let so few people get close however; that Willow was certain he must have some special reason for his interest in Jane Doe.
"Whenever I'm around her," he said at last, "I just feel like I have to protect her. Like it's my purpose or something...does that sound dumb?"
Willow shook her head. "No it doesn't sound dumb, just...well isn't this all a bit sudden?"
"I know that!" he cried. When his outburst caused several heads to turn round and look at him curiously he sank further into his seat and waited for their attention to be drawn elsewhere. "I know that." He said again quietly. "And I can't explain it, but I just look at her and feel this connection."
Willow smiled dreamily. "Maybe you're soul mates!"
Spike snorted. "Yeah right Red! I think you've watched too many romantic comedies!"
Willow huffed indignantly. "It could happen!"
Spike chuckled, and tried to ignore the warm feeling in his stomach that Willows words had caused.
...
"And this will be your room." Spike explained as he led 'Jane' around the house a few days later. She had been looking around, her eyes wide with wonder as she examined the rooms he had shown her. Everything looked so clean and comfortable. So much better than the hospital...or that other place. She was swamped in the sweatshirt and pants Spike had borrowed form Joyce for her to wear when they left the hospital. The clothes she had been wearing when he'd saved her had been too torn up to be of any real use.
Spike noticed her wrapping the sleeves around her fingers where they were too long for her arms. She looked so innocent, drowning in what she wore. She looked so cute and vulnerable. "We'll take you to get some clothes that fit at the weekend." He told her. She spun round to look at him, shock evident on her face. She hadn't expected that at all. Spike couldn't help but smile.
He gestured to the room they had just entered. "It's my sister Dawn's room." He told her. "I know the decoration's all poofy but it's better than nothing right?"
The girl span around taking in the purple walls and teddy bears, the pretty pictures and lacy curtains. It was certainly better than nothing – it was better than she deserved.
Take that crap off the walls! It's not like you've got any friends to impress!
She turned her eyes back to Spike, hoping he read how grateful she was. He grinned and she knew he understood. She yawned then, the tiredness of the last few days catching up with her – she'd been too afraid to sleep in the hospital! But she was safe here. Spike would look after her – he'd told her so.
"My mum will be home soon." He told her. "You want to have a nap until dinner?" She nodded. "Right well I'll leave you to get some rest then. I'll come get you when dinner's ready then you can meet my mum and Rupes. Ok?" Another nod. "Right. Sleep tight Jane." Spike turned to leave but stopped as he heard a faint noise, barely even a whisper.
"Bah-fee"
Spike turned to look at the girl in front of him. She was biting her lower lip and watching him anxiously. "What did you say?" he asked.
She took a deep breath before trying again, and when she did it was with great effort. He voice was horse and quiet from disuse. "Bah-fee"
"Buffy?" He asked again, and she nodded. "Your name's Buffy?" The girl nodded enthusiastically and grinned. Spike smiled warmly. "That's a pretty name." He told her – it suited her much more than Jane. Her grin only widened. "See you later Buffy." He said as he closed the door.
A/N: like anyone didn't know it was her already! Hope your all still enjoying this! Love you all!
A/N: Thanks for the lovely reviews; I really wasn't expecting such a great response for this, I just hope no one is disappointed.
Chapter 4: Jane's room
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"No."
"I'll wash the cars!"
"You do that anyway!"
"I wont make you pay me for doing it!"
"No."
"Why?"
Joyce sighed, turning away from the dinner cooking happily on the stove to look at her sulking son who sat at the counter. Of course if you asked Spike he wouldn't admit to sulking, he'd call it...extreme pouting. He'd been badgering her none stop since he'd come from the hospital to take in 'Jane Doe' when she was discharged. He'd begged and pleaded no matter how many times she said no. Normally she would deny him nothing within reason, she'd even go so far as to say she spoiled him sometimes. But now he looked more desolate than when she'd taken away the keys to his Desoto after he 'accidentally' ran down the welcome to Sunnydale sign. She shook her head at his pitiful look.
"It's not a good idea Will." She told him gently.
"Why not? It's only until they can find her family!" he insisted
"I'm sure there are plenty of people willing to take her in Will." Joyce tried to reassure him, even though she knew it wouldn't work. He seemed to have an answer for everything.
"No there aren't. People think she'll be too much trouble because she can't talk...and she tends to lash out occasionally." He admitted quietly.
Joyce raised an eyebrow. "That's hardly a convincing argument Will!"
Spike sighed in exasperation. She wasn't making this easy. "It's not like we don't have the room mum. She could stay in Dawn's room!"
"And what if your sister should come home and there's a strange girl in her bed?" Joyce asked.
Spike rolled his eyes. "This isn't goldilocks and the three bears!" he huffed. "Besides, since when does Dawn ever come here? She's too happy using daddy's expense account!"
Joyce winced and as soon as Spike heard his words he regretted them. When his parent's marriage had imploded he'd chosen to go with Joyce. The much younger Dawn had, on the other hand, been lured by Hank's promises of toys and ice cream. Now Spike barely saw his fourteen-year-old brat kid sister since she had moved to LA with their father not long after the divorce. Even when Spike and Joyce had moved to California visits had been rare. Despite this Joyce had insisted on saving a room for Dawn, just in case.
Although Joyce had never held her daughters decision against her, Spike knew there was some part of her mind that wondered if she had been inadequate as a mother somehow, especially given Spike's penchant for causing trouble – Hank had certainly accused her of it often enough. It had been one of the main contributors to Spike's eventually distancing himself from his father.
"Look mum," Spike continued, trying to subtly make amends, "if Dawnie does come home she'll be thrilled! You know she's always said she wished she had a sister!"
"A stranger is hardly equivalent to a sister Will." Joyce pointed out, the smile returning to her face.
Spike shrugged. "It's someone she can talk with about clothes and make up and all that other girlie crap! What's the difference?"
Joyce chuckled, typical male perspective. "I thought you said Jane couldn't talk." She pointed out.
Spike, as always was ready with a come back. "Dawnie's more of a talker than a listener anyway."
Joyce had a sneaking suspicion that no matter how hard she tried to protest, they would very soon be having a new houseguest!
...
"You're chipper this morning." Willow observed as she and Spike walked to Computer science. Well Willow was walking, Spike was bouncing. It wasn't unusual for the hyperactive teen to be bubbling over with energy, but he wasn't usually this cheerful about it – his bad boy persona wouldn't allow it!
"Am I?" He asked, grin firmly in place.
"You are and you know it!" Willow smiled. "What's gotten into you?"
Spike sighed as he sat in his seat, getting a far way look in his eyes that Willow had affectionately dubbed 'The Jane Look'.
"Mum finally agreed to let her stay at the house." He breathed.
Willow bit her lip. She cared about Spike, she'd even had a tiny bit of a crush on him when he had first moved to Sunnydale – not that she'd dare tell anyone but Oz about it, but he seemed to be getting way too attached to this mystery girl very quickly. What happened when they found out where she belonged and she had to leave?
"Is that such a great idea?" She asked nervously, not wanting to set him off – he had a foul temper if things didn't go his way. She knew he'd never hurt her...but there was no telling what damage he might do to someone, or something else if he reacted badly. Spike however simply blinked and stared at her uncomprehending.
"Why wouldn't it be a good idea?" he asked.
Willow took a deep breath. How to go about this?
"Spike, why do you want her to come stay with you?" – there safe question.
Spike thought for a while before answering. He'd told his mom he was doing it out of some sense to duty – the girl needed help and he was willing to offer it. That had been good enough for her. Xander had simply assumed it was because the girl was hot – yes she was but that wasn't it. You couldn't lie to Willow, especially when she wore her 'resolve face'. "I really don't know." He sighed eventually. "I don't know what it is about her...I just..."
He trailed off, unsure how to put his feelings into words. How could he describe to someone else what he was so unsure of himself? Willow waited patiently; she knew he'd get there in the end. Despite what most people thought of Spike, what most people saw wasn't the real him. Yes he was the punk British boy who would sit listening to the Sex Pistols on his Walkman with the volume so high that despite his headphones the rest of the class could still hear. He was the one who spent more time in detention than in class. The one who would sweet talk Willow into writing his assignments for him. But Spike was no fool. He was much smarter than he let on and while he might have appeared arrogant and cocky, he also had a fierce protective streak. He let so few people get close however; that Willow was certain he must have some special reason for his interest in Jane Doe.
"Whenever I'm around her," he said at last, "I just feel like I have to protect her. Like it's my purpose or something...does that sound dumb?"
Willow shook her head. "No it doesn't sound dumb, just...well isn't this all a bit sudden?"
"I know that!" he cried. When his outburst caused several heads to turn round and look at him curiously he sank further into his seat and waited for their attention to be drawn elsewhere. "I know that." He said again quietly. "And I can't explain it, but I just look at her and feel this connection."
Willow smiled dreamily. "Maybe you're soul mates!"
Spike snorted. "Yeah right Red! I think you've watched too many romantic comedies!"
Willow huffed indignantly. "It could happen!"
Spike chuckled, and tried to ignore the warm feeling in his stomach that Willows words had caused.
...
"And this will be your room." Spike explained as he led 'Jane' around the house a few days later. She had been looking around, her eyes wide with wonder as she examined the rooms he had shown her. Everything looked so clean and comfortable. So much better than the hospital...or that other place. She was swamped in the sweatshirt and pants Spike had borrowed form Joyce for her to wear when they left the hospital. The clothes she had been wearing when he'd saved her had been too torn up to be of any real use.
Spike noticed her wrapping the sleeves around her fingers where they were too long for her arms. She looked so innocent, drowning in what she wore. She looked so cute and vulnerable. "We'll take you to get some clothes that fit at the weekend." He told her. She spun round to look at him, shock evident on her face. She hadn't expected that at all. Spike couldn't help but smile.
He gestured to the room they had just entered. "It's my sister Dawn's room." He told her. "I know the decoration's all poofy but it's better than nothing right?"
The girl span around taking in the purple walls and teddy bears, the pretty pictures and lacy curtains. It was certainly better than nothing – it was better than she deserved.
Take that crap off the walls! It's not like you've got any friends to impress!
She turned her eyes back to Spike, hoping he read how grateful she was. He grinned and she knew he understood. She yawned then, the tiredness of the last few days catching up with her – she'd been too afraid to sleep in the hospital! But she was safe here. Spike would look after her – he'd told her so.
"My mum will be home soon." He told her. "You want to have a nap until dinner?" She nodded. "Right well I'll leave you to get some rest then. I'll come get you when dinner's ready then you can meet my mum and Rupes. Ok?" Another nod. "Right. Sleep tight Jane." Spike turned to leave but stopped as he heard a faint noise, barely even a whisper.
"Bah-fee"
Spike turned to look at the girl in front of him. She was biting her lower lip and watching him anxiously. "What did you say?" he asked.
She took a deep breath before trying again, and when she did it was with great effort. He voice was horse and quiet from disuse. "Bah-fee"
"Buffy?" He asked again, and she nodded. "Your name's Buffy?" The girl nodded enthusiastically and grinned. Spike smiled warmly. "That's a pretty name." He told her – it suited her much more than Jane. Her grin only widened. "See you later Buffy." He said as he closed the door.
A/N: like anyone didn't know it was her already! Hope your all still enjoying this! Love you all!